Chocolate + Herbs = Sexual Arousment

Sometimes you receive a package that just begs to be opened immediately. Like today, when a cute little box was waiting at my doorstep. I opened the box to find a shiny silver envelope filled with.... chocolate!!!

Chocolate on a beauty web site, you ask? How can this be??? Chocolate is supposed to make you gain weight... even break-out! True or not, now chocolate also arouses pleasure like, down there...

I know! I know! It sounds crazy but there are those that say that chocolate is, in fact, an aphrodisiac. And now, it's also a pleasure enhancement specifically for women! And we all know, sex makes us happy and beautiful!

Take chocolate, infuse Chinese herbs and you've got Flurtz... Passionately Arousing Chocolate.

A word (or several...) from the company:
"The combination of herbs used in these chocolate sensations can create the ability to generate a higher level of blood flow to the pelvis area and create a warming sensation that can intensify your sexual pleasure. Herbs found in Flurtz chocolate include; deer antler, ginseng, and horny goat weed. Historically, these herbs have been known to increase libido, sensation, sensory nerves, and sexual desire.
Dark chocolate has been well noted for it’s aphrodisiac qualities for centuries. It contains phenylethylamine known as the “love chemical.” It raises dopamine levels in the brain that create feelings of euphoria that hit a whole new peak during orgasm. This, along with the properties of the Chinese herbs found in Flurtz Chocolate are a passionately arousing combination that will release the “inner flurt” in you."

The special card that comes with the chocolate says, "Take 2 packages of chocolate after dinner with 1 glass of red wine or grape juice. Approximately 1 hour later, you will discover what it's like to be truly satisfied...."

I ate my Flurtz chocolate forty-eight minutes ago... Time to find me a guy (preferably a Brad Pitt look-a-like) and put this product to the test...



Gotta run... 12 minutes and counting...

Me and my MAC

Here are some pics of me wearing my new MAC make-up for an event last night.

Colors used:
On eyes - Moonbathe Cranberry Frost
On cheeks - Moonbathe Sheertone Shimmer Blush
On lips - Moonbathe Lipglass in Elaborate (this product reminds me a lot of MAC's Lustreglass in Instant Gold. Both have a neutral gold shimmer.

Eyes and Cheeks Close-Up

Eyes and Lips

Front View

MAC ATTACK!

Here it is! The 2007 Summer Preview from MAC Cosmetics!!!

Excuse my budget pictures, but I took them myself... hence, me not being a photographer. However, I'm certain that you'll still get just as excited about the new collection as I am!



Here are 3 of the 4 Moonbathe Lipglasses - Available June 11th (CLICK HERE to view entire line)
Crescent (left) - chocolate hue
Elaborate (middle) - Pale, golden hue
Moonbathe (right) - coral hue



Here are 3 of the 5 Moonbathe Eye Shadows - Available June 11th (CLICK HERE to view entire line)
Cranberry (left) - a frosty, deep plum
Firspot (middle) - a veluxe pearl, coral, tangerine
Saturnal (right) - a frosty deep chocolate (perfect for creating a smokey summer eye)



Here are the 2 Moonbathe Powder Blushes - Available June 11th (CLICK HERE to view)
(THESE PICTURES DO NOT DO THE COLORS JUSTICE!)
Other Wordly (left) - a sheertone, shimmer blush in a metallic bronze hue
Afterdusk (right) - a sheertone, shimmer blush in a light, pinkish-berry hue (this is going to be my favorite summer blush! I can already tell - it is the perfect color!)



From the Tendertones Collection, available May 31st, here are 2 of the 9 Tendertone Lip Balms with SPF12... From the people at MAC, "This is a new lipcolour combining the shine lay down of a gloss with the soft emollient feel and nurturing capacity of a balm-style conditioner." (CLICK HERE to view the entire line)
Purring (left) - a glossy, non frost, hint of orange hue (it smells delicious!)
Hush, Hush (right) - a very light frosty pale pink and bronze hue (goes great with the Moonbathe Other Worldy Shimmer Blush!)


In addition to the Moonbathe and Tendertone limited edition collections (with rocking pearlized ivory-colored compacts to boot), MAC is also launching Sunstrip - available June 1st - an all-you-could-ever-need bronzing line of powders and mist foundations! (CLICK HERE to view the line!)

