Nordstrom Beauty Exclusives - Available on July 17

A complete list of the Beauty Exclusives at Nordstrom, available on July 17. I've already made my shopping list, how about you?

See more of my Nordstrom Beauty Exclusives 09 list at ThisNext.

Girlie Nails by Fing'rs Gives the Budding Beauty Junkie Practice

My daughter loves nothing more than to go with me and get her nails and toes done. Thank goodness my nail tech loves her and indulges her with whatever she wants, or else I'd have some problems. But one thing I've obviously never let her do (she's 6!) is put on acrylic nails. This is as problematic to her as my refusal to pierce her ears, so imagine how thrilled she was to get her hands on Girlie Nails!

These are similar to the Lee Press On Nails that we played with in the 80s. The concept is absolutely the same, the only difference being is that these are for girls, and are sized accordingly. Some of these little nails were so tiny, I had a hard time keeping ahold of them! However, they were super easy to press on, and my daughter just thought they were marvelous. I'm sure I felt that way about my Lee Press Ons, too.

However, if you're looking for longevity, you aren't going to find it. They are cute and fun, but like the Lee Nails of yore, they don't stay on worth a darn. Especially on a six year old who loves to go to the beach. I'm told that they also "stick to your hair," and "they fall off sometimes."

That doesn't mean that we won't be buying them again, though. Oh, no. I'm sure we will go through many packs of these before the tween years are done. And to think that I'm only just beginning. Fun. No, really. Super fun.

Girlie Nails are available at mass retailers, drug chains, and discount stores nationwide. I found mine at Rite-Aid and Walgreens. Visit the website at Girlie Nails to see some of the cute styles, including the ones above that actually change color in the sun, which was a huge deal in our house.

Estee Lauder Releases Another Addition to the Private Collection: Jasmine White Moss

More than anything, I think this bottle is a work of art on it's own, to say nothing of the fragrance inside. The cap is embellished with natural semi-precious gems including White Jade, dark and light Lapis, Sodalite, Black Agate, Mother of Pearl and Blue Lace Agate stones. The stones selected for each cap are different, making each piece unique. I find the thought of a uniquely designed bottle to be extremely appealing.

Like the three other fragrances in the Aerin Lauder Private Collection, this one has a bit of a backstory. Aerin Lauder, the Estée Lauder Senior Vice President and Creative Director visited the archives and found a previously started but never finished work by Estee Lauder herself. Called Formula #546AQ, it had languished in the archives for ages. Aerin took the rough formula, added modern technology and finished with a beautiful merging of jasmine and white moss. The fragrance celebrates the past and present, and is a first in the world of fragrance and Estee Lauder.

• The top notes include Mandarin, and Absolutes of Black Currant Bud (crisp and fruity,
• a new quality captured for the very first time with a new extraction technique), Galbanum and Bergamot.
• Middle notes are Jasmine Sambac Absolute selected by Aerin and subtly blended with the Ylang Ylang and Jasmin India Absolutes Estée herself had chosen, plus Violet, Orange Flower Absolute and Orris.
• And the base notes include Absolutes of Patchouli Heart, Vetiver and White Moss Mist (an
• Estée Lauder exclusive).

You will be able to find this lovely fragrance at www.esteelauder.com and specialty doors
Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales, Nordstrom and Bergdorf Goodman beginning July 2009.

Selections and prices include: Parfum Spray, 1oz., $325.00. Eau de Parfum Spray, 1oz., $80.00. Eau de Parfum Spray, 2.5oz., $135.00. Body Creme, 6.7oz., $75.00. Perfume Solid Pendant (limited edition) $195.00

Lancome Boutique Hosts Jennifer Weiner Book Signing

The Lancome Boutique on the Upper West Side will be hosting an amazing event on Tuesday. Jennifer Weimer, author of such popular books as Good in Bed
and In Her Shoes, will be doing a signing of her latest release, Best Friends Forever.

Not only can you sip champagne and taste cupcakes, if you purchase $75 worth of product (and I highly suggest the Declaring Indigo collection), you'll get a complimentary autographed copy!

