Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics- Minerals In The Mist- Restore

The one problem with Youngblood's Minerals In The Mist sprays is that they come in 4 oz bottles, which means not TSA approved, so one can't pack them in the infamous plastic bag you take with you on the plane. A refreshing spritz of this stuff helps me wake up, locks in the serum and moisturizer I just applied and gives a natural dewiness to the makeup. I would have loved to bring it with me for a post-flight fix, but it's not meant to be.

It's interesting to note that some of the essential oils blended for Youngblood's Grapefruit, Lime, and Rosemary Restore Mist , mostly citrus oil, would give an IFRA bureaucrat a seizure. Apparently it's OK to spray it directly in the face but not to wear as perfume. Ha. In any case, while this mist doesn't feel as exquisitely nourishing as Kanebo Sensai's spray mist, for only $22 this is a pleasant alternative.

Bottom Line: I'd happily buy a travel size if one was offered.

Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics- Minerals In The Mist- Restore($22) was sent for my consideration by the company. It's available from Henri Bendel in NYC. 

MintGlaze FX Lip Treatment

It never fails. Temperatures drop, heating is cranked up and my lips dry out instantly and crack. The whole thing is painful, not to mention how bleeding lips are not my best look, Halloween or not. The cure this fall has been extremely effective, not to mention multi-functional.

MintGlaze FX from Cover FX is a lip treatment that serves a double and triple duty as a primer, plumper and moisturizer that also gives some sun protection. It has a minty tingle that had me worried for a couple of seconds, but it never irritates my already tortured lips and instead makes them look and feel better within minutes. The plumping is a result of the glaze's hydrating action and the way it locks moisture in. It's a little sticky at first so I'd recommend giving it at least 15 minutes before applying your lipstick.

MintGlaze FX comes in a little tube with a doe-foot sponge applicator. It doesn't only look like a lip gloss- the shiny coat it creates is actually nice enough if you prefer a nude lip look. I find that applying it about 3 times a day is all I need to maintain healthy lips, at least under current conditions. I'll probably apply more once winter gets here and the weather is blistering cold, but I expect similar results.

Guerlain Toner Super Aqua Lotion

Josephine here is not the only one who likes the good stuff. My latest skincare obsession is hydrating toners that not only make skin look and feel fresh, they also moisturize. My nightly routine includes the excellent Lancome Secret de Vie Toner, but in the morning I often prefer something a little more invigorating. This is where Guerlain Super Aqua Lotion (a confusing name, for sure) enters the picture.

Super Aqua Lotion is not as thick as the gel-like Lancome and definitely feels a little more like a toner. But it's still gentle and moisturizing while doing its job to refresh and lightly tone the skin before I start loading it with serums and creams. I don't know much about the desert rose complex Guerlain is using in their Super Aqua line (other than it gives me an earworm- see Sting's song below), but the toner smells nice, feels good and my skin is happy.

Guerlain Sper Aqua Lotion ($48) is available from select department stores. The travel size I've been testing was part of a GWP.

Manly Business

The Blond learns fast. Once he realized, some years ago, that skin care is less a female mystery ritual involving goats and chanting, and more "things we do to make our skin feel good and maybe not look ugly", he started helping himself to whatever I was using at the time. However, he always looked at the bottles and jars suspiciously, asking "Is this really good for men?". Some were, some weren't.

He was quite happy when we received a couple of products from Biotherm's men line. I also gave him the Healthy Difference moisturizer lotion from the regular line, since he was in need of a good lightweight hydrating product. He works in the city, and needs extra protection against pollution and free radicals (and whatever else that lives in NYC subways).

Here's what he had to say:

I'm not only blond, but also quite pink all over. I burn easily and avoid direct sun as much as possible. When I do go out on sunny days I've learnt to use sunscreen. The Age Fitness SPF 15 has a nice texture and is not too oily. The fragrance is supposed to be olive leaf but is neutral enough for me. It is a light cream for everyday use and is not sufficient for a day at the beach, but for my urban adventures it works fine.
(editor and wife says: It also doesn't clog pores, a problem he occasionally had with other products.)

The other product from the men's line I’ve used is the Facial Exfoliator. It does the work and is not too hard on my sensitive skin nor leaves the skin to dry afterwards.
(editor and wife says: It's gentle enough that he doesn't require a stronger moisturizer than normal, while his skin gets clean.)

