May and June bring flowers, sunshine and special events such as weddings, graduations, and Mothers and Father's Day.  This "What Works" Beauty, Cosmetics and Fashion review column will give you ideas to look good, feel good, and find unique gifts for every occasion. Don't forget to check out The Advice Sisters® Exclusive What Works" Buyer's Guide where you can find access to products and purchasing information.  Shop from home and stay warm and dry at home, save money and time, and even reduce your carbon footprint! I wish you love, success and happiness in the New Year -- Alison Blackman Dunham for the Advice Sisters. *The Advice Sisters blog daily about products, events, and items of interest to adults, everywhere. To make this column more user-friendly, we have included blog post reviews that are too comprehensive to fit into this column's format, but that we think you'll want to read.  Do you like this new feature?  Add your comments or suggestions on the Advice Sisters Forums,  or on the Advice Sisters Blog, or Send me an Email

I really like Laura Geller’s products, both for their high performance products, and beautiful colors. The newest for Spring, and exclusive to Sephora, is Laura Geller’s Baked Eye Bons Bons $50.00 (retail value is $73.00). Inside the box you'll find a shiny black compact with interior mirror into which are nestled four, super-shimmery mounds of Laura Geller Baked Eye shadows, plus a mascara and travel-sized Eye Spackle. A great value for you, an impressive gift for Mom's special day (Read the entire review on the Advice Sisters Blog).  Another great product is the Lip Heal & Seal Lip Gloss $18.00/each. The name sounds clinical, but the product inside is a sexy, smart way to treat lips right. Each squeeze tube has an inner core with a lip color plus hydrating shea and aloe butters,  jojoba, and other good-for-your lips, oils The outer core has a clear, shiny gel with an invisible polymer in it that locks the treatment to your lips, while keeping moisture in, and offering a high wattage shine!" Berry Kiss” looks very dark in the tube, but it’s a sheer, berried pink perfect for spring. “Nude Kiss” is a sheer-as-natural nude. “Amber Kiss” is a tawny brown that looks just right for now through Spring. TIP: Squeeze the tube from the bottom to get both formulas on the long, slanted, applicator tip. The result is a vanilla-scented, sheer gloss that feels great and looks great, too. You will love these glosses!

The Sunlit Bronze Beauty Kit $35.00 by Elizabeth Arden is Summer-in-a-box, personified!  The gorgeous, coppery metallic Fax leather compact with metallic clasp opens up to a wide view mirror, and six shades for eyes and cheeks.  You get four nicely intense but blendable, limited edition eyeshadow shades (Beech Nut (deep matte brown), Coral Sands (shimmery copper), Sand Dollar (matte flesh)  and Lagoon (deep. shimmery teal). There's also a generous rectangle of Blush in  universally flattering, deep, bronzed pink called "Tea Rose," and glittery/shimmer champagne highlighter that looks nice with a bit dabbed on the center of your bottom lip, too.  This very user-friendly, easy to wear kit has everything you need for a Spring-to-Summer face look, even it's own mini eyeshadow and blush brushes! Be a "big shot" and add a High Shine Lip Gloss $15.00 in "Pink Pout."  This shade is a sheer pink that colors lips sheer and super-shiny. The gloss is  reflective, so the pink color makes lips look young and pouty. The sheer tint warms up a pale face, and enhances a tan.

It isn't just the fictional Carrie from Sex & the City that had a passion for fashion, especially Dolce & Gabbana. The big new is that now fans can wear the duo's dynamic style not just on their bodies, but also on their faces, with their new Dolce & Gabbana makeup collection. Designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana translated 20 years of fashion into their first makeup collection, pulling colors and influences directly from their runway collections and many inspirations over the years. The gold-clad compacts make you feel like a Hollywood star from the 1950's. "Modern Marilyn" (Monroe) girls might swoon when they see this super-glam collection! It was designed with makeup artist and color expert Pat McGrath) and features 27 Classic Cream lipsticks,12 Semi-Sheer Shine Lipsticks, 12 wanded Lip Glosses, 14 eye colors, and a bunch of blushes, bronzer, wet & dry foundation, nail lacquers and mascara. The most talked about lipstick ever, Dahlia, is in this collection *read the entire review on the Advice Sisters Blog.

Give mom roses for her special day. Not the traditional bouquet of flowers...the Wild Rose Facial Care Kit $14.99 ($22.00 value) from Welda.  It features four, rose-scented, .35 fl. oz. travel-sized products to combat prematurely aging skin. You get a Cleansing Lotion to gently cleanse skin without drying it out, and with the lovely scent of wild roses; plus a Facial Toner to purify skin even more; a Moisture Cream to protect skin from dryness, and a Night Cream to moisturize and help rebuild the outer layer of skin, while you sleep. Since 1921, Weleda has been creating products that have Biodynamic and organic ingredients.  This kit features rosehip seed oil. It has Vitamin A, which helps to delay the effects of skin aging, assists with cell regeneration, and promotes collagen and encourages elastin level to increase. FYI, it's extracted from the seeds of a native rose plant which grows wild in Chile.  It's a perfectly lovely and exotic way to say "I love you" to Mom, or treat yourself to some gentle pampering. This kit comes in a 100% recycled box with certified, renewable energy, too!

