Lola's Secret Beauty Blog Guest Posts on Prime Beauty!

When Cindy from Prime Beauty invited me to do a few guest posts on her extraordinary beauty blog- I was thrilled and jumped at the chance!! Here is my first post! I hope you enjoy it!

Anastasia Beverly Hills- Kisses On My List Vol. 2 Lip Gloss Set- Review & Swatches

According to Anastasia Beverly Hills, "Kisses On My List Vol. 2 is the very embodiment of excess, featuring 6 full-sized Hydrafull Glosses in 3 sheer, shimmering hues, and 3 Hypercolor Glosses that actually stain your lips a crimson berry, or orange that is all your own. this holiday, look gorgeous, even after the after-party." This collection is "a nod to the glam and the decadence of the 1970's" and the song titled names are sure to cause nostalgic reflection. This is a Limited Edition set- so don't wait too long because you won't want to miss out!!

All six lip glosses are stunningly gorgeous, and as noted three of the shades customize in color according to your particular body chemistry. This modulation in color seems apropos for the 1970s when you think of them as Mood Rings for your lips!

Each of the glosses come with a very unusual double-sided silicone paddle applicator wand. It looks a bit like a Doe-Foot applicator that lost the sponge tip. It took a moment to get used to, but once I did I fell in love with it. It applies the perfect about of product and spreads it beautifully.

The glosses themselves are just a touch sticky (nothing like the MAC Lipglass formula), but not so much so as to feel uncomfortable. I find that I have been getting about 4 hours of wear from a single application. Each of the individual colors are simply gorgeous, and have an amazingly beautiful shine. These do not dry my lips out in the least bit, and in fact I find them moisturizing.

Lola (coincidentally my favorite shade) is a gorgeous light to mid-toned cool pink with shimmer. Lola is one of the Hypercolor shades.

Jolene is a light to mid-toned shimmery cool pink that has a touch more red in it than Lola. Jolene is one of the Hypercolor shades.

Roxanne is an opaque pinky/coral/peach shade that is a real stunner. Roxanne is one of the Hypercolor shades.

Sharona is a lovely shimmering golden peach that is just stunningly beautiful.

Moi is a mid-tone brownish peachy pink. It is a gorgeous and unique shade.

Maggie May is a light peachy pink shade that is simply swoon worthy.

What is somewhat unbelievable is the fact that these 6 full-sized lip glosses only cost $30.00 ($108.00 value)-- a staggering $5.00 each. I say run, don't walk--- this is a must-have set for lip gloss lovers!

Ingredients: Polyisobutene, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Octyldodecanol, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax/Cire De Candelilla/Candelilla Cera, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax/Cire De Carnauba/Cera Carnauba, Jojoba Esters, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Trihydroxystearin, Alaria Esculenta Extract, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate, Atelocollagen, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Portulaca Pilosa Extract, Sucrose Cocoate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Althaea Officinalis Leaf Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Silica, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Flavor, May Contain/Peut Contenir: (+/-) Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Red 6 (Ci 15850), Red 28 Lake (Ci 45410), Red 30 Lake (Ci 73360), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Red 27(Ci 45410), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140), Yellow 6 Lake (Ci 15985), Manganese Violet (Ci 77742), Carmine (Ci 75470), Red 33 (Ci 17200), Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Red 21 (Ci 45380)<10858r2>.

Overall assessment: Must have set! Fabulous quality and colors-- don't miss out! Anastasia Beverly Hills is a Cruelty-Free Company!

$30.00 (6 glosses each containing 0.07 oz.) Available from Anastasia Beverly Hills,  Sephora, and Nordstrom. PR sample sent for consideration, but all views expressed are categorically my own.

Rouge Bunny Rouge Forever Yours...Long-Lasting Lip Pencil in Roald: Review & Swatches

And so the Rouge Bunny Rouge legend continues: "Once upon a time, a shrouded scroll with a magnificent navigation map, traced by whimsical lines, was found in the Enchanted Garden. Overwhelmed by its beauty, we captured the essence and softness of its everlasting magical colours in FOREVER YOURS... lip pencils. Their soft heart glides on as smoothly as a ship on the calmest of seas, to keep your lips supremely in view. You'll treasure the incomparable staying power, allowing you fearlessly explore your thirst for new things - knowing that you look impeccable. Drink and be merry, kiss and be cherished. It’s so wear-resistant it’s almost as unstoppable as you. Go ahead and write your own navigation chart, you’ll be safely on course to sail off with whatever treasures you desire…"

There is undoubtedly a magical quality about this creamy lip pencil- it is silky smooth, and yet it really stays put once applied.  The pigmentation and color saturation are superb, and the shades themselves are gorgeous. My first love from the RBR selection of lip pencils was in the color Vasco (reviewed here), but now I must confess that I love Roald just as much.

Roald is described as a Pure matte, pale mauve - that Rouge Bunny Rouge suggests is best suited for pale, bluish-toned complexions. It is definitely darker than Vasco, and thr color really is a perfect matte mauve/pink.

According to Rouge Bunny Rouge, "Advanced technology in this long-wearing pencil delivers a formula with an instant release of intense colour, smooth glide-on and a precise application. The synergic action of gellified systems, special polymers and waxes provides a most comfortable and semi-permanent colour. Once dry, the colour will last the whole day and is waterproof too!" 

Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane, Paraffin, Polybutene, C11-12 Isoparaffin, Simmondsia Chinensis Oil, Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil, Ceresin, Ozokerite, Cera Microcristallina, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Phenoxyethanol. (+/-): CI 15850, CI 45380, CI 77891, Mica, CI 77491, CI 45410, CI 77499, CI 77492, CI 19140, CI 75470, CI 15985, CI 16035, CI 42090, CI 73360, CI 77163, CI 77742, CI 77947 

Overall assessment: A must-have in my book! I love the color, the texture and consistency, and how long it wears. It's gorgeous!

Available from Rouge Bunny Rouge, BeautyHabit & Zuneta

Lipstick Queen Gift With Purchase at Barneys New York

Barneys New York is currently offering a lovely Lipstick Queen Gift With Purchase! Spend $40.00 and receive a free Lipstick Queen Invisible Lip Liner. Click here for more details. Images from Barneys.

Beauty Blog Coalition Weekly Roundup: October 28, 2012

• Check out Blushing Noir's swatches of the Zoya Ornate Collection! Holiday just got that much more glamorous!
• Cosmetics Aficionado suggests wearing a bib to look at the Guerlain Liu Eye and Calligraphy Palette
• Laura from My Newest Addiction Beauty Blog shares her review on the Guerlain Meteorites: Perles Du Dragon.
• Shalini from Be Beautilicious loves MUA Blushers for being an excellent budget makeup product. See if you love them too.
• BeautyTidbits gives you the scoop on three luxurious lipsticks from the new Sensai Rouge Intense Lasting Color Lipstick line. Check out the review and swatches!
• Winter is almost upon us. 'think you can skip sunscreen? TheFabZilla has the answer; plus check out her review on MDSolarSCiences natural mineral sunscreen made for every body!
• Nail-Aween Day 6 - Mrs. Frankenstein Nails from datyorkLOVES
• Sheila from Painted Ladies finds out that Hourglass Film Noir Kohl Pencil In Espresso is a miracle worker for the waterline.
• Want to know more about The Best of Beauty Award winners? Check out Lola's Secret Beauty Blog's exclusive interview with Allure Magazine's Assistant Editor Sophia Panych!
• Elena from Endless Summer tried and tested a foaming cleanser from an anti-aging line which is good for oily and combination skin as well.
• Lipgloss Break: Want to know what the color of 2013 will be?
• One color might have sparked an obsession for Mama Fashionista! Find out what nail polish formula has got her scrambling to acquire every shade she can get her hands on!
• Check out what is inside Pammy Blogs Beauty's diaper bag! A review for JustFab's cute 760 tote. Fits personal essentials, makeup, and baby stuff. Love this bag!
• Suave Professionals has come out with a new serum - the Keratin Infusion Smooth & Shine serum - that's "salon proven to work as well as Kerastase." Christina test drove the serum and shares a review on Curls N Pearls.
• Polarbelle shows you how to be sure to see the posts you want to see on Facebook.
• Ashley from Peek & Ponder shares a colorful masquerade look for Halloween.
• Alison of the Advice Sisters wants you to know about the unique beauty products she saw during BeautyPress Editor's Spotlight Day. You will be amazed!
• Get out your battle gear. Beauty Info Zone is ready to teach you how to fight wrinkles.
• Mimi'a Mani's features a guest poster rockin' Zoya Jem
• Need a Halloween idea fast? Check out Stephanie Louise- All Things Beautiful & her drugstore mermaid mask makeup!

The Beauty Blogazons Weekly Roundup: October 27, 2012

• Glitter and holographics, Glitter.Gloss.Garbage has you covered with the Zoya Ornate
• Collection Cosmetics Aficionado: Is Miss Jessie's Curly Meringue the help your natural curls need? Find out at Cosmetics Aficionado.
• Confessions Of A Sarcastic Mom: Satioin glitters are all the rage over at Confessions of a Sarcastic Mom - check out Money Badger and Miss Pro-nup!
• Love At First Site!: AESOP Parsley Seed cleansing masque. A Review.
• Addicted to OPI-yum: Old Flat Top (aka Nasty Cat) Helps Me Open My Jewelry Mail!
• Beyond Beauty Lounge : Easy Eye Makeup Look
• Trouble-Maker On Heels: Trouble-Maker On Heels finally gound her favourite mascara - Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara
• My Newest Addiction Beauty Blog: Laura from My Newest Addiction Beauty Blog celebrates fall with Ellis Faas Milky Lips in L204!
• Mama Fashionista: Learn why you really should get to know Hydratherma Naturals and why the line has Mama Fashionista (and her hair) swooning!
• TheFabZilla: After several failed attempts at making skulls, TheFabZilla settles for a lesser complicated design for her Halloween Nails - Stitched!
• Très Beau Glamour: Looking for an affordable toner? Something that doesn't have a bunch of alcohol in it? Works for all skin types? Check out Nay Denise's review on the Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Pore Perfecting Toner -- her holy grail toner
• Lola's Secret Beauty Blog: Looking for an extraordinary primer that feels like a skincare treatment product? If so, Lola's Secret Beauty Blog thinks you will really love Reviva Labs Makeup Primer!!
• Amber Did It!: Amber shares a retro Halloween nail design.
• Just Skin, Bones, and Nails: Check out the new look, with awesome sparkly nails!
• The Beauty Delicacy: Get the perfect pout with Lipstick Queen lip gloss!
• Stephanie Louise- All Things Beautiful: Need a Halloween idea fast? Check out Stephanie Louise- All Things Beautiful & her drugstore mermaid mask makeup!
• Beauty Product Review: I'm going Wild for these polishes! Wet n Wild megalast makes for an easy manicure!
• Baking Beauty: Baking Beauty has finally found a smooth glitter eye shadow with ZERO fall out!
• Makeup Demon: Review: Mascara applicator tool 3in1 - your simple, useful, little helper.

