The Future of Beauty is Here - In the Drugstore Aisle!

Last night, I went to a press event by Proctor & Gamble featuring the latest offerings from many of their brands, such as Olay, Olay ProX, Secret, Gillette Venus and more - as well as a look into future trends for hair, fashion and beauty with beauty and lifestyle expert, Rebekah George.

I'll be telling all of you about many of these in detail very soon in my Drugstore Buy of the Week series, but I wanted to give you a preview of 3 products in particular which really impressed me and that you'll love too!

Olay Professional Pro-X Intensive Firming Treatment Kit (pictured, above). The latest product offering in the Olay Pro-X line is a kit which includes a powerful skin-firming serum, plus a luxurious cloth facial mask infused with Olay Pro-X formula, which is adjustable to fit around the unique contours of your face. Each mask is also individually packaged as well, which makes this a wonderful way to pamper yourself while traveling.

Olay Total Effects Body Wash, Deep penetrating Moisture is a brand new concept from Olay - Anti-aging body care. This new body wash uses technology from their Total Effects skincare and transforms it for the body. (Smells great too!).

Gillette Venus Spa Breeze Disposable Razors are a fantastic option for travel or the gym, especially for those of you who a big fan of their original Gillette Venus refillable razor like I am!

These razors, which perfectly fit the hand for shaving any area, also feature 2 in 1 cartridges and have shave gel bars built right into the razor head. - RLB

FREE Kerastase Samples - Today Only!

Our friends at Kerastase let me know about an amazing offer for Palacinka Readers!

TODAY only, (February 9th), they are offering five deluxe sample collections from some of their most sought-after and famed product lines, with a $85 purchase.

Those of you who have experienced Kerastase know of the high level of quality in their products and amazing results.

If there's a particular Kerestase product or new line you've always want to try, don't wait to take advantage of this 1-Day ONLY special offer from Kerestase! - RLB

Go-->Kerastase.com

No "Famine of Beauty" on America's Next Top Model with Andre Leon Talley

If you loved Andre Leon Talley's infamous comment: “It's a famine of beauty – a famine of beauty, honey!!” from the hit movie "The September Issue", then you're in for a treat...

According to WWD, after 13 seasons of the reality show, America's Next Top Model, Vogue Editor-at-Large, and overall fabulous Fashion personality Andre Leon Talley (if you haven't seen him in The Septemeber Issue, you must do so!), is joining Tyra Banks as a judge.

Talley says, “...I felt maybe I could contribute something to it that had not been on the show. I just felt that it was a way to step out of the box and associate myself with a very important American success story, a very important brand — Tyra Banks.”

And Talley won't be dissapointing us in the Fashion department either. His “Top Model” wardrobe will consist of 13 custom-made Chado Ralph Rucci cloaks, varying only in color or fabric. “I went to Ralph Rucci when I started this thing,” Talley said. “We came up with these wonderful designs that are based on 17th-century Edo samurai tunic-coats. And Ralph, who is extraordinarily gifted, understood my desire to have something that would pop on TV.”

I, for one, cannot wait to see him with the ANTM cast and I'm really looking forward to hearing his opinions of the girls, his suggestions and comments on the photoshoots (and of course their beauty looks in the layouts and runway scenes)! - RLB

For more details on Talley joining the ANTM show click here for the full story on WWD!

Image courtesy of WWD

Super Cute! - Smiley Body Wash

In this series of beauty & personal care product finds - Super Cute!- I'll be telling you about products which have innovative, artistic, fantasy, child-like, vintage and/or retro themes and an "irresistible" quality to them!

These make perfect little splurges and gifts for yourself or for the girly girl (or someone youthful in spirit!) in your life too.

Dragging your feet this morning?

Perhaps you need something to give you a burst of energy and a smile on your face?

That's where Smiley body wash can come in handy.

The Smiley body wash is part of the Smiley fragrance and body care collection, filled not only with super energizing citrus fragrances, but also micro-nutrients which the company claims can actually active a happy feeling!

Smiley products contain Theobromine and Phenylethylamine (made from cocoa extract), combined with a cocktail of essential oils of orange, cocoa, pimento (!), patchouli and more, to increase your sense of well being.

I discovered this line about a year and a half ago, and absolutely love it. I always replenish when I run out - I love seeing this bright, cheery bottle and smiley face in my bathroom. This never fails to give me the right start to my day.The smell is lovely and energizing without being too powerful and overwhelming, and it moisturizes as it cleanses as well.

I can't promise you everything in your day will go right after using this, but at least you will get out of the house starting on a good note - and with a smile. :) - RLB

* Theobromine: blocks the receivers of adrenalin that create stress
* Phenylethylamine: has euphoric properties, sets off a feeling of joy and excitement

Go-->Smiley Body Wash

Quoted in Sheknows.com - How much is pretty worth?

