Bare Escentuals Boxom Lips

With autumn enters a chill, which to me feels like a huge relief after the heat of the hot summer months.  A new season brings new sweaters and boots, new nail polish colors, perhaps new hair color, and most importantly, new makeup!  Not that we ever need a new season for a new lip gloss (who needs an excuse, right?!), but hey, let's just go with it.

San Francisco based Bare Escentuals introduces Buxom Lips, a tingly mineral based lip plumper. This awesome gloss is minty fresh and includes vitamins A and E to keep your pretty lips moisturized. I chose "Dominique", which is one of the clear versions with iridescent super fine glitter. It is glam and sparkly; makes you feel like you're dressed up even in a t-shirt and jeans!! 

Dior Lip Maximizer goes for $29 and though I love it, this is a great option too and Boxom Lips is only $18! By the way, it smells of vanilla, so very delectable; only the best for you!! http://sephora.com.

Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner

I was walking down the street the other night going from one venue to the next (social butterfly) and decided to test my new Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner by busting out my eyelash curler and going for it, right over that perfect gel line.  I needed to know if the line would smudge (Yes ladies this is why I exist for you).  The great news is the line did not move, shazam!!  

The palette is called Night Sky Long-Wear Eye Palette. It includes two cream shadows "Rock Star" and "Ocean Storm" and two Long-Wear Gel Eyeliners "Black Ink" and "Thunder Storm". Very appropriately, "Thunder Storm" is my fave.  I don't like the cream shadows; they are a bit challenging to work with because if you screw up the stay put formula is a bit difficult to wipe off.  The gel eyeliners are dreamy though.  You have to have a steady hand to apply them, and I recommend you use your own ultra fine eyeliner brush for application (it comes with one, but it's still a bit large to perfect the desired and sharp thin line), but the formula is tres magnifique!! 

"Thunder Storm" is gun metal colored with miniscule sparkles that truly brighten any eye.  Be adventurous, give it a shot.  They have a brown version too "Moon Rock", which is just as beautiful.  Fingers crossed they sell "Thunder Storm" and "Black Topaz" (from the brown palette) individually, because trust, these two colors will inspire you.  

For the love of fall, go buy some Bobbi!!  $55 for the palette and her individual gel eyeliners are $21 http: bobbibrowncosmetics.com

Oh so Gold gloss

I was meeting a friend for drinks on the Upper West Side the other night and sure enough a wind storm pulled me inside Space NK (darn winds).  Space NK (for those of you who don't know) is a UK based apothecary that hit NYC nearly two years ago.  The shops include fragrance, skin care, makeup, hair, candles, etc.; a boutique of cult beauty goods.  

Anyway, I was immediately drawn to Lipstick Queen's Shine in Gold Saint. This tacky, sticky, glop of a pot is out of the handbag of a sexy woman in the 70's at Studio 54.  

at least that's the visual.  I put it on and could barely open my mouth (I know to some of you this sounds like a blessing), but for real, not a good look. 

Obsessed with the idea of purchasing something gold and fabulous I visited NARS next and was not disappointed.  Moon Fleet is absolutely gorgeous.  It is wet and creamy with teeny tiny gold speckles that when in light glow like fourth of July fireworks!!  I love this gloss because it's effortless; you don't have to try to accomplish glam it is an immediate effect!! $24 at http://spacenk.com.  

Eye makeup remover

My friend Natalie and I went to Central Park for the day on Saturday and had one of those excellent New York City days, where we strolled through the park, soaked in some sun, lounged like lazy lions (are lions lazy?), stopped for wine at a great spot called Wine and Roses on the upper west side, and stopped in to Lancome's flagship store on Columbus and 69th Street. 

We played with makeup for over an hour and with our hands filled with sticky lip gloss, eye pencil marks and streaks of eye shadow, we grabbed cotton swabs soaked in Bi-Facil and we were back in action, and back to the shadows! Bi-Facil successfully removes waterproof eye makeup and is gentle enough for those with sensitive skin, and ophthalmologist-tested for contact lens wearers. 