The Beauty Spotlight Team Weekly Roundup- October 27, 2012

15 Minute Beauty shows exactly how she gets her amazing lashes. 

Looking for a serum to fight aging? Pammy Blogs Beauty finds a great one with StriVectin SD Power Serum for Wrinkles! 

Want to know more about The Best of Beauty Award winners? Check out Lola's Secret Beauty Blog's exclusive interview with Allure Magazine's Assistant Editor Sophia Panych! 

Modesty Brown shares her Sunday morning skin saviours. 

What do you and Faith Hill have in common? You both wear the same fragrance thanks to Prime Beauty! Enter to win ALL 3 of Faith Hill's fragrance collection at Prime Beauty! 

Lisamarie from Beauty Crazed feels that her fall nails need more colour and loves the lacquers from the Mary Kay Hollywood Mystique collection - come check out her swatches and see if your life (nails) need more colour too! 

Beauty Info Zone loves to discover new brands. When the brands are cruelty-free, gorgeous, and fun to use like Whip Hand Cosmetics the fun is magnified. Come learn about the brand with us. 

A powder to "fill wrinkles, pores and imperfections to leave the skin even and flawless", who wouldn’t be tempted by the By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra Powder, unfortunately it didn’t quite hit the mark for Visionary Beauty. 

Don't you hate it when you finally pick out a polish to wear and the bottle won’t open? Check out polish insomniac’s trick to unstick a bottle of polish! 

London MakeUp Girl has a guest post on SciArt Colour Analysis on her blog this week, written by a reader who has recently had this done in London. Read all about it at Guest Post: Colour Analysis with Nikki Bogardus. 

Paula, from Older Girl Beauty, has a hard time getting over a bad hair coloring when she uses White Sands shampoo and conditioner to help her out. 

Perilously Pale continues her love affair with the new Make Up For Ever Aqua Rouge Waterproof Liquid Lip Colors with the shade #2 Rosewood.”

The Pink Sith has fallen in love with the nostalgic looking and violet scented brightening powder from Besame Cosmetics.

Reviva Labs Vitamin E Oil Stick with SPF 15- Review

Since the weather is beginning to cool down I find myself reaching for lip balms with increased frequency. While it is getting colder, the winter sun still requires the use of sunscreen- which is precisely why the Reviva Labs Vitamin E Oil Stick is always in my purse. Not only is this richly emollient  product unbelievably moisturizing and soothing, but it also lends itself to greater protection because it's armed an SPF 15.  It really is a lovely product to have on hand.

According to Reviva Labs, "Your lips are too precious for standard lip balms. Reviva's Vitamin E Stick does so much more! In fact, in summer, our E Stick offers special benefits under eyes. Sunscreen creams or lotions creep into eyes; cause eyes to tear or smart. Reviva's E Stick formula stays put and moisturizes while it fights sun damage under eyes. And lips, in summer, particularly lower lips are vulnerable to drying and cracking. It heals...it soothes...beeswax base with soy, Vitamin E and allantoin. It moisturizes...more serious moisturizing than other brands. It protects...not only from pollutants but with SPF #15 sun protection, too. Great for lips and under eyes." 

Benefits:

-Lip balm with Vitamin E and allantoin in a natural beeswax base.
-Moisturizes and soothes chapped, dry and cracked lips while protecting (SPF #15) against UVA/UVB rays and wind damage.
-Can apply over or under lipstick.
-Translucent coverage ideal for women and men

Overall assessment: This a wonderful product that it affordable, effective, and pleasant to use. It keeps my lips soft, supple and protected from the elements. I have worn it alone, under lipstick, and on top of lipstick-- and in all scenarios it performed beautifully. I will definitely repurchase it.

$4.00 1/8 oz. from Reviva Labs or where their products are sold.

PR sample sent for review. Opinions expressed are categorically my own.

Friday Starts with an F for a Reason...

I have been walking by this sign for a while now, and have to confess that I am confounded by the fact that nobody has removed it, or replaced it with a literate sign. I find it simultaneously objectionable and hilarious, but the context is really the key in the placement of this sign. It is affixed to the wall of a building that houses a university library at a research institution. This is an institution that prides itself on a formidable collection of Nobel Prize winners, and scholars of the highest rank. How then, could such an error be made, let alone posted on campus? My late advisor in grad school, who was an erudite scholar and a refined gentleman, once said that improperly spelled words were offensive to the eyes, and I imagine that this sign would have caused him to close his eyes and shake his head.

