Summer makeup always means less is more. And that includes lip products. I tend to wear less lipstick and more lip glosses and balms. You, too? Following are some of the newest, lightest lip products for summer.  Read on for more…

For moisture and shine, I’m loving the NIVEA Lip Butters. Available in four yummy flavors, these little tins are full of moisturizers like Shea Butter and Sweet Almond Oil to keep lips looking and feeling great. Bonus: small enough to tuck into shorts and inexpensive, to boot. My favorite flavor is Raspberry Rose Kiss.

Applelicious Lip Balm from NYC New York Color ($2.99) an irresistible indulgence for your pout. These lip balms have a hydrating core formulated with a trio of Vitamin E, Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil and Avocado Oil to smooth, soften and moisturize lips. I like the apple scent, too! Available in 10 shades at WalMart.

One of the newest and most innovative lip products I’ve ever tried is the Hourglass No. 28 Lip Treatment Oil. Yes, really an oil for lips and it’s super nourishing (and addicting!). Enriched with with 14 essential oils, No. 28 Lip Treatment Oil provides anti-aging, hydration and conditioning benefits to the delicate lip area. Plus, the 24kt gold-plated, anti-bacterial palladium tip dispenses product and creates a cooling effect on the lips.

IT Cosmetics Vitality Lip Flush Butter Gloss provides color in addition to anti-aging benefits for lips. The formula includes peptides, hyaluronic acid for moisture retention/hydration and a variety of oils including Avacado, Argan, Jojoba Oils and antioxidants.  Available in singles or trios, I tried the Perfect Nude Trio, which offers a totally natural look.

Clarins has two new lip products in their Spendours Summer Collection and I can easily recommend both. The Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balm combines lip care benefits plus crystalline-encapsulated color! It offers a very wearable, balm-like feel on the lips with sheer color. This is definitely a handbag staple. The other new product is the Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Gels (two shades, Crystal Pink and Crystal Plum). I can only describe is as a jello shot for your lips! Sheer color, lip conditioners and great taste make this a new favorite.

I always love a multitasking beauty product and new bliss fabulips glossy balms delivers in threes. Three shades–rose, coral and pale pink work on everyone. Fabulips provides hydration  with shea butter, nourishing oils and vitamin E, while actives like parsley and peppermint oil banish bad breath. In a word? Fab!

What’s your go-to lip product for summer? Let me know in the comments!

Disclosure:  Press samples for some products were provided by the brand/PR for editorial consideration, product testing, photography and review. Affiliate links have been used in the post; for more information refer to Disclosure Policy.

Today is “Top 10 Tuesday”, where a group of Beauty Bloggers will be sharing our Top 10 lists of favorite products. Today’s picks are the Top 10 products to get your glow on. What better topic for summer beauty? Read on for mine…

The products could be anything to help you get a glow, keep a glow or make your tan look better, so I picked an assortment of beauty products that include self-tanners, bronzers and luminizer.  I also included nail polish and lip gloss, because they also finish off a bronze and beautiful summer look.

My Top 10 Products to Get Your Glow On are:

1. Guerlain Terra Ora Signature Compact
2. NARS Palm Beach Multiple
3. St. Tropez Every Day Gradual Tan for Body
4. Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Liquid Bronzer
5. Bare Escentuals Buxom Divine Goddess Luminizer
6. MAC ‘To The Beach’ Body Oil in Man Rays
7. Essie Hip-Anema Nail Polish
8. CHANEL Glossimer in #172 Rose Savauge
9. CARGO BeachBlush in Sunset Beach
10. Kate Somerville 360°™ Tanning Towelettes

Make sure to check out the Top 10 Lists of all the other beauty bloggers, too!

What would your Top 10 Glow-Getter list include? Share some of your suggestions in the comments!

Disclosure:  Press samples for some products were provided by the brand/PR for editorial consideration, product testing, photography and review. Affiliate links have been used in the post; for more information refer to Disclosure Policy.

Skincare lovers, this one’s for you! Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare “The Wrinkle Fighters” is the Today’s Special Value on QVC.  This is a 3-piece anti-aging system that I can highly recommend. I’ve used the products and they work. Read on for more…

There’s nothing more of a bummer than saving up for skin care that’s gotten major hype, buying it and seeing no results. It’s happened to me more times than I want to admit. That’s why for skin care, I won’t recommend something unless I’ve tried it and I’ve seen results. That’s why I can get behind this Today’s Special Value Set from Dr. Dennis Gross. The 3-piece kit includes:

• Ferulic Acid + Retinol Brightening Solution 1.0 oz.  (reviewed here)
• Ferulic + Retinol Triple Correction Eye Serum  .5 oz. (reviewed here)
• Original or Extra Strength 45-Day Jumbo Alpha Beta Peel

Used together, these products really can reset your skin and improve the tone, texture and appearance. I’ve used all of these products and have had great results, as I’ve shared in my reviews. And the best thing is, I haven’t experienced any irritation.

