Long Time no post.....

Been very busy writing my proposal. Turned in chapter one and hopefully chapter 2- the lit review will take shape soon....Want to finish before I leave to present at the Learning Conference in Johannesburg!
Rather than a long post, here are some things on my mind...
1. My steam shower is done and it is delicious!!!! It is a kohler steam shower and looks amazing. I would reccomend steam showers to anyone with dry skin, allergies, stuffy noses...etc....
2. Love the products by Red Flower. I wanted a nice product line to use in the steam shower and found it on the barneys website. The line I got is from the Hammam line based on the traditional Morrocan Hammam bath.
I have the Morrocan mint silt scrub- smells like mint tea and exfoliates just enough and cleanses with a nice lather and smell.
http://www.redflower.com
The orange quince steam room mist is amazing too.

The last part of this ritual is the Amber Cardomom oil.
It looks like there are other additions to the Hammam line that I would love to try. Check it out at ....

http://redflower.com/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=93
Here is the descriptin of the founder of Red Flower
red flower lives life fully. red flower was founded by yael alkalay who was inspired to create a kind of beauty that is not easily bottled, one that focuses both on the internal and the external. always looking and trying to find, yael believes that true indulgence is personal and takes a lifetime. red flower’s inspiration finds its roots in yael’s cultural heritage, her grandfather was the first dermatologist in bulgaria, she descends from eight generations of turkish grand rabbis, kiev musicians and farmers from the pampas of argentina. traveling extensively to maintain family ties and traditions, she lives with deep medical, spiritual and agricultural sensitivity, rich household customs and everyday sensual moments

3. I really like my new vitamin- Intra Max
http://www.druckerlabs.com/intramax.html

It has 415+ nutrients in it and gives you quite the wake up with no stimulants.

4. I have tried the ionic foot detox and it was strange. The water looked disgusting, but I really tried to see how it could be a hoax. Here is a link to information about the foot detox.
http://www.aquachi.info/index.htm

5. Had a gong bath by my friend Edward's teacher Richard Rudis. He travels all over the world and I would reccomend this experience to anyone who has never done it.
http://www.buddhistartifacts.com/sacred_sound_workshops.php

That is about it...more later

blushers

Blushers are one of those items that it is very easy to overdo and look like you are part-timing it as a birthday clown. The purpose of blush is to make your cheeks look healthy and like you are slightly blushing.
According to Bill Nye- the Science Guy....
When you're caught ashamed or in an awkward position, your body releases a bit of adrenaline. Your heart rate goes up. You breathe faster. And often, blood vessels that deliver blood to your face dilate--they open up or relax a little. More blood than usual flows to the skin of your face, and your face darkens or turns noticeably red.

There is a new blusher by Smashbox that is only available at Sephora for the time being.

It is intuitive and reacts with your skin's chemistry to turn cheeks the exact color that you blush...believe it or not...it actually works. I tried a sample and it really turned my cheeks the color I blush. It is clear gel and it is hard to believe that a clear gel could do this, but it happens in around 10-15 seconds.

It was a little rosy for my liking, but if it is toned down with a powder like:
Bare Escentuals Mineral veil
http://www.bareescentuals.com/
This sheer powder is amazing for a final step in your regimen. It has a rosy glow to it but is not shiny.
I also find Cle De Peau's Transparent Face Powder http://www.cledepeau-beaute.com/html/make_item_bm11.htm
also does the trick. Cle De Peau is the high end Shiseido line and is wonderful for you skin.

If you like stick blushers, Nars is a great line.
The Multiple
http://www.narscosmetics.com/acb/stores/1/The-Multiple-C43_category_7.aspx
is a blusher, eye creme and lipstick all in one. It comes in very natural colors and blends on eyes, cheeks, and lips very easily.

Another really good line of stick blushers is Body and Soul
http://www.bodyandsoul.com/
Their cream blush sticks give you a dewy look. The best colors for all skin types are Impulse and Mystic.

Stila Color Push Ups are almost transparent, but they deliver even color. The shades are very light and this product makes it look like you were just outside....very natural and dewy.
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P42962&categoryId=C12181&shouldPaginate=true

DuWop Blush Therapy is another great stick blush. It is creamy yet transparent and blends easily. The shades look a little dark when you see them, but they are almost sheer. Elixir is my favorite. I use them on my lips too.
http://shop.duwop.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=71
If you are unfamiliar with DuWop, browse their site...they have the most delicious smelling creams and lip venom.

Another creme blush is made by BECCA. This line was created by an Australian Makeup artist, Rebecca Morrice Williams. The creme blush comes in very juicy colors that remind one of strawberries.
It is available at Sephora, Neiman Marcus, and Bergdor's for the time.
http://www.sephora.com/browse/brand_hierarchy.jhtml?brandId=5717

Pout makes a product called "Cheek to Cheek" and it has two shades which can be combined or used alone.
http://www.pout.co.uk/cheek_to_cheek.php
They are very creamy and blend very well. They give a sheer shimmer to any cheeks! Also work on lips.

I am a big fan of Laura Mercier cosmetics. All I need is the tinted moisturized most days with some lipstick. Her Creme Blush is unbelievable.
http://www.lauramercier.com/products/colour/cheeks/cheek_colour/creme_cheek/
The colors are so natural that this products is the closest to a dewy fresh face that one can get. Many of the other products come in many corals and reds which I would not wear. The Praline color looks great on any skin color. Another great Laura Mercier product is the Body Souffle for real dry skin.....smells too good, you just might try and eat it :)


If you liked Benefit lip and cheek stain and were able to get it to go on just right, then Lorac cheek stamp is your kind of product. It has a stamp like on an ink pad that you stamp your cheeks. The blush is a very powdery consistency. I found it involved a separate sponge to blend or my fingers. If you blended with the stamp then there is too much color. I really like the colors available, especially the "golden glow".
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P172735&categoryId=C12180

Other products like the cheek stamp are Philosophy- The Supernatural Airbrush Blush and Laura Geller- Cheek Sweeps, Dior- DiorShow Powder, Sephora- Piiink my Pretty Blush, Pop Beauty Pop up Blush,

Another line that has really good blushers is Too Faced. They have some great bronzer/blush combo's. The Snow Bunny and Caribbean in a Compact.
http://www.toofaced.com/category.asp?cat_id=2
They do not look like a fake tan and you can use the blush portion by itself. I have used it on my eyes too.
Too Faced is a great line famous for their Lip Injection!

Well, hope you learned some new blushers...I found that a fan brush is great for powders blushers. I never use the brushes that come with the product. They are always way too small...I also combine a sheer powder with powder blush to even out the tone. With the creme products, don't be scared to use them on your eyes and cheeks....some of the "gel" blushes don't blend that well on eyelids, but they all can be used for triple duty.

During fashion week, the look seems to be all about the rosy glow again. Last spring and summer it was about the shiny glow...they shine is gone this season and natural, rosy cheeks are what was being shown. The more natural the blush and rosiness is what you should try and achieve. Also remember that the rosy healthy glow is great for day-time, but glam it up a little for night :)
Love
Bonnie