I wish there was a spot treatment cream that would instantly fade my age spots. Until that is available, I will continue to use fading treatments, including one of my new favorites from Lancôme. From the Bright Expert line, this is the Intense Brightening Spot Correcting Serum.

 
Unique Lancôme technology targets damaged surface cells to reduce the appearance of dark spots, while a combination of Vitamin CG and botanical extracts helps even out and brighten the complexion.

This creamy serum is easy to use. A tiny bit is all that is needed. I squeeze out a tiny dot onto my age spot(s) and rub in until dissolved into my skin. After using this treatment twice a day for the last week, I am definitely noticing some of my hated age spot on my hands diminishing. I purposely started using this on my hands first to gauge how much I need to use and I really wanted to put it to the test. I am select treating some of the spots, and by leaving some alone, I am noticing a difference already. I am going to start treating all of my dark spots now, and move onto my face.

You can try this Correcting Serum out at your Lancôme counter, where the tube sells for $90.00. This one comes highly recommended from yours truly.

image credit: lancome.com

I wrote a post on Beautiful Makeup Search about all of the new high tech mascaras that has gotten a bit of attention. Excuse the duplicate information if you read me over there, but I was wondering how more of you felt.

Maybe I am old, or old fashioned. Or maybe I am pretty good at applying my mascara, because I am not so sure about all of these new mascaras.

The madness began when companies started making giant wands and huge brushes, a la Benefit’s BADgal and the newer CoverGirl’s LashBlast. Then there are the rubber-like brushes, a la Lancôme’s High Définicils, and again Lash Blast combines this type of bristle with it’s large wand. Needless to say that these are my favorites of the many mascara’s that have veered away from the norm. Then there is now. Now we have an even weirder looking brush in the shape of a ball and some rotating and vibrating wands.

While I am tempted to try these, you know I am a sucker for anything beauty related; I honestly don’t know if any of these mascara’s would become a staple in my makeup bag.

I have SpinLash and it is not a favorite of mine. The brush spins very slowly aiding mascara application. I can see it being a help to those gals that are not only mascara challenged, it can force a curl at the base of the lashes for those that need it. I was very excited to hear of Estee Lauder’s TurboLash (sold out) and Lancôme’s Ôscillation (sold out in the exclusive preview). Alas, the more I read about them and study them - I am afraid I could really poke my eye out with one of these vibrational wands. Then there is one that looks almost like a torture device, Givency’s Phenomen’Eyes. I don’t know how this one could evenly coat my lashes.

Mascara application takes a very steady and precise hand. It could be considered an art form (applying false lashes certainly is!). I do not need my fingers slipping or running a muck. I certainly do not need a mascara brush in my eye, let alone rotating or vibrating at unheard of speeds.

I must admit that besides SpinLash, I have not held any of these other newbies, so call me judgmental. Simply put, I don’t need eye damage and I can see it going wrong - very wrong, at some time or another.

Madness - I swear! Will it end? And where will it go from here? Let me know your thoughts in the comments. I am anxious to hear if you have tried any of these, if you love them, or are a bit of a skeptic or afraid as I.

image credits: esteelauder.com, lancome.com, sephora.com

I apologize. With the warm weather still here, and the pumpkins just starting to show up on doorsteps, it is hard to think about the Holidays. But they are fast approaching, and I have so much in store, that I cannot wait to share. Like the ultimate fabulous shopping list!

Perhaps, it is a bit early. So I will just share one thing with you. This is the ultimate luxury from Lancôme.

Lancôme has teamed up with Goyard, the prestige luggage-maker, to create an exquisite, hand-crafted makeup case. The creation of this makeup kit is the result of a collaboration between Goyard and Gucci Westman, much adored celebrity makeup artist and Lancôme’s Artistic Director. The result is a custom train case with multiple removable compartments, a mirror and a white makeup bag in Goyard’s signature canvas print. The chic case is filled with 36 of Gucci’s makeup essentials (good thing!) and is available exclusively at Bergdorf Goodman. The suggested retail price: $18,000 and only a limited number will be available by special order.

Once you have picked yourself up off the floor - I want to know how many of you are sending your honey on over to Bergdorf’s to order one right up for you?

Yes, it is beautiful. Extreme, yes, too! But if Santa happened to place this under my tree, would I object? Heck now!!!

It is no secret that I am on a mission to find age spot and freckle faders, and one system I have been using - and loving - is from Lancôme. This is the Bright Expert. Lancôme calls these products a power system, meaning they are meant to be used in conjunction with each other.

I have been using a total of four products in the Bright Expert (power)System.

Unique Lancôme technology targets damaged surface cells to reduce the appearance of dark spots, while a combination of vitamin CG and botanical extracts helps even out and brighten the complexion.

First, I use the Intense Brightening Cleansing Foam. This foam is a great cleanser, that is not only helping to brighten and even out my skin tone, but it quickly and gently removes every trace of makeup, and dirt from my face. I follow this with Intense Brightening Toner. I love how this toner immediately starts to make my skin feel a bit “looser” and moisturized after being cleansed. It is a nice, refreshing toner, that I highly recommend be used right after cleansing. Nest, I apply the Intense Brightening Spot Correcting Serum. This serum is the core of the line, and a must-have product for us that are serious in diminishing our spots. I take a teeny, tiny amount and rub it in over the areas that need the most fading. The difference is dramatic, as I can notice fading where I apply the serum more than anywhere else. Finally, I apply the Intense Brightening Moisturizing Night Cream just at night time. This cream is a rich cream, that hydrates well enough to last through the night, without becoming over-greasy.

