Goddess Granny here! Here we are in a brand spanking New Year and I for one am very excited about it! SO many new things to plot, plan, and share and it really IS like a clean-slate/do-over in many ways...wishing every one of you the most beautiful and happiest year of your life to come!

I always like to start things out with a hot bath, a glass of wine, and a few notes about what I might like to do, where to go, and also how to continue to morph my "middle-aged" look into something that continues to be current and if I'm lucky,even a bit sexy and stylish! I'm even starting a "style file" and intend to fill it with possibilities so as the year progresses,I can focus on how and who I'd REALLY like to become.... Outwardly at least!

We all know I love makeup in all it's glory and it's truly rare that an item really seems "new" to me: I won't say I've tried it all but at thispoint in life, I really sort of have, LOL! So,when I received "Beaute" cosmetics, pronounced "Bow-Tay" named for the creator Beau Nelson, lipstain in "Fever" I thought,"Oh hum...another nice lipcolor but nothing special"

Boy, was I mistaken!

Dead wrong as a matter of fact...these lip products ARE very new and very fabulous!

Goddess Granny here! Do you remember the very first product that you ever bought on your own?For me it was a Bonnie Bell Lip Smacker colored pale-green that morphed to beige on the lips and I was SO thrilled to have one back then! Since then,I think I've put just about every color,scent,texture,and taste of lip-product on my lips that has ever been created with some satisfaction each time,LOL! I love lip-glip in all it's incarnations!

Lipgloss...it's as routine as brushing one's teeth for all of us I'd be willing to bet: it's the first product my 11yr. old grandaughter snags from my purse when I visit and it's the last thing I put on at night and yes,I do wear lipgloss to bed. The stuff comes in every concievable color and price range and can be had by all...but just when you thought it couldn't possibly get any better?

Beaute Cosmetics Lipgloss pops into my life in "Paramour", a dusty-rose with a hint of gold that countours and adds more shine and plumping-lushness than I have ever gotten from a lipgloss,I kid you not!Left me with one of the prettiest and most glam-wearable lip looks I have worn in a LONG time! Pretty and doable enough for everyday but with that "wow factor" that just reeks of the good life and a personal makeup artist at your disposal...I cam't rave enough about the lip products in this line: Beau and his cosmetics line are destined for greatness,plain and simple!

His philosophy and attention to detail and quality in each of his carefully-crafted products is the stuff of makeup dreams...go to the siteand check out the "how to videos" and read a bit about the man behind the exqusite products: I was impressed and believe you will be as well!

I have always thought I "needed" a lip-pencil to perfect my lipline at "this age" but after watching Beau's video on how to apply his glosses,I am now sporting another "new to me and oh so exciting" look of just gloss withoutany pencil,applied in the unique way he shows on the site!

Mjsred I am tired. I'm sure y'all are starting to feel the same way in spite of
your best efforts? It takes a lot to make all that magic happen behind the scenes this time of the year so I for one and really grateful when I find something that is effortless and effective! I'll try to get my point acrossthis week in a simple-way because I know y'all have better thing to do than sit and read for hours,LOL! I love the spirit of the Holidays but really appreciate when someone/something "helps" no matter what the need might be and I think these products do just that!

Y'all read the fabulous reviews of Nicole Paxson's bronzer last week: I agree that it's an easy to use powder that leaves a natural glow and protects with Nicole's famous SPF! However,I simply must embellish on this bronzer and rave a bit about her Painted Lady Powder and Creme Foundation...without any effort at all,these two products will leave you flawless and finished no matter how much "help" your skin needs and mine is currently not it's best after one too many late nights!


The powder could easily be worn alone and it's available in "one shade fits all"...I admit I was a skeptic but honestly,it DID work even on my pale as the driven snow complexion and the coverage,ability to control shine,and finish were really impressive! I received the bronzer and powder to review and was so delighted that I took it upon myself to order up the "Monarch Creme Foundation" in shade Light 2 in order to really test the combo of products.All of Nicole's products are designed and crafted from the finest-quality ingredients and while her target-market might be those who need to cover up a bit more,I'm here to tell you that I have never used a creme to powder foundation before that went on so smoothly from the GORGEOUS compact with the PERFECT sponge that was included with so little effort and such amazing results! Almost no blending was required and the finish was natural,glamorous without looking heavy,and the simple fact that I could save time and energy by using this and still end up looking so wonderful went a long way with me right now! Plus the fact that any foundation that included an SPF of 30 and manages to not look opaque is nothing short of genius! Nicole has also fine-tuned the formulas and shades so that they'll work for all,the shade I chose was slightly yellow-based and I could see it working on a wide-range of skin tones.

