Raging Rouge Beauty Blog: For Makeup Lovers Everywhere!
Beauty Anonymous features a preview of Paul & Joe Summer 2009 Makeup Collection.
A Touch of Blusher reviews Deluxe Eyeshadow Kit from Barry M.
The Makeup Divas reviews Gillette Venus Embrace & Spa Breeze shavers.
Raging Rouge raves about the latest fragrance by CLEAN, Simply Soap.
Face Candy gives you the details on Les Noirs de Chanel.
Check out Christine's picks for bringing some Spring to your toes. Head on over to Beauty in Real Life to get the details!
Beauty Match
Norman Sands reveals a few well-guarded secrets to the perfect wedding makeup!
A Touch of Blusher
A Touch of Blusher reviews Deluxe Eyeshadow Kit from Barry M.
Raging Rouge
Raging Rouge raves about the latest CLEAN fragrance, simply soap.
Bags, Bling and Beauty
In the inaugural post of Bags, Bling and Beauty, read about the best thing to happen to pedicures since quick-dry.
STYLEnosh
Start to build your own timeless wardrobe: how to shop for a classic black blazer.
Beauty and Fashion Tech
Beauty and Fashion Tech begins a comprehensive review of the Nintento Wii Fit!
Girl Gloss
Girl Gloss looks at Lumene Beauty Base, a lip makeup base
Splendicity Accessories
Here are the top 10 reasons why Chloe would prefer to invest in accessories over the stock market.
Steeping Beauty
Once upon a time Steeping Beauty saw a fashion show…
The truth is (and some of you may think this is sacrilege), I am not planning to watch the Academy Awards, and don't really care who wins any category. This indifference means I haven't been paying much attention to the coverage leading up to the event.
Until, that is, I read that 5 of the most popular AG Hair Cosmetics products have been selected for inclusion in the 2009 SWAG bag. The bag of goodies the celebs receive is the only thing of interest to this beauty blogger!
The news reminded me that I hadn't shared word with you on AG's latest product, split end spa repair serum. Scheduled to launch in May of 2009, this product won't be included in the Oscars gift bag this year, but I'll bet it will make the short-list for 2010! In a word of heat treated, chemically treated and colored hair… this product is a lifesaver.
Split End Spa Repair Serum should be worked through clean, damp hair (focusing on the ends). The serum conditions hair to prevent future split ends, and also protects hair color from fading! What sets it apart? Split End Spa Repair Serum actually makes frayed tresses look better on contact! Why wait until your next cut for healthy looking hair?
Even Hollywood thinks AG Hair Cosmetics rocks! Don't forget who told you about AG Haircare first!
Click HERE to visit the AG Hair Cosmetics website, to check out their extensive product line!
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!
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.
