Some people have to have a very matte, matte, bronzer. Others like a touch of shimmer. What about you? Here are three that will fill each mood.

ORLANE Bronzing Pressed Powder in Soleil Cuivre ($40 @ lordandtaylor.com) – this is your basic super matte pressed face powder. It just happens to have quite a following of devoted users.

NAPOLEON PERDIS Bronze Patrol ($50 @ napoleonperdis.com) – this baked powder has a touch of pretty gold flecks in it as well as vitamins A and C.

CARGO BeachBlush in Echo Beach ($28 @ dermstore.com) – love the combo of a blush and bronzer and this one give you four options in its tin!

Yes, I’m a sucker for fake hair pieces, accessories, extensions, the like, but only if they are temporary. I tried the glue in extensions and couldn’t wait to get them out. I’m just not that kind of girl! Anyway, the Dancing with the Stars TV show put out a collection with my favorite Put on Pieces by HAIRUWEAR. I’ve wasted quite a bit of money on all kinds of pieces so I’m pretty picky when it comes to ones now as they have to match almost exactly or they just look funny. I’ve found that sometimes the strands can be toned down from looking to shiney by buffing some talcum powder in them.

So my main question about this is, did the Dancing with the Stars contestants actually wear some of these pieces during competition? I mean they could have worn the Bango Tango ($22) blunt cut bangs, or the Salsaloosa ($15) hair wrap with contrasting lengths. I just don’t know. They do come in 12 different shades so shades so they could get a match.

My pick from the collection is the Glamarama ($20), soft waves on a clip-in comb. You know the look of your hair when you put it in the French twist and the ends stick out all over the place? That’s the effect you get with this piece. Simply put your own hair into a bun and clip this one in. And the clip that holds onto your own hair is pretty strong but I think it could have been made better if it was made of metal. Maybe I should test it out more by hitting the dance floor! Nah… $20 @ dermstore.com, hairuwear.com.

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

I’ve been back and forth here about the topic of surfactants (Sodium Laureth Sulfates, Sodium Laurel Sulfates, SLS’s) in shampoos. For a while now, I thought that if a shampoo had SLS’s in it, it could not be used on color-treated hair as in, it would not make it last. Period. End of story. How did I come to this conclusion? Probably from a lot of things I read, heard, and the trend of sulfate-free products coming out didn’t help either (and do you remember a few years ago when I discovered that just because a shampoo is sulfate-free doesn’t mean it will make you hair color last any longer? Yup, it’s a confusing world!).

I’ve been lucky enough to come across some major hair people lately and decided to ask them their opinion about SLS’s and if yes, they do kill hair color, or not.

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The big International Makeup Artist and Trade Show (IMATS) was this past weekend and this show just gets bigger and better every year. I mean, I went twice about 6 or 7 years ago and it was just boring and barren but for the last 3 years, it has more hip brands than ever and it always sells out. 

So who was there and what did I see and buy? Click below and be prepared for a lot of pictures!

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ESTEE LAUDER Advanced Night Repair Eye Synchronized Complex is a one, two, three really, knock-out product for the eye area. It incorporates their exclusive Chronolux Technology that works with your skin’s own process to help reduce the look of 1) lines and wrinkles, 2) overall eye puffiness and 3) dark circle. And for the price of $49.50/.5oz @ neimanmarcus.com, it’s oh so purse-friendly!

Because the skin around this area is so thin, we tend to see the signs of aging their first, so if you are trying to stay ahead of the clock, this gel-serum might be a good one to try.

The size of the bottle may seem small for the price but know that you only use 3 dots patted in around each eye at bedtime, so it does last for a few. Big recommendation.

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

CRACK, yup this Styling Treatment is called Crack.

What it is:

• A lightweight, super moisturizing hair fix.
• Smoothes split ends
• Protects from UVA/UVB rays and chlorine
• Provides a barrier from heat and thermal styling
• Adds shine and slip without making hair greasy
• Keeps hair looking healthy and polished all day

How to use it: This micro protein/power peptide infused formula is one that is applied right after shampoo on towel dried hair (I used about a quarter-sized dollop). Work into strands and then blow dry to help it penetrate.

So how did this work? Click below!

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I was really hoping that BLISS’s new Poetic Waxing Wax Strips Face would work on eyebrows but sigh, they don’t. Not because they don’t work but they are not made for brows. These strips are made for the face fuzz above the lip, chin and worked well on the fuzz hanging out on my lower jaw. And it’s super easy and doesn’t hurt. Just grab one of the 2” x ½” hypoallergenic and paraben-free strip, warm it in your hands for 15 to 30 seconds, peel the two halves apart and apply one strip to the skin. Then massage it on there and pull skin taut. Make sure to pull the strip off quickly in the opposite direction of the hair growth. And you can reuse the strip until it’s covered in hair and has lost its stickiness. They even include a oil called azulene oil to help soothe the newly waxed area and it also helps remove any wax that may have stuck to the skin. Happy waxing!

$10/10 facial waxing strips, $20/20 facial waxing strips @ kohls.com.

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

Nude for nails is hotter than it’s ever been so here are some I’ve been rockin’ lately!

ZOYA's new Nail Polishes called the Touch Collection was inspired by the runways of NY Fashion Week's Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter 2011 Collection. From what I saw, nail colors were either a major accessory or kickin' back with the below-type of shades. I'm so into them right now! $10 @ zoya.com.

Minka: latte beige cream w/a metallic kiss
Shay – desert rose and beige cream w/a metallic kiss
Pandora – mauve beige cream w/a metallic kiss

The other set of nudes I’ve been wearing are CND’s Perfectly Bare Colour Nail Lacquer and Perfectly Bare Shimmer Nail Lacquer $20 @ cnd.com. These were used on some of the big Spring 2010 Runway Shows as well as lots of other of their colors. The way I’ve been wearing these is to start with the Perfectly Bare color and wear that for a few days and then when I need a change, top each nail with a coat of the Perfectly Bare Shimmer!

And if you are wicked anal about your manicure/pedicure, CND has a Scrub Fresh Nail Surface Cleaner. Yes, the cost of $22.50/8oz seems a tad steep but think of the time you will save fixing your polish when it starts chipping! This stuff helps make sure the nail surface is totally ready for the polish. It has both Isopropyl alcohol and acetone that temporarily dehydrates the nail. It also has quite a few parabens in it, so obviously not the best thing to breathe or use very often, but it really does work.

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

What It Is: Grab the board, hop in the Jeep, cruise the Pacific Coast Highway … Surf’s up! The lure of the endless summer starts here with My Paradise Cheek Powder, Summer Stash of Crushed Metallic Pigments, Hibiscus Lipstick and Splashproof Lash Mascara that just won’t smudge. Colourful, lustrous, and full of life … journey to a world where feeling the rush means taking a risk. Hang Ten!

Wanna see the product picks? Click after the jump!

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What it is: Here’s bronzing for every dude and dudette looking for the half-pipe and a killer tan. Bring commotion to the ocean with Solar Bronzing Powder and new Gold-go-Lightly Studio Careblend/Pressed Powder. Capture the surf spirit, add contours and dimension with the latest Skinsheen Bronzer Stick! Defy sun-and-sea blasted lips with Suntints SPF 20 Liquid Lip Balms. Limited edition.

Wanna see the product picks? Click after the jump!

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