Beauty Maverick

Ralph Lauren Notorious

Fragrance commercials for women generally follow the same (v. successful) recipe: 1 part model/starlet, 1 part gorgeous male lead, 2 parts famed director, and finished with a dash of mystery. I adore this classic combination as much as the next girl, but it’s also nice to get a glimpse of the reality behind these elaborate, 30-second love stories. Ralph Lauren’s Notorious: The Making Of (above) does just that, but without spoiling the mood. Fragrance is meant to excite and entice, after all.

And the winner is...

Congratulations Summer! You'll be able to try Ôscillation by week's end.

Thank you to all who entered the contest, and to Lancôme for this highly coveted prize.

Lancôme Ôscillation Mascara (& Giveaway)

It’s no secret that I'm currently obsessed with Lancôme’s latest innovation, Ôscillation. I find both the formulation and vibrating wand (which can also be used traditionally, btw) to be absolutely brilliant.

In celebration of the official launch this month, I went straight to the source— Ôscillation creator Jean-Louis Guéret— to find out more about how this lovely little creation came to be:

What was your inspiration for Ôscillation?

When we set out to create a new product, we spend a lot of time observing. We couldn’t help but notice almost everyone applies mascara by wiggling the wand back and forth. Even makeup artists. We wanted to recreate that motion and let the mascara do the work for you, but in a very precise way.

What differentiates this innovation from those of other brands?

I can’t talk about the others, but I can say our oscillation action is very unique, as is our formula.

How do the vibrations benefit the product?

The oscillation action allows the formula to practically coat the lashes 360 degrees. It does so in a very precise and fine manner, which lets you apply coat upon coat and build and lengthen in a way you can’t with other mascaras.

With the wait list for Ôscillation reaching the tens of thousands, do you plan to extend this offering with additional shades and/or formulations in the future?

You ask very good questions, Ms. Nima! Time will tell.

Excited to see what all of the buzz is about? You can purchase Ôscillation starting October 22nd, or simply leave a comment on any Beauty Maverick post for a chance to win a tube of this highly coveted mascara.

---CONTEST NOW EXPIRED---

Some restrictions may apply. Contest limited to North America only, with the winner drawn at random from the eligible entries. One entry per person will be considered for the prize. Contest closes at midnight EST on 10/21/08.

Acqua di Parma Colonia Bath & Shower Gel A rich, masculine shower gel that lathers beautifully. Korres Mastiha Oil and Aloe Bath & Shower Gel Subtly scented with olive oil, this creamy body wash leaves your skin feeling soft and supple. Claus Porto Favorito Red Poppy Body Wash Uplifting, effective, and packaged in a space efficient bottle. Bamford Organic Nourishing Chamomile Body Oil Used as bath oil, this calming blend of chamomile and geranium relieves the day's stresses and soothes tired muscles. Kiehl's Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Body Polish A nurturing body scrub that leaves your skin with a gorgeous glow. Molton Brown Supershave Olibanum This luxurious cream provides a close shave, and doesn't irritate my sensitive skin.

La Mer The Body Crème My favorite body product of the past few years, this cream is simply in a league of its own. Fresh Sugar Body Oil This lightweight body oil absorbs in an instant, leaving you with luminous, baby-soft skin. Campagnie de Provence Crème Pour Les Mains Extra Pure Figue Deliciously scented and conveniently packaged, this lovely little hand cream is a must for every handbag.

Institut Esthederm Biosvelt Instant Body Lift Gel Helps to tighten, smooth, and contour all of those not-so-perfect spots. Bliss The Tenderfoot With the ability to exfoliate and soften even the most tortured of soles, this duo is the ultimate treat for any feet. Lancôme Resurface Microdermabrasion An obsession of mine (as well as my mum), this gentle exfoliant buffs away dead, dull skin cells to reveal your most radiant self.

Decleor Perfect Sculpt Bust Beautifying Gel Lifts and tones to get your bust back in shape. NARS Mud Mask Detoxifying, purifying, and perfect to use prior to wearing a skin-bearing ensemble. Parissa Wax Strips Now available in an assortment of sizes and formulations, these easy-to-use strips are highly addictive.

Jo Malone Vitamin E Gel Use this concentrated gel anywhere/everywhere that requires extra care, from dry patches to (healing) scars. Dior Crème Abricot A rich cream that encourages nail growth, improves nail strength, conditions your cuticles, and is also an amazing lip balm and hair texturizer as well. This Works Turbo Balm Moisturize your hands/feet/lips, tame unruly brows, and even calm burns with this all-in-one superbalm.

Jo Malone Sweet Lime & Cedar This NEW Jo Malone fragrance balances zesty fruits with aromatic leaves, delicate flowers, spices and nutty woods. Le Labo Vetiver 46 Scents of smoky pepper, incense, and Haitian vetiver dominate this complex (and somewhat masculine) EdP. Annick Goutal Mandragore A vibrant fragrance that combines the freshness of bergamot, star of anise, peppermint, ginger, boxwood, and mandrake. Serge Lutens El Attarine This complex, slightly sweet creation by master perfumer Serge Lutens evokes a sense of mystery and excitement. Prada Infusion d'Iris A fresh, clean (and sheer) scent that highlights the precious Iris Pallida. Vivienne Westwood Boudoir Provocative and bold, this rich EdP should be worn in the evening for maximum effect.

