Chanel Rouge Allure Fall 2009: Clandestine and Amusing

It's nearly impossible to go wrong with a Chanel lipstick. My choice from the six new shades for the season were Clandestine and Amusing. Neither one goes with Murano, the the eye quad palette (though braver souls without an 80s trauma might be willing to try Amusing with this strong eye look) , which calls for a more muted color, but they both go with me.

Amusing (left) is a brown based rose. It's dark enough to make a statement but still office-appropriate.

Clandestine (right) is a much warmer color- it's brick red but doesn't cross the line towards orange. It calls to mind a fall day and lights up the face. Please remember to exfoliate and use a liner, as Clandestine is quite red.

Both are creamy, comfortable and give excellent coverage. Amusing has a superb staying power that even resists a cup of tea.

Bottom line: Love.

Chanel Rouge Allure lipsticks ($30 each) are available from the nicer department stores and Chanel.com. I bought them at Neiman Marcus.

Photo: mine. in the background you can see my tomato plants. They've grown significantly since I took the picture and I get to pick fresh tomatoes almost daily.

Chanel Rouge Allure Fall 2009: Clandestine and Amusing

It's nearly impossible to go wrong with a Chanel lipstick. My choice from the six new shades for the season were Clandestine and Amusing. Neither one goes with Murano, the the eye quad palette (though braver souls without an 80s trauma might be willing to try Amusing with this strong eye look) , which calls for a more muted color, but they both go with me.

Amusing (left) is a brown based rose. It's dark enough to make a statement but still office-appropriate.

Clandestine (right) is a much warmer color- it's brick red but doesn't cross the line towards orange. It calls to mind a fall day and lights up the face. Please remember to exfoliate and use a liner, as Clandestine is quite red.

Both are creamy, comfortable and give excellent coverage. Amusing has a superb staying power that even resists a cup of tea.

Bottom line: Love.

Chanel Rouge Allure lipsticks ($30 each) are available from the nicer department stores and Chanel.com. I bought them at Neiman Marcus.

Photo: mine. in the background you can see my tomato plants. They've grown significantly since I took the picture and I get to pick fresh tomatoes almost daily.

Chanel Rouge Allure Fall 2009: Clandestine and Amusing

It's nearly impossible to go wrong with a Chanel lipstick. My choice from the six new shades for the season were Clandestine and Amusing. Neither one goes with Murano, the the eye quad palette (though braver souls without an 80s trauma might be willing to try Amusing with this strong eye look) , which calls for a more muted color, but they both go with me.

Amusing (left) is a brown based rose. It's dark enough to make a statement but still office-appropriate.

Clandestine (right) is a much warmer color- it's brick red but doesn't cross the line towards orange. It calls to mind a fall day and lights up the face. Please remember to exfoliate and use a liner, as Clandestine is quite red.

Both are creamy, comfortable and give excellent coverage. Amusing has a superb staying power that even resists a cup of tea.

Bottom line: Love.

Chanel Rouge Allure lipsticks ($30 each) are available from the nicer department stores and Chanel.com. I bought them at Neiman Marcus.

Photo: mine. in the background you can see my tomato plants. They've grown significantly since I took the picture and I get to pick fresh tomatoes almost daily.

Nars Smudge Brush No.15

I can't say I'm very loyal to any brand of makeup brushes, though when it comes to blending, I tend to favor the ones from Sephora Professional Series. They feel nicely balanced in my hand and the heads are exactly the right size. But recently I needed something very specific- a narrow brush to apply dark eye shadow right on the lash line and do a little smudging, both on the upper lashes and the bottom ones. I looked at several options, and selected Nars No. 15 Smudge Brush.
It delivers perfectly. While I don't do a real smoky eye, I use (very) dark eye shadows on the lid and blend them into my eye liner. I also like applying just a hint of color right into the lower lashes without getting a bovine or a basset hound effect. The Nars smudge brush does the trick very efficiently. It picks just the right amount of eye shadow and places it where it belongs. How did I live without it for so long?

Bonus photo of Buffy, just because she's so pretty:


Nars No. 15 smudge brush ($25.50) and the rest of the line are available from Sephora (where I bought mine), both online and in store, nars.com and beauty.com.

All photos are mine. As is the cat.

