My Hair is From Choleria. The InStyler Brought It Back.

If you haven't noticed, I am growing my hair out from a Rihanna-like short cut to a long Emily Robinson-like long cut (I hope I don't get upset my hair isn't naturally wavy when I get there.) I blather about it constantly and am a wee bit obsessed with making it look fantastic during its awkward stages (I am actually not sure if I have gone through a non-awkward stage yet).

In my quest to have beautiful hair, I am trying a ton of products and styling tools to find out what works for me. I have found a flat iron that does a beautiful job, despite me being too uncoordinated to get the amazing results my stylist gives me.


(Super flat, courtesy of Bethany.)


But a flat iron isn't really something I am up for every day and I don't think I want super straight hair every single day. (I have a full face and feel like I can't pull off that look every single day.)

But I do have annoying hair. It is fairly straight on its own, which is handy. The top layers of my hair are shiny and pretty. The bottom layers of my hair are a different texture, and as my mother-in-law would say about things she doesn't like, are "from Choleria"*. In her mind, Choleria is a place where bad things come from. Ugly clothes, badly used makeup, icky interior decorating and things of a similar ilk, all come from the magically ugly land of Choleria.


Anyway. The underside of my hair is crinkly, rough and has a mind of it's own. While it isn't as textured as the hair shown in the infomercials for the InStyler, I was really curious to know if the InStyler could whip the underside of my hair into shape without making it flat-flat-flat, like my flat iron.

If you haven't been mesmerized by the infomercials, the InStyler is a heated styling tool that has three heat settings, which are designed to work on different types of hair. It has a heated barrel that rotates in one direction and a brush that smooths the hair and adds a ton of shine. After a little experimentation, I found that my hair works best on the medium setting. My inclination was to make it as hot as possible, but that only yielded limp hair.


(Power level two is all it takes. Reading the directions was really handy here.)


It is really easy to use. You pick your heat setting (based on the directions, not merely on what you assume, as I was all wrong), wait a few minutes and then section off your hair. You can use the InStyler to make your hair smooth and straight, create flips, add volume or turn hair under. If a curling iron and a flat iron had a baby that made shiny hair, this would be it. You then place the InStyler as close to the roots as possible and slowly pull it through a section of hair, being careful how you turn the InStyler as you finish each section - creating a flip, a wave, a bend or leaving hair straight. You have to go slower than you do if you are usually a flat iron user.


(Me not in NYC, but at home, after using my InStyler. I have more body then I do when I use the flat iron, but it still looks pretty and not Cholucious at all.)


I used this every day on my recent trip to NYC, where I was outside during a heat wave every day, all day. My hair felt incredibly smooth, the humidity didn't eat it alive and it looked styled, but not super-flat smooth. While I don't have the hair that infomercials are made of, this did do a nice job of taming my Cholucious (what things from Choleria are called in my family) underneath layers. And no, this can't get tangled in your hair. I consider myself to be a top-notch klutz and I couldn't get tangled if I tried. If you're curious, another blogger who does have hair infomercials are made of, got these results.

Have you tried the InStyler? Did it work for you? I know the reviews on this one are mixed, but it worked really well on my hair. Let me know what you think!

*This is a Yiddish expression that is potentially/totally being used incorrectly. You can't find it on a map. That's because in Yiddish it actually means to put a plague or a curse on someone, it's not a place. But not in my family. In my family, it's where ugly lives. Not that you asked, but since I digressed, my favorite made up Yiddish expression is hunta fliffel (masculine) or hunta madel (feminine), words Loxy uses every day to describe odd people. It's a super fun language that should make a full comeback, in my opinion.

This was sent to me for the purposes of review.

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Because You Hit a Rough Patch: A Hand Scrub You'll Need Now.

I have dry skin (as readers may remember from my constant complaints last winter). It's bad. It hurts. I swear my hands feel like if I bend my fingers, when I wake up in the morning, my skin will surely crack. (Sometimes it does. Eww.) I have developed the habit of reaching for a particular product I recently discovered before I reach for my toothbrush. Using it makes my hands feel as if I have dissolved some kind of weird gloves that were holding my hands hostage, turning them into soft, supple, movable, usable hands, no longer bound by my dry skin shackles. I know it sounds dramatic, but my fellow dry skin sisters (and brothers) know EXACTLY what I mean.

