Recently in Lips Category

It seems all of my bffs are doing something to themselves. Smart lipos, boob jobs, injections, tucks and lifts, etc. Even Kelly had the Thermage done last fall and is now contemplating all kinds of other fun stuff.  I have nothing against "help" but just have not braved them myself.  But trust me, when it comes time, I'll be right there in line for that face lift!  Luckily, right now, all I need is the proper tools-- like the Make Up Face Lift Collection from Bobbi Brown.  She designed the items to allow women to look well rested and bright-eyed in five minutes flat.  Brighten your face and play up your eyes with just a few simple tweaks.

New Extra Eye Repair Cream

This is an amazingly rich concentrated cream that visibly revives eyes by targeting wrinkles and dark circles.  Once cream is absorbed, follow with Tinted Eye Brightener or Concealer.  Price: $65.00

Tinted Eye Brightener

Bobbi's Tinted Eye Brightener, now in a NEW portable pen! Back-of-cab makeup artists (you know who you are)- with just a quick twist and a click, this lightweight Concealer instantly brightens under-eye circles and refreshes your makeup. Available in eight shades.  Price: $38.00 

New Brow Pencils

Instantly give your eyes a "lift" with defined eyebrows. These creamy, blendable pencils give you the natural look of eyebrow powder with the precision of a pencil and come with their own sharpener. Available in five shades.  Price: $20.00

Brightening Lip Gloss

Introducing two new shades of Brightening Lip Gloss. This sheer, reflective formula wakes up your face and helps create the illusion of fuller lips. Wear alone or on top of your favorite Bobbi Brown lipstick. Price: $20.00

All items are at BobbiBrown.com

The beauty trend is soft and feminine for Spring 2010 and Chanel's latest make up collection is no exception.  'Coco' Chanel left an indelible imprint on countless women with beautiful, practical and lasting designs that enhanced a woman's natural allure and LES IMPRESSIONS DE CHANEL -- a collection of clean, classic neutrals-- pays homage to her legacy.  The colors in the collection are infinitely wearable and effortlessly chic, like the mademoiselle herself!  I have not sampled any of the items yet but am ready for the pure, fresh look that was shown on Chanel's Spring-Summer 2010 Ready-to-Wear runway show. I'm most anxious to test out the Soleil Tan de Chanel, a sheer illuminating fluid.  It's 10 degrees here and I'm thinking if I look sunkissed, I might feel warmer. I'm planning a trip to the Chanel counter this weekend to play with the collection-- can't wait!  At Chanel counters worldwide or see the collection on Chanel.com here.

CHANEL sent me the ULTRA CORRECTION LIFT TOTAL EYE LIFT to review and you all know I'm a total eye product whore so of course I've been slathering it on daily and nightly.  Fortunately I have not experienced any kind of build up and it has a very soft and silky texture cuz it's oil free (so I don't have to worry about little white bumps from over moisturizing)!  The cream is supposed to lift the eye-area skin from within while helping to minimize the look of puffiness and dark circles.  So far, after two weeks, I'm noticing the tightening effect but only when I use it.  This complex is great for use to massage around the eye area (going inwards in light circular motion with ring finger) because it absorbs quickly without leaving any residue.  I especially love it for day as a make up base, it helps my shadows stay on without creasing.  However, only time will tell if it has lasting lifting effects (and I'm thinking when I stop using it, the lift will be gone, too).  I use it as a supplement to my current eye cream, by the way.  You still need a nice moisturizing eye cream if you are older, those under 25 with normal skin can use it alone.

Ophthalmologist and dermatologist tested. Comedogenicity tested. Oil-free, fragrance-free.  Quite unusual as most Chanel products have a slight fragrance to them.  This is worthy of trying if you have sensitive skin, too!  $100 at Chanel counters in January.

Because not everyone can afford to spend $45 on a La Mer balm, but not everyone is OK with walking around with a decidedly un-chic tube of Blistex, I'm excited to share a great find with you - Sula's Shea Butter Balms ($9 -- Sula is sold at retail stores like Anthropology)! The balm can be used anywhere from your lips to your nails to touch-up dry spots when you're home or on-the-go. Personally I don't like to mix it up (ie I'm not going to stick my hand in a pot and then on my lips, elbows, cuticles, etc... So I've just been using the Sula Rosa Damascena Balm on my lips. There's a great Vaseline-like greasiness to it that's instantly moisturizing and soothing. Its also got a light flavor that lingers for a few minutes after the application. The only downside is -- and part of this is because the weather is particularly horrible right now in NYC -- I have to re-apply the balm about every hour even when I'm home surrounded by a giant humidifier.

