REVIEW: New! Wei East China Herbal Advance Eyes Alive

I discovered Wei East skincare several years ago (well, perhaps a little longer than several, the older I get the quicker time goes by). My first Wei East love was their China Lotus Anti-Aging Masque, which remains the creamiest, most hydrating and soothing facial masque I've tried to this day.  I was intrigued by Wei East's sparkly, energetic, charismatic founder Wei Brian. That's what first drew me to want to try her products. There she was, peddling skincare made from ancient Chinese recipes loaded with herbs and botanicals on HSN (yes, the shopping network) long before botanical, natural ingredients in skincare was, well, cool!

Since those days, HSN has come a long way in provision of the ultimate in beauty must-haves and Wei Brian has continued to expand her much adored skincare line, all the while staying true to her premise that ancient Chinese remedies passed down for generations from mother to child and nature's flora and herbal wonders are what make life worth living, and what make skin beautiful.

I admire Wei for holding true to her heritage, for allowing her love of nature and beauty to drive her purpose and mission; oh yes, it is a mission and Wei represents it well. And is if I needed more reason to admire her, allow me to add yet one more; one that demonstrates her grace and one that deserves respect. Wei makes no secret of the fact that she and her family have struggled to find help for her son diagnosed with autism at the age of six. Through a journey that led them through various Western and Eastern treatment modalities, they have seen some light, where once there was only mysterious darkness, and are hopeful and confident about continued improvements and progress in the treatment of autism. As one who works specifically in the field of mental health for very young children, I know how devastating this disorder can be for families and how important it is to support continued research for its treatment. To help bring "rainbows" to families affected by autism, Wei created a special WE Help Bring Hope collection to support the work of The Autism Treatment Center of America™ and Autism Speaks™ . Collection by collection, box by box, they donate the entire purchase price of the collection ($70) to these organizations. Incredible!

So, I know I've digressed, but if I'm going to feature an article on a Wei East product, I simply cannot do it justice without sharing the depth of beauty of its founder and creator.

Now onto New! China Herbal Advance Eyes Alive: Wei's new China Herbal formulas feature breakthrough technology that allows scientists to extract properties from herbs in ancient Chinese remedies with greater precision and deliver them directly to your skin. Using only the freshest, hand-harvested Green Tea from China's remote Lushan region, they use advanced extraction technology to deliver both immediate and long-term benefits to the thin, vulnerable skin around the eye area.

Combined with Mulberry Leaf and Soy this new formula is said to provide visible results within minutes of application and to diminish the appearance of puffiness, dark circles, fine lines and crepiness over time, and for me it has. The cream has a light, silky texture that absorbs effortlessly making application comfortable and efficient. As a little goes a long way, just a tiny pea size or so is needed each application. Just gently tap onto the undereye area with your ring finger. The scent is very light, subtle and herbal so as not to overpower the sensitive nasal passages close to the eyes. I've found this cream to be very soothing to my undereye area and I've noticed a brightening effect for sure where once only purplish, dark circles appeared at the inner corners closest to my nose. I'm enjoying this product immensely. A bit hard to explain or pinpoint but it just "feels good!"

This is a huge tube of eye cream compared to most eye creams you'll find on the market at a whopping .7 ounce and retails for $35. Compare that to some of these: Murad Lighten & Brighten (.5 oz $67), Relastin Eye Silk (.5 oz $69, which I do still love by the way), SkinCeuticals Eye Blam (.5 oz $78),  Hylexin (.78 oz $95), Bliss The Youth As We Know It Eye Cream (.5 oz $75), Philosophy Hope in a Tube (.5 oz $33).

For more information about Wei and Wei East products, please visit Wei East online or HSN.com.  There, you'll find incredible specials on beauty and skincare kits as well as the inside story behind all her wonderful products individually.

SMASHBOX: Naked Beauty Summer 2010

Introducing Naked Beauty, the summer collection from Smashbox!

Expose your natural beauty with this gorgeous collection of sunkissed shades. Illuminating bronzers, creamy cheek colors and barely-there glosses create a sexy summer glow. Here's how to get the look:

FACE
Apply Photo Finish Color Correcting Foundation Primer in Blend all over face to warm skin, then apply your shade of Sheer Focus Tinted Moisturizer. Blend High Definition Concealer over any imperfections using fingertips. Dab the pink shade from Naked Beauty High Lights/Creamy Cheek Color over cheeks using fingertips, then dab the highlighter shade over the tops of cheekbones, down the bridge of nose, and on the cupid’s bow. Sweep Halo Hydrating Perfecting bronzer just under cheekbones using Face & Cheek Brush #2.

