Sephora's Lancome Mascara special! Today Only!

Here's your chance to get in on the new, Limited Edition Vibrating Mascara from Lancome, the one you've undoubtedly read about in all the beauty and fashion mags. Sephora has a one-day only sale on this soon-to-be cult favorite, and it's today, ladies. Head on over to their site and make your purchase before it's all gone, 'cause then you'll have to wait until December (five months away!!!) before you see it on the market again.

If you do get it, let me know what you think! 'Cause you know...vibrating mascara? Really? Inquiring minds desperately want to know!

Another cool contest from Glam.com

Ladies, you know me and my handbag obsession. If it's a gorgeous, luxe bag in a to-die-for color and -- bonus! -- crafted by one of my fave designers (that would be Messrs. Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton, Ferragamo, YSL, and Hermes to you, plus Chloe, Ferragamo, and Dooney & Bourke), I am so there.

If you're as obsessed as I am and don't mind giving up your name and email address to a beauty/fashion/lifestyle blog ('cause you know you can never have enough beauty info, right?), click here to enter your stats and not only receive a free subscription to Glam.com's email newsletter, Glam Today, but also enter their contest to win a Chloe handbag and $5,000.

I know. Pretty nifty, huh?

Good luck!

Giveaway winners!

I so loved the answers everyone gave to the Accessories Giveaway that ended last night. You know, I was going to use Pretty Woman as another example of a "career girl" film, but thought better of it, so it was very, very cool to see a few of you guys offer that up as your fave flick. (My favorite answer? Debbie Does Dallas. Thanks, daw212!

My actual favorites are The Devil Wears Prada, His Girl Friday, Legally Blonde, Broadcast News, Working Girl (naturally!), Baby Boom, and yeah, even Out of Africa. (She was a writer and the owner/manager of a coffee farm, remember?) Love being inspired by working women, no matter the milieu.

And the winner of the Hammered Reel badge is....drum roll....agsweeps!!

The winner of the Kim lanyard is....Megan B.!

Thanks to everyone for participating, especially to BooJee Beads for the awesome giveaway prizes. If you haven't had a chance to visit their site yet, it's definitely worth checking out. If you need to wear a badge or ID around your neck or otherwise pinned to your clothing at work, this is the place to go for groovy, chic, sophisticated, and affordable accessories.

Don't forget to subscribe to Beauty in Mahogany, either via email or RSS, to be updated on the latest beauty and fashion news and reviews, not to mention future giveaways!

Free beauty products and samples from Allure

I've mentioned elsewhere (can't remember where) that Allure is, hands down, my favorite beauty magazine here in the United States. It's totally devoted to nothing but beauty, beauty and more beauty. No articles about female genital mutilation in Africa, child soldiers in the Congo or journalists being killed in the Philippines. Just pure, self-indulgent beauty.

Not that there's anything wrong with writing about crucial topics such as the above. I read the paper, write a regular column for the local daily and listen to NPR. I majored in political science and will return to graduate school, hopefully to study women's studies and Asian History.

When it comes to my beauty and fashion mags, though, all I want is pure escape. Give me all the latest on beauty products and Marc Jacobs' fall collection. Allure knows its core competence and doesn't dare veer an inch from it.

One of my absolute favorite things about Allure, of course, is their monthly giveaways. I've yet to win anything from Allure (although I did win an Escada purse from Elle, another great beauty/fashion rag). August is the best time to sign up, as they have tons of up-to-the-minute products, everything from skincare to haircare and fragrances. Sign up at Allure Access. Make sure that you go to Win It! Get It! to view all the current promotions.

BONUS: For a limited time only, Allure also has their great August giveaway, with dozens of designer products just waiting for eager fashionistas and beauty junkies. I signed up for just about everything! You'll have to actually sign up for each product individually, so prepare for a few minutes of entering your vital stats. But don't worry: they don't ask for your birthdate, social security number, or anything too personal. They will, however, ask for name, address, telephone number, age, household income, and email address. Just so you know, I've never received any junk calls or mail from them, save for the occasional Allure email promo.

So sign up! (The giveaways are all for a limited time only, so sign up now before it ends!) Someone's gotta win this stuff, right? Why can't it be you?

