A very agreeable, most effective cleansing lotion!  With this I can now add another favorite from Avene, a line that has come to mean quality for many.

This is a very mild vegetal cleanser which is formulated especially for sensitive skin and requires no rinsing with water.  I especially like that as water rinses following a cleanser simply tends to dry skin, and no one needs that on these blustery winter days.

The cleanser can be applied with either a cotton pad or fingertips - simply apply to skin in circular motions then pat dry.  I prefer a cotton pad for evening use as it seems to remove eye makeup more successfully than my fingertips.  Then in the mornings I do use fingertips.

So simple to use and it leaves my skin clean, comfortable and without any tightness.

Find it at aveneusa.com.

KABUKI BRUSH by ANTONYM COSMETICS

This vegan certified dome shaped Kabuki Brush from Antonym is a mini treasure.  Blushes, bronzers and powders are smoothly blended onto your skin for either light or full coverage.  The shape and size of the brush allows you to fully control application so your look is flawless - just the way you wanted it.

Plus, this super soft-bristled brush comes in its own chic ebony pouch.  So easy to tuck into makeup bag or purse.

 I appreciate the fact that it’s cruelty free and reasonably priced -  you’ll find it at www.antonymcosmetics.com.

VOTRE VU'S LE JOLIE CRAYON AND EIFFEL POWER

Do believe countless praises have been sung re Votre Vu’s Eiffel Power Mascara but I’m more than happy to reiterate here because of the great look it provides when paired with Votre Vu’s Le Joli Crayon.  Love their French Accents line!

Quite simply, the appearance is beautifully intensified when this duo is worn.  Lashes appear fuller, longer, plumper and all the while the wearer is still enjoying the benefits of this botanically engineered mascara - support due to curative cotton bloom and illumination thanks to natural waxes.

Pencil liners have never been my friends due to the tugging and pulling of delicate skin when trying to apply.  I’d about decided never to try a liner again until Le Joli Crayon - hallelujah!   There’s all the difference in the world - this crayon is not only the favorite of makeup artists but is now on my A-List.  The gel crayon goes on like silk very much like a liquid yet allows time to feather and smudge.  Once it sets it is there to stay - no smudging and you can even shed a delicate tear or three.  Another plus is that it’s as easy to remove as it was to apply and a sharpener is included in the package.

VU-ON ROUGE BY VOTRE VU IN "BOUQUET ROSE"

When preparing to board a flight aren’t there things that you absolutely must have in your purse?  Necessities of the first order just in case your luggage is lost or you must make an emergency landing on a desert island?  Wherever I am, whatever I’m doing one of my must-always-have-with-me items is Votre Vu’s Vu-On Rouge in Bouquet Rose.

Housed in a slim silver tone 2 ½ inch tube (about lipstick size) it slips easily into pocket or purse.  Yes, it’s diminutive in size but delivers a rich flush of color to cheeks and lips.  Bouquet Rose is a wonderfully flattering shade of rose, which is completely natural in appearance.  (Think of those envied English complexions or what Scarlet O’Hara achieved with a few pinches).   Its formulation includes shea butter, mango seed butter and jojoba seed oil so it not only brings flattering born-with color to cheeks and lips but also moisturizes.

The rouge is creamy in texture so it glides on smoothly, easily blending and feeling soft on your skin.  Color remains on cheeks throughout the day and evening while lips sometimes need retouching so I like to keep an extra Vu-On Rouge in the glove compartment of our car.

THE SOAP AND PAPER FACTORY: HAND CREAMS

The Soap and Paper Factory is found in New York and online at www.soapandpaperfactory.com.  Factory you say?  If it is a factory it’s a fabulous factory that produces the finest and packages each with flare.

