Set to debut in the U.S. on December 26 is MAC’s Warm and Cozy collection, a full release that evokes comfort and warmth during the icy months of winter. Think chunky cable-knit sweaters, fuzzy slippers, wool scarves, flannel sheets, and fireplaces, and you’ll have an idea of what inspired this collection.

Items focus on creamy color in soft hues (like neutrals and pale pinks), with a few doses of earthy brown scattered about. It’s also chock-full of  “repairing” products, like lip conditioners, balms, and rich lotions to comfort and hydrate winter-parched skin.

Winter is a tough time of year for a lot of us (especially if you live anywhere in the Northern U.S.), so why not make it a little brighter with a few items from this release?

Keep reading for full product shots and more details.

Eyeshadow ($14.50), top row, L-R: Chamomile, Modelette; bottom row, L-R: Milled Cider, Embark.

Shadestick ($16.50), from left: Nurture, Relaxed, Cuddle, Warm & Cozy

Tinted Lip Conditioner ($14.50) in Close for Comfort, Feelin’ Good

Mineralize Skinfinish ($27) in By Candlelight (left) and Comfort (right)

Lipstick ($14), from left: Spiced Tea, Warm Me Up, and Siss
Lip Glass ($14), from left: 2N, Feeling Dreamy, 3N, and Light That Fire!

Lip Conditioner tube ($13.50), Lip Conditioner stick ($13.50), Nail Lacquer ($12) in Blissed Out, Dim the Lights

Mineralize All-Over Lotion ($29.50), Care Blends Essential Oils ($19.50 each) in Sweet Orange & Lavender and Grapefruit & Chamomile

A few thoughts on the collection:

• I’m loving Close for Comfort Tinted Lip Balm.
• Shadesticks in these colors serve as great bases for additional shadows; they’re perfect for layering.
• A lot of people get the winter blues, with the short days and bitter-cold air. I like that MAC added 2 essential oils to this collection in an effort to energize, soothe, and boost spirits.
• I like they took the post-holiday slump into mind. Around that time of year, everyone starts clearing out holiday decorations, and the new year is a time when people start thinking ahead and starting fresh. It’s a renewal, in a sense, and I love that MAC has pared down and minimalized the colors and textures of this collection to reflect that.

Final verdict: Very impressed with this collection. The timing, the colors, the textures, and the concept behind it all meld seamlessly. The idea behind it really resonates with me.

What do you think? Will you be hitting up the MAC counter to stock up for winter?

Today we are officially celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday. All of my in-laws have safely arrived and we will have our big meal this afternoon. Frick and Frack are having the time of their lives with all their cousins (all boys, the wine will be flowing which goes without saying).

I’m not going to lie. I have been struggling with the holiday season as I’m sure you all might have guessed. It’s approaching nine months since my Mom passed and I have managed a good amount of healing but the major holidays bring my grief back into acute focus. This is because of her glaring absence and also the collected memories of holidays past shared with her.

I need to acknowledge Mad Dog’s patience with me during all of this. My intense (and often unpredictable) emotional state has been less than pleasant. I have to come to appreciate that glimmer of fear in his eyes anytime that he interacts with me. He knows even a simple question like, “What are you doing today?” could potentially set me off. Oh, grief, what a strange and complicated process! Thank you for putting up with me.

To honor my Mom today I am doing something out of character (no, I am not taking up pole dancing, sorry Mad Dog). I am painting my lips a bold red. My Mom was not a person to fuss with her outward appearance (regardless, she was extremely beautiful). She didn’t care to shop, dress-up or wear make-up. She was more concerned about college football scores or spending time outside. However, on the rare occasion we could get her to dress-up, she would apply her single tube of stately red lipstick. I hope that the lipsticked kiss I am sending towards the heavens reaches her today and that I find the one she’s sending me with at least some of the color and all of the love intact.

I’ve always been a sucker for pretty packaging and have sometimes bought makeup simply because it looked so lovely, only to discover that what’s on the outside doesn’t mimic what’s on the inside. A great analogy for life? Yes, but I digress. MAC’s new Baroque Boudoir makeup collection has it all — good looks and a luxurious product.

