Healthy Clean Kitchen Collection by Bath & Bodyworks

Q: What can you get for just $5.00 that smells divine, and keeps germs, away?

A: new Bath & Bodyworks Healthy Clean Kitchen Collection of kitchen-oriented hand soaps, hand sanitizers, and hand lotions, with anti-bacterial protection and odor-eliminating technology, and great fragrances!

Yes, amazing....but it's true...just $5.00 gets you any product from the new, "Healthy Clean Kitchen Collection" by Bath & Bodyworks: hand washes, sanitizers and hand lotions, that are specifically designed for use in the kitchen.

We all know that no matter how scrupulously you clean, bacteria and unpleasant odors abound in kitchens. And also, clean hands are a necessity, when you're preparing food. This new, nicely scented collection of cleansing/anti-bacterial products, not only kills germs. It also has a "Fresh Source™" odor eliminating technology that replaces lingering and not always pleasant cooking smells (e.g. garlic and onion) with much more appealing scents.

Each of the following odor-fighting, germ-killing essentials is available in Sunburst Tangerine, Crisp Cucumber, Pure Vanilla and Ginger Pear fragrances.

I tried the Sunburst Tangerine in the Anti-Bacterial Gentle Foaming Hand Soap and the Anti-Bacterial Deep Cleansing Hand Soap. The former has my favorite, economical formula -- a hand pump that dispenses a foam instead of a straight liquid. This one smells tart and citrus-y and uplifting. The creamy, luxe form has a blend of moisturizing coconut milk and olive fruit extracts to moisturize, while mango fruit extract cleans and conditions. The latter also comes in a pump bottle, but it's more of a light orange gel with tiny little beads (exfoliating microspheres) infused into the formula that help deep clean your hands, and with bamboo extract and a moisturizing blend of honey, coconut milk and olive fruit extracts.

If you have a large family, work in an office, or are just your run-of-the-mil, germophoebe, the Bath & Bodyworks Anti-Bacterial Hand Sanitizer Gel is a staple and a must-have! The one I tried that is kitchen-centric was the Crisp Cucumber scent -- very light and fresh. But it doesn't just smell good. This Hand Gel Sanitizer has anti-bacterial ingredients along with the Fresh Source™ odor-fighting technology to eliminate kitchen odors, and it has moisturizing Tahitian Palm Milk to condition your hands. Although many hand sanitizers are sticky, this one simply melts into skin and leaves hands soft and softly scented. I have to say, it really motivated me to use it.

There is also a Moisturizing Hand Lotion with Vitamin E, Macadamia Oil, Oat, Apple and Grape Seed extracts to condition and soften, and the Fresh Source™ to get rid of lingering cooking smells. After your hard-working hands have done their work and you've cleansed them, why not pamper them a bit, too?

Of course you can use these products anywhere you wish, but why not splurge just a teeny, tiny bit, and give your kitchen an upgrade?! All of the Healthy Clean Kitchen Collection products are available now at Bath & Body Works, Bath & Body Works stores or www.bathandbodyworks.com and they're just $5.00! For store locations, call 1-800-756-5005.

Copyright ©Alison Blackman Dunham. All rights reserved.The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark. No content may be used or copied with written permission. If you want to use my work, please obtain it legally: Email Me. Subscribe to this blog -options on right hand column. Follow me on and I use provided samples for most of my reviews. Learn more in the "A Note About Compensation" section of the Advice Sisters What Works Beauty, Cosmetics and Fashion Review column

Carlos Falchi and Mark, Make Magical Rio, A Reality

"When my Baby Smiles at Me I GO TO Rio.." Sang Peter Allen, but you don't need anyone to smile at you to feel Rio in your soul. All you need now is pieces of the RIO Collection by Carlos Falchi, by way of mark and mark Cosmetics.

Recently, I attended an Editor's tweetup at which there were also some lovely, young, mark representatives. The event was streamed live on mark's FaceBook Page. On hand was award-winning handbag and accessory designer Carlos Falchi. The mark & Carlos Falchi Present Rio: a Beauty and Fashion Collection was inspired by his native country of Brazil and consists of nine fashion and accessory pieces and six beauty products, all priced at $40.00 and below. I tweeted this photo of Carlos with models at the event.

Brazil is Carlo's Falchi's home country, and his inspiration for the collection. " I knew right away that my home country of Brazil would be the perfect theme. Rio embodies color, vibrancy and spirit, all of which are reflected in this collection. Each piece is unique and incorporates my signature features like the colorful lining of the bags inspired by the Copacabana boardwalk, the Rio ready mini tie finishing, and the unique fabrications.” The Carlos Falchi for mark collection includes a dress, bikini, two bags, sandals, hat, necklace and earrings. The makeup colors are bronzed, sun-worthy, and wearable, plus there are two unique fragrances ”Rio Rhythm” and “Rio Bikini.” All you really need this summer is the adorable bikini $22.00, The Rock to the Bead Necklace $16.00 (and matching earrings $14.00 ) in burnished brass with hot pink beads, or in silvertone with brown beads, and a cover-up such as the beach-to-dinner Flora dress flora dress with a unique, Carlos Falchi exclusively for mark, print. Splash on one of the new, exclusive, body fragrances (see below)..maybe add a hat 16.00 and some golden sandals $16.00 and you're RIO-ready right now!

