Attack of the Killer Perfume!

This news story is currently making its way around the Interwebs:

FORT WORTH, Texas - At first, fire officials suspected that carbon monoxide or some other toxic fumes had sickened almost 150 people at a Texas bank call center.

It turned out that perfume was to blame.

MedStar ambulance spokeswoman Lara Kohl says 34 people were taken to hospitals, 12 by ambulance, after reporting dizziness and shortness of breath Wednesday at a Bank of America call center in Fort Worth. Medics treated 110 at the scene.

Fort Worth fire Lt. Kent Worley says the incident started with two people complaining about dizziness after a co-worker sprayed perfume. Others reported being sick when an announcement was made that anyone with similar symptoms should exit the building.

Investigators do not know what type of perfume was sprayed.

Ok, so this brings up two thing:

1. I can't wait to know what perfume caused the problem
2. The perfume wearer should have read my tips for appropriate perfume usage...and you should read it too, unless you want to cause this sort of office mayhem!
   

Beauty Product of the Week: Pulse Perfection

What is it? Pulse Perfection Define-a-Lash Mascara is Maybelline's "first vibrating mascara. Transforms your lashes to perfection.

• Patent-pending elastomer brush vibrates 7,000 times per stroke
• Provides clump-free definition, intense color, and shine
• Waterproof; also available in washable formula
• Builds lash volume, length, and adds curl
• Buildable formula
• Ideal for All Skin Types
• Contact lens safe

Available at drugstores and big box stores for under $15. (I think I paid about $12.99 at Ulta.)

What did you think? Vibrating mascaras have been on the market for about a year now. They started out with the expensive brands like Lancome and now, like most trends, they're making their way down market--good news for all of us in the recession! I've been leery of the vibrating mascara trend because....well....the whole idea sort of scared me. Don't get me wrong: I firmly believe that every girl needs at least one good vibrator in her life, but a vibrating mascara? I was skeptical.

When I saw that Maybelline was one of the first drugstore brands to launch a vibrating mascara, I was curious. It's well known that I am a big fan of Maybelline mascara, so if any drugstore brand could get the high-end trend right, my money was on Maybelline.

I tried this baby out with low expectations. I thought I'd end up with clumps and bits of mascara flying all around the place. I was wrong...on some level.

This product goes on really easily, and the vibrations help make one coat of mascara look like several coats. In no time, my lashes were longer, exquisitely darker, and fuller looking. To hell with wiggling the wand back and forth at the base...the vibrating wand did all the work for me.

On the not-so-positive side, I did notice that I had some clumping with this product. I don't know if this is user error (maybe I have been applying too much?) or a problem with the mascara. If you want to use this product, you should have some skill in applying mascara and using a lash comb, because I promise you that you'll need to comb out a few clumps here and there.

The final verdict? If you've been wanting to try out the vibrating mascara trend but didn't want to fork over $30, try this product. I will give this warning: practice using the wand. The first time you use it, you may need to use a good lash comb to separate your lashes a bit. Overall, vibrating mascaras are an interesting novelty, but I am not entirely sold. There are so many good mascaras on the market that are more worthy of your money than this one, but it has been fun trying out the vibrating wand technology.

Guest Blogger Review: Olay Regenerist 14 Day Skin Intervention

And now for something completely different here on Kiss and Make-up, my first ever Guest Blogger review of a product.

Let's meet our guest blogger, shall we? Her name is Michelle and she's a Kiss and Make-up reader.

Michelle is 32 years old and peacefully lives in Poway, California with her 2 cats (Aoife and Fionn) and her horse Whisper (affectionately known as: Mu). Being a full time student and working full time results in having to come up with amusing and cheap ways to beautify herself. Usually combing through drugstores from Mitzuwa, Walmart, Target, CVS, Walgreens, Sally Beauty and RiteAid. Testing new products on herself and seeing what happens. This has caused varied results between surprisingly chipper to completely unamused. No animals, except Michelle, have been tested on while using these products.

