Giorgio Armani Beauty Rouge d'Armani

At long last, after months of anticipation, Rouge d'Armani ($30) has hit the stores! It's everything I expected and more - another great Armani Beauty lipstick.

Rouge d'Armani is available in 18 shades grouped in four color families: Beige, Brown, Red, and Pink/Plum. The Beige shades have mother of pearl instead of white pigments, giving them greater transparency. The warm Brown shades promise a vibrant, bronze glow. The Reds, without mother of pearl, are intense and pigment-rich. The Pink/Plum shades provide a wide spectrum of pinks, from delicate lilac to intense fuchsia. The new lipsticks add long-lasting color with moisture, a rare feat for a long-wear lipstick.

There is a lot of pigment in these semi-matte lipsticks - remember that when you select a shade. At first glance, some (not all) of the shades appear lighter than they really are on the lips. I was surprised, given the shade shown on the bottom of each case, that I choose some of the lightest ones - I need a little color. All of the six I purchased were in the light to middle tones: three pinks, one brown, and two beige shades for me. I'm not a red lipstick gal, but the reds will be very pretty - on someone else.

I love these new lipsticks! From the classy case, with its magnetic snap, to the gorgeous colors, these are the first long-lasting lipsticks I have ever liked. As I write, I am wearing #500, one of the pinks. It has been on me for hours, survived a long drink of water, and is still vivid. I should have predicted this because the colors didn't wipe off my wrist easily with a tissue when I was testing them at Saks in Chevy Chase. Loyd Cassler at Saks noticed the same thing. It takes a serious makeup remover to get them off, and that's a good thing. Armani promises eight hours of wear. I haven't owned these for eight hours yet, but I can report on wear time later. It's a tall order for a lipstick to survive my napkin obsession at mealtime.

The Rouge d'Armani lipsticks have a very soft and creamy texture. Historically, dry textures have kept me from embracing long-wear lipsticks. Most feel like chalk on my balm-addicted lips. These feel great, even without Armani's fabulous Lip Shimmers. I did add a Lip Shimmer over #500 in its second hour, not because I had to for comfort, but simply because I love a blast of shine. Shine does make your lips appear a bit larger. I was also playing with color. I wanted to see how Lip Shimmer #21 would transform the color of #500. There will be an endless array of combinations to try. I'll be having fun for the next few weeks!

You can purchase Rouge d'Armani at Saks Fifth Avenue, on the Armani Web site, or at your favorite source for Armani Beauty products. If you are in the market for long-lasting lip color that feels good, or simply want a new color for the season, these new Armani lipsticks will fit the bill.

P.S. The gorgeous Armani Holiday 2009 collection has also arrived at Saks in Chevy Chase. I'll tell you about it soon.

Photo courtesy of Armani Beauty

Ulta's Latest Color Extravaganza

Ulta has done it again! Their 69-piece Blockbuster Cosmetic Kit is $24.99. With a $5 coupon from InStyle or another magazine, it's $19.99! You can get $3.50 off online with code 21449.

The kit includes: 32 eye shadows, 12 lip colors, six cheek colors, four full size lipsticks, two mini lip glosses, two pot glosses, two shimmer powders, two eye shadow quads, two concealers, two dual-ended liners, two brushes - all housed in a train case with mirror and applicators. Who cares if you can't wear all the colors? It's a sampler's delight.

The Ulta kits make great Christmas presents. Last year, mine was a big hit with a young friend - and her mother! This year, I think I'll order two. I may have to try this one myself.