It may seem a bit strange to suggest buying a sun screen for someone as a gift, but the new, limited edition luxury sized UV Plus Day Screen SPF 40 by Clarins $56.001.7 fl. oz. is truly an exceptional and luxurious product.  This special sun screen with UVA/UVB protection is so light that you won't remember you applied it, but the significant SPF has titanium dioxide, a micronized and microdispersed 100% mineral screen great for even the most sensitive skin, plant polymers that keep the product feeling light and matte, and something called "Expertise 3P Complex" to protect skin from free radicals, urban pollution, and electromagnetic radiation  (white tea, succory dock-cress, thermus thermophilus, rhodiola rosea and glycofilm).  Everyone should wear SPF protection, but many people don't want to be bothered, or just dislike the smell and the feel of it.  Get Mom this high-end sunscreen packaged with a cute sun hat and show how much you love her.  Giving a unique gift for Mother's Day is a great idea, but saving her skin?  That's priceless!

The Sunlit Bronze Beauty Kit $35.00 by Elizabeth Arden is Summer-in-a-box, personified!  The gorgeous, coppery metallic, faux leather compact with magnetic clasp opens up to a wide view mirror, and six shades of Elizabeth Arden Bronze Minerals in sunlit color, for eyes and cheeks. You get four nicely intense but blendable, limited edition eyeshadow shades (Beech Nut (deep matte brown), Coral Sands (shimmery copper), Sand Dollar (matte flesh)  and Lagoon (deep. shimmery teal).  There's also a generous rectangle of
Blush in  universally flattering, deep, bronzed pink called "Tea Rose," and glittery/shimmer champagne highlighter.  The naturally reflective powders also have skin-softening silica plus aloe vera and chamomile to soothe and moisturize. The pearly pigments have subtle, not gaudy, shimmer.  Try a bit of the highlighter dabbed onto the center of your bottom lip to make even super-pouty.  This kit has everything you need for a Spring-to-Summer face look, even it's own mini eyeshadow and blush brushes! Be a "big shot" and add a limited edition, High Shine Lip Gloss $15.00 in "Pink Pout."  This shade is a sheer pink that colors lips sheer and super-shiny. The gloss is  reflective, so the pink color makes lips look young and pouty. The sheer tint warms up a pale face, and enhances a tan.

One of the things I've always disliked about traveling is having to use unfamiliar products on my skin and hair.  I admit, I love the cute, little bottles, but when I am using products at home in a routine that is working, I don't want to stray from it. When it comes to hair, Cutler has a Carry On Selection $22.00 featuring five favorite must-haves packaged in sleek, plastic, flip-top bottles and housed in a re-useable, "zip-lock" style carry-on bag.  The collection includes the gentle and effective Daily Shampoo 1.7 oz and Daily Conditioner 1.7 oz, and three new products:  a Body Wash 1.7 oz and a  Body Milk 1.7 oz featuring antioxidant, moisturizing, fruit and floral extracts and a fresh, uplifting scent, plus a 1.5 oz blue, Facial Cleansing Bar that gently cleanses and refreshes your skin.  This is not just a great set to take away for a weekend or for a business trip, it's a nice gift for Mom, and for those wedding showers that are right around the corner.

The Sniff 'n Go Aromapod $9.98 isn't really just for men, but I think the unique, travel-friendly inhaler that can change his mood, or recharge his energy level, will really appeal to guys who love gadgets. This slim, slide-open/shut plastic pack is tiny, but when you slide the cover open it exposes two small rows of vents that deliver one of six different essential oils directly to your nose. Inhale deeply 3-5 times, close the cover, and feel the difference! This is truly portable aromatherapy, to use whenever and wherever you want. East packet lasts for 1-2 months of average use. Read the whole review on the Advice Sisters Blog

New York men have a certain power. It comes, perhaps, from being in a City that never sleeps and that is populated with some of the most iconic structures in the world such as the Chrysler and Empire State buildings, or, perhaps, Philippe Starck’s modern masterpieces. Designer Donna Karan has always been fascinated with the Urban infrastructure. DKNY the fragrance for Men, for example, mimics the clean lines of urban skyscrapers. The newest and really terrific scent of DKNYMEN Eau de Toilette Spray $65.00 3.4 oz. And $35.00 1.7 fl. oz. shows another facet of the urban man. This scent comes in a modern, angular, grey-tinted bottle reminiscent of Manhattan’s Flat Iron Building (although the silvery metallic outer packaging features a screened black and white photo of the Empire State Building). The lines are sleek, smooth, bold and strong, in a sharp, diamond-shaped profile. A very impressive, pewter and silver textured cap feels like it could be hardware from the engine of an expensive sports car. The modern, masculine scent is quite exciting. It starts out with a bit of bergamot and mandarin to get his motor racing, followed by fresh, fragrant notes of juniper and clary sage. White pepper and cardamom, plus lavender, violet leaves, and wet jasmine, add spice and floral elements. These, combined with a bottom of sandalwood, cedarwood, patchouli, Vetyver and orris (my favorite note) gives it that sexy, manly scent women can’t resist. The scent was designed to appeal to a "downtown man" who has style and class and who wants an expensive-smelling but still modern scent. Like the City itself, DKNYMEN Eau de Toilette has classic elements and quirky ones. It smells exciting, delicious and definitely not for the ladies, but I couldn’t help but spray some on myself, anyway because my male reviewer was sure to take the bottle and run! An After Shave Gel $44.00 and Body Wash $23.00, packaged in sleek, granite-colored tubes, are a modest way to layer the scent. Despite having exactly the same name as a DKNY fragrance launched in 2000 the scent is completely new. Perfumers Alberto Morillas and Harry Fremont from Firmenich have outdone themselves creating a beautiful scent for savvy men that will never grow stale.

