Count Me In

It's 12:59AM and I can't sleep so I thought I'd rattle off a quickie. Get your mind out of the gutter. What's on my mind? Weight. After spending a week beachside in Mexico with la familia, I hoped and prayed that no one would ask me when I was due. Yes, I had a baby --um, a year ago; and hello, what the hell is wrong with me, if I still have a good 40+ pounds to lose? OK, I'm fat. There, I said it. O-U-T-L-O-U-D! Tomorrow I'm going to start working out. No excuses- even if I only get 10 minutes a day- at least it's a start. Thank you to Shannon over at A Girl's Gotta Spa, who inspired me when she posted about the Body Wrap.

In the Brush

Brushes, combs and other styling utensils contribute their share of split-ends. Depending on the texture of your hair, different brushes work with certain hair types. Hybrid bristles brushes work smart on normal or even thick short hair. Thick to coarse hair calls for a nylon bristle brush. Because they apply excessive stress to the hair, wooden and metal combs are a no-no. As for a brush for all discerning hair types, the Mason Pearson, Popular Mixture, $135 keeps those split ends at bay. Budget hairistas can enjoy the same benfits, sans the price with Sonia Kaushka's, Bristle Hair Brush, $14.99. I recently purchased two, one for each of my girls "princess" brushes (story to follow) and dare I say, these are a very, very close second. If you are thinking about getting one, hurry, the website is already sold out, but your local Target store may still have one or two lingering.

Strange Obsession

Naturally, mango, basil, jasmine and a botanical musk are a unique obsession. For me, it was an inevitable addiction. As a perfume oil aficionado and an adorer of mild, docile fragrances, Tropical Vial, $185 by Strange Invisible Perfume was an obvious extension of my reserved but eccentric personality. But for some, it’s a summer scent. My husband calls the eau de parfum exotic and has an unusual fixation with it. I, often catch him smelling my clothes, rummaging through my medicine cabinet looking for the vial or gently stroking my neck with his nose for a whiff, of his strange obsession.

Good Enough To Eat

An eternal favorite of fabulous sexy songstresses such as Kylie Minogue, Gwen Stefani and Fergie, British made and worldwide available Jelly Pong Pong have served up another edible treat for bath time babes. Introducing Soap Popsicles, $10 by Jelly Pong Pong in lip smacking flavors of Neapolitan, Lolli-Choc and our personal favorite the Love Stick, the popsicles come complete with ice cream sticks, delicious bow detailing and a bite mark to show how deliciously irresistible they are. Concocted from kosher glycerin and saponified oils, the popsicles will cleanse, moisturize and melt away stress and are a perfect gift of a sweetie for your….well, sweetie!

Fake It To Make It This Party Season

From the surfing shores of Australia comes Sugarbaby, an ultra trendy range that is ready and available now in the US and Canada. Summer may be gone but it doesn’t mean your tan has taken a vacation. Oh la la this tan in a can makes you look like you stepped off the plane from a tropical holiday! It smells fantastic too and SugarBaby has some how managed to do the impossible – no smelly fake tan smell! The color is golden, it really doesn’t streak but do as the instructions say and give the can a really, really good shake before you commence your tanning regime. Golden Glamour, $18 is this winter’s party season must have product for sure!

Fashion Week Mayhem

Please excuse our absence- we've been in full Fashion Week frenzy mode. You can keep up with the hottest beauty trends from concept to creation this season; MAC Cosmetics has partnered with WWD.com to launch an exclusive beauty site during Fashion Week. This sub-site will provide daily beauty tips and trends on top runway shows from New York, London, Paris and Milan. Each featured show will have the runway shot, the Key Makeup Artist's inspiration, and detailed information about M.A.C products used backstage. Log-on and check it out. The site will also be active for 45 days after Fashion Week ends, as a continued reference.

Suds Above the Rest

If you don't have a bubble room or apothecary in your neck of the woods, head on over to Etsy.com, where you'll find a bevy of wonderful, handmade soaps. The selection is great and the prices are even better! Here are our three favorites...

You Stink Soap has a wonderful colorful confections of Large Fragrance Bars from Asian Plum, a blend of plum, orchid, daffodil, jasmine, musk and vanilla to French Vanilla Pear, the perfect match of french vanilla and sweet, ripe pear with a tiny touch of tartness- not too sweet or over scented.

Bath Life is devoted to soap doesn't contain synthetic ingredients. Believe us, your skin can tell the difference. We love, CloudBreak, the heady scents of summer sun and ocean waves. A fresh, crisp beachy fragrance that makes us want to pick up a good book, kick back and relax. And at three bucks for two ounces who can't afford to go on this vacation?

Head over to Mad City Sue. Priced at $4 a bar, you can afford to try a few. Go for the Rosemary Mint cold-pressed soap, it's TDF. Swirls of purple and teal float in a cocoa butter base and blended with peppermint and spearmint essential oils and a subtle touch of rosemary and creamy vanilla. For us, this bar is the perfect way to kick-star our early mornings. Although we heard her Whipped Sugar Scrubs are equally divine, they were temporarily on summer hiatus. They'll be back when the temperatures start to cool, so check back in a few weeks.

Soappy Love

Soappy Love creates something for everyone - from your little mudpie making neighbors to your fashionista girlfriend. Every item is wrapped and ready to give or display in your home. Of course, they're not just nice to look at. They lather up like crazy, smell delicious, and leave your skin feeling clean and pampered.

Just in time for Halloween, the Candy Corn Soapsicle, $10 smells like real candy corn candy. Guaranteed to make any ghost giggle, get one soon before they disappear.

Demo Soap

Located in Toronto, Canada Demo Soap features a bevy of unique, handmade glycerin soaps from traditional herbal scents like lavender and rose to my personal favorites, the 'fun gifts'. Packaged in cute take-out boxes, the Mint Chocolate Truffles, $12 look so authetentic one might be persuaded to take a tiny bite -just to make sure it's actually soap. Ditto for the Chocolate Dipped Strawberries, $12. The Rainbow Cupcake, $6 is a sweet-smelling, colorful creation that brought an instant smile to our face.

Bigss and Featherbelle

We love, love the bright, cheery packaging at Bigss and Featherbelle. The girls graciously sent over a collection of their soaps. The fresh and witty aromas are a sensory kalideoscope in the Mini Bar, $22. We popped the top and the room exploded with a confetti of fragrances. The box contains eight mini sampler soaps from the moisturizing Goodie Bar made with cocoa butter, goat's milk and vitamin e which left our skin silky smooth (no need for lotion) to the refreshing Polar Bar made with brisk peppermint and petit grain that severed as an instant wake-up call -even if it was only 5:30 am. This box is guaranteed to brighten your morning and get your day off to a wildly adventurous start.

