Frownies Update!

Hello Divas!

I hope your hump day is full of love!

As promised, I am updating you lovely divas on my Frownies progress. Are they diminishing those 3 pesky wrinkles in the middle of my forehead? Frownies claim to vanish wrinkles within 3 weeks with continuous nightly use. I have been wearing the Frownies for one week (okay I did miss one night!) and here are the results.

Before using Frownies

After 1 week of use

What do you think? I think the wrinkles are definitely less pronounced. I also notice that everytime I wake up in the morning, the wrinkles are significantly diminished. So far so good.

Check back in next week for my week 2 update!

Toodles!

Sonia Kashuk Bent Eyeliner Brush

Hello Divas!

I hope your Monday is awesome!

Last week I wrote a post about Lancome's Indigo Charm Gel Eyeliner. Because the eyeliner is a gel and is packaged in a small pot, I had to purchase an eyeliner brush to apply it. I knew Sonia Kashuk would probably have an eyeliner brush that was affordable and good quality. I picked up the Sonia Kashuk Bent Eyeliner Brush because the packaging stated that the bent brush "works with the natural shape of the eye" and it was only $5.99!

First I love that the eyeliner brush has a protective plastic covering for the tip. Good eye hygiene is important! The brush is bent at an angle at the tip and the tip of the brush is very fine. When I begin to apply the gel eyeliner with the brush, I was surprised to find that the brush is very firm. The combination of the brush's fine tip and firmness work together to create a perfect line when applying eye liner. Considering this was my very first time using gel eyeliner, this brush allowed me to apply the eyeliner with ease. I had no problem at all. I had total control over how and where I applied the eyeliner. Genius! If you are on a budget, this is a perfect eyeliner brush to have in your beauty arsenal.

You can purchase this brush at any Target.

Toodles!

L'Occitane Celebrates 20 Years of Shea Butter!

Hello Divas!

I hope you have a fantabulous Friday!

As many of you know, L'Occitane makes my absolute favorite hand cream. Read my previous post here. I buy the travel size tubes constantly and keep them in my car, purse, and office. I also like to give them to my favorite people as gifts! This hand cream is a must for any Diva! It makes my hands so soft! L'Occitane's hand cream and several of their best selling products contain the super moisturizing ingredient Shea Butter. Shea Butter protects your skin from harsh elements; nourishes the skin; and keeps it super hydrated. It is the perfect remedy for dry skin!

L'Occitane has been purchasing pure Shea Butter for its products from Burkina Faso, Africa, for the past 20 years. But what I love and find quite fantastic, is that the company purchases the Shea Butter from three women’s cooperatives that assist 11,000 women and their families. You know I am a sucker for beauty and helping others! They get a gold star in my book!

To commemorate 20 years of using Shea Butter, L'Occitane has introduced 5 new Limited Edition Ultra Rich Body Creams that are scented with different African flowers. They are: Ylang Ylang, Rosebud, Vanilla Flower, Acacia, and Frangipani. They retail for $21 and you can purchase them online here or at any L'Occitane boutique.

Toodles!

Lancôme Declaring Indigo Collection, Indigo Charm Ink Artliner

Hello Divas!

I hope your world is beautiful!

I am so excited! Lancome's new fall collection, Declaring Indigo, is now available online at Lancome-usa.com. Remember the post I wrote about this collection and gushed over that beautiful electric blue nail polish?

Well I was given the opportunity to try the Indigo Charm Ink Artliner from the collection. This is a gel eyeliner and normally I do not wear eyeliner. However, due to the GORGEOUS Indigo blue color, I had to try it!

The gel eyeliner is packaged in a neat little pot, so I had to purchase an eyeliner brush to apply it. I purchased a superb Sonia Kashuk eyeliner brush (a review coming soon) and began to play!

First the color is insane! It is a deep electric blue and will look great on ANY skintone. The gel eyeliner glides on like a dream and you can easily smudge it out for a smokey look or keep it precise for a more defined look. Because I love the Indigo blue color so much, I chose to smudge it out so I could get more of the color on my lids. Here is the result:

Simply Beautiful! Love Love Love! This color is going to be the "IT" color for fall. So Divas make sure you grab products from this collection now before it sells out! I have decided that this is my new "go to" eye color, so I am purchasing another pot or two before it is gone! This eyeliner retails for $23.50 and you can purchase it online here.

Toodles!

