Thymes Red Cherie Hand Wash and Hand Lotion

For as many times as hands get washed during the day, why not take the opportunity to do ditch the Dial and do a little pampering?

The new Thymes Red Cherie Collection is infused with Pomegranate, Red Cherries, Passion Flower and Jasmine, and a splash of Asian Lychee and fruity Musk. I've got the hand wash and hand lotion.

The hand wash lathers nicely and rinses clean without a trace of tightness. The light, hydrating lotion absorbs completely, leaving hands silky-soft. These products are scented softly enough not to interfere with your Eau de Parfum or prevent your beau from partaking in a little pampering, too!

Both products are enriched with Vitamin E to moisturize, and antioxidant cherry and Passion Flower extracts to soothe and protect .

The cherry-blossom packaging is modern and chic, and especially befitting of any Washington, DC girl!

Back in the Day Beauty: Brigitte Bardot

In addition to Product Reviews, Love Her Look, Runway Beauty and the Weekly Digest, I'm adding a new feature to the blog: Back in the Day Beauty! These posts will showcase beauty icons and their signature looks.

The first Back in the Day Beauty is probably my favorite beauty icon of all, Brigitte Bardot. This French-born beauty popularized the bikini, but I love her best of all for bringing us the Choucroute hairstyle--a messy, undone beehive.

I rock this hairstyle pretty much everyday, and it's super-easy to do, but works best with naturally wavy hair. Simply finger-comb back the top section of the hair and clip it securely. Then take something skinny like the end of a rat-tail comb (I usually use an eyeshadow brush handle!), insert it horizontally where hair is clipped and pull upward to create height. Secure the clip in place with a bobby pin and you're done!

Bardot enjoyed the height of her fame during the '50s and '60s and starred in over 50 films and recorded several records over the course of her career.

Bourjois Wet/Dry Eyeshadow

Yes, it was love at first sweep when my cheek first met Bourjois Blush, but it just wasn't so with their Wet/Dry Eyeshadow.

I picked up Beige Rose, an antique cream pearl shade. And, while it makes for a subtle brow highlight, any attempts to wear it on the lid have been futile. Barely any powder gets picked-up by even a stiff shadow brush and any color that makes it onto the lid disappears shortly thereafter.

Perhaps some of the darker shadows would perform better or be an alternative for those who, newly venturing beyond neutrals, just want a sheer wash of color.

Burt's Bees Very Volumizing Pomegranate and Soy Shampoo

Ahh Nature's bounty: crisp vegetables, succulent fruit, fragrant flowers...and volumizing shampoo? Yes!

Burt's Bees Very Volumizing Pomegranate and Soy Shampoo is nearly 100% natural and transforms helmet-head hair into a billowy crown.

Anti-oxidant packed Pomegranate protects hair, while Coconut and Sunflower oils help to gently cleanse and lift-away residue. Soy protein strengthens strands, and Soy amino acids bind to the hair, providing lift and separation.

After sudsing-up with this ambrosial product, my hair feels light and airy, and the high-impact shine and volume is head-turning.

Weekly Beauty Digest

Canadian Beauty tells you about Clinique's newest mascara, Clinique Lash Power.

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic checks out Pattern Body Washes and loves them!

The Beauty of Life falls head over heels for Estee Lauder's new Re-Nutriv Ultimate Youth Creme!

Pursebuzz.com takes a special visit to Stila Cosmetics. Check out what she is loving!

Check out what pore shrinking mask recipes.

Bionic Beauty found a Freebie! Joico's K-PAK "Rescue Your Hair" kit.

Beauty and Fashion Tech has swatches and looks from the M.A.C. Cosmetics N Collection.

Girl Gloss takes an in depth look at the lip products in the M.A.C. N collection.

Stylish Opinion gives her opinion about the latest perfume from Paris Hilton. Does she like or not?

The Beauty Blog Network proudly announces it's newest members!! Find out who they are....