A "Chypre" is Chypre is a name used to describe a category of scent,  usually with a top note of citrus and woody base notes derived from oak moss and ambergris, and often, sandalwood. It's spicy, and sexy.  That's only one of the reasons I really love Gucci by Gucci Pour Homme  Eau de Toilette Spray, $55.00 1.7 fl. oz.; $70.00  3.0 fl. oz. $70.00 *body and shave products also available. This fragrance is elegant, luxurious, masculine and modern. It's the  first male fragrance entirely designed by Creative Director Frida Giannini as a new signature for the iconic Gucci man. The steel grey cardboard box with silver accents looks strong and yet, fancy, with the iconic Gucci crossed "Gs" logo pattern on the inside of the box.  The bottle is also quite a show-stopper: a substantial chunk of grey tinted glass that reminds me of a modern skyscraper, festooned with a super-shiny, large, "horse-bit" topper modernized, and featuring the "Gucci" name engraved in the top. The fragrance itself is the kind you want to lean in closer and smell some more with exotic notes such as cypress and calone. Top notes include florals such as violet and bergamot with a manly heart of  warm incense and a leathery accord,  tobacco notes, amber, and black pepper. The base is deep and heady, with strong, woody notes of patchouli, cedarwood and amyris. The scent is fresh, crisp, herbal and spicy.  The best word I can use to describe it is "mmmmmmm!" The "Iconic Gucci Man" sure smells great!

Sometimes you don't want to smell like a fruit, a nut, or a bouquet of flowers, you just want a fresh, delicate scent that feels clean and pleasing.  That's why I like the new, Butterfly Flower from Bath & Body Works.  The showpiece of the collection is the Eau de Toilette $19.50 2.5 fl. oz. in a really pretty, Limited Edition , pink-tinted, slim, square glass bottle etched with a butterfly and capped with a clear, faceted, lucite topper that reminds me of a crystal stopper. You can also get a solid perfume   $10.50 and a variety of other home and body items none over $15.00.  The scent has top notes of black tea, tangerine, cyclamen, and banana leaf. It's heart is maxillania tenufolia orchid, asia syringa flower, and french mimosa, with a drydown of creamy coconut milk and musk.  The first impression I get of this is lily of the valley or orange blossom, even though they're not in the fragrance.  I can only sense the bottom notes, so they don't overpower.  This makes the scent feminine but perfect for warmer weather.  I can even see a younger girl wearing this without being over-the-top.   The Shower Gel in a curvy, plastic bottle with silver and clear flip top is just $10.50.  Couple it with the fragrance and you've got a great gift for a mom, a bride to be, or a new graduate.

Dolce & Gabbana The One scent for women is beautiful, with a gourmand-like, creamy, delicious vibe.  But Dolce & Gabbana The One for Men has a completely different feel.  Designed by Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, this scent is sweet and spicy, classic and modern. The first sniff for me personally, brought me a recollection of that excitement you feel when you are in a high end restaurant and you get an initial whiff of a delicious meal.  It is classified as "a spicy, oriental perfume, developed on the harmony of tobacco with refined boisé notes (if I researched correctly, boisé refers to oak barrels used to age wine).  You might think the scent is very spicy and heavy, but it's surprisingly note.  The top has bright notes of grapefruit, coriander and basil shine through the heart and bottom notes.  The heart is spicy but doesn't overpower:  cardamom, ginger and orange blossom, while the sensual, masculine bottom notes are cedar wood, ambergris, and tobacco. The presentation is also modern but classic.  The box is an unadorned deep bronze with metallic silver letters, and the bottle is a substantial, clear chunk of square glass with an inner core showcasing the amber-tinted juice and unadorned other than the name D&G The One on the very bottom in assertive bronze letters. The bottle is topped with a simple, modern, sleek-but-powerful, rectangular, brushed bronze cap.  Who better than the sexy and vibrant Matthew McConaughey  to be the face of this fantastic fragrance? The One for Men also is available in two aftershave versions (balm and lotion), a shower gel, and stick deodorant. 

Some men are still stone-age hold-outs against any type of special treatment for their skin.  You can tell you they are, because their skin generally looks not that great, giving them a look older than their real years.  So for Father's Day, initiate your special man into the world of effective, easy skin care, with two new products that will make him a believer:  ClarinsMen Line Control Eye Balm $35.00 0.7 fl. oz. and Line Control Balm $52.00 1.7 fl. oz.  Both are from the Clarins Anti-Wrinkle and Firming System, featuring products designed to minimize the appearance of deep lines and wrinkles near the eyes, between the brows, and to help reduce the formation of a double-chin and heavy jaw line (jowls).  Both products have shea butter to nourish and moisturize, and paracress (a plant from Madagascar) to help reduce wrinkles, and strengthen and firm skin. The Control Eye Balm also features maritime pine extract (reduces dark circles), oat sugars (to smooth, tighten and brighten tired eyes) and purslane extract to soothe and comfort skin.  The product, in a small, blue pump bottle with silver, white and red accents, has a light, almost imperceptible scent, and feels really cool and light on the skin.  The Line Control Balm is similarly packaged and pleasant, but it also has caffeine to help slow that double-chin, Bison grass, to help promote blood circulation, and Clarin's own, patented ingredient called "Expertise 3p Complex" that helps protect from environmental aggressors.  Male reviewers said they felt the product working, and that's an instant plus for men who want to see, not just believe.