While I was very tempted to descend upon this sign armed with a permanent marker, I decided to express myself by editing it on my computer instead. In fact, I thought that my best course of action was to give it the grade that it deserved. Rant over.

Reviva Labs Makeup Primer Review

According to Reviva Labs, "If you're satisfied with how you look in makeup, wait till you see how good you look with Reviva's amazing MAKEUP PRIMER under your makeup. Your skin will feel unbelievably smooth, like a baby's. And your look...almost flawless. Lines filled in, pores concealed, excess oil controlled. Once you try it, you won't want to be without it. It's another Reviva discovery to help you look your best! Under makeup or alone the visible, touchable results are beautiful! Over moisturizer or directly on clean skin, apply just a drop on forehead, each cheek and above jaw line. Massage in lightly over entire face. Allow product to absorb. Then apply makeup. You'll love the smooth, velvety feel and look. Men, of course, can use it directly on skin. Perfects skin by refining the texture. Fills in lines, conceals pores, and controls excess oil. Helps skin instantly look and feel smooth and silky. Helps makeup foundation last longer (safe under eye shadow, too). And COQ10 adds protective antioxidant action. Our Makeup Primer is good for any skin type, even oily. You get the oil control you want, along with soft, supple skin. Completely fragrance-free and non-comedogenic (which means it won't cause clogged pores and breakouts)."

This primer is clear, spreads like a dream, feels silky smooth, and gives foundations an utterly flawless finish. I am struck by how hydrating it is, and how good it makes my skin feel. I find that I often skip using a primer, and largely because I feel as though I have too many products on my skin between a primer and foundation or tinted moisturizer. I prefer a very natural finish that improves upon the appearance of my skin while letting my skin show through and look healthy and happy. What I don't like is the appearance of wearing a foundation. This primer creates the perfect canvas for your finishing products, and yet feels more like a treatment product or serum than a primer. One look at the ingredients makes it clear that there are benefits to this primer, and instead of a very long list of chemical compounds it boasts a short list which includes Vitamins A and D3 as well as Olive Oil, Coenzyme Q10 and Squalane. Therefore, this primer might best be thought of as a hybrid type of product that offers the benefits associated with skincare treatment products, while simultaneously performing the duties of a finishing product. It does not feel heavy or greasy, but instead light and weightless. Sometimes my combination skin can become reactive to new products, and finishing products generally seem to be among the culprits. However, I am pleased to say that my skin really loves this primer and hasn't displayed any degree of reactivity to it whatsoever. 

If you love using primers- then you should consider trying this one because it really is excellent. I think that you will be pleasantly surprised by how well it works, and by how little you need to use. It is very concentrated- so a little bit goes a very long way.

Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Vitamin A Palmitate, Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol), Olive Oil, Coenzyme Q10, Squalane.

Overall assessment: I love this primer! Reviva Labs is a Cruelty Free Company.

$19.50 for 1 fl oz. from Reviva Labs. PR sample sent for consideration. Views expressed are my own.

The Beauty Blogazons Weekly Roundup From 10/20/12

• My Newest Addiction Beauty Blog: Laura from My Newest Addiction Beauty Blog shares with you the contents of her makeup bag!
• Beauty Thesis: Daily #thinkpink product photos for a shop-your-stash approach to breast cancer awareness.
• Confessions of a Sarcastic Mom: Glow in the Dark Week kicks off with Ninja Polish Corny Candy!
• Love.Life.Beauty.: One of my favorite "Makeup Bag Must Haves" is Smith's Rosebud Salve! I can't live with out it, find out why!!
• Très Beau Glamour: Need a new fall shade in your nail polish collection? Something affordable and gorgeous? Try the Avon NailWear Pro+ Nail Polish in Decadence. An amazing royal purple shimmer nail polish that goes on smooth and even.
• Lacquer Buzz: Take a trip back in time with these cute 50's themed nails!
• Lola's Secret Beauty Blog: Always on the lookout for amazing face masks, Lola's Secret Beauty Blog has deemed the Malin+Goetz Detox Face Mask fit for royalty! 
• TheFabZilla: New Giveaway! Get healthy hair & flake-free scalp with Parnevu T-Tree Hair Care Products
• Confessions of a Sarcastic Mom: Have you ever seen a glow in the dark watermarble? Destany attempted one!
• Perilously Pale: Christa from Perilously Pale was so excited to finally find the Maybelline Limited Edition Color Tattoo 24hr Eyeshadows for Fall. They were worth the wait!
• Mama Fashionista: A Immunity Booster AND Skin Beautifier?!? Find out what Sea Buckthorn Oil can do for you!
• The Beauty Delicacy: A start to my Fall accessory collection for the season.
• Addicted to OPI-yum: Make Histor-Riri. Here is your invitation to the Worldwide Making Histo-Riri Nail Art Exhibition
• Amber Did It!: Amber shares cute OPI Saran Wrap technique nails.
• Love At First Site!: Reviewing the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser.
• Baking Beauty: Why you should consider putting Kisses on My List on YOUR Holiday Wishlist
• Pinked Polish: Pinked Polish wears Vivid Lacquer for Go Pink Wednesday
• Love My Nails: Awesome nail layering that looks like green dragon scales!
• Shades Of Beauty, Inc.: REVIEW: Parnevu Product Reviews
• Beauty with a Twist: Beauty with a Twist had a stroke of brilliance, combining glitter with jelly goodness!
• Beauty Fiends: Curious about Lush's facial cleansers? Julia tries out Herbalism, see what she thought!
• Peace Love and Glitter: The perfect combo of classy and fun, is that even possible? This gloss from Sephora manages to make it happen.
• Polarbelle: Looking to celebrate Halloween with some nail art? Polarbelle has a few ideas for you.
• Trouble-Maker On Heels: Trouble-Maker On Heels had a chance to try new Bedazzled Collection from Collection Cosmetics
• Beauty by Miss L: Miss L from Beauty by Miss L had a chance to try and review new monthly subscription beauty box called Adorebox that is now available in Estonia.
• Stephanie Louise- All Things Beautiful: Stephanie Louise- All Things Beautiful shows you the new L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow shades in Primped & Precious, Blinged & Brilliant, & Gold Imperial which are all perfect for the upcoming holiday season!
• The Convenient Beauty: The Convenient Beauty shares her personal story on why she wears makeup
• Lipgloss Break: Lipgloss Break is giving you the chance your Faith Hill fragrance of choice!
• The Beauty Think Tank: So you want to live the life of the Rich & Famous? Lady Gaga's Fame Fragrance may get you there - but it may leave you feeling a bit confused.
• Embellished Nails: celebrating autumn with a festive fall mani!

