DIOR Debut at Sephora

Sephora has a treat for you from DIOR. This limited edition DIORSHOW Trio is an inexpensive exclusive. The set features a full-size DIORSHOW Extase Mascara and two minis, Diorshow Iconic and Black Out. The new volumizing mascara promises plump lashes in one coat...ONE! That's pretty incredible. Features a dual-tiered brush to define lashes and special patented powders expand up to 50% after application for extra volume. You can use it alone or layer with another DIOR mascara for a customized look. Sephora's pro team declares "Extase delivers max lash in a flash." The other two put in work as well. Iconic's elastomer brush curls, lifts and separates lashes while Black Out deposits ultra-black kohl pigments for an intense look. All this drama is only $30 at Sephora.com.

Natural Facial Scrubs & Masks

Since the weather has been so ridiculously hot, you may find that your skin is reacting to it unfavorably. Super oily? Prickly flare-ups? Try these affordable DIY treatments for immediate results. Most of the ingredients are already in your kitchen cupboard.

OILY SKIN MASK:
Blend 1/4 of a small cucumber,* 1/4 cup of oatmeal with a teaspoon of yogurt. Leave mask on for at least 20 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with cool water to close pores.
*Cucumber has gentle astringent properties.

DRY SKIN MASK:
Mash ripe banana, 1/4 cup of yogurt and one tbsp of raw honey* together. Apply to face and neck for 10 minutes. Gently remove with damp cloth. Rinse with warm water.
*Raw honey is full of antioxidants, helps skin retain moisture and prevents premature aging.

SCRUB for MATURE SKIN:
Dissolve 1 tbsp of raw sugar* into water or add the sugar to your favorite creamy cleanser. Gently massage into your skin allowing mixture to penetrate. Rinse and follow with moisturizer of your choice.
*The sugar cane contains glycolic acid to act as an exfoliant, reduces wrinkles and generates circulation.

MASK to FADE DISCOLORATION:
Mix a tablespoon of honey and lemon juice.* Spread onto face and neck until it tightens a bit. Rinse thoroughly.
*Vitamin C in lemon juice brightens skin tone and the citric acid fades blemishes.

Tips to Remember:

• Do not use ingredients you are allergic to. You may need to do a patch test first.
• Use gentle, circular motions when exfoliating to avoid irritating or scratching skin.
• Exfoliate at night when skin cells replenish and heal.
• Always avoid the eye area.

How Do YOU Get Gorgeous?

Dolls...I've been chatting it up about new products and my favorite beauty staples for awhile now. I would really like to hear about YOU for a change! Share your morning routine or favorite skin cleansing program with us or take part in Beyond Beauty's first Q&A section below.

1) The bulk of your makeup is:

a) in your cosmetic bag

b) on your dresser/vanity table

c) in your bathroom

2) Your favorite summer hairstyle is:

a) loose waves/curls

b) side ponytail/knot

c) edgy or classic short cut

3) Your morning beauty routine (hair and makeup) is:

a) 20 minutes or less
b) 20 minutes or more

4) For a special date or girls night, you:

a) get glammed up...mani/pedi, new outfit, visit to hair salon

b) pull out your favorite jeans, gloss and go

5) What is the ONE beauty product you can't live without?

a) lip gloss or lipstick

b) mascara

c) flatiron

Can't wait to read all about you!

Illustration courtesy of Nordstrom.com.

It's All Smoke & Mirrors

Just about every gal loves to get glammed up every now and again. What does the trick in an instant every time? Fluttery falsies! The celebrity artist behind Kim Kardashian's lush lashes, Stephen Moleski, has created a signature lash line called "SMOKE & MIRRORS".

What makes these so great?

• Seven styles to choose from -- one for just about any look.
• Super affordable -- only $13.50 (order at http://www.smokeandmirrorsbeauty.com/).
• 100% human hair on a flexible silicone band.
• A portion of the sale goes to a children's charity, Heather's Hope.

Application Tip: Bend the lash to fit the shape of your eye. Be sure to trim them at the outer corners as needed and apply lash glue. I love Duo Adhesive which is available at any drugstore.

Glancing at the site, I think my favorite is the Hollywood Lash.

Technical Difficulties

Hey Beauty Babes.

I received a request to remove "Suzanna" from my mailing list due to SPAM...:(
"Suzanna" I want to comply immediately but need to confirm your contact information. Please send an email to blackswan226@gmail.com so that I can process your request. If anyone else is experiencing this problem, please advise via email as well...Apologies for any inconvenience.

To all, thanks for your continued support, feedback and love of all things beauty!

Tailor-Made Shades

Whether you prefer a top designer or a cheapie from H&M, alot of thought goes into buying a pair of shades. They have to fit our style and MUST have a comfortable fit. If you feel pressure at your temples, the frame is too small. If light seeps in from all angles, then the frame is too big.

TIP: Take your face shape into account for the best fit and most flattering look.

If you have a narrow face:
Go for rounded lenses to soften angles.

Choose frames with embellishments on the arm to draw attention to the outside of your face, making it seem fuller.
Opt for a small frame like Aviators which provide a nice balance...straight edges at the top and rounded at the nose/cheek area.

For those of us with wide faces:
Try a frame with spring hinges to avoid squeezing the temples.
Frames should be wider than the widest part of your face...bigger is better!