“Best Friends Forever” Signing
The Lancôme Boutique
201 Columbus Avenue at 69th Street
Tuesday, July 14th
4 to 7 p.m.
RSVP: 212.362.4858

Ultimate Hair Removal Guide Pt. 3: Depilating Lotions

Depilatory creams are simply chemicals that transform hair at or slightly below the skin's surface into a gelatin-like mass which is then removed along with the chemical.

That's the semi-scientific explanation, anyway. Typically, these chemicals are in the form of a lotion which is applied and allowed to sit for about five to ten minutes before removal. It's important to remember that this isn't a permanent solution, and will require almost as much effort as shaving, since the hair isn't removed at the follicle as it is with tweezing or waxing.

If you suffer from ingrown hairs, especially in the bikini area, this method of hair removal might give you some relief. Part of the reason for this is that you don't have to use it as often as shaving. Also, when a razor is used to remove hair at the surface, it often regrows as a sharp point which is much more likely to curl in and become imbedded in another pore in the skin. With this method, the hair grows in with a blunt edge. Not that ingrown hairs are eliminated, but you may find you have significantly less.

The hardest part of using depilatory cream is the waiting. Application is as easy as putting lotion on, but sitting in one spot without messing up the application can be tricky. Removal is extremely easy.

I heard they smell. Is that true?

Yes, most of the lotions on the market do have a strong smell. This is due to the alkaline nature of the chemicals used. These chemicals are typically barium sulfide, sodium sulfide, calcium hydrosulfide and strontium hydrosulfide. Many products claim that they have a pleasant smell, but this is usually due to added perfumes.

Are they dangerous?

There have been reports of chemical skin burns and other problems with these lotions. However, following product directions closely will mostly prevent these kinds of problems. Formulations have been created for different areas of the body; for example, a formula created for the face will be much more gentle than a formula created for the bikini line. Both hair and skin are different in these areas.

How do I use them? Are they hard to use?

Typically, you apply the lotion as a thick paste on the skin and allow it to sit for seven minutes or so. Then you wipe away with a washcloth or tissue. Some products come with a remover, such as the Veet Rasera Bladeless Kit, which looks like a straight blade but will not cut the skin, only assist in removing the remaining hair.
So which ones do you recommend?

I can say honestly that most of these lotions are the same. There are different formulas for different needs, and some of the best ones I've found include:

• Veet Rasera Bladeless Kit for legs and larger areas. The "blade" really does help remove hair much easier than just a washcloth.
• Extra Strength Creme Hair Removal For Face by Sally Hansen is an excellent formula for facial hair.
• If you have a sensitive bikini area, Nair Sensitive Bikini Cream might be your best bet.
• For use in the shower, Nair Shower Power products look interesting, although I haven't tried them yet.

Gift With Purchase from Marina Cosmetics

I've written about Marina Cosmetics before, and wanted to share this special offer with you before it expires. Purchase any Marina Hydrating Gloss for $22, and receive a full sized Sea Perfected Lipstick FREE. That is a gloss and a lipstick for $22. Can't beat that.

The best part about these products is that they offer UVA and UVB protection, which isn't something you find in many glosses or lipsticks, but is so important. Also, I'm told that if you use a Marina lip product for 56 days, you can see a 9% decrease in wrinkle depth to the lips.

Find them in salons near you or online at MarinaCosmetics.com.

Edited to Add: These discounts are available at the participating Beauty 360 locations only.

From the Exciting News Files: Lancome Brings Back the Pout-à-Porter Lipstick Series

When I was first getting into beauty blogging, I remember how the Proenza Schouler Proenza Pink lipstick was a HUGE deal. It wasn't a color I could pull off, but I admired it from afar on others.

Lancome is doing it once again, this time working with Chris Benz for a Spring 2010 color that will be worn by his models in his September show. The color will be inspired by his collection.

The really cool part about this is that they want you to help name it! Visit Chris Benz's Facebook page and submit your suggestions. The winner will receive a $500 Lancome gift certificates and five of the lipsticks. The deadline for this is July 12. Hop on over there and give it your best creative shot, and good luck!

