Review- Aveda Hand Relief

Incredibly rich moisture therapy soothes dry, chapped hands—leaving them noticeably softer and smoother. Hydrating plant emollients, humectants, exfoliating fruit acids and anti-oxidants—including vitamins A and E—help diminish signs of aging and provide optimal relief.

• Increases moisture levels and elasticity in skin with continued use.

This here is a great little hand lotion. Although it's a bit greasy for my tastes at first use (I prefer fast absorbing lotions and this one can stay a little greasy/slick for a few minutes after applying it) it does the job fantastically. It's not overly perfumey or scent saturated and it really does revitalize stressed out skin (like the bottle says). During the cold weather, while the rest of me looks like I'm in my 20's, to my chagrin my hands look like they belong to a 90 year old woman. After using this lotion a few times today, I have to say my hands definitely are less red and chapped and have lost that old dried out look that other hand lotions fail to deliver so quickly. A small bottle is around $7 so it's definitely something to pick up and have in your purse for when your hands are looking really rough.

Hillary Says:
My dry hands love this hand cream. My nose loves the fresh, slightly lemony scent. My conscience loves the fact that Aveda does not test on animals and make their products in the U.S.A. I, as a whole, really like the texture & wearability of this cream. I use it sparingly or just on the backs of my hands for day. I slather it on big-time before bed. One of it's first ingredients is aloe, but it also contains the emollients glycerin & Vitamin E. Now if they just made it with sunscreen (my personal crusade).

Deedlejuse Says:
This is definitely a really good, down to business sort of hand lotion. It is a bit greasy when you first apply, but nothing beats it for moisture and staying-power. My only problem with it was I really didn't like the smell. It was super natural smelling, like you had been rolling around in the green house after all of the plants had been thrown on the ground. It is probably great for a lot of people, and I'm sure that most people like that green sort of smell. The smell didn't stay for too long though, and after the first few minutes it is just a really great lotion. I bet that if my hands were a little bit more dry I would absolutely swear by this and not be picky about smells!

Trish Says:
My hands - they have been so dry and chapped lately, it's helpless. As soon as the temperatures drop, it's back to desert-like conditions on my hands. In need of major relief, something more than my average hand lotion, but not as rich and heavy as a body cream (although I have gone there), I broke out this tiny sample of Aveda's Hand Relief lotion. And let me say it works! Even on the roughest, driest of conditions, a small amount quickly absorbed into my skin, hydrating the surface and conditioning it at the same time. Because this sample is small, on my first couple of tries, I either used too little - and needed to apply more although I found that the lotion does sink into my skin beautifully or I used too much and had to let the hands dry out a little. Once I figured the right amount for my poor hands (a dime size will do) - I noticed just how well the lotion worked! It is smoothening, conditioning and fully softening, without stripping away any natural oils. Other positive factors for me include the nice blend of plant emollients and hydrating vitiamins, which you can really feel working into your skin, as well as the fresh natural scent that goes with Aveda products. Lovely stuff - especially for winter hands!

Review- Vapour Atmosphere Luminous Foundation

Effortlessly achieve radiant healthy skin and a more even complexion with Atmosphere. These gorgeous Vapour foundation sticks glide on easily and blend seamlessly. The texture of the skin becomes instantly smoother, softer, and more beautiful as imperfections, fine lines, and wrinkles are hidden. Atmosphere foundation is the next generation of mineral cosmetics as it moves & breathes with the skin reflecting light to create a youthful glow.

As a true liquid foundation loyalist, I was not enthused about trying a stick foundation. However it was much easier and faster to apply than my liquid formula, blended beautifully and had a great natural finish. The coverage is buildable, but even after layering it on a bit I still couldn't really tell I was wearing makeup. It didn't really have the coverage or finish you get from a liquid foundation, but if you like a super natural look then you'll love it. Even though it is 70% organic, it still made my face feel dry and itchy, especially on cold, windier days. Overall its a pretty good foundation depending on the look that you prefer, and I think I would like this much better in the summer months, when I tend to go for lighter, breezier makeup.

