Hangover Helper

Happy New Year!

Many of us are going to be drinking plenty of champagne and other adult beverages tonight to celebrate the start of a new year. But that may mean that you wake up on the first day of 2010 with a raging hangover, feeling like you've been hit by a truck.

Here are a couple of hints to help you feel better if you've over imbibed:

* Before you go to bed drink several glasses of water. Alcohol dehydrates you, so it's important to rehydrate as much as possible. Even during a big night of drinking be sure to drink plenty of water. A good rule of thumb is to have one alcoholic beverage, then a big glass of water, then your next alcoholic drink. That way you're getting more water in your system which may mean you don't feel the negative effects of your night out the next morning.
* Be careful with pain killers. While you may want to take a Tylenol or Advil before you go to bed, you need to be careful with mixing such medicines with alcohol. It's best to avoid it if at all possible. Just feel the pain and deal with it. You can survive this!
* Take you B vitamins. B vitamins are the vitamin workhorse. Bs have been known to help regulate PMS and they can also help metabolize all the alcohol you consumed. Take a B complex vitamin before going to bed to help restore your energy.
* Eat fruit. Apples, bananas, lemons, and limes have all been used to help cure hangovers. Try making a milkshake with banana and honey to calm your stomach and restore potassium, electrolytes, and other essentials to your body.
* Use ginger or mint. Both are known to help ease nausea. Try ginger or mint tea if your tummy isn't feeling great.
* Get plenty of rest. If you're planning a huge night out, also plan for a long, slow morning in the next day. You need to sleep it off, so give yourself time.
* Don't drink coffee! While you may be dying for a caffeine jolt, drinking too much caffeine will only further dehydrate you. If you really need a coffee, water it down or opt for decaf.
* Try a folk remedy. Some say drinking pickle juice, eating sauerkraut, slurping down menudo, or eating a bowl of chicken soup can cure a hangover. Like most things, it's probably mind over matter, so if you think this could help, go for it. It can't hurt!
* Get your body moving. It may be the last thing you want to do, but get yourself moving. Just take a walk around the block--getting some fresh air may be just what you need.

I hope these tips help! As always, the best way to avoid a hangover is to drink responsibly in the first place. And of course, if you plan on drinking, don't you dare drive. It's just not worth it. Get a designated driver lined up before your big night. Call a cab if you don't have someone to drive you.

Have a happy and healthy New Year. See you in 2010!

A New Year, A New Decade

2010 is almost here! Yay! It's a new year, a new decade, and time to wipe the slate clean and start over with goals and ambitions. I'm glad to see that the Zero decade is almost behind us. It was a hard decade with lots of ups and downs. That's life, right?

So, as we head into a new year, it's time to make new plans for a more beautiful, healthy looking me. To that end, I need to get out of some of my ruts and bad habits. I'm not one for making resolutions, but here are my beauty goals for the year ahead:

• Get serious about my skin care routine! I'm inconsistent at best when it comes to washing off all my makeup every night and using my night-time products. I also need to follow my own advice and give products time to work (or not work!) before passing judgement on them.
• Break out of my fragrance rut. I use two perfumes regularly: Cannabis Santal by Fresh (yes, it IS a man's fragrance!) and Dune by Dior. I think it's time to add something completely new to my scent repertoire.
• Find THE products: the have-to-have-it-can't-live-without-it lipstick (or gloss), eye shadow, and mascara. Again, I'm in a rut with what I use, and I need to venture out of my comfort zone.

How about you? What are your beauty plans for the coming year? Leave me a comment!

2009: Looking Back

The end of the year is almost here. Yay! I think that by the time December rolls around, I'm just itching for a new year; a clean start.

2009 has been a year of highs and lows, like most years. But 2009 has had more hurdles than most for my little family. Oh well--the best is yet to come, right?

As far as the makeup world goes, 2009 has been defined by the recession. I don't know about you, but I am sick and tired of hearing people say "in this economy...". Eesh. Due to the tough economic times, I've been focusing more on drugstore brands rather than the pricier department store products. And that's ok. There are a lot of good drugstore brands out there.

