I have not done a good job of reviewing my Beautyfix products, which I will continue to try to remedy in the coming weeks (because they are AWESOME!). In the meantime, Beautyfix 3 launched yesterday and EVERYONE needs this one! Check it out!

BF3 has products from Bliss, Cures by Avance, Decleor, iQ Derma, Juara, Me! Bath, pur~lisse, Skindinavia, SpaRitual, and Degree. Whoa! All this for fifty bucks!

I think each Beautyfix kit is better than the last, so it’s definitely worth the money. They are doing a great job wooing brands into participating, especially the cool niche brands that benefit from a wider audience. Two thumbs up Beautyfix!

Fyrinnae has some new colors of their super-amazing eyeshadows! Check out their homepage for thumbnails.

I especially want Jaguar (pictured, a deep, dark shimmery teal filled with green and turquoise sparkle), and Freya (a wine-pink glowing shimmer on black).

If you have oilier skin, you’re probably always searching for a newer/better/more effective way to control shine. I know I am. The latest weapon in my no-shine arsenal is Skindinavia No More Shine Makeup Finish Spray. This stuff really rocks!

It’s not that I’m obsessed with having perfectly matte makeup - I do like a little “glow” to my skin. But there is a difference between a glow and full-on shiny skin.  Skindinavia has perfected some pretty cool science to keep your makeup in place all day long with very minimal shine. Here’s the scoop.

First, there is the ACB30 Thermal Control Blend, which chills the surface of your makeup to resist movement, melting, and fading. According to Skindinavia, the result is a greatly extended fresh, breathable look that is maintained regardless of weather or skin type, and they have clinical tests demonstrating its effectiveness. Then, there is CHO89 Makeup Color Hold, which is a color dispersing technology that helps makeup apply evenly, blend flawlessly, and correct imperfections after application.

Keeping it together for an extended period of time is a time released delivery system that encapsulates millions of tiny nano-spheres barely wider than a ray of light. As each layer of spheres releases their contents, the next layer begins working. Clinical trials show Skindinävia treatments last exponentially longer than standard products. In lab trials, thermal drop testing shows continuous activity for over 20 hours!

No More Shine Makeup Finish also contains an oil control system that both absorbs excess oil and controls surface shine, as well as light dispersing particles deflect shininess to deliver a matte look for up to 16 hours.

So enough science. Does it work? The instructions state to use 2-4 pumps of spray on the face prior to makeup application and another 2-4 pumps after applying makeup. I tried it with a full-coverage foundation (Tarte Smooth Operator), a tinted moisturizer (Stila Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer) and a powder foundation (Tarte Provacateur Powder). In all cases my makeup held up perfectly to 8 hour work days (with time spent in my really hot car waiting for the A/C to kick on) as well as on days off when I ran around town doing errands, and also housework. Shine control was excellent, and there was no fading, smearing, running, or any other mishaps. Score!

I will definitely be using and recommending Skindinavia No More Shine Makeup Finish to anyone who has oily skin and wants their makeup to look fresh all day long, in all weather. TWO THUMBS UP!

I guess you could say I’ve been living under a rock for years, because I don’t know about La Mer. Okay, a few years ago I remember watching a program on VH1 in which they claimed J. Lo used this super-expensive Crème de la Mer all over her whole body, but that’s the extent of my previous knowledge of the brand.

Surprise! The Original Crème de la Mer actually has a very interesting story behind it. (Bear with me if you know all this already!) Aerospace physicist Dr. Max Huber formulated Crème de la Mer in an effort to heal chemical burns he sustained in an accident. After 12 years and 6,000 experiments, Dr. Huber perfected the art of bio-fermentation, blending a mix of sea kelp with an array of vitamins and minerals, oils of citrus, eucalyptus, wheat germ, alfalfa and sunflower. Then, something extraordinary was discovered–Crème de la Mer and its nutrient-rich Miracle Broth™. And just as Dr. Huber hoped, skin appeared dramatically smoother and miraculously improved and even the driest complexions were soothed on contact. (Info from cremedelamer.com)

The Crème itself has a lovely thick texture. I’ve only been using my sample for a few nights, but I like how smooth and soft my skin feels in the morning. No breakouts cropping up, either. Because of the $$$$ price tag, before purchasing a jar, I would definitely investigate the other formulas (like the Cream Gel or the Oil Absorbing Lotion) to see if they are better suited to my more combination skin type than the Crème. On the other hand, I’m using so little at a time (it’s THAT thick and rich!) that it would take me a loooong time to use up a jar while still getting the benefits. My opinion of Crème de la Mer is one thumb up - only because of the price tag. If the money fairy dropped some serious cash in my pocket, I’d definitely purchase a jar ($130 for 1 oz.).

The other La Mer product I’ve been trying out is The SPF 30 UV Protecting Fluid - and this one is VERY splurge-worthy! The Protecting Fluid is made to be used every morning, to protect and hydrate the skin. It contains both UVA/UVB sunscreens (I don’t have an ingredient list so I’m not sure which specific ones) as well as “smart seaweeds” and minerals. Specifically, tourmaline and malachite to produce a “green light” that enhances anti-oxidant activity and combats redness. The formula has a lightweight feel on the skin, and makes an excellent makeup primer. You can use alone or combine with Crème de la Mer.