Among S & P’s finest are their hand creams - all flawlessly hand made and rich in Shea Butter - the miracle worker that soothes and smooths your skin.  Happily the hand creams just like all of S & P’s products are made free of animal testing, parabens, phthalates, petrochemicals, and additives.  They’re packaged in shiny aluminum tubes so easy to tuck in purse, backpack or desk drawer.  Each tube has a safety seal beneath the cap to ensure total freshness when it is opened.  And, what a joy it is to remove the seal for the first scent, which challenges nature in its authenticity.

The cream itself is created not only with Shea Butter but also the finest oils.  It takes but a small amount, perhaps the size of a green pea to moisturize your hands.  The cream is absorbed with no feeling of oiliness only soft silky skin, a feeling that lasts.

Our favorite college girl is headed to campus this year with three of her favorites:

Violet - the ultimate in a floral scent with the cream highlighted by notes of Crushed Violet Petal, Jasmine and Citron.  So feminine!

Bouquet - enriched with rose, created with notes of Turkish Rose Otto and Rose Geranium.  Innocent and sweet.

Camellia - a scent unto itself blended with Citron, Basillicum and Wild Fennel.  A bit dramatic and intriguing.
     
Our girl has never been shy about dropping very broad hints so she has made it clear that each of these scents is also available from S & P in perfume form.  Right at the top of her Santa list says she.  Undoubtedly the creams and perfumes will be topping many lists this year - including ours.  We’ll find them at www.soapandpaperfactory.com.

LIPSTICK AND LIP LINER BY VOTRE VU

Is it possible Votre Vu knows me better than I know myself?  Just when I’d decided it was time to retire my favorite lipstick along came Votre Vu’s French Accent with French Kiss, moisture rich lipsticks in five classic up-to-the-minute shades (Margaux, LouLou, Babette, Chloe, Claire and Annette) .  Plus they’re offering Drawmatic Lip Liners in four shades (Naked, Spark, Sizzzle and Simmer) to complement the lipstick colors.  Sign me Happy!

Handcrafted with care the lipsticks were created with enriched natural plant waxes and Vitamin E as well as anti-aging ingredients and SPF 8.  They know they’re gorgeous and they also know their place - they don’t flake or feather.

I love to wear them after using a Drawmatic Liner - this perfect lip producer is retractable (no more sharpening, thank you!)  The soft pencil applies easily and distinctly defines the contours of your lips.  In addition to lovely colors it boasts Vu’s antioxidant rich avocado oil.

For perfection line lips with the pencil, fill in and then apply lipstick color.  As of today I’m wearing Naked Drawmatic Lip Liner and Chloe Lipstick.  Sign me Couldn’t Be More Pleased.  If you wish add gloss and get ready for your close-up.

                                                                 

VOTRE VU'S VU-ON ROUGE

When preparing to board a flight aren’t there things that you absolutely must have in your purse?  Necessities of the first order just in case your luggage is lost or you must make an emergency landing on a desert island?  Wherever I am, whatever I’m doing one of my must-always-have-with-me items is Votre Vu’s Vu-On Rouge in Bouquet Rose.

Housed in a slim silver tone 2 ½ inch tube (about lipstick size) it slips easily into pocket or purse.  Yes, it’s diminutive in size but delivers a rich flush of color to cheeks and lips.  Bouquet Rose is a wonderfully flattering shade of rose, which is completely natural in appearance.  (Think of those envied English complexions or what Scarlet O’Hara achieved with a few pinches).   Its formulation includes shea butter, mango seed butter and jojoba seed oil so it not only brings flattering born-with color to cheeks and lips but also moisturizes.

The rouge is creamy in texture so it glides on smoothly, easily blending and feeling soft on your skin.  Color remains on cheeks throughout the day and evening while lips sometimes need retouching so I like to keep an extra Vu-On Rouge in the glove compartment of our car.

VOTRE VU'S "LITTLE MISS HARD TO BUY FOR"

When it comes to gifting we often think of the girl who is the hardest to buy for as the girl who already has everything.  A fallacy - there is no such person as the girl who has everything unless she is a devotee of Votre Vu and has all the must-have gifts prepared by this elite French line for holidays 2012.

