“We believe that the difficult decision relating to Prescriptives will allow us to redirect our resources to key strategic imperatives where we see the highest growth potential,” said Fabrizio Freda, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Estée Lauder Companies. “Ultimately this action allows us to focus on those areas which we expect to benefit the Company, our shareholders and business partners. We intend to work closely with our retail partners and continue to communicate with our consumers to ensure a seamless transition.”

Other Estée Lauder Companies Inc. brands that will remain active include:

Estée Lauder, Aramis, Clinique, Prescriptives, Lab Series, Origins, M-A-C, Bobbi Brown, Tommy Hilfiger, Kiton, La Mer, Donna Karan, Aveda, Jo Malone, Bumble and bumble, Darphin, Michael Kors, American Beauty, Flirt!, Good Skin(TM), Grassroots Research Labs, Sean John, Missoni, Daisy Fuentes, Tom Ford, Coach and Ojon. 

I am curious what the evaluation showed. Why Prescriptives, I wonder? I’m sure that it’s a money issue, but Prescriptives always seemed to be one of the more affordable luxuries.

**Update**  I heard today that Calyx will still be available. It’s going to be carried under the Aramis and Designer Fragrance brand names.

Image credit: Prescriptives.com

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Estée Lauder to Discontinue Prescriptives

Recently, Shape magazine polled nearly 5,000 readers, beauty professionals and their editors about what beauty and skincare products they loved and according to the results, below are the best face products on the market today.

Best Exfoliators

(Images: Olay / Estee Lauder)

Olay Dual Action Cleanser + Pore Scrub ($7; drugstores)
Estée Lauder Idealist Dual-Action Refinishing Treatment ($50; Estee Lauder and department stores)

Best Moisturizers

(Images: Aveeno / Macys)

Aveeno Positively Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30 ($15; at drugstores)
Clinique Comfort on Call Allergy Tested Relief Cream ($40; Clinique and department stores)

Best Cleansers

(Images: Neutrogena / Aveda)

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Facial Cleanser ($6; at drugstores)
Aveda Enbrightenment Brightening Cleanser ($35; Aveda)

Best Eye Care Products

(Images: Drugstore.com / Lancome

Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller ($13; drugstores)
Lancôme High Résolution Eye Refill-3X Triple Action Renewal Anti-Wrinkle Eye Cream ($55; Lancome and department stores)

Best Anti-Aging Products

(Images: Olay / Kiehls)

Olay Professional Pro-X Deep Wrinkle Treatment ($42; drugstores)
Kiehl’s Highly Efficient Skin-Tone Corrector ($50; kiehls)

What I like about this survey is it gives you options of the high-end department store brand as well as the budget friendly products. So you needn’t pay an arm and a leg to get something amazing.

(Source: Shape Press)

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Shape Magazine’s Best Face Products

They are one of the first lines to have met the certification standards for EcoCert and Cosmebio. They have also joined Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and are committed to protecting the health of consumers by not using and phasing out the chemicals found in most beauty and skincare products that are linked to and cause health issues.

(Images: Anthropologie)

I first noticed this line whilst browsing through the Anthropologie store. As you may know, Anthropologie is one of my favourite stops as they offer such beautiful and unique pieces and product lines. The Patyka Rosewood Body Cream ($16) is an amazing moisturizer. It’s smooth, silky and smells absolutely divine.  The body cream is formulated with rosewood oil, of course, organic sesame seed oil and shea butter which leaves your skin very hydrated. The calming rosewood scent will de-stress and relieve tension.

Another wonderful product is the Patyka Aloe Hand Cream ($12). We all know the benefits of aloe vera and this hand cream will soothe those rough and tired hands by hydrating and nourishing. The scent is light and clean so it won’t compete with your perfume. Key ingredients include shea butter, beeswax and of course, aloe vera.

There are quite a number of products from this line that are worth a try. From their bath products, face products and fragrances, it’s no wonder this brand is popular with celebrities! Check out the rest of the Patyka product line at Anthropologie and through the online store, Patyka USA.

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Luxurious Organic Skincare by Patyka

(Images: Nordstrom)

The MAC Studio Moisture Tint SPF 15 ($29.50) is a light-weight, tinted moisturizer. It’s formulated with SPF 15 and is perfect for those days when you want just a little bit of coverage. It comes in a few different shades – dark, light, medium dark, deep dark and medium – so you won’t have any trouble trying to match on with your skin tone. If you do have trouble, try getting two shades and combine them to get your perfect shade.

The MAC Suntints Liquid Lip Balm SPF 20 ($14.50) a are vanilla scented lip balms formulated with SPF 20. It’ll keep your lips hydrated and protected while you’re out and about. This is great to toss in your bag for quick on the go touch ups during the day.  They’re available in a pretty shades of pinks, a plum and a clear version with greenish-gold shimmer.

This collection is perfect for those of you who want to skip putting sunscreen on your face and for those who neglect to use a lip balm with SPF. It’s always nice when products can do double duty. Less time preening in front of the mirror means more time to spend out and about with your friends!

You can purchase this collection at any MAC counter or free-standing store. Online these are available through the MAC website and at Nordstrom.

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M.A.C. Baby Bloom Collection

There are three formulations to choose from, Ambi Fade Cream for Normal Skin, Oily Skin and Dry Skin.  Per the description, this fade cream will visibly fade dark spots within 2 weeks with continued use. Sounds promising, no?

