Monday, June 30, 2008

get golden arches with the anastasia brow kit


Perhaps you've heard of Anastasia? She's only known as the brow expert among Hollywood's boldface, and has plucked and shaped the arches of none other than Jennifer Lopez, Portia de Rossi and Madonna among plenty of others (and, I'm sure, plenty of undercover dudes too; some of my beauty blogging friends who got to visit Anastasia's salon in Beverly Hills recently caught a glimpse of one of the lesser-known Baldwin brothers, who promptly turned right around and left when he spied the throng of ladies with cameras). So while many of us commoners can't afford the steep pricetag (and no doubt, lengthy waitlists) of a session with Anastasia, we can get the next best thing at home with her 5-piece Brow Kit. I have long and lovingly admired the rows of petal-pink-colored pencils and other delights on offer at the Anastasia booth at Sephora, and this brow kit was most certainly on my "wanted" list. While shaping your own brows can sometimes turn into disaster – (we've seen the woman with the perpetual "surprised", too-high arch on one eye, and a lazy arch on the other) – this kit takes the guesswork out of arch-making with no-fail stencils. You simply apply the stencil to your brow (there's three sizes to choose from), color it in with the handy brow powder and then use the precision-quality tweezers to pluck any strays around it. A slick of the Brow Gel, which gives brows a lovely sheen, holds hairs in place. This kit is fantastic for anyone who is (like me) waiting for their brows to grow back to their full and shapely status. Now that's arch support.

Sunday, June 29, 2008

styleshock: leona lewis at nelson mandela's 90th birthday dinner


There's no question that songbird Leona Lewis is a stunner. But what I love about her (beyond her haunting voice) is that she knows when to "diva it up" and when to keep it simple, and at Nelson Mandela's 90th Birthday Dinner this week, Leona opted for this breezy summer chic look. Instead of flat-ironing the life of out her hair, this girl owns her curl, and her tousled waves, done in a half-up/half-down style, are perfectly in keeping with her fresh and effortless yet goddess-y vibe. Sporting her trademark pinky-peach cheeks, a soft petal-pink lip and a demure black winged eyeliner, her makeup is neither full-on glam nor all-out natural, but somewhere in between. Lovely and fresh, it's really the perfect summer night-out face.

Friday, June 27, 2008

win this: lush dream cream


Yes, it's contest time again! This week we're giving away 8 Lush Dream Creams, one of my new favorite hand and body balms. Here's a bit more about this heavenly cream:

We take every natural ingredient aimed at transforming dry, bumpy and unhappy skin and combine them all into an epidermal elixir of excellence. This moisturizer helps you banish alligator elbows and impress that special someone with your baby-soft skin. Use a small dollop every night before bed and find your skin silky and comforted within days. This may look humble among LUSH's other products but it's truly the most gratifying.

To enter the contest, simply tell me what your dream body cream is. Then send me an email with your answer, full name and mailing address to sugarshockbeauty@yahoo.com and include "Lush" in the subject line.

You have until 12am EST on Tuesday, July 2 to enter. Winners will be chosen at random from among the entrants and I'll announce the winners on Wednesday, July 3.
Good luck!

brave the elements with elemental herbology


My skin has its own set of needs in summer. I can usually forgo my triple-thick, cream-oil body washes in favor of something lighter, that exfoliates and gives a burst of refreshing clean. But there's not many out there that truly fit the bill of summer-appropriate body wash until now: Elemental Herbology, a UK-based botanical brand that caters to seasonal skin, has heeded my call with the Deep Cleanse Summer Body Wash. Infused with grapefruit and rosemary extracts, its immediately invigorating (without being overpowering) and it moisturizes just enough to make you feel hydrated yet not weighed down in oils and goop. Best of all, it comes with a handy sisal mitt/body brush so you can slough and smoothe skin till you're all fresh and gleamy. (Why don't all body washes come with a loofah?) The packaging of Elemental Herbology is something to behold as well: it has the most beautiful, spare, line-drawing aesthetic that would look most elegant lining your shower.

