Beauty411

Valentine's Day Gift Guide--Lady in Red Edition

With Valentine's Day right around the corner and inspired by the classic "Lady In Red" song by Simply Red, I pulled together some of my favorite red gift ideas. 

Nothing is sexier than red lips.  Estee Lauder has released a new Love Your Lips Collection.  The limited-edition collection includes 12 lip-loving Estee Lauder Signature Hydra Lustre Lipstick ($19.50) shades and 4 new Kissable Lip Glosses (18.00).  What I love about the Love Your Lips Collection is the design.  Each lipstick features a special L♥VE logo.  The glosses feature the same L♥VE logo on the outside container.  Try the lipstick in the gorgeous "Cherry Kiss" shade. Available now at Estee Lauder counters nationwide and at www.esteelauder.com.

Not-So-Scary Halloween Beauty Treats under $20!

Save the calories and check out these great Halloween beauty treats for under $20!  I love that beauty companies are getting more creative with their Halloween offerings.  Here are some of my favorites:

philosophy trick or treat high-foaming shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath duo.  Scented in pumpkin spice muffin and caramel apple, who can resist these fragrant 3 in 1 products?  This set is a great way to spice up your shower.  You can find the philosophy trick or treat high-foaming shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath duo at www.philosophy.com.  $20

Dashing Diva introduces new Halloween themed Design Nails on the Go, fun pre-glued press-on nails for your spooktacular festivities.  Available in a Treasure Island Motif (black French manicure), Skull & Bonz and Love Potion (pink manicure), they can last for up to two days of wear.  This is a great way to add a little Halloween spice to your look.  Available for $8 at Dashing Diva Nail Salons, DashingDiva.com, Sephora stores and Sephora.com (where they are priced at $10).

 

LUSH conjures up some spooky soaps that are still all natural and fun to give or get.  Whether is the Pumpkin Soap ($5.95) the Jacko Bath Bomb ($4.95) or the Cobweb Bath Bomb ($5.95), these ghoulish goodies won't be around long enough to gather cobwebs!  Also available is the Ghost Shower Gel ($16.95).  These limited-editions won't be around long.  Catch them at your LUSH store or online at LUSH Cosmetics.

MAC is never afraid to be freaky!  Don't miss the collection of 21 Halloween looks that were created by MAC Senior Makeup Artists.  You can find the looks and face charts on MAC's Facebook page or on the MAC YouTube Channel. The MAC Senior Artists are always amazing, but Halloween really brings out their creative side. This look by MAC is called Ace of Hearts and you can find the face chart on Facebook.

New LUSH Sugar Scrubs

LUSH Cosmetics introduces two new shower scrubs that have quickly become a favorite.

LUSH Sugar Scrub uses exfoliating Fair Trade sugar to scrub away dead skin cells, tackling cellulite and invigorating sluggish skin for a fresh start this summer. Its stimulating blend of fresh fennel and fennel oil acts as a great tonic for the skin, while lavender oil has a healing effect on the skin and warming ginger kicks the circulation up a notch.  I really love this product--it works as well as scrubs costing many times more than $4.95.  (Vegan)

LUSH Sugar Babe is filled with a soft, soothing center that will leave skin refreshed and rejuvenated. The Fair Trade sugar exfoliates skin for a smooth result. As the sugar melts away, the nourishing center of extra virgin coconut oil is revealed.  The light, protein rich oil softens and moisturizes the body, while beeswax absolute, a natural antiseptic, soothes and protects.  Skin is seductively scented with mimosa absolute and ylang ylang making your newly smoothed and sexy skin even more irresistible. It smells wonderful and is like a spa treatment for dry skin!   $4.95

LUSH Sugar Scrubs are available at LUSH stores and counters and online at LUSHusa.com.

Father's Day Gift Guide: 6 Fabulous Picks for the guy in your life!

Father's Day is coming up and because we do have quite a few guys that read Beauty411, we didn't want to forget them!  No matter what kind of guy you have to buy for--we have the Father's Day Gift Guide that has you covered:

LUSH Save The Planet Gift Set is a great gift for the superhero in your life. Wrapped with a fun comic strip made from 100% post-consumer recycled (PCR) paper, this set includes four grooming products that are sure to delight Dad.