I am ALL OVER this moisturizing sunscreen. The lightweight feel is fantastic, and makeup goes on smoothly and stays put during the day. Especially in the summer, I don’t need a LOT of hydration during the day (especially if I’m using a tinted moisturizer as foundation) so it meets my skin’s hydration needs just fine by itself. No breakouts! It is a very fluid texture, so I’ve found application is easiest if I dispense some into my cupped palm, and then “paint” it on with a finger and smooth it across my face. At $65 for 1.4 oz. it’s still pricey, but definitely reasonable for someone looking for a high-quality anti-aging sunscreen. Two thumbs up!

If you are looking for a way to treat yourself this summer, check out Crème de la Mer!

Parfums Caron is a French perfume house that was founded in Paris in 1904. The company had achieved great success when the threat of Nazism forced the founder, Ernest Daltroff, to flee to America in 1939. Imagine the scene: As Ernest approached Ellis Island on the boat that brings him to safety, he gazes upon the Statue of Liberty. The majestic splendor and imposing beauty overwhelms him as she welcomes him to the land of liberty. Deeply moved by this moment, he promises that he will create a perfume to commemorate Lady Liberty. 60 years later, his dream becomes a reality with the introduction of Lady Caron.

In 1988, Mr. Patrick Alès, the founder of Phyto hair care, became the owner of the famed Caron perfume House. Mr. Alès was touched and inspired by Mr. Daltroff’s story, so in 2000, he revived the legend and fulfilled Ernest Daltroff’s dream. In collaboration with Mr. Richard Fraysse, Caron’s current in-house nose and master perfumer, Lady Caron was created as a tribute to the Statue of Liberty and to America, the land of freedom.

It is a lovely story for a perfume with a delectable list of notes. It has magnolia, jasmine absolute, and neroli in the head notes, rose, raspberry, and peach in the heart, and oak moss and sandalwood at the base. The bottle is also stunning, featuring the face of the Statue of Liberty in the center of the glass. If you click on the thumbnail, you will see a larger version of the image.

I haven’t had the opportunity to try Lady Caron yet, but hope to soon. I love the romanticism behind the story and the notes sound really pretty. Lady Caron retails for $95 for 50 ml EDT, $130 for 100 ml EDT, and $180 for Pure Perfume Extract. It can be found at the Caron boutique at Phyto Universe (715 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10022), as well as select Saks Fifth Avenue, Henri Bendel, Bergdorf Goodman and Nordstrom locations.

Occasionally, I get a backlog of stuff I want to write about, especially stuff that doesn’t really need a whole blog post. Instead, we have the blitz blog, where I cover all the tidbits I’ve been wanting to mention.

First, check out the new Ryoko travel fragrances at Kenzo USA. Ryoko means travel in Japanese, and these cute pebble-shaped perfume bottles are meant to be air travel friendly.

Remember when I wrote about how much I love the new Nivea body washes? I discovered that the special no-poof formula also makes them really great when shaving your legs. The super-creamy lather gave a great close shave, and of course, the scents are still great. Touch of Happiness is currently in my shower.

Physicians Formula has new Organic Makeup removers that look nice. I haven’t tried them yet, but I would like to.

It’s been a rather long day and I am feeling quite tired, lazy, and cranky. So today’s blog post is a list of 5 things that would definitely cheer me up if they landed in my hot little hands. As always, in no particular order…

1. These NYX eyeshadow palettes look GORGEOUS. I particularly want I Dream of St. Thomas or I Dream of St. Lucia! Plus, can’t beat the price!! I feel an order coming on…

2. I’m kind of feelin’ my place or yours Gina eau de toilette from Benefit. Once the attack of pink pepper wears off, it mellows out into a delish raspberry-patchouli vibe.

3. This Fresh Sugar Rosé Tinted Lip Treatment SPF 15 looks FABULOUS!! Me want!

4. Don’t these Mini Mark It Stick for eyes and lips from mark. look adorable? I want green opal and violet opal for eyes, and peachy pearl and plummy pearl for lips.

5. I REALLY want to try this evolution of smooth lip balm. Badly. Soon. It’s something about the packaging, the spherical shape, the pretty pastel colors… I’m a sucker.

Do you use Q-Tips? Chances are you do, because if you’re like me, they are the Unsung Hero Of The Medicine Cabinet. I use them all the time, for fixing makeup, removing makeup, applying makeup… And trust me, you don’t want the generic brand. Get the real deal, because all the fake brands stink - the sticks bend, the cotton falls right off, etc. Q-Tips recently introduced these cute little vanity packs that look good in your bathroom, too. So don’t scrimp, get the real thing!

Fellow Beauty Blogger Clumps of Mascara has this ADORABLE post on the many uses of the Q-Tip that I wanted to share with you, so go check it out!

What other Unsung Heroes Of The Medicine Cabinet can you think of?