What did I find? Because You Hit A Rough Patch Moisture Retaining Hand and Body Scrub. It's the perfect balance of gritty grit that gets out the gunk, polishes off the dead skin and leaves your entire hand amazingly moisturized, smooth and grease-free. I'm not kidding when I say it literally feels like my hands are brand new.


(This scrub feels as good as it smells on my dry, sad hands.)


This scrub is made from natural oils, sugar and other emollient ingredients that make your hands feel like new. Here is how the company says it works:

Because Moisture Retaining Hand and Body Scrub is made from raw cane sugar and berry seed oils rich in essential Omega fatty acids which join forces to baby rough, flaky, scaly, and dehydrated skin to reveal a softness that's positively new-born. Ideal for all skin types but especially beneficial for reptile-like skin. 70% Organic.

I definitely have reptile-like hands and this works. Have you tried Because You Hit A Rough Patch? Let me know what you think! I adore this!

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

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Scoop, Stuff and Blather - Wednesday

I am woefully behind on my posts. I have an army of things to write about, but my day job keeps getting in the way. Since that is the gig that pays me, what's a girl to do? So while I have a few minutes, here is what I have been thinking about.


(Thanks facebook, for providing me with my first grade class picture. Me, top middle, red pants.)


But first, a fact you may not know about me. In first grade, my teacher, Mrs. Barkes (above), wrote on my report card that, "all of Kelly's errors were made in haste. If she could only slow down and pay attention, her work would be so much better." I actually found that report card a few months ago and planned on posting it because it is still so, so true.

But alas, I lost it. If it turns up, I'll post it. Either way, nothing has changed. I do almost everything flying by the seat of my pants and will make mistakes. It's no secret that Loxy reads everything I write to make sure I don't sound like (more of) an arse who can't use apostrophes correctly. My point? Forgive my typos.

Scoop Overheard On My Travels:
It's no secret that Bobbi Brown is coming to Sephora online any minute. We all got the email. I did hear from a good source that Bobbi is coming to select stores (including some in Baltimore) early next year (like February).

I also overheard other reputable sources (not from BE) talking about the 5 year deal Buxom signed with Sephora for exclusivity. I don't think this is new news and I have heard Internet chatter to the effect for months. I hope this means more Buxom shadows in new colors. I really hope they dive into the cream blush business with Buxom too. My blush still falls off of my face and if they made a Stay-There blush, I would swoon.

Stuff I Need:
I really want the Burlesque Beauty Collection from Smashbox. I checked it out yesterday in store and LOVE LOVE LOVE the gray cream shadow that comes in the collection. Of course, as with any palette of interest, it was sold out in two minutes. I shouldn't be surprised. All collections, even the ones that came out months ago, are still not available in stores. I'll be stalking this collection until I find one.

Later today, I am getting a Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Treatment, which claims to repair hair instantly. I have been reading good things about this treatment, so I will be sure to let you know if it fixes my damaged hair and does any thing to tame my goat hair. I am hoping it's KeraTriplex salon treatment will work magic. My goat hairs need it.


I just received samples of the new Jonathan Smooth shampoo, conditioner and styling balm that claims to help fight frizz. I used it this morning and got great results. But I haven't been outside in the humidity for long, so I can't judge. Plus, one use does not a review make. I fear it might leave a film on my hair which makes me nervous, but maybe that is what fights frizz? The results I got this morning are making me super smiley. It almost looks like I flat ironed it, without the flat iron. I'll have to judge after using it for a few weeks. I'll get back to you.

Blather:
Finally, one of my other loves, television, suffered an extreme and sad loss today. Lone Star, my new favorite show that isn't a reality, cop, spy or doctor drama got the axe after two episodes. Thanks for nothing, Fox executives. You stink at your job. (The job of making good tv. Not the job of filling air time with well worn plot lines.)

ps Fox Execs- nothing will beat DWTS. Have you not heard of a mid-season replacement?

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LORAC Smoky Eye Baked Trios

I love a smoky eye more than anything. Changing the tones used or the amount of product can take a smoky eye from easy everyday to full out evening glam. Creating the perfect look requires finding the right shadows. For an eye shadow to work for any smoky eye look, it needs to be buildable, long-wearing, slightly shiny (but not too shiny!) and non-smudging.