To incorporate this set into your skin care regimen, do a patch test first to test for sensitivity. Then, apply the Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel Step 1 to clean, dry skin using circular motions, then wait 2 minutes and apply Step 2 [The peel step is done every other day]. Next, apply the Ferulic Acid + Retinol Brightening Solution to face (daily) and finish by applying the Ferulic + Retinol Triple Correction Eye Serum to eyes/eyelid area (daily).

Purchased alone, these products would retail at $260, but today while supplies last, you can purchase this set (QVC item # A234503) for $124.95. Are you looking for new skincare? Let me know in the comments!

Disclosure:  A Press sample was provided by the brand/PR for editorial consideration, product testing, photography and review.

As I’ve started re-incorporating Nutrisystem into my daily eating plan, I’m getting reacquainted with some familiar food offerings, but there are so many new ones! It’s really been fun to see how the meals have evolved–and in a good way. Read on…

One of the questions I am asked all the time is “how is the food on Nutrisystem?” And I can honestly say that while I was in the weight loss phase, I liked the majority of what I tried. Were there a few that I wouldn’t consider a favorite? Of course; that’s to be expected. But overall, there are plenty of choices to maintain variety and help you lose weight. I never got bored with what I ate.

Coming back, there are quite meals that are new to me and include the Cinnamon Bun and Multigrain Waffles for breakfast, the Steak and Cheese Melt for lunch and the Broccoli and Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast. I’m really enjoying the Chef’s Table meals, too; loving the Cavatelli with Broccoli Pesto. And the Nutrisystem Shakes are a great snack when I get in from Zumba or a power walk. With 15 grams of protein, these shakes fill you up and taste great.

A typical day looks like this: breakfast has been one of the frozen omelets (always one of my favorites), then a Nutrisystem shake or some string cheese and fruit; I usually make a salad for lunch or will use one of the Nutrisystem frozen lunch entrees or meal replacement bars. And dinner might be a Nutrisystem Chef’s Table entree, followed by dessert. Every day is a little different. Overall though, being back on the Nutrisystem plan makes maintenance a little less scary.

If you’d like to lose weight and get healthier on Nutrisystem, or for more information, go to www.nutrisystem.com and take advantage of the summer savings!

Disclosure:  As part of the Nutrisystem Nation Blogger Program, Nutrisystem has provided me with complementary meals in exchange for my honest thoughts on the Nutrisystem plan. The opinions expressed in my posts are entirely my own. No other compensation was received.

Remember that MAC RiRi Woo Lipstick that sold out in a second? It’s OK, because you’re going to get a second chance to get in on a Rihanna and M·A·C-created summer makeup collection. Read on for the details….

The RiRi ♥ M·A·C Summer Collection will feature three lipsticks, a blush/bronzer duo and Lustre Drops. I think it’s the perfect capsule collection with all the essentials you need for gorgeous summer look.

The Lipstick ($15) shades include:

• RiRi Woo matte cool red – retro matte
• RiRi Boy matte vivid lavender – retro matte
• Heaux matte berry – retro matte (living for this shade!)

The Powder Blush Duo ($26) inHibiscus Kiss, a cool coral blush and matte neutral bronze duo. I need this in a bad way!

Lustre Drops ($20) in Barbados Girl; a rose gold liquid bronzer.

Now here’s the important part. The RiRi ♥ M·A·C Summer Collection will be sold exclusively online and will be available June 18, 2013 at www.maccosmetics.com. Set your calendar, set your alerts, plan to be up at midnight and maybe watch the website a day or so early–just in case. Will you be ordering anything from the RiRi ♥ M·A·C Summer Collection? I know I will!

It’s Kiehl’s Friends and Family Time! From today through June 17th, you can save 20% off your purchase in Kiehl’s freestanding stores or on Kiehl’s.com. What should you be shopping for? There are so many, but here are some of my favorite Kiehl’s products…

I LOVE the new Skin Tone Correcting and Beautifying BB Cream and recently named it as one of my Favorite Sunscreens. This BB Cream has Vitamin C and skin care benefits, while offering a light tint and SPF 50. It just doesn’t get any better than that!

