Eyes

Gigi here, with a Drugstore "Steal!"

Recently I was in a hurry and left the house sans makeup-with my fair skin and hazel eyes, I can fade away and it's not pretty. I had intended to apply mine in the car while my husband drove, packed a bag of cosmetics, and forgot it. Since it's not Halloween yet and I don't want to frighten others needlessly, we stopped at the drugstore, where I ran in to find some cosmetic staples. I hate to waste money and replicate items I already own, but a display for Jane Cosmetics caught my eye--problem solved! You're most likely familiar with this firm. It began with a few items, but they are now flourishing, offering very reasonably priced, innovative products for every age, every look. The name "Jane" itself is derived from the fact that the line is intended to be flattering for all women and is actually an acronym for botanical ingredients in most of their items--juniper, aloe, nettle, and elderflower.

While I feared I would have to go bare-faced, I had nearly everything I needed in their new "Be Pure Minerals in the Round Building Blocks to Beauty," a talc- and oil-free set of five interlocking, stackable, circular cosmetic rounds. They include foundation, bronzer, dual blushes, an eye shadow quad and four lip glosses, with a mirror in the lid (thank you, as I am annoyed by firms which disregard these). This is a limited-time offer--get yours now for $9.99 (yes, you read that correctly!). It's akin to having a small makeup boutique. For a pittance, I was able to transform myself easily from "oh, woe is me" to "oh, wow is me!" I used the portable blush, eye, and lip brushes I always carry in my purse for application (I know, I know-I need a shrink).

These kits are available in "Cool" and "Warm." The foundation is pressed mineral powder in colors with an undertone of yellow. Why? The key pigment in our skin, melanin, is yellow by nature. The coverage is not heavy, just enough to camouflage imperfections, even out skin tone, and disguise ruddiness (avoid powder under eyes as it exaggerates any lines). I whipped out one of my cream concealers for this area (it's been suggested that carrying my purse is a great exercise for building muscles).

In general, Christian Dior eyeshadows are my "benchmark" when it comes to ease of shadow application. No, these don't glide on in the same effortless way but require a little more work. However, it doesn't take much to create a variety of attractive looks with shadows in ecru, taupe, subtle shimmering copper, a great deep chocolate brown, seafoam, and smoky teal. Bronzers include a patchwork of squares in slightly luminous hues including beige, copper, coral, and bronze, depending on the palette you choose. Blushes? Rose tones are predominant, with the "Warm" colors more subdued and pleasing to people who may tend to shy away from pink. As a finishing touch, use the lip glosses for a perfect, soft, shiny pout-no tacky feel here! These are fascinating and range from barely-there nude, bronze, and blossom to very wearable, vivid shades of russet, rose, and fuschia. An idea: Mix and layer the colors for your own unique, perfect tone.

I started with the "Cool" set and bought the other on the way home. Hey-I know a good thing when I see it and want to stock up before the executives at Jane realize that they've lost their minds when it comes to a beauty deal!

Run! Don't walk! Any other Jane lovers!

Meg here, I had some site issues yesterdays so that's why we have Humpday and Drugstore Deals basically on the same day. Thanks for hanging in and I hope you're having a great end of week!

Gigi bringing you the best from your local drugstore aisles!

You’ve probably all seen this Nivea commercial—a young woman applies one of the company’s products and falls into the arms of a man who could easily be employed as a Calvin Klein model. The slogan “Touch and be touched” works for me, and so I decided to experiment even further with Nivea. My sister had put a portable, inexpensive all-purpose Nivea crème in my Christmas stocking last year, and it proved priceless during bitterly cold weather and dry heat.

We all know that many of the moisturizers used on your face and/or hands will not work under eyes—heavy lipids will simply trap fluid in the delicate layers of skin, causing unsightly puffiness. However, I’m starting to become more and more exasperated with being told by firms that I must use one product for my elbows, another for my arms, a third for my hands, a fourth for my neck, and so on. We’re all in a hurry, and I shop at the drugstore on a limited budget! I decided to return to Nivea’s line for an inexpensive “multi-tasker.” I found it in their Natural Tone Face and Body Crème (approximately $7.00).

This product can be used on face and body to even skin’s tone and soften. My skin tone is consistent, and thus I cannot comment on whether or not it lives up to its claims here. After losing some “vanity” pounds, I have the beginning of the much-dreaded “turkey neck” syndrome and do not want to be served for dinner on Thanksgiving! I put this moisturizer to the test, applying it to my face (except for my eye area), neck, arms, legs, and hands. I chose the crème rather than the lotion; the consistency is light and seems like it has been whipped. Ingredients are highly moisturizing (glycerin, mineral oil—a.ka. baby oil—and coco-glycerides), and they are enhanced by the same sunscreens used in much pricier products, including Chanel’s eye crèmes. It is quickly absorbed; there is no greasy residue after allowing it to penetrate for a moment or two. My skin was instantly silky and more touchable. In a way, it felt slightly more taut and firm as well. The fragrance? I found it very pleasant and understated, reminiscent of talcum or baby powder. My husband is sometimes used as another “test subject” for reviews (along with other family members and friends), and he was pleased as well. At first he balked—and then he asked for more. The silky benefits last—and I was a bit surprised. I hadn’t expected much from something so affordable.

