You don't get Moody Maria by Email?

What are you waiting for? It's so easy! Just fill in your email address and they will send you a confirmation to make sure you really want to receive it. You click on the link and that's it. No fuss, no cost, no adding private information. And you will receive this blog in newsletter form within days. I will send you an update every few days. As a bonus, you will be eligible for more entries into future contests, be sent new flash emails and be in on SECRET contests!

Easy as one, two, three! Just fill in the feedblitz form to the right.

One reader did and here is what she said, "Jean, I love my feedblitz. So easy and convenient!"

*current feedblitz subscribers are entered into the MAC contest automatically and receive an additional entry if they leave a comment

Sephora Super Secret Sale today only!

ÔSCILLATION - Vibrating Infinite Powermascara

What it is: The first vibrating powermascara by Lancôme.

What it does: This revolutionary mascara provides 7000 oscillations per minute for ultimate lash transformation. Press the button and experience a breakthrough sensation in application. In one easy new gesture, let the vibrating brush combined with an exquisitely smooth formula wrap every lash up to 360 degrees.

What else you need to know:With ÔSCILLATION Vibrating Infinite Powermascara, your lashes will instantly appear ultimately extended, exceptionally separated, and spectacularly multiplied in number.

LIMITED FIRST-EDITION ONE-DAY SALE ON SEPHORA.COM--July 31, 2008.For this premiere a limited quantity will be available while supplies last. If you've missed this sneak preview, please sign up below and we'll notify you of the Lancôme mascara revolution in December 2008.

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P220111&cm_mmc=email+ret-_-news1+20080731-_-bi+hpk-_-lanc+oscillmasc&dicid=357208:14126877012:4791394

Oscar is no Jonathan!!

Jonathan Antin

Ok, for those of you who don't know, I love Jonathan products. I love DIRT by Jonathan. I should have know better than to stray from Johnny.

Recently, I got talked into buying a pomade by some cute Sephora sales guy. His hair was so modern and hip, he used a flat-iron for goodness sakes! How could this guy be wrong? It's called commission I believe. The product he talked me into buying was Oscar Blandi Tocco Finale Sculpting Pomade.

My friend Carol tried it first. The first day she came to work with flat hair. Second day, oily hair. Third day she came in with out of control hair! I begged her to give me the product and allow the expert to try it. I assured her that she didn't know how to use pomade and she needed a hair cut and something else I can't remember. Let's just say she didn't talk to me the rest of the day.

So, little Miss Moody tried it and ......bad hair day. Ok, it must just be the humidity. It can't be that this very expensive pomade didn't work! Well, after 4 days of giving it a try, I realized the product wasn't that good and we were out of luck. So much for trusting boys who use flat irons.

Skip the Oscar aisle at Sephora and head straight to Jonathan. He won't let you down. Oh, and sorry Carol. I owe you a pomade.

According to the website:

This oil-free sculpting mud adds shape, definition, and texture to any style. Formulated with herbal extracts, minerals, wheat proteins, and sea algae, this weightless pomade not only functions as a styling aid, but also will sculpt your hair back to good health. It's the perfect tool to mold your hairstyle into a sexy, tousled masterpiece.

I'm Super Skinny thanks to Paul

Paul Mitchell that is! I have just tried the Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum and I am loving it! It smells great, comes with a great pump dispenser to prevent messes and it is just the right consistency. The product is not too greasy and leaves your hair feeling light and not weighed down. It is a great frizz control product. I bought the $5.25 sample size and I think it will last me awhile. At this price, it is much better than the drugstore brands you might be tempted to purchase.

Go ahead, run to your local salon and get skinny too!

Metallic Eyes are on their Way

If you have checked out the latest fashion magazines, you may have noticed that metallic eye makeup is up and coming! One of the newest lines is from Bobbi Brown.

Introducing their new metallic eye shadow. It has high-shimmer and high-pigment and creates a sexy and sophisticated look. It was recently awarded "best eye shadow" by Self magazine.

The shadow comes in a broad range of pastel to bold shades. The formula applies smoothly and evenly and stays crease free for long-lasting wear. Another Bobbi Brown winner!