Nicole donates a portion of all sales to Lupus research and that's a lot these days when most are in it for profit only but besides the fact that she has created some fabulous niche-use products in a highly competetive market,they are simply good enough to be used by anyone who likes a foundation with a less than sheer finish.With just these three products and a dab of the red lipstick we're all loving these days,I am out the door in less than 10 minutes and my skin looks like I'm well rested and glowing when I know it's not true,LOL!

So if you're in need of a bit of foundation "help" no matter what condition your skin might be in,give these products a try:you won't be sorry! Very fast shipping,beautiful packaging,and you can tell she believes in what she sells because it's all crafted with purpose and style!

Ladies, I know a bunch of you got this fab product! Please spread your wings and chime in!

Buy It Here!

Goddess Granny here recovering from what has been WAY too many late nights lately,WAY too much fun,and WAY too much alcohol,dancing,and contraband! But after all, in this season of "giving", don't we also have to take a bit of time to enjoy the people and places that give us pleasure as well?

Normally speaking,I'm a rather disciplined creature of habit and efficiency but sometimes you have to put on those 5" heels and let the devil have his way with you otherwise,what's it all for?

Thank God there are an ever-evolving array of technological inspired companies out there who do understand that the ravages of life at it's best and worst don't need to show up on our faces the next day!The options we have combined with the tried and true remedies of sleep,water,and aspirin allow us to rinse and repeat the fun in record time without the proof of our follies starring at us in the mirror...

Skin Nutrition is indeed one of these face savers:
"Skin Nutrition International, Inc. is a leader in and pioneer of anti-ageing cosmetology and works closely with the world's leading biotechnology companies and their scientists to deliver "cutting edge" world class products to the marketplace. Developed by internationally acclaimed cosmetic scientist, John Knowlton C.Chem, MRSC, Dip Cos. Sci (GB), Skin Nutrition International, Inc's products contain the most technologically advanced active ingredients available and these set Skin Nutrition International, Inc. apart from others as they are often the first to use them in combinations for synergistic benefits, at maximum levels for optimal efficacy. This strategy is supported by comprehensive clinical research conducted by these leading biotechnology companies, to validate the efficacies of the active ingredients used."

I had seen some of the products in catalogs and stores but because I tend to get overwhelmed by all the goodness out there,hadn't yet tried anything they offered so when I received a sleek silver cylinder of their "Reconditioning Eye Serum" to evaluate,I was even more delighted than usual!

It's basically a "total wellness" treatment for the eye area that contains enough of the good tech-stuff to work wonders on the eye area and it could not have shown up in my mailbox at a better time! Seriously,I have done some damage lately and my eyes were looking squinty,dry,and pretty damn sorry.It's fabulous ingredients promise to reduce the symptoms of tiredness and stress while restoring that youthful glow!
There is a Santa Clause Virgina and he's just come down my chimmney in a silver cylinder,LOL!

Gorgeous packaging and product,the texture is smooth and luscious without a DROP of stickiness or residue and I am swearing that within minutes of the first application,I DID look smoother and more rested as well as a LOT less crinkly and wrinkly!

I have had the op to test a few eye products recently but this one is by far the most effective the soonest! It feels a bit like you "have something on" at first but within seconds,it just works it's magic and you look incredible! Makeup glides on over and I have been using it day and night with truly obvious and long-lasting results!I am a bit in awe of this one...

I will not lie to you,their prices are in the "Upper East Side" category but I'm beginning to think that less of a product that WORKS compared to more of one that simply does the job is the way to go? I can totally see myself replacing this when it's gone and if you are also in need of a shot in the eye to really get you glammed up for the Season or simply to ease away the stress left behind by the thought of funky old Uncle Joe and moth-bally Aunt Milly coming to visit,do yourself and indulge or make sure your house-Elf sees this on your "I've been a good girl" list...I truly think this one's worth it!!!

Buy it here: The site is informative,easy to use,and impressive as well which makes a dif for me these days...I am weary of snowflake-shaped falling cursors and computer generated Holiday music on websites!

Skin Nutrition BUY IT HERE!

Chime on in if you've experienced Skin Nutrition or any other eye serums you love!

Happy Sunday! Goddss Granny here! here "batching it" for a couple of weeks as husband floats down a river on a raft (actually,a very large yacht...) that a friend recently bought and boy,I am loving it short-term!

Wearing my rattiest stuff to lounge in,sleeping with cotton gloves and socks on while slathered in creamy-stuff,eating sushi whenever I please without having to endure the "bait" comments from him...I'm sure y'all can relate!