Welcome, Michelle! And now, on to the product review:

What is it? Olay Regenerist 14 Day Skin Intervention. Here is how Olay markets this product: Help reclaim the lifted look of your youth in just 14 days. 14 individual doses for an intensive intervention to your normal skincare routine. Includes 7 tubes of each phase plus 1 mask.

Looking reclaim the lifted look of your youth? Some women resort to drastic procedures like a face lift, but you don't have to go to a doctor to get a significantly lifted look. It's time for an intervention with New Olay Regenerist 14 Day Skin Intervention. While it won't give you the same results as a surgical face lift, you will experience a lifted look in just 14 days.

This concentrated formula with peptide-B3 complex penetrates and hydrates to significantly firm and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. In just 14 days you will experience a stronger skin structure as the intensely hydrating system improves skin's moisture barrier.

Renew your lifted look throughout the year with an intensive intervention every three months.

Phase 1
Days 1-7 of this intervention are specially formulated to ignite the cellular regeneration within skin's surface, infusing your skin with repairing moisture and an Olay peptide - B3 complex.

Phase 2
Days 8 -14 contain a high concentration of an Olay peptide - B3 complex. Wrinkles are filled with polishing micro-powders and hydrating moisture improves skin's structure as you experience a lifted look to your skin.

Price: $ 26.99

What did you think? I felt slimy.It was utterly gross. Like I had this synthetic oily spill on my face 12 hours after I washed it off. I did notice the skin around my eyes appeared to be plumper but there was no other evidence of firmer skin. I was chugging water like mad in 100 degree weather and I did get a shock of plumpness. But I don't think it was result of this product but the result of water weight from obsessive water drinking.

There was also a mask included. Basically after your done, use the mask to wrap everything up. It was white and brawny paper towel like. It had 2 slits for eyes, 1 for nose and mouth. The instructions said to put it on and lay down for 15 minutes and relax. I probably spent that 15 minutes alone try to adhere that thing to my face. I think they only had one type of nose structure in mind because, not that I have schnoz like Barbara Streisand, but I had to 'alter' the mask by separating nose piece in order to get the mask to lay flat on my skin. Once on I looked like Leonardo DiCaprio from 'The man in the iron mask' and I sat patiently for another 15 minutes while watching the TV. The instructions said no need to wash product off, to let the remaining product soak into skin. Skin was not fresh, tight or pink. It was gooped down and oily. When I scrubbed the remaining product off with a facial scrub, I had noticed a softer smoother side to my skin.But you really had to scrub to see what the product was doing underneath. I would recommend that if you really want to try this product and have skin that is under the age of 35 go every other night, not ever night to decrease insane product overload.

The final verdict? Save your money! I was not impressed. I saw little improvement. The skin around my eyes appeared tighter, not so crepe. But I still see some discoloration on my cheeks and jawline and pore size was still obvious. Actually my pores appeared larger which as the result of the product overload. Other than slight blemishes and greasy skin I was concerned by the packaging. You obviously could not over dose on the product by the individual tubes Olay provided but I couldn't help but wonder about the waste that was piling up form using individual tubes of serum. Couldn't they just give you two tubes of product good for 7 days each and tell you how much to pump out? I did not find the packaging very eco friendly.Then they had this large plastic tray to hold the tubes in.I can see how it is a nice display but this huge piece of plastic will most likely end up in a landfill if the user doesn't bother to recycle. I would say that if you are spending $26.99 I would bet half of it was based off of packaging.

Olay Regenerisit 14 day skin recovery grade: D

Note from Lydia:
I tried this product out when it first appeared on the market, and I liked it. It made my skin feel smooth, soft, and "lifted". I did notice that the amount of product seemed generous, but I just made sure to put the excess on my neck and chest. Click here for my 2008 review of the product. The mask must be very new...I've used this several times in the past and there was no mask included.

Another note from Lydia:
If YOU are interested in sending me your thoughts about a beauty product and acting as a Guest Blogger, please send me an email. Or if you follow me on Twitter, DM me!

