Beautyland Tour, Week of 7/26

Beauty is heating up as July comes to a close. We have so much to share from Summer to Fall, short hair to long and every color of beauty in between!



Charlestongirl has been sharing with us her love affair of the Guerlain Champs-Élysées eye shadow palettes from the Fall 2010 Collection. Check out Best Things in Beauty this week for her latest swatching and swooning over these palettes.



If you're going to spend your hard earned money on a makeup palette, you really want to make sure you get the best use out of the colors. Gaia from The Non-Blonde contemplated between two different palettes and shares with us the one she chose - NARS Douceurs De Paris is a winner!



Kari from Fab Over Forty has renewed her love of makeup with a brand that's an old favorite. This week she shares with us some of the newest products to the line and how she's back to using Elizabeth Arden.



Cindy at Prime Beauty had the opportunity to interview makeup artist Lori Taylor from Smashbox Cosmetics, see what tips & tricks she learned!



Growing your hair out can be a daunting experience.


Kelly fromGouldylox Reviews has been sharing with us her hair-growing experience and she has a giveaway of 5 of her favorite Peter Lamas Chinese Herbs hair products that have helped her along the way. Be sure to enter!



And while we're on the subject of hair, would you rather be blonde or brunette, how about highlights? Anne from Beauty Xpose shows us a virtual site that we can test drive a new hair color without opening a box or stepping foot in a salon. See Anne's results!


Karla Sugar is sharing with us her swatches of the latest Lancome Fall Collection called French Coquettes. Take a peek at these rich, lovely shades at The Next Best Thing to Going Shopping Yourself.




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Tarte LipSurgence Natural Matte Lip Stain

I have a love/hate relationships with lip stains. I want to love them and I normally hate them. Haven't tried a lip stain before? Here is why they don't get high marks from me. They are drying. They all turn electric pink or deep burgundy on me, no matter what shade is promised.

So I was hesitant when I walked into Sephora last week and one of my pals who works there said, "We just got these! You have to check them out!", talking about Tarte's new LipSurgence Natural Matte Lip Stain. When she pointed out that she had been wearing a gorgeous red since she started that day (a few hours ago), I was intrigued. Her lips were in no way dry-looking or pink.

According to Tarte, here is what makes their Natural Matte Lip Stain different:

Each of the matte shades boasts the high-pigment concentration we love from matte lipsticks, but unlike drying lipsticks, these stains are infused with a High-Performance Natural™ LipSurgence™ technology, which is clinically proven to increase moisture content by an astonishing 6000% after 28 days. Earth engineered from a proprietary blend of plant bio-nutrients, the LipSurgence™ technology quickly absorbs into the skin to deliver a surge of moisture on a cellular level, while boosting peptides stimulate skin's own regenerative system and assist in the formation of collagen. This proprietary blend effectively increases skin's water content for a 'plumped up' appearance. The result is naturally fuller, healthier lips without any irritation or stinging.



So was it pink? Not in a bad way. I picked up Exposed, the "nude" color. On me, it was slightly brownish pink, which was just fine. I LOVE THE PEPPERMINT. I am a professional complainer when it comes to lip glosses adding peppermint or other plumpers to glosses. Some of them sting. Others are fine. This one is delightful.


It wasn't drying at all. Probably because it isn't wet like a traditional stain. It's more of a serious improvement on the long-wearing lip sticks from days gone by. This definitely falls on the lip stick side instead of a traditional lip stain, so keep that in mind if you order online before you see the product in stores. I got about 3 hours of constant talking and occasional "straw drinking" out of the color before I needed a touch up. The only downside to this product is that it is a little delicate, so be gentle with them. These retail for $24 and are available from Tarte, Sephora and QVC.


I bought this myself. Tarte is cruelty free!

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Join The Beauty Rebellion!

Have you heard of the Beauty Rebellion Project yet? If you are into cruelty-free beauty you may already be a part of this movement! What is the Beauty Rebellion movement and who's leading it, you might ask? The Beauty Rebellion Project is a group of stylish, young conscious consumers who understand that true beauty is cruelty-free. They rebel against the traditional ideas of skin care, hair care and cosmetics and have made it their mission to spread the word about new and established cruelty-free beauty brands through fun events and hip venues throughout Los Angeles.

Keeping with a cruelty-free theme, those who attend one of these hip events can expect to enjoy cocktails, vegetarian cuisine, goody bags with cruelty-free products and of course amazing support from the droves of beautiful people who support this amazing movement!