MAC's Baroque Boudoir Collection

The vintage -looking silverized and silk-screened packaging of the lipstick, lipgloss and powder compact are all etched with an ornate filigree that reminds me of damask-printed wallpaper and is perfectly suited for display on my vanity dresser. My favourites from the collection is the Lipstick in Prive, which is a creamy light blue pink and Lipgloss in The Lap Of Luxury, a sheer baby pink with a touch of white and pink pearl. The Baroque Boudoir collection is now in stores.
— Jodi Goulart

I’ve just created a new page on this blog that’s going to keep a tally of the stuff I plan to do. It’s conveniantly called: The List. So far, I’ve listed five items. Some of them have firm deadlines, like the Las Vegas 1/2 marathon or the LA marathon. Others will probably take me two years to accomplish (learning the accordion?).

I’ll be adding to The List frequently and when I’ll do, I’ll add a new post.

Check it out! I’m always looking for new ideas.

Just in time for the holiday shopping crush, MAC has released a mini collection (3 products) of limited-editions focusing on lips and face. This collection is all about the packaging. Opulent shiny silver is printed with damask overlay for a result that is Victorian-inspired and romantically sexy. Keep reading for details.
Baroque Boudoir Lipgloss ($22) is making me swoon. A glass vial enrobed in a belle epoque-style overlay is finished off with a gunmetal-silver cap boasting black damask print. The gloss is non-tacky, sumptuous, and shiny; lips look effortlessly plumper and sultry when drenched in this gloss. Available in 3 shades: Preciousness (sheer metallic pink with white frost), Lap of Luxury (sheer baby pink), and D’nouveau (sheer mauve-cranberry with pink metallic undertones). I adore Preciousness.

Baroque Boudoir Lipstick ($22) is encased in a silver bullet of a tube, with a damask-imprinted cap. Lipstick provides medium to full coverage for a rich and creamy look. Lips look luscious and softly diffused when bathed in this. Available in 3 shades: Prive (blue-based pink), Treasured (peach-toned nude beige), and Baroque Boudoir (creamy dark plum).

Baroque Boudoir Compact Sheer Mystery Powder ($60) was designed as a special keepsake collectible in a round, polished silver-finished compact mirroring the other BB packaging. MAC says this powder imparts a silky soft, velvety and slightly luminous finish to skin. I say you’re paying a pretty penny for the packaging. Available in 2 shades: Light Medium and Medium Plus.

There’s also a Boudoir Clutch for $65 in the collection, but there’s nothing special about it: it’s a simple black ruched clutch that’s overpriced.

San Fran drag royalty. Plain wow.

My life was a strange and unforeseen array of NY parties, openings, late night bars, dates, dumpings, Manolo buying, Manolo hocking, binge eating, food restricting, and Mallomar hiding, job hunting, and  firings that went on far beyond its expiration date. One day I’m walking to a meet a lunch date a Grand Central Terminal and my heart starts to hurt.  I figure it’s either the new angst of my life or my heels are too high.  Maybe it’s the fact that elder lawyers and accountants are on my speed dial.  After a three week battery of tests, I ended up in Lenox Hill Hospital for an emergency cardiac procedure.   I was there alone and was told to put the contents of my life into a small plastic bag.  (There went the Manolos!)  Thank God I was wearing lipstick!  “Pink Sweetheart”. And where is a slinky strapless gown and thong when you need it?   It wasn’t bad being the “babe” in the cardiac ward.  There were lots of captive men and residents to talk to. I watched my heartbeat, on one of those monitors, but then my cell phone crashed.    Three days later I took a taxi home and pondered the tenuousness of life.  I saw buildings and flowers with new color.  But this sense of wonder and gratitude faded as I renewed my various “searches “just three weeks later.  My heart has never healed.

I recently purchased a few new cosmetics that have made me very happy.  I don’t often buy make-up.  I use mine until it’s gone.  Shelf-life guidelines are ignored as I paint my face with the same boring colors day after day until I’m out of everything.  This month I ran out of foundation, moisturizer, lipstick and gloss…insert feminine crisis.  Only thing worse would be running out of mascara.

Or letting my daughter do my hair and makeup…

The Momma Lisa

Truth be told, cosmetics intimidate me.  I hate to buy something and then hate it.  I killed my money tree long ago, so I want to LOVE my purchases.

First, I tried Eucerin’s facial moisturizer with sunscreen.  Since I already managed to acquire a ‘sun spot’ on my face, I figure sunscreen is always good.  It doesn’t matter that the sun hibernates in northern states.  It was an eight dollar risk that I’m glad I took.  I like the moisturizer.  It gets fully absorbed and it’s good for my dry skin.