Beauty Review: Being True Dual Eyeliner

This one is simplicity defined. BeingTrue's Dual Eye Liner lives up to the name, with one sharp end ("reflect") serving as a highlighter while the other is your chocolate brown kohl liner. Play up your brown eyes by smudging it a bit using BeingTrue's Liner Diffuser Brush, or keep it simple and define your eyes with its rich color. Plus, it comes with a little sharpener that's perfect for stashing in your cosmetics case so you'll never have to worry about a stubby pencil!

I love this liner's slim, elegant profile and how easy it is to apply. The bold color stays put and is water-resistant, so no worries about streaking. A great tool for everyday use.

Price: $18.00. Available at BeingTrue spas around the country. Click here for more information.

Beauty Review: Kimiko Sheer Lip Tint & Plumper

There's a certain hard candy in the Philippines whose name escapes me but which was incredibly popular when I was a young 'un because of the deep, scarlet-red color it would leave on your lips. (And your tongue and teeth and anywhere else you let it land.) Basically, it was a little girl's lipstick and gloss; combined with the cheap price and cloyingly sweet, slightly medicinal flavor of the candy itself, it was a big hit among my set.

Not that Kimiko Beauty's Sheer Tint and Lip Plumper is anything like that. For one thing, the shade I'm trying -- Sweet Plum -- is a gorgeous and flattering color on my summer-tanned skin. No wagon-red swipes across my lips or anywhere else around my mouth, thank you very much. And for another, this comes in handy-dandy packaging, like Avon's Mark line, with the lip plumper occupying one end of the container and the tint occupying the other. Easy to toss into your makeup kit, and easy to pull out for quick touch-ups.

No, this reminds me of that forgotten sweet because it has that same scent reminiscent of cherry-flavored candies. You pull out the wand, apply it to your lips, and voila! It takes me back to summer afternoons hanging around Greenbelt Mall in Makati, Metro Manila, before it became the sprawling complex it is today.

This is the good stuff: fresh and glossy but not slick, deeply hydrating for even the driest mouth, and good for your lips, what with the collagen in the plumper, and pomegranate and berry extracts that not only provide that color boost but also give you the added benefit of antioxidant protection.

But most of all, it's just fun. Definitely give this one a try, and see if it doesn't take you back to the halcyon days of your youth.

Note: When applying, don't do as I do and layer on the plumper first. No, the tint goes first, and then the plumper after you've allowed the tint to dry for a minute or so. Stays put and gives you an even color.

Price: $37 for a 0.43 fl-oz double-sided tube. Available on their Web site.

Beauty Review: Ambi Even & Clear Daily Moisturizer SPF 30

I'm really loving all the skincare and cosmetic lines that are coming out specifically targeting women of color. Not that "conventional" skincare lines don't address our needs -- I've been a big fan of Neutrogena since college. Most of us will suffer through some form of acne at one point in our lives, even through adulthood (hello! me!), and for my money no skincare company comes close to matching Neutrogena's extensive selection of acne-fighting products.

Of course, one of the unfortunate byproducts of acne is potential scarring, and I think we have it harder than our paler sisters. Hyperpigmentation -- the skin's overproduction of melanin, whether as a result of excessive sun exposure or as part of the healing process -- is a big issue with us. I know it is with me, although it took some time for me to understand just how that plays into my choice of skincare products.

Ambi Skincare has been around for decades. I think I first heard about them in an advertisement they had in Essence Magazine. Still, this is the first time I've ever tried any of their products, and I'm totally sold on this moisturizer/sunscreen. It offers a generous 3 fl-oz in a good-sized pump bottle that ensures the antioxidants packed in the product aren't lost to air and light.

You know you don't need more than a teaspoon of this stuff on your face to ensure maximum sun protection right? A couple of pumps of this, and you're good to go! It absorbs super-fast, so there's no waiting around for your skin to stop looking oily -- this stuff's oil-free and dries quickly into a light, matte finish -- and you get broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection from the 3.0% Avobenzone/Parsol 1789 for an impressive SPF 30. And did I mention it's loaded with antioxidant Vitamins C & E for anti-aging as well as natural soy for its soothing properties?

Yeah, this is definitely a keeper. Even our white sisters can benefit from this, as it doesn't leave your skin looking all ghostly and ashy like a lot of high-SPF products. Great for everyday use or even if you'll be outdoors for a significant period of time. (Just remember to reapply after sweating, towelling or 2 hours out in the sun!)

Price: $10-13 for 3 fl-oz. Available at online or brick-and-mortar drugstores.