The first rebellion event will be in August 2010. For the upcoming event, some of the MANY cruelty-free sponsors include: Aveda, Dermalogica, DermaDoctor, Earth Natural Essentials, InStyle, Manic Panic, Mountain Girl Soap, Naturopathica, Sibu Beauty and Urban Decay. Urban Decay is sponsoring a full-sized vegan palette for every goody bag! Many thanks to Jen Mathews (founder of the popular beauty blog, My Beauty Bunny) and The Beauty Rebellion project for bringing attention to this cause.

So, do you want to go to a cruelty-free beauty party in Los Angeles? Sign up for their mailing list and JOIN THE REBELLION!


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e.l.f. 2-1 Conditioning Gloss

I recently couldn't resist the allure of a gift card and picked up a few items from e.l.f. One of the items I picked up is their 2-in-1 Conditioning Gloss. This gloss has a clear outer tube, that hydrates, provides super shiny, lasting gloss and an inner tube that provides the color.

I picked up this shade in Golden in the hopes it would be the perfect choice for summer.


(A golden, beautiful blob of lip gloss.)


This gloss is very shiny and lasts for a respectable amount of time. Especially since it's only $3! However, the color payoff isn't the strongest - at least not in the color I selected.


(Squeezing the sides, hard. Normally, you squeeze your tubes so they flatten out.)


You also have to squeeze the tube really hard, opposite from the way you normally squeeze, to get color to come out and not just the clear gloss. Normally, you squeeze a lip gloss so it's flat. With this, you squeeze the sides. Granted the tube itself is designed to be squeezed that way, but it's backwards from normal tube glosses and it just feels weird in my hand. (You have to do this with other similar glosses, like the one by Laura Geller. The same issue bugged me with her product as well.)

The gloss isn't sticky on your lips. But if your hair gets into it, I can see it being a seriously sticky situation. I think this gloss is so ultra sticky, it almost comes full circle and isn't sticky. Does that make sense to anyone besides myself?


(Where is the gold? It looked so promising in it's golden blob above.)


Overall, for the price, it is exactly what you would expect. It's ok, provided you aren't cheesed about the no-show color. I can say that it feels hydrating, that it hugs the lips and that it stays on for a good amount of time.

Have you tried this? What did you think? Let me know in the comments!

I bought this with a gift certificate provided by the company. Elf does not test on animals.

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Hair Update: End of July + Peter Lamas Giveaway!

So this month I got a haircut. I also ran out of my beloved Peter Lamas Chinese Herbs line, which has been forcing my hair to grow much faster than before. I can't tell if it has grown a lot without the use of the product but I can almost shake it, which is exciting (for me).

I am happy to report that I have come to terms with my new haircut. It was finally long enough to have a shape cut into it instead of it being one long blob of hair, growing out a Rihanna long-angled-bangs cut. So that is good. However, while I was moments away from rocking a faux pony, the back of my hair is now very short and at least four months away from hitting that faux pony stage again. Oh well. It has a shape that makes my neck look much more svelte, so I gotta love that. (Plus the compliments from strangers don't hurt, either.)

So here is where it was at the end of last month:


and here is my hair now:


I guess it has grown more than I originally thought, despite losing several inches from a hair cut. It is almost to my jaw! Now that I am out of my Chinese Herbs, I am guessing my growth will slow down. It's an experiment I don't really want to try....

Because I have had such great success with Peter Lamas Chinese Herbs, I have a complete set of all five products to give away to a lucky reader! The set includes all five steps to get your hair shape:

Step 1: Chinese Herbs Stimulating Shampoo
Step 2: Chinese Herbs Stimulating Conditioner
Step 3: Chinese Herbs Regenerating Scalp Serum
Step 4: Chinese Herbs Revitalizing Nutrient Mist
Step 5: Chinese Herbs Revitalizing Styling Cream

To celebrate the success of Peter Lamas' partnership with Duane Reade, Peter will be visiting select Duane Reade stores in NYC on July 28th, 29th and August 3. He will be on hand to give out tips and tricks to tame your tresses. If you make a Peter Lamas purchase, you will receive a copy of his book, "Dying To Be Beautiful" (while supplies last).

Don't miss this chance to ask Peter how to help your hair! With his clientele, you won't want to miss it!

July 28, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Duane Reade Chelsea Store

127-137 8th Ave (btwn 16th and 17th St)

New York, NY 10010



July 29, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Duane Reade Herald Square Store

1350 Broadway (at 35th St)

New York, NY 10018



August 3, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Duane Reade Union Square Store

52 E 14th St (btwn Broadway and 4th Ave)

New York, NY 10003

Stop by and tell him hi from Gouldylox! But before you go, leave me a comment telling me who your favorite hair icon is and you will be entered to win my Chinese Herbs giveaway. Be sure to log in or leave your email in the comment so I can contact you in the event you beat the odds.

