Le Metier de Beaute Spring 2010 Preview

The Spring 2010 collection from Le Metier de Beaute is being released slowly- while several items (including the much-anticipated Magic Lustre Creme* and two colors of a cream blush) will not be available until March 15th, the counter at Bergdorf Goodman already has the testers for the eye and lip Kaleidoscope kits and both are as beautiful as Le Metier fans would expect. Inspired by the Jardins de Villandry in the French Loire Valley, the colors are rich and vibrant with an exceptional depth. The Eye Kaleidoscope Kit is simply stunning- I immediately fell in love with the midnight blue eye shadow (perfect for lining). The colors have a very delicate sheen you can't see in the photo, but it's there in person.

The shadows in every Kaleidoscope Kit are meant to be layered, not just blended. By doing this you create the full effect that is beyond wearing a specific color- it adds dimension without looking painted. Dustin Lujan, Le Metier de Beaute's brilliant makeup artist described the texture of the Kaleidoscope as a luxurious lamé fabric. He showed me how these four colors work together. He used all of them on my eyes but you'd never know that I was wearing the scary copper and magenta. With a few light brush strokes he created a serene depth that actually looked like part of my face and was more natural than the neutral Les Regards de Chanel I had put on earlier that morning.

To complete the look Dustin layered the black and bright blue Precision liquid eyeliners which created a soft, muted line (you can achieve a similar result with your favorite navy or blue ink eyeliner) and the Anamorphic Mascara in Midnight, which is probably the best blue mascara I've tried so far- since my lashes are a very (very) dark brown, most blue mascaras either disappear or create a weird and somewhat harsh look. Not this one, though. I should have bought it on the spot, considering I spent the rest of the day admiring my eye lashes (I'm already on my second tube of the Jade mascara, so no surprises here, really).

The new Lip Kaleidoscope completed the look. There are two dark colors and two light ones, so you can blend and create the perfect combination for any makeup look. The spring colors complement the eye shadows, and from my previous experience with the lip kits I own, I already know they are fool-proof.

Bottom line: March 15th can't be here soon enough.

* Magic Lustre Creme  has first appeared as a component in the Roopal Patel Collection. It's a gel-like glaze you mix with any makeup pigment in powder form- eye shadow, powder blush, etc. and transform it into a sheer stain or gloss you can use on eyes, cheeks or lips. I'd buy it by the pint.

Photo of the Jardins de Villandry- chateauvillandry.com
Images of the Lip & Eye Kaleidoscope Kits- Le Metier de Beaute

Le Metier de Beaute Spring 2010 Preview

The Spring 2010 collection from Le Metier de Beaute is being released slowly- while several items (including the much-anticipated Magic Lustre Creme* and two colors of a cream blush) will not be available until March 15th, the counter at Bergdorf Goodman already has the testers for the eye and lip Kaleidoscope kits and both are as beautiful as Le Metier fans would expect. Inspired by the Jardins de Villandry in the French Loire Valley, the colors are rich and vibrant with an exceptional depth. The Eye Kaleidoscope Kit is simply stunning- I immediately fell in love with the midnight blue eye shadow (perfect for lining). The colors have a very delicate sheen you can't see in the photo, but it's there in person.

The shadows in every Kaleidoscope Kit are meant to be layered, not just blended. By doing this you create the full effect that is beyond wearing a specific color- it adds dimension without looking painted. Dustin Lujan, Le Metier de Beaute's brilliant makeup artist described the texture of the Kaleidoscope as a luxurious lamé fabric. He showed me how these four colors work together. He used all of them on my eyes but you'd never know that I was wearing the scary copper and magenta. With a few light brush strokes he created a serene depth that actually looked like part of my face and was more natural than the neutral Les Regards de Chanel I had put on earlier that morning.