Photo courtesy of Ulta

Armani Crema Nera OMC3 Giveaway Contest

Giorgio Armani Beauty's new Crema Nera OMC3 (that's cubed, but I have no idea how to do superscripts in Blogger) is in stores now. The new Crema Nera has an SPF of 15 (protecting against both UVA and UVB rays), so it's basically a day cream - lightweight in feel, but with heavy-duty effectiveness. It's priced at $185. Best Things in Beauty has one OMC3 to give away, courtesy of the generous Armani Beauty team at Saks Fifth Avenue in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

The targeted anti-aging OMC3 treatment is designed to restructure, replenish, and re-plump the skin for women (and men) concerned with wrinkles, firmness, and sagging. Its active ingredients are the OMC3 complex, a combination of perlite solute, iron, and silicium - the latter two being anti-aging, cell-regenerating minerals; pro-xylane, which stimulates the production of glycosaminoglycans, important to the function of connective tissue; and hyaluronic acid (a must-use topical hydrator). I won't bore you with the biology lesson. This is "good stuff" for the skin!

Crema Nera OMC3 is said to add density, firmness, and structure to the skin by working at three levels: the epidermis, dermo-epidermal junction, and the dermis. Basically, the three essential ingredients in OMC3 are believed to repair the skin by acting on different types of collagen, increasing collagen production. The results? In a four-week test, 81% of the participants experienced increased firmness, 73% experienced a decrease in the appearance of wrinkles (imagine pushing them out from the inside), and 73% had improved density.

How can you win this incredible cream? Just e-mail bestthingsinbeautycontests@gmail.com and tell us what your favorite Best Things in Beauty Armani blog post has been. There are a bunch of them because I love my Armani cosmetics and skin care (just use the "Search This Blog" feature to the right to find all the "Armani" posts). A little creativity in your e-mail won't hurt.

The contest deadline is 5:00 pm Eastern time Tuesday, October, 13. United States residents only, please. A small team of judges will select the winner. I am posting this contest on Free!Grechen, my favorite site for giveaways. Good Luck!

My thanks, once again, to the uber-generous Armani Beauty team at Saks!

Photo courtesy of Armani Beauty

Stila Keeps Rolling Out the Deals

Another great deal from Stila! A 24K Luxe Gloss Collection for $30.

Infused with genuine 24kt gold (quite the trend), this non-sticky formula is loaded with moisture-locking ingredients, including vitamin E to nourish and condition and vitamins A and C to provide antioxidant protection. The colors? All nice.

• Radiant Sunset – a mid-tone red
• Precious Coral – a light peachy coral
• Golden Charm – a warm sheer gold
• Vintage Merlot – a deep berry

I expect this set to sell out. Order soon at Stila's Web site if you are interested.

Photo courtesy of Stila

More Mascara!

It seems like a new mascara is introduced every week. The latest announcement, courtesy of WWD, is Dior's Extase, shown here with another product to be introduced soon, Capture Totale One Essential, a rejuvenating serum.

Extase is billed as having "the first mascara brush with elastomeric and nylon fibers, which add oomph to lashes. The mascara’s formula contains SR38, said to act like a ceramide to help make eyelashes healthy." Metamorphosis powder (caterpiller to butterfly?) purportedly gives a plumping effect to lashes, and black pearl pigments are said to provide three-dimensional, intense color. So far, I prefer my black pearls in jewelry!

I'm interested in seeing this new product, which will be introduced for $28 at Sephora in December. Will it be revolutionary? Dior thinks it will make us "seductive, attractive and refined," according to WWD. Will it replace or improve on DiorShow, Dior's iconic mascara? Time will tell!

Any DiorShow aficiondaos out there?

Photo courtesy of WWD

Bobbi Brown's Limited Edition Pink Ribbon Lip Duo

What a nice Pink Ribbon Limited Edition Lip Set!

A Vanity Fair pick for “Hot Looks Benefiting the Cure,” this lip duo is priced at $40. It features an exclusive new shade, Blush Pink Creamy Lip Color, and a limited-edition Pink Crystal Glitter Lip Balm. I saw them both this weekend, and they are gorgeous - and the balm isn't really glittery on the lips, just shiny.

I placed my order online. Bobbi Brown is offering free shipping all month to thank customers for supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Not only that, you will receive a pink ribbon made entirely from recycled materials and a pink ribbon bookmark with your pink ribbon order. I love the feel of Bobbi's Creamy Lip Colors. How perfect that she created a special shade for this very special month.