Second, I came to the conclusion that I just hate foundation.  Some brands give me pimples, others give me eczema, and the rest just feel like a mask.  Maybe I just haven’t found ‘the right one’, but I officially dumped foundation.  I’m only using tinted moisturizer now.  I like the extra moisture and sheer, light coverage.  Yes, you can see a few zits, but since I’m not fifteen, I don’t get a thousand pimples at once.  I think the strangers in the grocery store can deal with seeing a zit on my chin.  If not, there’s always therapy – FOR THEM.

I went to Target and stressed myself over finding a tinted moisturizer.  I ended up choosing Sonia Kashuk’s tinted moisturizer.  I am in love.  I definitely think it was worth the $12.

Next, I moved on to lipstick.  When I was in highschool/college, I wanted my lipstick to last for no less than 48 hours.  It didn’t matter if it was an oil-based permanent paint with a safety warning, as long as it didn’t come off on my cup.  I also gravitated towards the brightest lipsticks I could find.  At night, you could see my lips approaching before my body.  Lighthouses considered hiring me as a full-time beacon in the night.

Now I enjoy a more subtle, natural shade of moisturizing lipstick.  I think something happens to your brain after thirty and you just get smarter.  No offense to all those twenty-something’s out there, but the things I did to my hair and face should be punishable crimes.

My lipstick choice – Revlon’s Caramel Glace.  I even bought a matching lip-gloss since they were buy 1, get 1 1/2 price.  Who can pass up a good deal?

What I’m not happy with is my mascara.  Any suggestions?

Here’s the big question…

ARE YOU GOING SHOPPING ON BLACK FRIDAY?

I really want to be at Target at 5am.  I’m still not sure if that’s going to happen, but it’s my heart’s desire right now.

PS  I added a ’survey’ page to my header.  I’m curious to see what my audience looks like.  Check it out and take the quiz.  Thanks!   Click HERE to go to survey page.

Bjo pra todos esses queridos da foto!

;]

Obrigada por esse apoio!

Mel Ravasio

1) T.N Dickinson’s Witch hazel is a great inexpensive all natural astringent for the skin and can be found at your local drugstore.

2) Ever forget your blot powder or need to tone the shine down? Try a light dusting of baby powder.

3) To get a nice pout of the lips, after lipstick & gloss is applied use  concealer  and apply around the lips blending with brush.

4) To achieve an instant brow lift, apply a sheer layer of brow highlight above the brow.

5) To give lips a fuller appearance, add gold or silver to the center of the bottom lip. This technique can be applied to any lipstick or gloss. Remember to slightly blend.

6) Baking soda mixed with water gives a paste consistency that makes the perfect exfoliant.

shopping & Styling for eyeglasses:

1) consider frames size, shape, and color when choosing Frames. Gold metallic frames are best on individuals with warm or golden skin tones. Individuals with cool or olive skin tones look best in silver or pewter-colored metallic frames.

2) Dark frames make the face look smaller.

3) Thinner, more delicate frames flatters a small face.

Although it can be an awful lot of fun to try out different cosmetics and perfumes, lately there are a small, select number that I keep returning to. For lipstick, I find myself reaching for Illamasqua’s Howl. Though it doesn’t really last through a meal, it is otherwise a great and longlasting product, high in pigment and nondrying. The color can’t be beat, too…a great warm tomato red. Since it may very well be the perfect lipstick, for me anyway, there is an even greater chance that (according to Murphy’s Law) it will be discontinued while I am still craving it. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen anytime soon. As for perfume, these days I have been wearing a blend of Pacifica’s Tuscan Blood Orange and Jo Malone’s Nectarine Blossom & Honey. I have been wearing this combination daily for the past…oh…couple of weeks at least. I still visit my other perfumes, and I’ll open a bottle and breathe in, but for some reason I am oddly comforted by this particular fruity-floral blend. The reason I find it odd is that I usually go for the oriental perfumes, heavy on the musks and vanillas. Maybe in a few weeks from now I won’t be able to stop wearing Angel or Kiehl’s Musk. But today I am reveling in the safety of a scent that makes me feel better, not to mention wearing a lipstick that feels familiar and comfortable. I may have woken up this morning feeling uncertain, and a little unsure of myself, but this scent and this lipstick help combat those feelings. They don’t eradicate them, but they really do help somewhat. I may not feel strong exactly…but I am determined to fake it til I make it.

