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I’ve discovered one of the best personal beauty secrets in quite some time. As a long-time lover of the Israeli-based Ahava, I thought I knew the ins and outs of every one of their products. While this is somewhat true (their line is rapidly expanding, however, so I have the joyous task of keeping up), it never occurred to me to use their Tangerine-Cedarwood Energizing Body Mud Mask for anything other than its intended purpose–as an amazing purifying and rejuvenating body treatment.

When used as a facial treatment–either exclusively, or in addition to the body, it’s become my favorite mask of the year. Unlike Ahava’s other fantastic masks that are intended for the face, this one dries a lot more slowly, and can therefore be left on the face for much longer (I’ve let it linger for up to an hour), without overly dehydrating or causing your skin to break out further.

Infused with seaweed, Dead Sea minerals, natural moisturizers and citrus, this mask has everything you could ever want from a luxurious but effective facial (or body) treatment. In as little as 20 minutes, it removes toxins, moisturizes, eliminates wrinkles and leaves skin GLOWING. Usually after removing a mask I’m tempted to defy the instructions and use soap and water, but with this one you truly won’t want to let anything stand between it and your skin–while it leaves a perfect canvas, you’ll have a hard time bringing yourself to put on makeup. I’ve also resisted the urge to sit outside covered in the mask, a la Dead Sea tourist.

Now that summer is officially here, Deidre and I thought we’d share some of our summer beauty essentials. These are the products that will follow us wherever we go throughout the summer months. We rely on their efficacy and aesthetics, and recommend that you do the same. So stay tuned throughout the summer for our all time favorite (new and old) beauty must-haves!

Summer essential: Mascara

Deidre’s pick: FACE Stockholm’s Volumizing Waterproof Mascara

Why she loves it: Waterproof mascara sometimes seems like an oxymoron.  Products that claim to hold up during swimming, splashing and sweating rarely do.  I’ve tried many so-called “waterproof” products that disappear completely or leave ugly looking smudges around my eyes after a shower or a beach trip.  Not cool.

Needless to say, when I find a waterproof mascara that actually holds up, I stick with it.  For the past few months I’ve relied on FACE Stockholm Volumizing Waterproof Mascara as my wet and wild main squeeze.

I cannot say that this is the most volumizing, lengthening or thickening mascara I’ve tried, but it does an above average job in all of those areas.  The formula is thick without being clumpy, so it coats lashes with a substantial layer but still feels semi-light and soft.  I am also a big fan of the brush, which is slightly rounded and bent for easy and precise application.  Once the mascara is on, it likes to stay put.  I’ve showered, gone to the gym and cried at a friend’s wedding with this on my eyes and it really held up.

The product will begin to flake a bit and wear off if you rub your eyes a lot, so if you have a habit of doing so, you may want to look for a waterproof formula that needs heavy-duty makeup remover to get off.  This mascara is pretty simple to remove with a bit of warm water and some gentle hands.

You can grab this mascara at the FACE Stockholm Web site for $32.  It is available in three colors including black, brown and navy.

Hannah’s pick: Kiehls’ Marvelous Minerals Mascara

Why she loves it: I hate waterproof mascara. I have suffered through too many harsh-smelling, damaging and unimpressive ones to ever call myself a fan. With hot and humid summer weather, it follows that the natural choice would be a waterproof. I can’t do it though, and I’m met with the dual problem of being someone who is addicted to mascara–so foregoing it altogether is usually out of the question.

So I was thrilled to find that I loved Kiehls’ new Marvelous Minerals Mascara. Unlike traditional mascaras, this rich mineral based formula infuses a blend of jojoba oils for unparalleled softness and suppleness. Acacia Senegal boosts thickness exponentially, while the formula offers increased length and intense color (available in black or brown, you may want to opt for brown for a more natural daytime look–especially if you’re fair). I have found that no matter what the weather, temperature or other interfering factors, this mascara stays put for 12-14 hours (though I am sure it can last much longer, I’ve just not attempted it yet).

Furthermore, the formula washes away completely with gentle soap and water or makeup remover, leaving no trace that it ever existed. I was caught in an unseasonable downpour the other day, and rather than form dark rings and smears around my eyes and down my face, it slipped completely off my skin, while ample pigment still clung to my lashes. Truly a feat in cosmetic engineering!

