Beauty Find of the Week: Superbly Restorative Argan Body Lotion ( Special Edition)

Earth Day is on Wednesday (yeap I’m early) and I know it’s a time to conserve and to be conscious about mother earth, but I say do so in style with a special edition of Kiehl’s Superbly Restorative Argan Body Lotion . There are 4 special edition bottles featuring art work from Environmental Activist/Actor Adrian Grenier, Socially Conscious/Neo Soul Super Star Erykah Badu, Coral Reef Protector/Professional Surfer Kelly Slater, and a team of eco/design conscious students from Parsons The New School of Design. Not only will the labels be beautiful but the packages are made from 100% Post Consumer Recycled materials ( PCR), and for each bottle sold not 10, 20, 35, 40, 50 but 100% of the profits will go to Waterkeeper Alliance ( chaired by Robert F Kennedy Jr) which is dedicated to protecting and preserving community water ways from polluters. And as I always say when I write about Kiehl’s what’s inside the bottle is equally impressive the lotion contains fairly traded organic Moroccan Agran Oil/Argan Leaf extract, Vitamin E, and Organic Sesame Oil. Now, I’m torn on what bottle to get, I love Erykah Badu, but Kelly Slater is kind of cute. What bottle will you get?

Pick up yours at one of the following stores or online:

· Kiehl’s Since 1851, 2360 Fillmore St., San Francisco, 415-359-9260
· Kiehl’s Since 1851, 1806 Redwood Highway, Corte Madera, 415-945-9954
· Kiehl’s Since 1851, San Francisco Centre, 865 Market St., San Francisco, 415-644-0112
· Kiehl’s Since 1851, 1848 Fourth St., Berkeley, 510-548-0130

photo cred: Kiehl's

Beauty Find of the Week: Génifique

Thanks to Tami at Fete a Fete I found out about Lancome’s newest project, which happens to be their official blog, I also found out about an amazing giveaway. The giveaway of course led me to Lancome’s newest product Génifique. Génifique is supposed to give father time a kick in the pants by boosting the activity of the genes that make us look youthful. As for me I have pretty good genes no one in my family actually looks their age (thanks mom and dad!) so after a week and a half of use I’m looking all of 12 years old right now haha! But seriously the one thing I do love about this product is how it evens out the texture of your skin. Sometimes depending on the weather, hormones etc skin can look “ruddy” and dull but Génifique nips those problems right in the bud. I'm glad I took Tami’s advice and visited the Lancome’s site in early March and participated in the giveaway I was one of the lucky people who won a bottle (nah na na na nahhhh na), as for you you’ll have to spend the money to buy your own! Happy Shopping!

photo cred: Lancome

Beauty Find of the Week: Au Naturel Dry Shampoo

I can’t lie I have been mesmerized and at the same time terrified of dry shampoo. I have relaxed African American hair that can’t be washed daily. In addition to my fear and my hair type, I have never used a hair care product that my Caucasian, Asian or Latina sistas’ use dry shampoo included. I got lucky by being a Sephora Beauty Insider and recieved a deluxe sample of Frederic Fekkai Au Naturel Dry Shampoo, and after 2 weeks of staring at it I finally used this fragrance, dye, parabens, and sulfate free product. All I had to do is sprinkle the product close to my roots massage it in with my fingers and brush, fear not the white powder goes away easily and your hair isn’t left with some weird fragrance. My scalp is refreshed and my hair has some of it’s just washed/blow dried body back. I’m definitely going to buy a full sized version. The Dry Shampoo is 23 bucks and is a Sephora exclusive. Happy Shopping!

photo cred: Sephora

Beauty Find of the Week: Kiehl's Marvelous Mineral Mascara

If you’re anything like me you have as many mascaras in your makeup arsenal as some people have boyfriends in their little arsenals. A mascara to lengthen, one to curl, one to make your eyes pop, a daytime one, a nighttime one the list goes on. Kiehl’s Marvelous Mineral Mascara is one to add to the collection, it's a lightweight darkening mascara that gives you just enough of a boost in length and absolutely NO clumping. It’s not super thickening and won’t give you any major curl so for night time lashes use two coats and an eyelash curler. Of course it’s from Kiehl’s which means it’s free of dyes, parabens, fragrance, and full of wonderful natural products like Jojoba Oil; Aloe Vera; Mineral Pigments; and Vitamin E that not only act as mascara but nourish the eyelashes. You can pick your mascara up at http://www.kiehls.com/, or at one of the local stores:


· Kiehl’s Since 1851, 2360 Fillmore St., San Francisco, 415-359-9260
· Kiehl’s Since 1851, 1806 Redwood Highway, Corte Madera, 415-945-9954
· Kiehl’s Since 1851, San Francisco Centre, 865 Market St., San Francisco, 415-644-0112
· Kiehl’s Since 1851, 1848 Fourth St., Berkeley, 510-548-0130
HAPPY SHOPPING!

photo cred: Kiehl's Since 1851

Beauty Find of the Week: Problem Salved

Click picture to purchase

My friend introduced me to Bliss Problem Salved 20 in 1 wonder balm over lunch this past weekend. My normally oily skin peels around my nose and chine during the Fall and Winter (thank goodness Spring arrives this week). Problem Salved well solves the problem for my face as well as every other part of my body. The tube says you can use this salve for: blister prevention; post peel/wax; chapping; cuticles; unruly brows; flyaways; and makeup mishaps. The only place not to use it is your lips (don’t ask me why). Oh and the price for this little wonder stick is just 18 bucks which isn’t bad since it takes care of virtually everything. Happy Shopping!

Beauty Find of the Week: Covergirl Outlast Lipstain

Remember when you were little and you just had to have that special package of skinny magic markers, well Covergirl does the same thing for us “big girls” with their Outlast Lipstains. Now don’t let the pictures of Drew Barrymore in the magazines fool you, this is a serious lip stain which packs a full color punch and truly last all day long ( seriously it’s difficult to take off). I purchased the “Plum Pout” color which is a powerful full on berry/merlot color, a little word of advice is to use a lips scrub prior to wearing Outlast Lipstain because it will show all the flaws, but if worn correctly it also gives you a fuller looking pucker. What’s even better is you can kind of try before you buy online Covergirl has a Colormatched featured were you can change your skin tone, hair color, eye color and see what colors best work with your tone.

photo cred: covergirl

Beauty Find of the Week: Laura Mercier Rose Lip Glacé

All too often the term universally flattering is used when referring to makeup so I’ll refrain from using it in this post. Laura Mercier’s Lip Glacé in Rose is a spectacular color, simple perfection in a tube. While the color on the site looks a little hot pink the color is a true rich deep translucent “rose” pink. While it may not be obvious from the description this color looks great on everyone, from my light brown to the sales persons (who was wearing it) ivory skin. Of course in addition to it looking wonderful, the non sticky formula also has Laura Mercier’s “lip complex” which is filled skin saving antioxidant. It’s a little pricey at 22 dollars a tube, but it’s a color that is timeless, and fun so well worth the investment.


P.S. If you need to try it on first, it’s available at Sephora.

photo cred: Laura Mercier

Beauty Find of the Week: Kiehl's Simply Mahvelous Lip Gloss

Myyyyyyyyy lipgloss is poppin’ its poppin’ its poppin I ain’t fronting! Seriously Kiehl’s lipgloss is poppin’ up with some new colors with it's " Simply Mahvelous" range. The four new colors are all inspired by Kiehl’s home base of NYC which include: East Village Vibe ( Rich, creamy milk chocolate tone), Lights on Broadway (Earthy rose tone with light shimmer) ,Mahvelous Mauve (Creamy medium soft plum tone) , and New York Nude (Medium sand dune tone) all universally flattering shades. Of course you know since these glosses are from Kiehl’s you're getting more than great color, you're also getting healthy lips with ingredients like natural fruit extracts( Grape Seed, Apricot Seed, Mango Seed etc) , Beta Carotene and Vitamin E. So if you want a lovely healthy mouth, then pick one or all of these up. Happy Shopping!

