All I Want for Christmas!!!

Sure I haven't started my Christmas list for anyone else but you know that I am already making the list for myself. So greedy, I know, but with so many new shades, scents, appliances and sets to be had I just cant seem to contain myself.


Lets start with the new OPI Burlesque line. Is it wrong that I want every single shade in this collection? I am particularly interested in Tease-Y-Does it the vampy sparkly deep maroon that I am sure will carry me through the holidays in style. OPI also offers 6 of the Burlesque shades in Axxium soak off gel lacquer! I haven't been to see Burlesque yet, but I plan to do so wearing my fabulous OPI movie inspired nail colors.

Second on my list is the most amazing deeply oriental fragrance with notes of Cognac, vanilla, sandalwood and amber. It is everything a winter fragrance should be. Champaca Absolute by Tom Ford. The moment I smelled this, I was in love. I am still trying to figure out what in the world I could sell to get some for myself? No one wants a slightly used 17 year old I guess. Needless to say, that bastion of beautiful things Nieman Marcus carries Tom Ford's Champaca Absolute for a whopping $190.00 for 50ml. Times are tough in Mi Casa what with the boy graduating from High School this year, and venturing off to college, so I will venture a guess and say that this beautiful amazing scent is out of my price range. If you can afford it I highly recommend it. Oh Tom Ford why do you tease me the way you do!

Next on my list is MAC's A Tartan Tale Holiday 2010 collection. Yes I want the whole darn thing. Gorgeous Lip, eye and brush bags, face and nail kits are all featured here and you know when it comes to the holiday's MAC does not disappoint. There are great gifts for everyone or just for yourself in every fab shade of the season. I cant wait to get my hands on the Dazzle the Lads Lip Bag and their 5 Sassy Neutral Lassies Lipglass. I will race you to the counter!

Also, I really want this coat from my favorite online store. Cant you just picture me...I mean it, a chilly DC evening, on her way to dinner with friends, she sweeps out of her chariot (Camry) in cream colored wide leg pants, hair expertly coiffed into a side chignon, black leather gloves, satin blouse and suede peep-toe heels. So very chic. So very poetic city girl with fabulous cape. Okay okay but you know the look, and I want to know it too. The Haworth Coat is $89.99 at ModCloth. I beg of you to leave me one large!

I cant remember if I told you guys the sad sad tale of my Sedu Revolution Tourmaline Ionic flat iron and how after many years of keeping my hair beautifully straight and shiny it met an untimely death due to its cord being repeatedly slammed in a door. We wont get into who was at fault or why they didn't care enough about my most prized possession to make sure the cord was clear of the door before slamming it but needless to say my hair hasn't been the same since. My friend bought me a Chi in attempt to keep my hair from looking like I stuck my finger in an electric socket. While I appreciated the gift, the CHI has one huge fatal flaw. No temperature variation. Once you plug it in, burn is the only setting, and let me tell you, it did burn my hair something vicious.

I have finally decided that it is high time for Santa to bring me my flat iron of choice for Christmas. Now, I am sure you are asking why I haven't just gone and bought the damn thing again after mine quit on me. You know that saying about getting what you pay for? Well, my hair wasn't beautiful and gorgeous for free. That iron costs $159.99 retail, and I don't typically have that type of cash laying around these days. I have to admit though if I had thought this issue through, the cost of hair cuts, oil treatments and everything done to attempt to save my hair probably cost a lot more than the flat iron. The only place I have been able to find it is my beloved Follica.com, so I am certain Santa will be shopping there for my replacement iron.

The last item on my list is probably something I could get up and go to the amazing Beauty Supply store down the block and get, but I always find something else to do with my $40. I was just in there this morning staring at all the wonderful things they sell that I couldn't possibly ever find in one place anywhere else. They have the full Miss Jessie's line of curl products, a whole wall of Sebastian Products including my beloved Cellophane treatment and three shelves of Moroccan Oil Treatment products. Everyone has been raving about Moroccan oil products and I have been meaning to get my hands on them for some time, but I just don't ever seem to get that far. The original Moroccan oil sells for $40 just about everywhere you can find it, including of course Follica.com I hear all sorts of celebrities are on to it now, and I cant think of a better stocking stuffer.

What are some of the get pretty things on your list this year? I am dying to hear what everyone else is asking for and hoping will make their new year super fabulous.

Rice To The Rescue??? We Will See About That!