Want extra chances? Subscribe to Gouldylox Reviews, follow me through Google (on the right!), leave a comment on our Facebook page or Tweet about this contest (be sure to include @Gouldylox in your tweet). This contest is open for 14 days to residents of the US and a winner will be selected by random.org on August 11th. While you wait to win, check out the other contests on FreeGretchen.com. Good luck! THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED AND THE WINNER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED VIA EMAIL. THANKS!

Product will be shipped out by Lamas Beauty.
Product was sent for the purposes of review. Chinese Herbs are not tested on animals.


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Things I Forgot To Tell You About : July

Every now and then I forget to mention some items I picked up that made an impression on me. Especially lately, between home repairs, being really busy at the job that pays me and dealing with Loxy having a new schedule (we're up at 5am!), I can't remember what I have told you about and what I have forgotten.

A few months back, I picked up a new (at the time) foundation from Bobbi Brown. I was looking for something thicker than a tinted moisturizer, but not as heavy as a regular foundation. Skin Foundation SPF 15 provides light, natural coverage that manages to wear all day long, despite being so light that it's like a second skin. In the early spring, when I picked it up, I thought it didn't offer enough coverage. I recently picked it up again and can't imagine not using it in the summer. It looks amazing, wears all day long and provides the right amount of coverage.

I am an eye shadow addict and my pal Phyrra raves about Fyrinnae shadows, so with her help, I picked out a few to try. While I dig their shadows in general, I love their shadow, Ashes.


(Ashes shown by itself, with Pixie Epoxy and BE Prime Time for Eyes as a primer.)


It's the perfect dark, cool gray to compliment blue eyes. It is possibly the easiest dramatic-without-trying eyeshadow in my arsenal today. It's vegan and under $10 shipped.


Stila's Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer has been a mainstay on my vanity this summer. While you can wear it alone (it won't cover much), I prefer to use it as a highlighter either in specific areas (cheekbones!) or mixed in with my foundation. A little goes a long way and it won't change the color of your foundation - it will only add a little luminosity. Other similar products made my foundation turn pinker or more yellow. This just added a luminous glow, a little like candlelight does to a face over dinner. Gorgeous!

For the decollete, I am loving a Bare Escentuals body powder I picked up a few months ago on the Q. This powder is like the magical color of sunlight hitting slightly tanned skin at sunset. In the movies, they call it "Magic Hour". On your skin, it's just beautiful. Add it to your collar bones, shoulders, even your shins, it gives an amazing glow that stays put. Sadly, you might have to hunt a bit to add this to your collection, but it's worth it!


I bought all of the above with my own shekels. I took the pictures as well. None of the companies listed above test on animals.

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L'Oreal Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base Works!

A bit ago, I reviewed a primer that was supposed to diminish the look of pores. It didn't work for me, which was a bummer, because I had high hopes. However, I have had a primer lurking on my vanity which gave me the results I was looking for. It's not perfect, but it is pretty darn good.


L'Oreal Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base is a primer that is a thick, whipped mousse/creme-like product that you apply before makeup to help give your skin an airbrushed look. It is very dense and a little goes a long way.


I love to use it under my eyes and on the pores around my nose and cheeks. It doesn't give me a flawless canvas, but it works much better than the other product I tested, for a fraction of the cost! Lines under my eyes and the pores around my nose are diminished!


(My skin when prepped with L'Oreal Magic Perfecting Base. Lines are diminished, pores aren't visible. Love it!)


Definitely check it out if you haven't tried it. It is sold out often, but it is usually restocked fairly quickly. Have you tried this? Did it work for you? Tell me in the comments!

This product was sent to me for the purposes of review. L'Oreal does test on animals.

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Channel Your Inner Mad Men

by Anne Houseman, of Beauty Xpose

Ah, the good old days, when you could swig whiskey on the job and smoke like a chimney without regret. But even better — you could dress impeccably, just like the femmes fatales in “Mad Men.” And what better way to celebrate the return of AMC’s “Mad Men” this Sunday than with a tribute to the styles worn by the show’s leading ladies? So pull on your garters and go mix up an old fashioned — all while looking your best in a retro-inspired get-up comprised of pieces you can wear in your modern every day life.

Peggy

• Tahari Dress, Envelope Collar Glen Plaid – Macy’s: $96.60



• Women’s Silk Scarf – Land’s End: $7.99



• Mondaine EVO 38mm – SwissMade.com: $175+



Betty Draper

• Karin Stevens Women’s Printed Wrap Dress – Overstock.com: $26.99



• Champagne Silk Skinny Soft Fabric Headband – Gem Drops Jewelry Etsy Shop: $6



• Carly Botanical Stud Earring in White Mother-of-Pearl – Kendra Scott: $55



Joan

• Tahari Dress, Short Sleeve Belted Sheath – Macy’s: $128



• Jane Basch Silver Monogram Key Necklace – Jane Basch: $165-$195







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Beautyland Tour, Week of 7/19

It was another exciting week in beauty blogging land - so many fabulous stories! Here are our recommendations for your weekend reading.

