How Exotic: Space NK Life NK Gingered Woods Candle

Do you ever find yourself looking for that one perfect candle? You know the one -- it's not too heavy but not too light. Not too strong but not too weak. Heady and full-bodied without seeming overpowering or cloying. Well, I have the candle for you: Space NK Life NK Gingered Woods Candle.

I have to admit, I was a bit curious and wary when first setting out to light this candle. I'm not a huge woods fan, and ginger I can take or leave. But the second I lit the wick, I was transported to an exotic oasis of spa-like proportions.

Fresh ginger combines with sandalwood and cedar ... then they're lightly touched with tangerine and green fig. The end result? Complete, utter calm and relaxation the likes of which I haven't felt in quite some time. This one's a keeper.

The Life NK line is a new venture for Space NK and its creator, Nicky Kinnaird. (Click here for more on Nicky.) The entire line is free of parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate and silicone. It's made up of five scents -- Tomato
Rhubarb, Mandarin Grapefruit, Gingered Woods, Patchouli Suede and Midnight Jasmine -- which are supposed to be used during specific parts of each day.

The Space NK Life NK Gingered Woods Candle retails for $30 at spacenk.com.

Givenchy Peel Me Perfectly Is Truly Perfect.

I’ve waited 3 weeks to write this and now I’m finally able to share the secret to perfect skin: Givenchy Peel Me Perfectly. Why did I wait so long? Well, I just didn’t believe the results when I first tried it (and then again and again). Since it’s a peel and my skin is quite sensitive, I could only use it once a week. By the third use, I was truly sold –- this is a miracle in a bottle.

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Yay or Nay: White Mascara

Is it me, or does the white mascara this model was sporting at the RAFW Review 1 show during the Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival on August 18 just look like mascara primer? I just don't know if I can get behind a look that makes it seem as though I forgot to apply mascara.

But what do you think? Is this look a yay or a nay? Let me know in the comments!

Laura Mercier Creme de Pistache Honey Bath Makes Me Say Oh...My...God.

Anyone who's ever watched Friends knows what I'm talking about. Janice's patented "Oh ... My ... God!" was one of the most famous lines of the series.

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A Rose is a Rose is a...Space NK Rose Hand Wash

I'm a firm believer in the fact that hand soap should not be skimped on. I don't mind spending a bit more if it means that a) it smells amazing, b) it doesn't leave greasy residue all over my hands, and c) my hands will actually look and feel CLEAN. Let's face it -- your hands are pretty important to your daily life. Do you really want a hand soap that doesn't do what it claims? That's where Space NK Rose Hand Wash comes in.

I love this soap mainly because it leaves the fresh, fragrant scent of roses behind without feeling too cloying or overpowering. There's nothing worse than a hand soap that smells amazing at first, but remains with you so long you start to hate it. And this lovely soap just cleanses, refreshes and then leaves ever so elegantly and softly.

The ingredients within this soap also add to its perfection. Formulated with sugar, coconut, vegetal glycerin and silken proteins, it works to moisturize and soothe the skin every time you lather up. And who could forget the Bulgarian rose petals it's distilled from? The end result is a chic, beautiful hand soap that really thrills and delights.

Space NK Rose Hand Wash retails for $28.

Disclosure: This product was furnished by a PR representative for Space NK.

Is It Wearable? NARS Cream Blush in Gold Member

“Wow.” That’s the only way I could describe NARS Cream Blush in Gold Member when I first saw the mega-wattage highlighter. There was no way I could wear this without looking like fool’s gold, or even worse, simply a fool. The intensity of the yellow was too intimidating for me, so I went looking for help.

At a NARS makeup counter recently, I was shown just how wearable (and versatile!) Gold Member can be. The makeup artist introduced 4 fabulous ways to work with the creamy formula –- and I loved them all! Check them out after the jump.

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The "Eyes" Have It: Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Eye Pencil in Bronze

I look tired unless I wear eyeliner (or tons or mascara) and right now I’m totally into Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Eye Pencil in Bronze. I used to be a black eyeliner loyalist -- I just couldn’t find the right shade of brown to compliment my eyes -- but after trying this slightly shimmery dark brown liner, I’m hooked! It gives my eyes definition and depth, and the metallic sheen gives just the right amount of brightness to the eye area. I’m loving it as my everyday look -- no more harsh black liner in the gorgeous summer sun.

The creamy formula glides on smoothly and really does last all day. It’s advertised as a 12-hour wear pencil, and I put it to the test. No amount of smudging or eye rubbing (I know eye rubbing is a no-no, but there’s just so much dust in the city!) could get this beauty off my eye. I even went for a swim and it lasted until I washed my face in the shower! How amazing is that!

