In This Issue:

Thymes Agave Foaming Bath, Diane Von Furstenberg’s Diane The Fragrance, Luxurious Gift Sets for Any Budget, Trending Now ~ Dark Lips!, ‘Tis the Season for…Pumpkin, Hair Tips and Trends from master Stylist Luigi Murenu, See Spot Run with Mela-D, The Bun Is Back, Pleasant River Soaps and Lip Balms, Bath and Body Works Fall Essentials, Get Frizz-Free Bangs with Hairdo Clip-In Bangs, The Revolutionary Amica Pulse Action Styler System, Sally Hansen Beauty Tools, Slatkin & Co. Print Scentportables, Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips, Australian Gold’s After Sun Moisture Lock Tan Extender, Clark’s Botanicals Deep Moisture Mask

AND THE ALLURE BEST OF BEAUTY AWARD GOES TO. . .

THYMES AGAVE NECTAR FOAMING BATH

Thymes Agave Nectar Foaming Bath is the proud recipient of the Allure Best of Beauty Award for Best Bath Product.  Allure’s expert team of beauty editors annually tests thousands of beauty products to select the year’s best and brightest innovations. The prestigious awards constitute a trusted list of top-performing products for consumers.

Thymes Agave Nectar Foaming Bath allows you to turn your bath into an oasis with the energizing scent of agave, ruby red grapefruit, tangy guava and succulent lemon blossom. The foaming bath’s rich blend of aloe and glycerin conditions skin as the refreshing fragrance invigorates your spirit.

The Agave Nectar collection is rich with conditioning, quenching benefits. Aloe Vera soothes and heals the skin, as a crisp blend of ruby red grapefruit, tangy guava, and succulent lemon blossom enlivens the skin and the spirit. Like all Thymes formulations, the Agave Nectar collection is free of parabens, SLES, SLS, propylene glycol, mineral oil, petrolatum and animal-derived ingredients.

WHAT IT COSTS: $20.00

WHERE TO FIND IT: www.Thymes.com

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DIANE VON FURSTENBERG’S DIANE THE FRAGRANCE

“Everything I know about seduction is in the bottle.” -Diane von Furstenberg

Diane von Furstenberg has launched her fragrance DIANE, which, as the ultimate accessory, is a truly personal fragrance that reflects a lifetime of seduction, glamour, travel, and style. “I wanted to remind women of the power of perfume and I put all of my power of seduction into it,” says von Furstenberg, who has been on a world fragrance tour spreading her message that “I want the woman who wears DIANE to feel like herself and to be the woman she wants to be!”

Created in collaboration with industry maven Chantal Roos and master perfumer Aurelien Guichard of Givaudan, DIANE opens with bold, seductive notes of Frangipani, an exotic floral discovered on a trip to Bali. Frangipani is intertwined with subtle notes of Violet, giving the scent a fresh feel and a sensual, mysterious edge. The fragrance’s feminine power is enhanced by base notes of myrrh, musk and patchouli.

DIANE comes in a bottle featuring interlocking golden rings evocative of another signature Diane von Furstenberg accessory: the Sutra bracelet. Timeless and glamorous, the bottle is as alluring as the fragrance within.

“I wanted to create a classic,” said Von Furstenberg, “to get back to what a perfume is supposed to do: smell good and seduce.”

Diane von Furstenberg, one of the premier names in American fashion, was founded in 1972 by the designer. Renowned for its iconic wrap dress and signature prints, DVF has grown into the global luxury lifestyle brand it is today. The company, headquartered in New York City, now offers four complete collections a year, swimwear and accessories. The full range of accessories extends to shoes, handbags, small leather goods, scarves, eyewear, fine jewelry, watches and luggage. In 2011, DVF debuted a home collection, encompassing tabletop, bedding and rugs. This fall, DVF will introduce Diane the fragrance. DVF is currently sold in 72 countries and 61 shops worldwide, including 41 stand-alone boutiques.