Hot Drugstore Find of the Week: Clean & Clear Make-Up Dissolving Foaming Cleanser

Hello Divas!

I hope you have a fantastic hump day!

I am always changing facial cleansers. Why? Well sometimes I feel my skin becomes immune to a cleanser if I use it for an extended period of time. Other times, I may be experiencing problems with my skin and need a cleanser that addresses that problem. Most likely, I just want to try something new! LOL!

A month ago my girl, Yummy411, wrote a wonderful blog post about Clean & Clear's Make-Up Dissolving Foaming Cleanser and I had to try it. I obsessively use Clean & Clear's Toner for Sensitive Skin. In my opinion, it is the best bargain Toner on the market. I am happy to report the Make-Up Dissolving Foaming Cleanser is a gem too! I have been using this cleanser for a while now and I am hooked! What I love about this cleanser is that you only need 2 pumps to achieve a great lather. So I know it will last a while. In addition, it cleans very thoroughly yet is very gentle and does not dry out your face! Plus as advertised, it removes make-up like a pro! After washing my face all traces of my make-up is gone! This cleanser is a great drugstore buy! You can purchase this cleanser from CVS and it retails for $6.99.

Toodles!

Frownies: Do They Work?

Hello Divas!

I hope your Monday is full of renewed energy and strength!

Although I like to think of myself as a positive person, I do frown a lot. I developed this pesky habit as a teenager and have kept it throughout my adult life. As a result, I have developed frown lines smack dab in the middle of my forehead! Ugh! So what is a Diva to do? I want to try Botox but just can't warm up to the idea of having poison injected into my face. There are other treatments like Juvederm but of course they are all expensive. Well I heard that Frownies was a great inexpensive way to get rid of wrinkles naturally. Many Hollywood leading ladies claim to use Frownies to keep their face wrinkle free. So last winter I purchased a box of Frownies and the Frownies Rose Water adhesive spray from Whole Foods and tried them out for a couple of weeks. Why did I stop using them? My daughter was very new then and I just was too tired to keep up the nightly routine. I am being honest! This is the routine: Wet the self-adhesive back of the frownie and stretch the wrinkled skin taut. You then apply the Frownie, making sure it sticks and go to bed. In the morning, you simply wet the Frownie and remove. If you don't sleep with the Frownie, you should keep it on for a least 3 hours.

Well I have decided to re-try the Frownies. I feel that my wrinkles are getting deeper and I want to look as young and fresh as possible. LOL! So I am inviting my readers to join me weekly as I document my experience with Frownies. I will include photos and please leave comments on whether you think they are working or not! Here is my first pre-Frownie pic.

As you can see the wrinkles are there! I will post an update every Monday! This should be fun!

Toodles!

Hot Target Find of the Week: Napoleon Perdis NP Set Pre-Foundation Bronzing Primer

Hello Divas!

I hope your life is fantabulous!

Ladies, Napoleon Perdis is the bomb! Seriously! Remember when I raved about the Bronze Luminizer Foundation Stick? The absolute best bronzer for brown girls I have ever used. Well I have discovered another Napoleon Perdis product that rocks on brown skin. The NP Set Pre-Foundation Bronzing Primer. I was recently given the opportunity to try this primer and of course I jumped at the chance. Because as we know, Napoleon Perdis is known for his excellent primer. It is the best on the market! I have been using just concealer these day due to the humidity. However, I was thinking that a good primer would prevent my skin from looking so blotchy.

When I opened this primer, I immediately fell in love with the color. It is a deep bronze color with flecks of gold. I knew it would look good on my skin tone. I applied the bronzing primer and immediately saw results. First my skin tone looked more even. Secondly, I instantly achieved a sun-kissed glow. I am talking about the "I have chilled on the beach in Miami for a week glow!" And to solidify how great I looked, I met my friend Renee for a walk in the park and she immediately complimented me on how great I looked. She said I looked great and my skin was glowing! Ha! The only thing I had on was the bronzing primer and lip gloss. This primer works like a tinted moisturizer but with a glow! Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous! Plus it is perfect for summer. It is light and quickly absorbs into your skin. There is no need to wear heavy foundation. Divas this bronzing primer is a must have!

A 1.69 oz tube of NP Set Bronzing Primer retails for $29 and you can purchase it here or at any Target!

Toodles!

I Need This in My Life: Hayden-Harnett Black Tamasin Tote

Hello Divas!

I hope you are having the best day ever!

