SEPHORA: Eye Samples Perk Alert

Sampler includes:

Anastasia Brow Powder Duo

Dior HydrAction Hydra-Protective Eye Crème SPF 20 0.07 fl oz.

Kinerase® Under Eye Rescue 0.1 oz.

Murad Intensive Wrinkle Reducer 0.03 fl. oz.

Ole Henriksen Fresh Start Eye Creme 0.05 oz.

Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Eye Gel 0.03 fl. oz.

Per-fékt Skin Perfection Gel 1 fl. oz. OR Vincent Longo Crème Concealer 0.05 fl. oz.

You must be a Sephora Beauty Insider to take advantage of this offer; so if you're not already signed up, do so by clicking here. For more information on this offer, click here.

You only need a $25 order to take advantage of this perk. Here are some thoughts to get you going:

• Lancome TEINT IDOLE ULTRA - Enduringly Divine & Comfortable Makeup 14-Hour Retouch-Free, Oil-Free, $38
• BeneFit Posietint, $28
• Sephora Brand Colorful Eye Shadow Palette, $24
• Kevyn Aucoin The Creamy Moist Glow, $24
• MUFE Mat Bronze, $30
• Dermadoctor KP Duty Body Scrub , $44
• LAVANILA The Healthy Body Butter, $25
• Missoni Solid Perfume Charm Necklace, $50

For more information and to purchase: Sephora

SHEA TERRA ORGANICS: Bourbon Vanilla Indigenous Silk & Shea Butter Lotion

Indulgently thick and creamy, this silk and shea butter lotion quenches thirsty, dehydrated skin. On the entrancing island of Madagascar grow the richest, most intoxicating vanilla beans in the world. By daybreak vanilla orchids open and by night fall sigh their last breaths making these hand pollinated beans one of the world's most costly spices. The choicest plump beans impregnated with earthy, warm notes impart their aroma into this hedonistic blend. Wild harvested African herbs of aloe ferox, kigelli and African potato tone and encourage skin renewal. Reparative, organic shea butter deeply moisturizes the skin, penetrating deep beneath the epidermis to deliver valuable nutrients. Creamy goat's milk, once used to nourish the delicate skin of the queen of Sheba, softens and improves skin tone with its high content of lactic acid and vitamins. Cruelty free, wild harvested silk is added to form a gentle cocoon to seal in moisture.

99% Natural. Paraben Free. No Artificial Fragrance. Contains 20% shea butter/oil. An 8 oz bottle is $18.

REVIEW: As with all the Shea Terra products I've tried thus far, I was completely delighted with the experience after just the first use of this body lotion. Let me caution you, though. If you are one who likes a light, liquid lotion, this product is definitely not for you. The Shea Terra Body Lotion is as rich, thick and decadent as what most will experience in an actual body butter. In fact, it's so rich you'd expect it to be packaged in a tub rather than a dispensing bottle. The cleverness of this dispenser does allow the product to feed through, however if you live in a colder climate you may need to warm the bottle in some warm water before dispensing the first couple of times - yes, it's that decadent. The feeling is one of luxury and indulgence on
application. Here's what I liked best about the Bourbon Vanilla Body Lotion:

• the scent is a warm, rich almost caramel-vanilla with its bourbon notes, yet not at all overpowering or off-putting
• the lotion (read: cream) absorbs right into skin on application; there's no greasy feel to this product (which attests to its superior quality)
• the hydration factor on dry skin is fantastic
• the use of a product that is organic in content and 99% natural at a price of $18 for an 8-oz bottle is more than a whopping steal
• with regular use of this product, you actually do realize healthier, toned, renewed skin appearance
• it just feels so darned luxurious ; )

Shea Terra Organics Body Lotions and other products are available through Nordstrom, Shea Terra and b-glowing.