Elke's Fabulous! Well, the Fabbie Awards thinks so. She's nominated for a best beauty blog Fabbie Award along with other fab beauty bloggers. Vote for your favorites here!

Makeup Moxie says goodbye to the Posh Bob.

A Touch of Blusher can't live without this cleansing oil.

Beauty Banter gives you a play-by-play on How To Wear Red...

Savvy Skin tells you Why My Hair Is Now A Frizzy Mess!

The Muse reviews, shares photos, and gives first impressions of the Dior Spring 2008 Collection!

Temptalia has over forty different lip color combinations--you're bound to find one to like!

makeup loves me wants to give you $100 in mac products from the n collection.

Glossypink gets amped for the weekend and reveals her favorite party eyeshadow!

Enter Spoiled Pretty’s latest giveaway, sponsored by Mother's Nature Soaps!

Beauty Anonymous found the power of beauty and fashion from Harper's Bazzar - the Politics of Fashion.

Karen from Makeup and Beauty Blog does a step-by-step makeup tutorial honoring her favorite pop star of all time, Madonna, with help fromMAC Russian Red Lipstick.

Too Faced Eyeshadow Duo

Full Frontal? Boy Toy? Skinny Dip? Let's face it, with names like these, Too Face Eyeshadow Duos aren't for the demure. Packed with shimmer and pigment, these shadows will bring out the Hollywood party girl in you.

Formulated with crushed pearl and silk, these shadows give a whole new meaning to "slipping into something more comfortable." Whether you're out dancing or wining and dining the night away, these shadows stay looking fresh and picture-perfect.

These festive duos contain just the right amount of product, giving you two great shades for about the price of one full-sized shadow. Plus the black and pink packaging? Ultra-feminine and fun!

My favorite duo is Lovey-Dovey (hey, I'm a romantic!), an anything-but-boring glittery brown and shimmering champagne combo.

Victoria's Secret Perfect Lipstick

Do you have a certain shade of lipstick that makes you feel extra-pretty? My latest feel-good shade is Victoria's Secret Perfect Lipstick in Sweet Release.

This bright berry-pink glides on silky and smooth. The slight shimmer adds pouty dimension. A couple swipes of this very pigmented lipstick gives great coverage, but still feels light and moist on the lips.

Vitamin E, Coconut Oil and Tiare Flower hydrate and add sheen to the lips.

This product doesn't seem to be available online anymore, but there's a wide array of colors available in the stores. So the next time you're picking up some pretty skivvies, be sure to snap up a lipstick, too!

Rimmel Lash Maxx Mascara

About a month ago, I was raving about Maybelline Lash Exact, the mascara that made me a believer in the comb mascara wand.

So when I saw Rimmel Lash Maxxx mascara in all its hot pink glory, I couldn't say no. My first impression was that the skinny wand felt wimpy compared to the sturdy Lash Exact wand, but performance-wise, this mascara has an edge over Lash Exact.

Together, the formula and fine-toothed comb lengthen and define in a couple coats. Add a couple more coats and you've got thick yet feathery lashes. That's right--this buildable formula delivers serious volume with zero clumping.

This triple-threat mascara fortifies lashes with Lecithin, ProVitamin B5 and Vitamin E.

Love Her Look: Hilary Duff

Hilary Duff always brings it with the makeup. Here she is looking fierce with brown smoky eyes, matte skin and nude glossy lips.

To get the Duffster's look, begin by giving skin a matte velvet finish with a foundation powder like Giorgio Armani Silk Foundation Powder. Skip additional setting powder.

Next, define the cheekbones by sweeping on a tan-toned blush in a slanted upward angle, avoiding the apples of the cheeks. Try a shade like Trish McEvoy Blush in Jolie.