Now that summer is officially here, Deidre and I thought we’d share some of our summer beauty essentials. These are the products that will follow us wherever we go throughout the summer months. We rely on their efficacy and aesthetics, and recommend that you do the same. So stay tuned throughout the summer for our all time favorite (new and old) beauty must-haves!

Deidre’s pick: Frederic Fekkai Beachcomber Leave-in Conditioner

Why she loves it: I love the sun, sand and surf as much as the next girl.  My hair, however, does not.  I’m not one of those beach babes that can walk out of the water, let my locks air dry and look incredibly sexy.  Instead, I’m left with a mess of dry, frizzy, damaged ringlets that look like an unbecoming mess (trust me).

So, you’d better believe that I pack Frederic Fekkai Beachcomber Leave-In Conditioner in my beach bag whenever I hit the shore.

I am actually fond of the whole Marine Summer Hair Collection from Fekkai because it smells absolutely incredible (like the ocean, but better) and it helps my hair deal with humidity.  The Clean Detox Shampoo and Zero Humidity Frizz Control are noteworthy products and the Beach Waves styling spray gives my hair great texture.  But the Leave-In Conditioner is my favorite product in the group because it really helps to hydrate and polish my hair.

This conditioner is very lightweight which means that may not do much for girls with very coarse or thick hair.  But on my fine hair, this stuff works wonders.  A few sprays before I use the blow dryer in the morning and my hair keeps its shape, softness and shine all day long.  And after being in saltwater at the beach or chlorine in the pool, misting this on makes my hair actually behave.

Hannah’s pick: Jonathan Product Redo Freshen-Up Mist For Hair & Skin

Why she loves it: It’s times like these I’m glad I don’t expend too much enthusiasm on everything I review. It makes it more believable when I say that I can’t live without this Freshen-Up Mist. Created by brilliant stylist Jonathan Antin using his own blend of botanical waters, this mist was originally intended to take the place of a good old fashion hair washing when there was no time for one behind the scenes at fashion shows. This is still the primary use, but the official concoction, infused with white tea and almond extracts, pomegranate and aloe, can also serve as a great skin tonic, refreshing tired, dehydrated, OR oily skin (paradoxical, but true!).

I was a bit wary prior to trying this product–the high water content worried me–I was sure it would ruin my straight styles, returning them to frizzy tangled disasters. Never have I been more happy to be wrong. This spray completely refreshes limp and dirtied styles, whether from normal wear or excessive product use. It can be spritzed on dirty hair, fluffed and let be (my usual MO), or if you want to completely redo or refresh your look, blow dry and style following application.

This spray is currently in my purse, and will stay with me all summer. I am currently fighting the effects of summer heat and city smog on my bangs, for which the spray has been a lifesaver! Bonus: The vegetable enzymes neutralize any unsavory odors that may have built up during the day, giving you a truely clean slate.

Now that summer is officially here, Deidre and I thought we’d share some of our summer beauty essentials. These are the products that will follow us wherever we go throughout the summer months. We rely on their efficacy and aesthetics, and recommend that you do the same. So stay tuned throughout the summer for our all time favorite (new and old) beauty must-haves!

Summer essential: Sunblock

Deidre’s pick: Coola Sport in Mango

Why she loves it: I am a pale girl.  At the beginning of beach season I look like a ghost in a bathing suit and I burn in mere minutes of stepping into the sun.  The sunscreen I tote in my beach bag is absolutely essential and I need real protection that won’t disappear as soon as I put it on.

For this reason I trust Coola Sport in Mango.  It has a nice high SPF of 45 with UVA and UVB protection.  It is also ultra sweat and water resistant, so it protects when I’m sunning on shore and splashing in the surf.

What I really love about this sunscreen is that it is certified organic.  All Coola products are made without use of parabens, petroleum or phthalates and they are all manufactured in the United States (in a soon-to-be solar powered facility!).  The Mango Sport smells absolutely amazing—fresh, citrusy and sweet without being overpowering.  The delicious scent mixed with skin-loving ingredients such as Aloe Vera, Beeswax and Shea Butter make this one of my summer staples.

