Fabulous Over Forty – Where Beauty Is Ageless

This month’s issue of SHAPE magazine has the adorable Kristen Bell on the cover.  But inside you’ll find this year’s Beauty 2010 Award Winners.  Below is a list of a few of the winners and the remainder of the list you’ll find inside the issue.  The winners were chosen by more than 3,000 readers, SHAPE editors and beauty experts.  What do you think of the ones listed here?

Best Moisturizer – Olay Regenerist UV Defense Regenerating Lotion SPF 50 and Kiehl’s Acai Damage-Correcting Moisturizer

Best Anti-Aging- Olay Regenerist Anti-Aging Eye Roller and Chanel Sublimage Essential Regenerating Fluid

Body Cleansers/Scrubs- Dove Go Fresh NutriumMoisture Revive Body Wash and Philosophy Be Somebody Super Clean, Super Soothing Shampoo, Bath & Shower Gel

Lip Color- Avon Smooth Minerals Lipstick SPF 15 and MAC Cremesheen Glass Lip Gloss

Blush/Bronzer- CoverGirl & Olay Simply Ageless Sculpting Blush and NARS Orgasm Illuminator

Shampoo & Conditioner- John Frieda Frizz-Ease Smooth Start Hydrating Shampoo and Aveda Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair.

Be sure to check out the September issue of SHAPE, on newsstands now for the full list!

Avon continues to impress me with the quality and ease of use with their products.   Jillian Dempsey, Avon’s Global Creative Director has created a few mutli-purpose pieces that again impress me with quality and ease.  

The Professional Eye Duo gives you a beautifully polished look that is both easy and quick.   On one end is the color for the eye shadow and the opposite end is a liquid eye liner.

First the color. It comes in 4 shades, White, Shell Pink, Gold or Bronze and I’ve been using the gold shade, which works great with my skin tone.   The applicator is similar to ones used with lip glosses, a sponge doe foot tip applicator.   It goes on creamy and gives you ample time to work it in with either your fingertip or a brush to get the desired look you want.   You can also layer it for a more intense look, too.   Once it dries, it stays put, no creasing or flaking off.   These shades are light enough that they can be used as a cheek highlighter as well. 

On the opposite end the liner color coordinates with the shadow color.  White has Jet Black liner, Shell Pink has Warm Brown, Gold has Jet Black and Bronze has Warm Brown.  The tip is a very fine tip for applying color so you can get a tight line along the lashes to make it look like you aren’t wearing liner, but it gives you definition.  Or, you can apply it a bit thicker and even do a cat eye look.   Again, if you are worried about not having a steady hand for a perfect line, that perfectly OK, too.   When I mess up and can’t get that perfect line, I just take a angled brush or smudge tip brush and smooth it out and you still get a beautifully lined eye.   These are only $9!   Such a smart product and smart price.   I must add the Bronze color my collection!

The other product from the Jillian Dempsey Professional line is this Professional Multi-Pencil.  This creamy pencil is very multi-tasking and comes in three combinations.  Raspberry Radiance, Sugar Plum (shown at left) and Twice the Spice. I’ve been testing Sugar Plum and have had a lot of fun using this creamy pencil.  The lighter end of the pencil can be used for the eyes or as a cheek highlighter.   When I use this as a shadow, I first apply the lighter shade and spread it over my eye area with my fingertip.   On a casual day I can wear that alone on my eye or apply other shadows over it if I want a different look.   

The opposite end is a pretty, soft pinky plum shade that looks great as a lip color and I can dab it on my cheeks and blend with my fingertip, or smooth it out with a brush.   I like to use my flat tipped blender brush with synthetic bristles when using it on my cheeks.   Synthetic bristles work better most times when smoothing out a creamy makeup.   This pencil is only $8!   I’ve seen comparable duo pencils like this for more than triple the price!

I give both of these products a high rating and would definitely recommend to anyone for both ease and quality and wearable colors.

Images from Avon

Our beauty routines definitely vary from summer to winter, especially if you live where the weather changes dramatically like it does where I live.   I’ve put together my list of 9 Summer Must-Haves $20 or less that will fit most any budget and are sure to please.

Jouer makes some of my favorite must-haves any time of the year and I love the Moisture Tints,.  This packaging of it is the newest addition to their line.   These Mini Luminizing Moisture Tints are perfect for summer.   Light enough to let your skin breathe, SPF protection and a glowy complexion, all the things that are a must for over 40 skin.   But now in these mini sizes you can carry one in your handbag, desk, makeup bag at home and maybe even give one to share with a friend so they know how fabulous they are too!   $20 for a pack of 4.  Golden is my perfect shade.

