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Kumaara means "youth" in Sanskrit. Well, who doesn't like that? But it's not the name but the philosophy behind this line that is so appealing. Kumaara harnesses powerful ingredients from nature to get results, that is youth. All organic ingredients like goji, indian, gooseberry, bearberry and acai are known to be potent anti-oxidants that ward off the evil free radicals. The SPF 15 Antioxidant Protection cream is also a lightweight skin firming moisturizer so it is all you need for day. I have bushels of sunscreens, some with SPF 80+ but none of them are going to do a damn thing if I don't actually use it because the thought of slathering thick gunky cream on my face, even to save me from wrinkles is simply unpleasant. This cream is not only lightweight but goes on completely matte, with absolutely no feeling of residue or oiliness. Which means, and this is the most important part of sunscreen, I am happy and actually look forward to reapplying it throughout the day. It goes on under foundation with no build up and can even go over it (sure, it does mess up my contouring and blush but that's a small price to pay). The tube has a pump on it so is perfectly safe to keep in my bag all day long, which I do - I reapply in the car while waiting for a light. I am getting ready to do pixelated carbon dioxide laser resurfacing (will do a full story on that shortly) so it is of utmost importance that I use sunscreen religiously prior to the treatment. It says a lot that this is my sunscreen of choice for such a consequential occasion! Kumaara Antioxidant Protection, $59.95.

Anyone who reads what I write on a somewhat regular basis probably knows that I'm very self conscious about the fact that I'm so ghostly pale! I have constant tan-envy. While I'm surrounded with olive skinned-beauties basking in the sun, I'm hiding under my hat and sunglasses, my body often covered in a towel. I'm not big on the self tanners and I rarely do spray tans because either I end up looking too orange or I just feel icky and like I'm totally covered in makeup (plus when the spray tan starts to fade it can get patchy not to mention if you get it done in the summer and don't have time to let it dry completely, it will start to melt off...). Little surprise that when I heard that Temptu was going to come out with a home airbrushing kit, I inquired immediately! This inquiry was quite a few months ago and it wasn't until two weeks ago that I finally met with a Temptu rep about the at home kit. Temptu literally does airbrushing for ALL the stars -- even guys like Robert Pattinson, Chase Crawford, and a bunch of athletes love it -- it's THAT natural looking. Ironically when I was planning on meeting with the rep, Ava, I suggested going to Nespresso, a cafe which is right by my apartment. Turns out Temptu Air's pod system was inspired by the sleek Nespresso pods! More after the jump. 

What I'm about to share with you may put me out of business but the true secret to my glowing skin, shiny hair and tough nails is a spoonful a day of the 'secret' oil I've been taking for years-- "Essential Women" Organic Oil from Barleans. Okay, so my creams and serums have a lot to do with it, too, but I swear this oil makes a huge difference! I went 6 months without taking it as an experiment and my skin was noticeably less supple (at least to me) and my 'monthly' cramps were unbearable!  You'd have to talk to my hubby about my mood swings but when I told him about stopping the oil as an experiment he offered to buy me a case of it.  I started taking the oil again 4 months ago and am happy to report all is well in my body again (I still have raggy moods, hello it's not a miracle oil.)

"Essential Women" is derived from seeds of botanical flowers such as evening primrose and flax, as well as special plant phytonutirents that not only make women beautiful, but help balance our hormones and make us sane (or I should say less insane) during PMS, menopause and other female issues.

I'm telling you, got get yourself a bottle immediately-- or the soft gel if you are traveling. I prefer the oil cuz I hate swallowing pills and only take it on trips. I mix a spoonful of the oil each morning into my yogurt or soy milk and don't even taste it!   Don't worry, there is no fishy taste that so many other omega oils have. The Essential Woman is the first product of it's kind to combine a full compliment of therapeutically beneficial nutrients targeted for the special and changing needs of a woman. 8 oz bottle is $18.95 and lasts about a month if taken daily. 12 oz bottle is $27.37. 60ct bottle of gel caps is $14.95 and 120 count bottle is $28.47. Buy "Essential Women" oil here.

Special tip: during that time of the month, double the dosage to two spoonfuls a day, I rarely get cramps or any kind of bloating!

Suggested Use: One tablespoon daily. May be taken straight, mixed with yogurt or cottage cheese, in oatmeal or as an ingredient in salad dressings, protein drinks or blended beverages.