For the eyes, pack on a matte plum-brown eyeshadow, like Nars Eyeshadow in New York, along the upper lid. Blend the shadow using a tapered shadow brush, diffusing it upward and slightly outward at the outer corner of the eye. Smudge the same shadow along the lower lash line, fading it towards the inner corners. Highlight the brown bone and inner corners of the eyes with a white shimmer. Benefit Miss Popularity will do the trick. Line the upper lashline with your favorite black liquid liner. Coat lashes with a curling mascara, such as L'Oreal Panoramic Curl Extreme Curl and Separating Mascara. Keep brows defined yet subdued by using a light hand to shade them in.

Top lips with a shimmery nude gloss like Chanel Glossimer in Seashell and you're finished!

With Love,
Glossy

Weekly Beauty Digest

Makeup Moxie reviews the new Revlon Mineral Makeup.

Savvy Skin tells you how you can Get a $125 Wrinkle Cream for 99 Cents.

Makeup loves me helps you achieve the gossip girl look , xoxo.

Beauty and Personal grooming tells you about some terrific foot soothers

Check out A Touch of Blusher's wish list for the new Calvin Klein makeup line, available now at Sephora.

Girl Gloss shows you how to create a cranberry red lip look using three CoverGirl lip products.

Face Candy shows you the newest beauty trend: Moody Lip Glosses.

Elke reviews AquaTan and LOVES it.

The Beauty Blog Network is mentioned in a book! Find out which one!

Stylish Opinion says to say it with chocolate.

Missed the premiere issue of The Beauty Ideal? Check out the most popular article so far....

Temptalia has a tutorial on how to get an amazing neutral eye with a pink kick!

The Muse reviews Benefit's Thrrob Powder!

Spoiled Pretty finds a cure for her winter skin issues!

Beauty Anonymous brings you an innovative way from Japan! Prettia Bubble Hair Coloring uses foam to dye hair fast and evenly

Glossypink takes a look at Spring Beauty looks from the Runway!

The Beauty of Life is so ready for spring after testing out the new Sugar Coated line from Orly!

All Lacquered Up tests the claims of the "As Seen On TV" product, the PedEgg Pedicure File.

Karen from Makeup and Beauty Blog gives you a sneak peek of Origins Spring Makeup Releases, complete with color swatches and product pics galore.

Runway Beauty--Spring 2008

Valentino
Love the matte lilac eyeshadow.



























Giorgio Armani
Glossy lips and defined cheekbones make a nice pair.



























Roberto Cavalli
Flawless skin, piercing eyes and a nude lip: I'll take it all--sans the hair do.



























Versace
Long dark lashes, shimmery lower lash line and pale glossy lips--my favorite look of the bunch.



























Dolce and Gabbana
Berry lips and a clean eye always look good.



























Christian Dior
Bronzed cheeks with red lips also looks great, but up close the eyebrows are too severe and the random glitter under the eye looks messy.



























Miu Miu
Aww hell naw!

Neutrogena Triple Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner

Most weeks, I don't get around to using an ultra deep conditioning hair mask. Instead, I make sure to give my hair a mini deep conditioning session with the extra rich and creamy duo, Neutrogena Triple Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner.

The sweetly scented mix of Olive, Meadowfoam Seed and Sweet Almond deeply hydrates hair and smooths frizz. These products calm my long-overdue-for-a-trim ends and soften my hair from root to tip.

For hair that's brittle, this duo will bring it one step closer to beautiful. But for hair that isn't dry, this may be conditioning overkill.

MAC 187 Duo Fibre Brush

As much as I can't live without my various eyeshadow, blush, contour, highlight and powder brushes, there was something very fundamental that I couldn't get down with until fairly recently: the foundation brush.

That's right; for years I was putting on my liquid foundation with nothing but my own two (clean) hands. I never saw the need for a brush because my fingers were doing the job just fine--that is, until I obtained the MAC 187 Duo Fibre Brush.