Give the king of your castle a smoother, more pleasant shaving experience with an inexpensive but effective product: King of Shaves Kinexium Shave Gel $6.99 5.9 fl. oz. The newest are for Sensitive Skin and Cooling Menthol versions. They are in clear plastic flip-top tubes with blue and metallic silver accents. A feature is a dual delivery system. Suspended in the gels are microcapsules that contain nourishing oils. When the lather gel is massaged into the skin, they break up to provide good lubrication. There are also “micro-magnetically enhanced particles that help the gel “stick” to the blade throughout the shave, while a high dose of aloe vera, tea tree, spearmint, eucalyptus and camphor oil soothe and help protect against UV damage. These are low-foam shaving gels, so if your guy is used to tons of messy, soapy foam, just tell him that these shave gels do the job as well or better, but since they don't contain any soap or parabens, or other drying, skin-irritating components, their skin will be soft and less irritated. Who knew that a simple product like shaving cream could be so high-tech? And doesn’t dad, deserve them? TIP: King of Shaves also has a Hybrid Shave Oil $6.99 2 fl. oz.,  in cooling menthol or non-mentholated versions. These shave oils, in pump-top plastic bottles, combine the performance of a shave oil with a shave gel. It won’t clog his razor, and rinses off as easily as the more traditional shave gel. Even better, the small bottle has about 60 shaves in it- just  perfect for travel.

Men will embrace basic skincare if you don't push the boundaries too much.  That's why our male reviewers gave high marks to the products by Lab Series by Aramis.  The products are packaged in simple white boxes and tubes with bold, black and red lettering. It's masculine, but also serious and clean-looking.  If your special man wants to look good, but definitely doesn't want to dip into your products, get him the Active Body ash $18.00 6.7 fl. oz., and Active Hand Cream $15.00 2.5 fl. oz. That'll get him started loving his own products.  The Hand Cream has a subtle, fresh, clean, green scent, and absorbs really quickly without any greasy residue. It smoothes and conditions, and helps to remove the look of dark spots. Although we can't verify the tests that claim an immediate  73% improvement in moisturization, hands did feel softer--and that's the main thing.  The Active Body Wash has electrolytes and concentrated aloe to refresh, renew, recharge and make him rejoice!  It is genuinely good.  I love the burst of clean, fresh scent. I love the gentle exfoliating, buffing spheres,  plus salicylic acid, pumice and carnuba wax beads to help tone, smooth and brighten his skin.  The cleanser foams nicely, rinses off clean, and I know for a fact that his skin is going to feel amazing, because I tried this one myself (couldn't resist) and the improvement was quite noticeable. Alas, the scent is really meant for a man, but I still love the product.  Here's a case where the ladies might be "stealing" a product back from their guys!

Basic skin care can improve the look and feel of their skin right now, and protect it against aging for the future.  Lab Series Daily Moisture Defense Lotion SPF 15 $37.50  3.4 oz. by Aramis  is a lightweight moisturizer with an invigorating, fresh scent that continuously hydrates, smoothes,  and reconditions skin all day long.  And, even if he isn't all that aware of it, anti-oxidants are also guarding his skin against the signs of aging.  What's even better,  this simple but effective product has a breakthrough technology delivers solar-activated protection against the sun's UVA/UVB rays and other environmental stresses all day long.  Since most men really don't bother with SPF protection on a daily basis (although they should), even if he's out in the sun, at least he'll get at least a minimum of SPF protection from this multi-tasking product just for men. This is particularly important since shaving exposes new skin more quickly than a woman's, and the new skin cells need more protection!  It's good for all skin types--there's no excuse not to use it!

The Advice Sisters have reviewed a lot of shaving creams, soaps and gels in the past few years, but even the most moisturizing of the bunch can leave your skin feeling dry and irritated. After all, when you shave, you are removing a layer of skin cells along with the hair! Eshave’s Almond After Shave Cream $22.00 is one of the easiest and most pleasing ways I know of to soothe and moisturize skin post shave. The key ingredient is emollient and healing shea butter. It also has Vitamins A and E, soothing aloe vera and chamomile extracts and an amazingly delicious almond essential oil that makes post-shave moisturizing something to look forward to. While shea butter can often be heavy and overly emollient, this light as air, whipped after shave cream is seriously moisturizing without any of that extra greasy feel. The cream works extremely well, and the sweet, rich, almond scent is  absolutely addictive.  Get two jars, because you and your special someone will both want to use it -- one jar is not nearly enough!

Every time I look at Iman, all I can think is: "What a gorgeous woman!"  No matter what decade, she shines. Her cosmetics line shows that Iman is not just gorgeous, but smart.  She knows makeup and she knows women...after all, she's still a supermodel! These products have simple packaging, but the products have the feel and performance of high-end ones.  Although the makeup is geared towards women of color, many of the high quality, low-cost items in her line work for all women.  The Iman Luxury Lip Shine $9.99 for example, in "Glitzy," a clear squeeze tube of super-shiny, clear gloss that pampers lips with aloe vera and Vitamin E,  is shot through with a generous, starry helping of gold glitter.The glitter reflects light, and makes lips look pouty. The Moisturizing Lip Stain $8.99  in a golden-nude called "Striptease" is a star--sheer and natural, creamy, soft and pampering. Keep the color under control with a Perfect Lip Pencil $6.99. These are creamy, luxurious, soft, intense, and blendable. "Cocoa" is a warm brown that helps prevent feathering and provides a base for all the nudes and warmed toned browns you'll be seeing in stores, soon. Iman's Eye Pencils $7.99 are equally wonderful.  The pencil in "Jet Black" is really versatile for blending, lining, and a smoldering eye look. *read about Iman's mineral foundation on the Advice Sisters Blog

