2010 Favorite Products: Beauty and Skin Care

Hello ladies,

I put together a grouping of my favorite products from 2010. These aren't necessarily new releases, but rather products that I discovered over the past year that became an integral part of my beauty routine.

Hard Candy: So Baked Bronzer in Tiki

This is the first bronzer that has truly complimented my fair skin. I use it as a blush and as a highlight all throughout the year.

This mini primer comes as a sample with each In the Shadows eye shadow collection. It's a phenomenal primer that I wish were sold full size. The mini tube is nice to toss in a travel cosmetic bag. Only a small amount of primer is required to keep eye makeup in place throughout the day.

Bella Sugar Cosmetics: eye shadows

This small, family run company produces the smoothest, most pigmented pressed shadows I have tried. My 18 shadow palette shows evidence of serious use. The pan is visible on quite a few shades. I have received so many compliments when wearing these shadows. Their greens and pinks are particularly noteworthy.

Make Up For Ever: Lift Concealer

I use this concealer under my eyes every day. It provides natural, crease resistant coverage.

B'Liv by Cellnique: Off With Those Heads Blackheads Sebum Gel

With twice daily application, Off With Those Heads has dramatically reduced the blackheads on my nose. Even if you have small pores that aren't yielding to a comedone extractor, this product will help clear them. At present, my blackheads are showing about 80% improvement with continued results each week.

Neutrogena: Ageless Restoratives Anti-Oxidant Daily Moisturizer SPF 20

I apply sunscreen every day no matter what the weather. Neutrogena makes many effective sunscreens, but Anti-Oxidant Daily Moisturizer is among my favorites for its weightless texture and compatibility with makeup application.

Neutrogena: Intensive Moisture Wrap

This Norwegian formula body treatment is reminiscent of Neutrogena's popular hand cream. With consistent use after showering, I haven't once experienced a dry patch this winter. Intensive Moisture Wrap is my new cold weather staple.

Bathory Diabolique: Scrub

I could praise these foot scrubs 'til the end of time. Beautifully perfumed and rich with skin healing shae butter, each scrub offers its own artisan beauty. Bathory Diabolique scrubs have helped keep my feet soft despite all the city walking I do.

Made from Earth: Rooibos Tea Face Scrub

This face scrub employs tiny jojoba spheres for exfoliation. I appreciate the wholesome, organic ingredients as well as the soft feel of my skin after each use. Perfect!

Pure Source: Protective Day Cream

This moisturizer is so healing for dry, sensitive skin. With continued use, my cheeks are smooth to the touch even on the coldest days. Protective Day Cream provides an effective barrier against environmental agents.

2010 could also be called The Year I Discovered Reviva Labs. My medicine cabinet looks like a slightly pillaged shrine. I have an assortment of partially full bottles and jars, all in active rotation. If I were relegated to using products from only one skin care company, it would be Reviva Labs. Below are a few of my absolute favorites of all that I have tried.

Reviva Labs: DMAE Firming Fluid

I am currently half way through my second bottle. DMAE will help firm skin along the jaw line and cheek bones. For anyone who has decided to pursue healthy weight loss this New Year, DMAE can assist with maintaining skin elasticity.

Reviva Labs: Skin Energizing Gel

I apply this gel under my nighttime moisturizer to increase its effectiveness. Because of Skin Energizing Gel, I no longer have to use heavy night creams to keep my skin hydrated.

Reviva Labs: Non-Chemical Light Skin Peel

Light Skin Peel is a great multi-purpose facial mask. It helps clear pores, refine skin texture, maintain natural oil balance and exfoliate dry skin. I can see how it would benefit just about every skin type. I use this mask every week. I wish I could give a sample to everyone I know.

Have any of you tried my favorite products? Do any seem tempting to you? What are some of your most reached for beauty items from the past year?

You can read disclosure information for each product and find purchasing information at the original posts.

Happy painting, ladies!

Bathed, Perfumed and Polished Giveaway Winner!