Here is my twitpic of the two new fragrances, both youthful and light and easy to wear. Rio Rhythms $18.00 is an oriental blend of jasmine petals, fresh gardenia, warm woods and fragrant vanilla It is inspired by the Brazilian city Rio de Janeiro. Top notes: Jasmine Petals, Coconut Water and Peony ; Middle notes: Gardenia and Lilac ; drydown: Vanilla, Milky Accord, Warm Wood and Amber. Rio Bikini $18.00 is a fruity blend of juicy kiwi, luscious melon, exotic flowers and a drizzle of coconut. It is like an instant vacation in a spray bottle. Top notes: Pitaya Fruit, Juicy Kiwi And Fresh-squeezed Watermelon ; Middle notes: Coconut Milk And Exotic Flowers ; Dry notes: Beachy Accord, Sandalwood, and Musk

MARK is known for trendy and super-affordable accessory items. The mark & Carlos Falchi Present Rio: a Beauty and Fashion Collection has bright, beautiful colors of green, yellow, and hot pink. Wearing the beach-worthy items will just make you feel happy. But my favorite piece is the "take me to rio bag" $40. This tote/beach bag in ice-blue, metallic faux leather, was designed by Carlos Falchi exclusively for mark. The oversized: 191/2" L x 141/2" tote has all the hallmarks of Falchi's high end handbags, including brushed goldtone ring details. a rounded outside pocket with a magnetic closure (fits a cell phone, a zipper closure with large zipper pull, and two 12" zippered inside pockets. For evening, Falchi has designed a "Rio Ready Mini Bag"
$20 in gold, metallic faux leather: 61/2" L x 21/2" W at top x 5" H with a long, 72" shoulder strap.

And: it wouldn't be a mark collection without a great makeup collection!

At the tweetup event, Editors got a chance to try a lot of the makeup from the mark Rio collection. There were quite a few pieces and colors to choose from...really, something for everyone, at a price anyone can afford. My favorite was the Glowdacious Illuminating Powder $12.00 Three shades are pressed into one, oil-free and fragrance-free powder, that naturally enhance skin tone, both brightening and illuminating it. The glow looks natural, not "Jersey Girl," and the color stays put and fresh, for hours. It's not a bronzer, but it will add a new dimension to your complexion--really, really, really pretty! Three shades are: Prettied Up (light); Shimmied Up (medium); and Amped Up (dark). Another big hit at the Tweetup was the versatile, seriously long lasting, new, Keep It Going Longwear Eyeliner & Shadow $10.00. These portable compacts offer two shades of long-lasting, waterproof, cream eye shadow and eyeliner. They're easily blended but once it sets (in about 60 seconds) the color is smudge-proof and waterproof. The formulas are both matte and shimmery. Use your favorite for a smoky eye, or use it as a liner. The product really does last, and has good for your skin, antioxidant Vitamin E. Shades: Industria – violet/grey ,conic – sage/gold ,exposure – taupe/brown ,Entourage – black/silver, Surreal – navy/bronze


For lips there's the swivel-up Totally Balmed SPF 15 Tinted Lip Balm $8.00. These scented lip balms are sheer, and have 15 for UVA/UVB protection, plus Vitamins A, C and E for antioxidant protection. The click-it pen with brush tip Gloss Gorgeous $9.00 comes in more intense shades of nude, cherry, coral, and plum.

...there are foundations, skin creams, and more in this collection, but these are the items that I feel are the highlights. All of these, and more wonderful things both to wear, and in cosmetics and fragrance, from mark, are available through mark Representatives, online at www.meetmark.com and the shop tab on the “mark. girl” FacebookPage. A sales force of young women, many in high school and college, fuel sales for this brand. It's easy to see why. You don't have to sacrifice quality, even on a budget. These products are great, and the prices are insanely inexpensive!

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Copyright ©Alison Blackman Dunham. All rights reserved. The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark. No content may be used or copied with written permission. If you want to use my work, please obtain it legally: Email: advicesisters-at-advicesisters-dot-net Subscribe to this blog by email or in a feed reader (See the right hand column of this blog). Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/advicesisters or Facebook http://www.facebook.com/alisonblackmanI use provided samples for most of my reviews. Learn more in the "A Note About Compensation" section of my What Works Beauty, Cosmetics and Fashion review column: http://www.advicesisters.net/whatworkscol3.html

Resveratrol, the New Fountain of Youth?

A few months ago, I received a bottle of Resveratrol at a Health and Wellness Expo. It was during Fashion Week, and although I was curious about it. If you search for the term: "Resveratrol," you will find plenty of hype surrounding the product and its proported, "anti-aging effects.”

Resveratrol is found in the skin of red grapes and is a constituent of red wine, and it is has also been produced in the lab. I have tried a number of skin care products created from grape seeds, but as a neutraceutical it’s much harder to quantity it’s benefits. Resveratrol is currently being sold as a nutritional supplement, derived primarily from Japanese knotweed. The product has been touted as being able to do wonderful things for humans, including lowering blood sugar, reducing the risk of heart disease, perhap as cancer preventative and, of course, for anti-aging results.

ResVitale's scientific advisor says the following: "Resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants can help prevent cancer that is caused by cell damage from free radicals. Damaged cells are more likely to become cancerous than healthy cells. In addition, testing on human cells in-vitro has shown that Resveratrol is proven to induce cancer cells to die like healthy cells, which die in their natural life cycle. Normally, cancer treatments such as radiation, cause cancer cells to break open and release their contents into the body, creating inflammation in neighboring cells. Resveratrol, on the other hand, induces the white blood cells to consume the cellular debris of the dead cancer cell, a process called apoptosis. In addition, testing on human cells in-vitro has shown that Resveratrol is proven to induce cancer cells to die like healthy cells, which die in their natural life cycle. Normally, cancer treatments such as radiation, cause cancer cells to break open and release their contents into the body, creating inflammation in neighboring cells. Resveratrol, on the other hand, induces the white blood cells to consume the cellular debris of the dead cancer cell, a process called apoptosis."

When something sounds too good to be true, I am always skeptical. While it doesn't say so on the bottle, my contact at ResVitale says it takes about two weeks for these types of products to have an effect. A daily dose of Resveratrol is 1 capsule a day. Alas, there's no way I can properly quantify the benefits. There are lots of companies selling Resveratrol in various forms. What I can tell you is what's in one vegetarian capsule of Resveratrol by ResVitate (the product I tried). One capsule contains 200 mg each of organic French wine polyphenol skin seeds stem from organic, muscadine red grape and seed, plus 500 mg. of wild natural Japanese Knotweed extract standardized to 250 mg. of mt of pure trans Resveratrol, It also has 100 mg of quercetin (a plant-derived flavonoid). The label on the ResVitale Resveratrol claims that one daily dose of this is equal to the benefits of 1,000 glasses of red wine. Certainly swilling that much red wine is a dubious way to be healthier, although and would make for a good timeand then a generous hangover!