Roses are the unspoken symbol of love and romance, and pure poetry. Their beauty endures in memory, even after Summer is over and the roses have faded and are gone. When it comes to makeup, roses are a beloved theme, but you want your look to be romantic and modern, not too trendy, not too traditional. r better yet, Subscribe to the Advice Sisters Blog Feed in a reader  or enter your address to get posts by Email and never miss a post:

M.A.C. Cosmetics just launched a new, rose-themed collection called "A Rose Romance," timed to the blooming of genuine roses, lasting fleetingly from May through June, 2009. This is complete collection, featuring three Lipsticks, three Lipglass, three See Thru Lip Colours, five Eye Shadows, Two Pigment, One Mascara, Just In Pink Sheer Gel Blush, Beauty Powder, Fix + Rose, Nail Lacquer, Creations Hue.  Although I didn't see all of the pieces, the ones I saw convince me that this collection is going to be a smash hit. It's a beautiful collection for Spring into early Summer. Here are some of the highlights:...read the review on the Advice Sisters blog.

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ver since I was a teenager, I've loved Shiseido cosmetics and fragrance, but it's been a while since I've tried them.  For Spring, I tried Perfect Rouge Lipstick $25.00 from the first global color collection created by Shiseido Artistic Director, Dick Page.  The collection has a whopping two dozen  mild-to-bold, saturated colors,  that offer a polished, moistly-matte look that's sophisticated and modern. I love the purple, metallic lipstick cases that aren't content to be plain.  They're indented on all four corners to create a modified flower shape that gives you better control when you're holding the tube. The lipstick inside provides true, intense, long-lasting coverage and color that doesn't feel the least bit drying, but isn't overly "pouty."  This is the type of lipstick Grace Kelly would have loved...sleek, sophisticated, a bit demure, but with bold color--a "bad girl" with pearls. My favorite is RD305--an absolutely perfect, deep rose that makes lips look amazingly romantic, but still somehow, like they're really your own coloring. "RD516" is one of the most intense, clear, blue reds I've ever seen to flatter cool skin tones. "PK 307" is a medium pink that's feminine and more subtle, but certainly memorable--perfect for brides and proms.

   Every time M.A.C. comes out with a new, Viva Glam product, they appoint a timely spokesperson for the newest, trendy color.  But the purpose is always the same: every single cent of the selling price of Viva Glam Lipsticks $14.00 and Lipglass $14.00 is donated to the M.A.C. aids fund, to support men, women and children living with AIDS and HIV. The fabulous, Fergie is the spokesperson for the latest edition of Viva Glam VI, arriving in April.  The Viva Glam VI Lipstick features  a warm, Terracotta Plum (Lustre) with Subtle Pearl. The Viva Glam VI Lipglass is a warm plum with a multi-reflective, multidimensional, pearl (sounds gorgeous, doesn’t it)? Fergie has become a fashion icon, and she’s the perfect person to help us feel empowered, the “yes we can” of tomorrow, while we work today to help people afflicted by AIDS and HIV...and look gorgeous, doing it!

Chanel is known for luxurious, sophisticated, and wearable fashions, and their makeup line is similarly beautiful, a real treat to own and to wear. The  Spring 2009 Makeup collection features a lovely, "boho" vibe inspired by gypsy dresses, featuring bold contrasts: nudes and earth tones with bold reds and deeper tones. Every Boho goddess needs a chic lip compact. The Levres Signees Satin Lip Color Compact $60.00 features five dreamy, satin lip creme shades, from pale pink to deep plum in Chanel's signature, mirrored, square, black compact. A nice touch is that the lip cremes are packaged so that they form Chanel's iconic crossed "C" logo. *for the entire rundown on this collection (in case you missed it), read the post on the Advice Sisters Blog.

Titanium DIoxide is one of the most recognized sum blocks. For those who refuse to wear a simple sun block every day, another way to get the protection you need for daily wear is to use another product that has at least a reasonable amount of Titanium Dioxide in it.  I like the Renew & Lift Foundation SPF 15 $6.99 by Rimmel London. The pump top foundation has 7.4% titanium dioxide and 4% Octinoxate, plus it comes in three shades (wish there were just a few more) shades, and is oil free I tried 200 Soft Beige, the coverage is sheer to moderate, depending upon how much you blend it. Just enough to cover flaws, but not enough to be mask-like. there was a pleasant, fresh scent and even better, the creamy foundation dries fast, so you can add your blush and/or finishing powder and quickly get on with your day.  The foundation also has a "Time Reverse Complex"  that did make my skin feel a little bit firmer, but perhaps it was just the light-reflecting particles that made it look so good (for so little money). SPF 15 is not enough protection to keep you safe when you're out in the sun for long periods of time, but for daily activities, it's fine.  If you refuse to wear sunscreen,  at least it's a beautiful way to start taking care of your skin. Another multi-tasking beautifier is Stay Matte Foundation $6.99. It has a "Skinpure Complex," that has just a gentle dose of salicylic acid to help clear up imperfections and botanical extracts that help soothe.  The foundation supposedly provides up to 12 hours of shine-free, fresh-looking skin (although I don't suggest you wear any makeup that long without re-applying). However, it will keep your face safe from break-though shine when the weather (or stress) heat up. The slim tube makes it easy to tote when you're going away for the weekend, or fixing your face after washing it, or after a workout. 

