EARLY WARNING: May 8th is Just Around the Corner... Shop Our Mother's Day Gift Guide Now!

Ah, Mother’s Day…a time to celebrate the woman who gave you life, raised and nurtured you from birth and helped to shape you into the person you are today. It’s typically a low-stress holiday once it arrives, but every year, panic begins to set in before the holiday as I frantically try to figure out what to get for the most important woman in my life. If you’re anything like me, you wait until the last minute and end up harried and disappointed with your gift selection.

In an attempt to alleviate some of this pre-Mother’s Day stress, I've started early and put together a list of my top Mother’s Day gift ideas, so we can all relax this year and know that we’ve gotten Mom something she’ll truly love. I’ve categorized my selections by Makeup, Skin Care, Bath & Body, and Fragrance, so no matter what your Mom is in to, you’re sure to find just the perfect thing!

Makeup

If Mom’s a makeup maven, she’ll love one of these specially packaged sets!

Cosmetique Beauty Boutique Blockbuster – For the Mother who appreciates choices, this palette has every color imaginable for a glamorous, customized makeup look she’ll love!

Sistina Italian Riviera Collection - Mother-Daughter trip to the Mediterranean not in your spring budget?  Give Mom the glamour and sophistication of the Italian Riviera with our sleek, sunny new collection - perfect for summer!

Pur Minerals Heavenly Delights - Delight your mother with this heavenly collection of complexion-flattering, feature-enhancing shades - brush included!

Skin Care

Give your Mom the gift of beautiful skin with one of these elegant skin care collections.

Energie Vitale Spa Skin Care Collection – This is the ultimate gift for the skin-obsessed! It is a complete skin care system designed to cleanse, purify, and fight the signs of aging with a potent cocktail of active ingredients.

Murad Evening Renewal Regimen – This kit from Murad includes everything your Mom needs to cleanse, tone, hydrate, and firm her way to perfect skin. How could she not love this?!?!

Princess Livia Royal Treats Skin Care Collection - Give Mom's skin (and nails!) the royal treatment with this collection of our best-loved products featuring the wonder-ingredient, bee pollen!  Plus, as an added bonus, she'll get her very own Princess Livia Miracle Grow Nail Treatment. 

Bath and Body

Help Mom to relax and unwind with these aromatic gifts for bath and body.

Arabella Stuart Belle Fleur Bath and Body Set – This includes everything your Mom needs to cleanse, exfoliate and moisturize her skin. The bath gel and moisturizer are delicately scented with Bergamot, Gardenia, Sandalwood and Musk, so Mom will enjoy her gift all day long.

Sara St. James Country Classics Set – Give your Mom a little hint of the relaxing countryside with this classic set. It includes a foaming shower gel, an exfoliating puff, and a light, natural fragrance.

Zents "SUN" Solid Perfume Balm - Soothing and enlivening like the warmth of a mother's love, this solid perfume balm is a blend of aromatherapeutic essential oils in a shea butter and beeswax base.  This heavenly fragrance balm can be used at pulse points, to condition dry areas like cuticles, elbows and knees, and as a shine-enhancing, conditioning pomade for hair.

Fragrance

If your mother's a fragrance fashionista, delight her olfactory sense with the gift of perfume! 

A Woman’s Touch Perfume Collection – The perfect woman’s touch! Give your Mom a lift with this trio of delightful fragrances.

Couture Creations – Let your Mother be the head-turner she was meant to be with this three-piece collection of dramatic scents.

Missoni Eau de Parfum - This sun-drenched fragrance combines notes of Bergamot, Mandarin, Chocolate, Amber, Peony, Rose and Persimmon. The sublime blend captures the luxe sensuality of an Italian resort getaway...  Send Mom on vacation this May!

Those are my top picks for a Mother’s Day gift sure to bring a smile to any Mother’s face.  Do you have an idea for the perfect Mother’s Day gift?  Share it by leaving a comment.  Also, be sure to check our website http://www.cosmetique.com/ for even more great gift ideas for Mom!