My beloved black distressed leather Kenneth Cole bag is on its way out! I have had it for 7 years and I must say it held up for good little minute. So I am on the hunt for a big roomy black shoulder bag that is functional (hey, I have luxe kids) good quality, and cute! I saw this Tamasin Tote on Hayden Harnett's website and immediately fell in love. It has everything I need: big and roomy, functional (compartments for keys, cell phone, journal, etc.) and it comes with a shoulder strap and handles! Love love love! It is apparently a hit because it is on back order. I have to get this before fall hits! It is the perfect everyday bag!


This bag retails for $495. For purchase information visit Hayden-Harnett.com.

Toodles!

Lancôme Piha Black Lipgloss! Quick Giveaway

Hello Divas!

I hope all is well in your world!

I have a quick giveaway. I have an extra Lancôme Cover Fever Piha Black lipgloss to give away! Piha Black is a sheer sparkly black lip gloss that is all the rage. You can't even purchase it anymore. I personally have layered it over Revlon's Dark Cherry Lipstick, my drugstore Vamp, and it is insane! It is perfect for fall and winter. My girl Bionic Beauty also wrote a fantastic post on how to wear Piha Black lip gloss. Well if you are a "daring diva" and want to try this lip gloss, simply leave a comment telling me what is my favorite Lancôme product. I mean, I talk about it all the time! The first person to answer correctly wins! Contest is only open to U.S. residents. Check out the photos! Gorgeous right??!!!



Piha Black layered over Revlon Dark Cherry lipstick. It makes the lipstick very shiny and sparkly! I am also wearing Lancome Kajal eye pencil in Golden Blaze and Lancome Defencils Mascara.

Toodles!

Fun Fridays! Fashions Shows and More!

Hello Divas!

I hope you are having a fabulous Friday! Remember life is what you make it. Regardless of what happens, make it beautiful!

Next month, the biggest fashion show in Atlanta will take place! Jeffrey Fashion Cares Atlanta is a charitable fashion event benefiting the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Greater Atlanta and the Atlanta Aids Partnership Fund. This year the special guest will be none other than Jason Wu!!! Wowza!!! Jeffrey Fashion Cares is a major who's who event in Atlanta. This is the event's 17th Anniversary and will feature the best of the best in Fashion! Jeffrey's is one of my favorite "luxe" stores. The store features luxe shoes from Christian Louboutin, Manolo Blahnik, Prada, Gucci and more! Individual tickets start at $1500! But it is all for a good cause! If you want additional information, please click here.

Also if you live in NYC, Lancome is hosting a very cool event. Best-selling author, Jennifer Weiner will be signing copies of her new book, "Best Friends Forever" at the Lancome Boutique on the Upper West Side, Tuesday, July 14th. If you buy $75 worth of product, you will receive a complimentary signed copy of the book! Champagne and cupcakes will be served! Oh how I wish I still lived in NYC! I would so be there! For you NYC Divas, here is the info:

The Lancôme Boutique
201 Columbus Avenue at 69th Street
Tuesday, July 14th
4 to 7 p.m.
RSVP: 212.362.4858

Toodles!

Luxe Parfum: Christian Dior's Pure Poison

Hello Divas!

I hope your week is filled with beauty and love.

I have discovered a new parfum that I really like, Christian Dior's Pure Poison. It is a great re-interpretation of the original Poison parfum. Do you guys remember how Poison was all the rage in the 80s? My aunt wore it and I would sneak a spray on my adolescent wrists. LOL! Well Pure Poison has the same seductive flair as the original but it is much lighter. It has a nice flowery undertone that perfectly balances the heavy musk tones of the parfum. This parfum is perfect for a "heavy" date night. I like to call it grown and sexy! When you first apply it, it seems really strong. But when the scent settles down, it is just perfect! Another thing I love about this parfum is that you only have to spray a small amount and it lasts and lasts. There is absolutely no need to reapply. Love!

A 1 oz. bottle of Pure Poison Eau de Parfum retails for $56 (not bad) and you can purchase it online here or at any Sephora.

Toodles!

Lancôme Mega Contest: Help name the 2010 Spring Chris Benz Lipstick!

Hello Divas!

I hope you have a wonderful day! I am actually mourning the loss of Micheal Jackson. But I know he is in a better place.

