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I really enjoy testing out serums, but it normally takes weeks to see the results. But with Biotherm’s Source Thérapie Superactiv Skin Perfecting Serum, results are actually instantaneous.

This isn’t a new product, but Biotherm has recently re-launched a slightly reformulated version. Although the ingredient list (which you won’t find on the brand’s Web site) is long, one thing that the box boasts is Pure Extract of Thermal Plankton and mineral-rich waters from France. Yeah, it sounds a little ridiculous, but this product is so incredible that they can tell me it was made with crushed space particles and I wouldn’t blink an eye.

The blue serum has a creamy, gel-like formula and feels incredibly light on the skin. When rubbed in, a noticeable smoothing effect occurs almost immediately. I’ve been using this product for approximately two weeks (which has resulted in a more radiant and even complexion) but I noticed a difference in the way my face looked the first time that I put it on. It seems to even out redness and give the skin a nice, subtle glow without making it look oily. It also makes my skin feel super-soft, even though it is not a moisturizer.

If you do use this product, make sure to apply sunscreen or a moisturizer with SPF afterwards, since this serum doesn’t contain anything to protect you from UV rays. At $38 this serum is cheaper than many others on the market and it really delivers results. I love it.

Posted by Deidre

Who doesn’t love a train case?  This deal is worth it for the glamorous vintage case alone (also available in burgundy), but as usual with Lancome, you get so much more.

The Beauty Box contains (brace yourself!): Définicils Pro Curved Brush Mascara in Black; Cils Booster XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Base; Maquicomplet Complete Coverage Concealer in Correcteur; Two Le Rouge Absolue Reshaping & Replenishing LipColours in Coquette and Ruby Silk; Color Design Sensational Effects Lipcolor in Work It!; Color Fever Shine Sensual Sheer Color; Vibrant Lip Shine in Boiling Point; Juicy Tubes Jelly Lip Gloss in Magic Spell;  Juicy Tubes Smoothie Lip Gloss in Spring Fling; Color Design Sensational Effects 7 Eye Shadow Compact in Creme Lustre, Kitten Heel, Guest List, Filigree, Mochaccino, Bikini Golden and Designer; Blush Subtil Powder Blush Duo in Aplum and Miel Glace; Bi-Facil Eye Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover; Rénergie Microlift R.A.R.E.™ Superior Lifting Cream SPF 15 Sunscreen; and a 3-Piece Brush Set

Whew. I loved every minute of that. Anyway, they are available for only $49.50 with any Lancome purchase of $36. They’re already sold out on Lancome’s website though, so hurry to Nordstrom, Dillard’s, or Macy’s.

Posted by Hannah

Bumble and bumble really got it right with their newly launched holiday gift sets. Brilliantly packaged and expertly combined to ensure your coif is well cared for throughout the hectic holiday season, these two sets combine the best of quality products with the perfect amount of glitz and glamour.

First up, and my personal favorite, is Bumble and bumble Gentle Gift Box. This stylish collection incorporates the must-haves of hair care with a fresh flair. The lightly scented Gentle Shampoo and Rich Conditioner offer a truly luxurious cleansing and pampering experience, leaving hair nurtured and glistening. The gentle yet intensely effective products are formulated for chronically dry, damaged or chemically treated hair. Along with the Styling Lotion, which imparts gentle control and added protection from styling, this collection is the perfect gift for any fashionable lady. Bonus: It comes with a brightly colored collection of 30 hair elastics that are as festive as they are useful! And the box is completely ready-to-give!

The second exciting set is the Creme de Coco Gift Box, which contains Bb’s popular Creme de Coco Shampoo and Conditioner for deep cleaning, detangling and moisture. You’ll crave the the subtle coconut scent, which is in no way overpowering or too “beachy” for the season. The collection is topped off with Bb Brilliantine, which is my ultimate styling product of the moment. The wonderfully versatile treatment can be used any time (sparingly!) on wet, damp or dry hair for a gently languid sheen that does not add weight or tangle hair. Bonus: not to be outdone, the set includes a vibrant “pinwheel” of 30 boldly colored hair pins, which can be used as standout accessories themselves, or tucked away throughout a ‘do, peeking through to dazzle.

