.:: CybeleSays ::.

Part of getting in the mood for the season is not just visual. It is also … nosial. Scents pay a very important roll at this time more than any other time on the calendar. Here's one that really puts us in a festive mood.

SLATKiN & CO ScentPort Fragrance Scent Diffuser ($12.50 for portal, $12.50 for refills @ bathandbodyworks.com) has 8 new scents for you to stick in the wall and forget about. And this one is strong! Everytime I walk into the livingroom I am greeted by the scent from Cinnamon and Clove Buds and the kitchen says hello with Orange Nector. Happy nose!

For this season, it seems that bigger is better. SMASHBOX Light Wave Fusion Bronzing Powder & Brush ($49 @ smashbox.com) from their Beyond Beauty Holiday collection is one BIG case of bronzer (4 ½” around) and one BIG brush (3 ½” x 2”). The powder is 3 shades of silky powder called Light Wave and it smells vaguely of pina colada. Apply with the Fan Brush and hit the party.

Why miss big time with your man? You can’t when it comes to soap. They all use it and need it. One mine will be getting this year is MISTRAL Men’s Bar Soap in Cedarwood Marine ($14/8.8oz @ mistralsoap.com). It’s a triple milled quality soap made with Shea Butter, and extracts of Green Coffee and White Ginseng. And the fragrance of this one? All man! Cedar wood, eucalyptus, amber and forest.

File this one under, “I don’t know what to get her!” I am in love with CRIS NOTTI’s Red Parade print! How much do the colors on this one pop? And this one is durable. The print is protected by plastic so it won’t get dirty or damaged when traveling. My pick of the bunch is the 8" x 4½" x 2" Double Clutch ($45 @ crisnotti.com) but you really can’t lose no matter which size you choose.

Holiday shopping is now in full swing and to get you wheels turning, we'll bring you some great gift picks for the next few day so let's pik a kit ...

The Shadow Siren
SEPHORA Colorful Story Palette ($48 @ sephora.com) – a slim book of their 16 best selling eye shadows.

The Liner Lover
BOURJOiS French Art of Flirting ($36 @ sephora.com) – magnetic case containing their Ultra Black Mascara (a Cybelesays rec) and three of their Metallic Liners. Mmm bop!

The “I Need It All” Girl
TOO FACED Good Girl, Bad Girl Palette ($29.50 @ sephora.com) – two different side so each day you can decide your fate. The Good Girl side says candle light dinner for lips and eyes and Bad Girl says siren in dance club for lips and eyes.

Anything I can build on my own is a big plus in my book and that includes makeup. On my quest to really learn the art of sculpting my cheeks, this next one really helps make me stunning. GENIE BEAUTY Make Me Blush All-Over Face Color ($20 @ geniebeauty.com) is one of those “looks darker in the packaging then it really is” type products. So don’t be scared! The medium brown looks like it would only be good for certain tones but I tried it on three different friends (thanks Stacy, Rebecca and Melissa) and the cream gave each a boost. The mineral-based formula does not contain any shimmer, glitter or gloss and as I mentioned above, the color is totally build-able. Apply a swipe on the apples of cheeks and a little more under the cheekbones to really bring them out. The color can also be used on lips and lids.

These SKiN AN APOTHECARY products smell and feel so good, they make me dream of lying down in a field of poppies, or at least a bathtub full! They've totally won me over with their Soy Body Wash in the addicting Poppy fragrance ($15/16oz). And, being the scrubbing junkie that I am, the Poppy Sugar Glow ($21/16oz) takes front and center in my shower this week. It’s full of wonderful hydrating oils and when you use both of these, don’t be surprised if you find it difficult to get out of the shower! But the Poppy Body Whip ($25/16oz) should help you jump out.
When you can still smell a fragrance in your bathroom at the end of the day, you know it’s a keeper. I’m addicted, so I guess I’ll have to try their many other fragrances. All @ skinanapothecary.com ~Lisa

This is our last installment of Red, Red Lips and we have some serious ones on this list. Just do me one favor when it comes to red lipsticks, don’t let the look in the tube deceive you from trying what could be, your perfect shade!