Kari has been running a series about her trip to the dermatologist and what she did to return her skin to tip-top shape. Check out Part 1 at Fab over Forty. Then read Parts 2 and 3 too!

You are going to laugh out loud when you read Kelly's Argan Oil, Poop and Goats: Things I Learned on Tuesday at Gouldylox Reviews.

Find out how Gaia found true love with Tela Organic Shampoo and Conditioner at The Non-Blonde.

Like orange? You'll want to read Chelsea's fashion-forward and economical ways to stand out in orange this summer at BeautyXposé.

Charlestongirl had an endorphin rush when she finally swatched the first of her new Guerlain eye palettes for fall. Find out why she loves Champs-Élysées at Best Things in Beauty.

Just in time for this weekend's heat wave, Cindy shared with use her top picks for great lightweight summer foundations at Prime Beauty.

Laurie got her hands on NARS new Douceur Blush. Check out Product Girl to see why most of us need it!

You have to read Shimmer Spray for Grown Ups at Beauty Info Zone Blog and find out how Lisa found her summer glow with Hampton Sun's Serious Shimmer Cooling Spray.

Hope you have a beauty-full weekend!


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Biolage Thermal Active Repair Cream

As my hair gets longer, I have had fun looking for products to help deal with what the majority of women have been dealing with for years - flyaway hair, frizzy hair and hair that is easily damaged by heated styling tools. I have found a few things that work nicely, but since I haven't had hair past my ears in more than 15 years, I have a lot to check out!

My hair is currently in a very short bob (not quite chin length), but in Baltimore's humid weather, I need help! My hair is basically thick and straight - and loves to change into a blobby, unmanageable texture. It doesn't get large or frizzy, it just doesn't behave and feels meh.

I tried Biolage's New Thermal Cream, which offers protection from hot styling tools and claims to keep the frizzies at bay. And thanks to ceramides, mango seed and coconut oil, it actually helps repair your hair. After testing it on my shorter hair, and my pal's fairly long locks, we both came to the same conclusions.

1. It smells wonderful. It's the Biolage signature scent and I love it!

2. A little goes a long way. It doesn't take a lot of product to get the desired results. Even better, it doesn't feel like you have a ton of gunk in your hair. Your hair still feels clean, healthy and happy.

3. The Thermal Cream actually kept both of our hair from frizzing or getting out of control for the whole day. Considering the motto in Maryland is practically, "it's not the heat, it's the humidity", that is saying something!

4. Our hair didn't feel fried or stiff after styling with a flat iron. It felt delightfully soft and smooth! Score!

The only downfall is that it didn't add shine. If it had, it would have been perfect! I suppose for that, I should invest in some Biolage Active Repair Gloss.


Have you tried this? Love it? Did something else work better ? Tell me! I'm new to long hair!

Product sent to me for the purposes of review. I am unable to determine their animal testing status.

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Korres Quercetin & Oak Instant Lift Age Reversing Eye Cream Giveaway!

I try a lot of eye creams. Most fail and I don't write about them. Who cares if they fail? In all honesty, when I got a sneak peek at this one several weeks ago, I expected another fail. I used it for two weeks and didn't think anything of it. Then I stopped using it and wondered what looked different. I went back to using it and realized what a difference it had made to my under eye area. I don't have major dark circles, but I do have fine (and annoying) lines, a little darkness and a little puffiness.



So what actually worked for me? Korres Quercetin & Oak Instant Lift Age Reversing Eye Cream. Here is what the company says about their latest addition to the Q&O family line:

Based on Nobel Award-winning research, Patent-Pending Quercetin & Oak Instant Lift Age Reversing Eye cream is clinically proven to reverse the signs of aging – where you need it most. Revolutionary technology stimulates cell growth and protein synthesis to dramatically reduce eye wrinkles, significantly increase skin elasticity and reduce puffiness and dark circles. Skin is instantly lifted, rejuvenated and returned to its youthful state.




Here are the results of their own trials:

97% saw a reduction in wrinkles
97% saw visibly firmer skin
94% saw a reduction in eye puffiness
84% saw a reduction in dark circles
100% saw improved skin texture

So I have been using this for about 6 weeks and can definitely tell a difference, especially when I first apply it. My skin looks fresh, calm and hydrated. Try it for yourself from Korres and save 25% when you use check out code GOULDYLOX. (You can use that code to save 25% on everything and get a special thank you sample at checkout!)