Nars Smudge Brush No.15

I can't say I'm very loyal to any brand of makeup brushes, though when it comes to blending, I tend to favor the ones from Sephora Professional Series. They feel nicely balanced in my hand and the heads are exactly the right size. But recently I needed something very specific- a narrow brush to apply dark eye shadow right on the lash line and do a little smudging, both on the upper lashes and the bottom ones. I looked at several options, and selected Nars No. 15 Smudge Brush.
It delivers perfectly. While I don't do a real smoky eye, I use (very) dark eye shadows on the lid and blend them into my eye liner. I also like applying just a hint of color right into the lower lashes without getting a bovine or a basset hound effect. The Nars smudge brush does the trick very efficiently. It picks just the right amount of eye shadow and places it where it belongs. How did I live without it for so long?

Bonus photo of Buffy, just because she's so pretty:


Nars No. 15 smudge brush ($25.50) and the rest of the line are available from Sephora (where I bought mine), both online and in store, nars.com and beauty.com.

All photos are mine. As is the cat.

Nars Smudge Brush No.15

I can't say I'm very loyal to any brand of makeup brushes, though when it comes to blending, I tend to favor the ones from Sephora Professional Series. They feel nicely balanced in my hand and the heads are exactly the right size. But recently I needed something very specific- a narrow brush to apply dark eye shadow right on the lash line and do a little smudging, both on the upper lashes and the bottom ones. I looked at several options, and selected Nars No. 15 Smudge Brush.
It delivers perfectly. While I don't do a real smoky eye, I use (very) dark eye shadows on the lid and blend them into my eye liner. I also like applying just a hint of color right into the lower lashes without getting a bovine or a basset hound effect. The Nars smudge brush does the trick very efficiently. It picks just the right amount of eye shadow and places it where it belongs. How did I live without it for so long?

Bonus photo of Buffy, just because she's so pretty:


Nars No. 15 smudge brush ($25.50) and the rest of the line are available from Sephora (where I bought mine), both online and in store, nars.com and beauty.com.

All photos are mine. As is the cat.

Ormonde Jayne Ta'if

Ta'if by British perfume house Ormonde Jayne is both playful and romantic. Sort of like the images I chose above. In theory- Ta'if is a rose scent, so the romance isn't a surprise. The unexpected elements are three:
1. the sparkling, peppery opening
2. the spicy, not very feminine drydown
3. I love it

I had several expectations when I ordered the Ormonde Jayne sample pack last year. I knew I was going to love Tolu, the big-boned, balsamic oriental (and I do), shrug off the white florals (ditto), adore Woman and Orris Noir (not so much) and dislike Ta'if on account of the rose- this note tends to go sour on my skin.

Ta'if became my first full bottle of this line.

I could tell from the very beginning that there's something different about this fragrance. Pink pepper might have become a modern perfumery cliche, but when it works it really does a bottle good. In this case, the top notes sparkle and shine. It feels uplifting and fun from the first moment, and also very pretty. The rose is pretty big here. It's honeyed, sweet and rounded with rich fruit. I can't really spot the dates, but I believe they are responsible for the honey-like part. I get some peachiness, in the best possible way, or maybe a peach liqueur, because there's some very pleasant booziness, balanced by a dry wood-spice drydown.

As the hours go by it's no longer all about rose. The big red flower is still there, but other notes are more pronounced and there's a spicy feeling. The obvious question here is about a possible similarity to Malle's Noir Epices, but I get none. I like Noir Epices well enough, but it doesn't move me. It's sharper and definitely not as sweet. I also can't compare it to some of the rosy Montale fragrances, as each and every one I tried so far turned into a sour mess on me.

The final drydown of Ta'if is an amber-wood-vanilla with a gentle rose floating just above. It's not projecting much, but it wraps the skin in a pleasant, soft and inviting aura that holds for about 8 hours. The perfume blooms nicely, both in the heat and while working out (don't give me this look: I do it in private, not in a crowded gym), but I loved it just as much last winter. It had a summery promise.

For a male perspective read Dane's review over at PereDePierre.

Ta'if, as all the other Ormonde Jayne perfumes (£68.00 for 50 ml) is available from the London boutique (12 The Royal Arcade 28 Old Bond Street). Thankfully, they have a beautiful and functional e-commerce site, ormondejayne.com , and they are happy to ship overseas. They also have a sample program that gives you generous samples of all 11 fragrances for £35.00 (shipping is free, but they do not subtract the VAT. Just pick a day the exchange rate isn't too atrocious).

images: Vogue Red Rose cover from art.com, Valentino Rose Vertigo purse from Bergdorf Goodman

Ormonde Jayne Ta'if

Ta'if by British perfume house Ormonde Jayne is both playful and romantic. Sort of like the images I chose above. In theory- Ta'if is a rose scent, so the romance isn't a surprise. The unexpected elements are three:
1. the sparkling, peppery opening
2. the spicy, not very feminine drydown
3. I love it

I had several expectations when I ordered the Ormonde Jayne sample pack last year. I knew I was going to love Tolu, the big-boned, balsamic oriental (and I do), shrug off the white florals (ditto), adore Woman and Orris Noir (not so much) and dislike Ta'if on account of the rose- this note tends to go sour on my skin.

