Cosmetics and Fragrances

Lancôme Canada asked me to put up a reference for my fellow Canadian beauty readers regarding the availability of Lancôme Canada website. Here is the introduction about this website:

Online since 2001, www.lancome.ca offers Canadian women the ability to browse, experience personalized makeup and skincare consultations, and keep abreast of the latest beauty trends 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Topshop is coming to SoHo, NYC!

[Photo credit:www.wwd.com]

Great news! According to WWD report, the long-awaited Topshop is opening their very first US flagship, Topshop/Topman unit, in SoHo, NYC. The first range of Kate Moss collection has very successful sales with Barneys New York so far. The rollout of the British fashion retail giant will happen first in SoHo, NYC. The owner of Topshop is also planning another two stores in Manhattan, a few on West Coast and other cities in the US. All the new Topshop stores in the U.S. will have a minimum of 20,000-square-feet store.

In addition, the owner of Topshop, Philip Green, hopes to support young emerging American designers with the New Generation program. Topshop sponsors young designers' fashion shows every season in London. In return, these designers could get to create exclusive collections for Topshop.

At this point, Barneys New York department stores has part of the Kate Moss collection on sale. I like the Kate Moss line very much as it is trendy and has a great fashion characteristic. Other lines from Topshop are fashionable and affordable too. It is indeed a destination with lots of chic styles and basics for girls of every age. Topshop will definitely provide the US a great option for being fabulous without breaking bank accounts.

News source: http://www.wwd.com/

2007 Holiday Makeup Collection Roundup - Part 3

After my previous posts on holiday jeweled makeup and makeup palette, have you already figured out something special for your shopping list (or wish list) ? Today, the holiday makeup collection roundup - part 3 features the complete sets of holiday collections. This kind of holiday collections usually consist of eye shadow, face powder, lip color, mascara, nail color and etc. A beautiful case/pouch to store all these beauty products is mostly included.

Here are the highlights of 2007 holiday collections:

1. Elegance Christmas Collection: includes cheek color, eye shadow, lip gloss and a pouch. This collection is available in two sets of colors (cool and warm tone).

2. Sonia Rykiel Champagne Collection: includes face color of 3 shades, lip gloss of 3 shades, eye shadow palette, nail color, cosmetics bag, face & body glitter powder, soaps, body smoothing scrub, body treatment cream.

3. Guerlain Forever Gold Collection: includes Forever Gold Sublime Radiant Powder for the face, Golden Lash Mascara Top Coat, KissKiss - Precious Colours Silky and Deliciou, KissKiss Gloss Extreme Shine Radiant Colours, Meteorites Gold Temptation Pearls, Meteorites voyage poudre press pour le visage gold temptation, and Ombre Eclat - duo & liner.

4. Givenchy Christmas Collection: includes Prisme Solitaire All-over Diamond-Effect Powder, Lash Sparkles, Crystal Lip Gloss, Nails Lacquer, Satin Lipstick, and Intense Volume Mascara.

5. Jill Stuart Christmas Rose Collection: includes brilliance eyes with rose box, shimmer tint face color, lip gloss, nail care oil, satin pouch, and a fragrance choker. Sadly, Jill Stuart Christmas Rose Collection has already been sold out in Japan. I hope it might be still available at some online beauty stores.

6. Shiseido Majolica Majorca Holiday Collection: includes line impact eyeshadow/eyeliner, lash freeze waterproof mascara, snow carat face powder, and nail colors. For your information, Majolica Majorca is a drug store brand under Shiseido.

7. Laura Mercier Diamond Collection: includes an eye color (in White Diamond), diamond duster, kohl eye pencil, lip glaze and a loose mineral powder.

8. Paul & Joe Christmas Creation "Invitation": includes lipstick of three shades, face color powder of three shades, pressed color of six shades, lip gloss, mascara kit, nail color of three shades, emery board and a pouch.

9. Anna Sui Christmas Collection: The Part 1 Collection includes: super mascara glitter of four colors, color powder of two shades, nail polish of five colors, makeup kit ( includes a lip gloss and face powder in a pouch. The lip gloss and face powder are released in two color versions: pink and orange.) The Part 2 Collection includes Dolly Girl Bonjour L'amour lip stick, Dolly Girl Bonjour L'amour nail color, beauty tray and hand mirror. (The Anna Sui picture shown above is the Part 2 Collection. For picture of Part 1, please check here.)

10. Dior Holiday Romantic Collection: includes "I Love Dior" Deluxe Holiday Palette, "I Love Dior" Eye Palette, " I Love Dior' Detective Eye Palette " and the 'DiorLight' Holiday Bright Lip Gloss.

