Total Beauty Web Tour

Girl-Woman-Beauty-Brains-Blog had another Manic Monday and two readers will have a FLABuLESS day by winning FLABuLESS shapewear. Enter now to be FLABuLESS in the skin you're in!

Alison of the Advice Sisters has discovered Tooth Soap, a cool way to clean your mouth and actually have fun, doing it!

Viva Woman finds out if green tea can help with slimming.

Beauty Anonymous reviews Shiseido's Majolica Majorca Lash Gorgeous Wing Mascara.

Georgia at Neon Bible lists her favourite Beauty Products under $10.00.

Beauty411 shares her recommendations for the Best Winter Lip Treatments!

Face Candy shows you how to get Gossip Girl Style for less.

At Fabulous Over Forty see what Beauty on a Budget product Hollywood stars loved at Sundance.

The Makeup Divas reviews Smashbox's Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder.

Could you use $25 to buy whatever you want on Sephora.com? Beauty Junkies Unite is giving away a $25 Sephora.com eGift Certificate!

Win a 12-piece brush collection from More than a Pretty Face and Beauty Strokes!

Monique at Beauty Girl Musings reviews a mineral foundation unlike any other she has used before. Read about it here!

MissWhoever You Are reviews the new Kiss My Face SOS collection and SIX lucky readers will have a chance to win three glosses. What are you waiting for?!! Head on over there now!!

Boutique Flair reviews Dea Bella Eyelash Conditioner. Did it live up to its lofty claim of more beautiful lashes in 2-8 weeks and is it worth $150 per tube? Click here to find out!

Beauty Blvd. has a new GIVEAWAY! Win the entire Kiss My Face SOS Collection! That's 6 lip shimmers and 6 glosses!

Calling all Curls! AHS is giving away a bottle of Curls new Curl Gel-les'c just tell me why you have the most envious curls! Enter to WIN!

Lipstick Addict makes a review on Magic Lips Sunblock with SPF25 It's a steal for less than $2 dollars!

Feel like you need a little lovin'? Beauty Beast has all the details on the limited edition Valentine's Day goodies from LUSH.

CaliforniaCosmetics shows you how to Step Into Spring with details from the new Coach 2009 Spring Shoe Collection.

eye4style is giving away $189 worth of Wei East skincare! Have you entered the giveaway yet?

Glossypink scopes out some gorgeous spring beauty trends straight from the runway!

This weekend is your last chance to enter to win an Anastasia Highlight Brow Kit from the girls at Beauty in Real Life. Click here to enter.

I Heart Heels has the scoop on a celeb fav: Mary Norton clutches!

Looking for your love potion? Get ready for Valentine's Day - The Beauty Blog reviews The Top Ten Most Romantic Perfumes.

Did you know that the original creator of Bare Minerals has another very popular mineral makeup? Mineral Makeup Reviews reviews Colorescience Mineral Makeup.

Suzanne at RN Guide to Skin Care discusses the Best Facial Cleanser.

Hot Beauty Health shares with you 6 beauty items a Gal just can't live without.

Butterfly Diary reviews Ojon's organic new Batana Collection.

It's Don't Need No Credit Card To Ride This Train week at Beauty Blogging Junkie! Click here to find out what products under $10 Amber recommends for recessionistas everywhere.

Enter to win a Beauty.com/Drugstore.com gift bag from the Sundance Film Festival at Makeup Bag.

Phantom Goddess shows you how and where to get fabulous discounts on makeup at Phantom Goddess's Beauty Obsessions.

This week, Spoiled Pretty is hosting three amazing giveaways. Enter to win Benefit's new CORALista blush, China Glaze's Romantique nail polish collection, and a Sundance Film Festival beauty swag bag!

The Beauty Alchemist tests & lovesMAC Studio Sculpt Foundation.

The Jet Set Girls review the Sally Hershberger Face Place in New York City.

Indian Girl gives you the scoop on awesome lip treats for $7.95 from your drugstore

Free tarte Cheek Stain!

Enter code LOVE09 at checkout at tarte.com and get a FREE full-sized true love cheek stain. Enjoy!

Camilla Belle at the Push Premiere

Celebrity makeup artist Monika Blunder creating a striking look for actress Camilla Belle at the premiere of her new movie "Push" in Los Angeles last night.

"Camilla is beautiful, so I really just enhanced what is already there," said Blunder. "I wanted her skin to look flawless first and foremost, then I added a little smudged black eyeliner and a rosy pout!"

Skin: DiorSkin Airflash Spray Foundation #400

Eyes: Dior Style Liner in Black and DiorShow Iconic Mascara in Black

Cheeks: DiorShow Powder #003 and Dior Bronze Essential Bronzing Powder #030
Bronze Tan

Lips: Rouge Dior Lipstick in VIP Pink #365

Don't Need No Credit Card To Ride This Train Week: New Johnson's Body Care 24 Hour Body Lotion

I've long hated the scent of baby powder. Even as a child, I LOATHED Love's Baby Soft and gave away multiple bottles I'd received as gifts (even as a child, people knew I loved a beauty gift... unfortch, just not THAT one).


Also unfortch, I'd long been avoiding Johnson's products solely because they have a tendency to smell of baby powder. Don't get me wrong - a lot of people love that smell. I'm just not one of them. Well, Johnson's has totes changed their ways because their new lotion smells fresh and clean with notes of roses and sandalwood - not a smidge of baby powder to be found. Not so much rose that it veers into Golden Girls territory, just a tiny hint of it. It leaves no greasiness post-application and even includes a mica-flecked formula to reflect light and illuminate skin. I did a test to see if this stuff REALLY lasts 24 hours, as it claims and know what? It plum DID. Love it.


Best of all? 14 oz. will set you back $5.49. Can't beat it with a stick!

New MAC Collection: Cream Team Collection

Double desire. Love-me-two-times lips. A clever girl carries the conversation by making you believe in both sides of her story: Creamy, quixotic colour, and hard-line, super-sexy shine.

Introducing Cremesheen Lipglass, the perfect performance teammate to Cremesheen Lipstick, now in more drenched-with delicious shades than seasons past. Make yourself all the more convincing with Cremestick Liner, to fill in the little gaps, and prevent feathering or bleeding. Creme Team talks a glamorous game. Lips part to plead for more!