All of this is good information. You also need to know that rhe 250 mg pills I received from ResVitale in Tampa, Florida, costs $39.99 for 60 pills, or a two months supply. There is also a less potent dose 125 mg for $23.99 (equal to 440 glasses of wine a day) There are more powerful doses, too. You can visit http://www.resvitale.com/ and even watch a 60 minutes video on Resveratrol.






Natrol, Inc., a marketer, manufacturer, and distributor of nationally branded nutritional products recently introduced Natrol® Resveratrol Diet. It has a cocktail of nutrients including 100 mg of Resveratrol and green tea. I couldn't find out much about this product and I couldn't even find a picture of it. Natrol® Resveratrol Diet’s triple-action formula of antioxidants, enzymes, and other nutrients, supposedly boost the body’s calorie-burning and energy, promoting fat metabolism with the following key ingredients:


1.Resveratrol (from Red Wine Grape Extract and Japanese Knotweed),


2..Green tea extract, providing the antioxidant EGCG; a


3.Metabolic Activator, a targeted caffeine blend that is supposed to help rev up metabolism, boost energey, improve mood and burn calories.

Resveratrol Diet also contains Berry Digest, a special enzyme blend to help support digestion; and, Chromium (from Chromax® Chromium Picolinate) to promote fat metabolism. At just 100 mg. of Resveratrol, the recommended dose is two capsules with a meal, once a day. The
suggested retail price for 60 capsules (a 30-day supply) is about $25.00. You can get this product a U.S. Walgreens and Walmart stores.

If you are curious about Resveratrol, before you swallow a pill (even though it might be wiser than drinking 1,000 glasses of wine!), ask your doctor about whether Resveratrol is something that s/he thinks would benefit you. If you want to try it on your own consider that while Resveratrol has increased the lifespans of yeast, worms, fruit flies, fish, and mice fed a high-calorie diet no one knows what kind of effect it has in humans.

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Copyright ©Alison Blackman Dunham. All rights reserved. The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark. No content may be used or copied with written permission. If you want to use my work, please obtain it legally: Email: advicesisters-at-advicesisters-dot-net Subscribe to this blog by email or in a feed reader (See the right hand column of this blog). Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/advicesisters
or Facebook http://www.facebook.com/alisonblackman
I use provided samples for most of my reviews. Learn more in the "A Note About Compensation" section of my What Works Beauty, Cosmetics and Fashion review column: http://www.advicesisters.net/whatworkscol3.html

Marc Jacobs Splash Trio--Tempting Fragrance Treats

How time flies! In our Spring 2006 "What Works" review column , The Advice Sisters were gaga (way before "lady") about the trio of truly new, Marc Jacobs Splash fragrances. A few years, and more splash fragrances, have gone by, and it's Spring, again. This season, for Mother's Day, or any day, Marc Jacobs Splash Eau de Toilette fragrances are a great choice. If you're looking for something delicious, try the trio of new; limited edition Marc Jacobs Splash fragrances in Pomegranate, Biscotti, and Apple.

All three scents sound amazing, but I have a sweet tooth and tried the Biscotti Splash, (say that three times, fast!). Developed by Richard Herpin of Firmenich, this fragrance arrives in a creamy, matte, biscotti-colored carton, with a simple, square, white, Marc Jacobs label. It reminds me of coveted, cardboard bakery boxes from high-end pastry shops that hold delicate, precious, dessert treats). All it needs is bakery string! But Biscotti Splash is not sweet or even almond-y as the actual food item, is. This one does, however, have good-enough-to-eat-sounding, notes: freesia, bergamot, orange blossom, pistachio blossom, and vanilla. You'd think that the scent would be sweet, and perhaps, overworked, but it's definitely not either of those things. The light, golden tint of the juice looks tempting, and the first "splash" of the fragrance reveals a surprisingly big hit of bergamot. That changes quickly to a drydown of that's soft, and clean/powdery---perfect for warm weather day or evening.

Each of the Marc Jacobs Splash fragrances arrive in substantial, square, glass bottles with shiny black tops that can be removed to add an (included) spray diffuser. You can wear it either by tipping the bottle and literally "splashing" the light fragrance, liberally on your body, or you can simply spray it on. Ditch the dainty "pulse point" application and use a lot, but unlike a more concentrated perfume, you won't chase people out of the room with your exuberance! At a huge, 10 ounces, you won't feel at all guilty about using it up, either.

Although I didn't try the other two, here's what you need to know about them: The green-tinted Apple Splash was developed by Yann Vasnier of Givaudan. It evokes the tartness of Apple, Lemon and Grapefruit, with the unexpected surprise of Rosemary, Jasmin and Magnolia. Warm tinted Pomegranate was created by perfumer Patty Hidalgo of Fragrance Resources. It captures the sparkling radiance of pomegranate, with Mandarin Flowers, Bergamot, Rhubarb and Sugared Musk.


Tempted by this trio? I thought so! And the best thing is that Splash scents are meant to be, well....liberally "spalashed" on your skin, so you can use a lot and not chase people out of the room!




As I said before, these are limited edition and when they're sold out, they're gone. Each scent from the Splash Collection retails for $68.00 10 fl. oz., and they're available now at Saks, Sephora, Bloomingdales, Nordstrom and Marc Jacobs Boutiques.