So, hurry to your closest MAC store and get in on the trend before it becomes too trendy!

Have a favorite MAC product from one of the new collections?! WE WANT TO KNOW! Email us at beautybanter@gmail.com or leave a comment in the comment box below!

Summer is finally here! YAAAAAAAAA!!!

GLAM BEAUTY AWARDS

Move over Oscar, 'cause here comes the GLAM!!!

Glam.com is hosting their annual Glam beauty awards 2007 where, you, the reader, votes for your favorite lippies, mascara, bronzer, eyeshadow, shampoo, nail polish, etc.

We took a stroll through the Glam product nominee's and we've got to say, not so impressed.... Diorshow Mascara didn't even make it into the finalists!!!

What did, however, is Benefit's Benetint, Cargo's Bronzer and Mac's Plushglass lipgloss (three products we can safely ascertain as peronal faves!)

So check to see if your favorites made the Glam cut... and vote!!!
(Click HERE to peruse the nominees and to vote!)

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!!!!

Relax, remember and unwind!

Try that great bubble bath you've hidden away for that special occasion! Today is the day....

Shout Out To Beauty Banter!

Shopaholics Daily wrote a fab little piece on Beauty Banter!

• They say, "What do I like the best about this site?? Now that’s hard, but I do like the product highlights."

CLICK HERE to read the full write-up!

Thanks, Shopaholics Daily!

WEEKLY MUST-HAVE

Benefit Cosmetics is kinda ingenious. They make a few staple products that a true beauty whore could never live without.
I blogged about Benefit's Benetint a while back (CLICK HERE to read post), a red tint suitable for lips and cheeks.
Now, I have another must-have product to divulge...
Benefit's Moon Beam is a soft pink, dewy glow to highlight cheekbones, eyes, chin, etc. It looks like a nailpolish with that great wand that makes it so much easier to dot on to your skin. A little goes a long way. Dot, then dab with fingers. I use it on my brow bone and my cheekbone, both are places that I want to highlight and sparkle!!!

Get dewy... perfect for radiant summer skin....

Lip Prescription...

...You choose the color!

Thanks to Prescriptive's new Custom Blend Lip Glosses, anyone can be a chemist (and by chemist, we mean that anyone can create colors... not all that science stuff)!

How does it work?

It's a 4 step process:

1 - Choose a base shade (rangin from berry to pink and all hte coral's and beige's in between)
2 - Choose a finish
3 - Choose a flavor
4 - Review

It's that easy to make a personalized lip gloss suited for your precious pout!!!

So fun!

To make your very own lip shade, CLICK HERE.

The future is a colorful place...

Kate + Hair = Super Hair!!!

Kate Moss is creating a hair care line?!?!?!?



Pardon Moi?

That's what the UK's The Sun is reporting... (CLICK HERE for article.)

Kate Moss and long time friend/ hairstylist, James Brown have announced that they will launch a hair care line with a yet-to-be named retailer. Kate will offer her image (that pricey mug!), but not her name.... sadness!

Just when you think someone is rich enough, they announce yet another money-making venture! The life of a super model in 2007.... must be nice! (now Kate will have even more money for her dirty little addiction!!!)


(I just love this cartoon drawing... can you GUESS who the other celeb is in this caricature??? - Leave your answer in the COMMENTS box!)

STOCK UP FOR SUMMER!!!

Here it is... Courtesy of:




ONE DAY ONLY – FRIENDS & FAMILY EVENT

Here come the deets…

• 20% OFF – site-wide savings

• Wednesday 05/23 – One day only

• Exclusive offer – not valid with other offers



So, stock up for summer – get beach-ready hair or

glowing summer skin… Share the love with your

friends & family, and hurry!



Happy shopping!

xxBeauty.com

A Facial a Day...

I finally used my Kate Sommerville Free Facial Card! The facial was incredible - if you live in, or around, the West Hollywood area, I urge you to try a facial immediately! I did the Purify Facial, a 35-45 minute treatment to clean the skin and rid it of impurities.

