You make the sun shine brighter than Doris Day

Day 10: DECLEOR Tonifying Lotion Review
By Annie

Toners are a personal weakness of mine. I apply a toner product to my face and neck with a cotton pad before my morning and evening skin care routines. It is a refreshing splash of essential oils and waters. Toners wake me up or settle me down. It is purely psychological at this point. I am convinced that applying a toner helps my skin prepare for my serums and moisturizers.

DECLEOR toner has a great tightening effect with no alcohol involved. It does not burn but there is some slight tingling action. Nothing alarming. Just a slight tremble. More like your pores are doing a jig. The ingredients are lavender, petitgrain essential oils, orange, kiwi, mallow and lime-tree Essential Waters. It smells calming and lovely.

A 13.5 oz bottle retails for $38 and is available at http://www.decleor-us.com/

Let us know what DECLEOR products you have tried or let us know what your favorite toners are. I am always open to try new ones!!!!!

Disclosure: A press sample of this product was provided by the CEW.
Credit: Blogdorf Goodman
Graphic: Melanie Parker/Veronica Lake in I Married A Witch
Title: Lyric from Wham's Wake Me Up Before You Go Go

Drugstore Deals and Steals

For February 28th through March 6th 2010

Rite Aid

Revlon: Buy 1, get 1 FREE on cosmetics
Almay: Buy 1, get 1 50% off on cosmetics
CoverGirl: Buy 1, get 1 50% off on foundation, powder, concealer or blush
Neutrogena: Buy 1, get 1 50% off on skin or bath care
Aveeno: Buy 1, get 1 50% off on body, face or bath care products
Sally Hansen: Buy 1, get 1 50% off on all nail enamel
c.booth: Save $5 on Derma Skin Care products(coupon in Sunday circulars)
Prestige: Buy 1, get 1 50% off on cosmetics
L'Oreal: Buy 1, get 1 50% off on lip color, lip gloss or lip liner
Physicians Formula: Buy 1, get 1 50% off on bronzers or face powders
RoC: Save $3 on RoC skin care(coupon in Sunday circulars)

Target

Olay: 1.7 oz Total effects moisturizer or 2 oz Regenerist eye roller is priced at $18.99

Kmart

Maybelline: Buy 1, get 1 50% off on lip or face cosmetics
L'Oreal: Buy 1, get 1 50% off on cosmetics
selected mascaras are priced at $4.99
Olay: Definity or Regenerist is priced at $22 each

Walmart

RoC: Retinol Correxion products are priced at $19.97
Olay: Regenerist Starter Trio kit is priced at $29.97
Aveeno: Ageless Vitality Elasticity recharging System is priced at $39.97
Scented Body Wash is priced at $5.97
Sally Hansen: Complete Salon Manicure is priced at $6.50 each
Maybelline: Instant Age Rewind Eraser is priced at $9.98
L'Oreal: Double Extend Lash Boosting Mascara is priced at $10.44
Concentrated Lash Boosting Serum is priced at $12.44
True Match Roller Makeup is priced at $12.74

Walgreens

Maybelline: 40% off off on foundation, concealer, powder, blush, lip or nail cosmetics
Olay: Buy 1, get 1 50% off on Total Effects skin care or body wash
Aveeno: 20% off on bath, baby or skin care
L'Oreal: 25% off on skin care
Neutrogena: 205 off on facial moisturizers or healthy skin rejuvenator
Buy 1, get 1 50% off on Neutrogena cosmetics
Revlon: Save $3 on Revlon foundation, concealer, powder, blush or eye cosmetics
Skin Essentials: 25% off on skin care
Ponds: Buy 1, get 1 FREE on skin care

CVS

Revlon: Buy 1,get 1 FREE on all cosmetics or beauty tools with CVS card. Limit is 6.
L'Oreal: Spend $20 and get $5 extra CVS bucks when you purchase any of these L'Oreal skin or hair products with CVS card. Products are Age Perfect Moisturizer(on sale for $12),Sublime Glow(on sale for $7),Age Perfect, Skin Genesis or Revitalift cleansers(on sale for $6),EverPure or EverStrong shampoo or conditioners(on sale for $6) and Collagen Moisture Filler or Advanced Revitalift (on sale for $12).
Spend $15 and get $5 extra CVS bucks when you purchase L'Oreal face, eye or lip products with CVS card
CoverGirl: Lashblast, Lashblast Length, Luxe, Volume Exact, Lash Exact Exact Eyelights mascara, shadow or 2 step-Smoky Shadow Blast is on sale for $7 with CVS Card
CoverGirl: Eyeliner is on sale for $4.49 with CVS card
CoverGirl: Eyeshadow 1 or 3 lit is priced at $3 with CVS card
Physicians Formula: Buy 1, get 1 50% off on cosmetics with CVS card
Maybelline: Buy 1, get 1 50% off on all mascara with CVS card

From Genesis to Revelation

Day 9: L'Oreal's Ideal Skin Genesis Complexion Equalizer Daily Treatment Review
By MUA's Cavewoman

L'Oreal makes it easy to narrow down which of their products would be best for each of their customers. The Skin Genesis line is targeted toward women up to the age of 40, then comes the RevitaLift line, the anti-wrinkle products for women in their 40s, and finally the wonderful Age Perfect group of products for those of us over 50. I'm trying many of the new products from L'Oreal, in search of replacements for some of my beloved Prescriptives favorites, and any time there's something new with L'Oreal, I buy and try. I've been so impressed with the things I have used from L'Oreal, and so when I read about this new Ideal Skin Genesis Complexion Equalizer Daily Treatment, I was happy to find it on the shelf at our local grocery store.

