Boys of Summer

Summer means dealing with hot, humid weather...and that makes our skin and hair behave in strange ways, not to mention the fact that we have to wear SPF to keep sun damage from taking over. Well, women aren't alone when it comes to needing special products for summer skin care. Don't forget about the men in your life! They could certainly benefit from some of these products from ZIRH.

ZIRH Skin Nutrition offers the essentials for summer grooming – from rejuvenating shower and body products to moisturizers and lip balms with SPF, ZIRH has you covered from head to toe!

Show Face
Cleansing your skin is one of the first steps in any skincare regimen and ZIRH makes the experience a refreshing one with Clean, an alpha hydroxy face wash that cleanses skin without stripping it of necessary oils. For a deeper clean, Scrub is a gentle, aloe based exfoliator that works to remove surface dead skin cells to reveal newer, younger looking skin. Lastly, Refresh is an invigorating astringent that not only tones and cools skin but helps to reduce excess sebum.

Protect Skin With SPF
Protecting skin from the sun’s harmful rays is necessary for protecting a healthy complexion. ZIRH facial moisturizer Defend is light for everyday use and suitable for sensitive skin types. Defend contains an SPF 15 while also helping to maintain skin’s natural elasticity. For the ultimate lip protection with SPF 15, ZIRH Lip Balm is made with beeswax and natural oils to maintain a hydrated pout. Available in four flavors: Vanilla, Black Cherry, Peppermint and Unscented.

The Ultimate Shower Gear
Summer days require the need for a revitalizing shower and ZIRH has the perfect gear. ZIRH Warrior Shower Gel Collection features five gels based on ancient warriors – each offering a sexy, yet masculine scent. Try Julius Caesar – this blends citrus notes with sweet almond fruit extract.

The ZIRH Cocktail Bar Collection can make any shower a happy hour. A classic body bar with a fun twist! Each bar is formulated after a signature cocktail – whether he fancies a Long Island Iced Tea or a Sake Bomb, his skin will feel detoxified and nourished. The light scents and vibrant colors make the perfect summer body pairing.

Beauty School at Sephora

This Summer, Sephora introduces a new and exciting in-store experience: the Sephora Beauty Studio. Shorten your beauty routine with a selection of complimentary pretty Express Services with Sephora U trained Beauty Experts that allow you to master any look in mere minutes!

“Over the years, Sephora has noted that no matter which season or the trend, certain application requests remain a constant,” says Christie Jack, Sephora’s VP of Stores. “With this in mind, we saw an amazing opportunity emerge, Express Services at the Sephora Beauty Studio: a complimentary in-store service that not only educates clients on how to achieve a number of stunning looks, but is easy and fits into their busy lifestyle.”

School is in session, so receive your complimentary in-store lesson with Express Services in:

• Smoky Eye – Take a crash course in the most requested makeup look at Sephora. Get easy step-by-step instructions on how to achieve sexy, smoldering eyes for a look that is both tantalizing and timeless.
  
• Perfect Pout – Learn how to line, define and layer for the best pucker possible. Whether you’re sampling the season’s “it” shade or sticking with your all-time favorite hue, let the makeup masters spill their secrets to the perfect pout.
• High Definition Makeup – Being “hi-def” isn’t just for celebrities anymore- get ready for your close-up with skin that's absolutely flawless – from perfecting primer to weightless foundation and luminous powder, this no-makeup makeup is virtually undetectable on film and in real life.

Head over to your local Sephora for all the deets!

The Devine Miss Tori!

I went to an amazing concert last night! My sister and I saw Tori Amos in downtown Seattle. She was beautiful and her show was perfection. Go visit my personal site if you want to hear about it. Click here.