When you purchase this duo, you will be supporting Bobbi Brown's donation of $35,000 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Bobbi has posted good information on her Web site: what you should know about breast cancer and what you can do. Men get breast cancer too, so remind all your loved ones to be vigilant. Remember, friends, if you are over 40 or have significant risk factors for breast cancer, you should have a mammogram every year. Ask your doctor. I get mine each December.

Check out this great lip set online or in stores.

Update: This arrived, and I love it. Feel good about supporting the cause too.

Birthday Treats

Beauty and fashion companies treat you very well when you celebrate a birthday! More and more companies are sending birthday gifts or special offers to birthday girls. There is a reward for providing your birth date when registering at your favorite sites.

I'm sure that all beauty addicts know that Sephora sends a present with any order during your birthday month. This year, it was a trio of Sephora lip glosses - much nicer, in my opinion, than the Philosophy product I declined in prior years (was a fragrance that didn't move me).

This year, I was surprised by the many September birthday offers I received. I took advantage of Lancome's generous offer - five full-sized lipsticks with a $35 purchase. Very nice colors!

What else was offered for my birthday month? Estee Lauder sent free shipping. Paula's Choice sent 10% off all orders. Dove has a birthday-month sweepstakes; I didn't enter, but only because I forgot. Wine.com sent a 10% discount (remember...red wine is good for you!). Shu Uemura offered a full-size lip duo tint and gloss, a $32 value with a $50 order. La Mer offered a travel-sized Cleansing Lotion, free shipping, and a choice of two samples. Prescriptives offered a deluxe sample of Super Line Preventor Xtreme and free standard shipping on any order. Ralph Lauren sent a cute card (with music) and free shipping on any order.

What a nice way to reward your customers!

Photo courtesy of Lancome

Vichy Calming Cleansing Solution for Face and Eyes

Ever want to clean up without using water? How about on those makeup-free Sundays, when you want to go to sleep feeling clean and fresh, but just can't face (no pun intended) the full face-wash routine? Vichy has the cleanser for you!

Calming Cleansing Solution ($14) is a soap-free, alcohol-free, fragrance-free, colorant-free, gentle, lightweight cleansing lotion that gently lifts makeup, excess oil, sunscreen, and anything else that shouldn't remain on your skin. It calms your skin, while leaving its natural moisture barrier in place. The solution contains a rose extract rich in phytophenol, known for its soothing properties. It also contains Vichy Thermal Spa Water, rich in mineral salts and oligo essentials with proven soothing properties that strengthen the skin's natural protective function. This is an excellent product for sensitive or irritated skin. You can use it as an eye makeup remover too! This cleanser is a good one for men and women. Just put it on a cotton pad and wipe gently.

I was introduced to it at my local CVS Healthy Skincare store. Ever since, it's been a bathroom staple.

Vichy became part of the L'Oreal group in 1955, and today it is L'Oreal's second largest skin care brand, currently is distributed in more than 70 countries and a leading dermo-cosmetics brand in European and Canadian pharmacies. In the last few years, Vichy has worked to bring the brand to the U.S. market by securing space within the in-store skin care boutiques at select CVS, Ulta, and Duane Reade locations.

Vichy has a U.S. Web site where you can get an express or full skin analysis. CVS Healthy Skincare stores also offer that service. I'll be reviewing another fabulous Vichy product soon: the new Aqualia Thermal Mineral Balm.

The Vichy Web site has free shipping and a sampling offer until October 9. Of course, you could just stop by your local CVS and learn more about this wonderful French company. CVS has samples too.

Photo courtesy of Vichy

Avon Island Breeze Eyeshadow Quad Winner

Esti G. (who was notified by e-mail) was the winner of our Avon Island Breeze Eyeshadow Quad. Congratulations, Esti!

As promised, random.org, a random number generator selected our winner. Every entrant had an equal chance to win that way.

I learned that Best Things in Beauty readers range in age from 19 to 60. Wow! That's quite a range.

Some of your e-mails were hilarious - probably because I have a few more years behind me than most of you. Here are just of the few entries that gave me a heartwarming chuckle. I love you all!