Even better, I have one to give away! To enter, leave me a comment telling me a fact about yourself most people may not know. Be sure to log in or leave your email in the comment so I can contact you in the event you beat the odds.


Want extra chances? Subscribe to Gouldylox Reviews, leave a comment on our Facebook page or Tweet about this contest (be sure to include @Gouldylox in your tweet!). This contest is open for 14 days to residents of the US and a winner will be selected by random.org on August 5. THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. THE WINNER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED BY EMAIL.

Good luck!

While you wait to find out if you won, check out the other contests currently on Free!Gretchen. Please note, this winner will receive product from Korres directly and shipping may take a few weeks. (Or it could appear instantly. You never know.)

Korres sent me the product to test and is providing the giveaway. Korres doesn't test on animals. A fun fact about me? I play the mandolin and prefer Bluegrass music to almost anything.

Subscribe and never miss a thing! Disclosure/Disclaimer Statement. Makeup, beauty, skincare reviews & more! Copyright 2009-2010, Gouldylox Reviews. All Rights Reserved.

Drink It In: Votre Vu Snap Dragon

Last summer, I reviewed a drink for your skin that worked nicely, but tasted less than desirable. This summer, I got the chance to check out a similar good-for-your-skin beverage by Votre Vu.

Snap Dragon is a drink that contains "Mango, Pomegranate and Acai Berry. The flavors are blended with an antioxidant mélange of red, white, and green teas. Collagen has been added to restore the skin, along with a re-balancing botanical boost from Aloe Vera, Foti, Ginkgo Biloba, and Baobab Fiber. Free of sugar and preservatives, the recipe is topped off with a healthy garnish of seven daily vitamins."

It's clearly packed with all kinds of skin-benefiting ingredients, but is it drinkable? Even better, does it taste good? Would you want to drink it? What stopped me from adding the previous drink to my daily regimen is that while it worked, I didn't look forward to drinking it.

That isn't the case for Snap Dragon. This drink is as delicious as it is vitamin-packed. It doesn't have preservatives or added sugar and if I could, I could easily see me subbing this for my beloved diet drink of choice. Snap Dragon is available in a variety of sizes and probably costs less than you would expect. I loved the taste - check it out!

This product was sent to me for the purposes of review. Votre Vu does not test on animals.

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Argan Oil, Poop and Goats: Things I Learned on Tuesday

Not long after I posted about trying to let readers know about the animal testing practices of the companies whose products I test, I received an email from a reader we will call M.

"I was wondering...do you know how argan oil is produced?! I went to a trip through Morocco last year...and it made me..well ummm...never want to use the oil and other items with it again."

Instantly, I thought, "Frack. It's like Palm oil. I'm recommending an ingredient that is steeped in turmoil and environmental/social controversy. " Since that is never my intention (I like to keep things positive), I turned to google. When I couldn't quite figure out argan oil's dark side, based on my quick research, I asked M for the details.

Turns out, there isn't really a dark side. More of a slightly gross and funny side. Here is the really elementary gist of how argan oil is produced.

The nuts grow on trees. These nuts are very hard to crack, especially for the Berber women, who are the primary sellers of said nuts.

Goats (who don't have the sense not to eat things they can't really chew) eat the nuts.

Goats then digest and um, expel, the nuts.

People then harvest the nuts from the goat poop, the shells now being easier to crack, after going through the goat's digestive system.

Women then mill the kernels and make that into a paste and then refine that into the oil. It's one of the primary sources of income for whole communities.

According to ArganOils.com, a website that promotes environmentally sound argan oil farming, "By supporting Argan Oils, you are not only preserving the health of your skin and body, you are contributing to the protection of the argan tree and the empowerment of the women who produce this remarkable oil."

Whew! No turmoil, just a little poop. That's not so bad. People use way worse stuff all of the time. At least it's a natural process, right?

The best part about argan oil is that in order to get the nuts out of the tree, the goats climb into the tree to go get them.



I initially thought that M had photoshopped the goats into the trees, but then she kindly sent me a bunch of her vacation photos from May of last year.


Since that made me giggle incessantly, I had to look for more proof that this was true. I found this video on YouTube:






Perhaps you already knew about the tree climbing goats of Morocco. But did you know about the poop? Do you care or will you still use argan oil? I love it (especially to mix in with hair dye to keep the hair soft). I know this isn't really new news. But it is new to me. Thoughts?

Photos courtesy of M. YouTube video courtesy of Robert Beal.

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Botox in a Bottle Cleanser? ThermaSkin Anti-Aging Soap

I recently saw some ad copy on a website and said, "I have to try this," if for no other reason than proving that you can't always believe what you read. I shouldn't have to tell you that currently, topical Botox doesn't exist. Loads of people advertise that it does, but chat with a cosmetic chemist or two and you will quickly discover it's more hype than help.

