Polished: Estee Lauder Pure Color Nail Lacquer in Enchanted Garnet

I was really excited to get this color from Daneen to try. Estee Lauder is a brand that I don't often think of, but they have been putting out cosmetics in rich, exciting colors - and this polish is no exception! In the bottle, Enchanted Garnet is a clear, shiny red. My excitement faded as I started to apply the polish. The consistency is just off - it was sticky to apply, and dried in translucent layers that showed any and all flaws in my nails. I really wanted to like this polish, but I was disappointed. My search for the perfect blood red continues!

-Alyssa

Estee Lauder Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator

Since adolescence, I've suffered with hyperpigmentation. Like many women of color, my blemishes leave dark marks in their wake - which can take weeks, months and even years to fade. For forever, I've used foundations and highlighters to hide these dark spots. But I've recently come to a point in my life where I'm tired of masking the problem. As a busy mom, I don't have the time or the energy it takes to put on a full face of makeup on a regular basis. Most days, I leave the house bare faced - save for some mascara and a couple swipes of gloss. Hyperpigmentation has undermined my self esteem for too long, so I decided it was time to heal, rather than conceal.

So last month, I added Estee Lauder Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator to my morning routine. And let me tell you...this additional step (which takes just 1 minute) has been life changing. First of all, the pearlescent serum imparts a radiant glow upon application - so even though the product actually takes about two weeks to start doing its thang, there are immediate perks.

And after just 10 days, I started to notice that my skin looked more even toned, luminous and smoother. The formula is lightweight and smells dreamy, so putting it on is a refreshing A.M. experience. And after a month, I am much more confident showing my bare skin to the world because my dark marks are starting to see the light.

I'm not usually the best at being consistent with skin care because, as you know, I test a lot of products. But this one is so simple and yields such amazing results that I actually look forward to putting it on. Because Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator targets the dark marks (as well as redness, acne marks, sun spots and other discolorations), you don't have to worry about it lightening the other areas of your face. And the oil-free formula is proven gentle and effective for all ethnicities. Just be sure to use an SPF product on your face every day, to prevent the marks from darkening up again.

I can't recommend Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator enough. It's become my holy grail - and if you buy it and try it, you'll understand why. I'm also anxious to try the Idealist Cooling Eye Illuminator.

*A sample was provided by the brand for review.

Blush Blast From The Past: Benefit CORALista

You know what’s almost as fun as a new beauty product? It’s when you re-discover an oldie but goodie that you forgot that you had.

For the past several weeks, NARS Blush in Torrid has been step 2 of my three step/minute makeup routine (step/minute 1 being Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara and step/minute 3 being either Lancome Juicy Tubes 100% Natural Origin in Rose Pretty, Avon Glazewear Lip Gloss in Rave or Estee Lauder Pure Color Gloss Stick in Nude Almond topped with Make Up Forever Fascinating Lip Gloss in #10). But this morning, I decided to switch it up and go fishing in my bottomless basket o' blushes. What I came up with was Benefit CORALista Blush – and after sweeping it on my cheeks and admiring myself in the mirror, I can't believe I ever let CORALista slip my mind.

It imparts the most gorgeous, coral-pink glow that looks ab fab on a multitude of complexions. What I love most about CORALista is how effortless it looks; it applies like a dream and the blush actually looks like it's coming from within. Another reason to put CORALista on your shopping list? Coral happens to be the it blush shade right now (ladies, if don't know…you betta ask somebody ).

Oh, and did I mention that the blush – besides looking fantastic – smells fantastic too? It has this light floral scent that, while completely unnecessary, is totally genius. CORALista comes with an applicator brush, but for best results, I like to apply with my ecoTools blush brush.

My Favorite Fragrance Ad: Dior J'Adore

Is there a better fragrance ad than the Dior J'Adore commercial starring Charlize? I think not. No only did it prompt me to get reacquainted with J'Adore's fruity floral bouquet (we originally parted ways in college), I even downloaded Marvin Gaye's "A Funky Space Reincarnation" on my iPod...good stuff.

The commercial for Miss Dior Cherie (directed by Sophia Coppola) is another great one. Dior just does it better. One perfume ad I could do without (besides the Britney Spears ones - those go without saying), however, is the Estee Lauder Pleasures commercial. I cannot stand the way Gwyneth Paltrow pronounces "pleasures"...her accent just sounds so contrived; makes me wince every time she says it. My theory is that she's spent too much time viva la vida in London. Anyway...now, when it comes on TV, I brace myself for it. Too bad...great perfume, stinky ad.

What are your favorite fragrance ads?