Good, Clean Fun

A good bar of soap is among life's simple pleasures. Please friends, family and guests with fragrant, eye-candy soaps that delight the senses. This week we're featuring our favorite luxuriously unique, artisan designed soaps.

Put a little Zen in your shower, some 'Om' in your tub with Nancy Funk's beautifully hand crafted collection. Her meditating Buddha, $7 will give new meaning to your morning bathing ritual. Isn't cleanliness next to godliness? Her Red Lotus Spice Sumo Soap, $7 will not only put a smile on your face, but is sure to kick start your work week. Wrapped in a corn husk, the Tamale, Chili Pepper, and Salsa Soaps, $10, look so authentic; you'll have to keep them out of the kitchen. Beautifully photographed, Hapaculture stocks a array of clear-cut winners.

Peaches & Cream

Wading through an e-mail in-box flooded with press releases, we noticed that one of them looked personal, so we quickly double-clicked it. It was Tarte's new Peaches & Cream, $35, a *limited-edition*, velvety confection mineral foundation. Available in four oil-free shades from fair to tan, the SPF 20 foundation is chock full of skinvigoratins ingredients like vitamins, magnesium, potassium, sodium, zinc, and lysine to help protect skin. Our complexion looks bright and clear- we're up for seconds.

The Heat Is On

The temperature’s still sweltering here in Chicago, but if you are in parts of the country that are cooling off and miss the summer warmth, feel the heat with Dermalogica Multivitamin Thermafoliant, $42. This enzyme-powered body polish warms on contact while to smooths skin with anyhydous lactose granules and conditions with vitamins A, C and E. Also doubles as a results-driven mask to reduce the visibility of blackheads. I'm happy, I *hate* extractions.

Lychee Cocktail

Skingenic's Regenerating Moisturizer, $110 derives its effectiveness from a combination of rare and exotic antioxidants. Idebenone, the most powerful anti-oxidant available today is renowned for combating overexposed and aging skin. When combined with other antioxidants, such as green tea, kelp and fresh lychee fruit, this crème provides rich moisture that combats dry skin.

Skingenic utilizes divine natural elements native to the Southeast Asian region, such as the lychee fruit. Found exclusively in Skingenic, the lychee fruit is rich in anti-oxidants, vitamin C, potassium, and other age-defying elements. Skingenic extracts the essential essences from the fresh fruit and infuses it into moisture rich products. The Lychee Complex is found solely in Skingenic products and aids in delivering essential nutrients to the skin which improves the health, vitality and overall appearance of the complexion. The result? Firm, healthy skin. A 2007 Healthy Beauty Awards Winner, Self Magazine and we can see why.

Ruby Tuesday

German brand, Just Good For You, swirls extremely rare and one of the most valuable precious gemstones in nature, the ruby, into pure luxury for your body and soul. The new skin care line, Pearls-Rubies-Roses is formulated with actual freshwater pearls, rubies, jasper, jojoba, almond oil and the alluring fragrance of freshly cut wild roses and rosewood.

Since ancient times rubies have been known as one of the most beautiful and precious stones. To dream of rubies is to dream of success in business, money, and love. The sparkle and luminescence of rubies is said to be created by an inextinguishable fire in the heart of the stone.

We heart: Ruby Body Peeling, $89. Despite the ominous name, we couldn't wait to try this decadent body polish. Formulated to get your skin silky smooth and ready to bare all, this tantalizing scrub delivered a luxurious silky-smooth skin sensation. Keeping an open mind while focusing on sloughing away negative thought patterns and sadness, we emerged from the shower surprisingly light-hearted with a smile on our face. Coming soon to NYC's Henri Bendel.

Alchemically Correct

Talulah, is what beauty ought to be: natural. Free of parabens, phthalates, synthetics and petroleum, the pure, simple and healthy skincare line is jam-packed with organic botanicals and pure plant extracts. Packaged in stark, apothecary style packaging, the line exudes a down-home, rustic appeal. With so many delectable products to poor over, it was hard to single out a front-runner. After careful selection, we chose two: Vanilla Bean Cleanser and Wild Lime Hair Treatment.

Vanilla Bean Cleanser, $20 is a succulent vanilla bean infusion of organic sugar swirled in a lathering cleanser that's gentle enough for everyday use. One whiff is pure vanilla and lavender bliss, instantly relaxing our whirling mind. Perfect for our combination skin, it's designed to cleanse, clarify and smooth uneven complexions, leaving our lackluster skin fresh and glowing after one use.

Wild Lime Hair Treatment is a lightweight, fast-absorbing treatment for the hair is made with essential oils of thyme, lavender, oatstraw and comfrey to stimulate natural oil production and hydrate fine, fragile strands. Infused with a refreshly tart scent (hence the name) in a rich, lime green base of exotic oils, antioxidants, and vitamins Wild Lime Hair Treatment, $18 is ideal for giving hair loads of shine and softness.

Sudzz FX

I'm usually wash-and-wear, but an impromptu get together last night with a bunch of girlfriends had me reaching for the hairspray. Instead of my standard, Sebastian Shaper, I grabbed a bottle of the new LockUp, $17 by Suddz FX. This non-aerosol, tropical coconut scented hair spray is light on resins, but surprisingly strong on hold. This hairspray added soft definition, controlled my fly-aways and added subtle shine and control, all without the stiffness and stickiness commonly associated with other hair sprays. It's perfect for the big hair trend for fall; texture. According to Fashion Tribes, sleek, chic and low-maintenance are the buzz surrounding the season’s hottest locks. Just aim and spray.

Bling It On

If you’re the kind of girl that likes to have something that no one else has, read on. Originally titled, Bling It On, our recent post morphed into All That Sparkles after glitter twinkled in abundance.

The original theme, *bling* was revived after coming across a bedazzling beauty which deserves to be flaunted in it own right. Covered in your choice of -nineteen- swarowski colored crystals from aquamarine to tanzinite (our fav: rose), the Whish Crystal Body Brush, Full $180 or Demi, $105 is handmade in England especially for a woman’s shaving needs. This sparkling gem transforms Whish, Shave Crave, $32 into a rich, lush cream while gently exfoliating your skin. (I've getting -lots- of raves for the pomegranate). The result is a miraculously close and perefect shave. Bling it on, this one-of-a-kind accessory is sure to brighten up any bathroom.

