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!

5 HOT Spa Treatments You Can Do At Home

The most popular spa treatments can rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit and make you look and feel like a whole new you.  "BUT, what if regular spa visits don't fit into my schedule and budget?" you ask.  To that I say: "NO PROBLEM!"   We're running down 5 of the HOTTEST spa treatments, and showing you how to achieve spa-quality results in your very own home.  ARE YOU WITH ME?

The Treatment:  Spa Manicure/Pedicure

Photo Courtesy of Freespiritskincare.com

The Basics: A spa mani/pedi is the cornerstone to any good beauty routine.  Research has shown that one of the first things people notice about you is your hands!  The professional treatment includes a warm soapy soak for hands and feet, exfoliation, nail and cuticle grooming, skin conditioning and polish, of course!


Do it at home:  If you're a penny-saving gal on the go (like the rest of us) you can get salon results at home!  Simply soak feet and hands in a warm soapy bath and use an exfoliating foot scrub (very gently on hands, more vigorously on feet) to remove dull, dry skin.  While hands and feet are still damp, gently push back cuticles (don't clip them!) and apply a rich conditioning cream like Madeleine Mono Hand and Cuticle Repair Cream to both feet and hands.  File nails to your desired shape with a nail file.  Before polishing, be sure to use either rubbing alcohol or polish remover with a cotton pad to clean nails (if you don't, polish will peel sooner).  Follow with the nail polish of your choice.  I like Jean-Michelle Laque Luisant Nail Enamel because it dries to a brilliant shine and comes in so many awesome colors! 

The Treatment:  Anti-Aging Facial

Photo Courtesy of Godonyc.com

The Basics: A professional anti-aging facial typically includes a mild exfoliation, deep hydration and a firming treatment for face and eyes.

Get it at home:  Murad Resurgence Renewal Home Facial Kit includes everything you need to begin your journey towards younger-looking skin!  Advanced collagen building technology boosts elasticity and resilience to reduce the appearance of medium to deep wrinkles while gentle exfoliators clear skin of dullness and stimulate cellular turnover.  Luxurious, lasting hydration helps to restore suppleness, texture and tone.  This do-it-yourself miracle-in-a-box also comes with Murad's Firming and Hydrating Eye Gel Mask to lift and plump your delicate eye area while reducing signs of under-eye damage.  Begin with well-cleansed skin.  Click here to view our fabulous selection of cleansers!  I also like to follow this restorative treatment with a rich moisturizer to help lock in all that fabulous hydration!  

The Treatment:  Hydrating Body Wrap

Photo Courtesy of Hawaiianexperiencespa.com

The Basics:  This ultra-relaxing spa treat typically includes a nice, warm shower followed by an ultra-hydrating cream or oil applied to the body.  Once applied, the spa technician/esthetician will wrap the client in a cellophane or plastic wrap to lock in the hydrating effects.  Once "wrapped," you will lay down and relax in a warm steamy room while the moisture penetrates skin with the help of the wrap and steam.  Afterwards, they have you take a quick rinse in a cool shower and send you on your way!


Get it at home:  Before you begin... Grab an extra large garbage bag (the lawn and garden ones are best because they're HUGE), and cut the seam off of the bottom. Next, cut up one side so you are left with a large, flat plastic sheet.  Bring this into the bathroom with you along with a large cushy blanket or comforter.  Now, jump into a warm shower for about 5 minutes.  Be sure to keep your bathroom door closed to create a spa-like "steam room."  While skin is still damp, liberally apply a rich, hydrating body cream like Garden Botanika Pomegranate Wine Body Butter, to your entire body - don't forget hands and feet, ladies!  After laying your blanket or comforter on the floor for warmth and comfort, center your pre-cut plastic sheet over the blanket.  Now, lay down in the middle and wrap the plastic sheet over your body AVOIDING YOUR FACE AND NECK!  Pull the blanket up around you, too, over the plastic sheet.  Relax in your little "cocoon" for 20 minutes.  When done, gently unwrap yourself and take a quick rinse in a cool shower, patting - not rubbing yourself dry.  Et Voila!  You are a beautiful, glowing butterfly!