Hannah’s pick: Clinique Sun with SolarSmart Protection

Why she loves it: While Clinique may not be the first company that comes to mind when contemplating sunblock selection, the brand has always been on the front lines of sun-related skin health, offering unique and vital products in both the prevention and repair of solar skin damage. That’s why their new sun care collection is equal parts no brainer and long overdue. The UVA/UVB-proof collection features both Face and Body Creams ranging from SPF 15-50, a Targeted Protection Stick (SPF 45), a Body Spray (SPF 25) as well as a Rescue Balm.

While I unfortunately prefer to be tan (I am not one of the lucky women that can pull off a porcelain complexion with a few dainty freckles), I am thorough when it comes to protecting my slightly olive skin. Clinique’s Face Cream is light in consistency and weight, oil free, and provides an excellent non-comedogenic base for makeup should you choose to follow its application (wait a few minutes) with foundation or powder.

The Body Cream is thickest and richest I’ve seen in this summer’s sunblock offerings, but not unpleasantly so–it is entirely non-greasy and quick to absorb, while imparting the perfect amount of hydration. The Targeted Protection Stick remains oil free, while serving as a powerful and precise protectant for small and sensitive areas such as the lips, eyes, nose, ear lobes and even scars. The Body Spray provides a lighter consistency coverage via a fine mist, and can address harder to reach areas. Finally, a real life saver has been the Rescue Balm. This aloe based after-sun balm is not gel-like and flaky like many products in its class, but a deeply reparative and soothing souffle that also helps minimize peeling. It’s the only one of the collection to be scented–a light botanical essence that lasts for hours.

In a rare and exciting turn for beauty lovers, Nordstrom has introduced a cosmetics component to its annual Anniversary Sale. While seasonal sales are common and predictable in fashion, it is usually unlikely that beauty products are ever discounted, despite the market’s nearly equal demand for the newest and freshest beauty collections. So whether you need to pick up a few essentials or some outrageous indulgences (we recommend the latter), this beauty event is one to take advantage of.

From July 17th through August 2nd, beauty junkies nationwide can line up at their closest Nordstrom store to get the hottest exclusives, limited-edition items and beauty bargains, only available during those two weeks.

An annual ritual since the 1960s, the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale features pre-season savings on fall fashion and accessories. Since cosmetics rarely go on sale, the beauty department decided to come up with something special and unique to offer customers during this busy anniversary period. They challenged their makeup, skincare, hair care and fragrance brands to develop compelling value items and sets, amazing one-of-a-kind offerings, and exciting gifts with purchase only available during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.

Now more than ever, brands are concentrating on offering the Nordstrom customer great deals and incredible values to help them make the most of their money while indulging in their favorite beauty fixes. With more than 100 top beauty brands participating this year (think Chanel, Juicy Couture, NARS, Clarins, Kiehl’s, Laura Mercier, Marc Jacobs, Fekkai, Dior, Bobbi Brown and many more), there is undoubtedly something for everyone.

True beauty addicts can get in on the action early and go online to www.nordstrom.com or stop into Nordstrom stores to pre-order and reserve their favorite offerings starting on June 22nd.

As of July 17th, the sale goes live for two weeks and customers both in-store and online can purchase these limited-edition Nordstrom Beauty Exclusives.

I am a huge fan of the all-natural hair products from LUSH. In the past, I’ve fallen for a few of their solid shampoo bars, the tub of Big shampoo, and the lightweight Veganese Conditioner. After using these products my mane looks shiny and it feels silky, even without the usual chemicals and additives that you would find in many other hair care items.

And if ever wondered whether the LUSH products would work for your hair, now is your chance to try a bunch of them for a mere $15!

The Big Hair Affair is a special offer from the eco-conscious company that packs a whopping seven products together in one kit. The purpose is to give your hair a complete overhaul and the package comes with choices to custom fit your needs.

Here’s how it works:

You get one H’suan Wen Hua hair treatment and one Solid Jungle Conditioner to tame and treat your tresses. Then you can choose one Liquid Shampoo with your options being Big (a favorite of mine) or Curly Wurly (which helps make frizzy curls more manageable). Next up you pick one liquid conditioner (your choices are American Cream or Veganese). Then you get to grab two solid shampoo bars and one styling gel to complete your kit.

