Concealers -Giorgio Armani - high precision retouch
Gail2 9/2/2008 8:16:00 PM
No doubt I'm not a magician but I do have a magic wand - it's my High Precision Retouch by Giorgio Armani. Breathes there a woman with skin so perfect that she doesn't need a little concealer now and then or every time she sets foot outside her door? Many concealers have been tried by me and found wanting save for this little gem in a 3 ½" inch tube. The applicator brush is slim, very much like an eyeliner brush making possible the most delicate of touch-ups. There's no way that my finger could cover a blemish as perfectly as this brush. Perfetto, Armani! It's available in a wide variety of shade to complement every skin tone.
9 out of 11 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Sue Devitt - Bermuda Triangle
Gail2 8/13/2008 8:17:00 PM
A triple threat to facial lines and a triple treat for lips, lids and cheeks - that's Sue Devitt's skin enhancing Bermuda Triangle Collection. Super moisturization and the beneficial actions of Orchid Extract are both found in the Bermuda Triangle Undereye Corrector. Created with a delicate peach hue the Corrector banishes dark circles and shoos away what we love to call expression lines. As they say preparation is of the utmost, and the Bermuda Triangle Eye. Lip, and Cheek Primer immediately creates a smooth one-tone canvas. Again, Orchid Extract woks for us with its multitude of benefits as subtle glitters give added fullness to lips. Hydrolyzed elastin and marine collagen found in the Bermuda Tingle Lip enhancing gloss not only keep lips hydrated but also promote elasticity while a delicate blush of peach give lips a very natural, healthy glow. The Bermuda Triangle Collection offers a trio of benefits plus maximum luxury at an affordable price.
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Concealers -Hourglass - Hidden Corrective Concealer
Gail2 7/26/2008 3:48:00 PM
A Wall Street cover-up can cost dearly; a beach cover-up protects. My latest must-have cover-up is Hidden Corrective Concealer by Hourglass, which doesn't cost a fortune and contains Vitamin E to protect and aid in healing. Housed in a lipstick-like shiny bronze tube the Concealer easily smooths into place. I gently apply to blemish or under eyes then lightly pat with a finger tip. Presto-changeo! The Concealer is so creamy that there's no pulling of the delicate eye area, and it swiftly disappears under foundation or powder. As a matter of fact, I often go without foundation, only sun screen and you'd never know I had any Concealer on. Further it has maximum staying power so there's no need to reapply for evening. Since my skin is fair, my Concealer shade is "Pearl". I've been using it for about a month and the Concealer still looks new, so a tube will undoubtedly last for a very long time. However, when I do run low it's available at sephora.com and Barney's New York. Hooray for Hourglass!
10 out of 10 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Accessories -Unlisted Brand - SPANX
Gail2 7/26/2008 3:40:00 PM
I've long been searching for a means To improve the way I look in jeans. Then I found a Spanx that binds us, Shapes and smoothes what is behind us. So here am I all sleek and svelte, But such sore feet I've never felt! For while this may be what I fit in, It's not something I can sit in. - Gail Cooke
23 out of 24 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Joey New York - WRINKLE SPRINKLE
Gail2 5/22/2008 3:17:00 PM
Tune in to QVC on Tuesday, May 27, for Pink Ribbon Beauty when a host of beauty must-haves will be offered with a portion of proceeds benefiting the Breast Cancer Research Fund. One of my favorite must-haves is from top product line Joey New York. While there are umpteen "wrinkle plumpers" on the market, I daresay none are as innovative and easy as Joey's Wrinkle Sprinkle. This is a fine white powder that turns to liquid with a touch of your finger. Simply tap a smidgen of the powder into the palm of your hand and then apply to lines or wrinkles. Presto change-o! Plus (heaven be praised!) the invisible weightless powder can be applied over or under makeup, so you can use it whenever and wherever. Late date? A surprise call for a hot job interview? Not to worry - Wrinkle Sprinkle comes in a slim 4 ½" tube easily popped into pocket, purse or desk drawer so it’s always there when you need it. Joey says, "A Sprinkle a Day Instantly Keeps the Wrinkles Away." I say, "A few Sprinkles a day keep my lines at bay."
