Clé de Peau Palette Vintage

Clé de Peau's Vintage Palette ($125) is both beautiful and interesting. Designed like a multi-faceted jewel - inside and out - this face powder palette was "inspired by the timeless allure of vintage jewelry." It provides a gorgeous glow on the skin with its shimmering nude tones.

When Chris Coles first showed me the palette at Nordstrom, I was intrigued. He proposed to put it directly on my face, and it was a no-foundation Sunday. Since it looked like a highlighter (and it is that and more), I envisioned odd results. Chris insisted that it had actually been designed to be used with or without foundation, so I acquiesced. You have to trust someone, right? And I do trust Chris.

Was I surprised! It evened my skin tone, gave me a glow, and didn't leave me looking like a rogue sparkler. I was sold! I would describe the effect as luminous, pearly, and brilliant.

I am enjoying the palette - a lot. I wish I could direct you to a store's online site or the Clé de Peau site to see more. It was a holiday limited edition, and there are very few available. Two Nordstrom stores have it as I write. If you are interested, give your local Nordstrom Clé de Peau counter a call. They could get it for you from one of the two Nordstrom stores that still show it in inventory: Pentagon City, Virginia and Aventura, Florida. There are a few more of these scattered around and available - somewhere! The Neiman Marcus at the Tysons Galleria has one left.

Given its popularity, wouldn't it be a good idea if Clé de Peau made it permanent?

Photo courtesy of urcosme.com

YSL Beauty Spring 2010 Golden Gloss

YSL's Golden Gloss Shimmering Lip Gloss ($29) is fabulous. I love the shimmering color, feel, and shine of these glosses! There are two new ones on the Spring 2010 display: #19, Golden Petal, and #20, Golden Macadamia.

It's no exaggeration to say, "Dress your lips in a veil of shimmering gold with Golden Gloss." The glosses actually have a tiny bit of 24K gold in them! The gloss forms a mirror-effect on the lips and sparkles with mother-of-pearl. The formula contains a complex of nourishing oils (nigelle and cameline oils) to protect the lips comfortably while making you look fabulous. A little shine is all you need to make your lips appear lush and full.

I have been a YSL gloss fan for years, with Golden Gloss being the best ever. It's available in 25 shades. I must have 15 of them! This is serious love. The lighter shades make my lipstick pop, and the darker shades can be worn alone to give my lips beautiful sheer and shiny color. My choice for spring? Golden Petal.

You can find these glosses at YSL's Web site (free shipping on all orders now) or at Saks, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, and Neiman Marcus.

Photo courtesy of YSL Beauty

Lash Allure MD - It Works!

I've been using Lash Allure MD for a month, and I am happy to report that I am already seeing results. I'm anxiously awaiting the six-week mark, when I am hoping for real drama! For now, I'm happy. I'll check back in with you in a few weeks.

You may remember that I wrote about Lash Allure MD last October, when WWD reported that Beauty Bio Sciences was staging a $100,000 contest to promote the product. I had to try this exciting product. Naturally, I waited for a promotion (I love discounts) and then ordered it. It was an exciting day when it arrived! Is there anyone interested in beauty who wouldn't like to have lush lashes? My lashes are actually fairly plentiful and long, but there's always room for improvement. I was game for a test.

Lash Allure MD is a "slightly thick liquid" in a mascara-like tube. The thin brush at the tip makes it easy to apply - just as you would apply a liner at the base of your upper lashes. You can also apply Lash Allure MD on your brows. The instructions say to "line" your upper lash line with product and then sweep it over the top side of your lashes. It's easy and takes no time at all. If you like diagrams, you can find instructions at this link.

How does it work? Here's what the company Web site has to say.