So I am sure you have all heard me cry about the fact that many eons ago I was in love with Rice Bran Body Scrub from The Body Shop. I even gave it a sad send off in my Gone But Not Forgotten catagory. I havent ever been able to find anything remotely close to this product in years. That was until about a month ago, when I was reading a beauty review in my local paper about a product called Rice to the Rescue, I had to investigate!

Of course I am thinking that this is just wayyyy too good to be true and there is no way in the world that someone heard my prayers and re-incarnated my beloved scrub. I went out to find it the very same day at Bath and Body Works.

Rice to the Rescue is a part of their True Blue Spa line which I like and have used in many different product forms. I am a believer in their "Look Ma New Hands" which I keep in my purse faithfully. It gently moisturizes without being greasy and it absorbs completely. They also have my favorite vacation/travel body wash and lotion called "Tahiti Sweetie" and "Be More Pacific".

So it was described as a rice pudding body polish, which I think is an accurate discription. Not quite as hard working as my old scrub, but it produces virtually the same results. Super soft-non greashy skin, great moisture and a heavenly scent. Sure, its softer and requires a little more work in the elbow grease department, but it does the trick.

I am just happy to have a product that is similar to my dear old friend. In addition, Bath & Body Works is having a massive sale so when you buy any TWO products from True Blue line, you can get TWO free! But you better hurry, the sale ends Sunday June 22.

Moisture Maximum

Oh I am so sorry for being missing in action for so long! I was without internet access for what seemed like an eternity. But you folks dont want to hear about that do you? No, you want to hear all about the wonderful goodies that I have been trying and using and loving over the past few months right?

Well first, let me tell you that its been so extra cold here on the east coast, and without a few wonderful products I possibly wouldnt have made it this far. Everyone knows that its important to moisturize, but that isnt just for your lovely faces. I have had my share of moisturizers for face and body over the years but very few have been able to effectivly do the job. Either they are way too heavy and wind up breaking me out, or they are too thin and I feel dry and cracked before I can get out of the house. We all know that well moisturized skin can keep foundation flawless and perfect for hours so let me tell you about a few that I love in several different price ranges.

First, for my oil-free and sensitive skin ladies who are prone to breakouts I highly reccomend Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 15. Its what I have used for years and it has SPF 15 which we all need whether its summer or winter to protect our skin. It hydrates and absorbs clean, without clogging pores and causing any winter skin trauma. You can purchase it from your favorite drugstore or Drugstore.com for $10.99.

Also, for a great low cost alternative, you should also try out ProActive Solution Oil Free Moisture. Its a very light weight soft and clean formula that coupled with the Proactive family of products will keep away those pesky blemishes that we always worry about. My skin is always soft and healthy feeling when I use it and my makeup goes on perfectly over it. Its never oily and never sticky feeling. You can purchase it from Proactiv's website or even in the mall. They now have kiosks everywhere but prices may vary of course. You can also purchase it directly from QVC for $27.00.

On the higher end of the scale is MAC's new MoistureLush cream. Talk about lush, this silky smooth hydrating cream creates an amazing barrier against the elements. Its not heavy or thick but it feels amazing and softens skin all day long. It primes, hydrates and in combination with Mousturelush eyecream, lifts, firms and rejuvinates. You can use them day or night for wonderfully soft and beautiful skin. You can get both now at your local MAC store or online. MAC Moisturelush Cream retails for $30.00 and MoistureLush Eye Cream retails for $$28.50.

Last but certianly not least is Elizabeth Arden's new Prevage anti aging night cream which not only hydrates but its night-time formula with has a time released blend of high performance moisturizers to infuse skin and boost skin's repair process. This stuff is absolutly on the high end of the moisturizer scale at $125.00 retail, but I know that some of you wont bat an eyelash at the price. I was very plesantly surprised by the results that I achieved in two weeks of use. I havent had great luck with night creams and have in the past tried to avoid using them to to how greasy and heavy some of them have been, but this one is very light and I didnt wake up itchy, flaky or broken out. I do have to alert you to the fact that this is a cream you need to do an allergy test on, so please do so like the package suggests. You can buy Prevage on Elizabeth Arden's website or at your Elizabeth Arden counter.

Stay soft, stay pretty and always moisturize!

Wedding Day Bliss

My best girlfriend got married at the end of August, and of course she hired my sis The Makeup Girl to do the makeup for the bridal party. I know I have been promising this post for a while, but wedding photos were slow coming. You know quality photos take time! Its been a long time since I was in a wedding, and let me tell you that I had almost forgotten how crazy the set up for a wedding can be.

