Bye Bye, Prescriptives. Thanks a Lot, Estee Lauder.

I'm really disappointed by this one. Estee Lauder announced yesterday it is shutting down the cosmetics, skincare and fragrance brand Prescriptives. Ya know, every time I think, "Hey maybe it's time to give Estee Lauder (the brand) another shot," the company does something like this. Not the first time the company has disappointed its customers with closings and shutdowns, sure it won't be the last.

I used to love shopping Estee Lauder's family of brands on gloss.com. Remember them? They closed that site, wanting folks to shop the brands individually and in-stores rather than offering the convenience of a one-stop online shopping experience, similar to the Sephora online concept but with MAC, Bobbi Brown, Chanel, Origins, Prescriptives, Clarins, Clinique and a few others. Great brands, right? Meow!

Scale back? Sure. Cut back on Px counters? Ok. Shut down the whole brand? Really? Uggggh!

Prescriptives Flawless Skin Foundation has been a staple in my makeup bag for years. I love the thin, oil-free, lightweight texture, which also happens to provide great coverage and long-term wear. There's not another foundation out there like it. And their Magic Liquid Powder is one-of-a-kind as well. The way it plays with light to minimize imperfections and pores, the loose, translucent powder was ahead of its time. Prescriptives has also historically appealled to women with hard to match skin tone due to their custom blending of foundation shades. {Heavy sigh} Really, I'm still in shock by this announcement.

Just checked Prescriptives online and they're already starting to sell out of stock. If you're interested in gathering up some of your Px favorites, better get going before they're gone forever (of course, there's always ebay). As of now, Prescriptives is slated to be gone by end of January. They're offering a free gift with minimum purchase on certain products (see side column for info), so guess they're giving folks a little extra something for your patronage.

Oh, they will still offer Px Calyx fragrance, by the way, through EL's Aramis and Designer Fragrances partnerships. Come on, really? Of all the brand's products you decide to continue rolling out, Calyx? Well, if you like it, you're in luck.

Lancôme Dual Finish Celebrates an Anniversary

This was my first ever Lancôme purchase. In fact, Lancôme's Dual Finish was my first ever high-end or department store beauty purchase of any kind way back when I was a teenager (it wasn't 30 years ago, though, sheesh, did you think I was that old ...). Prior to discovering its magical properties, suggested to me by my younger sister no less, I'd only used drugstore brand products. Dual Finish was the first of many Lancôme products I'd later come to adore.

I was awestruck by this product. Part powder, part creamy foundation, how did they do that? Dual Finish gives your skin exactly the look, the coverage you’ve decided on…from sheer to simply flawless.

• Sponges on dry, over moisturizer, for a soft matte effect.
• Puffs on dry as a matching powder over any Lancôme foundation.
• Sponges on damp for a high coverage, ultra-matte finish.

In celebration of the product's 30th anniversaty, Lancôme is offering Dual Finish in a limited edition compact. It's available in 10 shades and retails for $35.50. Be sure to check out all the Lancôme deals, free gifts and beauty offers updated regularly on our shopping deals page. They've got some fabulous ones going on now!

Smashbox Halo + Primer = Flawless Skin

Smashbox Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder is fast becoming a favorite best-selling product for the brand. You've read about it here already, and you'll read about it all over the internet if you're beauty savvy. There's a reason - it's wonderful!

What makes it special?
Halo is the first anti-aging powder with a patented hydration system built right into the product. There are 48 minerals and 11 amino acids, plus powerful peptides in this formula, which benefit your skin through continuous revitalization throughout the day. Halo has the power of clinical studies to back it as well. Users found they had a 33% decrease in lines and wrinkles just 10 minutes after application. Halo is a drink for the skin in powder form - revolutionary.

Here's what others are saying

"I have been using this for 3 months and I love love love it! It has made such a difference in my skin's appearance! My skin glows and it doesn't look like you are wearing a mask of makeup." ~ Rachel

"The best! Nothing compares. I'm 42 and after using this product my skin looks like it was 20 something again. There is no better foundation - I will never, never use anything else." ~ Jeanie

Right now, Smashbox is offering their best-selling Photo Finish Foundation Primer in a convenient travel size tube (.5 oz) as a complimentary gift to you with your purchase of Halo. The offer ends 5/10/09.

Click link and enter code: HALO at checkout

You'll also get to choose more jumbo samples with your order AND get free shipping. It's a fantastic deal. Halo Perfecting Powder is available in four shades from fair to dark and retails for $59. Shop Smashbox now!

BeneFit Treats Your Skin with "Hello Flawless!"

BeneFit introduces "Hello Flawless!" custom powder cover-up with SPF15.

This silky powder cover-up glides on naturally sheer and layers beautifully for customized coverage with SPF protection. With 6 shades, it's easy to find your perfect match.

