Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Crème de la Mer

Crème La Mer really has taken on epic cult status. I truly wonder if Jennifer Lopez really does use this all over her body, or if she's using Aveeno or Cetaphil like the rest of us. Regardless, I think this is the only time of year to get that giant 16.5 ounce size, if you have the need for that much la Mer.

La Mer will make a donation of $30,000 to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation in connection with the North American sales of Crème de la Mer.

2 oz $230; 16.5 oz $1,390. Available at Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue and select Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom and select specialty stores in the USA.

La Mer

StriVectin SD: An Update on My Progress

Last month I shared with you my Strivectin Insider Status. Basically, they gave me some samples and asked me to be honest in a couple of posts. They wanted me to learn about the product (they held a great webinar with a ton of info about the new formulas), try it out, and let my readers know what I really think about the products. (Gotta love a company that teaches you about it's product, has you try it out, and then says "please, tell people about it, but be honest in your opinion.)

Anyways, I've now been using the products for about 9 weeks, so this seems like the perfect time to let you know how I've liked the products!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Jo Malone Red Roses

Jo Malone's Red Roses is based on seven different types of rose from around the world with added notes of crushed violet leaves and lemon. (It had me at crushed violet leaves!)

Home Candle $65
Cologne 1 ounce, $55; 3.4 ounces, $100
Bath oil 8.5 ounces, $60

Jo Malone will donate $20,000 to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation in connection with the North American sales of Red Roses Cologne, Bath Oil and Home Candle.

Available at Jo Malone Shops, Bergdorf Goodman and select Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom and
select specialty stores in the USA.

Jo Malone

LORAC Evening Out Complexion Kit

Have you seen this new Evening Out palette yet? I spotted it as a new release from LORAC's Holiday 2010 collection, and I think it's worth checking out. I've never really figured out why companies don't release palettes like this. I have a similar one from Bobbi Brown, though I've only found it at the CCO store (Cosmetic Company Outlet). Currently this palette is only available in 3 colors, but I hope it comes out in more shades soon.

LORAC Evening Out Complexion Kit

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Sephora Compact Mirror and Brush

A mirror and a brush are always in my purse, and I love that these versions will also benefit a great cause! The compact mirror comes in a pouch and features double magnification and the cute rhinestone design on the cover. The brush is small and includes a mirror in the lid.

This month, Sephora is releasing a few items to help raise money for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Sephora will donate $1 from the sale of each item.

Sephora Collection Pop-Up Brush $8
Sephora Collection Compact Mirror $18
Sephora.com

Jessica Biel's New Look at Glamour Reel Moments

On Monday night Jessica Biel attended the 5th Anniversary of Glamour Reel Moments. (I don't know what that event is either.) The real story was how Jessica looked when she showed up. I loved her new darker chocolate hair color and her makeup was just... really the best way to describe it is pretty. The best part is that since she's a brand ambassador for Revlon you should be able to recreate her look for a bit less.

Hair:
• Revlon ColorSilk #27 Deep Rich Brown (available in Jan '11)

Eyes:
• ColorStay 12 Hour Eye Shadow in Blushed Wines
• ColorStay Eyeliner in Blackberry
• GrowLuscious by Fabulash in Blackened Brown

Face:
• PhotoReady Makeup in Nude
• Matte Powder Blush in Rose Rapture

Lips:
• ColorBurst Lipstick in Lilac
• Super Lustrous Lipgloss in Lilac Pastelle


Revlon

Rusk's Deep Shine: A Quick Way to "Fake" Your Way to a Good Hair Day

See those 2 products? They've been helping me fake my way to a good hair day for a bit now, and I needed to share them with you.

On the left you can see Deepshine Lustre Shine Enhancing Lusterizer. Yes, that's a lot of Lustre. It's a creamy lotion that you can put in your hair wet or dry to help make hair soft, shiny and add a little bit of separation. I've been loving it on my dry hair, as the last step in hair styling. Literally I can dry my hair (paying no attention to making it straight or getting rid of frizz), then apply about a dime sized amount of this to my hair. Distribute it really well, and sometimes I'll even brush it through. Suddenly my hair will look like I spent a huge amount of time drying and styling it! Shiny, frizz free, my long layers have a bit of separation (which I love) and everything is super soft.

On the right is Deepshine Oil Protective Oil Treatment. Similar to other hair oils, this oil is mostly Argan oil with a very light fruity/herbal smell. I like that it comes in a bottle with a very small squeeze top opening- hard to turn yourself into a grease ball! I usually put about a nickel sized amount in my hair when wet, making sure that I evenly distribute it (concentrating on the ends of my hair and avoiding the roots) and I often will comb it through using a wide tooth comb. Dry and style as usual. It helps with shine, softness and makes hair super soft!