The Treatment:  Exfoliating Body Glow

Photo Courtesy of Evaspa.com

The Basics:  A quick warm shower is followed by an exfoliating body scrub applied to your entire body.  The spa professional will then massage the scrub over your entire body to remove dull skin.  This treatment is usually followed by a quick, cool shower.  You will see fresher, newer skin exposed immediately!  Even better results can be achieved by getting this done regularly.


Get it at home:  Hop into a warm shower and wet your entire body.  Turn off the shower, but stay in there!  Apply a generous amount of an exfoliating body scrub like Garden Botanika Fresh Mint Whipped Body Buffer to every inch of skin - avoiding face and neck.  I especially like this scrub because of it's natural exfoliants (Colloidal Oatmeal and Walnut Shell Powder), and its invigorating, minty scent.  Bonus?  This stuff DOES NOT leave an oily film on your skin OR in your shower!  Massage your entire body using light to medium pressure and circular motions.  You should do this for 5-10 minutes.  If you have sensitive skin, use very gentle pressure and shorten the duration of your massage.  Now that you're a big, scrubby mess, turn the shower on (use lukewarm to cool water as it's better for your skin), and rinse the scrub thoroughly.  Follow your exfoliation by gently patting yourself dry with a towel.  Finish by applying your favorite body lotion! 

The Treatment:  Deep Conditioning Hair Treatment

Photo Courtesy of Wellsphere.com

The Basics:  A salon professional will wet hair and apply a deep conditioning treatment root to tip.  They then wrap the hair with cellophane and apply light heat to help the conditioning treatment penetrate the hair shaft.  Now, you sit for 10-15 minutes.  When done, the professional will thoroughly rinse the hair and send you packing!


Get it at home:  Wet hair throughly in your shower or sink.  GENTLY, wring any excess moisture from the hair and blot with a bath towel.  Now, apply a rich conditioner like H20 Plus Marine Collagen Conditioner which contains marine botanicals and amino acids to increase volume, luster and manageability, from roots to tips.  Gather hair on top of your head and cover with cellophane, avoiding your face, then wrap with a towel.  Use your blow dryer on low to warm the whole thing up a bit.  Relax for 15, then rinse completely and enjoy your shiny, lustrous locks!

There they are folks - with fool-proof, DIY instructions.  Get relaxed and glowing just in time for spring with a little help from your friends at Cosmetique.  Enjoy!

Beauty Editor's Pick of the Week: Murad Resurgence Evening Renewal Regimen

Renew your skin and your outlook with one of the best deals in skin care!  This value-packed set is one of my favorite weapons in the war on aging skin. 

Here's what you get...

The Big Picture:

A $56.00 Value!  Murad Resurgence Evening Renewal Regimen is an easy, four-step regimen designed to restore hydration, firmness and skin texture. It gently cleanses, tones, hydrates, and firms the skin. Ideal for dry skin with fine lines, wrinkles, and irritation, this solution helps smooth, calm, firm, and strengthen the skin.  All of the products are packaged in containers convenient for travel.  Set includes 1.5 oz Renewing Cleansing Cream, .33 oz Age-Diffusing Serum, .5 oz Age-Balancing Night Cream & .5 oz Hydrating Toner.

The Details:
 
Murad Renewing Cleansing Cream - This pearlized, ultra-moisturizing wash gently exfoliates to improve the skin's appearance and restore radiance.  It contains essential fatty acids which maintain the skin's barrier function, papaya enzymes to gently exfoliate, Sodium Hyaluronate to condition and hydrate, and Borage Seed Oil to help reduce water loss.
 
Murad Hydrating Toner - This mild toner tightens pores and keeps the skin hydrated.  Lecithin helps bind water to the skin and restore suppleness.  Sodium PCA improves hydration.  Chamomile and Cucumber Extracts soothe and minimize skin irritation, while Vitamins C and E provide powerful antioxidant protection.
 
