Subtle Beauty: Butter London Yummy Mummy

File this one under all things soft, subtle and neutral. Coco Chanel famously said “I take refuge in beige because it’s natural”. Here, here I say. As much as I love a pop of colour when it comes down to feeling comfy, cozy and at ease, neutrals are where I want to go. In cosmetics, neutrals are easy to wear, and in my opinion are the best way to compliment one’s beauty in a natural & subtle way. You can let “you” shine without the mask of too much colour. That said,  a fun bright lip or nail or a little glow or shine/ sparkle (key: A LITTLE) now and then or for special occasions is a great thing. You may have noticed there are not a lot of “make up” reviews here, ie eye shadows, liners, different blushes and foundations. That is because I am rather boring, in beauty terms, in that I loves me my neutrals, and I tend to keep buying the things I love, which are often the same. Not too much new and exciting neutrals come out (oxymoron, anyone?) and to be honest, as we age, the truth, when dealing with cosmetics, is, less. Is. More.

Ok back to my nails. One of my favourite looks is the Mannequin Hands nail. A step up from the sheer pinks, which are fab and I wear often but sometimes want a bit more. A great thing about sheers and neutrals is the low maintenance vibe. Tip wear hardly shows, so the mani lasts longer.

 

Butter London is a neat line whose products are formulated without the use of the harmful ingredients like Formaldehyde, Toluene, DBP or Parabens- they call themselves “3 Free” based on this. Although, so are my usual faves, OPI, Chanel, Lippmann, Dior and Zoya. So it sorta bugs me that Butter London acts like they are the only ones, but, on the other hand, kudos to them for taking the concept and running with it. One thing we do know, is that green beauty is the smallest portion of the beauty market, so I can guarantee you that Butter London’s success is based on their awesome fashion-forward colours and cheeky names. The latest being the “sold out in days” No More Waitey, Katie which was released for the Royal Engagement. And, looks like a sweet colour! One of the other colours I WANT is All Hail The Queen, a gorgeous taupe with sparkle. It was originally called All Hail McQueen but was changed after his tragic death.

Yummy Mummy is a perfect taupe with a teensy bit of shimmer even if the name is gag-enducing. Please. Are we not over this term? Aaannywaaays. The shimmer is more visible in the bottle than on the nail but does add a little something. It is slightly more taupe than the pink-leaning OPI Tickle My Francey, which is my go-to Mannequin Hands shade.  It is lighter and more subtle than the divine Chanel Particuliere, which is super, because I don’t always want to make a dramatic beige statement. If that is possible. Application was a breeze, and with two coats it is opaque but I think three coats might be ideal. All Hail McQueen seems to be YM with super subtle glitter. Hard to describe but gorgeous. I love YM and it is officially added to my rotation. 

I got my Butter London nailpolish at a boutique in Ottawa, GreenTree, for around $15, and I have seen the line at Holt Renfrew as well. I'm sure there are many boutiques or spas selling this line, or it can be purchased online at the Butter London website (which also has a Canadian site!) and B-Glowing. 

Beautiful Beauty Blog Round Up

Ready to watch the Academy Awards? Who doesn't love to watch the stars - and their fashion and beauty selections for the evening? We had some ideas this week to make you Oscar-ready.

Tim Quinn, Giorgio Armani makeup artist to the stars (we're sure he will be helping the Armani favorites get ready for the red carpet this weekend), talked to Kari about finding the right foundation. You can learn from him at Fab over Forty.

Rouge Bunny Rouge is a niche European brand that has been getting a lot of online buzz and a cult of fans. Learn more from Gaia at The Non-Blonde.

The new NARS Illuminators shades are also getting a lot of blogger attention. Check out Amy's impressions at Café Makeup.

Jo Malone has launched a new line of Tea Fragrance Blends, and Sabrina tried them all. Head over to The Beauty Look Book to find out which one(s) might be right for you.

Charlestongirl got a preview of La Prairie's summer makeup collection at a Neiman Marcus party. Check out Best Things in Beauty to see what's coming.

Bare Escentuals has introduced Buxom Smoky Eye Sticks. Jennifer had the scoop at BeautyXposé. Is there one in your future?

Are you starting to look pasty, winter white? Laurie has been loving L'Oreal Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Towelettes. Want to learn more? Head over to Product Girl.

Do we need a bottom lash mascara? Debbi gave us her opinion of the new Clinique mascara at DivaDebbi.

Kelly has a new obsession. Find out at Gouldylox Reviews how Konad made her wild and crazy!

Michelle at Beauty Editor is all over the nail trends coming out of New York Fashion Week. I'm sure I'd only wear a few, but I love to see the creativity and imagination turning nails into art!

Janine at Beautygeeks tells us how to keep our feet smooth and silky with AHAs, excellent advice for red carpet toes!

Victoria at EauMG has me wanting to try a new candle from Nest- Black Fig & Honey sounds divine and I love the way a candle scents my home....

Let us know what you think about the red carpet! We'll be chatting next week.

Getting To Know Our Weekly Roundup Bloggers #9

Today you meet Anne from BeautyXPose. Her blog is a fantastic in-depth investigation on the latest news, trends, and opinions on all things related to beauty and fashion. If you enjoy fashion, make up, bargains and a giggle, you will love BeautyXpose. Meet Anne!