I've been combining both of these products (Oil on wet hair, then dry, apply Lusterizer Creme as a last styling step) and my hair has been loving it! I'm frizz free, shiny and my hair is super soft.

Rusk Hair Products

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Arcona Magic Pink Ice

I admit to loving everything I've tried from Arcona. While I haven't tried this item (yet, in the regular white or special pink form), I definitely plan to in the future! Magic Pink Ice is a light hydrating gel that contains white cranberry complex, hyaluronic acid, beta-carotene, vitamins B-5, C and E.

$2 for every Magic Pink Ice sold in October will benefit Cancer and Careers.

$38, Available at Beauty.com

Arcona

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment

I have to admit that I still haven't tried this hair treatment yet. I've heard amazing things about it- everything from it's slightly nutty scent (likely due to the Ojon oil), to how you comb this brown dirt stuff through your hair, but the end result is somehow insanely hydrated hair that still has volume. This seems like a perfect time to try it out, I'll add it to my Sephora shopping list.

$5 per Pink Ribbon Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment sold during the month of October will be donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, with a maximum donation of $35,000.

$21, Available at Sephora, Ulta and online at Ojon.com.

Ojon

China Glaze Holiday 2010: Frosty, A Fraternal Twin to WKS?

A few years ago China Glaze released their summer Surf collection. The colors had really pretty glass flecked shimmer and I immediately fell in love with White Kwik Silver, the white shade. I was pretty surprised by this as I was already well into the dark shades that I now favor, but the white just spoke to me. It spoke to a lot of girls, and it has become a bit hard to locate as a result. I've found that the white color can be the ultimate chameleon. 1 coat is perfect for layering over other shades, 2 coats is a bit translucent and can take the place of a light pink or nude mani but still be appropriate for many occasions, and 3 shades is more opaque and a bit edgy. I always take this shade with me on vacation. Always.

When I first heard about the new Holiday 2010 color Frosty, I wondered how close it would be to WKS. The answer is really pretty close, though the WKS base is a bit more ivory when compared closely to Frosty's stark white base. Both have the same flecked shimmer, though WKS might have a bit more gold inflection that I couldn't pick up in pictures. As well, WKS is a bit more translucent. So, while WKS does require more coats to become opaque, Frosty is a bit harder to work with during application.

Read on for comparison pictures.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Clinique Dramatic Different

Clinique's Dramatically Different lotion is a huge bestselling favorite, and during October you can buy it in a special limited-edition bottle. This year’s edition features a collectable Clinique key ring with a Pink Ribbon heart charm and Clinique “C” charm.

$35 (6.7 ounces) Available at Clinique counters nationwide and in Puerto Rico and at Clinique.com

$10 per this special-edition Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion sold during the month of October will be donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, while supplies last.

Clinique

Estée Lauder Holiday 2010, Extravagant Gold Eyeshadows

The holiday collections are trickling in, which means it is time I start sharing them with you. I know that it is only October. I know you likely have not yet carved your pumpkin or bought Halloween candy. However, the collections are out and there are some amazing products that you need to snap up before they sell out!

The first collection I had to share with you is Estée Lauder's Holiday 2010 collection. The gem of the collection is undoubtably this eye shadow palette (click to enlarge). Read on for swatches.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Sephora Pink Eyelash Curler

Every girl needs one of these in her makeup kit! It might look scary until you try it, but I promise that curling your lashes will not hurt and makes a huge difference.

This month, Sephora is releasing a few items to help raise money for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Sephora will donate $1 from the sale of each item.

Sephora.com

Manicure of the Day: China Glaze Sugar Plums

China Glaze always releases amazing holiday collections, and this Christmas season is no different. I'll be showing you various swatches over the coming weeks, but this is the one I really wanted to try out first.

Sugar Plums is described by China Glaze as a "Plum Shimmer", though I'm not sure that it accurate. I've always thought of "plum" as being more like the fruit, with definite purple in the red. This color is more dark red with some magenta/berry in certain lights. I'm a sucker for any red with berry leanings, so I immediately knew this would be my first manicure! In the bottle there is very fine multi-colored shimmer. I can spot pink, blue, green and gold when I look closely, but from afar the shimmer is apparent only as flashes of color.

The color is well pigmented, and I almost didn't even need a second coat for full coverage. Unfortunately, the shimmer does make the finish a bit bumpy. I used a thick top coat to even things out (I used Seche Vite, Poshe would work as well), and I have been debating about adding a second coat of top coat because it is still a bit bumpy. Just like in the bottle you do need to look closely to see the colors of shimmer.