DIANE is available at Bloomingdale’s.  For more information, please visit www.DVF.com.

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LUXURIOUS GIFT SETS FOR ANY BUDGET

The temperature is dropping and before you know it the holidays will be upon us! The holiday season is associated with warmth and joyfulness. When you reflect on it, these feelings don’t come from the presents and festive décor alone, they originate from the joy of giving. Below are some luxurious gift sets for any budget that will make the perfect present for your loved ones.

Gifts under $75

Peter Som For Clark’s Botanicals Travel Kit ~ $59 at www.clarksbotanicals.com

The perfect gift for a jet-setting fashionista, the bold floral print from Peter Som’s Fall 2011 runway collection comes together with Clark’s Botanicals innovative skin care line to create this Limited Edition Travel Kit.

Philip B. The Calming Collection ~ $50 (A $56 Value!) at www.philipb.com

Treat your loved one to an ultra relaxing indulgence with this delightful duo that delivers a soothing deep clean from head to toe. The Lavender Hair & Body Shampoo preserves hair color while the Light-Weight Deep Conditioning Crème Rinse does impeccable tangle control. This gift comes in the signature Philip B. black gift box tied with a red satin ribbon.

Gifts under $25

Upper Canada Soap Naturally Body Wash and Body Lotion in Warm Honey Nectar ~ $16 at www.uppercanadasoap.com

The festive holiday gift box makes this gift ready to give! No wrapping paper necessary. On their own, Upper Canada Soap’s Body Wash and Lotion keep skin soft and supple but together they are the ultimate power couple in moisturizing and smoothing skin.

Upper Canada Soap Sweet Indulgence Cupcake Lip Glosses ~ $2.50 each at www.uppercanadasoap.com

These delectable cupcakes make amazing stocking stuffers and are a wonderfully hydrating treat for lips.

Available in 4 (calorie-free!)  flavors: Chocolate, Strawberry, Vanilla, and Cherry.

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TRENDING NOW – DARK LIPS!

Make a statement this season with gorgeous lip color from ybf Aqua Light Liplights. Slide on scintillation! These lip glosses help reflect light for a beautifully fashionable, get-you-noticed look. Layer it on top of your lipstick or wear alone for a super-glossy, irresistible pout.

They come in 2 different shades:

~ Neutral: Rustic Reflection, Twlight Tan and Twinkle Taupe

~ Wine: Glimmering Grape, Luminous Lilac and Vivid Violet.

Price: $19.80

Where to buy: www.ybfstacey.com & www.hsn.com

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‘TIS THE SEASON FOR…PUMPKIN!

Autumn has begun ~ which means it is time to enjoy the little luxuries that this season has to offer. Long walks in the park, watching the leaves change and indulging in seasonal treats help savor that warm and comforting feeling that fall always delivers. Below are a couple of our favorite fall products that capture the aromas of autumn.

Upper Canada Soap Relaxing Bubble Bath

$11.99 at www.uppercanadasoap.com

Relax in a deliciously sweet scented bath with this indulgent bubble bath by Upper Canada Soap.  Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter and Sugar Maple Extract deeply moisturize skin and leave behind a hint of the fall aroma.

True Blue Spa Renewing Face Mask with Pumpkin

$12.00 at www.bathandbodyworks.com

Put your best face forward for the new season with True Blue Spa’s Renewing Face Mask with warm scents of pumpkin and cinnamon. Sweep away dead skin cells while moisturizing dry skin to reveal a fresh and refined complexion.

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HAIR TIPS AND TRENDS FROM MASTER STYLIST LUIGI MURENU

Now that summer is officially over and the autumn air is upon us, it’s time for some hair tips and trends from Luigi Murenu, the master stylist behind the hair at super-chic Fall 2011 runway shows including Pucci and MaxMara.

Below, Luigi describes how to take these runway-ready looks to real life using products available at your local drugstore.