I was looking over some of my older posts, and it seems like I was a bit critical of many of the products I tried. But there have been a bunch of standouts. Notably:

• Lumene Blueberry Curl Mascara (my drugstore-brand mascara pick for '09)
  
• DiorShow Iconic Mascara (my high-end mascara pick for '09)
  
• Hana Professional Flat Iron
  
• Too Faced Natural Eyes Collection
  
• 4-sided nail buff (great, cheap tool!)
  
• elf products (I finally gave them a try--not bad!)
  
• ecoTools Makeup Bags
  
• Lypsyl Lip Balm

My pick for Epic Beauty Fail for 2009: Lip Venom V, the Twilight inspired version of Lip Venom that, well, sucks. Avoid it at all costs.

Now on to the good news. My favorite beauty product for 2009? This was an easy one: Lisa Hoffman's Hand and Foot Cream. I swear by this stuff--I love it and I use it every single night. I'm so glad I've discovered all of Lisa Hoffman's products because they're all wonderful. Yay!

Tomorrow: looking ahead to 2010!

Healthy Skin and Hair in '10!

It's time to start making dreaded New Year's resolutions. Instead of saying you're going to exercise every single day for at least 2 hours or resolving to never eat sugar, do yourself a favor and keep your resolutions simple and do-able. Here's a suggestion: resolve to take better care of your skin and hair, especially during the harsh Winter months.

Skin and hair can become increasingly dull and damaged during the winter season, but with help from Olay and Pantene Pro-V, you can revive and strengthen your cold weather defense. Both skin and hair have protective moisture barriers, and when exposed to drying elements.

New Olay Body Quench Advanced Healing Body Lotion and Pantene Pro-V Time Renewal products start at the core of dryness to repair and strengthen this barrier for a soft, smooth look and feel-just in time when we need it most!

Here's a preview of the new offerings from Olay and Pantene. I'll let you know how I do with these products after I give them time to work:

Olay Body Quench Advanced Healing Body Lotion provides an immediate burst of intense moisture that continues for 24 hours, and helps heal skin’s moisture barrier over time to prevent dry skin from coming back. In fact, no leading brand is clinically proven to heal/relieve dry skin better.

Pantene Pro-V Restoratives Time Renewal Shampoo gently cleanses hair with a rich and creamy lather to remove build-up and impurities.

Pantene Pro-V Restoratives Time Renewal Conditioner helps restore shine and smoothness to damaged hair, leaving hair looking and feeling healthy. When used with the shampoo, these products promise to provide damage protection that leading salon brands can’t beat!

Pantene Pro-V Restoratives Time Renewal Mask deeply penetrates hair to help restore moisture and give hair a more youthful appearance. The great thing about these Pantene products is that if you’re not satisfied, Pantene will actually switch you back to your old product, even if it’s a salon brand. Find our more details by visiting Pantene.com.

I'm not a big fan of resolution-making, but taking better care of my skin and hair are easy enough to do. As I said, I'll let you know how these products fair. In the meantime, if YOU have any resolutions for the new year and the new decade, leave me a comment and tell me about it!

You Ought To Be In Pictures!

The holiday season means gatherings with friends and family. And that always means lots and lot of photos. Here are a few tips for getting the best smile out of your photos:

Rule of Thumb: Accentuate the positive and minimize your negatives. There is a science to smiling your best -- celebrities do it all the time!

• Practice smiling in the mirror with your teeth slightly parted (one pinky finger breadth), as if you are really excited about something. You'll show more white teeth, because the lower teeth won't be hiding behind the uppers, and your smile won't look forced. You can practice all of this in the mirror.
• If your upper lip is full, don’t thin it by smiling too broadly. Smile enough to show your teeth, but not so much to thin your lips.
• If your upper lip is thin, smile so that the bottom edges of your upper teeth touch your lower lip. The visual impact of the upper teeth combined with the lower lip will take attention away from the thin upper lip.
• If your upper teeth are irregular at the bottoms, or if some upper teeth are too long, smile so that the lower lip hides the bottom edges.
• If you think you are too gummy or the gum is irregular in contour or color, practice smiling so your upper lip hides the gum.
  

To maximize color:

• Bright red lip color usually shows off white teeth best. Magenta colors can make them look more yellow. Rose or pink or sheer usually does offer enough of a contrast.
• A tan always makes light teeth look whiter! Opt for a UV free glow with a great self-tanner.
  