(Images: Ambi)

The ingredients used are:
Hydroquinone – this is what fades the skin discolorations
Alpha Hydroxy Acid – enhances the fading results
Vitamin E – aids to soften and smooth your

From the reviews I’ve read, the results are pretty mixed. While most people say they’ve seen a difference some say it doesn’t work at all. As with most skin care treatments and products, it’s all in the way you use it and how long you use it. If you’re diligent about using it every day you’ll probably see a difference. But with most ‘fade creams’, it can’t be your only defense against skin discoloration. Staying out of the sun and/or using sunscreen will greatly reduce the appearance of age spots, freckles etc.

If you’d like to try Ambi, you can purchase a tube at Drugstore.com or at your near by drugstore for about $6.  Have you tried this product? If so, comment below and tell us your experience!

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Fade Skin Discolorations with Ambi

(Image: Philosophy)

Philosophy Coconut Frosting is a fantastic way to pamper your skin and your senses. If you love the smell of coconuts as much as I do, you’ll fall in love with the way this scrub smells. It’s not overly sweet either, just a pleasant, warm, milky, soft coconut scent. It really is divine! Aside from the wonderful smell, the scrub itself is fabulous.  It’s oil-free which is a huge plus because it won’t leave a filmy layer on your skin or in your tub.

If you’re looking for an exfoliator to use on a weekly basis or if you’re planning to apply a self-tanner, use this! It will leave your skin incredibly soft, smooth and it’s gentle enough to use on sensitive skin.  Philosophy Coconut Frosting comes in a 23oz size for $25, it’s a pretty big jar so it will last a long time.

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Philosophy Coconut Frosting Sea Salt Scrub

(Images: Olay)

The Olay Regenerist Daily Regenerating Serum gives you maximum hydration and skin regeneration. The amino-peptides heal your damaged skin by renewing the outer layer.

The Olay Regenerist Advanced Anti-Aging has pretty much everything you would want in a daily facial moisturizer. There’s UVA/UVB SPF 50 sunscreen combined with their exclusive Peptide + B3 complex. This moisturizer will help protect your skin from UV rays while it replenishes your skin’s moisture.

If you’re looking to try out a new face wash, I’ve heard great things about Olay Regenerist Daily Regenerating Cleanser. It’s like a mini-professional at home detoxifer for your skin!

It’s nice to know that easily accessible and nicely priced Olay products are still a favourite among many women. I must say I can’t disagree with my friends. I’ve used a number of Olay products over the years and have never had a problem. You can purchase Olay products at your local drugstores and markets.

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Budget Skin Care : Olay Regenerist

The newest and limited edition product line from Bath & Body Works is called American Grown. This new line up of shower gels and  hand soaps feature fragrant formulations from around the good ol’ US of A!

(Image: Bath & Body Works)

These are available now and you have a choice from the following scents; Napa Grape, Montana Sky, Washington Apple, Savannah Mint and Siesta Key Lemon.  The colourful bottles would look quite pretty on your bathroom sink, don’t you think?  They’re all very affordable too. The body wash retails for $13 for a 24oz bottle while the hand soaps retail $8 for 16oz bottles. Or you can take advantage of the Buy 1 Get 1 Free promotion going on now. Pick these up at your local Bath & Body Works stores or online. I’ll definitely be trying these out next time I’m at the mall!

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Bath & Body Works American Grown

(Image: Coppertone)

Coppertone Kids Continuous Spray SPF 70
Coppertone UltraGuard Continuous Spray SPF 30
Coppertone Sport Continuous Spray SPF 50

Continuous sunscreen sprays are wonderful for those hard to reach areas, like your back.  These spray on clear and you don’t even have to rub it into your skin. They are also super convenient when you’re out and out, hiking or at the beach. What you can also do is apply a lotion sunscreen before you go out and use these sprays when you need to re-apply. Do be careful though, some sunscreens stain clothing so do a test run first! And while you can use these on your face, I wouldn’t suggest that as the skin on your face can me more sensitive than your body.

You can purchase Coopertone products at your local drugstore or markets.

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Coppertone Continuous Spray Sunscreen

Now, I hadn’t used Burt’s Bees lip balm for years and years (goes to show you how much of a fan I am of SoftLips!) and I was a little apprehensive about buying it again but one always needs to moisturize their lips!  I couldn’t decide between all the different varieties so I ended up getting a mixed trio that came with a super cute bee shaped eraser.

(Image: Burt's Bees)

The set included:

Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm – The original lip balm. I really liked this one, especially the slight peppermint scent and tingle it left. I found myself re-applying often because I liked the cooling effect it had on my lips.

Burt’s Bees Honey Lip Balm – I was looking forward to this one because well, it’s honey and who doesn’t love honey? I hate to say it but I did not care for flavor this at all. The scent was over-whelming and ended up giving me a headache.

Burt’s Bees Replenishing Lip Balm – This is hand’s down my favourite out of the three. The Pomegranate scent is sweet but not in your face and it leaves a slight (not noticeable unless you have super pale lips) tint to your lips. I will re-purchase this one again when I’m out of it.

Overall, these lip balms are worth the money. They’re highly moisturizing, go on smooth, are long-lasting and you get a lot for your money. As with all of the products, these are all natural as well. Burt’s Bees lip balm is a staple for many beauty and skin care fans and now I know why. You might even say they’ve reached the cult-like status of oh, I don’t know, Carmex.

If you were to buy these individually, they’d be $3 each. The Mixed Lip Stash however is $5 (it’s on sale!) and thus is a better deal.  The set found on the Burt’s Bees website doesn’t include the cute bee eraser, but it does come with a Burt’s Bees lip balm in the classic tin.

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Review : Burt’s Bees Lip Stash ‘Mixed’