Retrodiva's Beauty Bar: 5/3/09

L'Oreal Paris Double Extend Beauty Tubes Wins CEW Insider's Award

L'Oréal Paris’ Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara, a breakthrough in eyelash lengthening, has been recognized with the industry’s highest honor, taking home a Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW) Beauty Insider’s Choice Award for best in category, Makeup: Eye Product, Mass.

Awarded for its innovative “tubing” technology, Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara creates the look of salon lash extensions for up to 80 percent visibly longer lashes.

I tried the Double Extend, and it is a good, solid mascara, just not my favorite, and the main reason is the amount of time it takes to get the formula off your lashes. While I'm familiar with and like many of the "tube" mascaras out there, this one seems to require a lot more effort on my part to take off at night. It does, however, give you nice thick lashes, and it doesn't smudge, flake, or smear at all.

You can grab this one just about anywhere for the reasonable price of about $11.

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What is New and Hot in the World of Beauty

Whether it’s a wireless device, or an app that does it all, we’re always on the search for the latest and greatest. Beauty companies, of course, are no different; they’re constantly researching and uncovering new ingredients, technologies, and innovations that keep our beauty routine on the cutting edge. It’s safe to say that in the not-so-far future we’ll be seeing refrigerated vanities, robot hair washing machines and smarter ingredients that work with your specific DNA, says Jeanine Recckio, beauty futurologist and trendcaster for Mirror, Mirror Inc. Curious about what will be happening next year and beyond? Here’s a sneak peek of top trends in the making:

Hot Ingredients: Keep an eye on growth factors, such as TGF beta, TNS and PSP. These super-peptides are gaining more momentum, because they stimulate cells to produce collagen. “I believe they are only going to get better than what we’re seeing right now, once we learn more information about the types that are good for skin,” says Dr. Leslie Baumann, director of Cosmetic Medicine and Research Institute at University of Miami. Another one to watch: Astaxanthin, an antioxidant that’s up to 1000 times more potent than Vitamin E. It’s found in algae, has similar benefits to a retinoid, and in one study, decreased hyperpigmentation by more than 40%.

Feed Your Face: More beneficial food ingredients, like probotics found in supplements and yogurt, will make their way into skin creams and serums, says Mintel, a leading market research company . Probiotics--the “good” bacteria that stunt the growth of “bad” bacteria –have been touted for improving digestion and boosting immunity. Now it’s possible that when applied topically, the bacteria can help skin too. Look for these microbes in skincare to prevent breakouts, infections and conditions like eczema. And a few beauty companies are testing probiotics for anti-aging benefits, such as improving skin tone, firmness and collagen production. The science is new, and dermatologists believe more research is needed to make the link between probiotics and youthful skin, but you may see more “bacteria” ingredient anti-aging creams as early as next year.

Look for the Light: The do-it-yourself trend is still holding strong, especially as the economy forces women to look for ways to include spa-only treatments in their beauty routine, minus the hefty cost. Following on the success of handheld LED devices that zap pimples or remove unwanted hair, beauty companies are exploring similar light and heat technology for aging skin. The devices claim to improve skin tone or firm up wrinkles by stimulating collagen, much like the lasers or LED lights you’d find in a dermatologist’s office. While some have already been spotted on store shelves, there are even more in development, says Baumann. “The jury is still out on how well they work, but it looks promising,” she adds.

Wear It Well: Once only popular in Europe, caffeine-infused shapers and pantyhose are gaining steam in the US. Right now, “cosmetic clothing” is limited mostly to undergarments that target cellulite, but new technology in France is bottling the concept. The lotions can be applied to any article of clothing, and aren’t restricted to cellulite toning. Here’s how it works: Add one of the three lotions that each have a different benefit (moisturizing, toning cellulite or refreshing tired legs) into a load of wash. During the wash cycle, the fabric becomes coated with microcapsules that are wrapped in silicone. Once you put on the clothes, the silicone breaks down (from the friction created by the fabric touching your skin); the capsules open up and spread onto your skin, which absorbs them like any topical cream or lotion. The lotions are only available in Europe now, but keep an eye out for them to reach US shores in the near future.

Still Spending: Good news in a weak economy-beauty products continue to be a must-have, according to Mintel. In turn, “cosmetic companies are quickly responding to the needs of the recessionista,” states Taya Tomasello, senior analyst for Mintel Beauty Innovation. “Effective and affordable multi-use products and products offering convenience allow women to continue using their favorite brands, but at a reduced cost.” Companies are zeroing in on makeup and skincare with multiple benefits and performances. What you can expect: Anti-aging ingredients, like peptides and rare antioxidants, will be in everything from blush to shadows. Already debuted in the past few months, are peptide-infused undereye concealers, anti-aging shadows that minimize lines and mascaras that help lashes grow thicker and longer. More multi-use makeup will reach store shelves and beauty counters this fall and next year.

