Diana; Then and Now

I don't know about you, but I am still reeling from Tina Brown's audacious bid to get us all a buzz and a twitter over photo shopping a digitally morphed Princess Diana, strolling beside her new D-I-L,  on the cover of Newsweek. Love it or hate it, newly rung in Editor Tina Brown got the job done, and she always does. We are tawking about it, aren't we???  The last time I spoke of a Newsweek cover was hmmmmm...never?!  How about you???

The above photo, was taken in 1997. Diana was 36 and at the height of her beauty.  She was blonder. Chicer. Sleeker. Sexier. And more confident then ever. This is how I always remember her in my minds eye.

You Glow Girl

I have been hooked on using serums morning and night for over five years.  I first learned of them  from Dr. Denese on a channel 13 fundraiser.  This is what I said about her in a blog I wrote in May of 2008.  Hey!  I'm quoting me!  "Enter Dr. Denese, also a PBS celebutant. A Hungarian blond, of a certain age and a definite glow. I was so intrigued by what she was "teaching", instead of selling, that I actually took notes. Dr. Denese's skin care philosophy is backed up with a whole lotta science and boils down to 5 simple steps: 1) Cleanse 2) Tone 3) Exfoliate with glycolic acid 4) Apply a "serum" with a watery consistency to 5) Bind with an application of a "fatty" night creme. It all resonated well with me, and I follow this regimen nightly"....and still do, though I do take exception with watery.

Lip Service

There are two things that really scare me about aging; Alzheimer's and vertical lip lines.  Sadly, not much can be done about either plight.  Vertical lip lines, also called "marionette lines", can be treated with Botox, but requires a very skilled injector ditto for fillers..too much can result in  fat, flat, upper lip, reminiscent of a link sausage.  What to do???  Well, for starters prevent.  If you are a smoker, if blackened lungs don't frighten you, lined lips might. Don't start and do stop. If you do opt for injections, seek out a well qualified Dr. with a lot of experience.

When I was contacted by Your Best Face Skincare,   an independent , unisex line, that was founded in 2004 by partners Darrell Owens and Kimberly Fristed, my first response was, "do you have products that address the lip area"?.  "We most certainly do", was the reply...ahhhh!  Music to my lips ears.

The Weekly Round Up

Despite some really bad hair days, summer is my favorite season of the year. I yearn for these long, light filled days that fill me with joy and energy.  I hope you are enjoying them too and in a free moment, take the time to what we loved in the beauty world this week.

Gouldylox Reviews is giving away a Napolean Perdis set of 5 products to give you a summertime glow. Sign up today!

The Non-Blonde gives us a taste of the newer lipstick line called Bite Beauty and the delicious lip color Shiraz.

Sleeping Beauty

Everyday, I receive dozens of  emails about product updates and new launches from my P.R. contacts in the beauty industry. I always appreciate being kept in the loop, even if I don't request to sample them.

 I have long been a fan of Nexxus hair care. The first time I used Nexxus Humectress Shampoo and Conditioner, I was awed by how quickly my hair sucked up the moisture and how shiny and manageable it was after blow drying. That was many years ago and I have purchased this powerhouse, tried and true duo dozens of times, because it works so well on my thick, slightly wavy hair.  Everyday, I also spritz my hair with Nexxus Dualiste Daily Leave-In Conditioning Spray.  It replenishes and protects my color but never weighs it down.  When I received this email, with some great suggestions for improving the condition of your hair, while you sleep from famed stylist and Nexxus Creative Director Kevin Mancuso, I  knew I would both try them  myself and share them with you.

By Terry By Diva

I have had the opportunity to try some of the most cutting edge (and expensive) skin care products on the market since starting my Blog in March of 2008.  I won't exactly claim to be aging backwards, but my skin is in truly excellent condition, despite the ticking clock. I use to buy all of my skin care at the drug store.  I also bought into the theory that  my extra money was going towards beautiful packaging, not more effective anti-aging products....I no longer believe that's true. The good stuff is better.

Does the same hold true for makeup???  Pretty much! I have always wanted to try By Terry, the elegant, innovative, cult favorite makeup by Terry de Gunzburg.   Here is how the collection is described on Barney's website:

The Weekly Round Up

Time to relax for the weekend! Looking for some potions and remedies to help you look your best? We've got the scoop!

