Looking for a cleanser that will get off even the most stubborn eye makeup but be gentle on your skin?  How about one with serious anti-aging benefits?  Shu Uemura Cleansing Beauty Oil Premium A/O, is just the ticket.  This is a “cleansing oil”,  but don’t let that word scare you because there is nothing oily feeling about it.  To use, just pump a little into your hands and rub all over your face, add water to emulsify and you get a little bit of lather!  Rinse with warm water an you are done!  Because it is an “oil” you can use it to remove your waterproof makeup/mascara!  So I take a cotton pad and sweep that across my eyes to get the mascara off.  The warm water will get everything else – a multi-tasking dream!!

This particular version is an anti-aging and anti-oxidant skin purifier that gets skin super clean while protecting it against the internal and external aggressions associated with aging. It contains Green Tea Extract, known worldwide for its anti-oxidant properties and leaves skin smooth and protected without drying it out. HUGE plus that it removes waterproof makeup INCLUDING mascara!  What could be better than not having to spend extra money on eye makeup remover?

There are several variations of the Cleansing Oil available, so you can find one that suits your skincare needs.  The cleansing oils are available in 150mL and 450mL sizes at Nordstrom stores and on ShuUemura.com

Last year when Bobbi Brown introduced her palette system….she took some of our tried and trues favorites and made it possible for us to have them in a portable fashion.  One of my favorites is her glitter lip gloss, mostly because it’s great for layering. The shades here are limited-edition and are infused with light-reflecting flecks of glitter, this gloss gives lips a high-shine and high shimmer look that’s perfect for any party and evening soiree. Comes in a sleek, flip-top compact that can be used individually or assembled into palettes.

The Rundown:

• Ball
• Disco Pink
• Martini
• Rave
• Soiree Pink
• Velvet Rope

The glosses are named after a party vibe (so cute) they are sheer and shimmery, PERFECT for summer. If glitter isn’t your thing, try the non glittery shades, or layer the two together.With this new system Bobbi has introduced, you can pop these (and any of the other flip top shadows, glosses or blushes) into the palettes and have your own custom set.

Image:  Bobbi Brown

Looking for a basic eye palette that will look great no matter what??  Check out Bobbi Brown’s Basic Eye Palette….great for the beginner as well as the seasoned makeup lover.  These shades will go with everything and can be used together or independently for a wide range of looks.  Smokey neutral shades are always in style….and whether you want a daytime or dramatic look this palette has got your covered.

The Rundown:

• Navajo Eye Shadow (exclusive shade)
• Cement Eye Shadow
• Heather Mauve Shimmer Mauve Eye Shadow
• Mahogany Eye Shadow

The colors are long wearing and richly pigmented…you would expect nothing less from a Bobbi palette…

Available for $45 at Nordstrom stores nationwide.

Image:  Nordstrom

Purlisse is new on the scene and is known for their all natural brightening qualities. Purlisse Pur Bright Skin Brightening Serum is a skin-brightening serum that is a hydroquinone-free concentrated cream combining an exclusive Lotus Lupine Peptide Complex with 9 powerful plants extracts. This serum is perfect for skin that is ruddy, has age spots, acne scars etc.  It works fairly quickly (I noticed results in about 4-5 weeks) and feels fantastic on the skin, it helps to create luminous, even-toned skin without harsh ingredients.  Skin is strengthened against future damage, while melanin production is safely decreased for fewer age spots. Pure genius!

Sexy Motherpucker is the name of a new line of lipglosses from the ubiquitous Marcia Kilgore of Bliss Spa fame.  Marcia has created a new range of bath & beauty products called Soap & Glory where the motto is, “You shouldn’t have to spend an arm and a leg to moisturize one...”.  The entire line is priced under $20 and is available at Target…..how FAB is that? These are plumping glosses but they don’t burn like most of them do, just a slight tingle was all that I felt. It actually does work (at least it did for me) BUT it doesn’t last all that long so you will have to re-apply to keep up the plumping effect.

The gloss is water activated so if your lips are moist then it will tingle more!  Drink some water and it will tingle intensely! This gloss is definitely one of my favorites (I keep one in the car in my bag etc.).  Does it give me a huge bee-stung pucker?  No…BUT I love the color, I like the tingle and it fills in the lines in my lips so that is good enough for me. It comes in several shades (I only saw three in Target) Nude is perfect on everyone (that’s the one I love)…there is also a peachy-berry shade and another sheer vanilla looking shade called super starry.  The only one that was available on it’s own was nude the others were with nude in a set of three for $24.

