Marissa's Pick of the Week- Dry Shampoo?

I am in love with Dirty Secret Dry Shampoo by Rockaholic! Created by TIGI (Bed Head, Catwalk), this product is perfect for people who don't shampoo everyday. Sometimes I'll go 2 to 3 days without washing my hair for 2 reasons: hair color preservation and I like my texture better when it's dirty. The cons to not washing is the yucky greasy look closer to my scalp. Not only does Dirty Secret Dry Shampoo mattify by absorbing excess oil, it also adds volume. I just spray, tousle with my fingers, then walk out the door. You can find Rockaholic Dirty Secret Dry Shampoo at a salon for about $18.95.

Beauty on a Budget Tip #3 -Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree is a natural antiseptic, anti-fungal, and antibacterial essential oil. You can find pure tea tree oil at your local flea market, apothecary, natural food store, and even the dollar store. Instead of spending a bunch of money on zit creams, foot powders and anti-dandruff hair products, try applying some of this natural alternative. A little goes a long way, so here are some ways to use it:

For body irritations such as rashes, stings, bites, burns and soreness:
add about 5 drops to your bath and soak for about 15 mins.

athletes foot or nail fungus:
rub a small amount on the target area

dandruff:
add a drop to your shampoo or
mix with water (1 tbs tea tree oil/1 cup water), spritz on scalp and wash the next morning

acne:

add a tiny amount to the target area after moisturizer

Last Minute Shoppers

For those of you who still have presents to buy, or have husbands that still don't know what to get for you, here are my Top 10 (in random order) women's fragrance picks this year:

1. Chance Eau Fraiche (Chanel, $50-$90)

2. Daisy (Marc Jacobs, $20-$72)
3. Love (Harajuku Lovers, $18-$15)
4. Music (Harajuku Lovers, $18-$50)
5. Envy Me (Gucci, $38-$85)
6. Pleasures Exotic (Estee Lauder,$49.50-$72)
7. Beyond Paradise (Estee Lauder, $39.50-$69.50)
8. Miracle (Lancome, $41.50-$74.50)
9. Cashmere Mist (Donna Karan, $10-$98)
10. Japanese Cherry Blossom (Bath & Body Works, $5-$29.50)

Marissa Pick of the Week! - No More Dark Circles!

I love my concealer! It covers those pesky dark circles that my family has so graciously passed down to me. I've tried dozens of eye brightening creams that didn't work, and until this day haven't found one. Thanks to the geniuses at Lancome, I now have a remedy.

Genefique Youth Activating Eye Concentrate ($59) is a serum that you apply before your eye cream. This amazing little jar holds a magic potion that transforms dark, baggy, tired eyes into radiant, smooth and youthful windows to the world! I know that sounded completely corny, but I really do love this product. After three weeks of using Genefique Eye twice a day, I went to work without wearing concealer for the first time, and I wasn't self-conscious about it. I actually noticed that my dark circles were getting lighter.

Genefique is a scientific breakthrough different than any other eye serum in the market because it attacks genetic aging. Every other anti-aging formula targets environmental and/or chronological aging. Lancome's Bio-Lysat cocktail supports the skin's barrier while Phytosphingosine-SLC promotes rapid cell renewal, and buckwheat extract reduces bags and brightens dark circles. There's nothing in the world comparable to this product because it works with your genes from the inside out.

Genefique Eye serum is worth the $59 for the results you get. This is by far my favorite eye product Lancome has ever released. It's a universal serum that is compatible with any skin type, any age, and any skin care regimen. So, if you love your Estee Lauder eye cream, you can still use Genefique Eye serum underneath. Visit your Lancome counter and ask about the "7 Day Challenge" for a free 7 day supple of Genefique Youth Activating Eye Concentrate.