A makeup artist friend of mine told me recently that if you don't remove your mascara at night, your lashes will fall off (which does not help in the youth-department because they do not grow back!)  I'm tellin' you, treat yourself, you'll love this stuff.  http://lancome.com, $26.

O-Gloss

I recently got a call from my friend Julie who told me I had to go out and buy Smashbox's new lip gloss O-Gloss immediately. She told me a great story about how her daughter Caroline was beyond upset to see Mom's pink turned out very differently than hers. Caroline wanted Mom's pink! 

O-Gloss is the first "intuitive lip gloss". Every person's pink is different, based on their chemistry. O-Gloss is very smooth, not sticky and has wonderful ingredients like avocado oil and Goji Berry-C Complex for moisture and shine. My pink is a subtle pink, but I have to tell you this gloss absolutely rocks on blondes! A blonde friend recently whipped O-Gloss out of her bag and I felt just like Caroline, I want her pink!! How fun right?!!

You can buy Smashbox at http://smashbox.com and this delicious pink pout will cost you $22.00 with free shipping in the U.S.

Concealer

I must introduce you to a new and faithful friend ... drum roll .. Time Balm concealer, by The Balm. Ta dah, mis amigos, it is unbelievable! 

As I mentioned in my last post, I have been dealing with some pain in the rump blemishes, especially on my forehead, and though Clinique Almost Makeup has helped incredibly with redness reduction and overall skin tone, The Balm has saved the day coverage wise.

It comes in 4 shades and is even said to be a treatment for your under eye area; The Balm says to dab a bit on before bed and you will awaken more fresh (who couldn't use that, right?!)  Personally, it is a tad dry for under my eyes, but as a blemish concealer, I am not sure there is a better one out there. I have used nearly every brand and I gotta say, The Balm has made me feel human lately on some terribly insecure skin days. The greatest thing about it is it lasts. I cover up in the a.m. and by day's end I am still in the game! This little pot of love is $17, I mean why not?!  http://sephora.com.

Clinique Almost Makeup

With a move back to New York City, and the start of a new job, I have been swamped. A bit swamped to fill you in, but not too swamped to stop by Sephora and pick up a few new things.

A big move, water, temperature changes, hormones, stress levels, can all have a huge effect on one's skin. I was pretty upset recently, in the midst of all of these personal changes, to wake up with a patch of acne on my forehead. I have tried to drink more water, watch my sugar, etc, but nothing is working (pretty much the worst!) So outside of treating my skin, I decided to pick up a foundation to minimize some of the redness and even out the rest of my skin tone.  Something light, not too heavy, it's summer!

Clinique's Almost Makeup did the trick. I had no idea how much red I had in my skin until I applied this very light and natural foundation, and saw the immediate results. I feel more confident and less focused on my forehead's blemishes and Almost Makeup is oil-free, waterproof and has an SPF of 15, so I feel protected too. The greatest thing is, it is affordable at $19.50 per tube! You can purchase this product at http://sephora.com or at any counter that carries Clinique. Give it a shot, I promise you, you will not be disappointed.

I stumbled in to Macy's Friday afternoon and I met the loveliest pale pink plumper. My friends, meet Dior's latest, Lip Maximizer.

This collagen lip plumper is like no other; not only is it hydrating, but it feels fresh, as opposed to hot and its flavor is vanilla mint, which I love!

Lip Maximizer is a treatment, as well as a plumper so it is recommended that it be applied throughout the day, as well as before bed. Lip Maximizer helps to stimulate collagen production in your lips and I was told that within 15 days I would notice a great difference (ooh la la)!

You can get yourself a great pucker too for about $30 at http://Macys.com and http://Sephora.com. I mean it is Memorial Day weekend, what better reason to treat yourself?!