Many cosmetic lines use Vitamin C as a brightening ingredient in skin creams and lotions. It's considered an antioxidant, it is supposed to even out the skin tone, help to prevent sun damage to the skin, and encourage cell renewal. I've been using Prescriptives Vibrant-C products with great results, although both the Vibrant-C for Face and the Vibrant-C For Eyes have a slight iridescent quality to them that I don't always want. The L'Oreal Complexion Equalizer promises clarity and tone-correction, in an elegant, light-as-air cream-gel texture that feels luxurious on the skin. It has a slight violet tint to it which gives a brightening effect to my sallow Winter skin, it does not appear tinted once it's applied. Just glowy and luminous, with no odd metallic or iridescent colors whatsoever. This formula sinks right in to go to work immediately. It dries quickly to a smooth finish and feels fresh and light on the face. The slight fragrance is very pleasant to me, but I am not usually bothered at all by fragranced skincare products. L'Oreal claims that the effect of this product lasts for 48 hours. I have to say that I'm seeing a slight improvement with the sallowness of my skin right now, and I love using this Complexion Equalizer as a primer under my foundation. The formula contains salicylic acid, too, which could help with clogged pores. I think I am liking this product even more than my Vibrant-C! There is no sunscreen ingredient in this Complexion Equalizer, but that's fine with me because most of my foundations already contain sunscreen. It is slightly moisturizing, too, and I think come Summer I may not even need any additional moisturizer over top of the Equalizer.

L'Oreal seems to be revamping, repackaging, and relaunching some products right now. They are introducing sophisticated formulas with skin benefits that have been mostly available only in department store products so far. The new Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base is a fabulous primer for under foundations, just in case you spot it on the shelves where the HIP line is displayed. Try it! I check their website often to see what's new, and then run to the corner to find them. I'm in love with the entire Age Perfect line right now, and will review more of those products as our 40 In 40 Skincare Project continues.

Disclosure: This product was purchased by the reviewer.
Photo Credit: Cavewoman for Blogdorf Goodman
Graphic: Melanie Parker/via Veronia Lake in I Married A Witch
Title: First album from the band Genesis

The Soap Diaries

Le Couvent Des Minimes Lavande & Acacia Vegetable Soap Review

I am a shower gel kind of girl. I require great bubble volume and intense lather action. Soap bars are dainty and pretty but I need a beast in the shower.

Then I was introduced to a soap bar that provided great lather and delivered the most amazing scent. Lavande & Acacia is a stunner. This lavender note is not medicinal or masculine. It is quite lovely with a soapy sweetness touched with a dusky clove green. The lather was substantial and strong. This was not weak. This product was so lovely that it made me contemplate my stance on bar soaps.

The history of Le Couvent Des Minimes is interesting. It was originally a convent for Franciscan sisters. The order was known for their charity and cultivated gardens. Today it is a hotel/spa with a thriving beauty business.

Visit the site http://www.lecouventdesminimes.us/ for more details on the bath care line.

Visit this site http://www.couventdesminimes-hotelspa.com/uk/index.php for deets on the stunning hotel.

Disclosure: This soap bar was part of a Christmas gift.
***waves to C***
Credit: Blogdorf Goodman

Random Acts of Kinerase

Day 8: Kinerase Review
By Ceil

To say that Kinerase products changed my life…would be an understatement. I have unbelievably product sensitive skin (including sensitivity to cleansers, moisturizers, shampoos, conditioners and foundations) and have spent a ton on trying to find “something” that just wouldn’t cause painful skin issues and dryness for me. I’m sure many of you can relate to a certain degree. It takes forever to test one product at a time….and I am one of those who doesn’t get a reaction till I’ve used a product for a week or more…so figuring out what does or doesn’t work can be a long painful process.

I recently had laser surgery. My surgeon suggested that it, in combination with the Kinerase products, would possibly give me some relief from my skin issues…and…I have had amazing results! I got “off the wagon” just to see if I was still product sensitive…and oh yes! I sure was….so I want to share a little about these products that have helped me so much.

Kinerase daily cleaner is non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic and for all skin types. In the past…other cleansers left my skin literally dry and cracked and peeling. If they didn’t dry me out, I ended up with severe acne-like issues. This one leaves my face clean, but not tight or dry and no acne issues. I follow up with a series of Kinerase moisturizing products that leave my skin quite soft and clean feeling with no visible dryness and no flakes or cracks.

This product contains green and white tea extracts to sooth the skin and for anti-oxidant benefits. It also has algae extracts to moisturize the skin.