Beauty Product of the Week: Dark Angels

What is it? Dark Angels from Lush is "is powerful cleanser designed for young, oily and darker skin – as requested by our customers and inspired by our best-selling cleansing roll. It's got a natural, anti-bacterial cleanser in the form of Rhassoul mud which we buy direct from the mines in Morocco's Atlas Mountains. Powdered charcoal absorbs oil as it gives you a good scrub. Its firm approach is balanced by soothing rosewood and sandalwood essential oils to keep your skin soft." Available at Lush stores or Lush online for $10.95 for 3.5 ounces.

What did you think? I want to love Lush. And why not? They sell yummy smelling (and yummy looking) products that are packed full of fresh, natural ingredients. Their bath bombs and soaps are legendary and they have a homespun feel that is decidedly eco-chic.

Like I say: I want to love Lush, but I rarely ever do. I go into Lush stores with high hopes of finding great products. But I usually walk out empty handed, feeling slightly buzzed from all the fragrances and thoroughly baffled by the products and priced.

I recently visited my local Lush and decided to pick up something for myself--something other than a bath bomb. My purchase was a container of this black muck called Dark Angels. I made sure to ask for directions on how to use the product, since it wasn't immediately obvious.

To use, you take a piece of the black coal and put it in the palm of your hand. Add a little water, rub on to your face, rinse and viola! Done. The coal is supposed to pull out the excess oils in the skin and the other ingredients help to exfoliate.

Here's what I like: my skin feels oh-so soft after I use Dark Angels. Really--the texture of my skin is evened out and velvety soft. I love that! I feel clean and my skin feels tight after using Dark Angels. I also think this product will last for ages. You just use a little bit at a time, so I think I have a year's supply in my bathroom.

Here's what I am not crazy about: the product is messy and it looks like you're washing your face with dirt. Black dirt. It's a little off-putting. Also, the product smells good before you use it, but once it hits your skin, you can really smell the coal...and that ain't hot.

The final verdict? I like the way Dark Angels makes my skin feel, but I do find it difficult and messy to use. If you're a Lush fiend, you'll love this product. I'm satisfied with the results, but I seriously doubt that I'd buy this product again in the future. Oh, and for what it's worth, I would love it if Lush put together a product of the month club where you could join up and try a few different products each month. Now that, I'd subscribe to--if it didn't cost a fortune, of course!

What a Waste of Time!

I saw this little tidbit in Allure magazine a few months ago. I wrote it down and just now found it again. According to Allure:

58.4: The number of days a woman spends shaving in her lifetime.

58.4 days lost to shaving?!?! To balancing on one foot in the shower, trying to avoid getting sliced to bits by a razor? Ugh. That's totally depressing!

I can't believe that almost two months of my life will be lost to such a mundane and dreadful task as shaving. Bleh.

Now I wonder how much time is lost to hair drying, brow plucking, and makeup application. It's time consuming to be a woman!

Matte-r of Fact

I adore OPI's nail lacquers. There are so many colors to pick from, they go on well, and they last for a reasonable amount of time. The other thing I like about OPI nail lacquers--and all nail polishes for that matter--is that they make my nails look shiny and feel slick.

Well, available now is a new line of OPI products that take away all the shimmer and shine: Matte by OPI. Yup....matte nail color. Matte by OPI comes in six "iconic" OPI shades – Russian Navy, Lincoln Park After Dark, Alpine Snow, You Don’t Know Jacques!, La Paz-itively Hot, and Gargantuan Green Grape.

To properly wear these matte shades, OPI recommends that you do NOT use a base coat, top coat, drying drops, or hand cream. The wear time of the matte lacquers is significantly less than the normal lacquers.

What do you think of matte nails? I think they sound like a huge pain. I bet it takes a great deal of time (and skill) to apply matte nail color cleanly, and they seem like they'd be very high maintenance. Are matte nails something you'd try out? I think I'll pass!

Can You Keep A Secret?

In this crappy economy, we can't all get away to exclusive hotels or pricey day spas. But that doesn't mean we can't deny ourselves of a few life's luxuries.

If you're looking for a way to pamper yourself and treat your skin well, check out Malibu Secret and their anti-aging body cream.