First, I have to say that without the considerable talent of The Makeup Girl, we would have all been in hot water. We had an issue at the salon the previous evening that caused us to get home at 4am the day of the wedding. Needless to say we were all pretty worn out, and none of us had the beautiful glow of a bride or her bridal party.

The Makeup Girl is amazing at making your true beauty shine through (even if you have only had 3 hours of sleep) and at her disposal were some tools that I now simply can not live without. Remember when I told you how much I loved two of MAC's new lines? Painterly and MAC in 3D? Well they were a godsend for this beautiful wedding, and let me show you why.

The greatest test of makeup is how long it can last without reapplication. Since there were 7 faces to do, and 5 of those needed to be as uniform as possible, she went with MAC's Studio Stick foundation applied with a brush only in the areas where we needed it, the skin looked flawless and not cakey. She finished with Loose Blot Powder. On the eyes she used Rubenesque Paint Pot which looks great on just about everyone (I know it looked great on all of us and we are all different shades!), Honeylust all over the entire lid, Folie shadow in the crease, Powerpoint waterproof liner in Stubborn Brown on the upper and lower lash line which she blended like crazy and made it have a smokey type look. Then on to the cheeks, She used MAC's Powder Blush, the lighter skinned girls got Coppertone, while the darker ones got Raizin. On the lips she used a stain first then followed with MAC's Pencil Liner's. There were so many different shades of us that she ended up using many different shades among them are Spice, BBQ, Cork & Chestnut. All of us got the same shade of MAC Lipstick a lovely Bronze shade called Shag. Finished with 3D Lipglass in Energy. Just look at the results.

MAC's Painterly Paint Pots have been added to this years product line, so you can get your very own in store or online, but MAC's 3D Lipglass is limited edition, and you know you have to have that so don't wait okay. Its bad enough I made you all wait almost 3 months for this post but when I say I am going to show you real results I mean just that.

Gold Rush

The MAC Rushmetal collection is versitle, beautiful and rich with the shimmer and shine of liquid metal. Featuring 4 new lipsticks and 8 new pigments, the opportunities to create bold eye-catching looks are endless.

MAC Rushmetal Pigments are bold and beautiful loose powders in liquid metal colors. The great thing about pigments is how versitile they are. Use alone with an eye shader for fabulous bold eye colors or work along cheekbones for a great highlighting accent. Rushmetal Pigments come in Rushmetal, Revved-Up, Gold Mode, Mauvement, Off The Radar, Copperized, Quick Frost and Cocomotion. I am in love with Cocomotion of course, and its been serving as a fabulous frosty accent to my old stand by eye shadow in Mystery.

The Rushmetal lipsticks are daring without being over-done. Each of the four shades shimmer and provide endless shine. The colors, Thrills, Frenzy, Soft Lust and Fast Lane are silky and leave lips soft and beautiful. My personal favorites are Frenzy a peachy-beige with a golden shimmer and Soft Lust a frosted tan with white pearl.

Enjoy Rushmetal while you can because just like Flashtronic, they will both be gone soon to make way for great fall pallets.

Beauty In A Flash

There are things that I like, and there are things that I love. Let me tell you about something I love. MAC Flashtronic. The entire line is designed to create a beautiful glow that illuminates and shines, giving you accents of spun gold.

MAC's Mineralize Skinfinish is one of the best products I have used. It creates such a subtle glow without being cakey or false looking. It highlights and beautifully and goes on soft. I love the way they have combined several different colors to make one beautiful wearable finish. Flashtronic features three of these new colors. Northern Light, a mid-tone pink, Gold Spill a peach pink with warm brown and cream pearl and Global Glow, a mid-tone brown with gold pearl. I have officially replaced my summer bronzer with Global Glow. I love how so little goes so far. It is the perfect accent that creates a sun-kissed glow without becoming heavy, too sparkly or orange and false looking. Use the number 134 Large powder brush for flawless application.