Face Wash

I ran out of my face wash recently and recalled my dermatologist recommends Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash from Johnson & Johnson, so I figured I'd give it a shot. I have been using it for about a week now and I am absolutely loving it. My mascara comes right off (the main thing I want my face wash to accomplish) and because Purpose is soap free and oil free my skin does not feel dry or irritated. It's also non-comedogenic so it will not clog my pores or leave residue on my skin, like typical soap does. My favorite thing about this product is one pump gives you a handful of creamy lather and you do not need more than that to cleanse your face and neck. I picked up my Purpose at CVS for $6.99, but I found it on Drugstore.com for $6.49 - I mean how can you go wrong, it is reasonably priced and completely effective and gentle!

Eye cream

I mingled with a Chanel makeup artist during my most recent visit to Barneys and she introduced me to Sublimage Eye, and sent me home with samples. She said the miracle ingredient, Planifolia PFA, developed by a Chanel research team, is the latest in capturing a youthful appearance (hmmm?) The main ingredient is a precious green fruit from Madagascar called Vanilla Panifolia. This fruit only blooms from September to November, so there is a very short window to taking possession of what Chanel claims is the key ingredient to powerful anti-aging.

I have to say this cream is incredibly rich and nourishing, and especially in my morning rush, putting cream on and makeup only moments later, I need quick moisture and absorption. The thing I like most about this product is that I can apply concealer under my eyes within minutes of application and I do not end up with makeup in my creases, or visible dryness under my eyes post makeup (the worst). I also gave a sample to my Mom who has always claimed a rich under eye cream makes all the difference in showing someone's age and she is loving it; Mom said she noticed a difference immediately! Her eyes appeared revitalized and softer, and she said her crow's feet appeared much less obvious.

Mom is in her 60s and I am in my 30s and we love this eye cream! My eyes look brighter and my circles less dark, and for Mom, her wrinkles moisturized, regenerated and less obvious. We are radiant haha, isn't Chanel grande?! http://neimanmarcus.com $175 for 0.5 oz. (ouch, I know, but your eyes show the first signs of aging, so if necessary, buy a less expensive face cream and invest in Sublimage Eye!)

Nail polish remover

Okay, genious just entered the room. I know I recently mentioned Lippmann Collection products, but I have to tell you about this brilliant LC product too! The Stripper to go, for go go girls (let's start with the name - genIOUs) is nail polish remover in finger mitt form. One box includes six individually wrapped lavender scented finger mitts (1 mitt handles all ten nails) and it'll cost you $8 a box - completely worth it, go on! http://lippmanncollection.com

Eyelash curler

My plan to move back to New York City is coming to fruition and with the date quickly nearing, the stress has gifted me with quite grotesque bags under my eyes (ack!) Under such exciting, yet cruel circumstances, one would think concealer is a gal's best friend; for me, my shu uemura Eyelash Curler is my absolute saving grace! Besides, most every makeup artist and celeb swears by this iconic tool (and you know, only the best for me!!)

I have tried many curlers and sue uemura's is engineered like no other. It is easy to use and the silicon pad stays in place, which ensures safety and ease alongside optimum curl (friends, you do not need to be afraid). This tool suits any eye shape and creates the perfect amount of pressure on your lashes to create curl beyond no other ... which I am telling you will brighten any tired or stressed eyes!

Ideally, your curler should be replaced every 6 months and its pad should be replaced every 3 months (one replacement pad comes with your purchase). It is also suggested that you clean your curler before each use. I usually wipe it off with a tissue, but I'm sure witch hazel or alcohol would be ideal. Also, I use my curler before I apply mascara in the morning, and then throughout the day over my mascara (once or twice) to help wake up and refresh my look!

I usually scoot in to a Sephora for my curler, but you can also buy shu eumura's curler on their website http: shueumura-usa.com or at Nordstrom. The price ranges between $17 and $19.

Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencils

I was recently in NYC running around like a lunatic trying to find the right and bright lipstick to suit the perfect night out! I searched high and low and finally discovered Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencils. There are so many brilliant colors, but the one I chose is a rich berry color called Damned. The minute I put it on (attention shifted) and the bags under my eyes seemed to disappear .. voila my plan worked!!

