Raves and Reviews . . . Eye Cream

I got an email from Glory's Mama the other day asking for an eye cream that would actually make a difference before her daughter's wedding . . . so tonight it's all about eye cream!

My top pick? Bliss' The Youth As We Know It Eye Cream ($75). I've been hearing from almost everyone I ask about this how wonderful it is, so I finally tried it myself and it's pretty legit. To be honest, I'm not super-focused on anti-aging products right now, so I haven't used this over a long period of time, but enough to know it works in the short term. I also spent some time talking to the Sephora peeps at the Burlingame store about it and it's chock-full of antioxidants, moisturizers and firming active ingredients. 

The only downside is if you'd like something that acts as more than just a base lotion - any illuminating or priming you'd like, you'd need to add something on top of this. 

If you want the all-in-one, I recommend Cosmedicine's Optimologist ($45). 

It does wonders for under-eye circles, while firming and preventing wrinkles. And I *just* saw that if you enter "COSMED1" at checkout on sephora.com you can get a free deluxe sample of this one. TIMELY!

Raves and Reviews . . . Hollywood Lips

A Pretty Analyst first! - A guest blog from our good friend neighbour:

Angelina? Scarlett? . . . middle-aged housewife?

Since, obviously, everyone is always asking me how my lips always look so fabulous, I thought I'd let you in on the secret: Hollywood Lips. I am not normally a lip-focused person. The only time I have ever worn lipstick other than for Halloween was at my wedding (and even then it made me nervous.), and I rarely wear anything other than Burt's Bee's lip balm (which is also fantastic). Pretty much I am the equivalent of a vanilla-only ice cream person when it comes to lips. That is mostly because I need it to meet my requirements, which are:

a.) look natural. I want them to look kissable, not laughable.

b.) be non-sticky. Please, TELL ME the worst feeling ever is not having your hair get stuck on your lips (or your lips stuck to your lips if it is that bad).

c.) easy to apply and long-lasting. 'nuff said.

d.) smell/taste good. I have one lipbalm I only wear when my hubby is gone. He says the smell makes him feel like barfing.

e.) cheap. duh.

Not to prostitute myself for this stuff or anything, but not only does it meet all of the above, but it also:

1.) plumps my lips and erases lines(not kidding-there is a difference!)

2.) tingles nicely (probably from the plumping)

3.) is SUPER shiny (makes lips look kissable and smooth)

I stumbled across the Hollywood lips line by accident when I needed to spend a few more bucks on amazon.com ($15) to get the free shipping, and I thought: what the hell, I'll try a coconut lip plumper and citrus sugar lip scrub. I tried it when it arrived, and was instantly HOOKED. So, my friends, since I care about (most of) you, I'm passing on this recommendation to the mother lode of fabulous lips. Enjoy!

Raves and Reviews: Caudalie's skincare

If there's one thing I love just as much as beauty products - perhaps even MORE than beauty products - it's wine. There's nothing like a glass of red wine after a long day filled with pivot tables and excel keyboard short-cutting. Mmmm. I know you know *exactly* what I mean. 

So really, how could I NOT get excited about a skincare line started by a vineyard using all-natural ingredients from their wine production. Enter - Caudalie. Yes, it's as sexy and French as it sounds. The story goes that two college sweethearts took a summer job at a winery and while he worked on the wine, she worked on the skincare. And then, viola! A very romantic premise to sell fancy cleaners and lotions was born. 

I'll admit it, I'm in love with the idea of this line - but I have actually tried it and I do like the stuff too. I just picked up the full anti-aging skincare line for my mom (not that you need it, mom) and so we'll get her full report on that soon. But I've tried a few things myself and really love them: 

Beauty Elixir (Sephora, $15 for 1 ounce)

This one is my favorite - It's a little hard to explain what it is because it really does everything. It's a toner, a fragrance, a primer, and a good way to set your makeup right before you walk out the door. My husband and I use it on our pillows at night (he's going to LOVE that I made that public) and I use it before my moisturizer in the mornings. I have friends at work who keep it at their desk and spritz a little whenever the number crunching starts to feel monotonous. It's a fun little treat that you can use so many ways - I've had the small bottle for a few months now and it's still going strong. 

Contour Cream for Eyes and Lips (Sephora, $53)

I know I'm young and shouldn't need wrinkle cream, but I swear to you -  I see the wrinkles. They're coming, I can just tell they are, and it makes me want to stop drinking through straws even though that means I'll be compromising the whiteness of my teeth. The world is full of cruel trade-offs . . . 

The reason I love this cream is that it's highly moisturizing - which is better for preventing wrinkles than hiding them. I got a sample of this with my last Sephora.com order and have been using the last week - in the short term, it works a lot like a makeup primer, making my foundation not crease so much in the little lines developing around my eyes and lips. But all the heavy duty moisturizers in it should be preventing more serious wrinkles from developing in the first place. For someone a little older who is more worried about hiding the wrinkles they already have, this may not be worth the price. But if you're 25 and hoping to put off that $100 eye cream you'll eventually feel compelled to buy - this will do the trick.