Here is my new cleansing regimine (given to me by my Kate Sommerville Skin Expert):

CLEANS: Purify Exfoliating Cleanser day and night
EXFOLIATE: Kate in a Jar 2 times a week for 30 seconds
MASK: Clearing Mask 1 time per week and as spot treatment when necessary
MOISTURIZE: Goat Milk Cream day and night
SUN CARE: Protect SPF 30 day

VITAMINS: (taken internally) Healthy Skin Formula - as directed

My two favorite products that were used on my skin were, Kate in a Jar and the Goat Milk Cream.

Kate in a Jar is like a mini facial in a bottle. Even if you don't live in Los Angeles, with this product you can have a bit of the Kate Sommerville experience. It left my skin completely restored and radiant (even despite the blotchy redness from extractions)! I felt like a new me... with new skin to boot! PRICE: $85.00 (and worth every penny!)


The Goat Milk Cream is a daily moisturizer packed with milk proteins, vitamins and amino acids. Goat milk helps to heal and nurture the skin while the amino acids soothe and condition. I have very sensitive, blotchy and oily skin. Some skin practitioners will tell you not to use a moisturizer but I disagree. Even with oily and acne prone skin, it is imperative that you condition the skin as to allow normal secreation of oil. If you dry out your face too much, the oil glands try and compensate thus creating more oil. This is why the break-out cycle continues. The Goat Milk Cream added the perfect amount of hydration to my face without looking shiny or feeling oily. I left the facial feeling renewed, despite the 35 minutes of prodding with my skin! I literally glowed! PRICE: $55.00

Check out the entire Kate Sommerville line byCLICKING HERE and discover the secret that has celebrities like Bo Derek, Kate Walsh and Kirsten Dunst glowing (literally)!

Have a favorite FACIAL? Let us know by emailing beautybanter@gmail.com!

Sun and Fun from SEPHORA

Sephora is any beauty whore's favorite retreat. To think, an entire store, stocked with wonderful beauty products from a foot cream to a lip gloss to a hair masque. Ahhh, how I love it there!
Well, Sephora has just launched an incredible Sun Safety Kit for when you actually go on a real vacation (not just to the mall...)
For $22.00, you get the best trial versions of sun care products from an array of various beauty companies. And, because we here at beauty banter love sustainable beauty, let us not forget that 100% of the proceeds from the purchase of this kit, $18.23 to be exact, will go to the skin cancer foundation. How could you not lend your support!!!

I've already ordered three kits!

Each kit includes:

Bliss Sunban Face SPF 30+
Clarins Sun Wrinkle Control Eye Contour Care SPF 30
Cosmedicine Global Health Face SPF 30
DDF Glossy Lip Therapy SPF 15.
Juice Beauty SPF 15 Tinted Lip Moisturizer in Playful
Korres Natural Products Watermelon Sunscreen Face Cream SPF 30
Murad Waterproof Sunblock SPF 30
Peter Thomas Roth Max Sheer All Day Defense Moisture Lotion SPF 30

Come on, helping others actually helps yourself!!!

Wanna SWAP Make-Up?!?

If you already know of this website, then forgive me as I have just discovered it...

MAKEUPALLEY.COM is a beauty whore's virtual heaven. It's a place filled with make-up enthusiasts (a.k.a. fellow beauty whores), product ratings and reviews, a diary and wishlist AND a product swaping system... wait.... what?!
Swaping Beauty Products???

Yep!

So, here's how it works... similar to ebay, you post a product that you have tried and don't like or just don't want and you wait to see if someone else on planet earth happens to wanna "swap" products with you. If so, you send eachother the products. If not, well, try ebay.

This is a great idea in theory although I would never want to own a stranger's once used Mac Lipslick or Urban Decay eye shadow palette. However, if you're braver (and less of a germaphobe) then I, take a look at the swapping section of the site! Hey, your ten dollars can really take you far these days....

CALLING ALL... BEAUTY ADDICTS!

How could we ever dislike a product line aptly named, Beauty Addicts?!
We can't!

After trying an array of their fun and fresh colors, we've found a few favorites that have subsequently become permanent staples in our make-up drawer!

Beauty Addicts is, "an effortlessly elegant color system of palettes using shades and textures that complement each other with timeless style and an of-the-moment edge."

If it's all about the presentation, then Beauty Addicts scores major points with theirs... Each palette comes beautifully packaged in a shimmering bag bedazzled with faux jewels. But the real treat is what's inside the bag.