I am very excited for an event next week – one of the companies I work with is hosting a MAC makeover party on Newbury Street.  Wine and makeup – top 10 faves, maybe even top 5.  I am going to seize this opportunity to try on a new look.

What look will I try? Well, I was catching up on my rag mags this morning and I did come across a trend in People Magazine – Tangerine lips. Since I have blue eyes and fair skin I am quite confident I can pull this off. I do find it an odd trend for winter – I would think its more of a spring look as they recommend you pair it with dewy skin and a more neutral eye.  It was also a “trend” last year. Nevertheless I am craving me some tangerine lipstick.

Here is a photo of Alexis Bledel rocking the look, courtesy of Glamour.com. Wish me luck!

Cross-legged, she on the pavement dumps her Prada bag, a white half moon of nonsequiturs.

Tampon.

Lipstick.

Receipts.

Cigarettes.

Lighter.

Brush.

Yesterday’s gum wad tissue wrapped.

Like an amnesiac, she sees everything, recognizing nothing. He smirks,

Watching over her like flies.

“I am not an idiot.”

“You could have fooled me.”

“You are a fool.”

Car door slam. Engine revs. Tires scream! Hey, did you hear there was an earthquake in California?

In Seattle, news said a man stole a monstrous SUV, led police on a high-speed chase, slamming  two cars. Quiet falls on a full moon.

Her cigarette burns just outside the window.

Glenn’s Green Holiday Gift Guide:  Go Green!

(http://www.glennisgreen.com/Glenn’s-Green-Holiday-Gift-Guide.html)

Gifts available through: www.GlennisGreen.com
Give the Gift of a More Eco-Friendly World: Buy a Green, Eco-Friendly Gift.  Every Step Counts.

OK, It’s Time to Shop!

(1) Clothing, Jewelry, and Accessories:
Give the Gift of, “Thanks for Growing MY Organic Cotton T-Shirt without Pesticides. And Cool Upcycled Necklace.”

Gift Ideas: A Sweetie Necklace. A Tire Bifold Wallet. Items for the Home. An Organic Cotton T-Shirt, Sunglasses, Tote Bags.

•Stylish Earth Friendly Fashions, Jewelry & Accessories for Men & Women
Boutique Style. Gifts and Accessories. Beautiful Dresses. Skateboard Bracelets, Golden Leaf Necklaces, Sweetie Necklaces, Fan Belts (Unisex), London Caps, Tire Bifold Wallets, Upcycled Jewelry, Items for Your
Home, Clearance Items And More. See Coupon Code.
FREE Shipping for the Holidays. (see website for info.)

•Eco Chic Green Clothing for Men & Women
Organic Cotton Clothing, Tote Bags. Footwear. Water Bottles. Sun Glasses. Accessories.  Business Attire. Beautiful Dresses. Casualwear.
Many Brands Available: Lara Miller, Tees for Change, Autonomie Project, Grace and Cello, Loomstate…

•District Cotton: Organic Cotton Clothing for Men & Women
T-Shirts. Printed T-Shirts. Fair Trade Organic Totes. Fair Trade Vegan Sneakers.

(2) Natural Cosmetics:
Give the Gift of, “Here, Put Natural Stuff on Your Skin.”
Gift Ideas: Starter Kits, Glow Kits, Assorted Lipsticks

•Natural Cosmetics that are Gluten Free Great Gift Ideas.
Pure and Natural Cosmetics with Minerals and Organic Infusions. Get your lipstick here.

(3) Reusable Bags, Water Bottles, and More:
Give the Gift of Re-useness and Less Landfill-ed-ness.
Gift Ideas: A Stainless Steel Water Bottle. A Stylish Reusable Bag.

•Reusable Bags, Waterbottles and More Sale on Select Items
Includes BPA Free (Bisphenol A Free) Items
Reusable Shopping Bags, Tote Bags, Baby Bottles, Sippy Cups, Colorful Lunch Saks, Water Bottles, Mugs, Tumblers, Produce Bags, Backpacks. Alternatives to Plastic Bags. Need a Stainless Steel Water Bottle? Organic Cotton, Bamboo, Recycled Cotton, Recycled PET, Stainless Steel and More.