web snob weekly


55 Secret Street has a few Simple, Sexy Tops that You Can Wear With Jeans .
A Few Goody GumDrops Is loving the macrame and diamond bracelets from theShamballa Jewels Collection .
Stiletto Jungle shows off 5 fashionista-worthy plus size dresses for summer.
All About the Pretty is ready for the beach with Henri Bendel's Beach Bag Event.
Angelina Jolie is most definitely still pregnant - Allie is Wired has the pics to prove it!
Bag Bliss on the Bow Bag Trend.
Get psyched for discount designer shopping with Cheap JAP's Top Five Reasons to Endure Century 21.
Coquette loves the summer look tiered ruffles.
Debutante Clothing takes a break from vintage to share her top 5 skin products from Drugstore.com.
Fashion Indie has discovered another "it" designer. Check out Sani & Son.
The offbeat fabulousness of Junko Shimada's designs has Fashiontribes completely obsessed.
I'm Not Obsessed shows you how to get Jessica Simpson's real outfit for $2,556 or the steal for $165.
KRiSTOPHER is wanting, wearing, and hating things for summer tripping.
Oluchi the Quintessential Supermodel.
My Fashion Life gushes over Mulberry's collection for AW08.
Will men begin towear wedges and pumps? Papierblog looks at that very question.
Quinta Trends shows the work of Chilean designer Ignacio Lechuga. Just for men!
Wanna find runway steals and sell like a pro on eBay? Check out Second City Style's interview with eBay Style Director Constance White for tips.
StyleBakery.com wonders if gladiator sandals are worth the investment? These cheap chic finds are.
Stylehive deconstructs fashion icon Lou Doillon's impossibly chic, edgy look.
Stylenotes brings you the list of classic skirt silhouettes and our picks for the best of each style.
Sxy Fashion Queen adores Rihanna's style.
The Beauty Stop shows how to get 6 different lash looks with 1 tube of mascara.
The Coveted experiments with makingShoulder Pads into Hats!
The Fashionable Housewife is crazy about African Prints. Hard to find at affordable prices, but well worth the search!
The Shoe Goddess is loving Fendi's fall collection including these fab peep-toe straps!

Thursday, June 26, 2008

model moment: arlenis sosa in vogue


Isn't she lovely? In case you haven't heard, Arlenis Sosa is the next big thing in the modelling world. Steadily making a splash in editorials and on the runway, the Dominican-born Sosa is captured here in the provocatively titled "Is Fashion Racist?" from the July issue of Vogue. (I'll give props to Vogue for doing such a ballsy article about the dearth of black models, since it's rare to see fashion magazines turn a critical eye on themselves). And it's easy to see why designers and photographers have fallen for her: those amazing eyes framed by voluminous, virgin brows, cheekbones that could cut glass and skin that's positively incandescent. She's also got that chameleonic quality – (she looks virtually unrecognizable from one photo to the next) – that you don't find all that often in a model. Here's hoping this fresh face sticks around for some time to come.

duwop doubleglow7: positively balmy


I love any product that helps me get my glow on. But since many luminizers are liquid-y or lotion-y, it can make them hard to control, so it's easy to overdo that coveted glowy effect (laserbeam-face, anyone?). So leave it to Duwop, the brand that creates "what's missing from your makeup bag," to create a face glowifier with a creamy-balm texture. Doubleglow7's balm-like consistency makes it easy to get just the right amount of radiance to look all ethereal and otherworldly, in a natural, yet-still-of-this-earth kind of way. In turn, I also love that this stuff doesn't have a ton of shimmer, so you can wear it even on hot summer days when you may already be a tad reflective and gleamy under the hot n' humid weather. Worn under makeup, it acts as a primer or you can wear it over foundation to create highlights just where you want them. What's more to love: Doubleglow7 is packed with seven skin-friendly ingredients (jojoba, aloe vera, lily extract, illuminating pearls and vitamins A, E, and F) to nourish while it imparts a heavenly glow. All told, that's one hard-working balm.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