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -LUSH - Big Calm Jelly
Gail2 5/21/2008 3:31:00 PM
There are some things we never seem to outgrow. For me (among the many) are staying up late, birthday parties, and playing in the water. What's more fun than diving into a wave, splashing (which often results in me being dunked), or simply floating on a hot summer's day? Evidently I came to this fondness for water frolic at an early age as I well remember Mom cautioning me not to play in the tub. If she could only see me now - fully grown and playing in the shower with my Big Calm Jelly! For openers, the scent is delicious. It smells like a pina colada, redolent of pineapple and coconut. And, it looks like the ocean - that is if the ocean were captured in Jello. Turquoise with strands of white remind me of waves or the frothy wake of a ship at sea. Speaking of froth Big Calm Jelly, just a little bit of it froths, foams, and makes beautiful bubbles, mountains of them. (Think Everest, K-2, Kanchenjunga!)Other bath/shower gels hang their foams in shame. Since it's summer Big Calm will be happier if kept in your freezer. I keep most of it there and just a little in a small bowl in the bathroom. After all, while I do love to play in water I don't like to drip it all over the carpet if I must run downstairs to take Big out of the freezer. Soap bars aren't as dandy, So keep Big Calm handy! - Gail Cooke
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Concealers -Laura Mercier - Secret Concealer
Gail2 4/27/2008 2:27:00 PM
In her recent book "Free Gift With Purchase," the Beauty Editor of Lucky Magazine, Jean Godfrey-June, writes: "I'd like to say in every issue that Laura Mercier's concealer is the best....." I'll second that. Mercier's pot of Secret Concealer is a bit of magic not only as a cover-up but its moisture-rich, emollient formula is also TLC for the dry, sensitive skin under our eyes. The addition of Vitamin E stays moisture loss while Vitamin A conditions skin. Just a wee bit of Secret Concealer gives maximum coverage that looks totally natural as it banishes fine lines around the eyes and obscures any darkness or shadows beneath. I'd recommend setting it with Mercier's Translucent Powder for long lasting day into evening cover. - Gail Cooke
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Laura Geller - Lip Makeover Kit
Gail2 4/14/2008 3:26:00 PM
More than soothing, more than smoothing, Laura Geller's two product Lip Makeover Kit gives lips twice the tender loving care they need, and a double dose of softness. While there are many lip "scrubs" on the market, they leave you to decide how to hydrate. And, there are a plentitude of lip softeners that are of little benefit when dry, rough skin isn't removed. This dandy daily treatment doesn't miss a trick - first apply Lip Strip, an effective yet gentle exfoliator that buffs away dry skin. Next, apply Lip Love, an unparalleled gloss that thoroughly hydrates and enhances shine. Lips have never looked so luscious! - Gail Cooke
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Palettes -Bobbi Brown - Nude Eye and Lip Palette
Gail2 4/11/2008 1:44:00 PM
Bobbi Brown does it better season after season after season. What she does is make us look better while still looking very much like ourselves. Friends say, "You look fabulous!" Not, "Are you wearing a new blush?" Simply, "You look great!" What Bobbi does this spring is offer a Nude Collection with, as she says, "Natural colors I see in people's faces." How true! Your look is enhanced, vibrant, alive, yet there is positively nothing made up about your appearance. One of my absolute must-haves is Bobbi's Limited Edition Nude Lip and Eye Palette in her slim double drawer mirrored signature case. The shades are subtle yet gorgeous with perfectly paired eye and lip colors. The case holds Buff Shimmer Walsh Eye Shadow, Nude Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow, Bare Eye Shadow, and Naked Eye Shadow. What works well for me is to cover the entire lid with Bone Eye Shadow. The lip colors are both luscious and lasting. From among Bare, Beige, Brownie Pink, and Cocoa I love the effect of Bare for my lips and Buff Shimmer Wash Shadow or Brownie Pink paired with the Nude Shimmer Wash Shadow. The possibilities are endless and you can't go wrong as all the colors are compatible. Of course, Bobbi misses nothing so she includes an Eye Shadow Brush and a capped Lip Brush in the compact. Mother Nature is coloring everything for summer and Bobbi's taking care of me!