Kai Special at B-Glowing!!

Several of you expressed your desire for a nice Kai gift with purchase during the Barneys Bag Event- so I knew I had to post this special the moment that I saw it! Click here for more details. Image from b-glowing.

MAKE UP FOR EVER Deep Berry Lips

I just received an email from MAKE UP FOR EVER announcing their Deep Berry Lips for Fall, and was so tempted by these beauties that I had to share them! Available at Sephora. Image from Sephora.

Lola's Secret Beauty Blog's Exclusive Interview with Allure Magazine's Assistant Editor, Sophia Panych: Best of Beauty Awards (Beauty Breakthroughs)!!

I have been sitting on a little secret, well two actually. First, as most of you know Lola is the name of my cat, my given name is actually Helen. The bigger secret is actually that I was invited to interview Allure Magazine's Assistant Editor, Sophia Panych, about the Breakthrough Category of the Best of Beauty Awards-- which needless to say, was a very high honor.

Sophia Panych, Assistant Editor at Allure (source)

As you are well aware, for the last 16 years Allure has decisively set the standard by selecting the best beauty products on the market in their annually celebrated Best of Beauty Awards. Allure editors sample mountains of products, and then skim the cream from the top in order to take the guess work out of our purchases. Their little red and white sticker has come to signify the highest quality, and the best performing products on the market. The winning products have been painstakingly selected by the leading beauty experts at Allure, and then tested by dermatologists, chemists, makeup artists, and hair stylists to assess the claims and efficacy of the products. Indeed, this unobtrusive label has become the seal of approval that assures consumers that they can shop with confidence.

The Best of Beauty Awards 2012 features 245 products carefully selected from thousands upon thousands of products released this year. The top picks were then broken down into the following 16 categories: Skin Care, Eyes, Hair, Cheap Thrills, Base, Lips, Cheeks, Beauty Breakthroughs, Body, Tools, Best Splurges, Nails, Sensitive Skin, Scents, Natural Wonders, and Guys' Stuff. Click on each link to view all of the individual winners. You will also find all of the winners in the October 2012 issue of Allure that is on newsstands now.

Despite the fact that there are so many amazing products to peruse, Sophia and I mainly focused our discussion on the most innovative and eagerly anticipated category of them all- the 2012 Beauty Breakthroughs.

Sophia is a high-ranking expert in the field, and yet was so charming, lovely, and down-to-earth. While our interview was centered on Allure's Breakthrough category, I did try to contextualize my questions within the larger framework of the Best of Beauty Awards in general. I was also very interested in asking a few salient personal questions that I felt likely informed her professional choices, all of which make her uniquely qualified to do her job within a rich interdisciplinary artistic context. Armed with the experience of being a former ballerina, and with an Art History degree from NYU, Sophia's unique skill set allows her to adeptly interpret trends on the runway, interface with the artists backstage, and identify the best products on the market. According to Allure, "Panych is responsible for reporting beauty trends from the ready to wear collections at New York, Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks, and interprets runway looks for readers in Allure’s Backstage Beauty report." I think that you will agree that she is thoroughly delightful, infinitely knowledgeable, and very gracious. With all of this in mind, here is my exclusive interview.

The 2012 Beauty Breakthroughs list doesn't always mean the most expensive products on the market, but instead those whose innovations really stand out, irrespective of price point. These products were chosen based upon a myriad of criteria, among them the innovative technologies employed and for their ability to address age old problems with astonishing efficacy. The 2012 Beauty Breakthroughs boast an amazing array of groundbreaking products that will address a plethora of beauty needs, and will undoubtedly help a great many people find outstanding and effective products.

I think that you will agree that there are many temptations to choose from!