All That Sparkles

Hard Candy, Bling Bling, $16 is unlike any other loose glitter product we’ve ever seen. Pretty pots of glitter with a plus: sizzling sparkle that comes with a base to keep it in place. Each of the five shades come in ingenius stacking pots containing one shade of glitter and two shades of base. Try nude, to create an invisible base or black, to create an unforgettable dazzling smoky eye.

The overflowing bling at Make Up For Ever is justification to let your creativity go w-i-l-d! Dazzle your face and body with sparkles, mulitcolored star confetti and our favorite, tiny jewels. Strauss, $25 are glue-on multi-colored crystals that add an abundance of drama and sparkle to any look.

Although the glue is not included (complete PIA), try Urban Apothecary's, Stuck Up Adhesive, $14. It's also great on sluggish straps and plunging necklines, Stuck Up works wonders with all that sparkles, glitters and glows. Or opt for their ranbowilicious line of glitter, Glitterazzi. Professional make-up artists use them and abuse them during fashion shows. For a sparkling veil over the face, body and hair, the $10 (and currently buy-one-get-one-free) shaker-top pots pack plenty of perfectly sized, fine sparklers in a mind boggling array of 24 marvelous, colorful shades. This is a great alternative to MAC's high-level Glitter, $16.50 which is currently only available in a single, solitary lonely shade of Reflects Blue.

MAC Smoke Signals

Seductive drama is in the air, especially with glamour riche having such a big influence on autumns trends. Smoky eyes are erotic, feminine and incredibly sexy envision sitting in a club, listening to great music, with smoke all around you and the intrigue and glamour that it evokes. No matter how intense the color, a smoky eye will always be soft and velvety. The key to the perfect smoky eye is to blend incredibly well. What you're aiming for is a controlled smudge. "There is definitely a smoky eye going on that is forever a classic, paired with a wonderful kind of neutral, fleshy mouth.”, says James Gager, Senior Vice President Creative Director at MAC. There is no smoke without fire.

Lipstick
Brew Creamy beige (lustre)
Barely Lit Pink sand with gold pearl (lustre)
Sparks Can Fly Creamy rose (frost)
Mellow Flame Warm coral pink with red pearl (lustre)
Burnin’ Rich wine (amplified)
Suggested Retail Price: $14.00 U.S./$16.50 CDN

Lipglass
Illicit Creamy neutral pink (cream)
Soft & Slow Soft rose with gold pearl (cream)
Bare Truth Warm caramel
Bizaarish Burgundy with pearl (frost)

Suggested Retail Price: $14.00 U.S./$16.50 CDN

Eye Shadow X4
Gentle Fume Eyes: 4
Rondelle Light silver with white pearl (matte)
Carbon (R) Intense black (matte)
Gentle Fume Cool midtone grey with silver sparkle (velvet)
Waft Deep blue grey (matte)

Smoking Eyes: 4
Next to Nothing Creamy white with pink pearl (frost)
Smoking Black with gold (velvet)
Showstopper Light muted grey (matte)
Satin Taupe Taupe brown with silvery bronze shimmer (frost)
Suggested Retail Price: $36.00 U.S./$43.00 CDN

Kohl Power
An eye pencil clenched in black wood and specially formulated with carbon black (read the blackest black). The formula provides a full and intense opaque coverage combined with duo-chrome pearl to give a dramatic look. It can be easily blended or smudged to create a variety of powerful looks.
Orpheus Intense black with gold pearl (frost)
Raven Intense black with red pearl (frost)
Suggested Retail Price: $13.50 U.S./$16.00 CDN

Powder Blush
Ablaze Deep dirty coraly rose
Emote Grey brown (matte)
Suggested Retail Price: $17.50 U.S./$21.00 CDN

Pigment
Silver Fog Metallic midtone dirty silver
Smoke Signal Rusty deep maroon
Dark Soul Charcoal black smoked with gold
Suggested Retail Price: $19.50 U.S./$23.50 CDN

Nail Lacquer
Wildfire Black with red pearl (cream)
Nocturnelle Rich black (cream)
Suggested Retail Price: $10.00 U.S./$12.00 CDN

Smoke Signals is available beginning August 23, 2007 at all MAC locations and maccosmetics.com

MAC Blue Storm

A sky full of mystery and intrigue, a turbulent condition is brewing on the horizion. MAC's latest release, Blue Storm, decended directly from the atmosphere. Breathtakingly brilliant shades of blue give way to enchanting shades of overcast grey which form a cloudly mist as the skies finally give way.

Lipglass
Lightning White silver sparkle (frost)
Lull Pink lilac (frost)
Atmospheric Rich grape with red and gold pearl (frost)
Suggested Retail Price: $14.00 U.S./$16.50 CDN

Eyeshadow
Blue Storm Cool royal blue with blue and silver pearl (frost)
Stormwatch Deep teal (matte)
Thunder Rich blue with purple pearl (frost)
Cumulus Creamy grey with silver pearl (frost)
Cloudburst Black with blue pearl (velvet)

Suggested Retail Price: $14.00 U.S./$16.50 CDN

Kohl Power
Feline Rich black (frost)
Mystery Rich black with green and teal pearl (frost)
Suggested Retail Price: $13.50 U.S./$16.00 CDN

Zoom Lash
Zoomblack (R) Rich Black
Suggested Retail Price: $11.00 U.S./$13.00 CDN

Nail Lacquer
Whirlwind Metallic royal blue with green, blue and purple pearl (frost)
Rainy Day Metallic gunmetal grey with lilac pearl (frost)
Suggested Retail Price: $10.00 U.S./$12.00 CDN

Blue Storm is available beginning August 23, 2007 at all MAC locations and maccosmetics.com

Trend: Supernatural

Bare faced beauty is always a hit on the runways and this season is no different. Sephora reports, beauty has a supernatural flair this season. The look in fact, is so widespread, that companies such as Urban Apothecary incorporated the trend permanently into their array of mineral makeup products, aptly named Supernatural years ago. The result: a line-up of unshakable best sellers. The guise: neutral shades to accent facial structure, brows are penciled, cheeks are dramatized and lids are monotone.

Glow Getter

Working nine to five, but you want to look like you've actually been to the beach this summer. For an instant, but subtle 'tan', try a multi-hued powder.