I fought the "Twilight" movie craze but am caving into the lipstick inspired by the mega film franchise-- Twilight Nude from Clinique.  I was pleasantly surprised to find the color unbloody and far from vamp-y.  It's a gorgeous shade of pinky brown that reminds me of an old MAC fave, Twig, but with a 21st century shimmer.  I keep it in my make up bag to layer under my lip glosses, it keeps the color longer and keeps my lips moisturized.  You must go check out this shade if you're near a Clinique counter.  Clinique Long Last Soft Shine Lipstick in Twilight Nude- $14

These last few years come the period between November and March I pretty much turned to a tub of L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream every hour to relieve me of my dry hands. Unfortunately they must have changed something in their formulation because lately when I applied it to my hands, it irritated and actually burned my skin a little bit (albeit this only happened when my skin was already dry and a bit red). I asked my dermatologist about it and she said that it's possible that I bought an old tub or that some random ingredient in the formulation changed that my skin might not respond well to. As an alternative I've been using La Mer 'The Hand Treatment' ($70) which is lighter and more greasy than the one from L'Occitane (and therefore requires less cream -- thankfully since the tube is a lot smaller than L'Occitane's!). It's super delicate -- literally barely has a smell and moisturizes for more than an hour at a time (though I still find myself applying it 3-4 times a day). They've also got a Lip Balm ($45) which I've been using in combination with Blistex Medicated Lip Ointment (ultimate high-low pairing!), to keep my lips moist (chapped lips might actually be even more unattractive than red, dry hands!).

How do you keep your lips and hands moisturized during these harsh dry months?

I've never really given Estée Lauder much thought until recently; when I was a kid, it was my aunt's favorite (White Linen anyone?) and I always thought of it as the brand for the mature set.  That's all changing, however, under the direction of the very young and very chic Aerin Lauder (I see her at the Oscar show each season and she is so poised and beautiful, no tantrums from her when they ask her to get in line, she stood behind us at the last show!).  The latest collaboration with Michael Kors, Very Hollywood, is a stunning collection of modern palettes in shades of pinks and corals.  Even the packaging has been redesigned with Michael's modern glam sensibilities. 
 
I had the chance to play with the collection a couple of weeks ago at a press event and became obsessed with the Rodeo Pink palette.  I'm happy to report that the lip glosses no longer have a strange scent and are ultra moisturizing and shiny!  I'm not usually a coral girl but this coral is very natural without any tinge of orange-y ness, the entire collection is very neutral and perfect for all skin colors.  Read on for a quick Q & A with Michael Kors!

The collection will be at counters starting in January.  Sign up for Estee Lauder newsletter here to be notified when it becomes available on line.

I am completely obsessed with this brand! Everything is so luxurious but well worth the pennies. I am putting this limited edition Autumn Embers Lip Kaleidoscope on my wish list (I am not splurging on myself until 12/26!)-- I tried it at Neiman Marcus and the colors are so flattering.  It's very subtle but has just enough color and shimmer for day or night but the best part is the texture-- it's velvety and smooth and ultra moisturizing.  I mixed all the colors together and it was the most neutral and gorgeous shade!  I don't even want to tell you how much it cost but if you think about it, it's really FOUR lip glosses in one.  Le Metier de BeautyLimited-Edition Autumn Embers Lip Kaleidoscope $95 at Neiman Marcus exclusively.

Now isn't this the cutest little make up kit you've ever seen? Too Faced celebrated its 10 year anniversary with the Too Faced Decade of Glamour Beauty Wardrobe Makeup Collection. It comes with its most popular products for the past 10 years. This is a great try me kit for Too Faced, or I'm thinking of giving it as gifts to the younger ones in my family. It's cute just to display on their dresser, and I love the silhouette of the girl in the bronzer/blush. The products are all deluxe sample size but for $19.50 for a $195 value who can go wrong? It's got a variety of color and product so this is great for the experimenting beginner or the beauty lover like us!

Get it at Sephora for $19.50.