What They Say: "Rich and sumptuous to the touch, Vitamin E Nourishing Hand Treatment conditions the skin while providing formidable environmental protection. A hint of pomelo and cassis leave skin deliciously scented."

Jen's Experience: I have never really gotten into hand creams. My hands aren't that dry, and I hate for them to feel all goopy. But, for this one, I will make an exception. For one, it doesn't leave my hands feeling greasy. It soaks in really quickly, which may not make for the best long-wear moisturizer, but I think it helps to be able to use it more frequently (like when you don't want to stand around and wait for the slickness to die down so that you can type or whatever). The other great part about this is that the scent is amazing. I can't stop putting it on just so I can smell my hands. Anyway, this may just make me want to start wearing hand cream, but it definitely makes me want to check out more the Jo Malone collection if ev everything smells this awesome.

Retail Price: $40.00 (JoMalone.com)

Rating:

What They Say: (about The Bronzer) "Now, your skin and your senses are under the influence of Tom Ford. The message is nude. A makeup collection that reflects Tom Ford's provocative philosophy. Real gold in the makeup gives it a gilded, glamorous edge. Tom Ford on the collection: 'This collection is very much my philosophy of beauty. I've concentrated only on nude shades for the lips and nails. This is what I always really like...a neutral mouth, beautiful skin and a dramatic, strong eye. One look that works for many skintones.'" (about The Brush) *We don't have an official description at press time.

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: From the excitedly-anticipated Amber Nude II collection, this bronzer is more Fall-appropriate than the Azurée bronzer from this summer. This one is more tan and less tawny, and fairly subtle. The color doesn't turn orange at all as the day wears on and it stays put. Also, the compact is very generously-sized - about 50% wider in diameter than normal compacts.

The brush is incredibly soft and easy-to-handle. It helps to apply the bronzer evenly in just a few swipes. It's gentle on your face and just using it adds some glamour to the process of getting ready.

Retail Prices:
(The Bronzer) $60.00
(The Brush) $35.00
(both available at esteelauder.com)

DeLush Rating:
(The Bronzer)
(The Brush)

What They Say: “Take yourself on a beautiful journey. This limited edition highlighting powder leaves skin luminous, vibrant, shimmering with the cool patina of platinum. Sweep it on forehead, above cheekbones, on chin. From the Mythical Beauty Fall Color 2006 Collection. Expressions of art and fantasy. Let your imagination run wild.”

Toya’s Take: I like this product, but don’t love it. It’s a really nice illuminating or highlighting powder. The packaging and look of the Illuminator are very similar to the Bobbi Brown Shimmerbricks and it has almost the same effect, though it only comes in one color. It gave my skin a nice, candlelit glow when I applied it as suggested. The effect lasted and I think it’s a good option if you’re looking to give your skin some soft shimmer.

Retail Price: $30.00 (Neiman Marcus or your local Estee Lauder counter)

Rating: (There’s only one available shade and I think the Bobbi Brown Shimmerbricks work better.)

What They Say: “This light-diffusing crème can be used all over for a lustrous finish. Use over or under foundation or on bare skin. With added moisturizing jojoba and sun filters [to] help protect skin.”

Toya’s Take: I like the packaging of this product – it’s a cute little black compact with a good-sized mirror. Still, the product is pretty regular, as my friends and I would say, meaning, there’s nothing special about it. It’s a highlighting cream. It gives a pretty glow when used high up on your cheekbones, under your brows, and a tiny dab down the bridge of your nose. It’s subtle enough to use for day, but if you layer a bit more, it would be lustrous enough for a night look. However, this highlighter won’t do that any better than a similar product offered by Wet ‘n’ Wild, so why pay $30 for the same effect you could get for $2.99?

Retail Price: $30 ((available at Bergdorf Goodman in New York City, select Neiman Marcus stores, Holt Renfrew in Canada, Selfridges and Boots in the UK - go to jemmakidd.com for more information)

DeLush Rating: – It lives up to its advertising, but it’s nothing special.

What They Say: (about the Shower Gel) "This sumptuous gel produces a light foam with water, to gently wash the skin while carefully maintaining its pH. It leaves the skin soft, fresh and delicately perfumed." (about the Body Lotion) This silky fluid with a more concentrated trail, smoothes, moisturizes and softens the skin divinely. It is absorbed instantly allowing one to get dressed right away." (about the general fragrance) "A seductive new fragrance for women, Armani Code Pour Femme is a fresh, sexy, feminine blend of zesty blood orange, ginger, and pear sorbet softened with hints of sambac jasmine, orange blossom, and lavender honey, warmed with precious woods and vanilla."

Toya’s Take: The shower gel lathers nicely and rinses well, leaving my skin feeling clean and fresh. However, the scent of the products is so overwhelming that I immediately wanted to take another shower. From the description, I would expect the products to smell soft and feminine, but it doesn’t at all. In fact, when I first opened it, I thought I was sent the male version of the fragrance by mistake. It is very, very strong. The lotion has the same heavy scent and really only works as another layer of fragrance – it’s too thin to do much moisturizing at all.