The pencils are jumbo, which makes them super easy to work with, the formula lasts for hours and they are enriched with vitamin E. I will say, for evening wear these pencils are perfect, but for day time (at least the bright colored pencils) are a bit less practical. The color is matte and very dry, so though the color lasts, when reapplying (and layering) the color, my lips appear chapped and the color less smooth. Regardless, these pencils are at the top of my list for evening wear and the color choices are phenomenal. As well, a makeup artist friend of mine suggested Belle de Jour and claims it is THE perfect neutral lip!!

You can purchase Velvet Matte Lip Pencils at Sephora for $24 each.

Teeth Whitening

I was out to dinner with my friend Julie a couple of weekends ago and noticed her smile; her teeth are so white, bright and beautiful. I must add that Julie would be gorgeous with yellow teeth, so with white teeth she is an absolute knock out!! This outing prompted me to see what is out there, which lead me to a friend who used to work at Sephora. We talked about how whitening strips often lead to sensitivity, which is exactly why I have avoided whitening in the past. Katie handed me GoSmile Advanced Formula B1 ampoules and said, "it works, give it a shot!"

I have used several treatments and I agree with Katie, this product is phenomenal. My teeth are not aching and my smile is brighter. It is super easy, as well and you have no messy gels or strips to deal with! You simply crack open an ampoule and there is a sponge which the product absorbs in to. You then sponge the product on to your teeth for 2 minutes, more or less on each tooth, depending on the need. No fuss, no mess, it's brilliant! The treatment is meant to be applied in the morning and at night for 10 days straight and you can purchase it at http://sephora.com, http://beauty.com and http://makeup.com for $89. If that is too pricey for you, you can also try the touch up ampoules - 30 ampoules for $39. These are more for on the go purposes to touch up and refresh your breath and smile. A way to erase coffee or wine stains in the moment, at the office, after dinner, etc. I am putting my order in today .. go on, give it a shot. Your smile is worth a million bucks .. or at least $89!

Body Exfoliator

A friend of mine recently introduced me to a line called Belli out of Issaquah, Washington. Belli was created in 2002 by a physician for expectant and new Mothers, inspired by his own wife and child. The products are allergy tested, free of artificial dyes and parabens, and every ingredient is teratology screened, to exclude anything linked to birth defects, or other problems discovered around pregnancy. Belli products soothe and nurture Mothers and are safe for nursing babies. As well, the packaging is quite beautiful, simple and sleek.

Though Belli may be marketed towards the Mother, the good news is it can be used by all (yay)! I have a very common skin condition on my upper arms (little red bumps) called Keratosis Pilaris. It will never go away, but when I frequently use a gentle exfoliator the condition relaxes and improves. Belli's exfoliator improved my skin's texture (after one use) and though some exfoliators irritate the skin on my arms, this product did not (zero itch post scrub)! Its formula includes anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory ingredients such as green tea, ginseng and peppermint oil, which I found very therapeutic (and relaxing) on both my skin and my senses.

My favorite thing about this scrub is it is not messy (love the tube, as opposed to a jar or pot); the scrub is clean (bright white) and feels similar to a microdermabrasion scrub unlike the typical body scrubs on the market. It quickly sloughed off my dead skin cells and left me feeling silky soft, and happy as a clam! The line also includes serums, creams, face and body wash, and an eye brightening cream, which I've read spectacular things about ...

Read up and check it out - Belli can be purchased on their website http://belliskincare.com for $24, or if in this declining market you are looking to save a few bucks, go right over to http://drugstore.com where you can purchase the exfoliator for a very worthwhile $19.20 (20% off)!

Mascara

My friend Jen emailed me last night that she is in need of a mascara and needs some direction, so here are my thoughts; my most favorite is Chanel Inimitable Mascara Multi-Dimensional. Numero uno for many reasons, but especially for its rubber wand, which separates and lengthens my lashes to perfection. It is non clumping and very long lasting, which makes it well worth its asking price of $27.50. I also really enjoy Chanel's Lash Enhancing Base, which helps to strengthen lashes and extend wear. The base is about $24. I usually go to Barneys for Chanel products, but if I am purchasing a product (or two) on line, I generally visit neimanmarcus.com.

