Gearing Up To Get Back In The Mascara Game...

L'Oreal Voluminous Fiber FX Mascara

 My lashes have been on Holiday for the last 5 months... Let me attest to the beautiful notion of waking up daily and looking more than human with lash extensions.  Out the door time gets nicked in half because being eye ready makes everything else a slap and a dash.

I promised myself that after returning from Fall Fashion Week in Paris, (shopping with my partner Anastasia for our store Mary Jane Denzer), I would take a long, long break.  Frankly, I don't know a soul who did not suffer serious damage to their lashes.  I'm hoping to come out unscathed, by using Latisse, to minimize the lash loss.

Years ago, I used Latisse when it first became a, "thing".  While I did grow massive lashes, I also suffered from dry, red, scratchy eyes, which mitigated the whole experience.  Smarter this time, I ditched the thick, unwieldy brushes that came with the prescription, for a very fine brush.  My theory is that those brushes, which could have white washed a barn, were depositing too much product. So far so good.

We shall see...

In the meanwhile, I have started researching mascaras again.  What immediately caught my eye was a new Voluminous Mascara from L'Oreal.  The original is a goodie and is supposedly beloved by Jennifer Aniston. (Call me silly, but I'm among the legions hoping for a Brad Pitt reunion...Frankly Angelina and Justin seem a better match than they were to Brad and Jenn, respectively. And you???)

What is very clever about the new Voluminous X Fiber, aside from the fibers for volume, is that one side comes with a black primer!!!  This my lovelies, is a stroke of genius.  I love me some primer, but have sometimes seen tell tale traces of white on my lashes.  This has got to be one of those moments where competitors, are smacking their foreheads for not having thought of black primer first.

Well done L'Oreal!

The NY Times Weighs in on the Best Drugstore Makeup Buys

Bloomberg/ Getty Image courtesy of the NY Times

Love, love, love, the more accessible beauty coverage at the "newspaper of record" these days.   I nearly keeled when I received a beauty alert this morning,  with an article by Tynan Sinks on her favorite drugstore beauty buys.

Welcome to our world!  Here's the link.  Shout out to my sister Loren, who told me months ago to check out NYX concealer.  It's her new Holy Grail.  Tynan feels the same way...

Naturally I dashed out to my closest CVS, STAT.  The NYX display was  sadly baron...Ulta will no doubt, be better supplied.

Anyway, worth a read and maybe a note or two.  I'll keep you posted on that concealer...provided I can find it.

xox,
DD

Aethern- THE Fountain of Youth!

  Aethern, pronounced Eh-thern. My daily dose of science and beauty

As I approach the 10 year anniversary of my Blog DivaDebra, I have so appreciated you,  my loyal readers.  I am nothing if not a, "Girl's Girl", and what started from emailing my gal pals and bringing my favorite products picks to book club, has grown into a 10 year labor of love, with readers from all over the world!

Over the years, I have many times been approached to sample vitamins that promised what we all want, a convenient little slice of our youth, albeit thicker hair, firmer skin, or increased energy.

The problem is, I never felt that there would be any way to show my readers a measurable difference, if one existed at all!  Hence, I always nicely declined all offers.  I have only ever been interested in sharing the best of my product experiences and at times, the things to steer clear of.

There are two areas on a woman's body that are the tell tales of age. Time and gravity just win out here...One is the neck, the other is our hands.

With great luck, my beauty blogging life as always worked in a funny way...whatever I really needed often found its way to me.

Literally, one day before I met Paul Vella, the Business Development Partner at Aethern, I had the mortifying epiphany of seeing, really seeing, my left hand.  How and when did that happen?

Despite all my efforts at beating the clock,  I felt as if an octogenarian's hand had somehow been swapped with my own.  The horror!  Do see below, lest you think I am exaggerating.