1. NARS Lipstick in Jungle Red ($23 @ narscosmetics.com) – this is one bright red! It’s matte and very pigmented.
2. MAC new Mattene Lipstick in You Say Tomato ($14.50 @ maccosmetics.com) – semi-matte bright orange-red. For the experienced only!
3. SHISEIDO The Makeup Perfecting Lipstick in Red Luxe ($22 @ sephora.com) – you need sunglasses when you put this shade on. Bright and creamy. Proceed with caution.
4. DIANNE BRILL COSMETICS Lip Lingerie Lipstick in Cuban Heel ($28 @ beautyhabit.com) – when I think of this line, I think of this rich cocoa red. Deeply pigmented and it’s one of those that is lighter red on lips than it appears.
5. URBAN APOTHECARY Big Fat Kiss in Smirk ($20 @ urbanapothecary.com) – part gloss part lipstick. This is a warm glossy red that will make your lips look wet.
6. SCOTT BARNES Lip Suede in Crystal ($24 @ scottbarnes.com) – thick and rich pigment. Scott doesn’t mess around with sheers. This is a serious girls’ red lipstick.
7. OPI Lip Color in St. Petersburgundy ($10 @ amazon.com) – this is a deep burgundy red, like a shade you see on a model in a magazine. Pair with a pearl necklace and your look is ready.
8. TRISH McEVOY Flawless Lip Sheer Lip Liner in Rouge ($20 @ nordstrom.com) – for perfect precision with any red, use a pencil to line. This rosy red is not too dry or oily and it stays put.
9. LIPSTICK QUEEN Lipstick in Rouge Sinner ($18 @ lipstickqueen.com) – "all pigment and no shimmer or frost" is their tag line. This is a serious dark red.
10. SHU UEMURA Rouge Unlimited Red Collection in #195 ($23 @ shuuemura.com) – they are so confident about their formula for red, they came out with a whole collection of them. This one is silky and on the sheerer side.
11. SUKI COLOR Pure Cream Stain in Vermillion ($36.50 @ sukipure.com) – this glass pot is filled with pure deep burgundy wine pigment. Swipe this creamy mineral color on lips, cheeks, everywhere. Very sheer.

We know that not every red will fit every person so Linda, one of our faithful readers, has a suggestion for those with lips on the thin side or if you are over 40. “I found two from GARDEN BOTANIKA that are sheer and glossy and give my lips a deep red hue. The colors are Vitamin E Lip Tint’s Rhubarb and Black Raspberry Volumizing Lipstick. Despite the names they look red on my lips.” Thanks Linda!

I got so much more than I ever dreamed I would the first time I tried this is a super star at home mask. MALIN + GOETZ new Detox Face Mask ($38/4oz @ malinandgoetz.com) not only produced timely results but the smell of the natural almond extract calmed me immediately. The thick formula feels good going on the skin and afterwards it felt firmer, smoother, lifted and plumper! Amino acid hydration technology (their description) translates to adding stable vitamin c, vitamin e and soy protein to address concerns for aging. Oxygenation cleansing agents deep pore cleanse and lift out all the impurities. There is zero irritation and it is safe for all skin types. You really need to get this one! ~Lisa

STiLA wants to go along to your next big holiday party. So tuck one of these beautifully packaged palettes in your next evening bag:

Blanc and Noire Palettes ($32) are just what the doctor ordered for winter. Three eye shadows and one cheek color in a slim plush velvet designed magnetic case.
The Deluxe Palettes ($34) are five colors encased in a hard metal case adorned with Swarovski crystals. Both 5” x 1 ½” case is sure to please. Choose from Guinevere or Scarlett. All four palettes @ stilacosmetics.com