Ta'if became my first full bottle of this line.

I could tell from the very beginning that there's something different about this fragrance. Pink pepper might have become a modern perfumery cliche, but when it works it really does a bottle good. In this case, the top notes sparkle and shine. It feels uplifting and fun from the first moment, and also very pretty. The rose is pretty big here. It's honeyed, sweet and rounded with rich fruit. I can't really spot the dates, but I believe they are responsible for the honey-like part. I get some peachiness, in the best possible way, or maybe a peach liqueur, because there's some very pleasant booziness, balanced by a dry wood-spice drydown.

As the hours go by it's no longer all about rose. The big red flower is still there, but other notes are more pronounced and there's a spicy feeling. The obvious question here is about a possible similarity to Malle's Noir Epices, but I get none. I like Noir Epices well enough, but it doesn't move me. It's sharper and definitely not as sweet. I also can't compare it to some of the rosy Montale fragrances, as each and every one I tried so far turned into a sour mess on me.

The final drydown of Ta'if is an amber-wood-vanilla with a gentle rose floating just above. It's not projecting much, but it wraps the skin in a pleasant, soft and inviting aura that holds for about 8 hours. The perfume blooms nicely, both in the heat and while working out (don't give me this look: I do it in private, not in a crowded gym), but I loved it just as much last winter. It had a summery promise.

For a male perspective read Dane's review over at PereDePierre.

Ta'if, as all the other Ormonde Jayne perfumes (£68.00 for 50 ml) is available from the London boutique (12 The Royal Arcade 28 Old Bond Street). Thankfully, they have a beautiful and functional e-commerce site, ormondejayne.com , and they are happy to ship overseas. They also have a sample program that gives you generous samples of all 11 fragrances for £35.00 (shipping is free, but they do not subtract the VAT. Just pick a day the exchange rate isn't too atrocious).

images: Vogue Red Rose cover from art.com, Valentino Rose Vertigo purse from Bergdorf Goodman

Ormonde Jayne Ta'if

Ta'if by British perfume house Ormonde Jayne is both playful and romantic. Sort of like the images I chose above. In theory- Ta'if is a rose scent, so the romance isn't a surprise. The unexpected elements are three:
1. the sparkling, peppery opening
2. the spicy, not very feminine drydown
3. I love it

I had several expectations when I ordered the Ormonde Jayne sample pack last year. I knew I was going to love Tolu, the big-boned, balsamic oriental (and I do), shrug off the white florals (ditto), adore Woman and Orris Noir (not so much) and dislike Ta'if on account of the rose- this note tends to go sour on my skin.

Ta'if became my first full bottle of this line.

I could tell from the very beginning that there's something different about this fragrance. Pink pepper might have become a modern perfumery cliche, but when it works it really does a bottle good. In this case, the top notes sparkle and shine. It feels uplifting and fun from the first moment, and also very pretty. The rose is pretty big here. It's honeyed, sweet and rounded with rich fruit. I can't really spot the dates, but I believe they are responsible for the honey-like part. I get some peachiness, in the best possible way, or maybe a peach liqueur, because there's some very pleasant booziness, balanced by a dry wood-spice drydown.

As the hours go by it's no longer all about rose. The big red flower is still there, but other notes are more pronounced and there's a spicy feeling. The obvious question here is about a possible similarity to Malle's Noir Epices, but I get none. I like Noir Epices well enough, but it doesn't move me. It's sharper and definitely not as sweet. I also can't compare it to some of the rosy Montale fragrances, as each and every one I tried so far turned into a sour mess on me.

The final drydown of Ta'if is an amber-wood-vanilla with a gentle rose floating just above. It's not projecting much, but it wraps the skin in a pleasant, soft and inviting aura that holds for about 8 hours. The perfume blooms nicely, both in the heat and while working out (don't give me this look: I do it in private, not in a crowded gym), but I loved it just as much last winter. It had a summery promise.

For a male perspective read Dane's review over at PereDePierre.

