SICKA THAN AVERAGE

Taya Beauty Buriti Nut Intensive Repair Mask — The Key To Patricia Velasquez's Luscious Hair

About two weeks ago, I attended an HSN Beauty event, during which writers and editors had the opportunity to meet representatives from some of the skincare, haircare, and cosmetics brands sold on the shopping network and become better acquainted with these lines, their star products, and their upcoming launches. I made my way down an aisle lined with display tables along each side, making pit stops at each destination — and then, as I reached the very end of the line, I saw a familiar face: the lovely Patricia Velasquez.

Right away, Velasquez and I recognized each other — even though it had been over five years since we last crossed paths. I first met the Venezuelan model and actress (The Mummy Returns, "Arrested Development," "American Family,") in 2004, when I was penning  a cover story on her for Urban Latino. The following year, when I was part of the editorial team at Complex magazine, I arranged for Velasquez to appear on the cover of our Hollywood issue. This time around, we spent quite a bit of time chatting inside a trailer packed with photography assistants, hair stylists, makeup artists, and fashion stylists, parked  outside of the photo shoot location: an Old World-style mansion in upstate New York. It was the day after Thanksgiving; everybody had sipped on too many cocktails the previous evening, so the hangovers were in full effect (picture a cramped van full of people wearing sunglasses and looking slightly wilted — except for Velasquez, who still managed to look radiant); and it was freezing cold outside (it actually started snowing late in the afternoon). Unfortunately for all parties involved, there was no working heat inside the estate, and the tiny space heaters we had transported to the venue weren't doing much to keep us warm. As soon as we finished shooting Velasquez in one look, then, we would all scurry to the trailer, the only place where we could feel nice and toasty.

Since we were in such cramped quarters and the conditions were less than ideal, the scenario lent itself for some good old-fashioned bonding. We all cracked jokes, complained about the cold, and swapped silly industry anecdotes. But, in between all the laughs, Velasquez spoke extensively about her work with the Wayuu Tayaa Foundation, the non-profit organization she launched in 2002 to help provide clean drinking water, food supplies, and medical resources to the impoverished Wayúu people in the Guajira Peninsula of northern Colombia and northwest Venezuela. 

Over the years, I've watched closely as Velasquez has continued expanding her organization's reach, opening mobile medical clinics in areas where health care was virtually non-existent, installing an irrigation system in an area where people previously had to walk miles for drinking water, launching immunization campaigns, and creating art programs that will help children feel proud of their heritage and safeguard their cultural norms.

Velasquez's latest endeavor, the haircare line Taya Beauty, was also inspired by her indigenous background. Though made in the USA, Taya products almost exclusively consist of botanicals grown and harvested in South America by farmers native to the region. The company, then, also provides the indigenous communities of the Amazon with a sustainable way of life by properly compensating these farmers for their labor and providing a channel through which they can create a revenue stream. These vegan, paraben-free, and sulfate-free products rely on plants grown in an eco-friendly manner, with the utmost respect for the lush rainforest plants in the Amazon realm.

The star offering in the range is the Taya Beauty Buriti Nut Intensive Repair Mask, a deep conditioning treatment that can be applied to dry hair, then rinsed off to make tresses appear smoother, shinier, healthier, and frizz-free. The key ingredient in this balmy, slightly sticky hair mask is the oil extracted from the buriti nuts found in tropical buriti palm trees. Rich in Omega-3, Omega-6, and Omega-9 fatty acids, as well as Vitamin A, beta carotene, and lipids that mimic those naturally found in hair follicles, buriti nut oil extract works wonders on dry, color-treated, and damaged hair. Other botanical ingredients include raw parsley, which is said to stimulate hair growth, and Brazil nut extract, another substance rich in Omega-6; as well as minerals like calcium, manganese, copper, phosphorus, and magnesium; and antioxidant-rich vitamin E.

