Lancome Bronze Riviera Makeup Collection Summer 2010

Lancome’s new makeup collection takes its inspiration from the Riviera. It is a collection rich in gold and bronze to look like we got a fabulous tan.

The Lancome Bronze Riviera Collection includes:
Eye Shadow Compact, $45 a set of 6 sparkling summer eye shadow shades.
Ageless Minérale Blush, $29.50 loose mineral blush

Tropiques Minérale Magic Bronzing Brush, $33

Tropiques Minérale Bamboo Bronzer, $45

Juicy Tubes 100% Natural Origin, $18, Contains 100% natural origin ingredients

Le Vernis Nail Polish in Ms. Perfectly Pink, $18

Photos Lancome

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Nails with Chanel logo

A while ago when the Chanel spa opened in Tokyo I saw many nail designs with the Chanel logo. Some of them had like tiny charms that were attached to the nail. I thought it was interesting, but I am not sure I will wear something like that.

Recently I saw the picture in this post in a blog I like with the title Chanails, nails with the iconic Chanel logo. Caroline (the blogger) used stickers to create the design.

There are stickers with most famous logos such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci and many others. The design is easy to do: buy the stickers and paint the nails in black, wait until nails dry, apply the sticker and put a top coat. You can get the stickers online.

Foto: http://caroline.feber.se/

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Win a trip to a NYC

Darphin is celebrating the launch of a new moisturizer “Hydraskin Essential” with a interesting campaign: It is asking woman: What is Your Favorite $50 Luxury?

They picked $50 because that is the price of the new cream. If you want to participate or to read what other people think go to www.50littleluxuries.com. The site is dedicated to discovering ways to make a $50 investment feel like much more.

Beginning April 1st, everyone is invited to share their $50 indulgence. For every submission, Darphin will donate $2 to the Ideal Providence Farms to purchase school supplies for children in Ghana.

On April 21st, the most creative (and realistic) 50 ideas will win new Hydraskin Essential- Darphin’s ultimate $50 luxury. These 50 winners will be eligible to win a New York City Spa Getaway. The grand prize winner will be announced on May 1st and includes:

• 2 round-trip transportations
• 2 nights at The Surrey Hotel
• 2 Darphin signature spa treatments at The Spa in The Surrey Hotel
• Dinner for 2 at the renowned Café Boulud at The Surrey Hotel


Some celebs have already shared theirs including:

Emmy Rossum treats herself to buying a favorite TV show DVD series and
coffee ice cream.

Kara DioGuardi indulges in an extra long pedicure massage.

Becki Newton spoils herself with fresh flowers.

Whitney Port’s $50 pleasure is a manicure and pedicure.

Photo: Draphin

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Donna Karan Iris

The newest addition to the Donna Karan line of fragrances is Iris. This is an exquisite, feminine perfume that combines the aromas of iris, violet, magnolia, rose de mai and vetiver.

I am very exited about the Iris perfume, because it has some expensive and seductive extracts. I find the smell romantic and feminine, very subtle and elegant.

The iris extracts are rare and unique. To extract the fragrance from this delicate flower is not easy. The process involves collecting the roots of matures irises, washing and peeling them and then they are left to dry for many years. The result is the Orris butter and iris absolute. The process is artisanal and long.

The perfumes will be available in March at Bergdorf Goodman in New York, Donna Karan boutiques and some Neiman Marcus stores. The cost of the 3.4 ounces bottle is $95.00


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Chanel Rouge Coco

Chanel is launching a new lipstick. The Chanel Rouge Coco Hydrating Creme Lip Colour formula is a hybrid of the latest technology in pigments to create radiant colour while retaining comfort and hydration.

It comes in thirty colors, each of them is named after a part of Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel's life. It has great texture and a very attractive case, it is kind of chic to get a Chanel product out of the makeup bag.

The model is Vanessa Paradis, who looks gorgeous in the ad. She represents a modern, natural beauty.

Chanel Rouge Coco Hydrating Creme Lip Colour retails at $30.

