NEW Product: NARS Orgasm Illuminator

Brand:NARS
Name: Orgasm Illuminator
Size: 1.1 oz / 30 ml
Price: approx. $29 USD

There's no denying that the NARS Orgasm line is immensely popular. Although personally I've never jumped on the bandwagon, I am a huge fan of NARS. So whenever they launch a new product, I definitely want to have a look!

The Orgasm Illuminator is a new product category for NARS.

A sheer, weightless fluid that instantly makes skin refreshed, radiant and glowing, while flecks of gold, peach and pink shimmer softly diffuse light.

The Orgasm Illuminator joins the Orgasm franchise which includes Blush, Lip Gloss, Nail Polish and The Multiple. Popular with makeup artists, celebrities and consumers worldwide, NARS Orgasm products have been the recipient of numerous beauty accolades.

image: benefit.com

NEW Product Line: Aveeno positively nourishing Hair Care Collection

I love Aveeno because it offers my favourite body lotion of all time so I'm always keen on trying out new Aveeno products. Now, Aveeno has launched a new hair care line.

The Aveeno positively nourishing hair care collection was developed with a team of experts, including a leading dermatologist and hair stylist, in order to create products that help to make hair healthy looking and beautiful, naturally.

Aveeno has captured the natural benefits of Wheat Protein and combined it with advanced science to create the newest Active Naturals technology, Nourishing Wheat Complex, which targets and strengthens damaged hair to make hair less prone to breakage and resistant to future damage.

The Nourishing Wheat Complex formula contains an effective blend of Wheat Germ Oil plus Wheat Protein, which helps replenish lost moisture. While Wheat Protein can readily be found in many hair care products, this cutting-edge complex uses one large, non-hydrolyzed protein polymer, which is by definition not soluble in water and won’t break down with use in water. In scientific testing, the Nourishing Wheat Complex shampoo and conditioner systems showed significantly greater conditioning efficacy versus a non-conditioning shampoo.

positively nourishing MOISTURIZE Shampoo and Conditioner, 310 mL, $8.99 USD
Goes beyond cleansing and conditioning to moisturize dry, damaged hair. Combines the Nourishing Wheat Complex and Hydrating Oat Protein to quickly quench the hair, replenishing vital moisture. Gentle enough for color-treated hair.

positively nourishing REVITALIZE Shampoo and Conditioner, 310 mL, $8.99 USD
Specifically formulated to help protect hair’s moisture balance and repair everyday damage. Infused with the Nourishing Wheat Complex, the formula intuitively feeds hair with moisture. Gentle enough for colour-treated hair.

positively nourishing VOLUMIZE Shampoo and Conditioner, 310 mL, $8.99 USD
Uses a unique blend of lightweight conditioners to infuse hair with lush, rich body. This exclusive formula, infused with the Nourishing Wheat Complex, plus Anti-Oxidant Blue Lotus Flower, is designed to replenish moisture and amp-up body in fine, hair by replenishing essential moisture and protecting fragile hair from everyday damage. Gentle enough for color-treated hair.

positively nourishing SHINE Shampoo and Conditioner, 310 mL, $8.99 USD
Specifically formulated to replenish moisture and promote shine. Infused with the Nourishing Wheat Complex and shine-enhancing Palm Extract, the SHINE formula smoothes and hydrates to illuminate the dullest hair, giving it shiny, vibrant life. Gentle enough for colour-treated hair.

positively nourishing SOOTHE Shampoo, 310 mL, $8.99 USD
Helps to soothe dry, itchy scalp by calming and soothing the scalp with a combination of the Nourishing Wheat Complex, soothing Lavender and cooling Peppermint. Gentle enough for color-treated hair, the formula addresses the weakest part of hair, fortifying it with protein where it needs it most while soothing the scalp.

positively nourishing CONDITIONING Leave-In Treatment, 153 mL, $8.99 USD
Formulated for intensely dry and extra damaged hair, this Leave-In Treatment works to quench overly-dry hair by giving it an infusion of moisture. Gentle enough for color-treated hair, it contains the Nourishing Wheat Complex, to instantly revitalize and repair severely ravaged hair. The treatment works quickly to intensely replenish moisture.

Lancome Bonus Time at Sears

Canadians - It's Lancome Bonus Time!

Retailer: Sears and sears.ca
Minimum amount you need to spend: $34 CAD (before taxes)
Duration: January 22 - February 15, 2010


What You Get:
- Color Design Sensational Effects Eye Shadow
- Bi-Facil Double-Action eye Makeup Remover
- Definicils High Definition Mascara in Black
- eye and lip brush set
- cosmetic bag & companion

Your choice of:
- Absolue Precious Cells Advanced Regenerating and Reconstructing Cream, 15 ml and Absolue Ultimate Rx Replenishing and Restructering Serum, 15 ml
OR
- High Resolution Refill-3x Triple Action Anti-Wrinkle Cream SPF 15, 15 ml and High Resolution Collaser 5x Intense Collagen Anti-Wrinkle Serum, 15 ml
OR
- Renergie Anti-Wrinkle and Firming Treatment, 15 ml and Renergie Microlife R.A.R.E. Intense Targeted Repositioning Lifter, 15 ml

Your choice of:
- Colour Design Sensational Effects Lip Colour in Natural Beauty
OR
- Colour Design Sensational Effects Lip Colour in Love It

image: www.sears.ca

Helping Haiti: Hairdressers Helping Haiti (Toronto Alert)

If you live in Toronto, this may be a great time to get a hair cut and help a great cause. Hair Dressers for Haiti is a 3-day event during which hair dressers from over 25 salons around Toronto will donate their time and services with all proceeds going to the Red Cross in support the relief efforts happening in Haiti.