Oh,and I have a friend visiting from LA so we're really planning on getting in some "girl time" at a spa in over the weekend just because we're worth it!
You hear people say "it's expensive but it's worth it" all the time but what really qualifies "worth it" these days with the mind-boggling array of products out there that ARE ridiculously pricey?

Usually active ingredients,a solid reputation for quality and service,a unique niche in the market,and yes...I'm even a fool for branding and packing sometimes,LOL! (I actually LOVE the little dagger on the top of the new Urban Decay lipsticks even when it stabs me!)

One brand name that personifies the above is Dior: the breathtaking but usuable couture colors of their cosmetics,the packaging worthy of royalty,the mascaras and lipglosses that other companies wish they could duplicate...we won't even start on the clothing and accessories they produce...as IF but still,it's inspirational and again very much "worth it" much of the time:the very name "John Galliano" gives me shivers of delight!

I was in need ("need" being the operative word here...LOL!) of a new foundation,the weather has become a bit cooler and much drier and my tried and true MAC was looking a bit too dark and feeling a bit too tight so I started looking around for something that has the "replenishing quality" I am needing,the coverage, I like (don't be talkin' to me about sheer and/or mineral foundation...) and shades that would compliment my Irish-girl skin without looking like a bad spray on tan.

Dior Capture Totale Foundation:OMG...pure perfection in a bottle and I don't say that lightly! A tiny bit from the beautifully-designed pump bottle sinks right into the skin but somehow manages to smooth,eliminate,and cover anything you don't like while adding a radiant finish and "airbrushy" glow without the mess of a spray on foundation.

From Dior:"Dior's description: "Capture the luminous, radiant look of youth with new Capture Totale Foundation. A unique blend of Capture Totale anti-aging ingredients (Alpha Longoza™ and Centuline™), optical correctors and HD Liquid Crystal Pigments™, this revolutionary serum foundation gives skin radiant 'high definition' perfection in every dimension. Thanks to a broader band of multi-toned pigments more subtle, real and natural than the four (red, yellow, white, black) usually used in foundation. Treats all the signs of aging. Boosts collagen, nourishes, replenishes, re-plumps.Ideal for mature skin, dry skin or dull, 'flat' skin lacking radiance."

Liquid pigment crystals give a serious "smoothing effect" much as the addition of pixels to a photo can cause it to appear more even and defy the "shadows" that aging can cause and re-creates the look of a youthful,flawless, complexion!
It's a serum-based foundation that contains their wildly-successful "Capture Totale" serum along with proteins,biological compounds designed to prevent and treat skin while wearing as well.

Not oil-free but I have a drawer of products that are and that's why they're in a drawer,it doesn't sit on top of the skin,it re-surfaces the skin into a perfect canvas effortlessly!

Beautiful range of shades and I love the word "Peche" anyways,LOL! My sensitive skin loves it too!

The downside to what may very well be my "Holy Grail" of foundations is that it's a bit pricey but because you need such a small amount,I can see where it will last longer than most and I get to have a perfectly elegant bit of Dior on my vanity that makes me feel like the Goddess I am!

If you're looking for a truly unique and sensational product that delivers,I can tell you that this one is SO "worth it!"

BUY IT HERE!

>

Goddess Granny here! Can you feel it? That lil' nip of Autumn in the air and along with it the rustling of leaves and maybe even a glimpse of something not quite definable in the corner of your eye?Cue spooky music...not that nasty bone-slasher stuff but just something that gives you a slight chill !

I LOVE all that is Halloween and for the first time in quite a while,I'm actually donning a costume and going to a real party to celebrate this night of possibilities.

Okay so have you also noticed that most of the costumes geared towards adult women are designed to make you look like an extra in a low-budget porn-flick??? OMG....seriously...if you're not 20 and built like a brick-chithouse,your options are reduced to wearing something that will guarentee you NO treats on the big night or you can simply cover yourself in bodypaint and drink heavily hoping no one will notice,LOL!

After browsing online for entirely too long,I did manage to craft together a darling "kitty cat" costume with a hot lil' pink leopard print hoodie that has ears and a tail attached and short patent skirt with a sparkly bra peeking out a bit.I will however be wearing fully opaque tights and thigh high 6" heeled black patent boots( I poledance so these are in my closet as a matter of fact...) to cover any nasty bits and overall I will be insured that my attendance at this party will not include my showing up on "YouTube" in the am due to a wardrobe malfunction!

My biggest fear at age 54 is that my 11 yr. old grandaughter will discover the ONE time I muck up bigtime on "YouTube" for all the world to see...
To insure that my costume will have the proper flirty-kitty effect,I also bought an outrageous pair of thick,black,fluttery false-lashes:after all,aren't the eyes really where it ALL begins and ends?