Image:  Target

Drugstore products are defnitely stepping their game up as of late.  Olay Regenerist Daily Regenerating Serum is lightweight and has a gel-like texture (which I prefer for serums).  It is a highly-concentrated blend of amino-peptides that regenerates damaged skin, renewing the outer layer to give you a younger-looking complexion.  I used this for 14 days and I definitely noticed a difference (especially in the lines on my forehead).

It contains a host of great ingredients that actually work (which is great considering it’s a drugstore line)

• carnosine (with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties)
• vitamin E (antioxidant)
• allantoin (anti-irritant)
• green tea (antioxidant)

Also included is 2-3% Niacinamide (vitamin B3) which according to beauty expert Paula Begoun, “it can increase the skin’s ceramide and fatty acid content as well as have anti-inflammatory action“.  Over all, it feels nice and is perfect for normal to dry skin types under a moisturizer or alone if you aren’t that dry.  For $18.99, this is a fantastic buy and well worth it if you are looking for a decent drugstore line to save money.

Image: Olay

They are here!  Bobbi’s staple fall shades have arrived and I am SO excited!  Nude makeup is a classic look that everyone can pull off with no hassles whatsoever.  These shades will be new modern classics that you will be able to use over and over.

“Bobbi Brown’s newest take on nude makeup—a concept she created. ‘Nude makeup doesn’t mean monochromatic, barely-there makeup. It means makeup that’s right for your skin,’ says Bobbi. Fall’s must-have eye palette takes you effortlessly from day to night with a sophisticated and universally flattering selection of nude shadows in three different textures: soft matte, lightly pearlized and metallic high-shimmer. Three eyeshadow duos come in a customizable 3-Pan Palette, which can also be filled with your choice of any Bobbi Brown eyeshadow or blush shades.”

“Nude makeup never goes out of style—it’s polished, sophisticated, and always looks modern.” –Bobbi Brown

The Rundown:

Nude Eye Palette ($60.00)

• Contains Navajo/Pebble, Chino/Beige Linen Wash and Maple Sugar/Caviar duos, exclusive to this set.

Nude Shimmer Brick ($38.00)

The iconic Shimmer Brick is now available in the perfect everyday shade: Nude. This hand-made brick features five pure pearl pigments—pink, gold, bronze, beige and caramel—designed to be blended together to give all skin tones a soft, lit-from-within glow. Layer over blush as highlighter or use individual shades on lids for a sheer, pearlized look.

Creamy Lip Color ($22.00)

• Rose Bud
• Rose Garden
• Soft Blush
• Twilight

Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner ($21.00)

• Caviar Ink

Bobbi Brown Nude collection is currently on counter at Norstrom stores nationwide via Nordstrom.com

images:  Bobbi Brown

Anti-aging for your lashes??  Why not? With all the hype surrounding prescription lash enhancers (they have tons of listed side effects, including discoloring of your iris…yikes!)  this is most definitely worth a look.  According to studies, an eyelash has an average lifecycle of about 150 to 200 days. Taking into consideration the number of external aggressors that most women expose their lashes to everyday, including mascaras, eyelash curlers, makeup removers, and environmental aggressors, this lifecycle is often cut even shorter, meaning lashes rarely have the opportunity to achieve their maximum potential.

Conditioning eyelashes with a new product called neuLash may provide protection against breakage, hydration, and will possibly make lashes healthier (just like conditioner does for the hair), therefore extending their life and allowing lashes to stay on the lid longer. This gives them the opportunity to appear longer and thicker – naturally.

neuLash is said to offer maximum protection for lashes by delivering essential proteins, vitamins, peptides, moisturizing and rejuvenating ingredients to replenish and strengthen lashes. The result is healthier and thicker-looking lashes in as little as two weeks, with maximum results at eight weeks. On the other hand, the prescription drug does not contain essential vitamins, proteins or peptides, does not condition lashes, and can take up to 16 weeks to achieve results.

In addition to providing conditioning for the upper lashes, neuLash can be also used for the same purpose on the eyebrows. The result is healthier and fuller-looking lashes and brows, which enhances the overall appearance of the eyes.  It should be applied once daily in the evening before bedtime to the base of the upper eyelash on a clean, dry area, starting from the inner corner of the eye to the outer corner. It is made for both men and women, and it can be used by those who have eyelash extensions and contact lenses.