On occasions during the holiday season, it is all about dressing up glamorously. Givenchy Christmas Collection, Shiseido Majolica Majorca Holiday Collection and Laura Mercier Diamond Collection are sparkling and luminous with a touch of shimmer. On the other hand, I do like the color of Elegance Christmas Collection, Sonia Rykiel Champagne Collection, Anna Sui Christmas Collection and Paul & Joe Christmas Creation "Invitation" as they are quite soft, subtle and pearlescent.

2007 Holiday Makeup Collection Roundup - Part 2

One of the great excitements about holiday collection is the makeup palette. Jeweled makeup is often luxuriously packaged for one single product like lip stick or lip gloss. However, makeup palette often offers a variety from eye shadow, lip gloss to cheek color, etc. To meet the elements of the Christmas, the shades are usually created with younger and shinier look. It is the perfect timing to put on a sparkling and glamorous makeup for the Christmas!

Today's feature is holiday makeup palette. They are fallen into a "multi-use" category, which means each palette brings you more than two kinds of point makeup. Let's check it out:

1. BEAUTÉ de KOSÉ Snowflake Compact: (¥6,300 or USD$58) The Snowflake Compact contains four eye shadows and four lip colors. The shades are pearly, light and shiny. There are snowflake motifs imprinted on the eye shadows for decoration. This compact also comes with a furry snow white pouch decorated with faux-crystals.

2. IPSA Aurora Charm Makeup: ( ¥5,250 or USD $48) The palette contains a red lipstick, two lip glosses and three face colors.

3. RMK Makeup Palette: ( ¥ 9,975 or USD$91.50) It comes with four eye shadows, a face color (in beige), three shades of cheek colors, a long lash black mascara and a lip gloss (in coral). The palette case is in leopard-print.

4. Stila Deluxe Palette: ($34) Stila releases two sets of deluxe palette for holiday collection 2007. Guinevere's Deluxe Palette is in a cool tone and Scarlett's Deluxe Palettein is in a warm tone. Each palette has three eye shadows, a cheek color and a lip color. The palette case is adorned with two Swarovski crystals.

5. Lavshuca Winter Make Collection: (¥1680 or USD$15.40) It is available in two sets of shades. "01 Berry Creme Framboise" is in pink series and "02 BonBon Chocolat Classique" is in gold series. Each contains an eyeshadow pan of three shades and two lip colors.

6. Yves Saint Laurent Multi-Usage Makeup Palette: ($67) From the Love Collection 2007, the palette has everything you can find: three eye shadows, three lipsticks, a lip gloss, a face highlighter and a blush.

*Edited on Dec 01, 2007: Thanks to Lilan from The Daily Cookie for passing on the sweet Friends & Family 15 % discount at the US website of Yves Saint Laurent beauty. Check here for more details!

2007 Holiday Makeup Collection Roundup - Part 1

In recent years, it has been a trend that more and more brand-name cosmetics companies release cosmetics in jewel-like packaging during seasons, especially X'mas. Case designs are mostly cute, feminine and luxurious. The concept behind it is for women not only to wear beautiful makeup, also to wear the cosmetics itself beautifully.

Christmas holidays are quietly coming in less than a month. Are you still undecided on the wish list for your holiday makeup collection? Or maybe you are still looking for the perfect holiday gift for your loved ones? Beauty Anonymous is featuring a 2007 holiday makeup collection roundup. Remember? There is always something you "want" and something you "need." Making a simple comparison definitely helps me to decide between what I really "want" and what I really "need." I hope this will help you too.

Let's take a look at the highlights from the 2007 holiday collections:

1. Dior Jeweled Makeup Necklace For The Lips

"Dior Light Necklace" ($90) is part of the Dior's Limelight Collection for 2007. Inspired by the jewels of Dior Collection, the necklace is comprised of a crystal jeweled pendant. Inside the pendant, there is a copper-pink lip gloss. I admit the jeweled case is so glittery and attractive. It is also hip to accessorize this Dior Light with bags or totes. I have tried the lip gloss and I found the shade is more to the copper-orange side.

2. Lancome PRECIOUS CARAT Lip Gloss Jewel Diamond Splendour

"Precious Carat" ($40) has a diamond-cut shape in the packaging and is crowned with Swarovski crystals. The lip gloss is a transparent shade (01 Diamond Splendor) with gold sparkle.

3. Yves Saint Laurent Limited-Edition Palette Pour Les Levres

From the Yves Saint Laurent "Love collection" 2007, Yves Saint Laurent Limited-Edition Palette Pour Les Levres ($62) is in white gold metal decorated with Swarovski crystals. It comes with a true red lipstick, a natural/shimmering lip gloss and the applicator is hidden in the ring on top.