Take, for example, the Express GLIMMERsheer - Luminizer, a dual color palette consisting of "glimmer - a soft focus luminizing luster for a sun-kissed, elegant sheen, and sheer – a crystal clear luminzer that hydrates and enhances glowing skin." What does this mean? Well, you can highlight and luminize eyes, cheeks or lips with one part shimmer and the other part gloss. I love the way it accentuates my cheekbones. I also used on my brow bone to give my eyes a mini "life" effect.
The duo comes in four shades: Glow, Express, Motivate and Seduce. Express, the one I have is a golden hue and compliments a sun-kissed complexion equisitely!

Another product I adore from this practical line is the Mineral Sheer Tint with SPF 20. It's a mineral-based tinted foundation/ moisturizer that is oil-free and hypoallergenic. I have super sensitive skin that tends to get blotchy (ugh!), so I'm always looking for a quick, non abrassive way to even out my skin tone and this product did the trick! It stayed on all day and made my skin look so even and beautiful, I was jealous of my own reflection!!!

Fans of the line include, Sharon Stone, Mya and Zooey Deschanel.

To check out the entire line, CLICK HERE.

Q & A - dark circles

QUESTION: I have dark circles under my eyes even when I am fully rested, can you recommend a good eye cream and/or a concealer?

ANSWER: Try Avon's ANEW ALTERNATIVE Intensive Eye Cream (I blogged about this product a couple month's back... CLICK HERE to read the post). I really like this product... it feels refreshing yet isn't greasy. It also promises a significant decrease in dark circles.

I'd also say to fork over some major bucks and invest in the best under-eye cover up on the market... Cle de Peau's Concealer. It comes in three shades: Ivory, Ocher and Beige, and it's designed to reduce redness (for zits) and dark hues. This is some serious cover-up.

Although, dark circles can be genetic, diet can also play a significant role. Research has shown that increasing your iron intake can help... try eating more spinach!

And finally, random, I know, but an at-home remedy that people swear by.... cucumber juice (it lightens the area)! Smash it up, skin and all, and apply under your eyes. Leave on for 15 minutes and rinse!


Have a question? Email us at beautybanter@gmail.com and we will post a response!

WE LOVE A CHALLENGE...

For anyone in the New York area, check this out...


LUMENE INVITES ALL NEW YORKERS TO TAKE THE 28 DAY CHALLENGE



Consumer Sampling Events Support Launch of New

Lumene Radiant C Beauty Drops


WHAT: All New Yorkers are invited to attend a one-day only, glamorous sampling events at CVS/pharmacy stores and other city locations. Free samples of new Lumene Radiant C Beauty Drops (retail price: $22.00). Lumene provides skincare science with arctic ingredients for beautiful, radiant skin.


WHO: CVS/pharmacy Beauty Advisors – to hand out product samples and answer product related questions

Lumene models –– on hand to help distribute product samples

Fashion photographers


WHERE: CVS/pharmacy Stores

158 Bleecker Street
307 6th Avenue
750 Avenue of the Americas
272 8th Avenue
1 Columbus Place


DATE/TIME: Friday, May 18th

CALLING ALL NARS FANS!!!

Thought you fellow beauty whores may be interested in this (only LA folks, sorry!):

NARS SUMMER COLLECTION 2007 PREVIEW AT BARNEYS!!!



(CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE)

I, of course, will be making an appearance!

Beautiful without Make-Up

People Magazine's annual beautiful people 2007 has landed... at a local newstand near you!



And what's awesome is that this year they have a section of Beautiful Stars... without make-up!

Who? You ask...

Drew Barrymore (pictured - how cute is she?!)
Katharine McPhee
Rihanna
Rosario Dawson
Rashida Jones
Eva Longoria
Jessica Biel
Jessica Alba
Jessica Simpson
Rachel Bilson

CLICK HERE to check out the girls!!!

