.:: CybeleSays ::.

I’m pretty into the whole color blocking trend for the spring and I’m warming up to it when it comes to  makeup though I really wouldn’t call it “color blocking,” per say. I guess I just mean bright makeup! VICTORIA’S SECRET just came out with their Love Me Wild makeup collection and I’m really feeling their

Radiant Face Trio ($16) and Perfect Lipstick ($14). I just love when a brand gets creative inside the compact like this one swirls the colors. And the punch of this lipstick in Heated is worth the price tag.

Disclosure: Samples of these items were provided for review purposes.

Have you seen anyone wearing these HAIR FLAIRS Feathers yet? You probably have. I was in Victoria’s Secret last night up at The Grove and I saw a woman who must have been in her late 40’s wearing them. Now I don’t think that is too old by any means, but when it hits that age group, you have to wonder how big a trend is going to be! I first experienced them at this show and I was able to try some of the feathers in my hair. If you’re not familiar with them, these feather extensions are a real and once in your hair, you can wash, flat-iron, or even curl your hair with them in! And they are reusable.

So how does it work? You use a threading needle to grab a 1/8^th section or so of hair, insert the feather/s, insert the micro-link bead, crimp it all closed and voila. And removing is as easy as uncrimping the bead and sliding the feathers out. 8 skinny or wide feathers for $22 and they also sell the crimpers, threading tool and micro-links on their @ hairflairs.com site.

Also check out the hair tinsel and hair crystals they sell!

Disclosure: A sample of this item was provided for review purposes.

I’m guessing that ESTEE LAUDER is feeling the nail polish pressure? What pressure? Don’t you think nails and color are taking center stage these days? Anyway, back to this new Spring Collection created by their Creative Makeup Director, Tom Pecheux. These 16 new Nail Lacquers fall  under the Pure Color umbrella and are really uncharacteristic for the brand. He filled every color family with these, 8 that will be part of the permanent collection and 8 that are limited-edition. And each contains their True Vision Technology, which gives each color its richly pigmented color. And I have always been a fan of the polish brush they use to apply them. True quality!!

Color picks from L to R all crèmes: Wild Blue, Violet Diva, Enchanted Garnet. $19 @ esteelauder.com.

Disclosure: Samples of these items were provided for review purposes.

I just did a commentary on hairsprays for the 4/4/11 issue of Women's World. Click the picture to read the whole piece!

This ANTICA FARMACISTA perfume has been a yes and no for me. I absolutely love the combo of notes but it just doesn’t seem to last on me most of the time. I don’t think it has anything to do with the actual formula as their frags are created with a high percentage of essential oils so it should last on the skin, right? I just don’t have the answer but I feel the scent is so fab, it’s worth mentioning.

It’s their Le Parfum in Vanilla, Bourbon & Mandarin and highlights vanilla, mandarin of Sicily, and citrus.

Upon spraying, it opens heavy with vanilla and spiked with a little orange and the bourbon unsweetens the mix. I read a review of someone saying this one smelled like a creamsicle and while I don’t agree 100%, I can  kinda see where they would say that. $62/1.7oz @ anticafarmacista.com.

Disclosure: A sample of this item was provided to Cybelesays.com for review purposes.

Remember seeing this picture of Nicole Kidman a few months ago and wondering why? I heard it was due to high definition makeup. Is that true? I’m still trying to find out so I’ll let you know! In the meantime, I have to ask, are you intrigued by the whole high definition makeup trend? Do you think there is a need for it? Thankfully only a handful of the makeup brands have put products under this subject because for us everyday girls, I’m not sure we need it. The latest line to throw their hat into the ring is NYX COSMETICS. They just put out their HD Studio Photogenic Collection, which consists of foundations, powders, primers and blush and out of the bunch,

I’m picking the HD Grinding Blush to write about. I like the concept of the package it comes in – a grinder to finely grate off the exact amount of powder you need every time you use it. This keeps the product fresh and contaminate-free. Choose from 8 super-wearable and nicely blending colors for $16.50 @ nyxcosmetics.com. Color pick: Menage a Trois (a beautiful coral with a hint of gold).

One word of caution – make sure you clear out the shaved off product after you use it. For some reason, if you leave any in the compact, the powder seems to migrate to the outside lip and when you open it for use, it goes everywhere!

Disclosure: A sample of this item was provided to Cybelesays.com for review purposes.

If you are a regular reader of the site, you’ve heard me stress the importance of using a scrub that has round beads and not jagged ones. Thankfully there are a lot of them to choose from and I’m here to point  you in the right direction of another good one. SANITAS Lemon Cream Scrub not only uses teeny, tiny round silica crystals to exfoliate but it also has to good-for-skin ingredients inside it like jojoba oil, Hyaluronic Acid to soften and vitamins E and C.

What I am liking about this line, which means good health in Latin, is that they know balance is key, as in pH balance. And to do this, they use Biogenic ingredients, which are ones found in biology and naturally in the skin. So not only do they balance it out, but they are just enhancing what our body already makes. And the natural lemon oil inside is a nice way to help me welcome spring!

I’ll let you know if I try any other products from this line.

$32/5oz @ sanitas-skincare.com for purchase locations.

Disclosure: A sample of this item was provided to Cybelesays.com for review purposes.

I did this feature about some new developments in hair and body oils and on that same front, am delighted to share this next new oil-based line with you. Released this past Valentine’s Day, ACTIVAROMA is based on the trend-setting ingredient Moroccan Argan Oil. Their motto is Created in Santa Barbara – Fashioned in Paris and uses the holistic approach to anti-aging and marries it with French traditions of natural and seductive fragrances. If that’s not up my alley, I don’t know what is!

Choose from a nice line up of products – facial oils, bath & shower oils, floral waters, pure essential oils and even a product for baby and Mom.

Out of the line, my pick right now is the Mandarin and Vanilla Bath & Shower Oil (again I have to ask … what’s with me and the orange lately??). I’ll say it again – LOOK. AT. THE. INGREDIENTS – Mandarin Red, Vanilla Absolute, Patchouli, Lime, Tonka Beach, Rose Damask Absolute blended with Argan Oil, Jojoba, coconut and sunflower. Such a body treat!

Yes, quality is not cheap, but aren’t you worth it? $59/3.4oz @ activaroma.com.

I’m pretty positive I will be writing about more products from this line so stay tuned.

Disclosure: A sample of this item was provided to Cybelesays.com for review purposes.

I have to say that I was expecting a lot more from this ARGAN MAGIC BEAUTY line. With all the competition out there for shelf space, I guess at this point, I was expecting more pure product and less filler. The reason I say this is that there are a lot of argan-based products out there now and we just need something new or something with a twist.

But I digress. As far as this line is concerned, I have to say that this one and this Zesty Orange Body Scrub (what is with me and orange lately??) are the two best in the line. What I like about this scrub is the super fine granules in it, which from what I can tell from the ingredient list is a combo of the walnut shell powder and crushed lotus seed. Other noteworthy ingredients include safflower seed oil and orange seed extract. $25/8oz @ arganbeautymagic.com.

What scent are you feeling right now?

Disclosure: A sample of this item was provided to Cybelesays.com for review purposes.