Now…I have to say that this product “ain’t cheap”…but it’s also not the most expensive product on the market and a little goes a long long way. I have been using my bottle since July and it’s still over half full! The instructions call for using 2-3 pumps of this product. Oh my…I think you would be wasting it! I personally only need about a half of a pump. I apply it to my face and add a little water. It feels silky smooth and slips around my face with no pulling or tugging. There is nothing abrasive in this. It is cool and calming to my skin. I use it twice a day usually.

A couple of other things that I want to share is that I always use eye makeup remover to get rid of all of my eye makeup first, and then cleanse my face with the Kinerase cleanser. And I also found out that this daily cleanser is so gentle that it can be used after procedures such as chemical peels and laser resurfacing also.

So…especially if you have skin issues ….I hope you get a chance to try this product as it may prove to be helpful to you.
It’s been a lifesaver for me!

Disclosure: This product was purchased by the reviewer
Credit: Kinerase
Credit: Melanie Parker/Veronica Lake via I Married A Witch

Bond 9 New Fragrance High Line Launches in March 2010

The new Bond fragrance, High Line will launch in March 2010. It is named after the High Line, an elevated public park system in NYC. It is a renovated green space on a 1.45-mile-long elevated rail structure running from Gansevoort Street to 34th Street on Manhattan's West Side. There are 210 plants species featured in the park. 161 plants are native to New York. Bond was inspired by these plants to create a NYC themed fragrance that evokes "the Hudson river, urban wildflowers and a hint of industrial grit".

This scent mixes bergamot with a note called prairie grazing weed or purple love grass. The fragrance also boasts an Indian rhubarb note, that will delight many of my fragrance friends. There are serious rhubarb fans out there.

The heart of the fragrance is a red-leaf rose, lady jane tulips and grape hyacinth. I have a great weakness for the hyacinth plant. No fragrance has really captured the heady flower. The drydown of High Line is Bur Oak(a High Line park tree),sea moss, musk and teakwood. The sea moss gives me pause, because aquatic notes and me do not get along.

It will retail for $145(50ml)and $220(100ml)at your local Bond counter at Saks Fifth Avenue or one of the four Bond boutiques. Visit http://www.bondno9.com/ for more details.
Also visit http://www.highline.org/ for more information concerning the park.
I have not visited the park yet, but have it on good authority(my beloved friend Shawn) that it is lovely.

New Skincare From Chanel

There are new additions coming in the Hydramax skincare series. I am wildly smitten with my jar of Hydramax+Active Gel Creme. It is a whipped light moisturizer that works well in the Ohio winter and summer months. It is keeping dryness at bay for me right now. Besides the weather, my skin is taking a beating due to stress and product testing for the 40 Days and 40 nights series. It is a balm for my skin and soul.

Here is information from a Chanel press release.........

At the heart of the HYDRAMAX + ACTIVE Collection is Ceratonia PFA*, an exclusive natural ingredient that acts on Matriptase, an enzyme integral to the production of Natural Moisturizing Factor — filaggrin fibers that perform like natural sponges to retain skin’s moisture and restore the naturally occurring dynamics of skin hydration.

HYDRAMAX + ACTIVE Nourishing Cream for Dry Skin

Retails for $72.00 for a 1.7 oz jar

Combines the immediate nourishing and protective benefits of Shea Butter with the deeper continuous action of Rosemary liposomes. The natural synthesis of lipids is boosted from within and the skin’s natural defenses against dehydration are strengthened. Intensely moisturized and protected, the skin is softer, more supple and soothed, and can delight in a newfound, long-lasting feeling of comfort.

HYDRAMAX + ACTIVE LIP CARE

Retails for $45.00 for a .35 oz jar
To soften, smooth and comfort dry, delicate lips — an area that loses hydration three times faster than anywhere else on the face — CHANEL Research offers a long-lasting solution: new HYDRAMAX + ACTIVE Lip Care. This highly efficacious lip treatment, specifically formulated for intensely parched lips, utilizes Ceratonia PFA, along with Shea Butter and Cottonseed Oil extract, to deeply hydrate, nourish and help repair. Soft, supple and deeply moisturized, lips look sensuously plumped and perfectly smooth, with a beautiful satiny finish.
*PFA: Polyfractioned Active. An ultra-pure, ultra-powerful ingredient created through an exclusive purification technique developed by CHANEL.

UV ESSENTIEL MULTI-PROTECTION DAILY UV CARE SPF 50

Retails for $52.00 for 1.0 oz

To preserve skin’s youthfulness and beauty, it needs daily protection against environmental aggressors: stress, free radicals, pollution and UV rays responsible for hyper-pigmentation and photo-aging. Skin’s guardian angel, UV ESSENTIEL Multi-Protection Daily UV Care SPF 50 is a year-round must-have, providing skin with invisible daily protection in an oil-free, ultra-lightweight and ultra-effective formula.

A free-radical and anti-pollution shield with a Vitamin E derivative and plant extracts empowers UV ESSENTIEL Multi-Protection Daily UV Care SPF 50 to safeguard skin against damaging free radicals generated by pollutants. The unique formula also contains Licorice Root Extract and a highly effective combination of UVA and UVB filters to help diminish and prevent the appearance of dark spots and signs of premature aging.

A weightless silky texture makes UV ESSENTIEL Multi-Protection Daily UV Care SPF 50 the perfect choice under makeup. Upon application, it ‘disappears’ into skin, delivering a sheer, non-oily, shine-free finish — with the immediate sensation of softness and comfort.