EYES
Apply Photo Finish Lid Primer in Golden Nude to lids. Sweep Eye Shadow in Ambient from lashline to crease using Crease Brush #10. Tightly line upper lashline with Jet Set in Dark Brown using Arced Liner Brush #21. Sweep Hyperlash Mascara over lashes.

LIPS
Generously apply Lip Gloss in Buff from the Naked Beauty Lip Gloss Collection.

More on the yummy products involved in the Naked Beauty collection

New!
Naked Beauty Photo Finish Lid Primer $20
Their best-selling, ultra-luxurious lid perfector in a shimmering nude shade.

Wear it alone as a glowy golden sheen or under one of your favorite summer shadows. This revolutionary formula contains Phytomoist™, a plant-based hyaluronic acid for ultimate moisturization plus skin perfecting amino acids.

Soft focus pearls help diminish the appearance of fine lines and discoloration on the lids, while the patented delivery system ensures effective results.

 
 

New!
Halo Hydrating Perfecting Bronzer $39
This revolutionary bronzer imparts a gorgeous sunkissed glow while dramatically minimizing the signs of aging. Halo is packed with high performance ingredients like gold, 48 minerals and a powerful peptide to perfect skin and get you glowing. Its patented hydration system delivers time released moisturization for a radiant, healthy complexion all day. Simply twist the shaver for the perfect amount of freshly shaved bronzer for a single application. In a universal true bronze shade that works on every skintone and never looks orange. Oil-free, talc-free, paraben-free.

Clinical studies show:
After 10 minutes, there is a 33% decrease in the appearance of wrinkles
After 6 weeks of use, the overall appearance of fine lines & wrinkles are reduced by 67%

New!
Naked Beauty High Lights / Creamy Cheek Color $26
The next best thing to a day at the beach. This duo of sheer, creamy cheek color and soft highlighter instantly gives cheeks a sexy flush and your complexion a radiant glow. This may just be my favorite new product of their summer collection! Soft, creamy blendable color.

Apply Creamy Cheek Color to apples of cheeks with fingertips, blending back toward ear, then apply High Lights over the tops of cheekbones. You can even dab the Creamy Cheek Color on lips for a softly stained pout.

New!
Naked Beauty Mini Lip Gloss Kit $25
From glistening nudes to peek-a-boo pinks, these eight mini glosses infuse lips with just the right amount of soft color and shine. All new shades! Includes: Lip Gloss in Bare, Buff, Naked, Nude, Exposed, Natural, Sunkissed & Pure

Watch the new behind-the-scenes video for Naked Beauty Summer 2010

For more information on Naked Beauty Summer 2010, visit Smashbox online. Don't forget, Smashbox offers free shipping and free jumbo samples with each order. Gotta love 'em!

Are You Ready for the Criminally Cute? TokiDoki Launches at Sephora!

Sephora, the visionary retailer, has always been at the forefront of beauty, showcasing groundbreaking brands, trends and the latest product innovations. Taking this tradition to the next level, Sephora presents tokidoki, a line inspired by the work of celebrated Italian artist Simone Legno. tokidoki invites you into a world of criminally cute beauty, where one glance is never enough. A provocative and playful mix of colors, textures and must-have accessories define this exciting new beauty brand available exclusively at Sephora in May 2010.

The line combines the imaginative playfulness of the tokidoki universe with the highest quality, color-rich formulations. Pop pigment shades for eyes, lips and face come together alongside professional tools and accessories, all inspired by Simone’s cast of characters, like the milk stealing Moofia and the sweet and prickly SANDy. Don’t let the cuteness of these characters fool you; this color collection impresses the most experienced makeup aficionados. With immaculate attention to detail such as artist approved chisel tip applicators, indigenous Japanese and Italian ingredients and professionally milled powder formulations, every aspect of the line brings together art, color and performance for an unforgettable experience.

“The creation of these tokidoki cosmetics has given me a completely new way to express my characters and their universe,” says creator Simone Legno. “And doing it as a Sephora exclusive made perfect sense – they understand the relationship between fun, creativity, self-expression and color unlike any other retailer.”

