Stop Bathtime Fights With Prive!

As a little girl, I loved bathtime.  I would prolong the bath itself, enjoying playing with my sister and the water.  But I was also avoiding the dreaded post-bath combing ritual!  Yes, a day's worth of hard-core play manifested itself into tangles more intricate than the plot of a soap opera.  My Mom would patiently try to work them out with a comb, all the while I wiggled and complained about it.  And when I was done, she still had my sister's more voluminous tresses to contend with!

Rather than tolerate this misery each night, you can buy a product that works for every member of the family.  Prive Thermal Protection Detangling Spray is enriched with cactus, bamboo and kelp.  This combination of natural ingredients not only detangles the messiest head of hair painlessly and quickly, but can act as a protecting agent prior to heat styling.  A product that can be used for both mother AND daughter?  Priceless!

Prive Thermal Protection Detangling Spray retails for about $20 and can be found at salons.  Click HERE to read more about Prive online or  Click HERE to find a salon near you that carries this fantastic hair care line!

Another Opinion: ShopSmart Rates Blow Dryers, Straightening Irons and Mascaras

Here at the Raging Rouge Beauty Blog, you're always reading my opinions of beauty products.  But, while I certainly do my best to be as comprehensive as possible, I'm a one-woman show, and simply can't possibly test every product available.  Especially not expensive products like hair dryers and straightening irons!

The lovely people at ShopSmart (from the publisher of Consumer Reports) have allowed Raging Rouge to republish their findings from the January 2009 issue of ShopSmart for your beauty information! Please note that I am republishing this as information only, and do not necessarily agree with the findings of these tests.

ShopSmart Tests Reveal Beauty Staple Standouts

January Issue Features Ratings for Blow Dryers, Straightening Irons and Mascara—

YONKERS, NY – If you’re looking for a good blow dryer, hair straightener or mascara, you don’t need to spend a lot of money – that’s according to the latest lab tests results of these products by ShopSmart, from the publisher of Consumer Reports.

“You can pay anywhere from $20 to $200 for a blow dryer or a straightening iron, but it doesn’t really matter what you spend. ShopSmart found standouts at both price points that will give you plenty of great hair days,” said Lisa Lee Freeman, editor-in-chief, ShopSmart. “The same goes for mascaras, so before you reach for that department-store brand, check out our smart picks.”

Blow Dryers

ShopSmart tested 10 models of blow dryers on swatches of human hair in an environment chamber (to keep temperature and humidity steady). Additionally, a panel of 10 staffers used the dryers at home. Despite big differences in price and wattage (ranging from 1,300 to 1,875), drying time did not vary much. But once noise and other features were factored in, ShopSmart found three standouts. ShopSmart’s smart splurges include the CHI Pro Dryer GF 1505, $135 and Bespoke Labs T3 Featherweight 83808-se, $200. The bargain buy, Revlon’s Ionic Ceramic Pro Stylist RV484, $20, had one bonus pricey dryers lacked, separate heat and speed settings so you can control temperature and airflow. It, along with the CHI, comes a diffuser and concentrator.

Straightening Irons

Nine straightening irons were tested in a humidity chamber and nine staffers tried them at home. Results of in-house tests and user feedback revealed that these products claims of ionic, tourmaline and nano silver technology did not make a difference in straightening performance. ShopSmart’s choice for smart splurge, the Infiniti Nano Silver by Conair SS9, $100, had all three features, but the bargain buy, Revlon Perfect Heat Ceramic RVST2001C, $30, had none. Paying a higher price also did not guarantee a better straightener and neither did the brand names. Conair was the maker of the top and bottom rated models while the CHI Ceramic GF-1001, $130 was the second-most-expensive straightener tested but did not rate anywhere near the top.

Mascaras

Thirty-four women tested 16 lengthening and/or thickening formulas of mascara. While the top-rated wand was the more expensive Lancôme Definicils, $24another very good choice was the affordable Max Factor Lash Perfection Volume Couture, $7. Another surprise was how beauty magazine staple Maybelline Great Lash Washable mascara fared in the tests. While it rated very good overall, several panelists said it was nothing special and some complained about clumps. 

The full reports on blow dryers, straightening irons and mascaras are featured in the January 2009 issue of ShopSmart magazine.

