Are You a Fan of Celeb Fragrances?


If you hadn't heard, Mariah Carey is releasing her second fragrance, Forever, soon. It is supposed to be in over 2,000 department stores stateside including Macys, Dillards, and Belks.

The top notes include neroli, lotus blossom and dewy green apple, while the heart is made up of tuberose and gardenia. The drydown is white musk and exotic woods.

The bottle looks pretty, and supposedly was created with Mariah's love of art deco. You can read more about the fragrance at WWD online - they have an excellent article.

So, weigh in - are you a fan of celeb fragrances? Are there any that really reach out and grab you? I personally don't have any, although I do have several designer's fragrances, such as Marc Jacobs and Michael Kors. I almost think that my tastes have grown too complex for department store fragrances, except in rare instances, much to the dismay of my wallet.

Prescriptives Releases Their Fall Collection: Well Suited

The fall collections just keep rolling in, and I for one absolutely love it. I adore fall - it's probably my favorite season. I know some people think it's drab compared to spring and summer, but by the time fall rolls around I'm ready to let go of the brights and focus on the dark, sultry colors that are always so beautiful on the skin.

We saw a lot of menswear-inspired fashions on the runway for fall, and Prescriptives has taken it further with their Well Suited collection. Prescriptives Director of Color Artistry Jillian Veron explains the direction behind the look:

“We all love a good lip gloss, but there is something incredibly feminine about the bold statement of a lipstick…in this collection the look of a creamy nude lipstick is accentuated by a strong eye liner...create a sharp straight line or a smudgy, sexy look, but either way you will want to line the inside rim for extra drama.”
She is clearly speaking from my soul. Lining the inside of that rim makes or breaks a smoky eye. And the colors in this collection will create gorgeous smoke on those peepers. Let's look at the eye palettes.

Warm skin tones will want to gravitate towards the Warm palette.
These colors include Silk, Bean, Olive, Moss, and Espresso. The espresso shade was created to line and define the eyes, while the rest can be mixed and matched to create your own unique look.

Cool skin tones should look to the Cool palette.
These plum-based shades include Shell, Velour, Pinstripe, Cassis, and Blackberry. Use the Blackberry to line the eyes, and the rest for shading.

If neither of these color schemes appeal to you, you can always go for the Neutral palette.
This one is my favorite. Champagne, Clove, Sultry, Storm shade the eyes while Jet is perfect for lining. Although Jet can always be used as the basis for a gorgeous smoky eye.

To finish up those eyes, Prescriptives has a new Longwear Kohl Liner that glides on, then sets for a long, smudge-resistant, waterproof wear. Goes from inner rim to outer lashline for a look that lasts all day. Comes in Black Kohl, Slate Kohl, Brown Kohl, Blue Kohl.

Another new product for this collection is the translucent, silky-light Well-Suited Finishing Powder helps set makeup, gives skin subtle luminosity and a smooth finish.

Wrapping up the collection are the new lipcolors: Colorscope Lipcolor glides on smoothly, feels lightweight and provides extraordinary shine, leaving lips looking glossy and feeling moist and comfortable. Available in Posh Nude, Posh Pink, Posh Honey, Posh Ginger.

Will you be picking up any of the Prescriptives fall collection this year?

Women's Health Magazine Posts Third Annual Best of Beauty Winners

Women's Health mag has posted their third annual best of beauty winners. This year the beauty product winners are separated into four categories – face/skincare, hair, body, and makeup – notably this year’s beauty picks are separated into reader, expert, and editor picks. Do you see any you love?

HAIR
Readers’ Picks
Best Shampoo: Pantene Pro-V Beautiful Lengths Shampoo, $4, at drugstores
Best Conditioner: Pantene Pro-V Ice Shine Conditioner, $4, cvs.com
Best At-Home Hair Color: L’Oreal Paris Feria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Haircolour, $10, lorealparis.com
Best Styling Product: Aveda Smooth Infusion Style-Prep Smoother, $24, aveda.com for stores.