Malibu Secret is a body cream that designed to replenish and repair the skin by using good-for-you botanicals, anti-oxidants, natural butters, and plenty of vitamins. The result? Skin that is more supple, that has an improved texture, and that is intensely hydrated and moisturized.

I've been using my sample of Malibu Secret for about a week now and my skin is noticeably softer. The cream is light, absorbs quickly into the skin, and doesn't feel overly greasy like some products can. The scent is subtle, but it reminds me of summers on the beach--fitting since it is Malibu Secret! It's no wonder that Tori Spelling, Heather Locklear, Kevin Sorbo (yes, as in Hercules!) and a host of other celebs are devotees of Malibu Secret.

A tube of this skin-loving product will set you back $25...much less than a salon treatment or night at a five-star salon. Click here for more info about this product or here to order.

Coming Attractions

I'm still having a hard time believing that the 4th of July has already come and gone. The summer of 2009 is slipping away very quickly. My work schedule has lightened considerably (yay!) and I have a week-long beach vacation coming up (yippee!!!).

I have so much beauty news to share with you all...I just wanted to take a moment to give you a list of some upcoming posts I'm working on. If you have any beauty related questions you need answered or products you're curious about, email me at asklydia@hotmail.com. And please hang in there with me...I may not be posting each and every weekday during the summer, but I still have lots of things to tell you about!

UPCOMING TOPICS

• New mineral makeup products that don't skimp on color
• Tips on how to amp up your sexy style
  
• 5-star hotel anti-aging body cream that will make your skin look--and smell--amazing
• Summer trend to try now: copper for your eyes
• Brow Queen Anastasia is venturing into skin care
• Lip Venom V review and giveaway
• Give your makeup a tropical overhaul
• OPI goes matte
• And much, much more...
  

Make Your Own Fireworks This 4th!

Why let the fireworks steal the show? Dazzle this Independence Day with US destination-inspired shades from your favorite beauty brands. Check out these patriotic summer selections for a flawless complexion and a perfected pout.

Too Faced Magic Wand Illuminating Foundation -- An oil-free, all-in-one foundation “brush” that effortlessly creates picture perfect skin. The unique cashmere-soft formula imparts a semi-matte skin finish while also banishing large pores and adding skin-loving pigments that diffuse and bend light to achieve a flawless, radiant glow on skin! Available in wearable shades including: Miami Tan, New York and Hollywood. $32.50, toofaced.com

Sue Devitt Mini Lip Gloss -- Perfect for the ultimate flush of transparent color, this gloss provides protective essential oils that heal and nurture delicate lips while providing an irresistible shine. Infused with Primrose Oil for intense hydration. Available in: Nantucket, Fire Island, and Martha’s Vineyard. $18, barneys.com

IsaDora Crystal Gloss Stick -- A sheer lip gloss in a long-lasting lipstick formula that imparts a crystal shine finish while providing moisturizing Shea Butter and Vitamin E. Bermuda Pink $12, cosmeticmall.com

Star Spangled Beauty at Sephora!

Wow. The 4th of July is almost upon us...already! 2009 is flying by. Today I'll be telling you about some great Sephora products to ring in Independence Day. Tomorrow I'll have other patriotic beauty products with the 4th in mind.

Make this Fourth of July a spectacular one! Celebrate your true beauty with patriotic picks from Sephora - from radiant red lipstick to pretty white polish and baby blue liner, you’ll be looking hot enough to compete with this year’s fireworks.

