Divas Die Poor

Product Palooza: The Best & The Brightest

I've been to so many events over the last 2 weeks--from fashion week to coterie to launch parties. It's like product central in my office.  But I won't annoy you with the bad, boring & the ugly...only the great.  Here are the standouts:

1) American Crew.  Just went to a launch party for their new hair recovery product line and I'm loving the story behind this brand.  The stylist for the Mad Men was chatting it up on how she only uses American Crew Product for her leading men--including Don Draper.  For the leading man in your life, this is the product to own. What I love is that they use natural ingredients which is hard to find in salon quality products.  3 products that I love:  Tee Tree Shampoo (focuses on the scalp which is perfect for men), moisturizing shave cream (good for dealing with nasty razor burn), and the molding clay to get that bed head Robert Pattinson look.

 

2) Body Butter by the Body Shop ($20).  An oldie but goodie, this award winning nourishing creme is amazing. I hadn't used it a long time but got reacquainted this week complements of the Ideeli gift basket.  In college, I used the Mango Body Butter in the winter. Now, I'm slathering it on my 3 year old and she is loving the texture ("Mommy its so silky").  Experiment with all the yummy & very natural flavors...from pink grapefruit to hemp.

 

3) Molton Brown's Pagoda Tree Foot Creme ($27).  This foot creme should be in every woman's beauty arsenal. It's a miracle creme for the bruised, the battered & the cracked.  With the onset of coldness and the absence of bi-monthly pedicures, this creme should be at the top your shopping list.  Massage it into your feet and allow for the healing to begin.

Clean Sweep: Remede's Daily Super Scrub

Awhile back I mentioned my love for Dr. Brandt's Microdermobrasion. I've been using the good Dr's formula 1-2x's week and its definitely absolved my need for facials.  But for daily upkeep I use a pea size amount of Remede's Sweep in the shower.  Made of superfine minerals and clay, it lifts dead cells and keeps blackheads at bay.  It's so gentle, takes 30 seconds to use & your skin feels smooth all day!  An insider at Bliss told me it's one of their best selling products.  Available at Bliss, Sephora and Beauty.com for $48. 

My Favorite Cheap Thrill Right Now: Aquaphor

Yeah, I'm pretty aware that this is not gonna be the sexiest post out there. And pretty confident that millions have expressed love for this one, but for some reason it's not stopping me from writing it. 

Have you tried Aquaphor?

I was with some girlfriends this weekend who voiced their skepticism about multi-purpose products. Understandably so.  So let me wax poetic about this greazy balm and tell you about its multitudinous ways. For a $6 you get a: chapstick, hand & feet lotion, eyelash conditioner, burn treatment, scar treatment, after laser hair removal treatment.  Apparently people who have newly minted tattoos use it to soothe too. I'm using it right now on my newborn's dry scalp. My mini miracle worker for my mini boo.

Beauty Exclusives at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

The one thing I love about the Nordstrom anniversary sale is the beauty deals.  Counters are always doing the GWP's, but I rarely want the staid nautical tote or PVC cosmetic case. It's rare to get a deal on beauty products at dept. stores--an actual dollar amount off fragrance, cosmetic, & skincare.  But if GWP's is your thang...Nordstrom is doing those too.  Sale is online & instore til August 2nd.  Here's what's on my shopping list: 

1) DK's Deodorant is the best I've ever tried. Sticks around all day, has a non-compete with my perfume, and is sublimely sheer.  $32 for a trio (originally $36)

2) Don't know anyone who doesn't love Laura Mercier. This package valued at $167 is offered for $65!! An amazing hostess with the mostess gift.

3) I have to get rid of my Solano. It's so damn heavy and I've had it for years. I'm definitely upgrading to this featherweight T3.  Valued at $171, its yours for $119 and you get a ceramic brush too.

4) I've been a huge fan of Deborah Lippmann nail lacquers. It's the only nail polish that I've found that lasts for 2 weeks +.  This anniversary set is perfect for Fall. Original value $51, Now $36. 