Another I really enjoy is Yves Saint Laurent's Everlong Lengthening Mascara (most often available wherever Chanel is and for about the same price). This mascara also has a rubber wand and includes a lash growth booster meant to encourage the healthiest of lashes. This mascara is the one I would recommend to the woman who does not wear a lot of makeup, or for the girl with the naturally perfect long lash already. YSL's formula coats and separates your lashes amazingly well, but it is quite light so it offers a more natural daytime look. As many of you know, I go for a bit more drama .. in my mascara, that is ...

Speaking of drama, the cult-fave is Dior's Diorshow Mascara. Diorshow creates a glamorous, thickening, off the runway look. The brush is a bit fat for me and it tends to clump (on your lashes and in its container), which means when it is new it behaves quite well (especially for that sexy evening lash look), but it will need to get tossed rather quickly as the clump factor enters in. It goes for $24 at Sephora and because of its short shelf life, this one is more of an occasional treat and is less of a permanent fixture in my makeup bag.

Now if you are never in a million years going to spend $20+ on mascara then head to CVS or Duane Reade and pick up Loreal's Voluminous or Maybelline's Great Lash. You can purchase either, as well, on drugstore.com for about $5. I prefer Voluminous, who recently launched a carbon black version, which I am loving. It too can get a bit clumpy (it is a thicker lash mascara) and it does not last as long as my Chanel fave (in terms of shelf life), but it works well and does the trick.

Maybelline's Great Lash wins every award in the book, but the brush is too small for me and it does not offer me the definition or lash thickness, which I will always be in search of. I have girlfriends who swear by it though, especially the waterproof version, so give it a shot, who knows right?!

Waterproof Eyeliner

On a rainy and grey day what could possibly make things brighter? Chanel perhaps? Better yet, how about waterproof Chanel? Oui, s'il vous plaît.

My friend Aimee T recently suggested I pick up Chanel's latest Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner, which she purchased in Espresso. She said, "as a makeup novice the pencil is easy to work with, rich in colour and is super long-lasting." So I dropped by Barneys and though I love deep browns, I opted for Marine (Navy) and Celadon (a dark grey-green with subtle gold sparkles). I wore the Celadon yesterday and I really liked it, though I wish more of the gold shimmer came across, not because I don't like green, but because gold is more .. shall we say .. fancy & expensive.

I went to Bikram (yoga) last night and the workout waterproof test definitely failed, though I'm not sure any waterproof makeup would survive through Bikram (the room is 105+ and your body temp is thru the roof!) Regardless, I got a couple of compliments and I really appreciated that unlike regular liners, it stayed on, didn't smudge into my upper lid or worse, end up melting under my eyes. I'm wearing the Marine today and I have to say, on a super sleepy day, the Marine is really helping to illuminate my eyes/face! One would never know I was on my 4th cup of coffee!!

Perfume

An incredible shopping experience was had yesterday afternoon in Copley Place Boston with friends. We covered Sephora, Neiman Marcus, Barneys and Saks Fifth Avenue, and by the end of the day I felt like a child in need of some major nap time. My most favorite stop of the day was at CPK for food (I'm kidding, I'm kidding,) all jokes aside it was definitely Saks Fifth Avenue. How fortunate were we that Saks was offering a family discount yesterday, which included 15% off any purchase in the store - score!! So I visited my intended fragrance counter, Bond No. 9, did a lot of sniffing and then BANG, it was love at first sniff! "Hello Nuits de Noho, I'm Nicole, so very very pleased to meet you!"

Bond No. 9 is a sophisticated and alluring niche brand, which is an homage to New York City. The line created Downtown, Midtown and Uptown scents, as well as candles and body creme, which mark NYC's neighborhoods with scents of their very own. Nuits de Noho, my downtown love affair, has notes of Jasmine, Creamy Vanilla and Sheer Patchouli, which is a "nighttime femininity; irreverent and unapologetic". Pretty tasty right?! The description on bondno9.com also reads, Nuits de Noho "has the impact of a shot of icy vodka" ha ha, now that sounds more like it (ME)!! "Impact" is what I've been searching for in a fragrance though and I have to say I am completely sold - it is evident that the brand only uses high 18-22 percent concentrations of pure eaux de parfums, which offers "longlasting concentrations of the legendary scents of the 1920s and 1930s."