luxury for less


Times are tough, friends. You know that when Vogue starts doing "the look for less" features – (as in their July issue, where one spread was: all items for less than $500!) – that it's time to tighten the belts. But we all still want our indulgences, so, with that in mind, I thought I'd pass on a little luxe for less deal. Remember that silver soap I was telling you about? Well, the company behind it, Cor, is having a summer sale and slashing its prices. The soap usually sells for $125, but from now until July 31st, you can get it for $85. That's a decent-sized savings of 40 bones on the 120g bar. Check it out at Cor Silver. Oh, and I also hear that Cor, which has since broken away from yogawear brand Plank to become it's own stand-alone company, has some exciting new launches in the works. Hopefully, it'll be as shiny and gleamy as the soap.

summer must-have: nars orgasm laguna blush bronzer duo


Hello, lover... Yes, it's been around for a while, but this was my very first brush with the famed Nars Orgasm blush, paired with the also buzzed-about Laguna bronzer in this dynamic duo. How did it measure up? Quite beautifully, in fact (as if there was any doubt!): Orgasm's peachy-pink, lightly shimmery hue is a bit brighter than I expected, (so I'm more apt to use a light hand with it than with my usual blush) but the color is, as they say, very flattering and an instant wake-up call for your complexion. It's really the perfect summer blush. And the Laguna bronzer is one trusty glow-getter: it's sheer and totally buildable so you can look like you just got back from St. Barts, even if all the light you've been getting is the perennial glow from the computer screen or your daily sojourn for lunch. Linger in the afterglow.

bumble & bumble contest winners

Today we're announcing the winners of our Bumble & Bumble contest. Congratulations to all listed below - you've won yourselves a Creme de Coco Masque! We'll be contacting you soon about prize details.

Kiriann Denman
Leeann Morrissey
Judith Greenberg
Cordelia Abrams
Stefanie Nicholas
Aleksandra Burshteyn
Julia Sigmon
Debra Jacobs
Jaime Herby
Elizabeth Mays

Didn't win? Keep on the lookout for another contest to launch in the next couple of days!

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

beauty duty 6/24/08


Don't forget to get in on the Bumble and Bumble contest, which ends tonight at midnight. In the meantime, check out these great posts from around the beauty and fashion blogosphere:
A Touch of Blusher looks at Dior's fall 2008 makeup collection.
KRiSTOPHER is wanting, wearing, hating DvF dresses.
Check out the hottest blush for summer over at Makeup Bag.
Makeup Moxie wants to get glowing with the new Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Stones.
Product Girl is featuring some of their favorite brushes. Are they some of yours too?
TheMakeupGirl has a BONUS June Contest! This week only, enter to win one of FIVE Burt's Bees Radiance Kits...

the beautiful people: where pretty people connect


Following in the footsteps of the original, rate-my-hotness website hotornot.com, the latest addition to the beauty-ranking trend is beautifulpeople.net, a sort of exclusive club and dating service for the extremely attractive. You post your photo, and only after three days of rigorous looks assessment by the club's pulchritudinous members will you qualify to join beautifulpeople.net. But if you're unsightly or even mediocre, you can forget it: ugliness is not tolerated and you will be banished. Beautifulpeople.net has been around since 2002 and has already launched in 15 countries, but it has only recently landed in Canada (also known as the land that launched many-a-supermodel) and a reality TV show is in the works, chronicling the escapades of its handsome (though perhaps shallow?) members.

What do you think: is this one giant step for social networking, or one giant leap for encouraging low self-esteem?