The Healthy Difference moisture lotion is also light and effective. It had become my moisturizer of choice pretty quickly. The one thing it's missing, is more soothing effect for a sensitive skin.
(editor and wife says: We'll need to get him the Aqua Sensitive anti-redness formula. Still, he hasn't complained about feeling dryness since starting this regimen.)

I only wish that more companies would offer an aftershave lotion that will focus on skin conditioning and protection rather than the scent value. My main need in the morning after a shave is a good cream that will fill all 3 functions: Soothe, Moisturize and Protect against the sun. I need 3 different creams now.

I think we are both glad I have my own set of products now.
(editor and wife says: Indeed)

So says the husband. All in all, I can see an improvement in his skin's texture. I can't say how much of it is the actual products and how much was simply the result of sticking to a good skin care regimen, which Biotherm products are making it quite easy to do so. The packaging is inviting and pleasing without looking fussy, which is especially important when trying to get a man into a skin care routine.

Biotherm products are now sold exclusively online. You can get free shipping on your order by using offer code biothermevent01 (you'll need to register to the e-club, which is free).

Berry Clean

Things have been changing in the face cleaning scene the last couple of years. It used to be simple: Everyone had a cleanser and a toner and we used to feel like we haven't done it right if there wasn't a tingling, squeaky clean feel once we were finished.

However, ask most skin care experts today and they'd say that you need to be much more gentle on your face, because over-cleaning and drying actually causes the skin to get active and produce more oil and get generally unhappy and imbalanced. They would also tell you to drop the toner, because it's the most drying product of them all (especially those that still contain alcohol). Modern cleansers aren't supposed to leave behind any residue that needs to be removed and your face shouldn't need any toning.

Old habits die hard. For those who still crave the clean feel of a toner on their skin, there's a three-in-one product that promises to do it all: remove makeup, tone the skin and hydrate it. Cranberry toner by Arcona is all-natural, its ingredient list reads like a Harry Potter herbology class: Hamamelis Virginiana Extract (Witch Hazel), Rice milk, Sodium Lactate, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract (Cranberry), Camellia Sinensis Extract (White Tea), Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract (Grape), D-Alpha Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Citric Acid, Essential Oils.
I did some research to find out what's Sodium Lactate and found out that it's produced by the natural fermentation of the sugars from corn or beets. These sugars are fermented with lactic acid starter culture, similar to those used for cheese or yogurt production.

One word of caution regarding the ingredients: This toner is basically an enriched witch hazel solution. Witch hazel is an astringent and an anti-oxidant. It's also a known skin irritant and some people are very sensitive to it, so take notice.

Those who don't have a problem with witch hazel will find this toner quite pleasing. It cleanses well (though I prefer to use it as a follow-up to makeup remover wipes) and feels nice on the skin. It usually doesn't give the dry, tightening feeling of regular toners, though you can't skip moisturizing. I'm not wild for the fruity smell and color (the cotton pads turn pale purple after using it, which I find disturbing), but since it's made of cranberry extract I guess it's only natural. Berry lovers would love it, though.

No one can tell, but under the bronzers and self tanner I'm the palest I've ever been. My biggest beauty resolution for this year was to get serious about sun protection,and I've been doing quite well. I'm covering up, slathering on and staying in the shade whenever possible.

So far, so good. I can already tell that I'm doing my skin a favor while managing to avoid getting any new freckles and spots (my old ones are fading nicely and my skin tone is more even than it's been in many years, thanks to daily use of a serum, my second beauty resolution).

My weapon in this war is the new Lancome UV Expert with Mexoryl SX SPF 20. This sun filter wasn't available in the US until recently, when the FDA has finally approved it. Those in the know bought it on every trip abroad, but now it's here.

This cream is a decent moisturizer, it goes on and spreads easily enough and while not a real alternative to the Smashbox primer (that I don't wear on summer days), it's adequate under makeup and doesn't cause any mishaps. It feels pleasant, doesn't clog pores and keeps those harmful rays away. I put in on my face, cleavage and the back of my hands daily, and other body parts if they are exposed.

Happy 4th to all of you in the US. Have fun and use sunscreen if you're grilling outdoors.

My skin care regimen was simplified big time soon after I discovered Lancome's Secret de Vie. I eliminated steps and most products from my routine and haven't looked back since. For several months I didn't even use an eye cream. I just used SdV instead, and it worked well. The cream is nourishing, calming and protecting, everything that I could ask for, and it's a well-known secret that other than in very specific cases you don't really need seperate moisturizers for face and eyes.