But in the meantime, here is a little experiment I did with a cleanser from Greensations.com which claimed to be Botox in a bottle, ThermaSkin Anti-Aging Facial Cleanser. This cleanser doesn't contain traditional soap. Instead it contains "tiny doses of natural capsaicin with exotic botanicals that literally fix your skin by increasing circulation and absorption". The exotic botanicals listed on the label include Castile Liquid Soap, Clary Sage Water, Cucumber Water, Green Tea, Jewelweed, Cranesbill Root, Rosemary Oleoresin, Thyme, Oleoresin Capsicum, Witch Hazel and Vegetable Glycerin.

I used the cleanser for two weeks on one side of my face (on the other, I used Bare Escentuals). At the end, was there a difference?

Nope.

Both sides looked to be about the same.

However, I did enjoy the ThermaSkin cleanser. It left my face feeling very clean, although it did leave a small amount of moisturizing film behind. My skin looked healthy and fairly radiant, as usual. The main ingredient, Castile soap, is a time-proven cleanser that uses olive oil and dates back to the 1600's. Is this cleanser better than Botox? No. But it is a decent cleanser that leaves your skin clean and healthy. Just please make sure you don't apply to damaged skin or have allergies to any of the ingredients listed above before using.

Have you used any skin care products with pepper? Tell me in the comments!

This product was sent to me for review. Greensations and Youthful Trends do not test on animals.

Subscribe and never miss a thing! Disclosure/Disclaimer Statement. Makeup, beauty, skincare reviews & more! Copyright 2009-2010, Gouldylox Reviews. All Rights Reserved.

Blue Dahlia Pure Color Collection from Estee Lauder

Color is back for fall! It seems like summer has been "officially" all about taupes and bronzes. They're pretty, but taupes and browns do not a complete color wardrobe make.

Check out what Estee Lauder has in mind for the upcoming season.

Don't let the bright colors scare you. They are buildable and not as bright as they look right out of the gate. Shown on my arm, below, they were applied with a sponge applicator and no primer.


(Surreal Violet on left, Blue Dahlia palette on right.)

(Raspberry Pop True Color Lip Gloss)


Pick it up now at any Estee Lauder counter or online.

I tested these colors at the counter. Estee Lauder does not test on animals. Photos courtesy of Estee Lauder and me.

Subscribe and never miss a thing! Disclosure/Disclaimer Statement. Makeup, beauty, skincare reviews & more! Copyright 2009-2010, Gouldylox Reviews. All Rights Reserved.

Small Changes, Big Impact

Do you ever feel as if your moral compass moves about, willy-nilly? I don't claim the following will make a lot of sense. My husband has been trying to figure it out for years. But as I get older, I am finding that I can't stomach some things as easily as I once could.


(The cover of one of my favorite Bloom County Collections, Night of the Mary Kay Commandos.)


While I have not eaten red meat in close to 20 years, it is only recently I have been moved to start really trying to pay attention. I am now a vegetarian, bordering on becoming vegan (sorry, Mom) and am becoming more and more conscious about where I spend my money and the impact it makes. My reasoning for the change doesn't make a lot of sense and it's hard to explain. I stopped buying leather goods after watching an aerial wolf hunting video (a la Sarah Palin). I stopped eating chicken after watching a "downer cow" video accidentally on the news. I have always tried to avoid companies that test on animals, but am not always as vigilant as I would like to be.





Moving forward, I will try to give you information in each post that relates to the status of a product from a cruelty and/or vegan standpoint. I'm not saying that I am only going to tell you about vegan products and never mention another Mary Kay* product again.

I'm not the kind of activist that would tell you what to do. But I will try to give you a little more information so you can make your own decisions. Be sure to keep an eye out at the end of a post, near the FTC disclosure for details.

Do you think before you buy? Do you care? Tell me, please...I'm curious!

*1. Mary Kay is a lovely company that doesn't test on animals. They stopped testing in 1989, maybe because of Bloom County, my favorite comic/cartoon ever.
2. I don't think I've ever mentioned Mary Kay, I just really love Bloom County.
3.That comic series is probably what led me to think about all of this in the first place, when I was in middle/high school.

Photos taken by me of my beloved Breathed books and strips. Little known fact about me: I can decorate an entire Christmas tree with my Bloom County ornaments.

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The Leather Look Isn't Good On You

by guest blogger, Anne Houseman, of Beauty Xpose

Now that we know more about how much SPF we should use on a daily basis and why sun protection is important, this week, let’s learn a little more about the infamous acronyms UVA and UVB.