Summer Sizzle

I live in the beautiful, normally comfortable climate of the Pacific Northwest. We are known for rain and moderate weather conditions, unlike other places I have lived (growing up near Baltimore, I fully understand the dread that comes when Marty Bass says it's going to be hazy, hot, and humid). I've lived out here for 10 years now, and in that time I have become a Weather Wimp. I hate snow and detest heat. I like the sky overcast and the highs in the mid-50s, thank you very much.

Right now, however, the poor Pacific Northwest is in the middle of a kick-ass heat wave. For the next several days, it's going to be in the upper 90s. That wouldn't be too awful for me, a Baltimore girl, if air conditioning were the norm. It's not. And I'm dying.

Apart from feeling hot, tired, and a little bitchier than normal, I'm also dealing with makeup that wants to melt right off my face and frizzy-ass hair thanks to the damned humidity. If you live in a hot climate, you know what I'm going through.

So...to help us all get through the evil heat, here are some top tips for keeping your makeup looking cool during the hot, hot summers:

• Go easy on the products. In the heat, you sweat. When you cake on the makeup AND sweat, you're going to end up clogging your pores which will, of course, lead to breakouts. Sexy. So when it comes to dolling yourself up, stick to the essentials and forgo the extras. The more you put on, the more will just end up dripping off, after all!
• Try a primer. Foundation primers smooth out your skin's surface and will help your foundation last a little longer. Some primers can also help cut down your shine factor, giving you a more velvety, matte appearance. Eye primers will make your eye shadows last longer and will help you avoid dreaded creasing.
  
• Whenever you can, go waterproof. Waterproof mascaras and eyeliners won't smudge throughout the stinky hot days of summer like their normal counterparts. Yes, you'll need to use a little more elbow grease when you take the stuff off at the end of the day, but really...it's a small price to pay to not end up with raccoon eyes. Unless, of course, rabid raccoon is the look you're going for.
• Ditch the heavy lipsticks and opt instead for a gloss. Better yet, make it a gloss with a little SPF in it. I would also advise against a long-wearing product since they tend to dry your lips out and make your mouth feel icky. Try a gloss that has mint in it for a nice burst of refreshing flavor.
  
• Knock our your shine. If you're like me, your face is going to be glistening at the end of a hot day, and not in a goods way. You can help control shine with blotting papers, by using foundation primers, touching up with pressed powder, and by using oil control face washes.
  
• Don't forget the two essentials: SPF and hydration. In the blazing sun, you need to keep your skin safe. Whenever you can, try to sneak in some SPF with your moisturizer, foundation, etc. And don't forget to drink plenty of water throughout the day. I know, I know...I'm nagging like your mother. Good. She's right.

So there you have it. Did I miss anything? If so, let me know--leave a comment. Otherwise: stay cool! And remember, only 40+ days until Labor Day...the unofficial end of summer. Hang in there!

Lip Venom V Giveaway

I must say: being on vacation is perfection. Getting back to a normal life after vacation? Yeah, that's not so hot. My day job has been slow since it's summer, and because of this slower pace, I feel like I'm not getting much done. Oh well.

Anyway, after a break, I am now back and am trying to get back into blogging. Thanks so much to all of you for staying with me over these quieter weeks. To kick off my return to the blog, I am having a giveaway!

I mentioned last month that DuWop is launching a new lip plumping product as a tie-in with the Twilight films. Their new product, Lip Venom V, is their normal Lip Venom mixed with a little red coloring. But unlike Lip Venom, this Lip Venom V is not a gloss. It is a "shimmering crimson lip stain suspended in a venom-laced liquid lip conditioner."

I purchased two vials of this stuff: one for me to try out, one to give away. All you need to do to get a vial is leave me a comment here on this post. You can tell me why you want to try this product, what you're doing this summer, what you want to see more of on my blog, or one of your favorite recipes. I don't care what you say--just be sure to leave a comment that includes a way to get in touch with you, and you'll be entered. Piece of cake! I'll announce the winner on August 3rd.