Ta'if, as all the other Ormonde Jayne perfumes (£68.00 for 50 ml) is available from the London boutique (12 The Royal Arcade 28 Old Bond Street). Thankfully, they have a beautiful and functional e-commerce site, ormondejayne.com , and they are happy to ship overseas. They also have a sample program that gives you generous samples of all 11 fragrances for £35.00 (shipping is free, but they do not subtract the VAT. Just pick a day the exchange rate isn't too atrocious).

images: Vogue Red Rose cover from art.com, Valentino Rose Vertigo purse from Bergdorf Goodman

La Bella Donna Baci Baci Lip Sheer

I received La Bella Donna Baci Baci Lip Sheer in Prism months ago in some goodie bag and put it aside since the color, a less-than-medium pink, didn't excite me. But I finally started testing it and over the last few weeks it has slowly been growing on me, mostly because of a great (if sticky) texture. The cool silvery click pen is also a nice feature. It gives me the illusion this product is cleaner and less likely to get contaminated.

While Prism is, indeed, too light for my taste, it's so sheer that the pigment doesn't play a role here. On me, it acts like a clear, super shimmery gloss. It's good for when I want to wear a very dark lipstick but take it down a notch. However, the amount of shimmer (borderline glittery, actually) still confines it for nighttime. La Bella Donna Baci Baci Lip Sheer (that's a mouthful, for sure) is as moisturizing as they promise. It's a bit sticky, but I guess this helps with the staying power, which is higher than average for a gloss. It wears comfortably, and as an added bonus, all that moisture is very plumping. So much so that even my husband noticed and commented on it (not sure he liked it, though, but I sort of did. The pillowy effect is quite nice).

As a bonus, I discovered that this Baci Baci Lip Sheer works wonders with the dud that is Serge Lutens Lip Tint. I experimented one afternoon- first applied a generous amount of the Encre Pour Les Levres, let it set and then put on a coat of this gloss. The stickiness of Baci Baci prevented it from smearing and wiping the Serge, and since Prism is practically clear, it just coated my lips with a good amount of pearly moisture and extended the lips stain's life.

Now, while Prism is nice and a clear gloss has definitely a place in my arsenal, it's not one I'd choose myself. I'd prefer a darker shade, and especially one with less shimmer. I've read that some of the other colors in this range are not shimmery at all, but the teeny-tiny color swatches on the La Bella Donna site are utterly useless:


Seriously. How is one supposed to choose a color/texture from this thing? The only informed decision possible here is to go elsewhere for shopping, and La Bella Donna, as a small, independent brand that is in very limited distribution is losing big time from this inadequate website. Once again I find myself trying to remind a company that this is not 1999. They must give us a much better user experience if they want our money.

La Bella Donna Baci Baci Lip Sheer ($26.50) is available online from their website, labelladonna.com. It's also sold at a handful salons and spas. Bergdorf Goodman used to carry the brand, but last time I was there I didn't see the display and it's no longer on the Bergdorf website, so I suspect the line was recently dropped. While Bergdorf website doesn't list it, La Bella Donna is still sold there, so it should be available by phone and in store. I'm going to search again the next time I'm there.

La Bella Donna Baci Baci Lip Sheer

I received La Bella Donna Baci Baci Lip Sheer in Prism months ago in some goodie bag and put it aside since the color, a less-than-medium pink, didn't excite me. But I finally started testing it and over the last few weeks it has slowly been growing on me, mostly because of a great (if sticky) texture. The cool silvery click pen is also a nice feature. It gives me the illusion this product is cleaner and less likely to get contaminated.

While Prism is, indeed, too light for my taste, it's so sheer that the pigment doesn't play a role here. On me, it acts like a clear, super shimmery gloss. It's good for when I want to wear a very dark lipstick but take it down a notch. However, the amount of shimmer (borderline glittery, actually) still confines it for nighttime. La Bella Donna Baci Baci Lip Sheer (that's a mouthful, for sure) is as moisturizing as they promise. It's a bit sticky, but I guess this helps with the staying power, which is higher than average for a gloss. It wears comfortably, and as an added bonus, all that moisture is very plumping. So much so that even my husband noticed and commented on it (not sure he liked it, though, but I sort of did. The pillowy effect is quite nice).

As a bonus, I discovered that this Baci Baci Lip Sheer works wonders with the dud that is Serge Lutens Lip Tint. I experimented one afternoon- first applied a generous amount of the Encre Pour Les Levres, let it set and then put on a coat of this gloss. The stickiness of Baci Baci prevented it from smearing and wiping the Serge, and since Prism is practically clear, it just coated my lips with a good amount of pearly moisture and extended the lips stain's life.