For starters there is the “Little Miss Hard To Buy For” gift box holding non pariel skin softeners and makeup.  The set includes TARTE D´AMANDE Body Soufflé, EIFFEL POWER Lengthening and Fortifying Mascara, and BÉBÉ DUETTE Luxe Lips Framboise and Hand Crème.

Votre Vu illuminati might describe a reaction to this luxe offering in this way:  She´ll adore the gift of voluminous and flirty fringe, courtesy of Vu´s new botanically engineered Eiffel Power mascara, handcrafted with curative cotton bloom, luminous carnuba and sunflower waxes and earthy kaolin clay. She’ll  relish being wrapped in the enticing almond-pie aroma of Tarte D´Amande Body Soufflé, decadently rich in tropical nut oils and shea butter for truly haute hydration.  And be ever so grateful for Bébé Duette Framboise, a purse-friendly tube of jojoba-based hand crème with a citrus-kissed lip balm and mirror smartly tucked in the cap.

Not only was the “Little Miss Hard To Buy For” set carefully selected by Votre Vu but also gift wrapped in a snowy white box bound with red ribbon and sealed with a golden medallion.  Happy holidays!

Do your shopping at www.votrevu.com

VOTRE VU FOR EYES

What is the first thing people notice about you?  According to a survey it is your eyes.  And nowadays the eyes tell many stories.  Unfortunately, for some of us the story may be “Didn’t sleep a wink last night.” or “Dark circles just run in my family.”  Not so!  Votre Vu has put a happy ending on those tales with their Tout Le Monde Antioxidant Eye Gelee.

This is an ice blue gel enriched with aloe vera and chamomile that absorbs almost instantaneously to refresh and rejuvenate.  I say refresh here because if you keep it in your fridge it is not only an extraordinarily cooling and renewing experience but zaps signs of fatigue.

For many this eye gelee also serves as an intensive transforming eye mask - simply apply a generous amount around your eye area, pat gently and allow to rest for about 20 minutes.  Then remove and voila!  What a difference.

As if all if these benefits weren’t enough, the gelee is also reasonably priced.  Find it at www.votrevu.com.

A Cult Favorite - PATYKA!

    In an interview Cyril Jamot, founder of the cult favorite French organic skincare line Patyka has been quoted as saying of Biokaliftin, “BIOKALIFTIN is the exclusive technical & innovative range with an ultra high concentration of active substances and botanical extracts – the fruits of advanced Patyka research. Biokaliftin satisfies the requirements of women in search of a unique experience with a remarkable outcome to prevent and treat daily a demanding skin. Biokaliftin is targeting women who are educated in their beauty routine and are looking for expertise and exquisite cosmetics.”

     He’s on target there.  Patyka’s Biokaliftin Repair Face Cream is new to me and I’m impressed.  Enriched with ultra concentrated ingredients that are noted for their healing properties this cream does more than others - it lifts, plumps and tones.  Result?  Firmer, smoother skin with a significant reduction in facial lines.

    Formulated with over 70% certified organic plant extracts this cream offers both immediate (pair it with the Repair Night Serum) and lasting effects as the natural powers of skin regeneration are stimulated. 

    Judging from glowing reviews Patyka has redefined the effectiveness of skincare.  Find this cream and see for yourself at www.patyka.com.

Quench by Kate Somerville

    Always partial to one who has a passion for and dedication to the creation of a product I could not wait to try the Kate Somerville line.  And I was not disappointed.

    In the midst of unkind frigid weather which tends to really dry my skin I began with Quench Hydrating Face Serum.  This is a unique, advanced complex that delivers intense hydration (just what I needed) and does battle with environmental stressors (think Texas in January).

    Composed of an intense form of Vitamin A, Lipids, and Wheat Germ for added firmness (which I also need - doesn’t everyone?) This Serum made a noticeable difference to my complexion after only a week of use.