And as for a review of the product: I'll get one out after the contest. Until then, go ahead and enter. Good luck!

Be Back Soon, I Swear!!

Hi All!

I just wanted to give you a quick update since I've been AWOL for a bit. Yes, I am back from vacation (pout!) but you know how difficult it is to return to normal life after a break.

I'm getting my thoughts in order and will be back to regular posting on Monday, July 27th. And to kick-start the week, I'll be doing a giveaway. Be sure to swing by on Monday for all the deets.

I also have plenty of beauty news and product reviews to share with you. Plus I'll be featuring a post from a guest blogger, so be on the look out.

Thanks for your patience with me! We all deserve a little break, don't we!

Hope you're all having a great summer.

Summer Break!

I've been at the beach these past few days and am very thankful that blogger lets me pre-write my blog entries! Anyway...I'm going to take the next few days off from blogging and will be back sometime next week.

In the meantime, be sure to go back through my archives to see old posts you may have missed. My little blog is going to be turning three in a few weeks. It's hard to believe I'll be moving into my fourth year of writing Kiss-and-Makeup.

Over the next few weeks, I'm going to do some tidying up around here. I have too many labels that need to be combined or deleted, and I am going to be going through my links soon to weed out now defunct sites. This is my summer project.

And, as always, I need your help. Please email me (asklydia@hotmail.com) or leave a comment. Here's what I need:

• If you are a blogger and either already link back to me or want to exchange links, please let me know.
• If there are any suggestions for site improvement you'd like to make, I'm all ears.
• One of my readers asked me about a guest blogger type of thing. This is something I am open to...but I want to know your thoughts. If you have opinions you want to share and want me to post something as a guest blogger, please contact me. I can't pay you (hell, I don't get paid for doing this as it is!), but you'll have my gratitude for contributing. Again, let me know your thoughts.

Ok--I am turning off my computer and am heading out to the beach. I'll be back soon...I still have tons of stuff to write about and I feel like I'll never get caught up! Enjoy the weekend.

Hot Summer Looks At Sephora!

It’s hot outside and it’s about time to stop traffic with your sizzling style. Swing by Sephora and brighten up this season with pretty powders, petite palettes and a stunning array of eyeshadows. From barrel races to poetry readings – whatever the festivity may be – create a look for being fab and fun!

• Sephora Collection Favorites Splashstash Waterproof Deluxe Sampler ($36, a $65 value) – From mascaras to eyeliners, this kit offers the essentials for eyes that will last the day – rain or shine.
  
• Benefit One Hot Minute ($30) – This loose, rose-gold finishing powder is the final touch for a "gaze at me" glow that works on all skin tones—anytime, anywhere.
  
• Stila Made Your Shade Foundation Wardrobe ($18) –This wardrobe offers six stellar shades. —Pick the color that works for your skin tone and shine on like a goddess!
  
• Too Faced Natural Eye Neutral Eye Shadow Collection ($34) – This perfectly portable palette of must-have neutrals comes with a double-sided brush/sponge wand in the pull-out tray provides easy application.
  
• Sephora Collection Electric 360 Palette ($30, a $130 value) – This high-voltage collection lets you go glam, natural, or diva-dramatic—putting a stunning array of eyeshadows, lip glosses, blushes, powders, and brushes at your fingertips.
  
• Dior Addict Ultra Gloss Reflect & Mini Dior Show Duo ($25.50) – Together for a limited time, purchase the popular Ultra-Gloss Reflect in Jersey Pink, and a travel-size Diorshow Mascara, for thick, glamorous lashes.

Boys of Summer

Summer means dealing with hot, humid weather...and that makes our skin and hair behave in strange ways, not to mention the fact that we have to wear SPF to keep sun damage from taking over. Well, women aren't alone when it comes to needing special products for summer skin care. Don't forget about the men in your life! They could certainly benefit from some of these products from ZIRH.

ZIRH Skin Nutrition offers the essentials for summer grooming – from rejuvenating shower and body products to moisturizers and lip balms with SPF, ZIRH has you covered from head to toe!