Copyright ©Alison Blackman Dunham. All rights reserved.The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark. No content may be used or copied with written permission. If you want to use my work, please obtain it legally: Email Me. Subscribe to this blog -options on right hand column. Follow me on and I use provided samples for most of my reviews. Learn more in the "A Note About Compensation" section of the Advice Sisters What Works Beauty, Cosmetics and Fashion Review column

Total Beauty Tip: How to look Hot for your Hot Date

Date Night Made Sexy

This is a TotalBeauty.com health & beauty article Follow these steps and you'll look so gorgeous that he won't be able to keep his hands off ....those smooth, shiny legs of yours. Get tips

Copyright ©Alison Blackman Dunham. All rights reserved.The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark. No content may be used or copied with written permission. If you want to use my work, please obtain it legally: Email Me. Subscribe to this blog -options on right hand column. Follow me on and I use provided samples for most of my reviews. Learn more in the "A Note About Compensation" section of the Advice Sisters What Works Beauty, Cosmetics and Fashion Review column

Fabulous Finds for Mother's Day - Pucci Acqua 330 Gift Set

A few months ago, I was delighted to learn about a trio of fragrances by Emilio Pucci Parfums called Vivara Variazioni, *the one in the photo above, is Pucci Acqua 330 .

Each scent is distinct, re-imagined from aspects of designer Emilio Pucci's iconic 2966 Vivara fragrance, inspired by the rugged island near Capri. These new scents were created by François Demachy, Senior Vice President, Olfactory Development for Perfumes - LVMH, in close collaboration with Annick Ménardo, Louise Turner, Michel Girard and Christophe Raynaud. The adorable, "pop art" style, mushroom-shaped bottles have tops that feature colorful, Pucci prints in tones of marine blues, sunny yellows and sandy oranges, to reflect the theme of the sun, the water, or the sand.

If one, great bottle of fragrance is special, then an entire set is even more exciting! If you hurry, you can get the Pucci Acqua 330 Gift Set, exclusively from Sephora, for just $59.00 (*the shipping is free and it's an $80.00 value). This set, just perfect for Mother's Day, features the "sea" element of the trio: Pucci Acqua 330.

The set is beautifully presented with a shiny, white outer carton featuring the same, light blue and sea green Pucci print as on the fragrance bottle. Inside, there's another gift-within-a-gift: a soft-as-kid "pleather" clutch bag in pristine white, trimmed in metallic blue. The is lined with a water-resistant, Pucci Vivara logo print. The bag is perfect for travel. It folds flat, but fully opened, it's the size of a very, very chic lunch bag (perfect to carry your water bottle and a few, healthy snacks). Folded and snapped closed, the same bag doubles as an evening clutch (no one will ever know you used it for something less glamorous). You also get the fragrance of course: two ways: a 1.7 oz Eau de Toilette Spray and a rollberball-shaped and sized travel flacon that's a 0.3 oz Eau de Toilette Spray. The small spray is for her purse, the other, for the dressing table!! That's a lot of gift in one little package!!!!

I really love Pucci Acqua 330, from the sexy, light-blue tinted juice, to the marine/floral fragrance. It starts with top notes violet leaf, with the water theme strengthened by an aquatic accord. The heart has jasmine and frangipani flower, tinged with "salty" notes such as iodine, while the base has musk. Every review I've seen credits Acqua 330 with different notes above and beyond these, including Bitter Orange, Pink Berry, Tonka Bean, Moss, Pink Grapefruit, Monoi Flower, and White Amber. I'm not sure if all of these are really in the mix, but I can say that while the initial sense of this is citrus/fruit, the drydown is a soft floral with hints of musk and spice. You can sense a bit of saltiness in it. Like the sea, a bit mysterious and ever-changing. It will work it's magic on your personal body chemistry, and still be light enough for warmer weather.

I am SO in love with this scent and this set! When you find something special, it's exciting to know that you can enjoy it different ways. Consider: this is a genuine Pucci designer original that is actually affordable and a great value. These Mother's Day Gift Sets are destined to be sold out fast...that's why I'm posting this right now -- the moment the set arrived and I checked it out. Since shipping is free, you've got nothing to lose by going directly to the Sephora Web Site page for the set and ordering it NOW!

Copyright ©Alison Blackman Dunham. All rights reserved.The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark. No content may be used or copied with written permission. If you want to use my work, please obtain it legally: Email Me. Subscribe to this blog -options on right hand column. Follow me on and I use provided samples for most of my reviews. Learn more in the "A Note About Compensation" section of the Advice Sisters What Works Beauty, Cosmetics and Fashion Review column

Thymes Makes Geat Scents, and Sense, for not a lot of Cents

The Advice Sisters have quite often reviewed the Thymes (now: Thymes) beautifully scented, botanically-based, paraben-free, bath and body products. The scents are sensational and the prices, so reasonable you'll wonder how you ever lived without at least one or two of these bath and body beauties.

Now, Thymes has introduced the Ambersweet Orange Collection. The unisex scent is softy warm and spicy, like an old fashioned pomander, with a comforting blend of delicate orange blossom, tonka bean and vanilla mixed with spices of nutmeg, sandalwood and cardamom.

This fourteen piece collection also features skin-nourishing ingredients such as healing, creamy yogurt and moisturizing, rich honey. The rectangular, plastic bottles with flip top lids have a simple, stylized, floral graphic of an orange blossom-very pretty! And the plastic packaging encourages you to "recycle." You might just want to keep the 2 fl. oz. travel sized bottles, to refill them!

Here's a breakdown of the entire collection. Smell it, and you'll love it!

Body Lotion 2 oz $5.50 * easily absorbed, it will nicely scent your skin with Ambersweet Orange and a light moisturizing feel.