The Flashtronic collection also includes MAC's new Mineralize Eyeshadows, which are similar in texture to their Skinfinish, but create a fabulous four-shade eye color that lasts all day. There are six great shades to choose from. By Jupiter (which is my favorite) a mixture of taupe, beige and deep brown, Tectonic - Yellow gold, lime green, black and brown. Ether - Aqua, silver, black and gold. Mercurial - Yellow gold, lilac, and chestnut. Lovestone - Raspberry, wine and copper and Quarry (my mothers favorite) skyblue, olive, coral and beige. Each shadow produces a distinctly unique and amazingly wearable beautiful frost finish. Paired with the number 227 Large fluff brush, these colors go on smooth and bright.

In addition to Flashtronic's Mineralize Skinfinish and Eyshadows are four new Lipglasses designed to compliment and contrast with a reflective shine and amazing color. Perfectly pink, Flashtronic - Carmel bronze and gold pearl, Young Spark - neutral pink with gold pearl, and Electro-Lush - Creamy blue pink. I am a devoted fan of the Flashtronic Lipglass which I can play up with a cork liner, or smooth on for a shiny lip stain look.

Flashtronic is available now at MAC stores, online or MAC counters in high end department stores. Its limited edition, so if you want it, you've got to go get it now.

MAC Introduces C-Shock

Its no secret how much I love MAC Cosmetics and that I am devoted user. I make my pilgrimage to my local MAC store regularly, and I try to keep ahead of the curve on their new products. Well ladies, I am back and just in time for those hot summer nights, MAC has introduced C-Shock, their electric line of flawless lip and eye colors.

C-Shock is a bold line that tips its hat to the hot new 80's trends that are sweeping the shelves of our favorite clothiers. There is so much to offer and so many fabulous ways to wear these amazing colors that your summer look will never be drab or boring.

Some of my immediate favorites are C-Shock LipGelle in Mega and Sugar Shock. Sugar Shock is a sheer deep berry that packs shine to spare and looks great or paired with a bold color for contrast like Blast o' Blue Lustre Lipstick. Mega is a frosty lilac with a metallic silver shimmer. Its a perfect everyday color that goes on soft and looks great on any skin tone.

My favorite of the Lipsticks is Pomposity a bright frosty raspberry that looks fabulous with a cork pencil and Romping eye shadow. Several of the eye shadows are bright and bold but surprisingly wearable. You can pair them with your favorite neutral for a smart pop of color like Mystery with a hint of Wondergrass or go high drama and wear Going Banana's a bright yellow with Big T, a striking Turquoise in the crease. They are perfect for a fabulous eye catching look. The key to pulling off these colors is a beautifully matte face with bold striking color accents.

Okay so are you still reading this??? Go and get C-Shock right now and get your summer started off right.

Dark Circles, Wrinkles and Lines...Oh My!

Like a lot of my other buddies in the beauty business, I find it difficult sometimes to review facial creams and serums. While I don't have particularly sensitive skin, I do break out very easily. The wrong combination of oils or too thick a cream will send my skin into a fit, and I really don't need that. Once you find the right combination for your skin type its difficult to branch out.

I have noticed however that my skin has different needs these days. Its a little drier than it used to be, and though I hate to admit it, I fear that wrinkles may creep up on me if I am not proactive about it. I decided recently to try out a wrinkle cream. You guys may have read my review of another cream that was fabulous but way out of my price range. I don't think they should have to cost a fortune to work so that's why I was so glad when I found Structura M3 Facial Renewal Complex.

Created to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, Structura M3 Facial Renewal Complex packs all the punch of a pricey wrinkle cream. The same clinical ingredients found in those other creams can be obtained in one tube of $29.99 Structura M3. I have been using it lately and I really like the results. It imparts ample moisture, it does seem to reduce the appearance of those little frown lines across my forehead. I spend a lot of time frowning at a calculator.

I also really like that it didn't break me out. Its not heavy or greasy and it absorbs into the skin completely. I don't use it everyday because I really don't think my skin needs that much wrinkle cream yet and I never know if one day my face will stage some sort of protest and break out from over use. It is nice to know that its there though, and that it works, and its only costs a fraction of what the high priced brands cost.

Spring Flirt!

All girls love a good lip gloss right? With summer coming we want them in all sorts of shades or at least I do, enter Flirt! Cosmetics to save the day!

Flirt!'s new Squeeze Me Super Shiny Lipgloss is just the thing to show off your pretty pucker this spring. They come in 26 fabulously delicious purse ready colors. These beauties are bursting with color and they wear on all day. They give you fabulous shine at a moment's notice and they are never sticky.I tested them out on the toughest of customers, my best friend, and two of my coworkers.