4. Juicy Couture Beauty Lip-Gloss Charm Bracelet

The chain-link bracelet is in 12-kt. gold plate. A pink silk is ribboned on two heart shape charms. Inside the charms, each contains a flavored lip gloss: Crystal Pink (orange flavor) and Resort Pink (berry flavor). It costs $75 exclusively at Neiman Marcus.

Stila Vintage on sale up to 50%

Thanksgiving weekend is all about shopping and shopping! Check out Vintage Stila for selected items on sale! It is up to 50% off! The eye shadow trio: ravishing rose (Original:$32, now $16) has beautiful dusty rose bronze tones. Floating eye shadow (Original:$16, now $12.80) in Pink Drizzle can be used as a base or be put on as a shimmery veil! There are a lot more items on sale! Have fun shopping! Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

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Shop at Lancome online: Everything 20% off

Lancôme is offering 20% off everything online. You'll get free shipping with any amount of purchase. Simply enter the code "THANKS7" at checkout to get this deal. It's valid through Nov. 26, next Monday. It is a simple click away to purchase your gift sets and favorite things instead of finding a parking lot to get into a Lancôme counter during the Thanksgiving weekend! Hurry!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

My Thanksgiving toast to all of my Beauty Anonymous fellows! This year, 2007, is definitely meaningful for me. Beauty Anonymous has launched just about five months ago. I am so happy to share my beauty experiences with you everyday. Thank you very much for your support, emails and comments! I am very thankful with your all support! I wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving!

Product review: Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion

Skin MD Natural is a shielding lotion for face, hand and body. The basic concept is to protect the skin from the outside irritants in modern environments, which didn't exist a few decades ago. The shielding lotion forms an invisible hydrating shield at the outer layer of skin. Inside the protective shield, it restores the skin's moisture, and enhances the skin's natural protective abilities. It is mostly effective as a dry skin care treatment.

I have used Skin MD Natural mostly on the face and hands for a couple months. The lotion is fragrance-free, non-comedogenic (cosmetics/skincare don't plug pores, which cause blackheads or pimples) and hypoallergenic! Skin MD Natural contains natural antimicrobial ingredients such as aloe, chamomile, comfrey to reduce the bacteria and heal the skin; natural anti-oxidant, vitamin E, to protect the cell membrane; arnica and yarrow, which are anti-inflammatory, to reduce redness, dryness and swelling.

I have a dry/sensitive skin type. The lotion works great for me. The texture is between gel and cream. It is very lightweight and easy to apply. After I apply the lotion, it got absorbed quickly but I don't feel greasy or sticky residue on my skin. I like the way it gives my face hydration without turning it oily like a shinny "light bulb". A thin layer of the so-called "invisible shield" can be felt on the outer layer of skin in a very comfortable way. My face feels clean immediately after the Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion is applied. My face would look bright and refreshing in the next morning. I also love using it on my hands in daytime. It allows me to work with the computer without a mess. It just doesn't mess up the working environment by leaving oily finger marks everywhere.

Following the directions, however, is the key to ensure the best result. Users are suggested to apply the product every 2 to 8 hours for the first few days to a week. This is the initial time for the lotion does its magic to adjust and re-balance the skin's moisture condition. As the skin starts to adjust and moisturize itself naturally, users may apply the lotion every 12-24 hours. At first, I neglected the directions and applied the lotion whenever I wanted to (which means, less often as directed). I noticed my skin actually got a little drier. I have applied more lotion and followed the instructions more closely. After two weeks, the condition has become very satisfying. This could be a nuisance if you don't like to follow instructions. Overall, I'd recommend you to give it a try. Skin MD Natural is 4oz bottle for $25, available at skinmdnatural.com

*SkinMD provided a sample for this review. However, this review is solely based on my personal opinions after using this product.*

Holiday shopping spree!

• Selected gift sets are now up to 25% off at L'occitane! Whenever L'occitane is on sales, I always stock up Shea Butter products from hands to feet. I love L'occitane's Shea Butter scent because it smells incredible, gentle and uplifting. The creamy texture maybe is a little sticky for some people. However, it helps to lock in moisture that nourish skin at night. I simply love L'occitane's Shea Butter line! Check out Shea Travel Treasures (Original:$65.00 ; Sale: $35.00) and Shea Butter Hand & Foot Care Set (Original: $60.00; Sale at $50.00)!