    I use it both morning and night after cleansing.  “Restoration” is the way I’d describe it as my skin is softer, more supple and with an added glow.  The directions recommend following the Serum with a moisturizer - that was far too much for my skin.  The Serum alone does it all for me.  Looking forward to trying  more from Kate Somerville!

Now's the Time To Get Your Gloss On!

    ‘Tis the season for parties, celebrations, and good cheer - time to get your gloss on!  You know what the holidays are like - twinkling lights, shining stars, color!  Add some twinkle to your smile with these glistening glosses from Smashbox!

    Six dazzlers are included in this Snap You’re Fab Collection  - two full-size and four generous travel sizes: Pout (baby doll pink), Radiant (shimmering pink plum), Luster (sheer golden pink), It Girl (sheer juicy pink), Infamous (golden nude), and Pink Sugar (shimmering soft pink).  A different look for every night of the week!  (You do need one day of rest, don’t you?)

    Stocking stuffer?  Anyone would love to find one of these in their holiday stocking, but bet you can’t part with any.

    Get your gloss on at smashbox.com.

    - Gail Cooke

Payot Provides Ultra Protection

    It’s that time of year again - blustery, cold, and rooms are often over-heated.  Notice how quickly your skin dries during the winter especially your lips, which are usually exposed to the elements.  Payot offers the most soothing protective lip balm to be found.

    Enriched with avocado, macadamia, and jojoba oils this balm is a barrier against the effects of freezing temps and too-warm rooms leaving lips soft and smooth.  Hydration 24 Protection Levres is long lasting, and doesn’t wear off as other products tend to do.

    This balm is a special favorite  because I’m a fan of lip glosses and a gloss is easily applied over the balm.  Another benefit is the addition of SPF 10 - all in all, this balm lets me whistle through the winter.

    Prettify your pucker at www.payot.com

Winter Collection from Zoya

    Absolutely love this Winter Neutral Cream Collection from Zoya!  The colors are smart, sophisticated, very close to natural.  For me, the stoplight red lacquered nail screams imitation and the glittery polishes look left over from Halloween.  These colors, on the other hand, look assured, chic plus they’re uber flattering to hands.

    Shades in this Collection include Kristen, Carey, Megan, Kendal, Kennedy, and Avery.  All are full size.

    In the past when buying a collection of six colors most frequently there have been three that I really enjoyed and wore often while the others were so-so, relegated to the back of the drawer.  That’s  not true with this Collection as each shade is unique yet neutral, so pairs  perfectly what whatever I’m wearing.

    Very happy with the Feel Collection from Zoya!

    Find it at www.zoya.com

Winter Wonderhands by Votre Vu

    It’s almost gift giving time and this year Votre Vu has a generous gift for you - Winter Wonderhands, a kit filled to the brim with six Bebe Duette soothing, smoothing, moisturizing tubes holding a fragrant protective hand cream plus a luscious lip balm!

    Direct to you from France the hand creme not only shields your hands from the damage of winter’s worst but leaves them scented with warm notes of almond and coconut.  The cap of each tube holds an efficacious lip balm that keeps lips, soft and supple despite Ol’ Man Winter’s worst.  Three of the tubes are topped with Bebe Duette Original Luxe Lips, and three with the latest - Framboise-Infused Luxe Lips, a sheer balm that gives lips an enticing rosy tint.

    You’ll have tubes for home, office, purse, and friends in this preposterously priced package of pretties.  Who said the best things in life weren’t free?  All these good things in Winter Wonderhands with a regular retail value of $118.50, now only $69.00!  Happy holidays from Votre Vu!

    Find it at www.votrevu.com.

Rene Furturer Vegetal Mousse and Vegetal Finishing Spray

    So very pleased to have found this mousse that really works for me.  And, that’s a first!  My hair is short and very fine, thus tending to fly-away at the slightest provocation.  I’ve tried countless gels, fluids, and mousses all promising to add body and hold style.  No such luck - I’ll spare you my sad stories of gummy hair and no-result potions.  Now, at last, I’ve found a mousse that not only keeps promises but is healthy for my hair!