To complete the look Dustin layered the black and bright blue Precision liquid eyeliners which created a soft, muted line (you can achieve a similar result with your favorite navy or blue ink eyeliner) and the Anamorphic Mascara in Midnight, which is probably the best blue mascara I've tried so far- since my lashes are a very (very) dark brown, most blue mascaras either disappear or create a weird and somewhat harsh look. Not this one, though. I should have bought it on the spot, considering I spent the rest of the day admiring my eye lashes (I'm already on my second tube of the Jade mascara, so no surprises here, really).

The new Lip Kaleidoscope completed the look. There are two dark colors and two light ones, so you can blend and create the perfect combination for any makeup look. The spring colors complement the eye shadows, and from my previous experience with the lip kits I own, I already know they are fool-proof.

Bottom line: March 15th can't be here soon enough.

* Magic Lustre Creme  has first appeared as a component in the Roopal Patel Collection. It's a gel-like glaze you mix with any makeup pigment in powder form- eye shadow, powder blush, etc. and transform it into a sheer stain or gloss you can use on eyes, cheeks or lips. I'd buy it by the pint.

Photo of the Jardins de Villandry- chateauvillandry.com
Images of the Lip & Eye Kaleidoscope Kits- Le Metier de Beaute

Le Metier de Beaute Spring 2010 Preview

The Spring 2010 collection from Le Metier de Beaute is being released slowly- while several items (including the much-anticipated Magic Lustre Creme* and two colors of a cream blush) will not be available until March 15th, the counter at Bergdorf Goodman already has the testers for the eye and lip Kaleidoscope kits and both are as beautiful as Le Metier fans would expect. Inspired by the Jardins de Villandry in the French Loire Valley, the colors are rich and vibrant with an exceptional depth. The Eye Kaleidoscope Kit is simply stunning- I immediately fell in love with the midnight blue eye shadow (perfect for lining). The colors have a very delicate sheen you can't see in the photo, but it's there in person.

The shadows in every Kaleidoscope Kit are meant to be layered, not just blended. By doing this you create the full effect that is beyond wearing a specific color- it adds dimension without looking painted. Dustin Lujan, Le Metier de Beaute's brilliant makeup artist described the texture of the Kaleidoscope as a luxurious lamé fabric. He showed me how these four colors work together. He used all of them on my eyes but you'd never know that I was wearing the scary copper and magenta. With a few light brush strokes he created a serene depth that actually looked like part of my face and was more natural than the neutral Les Regards de Chanel I had put on earlier that morning.

To complete the look Dustin layered the black and bright blue Precision liquid eyeliners which created a soft, muted line (you can achieve a similar result with your favorite navy or blue ink eyeliner) and the Anamorphic Mascara in Midnight, which is probably the best blue mascara I've tried so far- since my lashes are a very (very) dark brown, most blue mascaras either disappear or create a weird and somewhat harsh look. Not this one, though. I should have bought it on the spot, considering I spent the rest of the day admiring my eye lashes (I'm already on my second tube of the Jade mascara, so no surprises here, really).

The new Lip Kaleidoscope completed the look. There are two dark colors and two light ones, so you can blend and create the perfect combination for any makeup look. The spring colors complement the eye shadows, and from my previous experience with the lip kits I own, I already know they are fool-proof.

Bottom line: March 15th can't be here soon enough.

* Magic Lustre Creme  has first appeared as a component in the Roopal Patel Collection. It's a gel-like glaze you mix with any makeup pigment in powder form- eye shadow, powder blush, etc. and transform it into a sheer stain or gloss you can use on eyes, cheeks or lips. I'd buy it by the pint.

Photo of the Jardins de Villandry- chateauvillandry.com
Images of the Lip & Eye Kaleidoscope Kits- Le Metier de Beaute

Jean Patou- Amour Amour (Vintage Perfume)

When naming a perfume "Amour Amour" you're making a very clear statement. Jean Patou, or rather his in-house perfumer Henri Almeras, took it seriously. This 1925 composition together with Que Sais-Je? and Adieu Sagesse is part of a romantic trilogy that tells the story of a love affair- The exhilarating infatuation, the worry and doubt and the total surrender of body and soul.