Again, I bring you back to the fabulous line by Liz Earle: I received several of her amazing products to review and literally have worn these items out! I have previously mentioned that this company simply rocks in terms of quality,service,and true markey identity.I find them to be refreshing in a world of hype and nonsense and can see why the boutiques that carry the line are thrilled to have them on hand.

Their elegant cream-colored tube with pump-top of "Smoothing Line Serum" has captured my heart this time and again,I'm here to say that this is an amazing find: silky and non-scented,this serum designed for the eye area but can be used wherever you feel the need and it glides on effortlessly.While it's suggested for nightime use,I have also applied it during the day when I'm hanging around.

It can be a tad sticky at first but the feeling subsides after a few minutes leaving an obviously firmed eye area and a glossy smooth finish behind!
I also pat whatever is left on the little creases about my lipline for a nice result as well...

I think the effects of this product are visable immediately and honestly I hate to sound like a raving loon, but these products are just GREAT and seem to achieve what you wish most others would without a whole lot of effort!

Echinacea and grapeseed extract are the botanicals of note and both are known for their antibacterical and skin-building properties.Their commitment to using sustainable ingredients that are fairly traded and decent wages paid to women's co-op's worldwide only make me love them more as well! I
have also read that this product is considered to act like a "natural Botox" because it contains hyrolonic acid as well ( which attracts moisure to the skin-surface) and honestly,having tried the un-natural Botox as well,I think this is a nicer effect overall.

I'm stuck on this lil'tube of goodness and even after a month of heavy travel and limited sleep,my eye-area is looking fresh and soon to be ferociously- feline thanks to this potion!

BUY LIZ EARLE HERE!



I am in awe of Liz Earle...Will you also be a creature of the night frolicing under the moon on Halloween?And...do you think that the eyes really ARE the mirror of the soul?

>

Autumn greetings to all you hot lil' witchlets from Goddess Granny who is slightly less wilted these days in South Texas as it's finally starting to cool down here a bit.

This is be a "to the point" review which I think you'll still appreciate as I'm just back from an emergency trip to Upstate NY and trying to play catchup: probably don't have to tell most of you that air-travel even at it's best and previously planned is a challenge but when you need to literally get across the country in 24 hours,it's a flippin' disaster,LOL!

Multiple carriers, many airports, long delays, insensitive customer service (does it even exist anymore?)and have you noticed how GRUNGY the airports and planes all are these days???

I did manage to smuggle six crisp NY apples on though and that helped a bit.

All I want when I get off the flying freak-movers anymore is a hot bath and hair wash,seriously you just know the cooties are taking up residence as you deplane!

Not to mention the toll it takes on your skin: the dehydration,the nasty ass-air on the planes and in the airports (what ARE they spraying in the air???)combined with makeup that's been on for 12 hours and the stress...it's enough to result in a skin crisis for the most fortunate genetic examples among us!

However,I'm here to tell you that I believe in miracles and have one to share with you today! We all could sure use something that's real and that works for us these days without draining our 401K's right?

Revisting Liz Earle: My previous review of her "Skin Tonic" was not as glowing as I could have liked,the product and I simply clashed.But I received a couple of other products in her exceptional line of skin care products to try and this time,the results have blown me away!

As I previously cited,this brilliant and award winning company is all about the BEST in natural, goal-specific, and environmentally resourceful products. Their philosophies and customer service are just so damn good! The site is intelligent and concise and actually directs a potential customer to the exact products that might work best for them rather than to simply confuse and overwhelm them.

Let me introduce you to my "miracle"...Liz Earle's "Superskin Concentrate". To start,the packaging is the bomb: heavy glass roller-bottle that's PERFECT for travel and obviously high-end. The "naturally active ingredients" include organic rosehip oil, argan oil, neroli oil, and natural vitamin E.

The scent is fabulous, a creamy herb-y lush blend that you just want to breathe in forever! Rather dense,the consistancy is that of a rich emollient oil and you can roll onto the areas that might need an extra bit of "renewing and rebalancing" according to the bottle.

I LOVED the way it felt to my seriously-messed up skin and just stood mesmerized while I breathed in the scent and gently massaged the stuff into my face and neck.

It literally was the nicest thing I had felt in weeks...no offense to my hot husband!

Even he commented on how "good I smelled" as I crawled into bed...always a plus! It was such a luxurious product that I didn't even really care if it "did" anything or not, I wanted to slather it on everywhere,LOL!

The thought of a scented OIL on my face was a bit daunting but again, it just felt and smelled so good I took that leap o' faith and went with it...