Now, more than ever, you may be wondering exactly where you should invest your beauty dollars, and when (or if) you should buy more expensvie brands.

Here are some of my thoughts on this from from an article in Sheknows.com that I was quoted in a little while ago. -RLB


When to break out the bucks...

Risi-Leanne Baranja, Editor-in-Chief of international beauty product review site palacinka.com, features thousands of reviews from over 400+ global brands and products.

She offers a few tips to keep in mind about what you're buying when paying more:

-More concentrated ingredients: A little will go a long way, which means money saved in the long run.
-More quality ingredients and testing, leading to in better results. Put simply, the better your skin looks in the end, the less foundation, powder, etc. that you will need to use!

-More glamorous and sturdy packaging (this is for women who love what their beauty products look like in addition to how they work.)

-Value is never about price point -- women will pay a lot of money for products that work. In the end, even if a product if very cheap, if it doesn't work, and doesn't make the you feel great, then it's not a value -- no matter what the price.

To read the whole article, and find out more about what exactly goes into a more expensive beauty product, click here.

A Little More MINX Fun - 2010 Grammy Edition

One of my favorite nail products, Minx, made quite a splash with some of my favorite music stars at last week's Grammys!

Beyonce Knowles, who won six awards including Song of the Year for "Single Ladies", was wearing special edition Golden Hologram Minx nails, applied by New York celebrity manicurist Lisa Logan who flew to California to do Beyonce's nails for the Grammy awards.

Rihanna, who won Best Rap Song with Jay-Z and Kanye West, wore customized "Minx Money" nails (SO cool!), applied by LA-based celebrity manicurist Kimmie Kyees.

And, Keri Hilson, who was nominated for the Best New Artist award, wore Tease Me White and Silver Minx from the new Teaser line launched in January of this year. Keri's Minx was applied by Houston-based manicurist Athena Elliott.

For more information and to find a salon that is Minx certified, please visit: http://www.minxnails.com











Photos by Adam Orchon and Kimmie Kyees

Indulge Your Inner Rocker or Romantic on Valentine's Day

This week's guest review is courtesy of Thefind.com



This morning I was treated to a morning of fragrance and beauty at the Victoria's Secret Valentine's Beauty Preview and Gifting Suite at the Four Season's hotel in San Francisco. The elegant suite was strewn with gorgeous spring flowers and several of Victoria Secret's beauty collections. Before today I wasn't too familiar with Victoria Secret's beauty line-up. I must admit I was impressed at the variety of products, quality and well-designed packaging. I will be revealing more fab finds from this go-to resource for beauty and fragrance in the upcoming weeks.

Today I will be sharing a few of my favorite picks for Valentine's gifting. I am always out scouting interesting and fun new products and here are four picks for Valentine's Day.

All girls have their naughty and nice sides. Perhaps it depends on the day, the occasion or the event? These beauty collections from Victoria's Secret speak to the rebel and romantic in all of us. Love Rocks pays tribute to your inner wild at heart, while the Tease for Two appeals to a softer and sweeter side. Both are perfectly appropriate for gifting or receiving.

You have seen the moto-inspired trends all over the runways. Think leather Balmain motorcycle jackets, Pierre Hardy boots and Alexander Wang's studded Coco duffel. Karl Lagerfeld even outfitted a custom Chanel motorcycle. A fresh take on this trend is the Victoria's Secret Love Rocks Eau de Parfum (1.7 oz., $39). Fit for a rebel who is also a romantic at heart, this scent is a fruity floral giving off top notes of Bergamot, Peony and Raspberry sorbet. Middle notes includes scents of Sandalwood flower, Jasmine, Peach nectar, and Plum. The Love Rocks eau de parfum is bottled in a striking red lacquer bottle and the atomizer is accessorized with a black leather rosette. Another item from this collection that caught my eye is the super sweet Love Rocks Lip Gloss Ring ($12), it opens up to a little pot of sheer cherry red lip gloss and the word "Rocks" inscribed inside.

These gifts are for indulging your romantic side and sharing with another. A wearable and edible treat, from the Tease for Two collection, the Vanilla Craving Edible Shimmer Powder ($15) can be dusted on your décolleté for a pretty glimmer and nibbled off later. It is very delicate and is lightly scented, doesn't leave a harsh metallic glimmer like some shimmering body powders. Also perfect for Valentine's most intimate moments is the Kissable Massage Oil ($15)...the perfect ending to a romantic evening.

Disclaimer - I was provided with samples of products by Victoria's Secret for editorial review purposes.