"I am but a feeble 19. And still working at Shaw's. What has become of my life? Err anyways, that Avon Quad looks very purrty and I'd love to win. Please and thank you!" Feeble, hon, at 19? No way!

"I am proud to admit I am 49 fabulous years old. And damn, doesn't that eyeshadow quad look like Chanel???" Yes - 49 and fabulous - love that attitude!

"OK, I'll be honest, but promise you won't laugh! I'm probably your oldest reader...I could probably teach classes on the history of cosmetics! LOL! Here goes--I'm 56 years old!!! (EEEKKK!) Thanks for the giveaway, dear." We could teach that class together, my friend.

Our next giveaway contest starts this week, and it's a stunner. Stay tuned!

Photo courtesy of Avon

John Masters Organic Lip Calm

Can you adore multiple lip balms? My answer is an emphatic yes! Last week, when I was ordering my John Masters Organic Hair Care products from Beautorium.com - naturally using our BTIB 15% discount - I saw Lip Calm ($6). Any lip balm addict would try one, right?

This little balm, currently parked next to my bed, is delightful. Its long ingredient list is chock-a-block with botanical ingredients. Reading down the list, from most to least concentrated, the ingredients include olive oil, castor bean oil, sunflower oil, beeswax, carnuba wax, jojoba oil, shea butter, calendula extract, wheatgerm oil, flax seed oil, borage oil, kukui nut oil, rosehip oil, vitamin E...and much more. How cool is that?

The texture is much softer than ChapStick - Lip Calm glides on - and it stay around for awhile to keep your lips soft, hydrated, and feeling good. I love it!

You can purchase Lip Calm from Beautorium.com. On my next order, I'm buying one for every balm port - my office, purse, bathroom, bedside, and car. A lip balm addict has to have it nearby at all times!

Photo courtesy of Beautorium

Beauty Shopping at Bloomies - Part 2 Guerlain

Guerlain's Imperial Holiday Collection for 2009 is in the store. The items are gorgeous - the norm for Guerlain these days.

Inspired by the opulence of the past, the packaging is elegant. Actually, everything about the collection is elegant - silver and diamonds, the romance of the past, and beautiful color for the face.

The links here go to Guerlain products, but don't show these new colors yet. I will update the links when the collection appears online.

The Kiss Kiss Glosses ($29) are regal, with a black scroll design painted on the outside of the see-through containers. They are available in three limited edition colors, #807 Perle de Lune (the lightest, barely there shade), #808 Ambre Precieuse (a rosy-brown to my eye), and #809 Rubis Rose (dark, complex brown red). My descriptions may not be perfect, but all three will work for everyone - they are very wearable, shiny gloss colors. The darker two jumped right into my hands and came home with me.

Le Rouge G Jewel Lipstick Compacts ($45) are available in two limited edition colors, #11 Grace and #12 Gems. Both are lovely, but I purchased neither. As I wrote a few months ago, I don't like the unique packaging because of its heft. I want a lipstick I can carry around with me without adding to the weight of my purse. But if you want an elegant lipstick to pull out of your bag, these are right up your alley!

The Ombre Eclat 4 Coleurs ($58) eye shadow compact is gushingly beautiful. Combining soft with intense, luminous with pearl, it takes neutral shades to new heights. Again, a limited edition, #407 Bal de Nuit has dark and light taupe, a pinky peach, and light golden beige. This came home with me.

I was a little disappointed in the Meteorites Powder on display. I swiped a bit on my arm, and I saw glitter. I love shine, but not sparkles on my face. So, despite the beautiful little multi-colored pearls beckoning from their container, it had to stay at the store. There is also a pressed powder compact that appeared to be less sparkly. I would have sampled, but I had spent enough by that point.

Rounding out the collection is gold mascara (won't that give you some nighttime drama!), and a limited edition Shalimar Birds of Paradise ($100) in a silver bottle that is beyond beautiful.

Bloomingdale's had a Guerlain gift with purchase, four deluxe samples of Success Future skin care, and I'm looking forward to the test drive.

