Raising the bar (of soap, that is..... :D )

Being a bonafide product junkie, Beauty Wonkette has tried ALOT of products (ah, haven't we all???). That said, there are certain products that are etched in Beauty Wonkette's memory forever.

First up was some ungodly creation that was called something like Phisohex or Phisoderm?!?!? It came in a big green plastic bottle and was supposed to guarantee that my pubescent face remained zit-free. Unpleasant as the stuff was, I think it worked.

Next up was Noxema. The smell still makes me nostalgic. Then, I went the Clinique route. Everybody probably did at one time or another. But, then, Beauty Wonkette grew up and got a fancy shmancy job in fancy shmancy NYC and it was time for a real skin routine. That was when Beauty Wonkette became an Erno Laszlo girl (12:00 she was if the feeble memory still works). There was no product that made the impact that Laszlo's black soap made on Beauty Wonkette. ADORED it !

How can somebody get excited about soap (a question only the uninitiated would ask btw)? True, soap has been around for almost 5000 years. One would think it would have evolved a bit more since the Bronze Age, but there have been few advancements in its technology - at least, few for the better. It's one of the reasons Beauty Wonkette has a permanent place in her heart for all those artisan soapmakers out there. The soap they make may not be greatly innovated technology wise. But it's GOOD soap. It smells good, feels good, and is undoubtedly better for you than the dreaded Irish Spring BW's hubby refuses to part with.

For this reason, among others, Beauty Wonkette cannot help but get inordinately excited when someone comes up with truly inspired, innovative soap, like Erno Laszlo has done.

More than just a cleansing slab, Laszlo Blue Firmarine Treatment Bar is a wonder-chunk of skin-improving ingredients. As expected, it gently washes away impurities; but long after you've sudsed up, it's still working.

Like some of our favorite high-performance serums, the Firmarine Treatment Bar (which smells exactly how you'd expect the color blue to smell) features an encapsulated delivery system—a quality essentially unheard of in soap—that ensures the distribution of firming, smoothing, hydrating and antioxidant benefits from the likes of spirulina, algae, shea butter and vitamins C and E.

More anti-aging formula than cleanser (though entirely efficient as the latter), this brilliant bar is uniquely sophisticated in a sea of antiquated soaps.

At least that is what Erno promises.... ;- )

Visit the OPI website and have some fun!

Beauty Wonkette admits it; she has tested out a polish or two (or eight) while standing in the cosmetics aisle of her local Duane Reade. Perhaps you've seen Beauty Wonkette, standing there, not looking the wee bit guilty, with muli-colored tips, testing out the seasons hottest new shades, stinking up the store, and earning some serious dirty looks from many a passerby.

Yes, indeed, Beauty Wonkette is guilty as charged. But, now, OPI has created the perfect, non-offensive way to try out colors against your skin tone and nail length. My fellow aisle 3 testers, we’ve been saved by OPI’s Try it On Application. Conveniently located on their website, you can test over 200 colors and choose exactly what suits your occasion.

No more standing in front of shelves filled with lacquers while your poor manicurist waits impatiently at her station. You’ll know what to look for going in or can head to your local drugstore before your appointment and pick up a bottle, knowing whether or not it works for you.

On the site, you can filter colors by shade (pinks, purples, brights, etc.) or by collection. Which is way more organized than what your local Walgreens is offering up.

And, if you’ve had your heart set on a shade and (gasp!) it’s not at the drugstore when you get there, have no fear! Just download the free OPI app for your iPhone and you can test out the options from your phone, without resorting back to your aisle 3 tester ways.



Visit http://www.opi.com and click the “Try On This Color” tab or download the application at itunes.

Are you shampooing your hair the RIGHT way???

Okay, now, STOP ROLLING YOUR EYES THIS INSTANT! How does Beauty Wonkette know that you are rolling your eyes? Wellllll, because when Beauty Wonkette first read this SHE rolled HER eyes. After all, we've been washing our hair for an awfully long time. One assumes that one is doing it RIGHT. Si?

Well, maybe you are. But Beauty Wonkette still thinks this is a useful read....

Say goodbye to "bad hair days" with the right shampoo. Learn what to look for in a shampoo and which shampoos are right for your specific hair type. Beautiful, healthy hair is just a shampoo away!

Is your hair frizzy and out of control? Maybe it has no body and will never hold a style. If you’re not happy with the way your hair looks, your shampoo could be the problem. Even if you love your current look, the right shampoo can cut down on those hours spent blowing, teasing, and spraying in front of the mirror each day.

Choose the right shampoo. One of the biggest mistakes women make is choosing a shampoo based on price or smell. There is a real science behind all the ingredients that go into your shampoo. You need to read shampoo labels to identify those formulated for your specific hair type. The companies that produce hair care products conduct intensive research to develop shampoos that will bring out the best in your hair. Using a product that is not made for your hair could result in damage, increased risk of breakage, and a very unhappy customer — you!

