I have yet to experience truly warm, skirt-friendly weather, but that does not stop me from dreaming. To prepare for this promised balminess, I took two new depilatories out for a spin.

Nair Exfoliator with Skin Renewal Microbeads ($9.99 at drugstores) uses lanolin and mineral oil while the microbeads of the title buff dead skin away. Oh, and yes, the cream removes hair as well. I realized as soon as I popped the cap open that Nair had come a long way (baby.) I first flirted with Nair about ten years ago, and the noxious smell and stinging sensation sent me running for razors and shaving cream. Now milder, I barely noticed the scent and felt nothing as I left the cream on my legs for the required five minutes. I chose to use a bladeless razor to remove the cream, but a damp washcloth works, too. My legs stayed fuzz-free for three days, and I well appreciated the extra boost of moisture.

I dislike razors in general, as I usually fall victim to my own unsteady hand. I put aside my fear of cuts and razor burn to give the Schick Intuition Plus ($9.49 at drugstores) a shot. Like the plain old Intuition before it, the Intuition Plus has a razor surrounded by a shaving solid that lathers gently when used in the shower or bath. Unlike its predecessor, the Intuition Plus features a pivoting head to allow for maximum maneuverability and comfort, and so preventing nicks and scrapes. The slim handle’s no-slip rubber made for a painless, efficient shave. For all the sensitive skinned ladies out there, the Intuition Plus comes in a fragrance-free variety with aloe and vitamin E to leave your skin extra calm afterwards.

Both of these products pull double-duty by softening skin even as they remover unwanted hair. Either would make standard beauty routines that much quicker, to allow us all the more time to enjoy the (eventual) summer weather.

Berries and chocolate are popular when it comes to snacking, but it’s not too often you hear about them as ingredients in your face lotion. That’s why we were so surprised to read that Mark’s For Goodness Face antioxidant moisturizing lotion smells uniquely of fresh blueberries and dark chocolate. We’re well aware of the benefits of antioxidants; these powerful vitamins rejuvenate inside and out. But in a lotion? Wouldn’t it be better to have those berries and chocolate on your dessert tray?

We gave For Goodness Face a significant test run, and found its unusual scent to be vividly refreshing. With an SPF 30, you can bypass the extra sunscreen and know you’re protected from the suns’ harmful rays all day long. The only downside to this culinary fantasy for the face? The top pops off to reveal a pump, which is meant to dole out small amounts of the lotion so the rest doesn’t go to waste. However, we found it to be more of a pain in the neck when you can just unscrew the top. Besides the strange packaging, we’re thrilled Mark has developed a reasonably priced lotion that can contend with the department store brands. The unique scent of blueberries and dark chocolate is just an added bonus. So give For Goodness Face a try, for goodness sake.

We never had any luck with makeup palettes before now, because we’d end up using only one eyeshadow or lip gloss in the entire collection. Sound familiar? So we were happily surprised by mark’s very wearable Flip for It’s color kits. Inspired by the runways, the two new spring collections-LA and Tokyo-contain seven complementary products, and all of them are winners. One side of the kit holds a blush and two eye shadows. Flip it around and there are two lip glosses and two lip colors. The case comes with a mirror and a snap-shut front closure.

LA’s shimmery taupe and golden-brown eye shadows (Hollywood and Mulholland) make our eyes positively pop. The soft coral blush (Sunset Strip) looks natural even on our very fair skin. The lip products (Melrose, Rodeo, Malibu and Beverly Hills) are sheer and moisturizing and fun to layer. If you like a down-to-earth look, this is the palette for you.

As for Tokyo, don’t let the high-voltage, girly pink palette fool you. Applied with a light hand, these colors are a beautiful look for spring. The eye shadows (Shinjuku and Plum Velvet) are drop-dead gorgeous. For an everyday look, we apply Shinjuku on the lid and use Plum Velvet as an eyeliner. The blush (Pink Kimono) has the sweetest hint of petal pink, while lip products (Sake, Cherry Blossom, Ginza and Geisha) add a whisper of rose to the mouth. This collection flatters every skin tone, and it’s a knockout on darker complexions.

We love the convenience of slipping the kit into our bag for touch-ups on the go, and it’s a lifesaver when we travel. An incredible deal at $20, mark Flip for It’s are available at meetmark.com or through a mark representative.

Ren’s Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask ($55 at Sephora) contains so many different kinds of acids, all of them natural. Glycolic, lactic, tartaric, and citric acids work together in this 10-minute peel to relieve you of dead skin cells and leave your skin soft. The formula contains no extraneous fragrance or other irritants so as not to abraid sensitive skin.

Sadly, this gentle formula did not remove stubborn patches of winter dryness on my cheeks. When in need a of a mild renewing pick-me-up, go ahead and reach for this peel, but look elsewhere for serious softening.

(Photo Credit:WWD, March 27th 2009)

La Prairie obviously does not believe in the Recession. It adds the Cellular Serum Platinum Rare to its existing Platinum Collection, and the serum debuts in April.

Of course, it ain’t cheap: $650 for 1 oz (the 1.7 oz moisturizer was priced at $1,000).The serum does everything that the cream does, but also contributes to the skin’s brightening and tightening.

According to the article from WWD, the serum’s key ingredients include colloidal platinum, said to help maintain the skin’s electrical balance; a sugar polymer which is said to create a mesh on the skin’s surface for immediate firming and line smoothing; Hesperidin Smart Crystals, a proprietary submicron delivery system, said to deliver hesperidin, an antioxidant, to protect the skin’s DNA mechanism in its cellular nucleus; resveratrol and malachite for their antioxidant properties, and watercress extract, vitamin B3 and Kombucha mushroom extract to increase skin brightness. As well, the product contains the brand’s proprietary Cellular Complex, a cocktail of ingredients said to help stimulate the skin’s natural repair process and energize skin.