I had been using expensive, exclusive firming crèmes on my neck (I promise I didn’t buy them—they were smuggled to me by foreign operatives), but Nivea’s version worked nearly as well as some of these at a mere fraction of the price. For a one-crème-fixes-all-areas product, I recommend it highly. The site itself, Nivea.com, is highly innovative and interactive; it offers advice on eating well, caring for yourself, and even gives exercises to keep the appearance of cellulite at a minimum and more. It’s definitely a place to visit in your spare time (I know, I know, what spare time?). PSSST, Nivea: I am very happily married, but if you ran a contest and offered women a chance for a date with the “GQ” man in your television ad, sales would quadruple!

Any other Nivea devotees?

Gorgeous Granny here! Hello ladies...Back from her amazing trip to LA and already wishing I was anywhere except South Texas currently to escape the heat, humidity,and lil' gnatty-bugs that are so dense,they catch rides into town on my lipgloss...
YUCK!

There are SOOOOOO many products out there that promise to "treat the eye-area" and reduce every lil' thing that can (and does!) go wrong with that fragile skin: the eyes are the first area to show the ravages of age and fatigue and watching the fabulous Olympics recently into the wee hours hasn't helped my own "area" much lately.You can spend next to nothing or break the bank sampling everything that might help a little or sometimes,a lot.The choices are mind-boggling and it's a delight when you do stumble across something that works well and is fairly affordable as well!

I remember as a "teen" (yes,dinosaurs roamed the earth as well :) that the "Borghese" counter at our local ladies shoppe (pre-malls as well,OMG!)
was something that inspired awe in me: it offered a look that was impossibly chic and so much more sophisticated that the Bonne Bell I was allowed to use...how I wanted to be one of those ladies with the sculpted-cheekbones pursing her glossy lips below her designer sunglasses while arching a perfect brow as she taunted me with the latest in Euro-beauty.After all,the prestigious company was founded by a real Princess, Marcella Borghese in 1958 so entitled- attitude was built into the products as I saw it and I wanted some for my very own!

"Borghese is a cosmetic/skin care brand that “blends modern technology with classic Italian beauty.This skin care line offers a variety of products in categories like hair care,hand/body, skin care, spa, makeup, fragrance and men’s club. Borghese aims to offer cosmetics and skin care treatments that assist with anti-aging and regular skin maintenance. These products are derived from the notions of science, luxury,health and nature. Borghese places a focus on “cutting edge technology” and organic ingredients when it comes to their products" A nice mission statement overall and obviously,the
company has "staying power" in the market among the literally millions of choices out there!

I was pleased to received a bottle of Borghese's "Fluido Protettivo" (pure poetry,say it 5 times fast!) Advanced Spa Lift for Eyes as I honestly hadn't used anything made by them for many years...classic elegance in a frosted bottle with a pump,very crisp and spa-like in presentation and a good bargin in terms of pricing for a "luxury line" product IMO.The fluid itself is very light and emmolient with a slight sheen and almost no scent that I can discern, goes on smoothly andbeautifully,and leaves absolutely no greasy-residue behind that could result in the dreaded racoon-eyes in an hour. Fast-absorbing,it has
a protective, triple-action anti-oxidation and moisturizing shield system to designed to fight environmental aggressors.

It's one of THE best eye area creams for use under makeup I have ever used and even my exceptionally sensitive skin loves the results with none of the itching or burning so many "techy eye creams" can give! A little goes a long way and I intend to use every drop of the generous 1 ounce bottle as my makeup glides on over it like a dream!

My husband always tells me that "You can tell more about a women's life by looking at her eyes" than by assessing any other area and this product delivers a lovely maintained- smoothness that will keep everyone wondering what I'm up to for a long time to come!

Buy it here: I am loving this product and now that I HAVE the designer sunglasses,glossy lips and arched-brows as well, I can continue to cultivate
that Princess-like attitude of entitlement while being confident that my eyes won't give all of my secrets away!

Who else is feeling like royalty with Borghese?


Buy It Here!

Sweetassgal here here to bring you the best natural and organic products our Mother Earth has to offer us by the way of Green Chi Tuesdays!

I know we're all beauty diva's here at Meg's...but what trumps a diva? A Queen Bee! And deep down, don't we all want to be the Queen Bee?! Think about it for a moment. In this glorious position you reign supreme over your entire colony, completely unopposed and constantly doted on by hundreds of worker bees who slave to build you a perfect home, clean up after you, and feed you all the Royal Jelly you need to stay young and beautiful. Where do I sign up?