Avon's Weapon against Color Fade

Avon makes this great weekly deep conditioner called ADVANCE TECHNIQUES Color Protection Restorative Mask for Color-Treated Hair. It goes on smoothly and is not goopy like other deep conditioners and smells great. It leaves hair soft and manageable. According to their website, it should leave color in 5X longer if you combine it with their shampoo and conditioner. Next I will review those products!

It is on sale right now for $4.99 too. Can't beat the price!

Eyeliner Disaster

Why is it so difficult to find an eyeliner that works well and stays on all day? I recently tried Maybelline Unstoppable eyeliner and was rather disappointed.

The eyeliner went on poorly and it had smudged by about 10am. After fixing it in the mirror, a few hours later it had smeared some more. By the time I got home at night, my eyes looked red from all of the rubbing and most of the eyeliner was off and smeared. I would not recommend this eyeliner for anyone unless you are using it on Halloween night!

I would love to hear about the one you love. Leave a comment with your favorite type or brand.

Scrub a Dub-Dub

There are so many choices out there for daily scrubs and I have tried many! I wanted to mention this one because it had great reviews from Instyle magazine.

This scrub is gentle and does not have a lot of fragrance. It is fairly good for sensitive skin but I would try using it 2-3 times a week at first. It can be found at any drugstore or Target.

Love this Nail Polish

I have always been a fan of OPI but I recently tried Essie and loved it! I found a color I loved - Mademoiselle. The color was natural with just a hint of pink. The polish stayed on all week and did not chip. It turns out it is an Allure Best of Beauty Award winner. Here are some of the others that won in the nail category:

Nail Polish
Essie Nail Polish in Mademoiselle
essie.com

Essie Nail Polish in Really Red

Lippmann Collection Nail Color in Hit Me With Your Best Shot
nordstrom.com, beauty.com, lippmanncollection.com

Cuticle Cream
Creative Nail Design SolarBalm
creativenail.com

Nail-Polish Remover
Cutex Essential Care Advanced One Step Nail Polish Remover Pads
CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens, Wal-Mart; drugstore.com

OPI Nail Lacquer in Cajun Shrimp
opi.com

Rescue Beauty Lounge Nail Polish in Sheer Nude
rescuebeauty.com

Yves Saint Laurent Long-Lasting Nail Lacquer in Black Tulip
neimanmarcus.com

Basecoat
OPI ChipSkip Nail Lacquer Chip Preventor
opi.com

Topcoat
Sally Hansen Diamond Strength Diamond Shine Base + Top Coat
Walgreens, Duane Reade; cvs.com

Hi everyone! It's contest time again. I am giving away a tube of MAC lipstick to TWO winners. You pick the color if you win!

Please tell all your friends so they can get in on the fun too. The contest will run until August 8th and the winners will be announced August 9th.

All you have to do is leave a comment here about why you wear lipstick or the name of your favorite brand. It doesn't have to be MAC either! If you link to the contest or mention it in your blog you will be entered three times. If you mail it to at least 6 friends, cc me and you will be entered twice.

Remember, you can leave an anonymous comment and just sign your first name so you don't have to give out your private information.

Rules: Open to US residents only please, one comment per customer, if you win and do not respond within 5 days I will pick another winner. Open to family members of Moody Maria.

The Lash Stash

Sephora not only has an awesome selection of products, but their marketing ploys are amazing. They are so clever to know that just about any woman cannot resist trying seven mascaras in one purchase. They make the decision for you and package it up in a creative way. I just love Sephora!

Here is their latest package deal and at $28 it's not bad. One of their newest mascaras, the Givenchy Phenomen'Eyes Mascara, is $27 and an average Chanel mascara is $27.

The Lash Stash ($50 Value) for $28
What it is: A best-selling mascara sampler set.

What it does: Brought to you exclusively by Sephora, The Last Stash allows you to test-drive a new mascara every day until you find your true lash love. It contains seven travel-size black mascaras from your favorite brands, for the longest, lushest, most-volumized lashes ever.

What else you need to know:
The kit includes a 0.14 oz Benefit A Little Bit BADgal Lash in Black, a 0.02 oz Blinc Kiss Me Mascara in Black, a 0.15 oz LORAC Publicity Stunt Lashes in Black, a 0.12 oz Smashbox Bionic Mascara in Black, a 0.24 oz Stila Multi-Effect Mascara in Black, a 1.0 oz Sephora Brand Lash Plumper in Black, and a 0.17 oz Too Faced Lash Injection in Black.