• You'll received free shipping on orders over $50 at Sephora.com! Don't miss Only at Sephora with lots of beauty exclusives! Selected gift sets like Stila Gift of Glow Bronzing Kit ($90 Value; now at $45), Lorac Fairytale Life ($195 Value; now at $52), and Vera Wang Rollerball Set ($105 Value; now at $55) are now at value prices!
  

~ Happy shopping for your loved ones! ~

Travel cosmetics goodies revealed!

Hello, everyone! Finally my vacation in LA has come to an end! Last week was all about sunshine and everlasting friendship. It was hard to comprehend the weather in LA with average of 70 to 85 degrees in mid November. Especially the weather in east coast starts to drop to 40 degrees. I did not have to worry too much about chapped lips and dry hands in LA. Wanna check out what was inside my travel cosmetics bag? Below were the cosmetics/skincare goodies that I carried during the travel:

1. DHC Deep Cleansing Oil: I found out the other two gals in our vacation also brought this with them. We all agree this cleansing oil is the best to remove makeup (and even waterproof eye line, mascara, etc).

2. Lancome Colour Focus Palette 4 Ombres Exceptional Wear EyeColour Quad: Color: Suntouched, Honeymoon, Mochaccino, and Lezard.

3. Benefit Bad Gal: The black kohl pencil is soft enough to create smoky eyes!

4. Kate Designing Eyebrow color set: I don't usually pack eyebrow pencil along in the travel. I found the pencil case/cap is too fragile to bear pressure in a packed bag. However, this eyebrow color set is tiny to slip in the makeup bag. Inside the sleek compact case, Kate Designing Eyebrow has three colors and a little brush to create the eyebrow look.

5. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer with SPF20

6. Carmex EZ-ON Applicator Tube: It stayed with me everywhere I went.

7. Avene Soothing moisture mask

8. Shiseido UV White Whitening Moisturizer: It restores UV-damaged skin and provides moisture.

9. L'occitane Solid Perfume: in Green Tea


Related posts:
Summer '08: My Travel-friendly Beauty Goodies

Hello from California

My apologies for not blogging in last few days. I am currently on vacation in Los Angeles. I just went to Getty Center and had a great time there. I will be back by the end of this week. In the mean time, stay pretty ;-)

Lancome Juicy Tubes Jelly Ultra Shiny Lip Gloss

Juicy Tubes Jelly Ultra Shiny Lip Gloss ($17.50) is one of the lines from Lancome's Juicy Tubes series. It is full of glitter to deliver a brilliant shine. I have the shade in Miracle, which is a baby pink color with shimmer. The color goes on sheer and light pink. The glossy sheen creates volume to make the lips look fuller and juicy. And the shimmering particles make my lips look sparkling. On the negative side, I think the shimmering particles are a little too coarse for my liking. Also, the texture is a little sticky. I would avoid wearing this when it is windy outside. Overall, I enjoy this color and it lasts well.

Crabtree & Evelyn 20% off sale!

Crabtree & Evelyn is now offering 20% off store wide from Nov 9 to Nov 12. It is a prefect time to shop for yourself and your loved one. I just had a great time shopping with my friend this afternoon, enjoying the 20% off shopping spree. We were so thrilled to find out the nice quality of Crabtree & Evelyn hand creams. There are different lines of hand creams and they have different scents. I was having a hard time to decide which one to buy among Rosewater, Lavender , Nantucket Briar,etc. Since I am more into clean refreshing scent for a hand cream, I have decided to go for Gardeners Hand Therapy Cream (3.4 fl. oz for $14 On sale now: $11.20). My friend bought Lavender Hand & Body Lotion (8.5 fl. oz for $18 On sale: $14.40) and India Hicks Island Living Spider Lily Body Cream (7 oz for $30.00 On sale: $24). I simply love the scent of Lavender and Spider Lily as well! I will post up how the Gardeners Hand Therapy Cream feels like later on. Please stay tuned! In the mean time, you may also take the opportunity to stop by Crabtree & Evelyn between the sale dates. There are quite a lot of good stuff you can stock up!

Sony CP Curvy Lip Silicone

Sony CP Curvy Lip Silicone (7.5 g for 1,260 Yen ;around $11.00 - $13 in Asia) has been one of the top selling lip glosses in Japan and several other countries in East Asia. The name "curvy lip silicone" is self explanatory; it offers a lip plumping effect! I bought the pink color a year ago. That is the prettiest lip plumping effect I have ever enjoyed. Unfortunately, my lips just don't agree with Sony CP lip gloss. Though the lip gloss contains grapefruit oil, maxi lip, soy bean extract, and camomile extract to help with moisturizing, I have a bad reaction on my lips with the lip gloss (The allergy would begin the next day after I apply it and lasts at least a week). I guess that is because I have a sensitive skin, including my lips. So far, I have never heard anyone else experience the same reaction like mine. For those of you have normal skin without any allergy problems, I encourage you to give it a try.