Beauty Review: Every Man Jack Body Wash

Yes, this is a body wash targeting men, but ohhhhhh, how good it feels when I jump in the shower after a long run.

C'mon, ladies, who among you hasn't borrowed your man's razor/shaving cream/cologne/boxer shorts/car? Why not his body wash?

Don't get me wrong: I love me my Bath & Body Works shower gels. I love all the different scents they have, the enormous collection of body washes that purportedly address every possible need a woman could have. Stressed? Try the lavender aromatherapy. Need a little pick-me-up? Feeling decadent? Try the Chocolate Mocha Body Wash. Want to feel as if you're in the tropics? Try anything they have with the word coconut on the label.

Still, sometimes a girl's just gotta feel clean. Since it's summer, and even out here in the supposedly dry desert humidity can reach a whopping 80-85% (like this morning!), my morning runs can be a real slogfest by the time I get home. Not that I mind -- I love feeling strong and powerful and all I-Am-Woman-Hear-Me-Roar, and the endorphin rush in the end can't be beat -- but one of the best things about running is the chance to sit under a rush of water from the shower and just wash off all the sweat and grime.

There's nothing inherently masculine about the Every Man Jack body wash other than its vaguely geometric, faux-wood packaging that I guess is supposed to remind men of their ancient hunting legacy. The one I'm loving is the Signature Mint scent; the peppermint feels and smells absolutely refreshing, and I'd like to believe that the mint is doing all its handy antibacterial work on all the dirt and germs I picked up on the road. Plus, did I mention that it's free of parabens, artificial colors and sodium lauryl sulfate? Yeah, this is good stuff.

The only complaint I have? The dispenser isn't the easiest to pop open in the shower. You have to flick open the lid, but it's a little tight, which can make it hard to operate when your hands are wet. But that's a small price to pay for cleanliness.

Price: $5.00 for 12 oz., although I've seen it for sale at Target for less. Worth the price.

Massage Tips

No, this isn't going to be a post about how to give a massage, but something more fun: how to get one. I just got my monthly massage this morning, and Oh. My. God. It's one of the things I most look forward to after a long, hard month of working, hunched over the computer, running, sleeping poorly -- in other words, doing all the things we all tend to do when we let life overwhelm us.

Maria is my 3rd regular massage therapist. In South Carolina I relied on Aaron, a sports massage therapist who counted Olympic athletes among his clients. Aaron could literally make me cry, but his deep tissue work is still the best work I've ever had. In Dallas I went to Greg, who was the director of a local massage school and was expert at kneading out the kinks from the stressful job I had at the time. Maria is my go-to woman here, a soothing, sweet massage therapist who's also a registered nurse and is familiar with a number of different modalities, including Cranio-Sacral and Traeger.

Massage is an excellent addition to your beauty regime, and it's definitely worth the extra money if you can afford it. I don't consider it a luxury anymore than I consider my $100 running shoes a luxury. To me, it's an investment in my health and well-being, as regular massage cleans out the toxins in my body and eases all those tight muscles (including those on your face), inducing a relaxed state that contributes wonders to the beauty of your whole body.

Here are some tips to find a good massage therapist:

• Ask for referrals from trusted sources. Do your friends get regular massages? Ask them for recommendations. Don't just go to a massage therapist just because your sister loves him or her, though. Call up the therapist and ask questions about his technique, his policies, his experience.

• Find a licensed/registered massage therapist. My state (Colorado) only recently passed legislation requiring all massage therapists to register with the state; registration requires a minimum of 500 hours of education, among other requirements. At this time 39 states require licensure/registration, but even in the remaining 11 states you're bound to find registered/licensed massage therapists who have undergone the requisite education and adhere to the American Massage Therapy Association's code of ethics. There are, of course, plenty of practicing massage therapists who aren't registered and aren't required to do so by their state. If that description applies to your long-time therapist and you're pleased with his/her practice, there's nothing that says you should change. But know that registered therapists who have the education behind them will likely be more familiar with the anatomy and physiology of the human body than someone who does not have that background.

• Tell the therapist what you're looking for in a massage. Some people like cranio-sacral, others don't. Some like deep tissue, while others prefer the lighter touch of the Swedish massage. Some want the sports massage to enhance their training regimen for whatever sport they play, while others simply want the relaxation benefits that massage affords. Whatever your reason, make sure you inform your therapist and you find out if s/he is knowledgeable and/or specializes in that technique. You don't want to go to a spa massage therapist, for example, whose expertise lies in Swedish massage if what you're looking for is deep tissue sports massage that targets the muscles you use while you're playing tennis or basketball.