I've been using the Taya Buriti Nut Intensive Repair Mask for a couple of weeks now (I first tried it the day after the HSN Beauty event), and I've been marveling over the results I've witnessed. First, one of the things I love about the mask is its orange color — it almost looks like a mango purée and its smell is leafy and fresh, which itself speaks to the high concentration of organic plant ingredients. Second, I find it so handy that you can apply the mask to dry hair. Rather than having to shampoo, smooth onto damp tresses, and then rinse off 15-20 minutes later, you can simply scoop out a small amount of this treatment, rub the substance in between your palms to together to create a bit of an emulsion, and then work into the hair section by section, moving from the scalp to the ends, and rinse after 20 minutes (so, in essence, it saves you that additional shower). When you rinse the mask off, you'll notice each strand of hair seems more voluptuous, as if it has been inflated from within. Your strands will be detangled and your mane will feel silky soft. Once your hair is dry, the improvement in texture will be even more noticeable, as will the increased shine.

Since I have painfully dry hair, I've experimented with applying the mask at night, then sleeping in it and rinsing off in the morning — and this ritual has proved to be a saving grace for my hair, making it look healthier than ever. On one occasion, I remember my hair looking scragglier than a Muppet's fur — and, after just one 25-minute application of this powerhouse hair mask, my mane was resurrected. Even a friend commented on how soft my hair felt! Talk about a noticeable change!

I'm now resolved to use the Taya Buriti Nut Intensive Repair Mask 2-3 times a week to keep my hair looking its best. Bottom line: it's the best haircare discovery I've made in months. And, since this miraculous treatment is available on HSN and HSN.com, I don't even have to trek anywhere to order a refill.

 

Taya Beauty Buriti Nut Intensive Repair Mask, $32. Available at HSN.com

Yves Saint Laurent Volupte Sheer Candy Collection -- So Yummy, So Yummy!

Lately, makeup companies seem to be harboring bipolar tendencies when it comes to their lipstick offerings, unveiling either ultra-bright shades of robust orange and electric pink or releasing sheer colors that yield a light, veil-like, glazed effect. MAC Cosmetics, for example, recently released its Sheen Supreme collection, a range of high gloss lipsticks with a sheer finish, while Clinique and Tarte have both scored major coups with their moisturizing lip crayons, which deposit just a smidgen of color. Now, Yves Saint Laurent is diving into the sheer spectrum with an array of moisturizing lipsticks that smell like juicy, fruity, sweet and tangy candy bits.

The Yves Saint Laurent Volupte Sheer Candy Collection ($30 each at Sephora.com) incorporates six saccharine shades, each bearing a scent to match its pigmentation: No. 1 Lush Coconut, for example, is a golden tawny shade; No. 2 Dewy Papaya delivers an orange-tinged pink with a tropical feel; No. 3 Juicy Grapefruit is a soft peachy pink with a hint of sparkle; No. 4 Succulent Pomegranate ventures into brighter territory, yielding a light coat of electric magenta pink; No. 5 Mouthwatering Berry infuses your pout with a pale, plum-like, Merlot wine color; and No. 6 Luscious Cherry is a sticky, lollipop-like red. 

Unlike other sheer lipsticks, however, these are designed to moisturize your pout, so that they feel more like tinted lip balms than anything else. In fact, 35% of the ingredients in the YSL Volupte Sheer Candy formulas focus on lip care: antioxidant-rich pomegranate and rosemary extracts offer free radical protection, while hyaluronic acid spheres penetrate the top layers of the epidermis and absorb water to keep lips moisturized all day, smoothing fine lines and wrinkles, and counteracting any visible aging signs. Unlike most lipsticks, which can have a drying effect on lips, then, the Volupte Sheer Candy lipsticks glide effortlessly onto lips and instantly provide a soothing effect. The moisturizing properties are similar to those of the famed Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment but the sheer tints they deliver are more sophisticated than those of the Sugar Rosé, Sugar Plum, or Sugar Honey Lip Treatments.

It's best to regard the YSL Volupte Sheer Candy lipsticks as upscale tinted lip balms since the color payoff here is beyond limited. That being said, on the sticky, humid, steamy summer days when you want to keep your makeup light and natural, these hit all the right notes. 

And, of course, the fact that they smell like a Dylan's Candy Bar empire stocked with Jolly Ranchers, lollipops, chewy Starbursts, and tins of jelly beans, literally sweetens the deal.