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Eye Pencil retails for $19.

--Jennifer Lee

Disclosure: This product was furnished by a PR representative for Estee Lauder.

Best Summer Body Wash Series Luxe Edition: Acqua di Parma Colonia Bath and Shower Gel

The Best Summer Body Wash Series features the body washes and shower gels that will thrill and delight you all summer long.

If you're looking for a shower gel that will really make you feel luxurious and refined, then you absolutely must try Acqua di Parma Colonia Bath and Shower Gel. This delightful bottle is filled with a light and refreshingly fragrant gel that somehow manages to cleanse the skin and soothe the mind simultaneously.

The fragrance is made up of citrus top notes, floral heart notes and woody base notes with hints of spice. The actual notes are bergamot, citrus, lemon, bitter orange, sweet orange, English lavender, Bulgarian or Damascene rose, verbena, clary sage, rosemary, cedarwood, patchouli, sandalwood, vetiver and oakmoss. This sounds a bit scattered, I know. But it's actually quite balanced and easy on the senses.

Luckily, the shower gel lathers quite nicely. Formulated with wheat germ and coconut oil, it cleanses and conditions unbelievably well. And my skin has never felt softer!

Acqua di Parma Colonia Bath and Shower Gel retails for $46 at sephora.com.

A New Use for Bronzer: Make it a Blush!

With summer two months in, I now have a nice (if uneven) tan and need to change up my daily makeup a bit. I’ve found that after a weekend in the sun, pink blush is not the answer to my almost sunburned cheeks. Instead, I dream of the warm, golden glow that’s on all the ads with the women in expensive white bathing suits on yachts.

I decided to experiment with bronzers and use them in place of blush. After a few Lindsay Lohan (post Mean Girls) mishaps, I found two bronzers that create the perfect golden goddess look.

M.A.C Mineralize Skinfinish in Sunny by Nature ($27): This addition to the Mineralize Skinfinish line is part of the Colour Craft collection and keeps the colors fresh with a bit of metallic shimmer. The key is to find a fine powder bronzer -- this one is velvety soft -- that highlights your natural tan instead of just darkening the skin. This one is a rich bronze with swirls of pink pearl and gold highlights, which looks amazingly natural on any skin tone. If a golden goddess could blush, this would be the look.

Soleil Tan de Chanel 4 Facettes Bronzing Powder ($65): This is the one big ticket item for the perfect summer glow. Over the course of a summer, I’ll go through the whole spectrum of brown, and I’m loving that this powder bronzer keeps up with my chameleon skin. With a palette of four subtle, illuminating shades, I can either wear the colors alone or blend together the lighter shades in May and move onto the darker shades in August. The formula is extremely light and can be layered for effect or used to contour without ever looking dull or flat. Simply a healthy, gorgeous, perfect glow!

--Jennifer Lee

Disclosure: These products were furnished by PR representatives for M.A.C and Chanel, respectively.

Best Summer Body Wash Series: Bliss Blood Orange + White Pepper Soapy Suds Body Wash + Bubbling Bath

The Best Summer Body Wash Series features the body washes and shower gels that will thrill and delight you all summer long.
It's quite a name, I know. Bliss Blood Orange + White Pepper Soapy Suds Body Wash + Bubbling Bath. Say that three times fast! But this body wash screams summer more than you would ever imagine.

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Is It Wearable? NARS Single Eyeshadow in Tropic

 
Introducing a new feature on The Beauty of Life: Is It Wearable?. It's about those colors you'd love to try but are afraid to wear out of the house. From turquoise eyeshadow to gold blush, we try it all. But the real catch? We're wearing these crazy colors DURING THE DAY.

Wow, talk about an eyeshadow that’s packed with color! NARS Single Eyeshadow in Tropic is a richly pigmented TEAL blue loaded with silver glitter. A word to the wise? It's not for the faint of heart. I actually LOVE this color and got used to the intensity pretty quickly, but when I met my friend at a café, she exclaimed how “dressed up” I looked. We broke it down.

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Best Summer Body Wash Series: Bobbi Brown Beach Shower Gel

The Best Summer Body Wash Series features the body washes and shower gels that will thrill and delight you all summer long.

Can't make it to the beach this summer ... or just want to relive that Hawaii vacation over and over again? (I know I do.) Well, Bobbi Brown Beach Shower Gel is fabulous for either sentiment. The name of this shower gel really is apt -- it smells exactly like the beach.

