Feel the Summer Spirit of an Island Escape, with Ibiza Sol by MARK

Are you feeling the Summer spirit yet?  Do you long for an instant vacation?  You're in luck!  If you check out the Ibiza Sol makeup collection from MARK, you'll be looking and feeling "the beach" in no time.  The collection debuts this month, with shimmery tones that will transform Winter weary skin into shimmery island girl. 




Ready to Summer-ize your look?  Start with these long-wearing, Ibiza Sol Marbleized Eye Shadow Sticks $10.00.  Super-shimmery sticks of marbleized cream eye shadow mix together to create a long-lasting color, or twist the pencil just the right way to get a lid color and a separate highlighter. Usually I try to avoid cream shadows in the Summer because they crease, but these are impressively long lasting. Even better, the pencils are small and slim and easy to pop into your beach bag or makeup tote. There's Aqua Deep with green/white; Bronze Chic featuring a soft pink and shimmery brown, and Island Nights with blue/brown. 



Moving on to lips, there's another marbleized, shimmery selection to ponder. Which Lip Gloss $9.00 from the Ibiza Sol collection do you fancy the most?  It won't matter which one you pick (or get them all) because they're not intense, just a hint of tint and a lot of shimmer and shine.  That is the perfect combination for the more casual, natural Summer look we favor.  My favorite is the light peach and deeper coral swirled "Chica Coral"   (in the photo above).  I also like the light pink with deeper pink swirled "Bonita Pink."  There's also a deep rose swirled with bronze shimmer called "Hola! Bronze."  All of these are in wanded tubes with sponge-tipped applicators. There's a slight vanilla scent to liven things up, too.

There's a mini nail lacquer set that is just $7.00 but I didn't review it.  (see the group photo at the top of this review).

If you want to smell like you're on an island escape, try the Ibiza Sol After Sun Body Balm 5 fl. oz. infused with skin conditioners and aloe, to keep your skin hydrated whether it's been in the sun, or not (aloe, Vitamins A, C and E). The light, fruity floral scent, the easy to tote, flip-top tube, and the lightweight body balm is a must-have...and it's only $18.00 for 5 fl. oz.  You might also pair it with the Ibiza Sol Fragrance.  What a way to get in the mood for fun, for romance, for sun!

 

The Ibiza Sol colllection is available now, but it it fleeting (like Summer vacataion). It is only available through August, so hurry and get your favorite pieces while they last at http://www.meetmark.com/
 
 
 
Copyright ©Alison Blackman Dunham. All rights reserved. The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark. No content may be used or copied without written permission. If you want to use my work, please obtain it legally. For more information, Email Me.  You can show your interest and support by subscribing, leaving comments on my posts,  and by following me on Facebook and Twitter  (@advicesisters).  You can also read and subscribe to my National Luxury Lifestyles Column  and NY Cosmetics column on the Examiner.com.   *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

 I LOVE YOUR COMMENTS!  Please leave your comments on my posts. You can find the "comments" section (in green) at the bottom of each post next to: "Posted by Alison"  If Comments has a (0) next to it, I would especially appreciate yours being the first! Thanks in advance for interacting with me.
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Jeannie Mai of How Do I Look, Looks GREAT to the Advice Sisters!

Jeannie Mai inspires everyone to embrace and enjoy fashion

I once spent six hours on a Jet Blue flight, watching nothing but the Style Network’s hit show “How Do I Look?”   I was just fascinated with the transformations and the delightful host, Jeannie Mai.  If you haven't ever watched it, know that it's one of my favorite,  "gilty" pleasures.  Each episode, host Jeannie Mai works with a clueless person whose friends and loved ones have nominated her for a make-over.  At first, the "fashion victims" are usually irritated, sometimes even angry and in denial about their style (or lack thereof) but with Jeannie's persuasive personality, and a lot of hand-holding plus attention from friends, stylists and talented hair and makeup artists, eventually the subject of the episode is re-worked into a fashionista who says "How Do I Look?" to the usual cheers of their family and friends. Jeannie calls this "WEARAPY."  The show is a "feel good" but you'll also learn a lot by watching about image, style, and fashion that you can use to boost your own image.