However, given the chance to try the new(ish) Secret de Vie Eye, I was just as happy to re-add a product to my skin pampering ritual. One of the thing I like and respect about the marketing and promises that come with this is that no one is talking about erasing lines, lifting skin or any of the usual hype that goes with top-of-the line skin care. The cream is supposed to boost skin's renewal activity and improve its texture. And, just like the face cream, it delivers.

There are no miracles here and I wasn't transformed back to my 20s (thank you, universe). My under eye area was in decent shape even before (as good as it can be, given my age and the fact that I've always had dark circles), thanks to using the regular SdV. The added improvement seemed to be marginal at first, but over time I suddenly realized that I'm using a lot less concealer, if any at all. Something there is definitely working.

I tested the eye cream on my face a couple of times, trying to see how different they are. It felt more sticky and not as quick to absorb as the regular cream. Since they are not the same, I assume that the eye formula has been tweaked for the more delicate skin.

Now, the question is, at $135, is it a necessary product?
It's not easy to answer. If you're in the market for a really good eye product and can afford to buy this one without having to go on a ramen noodle diet for the next month, then by all means, go ahead.
If you're already using the regular SdV and don't have any eye area special needs, you can probably be just as happy using the face cream all over without adding this one.
On the other hand, if you recoiled at the idea of buying the original SdV but your under eye could use all the help it can get, then the eye cream might be the answer.

One last word of caution: Both SdV products are scented, so if you're plagued with allergies to perfumed skin care, this isn't the one for you.

Eye of the Beholder

If writing about perfume is hard because it's so subjective, skincare reviews are even harder. First, because testing new products and incorporating them into my regular regimen takes thought and planning, but also because the skin is such a temperamental organ that the way some cream act on it varies greatly between people. Sort of like skin chemistry and scent, but with the added risk of getting an ugly rash.

A good example is my beloved Secret de Vie. I can't say enough good things about this cream. However, a person who is allergic to scented products might find himself/herself with an itchy face. Just as not everything that works on someone else- a blogger or a reader- guarantees that my face won't end up breaking out.

Which is why I'm happy to have the Blond as my co-tester (the cats' fuzzy faces are pretty useless for such things).

I don't have any serious or even semi-serious wrinkles other than two lines on my forehead that are a result of inheriting my father's facial expression (instead of getting his height, I ended up with his frowny forehead and flat feet). They seem to be a blinking sign that says "Coming Soon: Botox". Still, I'm definitely interested in products that provide some wrinkle-fighting goodness.

The Blond is a different story. His fair skin has suffered quite a bit sun damage in his youth and early twenties. He has frown lines and crows feet, and very visible laugh lines around his eyes.

I wasn't familiar with the iQ Derma line until the package landed at my door. The products promise cutting edge technology and some of the ingredients seem to be among those highly recommended in modern skincare (hyaluronic acid and marine collagen, for example). We tested two products: SkinTensive - Daily Facelift Treatment and RestorEyes - Firming Eye Therapy.

SkinTensive is a serum that promises a Botox-like effect. This is where testing skincare can get dicey. This one stings. Really bad. The blond's face felt the burning effect for hours after application. Mine also became blotchy and red, so obviously I'm too sensitive for this. I tried it twice, which is definitely not enough to judge or to get any long-term results. The Blond refused to ever try it again after that first application.


The good news is that the eye cream is awesome. It promises immediate results and it actually delivers. I tried it a few times and found it pleasant and effective on puffy eyes. The Blond has been using it daily and we both can see an improvement in his skin texture. The deeper lines are still there, but the under eye area appears to be more clear and the skin is smoother. Pretty impressive and definitely worth a try.

I've been using Laboratoire Remède super c serum for over two months. I absolutely love it, but I'm not sure that I'm going to buy a new bottle once I run out. The reason is the packaging, not the product itself.

Let's start with the good: It works.

This serum lives up to the promise of brightening the complexion and improving skin texture. While my trio of freckles/sun spot is still there, they have visibly faded, together with a couple of other questionable areas. Those parts of my skin that needed to be brighter have become so, while the rest of my face has also improved (though it was in a very good shape to begin with).