BENEFITS:
• SPF 50 with UVA and UVB protection
• Oil-free
• Prevents and diminishes dark spots
• Free-radical and anti-pollution shield
Ophthalmologist and dermatologist tested. Sweat-proof. Non-comedogenic.

All these products will be located at your local Chanel counter in March 2010.
They will also be available at http://www.chanel.com/ and department and specialty stores.
Let us know if you have tested any of these products in the comments.

I am very curious about the SPF 50 product. How does it compare with Shiseido?

The Whiz Kids

Day 7: Intelligent Nutrients Anti-Aging Mist and Serum
A review by Jessica M

About a year ago, a wonderful aesthetician gave me useful skin advice during a facial treatment. She pointed out that my oily skin was dehydrated and rough, thanks to my overzealous use of benzoyl peroxide and mud masks. She advised discontinuing the benzoyl peroxide and cutting back on my use of mud-based products in colder weather. Instead, she suggested, I should try to do two important things: exfoliate gently but frequently, and get over my fear of hydration.

I’ll probably return to the subject of exfoliation in another skincare post, but right now, I’d like to mention the two products that have helped to soften and smooth my skin without causing any irritation or breakouts. Both are made by Intelligent Nutrients. One is the company’s Anti-Aging Mist; the other is Anti-Aging Serum. Intelligent Nutrients is known for its use of organic, food-grade ingredients, especially its signature “Intellimune Seed Oil Complex, “ a blend of cold-pressed oils from black cumin, pumpkin, red raspberry, red grape, and cranberry. I used to shy away from any product containing any type of oil, but this tasty-sounding blend gave me courage.

Intelligent Nutrients Anti-Aging Mist is a water-based spray that can be used as a facial toner or as a quick skin refresher at any time of day. I’ve been applying it after washing my face, morning and evening. I give it a quick shake and spritz it five or six times over my face. (I wish the atomizer released a more directed spray, but that’s just me being fussy.) The mist is lightly moisturizing and it makes the skin more receptive to any product that you might afterwards. Like all Intelligent Nutrients skincare products, it has anti-oxidant benefits and it’s free of plastics, parabens, phthalates, sulfates, silicone, and petrochemicals. Plus, in addition to the five-seed Intellimune blend, it has other botanical essences (bergamot, geranium, and ylang-ylang) that give it extra benefits and a fresh floral-herbal scent.

In the evening, I follow the Anti-Aging Mist with a dose of Anti-Aging Serum. Two small pumps of the bottle release enough serum to cover my face. I warm the liquid in the palms of my hand for a few seconds, then press and massage it gently into my skin. The serum has a base of safflower oil and contains other ingredients-du-jour, like argan oil and acaí fruit extract, but again, the Intellimune Seed Oil Complex is the heart of the formula. This product is rich in fatty acids, and it seems to “plump” the skin slightly from within, so that skin looks healthier and more resilient with repeated use of the serum. The serum’s scent is a little stronger than the facial mist’s scent, with a more peppery note (possibly from the cumin), but I’ve grown to like it. It reminds me that I’m basically giving my skin vitamins!

The Intelligent Nutrients line is available at the company website (http://www.intelligentnutrients.com), through SaffronRouge (http://www.saffronrouge.com), and at Barneys New York stores. The mist sells for $35 (1.7 oz.) and the serum sells for $60 (1.7 oz.), much less than other high-end, organic skincare remedies! I’ve repurchased the mist, and I’ll repurchase the serum when I finish my long-lasting bottle. My healthy, hydrated skin is grateful.

Disclaimer: Both products were purchased by the reviewer.
Image credits: product photo by Jessica M, brochure detail from Intelligent Nutrients.

The blush on your cheeks is lovely

MAC launched a very large and extensive collection called Colour Forecast. There are 4 color stories within this series. The color themes are pink, coral, violet and metals. There really is something for everybody in this pre-spring launch.
My pick for the must have product are the blush ombres. I will be surprised if there are any still at the counters. The shades are outrageously wearable and flattering. The texture is silky and coverage is buildable. It avoids being chalky and a sparkle fest. The darker shading is perfect for contouring. After many uses, the product still looks pristine and neat.

The cool toned gal will lose her mind over the pinks. I know I was smitten before I saw them in real life. I have been wearing the pink Azalea Blossom since my package arrived. It is the perfect touch of doll cheeks with a dollop of a tint of lilac.

Vintage Grape is a cornucopia of berries. It is harder to wear than Azalea Blossom. It requires a very light hand and the least dense brush in your collection. I have been using a Lancome skunk brush. This might work better with a fan brush.

MAC describes SpringShine blush as a neutral suntan shade. I call this the "bronzer I have been waiting for" all my life. It is the perfect gradiation of honey to mocha. There is a slight shimmer but it translates on the skin as a glow.

The hidden gem of the blushes is a little diddy called Ripe Peach. It is like looking at the setting sun. Ripe Peach is warm yet it looks flattering on my cool toned skin. I will use it religiously this summer.

These products are selling out like hotcakes. If you have spotted any of these in your local stores let us know. They retail for $25.