Experts’ Picks
Best Curl Enhancing/Shaping Product: Bumble and Bumble Curl Conscious Defining Crème, $27, 1-888-728-6253
Best Straightening Product: Phyto Phytodefrisant, $26, phyto-usa.com for stores
Best Combination Product: Nexxus Dualiste Color Protection + Volume Shampoo and Conditioner, $12 and $16, at drugstores

Editors’ Picks
Best Mineral Shampoo and Conditioner: L’Oreal Paris EverPure Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner, $7 each, at drugstores
Best Heat Styling Product: Dove Heat Defense Therapy Mist, $4, at drugstores
Best Frizz Fighter: TRESemme Simply No Frizz Spray Gel, $5, at drugstores

BODY
Readers’ Picks
Best Body Lotion: Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion, $6, at drugstores.
Best Body Scrub/Shower Gel: Dove Body Washes with Nutrium Moisture, $4, at drugstores
Best Sunscreen: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 30, $9, at drugstores
Best Fragrance: Ralph Lauren Romance, $55, ralphlauren.com
Best Men’s Fragrance: Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio, $52.50 for 1.7 fl oz, at Macy’s stores

Experts’ Pick
Best Self-Tanner for Body: Clarins Delicious Self Tanning Cream. $42, clarinusa.com

Editors’ Pick
Best Deoderant: Secret Smooth Effects, $4, at drugstores
Sexiest New Fragrance: Estee Lauder Sensuous Parfum, $95 for o.25 oz, esteelauder.com

MAKEUP
Readers’ Picks
Best Eyeliner: CoverGirl Perfect Point Plus Pencil, $6, at drugstores
Best Eye Shadow: MAC Eye Shadow in Shroom, $15, maccosmetics.com
Best Mascara: Maybelline New York Great Lash in Blackest Black, $6, at drugstores
Best Lipstick: Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey, $14, clinique.com
Best Lip Balm: Burt’s Bees Honey Lip Balm, $3, burtsbees.com
Best Lip Gloss: MAC Lipgloss in Viva Glam VI, $14, maccosmetics.com
Best Nail Polish: OPI nail lacquer in Lincoln Park After Dark, $9, opi.com for stores
Best Blush: NARS Orgasm Blush, $25, narscosmetics.com
Best Foundation: Clinique Almost Makeup SPF 15, $20.50, clinique.com
Best Concealer: CoverGirl Invisible Concealer, $5, drugstore.com

Experts’ Picks
Best Makeup Remover: Shu Uemura Cleansing Beauty Oil, $65, shuuemura-usa.com
Best Lip-Liner: Nars Lip Liner Pencils, $20, narscosmetics.com
Best Bronzer: Guerlain Terracotta Light Sheer Bronzing Powder, $50, sephora.com
Best Pressed Powder: Chantecaille Compact Makeup Powder Foundation, $58, niemanmarcus.com
Best Shadow Palette: Dior 5-Colour Eyeshadow Palette, $56, sephora.com

Editors’ Picks
Best Nail Care Collection: Sally Hansen Quick Care Nail Treatment Pens, $10 each, at drugstores
Best Volumizing Mascara: Max Factor 2000 Calorie Extreme Lash Plumper, $10, at drugstores
Best Brow-Grooming Aid: Revlon Pre/Post Tweezing Cream, $6, at drugstores

Check out the full article, which includes WH’s FACE category, at Women's Health Magazine online.

Do you see any you want to try? Anything that surprises you?

Prevention Magazine Announces 2009 Defy Your Age Beauty Award Winners

Prevention magazine put the leading anti-aging beauty products to the test again this year and found seven products deserving of the “Defy Your Age” seal, including Olay ProX Age Repair Lotion, Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Age Shield Hand Cream and Estée Lauder Idealist Dual-Action Refinishing Treatment.

The full list of winners include:

Best Day Lotion with SPF: Olay ProX Age Repair Lotion SPF 30
This lotion contains two powerful peptides that work to smooth fine lines and firm skin by speeding the production of new collagen. ($42; drugstores) DDC reviewed.

Best Night Cream: Roc Multi-Correxion Night Treatment
Includes multitasking ingredients like retinol and vitamin C, which smooth and firm skin and lighten discoloration. ($25; drugstores)

Best Lip Treatment: Lancôme L’Absolu Rouge La Base Revitalizing Lip Treatment SPF 10
Contains Pro-Xylane, a sugar molecule that boosts production of collagen and skin’s built-in moisturizers to plump lips and diminish fine lines. ($29; lancome-usa.com)

Best Microdermabrasion Treatment: Estée Lauder Idealist Dual-Action Refinishing Treatment
This skin polisher instantly boosts brightness, decreases pore size and smoothes skin thanks to salicylic acid, glucosamine and a blend of spherical beads. ($49.50; esteelauder.com) DDC information.