Below, you'll find images of the six shades in the YSL Volupte Sheer Candy collection:

 

 

YSL Volupte Sheer Candy No. 1 — Lush Coconut

 

YSL Volupte Sheer Candy No. 2 — Dewy Papaya

YSL Volupte Sheer Candy No. 3 — Juicy Grapefruit

 

YSL Volupte Sheer Candy No. 4 — Succulent Pomegranate

 

YSL Volupte Sheer Candy No. 5 —Mouthwatering Berry

YSL Volupte Sheer Candy No. 6 — Luscious Cherry

I had the chance to try out the No. 3 shade, Juicy Grapefruit, so keep reading for swatches of this color and more details!

Deborah Lippmann Summer 2011 Collection -- For Nails That Wanna Have Fun

If you tuned into the 2011 Grammy Awards in February, you were likely among those scratching their heads over Gaga's dramatic entrance, which involved the pop star crouching inside a semi-translucent Hussein Chalayan-designed egg vessel which was, in turn, propped atop a wooden, cross-shaped plank hoisted into the venue by a gaggle of statuesque Gagaists in Roman-inspired, flesh-toned, toga-like dresses and boxer briefs. Once Gaga took to the stage, the purpose of the egg became clear, as she hatched from its core to perform her "Born This Way" hit, a self-love anthem that celebrates eccentricity and quirkiness. In keeping with the chicken-and-egg theme, Gaga donned a midriff-baring halter top in a translucent canary yellow with a matching, floor-length skirt, her blond hair gathered into a high ponytail and her nails painted a matching color: Deborah Lippmann's Yellow Brick Road, an ultra sheer yellow that yields a yolk-like look. If you stared at Gaga's nails awaiting the moment when you'd be able to crack this particular polish bottle open and brush the quiche-ready color onto nails, let the egg-y euphoria commence!

The Yellow Brick Road color is one of the four shades in the new Deborah Lippmann Summer 2011 collection. A lively, festive, exciting array of creamy, sun-soaked, piñata-ready shades, the Deborah Lippmann collection also incorporates Girls Just Want To Have Fun, a deep coral pink; I Know What Boys Like, a mid-tone periwinkle blue with violet undertones; and Lara's Theme, a perky red orange color created alongside supermodel Lara Stone.

Below, you'll find swatches of all four shades in the collection. We're particularly smitten with the I Know What Boys Like hue since it coyly straddles the fence between blue and purple, which makes it feel refreshingly original. The Yellow Brick Road is also incredibly distinctive since it does, in fact, look like layers of egg yolk, its consistency creamy but its look ever so sheer and translucent.

Check out the colors in the Summer 2011 collection ($16 each at LippmannCollection.com) below and get a feel for what they look like on nails!

Run The World Like Beyoncé In Laruicci's Power Earrings And Claw Rings

Jay-Z may have been on a "Run This Town" trip last year, but his leading lady, Beyoncé, has set her sights on a much larger target: the world. In her new female empowerment single, "Run The World," Bey gives props to other ambitious, independent, driven women, with lyrics like, "Boy, you know you love it, how we're smart enough to make these millions, strong enough to bare the children, then get back to business." In keeping with the female domination theme, the video for the "Run The World" single features Beyoncé in a besieged, post-apocalyptic, desert universe sporting a series of regal warrior ensembles that reference Cleopatra, Aunty Entity (Tina Turner's character in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome), and Joan of Arc-worthy armor.

In one scenario, she is surrounded by an army of women wearing colorful scarves as harem pants, their black bustier bras peeking out from underneath military-style jackets, black caps propped atop their heads — all facing off against a gang of leather-clad men rocking thick gold chains.In another scenario, Bey stands behind two menacing hyenas, one leash in each hand, all while wearing a red carpet-ready, flowing white gown. But perhaps the most dramatic moment, from a fashion perspective, involves Beyoncé wearing a sleeveless mini dress covered with mirrored, diamond-shaped, golden paillettes stacked atop one another to resemble a futuristic, geometric-style armor. In that moment, Bey complements her ensemble with some stunning jewelry pieces by Laruicci. With her hair in a messy updo, onlookers can focus on the Laruicci Power Earrings (pictured above, third from top) dangling from her lobes. Each of these mammoth earrings features a gold metal post; three elongated, cylinder-shaped bars arranged into a triangle shape and attached via a golden chain; a chunky gold metal bar dangling below it, laying horizontally; and two large, faceted glass beads in trapeze-like shapes cascading down to the shoulders.