The serum I used before, Vinoperfect Radiance Serum by Caudalie was nice and could also multitask as a very light moisturizer (great for an oily complexion and/or on a humid summer day). The Remede serum is much more active and requires extra moisturizing, especially for the dryer parts of my face. I actually felt a slight tightening when first started using it, so a good face cream is definitely a must over this product. It absorbs quickly and cooperates nicely with my beloved Secret de Vie, so I couldn't be happier.

The problem is that the bottle and its pump are very poorly made. The base of the pump started leaking after a few weeks of use. It squirts the serum from all around the plastic cap and from the moving part of the pump, resulting in product waste and in ugly brown stains on my pajamas and nighties. I'm not amused.

Of course, there's a chance that I bought a random bad volcano bottle, but it still makes me more inclined to try a different serum next and not to subject myself to another round of squirt-curse-wipe.

One of the questions I'm often asked is "What's the best brand?". Everyone wants to find that one cosmetic company you can always trust and buy blindly. However, as appealing as this idea might be, it's not that simple. From the sad but true fact that something that works for one person (be it a color or a skin care product) might be terribly wrong for another, to the even sadder one that every company that I can think of, including my most favorites, has some flops in its line.

I'm not entirely sure in which of the above categories to place L'Occiane's Honey Face Cream. I love their bath and body products. I use several of their body washes and lotions and consider their Ultra Rich Shea Butter Cream as my holy grail and the standard measure for any good body product. But my little skin care detour with a sample of this honey cream was pretty awful.

I should have guessed it's not for me when upon application the cream just floated there on my skin, not absorbing or moisturizing. The morning after breakouts were my punishment for this one night stand. I will not be messing up with my current routine any time soon.

Super C Me

I finished my regime of the Caudalie serum sooner than I anticipated and, as planned, moved on to a new one: Laboratoire Remède Super C Serum. I wasn't expecting to see quick results, definitely not within a week. But, I can already tell that barring some delayed reaction, this is going to warrant a serious raving review.

The Caudalie serum was nice, made my skin feel comfortable and started some fading action on the little sun spots. But this one has gone beyond that as far as skin texture goes. And, the fading of freckles/spots has accelerated.

I'll write an official review in four weeks, but so far I'm very happy with it.

Much Ado

My experience with DuWop products has been underwhelming so far. Yes, they make lovely eye shadows in some of the most beautiful combinations available. But, I deeply disliked their toe polishes (all of them looked cheap) and have found the much-hyped Lip Venom to be nothing to write home about.

Subsurface isn't going to land in my product hall of fame, either. I've been using it here and there for months now, hoping that eventually I would get what it's all about. No such luck.

As with many of their offerings, the basic idea is great. It's a double-duty product that is supposed to deal with two problem areas. One side contain an anti-blemish solution, while the other side is an under-eye primer. It's supposed to be a pre-concealer treatment with some anti-aging action. The problem? Both sides do diddly squat.

The anti-blemish cream is runny and thin. It might contain salicylic acid, but any drugstore product with the same ingredient performs better, and it doesn't come close to my Holy Grail of pimple fighting .

As for the concealer primer, I wonder why no other company that I'm aware of has come with a similar idea. After all, this is a part of the face that can always use some extra help. We have face primers that make foundation more effective, we have eyelid primers that make eye shadow look better and last longer. It makes sense to have a product that help us make the most of our undereye concealer. Unfortunately, this isn't the one. The primer goes on easily enough (I find the brush a bit stiff for such a delicate area), it's very wet and as such quite pleasant and makes the skin feel refreshed, but any non-greasy eye cream would achieve a similar sensation. You need to wait a minute or two before you can apply concealer, but when you do, there's no difference in application or feeling.

I've gone as far as to use the primer only on one eye so I can compare. No difference detected. My dark circles are alive and well, and since I'm using Secret de Vie instead of an eye cream, my undereye area has been happier than ever. The DuWop primer isn't contributing anything, except for adding a couple of minutes to the time it takes me to put on my face.

It's been six weeks of religious use of Caudalie's Vinoperfect Radiance Serum, so it's time to take a good look at my face and review the results. The bottom line is that the freckles and little spots are still here, even though some have faded quite a bit, including the large one on my left cheek. Obviously, no miracle was performed. The fading action is giving me some hope that eventually I'll get rid of them.

Other than that, my skin is happy, but that can and should be mostly attributed to the King of Moisturizers, Secret de Vie. Still, I know that a good serum is a must, and this one does seem to be working nicely, as (I'm guessing) most decent products that one isn't allergic to would be.