Simone Legno’s passion for Japanese culture and his eclectic background are the driving forces behind the whimsical universe of tokidoki. Growing up in 1980’s Italy, Simone first discovered the art and subculture of Japan’s youth in the Japanimation cartoons and comics that bombarded the pop culture scene. With the concurrent punk scene he juxtaposed these diverse influences, to design a world where innovative characters, subversive designs and outrageous storytelling co-exist.

“At Sephora, we are relentless in our search for innovative product offerings to redefine the beauty landscape,” says Margarita Arriagada, SVP of Sephora Merchandising. tokidoki stands at the forefront of cool, defying the rules of what works in pop and counter culture trends. The unique appeal of these characters and their stories is undeniable. It’s because of this extraordinary vision that we are pleased to present the first complete beauty collection from tokidoki, exclusively at Sephora. “

Escape into a world of criminally cute beauty

FOR EYES


• Cromatico Eyeshadow Singles ($15) – The innovative, highly pigmented Italian - and Japanese - derived formulation provides a luxurious texture that glides on and layers beautifully for a velvety finish. Available in 16 shades and multiple textures.

• Cromatico Eyeshadow Palette ($25) – Create stunning color looks with four complementary shadows housed in character-themed palettes, each with its own collectible charm. Available in three color collections: Adios (smoky gray), Bastardino (smoky brown/nude), and Diamante (purple/plum).

• Perfetto Eyeliner ($16) – This artist-inspired, chisel tip liquid pen liner provides ultimate control and precision definition. The high pigment, waterproof formula can be used for artistic expression anywhere on the body. Channel your inner artist with this quick-drying liner pen. Use it to draw liner on the eyes or create a temporary tattoo on the skin. Available in 8 shades.

• Brillante Glitter Eyeliner ($14) – Eyes pop with sophisticated shimmer from these colorful pencil liners formulated with tiny, light reflecting glitter particles. Available in 14 shades.

• Punk Lash Mascara ($18) – Electrify your lashes with bold, long-wearing color while Kudzu extract and vitamin B condition and protect for full, healthy lashes. Available in 4 shades- black, purple, green and blue.

FOR LIPS

• Prisma Gloss ($15) – Add sexy shine to lips with this non-sticky moisturizing formula featuring Japanese indigenous kudzu extract. Available in 16 shades.

• Fantastico Lip Stain ($15) – This long-lasting lip stain is formulated with hydrating panthenol and a fruity mango flavor for all-day wear. Available in 5 shades.

FOR FACE AND BODY

• Inferno Bronzer ($22) – Rice lipids give this bronzer a healthy, hydrating, warm glow finish. Available in 2 shades, Diavolina (medium tan) and Royal Pride (light medium).

• Kabuki Luminosa Powder ($22) – Achieve a luminescent radiant glow with this highlighting powder.

• Kabuki Brush ($28) – A uniquely designed brush with synthetic fibers to use with Inferno Bronzer or Luminosa Powder for a professional finish.

FOR NAILS

• Galleria Nail Files ($10) – Sculpt nails with files inspired by skateboard decks featuring iconic tokidoki characters. Available in 6 styles, 3 files to a deck.

• SANDy Nail File & Cactus Pup Buffers ($5-8) – SANDy will shape your nails, the Pups will buff, all so cute with such a pretty payoff. Easily attached to any keychain for instant access.



FOR FUN

• Skull Burger, Devil Girl & Melodia ($16) – Tokidoki iconic character charm key chains.

• Mints ($5) – Refresh breath with these sugar-free mints available in Moofia (above) and Cactus Friends collectible tins.

• Bellissima Makeup Bags ($20-42) – Pencil case, hanging travel bag and rectangle clutch styles featuring an exclusive tokidoki illustration are the chic way to carry your makeup.

• tokidoki tank top ($29.50) – Women’s fitted tank top style featuring a design created exclusively for Sephora. Available in S/M, M/L.


photos from tokidoki x Sephora launch event (Highsnobette)

tokidoki, exclusively at Sephora, will be available in May 2010 (you can see them online now) on Sephora.com and all Sephora stores, as well as by calling 1-877-SEPHORA.

photos: Sephora, tokidoki and Highsnobette

Lancome Launches Iconic Matte Lipstick Collection Just in Time for Spring

Lancome gets ready to play along with one of the top trends for Spring - the matte lip - and their Color Design Matte Lipstick creations are definitely to be envied and adored.