About ShopSmart magazine:

Launched in Fall 2006 by Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports, ShopSmart draws upon Consumer Reports’ celebrated tradition of accepting no advertisements and providing unbiased product reviews. The magazine features product reviews, shopping tips on how to get the most out of products and “best of the best” lists. ShopSmart is ideal for busy shoppers who place a premium on time. ShopSmart has a newsstand price of $4.99 and is available nationwide at major retailers including Barnes & Noble, Wal-Mart, Borders, Kroger, Safeway and Publix. Subscriptions are now available at www.ShopSmartmag.org.

Click HERE to shop for some of the winners at Drugstore.com!

Click HERE to check out some deep discounts on great haircare tools at Misikko.com.

Weekly Shopping And Goodies

weekly shopping and goodies member The Fashionable Housewife tells us all about Spring 2009 Trends, Styles, And MORE Must-Have Items

A Few Goody Gumdrops and Chickdowntown.com are giving away a pair of CURRENT/ELLIOTT jeans! Enter to win.

The inaugural post of Bags, Bling and Beauty is focused on the best thing to happen to a pedicure since quick-dry.

Be Seen In Hollywood invites you to check out Jordin Sparks, Coldplay, ICarly, Taylor Swift at CharityBuzz.com

Couture In The City tells us the things they love about Christian Louboutin Heels, Nina Ricci & Crocodile Handbags

Fashion Fille is on a quest for that necklace. Can you help?!

Ladybrille is saying, Douye, Contemporary African Jazz Singer, is Ladybrille Woman of the Month!

Ma Petite Chou wants to snatch up all the cute bags from the Big Bag Sale at Yesstyle.

Puppies and Worms loves liposuction from a nude top.

Raging Rouge raves about the new fragrance launched by CLEAN, Simply Soap.

Shopping and Info loves a great sale of designer coats 70% off for Brian Reyes and Juicy Couture.

Spork Fashion offers a great contest in honor of Confessions of a Shopaholic

Style Eyes Fashion Blog is loving fruity prints. Find some gorgeous choices in her post Tutti Fruity Grape Prints

The Fashionable Bambino knows who the Oscar for Best Animated Movie goes to!

The Fashionable Gal dishes on the 13 Best Hair Removers

The Well-Heeled Society gives you the statistics on the growing society of women Rihanna just joined.

CLEAN Simply Soap

CLEAN, fragrance, product reviews, beauty blog, makeup blogThe tricky thing with fragrance is… no matter how appealing you may find it, there is someone who absolutely hates your favorite.  Case in point… during a visit with my parents recently, I wore a favorite new scent (name withheld to protect the innocent). My Mom expressed her displeasure with the scent, and told me it smelled like "death".  The sense of smell is an amazing thing, and can conjure up the most obscure memories…  I suspect this is why many women choose bestselling perfumes to call their own.  If it's a bestseller, that means lots of people love it, right?   

CLEAN has the solution to this conundrum.  Launching in March, CLEAN's new "Simply Soap" is a scent virtually impossible to find offensive, unless you have some bizarre fear of bathing.  Simply Soap smells totally clean.  The only memory it could possibly conjure in anyone's mind is a hot, luxurious shower, with lots of soapy bubbles.  The light airy scent is an ideal way to usher in Spring, and to ensure that everyone loves the way you smell.

Click HERE to head to the CLEAN website. A 60 mL bottle (2.14 ounces) retails for $69.

Like what you just read? Be sure to head to the Raging Rouge Beauty Blog homepage for more makeup reviews, product swatches and beauty news.

Happy Birthday, Raging Rouge!

product review, beauty, pedi couture, pedicure slippers, pedicure sandals, pedicure flippiesRoughly two years ago today, my husband suggested I start blogging.  Anxious to write on a regular basis, I started a blog about current events.  Quickly I found myself avoiding my new hobby.  Writing about politics and such was depressing, and I was in search of an escape from harsh realities.

But what to write about?  One look at my bathroom, cluttered with tubes, jars and bottles became my inspiration.  Thus, the Raging Rouge beauty blog was born.  Never in a million years did I imagine how popular my pet project would become.

To mark Raging Rouge's second birthday, I would like to invite you to check out my latest project.  Bags, Bling and Beauty is a blog about fashion, accessories, and yes– makeup.