Ninety-two percent of women reported thicker, darker, longer lashes after six weeks of use and reported noticeable results after two weeks. Contains patent-pending Pentapeptide Growth Complex to enhance lash and brow growth without irritation. Contains proprietary HFH (Hair Follicular Habitat) technology to provide the optimal environment for accelerated hair growth when combined with the powerful Pentapeptide Growth Complex. Physician formulated and extensively tested for performance and safety. Twice the lashes in half the time. Expect to see a change after two weeks and dramatic results after six weeks. Results will continue to enhance beyond the six-week mark. Clinically proven to give the appearance of thicker, darker, longer lashes without the use of prostaglandins, which have been shown to cause skin darkening and eye discoloration in some consumers.

Did you catch the peptides (Pentapeptide Growth Complex)? If you are a beauty maven, you know that peptides are hot! Just as cool about what's in the product? What's not! Prostaglandins.

Many of you have heard about Latisse, the prescription lash growth product with a world-famous model, Brooke Shields. I am not a Latisse candidate by choice. Latisse can cause itching and redness, but worse, darkening of the iris due to the prostaglandins. While brown-eyed women (and men) might not find that alarming, this blue-eyed woman does. I am not willing to accept the risk of using Latisse. It doesn't take much to irritate the skin around my eyes; I don't need help. And I don't think "Don't it make my blue eyes brown" sounds like a catchy song verse. I know that "when used properly" the risks are small, but I hate risk! So, Latisse is out in my book.

I have had no side effects from using Lash Allure MD. I do find that coating the upper side of my lashes is a bit messy, and the lashes glom together once coated, so I just don't bother with that part. I thoroughly line the base of my lashes, smear some product up the lashes a tiny bit, and move on.

I can't show you my before and after photos (I am not comfortable with personal close-ups), but you can see some fabulous ones at the Lash Allure Web site. I encourage you to try Lash Allure MD. The price is right, the product is safe, and you may be as delighted as I am! My lashes look thicker, and I am not losing as many lashes when I use my eyelid scrub pads (which keep dry, dead skin cells exfoliated and out of my eyes).

Priced at $49.50 for 3.5 ml, one tube of Lash Allure MD should last you 8-12 weeks, depending on whether you apply it to your eyebrows or not. If you sign up on the Web site, you will get notices of promotions, and there is a free monthly drawing.

You can purchase Lash Allure MD from the Web site or at Dillards.

Photo courtesy of Lash Allure MD

Cat Lips

Cat Cosmetics is offering a 30% discount on the new Mineral Lip Tints ($16.80 after discount)! These "double performing" lip tints have two layers. The outer layer provides sheer color, soft shine, and an SPF 15, and the inner, mineral-laden layer provides anti-aging benefits while it moisturizes.

The Mineral Lip Tints are available in two shades, Nude and Nectar. I think I need Nectar!

Use the code KISS to take advantage of this discount offer at Cat Cosmetics.

Photo courtesy of Cat Cosmetics

Clinique's A Different Grape Lipstick

Clinique recently featured an "oldie but goodie" in its Black Tie Violets Holiday 2009 Collection. A Different Grape ($14) is a lipstick shade I have been wearing (and loving) since its introduction a very long time ago! It's still a best seller, so it must have many fans.

The Different Lipsticks are available in 20 shades, and I have a bunch of them. Clinique describes them as offering moderate coverage. I'd call it sheer. The Different Lipsticks are glossy in appearance and feel great on the lips. They hydrate and soothe my lips while making them look shiny and great.

A Different Grape is described as a pinkish grape, and that's pretty accurate. It's a member of the violet family, but it's not too blue. It's a flattering, "wearable" shade. If it doesn't suit you, though, you should try one of the other 19 shades. The Different Lipsticks are a great value and available in every color family (nudes, violets, pinks, and tawnies). Two other favorites of mine are Heartfelt and Rose Aglow.

Want to try a new lipstick for spring without breaking the bank? There may be a Different Lipstick in your future! Check them out at the Clinique Web site or your favorite Clinique counter. There is a Clinique gift with purchase at Bloomingdale's starting February 3. It includes a cute abstract floral Milly cosmetics bag and a reusable Clinique key chain with two mini lip treats: Long Last Lipstick (different formula) in A Different Grape and a Clearly Pink Long Last Glosswear.