Laura Gellar's Bronze-N-Brighten, $28. puts away the pale and bring out a beautiful bloom with our magically transforming powder. This oil-free silken powder is fortified with skin supporting antioxidants and light-reflecting, wrinkle-hiding, minerals so you look divine sans the damage. Burnish your whole face, or use just a little to look lit from within.

Drink Your Way to Perfect Skin

In today's health and wellness conscious world, beverages and skin care are being increasingly linked. A new trend in upscale markets, Sephora, the perfumery chain, owned by LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton will unveil a new, in-store concept featuring nutritional supplements and drinks. Sephora in France plans to offer up a consulting nutritionist who will create beauty regimens combining nutritional supplements and drinks as well as skin care for a total health program. If it works, the good-for-you concept could roll into America, too. The Sephora department consists of a healthy beauty bar stocking 10 brands of nutritional supplements and drinks. The lineup includes Fushi, Dr. Perricone and Dr. Murad, plus the house brand called 24H Slimming Program.

Leading the pack is a line of 'drink your way to perfect skin' beverages from Borba. At the core of the eponymous line are a half-dozen zero-calorie waters, rendered murky with pulverized vitamins, extracts and other ingredients designed to improve your complexion. When Borba launched last spring, Fred Segal Beauty sold more than 3,000 bottles in two weeks. Sephora stores often run out of the sweets, Jelli and Gummi Boosters. Expensive? 14 8-ounce bottles cost $35; a bag of 275 jellybeans is $25. Yes, but Borba is convinced that their clientel doesn't have a problem spending on new technologies and premium products, as long they see that it's effective.

They might be onto something... Not far behind, Coca-Cola and L'Oreal are working on a beauty elixir called Lumae to improve the skin. Whole Foods has been merchandising beauty and supplements side by side for many years. Another new concept is Danone's Essensis, vitamin-rich yogurt positioned as an oral beauty supplement. Mmm, now if only I could get my Botox in my morning latte. Starbucks are you listening? Make mine a Grande, proto!

Fall Makeup Trends

Crowns abound, while highly defined and lined eyes clearly are center stage as we head into fall.

Christian Dior beauties, Flavia De Oliveira and Anna Chyzh winked the catwalk with retro lined lids, dramatically contrasting pale skin with matte, metallic luminoisty.

The graceful, Valerya Melnik sasayed in Elie Saab with ultra matte nude lips and skin paired with glam kohl-colored liner and unmbigious grey shadow.

Kinga Rajzak for Christian Dior -captured the season's biggest trends in eyes of etherieal blue, a violet flush and healthy, stained lips. Style mavens take note, we are going to be seeing lots of violet blush.

I'm forecasting vast violet flush for Fall. When paired with rose stained lips and smokey eyes, this is a fresh take on color that everyone can enjoy. Dont agree with me? Annieytown of Blogdorf Goodman, presented the beauty trends from Christian Dior's Fall 2007 Couture Collection and concurs. Keep an eye on how these makeup trends continue to translate from runway to reality.

Lining your eyes doesn't have to be a 'cat'astrophea. e-How's fashion and style expert, Audie Metcalf has a step by step on how to create a flawless Cat-Eye.

Daily Indulgence Pumpkin Conditioner

Beauty products are increasingly moving away from artificial ingredients and turning to nature. Sexy Hair Concepts has released the latest addition to their Healthy Sexy Hair with a fresh harvest from the pumpkin patch. Daily Indulgence Pumpkin Conditioner, $16 features a natural enzymatic action that renews, rehydrates; and adds shine to all hair types, including natural to chemically treated hair. The conditioner is packed with pumpkin enzymes and moisturizing fatty acids packed with panthenol to combat oxidative and free-radical damage. Plus vitamins A, C and E to promote healing, stimulate circulation and provide nourishment to the hair while protecting tresses from environmental stressors.

If you can't get enough of the delicious scent, try Sexy Hair Bath and Body. Not only is the line fragranced with the scrumptious smell of spicy pumpkin, it's also packed with pumpkin nutrients that provide moisture balance, replenishment and protection. Pumpkin is also a naturally rich source of antioxidants that help decrease oxidation and fight free radical stress. It also includes natural UV protectors and Vitamins A, C and E.

Treat yourself to a feast of the senses, while giving your body a healthy treat, with Sexy Hair Bath and Body!

Alison Raffaele

Alison Raffaele products are enriched with vitamins A, C, and E, plus green tea to help protect and regenerate the skin; aloe, to calm and soothe; and seaweed extract, to firm the skin. Created by founder and director, Alison Raffaele, who was Bobbi Brown's first National Makeup Artist and International Trainer, Raffaele created her own cosmetics line, Skin in 2000, and the collection has blossomed.

We Love: The Tinted Moisturizer, $35, a protective, firming, oil-free moisturizer, with mineral based SPF 15. Available in five yellow-based shades, including Natural, which is colorless on all skin tones, and may be used alone or under makeup; Light, for fair complexions; Light Medium, for fair to medium complexions; Medium, for medium to medium golden complexions; and Dark, for deep golden to deep golden brown complexions.

The products, which contain titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, are said to provide a natural, physical barrier against UVA/UVB rays; with an SPF 15. The mineral-based sunscreen system is contained in a tinted moisturizer that is not tacky, doesn;t smell, and, according to the company, unlike some titanium and zinc-based sunscreens, does not turn white or ashy on even the deepest skin tones.

I NUOVI Launch

I NUOVI, Asia's favorite fashionable makeup line favored by industry professionals and stars such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Cherlize Theron and Renee Zellweger, has officially entered the North American Market.

The product line contains an plethora of cosmetics including the best selling Studiolash, an advanced 3D polymer mascara, $21 and Colours, $16 a rainbow of pigments that serve as both shadows and blushers. Each product is fragrance-free, contains no animal derivatives and never gets tested on animals.

Shopping fever is definitely in the air! So join in the fun and help I NUOVI celebrate their launch - and indulge in some much-needed shopping therapy. Only for a limited period, from today to the end of August, I NUOVI is offering Beauty Buffet Subscribers a luxurious 4-pc Gift Set which includes a limited edition Boogie Bag in pink and 3 sizzling Nailglass shades in Goldfinger, Walnut and Topaz with any $100 purchase at http://www.inuovi.com/.

