Palacinka featured in Chicago Sun-Times

We were recently featured in the Chicago Sun Times for our latest Weekend Beauty Steal feature!



Click here to see more of our Palacinka press.

Impluse Buy of the Week: Private Collection Amber Ylang Ylang

Much like a perfume can encompass the feeling and mood of softness the same can be said for warmth.

With the cooler fall days and winter approaching, Private Collection Amber Ylang Ylang, created by Aerin Lauder, perfectly evokes a beautiful warmth. From the moment I tried it, I was pleased with this light woody/ vanilla fragrance. It was not too sweet and while touching upon some classic scents of the past, not predictable or boring.

As a matter of fact, Private Collection Amber Ylang Ylang has one of most beautiful openings I've ever smelled. It's warm, soft and round in the begining, with a great deal of the honey and vanilla on my skin, which was lovely. As the day went on and I starting smelling the heart notes, it got a little powdery and even softer. As the base notes came up, while I didn't get much of the ylang ylang there was this interesting mix of the amber and the bergamont which I found really exciting. The staying power was well over 15+ hours and the mix stayed just a lovely to the end.

As you can see, this also makes the perfect luxurious buy because of the bottles.The parfum bottle cap is adorned with semi precious stones of tiger eye, smokey quartz and red agate. The eau de parfum bottle cap was inspired by an exquisite hammered gold necklace and matching bracelet Aerin received as a gift from her grandmother Estee.

This will also make a perfect holiday gift for any fragrance lover - it's so beautiful that you absolutely can not go wrong giving it to someone." RLB

Fragrance Notes: Golden Amber, Ylang Ylang, Bulgarian Rose, Honey, Incense, Vanilla and Sandalwood, Italian Bergamot, Geranium Oil.

The Private Collection Amber Ylang Ylang exclusive collection includes a luxurious Parfum Spray and a lighter, sophisticated Eau de Parfum Spray.

Go-->Private Collection Amber Ylang Ylang

Lumecin Overnight Brightening Treatment

Tester: African-American, late 30's with combination/dry skin and some hyperpigmentation.

"It's meant to look like a prescription product, and in fact, Lumecin did pack a powerful punch to produce a significant change in my skin. I had never heard of this product before, but after doing some research, I found out that quite a few of my fellow beauty lovers use this a part of their skin care regimin, and now I see why!

I used this treatment as directed after cleansing at night. I applied a dime's worth on my skin. It felt extremely light and was smooth to the touch, although visually it looks a bit like Prep H (don't be scared!). It was so light in fact, that I at first doubted what it could do.

That is until the morning after using it for 2 consecutive nights. My skin had an unbelievable glow and the texture was so soft. Every morning after I used it I woke to skin that just looked healthy and alive. It was so easy to just dab a bit of concealer and eye makeup and head out the door I felt so confident about my skin. As directed, I used this every night for about 2 weeks, and then went to 3x week. I didn't experience any irritation or flaking.

During the day I used a lotion with spf to help keep my hyperpigmentation at bay, and combined with this treatment at night, I also saw a significant improvment/lightening of my tiny dark spots left from some previous breakouts. What a fantastic discovery that I suspect you won't be dissapointed by either!" L.D.

Note: Contains 6.5% Protectami®/Glucosamine/Urea

Go-->Lumecin Overnight Brightening Treatment

How to keep busy (and look/feel great) on the Election Day line

We wanted to offer all of you who are heading out to the polls today a checklist of items to pack in your bag that will keep you busy, and help you to look/feel your best if you're on a never ending Election Day line. :)

Happy Voting!

1. Make sure you have some of these for beauty touchups:
Eye drops
Wipes
Hand sanitizer
Facial mist
Facial Blotting paper

2. If you have an iphone download/use the following FREE apps:
Style.com
i.TV
Sex in the City Carrie's Closet
Twitterific (and follow us for beauty news events reviews!)
Evernote to get a jump start on holiday gift lists, organizing and travel plans

3. No iphone? Pick up the Nov Issues of Essence Magazine, Marie Claire or Elle to flip through.

4. A few more products to help you feel your best:
Sprayology spray vitamins
Tarte embrightement lip gloss/teeth whitener
Enviga
Ojon revitalizing mist
ted gibson hair sheet
YSL nail pen

And don't forget that nationwide, Starbucks and Ben & Jerry's are offering free coffee/ice cream scoops, respectively, for all those who voted today! Yay!

MAC Prime + Prep Face Protect SPF 50

Tester: Hispanic (Puerto Rican) with combination/oily skin and frequent breakouts.


"Many all-in-one products sacrifice one thing for another, but in the case of Prime + Prep Face Protect, MAC has achieved a perfect balance. With skin that veers towards oily much of the time, I need a primer to offer a smooth canvas and help my makeup stay in place, all while fighting shine. Now I can have all of that plus SPF which is great.

The texture of this primer is a bit thicker than the average primer (even their original version) as a result of the SPF. I still liked how it felt on my skin, which was creamy and smooth and it absorbed very quickly. It gave me a very nice matte finish. With this product my makeup stayed in tact well over 12+ hours and it did a very nice job controlling my oil in the tzone. So much so that when I used this I only had to blot a few times during the day, as opposed to multiple blotting throughout the day and evening combined with a few powder touch ups like I normally need to.

Even with the added SPF, this formula didn't clog my pores or cause any breakouts. This is now a must have part of my makeup ritual." L.C.

Editor's note: If you have dry/very dry skin this will work best adding a light layer of your regular moisturizer first.


Go-->MAC Prime + Prep Face Protect SPF 50