What They Say: "Reveal noticeably softer, more luminous skin today, and firmer, younger-looking skin tomorrow. Single-use puffs deliver the perfect degree of gentle exfoliation with ultra-fine crystals and mild purifiers. Massaging micro-vibrations boost microcirculation and oxygenation for increased radiance, while surface stimulation increases cell turnover."

Jamie's Thoughts: I love the concept of this product, but I'm not 100% sold on it yet. YES, it will exfoliate and soften your skin. YES, it will give you increased "radiance," although it may come in the form of redness or irritation at first. YES, for the amount of puffs you get and the battery life, it's worth the money. As for wrinkles, I only saw minimal reduction - my deepest wrinkles are my three furrow lines in my forehead, and they didn't improve much at all. While I applaud Neutrogena for having continued their reputation of using quality soaps, fibers, etc. when developing this product, I still think it would be far too much exfoliation for anyone with chronic redness, rosacea, or sensitive skin. Allow me to put it another way: I have normal, non-sensitive skin and I couldn't even bring myself to use the higher vibration setting. The low setting felt like a jackhammer against my jaw, nose, and cheekbones.

All dramatics aside, this product is great - I think it could help lots of people with their skin issues, and the online consumer reviews are stellar. For those consumers whose faces can handle an occasional scrubbing, especially those who think cellular turnover would help fill in fine lines and plump up wrinkles, I would highly recommend this product as a supplement to an everyday skincare regime. For folks with touch-and-go skin, I cannot recommend this on any level.

Retail Price: $39.99 (Puff Refill comes with 12 puffs for $19.99; Online Deals and List of Retailers at neutrogena.com)

Delush Rating:

What They Say: "SatinClouds have a super soft luxurious texture and are absorbent and gentle. Though very absorbent and useful for wicking away moisture, the thin micro-layers of cotton that make up each pad hold product amazingly well, therefore, you only need to use a little bit of toner or makeup product with each cotton pad. This is our way of helping you stretch your beauty dollars further.

SatinClouds are perfect for the sensitive skin of your face, neck and décolletage, as well as your baby’s delicate skin. SatinClouds are made from 100% pure, natural, non-chlorine bleached cotton. Each pad is 2 1/4 x 2 inches in size. A generous 80 grams of cotton, over 150 pads, comes in each sleek and sophisticated high-gloss resealable black bag."

Toya’s Take: I like the idea of using soft cotton pads on my face rather than the normal, everyday cotton ball that I buy from the drugstore. I’m a girl who likes to think that I’m pampering myself whenever I treat my skin, whether I use drugstore products or not, so I look for cotton balls/pads that are extra soft, fluffy and absorbent. SatinClouds are extremely soft – check. But fluffy and absorbent? Not so much. Though they feel quite luxurious on the skin, they seem very thin to me – I have to use at least two at a time because my toner goes right through one pad and I wind up with wet fingers. Yuck. When used two at a time, that cuts down on the wetness, but I still don’t feel that my face gets as clean as it does when I use cotton balls. Still, the pads feel really, really nice, and the black resealable bag is quite chic, so you won’t be embarrassed to have them sit out in your bathroom.

Retail Price: $5.00 (at satinbox.com)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: “Used for curling lashes. Extra pad.”

Toya’s Take: Um, okay. Yes, an eyelash curler is used for curling lashes. And it came with an extra pad, which I think is a good idea. I like this because it didn’t tug at the skin on my eyelids and it did its job in curling my lashes. My eyes instantly looked more open and awake. Good job!

Retail Price: $13.50 (at www.estheticplus.com)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "These aren’t your mother’s tweezers. They’re a functional work of art—brushed stainless steel with a hand-filed to precision tip. Our Artisan Tweezers are a perfectly balanced tool that feels great to use. Go ahead, pamper yourself. Slant tip."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: These are fabulously effective for those small barely-there brow hairs, and they are lightweight and easy-to-handle. The only thing I don't like is that somehow the very precise ends catch on my skin a little; those things are sharp. It doesn't happen very often, and if you're careful about how you angle them it won't happen at all, but that's something to consider.

I actually own a smaller, sharp-ended drugstore brand that works similarly as well for less, but for those who enjoy and prefer Japonesque quality, these do the job.