Fast-forward 8 hours: was it the much-needed rest that caused me to wake to THE nicest, glowing, and glass-smooth complexion I had seen since my prom days?

I literally couldn't believe how good my skin looked...being a bit of a naysayer when it comes to "miracle products", I used it again the next two nights and can I tell you that it has simply transformed my skin? Everthing about it is clearer,brighter,smoother,and less crinkled than before!

I am here to tell you that if you don't try another product during this season of change, try THIS one...my skin is simply not my "best asset" but using this for a mere three nights in a row has renewed my faith in higher-powers of products and I won't be without it any time soon!!!

One of THE best things that has ever touched my face, buy it here: LIZ EARLE


Are you also cautious about immediate and impressive results too or do you believe that there are "things" out there that can really fix the uglies fast?

>

Hello out there! Goddess Granny here high and dry in South Texas but I'm sending out hugs and good thoughts to those affected by Ike and all the craziness he caused.
What a YEAR this has been so far? A girl has got to really focus on keeping mind/body/soul in good working order these days! Between the weather and the stock market,I think we've all had our share of "outside stress" this year! I for one am looking forward to using this time to re-evaluate and purge,both my product-stock and the toxic crap in my life!

Speaking of stress,I am seeing a HUGE array of "anti-stress" beauty products on the shelves currently: we all know that stress can mess you up in more ways than Tina Fey can make us laugh but I"m wondering if this is based on the effectiveness of the products themselves to wave that magic wand we all hope for and fix what ails us or if it's simply a word that triggers SUCH a response from us that we need to buy it hopefully,to insure that bottle or jar will grant us a moment's peace,LOL!

Enter the "Skyn Iceland" line of products which says it is the "only skincare line specifically formulated to counteract the detrimental effects of chronic stress on skin..." They go on in their info to let us know that stress can profoundly affect our hormone and chemical levels and therefore cause the skin to become "starved" an in need of some good stuff applied to it in order to regain it's health!Their products are a "soothing" experience and supposedly,even the "shape of the packaging in your hand is relaxing..."

I think I need every single product they make RIGHT NOW,how about you?

Lots of reading on their site and I do think that many of the ingredients and products sound very lovely.I calmed down just reading through it all!

The sample I received to try is their "Skyn Artic Brightening Serum" and it's very generous,probably enough for a week's worth of testing.Lovely "cooling sensation" as it's applied with a slight cirtus-scent.Very clean and nice to apply...figured I'd leave it on overnight and awake to a complexion that was as glowing and pink as a walk in an Icelandic meadow but alas...it was not meant to be.

Within 5 minutes,my skin was burning terribly and little red bumps were forming at the corners of my mouth...great...even the ultimate "anti-stress" product was going to mess with me this month! I did read the ingredients on the site,which include some very impressive actives and some rares as well but Holy Cow,I had to go and wash my face asap and it still continued to feel as though I was too close to the fire for about an hour after I removed as much of the product as possible...I felt guilty as I knew I'd want to "review it" here which also stressed me out.

Was it the artic root? The Siberian ginseng?The maral root? What was the offender??? I am seriously thinking that the "kombucha" which "goes to work to brighten skin and bring back the glow you left behind..." aka known as the "miracle mushroom" may have been the culprit in terms of my allergic reaction to the product.Tried the "tea" years ago when it was all the beauty rage and also got sick from it.

I ended up sad as I so wanted to "like" this product: the site is cool and informative and they have won numerous awards and many magazines have given the products a thumbs up. I think they are a bit pricey but again,you're paying for the active ingredients that really do make that difference in a product as opposed to base and fillers.I think I shall order their "Detox kit" for stressed skin and give a few of the other fine products they create a whirl...thinking this was a one product/time only event and I am willing to see what else they market that does work for me!

Sooooo....feeling guilty that this isn't my most positive review to date BUT I would add that I think it's a good lesson: some of the more esoteric ingredients,when applied topically,can result in less than stellar results and it's probably a good reminder to this old dog to do a "test patch" when trying a product so full of goodesss,unusual ingredients, and actives!

I give the company a thumbs up for their marketing and innovative products and myself a negative for smearing something on when it's pretty much clinical in ingredients.Spend a bit of time on the site,it's truly sort of refreshing and calming.

Exclusive to Sephora,you can buy it here: SKYN ICELAND

After my admission of guilt,does anyone else share the gift of over jealous application of products?Are you pro-active in your ingredient inspection or do you smear on and then go into shock?

Do you believe that any product has the ability to reduce the effects of stress? I'm gonna' stick to yoga/wine for now,LOL!