Elie Saab Fall 2008 Couture Collection

model - Ai Tominaga; photo: Marcio Madeira

You know, it's in viewing collections like the Elie Saab Fall 2008 Couture Collection that I contemplate the potential advantages of finding myself a sugar daddy. Right? I mean, just for the sake of hypothetical thinking, how many of these gorgeous pieces could I get away with buying if my sugar daddy was extra generous? Stop judging me, I'm allowed to dream. And speaking of dream, Elie Saab has assembled a spectacular visual treatise of fairytale delicacy in this collection. The color choices themselves are reminiscient of a muted palette right out of the Renaissance art era; the sumptuous use of taffeta and intricate floral applique' atop sheer fabric epitomize femininity and his fitting to the female form is exquisitly precise.

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A peek at some of the detailing and makeup:
I love the dramatic updos, peachy coral lips, smokey eyes and burgundy nail polish, reminds me of Chanel Vamp.


Models - Andreea Stancu, Laura Blokhina, unk, Ai Tominaga, Jill Bauwens, Yana Karpova, Alison Nix, Tatyana Usova, Michelle Alves, Yasmin Warsame; photos - Don Ashby

source: style.com

Coach Fragrance in LE Bottle ~ Catch Me If You Can

Shhhhh ... don't tell my daughter!

I realize I'm a little late on the bandwagon with the news but chic luggage and tote brand Coach has issued a new limited edition bottle for its debut fragrance Coach, of course, and I thought the info just had to be shared. The fragrance sounds divine, has all the right notes for my liking (see note descriptors below). Now, the 411 on this comes a bit late as apparently this edition of the fragrance has already sold out online. They are referring interested buyers to call around at Coach stores to try and scoop up a bottle, while you still can. If my bella boo (read: teenage daughter) finds out about this bottle, there will be hell to pay in my house until one can be located ... oy veh.

Other items available in the Coach beauty battery are:

Coach - the fragrance in its signature, debut bottle - 1.7 oz $68

• Top note - mandarin, guava, lily, violet leaves
• Middle note - luscious blend of floral notes built around the Genet flower, surrounded by mimosa and jasmine with a hint of honey
• Base note - amber, sandalwood, vanilla and a precious wood called iris

Lip Gloss - shades are Gardenia, Hibiscus and Heather - $22
Coach Shimmer Powder Compact w/ Brush - $28
Purse Spray - .27 oz $42
Perfume Solid in vermillion handtag case - .06 oz (soild) $40
Body Lotion - 6.7 oz $38

For more information: Coach

Chanel Fall 2008 Couture

model - Kim Noorda; photo: Alessandro Lucione

Hmmm ... my first reaction after seeing the Chanel Couture collection for Fall 2008 was, "Blah, blah, blah!" BUT, after taking another look at all the pieces, I realized it wasn't the fashion I was uninspired by, it was the styling of the models' hair. Petty? Perhaps. Now, I usually don't have an objection to the sleek bob, but in seeing model after model with the same 'do' it just became monotonous. For me the styling just didn't "fit" with the clothing; it almost takes away from the beauty of the pieces themselves, and that's a shame. The collection is quite exquisite - well, some of the pieces are, the longer dresses in particular (like the one above).

Here's what Sarah Mower of Style has to say about the collection:
What proceeded, inevitably enough, was a virtuoso fugue in tubular cutting, played up, down, and across every possible scale in Chanel's suiting, embroideries, chiffon, and eveningwear. From the beginning, the clothes took on curvilinear volumes, starting with gray-flecked, cocoonlike car coats over short skirts and trompe l'oeil tweed "suits" with belled skirts, which on closer inspection were actually one-piece coat-dresses. The general impression was of a collection that had changed key from last season's girlishness to something tuned more to a winter-weight, grown-up frequency. Still, the delight was all in the more light-fingered treatments: delicate fronds of ostrich fringe on a micro-beaded suit, or silvery zigzag embroidery on an intensely sequined belted dress. Couture at this supreme level only gets more incredible the closer you get to it.