When did you start blogging and why? My blogging partner in crime, Kristin Bassett and I began BeautyXposé two years ago. At the time, we loved reading individual makeup blogs and beauty/style magazines, so we wanted to create a hybrid of the two, featuring both personal product reviews and editorial-style features. We also wanted to be a little zany. For example, we dedicated one post to creating haiku's to our lost loved ones (discontinued beauty items). Along the way, we've brought on some amazingly talented contributors, and we are pleased to offer our readers a variety of topics!

Every blog seems to have a special voice - what's the message on your blog? Since we have several contributors, each of us have our own voice. But, I'd have to say that overall we can be quite sassy if the timing's right. Just take a look at any of our "WTF of the Week" columns! I personally have an unhealthy obsession with puns and wordplay, so you'll see a lot of that in my articles.

Have you always been a beauty fanatic or did it come later in life for you? What made it blossom? I sprang forth from the womb wearing red stilettos and clutching a Glamour magazine. At least that's what they tell me.

Tell us a little about yourself. I'm kind of Sybil-esque -- meaning I have a lot of different sides to my personality that are all really "me". One day my style will be retro pin-up diva and the next, a rocker chick. My husband likes the variety, so I guess that's good! Overall though, I think I have a "classic" cosmopolitan feel to my style and beauty preferences.

What's your daily beauty routine? Given that I'm constantly testing beauty products, it can vary. But if I"m left to my own devices, I start with cleansing using my Clarisonic, toning with Dr. Hauschka Facial Toner and moisturizing with Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Cream (in the winter, anyway). If I'm leaving my house (I work from home), I'll apply my makeup, which is really different depending on my mood. What does stay the same - my Estee Lauder Resilience Lift Extreme foundation, Shiseido Bronzer and Maybelline Colossal Xtreme mascara. Everything else is a crap shoot depending on the day

How many lipsticks/glosses can be found in your handbag at any given time? Two, though I try to keep it to one if I can -- I switch my glosses as I switch up my purses.

What's the best beauty advice you've ever received? It's going to sound cliché, but it's true -- beauty comes from the inside out. I look for the beauty in everyone and everything. It's amazing what you see when you're really looking!

What's the most surprising thing you have learned since starting your blog? I'm constantly surprised and inspired every time someone comments. It's like "Someone's actually reading this and I"m not just writing to myself??" I love interacting with readers and hope they keep coming back!

The Beauty of Derma E Anti-Wrinkle Gel & Cream

In my never ending quest to stay moisturized without breaking out I try many things. I try to do my research first but often find obscure products that haven’t been reviewed anywhere. I decided to try Derma E as their products are free of parabens and use naturally derived ingredients. They happily provide full disclosure and an ingredient list for all their products which is nice and makes it seem like they have nothing to hide.  Their price point is very reasonable with almost nothing over $20. Derma E products certainly don’t have a lot of “buzz” online, maybe the cream a little but the gel was an unknown. Years ago I used a glycolic gel on my body and then could never find it again and have been looking for a similar smoothing product ever since. The Derma E Vitamin A Retinyl Palmitate Wrinkle Treatment Gel is a fantastic replacement! The Vitamin A Retinyl Palmitate Wrinkle Treatment Crème is also a fantastic product. Palmitate is a form of retinol or vitamin A which helps with aging or acne prone skin. I bought this on a whim to use on my neck, around my eyes and on my décolletage and I am quite pleased with the results.

The  Derma E Vitamin A gel is a nice light gel and is perfect for oilier skins or in hotter weather on its own or if you drier its lovely layered with the Vitamin A crème. I have done this when the temperature dipped down to -30 Celsius and I needed an extra layer of protection from the cold and the indoor heat. The gel feels like an aloe base but it’s not listed in the ingredients- but it is a similar gel texture. It has a very light soft cucumber-ish scent that disappears almost immediately. I used it almost all over at bedtime and after the shower, under my Kiehls Crème de Corps or Nivea Q10. At bedtime I have been using it on my face under my Kiehls Midnight Recovery Concentrate. It is not a strong or irritating vitamin A formulation, but just enough to feel a difference in the texture of my skin. Since using the gel, my skintone is a bit more even and my pores are reduced. I got it for both my daughters as they have inherited my oily skin and it is just the right amount of moisture for them. My younger one will layer a gentle rose day cream on top if she needs an extra boost.

The Derma E Vitamin A crème is lovely. It has a silky texture that is from the glycerin and sesame oil as opposed to silicones, thankfully. It sinks right in and leaves just enough of a dewy finish that stays so one doesn’t feel dry or that you need more product. I LOVE it on my neck on décolletage and around my eyes and whatever extra product is on my hands I rub into my cuticles. It has a very soft scent, a floral scent that makes me think of violets, but again, it does not last and is quite inoffensive. I do my La Mer trick with this product, which is to rub it vigorously between my hands before “rolling” it into my skin. I find this makes a little product go along way and is less likely to irritate my sensitive pores.

All in all these products are a big thumbs up and I will purchase them again. Maybe a case of the gel, I don't want to run out of this stuff. Its's also well priced, you can buy a huge bottle (220ml) for $13. If you are only using it on your face it will last forever! The tub of crème is around $13 as well for around 113 g (approximately half as much product as the gel) and is rich so a little goes a long way. They have a hyaluronic line that I am dying to try, if it performs as well as the Vitamin A line, then sign me up. I have not been able to find it yet though, so stay tuned. My only critique of Derma E is their website. They use vague categories for their products and it is impossible to find anything without using their search function.