Not long ago, I had the absolute pleasure of meeting Jeannie Mai in person, at the Times Square Renaissance Hotel's chic, R Lounge. The venue has a nearly 360 degree view of Times Square from huge windows, that make even natives like me, a bit awestruck.  I've heard that celebrities like Bruno Mars and Giuliana Rancic like to hang out there, so I felt a bit like a star, too. 



The minute Jeannie walked into the room, she electrified it.  Her energy level is through the roof, and she never took her eyes off us or seemed anything but fascinated with every person in the room for the entire time she was with us (and that was well over an hour).  She showed up for this editor's breakfast in stilettos (by Guess) and form-fitting, cropped black sequined pants, topped by a white shirt (from Express) and eye-catching jewelery from jewelry from Lia Sophia and Forever21. Although most of the people in the room were fashionably dressed, she made us all look positively uninspired.

Of course, everyone wanted to know where Jeannie likes to shop, and I was surprised to hear her admit that she shops at H&M and Forever 21, Express and even Mandees. "Anyone can look fabulous without spending a lot of money"  She definitely made her point!!!!  
But she went around the entire room, asking each editor (and there were dozens of them) what they did and then said something complimentary about every one of them. When it was my turn, she said she'd never seen a woman rock a Buddha in a necklace like mine before, and later on after her presentation, told me that she thought it was a tribute to my talent that I've been online so long ( 1 1/2 decades) and that my readers have been so loyal (thank you readers!!!)  It really made me feel good, and I realized that the big reason that How Do I Look is so successful, is that Jeannie's Mai has enthusiasm that is contagious. She empowers even the most reluctant people on her show to discover their true beauty, overcome their insecurities and employ fashion to give them the confidence they need to help achieve their life goal. 

She admits that not everyone "gets it" at first, but then she asks three questions to help move them forward in fashion without making them feel like a stranger in their own body.  She asks:  Who do you has inspired you?  Tell me a childhood story that you remember fondly, and name someone in your life (or a celebrity) that you admire? All of these give her clues to the psyche of the person and a sense of their taste.  Then she finds colors, styles and items that will remind the person she is working with of these "feel good" things. Clever, isn't it? And you can use the same questions to help move your style forward, too.

Below are two videos I took of Jeannie while she was talking about How Do I Look? And also about how fashion can work for you and make you feel great. I hope you like them!

You need more than just good lucks to host a fashion TV show (in case you're wondering). Jeannie has been training for her role in fashion television since she was a child and wore two different socks and a strange outfit on her first day of elementary school. She credits her mother as her driving force. Jeannie was a makeup artist for MAC Cosmetics, and launched her career as a successful celebrity stylist, with a roster of clients that includes Sarah Jessica Parker, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Aniston, Christina Aguilera, and Kelly Osbourne. She told us that she picked up and moved to Los Angeles, camping out in the William Morris agency waiting room (without an invitation or appointment) and stayed there until someone would see her.  I won't repeat the entire story, nor would I suggest you go to WM and do the same, but the bottom line was that she created her own success on the sheer force of her personality and intelligence. That takes true guts!  After gaining attention, she became an entertainment reporter and producer of the WB’s “Daily Mixx” before hosting MTV’s “Granted” alongside Frankie Muniz. Her big break came when she was tapped as the host of USA Network’s “Character Fantasy” and eventually became a regular correspondent for “Extra.” She's hosted a variety of special at Style, and has been features widely in print magazines such as: US   She was previously a part of the on-air beauty squad on the hit TLC series “10 Years Younger” and one of the judges on the TLC series “Miss America: Reality Check.” She has also appeared as a popular host for several other networks including: E!, NBC, MTV, TLC, and Lifetime.

