Are They Fake Or Are They Real?

I love living in Santa Monica, and my walks to and from the beach. I especially like them when I take a detour onto Montana Avenue. The only problem is, with so many enticing boutiques and stores, I end up popping in to check out what’s new, and never quite get that cardiovascular workout.

Last Saturday’s walk had one of those detours, and one of my many stops was into the ultra fab beauty store Benefit. I have been on the search for the perfect mascara, that doesn’t cost a fortune, for some time now.

The sales girl promised me she had the PERFECT mascara – They’re Real!, in fact ” it was the number one selling mascara in the country “. Okay, I was intrigued, “Tell me more”. She went on to explain that They’re Real! promises to lengthen, curl, volumize, lift and separate lashes; big claims but she gave me statistics to back it up:

• 94% saw dramatic length & volume*
• 90% saw base-to-tip curl*
• 94% saw visible lift*
• 100% saw long-wearing results*

I was still a little dubious, at $23.00 it was a little more than I wanted to spend, but if I didn’t love it I could return it and get my money back. Can’t argue with that, I was sold!.

It took one application to know this mascara really was all they were saying (most of the magic seems to be in the brush). I loved it and received numerous compliments all day.

There is no way they are getting this mascara back!!

*Results observed in a consumer panel survey. Benefit They’re Real! Mascara $23.00

The Amazing & Miraculous 3 Lab Skin Care

Tuesday was a cold and rainy day in Los Angeles (us poor Angelenos and are weather woes), but nothing cheers up a girl like a visit to Barney’s New York. My first stop, always, is to visit my good friend Michele Goodman, personal shopper extraordinaire (310 276 4400), but on this day I was sidetracked by a lovely women, Rebecca Netzel, at 3 Lab skin care.

30 minutes later and a little over $300 later (“h” serum, Perfect Sunscreen SPF 55 and the amazing  Perfect Lip treatment), I was so glad she did. No lie, I could see a difference in my skin before I left the store.

3 Lab is a fabulous line of new and highly effective high-end skin care products that keeps the promises to their claims by using the most innovative and technologically advanced ingredients available – like Nano-Claire GY™, the world’s first bio-engineered growth hormone that replenishes the skin from within, and apple stem cell technology.

It’s considered among beauty insiders and celebrities (Kelly Ripa, Helen Mirren and Olivia Wilde) as the perfect anti-aging skin care collection that aids the skin by replenishing growth hormones that are lost due to age, it also promotes the delay in chronological aging. Your skin will look and feel refreshed, shine will be minimized and skin will be left hydrated, firmer, brighter and PH balanced.

Super H serum – A new super-powered skin booster that contains the most powerful antioxidants and scientific ingredients to combat all the signs of aging, and the “M” Cream - The first cosmetic product that contains stem cells from the rare Uttweiler Spatlauber Swiss apple, so rare that only three trees remain in existence – are 2 of the latest and greatest from 3 Lab. They’ll be my next purchases for sure!!

Buy 3 Lab at Barney’s 310 276 4400 (make sure to ask for Rebecca) or at 3lab.com.

Clark’s Botanicals – The Best Of Nature & Science Together

“I look to nature for inspiration but add the best of science.” says Francesco Clark, who learned the business from his father, Dr. Harold Clark, a physician trained in both traditional Western medicine and homeopathy. In June 2002 Francesco, who then worked at Harper’s Bazaar, suffered a crippling spinal cord injury, that left him not able to walk or to sweat. When over-the-counter or prescriptive remedies couldn’t help Francesco’s clogged pores and chronic breakouts, he turned to his father to aid him in developing products that could.

Together they developed botanically based formulas that effectively rebalanced Francesco’s skin, clearing it up entirely. In 2005 they started selling Clark’s Botanicals on their website and sales took off (Emma Stone and Zooey Deschanel are huge fans!). Their line has grown (it’s now a full-fledged skin care system) along with their following, but rebalancing skin remains its overarching objective. That’s why all Clark’s Botanicals products today feature Jasmine Absolute, a precious essential oil that naturally rebalances skin. Derived from nocturnally blooming flowers, this extract is also antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and immuno-stimulating.

Next month look for Clark’s Botanicals to add the fabulous Cellular Lifting Moisture Mist to their awesome skin care line. Start trying it today to get your skin crystal clear.