    It only takes a quarter size puff of mousse to do the trick.  I spread the mousse in my hands, run hands through towel-dried hair then blow dry.  That’s all it takes for a fuller, stay-put style.

    Rene Furturer has spent the better part of a lifetime developing his hair care brand, which uses only pure essential oils and active plant extracts.  So hair not only looks good but feels good, too.

    For me, an added bonus of this mousse is that I can comb through and the style remains.  It comes in a 6.8 oz. size which holds a multitude of those important puffs.

    Since I’m in Texas (you know, the place where the wind never stops blowing) I do keep Furterer’s Vegetal Finishing Spray on hand - it, too, is superior, with a lasting hold that leaves hair shiny and is easy to brush out.

    Find them both at www.beauty.com.

Quench & Correct from Kate Somerville

    What a super idea - especially with the onset of cold weather and the drying season.  When it’s blustery outside and overheated inside it can sometimes seem impossible to keep lips moisturized and pretty.  Kate Somerville takes care of that for us with this dual ended magic wand Quench and Correct Plumping Gloss and Restorative Lip Treatment.

    One side, Correct does just that by encouraging collagen renewal and chasing off dryness thus diminishing the appearance of lip lines.  The other side, Quench is a luscious gloss that plumps instantly by restoring moisture and increasing circulation.  Begin with Correct and then use Quench.

    Going from an icy sidewalk  to an stuffy room tends to really dry my skin, so  I like to have one Q & C wand at home and another in my purse for use throughout the day simply because lips not only look good but they feel great!

    Find your Quench & Correct at www.katesomerville.com.

Sunshine On A Dreary Day

    Those dreary days of winter when we’re longing for a little sunshine are upon us.  I’m finding my rays with Burt’s Bees Mango & Orange Sugar Scrub.  Just the refreshing citrus aroma warms me as the natural Sugar Crystals gently exfoliate.  And, I do mean gently - skin never cares for harsh treatment but especially not in winter.

    Just as the Sugar Crystals and Orange Peel leaves skin glowing the Mango nourishes and moisturizes.  Double TLC!   I like to follow with Burt’s Bees Mango & Orange Body Butter - bliss.  And both for an incredibly reasonably price!  True, the good things in life aren’t free but I’m happy with very inexpensive.

    Find soothing and softening at www.burtsbees.com.

Glytone Block Sunscreen SPF 40

    Hopefully by now all of us are aware of the importance of using sunscreen whenever we’re out of doors - not just when we’re at the beach or playing tennis but all the time.  What can be difficult is finding the right sunscreen - Glytone Block with SPF 40 tops my list.  

    Obviously, SPF 40 is right up there when it comes to protection - in addition it’s fragrance free and doesn’t leave me with a white pasty face.  However, when fall came this year I tended to become a bit careless about using sunscreen, especially on overcast days - not a good idea as my dermatologist reminded me when he saw what he thought was a suspicious spot on my forehead.

    I’m very glad we had that conversation because he also told me that my use of skin scrubs and exfoliators made my skin even more vulnerable to sun damage.  Thanks to him I’m a believer now and keep Glytone Block at the ready.

    = Gail Cooke

Bye, Bye Brown Spots!

    I’m a garden lover, simply love to work in the yard.   The results of my flower beds aren’t prize winners but that’s beside the point - the pleasure is in planting and tending to them.  What is not a pleasure for me is wearing garden gloves.  Yes, I know better but don’t wear them hence those unattractive brown sun spots on my hands.  Thought they were just something I’d have to live with until discovering Glytone Skin Bleaching Fading Lotion.

    With 2% hydroquinone this is an active bleach.  It has been about two weeks (I apply just once a day at bedtime) and those spots are actually disappearing.

    Glytone made the application very easy with a soft rollerball that dispenses a small amount of  liquid with the slightest touch.  Thus, I’m able to simply dab it onto the spot.

    Very pleased with this product.

    - Gail Cooke