Photo Credit: Blogdorf Goodman
Disclosure: A press sample of this product was provided by MAC Cosmetics
Quote: Edward Cullen from Twilight

Drugstore Deals and Steals

For February 21st through February 27th 2010

Walgreens

Revlon: Buy 1, get 1 50% off cosmetics
Almay: I-Color shadow,liner, mascara or eye makeup remover is priced at $4.99
L'Oreal: Buy 1, get 1 50% off on Double Extend Lash Boosting or Studio Secrets Base or Primer
EverStrong or EverPure hair care is priced at $5.99
Sally Hansen: Complete Salon Manicure Nail Color is priced at $7.49
CeraVe: $3 off skin care (3-16 oz)
Eucerin: 14-16.9 oz skin care is priced at $10.99
CoverGirl: Buy 1, get 1 50% off on cosmetics

Target

Aveeno: 5 oz skin brightening daily scrub is priced at $5.49
Maybelline: Colossal Volum' Express mascara is priced at $4.99
Burt's Bees: Milk and Honey lotion(8oz) is priced at $9.99

Kmart

L'Oreal: Buy 1, get 1 50% off on skincare
Rimmel: Buy 1, get 1 50% off on cosmetics
CoverGirl: Buy 1, get 1 50% off on lip products

Rite Aid

Maybelline: Buy 1, get 1 50% off on cosmetics
CoverGirl: Buy 1 , get 1 50% off on lip and eye cosmetics
L'Oreal: $14.99 on skin care
40% off on L'Oreal lip or face cosmetics
Eucerin: $9.99 on skin care
Olay: Total Effects or Regenerist skin care is priced at $17.99
Revlon: $3 single check rebate on all Revlon foundation. Limit 1 rebate.
Jane: buy 1, get 1 50% off on cosmetics
Physicians Formula: Buy 1, get 1 50% off on cosmetics
Almay: Buy 1, get 1 FREE and Pure Blends and eye make up removers

CVS

Revlon: Buy 2, get 2 FREE nail color with CVS card
Revlon: Photo Ready foundation or powder is priced at $12 with CVS card
Revlon Color Burst lipstick is priced at $7 with CVS card
Get $7 extra CVS bucks when you purchase Revlon Photo Ready makeup/powder and Color Burst lipstick with CVS card
Almay: If you purchase an Almay Intense i-color shadow, liner or mascara, you will get an extra CVS $2 bucks with CVS card
Rimmel: Buy 1, get 1 50% off on all cosmetics with CVS card
Almay: If you purchase Almay Smart Shade or Smart Balance foundation, you will receive extra $5 CVS bucks with CVS card
L'Oreal: Eye Shadow, liner, Colour Riche lipcolor, lip liner, Voluminous or Extra-Volume Collagen mascara is priced at $5 with CVS card
L'Oreal: True Match foundation or Infallible Lip Gloss is priced at $7 with CVS card
L'Oreal: Skin Genesis,Advanced Revitalift Deep Set Wrinkle Repair, Collagen Filler or Age Perfect Pro-Calcium is priced at $14 with CVS card

Are You Ready Boots?

Day 6: Boots
By MUA's Cavewoman

Ever since I was a little girl, I have hated getting my face wet. I dreaded going to swimming classes. I don't like walking in the rain. I shower with my back to the stream of water. A trip to the beach is not my ideal vacation (just ask Mister Cavey!) and I don't even like those facial mists that are supposed to refresh the skin and set the foundation. I used to beg my Mom to just allow me to wipe my face with a cotton pad soaked in witch hazel or *gasp* the Bonne Bell Ten-O-Six lotion or Sea Breeze that she used to keep on the bathroom counter for my sister and me. She insisted that I wash with soap (Sweetheart soap!) and water first, and then she'd allow me to use them.

Well, I'm a grownup now, and I can do or not do what I want, but I do wash my face with cleanser and water, of course. I do it as quickly as possible. Thank goodness I am blessed with pretty decent skin, albeit very dry, and I don't get breakouts. I'm on my last tube of The Healing Garden reEnergize cleansing gel, and when it is gone, I'll probably go back to ordering Payot cleanser on the internet.

Enter the amazing invention, the facial wipe! Not quite the answer to my wet-face phobia, but a practical beauty tool to have onhand for in-between cleansing, a refresher after exercise class (Zumba!) or to remove and re-apply makeup. The first wipes I ever tried were from MAC, and although I used up the package, I didn't care for the scent of them. I tried a few different drugstore brands, too, but somehow the texture of the wipe (some were so scratchy that they felt like sandpaper!) or its effectiveness in cleansing, or the scent would not quite be what I wanted. I went on a search to find something I would like, that would work well, and would smell pretty.

Ms. Blogdorf and I just love to browse the makeup and skincare aisles at Target. That is where we found the Boots line of products from the United Kingdom. The girls across the pond have raved about Boots for years, and we wanted to try it all! I bought the wipes and have been hooked on them ever since. I've gone through a dozen of these pretty aqua packets and I will always have a little stash of them in my skincare drawer.

