Whatever is in any way beautiful hath its source of beauty in itself, and is complete in itself; praise forms no part of it. So it is none the worse nor the better for being praised.
-Marcus Aurelius Antoninus
(121 AD - 180 AD), Meditations
For the Love of Beauty
with a ♥ for cosmetics, skincare, fragrance, haircare & fashion.
Experience the calming power of scent with aromatherapy products from this trio of top companies. Kai’s light, exotic floral notes have earned the fragrance devoted fans like Jennifer Aniston and Julia Roberts; try it as an oil, a creamy body butter or a sudsy wash. Unwind after a long day with a natural soy candle from Linnea’s Light, available in subtle hydrangea and lively gardenia. Or recreate the spa at home with Red Flower’s candle, soap and dish sets, made of pure flower extracts, honey and natural vegetable oils. Great Mother's Day gift ideas, all on sale, all beautiful, all with the power of creating a pleasurable, multi-sensory experience never to be forgotten.
Last Friday, The Fragrance Foundation revealed the top five finalists in each category of the 2010 FiFi Awards, considered the “Oscars” of the fragrance world. Superstar brands Calvin Klein, D & G, Diesel, Gucci, Marc Jacobs, Shiseido, and YSL are among the Luxe finalists, while Nouveau Niche brands Bond No 9, Brooks Brothers, Issey Miyake, Jo Malone, and Narciso Rodriguez made the cut in their category. Winners will be announced on June 10th.
Fragrance fans nationwide can weigh in by voting for their favorites. Voting opens on Wednesday, April 28th and continues through Wednesday, May 19th. You may vote for your favorites at:
Fragrance of the Year: Women’s Luxe
- bebe Eau de Parfum – Inter Parfums USA
- Crescent Row Collection – Benefit
- Flora by Gucci – P&G Prestige Products, Inc.
- Lola Marc Jacobs –Coty Prestige
- Very Hollywood Michael Kors Eau de Parfum—The Estee Lauder Companies
- YSL Parisienne – YSL Beaute/L’Oreal
Fragrance of the Year: Men’s Luxe (6 in this category due to a tie)
- ckfree Calvin Klein – Coty Prestige
- D&G Fragrance Anthology - P&G Prestige Products, Inc.
- Givenchy PLAY - Parfums Givenchy
- Only the Brave - Diesel Fragrances, L'Oréal
- Shiseido Zen for Men – Shiseido Cosmetics America
- Tom Ford Grey Vetiver - The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.
Fragrance of the Year: Women’s Popular Appeal
(6 in this category due to a tie)
- Avril Lavigne Black Star – P&G Prestige Products, Inc.
- Faith Hill Parfums – Coty
- Flirt! Flowerific Perfume Spray – The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.
- Halle by Halle Berry – Coty
- Mariah Carey Ultra Pink – Elizabeth Arden
- Super Samba Woman – The Perfumer’s Workshop Int’l., Ltd.
Fragrance of the Year: Men’s Popular Appeal
(only 3 in this category)
- Playboy – Coty
- Seduction in Black, Antonio Banderas – Puig USA, Inc.
- Super Samba Man – The Perfumer’s Workshop Int’l, Ltd.
Fragrance of the Year: Women’s Nouveau Niche
- Bond No. 9 Astor Place - Bond No. 9 New York
- Eau Mega by Viktor & Rolf - L'Oréal USA
- essence narciso rodriguez eau de parfum - Beauté Prestige International
- Jo Malone Vanilla & Anise - The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.
- L'Eau Ambrée by Prada - Puig USA, Inc.
Fragrance of the Year Men’s Nouveau Niche (only 4 in this category)
- Black Fleece by Brooks Brothers Eau De Toilette – Inter Parfums USA
- Bond No. 9 Brooklyn – Bond No. 9 New York
- Bond No. 9 Perfume – Bond No. 9 New York
- Collage by 3.1 Phillip Lim & Natalie Gracia-Cetto, Ende/Anfang by Damir Doma & Yann Vasnier, Solar Donkey Power by Henrik Vibskov & Louise Turner, Smell by Henry Holland & Stephen Nilsen, Nicoll 17 by Richard Nicoll & Rodrigo Flores Roux, Whiskey Caramélisé by Toga & Alexandra Kosinski - Six Scents Parfums Inc.