Shimmering Defense

Answer a quick questionnaire and the Redken Hair Recommender will help you get luscious locks. Their newest product, UV Rescue, Shimmering Defense, $9 is perfect for summer. The shiny, mica-infused shield helps protect hair from color degradation and the drying effects of sun, sea and pool. Now you can defend and replenish sun-stressed hair with glamour, radiant shine. Simply apply to damp or dry hair and leave-in. Hair is renewed, re-energized and shimmers with dimensional shine.

MAC in 3D

Introducing the new MAC in 3D collection. It's already online and scheduled to hit MAC counters today. Most stores have the entire range displayed already and some (like mine) are even sold out of a few shades (Wondershine, Synched Up, Optical, Apex, Energy)- bummer!

Lip gloss fans everywhere will enter a new dimension in lip gloss. The new smoothing cellophane 3D Glass, $14 lipgloss has immediate super shiny, long lasting finish. The gloss has a comfortable lightweight balmy feel, a sort of gel infused with aloe and vitamins A,C & E which helps soothe and moisturize lips. A unique combination of Xirona pearls and extreme glass shine gives lips a three dimensional look. The images do not capture how glossy and iridescent these glosses are- brilliant!

• Racy: Sheer cherry red with pink and red pearl
• IN 3D: Sheer peachy pink with blue pearl
• Optical: Warm caramel brown with pink pearl
• Synched Up: Creamy tan with pink and white pearl
• Energy: Sheer baby pink with white and pink pearl
• Algorithm: Sheer dusty rose with light pink pearl
• Touchpoint: Sheer blue mid-tone pink with blue pearl
• Lightswitch: Sheer metallic pink with white pearl
• Backlit: Soft white gold with yellow and white pearl
• Wondershine: Warm tangerine with gold and red pearl
• Apex: Sheer orange with green pearl
• Boundless: Intense pinky red with soft blue pearl

Lipglass Pencil, $13.50 is a sheer lip pencil specially formulated to be used with M·A·C lipgloss and lipstick for a superior glossy effect to the lips. This innovative texture was developed using specially formulated filming polymers for adherence, superior wearability and luminosity. I have to admit, this is one of the first lip pencils that did not fizzle away after an hour. The sheer formula does not interfere with the look, texture or application of lipgloss, it just enhances the look. If you are looking for a naturally defined lip, this pencil offers luminous transparency and a hint of pigment for a super glossy, non-feathering effect in a myrid of shades.

• Red Stroke: Sheer cherry red
• Pink Edge: Sheer soft mid-tone pink with white pearl
• Fuchsia Lining: Sheer pink berry
• Brickmate: Rich bronze brown with gold pearl
• Part Nude: Sheer dirty plum-brown
• Neutralzone: Warm caramel with gold pearl
• Coral Craze: Sheer mid-tone orange
• Plum Mate: Sheer plum
• Rosebound: Sheer soft neutral pink with gold pearl

Skin Food

Sometimes you need to cool off without taking it all off. Cooling Pearl Spray from Skin Food, a cosmetics brand that uses food like black sesame, rice and cucmber to create delicious and effective recipes for your face and body

Cooling Pearl Spray, $12 is a unique, sheer coverage body spray that imparts a soothing, cooling sensation on contact (thanks to an infusion of cucumber and aloe extracts), coupled with a sexy sheen. The molten metal-like metallic shades will rock your world! Metallic pigments in silver or golod spray on easily for long-wearing, sexy, sheer color that steals the spotlight.

Skin Tight

Quickly alleviate ingrown lumps and bumps with Flawless Bump Fighter, $22.50 by Whish. The seriously smoothing solution (read no sting) of hydroxy acids and antioxidant actives, solves any cosmetic problem related to hair removal. Men can use it on their face, neck and back of the head while women find it useful on legs, bikini line, underarms and anywhere else hair removal causes those ugly bumps and ingrown hairs. Now you can hit the beach at your bare-able best.

Ready, Wet, Go!

WET, Water Embodied Therapy spa-quality products will cleanse, soften, replenish and moisturize your skin. The collection combines soothing nutrients like vitamin E, aloe vera and mood-shifting lavender oil, which help de-stress your body and mind.

Caffeine Fix

If you are in need of a caffeine pick-me-up, skip the coffee shop and give your body a rush with Body Coffee. Serving up decadently scented, skin-smoothing products Stephka Profitt, the brains behind the brand, uses actual coffee in every one of her creations; from the energizing Body Oil, $22 to the hydrating Body Balm, $12. My personal favorite is the invigorating Body Polish, $35, in which coffee granules are blended with peppermint, spearmint, rosemary and orange oils into a delicious body scrub. Especially good as a wake-up call for drowsy mornings, this decadent blend provides an invigorating massage while you breathe in the intoxicating scent.

Some experts contend that the coffee bean has a litany of benefits – including improved circulation and cell turnover. Did you realize coffee is also known as a free radical scavenger, a gentle exfolliant, an effective astringent and a UVA/UVB protector as well as a great cleanser? Me either! I can tell you, your skin will glow with renewed radiance. Forget about the tall, double shot, no-foam lattes and get your caffeine fix with Body Coffee.

Get Cheeky

If matte powder blushes feel heavy or look too made-up for summertime, opt for a gel or creme blush. The deeper the pigment, the less you'll have to use. Just blend a tiny bit on the apples of your cheeks with fingertips.

My Favorites:
Stila, Color Push Ups, $24. The oil-free, sheer gel formula is great for summer and gives cheeks a barely-there flush.

100% Pure, Fruit Pigment Lip & Cheek Stain, $15. These natural, pigment rich color stains perform double duty as a lip stain and cheek blush. Shades are easy to blend and leave a beautiful, dewy sheen.

Nature Goes Hi-Tech

Nature goes hi-tech! Our favorite, high power, luxury green products of the future are all chockfull of organic active ingredients and free of petrochemicals. These lines take a preventative approach rather than a "turn back the clock" approach. The easy-to-use products work synergistically, to give your skin everything it needs, and absolutely nothing it doesn't. Simply proving you don't need a fancy box to be naturally beautiful.

Toting the tag, clean, bio active skincare, Ren delivers good-for-you ingredients that get results. Guerande Salt Exfoliating Body Balm, $37 is a gently exfoliating body balm which removes dead cells and will leave your skin moisturized, renewed and glowing. It contains mineral rich Guerande Sea Salt and a moisturising and toning blend of Olive, Basil and Peppermint Oils.