Photo: Chanel

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Product review: Chihtsai No. 12 Instant Treatment

I started to use Chihtsai No. 12 Instant Treatment about two years ago. I use it control frizz on my hair and add shine. I find it to be better than the oil drops from other lines.

The product is a pomade that claims to prevent hair from environmental damages, to help detangle, prevent split ends and to nurture the hair with vitamin-E and other nutrients.

It has worked very well for me. I only use the equivalent of a couple of drops so the bottle lasts forever and it leaves my hair shiny and free of frizz and flyways. I think I will continue to use it.


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Guerlain’s makeup collection Spring 2010

This spring Guerlain brings us the Cherry Blossom makeup collection. The collection includes a quartet of eye shadows, blush, pressed powder and perfume. Also new lipsticks: Rouge G de Guerlain Le Brilliant and KissKiss Strass.

The colors are classic for spring and its many shades are very versatile. If you like pink hues, this collection is for you.

The collection is on sale now.

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Dania Ramirez is the new CoverGirl

CoverGirl Cosmetics announced today that Dania Ramirez is now a CoverGirl. Dania participated in X-Men, The Sopranos and Heroes.

“Being a CoverGirl is about recognizing internal and external beauty, regardless of age or background. As a role model, I hope to inspire women to be confident enough to achieve everything they want to achieve,” says Dania Ramirez.

“I am truly honored and thrilled to represent a brand I have loved since first discovering it as a teenager and it is a privilege to now be among the highly regarded list of CoverGirls.”

We will see Dania in CoverGirl in January 2010. She is a role model, when she moved from Dominican Republic Dania did not speak a word of English and she manage to become a successful actress and a CoverGirl.

Photos: Vanity Fair Magazine

Sue Uemura Tokyo Kamon Girls

Sue Uemura has launched a limited edition of its cult following cleansing oils. The popular oils are now available in colorful kawaii bottles designed by Moyoco Anno.

Moyoco Anno according to Wikipedia is a “famous Japanese manga artist and a fashion writer, with numerous books published in both categories. Her manga and books have attained considerable popularity among young women in Japan.”

The bottles are definitely cute. As you know these oils are very popular among makeup artists who worked with actors, models and TV personalities who use a lot of makeup frequently and need a way to eliminate the makeup without severally irritating the skin. Their main ingredient is mineral oil, but they are well developed and can easily be eliminated and do not leave a grease layer on the skin. They are not cheap at $75 a bottle, but for their intended use they are great.

Photos: Sue Uemura

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Lancôme's Absolue Precious Cells

Lancôme newest skin care line will use stem cells to help the skin regenerate faster. Stem cells are a new technology in skin care and it is both very promising and controversial.

But according to Happy magazine (a trade publication for the cosmetic industry) "But while more companies are jumping on the stem cell bandwagon, many dermatologists and industry observers remain unconvinced about the efficacy of the material."

According to Lancôme, the new line will offer visible results in about 28 days with marked improvement (20 to 30 percent) in numerous signs of aging in about two months (about 300% improvement in wrinkles).

The line is also formulated with their Basal-Reconstruction System complex, based on cells from the fruit of the Malus domestica tree, and Proxy-Lane, L'Oreal's patented anti-aging molecule.

The line is directed at women in their 50s. According to WWD, Absolue Precious Cells will debut in most markets in September. It will be launched in the U.S. in October and in Asia in January.

Absolue Precious Cells' Day Cream with SPF 15 will cost $145 and Night Cream will cost $145, Eye Cream will cost $95.


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Wal-Mart cheaper than Target in cosmetics

I was just reading an article about Wal-Mart and Target. The cheap store versus the hip cheap store and I thought about my own observations on cosmetics prices in both shops.

While it is undeniable that Target is a more exciting shop with better merchandise, more space and more stylish shoppers, in cosmetics Wal-Mart tends to be cheaper. I have compared many items and most of the time Wal-Mart is cheaper.