Although Jeannie is incredibly petite slim, but apparently she's a hardcore foodie who is on a constant search to find the world’s most delicious meals. Through her  blog Jeannie documents her culinary adventures and opinions through video blogs. She will have her own column featured in Food and Wine Magazine.  She admits that when she shops for fashion, she looks at "food porn" on her iPhone for inspiration.  So you know she's a woman with a one of a kind vision.

I really enjoyed meeting Jeannie Mai and learning a bit more about How Do I Look. But the message that Jeannie left with all of us is that everyone at any age has the potential to enjoy fashion and let it work for them to help boost confidence and happiness.  I left the event and immediately went shopping! 



Jeannie Mai graciously poses with Alison Blackman - so "How Do I Look?"!!!!


Check out Jeannie Mai and the Style Networks' How Do I Look TV Show at: http://www.mystyle.com/mystyle/shows/howdoilook/index.jsp

Check out Jeannie's own, exciting blog: http://iheartjeanniemai.com/

Copyright ©Alison Blackman Dunham. All rights reserved. The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark. No content may be used or copied without written permission. If you want to use my work, please obtain it legally. For more information, Email Me. You can show your interest and support by subscribing, leaving comments on my posts, and by following me on Facebook and Twitter (@advicesisters). You can also read and subscribe to my National Luxury Lifestyles Column and NY Cosmetics column on the Examiner.com.



*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




 LOVE YOUR COMMENTS! Please leave your comments on my posts. You can find the "comments" section (in green) at the bottom of each post next to: "Posted by Alison" If Comments has a (0) next to it, I would especially appreciate yours being the first! Thanks in advance for interacting with me.

Pixi Beauty Week of Wakup Makeup

When it comes to beauty and color cosmetics, most of us just continue to choose what we know:  Earth-toned eye shadow, pink lips, red nails....whatever it is you're doing and it's working for you, there's the chance that you don't feel the need to step out of your comfort zone. But Spring brings not just flowers and the return of warmer weather, it also makes me feel that it's time to re-invent, or at least, re-invigorate my look.

For those who love makeup, for those who are bored with their current selection of makeup goodies, for those who are simply clueless, and those who just want someone else to make the choices, there's a fun, fabulous new makeup kit called The Week of Wakeup Makeup by Pixi. For just $34.00 you can get enough color-coordinated makeup to create a week's worth of new makeup looks. 

Inside the  lime green cardboard makeup case with Springtime pink flowers on the top (and an interior mirror ringed with a delicate floral design) are 21 eye shadows, 7 blushes, and 8 lip glosses.  It's how they are arranged that is mind-blowing.  Five different trays are organized with products from eyes to cheeks to lips, created by Swedish makeup artist Petra Strand of Pixi.  The products are all color coordinated to give you the confidence, and the motivation, to try new things and they're even labeled "Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday!

How cool is that?!!!! If you're wondering what the colors are like, here's a basic rundown:

Monday:  peachy blush, brown and ivory shadows, shimmery peach lip gloss

Tuesday:  Nude blush, same peachy lip gloss shared with Monday, coppery, champagne shadows plus one matte, flesh toned shadow

Wednesday:  ivory, soft taupe and shimmery deep charcoal with gold glitter shadow, browned rose blush, two lip glosses:  nearly sheer apricot and shimmery pink

Thursday:  Subtle peach blush, green shadow (beautiful, my faves), clear lip gloss and deep hot pink super-sheer gloss

Friday:  browned mauve blush, lilac shimmer shadow, matte light pink shadow, intense purple shimmer shadow with pink glitter. Pink, and mauve-ish, lip glosses.

Saturday: light pink blush, shimmery bronze shadows plus a pink, nearly-sheer light pink lip gloss.  

Sunday:  light peach blush, shimmery taupe shadows, shared nearly-sheer light pink lip gloss with Saturday.