Boots No. 7 Quick Thinking 4-In-1 Wipes are by far the softest, cushiest wipes I've found. The scent is fresh and dissipates quickly. They feel so luxurious on the face that you might mistake them for some fancy high-end product from Saks. Not only do they remove foundation and lipstick very well, they remove eyemakeup too, even stubborn mascara. They leave the face feeling refreshed and glowing. There is no residue left on the skin. The packet keeps them nicely damp up to the very last wipe. There is no dry tight feeling on the skin after using these wipes, my skin does not feel stripped, raw, or scratched. They are totally soothing. I'm constantly amazed at how well they remove mascara without sacrificing any lashes, and I surely can't afford to lose one single puny lash. It leaves the eye area perfectly ready for a fresh application. And after exercise class, a swipe of the wipe makes my skin feel cleansed and sweat-free, and I don't have to wash with cleanser and water until bedtime.

You might wonder why they are called 4-In-1 -- these wipes cleanse, tone, moisturize, and remove eye makeup. You can buy them at your local Target, or add a package or two to your next drugstore.com order. The package contains 30 wipes and retails for $6.99.

Don't tell my Mom that I use facial wipes. Oh, and the Sweetheart soap is now gone from her bathroom counter, it's been replaced with a Dove bar!

Disclosure: This product was purchased by the reviewer.

Photo Credit: Cavewoman for Blogdorf Goodman

Graphic: Melanie Parker/Veronica Lake via I Married a Witch

The Blogger In The Iron Mask

Day 5: ReVive Masque De Glaise
By Annie

This is a very hardcore, clay-like mask that claims to "firm, hydrate and rejuvenate lifeless skin by lifting impurities and toxins."

I can attest to it's lifting and sucking abilities. It is like a vacuum cleaner. Think Dyson DS28 Animal Airmuscle.

Masque De Glaise is a nondescript cement shade. The texture is a very thick putty. Like Spackle. It takes some effort to spread and smooth over the face.



The mask had the fastest dry time. I would not be exaggerating to say less than one minute. The mask tightens on the skin at lightening speed.

How tight you might ask?
So tight that my skin started to crease and look like it was starting to fold over. It looked like I just exited a wind tunnel. I do not enjoy masks that hurt or require a team to remove them.

I like my masks to be as gentle as a lamb.
This mask is not gentle.
This mask is a hungry, beast-like octopus.

Removal required more effort than usual. I had to use a rough cloth to scrub off excess clay from my nose and forehead. At this point the planned review was going to be pretty scathing.
The image in the mirror stunned me. I expected to see a red, slightly traumatized face staring back at me.
Instead, my skin looked healthy.
Like I had taken a brisk walk outdoors instead of a surviving a beast of a facial mask.
I hate dropping the word "youthful" but it would be accurate.
Let's just say I did not want to put any makeup on.
I never feel that way.
Ever.

This mask also made me ponder my lifestyle. What kind of toxins is my skin subject to? I want to blame the workplace bathroom for all my ills. I am convinced that every possible cootie and asbestos particle tries to grab me while I am in there. My skin clearly needed a toxin intervention.
ReVive was my Dr Drew.
My skin was clearly...Jeff Conaway.

This mask and line is sold at Bergdorf Goodman. You can also purchase and learn more about the line at the website http://reviveskincare.com/index.html.
The retail price is $145. That might make some consumers balk but the results are pretty magnificent. High marks.

The ingredients are: Water (Aqua), Kaolin, Glycerin, Sodium Magnesium Silicate, Propylene Glycol Isoceteth-3 Acetate, Bentonite, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Menthoxypropanediol, Butylene Glycol, Bisabolol, Panthenol, Xanthan Gum, Cellulose Gum, Tetrasodium EDTA, Diazolidinyl Urea, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, Isobutylparaben, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Fragrance (Parfum), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Ultramarines (CI 77007), Mica (CI 77019).

Disclosure: A press sample of this product was provided by Bergdorf Goodman during an event with Total Beauty.
Photo Credit: Blogdorf Goodman and Amazon.
Graphic Credit: Melanie Parker/Veronica Lake in I Married A Witch

My Alchemical Romance

ThreeASFOUR Fall/Winter 2010 Collection
by Jessica M

The inspiration: For this collection, ThreeASFOUR’s designers (Gabi
Asfour, Angela Donhauser, and Adi Gil) immersed themselves in the
history and imagery of alchemical science. They incorporated symbols
from the ancient cultures that practiced alchemy, and they worked with
materials that resembled ordinary metals (copper, lead) being
transformed into more precious substances (gold, silver).

How to get the look: Makeup artist Andrea Helgadottir (using MAC
cosmetics), hair stylist Ashley Javier (owner of the intimate salon
Parlor), and CND (formerly known as Creative Nail Design) collaborated
with the designers by using alchemical motifs and otherworldly contours.

Face: Helgadottir’s team smoothed out the models’ faces with MAC
Studio Sculpt Foundation for a clean background to the rest of the
makeup.
Eyes: The eyes were the focus of this look. Inspired by the
designers’ interest in ancient Egyptian art and culture, Helgadottir
devised an outlined, winged eye. She and her team of artists lined
and filled in this graphic shape with Fluidline gel eyeliner in
Blacktrack and painted two fine lines beneath the left eye with a
brush such as MAC’s #311.