Body Wash 2 oz $5.50 *pearly, white body wash cleanses gently, thoroughly, and with that lovely, Ambersweet aromatherapy scent

other pieces in the collection include:

Bar Soap 6.8 oz $13.00
Bath Salts Envelope 2 oz $5.00
Body Lotion 9.25 oz $24.00
Body Wash 9.25 oz $18.00
Cologne 1.75 oz $32.00
Hand Cream 2.5 oz $16.00
Hand Lotion 8.25 oz $14.00
Hand Wash 8.25 oz $12.00
Home Fragrance Mist 3 oz $16.00
Liquid Foaming Bath 12.25 oz $20.00
Poured Aromatic Candle 9 oz $26.00
Sink Set with Caddy 8.25 oz $30.00

*I also tried the Travel Size (2 fl. oz) Body Wash wash in Moonflower and Eucalyptus $6.00 each. Moonflower features moisturizing Glycerin, antioxidant Vitamin E a sexy, gold shimmer, and a scent of gilded cinnamon, clove and sugared quince with fresh myrtle leaves, mahogany, dark amber and smooth cognac. If you don't scrub, you'll enjoy a bit of gold shimmer left behind on your skin, along with the scent. Unisex Eucalyptus has a very light fragrance with energizing scents of eucalyptus, crisp Italian lemon, lime & petitgrain. The cleanser cleanses with moisturizing jojoba oil hydrating honey, soothing aloe vera , and vitamin E. A great way to start the day.

Gift Tip: An entire collection of Thymes products will look impressive, and not break your budget. If you are really on "beer & peanuts," wrap up variety of the 2 fl. oz. travel sizes. They make a fun gift for mom, dad, grads, and brides/couples to be, and summer host/hostesses

Visit The Thymes Web Site to learn more!

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Copyright ©Alison Blackman Dunham. All rights reserved. The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark. No content may be used or copied with written permission. If you want to use my work, please obtain it legally: Email: advicesisters-at-advicesisters-dot-net Subscribe to this blog by email or in a feed reader (See the right hand column of this blog). Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/advicesisters

or Facebook http://www.facebook.com/alisonblackman
I use provided samples for most of my reviews. Learn more in the "A Note About Compensation" section of my What Works Beauty, Cosmetics and Fashion review column: http://www.advicesisters.net/whatworkscol3.html

Nicolle Miller's Fantastic Floriental Fragrance

Nicole Miller is an American fashion designer who earned a degree in fine art from the Rhode Island School of Design. She also learned how to drape ad master the classical techniques of Couture from the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. Her celebrity following includes some of the most chic women today: Angelina Jolie, Halle Berry, Beyonce, Lauren Hutton, Joss Stone, Felicity Huffman, and Alicia Keys, to name a few.

Now everyone can enjoy Nicole Miller's designs, with a new fragrance: Nicolle Miller Eau de Parfum. The designer partnered with Parlux Fragrances, Inc. to create a scent the designer describes as: sexy, vibrant, feminine and memorable" for a woman who is: "smart and confident. She’s a lot of fun, a high energy personality, warm, engaging with that special spark. She loves to let people know she is there; she is someone people are attracted to and remember.”

One look at the shiny, gold, outer packaging embossed with a bold, Celtic design along the sides, and I knew I was going to find something rare and special, inside.


I wasn't disappointed.





The fragrance is distinctive, lovely, and a welcome departure from the fruity florals and girly gourmands we've been seeing (actually, smelling) in the past. It's spicy and energizing. You can smell the feminine part of this rich "floriental" but it also has discernable, masculine, woodsy notes that make it exceedingly warm and sexy. The top notes are a blend of cassis sorbet, bright orange and clean aldehydes. The heart floral and feminine,including yellow gardenia, exotic ylang ylang, orange flower and hints of violet leaves. But the bottom notes are strong and sensual, mixing well with the fruit and floral notes to make it rich, spicy and warm. They include: rich black patchouli and oakmoss enveloped in textural white cedarwood and amber. It's the kind of enticing fragrance that you smell at first, and then immediately have to urge to go back for another sniff right away to literally "drink it all in." But once drydown occurs, some of the floral comes back up, especially the powdery, violet leaves. The fragrance lingers on your skin, and changes with your body chemistry. It lasts, and it's lovely.


And I can't say enough about the bottle. It's gorgeous, as you can see for yourself from the photo. Most people purchase fragrance not just for the scent, but for the visual pleasure applying it also provides. Nicole Miller will delight you in every way. The bottle was inspired by classic French shapes, and reminds me of the grand, dressing table flacons women displayed on their art-deco dressing tables in the 20's and 30's. the shape, to me, looks like an angel with outstretched wings. A large, ribbed, coppery ball forms the "head" over the spray diffuser. The press literature says that it is actually bronze toned, but on my bottle it looks more ambery-copper than bronze. The amber-colored juice inside is highlighted by coppery/bronze-tone embellishment on the front: a long, rectangular, metal Celtic knot design inspired by Miller’s apparel. The effect of the bottle, like the fragrance, is a feminine but powerful look designed for a confident, bold, chic woman who knows her own style.




The Nicole Miller fragrance collection, which just launched in late April, includes Eau de Parfum as well as bath and body products for women, is available exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue and Nicole Miller boutiques throughout the United States. Price points include Eau de Parfum Sprays at $65 for 1.7 fl. oz. and $80 for 3.4 fl. oz; Shower Crème at $35 for 5 fl. oz.; Body Lotion at $45 for 5 fl. oz. and a Body Crème at $60 for 6.7 fl. oz. Your mom will love this for her special Mother's day gift, but you will love it "just because."

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Copyright ©Alison Blackman Dunham. All rights reserved. The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark. No content may be used or copied with written permission. If you want to use my work, please obtain it legally: Email: advicesisters-at-advicesisters-dot-net Subscribe to this blog by email or in a feed reader (See the right hand column of this blog). Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/advicesisters or Facebook http://www.facebook.com/alisonblackman I use provided samples for most of my reviews. Learn more in the "A Note About Compensation" section of my What Works Beauty, Cosmetics and Fashion review column: http://www.advicesisters.net/whatworkscol3.html

Total Beauty Tip: nine seasonal skin and hair remedies to make at home

Get Cookin' with These Beauty Recipes

Try these nine seasonal skin and hair remedies

This is a TotalBeauty.com health & beauty article Mix your farmer's market and backyard finds with stuff you have in the pantry to make facial masks, hair remedies and beyond. Get recipes

