I Love Chocolate - Candles to Delight

I used to turn down sweets, including chocolate. I was the salt queen! Then, I discovered Fran's Gray Salt Caramels ($24 for 20 pieces). I was sold! I order these divine treats from Fran's Chocolates in Seattle. I was eating them years before they became the hottest chocolate around because President Obama loves them.

These days, if you are a foodie, you know that you can find chocolate with salt just about anywhere. Recently, I bought chocolate-covered pretzel thins (very good). I credit Fran Bigelow with first capturing my attention. She has been credited with sparking the artisan chocolate renaissance in the United States and is considered one of the best chocolatiers in the nation. Her chocolates are divine.

By now you are thinking, "Where is she headed with this? What does this have to do with beauty?" Last weekend, I discovered Godiva's new Scented Candles ($22.50) at Nordstrom. Chris Coles asked it I had seen them, and when I said I hadn't, he led me right over to the display. Even without a match (or a burn permit), they were intoxicating. Burning, as one is now next to my computer, they are an unbelievable treat for chocoholics - and plain old candle lovers too.

I am burning White Chocolate Magnolia. Imagine the subtle scent of white chocolate mixed with the fragrant magnolia blossom, and you are there. These are deluxe and beautiful candles, with dark chocolate glass containers beautifully branded Godiva. They are made by Laura Slatkin for Godiva.

The candles are available in five sumptuous flavors: Milk Chocolate Truffle, Raspberry Ganache, Black Almond Truffle, White Chocolate Magnolia, and Peppermint Bark.

Want a treat without calories? Try one! You can find them at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Bath & Body Works, and other stores, I'm sure.

Photo courtesy of Godiva

Bobbi Brown - Exclusive Mini Shimmer Brick Metal Compacts

Available only at Neiman Marcus, Bobbi Brown's new Mini Shimmer Brick Metal Compacts ($45) are adorable. While they aren't the greatest value, ounce for ounce, compared to the "regular" Shimmer Brick Compacts, what Bobbi Brown fan wouldn't want at least one?

One reason they are so enticing is that they are available in three exclusive new shades: Plum, Nectar, and Sandstone. So, if you want one of these shades now, you will be purchasing a mini.

They are called travel-sized, and that makes sense to me. I also see one of the two I bought earning a spot in the makeup bag that goes everywhere with me. If you can bear to part with one (I can't), they are packaged in a gift-ready chrome carton.

I think you could call me a Shimmer Brick "collector" (people collect art, why not makeup?). I have bought multiples of most of the Shimmer Bricks, and since some were limited editions, I'm glad I did. Each shimmering, brush-on powder creates a soft glow - and the color lasts all day. They are blusher, bronzer, highlighter, and eye shadow in one product. The Beige Shimmer Brick Compact ($38) colors are fabulous eye shadows. You can still find the huge, limited-edition Shimmer Brick for Body ($75) at Bobbi Brown's Web site (remember that Friends & Family ends tonight - no promo code needed). I use these colors on my face too.

To find the new minis, head over to your favorite Neiman Marcus store or visit their Web site. Use code DECNM for free shipping.

Photo courtesy of Neiman Marcus

Armani Beauty Sheer Shimmer #5 Illuminating Powder

This beauty showed up at Saks in Chevy Chase, Maryland in October - with the holiday collection - even though we think it's slated as a Spring 2010 introduction. Giorgio Armani Beauty's Sheer Shimmer #5 Poudre Enlumineur ($42) is the perfect illuminating powder.

Despite its very light color (it is more of a nude pink than this photo shows), it works beautifully with many skin tones. On my light skin, it adds an undeniable glow. So nice that I have already bought two! I'll admit to hoarding. The Eyes to Kill #1 palettes are history, and I had wanted a second. I've learned my lesson!

Loyd Cassler at Saks in Chevy Chase, Maryland showed me how Sheer Shimmer #5 works on just about any skin tone. He even mixed it on his brush with a bronzer and put it on his own skin (he still has a bit of a tan). His skin went from "merely great" to luminous. I was impressed.

I love this powder. Another winner from Armani Beauty!

You can purchase it at Saks in Chevy Chase, so I assume that other Saks Armani counters have it too. It's not available yet on the Armani Beauty Web site, but watch for its arrival in January.

P.S. The holiday eye and face palette (called Black Lace or Crystal Palette) is selling out. Don't delay if you want one.

Photo courtesy of Armani Beauty

Costco Beauty Bonanza

I have raved before about Costco's beauty deals. Sunday, I was blown away by the incredible gift selections in the "beauty" section.

I learned from my mistake of buying only one NÉOLIA Olive Oil soap eight-pack when I saw it (it never reappeared). Sunday, I found the nicest gift sets and stocked up. When I stumbled upon the Anthousa mini fragrance diffuser sets, I thought I was in the wrong store! The Trios were $19.99. At Neiman Marcus and Saks, they cost $85.