Lips: The appropriately-named Myth lipstick was used for a pale,
satin-finish mouth.

Hair: Ashley Javier created a “modern flapper” style. After giving
volume to the hair with Kérastase Double Force hairspray and crimping
it throughout with a R-Session iron, he flipped it to one side and
gathered it in a low, sculptural bun, fixed with just a few hairpins.
An old-fashioned hairnet was placed over the model’s head so that
contained the hair for a smooth, fluid look, while it also functioned
as a veil over the model’s face. A few wavy tendrils echoed the
serpentine lines of the collection’s garments.

Nails: CND crafted custom-made press-on nails for the ThreeASFOUR
models to wear. Playing on the clothing’s contrasts of rubberized and
metallic materials, these nails were two-tone: they had matte black
bases and sparkling tips of deep-toned blue, bronze, or green.
Magical!

Buffy: The Dry Skin Slayer

Day 4: Bobbi Brown Buffing Grains For Face
By Cavewoman

When I was a teenager, my Mom used to buy a little canister of facial scrubbing grains for my sister and me. We mixed them with water and rubbed them on our faces, making a facial scrub to try to rid ourselves of teenage oily skin and the occasional pimple breakouts. They were a product from Helena Rubenstein. What a fascinating woman, that Helena! If you are at all interested in the history of beauty products, you have to read about Madame Helena. Look for her biography by Patrick O'Higgins for a real peek at one of the first ladies of skincare. She was innovative, smart, and her products changed the way women took care of their skin and revolutionized the cosmetic skincare industry. She was a true pioneer, and a very quirky lady, to say the least.

Skincare scrubs and exfoliators have taken a fast turn from that old cannister of grains. Chemical exfoliators such as AHA's, glycolic acids, and pore-clearing BHA's along with mechanical scrubs like the venerable St. Ives Apricot Scrub have become popular now, and can be very effective once you find the right ones for your skin situation. I've used them all, to varying degrees of success. But when I saw these Bobbi Brown Buffing Grains, I was feeling a little nostalgic for my old Helena Rubenstein scrubbing powder, and so I forked out the outrageous $40 for a jar. Yes, $40. For ground up adzuki bean powder. I bet I could make my own for about a dollar. And yet I caved.

The dry grainy product comes in an elegant glass jar, and under the cap, the grains can be poured out a little at a time thanks to the nicely designed small opening in the jar. It's designed to be mixed with just about anything, facial cleanser, toner, or just plain water. I prefer the latter. With many scrubs having a cream-type base and leaving my skin feeling as if there's a coating of cream on it, I like the fresh feeling of nothing but the damp grains and I think they work better than a cream-based scrub. Pour a little bit of grains into the palm of the hand, and add a drop or two of water. As you rub in the dampened product, you can feel it gently removing rough patches and giving a thorough exfoliating cleansing. It's almost impossible to over-scrub. The grains are gentle, not sharp or scratchy, and they roll around the skin easily. And unlike a cream-based scrub, it's so easy to remove the grains when you're done. Just rinse with water, or use a damp warm washcloth. Nothing remains on the skin, no residue at all. I follow this scrub immediately with a good treatment product, usually Lauder's Perfectionist CP+ (former version, not the new serum.) My skin looks fresh, rosy, glowing, and smooth as glass, with no irritation at all. The effect of the scrubbing lasts for several days, too.

What these Buffing Grains won't do is deep-clean pores. This is strictly a surface-smoothing exfoliant. But with this terribly cold Winter, and being indoors most of the time in artificial heat, my dry, parched skin gets flaky and dull-looking. I use the grains once a week to refresh and renew my dry skin. Very little product is needed, and I think my expensive purchase will last quite a long time.

Maybe Bobbi Brown is following in Madame Helena's footsteps! I like to think it's possible that she used the Rubenstein scrubbing powder when she was a young girl, too. It might have been a little seed planted in her mind. A little adzuki bean seed.

Disclosure: This product was purchased by the reviewer
Photo Credit: Cavewoman for Blogdorf Goodman
Credit: Melanie Parker/Veronica Lake in I Married a Witch.

Tis Almost Fairy Time

Isaac Mizrahi Winter ‘10
By Angie W


The Inspiration: An Upper East side lady goes on a camping trip
(apparently without a comb)!
Val Garland, lead artist, told us that Isaac wanted the models to look
like fairies in a winter wonderland. She gave the models’ faces the look
of a frosty, blank canvas with no blush, no contouring, just a matte
face with a tiny bit of shine at the cheeks.



How to Get the Look:
The Eyes and Face: Very little product was applied and practically no
color. Vanilla eye shadow was applied and no mascara was used. Select
Cover Up concealer and Care Blend Oil were applied over the eyes,
lashes, and brows to “pale them out” and give the feeling of being lost
in a snow storm. MAC Pearl CCB was applied to cheeks for a bare hint of
shine.

Lips: A frozen rose shade was created by first using Naked lip liner
and then topping it with Tenderling blush.

The Nails: Kim D’Amato, Founder of Priti polish created the nail look.
Priti is a non-toxic polish line and all shades are named for flowers
and trees. For Isaac's look, Kim told us she related the nail color to
Isaac's makeup concept of a woman who had been out in cold, freezing
weather. Kim first applied 2 coats of Paper Bark Maple and then added a
matte top coat to give a frozen look to the nails.