Hello ladies,

It is time to select the winner for the Bathed, Perfumed and Polished Giveaway!

I mixed the 556 hand written entries with birdseed as a special treat for our fine judges. Let's get acquainted with their eminence.

Meet Pidgeroo!

And Snowflake!

Snowflake is at the ready! She tips the bowl forward until...

Pidgeroo wants a piece of the action.

Together they labored as a team.

Until Pidgeroo made a bold move to showcase her skills!

Under Snowflake's supervision, Pidgeroo chose the winner.

With anticipation, I turned the paper over to reveal the winner's name.

Congratulations, Daria!

Three birds out for a drink. After the judging, Pidgeroo refreshes atop the bird bath. Having had her fill of the spotlight, Snowflake hides in the back. The black, grey and brown chicken is Pocahontas. She opted out of judging this round. She rested in the cool shade beneath a nearby bush and watched the proceedings with interest.

Warm congratulations to Daria! Please visit her nail polish blog: Chanson de Vernis. Daria is just getting started on her blogging venture. I'm looking forward to seeing more from her. The bath products, jewelry and nail polish are going to be heading to her in Moscow, Russia. How exciting!

Many thanks to Bathory Diabolique and SerendipityLicious for sponsoring this giveaway.

A special thanks to my sister Claire for raising such winsome birds and putting them on display. For any of you who happen to have knowledge of chickens and roosters, can you perhaps identify Pidgeroo's breed? Pidgeroo is about six-months-old and quite diminutive compared to Snowflake and Pocahontas.

Please stop by the Art Club: Black, White and Bold Giveaway for a chance to win the Boudoir Collection and Technicolor Doll nail art kits. I'll be doing the drawing for the Pick Your Plates with Chez-Delaney Giveaway next week.

Happy painting, ladies!

Bathory Diabolique: Scrub

Hello ladies,

I have been using the scrub from Bathory Diabolique for the past month and I am delighted with how soft my feet have become. The dual purpose formula contains a mix of sea salt, raw sugar and natural oils to exfoliate and moisturize. If you experience dry patches and roughness on your feet, this scrub is the antidote.

Black-eyed Susans at Bartram's Garden.

It's impossible to think of Bathory Diabolique without contemplating their exquisite fragrances. I tested four different scrubs in the following scents:

Ch'ang-o: Chinese goddess of the moon; protector of children. She does not personify the moon, but lives on it protected by the hare. Her husband lives on the sun and together they represent yin & yang. Her scent is grape, fresh off the vine blackberries, raspberries, and dark spices. It smells as beautiful as the drink which gave her immortality.

Pomponal: The sacred grove of Pomona, goddess of apples, orchards, and fruit. This scent captures the wonder and beauty of Pomponal. Strawberries, melon, mango, raspberries, apple, and pear with a backdrop of white florals.

Vajrayogini: The Buddhist deity visualized as both youthful and red, dancing through and triumphing over ignorance as her long black hair sways to and fro. She pours her great blessings upon the faithful. Frangipani, spicy frankincense, sweet sandalwood and a good dose of nagchampa is surely a blessing to us as we submerge ourselves in a warm bath with this triumphant scent.

Xochiquetzal : (ot i ketsal) Aztec goddess representative of human desires. Alluring and youthful, this scent is simple desires of youth. A soft, warm cream sweetened with a hint of brown sugar. both alluring and innocent, full of human desire.

I can sit under the grape arbor in the community garden and encounter one of the fragrant notes of C'hang-o. It's also the perfume of a berry harvest. I feel like my senses converge when I use this scrub. That momentary tart bite one experiences when tasting blackberries is present in the fragrance. The raspberry note brings in the sweetness and the spices add a deepening complexity.

Pomponal is one of my absolute favorites from Bathory Diabolique. The blend is ambrosial. It makes me think of an Otherworldly banquet of fruit so fresh each piece still has the touch of the sun on its skin. The floral element is soft, like the invitation of a bouquet.

Vajrayogini is for the spice lover. If you prefer your scents dark and earthy, Vajrayogini is certain to please. I love how the sandalwood merges with the nag champa. The frankincense brings a deep resinous quality. With the frangipani blooming up from the darker base notes, the fragrance is overtly sensual and not for the shy.

The sweet cream scent in Xochiquetzal is very comforting. I'm really impressed with this particular fragrance being able to maintain it's purity given the base ingredients in the scrub. The sea salt doesn't alter it unfavorably nor does the raw sugar make it overly sweet. The cream note is fresh and light. It doesn't sour on the skin as some creamery notes can. It's simple and lovely.

Here is the list of components in the scrub: Shae butter, coconut oil, sea salt, raw sugar, and fragrance.

Sea salt and raw sugar pair well together to exfoliate the skin. Sea salt is naturally abrasive. It works to draw toxins from the body as you scrub. It also offers these beneficial nutrients along with trace minerals: calcium, iodine, magnesium, potassium, and zinc.

Raw sugar contains glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy that helps loosen and dissolve dead skin cells. There is not only the benefit from the sloughing action of sugar crystals, but a natural chemical component as well. As dry skin is removed, the shae butter and coconut oil can absorb into the skin to nourish and moisturize

The scrub functions as a spa treatment rather than a cleanser. To best experience the moisturizing and exfoliating benefits, it's preferred to start with cleansed skin. The texture of the scrub make it perfect for coarser skin such as feet, elbows and knees. The scrub is definitely not suitable for the face or any tender, personal areas. Even though it smells fantastic and you may be tempted to use it everywhere, do practice some restraint.

One of the things I love about the scrub is you only need a small amount to benefit your skin. The shae butter is incredibly emollient. It amazes me just how silky it feels going on. The scrub is still textural. It doesn't feel super gritty, yet still manages to be effective. I honestly haven't used anything quite like it before.

After experimenting a bit, you'll find the right amount of scrub you need to soften your feet. I would recommend starting with a light application. It will leave a sheen of shae oil on your skin. You won't need to use foot cream afterwards. I love using the scrub before bed.

The scrub can be left in the shower or refrigerated. It has a nice cooling sensation just out of the fridge. You will need to stir the scrub before use if you decide to try refrigerating it. The shae and the salt and sugar will separate and then solidify. It's still soft enough to easily remix with a spoon.

The real problem with putting the scrubs in the fridge is to remember to take them out before showering! For that reason, I have one that I keep at the edge of the tub and rotate the others from the fridge.

I'm really pleased with how well this scrub has worked to soften my feet. Living downtown in Philadelphia leads me to do a lot of walking. I am so impressed that with continued use, I no longer have to worry about roughness on the top of my toes. I also noticed that I reach for my foot file much less often. I will definitely be ordering replacement scrubs as the ones I have run out. I can recommend the scrubs highly.

The scrubs were sent to me for review. Bathory Diabolique products can be found at bathorydiabolique.com. There is a special site where readers of painted Lady fingers can receive a 10% discount. Visit plfbathorydiabolique.com to enjoy the savings on your purchase. For a chance to win a beauty gift pack from Bathory Diabolique along with a pendant and nail polish, stop by the Bathed, Perfumed, and Polished Giveaway to enter.

Happy painting, ladies!

Bathory Diabolique: Bath Parfait

Hello ladies,

I have been enjoying the Bath Parfait from Bathory Diabolique over the past few weeks. The product is a perfumed soft formula soap that lathers beautifully. The Bath Parfait helps cleanse the skin while maintaining natural moisture balance.

Each Bath Parfait comes wrapped and labeled with the product name and the cute skull logo.

A sweep of dahlias.

The Bath Parfait is simple and enjoyable to use. I start with a dampened (but not dripping) wash cloth and scoop out a small helping. I massage the soap into the washcloth. It dissolves into lather almost instantaneously. I require slightly less product than I would typically use with a traditional shower gel. The Bath Parfait is economical for an artisan soap.

I am really impressed with the formula. It has a high content of shae butter and coconut oil for moisturizing properties. The Bath Parfait cleans with respect to the skin's essential hydration. The formula does not strip the skin of moisture.

The Bath Parfait is also perfect for sensitive skin. My skin is so easily irritated. There are very few liquid or cream soaps that don't cause allergic reactions. I expressed this to the owners of Bathory Diabolique and I was assured that it wouldn't be a problem. Their bath line was developed by a woman with skin sensitivities due to health issues.

As a company they start with food grade ingredients in the making of all their products. Food grade components are the purest available. Instead of using pre-made cosmetic dyes, the Parfaits are shaded with a mixture of primary color dye suitable for food use. As with all handcrafted products, there may be a little color variation from batch to batch.

I tested the following scents:

Xocoatl: The Aztec word for cocoa ours is deep, rich and frothy. So sweet it will make your mouth water as you sink into a steamy bath of “hot chocolate”. What could be more luxurious than a chocolate bath fit for any Aztec queen.

Kharis: the grace - goddess of beauty, splendor, and fruits. One of the Kharites, handmaidens to Aphrodite. Her scent is composed of strawberries, raspberries, mango, blackberry and the slightest touch of citrus.

I love the smell of dark chocolate! Xocoatl is a bliss inducing cocoa fragrance. It isn't sugary like a milk chocolate bar. It has a characteristic richness that makes me think of fine chocolates with a high percentage of cocoa.

Kharis is like a basket of ripe and sensual fruit. For anyone who has ever heated berries on the stove to make a compote, that warm scent of nectar suffusing the air is present in this blend. The fragrance is luscious, rather than candy sweet.

The only complication I encountered with the Bath Parfait is the packaging. While I love the aesthetics of the soap layered in the stemware, I am not convinced it is wholly practical. Care has to be taken to keep the product away from the flow of water in the shower.

The Bath Parfait would be easy to transfer into another container with a lid if it better suits the needs of your household. The consistency is similar to scooping ice cream. As a single person, I have no problems with it. I would be more concerned with most small children and some grown men not used to handling luxury bath products. I spoke with the owners and they are considering redesigning the packaging.

I have had such a great experience working with Bathory Diabolique. As a company, they are open to hearing my ideas and listening to feedback from readers. When I mentioned that many readers of painted Lady fingers really like fruit scents, the company created Ch'an-go, Kharis, Lectisternium and Pomponal for us.

Bathory Diabolique is a family run business. I have corresponded with everyone involved. Their teenage daughter communicated with me that she skin tested all of the fruit blends and made notes on her arms of the fragrances in process and helped with the final selections.

When I expressed that I prefer to have a full month to test products before writing reviews, I was provided with samples of the Bath Parfait and Scrubs well in advance. As much as I have enjoyed the products I have tried so far, I really think their service and attention deserves special mention.

I am really pleased with the Bath Parfait. I will definitely be placing an order in the future. I really want to try the Pin Up, Pomponal and Vajrayogini fragrances. Lathering up with the aroma of roses, ambrosial nectar or spices sounds quite decadent to me.

The Parfait Soaps in Xocoatl and Kharis were provided for my consideration. Bathory Diabolique products can be found at bathorydiabolique.com. The company has set up a separate site where readers of painted Lady fingers can receive 10% off their purchases instantly. Shop at plfbathorydiabolique.com to receive the 10% off reader discount. For a chance to win a parfait soap and an assortment of bath products, stop by the Bathed, Perfumed, and Polished Giveaway to enter.

Happy painting, ladies!

Bathed, Perfumed and Polished Giveaway!

This giveaway is now closed. You can see the winner's announcement here. Thanks so much for your participation!

Hello ladies,

Welcome to the Bathed, Perfumed, and Polished Giveaway. As part of the painted Lady fingers Anniversary Celebration, one lucky winner will receive an assortment of scented bath products from Bathory Diabolique, a necklace from SerendiptyLicious, and two Borghese nail lacquers.