Show Face
Cleansing your skin is one of the first steps in any skincare regimen and ZIRH makes the experience a refreshing one with Clean, an alpha hydroxy face wash that cleanses skin without stripping it of necessary oils. For a deeper clean, Scrub is a gentle, aloe based exfoliator that works to remove surface dead skin cells to reveal newer, younger looking skin. Lastly, Refresh is an invigorating astringent that not only tones and cools skin but helps to reduce excess sebum.

Protect Skin With SPF
Protecting skin from the sun’s harmful rays is necessary for protecting a healthy complexion. ZIRH facial moisturizer Defend is light for everyday use and suitable for sensitive skin types. Defend contains an SPF 15 while also helping to maintain skin’s natural elasticity. For the ultimate lip protection with SPF 15, ZIRH Lip Balm is made with beeswax and natural oils to maintain a hydrated pout. Available in four flavors: Vanilla, Black Cherry, Peppermint and Unscented.

The Ultimate Shower Gear
Summer days require the need for a revitalizing shower and ZIRH has the perfect gear. ZIRH Warrior Shower Gel Collection features five gels based on ancient warriors – each offering a sexy, yet masculine scent. Try Julius Caesar – this blends citrus notes with sweet almond fruit extract.

The ZIRH Cocktail Bar Collection can make any shower a happy hour. A classic body bar with a fun twist! Each bar is formulated after a signature cocktail – whether he fancies a Long Island Iced Tea or a Sake Bomb, his skin will feel detoxified and nourished. The light scents and vibrant colors make the perfect summer body pairing.

Beauty School at Sephora

This Summer, Sephora introduces a new and exciting in-store experience: the Sephora Beauty Studio. Shorten your beauty routine with a selection of complimentary pretty Express Services with Sephora U trained Beauty Experts that allow you to master any look in mere minutes!

“Over the years, Sephora has noted that no matter which season or the trend, certain application requests remain a constant,” says Christie Jack, Sephora’s VP of Stores. “With this in mind, we saw an amazing opportunity emerge, Express Services at the Sephora Beauty Studio: a complimentary in-store service that not only educates clients on how to achieve a number of stunning looks, but is easy and fits into their busy lifestyle.”

School is in session, so receive your complimentary in-store lesson with Express Services in:

• Smoky Eye – Take a crash course in the most requested makeup look at Sephora. Get easy step-by-step instructions on how to achieve sexy, smoldering eyes for a look that is both tantalizing and timeless.
  
• Perfect Pout – Learn how to line, define and layer for the best pucker possible. Whether you’re sampling the season’s “it” shade or sticking with your all-time favorite hue, let the makeup masters spill their secrets to the perfect pout.
• High Definition Makeup – Being “hi-def” isn’t just for celebrities anymore- get ready for your close-up with skin that's absolutely flawless – from perfecting primer to weightless foundation and luminous powder, this no-makeup makeup is virtually undetectable on film and in real life.

Head over to your local Sephora for all the deets!

The Devine Miss Tori!

I went to an amazing concert last night! My sister and I saw Tori Amos in downtown Seattle. She was beautiful and her show was perfection. Go visit my personal site if you want to hear about it. Click here.

Beauty Product of the Week: Dark Angels

What is it? Dark Angels from Lush is "is powerful cleanser designed for young, oily and darker skin – as requested by our customers and inspired by our best-selling cleansing roll. It's got a natural, anti-bacterial cleanser in the form of Rhassoul mud which we buy direct from the mines in Morocco's Atlas Mountains. Powdered charcoal absorbs oil as it gives you a good scrub. Its firm approach is balanced by soothing rosewood and sandalwood essential oils to keep your skin soft." Available at Lush stores or Lush online for $10.95 for 3.5 ounces.

What did you think? I want to love Lush. And why not? They sell yummy smelling (and yummy looking) products that are packed full of fresh, natural ingredients. Their bath bombs and soaps are legendary and they have a homespun feel that is decidedly eco-chic.