Shine on with these glam goodies:

• Sephora Collection Nano Eyeliner in Azur Blue ($5) – Add some pizazz to your look with this soft, highly pigmented eye pencil.
• Sephora by OPI Nail Colour ($9) – These chip-resistant trend-setting shades in red, white and blue are sure to show off your patriotic pride.
• Burberry Classic Summer ($49) – A refreshing fragrance comprised of crisp fruits, delicate flowers and cool woods – perfect for a hot summer's day!
• NARS Orgasm/Laguna Blush Bronzer Duo and Orgasm Nail Set ($49) – Get the “Oh My” glow on both your cheeks and nails with this sun-kissed set.
• Bliss Lemon and Sage Body Butter Lite ($29) – Shed some 'light' on summer beauty with this weightless super smoothing solution that delivers 100% hydration without the greasy feeling.
• Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Goddess ($16) – Get eyes that sparkle with this midnight blue shade sure to steal the attention away from the fireworks!
• Tarte MultiplEYE Lash Enhancer ($65) – Get an eye-popping look with a natural lash enhancer that increases the length of eyelashes by 152%!

Head over to Sephora for these...and other...amazing beauty products.

Rise and Shine!

I am not always a morning person. There are times when I can jump out of bed, get myself ready, and feel like I can take on the world. But then...and more often...there are days when my alarm goes off and I can't move. Morning has come too early and all I want to do is curl up under the covers even though I have to get up and face the day.

Whether it's ennui, staying up too late, or over-indulging the night before, some mornings are just harsh. Even if you don't get enough sleep, there are a few tricks you can use to make yourself look more rested and ready to go. Try these:

• Get your blood pumping. Sure, lying in bed may seem ideal, but try to get up and get physical. Do some jumping jacks, go for a brisk walk, or (better yet!) have a morning quickie with your honey. Getting your body moving and your blood pumping will improve your circulation and will get your skin looking more alive.
• Hit the shower...but keep it cool. A cooler shower will stimulate circulation and will help you feel...and look...better when you're dragging.
• Exfoliate! Wash away your dead skin and the remnants of your night before with a gentle exfoliating wash. Avoid the harsher exfoliators that contain glycolic acid since they can make your skin more sun sensitive.
• Moisturize well. Give your freshly scrubbed skin a healthy drink with a good moisturizer. Be sure to use one that contains SPF to get extra sun protection.
• Be a tea-totaler. Well...not really! But if you have bags under your eyes, place cool tea bags over your eyes for a few minutes. The caffeine in the tea will help to reduce any puffiness.
• Apply concealer with care. Take care of your dark circles carefully. Try a concealer or foundation primer and apply it with a light hand. You don't want to over-correct and end up with circles that are too light around your eyes! Blend, blend, blend.
• Go easy with the foundation. Remember that foundation applied too thickly can cling to lines and other imperfections, making them even more pronounced than you want.
• Be rosy. A hit of blush will make your face look brighter and more alert. Don't skip this step.
• Don't forget your lids. If you have dark circles and tired looking eyes, chances are you're focusing most of your time on your under-eye area. But you can also do a few things on your upper lids to make your eyes look more open. Try curling your lashes and applying a decent coat of mascara, especially to your outer lashes. Also consider embracing a 50s style cat-eye look by flicking your eyeliner up and out from your upper lids. Finally, a little nude liner on your lower lids or a hint of white liner in the inner corners can really make your eyes pop.

My final hint: stay hydrated. Don't go for the crutch of drinking cup after cup of coffee unless you want an nasty crash later in the day. Stick with water--plenty of it!--to keep your skin hydrated and everything functioning properly.

Kiss of the Vampire

Well, we all knew it was bound to happen one day, and that day is finally here. It seems as though DuWop is unveiling a new product inspired by the glittery vampire juggernaut that is Twilight.

Here's what DuWop has to say about Lip Venom V, their lip plumper made in the vain (vein?) of Twilight:

Be transformed. Let the alchemy transcend.

This special limited edition Lip Venom is a sneak preview of our highly anticipated Twilight Venom, debuting this Fall. Lip Venom V is not your typical DuWop venom. Instead of a gloss, Lip Venom V is a shimmering crimson lip stain suspended in a venom-laced liquid lip conditioner with a bite, and contains argan, avocado, olive oils and vitamin E.