Just before the photo:

• Wet your teeth so they sparkle.
• Put a spot of gloss in the center of the lower lip for added shine.
• If you have any minor defect in your smile at all, (a stain, crack, etc) wipe some petroleum jelly on it. The aberration will be diffused and lips will be even and supple.

If you want more tips for taking a good picture, click here.

We Have A Winner....

Congrats to Robin Titan! You are my Iman Cosmetics Luxury Liner giveaway winner! Please be on the lookout for an email from me. I hope you love this liner and that it adds the sparkle you want this winter.

I'll have plenty of other giveaways in the coming year, fear not!

Christmas, Christmas Time is Here

It's Christmas Week! Woo-hoo!

Since this week is going to be devoted to gift wrapping, hanging out with my family, and copious amounts of eating and drinking, I may be taking a few days away from Kiss & Makeup. I won't be completely gone, however! Between now and the New Year, be sure to stop by--I'll be posting the following (maybe more!):

• The name of the Iman Cosmetics Luxury Liner eyeliner (Monday)
• Tips for looking great in holiday photos (Tuesday)
  
• Tips to cure (or ease) a hangover (next week)
  
• Preview of a Pantene product that's designed to turn back the clock of hair damage (next week)
• Review of 2009 (next week)
• My favorite beauty products of 2009 (next week)
• Looking ahead to a new decade (next week)

As always, if you have any suggestions for a topic or need beauty advice, email me at asklydia@hotmail.com!

And the Winners Are...

My EcoTools Overnight bag winners--chosen at random--are:

• Brooke
• Briannon
• Phairhead

Please be on the lookout for an email from me.

Didn't win? Fear not! I'm giving away some awesome eyeliner. Click here for the deets.

Lumene Puts the Science in Beauty

I've tried several Lumene skin care products in the past and I've really liked them. They made the surface of my face feel smoother and evened out my skin tone. Now, the Scandinavian skin care company is launching two new anti-aging products that claim that 100% of women who tried it saw a reduction in the appearance of wrinkles. 100%? Really? Wow! Let's check out the products:

Lumene ExCELLent Future Deep Repairing Cream with Natural Cell Technology
Containing 85% natural ingredients, this cream helps prevent aging and delay damage to the surface of the skin. It combines modern cell technology with organic ingredients like Arctic white peat Applexcell to help skin repair itself.

Lumene ExCELLent Future Deep Repairing Serum with Natural Cell Technology
Meant to be used underneath the Repairing Cream, this keeps skin looking youthful and reduce the depth of already existing wrinkles.

Both products are available at CVS for $29.99 each.

I've been trying them both out for a few weeks now and they do make my skin feel better--hydrated and evened out. I'm not sure I've used both products long enough to see all the anti-aging benefits, but I'll report back in the new year.

Disclosure: A press sample was received.

Get Your Fragrance Fix! Perfectly Petite Perfumes …Only at Sephora

Need a holiday gift idea? Why not give that special someone a delicious new fragrance to start the new year. Find your favorite fragrance in affordable and portable miniature rollerballs and solids. These perfumed pieces are perfect for your everyday cosmetic case or your chic evening clutch. Check out these fragrant finds:

• Kat Von D Saint or Sinner Rollerball ($16) – Whether you’re feeling sultry or sweet, Kat Von D has you covered with these handy rollerballs that will keep you smelling fabulously fragrant wherever you go.
• Sephora Collector’s Edition Fragrance Sampler ($75, $160 Value!) – Let them pick their present this holiday season! This set of seven samples of Sephora’s most popular fragrances for him or her comes with a gift voucher for a full-size bottle of their favorite!
• Leslie Blodgett Perfume Diaries Perfume Solid in Bare Skin ($35) – Just a dab of this spill proof solid housed in a pocket-watch compact will freshen your scent and linger on your skin for hours.
• La Vanila The Healthy Fragrance Mini Rollerball Set ($28, $48 Value!) – This set of four rollerballs offers a healthy scent from every fragrance family: fresh, fruit, oriental, and woody. Worn alone or layered, these scents are ideal for touchups.
• Michael Kors Very Hollywood Solid Perfume Cocktail Ring ($40) – Smell sweet and stay fashion chic with this glamorous sparkle piece of adornment.
• Stella McCartney Stella Rollerball ($18) – This sophisticated yet powerful fragrance of felinity, slips easily into a handbag or pocket for a sensual scent on the go.
  