The newest invention in mascara.

This one will set you back $27 alone.

Jennifer Connelly has been announced as the new face of the Revlon makeup brand.

“Jennifer Connelly is a modern, dynamic and intelligent woman. She is an accomplished wife, mother and actress and her successes complement the spirit of the Revlon brand,” said David Kennedy, Revlon’s President and CEO. “We are elated to have Jennifer join the Revlon family.”

The 37-year-old actress joins the star-studded lineup of Revlon women including Academy Award winning actress Halle Berry, actress Jessica Alba, actress Beau Garrett and newly signed supermodel and entrepreneur Elle Macpherson .

Article from http://www.justjared.com/

I love my "Slap and Dash"

This weekend I purchased the new Bobbi Brown Moisturizing Cream Compact foundation. The salesperson was so amusing and she told me it was good for "Slap and Dash". My friends, Karrie and Carol, also liked this description. We are all "slap and dash" kind of people since we are busy moms on the go.

This woman was right! This stuff is great. It is very hard to mess up because it is so light. But don't worry for those of you with problem areas, you can always add a little dab of their correcting cream. Also, you can build it up and make it a little more concealing for an evening look.

The texture was smooth and moisturizing and had staying power all day long. So far, it has not made me break out but I have only used it for a few days. It comes in several colors with one for you! I got "Sand" but might need "light ivory" for winter. She suggested that you keep the darker color in the refrigerator during the winter so it will last until next summer. Very clever!

What the website says:

This unique emollient compact formula provides all-day wear and all-day moisturization, as it instantly softens the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and delivers a soft, radiant finish. Formulated for normal to dry skin, this foundation is blended with ingredients that prevent dehydration such as Jojoba Oil and Avocado Oil—both moisturize and condition skin. This creamy product provides medium to full coverage, and is a portable alternative to your liquid foundation and a more moisturizing alternative to traditional compact foundations.

Sugar Hairspray on the Floor?

Have you ever been accused of coating the bathroom floor or vanity with sticky hairspray? How about sugar hairspray? Ewww. I can just imagine what kind of bugs this stuff would attract.

I recently tried some Oscar Blandi hairspray called Lacca hairspray at Sephora. The salesman actually sprayed it on my hair and told me to fluff and shake my hair. He then told me to look in the mirror. "Don't you love the shine?" No. "Don't you love the feel?" No. It feels flat now. I worked a long time on my hair to get it to the right texture so it would not look too fluffy but would hold all day and he just ruined my hair! The rest of the day, I kept feeling my hair to see if I noticed any difference. No, just flat.

He told me the sugar in the hairspray helps soften you hair and when you shower next you will feel how the softness in your hair. That doesn't help me today.

The hairspray costs $23 a bottle. I told him I use Sebastian Shaper Plus and do you know what he said???? "Oh, my mom uses that stuff!". His mom? Escuse me. He was all of 28 years old and he is accusing me of being as old as his mom. Come to think of it, I wanted to ask him what else his dear old mom uses. Sounds like she has good taste.

Well, he did talk me into another Oscar Blandi product that I will review tomorrow. I accused him of being Oscar's nephew because he pushed his products so much. He said, "I wish!".

Sephora exclusively sells this wonderful, soft and healthy sugar hairspray if you want to sample it by the way.

Here is what the website says:

Lacca Hairspray What it is: A hairspray formulated with sugar, an anti-static ingredient.What it does:Forget everything you know about hairspray. Oscar Blandi's new incarnation combines the moisturizing powers of sugar with the shine-boosting properties of honey for soft, touchable, all-day hold. Pulling from his Italian roots for inspiration, Blandi's innovative formula boosts volume, controls frizz, adds shine, and leaves behind a subtle honeysuckle scent. It's everything you love about hairspray, only better.

Receive Moody Maria in your Inbox!

I have now signed up with feedblitz to provide email versions of my articles! All you have to do is enter your email address in the form on the right hand column and they will send you an email to confirm that you do want to receive the newsletter. After you click on the link provided in the email it will take you to their website and say, "you are now confirmed". You may think you have to do more such as provide a password, etc. but you do not have to do anything else.

Please join (free of course) and know that you can cancel with them at anytime if you would rather not receive the emails. I will be sending the emails every few days so you will not receive them daily. Also, I will be providing additional contests for newsletter subscribers only.