Suzanne loved the Cherries Jubilee and couldn't wait to get it on. It was a great color for her and she was excited about its compact go-anywhere packaging. Michette tried out Nectar Fizz, she loved this neutral but shiny shade and promised to wear it often. Tandis sampled Radical Raspberry and fell in love instantly, she ran around the office puckering up (which I advised against) excited about her new beautiful gloss.

I loved them all and they are just what I needed to get Spring Fever! Test out Flirt! Squeeze Me Super Shiny Lipgloss at your local Khol's and get pretty. They are super affordable at $10 a tube, and they last forever.

In addition, Vanessa Minnillo host of MTV's Total Request Live (and Nick Lachey's main squeeze) is developing a new Limited Edition make-up collection for Flirt! that will be released in August.

You can experience the entire line of beauty products over at Flirt!

Lucky Indeed

Two of my most favorite products were featured in this month’s Lucky Magazine. I don’t know whether to be excited about the fact that I’ve known about them long before the write ups, or upset that now I probably won’t be able to find either product.

I already attempted to score two bottles of IS Clinical Active Serum from my dermatologist this week. Of course I arrived to find that they were sold out and told to check back in a week or two. IS Clinical is probably the best skin serum I have ever tried. It fights oil, removes redness and is quite possibly the fastest acting acne medication I have ever used. Its so beloved in my household that “the boyfriend” now uses it religiously. I don’t know who was more disappointed by its absence, him or me. I even use it on my son on occasion when his teenage acne has just gone completely haywire. At $120 a bottle it is a miracle, but its also more expensive than anything else I use.

The other product is one I just started raving about a few months back. Ojon’s Tawaka Rejuvenating Cream. I have been using it daily for months now and let me tell you, it’s made a huge difference in my skin’s texture and moisture retention. I absolutely swear by it, but of course I can’t ever locate it. It’s been waitlisted for over a month now and I am getting dangerously low. I don’t want to be reduced to fighting my mother for the last few drops in the container. That is NEVER a good look. I have been scouting my usual purchasing spots for a while now, but every time I attempt to place and order I am asked to wait.

If you happen to find either purchase them quickly and hide them, and tell no one of your unbelievably good fortune…except me of course!

This year I am trying to make an effort to step up my beauty game, which of course isnt easy but as Jay-Z reminds us - 30 is the new 20 and "I'm all grown up".

One of the things I almost never do is wear shadow unless its a special occasion. I need to break myself of that bad habit. I've been told time and time again that the eyes are the windows to the soul and why leave them sitting there with one busted mini blind and a sheet for draperies? Even on the most normal of days there is always something you can do to play up your eyes. Recently I have been experimenting a lot with palettes.

Sephora's new eye palettes have been on my radar for a while now so I recently picked one up. They are compact, go anywhere little discs filled with beautiful complementary shades that can give your eyes that wow factor, even on a regular day at the office.

Bourjois is a line I have recently discovered and they have these adorable little palettes called eyeshadow trios. They come in 7 shade combinations and at $18 are a steal.

Another palette I like is the limited edition Smashbox Eye Shadow Quad. All the shades can be used individually or together. This one can go from day to night easily. Lastly, DuWop makes a palette that I must have called Brown Eyes...it is fileld with rich shdes of chocolate with a base color in darker and lighter hues with a highlighter.

I am going to try and do better and these shades are perfect for a day at the office or a night on the town.

Palacinka Reviews

Check out the new product reviews over at Palacinka! Palacinka is a fabulous website that gives you great reviews on products tested by real people. You can always count on getting the real scoop there for your beauty needs. Women of all colors can appreciate that of course.

Sephora Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 15

Elasta QP Mango Butter Moisturizer

Palacinka - The beauty go-to for ALL women of color! Experience over 1000 beauty product reviews from 300 of the world's top beauty brands.

MK Treats Are Oh So Sweet!

This holiday I had the joy and privilege of having my boyfriend and his mother attend dinner with my family. I love those two together, they have so much fun laughing and messing with one another, and I truly enjoyed their presence for food, fun and fellowship.


Now, if you've read my post about my boyfriend's mom, you know that she is a true beauty diva of the highest order. She is fly and fashionable at all occasions and she always has the scoop on what is new and beautiful in the world of Mary Kay Cosmetics. You know that after a while I had to steal her away from all the the family chatter and have a beauty gals one on one.