Like I say: I want to love Lush, but I rarely ever do. I go into Lush stores with high hopes of finding great products. But I usually walk out empty handed, feeling slightly buzzed from all the fragrances and thoroughly baffled by the products and priced.

I recently visited my local Lush and decided to pick up something for myself--something other than a bath bomb. My purchase was a container of this black muck called Dark Angels. I made sure to ask for directions on how to use the product, since it wasn't immediately obvious.

To use, you take a piece of the black coal and put it in the palm of your hand. Add a little water, rub on to your face, rinse and viola! Done. The coal is supposed to pull out the excess oils in the skin and the other ingredients help to exfoliate.

Here's what I like: my skin feels oh-so soft after I use Dark Angels. Really--the texture of my skin is evened out and velvety soft. I love that! I feel clean and my skin feels tight after using Dark Angels. I also think this product will last for ages. You just use a little bit at a time, so I think I have a year's supply in my bathroom.

Here's what I am not crazy about: the product is messy and it looks like you're washing your face with dirt. Black dirt. It's a little off-putting. Also, the product smells good before you use it, but once it hits your skin, you can really smell the coal...and that ain't hot.

The final verdict? I like the way Dark Angels makes my skin feel, but I do find it difficult and messy to use. If you're a Lush fiend, you'll love this product. I'm satisfied with the results, but I seriously doubt that I'd buy this product again in the future. Oh, and for what it's worth, I would love it if Lush put together a product of the month club where you could join up and try a few different products each month. Now that, I'd subscribe to--if it didn't cost a fortune, of course!

What a Waste of Time!

I saw this little tidbit in Allure magazine a few months ago. I wrote it down and just now found it again. According to Allure:

58.4: The number of days a woman spends shaving in her lifetime.

58.4 days lost to shaving?!?! To balancing on one foot in the shower, trying to avoid getting sliced to bits by a razor? Ugh. That's totally depressing!

I can't believe that almost two months of my life will be lost to such a mundane and dreadful task as shaving. Bleh.

Now I wonder how much time is lost to hair drying, brow plucking, and makeup application. It's time consuming to be a woman!

Matte-r of Fact

I adore OPI's nail lacquers. There are so many colors to pick from, they go on well, and they last for a reasonable amount of time. The other thing I like about OPI nail lacquers--and all nail polishes for that matter--is that they make my nails look shiny and feel slick.

Well, available now is a new line of OPI products that take away all the shimmer and shine: Matte by OPI. Yup....matte nail color. Matte by OPI comes in six "iconic" OPI shades – Russian Navy, Lincoln Park After Dark, Alpine Snow, You Don’t Know Jacques!, La Paz-itively Hot, and Gargantuan Green Grape.

To properly wear these matte shades, OPI recommends that you do NOT use a base coat, top coat, drying drops, or hand cream. The wear time of the matte lacquers is significantly less than the normal lacquers.

What do you think of matte nails? I think they sound like a huge pain. I bet it takes a great deal of time (and skill) to apply matte nail color cleanly, and they seem like they'd be very high maintenance. Are matte nails something you'd try out? I think I'll pass!

Can You Keep A Secret?

In this crappy economy, we can't all get away to exclusive hotels or pricey day spas. But that doesn't mean we can't deny ourselves of a few life's luxuries.

If you're looking for a way to pamper yourself and treat your skin well, check out Malibu Secret and their anti-aging body cream.

Malibu Secret is a body cream that designed to replenish and repair the skin by using good-for-you botanicals, anti-oxidants, natural butters, and plenty of vitamins. The result? Skin that is more supple, that has an improved texture, and that is intensely hydrated and moisturized.

I've been using my sample of Malibu Secret for about a week now and my skin is noticeably softer. The cream is light, absorbs quickly into the skin, and doesn't feel overly greasy like some products can. The scent is subtle, but it reminds me of summers on the beach--fitting since it is Malibu Secret! It's no wonder that Tori Spelling, Heather Locklear, Kevin Sorbo (yes, as in Hercules!) and a host of other celebs are devotees of Malibu Secret.