If the Power Earrings feel like an ode to trigonometry via jewelry, the Laruicci Man Eater Claw and Transformer Claw rings Beyoncé sports in this scene infuse a lethal, feline, savage quality to her look. The Laruicci Man Eater Claw (pictured at top) fits on the top half of the finger, but the band allows it to rest in place securely so that it won't just fall off the hand. The mixed metal ring is designed so that the pointed part of the teardrop shape rests below the knuckle, while the slanted, wider curve practically reaches the top of the finger. The ring's hollow interior, meanwhile, creates a peek-a-boo effect that's sexy and enigmatic.

The Transformer Claw (pictured second from top), meanwhile, boasts a diamond shape, with each side slanted so precariously, the edges so steep and the metal so resplendent and mirror-like, that it gives the piece a three-dimensional feel.  This, to me, is the One Ring — the piece that dominates all the other Rings of Power.

 

Laruicci Maneater Claw, $68; Laruicci Transformer Claw, $78; and Laruicci Power Earrings, $268. Available at Laruicci.com

 

The Fantastic Number Four -- Check Out Anastasia Beverly Hills' Illumin8 With Youthful Synergy Complex Eye Shadow Palette No 4

Eyebrow expert Anastasia Soare has built a career on grooming, shaping, and tending to those valances over the resplendent windows to your soul — doing so via her full-service salons in Beverly Hills and Brentwood, her brow studios at select Sephora and Nordstrom locations, and her namesake collection of beauty products. The Anastasia Beverly Hills line goes beyond tools and products that enable women to tweeze, define, highlight, shape, and fill in their brows, incorporating hydrating lip glosses, nourishing face creams, hydrating mists, bronzers, blush colors, and eye shadow kits. The most buzzed-about launch in recent history: the Anastasia Beverly Hills Illumin8 with Youthful Synergy Complex Eye Shadow Palettes, each of which feature five shades enriched with vitamins A, B, C, E and F, as well as brown algae, macadamia, and Anastasia’s trademark Balkan Botanical Infusion, which is designed to hydrate, soothe, and nourish skin. Because of the vitamins, minerals, and botanical extracts blended with the pigments, these eye shadows feel superbly soft and velvety, almost damp, when applied to lids — and, best of all, the surge of moisture they deliver helps to tighten the tender upper eyelid, crease, and brow bone skin, minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for a rejuvenating effect.

For Spring 2011, Anastasia Beverly Hills unveiled several new hue combinations — among them the Illumin8 With Youthful Synergy Complex Eye Shadow Palette No. 4 ($40 at Sephora.com). This palette incorporates a pearly white shadow with beige undertones and tons of glimmer, an olive green with gold and bronze shimmer, a punchy soft purple, an acid lime shade, and a deep brown with reddish undertones. The earthy neutrals in the palette provide the foundation for any look, while the electrifying purple and green add an exciting, punk-y, eye-opening, electrifying effect.

Not only are the colors superb, but they feel soothing along the eyes (and when can you ever say that about an eyeshadow, right?), yielding a cooling, comforting sensation. The shadows also last all day long without looking stale, creasing, smearing, or cracking. They literally look as good 5 hours after you applied them than they did when you first tucked your brushes away!

Check out swatches of this amazing palette below, as well as photos of a sample look created.

Saturday Morning Special: Old Navy Flip-Flops For $1 Only!

Tomorrow, Saturday, May 21st, you can stock up on a Skittles-bag worth of flip-flop colors during Old Navy's one-day sale, during which these rubber thong sandals will be priced at $1 a pair (from $3.50). Yes, ladies, that's less than what you typically spend on the Sunday edition of The New York Times! You can pick from a bevy of colors, including: Fresh Bloom, a honeysuckle pink; Lime Slush, a Granny Apple green shade; Sunstreak, a mid-tone yellow; Sunny Tangerine, a yellow-ish bright orange; Magnum Gray, an asphalt shade; Viola Violet, a hydrangea-worthy violet; Bean Sprout, a lima bean green; Blue Glare, a punchy turquoise; Robbie Red, a cardinal red; Cockteal Hour, a cobalt-tinged teal shade; and many more. At $1 a pop, you might as well let your feet taste the rainbow this summer!