Overall, I am very pleased with the way my skin tone seems to be more even, and especially how much specific areas are lighter. I will continue to use this Bright Expert Power System of products, in addition to my regular product testing. I cannot wait to see even more results as I continue to use this in the months when I am not outside so much and constantly freckling.

If you have never been to a Nordstrom Exclusives Beauty Event or shopped the website for the exclusives, you really must. The exclusive beauty products they get in are absolutely fabulous.

The Beauty Exclusives Pre-Sale is going on now, and I am constantly changing and adding more things to my shopping bag on Nordstrom.com. You see, you can pre-order the items now, before they go on sale on July 20th, which is when they will ship out.

Just take a look at some of the goodies:

From now until the main event of July 20th, I will bring you information on different sets that will be exclusive to Nordstrom just for this event. If you see something you like, add it to your shopping bag immediately and check-out before the 20th. Many of the exclusives do sell out.

As always, let me know what you can’t wait for or cave on!

My sister is attending an all red event. Yes - Red. You have heard of the Pure White parties where one can only wear white, right? Well this party is a fund raising event wear all the women have to wear red. How fun!

She has the dress and shoes, which match perfectly. She only sports a French manicure, so that’ll work. She just needed some help for her lips.

I came upon a wonderful beauty tip from Ross Burton, National Artistic Director for Lancôme.

To create a dramatic red lip that stays on all night, here’s my best trick: Start by applying concealer with Concealer Brush #8 around the lip area. this defines the lips and gives the color staying power so it doesn’t migrate from the lips as it wears. Then apply the shade of red you are most comfortable with. Also, if you are wearing a strong lip, go for a light eye – this will creative balance and allow the lips to garner the attention they deserve.

I will definitely help her try this. And if she is brave enough, I will post a picture or two of the lovely lady in red.

When I was first “allowed” to wear makeup, I drooled over the department store makeup counters. I was always afraid to go up to the Lancôme counter, as I thought it was beyond my reach, price wise. It stuck out from the other department stores as more higher end. It was luxury.

While I now know that Lancôme is within my reach, and comparable in price to most other department store brands, one thing I was not wrong about is that Lancôme is luxury.

My luxurious Lancôme has one of the prettiest Summer eye palettes on the counters now. This palette is from Lancôme’s Summer Tropiques collection, titled Color Design Survival Palette. There are two color combinations for this four shadow palette. One is Summer Tropiques, which includes a beautiful green, a lilac pink, a pure pink, and a nude color. The other is named Bronzed Captive, and includes the sleekest sky blue, a nude color, a taupe, and a pretty peach.

One look at this palette will have you hooked. The palette itself, made with beautiful pearlescent shells, is what inspired the shades in each palette.

Color Design Survival Palette retails for $42.00 is available at Lancôme counters and online now.

I have more than a few favorite beauty items, but these are my most treasured, tried, and true beauty products that I use regularly.

• Smashbox Photofinish Primer - I don’t know what took me so long, but I cannot live without this now.
• Tarte Cosmetic’s Lights. Camera, Lashes! Mascara - I think this is my hg mascara find.
• Bare Escentuals Get Started Kit - a great kit to get started with BareMinerals, and I am happy to have finally become a BEliever.
• Lancome Flash Retouche Concealer - I use this daily to cover and brighten my under eye area.
• BourJois Lip Gloss Cell Phone Charm - the cutest and best accessory ever!
• Clinique Brush On Cream Eye liner - so easy to use and blend - and stay on all day!
• Bliss Spiff Upper Lip - I use this twice a day to fill in lines, plump my lips, and stop hair growth.
• DuWop Revolotion Face - a tinted moisturizer that lightens, brightens, and covers.
• ModelCo Tan Airbrush in a Can - the best body self-tanner I have ever tried.
• Philosophy’s Purity Cleanser - I don’t think I will ever use anything else to cleanse and freshen.
• Essie Nail Polishes - too many to name, but they continue to work the best for me.
• Estee Lauder High Gloss Lip Gloss - a lip gloss fave that I have multiples of.

Do we share any of the favorites I have listed?

One of the easiest ways to protect skin from premature aging is by shielding it from things like the sun.

Lancôme just introduced it’s most powerful sun screen moisturizing solutions. It is called UV EXPERT 20 with MEXORYL™ SX. What is so exciting that this was just FDA approved for use in the United States. Mexoryl is an extraordinary, and extremely effective ingredient that protects skin from UVA rays.

It is a face and body sun protection moisturizing cream, with SPF 20. We should be using this each and every morning, before we put our best face forward to face the world.

UV EXPERT 20 with MEXORYL™ SX retails for $35. Visit Lancôme.com for more information.

The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends this product and gives Lancôme it’s seal of approval.

How many items of makeup are rolling around in the bottom of your hangbag at this very moment? For some reason, it took me a while to realize that that I could buy an all-in-one compact that contained everything that I needed. Just about every cosmetic company carries them, so you won’t have to look very hard.

Actually the one I have, I picked up on a flight (duty free). It was from Lancome and it had everything from lipstick to mascara and everything in between. I lucked out there.