The sets are valued at $78 and $73, but are available for only $50 each from bumbleandbumble.com or participating Bb salons.

Posted by Hannah

I am all about supporting small businesses, so when Megan Cummins, founder of You Smell Soaps, contacted us, I immediately wanted to know more about her company and her products.

It turns out that these soaps are all hand-made with some of the most luxurious ingredients available. The brand uses Shea Butter, Goat’s Milk and natural oils in order to create moisturizing morsels of bath and body goodness.

Thankfully Megan was able to send over some samples of their two current scents, Lemon Verbena and Lavender Mint, so that I could try them out. Let me tell you– these are some of the best bars of soap that I have ever used! They lather nicely and don’t dry out the skin like so many other bars. They smell absolutely divine. Do you know how sometimes you order a scent and the soap ends up smelling like something completely different? Well, that is simply not the case with these. The Lemon Verbena smells tart and sweet, and you can actually smell both fragrances. The same goes for the Lavendar Mint– both scents are distinct and beautifully balanced in the bar.

The brand tops off their products with some adorable packaging, a catchy name and a real dedication to producing quality goods. A bar of this soap only costs $8.50, so go visit the Web site and order one to try for yourself! You won’t be dissapointed.

Megan assured me that the brand will continue to grow and that they will introduce new scents and products as they develop. I will definitely be checking back to see what is in store for the future.

Posted by Deidre

When I saw the limited edition Heidi Collection from Victoria’s Secret Very Sexy Makeup, I knew that I had to get my hands on some of it. Heidi Klum is one of those women who always looks absolutely amazing. So, I thought if I slapped on some of her signature products, I would suddenly transform into a tall, thin, radiantly beautiful supermodel who walks around saying “Auf Wiedersehen.” Yeah…it didn’t quite happen like that.

But, I was able to test out some of the products from the collection including the Perfect Lipstick in Malibu, Lip Gloss in Cupcake and Glitter Liquid Liner in Licorice. Here are my thoughts:

Glitter Liner– This is a really nice dark liquid liner with just a hint of golden green glitter. It looks super-sparkly in the tube, but it is much more subtle when it is applied to the eyes. The liner itself is black and it goes on pretty smoothly because the brush is nice and thin. It stays put well– the glitter flicks off a little bit after a long day, but I was surprised with how long this liner lasted. Some of the glitter did end up on my lashes, but came off easily. I would recommend this for a holiday party look. It’s different than the normal gold and silver glitter liners that you see during the season, but it is still really sexy. $10

Lipstick– This lipstick is a nice, light nude and the formula is soft and easy to apply. There is only one problem– it contains a metallic sheen. Some women may really enjoy that, but for me, it was kind of a deal-breaker. If I have a nude lipstick, I want it to look really natural. Although this was pretty underneath glosses, it gave my lips a frosted look, and I couldn’t really wear it alone. $12 Read more »

Here at Beauty Beast, we are so excited to announce our first giveaway. One lucky reader will win a Karmin Titanium Straightening Iron courtesy of MyHairStylingTools.com (a $99 value!).

To enter, just send an email to contests@gobeautybeast.com with your name, address, email and phone number. Please put the word KARMIN in the subject line. You have until Friday, Nov. 21 at midnight to enter. One winner will be chosen at random and we will announce the name here on the site on Monday, Nov. 24.

Although we have not tried out this iron for ourselves, we have heard amazing things about it. Here are some of the product features:

Product Features:

- Ultra hard, mirror smooth titanium plate surfaces
- Negative Ions and Infrared Heat (removes static) for Silky Shiny Hair.
- Ion field technology (seals in natural oils)
- Micro-porous technology (locks in moisture)
- Won’t damage hair like other straighteners.
- Straight-Curl-Flip-Style
- Unparalleled Infrared heat for deep, long lasting straightness.
- Micro Chip Temperature Control Infrared Heat, Flash Quick Heating.
- Variable temperature settings for all hair types. The maxium temperature is 200°C (410°F) , and the minium temperature is 80°C (176°F).
- Tangle-free 3 meter, 360° swivel cord.