These colors may look intense in the photo, but few of them really are. Most are really sheer, and the lip glosses are nearly clear.  That makes it easy for everyone to take a tiny risk with colors they might ordinarily avoid, and give them an easy try.  None of the colors are crazy or avant-garde, which is a good thing, because if you get a large makeup palette like this one, and half of it is filled with colors that you know won't flatter you, half the fun and half the value is gone. Petra (and Pixi's)  idea of beauty is to offer makeup that is all about looking like you, only better!

What's fun about this particular palette (besides all of the color choices in a cute box) is that you can get an idea of what looks you like, and then take it from there. If you decide that the shimmery taupe is a good alternative to earthy brown, hopefully you'll feel empowered to go out and get more colors. If the light pink blush gives you a flattering glow that is an alternative to the mauve you constantly wear, maybe it will be your new, signature color for Spring.  The idea is to just have fun with this!  Pixi makes it possible, at a fantastic price.  
 
This is a palette that is a true treat, but it is affordable. So much FUN, too!   What a great gift for a new graduate, a young woman just trying out makeup for the first time, or that well-deserving Mom (I'd package it with a gift of new makeup brushes and a beautiful, new mirror).
 
 PIXI is available online at pixibeauty.com and target.com as well as in Target Stores across the nation.



!Copyright ©Alison Blackman Dunham. All rights reserved. The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark. No content may be used or copied without written permission. If you want to use my work, please obtain it legally. For more information, Email Me.  You can show your interest and support by subscribing, leaving comments on my posts,  and by following me on Facebook and Twitter  (@advicesisters).  You can also read and subscribe to my National Luxury Lifestyles Column  and NY Cosmetics column on the Examiner.com.   *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

OWN Summer, Safely With Invisible Zinc Oxide Sun Protection

I'm thinking about sun protection starting now, even though as I type this, the world looks rainy and glum outside my window. I know that there are UVA/UVB rays ready to sabotage my skin even when the weather is cloudy. Soon, the sun will be stronger than ever, as the Winter (finally!) slips away.

It would be nearly futile for me to suggest that you slather your body in SPF of 30 or higher as you are getting ready for work, school, or just to face the day.  I know most people just won't "slather up."  But what you can't see really can harm you.  For those who still don't know what  the sun's "UVA" and "UVB" rays can do, UVB rays are responsible for reddening the surface of the skin and can cause sunburn; whereas UVA rays have a longer wavelength. They penetrate the skin more deeply, which increases the potential for premature aging, long-term skin damage and other more serious health effects. Ideally, every part of your body should be protected form harmful sun exposure that you can get just from walking outside, sitting in your car (yes,you get sun exposure through the windows), or just going about your daily chores. I know most people don't even think about sun block unless they are going to the beach. But maybe it's time for you to re-think it.  This is just the first of a number of sun protection posts you're going to see here --and I hope the message becomes clear:  sun protection is not an option, it's a necessity!

For example, OWN Sun Care  has bio-activating skin care products for anti-aging concerns, and of course, for protection against the sun's damaging rays. Their powerful trio of sun protectors feature mineral sun protection with zinc oxide.  Zinc oxide is a favorite of surfers and outdoors enthusiasts, but while it is an excellent sun block, it can leave an ashy or white-ish film on skin.  This is especially noticeable on deeper complexions.  OWN sun care has "ZincClear-IM", a high-tech formulation that allows for the development of sunscreens and daily wear products that are transparent on the skin, have a light, non-greasy feel, and yet still help to protect against UVA and UVB rays.  The OWN Sun Care Invisible Face and Body Block with Zin-Clear-IM $17.00 3.2 fl. oz. arrives in a rounded, white tube with a flip-top cab and silver, orange and black graphics.Inside is an SPF 30 sun block that intially looks white on the skin, but melts in to become invisible. It will protect skin on face and body with a high concentration (20%) of zinc oxide. While the product doesn't feel completely invisible (there is a slight tackiness when it is applied), it certainly doesn't feel greasy, heavy, or annoying.  Other key ingredients besides the zinc oxide are: Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, and Neopentyl Glycol. Another plus is the scent -- pleasant, fresh, and it smells nothing like the chemical sun blocks you may be used to.