What's the one drawback many beauty lovers identify as the reason they turn their noses up at the matte lipstick? Dry texture. 

Problem solved!  To say that Lancome reinvented this iconic texture isn’t mere exaggeration. The new formula is described as soft and creamy, glides effortlessly and comes in eight dreamy colors. The credit goes to the new formula; its mattifying agent isn’t a dull powder but a light-diffusing gel. I can hear makeup divas everywhere cheering on this one element alone, much less the fantastic shade options available.  Look at them ... they are drool worthy! High pigment levels ensure that it wears for hours, while soft waxes and emollients deliver modern slip.

Makeup artist Daniel Martin used the Bronze Show shade at the Chris Benz Fall 2010 presentation for the perfect update on the 90’s lipstick. Celebrity makeup artists are already in love with the formula, too. Read what makeup artist Fiona Stiles had to say to Teen Vogue about the Corset shade!

Available in eight shades - $22 USD

* Red Haute * Posh Pink * Lucky Kiss * Corset * Plum Show * Pink Preview * Bronze Show * Stylista

Color Design Matte is a Macy’s exclusive and will be on both the Macy’s website this week and on lancome-usa next week.  I cannot wait to try this one!

REVIEW: La Mer The Regenerating Serum + Free Sample Offer

Oh how I've been waiting for a fabulous new product offering from La Mer, and here it is!

Introducing La Mer The Regenerating Serum

A skincare powerhouse that diminishes the appearance of lines, wrinkles and pores, infusing skin with the look of youth. Current scientific studies suggest that lines and wrinkles are "micro-scars" to skin's underlying support network. Their formation is thought to be triggered by chronic inflammation caused by a variety of internal and extrneral stressors such as UV sunlight and free radicals. These inflammatory stressoprs can lead to the destruction of collagen, which in turn provokes premature skin aging.

Inspired by these findings, The Max Huber Research Labs have created The Regenerating Serum, La Mer's new anti-aging powerhouse. Four years and hundreds of hours of lab work in the making, this ultra-luxe elixir is the result of the combined effort of physicists, marine botanists and biologists around the world. Not only does it contain a high concentration of La Mer's proprietary Miracle Broth, but it also includes the new Regenerating Ferment, derived from marine plant stem cells. The Regenerating Ferment helps skin trigger its natural production of collagen, elastin and other "youth proteins", harnessing the power of the skin's ability to renew its appearance. 

Powerful Anti-Aging Ingredients

• Miracle Broth: The original fermented elixir known for its healing properties developed by Dr. Max Huber 
• The Regerating Ferment: A new bio-ferment containing potent marine plant stem cells, which assist in the skin's renewal, helping support its natural structure, restore its integrity and protect it from external aggressors. 
• The Marine Peptide Ferment: An anti-aging marine algae and peptide complex that helps firm the look of skin and boost its natural collagen production, reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles. 
• Colloidal Gold: A skincare super-conductor that effectively delivers skin smoothing, firming, and anti-irritant benefits to skin. 
• Lime Tea: A unique lime peel extraction, and one of Dr. Huber's original ingredients included in Creme de la Mer - a perfect antioxidant companion to the Miracle Broth.

This is a lightweight creamy serum that feels wonderful on the skin.  It is quickly absorbed and has assisted my uneven skin tone in appearing more even and renewed.  After two weeks use I can say my skin is healthier in appearance, more toned, feels firmer, and surprisingly brighter and more even in complexion.  I'm enjoying the refreshed, smooth feel of my skin after applying the serum each night.  The scent is very subtle, light and fresh in aroma.  I encourage anyone wanting to renew aging skin to give La Mer's The Regenerating Serum a try.  It retails for $250 in a 1 oz bottle, which I realize is a bit extravagant, but worth the luxury if you're able to at least sample it.  Available new this month at select saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman and at LaMer online.

Your chance to try this lovely serum is available right now through Bliss Spa, but only until 3/19/10 so hurry if you want to try it!  Receive a deluxe sample of the serum and complimentary shipping with any La Mer purchase online at Bliss.

Enter code: LAMER3 at Bliss Spa checkout