Estee Lauder Holiday Collection

By Guest Blogger, Anne Houseman of Beauty Xpose





In the words of the queen of pop Madonna, “Holidaaaaaa-iiiiiieeee. Celebraaaa-eette.” Okay, so while it might not yet be Halloween, we can certainly look ahead and lust after all of the pretty holiday makeup palettes that already hit the shelves.

Take the Estée Lauder Holiday 2010 Collection, for example.



We all know I love me some Estée Lauder, and this new collection does not disappoint. This year, the brand unveils Pure Color Extravagant by Tom Pecheux, a collection featuring shimmering golds and deep winter reds fit for a luxurious holiday season.

In my humble opinion, the Pure Color Five Color EyeShadow Palette in Extravagant Gold ($42) is the highlight of the collection.



Featuring shimmering shades ranging from gold to pewter to a center matte chocolate brown, these Pure Color shadows could work for any occasion all year round. Simply layer on lightly for day, and amp it up for night with a more dramatic look with the center brown swept in the lid crease. Here’s a look using every color in the palette:





Gorgeous, no? The one thing to note here is that all of these shadows are definitely on the “warm” side, so if you tend to gravitate toward cooler tones, then this probably isn’t for you. But that just brings us to the new lip products, which work with almost all tones.

Take a look at this gorgeous Pure Color Lipstick in Extravagant Berry ($22):



The color lasted for about four hours (granted, I was being very careful not to drink anything), at which point just a quick re-application was needed to touch it back up. If a true red is more like it, you’re covered with Pure Color Lipstick in Extravagant Red.

My favorite part of these lipsticks (just like any Estée Lauder lipsticks) is the formula. Seriously, guys — this doesn’t feel like lipstick. At least not the way lipsticks typically feel. There’s no waxy, heavy feeling at all, and I often forget I’m wearing anything because it just has the perfect balance of moisture without feeling glossy or dry. Isn’t that what all lipsticks should do?

If you’re more of a gloss girl yourself, the new Estée Lauder holiday collection also features three limited edition shades of Pure Color Gloss ($20). Check out Extravagant Plum (my favorite):



If you just can’t make up your mind, try the Pure Color Five Color Lip Palette in Extravagant ($42), which is a compact with five gloss and lipstick shades in three textures (all in one spot!




To polish the collection off (yes, bad pun), pick up one of the limited edition shades of Pure Color Nail Lacquer ($18), available in Extravagant Pearl (shimmery opal) and Extravagant Night (glittery plum). I love that these aren’t the typical reds you see this time of year.



Just looking at photos of the Estée Lauder holiday collection makes me feel luxurious and opulent! Of course, with a collection this gorgeous (especially the eye shadows), I can’t keep it all to myself. Mom — if you’re reading this, I guess you already know what I’ll be buying you for Christmas!

Photos: Estée Lauder; Anne Houseman/BeautyXpose
Disclaimer: Select products furnished complimentary for review purposes

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Beautyland Tour, Week of 10/24

It may be only Halloween weekend, but the buzz is building for holiday beauty! Get yourself party-ready with beauty tips and product finds from this week's roundup. You're sure to find something that catches your eye for the special season ahead.

Charlestongirl from Best Things in Beauty showed us three all-new sumptuous shades of Tarte's iconic Cheek Stain, perfect for carrying in your makeup bag. It's now available at a 20% discount on Sephora.com with the Friends & Family sale code FF2010.

Still looking for last-minute Halloween makeup? Chelsea at BeautyXposé explained how Sephora's limited edition kits will leave you preening like a peacock (or other costume) in no time at all!

From the pretty new packaging to the sparkling holiday colors, Kari from Fab over Forty reviewed several makeup palettes this week, including the Pure Color Extravagant Collection created by Tom Pecheux for Estée Lauder.

Are you having Mad Men withdrawals like Gaia from The Non-Blonde? Missing the oh-so-popular vintage look? Read her take on the new book by Dyna Moe: Mad Men, The Illustrated World. It may leave you longing for more Mad Men.

Feeling blue? Sabrina from The Beauty Look Book reviewed the new nail polish by Lancome called Le Gris L'Wren (021). It's a steely blue that just might steal your heart.

Do you love the glitter, but hate the mess that some makeup creates? Kelly from Gouldylox Reviews found a glittery, holiday must-have with the LORAC All That Glitters set. Put some sparkle in your life!

One of the toughest makeup challenges can be to find the perfect concealer. Laurie from Product Girl may have found the one that works perfectly for her. She reviewed the MAC Pro Longwear Concealer, and it might be what you're looking for too!