CREMESHEEN LIPSTICK
Crème Cup: Light blue pink
Shy Girl: Creamy neutral coral beige
Crosswires: Clean pinky orange
Lickable: Bright clean blue pink
Lavender Whip: Light cool lavender
Crème in Your Coffee: Creamy mid-tone pink brown
Spice is Nice: Creamy dark warm brown
Hang-up: Deep berry
Suggested Retail Price: $14

CREMESHEEN GLASS
Ever So Rich: Sheer lilac
Fashion Scoop: Pale cool baby pink w/light pearl
Boy Bait: Light neutral beige with pearl
Partial Pink: Light creamy yellow pink with light gold pearl
Melt in Your Mouth: Mid-tone creamy clean pink
Petite Indulgence: Mid-tone bright blue pink
Crème Anglaise: Mid-tone neutral mauve
Looks Like Sin: Sheer deep berry
Suggested Retail Price: $18

CREMESTICK LINER
Sublime Culture: Neutral pink
Pink Treat: Dirty pink
Caramellow: Neutral caramel
Velvetella: Blackened plum
Suggested Retail Price: $14.50

Available February 5, 2009 at all MAC locations and at maccosmetics.com.

LOST Analysis: Latin. Time Travel. Matthew Fox. If I could marry a show, I'd marry LOST.

Ellie (pictured, left) rocks Whitney Port twists on the island circa 1954! She's so on-trend!

Guys, I've KIND OF failed you. Last night, I had far too many glasses of Sauvignon Blanc with my friend Amber and made friends with some Brits only to arrive home not very prepared to watch LOST at 10pm. I did watch, but I was a bit tipsy AND didn't have a chance to watch it twice, as I usually like to do. I plan to rewatch it tonight. That said, however, I did notice a few things:

Eyeliner Richard returns! Is Richard a VAMPIRE? That's the only way this show could get better. When Juliette responds that Richard is simply "old," when asked how old he IS, I found it to be very Twilight, specifically Edward's scene in the meadow, n'est-ce pas?
Bella: "How long have you been 17?"
Edward: "A while."

I think Ellie is a younger Ms. Hawking and I think (and I'm surely not alone here) that she marries Widmore and has Daniel Faraday with him.

WIDMORE is Daniel's benefactor Great Expectations style. It's also pretty wild that he's an Other.

Charlie is the name of Desmond's baby. Interesting that it's the name of Charles Widmore (the man who went to great lengths to keep star-crossed lovers Penny and Des apart) and Charlie Pace (the man who died so that they could be together).

Says Richard, "We have a very specific process for selecting our leaders." Like that of the Dalai Lama. Also, I am glad to see that Locke is a fellow Gemini (born May 30, 1956).

Thank you, LOST, for reaffirming that Latin is the "language of the enlightened." As a Latin scholar, I've always thought as much.

My brother pointed out a painting of a polar bear that said "Namaste" hanging in Widmore's office when Desmond went to speak with him. It doesn't get more Dharma Inish than that, does it?

What did you think? Share in the comments!

Amanda Beard on HSN Today to Discuss MISSION Skincare

MISSION Skincare is a new line of skincare created by some of the world’s best athletes. One of the brands co-founders, 7-Time Olympic Medalist, Amanda Beard, will be on HSN TODAY, Thursday, January 29^th debuting MISSION Skincare to the network! Other cofounders of the line include Serena Williams, Mia Hamm, and Steve Nash, to name a few.

Show Times (each show approximately 12-15 minutes each):

January 29th

7am EST (4am PST) – HSN Today Show

8pm EST (5pm PST) – Beauty Report (HSN’s most popular show time during the week)

January 30th

1am EST (10pm PST on 1/29)

The MISSION Skincare™ starting lineup includes:

Ø Daily Offense SPF 30 Stick (Perfect for your purse – no spill)

Ø Lip Protector SPF 20 (I've tried this and it's fantastic!)

Ø Foot Synergy Gel

Ø Anti-Friction Cream

Ø After-Sun & Wind Revive Gel

MISSION Skincare™ also makes an impact off the field. In addition to working closely with athletes in product innovation, MISSION Product™ proudly supports the charities of top professional athletes, including The Sheckler Foundation, The Steve Nash Foundation, The Mia Hamm Foundation and H2O Africa, among others.

Available at www.missionproduct.com. Additional select sports specialty retailers include Champs Sports, Lady Foot Locker and Vitamin Shop.

Don't Need No Credit Card To Ride This Train Week: L'Oreal HIP Jelly Balm

At $9, this little jewel is a frugalista version of MAC's famed Tendertones SPF 12 from this past summer. L'Oreal HIP Jelly Balms are to die. You know I'm pressed on a gloss when I write about it despite the fact that it lives in a pot. Given the many options I have, it's rare that I deign to love a pot gloss. When I don't have to, I don't "do pot." I don't enjoy a mess- on-my finger-sensation, you know?

But the high-pigmented Jelly Balms (and Tendertones, for that matter) are worth it (and L'Oreal thinks you are, as well). Jelly balms are silky in texture, yet slightly thicker than your garden variety balm. There's no shimmer, so shimmer junkies need look elsewhere for a "fix," but they do fulfill your need for vinyl shine. They yield excellent color pay-off and taste like delish caramel. If only L'Oreal would include SPF in its formula, Jelly Balms would establish perm residency in my beach bag. Until then, it makes for a wonderful, hydrating winter gloss. Get you some of that at drugstores everywhere. I enjoy the "Plush" shade, a blushy pink.

Win Products from Certain Dri, Softlips, and ROHTO Cool

Hey, dolls!

In keeping with Don't Need No Credit Card To Ride This Train Week, I'm hosting a giveaway (thanks to Softlips, Certain Dri, and ROHTO for sponsoring!). One winner will win a box of beauty booty including all four Softlips sheer products (strawberry, cherry, vanilla, and raspberry), Certain Dri Solid, and ROHTO V. Cool eye drops.

The giveaway will last until next Wednesday, February 4th at 4pm. Winners will be announced on Thursday, the 5th.


To enter, please use the form below. Good luck!

Don't Need No Credit Card To Ride This Train Week: Venus Spa Breeze

The blush pink Venus Spa Breeze system is pretty freaking phenom AND wallet-friendly.

Its razor cartridges contain built-in shave gel bars that provide a light, moisturizing lather, eliminating the need for a separate shave gel. AND the shave gel bars yield a delish white tea scent. I am into its firm grip inducing handle. I have a tendency to cut myself horror movie-style when I'm in a rush. This little gem handles curves like a pro.

In fact, were I to use the great Bruno's (from Da Ali G Show) rating system, which assigns notes as ratings, I'd give it an "aaahhh!" (close to the top of the scale) as opposed to an "uuuuhhhhh." (imagine a lower, gutteral note.)


Available in February 2009 in disposable and refillable forms at food, drug, and mass merchandise stores. The nondisposable system includes the refillable razor, two shave gel cartridges, and a shower compact for $9.99. Don't need no credit card to ride this train!

Fresh Valentine's Day Deal

Get complimentary gift wrapping, free shipping and samples when you order from fresh.com through February 12th. Enter "gift" as the promo code. Click on the image to enlarge. Enjoy!