Prevention is at least 100 times more important than reversal. Especially when it comes to wrinkles! I have always loved Caudalie but their new 1st Wrinkle line of moisturizing creams and serums is really making me a happy girl! Girl being the operative word. I am terrified of turning into "mam", I cringe every time someone calls me "mam". Caudalie uses the antioxidant benefits of grape seeds, it is the basis of their entire line, which fits right in with my daily antioxidant regimen of wine and chocolate =) I have been using Darphin to prevent aging but I think I am still a few year away from such heavy creams. Caudalie is perfect for my combination skin while still leaving it manageably matte. The 1st Wrinkle Cream is actually a bit too much for the summer, I tend to get really oily so the Pulpe Vitaminee 1st Wrinkle Fluid is really light and more appropriate for hot days. I go back and forth between the two, depending on how my skin feel but only the cream at night. The best part though has to be the smell, it reminds me of Japanese melon gum. Yum! Caudalie Pulpe Vitaminee 1st Wrinkle Cream at Sephora for $55.

It's always exciting when Chanel launches a new collection. I know my friend Kari Schlegel will be at the Chanel counter the minute she reads this, a true beauty snob, she has snatched up every Chanel Beaute collection since high school! This Fall, Chanel is inspired by romantic city of Venice. As a city built on water, Venice was a source of great intrigue for Gabrielle Chanel. She saw it as simultaneously dramatic and fragile - qualities she herself possessed. With the imagination of the CHANEL Makeup Studio, Venice comes to life in a palette reflective of the city's shimmering facades and mosaics, and the sparkling aquatic colors of its lagoons.  I love the new Gondola nail polish above right in a rich shade of red, very vampy and sexy! 

The Gel Cream eye shadow quad is CHANEL's latest makeup innovation. It puts glowing new emphasis on the eyes with a gel-cream texture that blends from sheer to intense. The subtle luminous sheen has a surprisingly and decidedly sophisticated effect. $65 at Chanel.com (Jump for complete details)

First off, besides being highly recommended by my dermatologist, unlike almost any other product in my arsenal, every La Roche-Posay product clearly displays its expiration date. This is essential because even stores like Sephora sometimes carry out-of-date products. Just yesterday I was in the Sephora in the Flatiron-area in NYC buying some travel essentials for my 4th of July trip to Chicago when I noticed that the GO Smile set I picked-up expired last October! Eww! At least it clearly displayed the date. Why isn't there a law that requires all products to list an expiration date!? Luckily La Roche-Posay is always coming-out with new products to target various skin issues. Timed to summer when heat and sweat make many us break-out prone, they have a new line of products called Effaclar. First to cleanse they've got Effaclar Gel ($19.50) which is a foaming cleansing gel for acne-prone, oily/combination, and skin that is irritated by acne treatments (wish this was out when I was going through the trauma that was applying to college!). The cleanser effectively cleanses though it did leave my skin dry (it's also oil-free), so moisturizing after application will likely be necessary. Jump for more!

I was introduced to "Motives" cosmetics by a bag designer friend, Adriana Castro. She has the world's most beautiful and velvety skin and she told me her secret was a line called Motives cosmetics. I asked to be put in touch with the Creative Director, Loren Ridinger, and have hounded her ever since. Seriously, this line is really outstanding. From the Liquid to Powder mineral foundation to the award winning Pressed eye shadow palettes, I am really addicted! But the most exciting discovery is its Angled Eyeliner brush (for cat eye fanatics like myself). I have tried every eye liner brush out there, and always end up using angled brow brushes because not many companies make an angled eyeliner brush let alone a good one. You must try this, the best part is-- it's only $8.50!  Less than a martini these days and how many things can you say that about!?!?   At Motives Cosmetics.com  Get one of the gel liners ($15.95) while you're at it, you just dip the brush in the pot and apply-- easy and mess free!

I am on a quest to try all the new liquid mineral make up on the market right now. It just feels so much better on my skin and I am less prone to break outs. Prescriptives is expanding its mineral portfolio and launching a liquid mineral makeup, All Skins Mineral Makeup. This will be my next mineral liquid foundation to test out. It's a longwearing liquid mineral makeup that is infused with vitamins, minerals and their exclusive R.E.C. (Radiance Emitting Crystals - a unique complex of Amethyst, Rose Quartz and Calcite to give skin a soft, luminous finish as if it were "glowing from within." ) to give skin extra luminosity. I'll report back to you once I've gotten my sample. I am impressed with the extensive choice in shades-- you're sure to find your exact match of this new longwearing liquid mineral makeup from Prescriptives with 18 shades! From the lightest to the darkest, I think they've got us covered! Check the shades out here, $32.50