Debbi from DivaDebbi shared a secret with us: the makeup artists selected by most famous celebrities. See what the Kimara beauty team did to Debbi to make her look red-carpet ready.

Do you love beauty must-have lists? Marcia from the Beauty Info Zone Blog created a "Top Ten" list of her favorite go-to beauty products. Is there anything on her list that you already have in your beauty bag or think should be in your bag?

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YBF - Your Best Face Skincare

I had been hearing all about YBF from a blogger pal of mine, who swore up and down they were the best skincare she had used. So obviously I jumped at the chance to test drive a few of their products for myself. Just so we are all on the same page, I'm talking about YBF Skincare, which stands for Your Best Face. (A few of you asked me about their makeup, which is a different line that is sold on HSN. That YBF stands for Your Best Friend.)

YBF was started by two friends who just wanted to make honest, awesome skincare that delivered on its promises. Their products are fresh, use airless pumps and require very little preservatives in the formulas. They don't use added fragrances, just active ingredients. One of the main active ingredients in their formulas is spin trap. Spin Trap is a type of antioxidant that doesn't just kill free radicals, it restores balance to unbalanced molecules and protects your cells better than other free radical fighters.


I tried four products. I've already told you all about my love affair with Prep, an amazing home micro-derm system that has my friends (whom I had given samples to) begging for more. A little goes along way and this will polish your skin in a way you didn't think possible.


The first product I'll tell you about is Restore, which brightens skin and helps promote healing. This is great for helping to correct sun damage. It contains alpha arbutin and stable, high-end vitamin C, that synergize with one another to even skin tone, reduce appearance of "age spots" and slow the tanning response after UV exposure. This is a lightweight serum that I applied after using my cleanser. It left my face looking radiant and definitely brightened my complexion. I still have some of the same spots I've been battling, but overall, my skin tone has evened out and is really, really radiant.


I also used Boost, which quite honestly, knocked my socks off. My skin looks uber-radiant. I've met with a few skin care pros while using these products and they are surprised to learn I am 37. I'll happily take that compliment!

According to the website: Antioxidants, vitamins and botanicals along with caffeine help tighten, tone, refresh and protect the face. Boost immediately soothes, reduces redness and balances skin. As it dries, the face becomes more toned and stays supple to the touch. Boost also allows your skin to breathe and draws moisture from the air throughout the day, helping skin stay hydrated and toned while discouraging blemishes and excessive oiliness. In addition to niacin and B5 which encourage healthier-looking skin, boost uses a water soluble, natural wax to seal in moisture but yet easily washes off so it doesn't clog pores.


Finally, I have been using Quench, their signature lip balm treatment, nightly. At first blush, this lip balm doesn't feel much different from other balms I have tried. It doesn't feel particularly hydrating on contact and doesn't add any extra shine to lips. Where it does pay off is when you wear it overnight. As your body rests, this lip balm sinks in and restores your lips to a hydrated, plump state. I normally have very dry lips this season, but haven't experienced them yet since I have been using this. According to the website, Quench keep your lips naturally full, bright and youthful-looking with collagen boosting, skin brightening vitamin C (the most beneficial and gentlest form of vitamin C we've found). Peppermint and clementine oils wake up your lips and add an invigorating tingle.

I think the best proof of how well these products worked is to take a look at my almost naked skin in the early September and now. Obviously, in the first picture (originally taken to show my bangs and under eye concealer), I am wearing lip gloss and a touch of under eye concealer. Otherwise, I am nude-faced.


(Before using YBF)


(Me in the morning, when I first got up.)

(Me at the end of the day. My skin looks different in the am than it does in the pm, so to be totally honest, I'm showing you both.)


The biggest difference I personally see is on my nose and the area where my under eye area meets my cheeks. Not only do I usually have sun spots, I have patches of skin that is more yellow that the rest of my face. This makes my overall skin tone look dingy. In the after pictures, I am not seeing as much of that as I had before I started using the products.

Have you tried YBF? I still have a product or two of theirs to tell you about, so stay tuned!

Product was sent for the purposes of review. YBF does not test on animals.

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LORAC All That Glitters (Doesn't Have To Fall On Your Cheeks)

It's holiday time and the goods are hitting shelves. Sparkle is everywhere, but all that glitters is not equal. I love holiday sparkles - the lights, the champagne bubbles, the dewy, glistening eye lids of fashionistas everywhere. But what kills a look faster than Courtney Love showing you how to apply it? Accidental face glitter. A dewy cheek is lovely. A dusting of highlighter above the brows? Beautiful. Glitter freckles? Not so much.


While gentle application of scotch tape on the glitter freckles will fix your face, why should you have to do that? The solution is easy.