Paul and I met at the Lucas Magnum Salon in Greenwich, during a day devoted to beauty and wellness.  Three things impressed me immediately:

The first is that  Aethern, which is FDA approved and clinically trialed, and, included greatly improved client hands in their promotional material. 

The second is that two of the most esteemed Dermatologists in the U.S.,  Dr. Lisa Airan in NYC and Dr. Ava Shamban in Beverly Hills,  believe in the efficacy of Aethern!  Both are personal fans and provide it to their high end patients at their practices and on their websites.

The third is that the magnificent Cate Blanchett,  is also an Aethern fan!  She includes in her beauty and health repertoire and mentioned it in this Allure article.  Of note; she is not a paid spokesperson.

Good enough for DivaDebra and her lovely readers!

Paul graciously offered me a 30-day supply of beautifully packaged Aethern.  One box convenient box, includes 4, slender, travel friendly boxes of 7 daily drinkable anti-aging vials.  Each is  filled with critical nutrients proven to increase radiance, hydration and firmness.

I made no promises to blog and told Paul that I have turned down many opportunities before.  He was extremely confident that I would love Aethern and wisely suggested I snap some before and after photos for my own reference.

We said our goodbyes...

It was I who excitedly, reached out to Paul next.  The night before my first dose, I decided that I would snap a photo and take one again, in the same spot, in the same lighting, at the same time of day.  I did this at two weeks and just recently again at two months.

It is very difficult to see changes of anything in real time.  Other than taking my daily dose each morning, I gave it little or no thought...until I reviewed some photos.  At the three week mark I noticed how much firmer and toned my arm looked in a photo that was taken of me:

Before Aethern

Hands 2 weeks after taking Aethern

2 months after taking Aethern
(of course I had to get a second box!)
Please take a really good look! 
This is remarkable!

My arm, noticeably firmer and radiant at 3 weeks

Additionally, I had a painful fluid filled sac on my pinkie, known as a "mucous cyst" common with aging.  It was of enough concern that I was going to see a hand specialist.  After just a few weeks it was no longer bothering me has remained significantly smaller!  The anti-inflammatory benefits are real.  A very happy surprise benefit!

I really do believe that a picture is worth a thousand words!  I am so happy that I have them to share with you.

I was so thrilled about my very visible results that I told Paul I would be honored to be a Brand Ambassador for Aethern.  In addition, I wanted to blog about it, share it with my readers and if possible provide them with a discount code, so you too, could enjoy Aethern's benefits.  I also wanted to be able to seel it at my own luxury boutique Mary Jane Denzer.

To my delight, Paul and his partner CEO Abili Falco, agreed to all four of my requests!

 Ok, so what is in Aethern?  Good Question! 

Makeup 101 for Aging Faces

Image courtesy of the New York Times

I think we are all aware that as we age, our beauty routine must change...As a teen a painstakingly created lower centipede lashes daily.  Now I essentially just darken them for definition with one light coat.

I have been so much happier with the New York Times beauty coverage as of late.  The articles are much more informative and relatable, thank you very much.

I've never been all that interested in what is in anyone else's makeup bag, particularly an A-lister, with a case full of Tom Ford, Chantecaille, By Terry and La Mer...lovely for you Dear, but not a single product that can go in my CVS basket...

Beauty Steal and Deals

There is one beauty blog I read every day...Isabella Muse pens Musings of a Muse exhaustively tries everything from class to mass, usually with photos of her sampling them in every shade offered.

Isabella also does the most comprehensive list of beauty deals and steals.  Click here to see all the best Cyber Monday.  We are going to restock our favorites anyway...might as well do it for the best possible price

Thank you Isabella! You are a wonder!  Lovelies, Musings of a Muse is worth subscribing to. Free of course, and always informative...

xox,
DD

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!! by divadebbi featuring our beautiful new Erdem Dress!

Our beautiful new Erdem collection has arrived!  Come visit or call me!
Mary Jane Denzer  7 Renaissance Square, White Plains NY at the Ritz Carlton. 914-328-0330.

xox,
DD.