Now, while Prism is nice and a clear gloss has definitely a place in my arsenal, it's not one I'd choose myself. I'd prefer a darker shade, and especially one with less shimmer. I've read that some of the other colors in this range are not shimmery at all, but the teeny-tiny color swatches on the La Bella Donna site are utterly useless:


Seriously. How is one supposed to choose a color/texture from this thing? The only informed decision possible here is to go elsewhere for shopping, and La Bella Donna, as a small, independent brand that is in very limited distribution is losing big time from this inadequate website. Once again I find myself trying to remind a company that this is not 1999. They must give us a much better user experience if they want our money.

La Bella Donna Baci Baci Lip Sheer ($26.50) is available online from their website, labelladonna.com. It's also sold at a handful salons and spas. Bergdorf Goodman used to carry the brand, but last time I was there I didn't see the display and it's no longer on the Bergdorf website, so I suspect the line was recently dropped. While Bergdorf website doesn't list it, La Bella Donna is still sold there, so it should be available by phone and in store. I'm going to search again the next time I'm there.

La Bella Donna Baci Baci Lip Sheer

I received La Bella Donna Baci Baci Lip Sheer in Prism months ago in some goodie bag and put it aside since the color, a less-than-medium pink, didn't excite me. But I finally started testing it and over the last few weeks it has slowly been growing on me, mostly because of a great (if sticky) texture. The cool silvery click pen is also a nice feature. It gives me the illusion this product is cleaner and less likely to get contaminated.

While Prism is, indeed, too light for my taste, it's so sheer that the pigment doesn't play a role here. On me, it acts like a clear, super shimmery gloss. It's good for when I want to wear a very dark lipstick but take it down a notch. However, the amount of shimmer (borderline glittery, actually) still confines it for nighttime. La Bella Donna Baci Baci Lip Sheer (that's a mouthful, for sure) is as moisturizing as they promise. It's a bit sticky, but I guess this helps with the staying power, which is higher than average for a gloss. It wears comfortably, and as an added bonus, all that moisture is very plumping. So much so that even my husband noticed and commented on it (not sure he liked it, though, but I sort of did. The pillowy effect is quite nice).

As a bonus, I discovered that this Baci Baci Lip Sheer works wonders with the dud that is Serge Lutens Lip Tint. I experimented one afternoon- first applied a generous amount of the Encre Pour Les Levres, let it set and then put on a coat of this gloss. The stickiness of Baci Baci prevented it from smearing and wiping the Serge, and since Prism is practically clear, it just coated my lips with a good amount of pearly moisture and extended the lips stain's life.

Now, while Prism is nice and a clear gloss has definitely a place in my arsenal, it's not one I'd choose myself. I'd prefer a darker shade, and especially one with less shimmer. I've read that some of the other colors in this range are not shimmery at all, but the teeny-tiny color swatches on the La Bella Donna site are utterly useless:


Seriously. How is one supposed to choose a color/texture from this thing? The only informed decision possible here is to go elsewhere for shopping, and La Bella Donna, as a small, independent brand that is in very limited distribution is losing big time from this inadequate website. Once again I find myself trying to remind a company that this is not 1999. They must give us a much better user experience if they want our money.

La Bella Donna Baci Baci Lip Sheer ($26.50) is available online from their website, labelladonna.com. It's also sold at a handful salons and spas. Bergdorf Goodman used to carry the brand, but last time I was there I didn't see the display and it's no longer on the Bergdorf website, so I suspect the line was recently dropped. While Bergdorf website doesn't list it, La Bella Donna is still sold there, so it should be available by phone and in store. I'm going to search again the next time I'm there.

Fall 2009 Makeup- Plum Lipsticks From YSL and Nars

The new dark plum colors we're seeing for fall 2009 are making me very happy. They're pretty, sexy and sophisticated. Here we see two of the leading looks: Nars (sheer lipstick in Fast Ride) and YSL (Rouge Volupté #22 Exquisite Plum). I plan to buy the latter, as I prefer the texture of YSL products (Nars lipsticks are often too dry for me, even the sheer ones).

Which one is your favorite? Are you going to get a plum colored lipstick this season?

Fall 2009 Makeup- Plum Lipsticks From YSL and Nars

The new dark plum colors we're seeing for fall 2009 are making me very happy. They're pretty, sexy and sophisticated. Here we see two of the leading looks: Nars (sheer lipstick in Fast Ride) and YSL (Rouge Volupté #22 Exquisite Plum). I plan to buy the latter, as I prefer the texture of YSL products (Nars lipsticks are often too dry for me, even the sheer ones).