Thanks to BeautyPress.com for the information!

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Don't Forget to Enter the Giveaway!

I'll be picking a winner on Tuesday for five copies of Charla Krupp's new book How Not to Look Old. Don't forget to head over there and enter!

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Beauty Bubbles: More on the 2000 Calorie Lash Plumper

2000 Calorie Extreme Lash Plumper Beauty Tips

Maximize the impact of your eyes with these glam-boosting how-tos

If you've got it, flaunt it! Draw more attention to your eye-catching eyes with these expert-approved beauty tips -- perfect for your next night on the town.

See tips

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Vera Wang's Limited Edition Rock Princess

Okay, I admit it. I am a complete sucker for limited edition anything. Seriously, if I know that it won't be available forever, then I'm going to kill myself to get out there and buy it. Hopefully I'm not so frenzied that I forget to try it first, but you never know with me. That is why MAC gets so many of my dollar dollar bills, yo.

Vera Wang Rock Princess sounds lovely, although I haven't actually smelled it yet. But since Macy's is having a one-day sale (again, like every other Saturday), I'll have to seek it out. It's considered a dark fruity floral and was created by Calice Becker for the Givaudan perfume house.

Notes:

Top: white peach, raspberry, bergamot
Mid: heliotrope, rose petals, spicy floral, jasmine, lily
Base: cashmere woods, musk, iris, coconut

The eau de toilette spray (3.4 oz) retails for $72 at major department stores.

Have you tried it? What do you think? Is it interesting and different? That is what I'm always looking for in a fragrance.

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It's Prom Season

Do you remember your prom? Mine was a long time ago, but I remember exactly how important it was.

Prom is a rite of passage for many high school juniors and seniors, one that they and their parents are still willing to invest in regardless of the economic climate, according a recent survey by DailyMakeover.com. In April, DailyMakeover.com surveyed female prom goers and found more than half of the respondents reported planning to spend at least $300 on their prom look, including makeup and a dress. .

Seventy percent of the respondents attending prom in 2009 are planning to have their hair professionally styled. According to 63 percent the respondents, the cost will be $50 or more. As for makeup, a quarter of the respondents will have their makeup professionally applied. Of those, more than half (57%) anticipate spending less than $50. While hair and makeup account for much of the cost involved in looking good for prom, the dress is an essential necessity. Forty percent of the respondents plan to spend between $100-200 on a prom dress, while 35 percent report planning to spend more than $200.

Additional Findings: Popular Looks for Prom
· The most popular hairstyles for 2009 are a loose, casual chic updo (30%) and down and straight (29%)
· Nearly 40 percent of respondents planned to wear their makeup light and natural on prom night, while a quarter of the respondents sought a more dark and dramatic look
· A quarter of the prom goers were not planning to emulate any celebrity looks this year
· The most popular celebrities prom goers planned to emulate this year were Taylor Swift and Vanessa Hudgens

The survey was conducted online in April and includes responses from 400 girls attending prom in 2009.

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Product Review: 2000 Calorie Extreme Lash Plumper

I'm all about a volumizing mascara. I have my favorites, but I'm always willing to try a new one just to see if it gives me the thickness that I'm looking for. I just don't get excited about lengthening formulas, but start talking about volume and you have my complete attention.

I had the opportunity to try the 2000 Calorie Extreme Lash Plumper, and I liked it. The brush is a plastic one that helps build volume, and the black formula is nice and thick without too much clumping.

I could keep talking about it, but I figured that it would be helpful to show some pictures. Here is my lashes in their natural, boring state (and not often seen in public, thankyouverymuch).

Now here they are with three coats of the 2000 Calorie Extreme Lash Plumper:

And here my eyes are open:

I liked the results. I thought it delivered excellent volume, and it was easy to remove with basic non-waterproof eye makeup remover. I would probably pick it up in the waterproof version, because when I'm dealing with allergies, my mascara has a tendency to get messy.

2000 Calorie Extreme Lash Plumper is available at CVS and Ulta, I'm told. It retails for about $9.99.

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Estee Lauder Introduces Dual-Action Refinishing Treatment

I am really excited about this one. Any skin treatments that focus on exfoliation and refinishing are right up my alley!

This is a brand new treatment that is aimed to give you an alternative to microdermabrasion and 30% glycolic peels. It uses a new thermal technology to get into the pores and release the buildup of sebum and impurities - both of which can cause breakouts and problem skin. The Microsphere Refinishing System then sweeps away the impurities. While that is going on, you have glucosamine and salycilic acid working on the lower levels of the skin to help skin cell turnover.

All in all, some of the very best things you can do to exfoliate and replenish skin.

Dual-Action Refinishing Treatment will be available starting in May and will retail for $49.50 and is available at all Estee Lauder counters.