photo cred: Kiehl's

Beauty Find of the Week: Shu Uemura Spring 09 Mirage Collection

Shu Uemura, is moving along into Spring 09 just like fashion is, so say good by to heavy coats and matte lipstick. The biannual collection is called Mirage, and no not it’s not overly glitzy or fake looking like some Vegas hotel, but it's filled with soft palettes that creates an ethereal glow. The line consist of : shadow palettes in utopia(delicate mixture of fresh, alluring colors wavers in the light) and fantasia (mellow harmony of color enchants the eyes); Drawing Pencil in 14 me light (limited edition Light blue with a hint of metallic nuance), 15 me lilac (limited edition Uplifting lilac with a hint of metallic nuance), and 04 me pink (Glimmering highlighting shade to attract the light) ; Silhouette Defining Colors in orange phase (coloration translucent brown vivid orange), misty glow(highlight ivory pale pink); Rouge Unlimited in PK 347 ( pink) , BG 934 ( Nude) , BR768 (Brown); and finally my favorite Lip Duo tint & Gloss in rouge ( matte/intense pink) and , gloss (translucent/ pale pink). All products can be found at http://www.shuuemura-usa.com/ and for you Bay area ladies you can pick yours up at the S.F. Shu Uemura boutique, 1971 Fillmore St., 415-395-0953?

Beauty Find of the Week: Sparkle Eyeliner

All across the Spring/Summer09 fashion runways beautiful soft browns, and metallics graced the eyelids of models, and the metallic didn’t just stop at the eye shadow but, went further down the eye to the eyeliner. The answer for all us non-model ladies is The Body Shops' Sparkle Eyeliner not only because it shimmers and shines but because it’s fun, flirty, and wearable. Now I know what some of you are saying because you see the eyeliner available in green and silver, but if you venture into a Body Shop store you’ll see they have the ultra flattering (neutral even) Gold and Bronze as color selections. And of course since it’s from The Body Shop you can count on it being appropriate for sensitive skin and appropriate for those of use who are environmentally conscious.

photo cred: The Body Shop

Beauty Find of the Week: Kissable Couture ( Smooches)

Many of you have heard of the Kissable Couture line of glorious lip glosses, they were featured on Oprah for goodness sakes. For those of you who haven’t heard Kissable Couture is a lip gloss line and the beauty brain child of Keisha Nash- Whitaker (Yes Forrest Whitaker’s wife) and makeup artist A.J. Crimson. The Kissable Collection the lines first skyrocketed on the beauty scene with each gloss featured the name of a kissable or should I say kissed man from Mrs. Nash-Whitaker life. Of course that means that Forrest’s name graces one of the lip glosses, his name is featured on a wonderful glistening deep cranberry gloss (my favorite). Each gloss is extremely decadent, smells of cocoa butter ( and it moisturises too), and each tube is filled with shimmer/explosive color( even the sheer colors pop). With not only star power, but substance behind the line it became an instant beauty star, and soon 3 more collections followed: A Spring Collection, The Nudes Collection, and Transitions Collection. The most recent collection that I just had to share with you is called Kissable Couture Smooches (pictured) which are minis of 5 colors from each collection. Talk about perfect for the holidays, and even more perfect for the woman who wants to try everything.

photo cred: Kissable Couture

Beauty Find of the Week: EyeEnvy Tinsel Kit

I’ve heard of Christmas in July, and now ColorOn a company I have told you about before is bringing you Christmas in October ( kind of). ColorOn and it’s partnership with Sephora EyeEnvy is bringing you a new limited edition eye colors aptly named the Tinsel Kit. The colors in the Tinsel Kit included Silver Bells, an icy wash of silvery platinum shading to frosty snow white; Mistletoe, a prismatic wash of rich gold and evergreen with a liner of sooty grey; and two merry party looks: Winter Skies, a cerulean wash of winter blue with white snowflakes, and Snow Flurry, a jade shadow embossed with golden snowflakes. Like I alluded to before the collection won’t be at Sephora.com or in stores until mid-October (I’ll keep you updated). I think this kit is a great way to be festive without resorting to a horrible and dreaded “Christmas Sweater” or having to look to silly in a Santa Hat that your mom/dad makes you wear.

photo cred: ColorOn

Beauty Find of the Week: Lipstick Queen's Medieval

Lipstick Queen gets Medieval on your ass…I’m serious! Lipstick Queen’s new formulation is called Medieval a nod to the dark ages when times were a lot more prudish and restrained so even wearing lipstick was taboo. Lipstick Queen's Poppy King thought instead of squeezing lemon juice on your lips (as they did in those times) to actually create a universally flattering 5% pigmented, vitamin E infused “color” that would give you that no lipstick look. The color is as translucent as you can get, and it basically “stains” the lips without the fuss, mess, and dryness of an actual stain. You can order this product online at lipstickqueen.com, and Bay Area beauty maven’s can pick this item up at the Barney’s in San Francisco. It’s also coming soon to Elizabeth Charles, and Herringbone both in SF as well. Which ever way you decide to purchase I would hurry because it just came out and is flying off the shelves!

