It Makes Scents for David Beckham

October 3, 2011

Soccer star. Sex symbol. Father and husband. Friend of Prince William. And now, fragrance maestro. David Beckham just released Homme, a woody, gently spiced new fragrance for men that encapsulates his spirit.

 

At its launch inLos Angelesat an exclusive bash atop the Thompson Hotel, one of the world’s handsomest men mingled with guests and talked about what inspired him.

 

“I wanted to create a modern, masculine fragrance that reflects my personal style,” he said. “The set has both citrus and woody tones. It’s clean, yet classic – and I hope is a fragrance man will enjoy to wear.”

 

In bright sunlight and as the winds picked up around the poolside party, women’s hair blew all about, while Beckham’s remained stylishly in place. And it should be noted that most of the guests were women– and that many of them tried the fragrance on and pronounced it eminently wearable.

 

The scent opens with an aromatic freshness of citrus, ginger, pine and fiery pepper. At its heart is a signature fusion of cashmere wood, leather and rosemary, creating a rich masculine appeal. The fragrance then finishes with a base of mahogany wood, patchouli and musk, giving it a depth that its makers hope will intoxicate the senses.

 

The print ad for Homme features a photo of Beckham looking cool, collected and confident–with an air of calm determination.

 

In addition to the signature eau de toilette in four sizes, the fragrance line– distributed by Coty Inc.–also includes aftershave lotion, hair and body wash, body spray and a deodorant stick and is available at major retailers.

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Fringe Benefits For Beautiful Lashes

August 21, 2011
EnvyDerm is as easy to apply as eyeliner

If you haven’t yet tried one of the over-the-counter lash-lengthening products, you would never know how easy it is to grow longer, thicker lashes– if you stick with the program. Meaning, you have to use the stuff every night, even if it seems like it’s not working.

 

One of the good ones out there is called EnvyDerm, which is formulated with vitamins, minerals and amino acids to moisturize and nourish lashes.

 

The formula contains only safe, ophthalmologist-tested ingredients. “Through meticulous research and development, scientific advances, professional expertise and understanding of the customer’s well-being, EnvyDerm is changing the world of beauty,” says Nadia Smith, president and founder of the company

 

The application is just like using a liquid eyeliner. You swipe the clear fluid across your lash line once a day before bedtime. It takes a total of about 4 seconds, so there’s no excuse for not adding this to your nighttime beauty routine.

 

It took us about 4 to 6 weeks to notice anything, and then, va-voom! Lashes went into hyperdrive, and with some of our favorite Dior blackout mascara applied, were unbelievably long and thick.

 

After you get your lashes were you want them– and you may get faster results, as the company says you may see them in as little as two weeks– you don’t need to apply the product every night anymore, but rather, once or twice a week for maintenance.

 

Prescription product Latisse works well for this purpose, but has had documented side effects like making eyelid skin or even iris color darker as well as growing hair on the face where the product might drip.

 

So if you don’t want to risk any of those, or take the trouble of getting a prescription from a doctor, EnvyDerm can provide you with some great eyelash enhancement. And who could turn a blind eye to that?

 

The product, which should last for at least six months, is available for $99.95 at the company’s website, www.envyderm.com, www.amazon.com or www.drugstore.com

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Wanna Lookie Like Sookie? Apply the New True Blood Cosmetics to Vamp Up Your Look

July 19, 2011
The limited edition Tarte True Blood Collection

Tarte cosmetics is known as one of  the most cutting-edge makeup companies around, and now it has a suite of products based upon some of the line’s tried and true favorites that are flying off store shelves.

 

Remember when MAC Cosmetics had a limited edition line of products based on the Barbie doll—all pink and girly? This is the antithesis to that. Tarte just released a limited edition set of True Blood. items inspired by the popular series starring Anna Paquin and real-life hubby/vampire Stephen Moyer on HBO.

There’s a gorgeous eyeshadow palette with 17 shadows, a primer, an eyeliner and mascara, for $52–if you can find it anywhere. There’s the Lipsurgence lip color in shimmering red ($24) and the cheek stain–a product for which Tarte is famous–in shimmering red as well, for $30.

The limited edition products can be found at Sephora, Sephora.com, store.hbo.com,  tarte.com, Ulta and Ulta.com, but you better get there before the vampires bite. They’re going fast.

 

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Mass Vs. Class: Why Should You Spend Big Bucks at Barneys When Walgreens Will Do

June 30, 2011

We will admit right off the top that we are brand name biased. No knockoffs, no generics or cheaper versions of the products we know and love. But when it comes to cosmetics, all bets are off– and it’s thrilling to find great products at literally a fraction of the price that are just as good as their costly counterparts.

Our new favorite is from Physicians Formula, a quality drugstore brand that boasts a great line of color cosmetics. It’s a liquid eyeliner with eyelash serum built in, in a sleek silver tube that is eminently portable. And you will want to make this a daily habit.

The fine tipped brush makes application a breeze, allowing you to go for an ultra-thin line or amp it up with a thicker one. Smudgeproof and water-resistant, It stays on like a dream, and as importantly, it comes off really easily as well.

We first tried the regular black color, which was beautiful, and then tried the ultra black. Wowza! It was almost too intense, which could be a good thing, depending on your style. For us, this meant it’s going to be used mostly for nighttime.

While we also use a separate lash boosting serum at night, and therefore can’t vouch for that aspect of this product, we are absolutely hooked on everything else about it.

And here’s the greatest thing: it will set you back about $11 at your favorite drugstore. So go to town.