The lip gloss leaves my lips soft and flawless. I see it even out fine lines beautifully. It does have a lacquered shine in a sheer way. It plumps up my lips, but it doesn't transform the lips into a fat sausage-look. It only gives you a sexier and fuller look. Plus, Sony CP Curvy Lip Silicone comes in a soft plastic spatula applicator, which makes it easier to "paint" up the lip gloss. It is available in five delicious colors: clear, pink, beige, mellon beige, and milky pink. The clear color seems to be the number one best selling color in Japan. I guess I am the only poor girl who has to pass on the beautiful lip gloss because of my sensitive skin type. After all, it is a hard-to-resist one!

Edited on November 29, 2007: check out A Touch of Blusher 's blog for her review on this product!

Smashbox Proof Cream Eye Liner Palette

Smashbox's Proof Cream Eye Liner Palette ($32) is a set of their best selling eye liner colors. There are 10 different eye liner colors in different color series, from cold to warm tones. It is quite a selection of colors to play with. Other than traditional black eyeliner, the palette provide much more color precision for your choice of eyeshadow makeup. The texture is extremely creamy and smooth. It is very easy to apply a thin line at the lash line with a brush.

Most of all, It is a tiny and portable palette. It is almost about the same size of the latest Apple iPod Nano. The shades of the palette include: Lava (deep slate shimmer), Picasso (deep ink blue), Midnight Purple (deep regal violet), Midnight Brown (dark chocolate), Putty (medium brown), Caviar (true jet black), Thunder (mossy gray), Midnight Green (deepest chalkboard green), Deep Bronze (chocolate shimmer), and Cameo (russet brown).

20% off at Sephora.com

You can now use a special code, FF2007, at Sephora.com to take 20% off your purchase. This is a good deal and good timing for stocking up all those holiday collections.

Chanel Ombre D'Eau Eye Shadow: Joint Review with A Touch of Blusher

From my earlier post on Back-to-School part 3, I have briefly blogged about one of my favorite makeup pieces of all time; Chanel Ombre D'Eau eye shadows. This time, I would like to elaborate a little bit more. This review, however, is a special joint review with A Touch of Blusher, who is kind enough to provide alternative perspectives and a great insight on this product. It is my pleasure to collaborate with A Touch of Blusher on Chanel Ombre D'Eau eye shadows.

Chanel Ombre D'Eau is a shimmering eye shadow in a form of liquid powder. #20 Fountain is in baby pink and #10 Glacier is light blue. The liquid eye shadow dries relatively fast as soon as you settle the color on the skin. It transforms into eye shadow powder easily after it is applied onto the skin. The colors are shimmering, light and bright. The subtle shimmer reflects with the light nicely from different angles. You can make your own way to be more playful. The more you blend with fingertips, the sheerer the color becomes. On the other hand, if you let dry without blending down the color, it looks more subtlely intense.

#20 Fountain and #10 Glacier are light colors, and more to the cool tone. These two shades have a silver undertone. I enjoy applying it all over the eyelids to keep the base light and illuminating, then brushing on a pressed eye shadow in darker shades. My favorite combination is Fountain (baby pink) with chocolate brown for a warm tone and Glacier (light blue) with midnight blue for a cool tone. The liquid texture has an even-out effect on the skin. It minimalizes the fine lines around my eyes. And it lasts well to let my eyes sparkle the whole day.

Honestly, I found myself tempted to purchase all the other shades of Chanel Ombre D'Eau eye shadows. All other colors are also very wearable and "collectible." Please feel free to check out A Touch of Blusher's review to get different opinions and insights on her beautiful Chanel Ombre D'Eau eye shadow in Bay (#50).

Kiehl's Light lip glosses

Kiehl's is very famous for its various skin-care lines and friendly customer service. They don't have a particular makeup line except only a few series of tinted lip glosses. I was surprised to find out the Kiehl's Light Lip Gloss (0.25 oz for $11.50) comes in beautiful tints. The shade I have is Iced Melon and is in light pink with shimmer. Not only the melon scent smells really good, it also very gentle. It provides a sheer coverage and the texture is light but a little watery. It is probably not as moisturizing as it seems. I do like it provides enough hydration for my lips but won't get my hair stuck to my lips when the wind blows. If you need more moistirization, Kieh's Moisturizing Lip Gloss is probably a better choice.