*Holiday News Alert* Now through December 18th Sephora Claus is taking over Sephora’s Twitter (www.twitter.com/sephora), giving away beauty products everyday for 31 days. For beauty buffs who would like to enter, simply tweet on Twitter an @Sephora message and tag your wish with a #sephoraclaus “hashtag.”

Plus, you can “share” your wish on Facebook and receive one of three deluxe samples, including YSL Black Mascara, Philosophy Inner Grace Body Lotion or Mini Nars Duo Lipgloss. To get your glamorous goodie, enter any of these gift with purchase codes: WISHME, Claus, or Clause.

For more Sephora Claus details, visit www.Sephoraclaus.com. You must be 18 or older and a US citizen to win. Prizes must be found on Sephora.com and less than $150. Shop for these travel-friendly fragrances – available at Sephora stores, by calling 1-877-Sephora or by logging onto Sephora.com.

Pur for the Holidays!

Every year, it seems like beauty companies put out holiday collections to tempt buyers. And, every year, it seems like Pür Minerals' holiday collections rock. I use Pür Minerals foundation regularly (I like it more than Bare Escentuals!), and their other products, like eyeliners, eye shadows, etc. are all high quality at a decent price. Here's what their offering this gift-giving season.

Whether you’re in need of a thoughtful gift or the perfect party look, Pür Minerals helps you celebrate the holidays in style. With Pür Minerals, you can give someone the tools for flawless makeup application, stuff stockings with travel-friendly minis, or treat yourself to gorgeous holiday makeup. As with all Pür Minerals products, these holiday-helpers are free of talc, chemical dyes, petroleum-based oils and fillers:

Holiday Gift Set: Enjoy the portability and giftability of the 5-Piece Holiday Brush Collection, an essential set of brushes for expert makeup application. These all-natural, cruelty-free brushes are enclosed in a sleek, chocolate brown quilted cosmetics case, perfect for gift giving. Each set includes a powder brush, utility brush, covered lip brush, blush brush, and eye shadow brush. ($35.00)

Where to buy: Exclusively at www.purminerals.com

Holiday Stocking Stuffers: Gift Pür Minerals’ most popular products in stocking stuffer sizes. The 3-Piece Travel Brush Set in Travel Pouch is the ultimate miniature gift set and the perfect way to apply Universal Marble Powder Minis and Mineral Glow Mini Value. Add Lemon Mineral Wash and you’ve got a stocking filled with travel-ready holiday necessities. ($12.50-$16.00 each)

Where to buy: Exclusively at www.purminerals.com

Holiday Trend: Complement your little black dress with perfect party makeup. This season’s must-have look calls for head-turning, cherry-red lips, softly sparkling eyes and warm, flushed cheeks. To get the look, line your lips with Mineral Lip Pencil in Ruby and fill in with Mineral Shea Butter Lipstick in Red Ruby. For extra shine, apply Pür Balm. Next, dust your eyelids with Pressed Mineral Shadows in Champagne Citrine and Gold Dust to give eyes a subtle sparkle. Line your lids with Mineral Eye Defining Pencil in Chocolate Mica for extra definition. Finally, apply Universal Marble Powder in Spice for perfectly flushed cheeks. ($13.00-$22.50 each)

Where to buy: ULTA Stores, Dillard’s stores or visit www.purminerals.com

Add Some Sparkle This Holiday Season (Giveaway!)

During the holiday season, we have so many social events to attend and we always want to look our best. Now, just in time for the holidays, IMAN Cosmetics Luxury Liquid Eyeliner changes everything you know about eyewear! Now your eyes will pop like the perfect accessory to your favorite ensemble. Inspired by the finely faceted look of Swarovski Crystals, the liquid eyeliner is enriched with Vitamin E and enhanced with sparkling gem-toned micro-pigments. The result is a glamorous stroke of eye defining color with the glimmer of fine metals and precious jewels.

The Luxury Liquid Eyeliner is available at Target for $10.99 and comes in four sparkly shades:

• Onyx: A glimmering black
• Platinum: A sparkling silver
• Sapphire: A rich gem-toned blue
• Copper: A warm molten earth tone

The liners go on easily and dry quickly to avoid smudging. If you're a fan of liquid eyeliners, you should check this out (plus it makes for a fun stocking stuffer!).