However Wal-Mart is not always the cheapest choice for cosmetics. Unfortunately Rite Aid acquired Brooks pharmacy, because when on sale a lot of cosmetics were a lot cheaper in Brooks than in most places. For example, the hair color I use, Garnier Nutrisse, it costs more than $6.00 in Target, pennies less in Wal-Mart, and with coupons, it used to cost less than $4.00 in Brooks. Now that Brooks is out, when on sale, it costs less than $5.00 in Rite Aid.

Target sells some more upscale cosmetics and the prices are the same as in department stores, even though they do not have anybody helping you. They do have sales sometimes, though.

One more thing when comparing shops is location. Not all Walmarts have the same prices; the prices change by location, and I think the same is true for Target. So my information may not be accurate in all places. If you want to save more you may want to buy in a Wal-Mart in a poorer area.

Mac Style Warrior

The new Mac makeup collection will be out in a few days. It is called Style Warrior and the packaging reflects the jungle inspiration. It is refreshing to see more colors for this season, besides pink. It is an edgier collection with a touch of exoticism.

Mac says: Introducing a dramatically different and deliberately diverse color story, an eclectic and expressive way to exalt and admire the strength and solidarity of beauty with no barriers. All exotically packaged in stylized zebra and leopard prints to keep it wild and uninhibited – like the Style Warriors we blazing the fashion war path in great cities.

It is a great makeup collection, I love the intense colors for eye shadows and the bronzers. I always love to see the Mac Cosmetics collections, there are so many of them a year that it is difficult to try the products from all of them.

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Freida, Evangeline and L’Oreal

The newest spoke persons for L’Oreal Paris are the gorgeous Freida Pinto and Evangeline Lilly. Both girls are not only beautiful, but also charming and talented. They are also brunets and young.

I love the choice of these actresses for the faces of Loreal. As I can recall, there was speculation that Freida was going to work with Estee Lauder not Loreal. In any case bravo for her.

In her native India Freida was considered too skinny (yes there is such a place), not curvaceous enough to be a star. I love her choices for the red carpet.

Evangeline is lovely; she is so natural and looks down to earth. She has a spectacular, athletic figure. Good luck to both

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Happy birthday Chanel No. 5

Today in 1921 Coco Chanel launched her famous fragrance, Chanel No. 5. The fifth day of the fifth month.

There are many theories for the name. Some said that Chanel considered 5 to be her lucky number, others that this was the 5 fragrance she tried and selected it for her first perfume. In any case Chanel No. 5 continues to be an iconic fragrance like no other.

In the beginning it was an exclusive fragrance sold only to her clients. At a time when perfumes were mainly single notes (only one aroma) Chanel wanted something complex for her fragrance, a mix of aromas.

Happy birthday No. 5

Fotos: Cakes with the Chanel logo and a real Chanel No. 5

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Prescriptives Summer 2009

Precriptives has reveled its new makeup collection for this summer. It is inspired by their fragrance Calyx. This perfume is very refreshing and energizing and the new makeup also has these attributes.

The line has many citric colors such as light greens and oranges for eyes and lips. I find the products very attractive and an alternative to the sea of pinks in most makeup lines for the summer.

Mac A Rose Romance Collection

The new Mac Cosmetics collection is about to hit stores. It is an interesting collection with lots of pinks and blue eyes. These colors are present in almost all makeup collections for the summer.

I like the colors in the Rose Romance Collection especially for lips and cheeks. I still have to share with you the pictures I took for the Hello Kitty Collection launch in Barcelona, they are interesting.

Dior makeup Summer 2009

This is the Dior new makeup collection for summer. It is full with pinks in different intensities and tones. It does not have a lot of bronzers, but it does have two of them, one in browns and one in pinks.

If you like pink this is your makeup for summer, it you do not like pink there are many other options.

Laura Mercier Bohemia Collection

For the summer 2009 Laura Mercier introduces the Bohemia Collection. The collection has earthy tones and blue hues for the eyes. It reminds me of the 70s because of the blue for eyes and the bohemian part, I love the look for summer.

It has a bronzer called Moroccan Bronze Illuminating Powder to add a warm touch to cheeks. For the eyes it has the Eye Mosaics and Kohl Eye Pencils to “provide lids with either desert or marine inspired shades.”