Today I feel special. I am wearing $125/ounce facial cream. I was fortunate enough to get my hands on a sample of this miracle cream. I have been waiting over 10 years to try this stuff!

So what is it? Crème de la Mer was conceived under extraordinary circumstances. Years ago, Dr. Max Huber, an aerospace physicist, suffered a horrific accident — a routine experiment exploded in his face — covering him with severe chemical burns. Neither science nor medicine offered sufficient promise of help, so Huber decided to help himself. Twelve years and 6,000 experiments later, he perfected the Crème that would help give skin a dramatically smoother appearance. Today, Crème de la Mer’s Miracle Broth(TM) is manufactured by the same slow, meticulous bio-fermentation process created by Dr. Max Huber. And because kelp has natural anti-microbial properties, only the tiniest amounts of preservatives are necessary to maintain its long shelf life. This extraordinary Crème must be individually hand-filled in order to sustain its delicate balance.

The verdict: Well, I have used it for two nights in a row. When I applied it, I rubbed it together to warm it up and then patted it on my face and neck. The salesperson was very adamant about how it should be patted on versus slathered or rubbed onto the face. After I applied it I felt nothing. However, the next morning, my skin was supple and very moist. I am not sure if it did much to improve my skin. I am sure the results are seen over time but I don't know if I want to make that type of investment. It is $125/ounce on their website and the salesperson told me the price would be going up about $10/ounce on August 1st. For this kind of investment, I would like to see instant results on my fine lines and I did not see those results.

The company is now owned by Estee Lauder. Here is the official website : http://www.cremedelamer.com/

Have you used Creme de la mer? Do you have friends who swear by it? Let us know!

80's jeans making a comeback?

While browsing through one of my favorite celebrity websites, http://www.justjared.com/, I came across this picture of Katie Holmes. Apparently, she is guest starring on the sitcom Eli Stone in the fall and she is shooting that scene this week. They have showed her in different outfits but this one made one thing come to mind - the 80's! Yes, those loose jeans, pegged and rolled - a classic. But is this a joke from a flashback scene? Was she trying to keep her jeans from hitting her very expensive shoes or were they rolled to prevent her from tripping? Is this going to be the new style for the fall? I completely doubt it but it would be fun.

Apparently, Katie is going to dance and sing in the episode so she most likely has her dance attire underneath and threw on something. We will have to tune in this fall to find out. Meanwhile, look for pegged and rolled styles.

Who will flip out over these?

Introducing the Fit Flop Aurelia:



When I saw these shoes I thought it was a joke. Then I saw them in the latest InStyle magazine and I knew it was no joke! Apparently, flip flops are bad, fit flops are good. Several blogs I have read have talked about fit flops and Bath and Body Works pushes them in all of their ads. But these are gladiator fit flops! I can't even imagine how much they weigh. And who would they look good on? They sort of look like ankle weights (which I have been know to wear at work in heels).

And there are MORE styles if you don't like the gladiator look!




The Fit Flop Aurelia is a sandal that allows you to workout without actually hitting the gym.

Other benefits include:

• Better blood flow in the lower limbs


• More efficient use of energy.


• Longer stride with correct rolling action.

Did I mention the Aurelia costs about $150? No doubt we will see Katie Holmes in them soon. Speaking of Katie Holmes...see my next post.

Bamboo Lust at Target

I just went to Target the other day, (what a surprise, I know) and they have a little section in the cosmetic department dedicated to bamboo cosmetic tools! The brand they carry was ecotools and they had makeup brushes, loofah-type bath sponges and face scrubbers. I was pretty excited since I love bamboo towels and clothing. Bamboo fabric is so soft, naturally antibacterial, and highly absorbent.

The makeup brushes by ecotools have become more popular since being featured in Allure's April 2008 issue. The brushes feature a bamboo handle and synthetic taklon bristles. The bristles are so soft to the touch. I wanted to buy each one and 5 piece brush set! I think the set was $14.99 (not bad) but the powder brush was $9.99 and if I bought all of them the price would add up quickly. Add two crying kids, one bored husband and I wasn't getting any brushes that day. I have to go back when I have time to inspect each brush.

If you would like to see what ecotools has to offer or their other product lines, you can visit their website at: http://www.parispresents.com/

WHO IS MB?