The collection is available at Bloomingdale's, and if it's not in store at Saks, Neiman Marcus, and other department stores where you buy Guerlain, it will be soon. If you are local to DC, I know Zelda Arican at Bloomingdale's will take good care of you.

Beauty Shopping at Bloomies - Part 1 Lancome

Today, I went to the mall. I wanted to purchase "Pink Ribbon" products and see any new goodies that had hit the counters. Because I had to pick up some things I had ordered from Connie Ferrara, my Estee Lauder rep at Bloomingdale's, I went to Tysons Corner Center. They had a lot of new arrivals and gifts with purchase in the beauty department, so the trip was fun!

Bloomingdale's is supporting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation through its Give Pink Get More Program. Bloomingdale's Insider Card members who enroll by donating $15, will receive a Give Pink Get More gift card that can be used for holiday shopping in store and online. The more you spend in store in October, the more you'll get back. Just click on this link for details.

The new Lancome Deluxe Brush Set is so cool. Even though I don't need more brushes, I had to buy it! The store only received a few, and I knew I would regret going home without it. For $59, you get five precision, short-handled brushes in the beautiful clutch shown here. On top of that, they had a nice gift with purchase. Next time I go, I'd like to spend more time with Shammi Bindra to see the new skin care, Absolue Precious Cells, that Kari reviewed on Fabulous Over Forty.

The brush set includes the following brushes.

• Foundation Brush #2 -The must-have brush for flawlessly applying any foundation
• Powder Brush #1 - The pro for sheer, smooth, naturally flawless powder or blusher application
• Precision Shadow Brush #12 - A great eye shadow brush
• Dual Ended Brush #18 - Two sided: the flat, fine edge brush precisely applies shadow, wet or dry, to create a sharp eye liner, and a shadow brush on the other end
• Blending Shadow Brush #17 - For precise eye shadow application that makes smudging in the corners a breeze

I know I'll love these brushes. I like them better than the Indigo brushes that were introduced a couple of months ago. Although both colors are strange for makeup brushes, the purple (more ruby toned than shown above) reeled me in!

Guerlain's Holiday Collection for 2009 was in the store, and I had to buy a few gorgeous items. I'll tell you about them tomorrow. I also got a darling Clinique lip gloss set in a pink zip bag. I'm loving all my new treats, but where on earth will I put them? My house has turned into a makeup emporium.

Photo courtesy of Lancome

I Am Woman - Helen Reddy - Breast Cancer Awareness

I Am Woman

It was 1972 when Helen Reddy blew our socks off with I Am Woman. The #1 hit and national anthem for the women's movement was liberating. We sang it in the shower, the car, everywhere really, and we sang it loudly. It's one of those songs that stays with you forever. Quite an impact!

For you young gals who weren't born yet, the lyrics are below, and you can find Helen singing it on You Tube. You won't remember the days when men said, as one Washington Post writer said to me when I told him I wanted to be a journalist, "That's not a profession for women."

As each year's Breast Cancer Awareness campaign grows bigger than the last, I am reminded of I Am Woman. Businesses everywhere (men and women), including skin and health care companies, do amazing things to promote Breast Cancer Awareness Month and raise money to fight this deadly disease. You can do your part by spending money! Promote pink!

Many beauty companies are offering Pink Ribbon products...Bobbi Brown, Estee Lauder, Clinique, Clarisonic, Sonia Kashuk, RevitaLash - the list seems endless. Given the choice, I'm supporting other women (and men) by purchasing the promotional items. A portion of my purchase goes to fight breast cancer. Now, for those inspiring lyrics...

