Estee Lauder does Red simply and beautifully - Ultimate Red Holiday Collection

Estee Lauder has launched their holiday collection and boy! The Ultimate Red Holiday Collection offers something for everyone - and then some! Luxurious, opulent, deep and rich colors will keep your days merry and bright.

The colors and formulas here are not the only attraction, though. The packaging for each item in this collection is to die for. Enclosed in gold and deep plums and caramels, the box and tubes here alone are a gift.

Check them out:

The entire collection! Hold your breath - this is going to be good!

 

Opulent Shimmer Powder

 

Opulent Shimmer Powder in action

 

Signature Eyeshadow Quad in Lavish Plum

 

Signature Eyeshadow Quad in Gold Opulence

 

Simply Red lipstick

 

Can you say gorgeous?

 

Black Gel Eyeliner

 

Opulent Shimmer Gloss in Cranberry and Gold

 

A little Cranberry for the holidays

 

Gold is just about perfect

The Ultimate Red Color Collection will be available for a limited time at Estée Lauder counters nationwide and on www.esteelauder.com.

Beuty Chant: Write away your fine lines with Sampar's Eye Rule Pen

As a person who loves reading and writing, I've come to appreciate a good pen over the course of my life. These I cherish, keeping them way after the ink has dried, remembering the perfect phrase they helped me give birth to. But that's not the kind of pen I'm talking about now. This one is equally cherish, but for very different reasons.

Where as the other help you materialize those things that only you can see, this one helps you erase exactly what you don't want others to see! Sampar Eye Rule is packed to the brim with all the goodies (red raspberry oil - great antioxidant that nourishes the skin; adenosine - works on the muscle contractions to keep more wrinkles from forming; peptides - stimulate collagen production; licorice, marigold, and Butcher's broom, a.k.a. RSP complex - lighten dark circles; urban advance complex - shields your skin) that help "moisturize, resurface, and lighten" your dark circles. Fine lines? Gone. Puffiness? Gone, too. Dark circles? What are dark circles!!

I keep this baby in the refrigerator, so it's nice and cool when I applied it - and applying couldn't be easier. Just push the bottom and massage the formula in in circular motions.

If Nails Could Speak: Take care of you nails during the long and cold winter months

"Winter months are growing nearer, and I know that I’m already starting to see and feel the effects of the cold weather.  Below are some tips from Skyy Hadley (owner of As “U” Wish Nail Spa) for keeping your skin, and especially your hands, healthy!"

• Gloves and mittens can sometimes tear at our nails.   If your nail splits, cracks or tears on the edge, drop a small amount of nail glue on the nail where it is damaged and then lay a tiny piece of facial tissue over the nail glue.  Let the nail glue dry and gently buff to smooth.  The benefit of using tissue rather than fabric is that when the tissue dries over the glue, it will become clear.  If you use a fabric, like silk, you will see the individual stitches in fabric.

• If you get a hang nail, resist the temptation to pull. Take a nail clipper and gently clip the hangnail at the root. Spray the entire nail with an astringent, to prevent germs and bacteria from infecting the nail.
  

DIY Treatment

If you can’t make it into the salon to be pampered, you can make your own moisturizing treatment for your hands and feet that will counteract the drying effects of the cooler temperatures.

Take one cup of regular oatmeal and ½ cup of regular milk and heat up over the stove. Stir until cooked, add sugar to thicken the mixture, and then let cool a bit.  When the mix is thickened, apply to hands and feet.  Leave on for 5-10 minutes. The oatmeal soothes dry, itchy skin, and the milk acts as an exfoliant to help get rid of dry and dead skin cells. Finish off with pure shea butter as a moisturizer or a product that contains shea butter.

Glamour Squad Weekly Reads

Aly is giving away a set of Wedgwood China!

ThinkThruFashion tries out fall's chrome beauty trend.

DivaDebbi revisits Revitalash!

The Product Pasha loves Smashbox's Tokidoki Skin Tint - hard to find but worth the trouble!

Butterflydiary cherry picks the best of Philosophy’s Holiday
Collection.

The Beauty Alchemist loves Bobbi Brown's Extreme Party Mascara.

Clumps of Mascara wonders how old is too to be rockin' glitter nail polish?