Retail Price: $20.00 (at select Trade Secret, Ulta, Beauty Brands, and other beauty retailers and at Nordstrom)

DeLush 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)

“We started making plant derived aromatherapy products free from parabens, synthetic fragrance, sulfates, formaldehyde releasing preservatives, artificial dyes in 1997, after not being able to find alternatives to help our ailing family member, Mundo – the earth loving German Shepherd. As our company grew, so did the customer demand for new as natural as it gets products, hence we started to add products for people such as Vegan skincare, mineral makeup, hair care and fragrances made with certified organic or wild-crafted raw materials.

Our motto has always been about making a difference, being honest and creating products that are based on our way of life -- straightforward, honest and cruelty-free. We always want to make sure that our footprints match this very motto. So when we needed cosmetic brushes for our mineral makeup line, we walked the talk and created a brush line that did not put even one animal in harm in the name of beauty,” said Sevi Kay, Founder and main formulator for Mundo Botanica.

The new Sevi cosmetic brush line is created with 100% Taklon fibers that offer the perfect combination of softness and delivery. Each brush was designed to pick up color well and deliver a smooth makeup application.

Continue reading Hot Off the Press: Vegan Beauty Line Unveils Cruelty-Free Makeup Brushes.

What They Say: "Chicly packaged in a petite patent black box with a built in mirror, Bella’s Essential Eye Kit epitomizes the ‘easy-glamour’ Bella products are known for. All the necessities for come hither eyes are accounted for – Bella’s mascara, kohl eyeliner, brow gel and mini tweezers – in this kit, which is small enough to stow in the tiniest of clutches."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: This tiny kit, in a box no larger than a medium-sized box of paperclips, is an unexpected surprise. The magnetized flap keeps the contents securely inside the patent-looking container which opens to reveal a small mirror and a set of four tools for creating an eye look on the go.

The kohl liner is fabulously soft and non-tugging at the eye area. While there was a small bit of smudging, it still looked very nice and could also be used to shade the eyes for a more dramatic look if smudged intentionally on the entire lid to the crease. The tiny mascara tube creates nicely separated lashes, and the equally compact brow gel easily tames eyebrow hairs and sets them in place, giving a nice, polished look. And for those strays? There's also a small yet sharp-ended set of tweezers.

Overall, this would be a fabulous thing to pack for a trip or throw in your purse to make sure you are never stuck being bare-eyed! It creates a classic clean look which can be made more dramatic with an extra coat or two of the mascara or a bit more kohl liner around the entire upper and lower lash line.

Retail Price: $29.00 (at bellabeauty.com)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: Skinvigorating™ Benefits NEW: Rejuvelash Declumping Lash Exhilarator

• Treat: ProVitamin B5 and a cocktail of herbal hair restoratives (like aloe) improve the texture of eyelash hair to increase suppleness and prevent breakage so your lashes can reach their full potential.
• Protect: Proprietary antioxidant blend with Vitamin C acts as a film former to protect against cosmetic, environmental and free radical damage.
• Revive: give late day lashes a lift and get rid of clumps; unique emulsifying agents and this patented flexible bristle brush gently eliminate clumps.

Lights, camera, lashes! 4-in-1 Mascara

• Lengthening: Rice bran, carnauba & candelilla wax extend the length of lashes.
  
• Curling: Synthetic film formers hold in curl.
  
• Volumizing: ProVitamin B5 treats and thickens.
  
• Conditioning: Organic compounds derived from natural olive esters coat and treat lashes to protect against breakage.

Picture Perfect Eyelash Curler

• Breakthrough ergonomic design - no finger holes makes it easy to use.
  
• Curved angle suits all eye shapes without pinching or crimping.

Alissa's Opinion: I'm a total sucker for lash products and all things purple, so I was really excited to rip this set open and give it a try. The cute faux snakeskin and leather cases look like no other product on the market.

I started with the eyelash curler. It was easy to grip and gave me a nice round curl with no bends or kinks. Next up was the Exhilarator, which deposited a lot of gunk on my perfectly flipped lashes. I combed through the goop when it dried so I could get an even coat of mascara, but I ended up with dry white flakes on my face. After cleaning up that mess I applied the 4-in-1 Mascara and found that the end result was beautiful. The brush is full and holds a lot of product, so I wiped it of before applying. It gave me long, thick eyelashes that stayed curled all day.