Don't forget to also check Facebook, and Twitter for details on our super-exciting, super-secret April Fool's Day Deal (hint: you get something for FREE!) - the perfect motivation to get that gift shopping done early!  Make this your best Mother's Day ever...  With a little help from your friends at Cosmetique!

Get Up and Get Glowing! 10 Great Radiance Boosters to try in 2011

Photo Courtesy of Gawker.com

Want to look younger, fresher and heathier in 2011?  One of the easiest ways to achieve that goal is to increase your radiance!  Whether it's your hair, skin or lips, light-reflection is key.  Dull, dry and flaky is SO 2010.  With so many radiance-boosting options from skin care to cosmetics, there is no reason you can't glow your way through the winter, and have heads a turnin' while you do it! 

So here they are, my top 10 picks for getting your glow on:

1.  Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser

What it is:  An exfoliating cleanser that increases brightness and clarity of the skin.

How it works:  A trio of gentle exfoliating acids, Salicylic, Lactic and Glycolic,  provide clarity, brightness and improve cell-turnover by dissolving dead skin cell buildup. Jojoba beads further polish and smooth skin. Sodium PCA and Jojoba Seed Oil boost hydration. Licorice Extract reduces irritation and inflammation.


2.  Energie Vitale Masque Hydratant Peau Radiante

What it is:  A skin brightening moisture mask to be used whenever skin needs a hydrating boost!

How it works:  Made with the finest essential oils, including Eucalyptus, Avocado and Lavender, this heavenly mask works to penetrate pores with soothing moisture.  Superior hydration means brighter-looking, dewier skin.

Bonus: Aromatherapeutic benefits abound.  It's relaxing fragrance brings the spa to you!


3.  Madeleine Mono Act 3 Fountain of Youth Rejuvenating Moisture Cream

What it is:  A multi-faceted moisturizing cream.

How it works:  Grape seed, macadamia nut and rice bran oils nourish skin, while shea butter hydrates and softens.  Licorice root extract works to enhance brightness, and skin-loving Vitamins A and E preserve and protect.  The result?  A more radiant-looking you!


4.  Garden Botanika Advanced Anti-Aging Eye Treatment

What it is:  A rich eye cream that has been touted as a natural alternative to injectables. 

How it works:  A patented peptide (these are ALL the rage, right now) and an amino acid called Arginine work to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.  Red Wine Polyphenols and Green Tea Extract provide the ultimate antioxidant protection, while a combination of ceramides, Shea Butter, Jojoba Seed Oil and Hyaluronic Acid moisturize the delicate skin around the eye area. A host of botanical extracts naturally lighten AND brighten, so eyes have a fresher, younger appearance.

Bonus:  This wonder-cream contains no fragrance or artificial dyes!


5.  Jean-Michelle Lotion Peau Brillante - Skin Brightening Lotion

What it is:  A moisturizing lotion that works to give you more radiant-looking skin.

How it works:  Gentle exfoliants help to refine skin and create a more youthful-looking complexion while skin-nourishing ingredients hydrate and protect.


6.  Sistina Radiante Face Tint

What it is:  A lightly tinted cream that creates even-looking skin with a healthy glow!

How it works:  A touch of color adds warmth and radiance while a bevy of vitamins and antioxidants work to protect skin from the elements.


7.  Pur Minerals Hot Rocks

What it is:  A blend of micronized minerals in a multidimensional, universally-flattering shade.

How it works:  A luminous combination of pink and pearl pigments add warmth and radiance to the skin.  Brighten eyes, lips and cheeks with a quick swirl of your brush!   


8.  Sara St. James Easy Color Bronzing Powder

What it is:  A natural-looking, light-reflective bronzing powder.

How it works:  Warm bronze undertones add instant warmth and dimension to the skin while subtle shimmer creates the look of a healthy, radiant complexion.


9.  Diandra Luminous Lipcolor Collection

What it is:  Three creamy, delicious lip colors in a sleek, mirrored compact.  Brush included!