Don't Need No Credit Card To Ride This Train Week: Nair Precision Face and Upper Lip Kit

So here's the deal. I don't HAVE a 'stache, per se. It's a few blonde hairs near the outer corners of my upper lip. I had been waxing it myself like, once every four months or so. And it takes a full four months before I need to worry about it. Everytime I even think about women bleaching/waxing/depilating their 'staches, BTW, I ALWAYS think of that Everybody Loves Raymond episode when Deborah gets caught by Ray bleaching her 'stache during her "alone time" and he, visibly horrified, asks her if she'll be tying any women to train tracks. HILAR.

Regardless, it's NOT sexy and I don't want it in my lifestyle. But there are things I'm willing to pay a professional to do. Like my fab quarterly haircuts with Matthew James at Sam Brocato Salon (I got one on Saturday and it continues to be the best bargain 'cut in NYC at only $85!).

But anywho, to ensure I don't have any "lipular forestation," as Raymond refers to it, I take matters into my own hands and employ Nair Precision Face and Upper Lip Kit ($5). You apply it with the convenient lip balmesque applicator, wait five minutes, wipe it off with a damp washcloth, then follow with some of the enclosed moisturizer. THAT'S IT. It painlessly depilates all traces of hair from my lifestyle, and I'm once again free for another four months.

Elemis' "Four for You" Special at Bergdorf Goodman

February 12th through 14th, Elemis at Bergdorf Goodman is running a special called Four for You. The spa is offering four services for the price of $125 (the price for their one-hour facial). You'll get:

A one-hour facial

A massage in the fabulous SpaPod chair during the facial

An eyebrow wax or tweeze

A manicure

Click here to read about my experience at the SpaPod! To book an appointment, call 212-872-2821.

Experience New Body Therapies at Participating Molton Brown Emporiums

Don’t let the winter blues get you down. Visit any Molton Brown emporium on Friday, February 6th (1-6pm) and Saturday, February 7th (11-4pm) to experience the NEW body therapies collection, the ultimate range of unwinding and uplifting remedies to treat the entire body. This highly effective, results-driven collection has been created to counteract the daily grind and the effects on skin, body and mind. Body therapies products provide solutions to 24/7 living, whether you’re travelling or relaxing at home.

Customers can enjoy cookies and mint tea while deciding which of the three treatments (provided by Molton Brown therapists) best suits them:

TREATMENT CHOICE #1: Head and Temple Treatment
A therapist will provide soothing temple massages - aromatherapy is the best way to decrease stress, improve sleep and overall wellbeing.

TREATMENT CHOICE #2: Nourishing Hand and Nail Treatment
During the winter our hands and nails can become very dry. This mini-treatment nourishes hands and nails to restore them to their original state.

TREATMENT CHOICE #3: Purifying Hand Treatment
Winter can cause hands to become dry and flaky. This mini-treatment is to exfoliate the dead skin cells and purify the skin to a wonderful glow.

Customers will be offered one special treatment in-store that fits their needs (sleep, purify or nurture) after a short consultation and will be instructed on how they can recreate this experience at home. They will then receive a recipe card of how to use the ranges on their own for an at-home spa feel and will choose their specific at-home treatment.

As an added bonus, any customer who receives a treatment will receive a special departure gift. Any client to purchase two full-sized body therapies products during these events will receive a travel sized therapies item as a special thank you gift.

California - South Coast Plaza
3333 Bristol Street, Suite 2860
Costa Mesa
CA 92626
T 714 549 5951
Opening hours:
Mon - Fri: 10 - 9.30pm
Sat: 10 - 8pm
Sun: 11 - 6.30pm

New Jersey - Short Hills
The Mall at Short Hills
Molton Brown Suite B-127
1200 Morris Turnpike
Short Hills
New Jersey 07078
T (973) 921-0700
Opening hours:
Mon - Fri: 10 - 9pm
Sat: 10 - 7pm
Sun: 12 - 6pm

New York - Madison Avenue
515 Madison Avenue
(53rd Street, between Madison and Park)
New York, NY 10022
T (212) 755 7194
Opening hours:
Mon - Fri: 10 - 7pm
Sat: 10 - 6pm
Sun: 12 - 5pm

Pennsylvania - King of Prussia
King of Prussia Mall
2nd level of the Plaza
160 N. Gulph Road, Suite 2375
King of Prussia, PA 19406
T (610) 337 3051
Opening hours:
Mon - Sat: 10 - 9.30pm
Sun: 11 - 7pm

New York - Third Avenue
1098 Third Avenue
Btwn 64th + 65th
New York, 10021
T (212) 744 6430
Opening hours:
Mon - Fri: 10 - 7pm
Sat: 10 - 7pm
Sun: 12 - 5pm

New York - SoHo
128 Spring Street (between Greene and Wooster)
New York, NY 10012
T (212) 965 1740
Opening hours:
Mon - Sat: 10 - 8pm
Sun: 11 - 7pm

Don't Need No Credit Card to Ride This Train Week: Cold & Flu Instant Aromatherapy

First of all. I need to disclose that it is 100% NOT coming together today. Last night Jim and I had a "mentor program" meeting (where I mentor him about beauty/grooming blogging) that began at Lucy's of Gramercy and ended 15 cocktails later at Splash's weekly Musical Monday party. Let me describe the scene. One MILLION fabulous gays. A handful of girls. An enormous screen featuring vignettes of the gayest musical numbers. I adore it. Liza Minelli in Caberet. Judy Garland in anything. Pippin numbers. The Sound of Music. So Jim was somehow getting coupons for buy-one-get-one-free drinks from the scantily clad bartender (bartenders at Splash simply wear UNDERPANTS) who is ACTUALLY the brother of the dude from The Gong Show. I also found out that Jim has been to Studio 54 AND was once on the receiving end of a drink from THE Steve Rubell. Can you even? (I can't.) But I digress, Sophia Petrillo style.

I learned today about Cold & Flu Instant Aromatherapy from Bath & Body Works ($10, buy 2 for $15! This kicks it UNDER the $10 mark for DNNCCTRTT Week!). Today was exactly one day too late. Just launched this month, this product is an all-natural blend of Eucalyptus, Basil, Spearmint, Wild Mint, Lavender, Cedar Leaf and Laurel essential oils to provide relief from cold and flu symptoms.

Now, it's absolutely intended for those who are sick not because of their own stupidity. But do you not think that this stuff would be a DREAM to have on hand when, say, you thought it was a good idea to order your 10th vodka soda from the drag queen waitress while singing "Memories" from Cats at the top of your lungs circa 10pm on a Monday? I'm just saying, it's a small comfort that would have been nice to have at the ready along with my Ginger Ale this morning on my rougher-than-ush subway commute.

Available at Bath & Body Works stores nationwide and Bathandbodyworks.com.