Josephine says: I actually like stick foundation. It reminds me of that old school Max Factor product that made cream foundations doable (not to mention portable) for pretty much everyone. I commend Vapour for the effort but I am not thrilled with this stuff. I agree with Malikah--the coverage isn't that major thus defeating its purpose, imo. I guess I feel if you like the proverbial natural look than you would do better with a tinted moisturizer, you know? Cream formulations are used for their ability to cover anything and everything flawlessly. I also had trouble matching the shade to my skin tone as in it looked like it was going to work at first glance but blending it at the edges of my face got a little orange and weird. But I want to reiterate that I give the company props for trying to make a "natural" and mostly-organic version of this kind of makeup because Vapour may have paved the way for some killer version of this in the future.

Movie Maven says: Oh man, do I love anything that comes in a push-up stick format. I think this obsession probably sprouted at an early age, when I used to eat Flintstones Push-Up Pops like it was my job. Then, of course, there was the Bonne Bell Lip Smackers Phase of 1988-1992, marked heavily with the bubblegum flavor, interspersed with the occasional Dr. Pepper tube. Once, I even found a facewash in a stick (from Jane Cosmetics; I don’t think they make it anymore, but it was AMAZING and GREEN and smelled like Fresca. I took it on a road trip to Yellowstone National Park. It was awesome.

This obsession with all things in a stick (and on a stick, for that matter – I have never been known to turn down a corn dog) was fully realized when I got to try the Vapour Organic Beauty Foundation Stick. Oh. Man. I love it! It’s so so so easy to apply (even for someone who finds mornings as repellent as a razor sandwich, and is thus always very very TIRED upon applying makeup), and the coverage is great! I feel like it’s probably a more robust coverage than I would normally go for during the day – I like to keep it light – but for nighttime, I would definitely use this sucker. And since it’s a stick, it’s easy to toss in your purse if you’re the kind of girl who likes to touch up. The only thing that stung a little bit with this product was the price – I’m solidly a drugstore-brand girl, and at $38, this guy’s a little pricey. That’s $30 extra I could be spending on shoes, you know! I think if I were regularly spending that much on foundation, I’d definitely give this one a try, but as the cheap chick I am, I won’t go out of my way for this one (no matter how much I love it).

Trish says: Movie Maven has a good point, this is so easy to apply and so handy to take wherever you go, such as the gym, work, school etc ...the price is a little high though, and the coverage I got from the foundation was pretty good, but not as full and complete as my skin would usually need. It did make my skin look nice overall though and smoother, and I was surprised that for a stick mineral foundation, it went on so smoothly without any caking or flakiness...the best parts about the foundation include its versatility and super ease of use...not so great points for me is that while it's pretty even coverage, I still needed some additional powder to create a flawless look. I will say though stick foundations are pretty fun and super convenient to have handy.

Deedlejuse Says: Ok, true story: I have been looking EVERYWHERE for a foundation that I like and works on me. I am able to get copious samples of all the designer brands: Lancome, Bobbi Brown, Estee Lauder, Nars, you name it, I have tried it. And not like one of their types either a couple from each of the ones I have mentioned at least. Nothing was perfect, either the color was weird or it didn't have enough coverage or (my favorite) I thought I loved it then I saw a pic of myself and realized the incredibly shiny faced person smiling in the corner was me. Not a look I cherish, I'll tell you what!

Then I got this stick of Vapour Luminous Foundation, and I'll be the first to admit I like luminous (just there is a line, people!) so I was intrigued. Then I tried it, and now my favorite foundation has been found! Basically the stick thing as much as it sounds like a bad idea, is genius! Its easy to apply, you just smooth over your face and massage it on sort of with your hands. You don't have any waste, because you can't dump a bunch on the back of your hand and then have to throw it out after. The finish is wonderful, you get light to medium coverage (it really tones down redness) with a dewy look, but your not super shiny, or super matte. I think I have to disagree with Movie Maven, I would totally spend $38 on this stick of loveliness, but I think I might have to wait a bit longer and see exactly how long it lasts before I make that qualification! All in all though, I love it!