Founded in 1851 in New York City, Kiehl's remains true to its founder's philosophy, blending the best of botanicals and technology for a unique, remarkably effective line. Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado, $24.00 is a creamy blend of vitamin A, fatty acids and avocado oil that gently moisturizes the delicate eye area. The unique, concentrated texture won't migrate into your eyes either.

Leaf & Rusher skincare products combine botanical and marine extracts with the newest and most scientifically advanced pharmaceuticals from laboratories across the globe to deliver maximum results. Active Serum, $115 is Leaf & Rusher's signature product specially formulated to dramatically improve the skin's tone, texture and firmness. A light, velvety serum, it contains stable of Vitamin A (a retinol) and Vitamin C, both of which become active when they contact the moisture and enzymes in the skin to visibly reduce lines and discoloration, encouraging firmer skin.

Discover Spa Cinq Mondes, a selection of the best aromatherapy, beauty, and massage treatments inspired by five great ancestral cultures. Inspried by a beauty ritual from Bali, Indonesia, Elixir Precieux Eclat, $65 is radiance for the skin. A powerful concentrate of 100% vegetable oils, rich in essential fatty acids, Omega 3 and Omega 6. This unique association of candlenut oil and papaya oil is used for beautiful skin.

Malin + Goetz, the New York apothecary and lab simplifies skin and hair care for even the most sensitive skin. Mojito Soap Set, $30 like all of their products, this pairing is a symbolic balance between natural and technological ingredients. The iconic graphic packaging makes everything a wonderful gift.

The experience of pregnancy is like no other. Basq, set out to create effective and beautiful skin care that addresses the unique skin care needs during pregnancy. Hallaleyah! Ease the extra fatigue that pregnancy brings with Soothing Foot Relief, $19.50. This cooling, revitalizing lotion—the perfect relief for tired, aching feet. A revitalizing blend of green tea, eucalyptus, cucumber, aloe vera, and menthol helps alleviate swelling and aching. The refreshing lavender scent offers up a slight tingling that imparts a cooling sensation.

These candles have three self trimming wicks and offer 60 hours of delicious burning time. Think.......what can you do in 60 hours? Select the menu, uncork a bottle, cook a romantic dinner, bathe, change and look devine every night for a month and this candle will still be burning up way more than the room. Beautifully outrageous is the only way to describe all these scents. Must inhale to be believe. Burn's Fresh Green Apple Candle, $35 is reminiscent of reading a very long book in a swaying hammock. A relaxing blend of Verbena Leaf, Pippin Apple, Starfruit, Fuji Apple, & Apple Blossom.

DuWop Summer Collection

DuWop’s Summer 2007 Beauty Collection, Feed Your Face, offers an enticing menu of fresh, uplifting color and texture for the eyes, cheeks, lips, and face. The delectable assortment features products packed with skin enhancing ingredients that nourish as they beautify.

Inspired by the balance of well-being and beauty, the Feed Your Face Collection includes formulas of the highest quality and ingredients with wholesome properties.


Duets
The fresh, color-coordinated shadows can be used wet or dry. The soothing, harmonious shades were inspired by the relaxing properties of tea. While I'd love to brighten my eyes up a bit with the likes of the preppy spring pink and baby leaf green Delilah, my daily dose of Macchiato creates the perfect smoky eye that's sweet enough for the daytime and rich enough for night. $22.

Realipsticks
Yet another take on the classic lipstick. Named after four Hollywood beauties, these full coverage hues are packed with the most modern ingredients and natural sun protection. Simply a lipstick with a new name. $18.

Blushbooster
A blush that boosts the color of your cheeks while nourishing the skin with antioxidants. Four powder shades that can be worn alone or layered. $22.

Smoothset
Launching with only three shades, Smoothset is a luxurious powder perfectly paired with a soothing, pore minimizing face balm. One handy compact minimizes pores, smoothes the complexion and eliminates shine and discoloration. What more could a girl want? $32.

Elixrstix
My favorite of the bunch, I love the cheerful, yet not too spunky shades. While a tad bit expensive for my taste, the gloss provides gorgeous, sheer color while stimulating the senses with delicious tonics for healthy, beautiful lips. El.ix.ir's are delicious fruit and herb beverages formulated according to the principles of traditional Chinese medicine (notion of wellness and preventative care). Mmmm, it can't hurt to try , right?

It seems Feed Your Face has everything you need to capture gorgeous radiance using modern products with a wholesome twist.

Quick Tan Towelettes

Like a mini-vacation all in a little packet. Pretend you're on a tropical island, wipe on the sun with your neatly packaged towelette and come out with a natural bronzed body. They say doing it in the buff is the best way! Get your glow on, with just one towelette, your entire body can look flawlessly tanned without the harrmful effects from the sun. And yes, some bodies (like mine post-pregnancy) take ahem, two towelettes.

TanTowel Plus Self Tanning Towelette, $24.00 10 pack. These wipes have all of the same benefits as the original, TanTowel and contain these added ingredients: DHA- a self-tanning agent, Transcutol CG, a solvant for DHA penetration and Erythrulose, a color accelerator for a faster, deeper and darker natural look.

Aloha! Forget the messy self tanning creams and sprays! With one swipe of the Comodynes, Self Tanning towelettes, $15 you will see a gradual deepening in approximately two hours. Larger and thicker than most, these remind me of diaper wipes.

Already a well known beauty craze throughout Europe, Bronze-Age the Self Tanning Towels, $15 are luxuriously convenient sunless tanning towelettes. Although I have not tried these myself, many readers swear by the perfect all natural looking, sun-kissed tan in minutes. No mess guaranteed, simply wipe dress and go! Superior sunless tanning has never been easier.

One of the golden rules of self-tanning is to exfoliate thoroughly to remove dead skin cells before application. Failure to do so could result in an uneven tan that fades fast. Whoops, you goofed! If you've been there, done that, I highly recommend Modelco's Tan Remover, $14.00. This concentrated exfoliating formula consists of fine micro-salt particles that dissolve the self-tan when massaged in a circular motion into the skin. A body scrub with benefits, Tan Remover contains the nourishing extracts of vitamin e that moisturises the hands and body, leaving your skin silky smooth and hydrated. And of course, it is colored in sexy ModelCo pink!

In Memoriam Meri Kay Carpenter

I wanted to dedicate my post today to my wonderful mother-in-law, Meri Kay Carpenter. Sadly, she passed away on Tuesday, July 10, 2007. As you may (or may not) know from my post on July 2 regarding Couture for Cancer, Meri was recently diagnosed with a progressive from of esophageal cancer. She passed away from a complication of this disease. She was an amazing woman who will be forever missed, but will always remain in my heart. Love you, Meri! I want to thank everyone for all of your kind words and prayers. I'll leave you guys with a pictures of her with grandchildren, Brooklyn and Haileigh (my daughters) who were the light of her life,; and one of her favorite sayings: "We are all one winged angels, and it is only together we can fly.”