5 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Giorgio Armani - Crema Nera Mineral Cleansing Balm
Gail2 4/10/2008 4:52:00 PM
Who among us hasn't tried umpteen different ways to effectively remove makeup? I went through a period of dampening a cotton ball with what was purported to be a good eye makeup remover and then cleansing the rest of my face with another product. Results? Not too satisfactory! However, patience does seem to have its rewards because after years of trying, experimenting, and, yes, tugging of skin, I've found Armani's Cream Nera Mineral Cleansing Balm. Balm is often defined as an ointment used to heal or soothe the skin. Precisely! When you massage this Cleansing Balm over your face, it becomes an oil that simply melts makeup! Once that has been done, the Balm and the makeup are easily rinsed away. As if the gentle thorough cleansing were not enough the Balm left my skin soft and shining.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Jan Marini - Age Intervention Face Serum
Gail2 3/18/2008 3:58:00 PM
After reading that Jan Marini's Age Intervention Face Serum was specifically formulated to foil the years by focusing on two important areas - hormonal levels and too much fun in the sun, I made a beeline for it. Texas is not a friendly climate for dewy skin! I'm well pleased with the results so far, and will have more to say in a few more weeks. . The Serum goes on easily and absorbs quickly, leaving my face smooth for makeup in the morning and without pillowcase reminders at night. We all know that the march of Ol' Father Time can't be actually stopped, but "Age Intervention" is surely a step in the right direction! - Gail Cooke
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Masks -Laura Mercier - intensive moisture mask
Gail2 3/10/2008 1:51:00 PM
Long a devotee of Laura Mercier's makeup line it didn't take me long to join the ranks of fans for her skincare products. I have a great many favorites, but let's start with her Intensive Moisture Mask. My skin can't be classified as dry, more combination yet for me this mask gives an added boost, a suppleness, brightness, and added definition. Too much of a hurry to use it on weekday mornings, I apply it in the evening and leave it on while bathing. After a long day I can almost feel the moisture penetrating and rejuvenating my face and throat. It's easily removed with a washcloth before applying my nighttime treatment. (Laura's Night Nutrition Renewal Creme for Normal to Dry Skin is a favorite!) Of course, weekend evenings are special times (hopefully) so I use it in the mornings as the beneficial effects last well past the witching hour. - Gail Cooke
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Bath Treatments -Laura Mercier - French Vanilla Honey Bath
Gail2 2/24/2008 1:54:00 PM
With a nod to France and all things luxurious, , Laura Mercier offers a scent both warm and sensual in her French Vanilla Honey Bath. This fragrance is an inspired combination of delectable elements - vanillas, caramel, and Kadota fig, plus the soothing notes of sandalwood and amber. It's not only divinely delicious but diplicious - simply twirl the accompanying wooden dipper in the Honey Bath then hold under running water. Watch your tub fill with rich, creamy, foamy bubbles that not only soothe and smooth but firm and tone as well. It's said that Cleopatra's silken skin was due to her milk baths, and that Antony was so beguiled by her beauty that he totally forgot he was a soldier and had a wife. Just think what Antony's reaction would have been had Cleo used French Vanilla Honey Bath! One can only ponder how it might have changed the course of history. While my ablutions will not be recorded for the ages, I do love following this bath with French Vanilla Souffle Body Creme. That's the absolute ultimate! - Gail Cooke
4 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Palettes -Bobbi Brown - Spring 2008 Pink Raspberry Face Palette
Gail2 1/31/2008 2:35:00 PM
Just think of all the really, really good things that begin with the letter P - Pastry (yum!), Parfait (one more yum), Pretty, Pleasure, Perfect. Add to that list Pink Raspberry Face Palette from Bobbi Brown! While Bobbi has certainly done a number of stunning collections, for me this is the most gorgeous to date - while it looks good enough to eat, it looks even more incredible on. Raspberry is a flattering shade for every complexion and in this palette Bobbi has presented a cool Pink Raspberry Blush that is the twin of a natural flush - so appealing! The Blush is complemented by either Raspberry Lip Sheer or Blue Raspberry Lip Sheer. These colors glide on giving lips an all day pop of shimmery color. The coup? Eyes highlighted with Navajo and Fog Eye Shadow - dusky, alluring, a perfect play against the delicious raspberry of cheeks and lips. Eyes are widened, more luminous. All of this in Bobbi's signature mirrored limited edition compact. The beautiful Possibilities are Positively Priceless! - Gail Cooke
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Lip Gloss -Urban Decay - XXX Shine in Guys Love Betsey
Gail2 1/21/2008 7:32:00 PM
Not first things first but best things first - the best thing about this glam grab bag from Urban Decay is that it holds eight mini lip glosses - every one a fav and shades are all the way from Naked to Baked. In between you can sport the hottest pink - Quickie. Or, , on another day be demure with cotton-candy pinked Carney. Go natural with Heatherette or look delicious with shiny red Guys Love Betsey. And, there's even more - go on the town with Joyride or be angelic with the clear Ozone. An octet of opulent colors all in a cute violet pull-out drawer box that can be saved for a number of uses. That's the second best thing about this set - love kits that come with a bonus! I also love mini sizes - as I like variety in the shades I wear and some glosses I've had seem to last forever when I really wish they wouldn't! - Gail Cooke
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