I have to admit I was curious before I popped open the tube. How could the delightful smell of the beach (minus seaweed, which looks and smells disgusting) be poured into a fragrance? But Bobbi captures it perfectly with notes of sand jasmine, sea spray and mandarin. The scent is somehow intoxicating, refreshing and purely delightful all at once. And luckily, it won't follow you all day -- it's light and crisp without any cloying feeling left behind.

And the lather! I haven't seen lather this good in I don't know how long. Only a dime-sized amount upon your washcloth or pouf will get you so many bubbles, you'll be hard-pressed to get them all onto your body. Plus, it's formulated with sea kelp extract to moisturize and condition as it cleanses.

The packaging is simple -- just a white tube with black writing and a black cap. But there's something quite nice about the simplicity of it, I must admit. It's clean, refreshing and doesn't put on any airs -- just like the beach.

Note: This product is no longer available.

Laura Mercier Sugar Cookie: The Most Luscious Candle Ever

I have an unbearable obsession with candles. I seriously can't get enough ... they can be found all over my apartment, from my bathroom windowsill to my nightstand to my kitchen to my living room to my ... okay, you get the point. But with that being said, it actually takes a lot for a candle to make its way into my home. It has to smell incredible without feeling cloying or heavy, permeate the space without sticking around too long, and generally leave me in a state of bliss. A pretty tall order for a little jar, wouldn't you say?

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Best Summer Body Wash Series Luxe Edition: La Prairie Silver Rain Bath and Shower Gelee

The Best Summer Body Wash Series features the body washes and shower gels that will thrill and delight you all summer long.

All right, everyone. What I'm about to say may shock you. But the La Prairie Silver Rain Bath and Shower Gelee retails for $95. And yes, I know that is a fortune when it comes to shower gel. But hear me out before you judge ... this is one of the best.

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Saint or Sinner: Is Kat Von D Stealing Lipstick Queen's Thunder?

While reading Beauty and the Blog today, I came across something quite interesting. It seems that tattoo artist Kat Von D is launching a fragrance collection next month named Saint or Sinner. When I saw this, I immediately thought of Lipstick Queen and the line's Saint and Sinner lipsticks.

In one corner, we have the Kat Von D Saint or Sinner Fragrances:

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PHYTO Universe: Complete Hair Therapy

I recently made an appointment at PHYTO Universe. Keep reading for all the details of this amazing experience.

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Cool, Crisp and Refreshing: La Mer The Face Mist

I seem to have quite an obsession with mists lately. First there was M.A.C Fix+ Rose. Then I moved on to Givenchy Mist Me Gently Instant Moisturizing & Relaxing Mist. And then I rediscovered my Molton Brown Relaxing Yuan Zhi Sleep Mist. Now, you must be wondering why I bring all of those up. Well, fellow beauty chicks, I've gone and discovered the holy grail when it comes to mists. I'm talking about La Mer The Face Mist.

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Kiehl's Superbly Restorative Argan Body Cleansing Oil: A Play on the Masculin/Feminin

Bathroom wars. You want a fabulous smelling, deeply moisturizing body wash. He wants a simple, no scent cleanser. You want a sudsy experience. He wants to be out of the shower in 1 minute 38 seconds flat. You want choices and pretty bottles. He wants soap, shampoo, and if you’re lucky, maybe a razor and conditioner.

Kiehl’s Superbly Restorative Argan Body Cleansing Oil plays a pretty ambassador. He’ll see it as a no-frills cleanser that doesn’t do big bubbles and is practically scentless (although you will detect lingering sweet orange, eucalyptus and cedarwood -- very mild and clean). You’ll love the soothing and restoring organic, fairly-traded argan oil -- Moroccan “liquid gold” as Josie Maran once put it. This one also doubles wonderfully as a shaving oil, so you can chuck your other canister.

He’s smiling. You’re smiling. Ah, bliss in a bottle.

-- Jennifer Lee

Note: This product is no longer available.

Is It Wearable? M.A.C Just A Pinch Gel Blush

 
Introducing a new feature on The Beauty of Life: Is It Wearable?. It's about those colors you'd love to try but are afraid to wear out of the house. From turquoise eyeshadow to gold blush, we try it all. But the real catch? We're wearing these crazy colors DURING THE DAY.

A gel blush is great for the summer heat! It gives a hint of color and doesn’t streak when you sweat. But when I got the M.A.C Just A Pinch Gel Blush, my first thought was, “Pinched how hard?” The pot was vampire blood red! Could I wear this blush without looking like Bobo the Clown?

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