Grandma Meri & Haileigh, July 8, 2007

Grandma & Brooklyn, May 19, 2007

MAC: Flashtronic

One last MAC post for awhile, I promise! Launching this fall, MAC melds minerals with illuminating, soft yet electric shades to fashion Flashtronic.

Slow-baked to perfection, the six shimmering, multi-hued, limited edition eye shadows and light-infused SkinFinish are perfect accents for Fall’s warm, natural palette. Dash. Flash. Flare. Polish your pucker with four, new impeccable shades of high-reflective Lipglass. The look: reflective shimmer.

Available September 27, 2007 at all M·A·C locations, 1.800.387.6707 and http://www.maccosmetics.com/

Lipglass, $14.00

• Perfectly Pink Creamy mid-tone pink (cream)
• Flashtronic Caramel bronze with subtle gold pearl (cream)
• Young Spark Neutral pink with subtle gold pearl (cream)
• Electro-Lush Creamy blue pink (cream)

Mineralize Eye Shadow, $14.00

• By Jupiter Light taupe with beige and deep brown veining (frost)
• Tectonic Yellow gold with lime green, warm brown and black veining (frost)
• Ether Deep aqua with silver, black and gold veining (frost)
• Mercurial Yellow gold with lilac and chestnut veining (frost)
• Lovestone Raspberry with wine and copper veining (frost)
• Quarry Sky blue with olive, coral and beige veining (frost)

Mineralize Skinfinish, $24.50

• Northern Light Mid-tone pink with rust and grey brown veining
• Gold Spill Pink peach with warm brown and cream pearl
• Global Glow Mid-tone brown with gold pearl

Tunu Elastik Hairspray

The rare, protein-rich, Tunu rubber extract in Ojon Tunu Elastik Felible Finishing Hairspray adds luscious body, moveable bounce and touable hold to lifeless hair. Tunu's flexible isoprene polymer chains enhance elasticity. It's exclusive to QVC and is apparently sold out.

However, it is available in the Ojon 5-pc. Restore, Hydrate & Hold Hair Ritual Kit, $120 on sale for $60. This kit contains rare, wildcrafted natural ingredients from the remote tropical rain forests of Central America and the Amazon that have been hidden for centuries. All products are enriched with 100% pure Ojon oil. Otherwise, check out eBay for individual 9oz bottles.

MAC: Novel Twist + Rush Metal

Two new collections transition M•A•C fans into summers end. The lustred shades, finished in fashionable matte shine style, glow early Fall on eyes, cheeks, and lips. Novel Twist and Rush Metal are scheduled to hit the counters, July 19 and July 20, 2007 respectively.

Novel Twist; swirls, bends, loops and in the spirit and design of menswear stripped fabric. A stark contrast from the linear dynamic classics, this stylishly coordinated line flaunts the decorative skills of haute couture. Popping up on supermodel notables, from Linda, Naomi, and Amber to Gisele, the colors are ravishing in a wayward twist of dimensional, hand-embroidered threads.

The lip compacts, $22.50 sport a rich trio of colors in shades of pink or plum, while the coordinatiing compacts for the eyes highlight five shades in a choice of warm and cool. The Novel Twist brush set includes five popular makeup brushes and is a must-have for a mere $48.00. Pack everything into the chic, textured 3x3x3 cubes for understated style. This limited edition collection sends the imagination for a loop with luxurious, extravagantly realized palettes.

Novel Twist Lipglass, $14.00

• Springly Freshwater oyster pink (frost)
• Gadabout Mid-tone yellow pink with white pearl (frost)
• Spree Pink Champagned Taupe (cream)
• Wander Sheer Chocolate Brown (cream)

Novel Twist Paint Pots, $14.00
This innovative formula feels like a cream shadow and lasts for hours with no creasing, caking, or transfer. Its skin-like adhesion allows formula to build seamless coverage without heaviness or caking. A new combination of waxes allows superior blendability and spreadability. This new formula is easy to apply, blend and mix with M•A•C shadows and liners. Superior color vibrancy & intensity. I can't wait to try these and am hoping they won't dry out too quickly...

• Stray Grey Grey mauve (cream)
• Pinterly Nude beige (cream)
• Delft Deep teal with gold pearl (frost)
• Stringalong Warm mid-tone brown (cream)
• Artifact Dark burgundy with red pearl (frost)
• Indianwood Metallic antique bronze (frost)

Novel Twist Powder Blush, $17.50

• Whim Bluish soiree pink (satin)
• Out of Bounds Neutral mid-tone brown (satin)

Novel Twist Beauty Powder, $22.00

• Softdew Neutral brown rose
• Sun Twist Warm peach

The alchemy of gold is transformed and then manipulated by M·A·C artistry into the next wave of metallic glam. Eight limited edition pigments and four lipsticks radiate the power, glory and versatility of this precious metal. Each shade is expertly finished to reflect the dynamic, gold tinged trace-color. A phenomenal sight to behold, feel the rush with Rush Metal.

Rush Metal Lipstick, $14.00

• Thrills Rosy copper with gold pearl (frost)
• Frenzy Soft muted pinky-peach beige with golden shimmer (frost)
• Soft Lust Tan with white pearl (lustre)
• Fast Lane Mauve with silver pearl (lustre)

Rush Metal Pigment, $19.50

• Rushmetal Rich copper sparkle
• Revved-up Icy rose with reflects
• Gold Mode Tan gold
• Mauvement Cool taupe with gold pearl
• Off The Radar Warm orange with gold sparkle
• Copperized Olive green with gold pearl
• Quick frost Creamy white with soft green pearl
• Cocomotion Dirty gold with olive undertone and gold sparkle (my personal fav)

Police Rock Wrigley

Sorry for the late post today! My dH surprised me with tickets (15th row, center none-the-less) to the The Police concert last night. Billed as one of the biggest acts to hit the summer tour circuit, the newly reunited Police marked the second set of their two sold-out concerts at Wrigley Field on a beautifully warm Friday night in Chicago.

