Beecology All Natural Lavender & Bergamot Body Wash

Looking for a natural body wash with a divine fragrance and superior performance? Who isn't? Look no further than Beecology, where you'll find All Natural Lavender & Bergamot Body Wash ($7.99).

Beecology sent me this full-sized keeper in a sample pack, and I've been using it ever since. The fragrance is fleeting, but that's good. I appreciate enjoying it in the bath or shower and then moving on to the fragrance I select for the day (or evening). Each time I use it, I say to myself, "This smells great." No kidding! The fragrance is fresh, clean, and calming.

The ingredients are water; the saponified oils of coconut, olive, and virgin hemp; vegetable glycerin/vegetable gum; aloe; honey; and lavender and bergamot essential oils. The honey comes from Beecology's own hives - and the bees that made Beecology famous. For more about Beecology, see my September feature on Buzz Balm.

The primary fragrance is lavender, but the touch of bergamot gives it a freshness that makes it unique. Did you know that bergamot is used in aromatherapy to treat depression? I read that at Wikipedia, and I believe it. The scent is uplifting.

I think I need to try All Natural Grapefruit and Lemongrass Body Wash next. Doesn't that one sound irresistible too?

Intrigued? Love to use natural products on your skin? Love products that smell nice? Pop over to Beecology's Web site to explore. You'll like what you choose.

Photos courtesy of Beecology and plantcare.com

Tarte Ring It In Cheek Stain Set for Holiday 2010

The Ring It In holiday set from Tarte is hoard-worthy. If I'm a good example, you'll need three of them for yourself, and if you plan to give any as gifts, you better buy more. Don't say I didn't tell you! On top of its sheer appeal, there's the lure of a discount. Right now, you can get a 20% discount at Sephora, using their not-so-secret Friends & Family discount code FF2010.

The Ring It In Cheek Stain Set ($25 before discount, $20 after) is limited-edition set of three best-selling and award-winning "mini" cheek stains in all-new sumptuous shades. I can't tell you my delight when I opened the box from Tarte and started to play with the shades. Every one of the three excited me. Then, there's the costume "universally sized" cocktail ring that's too big for my size 5 ring finger - even with it's elasticized band. A few friends at work will enjoy the rings (yes, rings, because I will get one with each set I ordered). The ring is a gimmick, but it's cute - and big.

The set contains three mini Cheek Stains in Vivid (vibrant rosy pink), Luster (peach champagne), and Flawless (soft peachy pink). They aren't teeny tiny, but they aren't full-sized. That's good. The size is as perfect as it gets for throwing in a makeup bag, and that's where each of them will go in my handbag - one at a time. That's where the first set that came from Tarte will go. When my order from Sephora arrives, one full set will go in my desk drawer at work.

Each shade is sheer and pretty. They are so sheer, I'd wager there's no way you can overdo them. Just swipe a few times, blend if you need to, and go. You will glow. I remember one of my favorite makeup gurus saying, "Everyone is nicer to you when you wear blusher." She's right! When you head for a meeting or encounter that makes you anxious, pop into the ladies room for a little Cheek Stain. Can't hurt!

My photo shows the three flattering transparent shades on my arm in late afternoon sun. Flawless, Vivid, and Luster are shown top to bottom. I can't use enough superlatives to tell you how happy I am with the shades, which look even better on my cheeks. My photo was taken late-afternoon fading sunlight. I rolled each stain across my arm four or five times to ensure the colors would show in the photo. Can you use Luster as a highlighter? Absolutely! You can also use it to bring out your own natural pink blush, adding a champagne touch to reduce excess redness.

There's a close-up of Vivid at right (photo taken in brighter sunlight). I absolutely love the rosy pink shade. Whether your skin is cool or warm, light or dark, you'll be able to wear it.