The Hair: Hair was mussed, wild, and feral! The stylist warned us not
to take this look too far at home!

Credit: Angie W and Jessica M for Blogdorf Goodman

Blessed Are The Pure of Skin

Day 3: Shiseido Pureness Products
By Melanie Parker

There are a few ways that stress manifests itself in me physically--through my skin texture and hair loss. Both are equally alarming. I made 2009 my year to do some serious damage repair to my skin after experiencing five deaths in my family in less than a year in 2008. So, when Annie decided to do a skincare project for the 40 days of lent in 2010, I am glad that my research and experiences in trying to restore my skin can be shared. I will be focusing on readily available products that work for my aging yet acne prone skin, as well as two types laser therapy treatments I used through the recommendation of my dermatologist.

I first learned about the Shiseido Pureness line years ago and have been using it inconsistently. Whenever I begin getting cystic acne, I always go back to it. This begs the question of why I always opt for the cheap route and stray away from it after it turns my skin around. Not any more. I have learned my lesson and four of these Shiseido Pureness products are my holy grail. If you have oily or combination skin that is prone to breakouts, I recommend trying this line of products for 2 months. I think you will be very pleased with the results.

I use the Shiseido Pureness Deep Cleansing Foam every morning and evening. A little goes a long way. You really don't need more than a pea-sized amount. I like to give the cleanser time to foam up and really do its work, so I sing the alphabet song to myself while lightly massaging the cleanser in a circular motion, making sure to concentrate around my nose and on my chin where I am most prone to acne.

The Shiseido Pureness Matifying Moisturizer is the only moisturizer that I can wear under makeup and trust that it will not clog my pores or make my mineral makeup look chalky. It's especially important in my under eye/cheekbone area where my skin does actually get dry. My T-zone is oily enough that I don't really need additional moisture.

The Shiseido Pureness Balancing Softener Alcohol-Free is a refreshing fluid that leaves my skin feeling soft and hydrated. Although it looks like a toner, I can't really call it a toner since it isn't stripping oil or trying to balance. Instead, it works with the deep cleansing foam to clean and calm my skin. I use about 4 pumps on a cotton pad and swipe my face and chest every night. I do not use it in the morning under makeup, but if my skin was dry and flaky from the winter air, I probably would. My pores look so clean and my skin is so soft and radiant after cleanising using these two products.

After applying the softner in the evening, I use a perscription Tazorac cream on my cheeks and chin where I am trying to refine the texture of my skin. I find the Tazorac works well with the Shiseido Pureness Blemish Clearing Gel applied to active pimples. With these products, active outbreaks are very rare. I make sure to use fresh pillow cases (one day per side, then in the laundry basket they go) and hold the phone away from my chin to prevent irritation. I also try to drink 8 glasses/bottles of water per day. If I eat salty foods, I increase my water intake more to compensate.

Shiseido Pureness products are found at most department stores. There are several other products in the Pureness line that I have not had the opportunity to try. If you have, please leave a comment and let us know your results.

Disclosure: This product was purchased by the reviewer.
Graphic Credit: melanie Parker/Veronica Lake in I Married A Witch
Photo Credit: Blogdorf Goodman

Once upon a runway…

Sophie Theallet Fall/Winter 2010 Collection
by Jessica M

The inspiration: Sophie Theallet took a “fairy tale” approach to this
collection. She imagined a farm girl who travels to the city, where
she becomes sophisticated and stylish. The collection’s designs, from
floral dirndl skirts to graceful evening gowns in shimmering neutrals,
documented her fantasy transformation from a milkmaid into an urban
princess.

How to get the look: Renowned makeup artist Stephane Marais, using
MAC cosmetics, created an innocent, romantic look. The models were
given a fresh-faced appearance with a sophisticated finish, to suit
the “peasant-to-princess” theme of Theallet’s collection.

Face: Gina Bettelli, a senior artist for MAC, explained that models’
faces had been kept simple and clean. Face and Body foundation was
used sparingly, where needed, and cheeks were flushed with a mixture
of two Blushcremes, Posey and Laid Back.

Eyes: The models’ eyes were lined with Stripdown Lip Pencil around the
eye socket. Lids were given a sheer, shimmering coat of Pro Studio
Finish Face Powder in Gold and loose Iridescent Powder in Silver Dusk,
mixed together with Mixing Medium/Water Base. A few touches of
Penultimate Brow Marker defined the brows.

Lips: Amorous lipstick was pressed onto the mouth with the fingertip.

Hair: A team of stylists, working with Antoinette Beenders, used
Aveda products for a flowing, tousled style. Models’ hair was prepped
with Pure Abundance Volumizing Tonic, blow dried, and further
thickened with Pure Abundance Hair Potion. The upper sections of the
hair were back-combed and gathered into a loose, low ponytail; the
lower hair was twisted around the ponytail, bringing it to the side.
The style was fixed with Control Force Hair Spray (new for June 2010)
and Air Control Hair Spray.

Credit: Jessica M and Angie W for Blogdorf Goodman