Beauty Chant: Rodial Skincare A-List cleanser

The question that constantly plagues me is this: if you have a budget - which we all do- and have to make cuts, to you splurge on a great creme or on a great cleanser? Which one will do more for you?

Lately, my preference has shifted to the cleanser side. Why? I've been introduced to a wonderful line from the UK that is making waves -big waves! - in the US. Rodial Skincare's A-List Cleanser is the cleanser that could: a skin brightener, a makeup remover, an anti-aging agent, a moisturizer, a skin soother all bottled into one convenient to use pump. Could you ask for more?

Worthy cleanser

A little bit goes a long way here - but you'll get this right away. After washing, you'll immediately feel skin clean but not tight, brighter but not burnt. As I mentioned, this is definitely a splurge at $59 - but you'll love every minute of it!

The A-List Cleanser is available for $59 at www.beauty.com.

An Oldie but a goodie! Tokidoki for Smashbox Skin Tint Lip and Cheek Color

My love for Smashbox in unending. This is probably the only company capable of keeping me happy and content with every - EVERY - product they come out with - and this is no an easy task, believe me!

So I thought I should introduce you to a few of my favorite Smashbox cheek/lip products.  But I should give you the bad news first: you might have a hard time finding them, since they are no longer available on their website or even on Sephora. So, this might be for naught, but here we go anyway!

Tokidoki Skin Tint in Bella

I love the fun packaging

If you have never tried Smashbox's Skin Tints, you are missing something wholly awesome! To begin, it comes in a stick - and you know how I feel about that! Secondly, the formula manages to be moist enough for the lips without being too greasy for the cheeks. Then there's the color here - a nice coral rose that looks great on every skin tone. Plus, as a bonus, the packaging is to die for!

Great rosy lips - worth the trouble!

Do you see how subtle this color is?

The perfect rosy color for both your lips and cheeks, Tokidoki Skin Tint might be hard to find, but if you do, buy it in bulk!

Beauty Deals: Lorac's Holiday Smoked Out Makeup Collection

Out of principle, I decided to wait until later in November to begin telling you all about the Holiday collections and specials that are coming my way, but because this is such a incredible deal, I'm making an exception!



Lorac has put together an unbeatable deal: All you beauty essentials for a mere $18.50. Yes, this is not a mistake - $18.50!

Available exclusively at www.loraccosmetics.com, the HOLIDAY SMOKED OUT MAKEUP COLLECTION features a Starry Eyed Baked Eye Shadow Trie, a Midnight Sparkle Pencil, a Lip Polish, and a Cheek Stamp, all inside a super slick black makeup bag. Did I mention you get all of this for $18.50? :)

Blink: Lash Nirvana with Maybelline's Define-a-Lash Pulse Perfection

There's always something a little sad about how people copy other people's ideas. Think of Crocs - the uglier than life but so comfortable shoes: as soon as they became popular, every shoe company had a version of Crocs available. The same is true with vibrating mascaras. It seems that every beauty brand now offers one. Though this is a sad trend for the companies that come up with such innovations, we, the consumer, can only benefit from a little competition. Thus, I introduce you Maybelline's Define-a-Lash Pulse Perfection.

The first battery-operated vibrating mascara to hit the drugstores everywhere, this one is bound to make a splash. Costing only $15, the wand vibrates 7,000 times a minute and envelops each individual lash in a healthy coat of mascara.

sans mascara - sad little lashes

Now, like other vibrating mascara (read a previous review of Lancome Oscillation Mascara here), this one takes a few trials before you get optimum results. So, most importantly, don't pass judgment or give it up after the first 2 applications. Trust me - you will want to hang in there because once you do get the hang of it, you'll be able to get "wow" lashes in not time. One trick: move lightly and quickly - easier said than done but worth the trouble.

What do you think? A little better? :)

Have you ever tried any "vibrating" mascara? Are you a convert or still prefer to create your own vibrations? Tricks?

For the love of locks: Bring on the oil! Leonor Greyl’s Huile de Palme

When it comes to my hair, I’ve never been an oil kind of girl. That’s not to say I have never put stuff in my hair that might make you doubt my sanity (from your everyday egg to ketchup and wood polisher!), but I have, mostly, stayed away from oily hair products or home-made recipes that involve any kind of oil. Why would I want to saturate my hair – my beloved hair – in oil? What could it possibly do for my hair that other less-greasy products couldn’t? Well, that was before – before I tried Leonor Greyl’s Huile de Palme.

