Beauty Maverick

Fresh Mangosteen Bath & Shower Gel

What is a mangosteen you ask? Well, the tree itself is a tropical evergreen and it produces a deliciously fragrant fruit (packed with antioxidants) which looks somewhat like a short, chubby aubergine.

The new Mangosteen collection from Fresh captures the scent of this luscious Southeast Asian fruit wonderfully, and the Bath & Shower Gel (pictured left) includes extracts of pomegranate and white lotus, as well as Shea Butter, to nourish and protect the skin. All in all, a fabulous find.

Retailer: Sephora.com
Cost: $25.00

The Elegant Eye

As seen on the runways of Louis Vuitton and Yves Saint Laurent this season, the minimalistic, yet curiously feminine, liquid-lined eye is back for Fall.

Though it appears simple enough, the application of liquid liner can be a terribly daunting task. If you're as talentless at this as I am, try using a gel-based liner or drawing your line with a pencil before using a traditional liquid liner, as suggested by celebrity makeup artist Evelyne Noraz. If all else fails, pull out the Q-tips and tell yourself you're not alone. I'm all about that last one.

The Laundress Crease Release Spray

I've been addicted to the entire Laundress product collection for some time now, but the Crease Release Spray has been my savior time and time again, so I'm placing it on it's own golden pedestal. 

If you travel, wear linen in the summertime, or are simply as lazy as I am- you should purchase this product in bulk. Within minutes of application, wrinkles and creases are released and, best of all, there's no painfully boring interaction with a pressing iron.

Retailer: TheLaundress.com
Cost: $14.00 for 8 oz. (pictured);  $5.00 for 2 oz.

Pilates for Pink

Once upon a time, you could only purchase a pink ribbon to show your support for Breast Cancer Awareness. Now, each October, we're presented with a plethora of products that aim to benefit Breast Cancer charities and research organizations. From beautiful cashmere sweaters to indulgent bubble baths, and even fragrant floral arrangements, the BCA product offering has expanded to include a number of tempting little luxuries. It's never been more rewarding to support such an important cause.

It's a scary thought, but Breast Cancer is currently the 2nd leading cause of death in women (in North America) and has touched many of our lives. One way we can help prevent this disease is to get/stay fit and active, and pilates is a fantastic way to do so.

Mark your calendar (no excuses, you've just been given proper notice!) for October and join Shape Magazine for a Pilates for Pink session at a studio near you. Supporting BCA whilst slimming down for that scandalous Halloween costume you've got set aside- Brilliant, wouldn't you say?

Click here to find a Shape Pilates for Pink class/event near you or click here to purchase the Shape Pilates Workout DVD ($14.98, with a portion of the proceeds going to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation).

Posh Pedals Fashion & Beauty Knowledge

If you're a fan of Posh, you'll soon be able to read all about her adventures in fashion and beauty in her new book, that extra half an inch, due for US release in November 2007 (HarperCollins, $19.95). I'm not sure I've always agreed with Victoria Beckham's fashion and beauty choices, but I do respect her fierce nature and love of all things luxurious.

On a random Posh-related note, I had read somewhere recently that she recommends wearing new heels with thick socks, around the house, to make them more comfortable before heading out. Being a fan of heels (but requiring a bottle of bubbly to get me through the night if I'm left standing too long...), I gave it a try with a new pair of Louboutins I'd splurged on. She's right, it worked wonderfully and I'll definitely try this again- once my Amex recovers.

Pout Lipslick in Posh Girl

I just got this lovely little gloss in the post from Sephora today and it's absolutely gorgeous on.

Flattering to any skin tone, super sheer, and not the least bit sticky, this coral-pink red is a must for the summer (along with NARS Bronzing Powder, Dior Diorshow Mascara, and Philosophy Blotting Papers of course!).

Warning: It's been out-of-stock quite frequently recently (it seems I'm not the only fan...), so I'd buy a tube soon if you're hoping to try it before Autumn approaches.