Since it's the holiday season and I'm in a giving spirit, I'm giving away one lucky reader a paid of liners (one in copper, one in onyx). To enter, just leave a comment here and be sure I have a way to contact you. Sorry, this is available to readers in the US only. I'll pick a winner next Monday (December 21st). Good luck!

EcoTools for YOU!! (Giveaway)

Remember those awesome EcoTools bags and brushes by Alicia Silverstone I told you about earlier this week? (Click here to refresh your memory.) Well, now here's your chance to get a free Alicia Silverstone overnight bag (the big one with the green handles, above--second from the left).

I love this bag. It's roomy enough to hold almost all of your stuff, but it zips up into a pretty, compact bag that's perfect for travel.

To enter: Leave a comment on this post (be sure I have a way to contact you).

Also (optional):

• Tweet about EcoTools by Alicia Silverstone on Twitter (and if you're a Twitter user, follow me too!)
• Become a fan of EcoTools on Facebook
  

Three winners will be selected at random at 12:00 noon on Thursday, December 17th. Good luck!

Beauty Product of the Week: Lashlight

What is it? Lashlight mascara by Too Faced is "an innovative mascara formula containing millions of microscopic mirrors that bounce light off lashes for a super-glossy, jet-black finish with an exclusive light up wand to spotlight each lash for the most precise application possible.

Lashlight is formulated to thicken, lengthen, and condition while coating lashes with the glossiest of jet-black finishes to make eyes look brighter, whiter, and camera ready. A combination of Panthenol and Vitamins C and E keep lashes healthy and Red Algae increases Keratin resistance for maximum lash flexibility. The patented formula contains millions of microscopic mirrors that bounce light off lashes for the deepest, jet-black finish that lasts all day." Available at Sephora and department stores for $25.

What do you think? I normally love Too Faced products. Their eyeshadows are ah-mazing and worth every penny. They also tend to have really fun box sets that make for great gifts. So I was excited to try this mascara.

The light is bright and lets you see your lashes pretty well. I don't know that it helped me apply the mascara in any way, but I guess the thinking is "more light, better application." The actual mascara itself made my lashes look very black. I don't know if that resulted in brighter eyes, but it did help make my lashes more noticeable.

The mascara did not clump at all, which is a bonus. It also made my lashes longer, but it didn't make them any thicker.

The final verdict? This product is a bit gimmicky. The light is ok; the mascara is ok. All in all, everything about this mascara is just ok. Not great. Not bad. Just sort of "meh." For $25, you can find a better mascara.

Disclosure: A press sample was received.

Eco-Beautiful

Eco-friendly products are all the rage in the world of beauty. There are so many new brands and products popping up every day that it's hard to keep track.

I recently got some samples of products from a company called Wembe. The company's vision is that nature compliments the human soul and envelops it with health beauty and happiness. And their line of soaps promises to be good to your skin and good to the earth. Their soaps are cruelty free and contain NO silicone, petroleum products, parabens, sulfates, phenoxythanol, polyethylene glycol, synthetic fragrances or dye. All soaps are made from organic, locally grown plants in Paraguay and 94% of their products are vegan.
I received a stack of three soaps, all housed in a recycled cardboard box with minimal packaging. They also sent me a bonus to try out. Here's what I've been using:

• Yerba Mate Exfoliating Blend: helps to eliminate dead skin cells to keep skin radiant and keeps skin detoxified.
  
• Citric Cleansing Blend: helps purify the skin, and essential oils keep you moisturized and smelling great.
• Mango Cleansing Blend: contains ingredients high in Vitamins A, C, and E and smells like the warm tropical forest.
• Loofah Exfoliating Blend: this is a lovely bar, almost too pretty to use. It stimulates circulation and improves skin's complexion. Perfect for the dry skin winter months.
  

Wembe soaps range in price from $7 to just under $10 for the soaps and $25 for a pack of three loofas.

I like that these products are all natural and don't contain any nasty chemicals. They make my skin feel soft and smell great. During cold months, my skin is dry and yucky. The Wembe line does a nice job of improving skin gently.

With Christmas coming, any of the Wembe products would make a great gift for your eco-conscious friends.