It also includes a tinted moisturizer and lipsticks in natural tones.

YSL Makeup collection summer 2009

Yves Saint Laurent has its new makeup collection for summer ready. As you can see in the picture it has fierce colors, it makes me think of the French Riviera. The colors are intense and elegant.

It is inspired in Africa; it has blue mascara and a set of eye shadows that includes blue and deep purple.

Estee Lauder makeup 2009

The new Estee Lauder makeup collection for this summer is already here. It is called Vivid Garden and it has a lot pinks and shimmery tones.

I like the Illuminating powder, it comes with many colors that can be used separately or mixed for cheeks, eyes and for a little of color anywhere. The Illuminating Powder is also very pretty as you can see in the picture.

Anna Sui Summer 2009

I am intrigued by Anna Sui’s summer makeup collection. It is a bit Gothic I think, but so far it is one of the most interesting collections for summer. The collection is called “Beach Collection black diamond”

If you look at the promotional images closely the makeup is “summery” with light nude lips and intensive, but no so much, eyes (with less mascara of course).

While I love Anna Sui’s packaging, I think she needs to move to a more environmentally friendly alternative. The collection will be available in the US probably mid May.

Mac Sugarsweet

Mac Cosmetics new collection is Sugarsweet. It is a delightful makeup collection inspired in frostings, fillings and finishes. The colors look like cupcakes’ colors, this means pastels mostly in rosy, peachy, chocolate brown tones.

The collection has great easy to use colors for spring. I like the multiple color glosses, I will check them out at the counter.


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Smashbox Spring 2009

The new Smashbox collection is called Muse. According to the line’s National Artist, Hank Hoffman, the objective is to provide a palette so every woman can crate her own looks. It is a vivid palette with greens, deep purples, peaches and pinks.

A daring makeup, but as you can see in the pictures it is subtle. I hope the pictures inspired you to experiment.

Hello Kitty Mac video

As you know Mac Cosmetics and Hello Kitty have a make up collection out. You can read my review Hello Kitty Mac.

Now I am speechless. I like Mac and Hello Kitty both, but this promotional video is not my taste. It starts fine, it looks surrealistic and a bit like a Target ad, but it changes and believe it or not it has something that looks like S&M. It is not to my taste, because Hello Kitty is beloved by kids, it has traditionally symbolized kawaii and innocence (there are sex toys with the character in Japan though, but that is in Japan).

Thanks to Bella Sugar where I saw the video.



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Givenchy Spring 2009

Givenchy has revealed its new collection. The theme of this collection (or inspiration) is Bollywood, the name of the Indian movie industry (Hollywood of Bombay).

The collection has metallic tones for the eyes and vibrant tones for the lips. I like the packaging and the lipstick’s colors.

Estee Lauder Spring 2009

Fuchsia is the color of the season for Estee Lauder this spring in a colection called Fuchsia Now. I like the Fleur de Lys Shimmer Powder ($32.00). According to the company it is a multi-use shimmer powder to highlight, warm up and glow all over. I'll try it on in my next trip trip to the mall.

Estee Lauder is also launching soon a new mineral foundation.

Mac Hello Kitty is almost here

In early February the new Mac Cosmetics makeup collection in partnership with Sanrio will be in stores. More pictures are now available (via /www.iswii.net). The images show a sort of Goth Hello Kitty. I think some of Kitty's kawaii factor is not fully there.

I like the packaging, it is girly but maybe a bit too much, and it is definitely Mac. The colors reflect a more edgy Hello Kitty than we are used to, but Kitty has always been versatile and the colors are girly. I will make sure I check it out and try it on when it comes to stores although I think it is not for my age group, but a lipstick will not hurt.
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Shu Uemura Spring collection 2009

In like the new Shu Uemura collection, the colors are perfect for spring. The collection includes a lot of sheer tones and pastels ideal for a fresh, youthful look. It is named Mirage and it is supposed to play with shadow and light and be inspired by the master of impressionism painting Claude Monet.

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