Ode to Mario: The Master is back with some powerful pink goop

As all of my fellow ladies know, I have long-since been a struggler of acne. Recently, I professed my undying love and devotion to Mario Badescu for his magical glycolic foaming cleanser and amazing drying mask. Although I have seen the light and the way through Mario, I still get my once-a-weekers. You know, the one that pops up right when you're glowing from a clear complexion. She's a bitch. Enter the laundry list of "acne spot treatments" I've used in the past:

• Toothpaste (old school crest with no whitening)
• Hemmorhoid cream (If it can tame a hemmorhoid, why couldn't it tame one of my little monsters??)
• Rubbing Alcohol (I made matters worse by lancing first. Yowza!!)
• Pure Aloe (Yeah, not sure why I thought this would work.)
• Mud (I'm totally serious. But I'm a hippie, so wouldn't you expect this?)
• a myriad of over-the-counter drugstore brands (Clean & Clear, Noxema, Stridex, ZapZit, Clearisil, Neutrogena, etc.)

After those failing experiments, I lost hope...or so I thought. Yet again, enter my Italian hero Mario with my new favorite product: Drying Lotion. Funny story, I remember seeing this little pink bottle in the back of Cosmopolitan and Glamour with all of the mail-order ads. Ha. This amazing little bottle of pink goo was advertised with a cream that promised to enhance my breast size and a pill for hair growth. No more!! I am here to shout from the mountaintops, sing to the masses, "I have found it!! The TRUE on-the-spot acne treatment!" Serious, ladies.

I was not convinced by appearances at first. It is a tiny glass bottle, 1 ounce to be exact, with a solid substance on the bottom of the bottle that filled it about an inch and a murky, oil-like fluid topping it off to the brim. With isopropyl alcohol, calamine, colloidal sulfur and salicylic acid all coming to the game, it's no surprise this pink goop packs a punch. It's actually quite interesting to use as well. You DO NOT BY ANY MEANS shake it up. It ruins the properties of the ingredients and affects the way it interacts with your skin. SO, you take the top off, dip a q-tip down into the pink solid goop at the bottom and pull it back out. Proceed to dot this magical pink substance on one or all of your rude spots before bed and let it do the work while you sleep. Wake up. Rinse off. Voila. I kid you not. This stuff is incredible. I am convinced that this Mario Badescu guy heard every single one of my prayers, thoughts, rants and sob-fests over my acne. Mr. Badescu, if you're listening now, YOU KICK ASS.

Snatch it up quick at mariobadescu.com for $17.00 and watch the magic.

Bond No 9 Brings Me More Andy Warhol

Every Andy Warhol fragrance by Bond No. 9 has just resonated with me. I was blown away by Silver Factory, and I own both Union Square and Lexington Avenue. In fact, Lexington Avenue is second only to my beloved Black Orchid as my go-to winter fragrance. And the bottles are works of art in and of themselves.

This time, we're discussing Warhol's fascination with the rich, especially concerning the connection between art and money. The dollar symbol on the bottle was Warhol's own creation, and the fragrance name, Success Is a Job In New York was his first paid commission by a magazine of the same name.

Success IS a job in New York, I think.

At any rate, this is another genderless scent, like Silver Factory. The top notes are coriander, cardamom, mandarin and bergamot. Middle notes include jasmine, tuberose, rose, plum and pimento. Base notes are vanilla, amber and patchouli.

Intriguing, no? Bond No 9's scents just keep getting better and better. You'll find this one at Saks, Bond boutiques in New York City, and online at BondNo9.com for $220 for 100 mL or $145 for 50 mL.

Umberto Adds Gorgeous Shine and Shimmer to my Black Hair

While browsing through Target (which, really, happens about every other day), I came across the Umberto line. Created by celeb stylist Umberto Savone, this entire line is exclusive to Target, and is quickly developing a following there.

I grabbed Shimmer Shine Spray because I have been on a quest to find a shine product that doesn't make my hair look greasy. Since going blue-black with my hair, shine has become more important than ever to me - it finishes the style and brings out the unique blue in my color.

This is a lovely spray, and I used it until I somehow broke the spray nozzle. I must have been a little overenthusiastic about it. It's not glittery - far from it. It just adds a subtle shine that lasts all day. I'll be buying another bottle just as soon as I get back to Target, which will probably be tomorrow.

Grab it at Target for $8.99.