Tips and tricks: For a sheer finish, sweep "hello flawless!" on with your brush. With quick, light strokes, blend from the center of your face outward. Use it over bare skin, moisturizer or primer to look naturally flawless! To cover it all (& then some!), apply evenly over entire complexion with sponge. For spot cover-up, dab on boo boos & blend.

Get first dibbs and FREE SHIPPING with "hello flawless!"

Click link and enter code: FLAWLESS at checkout

BeneFit's "hello flawless!" is available at BeneFit in five (soon to be six) shades and retails for $34. The special offer above ends 2/25/09 so shop soon! To get a doubly grand offer, be sure your purchase reaches $35 or more and you'll also receive a FREE Full Size BADgal Mascara in Blue - yea!

SMASHBOX: Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder and a GWP

Smashbox Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder is finally available at retailers - yea!!

You may recall my review of the powder in July; at that time the powder was only available at QVC. Smashbox is now offering it through their own website with an adorable little kabuki brush included for only $59. That's a bargain! When I got mine, it retailed for $65+.

A powder that reduces fine lines & wrinkles in 10 minutes?
It's not magic, it's new Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder. HALO is the first anti-aging powder with the science of skin care built right in. It's advanced formulation of pure gold, 48 minerals, 11 amino acids and a powerful peptide deliver powerful anti-aging benefits while the patented hydration system continuously revitalizes skin for a brighter, more radiant complexion all day. HALO’s innovative built in shaver gives you the perfect amount of luminous loose powder every time with no mess. Finally, a powder that multi-tasks as much as you do.

Clinical studies show:

• After 10 minutes there is a 33% decrease in the appearance of wrinkles around the eyes.
• After 6 weeks of use, there is a 67% decrease in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles overall.

Includes a custom KABUKI BRUSH for flawless application. Wear alone or as a luminous finishing powder over your favorite primer and foundation. Oil-free, Talc-free, and Paraben-free.

Want to see what all the fuss is about?

Check out the video HERE.

Now's the time to shop!
For a limited time, get free shipping, PLUS get four free jumbo samples for free. With any $50 Smashbox.com purchase, receive a free sample pack with a Photofinish Foundation Primer, Layer Lash Primer, O-Glow Intuitive Cheek Color and a Lip Enhancing Gloss in Pout (a best-selling shade) in a chic silver box. Hurr - offer expires 12/5 or while supplies last.

Enter promo code TRYSB at checkout.

Visit Smashbox for more information and to take advantage of this truly fantastic deal!

REVIEW: Smashbox Halo Hydrating Perfecting Face Powder Compact

Smashbox is introducing a new concept in skin-perfecting powder. Their Halo Hydrating Perfecting Face Powder is loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, but that's not the new concept. Its anti-aging formula is packed with Goji berry for antioxidant protection, plus amino acids, 48 of nature's nutrients - here's the twist - and powerful peptide and hydrogel technology. It's a powder that acts as a skincare product. Want more? The unique packaging yields the convenience of a pressed powder (no messy spilling) with the radiant finish of a loose powder. You simply twist the built-in shaver in the compact and the powder loosens to apply.

It's a cooling, fresh, matte powder finish. This is not going to yield shimmer, yet is does give the face a healthy glow. The powder is available in Fair, Light, Medium and Dark. The shades are really very forgiving. I got Medium and it's way darker in the compact than I'd ordinarily choose, yet can still blend well into my skintone when applied lightly. As it is darker, I can also use it to contour my cheekbones - bonus!

What else should you know?
Ohhhh ... they're after my heart on this one. Smashbox's Halo Hydrating Perfecting Face Powder is oil-free, talc-free and paraben-free. Not yet available via Smashbox or Sephora, you can get yours through QVC now ($59). It's the only place where this new product is available right now, though they will bring it to their regular venues in a few months. Smashbox, as well as reviewers who have posted comments on the QVC website, highly recommend using the new Smashbox Halo Brush to apply the powder. The Halo Face Powder Brush #29 is available for $36 or you can purchase the powder and brush together at an introductory price of $65.94 while that deal lasts.

For more information or to purchase, visit QVC.

Estée Lauder 'Crème Caramel' Shimmer Powder

Estée Lauder 'Crème Caramel' Shimmer Powder

Swirls of caramel and spun gold create a sheer, shimmering glow. Limited-edition pressed shimmer powder is perfect for every skin tone. Sweep it over cheekbones, forehead, shoulders, anywhere you want to add a luminous allure.

I'm not always a fan of Estee Lauder - the brand or the products. This item, however, looks like something not to pass up. This is a beautiful powder in person and creates a lovely, radiant appearance of light to the face. This would be a perfect item to select to get the EL GWP at Nordies mentioned in the earlier post today.