THE LOOK: Sleek 70s Chignon

DESCRIPTION: Sexy, powerful and extremely chic ~ this style is masculine in the front and feminine, bold, and super shiny from the back.

SEEN AT: Salvatore Ferragamo

HAIR BY LUIGI: Work John Frieda Luxurious Volume Thickening Mousse ($6.50) into wet hair as a base as “it’s amazing at thickening up even the finest hair.” Create a deep side part with a comb, and blowdry hair flat to the head. Pull back hair and secure into a low pony tail with a thin elastic. Apply John Frieda Frizz-Ease Secret Weapon Flawless Finishing Crème ($6.99) to the ends of the ponytail, and twist them up around the elastic into a low chignon. Spritz John Frieda Frizz-Ease 100% Shine Glossing Mist ($5.50) over the entire look for a sleek, glossy finish.

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THE LOOK: Urban Effortless Braid

DESCRIPTION: Feminine and sexy with an edge ~ this messy braid isn’t perfect but always looks drop dead gorgeous.

SEEN AT: Pucci

HAIR BY LUIGI: Work John Frieda Luxurious Volume Blow-Dry Lotion Root Booster ($6.50) into the roots and lengths of wet hair so that hair “isn’t too flat and has malleability” when blowdried using the fingers. Loosely center parting hair, take a 1-inch curing iron to add texture to the middle of hair, leaving the ends straight. Pull hair back into a loose braid and secure with an elastic; leave a few tendrils in front to frame the face.

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THE LOOK: Sleek & Chic

DESCRIPTION: Very minimal, very chic, very graphic and totally gorgeous-the woman who wears this is totally luxurious woman.

SEEN AT: MAXMARA

HAIR BY LUIGI: Apply John Frieda Luxurious Volume Thickening Mousse ($6.50) to the roots and then part hair deep at the side. Blow dry hair extremely flat to the head. Pull back the lengths and run over hair with a flatiron to make sure it looks poker straight. Add a touch of John Frieda Frizz-Ease Original Formula Serum ($9.99) through the lengths of hair for a glass-like finish.

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SEE SPOT RUN WITH MELA-D

From freckles to age spots to melasma (the pregnancy mask), one in two women have some form of hyperpigmentation. Many turn to makeup to conceal the discoloration and others spend loads of cash on chemical peels. A more effective and cost efficient method is to fad the spots, but with warnings about hydroquinone finding an one that works, is reasonably priced, and doesn’t come with a host of warnings can be a challenge.

La Roche-Posay introduces Mela-D Pigment Control Concentrated Dark Spot Correcting Serum ($58.95), clinically proven to correct and prevent the appearance of dark spots and uneven skin tone while improving radiance and texture in as little as two weeks, without the use of hydroquinone.

Previously only available in a physician’s office, this highly concentrated dark spot correcting serum boasts 2x the concentration of the brand’s daytime corrective treatment, Mela-D Serum.

Mela-D Pigment Control Concentrated Dark Spot Correcting Serum is a triple action formula combining lipo-hydroxy acid (LHA), La Roche Posay’s exclusive pro-exfoliating molecule, with glycolic acid for added exfoliation, plus kojic acid, a natural skin lightener derived from mushrooms.

A clinical study with Mela-D Pigment Control Concentrated Dark Spot Correcting Serum shows a 48% reduction in lentigo size and color intensity in three months. Skin complexion is more uniform and skin radiance is significantly boosted.

La Roche-Posay Mela-D Pigment Control Concentrated Dark Spot Correcting Serum is available at select physicians’ offices, select CVS/pharmacy stores, CVS.com, select Walgreens and Duane Reade locations, and online at www.laroche-posay.us.