Sultana says: I have this in #140 which is a little on the dark side for me. I have a really strange complexion & I can never find the right foundation/powder. To achieve a natural look, I have to do a LOT of blending with various shades. Even though the color didn't match my face, I managed to make it work by blending it with my concealer which is a lighter color. It mixes very well with other brands and it builds easy. I like this because it is also light. You don't feel it weighing down your face. I just find it hard to put on foundation on a stick, because at some point you will need a brush or applicator to get in the corners.

Review - Nick Chavez Flocker

A state-of-the-art, fast-drying, texturizing and volumizing universal hair styling spray.

This product proves that you should always READ THE DIRECTIONS before trying a new product. Now, I am big on directions in certain milieus - building shelving, driving in the country, changing a tire - but in other arenas, I tend to ignore them. Cooking falls into this category, as well as hair products. "What could the package POSSIBLY say to do that I won't just DO?" Well, in the case of this Nick Chavez Flocker, it says to spray the stuff into your hands, then work through your hair. I sprayed it directly on to my head.

Do not do this unless you enjoy looking dirty all day (which, I don't know, you might).

Once I started using it as directed, I really liked it - when used in conjunction with a blowdryer, I got LOTS of volume. This is probably best for medium-length hair: if your hair is shorter than a Louise Brooks bob, you could probably find something to give the same effect with more hold, and if your hair is longer than your shoulders, I imagine that this flocker might weigh it down a bit. But for ladies in between, this stuff is great!

Trish says: Ever have those days when no matter what you do, your hair looks rather bad up and a whole lot worse down? My hair has a mind of its own sometimes and surely likes to rebel just for kicks some days. Here comes in the beauty of Nick Chavez's Flocker. (I love the name for some reason.) When my hair wants to be neither calm nor full, but rather unruly and limp, I go to this wonderful hair care product. It feels as light as a mousse, but strong enough as a volumizer and works gently through my hair. As a result, my hair whips back into shape with more texture and volume and malleability and I can safely leave home without needing to wear a hat as a cover up. Also, I really like that it is light enough to not weigh my hair down too heavily, but also it gives my hair some texture, body, strength and shape. Thanks Flocker for rescuing me from those limp and bad hair days!

Review- Embryolisse Rosamélis Toner

Rosamélis is a refreshing alcohol free toner that removes all traces of cleanser and leaves skin feeling refreshed and revived. $30

This is a very gentle toner which contains rose, orange-tree and witch hazel waters. It's without a doubt the best smelling toner I've ever used. It never stings or burns as it's incredibly gentle, but it packs a whallop when it comes to getting rid of what's left behind when you wash your face. But with it's gentleness and beautiful smell, it feels more like a luxury than a chore. I'm not sure how it would stand up to very oily skin (although the bottle says it's for all types of skin), but for my dry, acne prone skin, it's just wonderful. Like I said in the review for the Micellar Lotion, this stuff may be hard to find, but I feel it's worth the effort and will be buying it again. You can order it from Ricky's in NYC among other places (but they're having a sale at the moment!).

Spa Week's 1st Annual National Wellness Giveaway

In the name of wellness 365 days a year…
28 spas in 28 cities have whipped up their most decadent day-at-the-spa packages, and in partnership, SPA WEEK® is giving them away to 28 lucky winners across North America.

Most spa-goers say the #1 reason they go to the spa is for relaxation, so we’ve worked with many of our prestigious spas to create the National Wellness Giveaway campaign, seeking to remind everyone of the extensive wellness benefits of the spa– from daily energy and heart health to long-term cancer prevention.

To kick off a bright 2010 of health, balance and longevity, we present to you the 1st Annual National Wellness Giveaway, our biggest spa giveaway to date! Be one of 28 lucky winners to represent national wellness in their region by winning a day at the spa.

