Beauty Training

Remember train cases-- those neat, little boxes with handles that held anything from make-up to tissue to favorite pieces of jewelry or other necessities you might need on the train during your journey? Your other suitcases could be packed away but not your train case. That had to be near you at all times. It doesn’t matter if the image of a train case and the possibilities it represents is in your memory from experience or from romantic scenes in films. Train cases have been making return appearances.

One such case comes to us from Lancôme, and is an elegant Beauty Box filled with a full size Bi-Facil and Définicils plus more than a dozen deluxe samples of their best-selling skincare and makeup products (total value of $339). But that’s not what you will pay. For just $49.50 with any $36.00 Lancôme purchase, you can have this chic train case. Starting right now, the black train case is available exclusively at Macy’s. The burgundy train case is available at http://www.lancome-usa.com/landing/beautybox.aspx. and at all other department stores beginning 11/23/08.

Supplies are limited so don’t wait too long to get the first piece of what could be the luggage that takes you on a new adventure. Or could be a lovely gift for someone else.

Holiday Gifts that Make Beautiful Sense

Sephora has been a leading source of fabulous cosmetics in Europe for a long time. The company was founded in France in 1969 and acquired by Paris-based LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the world's leading luxury products group, in 1997. Sephora basically revolutionized the global beauty industry with its unique retail concept based on a very savvy combination of brand and product assortment, distinctive store design and the beauty expertise of its sales consultants.

Sephora has been celebrating their 10th Anniversary in America this year. (The company operates more than 220 stores in the United States and Canada, and the world’s top beauty website, Sephora.com. In Europe Sephora has more than 500 stores within 12 countries and has established 30 locations in China.)

With choices of more than 200 classic and emerging beauty brands across a broad range of product categories including skincare, makeup, fragrance, bath & body, hair care, smile care and tools, as well as the company’s own private label, it should be easy to find a holiday gift.

One idea might be a lip gloss set from Kat Von D that looks like very Hedwig in the tube but appears almost conservative—but still fun-- when applied. The Lightening Lipglosses Mini Set of 5 is $26. Shades include Gunshine, Stormy, Fierce Red, Bam and Saint.

This would be a perfect present for a more reserved friend you think could use a slight edgy touch. It is wild in the tube but a little bit more tame on the lips.

Another choice for a special yet practical gift and a great buy is Sephora’s selection of palettes— such as the 360˚ Palette ($38) – or the 360˚ Palette Beauty Insider Exclusive ($30) – Both are ideal for those who want to streamline their beauty routine or are just starting out in makeup.

Or there is the Body Butter Sampler ($22) – Sephora’s luxurious body butters all in one package. Choose from Home for the Holidays (Cinnamon Nutmeg, Chocolate Espresso and Apple Dumpling) and Island Holiday (Guava Passion, Coconut Cream and Tropical Jasmine).

Or perhaps a Super Shimmer Lip Gloss Set ($28)

There are also a great selection of clutches, starting at around $16. –some holiday sparkly and others a bit more subdued, but all perfect to give or to use. They work as make-up bags or evening bags.

Between the down-to-earth prices and the heavenly products it might be difficult to decide what to keep and what to give.

Regimen Change

In the face of the current economic upheaval, we still want our faces to be clean and healthy and we don’t want to pay too much for the products. Some skin cleansing products that are affordable and pleasurable to use are include in Daily Recharging Skincare Collection from Bioré .
There not too many “steps” in this collection--just enough. This is not one of those “beauty care regimens” so often hawked in department store cosmetics departments. Who has time for regimens—never mind the regime changes--it is past the time for a “regimen change”

A favorite is the Purify Self-Heating Mask (sugg. retail price ($5.99). Just the right amount comes out of the foil capsule-like units—and it opens without scissors, unlike some other companies whose packaging instructs “tear here” and no amount of tearing will work--especially nerve-wracking if you are trying to get ready for a shower and don’t have any scissors handy. The self-heating mask fulfills the promise of a relaxing skin revitalizer…and in only one minute. And there is absolutely no mess. You just massage the mask into your skin. The warmth feels wonderful.

The collection also includes a Detoxify Daily Scrub ( $6.99) that uses rosemary, sage, nettle and chamomile to uncover freshness and soothe at the same time. Nourish Moisture Lotion, SPF 15 ($9.99) contains wild yellow poppy (just the name alone is invigorating, conjuring up images of Georgia O’Keefe’s flowers by way of Oz, rose hip, chamomile and aloe along with silicon to help keep the shine from waxing on your face. Most important is that broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection.

Who can not like the Refresh Daily Cleansing Cloths ($5.99) ? They save so much time and do a good job of getting make-up off the face…you might need to follow up with an astringent to be sure every trace of the day has been swept off your face.
(Sometimes a pre-step to using any facial cleansing cloths is to wipe off the first layer of make-up or grime with an unscented baby-wipe.)

The Restore Boosting Night Serum ( $9.99) is a nice compact dynamo to recharge your cleansed skin while you sleep and hopefully don’t dream of the economy or your job or your 401k.

Even the Bioré commercials for this line are comparatively low keyed and agreeable and the products don’t disappoint your skin or your wallet. And let’s face it, you are not going to be getting a Fed bailout anytime soon.

Make-up, made-up

What exactly is the deal with those Minerals (or is it Mineral?) make-up powders? The first ones were advertised on cable and offered exclusively--you had to sign up for a regular supply. And seeing how those products were applied--"no liquid foundation!" the host exclaimed, while she slathered on the special "concealer". It looked to me as if the "special concealer" was acting like a foundation with the minerals powder dusted over that. Of course the result was a flawless complexion.

Now we have many lines to choose from-- at CVS, Drugstore.com, Target, and assorted department stores. How do we put this stuff on our faces so we look like we didn't try too hard to look perfect-- we want to look great naturally.

It can be done, but you do need to apply a concealer--it doesn't have t be the one in the line---you can buy Neutrogena Minerals make-up powder and Maybelline concealer. The effect is the same. Use a light hand, though, or, like any powder--light or not-- the minerals powder will make its way onto every crease, line and crevice in your face. But used sparingly, these powders offer a nice, light alternative for a finished face.