Composed of goat and synthetic fibers, this brush picks up the product with its wispy white tips and buffs the product in with the black fibers. Just some quick swirls all over my face with this brush, and my foundation gets diffused smoothly and evenly for a flawless finish. It's faster, easier and cleaner than using my hands, and the immaculate finish looks more professional. The brush doesn't shed--a huge plus when working with liquids.

At $42 the price may seem steep, but for a tool that's used daily and has the realistic potential to last for years (when well cared for) it's worth every penny.

All of MAC's brushes are cruelty-free.

Makeup Your Mind by Francois Nars

To witness a face transformed by makeup is a wonder I will never tire of.

Makeup Your Mind by Francois Nars is a book filled with amazing before and after shots. Each picture is covered with a transparency marking out the exact placement of each product and printed with the NARS product names, e.g. Orgasm, as well as a shade description.

The book contains 6 main sections: Eyes, Lips, Neutrals, Shimmer/Monochrome/Suntan, Pastels, and Color. At the end of each section, there is an even more detailed break-down of how to achieve each look, including which brush shapes to use.

For any makeup lover, this book is 208 pages of Heaven. With 63 before-and-after shots, this book is chock full of inspiration and information. Out of those 63 looks, there's only a few I won't attempt to replicate on myself.

Weekly Beauty Digest

Christine at 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic tries out the most moisturizing body scrub she's ever seen!

Savvy Skin presents Beauty Tips From Lolcats

What’s so great about Shanghai Lily: NARS Spring 2008? Daneen at Spoiled Pretty thinks…everything!

Check out the results of All Lacquered Up's Fanatic's Favorites Survey and see what polishes were voted the best of 2007.

Get your kabuki brush ready! Makeup Moxie reviews the new Maybelline Mineral Makeup.

Toya at The Life of A Ladybug tried out Prevage by Elizabeth Arden - and she LOVES it!

Beauty and Fashion Tech recommends two PCA Skin Care products for treating melasma and hyperpigmentation.

A Touch of Blusher invites you to spot the differences in Lancome's spring 2008 collection in the US, UK, and Japan.

Stylish Opinion has started doing contests! Though this one is already with a lucky winner, be sure to sign up to get the latest contest posts.

Elke asks, "what do you want to see?" for the new year on my blog? Let her know!

Temptalia reviews MAC's N Collection with photos, swatches, and in-depth commentary on each product!

Running out of space for your favorite makeup goodies? Enter to win a fabulous bag by Anna William on The Beauty of Life!

Beauty and Personal grooming - Ease razor bumps with this terrific cucumber-yoghurt soother

Beauty Anonymous shares what she likes about Chanel Spring 2008 Aurora Blues Accent Collection.

Bobbi Brown Blush

Readers, you know I love me some blush! No color is off-limits, but I especially flip for pink cheeks. Bobbi Brown Blush in Nectar is a vibrant, glowing pink that really flatters and brightens the face. This is the shade I used to doll up my best friend before she strutted down the aisle last Summer--and she looked every bit the blushing bride!

This super-smooth, nicely pigmented blush blends beautifully. The matte finish looks natural and balances a sparkling eye, or can be jazzed-up with a sweep of shimmering face powder.

Ever since my Nectar purchase, I've been dying to try more of Bobbi's blush shades. For Christmas this year, I popped Sand Rose, a cool berry shade, into my sister's stocking and she's loving it. Now, Spring is just around the corner and the Apricot and Peony shades are calling my name!

Gucci by Gucci Eau De Parfum

When it comes to fragrance, spicy orientals are right up my alley. Gucci by Gucci Eau De Parfum is the latest such fragrance making a splash on the beauty scene.

The sturdy-looking amber bottle and heavy gold cap looks rich and mature, and forewarns the user that this isn't your Vanilla Fields. While the scent is pretty grown and sexy, it's not as powerful or interesting as my favorite, Black Orchid.

This fragrance has top notes of Pear, Guava Accord, Chamomile, middle notes of Lily of the Valley, Tiare Flower, Orange Blossom and base notes of Patchouli and Musk.