For Spring 2009 Laura Mercier features" Gilded Garden," a floral inspired collection of color cosmetics featuring her latest product: the Gilded Garden Mosaic Shimmer Bloc in "Rose" $38.00. This large square of shimmery, light-reflecting color, is embossed with "flowers" of varying, rosy hues and a champagne shimmer. Together, the colors meld to give your cheeks a lovely, rosed flush. It looks elegant, not super-shimmery but enough to show every woman her true ability to glow. You can use it on your eyes or body as a highlight as well. It's oil-free and suitable for all skin types, and comes in the signature, Laura Mercier square, brown, mirrored compact. What a great treat for Spring!  I also tried out some of Laura's latest Lip products *read the extensive review on the Advice Sisters Blog

There's just something about Korres products I like. I guess it's just that beneath the simple packaging are great products that are good for your skin, with natural ingredients such as oils from Greek herbs, fruit and flowers and other botanicals without some of the harmful chemicals you don't need on your skin. The Korres Natural Products Color Collection features colors found in nature, with a classic palette of tones that work for most everyone.  The Korres Guava Lipstick $18.00 for example, offers antioxidant protection thanks to guava extract, rich in Vitamin C. It feels moisturizing and soft and luxurious, in eight, opaque colors from nude and pink to warm brown and wine.  Creamy lipsticks don't always last, but these do,  thanks to natural waxes and vegetal butters. I tried #25 (pink), a browned pink that is a shade darker than my natural lips, and makes them look smooth, moist and creamy. There's a lovely, vanilla scent, and the slim-style lipsticks with angled top makes for perfect application every time. For more color, pampering moisture, and shine (alone or over a lipstick)  Pot glosses need to be applied with a lip brush or they are essy, but the Korres Lip Butter $9.00 is more than worth the effort. These are so luxurious.  They smell like fruit, slide on like silk, and offer enough color to show up on lips (like a lip stain) while pampering them with shea butter and rice wax.  After a long Winter of dry, chapped lips, this is the perfect way to heal them and add a punch of color!  I tried "Plum" (more wine than purple) . These are also free of mineral oil, silicone and other harsh ingredients.

If you're checking out new products to pick a palette of cosmetics for Spring 2009, check out the Muse Collection by Smashbox. These sheer and uplifting colors will encourage you to play with the products, and create a vision for Spring that's yours, alone. I didn't check out all of the products, but I did road test the Hybrid 2-in-1 Luminizing Primer $34.00, the Lip Paints $21.00 and the Blush Rush in "Masterpiece." Your "inner artist" may also crave the latest Bionic Mascara $19.00 in "Black Violet," the Artist Eye Palette in "Muse," and the Cream Eye Liner Artist Pencils $26.00/4....more on the Advice Sisters Blog.

It has been a long time since The Advice Sisters have reviewed Laura Mercier, but I have always loved her products. They're easy to use, trendy but still easy to wear, high-performance, and reasonably affordable. Laura Mercier's" Gilded Garden" collection features a floral inspired collection of color cosmetics. Her newest product is the Gilded Garden Mosaic Shimmer Bloc in "Rose" $38.00. This large square of shimmery, light-reflecting color, is embossed with "flowers" of varying, rosy hues and a champagne shimmer. Together, the colors meld to give your cheeks a lovely, rosed flush. It looks elegant, not super-shimmery but enough to show every woman her true ability to glow. You can use it on your eyes or body as a highlight as well. It's oil-free and suitable for all skin types, and comes in the signature, Laura Mercier square, brown, mirrored compact.  Read the entire review with more products on the Advice Sisters Blog

Are you or mom, Obama-nuts? Perhaps the earthy, natural color of the special edition Lady Obama Lipstick $20.00 by Khuraira is a must-have. The red, metallic case is very pretty and rich looking, the lipstick itself is a pearly, brown lipstick that looks quite coppery on lips. Mrs. Obama is definitely a lady, and while I'm not sure Lady Obama lipstick is one that will last, it's a great novelty item and a good lipstick.  It's perfect for now, even better for Summer!  And,  20% of all proceeds to benefit the Breast Cancer Network of Strength, an organization that provides immediate, emotional relief to anyone affected by breast cancer including program for awareness, outreach, wigs and prostheses banks for women with limited resources, and advocacy on breast cancer-related polices.

Dex New York has both pressed and liquid types. Dex New York Modern Minerals collection is a line of natural mineral based makeup that is Paraben-Free, hypoallergenic, not tested on animals and provides anti-aging benefits. The product range includes Loose and pressed Mineral eye shadows and foundations, Tinted Hydrators, Mineral Glow, Mineral Blush and Bronzers as well as Mineral Illuminators. Carrie Underwood, Kellie Rippa and Kim Kardashian are big fans. Read the review on the Advice  Sisters Blog. 