These ultra-flattering Cheek Stains feature a t5-infused botanical formula that keeps pigments truer, allowing you to blend into skin for a finish that's fresh and dewy. The t5 super fruit complex is a proprietary blend of the five most active super-fruits: extracts of goji berry, açaí, maracuja, acerola, and pomegranate extract. The first blend of its kind, the t5 super fruit complex is loaded with naturally occurring, antioxidant-rich nutrients and vitamins that are known to deliver refining, anti-aging, and skin-restorative benefits with each application.

If you've been reading Best Things in Beauty, you know that Tarte's makeup is formulated without the following ingredients we should all try to avoid.

• Parabens
• Sulfates
• Synthetic Fragrances
• Synthetic Dyes
• Petrochemicals
• Phthalates

Head over to Sephora to see Ring It In, and make sure to check out the other beautiful Holiday 2010 sets at the same time. I'll be showing you more this week. Ring It In will also be available at Tarte's Web site soon. There's a special offer there too. Through October 31, you will save $5 on any purchase of $25 or more with code TREAT.

My gushing rave is over - for now. These Cheek Stains make me smile.

Photo at top courtesy of Sephora

Dior 5 Couleurs Gold Edition for Holiday 2010

You know Dior has a hit on its hands when many beauty bloggers are smitten! This week, I purchased Dior's limited-edition 5 Couleurs Gold Edition (Five Golds, #001, 5-Colour Eyeshadow, $58) at Saks Thursday when Friends & Family started. Perhaps I would have been smarter to buy it at Sephora during Friends & Family (better discount), but I didn't realize that Sephora had it. So often, there's a delay before new makeup appears at Sephora.

This photo from Sephora doesn't do it justice. Sabrina put her own photo of the compact at The Beauty Look Book, and hers shows the five colors in a more flattering light. I think Five Golds is gorgeous.

The shades include shimmering black, copper shimmer, silver shimmer, light gold shimmer, and bronze shimmer, and the compact comes with two double-ended sponge applicators. I used those sponge-tipped applicators to swatch the shades for you.

My photo was taken in full sun, starting on my arm with the top left quadrant of the compact, moving around it clockwise, and ending with the silver shimmer in the center. The shimmering black shade is a good liner. I can't imagine using it for anything else. To my eye, it's not as shimmery as the other shades. I am totally smitten with the golden shades, and the shimmering silver is a beautiful bonus - a pure silver that isn't "tainted" with another shade. It's magical on the eyelids!

The incredibly soft texture of Dior's eye shadows makes application and blending a breeze. Each shade can be applied with varying degrees of color intensity - for the more subtle look I favor or a full-intensity look. The choice is yours, and I suspect you'll enjoy playing with the various color combinations.

I know you can find 5 Couleurs Gold Edition for Holiday 2010 at Saks Fifth Avenue, which is having its fall Friends & Family sale (10% discount in the beauty department) through tomorrow, and at Sephora, also having a Friends & Family sale (use code FF2010 through November 3 in the U.S.). Aren't discounts nice? If you want to look like a golden goddess, you might want to check it out this weekend.

Photo at top courtesy of Sephora

Weekend Roundup - October 23

It's definitely autumn now. Our favorite beauty bloggers are reporting cold temperatures and the possibility of snow in the North and West. That ought to put everyone in the mood to shop! Here are a few features that might send you to the mall - or give you a reason to stay home and Web surf.

Let's start with Fab over Forty, where Kari shared an interview with Sandy Linter. The celebrity makeup artist shared her fall must-have beauty products for women over 40, but the products she recommended are fabulous for women of any age.

We all want the scoop on the best makeup brushes around. Gaia gave us a close look at the NARS #12 Small Domed Brush. Head over to The Non-Blonde to find out why you may need to buy this brush - and you can admire Sophie and Giselle at the same time. I can imagine the chaos if I were to let Charlie participate in makeup photo sessions. An example - yesterday he decide it was fun to knock lip glosses off the desk. They roll well.