Check on Spa Week Daily over the next 2 months for up-close looks at each spa and the sanctuary of tranquility and health that awaits. It could be all yours!

Enter SPA WEEK®’s National Wellness Giveaway until February 28, 2010. See the full list of participating cities, spas, treatments and all the giveaway details HERE.

Review- Embryolisse Lotion Micellar (No Rinse Make-Up Remover)

"No rinse Micellar Lotion cleanses and removes make-up extremely gently. It is specially formulated using gentle cleansing agents and specific active ingredients to soften, soothe and tone. High cutaneous and ocular tolerance" (i.e. gentle on skin and eyes). $30

When you read the description of this product (or for that matter, most of the Embryolisse products) you have to be a bit skeptical. "One product does all that" you say to yourself. But the truth is, it does! Case in point, I do not have especially sensitive skin, except lately. Recently I've been host to a myriad of skin maladies. The latest is a rash under my nose which I'm on my third prescription for, but I digress. Needless to say, the underneath of my nose is raw. I had make-up on the other night and I was dreading taking off the make-up around my nose, so I gave the Lotion Micellaire a try. I was amazed! All of the make-up came off and it felt as gentle as water on my sensitive nose. I also used it on my eyes with no problem. This is the perfect no rinse make-up remover for people who are generally allergic or too sensitive for the make-up remover wipes they sell at drugstores and Sephora. And when I tell you I've used it a number if times and I'm only down about 3/4 of an inch in the bottle, you know this stuff will last. It may be a bit hard to come by, but look at the above page for the store locator. You'll be glad you did! P.S. This is on sale right now at Ricky's in NYC online.

Review- Living Proof Full Thickening Cream

This styling innovation allows fine, thin hair to act like thick hair with naturally soft, touchable body. By depositing thickening points on the hair strands, Full creates a thicker surface that enables fine hair to have natural movement and bounce, beautiful shape, and volume throughout the day. While traditional thickening products create a hard, brittle hold that collapses upon touch, Full allows your style to remain flexible, soft, and resilient. Go ahead, run your fingers through your hair, no need to fear a style fall. 1.8 oz.=$14 3.7=$24

This product is like my dream come true. If you've ever been plagued by limp locks, those days are over! I combed a dime-sized blob through my damp hair and blow dried as usual and voila! I had totally full, bouncy, sex kitten hair that lasted for days and smelled divine. It didn't flatten out when I put on my winter hat, or tied it up in a ponytail for my workout. All I had to do was brush it gently back into place, and it bounced back beautifully, with no flaking, or weird dents like some other thickening products can leave. And the best part is its totally affordable, and since you only need a tiny bit each time, it will last and last.

Hillary says: This product should be called "No More Bed Head" because that's my favorite thing about it! True I like the additional fullness it imparts to my hair, but since I have straight hair that I wear down, this stuff does add volume, but it's not my favorite part. My favorite part is the new found hair freedom this stuff gives me. I can put my long hair back in a ponytail and not have to straight iron it the next day. I don't have to wet and blow dry my bangs in the morning when I wake up. It's as if this cream holds the memory of the last way you blow dried your hair and puts it right back into place. And it lasts for days. I only wash my hair 2-3 times a week because it's so dry & colored, but this stuff stands up even on the third day. You simply apply a nickel sized amount for longer hair avoiding the roots. comb it through and blow dry as usual. Then you've got voluminous hair that will keep it's shape no matter how you tie it up or scrunch it down w/ a hat. Seriously, everyone needs to try this stuff. It's my new favorite product. Considering the price and the small amount one has to use, it's a real bargain. I loved Living Proof's No Frizz and now I love their Full. The secret is they hired a bunch of scientists to come up with totally unique formulations to use in their hair products. All I know is I hope they keep them happy so they keep churning out awesome products like this!

