Beauty Blog

Lipstick Powder N Paint has teamed up with the phenomenal Canadian beauty brand, Cake Beauty, to give one very lucky reader a Barbie by Cake prize pack, containing the Jet Setter gift set and a Starlit candle.

Cake Beauty was handpicked by Mattel to launch the first ever woman’s bath and body collection by Barbie! In celebration of of the icon’s 50th Anniversary.

Please note: 1 entry per day only. Canadian and U.S. residents only (excluding Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico)

From: February 26 to March 13

Visit Cake Beauty for the answer to the giveaway question.

(Source of Post: Barbie by Cake Giveaway)

While in the Land of Smarter Beauty…. 

• Favorite Men’s Fragrances - Acqua di Gio Cologne - still smells great!
• New Fragrances for Women - Smell Stylish Without the Effort - Halle Berry
• What do men prefer? Long or Short Hair? - Read more & Find out!
• Spruce Up Your Skin with Bio-Oil - Beauty Products Review

Hello Readers!

I also wanted to take this opportunity to introduce our new Smarter Guest Blogger - Crystal Holliday

Crystal Holliday is a beauty enthusiast from the South. She prides herself on helping others find products and services that beautify their lives….

Finish reading more about Crystal Holliday - Click here!

Please enjoy her writing and beauty tips.

As always thank you all for reading and all the wonderful comments.

- Michelle

Well ladies, I am filing this under my “things-I-would-love-to-test-for-myself-but-I-will-never-be-able-to-afford-it” folder. Whew! Was that not the longest hyphenated string of words ever!?

I have heard for a long time now about “Creme La Mer” products. That they supposedly work but cost an arm and a leg!

Supposedly La Mer began with a science lab explosion! It’s all so very sci-fi, here is the official word:

THE ACCIDENT
Crème de la Mer was conceived under extraordinary circumstances. Years ago, Dr. Max Huber, an aerospace physicist, suffered a horrific accident — a routine experiment exploded in his face — covering him with severe chemical burns. Neither science nor medicine offered sufficient promise of help, so Huber decided to help himself. Twelve years and 6,000 experiments later, he perfected the Crème that would help give skin a dramatically smoother appearance. (Source: About Creme de La Mer)

They go on to say… that how and why it works is a “SECRET”… (cue the mad cackling of a scientist)

THE SECRET
Even now, it is not entirely clear how Crème de la Mer works. For us schooled in logic, it is something of a jolt to the imagination. But facts are facts and certainly the proof can be seen on the faces of those who use it. In a short time, skin becomes softer, firmer, looks virtually creaseless. Aging lines and pores are noticeably less visible. Even the driest of complexions are healed. Sensitivities are soothed. And, of course, there are some who insist it has produced astonishing results — as Dr. Max Huber witnessed. No wonder many who have tried every cream available remain steadfast in their devotion to Crème de la Mer. (Source: About Creme de La Mer)

Yadda, Yadda! This could all be a very smart and well packaged marketing ploy. They know their audience for pete’s sake, what beauty product who hocks “exclusivity” , “miracle” and “secret” potion like results would a woman not buy into!? I’ll be honest, they have me intrigued. I am just too cheap to try it without knowing from other regular women if it’s worth the investment.

Here come the prices!

Eye Cream Concentrate ( the green bottle on top of the white in the image) for .5 oz - $165.00

Eye Balm (the white bottle in image) for .5 oz - $140.00

Lifting Face Serum (green bottle in image) for 1 fl oz. - $235.00

(Pay attention to the quantity, half an ounce!!)Also, as a side note you ever notice that just by tagging a moisturizer with a “French” name automatically bumps up the price? Do you think I could rename the bottle of Eucerin face moisturizer I have at home “La Face’ Creme de La Eucerin’” and sell it for $100 bucks? Ha! I’m a bit cynical this morning… I digress.

So ladies who have tried Creme de La Mer skin care products, what say you? Does this stuff work?

