Happy Birthday, Shiseido! And a giveaway to celebrate!

I’m always fascinated by the evolution of skin care and makeup over the years. Especially interesting are products that consistently remain part of women’s routines. And today is a good day for a little nostalgia. It is a Monday after all and I’m t-minus four days till my birthday. Speaking of birthdays, one of my favorite companies is celebrating a whopper. Shiseido is celebrating its 140th anniversary this year! And they are throwing quite a party.

First, on facebook, Shiseido has launched a virtual Wishing Tree. You can make a “wish for the world” and for every 140 wishes made, Shiseido will plant a Cherry Blossom tree in collaboration with the New York Restoration Project (NYRP). Click here to participate. Secondly, Shiseido is honoring its first-ever cosmetic product – Eudermine – with a re-launch in its original packaging from over 100 years ago.

Having a bottle of Eudermine in its original 1897 packaging on your vanity is like having a historical piece of artwork in your home. Not to mention, I love using it every evening. It is termed an essence or softening lotion, designed to be used kind of like a toner. It is nimble, adjusting your skin for changes in temperature and humidity, keeping skin balanced. It very gently smooths and primes skin for hydration. It is great first step after cleansing to prep the skin for treatment and remove the last bit of grime. As per instructions, I swipe it on with a cotton pad.

And the party doesn’t stop there. If you purchase Eudermine on shiseido.com, you’ll receive special Limited Edition Blotting Papers. The outer carton of this exclusive Shiseido.com gift showcases an illustration by Ayao Yamana, a legendary Shiseido designer from the 60s and 70s. Or, if you are feeling lucky, enter to win a bottle of Eudermine using the widget below. (US only, please)

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Armani Beauty High Lift Firming Rich Cream

I cannot believe I have already made it through an entire pot of this stuff and neglected to tell you about it. Armani Beauty High Lift Firming Rich Cream has surprisingly been my night cream staple that I just can’t quit. I say “surprising” because it doesn’t sound like a product designed for someone in their early thirties. (Can I still say “early thirties even though I’ll be 33 next week? I think yes.)

While the name conjures up a sense that this will lift sagging skin, the cream actually targets the texture. The formula conditions and softens the skin. So while some might sense diminished wrinkles, I have found this makes my skin more radiant and even. Keep in mind my skin is on the drier side. If you are like me, you will find this has the perfect amount of hydration without being overly creamy. It spreads evenly and absorbs quickly without leaving a heavy or sticky feel. I love the way it looks under makeup so fell free to use it in AM as well (may I suggest the version with SPF – how handy!).

SOHO Professional Brush Collection

Makeup brushes can be a pricey investment. I’m all for building a collection of investment-worthy brushes over time. But sometimes your budget doesn’t allow or you need a second set. Enter SOHO Professional Brush Collection available at Walgreens. They offer a wide selection of brushes to fit every function. They are ergonomically designed and quite beautiful. I’ve found they work great across the board and have come in handy as I fill in my collection with the more “specialty brushes”.

I’m so smitten that I am giving one of you a carbon copy of my collection of SOHO brushes (worth over $50). My favorites are:

  • Powder Brush
  • Highlighter Brush
  • Small Shader Brush
  • Crease Brush
  • Concealer Brush

Enter to win using the widget below. Open to anyone in the US. Good luck!

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bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss

It is getting uncomfortably hot outside. And I have a terrible summer cold. Not so fun. But I’m taking comfort in my new favorite glosses – bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss. The cooling minty flavor is so soothing. A blend of shea, avocado, and murumuru (a palm native to Amazon Rainforest) butters is hydrating and nourishing. The formula is thicker but not sticky, qualities lending to a longer lasting color.

The color is sheer and ultra-glossy. I’ve been playing with a number of shades and the color is so sheer that there isn’t a tremendous difference between them. I find myself reaching for Trail Blazer, a nude gold, and Party Starter, a fiery coral, most often. I also love Hot Shot, a flamingo pink. As a bonus, these glosses could make your lips appear fuller: based on an independent clinical study, women saw a 52% improvement in lip fullness in as little as 4 weeks.

Dermelect ‘ME’ Anti-Aging Colored Nail Lacquers

My nails aren’t exactly at their best right now. For some reason, they are more fragile than usual and prone to peeling. So I jumped at the chance to try the newly launched Dermelect ‘ME’ Anti-Aging Colored Nail Lacquers.

The set of six bold creme shades are infused with ProSina, a pure protein peptide extracted from New Zealand’s sheep’s wool. This protein provides strength to nails, making them less likely to chip or peel. The  patent pending technology allows the second coat to fuse with the base coat. The resulting web of color made this one of the longest-lasting polishes I have ever tried. I got a beautiful opaque coverage with two coats. After a week of wear, I have found my nails aren’t peeling and growing stronger.

Available shades:

  • Persuasive (luscious peach)
  • Provocative (fabulously fresh fuchsia)
  • Above It (breathtaking sky blue)
  • Head Turner (brilliant orange crème)
  • Luxurious (rich, confident lilac)
  • Power Trip (burst of red w/pink undertone)

The polish is DBP, Toulene, Formaldehyde, and cruelty FREE (no animal testing). These also protect nails from UV damage – perfect for a summer manicure. Available on www.dermelect.com and C.O. Bigelow in NYC.

Laura Mercier’s Almond Coconut Milk Collection

I’m a sucker for those sweet, savory scents. The carmel vanilla scent of Le Métier de Beauté’s lip creams and Tom Ford’s vanilla lip glosses get me every time. And Laura Mercier’s bath and body collections always feature such delicious scents like Crème de Pistache and Crème Brûlée. But her latest collection might be my favorite sweet, tropical scent yet.

Laura Mercier recreated a tropic island ambiance with a mixture of almond and coconut milk. The fragrance is lightweight and clean – perfect for summer. And ideal if you just need a little virtual escape to the tropics.

The following bath & body products are available:

Now through June 10th at NeimanMarcus.com Camp Gorgeous: Free NM Exclusive tote & samples with purchase. Get free shipping with code JUNEFS.