Hi everyone! I did not get a response from the winner named "MB". I would like to send you the prize but need your information. Please email me at moodymaria@live.com by Friday or I will have to pick another name. Thanks!

Update: I found out who MB was and got her prize to Karrie. I hope you got it MB! Thanks for reading Moody Maria.

Bobbi Brown does it again!

I love my Bronze Shimmer Brick Compact! I love it because I can use it as an eye shadow, blush or bronzer. I use my blusher brush and the colors never fade into each other as some of the less expensive brands have done.

Some reviews on totalbeauty.com stated that the bronzer was a little too light or not very dramatic. Well, that is Bobbi Brown's philosophy- stay natural! In fact, one of the reasons I do like it is because it gives me more of a natural look. Especially when you want to use some in the daytime. Under lights or in the sun you don't want to shimmer like you are going to a nightclub.

You want people to notice your glow and walk away not remembering quite why you looked so nice.

If you want to read more on Bobbi Brown and her philosophy on beauty, click on the link below:

http://www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com/templates/aboutbobbi/aboutbobbi.tmpl?STORY=herstory

Hot Packaging, Cool results

OK, I admit it. I fell for the cute packaging again. I found these products by Beyond the Zone at Sally Beauty Supply and I thought I would give it a try. The saleswoman swore that everyone who used this product "loved it" although she hadn't used it herself. It was on sale, buy two get one free so I bought three products from the line.

- Turn up the Heat Protection Spray: sprayed on misty and almost looked oily. After using the flat iron, my hair become dry and straw-like.

The other two products were Straight Shot smoothing serum and Super Sexy Styling Sauce. The others did not do much better. I was disappointed again.

I do love Sally Beauty Supply for actual supplies such as brushes, nail supplies and styling tools but their actual hair products have always let me down. It is a shame since they are so conveniently located in most towns.

Do you love your flat iron spray as much as I love my yellow bottle? Leave a comment so we can share in your good fortune!

And the winners are......

Thank you to everyone for joining in the fun for my first contest. There will be more to come this summer so keep checking back.

So, the truth is, I couldn't just pick two! It was just too hard. I had to pick four! Here are the winners:

first place winner: Mel's Mom - please email me your favorite color of OPI nail polish.

second place winner: Jenn bee

third and fourth place winner: MB and Reva

Congratulations! Please email me with your address so I can send your prize right away. My email address can be found on the right hand sidebar.

Do you have BM?

Ok- It's not what you are thinking! I am talking about Bare Minerals!

I am finding out more and more of my friends like this stuff. Cheryl, Kim O. and Diana D. use it and they are all pretty hip product junkies. I might have to jump on the bareMinerals bandwagon and try it out.
Here is what Sephora has: $60 and ships for free.

Get Started Kit - Medium Beige/Medium ($181 Value) Begin with the right foundation! If you hate the look and feel of traditional makeup, but you want to cover imperfections, redness, or other skin conditions, join the other seven million women who swear by their bareMinerals - the makeup that performs like a skincare treatment.The Get Started Kit will get you on your way to beautiful, radiant skin. Made of pure crushed minerals from the earth, bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation looks like a powder, feels like a cream, and buffs on like silk, giving the skin a natural luminosity. It's makeup so pure you can sleep in it. This complete kit includes all the basic products to achieve radiant skin:-Two shades of bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation to ensure the perfect match. (Size: 0.06 oz)-bareVitamins Skin Rev-er Upper: can be applied daily before applying bareMinerals to rev up your skin-Mineral Veil: provides a translucent finishing touch to your makeup, infusing it with softness and adding a flawless finish. (Size: 0.06 oz)-Warmth All Over Face Color: add an instant sun-kissed glow to skin where the sun would naturally touch. (Size: 0.06 oz)-Flawless Application Brush-Full Coverage Kabuki Brush-Maximum Coverage Concealer Brush-Bonus! A How-to DVD for tried and true beauty tips from Leslie Blodgett, Bare Escentuals CEO.

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml;jsessionid=2FOTYCQMXKGW0CV0KQVRXCQ?id=P116620&categoryId=C7010

Maybelline Define-A-Lash Mascara

This stuff made me a little moody. It was inexpensive but it didn't hold up to it's promise. The wand is rubbery and flexible so the first few times I used it, I poked myself in the eye. If it wasn't the eye, it was the corner of my eye so I had a goopy mess. I wouldn't say it was clump-free either. It was thick and did not go on smoothly once I delicately put it on my lashes. I finally threw it away so I wouldn't torture myself anymore.