I also tried the Exhilarator as a mid-day mascara reviver but found that it just gave me spider eyes again. I will continue to use the mascara, but that other little tube is gone. It might be useful if you are looking for a nighttime lash conditioner.

Retail Price: $40.00 (at tartecosmetics.com - for pricing for individual products see the site as well)

DeLush Ratings:
Exhilarator:
Mascara:
Curler:

The alchemy of gold transformed and the manipulated by M.A.C. artistry into the next wave. Metallic glam as eight limited edition pigments radiate the power, glory and versatility of this key element. Playing their part in this new gold rush, four lipstocls and finished to reflect the trace-colour of each gold-tinged pigment...applied with the 249 large shader and 239 eye shader brushes that accompany this collection, this is metal as it should be worn. Feel the rush."

Jen Says: The perfect complement to this season's metallic accents, this line from M.A.C. is an excellent way to transition to your fall look. I tried the lipsticks and the pigments from this collection, and am excited to present my results. This gorgeous collection is nearly finished its run at M.A.C. counters, so if you're in the market for these products and shades, run to your nearest department store this weekend!

 

 

Pigment

What They Say: "Pigment is a highly concentrated loose colour powder that contains ingredients to help it adhere to the skin. Pigment comes in an excellent range of colours. Use to create a subtle wash of colour or an intense effect. Pigment does not streak or cake, is easy to blend and long-lasting."

Jen's Experience: For the most part, I haven't had good luck with loose eyeshadow, especially when it shimmers. No matter how careful I am with the brush, even applied with a little water, if it doesn't end up making my entire face sparkly during application, it ends up that way by the end of the evening. Well, this eyeshadow from M.A.C. completely exceeded all my expectations. Not only are the colors vivid but wearable, they apply so evenly and last an incredibly long time. I most commonly reach for Quick Frost, a creamy white with a soft green pearl, and Revved-up, an icy rose. But the more metallic shades -- Rushmetal, Gold Mode, Mauvement, Off the Radar, Copperized, and Cocomotion -- are also fun and not out of place even for work.

If you purchase these, be sure to invest in at least one of the M.A.C. shader brushes. I used #239 for detail work and #249 for the overall area. These brushes do an excellent job of holding the pigment so that it's delivered to the eye, rather than all over your face (and the bathroom counter). These pigments and the brushes are a combination that is truly the star of this collection.

Retail Price: $19.50 (MACCosmetics.com or your local department store)

 

 

Lipstick

What They Say: "Colour plus texture for the lips. Stands out on the runway. Simmers on the street! What made M·A·C famous. "

Jen's Experience: The lipstick colors in this collection are all fantastic, from rose-tinged coffee shades to a light gold shade. All of the colors have a bit of gold in them, but not so much that it looks to overdone for everyday use. Since the eyeshadows can be pretty intense when they're layered, it's nice to have such pretty shades that aren't too overwhelming. My favorite of the bunch is Fast Lane, the mauve with silver pearl lustre, which is perfect with my favorite Pigment shades, but also works well with charcoals. The other colors (Thrills, Frenzy, and Soft Lust) are more brown and gold and are a little out of my comfort zone, but it turns out they look great with a dewy foundation and a oood bronzer. Believe it or not, this is my first experience with M.A.C. lipstick, and while I like the shades, I am not as excited about the wear. I got one to two hours tops out of each. Still, I like them well enough to recommend picking up one of these coordinating shades when you're looking for the RushMetal Eyeshadow Pigments.

Retail Price: $14.00

 

Ratings:

Pigment
Lipstick

What They Say: (about RelationLIPS)"Discover our dazzling combination of irresistible colors and luscious textures infused with shea butter, aloe vera, vitamin E and a hint of wild berry essence. Total lip protection and chic, high shine color."

(about the LipCLICK Retractable Brush) "Our new retractable lip brush is chic, sleek and the perfect definition of 'Form Meets Function'. Fashionistas already love it – and so will you!"