Shampoo for oily hair. If limp, greasy hair is your gripe, your shampoo solution is simple: wash and go. That’s right, skip conditioner and use a clear shampoo (no creamy shampoos for you) at least once a day — twice when you’ve spent a good deal of time outside on an especially hot, sticky day. Leave shampoo on for at least five minutes and rub your scalp well — gently of course — while shampooing to remove as much oil as possible.

If you must condition after your shampoo, apply conditioner only to the middle and ends of your hair. And when you’re through, hands off! Avoid touching hair whenever possible and brush only when necessary.

Ingredients to look for:

* Panthenol which adds body by increasing the thickness of the hair shaft.
* Acidic ingredients such as citrus fruits to cut through layers of oil and dirt.
* Astringents such as tea tree oil, chamomile, rosemary, or sage which also break down oil.

Shampoo for dry hair. Restore dry or cracked hair (think split ends) with thick, creamy shampoos that contain natural oils and fats. You can even add a drop or two of safflower or olive oil to your hair to add shine and cut frizz. But even creamy shampoos contain detergents which dry out hair if used too often. Shampoo every other day to retain your hair’s natural shine, and be sure to follow with conditioner each time. Tight curls common among African American women may need a shampoo just once every two weeks. Dry shampoos (powders that absorb oil) can be used in between washes.

Colored or other chemical-treated hair is highly susceptible to dryness and breakage. Use shampoos specially formulated for color-treated hair, and wash your hair no more than once a day.

Ingredients to look for:

* Fatty alcohols like cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, and oleol alcohol which moisturize and soften.
* Jojoba oil, another great moisturizer.
* Vitamin E, which has bonus antioxidant power to protect hair from damage as well as natural moisturizing action.

Shampoo for dandruff-prone hair. If you struggle with dandruff, you’re not alone; in one study, almost three-quarters of participants reported having dandruff. Dandruff can be the result of poor hygiene and infrequent washing, but it may also be caused by overgrowth of yeast that normally lives on the scalp or other skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis.

The key to controlling dandruff is seeing a dermatologist to get to the root of your dandruff. He or she can recommend a medicated shampoo which will provide relief from scratching and reduce flaking.

Ingredients to look for:

* Antimicrobials like selenium disulfide, zinc pyrithione, and piroctone olamine, which inhibit yeast growth.
* Salicylic acid which breaks up clumps of skin cells on the scalp.

Shampoo the right way. Regardless of your hair type, follow these steps to ensure you’re making the most of your shampoo:

* Wet hair thoroughly using warm water to free trapped oils and dirt within the hair shaft.
* Squirt a quarter-sized mound of shampoo onto your hand, lather, and rub gently into your scalp. Do not pull your hair on top of your head to shampoo; that will lead to knots and breakage. Apply the shampoo at your hair roots and work it gradually towards the tips.
* Rinse hair with warm water to remove all shampoo.

If you do not shampoo every day, you may need to repeat the whole process to ensure all the built-up grime has been removed.

So, what say you? Have YOU been shampooing the right way for your hair type?

A Must Have Beauty Palette from NARS

As far as Beauty Wonkette is concerned, beauty palettes are generally good for two things: taking up space in your makeup bag, and wasting your money on pairings of colors you end up never using. NARS Wild At Heart 15 Yr Anniversary Palette is NOT one of those palettes. Featuring 4 you-will-wear-them eyeshadow shades, Orgasm blush (Beauty Wonkette's all-time favorite blush, and in the beauty Hall of Fame), The Multiple in South Beach (a classic shimmer cream), 4 gorgeous lip glosses ranging from nearly-sheer to look-at-me red, and a huge, hugely convenient mirror, this palette now goes everywhere with BW. It's a limited edition, so grab one while you can.

The set contains:
- 0.03 oz Eyeshadow in Abyssinia (delicate pearl sheen)
- 0.03 oz Eyeshadow in Alhambra (golden champagne)
- 0.03 oz Eyeshadow in Ashes To Ashes (violet brown with shimmer)
- 0.03 oz Eyeshadow in Pandora (matte black)
- 0.15 oz Blush in Orgasm (peachy pink with shimmer)
- 0.12 oz The Multiple in South Beach (shimmering apricot)
- 0.03 oz Lip Lacquer in Baby Doll (cotton candy pink)
- 0.02 oz Lipstick in Red Lizard (semi matte full powered red)
- 0.02 oz Lipstick in Manhunt (sheer poppy red)
- 0.02 oz Lipstick in Fire Down Below (semi matte pure blood red)

Available ONLINE ONLY at Sephora

Great workout gear that avoids the "ugh I STINK"

Since Beauty Wonkette is something of an exercise fanatic, we're always interested in products designed to help athletes perform at their best. And, as a wife and working woman, I love finding things that make my life easier. Heh.... Who doesn't?