Of course, the products come in sample sizes, but this gives you the opportunity to try a lot of LUSH hair products without spending the full price first. This also makes a great option for traveling. Instead of buying those little bottles of shampoo and conditioner and trying to figure out where you are going to stash all your styling products, head to a LUSH location and pick up one of these trial packs. You’ll be good to go.

The kits are available in stores and online. Please visit the LUSH Web site for more information.

Pantene Pro-V recently launched its much anticipated Nature Fusion line, which it hails as “Science unlocking the potential of nature.” The collection captures the once hidden beauty benefits of the Cassia plant. Cassia is a naturally derived performance ingredient that helps transform hair to make it softer, shinier and stronger. The new shampoos contain an advanced Cassia Complex that creates a protective shield to leave hair naturally radiant and stronger against damage. This unique discovery of the multiple beauty benefits of the Cassia plant allows women to achieve high performance hair care through a more beneficial and natural route.

The collection features two lines, Smooth Vitality and Moisture Balance. I recently tried the Smooth Vitality

Padma Lakshmi, Nature Fusion spokesperson

line, which in addition to shampoo and conditioner, boasts an excellent smoothing cream. The Smooth Vitality Shampoo contains, along with the Cassia Complex, a botanical blend of avocado oil, bamboo and grape extract. The shampoo is the best one I’ve tried yet from Pantene, and does indeed leave hair stronger, shinier and extremely smooth. The conditioner is somewhat lighter than I’d usually opt for (perhaps the Moisture Balance line would have been better for my dry hair), but the resulting silkiness and reduced frizz makes it worth it.

My favorite of the line is the Smoothing Creme. When used on wet or damp hair prior to styling, the medium density cream moisturizes and combats frizz, while protecting from heat styling and banning humidity damage. I’ve been applying it to my dry hair throughout the day as well, for a sleek, refreshing pick-me-up, as it won’t weigh hair down. The light and unique botanical scent of these products will be enough to sell you on them.

Getting your skin to look its best often takes the work and advice of professionals. That’s why Perricone MD has becomes such a successful and well-known skincare brand. Dr. Nicholas Perricone, a board certified clinical and research dermatologist, founded his company after years of lengthy schooling and study. His products are packed with powerful antioxidants and cosmeceuticals that work to renew and revitalize your skin.

But shelling out the price for some stellar Perricone products might be hard to do given the tough economic times. That is why we’ve teamed up with the brand to offer one lucky reader a bottle of the potent Advanced Face Firming Activator ($120 value).

This product is one of the brand’s best-selling treatments. It is formulated with Alpha Lipoic Acid and DMAE which helps resurface skin’s texture ad reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and enlarged pores, giving you a radiant and healthy complexion.

To enter the contest please send your name and address to contests@gobeautybeast.com and put the phrase “Perricone Giveaway” in the subject line. You have until Tuesday, June 30th (midnight, EST) to enter. We will pick one winner at random and the prize will be mailed shortly after.

We know that many women struggle with finding anti-aging products that work for them. Please feel free to share your stories in the comments and tell us why you think a product like this would work for you.

Good luck!

Our Men’s Health and Beauty Expert, Will Shoemaker reviews the new line of hair care products from AXE and offers details on how to win your own!

Ok, I’ve got a funny situation on my hands… some very nice people recently provided me with products from AXE’s new line of hair care… very good products.  Historically, AXE is just one of those brands I like to make fun of.  But honestly, it’s not their fault.  They have a very difficult target audience: guys who are willing to purchase hipper grooming products to give them a leg up in the dating pool, but being considered “metro” is not their thing.  Guys who maybe don’t know when to stop with the body spray.  If anyone needs to be unexpectedly scrubbed down by a spontaneous harem of club-goers, it is often they.  Ironnyyyyyyy!…

I guess that’s really why AXE’s ad campaign for the new hair products, while not expecting much of its audience in terms of interpreting subtly, is in some sense a clever satire of itself; calling its own demographic out on their sins of product over-application.  So I should just accept the exhaustively masculine messages as hyperbole and get over it.

Because here’s the thing:  The products are really, really good.  And there’s enough variety in the line to encourage guys to experiment with different looks and succeed.  If toolbaggy ads help a sea of post-college professionals rinse the pre-college shellac from their hair, it’s a cool thing.  Marketing is a conversation, and you and I will just know that we’re having a different one.  Let’s talk about the products.