Models (L-R, T-B) Angelika Kocheva, Lindsay Ellingson, Natasha Poly, Lee Hyun, Vlada Roslyakova, Jules Mordovets, Elsa Sylvan, Heidi Mount

Images of Details:


Anna Jagodinska, Coco Rocha, Natasha Poly, Maryna Linchuk, Catherine McNeil, Bruna Tenorio

photos: style.com

SHEA TERRA ORGANICS: African Lemongrass Indigenous Black Soap Elixir

Skin healer!

Acne, black heads, unsightly skin? Never fear, black soap is here! If you're having trouble imagining lathering up in a soap as black as tar, read on. Many spa owners and beauty magazine editors had the same thought, but now they live by this ancient remedy for amazingly beautiful skin. Shea Terra's Indigenous Black Soap Elixir evens skin tone, dries out and prevents acne, speeds up healing of open wounds, diminishes razor bumps, and dissolves the "glue" that holds on dead skin cells. Yes siree it does.

If you've been following some of my repertoire for any small time, you'll know that this would be something my household would relish. I have combination skin (facial) but my arms tend to be very dry. I'm prone to those little bumps that some of us get on my upper arms especially. On the other hand, my teenage son has been battling acne this year. I introduced the African Lemongrass Indigenous Black Soap Elixir to him, and as you may expect, he cringed. Oh ye of little faith - right?

So, what's happened now is he's tried it when he washes his face at night. And, of course, he loved it! The scent of this particular variety is really a light, fresh lemongrass - pure to its very name; not at all over-powering. I've found that to be true with all the Shea Terra scents actually. I'm convinced that it is his use of the elixir in combination with 3x weekly applications of the Alaska Glacial Mud Masque that has his facial skin looking clear and bright again. Alleluia!

As for my skin, when I can find the elixir (as it's generally somewhere in boy child's room), I really enjoy the experience of using it in the shower. The blackness of it doesn't bother me one bit, in fact I rather like knowing I'm using it. My skin feels great after I've used it. I do believe there is something to the healing nature of these ingredients which produces the wonderful results, and with the added use of Shea Terra Organics' luscious Dead Sea Salt Scrubs, it does seem to work miracles. Ok, now I know I usually don't put the review before the details about the products from their creators, but as I said in my prior Shea Terra post, I'm having a hard time not yelling from the rooftops about how wonderful they are! So, now, off to what else you'll want to know ...

Per Shea Terra:

• Modern "miracle" cosmeceuticals make promising claims that most often turn out disappointing. And often, when they do deliver results, the chemicals they are made from can have devastating long term effects. Not so with centuries old Indigenous Black Soap. Created in Africa from indigenous plants, natives have been successfully treating difficult skin ailments before the onslaught of modern cosmeceuticals.
• Beware of inferior and imitation black soaps. Due to the popularity of black soap some companies have added dye to make their soaps appear original. Some black soaps, due to improper formulations can cause harsh skin reactions. Shea Terra Organics has been offering black soap products from master soap makers of the Yoruba tribe for almost a decade. Our soap is gentle yet highly effective.
• Who are the Yoruba? The Yoruba of West Africa is a tribe of people descended from Egypt. They have been known throughout history for their highly developed form of medicine, similar to Ayurveda of India, much of which they brought with them from Egypt.

Benefits to Skin:

• skin rejuvenation
• skin renewal
• speeds up skin healing
• evens skin tone
• dries up acne
• draws out skin impurities
• dissolves "skin glue" to remove dead skin cells

Shea Terra black soap is actually paw paw fruit, plantain leaves, cocoa pods, coconut and herbs that are burned into an ash where oils of palm, sesame, coconut and Shea butter are added. This is the process that makes the soap naturally black. Their black soap elixirs are also available in Mint Marrakesh and Rose Hip & Red Bush scents. They retail for around $18 an eight-ounce (8 oz) bottle and are 100% natural!

