.:: CybeleSays ::.

There’s nothing like a soothing hand cream to really make my dry hands feel better and this one lasts well after I’ve put the cap back on the tube. LA MER The Hand Treatment ($70/3.4oz @ cremedelamer.com) may be a bit on the pricey side but as I’ve mentioned before, isn’t it worth it to pay a little extra for something that really works for you? This is certainly one of those products. And this formula contains an exclusive Skin Lightening Complex that helps jazz up how the skin on your hands looks. I’m also a fan of the light scent it leaves behind. Nice job La Mer.

Thanks goodness for at-home treatments! I’m not really a spa type girl except for a massage. Other than that, you won’t find me there on a Saturday afternoon. Since Microdermabrasion kits started appearing on the scene a few years back, I was intrigued but not really won over. Yes, there are some good ones out there and I am putting this ZiA NATURAL Microdermabrasion System ($79.95 @ zianatural.com) in that category.

The most important trait when looking at anything you put on your face is to make sure it gentle and won’t make microscopic tears in the skin. Most scrubs that say “for the face” are too harsh for the face and it seems that the only good ones on the market are those with synthetic beads. The Natural Microdermabrasion Scrub (2.5oz) in this kit uses a Magnesium Oxide Crystal Crème to exfoliate and from what I could find online, it’s pretty gentle and I found quite a few popular scrubs that also use this ingredient. Also contained in this kit is the, the Microdermabrasion Tool with Stand and a Replaceable Sponge Head. And this is the fun part! Simply apply a nickel-sized amount of the scrub on the sponge head of the Tool and run it all over your face from 1 to 3 minutes. Afterwards, use the Skin Balancing Tonic (3.3oz) and then the Moisture Infusion Serum (.5oz) to seal the deal.

SHU UEMURA’s Pressed Eye Shadow N ($20 @ shuuemura.com) is a new formula of powders (I’m guessing the “N” at the end of the name stands for New). I always thought the original ones were a nice quality and the clear cases were neat. These new squares of finely milled micro-pressed powders and light capturing powders. So these new recipes not only seem to adhere to the skin better but they still have the superior blending ability I came to love. And they ever sleek-a-fied the Lucite packaging. I’m not sure if they are converting all 100 or so colors or just a big handful of them. Either way, if you have not tried these shadows, here’s a great reason to now.

In April, GUERLAIN is coming out with a $35 mascara called Le 2 de Guerlain. It's a two-brush mascara "powered by space-age polymers."

Jean Paul GAULTIER is trying his hand in the skin care and color cosmetics made just for men. The line will be called Monsieur and available also in April.

VERSACE Pour Homme, the counterpart to their fragrance for women, Versace, will hit the US marketing in August.

The KERASTASE hair line is coming out with a three-product system to address those with color-treated and highlighted strands. Réflection Chroma Riche will complement their line Réflection, which is specifically for color-treated hair. The trio of products will be available in salons in February.

Complexions by Dr. Watts is an 8-product line that will launch on HSN as an alternative to plastic surgery.

Source: WWD

The best way for any moisturizer to work is to use a scrub to remove all the dead skin beforehand. This really allows the moisturizer to sink in deep. I am really liking SURGEON’S SKiN SECRET One Step Manicure ($3.99 - $24.95/1oz - 16oz @ jamarklabs.com). It’s Shea Butter, essential oils (lemon, jojoba and almond) mixed in sea salt. Massage a tablespoon all over hands and get ready for softness.

Is the cold taking its toll on your skin? DARPHIN’s Aromatic Purifying Balm ($75/.5oz, $220/1.6oz @ darphin.com) is perfect for this time of year. It contains Tea tree, Lavender, Sage, Geranium and Grapefruit essential oils; Hazelnut and St. John’s Wort oils and Beeswax. These ingredients really hydrate the skin and it is recommended for use before you hit the hay. And where does the “Aromatic” part come in? Some of the above ingredients are pretty fragrant, especially the Lavender. This one’s nice after a long day.

Need to keep every hair in place? Cream or spray, these use different formulas for different holds.

PROFOUND BEAUTY Structure Luxe Cream ($28/4.75oz @ profoundbeauty.com) – This cream is the modernized version of the 60’s/70’s setting creams. Wanna create some waves but afraid that they won’t last long? You could do it with hairspray but the finished look always has that hard crunch effect. This one leaves a more natural look.

L’OREAL Elnett Hairspray ($12/2.5oz, $21/6.7oz @ amazon.com/beauty) - This hairspray has such a cult following and after discovering it a few years ago, I can see why. It brushes out so it allows a woman to change her mind! And thankfully it is not hard to find anymore.

PAUL MITCHELL Extra-Body Firm Finishing Spray ($12.99/11oz @ paulmitchell.com) – Here’s a hair staple. You need to hold your hair style; I mean really hold your hair style firmly in place. Here’s your answer.

I love when a line keeps it very basic. Like the one from DiANA B. Their moto is CLEANSE. HYDRATE. NOURISH. TRANSFORM. And yes, all in caps.

CLEASE = Foaming Facial Sugar Scrub

HYDRATE = Hydrating Toner

NOURISH = Face Cream

TRANSFORM = Eye Cream

Now I don’t know about you but I can’t imagine washing my face with a sugar scrub everyday. I didn’t try it so I can’t comment on it. The ones I did try were the Face Cream ($90/3oz) and Eye Cream ($85/.9oz). I like using them both at night. Neither contains filler ingredients and are non-comedogenic.

Benefits of the Face Cream – ingredients include algae extracts, nourishing oils of sweet almond, jojoba, Evening Primrose, and Shea Butter to name a few. Seems to work beautifully for this time of year.
Benefits of the Eye Cream – same as above but also contains ones to help tone down dark circles. And it has a slight cooling effect when applied. So de-puff away! All available @ luckyscent.com

Everyone is onto the N Collection from MAC since it just came out a last week, but I am still caught up in the Originals. The colors and shades have stood the test of time and this has to be one of the most diverse collections they've ever put together.
New to MAC and don’t know where to start? Or maybe you just need to stock up on some good basics? Here’s our picks:

• Lipstick - Russian Red, Supersequin, Twig-Twig
• Tinted Lipglass ($14) – Full On Lust, Avarice
• Eye Shadow ($14) – Ochre Style, Parrot, Memorabilia, Charred
• Pigment ($19.50) – Melon, Kitschmas
• Glitter ($16.50) – Reflects Antique Gold
• Eye Pencil ($12.50) – Coffee, Ebony
• Mascara X ($12.50) – Black, of course!

All @ maccosmetics.com

Now how about a contest that keeps it real? Click here to read all about our MAC Cosmetics contest.

It seems like LISA HOFFMAN is thinking of real women and real situations with her line. Take her new ‘Variations’ Fragrance Collection ($150 @ lisahoffmanskincare.com) for example. We all have a favorite scent but sometimes it’s just not appropriate for all times of the day. When I wake up in the morning, my nose is not really awake yet and to hit it with my signature scent is sometimes a little too much and I find myself forgoing it altogether that day. She has created scents where each is adjusted to how sensitive your nose is throughout the day. Huh? One scent, four roller-ball vials and each is labeled for when to apply: Morning, Daytime, Evening, Bedtime (I guess I am not the only one who likes wearing fragrance to bed!). Choose from three different totally wearable scents: French Clary Sage, Tuscan Fig (Cybelesays pick), and Tunisian Neroli.