Naughty or Nice?

This Christmas season, Santa might say that you can be either naughty or nice. I say you can be both! It all depends on how you define the term naughty.

If you want to improve the amount of pleasure you get while being naughty, check out KY Intense. You've no doubt seen the ads for this product. It's specially designed to enhance female arousal and satisfaction in the sheets. I received a sample of the product. I won't go into details, but I have to say it was one of the more fun and enjoyable samples I've had to test out!

Before you start thinking that a product designed to improve sexual satisfaction has nothing to do with beauty or the spirit of this blog, consider this: People who have sex at least three times a week can look up to 10 years younger than those who make love less frequently, according to Dr David Weeks of the Royal Edinburgh Hospital.

Why? Well, Weeks states that sex in women helps trigger the production of a human growth hormone that helps them keep their youthful looks. Sex also pumps oxygen around the body, boosting the circulation and the flow of nutrients to the skin. And, of course, being in a sexual relationship can in itself be a good incentive to look after your appearance and stay in shape.

So--if you want to add a little naughty to your nightlife this holiday season (and make yourself look more youthful!) , pick up some KY Intense. It's a perfect stocking stuffer!

ecoTOOLS Bags to Keep You Organized!

I love makeup bags, and I never seem to have enough of them. Weird. Maybe I have too many beauty product? Nah!

Anyway, if you're like me and you're always in need of more beauty storage, check out the new line from Alicia Silverstone and ecoTOOLs. Their new collection of bags is currently available in places like Walgreens and Target, and--like all ecoTOOLs products--they're designed with green in mind. Green as in eco-friendly since they're made of natural materials like hemp, and green as in budget-friendly since they're very reasonably priced.

Because ecoTOOLS teamed up with Alicia Silverstone, all the bags are cruelty-free and contain a floral design inspired by the actress and animal rights activist's favorite flowers printed with non-toxic inks.

The collection includes:

• Cosmetic Bag ($8.99): This small bag is perfect to throw in your gym bag or large purse. I gives you just enough room for your on-the-go beauty essentials.
• Train Case ($14.99): This is my favorite bag in the set. I gave my mom this case when she went on a recent trip to the east coast. She was impressed with how much it held and how little space it took up in her suitcase. Plus there's a clear case inside that can be easily remove for more flexibility.
  
• 5-piece Brush Set and Bag ($15.99): I love this set. You get ecoTOOLS super soft brushes (all made from natural and sustainable materials) and a cute bag to house them all.
• Overnight Bag ($19.99): This bag is huge! You can really stuff it to the gills--there's tons of space in this baby. It also contains two clear, removable compartments that will help you sort and compartmentalize your essentials.
  

I have used ecoTOOLs brushes in the past and I love them. They're great quality and they don't cost an arm and a leg. And now this new line of bags makes me love ecoTOOLS all the more. Check it out for yourself!

Disclosure: A press sample was provided.

Beauty Product of the Week:

What is it? LypSyl Lip Balm "has been the first choice of European lip care users for generations. The brand originated in Sweden over 100 years ago, with a name derived from Swedish to communicate the soothing and natural benefits of beeswax. For the American market, the product has been reformulated with pure Swedish beeswax and an advanced blend of natural and therapeutic ingredients.

Made with pure Swedish beeswax, LypMedication with Eucalyptus. Helps soothe, moisturize & protect your lips naturally with over 100 years in Swedish Lipcare, LypSyl knows to bring out your natural beauty. Contains:

• Minty Flavor: Refreshes
• Coconut Oil: Moisturizes
• Organic Shea Butter: Heals & Protects
• Vitamins A&E: Softens & Heals"
  

Available at drugstore.com and other drugstores for less than $3.50.

What did you think? Like a lot of you, if I need lip balm, I reach for Burt's Bees. I guess I'm a creature of habit.

LypSyl is hitting the American market and I've been testing out a tube lately. And so far? I like what I'm seeing from the product. Here's the good:

• the packaging is super cute. There's a little bee on the side that you use to slide the product up. I know it's gimmicky but I think it's super cute. I also like that the tube isn't perfectly round. I don't know how many times my Burt's Bees has rolled off my nightstand. With it's slightly flat sides, rolling is not a problem.
• the product goes on easily. It coats well and feels great. My lips feel moisturized, not sticky or gunked up with thick balm.
• the flavor is good. It's not as strong as Burt's Bees, which is fine with me.
• the moisturizing benefit lasts and lasts. Love that!
  