I also like OWN Sun Care Advanced Lip Protector SPF 16 $5.00 .14 fl. oz.  This lip protector smells slightly fruity and is clear and not shiny (so guys can use it too).  But what makes it unique is the 12% zinc oxide and the roller-ball applicator that makes it easy to distribute the product into even tiny nooks and crannies that need protection.  I wish there was more than SPF 16 in this, but the petite size, delivery system, and lovely feel and scent make it a great choice for everyone in the family.  Other key ingredients in this product include:  Triisostearyl Citrate, Triisostearoyl Polyglyceryl-3 Dimer Dilinoleate, Isostearyl Hydroxystearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Oryzanol, Stearyl/Octadodecyl Citrate Crosspolymer, Glycerin, and Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax and less than 1%: of:  Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Sodium Saccharin, Glyceryl Isostearate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid/I hope you don't stay out in the sun long enough to get a sunburn (you can get one even with sun block if you're out long enough and don't re-apply enough), but whether you do or don't, your skin is going to feel dry and irritated after it's been in the sun for any length of time.  You can revitalize it a bit with OWN After Sun Repair $12.00 6 fl. oz.  The white, flip-top tube contains a cooling, soothing, lotion with tons of antioxidants such as carrot, chia, cranberry, black cumin, and raspberry seed oils to fight free-radicals and help heal skin from the inside out. The fresh, herbal scent is revitalizing to the senses, too!  You don't have to wait until you've been in the sun to use it.  I'm enjoying it now, on my dry, Winter-weary skin.





My bottom line on these products:  Any sun block is a plus, but these OWN Sun Care products are  pleasant to use, effective, and reasonably affordable. The entire family can use them.  If you like something you are much more inclined to use it...and sun protection is a must!

FYI:   OWN also has an excellent line of lip plumpers and lip therapy products (in teardrop-shaped roller-balls that I reviewed last February on the Advice Sisters Blog). Check out (and buy) the products on the OWN web site: http://www.ownproducts.com/

 



Copyright ©Alison Blackman Dunham. All rights reserved. The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark. No content may be used or copied without written permission. If you want to use my work, please obtain it legally. For more information, Email Me.  You can show your interest and support by subscribing, leaving comments on my posts,  and by following me on Facebook and Twitter  (@advicesisters).  You can also read and subscribe to my National Luxury Lifestyles Column  and NY Cosmetics column on the Examiner.com.   *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

 I LOVE YOUR COMMENTS!  Please leave your comments on my posts. You can find the "comments" section (in green) at the bottom of each post next to: "Posted by Alison"  If Comments has a (0) next to it, I would especially appreciate yours being the first! Thanks in advance for interacting with me.

Kate Somerville Gets Your Skin Tan-Ready for Spring and Summer

There is just no such thing as a safe, from-the-sun, tan.  That's why fans use self-tanners on a regular basis.  In the past, you got whatever color was the generic, in-the-bottle tan, and it was usually medium to dark brown or orange.  For people like me, with fair skin and freckles, these self-tanners delivered simply hideous results!  None of them made me look convincingly tan (more like I suffered serious burns). 

But a faux tan is far preferable in any color intensity, to baking in the sun.  And today, self tanners are very much more sophisticated. They tend to be layerable, so you don't have to slather on one deep color, and live with it. You can start light, and go darker as you wish.  The formulas are lighter, hydrating, and they smell better, too.  They develop slowly, and they won't mess up your clothes.