Sabrina got in the holiday spirit with Dior. You'll see a few must-haves at The Beauty Look Book. Sometimes, the compact is as pretty as the makeup. So far, I've been able to resist the Minaudière, but I had no willpower when I saw the two new five-color compacts. You'll be seeing them here soon.

Kelly explained why Stila's Color Wheel is the perfect palette for young women just getting into makeup or those who want to start experimenting with colors outside of nudes and browns. Check out her swatches at Gouldylox Reviews. I got inspired and placed a big Stila order last night. Friday night shopping at its most fun!

At BeautyXposé, Chelsea showed us how to stay within TSA's super-strict rules about carry-on liquids and keep our hair looking great at the same time. Travel-sized products may not be the best value, but they are so handy.

Check out what the dueling bloggers has to say about LORAC this week at Beauty Info Zone Blog. Marcia and Lisa debated their favorite LORAC products - and they didn't even touch on my latest purchase.

Love shoes? Even the painful ones? DivaDebbi showed us Foot Petals. If you haven't tried them, where have you been? I've been wearing Foot Petals for years (I use the ones for the ball of the foot).

Carla showed us a Beauty VIP of the Week: Sue Devitt's Lip Intensifier Pencil. Find out why you may need one at Product Girl.

Whether you got Sephora's notice or not (I didn't, and I'm not happy about it), you need to shop Friends & Family. Get the scoop from Elvira at Pink Sith. I can't understand why Sephora would ignore their VIB's. Does the company take us for granted?

Vicki finished her Makeup for All Races video series at Makeup Artist Backstage with a contest to give you video makers a chance to win $950 worth of makeup.

Lianne at The Makeup Girl had the rundown on M∙A∙C's Holiday 2010 "A Tartan Tale." In the "olden days," before Escada went Hollywood, I bought every tartan collection the company released. Their clothes were so gorgeous then - and even affordable (well, as long as you had a fabulous salary). I'm a huge tartan fan, so I'll be headed out this weekend to see if there's anything I want that hasn't sold out. I'm not going to be swept into M∙A∙C hysteria again.

Here at Best Things in Beauty, we strolled through recent Armani, Guerlain, Trish McEvoy, Tarte, bareMinerals, Givenchy, and Bobbi Brown purchases. Just scroll down. There's more to come over the next few days. I need bright skies to get decent photos.

Please remember my giveaway contest for Bobbi Brown's Nude on Nude Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow Palette. The deadline is midnight tonight. One in-the-know reader (yes, you Val!) wanted to know where I found it. The fabulous Estée Lauder Companies outlet, The Company Store, gets makeup from all the brands, including Bobbi Brown, M∙A∙C, Clinique - sometimes just discontinued, sometimes overstocked, but always desirable. The discounts aren't huge, but I can't get out of that store without spending money.

Stay warm and happy! Thank you for visiting Best Things in Beauty.

La Mer The Illuminating Powder Limited Edition

Did you see this? This morning, I received an e-mail from La Mer, showing me the limited-edition The Illuminating Powder ($95). It's described as a lightweight, radiant pressed powder infused with precious gemstones and shimmering pearls to highlight the skin with a healthy luminous glow.

I knew I would be stopping by Saks after work, so I decided to try to purchase it during Friends & Family. Loyd and I went straight to the La Mer counter to learn two things.

1. It sold out in a heartbeat.
2. It's very shimmery.

Now, I don't know whether to order it online. Help! Has anyone seen this gorgeous compact? Is it too sparkly?

Update 10/23: I saw a tester today at Saks at Tysons Galleria. Every store told me they had received 5-6 units, all of which sold out instantly. It's not too sparkly, and I want it. I'll be ordering from La Mer online. It does have "micro-sparkle," very much like other shimmering powders. It's not at all over the top. The compact is gorgeous - and yes, pricey.