I want a mascara that just glides on, no clumps and no issues. I found that L'Oreal Voluminous works much better for a similar price range.

If you want to spend a little more, I would recommend Estee Lauder's More Than Mascara.This stuff works great but also costs $21 a tube. It is sometimes included in their gift with purchase. They are having a sweepstakes for the month of July to win a $350 shopping spree. Check it out:

https://www.esteelauder.com/promotions/common/sweepstakes.tmpl?cm_sp=Promotions_Sweeps_DropDown

The yellow bottle - what's it called?

Don't you hate it when your friend tells you she has a great product and she can't remember what it's called? Why do marketers do that? They create a great beauty product and use small fonts or confusing fonts and then name the product something that nobody can remember. Kind of like bloggers right? How many times do you have to do a search on your friend's blog because they gave it an odd name you can never remember.

The salon I use has this great product that I call "the yellow bottle". Clients actually come in and ask for the stuff in the yellow bottle!

Well, I found it online and it is called LISAP unisystem smoothing fluid. It is awesome stuff! It smells great and has a heat protecting agent for use with straightening irons and other hot tools. I love this product because it doesn't dry out your hair or make it crispy and brittle feeling as some iron guards do.

I have already decided I am going to give this stuff away for a contest real soon but I need to get my hands on some. The salon can't keep it in stock! Maybe that is because it is made in Italy.

Sorry for the VERY small picture but this is the only size available on the website too. I need to contact these people and meet with them. Their products have potential!

Here is the company website:

http://www.lisapusa.com/

Mr. Gerardo Bruzzese a hairstylist and colorist for over thirty years, who was looking for a superior hair color and products for his salon, founded Lisap USA in 1993. After doing extensive research on Hair Color Companies, Mr. Bruzzese came across Lisap S.p.A. located in Milan, Italy. The rest as they say, is HISTORY. Today, our commitment to the salon has grown. Lisap USA is now the sole importer of Lisap Products throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.Lisap S.p.A. has been in the Beauty Business since 1952. They develop and manufacture all their products in their factories in Milan, Italy.

To Chi or not to Chi?

Cosmo has this great article on Lust-worthy hair for less. They mention in the article that it is not worth it to spend lots of money on luxe styling tools. And that's it! Where are the details? I talk to my friends and they swear by the CHI and then there is the T3. I found the one at Sally's beauty supply (Hot Tools) to work great. But is it damaging my hair more than the double the price CHI? Am I missing out on a type of ceramic that mine doesn't have?

I will be doing some more research on this poing but thought I would throw it out there. Afterall, flat is in (at least today).

As promised, Moody Maria is having a contest! Since the focus around summer is flip flops, sandals, walking on the beach......let's have a contest to win free stuff to make your feet as soft and smooth as the sand on a beach.

Up for grabs is Victoria's Secret After Shave Lotion and Warming Foot Scrub!

The first prize comes with an OPI nail polish of your choice. After you win, just let me know what type of color you prefer and I will go shopping for you.

So this prize is sort of like winning a personal shopper too!

The second prize isn't as glamorous but very useful!

It comes with a foot file to smooth out those rough edges. So, this is how it works! Leave me a comment with your first name and your tip to keep your feet looking good this summer. If you feet are not worth mentioning, let us know that too. How long has it been since your last real pedicure? You can leave a comment as anonymous if you wish and just leave your name in the text of the comment. This way, you don't have to sign up for a thing or give out your email address.

On the evening of July 13th, I will randomly pick two winners. After I announce the winners on this site (by July 14th), I will let you know how to contact me so we can get you your prize. Free prize, free shipping and totally fun!

Contest will be announced tonight!

7/13 - my b-day! I want to give u a gift!

Check back tonight for Moody Maria's first contest and win freebies! Free to you!

The contest will begin tonight and run through July 13th - my birthday!

Hydra-Radiance Intensive Nutrient Night Serum

$9.99 is the current sale price!

I love this stuff! I use it with my Moisture 24 or other moisturizer right before bed. I have seemed to notice a slight difference in my skin. I will continue to use it and hopefully someone else will notice as the other reviewers on the AVON site had mentioned!