Rihanna's 20/20 Frosty Nude Lip Look

On Friday night, I was among the 8.2 million people who watched Rihanna's 20/20 interview. But afterwards, while most people were thinking, "Wow...that Rihanna is so brave to publicly discuss such a horrifying personal tragedy" or "That jackass, Chris Brown, deserves whatever is coming to him" - I was thinking, "What products can I use to copy Rihanna's icy nude lip look?"

So I did what any self-respecting beauty junkie would do. I broke out my lip gloss/lipstick stash and played makeup mad scientist/mixologist. I found that creating Rihanna's 20/20 look is quite easy to do. All you need is a nude lipstick that is lighter than your complexion, and a silver gloss. Be sure to apply foundation to lips before trying this look, as the foundation will help cancel out any pink in your lips and let the lip color stand alone.

Here are some combos that I think would pass RiRi scrutiny:

1) Clinique Different Lipstick in Tenderheart + MAC Dazzleglass in She-Zam
2) MAC Lipstick in Modesty + MAC Dazzleglass in She-Zam
3) Estee Lauder Pure Color Gloss Stick in Nude Almond + MAC Dazzleglass in She-Zam
4) Julie Hewett Lipstick in Biba + MAC Dazzleglass in She-Zam
5) Victoria's Secret Sheer Gloss Stick in Exposed + MAC Dazzleglass in She-Zam
6) Benefit Full-Finish Lipstick in Lady's Choice + MAC Dazzleglass in She-Zam
7) Urban Decay Lipstick in Midnight Cowboy + MAC Dazzleglass in She-Zam
8) This is just to show what MAC Dazzleglass in She-Zam looks like on its own

Not satisfied with Rihanna's lippie recipe? Want to cop her cafe au lait nails too? Try OPI Barefoot in Barcelona.

Estee Lauder Pulling Plug On Prescriptives

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. announced today that it would close the global wholesale distribution of its Prescriptives brand by January 31, 2010.

The brand plans to continue to sell online for United States shipping at prescriptives.com to help service consumers for replenishment of key products, while inventory lasts. Prescriptives products are currently sold in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia.

"We believe that the difficult decision relating to Prescriptives will allow us to redirect our resources to key strategic imperatives where we see the highest growth potential," said Fabrizio Freda, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Estée Lauder Companies.

For Prescriptives consumer support, toll free numbers have been set up in North America (1.877.819.2968, English, Spanish and French speaking), the United Kingdom (0800 088 4168) and the Republic of Ireland (1800 936 080).

Kim Kardashian's Sun Maid Summer Makeup Look

Looking for a summer look that sizzles? Well, look no further than Troy Jensen's blog.

Using Kim Kardashian's face as a canvas, the makeup maestro demonstrates how deliciously juicy shades of peach, coral, tan and tangerine can brighten up a tired-looking complexion.

"And when paired with beautiful, bronzy browns, you've got a combination that is nothing less than sizzling hot," Troy says.

To create this look, Troy used products from Estee Lauder, Smashbox, Dolce & Gabbana, Yves Saint Laurent, Shu Uemura, Dior, Make Up For Ever, Bourjois and Lancome.

For more of Kim Kardashian's beauty and makeup tips, click here.

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Lipstick That Thinks It's A Gloss: Estee Lauder Pure Color Gloss Stick

I’m a lipgloss junkie. So what’s the my favorite kind of lipstick? One that wears like a gloss, natch…which is why my lipstick du jour is Estee Lauder’s Pure Color Gloss Stick. The sheer color practically melts onto lips, and the formula is surprisingly hydrating.

Pure Color Gloss Sticks are a perfect product for color-shy gals, because the sheer shades are oh so flattering. But while I’m usually a staunch advocate for a pop of color on the pout, I must admit that I can’t get enough of Pure Color Gloss Stick in Nude Almond; it’s as if Estee Lauder made this shade just for me. Thanks, EL…I can cross “find the perfect nude lipstick for spring” off my to-do list.

Pictured: Estee Lauder Pure Color Gloss Stick in Wild Plum, Nude Almond, Orange Poppy and Pop Pink.

Kim Kardashian Vegas Magazine How-To Makeup Video: Part 2

In Part 2 of Kim Kardashian's Vegas Magazine How-To Makeup Video, Kim and makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic continues to apply Kim's eye makeup. In this segment, Mario uses the following products:

MAC Eye Kohl in Smolder
Smashbox Double-Ended Smudger Brush #20
billybBEAUTY Eyelash Curler
Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler
L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara in Carbon Black
Make Up For Ever Lift Concealer
Shu Uemura Pro Concealer
Estee lauder Loose Powder

If you missed part 1 of the how-to, click here. Stay tuned for part 3...

For more of Kim Kardashian's beauty and makeup tips, click here.

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