This product should be shaken before use to represent the blending of the human and vampire worlds and applied repeatedly until lips are plumped, revitalized and the desired intensity of color has been reached.

Hmmm....Interesting! What would Edward and Bella think? I love normal Lip Venom, so I'll bite my tongue for now. I just wonder if this will bite or rock....time shall tell. I wonder what kind of makeup product DuWop could design for Jacob and his werewolves? Some sort of hair remover, perhaps?

I ordered a few vials of Lip Venom V, so be on the lookout for a giveaway and a review soon!

Need Makeup? Get Online....Now!

Too Faced is having a big sale this weekend! If you need to stock up on some high quality, cutely packaged beauty products, head over to Too Faced's website. Enter code SIZZLE at check out and you'll get:

• 20% off your entire order
• Free mini Pinpoint mascara with every $35 purchase
• Free shipping with every $75 purchase

My suggestion? Check out Too Faced's amazing eye colors and fun pallets. You really can't go wrong.

The sale ends on the 28th, so get shopping!

Beauty Product of the Week: DoubleTwist Mascara

What is it? Revlon's new DoubleTwist mascara, "gives you the volume and definition you've been looking for in a mascara. Revolutionary 2-in-1 brush for massive volume and remarkable definition. Thickening Brush + Separating Combs = the Ultimate Lash Look." Available at drugstores and big box stores for $8.99 or so.

What did you think? The thinking behind this product is good. A rubber wand that will help declump lashes combined with a more bristles that will add volume...what could go wrong? The short answer: everything. This product sucks in so many ways. I honestly have nothing positive to say about this product.

Let's take a look at the wand. It's both too stiff and too wobbly all at the same time. The red comb gets all crapped up with mascara and huge gobs of tarry black mascara gum up the entire brush. The wand is too large to allow for easy use, so you can't get into tight corners to apply mascara to your outer lashes.

This mascara applies horribly. The very first time I carefully swiped the wand across my lashes, I was left with not one, not two, but three disastrous clumps on my top lash line. That meant I had to grab my metal lash comb and rake it through the wretched clumps to make my lashes look unclumped. Separating comb, my ass!

This product is messy, takes a lot of time and patience to use, and the end result? Yeah...nothing spectacular. I had such a bad time with this product that I wonder how much effort Revlon took in actually testing this product out before slapping it on Jessica Alba and selling it to suckers like me.

Don't be a sucker: Avoid this rotten product at all cost!

The final verdict? This appallingly bad product pisses me off. I hate it when cosmetics companies spend all their time and money on advertising rather than on making a decent product. I normally like Revlon--partially because they don't test on animals--but lately some of their new products are big flops. This mascara is a huge miss. It's messy and hard to apply. It's about as appealing as applying tar to your lashes.

Do not waste your money. What a massive disappointment!

I Need YOUR Advice!

Okay--I answer lots of beauty questions, but now I have a few questions for you. I need advice and I'm turning to my blog for the answers! Yes, this is self-serving, but hey...it's my blog so by definition it's self-serving.

Here's what I need help with:

1) I am a natural blonde, but lately I've been going platinum. This means suffering through a bleach and tone every eight weeks or so. I love, love, love my platinum blonde locks, as I've mentioned before. The only drawback? My hair is much more dry than normal...thanks to the bleach and harsh chemicals. I've been trying to wash and condition every other day (and never on the weekends). This seems to be helping a little, but on day two, my hair is dry-ish and my scalp oilier than I like. This is my question: If you have dry, chemically treated hair, how do you care for it? Specifically: what products are your favorites?

2) As I mentioned yesterday, I have come to the realization that I have combination skin. My T-zone tends to get a little shiny during the day but I also have some dry patches on my forehead and cheeks. Nice. I wash daily and exfoliate regularly. I moisturize....I try to do everything right. If you have combination skin, what products and treatments do you use? What's worked and what hasn't?

Thanks in advance for your comments! I'll be back tomorrow with a brand new Beauty Product of the Week!