Clockwise from top left: Soothing Herbal Face Wash $45.00, Smoothing Marine Cream $115.00, Anti-Puff Eye Cream $87.00, Cellular Lifting Cream $355.00. Buy products @ Clark’s Botanicals online.

On the 9th & 8th Day Of Christmas……..

For the 9th day of Christmas indulge a loved one with one of the most invigorating of senses – our sense of smell. For her, I’ve chosen L’Artisan perfumes from Paris, select my favorite Premier Figuier (The First Fig Tree) – made from earth’s delicious fig leaves, almond milk and sandalwood, or choose from one of the other 33 delectable fragrances. For him, it’s Terre d’Hermes all the way! Its woody, vegetal and mineral notes comprise one of the most sensual scents for men. You’ll want  to be oh-so-close to him from morning till night!!!

The 8th day of Christmas celebrates another sensual sense – our sense of touch. Treat her, or you, to Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish – one of 2012 Instyle’s best beauty buys! The superior blend of four precious oils of evening primrose, sweet almond, apricot kernel, and jojoba gets rid of the dryest winter skin, leaving skin super soft. Layer it with Fresh’s  Brown Sugar Body Cream and it’ll be the softest it has ever been!!

Men need to care for their skin too, after all, why shouldn’t we be touching soft skin. Gift him with Vitamin’s Sea Salt Body Scrub, and it will soothe his skin with a gentle, botanical-extract and vitamin-rich formula. Add Vitamin’s Paw Paw Skin Repair and he’ll have the softest, yet still manly skin in town.

From Right to Left: L’Artisan Parfumeur Premier Figuier $120.00 www.barneys.com, Terre d’Hermes $174.00 www.hermes.com.

Second Group – clockwise from top left: Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish $65.00 www.fresh.com, Fresh Brown Sugar Body Cream $35.00 www.fresh.com, Vitamin Paw Paw Skin Repair $35.00 www.barneys.com, Vitamin Sea Salt Body Scrub $46.00 www.barneys.com.

GlamGlow – For Camera Ready Skin

Why is GlamGlow, a gentle, anti-aging exfoliating mask, the new hot beauty treatment? Simply put, because it works!! Designed for Hollywood`s entertainment, music, and fashion industries to ensure camera ready soft glowing skin, yet it’s priced for the masses ($69.00).

Made in California and powered by mud found off the coast of southern France— high in ancient volcanic pumice rock (exfoliator), super antioxidants, and minerals. Other key ingredients include French sea clay (pore minimizer and oil absorber), green tea leaf (antioxidant),Teaoxi (moisturizer and antioxidant), along with a moisturizing collagen synthesis. GlamGlow leaves pores minimized and skin noticeably smooth, soft and younger looking.

They’ve recently added New Super GlamGlow with Acnecidic-6™4.4% the first 6-Acid AHA & BHA Blend for mind-blowing faster results, and  Pore-Matrix™ with Activated-X Charcoal & New K17-Clay™ for deep pore vacuum extraction, encapsulation & seemingly poreless skin.

From right to left: GlamGlow $69.00 www.sephora.com, New GlamGlow 469.00 www.sephora.com.

Fall Beauty Trends – Mulberry Lips

Red lipstick always works for fall but this season the most captivating looks featured a deep mulled-wine stain with rich chocolate undertones. Finishes ranged from creamy to matte to high patent-leather gloss.

Backstage, at the fall designer’s collections, it was all about wine-stained lips and paled-out, creamy white complexions. Remember darker hues lipstick need a more delicate touch to get it right. Make sure to do your prep work – buff away any flakes with an exfoliating lip treatment before applying your color. Another trick is to layer clear balm underneath your color to adjust the intensity of your lipstick to your liking.

Creamy mattes look sensational for day but one of my favorite nighttime looks is Sephora’s Rouge Shine Lipstick in Soul Mate with Smash Box’s High Shine Lip Gloss on top.

Clockwise from right to left: Sephora Rouge Shine Lipstick in Soul Mate $12.00 www.sephora.com, Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet $32.50 www.neimanmarcus.com, Cover Girl Queen Lipstick tawny Port $7.29 www.kmart.com, Maybellline High Shine Gloss Mocha Mazing $8.99 www.maybeline.com.

Photos above, clockwise from top left: Gucci, Etro, Rochas and Givenchy – all from their Fall 2012 runways.