It's easy to be a cynic and dismiss Patou's concept (and also the fact that each perfume was supposed to target women of different hair colors- Amour Amour is for the blondes, who apparently have more fun), and I do, but you can't ignore the fact that Amour Amour smells hopelessly romantic. More than anything it's a very feminine floral. Jasmine and rose give the perfume its elegant French feel, a lot of carnation, especially in the EDT concentration, and some dirty ylang-ylang. The eau de toilette drys down into a salty vetiver that smells surprisingly sensual, while the extrait de parfum is more animalic but takes its time getting there. Some sources don't list heliotrope among the notes, but when wearing the parfum I can clearly smell its creamy almond presence. As a matter of fact, somewhere around Amour Amour's heart it reminds me of a light-hearted and optimistic L'Heure Bleue.

Amour Amour, like the entire Ma Collection, was discontinued in the early 1990s but the EDT can still be found at various online sources. The extrait is harder to get, but bottles pop up on eBay.

Amour Amour ad from 1946- paperpursuits.com
Vintage fashion illustration of Jean Patou and Yvonne Carette dresses from 1933- myvintagevogue.com

Jean Patou- Amour Amour (Vintage Perfume)

When naming a perfume "Amour Amour" you're making a very clear statement. Jean Patou, or rather his in-house perfumer Henri Almeras, took it seriously. This 1925 composition together with Que Sais-Je? and Adieu Sagesse is part of a romantic trilogy that tells the story of a love affair- The exhilarating infatuation, the worry and doubt and the total surrender of body and soul.

It's easy to be a cynic and dismiss Patou's concept (and also the fact that each perfume was supposed to target women of different hair colors- Amour Amour is for the blondes, who apparently have more fun), and I do, but you can't ignore the fact that Amour Amour smells hopelessly romantic. More than anything it's a very feminine floral. Jasmine and rose give the perfume its elegant French feel, a lot of carnation, especially in the EDT concentration, and some dirty ylang-ylang. The eau de toilette drys down into a salty vetiver that smells surprisingly sensual, while the extrait de parfum is more animalic but takes its time getting there. Some sources don't list heliotrope among the notes, but when wearing the parfum I can clearly smell its creamy almond presence. As a matter of fact, somewhere around Amour Amour's heart it reminds me of a light-hearted and optimistic L'Heure Bleue.

Amour Amour, like the entire Ma Collection, was discontinued in the early 1990s but the EDT can still be found at various online sources. The extrait is harder to get, but bottles pop up on eBay.

Amour Amour ad from 1946- paperpursuits.com
Vintage fashion illustration of Jean Patou and Yvonne Carette dresses from 1933- myvintagevogue.com

Jean Patou- Amour Amour (Vintage Perfume)

When naming a perfume "Amour Amour" you're making a very clear statement. Jean Patou, or rather his in-house perfumer Henri Almeras, took it seriously. This 1925 composition together with Que Sais-Je? and Adieu Sagesse is part of a romantic trilogy that tells the story of a love affair- The exhilarating infatuation, the worry and doubt and the total surrender of body and soul.

It's easy to be a cynic and dismiss Patou's concept (and also the fact that each perfume was supposed to target women of different hair colors- Amour Amour is for the blondes, who apparently have more fun), and I do, but you can't ignore the fact that Amour Amour smells hopelessly romantic. More than anything it's a very feminine floral. Jasmine and rose give the perfume its elegant French feel, a lot of carnation, especially in the EDT concentration, and some dirty ylang-ylang. The eau de toilette drys down into a salty vetiver that smells surprisingly sensual, while the extrait de parfum is more animalic but takes its time getting there. Some sources don't list heliotrope among the notes, but when wearing the parfum I can clearly smell its creamy almond presence. As a matter of fact, somewhere around Amour Amour's heart it reminds me of a light-hearted and optimistic L'Heure Bleue.

Amour Amour, like the entire Ma Collection, was discontinued in the early 1990s but the EDT can still be found at various online sources. The extrait is harder to get, but bottles pop up on eBay.