This offer is only valid at Old Navy stores and doors open at 7:30 a.m., so don't let the early birds beat you to the punch! 

Visit OldNavy.com to locate a store near you.

Recap Of Sicka Than Average's "Fashion Blogger Forecast" Bash At Stone Rose Lounge

Above, from left: Celia San Miguel, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sicka Than Average; Eloy Hernandez; Sowmya Krishnamurthy of ICED Media; and Izzy Ruiz, Contributing Editor at Sicka Than Average.

Above, from left: Sowmya Krishnamurthy and Celia San Miguel

Gift bags with goodies from sponsors Physicians Formula, Redken, Junkprints, and Sally Hansen, as well as giveaway items from Katherine Kwei, SOBRAL, Swatch, Clarisonic, and FromTheBronx.com

 

Katherine Kwei Cleo handbag raffled during the party

Above, from left: Adriana Nova of Ideeli.com and Yana Lusher of MyOwnJudge.net

From left to right: Sowmya Krishnamurthy, Adriana Nova, and Celia San Miguel

Last Sunday, May 15th, we celebrated Sicka Than Average's third anniversary and the conclusion of Time Warner Center's amazing "Fashion Blogger Forecast" initiative (in which we were featured, to great fanfare, alongside three other NYC fashion bloggers). The cocktail party was held at Stone Rose Lounge in Time Warner Center from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. DJ Uri Adal presided over the wheels of steels, spinning a mix of dance, hip-hop, pop, and R&B, with a set that included everything from Usher's "OMG" to Bjork's "The Hunter," Robyn's "Dancing On My Own," Rihanna's "Only Girl in the World," Shakira's "She Wolf," and Lykke Li's "I Follow Rivers" (check out his full playlist here). Guests grooved to the music, enjoyed cocktails and appetizers, mingled, and took in the gorgeous view of Central Park from the sky-high windows lining the venue's walls.

Among those present were Malak Atut, founder and designer of ZAIKEN jewelry; rapper/producer Mike Jaggerr; jewelry designer Susan Suh; up-and-coming fashion designer Tori Nichel; super publicist Jourdann Lubliner of Kaplow PR; ICED Media Marketing and PR Specialist Sowmya Krishnamurthy; Nicole Newsum of Bratskeir PR; seasoned hip-hop journalists Jayson Rodriguez and Alvin Blanco; Cacy Forgenie Culture Editor at GlobalGrind.com; Adriana Nova, Social Media Manager at Ideeli.com; Raquel Huston, Integrated Marketing Specialist at TV One; beauty bloggers Paula Wade of OlderGirlBeauty.com, Meredith Edwards-Cornwell of RetrodivasBeauty.com, and Yana Lusher of MyOwnJudge.net; Public Relations maven Real Hamilton-Romeo; and many more.

All VIP guests received Sicka Than Average gift bags filled with goodies from our sponsors Redken (each bag contained either a bottle of Redken Glass 01 Smoothing Serum or a tube of Fresh Curls Curl Recovery); Physicians Formula (who provided us with their amazing Bronze Booster Glow-Boosting Pressed Shimmer Bronzer, the answer to a healthy, summer-ready glow); and Sally Hansen (who graciously blessed us with their brand new, buzz-y Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips so we could give guests a special treat).

To add some excitement to the evening, we raffled off special prizes from more fabulous sponsors, with the key items being: a Clarisonic Mia in Garnet; a pair of SOBRAL Chick Shock Encanto Earrings in blue (priced at $58); a SOBRAL Pop Art Bangle (worth $50); a chic Katherine Kwei "Clea" Cross Body purse, which has a retail price of $300; a zebra-striped Swatch watch worth $60; two graphic tees from the brand new apparel line FromTheBronx.com; and two gift cards from Stone Rose Lounge worth $75 each.

I, of course, tried to look my very best for the big event, so I slipped into a va-va-va-voom, minimalist but ultra sexy, flesh-toned dress from Onno, reached for a pair of gold and aqua blue Kendra Scott earrings and SOBRAL's Cantalago Rio-inspired bangle bracelet, and Pour La Victoire's light aqua Aria slingback platform pumps. To add a dash of color, I selected a turquoise-colored handbag for the evening: the incomparable Katherine Kwei Clea in Turquoise, an embossed lizard lambskin cross-body bag with gold trim along the front flap and edges, a slim gold shoulder strap, and the designer's signature Chinese eternity knot motif along the top flap. To finish the look, I slicked my hair back, pulled it into a bun and accessorized with Colette Malouf's stunning Crystal Net Mother of Pearl Headband. Chck out the complete look in the photos here!