(4) Made of Paper:
Gift Idea: Print Your Greeting Cards Here.

•Color Printing Holiday Cards. Greeting Cards. Stationery. Coupon Codes.
Forest Stewardship Council Certified Paper, Vegetable Based Inks, Wind Powered Manufacturing. Holiday Specials: $25 Off Greeting Cards. And New Customers 20% Off Sitewide.

(5) Items for Little Ones: Babies and Toddlers
Gift the Gift of Baby wants to be Eco-Friendly from an early age. And Baby
say, “No Pesticides.”
Gift Ideas: A Toy. Some Organic Cotton Clothes.

•Green Products For Babies and Toddlers Clothing, Toys, Bedding, and Furniture.
BPA Free (Bisphenol A Free) Items.

(6) Interesting Gifts: New Product Offered Each Day.
Give the gift of, “That’s a cool green gift thing you bought me. Thanks.”
Gift Ideas: The cool thing being offered Today.

•Cool Eco-Friendly Products by Guffly:  A NEW DEAL (Daily Guff) EACH DAY
At A Special Discounted Price. $2 Shipping.
New: Best Sellers and Consumer Favorites (Top Guffs) are now also available. But,
the “daily guff” (product) is offered at a special price. Great Green Gifts. Cool, Hip Products.  A new special offer each day.
Recycled Products. Biodegradable Products. Natural Stuff. Organic Stuff. Reusable. Fair Trade. Sustainable.

(7) Celebrate the Holidays with a Naturally Cleaned Home
Give the Gift of “the Natural Clean” and the Fewer Chemicals in My
Home is Better.
Gift Ideas: Natural Cleaner, Natural Air Freshener, Natural Yoga Mat Wash.

•Natural Cleaning Products and Natural Air Fresheners
Biodegradable. NEW: All Purpose Cleaner. NEW: Yoga Mat Cleaner.
Natural Air Fresheners. Harwood Floor Cleaner. Dusting Spray and More…

(8) Eco-Friendly, Green Website Hosting:
Give the Gift of Less Carbon Released into the Atmosphere.
Gift Ideas: Start A Family Website or Make Your Business More Eco-Friendly.

•Canvas Dreams: Green, Carbon Neutral Website Hosting The One I Use!
Powered Locally By Wind Energy. Hosting Plans to Fit Your Budget.

•Solar, Green Website Hosting Solar Powered Facility. Carbon Neutral. Great Customer Service.

Some Other Gift Ideas: Give the Gift of Helping Another.

•Resources for Helping Others
Make a Small Donation on Behalf of A Friend or Relative
Plant a Tree
Give Money to Organizations that Give Microloans To Help People Across the World.
Work with Your Child to Learn More about Going Green and Helping Others.
•Going Green Resources

Thanks for Shopping Buy!

Check-out all of these gift ideas at www.GlennIsGreen.com

-Glenn

founder,

www.glennisgreen.com

www.glennishere.com

In October, I got these two beautiful lip kits from Lauder as part of their month-long campaign to raise money for breast cancer research in partnership with the BCRF.  Not only are they for a great cause but they are also great colors for brides, so I was thrilled.

Elizabeth’s Lip Kit

Evelyn’s Lip Kit

What I didn’t realize was how much time I would spend thinking about whether knowing whose was whose affected my choice in which kit to use – or if the colors just so perfectly represented their namesake and her unique (and couldn’t-be-more-different-than-the-other) image - or if I just happened to like the different shades for different women as I do all shades when doing makeup.

Then I started wondering if women who didn’t work in beauty would even immediately recognize that Elizabeth is for the insanely gorgeous Elizabeth Hurley and Evelyn is for the insanely powerful Evelyn Lauder.

And then I started thinking about names of products in general and how I myself was a little put off buying a lipstick called Shy Girl from MAC’s new collection even though I loved the color on me.  Shy Girl? No way. “Not once, Not never.”

Which boils down to – would a rose by any other name smell as sweet? Or look as pretty on your lips?

When choosing a color palette and makeup look, I consider a woman’s face – it’s structure, skin tone, lip color, eye color and then I consider her personality and self-image.

But with these kits, I couldn’t even see them as individual lip products.  They were the Elizabeths versus the Evelyns. 

One set was boldly screaming sexy, confident, look-at-me.

The other was eloquently articulating traditional, polished, sophisticated.