Photo courtesy of Clinique

FDA Warns Dermatologists

Today's New York Times featured an article by Natasha Singer titled "F.D.A. Aims at Doctors' Drug Pitches." All credit for reporting belongs to Ms. Singer and the New York Times. The article was so interesting to me, I want to encourage you to read it on the New York Times Web site. For those who don't have time, here's a recap.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has regulations that prohibit clinical trial investigators from promoting drugs before they receive FDA approval. These regulations are intended to protect the public from unscrupulous investigators who "push" products that may not be deemed safe and/or effective once study results are examined by the FDA. So far, so good.

Now the FDA has turned its attention to the "rarified world" of fashion magazines and beauty editors, including Allure, and dermatologists who specialize in beauty, cosmedicine, injectables, and cosmetic surgery. The government agency recently warned Dr. Leslie Baumann (shown here - she looks great, huh?) that her comments to the media in 2007 regarding Dysport (an injectable anti-wrinkle drug that has not been approved) violated their regulations. Cited in the New York Times article were Dr. Baumann (frequently quoted in Allure) and Dr. Fredric Brandt, both considered "celebrity dermatologists."

The article left me wondering, "What's the difference between providing information and promoting an investigational drug?" Where do doctors draw the line between the public's insatiable appetite for news about beauty advances and promotion of unapproved drugs? I'll bet there are a lot of dermatologists trying to figure out what they can and cannot say - and to whom!

What do you think? Do you feel a need to be protected from advance information?

Photo and news courtesy of the New York Times

Bobbi Brown Cabana Corals Collection - Part 3

In this third installment of the "Cabana Corals Show by Bobbi Brown," I'll tell you about Bobbi's new lip and cheek shades for spring.

Pot Rouge for Lips and Cheeks ($22), is available in two new shades, Cabo Coral and Calypso Coral. This cream-based formula is great on both lips and cheeks for a sheer, stained finish. It's creamy and easy to blend - just pat on lips and cheeks for a beachy pop of color.

To use as a blush, start on the apples of your cheeks, blending up towards the hairline, then downwards to blend and soften the color. You can use your fingertips or a foundation brush. For drier skins, be sure to moisturize first. It's easier to work the product into your skin.

The Calypso shades in the Pot Rouge and Metallic Lip Color worked for me, even though I'm not a coral natural. The Calypsos have a touch of pink in them, just enough to warm my cool complexion without contradicting it.

There are five new lipsticks in the collection: three Metallic Lip Colors and three classic Lip Colors. Because I love the metallics, my choice was Calypso Glaze ($22). Metallic Lip Color is made with a unique combination of high-shine emollients and light-reflective pearls for medium coverage and multi-dimensional shimmer. Like the Pot Calypso Coral Pot Rouge, the Calypso Glaze Metallic Lip Color has just enough pink in it to make it work for me.

The other two Metallic Lip Colors are Coral Reef and Coral Glaze. The new Lip Colors (also $22) in Bobbi's classic, rich, full-coverage lipstick with a matte finish are Guava and the limited-edition Cabo Coral.

Last up are three new shades of Shimmer Lip Gloss ($20): Sunset Beach, Golden Nectar, and Coral Sand. All three are gorgeous. I allowed myself one of them, and my choice was Golden Nectar, a peach-coral shimmer that's a bit different from the other glosses in my collection. I was very tempted, though, by Sunset Beach and may have to return for it!

The Cabana Corals are exciting! What I like the most is that every one of us, no matter what skin tone or hair color, will find a few new pieces to help us spring into a new season with wearable colors and a fresh outlook.

You can now find Cabana Corals just about everywhere Bobbi Brown products are sold. I've seen the collection in all of the local stores, and it's also available at Bobbi Brown's Web site.

Photos courtesy of Bobbi Brown