Fragrance of the Year: Women’s Private Label/Direct Sell (only 4 in this category)
- Bath & Body Works Signature Collection Twilight Woods EDT - Bath & Body Works
- In Bloom by Reese Witherspoon - Avon Products, Inc.
- Love Rocks - Victoria's Secret
- Naturelle - Yves Rocher North America Inc.
Fragrance of the Year: Men’s Private Label/Direct Sell (only 3 in this category)
- comme une Evidence - Yves Rocher North America Inc.
- Patrick Dempsey 2 - Avon Products, Inc.
- Vertical - Victoria's Secret
Fragrance of the Year: Unique Boutique (6 in this category due to a tie)
- Baroque Pearl for Gump’s (women’s) - Through Smoke Creative
- Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire (women’s) - Guerlain
- Halston Man Eau de Toilette (men’s) - Elizabeth Arden
- L'Oeuvre Noire Back to Black Aphrodisiac (unisex) - by Kilian
- Tom Ford Private Blend White Suede (unisex/women’s) - The Estée Lauder Companies
- Tuberose Trilogy (unisex) - Histoires de Parfums
Fragrance Hall of Fame Nominees (honors a fragrance that has been on the market for 15 or more years)
- CK one – Calvin Klein Cosmetics/Coty Prestige
- Classique by Jean Paul Gaultier- Beaute Prestige International
- Cristalle EDT - Chanel
- Donna Karan Cashmere Mist EDT – Donna Karan Cosmetics/Estee Lauder Companies
- Fahrenheit – Christian Dior Parfums
- Gap Dream – Inter Parfums, Inc.
- Pour un Homme – Caron Paris
- Rapture – Victoria’s Secret Beauty
- Red Door – Elizabeth Arden
So where do you go when you want to pick up a little something special for yourself, a friend or a loved one? Somewhere brimming with luxurious treasures where each item comes to you beautifully packaged in scarlet red tissue and is meticulously created to rejuvenate, renew, revive? There's no question, really. It's online niche boutique b-glowing.
adara Organic Virgin Coconut Oil - 2 oz travel size $12 each
Nature's Multi-Tasker! Skin: Gently soothe onto skin daily or as needed when skin feels thirsty and needs comfort. Rough Patches: Helps to lock in moisture which is essential to keep skin soft and smooth. Ideal relief for dry rough patches. Aids in the removal of dead skin cells to promote growth of smooth and supple skin. Pimple Healer: Apply adara as a pimple treatment overnight. The cleansing properities of the lauric acid will help remove bacteria so that redness will fade and inflamation will subside. Hair Treatment: Massage into hair and cover with shower cap for 30 minutes prior to normal wash for a intensive deep conditioning treatment. Apply on dry split ends for smooth flowing locks. Coating hair with a thin layer prior to going for a swim protects hair from damages caused by chlorine or salty seawater. Scents: green tea, lavender, peach, unscented, rose, jasmine.
b.e. becker.eshaya - Eau De Parfum Fragrance Pen - .28 oz $45
This is truly one of my favorite fragrances as so light, fresh, clean, shlightly floral and not at all overpowering! Italian Mandarin, Pink Peony, Lily of the Valley, and Rose Damascena. A classic fragrance for the ages! Celebrity fans include Julia Roberts, Tyra Banks, Naomi Campbell, Cameron Diaz and many other women with fabulous taste, just like you!
butter LONDON Nail Lacquers - $14 each
butter LONDON is a 3 Free company. No Formaldehyde, No Toluene, and No DBP. As well as providing the safest nail products on the market, butter LONDON is devoted to bringing high fashion to your nails. We boast a unique and fashion-forward colour palette created by our Creative Director, Nonie Creme, backstage at the world’s top catwalk shows.
- Chimney Sweep: Smudgy, sexy, and just a little dirty. A proper charcoal grey with a touch of a metallic finish.
- Cream Tea: Barely there and ever so sweet. Pale and creamy, an alternative to your standard clear or sheer pink.
- Fash Pack: One of the hottest shades of the season with its "greige" coloring! An edgy and unusual colour. Putty meets mushroom. Sounds strange and wrong, but somehow it works, like deep fried Mars bars. (an actual English delicacy).
