.:: CybeleSays ::.

SHU UEMURA Art of Hair Essence Absolue has pretty much taken the hair product world by storm. It’s sold out three times since it made its debut last fall and celebrity hair stylist like Chris McMillan are pretty gaga for it too. The secret ingredient to it is the Camellia Oil, which they call “liquid gold.” I knew this had to contain more than just Camellia Oil and I couldn’t seem to find the ingredient list on the packaging or their website so I trolled the Internet and finally found one it on makeupalley.com, go figure. Basically, it contains two common silicones (cyclopentsiloxane and dimethiconol) and ethylhexylmethoxycinnamate (sunscreen) and then fragrance ingredients (it does smell really nice. Maybe they’ll bottle it and sell it??) Like these, it seems like this is how these hair oils are put together – a majorly hair beneficial oil sandwiched between, so to speak, a few silicones. Now some peoples’ hair does not react well to silicones, like those with thin or fine strands. Mine reacts more than ok with it and it won't build up on hair.

Use this one as a pre-shampoo treatment, a finishing serum to add luster and shiner to hair or even to protect the hair from the sun this summer. And to answer the title, yes, it really is as great as they say it is. $65/5oz @ shuuemuraartofhair.com.

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

Now here’s an eye duo with my sense glamour with an edge! It’s from SHU UEMURA’s new Égérie Spring Mode Collection. The Égérie Eye Shimmer Duo ($42) is a 2-step step-er - one tube is the creamy liquid color and in the other is a glitter powder. So first goes the liquid (it dries fast so act fast!) and then the powder adheres on top of it. You can wear the both or each individually, so you’re really getting three eye colors. Let’s hear it for that alone!

Click here to read more

I’m not quite into winter and not quite into spring hues when it comes to nail polishes these days I'm just all over the map! So there's no point in talking about trends because mine are changing day to day and I don't see a pattern. So here are the five I’ve been jumping around the last few weeks.

From L to R:

OPI Nail Lacquer in On the Same Paige from the Brights Collection - $7.50 @ opi.com.
CHINA GLAZE Nail Lacquer in Grape Pop from the Up & Away Collection - $6.50 @ salons nationwide.
ZOYA Nail Polish in Gwin from the Reverie Collection - $7 @ artofbeauty.com.
ORLY Foil FX Collection Nail Lacquer in Rage - $7.50 @ orlybeauty.com.
SHU UEMURA Nail Enamel Supplement Mineral in P935 - $16 @ shuuemura.com.

Speaking of, I have been wearing CND’s Asphalt since Sunday and my fingers and it’s now Friday morning and NO CHIPS WHAT-SO-EVER. I even had to help a friend move a room the other night, which usually totally does a mani in but this is holding up. So did CND perfect the formula when they tweaked the packaging? Wow, loving this!

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

Liners are not just packed in a simple stick anymore. Just like makeup primers, every line seems to be adding liners in pots/compacts etc to their lines. Here are some we are digging.

BARE ESCENTUALS Buxom Lashliner ($15 @ sephora.com) – whipped gel formula, mineral based, smudge-proof once it dries, vitamin rich – A, C and E. Color choices, Sequins (black w/silver micro glitter) and Suede (dark brown).

URBAN DECAY Ink for Eyes ($22 @ sephora.com) – cream-based that contains their signature Nylon 12 that helps give a smooth application, mirror and double-ended brush inside compact. Color choices: Empire (purple) and Zero (black).

SHU UEMURA Painting Liner ($24 @ shuuemura.com) – gel-based, waterproof, contains 3 types of volatile agents for a smooth application and great selection of colors that can be layered. Color choices: night blue and metallic black.

Ok, let’s just say that this holiday season, money no object and let’s just say that you still have not gotten that one friend of yours a kick-ass present. You have no idea what to get her but you for sure need to wow or you’ll be in the dog house for all of 2009. Some of these will break the bank for most but what a pleasure it would be to give this and see the reaction from your friend!

0

For the finicky female …
LA MER Luxury Essentials ($630 @ neimanmarcus.com) – includes Crème de la Mer (2oz), The Lifting Face Serum (1oz) and The Eye Concentrate (.5oz) all packed in a limited edition mother of pearl round box.

We were really great on keeping up with our on-going feature, “This Week In Nails,” until the computer blew up at the end of September. So let’s ease back into it with a fierce one. SHU UEMURA Nail Enamel Supplement Mineral ($16 @ shuuemura.com) in shade PA 101 is a dark ruby red with gold glitter. Love how the glitter helps the manicure last longer!

0

n.p. Forevermore - Shadows Fall

0

Ok, so we're pretty much back up and running. It was seriously like having no left arm! Oy, I have so much to catch up on now. All I can tell you is to make sure, double-y sure, that all your docs are backed up.

While Amy Winehouse is getting back to black and we're getting back to beauty. (I have no idea what that means but it sounds like a cool segue). One beauty item that has pulled me through all this is SHU UEMURA Rouge Unlimited Crystal Shine Lipstick in new Crimson Dazzle ($23 @ shuuemura.com) from the Instinct Fall Mode Makeup collection. Have you seen the packaging for these babies? So sleek and cool and I love whipping this out on the go. A good quality lipstick makes everything feel better again.

Here are four of the best new products for lids that have us feeling the fall season.

1. SMASHBOX Wicked Lovely Eye Shadow Duo in Sexy/Demure ($24 @ sephora.com) from the Wicked Lovely Collection.
2. CARGO Color Eye Shadow Palette in Tahiti ($32 @ sephora.com)
3. SHU UEMURA Duo Eye Shadow in Tantalizer ($36 @ shuuemura.com) from the Instinct Fall Mode Makeup Collection.
4. CLINIQUE Colour Surge Eye Shadow Stay Matte in Dark Denim ($14 @ clinique.com) from the Fall 2008 Collection.

I’m pretty set with what I like when it comes to shampoo and conditioner but I’m always open to trying new styling products. One of these days I want to go really short so I can take advantage of using pomades etc not just on my ends. Here are three worth your dime.

ECRU new Silk Texturizing Balm ($32.50/1.69oz @ ecrunewyork.com)

• Lightweight and super piece-y hold
• Made to work in any weather
• Not a pomade or wax so won’t weigh hair down

PROSiLK Serum ($19.95/6oz @ prosilkprod.com)

• Protects against heat styling products
• No build up
• Really tamed my frizzes before blowdrying

SHU UEMURA Liquid Fabric Mineral Texture Spray ($30/8.5oz @ shuuemura.com)

• To help maintain waves or curls
• Contains sea minerals
• Cool looking spray bottle (common, you know you think so too!)

PUR MiNERALS Mineral Lip Tint SPF 15 in Sandy Quartz ($16.50 @ purminerals.com) from the Spring 2008 color collection. Sheer nude with a slight hint of iridescence.

SHU UEMURA has THE perfect pinky-nude lipstick included in their latest collection. I find most nudes too chalky or matte. Basically too there! This Rouge Unlimited in Serene Pink from the Rebirth Collection balances matte and glossy for the perfect smooth finish. And nude lips are so in right now. $23 @ sephora.com