Review - Lisa Hoffman Spa Bath Packet

A complete bath care regimen offered in a portable and resealable packette. Each airtight ampoule contains the following products: Bath Soak, Body Wash, Body Polisher, Body Cream, and Hand & Foot Butter. Each product aims to cleanse, protect, nourish and moisturize for a softer and more radiant finish.

I hate to review any product badly, and I would have to say that I am not completely reviewing it badly. I just cannot in good faith review this Spa Bath Packette really well. The small sampling of the best reviewed products on her site were just too small to be able to really experience the goodness of these products! They really were wonderful. Except I needed more to get the bubbles from the bath soak. The shower gel was lovely except I could only really get a bit of lather and I was just yearning for more.... I loved the body polish. It is lightly granulated, but with plenty of emulsion to keep your skin happy and lovely. All in all you can totally appreciate the goodness of the products and the lovely scent they leave in the bathroom during and after your tub, but I really needed more. The after tub cream and foot butter kicked butt, though, and I was able to use them a couple of times.
If you are going for a long weekend, and the aim is to relax this would be a great investment.... or stocking stuffers of course, and your giftee will surely appreciate the quality of product you have bestowed to them. Just don't expect to be completely indulged unless you invest in the larger sizes!

Free Printable Coupon to bring to Aveda for Color Conserve Trio Samples

Simply click on the link above and a page will open with a printable coupon good at Aveda Stores (and participating Aveda Salons) for a generous sample-sized Color Conserve Shampoo, Conditioner & Strengthening Treatment. The coupon is good until 6/30/10, but I'd go sooner than later as they do run out sometimes. Enjoy!

Review - Advance Techniques Moisture sleek Smoothing Serum

Simply apply a quarter-sized dollop into palms and distribute evenly throughout hair. 2.03 fl. oz.

I have long blond hair. It is pretty temperamental. It doesn't like humidity, blow drying, not blow drying, most conditioner. Like I said, temperamental. This Advance Techniques Smoothing Serum is the best thing for the price I have tried in a really long time. I have yet to make my hair look greasy and dirty, which is quite a plus for me, and it leaves things literally sleek and smooth. I prefer a spritz on serum in principle, but I have definitely noticed that this serum really works better. If you are looking for an inexpensive way to keep your straight hair a bit straighter when blow drying and using a straightener I would say go no further. You have found your product!

Review - All About Hands Avocado Hand Lotion

Packed with nourishing ingredients and emollients, this lightweight lotion has been specially formulated to be absorbed quickly into the skin and is perfect for hard-working hands

So, if we are all living in the same world here I have to assume that everyone else is just as sick and tired of their hand cream feeling sticky and greasy and leaving finger prints all over EVERYTHING. I know I only gave it ten minutes to soak in but SERIOUSLY I have a life here people! Finally, an answer that will not leave your mind worrying about ingredients, your hands unhappy and not moisturized, and you wallet all but empty. All About Hands comes from the Upper Canada Soap Co. which seams like a small, but very contentious company that I would be more than happy to support. I mean the first ingredient is aqua for goodness sake! It is paraben free, synthetic dye free, & phthalate free (Im not sure I know what that means, but I like it!) aaannnddd it leaves my hands moist, but not greasy in literally seconds. All of a sudden I have beautifully soft hands with very little effort on my part! It smells very lightly of avacado, kind of. More like if you made an avacado mousse. I love it, and it is $12 for 10oz. In my opinion that might be the best part!

Review- BrushLab Volumize Square Cushion Paddle Brush

Get big hair with the Volumize Hairbrush by BrushLab. Paddle brush's cushioned design and ball tipped tines provide a comforting massage. The Volumize Hairbrush by BrushLab features a non-slip handle.