Pick up All That Glitters from LORAC at Ulta. The colors work as a liner or shadow (just dust a little translucent powder over them to set them) and the glitter doesn't fall. For $19 you get 5 chunky pencils that leave you ready for the holidays without the worry of messy glitter freckles.

From the top: Paparazzi Pencil, Midnight Sparkle, Gunmetal Glitz, Sapphire Shimmer and Cobalt Sky.

I'm including both photos so you can see how the colors look in two different types of light. Hands down, my favorite is Cobalt Sky.

How do you handle glitter fallout? Just avoid it? Super primer? Tell me!

LORAC doesn't test on animals. I swatched this in-store.

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Peter Lamas Chinese Herbs Hair Serum

I haven't updated you on my hair growth in a bit- the end of July was probably the last update. Since then I have been trying a lot of different things to aid my newly longer locks. I have been dealing with frizz and humidity - things that normally don't happen when you have a pixie.

Since I have been *forced* to try other shampoos, I haven't been using my Peter Lamas shampoo and conditioner regularly. However, I have been using the Chinese Herbs Regenerating Scalp Serum every other night (on the nights before I wash my hair in the AM).

According to their website, This botanically-rich, advanced therapeutic treatment incorporates a proprietary blend of centuries-old traditional Chinese herbs. These herbs have proven effectiveness; stimulating and re-invigorating weakened hair and scalp to promote healthy hair growth while helping prevent further hair loss. In addition, this product utilizes the latest botanical-technology incorporating Swertia Extract and Apple Stem Cells. These potent ingredients are scientifically proven to promote healthier hair growth. The Chinese Herbs Regenerating Scalp Serum protects the scalp from toxins and DHT build-up while providing the desired visible result of thicker, fuller hair.

While my hair isn't growing as fast as it was when I was using the whole system, it is still growing much faster than normal. Here was my hair when I last did a length check - in July.

Three months later, after using the serum every other night, my hair is dramatically longer. I have also had a haircut where I lost quite a bit of volume, so the shape is more flattering.
The serum itself smells a little minty, is very fresh and is the consistency of water. I apply it all over my scalp and go to bed. It dries very quickly, doesn't make a mess couldn't be easier to use. It is also vegan and cruelty-free.

Without further adieu, here is me now.


I can almost get it in a pony tail! Sweet! I've come a long way since I started growing my hair in January!


(Me in January!)

This was sent for the purposes of review. Peter Lamas does not test on animals.

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Hard Candy Visibly Wet Shockingly Glossy Lip Pencil

I was recently checking out some offerings from Hard Candy and I couldn't resist picking up something called Visibly Wet Shockingly Glossy Lip Pencil. I chose the Centerfold color, which is a really nude taupe.

I had been hankering to pick up a pinky nude Lancome lipstick, but couldn't win the wrestling match between my lustful side and my "a $29 lipstick?" side. I was about to head back to Sephora to pick up the Lancome (it gets embarrassing going there so many times each week), when I spied this beauty.

This pencil had to have been around $6 and is definitely somewhere between a lip stick and a lip gloss. It is hydrating, shiny and lasts the same amount of time a lip gloss does. It's available in fifteen shades, from nude to red to pink. I am a tough judge of drug store makeup - probably because you can't test it first - and I would definitely go back for more of this nifty lipstick/lipgloss hybrid.

I bought this. Hard Candy doesn't test on animals.


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Too Faced Pixie Perfect

Too Faced is one of those brands that I always check out and never buy. Somehow though, all of that has changed. I have been on a palette-purchasing super spree lately. While not truly a palette, this was shelved next to one so it came home with me.


Pixie Perfect is a great little intro to the brand. It comes with a quad of eye shadows, all in the brown/nude family, a split pan of blush and bronzer, a full size Glamour Gloss in Plush, a mini Eye Insurance Primer and Lash Injection mascara. All of these goodies are in a cute makeup bag.


(Sun Bunny, Papa Don't Peach)



The main reason I was drawn to this is my addiction to peach blush. This one, Papa Don't Peach, is my current favorite blush. It's bright, peachy and just the right sheen and opacity. Sun Bunny is a nice bronzer that also works well as a cheek contour shade on fair skinned gals like myself.



While I didn't expect to love it, I am now fixated on Glamour Gloss. This kit comes with Plush, a great peachy shade. It actually plumps the fine lines on my lips, with no tingle. When worn with Lip Insurance, it stays put. It does ok on its own too.

I was hoping Lash Injection would be the answer to how I can finally get long lashes without treatments, extensions or falsies. It isn't. Hummph. It's nothing special and it's clumpy.