Meet Jenn Falik: Insider Tips from Beauty Expert + Free Stuff !

Meet Jenn Falik.  Jenn's been on everything from The View to the Today Show lending amazing beauty & style advice.  From uncovering beauty bargains to finding celebrity looks for less, Jenn is totally in the know.  She's been gracious enough to spend time with DDP.  Here are 5 questions for Jenn:

DDP:  What are your current obsessions right now?

MAC Lustre Drops- a tiny dab on the cheek bone right under the outer corner of your eye makes skin glow.

Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes Waterproof Liner- The only liner I have found recently that doesn’t run when I use it to line the inner part of my bottom lash line.

GOSMiLE Flashlites- Especially before a tv segment, these on-the-go smile polishing breath fresheners are a must for sparkling pearly whites.

Sir Alistair Rai Scarves-  I never leave home without one of these oversized bold colored scarves, made in India and covered in beautiful Sanskrit writing. Sure, there are less expensive scarves to be found out there, but these are so unique and multi-functional. I wear it as a sarong on the beach, use it as a blanket on a cold flight, even tie it as a halter neck dress to wear with skinny jeans.  (www.siralisairrai.com)

DDP:  What's your favorite cheap thrill?

Pond’s Wet Cleansing Towelettes. Two things I value more than anything are convenience and efficiency.  Add value into that equation, and it is a true home run.  At around $4 for a pack of 30, these are perfect for travel (and I am on the road at least 4 times a month!) and feature an exclusive cleansing system that has these oil- and dirt- trapping fibers which work as a magnet to leave skin clean as a whistle. They even completely remove waterproof mascara- added bonus. It is nice waking up in the morning to a clean pillow- no makeup smears or mascara stains. Saves me time, and money, on laundry!

DDP:  What are some of the best bargains out there right now?

Hanes V Neck Men’s Undershirts- Whenever I am at a Target, I pick a couple of the three packs up. They are around $10, and the small sizes fit perfectly and wear much better than many of the expensive designer tees I have owned.

Physician’s Formula Bronzers- Hands down my favorite drugstore makeup buy,  this brand has a range of great shades in different finishes- from matte to shimmer and everything in between.

DDP:  What should a girl always have in her closet?

A bright pair of peep-toe pumps- You may think you will never wear them, but you will end up living in them! They add a fun burst of color to an everyday jeans and tee shirt, and if you want to spice up a little black dress, these do the trick.

A metallic skinny belt- Anything in your closet for the most part will look better belted. I feel like adding a belt gives you at least one more season of wear out of the clothes you already own. And metallic are they way to go because they tend to go with just about everything.

Thanks Jenn! And Jenn's hooked us up with Ponds for some fab free stuff.  Join DDP (follow us on twitter, facebook fan us, or join via email) and 5 lucky winners will get an entire summer's supply of Pond's Wet Cleansing Towelettes.  Don't worry, current readers are in the mix to win too!!

Get Your Goose On: Neil George Gooseberry Treatment Oil for Hair

I'm always on the prowl for natural beauty products. I'm slowly trying to overhaul my bathroom cabinets & wean myself off of the stuff laden with chemicals.  One of the first things I hunted for was hair repair. Although, I don't color my hair, I do blow dry and occasionally flat iron.  I want something that fixes all of that and leaves me silkalicious.

I tried the Ojon Hair Mask which basically felt as if I was living in a 1980's smoke-filled airport terminal. It seriously felt like someone cashed out an ashtray in my hair. Although, it makes my hair shiny and soft, I can't handle the stank.

So last month a friend recommended Neil George's Indian Gooseberry treatment oil. And it's delectable. Not only does it leave my hair silky and smooth, but it also smells so good I want to create a mixed drink with it.  The Indian Gooseberry is 20X more powerful than your regular citrus-- making it a superpower antioxidant.  Its been used in Indian hair concoctions for ages.  The creators not only say it is a cure-all for the  dry & the damaged...but it also prevents premature graying.