Though my husband treats me like the Queen Bee (insert gagging sound here...I know its sickening but its true!) by nature I could never just sit around and let everyone do everything for me. But I would cash in on the Royal Jelly royal treatment! European women have been utilizing the beauty effects of this highly prized and natural serum for centuries. Royal Jelly is packed with B complex vitamins, crude proteins, and amino acids that keep the Queen Bee alive and healthy for up to 7 years...a typical worker bee survives about 6 weeks. That is truly amazing stuff and further proof that our splendid earth provides us with all of the natural miracles we could ever ask for. What better place to find Royal Jelly products then the consummate bee experts at Burt's Bees!

We all know and love Burt's Bees products. In fact I don't know anyone that doesn't or hasn't owned at least ONE of their fab little concoctions. They simply create wonderful, earth friendly, natural products for you, the environment and the greater good. All in all this is one rockin' company worth all the buzz (get it?) they get! My new favorite Burt's Bees offering....Royal Jelly Eye Creme.

This effective eye treatment helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles as well as combating eye puffiness...and it really works for me! I've been using Mary Kay cooling gel for years but MK won't list its ingredients so I'm phasing out those products in favor of earth friendly items that tell you what it is you're putting on your body. This little eye balm is a great replacement and shrinks my morning puffy eyes. I, unfortunately, always end up sleeping on my face and wake up looking like one of those cartoon characters who stick their thumb in their mouth, blow...and instantly puff up their head to comedic proportions. The best way to use this balm (I call it a balm and not a creme because of its slightly thick consistency) is to rub your fingertips together and get them warm, then glide your ring finger across and let the heat from your fingers bring up the product, then pat (do not rub) around your eyes. Use sparingly as this can be heavy or feel greasy if you don't and the excess won't absorb. Lots of beauty reviews say it works well for dark circles too but I can't attest to that.

Royal Jelly, one of nature’s most nourishing substances, is packed with 134 nutrients, including 17 amino acids, B-vitamins and vitamins A, C, D and K. It's blended with soothing aloe vera gel, apricot kernel oil and vitamin E to create a nourishing treatment for the delicate skin around your eyes. Very nourishing, royal jelly is made of nectar, pollen, flower parts, vitamins, minerals, and other natural ingredients. It is a very precious, mysterious substance that honeybees produce and feed to only select young bees, which in turn become mature and fertile queen bees. The queen bee lives 40 times longer than her worker bees.

Anyone else out there a fan of Burt's Bees Royal Jelly Eye Creme? Post a review and keep us all buzzing! And don't worry...no bees were harmed in the making of this review (or in BB's products either!). All hail our very own Queen Bee Meg...GLAM ON megsmakup gals!


Burts Bees Buy It Here!

Kate here, Why is it that good things usually have to come to an end? (Especially the best stages of life) childhood, college, happy hour. Seriously? I don't understand why things have to end. How do we ever really know that they would eventually sour? When I die, I think when I get my parent-teacher conference with God, I'm going to have to ask him about this. I suppose he'll tell me that we're human, and we change. We're not static. We'll continue to grow until the day we die. But, it is certainly lovely to have the good things to remember.

And so it will the same way for Sephora and Bourjois. Bourjois is a great line, with some great products. But, sadly, Sephora has outgrown Bourjois and won't be carrying it in the U.S. in the not too distant future. And so, the upside is that EVERYTHING is 30% Off!!! I want to encourage all of you to take advantage of this - and stock up (hoard) if you need to. And of course share with you a few of my favorite Bourjois products to try while you still can. (Though I think the line will still be available at Ulta.)

#1 - The Drole de Sourcil's Brow Gel. Sort of a funny brow gel...comes in light, dark, and clear. The dark brow gel has been a STAPLE for me for nearly three years now! I am lucky that I overcame obsessive-compulsive tweezing early in my life and my brows are still intact enough to have a good shape, if only a little bit sparse towards the center. A couple of swipes of this colored gel keeps my brows "on" all day. I have Anastasia products and the Smashbox wax/powder duo all stored in my arsenal. But I still use this one EVERYDAY without fail...hardly any experimentation with others. So it must be good!

#2 - They don't have this product listed online but we have them available in my store (and probably a few others, I imagine). They sell a 5 piece brush set in a neat little mesh case that was originally either $45 or $48. But with 30% off they're closer to $30. This would be a FABULOUS staple for your suitcase, or even a good "down payment" if you're considering investing in brushes. They're not at all a bad quality and the handles are pretty and pink!

#3 - Bourjois has some of the BEST eyeliners. I wore the liquid liner for a long time. Comes in several colors and has a thin brush for precise application. The Khol and Contour pencils are good creamy standbys. And the Effet Metallise are water-resistant metallic liners that come in some super-pretty, wearable colors!