Amour Amour ad from 1946- paperpursuits.com
Vintage fashion illustration of Jean Patou and Yvonne Carette dresses from 1933- myvintagevogue.com

Chanel's Revamped Website Still Leaves A Lot To Be Desired

I was eagerly awaiting for the US launch of Chanel's new Rouge Coco lipstick, a hydrating creme formula. The email newsletter came today and the lipsticks are finally here. Considering the weather (10" of snow already on the ground and it keeps going strong), there's no visit to Saks in my immediate future. But Chanel.com is only a click away, right?

Chanel.com has recently gone through a redesign. You'd think they'd use the opportunity for some serious upgrades and improvements, especially in the color swatch department that has always been their weakest point. No such luck. I don't know about you, but I can't shop when what you see above is all the information I'm given.

KarlaSugar already has swatches of four Rouge Coco colors. We'll see which one of us gets to a Chanel counter first...

Chanel's Revamped Website Still Leaves A Lot To Be Desired

I was eagerly awaiting for the US launch of Chanel's new Rouge Coco lipstick, a hydrating creme formula. The email newsletter came today and the lipsticks are finally here. Considering the weather (10" of snow already on the ground and it keeps going strong), there's no visit to Saks in my immediate future. But Chanel.com is only a click away, right?

Chanel.com has recently gone through a redesign. You'd think they'd use the opportunity for some serious upgrades and improvements, especially in the color swatch department that has always been their weakest point. No such luck. I don't know about you, but I can't shop when what you see above is all the information I'm given.

KarlaSugar already has swatches of four Rouge Coco colors. We'll see which one of us gets to a Chanel counter first...

Chanel's Revamped Website Still Leaves A Lot To Be Desired

I was eagerly awaiting for the US launch of Chanel's new Rouge Coco lipstick, a hydrating creme formula. The email newsletter came today and the lipsticks are finally here. Considering the weather (10" of snow already on the ground and it keeps going strong), there's no visit to Saks in my immediate future. But Chanel.com is only a click away, right?

Chanel.com has recently gone through a redesign. You'd think they'd use the opportunity for some serious upgrades and improvements, especially in the color swatch department that has always been their weakest point. No such luck. I don't know about you, but I can't shop when what you see above is all the information I'm given.

KarlaSugar already has swatches of four Rouge Coco colors. We'll see which one of us gets to a Chanel counter first...

Imju Fiberwig Mascara

I'm going to file this one under "stuff I just don't get". Imju is a Japanese brand I've never encountered before and is now a Sephora exclusive. It was launched here with some fanfare and the email newsletter intrigued me enough to include a Fiberwig mascara in one of my recent orders. After all, what's not to love about "dramatic length" and "false eyelash-like" results?

Just the part where it doesn't deliver.

The thing about mascara is that performance varies based on the shape and texture of one's lashes. Certain formulas adhere differently to people's lashes because of length, thickness and level of curl. That's why one person gets phenomenal results from a mascara that does nothing for their friend. And speaking of diddly squat, that's exactly what I see whenever I test Fiberwig. While you can clearly see that the mascara contains tiny fibers that are supposed to stick to your lashes and make them look much longer, they simply do not adhere to my lashes, so I can't see any added length. As the photos reveal, there's also no volume or any other defining action.

Bottom line: Utterly useless for me.

Imju Fiberwig Mascara ($24) is available from Sephora online and in store.

Photos and bloodshot eyes are all mine. For reference- In these pictures I'm not wearing any other eye makeup except the Fiberwig mascara and a dab of YSL Touche Eclat so you don't drown in my dark circles.

Imju Fiberwig Mascara

I'm going to file this one under "stuff I just don't get". Imju is a Japanese brand I've never encountered before and is now a Sephora exclusive. It was launched here with some fanfare and the email newsletter intrigued me enough to include a Fiberwig mascara in one of my recent orders. After all, what's not to love about "dramatic length" and "false eyelash-like" results?

