.:: CybeleSays ::.

How Can I Say No?

I am totally fascinated by this next new line, YES TO CARROTS. They get right to the point! The line is based on the power of vitamins and minerals and the Dead Sea. We have all heard of the benefits from the Dead Sea’s mud that you can’t find anywhere else. Their products incorporate all the above to nourish and detoxify the skin. And the name? Each contains juices from carrots, oranges and others they pack in each. My pick of the moment is the Hand and Elbow Moisturizing Cream ($9.99/6.76oz) and the Body Butter ($12.99/8.45oz). Even if I can’t give my insides nourishment everyday, at least I can with my outsides. Both for great prices @ yes-to-carrots.com

Take On A Stain

The only thing I don’t like about a pot of gloss or stain is that after I get it on my finger and apply to my lips, what do I do with the bit that’s left on my finger besides look for a napkin to wipe it off on? What a waste of product!
LAURA MERCiER’s new Lip Stain ($20 @ nordstrom.com) leaves me to figure out that issue but the result on my lips is worth it. I have tried a lot of stains in my beauty lifetime and I can stand up and say, “I can’t feel this one on your lips at all!” Color picks: Sugar Violet (deep rosy mauve) and Scarlet (bright cherry red).
Now if they could just include a handy-dandy application tool, this one would be perfect.

!Bon Voyage!

Not only do we love travel kits because you can get on the plane but they’re a great way to try more than one product in the line to see what you like. PHiLiP B Travel Kit ($30 @ philipb.com) is 4-2oz bottles of their best sellers in one cute zippered case. The two shampoos have SLS’s in them so if you color your hair, you may not want to use them.
African Shea Butter Shampoo (for all hair types – contains vitamin B5 – no fragrance), Scent of Sante Fe Shampoo (very gentle – 10% pure plant extracts of sage, Pinon, and Juniper Berry), Deep-Conditioning Crème Rinse (contains African Shea Butter, Wheat germ and soy protein), Peppermint Avocado Shampoo (contains extracts of peppermint, avocado and 16 plant extracts).

"In the Summertime ... When the Weather is High ...

... you can stretch right up an' touch the sky ... when the weather's fine ..."

It’s not too late to get your summer on. Keep it going even after you flick that last piece of sand off your foot. These can help bring the season out of you.

BEACH GiRL BEAUTY The 9^th Wave Exfoliator ($16/10oz @ beautygirlbeauty.com) in Gidget’s Paradise doubles as a body wash and exfoliator using sugar and oils to soothe parched skin.

YAROK Serum 4 Chill After Sun ($50/2oz @ yarokhair.com) is a treatment for hair and scalp that contains 94% organic ingredients to repair and nourish after a long day in the sun.
Get your relaxation on with DEMETER Mojito Cologne Spray ($20/1oz @ demeterfragrnce.com) and take a mental vacation through your nose.

Scents of Summer

Lately, when I feel as though I have to unwind after a long day with a refreshing shower or bath, I take along UPPER CANADA SOAPS’ Sugar Scrub in Pineapple Guava from the Fruit Frappe collection. Not only does it slough away dead skin cells but it’s smells good enough to each. Great gooey goodness! Simply scoop up this sweet treat that’s made with sugar, grape seed and soy oil, massage gently all over the body, then rinse and glow. Available in four other sensational summer scents. $15/12oz @ uppercanadasoap.com ~Randi

What Wash R U?

The term stonewashed is kinda out. So 80’s, right? But not in the case of BOBBI BROWN’s Fall 2007 Stonewashed Nudes Collection. Cool toned and muted with naturally enhanced shades on lips and cheeks are what this collection is all about.Stonewashed Nude Palette ($50), Stonewashed Pot Rouge for Lips & Cheeks ($22) in Stonewashed Pink, six new Lip Colors ($21) and two new Stonewashed Shimmer Lip Glosses ($19) in Stonewashed Pink and Stonewashed Mauve. All @ bobbibrown.com. Here are our picks:

Beautiful Benefits

The packaging is sleek and silver and classy but what’s inside will wow you more. 29 COSMETiCS’ premise is that every product should protect and nourish your skin. They use the major anti-aging ingredient grape seed extract in every product and they really pack it in there. The First Crush Lip Scrub ($23), in its lipstick silver case, does double duty. Not only does it exfoliate your lips, it soothes them at the same time with the grape seed oil, and also coconut oil, apricot seeds and Shea butter. No excuses now not to treat your lips on a regular basis.
A must have for your handbag is the Napa Mist Replenishing Atomizer ($25). Again, grape seed oil and an added touch of rosewater makes this fine spraying mist perfect for setting your makeup or for refreshing your skin as often as needed. Both @ 29cosmetics.com ~Lisa

Bubble Dance

Full on bath season is coming and this RAMY BEAUTY THERAPY Bath-A-Rama Portable Bubble Bath ($15/4.7oz @ ramy.com) is one that will get you in the mood. It can be used as a regular bath bar but if you feel like relaxing in a tub of bubbles, run it under your bath water! And either way you use it, you’ll reap the rewards from the vitamins A, C, E, D and sweet almond oil. Ooodle of bubbles and a sweet candy scent. Now that’s double-duty.

Get A Little Naughty

With a luscious lipstick named Promiscuous, you just know it has to be from NARS and it is as its part of the new Fall 2007 Modern Odyssey Collection. This long lasting shimmering honey beige Lipstick ($23) gives lips a natural but beautiful explosion of color. And that’s just what this collection is about – bold popping colors of warm metallics. Dust the Single Eye Shadow ($21) in Voyage, a tan with gold shimmer, all over lids for a soft glow. And this one really illuminates my baby blues. If you are looking for an easy way to wear more than one shade from this creative collection, try the Duo Eye Shadows ($31), all in perfect coordinated shades. I’ve been wearing Kalahari, bronze and milk chocolate, but be sure to sneak a peek at Underworld, a smoke and dark blue gray, and Brazil, a sand and rose. Finish off the look with a great Lip Gloss ($23) like Chantaco, a deep berry beige or Tempest, a natural pink beige with shimmer.
A little bit naughty and all NARS. Fantastic! All available @ narscosmetics.com ~Randi

The Lighter Side of … Scents of the Season

If lighter scents are your summer choice, I’ve recently tried two of them that fit the bill perfectly.

MiSTRAL’s Grapefruit Red Current Eau De Parfum is light, fresh, fruity and mood lifting with white jasmine, lemon blossom and freesia added. $48/1.7oz @ mistralsoap.com 

A fragrance inspired by her memories of Toronto, SUSANNE LANG’s Augustina Collection consists of three scents inspired by her three favorite streets in the city. I’m in the pink with Roxborough which is a sultry scent containing spice and powdery musk notes. It’s fantastic for an all over hair and body spray! $80/2oz @ fragrancesandmore.biz ~Lisa

Tropical Quenchers

If using organic products is your choice in cosmetics, you can’t beat the ALBA BOTANiCA all natural line. I don’t know about you but I seem to end up putting one or two lip glosses in every pocket and purse and these are great to have on hand.  Alba Hawaiian Clear Lip Glosses come in Pineapple, Passion Fruit (my fave) and Coconut Cream. Vitamin E, sunflower oil, beeswax, fruit extracts, Shea butter … the list of good-for-you ingredients goes on and on. Try all 3 yummy flavors! $4.95 @ albabotanica.com ~Lisa

Stylin’ Queen (sung to the tune of Dancing Queen)

There is truly something out there for everyone’s hair texture. Change your look by changing your styling products and here are a few to get you started.

For those of you that feel comfortable using a gel, TERAX Styling Gel fits the bill. You get a medium hold with special care from Vitamins B & E. $12/5oz @ sephora.com

A good friend of mine can’t seem to let go of the 80’s and her big hair. Deciding to go with it, I asked her to put down the Aqua Net in the pink can and try SUDZZ FX LockUp Firm Hold ($16.98/8oz @ sudzzfx.com). Straight from her mouth – “it holds and helps me style better than the pink stuff.” Need we say more?
To help prevent sun or blow dry damage all year ‘round, a few sprays of BiOLAGE Color Care Shielding Shine Mist before applying the heating tools will prevent heat damage and it adds a nice shine and fresh scent $13.95/4.2oz @ adiscountbeauty.com ~Lisa

Sun-Sational Sunscreen

Even though the summer will be over before you know it, that doesn’t mean you can pack up your sunscreen for the winter. One major doctor in the field, DR. BRANDT, recommends using one with a minimum of SPF 30 to fully protect. His Tinted Daily UV Protection SPF 30 claims to activate the skin’s natural defenses to protect from the suns damaging rays that can break down natural collagen. And as we age, we need to keep all our collagen!

