Carol's Daughter Sugar-Dipped Vanilla Bath and Body Collection

They got me. And by they, I mean Lisa Price and those hustlers at the Home Shopping Network.

A few weeks ago while at home on maternity leave, I was channel surfing and landed on HSN. Lisa, founder of Carol’s Daughter, and the HSN host were raving about the ‘Today’s Special’ – the new Sugar-Dipped Vanilla Bath and Body Collection. They extolled the virtues of the products’ ultra-hydrating properties, and couldn’t stop gushing about the collection’s unique fragrance profile. And by the end of the presentation, I had reserved a set for myself.

I don’t think I’ve ever purchased bath and body products without smelling them before, so ordering the Sugar-Dipped Vanilla products online was a leap of faith. And I fully intended to give someone a piece of my mind if my order didn’t live up to the hype. Luckily, the products turned out to be just as amazing as they were described – which is why I’m taking this opportunity to start spreadin’ the news.

For all of you fellow vanilla addicts out there, I think you’re going to dig the Sugar-Dipped Vanilla fragrance. Why? Well, because notes like peach, pink peony, guava, water lily, sandalwood and cotton candy set it apart from your run-of-the-mill vanilla scent. It smells so soft and fresh, and the fragrance is so flattering that I think a lot of vanilla haters will actually love it too. Trust me, you won't smell like baked goods.

You’ll also love how the Sugar-Dipped Vanilla Bath and Body Collection - which includes body wash, body cream, and an ‘All Over Sheen’ (plus a loofah) – deeply moisturizes skin while leaving it velvety soft…not greasy.

I’ve been using the collection every day since it arrived on my doorstep, and I adore it so much that I’m kicking myself for not also buying the Sugar-Dipped Vanilla Eau de Toilette Rollerball.

The Sugar-Dipped Vanilla Bath and Body Collection are an HSN exclusive, so if you take my advice and snag yourself a set, visit hsn.com.

All I Want To Wear Is Trance

Add this to the "why didn't I think of this" list: the 2 Carat Cup. The handle on this oversized porcelain mug looks like a solitaire diamond ring. Lianne and I discovered this little treasure at a Fashion Week event. It will soon be available on HSN.

I'm also dangerously in love with Lianne's Trance nail polish from Ginger + Liz. It's #1 on my shopping list right now.

All I want to wear is...all I want to wear is Trance!

Benefit's New Blog!

Introducing...The Secret Life of a Benefit Gal!

Benefit Cosmetics just launched their official blog, featuring exclusive insider tips, tricks and tales from the Benefit gals. Visit daily for the latest and greatest behind-the-scenes scoop.

And don't miss Benefit Makeup Trend Artists, Maggie Ford Danielson and Annie Ford Danielson, this Wednesday and Thursday as they make their debut on HSN.

They’ll be sharing the latest dish on looking gorgeous...and introducing the best instant beauty solutions from Benefit available on the Home Shopping Network. Check it out on Wednesday at 7am & 7pm, and Thursday at 2am, 4pm & 8pm.

Serena Williams Launches Beauty Line...Win a Chance to Meet Her!

Serena can do it in 90 seconds…can you?
Over the weekend, not only did Serena Williams beat her older sister and two-time defending champion Venus Williams to take the Wimbledon women’s tennis title, but she also announced the news of her beauty line, Mission Skincare Active-Beauty Featuring Serena Williams.

Meet Serena:
Starting today and ending July 21st, Serena is hosting a contest to see what you can do in 90 seconds. Enter at SerenasMISSION.com for the chance to meet her and win two VIP tickets to one of her upcoming tournaments. Other prizes include an autographed tennis racquet and $1,000 gift basket of Serena’s personal favorites. Follow her on Twitter @serenajwilliams to get contest updates.