Huile de Palme in its original golden state

Leonor Greyl, though until now new to me, is not a new company nor is their Huile de Palme a new product. On the contrary, this luxury French company has been around for more than 40 years, making French women’s hair (and men’s!) more beautiful and is now branching out into the US. But it was not all the French allure that made me want to try this product. It was, actually, the fact that it is indeed an oil. Do I contradict myself? Very well – let me explain the sequence of events:

1.       Received a bottle of Huile de Palme.
2.       Knowing that I’m not a fan of oil, put said bottle in a cabinet.
3.       Opened the cabinet a few weeks later to discover that the bottle looked different than it did when I first placed it there. Now, instead of a golden liquid, the ‘stuff’ inside the bottle was solid and light yellow
4.       Ran upstairs, opened my French dictionary, read instructions, and applied it to my hair.
5.       Discovered hair bliss.

Now, you’re probably wondering why I decided to run upstairs and try this oil after seeing that it had changed in form. Well, as someone who appreciates a good olive oil, I know that only the purest of oil will ‘congeal’ – that is, return to a solid state if the temperature drops below a certain degree. And when I saw that this is what happened, I just had to try it – and boy! Am I glad I did.

Perfectly congealed!

This pre-shampoo treatment is easy to use and customize to your locks’ unique needs. Just pour a few drops into the palm of your hands and brush through your hair. If your hair is long like mine, you’ll have to repeat this step a few times. Then you walk away. Yeap! Just leave the oil to work its magic for 10 minutes if you need a quick pick-me-up, for 30 minutes if you need a bit more moisture, or overnight if your hair could really use some help. Then simply shampoo and conditioner as usual.

The results are incredible – healthy hair that looks every bit as good as those you see in magazines. And if your Huile is congealed, just let is sit in a warm bath for a few minutes and it returns to its original state. Also, for an extra bonus, apply some to your hair and cover it with a heated towel.

Leonor Greyl’s Huile de Palme retails at $42 and is available in salons and online retailers including Folica.com, Beautyhabit.com and Beautyexclusive.com.

Disclosure: This product was furnished by a PR representative for Leonor Greyl.

No need to Blush! Save your Money – and room in your purse – with Lip and Cheek products.

As we continue our series on Stains, many of you with dry skin have written to ask about other products that, like stains, can be used on both lips and cheeks but, to quote a reader, “won’t suck the last drop of moisture” from your skin. Considering that my skin is pretty normal, I feel that I’m the perfect candidate for such a task – plus the fact that I love trying out new makeup. So here we go, head-first into another series: lip and cheek products that are NOT stains!

Have we come ways from using lipstick on the cheeks?

The first thing that comes to mind when I think about using one product for both lips and cheeks is a good friend of mine. Jane is the most practical woman I know. She abhors silliness and is frugal almost to a fault. But, as a mother of two girls, she understands that it is her job to provide for them and to also teach them to do without things they don’t really need. And Jane, whenever she's getting ready to go out, opens her purse, takes out a lipstick and dots her cheeks with it. She’s done this forever, and when questioned, she always says that she cannot spend money on two different products so she must do with one. Well, Jane, here are a few products that were intended for people who, like you, must prioritize their lives.

But there’s more than simple economy to these products. Now that I have been playing with them for the past month or so, I have come to believe that multiples – products that can be used in multiple places – are the way to go today. If our phones must be more than phones, our computers more than computers, our shoes more than shoes – why not our makeup? If we are about saving time and accomplishing with one product what years ago took 2 or 3, why shouldn’t this ‘philosophy’ be part of our beauty routine?

So with no further due, my dear readers, I bring you multiples. Stay tuned for products from your favorite brands, such as Smashbox, Bobbi Brown, Vapour Organic Beauty, Three Custom Color, etc.

Contest: Amy's Kitchen needs a slogan - and you, I'm sure, could use $500!

Amy’s Kitchen is celebrating its 22nd birthday this year. Believe it or not, after all those years in business, Amy’s has no official slogan! The closest thing the company has to a tagline is “Healthy eating for busy people.”

Do you love Amy's products but miss a slogan? Here's you chance! Go to www.amyskitchen.com and submit your entry. The winner will get $500 worth of Amy's products - and you know you can't live without those delicious burritos! Entries must be received by February 1, 2010. 