The formula comes in three shades, Colorless, Face Medium Bronze, and the one I’ve been using, Face Light Bronze. So not only am I getting the full spectrum of protection, I’m also getting a slight tint that evens out my skin tone. It absorbs quickly into the skin leaving no oily residue and a matte finish. I put a teaspoon of this on my face each morning after my moisturizer, just as the doc advises, and I plan to use it everyday until it’s gone to prevent skin cell damage. $30/1.7oz @ drbrandtskincare.com ~Randi

Instant Gratification

Basking at the beach? Suffering in the sauna? On-the-spot indulgence can be at the tips of your fingertips with a face mist. Choose from these two and never find yourself caught in a sweat again. SiRCUiT SKiN new Immaculate Mist ($36/2oz @ sircuitskin.com) will help oily skin types calm down. It’s formulated with Organic Tea Tree Oil to give instant relief.

WATERSALL’s Splash Cool Swimming Pool In A Can ($12.50/5oz @ splashcool.com) is the ultimate beach bag accessory. Each mist will not only cool you down but also help restore the skin’s natural pH.

I'm Sending My Hair On Vacation

Too much color, too much heat styling, and too much sun? Send your hair on a vacation with LEONOR GREYL Huile Palme ($39/3.2oz @ beautyhabit.com). This golden rich, tropical smelling oil has quite a few uses: pre-shampoo treatment for dry hair, protection from sun, seawater, and chlorinated water. Comb it through your hair before going to the beach or pool, leave it on as an overnight treatment for maximum softening, or just slick a little bit on when you are wearing a pulled back look. I’m actually wearing it right now as I write this!  This formula is made with 97% natural oils, so from root to tips, you CAN restore your hair. ~Lisa

Jessica Nails Fall

If you feel like shedding your sheer polishes for fall and going bold, check out celebrity manicurist JESSiCA COSMETiCS Slick Tricks collection of six mysterious and marvelous metallic shades that actually change color as they dry. When used with Brillance, the top selling base and top coat from this line, these polishes fuse together to reveal a rich depth of color and wonderful wet-look. There’s Dirty Dancing, a gorgeous grape, Cheap Trick, a turquoise, Burlesque Rose, a rosy red, Purple Rain, a vibrant violet, Fancy Fishnets, a bluish purple, and Vinyl Vixen, a brown purple, and each polish is fun so get ready to experience some pedicure and manicure magic. $6.50 @ jessicacosmetics.com ~Randi

Cake Without the Calories

It’s a Slice Creamy Body-Buffer ($24/5.2oz) by CAKE BEAUTY is the creamiest all over body scrub I’ve used in quite some time and it doesn’t add an inch to the waistline. Scented with creamy orange and vanilla, use this in the bath or shower a couple of times of week for supple and buff skin. Go on and smother yourself!  After polishing, rub on Desserted Island Moisturizing Body Glaze ($22/4oz). It’s the ultimate indulgence nourishing dry oil body glaze and it smells like vanilla icing with coconut cream. So yummy and it’s absorbed quickly into the skin giving you all-over suppleness and a great glow. If you stock up on these products, you won’t need to visit the corner bakery. $22/4oz @ cakebeauty.com ~Randi

Let Zelens Show You the Way

BellaSugar.com recently conducted a poll on packaging and how important is to women.

• 32% said, ”It's important. Why would I buy a beauty product that isn't beautiful in itself?”
• 56% said, “It matters a little. Lousy packaging isn’t a deal-breaker, but it helps”
• 12% said, “It’s not important. If the product is good, who cares what the container looks like?”