I am woman, hear me roar
In numbers too big to ignore
And I know too much to go back an' pretend
'cause I've heard it all before
And I've been down there on the floor
No one's ever gonna keep me down again

CHORUS
Oh yes I am wise
But it's wisdom born of pain
Yes, I've paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to, I can do anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman

You can bend but never break me
'cause it only serves to make me
More determined to achieve my final goal
And I come back even stronger
Not a novice any longer
'cause you've deepened the conviction in my soul

CHORUS
I am woman watch me grow
See me standing toe to toe
As I spread my lovin' arms across the land
But I'm still an embryo
With a long long way to go
Until I make my brother understand

Oh yes I am wise
But it's wisdom born of pain
Yes, I've paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to I can face anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman
Oh, I am woman
I am invincible
I am strong

FADE
I am woman
I am invincible
I am strong
I am woman

Lyrics and music by Helen Reddy and Ray Burton

The HLMN Weekend Roundup - October 2

The Beauty Chick reviews Chella Enzyme Exfoliating Crema Mask.

A La Mer "addict," Best Things in Beauty tried out the new The Hydrating Facial.

Beauty Junkies Unite highlights some of the best beauty products for Breast Cancer Awareness.

Brown Suga has details on a new mascara that eliminates mascara waste.

Denim Debutante has the latest on one of the newest sample sale sites: Row Nine.

Fabulous Over Forty interviews famous makeup artist Sandy Linter, and she offers wonderful advice.

Ferohhhsh Beauty 411: Tackling Tired Eyes.

A Few Goody Gumdrops has the perfect Fall find.

The Gloss Menagerie is thinking of trying a CVS beauty knockoff.

Gouldylox Reviews rounded up of the best in cosmetics whose sales benefit Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Hot Beauty Health shows you her love for fashion and technology with Microsoft's stylish phone themes.

The Informed Makeup Maven shares her Best Complexion Beauty Buys for 2009.

Krasey Beauty reviews and swatches all of the amazing fall MAC collections.

Marina from Makeup4All tells you everything you wanted to know about London Fashion Week.

The Makeup Snob wants you to check out the neutral side of Style Black!

theNotice celebrated its 2nd blogiversary, and you're all invited to do an audio tag!

Prime Beauty is loving L'Oreal Colour Riche Anti-Aging Serum Lipstick.

Sicka Than Average's Fall Fragrance Extravaganza!

Go Ahead, Honey: Take a Chance. Break out of a basic wardrobe with tips from The Style and Beauty Doctor.

Visit our Web site for more information about The HLMN or how to become an affiliate.

Stila's Kitten for Eyes

Wednesday was a beauty fest. Brown delivered all my week's goodies in one day. Among the treats were my Beautorium box, with John Masters Organics hair and skin care (too exciting!), and the new Stila Smudge Pot special set. Today, I wore Kitten Smudge Pot as a shadow. It was fascinating that I complimented a friend at work on her eye shadow. She was wearing Kitten ($18). Same shade, different people, different skin, different look! Kitten was awarded the 2008 Allure Magazine Editor’s Choice Award for Best Beige Eye Shadow. A beige-gold, it's fabulous. Now, I need to find the powder shadow, which is somewhere in my stash, to "set" the cream Smudge Pot to make it last all day.

Everyone I know loves Kitten - for eyes and lips. You might want to check it out if you are one of the few remaining female inhabitants of Planet Earth who doesn't wear Kitten.

Photo courtesy of Stila.

Sisley's Cleanser/Toner Combo for Dry, Sensitive Skin

Over the next month, I will be writing occasionally about the Sisley products I recommend. Today, we start with the Sisley cleanser and toner I have been using lately. I returned to them recently after a few years of flirting with other products. A blogger has to keep testing, so I'm sure I'll flirt again! I'll warn that these products are pricey, but each lasts a long time.

Sisley, one of the most prestigious brands in the cosmetics industry, is known for an approach that uses natural, high-quality plant extracts in beauty products. Each natural extract contains key active ingredients that perform a specific action. The synergy of the ingredients results in highly effective botanical products - optimized for skin and body care - and each of Sisley's products is backed with years of extensive research. These are not flash-in-the-pan products - once introduced, they stick around.

The Lyslait Cleansing Milk with White Lily ($115) was developed for dry and/or sensitive skin. It's a creamy cleanser that removes makeup effectively without stripping the skin of its moisture barrier. It leaves me feeling smooth and silky without any residue. It takes off all but the most stubborn eye makeup. There are six active ingredients.