Which one is your favorite? Are you going to get a plum colored lipstick this season?

Fall 2009 Makeup- Plum Lipsticks From YSL and Nars

The new dark plum colors we're seeing for fall 2009 are making me very happy. They're pretty, sexy and sophisticated. Here we see two of the leading looks: Nars (sheer lipstick in Fast Ride) and YSL (Rouge Volupté #22 Exquisite Plum). I plan to buy the latter, as I prefer the texture of YSL products (Nars lipsticks are often too dry for me, even the sheer ones).

Which one is your favorite? Are you going to get a plum colored lipstick this season?

Boots No.7 Protect & Perfect Beauty Serum

I wasn't sure that I'm the right person to test Boots No.7 Protect & Perfect Beauty Serum. My skin doesn't betray the fact I'm 15 months shy of my 40th birthday (good genes and compulsive maintenance. A disgustingly clean lifestyle doesn't hurt, either). However, the lines I do have are hereditary and are part of my expression: laugh lines near my eyes, and my forehead shows the signs of developing frown lines identical to my father's. Apparently, mothers everywhere were right: your face really does end up getting stuck like that. In addition, I also noticed recently that there's another line forming between my eyebrows. All that crankiness really doesn't do much for one's face, but I was sure the only salvation is Botox.

Still, when a product like Protect & Perfect serum gains not only a cult of followers that methodically clean out the shelves at Target, but also has some scientific that actually supports its claims, it means I need to try it. One day I actually found a lone box in the Boots No.7 aisle at the store, so it went home with me.

That started a twice daily new skin care routine. Protect & Perfect goes on smoothly and is quick to absorb. It's a good thing because you must follow up with a moisturizer, as this product feels a bit dry. It never clashed with any of my creams, and basically just went into the skin and stayed there, doing its thing. The box promised results within four weeks. I didn't see any change in the forehead situations, but honestly, I didn't expect to see anything. However, something was different and it took me a little while to realize that Protect & Perfect must be the best pore minimizer I've ever come across. My pores are pretty small to begin with, so it wasn't a big change, but getting an even smoother skin was a very welcome surprise.

I kept using the serum. Two or three weeks later I was scrutinizing my forehead and could not deny there was something going on. I didn't turn into Nicole Kidman or anything, but frowny 1, 2 and 3 (yes, they have names) were significantly less obvious. The line between the eyebrows, though, was still very much there and I was ready to declare that the serum does diddly squat for that kind of wrinkles. Until this week, when I started to suspect there actually is some difference. I can't prove it and everything was pretty subtle to begin with- it's not like any of these lines were that noticeable for the non-obsessive observer, but something is definitely happening.

The laugh lines are still in place, but that's how it should be for anyone who isn't Renee Zellweger.

Bottom line: I'm buying another bottle. Or maybe I'll go with the Intense version. More serumy goodness can't hurt.

Boots No.7 Protect & Perfect Beauty Serum ($21.99) is sometimes available from Target, in store and online. I bought it locally.

Image: http://www.guardian.co.uk/

Boots No.7 Protect & Perfect Beauty Serum

I wasn't sure that I'm the right person to test Boots No.7 Protect & Perfect Beauty Serum. My skin doesn't betray the fact I'm 15 months shy of my 40th birthday (good genes and compulsive maintenance. A disgustingly clean lifestyle doesn't hurt, either). However, the lines I do have are hereditary and are part of my expression: laugh lines near my eyes, and my forehead shows the signs of developing frown lines identical to my father's. Apparently, mothers everywhere were right: your face really does end up getting stuck like that. In addition, I also noticed recently that there's another line forming between my eyebrows. All that crankiness really doesn't do much for one's face, but I was sure the only salvation is Botox.

Still, when a product like Protect & Perfect serum gains not only a cult of followers that methodically clean out the shelves at Target, but also has some scientific that actually supports its claims, it means I need to try it. One day I actually found a lone box in the Boots No.7 aisle at the store, so it went home with me.

That started a twice daily new skin care routine. Protect & Perfect goes on smoothly and is quick to absorb. It's a good thing because you must follow up with a moisturizer, as this product feels a bit dry. It never clashed with any of my creams, and basically just went into the skin and stayed there, doing its thing. The box promised results within four weeks. I didn't see any change in the forehead situations, but honestly, I didn't expect to see anything. However, something was different and it took me a little while to realize that Protect & Perfect must be the best pore minimizer I've ever come across. My pores are pretty small to begin with, so it wasn't a big change, but getting an even smoother skin was a very welcome surprise.