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THE BUN IS BACK

The bun has been spotted on celebs from Kim Kardashian to Kate Bosworth. Michael Duenas, founder of Hair Room Service and celeb stylist (whose clients include Dianna Agron, Lea Michelle, and Molly Sims) breaks down this chic and surprisingly damage free style!  There are many different versions of the bun ~ tight, loose, twisted, puffed out, simple, etc. ~ but no matter which version you choose, place at the crown of the head to be uber-on trend.  This offers a clean, slick look that’s not too harsh.  You get the height you want and the softness you need.

It is simple to accomplish as well! Here are a few tips:

• When your hair is wet, apply amika’s Obliphica Oil and let air dry
• If you don’t have the time to let air dry, then you can blow smooth or rough dry, with the amika NRG Professional Drying System, no need for a flat iron or curling iron.
• Once your hair is dry, secure your hair into a tight pony, making sure you brush in all the loose hairs, and placement is at your crown
• If you find yourself getting “bagginess” at the nape of your neck, look up towards the ceiling when securing your ponytail, this will make sure it is very tight
• Once in the ponytail, feel free to run a drop of amika’s Obliphica Oil over the top and sides of your head, this will add sine, and remove any flyaways.
• Now simply take your ponytail and wrap into a circle until you have a little of the ends remaining and pin!

PLEASANT RIVER SOAPS and LIP BALMS

Pleasant River Soap (www.pleasantriversoap.com) is an exceptional line of soap and lip balm handcrafted in small batches along the Pleasant River in Maine.  Made only with essential oils and all-natural ingredients (no artificial fragrances, colors or preservatives), this unique line includes tempting fragrances such as Orange Cinnamon (you will be addicted to this scent in no time, trust me!!!) and Cooling Peppermint (both excellent choices for the holidays), Almond Lavender (subtle and soothing), Fennel Poppy and more. These top-notch products will be a welcome addition to any bathroom or kitchen.  And no, PRS didn’t forget the guys, men will love the Maine Woods and Bay Rum scents!  An added bonus:  the soaps are vegan, an increasingly important quality these days.

Take special note of the Bar and Balm Bags on the website (www.pleasantriversoap.com/products/bar-balm-sets).  These one-bar, one-balm combos come in a ready-to-giveaway bag for to-die-for hostess gifts and stocking stuffers that can be tailored to the recipients.  Each combo retails for $7.50, and the whole line is offered in singles for easy mixing and matching ($4.99 per bar and $3 per lip balm).  In today’s economy, luxurious yet wallet-friendly products are great when we want to give special gifts but have to watch our pennies at the same time!

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BATH & BODY WORKS FALL ESSENTIALS!

Bath & Body Works Anti-Bacterial Gentle Foaming Hand Soap: Pumpkin Caramel Latte Hand Soap, Orchard Leaves, Creamy Pumpkin, Cranapple Crisp ~ $5.50 each

Bath & Body Works Anti-Bacterial PocketBac® Sanitizing Hand Gel 5-Pack: Fall Treats Bundle

• Natural ingredients and powerful germ killers that get hands clean and lightly scented, wherever you go. Includes 5 PocketBacs, one in each of our new delicious fall treat fragrances.
• Includes fall favorites in Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin, Carmel Apple, Creamy Pumpkin, Cranapple Crisp and Leaves!
• Tahitian Palm Milk leaves hands feeling conditioned
• Kills germs without water

Price: $5.50 for the set/ $1.50 each

Now that you’ve experienced a part of Paris, it’s time to keep living the care free life with the newest scent from Bath & Body Works!

Charmed Life

Flirt with a stranger, splurge on stilettos, wear nothing but your favorite fragrance to bed and revel in pure pleasure ~ Charmed Life empowers you to do it all. The aroma of indulgence, Charmed Life is a sexy new addition to the Signature Collection. The sparkling blend of bright fruits, dazzling pink pepper, and frosted white orchids lets your spoil yourself every day. Charmed Life is a part of Bath & Body Works’ “Sexy” collection, a set of scents designed to make you feel alluring, confident and sensual.