From Sunday, January 24 through Tuesday, January 2, John Donato of Donato Salons and Artist Choice has reached out to all the salons across the GTA to have a Cut-a-thon to benefit the Haiti relief effort.

WHAT: Hairdressers Helping Haiti is a Cut-a-Thon hosted at the Artist Choice Studio, with hairstylist and colourists from salons across the city donating their time in an effort to raise as much money as possible for the Haiti relief effort.

WHO: Toronto’s best hairstylists and colorists join forces in an effort to raise money for the Red Cross in support of the relief efforts happening in Haiti. Every dollar raised at the Cut-a-Thon will be directly donated to the Red Cross.

WHEN:
- Sunday, January 24, 10am – 7pm
- Monday, January 25, 10am – 9pm
- Tuesday, January 26, 10am – 9pm

WHERE:
Artist Choice Studio
3253 Lake Shore Blvd West,
Toronto ON M8V 1M2
(Lakeshore, one block west of Kipling)

Pricing is as follows:
Haircut Level 1- $30 Level 2- $60
Colour Level 1- $40 Level 2- $60
Highlights Level 1- $75 Level 2- $150

Helping Haiti: Misikko and Hana Salon

Misikko (one of my favourite sites to learn about new hair care tools) wanted to support the Haiti relief efforts and Hana Salon's CEO Steve Voudouris is helping them achieve this goal.

For every Hana that is purchased between January 20 and February 3, Steve will send a $25 blank check to the customer along with a stamped envelope for the customer to send a donation to the charity of their choice. You can see the letter he wrote in support of this cause below (click for a larger image).

About Hana Salon: Hana's goal is to provide serious professional flat irons and styling tools without meaningless marketing hype. As the makers of the world's first and only 1 1/2" pure ceramic plate iron, the Hana Salon line of Professional flat irons are technologically sublime - the largest and best ceramic ionic heaters (up to 3x standard size), high to pure ceramic content & tourmaline plates and damp to dry versatility. Luxury salon irons at a fraction of the price of similar irons mean high-end styling for everyone! (Plus an impressive 2 Year Warranty.)

About Misikko: Located outside of Philadelphia, Misikko emerged from a desire to easily shop and compare the best professional styling tools & beauty products on the market. Our goal is to help you learn about the tools of the trade so you can find the right salon tools and products at the right prices. We look for high quality products that deliver on their promises.

Helping Haiti

There is so much going on in the world that I'm sure you have your own causes and charities to support and I have always tried to keep this blog strictly about beauty.

But in case you're looking for a way to support the relief efforts happening in Haiti at this very moment, please take a moment to read some of my Helping Haiti posts, which include ways that the beauty community is getting involved in the Haiti relief efforts (and how you can take part).

Product Review: Covergirl TRUblend Minerals Blush

Reviewer: Suziesaurus

Brand: Covergirl
Name: : TRUblend Minerals Blush
Size: 8 g
Price: n/a

Shade Tried: Natural Rose

I still use Covergirl's TRUblend Pressed Mineral Foundation, so when I ran out of blush I decided to give their mineral blush a try.

From Covergirl’s website: "Gentle mineral blush gives skin a healthy-looking flush of color. Wear TRUblend Microminerals Blush alone or layered over TRUblend Microminerals Foundation for a naturally flawless look."

To Purr About:
- available in 2 shades
- very light and airy feeling
- affordable price
- comes with a blush brush for application

Claws Out:
- not convenient to carry around for touch-ups
- 3 piece container (blush canister, brush canister and brush) is a bit clumsy
- brush is not very good quality and is very clumsy to hold/use

Final Comments:
I am a huge fan of mineral makeup products. I find that the end result is very polished, but natural look. This product is no exception – it is light and airy and not cakey at all. Also, the colour is very natural and gives me a nice complextion.

I would rather this product not come with a brush as it is bothersome to remove the brush from the brush canister to apply the product. In addition the lack of brush handle makes holding the brush clumsy.

Rating (out of 5):



If you have a product that you've tried and would like to write a review, send me an email! Details on how to submit a review can be found in the left-hand sidebar.

Disclosure: A free sample of this product was received by Cinnamon Kitten.

image: covergirl.com

NEW Product: benefit sugarbomb

Brand:benefit
Name: sugarbomb
Size: 12.0 g Net Wt. / 0.42 oz
Price: approx. $28 USD

I'm a huge fan of benefit's face powders, and use both dandelioni and 10 almost daily, so I'm excited to see what this new little box brings!