While visiting The Lancôme Blog, I discovered my favorite luxe beauty brand, is having a very creative and fun contest. As part of Lancôme's Pout-or-Porter project, Lancôme creates a lipstick for a particular designer and the color is worn by the models in the designer's show during Fashion Week. Designers Thakoon, Proenza Schouler, and Peter Som were previous participants. This year, Lancome is creating a lipstick in honor of designer Chris Benz for the Spring 2010 Fashion shows which will take place this fall. However, Lancôme is allowing you to pick the name of the shade! How neat is that??!!! If the name you choose is chosen by Chris Benz, you will win 5 shades of Lancôme lipstick ANDDDDDD a $500 Lancôme gift certificate! Whoohoo! I am entering for the gift certificate alone! LOL! To enter this contest, simply visit Chris Benz's Facebook Fan Page and leave a name for the lipstick. The contest ends July 12th at 5pm. So enter ASAP!

Toodles!

Winners of the Lumene Excellent Deep Repairing Cream and Serum!

Hello Divas!

I hope you have a wonderful Monday! I am going to relax today. I have been working non-stop!

We have 5 winners of the Lumene Excellent Deep Repairing Cream and Serum. They are:

Natty

Kim @ A Life of Style

Haley

liliput74@hotmail.com

Emma

Winners please contact me via email at latoicha007 at gmail dot com within 24 hours. If I do not hear from you, I will choose another winner. Ladies you are going to love these products! Congratulations and enjoy!

Toodles!

Giveaway! Lumene Excellent Future Deep Repairing Cream and Serum.

Hello Divas!

I hope your Thursday is fabulous! It is the 4th of July weekend! Whoohoo! Time for cookouts and frozen treats!

As you beautiful Divas know, I LOVE Lumene Skincare. Lumene products are my primary skincare products of choice! Their products are luxe brand quality but with drugstore prices. Recently, I was given the opportunity to preview Lumene's new Excellent Future Deep Repairing Cream and Serum. These products will not hit stores until July 6, but I can give you the scoop now. LOL! I have been using the serum and moisturizer for a week and a half and thus far I am pretty impressed with the results I have received. My favorite product in this line, hands down, is the serum. It is fantastic! I use it every night and morning and my skin is firmer and smoother. Also after applying the serum at night and waking up in the morning, my face looks well rested and relaxed. I apply the serum alone at night and I apply it under the Lumene Vitamin C Day Cream with SPF 15 (SPF 15 is a must!) in the morning. The serum quickly absorbs into my skin and I only need a few drops to cover my face and neck. What I love most about Lumene products and especially this serum is that it does not break out my skin. I have super sensitive skin and I try many products and 50% of them will break me out. I can TRULY say that Lumene products have never caused one blemish on my skin. (Knock on wood) In my book this is huge!

The Excellnet Future Deep Repairing Cream is very thick, so you only need a small amount to moisturize your face. I only use it sparingly and not every night. The Day Cream with SPF 15 works better for me.

The technology of this new line is amazing. These products contain a combination of apple stem cell extract and Arctic White Peat (a key ingredient in Lumene products) that claim to repair and delay the signs of aging. Sounds impressive? If you would like to try these new innovative products, Lumene is graciously giving away the Excellent Future Deep Repairing Cream and Serum to five (5) lucky Luxetips readers. Simply live a comment telling me why you want to try these products. Winners will be selected at random and must agree to share their experience with these products on this blog after one week of use. Contest ends Sunday, July 5 at midnight.

Toodles!

Hot Drugstore Find of the Week: Johnson's Body Care Be Radiant Cocoa & Shea Butter Lotion

Hello Divas!

I hope you are having a fabulous week!

I have been using Johnson's Body Care Be Radiant Cocoa & Shea Butter Lotion since I hosted the Johnson's Body Care Cause Party. After 2 months of use, this lotion has become my household lotion of choice. Except luxe baby, everyone in the luxe family uses it! What I love most about this lotion is that it is very moisturizing. It is very creamy yet it absorbs into your skin quickly, so you never have that greasy feeling. Also I love that I only have to apply it one time and my skin stays moisturized all day long. But the best thing about this lotion is that it makes my skin so soft. I love that! The scent is very pleasant and it is infused with Cocoa and Shea Butter. This lotion also claims to visibly even skin tone and texture. I can't attest to whether it is visibly evening out my skin tone, but my skin texture has improved. My skin is very smooth and soft to the touch. My husband loves it! He uses it all the time!

A 14 oz. bottle retails for $5.99 and you can purchase it here or at CVS.

Toodles!