Ultraviolet — or UV — radiation is part of the electromagnetic (light) spectrum from the sun that reaches the earth. These wavelengths are shorter than visible light, making it invisible to the naked eye (remember those prisms you looked at in high school science class that decoded different ray colors?). The wavelengths are classified as UVA, UVB, or UVC (though UVC rays never reach us, since they get filtered out by the ozone), with UVA being “long wave” and UVB “short wave” rays.

Dr. Howard Sobel, a leading cosmetic dermatologist and skincare expert in Manhattan, explains that while some believe that only UVB rays are harmful, in truth, both UVA and UVB rays are responsible for tanning your skin and causing sunburn. He asserts that UVB rays, which will penetrate windows and can cause damage even on a cloudy day, are the cause of skin cancer. What’s more, he says that even though UVA rays are less likely to cause sunburn, they can penetrate skin more deeply.

“Prolonged exposure to UVA rays will crack and shrink the collagen and elastin in your skin,” said Dr. Sobel. “This is why UVA rays are responsible for causing wrinkles, sun spots of hyperpigmentation, and saggy, leathery skin.”

Leathery skin — just the look we’re all going for, right?

To avoid looking just like your favorite Michael Kors bag, Dr. Alex Khadavi, a board certified dermatologist and Associate Professor of Dermatology at USC, says that in general, the best sunscreens are the physical blocking suncreens like Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide, which block both UVA and UVB.

“The chemical sunscreens individually only address one spectrum better the other spectrum and therefore need to be mixed,” he said.

So find a broad-spectrum sunscreen, lotion up, and soak up your summer sun rays safely.

Photos: Cover – Abhishek Gaurav; UV Rays – Robert Michie




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Beautyland Tour, Week of 7/12

There's been some great beauty buzz this week. Check out the stories that grabbed our attention on the Web!

Last week, Kari went to a Dior Master Class at Macy's, featuring Rodney Gregg, Dior's talented National Makeup Artist. Rodney showed the lively class how to do a daytime natural look and then freshen it for evening, using Dior's fabulous skin care and cosmetics. You'll find his tips at Fab over Forty.

As usual, Gaia has given us every reason to buy more makeup - this time Le Métier de Beauté’s Le Cirque Kaleidoscope Eye Kit for Fall 2010. See the photos, swatches, and a review of one of the best fall makeup releases at The Non-Blonde.

Charlestongirl gave Avon's new Advance Techniques Frizz Control Lotus Shield a field test in record-setting heat and humidity. Did it keep her hair frizz-free? Find out at Best Things in Beauty.

Cindy from Prime Beauty gave Shu Uemura a proper send-off from U.S. counters with a review, pictures, and swatches of the Nordstrom Beauty Exclusive palette. If you have a Nordstrom near you, you really need to stop by this weekend to see their Anniversary Sale specials.

Anxious about your pores? Kelly tested Benefit's The POREfessional, a primer for use before and after makeup application. Is it worth your hard-earned dollars? Head over to Gouldylox Reviews to get the scoop.

Pamela at BeautyXposé gave us the 411 on a moisturizing hand cream that will also keep your hands germ-free. That's pretty cool! We may all need Clean Perfume's Anti-Bacterial Moisturizing Hand Cream.

Laurie showed us the NARS Fall 2010 Collection at Product Girl. I've got my must-have list ready.

Jennifer at Beauty in Real Life featured Stila's Travel Girl Palette, an incredible value at $10.

Want to find out how to get a 25% discount on the items on your lust list at Beautyhabit? Check out the "secret" offer code at Blogdorf Goodman.

Karla Sugar experienced Tim Quinn's Armani Beauty magic this week. See her photos at The Next Best Thing to Going Shopping Yourself.

Victoria Stiles at Makeup Artist Backstage tells us why she's hooked on L’Oréal Paris Visible Lift Serum Inside Line Minimizing Concealer.

We hope your enjoy your beauty link tour. Have a great weekend, stay cool, and do something to make yourself feel beautiful!


Photo courtesy of me and my phone.

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Stick 'Em Up! Are You Protecting Your Hands?

How many times have you seen a gorgeous woman and notice that when she lifts a glass, her hands look like they belong to her mother? We all apply creams and potions to reverse the signs of aging on our face. But do you ever apply treatments, or even sunscreen, to your hands?

I don't know about you, but my left hand is far more sun-damaged than the right, no doubt from all of the driving I do. How can you help protect your hands, so they don't give away your true age?