 I got my Derma E at Shoppers Drug Mart and I have seen at health food stores as well. Have any of you used this line? What are your thoughts?

Chanel's Beautiful Black Pearl

Ok Chanel you have done it again. WOW. Officialy my new favourite, Chanel Black Pearl is such a gorgeous nail colour I’m almost at a loss for words to describe. Almost.

If black can be dusty and frosty and somehow “lit” from within, then yes this is black. It is a cold black but has light courtesy of the greenish glow that elevates this polish from nice to Wow. It is a cool colour but a greenish hue vs a blue grey hue seems to warm it. It has the typical Chanel formula which is just thick enough but not clumpy. I used two coats and found it just perfect. I do wish they’d do a better brush but their formula is so rich one can almost excuse it.

Chanel Black Pearl comes from Chanel’s Spring 2011 cosmetic collection, which also includes Pearl Drop and Peche Nacrée, a gorgeous pearly white and softly frosted nude/peach respectively. I do believe I love them all. The entire collection is just gorgeous...resist it, I dare you...

Beautiful Beauty Blog Round Up

Snow Sculpture Winterlude Ottawa 2011

Does it seem like winter is dragging on this year?   Maybe there's a glimmer of spring not only outside, but inside with beauty.  See what our women of beauty are sharing this week.

Carla at Product Girl has the scoop on Butter London's spring collection, straight from Nonie Creme herself, the brand's creative director. Find out the inspiration behind the painterly-inspired palette, and her final nod to "greige" nails.

Did you see the red carpet from the Grammy Awards last Sunday?  Kari from Fab Over Forty has the details on the fabulous over 40 Nicole Kidman and her beauty look by Carol Shaw and LORAC cosmetics.

Charlestongirl from Best Things In Beauty is smitten with Clé de Peau's La Beauté Éblouissante Collection for Spring 2011, with pastel looks for the eyes and brilliant, shiny lips, the collection is right up her alley.

Kelly at Gouldylox Reviews this week reviewed a few pieces of the skincare line By Nieves.  This line was given the accolades of Best Local Skincare Line by the SF Weekly.   Be sure to read the reviews and see her glowing results.

Chantecaille's latest palette, Sea Turtle Palette is a beauty shared with us in visual exquisiteness by Amy from Café Makeup with her beautiful photos.  Even though this arrived damaged, the palette is a keeper!

Gaia from The Non-Blonde has begun to use the Citron scented products from Crabtree & Evelyn. They were a favorite years ago, so see if this new version is the same or could it be even better?

Tired of paying department store prices for your makeup, yet not being able to find quality drugstore brands?  Chelsea from BeautyXposé shares her experience with the new Maybelline Fit Me line.

Brushes are an important piece to the beauty puzzle.  How they work can change a look completely. Sabrina from The Beauty Look Book shares with us her must-have eye brushes.  Do you own any?

Debbi of DivaDebbi was on a hunt to find a replacement of her longtime favorite blush.   Read about her dilemma and what she ended up finding at Sephora during her hunt.

Ice Sculpture Winterlude Ottawa 2011

Keiko Mecheri Tuberose & Iles de Lointaines- White Floral Beauty

Keiko Mecheri is a niche perfumer working out of California. She has a large catalogue of scents and is best known for her gourmand beauty Loukhoum, based on the sweet Turkish desert of rose, almond and dates. I am not a gourmand lover so while I appreciate the beauty of this scent, it is never one that appealed to me, but there is a massive cult following for her Loukhoum series. If you love that kind of scent, then you must try them as they probably are among the best of the genre.

She recently launched two white floral scents which are more my speed. I read about them on Ca Fleur Bon and was lucky enough to receive one of each, Tuberose (tuberose and jasmine) and Iles de Lointaines (jasmine, gardenia and amber). As a lover of feminine floral scents I was quite excited to try these. They. Are. Gorgeous. They are quite different from each other, so it is possible you might need both but that said, I can see each one appealing to different noses who want something special out of their white florals.

The tuberose is an unusual and beautiful flower in perfume. I have been scared of tuberose as a perfume after repeated attempts to wear and at least tolerate Fracas, the Grande Dame of Tuberose Perfumes. I cannot wear it, I cannot bear it, and somehow doubt I ever will. It makes my eyes water and I can almost feel an asthma attack come on yet the beauty of tuberose makes me wish I could wear it. I love and adore Estee Lauder Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia and that is my benchmark for a ladylike, feminine and drop dead gorgeous white floral- the kind of perfume a Hitchcock Blonde would wear... but still leave men trembling in her wake like a Bardot bombshell. Humour me.