I haven't fallen in love with Vinoperfect, despite its overall niceness. I find the texture to be too runny and not very serum-like. Also, the packaging is annoying. It has a dropper that when the bottle was still full I used as an applicator, since it was covered with the goop, but as the bottle empties, the dropper has a hard time pumping enough serum for application. I much prefer pump bottles, both for ease of use and for hygiene. But, it smells nice, which is always a plus.

My bottle still has about 10 days worth of product, and I intend to finish it up. I like it enough, but my quest for the perfect brightening serum is far from over. The next one from Remede is already waiting its turn, and after that I plan to try a vitamin C product, probably the one from Lancome. You'll be in the know.

Nothing's Perfect

I've been using Carol's Daughter Hair Milk for the last three weeks, and my hair has never been happier. I needed to learn just how much product (how little, actually) should be used, because this stuff, despite it's milky consistency, is very rich and moisturizing. The old cliche- a little goes a long way- is very true in this case. I'm used to loading my hair with leave-in conditioners, but if I do the same thing here I'd get s super greasy and limp hair. It's amazing, but a dollop of this is all that my extremely long and thick hair needs to stay soft and frizz free.

Because of its weight, my hair is more wavy than curly. It needs lots of moisture. Hair Milk gives it exactly that, keeps it shiny, doesn't let it puff up, but still retains the shape of the long waves and ringlets, something that most products simply can't do.

It smells better than most creams and conditioners. I love the light lemongrass scent.

However, like many other hair products, I must keep it away from my hairline. Last week I wasn't paying attention and let a little lotion contact my skin. The result was a breakout along my hair line. Three unsightly pimples that required the return of my trusty pals- Laboratoire Remède Double Oxygenating Booster and Mario Badescu Healing Cream. As far as I'm concerned, those two are miracle workers. The former kills zits like nothing else I've ever come across, without the nasty drying and flaking that accompany most drugstore products. It might take more than a single application to eliminate a really bad one, but the first results are visible after one night.

The Healing Cream does exactly what it says. It takes care of the redness and heals the skin quickly, even after a really bad pimple. Results are quick and despite its sulfuric base it doesn't stink. While I replaced most of my Badescu cleansing products with a simpler routine, followed by my favorite moisturizer, the Healing Cream is something I must have on hand. It's a skin saver.

The bottom line is that I'm going to be much more careful from now on. Carol's Daughter Hair Milk is an excellent product and does exactly what it promises. It's a great solution for anyone with thick and curly hair, and a tiny amount would solve any dryness problem. However, its side effect for those of us with more sensitive skin can be unpleasant. Not a reason enough to give it up, just apply it v-e-r-y carefully.

Covering Some Ground

I had skin on my mind when I entered Sephora earlier this week. My original intention was to have a look at the Nars skin care line, and especially at their brightening serum that got rave reviews from several bloggers. Koneko wrote that it would work as a primer, as well as being an under foundation glow thingy, only with very little shimmer and some serious skin benefits. Sounds perfect, only problem that neither the store on 5th Ave/19th st. nor the one on Union Square had the skin care products. Also, they didn't have the new makeup collection for spring. I wanted to check the Corinthe lipstick and see what was all the fuss about the Habanera eye shadow duo. But it was not to be. Curiously enough, all these products are available on the Sephora web site, just not in the stores I visited.

But I was not leaving without some goodies. I wanted a serum and was thinking about brightening. I have a couple (as in two, actually) of freckles/spots that I could do without (note to self: get very serious about using a sun block), so I picked up Caudalie's Vinoperfect Radiance Serum. I figured that it was worth a chance before I try the really big guns like ReVive that require taking a mortgage. It'll be about a month before I can write a review (4-6 weeks until you're supposed to see results), but so far it feels nice under my moisturizing cream (still rocking Secret de Vie with excellent results).

The other thing I wanted was a new concealer. I'm nearly out of the discontinued Chanel one, and after nearly nine months it's time for replacement. The selection of concealers in every Sephora store (or at any department store, or even Target) is bordering on the overwhelming. There are so many brands and they all make concealer in every texture and consistency under the sun. Trying them on is way less fun than playing with lip gloss. The results aren't that striking and you're forced to pay careful attention to an area of your face you usually do your best to ignore: the under eye (cue horror movie music).