• Orange Blossom and Linden smoothe and soften
• White Lily and Woodmallow moisturize and soften
• Sunflower softens, but also nourishes and revitalizes
  
• Vitamin E is an antioxident

After massaging the cleanser into your face and throat, you are supposed to remove it with tissue before toning. I simply wash it off with a few splashes of water - old habits die hard.

Sisley's Lyslait testers observed significant improvements in clarity, luminosity, softness, clarity, and comfort. I have to agree.

The next step is the alcohol-free Botanical Floral Toning Lotion ($98). Just use a cotton pad and wipe it over your face and neck - simple. Its ingredients are a garden in a bottle.

• Cornflower softens
• Witch hazel decongests
• Harpagophytum has an anti-inflammatory effects
• Rosewood oil stimulates micro-circulation
• Geranium oil purifies
• Lavender helps the skin heal, stimulates cell growth, and reduces inflammation
  
• Malt repairs the dermo-epidermal junction
• St. John's Wort protects
• Wheat Proteins smoothes
  
• Rose refreshes and softens
• Sage purifies and tones

This toner preps your skin for the skin care products you use next.

There is a certain je ne sai quoi that comes with using these products - they make my nightly cleansing chore pleasant!

Sisley makes other cleansers and toners, and a Sisley rep can help you select the right products for your skin type. One very nice thing is that most of their products are available in samples, so you can try before you "invest." The Sisley reps at Neiman Marcus at Tysons Galleria, who have always been generous with samples, are living proof that these are great products - they all have beautiful skin!

You can find Sisley products at Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, some Nordstrom stores, and even Amazon and Costco, where you may find some "best prices." Of course, you don't get consultations and samples at Costco!

Photos courtesy of Neiman Marcus.

La Mer's New Hydrating Facial

La Mer has a new mask, and it's a luxurious treat! The Hydrating Facial ($250 for six treatments) is everything you would expect from a La Mer mask.

Each treatment consists of a two-piece cotton mask. The top mask has eye slits and covers from the hair line down to the cheekbones. The bottom mask has nose and mouth slits, overlaps the top, and covers the rest of the face. Each of the mask pieces is saturated - almost dripping - with hydrating ingredients based on La Mer's signature marine algae extracts, tourmaline, lipids, and plant extracts (avocado oil and melon).

The directions do seem awkward, but it's easy to apply. I got the hang of it with The Radiant Facial. The mask, left on to do its work for eight minutes, is relaxing. After I removed the face pieces, I used the excess product (and there was a lot left) to massage the remaining lotion into my face, neck, and chest. Naturally, you follow with Crème de la Mer. Each treatment yields at least one blissful week of smooth, supple, and hydrated skin. It's a great boost for this time of year, as the air starts to dry out, taking your skin with it.

My feelings about the price of the La Mer masks haven't changed since my mid-August posting. Anyone who gets facials would pay $250 - probably much more - for six weeks of facials, and I like the do-it-yourself approach. I can have a facial on my own schedule, at home, and when I am ready to relax. No appointments, no waiting, and no post-treatment redness.

I got lucky this time - I had a gift certificate. The Hydrating Facial was indeed a gift to to this dry-skinned La Mer addict. It perked me right up - and my skin looked great too [wink]!

The Hydrating Facial is available in stores now! You can find it at La Mer's Web site, Saks, Neiman Marcus, and wherever La Mer products are sold.

Photo courtesy of La Mer.

Dove Body Wash with Nutrium Moisture

I may be a fashionably late to this party, but I finally arrived! Dove has introduced a revolutionary body wash (seriously!) - one that combines all the features we love from its bar soaps into a creamy liquid.

There are three available formulas. Naturally, I like the formula for sensitive skin because it's fragrance-free, but you can also select Deep Moisture or Gentle Exfoliating.