I got mine at Beauty.com for $42.

Nail It Down: Nail Lacquers by Deborah Lippmann

I've always been a fan of manicurist to the stars, Deborah Lippmann's, nail lacquers. My manicurist introduced me to her collection a couple years back.  Before our meet and greet, I never colored my finger nails. I was too chicken. I couldn't deal with the chips after a day or two. But after trying Lippmann's lacquers, there was no stopping me. It was Tiny Dancer, Dark Side of the Moon, & Fade to Black for me. For $15 a bottle, my mani lasts, a small price to pay for a week's worth of glory.  This season she's come out with one of my favorite shade's of all time:  Call Me Irresponsible.  Get it here.   

Lube Me Up: Argan Oil the Cure-all for All Things Dry

The blogosphere is ablaze with Josie Maran's new line of eco-friendly beauty products, particularly of her Argan Oil.  It's made from an oil native only to Morocco and is fully loaded with fatty acids and Vitamin E--no silicone, parabens, petrochemicals.  French women are said to imbibe the oil like a best selling Beaujolais.  So I had to try it.

I have used it for a week and I have to say it's pretty amazing.  I wasn't expecting to get results this fast--especially from a product made by a model-turned-cosmetologist. Actually, I was expecting to feel pretty gree-zy and having to wash my sheets an abnormal number of times.

For someone who is always looking for all-purpose, 10-in-1 products, this is definitely it.  It acts as a post-winter dry skin moisturizer, a cuticle cream, a split end zapper, a scar healer, a stretch mark reducer.  I am not sure if you can use it to make pasta yet. 

And you don't need a lot.  I have been putting a few drops on my face every morning and night. It absorbs in 10 minutes.  I put it on my cuticles and hair at night (and shampoo the next day).  It's definitely evening out my combo skin and getting rid of dry patches on my knees and elbows.  I'm gonna keep using.  I will keep you posted if it's a fly-by-nighter or becomes a beauty staple.

Get it at Sephora. Free shipping with code SHIP35.  And remember, DDP can help subsidize your purchase.  Refer a friend and win a $25 gift certificate to Sephora.  Winners chosen on Friday.

Pure Juiciness: Juicy Tubes Go Au Naturele

Most of the beauty products that I buy these days are chemical-free. At least I try to. So I get ecostatic when some of my all time favorites go au naturele.  I still think Lancome Juicy Tubes are the best gloss in town.  Its not super sticky and has the right amount of shine. 

The new, green & improved version is paraben free.  Instead of using the best chemicals in the world, Lancome is now using the best natural emollients in the world.  So the next time you apply, lick, and repeat, you can trust you aren't ingesting a pound full of chemicals.

Juicy Tubes PURE are available in 10 high gloss colors at a makeup aisle near you ($18).

No Collagen Injections Required: Blue Lagoon Skin Care

Where else can you go for midnight sun, beautiful people, the best nightlife, and all the natural beauty that your heart desires?  Reykjavik.  My love & I went for our honeymoon and spent our days glacier hiking, our nights eating amazing sushi, and our late late nights eating amazing pilsurs (yes that's right the best hot dogs ever). 

It was in Iceland that I discovered some of the best skin care products --earthy, natural, glow-for-days skin products.  The Blue Lagoon Spa is a geothermal mineral hot spring acclaimed for its healing powers--i'm talking eczema, psoriasis, and other skin ailing bad boys. 

The products weren't available in the US for some time. I had to beg my guy friends who threw their bachelor parties in the land of the free to bring me a stash. Now, the products are available on line.  Here are my favs: Hydrating 24h serum ($116), Silica Mud Mask ($125)--(I use as a body scrub), Mineral Moisturizer ($65).  The bottles are huge and will last you 6 months or more.  Results are immediate--in no time you will be glowing like the moon and smooth like a baby's bum bum.