tweezlight: bondgirl-worthy


This little gadget, called the Tweezlight, is something you could easily pass off as one of those cheapie little doohickeys you see on late-night infomercials: slightly interesting, with a quirky-cute name, but all in all, something to file under "stuff I don't need." But don't let the Tweezlight's slightly archaic, circa-1996 website fool you, because for serious brow-pluckers, this is one innovative, life-changing product. I certainly took notice when Wallpaper magazine named it the best grooming product of 2008. So what is the Tweezlight exactly? It's just what it sounds like: an easily graspable set of tweezers with an LED light built-in. Now, you veteran pluckers will know how genius this is, because the light acts as a honing device to quickly locate those pesky, baby-fine stray hairs that mess with brow perfection so you can put an end to them immediately. Plus, Wallpaper wouldn't have chosen this little number if it didn't look cool, and it most certainly is: its sleek, aerodynamic design looks like something you'd find in a Bondgirl's beauty bag. Tweezlight could easily pass for a weapon, and in a pinch, you can shine its little light into your purse to find your housekeys in the dark. But wait: that's not all! It works for model building, gem and jewelry handling and thorn removal – there's no limit to what this little gadget can do. Now, I know I mentioned last week that I'm keeping my tweezers at bay for now, but I just had to pass them along, since these are undoubtedly the best tweezers you will ever own.

Monday, June 23, 2008

mac skinsheen leg spray: the lazy girls' tan


Sad but true, there are some beauty routines that I'm just far too impatient to partake in; and self-tanning is one of them. Unlike the Beauty Addict, who, god bless her, has perfected "The Art of the Tan", I just can't be bothered with all the prep work and drying time involved in the at-home tanning process. But sometimes I still want that bronzed-goddess look, and fortunately for me, MAC has come to the rescue with a product that delivers the look of a real tan in an instant: the Skinsheen Leg Spray. It's a gel/mousse concoction that's virtually foolproof: you spray it on your hands (rejoice: it doesn't stain, so no carrot-y hands!) and smooth it on anywhere you want a golden gleam - your legs, arms or decollete – and it delivers a lovely, natural-looking bronze without a ton of shimmer. Of course, it works best on well exfoliated skin, but that's a bit of labor I'm down with, since the drying time is almost nil (read: you won't be waiting around the house, all nekkid and dripping with goo, wondering what to do with yourself). Now that's one tanning product I can get behind.

Sunday, June 22, 2008

styleshock: keira knightley at edge of love party


Miss Keira Knightley was absolute perfection at the Edge of Love private party in London this week. I'm loving her exagerratedly long yet skinny winged eyeliner – a look that Madonna's been rocking of late on the cover of her Hard Candy disc. And the hair? The rolled-up, slightly rumpled updo with swept-aside bangs is just so gosh-darn-it romantic; it looks a bit 1920s/30s Atonement-ish, which I think is still hands-down one of Keira's best looks (and performances) ever. Flawless, pale porcelain skin, a hint of soft-pink blush and a whisper of shimmering ballet-slipper pink lipstick round out this understated, slightly retro-glam look.
Don't you just hate her? Yeah, me too.

Friday, June 20, 2008

web snob weekly


Snobbery is alive and well and it lives on the web:
55 Secret Street offers a few tips on How To Not Look Old (Hint: Start Young!)
A Few Goody GumDrops Visits The Met to seeSuper Heroes:Fantasy and Fashion.
Stiletto Jungle features cheap-chic summer fashion finds.
All About the Pretty has a little glimmer and shimmer for her hair with Redken's Glimmer Shimmer Treatment.
Bag Bliss has fallen for Valentino's version of the YSL Nadja Purse!
Bag Snob discovers the Parisian chic of Gerard Darel!
Beauty Snob travels in style with Ooh La Spa!
Calculatus Eliminatuspraises the classic leather duffle bag and condemns Mr. Gucci's failed attempt at luggage fashion.
Cheap JAP shows you how to snag the latest in designer discounts with The Top Five Ways to Score at a Sample Sale.
Bohemian chic never looked so good with modern tye-dye fashions, says Coquette.
Debutante Clothing is smitten with jazzy, flapper era accessories and shoes
Fashion, Evolved shares some great indie designed pieces Found on Etsy.
In honor of the upcoming Viktor & Rolf exhibition, Fashiontribes salutes a major talent with a mini retrospective.
I'm Not Obsessed shows you how to get Nicole Kidman's Lady Like Style From Her Recent Vogue Shoot.
KRiSTOPHER is wanting, wearing, and hating DvF dresses.
Ladybrille says get ready for a star studded Nigeria Entertainment Awards 2008!
My Fashion Life takes a look at this season's key sunglasses.
Papierblog goes to Chicago to view the SAIC Runway fashion show can comes back with photos.
Quinta Trends talks to Mexican designer Paola Hernández about her career and her participation in the Mexico Fashion Week.
Second City Style feels your pain and finds two smashing Sex in the City outfits for a bit less.
StyleBakery likes short shorts - find out their favorites and how to work the trend.
Stylehive shows you 10 Bridesmaid Dresses you'll actually want to wear again!
Sxy Fashion Queen has spotted some really heavenly celebrity shoes.
The Coveted wonders if she really needs another vibrator in her purse.
The Shoe Goddess finds the perfect Fendi pump and dress for fall!
V-Style Shows You Wear to Get Carrie's Studded Belt From the Sex And The City Movie.
WE LOVE BEAUTY.com wants you to Beat the Heat with our favorite summertime product picks for poolside beauty!