Call me crazy, but soon enough I was looking at all women and assigning them a kit. With no middle ground in between, it wasn’t always an easy task. 

Check it out for yourself.  Starting with you -  Are you an Elizabeth or an Evelyn?

And if you’re makeup-mental like me, I recommend this game for the subway, train, bus, plane, classroom, business meeting.  Seriously.  Great for all ages.  No batteries required.

She is also a self-righteous prig more than willing to make pronouncements about how other folks should live their lives, and was eager to portray herself as a victim of religious intolerance when she was fired for failing to honor the contract and code of conduct she’d agreed to in accepting her oh-so-important crown as a beauty queen. Since she’s hot, religious, self-righteous, and crying victim-hood, she has of course become one of the more recent poster children of the far Right in this country.

She was suing Miss USA in a fine moral snit, claiming religious persecution, when the Miss USA folks pulled out a tape of self-made porn she’d produced for a boyfriend at some point and ran it for her and her mom. Voila. Instant settlement.

Apparently there are at least eight such videos that have come to light, and it seems inevitable that they’re going to wind up on the Internets. Under normal circumstances, I frown on such things, because they’re immense invasions of privacy. But in a case like Carrie’s, I have to admit to enjoying some schadenfreude, much as I do when rabidly anti-gay GOP leaders get caught blowing dudes in bathrooms or texting dirty messages to teenage boys. The only thing that might make this better would be a porn tape Carrie made with Sarah Palin.

For the interested, two NSFW stills from one of her home movies have been leaked already, and can be seen here and here.  And, yes indeed, Carrie Prejean is a beautiful woman.

Work is stressful lately. I get to work closely with the Director of Operations for Dante’s Inc. It’s less than appealing to me. Don’t get me wrong she’s an okay person but working with her, that’s a different story. They also just promoted Rosie to be a manager for monday nights. I guess some congratulations are in order. I worked my ass off last week and didn’t so much as get a thank you for all your help, or keep up the good work. I dedicated myself to that resturant and didn’t get recognized for it. Guess we’ll see if I ever go above and beyond again. Back on track now… So wednesday was my pampered chef party. I had a decent turn out, Amy and Mira came. It was nice catching up with them. Most of my orders are going to be from people who couldn’t attend. Sent out my avon order the other day also. Expecting arrival soon hopefully. Sometimes I sit awake wondering what it would take to make me a wine-o, then I think I couldnt drink that much wine in a week to even consider it, but I just realized its not per week or per month its per day. So some day’s I really am a wine-o. AND I tried Blue Moon, It’s amazing. I’ve tried so many beers and its funny that I finally can drink one with out having to be wasted first. I also want to start wearing red lipstick. Red is one of those power colors that only business women and celebs can pull off. Well I’m a business woman. And I’m going to give it a shot. Slowly getting VERY excited to go to Minnesota to THE MALL OF AMERICA!!  And stop in Chicago ( The Windy City) && Clevland on the way too or from. Yes we are DRIVING the whole wayy. Pooopy. Well thats all for now.

Check out the eStore for exclusive offers and the one stop shop for christmas needs. http://blerch.avonrepresentative.com

Thanks Bunches!
Brandi

&& Remember: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

Like Bigfoot, a pishtaco is a local legend of a creature (usually a white foreigner) who would prey on unsuspecting travelers.  Instead of sucking blood, as vampires are said to, pishtacos suck fat out of their victims and leave them for dead.  Now why would they do this, one might ask?  Apparently, the early versions of this story were targeting Spanish missionaries, who were said to use human fat to grease their church bells.  Or, they turn the fat into lovely soaps and beauty creams.

So guess what the news headline is today?  You might have even heard about it back home because to be perfectly honest, it’s the kind of sensational news that the press loves.

Police in Peru have just arrested a group trafficking in human fat.

Now you’re disgusted too.  Here’s the gross part: apparently they didn’t steal fat from cadavers, they would actually kidnap fat people specifically to kill them and harvest their fat.  Police are now investigating the disappearances of 60 potential victims.  Apparently the fat goes for $15,000 per gallon.  Now what would you do with gallons of human fat, you might ask?  Sell it to cosmetics companies.  Think about that next time you’re buying lipstick.