I really thought the “it’s important” percentage would be higher. I know how I feel about how a beauty product is presented and just assumed that all women thought it would be just as important. One company that doesn’t disappoint in the packaging department is ZELENS. We previewed the line a few months ago and we were lucky enough to get our hands on some of the products. A plastic and reconstructive surgeon who is also published created the line in the UK. My favorite so far is the the Cellular Reconstruction Night Cream ($225/1.69oz @ spacenk.com). Housed inside a study cardboard box, just pull on the satin tie that pulls the drawer out to reveal the frosted green glass container. This fluffy night cream is one that heals and restores the skin overnight. Key standouts: contains 14 natural anti-oxidants, claims to stimulate the production of fibroblasts (the cells that produce natural collagen) and blocks the key enzyme that causes degradation of collagen, and it has a very subtle scent from the Shiso extract, which is a Japanese mint leaf.
Now I have to think of what I am going to keep in this cool box when I'm done with the product ...

Coming Our Way *Preview* Bites

MAC has a new fragrance due out at the end of November. Air of Style will be part of the brand's Stylistics Collection for the holidays.

MICHAEL KORS is coming out with a limited edition fragrance, Island Capri, this fall.
22 brands will be putting out exclusive holiday offereings through the Sephora chain. Some of the brands will be Benefit, Ojon, Stila, Bare Escentuals, and Make Up For Ever. They will be on their website and in stores in October

Merging ancient botanicals with today's biotechnology is what ANTIQUA PRIMA is all about. This new line of skin care will roll out their 16 products by the end of the year.

Source: WWD

Magical Pen

This REVLON Makeup Eraser Pen ($7.99 @ drugstore.com) was a recent pleasant drugstore purchase surprise. One the end of this pen is an eraser-like hard sponge that cleans up any makeup mistakes. Draw too long a line with your liquid liner? Mascara slip onto your lid? Just erase it with this pen. It uses a greaseless formula and the eraser is totally dry. Smudges, smears, waterproof mascara marks, anything. And it will take it away with precision. No more messy liquids and gels to fix your face. Love this pen!

Scents of Summer

The bottle reminds me of the blue of the Mediterranean Sea. And I can certainly see myself on the white beaches surrounding the water when I wear Brises de Vie Aqua Eau de Toilette from L’BEL PARIS ($28/3.4oz @ lbel.com). The translation of the name is Breezes of Life and I think this one gives another well known “clean” line a run for their money. The longer you wear this, the better the fragrance smells on your skin. Refreshing and light and perfect for a summer night out! ~Lisa

Everyone Needs More Zen

Cybele enlightened us to the wonderful AKHASSA products she tried a few weeks ago and now I have more good news to report on this line. My shower has been improved with their Bath Mitt ($22) in Ginger from the Define collection. The intoxicating mixture of ginger, clove and black pepper oil combined with coconut, rice and olive oils inside a square exfoliating mitt, is quite a delightful experience. There’s a little handle to hang it to dry and you can use it over and over for an excellent moisturizing exfoliation.

And here’s a strange Akhassa coincidence. Last week I treated myself to a pedicure at a new salon in Frisco, Texas called Zen Nail and Beauty Bar (zensalons.com) and guess what products they use for pedicures??? Akhassa! This was undoubtedly the BEST pedicure I’ve ever had and the products definitely enhanced the experience. The Kaffir Lime Foot Soak ($40), Ginger Foot Compress ($16) and Lemongrass Foot Cream ($32) were enough to send me to dream land for a relaxing nap. And their zen-like atmosphere enhances this hour long ode to your feet. Check it out if you ever get to our great state or create a zen-like spa in your own home @ akhassausa.com ~Lisa

The Ultimate Diva

This perfume is a tribute to the woman I have always revered and looked up to for being the original queen of beauty ~ Cleopatra! TOCCA has done it again with the sensual, unique fragrance of Cleopatra Eau De Parfum. This gorgeous scent has notes of orange, jasmine petals, cassis, tuberose, white peach, patchouli, green leaves and dark amber. Ah, it’s the amber that gets me every time! It makes a statement that says I am confident, sexy, strong and beautiful.  What more could you ask for in a fragrance?  Find it for $68/1.7oz @ sephora.com ~Lisa

'Tis the Season

Three out of the four shades of CLINIQUE’s new Up-Lighting Liquid Illuminator ($22.50 @ clinique.com) look pretty intimidating. What am I supposed to do with all this 1oz color? Like most lipsticks inside the tube, looks are deceiving. This oil-free formula is very sheer and it is meant to highlight, contour and add luminosity to areas on the face and body - cheeks, brows, and décolleté. Anywhere really. And it can be mixed with your foundation. Choose from Natural, Peach, Blush and Bronze. Subtle, sensational and sooooo summery.