I am not usually a "faux tan" fan, but the Physicians Formula Bronze Booster™ Glow-Boosting Loose Bronzing Veil $14.95 has made me a fan of their powder bronzer, at least.  The packaging is part of what gets me excited:  a travel-friendly, all-in-one tube with brush top that and a plastic cover that even includes a mirror.  Even better, you can "dial up" your comfort level of faux tan, so you don't look too orange, or too brown, or too...whatever.  Physician's Formula has also recently introduced Organic Wear, a line of chemical-free cosmetics certified by ECOCERT (an organic certification organization with specific standards especially for cosmetics). I tried one of these intriguing products, the eco-conscious version of mascara. Organic wear® 100% Natural Origin Mascara $9.99. The first thing you notice is the packaging, a mascara wand with a metallic green leaf at the top doesn't come along every day. But it's the formula inside that counts * read these complete reviews on the Advice Sisters Blog

What's not to love about Stila?  Their products are always trendy and fun to use, and their packaging is wonderful. Two of the latest came my way to share with you.  First up is the Stila Convertible Mascara $22.00 This silvery, dual-ended tube has a large,  tapered  brush to volumize and define your top lashes, and a smaller, narrow brush to define lower lashes and those hard-to-reach inner corners.  I love that!  But the mascara, in black only, wears like proverbial iron.  It won't smudge, clump or budget until you take it off, thanks to an innovative polymer formula that coats each and every lash with a water-resistant "tube" that binds to each lash.  Cry at the movies or wear this in the rain, and you won't end up looking like Alice Cooper!  Even better, the mascara has a "Thermo-sensitive technology" that allows you to remove this with warm water...just splash your face with warm water and gently wipe your lashes clean. You will be amazed! I also got a Pearl Shimmer Gloss $22.00 in a new, limited edition color: "South Sea Coral" (the perfect compliment to a tan, faux or real).  This luxe gloss in a wanded tube is super-moist, super-silky, super-shiny, and is infused with genuine crushed pearl (how much more luxe can you get!).  The sheer color is just enough to  add a tint to lips, and the finish is pearlescent for pouty lips.  Even better,  the gloss is full of minerals and proteins (thanks to the real pearl) that help keep lips to look smooth and soft, while the subtle shimmer in pearl helps minimize the appearance of fine lines.  The gloss also is rich in emollient oils, esters, and vitamins A, C and E. Don't  wait for him to buy you pearls, get this pearly treasure for yourself!

Josie Maran was a teen model, and the face of Maybelline for nearly a decade.  She also had a  successful acting career. But when Josie became a mom, she re-evaluated her priorities, and decided to use all that she'd learned about makeup, to create her own line. It's easy to like the luxe products that are kind to skin, and in eco-friendly, biodegradable packaging. I tried the Josie Maran Tinted Moisturizer $38.00, a lightweight tinted moisturizer that acts as a sheer foundation with SPF 30. The multi-tasker applies smoothly and without a greasy feel, and gives you not just better looking and feeling skin, but also a broad spectrum protection against the daily assault of the sun's UVA and UVB rays. Read the entire review on the Advice Sisters Blog

There's nothing true makeup lovers anticipate more eagerly than a new Bobbi Brown Shimmerbrick  The Pink Shimmerbrick $40.00 for Spring 2009 from Bobbi Brown's Platinum Collection is one of the prettiest and uplifting shimmery shades yet! The silvery mirrored compact is glamorous in silver, grained, leatherette embossed with the Bobbi Brown logo. Inside, are five stripes of super-shimmery pressed powder: soft pink, bright pink, golden coral, rose and a new shade for eyes: Platinum, to light up your complexion, and add a little glamour to day or evening. You can wear them all together, or separately on eyes, face, cheeks. One swipe of all the shades produced a very soft, light pink that would work anywhere on your face. Use the rose and pink shades as a blush color and to add a highlight and sex appeal to cheeks. The new "Platinum" shade (second bar from the top) looks amazing on the eyes. It's not really silver, actually, it is more like a very softened gold on the skin and it's absolutely gorgeous! For anyone on a budget, consider: it's like getting five Bobbi Brown shimmer shades for one price and in one, tote-able compact.  For true portability, Treat yourself to a sensational simplifier and beautifier: Bobbi Brown's (limited edition) Lip Crayon Trio $50.00 , featuring three of her travel-friendly Lip Crayons in Naked Pink (deep browned pink); Pink Raspberry (warm, medium pink) and Sugar Blush (a brand new shade of berried pink), paired with a perfectly-sized pencil sharpener. These creamy lip products have a lipstick-like feel, but they apply with the control and precision of a pencil. Long lasting pencils can sometimes dry out lips, but these are moistly-matte. If you want more moisture and shine, however, just add a top coat of your favorite Bobbi Brown lip gloss. ..read more on the Advice Sisters Blog

These days, the phrase: "a girl can't have too many shoes" might have to be changed to:  "a girl's got to be creative if she wants enough shoes!"  But where there's a will, there's a way.  This summer, budget but fashion-minded women are going to want to know about Switchflops $32.00 to $42 + $10.00 additional straps by Lindsay Phillips. These flip flops look like upscale versions of the ones you wear all the time, but they have a secret:  In the blink of an eye, they can become an entirely different look!  That "secret" is that the Switch-Flop straps are lined in velcro. Simply pull off the top strap of the shoe, and stick on another one of dozens of cute fabric designs.  There are three different shoe styles, four different colors, and more than 60 different straps to choose from.  Choose a wedges, flats, and/or a kitten heel, and build a staggering wardrobe around them all for less than the cost of a sandwich and a drink!  I tried the "Taylor," the highest wedge (still fairly low) that comes in black, brown and white with silver scrollwork. The straps come in Small, Medium or Large depending upon shoe size and there are even Switchflops and straps for children.  What makes Switchflops even more amazing is the story of the creator. Beautiful and crafty Lindsay Phillips adorned her first pair of flip-flops as a high school art project. Her idea evolved when she realized that by using Velcro she could create one shoe with many straps–unlimited choices with minimal effort.  Lindsay applied for a patent on her idea before she graduated high school and developed the concept even more during her college years.  After her patent was granted in 2004 and Lindsay was ready to enter the working world, she joined forces with her mother, Liz, to start her business. Honor your mom with her own pair of switchflops. I love the idea for a bride-to-be as well.  With just a few extra straps she'll have a suitcase of shoes for her honeymoon that she can literally, carry in a knapsack.