In the quest to find an all natural, lead free, decent lipstick, Lavera lipsticks kept coming on my radar screen again and again.  After all, Sophie Uliano, author of Gorgeously Green, said “I particularly love their cosmetic line. Go to this company for your lipsticks because they have a really good choice of colors….”

So I ordered a Lavera lipstick, and I have to say, I am impressed!

Why are Lavera lipsticks different, and so good?  Well, first of all, they’re made with all natural ingredients and no petroleum byproducts, a rarity among the conventional brands of lipstick out there that you’ll find in most drugstores. 

Second, they’re LEAD free.  Listen up ladies, this is a serious problem.  You wouldn’t allow a child to play with a toy containing lead, right? Well then why are you putting lead on your lips and then ingesting it as the lipstick rubs off? Over 60% of the most popular lipsticks contain lead, and the FDA recently found lead in all 20 of the lipsticks that it tested.

So, if Lavera lipsticks are so good for you, do they actually work? Yes!

I bought a tube of Lipstick No. 23 – Coral.  This fun color is brilliantly rich with pigment, meaning that a little will go a long way. Not that it’s too dark or gaudy, but you don’t have to keep sweeping the lipstick over your lips again and again to get the color coverage that you need.  Nope, just one little swipe will do ya!

The lipstick comes in a sleek silver case, standard looking to other lipsticks out there.

Because it’s made of so many oils and natural ingredients, I did find this lipstick to be a little softer and definitely more creamier than others.  It goes on smooth but a little creamy, and I had the tube in my pocket for a few days and the lipstick did start to slide a little inside the case, but nothing major.  I would just recommend keeping it away from heat and storing it in a purse or drawer.

So, what’s the lipstick made of? Here’s the ingredients for Coral No. 23 -

• Castor Oil
• Carnauba Wax
• Candelilla Wax
• Jojoba Oil
• Soybean Oil
• Olive Oil
• Almond Oil
• Tricaprylin
• Ceramide 3
• Macademia Nut Oil
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin C
• Grain Alcohol

Lavera has signed the Compact For Safe Cosmetics, sponsored by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, however their lipstick has not yet been tested by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics for a product score.

Why It’s Better For Your Health:  Lavera lipsticks are made with all natural ingredients.  Just read the list above.  Aren’t most of these ingredients something that you could eat or cook with?  So by applying Lavera lipstick to your lips, where you know that your lipstick will wear off and be ingested, you can rest easier with what you’re applying to your body.

Conventional lipsticks can contain lead and petrochemicals, meaning by products of petroleum production that can contain contaminants.  Don’t put these harsh ingredients on your lip’s delicate skin.

Why It’s Better For the Earth:  The ingredients in Lavera’s lipsticks are natural and therefore easily renewable.  They require no petroleum or oil to produce, and create no nasty chemical byproducts that get pumped into the air or released in waterways.

Lavera has always been committed to creating healthier, all natural cosmetics. While you might not be familiar with the brand in the U.S., it’s well known in Europe (where it has an impressive 27% market share!), where environmental standards for cosmetics are stricter. (I’d like to import some of that over here, guys!)

Semana passada eu fiz a primeira enquete aqui do blog, das unhas das celebridades, e bastante gente participou… Então achei legal e resolvi fazer um enquete por semana, o que vocês acham? Acho um jeito legal de saber a opinião de vocês…

Acho que já tá todo mundo sabendo que o laranja e o coral estão super em cima para esse verão né? Quem ainda não leu o post sobre a tendência laranja para o verão é só clicar aqui.

Como eu já disse, eu estou amando a cor e acho que ela fica lindas nos lábios… Achei algumas fotos de algumas celebridades que estão usando…

Scarlett Johansson apostou em um batom laranja bem forte… Tem bastante celebridade por aí usando batons laranjas fortes ou laranjas avermelhados… Eu estou achando lindo (amo batom escuro!) e já estou à procura do meu….

Já Taylor Swift apostou em um gloss alaranjado um pouco mais discreto que o batom forte… Também achei que ficou lindo, é um jeito bem legal de usar a tendência no dia-a-dia sem exagerar…

Zooey Deschanel apostou em uma versão do laranja ainda mais discreta, um gloss coral bem clarinho que ficou uma graça nela… É uma ótima opção para quem ainda não tem certeza se gosta da cor, arriscando menos e ficando mais discreto…

Qual vocês gostaram mais?

Votem no seu preferido….

