Find out which top hand hydrators our testers found desk drawer-worthy |
We spend hundreds on youth-enhancing face lotions -- but when's the last time your hands got some love? "Hands show aging more than the face," says Los Angeles-based dermatologist Dr. Howard Murad. Good point. So we had 10 testers review hand creams for two weeks. Which ones offered the best hydration -- and which were just greasy? Find out in the ratings. |
Total Beauty Break
Finding The Perfect Fragrance
Holidays are all about families and fragrance certainly fits right in. Here’s a guide that puts personality style together with the fragrance family to ensure the perfect fragrance gift.
First, know your nose! Perfumes are like musical compositions. The overture is the ‘top” note or the first impression when you try the scent on or open the bottle. The impact is immediate and sets up the next chorus of the fragrance which is the “middle note”. This is the very heart of the fragrance that stays with you longest before the final “base note” comes into play signaling the moment when the fragrance has truly developed to its fullest, lingering on the skin for many pleasurable hours.
Next, let’s talk fragrance like a pro. According to The Fragrance Foundation, who wrote the book on all things fragranced, perfumed and scented, fragrances are grouped into “families”. Florals, Orientals, Chypre (pronounced Sheep-ra), Woody, Fruity, Floriental, Citrus and Green are the most well-known. “It’s the magic and alchemy of the perfumer’s art to blend and mix the hundreds and thousands of ingredients that can make up an infinite variety of “scentsational” scents. Just like a composer does with music”, explains Rochelle Bloom, President of The Fragrance Foundation.
Now that you get the idea, here are some personality types that you might recognize on your holiday gift list and the fragrance “family” ingredients that would appeal to them:
For Her
Sporty | Look for a fragrance that is light and sparkly. Citrus and green. The crystal-clean fresh tang of such fascinating ingredients as lemon, orange and lime. The zest and energy of freshly cut grass and dewy-green leaves. | |
Classic | Think Audrey Hepburn and Coco Chanel. Often single florals like rose or gardenia, sometimes balanced by a variety of contrasting, sophisticated notes from the perfumer’s palette. | |
Fashionista | A cutting edge Italian designer. A little black number from Paris or a style maven from the US? The fashion designer today uses individualist notes that range from sophisticated and mysterious to spicy and oriental. Get their style through a signature scent. | |
Romantic | Chypre and Floral Orientals work their magic. Often an uninhibited blend of exotic flowers, herbs and spices. |
Athletic | Citrus. Fresh and Brisk. Clean and simple. | |
Earthy | Fougere forest notes from oak moss, resin and geranium oil. | |
Dynamic | Smoky, pungent,masculine leather notes. |
BeautyPress.com November 2009
Pearlescent Perfection - Bare Escentuals & Honora
- Brightening Pearl Mineral Veil
- Blissful Pearl eye color (seashell peach)
- Magnificent Pearl eye color (charcoal taupe)
- Precious Pearl blush (dusty pink)
- Big & Bright Mineral Eyeliner Pencil
- Flawless Definition Mascara
- Sugared Strawberry 100% Natural Lipgloss
- Precision Eye Defining Brush
- Tapered Blush Brush
- Flawless Application Brush
November is National Healthy Skin Month
Giveaway Break - Maybelline Great Lash Big Gift Pack
Comment below to win a Maybelline Gift Pack filled with Great Lash Big and other Maybelline NY Products ($75 value!). Leave a comment on this post to enter. For extra entries, you can sign up for my mailing list, post a link to this giveaway on your blog, follow my blog, follow me and retweet on Twitter, or become a fan on Facebook; just make sure to list your extra entries in the comments.
This contest is open to US residents only. The contest will end on Friday, November 20th. I will randomly select one lucky winner and announce them on Lipgloss Break, so keep checking to see if you're a winner - Good Luck!
Total Beauty Break
From tight knots to loose coils, these hairstyles put a new twist on practical elegance |
"The Twist" is more than just a popular 60s dance. It's also a look practically anyone can wear. So check out this celebrity hairstyle that's fun to sport and so easy to copy. |
Clarins is on Facebook
Clarins has finally joined the cult known as a Facebook :)
NARS Cosmetics used on MAD MEN Set
Betty Draper (January Jones):
“January’s character Betty wears NARS Madrague Duo Eyeshadow in almost every scene when she is at home. “It’s a staple,” explains Lana, “but when she goes out, we spice it up with color.” To add emphasis to her eyes, Lana adds NARS Heart Of Glass Eyeshadow. For her lips, she uses NARS Calliope Velvet Matte Lip Pencil and NARS Belle de Jour Velvet Matte Lip Pencil. “I also love Barbarella Lipstick on January because it’s perfect for her every day look.” For blush, try NARS Penny Lane Cream Blush, NARS Gueule de Nuit Cream Blush, and NARS Gilda Powder Blush!
Joan Holloway (Christina Hendricks):
“For Christina’s sexy Joan I love the bold colors of NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencils in Dolce Vita, Red Square, Sex Machine, and Forbidden Red.” Lana also uses NARS Heat Wave Lipstick and NARS Jungle Red Lipstick! For her eyes, she uses NARS Madrague Duo Eyeshadow and NARS Fez and Bali Single Eyeshadows. “With Christina's peaches and cream complexion” Lana explains, “she looks great in NARS Gueule de Nuit Cream Blush, as well as NARS Dolce Vita, Gilda, and Gina Powder Blush.”
Shop The Skinny!
Kiehl's Imperial Body Balm
I moisturize every morning after my shower. I'm constantly trying new lotions and potions, trying to find the ones that keep my skin smooth all day...
A body balm that I am extremely impressed with is Kiehl's Imperial Body Balm. This body balm looks like a huge tub of butter! It's thick, bright yellow in color, and is lightly scented (light cocoa-honeyish scent).
It's super thick and goes on smooth. It takes a few more seconds than normal lotion to rub in, but to me, that means its working extra hard. Here are some other fun facts about this balm:
- Inspired by old-world Russian herbal remedies
- Deeply hydrates, regenerates, and comforts extremely dry, lackluster skin
- Accelerates cell turnover with Honey and Fruit Glycolic Acids to immediately reveal a new skin softness and radiance
- High levels of antioxidant-rich butters help protect skin from environmental damage