- HRH ("Her Royal Highness"): A proper purple. Even the Queen would agree, and she never agrees.
- Yummy Mummy: Their magic lacquer. This medium beige colour is simply stunning on EVERY skin colour. If you can’t decide on a lacquer, then we will for you. It’s this.
- Chuffed-Jelly: Juicy, sheer colour that looks and feels like slick, wet “lipgloss” for your nails. These are designed to be layered, so you can wear just one coat for a hint/blush of colour and healthy glow, or two for better coverage of little nail problems and more colour, or three for juicy, barely sheer summer colours that are good enough to eat.
foreverlily eau de parfum - 3.4 oz bottle $125
For those who seek what is good, true and beautiful comes a fragrance that calls you to your higher self. The result is an enveloping Oriental blend with a top note dominated by clove and sweet accents of lemon and fresh lychee. The fresh green crispness of fig and the feminine presence of stargazer lily are equally balanced in the middle note. The base note is comprised of cedarwood, vanilla, amber and sandalwood. An fragrance that evokes a deeper experience of life and a profound feeling of hope. Protective and meditative, foreverlily is an olfactory bridge to another world, one in which eternal love and beauty surround you.
Infusion Organique Sands of Morocco - 1.7 oz bottle $35
Close your eyes, and wander through the fresh flower and food stalls of the local Moroccan Souk. Inhale the spices drifting on the desert winds of North Africa. Ride the train from Marrakech to Casablanca to Tangier. Smell the fresh vanilla first brought to Morocco by tne French in the time of the Berber Kings. Add a touch of aromatic sandalwood and warm oak moss to a blend of certified organic lemongrass oil and ylang-ylang for a scent as warm as the Mediterranean sun.
Lisa Hoffman Japanese Argarwood - Limited Edition 2 vial set $43
TOP FIVE FRAGRANCE OF THE YEAR!!! During the Fragrance of the Year Awards, this fragrance was selected as one of the Top Five Fragrances in 2009. Inspired by the lush, natural oils from the rainforest with subtle hints of Italian Bergamot, Spiced Ginger Accord, and Warm Amber. Within this complex, one also discovers mysterious earth nuances that are a delight to explore.
Love & Toast Gin Blossom Handcreme - 1.2 oz tube $9
Happy hydration. Natural super-softeners Shea Butter, Macadamia Nut & Olive Fruits team up with pore pleasing Avocado & Sunflower Oils. Add to the mix a botanical perfume blend and now you've got your perfect dream cream: a lightweight & luxurious lotion.
PurepleLab Huge Lips Skinny Hips - $25 each
Yes, no secret I adore these plumping glosses! Wildly popular (This is the product that started the whole PurpleLab phenomenon with Karen Robinovitz, Creatrix Extraordinaire, at the helm)! The answer to every girl's beauty dream - sophisticated lip color, plumping performance and a natural way to curb those cravings with the infusion of Hoodia, extract from a cactus-like plant that has been used in South Africa for centuries for its appetite suppressing qualities. Sheer, soft colors that flatter any skintone ...
- Kitty Poledancer - Nudish Pink Sheer
- Red Sole - Sultra Sexy Fierce Red Very Very Sheer...a bee stung look
- No Panty Lines - Clear as Crystal
- Love Your Thighs - Exotic Coral, but still translucent
- Worship Kate - slightly darker pink with hints of mauve & shimmer
New arrival! b-glowing now carries
Kinerase. To celebrate, they're offering a complimentary, full-size Kinerase Lotion ($63 value) with your purchase of $100 or more.
Enter code: kinerase at checkout to request your free gift. Offer good thru 5/10/10.
All purchases from
b-glowing come beautifully packaged and include an array of gorgeous free samples. It's ALWAYS a pleasurable experience shopping with them! Enjoy free shipping within the contiguous United States with your order of $75 or more.
Skyn ICELAND Arctic Face Mist: A Must Have for Your Beach Tote!
Embarked on a little trip to the beach couple of weeks back and discovered the perfect beach companion for stressed skin while there - Skyn ICELAND Arctic Face Mist.