the mascara brush: is bigger better?


The mascara world is all abuzz of late, literally: Both Estée Lauder and Lancôme will be launching turbo-powered, vibrating-brush mascaras by the end of the year. Seriously. But the other biggest trend of the moment when it comes to getting your fringe on is decidedly more lo-fi: the gargantuan mascara brush. CoverGirl's Lashblast, MAC's Plushlash and the cult-fave Diorshow, among others, boast monstrous brushes, that with their sheer gigantism, volumize and build up your lashes with a single stroke. And personally, I love my Plushlash for creating those big, Bambi-like lashes. However, little brushes have their benefits too – (you can be a lot more precise and get at those hard-to-reach corner lashes) – and some makeup artists, such as What Not to Wear's Carmindy, say that when it comes to mascara, the smaller the brush, the better.
So I thought I'd turn it over to you to see what you think: is bigger better when it comes to mascara brushes? Or is small the way to go?

brow boot camp: urban decay brow box


After years of religious (over-)plucking, I have finally decided to embrace my natural, god-given woolly-mammoth eyebrows. (I was seriously so defiant of them when I was a wee lass, that, no joke, I ended up nearly shaving them off completely and walked around with a dreaded 'half-brow' look for several weeks). But now, it turns out that I'm coveting those bold, luscious, Hilary Rhoda-esque brows that are so de rigueur these days and am letting go of my tweezers for now. Letting them grow in is a torturous process so in the meantime, I'm getting a little fill-in help from Urban Decay's Brow Box. This precious little kit, which looks like a miniature jewellery box, has everything you need for on-the-go or at-home brow fixing: a dark and light shadow to fill in those sparse areas, a mini angled brush to apply, a mirror and a hidden drawer which contains a sculpting wax to keep those unruly hairs in place. Coincidentally, it also comes with a mini pair of tweezers, and while it's taking everything in me to not use these cute little pluckers, it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make to get my brows full and shapely once again.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

pure melt cleansing gel will make you melt


Clarins's latest cleanser, Pure Melt Cleansing Gel, may have a welcome, though perhaps unintended, secondary effect: not only will it lift away makeup, but it just may put you in the mood for love. The star ingredient of this 3-in-1 conconction is none other than Marula Oil. Sound familiar? Perhaps you've heard of that sweet, Kahlua-ish Amarula Cream liquer, which also features marula. Sourced from the marula tree, known as The Marriage Tree in sub-equatorial Africa, the fruit is said to be an aphrodisiac and the tree is believed to have the power to predict the sex of babies. But while it's hard to scientifically gauge the cleanser's "get down" potential, I can say that this innovative wonder did have the power to easily melt away my makeup and left my skin feeling fresh and lovely even after a day of humid, pollution-filled air ravaging my skin. The golden, honey-ish elixir starts as a gel then transforms into an oil and finally into a milky emulsion, so it will satisfy all skin conditions and cleanser-type desires. And that marula? It's packed with oleic and fatty acids to hydrate skin, so you're sure to look flawless and yes, "get-down"-worthy.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

burning question: are makeovers worth it?