Maybelline Shine Seduction Glossy Lipcolor

One thing I can never get enough of? Cream-formula lip glosses--they're so perfect for that fresh, sexy natural look. I picked up this Maybelline Shine Seduction Glossy Lipcolor in Bitten Plum on a whim, and I'm diggin' it.

This translucent, sweetly scented gloss makes lips look glazed and juicy. My shade gives a good tint to the lips, but it definitely falls within the realm of a gloss and not a liquid lipstick. Completely non-sticky, yet not so thin that it wears off before you put the cap back on, this formula moisturizes with aqua-botanicals and Vitamin E. The smooth plastic tip on this smart-looking twist-up gloss is a nice change from sponge tips. No risk of your lip gloss morphing into another color due to use over lipstick here!

With 20 shades available (in a mix of both cream and pearl finishes), picking up more of these bad boys the next time they're on a buy-on-get-one-free sale is going to be hard to resist!

Weekly Beauty Digest

Makeup Moxie picks her Top 10 Beauty Products of 2007.

Girl Gloss looks at Aveeno's Lip Conditioning Balm with SPF 15.

Bionic Beauty's new guest blogger for 2008 holds her own Battle of the Cuticle Creams. Read the results!

A Touch of Blusher brings you Spring 2008 Makeup Trend Report.

Beauty and Personality grooming - Best of the year 2007

The Beauty of Life stops and smells the camellias with her favorite product from Chanel's new Aurora Blues makeup line, the 4 Fleurs de Chanel Eyeshadow Quad.

Temptalia falls in love with Lancome's L.U.C.I. collection for Spring 2008.

What did Spoiled Pretty do to her nails?!?! See what happens when you Obey Your Body.

Beauty Anonymous shares her all time favorite illuminator: Terracotta Shine Shine Touche D'or from Guerlain.

Laura Geller Baked Marble Eyeshadow

Who doesn't love pretty-looking makeup? Laura Geller Baked Marble Eyeshadow stands out from the crowd of other monochromatic shadows with its swirl of colors.

I have the Forest Mist shade, which translates on the eye as a shimmering sage green color, but looks a lot more intense in the pan. This shadow twinkles all day with no creasing. Even though I'm not usually one to take advantage of the wet option on wet/dry shadows for all over lid color, this shadow goes on smooth and blendable when wet.

The green shade makes my brown eyes jump, and although color theory dictates that purples look best with brown eyes, I just can't help but love the way purple eyeshadow looks with blue eyes. I'm thinking the Amethyst shade would be piercing on blue eyes. I can't wait to get my hands on more of these baked beauties!

Fresh Appleseed Resurfacing Kit

A fabulous girlfriend of mine recently gave me the Appleseed Resurfacing Kit by Fresh, and I think I owe her a fruit basket now!

The three-step kit includes an activator, peel and soother. The activator loosens dead skin cells and preps the face for the peel. The peel, a blend of glycolic acid and citrus Alpha Hydroxy Acids, removes dead and damaged skin cells while delivering antioxidants, vitamin C and fatty acids to the skin. The soother hydrates the skin with its time-release ceramides, hyaluronic spheres and lipid restoration protein.

In just under 10 minutes, the whole process can be completed. This kit leaves my face looking fresh and bright. I think the results would be even more impressive for someone who doesn't use AHAs on regular basis like I do. I love how I can feel the peel step tingling enough to know it's working, but it's not so intense that I'm worried I'll end up burning off my face. The soother step makes my skin feel super conditioned. The directions recommend following up the soother step with a moisturizer, but my face feels hydrated enough from the final step. I skip my usual night treatment and just sleep with the soother on so as not to irritate my skin.

This peel can be used 1-2 times per week, or in other words, an apple peel a week keeps the dermatologist away!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Everyone!

May your 2008 be filled with love, happiness, health and tons of great beauty products!

xoxo,
Glossy