Each Trio includes three 100 ml diffusers. The Citrus Trio has Aqua Verbena, Pomegranate & Mint, and Vanilla Grapefruit & Blood Orange. The Orchard Trio has Nectarine & Red Currant, Cucumber & Green Grass, and Fig Leaf & Bitter Almond. The Blossom Trio has Athenian Orchid & Jasmine, White Gardenia, and Cliff Rose & White Carnation. Sorry that I can't identify the fragrances in the Chinoiserie Trio. I didn't buy any of those. Costco often has different products in different stores, but if you head that way, make sure to look for these.

For the body, Costco has a four-pack of Tree Hut Shea Body Butters. In Original, Tahitian Grass, Coconut Lime, and Hawaiian Kukui, these are heavenly scented and intense body moisturizers. A three-pack set at Amazon costs $15. At Costco, there are four in the set for $12.99.

There is also a great Bliss Spa and Aaaah Set with a Tried + Blue Bubbling Body Wash and a Body Lotion - both large. The set is priced at $14.99 in the store. On Costco's Web site, the set is priced at $24.99.

Costco has plenty of co-branded Borghese sets too - all at bargain prices.

If you are shopping for really nice gifts at incredible prices, you can't beat Costco!

Logo and photo courtesy of Costco

LIERAC Friends & Family

My goodness! The offers keep rolling into my inbox. The latest is notice of LIERAC's Friends & Family event. From November 30 through December 6, LIERAC is offering a 30% discount plus two deluxe samples. Use code FF2009 at checkout.

Check out the Best Things in Beauty reviews of LIERAC's Creme Mesolift, Hydra-Chrono, and Gentle Cleansing Milk - three of my favorite products. If you want to try any of them, now's the time.

Here is some additional information CVS may "shoot me" for sharing. This coming weekend, CVS is having Friends & Family. Ask your CVS beauty manager about a discount on LIERAC, Vichy, and La Roche-Posay this weekend. I know they limit invitations to the CVS event, which is why they may come looking for me [wink]. Can't hurt to ask!

Photo courtesy of LIERAC

YSL OMBRES DUOLUMIÈRES Eyeshadow Duo Giveaway Contest

Want two of the hottest eye shadow colors of the season? YSL's new #21 Anise Green - Intense Plum ($41) is one of two new duos that complete the Ombre Duolumières Eyeshadow collection. I have one to give away. The green shade is much prettier than it looks here. The plum shade is dark.

These YSL colors are both luminous and radiant. The duos play with contrasts that work together to dress the eyelids with vibrant hues that "beautify the eyes with ultimate elegance." The extremely soft powder glides evenly and "unwinds like the finest ribbon onto the skin." Thanks to an optical smoothing effect, each shade fully expresses its intensity and radiance. What that really means is that these shadows apply evenly and are gorgeous and luminous on eyelids. The compact comes with two of those little sponge-ended applicators, but I would use an eye shadow brush to apply them. Of course, the case is gold and as elegant as we have come to expect from Yves Saint Laurent.

You can see a video about achieving the YSL look at this link.

To enter this giveaway contest, e-mail bestthingsinbeautycontests@gmail.com and let me know if you use any other YSL products and, if so, which ones. As usual, I am just curious. Your answer will not affect your chance of winning. I will use a random number generator to select the winner.

The deadline for entries will be Sunday, December 6 at 5:00 pm Eastern Time. The contest is open to U.S. and Canadian residents. I'll be posting this contest on Free!Grechen, a site you should check out for all kinds of fantastic giveaways.

Good Luck!

Photo courtesy of YSL

Best Drugstore Beauty: St. Ives Facial Exfoliators

St. Ives, a drugstore staple, is famous for its Apricot Body Scrub. The company also makes facial exfoliators, and at least two are top-notch. Timeless Skin Daily Microdermabrasion ($7.99 suggested retail) will exfoliate all but the most sensitive skin gently and effectively. Fresh Skin Moisturizing Olive Scrub ($7.99 suggested retail), is a bit more moisturizing.

St. Ives advertises that both products are gentle enough for daily use, and someone who suffers from oily or combo skin or frequent blemishes might want to try using one of these every day or every other day. If you have sensitive skin, once or twice a week should be just fine (and massage in gently!).

Timeless Skin Daily Microdermabrasion is formulated with fine mineral crystals to scrub and lots of ingredients to soothe, including chamomile, vitamin E, glycerin, and jojoba esters. Olive oil sets The Fresh Skin Moisturizing Olive Scrub apart from its sister scrub. Otherwise, the ingredients are fairly similar.

To use either, just moisten your face with water and apply the product with your fingertips, massaging gently over your entire face. The mineral crystals can be rough if you massage too vigorously. Definitely keep it out of your eyes.

I think I bought mine at CVS, but you can find St. Ives products at many drugstores and supermarkets - also at Wal-Mart and Target. You can also buy St. Ives online at Drugstore.com and Amazon. I found the best price today at Drugstore.com.

The company's commitment to nature is serious, and I like that.

• No parabens or phthlates
• Natural ingredients: exfoliants, extracts, moisturizers, and vitamins
  
• Never tested products on animals and no animal ingredients
  
• Sourced from environmentally sustainable vendors
• Eco-friendly packaging
• Customers are encouraged to recycle empty containers

All this for less than $8!

Photos courtesy of St. Ives