(Split pan blush and bronzer, Eye shadow quad. Both come with large mirrors too!)


I am finding that I really like Too Faced's shadows. I recently picked up their Naked Eye kit (I know, I'm really late) and like how the light, subtle colors stay all day with some help from Shadow Insurance. This quad comes with four large colors (large, relatively speaking to the size of the shadows in the Naked Eye Palette.


(Not listed in order.)


The colors are Velvet Revolver, Enchanted Forest, Totally Toasted and Peach Fuzz.

This is a lovely little holiday offering. It is definitely making me want to check out more from Too Faced! Thoughts on this one?

Too Faced doesn't test on animals. I bought this.

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Do You Want To Be a Beauty Intern In NYC?

Fournier Communications is a New York City public relations firm that has a portfolio of luxury European beauty brands for clients and they’re looking for fall interns. Can you say product closet??

Your responsibilities will include press kits, event planning, maintaining clip files, client interaction and administrative functions. And it’s a smaller operation so you’ll actually get to help out in the strategic planning of new product launches. Translation: major hands-on beauty PR experience.

But to get to do all that, you need to have amazing computer, phone and writing skills and be available two to three days a week.

Also, being a bit of a beauty junkie is a plus. And you don’t need to be in school, but you can get credit if you are.
If you’re interested, email your resume and cover letter to maryhannah@fourniercommunications.com

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

Buckle Up: Spruce up Your Outfits With a New Belt

by Anne Houseman, of Beauty Xpose

Recently, a good friend of mine (not to name names, but you're reading her amazing beauty blog, and her name rhymes with "melly") was wrestling with a "what to wear" question. In particular, she was in the market for a new belt and wanted to know what the latest styles were and how to wear them in a way that complemented her curvaceous body type (va va voom!).

Luckily, the hottest belts right now work with almost every body type -- it's really all about pairing them with the right clothing silhouettes. These little waist wrappers are so versatile that they can transform even your most humdrum threads into a fashionable ensemble. So the next time you're looking at your closet contents scathingly, you can resist the urge to buy an entire new wardrobe and just add a couple of these buckled accessories instead.

Wide Belts
Wide belts have been everywhere over the past few years, and this season is no exception. If you have an hourglass figure (your waist is smaller than your hips and your bust and shoulders), the wide belt can be your new best friend. True, if you're on the short side like I am, you have to be sure your wide belt isn't paired with wide horizontal stripes, or you'll end up looking stouter than Snooki. But in general, a wide belt paired with a plain, fitted silhouette will only enhance your assets (think Kim Kardashian and Salma Hayek). If you were thinking of ways to spruce up your little black dress, grab a bold belt and an equally bold necklace, and be on your way to ruling the night.

Photo: Dress - Calvin Klein ($99); Belt - New York & Company ($16.06); Necklace - New York & Company ($26.95)

Skinny Belts
The skinny belt is one of the most versatile belts out there. This season, you'll see them embellished with small grommets, tastefully bedazzled with mini stones, metal and crystals, and embossed with python prints. These svelte belts are perfect for layering, which works great on any body type and is a must as the temperatures drop. Whether over a traditional cardigan, a chunky sweater or a corduroy blazer, take your look from work to weekend with this small piece of flair. Tip: Mix fabrics like a delicate silk blouse and a wool sweater to add a feminine flair to your belted masterpiece.

Photo: Cardigan - New York & Company ($49.95); Rosette Halter Cami - LOFT ($54.50); Belt - J.Crew ($39.99); Trouser Jeans - LOFT ($69.50);

Low-Slung Belts
Now here's the trickiest belt style for hourglass, pear and apple figures -- low slung belts. While they look great on straight bodies and lean model types, on everyone else, it can be a challenge to avoid drawing unwanted attention to your hips (they don't lie). But that doesn't mean you have to avoid these belts altogether; your best bet is to go for a tunic-style top and a lean look for your legs. Try a flowy top, leggings and a saddle belt, and rock a casual boho chic look that Rachel Zoe would just die for. Bananas.

Photo: Leggings - American Apparel ($38); Tunic - Free People ($69); Belt - Piperlime ($38)

So what type of belt will my good friend decide to wear? I guess we'll have to see if she comments below. Why not help her get over her shyness and let me know your favorite style in the comments too!

UPDATE!

OK. I picked up a few belts. I found one at Old Navy and a great one that is adjustable at Cold Water Creek, when MamaLox and I went shopping. Today, I am wearing a LBD with a cardigan and a skinny belt with boots. I am comfortable in my own skin while wearing this (which is a huge victory for me), but the picture is awful. If it weren't in response to my pal Anne, I would spare you.