Tarte Cosmetics: Limited Edition Complexion Collection

For the first time ever, Tarte is offering a limited-edition, complexion collection exclusively on sephora.com. Unlike products that simply hide the problem, Tarte's skinvigorating™ complexion collection helps treat the problem with healthy, natural ingredients while concealing it. This set is available in 4 shades: fair, light, medium and tan. All items in the collection are full sized and also individually available.

The result? A healthy, glowing complexion--because natural beauty is always in style!

This exclusive kit includes Tarte's Clean Slate Primer, Smooth Operator Foundation with SPF 20, The Eraser Smooth Concealer, Provocateur Pressed Mineral Powder with SPF 8, and a glam-on-the-go Kabuki Brush.

complexion collection ($54)

sephora.com exclusive skinvigorating™ set

($153 value)

This kit includes the following items in a purple, quilted bag:

clean slate primer (propylene glycol free, paraben free, preservative free, phthalarte free, dye free, sulfate free, mineral oil free, fragrance free, dermatologist tested)

• avocado oil
• safflower seed oil
• echinacea root extract
• hibiscus flower extract

the eraser smooth concealer (mineral oil free, phthalate free, naturally derived preservative, dermatologist tested)

• safflower seed oil
• arnica flower extract
• cucumber extract
• vitamins C&E

smooth operator foundation with SPF 20 (propylene glycol free, mineral oil free, phthalate free, sulfate free, fragrance free, synthetic dye free, dermatologist tested)

• chamomile extract
• vitamins A, C, & E
• mineral migments

provocateur pressed mineral powder with SPF 8 (paraben free, preservative free, propylene glycol free, mineral oil free, phthalate free, sulfate free, fragrance free, synthetic dye free, talc free)

• vitamins A & E
• mineral migments
• glam-on-the-go kabuki brush

Available in the following 4 shades

fair

• pressed powder - fair
• smooth operator SPF 20 foundation - facade
• The eraser smooth concealer - fair

light

• pressed powder - light
• smooth operator SPF 20 foundation - veil
• The eraser smooth concealer - bisque

medium

• pressed powder - medium
• smooth operator SPF 20 foundation - disguise
• The eraser smooth concealer - medium beige

dark

• pressed powder - tan
• smooth operator SPF 20 foundation - incognito
• The eraser smooth concealer - tan

Tarte's Limited Edition Complexion Collection is available exclusively at Sephora.com

REVIEW: Hourglass Oxygen Mineral Foundation Powder

Hourglass brings timeless extravagance and style to the über-chic beauty junkie. Every product in the Hourglass line is formulated with the latest in cosmetic technology. Cutting-edge ingredients work to smooth and soften the skin, while innovations in packaging give the line its super chic appeal.

Hourglass Oxygen Mineral Powder is a mineral foundation powder and is available in four shades, all yellow-based in color. As such the powder helps to reduce redness and uneven skin tone on application and is buildable in coverage. It contains a unique oxygen delivering agent to help promote skin’s health, while allowing the skin to breathe. The silky formula absorbs oil and shine to create a soft, matte finish, while the added Vitamin E helps condition and nourish the skin. Key ingredients include DC Sir (Soybean Complex) and Ronasphere LDP (light defusing properties). The powder is both talc-free and oil-free - perfect for summer months.

The packaging of the product is unique, high quality and very functional. The powder comes in a compact with a sponge applicator, as do many similar products - yes, I know, BUT the top of the compact with its undersided mirror opens and swivels 360° so you can adjust according to need; further, the compact closes securely so no need worrying about powder loosening and winding up in the bottom of your bag.


I find this product definitely leaves a matte finish; this is not a shimmery, highlighting type product, but does aid in diffusing light. Secondly, I recommend allowing your moisturizer and primer to sufficiently sink in (dry) before applying the powder as too much of a heavy hand and product can produce a cakey look (which is easily mended by simply brushing off with a dry cloth).



For a FABULOUS primer, you might consider the sister Hourglass product - Veil Mineral Primer, which I can't recommend highly enough for its ingredients (oil-free, fragrance free, paraben free SPF15) , effectiveness and results.



Available: Sephora

Dazzling Diamonds Collection by Victoria's Secret

For their Summer 2008 release, Victoria's Secret, via their Very Sexy Makeup line, will offer a limited-edition collection - Dazzling Diamonds. The range:

Three Eyeshadow Duos - $14 each

Three Lip Glimmers - $12 each

Illuminating, Jewel-Embossed Face Powder - $22

The products are all formulated with crushed diamond particles said to create a light-reflecting intense shimmer to eyes, lips and face. The glosses are particularly interesting looking and are available in champagne, pink, and fiery (coral). They come in a clear tube that holds three layered shades.

source: bellasugar