Eyelash Extensions- What you need to know

Photo courtesy of the NY Times

Two must read beauty articles on one week from the venerable New York Times??? Change is definitely a foot, or in this case, a face.

Bravo and thank you for a comprehensive article on the fad that is sweeping the faces of busy women everywhere.  I see them daily, on friends and clients.  And you can always spot them...I think by the time that most women are invested in the time and cost of getting extensions, "natural" = "why bother?".

Encore: Benefit's Gimme Brow

Gimme Brow
$24

Benefit has given Gimme brow a very pretty makeover.  When I first reviewed it in 2013, it was housed in a dull, baby _hit brown tube.

Still, what was inside more than made up for banal packaging. Cleverly, it is infused with tiny gel fibers, that adhere seamlessly for added fullness.  The tapered tip is created to shape, the brush to fluff, fill and define.

Here is a case of head scratching, "why did I ever stop using this?" reflection.  It is simple to use and creates fairly flawless brows.  My one tiny gripe is the itty, bitty and may I throw in one more itty bit of product that one gets, for a whopping $24.

It occurred to me, that in 4 years time, somebody must have come up with a, "dupe". 'Sho nuff, Essence a brand that is available at Target and Ulta, (and is not even on my radar,) makes one for, wait for it...$2.99!!!

Essesnce
make me brow
$2.99 (!!!)

Make me brow, is extremely well reviewed and some bloggers like it even better, than Gimme Brow.  So, any second now, when I finish up my new Gimme Brow, you know exactly what I'm going to be purchasing next.

Love you Lovelies, and you are very welcome...

xox,
DD

Something Truly Helpful from NYT's Beauty File

I will admit that I usually don't give more than a cursory glance, to the New York Times beauty articles ...

They are often step-by-step tutorials, or celebrity "what's in my bag of very expensive tricks" lists. Somehow, they just don't resonate. Luv ya, but what's that got to do with me?

I was surprisingly pleased, to see this comprehensive tip list, from various make up artists, on how to apply mere mortal make up on a daily basis. 

Hence, I'm happy to share with you Lovelies! 

https://www.nytimes.com/guides/fashion/how-to-do-makeup?utm_source=sharetools&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=website

Worth a look IMO. Happy Sunday!

Xox,

DD

Happy 4th of July!!!

Happy Independence Day Lovelies!

Fascinating Fact:  Both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, the only signers of the Declaration of Independence, (who both later served as Presidents of the United States), died on the same day,  July 4th, 1826, 50 years after the day they signed it!!!

Remarkable!

Do have a fun, safe and Happy 4th, however you are celebrating.  Our store, Mary Jane Denzer will be closed today in observation of the Holiday.

Enjoy...

xox,
DD

Review: Lancome ARTLINER

Lancome's ARTLINER
$30,50

I am now 6 weeks into my partnership in Mary Jane Denzer, a women's luxury specialty store in White Plains, N.Y.  What is my burning beauty question for my partner???

How, oh, how, despite rainy days in NY in the market buying and long busy days selling to our lovely clients, is her eyeliner always in place, without runs or skips???

Chase Your Dreams in High Heels!

Chase Your Dreams in High Heels! by divadebbi

I think this going to be my new Mantra!!! At 5'7, I always feel short and dumpy in flats!  So welcome again to my new home! Mary Jane Denzer in White Plains NY.  Oscar de la Renta is just one of the fabulous designers we carry. xoxo

DD

Happy Thanksgiving and Great Beauty Steals and Deals

I love Thanksgiving, don't you?  Family, food, traditions and did I mention FOOD???  This definitely the one day of the year that I don't think about resisting anything.  TG is pretty much a carb and savory feast, and if you are going to slip one day a year, I think this is the one to go for.

