Ron Robinson | BeautyStat.com - Part 514
 

Author: Ron Robinson

Comfortable, creamy and fluid - or so the packaging says - but anything made by Clarins not only comes in a pretty package (in this case it's a frosted glass pump with a gold cap), it delivers with more reliability than Fedex Priority Overnight. The new...

Philosophy's marriage to color cosmetics was a little delayed but Hallelujah and raining snowflakes it has happened! You can get the pink-toned Color of Grace collection on QVC, and we're loving some favorites like the ones below: Coloring Book: $37.50 Not Your Boyfriend's Shaving Brush Art of Blushing...

Well, it really was bound to happen. With American Apparel launching their own line of nail lacquers to Target and Walmart expanding their beauty offerings, you knew it wouldn't be long since the fashion-forward Kate Moss-inspired clothing store TopShop started offering cosmetics. The news broke in today's edition of WWD, and in a nutshell, the beauty offerings will come in two varieties: a core line (97 skus), and a seasonally inspired line. TopShop Cosmetics Line The pencil line etchings on the outerwear of the packaging gives you a doodled version of the contents inside. So Le Petit Prince and kids books in a way, where there's a certain glamor to the naivete of the packaging.
No one expects a crop of heavy perfume for spring and summer, but the perfumers have outdone themselves to bring to life fruity florals with unexpected notes like tomato leaf and green tea. Sambac jasmine, patchouli, and musk also make appearances in more than one product. I recently sampled the latest olfactory offerings. I might have been lying in a field of artistically arranged wildflowers. Aqua di Parma\'s Blu Mediterraneo new scent, Begamotto di Calabria For an intense burst of sunshine, Aqua di Parma's Blu Mediterraneo new scent, Bergamotto di Calabria. This eau de toilette with top notes of bergamot (surprise,) a middle of cedar wood and red ginger, and a base of vetiver, Benzoin, and musk made me want to curl up and take a nap in an orange grove. It's available at sephora.com in 60ml ($70) and 120ml ($106), as well as a soft body cream ($67) for layering. Givenchy Le Secret Givenchy has debuted an alluring segment to its Ange ou Demon collection with Le Secret. While definitely coming down on the "Ange" side of fence, this innovative floral uses its top notes of Italian winter lemon, cranberry, and green tea leaves to make a fresh impression. The heart of sambac jasmine, white peony, and water flowers flows seamlessly into the base of blond woods, patchouli, and white musk. This eau de parfum comes as 30ml ($51,) 50ml ($73,) and 100ml ($95,) at Macy's, Dillard's, Sephora, and GivenchyBeauty.com.
Well, Shrek's seen a long journey folks. From Shrek (which I loved) to Shrek 2 and beyond, it was just the typical franchise minting money situ, you know. And now OPI, which recently is flying with silver wings (or Tim Burton wings) with its wildly successful Alice in Wonderland collection is launching Shrek Forever, a collection of six nail lacquers whose tones range from a dark, deep lavender to a pale yellow called Fiercely Fiona. Take a look at the colors and let us know if you're loving them: Who the Shrek Are You: a truly Shrek green that I can only truly see in the summertime. OPI Shrek Forever Collection Who the Shrek Are You Funky Donkey: A dark purple that's positively psychedelic and my kind of shade. OPI Shrek Forever Collection Funky Donkey OPI Ogre The Top: Seriously not sure if this is more Ogre or seaside, but it's a cobalt blue. OPI Shrek Forever Collection Ogre The Top What's with the Cattitude? Is a lovely pale blue - the color of a soft summer's sky. Not sure what it has to do with Shrek or the cat (Banderas).
We've heard of really bizarre things in the beauty world. Remember that fish pedi? Or that bird poop facial? Here are some of the odd (but potent) beauty fixes we've seen, observed and are on the fence about: Forget the Head & Shoulders, try Snake Oil Shampoo from LUSH If you want squeaky-clean hair, consider a scalp massage using solid snake oil from LUSH USA. Snake Oil Shampoo Bar from LUSH This is good for straight and wavy hair, and retails for $7.95. SPF Your Face and Hair with Panorama Window Film Panorama Window Film This is an easy way to sun protect your environment without the need for applying SPF. The Panorama Window Film is Skin Cancer Society approved is greaseless and non tacky. It's a simple film you put over your windows (you have to locate  a dealer though). The film claims to protect you 99% from damaging sun rays. Pepto Bismol as a Face Mask?
Let's face it: if it ain't broke, don't fix it. But if your hair is breaking every day like fine, expensive China, you need to hussle to get it fixed. I myself have tried everything on the planet to grow lustrous, think hair. Pantene Pro-V Restoratives Shampoo and Conditioner Part of the secret to getting Padma Lakshmi-esque hair is just good genes. When I tried the new Pantene Pro-V Restoratives Breakage Defense Shampoo and Conditioner, I was looking for all the claims to be justified: - All day frizz control; - Intensive damage repair; - Prevention of strand breakage; So, after a few uses of the Pantene Pro-V Restoratives duo, I found that my hair indeed was terrifically frizz-free. Incredibly so, and it also had some serious shine to it. As for strands, I found that when I used to wash my hair, a lot of strands would come out, and with five uses, they didn't fall as much (and no, it's not the secret diet I'm using either).