Amore Pacific & NARS Introduce Firming Foundations

Firming foundations are nothing new, but both Amore Pacific and NARS have recently added brilliant variations to their color collections, taking this category to an exciting new level.

Time Response Skin Renewal Foundation SPF 18 by Amore Pacific is a botanically rich base that adds a youthful glow as it helps to correct your skin. Rather than sit on the surface (as many heavy-duty, anti-aging formulations tend to do...), TRSR blends flawlessly to camoflauge fine lines and discoloration. It also reflects light to illuminate your complexion and distract from imperfections, and lasts all day. $90.

NARS Firming Foundation is also rich in botanical extracts as well as antioxidants, and comes in an impressive 16 shades. Their formulation helps to instantly lift and firm the skin's surface, whilst also utilizing peptides and a patented Gatuline RP complex to reverse the signs of aging in as little as 8 weeks. $50.

Shiseido Pureness Refreshing Cleansing Sheets An ideal bedside companion to a late night out, these oil/alcohol-free sheets wipe away all traces of makeup and leave your skin feeling wonderfully fresh. Sisley Lyslait Cleansing Milk with White Lily I like to alternate between foaming and cream-based cleansers throughout the fall/winter season, and this one is simply extraordinary. Aesop Fabulous Face Cleanser Suitable for all skin types, this cleansing gel provides a deep clean without stripping the skin. M Lab Anti-Aging Eye Cream A super rich cream that helps to minimize dark under-eye circles, reduce fine lines, and calm puffiness. Tammy Fender Antioxidant Creme with Orange & Neroli Truly a ‘multi-vitamin-in-a-jar’, this holistic day cream helps to balance the skin, heal scar tissue, stimulate collagen, and naturally filter UV rays. La Prairie Cellular Resurfacing Cream This luxurious moisturizer (which I use as a night cream) helps to ‘shrink’ large pores, improve elasticity, fight against free radicals, and reduce fine lines.

Darphin 8 Flower Nectar A blend of eight essential oils that detoxify, reduce fine lines, and give your skin a natural glow. Use as needed. Clé de Peau Emulsion Tendre Falling somewhere between a toner and a lotion, this lightweight tonic removes impurities whilst also providing a veil of moisture. Chanel Sublimage Sérum Twice the concentration of the cream, this silky-smooth serum features a powerful (and precious), botanical fruit extract, to help visibly reduce the signs of aging. Nude Facial Scrub Ultra fine beads of rose quartz help this gentle scrub work its magic. Use weekly for optimal results. Philosophy Kiss Me Exfoliating Lip Scrub With the spotlight cast on bold lips this season, prime your pout with this sugar-based scrub. Tracie Martyn Enzyme Exfoliant A brilliant exfoliant that removes dead skin cells, helps to repair sun damage, minimizes large pores and fine lines, and prevents breakouts.

Sonya Dakar Drying Potion Dead Sea sulfur, along with extracts of chamomile, sage and peppermint, make this one of the most effective (and gentle) spot removers on the market. Peter Thomas Roth Lashes To Die For Eyelash Conditioning Treatment I’ve been using this overnight treatment on my lashes and brows, and it’s really quite impressive. My lashes are longer and softer, and my brows have been filling-in remarkably well. Fresh Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask Don’t let the airy texture of this masque fool you, it packs a potent combination of restorative lychee seed extract, softening sake, radiance-boosting black tea, and revitalizing jicama root.

La Mer The Radiant Facial To brighten, tighten, and restore radiance. Ideal for any skin type or age. Givenchy No Surgetics Plasti Sculpt Lifting Mask If you seek a firmer, more contoured complexion (fast), this luxurious treatment is a must. GoSMILE Smile Whitening System A couple minutes each day, for just a week, can remove those coffee/tea stains and other sins from your (soon-to-be) pearly whites.

RéVive Microdermabrasion Renewal System The first step (Microdermabrasion Renewal Crème) retexturizes your skin, whilst the second step (Gelée Calme) helps to soothe and nourish. Elemis Bright Eyes Recovery Gel If you use/abuse your computer, travel often, or study hard, pick-up a tube of this recovery gel- It's amazing. (Malin+Goetz) Detox Face Mask An oxygenating mask that purifies, clarifies, and balances, without stripping the skin.

BeautyMaverick & Allure on The Great Debate

After watching Sarah Palin at the VP debate last week, my friends at Allure Magazine and I had a few thoughts on her overall look... Click here to see what we said.