Now, I've tried products from Skyn ICELAND (a former CEW winner!) in previous years and have never been disappointed, so I had high expectations for this little gem as well. Knowing I was headed to the beach for a girls' getaway, I slipped the new bottle of Arctic Face Mist in my bag, along with a few other essentials - SPF was there, don't worry - and off we went.
The scoop is Arctic Face Mist instantly helps calm and stabilize irritable, depleted skin (think skin exposed to the hot Florida sun in my case) with a cooling burst of natural mineral water, while fortifying it against the aging effects of free radicals and envrionmental stress. A multivitamin complex including vitamins A, B6, C and E help energize and replenish for a healthy glow, allowing skin's natural balance to be restored and protected against future damage.
REVIEW: 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Naked Berry Lip Pencil
Proving once again that green beauty can please on so many levels, 100% Pure's Naked Berry Lip Pencil gives us a creamy lip pencil, in gorgeous shades excentuating the lips with pure fruit pigments and none of the stuff that leaves us asking, "I put what on my mouth?"
Do Tune In: Lots Going on at CARGO Cosmetics
CARGO's Pro Picks Collection is like having your own personal professional amkeupartist in your makeupbag. With it, you'll use the same CARGO products favored by top artists on Hollywood sets and high fashion runways.
The kit, an $84 value, is found exclusively at Ulta and may be purchased for $39. Here's what you get:
- Color Eye Palette in Los Angeles: The quad encourages play and experimentation! The newest additional to the CARGO Color Palette family contains four vibrant professional-quality eyeshadows in a combination of opalescent turquise, amethyst, aqua green and cream. They may be layered, mixed and blended for countless combinations of looks. What I love about this quad is it gives you the hot shades of the moment. That amethyst (mixed with the others for variety) is definitely a Spring "Yes!" and the gorgeous opalescent turquoise makes a perfect eyeliner when used wet for deeper pigmentation. The turquoise as an eyeliner is THE spring/summer "Do!"
- Blu_Ray Mascara: High definition lashes for real life, though it was created for high definition filming to provide flawless results. The mascara features a special comb that lengthens, curls and defines.
- Reverse Lip Liner: This is a makeup artist's and a beauty addict's best friend for fabulous lip definition. Line the outer edges of lips with this flesh-toned liner. The result: added definition, reduced feathering, locks lip color in place and gives the look of plumper lips.
- Classic Lipgloss in Tobago: A soft, nudish baby pink gloss features CARGO’s famous, award-winning, non-sticky formulation in a handy tube and wand applicator with built-in Timestrip® technology to show you when your gloss needs to be replaced. The silky texture is both hydrating and nourishing for lips and the Tobago shade is a fave of professional MUA's.
HAUTELOOK: Fusion Beauty Fabulosity ~ Unbelievable Prices
FusionBeauty has truly mastered the art of innovation, by continuing to fuse breakthrough discoveries in dermatology, cosmetics and biological sciences to create smart, safe, high performance products. I think I probably use a LipFusion product everyday. I've got their plumping tubes (in colors and clear) in my handbag, office drawer, makeupbag and bathroom. Yes, I know, a bit indulgent, but they've become a fave and I like to have 'em around when I need a little extra oomph for my appearance. I even make sure to always have a tube of LipFusion XL on my nightstand as the last thing I put on at night before getting under the covers....
Eco-Wedding Bridal Events with Aveda & Adele Wechsler Eco Couture
AVEDA and ADELE WECHSLER ECO COUTURE
PARTNER FOR GREEN WEDDING EVENTS
Event raises awareness for eco-conscious wedding planning and preparation.
WHY: Aveda and Adele Wechsler are partnering to co-host regional bridal events during the months of April, May and June at participating Aveda salons across the country. Brides-to-be and their guests will:
- Receive tips from Aveda experts on picture perfect wedding day makeup, fool-proof skin care regimes and the latest bridal hair trends.
- Preview new gown designs by Adele Wechsler Eco Couture.
- Eco-wedding service providers will also be represented, from local green bakeries and caterers to florists, photographers and printers.
- Guests at each event will have a chance to win Aveda service or product packages, eco-vendor products, and one lucky bride will take home her very own Adele Wechsler veil or headpiece.
- In addition, brides may enter to win national grand prizes: an Adele Wechsler Eco Couture wedding gown, or a honeymoon vacation at the Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Resort, an eco-friendly destination hotel in Belize.