I caught the tail-end of an episode of What Not to Wear yesterday and lo and behold it was the juiciest part: when the subject/victim (reluctantly) sits in the salon chair and gets snipped and painted by the wonder duo Nick Arrojo and Carmindy. While I love watching this segment, since it's where the real transformation from dull and dowdy to glowy hot mama happens, I couldn't help but feel for the subject, as she uttered a line that I've heard time and again on the show: "I don't recognize myself."
Now, don't get me wrong, I think makeovers have merits in that they inevitably make anyone and everyone look a hundred times better and can do wonders for boosting self-esteem – (makeup artist Carmindy often reminds us of this, when she says "we're just bringing out what you already have"), but I have to wonder whether such drastic measures are worthwhile when the subject looks nothing like they used to and seems to lose a bit of who they are (but that's not to say that they won't gain it back, of course).
So what do you think: are makeovers worth it? Let me know in the comments.

fragrance notes: estee lauder sensuous


You may have already heard about Sensuous, Estee Lauder's latest fragrance launch. It's one of the most hyped launches in a long time, particularly because with Sensuous, Estee Lauder has created a whole new fragrance category – woody amber – a distinct departure from its staple floral scents. While I have to applaud Lauder for doing something different that's in keeping with increasingly sophisticated consumer tastes, I have to say that because of all the hype, I was expecting something a little more complex or unexpected from the perfume. That said though, the challenge of a mass scent is that you still have to appeal to the greater good rather than a noted few and I think Lauder achieves a certain complexity with the scent that will also appeal to many. While it's described as woody, I don't get a sense of it as much as a muskiness and a bit of sweet creaminess, courtesy of sandalwood and a "honey natureprint". I think that's because the warm accord is really channelled as "molten woods" mixed with amber (and yes, a hint of floral, dubbed "atmospheric florals", akin to what you might smell in a warm, orchid-filled greenhouse), which gives it an element of mystery, or something that you can't quite place. I do like that's it's a subtle, non-intrusive scent that creeps up on you rather than loudly declares its existence. All told, the fragrance kind of mirrors my own natural, God-given scent in a way. You know that slightly musky smell you have that's there even when you're not wearing any perfume? That's kind of what Sensuous reminds me of - the scent of skin. And funnily enough, that's what Sarah Jessica Parker wanted to do with her first fragrance, Lovely, but the concept was nixed by Coty because it didn't have mass appeal. So perhaps Lauder picked up where SJP left off. Overall, while I think Sensuous is quite a "lovely" blend, I can't quite decide if it's my kind of fragrance. But I do feel quite at home wearing it.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

tag time


Daneen over at Spoiled Pretty and Kyle at Face Candy recently tagged me to answer six questions about myself, so for all the insatiably curious voyeurs out there, this one's for you:

What were you doing ten years ago?
Ten years ago, I was going to University in Ottawa and living with my first long-term boyfriend. That's one for the history books; I haven't heard from him in years.
What are five things on your to-do list today?
* Download new music!
* Launch a new contest on SugarShock
* Go to the gym
* Get groceries
* Get some work done (at work....but that's a whole other "to do" list)
Snacks you enjoy?
In case there was any doubt, I'm a sweet fiend. I have to have something sweet in the afternoon (usually a cookie) and after dinner. I'm currently obsessed with Skinny Cow's mini sundaes and Fig Newtons, which you'll notice are semi-healthy sweets – I'm weird like that.
Places you've lived?
Kitchener, Ontario
Ottawa, Ontario
Toronto, Ontario
What are 5 things you would do if you were a billionaire?
* Travel the world
* Buy a house (or two)!
* Donate a sizable sum to charity
* Launch my own business
* Spread the wealth amongst my family and friends
People you want to know more about?
I think this is more people I'd like to hang out with: Chloe Sevigny, John Galliano, Stanley Kubrick (if he were alive) and Jack White of the White Stripes.