Enter Keiko Mecheri Tuberose. This is a modern stunning take on tuberose using jasmine to shape shift into a New Flower. It is clean straightforward and unusual as it opens with a mentholated camphor blast that would seem to be the last thing you’d expect or even want in a floral. Think again, because this is incredible. A revelation. It elevates the tuberose scent to something otherworldly, like a space flower from a tropical planet. I call it an Extreme Green Note and it really is the best way to make such a serious flower “bloom” in a perfume. It does veer into soap territory but such a gorgeous unexpected way that soapy seems like the wrong word. Flowing waterfall ice cold clean green bursting flowers in the rainforest is my stream of consciousness description for Tuberose. If you love this flower, you simply must try this scent. I LOVE it and think I would most enjoy wearing this in hot weather. I look forward to leaving a trail of swooning admirers behind me…

Iles de Lointaines gives us jasmine and gardenia tempered with the soft powdery sweetness of amber. Of the two, this one might be the more wearable and easy scent, especially if you are just getting into white florals. The jasmine and gardenia are lowercase here, gentle and soft, like a warm and humid tropical evening. The amber sweetens and softens the flowers and somehow I get wafts of a monoi like scent. There is not coconut per say, but the illusion of a sweet chewy tropical vibe that feels like coconut. Keiko Mecheri knows sweet and she can amp it up to tooth curling levels or keep it a gentle as she has with Iles de Lointaines. It’s almost like the amber is a soft powdered dusting on the jasmine and gardenia to make sure they don’t try to be sharp or indolic. There is still a hint of green here too, but its not nuclear green like Tuberose and is more like you are holding the flowers with the stems and leaves covered in dew still attached. Lovers of (discontinued) Guerlain Plus Que Jamais and Parfums MDCI Promess de l’Aube may enjoy this one – sweet creamy jasmine that makes you want to lean in to get the full effect. In French, Lointaines was a princess used in medieval stories, a “Distant Princess” and the term is often used to describe an unattainable love interest- one that princes would fall in love with, sight unseen, upon just hearing her description. I’m not sure if Ms Mecheri intended to use the word in this manner but I love the romance of that concept…

Sarah Bernhardt as Princesse Lointaine

Keiko Mecheri perfumes are available on her website, from Luckyscent and in Canada, from The Perfume Shoppe. I don’t see Tuberose and Iles de Lointaines on The Perfume Shoppe website yet, but I am sure they will be available there soon.

Beautiful Lippy- Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Boy

Let me start out by saying I am not a lipstick girl. I don’t like anything that requires a mirror to apply or anything that has so much colour that it needs a precise and concise application. I like my lips to feel soft and moist so lipstick has just never appealed to me. Too thick, too much colour, and a “made up” look that just didn’t feel like me.  I am lucky enough to have fairly high colour in my lips naturally so gloss has always been enough.

Leave it to Chanel to change the way I think. I’d been reading about Rouge Coco all over the beauty blogosphere and had even swatched a few colours- tempted a bit by Mademoiselle but not quite enough to actually buy it. But, it did seem rich and creamy and the colours were gorgeous. I did get the Gabrielle, a gorgeous true red, for my oh so chic Parisienne sister in law for Christmas. She can wear ONLY red lipstick with no other make up and look like a million bucks. Only the French…

Anyways, the buzz for spring has been about Rouge Coco Shine- a sheer non lipstick lipstick. I was at my local Chanel counter getting a bottle of Rose Insolence nail polish that Sabrina wore so gorgeously on The Beauty Look Book (gorgeous, right?) and, wouldn’t you know it, they had the Rouge Coco Shine in Boy on the counter- “the” colour for spring. I gave it a try and was hooked. The perfect YLBB (your lips but better) look that just enhances my lip colour perfectly. It feels soft and smooth and is somehow perfect. Sold. I love it and know I will wear this. I can put it on without a mirror and love the way it enhances my complexion. A sort of pinky mauve tone that I imagine would work with many skin tones. It seemed to morph from cool to warm when I was looking at the swatch on my arm, depending on the way the light hit it. If anyone can do a colour that shape shifts, leave it to Chanel to do it right.

Available for around $38 at most Chanel counters- I got mine at The Bay.

Beautiful Beauty Blog Round Up

Winter has been hanging on. Fortunately, spring beauty and fashion have hit the stores to give us hope for an end. Find out what we've been up to in beauty land.

Our own Kari at Fab over Forty was asked by Ladies' Home Journal to name her favorite

beauty products for their annual "Beauty Awards" issue. See what made the cut for the magazine's March issue.

There is a lot of new makeup to love. Amy showed us Chanel's Rouge Coco Shine in Boy at Café Makeup. The demand for it has been amazing.

We Edward Bess lovers are almost cult-like in our love for Edward and his extraordinary makeup. Head over to The Non-Blonde to find out why Gaia finds his Luminous Eye Shadow in Nude an essential.

Charlestongirl received her Chantecaille Sea Turtle Palette this week and promptly fell in love. See the palette and find out why you should support "the cause" at Best Things in Beauty.

Sabrina is on the prowl for a new foundation. Part 1 of her three-part series is ready for you at The Beauty Look Book.

Ever wonder if RevitaLash lash growth Serum and Mascara works? Find out what Kelly thinks at Gouldylox Reviews!

Is you skin suffering from winter? Kathryn has offered us some great tips for winter skin care at BeautyXposé.

As winter drags on, it damages our hair too. Laurie at Product Girl listed her recommendations for keeping hair healthy. She would love to hear what works for you.

Debbi wrote a fun feature on her beauty graveyard. Check out DivaDebbi to see the discontinued products that she's hanging onto - for as long as possible.

Hang in there - winter has to end! Let's all dream about daffodils!

Soap & Glory...& Beautiful!

I have always loved the Soap & Glory product packaging. I love retro stuff and their pink kitschy bottles with the cheeky names have always appealed to me. I had yet to try any of their products, not sure why, I guess there is always Something I need when I wander into the pharmacy and I somehow managed to pass them by. I am so glad I took the time to give them a try. I was out of bath bubbles- yes bubbles- and needed a replacement for my well loved Vitabath. I wanted something different, moisturizing, that smells nice and that makes lots of bubbles. A luxurious bath to me has bubbles up to my chin. I also needed some shower gel  for myself and my daughter- again, something that would smell nice, feel gentle and give some good lather on the pouffe. I decided to give the Soap & Glory products a go, and after doing a little sniffing of the line, ended up getting the Calm One, Calm All bath bubbles and the Clean, Girls body wash.