Here is the belt:

Here is the whole shebang.


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Lady GaGa

Beautyland Tour, Week of 10/17

It's definitely autumn now. Our favorite beauty bloggers are reporting cold temperatures and the possibility of snow in the North and West. That ought to put everyone in the mood to shop! Here are a few features that might send you to the mall.

Let's start with Fab over Forty, where Kari shared an interview with Sandy Linter. The celebrity makeup artist shared her fall must-have beauty products for women over 40, but the products she recommended are fabulous for women of any age.

We all want the scoop on the best makeup brushes around. Gaia gave us a close look at the NARS #12 Small Domed Brush. Head over to The Non-Blonde to find out why you may need to buy this brush - and you can admire Sophie and Giselle at the same time. At least one of them is interested in makeup brushes!

Charlestongirl discovered bareMinerals High Shine Eyecolor at Sephora and found one of the prettiest khaki eye shadows she has ever used. Head over to Best Things in Beauty for a look-see.

Sabrina got in the holiday spirit with Dior. You'll see a few must-haves at The Beauty Look Book. Sometimes, the compact is as pretty as the makeup.

Kelly explained why Stila's Color Wheel is the perfect palette for young women just getting into makeup or people who want to start experimenting with colors outside of nudes and browns. Check out her swatches at Gouldylox Reviews.

At BeautyXposé, Chelsea showed us how to stay within TSA's super-strict rules about carry-on liquids and keep our hair looking great at the same time.

Check out what the dueling bloggers has to say about LORAC this week at Beauty Info Zone Blog. Marcia and Lisa debated their favorite LORAC products.

Love shoes? Even the painful ones? DivaDebbie showed us Foot Petals. If you haven't tried them, where have you been?

Carla showed us a Beauty VIP of the Week: Sue Devitt's Lip Intensifier Pencil. Find out why you may need one at Product Girl.

Whether you got Sephora's notice or not, you need to shop Friends & Family. Get the scoop from Elvira at Pink Sith.



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New Buxom Rock Stars and City Slickers

Buxom Big and Healthy Lip Polish is one of my favorite glosses. I love the shine, I love the minty tingle and I love the color selection! This season, there are two noteworthy Buxom collections you need to check out.

(Blanche, Gabby, Julie, Tonya)

The first is the Rock Star Collection. This collection of four mini glosses is available at Boutiques and online. This set includes Julie, Tonya, Gabby and Blanche.


(Tonya, Julie, Blanche, Gabby
More pics on my knuckles. My wrist has not yet recovered from whatever I did to it.)


Julie is a light peach shimmer, Tonya is a pinkish coral with a bit of sparkle, Gabby is a gorgeous wine and Blanche is the perfect for a light holiday shimmer. My favorites are the new Tonya and the previously released Gabby. Tonya is slightly unexpected and Gabby is just a perfect plum. These colors, while not that bold, are gorgeous and can go a lot of ways, especially when you layer them with different lines, lip sticks or other Buxom glosses. Gabby is a must-have and Tonya is exclusive to this set (along with Julie and Blanche) and also makes my must-have set. (Hint: Loxy! Add this one to the holiday list, please!)

Next up are the City Slickers. This collections is a Sephora exclusive and contains four Buxom glosses in the same smaller style and four coordinating Lip Sticks. You get Bombay and Michelle, Vienna and Denise, Fresno and Brandi, and Marrakech and Amber. The beauty is this kit is the virtual wardrobe of lip looks you can create with the possible combination of colors.


From Top: Bombay & Michelle, Bombay, Michelle - Vienna & Denise, Vienna, Denise - Fresno & Brandi, Fresno, Brandi - Marrakech & Amber, Marrakech, Amber

While Marrakech has been a staple of my lip wardrobe for a while (It's a perfect nude base on my fair lips), my favorite combo in this collection may just be Vienna and Michelle.


(Vienna solo)


Vienna, a candy pink Lip Stick is too pink-pink on me by itself. But when paired with Michelle, a medium pink gloss, it becomes the perfect not too sweet pink on my fair skinned, red headed self.


(Vienna & Michelle)


For an uber-glam look, pair the Fresno Lip Stick with Amber. It's a much darker and evening glam look than what I normally get from Buxom.


(Fresno & Amber)


It's long-wearing, perfect for a night out and fits perfectly in a clutch.

What is your favorite way to make the most of your Buxom collection? Tell me your favorite combos! Pick up the Rock Stars from Bare Escentuals and get yer self some City Slickers from Sephora.

Buxom does not test on animals. I received the City Slickers Collection for the purposes of review. I just checked out the Rock Stars in the store.

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