Fabulous Over Forty – Where Beauty Is Ageless

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.  

I love when companies donate to a good cause.   It’s even better when you know if you purchase something specifically it’s going towards that good cause.   Such is the case with Np2 Nail Perfection.   During the month of February, which is American Heart Month, Np2 will donate 10% of any red nail polish purchase to The American Heart Association.  Heart disease is the number one killer of men and women in America.   We hear so much about breast cancer, which is also horrible, but now let’s donate the month of February to heart disease. 

Just go to www.Np2beauty.com and click on the Shop Online tab, then on the left column click on the color Red.   Any of those red shades qualify for the 10% donation to the American Heart Association.     You also get the benefit of two products in one – a nail color and treatment in one convenient package.    Be sure to check out the Virtual Manicure too.  It’s fun to see the different shades on an actual hand.

Lancome, “The Good Ship”  has created these three fabulous limited edition lip gloss and nail polish sets called La Collection Lollipop.

Lollipop Theatre Network is a nonprofit organization that brings current-run movies to children and teenagers hospitalized due to chronic or life-threatening illnesses.   Lancome ambassador Anne Hathaway, who has made several hospital visits on behalf of Lollipop, brought the organization to Lancome’s attention and they collaborated to come up with these sets to support the charity.

I love the idea of Lollipop’s name  – a much loved candy that mommies give to their children to make them feel better.   And the packaging on these Lancome boxes couldn’t be cuter.  Right now these sets are available at Nordstrom stores for $35 and $5 is donated to Lollipop.  In November they will be available at Lancome’s website and Upper West Side boutique.

The sets, which contain a Color Fever Gloss and a Le Vernis nail polish in the following shades:

Christina Ricci is wearing the Ma Cherie Cherry Lip Gloss (love the shade!)

Rachel is wearing the Mademoiselle Grape shade.

NARS continues celebrating their 15th anniversary with this limited edition new collection vintage collection.  It’s like the saying goes “everything old is new again”.

They’ve brought back these swoon worthy shades from the archives: 

• Blue Lagoon - an irridescent powder blue
• Hunger – a hot orange red
• Zizi - clear with peach and gold glitter
• Cha-Cha-Cha – a semi-sheer tangerine with gold reflection
• Talullah – a rich grape shade

Available for a limited time at NARS website for $16 each.

Nausil Zaheer is a celebrity manicurist that was fed up with the constant smell of acetone and feeling dirty and sick from the chemicals that she worked with all day.  

Taking matters into her own hands, she created a line of nail polishes and remover that were chemical and toxin free.  As long as she was going there, why not go all the way and have an organic and toxin free spa.   Karma Organic Spa in Ridgewood, NJ was born.

The nail polishes have over 50 colors to choose from.  They are non-toxic and chemical free.  No Toluene, Formaldehyde, or DBP and are cruelty free. The polishes go on smoothly, and with a nice consistency and last long.

The Organic Nail Polish Remover I tried is unscented with Vitamin E Oil.  The polish may not come off as lickity-split as acetone ones, but it’s well worth the few extra seconds it takes to remove.  And the big plus – absolutely no chemical smell. 

* 100% Biodegradable
* 100 % Soy and Corn based
* Non-toxic
* Non-carcinogenic
* Free of any Petroleum Ingredients
* Derived from Farm Crops which in turn supports american farming
* Packaged in 100% recyclable glass bottles
* Comes in Lavendar, Tea Tree, or Unscented

 As I sit here with a snowstorm going on outside, I am dreaming of warm, summery days.   Oh to see green grass, my flowers in the garden and warmth in the air.  Instead, I’ll just dream about this new Estée Lauder collection called Vivid Garden.

The jewel, or shall I say, the rose of this garden party is the Vivid Garden Illuminating Powder.   It has three luminous, floral-inspired shades that are lightly dusted with gold in a summery floral pattern.   Dust it wherever you want to have a warm, luminous glow – cheeks, face, décolletage.

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