Calm One, Calm All is simply a wonderful product! Bubbles galore with just two capfuls and the scent is a cross between the nostalgic and clean scent of J&J Baby Shampoo with just a touch of something that smells a little like Coco Mademoiselle meets Miss Dior Cherie. Soft, floral, and soapy and very girly. I am very choosy with scent, and this was soft and benign enough to not interfere with my perfume, which is very important! It is a calming scent for sure, and my bathroom and surrounding areas smelled all day. It has a lovely creamy pink consistency that adds to the luxe experience. I considered not draining the tub to make the scent linger longer. It most definitely has skin softening properties as even after a hot bath (I know, not a good idea in cold weather…can be drying…blah blah blah) my skin was smooth and soft and not remotely tight or dry. The scent lingered on my skin in the subtlest of ways, I imagine it was along my hair line as I almost submerged myself. As I warmed up under my scarf and coat I’d catch comforting little wafts of clean & pretty from time to time. At $10 for a 500ml bottle and at two capfuls a bath, this is an amazing value and no-brainer for lovers of warm bubbly and luxurious baths.

Clean, Girls is just as lovely as the bubble bath. It shares a similar scent as well, and is also a thick creamy consistency. It has a touch of a pearlescent colour to it, which is pretty, but does not leave a glittery or frosted residue on the skin. It comes with a handy pump, which makes dispensing in the shower a breeze. Just a few pumps was all it took to lather me up from head to toe and again, pretty much scent my whole ensuite zone. It is moisturizing for sure, and again, I noticed that I did not feel a panic to get to my cream after drying off as my skin felt smooth and soft. The scent lingers gently for a few hours, less so than the bubble bath does, but either way the scent is so agreeable that I am ok with it. My daughter loves it too, although she is less picky and pretty much uses whatever I give her, Miss Dior Cherie was her perfume for the last year and so the scent is a win with her. She is not a big moisturizer so the added moisturizing properties are just perfect. Again, at $10 for 500ml this stuff is going to last forever, and the pump makes sure you don’t waster or overuse the product.

I got my Soap & Glory products at Shoppers Drug Mart. Nothing like a little good clean fun!

Getting To Know Our Weekly Roundup Bloggers #8

Meet the lovely Charlestongirl from Best Things In Beauty. She has a taste for the finer things in beauty and an eye for all things beautiful. Her reviews are always full of tempting and lovely beauty items that make me want to play with them immediately! Her elegant sensibility with just a touch of whimsy draws me in... and I always find something I want to try....

When did you start blogging and why?

I started blogging about beauty in the summer of 2009 (I had written a local political blog years before, when blogs were new). I had been reading beauty blogs and saw an invitation for guest bloggers on BeautyLuxe. I responded, and I wrote a few posts for Kimberly. I realized quickly how much I enjoyed writing about my beauty passion - and that there weren't many beauty bloggers in my age group. Since I was a frequent flier at all the department stores, and I had closets full of beauty products, I knew my subject was a natural. I love writing. I had intended to major in journalism in college, but was snagged by psychology. I published the first Best Things in Beauty feature in July, 2009, and the rest is history.

Every blog seems to have a special voice - what's the message on your blog?

That's a good question. My readers might be able to provide a better answer than I can. I like to focus on beauty products that are the "best in beauty." I don't want to waste my time - or theirs - on products that don't make the grade. When a product has been hyped, and I don't think it's worthy of our money, I might cover it as a warning. Otherwise, I skip the bad and mediocre and feature the best (or newest). As a rule, I focus on higher-end products, but I try to cover the best from drugstores too. I don't cover teen beauty; I have no idea what the kids are buying. I always try to provide balance on the blog, featuring not only makeup (which seems to be the most popular subject), but also fragrance, skin care, hair care, tools, celebrity beauty now and then - everything beauty. I even write a rant now and then.

Following the beauty industry is fun. Beauty products are affordable luxury; buying them is so much easier on the wallet than collecting Giorgio Armani fashion! I am fascinated with every aspect of the industry, from the science behind skin care and cosmetics to public relations and marketing, so I enjoying reading, researching, and talking beauty. That's one reason you'll often find me hanging out at beauty department counters, picking the brains of product line reps for ingredients, why products work, and what's coming, along with techniques and tips. I love sharing that information.

Have you always been a beauty fanatic or did it come later in life for you? What made it blossom?

No, my interest in beauty products has waxed and waned. I went to a strict Catholic high school, and I'm sure visible makeup would have been a no-no. I was a cheerleader, and we had to keep our hair above our shoulders! Can you imagine? Somehow, we were supposed to keep our skirts from flying up in the air and exposing our "bloomers" when we jumped. I was always on the edge of trouble over my hair, skirt length, and bloomers. Once I went to college, my interest in fashion and beauty blossomed. Even as a college student, I had a subscription to Women's Wear Daily. There wasn't an online edition "way back then." Every day, WWD was delivered my college mailbox. It was a treat to pour over the latest news. Even today, I eagerly await my monthly fashion and beauty magazines. WWD Beauty Biz is my favorite.