Ok, so now I'm tagging Annie from Poetic and Chic, Elke from the Elke Von Freudenberg Blog, Shannon from A Girl's Gotta Spa, Teri from Beautiful Makeup Search, Jazmin from Makeup Moxie and PJ from A Touch of Blusher.
Here are the rules:
* Post rules at the beginning of the post.
* Answer all the questions.
* Tag 6 people, and go to their blog and leave a comment to inform them that they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog.
* Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.

win this: bumble & bumble creme de coco masque


It's a dark and gloomy day here in Toronto and I'm in the mood for a contest. This week, I'm giving away 10 Creme de Coco Masques courtesy of uber-cool NYC haircare brand Bumble & Bumble.

A bit about this amazing new addition to the Bb. line:

Creme de Coco Shampoo and Conditioner have been a best-selling hair care pair since Bumble and bumble launched them in 2005, thanks to their strand-pampering qualities and sumptuous scent. Now a new treat joins this dynamic duo: Creme de Coco Masque. Words can’t describe how soft, silky and glossy this weekly treatment leaves hair; it simply must be felt to be believed.
Coconut oil has long been known as a beauty powerhouse, and Creme de Coco Masque takes this natural wonder one step further with a new, breakthrough Japanese technology – a coconut and vegetable derived base that Bumble and bumble is the first to use. We added a trio of potent tropical butters: mango, shea and murumuru; tropical oils (coconut and avocado) and botanical extracts (olive leaf, nettle, horsetail and mallow), to create a luxurious moisturizer for all hair types (that rinses out crystal-clear).
Bb.Stylists recommend applying a generous amount of Creme de Coco Masque through clean, wet hair. For added treatment benefits, use with heat – wrap in a warm towel or sit in the sunshine. Rinse after seven minutes or more and be amazed by the slip-through-your-fingers silkiness. Creme de Coco Masque is great for all hair types, including the color-treated, but ideal for even the dullest or driest of manes.

Suggested retail price: $24 US for 5 oz.


To enter the contest, simply tell me which other Bumble & Bumble products I've mentioned/reviewed on SugarShock (hint: use the handy "Search" option on the right-hand of your screen). Then send me an email with your answer, full name and mailing address to sugarshockbeauty@yahoo.com and include "Bumble & Bumble" in the subject line.
Update: Since my "search" function is on the fritz right now, you can also enter the contest by emailing me at sugarshockbeauty@yahoo.com and telling me what is your must-have haircare product.

You have until 12am EST on Tuesday, June 24 to enter. Winners will be chosen at random from among the entrants and I'll announce the winners on Wednesday, June 25.
Good luck!

beauty duty 6/17/08


99 Products makes an explosive discovery and checks out MAC's new Volcanic Ash Scrub
A Touch of Blusher looks at YSL's fall 2008 makeup collection.
All About the Pretty is really enjoying her new Soap & Paper Factory Fig Soap.
Beautiful Makeup Search asked some beauty blogger friends' what their three must-have Summer products are - check out their suggestions!
KRiSTOPHER gets her skin as smooth as a 12-year-old Eastern Euro model’s butt, with MD Skincare.
Preview Prescriptives Fall 2008 collection DARING at Makeup Bag.
Makeup Moxie is buzzing over the new Lancome Oscillation Mascara.
Product Girl is loving Essie's new Neon collection, it's full of eye popping color.
Lianne from TheMakeupGirl declares that the 80's are back with her brighter than bright makeup picks for summer. (Flashdance cut off sweatshirt not included).

lip rehab: bioelements instant emollient


For my nightly beauty ritual, I'm pretty good with covering the basics: removing makeup, moisturizing face, brushing teeth... But there's one thing I usually skimp on, and it's pretty minor (and in turn, rather lazy): I'll often forgo a lip conditioner and thus, my lips are a sorry, neglected state of affairs in the morning. To remedy the problem in the morning, I've been reaching for a new type of product that's been taking up space in my cosmetic bag of late: the Instant Emollient by customizable skincare brand Bioelements. It's $20, which might seem a high cost to pay for the small swath of skin that is your lips, however, it covets and heals with skincare ingredients such as vitamin E, aloe and a witches' brew of herbs such as ginseng, sumac, gotu kola, dong quai and watercress (you won't find those in your average Lip Smacker!). It simply melts into skin, transforming lips from scary sandpaper feel to silky smooth – the perfect canvas to apply lipstick, gloss or whatever you please. And much as I loved my Rootbeer Lip Smackers back in the day, I love that the Instant Emollient is not overly-scented – it has just a hint of Bulgarian rose oil added in.