Get the Look: Kate Winslet at the SAG Awards

Kate looked gorgeous in a vibrant blue Narciso Rodriguez gown and dazzling Chopard jewels. Celebrity makeup artist Jillian Dempsey played up Kate’s eyes with lots of black eyeliner, mascara and shimmering shadow paired with a soft neutral palette on her lips and cheeks. Jillian used Lancôme Artliner in Noir on the upper lash line and then lightly dusted Jillian Dempsey Professional for Avon Eyeshadow Trio in Pebble Wash on the eyelid. She finished the eyes with a few coats of Lancôme Ôscillation Mascara in Black. For the lips, she used Serge Lutens nude lip liner and filled in the entire lip. Finally, she applied Color Fever Gloss in Engaging, a very sheer nude shade, for a high-shine pout.

Get the Look: Anne Hathaway at the SAG Awards

Anne Hathaway donned a beautiful white Grecian-inspired dress with gold detail at the neckline and waist. Celebrity makeup artist Kate Lee created a dramatic smoky eye by applying dark eyeliner to the upper lash line and blended it on the eyelid. To make Anne’s eyes pop, she applied several coats of Lancôme Ôscillation Mascara in Black for a faux-lash effect. Kate opted for a soft, stained pout. She applied Lancôme Le Lipstique lip liner in Sheer Natural to the entire lip, then coated the lips with Lancôme Color Fever Gloss in Seductive for a glossy finish.

Get the Look: Angelina at the SAG Awards

Angelina looked STUNNING in a blue Max Azria gown. Here are the deets on her look:

Hair

To capture Angelina Jolie's effortlessly elegant style, hairstylist David Babaii blow dried wet tresses to create a shiny, frizz-free foundation. Next, he randomly curled her entire chocolate mane to form beautifully tousled waves. To ensure volume at the root area, spray on David Babaii for WildAid Volcanic Ash Root Amplifier. Slightly back comb sections of hair and smooth out with a brush to achieve desired height. Create a low bun at the nape of the neck by gathering sections of curls and securing with black bobby pins. Finish with David Babaii for WildAid Mise En Plis Extra Hold Style.

Makeup

Celebrity makeup artist Mary Burton wanted to create a '60s look and chose to focus on Angelina’s eyes by applying lots of eyeliner and mascara. She used a liquid eyeliner (Lancôme Artliner in Noir) just above the lash line. To compliment Angelina’s eye color and to make her eyes really stand out, she applied a bluish grey eyeshadow (YSL Ombre Solo Double Effect Eyeshadow in #3 Blue Silk) to the eyelid. Finally, she applied several coats of Lancôme Courbe Virtuôse Mascara in Black. Mary added a touch of pink to the apples of the cheeks using Shu Uemura blush in M Pink 31. To create ultra-shiny and luminous lips, Mary used Lancôme Color Fever Gloss in Rose Jolie.

I thought Ange looked THE BEST she's ever looked. But Brad? Lose the porn 'stache, mmkay? Thanks.

I'm a Barbie Girl... in a Barbie WORLD

WHAT: BARBIE LOVES STILA MAKE MAKEOVER EVENT
Make your childhood dreams of being Barbie come true, by getting a Barbie makeover from Stila Pro Artists.

WHEN: Saturday, February 14th & Sunday, February 15th from 12pm – 6pm

WHY: Because you’re a Barbie girl in a Barbie world… let it out!

WHERE: Sephora 5th Avenue – 597 5th ave. between 48th & 49th


BARBIE LOVES STIA BEAUTY CANS
To celebrate 50 years of beautiful, Stila is launching four collectible Barbie Loves Stila Beauty Cans this Spring in time for Fashion Week and Barbie’s birthday. Each limited edition Beauty Can features the look of an iconic Barbie doll from the past five decades, and inside each can is everything you need to get that beautiful Barbie doll’s signature look. The Barbie Loves Stila paint can also includes a "Barbie Look Book" that includes a history of each top-selling Barbie doll over the last five decades.

These limited edition items bring Barbie’s looks through the decades to life including:
· #1 Ponytail Doll (1959)
· Malibu Doll (1971)
· Foxy Doll (1980)
· Jewel Doll (2000)

Price: $40, available exclusively at Sephora 5th avenue store New York, NY and Sephora.com

Lucky Style Spotter!

Hey, gals!

Check my "Winterruption" article I wrote for Lucky Magazine's Lucky Style Spotter Site under their "Expert Advice" column. (I'm the expert. I love this title, obv.) Tell me what you think! SAG Awards coverage coming later today.

xo,
Amber

Don't Need No Credit Card To Ride This Train Week: Boots No7 Quick-Thinking 4-in-1 Wipes

Today's under $10 beauty bargain is the fabulous 30 pack of Boots No7 Quick-Thinking 4-in-1 Wipes. At $7, these little gems are good to your skin even when you're pressed for time. Too many glasses of pink champagne? Not a prob. One quick swoop across your face and you're freed from makeup, dirt, and oil. Even better, they're good for all skin types and include a cocktail of fantast ingredients such as witch hazel and fennel, fab for cleansing pores and moisturizing.

Boots is a truly phenom brand from London which recently crossed the pond and is sold exclusively at Target and Target.com.

Don't Need No Credit Card To Ride This Train Week: Kings & Queens King of Sumatra Pepper Bergamot Soap

Hello all, and WELCOME to Don't Need No Credit Card to Ride This Train Week! Obv, the name is a line from Huey Lewis and the News' Power of Love, a.k.a. the theme song of one of my favorite movies, Back to the Future.

This beauty theme week is inspired no doubt by These Economic Times. Every product I feature during DNNCCTRTT Week will be under $10. I've been drugstore-ing it for months to bring you suggestions to spend your money the best way possible.

The first item is Kings & Queens King of Sumatra Pepper Bergamot Soap ($6). If you like Bliss' Blood Orange + White Pepper line, you'll ADORE Pepper Bergamot. It's an unlikely combo, but pepper and citrus is brisk, refreshing, and tempered with a hint of sweet. In case you don't know, Kings & Queens is a truly fantastic line of bargain-priced products with a clever marketing platform based on history. The line educates consumers about the decadance of royals past with a fun twist. I've previously reviewed their phenom George III Lime Shower Gel.

According to the press release: Black Pepper was the most sought-after spice from antiquity to the Middle Ages. One of its best qualities comes from Sumatra, where legends about the constant struggle between local kings, colonialists, and pirates are still alive. Fortunately, today there is no need to fight for pepper... since we can enjoy it at any time, even in a scandalous combination with Bergamot.

The soap is long-lasting, superfoamy, and smells utterly delish. It includes a blend of pomegranate, blue Egyptian lotus an dmalachite extracts. I also have to throw in a quick recommendation for the brand's Aztec King Vanilla Pear Shower Gel ($9). In pre-Columbian Mexico, vanilla was considered a potent aphrodisiac, which is why the Aztec kings and their many wives consumed countless cups of vanilla drinks every day. The pearlescent shower gel smells fresh without being too sugary and leaves skin soft.