I knew that I prefer something on the creamy side, which ruled out a product or two. Then I decided to zero in on Lorac, just because I dearly love Carol Shaw's products. Everything I purchased so far has been a success, both in texture and color. The tiny pots of creamy Coverup concealer caught my eye and I tried it on. My initial guess that I needed the C3 proved to be wrong. My color was actually C2, light.

The cream went on easily (I used my finger), looked smooth and did magic for my undereye circles. It is as close to erasing them as I could hope for. The color blended nicely with my skin, didn't crease or sink into it, thus avoiding the bad effect that too thick concealer create on my face. It also evened out my skin where needed and brightened that suspicious side-of-the-nose area. It's actually a very light product. It glosses over the dark areas, but it doesn't cover those two dark freckles I have on my cheeks. So, if you need more than a moderate coverage this might not be the concealer for you. But, for a light-handed smoothing and brightening job it's perfect and I couldn't be happier.

Coverup has an excellent staying power (I do use primer most days, but it lasts even without it) and keeps in place through the day or a night out on the town. No fading/creasing/flaking. The first Sephora I went to was temporarily actually out of C2 (as is the website), but the one on Union Square still had several, and Beauty.com has it in stock.

An interesting article in the Times. Somehow, I don't think it's going to impact sales at your local La Mer counter.

My Favorite Things for 2006

2006 has been full of beauty discoveries. Of course, I also started my blogging journey this year, which made the experience more interesting. My experiments with color and scent have an audience now, witnessing both Holy Grail discoveries, as well as what happens when I don't wash my hair for four days (in the name of science) or when I try on a fragrance that turns my stomach just before having one mojito too many.

Without further ado, here's my list of Favorite Things for 2006 (in no particular order):

1. Secret de Vie by Lancome

The magic orb holds a cream that is officially targeting an audience older than me (you'll find it on their site under solutions for wrinkles and dermo-creases). I'll go out on a limb here and say that it probably doesn't erase wrinkles. However, it's an amazing active cream that really restores and nourishes the skin. It promises instant, visible results and in the case of my 30-something skin it is delivering just that. I've been using it since early fall, from the first sign that my skin gave about being unhappy with the change of weather. That first sign was also the last, because SdV has done wonders. No redness, flakiness or any other kind of irritation. It feels great, smells wonderfully, doesn't clog pores and actually seems to be helping with healing if the occasional breakout appears. It costs a pretty penny and is well worth it.
My original post about SdV is here.

2. Besame Cosmetics makeup in general and lip glaze in particular

Pretty is as pretty does, and in the case of this small and relatively unknown California-based company, it's not just the gorgeous, retro-glam packaging of the products. Inside the gold and red vials, tubes and compacts there is some serious beauty and exceptional quality. The latest product that was launched is the lip glaze, which for me takes the cake. The combination of pretty colors, delicious smell, impressive staying power and, most important, pampering and soothing my sensitive lips, is the best one I came across so far. It can only improve if it came in more colors.
My reviews of Besame products are here.

3. Shea Butter and Dead Sea Salt Scrub from Maryam's Soap Nook

The fact that a body scrub is even on my list of favorites should be telling. After all, this is "just" the stuff that you rub on your body to remove dead skin flakes and wash it away. Some scrubs are better than others, some smell really nice, but how much notice do you really take of them? This product makes a big difference in the way my skin looks and feels. It does the work and then some. The salt is packed into a rich cream of shea butter and several oils. The result is that my skin is not only smoother but also softer and never dry. It's a homespun product in a humble packaging that is far superior to the expensive stuff that's sold in fancy stores and spas.
The original review is here.

4. Gris Clair by Serge Lutens

It took me a while (and a change in weather) to fall in love with this scent, and I still like it much better on my husband than on myself, so I'm listing it as my favorite men fragrance for 2006. What's in it? Mostly lavender with a touch of iris, smoke sweetened with maybe a hint of vanilla. It's understated and sophisticated in its quiet way, and the somewhat earthy drydown is heartbreakingly beautiful. Or, is it handsome? The only problem is the staying power, or lack of it. It's lovely, but gone too soon.

5. Urban Decay eye shadow primer potion

It's my most recent discovery and it makes a lot of difference in the way my eye makeup behaves. I'm not entirely sure that it was only launched in 2006, but since primers of all kinds have become a mainstream essential this year, I'll regard it as such. An extra 30 seconds of applying makeup resulting in eye shadows that not only last and last (and last), but also look brighter and better.
Here's my original review.