This is our first Thanksgiving without my beloved mother Joan. I remember all of my life waking up to the smells of her gorgeous turkey. In those days we were an enormous group with bigger appetites.  How is it possible that we also had turkey soup, antipasto and a pasta course in additional to a traditional dinner and enough desserts to rival your average diner? Wonderful memories!

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are not just about flat screen T.V.s and down vests.  The beauty biz wants their share of your wallet too..

The Huffington Post did a nice, alphabetically listed, round up, of Black Friday and Cyber Monday Beauty Steals and Deals. O.K., there were a few brands I've never heard of...plenty I did.  Click here  to see them all.

A few more:

Clinique:  25% off plus free shipping, with code 25OFF

Tarte Cosmetics- 25% off plus free shipping on all orders over $25 with code FRIYAY.

Stila- 25% off plus free shipping.  The perfect time to buy my new and forever Holy Grail Mascara Stila Huge Extreme Lash Mascara.

Dr. Brandt Skincare- Is offering a whopping 45% off for Black Friday. If your a fan, here's your opportunity to restock and and enjoy amazing savings.

So many online temptations abound!  I'm going to enjoy my guests and put my little hand held magic machine away for the day...remember when people actually made eye contact and had conversations??? I'm thinking about collecting everyone's smart phones at the door while I hang up their coats.

That would truly be nostalgic!  Wishing you all safe travels, Happy Turkey, a moratorium on politics and a wonderful day. I'm thankful for most of my family, my amazing friends and colleagues, and you, my lovely, loyal readers...



xox
DD

THIS is HUGE!!! Stila HUGE Extreme Lash Mascara

Stila HUGE Extreme Lash Mascara
$23

Suffice to say, "HUUUGE" is not one of my favorite adjectives...let's just leave it at that...

I was at Sephora the other day to take advantage of my VIB Rouge 20% off perk. I ''needed" nothing, but figured I would stock up on a few faves, one of them being Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara.

I will never pass up an opportunity to sample a new mascara, so I asked them to use some of my beauty points towards a sample of Stila HUGE Extreme Lash Mascara.

belif The true cream-aqua bomb

Belif  The True Cream-Aqua Bomb
$38 Sephora

Are you familiar with the term K-Beauty?  K-Beauty refers to the trend of Korean skin care products, often in the form of 10-step nightly rituals, followed by a 20 minute mask....and I thought I spent a lot of time doing my toilette!

I received a sample of Belif The true cream-aqua bomb, with a Sephora purchase and some of my VIB Rouge points. (Brilliant marketing. I've boomeranged dozens of times to purchase the full product of my samples.)

Well, this was a delicious find!  This fantastic gel refreshed my skin, hydrated it deeply with zero residue and left me glowing...all day.

I already knew I wasn't going to risk running it out of it, so I went running back to purchase it.  The packaging and font made me think that what I sampled was actually something from Philosophy.  When I couldn't find it, I asked for assistance and was directed to the K-Beauty section of select products from different brands....Interesting...

"Uh oh", I asked..."what am I in for?"  I'm both familiar and comfortable with Philosophy's price points...what was I in for???  Imagine my delight, to find out that Aqua Bomb is sweetly priced at $38!!!

Done and done.

15 Fabulous Celeb Makeup Looks for Fall

The beautiful Joan Smalls.  At first glance I thought it was J.Lo.
E tu?

I like Allure.com.  I tired of the formulaic glossy years ago, but online, its quite a nice read and I check in on it often. Today they ran an article on 15 of the best celebrity makeup and hair looks for Fall.

It makes a good case for considering things like matte lips in shades of burgundy and brick,  smokey eyes in scarlet hues, moonlit skin, glossy bangs, platinum bobs and gold washed lids. Overall, they looked fantastic! Faves, besides Joan, included Anna Kendrick, Mandy Moore and Brie Larson.

Blue lips??? Ya, well, let's all just take a pass on that one, shall we???