Charmed Life joins the Signature Collection line as the newest expertly crafted fragrance created by the world’s top perfumers. Among fragrance aficionados and Bath & Body Works shoppers alike, Signature Collection scents are considered a best-kept secret ~ carefully calibrated blends of superior ingredients for a fraction of the cost of prestige brands.

Top Notes: Juicy Guava, Crisp Apple, Sparkling Pear, Succulent Red Berries

Mid Notes: Peony Petals, Soft Jasmine, Lily of the Valley, Coconut Milk

Dry Notes: Apricot Skin, Creamy Vanilla, Praline, Sandalwood, Addictive Musk

Products Include: Shower Gel ($10.50), Body Lotion ($10.50), Fragrance Mist ($12.50), Eau de Toilette ($29.50), Bubble Bath ($12.00), Shimmer Mist ($14.00), Select A Shimmer ($14.00)

Head to Bath & Body Works and www.bathandbodyworks.com now!

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GET FRIZZ-FREE BANGS WITH HAIRDO^TM CLIP-IN BANGS

WHAT IT IS: A commitment-free, budget-friendly way to try out bangs and change up your look. Tired of battling flyaways, limp strands and crazy curls when it comes to bangs? Skip the snip and get a frizz-free fringe with hairdo^TM Clip-In Bangs. At just $29.00, Clip-In Bangs are an instant, affordable alternative to a permanent chop. The effortless bangs are already styled ~ just clip them in and go for an instant hair transformation. That’s exactly what Jamie-Lynn Sigler did during New York Fashion Week, stepping out with blunt bangs and debuting her new look at the Tracey Reese fashion show.

Developed by Ken Paves and Jessica Simpson, the clip-in piece lets you instantly experiment with bangs without the high-maintenance hassle of taming them. Created with exclusive Tru2Life® Styleables heat-friendly fiber, the breakthrough bangs can withstand heat up to 350º. Straight Tru2Life® fibers can be curled, while curled Tru2Life® fibers can be straightened-any style stays locked in place until heat-styled again. Choose from nine different shades to find the ideal bang for you, like the Dancing with the Stars Bango Tango Extensions ($22: folica.com) or the Hairdo Clip-In Bangs ($29: QVC.com).

WHERE TO FIND IT: QVC, ULTA, Extensions.com and other fine retailers and salons.

WHAT IT COSTS: $29.00

For more information, please visit www.hairuwear.com.

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THE REVOLUTIONARY AMIKA PULSE ACTION STYLER SYSTEM

The Amika Pulse Action Styler System is a groundbreaking, totally styling experience. Turn on the tiny pulse generator and feel the vibrations penetrating the hair, going straight to the root! In just one stroke, you get faster and more thorough styling action. There is less need to go over the same sections of hair, which means a healthier and faster styling experience. The Pulse Action Stylers vibrations send Infrared waves through the hair surface directly to the root. This preserves hairs moisture and reduces drying out of hair. Dryness results in damage such as split ends, breakage and loss of hair.

The Pulse Action Styler creates electric wave pulses that, combined with infrared heat technology make for faster and healthier styling. The ceramic plates of the Pulse Action Styler are extra smooth for incredible glide. The micro-pulse technology helps the hair gently glide between the plates without pulling or snagging.

Features & Benefits:

+ subtle vibration for faster and smoother one-pass styling
+ far infrared and negative ion technology for soft hydrated hair
+ straightens the curliest hair, yet is gentle on fine hair
+ unique floating plates creates any type of style
+ ready to use in 10 seconds
+ light and easy to use, barely apply any pressure
+ auto shut off feature

Price: $155

Where to buy: www.loveamika.com

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SALLY HANSEN BEAUTY TOOLS

Perfecting your eyes this fall is easy and inexpensive with tools $10 and under from Sally Hansen Beauty Tools.  Not only are they available in drugstores nationwide BUT they are also professional grade and brand new ~ perfect for the new fall looks to take you from runway to “real way!”

