Green Tea Honey Drops Body Cream, Elizabeth Arden
Image: elizabetharden.com

Elizabeth Arden
Green Tea Honey Drops Body Cream

A super moisturizing, all-over body cream, infused with a blend of real honey and fragrant green tea extract, to help calm and condition dry skin.

Over the weekend, I spent loads of time with my good friends in a place that occupies a very special place in my heart, Palawan. Third time around but this time it’s all about new beginnings and growing up BUT what do you get if you throw four (4) women together? It’s actually a given that you will talk about girl-y stuff, swap beauty regimens and such, hence, the discovery of this wonderful beauty, Green Tea Honey Drops Body Cream by Elizabeth Arden.

My friend shared that she got a darn good tip from the Oprah Winfrey show about scents. Theory was that you don’t really need to use perfumes at all. That is if you practice the trick of making sure that all your bath products and body creams or lotions are all scent-coordinated. To illustrate, if you use Green Tea and Honey from shampoo, conditioner to soaps and creams long enough, you’ll end up smelling like it without the need of spraying a Green Tea and Honey mist or perfume. Did I make sense?

Anyway, my friend described this cream’s scent to be deliciously great. She further described that it was the honey beads that offers that refreshingly pleasant burst of scent, which makes the experience of applying it onto the skin a fabulous experience. Of course, moisturising the skin is all part of the package.

I had the opportunity to smell it and I have to agree that the scent is indeed fresh and relaxing. I wouldn’t mind giving this product a try if I get the chance. Have any of you tried it? How is it?

The Green Tea Honey Drops Body Cream is priced at $17.50 over at elizabetharden.com.

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Photo© 2008 Sasha Manuel

Careline Extra Wear Nail Polish

Getting manicures and pedicures are such luxuries that most women appreciate and will even find ways to pencil in an appointment with a nail technician at every chance they’d get. I’m one of them ladies who prefer having someone else care for my hand and toe nails. However, I do suffer bouts of insanity OC tendencies that I have to clean every nook and cranny MYSELF. This is esp when I’m bored and having nothing to do.

Of course if you clean your nails, it’s best to top it off with a nail polish so that it’ll stay clean longer. There are days wherein I prefer a no-colour nail set. But I have to admit that if left on my own in applying coloured nail lacquer, it’ll resemble a post-modernistic abstract fit in one small canvass of a nail. Disastrous. Hence, I stick with colourless nail polish application. Minimal application mistakes. SAFE.

I’m no stranger to this nail polish from Careline. I believe I’ve been using it for more than 2 years now (at least when I do get around to using it, that is). What I like about it is that it lasts longer than most of the other polishes I’ve tried before it. Application is a breeze. It helps make me feel like a pro. Ha. AND shelf life is definitely longer. It’s quick dry too!

Verdict? It’s easy on the budget so it’s definitely worth the try. Go grab yourself a bottle if you get around to spotting it at a local drugstore or beauty store.

What about you guys? Is there a particular brand of nail polish you prefer? Share!

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From the Splendicity community, comes this week best in beauty, fashion and shopping.

FASHION

NY Spender reports some of her favorite, and not so favorite, looks from New York Fashion Week.

Viva Woman shows you how colored stockings can add style and fashion to your wardrobe.

Petite Fashionista says don’t miss the upcoming Petite Feet Sample Sales in Toronto!

Tops 2 Bottoms shares her Erin Fetherston favourites from New York Fashion Week.

BEAUTY

Beauty and Fashion Tech reveiws a new Pixi eye shadow palette from Target, complete with swatches.

Karen from Makeup and Beauty Blog gives you a sneak peek at super cute holiday makeup gift sets from Benefit Cosmetics.

Krizia from Beauty Match shares Makeup tips from Jennifer Lopez’s makeup artist.

Beauty Bento Box experiments on a new scent, Light Blue by Dolce & Gabbana.

SHOPPING

Laya’s EYE desires Alexa Wagner knee high boots & a Nancy Gonzalez croc hobo…

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Classic Cleansing Oil Travel Set, Shu Uemura
Image: sephora.com

Shu Uemura
Classic Cleansing Oil Travel Set

Cleansing Oil Classic Deluxe Travel Set contains three bottle of High Performance Balancing Cleansing Oil Since 1960. This one-step, mild cleansing oil removes makeup, including waterproof mascara, while gently cleansing, moisturizing, and calming the skin. This is shu uemura’s “original” oil and was first developed by Mr. Uemura in 1960. It will leave the skin smooth and protected without stripping the skin of its natural oils. Suitable for all skin types.