Good luck!

I collect perfume. Since I was four years old I’ve been infatuated with all aspects of fragrance, from history to formulation, to packaging, design and marketing. Perfume is functional art as far as I’m concerned, and  I am always captured by the story and passion behind its fabrication and subsequent appeal to the most diverse demographics. The idea that something can at once be so personal yet universal really moves me.

I buy a few bottles per month, receive a good amount as gifts and give an equal amount away, in a effort to keep my obsession in check (and make room for more). I try never to own more than 200 bottles at a time, though I do give special attention to each of the more than 1,000 samples I obsessively research, catalogue and otherwise mentally document. I’ve recently found that using the excuse of being a beauty writer helps to allay criticism for the collection of fragrance I’ve accumulated (rivaling Imelda Marcos’ shoes). Sadly though, this cache amassed irrespective of my current occupation. Hopefully this little confession translates as an endearing passion rather than a repugnant neurosis, but we shall see.

Now, that setup probably wasn’t the most conducive to fostering trust in my powers of discernment when it comes to the extremely personal and meaningful act of purchasing fragrance, but bear with me. I plan to do a huge piece on fragrance this month, but I felt that Shenandoah Eau de Parfum by Terri Michele was so special and distinct that it warranted its own feature. And I’m really busy these days, so you must take my word for it (and then go find out for yourself, of course).

One can immediately see where I’m coming from when I praise the art of packaging and design. This is obviously a fantastic example, and sure to stand out in your collection. Move beyond aesthetics and you will find one of the most distinguished fragrances available for ladies. The winning notes in this formula are bergamot, freesia, ylang ylang, white lily, lotus, sandalwood and white musk. The alluring scent is light and pure enough for day, yet sensuous and prominent enough for evenings into late nights. Truly a feat in a fragrance. Read more »

In an effort to limit the state of neglect that my legs often find themselves in during winter months, I did some research and came across four products that I highly recommend for a luxurious winter.

By now you may have seen Whish Body Products featured in at least one of your favorite magazines. My “accidental” subscription to Lucky certainly helped raise my awareness of the excellent body care line, which I’ve been raving about to all who will listen. My favorite scent is Lemongrass, which is a naturally refreshing and distinct fragrance that is sure to wake you up (without smelling like you should be mopping with it). However, these same great products are available in Pomegranate and Almond, and make positively lovely gifts.

Now, I do tend to be simple and to the point  when it comes to shaving and leg care. Of course I indulge in the requisite princess shower from time to time, but as daily winter ritual goes, I needed to step it up. Thankfully I discovered Whish in the nick (er, no nicks) of time, and now I can’t go back. And while four leg-related items may cause us minimalists to balk, using all four products will prove instantly enjoyable–you’ll look forward to shaving! Read more »

When I received the new It’s the Balm Lip Balm Trio from Jack Black in the mail, I had every intention of handing the set over to my boyfriend. Because, after all, the brand caters to a manly clientele.

But lately, I’ve been really sick, which has resulted in terribly chapped lips. And would you believe that I don’t have a stick of chapstick anywhere in my apartment? Although I had been spreading on different lip treatments, none seemed to be doing the trick of healing my sore kisser. So I opened up this trio and took out the Acai Berry and Vanilla tube and slathered it all over. Almost immediately, I noticed how soft my lips felt. It didn’t feel heavy like some balms, but it was incredibly smooth and light. With continued use, my lips returned to a more normal state. This balm smells absolutely delicious. it has a berry and vanilla scent, and all of the balms in this kit contains an SPF of 25. That’s softness, healing power and protection all in one!

I did end up giving the other two tubes to my boyfriend, who applied it and simply said, “Very nice.” And although he didn’t quite meet my enthusiasm about the products, I could tell that he was happy to have them. Riding his bike to work in the cold weather won’t be so bad now.

So if you are looking for a gift to get your guy this Christmas, consider this gift set from Jack Black. This way, you’re man will have super-soft, kissable lips and you can steal a tube for yourself. It’s a win-win situation!

Posted by Deidre