The other two scents I love are New Haarlem, which is a bit androgynous and smells mostly of vanilla and coffee, with notes of bergamot, cedarwood, patchouli and lavender, and Little Italy, a citrus scent of mandarin and grapefruit with notes of jasmine and a bit of sheer musk. New Haarlem smells warm and cozy, Little Italy fresh, but not too sweet. Both absolutely delightful.

Bond No. 9's website is gorgeous so if you have a minute check it out at http://bondno9.com. You can purchase this brand at Bond's four shops in NYC, on their website, or at Saks Fifth Avenue www.saksfifthavenue.com. Be aware this is no inexpensive love affair (but well worth every penny) 1.7 fl oz goes for $125 and the 3.4 fl oz for $185. The candles range from $75-100 (which includes 16-20 percent perfume concentration and they burn for 60 hours) and the body creme 6.8 oz for $105.

Exfoliate & sparkle

I have a huge affection for a brand called Benefit Cosmetics out of San Francisco, CA. What initially piqued my interest was the packaging, which is so creatively female (very fancy & expensive) and makes you feel like you can hop in to the artwork and suddenly be glam yourself (you can, try it!)

My list of favorites is long, but I wanted to mention two in particular, which I believe should be staples in your everyday wash 'n go routine. Bum Deal Body Scrub smells of red currant (yum) and the sugar and salt formula exfoliates your hips, arms, your rump and thighs to perfection. When you step out of the shower, beyond feeling baby soft you will feel revitalized and rejuvenated! I used this product frequently last year and I'm telling you my skin never felt better. The thing I especially love about Bum Deal is you are able to jump out of the shower pat down and go - no need for lotion, because the oil in the scrub leaves your skin perfectly silky (not greasy, I might add).

So you're washed up and smooth as butta (hey, easy, I'm livin' in Boston) and you're ready to jet. What's next? You're soft, but c'mon every girl needs to sparkle! For that, I recommend Benefit's Kitten Classic. First off, it looks gorgeous in your washroom, secondly, it is a soft sparkling powder within a puff (no dipping here), thirdly, the soft floral scent works with any fragrance you may be wearing (quite light and fresh) and finally, you just feel so darn sparkly and sassy.

Benefit also created a NYC and Paris Kitten, as well (cute, right?!) Trust when I say that any version of this puff will compel you to tap it on your shoulders, your legs, your decollete (especially) and even your hair! When you hit the streets, rest assured you'll be more glam than you ever dreamed possible!

Visit Benefit Cosmetics LLC and purchase some treats (it's Friday!!)



Get a free mini dr. feelgood with any $50 purchase. Enter promo FEELGOOD at checkout. Offer valid through 4.29.08. Not valid with any other offers.

Balms

I received a post from my friend Nicka that I needed to write about her favorite Boots balm, so here it goes. Boots, as many of you know, is a UK brand that started selling in the U.S. several years ago. Boots is equivalent to our CVS, but apparently a bit more Sephora, Whole Foods, etc., the ultimate shop. Nicka sent me the Mediterranean Olive, Almond & Sage Wonderbalm about 6 months ago and I really do enjoy it. The smell is wonderfully therapeutic, and the almond and sage is a soothing fragrant experience. It is also an organic product, which I definitely appreciate. I like it mostly for my lips and cuticles, but it can also be used on any dry skin patch you've got! It's light in consistency, so it absorbs very quickly. This product sells at CVS and Target for less than $10 a jar.