The Essence & the Scent: Jennifer Lopez' My Glow is my glow

I have never - ever - liked a celebrity perfume. NEVER. I don't get the whole concept of a celebrity scent, why they (the celebrities) do it, and why people choose to buy it. I don't know what Reese Whiterspoon smells like nor do I particularly care to smell like her. So, I was a bit surprised that I like Jennifer Lopez's new fragrance, My Glow, as much as I do.

But then again, there's nothing NOT to like about this fragrance. Subtle notes of lavender, water lily and peony are wonderfully counterbalanced by warm sandalwood, musk, and heliotrope so that it's never too floral (and old-fashioned) or too woody (and masculine). The bottle, though a bit too "I care too much about celebrity's lives" themed (with a cherub that supposedly mimics the angel-shape soaps Ms. Lopez uses on her children), is beautifully crafted and designed with antiques touches.

Now, whether you love it for the sentimental maternal implications of the design or by the sheer force of the scent, you can't go wrong here.

Fall '09 Nail Confidential: ORLY Once Upon a Time Collection - Part 2

As promised, here are the other 3 polishes in ORLY's "Once upon a Time" Fall collection (you can read about the other 3 here).

As I mentioned in the previous post, the formula here is a bit different from my previous ORLY experience - and since I'm new to the brand, I can't quite tell which one is the exception.  But I do like both. With Matte Couture, it was nice needing only 1 coat, but here with 2 coats you do get a lot of depth and color, so I don't mind.

Does the little apple give it away? Poison Apple is a deep red with firm burnt orange undertones. Tempting? You betcha!

Enchanted is also a deep red - but with little hints of pink and purple this time. A strong color, this will suit every season - I guarantee!

Isn't this autumn all about the greens? Well, here's Enchanted Forest, a deep forest green that goes on true to color and bottle. Two coats here, for a brighter and deeper color. My favorite from the entire collection.

What's your ORLY experience? 1 coat? 2 coats?

The Once Upon A Time Collection Nail Lacquers is available for $7.50 each at orlybeauty.com, Sally Beauty, Ulta and other purveyors of beauty throughout the U.S. and in over 66 countries worldwide.

Beauty Chant: Bring the Spa home with La Mer’s Hydrating Facial

I thought I should give you the bad news first: get ready to shell out $250. There’s no way around this – and I do know $250 is a lot of money, BUT considering the results, it will be well spent. The good news? In exchange for your $250, La Mer is giving you a super hydrated, moist, nourished, smoothed and conditioned skin.

When I was contacted a few weeks ago to try out a new product from La Mer, I was more than ecstatic. I mean, I have yet to find a La Mer product that I don’t love (see some of my favorites here and here), so I knew I was in for a treat. And now it’s my pleasure to introduce you to The Hydrating Facial. This 100% cotton two-zoned mask (one upper zone and one lower zone per pack) delivers all of the results mentioned above and then some.

The Hydrating Facial's 2 zone masks

Unlike other at-home facial system that require mixing and matching different products together, The Hydrating Facial is ready to use and requires very little effort. Wash your face – duh! Then apply the upper zone mask and smooth away any bubbles with fingers. Do the same for the lower mask and leave it on for 8 minutes. When the 8 minutes are up (and this will be the hard part: leaving it on for only 8 minutes!), remove mask and gently pat remaining treatment over your skin.

Getting ready for a skin changing experience

In only 8 minutes, you’ll see your skin go from ok to extraordinary. The treatment’s Super Anti-Agers (an international healthy concoction of marine plant algae) make you dark spots fade away and your lines almost inexistent, while tourmaline and Mariponic ferments drive these ingredients deep into the skin, boosting hydration.

You may not look pretty while applying the facial, but trust me, the results are worth it!

So, you might look a little like Hannibal Lecter while applying this facial, but when you remove it, there’ll be nothing scary about your skin!

The Hydrating Facial is available at select Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, and at www.lamer.com.

Disclosure: This product was furnished by a PR representative for La Mer.

Who’s afraid of stains? The Sheer Magic of Lorac’s Roll-on Sheer Wash Lip/Cheek Tint

Our series on stains continues (read why here!)… And to quote Shakespeare, Lorac’s Sheer Wash in Sheer Magic could very well “be the be-all and the end-all.”