When it comes to hair brushes, I sure can fall in love quickly and develop the oddest and strangest attachments to them. And so it is with this lovely and highly effective Volumize Hairbrush from BrushLab. It comes in a generous 3.25 in. brush head (which I adore) and the bristles are light enough to not tug too tightly on the hair, yet incredibly strong to get through each and every strand or tangle and distribute the hair's natural shine and smoothness everywhere. The handle is nicely padded with a good grip, so no matter what state your hair is in, this brush can take it. I love how wild and full and big my hair looks after a thorough brush ...no need to worry though, the poofiness and frizz does calm down naturally on its own and if you're pressed for time like me, I either use anti-frizz serum right away and/or tie it up in a loose ponytail while getting ready. The final result: the fullest and thickest and waviest my hair has ever looked and shinier too! I love this brush so much, I really am attached to it. I think it's my favorite!

Deedlejuse says: I have to totally agree with Trish on this wonderful Volumizing Paddle Brush, and I have no idea what hair type she has (which means it must be super versatile!) Personally, I have super thick, but super straight hair. It isn't easily teased into anything close to "big" hair, but this brush does a pretty good job of getting it to look a lot closer to it. The best thing for me is definitely the fact that my hair looks soooo much shinier after using it for a while, it doesn't snag a lot so the amount of breakage and flyaways is minimal. This is something that my relatively thin hair desprately loves about it! All in all this is the one hair brush I haven't (and won't) be able to loose too easily. (two reasons: its my favorite. It's bright green....)

Review- Alcone Face-Matte Oil Absorbing Sheets

These powder-free blue oil-blotting sheets eliminate unwanted shine from your face without adding any powder and without disturbing makeup. Just blot shine with sheet and see the oil transfer from your skin to the sheet. The film becomes transparent as it absorbs the shine. Can be used over, under, or instead of makeup. We recommend you keep them with you at all times!


I've never actually used blotting sheets, even though technically I should because I do have combination-oily skin that sometimes gets out of control, especially in the summer months. Alcone's Oil Absorbing sheets come in a handy little package about the size of a business card case, so you can always have them with you in case of a sudden oil flare up. Just a quick dab of one across your face, and your skin is left looking smooth and matte, without messing up your makeup. I love that these don't have any powder in them, so you don't have to worry about looking washed out or ashy. Although I don't need to use them much these days, I can tell they will be my best friend come July.

Review- Rusk Sensories Wellness Bedew Conditioner with Exotic Organic Tahitian Oil

Conditions while intensely hydrating and moisturizing coarse, dry hair. Features a silicone combination for easy wet combing. Sodium PCA (a natural hydrator found in the skin) binds moisture to the hair for extra humectant power.Free of sulfates, parabens, petrochemicals, phthalates and MEA/TEA/DEA, Sensories Wellness provides a color-safe, organic and luxurious haircare experience. $15 for 13.5 oz.

Basically, this line of Rusk's smells ridiculously amazing. I am not one to seek out the whole "essential oils for sensory wellness" but I now think that's because I had not yet come across a product that lays claim to a cocktail of freaking Tahitian tiare flower, the Moroccan argan tree and Ethiopian abyssinica. If that weren't enough, "the bedew" as it's called around here is a supremely effective conditioner that loves every strand of your hair to a silken shiny divine work of art.

Malikah says: I'm always looking for a hydrating conditioner for my chemically processed locks, and Rusk's Bedew Conditioner does the job beautifully. After leaving the creamy formula on for just 5 minutes, my hair was soft and glossy, and I was able to comb it out with no stubborn tangles. I was a bit wary of the silicone combination in the formula, because some of those products can dull your hair, but this stuff left my hair super soft and shiny for days.

Review- Rusk Sensories Wellness Bedew Shampoo Hydrating Shampoo with Exotic Organic Tahitian Oil

Rusk Sensories Wellness Bedew Hydrating Shampoo contains superior moisturizing ingredients that intensely hydrate and moisturize while cleansing. This gentle shampoo is infused with Tahitian tiare flower extract, a natural oil that is knows for its powerful hydrating and soothing properties. This luxurious organic oil is partnered with panthenol to not only hydrate but also leave your hair with a lustrous, healthy sheen. $15 for 13.5 oz.