6. Lorac Snake Charmer palette

This seems to be the year of palettes, especially the limited edition ones. People were doing crazy things to score Bobbi Brown's Chocolate palette (so much hype over brown eye shadow, albeit pretty), Chanel charged an arm, a leg and your firstborn for their Coromandels compact that looks like a work of art, but isn't the most practical thing ever. The Snake Charmer palette is the one I reach for most often. The blush gives a healthy glow (though it requires a very light hand, as it's quite bright and very pigmented) that I love when wearing warm colors. The four eye shadows also pack a lot of color and quite a bit of non-glittery shimmer. The colors are neutral but they give a beautiful evening look. They never flaked or creased on me, even before I started using a primer underneath them, and their texture is excellent and easy to apply.
Here's what I wrote about this palette months ago.

7. Niche Perfumes

Yes, I know that this is sort of a cop out. But, my main fragrance discovery this year has been the world beyond Calvin, Ralph and even Cartier. I don't think I can pick just one scent or even one perfume house. I wish I'd have discovered Serge Lutens a few months before I did, when I was in Paris and could have picked a bell jar or two (or three). In the mean time, I'm falling in love with every (export line) Serge I manage to come across, as well with the creations from L' Artisan, Andy Tauer, Regina Harris, Bond no. 9, Mazzolari (a post coming soon. There's more to them than Alessandro), Lea St. Barth, Sage Machado, Keiko Mecheri and many others. But most notable this year was the nearly religious experience I had at the JAR boutique of Bergdorf. You don't look at fragrance the same way after you smell and try on these unique scents.

8. Tom Ford Black Orchid

Back to the world of mainstream (albeit luxury) perfumes. I know that some bloggers were disappointed with this one, as they expected something very edgy. I didn't have many expectations, as I've always been a bit suspicious of Ford, who is more than a little misogynistic. It took me a few tries to really learn to appreciate this scent, to make it mine and to enjoy it as much as I do now. It's not a Serge Lutens, but it's almost Lutenic (did I just coin a phrase?) in the experience and complexity. I love its elegance and Old World charm. It might not be the mystery lady in a black cape, vanishing into the night. But it is a black dress (not necessarily a little one) and silk stockings scent. How many of those are created these days?
More can be found here.

9. Dallas blush/bronzer by Benefit

This was the color that made my summer. A plummish bronze or a brownish plum was the best and easiest fake tan I came across. It takes a much lighter hand in the winter, but it still works beautifully.
Here's my first rave about it.

10. Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion

Another recent discovery that has become an important part of my routine. It can be used in several ways, but to me it works best as a super moisturizing but completely non-greasy hand cream. It's the one I keep on my desk and use while typing, without leaving any sticky residue in my wake.
Here's my original post.

Worth mentioning are my perennial favorites. Most of those I've been using for years and still reach for them on a nearly daily basis. Here they are.

Please visit my fellow bloggers who are also taking part in this end of the year tradition and listing their own favorites:

Afrobella

All About The Pretty

Aromascope

Beauty Addict

Beauty Blogging Junkie

Beauty by Nadine

Beautiful Makeup Search & Beauty Blog

Beauty Hatchery

Beauty Jones

Blogdorf Goodman

Bois de Jasmin

BonBons in the Bath

Brain Trapped in Girl's Body

Capital Hill Barbie

C'est Chic

Coquette

Crazy Jay Blue

eBeautyDaily

Girl's Handbook

Hautemommastuff

Koneko's *Mostly* Beauty Diary!

Legerdenez

Makeup Bag

Monkeyposh

My Muse

No one knows why the wolf laughs

Now Smell This

Perfume Smellin' Things

Peppermint Patty's Perfume Posse

Platinum Blonde Life

Product Girl

Scentzilla!

She'll Be Feverish After So Much Thinking

Slap of the Day

The Customer Is Always Right

The Daily Obsession

The Great She Elephant

The Life of a Ladybug

Urbane Girl

Victoria's Own

A special thank you to Annie from Blogdorf Goodman who organized this project.
Happy New Year!

Shield

Apparently, I'm not the only one who has declared war on ugly winter skin. There are many new and newer products on the market right now, all competing for our attention.

The lotion I received recently is quite different than the body butters and creams I've been using religiously. Skin MD Natural is described as a "Shielding Lotion". The way it works is by bonding with the outer layer of the skin to keep irritants out and moisture in.