S.O.S - Save Our Strands

We're in the home stretch of summer, all the way to the tips of our strands! THERMAFUSE has created a special kit for those of us who insist on torturing their hair this time of year. Their Summer Essentials trio is all the necessary strand savers: the spray-on ThermaCare Leave-In Conditioner ($18.50/8oz), Esculpt Medium-firm Gel ($16.50/6.8oz) and the frizz-eliminating spray, Shine Polishing Spray ($14/2oz).
And if the damage is already done, check into their Summer After-Care Treatment trio. You can thank us later. All @ thermafuse.com

Go Au Natural

Makeup artist to the stars, Mally Roncal, has just introduced The MALLY BEAUTY New Naturals Collection, but these are definitely not your hum-drum shades. This complete collection includes shadows, liners, blushes, lipsticks, eye poppers, and lip glosses. Each of these products comes in three shade groupings; Fun, for a casual look, Fierce, for sultry evenings, and Fabulous, a polished, professional daytime look. I’ve being wearing two of the Lip Veil Lipstick shades and they are emollient, and give me luscious looking natural lips. I love Ginger which is a pink peach with a touch of gold from the Fun group, and Paprika, an earthy red from the Fabulous group. Be sure to check out the entire collection because natural has never been this good. $15 @ qvc.com ~Randi

Just b.e.

We touted BECKER-ESHAYA’s Be Eau de Parfum fragrance last year and they’ve complimented it with a moisturizing Body Lotion ($30/8.1oz @ beautyhabit.com). Italian mandarin, pink peony, lily of the valley (a big favorite), rose and a hint of musk are the notes as well as aloe vera and flower extracts. The best trait of a scented lotion is that is can be worn alone like during these hot sticky summer days or layered to make the scent last longer.

*I read that they will be coming out with a new fragrance shortly, Golden Amber. We’ll keep you posted.

Apply A Little Pizzazz

A kickin’ bold color is a great way to show off your mani/pedi this summer and nail art is becoming all the rage. KiSS USA’s Nail Stickers ($2.99 @ walgreens.com) come in a variety of colors and shapes and they are really easy to apply. Just paint on your polish, wait for it to dry, and then using a tweezer, pick off the one you want and place it on the nail. Apply a topcoat and you’re done. Easy!

A Little Salt ... A Little Sugar

Ok, ok, I think I’m changing my tune when it comes to salt scrubs. Maybe they are just getting better? SAMPAR Lap of Luxury Sea Scrub ($68/8.5oz @ beautyexclusive.com) is one that has me rethinking my stance. It contains rich Marine salt and essential oils to get rid of dead skin cells for smoother you. Not drying at all. Think of jumping in the cold ocean and how it invigorated your skin feels afterward. ‘Nuff said.

As we age, it’s hard for a lotion to do its job because the bottom layer doesn’t regenerate as much. A good scrub can help with absorption so your skin can get the most out of any moisturizer. One the budget-friendly side is ST. IVES Healthy Brilliance Brighten & Glow In-Shower Exfoliating Body Polish ($7/8oz @ drugstores nationwide). It uses sugar to removed dead skin and has a pleasant citrus scent. This is a very concentrated and thick scrub that stays where you put it. We need to come up with a term for that – a thick non-oily scrub. Any ideas?

Sun-Sational Sunscreen

It’s well over 100 degrees in Texas these days so I have to be sure I am wearing a serious sunscreen on my face. DARPHiN has a multi tasking Protective Face Cream with SPF 30 in their collection that is a total skin saver. Not only does this oil free formula protect against UVA and UVB rays, but also it hydrates the skin, protects against wrinkles, age spots and other damaging effects of sun exposure. It also contains a breakthrough antioxidant that increases its potency, as sun exposure gets stronger. You can’t ask for more than that! This is good for all skin types and has a very faint botanical aroma. $50/2.6oz @ eluxury.com ~Lisa