Physicians Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner + Serum, hypoallergenic, fragrance and paraben-free, $10.95

 

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Easy Breezy Beautiful Brows in a Box

April 22, 2011

Permit me to rave about a newly discovered product that is now an everyday essential. It’s the Anastasia Beverly Hills Beauty Express for Brows and Eyes — a pretty little palette that includes five brow stencils, a brush, brow wax, two shades of brow powder and two shades of under brow highlighter/eyeshadow.

Anastasia Soare is the brow queen of Hollywood who counts a number of celebrities and VIPs as her clients, and if you can’t make it to one of her salons in Beverly Hills or Brentwood, this is the next best thing.

You can use the stencils to get a perfect shape for your brows, then dip the brush in the wax and use either one of the shades to fill them in and finish off your new look with one of the under brow highlighters.

It’s fast, simple and easy, and gives you a great result that is completely natural looking. The palette comes in two color themes, brunette and blonde. There’s also a mirror in the lid of the palette, which snaps shut magnetically and looks like a cute little address book. Yes, it’s the go-to beauty must-have for brows.

$39.50 at Sephora, www.sephora.com

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A Cosmetically Colorful Way to Celebrate

February 15, 2011

It looks like an artist’s toolbox, and if you want one, you’re going to have to hurry.

To celebrate its 15 years in the business of making trend-setting cosmetics, Orange County-based Urban Decay has come out with a limited edition set of its amazing 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencils—15 of them, of course, for an amazing price.

Normally $18 each, the set runs $92. Do the math, as I just did, and that’s only a bit more than $6 each—and you get a sharpener in the keepsake box.

But enough about the numbers. What’s important is the quality. These are the best eyeliner pencils on the market. All of the good ones from the marquee makeup lines are made in Germany, as these are, or in Italy. But some pencils don’t work too well when it’s a little chilly. They don’t go on very easily, and you practically have to draw with them first to warm them up and make them work.

Well, that’s where the “Glide On” comes in. These really do. Plus, they sharpen up all real nice—again, like some others don’t. You know, ones that splinter and force you to sharpen down and waste product.

And the colors, they’re all here, except….we’ll get to that in a minute. Along with the go-to Zero (black), this set includes six exclusive new shades. You’ll have your pick of a rainbow of colors with names like Corrupt, Midnight Cowboy, Perversion and Rockstar.

My personal favorite, Yeyo (metallic white) isn’t included here, but that’s okay. As long as Urban keeps it in the line, the eyes have it.  

24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils 15 Year Anniversary Collection, at Sephora and www.UrbanDecay.com

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The Best Eyeshadow Primer Just Got Better

October 11, 2010

Cosmetic queens everywhere have long agreed that Urban Decay’s Eyeshadow Primer Potion is the best product of its type on the market. Why? Unlike jars of cream or powders, it comes in a tube with a great applicator, and results are stellar: no creasing. Aside from being ultimately portable and fast and easy to use, the product lasts for months.

Now, UD has gone to another level with Primer Potion in Sin, a shimmering champagne color that is not only a great base, but a beautiful color that can also be worn alone. Same great applicator, same great price: $17 at www.sephora.com, www.urbandecay.com and select Macy’s stores.

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Spectacular Suds — and Conditioner

August 9, 2009

Juan Carlos Obando is best known for his gorgeous ready-to-wear clothing designs. But his genius also shines through in the hair care line he created, Number 4 High Performance Hair Care.

Your first clue is the packaging for the shampoo and conditioner that look like bottles of high-end fragrances. But the real test comes in the shower. These products are probably the best we have ever tried, leaving our tresses beautifully, gently cleansed and silky smooth. And we haven’t even gotten through the entire product line, which includes 12 products, like the lovely L’eau de Mer Hydrating Shampoo and Condition.

There are also styling aids. They all use high quality essential oils and extracts to repair damage, keep hair youthful and supple and color vibrant and fresh. The products gently cleanse and contain no harsh sulfates or stripping alcohols. They have a delightful, unique scent, and are 100 % vegan, sans sulfate, gluten, and parabens.

Available at fine salons, spas and www.number4hair.com

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It’s a Cover-Up

July 17, 2009

We’re coming up on bikini weather, and even as you’re uncovering formerly clothed parts of the body, well, you may want to cover some things up. That’s where a product called Smart Cover comes in. Developed as a camouflage makeup, it covers everything from stretch marks, spider veins, blemishes and even tattoos.  And of course, dark circles. Makeup artist Christina Smith says she’s used it on clients including Julia Roberts, Jane Krakowski, Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd, Owen Wilson and Jamie Lee Curtis. The product comes in shades to match every skin color and the kit (retailing for about $30) includes a moisture priming lotion, blending sponges, a brush and a cover-up stick.

www.smartcover.com

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Summer Legs

July 13, 2009

Sometimes a great new product comes on the market, but could use a little tweaking. Such is the case with leg shines. OK, men, optional beauty product intel here, but Michael Kors had a lock on the roll-ups that look like a deodorant but actually are used to moisturize and tan legs with a few quick swipes. The only problem: the somewhat cloying gardenia scent of Michael Kors. (On one hot, humid summer NY day, it almost made me nauseous.) Now Tarte, queen of roll-up products with their cheek stains, has come up with something better: Glam Gams bronzing leg stick. It’s water resistant and not noxiously-scented. You can nab one when they come out in a few weeks at Henri Bendel, Bergdorf Goodman, and select Sephoras. www.tartecosmetics.com

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