My two new favorite smoky eye looks for fall are from LORAC. One is a gorgeous gray-based Baked Shadow Trio and the other is more blue/teal-based. Each Trio comes with three colors and looks and wears amazing.


The first one is called Evening Star. This Baked Shadow Trio comes with silver, gunmetal gray and rich smoke.


Each one of these shadows is soft enough to wear every day, but buildable for a sexy, smoky eye.
These baked shadows wear all day without fading or smudging and are ideal for throwing in your bag to glam up your look after a day at the office.

But my new favorite smoky eye look is from the Rock Star Baked Shadow Trio. This trio includes a teal, which is a little out of the ordinary for a smoky eye look. I love it.


While I love this grouping of colors in general, it would be amazing on fair-skinned, dark-haired beauties. The teal in this trio is soft enough to be barely noticeable as blue or can be layered to really stand out.

(The teal is the middle color, shown with one "layer" of shadow.)
Here is my Rock Star Trio look, toned down for work.

To glam it up for evening, I added my new favorite peach colored gloss, Intermix. This gloss makes lips look full, beautiful and perfect.
(Intermix in the light of my bathroom.)



(Rock Star and Intermix on the way out to dinner one evening.)


The super shiny finish lasts for a decent amount of time and makes the look go from day to night in a flash. I also added a quick swipe of Front Of The Line Pro liner in black. These trios make a smoky eye easy, no matter how much drama you are going for!


Products were sent for the purposes of review. LORAC does not test on animals.

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Prep Microdermabrasion Treatment by YBF

I am a fan of at home face peels, scrubs and masques. I love them. I love the feeling of fresh, clean, skin, free of impurities, dry skin and rough patches. It's hard to find the right exfoliator that is tough enough to make a difference, but gentle enough to not damage the skin.

I am currently trying out a skin care regimen from YBF and found an exfoliator/at-home microdermabrasion product I love so much, I had to tell you about it before I use the line and do the official review. Prep is a fine-grain manual (instead of chemical) Microdermabrasion treatment. It contains teeny, tiny little grains that exfoliate your skin in a way that is more satisfying than another granular scrub I have tried. It also contains peptides, botanicals and vitamins to treat your face after you have used it to exfoliate.

So many of these kinds of exfoliators have large, unevenly sized bits of pits or grains that actually tear your skin on a microscopic level. This scrub contains the opposite. It delivers itty-bitty bits that seem small enough to clean your pores, enough of them to evenly make your skin glow. These amazing little exfoliating grains come in a creamy, vitamin packed base, which make the application feel great and give beautiful, fast results.


(If you look, you can see the grains. They're tiny!)


This at-home microdermabrasion is serious stuff. If you have delicate skin, you'll be ok, just go slow and with very light pressure. If you have very sensitive or delicate skin, this might be too much for you. But if you can handle it, it gives instant, amazing results.

I actually did an experiment with Loxy's nose using this scrub. He has been battling oily skin, which is finally under control, but he is left with a ton of blackheads on his schnoz. I washed his nose with his usual cleanser and then exfoliated his nose using this scrub. I wish I had taken photographs, because the difference was amazing. Where it had been a virtual field of clogged pores, it was now free and clear of blackheads. I was quite honestly, shocked at the results.

If you are looking for an at-home microdermabrasion treatment to remove the dead skin cells and reveal fresher, younger skin, look no further. My skin looked clearer, fresher and younger after the first time I used it.This product doubles as a mask, so if you have a few minutes, leave it on after you have exfoliated. Your skin is open to all of the vitamins and peptides that Prep contains and you'll get a fantastic result. I have tried a ton of scrubs, exfoliators and at-home dermabrasion kits in the last few years. This one is definitely one of the best I have tried.

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

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Beautyland Tour, Week of 9/20

September is brimming with beauty! From fall flowers to fashion, it's an exciting time of year. We've been focused this week on the season's latest makeup, nail colors, and hair care, among a few other obsessions. Take our beauty tour to see our latest loves.

Sabrina demonstrated why the perfectly named Stellar Pink in Rouge Volupté Perle has become an overnight sensation. Visit The Beauty Look Book to find out why you need the star of YSL's show.