 Sheer Magic from Lorac's website and packaging

Everything about this stain is perfection: the deeper bronzed red rose color that helps you look flushed and adds dimension to your cheeks all at the same time; the roll-on applicator (hard to master at first) is perfect for traveling and on-the-go applications; the virtually smudge-free long-lasting formula stays and stays without requiring re-applications; incredibly different colors when you layer it.

One coat of Sheer Magic is sheer magic!

Sheer cheeks and lips

How to use: Like Lorac’s Sheer Wash in Sheer Luck (read about it here), if you are not used to roll-ons, you might want to practice first on a sheet of tissue paper – hold it over your cheeks and try running the roller-ball over it a few times. You’ll see that the amount that comes out varies, and the sooner you learn how much comes out, the closer you are to using it! And as with all stains, start with one cheek, not both! For the lips, the roll-on is a blessing! Just roll and roll ‘till you get the shade you’re after.

Want to know more about stains and how to use them? Read my tips here.

Fall '09 Nail Confidential: Sparitual Forbidden Collection - Part 2

A few days ago I begun your introduction to Sparitual's Forbidden collection, a mastery in color in 6 shades. That's when you met Mystic, Inner Sanctum, and Intrigue, the first 3 gorgeous colors in this collection. Now, just because I can (!!!), I'll tempt you with the other 3:

Sparitual Regal - an incredibly deep plum that, unlike other plums available right now, does not fade

Sparitual Hush - a milky chocolate brown that is both appropriate and daring

Sparitual Hypnotic - the much talked-about color of the season. A charcoal metallic that is incredible both during daylight and nighttime.

And as always, SpaRitual products are 100% Vegan and free of DBP, toluene and formaldehyde. These are available for $10 at sparitual.com.

Home Fragrances: Votivo Aromatic Candles

There are very few things that I dislike with a passion in this world, but one of them is a scented candle that promises but doesn't deliver. I mean, I love infusing my home with different smells, creating different atmospheres for different rooms, and on top of decour and color, I rely on candles to help me created just the 'look' I'm after. And the frustration that comes from buying a candle only to realize that you can't smell it unless your nose is hard-pressed against it is.... I can't even name it!

Votivo Amberwood from the Votivo website

That's why I'm loving Votivo Aromatic candles. These guys promise AND deliver - no doubt about it. Hand-crafted, these are not your ordinary candles. The fragrances are complex and rich, and quickly fill a room, making it easy to distinguish the desired scent.

Amberwood burning bright in an autumn evening

Take the Amberwood candle, for example. Filled to the brim with ambergris, cedarwood, and amber honey, this fragrance is perfect for a library or an office (I keep mine in the office, though sometimes I bring it down to the dinning room, if we are having a hearty dinner!). The deep undertones of spicy blond tobacco graciously interact with the woody scents to create an inspirational and relaxing bouquet.

I wish you could scratch and sniff!

It's easy to see that Votivo takes great pride in what they do. The packaging here is also beautiful (making this a great gift option as well): a hardy paper box with metal anchors, and a beautiful and simple label in colors that help you understand the fragrance.

Burning time? 50 hours. Price? $25. Totally worth it.

Fall '09 Nail Confidential: ORLY Once Upon a Time Collection - Part 1

As we grow up, we are supposed to leave the world of fairy tales and magic behind - sad, no? ORLY, who is constantly thinking outside of the bottle, doesn't think so. Introducing their Fall "Once Upon a Time" collection, 6 nail polishes that will rekindle your love for all things long forgotten.

Though I'm still not very familiar with ORLY, I can already tell a difference between this collection and the Matte Couture that I reviewed earlier. Though the shades are still deep and highly pigmented, I found the formula a bit lighter on these, requiring a second coat almost across the board.

Please meet Mirror Mirror, Prince Charming, and Happily Ever After:

Mirror Mirror, a light cement gray, goes on a little too sheer for me, even after 2 coats.

Prince Charming is indeed charming! A light milky brown that goes on glossy and smooth.

Happily Ever After. Ah... what can I say? The deep berry purple here reveals a subtle sparkle.

Stay tuned for more ORLY "Once upon a Time" - I know you're dying to meet Poison Apple, Enchanting, and Enchanted Forest.