I have been peeking around on her website for a while now, and let me tell you ladies that this isnt your momma's Mary Kay. I am loving their sugar scrubs and moisturizers as well as their tried and true products like their Makeup Remover of which I am a fan of the truest sort. You all know of my addiction to, and love for their Satin Lips collection which I used EVERY DAY. Speaking of which I am almost out and its time to reorder! I seriously don't know what I would do without Satin Lips under every gloss, stick and pencil I apply. I shudder to imagine my poor lips fate.


Well, after kidnapping Ms. Carol and showing her my home at 99 Products, she did something so thoughtful. She handed me the most beautiful trio of Mary Kay Signature Nourishine Lip Glosses. What a wonderful holiday indeed! The Just Glossy Ensemble Set was all dolled up in a sweet silver package containing 3 of the most brilliant colors.





Starry, a beautiful clear pearlized gloss makes any lipstick or pencil pop with shine and shimmer. I have been using it just about every day. Then there is Gold Rush, which is Ms. Carol's personal favorite. A super luxe 24 karat gold that she wears over her favorite MK Red lipstick. I couldn’t remember if she said it was Salsa or Redwood, but I am sure either would be Fabulous with Gold Rush. Sweet Rasin is the final gloss in this group and I am loving it all by itself with a liner pencil. Its a little red, a little pink and a touch of brown an has tons of shine.



The thing I love the most about my little gift is how moist my lips stay. I have loved a lot of lip glosses, but even the ones I treasure the most don’t give my lips the moisture I crave. One application gives me softness, shine and sparkle and that's a trio worth talking about. I highly recommend them ladies, and I don’t say that about every pretty gloss that turns my head.



I am actually going to have a little MK party online January 17th which will give everyone the opportunity to see what I have been raving about and pick up some super sexy glosses for themselves. Everyone is invited and I will post more info as the date gets closer....probably a good time for me to get more satin lips!

Tawaka Ancient Tribal Rejuvenating Cream

How surprised was I when I came home yesterday to find a beauty product that I didn’t buy on our kitchen counter? Turns out this purchase came from non other than my mom.
She proceeded to tell me all about Ojon's new Tawaka Ancient Tribal Rejuvenating Cream. I couldn’t believe it. My mother, the one who shuns most beauty products, the one I have to fight to put makeup on for an evening out. My mother ordered this all by herself! Once I got over the fact that she had totally beat me to the beauty product punch, I opened the jar.

Now those that read this blog know that I am an Ojon lover. They have the absolute best hair products but now they are offering this wonderful anti-aging cream. It looks and smells just like chocolate pudding, as its made from the wild cacao tree in South America. Its blended with native seeds and extracts that help to rejuvenate, replenish and protect. Its smooth creamy texture absorbs quickly and leaves you soft and hydrated without being sticky or greasy.

As I was thinking of a way to swipe the jar from my mother (who are we kidding, we live together) I realized that Tawaka can be used on your entire body. Its not just a face cream, or a hand cream. Its a body and hair cream too! It also combines with the original Ojon Restorative Treatment for a deep conditioning treatment on dry hair, and a leave in treatment on damp hair. Did I mention it smells like chocolate? Oh, yeah I guess I did.

Its also dermatologist tested and non-comedogenic. Its color free, preservative free, great for all skin types and rich with anti-oxidants. This stuff has it all. The new Rare Harvest Line also includes a Rejuvenating Cleanser that works as a shampoo, facial cleanser, and body wash and a Rejuvenating Conditioner that works as an in-shower hair, and body conditioner that you rinse off.

I have already ordered my entire set of Tawaka products, and I substituted my beloved moisturizer for Tawaka this morning. My face feels soft and beautiful and I cant wait till my own set arrives. You can check out the new Tawaka products at Ojon's website, and you can order them on QVC.com as well, although I am pretty sure the Rejuvenating Cream is on back order.

I Lacq-uer Style - New Year Nail Colors

In 2007 I seriously plan to take better care of my nails. Not that my nails are in any way shape or form bad, they are usually just polish free, and with so many great colors on the market I should be ashamed at my little bare nails so off to my local manicurist I will go at least once every two weeks.

Thanks to one of my favorite beauty bloggers Ms. Kristen of Beauty Addict fame, I was able to snatch up a few of the very last bottles of Chanel Black Satin just before the holidays, but now I see that I am behind the curve with my limited edition tastes. Enter Chanel Noir Ceramic which can only be described as Black Satin with a boost! Charcoal Nail lacquer accented with blue shimmer. Now why didn’t I get my hind parts in gear and find it before it was gone? I have checked every high end store in the tri-state area and have had no luck locating it. I guess that’s why its called Limited Edition. I will continue to scour the area and pray the beauty gods smile upon me.