Dove Body Wash with Nutrium Moisture uses 100% natural moisturizers, including stearic acid, soybean oil, sunflower seed oil, and glycerin, to clean skin without stripping its natural oils. Many of us, including my beautiful mother, have used Dove's Sensitive Skin bar soap for its fabulous moisturizing properties. Now, there's a nice alternative!

Why would you shun a soap bar? Because the "engineers" who design bathtub/shower combos put the soap holder right where the shower water dissolves a bar of soap in no time. BTiB hint: put your bar of soap somewhere else - it will last longer.

So, what sets this body wash apart from its competitors? Dove was able to make the lipids in their great bar soaps stable in a liquid, making their Nutrium Moisture gentler than many other body washes. The Nutrium Moisture Body Wash leaves behind lipids, beneficial oils, and humectants (which draw in moisture from the air) to fortify our skin's protective barrier. According to Dove, 88% of Nutrium Moisture users felt less dry than they felt after using a "traditional" liquid body wash. That's because most liquid cleansers wash away too much of our natural moisture, or they replace our natural oils with oils that don't absorb well. Dove found a way to add moisture that does absorb and replace our skin's own protective properties, and they did that for less than $9. Looking for luxury in a mass-market product? This is it!

Dove's Web site has more information about this new product. You can find it everywhere - at drugstores like CVS, supermarkets, Drugstore.com, which is having a BOGO offer now, and lots of other sources. Be on the lookout for coupons too. Why pay more than you have to? Time to try!

Photo courtesy of Dove.

Patricia Wexler's New Sensitive Skin Collection

This is exciting. Even without testing it, I'm there - gotta try it! An advertisement for Patricia Wexler's new Sensitive Skin Collection arrived in my e-mail box from Bath & Body Works this morning.

What's available?
Sensitive Skin Smoothing & Renewing Night Cream ($39.50)
Sensitive Skin Calming Anti-Aging Moisturizer SPF 30 ($39.50)
Sensitive Skin MMPi-20 Comforting & Renewing Serum ($55)
Sensitive Skin Gentle Exfoliating Peel ($35)
Anti-Aging Sensitive Skin Starter Kit ($39.50)

Here's what Bath & Body Works has to say about the collection.

"Lines and wrinkles? Sensitivity? Dr. Wexler introduces a breakthrough regimen that addresses both these skin concerns together. These products combine her exclusive MMPi-20® technology with soothing, calming anti-aging technologies, such as Sym-Relief Redness Reducing Complex and Dragosine Anti-Aging Peptide."

You can see the collection at Bath & Body Works. I think I'm going to amble over. My crystal ball shows a starter set in my future. If you are interesting in ordering online, for two days shipping is free with code WEXLERSHIP and a $39.50 purchase - the exact price of the starter kit.

Update: This armchair shopper ordered online. Free shipping was too tempting.

Photo courtesy of Bath & Body Works.

Avon True Color Eyeshadow Quad Giveaway Contest

Recently, I discovered Avon's True Color Eyeshadow Quads - delightful coordinating colors in compacts that resemble Chanel's famous and fabulous quads (you can see the Best Things in Beauty posting here). I bought two to start and then bought again I liked them so much! On the second order, I purchased one of my favorites, Island Breeze, for this giveaway contest. Island Breeze, shown in the photo at this link (not the photo to the right) has four great shades: Latte (a nice dark taupe), Island Breeze (pale mint green), Beach Beauty (light peach sand), and Teal Waters (gray-toned teal).

You can create so many looks with these shadows! I just love them - great price, great results.

An Avon Island Breeze Quad could be yours. Just e-mail bestthingsinbeautycontests@gmail.com with your age - yep, your age. I'd like to know more about my readers, particularly how old you are. You could fudge the truth, and I would never know, but if you would indulge me, I promise not to tell.

The deadline for entries is midnight, Sunday, October 4. U.S. entries only, please. I will select one winner using a random number generator. I will also be posting this giveaway contest on Free!Grechen, my favorite site for giveaway contests. Good Luck!

Update: I get the giggles every time one of you writes! Thank you.

Photo courtesy of Avon.