In addition, brow and lash tips are available courtesy of Carmindy, co-creator of Sally Hansen Natural Beauty and author of Crazy Busy Beautiful:

The Now Brow Perfect Arch Brow Kit: Enjoy tweezer-free brow shaping from this innovative set. Featuring one brow scissor and one brow shaper, the perfect brow set allows you to refine, define, arch, and accent. ($9.49) Carmindy says: “If your brows grow straight down, use a curved pair of cuticle scissors and snip them from underneath into perfect shape.”

Mighty Mini Tini Tweeze Slant Tip: These travel size slant tip tweezers are perfect for working in-between or above the brows. The platform design inside the tips means even more hair-grabbing capability. ($5.49) Carmindy says: “To ease your tweezing, pull the skin taut, grab the hairs at the base as close to the skin as you can get, and gently pull”

Sexy Curls Precision Eyelash Curler: Crimp, curl, widen and wink with the deluxe lash curler. Engineered to not touch the face and easier handling and crimping comfort.  ($6.49) Carmindy says:”For extra curling oomph, lightly run a warm hair dryer for about thirty seconds before crimping your lashes.  Touch it with a clean finger before proceeding.  You want it warm, not scalding. Protect that delicate skin!”

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SLATKIN & CO. LEOPARD PRINT SCENTPORTABLE

Bring round-the-clock fragrance and elegant décor to any space. No plug, battery or flame necessary-the ultra-portable, palm-sized disc delivers four to six weeks of continuous fragrance anywhere you want a burst of fresh fragrance, making it ideal for small spaces and on-the-go scenting.

PRICE: $6

WHERE TO BUY: Bath & Body Works and www.bathandbodyworks.com

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SALLY HANSEN SALON EFFECTS REAL NAIL POLISH STRIPS

Try out these no dry-time, nail polish strips for instant glam. Now, Sally Hansen delivers trend-setting nails that think outside of the bottle. New Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips offer DBP, Toluene and Formaldehyde Free, no dry-time nail looks for style that lasts up to ten days. This easy and affordable at-home nail technology puts bold color, high- shine, and intricate design at your fingertips-just peel, apply, file, and go. Each Salon Effect Real Nail Polish Strips kit includes 16 nail polish strips, a cuticle stick, mini file/ buffer and instructions for easy at-home application. When you’re ready to change your nail strips, simply swipe nails with your favorite Sally Hansen polish remover for an instantly clean slate.

PRICE: $9.99

WHERE TO BUY: Sally Hansen products are available at chain drug stores, food stores and mass merchandisers nationally.

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AUSTRALIAN GOLD’S AFTER SUN MOISTURE LOCK TAN EXTENDER

Let’s face it…that glorious tan we had during the summer is fading faster than daylight at 5pm these days…and the winter pallor is setting in.  The best way to keep your color from the summer and from visits to your fave tanning salon (which means you won’t have to go tanning as often, which means you save $$!) is Australian Gold’s After Sun Moisture Lock Tan Extender.  This specially blended after-tan formula is packed with vital moisture and nutrients and will keep you looking fabulous.

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CLARK’S BOTANICALS DEEP MOISTURE MASK

This mask is an intensive, nutritional supportive skin-therapy treatment that revitalizes aging, dry and environmentally stressed-out skin. With each use, skin is infused with hydration and begins to glow. Over time, the appearance of wrinkles becomes diminished.

“I wanted a mask that could hydrate and soothe skin quickly, and be used year-round, nourishing the skin and restoring a natural glow. The high concentrations of algae extract, coupled with comfrey root, Jasmine Absolute, and Japanese Green Tea, make this mask one of the most potent anti-oxi­dant treatments on the market. This mask quenches the driest complexions, and can be used even on acne-prone areas. It’s also one of those products that goes missing because my mother and sister are always stealing it.” ~ founder Francesco Clark

$72 at www.clarksbotanicals.com.

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