If your skin is showing the signs of stress, then maybe you want to consider trying Kiehl’s Skin Rescuer (see my review here). If your skin is red, dull, blotchy and/or showing signs of premature aging, you might benefit from this calming moisturizer. Formulated with technology that actually breaks the skin’s stress response, it’s light and keeps skin hydrated all day. Highly recommended!

If your skin is starting to show the signs of aging, it’s time to take action. Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Cream is a daily moisturizer with SPF 30 formulated to reduce wrinkles, improve skin’s elasticity and texture and minimize pores. This is an effective anti-aging moisturizer, suitable for daily use.

If you need to take aim at dark spots—maybe the result of sun damage—then I can recommend Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution (review here). It looks different than typical Vitamin C solutions and it is different. Because this serum is formulated with “Acitvated C”, there is no oxidation and no brown bottle needed. 100% love this one!

And brand new, just for the guys, Kiehl’s has just introduced Facial Fuel “Heavy Lifting” Firming, Lifting, Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizer for Men, an innovative dual-action, anti-aging cream formulated specifically for men’s thicker, coarser skin. The dual action process is important. First, Heavy Lifting gently exfoliates and improves skin’s dull look, then lifts and firms for a more youthful look. There’s also caffeine and Vitamin C for a power-packed formula. I’m ordering this one for my husband!

I could go on and on with recommendations for Kiehl’s products, because it’s a results-oriented line that I truly like and believe in.  What’s your favorite Kiehl’s product? Let me know in the comments!

Disclosure: Affiliate links have been used in the post; for more information refer to Disclosure Policy.

Amy Adams was stunning at the recent Man of Steel movie premiere, hailing a look of pure Hollywood glamour. We’ve got the 411 on how you can steal her look. Read on for more…

Amy’s amazing 20’s–inspired hair look was designed by celebrity stylist Laini Reeves for Moroccanoil.  “I was completely inspired by the intricacy and femininity of Amy’s spectacular Nina Ricci gown,” explained Laini Reeves. “This hair look is very sensual and alluring, reminiscent of the classic screen sirens of the 1920’s – but with a sleeker, modern, creative take.”

Laini explained how to get the look: “I first shampooed Amy’s hair with Moroccanoil Extra Volume Shampoo and Conditioner to create a bit of extra body and lift – and prepared a low side part.

“Using a Moroccanoil Professional Series Dryer on low, I used my fingers to separate and dry the hair. I then applied a dime-sized amount of Moroccanoil Treatment from her roots to the ends, to soften the look and make her hair more manageable. It also gave it a beautiful, natural-looking shine”

“Before curling, I gave her hair a light spray of Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray Medium, to add a bit of extra body and texture. Working with a 1.25” marcel curling iron, I gave her hair a defined wave low on the part to accent her eyes and cheeks.  I curled the rest of the hair from the roots to the ends, taking 1” sections all around. Each wave was held with marcel clips. Using a soft bristle brush, I then brushed out the wave to soften it.”

“I finished the look with a spray of Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray Medium for a soft, natural-looking hold that looked effortless and lasted throughout the night.

Celebrity makeup artist Stephen Sollitto created the makeup look for Amy Adams using Votre Vu products, using her dress as inspiration. “I didn’t want to do just a red lip and lighter eyes. We wanted the look to be a little softer, but with a modern twist. Aubergine and Copper are such a beautiful combination, especially with Amy’s eyes and coloring. It was a soft, modern twist on the red lip.”

“Amy’s face was prepped with the Votre Vu Attentive Crème du Jour and her lips with the Luxe Lip Moisture lip balm in the bébé Duette (love this!). For the base, I used Votre Vu’s Love Me Deux in Champagne all over and then dusted Beauté en Bronze in Monaco along her hairline, temples, tip of her nose, and under her cheekbones to give more dimension.”

“Then, on her eyes I used a medium eyeshadow brush and the shade Gilt from the Votre Vu Palette Play eyeshadow quad in Copper (coming out September) and swept it all over the eyelid and a bit along her bottom lashes as well. Next, I rubbed in Votre Vu’s Le Joli Crayon in Aubergine along the outer third corner of her upper lash line and along the whole row of bottom lashes. Instead of lining the bottom waterline, I line just the lashes so that it keeps the eyes looking wide and lively. I finished off her eyes with the Eiffel Power mascara and layered it for thick, voluminous lashes.”

“Next, I applied Vu-On Rouge in Bouqet Rose onto her cheekbones in a tapping motion. I kept tapping the product onto her cheekbones until it was all blended.The lips were the finishing touch!  I applied Votre Vu’s French Kiss in Annette (coming out September), a beautiful bright red color, to her lips.  She looked absolutely gorgeous on the carpet!”