WEEKLY MUST-HAVE

I don't drink Red Bull (gasp!) because it makes me feel like I'm going 1,000 miles a minute (if I were to ever do speed - I DON'T - but if I did, I assume that this is what it would feel like), and I'm not gonna lie, I've always been slightly jealous of club-goers and caffeine junkies who carry around that cutely shaped aluminum can...
But now I don't have to be envious 'cause I found my must-have energy drink... Bloom Energy Drink! This fabulous "energy" cocktail is especially formulated for women and it provides fuel for the mind, body and spirit. The caffeine comes from white tea extracts (a natural dose of that jittery drug) and it contains one full serving of fruit, vitamin c, calcium, B12 (natural upper) and B6!!!! PLUS it's rich in antioxidants (for healthy skin) AND is only 100 calories! That's like 10 pieces of gum!!!
I'm already addicted!
My favorite is the cran-rasberry, not too sweet, but sweet enough... I've been drinking one every morning since I discovered this gem... and I actually feel healthy and energized!
Other flavors are wild berry(too sweet for me) and mango passionfruit!
You MUST try a can asap.

Skin Cancer Awareness

In case you didn't know (don't worry, I didn't know either), May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month... and some very frightening statistics were brought to my attention.

Did you know...

"Every 67 minutes someone in the U.S. dies of melanoma; an astounding statistic for a disease which is nearly 100 percent curable when caught and treated early. The incidence of skin cancer is increasing every year and at the current rate, 1 in 5 Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer over the course of their lives."

This is scary stuff... especially considering that the sun is a daily part in most of our lives.

But check this out...

"Oil of Olay and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) have partnered for “Skin Cancer Takes Friends,” a nationwide program offering women the opportunity make an appointment with one of more than 300 participating dermatologists nationwide for a free screening for themselves and a friend or loved one – so they can go together."

We, over here ar beauty banter, love when huge corporations take an active role in helping humanity. It's all about making a difference.

So, my fellow beauty whores, make sure to get your beautifull asses over to a dermotologist ASAP. For a list of dermotologists participating in this incredible endeavor, CLICK HERE.

And remember, wear SPF and try a faux tan... (read below post for product suggestions).

A faux bag might be a faux pas, but a faux tan is tres in!

Tanning 2007

Here it is! The big, fun filled tanning 2007 guide to beautiful, sun-kissed skin sans UVA and UVB rays (basically, tanned skin without the sun!)

I have tried a plethora of products in my quest for the best! Here, in no particular order, are a couple of tanning products that I just can't live without...

GlowFusion Micro-Nutrient Face & Body Natural Protein Tan: The absolute best spray tan that you can do yourself! Like a mystic tan, just at home. It applies evenly and leaves skin bronzed within seconds. I have very sensitive skin and I use this product on my face without fear of break-outs!!! It rocks!!! PRICE: $58.00 (and well worth every last cent!)


Dove Energy Glow Daily Moisturizer with Subtle Self Tanners, For Medium Skin Tones: It also comes in light, but I use medium because I want a quick, rich tan asap. This is a lotion that you use EVERY day after the shower... it works by gradually enhancing your NATURAL skin color, thus the more you use it, the darker you become. It smells fresh, not like a self-tanner, it doesn't stain clothes AND it actually moisturizes. I tried many tanning moisturizers and what I found is that most don't actually moisturize. This one does it all! PRICE: $7.99


NARS Blush & Bronzer Duo – Orgasm & Laguna: The perfect Summer compact: Two of my favorite colors side by side. Laguna is a rich, golden bronzer, while Orgasm is a subtle pinky-peach shimmer blush. Used together, it makes you look like you just left the beach! All sun-kissed and fresh-faced! PRICE: $36.00


L'Oreal Sunless Sublime Glow Daily Moisturizer, Fair Skin Tones: Like the Dove moisturizing lotion, this too enhances your natural skin tone, but it also adds a hint of sparkle every time you use it! I like to wear this lotion when I'm going out at night because the shimmer accentuates the tan and also makes my skin look dewy. Available in medium too! PRICE: ON SALE for $8.99


Jergens Natural Glow Face Moisturizer, Fair: This oil-free, non-comedogenic face lotion with SPF 20 is ideal for sensitive, acne prone skin types. Not only does it enhance your skin's natural color (building a "tan" the more times you use it), but it is perfect for evening out blothcy, or scarred skin. I love this product and have actually started using it as my primary facial moisturizer! PRICE: ON SALE for $5.78