How it works:  Pure beeswax protects lips to help keep them smooth and beautiful, while gorgeous color and a soft pearlescence add depth and a healthy luminosity.


10.  Zents Sun - Concreta Solid Perfume Balm

What it is:  A highly fragrant, solid perfume balm hand-poured into a unique, solid stone cube.

How it works:  A stirring blend of Vanilla, Sandalwood, Pink Orange and Grapefruit, this sun-drenched scent helps to increase your radiance from the inside out.  What better way to improve your mood than with a warm, feel good fragrance?  Happy people are naturally more radiant! 

Bonus:  With shea butter and beeswax, this amazing product can also be used as a skin conditioner and hair pomade!

Be a ray of sunshine all winter long with these fantastic, glow-getters!  Find all of these radiance-boosting wonders and more at Cosmetique.com. 

Beauty Editor's Pick of the Week: Energie Vitale Anti-Age Set

New Year!  New You!  Transform your skin in 2011 with this powerful anti-aging trifecta.  Energie Vitale Anti-Age Set includes a fresh, skin-purifying cleanser, a luxurious treatment cream, and a silky lip conditioner for skin that looks as good as it feels!  A $75.00 value... yours for only $50.00!

Here are the details...

Energie Vitale Creme Luminesse - Crème Luminesse helps brighten your skin as it restores essential moisture. White Tea Extract helps protect against environmental stresses that cause premature aging of the skin. Beta Hydroxy Acid exfoliates to improve overall skin texture. Promote a youthfully radiant complexion, and fight lines and wrinkles with anti-aging Crème Luminesse.

Energie Vitale Suisse Gelee Purifiante - This invigorating cleansing gel is formulated for normal to oily skin to remove makeup and impurities, and deep clean pores without drying your skin. With an exhilarating fresh scent, this unique, oil-free formula soothes your skin with Chamomile and Lime Blossom. Use morning and night for a vibrantly fresh and flawless complexion.

Energie Vitale Levres Soyeux Hydratante - The moment you apply this wand of silkening moisture to your lips, you will see that this product is no ordinary lip conditioning treatment.  Loaded with moisturizers and healing essential oils, it delivers immediate hydration and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Turn over a new leaf this year and give your skin the love and attention it deserves!  Remember, the key is consistency.  Cleanse, moisturize and condition A.M. and P.M. for best results.

Get this Year's Hottest Makeup Look: The New Nude for 2011

Photo Courtesy of make-up.becomegorgeous.com

The 2011 Nude Look, as I shall call it, is quite possibly my favorite take on the nude look yet.  It has a clean, modern, and yet slightly more seductive feel than the nude looks of years past.  This photo from one of Hermes' 2011 runway shows gives us a great look at this fabulous new take on the neutral face.  Like in years past, the lip is nude, if not entirely naked.  And, as in years past, the color palette is composed entirely of warm neutrals.  To me, the defining characteristic of this year's "natural look," is the ultra-clean, ultra-defined eye.  

Get the Look: 

Flawless-looking, matte skin is paramount to executing this gorgeous look-of-the-moment.  Fake complexion perfection in moments by first prepping skin with a pore-minimizing serum like Pur Minerals See No More. This first step not only minimizes the look of large pores, but also mattifies and smoothes skin for a flawless makeup application.

Apply a creamy foundation like Diandra Perfect Blend Foundation to problem areas using fingertips.  This cream-to-powder formula blends seamlessly with the skin for a natural look.  Be sure to eradicate under-eye circles by patting on a cream concealer with your ring finger.

If you have a tendency to get shiny, you may want to try a light dusting of sheer face powder to keep makeup in place and skin matte.  Jean-Michelle Satine Translucent Powder knocks out shine without adding heavy coverage. 

To achieve the warm, peachy skin for this look, choose a soft, peach blush, and dust it onto eyelids and cheekbones.  Too Faced Brightening Blush in Papa Don't Peach is just the perfect shade and imparts skin with a soft glow.