Overall, the nice was a huge success, and we're looking forward to putting together many more events in the near future. Take a look at some pictures from the event above and after the jump!

 

Rachel Roy And Karina Petroni Walk Off Into The Sunset

 

In February 2010, New York-based designer Rachel Roy unveiled a capsule jewelry collection co-designed alongside British R&B singer Estelle, with pieces like a sculpted orchid ring that were worthy of the chanteuse's debut album title, Shine. Then, in September 2010, Roy revealed the fruits of another collaboration — this time a full collection of apparel and accessories co-designed with model Jessica Stam. And now, just in time for summer, Roy is once again trying to show us just how well she plays with others. Her latest celebrity design partner: 22-year-old female surfer Karina Petroni, whose accomplishments include back-to-back silver medals in the World Jr. Games.  Together, Petroni and Roy designed a three-style footwear collection that captures the laid-back vibe of beach style but infuses it with a slick urban sensibility.

The Rachel Roy x Karina Petroni footwear collection features three distinctive styles. The most casual style is the Braydia, a traditional espadrille sandal (pictured third from top) crafted using a folksy printed canvas that resembles a Mexican blanket pattern. The slightly bulky, Pueblo-worthy style features a jute sole and an open heel secured by a thick elastic strap that makes the shoe more breathable and comfortable for steamy weather. The dressiest shoe offering is the Subira (pictured second from top), a leather sandal with a 1.25" platform and a 4" wedge that features the same Pueblo-flavored print as the Braydia on its sleek wedge, as well as rope trim along the edges of the beige leather strip demarcating the bottom of the platform. The strappy wedge sandal boasts a halter-like construction along the vamp, with a beige leather strap circling the back of the ankle, its two ends then overlapping along the front of the ankle and made to face opposite directions to create a ribbon pin shape. For an added Boho vibe, one of these overlapping straps features six wiry leather strips (some braided, some in a paler ecru color) joined together to match the width of the other strap. City slickers, meanwhile, will lust after the Adinah sneaker (pictured at top), a lace-less, hi-top style that combines the rustic, indigenous feel of the Navajo-esque canvas fabric with the boldness of navy blue patent leather at the toecap, lace holders and ankle collar.

These shoe styles are selling out quick so, if you want some surf-flavored shoes, get to web surfing!

 

Rachel Roy x Karina Petroni Adinah sneakers, $99; Rachel Roy x Karina Petroni Subira sandals, $139; Rachel Roy x Karina Petroni Braydia espadrilles, $59. Available at RachelRoy.com

 

Molton Brown Body Remedies Collection -- An Easy Solution

 

Talk about a body of evidence! The Molton Brown Body Remedies allows you to feel comfortable in your own skin — literally. This collection of body cleansers, scrubs, lotions, firming toners, and relaxing  treatments can be divided into three separate ranges, each formulated to tackle a specific problem or concern: the Renew line addresses aging concerns like duller skin tone, hyperpigmentation, and loss of elasticity; the Hydrate range moisturizes and soothes dry and sensitive skin; and the Sleep range soothes both body and mind via calming natural oils that allow for more peaceful and gratifying shut-eye time.