There are several ingredients used in many common products that are supposed to work as a barrier that lock moisture in, like mineral oil and petroleum gel. We all know the greasy and sticky effects of using a cream like that. Then there are the nicer products that use butters: shea or cocoa. They nourish the skin and leave it feeling "buttered", which is quite nice.

Skin MD Natural has a surprising texture- it's light and looks like a thin lotion. As such, it doesn't leave any residue on the skin. I didn't expect much with a product of this texture, but was nicely surprised. It absorbs the very second it's applied, as expected, but the softening effect is there when you touch your skin, and any dry feeling is gone.

It is labeled for use on hands, body and face. I'm way too careful about anything that goes on my face and intended to keep it for hand and body. The bottle has been residing on my desk for a couple of weeks now, and has become my favorite hand cream. But a few nights ago, after too many hours of central heating, I decided to try, and definitely liked the way it felt. It's different, for sure. I don't think it can or should replace an established skin care regimen that is proven to be working, but it can be an additional first-aid kind of thing. It keeps my skin hydrated when going out on a cold day, and it relieves and moisturizes when the heating is slowly baking it.

The list of ingredients is pretty impressive and includes a high content of aloe vera, among other herbal extracts. Their website also offers thorough explanation of how exactly this lotion works, as well as testimonials and success stories. I can't tell you if this is indeed the miracle product that it claims to be, since I've already managed to whip my skin into a very good shape. But, it's a good one, very effective, easy and pleasant to use. You need a very small amount for each use, so the 4 oz. bottle lasts for a long time, it doesn't contain fragrance, yet smells pleasant with a somewhat nutty aroma. As far as I'm concerned, it has earned its place on my desk, and I don't want to be without it.

Rosy

Once I got my skin to calm down and settle with the miracle of Secret de Vie, I could start testing something less active. I'm still using Vie at night, so it can perform its magic while I'm asleep. But, Besame Cosmetic's Delightful Rose moisturizer is a decent winter lotion. It's very moisturizing while absorbing quickly and leaving the skin soft and comfortable. It's just a little heavy, which makes it an ideal product for me during the cold months, but probably too much for humid summer days. Still, it isn't greasy and so far ( a week of daily use), I haven't had any breakouts.

The lotion has a wonderful rose smell. I'm mostly over skin care products in medical looking packages and no fragrance, so I'm loving the luxury feel that one gets from this kind of products. Like everything made by Besame, the tube and its box are pretty and very retro. Placing the lotion next to the lipstick and powder, it looks like something that belongs on a dresser of a movie star from a bygone era.


**Edit: After using it for a while longer, it looks like this lotion is, indeed, too heavy on my pores and is causing the occasional break out. I checked and double checked to make sure that it was the only part in my skin care routine that can be responsible for it, and sadly it is so.

No longer annoyed. Just glowing

My feud with Lancome is over. After two un-answered emails I used the "contact us" form on their web site, and that did the trick. I got a quick reply, an apology and today: a small package containing the promised gift and some extras.

It's good to be back on good terms with the company that provides quite a few of my staples. Not to mention my recent discovery.

Saks' beauty event (that is still going on until Monday) has provided me with several interesting things to try (what I bought was a YSL gloss and a bottle of my beloved Bond no.9 New Haarlem which I've been wearing non stop. By now, though, the good people at Bond have already got the site problem fixed and this scent can finally be purchased there).




Among the samples in the bag I received was Lancome's Secret de Vie. I put it aside to be tested at a later date. However, the change in weather has made my skin very unhappy. My trusted Mario Badescu has all of a sudden stopped being effective, and the delightful tube of Besame Cosmetics' Delightful Rose moisturizer wasn't cutting it either, except for smelling very very good. This is one I'll have to retest later, when my skin isn't screaming bloody murder.


So I picked up the little tin of Vie, not expecting much and without even looking that up online. I applied it at night and it felt great. I could tell that something was working. The next morning I could hardly believe my eyes. Something indeed worked. The dry patches were gone and my skin looked happy, well-rested and full of life. I was definitely not expecting such dramatic results. I'm not sure what it does or how, but all of a sudden my skin is exacly the way I would have wanted it to be. And it glows.

So I went online to find out more, and holly diamond and platinum batman! This cream costs $225 for 1.7oz. Apparently, it is worth it, but am I already at that age that you spend this much on a face cream?