Charlestongirl got her hands on four of the new Uptown Mauve Rouge d'Armani lipsticks from Giorgio Armani Beauty. Check out Best Things in Beauty to see why there should be a creamy, long-lasting lovely in your makeup bag.

Gaia discovered the wonders of Laura Mercier's fab Eye Liner in Black Ebony and provided some great application assistance at The Non-Blonde.

Anne is an admitted nail polish "fiend." She told us why Dazzle Dry is the Energizer Bunny of nail polishes at BeautyXposé.

Kelly modeled the Fall/Winter Collection of the Fusion of Color Natural Collection at Gouldylox Reviews. She showed us how to look like ourselves, only better.

Kari always has a Pantene product in her shower. She recently tried Professional Level Damage Repair Ampoule Treatment for Medium Thick Hair, and even though her hair isn't particularly thick, she liked it! Find out why at Fab over Forty.

Ever wonder how those airbrush foundation products really work? Self-proclaimed klutz Lisa told us how she fell in love with the Luminess Air Brush Pro System at The Beauty Info Zone Blog. We'll be watching to see how long it takes her to repossess it from Marcia.

Did you watch Episode 1 of Flawless Faces for All Races last week? Vicki posted Episode 2 this week at Makeup Artist Backstage. All of us can learn tips and techniques by watching pro artist Vicki make women gorgeous!

Burberry Beauty's Rosewood Eyeshadow has become a blogger darling. Find out why from Elvira at Pink Sith.

Product Girl Carla celebrated her five-year blogging anniversary this week. Congratulations, Carla! Ever wondered what a beauty addict's home looks like? Head over to see her true confessions.

We hope you have a great weekend. Do something nice for yourself!





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Naturally Perfect. Fusion of Color Au Natural Color Collection

Sometimes a girl gets tired of the teal-green sheen or glossy, sparkly glitz that makes up the predominant eye shadows on display everywhere. It definitely happens to me. While I have perfected the art of needing to wear a bright purple and green eye combo to the grocery store, there are some days where you just want to look polished, natural and perfect. Like you were born with amazing lashes, slightly sculpted cheeks and a beautiful, bow shaped mouth.

When this mood strikes me, shimmer shadows won't due. Neither will high contrast matte shadows. The perfect fit for this mood, for me, is this different take on naked from Fusion of Color.



I love how my eyes look defined, very blue and polished. Three simple, matte shadows from Fusion of Color are the answer. The new 2010 Fall/Winter Collection includes three half size eye shadows, Moonbeam, Sunshine and In the Shade and Peaceful Blush. You'll also get sample sizes of the coordinating lipstick and lip gloss.

I love how this blush, Peaceful, makes my cheeks have the perfect amount of flush. It's an amazing natural color that isn't overly pink, brown or peach. Somehow it just blends into the skin, emphasizing what you already have. It's a unique color that doesn't look as unique in the pot, but adds the perfect amount of color to give you a fresh look.

This lip color sample that I am wearing is, High Strung, a cross between a gloss and a lip stick; a hydrating, real nude. Not a nude that is lighter than your lip color (on me, anyway), but one that is just slightly better than your lip color. It's an easy, weekend look for Fall!

Pick up the whole kit for $18.25. Natural never looked so naturally beautiful!

This was sent for me for the purposes of review. Fusion of Color does not test on animals.


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Sneak Peek! Laura Geller Waterproof Eye Spackle

Lately, it seems like eye shadow has no staying power without a primer. I don't know if I now come to expect long wear of every shadow because I always wear a primer or if shadows have stopped being so long-wearing, because companies assume everyone uses a primer. Either way, my shadow wear time isn't acceptable to me if it isn't ten hours or more.

True, I am not talking about sweating up a storm and expecting to remain flawless, but regular readers and those who know me know I prefer to sweat as little as possible.

I have tried a ton of different primers (some not so great and some are amazing) and one of my new favorites has to be Laura Geller's Waterproof Eye Spackle.



It comes in a pen form and is a light colored primer that totally brightens up the eye area of fair- to medium-skinned ladies. It makes my eye area look incredibly bright, awake, tightened and slightly less crepe-y. I haven't tried this while swimming or sweating intensely (with my shark issues and my aforementioned dislike of sweating, how could I?), but I can tell you that when I wash my face, I need makeup remover to remove my shadow. Water alone won't do the trick.