Though I prefer the aroma of Wonderbalm, I am addicted to old fashioned Bag Balm, a product created in Wells River, VT in 1899. Bag Balm, recognized by its green and red can, which the product has been packaged in for over 100 years, is still a staple in many a medicine cabinet. Bag Balm smells like what it is, Petrolatum and lanolin, but it's healing value is immense (its consistency is more like that of Vaseline). The product was created to soften cow udders and its use has evolved in to under eye cream, lip, cuticle, heel and feet balm, etc. I adore this universal balm and you can buy it at Drugstore.com for less than $7 a tin - what a deal!

My co-worker Julie mentioned a product she prefers over Bag Balm, which I figured I should include. It is called Lansinoh (which also sells on Drugstore.com for about $7 a tube) created for nursing mother's. Lansinoh is a topical nipple treatment with no preservatives or additives, which means it does not need to be removed before a child feeds. Julie made a good point, "Bag Balm was created for cow udders, Lansinoh for a nursing mother .. what is more natural than that?" I looked it up and the main ingredient is ultra-pure medical-grape lanolin and its consistency is a bit lighter in color and texture than Vaseline or Bag Balm. Julie uses this product universally, as well, on her lips and dry elbows, and she said it works great on her son's cracked heels. I'm gonna head to CVS at lunch and give it a shot (I'm such an easy sell)!!

Some times a chapped lip (or chapped anything) screams for relief and I'm confident that one of these salves/balms will do just the trick for you!

Davines

It is absolutely gorgeous outside today (it's supposed to hit 80
degrees!) I hope all of you take some time for yourselves to take a quick lap, or better yet bring your lunch outside, sit on a park bench and soak up some sunshine. Spring is finally here and speaking of warm rays, a few years back I was introduced to a brand called Davines, which brought immediate fervor to my being (I swear!) Davines is a brand from Parma, Italy that started as a research laboratory and in the early 90's they launched their very own brand of hair care products. My favorite is the Momo line for dry and curly hair. I have tons of natural curl and frizz, which over the years I've ironed to despair and I swear this line nurtures my locks and makes me feel like I'm paying my damaging-dues!

The moisturizing shampoo is light and lathers up the minute it touches your hands, leaving your hair feeling super clean and smelling fresh. The moisturizing conditioner/cream has milk thistle extract in it and after leaving it on for a few minutes and rinsing, my hair is happy glossy hair.

From flat ironing I am having some breakage issues so I started using both the moisturizing curl enhancing serum, as well as the moisturizing anti-frizz protective fluid. Both are absolutely wonderful products. On a day I am going to wash and go, I put the curl enhancing serum on and let my hair dry naturally. My hair, feels treated, but never greasy, which I especially love. On days that I am going to flat iron my hair, I put the anti-frizz fluid on after I've done my damage and leave my apartment feeling less depleted (of moisture, that is).

Check out Davines.com for more information on the line and to find a salon in your area that carries it. Also, I noticed one of my most fave sites, beauty.com sells it, so go now, it's spring buy something good for yourself ...

Nails

I looked down at my nails on Friday with absolute disgust! My red polish had chipped (not in a cool rock star chip sorta way) and most of my nails were peeling (not so cute). After work I met my friend Amy (Fabino), who has perfect beautiful hands/nails and exclaimed my upset. She pulled a product out of her handbag called Rejuvacote out of Brooklyn, NY and said, "take this bottle and use it for the next 7 days, applying it once a day. It will change your life." I told her I'd already been using Sally Hansen's Miracle Cure, but that I was not seeing impressive results and that I'd happily give it a shot. So I went home and applied Rejuvacote and have reapplied it daily since and I have to say the results are remarkable (and that is only after 4 days use)! My nails appear stronger, and look clean and shiny with the perfect hint of sheer pink to boot. You can buy it here http://store.hello-gorgeous.net/nailcare-duricosmetics.html for $9.95 and TRUST, it's worth every penny!!