I guess traveling will always require you to think about space conservation in your luggage, or portability of bottled beauty products. Getting something like the Shu Uemura Classic Cleansing Oil Travel Set will allow you the luxury of a high-quality clean, just how Shu Uemura would care for the skin AND a travel-friendly size which will leave more room for the rest of your toiletries.

Before I get lost in enumerating the positive things in terms of mobility, I’d like to take a closer look at the product itself.

The cleansing oil helps in maintaining the skin’s balance on top of the usual cleansing. It’s also a makeup remover; promises to be effective even on waterproof mascara. It also moisturises and calms the skin, both good things for general skincare.

The travel set comes with three (3) pieces of a 1.6oz Shu Uemura Classic Cleansing Oil plus a plastic pouch.

Suggested Application:

* Place 4-6 pumps of cleansing oil onto dry hands.
* Gently massage oil onto a dry face and neck with dry hands.
* Dampen hands, and emulsify oil by massaging a small amount of warm water on top of the oil.
* Rinse well with lukewarm water.
* Follow with shu uemura’s toning water and moisturizer.

It’s currently priced at $35 over at Sephora if you’re interested though I don’t understand why you’d need 3 bottles of cleansing oils all packed and ready. Reserves? Whutev.

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Photo© 2008 Sasha Manuel

I had spent the past couple days packing for a weekend getaway. I have to admit that my heart wasn’t in it 100% but I know I had to see it through, otherwise, I’d be walking the streets of Puerto Pricesa, Palawan (Philippines) buck naked. But what I did enjoy was packing the little things that feed and nourish my vanity. Stuff I don’t leave home without!

Kidding.

I can be vain as much as the next girl but I’m not too particular. What I do mind is having the things I’m used to having around me keep within my reach. This usually means packing more than I ought, thinking it’s best to have it than regret not bringing it with me. Know what I mean?

I just wanted to give you a look of a partially filled vanity kit (it’s still missing night skincare stuff, makeup brushes, etc). I love this Artistry structured vanity kit cuz it allows me to put beauty stuff all in one place and it comes with a mirror!

What about you? How do you pack your beauty stuff?

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Congratulations to Elizabeth M.! You and a friend just got yourselves a free pass to see the movie.

Using the same email address you used in your comment (verification purposes), please send in your name and mailing address to sasha [@] b5media [.] com ASAP so I can forward it to a Dove representative who will be mailing you the tickets!

I hope you enjoy the movie! Thanks to all you beauties who joined and shared their thoughts on real beauty and manufactured beauty. I hope you guys participate in the next contest or giveaway!

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Philosophy Coconut Frosting Salt Scrub
Image: sephora.com

Philosophy
Coconut Frosting Salt Scrub

Philosophy’s Coconut Frosting lets you pamper your skin with refreshing sea salt, which exfoliates and rejuvenates rough, flaky skin. Natural extracts help moisturize and soften, leaving skin silky smooth and smelling of creamy, dreamy coconut frosting.

Do you notice how sometimes it would feel extremely hot and humid just before it rains? You’d often feel extra sticky and icky, wanting to jump into the shower so bad. Perhaps some of you would prefer to run a bath so you can spend a longer time cooling yourself and yes, relaxing all the same.

I happen to chance upon one of the new arrivals over at Sephora, which may just be a good companion for such a bath. It’s one of Philosophy’s scrubs, the Coconut Frosting Salt Scrub.

Apart from the pampering sea salt experience that the scrub offers, it promises to help in exfoliation and rejuvenation of your skin. It also aims to moisturise and soften the skin. Of course, you get all these while you enjoy the scent of coconut frosting. I also learned that this oil-free scrub is a great pre-tan polish for you self-tanning beauties.

Admittedly, I have no idea how coconut frosting smells like but I am curious. I’m not a fan of the scent though the idea can be novel and helpful in triggering tropical atmosphere right smack in your very home. Wouldn’t it be great to bring some Summer memories even for just a while?

Anyway, it would be great to hear from you guys who have given this product a try. Share your experience!

The Coconut Frosting Salt Scrub is available for $25 over at Sephora.

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Image: rocketxl.com

Thanks to Dove, Beauty Bento Box is giving away free tickets to two (2) lucky women to see the movie, The Women.

What is The Women?