This primer contains Isododecane, which provides the waterproof action I adore. It also has Boron Nitraide, which gives your shadow a silky look and Ronasphere LDP, which helps create a light-diffusing effect, making your eyes bright. Even better, with one click of the pen, the perfect amount is dispensed, cutting down on waste.

I am very fair and as you can see below, this Eye Spackle does a great job of making my skin look perfectly bright and prepped for shadow. It matches my skin so well, it's almost hard to tell where my skin stops and the prepped area begins.


(Look to the left of that freckle, below the forefinger. That area is spackled!)


I've tried this primer with Laura's shadows, mineral makeup, other pressed powders and cream shadow and I have been thrilled with the results. In fact, it's the only eye shadow primer I have found myself reaching for over the last two weeks.

Laura Geller's Waterproof Eye Spackle is available later this month on the Q for $22.

Product was provided to me for the purpose of review. Laura Geller does 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.

Fun Things I Forgot to Mention: September

Sometimes I go on shopping sprees and forget to tell you what I loved. I suppose happens when you are always on the prowl for new goodies...Anywho, here are my new discoveries that you should know about.

1. Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Shampoo and Conditioner. I am sure that this shampoo and conditioner is leaving a residue behind on my hair, similar to what Pantene is rumored to do. I don't care. It makes my hair feel totally different from anything else I use on a regular basis. My hair swings, gets stuck in my lip gloss (it's long enough to do that now!) and is so soft it is begging to be touched. I still alternate with my beloved Peter Lamas products, which are still making my hair grow at unprecedented rates. But every other shampoo and condition, it's this magical blue bottle for me.

2. Bare Escentuals Buxom Travel in Style with Monica Buxom Gloss and Athens Big and Healthy Lip Stick. I love Buxom. I love peach colored cosmetics. These two together create a beautiful bright peachy smile that lasts for a respectable amount of time. The color isn't so bright, isn't too much, but instead is politely bright, even for an outwardly shy gal like myself. I love how the color brightens up my whole complexion and just makes me look happy. You can't look bummed out in this color, it's impossible!

3. Lancome Oscillation Powerbooster and Lancome L'Extreme. This mascara and conditioner combination are amazing. The Powerbooster isn't making my lashes grow, but the combination of the two products makes my lashes look amazingly perfect for 12 hours. I can't believe I ever purchased the vibrating wand lash primer but I did, and it is amazing. It seems like such a gimmick. In all honesty, I went to the Lancome counter at two different stores a few times each to look at it, without being able to pull the trigger on the price tag. I was certain it was not worth the cash. Two months later, I still love it.

(SIDE NOTE:I was just reading the fine print on the website for this product and realized that despite the well worded copy that leaves the impression this causes lash growth, it in fact, does not do any such thing. It just makes it easier to see natural lash growth.)

The L'Extreme Mascara claims to attach fibers to each lash and maybe it does. I am not seeing too many fibers when I look at the wand by itself, but the end result is longer lashes. I don't get how this combo works so well for me, and I would never have believed it if I hadn't tried it.

4. This season is about the red and I have found yet another red lip gloss I adore. This one is from the True Color Collection from Estee Lauder, Wet Cranberry Shine. It's another red that makes your teeth whiter, your skin brighter and blue eyes pop. There are a myriad of great reds out there this season, but this is one of my favorites!

I bought all of these products with my own nickels.

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New Eau Thermale Avène Rétrinal

Avene is the creator of what is probably my favorite Retinol product. While I know it doesn't really work this way, every time I use it, I swear my skin looks instantly better overnight, almost like it is a magic eraser for aging. Since it isn't made of magic, here is what the company has to say about their recently launched retinol nighttime treatment:


" Eau Thermale Avène has formulated their Rétrinal+ Creams with Retinaldehyde, the immediate and closest precursor to retinoic acid. This revolutionary ingredient has been clinically proven to significantly reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles with little to no skin irritation. Retinaldehyde has also been shown to enhance firmness, hydration and radiance and is ideal for use by every skin type. "

I have been using this nighttime treatment from Avene on and off for the last few months and can always tell when I am using their Retinol products. My skin is always transformed very quickly. Their newest formulation, safe for the most sensitive skin, is available in two strengths - one for overnight treatment and one for intensive overnight treatment. I have been using the higher strength and can honestly say I have experienced zero irritation and have seen radiant results. Still need a good reason to try this? It now contains a photo-stable form of Vitamin E that helps to protect skin against future damage.