Pssst - don't forget to enter our giveaway of an 8 oz bottle of Shea Terra Organics Lavender of the Khoisan Indigenous Silk & Shea Butter Shower Elixir. Last day to enter is Sat., 7/5.

For more information or to purchase: Shea Terra Organics

Paris Fashion Week Brings Out the Celebs

Proving Fashion Week in Paris is as hot as ever, celebrities of all genres are flocking to the city of love to devour some eye candy of their own. Here, Liv Tyler and Eva Mendes, both looking stunning, are eager-eyed for the Dior Couture showing (post follows) on the grounds of the Rodin Museum.

source: InStyle

Christian Dior Fall 2008 Couture

Paris, June 2008

The Designer: John Galliano for Dior
The Theme: Fresh Couture—restrained and refined
The Inspirations: Combination of the indelible fifties inspiration of Lisa Fonssagrives (Dior mannequin and wife of Irving Penn) and that of the new model of French conservative chic, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy
The Fashion World Consensus: a Dior very much under control and within the scope of reality with a touch of trademark Galliano perversity

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Lisa Fonssagrives

Carla Bruni-Sarkozy

What you'll see in the collection: big coats, wasp waists, nipped jackets, circle skirts, tulle dance dresses, architectural gowns cut from spiraling lace and jutting scrolls of crin. Mostly framed in black and white, with tints of gray, caramel, Parma violet, mint, and chartreuse to follow, the shapes traced familiar silhouettes. A nod to Dior's New Look peplum became a stiff patent hip-jutting belt with cross-lacing in the back, and a knowing acknowledgment of the basis of the hourglass silhouette came in a couple of see-through gowns with the corsetry fully on display. - Sarah Mower (style)

source and photos: style.com

COMING SOON: Bobbi Brown Metallic Eye Shadow

METALLIC EYE SHADOW

Awarded 'Best Eye Shadow' by "Self" Magazine (2008). Bobbi's newest shadow, due out next month, is a unique, high-shimmer formula with a soft and creamy feel. Applies smoothly and evenly and stays crease free for long-lasting wear.

Sample available at checkout:

Select to receive a Metallic Eye Shadow sample (.02 oz./ .7 g) with your order at checkout (while supplies last).

I'm loving the looks of Bobbi Brown's New Mauve Collection. That Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Black Mauve Shimmer Ink is at the top of my current lemmings list. The Pink Mauve lipstick is also calling out to me. Any lemmings from this collection for you?

For more information or to purchase: Bobbi Brown

Kérastase Wants You Aware of Diversion

David Craggs, President, L'Oreal Professional Products Division USA, has sent out notices to consumers asking them to be aware of diversion. This is when mass retailers and unauthorized outlets sell professional, salon products directly to consumers.

Here's what he has to say on the matter:

Do not buy salon products from them. Why?

1. QUALITY – L’Oréal doesn’t authorize sales of professional products to these outlets and can’t guarantee the content or quality of these products. Kérastase products purchased at unauthorized outlets are often older than 250 days, discontinued or even counterfeit. Because of the confidence we have in our products, for the 1st time ever, we are offering a QUALITY GUARANTEE. If you purchase our products at your local salon and you’re not satisfied with their performance, return the product with a receipt within 4 weeks for a full refund. See your salon stylist or product website for further information.

2. PRICE – You may be at a price disadvantage when purchasing our products from an unauthorized sales outlet. In fact, through our price checks vs. syndicated data, we have found that salon products purchased at mass retailers are AT LEAST 10% higher than when bought at your local salon.

3. PROFESSIONAL SERVICE -Most importantly, these products are sold without the service and recommendation of your stylist who knows the best product for your hair, and deprives them of the sale of this product and their service.

Support your stylist, care for your hair and your budget.

If you'd like more information or want to share your thoughts and comments with David, he's started a new blog to interact with you. Check him out at davidcraggs.com.

[note: I tried to leave him a comment and there seems to be something wrong with the word verfication feature on his comments page; perhaps he'll have it fixed when you try ; -) ]