Click HERE to head over to the Bags, Bling and Beauty Blog to read my inaugural post about the Pedi Couture sandals pictured in this post. And happy President's Day!

Weekend Beauty Reads

Raging Rouge announces the tarte complexion giveaway! Click HERE to enter for a chance to win one of three tarte cosmetic prizes, each with a retail value of $83!

A Touch of Blusher tries out Jill Stuart's Mix Blush Compact.

Beauty Anonymous wears Jewel Lips.

Come see what mascara The Makeup Divas is raving about.

Beauty Junkie in SF loves Benefit's The Overnighter's Set because it comes with product and her fav, a Hanky Panky, just for Valentine's Day!

DivaShop reviews some Coastal Scents & e.l.f. Products.

Elke starts her series on how to take control. Beauty control that is. Part I: Focus.

Beauty Banter gives you the exclusive dish on Gwyneth Paltrow's hair inspiration!

The girls over at Beauty in Real Life are having a giveaway with Ralph Lauren's new fragrance.

Sass, Style and Substance Weekly Reads

sass, style and substance, weekly style reads

Style Manila
Earrings are a personal style fetish. These babies have found a new nest.

Raging Rouge
Who couldn't use perfect skin this Spring? Head over to the Raging Rouge tarte cosmetics giveaway for a chance to win one of three complexion prizes with a retail value of $83 each!

Beauty Match
Celebrity Smile Teeth Whitener Free Sample Giveaways

A Touch of Blusher
A Touch of Blusher tries out Jill Stuart's Mix Blush Compact.

eye4style
Here Kitty, Kitty. eye4style is loving the new MAC Hello Kitty video. Have you seen it yet?

Her Accessories
Here are a few of my shoe picks for red-carpet worthy style.

Gleaming Things
Bring on the bling at the Grammys! Celebrities went bold and bright on the red carpet for the Grammy Awards.

STYLEnosh
Take a simple Target dress from casual to chic!

HUGE Markdowns At Eluxury.com!

4 Days Only! President's Day Weekend Sale! Take an extra 50% off all sale apparel!

Sephora Promotions!

Sephora.com, Inc., promotional codes, promo codes, discounts, saleSephora is offering some incredibly tempting promotions right now!  Click any of the links below to enter Sephora online and shop 'til you drop!

ONE WEEK ONLY! Get FREE Shipping on orders of $35 or more! Enter code SHIP35 at checkout!  (Offer is valid from 2/13 to 2/20/09)

Get a FREE Sephora Brand Birthday Vanilla Cupcake Bath & Shower Bubbles. For a limited time, we're extending this Beauty Insider-only gift to you with any order of $25 or more. Enter code CUPCAKE at checkout.  Valid from 2/13/09 and only while supplies last!  I LOVE this product… got one for my birthday last year and must say it's an extremely yummy scent!

FREE Cosmedicine Optimologist Eye Cream with Light Diffusers sample with any purchase. Use code COSMED1 at checkout.  Valid while supplies last.

Receive a FREE deluxe sample of Fresh Umbrian Clay Face Treatment with any merchandise purchase. Enter code FRESH at checkout.  Offer begins on 2/18/09 and is good while supplies last.

Get a Bare Escentuals 10-day sample plus mini kabuki brush FREE with any order! Enter code PEACELOVE at checkout.  Offer begins on 2/19/09 and is good while supplies last.

Prescriptives Valentine’s Day Offer

Prescriptives (ELC), Valentine's Day, beauty blog, makeup blog, product reviews, free gloss, promo code, promotional code, discount codeThis Valentine's Day, Prescriptives is thanking their lovely customers with an irresistible offer.

Treat your lips to a FREE FULL-SIZE MOONBEAM REFLECTIVE GLOSS in best-selling shade Meteor (a $17.00 value) with any $50 purchase – plus receive FREE SHIPPING on your entire order when you enter code VDAY at checkout!

Hurry, this exclusive online offer is valid this weekend only, through 2/16/09 at 11:59 PM ET, or while supplies last.

Free Full-Size Lip Gloss + Free Shipping with any $50 Prescriptives purchase. Use code VDAY at checkout through 2.16.09.