Murad Age-Diffusing Serum - Clinically proven to increase firmness, this potent serum delivers essential hydration and improves elasticity while protecting delicate skin from the signs of hormonal aging.  Glycolic Acid and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 work together to reduce medium to deep wrinkles.  Phytoestrogens naturally improve elasticity and deliver essential moisture while glycosaminoglycans help to strengthen the skin's barrier function.
 
Murad Age-Balancing Night Cream - An ultra-rich, hydrating cream that restores skin and minimizes the effects of hormonal aging.  It contains Clover Flower extract to tone and firm, Essential Fatty Acids and Shea Butter to help maintain the skin's barrier function and increase hydration, Borage Seed Oil to help reduce water loss, and Wild Yam Extract and Soybean Sterols to improve elasticity and smooth the skin.
 
This complete skin care system is designed to stop hormonal aging in its tracks.  Chock-full of cutting edge ingredients, Murad Resurgence Evening Renewal Regimen can help you to turn back the clock, and recapture your youthful-looking glow.  Is there a better way to begin the new year?

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. 

Your 2011 Skin Makeover: Transform Your Look With These Fabulous Skin Fixes!

Photo Courtesy of Truehollywoodmakeup.com

If one of your New Year's Resolutions is to take better care of your skin, you've come to the right place!  Whether you're oily or dry, aging or acne-prone, we've got just the thing for you.  Give your skin a makeover this year by using skin care appropriate for your skin type/condition.  Read on for our recommendations on how to make 2011 the year you get the skin of your dreams!

If you have oily skin:

You know the routine, you complete your skin care regimen in the morning and your skin looks and feels great.  Then, an hour or two later the shine sets in... 

This year, choose products designed for oily skin and get skin that looks and feels great all day long!  Try Sara St. James Botanicals Clay Cleanser to deep clean with bentonite clay to draw out impurities.  Follow with Sara St. James Botanicals Daily Moisturizer for Oily Skin.  This lightweight, hydrating fluid softens and conditions skin while helping to control shine.

If you're experiencing facial acne:

Nothing seems right with the world when you're battling a breakout.  For acne sufferers, this battle can seem never-ending.  The good news is, Murad Acne Complex Introductory 30-Day Kit has everything you need to win!  A complete, skin-clearing regimen, this kit stops acne in its tracks and prevents it from coming back.  Make 2011 the year you finally get clear skin!

If you have fine lines and wrinkles:

We all know this is an issue that starts small, but can quickly spiral out of control.  Make this the year that you get a handle on your anti-aging skin care routine and slow down the hands of time.  Jean-Michelle Rejuvenesse Skin Care Set contains 3 powerful weapons in the fight against aging.  The mask provides skin with a much-needed moisture boost, while the treatment cream hydrates and fights the signs of aging.  The serum provides a targeted, on-the-spot fix for pesky fine lines and wrinkles.  Start seeing a younger, fresher you with this specially priced, anti-aging skin care trio from Jean-Michelle.

If you're experiencing dry/dehydrated skin:

This skin type is typically characterized by tightness, dullness and flaking.  Nip that in the bud with a splash of soothing oil-free hydration!  H20 Plus Oasis Oil-Free Hydration Starter Kit has everything you need to cleanse, moisturize and condition your way to beautiful skin.  The cleanser gently purifies without robbing skin of much-needed moisture.  The moisturizer and eye treatment flood the skin with even more soothing moisture, leaving it dewy and fresh.  Bye, bye tight, flaky complexion... Hello, GORGEOUS!

If you have sensitive skin:

Red, flaky, easily irritated?  These are the hallmarks of sensitive skin.  This skin condition requires a gentle, hydrating, non-stripping cleanser, and a moisturizer that protects skin as it hydrates.  Say adios to redness and irritation by incorporating Garden Botanika Hydrating Creamy Cleanser into your daily routine.  This gentle cleansing cream rids skin of impurities without causing irritation.  Follow with Garden Botanika Daily Mineral Guard, a hydrating moisturizer with SPF 25.  Not only does this topical moisturizer protect skin from the sun, it also contains antioxidants to prevent free radical damage and is recommended for sensitive skin.

