Holiday Gift Ideas 2009: World of Kiehl's Sets

I'm a huge fan of Kiehl's, and the holidays is an amazing time to stock up on things for yourself (not to mention picking up gift sets for people on that gift list). This is the set that I'm most likely to buy for myself. I've purchased all of these products in the past, and most of them have a permanent location in my travel kit. This is the perfect gift for the person that loves to travel! All items are sized to comply with FAA regulations.

This set contains:
• Ultra Facial Cleanser
• Lip Balm # 1
• Ultra Facial Moisturizer
• Ultimate Strength Hand Salve
• Creme de Corps
• Creme de Corps Nurturing Body Washing Cream
• Amino Acid Shampoo
• Amino Acid Conditioner

$45.00 (A $63.00 VALUE)
Kiehls.com
I don't have this exact set, but I have purchased all of the products in this set for myself or my husband multiple times.

Dermablend's Smooth Indulgence on Ideeli

Recently I was sent a few samples of Dermablend's Smooth Indulgence to try out. I'd heard about this brand for forever. It is the one constantly recommended to cover up tattoos, which is a recommendation that honestly frightens me a bit. How could a foundation that can cover a tattoo look natural on my skin?

So, when I first tried out this foundation I was nervous. Dermablend promises that it is a medium coverage foundation that doesn't feel heavy once applied. Not only does it not feel heavy, but it really does look natural. It's a slightly thicker liquid than most foundations, but it is easy to spread and blend into skin (I used my fingers and then a foundation brush, my favorite is Billy B's #2 Foundation Brush, though you could get a similar brush from other brands). The coverage is medium though you can easily layer it in areas you need a bit more coverage. It blends beautifully and is very, very light on my skin. I couldn't even tell I was wearing it! It lasts all day without issues. After trying this foundation I'm thinking of picking up the matching concealer the next time I'm at a store that sells Dermablend.

If you're interested in trying out this foundation, they have a giveaway right now over on Ideeli for a travel set. It contains 3 shades that you blend together to match your skin.
Dermablend's Smooth Indulgence on Ideeli

This is a great week to pay attention to the Ideeli sales, as it's their beauty week! Today they are going to have a M Lab sale, which is a great anti-aging skin care line. I've reviewed some of their products in the past, check out my reviews if you're thinking of buying something!

My computer is still being fixed. Luckily the part arrived on Friday, so I'm waiting for further word from Apple that I can pick it up at my local store. I have a lot of posts planned, so keep your fingers crossed for me!

Holiday Gift Ideas 2009: Kiehl's Limited Edition Creme de Corps

This is the perfect way to not only get yourself (or a loved one, this would be a great gift) a huge bottle of Creme de Corps, but to also support a great charity! Creme de Corps is one of my favorite Kiehl's products, it has Jojoba Butter, Shea Butter, and Sweet Almond Oil and is great to soothing my very dry skin! It isn't always available in such large sizes.

This season Kiehl's has teamed up with New York Graphic Artist KAWS to create a limited edition label for the lotion in addition to the “Peace. Love. Kiehl’s.” holiday window campaign to be unveiled this holiday season in stores in the US and around the world. In the past he has collaborated on design projects with Commes Des Garcons, Marc Jacobs, not to mention projects with Kayne West and billboards in Times Square. His favorite Kiehl's product is the White Eagle Shave Cream.

100% of net profits from these limited edition bottles will go to Children's Charities worldwide. In the US that charity is Rx Art, which exposes children in Children's Hospitals to art and artistic expression.

8.4 oz. $26.50; 16.9 oz. with Pump $44.50; 1 liter $70.00
Kiehls.com

I have bought this product for myself multiple times.

Systems Failure

So.... where have I been?

Well, for a few days not inspired about the products I was testing to get myself moving on writing. Then at work for a few days trapped in the Peds ICU craziness that is H1N1. (That stuff is NO joke by the way, please get yourself and your children vaccinated, this is not a government conspiracy) And when I was finally ready to start writing... My computer wouldn't turn on. According to the nice folks at my local Apple Store, my Logic Board has shorted out. A new one is on order and once the repair has taken place I'll be good as new and the whole thing is free since my Apple Care is still active. The bad news is that won't be until Thursday or Friday, and did I mention that I've been working on a big talk for work this week? And I lost a few days of work on it when the computer broke?

So, while I recreate my talk and wait for my computer to be fixed, please be patient! Here are some things that I'm testing out now and will be writing about soon:
• In Bloom by Reese Witherspoon, a great white floral fragrance

• Cover Girl's newest Blast Collection products, Lip Blast and Blast Length Mascara, the mascara has great length and should be in stores now (I'm layering mine over regular Lash Blast for added volume- wow!) and Lip Blast will be coming out soon. The lip gloss is not sticky, tastes like watermelon Jolly Ranchers (really) and while the colors are super bright it's much more translucent on the lip. Oh, and it lasts for hours!

• Sally Hershberger's New Hair Collection, yes a whole collection of hair products from the woman than gave Meg Ryan her famous hair cut! It's been out for a while (and honestly, I've been using it for a while, just haven't gotten around to writing about it). The collection includes shampoo, conditioner and 4 styling products. I find the shampoo to be a bit thick to get out of the bottle and maybe it overstrips my hair a bit, but the conditioner is amazing and the 4 styling products have given me a more "good hair days" than I usually have. It's available now, watch the clip of her on HSN for styling tips.

• Patricia Wexler Sensitive Skin Collection, Serum and Peel Dr Wexler is known for her use of MMPI's to fight aging, and she has formulated them here to work for those of us with sensitive skin. The serum works with other moisturizers and is great even under makeup. The peel was sent to me without the directions, so I washed it off after 10 minutes (the result was smother, glowing skin) though I see on-line that you can leave it on. I'll have to try that out. Worth a look next time you're at Bath & Body Works!

YSL's Parisienne, the Fragrance for the Girl that Adopts Paris

YSL has just released their new Parisienne fragrance. This frangrance was created for the girl that isn't from Paris, but rather has adopted the city. I want that girl to be me! I love Paris. I want to go back sometime (my amazing husband says he'll take me). I want to wander the city and just take pictures of every street I see. I want to buy crepes from the street vendors, and I want to sit in a café for hours and drink coffee.