Just the part where it doesn't deliver.

The thing about mascara is that performance varies based on the shape and texture of one's lashes. Certain formulas adhere differently to people's lashes because of length, thickness and level of curl. That's why one person gets phenomenal results from a mascara that does nothing for their friend. And speaking of diddly squat, that's exactly what I see whenever I test Fiberwig. While you can clearly see that the mascara contains tiny fibers that are supposed to stick to your lashes and make them look much longer, they simply do not adhere to my lashes, so I can't see any added length. As the photos reveal, there's also no volume or any other defining action.

Bottom line: Utterly useless for me.

Imju Fiberwig Mascara ($24) is available from Sephora online and in store.

Photos and bloodshot eyes are all mine. For reference- In these pictures I'm not wearing any other eye makeup except the Fiberwig mascara and a dab of YSL Touche Eclat so you don't drown in my dark circles.

Imju Fiberwig Mascara

I'm going to file this one under "stuff I just don't get". Imju is a Japanese brand I've never encountered before and is now a Sephora exclusive. It was launched here with some fanfare and the email newsletter intrigued me enough to include a Fiberwig mascara in one of my recent orders. After all, what's not to love about "dramatic length" and "false eyelash-like" results?

Just the part where it doesn't deliver.

The thing about mascara is that performance varies based on the shape and texture of one's lashes. Certain formulas adhere differently to people's lashes because of length, thickness and level of curl. That's why one person gets phenomenal results from a mascara that does nothing for their friend. And speaking of diddly squat, that's exactly what I see whenever I test Fiberwig. While you can clearly see that the mascara contains tiny fibers that are supposed to stick to your lashes and make them look much longer, they simply do not adhere to my lashes, so I can't see any added length. As the photos reveal, there's also no volume or any other defining action.

Bottom line: Utterly useless for me.

Imju Fiberwig Mascara ($24) is available from Sephora online and in store.

Photos and bloodshot eyes are all mine. For reference- In these pictures I'm not wearing any other eye makeup except the Fiberwig mascara and a dab of YSL Touche Eclat so you don't drown in my dark circles.

Le Labo Ambrette 9

I have two issues with Le Labo's Ambrette 9: First, the concept of a perfume for babies. Why? Who needs that? I'm not a baby person and don't go nuts for "baby smell", but I also have no intention to scent my two adorable nieces until they are old enough to spell "Bergdorf Goodman". The second problem is that to actually smell Ambrette 9 for more than 20 minutes, even in the grown up version (the one actually for babies comes in a water base), requires bathing and marinating in this stuff.

The first few times I've tested Ambrette 9 I thought I was completely anosmic to everything past the chemical fruit opening. Eventually I received a much bigger sample at the Le Labo counter in Barneys and one day accidentally spilled half of it down my arm and into my sleeve. Finally I could smell it.

Ambrette seeds are the source for a natural vegetal musk. In this Le Labo interpretation of this raw material it's definitely a soft skin musk with a fruity undertone. The problem is that Ambrette 9 smells like the pale, drowned ghost of CB Musk Reinvention. Where Christopher Brosius has created a warm, robust musk, Ambrette 9 is washed out and watery. The scent itself is pleasant enough in the sense that it smells nice if you press your nose against a skin that has soaked it, but it doesn't give me the thrill of wearing a beautiful perfume.

Le Labo perfumes ($52 for 15 ml, there are also larger sizes available) can be found at Le Labo Boutiques at several major cities around the world and also at Barnyes. In the case of NYC I actually prefer the latter to the Elizabeth Street boutique because the chairs are more comfortable and the customer service is excellent.

Freaky image from amazon.com.

Le Labo Ambrette 9

I have two issues with Le Labo's Ambrette 9: First, the concept of a perfume for babies. Why? Who needs that? I'm not a baby person and don't go nuts for "baby smell", but I also have no intention to scent my two adorable nieces until they are old enough to spell "Bergdorf Goodman". The second problem is that to actually smell Ambrette 9 for more than 20 minutes, even in the grown up version (the one actually for babies comes in a water base), requires bathing and marinating in this stuff.