Retailer: Sephora.com
Cost: $16.00

Lisa Hoffman Skincare 24 Hour Packette

Dustin's wife has proven she knows a thing or two about serious skincare with the successful launch of the Lisa Hoffman Night & Day collection. I recently used a 24 Hour Packette when staying at a friend's place and fell in love with its ease-of-use and convenient packaging.

Each Packette includes five ampoules for day (Cleanser, Toner, Moisturizer, Eye Cream, and Lip Conditioner) and five ampoules for night (Cleanser, Anti-Aging Serum, Night Cream, Eye Cream, and Lip Serum), all in a resealable disposable pouch.

Use this kit when traveling, at the gym, or leave a set at your boyfriend's place to ensure you never have to resort to using his random collection of toiletries again.

Retailer: LisaHoffmanSkincare.com
Cost: $20.00 for one Packette; $120.00 for a seven day supply

Anastasia Nu Brow

After having read countless articles about the talent of Anastasia Soare, brow groomer to the stars, I felt compelled to try at least one of the products from her signature collection (which is just a bit more accessible than her LA salon for an East Coast girl...). So, what to try?

A full brow seems to be in vogue next season, so I decided to purchase the Nu Brow Brow Enhancing Serum as I've always been guilty of plucking, dying, and waxing my brows more than I should. It took a great deal of self-restraint but, for the past six weeks, I've stopped tweezing daily and have been penciling in a bit more brow whilst they prepare for their reappearance.

Sadly, there's been no noticeable improvement in the areas where I've been applying Nu Brow versus the areas left untreated. This product hasn't inspired my brows to produce any new growth, after six weeks of use (twice daily), and the entire experience has left me quite disappointed.

On a more positive note, if you've been looking for an overpriced brow gel to keep stray hairs in place- the search is over.

Retailer: Sephora.com
Cost: $35.00

Gloriously Green

The best of the crop.

Jo Wood Organics Usiku Body Dew $85
REN Skincare Jojoba Microbead Purifying Facial Scrub $35
La Fleur Organique Hand Nourishment $15
CARE by Stella McCartney Toning Floral Water $35
Korres Nourishing Hair Mask $23
100% Pure Sheer Pomegranate Wine Lip Gloss $13
Juice Beauty Organic Green Apple Cleansing Gel $26
Pangea Organics Italian White Sage with Geranium & Yarrow Shower Gel $14
Neal's Yard Remedies Organic Frankincense Toning Body Cream $44
Nude Skincare Miracle Mask $76
John Masters Organics Sea Mist (for hair) $16.50
Lucy B. Cosmetics Organic Lemonade Lip Balm $16
Aesop Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Eye Cream  $75

Rainy Day Bliss

Today was a terribly wet Tuesday in New York, one where you wish you could just lounge about in bed all day. That is of course, if you're not in the midst of home improvements. Since our place was at capacity this morning, I decided to brave the Summer showers and head over to Bliss 57 for a few treatments to relax and stay dry until I could return to my Talula sweats and MacBook in peace.

The 57th Street location of Bliss is only about two months old, but it impressed me much more than their other spas in New York. From the staff at the front desk to the women who were cleaning, everyone was smiling, kind, and considerate. It was really refreshing to be in a spa environment where I actually felt relaxed and pampered, instead of feeling rushed from one treatment to the next with a forced friendliness that's as transparent as Chanel's 'Naked' handbag collection.

What was also so lovely about Bliss 57 was that every member of staff seemed to care about the quality of  service they provided, especially a woman named Yaffa who gave me one of the best pedicures I've had to date. If you have an hour to spare and can get yourself to the Bergdorf Goodman area, I highly recommend trying the 'Heel Magnolias' pedicure ($70), which includes a milk bath for your feet with warm stones, a magnolia-scented scrub down, and a leg massage with lightly scented Magnolia body butter. I added their hot paraffin pack ($35) to compliment this heavenly treatment, but the pedicure alone is also quite nice.

Bliss 57
12 W 57th St, (between 5th & 6th Ave)
3rd Floor
NYC NY 10022
(212) 219 8970