If you need a complete overhaul:

If there's no one particular skin type or condition you're dealing with, but your skin could use a major boost in the new year, try Murad Evening Renewal Regimen.  This miracle-kit cleanses, tones, hydrates and firms the skin.  It even reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and helps to prevent breakouts!  Use this system every night for skin that looks renewed, refreshed and healthy.

No matter what your skin issue, we've got the fix!  No need to sit idly by while pesky skin care concerns drag you down.  Make 2011 the year you take this skin care bull by the horns!  Find these winning skin-fixes and more at Cosmetique.com. 

Beauty Editor's Pick of the Week: Murad Hydrating Gel Mask

If you're concerned about dry skin, loss of elasticity, wrinkles, and hormonal aging, and your current regimen isn't giving you satisfactory results, you may want to consider adding a high-performance mask to your routine... Like Murad Hydrating Gel Mask! 

This super-powered treatment contains Sodium Hyaluronate, a natural humectant capable of binding up to 1000 times its weight in water!  Imagine the hydration!  It also contains Chamomile, Arnica, and Cucumber Extracts; three potent, natural ingredients that work overtime to soothe redness and irritation.  Rich Sunflower Oil locks in moisture while fragrant lavender calms and restores.  This mask is an absolute must when battling dry skin, irritation and the signs of hormonal aging.

Directions:  Cleanse skin thoroughly before applying.  Apply a thin layer to face, neck and chest.  Leave mask on for 10-15 minutes.  Rinse thoroughly with warm water and pat dry.  Follow with moisturizer.  For best results, follow the Murad 3-step routine appropriate for your skin type.

Now, all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the comfort and glow of well-hydrated skin!

5 Easy Steps to Gorgeous Hands

Photo courtesy of realsimple.com

Ladies, your hands are the first thing to show your age.  You know that, right?  The days of spending hundreds of dollars attending to your face and completely ignoring your hands are over, right?  It's time to start paying attention to those paws!  Your hands, like the rest of your body, require exfoliation, cleansing, nourishment and protection to remain in good health.  Fortunately, there are 5 easy things you can do now to maintain the health and beauty of your hands...and here they are!

1. Don't forget the sunscreen. ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS apply sunscreen before going outside, especially to your hands. This step is crucial to keeping hands looking their beautiful best and preventing age spots. For long-lasting, waterproof protection, try Murad Waterproof Sunblock SPF 30. This is a great product for both face and body!

2.  Start using a scrub on your hands.  You cannot beat the exfoliating power of a good scrub!  Exfoliating removes dead skin cells to uncover softer, fresher skin.  This important step also aids in absorption of other skin care products like lotions and creams.  You will want to apply approximately 1 teaspoon of a good body scrub to wet hands and massage thoroughly for about 1 minute before rinsing.  Garden Botanika Heart Sugar Scrub is a great one to try as it uses gentle sugar to exfoliate while primrose oil hydrates and restores radiance.

3.  Moisturize hands frequently, particularly after washing.  An effective hand cream or lotion should be applied several times a day to avoid dryness and keep hands looking healthy.  It is of the utmost importance that you ALWAYS moisturize your hands IMMEDIATELY after washing them (while they are still damp.)  This helps offset the drying effects of your soap while locking in essential moisture.  I like Jean-Michelle Creme Protecteur Pour Les Mains - Hand Creme.  It works wonders and smells like a dream!

4.  Give your hands a nighttime treatment.  For extra pampering and rejuvenation, use a hand treatment cream at night and then slip on a pair of gloves.  This trick gives the cream time to penetrate for maximum benefit.  Try Garden Botanika High Intensity Hand Treatment with clean, cotton gloves.

5.  Protect your hands.  Always wear gloves when cleaning, gardening, doing the dishes or coloring your hair.  This quick and easy step protects hands from a host of damaging elements and irritants.  When possible, apply moisturizer prior to putting on gloves. 

Follow these 5 easy steps and enjoy beautiful, well-preserved hands for years to come.  It only takes a few minutes a day, and your hands will love you forever!