The Once Upon A Time Collection Nail Lacquers is available for $7.50 each at orlybeauty.com, Sally Beauty, Ulta and other purveyors of beauty throughout the U.S. and in over 66 countries worldwide.

Fall '09 Nail Confidential: Sparitual Forbidden Collection

Sparitual - my favorite all vegan good for you nail polish - has gone all out this fall. First, their Mind.Body.Spirit collection of matte polishes got me to try and love matte. Now, with their Forbidden collection, they have really staked a place in my heart - and on my nails - for good.

Can you heart take it? All 6 Forbidden shades

The fact that like all Sparitual polishes, these are also free of harsh chemicals and contain no animal by-product makes it even more attractive. But even if it weren't good for you - the 6 shades in the Forbidden collection are so incredible that I may have found myself wearing it anyhow.

And because I know you heart can only take so much at a time, I'm breaking this down into 2 post. Here are 3 must-wear-this-fall colors:

Sparitual Mistic - a taupe that manages to be both neutral and distinct at the same time. I wear this shades so often that it might just become my trademark.

Sparitual Inner Sanctum - hands down one of my favorite colors of the season. Period.

Sparitual Intrigue - a burnt red infused with a bit of orange and coral. Can you say perfect?

Stay tuned for the next 3 - Hush, Regal, and the much talked about Hypnotic.

The SpaRitual Forbidden Collection is available for $10 at www.sparitual.com.

Who’s afraid of stains? How to I love thee, Benefit BeneTint Lip & Cheek Stain? Let me count the ways

As our series on stains continues (read why here!), I thought we should look into Benefit BeneTint, or as I like to call it, the perfect-for-every-occasion stain.

Benefit BeneTint swatch from Benefit's Website and packaging

1.       The red rosy color complements every skin tone – NO EXCEPTION.
2.       Liquid formula – though quick to set – makes blending and applying the right amount easy.
3.       Color is noticeable yet perfectly sheer.
4.       My stained red-rose lips look soooo natural.
5.       Really long lasting.
6.       Rose-water in formula makes this stain lightly fragrant.
7.       See-through bottle (careful – it is glass so keep it away from edges) lets you know exactly how much you have left.
8.       Perfect for layering – one coat for daytime, two or three for nighttime.

From top to bottom: Benefit PosieTint and BeneTint

The perfect shade for lips? Yeap!

BeneTint gives me just the right amount of color

How to use: Though beloved by many, Benefit Benetint is not without fault. The formula sets very quickly, so start with one dot and NOT three, as recommended on the package. And as with all stains, start with one cheek, not both! That is, brush a little stain on the apple of your cheek and blend quickly with fingers, and THEN do the same to the other cheek. For the lips, I just use the brush to spread it evenly.

Want to know more about stains and how to use them? Read my tips here.

Fall '09 Nail Confidential: Illamasqua Nail Varnish welcomes the blues - and the greens!

Have you noticed that unlike other beauty products, really good nail polishes are almost always make by an exclusive brand (i.e. Essie, OPI, ZOYA, etc) or if not, they constitute a minor part of that brand's line (i.e. Lancôme, L'Oreal, etc).

Well, that's not the case with Illamasqua's Nail Varnishes. These bad boys are just as good as exclusive brands and just as polished as Illamasqua's line of high-end, super chic makeup.

Though designed as a high-end varnish (they do cost a whooping $14 a pop), Illamasqua must have had the average population in mind. Why? The minimalist design appeals to everyone's practical side; the brush cap is not too long or too short and the brush itself is just about perfect, retaining the right amount of color. And this color stays - and stays - and stays!

Boasting a color collection large enough to keep you nails happy for decades to come (a bit hyperbolic but true!), these hard wearing and super chip resistant varnishes are a must for the fall and winter. Here are my picks:

Pleased to introduce you to Muse, a dark deep teal color

 

 Here's Rampage, a dark forest green (I do have 2 coats on in the picture, but you can see that this color runs a little sheer - try 3 coats, or waiting until the first coat is fully dried before applying the second one)

Illamasqua is available exclusively at Sephora stores and at sephora.com.

Who’s afraid of stains? Sheer Luck – Lorac’s Roll-on Sheer Wash Lip/Cheek Tint

As our series on stains continues (read why here!) and we venture into more ‘advanced’ stains, the first thing that comes to mind is Lorac’s Sheer Wash in Sheer Luck.