Adult Acne Treatment: Avon Clearskin Professional Acne Treatment System
Unlike teenagers’ treatments, this trio of products—a scrub, a toner, and an oil-free lotion—contains humectants that soften and smooth. ($34; avon.com)

Hand Cream: Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Age Shield Hand Cream SPF 30
This cream smoothes fine lines and keeps hands soft with heavy-duty humectants and emollients; potent UV protection helps stave off future damage. ($6; drugstores)

Eye Cream: Skin Effects by Dr. Jeffrey Dover Cell 2 Cell Anti-Aging Eye Treatment
Made with hyaluronic acid, peptides and dermaxyl (a nonirritating synthetic retinoid), this cream decreases wrinkles, brown spots, and under eye darkness. ($15; CVS pharmacy)

You can log on to win all seven products (a $200 value!) at http://www.prevention.com/winbeauty

Have you tried any of these? How well did they work for you?

Slatkin and Co Candles On Sale at Bath and Body Works

Are you a candle lover like I am? I'm a bit of an addict, honestly. And while certain people may complain about my candle spending, I am almost always burning one, much to the delight of those who share my home. Except my 8 year old son, perhaps, who seems to think eau de dirty sock is pure brilliance.

I go to Slatkin & Co candles for my everyday burning habits. Doesn't that sound a bit dangerous? I know. But really - they are perfect everyday scents that don't cost you an arm and a leg, and aren't as overpowering as some fragrances (Yankee Candle, I am totally talking to you). My current favorites are Vanilla Coconut and Pineapple Orchid.

Right now you can save $3.50 on the entire collection of 4 ounce candles at Bath and Body Works. Even the fall scents. So if you're a candle shopper like I am, this would be an excellent time to stock up.

No, I don't get any free candles for mentioning this sale, although my post office box is always open! Slatkin, let's get together. Have your people call my people. We'll do lunch.

Note: I have no idea if this sale is going on in the stores. So please don't get huffy if you head out to the mall and find out that this is only online. I couldn't find anything on the Bath and Body Works website that said online only, but I'm not the kind of girl to make promises.

What Time is It? Time for Urban Decay Friends and Family


Would love to hang around and chat, but I have some shopping to do. I want to hear about your hauls, though! Remember, enter code FNFF1 at checkout for your discount.

YSL Releases their Fall Collection: Elegant, Mysterious, and Sensual

Those gray eyes are to die for, aren't they? And I am so glad to see that berry and wine hued cheeks and lips are on their way back. I've been bored with the lack of color this past season.

Let's start with the lips, because they really make this look pop. This is their Rouge Volupte Silky Sensual Lipstick in Exquisite Plum. Rouge Volupte has been winning awards all over the place, including the 2009 CEW Insider's Choice Prestige Lip Beauty Award Winner, and the 2008 Allure Best of Beauty Editors’ Choice Award Winner, Best Bright Lipstick, Rouge Volupté Lipstick in Provocative Pink #10. They are releasing four new shades this season, but I am in love with the matte look of Exquisite Plum.

On the face is the Perfect Touch Radiant Brush Foundation as well as the ever-popular (and yet untried by me) Touche Éclat Radiant Touch. There are two limited edition products in this collection, Palette Y Collector Palette for the Complexion which is both a blush and a powder shaped in the iconic Y. It can be used as a highlighter by mixing both shades or just as a blush with only the darker shade used. On the cheeks is the Creme De Blush Cream Blush in Powdery Rose. This cream blush is light and instantly melts on the cheeks for a radiant, natural finish.

On to those eyes. The new YSL Ombres 5 Lumineres 5 Color Harmony for Eyes is just to die for. In the two new releases, the eyeliner color is in the stripe down the middle, and the four satin and matte finish colors are all color coordinated for subtle tone on tone looks. The palette used in this collection is #8 Midnight, shown to the left. Finishing off the look is the Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils in..wait for it...Sublime Grey. Yes, a gray mascara. I know. I'm dying over it too.