To sooth my troubled spirit over the loss of this fabulous limited edition find, I have spent some time checking out OPI's new Dark line. Their black onyx is a jewel, and their Espresso Your Style is a fab alternative to black. It may not be Chanel but let me tell you OPI and I are buddies from way back. They have so many colors its almost impossible to choose just one. For New Year's Eve I wore "Birthday Babe" from their 25th Anniversary collection, a satiny silver polish that is far from ordinary. Of course my nails received rave reviews which always happens when I wear OPI.

One of my favorites (from when my nails were done more regularly) was "I'm Not Really A Waitress" a cherry pie red that got me daily complements. I practically cried when I couldn’t locate a replacement bottle. In addition to their classic colors, and their 25th Anniversary Collection they have a new Mexico Collection that is fun and fabulous.

As for Noir Ceramic, well you can always get a bottle from eBay, but at $44 I cant justify it so I will just have to pray that the polish fairy slips one under my pillow.

Holiday Glaze

So the Holiday is upon us and I am sure you've finished all your shopping, but what about a little something for yourself? I was going through my cosmetics bins this morning, I came across my Besame Enchanting Lipstick in Chocolate Kiss. I love Besame Cosmetics and this lipstick with all my heart and I was so devastated when I broke the uniquely shaped tip (it lines and fills all in one) when I dropped it on the floor a few weeks ago. I have been using it with a lip brush but its just not the same so I went on their website to see if I could order another one for myself. Thats when I spied their new Velvet Red lipstick that I am just dying to try.

I have also been using their Enriched Lip Glaze for shine and shimmer over lipstick. Their Shimmer Peach looks fab and feels soft and beautiful on. I have decided to add their Chocolate Lip Glaze to my must have list as well. I love a gloss that I can pair with a great lip stick or wear alone with just a liner and these are perfect for both looks.

In addition there are some great holiday gifts on their site like their Luxurious Trio Set which includes their Enchanting Lip Stick in your choice of Warm or Cool shades. They also have their Enchanting Lipstick Collection which offers five lipstick in Reds, Neutrals, or Pinks. Being the lover I am of their Chocolate Kiss Lipstick the Neutrals are another must have for this lady.

There is also a special limited edition Silk Clutch Gift Set that is embroidered with their signature flowers and comes with your choice of Enriched Lip Glaze and Enchanting Lipstick. At $40 this is a perfect little gift for yourself or a friend. I am wishing I had one now for a sophisticated New Year's Eve on the town.

Its never too late in the season to do something for yourself so hurry over to Beseme Cosmetics and get yourself something special while they last!

Skin MD The Return

So my week long experiment with Skin MD Natural is over and I have to say that my skin seems much improved by it. My mother is already a believer and refuses to return the bottle to me, but thats another story entirely. She really appreciates its shielding properties with the constant handwashing. She even used it on her face which I was super surprized about. My mother is pretty nervous about putting things on her face, but she said that it left her skin feeling both soft and firm.

I basically had to wrestle it away from her for the remainder of the week. I used it on the one place I knew would be the true test of any moisturizer's claims, my ankles. Sure I used it all over when I got out of the shower, but I have had severe issues with trying to keep my ankles looking moisturized. I wear trouser socks too, so that helps soak up my lotions as well. I am pleased to report that not only did Skin MD Natural keep my whole body soft and pretty, but they werent dry when I got home. In fact they are still ash free and beautiful right now, and as soon as I get that bottle back from my mom I will re-apply...but who knows when I that will happen.

Anyway, If it wasnt clear before you should absolutly get some Skin MD Natural and enjoy your first winter without dryness. 25$ at www.skinmdnatural.com

More Holiday Goodies

I am still a big kid, so I always look forward to Christmas morning's stocking stuffers. My mother has always been big on keeping this tradition alive with goodies and samples that make us all smile. I already have her stocking stuffers put together for this year. You may have a stocking to put together for a friend or family member and here are some great little stuffers for everyone!