EVENT SCHEDULE:
New York, NY: May 5th
Baton Rouge, LA: May 6th
Toronto, Canada: May 11th
Atlanta, GA: May 16th
Washington DC: May 23rd
Boston, MA: June 6th
Chicago: June 8th
Minneapolis, MN: June 10th
Scottsdale, AZ: June 16th
Seattle, WA: June 21st & 22nd
Portland, OR: June 24th
Fact or Fiction? Beauty Myths Decoded
Can items from your kitchen make a beauty mask? Can you increase gray hair growth by plucking gray hairs? Read on and see what Real Beauty has to say about these common beauty myths.
Myth: Avocados can make a great skin mask.
Fact. Sounds weird, but it works! Mash one ripe avocado and mix it with a little bit of lemon juice. Apply this mask to your face and neck for an over-the-counter toner/firmer.
Myth: The best place to apply perfume is on pulse points.
Fact. Applying perfume to pulse points is the best way to make your scent last all day. Fragrances react with heat, so spritz your perfume on your wrists or the back of your neck and you won't need to worry about re-applying.
Myth: Crossing your legs causes varicose veins.
Fiction. There are plenty of ways to potentially develop varicose veins, but none of them are related to crossing your legs (sigh of relief). Some examples of what could causes varicose veins include genetics, obesity, trauma to the skin, etc.
Myth: Matching eye shadow will make your eye color pop.
Fiction. Actually, contrasting your eye makeup with your eye color is what will really stand out. Here are a couple
recommendations based on your eye color:
Green/Hazel: Plum, deep browns, and light golden hues
Blue: Smoky charcoals, chocolate, and bright berry tones
Brown: Soft pinks, natural beige, and shades of bronze.
Myth: Teeth whiteners can damage tooth enamel.
Fact. Make sure you follow the directions line by line when using teeth whitening products. If these products are used improperly or too frequently, it can result in permanent damage to your teeth.
Myth: I pluck one gray hair, multiple gray hairs will grow back in it's place.
Fiction. This isn't true — which is good because some of us were starting to worry! While plucking gray hairs won't make more grow back in its place, it's not a good habit to get into since it can damage the root.
Myth: Consistently wearing dark nail polish can turn your nails a yellowish hue.
Fact. This was tough news to take since dark nail polish is definitely in this season, but not to worry — this yellowing is temporary, not harmful, and can also be avoided! Before painting your nails a deep dark hue, paint on a layer of clear base coat to protect your nails from any discoloration.
Myth: Sleeping on your back may prevent wrinkles.
Fact. After hearing this, we're never sleeping on our sides again! The American Academy of Dermatology says that sleeping in certain positions may result in "sleep lines." After time, these lines can turn into deep-set wrinkles, so flip over and get your shut-eye on your back.
Myth: Beauty products have an expiration date.
Fact. That's right — just like groceries, your beauty and hair products have a shelf life, too. The expiration date depends on the beauty product. Here are a couple common ones:
Mascara and Liquid Eye Liners: 3 months
Liquid Face Makeup, Cream Eye Shadow: 6 months
Powder Face Makeup, Powder Eye Shadows, Pencil Eye Liners, Lipstick, Lip gloss: 2 years
Myth: Cutting your hair will make hair grow faster.
Fiction. While we wish this one were true, it seems your hair will grow at its own pace (usually about half an inch per month) no matter how many trim-ups you take. Don't do away with trimming your hair altogether though, since it will look much healthier without the split ends!
Well, those are ten I found interesting and helpful. And in case you're wondering about the cucumber image at top and whether or not the myth that they can reduce darkness and those puffy bags we loathe is true? Yes, they can ... Cold cucumber slices can restrict blood vessels which reduces swelling and puffiness. You can learn about 23 other beauty myths and many other articles to assist in your own beauty and fitness experiences by visitng Real Beauty. source: RealBeauty
J.Crew debuted their Fall 2010 collection the evening of April 1st on the rooftop of legendary Milk Studios. So what pieces
are expected to be must-haves? Well, stylist/editor and
apparent J.Crew muse Dianna Lunt has her eyes on the two-tone jackets and shoes. What pieces appeal to you?
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