Here are the winners of the 2012 Beauty Breakthroughs (click on links for detailed descriptions at Allure.com):

Giorgio Armani Maestro Fushion Makeup

Olay Smooth Finish Facial Hair Removal Duo for Medium to Coarse Hair

Pantene Expert Collection AgeDefy Advanced Thickening Treatment

RoC Retinol Correxion Max Wrinkle Resurfacing System

Tresemmé Split End Remedy line and Nexxus ProMend line

Yves Saint Laurent ForeverYouth Liberator line

Finesse Color Lock Mousse and Hairspray

Avon Anew Clinical Pro Line Eraser Treatment

Coolway system

Eau Thermale Avène Antirougeurs For Relief Concentrate for Chronic Redness

SkinCeuticals Redness Neutralizer

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Vernis À Lèvres Glossy Stain

Kevin Murphy Full Again Thickening Lotion

St. Tropez Self Tan Dark line

CoverGirl LashBlast Clump Crusher Mascara

Vichy LiftActiv Serum 10

Sally Hansen Salon InstaGel Strips

Now that you have seen Allure's top picks, what are yours?

Beauty Blog Coalition Weekly Roundup: October 21, 2012

• Check out the October 2012 Birchbox & see why Brooke from BlushingNoir is such a fan!
• Glow in the Dark Week at Confessions of a Sarcastic Mom kicks off with Ninja Polish Corny Candy!
• Live in the Central Florida area? Enter to win Tickets to The Makeup Show Orlando!
• As the weather is cooling down our need for moisturizing lip balms is heating up, and Lola's Secret Beauty Blog has a few favorites to share!
• On the hunt for the perfect red lipstick for Fall? BeautyTidbits has you covered with Jennifer Bradley’s Luscious Lips Combo to create the perfect day-to-night luscious, red lips!
• TheFabZilla shares her blow-drying experience with Elchim 2001 professional hair dryer. Is it as mind-blowing as it claims?
• The Lacquered Lady shows off her latest Disney Villain costume makeup: Ursula!
• Sheila from Painted Ladies shares an easy1950s/Rockabilly style eyeshadow tutorial. Wing that liquid liner!
• CND Shellac has released two limited edition holiday shades for Winter 2012 - Ruby Ritz and Tinsel Toast! Check out the swatches and review from Christina at Curls N Pearls.
• Pammy Blogs Beauty scopes out some boots from YouTube Beauty Guru's Elle and Blair Fowler new collaboration collection with JustFab. Find out how Pammy likes her new boots!
• Looking to upgrade your hair brush? Cosmetics Aficionado reviews the Sonia Kashuk hair brush.
• Beauty Info Zone loves Make Up For Ever's Aqua Rouge Lip Colors more and more as time goes on.
• Polarbelle goes pink during Breast Cancer Awareness month with Chanel Seduisant lipstick.
• Stephanie Louise- All Things Beautiful shows you the new L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow shades in Primped & Precious, Blinged & Brilliant, & Gold Imperial which are all perfect for the upcoming holiday season!
• From purple lips and disconnected eyeliner, it wasn't just the clothes that wowed at Edinburgh Online Fashion Week. The hair and beauty looks were show-stopping to say the least and Sarah from Scottish Beauty Blog was on-hand to get the low-down.
• Want something that's bloody and gory for Halloween? Check out The Stepford Witch's blog for a Special Effects Tutorial!
• Alison Blackman of the Advice Sisters has discovered a brand new product called Prime Extend from Living Proof, that actually helps your hair style, whatever it is, last several days longer.
• Mai tries out the Sephora Favorites Give Me Some Lip Set, how do the six pink and nude lip product samples fare?
• Mimi's Mani's shows some Parnevu hair products that will work for all types of hair.
• Interested in trying the Giorgio Armani Maestro Eraser Concealer but not sure what shade you are? The Beauty Professor swatches all six shades!

The Beauty Spotlight Team Mystery Post: What's Inside Lola's Secret Beauty Bag?!

It's now time for The Beauty Spotlight Team to wrap up our "What's in her…???" with Lola's Secret Beauty Blog. In this final installment, I have packed my regular makeup bag for a last minute out-of-town trip for a couple of days, and decided to travel light and pack all of my beauty needs into this single bag. Can you guess how I managed to fit all of my skincare and makeup products in here? Scroll down to find out!

While this is my regular makeup bag that I carry in my purse, I really stuffed it with much more than I normally carry. I tried to be efficient in some of my choices...

...but less so in others as you shall soon see!

While I was space conscious when it came to skincare, by bringing samples instead of full-size products, I contradicted my own desire to travel light by carrying far too many lip products!! I simply couldn't decide which lipsticks, lip glosses, and lip balms that I wanted to bring with me-- so I brought everything that tempted me! Click to enlarge!

Here's the breakdown of what's in my bag (the bag itself was from one of the Barneys Love Yourself Bag Events):

1) Brushes: Hakuhodo G503 Blush Brush L Angled (reviewed here), and a very old travel brush set from La Prairie that my mom gave to me years ago. The Hakuhodo G503 Blush Brush L Angled is a phenomenal performer, and a joy to use. It is unbelievably versatile, and it never sheds a hair. The La Prairie travel brush set (for eye makeup) was long ago discontinued, but it is still a wonderful hardworking set. It is a very functional high quality brush set that I always take with me when I travel. My mom has always told me to never get rid of it, and I never would. See mom, sometimes I actually do listen!