The Renew range (pictured above, second from top) includes three products, all of which contain Ambrusca grape leaf extract harvested in the Ardeche region of France and said to boast a high level of antioxidants that protect skin from free radical damage. Oddly enough, if you perform a simple Google search for "Ambrusca," you'll find dozens of sites listing these new products from Molton Brown but nothing else on the ingredient billed as the powerhouse marrow, the foundation-building element of the range. Still, we know it's a type of grape leaf, and plenty of dermatologists and clinical researchers have documented the high antioxidant content of this natural resource. Aside from Ambrusca grape leaf extract, the products in the Renew range rely on ingredients like Moroccan argan oil, which is rich in essential fatty acids that nourish, moisturize, and tighten skin; grapeseed extract, which boasts a high concentration of flavonoids that protect skin from oxidative and free radical damage; and lychee extract, which moisturizes skin and boosts luminosity. The three products in this range are: the Ambrusca Wash & Scrub, which polishes the skin tenderly with finely ground olive stones, then nourishes it with ambrusca grape leaf extract and Moroccan argan oil; the Ambrusca Cleansing Shower Oil, which is meant to be applied to damp skin and then rinsed off for smoother, softer skin; and the Ambrusca Body Hydra-Tone, which makes skin appear firmer by hydrating and plumping the skin so that puckered, saggy surface areas look more taut. My favorite product in this particular range is the Ambrusca Wash & Scrub since it sloughs off dead skin ever so tenderly, making it suitable for even those with somewhat sensitive skin, and it smells like a Mediterranean feast of olives and grapes.

If your mind turns to race non-stop, your many preoccupations keeping you awake at night, while stress-induced aches and pains induce a toss-and-turn marathon, give the products in the Molton Brown Sleep range a whirl. The products in this collection include the Cedrus Room Aroma Rocks, fragrant and all-natural rocks made of acacia tree sap and soaked in relaxing Bulgarian lavender oil, Moroccan cedrus tree oil, and Florida sweet orange oil, as well as the Cedrus Temple Soother, a portable elixir meant to be applied to pulse points for maximum aromatherapy benefits while on the go. Who needs Ambien when you can rely on all-natural plant oils, right?

But the most applause-worthy portion of the Body Remedies collection is perhaps the Hydrate range (pictured above, at top), which focuses on soothing dry skin with formulations packed with polyphenols and tannins derived from extracts of tamarind, cypress tree seed, linden, pea and moringa.

The Desert Bloom Cleansing Shower Milk is a dermatological tour de force. As someone who suffers from incredibly dry skin, I was ecstatic to find a cleanser that effectively removed dirt and grime while also replenishing skin — without, of course, leaving it feeling balmy and greasy. Most shower gels billed as "hydrating" feel like body balms mixed with a teaspoon of water so that, when you shower with them, you wind up feeling like you need yet another bath to really fully remove any filminess. Fortunately, the Molton Brown Desert Bloom Cleansing Shower Milk truly cleans while nourishing. It feels incredibly lightweight on the skin — if you squeeze the tube in which it's packaged, you'll notice a tiny rivulet of cleanser is dispensed, like a creamier version of silly string, onto the palm of your hand. The cleanser feels exquisite against the skin — almost as light as oil, but creamier and milkier, lathering slightly without excessive foaming. It actually makes your shower routine feel indulgent and sensual, as you massage your skin and take in the cleanser's scent, which is floral but woody and mysterious. When you wash off the cleanser, your skin will feel noticeably smoother. I'm equally impressed with the Molton Brown Hydrate Desert Bloom Body Quencher, a lightweight, milky lotion that's quickly absorbed by the skin and which leaves it feeling comfortable, soft and replenished. It's a perfect option for the coming summer months, when the humidity and heat render thick creams downright suffocating. As an added bonus, you'll smell like a desert rose, worthy of your very own Sting song.

The packaging of the products in the Body Remedies collection is also worth lauding. Rather than flip-top caps that can break easily (or open accidentally inside your bag when they bump against any of your purse's other contents), each shower gel and body lotion features a brown plastic cap with a flat tab with a thumb indentation that slides out when you press down and pull. This slide tab mechanism not only gives the products a sleek, modern, minimalist look, but it helps to prevent accidental spills. Genius!

 

 

Molton Brown Hydrate Desert Bloom Cleansing Shower Milk, $30; Molton Brown Hydrate Desert Bloom Body Quencher, $39; Molton Brown Hydrate Desert Bloom Intense Hand Rescue, $30; Molton Brown Hydrate Desert Bloom Intense Foot Rescue, $27; Molton Brown Renew Ambrusca Wash & Scrub, $32; Molton Brown Renew Ambrusca Cleansing Shower Oil, $34; and Molton Brown Renew Ambrusca Body Hydra-Tone, $39. Available at MoltonBrown.com

Orange You Glad To See These Lips? -- Our 10 Favorite Blaze-Colored Lipsticks And Glosses

Last year, coral was trumpeted as the "new pink," with makeup brands reviving a beleaguered color once associated with oceanic formations and tacky Hawaiian print blouses, infusing it with new undertones and creating yummy textures that propelled it into modern times, transforming it into a must-have beauty buy. And, while coral is still going strong for Spring/Summer 2011, beauty hounds are now venturing into bolder territory, navigating through a newly remodeled, reconceptualized, restructured Orange Lip Color County with a surprising sense of adventurousness.

