Sunday, December 28, 2008

Happy New Year

I will be leaving for India tomorrow. I'll be logging in only sporadically for the next three weeks - maybe to update my Facebook status, but likely not to blog.

Visiting my in-laws is the purpose of the trip - it's been two years since I last saw them (my mother was doing poorly last year, and I didn't want to go overseas in those circumstances). I also plan to shop for textiles while I'm in India: talk about serendipity - I found an issue of Departures devoted to India at the seniors' home where my mother lives, and found out all the great places to go shopping.

Here's to a Happy, Prosperous, and Successful New Year for all!

An idea: Use January 6 (Epiphany) as an opportunity to share gifts (post-Christmas sales, perhaps re-gifting). Epiphany marks the arrival of The Three Kings with their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Learn more about Epiphany on Wikipedia.

TotalBeauty.com
Top Mascaras for Length & Volume

What clumped, what ran and what truly transformed our real-woman testers


We had 12 beauty-junkie members of our Total Beauty Squad test out so-called lengthening and volumizing mascaras. Their verdict: You could spend a fortune on the best -- but you don't have to. See what was tops.

Their findings

Your Golden Moment

I love it when L'Oreal comes out with a limited edition collection. Invariably, the limited edition collection features a beautiful eye shadow palette.

Beyoncé and Eva Longoria Parker are featured in the advertising campaign for L'Oreal's latest limited edition collection Your Golden Moment. Your Golden Moment features two beautiful eye shadow collections: A Little Bit of Glitz and A Little Bit of Glam.

As with many limited edition collections from mass-market brands, the availability of Your Golden Moment collection is erratic. You might have to visit several stores before you find it. The search is worth it.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

TotalBeauty.com
Dramatic Hair and Makeup Makeover

She's had the same hair since high school. TotalBeauty.com's about to change that

Check out this hair and makeup makeover -- you wont believe the transformation -- and find out how to get a makeover yourself!

See makeover

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Givenchy's Sparkling Holiday 2008 Collection

Givenchy, as a cosmetics brand, looked like it was about to disappear. The brand retained its signature prism palettes, but otherwise didn't generate much excitement. That changed with the hiring of makeup artist Nicolas Degennes.

Degennes' Holiday 2008 Collection for Givenchy features sparkling pink and purple shades. I sampled Givenchy Rouge Interdit Shine Lipstick - Holiday 2008 07 Rose Shine and Givenchy Pop Gloss Crystal Rose By Night from the Holiday 2008 Collection. I also tried Givenchy Mister Bright Touch Of Light Pen Dawnlight.


Givenchy Rouge Interdit Shine Lipstick - Holiday 2008 07 Rose Shine

Rouge Inderdit Shine Lipstick is my favorite of the three products I tried. It's smooth on the lips and features subtle sparkle. And the fragrance is delectable as well! Also, check out the special packaging, with the purple acrylic case embellished with gold starbursts, for the Holiday 2008 collection. I'd buy Rouge Inderdit Shine Lipstick again.

Wand gloss is not my preferred way to apply lip color; moreover, I found Pop Gloss Crystal Crystal Lip Gloss sticky. However, Rose by Night adds subtle color, shimmer, and shine.

Mister Bright is a liquid eye brightener that begs comparison with cult favorite Touche Éclat Radiant Touch from YSL Beaute. Mister Bright is more glimmery and has a thicker consistency than Touche Éclat. While Touche Éclat use a "click" mechanism to dispense the product, Mister Bright uses a twist mechanism.

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Holiday Make-Up Is A Deal - Don`t Buy

This article Holiday Make-Up Is A Deal - Don`t Buy confirms what many of us know: that many cosmetics last long after recommended replacement dates (for example, 3 mos. for mascara).

What is stunning, however, is the admission by Estee Lauder representatives that makeup is a safe bet to apply six years after purchase.

The recommended shelf life for cosmetics sounds a lot like the received wisdom for "shampoo, rinse, repeat," which was to encourage people to go through shampoo quicker so that they buy more often.

This article provides tips on salvaging cosmetics. In her monthly newsletter , Carmindy offered another great tip: salvage crumbled eye shadow by putting into a container. Sifter jars, sold by Sephora, or empty containers for loose mineral cosmetics, are excellent for this.