The Women is a fast-paced, witty and emotional look at all things female, including loyalties, betrayals, careers, families and most of all, friendships. A remake of the 1939 classic film, The Women features an all-female cast of distinguished actresses, including Meg Ryan, Annette Bening, Eva Mendes, Debra Messing, Jada Pinkett Smith, Cloris Leachman, Bette Midler and Candice Bergen.

Joining the giveaway is simple! Just answer this question: What are your thoughts on real beauty and manufactured beauty?

Visit Dove.us and watch the short film, The Women Behind “The Women”, that goes behind-the-scenes of the movie, “The Women”, which highlights real beauty versus manufactured beauty ideals in Hollywood. This will provide more insights on the topic.

You can leave your answers in the comment area below. Be sure to use a valid email address because that’s how I’ll be authenticating entries. The more answers you can provide, the more chances of winning!

Yes, ladies, I’m giving you permission to behave badly (lifted from the movie). Heehee.

Oh, yea. The movie opens in theatres on 12th September so this contest ends on the 10th, 11:59pm, EST. Raffle date is on the 11th and will announce soon after so DOVE can send the tickets ASAP!

This giveaway is open to US residents only.

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The Makeup Lip Gloss, Shiseido
Image: sephora.com

Shiseido
The Makeup Lip Gloss

This ultra-shine gloss illuminates lips with a hint of sheer, dazzling color. It gives a look of fresh brilliance when worn alone. Use over lipstick to soften or enhance lip color.

The lip gloss lover in me is ecstatic. I can’t wait to get my hands on this beauty.

Lately, I’m finding new ways to wear glosses. Bare or solo, lipstick and gloss combo, gloss on gloss combo.. if you catch my drift. I’ve been wearing less makeup lately and would only go on heavy whenever I go out at night but usually, it’s pretty much just lip gloss and not much else.

I love how lip glosses enhance the lipstick I’d be wearing. There’s this combo that I experimented on which became a favourite. It has this nude-ish, dewy effect that I so love. I promise to take a photo and show it to you guys the next time I get the chance (hint: if I don’t forget).

Of course, I also love how it would just gloss my lips over for aesthetic purposes and, yea, for function, too. This only applies when I’m using a gloss with SPF in it, though.

Anyway, this lip gloss is available in the following shades: Champagne Sparkle, Mocha Glaze, Ruby Luster, Petal Pink, Chianti Rose, Grape Glace, Bare Berry, Pretty Pink, Cinnamon Shimmer, Peach Melba, Rose Toffee, Polished Pearl, and Mellow Gold. Priced at $20.50 over at Sephora.

Have any of you tried this beauty out? Do share your thoughts! I’d love to know if this is really worth the buy!

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I talked about Black Tea on the last product feature and now I came across two new ones that may be worth the look.

I love drinking black tea but I do wonder if its truly a good bet for skincare, too.

Fresh Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask

Fresh
Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask

Fresh Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask, with its velvety whipped texture, immediately reveals softer, more supple, younger-looking skin. Skin is left healthier looking and more radiant.

Fresh Black Tea Age Delay Cream

Fresh
Black Tea Age Delay Cream

Fresh Black Tea Age-Delay Face Cream combines natural ingredients with cutting-edge technology to visibly reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It’s formulated with collagen-boosting lychee, proven to strengthen the skin’s structure and firm the complexion to restore youthful contours and promote cell regeneration, resulting in softer, smoother skin. It also protects the skin against pollution with black tea and provides intense hydration and moisture.

Though I’m not the type who uses a facial mask, I’m more than willing to give it a go. I’ve always wondered what good it’ll do for my skin. When I was younger (highschool days), I had used one variety, but I can’t remember what it was, once. It wasn’t enough to determine its viability or effectiveness. I have yet to conduct another experiment to see if these sort of skincare will be worth the effort and time. The Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask offers what other moisturisers are offering. I can’t help but wonder if its just a wasteful redundancy in a skincare regimen. Like I said, I have to see for myself if my theories can be proven wrong.

As for creams, nothing beats a boost in hydration and moisture for the skin. Creams may prove to be uncomfortable upon application but some do the work real well. The Black Tea Age-Delay Cream promises to reduce fine lines and wrinkles (noting the collagen-boosting lychee ingridient), things that women my age may be awfully concerned with. We can’t stop aging after all. As I’ve repeatedly said, we can only aid in aging gracefully — without resorting to go under the knife.

Do you guys use facial masks? Can you share your own experience? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

The mask is priced at $85 and the cream at $125. Both are available at Sephora.

Images: sephora.com

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