Beauty Find of the Week: JK Jemma Kidd, Pixi, and NP Set for Target

Okay we all know I love Tarjay ( Target for those of you not in the know ) and I have been thoroughly impressed by there Go International Collections as well as their designer diffusion lines, but you can knock me over with a feather with the additions to their cosmetics department. I have been known to get “lost” in a department store cosmetic section as well as “trapped” in the aisles of Targets cosmetics area too. Now that hey have added NP Set ( Neopleon Perdis), JK ( Jemma Kid) and Pixi I think I may have to be physically escorted and timed in the cosmetic section. Seriously I though it was amazing when Maybaline Great Lash made a blue version, and now I have top named “designer” cosmetics and I don’t have to go to the mall or have someone try and sale me anything. Below are some clips of my favorites from each of the lines.

(Starting from left first row)

NP Set Passport Makeup Brush Set

JK Jemma Kidd Stain/Flush/Blush Makeup Concentrate – Masquerade

JK Jemma Kidd Classic Couture Lip Color – Muse

JK Jemma Kidd I-Tech Liquid Eyeliner – Drama

Pixi Lip Blush – Happiness

Pixi Gel Eyeliner – Jade

Pixi Vitamin Lip Silk - Hero

P.S. Spend $50 in Cosmetics & Fragrance, get Free Shipping at Target.com Through 01/31/09

photo cred: Target

Beauty Find of the Week: BADgal Plum

(click image to purchase)


Seriously can someone stop Benefit Cosmetics from making great mascara that I can’t live without? I started off my love for Benefit mascaras with BadGal a really va va va voom black mascara with a large wand for full fluffy lashes. Then they came out with BADgal Blue a wonderful royal blue mascara that at first seems scary but is remarkably subtle and makes the whites of your eyes whiter. Well they have decided not to stop at black or blue, and now have BADgal Plum yeap I said it plum mascara which does something similar to BADgal blue except it plays up your eye color instead of the whites. Benefit also touts it as the new brown mascara alternative, which is good for me since I’m thinking of playing with my hair color. The company also says a good tip is if you don’t want to do a entire plum lash is to just place it on the tips, my personal tip is play with the BADgal blue on the bottom lashes, and BADgal plum on the top lashes for and over all brighter eye. What ever color you choose it’s 19.00 dollars per tube and can be purchases online at benefitcosmetics.com or pop in to Macy’s, of Sephora.


P.S. Free US shipping on any $65 purchase at Benefit Cosmetics. Use code FRESHP65 at checkout.

Beauty Find of the Week: Chanel Leveres Scintillantes Glossimer in Delight

Who would have ever thought Fall make up would have as much shimmer, and lightness as Chanel Fall 2008’s does. My personal favorite of the collection isn’t all the gold that people are raving over but one simple lipgloss. I’m crushing on Chanel’s LÈVRES SCINTILLANTES Glossimer in Delight. Delight is a ultra shimmery and uber reflective lilac that adds fullness and texture to your lips. Seriously Delight really reminds me of lamé leggings for your lips like disco exploded on your lips(looks much better than it sound I promise). Now for the insane news since it's Chanel it is priced at an astronomical 28 bucks, which I seriously think is ridiculous yet I’m still willing to shell it out just this once because the color is just too amazing, and also limited edition. You can pick up this color at your local Nordstrom’s, Macy’s, or anywhere that Chanel cosmetics are sold.

Beauty Find of the Week: Bond No. 9 Andy Warhol Lexington Ave

I’m not a perfume expert and I know nothing of notes , and top notes but what I do know is I like a warm, lightly spicy, with a barely there hint of sweetness type fragrance. Bond No. 9 ‘s 80th birthday gift to Andy Warhol it's newest scent which is aptly named Andy Warhol Lexington Avenue fits my critera to a tee. Now Bond No 9 says this fragrance has fresh citrus top notes, and lingering forest-like base, with touches of peony (surprising because I hate florals) orris, patchouli, sandalwood, cardamom, fennel, roasted almonds, cumin, and crème brulee (touch of sweet indeed). Now that I have your senses tingling a bit of bad news Andy Warhol Lexington Ave won’t be available until September, it will come in two sizes 100 ml ($ 195) and 50ml ($135). Come September you can pick up your bottle at any Bond No 9 Boutique (NYC only), Bone No 9 online, or at Saks Fifth Avenue.


P.S. Guys you could wear this too as great light daytime cologne since the fragrance isn’t uber feminine.

photo cred: Bond No. 9

Beauty Find of the Week:ColorOn

So I’m searching the web for finds, when I take a peek at one of my favorite sites The Coveted and there write up about a company called ColorOn. I was intrigued by ColorOn’s take on eye shadow application that even a beauty novice could manage. If I can be so bold to say I’m pretty good with make up and eye shadow is no exception but, I can’t for the life of me do a smokey eye without ending up looking like a tragic raccoon. Seriously are you a lady that loves the look of eye shadow or want a fancier than normal look, but can’t apply it well ColorOn press-on eye shadow is the answer to all your eye shadow hopes and dreams. There is no need to be scared this is nothing like press on nails you simply place the pre-shadowed appliqué on your eye, pat, remove appliqué, blend with your finger, and set with the setting powder ( each kit has a brush and setting powder). The kits color combinations range from tame and every day (browns, and neutrals) to well animalistic (leopard and zebra). All the shadow kits can be purchased directly from the company online and each come with multiple applications. What’s even better for us ladies who like to try before we buy is that Coloron has teamed up exclusively Sephora to create the “EyeEnvy” line of “press on” eye shadows with equally vast variety of colors. So if it’s a night on the town or a casual date the right Coloron kit can give you winning look.

photo cred: Sephora

Beauty Find of the Week: Armour Beauty

Sugar and spice, and sometimes naughty not nice, that’s how I would describe the Armour Beauty line. Armour beauty was founded just this year (May 08) by former rock star Theo Kogan and designer/makeup artist Allison Burns. The line currently has 14 lipglossses in colors like Femme Fetale an opaque black (rumored to be wearable), that's the naughty I was hinting at before. I’ve personally been wearing Last Dance it’s a wonderful berry that complements a multitude of skin tones and can go from day to night depending on how heavy handed you are. What’s even better than the color selection is the fact that this is the first time I have been able to wear a gloss without some type of balm/primer to protect my lips this is due to some key ingredients like avocado butter; mango seed butter; grape seed oil; olive butter; castor oil; vitamin E; and she butter ( the sugar and spice). The line has 7 colors in two different formulations opaque and shimmer, all can be purchased directly from armourbeauty.com.

photo cred: Armour Beauty

Beauty Find of the Week: butter London

butter London, boy do I love this nail polish err lacquers ( they call them Lacquers)! The company is one of a few that are “ 3 free” i.e. free of the toxic, and cancer causing chemicals Formaldehyde, Toluene and DBP. butter London was founded by CEO Sasha Muir and all of the lovely colors and treatments are from the mind of Creative Director Nonie Crème. These ladies manged not only to develop a brand of nail lacquers and treatments ( cuticle cremes, foot cremes etc) but also combine that with actual salon services ( mani's 20 dollars, and Pedi's 40 dollars). This concept of a salon carrying it’s own brand of Nail Lacquer is almost unheard of combine that with the fact that each and every nail lacquer is on the cutting edge of fashion and this is a one two punch that can’t be beat. Each color is 12 dollars each, no frowning it’s only a few dollars more than the OPI you usually buy and remember its 3 Free! What adds a little more flair to the butter London brand is that each color is named after someone/something British and all the names are explained on the website. My two favorite colors have to be Fash Pack a wonderful year around taupe that is universally flattering, and West End Wonderland because by now we all know I love some flair, and this lacquer is bottled flair! Oh yeah, and it's easy to apply due to the little rectangle bottle and top allowing you to perform a perfect home polish! You can also partake in one of butter Londons “packs” ( perfectly grouped colors) a wise "pack" to buy for this time of the year would be the fashionistas Favourites Spring/Summer 2008. If you are interested in making a butter London purchase visit the website http://www.butterlondon.com/, or if you happen to be traveling pop into one of their locations (Seattle Airport, Dulles Airport, Sacramento Airport and more locations to come).

photo cred: butter London

P.S. Keep your eyes open for an interview with butter London's Creative Director Nonie Crème