Beauty Tip – The Gel Manicure

Move over acrylics, there is another more natural trend in manicures – gel nails. Unlike acrylic nails (quickly becoming dated) gel nails are stronger and less likely to chip, allowing your own nails to remain healthy and long. Another reason for all the buzz, gel nails do not consist of the same acid that acrylic nails do, rendering them odorless and healthier for you and your nails.

Additionally, a gel manicure tends to look more realistic, as gel nails are more flexible and bond naturally to the real nail. Gel nails do not need lift, polish or backfills. These fingernails stay shiny and last longer than acrylic nails.

It’s the ultimate manicure!

La Mer Eye Cream – My Magic In A Jar

“Those true eyes. Too pure and too honest in aught to disguise the sweet soul shining through them.” Edward Robert Bulwer-Lytton

If all the parties and shopping from Fashion’s Night Out have left your eyes tired looking, puffy, and with a few more wrinkles than you remember ( Fashion Week and it’s parties have just begun!!!!!!) Don’t fret, invest in a jar of The Eye Concentrate by La Mer.

It’s like magic, the best eye cream I have ever used. It’s the first item I pack when traveling and has been a constant in my wardrobe for years. A little pricey but worth every penny. Go on and splurge you won’t regret!!

Sold at Neiman Marcus Beverly Hills ( $165.00), ask for Dara Stewart at the La Mer counter

Fall’s New Luscious Nail Polish Trends

Fall’s hottest new accessory might not be what you’d think. Move over handbags because there’s a new kid in town commanding all the attention – well manicured nails in Fall’s new bold, rich, sophisticated colors.

Deep and luscious shades of jewel tones (such as emerald, purples, teals and navy’s) are every girl’s best friend as they compliment most skin tones.  Warmer nudes and beiges (hot cocoa’s), also on trend for Fall, can be a bit more challenging. I recommend experimenting with a few shades to find the color that best compliments your skin tone. The reds that are hot this fall are red-browns and oranges are burnt and amber in nature while berry goes gothic.

The upcoming season’s lust-worthy polishes will not be ignored and picked up on the strong, feminine attitude of the fall 2012 collections!!

Clockwise from top left: Shag by Butter $14.00 www.butterlondon.com, Sam by Zoya $8.00 www.zoya.com, Estee Lauder Beyond Black series In Viper $20.00 www.esteelauder.com, Sonia Kashuk In Hocus Pocus $4.79 www.target.com, German-icure By Opi $8.50 www.opi.com, Stylenomics By Essie $8.00 http://www.bebeautiful.com, Dior Bengale $23.00 www.neimanmarcus.com, Blue Satin By Chanel $26.00 www.chanel.com.

Spring/Summer 2012 Make-Up Trends Straight From the Runways

New (and some just recycled) Spring/Summer 2012 Make-Up Trends

Clockwise from top left corner.

1.) Red Lips Are Back – Lipstick’s most iconic color was reinvented this season with many shades of red showing up on the runways. From Chocolate Red at Donna Karen to Metalllic crimson at Yves Saint Laurent and Betty Draper Red Dior – it’s time to go rouge!

2.) Rose Bud Lips – The other extreme was also seen up and down the catwalks. The faintest shades of rose were seen at Balmain, a hint of gloss at Carolina Herrera and sheer rosy lips at Christopher Kane. The shows make-up artists paired these romantic shades with matching cheek colors.

3.) Power Brows – Both striking and feminine at one time. The best examples are darkened with pigment, brushed up, and shaped with a dramatic, willful arch. Bold brows are the perfect frame to make your eyes standout.

4.) White Silver Metallics – Reflective washes of white silver sparked up the eyes and brow bones. The moonbeam hue subtly graced the lids at Chanel and Ralph Lauren while dramatic streaks of it were seen at Phillip Lim. No matter where the color is applied, choose a creamy finish, perfect for blending into skin so it seems to shine from within.

5.) Modern Cat Eyes  – Oh what a little flick of eyeliner at the eye corner can do. From your everyday Grace Kelly liner to graphic lines drawn on at Ruffian, even a flick of color at Matthew Williamson proved there is no “right” way to achieve this sexy look.

6.) Doll Lashes – Jazz-era lashes at Marc Jacobs, feathered lashes at Ralph Lauren, turned up tips at Ruffian and pretty punk pink at Victor & Rolf this bat-your-eyes doll like craze is one of my fave. There is nothing like a pair of falsies to let you go nude (no make-up nude) and still feel every bit as glamorous.