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Elizabeth Arden - are you a fan?

How do you feel about the Elizabeth Arden brand? I worked for Red Door Spas for awhile, and we used the Elizabeth Arden skincare and makeup lines. My personal opinion of the skincare is that it's decent, but the makeup? Not so much.

And the fact that Catherine Zeta-Jones drives me batty doesn't help my impression of the brand!

In fact, I find EA horridly out-of-date. First and foremost: hello, it's 2009! Why do we not make cosmetics that work on women of color? How frustrating.  I used to dread seeing a dark-complected woman coming around the corner because I knew I was going to have to tell her I didn't have a foundation that would work on her skin.

And by the way, it's completely possible to make cosmetics for the "everyday woman" that aren't so washed-out they're hardly visible! I am a blank canvas with my fair, NW15 skin (which, by the way, EA doesn't make a foundation for!). However, when you put EA eye shadows on, they're hardly visible. If you can't see them on me, what does that say for other women?  Yes, natural makeup is a bigger seller than strong pigments are, on the whole, but please! I refer you to Bobbi Brown, Trish McEvoy, and Laura Mercier (among others) as brands who create products for the everyday woman and makeup fiends alike, but with a nice, beautiful palette of quality products that are rich in pigment, if not in audacity.

And how about less focus on the almighty gift-with-purchase and a little more on the collections themselves, huh? YAWN. They're boring! And they're nearly identical to one another. There's nothing there to inspire someone to purchase each and every collection. One will do, thanks.

On the up side, the newest EA lipsticks, Color Intrigue Effects, are really good! In fact, I really like the Bronze Berry Pearl shade, especially. It's one of my faves from my whole stash. Now... let's just update the rest of the line, ok*? 

Actually, it seems that the company agrees! I just read an article that says EA is changing their focus. CEO E Scott Beattie says he's goal is taking the company from a $600 million operation to a $1billion operation! Part of the way that's going to happen, apparently, is by putting more emphasis on skincare and cosmetics, and pulling back a bit on the fragrance throttle. Concentrating more on unifying their brand presence globally will also help strengthen the brand.

Now, Mr. Beattie - how 'bout that women of color thing?

*I'm available for consulations - for a fee. ;)

source

So how do you feel about Elizabeth Arden cosmetics?

And now, the news...

I have been a not-so-diligent poster in the past few weeks, and for that I apologize. I am hoping that the family's health is stabilized and the work situation is evening out, and that I am a much more prolific blogger. For now, let's catch up on the news together:

• Planning on ordering from Elizabeth Arden online for the first time? They're celebrating the reopening of their flagship store in NY and you benefit! Get a free 1oz 5th Avenue fragrance with any order of $50 or more by entering in the code CELEBRATE at checkout.
• Speaking of Elizabeth Arden, their new Summer collection has launched! It's called Bronze and it's really pretty. It includes a great little fold-up palette with 4 limited edition eyeshadows and a bronzer/blush duo; 3 lipsticks that are a preview of the new lipstick formula with a to-be-announced-later launch date; a bronzing mousse (it's nice!); a powder bronzer compact; and two gel liners (black and bronze). A review of the collection is coming soon.
• Vanishing Varnish! What happens when enterprising and clever girls are banned from wearing nail polish at school? Why, they invent a polish that appears almost non-existent inside, but reacts to ultraviolet light outside and turns into a visible color! What a cool idea - I can't wait for it to hit the market. Sign me up to test drive it! Source. Thanks for the heads-up .
• No stranger to cosmetics for a cause, Lush has a new UK product that's politically driven - £2.75 gets you Guantánamo Garden, an orange Bath Bomb colored to represent the jumpsuits worn by detainees at the US's controversial Guantánamo Bay base. The Bath Bomb was created to support closure of the base and it releases a picture of two detainees when it dissolves in water (regardless of how you feel about Guantánamo Bay's base, that's fairly nifty!). Proceeds benefit Reprieve, a group who "campaigns for legal representation for Guantánamo prisoners and for those in US prisons facing the death penalty." The bath bomb is orange, jasmine and chocolate-y goodness and is emblazoned with a white dove.  Source
• MAC's Dazzleglass promo pic has surfaced in multiple spots. Take a look, then read up on the collection here. Source


• Besame Cosmetics has dramatically reduced the price of some of their products to make room for "new and exciting" items coming soon. Swing by the site to see the discounts on items like Cashmere Powder Compact, Masterliner Eye Pencils, Loose Powder, Lip Glazes,  Rose Lotion, Alluring Shadows, and Boudoir Rouge. (Some other items are already sold out, so not listed here)
• Bumble and Bumble recently introduced a new hairspray developed backstage - it's incredibly flexible and quick-drying, due to "intelligent polymers" that help hold almost any style. Take a look at Bumble and Bumble's spray de MODE. Thanks Blogdorf Goodman for the heads-up.
• Here are some great beauty tips from Allure magazine and Allure.com (please try to ignore the fact that the editors didn't catch that the page is quite vividly mislabeled as the April 2007 issue):
  • Green tea as a topical antioxidant is only effective if it's made up of 50 percent polyphenols. How to tell if yours has what it takes? The cream or serum will be brown.                    
  • If you want to experiment with bangs, first try a side-swept style rather than a blunt cut. This flatters most face shapes and is easiest to grow out.

  • To prevent split ends, blow-dry hair when it's damp (not wet) and add two or three drops of silicone serum to the ends.

                       
• Angelina Jolie has made a new ad for Shiseido, and here it is:

Have you ever wondered about Prevage?

Ok, I know it's expensive, but so are a lot of things that are good for you, right? You may have wondered if you're a good candidate for Prevage, and the answer is probably. It's great for fending off skin damage from aging, sun exposure, and the elements (smoky bars, anyone?). It will also help reduce some of those problems if it's already a bit too late and you've got some fine lines, pigmentation, dullness, or uneven texture.

The active ingredient in Prevage is called Idebenone, which is widely considered to be the most effective antioxidant currently on the market. Prevage is a collaboration between Elizabeth Arden and Botox makers, Allergan. The product comes in a serum, an eye treatment, and a night cream. The serum is really the major impact for the skin, and it can be smoothed on before moisturizing with the product of your choice (though Elizabeth Arden would urge you to increase the benefits by putting on the coordinating night cream before going to bed!).

If you're interested in trying these products, check out this nice set, below. Still costs a pretty penny, but you get to sample the products and see what - if anything- you want to make a part of your long-term skincare plan.

The set includes:    
* PREVAGE® Anti-aging Treatment 1.7 fl. oz.    
* PREVAGE® Eye anti-aging Moisturizing Treatment, .5 fl. oz.    
* Plus two deluxe travel sizes of PREVAGE® for face and PREVAGE® Eye.

It doesn't include the night cream, though, which is a bummer.

The set shown in this post is $240 and available at ElizabethArden.

A few disclaimers:

• There are folks who aren't necessarily sure that Idebenone is all it's cracked up to be. It may not have the long-term effects that are promised by folks who use it in their products. (Elizabeth Arden and Allergan are quick to discount that by citing high percentages of users who noticed "some improvement" in the skin problems targeted.
• Idebenone can be a bit strong for certain skins, so make sure you try these products only twice a week for awhile, then gradually work your way up to daily usage! If you notice irritation, discontinue the product!

I will say that my favorite estheticians really love this product and use it themselves, so that makes me think it's worth trying. What do you think? Have you tried Prevage? Thoughts?