Copyright ©Alison Blackman Dunham. All rights reserved.The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark. No content may be used or copied with written permission. If you want to use my work, please obtain it legally: Email Me. Subscribe to this blog -options on right hand column. Follow me on and I use provided samples for most of my reviews. Learn more in the "A Note About Compensation" section of the Advice Sisters What Works Beauty, Cosmetics and Fashion Review column

Givenchy's Limited Edition Makes a Mosaic, for Summer

Givenchy has just come out with a well edited, limited edition, Summer collection of cosmetic beauties I can't resist, and I know you won't be able to, either. They arrive in the iconic, square, mirrored compacts Givenchy is famous for, but they're dressed up for Summer with a colorful background of floral designs accented with silver detailing, that look almost like a mosaic, with the Givenchy logo overlay in black. Inside, the powder colors are also dressed up, swirled into mosaic-like patterns. The face powder compacts also have Givenchy's new and innovative, clap & slide” features (the bottom drawer slides out to reveal the very nice powder, brush, with soft, wide and contoured bristles). This wonderful, wearable collection was available in some places in April, but by now it should be just about everywhere.



I love this 7 piece collection because there is something for every skin tone and personality. Some colors are both bold and bright, but some are subtle and softened for Summer. Here's how the entire collection stacks up, and I'll put notes where I have personally tried the color or product.

The limited edition Fleur de Frangipanier $45.00 is a light bronzer/highlighter that you can get in two shades: Island Sun (No. 2) ; and Island Tan (No. 3). I tried Island Tan, which gave me just the right amount of subtle glow. If you have fair skin, this is a perfect choice to keep you from being mistaken from a tanning bed victim gone wild! It also has limited shimmer, so when the weather heats up, you don't look like a light bulb with too much "glow," either! Well worth every penny!

Limited Edition Le Prisme Yeux Island Camaieu (#17 Island Lagoon) $29.00 - the pretty square of blue-themed mosaic shadow reminds me of the Mediterranean sea from the air! There are swirls or teal, light blue, deep marine, and ocean that you can mix together for a gorgeous, mid-sea blue, or pick out a tiny piece of the powder, and use just that color. So pretty you might just want to look at it, but eventually you'll dip your powder brush in, and be hooked*there's also Island Sand (No. 18) featuring swirls of goldenrod and sand

Phenomen’Eyes (Waterproof) $29.00
Black (No. 1)
Brown (No. 2)
Turquoise (No. 3)

Is it wrong to love a mascara? Well, I can't help it! This mascara looks unusual, and it is! The little ball brush looks like a Medieval instrument of torture, but what it does is effectively get every single little lash, and coat it from root to tip. You can even get an instant "liner" effect with it. I usually don't like turquoise lash colors, but this Summer color matches the mid blue range of the eye shadow (#17) and is softer than a bright teal or turquoise, and it is very pretty.




Limited Edition Pop Gloss Crystal Sun $25,00 - there's nothing better than a new lip gloss. This collection has three. My fave is Sun Guava (No. 472) - the peachy/bronze/shimmery gloss with tons of shine is what you need to complete a Summer beach look. The powdery scent seems right for sunny days and the color is gorgeous on everyone --- There is also : Sun Papaya (No. 473) and Sun Cocoa (No. 474)





The rest of the collection includes:

For lips there is also a limited edition Rouge Interdit in Island Hibiscus (No. 47)





For cheeks a Givenchy Le Prisme Blush quartet of apricot-y shades, called Vogue orange

Not available in the US, but I wish they were, are the limited edition Nail Polishes Vernis Please! in a beautiful deep mint green and sea-worthy blue: Island Lagoon (No. 169) and Island Palm (No. 170)

Check out everything in this collection at fine department stores, and at Sephora!

Copyright ©Alison Blackman Dunham. All rights reserved. The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark. No content may be used or copied with written permission. If you want to use my work, please obtain it legally: Email: advicesisters-at-advicesisters-dot-net Subscribe to this blog by email or in a feed reader (See the right hand column of this blog). Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/advicesisters
I use provided samples for most of my reviews. Learn more in the "A Note About Compensation" section of my What Works Beauty, Cosmetics and Fashion review column: http://www.advicesisters.net/whatworkscol3.html

Total Beauty Tip: 3 Must-Try Celebrity Beauty Trends Made Easy

3 Must-Try Celebrity Beauty Trends Made Easy

Total Beauty shares celebrity trends in hair and makeup looks this season. Learn their secrets by following their step-by-step how-tos

This is a TotalBeauty.com make up article Leave it to the stars to flawlessly rock spring's beauty trends like the no-makeup look, messy-ish updos and coral lips and cheeks -- leave it to us to give you insider-y tips for how to steal their looks. Get tips

Copyright ©Alison Blackman Dunham. All rights reserved.The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark. No content may be used or copied with written permission. If you want to use my work, please obtain it legally: Email Me. Subscribe to this blog -options on right hand column. Follow me on and I use provided samples for most of my reviews. Learn more in the "A Note About Compensation" section of the Advice Sisters What Works Beauty, Cosmetics and Fashion Review column