A tube of this skin-loving product will set you back $25...much less than a salon treatment or night at a five-star salon. Click here for more info about this product or here to order.

Coming Attractions

I'm still having a hard time believing that the 4th of July has already come and gone. The summer of 2009 is slipping away very quickly. My work schedule has lightened considerably (yay!) and I have a week-long beach vacation coming up (yippee!!!).

I have so much beauty news to share with you all...I just wanted to take a moment to give you a list of some upcoming posts I'm working on. If you have any beauty related questions you need answered or products you're curious about, email me at asklydia@hotmail.com. And please hang in there with me...I may not be posting each and every weekday during the summer, but I still have lots of things to tell you about!

UPCOMING TOPICS

• New mineral makeup products that don't skimp on color
• Tips on how to amp up your sexy style
  
• 5-star hotel anti-aging body cream that will make your skin look--and smell--amazing
• Summer trend to try now: copper for your eyes
• Brow Queen Anastasia is venturing into skin care
• Lip Venom V review and giveaway
• Give your makeup a tropical overhaul
• OPI goes matte
• And much, much more...
  

Make Your Own Fireworks This 4th!

Why let the fireworks steal the show? Dazzle this Independence Day with US destination-inspired shades from your favorite beauty brands. Check out these patriotic summer selections for a flawless complexion and a perfected pout.

Too Faced Magic Wand Illuminating Foundation -- An oil-free, all-in-one foundation “brush” that effortlessly creates picture perfect skin. The unique cashmere-soft formula imparts a semi-matte skin finish while also banishing large pores and adding skin-loving pigments that diffuse and bend light to achieve a flawless, radiant glow on skin! Available in wearable shades including: Miami Tan, New York and Hollywood. $32.50, toofaced.com

Sue Devitt Mini Lip Gloss -- Perfect for the ultimate flush of transparent color, this gloss provides protective essential oils that heal and nurture delicate lips while providing an irresistible shine. Infused with Primrose Oil for intense hydration. Available in: Nantucket, Fire Island, and Martha’s Vineyard. $18, barneys.com

IsaDora Crystal Gloss Stick -- A sheer lip gloss in a long-lasting lipstick formula that imparts a crystal shine finish while providing moisturizing Shea Butter and Vitamin E. Bermuda Pink $12, cosmeticmall.com

Star Spangled Beauty at Sephora!

Wow. The 4th of July is almost upon us...already! 2009 is flying by. Today I'll be telling you about some great Sephora products to ring in Independence Day. Tomorrow I'll have other patriotic beauty products with the 4th in mind.

Make this Fourth of July a spectacular one! Celebrate your true beauty with patriotic picks from Sephora - from radiant red lipstick to pretty white polish and baby blue liner, you’ll be looking hot enough to compete with this year’s fireworks.

Shine on with these glam goodies:

• Sephora Collection Nano Eyeliner in Azur Blue ($5) – Add some pizazz to your look with this soft, highly pigmented eye pencil.
• Sephora by OPI Nail Colour ($9) – These chip-resistant trend-setting shades in red, white and blue are sure to show off your patriotic pride.
• Burberry Classic Summer ($49) – A refreshing fragrance comprised of crisp fruits, delicate flowers and cool woods – perfect for a hot summer's day!
• NARS Orgasm/Laguna Blush Bronzer Duo and Orgasm Nail Set ($49) – Get the “Oh My” glow on both your cheeks and nails with this sun-kissed set.
• Bliss Lemon and Sage Body Butter Lite ($29) – Shed some 'light' on summer beauty with this weightless super smoothing solution that delivers 100% hydration without the greasy feeling.
• Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Goddess ($16) – Get eyes that sparkle with this midnight blue shade sure to steal the attention away from the fireworks!
• Tarte MultiplEYE Lash Enhancer ($65) – Get an eye-popping look with a natural lash enhancer that increases the length of eyelashes by 152%!

Head over to Sephora for these...and other...amazing beauty products.