Melissa Says: (about RelationLIPS) Gloss palettes don't always appeal to me, mostly because they can be a bit larger than I want for slipping in my purse, or they may have a shade or two I never really want to dip into. I tried this palette in ExpressLIPS, which was filled with four neutral beige, mauve, and gold glosses. As with each of the other three palettes, one was Glossy, one Matte, one was a High Shine, and the Sizzle had a hint of shimmer.

Each shade looks amazing alone or over liner or lipstick, feels very comfortable, and stays fairly well. Obviously, I noticed an increase in staying power when coupled with a lip liner. There is barely any taste or smell to the glosses, which isn't really a negative. The compact has a more-than-ample mirror inside, and is quite slim. I would say there's enough gloss in the pots to last one or two months with frequent use, longer if you only pull it out from time to time.

(about the LipCLICK Retractable Brush) I absolutely LOVE this brush. It has a high-quality tip and is so easy and mess-free to use. It's small enough when shut to slip into your jeans pocket inconspicuously, but it extends in one quick extension and doesn't feel cheap or flimsy at all. Its square shape is easy to hold onto when applying. I'm telling you, this brush eliminates any feeling of inconvenience I have at the thought of tossing a gloss pot or palette into my purse without any built-in means of application. I think you'll love it.

Retail Price:
(RelationLIPS) $28.00
(LipCLICK Retractable Brush) $18.00
(both at beautyaddicts.com)

DeLush Rating:
(RelationLIPS)
(LipCLICK Retractable Brush)

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)

I have a soft spot in my heart for Tarte, with its ingeniously lovely packaging and creative naming of its products, as well as its typically high-quality cosmetics. The "Miss Fix-It" line for Spring 2006 is no exception. Check out what Tarte has added to its long line of fabulous products. Want something fun and girly to add some "spring" to your beauty routine? Let me introduce you...

Trifold Eye/Lip Compact ($44): "That cool scarf? She knitted it herself. The to-die-for rhinestone encrusted phone? Oh, just a side project. Jewelry making, sewing, cake decorating…this girl can do it all. Let your creativity run as wild as hers does with this playful palette full of candy-colored combinations for eyes & lips.

Shades include: shimmery champagne eyeshadow, shimmery purple eyeshadow, shimmery teal eyeshadow, matte bright turquoise eyeshadow, shimmery pink & shimmery lilac lip glosses, shimmery gold highlighter."

Melissa Says: What a useful AND lovely compact. The gloses are very sheer but beautifully shiny. The shadows are FUN but wearable. (Plus, Tarte's shadows are very silky and long-wearing.) There are two high-quality sponge applicators included as well. This would be a wonderful way to add some color and a touch of glow to your look in a purse-friendly compact.

Picture Perfect Eyelash Curler $15: "Smile and say “squeeze!” With this lash curler, getting a picture perfect curl is a snap. For a match made in Hollywood, use with Lights, Camera, Lashes! 3-in-1 mascara."

Melissa Says: This curler is spring-hinged, which helps create a tighter grip on your lashes. Fabulous.

The Toolbox: Brow Know-How $32: "Construct a picture-perfect brow in minutes using these easy tools:
1. “Prep the work zone” by tweezing any stray hairs
2. “Lay down the foundation” using the smooth brow wax
3. “Fill in the cracks” with your shade-specific brow powder or brow pencil.
4. “Seal the deal” with a glossy topcoat of brow gel.
No hard hat required.
Kit includes: brow gel, brow pencil, tweezer, brow brush, brow powder, brow wax, and 3 brow stencils, plus a compact with a mirror!

Three universal shades:
light: for blonde to light brown hair
medium: for medium brown to red hair,
dark: for dark brown to black hair"

*I didn't get an opportunity to review this item in the "Miss Fix-It" line, but I can't wait to give it a try. The well-groomed brow trend is not going away anytime soon!

Little Blot Book Shine Control to Go $32 (coming soon!): "Shine control to go! Oil: it’s a girl’s dirtiest little secret. No one wants to get caught with even the teensiest hint of a sheen (or worse, all-out shine).

The solution? Hiding the evidence, of course. Little blot book gives you two ways to send shine undercover: First, use the (tiny) blotting sheets for quick touch-ups then dust on mattifying powder* to tone down future glare. And no need to worry about being obvious…with a compact this inconspicuous, your secret will always be safely stashed away.