The Beauty Look Book took a short vacation break to share Dior's limited-edition Les Rouge - three glamorous red shades for your nails.

Best Things in Beauty introduced Le Métier de Beauté's exclusive new Écumes D’or Kaleidoscope Lip Kit.

Just Brow-Zing....again.

Wowza! Time does fly...  I knew my eyebrows were starting to look like two hapless rectangles on my forehead, but until one second ago when I checked my blog archives, I would not have guessed it's been a year and a half since I had my brows professionally tended.  I did have an excellent experience at the Benefit Brow Bar at Bloomingdale's in White Plains and the $22 fee is unbeatable for the service your receive. Why not return???

Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs- Do you need this?

I thought I did...particularly since I am staying out of the sun.  Self tanner can only take you so far and pale and splotchy is never an option.  I will admit I have been curious about Sally Hansen's Airbrush Legs, since it was launched a few years ago (somewhere around the end of the Sex and the City era, when women stopped wearing pantyhose in 11 degrees).  Mentally, I couldn't wrap my head around "making up" yet another appendage in the morning, but the lure of  "spraying on perfect legs in an instant  finally proved to heady to resist.

The Weekly Round Up

Welcome to the feeling of summer! There are some changes here at the beauty roundup and one of them is a new addition! We welcome Karla Sugar to our group and know you will enjoy her beauty swatches and more. Enjoy the latest in beauty and skincare this week has to offer.

Brazilian Peel- No Pain all Gain

These days, it seems that anything that can be plucked, ironed or peeled has a Brazilian pre-fix. 
Why is that??? Can we please move on to another country if not continent already???

I do love me some Glycolic Acid.  Used regularly, it does keep my skin glowing, so whether its pads or peels, some form of glycolic acid is in my repertoire. When I was contacted to try Advanced Home Active's Brazilian Peel , which was rewarded the 2010 Allure Best of Beauty Award, Best Beauty Breakthrough, I leaped to accept.  I do use an at home glycolic peel, but it requires 4 steps, cleansing, prepping, applying and neutralizing.  The system Brazilian Peel created is  tidy, safe and effective;  4 dual chamber syringes, are infused with medical-strength 30% glycolic acid and acai berry (~ola)! on one side, and neutralizing solution on the other, simply apply one syringe as directed, each week for a month. Here's how it works:

Length vs. Width...The Age Old Dilemma

Hard to believe, but my mascara tank was on E...I checked all my usual stashes and my goodie closet-- nada.  What to do???  Mascara is definitely a makeup category I don't splurge on.  Yes, I have gone the YSL, Dior, Lancome route in the past, but unlike foundation, shadow, lipstick and blush, I just don't see enough difference to justify the spike in price.

I was on a CVS run and remembered how much I liked mascaras with built in primers in the past.  Having the freedom to haphazardly dash on the (white) primer, which acts as a first coat, is downright liberating.  It also sets the stage nicely for clean looking, non clumpy, long lashes.  By sight, I could not find the last one I used, nor could I remember if it was a L'Oreal or Maybelline offering.  Oh-tay...moving on.  I selected L'Oreal's Double Extend Mascara in Carbon Black.  Frankly, there are so many mascaras within the same brand it's getting harder and harder to choose.  From a marketing stand point, I am not sure how they are just not cannibalizing their own market share...but I digress.  Net net,  how did it work???

Singing Cindy's Praises- Instant Results Microdermbrasion

In my quest to find the best anti-aging skin care for the face and body, I do a lot of tooling around on the Internet.  It does frustrate me how neglected I think the body is in terms of affordable, head to toe products that don't just moisturize and smell good, but treat as well.  This is how I happened upon Cindy Jackson's website. Cindy is a celebrity in her right...in fact she has her own entry in the Guinness Book of World Records .  Do you know why?

The Weekly Round Up

Have fun in this fresh, summer air - but first, take a ride with our favorite beauty bloggers.

The Non-Blonde may be fighting her husband for Aviation Club by Monsillage.

Fab over Forty lost her fabulous new AVEENO Hydrosport SPF 50 sunblock to her son!