January 2012 Archives

The winds have kicked up and my lips are the first to feel the effect. Those wintery, cold wind gusts make my lips dry and chapped. One year I thought they were beyond repair and worried I’d have to wait for the season to change to ever get any moisture back, then I met Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1. It’s seriously the best lip balm I’ve ever used. My favorite thing to do is to apply it just before bed and let it work its magic overnight. Because a little goes a long way, I’ve had the same tube for a couple years, so I was surprised when I learned it comes in flavors now, too — Mango, vanilla, cranberry, mint and coconut! 

Looking to have a totally luxurious experience in your shower? Then be sure to bring Molton Brown Sensual Hanaleni Moisture Bath & Shower into your life.

This body wash is formulated with essential oils of orchid, Madagascan ylang ylang, Egyptian neroli and Chinese cinnamon. What does this mean? It’s rich, heady and undeniably sensuous. We do think it smells a bit on the manly side, but there are certain days when this just doesn’t feel like a problem. In any case, this body wash is homey and cozy and completely wraps you in luxury.

And as a bonus, this body wash doubles as a bubble bath! How much more luxurious can life get?

Molton Brown Sensual Hanaleni Moisture Bath & Shower retails for $30 at moltonbrown.com.

Once in awhile, a cult favorite beauty product really lives up to the hype. And that’s how we feel about Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15.

We’re pretty particular about the balms we slick on our pouts, but this one definitely counts among our favorites. While it is a bit on the waxy side, which admittedly we could do without, it keeps our lips feeling nourished and moisturized all day long with minimal reapplication.

Reparative oils and waxes combine with real sugar in the formula, in addition to black currant oil, grapeseed, and Vitamins A, C and E. And as if that’s not enough, it’s even formulated with SPF 15 to protect against damaging UV rays! Really, what more could you ask for?

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15 retails for $22.50 at beauty.com.

Kat Graham is a regular on the ‘Vampire Diaries’ and on the red carpet! On the red carpet her looks are often bold and daring. And I have to give this girl props for always being willing to let her mouth do the talking for her style statements. She’s recently braved hot pink, magenta and now this deep purple lip color. If you try to copy this look keep in mind that a deep purple like this can make you go from stunning to corpse-like in a flash. Make sure the hue doesn’t have too much blue in it for your skin tone.

Chinese New Year is this week—it started on Monday. It’s the year of the dragon, and some beauty brands have gotten in on the action with dragon-inspired beauty products! Check out our top picks.

Hello Kitty 2012 Year of the Dragon Compact Mirror
Nothing says happy new year more than this gleaming gold mirror, presented in a commemorative red box.
$18 at sephora.com

NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl
A rich, deep, absolutely gorgeous red in a formula that’s both lipstick and lip pencil? Genius. Pure and utter genius.
$24 at barneys.com

Rodial Dragon’s Blood Sculpting Gel
While we would normally shy away from something called “dragon’s blood,” this gel plumps sagging skin and defines its contours. What’s not to love?
$95 at nordstrom.com

LUSH Red Dragon Soap
It shimmers! It sparkles! It’s shaped like a dragon! Now we just have to make ourselves actually use it instead of keeping it as a decorative fixture in our bathroom.
$7.95 at lushusa.com

Gianna Rose Atelier Year of the Dragon Soaps
Fresh ginger, green tea and bergamot soaps are inspired by ancient wood carvings. We just know they look and smell beautiful.
$25 at giannarose.com