At last the ancient Asian secret to perfect, porcelain skin has been revealed, (drum roll) please….
NIGHTINGALE DROPPINGS!!!

Yes you read right, bird poop folks! No wonder its a “secret” …

It’s called “Uguisu no Fun” talk about irony that the words “no Fun” are in the Japanese translation!

“Uguisu” is the famous Japanese nightingale whose distinctive call adds an exotic note to any forest walk or mountain hike. The noble nightingale was and is appreciated for another, less obvious reason. Somehow, and I can’t even imagine how or why it first happened, nightingale poop became a beauty enhancer for women.

Uguisu no Fun’s main effect - that being bleaching and exfoliating the skin - is a result of Guanine, a naturally occurring enzyme found in nightingale droppings. Kabuki actors and high-ranking geisha girls have always prized it as the best way to remove their heavy makeup while leaving their high-priced skin smooth and supple. (Source: Beauty Treatment from Japan)

Word of the unusual yet effective face treatment has spread to other countries as well. “We have been trying the nightingale facial out and it has been an unbelievable success for treating tortured, dull and sun-damaged skin.” So says Hari Salem, owner of Hari’s in Knightsbridge, West London. “The droppings, which are applied as a mask with Japanese white clay, are completely safe and treated under UV light to remove bacteria.” They are also (supposedly) “fragrance free”… thank goodness for small blessings!

If you are interested in trying or purchasing “Uguisu no Fun” products they are reportedly not cheap. Click on the following link for more information: Chidoriyaworld

Smarter Beauty contributor, Evette, and I were lucky enough to get the chance to try out some TESS (Teen Everyday Skincare System) products, even though neither of us fit into the teen category. Despite that, we were willing to test drive the line because it’s paraben-free and made with natural ingredients such as fruit and botanical extracts, aloe vera, lavender oil, green tea, and chamomile. Not to mention, we’re into the message of the company, which is all about promoting confidence in young women–the packaging is filled with written affirmations like “Dare to Be Different,” “Take Charge,” and “Be Brave.” We can go for that.

Here are our takes on TESS:

Tester: Valentina
Product: TIME FOR SOME ZZZs Vanilla Nighttime Moisturizer ($14)
Rating: 4 out of 5 (it was a little hard to get out of the bottle)

Promise: It’s suppose to “nurture skin” and “renew hydration.” The vanilla scent is said to be relaxing.

The Smell and Feel: I’ve become obsessed with the vanilla bean smell. I didn’t put it on my face, since I’m devoted to cold cream, but I did slather all over my bod before bedtime, and it really does relax you with that luscious smell.

The gist of it: I’ve been using it for a week and my skin, including my super dry legs, has been noticeably more supple. That may have happened with any moisturizer, but it’s easy to be consistent about using this one since it’s so yummy.

Tester: Evette
Product: OOH-REFRESHING Apple Face Toner ($10)
Rating: 5 out of 5

Promise: This alcohol-free toner is suppose to tingle, nix excess oil, and have a “deliciously fresh apple scent.”

Smell and Feel: It smells like fresh apples, fresh apples just picked off the tree in the middle of summer. Haha. It felt great. Didn’t dry out my skin but still removed the excess oil. The very first time I tried it I had been in the car for a 5-6 hour long car ride to Vegas. I just needed to freshen up my skin before going out, and you can imagine how greasy my skin was due to the hot humid weather.

The gist of it: I was very satisfied.

Find the whole range of TESS products by clicking here.

I got this Bioelements Pumice Peel by accident.  My husband had some money left over on a gift certificate to Burke Williams or some place like that, and kindly bought it for me (he supports my love for exfoliation).  I’m glad he did because this stuff is really worth the $48, and since you shouldn’t exfoliate your face more than 2 times a week, it’ll last.

Every time I use it, I’m amazed at how fresh and clean my skin feels. It’s a real complexion booster and helps even out my skin tone, which is cursed by blotchiness.  You’ll glow.