Benefit's latest little box powder, sugarbomb, has 4 different shades (rose, shimmering pink, soft plum and peach) that you blend together to create a "sugar rush flush".

As with all the other benefit box powders, this one comes packaged in the cardboard box with a soft, natural-bristle flush brush.

image: benefit.com

NEW Product Line: NARS Spring 2010 Collection

I know, I know, it's a litte early to be talking "spring", since it's still only January, but it's always nice to start thinking that eventually, it WILL get warmer again! :)


Inspired by Catherine Deneuve’s role as Lucille in La Chamade, the NARS Spring 2010 Collection features soft, sexy shades that are as elegant as they are versatile.

"I love Catherine’s makeup look in this movie," says François Nars, Founder and Creative Director of NARS Cosmetics who chose supermodel Amber Valletta for the campaign. "It’s very sophisticated and bourgeois in a Parisian ‘16th Arrondissement’ way. She is the perfect reference for this collection, and apropos for spring, a time to embrace color and get noticed."

The NARS Spring 2010 Collection will be available starting January 15, 2010 at narscosmetics.com


Lipstick, $24 USD
Captivating shades designed to provide the look and style the color dictates. Exceedingly longwearing. Nourishing and Non-drying, with Vitamin E.
- Cruising: a subtle, sexy pink lipstick hue that provides a sheer, natural colour

Lipgloss, $24 USD
Serious shine and sexy colour. Extremely wearable and versatile shades may be worn alone or over other lip products for heightened drama. Ultra-shiny and highly pigmented. Convenient wand application.
- Easy Lover: ultra-sheer hot pink
- Ophelia: high-shine strawberry nectar

Nail Polish, $16 USD
An exclusive formula with technology designed to improve flexibility, durability, wear and gloss properties. This longwearing formula provides a tough, durable chip-resistant finish and also has added UV protection to prevent polish discoloration. Toluene, Formaldehyde and DBP free.
- Purple Rain: intensely gothic purple

Single Eyeshadow, $23 USD
Longwearing, crease resistant color in sheer wearable formulas. All NARS eyeshadows can be applied sheer or layered for a more dramatic effect. These richly pigmented powders blend effortlessly and can also be used wet for precisely lining the eyes.
- D. Gorgeous: dusty lilac

Duo Eyeshadow, $32 USD
The same longwearing crease resistant formula as NARS single eyeshadow, in uniquely paired color combinations. Worn together or alone, all duo eyeshadows can be applied sheer or built up for a more dramatic effect. All powder eyeshadows can be used wet or dry.
- Kuala Lumpur: like its Malaysian city namesake, this perfectly harmonized gold infused rose and boysenberry pairing is influenced by contrasts—rich and subtle, traditional yet modern

Duo Cream Eyeshadow, $32 USD
Featuring custom color combinations that make perfect pairings, this soft-blending formula may be applied with fingertips or a brush for more precision and control. Shades may be worn alone or underneath NARS powder eyeshadows for more color, depth and intensity.
- Camargue: Named for the deep, dancing, sun-cast hues found in the French river delta, this pairing of golden moss and sienna, with multi-colored reflections comes in a soft-blending, glistening cream eyeshadow formula

images: press release

Product Review: ROC CompleteLift Anti-dark Circle Lifting Eye Cream

Reviewer: Suziesaurus

Brand: ROC
Name: : Complete Lift Anti-dark Circle Lifting Eye Cream
Size: 15 ml
Price: n/a

This will be the first time I’ve tried an ROC product. I’ve heard good things about their product line and I am looking for a new eye cream to help me look less tired.

"This high performance cream moisturises and visibly smoothes the eye contour. As you use in daily, your eyelids appear visibly lifted, the appearance of dark circles is reduced, for a bright-eyed look."

To Purr About:
- not oily or greasy
- was a very good base for make-up
- absorbed very quickly into my skin
- very moisturizing
- did not irritate my super sensitive skin

Claws Out:
- no major reduction of the dark circles under my eyes
- if too much product is used it will flake off

Final Comments:
Although I don't have a sagging issue I do use eye creams quite often, especially in the winter, because the area around my eye gets very dry and is quite sensitive. In addition, I'm starting to get dark circles under my eyes due to hectic schedules so I immediately snatched up this product because it had "Anti-dark circle" in its name.

I do love how this product keeps my eye area very nice and moisturized. It absorbed much more quickly than other eye creams I’ve tried which made makeup application easy. Unfortunately I didn’t find it really helped the dark circles under my eyes. A friend suggested that I might have a biased view on this product, because my eye area didn’t need smoothing or lifting, but just brightening. That could be true. I could however appreciate the positives of this product, one being that it would definitely keep my eye area nice and moisturized during the dry winter months.

Rating (out of 5):



If you have a product that you've tried and would like to write a review, send me an email! Details on how to submit a review can be found in the left-hand sidebar.

Disclosure: A free sample of this product was received by Cinnamon Kitten.