Notice, the model is wearing clearly-visible black liner on the top lash line, and barely-there black liner around the tear ducts and the lower lash line.  A basic black mascara has been used to darken and define model's top lashes, while the bottom lashes have been kept mostly bare. 

Use a black pencil, like Diandra Eye Crayon in Barely Black, to apply a medium-width line to top lash line.  This top line should be kept clean, and not smudge-y.  Use the pencil to also line inside of the bottom lash line, stopping at the tearducts.  Unlike the top liner, the line on the bottom should be thin and light.

Finish eyes with two coats of your favorite black mascara.  I recommend Sistina Mascara Maxima in Mezzanotte Black for its clean, defined look.

Keep lips soft, supple and "au naturel" with Energie Vitale Levres Soyeux Hydratante.  This super-balm not only delivers tons of soothing moisture, it also minimizes the look of fine lines for gorgeous, healthy lips.

This look is easy-to-apply, perfect for any occasion, and looks good on everyone.  Be the picture of understated glamour everywhere you go with the refined, new nude look of 2011!

Hot Beauty Tips for Falling Temps

The minute the temperature begins to drop, my entire beauty regime needs an overhaul.  Who would ever think that a few degrees could make such a big difference in your skin and hair?  Of course, this is only the beginning... 

Pretty soon winter will be upon us, which only makes the need for this new beauty regimen greater.  The colder it gets, the worse my skin feels and looks, and the more out-of-control my hair becomes.  I know what a pain it is to change your entire routine, so I put together a list of minor adjustments you can make that will make a major difference this season.

1.  Switch to a creamy facial cleanser.  Gels, soaps and scrubs can strip skin of essential moisture.  As it gets colder out, it's more important than ever to protect your skin's delicate moisture barrier.  Creamy cleansers are typically less drying than others which make them a good cold weather choice.  H20 Plus Sea Pure Creamy Facial Cleanser is a great one to try.

 
2.  Try a moisturizing mask.  A good moisturizing mask can restore some of the moisture your skin has lost due to colder temps.  Using a mask 1-2 times a week can be a lifesaver for dry skin sufferers.  I like Energie Vitale Masque Hydratant Peau Radiante.

3.  Use a humidifier.  As soon as the temperature drops, the moisture levels follow suit.  A humidifier can help to replace much-needed moisture in the air.  This will make a big difference in how your hair and skin look and feel.

4.  Turn down the heat.  The higher you set your heat, the more it robs the air of precious moisture.  Of course, you don't want to be freezing all the time, but particularly when you're sleeping, try to turn the heat down a few degrees and use an extra blanket. 

5.  Moisturize in the shower while still damp.  As soon as you're done showering, very lightly pat dry and moisturize damp skin immediately.  A moisturizer is most useful for preventing moisture loss, so if you can start with hydrated, damp skin, you'll get more out of your body lotion.  Try Diandra Re-Plenish Skin Softening Body Lotion.

6.  Watch your shower temperature.  Super-hot water will strip your skin of much needed moisture and can further irritate already-dry skin.  As unpleasant as it may sound, try taking a lukewarm shower instead.  Save your skin! 

7.  Avoid products with high alcohol content.  Speaking of moisture-strippers, alcohol is one of the biggest culprits.  When it evaporates, it feels cool and soothing, and it takes all the moisture with it!  During fall and winter, be sure to look for products with low or no alcohol content.  That goes for hair products too!

8.  Minimize blow-drying.  Yes, it's true. Blow-drying is, in fact, drying.  It's drying to your hair and your skin, so do it as little as possible, particularly in the fall and winter.  Save it for special occasions if you can! 

9.  Be sure to protect lips.  Lips can really take a beating when the weather gets cold, so be sure to protect them from the elements with a hydrating lip balm.  Try Jean-Michelle Hydratante a Levres. 

10.  Don't ignore your feet.  Even though they're in shoes and socks all the time, your feet still need love.  The cold weather takes its toll on them too!  Pamper and nourish them by applying a foot treatment cream just before bed and sleeping in socks.  This really gives the product time to work its magic.  I love Garden Botanika High Intensity Foot Treatment.