The “Basic Instinct” actress has chosen a gangster style, with hat and black leather coat. And she made a stir, the outfit adopted being admired by everyone, even if just for the novelty of the combination. A see-thru dress, with the bottom made from black veil and leaving to be seen about everything. But she didn’t nailed it perfectly.

As the German press writes, the Diva had a problem with lipstick. In detail, it is seen as the lipstick is “invading” the wrinkles around her mouth. Boris Entrup, makeup expert, believes that such moments can easily be avoided: “If she powder her mouth before applying lipstick, the outline will be a remarkable clarity.

Modern women apply over 500 chemicals daily on their face and body in the form of various beauty products to look beautiful, a new study claimed.

 The beauty-conscious ladies apply up to 13 products, most of which contain more than 20 ingredients, including additives that could lead to cancer and various skin problems, a survey done by deodorant firm Bionsen said.

 ”Beauty regimes have changed dramatically from a simple ‘wash & go’ to daily fake tan applications, regular manicures, false lashes and hair extensions,” Charlotte Smith of Bionsen was quoted as saying by ‘The Sun.’

 ”The new ‘wonder treatments’ contain more chemicals to provide better results, which means that women are more at risk,” Smith said.

 Lipstick, the most commonly used cosmetic, contains on an average 33 chemicals, body lotion 32, mascara 29, and hand moisturiser 11, the study found.

 Most perfumes contain an average cocktail of 250 chemicals with some containing as many as 400.

So, I was tired of the lack of replies I’ve been getting so after taking a few slightly naughty photos of myself for E, I took one, cropped it so it was just my thighs in the garter and posted it with my old ad. The replies were plentiful, theyve slowed down for the day so I put up another variation I have with the picture again to see what the night replies are like.

I have already done some customer relations today by meeting a potential client, T at the Champagne Bar at St Pancras. A maths guy working for an online betting place for sports and races, etc. He seemed so sweet and very openly friendly.  We coudn’t really have a session though because he has a curfew instilled by his wife. As such, i took extra measures to ensure he wouldn’t get in trouble. No perfume, no lipstick. We discussed how the whole process worked and what we liked and didn’t like. He seemed so excited about the whole thing and sometimes lost control over himself. Every so often, hed kiss my cheek, near my ear, then move to my lips and kiss harder and harder still. Hands in my hair, on my face, grazing my breasts, grasping at my thighs. The kisses were soft and slow , no tongue, then they’d get harder and more determined. It wasn’t until the end that the kisses became a bit more involved. A hint of tongue, a tiny flick, barely even noticeable, then more and just before it ould get out of control, we would stop and take a sip of our champagne.

In a way, it does feel nice to be with a married man in this capacity. At least i would always be able to assure whomever that he was being safe and not just getting drunk and sleeping with some tramp from a bar. He is with someone with class, taste, and who ill make sure he is practicing safe sex, and in time to still get in before curfew. We remind them about their anniversaries, help pick out gifts, give out advice, etc. So, for all you wives and long term girlfriends, please take heed: we do have your best interests at heart. Your man will not always be satisfied sexually, so we help take care of it in a safe controlled environment. Don’t hate us.

Lipstick

Your wife or girlfriend will receive 12 of  the most popular skin care and cosmetic products from Kathy’s top shelf.  All selections are totally customized to your woman’s skin tone.

• Mascara — Included in the packages is the nation’s number one selling mascara.  The mascara goes on so nice and you can reapply in the evening without clumping.
• Lipstick — stays on solving one of women most frustrating concerns.  Lip gloss is very hydrating.
• Hand care — satisfying customers have been using Kathy’s hand care for years.  It is a three-step process that works for both men and women.  It removes the dead cells from your hands and allows the skin to absorb the lotion.
• Customers often put her hand care at the sink where the whole family can use it.  The fragrance is very light.  So, it pleases the men too.  The result is s smooth almost silky feeling for a couples massage.
• Kathy tells how her brother’s hands are always drying and cracking and stained with oil from welding.  Kathy’s hand care is the only product he has found that will clean his hands without harsh abrasives.
• The series of five makeup brushes are made with real hair and they last long-term.  Kathy has been using hers for over five years.

Mascara that does not clump and lipstick that stays on is a joy for any woman who wears makeup.  If your special woman does not wear makeup, Kathy will use fragrant spa products instead.  Your gift is totally custom designed for her.