Since we are on nails, I also want to mention some of my other faves. Celebrity manicurist, Deborah Lippmann (who just did Madonna's nails for the cover of Vanity Fair ... Go Deb!) has her own line lippmanncollection.com and LC has several products I can not live without. First, The Stripper is THE BEST nail polish remover I have ever used. It smells of lavender and literally strips the polish off, leaving behind only a clean nail, with a non intrusive smell, unlike most polish removers. The applicator is pretty cool too, super easy with a twist lock pump. Deborah's cuticle oil is pure love too, smelling of delicious coconuts and offers the right amount of moisture to dry cuticles without being too greasy. I also use Deb's oil on my lips and dry elbows. Amazing. OH (can you tell this stuff excites me) and she created this rich foot cream last year called Steppin' Out and I have to tell you it is wonderful - super creamy and absorbent. I use it on my hands and feet, and it smells oh so kokum butter delight! Put it on with socks before you go to bed and in the morning your feet will be moisturized to perfection!!

Self-tanning

Since spring has arrived and sun kissed faces are suddenly appearing, do yourself a favor, stay out of the sun and opt to use Lancome's Flash Bronzer Glow 'N Wear Tinted Self-tanning Gel for Body, on your face! That's right, on your face and it comes in both Natural and shimmer formulas. I used the Natural this morning and am so pleased - it gave me the perfect amount of sun dew glow, completely streak-free and it was dry in 5 minutes!

Lip Gloss

I went to Bikram (yoga) this afternoon and on my walk home I could only think of two things, Peanut M&M's and LIP GLOSS. CVS suddenly jumped out at me (how kind) and before you knew it I'd blown 250 calories and 100 bucks!! The lip gloss success percentage was pretty high, 2 out of 3 were winners! One of my most favorite lip glosses (repo) is L'Oreal Colour Juice in Golden Splash, which is pretty much L'Oreal's version of a Lancome Juicy Tube. It's creamy and sparkly with the perfect golden glow. Ends up being the gloss your girls are asking to borrow on every girl's night out!  Winner #2 is Neutrogena Lip Smoother in #50 Sheen, think a red popsicle stained mouth, wet and glossy to perfection (love!) So shiny and moisturizing, and to boot it smells like fruit punch. The third purchase, which I did NOT like at all, was Physician's Formula Plump Potion in Pink Crystal. Too gloppy and sticky for me. If I'm looking for a bee stung mouth I'll stick to Fusion Beauty LipFusion Lip Plump. Better formula, packaging, lip brush and my lips don't stick together - talking is very important to me! ;)

Face cream & Eye Cream/Treatment

I am the kind of person who oozes with excitement over the best mascara, or the perfect red lipstick and will spend hours smelling perfume (and coffee beans) to find a scent that really represents me. My friends email me daily asking about it all, including skin care regimes or eye cream recommendations, to which I excitedly rattle off my suggestions. Some women take a personal interest, and others like to ask their product obsessed friends, like me!!

On Friday I was asked for my favorite face and eye cream of the moment. I gotta tell you, I have spent years trying tons of very expensive creams, but right now I am really enjoying Avon's ANEW line. I use the Retroactive day and night cream and find it moisturizing, not greasy, and it definitely has not clogged my pores, or irritated some of my hormonal chin area breakouts.  After five months of use, I've definitely noticed a difference regarding the reduction of fine lines around my cheek bones and eye area. The ANEW product perk is it's about $30 total for both a day and night cream and can be ordered on line at Avon.com. Also, if you are looking for an eye cream, my Mom is a huge fan of the ANEW Clinical Eye Lift, which is also super reasonable and long lasting at $28. This eye cream includes two sections, one cream and one gel. The cream for under eye and the gel for the brow bone area meant to offer an instant lift. Mom claims the cream is super moisturizing (a bit thicker, which she likes) and the gel tightens the area around the brow and feels very refreshing.

I will definitely give Clinical Eye Lift a shot, but right now I am using two products that I am quite enjoying. The first is from FRESH Lotus Eye Gel, which is meant to treat dark circles and puffiness (this is not an eye cream, rather a treatment) and on top of it I am using Darphin Arovita Eye and Lip Contour Gel, which I love! I also started using both of these products about 5 months ago and I swear I've noticed a huge difference with upper lid puffiness and dark circles. Both are very light so, if like my Mom you prefer a more moisturizing under eye cream, these may not be for you.