In a time during which our spirits are so often dampened by political strife, social unrest, and economic turmoil, something as simple as sporting a tangerine-colored pout can work as a form of color therapy, adding a bit of sunshine to your day as you splash some happiness into the often dreary world.

From bright kumquat to deep vermilion and fluorescent safety vest orange, there's a bevy of shades available to satisfy your appetite for fiery lips.

Want to give orange a squeeze? Check out or top lipstick and lip gloss picks below!

1. ILLAMASQUA LIPSTICK IN FLARE

 

Illamasqua Flare Lipstick, $22. Available at Sephora.com

Part of Illamasqua's new Toxic Nature collection, the Flare lipstick shade features a semi-matte finish and  a deliciously creamy texture. The color is incandescent and lush, like the petals of an orange Nasturtium flower. 

Check out what the Illamasqua Flare color looks like on skin:

 

 

2. ELLIS FAAS MILKY LIPS IN L204 AND GLAZED LIPS IN L304

 

Ellis Faas Milky Lips L204 and Glazed Lips L304, $35 each. Available at EllisFaas.com

These glossy colors both come in the sleek, silver-toned tubes we've come to associate with the Ellis Faas brand (which look like elongated, vampire-slaying silver bullets) and feature soft brush applicators tips that dispense pigment as desired (when you rotate the grooved piece along the bottom of the tubes). The L204 is more reddish, reminiscent of a tomato soup color, while the L304 looks a bit more brownish, like a ripened squash.

 Below, you'll fintd swatches of the Ellis Faas L204 (at left) and L304 (at right):

 

 

3. ESTEE LAUDER PURE COLOR GLOSS IN ORANGE CRUSH

Estee Lauder Pure Color Gloss in Orange Crush, $20. Available for a limited time at Estee Lauder counters.

The name of this limited-edition Pure Color Gloss says it all: rather than wimpy sheer coverage, this gloss is heavily pigmented, mimicking the flavored liquid inside a can of Crush soda. The Estée Lauder Pure Color Gloss in Orange Crush has a glazed finish that makes your lips look icy and inviting — think of orange Flavor Ice sticks fresh out of the freezer, and you'll get a pretty accurate visual of the final effect.

Here's a look at the Orange Crush gloss:

 

 

4. YSL PUR COUTURE SPF 15 IN 13 LE ORANGE

YSL Rouge Pur Couture SPF 15 in 13 Le Orange, $30. Available at Sephora.com

Think of Michelle Pfeiffer's Elvira Hancock character in Scarface — her blunt bangs, the rounded ends of her chic bob, her smoky eyes, and those red-orange lips. It's that type of decadent glamour that YSL manages to capture with the Rouge Pur Couture 13 shade. This lipstick, which offers SPF 15 protection, is considerably redder than many of the other orange shades currently in vogue, but therein lies its charm. In terms of the actual color, it's stunning and ever so vivid — in fact, it reminds me of the sindoor powder many Hindu women wear in the parts of their hair as a symbol of their wedded status.

Check out a swatch of the YSL Pur Rouge Couture 13 shade:

 

 

5. MAKE UP FOR EVER LIPSTICK IN 401

 

Make Up For Ever Lipstick in 401, $19.Visit MakeUpForEver.com to find a store near you.

If you want a true, robust orange that would make Tony the Tiger give you a thumbs up (and perhaps an "it's grrreeeeaaat!" squeal), check out this classic Make Up For Ever shade: the 401. Admittedly, it's a bit harder to locate these days since most Sephora stores are pushing the recently-launched Rouge Artist Intense rage of lipsticks (which is phenomenal, by the way), but it's worth the trouble of hunting it down. And, if you want another alternative from Make Up For Ever, I'd suggest the No. 40 shade in the Rouge Artist Intense line.

Check out a swatch of the 401 below: