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Oooh! I discovered this fabulous new line out of Laguna Beach, CA -- SPA20. Their Clay Pie ($22/16oz at spa20.com) is a desert for your skin (you know, if you're looking for that sort of thing). The clay-colored goo is a head-to-toe body mask that tightens, detoxifies and restores every inch of you. The key ingredient is Kaolin Clay. The light scent is delightful; your man may get a sniff of you and try that pie himself. The CLAY Pie, that is.
Even after October's monster eye shadow piece, I still find myself obsessed, and that's good because then I wouldn't have come across LORAC's new Jewel Eyeshadow Box ($37.50 at sephora.com). The sleek black compact pacts four highlighters for adding shimmer to the eyes, cheeks and body. With names like Hope (pink shimmer), Faith (white shimmer), Charity (peach shimmer) and Virtue (lavender shimmer) you'll feel like doing a good deed every time you wear them! Another favorite eye shadow this month comes from NARS. Their Duo Eye Shadows ($27 at sephora.com) pack a lot of pigment in their convenient-to-carry small cases. Francios Nars personally picked the colors in each duo, thereby removing the guess work for us. The Blue Angel (half matte blue and half lavender shimmer) is spellbinding!
AWAKE Hydro-Touch Foundation Compact ($30 with refillable compact at awakecosmetics.com) is a completely unique approach to foundation. The water-based sheer formula is packaged in an airtight compact that becomes airtight again after each use. It comes in 10 different colors and it's great on all skin types.
LANCOME's Artliner ($24.50 at lancome.com) is the only way to get a precise liquid line on your upper eyelid. It is easy to handle and the new formula gives its nine eye-opening shades astonishing staying power. Instead of risking hair-gel fallout (flakes) in your hair, try ALTERNA's Protectant Smoothing Cream from their new Caviar line ($15.75/8.5oz at beauty salons). I love this light cream. It calms even the most intense fly-aways, but leaves your hair manageable and not sticky. Perfect for just a touch of control.
PUPA's Compact.Kit make up kit ($35 at Sephora) is all you need for a night on the town. Each compact disc-sized case is like an iMac jam-packed with all your beauty needs. You'll find two satiny eye shadows, blush, and two lipsticks on one level and a lipstick, two eye pencils, a creamy mascara and two applicators on the other. Each kit comes in three cool neon color cases: Blue, Yellow and Magenta, each with its own color palette. If you get this as a present from your boyfriend you'll know that he's a keeper ... at least until next year.
HINT HINT What better way to say "Kiss My Ass" then with OOH LA LA KISS MY ASS Moisturizing Balm ($10/8oz at Henri Bendel stores). Each thick cream is lusciously scented and comes in flavors from Apple Pie Souffle to Ocean Breeze. You may just want to buy this one for yourself ... Soap doesn't just come in boring ol' Ivory packaging anymore. Whether you give homemade soaps from the local flea market or those sold by upscale salons, it makes a great gift. LAFCO has the best way to give soap this year. Their motto is "The Packaging is as important as the product"and the Kimono 2000 ($14 at indulge.com) line illustrates that. They use imported Japanese Mingei Papers of Cozo and Hemp that are individually patterned with traditional designs. Each bar includes a note card giving information and a little romance. Scents range from Almond to Citron. Most soaps decompose in your soap dish once water hits them but GET FRESH's are the exception. Each soap is handmade in Australia and come with its own handy travel dish, so no matter where you are you can always GET FRESH! The heart of the GET FRESH experience is their moisturizing and loofah soaps (yup, a loofah built right in!). My favorite is the Ginger & Pink Grapefruit ($9 at indulge.com). BLUE Q always has clever gift ideas. My favorites are the Pit Stop Soap and matching Washcloth for the grease monkey in your life. With "manly" scents like Bergamot, Spanish Amber and Fresh Lemon, he won't think you're trying to tell him anything more than "Clean up once-in-a-while!" Total Bitch Soap with matching washcloth and hand & body cream is for the demanding woman in your life and you better buy the Voodoo Soap for yourself so no one can cast a spell on you this year. The soaps and washcloths are each $8. The Total Bitch Hand & Body Cream is $15. They're all available at 800-423-6335
Last but not least are NEEDZ Bath and Shower Gels. Founder Trina Cooper really knows her stuff. A former model and international make-up artist, this Canadian native started her own all-natural soap factory in her Soho apartment. The Bath and Shower Gels ($7.95 at needz.com) are made with glycerin and come in scents like Lilac Bloom and Aloe Vera. The Roman Sea Salts ($7.95/10oz bag at needz.com) combine the benefits of hydrotherapy (the therapeutic use of water) and aroma therapy. The rich mineral sea salts, essential oils and cleansing Epsom salts make it all happen. NEEDZ Mosaic Soap ($5/4oz at needz.com) is as natural as it comes. They're all handmade and combine two vibrant colors separated into a square of vegetable soap that encompasses a circle of glycerin.
Brown Sugar Body Polish ($55/15oz at fresh.com) from FRESH is my favorite product to hit the market this year. Pure brown sugar is blended with five rich oils, resulting in a very natural exfoliate. The scent of pure lemons lasts well after your shower and it leaves a light moisturized sheen on the skin. --Cybele Parsignault |
Based
in Athens, Greece, KORRES recently
put out Olive Stones Exfoliant Scrub ($15 at 
New
from SEBASTIAN TRUCCO 2FACED is
their 4Shadow Face Cremes Collection and Creme Identity Lipsticks
($25/4shadow and $13/lipstick both at 
BEAUTY
MADNESS Rejuvenating Hand Care System ($49.95 at 
The
holidays are upon us and whether you have to give something to your
friends or a co-worker here are some cute ideas that at least look
like you put some thought into it.
2000
PRODUCT PICK OF THE YEAR© 2000 MASH magazine, All Rights Reserved.