Just plain fabulous on every level. This shampoo softens like a dream, cleanses so gently that I never worry about my color and it begs to be inhaled every time you're in the shower for no other reason than you will sigh peacefully and feel like the world is alright. I wish I had an unlimited supply of it

Malikah says: I agree with Josephine completely! This shampoo smells incredible, making you feel like you've been instantly transported to an exotic island. It was especially refreshing to use it on a chilly winter day, as it keeps your mind on sunshine and beaches, rather than wind and snow. The organic formula cleanses gently, but thoroughly, leaving hair manageable and virtually tangle free.

Review - Lisa Hoffman Night & Day Vitamin A& C Serum

Reduces the appearance of wrinkles, fades brown spots, and smoothes surface roughness

Improves the production of collagen and reduces skin damage caused by free radicals 1oz $95

Serums tend to be very heavy and leave a greasy look & feel on your face. That is why I don't use them. This serum is unique because it does the opposite. It goes on soft & smooth and leaves your skin feeling like a baby's bottom. After a few days of using this, my skin really felt smoother. My infant son had been sick on and off for about a month, and he was starting to develop red patches on his nose & face. I knew this serum would be gentle enough to use on him because it didn't make me break out. After a couple of days, the rough patches were completely gone. Vitamins A & C have great healing powers. To top it off, it prevents wrinkles. This has become part of my nightly routine. And ladies, don't be scared of the price, I have a .5 oz tube so I am sure it would be half the price of the 1oz bottle.

Review- Pixi by Petra Nail Polish

Developed to provide a fantastic full spectrum of shades, that will withstand wear and tear. Formulated for high definition and high gloss nail colour whether it’s a natural French manicure or a sultry bright red or even a fashion forward purple!

Pixi Nail Polish in Number 17 is a tropical red, slightly opalescent hue, totally my type of nail polish. It was really inappropriate for this season, but will be super fun next summer. Not only was the shade gorgeous, but it dried super fast. Unfortunately it wasn't really durable - it started chipping the next day, and my mani was totally rugged by day 3. If you can live with having to touch up your polish every couple of days then great, but for me that was kind of a deal breaker.

Sultana says: I got this in # 10 which is Dusty Rose. I am a nail polish nut. I also like shimmery & glittery colors. This one is nice, its just not me. They call me Glitter Girl in my office for a reason! I did see that the website sells some shimmery colors. I wouldn't mind trying one of those, because aside from the color; the brand is OK. It lasted a few days and didn't chip too much.

Trish says: I'm wearing the clear and translucent pink shade - No. 2... I like that it goes on like a sheer polish but also has a light touch of color that is both soft and feminine. It's so light that even if the polish started to chip, I didn't really notice. I also used this translucent shade as a top coat - it turned my current pale pink polish into a prettier high shine and glossier finish. As the others have mentioned, the polish by itself is "okay", but with the right color and its versatility, I'm growing fond of this little bottle of pink polish.

Review- Embryolisse Hydrating Cream With Orange Extract

Crème Hydratante à l'extrait d'orange (Moisturizing Cream with Extract of Oranges) is specially formulated to improve moisture content in the upper layers of the skin. Vitamins A, B, C, and H stimulate and instantly rehydrates the skin. The light, non-greasy formulation makes it perfect for year-round use.

In the summer, I try my best to tame my manic and uncontrollable oily skin, however, in the winter, it's the very opposite and I really want and welcome any kind of nourishment available. Thank goodness for the Embryolisse line! They really know how to moisturize and hydrate with the lightest of touch. I tried the Hydrating Cream with Orange Extract and can literally feel the soft nourishment absorbing into my skin. It leaves the skin super smooth and as others have mentioned earlier "baby" soft. If you have combination skin that is seasonally temperamental like mine, rest assured that this Embryolisse Hydrating Cream works just as beautifully for oily types in the winter! Otherwise, I think this is an excellent moisturizer for those who lean on the drier side year round, because it does fully hydrate and absorbs wonderfully onto the skin.