Avon is ready to help you with your summer frizzy hair.   Their new Advance Techniques Frizz Control Lotus Shield is simple to use and helps keep frizz at bay for up to 3 days.   No more out of control, frizzies in these humid summer days.   Just apply a dollop of this to damp hair, then add your regular styling products, style your hair and you are set to go!   Reg. $12

Essie nail polishes have so many wonderful shades to choose from.   My go-to shade for summer the last few years has been Mini How High.   It’s the perfect pink that keeps your nails looking fresh, clean, professional and crisply polished.   $8

American Beauty has some fabulous colors in their makeup line.  This Pretty Bronze Bronzing Powder goes on beautifully.   There are a few shades to choose from to match your skin tone, and it comes in a nicely mirrored compact with an actual usable brush!  Reg. $17.50

Jouer’s Cheek and Lip Tints are summer simple to use.  You can use your fingers or a brush to give you a sheer beautiful flush on your cheeks or tap on your lips for a pop of color.  This shade is Whisper, but there are 7 additional shades for your perfect match.   $20 

Take an energizing shower using Liz Earle Energizing Body Wash.  Made with pure plant extracts, the Sweet Orange scent is so refreshing and makes you ready to face the hot, humid days.   3.3 0z size $15.

Tanning towelettes are all the rage and these Sonia Kashuk for Target Sunless Tanning Towelettes can’t be beat in measure of effectiveness and cost.   Just make sure you apply using circular motions or you may end up with streaks.   $9.99 for a package of 6 face or 4 body.

Supergoop! makes these Quick Sticks that are 100% natural, contain Vitamin C and are super easy to use.   Just swipe them on the most often sun exposed places, your face and hands.  $9 and you can use it on newborns as well. 

And last but not least, another Jouer product! Moisturizing Lip Gloss is available in 20 shades.  I own a few including this shade Divine.   They’re moisturizing, contain Vitamins A, C & E and shea butter, jojoba and pomegranate seed oils.  They’re $20 and conveniently connect to the other pieces in the line.  

Do you Twitter?  Now would be a good time to join in on the fun!   Thursday, June 17 from 1-2 PM EST you can Tweet Hollywood makeup artist extraordinaire and Avon Global Color Creative Director your summer beauty questions.   She won’t be able to get to them all, but follow along and see what people are asking and what her beauty answers will be.  You might be one of  the lucky ones picked to be answered by Jillian!

Avon’s latest addition to their ever-popular skin care line is Rejuvenate Glycolic Facial Treatment.  We’ve all heard about the benefits of glycolic acids; showing promising help for those with acne, reducing the look of wrinkles and hyperpigmentation and helping to retexturize your skin as well.

Glycolic peels done by professionals are done with a high percentage of glycolic acid and can be too harsh for some skin or unattainable for others because of price constrictions.   Now you can get the benefits of glycolic acid at home with this night time facial treatment.

The texture of this is serum-like.   It’s thicker than a oil and not quite as thick as a lotion – somewhere in between.   The top has a button-like element to push to get the exact amount you need for face and neck.  It goes on super smoothly all over and doesn’t leave your face oily or slick as it absorbs very quickly.

When I first started using this, I used it every night.  By the third night my face started to sting when I applied it.  It was just too much too soon.  Cutting back to three nights a week did the trick, no more stinging.  Then after a few weeks I upped it to every other night.   After nearly 4 weeks my skin still stings if I use it every night, but I do have quite sensitive skin so you might not have the same stinging sensation that I did with nightly use. 

Have I noticed any difference in my skin?   Well, the first thing that comes to mind is “clearer”.   I ran into someone I hadn’t seen in a long time and we were discussing the ages of my children.   She was amazed that my youngest was now 20 and wondered if I had kids when I was 10 because she thought my skin looked so amazing that there was no way I could be 47!   I can’t say it’s because of this Avon Rejuvenate Glycolic Facial Treatment why she thought my skin looked so good, but I’m not going to deny that it doesn’t help either!  And besides, who doesn’t love a compliment like that!

Available at Avon.com or through an Avon representative.

Lancôme abassador Kate Winslet looked resplendent at the Academy Awards yesterday, clad in an Yves Saint Laurent gown and bold jewelry from Tiffany & Co. Kate’s long-time makeup artist, Jillian Dempsey, topped off the look with soft, ethereal makeup. Both the eyes and the lips got equal attention on this Oscar winner. Shimmering, champagne-pewter shades highlighted the eyes, while very saturated mascara delivered that extra definition. A pop of pink blush on her cheeks gave Kate just a hint of a natural flush. Jillian topped off the look with nude-pink lips.

The products used:

 EYES

• Jillian Dempsey for Avon Professional Kohl Eyeliner in Black
• Lancôme Hypnôse Drama Mascara in Excessive Black
• Avon True Color Eyeshadow Quad in Blushing Raisins (using the Raisin shade for definition)
• Lancôme Brow Expert in Naturel

 FACE & CHEEKS

• Avon MagiX Face Perfector SPF 20
• Lancôme Photôgenic Lumessence Foundation
• Lancôme Dual Finish Powder Foundation
• Shu Uemura Blush in Pink 30

LIPS

• Lancôme L’Absolu Rouge in Rich Cashmere
• Lancôme Color Fever Gloss in Hotness