Trendy tops are everywhere, but if you're fighting the urge to buy something novel and new, help is here. Trendy tops from Mushka by Sienna Rose are gorgeous, and retail for under $100: Founded in 2005, Sienna Rose, Inc. is a Los Angeles-based women's apparel company specializing in dresses and tops with bright artistic prints and modern bohemian style. Sienna Rose's sublimated printing process leaves the garment's natural folds and creases untouched by the printed color wash. As a result, no two pieces are alike and each garment is a unique work of art. This effect is very popular for Spring and Summer 2009 so no matter which top you choose, you're sure to be in style. I checked out two tops by Sienna Rose that give you all the glamour, color and quality you want, at a price that won't blow your entire budget. Read the rest of the review on the Advice Sisters Blog

I love sleep shirts. They blend just the right amount of sweet and sexy to your nighs.  This Boyfriend Satin Sleepshirt $24.00 from Fredericks of Hollywood is  just long enough, clings to your curves, and comes in 14 color and 5 sizes from extra small to extra large. Even better, it's just $24.00. That's not much of an investment to bring a bit of sensuality to your night wardrobe. The silky, imported polyester nightshirt can be buttoned up or left open, as in the photo. Dyed to match buttons and a pocket make it cute, and flirty. I always thought of Fredericks as featuring "out there" type styles, and if you want racier fare, their online store and catalogue have plenty of things to choose from. But I was surprised to learn that they have lots of tamer fare, too, for women who would rather just look seductive. This sleep shirt is a safe, good, affordable gift for mom or a bride to be--one she'll actually use! Read the rest of this review on the Advice Sisters Blog

During the great depression, when customers required socks that would wear better and last longer than ever before, Great American Knitting Mills introduced a sock with a gold reinforcing yarn sewn in the toe. This "durable "sock with the gold toe" is the GOLDTOE® hosiery men have relied on ever since then. In 1983, GOLDTOE® also introduced a women's line, followed by a boys line in 1986 and a women's tights line in 1992. The women's AquaFXC Flower Pop Crew $7.00 or $18.00/3 pairs is made up of soft 46 % pima cotton, 48% aquaroad nylon, 2% spandex and 2% stretch nylon. Apart from the soft knit and pretty design, what's great about these reinforced toe and the elastic band at the top--not too tight, and not so loose that I'm tugging them up. What more can you say about socks except that we all need them, we all wear them, and we might as well pick products that perform well and look good.  Read the review on the Advice Sisters Blog

   Every time I switch handbags, I invariably leave something behind that I really need.  Pouchee $22.40 cotton/$24.00 Outback (leatherette) helps you stay organized and transfer your personal "must-haves" from handbag to handbag, easily, quickly, and efficiently.  The Pouchee is simply a cotton fabric (or leatherette) organizer pouch with slots on the outside for business cards and credit cards, on one side, two larger envelope slots for cell phones, ipods,  glasses, and so forth on the other.  Pull the Pouchee open with the two large metal rings on either side, and release the magnetic clasp, revealing a nylon-lined interior with a zippered pocket, and three additional compartments for whatever else you need. The  5" x 7" by 3.5 " depth, Pouchee is expandable, even though it's rather small. But the upside is that it will fit into almost every handbag other than a tiny evening bag, and it comes a dozen colors with cute, polka dot trims in the fabric version, and eight leatherette colors.  If you're the type that can't travel light, use the Pouchee for the things you really need to find in a hurry, and that you don't want to ever leave home without, and dump the non-essentials into the bottom of your bag where you probably don't access them as frequently.  It's a cute idea, and makes a unique and impressive gift that won't break your budget

Your feet may be almost out of shoes for a few months, but socks are still a fashion statement.  If you're strapped for cash this mother's day, or you are seeking cute socks to wear with shorts and sneakers, you can't go wrong with Gold Toe socks for Spring and Summer. Check out the review on the Advice Sisters Blog.

Thinking about giving mom a special gift this year (doesn't she deserve it) but you're stumped as to what she's love?  The hand-crafted, unique, spectacular jewelry from Elisa Ilana, especially their Mothers' Bracelets,  gives this sentimental classic a new twist. I love the bold, square, sterling silver "alphabet beads" plus accents of silver, 14K gold, or 14K gold filled beads, some fluted, some plain, and if you wish it, a choice of semi-precious and precious birthstones (traditional and modern choices), crystals and handmade glass beads. Mother's Bracelets are not just a way to show off your children or grandchildren's names. Make a name bracelet for yourself, or promote what you do? I asked for "Advice Sisters" and received a stunning, 2-strand bracelet that spells out my domain name and manages to look like a boutique bracelet as well. Everyone asks about it (a real conversation starter).I love it! The photos don't do it justice. You can order online and they're quick and efficient.  Read the entire  review on the Advice Sisters Blog.

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