King & Queens products are sold at Beauty.com, Fred Segal, and Skinstore.com.

Total Beauty Web Tour

Viva Woman found out that extra virgin olive oil is perfect for moisturizing dry hands!

Beauty411 checks out the new Fekkai Salon Color. Will this at-home haircolor make the cut?

Beauty Secrets Revealed shares the Easiest DIY Blackhead Removal Recipe.

Nur @ I Love Looking Good thinks The Body Shop Cheek Bloom in Desert Rose is very pretty.

Makeup Bag went to the Sundance Film Festival! Check out all the celebrity sightings and tips on how to recreate their makeup looks at Makeup Bag.

Beauty Anonymous brings you Givenchy Spring 2009 Limited-edition Collection.

It's time to do it yourself! Head on over to Makeup Files and learn how to give yourself a French manicure from the comfort of your fabulous home.

You are personally invited by CaliforniaCosmetics to the Origins Youthtopia Facial Event! Complimentary facials, refreshments, gifts, and a chance to win a giveaway prize worth $177.00!!

Beauty Junkies Unite goes a little retro in the haircare department. Does Aussie haircare still have it like they did back then?

Beauty's SPOT dyes her hair down there with BettyBeauty. Who doesn't want paraben-free, amonium-free, hair dye for their who-ha?

I Heart Heels is in love with Cat Cosmetics, created by One Life to Live star Catherine Hickland. Read the interview here!

The Makeup Divas tells you about three high performing hair products that will keep your color/highlighted hair looking it's best.

Fabulous Over Forty tests Maybelline XXL Volume and Length mascara. See if it meets or exceeds her expectations.

Monique at Beauty Girl Musings shares her love of a new product that is keeping her hair in fabulous condition! Find out what it is!

Alison of the Advice Sisters is really trying to exercise and eat healthy, but just in case that fails, she's discoveredother ways to slim your shape, instantly!

Indian Girl has the best frizz control product for the cast of LOST and a Giveaway for you !

Girl-Woman-Beauty-Brains-Blog had another Manic Monday and is giving away a necklace valued at $200. Enter now!

Get Softlips in time for Valentine's Day. Enter the GIVEAWAY to win free Softlips PURE.

The girls over at Beauty in Real Life are having another giveaway. Click here for your chance to win an Anastasia Highlighting Brow Kit!

Michelle Obama Wears a Yellow Dress by Isabel Toledo & Inaugural Ball Gown Designed by Jason Wu-by Talking Makeup!

The Beauty Alchemist shows swatched and photos of Guerlain Spring 09 collection.

eye4style kisses problem skin goodbye with the new exfoliating cleanser from Kiss My Face. Check out her review here!

Want to win a great Softlips prize pack? Bare Budget Beauty is giving you the chance to win one! Click here!

Beauty Blogging Junkie interviewed LOST's makeup artist Emily Katz. Click here to find out how she creates and a natural looking "island look" and keeps the ladies of LOST shine-free on-set!

Boutique Flair reviews something you can plan your outfit, hair and makeup around! You'll be a trendsetting fashionista if you win this set of bracelets from 1928 Jewelry! Good luck!

Glossypink has incorporated oil into her cleansing routine--how about you?

Blaq Vixen Beauty recently had an opportunity to review the best tweezers in the cosmetic industry ! Find out why On-Makeup Magazine boasted these tweezers as a "comprehensive and beautifully crafted collection."

Spoiled Pretty is hosting two amazing giveaways this week: five winners will receive a Freeze 24-7 Jet Set Travel Kit and three lucky ladies will win a lotta good hair days, thanks to No Frizz by Living Proof.

Partied too hard? Drank too much wine? Got puffy eyes? ThisThatBeauty says TRY THIS!!!

Hot Beauty Health reveals how to get smooth and healthy skin on a tight budget.

Beauty Am Eye discovers face wipesthat will banish breakouts!makeup loves me shares her secret to making her (dyed) red hair stay red!

Moshida Man Reviews Aveda Men Pure-formance Grooming Clay

Moshida Man is back with another review, ladies and gents! Missed the first? Click here to read his thoughts on Kiehl's Ultimate Brushless Shave Cream.

It is the opinion of the court that the top of a man's head is the American midwest of grooming, frequently underappreciated for its versatility and progeny, and furthermore usually lost to the rigors of time and genetics. You just can't be everywhere at once. We feel sometimes that the hat was created by men, for men. As a graduate of the Pompadour School of Product, I can vouch for the importance of a smidgen of grooming product in just about any man's frock of hair. The key word here is "difference." I think we, as men, should keep that word in place when considering ourselves before leaving the house. Ask yourself the question, "What difference does a little product make?" before you part from the morning mirror. You do have a mirror, don't you?

Alright Dorian Gray, here's where it's at from the world of my medicine cabinet. Aveda Men Pure-formance Grooming Clay. Spicy, some reviewers call it, with an honest matte finish, and when used properly (practice makes perfect), good on the ends just as much as the base of your follicles. The scent won't attract bees, something I found difficult in the early days of my coif, and the ladies or men will notice, here's another grooming word for you: the subtlety of its effect. Subtlety, gentlemen, hangs on the great keychain of grooming. Moshida Man says if you can't get it without going gaudy, then you don't deserve to have it. Aveda has taken their men's products to another helpful level, introducing comments into their product web page. They also do a lot of explaining, which men enjoy.

So, if you're spending time at Duane Reade or CVS in a crouch, looking at the array of strange fluorescent containers filled with goop, and then you're actually putting this in your hair, think twice, buddy, and follow the link above to Aveda's website. Cruise around their other Pure Performance Collection products, and don't forget conditioner, ever. Hair product is generally a waste without a strong scalp and reinforced follicles. Say it with me: follicles. Now go look it up.
--MM

Pure Yoga Offers a Free Workshop to the Public in Honor of National Yoga Day

Want to try out Pure Yoga (the space is GORGE) for FREE? Read on, dolls!

When: January 24, 2009 from 2 PM – 5 PM

Where: Pure Yoga 203 E. 86^th St.

What: This afternoon workshop will teach you how to get back in sync with your body rhythms and renew your source of energy. The workshop will encompass a blend of lecture with Frank Lipman, MD and practical asana movement applications from Spent, lead by Frank and Pure's own Jodi Stuart.

Free: This event is free to the public. There is a suggested donation of $20 to benefit the Urban Zen Foundation www.urbanzen.org

To Register: Contact Pure Yoga at 212.3601.1888

H20 Plus "Paradise Found" Sweepstakes

H20 Plus has partnered with The Islands Of The Bahamas for a “Paradise Found” Sweepstakes! It's very John Milton of the brand, n'est-ce pas? Here are the deets: Now through February 12, 2009, H20 Plus customers can enter for their chance to relax, rejuvenate and re-energize with an unforgettable five-night vacation for two to Kamalame Cay Resort in the Bahamas. Located just off the coast of Andros Island, Kamalame Cay is a 96-acre private island hideaway with three miles of white sand beaches. The resort features Caribbean cuisine, a freshwater pool and some of the best fishing and diving in The Bahamas.

The Grand Prize “Paradise Found” sweepstakes package includes roundtrip airfare for two, luxurious accommodations, two complimentary massages at The Spa at Kamalame Cay, as well as H2O Plus skincare and spa essentials and much more.

Three runners up will receive H20 Plus’ newest, limited-edition body collection, Bali Breeze. The four-piece line offers a paradise at-home experience with its juicy mango and creamy coconut blend combined with marine botanicals for island inspired hydration.

To enter the “Paradise Found” Sweepstakes, customers can visit any H20 Plus retailer or visit the H20 Plus website www.h20plus.com, where you can browse information about The Islands Of The Bahamas, as well as read the Sweepstakes’ terms and official rules.

Good luck!

LOST Analysis: Let's Do The Time Warp Dance.

Doc Jensen (who I want to BE when I grow up) pointed out that the show's title "Because You Left" refers to non sci-fi embracing (fairweather, in my opinion) LOST fans dropping off either last season or the season prior. I.e., because you left, we've now made it a full-on sci-fi SITUATION. And I'm totally into it. And obv, you, my geequals, are too. So on with the analysis. Here's what I've got.

A clock showing the time 8:15AM (two of the NUMBERS! HA! These people think we're amateurs) opens the premiere. The Dr. Pierre Chang/Marvin Candle/Mark Wickman/Edgar Halliwax opening scene is highly reminiscent of Desmond's opening scene of the season 2 premiere in the hatch. Except, you know, that was totes novel at the time, and this somehow felt a bit like the writers were calling it in. Least riveting season opener yet, guys. I have high hopes for this season (there's nothing I adore more than time travel) but compared to the other season openers... this one fell a bit flat. I mean, Desmond in the hatch, followed by the tailies, followed by Otherville, etc. Faraday as one of the Dharma Initiative-ers was kind of impressive. But overall, I wasn't as jazzed about the opening scene as I usually am. But then again, LOST is like pizza, isn't it? Even when it's bad... it's still good.

I did, however, enjoy that Pierre/Marvin/Mark/Edgar's record (which plays Willie Nelson's Shotgun Willie) starts skipping foreshadowing the skipping through time the castaways are in for. It's all very Quantum Leap, n'est-ce pas?

Some things I noticed in the two episodes in no particular order:

Did Sawyer gain a little baby bit of weight? Is he eating his feelings due to separation anxiety from Kate?

The dad from My So-Called Life is one of the lawyers who comes to get blood samples from Aaron and Kate. BT dubs, his name is Dan Norton (on the show). Some googling tells me that Dan Norton is a comic book artist who broke through with Dark Horse. "Make sure to pack your True Religions, Kate," my friend Lauren remarked as Kate threw stuff in a suitcase. Hilar.

Did you catch the references to Weekend at Bernie's (unconscious Sayid rocking shades in Hurley's car) and Garden State (when Sayid kills the dude on the open dishwasher)?

Thank the Lawd the Faux Steve Buscemi/Neil was killed right off. I have no time for that dude's annoying personality all season long.

I believe off-island John Locke took something to make him appear dead, Romeo and Juliet-style. Perhaps something to make his heart stop temporarily. Tale as old as time...

Eyeliner Richard ISN'T wearing eyeliner. It's just so hard to accept. P.S. Emily told me that Nestor appreciated her dispelling the rumor that he rocks guyliner. And she told me HE READ THIS BLOG. Eyeliner Richard (sorry, Nestor - I can't stop calling you that) READ BBJ. In the words of Rachel Zoe, I die. But anyway, is it not wild that Eyeliner Richard gave Locke his compass, one of the items he showed Locke in his Dalai Lama test from back in the day?

I think that at some point in time (ha!) during these flashes, the losties are GOING to run into their counterparts in an earlier timeline just as Marty McFly did in Back to the Future II.

Hurley's shih tzu shirt was pure comic GENIUS.

Desmond needs to go back to Oxford University to find Faraday's mother, who is clearly Ms. Hawking.

Some questions:

Nice bonded teeth, Ana Lucia. What dentist are you seeing in the afterlife?

Who is Jill, the butcher?

Why does Sun show Kate a pic of a baby Ji-Yeon, who should be about 3 by this point?

If the castaways are toggling through time, does that mean that Locke will at some point lose the use of his legs (unless that's already happened thanks to Ethan) and Rose will again be sick thanks to course correcting?

And the REAL question: Why is that sexy Jack driving that fachachta chocolate mousse jeep? Can't that dude get a better car? He's a doctor AND a millionaire. For the love.

See you next week, LOST fans! Until then, it's hairspray and lipgloss.

Toodles,
Amber

Image credit: lostpedia.org

Coming Soon: CoverGirl LashBlast Luxe

I love me some CG LashBlast, as you well know. So I was, natch, THRILLED to hear about CoverGirl's new launch, LashBlast Luxe! Who doesn't love a new luxe spin on an old fave? Not me, dolls. Not me.

The new formula is composed of shimmer metallics added to the original phenom formula which sit on the surface of each lash to add a hint of attention-grabbing shimmer to each lash. It includes the same patented moldtrusion brush designed to hold enough mascara to create a FAN of fringe.

The mascara is smear- and smudge-proof, yet washes away easily with soap and water. Lastly, the formula is enhanced with four irridescent finishes of black-platinum (silver), cabernet (red), royale (blue), and emerald (green).

CG LashBlast Luxe will be sold at mass market retail outlets in February for $8. Stay tuned for my review of it!

Shade Range:
Black Emerald
Black Platinum
Black Pearl
Black Cabernet
Black Royale

My gal Erika has SWATCHES of the LashBlast Luxe colors. Check it out here.

Olivia Palermo Eyelashes: Get The Look

As I am consumed by all things Olivia Palermo, I HAD to share Glamour's coverage in their weekly newsletter (P.S. if you don't subscribe, get on top of that, Rose) of exactly HOW she gets those Bambi lashes. Thanks for keeping us informed, Andrea Pomerantz Lustig! Check it:

Luxe-looking eyelashes (for under $10!)

I had the pleasure of interviewing The City's gorgeous breakout star Olivia Palermo for a recent issue of Glamour and got the secret to her stunning eye makeup--which she does herself! The MTV star and Manhattan socialite told me she swears by Revlon Fantasy Lengths Maximum Wear eyelashes. They're self-adhesive, which means there's no messy glue involved. They're a little like stick-on nails for your eyes--and they retail for about $6. It doesn't get cheaper--or chicer--than that!

Source: Glamour

Freeze 24-7 Deal at Henri Bendel

It's a Freeze-24-7 kind of WEEK at BBJ! Check out this deal for New Yorkers from January 20th through the 26th at Henri Bendel's below. Click to enlarge. Enjoy!



You're welcome,
Amber

P.S. LOST fans, can you EVEN wait for the premiere tonight? I'm DYING in anticipation. I'll be recapping it manana, lest you worry! Need a mini reminder of the events of the season 4 finale? Check my recap here.

Allure's Latest Free Stuff Blowout

For the entire month of January, Allure is offering the chance to score services with 92 experts in 14 cities, including hairstylists Serge Normant, Adir Abergal, and Oribe; colorists Rita Hazan, Tracey Cunningham, and Billy Ruiz; makeup artist Tonya Crooks; and trainer David Kirsch.

There are 739 free offerings worth $146,676 in total.

Click here for additional details and to enter.

Image credit: Allure

The Elemis SpaPod Power Booster Facial at Bergdorf Goodman

Happy Wednesday, dolls! Yesterday, I journeyed on uptown (and felt very Olivia Palermo about it) for a 30-minute facial at the Elemis Spa at Bergdorf Goodman.

I have to admit: I was a bit apprehensive about getting a facial yesterday mere hours before I had a date... normally, I'd consider that bad idea jeans. But let's be serious: When mama needs a facial, mama needs a facial. You know? And I'd had the facial scheduled first. I took a chance knowing I could POTENSH be splotchy for this date. Who knew? I'd never had a facial there. You never know what kind of skin situation you'll be left with. I have to say, the results are good and I left with super smooth date-ready skin.

But the best part of the SpaPod? The FULL BODY MASSAGE CHAIR. The SpaPod's Intelligent Massage Chair measures the length of the spine, takes your body weight, warms the body and delivers a customized massage program using a variety of techniques on the calves, legs, buttocks, back and neck – basically the ultimate quick indulgence. It even does your feet. It's fantastic. I want to BUY one for my APARTMENT.

Before giving me the sarong to rock as a tube top (it's so the facial can be extended to your shoulders and decolletage), the lovely Irene, my aesthetician, asked me if I was pregnant before letting me get in the chair. I'm not (obv), which I informed her, but I had to wonder, what kind of CHAIR is this if you can't be in it when you're PG? I mean, it simply massages you. Maybe it's too intense if you're with child? Perhaps bad for your blood pressure? Who knows. I quickly forgot about it because I was undergoing the massage listening to Enya (Storms in Africa! Is there a better spa song?) whilst Irene began the treatment. The treatment included an enzymatic papain fruit extract and White truffle mask, which helps to remove the thickening layer of the epidermis. Lest you be confused, this is a RELAXING facial. It's not a get-down-to-business/remove-all-the-gunk-you're-harboring-in-your-pores-facial. For that, you'll either need to book 60 minutes with Irene, or go to the fantastic Brandy at Xac Anthony.

The only scary part is returning to the Bergdorf Beauty Level without your "face" on. This terrified me, as I am a person who wears makeup EVERYWHERE except for the gym, the beach, and Starbucks circa 11am on a Sunday. But, as you know, that can be easily remedied at BG. I headed swiftly over to the Prescriptives counter where I was able to primp pre-date. Perf!

The 30-minute Power Booster Facial costs $55. Book your Elemis facial (with Irene!) at 212-872-2821.

Barbie Loves Stila Cans: You Can Still Buy Them

As you know (because I told you), the Barbie Loves Stila collection has been posted on Sephora.com since January 14th. BUT, the beauty cans were listed as “Temporarily Out of Stock.”
The glitch has been resolved and the beauty cans are now available for purchase on Sephora.com! Yay for happy endings.

In other news, I know I've already shared this, but I CONTINUE to love Remi (my Remington Airwave Blow-dryer). As Tamar and I joke (except this time, I'm serious), "I feel like? I'm obsessed with it." Some tips I've figured out as I've become more famil with Remi:

1. Don't be afraid to put way more than an inch of hair into the tunnel. Remi can handle it. (Can't you, Remi?)

2. Lean your head in the direction of the dryer to minimize frizz

3. Get your part situated before sectioning off and drying the top/crown part of hair

My roommate is also totes obsessed. In her words: "It's like this. It's one of the best things to come out of technology. You have the Internet. And then you have THIS BLOW-DRYER. And then there's DVR. That's it."

I couldn't have said it better myself.

Get the Look: Ashley Judd, Karolina Kurkova, and Denise Richards at Sundance

Straight from my inbox, dolls:

Hair stylist Ward Stegerhoek for Living Proof NO FRIZZ heated up the Sundance Film Festival with looks for Ashley Judd, Karolina Kurkova, and Denise Richards.

Ashley Judd: Attended the Premier of her new movie Helen
THE LOOK: A soft '50s style wave

HOW TO GET THE LOOK: Ward suggests using about 15-20 sprays of Living Proof NO FRIZZ CREAM starting at the roots and working towards the ends.

Ward combed NO FRIZZ through his fingers to make sure it was evenly distributed. He then blew the hair straight and added rollers to create Ashley’s natural '50s wave. For volume, Ward elevated her hair by applying the heat directly to the roots. He then used a large curling iron to enhance some of the curls.


Karolina Kurkova: Attended the screening of The September Issue
THE LOOK: Karolina wanted a look that was soft and straight with a bit of body

HOW TO GET THE LOOK: Ward used No Frizz Straight Making Styling Spray. After applying the product completely, Ward started at the roots, gently combed the brush through the hair one section at a time, aiming the blow-dryer down the hair shaft. Ward kept the tension of the brush consistent and evenly distributed heat over each section of her hair, making the hair straight and beautiful.


Denise Richards: Attended the premiere of her new movie Finding Bliss
THE LOOK: Naturally glamorous big, healthy waves

HOW TO GET THE LOOK: Ward suggests using about 20-30 sprays of Living Proof NO FRIZZ starting at the roots and working towards the ends. Ward suggests using less if your hair is shorter, but regardless of your hair length make sure to fully saturate it.

Ward used a diffuser with a large round brush and a curling iron. He started on the sides of the hair and divided it in sections. He began on one side; winding the hair around the brush while holding the dryer in place next to the hair. This held the wave and led to a smooth finish. The wave shaping spray contains a light holding polymer to help curls remaine defined throughout the day.

I LOVE Denise's waves. What say you? And P.S. in case you missed it, here are some of Denise's fave makeup products!

LOST Makeup Artist Emily Katz Answers BBJ's Burning Beauty Questions

I am SO excited to share with you the rest of my interview with LOST Makeup Department Supervisor, Emily Katz! Emily is truly one of the sweetest, most genuine people I've dealt with in the industry and she provided me (and you!) with some fantastic information about how she gets the ladies (and men!) of LOST ready for their respective close-ups. How does she deal with creating natural-looking makeup that doesn't run in the hot Hawaii clime? What products does she use when shooting in HD? Read on and find out!

Beauty Blogging Junkie: Can you tell me a bit about your background and how you ended up working as a makeup artist for LOST?

Emily Katz: My work began as a fine artist, and I am a watercolorist to this day. I also sculpt. To encapsulate a very long tale: I modeled in the haute couture world of runway, and was recognized in that realm as I was executing makeup. Fashion led to movies and television, and ultimately to LOST. I've been doing movie/television makeup for over 20 years! I also have my esthetician and esthetician instructor licenses. I am medical level although I do not practice actively in that field; I just get to invoke my expertise in skin onto the makeup world that I inhabit.

BBJ: I read that you love Benefit's She Laq ($30, pictured, left), and I do, too! What other products do you recommend for natural looks that still look gorgeous onscreen?

EK: SheLaq is a absolute must have. It just rocks. Period! Benefit also makes a terrific sheer foundation called Some Kind-A Gorgeous ($28) that comes in Deep and Light, which I use on a couple of the lead women solely. And on a lot of guest stars. It is ever-so-natural and light as a feather.

BBJ: What are your top tips for applying natural-looking makeup?

EK: Funnily enough, we use a lot of Chapstick ($2) on set: the Vanilla Mint, the Moisturizing, the Cherry, the Strawberry... everyone has a different favorite! There are a couple other lip balms we throw in the mix: Neutrogena ($7) and Blistex Complete Moisture. The balms we use provide the right amount of mattification without looking ridiculous. We also use Kiehl's Lip Balm #1 ($7), Smith's Rosebud Salve ($6), B. Kamins Lip SPF 20 ($19), and Shiseido Protective Lip Conditioner. The cardinal rule: if it's shiny, it's not used for the "island look," as we call it.

BBJ: How do you do a nude/natural lip that still doesn't look washed-out on-screen?

EK: We use A LOT of the aforementioned Chapstick. That's pretty much it unless one of the ladies is freezing and I balance her lipcolor with CHANEL Precision Lip Definer in Natural ($28), which is about as nude as it gets! Stila also has a great pencil that reads as very natural.

BBJ: What new products have you added to your arsenal to accommodate for blu_ray/high definition TVs?

EK: We don't shoot in HD, so I address our work as filmic. HD essentially magnifies four times more than our eyes naturally see and the reflective sheen under the skin is enhanced. I found a couple of products that translate well into real life from that experience. Frankly, it was requiring a much heavy hand in some areas than I gravitate toward. But when I do work with HD, I like to use Make Up For Ever HD Powder ($30). It's fantastic, sheer, can you build on it without it getting cakey. One thing about HD, makeup and powder build-up looks really awful. I also like Jurlique Rose Silk Powder ($36) for setting the makeup for most of the women on the show. I use RCMA No Color Powder ($8) to set the actresses who have allergies to scent, (Jurlique's fragrances are all natural, it is a gorgeous product, and, as all their products are, green!) and for the guys that I do.

Another trick is to use blotting papers before touch-up powder. I do this on LOST for the clean glow that I favor. It works for real life too, as it diminishes shine and reduces amount of powder needed. If you want a velvety matte finish, the powder after the blot.

For on-set touch-ups, I use CHANEL Pressed Powder ($43) or MAC Blot Powders ($21). I found in true HD, however, the CHANEL and MAC weren't dense enough. CARGO makes a great HD Blush/Highlighter ($27). It can be too light for many as just blush, but it offers a beautiful color on top of a cream blush.

BBJ: What is the greatest challenge you've faced thus far working on the show?

EK: One of the greatest challenges I've faced on the show is the actual environment we work in. We sometimes have to sit in the jungle in the rain or damp humidity for several hours and all the cast have to keep their "look" consistent throughout some rather long shooting days. In addition, most of the women are actually quite pale, and it's a challenge to "keep their levels up," as we say on the show, so as not to break the consistency and 'reality' we've created so there's no false note to any viewer's eye. With the heat, humidity, bug spray, sweat spray (water) and sunscreens repeatedly sprayed on top of and under the makeup, it's been challenging to find something to stay on with durability throughout the day, look great, and not send the actresses' skin to the moon with irritation.That's one of the reasons SheLaq has become one of my best friends and is now an ABSOLUTE! I no longer deal with running mascara.

But with all the environmental/situational challenges, I really enjoy the cast, who have got to be collectively, some of the most wonderful people I've worked with thus far in my career, particularly as a unit. The work is an adventure too, as I get to execute beauty and distressed looks which all have to be totally believable and seamless. There is no opportunity for our work to look false at any moment. I work hand-in-hand with my colleagues who help create some of the most fantastically brilliant work on television.

Though the climate presents challenges, I do love being in Hawaii. Even if the day is seeming crummy, one look out at the ocean at the turtles and whales, and well, it becomes a grand day after all! The people of Hawaii have been the most gracious hosts to us, and it is an experience I will treasure my entire life.

BBJ: Can you give me a run-down of your most-used products on-set other than any you've already mentioned?

EK: Here's a list of my favorite items to use on-set:

LaMer the Concentrate ($350)

L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara Waterproof ($7)

Estee Lauder Illusionist Waterproof Mascara: it's discontinued, but I love it!

Clarins Eye Balm ($48): We call it 'the de-poufer' cause it REALLY works and doesn't irritate eyes, nor is it blue or tinted! I carry it in my purse always.

Clinique Line Smoothing Concealer ($14, pictured above)

Jurlique Sun Lotion SPF 30+ ($58)

Jan Marini Sunscreen ($50)

Stila Rouge Pots ($20)

MAC Moistureblend SPF 15 ($29)

Make Up For Ever Face and Body Makeup ($38)

Pevonia Evolution Eyecream ($60)

La Roche-Posay Eye Gel ($27)

Anthelios Sunscreens ($30)

Julie Hewett Lipsticks: especially in Nude Noir- Julie Hewett's reds are to die for as well.

Actifirm's Hot Stop After Sun Flame Quencher ($38): This stuff has mitigated sunburns that were furious. Their product line is pretty incredible and the After Sun is more than anything I ever expected. It rocks.

THANK you to Emily for providing such thorough, thoughtful answers to my questions! Check out her work when you watch the LOST season 5 premiere TOMORROW, January 21st at 8pm. The phenom Jeff Jensen has alluded in EW to the fact that there will be much time travel involved in this season. I couldn't be more into it if I TRIED.