Looking down from the VIP bleaches behind the stage, lead singer Sting, looking remarkably fit at age 55. The rock star himself smiling from below, blew us a kiss before heading on stage to rock Wrigley. Sting still possess a vigorously strong voice that meshes well with Stewart Copeland's percussions and Andy Summers' rhythmic beats over the 20-song show featuring almost all their classic hits, including my top three: "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic," a reggae-infused "Don't Stand So Close To Me" and a stretched-out jam version of "Roxanne." Police fans undoubtedly were pleased by a reunion some 23 years in the making. Thanks for a great night dH, just like old times! One that I'm not sure you, me and all three members of the band will ever again get to experience.

Stay tuned for new MAC launches posting this weekend...

Beauty 911

My color treated hair is becoming brittle. What can you recommend to combat this?

PureOlogy NanoWorks Restorative Hair Treatment, $50 fortfies color-treated hair from the inside out. Complete with chamomile, soy proteins and avocado lipds, this deep treatment strengthens hair and maintains vibrant color. Moisturizing avocado butter and pistaschio butter combined with Nano Technology offers ultimate penetration of active ingredients for 3X strengthening performance. Anti-Aging Complex restores hair to its youthful condition. AntiFadeComplex provides the ultimate in color protection.

Yu-Be

Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream, Japan's best selling medicated, vitamin-enriched skin cream for generations, is nearing its 50th birthday, and is no longer a Japanese "secret." The brand is selling out in new retail locations as consumers around the world discover why Yu-Be has been trusted by generations of Japanese families.

Indie etailer, Beautyofasite began selling Yu-Be exclusively in the US in 2004, where it has continued to generate significant sales. Yu-Be's heritage, as well as its unique and effective formula, has also made it a hit down-under. Australia's chic Mecca Cosmetica just started stocking Yu-Be. Their customers have embraced the simple concept of one skincare product, for the whole body and the entire family. Perhaps the demand for high-quality Japanese products is greatest in France, which sets the trends for Europe and internationally.

According to Matthew Graham, CMO, Yu-Be. "The initial success that Yu-Be is experiencing internationally confirms that our expansion strategy is well founded. Generations of Japanese families have used it to moisturize, heal and treat all their skin needs. Early indicators suggest that the rest of the world is eager to take advantage of what used to be Japan's soft skin secret."

Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream, $15, Japan's soft skin secret, is the number one selling, medicated, vitamin-enriched skin cream in Japan. If you get a chance, try it. The slightly medicinal scent may throw you for a loop at first, but it dissipates quickly. The ointment turned cream quickly seeps into skin, leaving nothing but soft, moisturized skin. It's perfect for summer feet since Yu-Be really soothes and heals severely dry, cracked heels.

I'll Try Anything Once

Double post today. I couldn't sleep last night after chatting with my friend Shannon who blogs for A Girl's Gotta Spa -highly recommended. Shannon has a distinguished, down-to-earth writing style and as a mom of four boys, newborn included, I'm in awe of her multi-tasking abilities.

After chatting about how many samples we receive, try once and store away (we couldn’t actually toss anything), what’s a girl to do? Yes, our friends and family revel in all the freebies, but one can only use so much. Ladies, what can we do with the samples? We’ve slathered the foundation, smeared the gloss and rubbed the bronzer, once, maybe a few times at best. Ideas anyone?

Oh, and BTW, if you missed the MAC chat with Eve and her personal makeup artist, JJ, you can check out the transcript here.

Couture for Cancer

A cause that's close to my heart, Couture for Cancer, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization that donates custom made, non-surgical hair replacement systems completely free of charge, to any person suffering hair loss due to cancer and chemotherapy treatments.

Their mission is to assist cancer patients during this difficult time in their life by boosting their self-confidence and personal outlook after the devastating loss of their hair. Through both private and public donations, combined with the proceeds from the sale of their clothing line and haute pink Iron Out Cancer tourmaline, ceramic-ionic flat iron that sells for $160, they are having an enormous, direct impact on people living with cancer, nationwide.

Salon Owner & Visionary, Mario Mazza is the brains and braun behind Couture for Cancer. His mission: change the outlooks of those who suffer from hair loss due to chemotherapy. Mario has been a colorist for celebrities and high-powered professionals for the past five years at his salon, MazzaRock, in Jupiter, Florida. His intense passion and creativity inspired him to create Couture for Cancer. You rock, Mario!

Stay turned, my mother-in-law, Meri a breast cancer survivor was recently diagnossed with stage 4 esophageal cancer. She just submitted an application, so hopefully we'll be off to visit Mario soon. Check back for before and after shots.

For more information or to make a donation, please visit http://www.coutureforcancer.org/ .

Staying Power

Sun spirits revitalized. Your aura, electric, dynamically tan. Recharge your inner and outer beauty with MAC's latest launch, Sun Strip. Be boldly brazen in Studio Mist Foundation, $28.50, electrify your complexion with Bronzing Powder, $20, in muted golden tan-beige with golden shimmer and go fabulously faux, sun charged this summer.

Water power, a healthy cocktail for skin, Charged Water, $19.00 is a natural mineral mocktail combining diamond powder from Brazil and caffeine infuse skin with energy that revitalizes skin’s radiance and vitality. The charge of the diamonds instantly shifts skin’s energy level allowing the mineral rich water to penetrate and rejuvenate skin easily.

Renewal Defense mixes Rhodochrosite from Argentina, and Salicylic Acid combine to protect skin fromthe environment and renew it to a healthy, more hydrated condition. Packed with anti-oxidants, its peach-toned hue is imparted by the rhodochrosite itself. Its aroma, is a gentle blend of grapefruit mandarin.

Youth Aura, fused with vital ions derived from copper naturally distilled from malachite then fused with amino acids. In essence a skin-reviving formula that renews the skin with life and vigour. Its color – a calm blue naturally imbued by the copper itself. Its aroma, bergamot violet.

Revitalizing Enegry mixes vital ions from a diamond and instilled with a spirit-lifting therapeutic aroma, then delivered to the skin in the soothing aura of a revitalizing hydrating mist. Like its source – a diamond – on application it makes the skin feel clear, sparkling, pure and energized. Its aroma, a blend of green tea and citrus.

SPF Booster Shot

In response to my post yesterday, a reader -thanks Sydnee- sent in a great product suggestion, If you are devoted to your favorite lotion, there's no need to change. A drop of Dermalogica’s Solar Defense Booster, $33 instantly adds broad spectrum protections to any product. Mix into your favorite lotion, bronzer or foundation for quick, SPF coverage on the double.