Photo credit: Taylor Hill for FilmMagic®

So often when a model or celebrity develops a skin care line, for a variety of reasons–it doesn’t work out. And to be honest, I’m skeptical, too. One line that’s been able to sustain the hype and flourish is Meaningful Beauty®, Cindy Crawford’s anti-aging skincare line. Read on for more…

One secret to the success of the line is that Cindy Crawford did it right. She consulted with internationally-acclaimed skin specialist Dr. Jean-Louis Sebagh. The goal of Meaningful Beauty’s easy daily regimen is to nourish your skin and minimize some of the visible signs of aging.

I’ve recently been using the Meaningful Beauty Glycolic Treatment Pads at night and really like them. They’re convenient and easy to use–just apply at night, after cleansing. Plus, Glycolic Acid is an excellent anti-aging exfoliating treatment. The pads are super-saturated, so there’s enough for applying to face and then I also swipe on the back of my hands. Using the Glycolic Treatment pads should, over time, help minimize the appearance of pores, fine lines and wrinkles. I like the light citrusy scent, too. Although there’s a slight tingling when you first apply, I’ve experienced no irritation from using these pads.

The Meaningful Beauty Glycolic Treatment Pads retail at $52 for 30 pads, sold separately by calling 1-877-383-1212 or available at MeaningfulBeauty.com as a bonus gift (5 pads) with the 5-piece New Advanced System.

Disclosure:  A Press sample was provided by the brand/PR for editorial consideration, product testing, photography and review. For further information, refer to Disclosure Policy.

Have you ever caught your husband, boyfriend or S.O. trying to take a swipe at your skin care? I have (and on more than one occasion!). Now, thanks to the new AVEENO^® MEN’S^™ Collection, we can breathe a little easier. Let the men have their OWN! Read on for more…

The AVEENO^® MEN’S^™ Collection features its tried and true ingredient ACTIVE NATURALS^® Oat. The same ingredient that’s used in the AVEENO^® Naturals Collection and is known for its cleansing and moisturizing properties. The collection is designed to offer a daily grooming regimen that addresses the problems caused by routine shaving. The collection includes a face wash, shave gel and an after-shave lotion that when used together, provide healthier-looking and feeling skin. The products are made with a fragrance-free formula, designed with men’s sensitive skin in mind.

So far, my husband is giving the AVEENO^® MEN’S^™ Collection a big thumbs up. And FYI AVEENO, he’s asking for a moisturizer with SPF in it!

You can find the AVEENO^® MEN’S^™ Collection at national food, drug and discount stores, like Target. Prices range from $3.99 for the AVEENO^® MEN’S^™ Shave Gel to $5.99 for the AVEENO^® MEN’S^™After-Shave Lotion or Face Wash.

Disclosure:  Press samples were provided by the brand/PR for editorial consideration, product testing, photography and review. In addition, I am a Brand Ambassador for AVEENO^® .

For this edition of Makeup Wars, we were challenged to come up with our Favorite Summer Eye Look. In my world, that means it has to be something relatively fast, easy, yet look like I tried. Read on for the how-to…

Preparing the eye is key no matter what kind of look I’m doing. To start with I applied MAKE UP FOR EVER Eye Prime (reviewed here) to eyelids and NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer (reviewed here) below. I added YSL Touche Eclat to the inner corner of my eye to brighten.

Next, on the lower part of the lid, I applied Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick in Sunlight Gold and in the contour, added Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick in Golden Bronze (both reviewed here). To highlight, I gently tapped in MAC Vintage Selection Pro Longwear Paint Pot. Then it was time to line the eyes. First I tightlined with Trish McEvoy Intense Gel Eye Liner in Black, then I applied Aqualillies for Tarte Eyeliner in Splash (reviewed here). After that was complete, the eye was finished off with 2 coats of L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Power Volume 24H Mascara in Black Smoke. I LOVE this mascara, especially the brush!

To finish my eye look, I filled in the brow area with It Cosmetics Your Brows But Better in Universal Transforming Taupe. The entire look took me less than 10 minutes start to finish. And because it’s basically neutral colors with a punched-up eyeliner, I can wear it with almost everything, making it a versatile, too.

Make sure to check out the other Makeup Wars Challengers and their Favorite Eye Looks!

To get the products used in this makeup look, Shop the Post!

Disclosure: Some of the products used are press samples that have been provided by the brand/PR for editorial consideration, product testing, photography and review. Affiliate links have been used in the post. For more information refer to Disclosure Policy.