********************************************************************************************************************************版权所有©艾莉森布莱克曼邓纳姆。保留所有权利。姐妹的意见是注册美国商标。没有内容可以使用或复制的书面permission.If您要使用我的工作，请，在- advicesisters，获得它在法律上：电子邮箱：advicesisters点网。我用我的评论提供了样本。学习中的“阿注更多关于补偿”一节中，如果你喜欢这个博客我的作品是什么美容，化妆品和时装评论专栏：http://www.advicesisters.net/whatworkscol3.html，同意通过电子邮件或在读者（见选项右侧栏）Copyright © Alison Blackman Dunham. Todos los derechos reservados. Las Hermanas de Asesoramiento es una marca registrada Estados Unidos. Ningún contenido puede ser usado o copiado con el escrito permission.If desea utilizar mi trabajo, por favor obtener legalmente: Email: advicesisters-en-advicesisters-punto-net. Yo uso siempre muestras para mis comentarios. Obtenga más información en la nota "Una acerca de la compensación" de mi lo que funciona Belleza, Cosméticos y columna de opinión de moda: http://www.advicesisters.net/whatworkscol3.html Si te gusta este blog, suscribirse a él por correo electrónico o en un lector (véase la columna de la derecha para las opciones)कॉपीराइट © Alison Blackman Dunham. सभी अधिकार सुरक्षित. सलाह बहनों एक संयुक्त राज्य अमेरिका पंजीकृत ट्रेडमार्क है. कोई सामग्री या इस्तेमाल किया जा सकता है permission.If आपको-advicesisters-पर अपने काम, यह कानूनी रूप से प्राप्त करने का उपयोग करें: ईमेल: advicesisters कृपया चाहते डॉट नेट लिखा के साथ नकल. मैं अपनी समीक्षा के लिए नमूने प्रदान का उपयोग करें. जानें मुआवजा के बारे में "एक नोट में और मेरा क्या काम करता है सौंदर्य, प्रसाधन सामग्री और फैशन की समीक्षा कॉलम: http://www.advicesisters.net/whatworkscol3.html की" यदि आपको इस ब्लॉग की तरह अनुभाग में, या एक ईमेल में यह द्वारा की सदस्यता लें रीडर (विकल्प के लिए सही हाथ स्तम्भ देखें)Copyright © Alison Blackman Dunham. Tous droits réservés. Les Sœurs Advice est une marque déposée des États-Unis. Aucun contenu mai être utilisés ou copiés avec écrit permission.If vous voulez utiliser mon travail, s'il vous plaît obtenez-le en toute légalité: Email: advicesisters-at-advicesisters-dot-net. J'utilise fourni des échantillons pour mes commentaires. En savoir plus dans la "Note sur la rémunération" section de mon What Works beauté, Cosmétiques & Fashion Column: http://www.advicesisters.net/whatworkscol3.html Si vous aimez ce blog, vous y abonner par email ou dans une lecteur (voir colonne de droite pour les options)حقوق النشر محفوظة © أليسون بلاكمان دنهام. جميع الحقوق محفوظة. راهبات مشورة هي علامة تجارية مسجلة للولايات المتحدة. قد لا يكون مضمون استخدام أو نسخ خطية مع permission.If كنت تريد استخدام عملي ، يرجى الحصول عليها من الناحية القانونية : البريد الإلكتروني : advicesisters المعرضات للadvicesisters - دوت صافي. أنا استخدم قدمت عينات لمشاركاتي. تعلم المزيد في "ملاحظة حول التعويضات" مقطع من بلدي ما يعمل الجمال ومستحضرات التجميل موضة واستعراض العمود : http://www.advicesisters.net/whatworkscol3.html إذا كنت مثل هذا بلوق ، والاشتراك بها عن طريق البريد الإلكتروني أو في القارئ (انظر العمود الأيمن لخيارات

Queen of Shaves, Satisfies

I recently attended an editor's event for the King of Shaves with Master Barber Diane Wood, about a new line of shaving goodies for women from the King of Shaves, called the Queen Of.. collection. Diane comes from a family of barbers, and when she's not promoting products from the King (and Queen of) Shaves, she works in the family business: the upscale, Paul Mole Barber Shop in Manhattan.

The Queen Of line currently features two shave gels in white, flip top tubes, with colorful, adorable, pinup girl (well, maybe more like Barbarella) graphics: Ooh La La (with aloe vera, for sensitive skin) and Ta Da, are both paraben-free, low-foaming formulas that help your razor do it's best, while moisturizing your skin with pampering ingredients such as aloe vera and tea tree oil. created to stave off razor burn and nourish skin with ingredients like aloe vera and tea tree oil. Diane told us that the reason these gels are low foaming is that for foam, you need to use ingredients that can dry out the skin, like soap. These new shaving gels don't have soap or fragrance, and they are pure, silkening, luxury!

According to Diane, most women who shave regularly are under 40 (she claims that older women tend to wax...or maybe they just don't care anymore and walk around, hairy--not!). But the Queen Of products are meant to appeal to younger women want something cute and pretty to put in their bathroom. I would debate Diane on this. I think older women are still interested in new products that help them deal with tasks, better, and of course, what woman doesn't want something cute and fun to use to accomplish those tasks? But, Diane is the expert. She's a young woman who fearlessly shaved David Letterman's beard, live on the air (a memento of the Writer's Guild strike in 2008). Whatever you opinion, you'll find it cute that The "Queen Of...name" intentionally leaves off the last part of the company name .."of Shaves." This is supposed to empower women to be whatever they feel they're queen of -- at least for the moment. No matter what your age, you'll find that the gels are pleasant to use, and keep your legs super-soft, while your razor helps make them smooth.


I also got a chance to check out the Azor from the King of Shaves (there will be one for women, too). The Azor looks different from your usual razor. For starters, it is incredibly lightweight plastic, and has a keyhole design that lets you see what part of your skin you're actually shaving (clever!). The razor has a flexible head with a Reflex Living Hinge that lets blades firmly yet comfortably glide on skin for a super close shave. This is a true advantage, since your skin isn't perfectly smooth. The razor simply adjusts to a bump and slides over it without slicing half your skin off with it. The Endurium cartridge has coated blades that stay sharper for much longer. An average blade should last, according to Diane, for up to a month of shaves for a man who uses it once a day. That's pretty impressive! The packaging, and the razor, are recyclable, too!

Bonus Beauty Tips: Here are a few tips from King of Shaves expert Diane Wood that will help you get the most out of your razor and shaving products, and get a close, silky smooth, comfortable shave:

Shave in the bath or shower: Warm, wet hair is softened so it's easier to shave than if it is dry. so use the water or your bath or shower --keeping skin/hair wet for at least three minutes.

Shave UP and DOWN -- as well as with hair growth: We are generally taught to shave legs and bikini area, with downwards stroke, but to get the closest possible shave, start at your ankles and shave upwards. Flex your ankle/knee to keep the blade from nicking the area where the bone is close to the skin surface.