Shave the Planet Shaving Cream will help him get super smooth shaves, Cosmetic Lad Moisturizer soothes sensitive faces, Bamboo Soap cleanses with a light scent, plus a Business Time Massage Bar will be sure to soothe his sore muscles.  My husband loves the LUSH line and he makes sure to keep his gym locker well-stocked.  Available at LUSH Cosmetics for $29.95.

 

Kiton Black Eau de Toilette Spray is a sophisticated, elegant and masculine fragrance that characterizes the fine tailoring of the Kiton Fashion House.  you can see that in the striking bottle, too. 

Kiton Black Eau de Toilette opens up with top notes of elegant Italian Bergamot (one of my favorite fragrance notes), lemon and red berries and a touch of violet leaves, which adds depth.  The mid notes are violet, cyclamen, cardamom and cedarwood to warm.  Base notes are vetiver, amber, leather, tonka bean and Sensual Skin Accord. 

I love the way this fragrance warms and develops; there are no hard edges to Kiton Black.  Kiton Black Eau de Toilette Spray (4.2 oz. $85) is available at the Kiton Store in New York City, Bloomingdales, NORDSTROM.com, Neiman Marcus, Barneys and Bergdorf Goodman. 

Holiday Beauty Gift Guide: 10 Fabulous Gifts $20 or less!

Beauty gifts don’t have to break the bank in a tough economy.  Even Oprah has decided to replace her popular "Favorite Things" Show with something a little less lavish.  A little more thrifty, in keeping with the times. In that spirit, and with the holidays fast approaching, I compiled a Holiday Gift Guide of 10 gifts under $20, perfect for the beauty addict on your list.  And, if she's reading, a list that even O might approve of.  

Pomegranate Fig Sugar Body Polish: If you haven't tried one of the invigorating scrubs from Klean Bath & Body, you might want to order two  Pomegranate Fig Sugar Body Polishes and keep one for yourself!  Only $ 11.50. 

Slatkin Frosted Cranberry Candle:  Slatkin candles are some of the best fragranced and high quality candles on the market.  This Frosted Cranberry candle smells wonderful and looks waaay more expensive than it costs!  Pick up this festive Frosted Cranberry Candle at Bath & Body Works. $ 16.50.

Estee Lauder Mascara Traveler Set:  This 3 piece limited-edition Mascara Traveler Set packs a full sized Projectionist mascara plus a travel version and a Lash Primer Plus in a croco case for only $19.50.

LUSH Twinkle Holiday Gift Set.  A twinkling strawberry milkshake scented bath bomb plus a sexily scented moisturizing sparkle bar to make your skin look, feel and smell LUSH.  Get this set for only $ 14.95.

Pacifica Hawaiian Ruby Guava 3 pc Gift Set:  Not only is Hawaiian Ruby Guava an amazing fragrance (one of my faves!), but this gift set at only $16.00, includes a travel sized soy candle, body butter and solid perfume.  Also available in Mediterranean Fig, Avalon Juniper and Tuscan Blood Orange. Check out the Fruits of Paradise candle gift sets for only $ 13.95.  I love Pacifica!

Juicy Couture To Go Fragrance:  This fruity/floral Juicy rollerball fragrance is easy to wear and easy on the wallet at only $ 16.  Available at Sephora.

philosophy's sugar plum fairy set includes a shower gel and lip gloss for $20.  This sugar plum fairy duo would be perfect that hard-to-buy teen or 'tween on your list.  Who can resist the sweet smell of sugar plums and a touch of shimmer?  I can always count on philosophy for gifts that fit into every budget.

Sonia Kashuk Travel Brush set:  If you need makeup brushes, don't hesitate to try this Sonia Kashuk 6 piece (plus case) set.  At $ 19.99 it's a great value for the beauty lover. Available at Target.

Rapture Best of Smashbox: This 3 piece set features essential Smashbox products in travel sizes... Bionic Mascara, Mini Fusiuon Soft lights in Dusk and Mini Lip enhancing Gloss in Aura.  $ 19.00.

Stila shimmer and shine! it gloss trio:  A set of 3 high shine, high shimmer lip glosses in pretty colors that would work for anyone.  A $54 value, this set is a steal at $12.00.

From makeup to fragrance, candles to scrubs, this list covers some of the best range of inexpensive gift giving possibilities for the beauty lover on your list.  Got any other sensational suggestions?  Leave a comment and let me know!