I think the latest and greatest is the single-serve packettes of self-tanner from luxurious Kate Somerville. Each Somerville360°™ Tanning Towelette is concentrated with a paraben-free self-tanning formula that produces a natural-looking glow within 2 to 4 hours. For a deeper tan and to maintain your glow, you simply re-apply with another towelette, as you feel the need. The packettes of 0.50 fl. oz. each give you just enough to do your legs, or face, or arms. The wrapped packettes are perfect for travel, and can help you maintain a tan when you're on the road. Simply open the clear, travel-friendly packette, unfold the tanning towelette and apply it to dry, clean skin in a circular motion over your body. You'll get a quick and even application without streaking. After applying the product, immediately wash your hands. It couldn't be easier!

I did test this, and found the towelette to be a clean and pleasant way to "tan."  The color wasn't crazy, nor was it too orange or red. I loved the look on my legs -- still pale and sad from the Winter.  What's not to like?!  The package of 8 towelettes is $48.00, one towelette is $6.00.  You might not feel the need to use single-serve towelettes all the time because they are pricey, but if you're going to be on the road for a while, or you're going somewhere for the weekend and you want to be "tan" the entire time, they're a great idea.

For those who just have to know, here are the listed ingredients:  Water (Aqua), Propanediol (Zemea-Corn Derived), Dihydroxyacetone, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E Acetate), Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Polysorbate 20, PEG-40 Castor Oil, Sodium Metabisulfite, Fragrance (Parfum), Tocopherol (Antioxidant), Citric Acid (Naturally-Derived).

TIP:  Smooth skin is a must before self-tanning. Try ExfoliKate Body $65.00 5 oz. with a blend of papaya and pumpkin enzymes that very effectively digest dead skin cells, while gentle beads buff the "bad stuff" away.  Glycolic acid and lactic acid polish and refine, and there are rich emollients to make skin more supple. A dose of caffeine stimulates, helping to tighten and firm.  Bergamot and lavender oils offer a luxurious, pampering, soothing scent. What I really like is that you don't have to rub and scrub and scratch your skin to bits to exfoliate. Just smooth on an even, wet skin using circular motions and let the steam from your shower help to activate the enzymes. Leave on up to two minutes, then rise well with warm water. For an extra hydration and softness, finish with Kate Somerville Goat Milk Lotion ($32.00 5 fl. oz).  Even if you are not planning to self-tan, a weekly body exfoliation keeps skin looking soft, smooth and glowing. ExfoliKate Body one of the best exfoliators out there. Treat yourself (or a deserving mom) to Kate Somerville's excellent face and body products.

Visit www.katesomerville.com

Copyright ©Alison Blackman Dunham. All rights reserved. The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark. No content may be used or copied without written permission. If you want to use my work, please obtain it legally. For more information, Email Me.  You can show your interest and support by subscribing, leaving comments on my posts,  and by following me on Facebook and Twitter  (@advicesisters).  You can also read and subscribe to my National Luxury Lifestyles Column  and NY Cosmetics column on the Examiner.com.  

*I use provided samples for most of my reviews. Learn more in the "A Note About Compensation" section of the Advice Sisters

 I LOVE YOUR COMMENTS!  Please leave your comments on my posts. You can find the "comments" section (in green) at the bottom of each post next to: "Posted by Alison"  If Comments has a (0) next to it, I would especially appreciate yours being the first! Thanks in advance for interacting with me.
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Can-Do Candles, from ENJOY

I love the look of a glowing candle with a flickering flame.  But there are times when a wax candle with a live flame simply isn't practical or safe.  When I bring candles outside and there is a breeze, the candles won't stay lit, or they'll melt unevenly and make a mess of drippy wax that can ruin my table.  Also, if you have tots or pets, you've got to watch lit candles very carefully.  I know this firsthand, because when I was a toddler I tipped a candle over on the kitchen table when my parents left the room for a second.  They didn't realize I'd  caused a potential fire, until they saw the overturned candlestick.  Luckily I tipped it over on a thick, glass table, so the house didn't burn down.  Let me say, even as a toddler I knew they were not happy.