Let's take a closer look at the prize package:

Two Borghese nail polishes

A Rosa Muerte necklace or any item from SerendipityLicious valued under $20.

From Bathory Diabolique:

Three Scrubs

Three Bath Cupcakes

One Parfait

Three Bath Bombs

The winner gets to choose any scent she likes.

Borghese Nail Lacquers in Stellare Notte and Plumaggio Purple

Rosa Muerte necklace or your choice of any item from SerendipityLicious valued under $20

A gift package from Bathory Diabolique.

Three scrubs

Three bath cupcakes.

One parfait.

Three bath bombs.

Many thanks to Bathory Diabolique and SerendipityLicious for sponsoring this giveaway!

The bath products will be sent to the winner directly from Bathory Diabolique. SerendiptyLicious will be mailing the jewelry item. I will be shipping the two nail polishes. All of the items in this post (with the exception of the polishes) were sent to me for review. The fine china saucers are not included. If I gave them away, where would I put my teacups?

Both SeredipityLicious and Bathory Diabolique are running 10% off all items during the giveaway. Bathory Diabolique has set up a special site for readers of painted Lady fingers so we can receive the discount easily. Please visit plfbathorydiabolique.com to enjoy the 10% off promotion.

The Bathed, Perfumed and Polished Giveaaway is open internationally for followers and e-mail subscribers. The contest runs through the end of the day August 10th. To keep this simple, I am willing to count the date as the last available time zone worldwide. As long as it is August 10th somewhere on the planet, you may still enter.

Here's how to enter:

Mandatory:

1) Become a follower or e-mail subscriber of painted Lady fingers. If you are currently a follower or subscriber, that certainly counts! Please let me know in the comments which option you choose for keeping up with painted Lady fingers. For example: I follow via Google Friend Connect or I subscribe via e-mail. Be specific. I check entries very carefully.

If you follow via Google Friend Connect, log into the proper account when you leave your comment. If you follow via Google Friend Connect, your account has to have some public aspect. It is okay if you don't follow publicly, but there needs to be some signs of humanity on your profile page. If you subscribe via e-mail, your e-mail address must be confirmed through feedburner. If you have never received an e-mail related to painted Lady fingers' blog posts, you do not have a confirmed account.

2) Include your e-mail with your entry to qualify. If you forgot to write your e-mail in with your contest entry, leave me another comment with your e-mail address.

Both 1 & 2 together = 1 entry.

Optional extra entries.

3) Let me know: What scent interests you the most from Bathory Diabolique? 1 entry.

4) What item would you choose from SerendipityLicious? 1 entry.

5) Make a purchase at either Bathory Diabolique or SerendiptyLicious before the end of the giveaway. 5 entries.

6) Blog about the contest in a post or add contest info to your sidebar. I will definitely count your entry if your blog is not written in English. I will also count your entry if your blog is just getting started and has a small number of followers. These extra entries are meant to be inclusive and fun. Please provide a link. 2 entries. If you use one of my contest photos, add another entry.

7) Tweet about the contest. Only once, please. Please provide a link. 1 entry.

8) Have painted Lady fingers on your blogroll or add painted Lady fingers. Please provide a link if I haven't already commented on your blog. Otherwise please remind me. I want to be sure to count the entry even if painted Lady fingers has been on your blogroll for a long time. If you have a nail polish blog and you would like to be on my blogroll, please e-mail me. 1 entry.

9)In appreciation, I am going to add an extra entry for those who comment regularly on non-giveaway posts. I do enjoy reading your feedback! Thank you! Not to worry, I am very inclusive with this extra entry. 1 entry.

You are welcome to put all your entries in one comment or return to the contest post with comments for each entry. Either way works for me. Your entries don't have to be sequential. Enter in any way you like whenever you like before the end of the day August 10th.

Please feel free to enter any and all of my anniversary giveaways. If Fortune favors you to win more than once, I will gladly support that! Thanks ladies for visiting my blog during the first year. I hope you enjoy the celebratory event. Best of luck! xoxo!

This giveaway is now closed. Thanks so much!