Worth a peek. It all looked very fresh and as promised, inspiring. I have already been dabbling with plum and claret shadows...Who knows, maybe there is a matte lip in my future.

E tu???

xox,
DD

THIS IS IT! IT Bye Bye Eye Under Eye Illuminating Waterproof Concealer

 Bye Bye Eye Under Eye Illuminating Waterproof Concealer

                                                           4 Shades $24

Okay, Okay, I know...I might be starting to lose some cred with all of you Lovelies about flip flopping about my favorite concealers.

I thought I was loving Tarte's Shape Tape, but I noticed lately that I was looking tired, midday, requiring a touch up.  It was almost like the concealer was breaking through.

When I was at Sephora the other day I asked Marlene, the Assistant General Manager for some recommendations; I wanted full coverage, but none of the creasing and caking.  She recommended a new product from IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer.  An upgrade that brightens, if both full coverage and waterproof.

I tried the Medium, which is on the lighter side, always my preference.  The creators recommend choosing Medium if you are unsure, since it's the most popular shade.

The Science of Color Matching Makeup; Color iQ at Sephora

Marlene, educating me on the science
of Sephora's Color iQ system at Sephora in Greenwich, CT.

I learn quite a bit from friends and readers.  Just last week, my friend Linda Levy told me about her "Color iQ" consultation at Sephora.  It's a brilliant marriage of science and technology and it couldn't be simpler;  Clean skin on your cheek and neck is scanned and imaged.  (It is actually the same technology that is used at hospitals to help match skin tone for burn victims.)  Linda had it done, and was matched, impeccably with the perfect shade of Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation.  

I've known Linda for more years that I care to mention and she never looked better. Her new foundation looked both luminous and flawless and definitely was the right shade for her skin tone.  I couldn't wait to try this for myself. Wouldn't it be great to take all the guess work out of shopping for foundation, lipstick and concealer? 

DivaDebbi trying on lipstick shades in real time after being
'diagnosed', so to speak, as a 5Y08. I could flip through with my finger and see how each shade looked on.
So cool!!!

DivaDebbiThrowback Thursday: RejuvadermMD at Home Microdermabrasion

 Microdermabrasion System

RejuvadermMD Microdermabrasion System
$159 (20% off at Lovelyskin.com)

My friend Monica called me last week and asked whether or not I have used a home microdermabrasion machine and if so, could I recommend one?

I have been using Trophy Skin's RejuvadermMD at home Microdermabrasion system for close to 3 years.  Originally, they more cumbersome and expensive system.  Smartly, they stream lined it, so it is now portable, includes an extraction head and a large diamond tip head suitable for use on the body and lowered the price.

It's simple to use, lightens freckles and age spots, minimizes pores and fine lines and is, in my estimation, equal to the pricey salon treatments I have enjoyed. (Below are the details.)

Lovelyskin.com is offering a 20% discount on their Trophy Skin Products, including the one I have achieved excellent results from.

Allure's Best of Beauty 2016: Lips

I love, "Best Of" lists, and Allure's are among my favorites.  They are always fairly comprehensive covering a lot of categories including skin and hair care, so I often read them in chunks and take a break.

I was curious what lipsticks and glosses were anointed into the Allure Best of Beauty 2016 Hall of Fame.  We are in a, "matte" phase again, one I've never cared for or bought into, then or now.  Dark, nearly black shades, and brights like marigold and sapphire have also surfaced as trends, I was curious if they were included, (yes,) and if there might be a lipstick that I might actually wish to purchase.  

There was, Bare Minerals Gen Nude Radiant Lipstick.  Surprise! Nothing gimmicky, just plain pretty.  

Are you curious to see who made else made the grade?  Take a look at the link  to see if you are inspired to try any of them.   My pick is below.


Happy shopping...

xox,

DD

Bare Minerals Gen Nude Radiant Lipstick

 I'm a sucka for brown hued lipsticks
with mauve undertones