Tell us a little about yourself.

I'm in my early 60's and single. I live in a fabulous home in Northern Virgina, and I love my garden, which I built from nothing, with love. I have two cats, Charleston and Savannah. Charlie is a gorgeous Snow Marble Bengal. Savannah, equally gorgeous, is a rescue cat. She is definitely schizophrenic, and, unfortunately, she has epilepsy. I love antiques, art, books, and great food!

I was frantically busy when younger, earning a Ph.D. in psychology and subsequently running my own management consulting business for many years. Now, I work for a large financial company in compliance and ethics. I have always been a volunteer, and much of my "spare time" and money have been spent on local and state issues, including land use and conservation and environmental/animal causes. I have also been active in many horticultural societies. That's one reason I write Best Things in Beauty under a pseudonym. If you Google my real name, many pages of results from local civic association activities will be returned, including some of my most-famous mouthy quotes from public hearings. I decided to keep my various lives separate.

What's your daily beauty routine?

It's relatively complicated. Every morning, I get up and wash, condition, and style my hair (using a mousse and hairspray to set the style). I try to use hydrating products. I am always testing products, but I return to my favorites unless a new product has knocked my socks off (that happens fairly often). Before work, my regular beauty routine starts with a cleanser for my face and neck in the shower. Then I apply one of my favorite serums and an eye cream (I've been using Cold Plasma Eye, but I'm always on the lookout for a new one). After they absorb, I add a moisturizer (or two) and makeup. There has to be sunscreen in one of them. My makeup always includes a concealer, eyelid primer, eye shadow, mascara (I love Maybelline Define-A-Lash), foundation (usually Giorgio Armani), blush, lipstick, and lip gloss. Sometimes a highlighter too. Before I'm out the door, I add fragrance. During the day, I re-apply lip color/gloss/lip conditioner repeatedly, and I often use a hand cream during the day. Before bed, I always cleanse my face thoroughly, using an eye makeup remover if I need it after the cleanser. Then I do skin care: serum, moisturizer, and now Chantecaille's new Biodynamic Lifting Neck Cream. Morning and evening, I use a body moisturizer. I also use a hand moisturizer after I give Charlie his evening treats. Right before I go to bed, I apply Lisa Hoffman's Spa Facial Lip Moisturizer). I supplement my regular products (some of which I rotate) with whatever my skin "tells me" it needs. For special occasions, I add products, such as eyeliner, which I don't wear every day. I know I should, but I prefer to beat the traffic rush into DC. Another product I use is scented hand soap. I love it and have a nice one at every faucet. Then there are the home fragrances (diffusers and candles), which delight me.

How many lipsticks/glosses can be found in your handbag at any given time?

Too many! More than I'll ever use in a day or week. I'm bad at subtracting - really good at adding, though. Recently, a Clarisonic rep held my handbag for me. It was heavy because it had my camera in it. I roared at his response, "Girl, no wonder your back and knees are bad! This purse is ridiculously heavy!" Well, of course! It had a full face of makeup in it, with every shade you could imagine. I pared it down after my knee surgery, but I doubt it will remain spare.

What's the best beauty advice you've ever received?

From my dermatologist who told me to stay out of the sun and always wear sunscreen. He should know. He's had to use liquid nitrogen to remove a lot of actinic keratoses that have resulted from my unbridled attempts to become a bronze goddess when I was younger.

What's the most surprising thing you have learned since staring your blog?

My readers have become a second family - definitely my friends! People warn that cyberspace is "dangerous," and I've seen some pretty nasty comments on blogs. At first, I was reluctant to "expose myself" to that. I feel so privileged, though. I have never experienced anything but warmth and love from my readers. I'm sure I have the best readers (and friends) in the world. I've formed lasting friendships with so many wonderful women (a few men too!). We e-mail, we call, we comment back and forth on the blog. Blogging has been an enriching experience. I'm also thrilled with the many beauty bloggers I call friends now. Our roundup team is amazingly talented. I check in on each of their blogs every day. I hope all my readers do too.

Beautiful Top Five In My Purse (this week)

1. YSL Touch Eclat:

Sigh. It's February. This time of year I feel tired, sallow and pale. YSL Touche Eclat is a miraculous product- not a concealer, not a highlighter, but a hybrid of the two, it works magic on camouflaging without spackling. A few strategic dabs with my trusty cult fave YSL Touche Eclat and ta-da! I’m bright eyed and ready to go. I use it under my eyes, but concentrate it towards the center of my face, not out towards the sides where it could, ahem, settle into lines. Used on the inside of the nose by the eyelid, it brightens and lightens. Around the side of the nostrils, that are always a little darker, more so if one has had a cold, it makes shadows disappear.  A light swipe down the nasal labial folds is like faking an injectable and makes those “marionette” lines disappear. Then dot dot dot on any spots (sigh…over 40 and still with the spots…) and I’m good as new! It is not inexpensive, at around $40 a tube, but I usually get almost 2 years out of one pen. Seriously. No wonder a there is a YSL Touche Eclat sold somewhere in the world every ten seconds. Wow.

