My Top 10 Beauty Faves for 2009 (Part 1)

As much as I enjoy writing DivaDebbi it doesn't even pay the Verizon bill each month. Thus my "day job" as a Personal Shoppper guarantees that every December, I will be a wee nuts. In my next life, I will be my own client.

I was reflecting on my favorite Beauty discoveries of 2009 and thought it would make for a fun Blog. Since I am crunched for time, I will do this in two installments.

1) Rimmel London's Fix and Perfect Primer- This is what you wish your skin looked like, when you first crawl out of bed. The gel formula comes in one "universally flattering" shade of pinky-apricot. Smooth it on and your skin is instantly brighter, more even toned and will keep your makeup in place indefinitely. For $7.99, I find myself picking one up every time I am in CVS, in a hoarder's hysteria. One word...GENIUS.

2) ReVersital 3 in 1 MicrodermaStick- This three in one multi tasker does it all! Exfoliates, cleanses and moisturizes. I use it daily in the shower on my face, throat and decollete. (It is a bit gritty, so your really need more than just the tap to remove all of those hard working aluminum oxide crystals). I am all about the glow and I am convinced that using this product daily, is every bit as effective as having a professional treatment monthly. Well worth the $95.00, it lasts for months and cost less than a single microdermabrasion session. LOVE.

3) Loreal's Telescopic Explosion Mascara- An innovative breakthrough! The unique spiked ball applicator, truly lets you go where no mascara has gone before. (Sounds like a Dyson's vacuum). It finds lashes you didn't know existed and lengthens the ones you do have to gastronomic proportions and at $9.99, the price is right. I will buy this again and again. BRAVO.

4) Living Proof's No Frizz Styling Cream- Singularly, the best product I have ever used in my hair. It completely eliminates frizz, makes styling a breeze, leaves my hair thick and glossy for days, and repels dirt. The cost is $24.00 for four ounces, but you need less product than the size of a quarter, with each shampoo. This is the George Clooney of beauty products...it's in a class by itself.

5) Clairol's Shimmer Lights Shampoo- Like some fabulous old friendships I have rekindled on Facebook, Shimmer Lights is back in my life and I am wondering why I let so much time pass in between. Shimmer Lights keeps my highlights toned and fresh instead of brassy between visits. Even Christopher my colorist, noticed the change for the better. $12.99 at Beauty Supply Stores...Oh, and I checked you can become a Fan of Shimmer Lights on Facebook--who knew???

Stay tuned and if you have some of your own new faves, do share them...that way we can exchange gifts.

xox,
DD

Hair Ye Hair Ye (Part 2)

One of the most fun things about writing a Beauty Blog, is trying to stay on top of all that's new. In addition, to my own curious obsessions, their is a bevy of savvy P.R. and Social Media execs who keep me in the loop on the latest launches, my equally obsessed Gal Pal's and my newest resource---The Doctors.

In my next life, I will start each day with 2 cups of good coffee and a full dose of The Doctors. Yes, they cover life saving health issues, but of greater interest to me, is their cutting edge coverage of the latest Beauty innovations. (If you have no idea what I am talking about, GET WITH IT MAMA).

A recent show, reported their are three things that drive women bonkers, wrinkles, fat and frizz. Yup, that about covers it. In recent years, those of us who have humidity challenges, have benefited from the introduction of silicone into frizz fighting shampoos, conditioners, and leave-in treatments. The significant downside, is that hair is often left, heavy, greasy and lank.

A relatively new company, called Living Proof (available at Sephora and QVC.com) partnered with scientists at M.I.T., and discovered PolyfluroEster, the breakthrough ingredient in their No Frizz line of styling creams shampoos and conditioners. The benefits of No Frizz are amazing, and when they blasted the models hair with steam, the No Frizz side won hands down. Here's what they promise:

* It resists humidity 30% better than the leading products
* Hair resists humidity for up to 16 hours
* It repels dirt so hair can be washed less frequently
* Hair becomes more manageable with continued use
* It is available in two formulas, Straight Making or Wave Shaping, allowing for styling options

Well, it sounds great on paper, but how did it work??? In a word, spectacularly.

I used the Straight Making formula, the night before heading south, figuring I would surely have the opportunity to put it to the test. Four things were different right of the brush:

1) My hair stayed full and luxurious. No sign of flatness or tell tale, rat tail ends.
2) It dried faster
3) It styled easily...almost like having another set of hands
4) I said avoir to my flat iron. I didn't even need it too touch up, wavy tendrils in the morning. It never left my suitcase...in Florida.

I am completely, happily, hopelessly sold. One down! Now let's see what The Doctors have in store for those other scourges, wrinkles and fat...If it's as quick a fix as No Frizz, world will soon be a more beautiful place.

Here's hoping.

xox,
DD