Yves Saint Laurent Top Secrets Flash Radiance To camouflage, illuminate, and even skin tone; An ideal base for any look. Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 The perfect 'pick-me-up', this lightweight lotion blurs imperfections and provides a dewy glow. Hourglass Veil Fluid Makeup Oil-Free SPF 15 An anti-aging, medium coverage foundation that conceals without being visible on the skin. M.A.C. Cosmetics Studio Finish SPF 35 Concealer You could cover a tatoo with this heavy-duty formulation, yet it blends flawlessly to erase blemishes and dark under-eye circles in a flash. Kanebo Sensai Pressed Powder Lightweight and translucent, this innovative Pressed Powder manages to moisturize the skin whilst reducing excess surface oils. Jemma Kidd Makeup School Dewy Glow in Rose Gold A brilliant highlighter, this warmer shade of Dewy Glow provides a natural radiance sans sparkle or shine.

Prescriptives Fall Dimensions Eye Color Quad in Red/Blue Includes sheer rose, burnished gold, deep navy, and bittersweet chocolate eye shadows. Givenchy Prisme Again! Eyeshadow Quartet in Smoky Shimmer Complete with four shimmering shades: Aubergine, gunmental, black w/white, and rich midnight blue. Lancôme Oscillation Mascara This new mascara amplifies and lengthens every little lash with its vibrating wand and flake-proof formulation. Dior Diorshow Iconic Mascara Dior Mascaras are one of my all-time favorite beauty products, and this version takes lashes to a new extreme. Giorgio Armani Black Sparkling Mascara Use this product on the tip of your lashes (after you've already applied mascara), for an eye-catching look that's surprisingly discreet. Shu Uemura Premium False Eyelashes A look for the more fashion forward, pair any of these fine faux lashes (I adore the Velvet Feather in Black or Brown) with basic black eyeliner, contoured cheeks, and matte nude lips.

Giorgio Armani Lip Wax in #6 A staple for the season, this lip stain/balm can be worn sheer, or layered-on for a more dramatic effect. Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips and Cheeks in Chocolate Cherry Use this soft, cream-based color on your lips or cheeks for the perfect flush. Stila Lip Glaze in Cranberry If matte lips aren't your thing, this cranberry-tinted gloss is a great way to stay on-trend.

Lancôme L'Absolu Rouge in Berry Noir A moisturizing, plum-toned lip color that visibly plumps and smooths your pout. M.A.C Lipstick in So Scarlett Long lasting and rich, M.A.C's classic formulation looks gorgeous in this dark cherry shade. Yves Saint Laurent Gloss Pur Black Layered over any red lip color, this black patent gloss adds depth and dimension (without looking goth).

Hourglass Landscape Color Link Palette Complete with a neutral blush and bronzer (which I use to contour), four eyeshadows, and two shadow/liners, this palette is perfect for the girl-on-the-go. Yves Saint Laurent Palette Collection A limited-edition set of rouge, powder, and highlighter, this glamorous compact is as functional as it is beautiful. NARS Lip Gloss/Lip Stain Duo in Sandpiper and Daredevil Use these two complimentary shades on their own or together, for multiple looks that can take you from day to night.

Essie Nail Polish in Lacy Not Racy Use this beautiful berry shade on its own, or layered under Wicked, for a rich burgundy that compliments the season's bold lip. Chanel Le Vernis in Kaleidoscope With flecks of both gold and silver, this metallic shade is the perfect finish to any fall look. Dior Vernis Nail Lacquer in Blue Poison It may have seemed like spring fling, but midnight blue has made its way into the fall collections as well. This version by Dior has a deep, glossy finish and is virtually chip-proof. Creative Nail Design Nail Enamel in Serenity 'Nude' nails are always in fashion, and can be one the easiest looks to maintain. CND's Serenity is universally flattering and provides sheer, even coverage. Yves Saint Laurent Nail Lacquer in Tuxedo Grey This liquid gunmetal strikes a perfect balance between the rocker chic and menswear-inspired looks of the season. Rescue Beauty Lounge Nail Polish in Film Noir Striking and provocative, this blackcurrant polish adds a touch of vamp to any ensemble.

La Mer The Radiant Facial

It's no secret that I've become a La Mer believer in recent years (The Body Crème and The Concentrate are now two products I can't, or wouldn't want to, live without), but The Radiant Facial is truly in a league of its own.  I'm addicted for the glow it gives, my mum for its ability to erase age spots... La Mer's unique formulation holds clarifying and skin-brightening benefits for a woman of any age. 

The details:

This fast-action treatment begins with a calming primer, which helps prepare your skin to receive the full benefits of The Radiant Mask. Next, you simply lay back and allow the potent concoction contained in La Mer's cotton mask to work its magic.  In as little as eight minutes, your complexion is brightened, tightened, and more even in tone. Of course, with prolonged use, the effects are even more evident and long lasting. The Radiant Facial is also rich in anti-oxidants, so whilst you're treating your complexion, you'll also be protecting it from future damage as well.

At a price fitting La Mer, this product is definitely a splurge. But one that I think is well worth the investment. 

Retailer: CremedelaMer.com
Cost: $320.00