Finish up the entire look with La Laque Long Lasting Nail Lacquer in #39 Stormy Grey. True fall perfection.

Check out the entire look and all the products at YSL Make Up Lookbook online.

Vintage Glamour Icon: Marilyn Monroe

Is there anyone more iconic than Marilyn? Here are some tips passed on to me recently that I thought you all might enjoy.

Flawless Skin: Marilyn always had a flawless, radiant complexion. Get ready for a close up with Per-fekt Skin Perfection Gel. This three-in-one primer, foundation and color corrector gives skin a matte, air-brushed look.

Blushing Bombshell: Never afraid to act the innocent, Marilyn knew the power of a subtle blush. To get a “just-pinched” look try Too Faced Brightening Blush in Pinch My Petals. The pink-mauves brighten the cheeks, forehead and chin for a perfectly pretty glow!

Bedroom Eyes: Master Marilyn’s “Come-Hither” look with Sue Devitt Eye Intensifier Pencil in Pointe-Noire. The rich, velvety formula creates an instant and dramatic finish in a dramatic shade of black. ($22; Barneys.com). Complete the look with Laura Geller’s Full Figure Lashes Mascara. The short and long nylon fibers combine to lengthen and thicken the look of lashes while the carbon black shade finishes off the seductive look.

Perfect Pout: Marilyn Monroe was rarely seen without her signature red pout. To get the look try lining lips with Michael Marcus’s Lipstick in Debbie, a bold red. The classic shade stays put while the silky formula keeps lips kissable.

Seven Days of Mascara: Pixi Lash Booster Mascara

We're coming up on the end of our Seven Days of Mascara feature. I know it wasn't seven consecutive days, but you know. I do what I can.

This time we've got Pixi Lash Booster Mascara in Blackest Blue. I picked it up only because I wanted a mascara that was the same exact color of my hair, and this one matched it perfectly. I absolutely love the color. That's all well and good, you say, but move along - is it all clumpy and awful?

I am so pleased to say NO. It's not. Thank goodness. Because if I came across one more of those I was going to give up on mascaras altogether.
We've got another good, old-fashioned spooly wand, which I think I might love more than anything, and while it's not fat, it's long. It is easy to hit all those lashes with this brush. And how does it look? It's not clumpy. And while it doesn't go on as thick as I personally like, it sure is buildable. This picture has only two coats.

Now, Pixi isn't the cheapest mascara you can pick up at Target - I paid a whopping $19, which is a lot to me while shopping at Target. However, it's considerably cheaper than what I usually spend at Sephora. But I'm going to be using this one a lot - especially with my Make Up For Ever Lash Fibers as a base. It gives some nice curl and buildable volume, and that's all a girl can really ask for.

Someone asked me recently what sort of camera I was using to take the photos, and I'm embarassed to say that it's just my iPhone 3GS camera. I should have broken out the Canon, but I was just too lazy and/or in a major hurry when I needed photos. I had to make a few adjustments in iPhoto, because my yellow bathroom just threw the whole color balance thing off.

So, did you find any new mascaras to try? I hope I've made it easier for you to wade through the "just pass" items out there. Leave me a note and tell me what you're loving on your lashes right now. I am still in search of that perfect product!

Remington Sponsors Celeb Hair Styling Contest

Remington is sponsoring a fun contest where you upload your favorite celebrity hair moment and you could win a trip to Hollywood and get a styling treatment from celeb stylist Richard Marin.


And while you're there, be sure to check out all the photos of everyone who has entered. There is some seriously fun hair going on! My favorite is Miss Retro, who not only has a gorgeous style, but amazing color as well. I'm inspired!

See you at the Style with Remington site!

NARS Cosmetics Spring 2010

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About Me

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Meredith Edwards-Cornwall is the founder of online lifestyle websites RetrodivasBeauty.com and RetrodivasCloset.com. She is also known as @retrodiva on Twitter. She specializes in drinking large amounts of espresso, shopping, and enjoying social media. In all of her free time she writes for StyleBakeryMom.com twice a week, and does various other freelance gigs involving writing, designing, and generally being awesome. While she believes that success is indeed a job in New York, she currently resides in Virginia Beach, Virginia with her husband, two children, and two cats and has hung on to her day job.

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