2) Shannon's Soap's Cocoa Butter Love Lotion (reviewed here): Yummy smelling and super moisturizing-- what's not to love.

3) Le Métier de Beauté- Uma Paro (reviewed here): G O R G E O U S unmitigated vampiness! Perfect on top of your lipstick, but also utter perfection for lip gloss lovers who fear highly saturated vampy lipsticks.

4) Le Métier de Beauté- Purple Haze (reviewed here): Purple perfection for anyone afraid to rock purple lips. This isn't a scary color- instead it is positively stunning.

5) Chanel Rouge Allure Extrait De Gloss Pure Shine Intense Colour Long Wear Lip Gloss in Troublant (LE): Such a gorgeous rosy mauve brown with subtle multi-color shimmer that falls somewhere in the MLBB range. Rouge Allure Extrait De Gloss is one of my favorite Chanel gloss formulas-- it's simply divine to wear, it has the perfect amount of cushion, boasts good wear time, and it's not in the least bit sticky. This color is just divine.

6) Susan Thompson Cosmetics- Evelyn's Journey Pout Poppers (reviewed here): This is a stunning vampy lip plumper, but if you have sensitive lips this plumper will probably be too potent and active for you. I reach for this sparkling gem all of the time! It is a must have for those who love a good vampy lip plumper!

7) Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Antigone (LE) (reviewed here): Such a gorgeous and wearable raspberry red with subtle golden shimmer. I love the Rouge Coco Shines for their fantastic moisturizing formula.

8) Chantecaille Brilliant Gloss- Love (reviewed here): Never was a lip gloss more aptly named! It's the perfect pale pink. While it is sheer, and the shade itself is quite dupable-- it's really the fabulous formula that seals the deal!

9) Intelligent Nutrients Hand Sanitizer (reviewed here): This is a handy sanitizer in a spray bottle-- so no goopy gel mess, or over-dispensing! I love this stuff, and will use it to get through this flu season!

10) Chanel Ultra Correction Lift Total Eye Lift sample: I haven't used the sample long enough to know whether I love it, but I didn't get milia the few times that I have used it.

11) 3Lab WW Eye Cream sample: Nice eye cream. I think that I might have to use it for a longer stretch of time to really see what I think about it. I have liked the few 3Lab products that I have sampled so far.

12) Sponge Skincare samples: Underneath the skincare packets I have included a small ziplock plastic bag so that once opened they won't leak everywhere. As you are surely aware, Sponge is one of my greatest new skincare obsessions. I have purchased many of their products, and they rank among my very favorite daily picks. I now find that I am almost exclusively using their moisturizers, rotate their Ladi Avokanto Oil (reviewed here) with Rodin's Olio Lusso (reviewed here), and I have never been more impressed by a cleanser than I am by their Gel Katharistiko (reviewed here). The two cream samples in the picture are Krema Triantafillo (review forthcoming) and their Krema Niktas (review forthcoming), and both creams are of outstanding quality- so much so that I bought both of them! This is nothing short of an extraordinary line, and it has really gotten my attention!

13) Malin+Goetz Sage Styling Cream sample: Very nice styling cream, and just enough in the packet to get through a short trip.

14) Rodin Olio Lusso Luxury Face Oil sample (reviewed here): This is the luxury face oil to end all luxury face oils. This is pure heaven to use, and it offers the most amazing tactile and sensory experience imaginable. This is also the only face oil that eliminated two little dry patches on my face (one on my nose and one on my chin), and that is something that no other product has been able to address. This is a magical golden elixir that is peerless, period. There is a reason why it was selected by Allure Magazine's Best of Beauty Top Splurges!!

15) Tatcha Skincare samples: Everything that I have ever tried from Tatcha is of the very highest quality, and with uncompromising efficacy. The more I try, the more I want! I am particularly partial to their Classic Rice Enzyme Powder and their One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil-- they are fantastic performers that are delightful to use. Both reviews are forthcoming, but I can tell you now- they have both earned an A+!

16) MAC Lip Pencil in Nightmoth (reviewed here): It looks scary, but it really can be sheered out. It's perfect for any vampy lip lover.

17) Sue Devitt Defining Eyeliner in Oslo: This is a very nice twist up eyeliner pencil in a very pretty and wearable brown. I've always been an eyeliner kind of girl, and this is definitely a nice one. I received this in my last Barneys Love Yourself Gift Bag, and I'm really glad that they included it!!

18) Rouge Bunny Rouge Original Skin Blush in Gracilis (reviewed here): This is the perfect subtle, yet buildable medium rose blush with just a hint of mauve. The formula is silky smooth, and beautifully pigmented, and it never settles into pores or fine lines. 

19) Jack Black Lip Balm in Natural Mint (reviewed here): I love this stuff- it is so refreshing and moisturizing, and it includes an SPF 25 for extra protection.

20) Rouge Bunny Rouge Sip of Pink Shimmering Luxe Balm (review forthcoming): Simply luscious!! I need to review it before I finish it!!! I will definitely buy this again!