What are your beauty sins? Let me know in the comments.

Monday, June 16, 2008

mor moroccan mint soap: almost too pretty to use.


After years of blacklisting, I'm kind of on a soap kick lately. Perhaps it's body wash fatigue (there's seriously too much selection out there these days) or that my last soap experience was such a (surprisingly) good one, but I've rediscovered the simple joys of bar soap and my latest obsession is this luxurious Moroccan Mint Soap from under-the-radar Australian beauty brand Mor. I was wowed by the packaging the first time I saw it, and it was so lovely in fact, that I kept it all wrapped-up in its 17th century-inspired, golden-embossed outer layer and placed it in my bureau drawer to let its lush fragrance scent my clothing (until very recently when I just had to crack open this covetable little item). The soap smells like real, fresh mint (and not the manufactured, sickly-sweet, mint-extract variety) mixed with a very soft floral that's heady but not overpowering. I'm glad that I finally unwrapped it because the soap's triple-milled formula is creamy enough to match the moisturization level of many softening body washes on the market. What's more, this nearly-brick-sized bar will last you many months to come. So, Mor soap is almost too pretty to use. Almost.

styleshock: zooey deschanel at david letterman


For the second time in a month, the lovely Miss Deschanel clinches the StyleShock title for best celebrity beauty look of the week. A couple of weeks ago, I gave Zooey props for her Lucky magazine cover, and this week, she's earning top marks for her pretty, summery appearance at The Late Show with David Letterman. She's turning into quite the stylesetter, trying on looks that channel the trends but tweaking them to fit her vintage-y, indie-girl vibe. The ballerina bun piled atop her head looks retro and current at once (and it's a great 'do choice for the summer heat), while the vivid red lip taps into the bold lip trend of today yet still looks a bit '50s pin-up girl. But for flawless porcelain skin, she's kept the rest of her makeup soft. This is a girl after my own heart.

Friday, June 13, 2008

this just in: body building with chaz dean


Here's a bit of news that's caused a bit of excitement over here at SugarShock Beauty headquarters: Chaz Dean, the celebrity hairstylist with the soap-opera-star name, and maker of our much beloved non-sudsing Wen Cleansing Conditioner, has launched into bodycare. WWD reports that Dean, an avid cook, came up with the bodycare formulas right in his own kitchen, and like his hair products, the WEN Lavender Body Cleansing Crème and WEN Lavender Nourishing Lotion are paraben- and sulfate-free (which means no lather for us non-chemists) and therefore won't strip away precious moisture. They're packed with good things like marine collagen, goji berry, Matrixyl 3000 and white tea leaf and chamomile extracts, and if they're even half as good as the Cleansing Conditioner, they'll surely be worth the $32 pricetag. It's available now at chazdeanstore.com and soon on QVC.

fresh-picked: benefit posietint


It's hard to believe, but Benefit's cult favorite Benetint has been around for 30 years. And in all that time, I've never had a chance to use the famed lip and cheek stain, until now, with the latest incarnation, Posietint. While the original is more of a deep rose flush, Posietint is dubbed a softer petal-pink shade. But I honestly didn't think I was going to like this product: the almost shockingly bright, bubble-gum-pink color in the bottle looked a bit scary and the nail polish-applicator brush seemed like it would be unwieldy. I'm happy to report I was wrong on both counts, because Posietint is neither frightening when you put it on (it's actually a pretty, natural-looking rosy flush), nor difficult to use (just a few quick flicks of the brush on your cheek and then blend with your fingers). I guess that's the lesson of the day when it comes to lip/cheek stains: they may look all menacing and intimidating in the bottle, but not so when you wear them.

web snob weekly


Snobbery is alive and well and it lives on the web:
A Few Goody GumDrops tells us that dad needs a day at the beach in a Vilebrequin Bathing Suit.
Stilet