review of InStyle ultimate beauty secrets book.

beauties, i've been reading! (sort of...)


inStyle ultimate beauty secrets is a collection of tips their editors have amassed on skin, foundation & concealer, cheeks, eyes, lips, nails, and "the best of the rest". this book is perfect for a vacation or time when you need an easy read. visually stimulating, each page contains just 1-2 tips, which are themselves contained to 1-2 sentences. some are hints you've probably heard before, but others ring fresh and merit trying out. for just over $12 on amazon.com right now, it's worth buying and sharing with friends.

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brazilian peel.

how do i end up testing so many masks and facials? well, you know your friend who texts her boyfriend the whole time you are out with her? my skin is more needy than her, which works out great for you (and your needy friend), because i test every new thing under the sun.


my latest conquest is the brazilian peel. the brazilian peel is an at-home glycolic acid peel, separated into four applicators - each with two separate tubes of product that you mix your hand - to be used each week for one month.

the kit rings in at $78 on sephora.com. is it worth it? like so many things, the answer depends on what you want. if you are looking for extra radiance and help fading dark spots or old acne scars - this is the mask for you. if you are a current acne sufferer or are in need of a super moisturizing mask? skip this one.

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day of the dead treats at lush.

the day of the dead is one of the most fitting holidays for my favorite kooky brand, lush.


i haven't actually got my hands on any of their day of dead collection -but the descriptions have me checking out their website for a work break/pick-me-up about once an hour (will someone else do my work, please?!).

the calavera bath bomb - spanish for "skull", the fragrance of this bath bomb celebrates traditional mexican cooking - with lime oil and marigold petals. $5.95

lady catrina soap (shown above) shaped like a fruity sombrero, this soap is accented with neroli oil and agave nectar. $5.95

calacas shower jelly - spanish for skeleton, calacas jellies represent dancing skulls. available in three colors. $4.95

check out lushusa.com for halloween-spiration.

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reader question: help my dark undereye circles!

reader question:

"I have dark circles under my eyes. I have bought tons of eye creams. Do u think its worth it to invest in la mer once and for all? Thanks!"

my answer:

dear reader, as much as i love la mer, no need to spring for their eye cream! i've found you something just as good, in not better. recently i've been using lisa ashley's ultimate eye cream, and loving it. already a favorite in hollywood, this product is not yet well known, but it should be. it's a roller ball (always a favorite for me) filled with a light pink cream. it's non-irritating, and helps decrease puff and add some luminosity to the eye area. for $55, it doesn't come cheap, but it's no la mer.

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caudalie friends and family promo code.

caudalie, the skincare brand that gets its name from a unit of wine measurement, is having friends and family. 20% off with the code FF2010. on my list? the crushed cabernet scrub.

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axe winners!

we have two winners for the complete set of axe's new shampoos; heat (igniting citrus 2 in 1), downpour (refreshing mint), and zen (soothing tea tree):

• valerie c
• carol l

both beauties can't wait to hook their sons up with the latest and greatest for axe! don't forget to send me your addresses, ladies.

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nars bento box for holiday 2010.

just in time for the holiday season, nars has released a new bit of makeup porn.


the nars bento box set includes two kabuki cups of hand-poured, new, exclusive nars lipstick formula. housed in a handmade bento box, set also includes a kabuki lip brush.

the set will be available as of 11/1/10 for $125 at narscosmetics.com. get on the wait list now at narscosmetics.com/bento. only one thousand sets were created for sale in the US, and just over two thousand in total were created worldwide.

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pantene pro-V restore beautiful lengths collection donates to fight against breast cancer.

as i'm sure you are well aware, october is breast cancer awareness month - meaning that many of your favorite products are donating a portion of proceeds to breast cancer awareness or research. it also means that some new products to benefit this cause are hitting the market.


pantene pro-v restore beautiful lengths line is a series of 3 shampoo + conditioner combos, and 3 styling products that are designed to help hair grow long and healthy - which may be particularly beneficial to a post-chemo woman. the campaign is donating $500,000 to creating wigs for cancer patients.

but the line is great for anyone who wants to grow their hair. i'm always looking for affordable shampoos that work - and the pantene pro-v restore beautiful lengths shine enhance shampoo and conditioner are doin' for me. currently in drugstores nationwide.


editor's note: in accordance with the ftc regulations, please be advised that MakeupLovesMe.com was provided samples of these products for possible review.

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new from lush: gorilla perfumes.

fragrance can be tricky, because it should be personal, and so many mass fragrances are so very impersonal.

lush's new line of perfumes - their gorilla perfume fragrances - circumvent this problem by being truly novel. so novel that they end up smelling different on everyone. i initially loved tuca tuca - the violet + jasmine + vanilla scent - but it didn't quite wear right on me. i ended up going for the tuca tuca candle, which kept the scent unadulterated and kept my apartment smelling amazing. now i'm rock lust - a deep, sexy jasmine - on my wrists and behind the ears.


if if you are looking for your truly signature scent, i suggest you try the limited edition fragrance kit ( just $12!), which includes delicate imogen rose, fresh citrus of orange blossom, unashamedly sexy lust, flirty and vibrant tuca tuca, earthy karma, sweet and seductive vanillary and the spicy notes of the smell of freedom. exclusively on lushusa.com.


editor's note: in accordance with the ftc regulations, please be advised that MakeupLovesMe.com was provided samples of these products for possible review.

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new AXE shampoo giveaway for your guy!

as AXE says, "the mating game is one of life's greatest adventures - you never know when an opportunity will pop up or where it will lead. but, if a guy's head isn't in the game, he could end up missing out on the journey." i like their wit.

mLm has an opportunity for you (if you're a guy), or for the guy in your life (if you are not a guy) to get his head in the game and win all three of AXE's new shampoos: heat (igniting citrus 2 in 1), downpour (refreshing mint), and zen (soothing tea tree). to enter just email makeuplovesmecontests[at]gmail[dot]com by next monday, 10/18/10.

and what does our male reviewer think of AXE's newest additions? he said something like, "it's nice to see brands offering products that are just for men, but they were all starting to smell the same -- like musk and sandalwood. these products offer some new scent options for men. i'm fond of the citrus-y one (heat), and i'm not too sure about the tea one (zen)." that is a semi-direct quote.

enter today to have your guy form his own opinion of AXE's new shampoo scents!


editor's note: in accordance with the ftc regulations, please be advised that MakeupLovesMe.com was provided samples of these products for possible review and giveaway.

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review of neutrogena healthy skin liquid makeup and custom glow blush & bronzer.

i'm crushing right now on neutrogena's healthy skin line.

neutrogena's healthy skin liquid makeup contains an antioxidant blend that gives the uber dewy glow (especially if you mix in just a touch of your moisturizer -- you will be unstoppably radiant). plus it has spf 20, and while i think products with added spf probably don't work as well as separate spf, i'm lazy. approximately $10 at drugstores nationwide.

the healthy skin custom blend blush & bronzer duo you see up top is exact duplicate of my beloved nars cosmetics multiple duo (at $10 vs $45). i could go on, but i don't think it's necessary.


editor's note: in accordance with the ftc regulations, please be advised that MakeupLovesMe.com was provided samples of these products for possible review.

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swept off my feet sweepstakes winner!

photo: mara's wedding

congrats to peggy r, the winner of mara's swept off my feet sweepstakes suave wild cherry blossom giveaway. enjoy it, peggy!


editor's note: in accordance with the ftc regulations, please be advised that MakeupLovesMe.com was provided this prize for giveaway.

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