2. OPI Avoplex Cuticle Oil To-Go:

This stuff is a must have for winter months! This weather is not kind to our skin and nails and keeping them protected and soft is an ongoing battle. OPI created a fantastic cuticle oil gel formula, which is perfect for in the purse on the go application. The thought of applying an actual oil while say, sitting in your car before going into your office or hitting the road for a day of driving is utterly ridiculous. The spillage risks alone make doing so an impossibility. But, sometimes a hand cream just isn’t enough and if you are like me and work with the public, handing over a form for signatures with ratty, ragged and dry cuticles just doesn’t cut it. OPI Avoplex Oil comes in a nice compact little tube with a cap that twists on tightly so it can sit safe and secure in your purse with no leaking. It has a handy dandy little brush and works like a lip gloss. Just gently squeeze to distribute product to the brush and rub it in to your cuticles and across and under your nails. I do this before putting my gloves on to let the oil sink in while my hands are cozy and warm. Full of good stuff like avocado oil, vitamin e, sunflower, sesame and kului nut oils, this has made a HUGE difference in the condition of my cuticles and I would not be without it. As usual for me, the scent is not ideal, kind of a synthetic melon note but fear not, it dissipates quickly. At $10 this is a deal.

3. Fisherman’s Friend Lozenges:

Ok these aren’t exactly beautiful, but what they do is. These intense and bombastic drops can soothe the raspiest of coughs and dry throats and stuffiest of noses- especially helpful when talking is one of the things you do for a living. I swear they are so strong they must be able to kill germs but that is just my unscientific theory. The origins of this humble but powerful lozenge goes back to 1865 in England when a pharmacist took his menthol & eucalyptus cough medicine and make it into a lozenge for the fisherman to easily take on their journeys. They began to refer to it as their “friend”…and the rest is history. They are known among public speakers and singers for their magical restorative powers. And, while they are ridiculously strong, they do not send one into dry heaving convulsions like Buckley’s cough syrup, which tastes like Pine Sol, only stronger. I cannot imagine not having my FF lozenges, and even if I am out of them, I know I can root around one of my many (ahem) purses and dig a few out of the bottom. They come in little bags, that often spill out in my purse. Comforting to know I always have some handy. I like the Original Extra Strong (redundant name, but aaaanyways…) in the little white bag. For under $3 a bag will last all winter.

4. Goody Modern Updo Pin:

I got this while on the hunt for the Goody Spin Pins I’ve been reading about here and here. Everywhere I have seen them the blonde pins have been sold out so I decided to give the Modern Updo Pin a try. I have long hair and find ponytails heavy and uncomfortable so I tend to go for a twist or a bun when I wear my hair up. I have many claws but unless they are somewhat expensive high quality nylon (read: flexible) the cheap plastic ones snap all the time in my thick hair. I was ready to try an alternative. I really like the Updo Pin. It certainly takes a little practice but it holds the bun or twist in place without feeling tight and it pretty much disappears into my hair rendering itself invisible. Nice to have in my purse when I just want the mop of hair out of the way. Stay tuned for a Spin Pin review, I am still on the hunt. The Modern Updo Pin was kind of expensive for a pin at $7 but I pay around the same or even more for a good hair claw so I’m ok with that price. I’m not sure how this would work on fine hair and would be curious to know if you have any feedback.

5. Korres Lip Butter in Jasmine:

My ongoing lip balm adventures continue with Korres Lip Butter in Jasmine, which is soft pale yet sheer pink shade with the subtlest hint of shimmer. I really like this balm, and am more than halfway through the little pot, which is quite telling for me. I am still loving my Dior Crème de Rose, but when I want a little bit of  colour ( and I mean little) I will dab on some Korres. I really like this line. My daughter Emilie wears the Korres Lip Butter in Wild Rose, which is a sheer fuchsia rose tone that looks amazing on her. Younger daughter Brigit wears the Pomegranate, which is slightly more coral, again, looks gorgeous on her. Korres Lip Butter is nicely moisturizing with little or no taste or scent. The darker shades add a nice subtle tone and the pale Jasmine gives more of the nude lip that I like. The darker shades also work nicely as a cheek tint. Almost shine free, this is one I will repurchase. It protects and moisturizes and acts like a lip colour at the same time. Also, Korres Lip Butter is formulated without parabens, synthetic fragrances & dyes or petro-chemicals. This little $10 gem is usually in those tempting impulse purchase bins as you stand in line at Sephora, which is where I was first tempted to buy them.  Great value in my opinion.

           

Beautiful Beauty Blog Round Up

I will be watching The 2011 Puppy Bowl 

With Super Bowl weekend upon us, will we leave the game to the men and make beauty be our game? With this great group of beauty bloggers, you can have the latest in beauty and trends at your fingertips. See what beauty game plan they have this week!

It may be winter outside, but spring is in the air! Kelly from Gouldylox Reviews shows us the latest from the new Stila Spring 2011 Collection. What catches your eye this spring?

Kari from Fab Over Forty spent time in New York last week and got a sneak peek at the new Le Metier de Beauté Valentine release eye shadow palette. Take a look you might want it on your sweetheart list!

Tired of spending the money on a manicure that doesn't last? Jennifer from BeautyXposé gives us the rundown on the latest long lasting nail craze Shellac manicures by CND.

Charlestongirl shows us at Best Things in Beauty the latest blushes from Tarte. These Amazonian Clay blushes come in a wide variety of shades and are said to last 12 hours. I don't think anyone will be able to resist these!

Are you afraid of using a cleansing oil on your face? Gaia from The Non-Blonde explains why we embrace them and why the Kanebo Sensai Silky Purifying Cleansing Oil is a must-have on her skincare list.