Here's my one minor complaint: you use the bee to slide the product up. However, I find that the product is either too high or not high enough. It's probably user error, and again, the complaint is minor. Also, since the tube is more oval-y than round, it takes a few tries to get comfortable applying it.

The final verdict? The product is super cute and the formula matches the cuteness. I give it a big thumbs up and think that LypSyl is a great change from the usual Burt's Bees. Since Christmas is coming, this is a perfect stocking stuffer idea!

Disclosure: A press sample was provided.

Wizard of Ooh and Ahz!

Just in time for the holidays--a time when you're searching for fun gifts you to treat your friends (or yourself)--China Glaze is relaunching their popular Wizard of Ooh and Ahz line of nail polishes.

The original hit the market back in 2001, but the new for '09 colors are pure glittery fun. Here's the list of colors:

• Ruby Pumps: An all time red glitter favorite!
• Cowardly Lyin’: Gold frost with specks of gold micro glitter.
• The Ten Man: Silver frost with specks of micro silver glitter.
• Dorothy Who?: Blue polish with massive amounts of silver and blue glitter!
• C-C-Courage: Purple Frost with specks of purple micro glitter.
• Good Witch: Pink Frost with specks of pink micro glitter.

The colors are lovely; shiny, glittery and fun! My favorites? Ruby Pumps, Dorothy Who?, and C-C-Courage.

China Glaze colors may change from season to season, but their formula remains the same longwearing lacquer with hardeners. Designed with the professional in mind, their 220-strand brush is great for ease of application. Best of all, their non-thickening formula provides even coverage. China Glaze nail lacquers are available through salons and professional beauty supply stores nationwide.

Check out their website for more info.

Disclosure: A sample was provided.

Meet the Brand: Raw Minerals

Quick: Raise your hand if you've switched from liquid foundation to mineral foundation.

I switched over when I started this blog oh-so many years ago. And so far, I've been pretty darn loyal to two mineral brands: Bare Escentuals and Pur Minerals. The market is flooded with mineral foundations and lately I've been trying out products from RAWMinerals.

Let's learn about this brand:

RAWMinerals makes a full line of mineral foundations, an active veil containing SPF, mineral glow (similar to BE's warmth), lip color, eye color, and brushes. Their products contain active botanical ingredients derived from plants to fight wrinkles, even out skin tone, and revitalize firmness. Their stuff is free from parabens and other nasty chemicals, and the company is serious about using sustainable ingredients.

It's easy to root for a company that makes products from good-for-you ingredients and that has an environmentally conscious business philosophy.

But how are the products? I've been trying out their "Discovery Kit" that comes with 2 Mineral Foundation Shades, Mineral Glow, Active Veil SPF 18 and 3 Artistry Brushes.

I blend the two shades of foundation together and I get pretty decent coverage. Their products don't feel heavy and I almost forgot I was wearing anything, which is nice. I found the mineral glow to be a little difficult to blend correctly with the accompanying brushes, but since I prefer blush anyway, I was't too upset by this. The active veil does a nice job of finishing the look, though I don't think it really helps keep shine down for a long period of time.

All in all, I find that I use RAWMinerals interchangably with my other mineral foundation products. It seems very comparable to similar products from Bare Escentuals and Pur Minerals.

My only negatives are:

• The foundation doesn't contain SPF (though the active veil does!)
• The makeup brushes didn't rock my world, but I'm a creature of habit and it takes alot to get me to change my brushes!
• I'm not sure if it was the foundation or the veil, but one of the products seems to have a little extra sparkle to it, and I'm not a big fan of glittery products. I'm not saying that I look like a vampire from Twilight, but there is the tiniest bit of sparkle that doesn't thrill me.

My final say: I think RAWMinerals offers a decent product that's easy to use, flattering, and that has its corporate heart in the right place. If you're interested in switching to minerals, I'd recommend their Discovery Kit with very few reservations.

Oh! And they even have a deal for you, my fabulous readers. When you order online, enter code DISCOVERY50 and get 50% off your order. Nice!

Disclosure: A press sample was provided.