“Years of extensive research and testing resulted in a product that is ophthalmologist and dermatologist safety-tested and that really works,” said Richard Carieri, President and CEO of Skin Research Laboratories, the cosmetics company that created neuLash. “When you compare them side by side, neuLash offers many benefits that the prescription drug does not.”

With its consumer friendly and easy to use eyeliner-like applicator, neulash is also more economical than the prescription drug product and contains about a three month supply, for an average cost of $1.67 per day. The average cost of the prescription drug is $4.00 per day for a one month supply. Also, you do not need a doctor’s visit or a prescription to obtain neuLash, which is available at www.neuLash.com, Saks Fifth Avenue stores nationwide and, and at top spas, including Qua Bath and Spa, Essentiels Spa et Beaute, Select Ritz Carlton’s, and Langham Spa.

image:  neulash

Looking for a foundation that feels light but has amazing coverage? Giorgio Armani Beauty’s Lasting Silk Foundation with UV SPF 20 is the ticket. “Starlight proof, spotlight proof, in a new liquid silk texture.” This is Armani’s answer to the HDTV foundation world.  It is a high resistance make-up that gives a luminous semi-matte finish that is super long lasting (up to 20 hours!).   So you will get long lasting weightless feeling coverage without that heavy foundation feel….fabulous!

The secret lies in a special high-tech Microfil™ fine milling process that combines water essence, micronised optical effect particles, high tech fitting silk and micro blend luminous pigments. These components morph into a barely perceivable seamless silk veil of infallible semi-matte color that dresses the skin’s contours to perfection.

It is also formulated with an exclusive blend of extremely concentrated water essence (50%), has a smooth application, leaving a fresh sensorial, cushiony feel on the skin. In addition, It uses the same approach as today’s high-tech “second-skin” fabrics, Giorgio Armani has incorporated a finer than fine high-tech fluid silk fiber for optimum long-lasting adherence with a pleasant, non-sticky feel.  The pigments used are a new blend of fine high-impact pigments for a radiant durable color.

The shade range is amazing also!!  Eight natural shades range from light to dark beiges to blend with every skin tone.  Application Tip:  Use a foundation brush and apply sparingly over a clean moisturized face
The Rundown:

• n°2 Ivory Beige
• n°4 Light Sandy Beige
• n°4.5 Pale Beige
• n°5 Warm Beige
• n°5.5 Natural Beige
• n°6.5 Tawny Beige
• n°7 Tan
• n°9 Natural Suede

Giorgio Armani Lasting Silk UV Foundation is available at the Giorgio Armani Beauty online boutique and select locations nationwide.

Image:  Giorgio Armani Beauty

If you haven’t heard about 3Lab “M” Cream, I am here to tell you that this one is by far the best cream I have tried this year.  It is pricey, BUT it also has some serious science behind it.   This is the first cosmetic product that contains world’s first bio-engineered growth hormone, stem cells from the rare Uttweiler Spatlauber Swiss Apple, which is so rare that only three trees remain in existence.

The cream is luxurious feeling but not heavy (the formula is a gel cream), so you don’t feel like you have a layer of product on your skin.  Dubbed as a skin de-stressing cream, this works to increase resiliency and cellular turnover while giving the skin a naturally radiant glow from the inside out.  My skin has become smoother and over the 8 week period that I tested it moisture was increased, skin was firmed and fine lines were softened.  I have been using it ever since.

The Rundown:

• Nano-Claire GY, a bioengineered growth hormone-like protein that works as a “hormone replacement therapy” for the skin.
• PhytoCelTec™ Malus Domestica, stem cells from a rare Swiss Apple that have been proven to slow down and delay the aging process.
• Happybelle, a phyto-endorphin extract that comes from the cactus Monk’s Pepper combined with antioxidant and moisturizing factors to help revitalize the skin and give it a radiant glow.
• ACS (Anti-Cyto Stressor) to promote an overall bioregulation that follows and respects the cutaneous physiological mechanisms by hindering the alterations caused by stress hormone.
• Osilift, a 100% Natural sugar tensor purified fraction of oat polysaccharides that gives an immediate tensor and long term anti-wrinkle effect to the skin.

This cream is the ULTIMATE anti-aging weapon….anyone over the age of 30 should take a look.

Image:  3Lab