The 90 Second Beauty Challenge:
The signature beauty solution Serena formulated works in just 90 seconds: Oxygen-Active Daily Facial Cleanser. A triple threat, this unique product is a cleanser, makeup remover and hydrating toner in one. Just apply, let the foam do its work, and wipe off. No water required. The result? Skin that appears younger and healthier looking – all for $39.99 at HSN.com beginning July 23rd.

Watch Serena Live!
On July 23rd and July 24th, Serena will appear on HSN to launch her line. Be sure to tune in!

Serena Wins Wimbledon and Announces New Beauty Line

Over the weekend, not only did Serena Williams beat her older sister and two-time defending champion Venus Williams to take the Wimbledon women’s tennis title in London, but she also announced the news of her very own beauty line with Mission Skincare.

On July 23rd and 24th, Serena Williams, a Mission Skincare co-founder, will appear on HSN to launch her luxe new skincare line called Mission Skincare Active-Beauty Line: Featuring Serena Williams. The products are engineered to offer proven solutions for the demanding active lifestyle of today’s woman.

The signature hero product is the Oxygen-Active Daily Facial Cleanser ($39.99), engineered with a unique, self-foaming oxygenating technology that cleans impurities, removes makeup, nourishes and renews skin in only 90 seconds. Antioxidant properties help fight free-radical damage and environmental aggressors. The result: skin that appears younger and healthier looking.

The line also includes the following all-star products:

Sugar Body Scrub ($29.99): Honey Sugar – Refined sugar granules suspended in a moisturizing gel that gently exfoliates the body, leaving the skin smooth, hydrated and healthy.

Restorative Body Butter ($29.99): Honey Sugar – A rich blend of natural extracts and moisturizing agents formulated to deliver superior nourishment and emollients to the skin to protect and hydrate.

Lip Balmer SPF 15 ($3.99): Pomegranate – Who better to design the perfect lip balm than professional athletes who battle heat, sun, sweat and freezing temperatures all in a day’s work? Introducing a long-lasting lip balm in Serena’s favorite flavor – pomegranate. Featuring broad-spectrum SPF 15 sun protection and moisturizing cocoa butter and soybean oil to hydrate and nourish lips. Added bonus – the formula is preservative and paraben-free.

Lip Balmer SPF 15 ($3.99): Pink Lemonade – Formulated to nourish, protect and deliver long-lasting hydration, this refreshing Pink Lemonade lip balm is clinically proven to lock in moisture for up to 8 hours, while providing powerful SPF 15 sun protection.

The products also highlight Mission Skincare’s unique M-10 formula, loaded with a variety of ten vitamins and antioxidants that meet the needs of active women worldwide.

Pretty Nifty: Do My Back

Add this to your list of summer beauty essentials...

Do My Back ($22) is designed for you to easily and thoroughly apply sunscreen, self tanner, moisturizer or shower gel to your own back with ease. Simply pour your product onto the pad and do your back! The ergonomic feel, extendable handle, and unique swivel movement of the head make it easy and comfortable to reach every part of your back...and your arms and legs too! Do My Back has been designed to use folded and unfolded, giving you the easiest, most thorough, fluid and clean application. It's the perfect addition to your beach, pool, spa or bath experience.

Do My Back is available at domyback.com, and will make its HSN debut on June 8, 2009.

90s Ladies Week: Saved By The Gel

It’s that time again. Time for me and my partner in crime, Amber, to bring you another week of beauty reviews inspired by pop culture of yesteryear. Remember how rad 80s Ladies Week was? Well, hold onto your butts…it’s time to slip on that flannel shirt, lace up your Doc Martens, and break out your Game Boy...it’s 90s Ladies Week, y’all.

First on the menu: a product inspired by my love for Peter Engel’s pièce de résistance – Saved By The Bell. In the early 90s, it was a rare Saturday morning that I was NOT catching up with my friends at Bayside High.