Marissa's Pick of the Week - Ocillation Powerbooster

I'm not a "mascara everyday" kind of girl, but when I do wear it, I go all the way. If I'm going to be suffocating my precious lashes, I want to make sure they have the best protection and nourishment. Oscillation Powerbooster (Lancome, $39) protects and enhances your lashes using the best ingredients and technology at a reasonable price. This first vibrating mascara primer separates and coats like no other primer on the market. With just one coat, your lashes are visibly longer and thicker. Another coat boosts the effects of your mascara dramatically. Other comparable products on the market average at $100 per tube, but they can't boost the effects of your mascara like Ocillation Powerbooster.

Benefits:

vibrating wand - 7,000 oscillations per minute give better separation, wiggles out clumps, and coats lashes 360 degrees so you don't have to apply a layer on top of your lashes.

Cresentia Complex - Lancome's exclusive cocktail with ingredients like jojoba oil and Vitamin B5 strengthen and condition lashes. Fragile or damaged lashes are nurtured and protected, and less hair falls out during mascara removal.

How to use:

Holding the button down, start at the base of your lash line and slowly comb upward. Don't wiggle the wand from side to side (as most women do out of habit) or you won't achieve the best results. Apply 1-3 coats, then immediately follow with your favorite mascara.

You can also follow this video tutorial on how to apply the Ocillation mascara: http://www.lancome-usa.com/beautyschool/videos/oscillation.aspx

Marissa's Pick of the Week - Anti-pollutant Cleanser

My pick this week will definitely put a dent in your bank account if you use this product regularly. Mousse Douceur by Chanel ($45) is by far the best cleanser I have ever used! Less than a pea size amount creates more lather than you need for your face and neck. The creamy plush cleanser (recommended for normal/combination skin) is gentle enough for dry skin, but cleans well enough for oily skin.

What makes this cleanser unique is Chanel's use of tulip tree extract and tulip tree concentrated water. The beautiful and amazing tulip tree has a natural resistance to pollution and bugs due to its waxy shield. Its water and extract attracts impurities like a magnet and traps them. So basically, this is the only cleanser that washes the dirty air off your face!

Chanel does not spare any expense when it come to fine ingredients. Bio glucan, a sugar/protein complex, boosts the cleansing action and balances combination skin without stripping the natural barrier. Mallow Extract is an anti-inflammatory that when combined with water, creates a protective gel.

Mousse Doucer is part of Chanel's Precise Skincare line. I have also tried the Mousse Exfoliante Purete exfoliating cleanser for oily skin, and I love it just as much. Mousse Confort is for dry and/or sensitive skin types.

Brand Spotlight: Urban Decay

Urban Decay is a Newport Beach, CA based cosmetics brand that catches the eye of funky, offbeat fashionistas across the globe. The cleverly branded line was created by Wende Zomnir in 1996. Her distaste for mainstream makeup exploded into an entire collection of grungy greens, blazing blues and punky purples. Urban Decay is available at Sephora, Ulta and Macy's.

My Urban Decay Faves:

Eyes

Eyeshadow Primer Potion ($17) - This was the first eyeshadow primer that I got excited about. It matched my warm skin tone (most primers are too pink on me) and kept my eyes popping all day long.

Sustainable Shadow Box ($36) - This eye shadow palette has a lot of my favorite colors such as Flipside, Oil Slick, Kiddie Pool, Grifter and Uzi

Eyeshadow ($16) - Aside from the colors mentioned above, I also love these; Chains, Gash, Mildew, Minx, and Mowie Wowie

Deluxe Eyeshadow ($18) - My favorites are Graffiti, Electric Blue, Peace and Ransom

Loose Pigment ($20) - I prefer loose powders to pressed because the colors appear more vibrant. My favorite shades are Rockstar, Protest, Shattered and Goddess

Ink for Eyes ($22) - This cream eyeliner has 6 colors to choose from. It glides on smoothly and absorbs oil, so it stays on all day.

Lips

Lipstick ($22) - My favorite shades are Confession, Gash and Oil Slick

Lip Envy ($17) - I love lip stains! I like to put them on under my gloss as a backup because I hate re-applying makeup.