Tarte Celebutante Dry Oil Shimmer Spray: Most people love the Nars body shimmer but I've gotta say, it's so greasy and always gets all over my clothes. That's when I found this dry oil product. Essentially, it does the same thing: spray on your body and you have a dewy, bronzed glow. But this one is not greasy AND it dries much faster then Nars (it also smells like coconut... yummy!). It's not as deep of a tan as Nars, more of a champagne color, but I'll sacrifice so long as my clothes stay fake-tan free! PRICE: $28.00


Physicians Formula Summer Eclipse Bronzing & Shimmery Face Powder: This bi-colored bronzer provides both a light tan and a golden shimmer! Physicians Formula rules the market in bronzing products - they sent me 23 different bronzers to test! Although I haven't had a chance to use all of them, this specific bronzer worked really well for my skin because it gave a natural glow and provided that dewy look that I love. Plus, it's hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, oil free, non-comedogenic AND dermatologist approved! WOW! PRICE: $11.95


I just can't write this post without once again discussing my all-time favorite face product, Laura Mercier's Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer in Sand with SPF 20: I use this product EVER day and it completely evens out my blothcy skin-tone PLUS it adds color to my face! The sun is so bad for your skin, not to mention what it does to scars and brown spots, so by using this product, I look tan, I'm saving my face AND I producing a "perfect palette;" even skin tone! I kid you not, when I wear this product, people tell me that I have fabulous skin! Can oyu imagine?! PRICE: $40.00



Have a favorite faux-tan product?! Let us know by emailing the beauty whore at beautybanter@gmail.com!!!

Tan away, fellow beauty whores!!!

Dog and Baby Beauty Buffet!!!

I had the pleasure of bringing my precious Japanese Chin, Sadie Snowflake (for all who don't know my doggy, she is the cutest, most amazing dog in the entire world!) to The Silverspoon's Dog and Baby Beauty Buffet!!! Yes, dog's and babies deserve to look beautiful as well...
Although I'm not with child... yet... (yes, hopefully soon - need to meet the man first... oops!)adults can enjoy baby products too!
I sampled the Love Me Baby Me Precious Pak, a combination of the best natural paraben-free, propylene glycol-free, hypoallergenic, pediatrician tested and tear-free baby products! Wow. If you have a kid, you must use these products... and if you don't, you still must try them. Bubbly wash, for the bod, smoothy shampoo, for the hair, butt balm for the boodie (but we elder chicas can use it for any rash or dry skin area), creamy cream body lotion and hair putty, non-toxic styling gel... very good for thining, sensitive hair!
My fave, the Smoothy Shampoo... because it's a great wash without stripping your hair. It doesn't leave a residue and it doesn't dry your hair. It's amazing! AND it smells clean like a little baby!!!

Sadie's doggy presents are awesome too... I'll post something on the doggy shampoo and conditioner once I try it...

Sarah and Sadie at the Buffet... yes, that is a baby sling that Sadie is in... the Quinn by Hotslings...(CLICK HERE to view the line!) Let me tell you, it is the most fabulous invention in the world!!! I will NEVER leave home without it!

Mrs. McDreamy for Avon

Upon learning of make-up artist Jillian Dempsey's (and real-life wife of McDreamy, a.k.a. Patrick Dempsey) new color line, I just had to try it out (I have the hugest, platonic crush on McDreamy.... ahhhhh....). Jillian recently took on the role of Global Creative Color Director for our new favorite cosmetic giant, Avon. "Avon collaborate closely with her in a campaign to refresh its shade palettes, launch limited-edition seasonal color collections, as well as new product concepts, beginning in Spring 2007."
Alas, we reach the part of the story where I get to actually TRY a product. My girls over at The Silver Spoon happened to have Jillian Dempsey for Avon sheer glow all over face powder. Can you imagine my excitement?!
I took the beautiful floral-designed palette home, broke out my MAC 187 Duo Fibre Brush(right) ("A large full circular brush used for lightweight application and blending of face powder or pigments..." a must-have brush - can also be used to apply wet foundation!!!)and began applying the taupe and pink colors...
First on my cheeks like blush, then a little on my nose, chin and forehead... and let me tell you... I glowed. It was a tad more pink then brown, which I didn't mind, because it really gave me that Sun-kissed look. It's more sheer then a bronzer and more nude then a blush...
So try Jillian Dempsey for Avon All Over Face Powder in Sandy Corals and tell us what you think!
Also available in a lighter hue, Peach Champagne.