The Gloss Troupe by Bourjois - This cute little set is a perfect stuffer for the lady on the go. It includes 5 mini glosses, in Beige Elastic, Brun Galatic, Rose Idyllic, Framboise Energetic and Beige Theoric. Each is just tiny enough to slip into an evening bag or purse for a quick touch up. $15.50 Sephora

A Few Good Men - Philosophy
This is a great little lip balm set for just about any lady in your life. Little girls will love it for its cute packaging and sweet flavors, ladies will love how it softens and shines. Three flavors come in the set, The Ice Cream Man (pink bubble gum ice cream), The Gingerbread Man (ginger ale), and The Milkman (chocolate milk).
$25.00 Sephora

Strawberry Lip Balm - Rosebud
This is your old friend Rosebud Salve reworked and strawberry scented, who wouldnt love this ? They also offer Minted Rose and the classic Rosebud. Each perfectly pocket sized.
$7.00 Sephora

Mini Shea Butter Hand Cream - L'Occitane
I know I mentioned this one yesterday, but at $9 a tube its really a steal. Its perfect for your purse or your desk and you only need to use a little and it lasts forever. This one is great for the fellas too because its not packaged so cutesy and they can keep it right in their desk or briefcase.
$9.00 L'Occitane

Lemon Ginger Mint Manicure in a Jar - Carol's Daughter
This exfoliator is great for hands and feet. Its all natural and smells divine! Perfect for mom or your friends to keep their hands butter soft and silky smooth.
$10.00 Carol's Daughter

Cranberry Atomizer - The Body Shop
A perfect little treasure for quick spritzes of your favorite perfume.
$6.00 The Body Shop

Invent Your Scent - The Collection
This is a great gift for the gal that has everything. This set gives you the opportunity to create your own signature fragrance. Just the thing to fill your atomizer with dont you think?
$30.00 The Body Shop

Happy Stuffing!

Oh So Pretty

This weekend I was busy busy busy! But not too busy to take a little time for a lunchtime delight with none other than Ms. Julia of All About the Pretty! This was our first time meeting yet we chatted like old friends as we enjoyed our light Cuban lunch.

If you don't already know it, Julia is the foremost authority on all things beauty, and when she says All About the Pretty, she ain't just whistling Dixie! This lady is beautiful both inside and out and did I mention her flawless skin? To die for I tell you! We chatted about everything from The Barefoot Contessa to Politics and Government.

Of course it wasn't long before us beauty gals were pulling out our makeup bags and trading tips. She was even sweet enough to share a little of her L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream with me. We chatted about how lovely MAC's Plushglass in Wet Wild and Wonderful is as we nibbled on empanadas and black bean soup.

It was a wonderful lunch that ended way too soon, but I had a ton of running around to do that day. So if you need the scoop on all things Pretty, visit All About the Pretty and tell'em Avin sent ya!

Holiday Couture

While on my rounds Saturday afternoon decided to call themakeupgirl. We were discussing a gift for my best buddy Dia's 30th birthday party that evening. When I asked Dia what she wanted for the big 30 she said one word...Makeup. Of course you know that is just what I wanted to hear and I set out for my favorite store MAC. Talking to themakeupgirl on the way she spotted something new on MAC's website and you know I love me some new!

MAC Couture is their latest line of cosmetics which includes four rich new lipsticks, four beautiful new lipglasses, highlighter and sheer powder. The collection also includes a new buffer brush and a stylish little clutch, each with its own signature MAC Couture style.

I immediately decided to try on a few of the lipglasses, and this time I didn't get one of the bored children helping me. This artist was a true MAC addict and happy to help me with my test run. I settled on Prestigious with tones of plum and gold and Savoir Faire a sparkling Carmel with tones of gold and pearl. I paired Prestigious with Cedar lipliner and the results were beautiful, however a touch too pinky for my taste, I later combined it with a little red gloss for phenomenal results. Savoir Faire I paired with a Cork liner. It was an instant favorite that drew the attention of another artist who proclaimed my new lipglass to be fierce. Both shades were weightless and soft with tons of shine, perfect over your favorite lipstick or fabulous alone. Of course I left with both, I am such a sucker for a pretty new product.

I wasn't able to try out the highlighters or the Sheer Mystery Powder as I was late for a very important party, but I will be back to sample both. My artist was wearing the Couture Richmetal Highlighter in Rare and Refined a beautiful rose gold. She looked absolutely flawless. If you want these new goodies ladies you need to hurry because they are all limited edition and once they are gone they will not return. These would make a fabulous gift for yourself or a friend, so what are you waiting on go now!