If mom and dad had known about ENJOY flameless candles, I wouldn't be telling you this story, because  these new and quite remarkable, battery operated candles let enjoy candlelight, whenever you feel like it without actual flame, or fear.  "Electronic" candles coated with an outer column of real wax flicker and burn like the real thing.  In the past, these battery-operated candles weren't too convincing, but now they are so sophisticated that some manufacturers, like the ENJOY company, for example, offer battery-operated, real wax candles that come in a wide variety of sizes, colors, textures, flame type, and even scent. 

I tested one of ENJOY's Ivory Smooth Beeswax Drip Pillars (they are available in 3x4, 3x6, 3x8, 4x6, and 4x8”).  In the clear, cello packaging, this candle was a dead ringer for a classic pillar candle. Mine had a realistic, slightly melted edge, and it smelled quite realistically of vanilla (you can get these unscented, too).  

The magic is in the bottom. There you'll see a battery compartment into which you pop three AA batteries for a single flame, or four batteries for one of the triple_LED flicking light source flame models.  The single-flame version I tried can "burn" for an astonishingly realistic 100,000 hours.  The multi-led light has a computer chip built into the candle produce multiple points of randomly shifting light, creating a glow that flickers, rolls, and casts dancing shadows, just like a real candle flame!

The ENJOY candles also are more high tech than a standard candle.  They come with on/off switches, and can be purchased with a Multi-Hour Timer Mode or Dim/Bright Mode. Once set, the multi-hour timer will turn your candle on for 4-6- or 8 hours, and then turn it off again.  I figured out that all I needed to do was flip on the timer switch (for 4-6-or 8 hours) at the precise time of day I wanted the timer to activate in the future. The candle does all the work for you. Imagine coming home from a long, stressful day to see your home light with candlelight as if it was just waiting to greet you!  And, I'm sure I don't have to tell all the romantics out there that a candle that turns itself on can certainly turn on romance, too.

Here's a photo of a group of ENJOY Distressed Color Pillars, available in 3x4 and 3x6” These have a realistic 100,000 hour Triple-LED flickering light source (and a 300+ hour battery life).  The three little led lights are quite bright. You need only 2 or 4 ‘AA’ Batteries. The light won't really brighten up a room, and the scents are nice, but soft, but still......they are almost magical!

Consider that the candles are not only safe, and they'll "burn" anywhere,  they're safe for outdoors, around kids and pets, and they're a little luxury -- but they're actually economical  -- you don't have to replace them for a long, long time.  Whether you're using them to enhance romance, make a safe centerpiece for your table or mantle, or just enjoy a flickering candle wherever, whenever, these are a great choice.  Isn't technology great?!


Check out ENJOY candles in a variety of home retailers including Target, Kmart, and Brookstone.  Prices ranges for $14.00 TO $33.00.  Get more information on the ENJOY candle web site




Copyright ©Alison Blackman Dunham. All rights reserved. The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark. No content may be used or copied without written permission. If you want to use my work, please obtain it legally. For more information, Email Me.  You can show your interest and support by subscribing, leaving comments on my posts,  and by following me on Facebook and Twitter  (@advicesisters).  You can also read and subscribe to my National Luxury Lifestyles Column  and NY Cosmetics column on the Examiner.com.  

*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

 I LOVE YOUR COMMENTS!  Please leave your comments on my posts. You can find the "comments" section (in green) at the bottom of each post next to: "Posted by Alison"  If Comments has a (0) next to it, I would especially appreciate yours being the first! Thanks in advance for interacting with me.
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Book Review: The Beauty Detox Solution: Eat Your Way to Radiant Skin, Renewed Energy and the Body You’ve Always Wanted by Kimberly Snyder

Kimberly Snyder is an interesting woman. She's traveled the world. She's a raw food enthusiast. She's worked for major beauty corporations, and then started her own, Envision Beauty with exceptional skincare products. And as you can see from the cover of her first, and new, book:  The Beauty Detox Solution: Eat Your Way to Radiant Skin, Renewed Energy and the Body You’ve Always Wanted (Harlequin, April 2011), she's beautiful, too!