For myself, I tried two shampoos- “De-Glue” and “Constrict”- and two styling products- a “Messy Look” paste for longish hair, and a “Clean-Cut Look” pomade for short-cropped hair.  I’ll get this out of the way first: the products that I tried smell really GOOD.  Not the pungent, alcoholic smell that I remember being permanently infused in the walls and carpet of my first roommate’s room.  These scents are sweeter, more herbal, with notes of something like berries.  A BIG plus in my book.  And whenever possible, they’re made in the same fluorescent colors as your night life, which, come on, is pretty fun.

The De-Glue shampoo scrub contains an exfoliant of some kind (“rock crystals”, according to the bottle) for no-fooling-around de-gunking.   Subjected to the ever-important test of sleeping in styling product, waking up to go for a sweaty run,  and then shampooing, it gets the job done like a champ.  Don’t know if little crystals are the secret or what, but I won’t argue- because it doesn’t.

Another situation one always likes to avoid is poofy hair.  Because let’s face it, people are going to see you from time to time in the morning without styling product, and dry, shorter hair often has that volumizing effect that makes you look like you’re wearing a lego man’s helmet-hair.  Now, for most of us, no shampoo can guarantee that you’ll look just as awesome with or without styling product.  But AXE’s de-poofing Constrict shampoo has an extract that did indeed leave my hair feeling very smooth and laying more calmly against my head than other shampoos, which induce super-excited, “Just washed!!  Let’s all stand up!” follicles.

As for the styling products, they’re really as good as you can expect.  The pomade is strong and no-nonsense, shaping the stubborn cowlicks of my short hair into effortlessly tidy swaths, with texture just where I want it.   Apply it to dry hair, and the world is your oyster.  The paste is just a bit creamier to work into longer hair without weighing it down too much, and is provides the perfect amount of hold for “messy” hair that mustn’t be too controlled.  These products don’t make you compromise between hair that has to look wet and gelled and hair that is goofily uncontained; they’re exactly what every guy needs.

So I have to be completely honest, I’m going to be keeping these products on hand for myself for a good long while.  There really aren’t any easily accessible products marketed for men that do a better job.   And YOU can score some for yourself by entering our product giveaway!  Many thanks to the AXE Hair Team at Zocalo for providing the product and making this possible.

The Prizes -
Grand Prize: A pair of AXE Hair Products (one full-size shampoo and one styling product)
Runner - Ups (two): One mini pack containing a travel size AXE DUAL: 2 IN 1Shampoo and AXE PRIMED: Just Clean Shampoo.
E-mail contests@gobeautybeast.com  with your name and address to enter, and also visit http://www.axehaircrisisrelief.org and http://twitter.com/CarlywithAXE to check out more of the line.  Winners will be announced on Monday, June 22nd, 2009.

One of Urban Decay’s most alluring summer offerings has got to be the new Get Baked Eye Kit. This is an all-in-one kit which you can pick up for a really great price (a $53 value selling for only $28).

The kit comes with four decent-sized shadows, one of the brand’s famous Glide-On Eye Pencils in Bourbon (a rich brown) and a small tube of the Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Sin (which gives a glimmery cream-colored base to the lid and helps shadow stay put). Not a bad haul, huh?

The shadows come in great summer colors. There is a medium and deep gold, a dark brown for contouring and a bright teal which helps make eyes pop. Like most of Urban Decay’s shadows these are extremely vibrant and pigmented. They deliver when it comes to color and they are definitely full of shimmer and shine. I absolutely love combining the gold and teal colors together. It looks amazing if you sweep the light gold shade all over your lid and then put the teal on the outer half of your eye. Then you can add some depth by using the dark brown in the crease and corners. It’s a really easy way to wear teal shadow without looking too over the top.

The addition of the primer and the liner is a nice touch. It’s great to be able to take this kit anywhere and have those essentials all in one place. The liners really do live up to the hype and you’d be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t like Urban Decay’s primer potion (although I personally prefer Too Faced Shadow Insurance).

This is a product I would definitely recommend if you are looking for a great summer palette that contains a teal shade. This teal doesn’t disappoint and the color stays rich all day long. Make sure to give this item a good look!