The first few times I've tested Ambrette 9 I thought I was completely anosmic to everything past the chemical fruit opening. Eventually I received a much bigger sample at the Le Labo counter in Barneys and one day accidentally spilled half of it down my arm and into my sleeve. Finally I could smell it.

Ambrette seeds are the source for a natural vegetal musk. In this Le Labo interpretation of this raw material it's definitely a soft skin musk with a fruity undertone. The problem is that Ambrette 9 smells like the pale, drowned ghost of CB Musk Reinvention. Where Christopher Brosius has created a warm, robust musk, Ambrette 9 is washed out and watery. The scent itself is pleasant enough in the sense that it smells nice if you press your nose against a skin that has soaked it, but it doesn't give me the thrill of wearing a beautiful perfume.

Le Labo perfumes ($52 for 15 ml, there are also larger sizes available) can be found at Le Labo Boutiques at several major cities around the world and also at Barnyes. In the case of NYC I actually prefer the latter to the Elizabeth Street boutique because the chairs are more comfortable and the customer service is excellent.

Freaky image from amazon.com.

Le Labo Ambrette 9

I have two issues with Le Labo's Ambrette 9: First, the concept of a perfume for babies. Why? Who needs that? I'm not a baby person and don't go nuts for "baby smell", but I also have no intention to scent my two adorable nieces until they are old enough to spell "Bergdorf Goodman". The second problem is that to actually smell Ambrette 9 for more than 20 minutes, even in the grown up version (the one actually for babies comes in a water base), requires bathing and marinating in this stuff.

The first few times I've tested Ambrette 9 I thought I was completely anosmic to everything past the chemical fruit opening. Eventually I received a much bigger sample at the Le Labo counter in Barneys and one day accidentally spilled half of it down my arm and into my sleeve. Finally I could smell it.

Ambrette seeds are the source for a natural vegetal musk. In this Le Labo interpretation of this raw material it's definitely a soft skin musk with a fruity undertone. The problem is that Ambrette 9 smells like the pale, drowned ghost of CB Musk Reinvention. Where Christopher Brosius has created a warm, robust musk, Ambrette 9 is washed out and watery. The scent itself is pleasant enough in the sense that it smells nice if you press your nose against a skin that has soaked it, but it doesn't give me the thrill of wearing a beautiful perfume.

Le Labo perfumes ($52 for 15 ml, there are also larger sizes available) can be found at Le Labo Boutiques at several major cities around the world and also at Barnyes. In the case of NYC I actually prefer the latter to the Elizabeth Street boutique because the chairs are more comfortable and the customer service is excellent.

Freaky image from amazon.com.

Sensai by Kanebo- Cellular Performance Intensive Hand Treatment

It's becoming pretty clear that if one is looking for good anti-aging hand lotions, the place to find them is at companies and brands that specialize in serious skin care and produce the best treatments for your face. it makes sense, after all. While greasy creams and petroleum gel-based products have their place when you need a buffer between harsh conditions and your skin, they don't nourish or restore your hands, and definitely have no anti-aging properties.

I've been going through sample tubes of Cellular Performance Intensive Hand Treatment by Kanebo Sensai and have nothing but praise for it. It actually plumps the skin and makes my hand not just feel better but also look smoother. The best part is how the cream sink right in leaving no residue on the surface. It's not greasy at all- I can thoroughly slather my hands and then pet the fluffiest of my cats and no hair would stick to me (I have creative testing methods).

I'm often asked about age spots, but I don't have any on my hands so I can't tell you if this Kanebo cream would make a significant difference. What I definitely see is that it keeps my skin very soft and nicely textured even in this weather. Considering I'm prone to scary parching, I'm very happy with it. Not seeing a dry cuticle in weeks has also been a very nice bonus.

Bottom line: Worth the price.