Here are some of their reviews:

Love this stuff!
Date: July 1, 2008
"The first time I put this on I fell in love with the smell. I put it on in the morning and at night and let it dry then I put on the night cream or day cream. I've been using it for about 2 weeks. I noticed to day that the wrinkles on my forehead are less prominent so I'll continue to use it.

love it
Date: June 17, 2008
"i recently purchased this and have been using it for 2 weeks. i noticed visible change within 1st couple of days using it. my face is much smoother and vibrant. i use it after washing and under my moisturizer. i will continue to use in my nightly regime."

Feels Great
Date: June 22, 2008
"I will confess I'm man and I've been using womens facial creams for a about a year now. I wish that their were more products that catered to the aging skin of men. But until they do I will use women skin care products. If they work why not use them. I just purchased this product and after 1 use my skin felt smooth and looked smoother. Lets see what it does in 7 days."

Wake up to visibly glowing skin.Powerful glow-boosting vitamins & minerals. 3X level of fennel complex to help improve skin tone. Pro-Vitamins B5 & B6 help regulate and maintain healthy skin.85% of women showed improvement in overall skin health in just 7 days. 1 fl. oz.

Happy Fourth of July - let's focus on a company born in the USA!

I once ran across this brand in a discussion board and decided to give it a try. I found it at Sunflower Foods (natural foods store). I like this company because it is based in Colorado and the woman came up with these formulas in her kitchen. The result: MyChelle Dermaceuticals LLC, a paraben-free, non-toxic, 100% natural, eco-friendly, cruelty-free company. Read more about her on their website: http://mychelleusa.com/about-us.aspx

I tried the honeydew cleanser and loved it! It smelled good, washed my faced nicely and left it feeling smooth and moist. Although it didn't remove ALL of my eye makeup with one washing, I understood since it was such a gentle cleanser.

An unscented creamy cleanser with honeydew melon, honey enzymes, chlorophyll, sea weed and algae. 4.4 oz for $17.27

I did try the cranberry cleanser but it tasted really bad! When I washed my face it was hard to avoid the taste (like some other harsh cleansers I have used). I used it up but was still partial to the honeydew cleanser.

They also have a new product called a Guava Cactus Mask that looks pretty neat! A potent hydrating antioxidant mask with pink guava and prickly pear cactus. $31.70 on the website!

Description:

Guava Cactus Mask is a potent hydrating treatment delivering a multitude of potent antioxidants to your skin. Prickly pear cactus extract provides moisture binding properties while oils of sunflower, jojoba, hemp, avocado, and squalane deeply nourish and lubricate dry stressed skin. Organic green tea and tocotrienols mop up free radicals, and organic essential oils provide an uplifting aroma-therapeutic effect.

Directions:

Apply a liberal layer to cleansed skin. Relax for twenty minutes, rinse with warm water, tone, nourish and protect.

Healthier Hair with Heat - huh??

I have been going to this new salon and you know how they are REALLY good at talking you into new products???? Well, I got suckered into buying some new shampoo that is supposedly really good for colored hair. It is called ThermaFuse ColorCare shampoo. And you know what? I really like it! Not only does it smell amazing and sweet like candy but it really builds up a good lather and does a great job.

Today I decided to try the Deep Conditioning Treatment. The stylist said it smells like Ande's mints. She said to wash my hair and put hot water on right before I put in the treatment, wrap a towel around my head and leave it on for about 10 minutes. She also said not to use it more than once a week because that could actually dry out my hair - who knew?

I will review the deep conditioning treatment at a later time.

ThermaFuse with HeatSmart Complex® works with the heat of your blow dryer to heal & repair and protect & prevent! This cutting edge technology means that heat damage from hot irons and hair dryers is now a thing of the past.

Here is the website: http://www.thermafuse.com/

Solar Oil

There is a product that I have been using for years called Solar oil. Basically it is a almond-scented cuticle oil that can keep your cuticles moist and also make you look like you just stepped out of a salon from a manicure! Buy two, one for home and one for work. If you have a big meeting, just gloss some on and go!


It is $11.00 for a small bottle but lasts a long time! They also carry it in a solid form in case you are afraid of a mess.




Here is the company website: http://creativenaildesign.com/