While the color will likely be available as a single bottle, you can also buy it in the "Oh, Ruby Deer" gift set which includes Sugar Plums, Ruby Deer and a stuffed animal. Look for it at locations like ULTA and Trade Secret. There will be 16 limited edition shades this Holiday Season.

China Glaze Holiday 2010

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Michael Kors Very Hollywood

Sometimes it's very difficult to take your favorite fragrance with you while on the go, I think the ideal way to do so is with a rollerball as with this Michael Kors Very Hollywood duo. The lipgloss is a universally flattering soft peach shade that can be worn alone for an understated glamour or over lipstick for extra sparkle. Very Hollywood is a floral scent with notes of Gardenia, Bergamot, Mandarin and White Moss.

Michael Kors Beauty will make a donation of $10,000 in connection with the sales of the Very Hollywood Michael Kors Eau de Parfum Rollerball/Lip Gloss to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

$18. Available at select department and specialty stores in the USA and Puerto Rico and on Michael Kors.com.

Michael Kors

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Tone Body Wash

It's not everyday that a PR rep emails you about a product you not only bought yourself, but have been using every morning in your shower. The Tone White Clay & Pink Jasmine Body Wash has definitely spent it's fair share of time in my shower. I love the floral scent, nice lather and how easily it rinses off.

This month you'll be able to buy a specially labelled version of this body wash (keep your eyes open for it on shelves near you). The bottle has directions on the back for a breast self exam (did you know the shower is a great place to do this? The water and slippery soap help the process along.)

This month, The Dial Corporation will make a $100,000 donation to the Breast Cancer Network of Strength.

Tone Body Wash

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Bumble and Bumble de Mode Hairspray

This is one of those cult hair sprays that people hoard and stock up on for a reason. The de Mode hairspray offers flexible hold that lasts all day!

$15.00 (4 oz) / $25.00 (10 oz) Available at Bumble and bumble. New York City Downtown & Uptown Salons, Bb.StylingBar and Shop at Bloomingdale’s 59th Street, and Bumble and Bumble.com

Each purchase of Spray de Mode during October will help Bumble and Bumble donate $25,000 to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Bumble and Bumble de Mode Hairspray

Pantene Beautiful Lengths: Long, Healthy Hair is Possible!

When Pantene recently revamped their main line, I admit to a few moments of panic. What would happen to their Beautiful Lengths product line? I didn't see it included, and for a time it disappeared from shelves around me. Luckily it turns out that they are keeping it around, it's just been relaunched with a new look to make it similar to the revamped main Pantene line. As before, they are still encouraging women to donate their hair via the Beautiful Lengths Campaign.

A box arrived at my house a few weeks ago, and I was very confused by the box. Even before I opened it, I smelled peaches. Really yummy peaches. Yes, some of this may have been my pregnancy nose (influenced by my fruit cravings, apparently my baby girl only likes fruit and not typical sweets), but when I opened the box and the smell spilled out it was pretty amazing. Even my husband commented on how great the box smelled when he got home that night. Of course the box was filled with the Beautiful Lengths line, and I was so excited to try it out again!

I had previously tested the Restore Beautiful Lengths Shine Enhance duo, so this time I opted for the Frizz Control Shampoo and Conditioner duo. Combined with the Smoothing Balm and Anti-Humidity Hairspray, I was convinced I would soon be sleek and shiny for a fraction of the price of similar products available at salons and Sephora.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup SPF 10

Estée Lauder's new Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup promises 15-hour staying power (I haven't put it to the test yet), and they'll be featuring it in special packaging for Breast Cancer Awareness as well as making a donation in conjunction with the sales of the Pink Ribbon Collection. Have you tried this foundation yet? How did it go? I'm really, really curious about this foundation and it will likely be the next higher end foundation I buy.

$33.50 at all Estée Lauder counters in the United States and Puerto Rico as well as on Estée Lauder.com.

Estée Lauder will donate $500,000 in connection with the sales of its Pink Ribbon Collection to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Estée Lauder

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Pink Ribbon Collection Elizabeth Hurley Lip Gloss

Each year the wearable pink Elizabeth Hurley are among my favorite Estée Lauder Breast Cancer Awareness products, and this year is no exception. This year the glosses are double ended Pure Color Glosses (Nude Rose, Rock Candy, Brazen Berry and
Extravagant Pink) and they come with a cute accessory bag!

$25 Available at all Estée Lauder counters in the United States and Puerto Rico as well as on Estée Lauder.com

Estée Lauder will donate $500,000 in connection with the sales of its Pink Ribbon Collection to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Estée Lauder