The serum will be available at the usual suspects: Nordstrom, Bloomingales etc. in April, 2009.

Yes, she’s glad that Dancing with the Stars is over, but Denise Richards‘ affair with Fake Bake will probably last longer than her marriage to bad boy Charlie Sheen.

Now, she’s focusing on the second season of her show that will premiere  soon. But a Fake Bake mobile pro will continue to come to her home each week (ok Denise, we get it…you love being tan).

The Fake Bake line promises:
* No dyes so there are no streaks, dark spots, or orange color
* Built-in color guide designed for easy, goof-proof application
* Water soluble so can not stain clothing
* Reacts with the skin’s natural proteins in the deepest layers of the skin for the most intense and natural tan
* Personalized to various skin tones
* Produces the longest lasting tan compared to any other tanning product
* Dramatically softens skin
* Contains anti-cellulite ingredients, anti-oxidants, and anti-aging ingredients such as peptides, all of which have never before been utilized into self-tanning products
* Now organically-based and paraben free

Fake Bake® products (lotions, airbrush in a can, gel, mousse, bronzers, lip glosses, Sunless & Skinny, Skinny Solution, and more) can be found in salons, spas, and even dermatology offices and schools around the country. All products are also available online at www.fakebake.com

Hey, you don’t need the sun to get tan, right?

After the great disappointment of GREAT LASH, my faith in Maybelline’s magic mascara capabilities withered like a dying rose on the vine.

And then there came Lash Stiletto, which was as glorious as the name.

This mascara delivers lovely, long lashes (check out my pics), and is packaged like a sexy Laboutin (a sleek black tube with a wand as long as the Grand Canyon is wide).

I was immensely pleased with the way this mascara delivered on its promise of lengthening, thickening and clump-free lashes.

What do you think of the before/ after?

At drugstores everywhere.

Let’s face it: we have so many skincare products and regimens in the marketplace that often we have absolutely no clue if they work or not. And too often, these contain marketing buzzwords like “anti-aging” “stem cells” “cell genesis” yada yada yada …

The average consumer is no idiot. She’s heard these promises before, so if a product over promises and under delivers, companies can kiss those profits goodbye.

Cellceuticals promises Visibly Younger Skin in Two Weeks. It also promises that the Skin Cleanser is Extremely Gentle, and that the two step skincare system treats visible aging and probes deep into the skin with its GFP Cellular Complex.

The line was developed by Garth Fisher M.D. who created the GFP Cellular Complex. This contains retinol, antioxidants, and the next generation of lipopeptides in a nanoemulsion delivery system.

The system is simple: use the Cleanser ($35) and follow with the AM moisturizer during the day; repeat the process with the PM moisturizer at night. The cleanser really is EXTREMELY gentle, and suitable for even the most sensitive of skin types. No burning or stripping moisturizer. Its almost like baby oil.

The Extreme Defense antioxidant treatment ($65) works during the day and works to treat wrinkles, texture and redness. It was light, non greasy and extremely moisturizing for me, and it worked well as a base to apply foundation and makeup.

The CellGenesis Regenerative Skin Treatment ($80) is a product you use at night to promote cell turnover, skin smoothness and skin tone.

The bottom line is that I was able to see results much faster than the promised two weeks, a fact that drove me to attain the jumping status of the proverbial Mexican bean.

Finally, a product that does what it promises. And that’s why I sound like an ad

The Summer 2009 Collection from Chanel is a harmonious blend of orange, peach and tan colors that spell “French Riviera” faster than a Porsche Boxter.

The first step in starting your sun-kissed look is the Bronzing Loose Powder. Chanel’s new star comes in Effet Hale ($65):

The Bronzing Powder Soleil Tan de Chanel has four warm, cosy shades:

Joues Contraste Powder Blush adds warmth and coral to your tanned skin ($42):

My favorite star in this collection is the Eyeshadow Quad, which, like most Chanel eyeshadow quads these days, has highly pigmented colors that can be wore alone or in harmonious blend around the crease, browbone and lower eyelid. The Lumieres Facettes in Plein Soleil contain both cool and warm tones:

Summer’s rich lip color? Mandarin Coral. Chanel’s Rouge Double Intensite Ultra Wear Lip Color takes orange to a velvety new level.

Orange Fizz and Limited Edition Golden Sand Nail Lacquer Complete the Look:

What can be said about mineral makeup that hasn’t already been said?

We all know that mineral makeup gives us a nearly flawless face, but what makes Raw Minerals different from the rest? Raw Minerals is dedicated to environmentalism and fair trade. All of their ingredients are grown using ecologically sound practices which help support local farming communities, reforestation efforts and educational programs.

Their foundation made my skin look like I had my own special lighting crew following me around. It looked like I wasn’t wearing any makeup at all but that I just roll out of bed with amazing, flawless skin. The natural corn and soybean extracts help bring out your natural radiance while balancing skin tone and improving overall texture. For those looking to fight the signs of aging, the foundation uses ActivSilk and VitaFirm Complex which instantly reduce the appearance of wrinkles and enhance the appearance of firmness and elasticity.

My one problem with Raw Minerals Foundation? No SPF. But in regards to environmental protective factor, Raw Minerals takes the cake supporting a holistic definition of beauty: “beauty in balance with the earth.” Now that is something we can all feel good about.