I love this! Have you tried Avene?

This product was sent to me for the purpose of review. Avene does not test on animals.

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New From Urban Decay! Urbanglow Cream Highlight

You may not know this about me, but one of my biggest weaknesses is cream highlighters. I love them. I have no idea how many I already own and that fact never gives me pause when I see a new must-have color. The good ones give you a light, natural glow and not a slash of shine.

Urban Decay is releasing a new line of cream highlighters, Urbanglow, and I can't wait until October 1, when they officially hit stores. Can't wait? Check them out and score one (or two) online here.

Here is how they are described by UD:
Packed with pearl powders, the weightless formula adds luminescence wherever you need it: Craft contours where there were none. Create sculpted cheek and brow bones. Look like you got a full night's sleep with a touch of Urbanglow in the inner corners of your eyes. Hide that hangover with a dewy, youthful glow. The non-greasy formula dries down instantly, and can be worn right on top of makeup. Each shade is subtle enough to work on any skin tone - just pick the effect you desire... a bit of iridescent innocence, or a touch of smoldering bronze. All are infinitely wearable and ridiculously flattering (kind of like you're standing by candlelight).

Here are the four colors:


(Shimmering Champagne)



(Wicked)

(Brown Sugar)

(Moon Shine)


Personally, I am fairly certain that Wicked and Shimmering Champagne are going to be living at my house very, very soon. Tempted?

Urban Decay does not test on animals.


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Beautyland Tour, Week of 9/13

These crisp mornings and warm days, so typical of September, put us in the mood for change. What better way to freshen your routine than to treat yourself to some new beauty products? As always, we have a few suggestions for you.

Most of us credit Gaia for starting the Le Metiér de Beauté addiction that has inflicted all of us, but we digress. This week, she showed us how to make our makeup do double duty with Le Metiér de Beauté's Magic Lustre Cream. Visit The Non-Blonde to find out how to transform your powder-based products into creamy glosses for eyes, cheeks, and lips!

Then head over to Beauty Info Zone Blog to find out why Marcia is adorning her nails with the four stunning nail polishes from Le Metiér de Beauté's Le Cirque Collection.

One more treat for Le Metiér junkies - you need to read Amy's feature on the Persephone Eye Kit at Café Makeup. You may not be able to find it, but you should see how pretty it is. Every Kaleidoscope is a wonder.

Sabrina, the gal with the perfect lips for modeling lipsticks, gave us a look at the coveted Chanel SoHo Story lip colors at The Beauty Look Book. All three formulas and shades are lust-worthy and worth the search.

Speaking of lip colors, did you know that Lancome created four new, limited-edition lipsticks in honor of the company's 75th Anniversary? Kari showed us the sleek silver metal case, styled after the Eiffel Tower at Fab over Forty. By the way, if you haven't read Jill Jonnes's Eiffel's Tower, it's a great read!

Kelly is one brave blogger. At Gouldylox Reviews, she showed us in living color why Laura Geller's Banish-n-Brighten Concealing Luminizer has earned a permanent place on her vanity.

Our pro makeup artist Vicki rolled out the premiere edition of Flawless Faces for All Races at Makeup Artist Backstage. Learn her simple techniques for creating a flawless look by watching her 10-minute video.

There's breaking news at Product Girl! Laurie showed us the newest shade of Urban Decay's iconic Eyeshadow Primer Potion - Greed. We may get greedy beating a path to Sephora to get one. You can even purchase a Sephora-exclusive, limited-edition kit with all four shades of Primer Potion.

Charlestongirl introduced us to Dior's very limited-edition Tailleur Bar Haute Couture Look set at Best Things in Beauty. Lavender and grey eye shadows with popping pink lips pay homage to Dior's legendary bar suit. Charlestongirl wants you to know that Neiman Marcus at Mazza Gallerie has offered her readers (and you insiders) an incredible deal. Just go to this link to see how you could win a $500 shopping spree.

Ending our week's roundup on an amusing note, Anne showed us that some women will do anything to spruce up their looks before wedding day! Check out BeautyXposé to get the scoop on the latest E! network show.