Sensai by Kanebo Cellular Performance Intensive Hand Treatment ($90 for 3.4 oz) is exclusive to Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman. I've received several samples as GWP and from the company's PR team.

Photo by Rene Zuber, 1930

Sensai by Kanebo- Cellular Performance Intensive Hand Treatment

It's becoming pretty clear that if one is looking for good anti-aging hand lotions, the place to find them is at companies and brands that specialize in serious skin care and produce the best treatments for your face. it makes sense, after all. While greasy creams and petroleum gel-based products have their place when you need a buffer between harsh conditions and your skin, they don't nourish or restore your hands, and definitely have no anti-aging properties.

I've been going through sample tubes of Cellular Performance Intensive Hand Treatment by Kanebo Sensai and have nothing but praise for it. It actually plumps the skin and makes my hand not just feel better but also look smoother. The best part is how the cream sink right in leaving no residue on the surface. It's not greasy at all- I can thoroughly slather my hands and then pet the fluffiest of my cats and no hair would stick to me (I have creative testing methods).

I'm often asked about age spots, but I don't have any on my hands so I can't tell you if this Kanebo cream would make a significant difference. What I definitely see is that it keeps my skin very soft and nicely textured even in this weather. Considering I'm prone to scary parching, I'm very happy with it. Not seeing a dry cuticle in weeks has also been a very nice bonus.

Bottom line: Worth the price.

Sensai by Kanebo Cellular Performance Intensive Hand Treatment ($90 for 3.4 oz) is exclusive to Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman. I've received several samples as GWP and from the company's PR team.

Photo by Rene Zuber, 1930

Sensai by Kanebo- Cellular Performance Intensive Hand Treatment

It's becoming pretty clear that if one is looking for good anti-aging hand lotions, the place to find them is at companies and brands that specialize in serious skin care and produce the best treatments for your face. it makes sense, after all. While greasy creams and petroleum gel-based products have their place when you need a buffer between harsh conditions and your skin, they don't nourish or restore your hands, and definitely have no anti-aging properties.

I've been going through sample tubes of Cellular Performance Intensive Hand Treatment by Kanebo Sensai and have nothing but praise for it. It actually plumps the skin and makes my hand not just feel better but also look smoother. The best part is how the cream sink right in leaving no residue on the surface. It's not greasy at all- I can thoroughly slather my hands and then pet the fluffiest of my cats and no hair would stick to me (I have creative testing methods).

I'm often asked about age spots, but I don't have any on my hands so I can't tell you if this Kanebo cream would make a significant difference. What I definitely see is that it keeps my skin very soft and nicely textured even in this weather. Considering I'm prone to scary parching, I'm very happy with it. Not seeing a dry cuticle in weeks has also been a very nice bonus.

Bottom line: Worth the price.

Sensai by Kanebo Cellular Performance Intensive Hand Treatment ($90 for 3.4 oz) is exclusive to Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman. I've received several samples as GWP and from the company's PR team.

Photo by Rene Zuber, 1930

Rescue Beauty Lounge- Three Red Nail Polish Colors

I've been on a serious red kick- red lipstick, red nails, red shoes (If you ask my mother she'd say nothing has changed since I first learned to identify colors. I refused to wear any shoes that weren't red). My latest discovery is some of the reds from Rescue Beauty Lounge, a NYC-based niche brand that offers extraordinary quality and  colors that make me want them all.

 Killa Red is blue based creme and all glam. It made my husband say: "that's ummm... really red, isn't it?" which I consider a good thing. It's not the color for a job interview or anywhere that "really red" would be considered distracting. They might as well name it "Man Eater" .

Moulin Rouge is a more introverted color. Black cherries? Dried blood? It's very dark and looks surprisingly elegant, especially on shorter nails.

Black Russian looks scary in the bottle. It's a sheer black with dark red glitter. Buying it felt almost like a dare, but I fell in love. It's not your Jersey mall glitter, that's for sure, and doesn't look like a Halloween reject, either. On the nail it's a lot smoother than you'd expect, and while there's definitely a vampish vibe, it's also sexy and sophisticated. Worthy of a special date and of the time and effort it takes to remove all the glittery flecks once you're done with the color.