I kept using the serum. Two or three weeks later I was scrutinizing my forehead and could not deny there was something going on. I didn't turn into Nicole Kidman or anything, but frowny 1, 2 and 3 (yes, they have names) were significantly less obvious. The line between the eyebrows, though, was still very much there and I was ready to declare that the serum does diddly squat for that kind of wrinkles. Until this week, when I started to suspect there actually is some difference. I can't prove it and everything was pretty subtle to begin with- it's not like any of these lines were that noticeable for the non-obsessive observer, but something is definitely happening.

The laugh lines are still in place, but that's how it should be for anyone who isn't Renee Zellweger.

Bottom line: I'm buying another bottle. Or maybe I'll go with the Intense version. More serumy goodness can't hurt.

Boots No.7 Protect & Perfect Beauty Serum ($21.99) is sometimes available from Target, in store and online. I bought it locally.

Image: http://www.guardian.co.uk/

Boots No.7 Protect & Perfect Beauty Serum

I wasn't sure that I'm the right person to test Boots No.7 Protect & Perfect Beauty Serum. My skin doesn't betray the fact I'm 15 months shy of my 40th birthday (good genes and compulsive maintenance. A disgustingly clean lifestyle doesn't hurt, either). However, the lines I do have are hereditary and are part of my expression: laugh lines near my eyes, and my forehead shows the signs of developing frown lines identical to my father's. Apparently, mothers everywhere were right: your face really does end up getting stuck like that. In addition, I also noticed recently that there's another line forming between my eyebrows. All that crankiness really doesn't do much for one's face, but I was sure the only salvation is Botox.

Still, when a product like Protect & Perfect serum gains not only a cult of followers that methodically clean out the shelves at Target, but also has some scientific that actually supports its claims, it means I need to try it. One day I actually found a lone box in the Boots No.7 aisle at the store, so it went home with me.

That started a twice daily new skin care routine. Protect & Perfect goes on smoothly and is quick to absorb. It's a good thing because you must follow up with a moisturizer, as this product feels a bit dry. It never clashed with any of my creams, and basically just went into the skin and stayed there, doing its thing. The box promised results within four weeks. I didn't see any change in the forehead situations, but honestly, I didn't expect to see anything. However, something was different and it took me a little while to realize that Protect & Perfect must be the best pore minimizer I've ever come across. My pores are pretty small to begin with, so it wasn't a big change, but getting an even smoother skin was a very welcome surprise.

I kept using the serum. Two or three weeks later I was scrutinizing my forehead and could not deny there was something going on. I didn't turn into Nicole Kidman or anything, but frowny 1, 2 and 3 (yes, they have names) were significantly less obvious. The line between the eyebrows, though, was still very much there and I was ready to declare that the serum does diddly squat for that kind of wrinkles. Until this week, when I started to suspect there actually is some difference. I can't prove it and everything was pretty subtle to begin with- it's not like any of these lines were that noticeable for the non-obsessive observer, but something is definitely happening.

The laugh lines are still in place, but that's how it should be for anyone who isn't Renee Zellweger.

Bottom line: I'm buying another bottle. Or maybe I'll go with the Intense version. More serumy goodness can't hurt.

Boots No.7 Protect & Perfect Beauty Serum ($21.99) is sometimes available from Target, in store and online. I bought it locally.

Image: http://www.guardian.co.uk/

Matte Nail Polish- Zoya MatteVelvet Fall 2009

It looked like a good idea at the time.

With formerly extreme nail polish colors like black, green and indigo becoming acceptable in polite company, came the demand for something cool and new. Enter matte nail polish. The new trend is a departure from the ultra shiny nails we're used to see. No more piling on layers of glossy top coats to maintain luster. In fact, the new matte nails require that you use neither base coat nor top coat. It goes on over clean and dry nails (it's best to use a polish remover before application, to make sure there's no trace of lotions or other greasy substances).

I got to play with Zoya MatteVelvet, a collection of three colors in the new finish. Posh is a shimmery deep red, Loredana is a shimmery gunmetal gray and Dovima is a velvety black shimmer. The new colors come in a frosted glass bottle that actually hides the shimmer. The polish is actually has a muted metallic glint and a fabric-like appearance, which is where the problem starts for me.

