.:: CybeleSays ::.

I seemed to have fallen behind in my face mask usage and what better way to get back on board than with a cult favorite? The mask is from Italian brand BORGHESE and it’s their cult favorite Fango Active Mud for Face and Body. Not only does the product have quite the following but it just celebrated 25 years in production! No small feat. So what’s so great about this algae looking gunk? Well it is made with mud from a volcano located in Tuscany so it’s really rich in minerals and botanicals. It also contains their trademarked Acqua di Vita Complex ingredient, which is found in many of their products and they claim it’s a mood enhancer. Fascinating!

So if you are considering this one, know that it does triple duty – cleans out pours, exfoliates and hydrates. Got a few to kill? Apply a thin layer on the face, neck and décolletage and relax. $33.50/7oz, $64/17.6oz @ borghese.com.

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

These two nail polishes would both fall in the category of “nudes” but how far from each other are they in real life? I mean ORLY’s Dream Boat ($7.50 @ orlybeauty.com) is more of a white tan, I think and the BORGHESE Biscotto Beige ($8 @ ulta.com) I’d call more of a brown nude. But like any shade, each of these has a time and place and as any good nail polish wearing girl will tell you, it’s not always the same!

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

When I’m walking down the street or in the mall and see someone with a pop of color on like a shirt or bag, I always end up saying in my head, “That looks cool. I gotta get me something in that shade.” And I do make an effort but I find myself gravitating back to the blacks and beiges. Why is this? I mean a pop of color always feels so fun and right. One area I seem to be successful in adding a pop of color to is my makeup routine. Lips or eyes or cheeks, why not add one of the colors of the season, coral to your look?

Here are some more picks in the on-going Spring Color Picks feature. Consider picking up any of these.

From L to R clockwise:

JAPONESQUE Eye Majic Instant Eyes in Slate Coral ($6/2 pair @ beauty.com)
MAC Nail Lacquer in Coral Wave ($14 @ maccosmetics.com)
HARD CANDY Painted Lady Lipstick in Hot Shot ($6 @ walmart.com)
LA PRAIRIE Cellular Lip Colour Effects in Breezy Coral ($40 @ laprairie.com)
BORGHESE Nail Lacquer in Maraschino ($8 @ ulta.com)
MAYBELLINE NEW YORK Color Sational Lipcolor in Coral Crush ($7.49 @ drugstore.com)
NP SET by Napoleon Perdis On the Double Pen Black Liquid Eyeliner + Coral Cream Blush ($13 @ target.com)
SOFTLIPS Pure Coral Charm Sheer Lip Tint ($3.99 @ drugstores nationwide)
THE BODY SHOP Cheek Blush in Golden Coral ($14 @ thebodyshop.com)

Disclosure: Some of these items were provided to Cybelesays.com for review purposes. Some I bought.

Let's roll out a new feature! Each week I'll tell you what's on my tips and toes and what I was listening to while they dried. Color is all about mood, right? Since I was a publicist in music for quite a few years, my taste is all over the map so you'll probably see a song from Opeth and Children of Bodom to Air and Tangerine Dream.

Here's this week:

Tips – ISADORA Perfect Nail Polish in Summer Red ($9 @ cosmeticmall.com)

Toes – BORGHESE Nail Lacquer in Amethysta Gold ($7.99 @ walgreens.com)

Tips and Toes – ORLY Bonder Rubberized Base Coat ($7 @ drugstore.com), CND Air Dry Finish ($5.95 @ enailsupply.com)

n.p. (now playing): Sam Sparro “Black and Gold”

I am a longtime lover of manicure tools. I have a shoebox full of files, cuticle oils, nail creams, orange sticks and more for both my hands and feet. Let’s focus on the feet here. Since spring is in full bloom, the shoes will be getting skimpier and skimpier so my soles have to be in shape. I’ve been using BORGHESE’s Satina Softening Callus Remover ($14.99 @ walgreens.com) for the past couple of weeks and I think my feet are the softest they’ve ever been. This one is a two-parter: one is a magic marker-like pen that has a roller ball end and tea tree infused gel inside. After a couple of pumps on the end, rub it on your calluses and then use the rasp and foot file tool to exfoliate the dead skin. What I like most about this file is that it is slim and I can get around the big toe very easily. I’m not sure which is doing more work here but it seems that the combination of the two work really well to soften those tough areas.