*mattifying powder contains Vitamin E & Vitamin A, some of the most effective antioxidants to prevent premature signs of again. Also includes green tea, aloe, & chamomile to soothe and nourish you skin."

Melissa Says: Wow. This is perhaps one of the most fun items in this line. The "book" is substantial but should fit into most purses. The brush applicator for the mattifying powder is incredibly soft, and the powder itself cuts down shine without that nasty pale-powdered look. It's completely invisible on your skin. And the tiny blotting papers hiding behind the brush pop up like little post-its and are wonderful for on-the-go quick fixes. Of course, there is a large mirror inside the compact as well. I have a feeling this little book and I will become very good friends.

Cloud Nine Cheekstain (NEW SHADE!) $28: "Our most popular product! This water-based push up gel stick is perfect for all skin types. No skill required - just dab it on and go. Wear it over or under foundation, with or without powder blush - it lasts all day. There’s no oil, so it won’t clog your pores. Still not convinced? We’ve been awarded “best blush” in InStyle, Cosmo & Self."

Melissa Says: I've never tried one of Tarte's famous cheekstains before. I must say, I've always shied away from any liquid or cream blush because I always felt that it looked bad on my skin. This unbelievably sheer formula really surprised me. It's easy to apply, smells like a lollipop or kool-aid (really!) and stays pretty all day. Personally, this shade might have been just a TAD too light for me, as I usually feel really pale and want a little more color. (I wouldn't hesitate to try another shade, though.) But it's very beautiful and natural, and your face doesn't get slick and greasy-looking with this formula. I use this when I just want a little bit of glow around the house, but then use it as a base for a little swipe of powder blush to go out (it actually helps powder blush stay on, too!).

Ferris & Sloane Double Ended Lipgloss (NEW SHADE!) $19: "Our lipglosses are back with brand-new components! You can even snap each gloss in and out so you can mix and match, or just take one half with you. Our new and improved double-ended lipglosses are available in our 15 original shades, plus six new duos.

Note: Our new shades: "ronald & cindy" and "lloyd & diane" are coming soon!"

Melissa Says: I've reviewed Tarte's double-ended gloss before, and these two shades are very light and sheer, with great staying power and shine.

Mona Lisa Eyeliner (NEW SHADE!) $18: "Think of your eyes as an artist's dream...the ultimate blank canvas. With our eyeliners in your hand, the possibilities are endless. Our super-creamy formula lets you smudge, shade and blend your way to a masterpiece (no MFA required)."

Melissa Says: I have green eyes, so I always hesitate to try any liner in any green, but this lovely teal-green actually makes my eyes stand out and look wide awake.

Overall Rating of Tarte's "Miss Fix-It" Line:

Go to www.tartecosmetics.com to buy "Miss Fix-It" items and more now.

“We started making plant derived aromatherapy products free from parabens, synthetic fragrance, sulfates, formaldehyde releasing preservatives, artificial dyes in 1997, after not being able to find alternatives to help our ailing family member, Mundo – the earth loving German Shepherd. As our company grew, so did the customer demand for new as natural as it gets products, hence we started to add products for people such as Vegan skincare, mineral makeup, hair care and fragrances made with certified organic or wild-crafted raw materials.

Our motto has always been about making a difference, being honest and creating products that are based on our way of life -- straightforward, honest and cruelty-free. We always want to make sure that our footprints match this very motto. So when we needed cosmetic brushes for our mineral makeup line, we walked the talk and created a brush line that did not put even one animal in harm in the name of beauty,” said Sevi Kay, Founder and main formulator for Mundo Botanica.

The new Sevi cosmetic brush line is created with 100% Taklon fibers that offer the perfect combination of softness and delivery. Each brush was designed to pick up color well and deliver a smooth makeup application.

Continue reading Hot Off the Press: Vegan Beauty Line Unveils Cruelty-Free Makeup Brushes.

Yazmo.com has just launched this new line of "high-quality, low-priced professional makeup cases" which now also come with the bonus of FREE UPS GROUND SHIPPING and shipment within 24 hours on business days. Looks like they have a pretty wide selection with good descriptions and high-quality detailed photos. Prices range from $39.95 - $169.95.