Have a great weekend and remember...new beauty products are a great pick-me-up!




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LORAC Evening Out Complexion Kit

Recently, I have been avoiding powders whenever possible. I feel like most of them are not finely milled enough to glide on to my face and not exaggerate fine lines. Plus, they tend to settle as the day goes on, blah, blah, powder and aging skin, blah.

However, I recently got the chance to check out LORAC's Evening Out Complexion Kit and am in LUERVE. I used the Evening Out Complexion Kit in Light, but it is available in three forgiving shades.


This gem comes with a mirror, a full-sized amazingly fine pressed powder,


two concealers,


a powder brush and concealer applicator. It's the Swiss Army Knife of compacts.


It is small enough to fit in your bag . It fits in the palm of your hand and is slightly thicker than an old ipod. It has everything you need to freshen your face during the day, or prep for perfect skin for an evening out.


I've been wearing it for a few weeks and I haven't had a problem with the powder settling into fine lines. In fact, I even got compliments on how "magazine perfect" my skin looked when I was shopping last week.

Do you love LORAC? I do! This compact is available in three shades- light, medium and tan. It's available for purchase online from LORAC, at Sephora or from the Q.

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


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Laura Geller Banish-n-Brighten Concealing Luminizer

I have a new favorite concealer. I don't have uber-dark shadows, but my under eye area, definitely needs a little prep. I have some discoloration and sun damage that I want gone. Depending on the morning, I have a little puffiness as well.

So what has earned its new permanent place on my vanity? Laura Geller's Banish-n Brighten Concealing Luminizer. This concealer is special for several reasons. But before we dive into the ingredients, let's talk about the applicator.

The metal applicator is made of a smooth special metal, called Palladium. What makes this medal so special is that is always feels cold to the touch. It doesn't just feel a little below room temperature, it feels chilly to the touch. It feels fantastic in the morning in a refreshing sort of way.


(Me with no concealer.)


So back to the ingredients. This concealing and luminizing formula contains Hesperidin Peptide Complex, which helps to strengthen delicate skin and defend against pesky free radicals. Chrysin Peptide Complex helps to brighten skin and reduce the appearance of dark circles. Licorice Extract also a skin brightener that actually helps to prevent puffiness. Finally, Phyto Squalane boosts cell regeneration while helping to retain the skin's moisture, which helps reduce the appearance of fine lines.


(Me wearing Banish-n-Brighten.)


The concealer itself feels as light as air, as if you are wearing nothing, If you have major circles or really bright/dark imperfections, this may not cover them perfectly on its own. However, if you are like me and only need a medium amount of help, this may be perfect! While I am not sure if this is just happening in my mind or not, I would swear that my under eye area looks better about 20-30 minutes after I apply it then when I first put it on. I didn't see any mention of this happening from Laura Geller, but even Loxy agrees that my eyes look better shortly after applying this luminizer than they do when first applied.


(Another picture of me, taken 20 minutes later, wearing Banish and Brighten. This is admittedly awesome lighting but the Banish-n-Brighten definitely makes a difference!)


Banish-n-Brighten Concealing Luminizer is available for $22 from QVC and LauraGeller.com. Thoughts? I am loving this one!


This was sent to me for the purpose of review. Laura Geller does 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.

Three Custom Color Party All The Time at Urban Outfitters

Three Custom Color Specialists is partnering with Urban Outfitters to showcase one of their gorgeous new colors! Party All The Time is a beautiful wet / dry shadow in a dark, mysterious copper. This brown reminds me of the perfect shade for Julianne Moore, so fellow redheads take note! This shade can be applied with a light touch for a sheer wash of color or heavier for a deep, smoldering look, ala Taylor Swift in her I forgive you, Kanye performance.

This shadow is also great as a liner - I like to wet a thin, angled brush with Hydrating Natural Tears for a slightly shiny, copper line. It's fantastic for blue eyes, or eyes that are flecked with gold.


(Both are applied over a lid primer. Top is a heavy application, middle is a light application and the line is mixed with Hydrating Natural Tears.)


While browns have not been a color I have been seeking out as of late, this one is definitely lustworthy! Check it out online at Urban Outfitters.


This was sent to me for the purpose of review. Three Custom Color Specialists 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.