As I said above, the quality is wonderful. The Rescue Beauty polishes are easy to apply and go on smoothly. The brush is comfortable to hold and use, and even a klutz like me can achieve impressive results. I use the Zoya base and top coats and the polish stays intact for over a week. You need to do some serious damage before the first chip arrives.

Bottom line: I'm planning my next purchase.

Rescue Beauty Lounge nail polish colors ($18 each) are available from the company's website rescuebeauty.com, which is how I bought these bottles.

All photos are mine.

Rescue Beauty Lounge- Three Red Nail Polish Colors

I've been on a serious red kick- red lipstick, red nails, red shoes (If you ask my mother she'd say nothing has changed since I first learned to identify colors. I refused to wear any shoes that weren't red). My latest discovery is some of the reds from Rescue Beauty Lounge, a NYC-based niche brand that offers extraordinary quality and  colors that make me want them all.

 Killa Red is blue based creme and all glam. It made my husband say: "that's ummm... really red, isn't it?" which I consider a good thing. It's not the color for a job interview or anywhere that "really red" would be considered distracting. They might as well name it "Man Eater" .

Moulin Rouge is a more introverted color. Black cherries? Dried blood? It's very dark and looks surprisingly elegant, especially on shorter nails.

Black Russian looks scary in the bottle. It's a sheer black with dark red glitter. Buying it felt almost like a dare, but I fell in love. It's not your Jersey mall glitter, that's for sure, and doesn't look like a Halloween reject, either. On the nail it's a lot smoother than you'd expect, and while there's definitely a vampish vibe, it's also sexy and sophisticated. Worthy of a special date and of the time and effort it takes to remove all the glittery flecks once you're done with the color.

As I said above, the quality is wonderful. The Rescue Beauty polishes are easy to apply and go on smoothly. The brush is comfortable to hold and use, and even a klutz like me can achieve impressive results. I use the Zoya base and top coats and the polish stays intact for over a week. You need to do some serious damage before the first chip arrives.

Bottom line: I'm planning my next purchase.

Rescue Beauty Lounge nail polish colors ($18 each) are available from the company's website rescuebeauty.com, which is how I bought these bottles.

All photos are mine.

Rescue Beauty Lounge- Three Red Nail Polish Colors

I've been on a serious red kick- red lipstick, red nails, red shoes (If you ask my mother she'd say nothing has changed since I first learned to identify colors. I refused to wear any shoes that weren't red). My latest discovery is some of the reds from Rescue Beauty Lounge, a NYC-based niche brand that offers extraordinary quality and  colors that make me want them all.

 Killa Red is blue based creme and all glam. It made my husband say: "that's ummm... really red, isn't it?" which I consider a good thing. It's not the color for a job interview or anywhere that "really red" would be considered distracting. They might as well name it "Man Eater" .

Moulin Rouge is a more introverted color. Black cherries? Dried blood? It's very dark and looks surprisingly elegant, especially on shorter nails.

Black Russian looks scary in the bottle. It's a sheer black with dark red glitter. Buying it felt almost like a dare, but I fell in love. It's not your Jersey mall glitter, that's for sure, and doesn't look like a Halloween reject, either. On the nail it's a lot smoother than you'd expect, and while there's definitely a vampish vibe, it's also sexy and sophisticated. Worthy of a special date and of the time and effort it takes to remove all the glittery flecks once you're done with the color.

As I said above, the quality is wonderful. The Rescue Beauty polishes are easy to apply and go on smoothly. The brush is comfortable to hold and use, and even a klutz like me can achieve impressive results. I use the Zoya base and top coats and the polish stays intact for over a week. You need to do some serious damage before the first chip arrives.

Bottom line: I'm planning my next purchase.

Rescue Beauty Lounge nail polish colors ($18 each) are available from the company's website rescuebeauty.com, which is how I bought these bottles.

All photos are mine.