The most fun part of being a beauty blogger is playing with make up under the guise of 'working'. I reserve Saturday mornings for beauty parties in my bathroom (and yes, I'm the only guest but I have enough fun for 100!) and I send my hubby off with our son to golf with a stern "I HAVE TO WORK PLEASE DO NO BOTHER ME FOR 3 HOURS". It's not my fault that my work is playing with beauty products but don't think it's not hard work-- applying make up precisely takes the skill of a steady hand and dedicated concentration :) This weekend I tested products from "Motives" by Loren Ridinger-- a custom formulated cosmetics line infused with antioxidants and vitamins that enhance a girl's beauty while nourishing her skin.  Loren set out to create her own line after years of using hundreds of products that left her unsatisfied.  The result is a high quality and revolutionary line of products that every woman, on any budget can enjoy.  She sent me her favorite items and I reviewed them below in the order of my favorites (I am not a democracy and I don't have to be fair ;)

1. Liquid Powder Mineral Make Up- I am obsessed with this product and used it both Saturday and Sunday. What impressed me most was the finish-- the liquid texture is lightweight but the minute you blend in to the skin it becomes a velvety powder texture without any kind of residue nor cakeyness or dryness. I tested it by applying 4 coats and the finish remained flawless. I love it because you can reapply throughout the day! Usually you can not reapply liquid foundation once you have powdered up-- since it is a liquid to powder-- you can keep adding layers to it depending on coverage. A must have for quick touch ups after work if you have social events to attend! I used "Tender beige" and it looked like my skin and even in the brightest of sun light, you could not detect I had 4 layers of foundation on! Most mineral make up comes in messy loose powder versions that make it hard to control, this is by far the most amaaaaaaazing mineral make up, ever! You must try and I promise you will love! Order the Liquid Powder Foundation for $25 here.  (Note: I pat layers of this foundation gently into my skin, do not rub as it dries to a powder finish and you don't want to rub it off.  No need for sponge or blending, just pat it on until desired coverage!)
2. Full Coverage Photo Finish Powder: If you have oily skin or live in very hot weather, try this powder. It is designed to be used as a foundation and gives a full coverage. Again, I layered it yet it did not feel heavy! I used the Neutral medium and it gave a slightly heavier coverage than the liquid. I even used it over the liquid foundation just for fun and it still looked quite natural! Order powder here, $24.50.

3. Pressed Eyeshadow (Bedroom Eyes)- This pearlized eye shadow goes on smooth and gives a fabulous sparkle to the eye. Loren sent me "Bedroom Eyes" and I swear I was flirty all night with the hubby! I have brown eyes but I think it would really look pretty with blue eyes, too. It gives a soft shimmer to the lids and I applied it alone to give a wash of color which made it look really natural. Pressed eye shadow $12.50 here.



4. Essential Lip Kit-- Love this lip kit!  It has all the colors you need for work or play-- there are 9 shades per palette that you can blend or use alone and is really perfect for travel. I got the "Noon to Night" palette and the colors are fabulous and flattering!   It goes on like a lip gloss and has a gorgeous glimmer to the texture.  Lip kit $35 here.

Vichy has just come-out with three new products: Aqualia Thermal Light Fortifying & Soothing 24Hr Hydrating Care ($27), Aqualia Thermal Mat Fortifying & Soothing 24Hr Hydrating Gel with Anti-Shine Effect ($25), and Normaderm Pro Mat Hydrating Care. I love Vichy because they're affordable, effective and trust-worthy (they're tied with La Roche-Posay when it comes to my fave drugstore finds). I've never had a bad reaction to anything from Vichy (I have very sensitive, pale skin and am prone to redness), and all of their products are backed by a ton of research (they're actually the #1 selling skincare brand in European pharmacies). Their Normaderm line is great for summer when skin is especially sensitive and prone to breakouts and for those with very oily skin. Vichy researchers actually found a link between UV rays and oil production in skin, so they managed to find a formula with SPF coverage that inhibits oil production without leaving a white film or clogging pores. Called Ultra Mattifying Oil-Free Lotion ($21), it will be launching in August. It's basically the day-time version of Vichy Normaderm Night ($24), which I've been using on and off for months. The formulation is lightweight, there is an instant matte and tightening effect, and it helps minimize the size of pores. Jump for more!