Review - Yaby Shimmer Eyeshadow

» Highly pigmented eyeshadow that are extremely easy to work with.
» The smooth texture allows blending with ease.
» Used dry or wet to achieve anything from a veil of color to a dramatic statement.

These itty-bitty, shimmery shadows are intended to go in the larger Yaby palette; I just got one to test (I believe the color is called “Green Delicious”). About the size of a dime, each little pot gives great color for your eyes. The one I got is a "frost" finish, but the colors come in a variety of finishes from matte to high shine. I think they probably work best in tandem with each other, but I liked this a lot by itself. I think the nicest thing about this product line overall is that the little refills are pretty inexpensive – around $3 – and they come in an INSANE array of colors. It’s ideal for the girl who likes to play around a lot with eyeshadow (and, of course, makeup artists, who I think are the real target audience for this line). I didn’t find that this shadow lasted very long, though, so you may get to play around more often than you thought!

Malikah says: I tried this in a shimmery pink shade, which was so wonderfully feminine I fell in love with it right away! It was a perfect frosty pink that can work beautifully year round, and its subtle enough that you won't look like a little girl playing dress up. It didn't last that long though, and kind of creased after awhile, so you may want to keep it handy for touch ups (which is easy to manage since its so tiny). You could collect your fave shades and customize your own palette, or just keep a few of the dime-sized pots in your makeup bag to transition your look or pack on a trip.

Josephine says: I have the color called "dragon fruit." It's a really bright pink and looks better on my cheeks than my eyes but that's just reflective of my own coloring, this color could look awesome on eyes belonging to someone with more yellow tones in their skin. Anyway, I agree with Malikah and Hillary in that the color did fade after a sort of short amount of time for how pigmented the website claims the shadow to be but it did go on 100% true to the color in the pan which is a testament to its quality. I agree with Hillary that this palette would be a useful addition to a makeup artist's arsenal. Has anyone put a fine point on the size of this puppy by likening it to the size of a lithium battery? For real.

Review- Caress Evenly Gorgeous Exfoliating Body Wash

Ready to reveal your daring side tonight? Flaunt your gorgeous even skin tone with confidence. Caress Evenly Gorgeous with Burnt Brown Sugar and Karite Butter gently exfoliates and lusciously moisturizes to reveal beautifully, even-toned skin. $4.79 for 12 oz.

Caress Evenly Gorgeous Body Wash is a divine smelling, super moisturizing body wash that will leave your skin feeling like silk. The deep, musky fragrance leaves just a hint on your skin, and reminds me of a hot August night. It really didn't do much in terms of exfoliating, since I could barely feel the beads and didn't notice much of a difference in my skin afterward, but the moisturizing quality and smell were still amazing. If you want the feeling of a steamy summer evening during the end of December, you'll definitely love this product. However if you need a more serious scrub for dry, flaky, skin you might be disappointed.

Josephine says: Malikah nailed something about this shower gel that I haven't been able to do yet. It does somehow encapsulate summertime in like, Cuba. The smell is awesome yet subtle and it cleans and softens wonderfully. I did think the exfoliating was meaningful, though. The winter is so harsh on my skin and it's dry on such a deep level that it doesn't even look flaky or scaly to the naked eye but I itch as if I have poison ivy. Basically I am trying to say that I need exfoliating/moisturizer like I need air. I will most definitely (and joyfully!) finish the bottle and seek Caress out again, especially when I am on a budget because that quality to this product is not to be overlooked either.

Trish says: I agree with both reviews above! The scent is absolutely decadent, reminding me of a rich caramel flan that adds that beautiful touch of warmth in the middle of one the coldest winters in NY (from what I can remember). There is some exfoliating here - even if ever so modest- it's not a full scrub, but my skin still felt soft and nourished after using it. I love how the Caress body wash suds up so beautifully and washes off just as easily. Your skin truly feels much softer and smoother and clean afterwards, leaving a gorgeous and sweet scent to remember. I'd definitely purchase the body wash for the silkiness factor and the enjoyable fragrance together!