Sheer Luck swatch from Lorac's website and packaging

Though this roll-on stain requires a bit more skill than brush-on stain, I’d say that fussing with it and even risking clown-like cheeks is totally worth the results (once you master it, that is!). A bit darker than Benefit BeneTint, Sheer Luck brings you the best of both worlds: a deeper red-rose color that gives you “just-kissed” lips and “just-pinched” cheeks but sheer and subtleness that makes the former look completely natural.

Nice deep color that stays put

The roll-on packaging is also extremely portable and leak-proof, thus easy to use while in movement (and this, for NYC dwellers like me, is VERY important!). And remember that roll-on applicators are not necessarily difficult to use – just different.

 Sheer Luck: 2 coats on lips, 1 on cheeks - what do you think?

How to use: If you are not used to roll-ons, you might want to practice first on a sheet of tissue paper – hold it over your cheeks and try running the roller-ball over it a few times. You’ll see that the amount that comes out varies, and the sooner you learn how much comes out, the closer you are to using it! And as with all stains, start with one cheek, not both! For the lips, the roll-on is a blessing! Just roll and roll ‘till you get the shade you’re after.

Want to know more about stains and how to use them? Read my tips here.

Proud Pleasures: Embrace the goodness that is Fall with a little help from Pestos with Panache by Lauren

There are so many wonderful things about autumn that I sometimes find myself wishing for it in the middle of spring or summer. So you know that when it finally arrives, I cannot help but surround myself with all things, colors, and flavors of the seasons.

So when I discovered that Pestos with Panache by Lauren had a Pumpkin Chilpotle Pesto, I couldn't wait to try it. But first I have to tell you about Lauren.

This is a hypothetical situation: imagine you were invited to a food show, where many companies were showcasing their favorite products. Imagine that you met a young woman who had started making all natural pestos - pestos with a little something extra. Imagine that in chatting with this woman, you both decided that you should try such said pestos and perhaps tell your readers (that is, if you have a blog) about it. Now imagine that instead of sending the pestos in the mail, like everyone else, that this woman will leave her house to hand-deliver these pestos to you. That woman is Lauren - and she's dead serious when she claims that "pestos are her passions"!

Now - back to Pumpkin Chilpotle Pesto. Super hearty, this is the new flavor of the season for me. The taste of chilpotles, basil, and pumpkin all come together here with a bit of spice to turn even the most plain of spaghettis into a meal worth bragging about it.

Case in point: Last week, my husband and I came home late from work, and though we were too tired to cook dinner, the idea of pizza or Chinese food was so unappetizing that I decided to experiment. I had already tried Pestos with Panache in pastas, sandwiches, and even tried some of Lauren's recipes - all wonderful and delicious. But how would it taste if it had nothing else to complement it?

So here's my "Pestos with Panache will save the day" recipe:

Autumn Pumpkin Chilpotle Ramen 

 

1. Find that Ramen noodle that you bought for emergency situations and prepare it according to its instructions - except for spice package - DON'T USE IT!

2. Instead, when noodles are nice and tender, scoop 2 spoonfuls of Pumpkin Chilpotle Pesto and mix until completely integrated.

3. Remove from heat and serve immediately.

Fall '09 Nail Confidential: Sula Paint & Peel does Autumn

Those of you who read the blog frequently know that I have major love for Sula Paint & Peel polishes. When I first discovered them, I was so extactic that I had to contain myself and not stop random people on the train to show them just how easy it was to peel this polish. I wanted to say: "See?! No more polish!"

Sula's collection from their website

But thankfully I can tell you - and tell you that Sula's fall collection is every bit as delicious. The same water-based formula (free of formaldehyde, toluene, and phthalates) makes it easy to paint and peel these colors off without having to resort to harsh chemicals.

Favorites, you ask? You know I got them -

Sula's Dove - an inspiring grey

Sula's Sorbet - a coral drenched in red undertones

As with other Sula polishes, make sure to apply these on clean nails - yes, that means no base coat! - otherwise it won't peel properly. Also, apply healthy coats. In the pictures, I'm wearing 2 coats, and on days when I have a bit more time, I often go for a third.

Sula Paint & Peel is available for $9 (not bad, not bad!) at sulabeauty.com