Shave SIDEWAYS: Diane suggests making a "T" shape with your razor to get all the hairs that you may have missed, especially when dealing with your underarms. It feels a bit strange at first, but it works!


Protect Skin: You are exposing your skin after shaving, so don't add anything irritating. Wait at least an hour to allow time for your skin’s pores to close before applying deodorant, perfume, going swimming in salty sea water etc. Do use a non-perfumed moisturizer (I like ones that are created for sensitive skin) to help lock in moisture and to soothe and revitalize your skin.



The King of Shaves is a British company that makes good quality, affordable shaving items for men, and the Advice Sisters reviewed some of these in our MayJune 2009 What Works Beauty, Cosmetics & Fashion review column. These Ta Da and Ooh La La Shave Gels from Queen Of... have a suggested retail price of $3.99 for 5 oz. tubes, and are available now in selected Duane Reade Drug Stores. They will also start to appear in select Target stores across the country this Spring. The AZOR srp. IS $8.99

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Copyright ©Alison Blackman Dunham. All rights reserved. The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark. No content may be used or copied with written permission. If you want to use my work, please obtain it legally: Email: advicesisters-at-advicesisters-dot-net Subscribe to this blog by email or in a feed reader (See the right hand column of this blog). Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/advicesisters
or Facebook http://www.facebook.com/alisonblackman
I use provided samples for most of my reviews. Learn more in the "A Note About Compensation" section of my What Works Beauty, Cosmetics and Fashion review column: http://www.advicesisters.net/whatworkscol3.html

NEW Advice Sisters What Works Beauty Review Up Today

The Advice Sisters bi-monthly What Works Beauty, Cosmetics & Fashion review column is up for May&June right NOW!

Yes, it's BIG!

Find dozens and dozens of reviews and mother's and father's day gift suggestions, plus little to big splurges for you to make life more beautiful, easier, and more fun

Copyright ©Alison Blackman Dunham. All rights reserved.The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark. No content may be used or copied with written permission. If you want to use my work, please obtain it legally: Email Me. Subscribe to this blog -options on right hand column. Follow me on and I use provided samples for most of my reviews. Learn more in the "A Note About Compensation" section of the Advice Sisters What Works Beauty, Cosmetics and Fashion Review column

********************************************************************************************************************************版权所有©艾莉森布莱克曼邓纳姆。保留所有权利。姐妹的意见是注册美国商标。没有内容可以使用或复制的书面permission.If您要使用我的工作，请，在- advicesisters，获得它在法律上：电子邮箱：advicesisters点网。我用我的评论提供了样本。学习中的“阿注更多关于补偿”一节中，如果你喜欢这个博客我的作品是什么美容，化妆品和时装评论专栏：http://www.advicesisters.net/whatworkscol3.html，同意通过电子邮件或在读者（见选项右侧栏）Copyright © Alison Blackman Dunham. Todos los derechos reservados. Las Hermanas de Asesoramiento es una marca registrada Estados Unidos. Ningún contenido puede ser usado o copiado con el escrito permission.If desea utilizar mi trabajo, por favor obtener legalmente: Email: advicesisters-en-advicesisters-punto-net. Yo uso siempre muestras para mis comentarios. Obtenga más información en la nota "Una acerca de la compensación" de mi lo que funciona Belleza, Cosméticos y columna de opinión de moda: http://www.advicesisters.net/whatworkscol3.html Si te gusta este blog, suscribirse a él por correo electrónico o en un lector (véase la columna de la derecha para las opciones)कॉपीराइट © Alison Blackman Dunham. सभी अधिकार सुरक्षित. सलाह बहनों एक संयुक्त राज्य अमेरिका पंजीकृत ट्रेडमार्क है. कोई सामग्री या इस्तेमाल किया जा सकता है permission.If आपको-advicesisters-पर अपने काम, यह कानूनी रूप से प्राप्त करने का उपयोग करें: ईमेल: advicesisters कृपया चाहते डॉट नेट लिखा के साथ नकल. मैं अपनी समीक्षा के लिए नमूने प्रदान का उपयोग करें. जानें मुआवजा के बारे में "एक नोट में और मेरा क्या काम करता है सौंदर्य, प्रसाधन सामग्री और फैशन की समीक्षा कॉलम: http://www.advicesisters.net/whatworkscol3.html की" यदि आपको इस ब्लॉग की तरह अनुभाग में, या एक ईमेल में यह द्वारा की सदस्यता लें रीडर (विकल्प के लिए सही हाथ स्तम्भ देखें)Copyright © Alison Blackman Dunham. Tous droits réservés. Les Sœurs Advice est une marque déposée des États-Unis. Aucun contenu mai être utilisés ou copiés avec écrit permission.If vous voulez utiliser mon travail, s'il vous plaît obtenez-le en toute légalité: Email: advicesisters-at-advicesisters-dot-net. J'utilise fourni des échantillons pour mes commentaires. En savoir plus dans la "Note sur la rémunération" section de mon What Works beauté, Cosmétiques & Fashion Column: http://www.advicesisters.net/whatworkscol3.html Si vous aimez ce blog, vous y abonner par email ou dans une lecteur (voir colonne de droite pour les options)حقوق النشر محفوظة © أليسون بلاكمان دنهام. جميع الحقوق محفوظة. راهبات مشورة هي علامة تجارية مسجلة للولايات المتحدة. قد لا يكون مضمون استخدام أو نسخ خطية مع permission.If كنت تريد استخدام عملي ، يرجى الحصول عليها من الناحية القانونية : البريد الإلكتروني : advicesisters المعرضات للadvicesisters - دوت صافي. أنا استخدم قدمت عينات لمشاركاتي. تعلم المزيد في "ملاحظة حول التعويضات" مقطع من بلدي ما يعمل الجمال ومستحضرات التجميل موضة واستعراض العمود : http://www.advicesisters.net/whatworkscol3.html إذا كنت مثل هذا بلوق ، والاشتراك بها عن طريق البريد الإلكتروني أو في القارئ (انظر العمود الأيمن لخيارات