Drew Barrymore endorsed the book, and Dr. Oz says it is a "must read."

So is it?


Kimberly Snyder’s philosophies include a holistic approach to heal the body, increase energy, and achieve optimum health, beauty, and balance in life naturally. She strongly believes that consuming a diet of enzyme-rich foods straight from nature combined with intelligent, guided and ongoing cleansing tailored to your body’s unique needs can change the way you look and feel—without sacrificing the foods you love.  Sound great. But whenever I get a health, diet or beauty book, I look at it with the proverbial "7 blind men describing an elephant"  approach. That is, there are many different ways to look at the same thing, and each will bring you to a different conclusion.  I'm not a doctor, or a nutritionist.  But Kimberly Snyder isn't a doctor or nutritionist either.  She has a passion for a  raw food diet, and obviously has spent time researching what works and what doesn't, for her.

This is Kimberly Snyder’s first book and as a writer, I find her casual, friendly style to be a perfect fit for her real personality.  She's a good writer!  But I am more cautious about recommending her three-phase program for health and beauty.  For starters, she recommends cleanses.  And that's fine, except that certain people do better with different types of cleansing mechanisms, and you can't realistically stay on a cleanse for very long.  While Kimberly has great skincare that has won her many A-list celebrity fans, I am not completely sold, or comfortable on this book.  I would have felt a lot better if she had written it with a qualified professional in the field of health and nutrition.  On a personal note, I've heard Kimberly talk about her raw food diet, and have even tasted some of her recipes (all delicious).  But a raw food diet is simply not practical or desirable for everyone (the book doesn't suggest following a raw food diet).  While she is a holistic personal chef, certified yoga instructor, and beauty entrepreneur, I'm not sure what her background in nutrition really is.   *Alison's note:  according to the comment I received below (thank you for commenting and for adding the link to Ms. Snyder's credentials) Kimberly does have a background in nutrition, so I stand corrected.

Despite my reservations about the nutritional guidance, there are good things to be gained from reading the book.  There is a lot of standard information and common sense health practices. If you tend to bypass basic health and nutrition information in most books, perhaps Kimberly's easy to read style will finally get you to take action. For example, She makes little suggestions of things you can incorporate (or remove) from your life and diet that might help you feel and look better.  She discusses the reason you should combine foods in the right order for optimal digestion; how to identify and incorporate beautifying foods into your diet without counting calories or carbs; the truth about so-called healthy foods, and of course, some of the causes of beauty saboteurs such as under eye circles and acne (and how to reduce or eliminate them with proper nutrition).  She has some good recipes. And she does let you personalize your "level of commitment" by going through one, two or all three parts of her detox lifestyle.

Kimberly Synder is a very magnetic person, and a wise woman.  She has a good health and beauty blog. http://www.kimberlysnyder.net/ While I'm not totally comfortable recommending the book for health, I certainly think it's worth looking at for the beauty tips. Ms. Snyder feels that health and beauty are inter-twined, and I don't disagree.  Just be sure to consult your doctor or nutritionist before embarking on your detox journey and tailor her program to fit your needs, so you can succeed.


WHERE TO FIND: Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com  $16-95 U.S/$19.95 Canada
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT : www.kimberlysnyder.net





Copyright ©Alison Blackman Dunham. All rights reserved. The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark. No content may be used or copied without written permission. If you want to use my work, please obtain it legally. For more information, Email Me.  You can show your interest and support by subscribing, leaving comments on my posts,  and by following me on Facebook and Twitter  (@advicesisters).  You can also read and subscribe to my National Luxury Lifestyles Column  and NY Cosmetics column on the Examiner.com.   *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

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