Well, Beauty Wonkette has discovered a line of workout wear that does both: Icebreaker, made from New Zealand merino wool. Wool for running, stepping, etc.? Yup, but this stuff is a far cry from that itchy sweater you bought but never wear. Merino wool is soft, breathes better than cotton, wicks sweat beautifully and keeps Beauty Wonkette cool, even on hot days! That's all great but here's what Beauty Wonkette really love about Icebreaker gear: unlike synthetic fabrics, it doesn't get stinky after just one workout. In fact, you can wear the same top for a week before it even starts to ripen.

Icebreaker clothes come in several weights (Beauty Wonkette wears a couple of layers for cold-weather runs) and tons of styles, some cute enough to wear anytime. Check it out at www.icebreaker.com.

Skincare doesn't end at your chin !

Ever look at someone with a clear bight face, and then as your eyes travel down to the chest the skin revealed just where a couple of buttons are undone, you can see an area that’s freckled, wrinkled and darker than the face? Beauty Wonkette sees it all too often. It’s not pretty or youthful. What it IS is years of sun damage. Fortunately, Obagi Medical has come out with a system to treat it. The Elastiderm Decolletage System does a remarkable job of reversing some of that photo-aging damage.

Part one is a skin lightening complex that uses 4% hydroquinone (pleeeez DON'T start with BW about hydroquinone - NOTHING else is as effective) which reduces discoloration and age spots.

Part two is a wrinkle reducer that is a blend of minerals, copper, zinc and malonic acid which helps to restore collagen and help the skin produce healthy new skin cells. Start now and Beauty Wonkette promises that you'll see results in one month – just when you’ll want to be getting rid of that turtleneck! Gobble, gobble.

Available at www.lovelyskin.com

Beauty that knows no borders....

One of the most buzzed about ingredients in beauty right now is argan oil. Ah, but my fellow Beauty Wonkettes already know that. Long before BW set foot in Morocco, she was blogging about the wonders of argan oil. It truly is amazing stuff. Beauty Wonkette still loves her MoroccanOil hair stuff, even if argan oil isn't the only thing - or even the primary thing, in there. But, when we're talking argan oil, a little bit goes a long way.

Found in Morocco, it is pressed from the nut of local argan tree fruit, where it has been used for centuries by Berber women as a skin and hair care cure-all for everything from acne and wrinkles to split ends and scar tissue. It is called the “gold of Morocco” for good reason. Argan oil is rich in vitamin E, loaded with potent antioxidant polyphenols and packed with hydrating essential fatty acids like lineolic acid which deeply moisturizes the skin (or hair!) while protecting it from free radical damage.

Argan oil can be used on its all over your body, literally from head to toe. Starting at the top, it not only nourishes the scalp and hair, but leaves locks looking shiny without feeling heavy or greasy. You can use it on your skin instead of a traditional facial or body moisturizer, on your nails as a strengthener and on your cuticles to prevent cracks. Here in the US, it's a precious (read EXPENSIVO) elixir, but in Morocco.... Well, let's just say that Beauty Wonkette got into the habit of slathering the stuff everywhere. As great as the stuff is all by itself, BW has learned that when argan oil is blended into skin care, body and hair care products the results can be even more amazing.

One example is Mama Mio O-Mega Oil. This soothing oil is the miracle product for dry, itchy and uncomfortable skin. Formulated with three omega-rich oils, it improves elasticity while deeply nourishing and moisturizing the skin. Jojoba seed oil soothes and prevents premature skin aging, argan oil nourishes and helps the skin to stretch with increased comfort and safflower seed oil strengthens cell membranes. Apply this stuff once a day to shower damp skin, and you'll be amazed!

Ingredients: Prunus Amygdalus Dulcus (Sweet Almond) Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower Seed) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel (Argan) Oil, Parfum (Fragrance), Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Limonene, Linalool, Citral, Citronellol, Evernia Furfuracea (Treemoss) Extract, Benzyl Benzoate (from Ylang Oil).


It isn't cheap. 7 ounces will run about $35. But, since a little bit goes a long way, the bottle will last.

Beauty Wonkette is back !

Yes, it's true! Beauty Wonkette is back. One of the perks of my REAL job means the occasional overseas posting in an exotic spot. :D Oh, okay - most of the time the postings aren't all that exotic, but this one truly was. If you ever have an opportunity to visit Morocco, don't think twice. It is, without question, one of the loveliest places on earth.

That said, it's very good to be home and really, while I've been places that I've loved, I still maintain that there isn't anyplace, at least on THIS planet, like New York. Yep - it's good to be home!

Now that we're back and unpacked and all settled in, Beauty Wonkette is ready to pick up where she left off. Soooo, let the posting begin!