Soothe Crazy Holiday Stress This Season With Bath and Body Works

You don't have to tell me about it - it's not even Thanksgiving yet, and I'm already starting to feel it! Organizing dinners, planning a holiday party, putting up the lights, and don't forget the holiday cards.

See what I mean? Your stress level went up just reading that, didn't it?

So give yourself a little calming treat this season with Bath and Body Works Limited Edition Lemongrass Cardamom Holiday Collection. I have long been a fan of the BBW aromatherapy line - it's quality ingredients at a very accessible and reasonable price. This blend of essential oils includes lemongrass, vetiver, cedarwood, and cardamom. This spicy blend also boasts a top note of citrus to refresh and restore.

It's limited edition, so you know it's not going to be around long. The formulations in the collection are: Luxury Bath ($16.50), Body Cream ($16.50), Body Lotion ($13), Body Wash and Foam Bath ($13), Body Mist ($15), and Pillow Mist ($10).

Find them online at Bath and Body Works, or call (800) 756-5005 for store locations.

And relax!

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Holiday Collections: NARS

A gorgeous, sultry look created by makeup artist Diane Kendal for NARS. Let's take a look at the products she used.

For the face:

• apply NARS Concealer as needed to cover any imperfections
• apply NARS Sheer Matte Foundation all over for a smooth finish
• contour cheeks with NARS Cap Vert Multiple Bronzer and NARS Deep Throat Blush
• highlight the cheekbones, under the eyebrow, and top of the lip with NARS Copacabana Multiple.

On the eyes:

• apply NARS Brumes Duo Eyeshadow (brown side) over the entire upper lid.
• layered NARS Euridice Duo Eyeshadow (purple side) on top
• on the inner eye, apply NARS Taiga Duo Eyeshadow (white side) and blend outward. NARS Brumes Duo Eyeshadow (the dark side) was used to line the lower lash line.
• NARS Nuits Blanches Eyeliner Stylo was used to line the top and bottom lash lines.
• curl lashes with the NARS Eyelash Curler and apply two coats of NARS Larger Than Life Mascara.
• The brows were drawn using NARS Ipanema Eyebrow Pencil.

And the lips:

• Apply NARS Mitzi Lipstick.

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Holiday Collections: YSL Beauty Knocks It Out of the Park, So to Speak

Smokey eyes? Check. Vibrant red lips? Check. Everything Retrodiva would love in a collection? Check.

Start with the Teint Resist Long Wear Transfer Resistant Foundation. Then use the Touche Eclat Radiant Touch highlighter that everyone raves about on the upper cheekbones, bow of the lip, and directly under the eyebrows. Then sweep on the limited edition Mini Touche Blush in Sparkling Beige.

On the eyes, line with Dessin Du Regard Haute Tenue in Intense Black. Then sweep Astral Brown from the Ombres Duolumieres #1 duo eye shadow on the lid and highlight up to the brow with Heavenly Beige. Use Volume Effet Faux Cils Luxurious Mascara in #1, High Density Black on the lashes. Personally, I use three coats.

On the lips, use the new Fard A Levres Rouge Pur Pure Lipstick in #150, Sublime Red.

Absolutely gorgeous, and perfect for that holiday party where you will drink too many cosmos.

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Limited Edition Estee Lauder Holiday Collection: Vintage Jewels

I mentioned recently how I was loving the look of the new collection by Estee Lauder called Vintage Jewels. Now I have more photos, and they are just lovely. It is described as "decadent color collection of quiet blacks illuminated by hints of rich Amethyst, Sapphire and Emerald gemstone hues.

I love darker colors for the fall and winter, and these fit the bill perfectly. This is a photo of the Signature Eye Shadow Duos in Sapphire. Also available are Amethyst and Emerald. Complete the look with the limited edition Smoked Eye Pencil in Smoked Amethyst, Smoked Emerald, and Smoked Sapphire. The liners are made not only with pearls to give that true pearly effect, they also have moisturizing oils such as jojoba, vitamin E, and cottonseed so that they don't tug at the delicate eye skin while lining.

The Shimmering Jewel Powder, seen above, is designed for those holiday occasions where you need just a touch of shimmer. Not overpowering, just enough to add a glow. Wear it over makeup or on it's own.

Also as part of the collection are two new shades of Signature Hydra Lustre Lipstick in Black Cherry and Ruby. Can you tell the lipstick has a special cut bullet to match the gemstone look of the collection? Love it.

Had to give you one more shot of that gorgeous lipstick against the Amethyst colors. Will you picking up any part of this collection? I know I'll be heading to the counters to see if it works for me.

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