Is your face...
Round? Angled or squared frames slim the face and show off cheekbones.
Heart-shaped? Rounded upper corners are ideal.
Square? Gently curved lenses add softness and lengthen your face.
Oval? Take your pick...you have the most versatility.

Get Glowing

I finally ran out of my NARS Body Glow right before vacation. So I took a trip to SEPHORA and discovered their signature SUMMER GLOW SET. The duo includes a silky body lotion, the Melted Beach Body Butter and the Beach Glow Spray. The Body Butter is a bit thick but literally melts into the skin and deposits a beautiful bronze glow. The spray mimics the NARS product, a hydrating oil based mixture of exotic fragrance and subtle shimmers. The products contain shea butter, aloe, jojoba and macadamia seed oils and witch hazel, a natural toner. The only concern is the spray pump clogs after awhile so it may need to be replaced with a generic one (if that's possible). Solution? Add some of the concoction to your favorite lotion or use directly out of the bottle very carefully. Try a sample or take the plunge and purchase. At $25, it's worth it for sure.

Performing Double Duty

For various reasons, there may be times when we need a substitute for our normal beauty products. Whether it's because we've run out or are on the go, in a crunch, these essentials have to be "replaced."

Interested in a quick fix?

• Add shine to dull hair immediately. Try JOHNSON's Baby Oil Gel. A little goes a long way!
• Dab a rich hand cream onto hair to calm fly aways in a cinch. NIVEA Creme works well.
• Slather on hair conditioner like GARNIER FRUCTIS Haircare Body Boost Conditioner when you're out of shaving cream. Instantly moisturizes legs in the process and reduces risk of razor burn.
• Soften cracked cuticles with lip balm for immediate conditioning. I like YES TO CARROTS Conditioning Lip Butter.

Each of these double duty performers are less than $5.00 at local drugstores. But the best thing about these products is you probably already have them at home, at your desk or in your bag!

The Ultimate Wardrobe Accessory

This bra works with every outfit you own. The BANDINI from BARELY THERE offers extreme versatility with the summer's hottest trends...one shoulder blouses, strapless shirts and racer back dresses. More importantly, the bandeau bra has special technology that allows for great shaping and support. How does it work? It's completely seamless and the straps can be neatly and comfortably tucked away. Comes in a wide array of colors to be worn under clothes or paired together for a fun vibrant look. It can also be paired with sheer ensembles. The BANDINI is available in five sizes (XS-XL) at MACY's/2 for $24. Click here to find the perfect fit.

Secret No. 3

L'OREAL unveiled another secret! Studio Secret No. 3 is the new Color Smokes Shadows. The professional line expertly combines pigment, intensity and texture to compliment every eye color. Each compact is customized so you can play it by number...literally! The quads have a step by step illustration on the back and each shade is numbered for an additional guide.

1. Line
2. Base
3. Highlight
4. Brighten


Play it safe or mix and match for your personalized look. Choose from Cobalt Color Smokes, Forest Color Smokes, Lavender Color Smokes (as shown) or Blackened Color Smokes for the ultimate smoky eye look made easy. Bargain at Ulta.com for $4.89.

Lash Out Loud!

I'm back from vacation! And just in time to celebrate NORDSTROM's Anniversary Sale in a few days. I'm excited about the fall looks from my favorite brands, but I'm even more amped about the beauty exclusives.

For instance, the Mascara Wardrobe Set from SMASHBOX offers three of its signature mascaras for the low price of $24 (a $49 value). You can choose a different lash look every day. The DNA Mascara is a real eye opener. It promises extreme lengths for an innocent doe-eyed look. Hyperlash Mascara boasts of lush lashes all around..lifts, volumizes, defines, and lengthens. And the trio's superhero, Bionic Mascara adds volume with claims to strengthen and protect lashes! (The DNA & Hyperlash mascaras are full size.)

I also found (but have not tried) BEAUTY SOCIETY Enormous Lashes & Beautiful Brows Anniversary Set for $99 ($151 value). Includes a full sized Enormous Lash Mascara that builds, lengthens and separates lashes with a full brush for maximum performance. If you're familiar with this product, feedback is welcome. I'm going for a test run for sure this week. Sale begins on July 16th -- take advantage of the pre-sell online or in store.

....Is On Vacation

We're off to the balmy tropics. Packed all my essentials...

• outfits & beach gear/check.
• toiletries/check.
• sunscreen & shades/check.
• beauty bag/check.
• blogger update/check!

Be back soon!

Fragrant Fleurs from Chloe

The ultimate femininity is found in the fragrant collection CHLOE launched not long ago. Combines romance, nature, and sensuality in these refined scents.

Starting with my favorite, Neroli. A modern medley with mandarin orange, rosemary and peony petals. Spicy, vibrant and addictive.

The charming Capucine is refreshing with crisp lemon, jasmine and rose essence blended with bergamont and juniper berries.

With notes of violets from French harvests, citrus, vetiver, and a hint of musk, Lavande is full on femininity. Sweet and pretty.

The fragrances leave a subtle trail behind that mirrors the CHLOE woman: modern and sexy. Prized packaging is luxe, and elegant. An etched glass bottle with a brushed metal cubed top personifies the CHLOE image: sophisticated, yet simple.

Find the one that matches your personality....your signature/$135 at Saks 5th Ave or Nordstrom.