Sometimes making small changes here and there can make a world of difference!  Try these tips and let us know your thoughts.  Enjoy your autumn 'cause winter's a-comin'!





Facial Masks: How To Choose One That’s Right For You

Facial masks have been used since ancient times to soothe, nourish, and purify the skin. Depending on the type of mask, they can provide hydration, detoxification, and many other benefits. No matter which type of mask you choose, they should always be applied to freshly cleansed skin for maximum penetration. While some masks are appropriate for all types of skin, many work best on a specific skin type. So how do you know which type of mask to use? Here’s a list of the best masks for each skin type to take some of the guess work out of choosing the appropriate one for you!



Photo courtesy of thebeautystop.com

Normal/Combination Skin:

Murad Exfoliating Fruit Enzyme Mask-

This fruity cocktail for your skin gently exfoliates, removing dead skin cells and impurities. The mask contains Pomegranate and Ginkgo Biloba to fight free radicals and inflammation while squalene conditions and hydrates. Use weekly to keep skin in tip-top shape!

Jean-Michelle Masque Confort Express-

This light yet hydrating mask is infused with Vitamins A, C, and E, as well as Aloe Vera Gel to soothe skin and provide it with comforting hydration, instantly.




Dry Skin:

Madeleine Mono Act 2 Skin Quench 10 Minute Moisture Mask for Thirsty Skin-

Filled with Firming Oat and Wheat Proteins, as well as skin-conditioning Jojoba and Almond Oils, this moisturizing mask is a luxurious treat for dry skin.

Murad Hydrating Gel Mask-

Sodium Hyaluronate pulls moisture in for a full 24 hours as Sunflower Oil locks it in to the skin. Natural anti-inflammatories soothe skin irritations resulting in gorgeous, smooth, hydrated skin.



Oily/Acne Prone:

Freeze 24/7 Skin Glace Daily Detoxifying Cleanser and Mask-

Made with a blend of rice bran and soy protein, this deep cleansing mask delivers maximum skin purification for balanced, clear skin.

Murad Clarifying Mask-

Kaolin and Bentonite Clays purify and deep clean, drawing out impurities, while sulfur works hard to fight acne. Zinc and Licorice Extract help calm red, irritated skin.



Aging or Dull Skin:

Sistina Alpha-Beta Revitalizing Mask-

This refreshing facial mask uses natural ingredients to gently exfoliate the skin, revealing a brighter, younger-looking you!

Diandra Skin-Deep Peel-Off Firming Mask-

This peel-off gel mask improves skin’s radiance, resilience and texture for firmer, younger-looking skin.

Energie Vitale Masque Hydratant Peau Radiante-

This is an aroma-therapeutic mask that features Eucalyptus, Avocado, and Lavender Oils to infuse your skin with deep, soothing moisture, leaving it brighter and more radiant.



In addition to benefiting the skin tremendously, facial masks are a way to take time out for ourselves during a busy week, which is positive in so many ways! I hope you enjoy adding this relaxing, age-old beauty ritual to your weekly routine.

3 Great Lip Tips

1. For a picture-perfect lipstick application without dry winter cracks, make sure to apply a lipbalm 10-15 minutes before lipstick and use a washcloth or soft toothbrush to gently exfoliate the dead skin from the lips just prior to lipstick. A good balm to try: Energie Vitale Levres Soyeux Hydratante.

2. To fake a fuller lip, apply a concealer one to two shades lighter than your skin tone around the lip line and slightly outside. Try the Sistina Due Tinta Naturale Concealer stick.

Then line the lips with a neutral pencil and apply a high shine gloss or nude lipstick to complete the look. Try Princess Livia Cream Lipstick in Bamboo Pink and Princess Livia Lipliner in Neutral.


3. To keep lip gloss from getting messy and running all over the place, make sure to apply gloss to the center of the lip only. It will travel as you wear it and end up looking perfect!