Drugstore Gem: Amlactin Moisturizing Cream

I discovered this miracle product at my local Rite Aid drugstore. I was searching for a solution to my dry elbows.
After just one week of use, my skin felt like a baby's bottom.
AmLactin Cream contains 12% lactic acid, neutralized with ammonium hydroxide, to form ammonium lactate that provides a cream pH of 4.5 - 5.5.
Amlactin delivers dramatic improvements with no skin irritation. It gently exfoliates and hydrates the skin. It solves any issues with Keratosis Pilaris and dry skin.
The price ranges from $12-$15 and is sold at Rite Aid, Walgreens and Drugstore.com
Amlactin is a tiny miracle in a bottle but there is catch.
It smells like window cleaner.

Let me know what you think of the product in the comments.

Disclosure: I purchased this product at my local drugstore.

40 Days and 40 Nights of Beauty Cult Classics
Day 38, Lancome's Erika F

I feel that I might have said all that can be said on the merits of Lancome's Erika F.
How much more can the readers take of the swooning and gushing over this eyeshadow?
But there is no way I can ignore this shadow in the cult series.
It is a cult classic in every sense of the word.
It is discontinued in the states but available in Europe under the number G40 Erika F-133.
It sells for serious money on Ebay.
It is heartbreakingly lovely and creates the most spectacular smoky eyes you will ever witness.
Erika F is a dirty olive/mushroom shade. One moment Erika F is a mouse brown and then it evaporates into a green tinged smoke.
The effect is unique and quite breathtaking.

The texture is cashmere like. It feels like no other formula.
It glides on like silk and lasts for hours.
Erika F is a must have in any beauty junkie's arsenal.
It is damn perfect.

Tell us what you think of Erika F in the comments.

Credit: Blogdorf Goodman
Disclosure: Beauty Addict gifted me this Lancome gem.

40 days and 40 Nights of Beauty Cult Classics
Day 32,Lancome's Color Design lipstick in Behnaz

The "Behnaz lippie" cult is rather small.
Only a smart and quick few managed to snag this lippie when it was launched by Lancome. There was a very limited amount produced and availability was only at specific Lancome boutiques. There was little fuss or gushing except for a great blurb in Allure. They were the only ones that predicted that this lippie was going to make us all lose our minds.

This is what sprang Patti aka Cavewoman into action. She began cold calling the boutiques. There was none to be had within 24 hours of it's launch date.
Many Lancome counters had no clue what we were talking about except Saks's Lancome counter in Beachwood Mall. The manager stated that they ceased keeping a tally of the number of inquiries.

This is a lippie that could have been a massive star.
Instead Behnaz is a cult classic that only a few can boast owning.

How did I come to own it?
Well...I begged.


Dear Lancome,

You might not be aware that your hard to find, limited edition Behnaz lipstick went for over a $100 on Ebay. It appears to be worth every penny based on these pictures from the Behnaz show. I will never know the joy of this lipstick. It was gone before I could get my hands on it. I have been trying to get over this.
I have plenty of lovely red lipsticks.
But this one is haunting me.
Just look at it.
It is magnificent.

Why do you discontinue the stuff I love? Do you want to break my heart? Do you enjoy watching me pine away for things I can not have?

I know that you are not cruel.
You brought back my holy grail fragrance 2000 et une Rose.
So...I have decided to beg.
Bring back the Behnaz.
Make my perfect red lippie dream come true.

I posted this shameless begging on October 26 2007.
Lancome heard my plea and sent a tube overnight.
I was floored and delighted.
Contrary to the NYTimes, this lippie was not sent out to dozens of bloggers.
It went out to only one.
And that one is very smitten with her tube.

Behnaz is the perfect shade of poppy red.
It is not exactly blue based but is not exactly orange based either.
It applies like silk and lasts all day with minimal touch-ups.
Behnaz's magic begins once it is applied on the lips.
It is transforming.
Behnaz lights up the lips like a spotlight.
It glows from within.


From March 15th 2007: Behnaz is the holy grail of red lippies. I realized it's power when I brought it to my local Saks. This tube was treated like a movie star. MAC's Parrot never saw this kind of fuss or excitement.
That little tube brought joy to everyone that saw it that afternoon.
It also did a star turn in the big apple. I brought the tube for Tbone's final approval.
Tbone knows her red lipsticks. It is one of her many gifts.
I was actually nervous when I got the Behnaz out for Tbone to try. I felt like a stage mother prepping the tube and discussing its talents.
We both decided to wear it that day.
Tbone proclaimed it superior to all others and gave it a few "damns", which is the highest form of rave.
If Tbone says "Damn"....then its a hit.
I lost count of her damns that day.

This lippie is damnworthy and swoonworthy.
It is worth every gush and swoon.
This is my favorite cult classic.

Credits: Blogdorf Goodman

Disclosure: A press sample of this product was provided by Lancome

La Mer The Treatment Fluid Foundation Review

My new holy grail foundation. It has offically kicked my precious Chantecaille to the curb.

I fell under its spell on Monday. I was not in the market for a new foundation. I was satisfied with my Chantecaille. I had given up on the dream of a perfect shade with coverage that managed to hide flaws yet appear light and natural on the skin. Can you tell I dream big?

La Mer's The Treatment Fluid Foundation took me by surprise and knocked me to the ground. I was a convert after the first dab.

The thing that slayed me about this product is the staying power. No foundation lasts longer than this bottle. I have played the field. I have dabbled in high end foundation and crossed the tracks and flirted with drugstore. After a full hellish day at work my makeup looks fresh and perfect. No touchups. No fiddling. It is a foundation miracle. Huge rave from me and Cavewoman.

Blogdorf is smitten.

Some scoop from saks:

Gemstones reflect light to hide imperfections *spotted tourmaline & azurite in the ingredients
Marine and plant actives immediately add radiance
Skin looks lifted, firmer and brighter
Over time helps skin's ability to renew itself
Protects against UV damage with SPF 15

If you ever decide to buy: Call the Beachwood Saks store at 216-292-5500 and ask for Sean or Alesha(at the Nars counter).

They are amazing and I love them.

Disclosure: I purchased this foundation at my local Saks Fifth Avenue