Photo courtesy of La Mer

The Friday Forum - October 22

It's hard to believe it's time for The Friday Forum! This week has flown by for Charlie and me.

I started my week when Charlie exploited a break in the screen on the porch (see screen behind him in photo). The break was created when a hawk flew into the screen, breaking it away from its frame near the top of the panel. Charlie had been using the porch for about a month since, without discovering (or exploiting) the vulnerability. He's very clever, so it was only a matter of time.

On Monday night, he found it, tore the screen away from the frame closer to his level, and took off to explore the property and eat grass (probably the real reason he always wants to go out so badly). I was upstairs working on the blog when it occurred to me that he hadn't checked in for an unusual amount of time. I went down to look for him, and my indoor buddy was gone - it was clear from the torn screen.

When he breaks out, he usually hangs around nearby and answers me when I call him. Bengal Boy is chatty, and he always likes to say, "Yep, Mom, I'm right here." This time, there was no answer, and I freaked. I ran (to the extent I can run these days) around the neighborhood calling him for about 30 minutes. No answer. Then I enlisted a neighbor's help, and about five minutes later, Meow Man answered me. He was afraid and was huddled up against the porch trying to figure out how to get back in. That would have been a super-cat feat, propelling himself about six to eight feet into the air and onto the porch through the break in the screen. So, after eluding my grip for a few minutes, he ran to the front door and said, "Let me in!"

That escapade almost killed me - from anxiety bordering on panic and from the knee pain that I have endured ever since. I can't run around as adeptly as he can, now that I need to have both knees replaced. Running, tennis, racquetball, cheerleading, gymnastics, and "who knows what else" took their toll on my knees.

So, how was your week?

We use The Friday Forum to share information. Are you using a fabulous product and want to sing its praises? Did you find a beauty product disappointing? Do you have a question others might be able to answer? Want to talk about skin care? Just use the comments. Don't be shy.

We have busy weekends and slow ones on the forum. Last week, we had a great exchange. I'm always happy if even one reader stops by. Leave a comment, and say hello - even if you don't want to comment on beauty products. As I always do, I'll leave news of some great beauty offers (great, not just good) in the comments of this post. If you want to know where to find nice gifts with purchase, free shipping, and other deals this weekend, make sure to check the comments.

I made my first trip to Saks for Friends & Family, and I'm going back. I've got some pretty things to show you.

Thanks for reading Best Things in Beauty! Got anything you want to talk about?

Giorgio Armani Beauty Design for the Lips Holiday 2010 Gift Set

Giorgio Armani Beauty's Holiday 2010 Gift Sets have arrived at Saks, just in time for Friends & Family. Friends & Family started today and runs through Saturday. You'll save 10% in the beauty department. Make sure to ask for the discount if it's not offered at your favorite Saks.

Each holiday season, Armani Beauty offers a Lip Shimmer set, and each year, I buy several. This year, Design for the Lips, an $81 value, is priced at $49.

The Lip Shimmer shades give you a nice range.

• No. 9 (shimmer pink shown at right above)
• No. 16 (golden nude shown at left above)
• No. 21 (mauve shown center above)

I swatched them in the same order, top to bottom, on my arm. My photo was taken in full sun. I applied the glosses with their own applicators - a brush.

The set comes with a pretty patent gun metal grey makeup bag with a discreet Giorgio Armani Cosmetics label. I may actually use this one. It's perfect for holding a cell phone along with some money and a gloss! That's all I need to take along when I walk to a local restaurant at lunchtime.

As always, I'm smitten! When it comes to Lip Shimmers, I think Giorgio Armani Beauty shines. The only question is how many I'll purchase before Friends & Family ends. DC-area gals: you'd better get there before I go back! When you stop by, make sure to tell Loyd Cassler you thought his photo on the blog was dashing.

I'll tell you about the other holiday gift sets tomorrow.

Photos by BTiB - top photo taken at Saks Fifth Avenue, Chevy Chase, Maryland