21) Korres Lip Butter in Jasmine (review forthcoming): This is a staple in my beauty arsenal, and I have no idea why I haven't reviewed it yet. Jasmine has a buttery smooth texture with the perfect amount of cushion, and it is very moisturizing! I will definitely be replacing this! 

22) Rodin Olio Lusso Lip Balm (reviewed here): Honestly, I could wax poetic ad infinitum about everything that Linda Rodin creates, and trust me when I say that I will. I don't think that I have ever been quite so fascinated by a stylist turned skincare guru as I am by her. Everything this lovely woman creates is extraordinary, as is this lip balm!

23) Le Métier de Beauté- Ken Downing Vintage Ken Moisture Stain in I'm Worn This Way (reviewed here): This is a remarkably beautiful vampy shade, but LMdB Bali is a really good dupe, if you missed out.

24) Susan Thompson Cosmetics Creamy Lipstick in Cleo (reviewed here): this is hands down my very favorite on trend, yet timeless, vampy shade ever. If you haven't tried a Susan Thompson Cosmetics Creamy Lipstick, then you really must. Her formula is so comfortable and moisturizing, and the color saturation is spectacular. It can be sheered out, built up, or layered. You could also just sit and gaze at it lovingly- because it's that gorgeous!

25) Rouge Bunny Rouge Tinted Moisturizer in Adansonia (reviewed here): This is a fabulous sheer to medium buildable coverage tinted moisturizer. I only wish that RBR offered more shades so that far more people could enjoy this fabulous product.

26) Giorgio Armani Maestro Fusion Makeup sample (review forthcoming). I bought a full-sized bottle in shade 5, and I have mixed feelings about this foundation (or anti-foundation). There are many things that I really love about it, but there are numerous aspects that I'm on the fence about. I need more time to mull it over- then I will elaborate in a more detailed review.

27) Susan Thompson Cosmetics Coat of Arms Compact Double Mirror (reviewed here): I never leave home without it!! It's gorgeous, high quality, and absolutely indispensable! 

28) Trish McEvoy Palette filled with Rouge Bunny Rouge and MAC eye shadows: While Trish McEvoy eye shadows have generally been hit or miss with me, I do really like this magnetic palette for traveling. It easily fits 12 MAC or RBR refill shadow pans, and the profile is slim and easy to stow away.

What would you pack for a two day out-of-town trip?

MAC Pro Products Now Available Online!

For those of you who lament the fact that you don't live near a MAC Pro Store- you can now dry your tears. MAC has launched their Pro Products online. Click here to see. Image from MAC.

Chanel Chapter I: The Legend of N°5 (Stunning Short Film)

Rouge Bunny Rouge Launches an Online Boutique!!!

I can think of no happier news from down in the rabbit hole than the earth shattering, life altering revelation that Rouge Bunny Rouge has launched an online boutique. Now there are infinitely more ways to get your hands on their amazing products! They are even offering a 20% discount in celebration of their new online store! Hop on over to see for yourself!! Images from Rouge Bunny Rouge.

Empties Post: Volume III: October 2012

Skincare products: As I had suspected, my October Empties post was going to pale in comparison to my August and September posts because I had far fewer half used products to work my way through. I am now faced with far more full bottles of testers and full sized products, therefore it will take a bit of time to really empty them.  As you can see, the Juno Oil was the only full sized product that I used up in the skincare category. I did manage, however, to get through a few samples that were so amazing that I was prompted to purchase the full sized products at the recent Barneys Bag Event- as was the case with the Tatcha Classic Rice Enzyme Powder and the Sponge Krema Niktas (anti aging night cream) and Krema Triantafillo. All three of these are simply phenomenal products that I had to have (and that I will be reviewing soon). The Kiehl's Rosa Arctica Cream was way too rich for my combination skin-- so I used it on my neck and hands-- and it was truly lovely. If you have drier skin, I would urge you to try a sample-- it is a really wonderful rich cream.

Haircare & Body Products: While I really have a penchant for luxury hair care products, I have to say that I really love Trader Joe's Nourish Spa Shampoo and Conditioner-- they works really well, are very affordable, and the Conditioner really moisturizes and detangled my curly hair. I can't believe that I have two more Tom's Deodorant Empties this month! I typically have several deodorants in rotation at the same time, and I finally used up a few more that were nearly empty and being woefully ignored (since the Kai Deodorant came into my life). Of the scents available, I think that I favor the Lemongrass-- because it smells really wonderful and refreshing (definitely worth a repurchase). Another product that I really liked was the Living Proof Frizz Wave, Curl Styling Treatment-- this stuff was FANTASTIC, and I am definitely thinking about buying a bottle after I finish up a few more full-sized haircare products.

Fragrances: I definitely had far fewer perfume samples this month, but I did manage to get through the remainder of the full sized bottle of Intelligent Nutrients Focus Aromatic Spray. I didn't care for the way that it smelled on me- so you guessed it- it became a room spray near the kitty litter box! It actually smelled amazing in that application!!

Did you manage to finish anything up this month? If so, what? Did you toss anything out that you hated too much to endure actually using??

Maximus Sleeping on the Job...

...and this is the mockery I face when I work at home. Not only does this beloved beast (who is to cats what the Clydesdale is to horses) take up most of my workspace, but he does so unapologetically.