Debbi from DivaDebbi is busy preparing for New York Fashion Week, which features the designer Fall Collections. She stepped back and showed us what we should be looking for this spring. Is there are trend in the group for you?

Need to put a little happiness in your life? Laurie from Product Girl shows us Physicians Formula Happy Booster Blush made with plant extracts said to make you happy. If not, at least looking at the pretty palette will make you happy!

Amy from Café Makeup received the NARS Calanque Trio. This beautiful eye shadow trio for Spring 2011 is sure to be a hit on everyone's list. Check out her images and swatches of this latest NARS beauty.

Do you love a gloss, but not the stickiness usually associated with a gloss? Then the NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencils may just be the thing you are looking for. Sabrina from The Beauty Look Book loved these so much she bought the whole collection!

EauMG has a lovely Valentine's Gift Buying Guide- for you! These would also be nice gifts from someone else, but I agree, if you want it, get it and treat yourself!

Ashleigh at Scent Rebel writes about a stunning eighties release perfume that was a long time favourite of mine...do you remember Paris?

Hey Canadian perfume swappers! We know international shipping is a real drag...thankfully Dane at Pere de Pierre has a link to our very own Canadian Swap Board! Hurray!

Terax Crema Conditioner for Silky Beautiful Hair

In my efforts to purge silicones from my hair routine I ended up revisiting an old favourite hair conditioner. You know, the products you love because they do exactly what you want and expect them to do, but that you set aside one day because something allegedly better comes along….then time goes by, more products come along, and the fabulous product you loved so much gets forgotten. Such was the case with the cult favourite (for a Reason) Terax Crema Conditioner. Now, I am often let down by “Cult Favourites” as my expectations are unreasonably high. But Crema did what it should do, which was make my hair smooth and soft and not weigh it down. It actually claims to alter the PH of the hair, making the cuticle somehow more open to moisture. I’m dubious on that claim and wonder if some ad copy translator took a liberty or two. Terax is an Italian company and seems to specialize in products that work well on thick  hair that has been processed, and/or spent a lot of time in the sun and the sea.

I’ve written earlier about my love for Living Proof but I do have an issue with their smoothing/straight making products. They build up in the hair. Its so light that you can’t feel it, it doesn’t add weight. But after 10 days to 2 weeks of continual use my hair becomes flat, dead and dry as I feel the ends cannot be conditioned properly due to the build up. So, I might use it if I plan to blow dry and want a smooth look for a special occasion, but not more often than that. And if you have been paying attention to the style mags, stick straight F L A T hair is thankfully passé. While I may not be keen on the frizzy styles that I have seen, a more natural bouncy and yes, even slightly poufy look is “In” right now. Can I get a hallelujah?

One thing has most definitely changed since I first tried Crema 15 or so years ago. The scent. Um- what the heck. The only way I can describe this…scent, after some help from my hair twin /15 year old daughter is, um, wet dog. Amazingly unpleasant, blessedly short lived and not lingering. I just don’t get it and wonder if some ingredient they used in the past became unavailable. There are conflicting reports of the scent online which makes me wonder could it be a weird musk scent, as musks are notorious for being shape shifter that are unbearable for some and invisible to others. I read a review that said it smelled like “beef”? I don’t get that at all, just an odd funk but as I said, it disappears almost immediately upon application and the fact that it turns my hair into silk helps. There is a soft lingering cream like scent but it is almost unnoticeable.

Look ma, no straight iron!

Now that I am being more analytical and practical with my approach to the functionality of beautyproducts, I have yet to find anything that comes close to the efficacy of Crema. I have a secret though, and those of you with dry, frizzy hair, processed, thick and/or strawlike hair need to know. I use Terax Crema as  Leave In Conditioner as well. This was a game changer for me. We all know why a silicone is a nice “idea”, put it on your wet hair, then as it dries it won’t frizz or pouffe up. Sadly, over time silicone just accumulates and then none of your conditioners can touch your hair and you have to use harsh shampoos to get the silicone out, only to start all over again. Silicone gives you a false sense of soft hair, if you will. Not the case with Crema. After I take my hair out of the towel and before combing it out (with a wide tooth comb) I take a dollop the size of a quarter and rub into the ends of my hair. Taa-daa! Softer and silkier than any silicone could muster up, and I can almost feel my hair soaking it up.

Smooth & silky but not pin straight aka dead looking

Another neat thing about Crema is that a little goes a long way. Some conditioners just disappear into my hair instantly requiring massive amounts in order to cover all my hair. Not Crema. And, it offers daily aka regular conditioning if left on for 1-2 minutes or, deep conditioning if left on for 15 minutes. Gotta love the multitasking properties of this product. Regular, deep and leave in conditioner= WIN! 

Natural & fun hair...FTW

I use this with Neutrogena Clarifying Shampoo (once every couple weeks, to remove build up from hard water etc) or, more regularly, with the bargain-o-rama Live Clean Moisturizing Shampoo. I love the Terax Shamp Latte clarifying milk shampoo as well but it’s hard to find. For a more moisturizing shampoo they have a honey line, Miele, which is lovely and gentle, and from what I recall, smells really good. I buy Terax Crema from my stylist but I have also seen it at Winners. Sephora has it on their website. A 17oz jug is around $48 but seriously, it will last forever. I have hair halfway down my back and shampoo twice a week and would say maybe 4-6 months with one jug. I get the smaller tube for travel and just refill it. Perfect!