The answer is easy: wear sunscreen every day, all of the time. I know, it seems like fighting an uphill battle, with all of the hand washing we all do. But you have a few easy options to protect your hands.
1. Wear a waterproof sunscreen on the backs of your hands. Carry it with you and reapply when needed. Think of sunscreen like sunglasses for your hands. Have it ready before you go out and apply it a bit before you leave. I like this Sunblock Stick from Neutrogena. It's easy to carry, waterproof and will stop new sunspots from forming, provided you remember to use it.
2. Don't like the feeling of sunscreen on your hands all day? Try bareMinerals SPF 30 Natural Sunscreen. This sunscreen provides a physical sunblock from UVA and UVB rays, so you don't have to apply it 20 minutes prior to exposure. Plus, you can keep it in your car, so you never forget to apply it when driving. The ingredients aren't affected by extreme heat, so it won't melt or change. You can apply it anywhere on the body and on your face. It's fairly mess-free and a lifesaver when you find yourself outside unexpectedly.

3. Treat the sun damage you already have. Look for a hand lotion that can gently reverse signs of aging. Rephase Goldie Hand Treatment is a lotion that lightens existing sunspots by using Alpha-Arbutin (not hydroquinone). Originally available in Italy, fans will be happy to know it is now for sale in the states. This lotion makes skin unbelievably soft and claims to delay the aging process. I have very dry skin and this was one of the more helpful lotions for dryness I have experienced recently.

Do you protect your hands now? Or do you only apply sunscreen to your body at the beach? Tell me in the comments!

I purchased bareMinerals and Neutrogena. Rephase Goldie Hand Treatment samples were sent to me for the purpose of review.

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Cover Girl Liquiline Blast Eyeliner

My Target recently started carrying the newish Liquiline Eye Liner from Cover Girl (I believe it's been available elsewhere for several weeks). Available in six shades, this liner claims to be a liquid liner in a pencil.


(Black Fire, Brown Blaze, Silver Spark, Violet Voltage, Blue Boom, Green Glow)

I picked up the Violet Voltage to see how liquid-like it could actually be.

From the first time you touch this, it is definitely a softer eyeliner pencil than I remember most drug store varieties offering. In fact, it reminds me of Mally Beauty's cult-favorite EverColor Starlight liners. The pencil is very soft and glides on with a full, rich color. It is in fact waterproof and wears for a full eight hours without showing signs of fading.


But does it look like a liquid? Sorta. When I think liquid liner, I think long-wearing, pigment-packed, clean lines.

This liner doesn't provide a clean, sharp-edged, shiny line like a liquid, but it does give the appearance of being a really rich, thick, semi-shiny line, especially when blended with their special smudge tool.


(Smudged line and thicker, non-smudged line)

For less than $8, it is definitely worth picking up. Especially in this humid, sultry weather; it won't melt, move or muss.

I paid for this myself, at Target. It's a good thing I liked it, since Target has such an archaic return policy on cosmetics. Sadly, Cover Girl still tests on animals. Photos by Cover Girl and yours truly.


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Benefit The POREfessional

Benefit's The POREfessional is a pre and post primer that is supposed to visibly reduce the size of your pores. It is suggested that you can put this on before your makeup and then again, as a finishing primer in areas where your pores are still visible.

I don't have extremely large pores, but I definitely have larger pores on my cheeks, surrounding my nose. I tried applying this primer, before my makeup, in the middle of my makeup and at the end of my makeup. The end result, no matter when I applied it, was the same. Bupkis.

Texture-wise, a fellow makeup maven with a uber bold asymmetrical hair cut called it, "Smashbox primer with baby powder." I would have to agree. From a color standpoint, I would have to say it was Gouldylox-fleshtoned. Which is great if your name is Gouldylox. However, if you are darker than a vampire with freckles, this might contain enough pigment to give you second thoughts.

Anyway you slice it, for $28, you can do much better. Mally's Poreless Face Defender is an excellent post makeup primer (provided you like silicone). The POREfessional reminded me quite a bit of Perfekt, but the Perfekt does a much better job.

Thoughts? Love it? Hate it? Let me know!

I bought this myself. Benefit does not test on animals.

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Urban Outfitters. Huh?

by guest blogger, Anne Houseman of Beauty Xpose


Don’t get us wrong — we love us some Urban Outfitters, as you’ve probably noticed during many of our Fab Finds. BUT, we also notice that the brand has an irrational affinity for items better suited for playing dress-up than dressing for real life.
Take this Bunny Ears headband, for example.

While from afar, it could be mistaken for an over-starched, over-sized bow caught in a gale wind, if you’re standing next to someone wearing this headband, you might also want to scan the room for Hugh Hefner.
But, all said and done, we suppose it’s not quite as bad as last season’s Urban Outfitters fringe thigh high stockings, which had us neighing all the way to the stables.



Subscribe and never miss a thing! Disclosure/Disclaimer Statement. Makeup, beauty, skincare reviews & more! Copyright 2009-2010, Gouldylox Reviews. All Rights Reserved.