Our first cleanser on the chopping block is Renee Rouleau’s AHA/BHA Cleansing Gel, which was actually the winner of Allure’s Best of Beauty 2007 “Editor’s Choice” award. I was skeptical about a cleanser with jojoba beads really working as a makeup remover, but it’s actually quite efficient in doing that task.
The AHA/BHA Cleansing Gel is a soap-free, sulfate-free, non-drying gel that uses AHAs, BHAs and gentle Jojoba beads to smooth the skin and fade post-breakout marks while clearing clogged pores. The AHA/ BHA Cleansing Gel is great for polishing tired-looking skin and combating clogged pores. Recommended for oily or acne prone skin types.
Ingredients:
Salicylic Acid – an antiseptic and exfoliator
Grapefruit Oil – contains Vitamin C, antioxidants, and is an astringent
Make Up Forever as created their “Diamonds For Ever Kit” ($115 value), which features hues that have been diamond-infused – so think sparkles and shimmer! You will find their beset-selling Aqua Eyes and Diamond eyeshadow, diamond powder in Champagne, waterproof lengthening mascara in black, and Fascinating lip gloss ($45.00). Find MUFE at www.makeupforever.com or www.sephora.com.
LORAC brings a whole slew of nifty gift sets for this holiday season. Their big kahuna is “Fairytale Life” ($195 value), which is a Sephora exclusive and features eight eyeshadows in Star (Warm Beige Shimmer), Princess (Frosty Taupe), Rich (Light Khaki Shimmer), Jade (Green Shimmer), Glitz (Pink Champagne), Glam (Plum Shimmer), Elegant (Silver Crystal Shimmer), and Stunning (Navy Shimmer); two blushes in Dream (Tan Shimmer) and Fantasy (Rose Frost); two sparkling lip polishes in Fame (Cool Pink Shine) and Fortune (Warm Rosy Shimmer); Lotsa Lash Mini Fiber Mascara in Black; and a double-ended Eyeshadow/Liner Brush ($52.00). Total steal! They also have a darling set of lip glosses in their “Mini Mocktail Bar” ($67 value) which includes Razberi Cosmo (Raspberry Mauve), Guava Tiki (Peachy Pink), Tropical Dream (Peach Shimmer), Lava Flow (Dark Pink Sparkle), Caffeini Martini (Rose Brown), and Sex on the Beach (Fuscia) ($25.00). Don’t forget “Lotsa Gift”, which is a plumping set featuring lipstick, gloss, and mascara ($25.00). Still want more? Their “Showstopper Palette” is a gorgeous palette with eyeshadows in Sand (pale beige), Serenity (peach tan), Luxe (golden brown), and Glamour (smoky black); plus a blush in Couture (golden pink rose) ($35.00). Find your perfect gift at www.loraccosmetics.com and www.sephora.com.
Overall, I found Alexander McQueen to offer some lovely colors that don’t quite exist in the permanent consumer line, but with the eyeshadows and paint pots nearly identical to each other, this might be one collection that you’ll be able to pass a little more easily. All the colors were rich, and the paint pots were deliciously creamy in texture and well pigmented. The eyeshadow were smooth as silk, but with less pay off than I would have liked. I love the kohl powers, and here’s a chance to pick up one of the blackest black liners I’ve ever come across (Feline) once more!
Too Faced delights the holiday season with their “Lights, Camera, Glamour!” box filled with eight eyeshadows, six lip glosses, two blush powders, a bronzer, a face powder, a shimmer powder, a brow powder, and an eye liner powder ($40.00). Be sure to browse their Quickie Chronicles – The Miss Sixty Girl, “a runway-ready color palette for eyes, cheeks, and lips”, which features an eyeshadow quad, eyelinner duo, blush, and four lipglosses ($28.00). You can shop for these at www.toofaced.com or www.sephora.com.
Clinique just launched their Holiday 2007 collection, which includes several tempting products. You’ll find three Different Lipsticks in Raspberry Glace, Gingerfrost, and Ross Taffy ($14.00 each); two shades of Long Last Soft Shine Lipstick in Sugared Maple and Twilight Nude ($14.00 each); five shades of Full Potential Lips Plump and Shine in Glamour-full, Sugarplump, Voluptuous Violet, Camisole, and Rose Bloom ($17.50 each); a special eyeshadow quad in “Pink Truffle” ($25.00; naturally glossy mascara in “Meet Your Mascara” ($14.00); a cream liner in Smoke Grey ($14.50); and Fresh Bloom Allover Colour in Peony ($29.50). Shop this collection at www.clinique.com.