Retail Price: (the Shower Gel) - $35.00, (the Body Lotion) - $39.50 (at
giorgioarmaniparfums.com and select department stores)

DeLush Rating: for each – the scent is cloying

What They Say: "Freeze Them, Chill Them, Jiggle Them. In The Shower No One Can Hear You Scream."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: I used these mostly at room temperature. Chilling them did make them more solid, but I didn't prefer them that way. I liked the squishiness. These things are a little weird, to say the least. I wasn't quite sure what to do with them in order to get full use out of them, so I mostly used chunks to squish around and use as body wash. I kind of wondered while using them what the point was, but they do smell absolutely delicious during your bath or shower (don't use in the shower at room temperature or I can't imagine you'll be able to hold onto it long enough to use it). I can see kids really liking these, and you can give them a chunk at a time to play with.

Like I said, I didn't really get the whole point, though they were kind of fun. The yummy scents didn't seem to last much out of the bath, which was disappointing. But they do lather well and the aromatherapy effects in the water are really pleasant.

Retail Price: $4.95 for 3.5oz, $9.90 for 7oz (available at lushusa.com in The Joy of Jelly, Deep Sleep Jelly, and my favorite, Big Calm Jelly or go here for retail locations in the U.S. and worldwide)

DeLush Rating:

With all of the luxurious, lovely-hued choices this season, there's lots of room to play with eye color. How can you incorporate this trend into your makeup routine? For the most part, if you play up your eyes with color it's best to leave your lips and cheeks neutral and subtle. The easiest way to add just the right touch of surprise color is with eyeliner. But you can also use shadow close to the lash line or on the lid up to the crease over neutral beige shadow that covers the entire lid. Here are some of my favorite hot eye colors to use this season.

-Melissa

The New Blue
All sorts of bad 70's images of blue shadow come to mind when you think of putting anything blue near your peepers. But blue has truly changed. In rich, jewel-toned, sheer, and color variations such as azure, teal, and more...blue has become a hot accent color for eyes. A smudge of one of the new blues can make your eyes pop.

Some options to try: New M.A.C. Technakohl Liner in Auto-de-Blue and Smooth Blue, Smashbox Color Wash Eye Pencil in Azure, Nars Duo Shadow in Demon Lover (yes, it sounds scary, but the colors look gorgeous), Maybelline Roller Color Loose Powder Shadow in On the Ball Blue, and the New Laura Mercier Mineral Eye Powder in Asteroid.



Green Gaze
When used in moderation along the lash line, green can add a gorgeous "something special" to your eyes. Especially the dark, rich, gold-flecked or irridescent greens paired with a neutral brown or beige on the lid. If you've got a more adventurous side, try the brighter emerald greens as liner.

Some options to try: theBalm Shady Lady Shadow/Liner in Jealous Jordana, Clinique Colour Surge Eye Shadow Duo in Spruced Up, New Smashbox Jet Set Waterproof Eye Liner in Illume, Maybelline Line Stylist in Jade Flash, and Pout Eye Pencil in Eye Miss You.



All Shades of Purple
Long my personal favorite all-time eye enhancer, purple always adds a lush, rich quality to your eyes. It's also very versatile. While you can go dark and smoky on your entire lid or just along the lash line, you can also be more subtle with lighter purples, even venturing into lilac, for a brighter look. In all its shades, this is a color you can feel free to experiment with.

Some options to try: Clinique Quickliner for Eyes in Violet and Grape, Broujois Liquid Liner in Prune Stylist 24 (plum), Smashbox Eye Shadow in Camera or Venus, Tarte Eyeshadow Compact in Electric Slide or West Egg, and Revlon Colorstay 12-Hour Eye Shadow Quad in Blushed Wines.

What They Say: “Packed with botanical butters … both shea and mango. Your dry heels (and feet) will benefit greatly from a daily application of this balm rich in nourishing ingredients. Our exclusive Essential Oil blend includes oils highly regarded for their anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties … perfect for natural foot care.”

How To Use: Most beneficial when used after exfoliating your feet (use a natural pumice stone or our Rosemary Mint Foot Scrub) at the end of a bath or shower. Pat feet dry and apply a dime-sized portion to each foot or heel. Best results are obtained if you slip into a pair of comfortable socks for a few minutes to give the Heel Butter an opportunity to work its benefit. Used regularly for a week, you’ll see amazing results!

Toya’s Take: I used a pumice stone on my feet before applying, as directed, then applied the Heel Butter and slipped on a pair of white cotton socks. The Heel Butter has a pleasant, if strong, herbal scent and the texture is soft, with tiny granules like a smoother sugar scrub. It sank nicely into my skin and, the next morning, my feet were beautifully soft and smooth. I think this Heel Butter would work well on any part of your body that’s extra dry or cracked. This will be a good product to get you through the winter months, if you don’t mind the strong scent.

Retail Price: $19.00 for 1.5 oz. (at essenciaonline.com or go here to find retail locations near you)

DeLush Rating: - taking off a bit for the strong scent and the price. I think you can find an equally effective product at a better price point.