Recently in Beauty News Category

Estee Lauder sure is pumping money towards the holiday collections this year.  I was at Mitsukoshi department store in Taipei yesterday and the busiest counter (amongst the 100 Japanese, Chinese, European and American brands) was Estee Lauder.  I was quite surprised and wandered over to take a look-- turned out they were offering a discount plus gift with purchase!  The women were lined up three rows deeps-- Asian women love a good discount and a free gift is even better!  I don't use anything from Estee Lauder (other than the ones sent to me for review) but the two new collections- Ultimate Red Color and Holiday 2009 Compacts will make great gifts for my relatives this holiday.

The Ultimate Red Color Collection is a luxurious, opulent collection that my aunts will love (I'm just not into such fancy and gilded packaging). The classic navy blue, Signature Estée Lauder packaging has been transformed to a holiday gold, encasing jewel-inspired shades of lavish plums and gold flecked caramels.  At Estee Lauder here.

The classic Estée Lauder collectible compacts are back again this holiday season with stories such as: Asian Opulence, Draped in Jewels and Wrapped in Red-- all detailed in enamel and Swarovski crystals.  More fancy schmancy stuff to give as gifts.  What about you, are you a fan of Estee Lauder?

Rock & Republic and Essie have teamed up to create products in the season's latest matte trend. Uniting Essie's luxury nail color and care expertise with the fashion authority of Rock & Republic, this exclusive collaboration contains three limited-edition items that feature the shine-free look.  The inspiration for this collaboration is Essie's Clearly Matte, an instant-mattifying finishing polish that transforms any high-shine nail lacquer into a no-luster fashion statement-- I have not tried this myself but am not sure if I want my nails to be matte.  Matte nails feel unfinished to me but I guess that is the point, right?  Will have to try this when I return to the States next month. 

Now the All About Matte jean in Spill Black emblazoned with black lacquer spill detailing is of interest to me, very rock and roll!  Plus I love Rock & Republic's Signature Skinny Denim Fit!  The Top Matte Tee ($48), a slim-fit black jersey v-neck with red foil pocket detail  completes the limited-edition capsule collection. The collection will be available at Rock & Republic retail locations and online at shop.rockandrepublic.com.
What do you think of the Matte trend?

As we all know, your Facebook profile picture is all important! Getting one professionally done is not out of the question but here is your chance to get a makeover and a photo taken for free. Estee Lauder is holding their Profile Picture Makeover event all across the country. You get a free makeover, as well as, a 10-day supply of foundation. Then they take a picture of your perfect face and email the digital copy to you. Put your best "face" forward! Go to Estee Lauder to view their event. I have listed upcoming event locations and information on the jump page.

Stock up on your favorite Prescriptives products (and custom made lip glosses-- oh my god I have to go get at least 10 tubes made!) before it gets completely shut down in January of 2010.  After 30 years, Estee Lauder has decided to shutter all retail distribution of Prescriptives next year.  WWD reported a speculation amongst insiders that a brand without a volume of at least $160 million at retail, a multinational distribution and a strong presence in the travel retail market will find it very difficult to be profitable in the current financial climate. This is very sad news indeed. Make sure you stock up by January..... its website will continue until it sells out of the very last bit of inventory.  Shop Prescriptives here.

Join Bobbi Brown Cosmetics for an afternoon of make up fun! You will receive customized makeup lessons courtesy of Bobbi's amazing beauty team -- this is a great opportunity to get yourself dolled up by her professional team before heading out for Fashion's biggest night out (they work the runway shows so don't be surprised if they practice a few spring 2010 make up looks on you:))

And do not forget to pick up a few lip glosses, the body shimmer brick (a MUST for any evening), the creamy concealer(don't even think about going to work the next morning after a night out without this!) and my favorite Beach body lotion.

Bobbi Brown herself will be there from 6pm-7pm so don't miss out on a chance to meet her! If you go, tell her Beauty Snob sent ya and give her a big hug!

Can I just be transported to Mad Men world, please? I'd love to get dressed up like this daily-- the cinched in dresses, the hair, the make up and all. So glamorous and proper! Reminds me of my grandmother. She's almost 97 and up til she was 90 she made me put her in ridiculous girdles so she could fit in her handmade cheongsams and dresses-- yes, she's that vain (now you know where I get this from). I love the make up on Betty and Peggy and it's from none other than MAC Cosmetics. Lead artist Lana Horochowski gives us the scoop on their looks! (Jump to read Q & A!)

From WWD: I can't wait for the launch of the latest FEED bags.  Bobbi Brown Cosmetics and Lauren Bush are teaming up to launch for fall the Feed 10 Pouch, the sixth and latest charity bag designed by Bush. The $50 organic makeup bag, filled with three of Brown's best-selling lip glosses, was developed in partnership with the United Nations World Food Program to benefit its Food for Work program, which provides meals to disadvantaged women who participate in job training programs.


I'll let you know when this becomes available, sometime in October.   

Before and After of a woman in her 30's, post-pregnancy

I had Thermage done 2 weeks ago to get rid of wrinkles and extra skin left after 2 pregnancies. And I am already seeing results. I'm not going to lie, I am too embarrassed and vain to put up pictures of myself so this isn't me up here. But I will divulge that I have a serious muffin top that folds over and below that is scrunched and crumpled up skin like that of an elephant. It's like my skin collapsed and is now in a pile. Needless to say, this bothers me beyond words. I would never get a tummy tuck because I am too much of a chicken when it comes to knives. So when I heard of Thermage, I immediately knew this was the best option for me. I went to Dr. Alex Liu, who I interviewed for the story on peels. I was very impressed by him so he began consulting me on various potential procedures I needed (well, mostly wanted), including Thermage.

Thermage uses high frequency radio waves that penetrates deep in the skin to stimulate new collagen growth. My wrinkled skin was caused by the breakdown and collapse of the underlying collagen. This radio wave heats up the collagen under the skin. Dr. Liu recommends heating the skin 7 degrees Celsius (surface skin temperature is around 31 degrees and during treatment it increases to 38) as 37-38 degrees Celsius is when skin biopsy studies demonstrated noticeable increase in collagen growth. Over heating the skin (up to 41-42 degrees Celsius) can lead to a accidental skin burn. There is no cutting or invasion of the skin or body of any kind. It just heats up the skin to the point where your collagen is stimulated to regenerate but not hot enough to damage any surrounding cells. The radio waves weaves around healthy cells because of its frequency pattern, unlike laser which zaps through everything in its path. I just want to reiterate this point because there is a lot of misconception about Thermage. A hand held wand is held over your skin that emits radio waves, there are no lasers, cutting or chemicals used. The only thing "cutting" is its cutting edge technology. The procedure is not new but the medical devise used now is 2nd generation and is incredibly high tech.