Like most Gen Xers, Saved By The Bell trivia hides in the recesses of my brain. Remember when Kelly’s face turned purple after using a zit cream given to her by Zack (and right before the homecoming dance, natch)? How much did the young feminist in you cringe every time Slater referred to Jessie as mama? 'Member how bad you felt for Lisa that she never had a real boyfriend and always had to settle for geeky ole Screech? I was like, "Peter Engel, help a sista out!" And don’t get me started on Jessie’s addiction to caffeine pills. Homegirl was this close to turning tricks for some Vivarin.

Don’t play coy and pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about. But here’s one factoid you probably didn’t know: Mark-Paul Gosselaar had to dye his hair blonde every two weeks while shooting the show. Say what?!?! Talk about blonde ambition.

My man Mark-Paul was in serious need of Ken Paves Boost Up Color Drops, which enhance existing hair color or boost fading color when added to conditioner or styling products. The Boost Up Color Drops can also change the hue of your color and even add the effect of highlights. They’re ideal for refreshing color in between visits to the salon - and the drops are formulated with soy proteins, conditioners and humectants which add strength, moisture and UV protection.

I add a few squirts of Boost Up Color Drops in Honey to leave-in conditioner and apply to my towel-dried hair. And after I blow-dry, I add a few drops to my shine serum to kick it up a notch. Honey adds warmth to my dark brown hair and leaves my prehistoric highlights looking much less brassy.

I imagine that if MPG would have gotten his hands on Boost Up Color Drops in the early 90s, he would have mixed a few drops with his favorite LA Looks product. Mark-Paul would have been, literally, saved by the gel.

Ken Paves Boost Up Color Drops are available in Black, Brown, Platinum, Honey, Beige and Red shades ($40) and are available at Henri Bendel, HSN, Ulta and Beauty.com.

Click here to check out Amber’s first 90s Ladies Week installment, and be sure to come back tomorrow for a second helping of nostalgia.

Ken Paves Healthy Hair Boost Up Color Drops

As soon as I heard about Ken Paves Healthy Hair Boost Up Color Drops, I added it to my 'Needed This, Like, Yesterday' list.

Boost Up Color Drops can be used to extend salon hair colorings and keep color fresh – or to instantly brighten, darken or add warmth to your regular hair color. In addition to its color enhancing properties, the product also moisturizes, invigorates, and conditions and replenishes lost protein. The best part? One shampoo and it's back to the old you. "It's like cosmetics for your hair," Paves says.

Boost Up Color Drops are available in six shades: Beige, Black, Brown, Honey, Platinum and Red.

Get a .96 oz bottle for $39.95. Or purchase the Color Booster Explorer Kit from HSN (which includes a full-sized bottle of the Boost Up Color Drops plus shampoo, conditioner, shine serum and hair spray from Ken Paves' new Healthy Hair line) for the same price. This is a no-brainer.

Healthy Hair products are also sold at Henri Bendel. And sometime soon, you'll see this line popping up at Beauty.com, Macy's, Ulta, and fine salons near you!

Feed Your Face

Did you know that our skin absorbs up to 64% of what we put on it? It’s a scary statistic, considering the ingredients found in most cosmetic products. Juice Beauty prefers to do things the natural way, using certified organic ingredients in their paraben-, fragrance-, and petroleum-free formulas. This line of cleansers, moisturizers, masks, and treatments uses freshly-squeezed organic juice concentrates as its base, not water – so products are rich in potent antioxidants, essential vitamins, phytonutrients and hydroxy acids. Juice Beauty gets your skin glowing while leaving you with peace of mind.

My favorite Juice Beauty product is the Green Apple Peel – Sensitive Skin. This powerful (yet gentle) hydroxy acid complex of certified organic apple, lemon, grape juices, and raw cane sugar exfoliates and brightens for visibly improved skin tone and texture – and it smells good enough to eat!

If you’re a bit hesitant to spend $39 for 2 ounces of the Green Apple Peel, go to juicebeauty.com and pick up a sample for $4.75. Trust me, you’ll be back for more.

Their motto is: “Try it because it’s organic. Use it because it works.” I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Juice Beauty is available at Sephora, hsn.com, and juicebeauty.com.