The polish goes on easily, dries down in seconds (amazing. I wish all nail polish worked like this) and is essentially fool proof. But while the color is pretty and it's interesting, my nails end up looking fuzzy, like something went wrong. It's just not something I enjoy. The matte polish looks best in dim lighting, which brings out the best in this finish. It actually looks lit from within. But in broad daylight, said fuzziness occurs. Add to that the longevity issue (the Zoya website is very honest and warns you about it. It's a special formula and is not supposed to last) that causes flaking and chipping within 24 hours, and this is just not for me. I simply don't like this trend.

I removed the polish after two days, but that's probably because I couldn't wait to start playing with Zoya Truth and Dare, the two special collections for fall 2009. Both have gorgeous, deep colors with a sturdy, glossy finish. Photos coming soon.

Zoya MatteVelvet collection for fall 2009 ($6 per bottle) is available from select salons and the company's website, artofbeauty.com. I received it as a PR freebie.

photos: mine. models: Peter (gray) and Buffy (white)

Matte Nail Polish- Zoya MatteVelvet Fall 2009

It looked like a good idea at the time.

With formerly extreme nail polish colors like black, green and indigo becoming acceptable in polite company, came the demand for something cool and new. Enter matte nail polish. The new trend is a departure from the ultra shiny nails we're used to see. No more piling on layers of glossy top coats to maintain luster. In fact, the new matte nails require that you use neither base coat nor top coat. It goes on over clean and dry nails (it's best to use a polish remover before application, to make sure there's no trace of lotions or other greasy substances).

I got to play with Zoya MatteVelvet, a collection of three colors in the new finish. Posh is a shimmery deep red, Loredana is a shimmery gunmetal gray and Dovima is a velvety black shimmer. The new colors come in a frosted glass bottle that actually hides the shimmer. The polish is actually has a muted metallic glint and a fabric-like appearance, which is where the problem starts for me.

The polish goes on easily, dries down in seconds (amazing. I wish all nail polish worked like this) and is essentially fool proof. But while the color is pretty and it's interesting, my nails end up looking fuzzy, like something went wrong. It's just not something I enjoy. The matte polish looks best in dim lighting, which brings out the best in this finish. It actually looks lit from within. But in broad daylight, said fuzziness occurs. Add to that the longevity issue (the Zoya website is very honest and warns you about it. It's a special formula and is not supposed to last) that causes flaking and chipping within 24 hours, and this is just not for me. I simply don't like this trend.

I removed the polish after two days, but that's probably because I couldn't wait to start playing with Zoya Truth and Dare, the two special collections for fall 2009. Both have gorgeous, deep colors with a sturdy, glossy finish. Photos coming soon.

Zoya MatteVelvet collection for fall 2009 ($6 per bottle) is available from select salons and the company's website, artofbeauty.com. I received it as a PR freebie.

photos: mine. models: Peter (gray) and Buffy (white)

Matte Nail Polish- Zoya MatteVelvet Fall 2009

It looked like a good idea at the time.

With formerly extreme nail polish colors like black, green and indigo becoming acceptable in polite company, came the demand for something cool and new. Enter matte nail polish. The new trend is a departure from the ultra shiny nails we're used to see. No more piling on layers of glossy top coats to maintain luster. In fact, the new matte nails require that you use neither base coat nor top coat. It goes on over clean and dry nails (it's best to use a polish remover before application, to make sure there's no trace of lotions or other greasy substances).

I got to play with Zoya MatteVelvet, a collection of three colors in the new finish. Posh is a shimmery deep red, Loredana is a shimmery gunmetal gray and Dovima is a velvety black shimmer. The new colors come in a frosted glass bottle that actually hides the shimmer. The polish is actually has a muted metallic glint and a fabric-like appearance, which is where the problem starts for me.

The polish goes on easily, dries down in seconds (amazing. I wish all nail polish worked like this) and is essentially fool proof. But while the color is pretty and it's interesting, my nails end up looking fuzzy, like something went wrong. It's just not something I enjoy. The matte polish looks best in dim lighting, which brings out the best in this finish. It actually looks lit from within. But in broad daylight, said fuzziness occurs. Add to that the longevity issue (the Zoya website is very honest and warns you about it. It's a special formula and is not supposed to last) that causes flaking and chipping within 24 hours, and this is just not for me. I simply don't like this trend.

I removed the polish after two days, but that's probably because I couldn't wait to start playing with Zoya Truth and Dare, the two special collections for fall 2009. Both have gorgeous, deep colors with a sturdy, glossy finish. Photos coming soon.

Zoya MatteVelvet collection for fall 2009 ($6 per bottle) is available from select salons and the company's website, artofbeauty.com. I received it as a PR freebie.

photos: mine. models: Peter (gray) and Buffy (white)