• Know your comfort level, but don't be afraid to discuss any concerns with your therapist. More than a few people -- especially those who've never had a massage -- are uncomfortable with having anyone touch them. If you're really unsure, talk to your therapist about your concerns. You may not, for example, want to fully disrobe during a massage and would prefer to remain in your street clothes during the entire session. A good, ethical massage therapist will respect your concerns and won't force you to do something you're uncomfortable with. Massage works best if you can at least disrobe down to your undies, but what's most important is that you're comfortable.

• Try out the chair massage at your local health food store or mall if you're just wanting a "taste" of massage. Most of those who operate those by-the-minute chair massages are registered therapists (they all are if they're practicing in a state that requires licensure), so you can be assured of a good massage. This is a great way to try out massage and see if it's something you might be comfortable with. You can also "audition" the therapist; if you like him, you could ask him for his card and make an appointment for a full, private massage. The beauty of the chair massage is that there's little discomfort involved. You're fully clothed, and the session typically can last as long or as little as you want, since chances are you're paying by the minute.

• If you're looking for a good sports massage, call your local university or college and ask to speak to their athletic director. Chances are, if they have a large enough sports program, they have contacts with some of the best sports massage therapists in town. I met Aaron through contact with our college's athletic director, who herself is also a runner. It turns out that Aaron specializes in professional and college-level track and field athletes. While I'm more of a distance runner and definitely on the amateur-level, he knew exactly what kind of therapy program I needed based on his extensive knowledge of, and experience with runners.

• Price does not equal quality. Greg, my massage therapist in Dallas, was the director of the massage therapy program in my town, so he charged the same as those of his instructors, who themselves charged a relatively low fee. On the other hand, I've also gotten expensive massages at high-end resorts that were relatively poor in quality. You may have to audition a few therapists in order to find the one you want, but don't turn your nose at someone just because they charge less than what others do.
  

• On the other hand, massage schools, while offering rock-bottom prices, may not offer what you want. Many of these schools charge no more than $20-25 for a one-hour massage -- a deal that you'd find hard to beat with a practicing massage therapist, but the caveat is that you'll be in the hands of relatively inexperienced students. To be honest, I've yet to get a really good massage from a student. If all you're looking for is a light, relaxing massage, the student option may be all you need, but if you have more specific issues that require the services of a specialist, you're better off finding that specialist. $20 is no bargain if you don't get what you want.

• If and when you find a therapist you like, try and negotiate a lower price by offering to pay up front for a certain number of massages. For example, Aaron gave me a 25% discount if I prepaid for four massages. I never had to worry about coming up with the money each time, and I got a discount to boot. Obviously, if you don't have the money to prepay, this won't be an option, but remember that most practicing therapists are small businesses themselves. Maybe you can barter something with them, such as discounted accounting services (if you're a CPA) or desktop publishing, in exchange for free or discounted massages.

• Treat your massage therapist like a professional. Most of them will be licensed/registered and have undergone an educational program that rivals those of many allied health programs. Arrive on time and pay promptly. Don't even think about asking about "extra services." If you're looking for that kind of massage, you're reading the wrong blog. As for tipping, that's a delicate issue that you'll need to feel out yourself. Since most therapists consider themselves as professionals, tipping shouldn't be necessary, any more than it would be for, say, nurses or radiologists or medical assistants. Maria, for example, graciously refuses tips. Other therapists may beg to differ. You'll need to work that for yourself on what you're comfortable doing.

What about you? Do you have any tips on finding a massage therapist or just about getting a massage in general?

Hair Mistakes You and I and Everyone in Between Probably Make

God bless Microsoft. I love me my open source software, but I do like MSN Central.

Anyway, did you guys catch that article last week titled "The Dirty Dozen: 12 Hair Mistakes You May Be Making?"

Lessee...

"Washing your hair everyday?" Check.

"Not getting regular haircuts?" Check.

"Using too much conditioner?" Uhm, maybe.

"Overheating your hair?" No. I almost never blow-dry my hair anymore. Thank God.

"Fighting your hair's natural texture?" Nope. I'm wash-serum-and-go.

"Choosing the wrong styling products for your hair type?" Uhm, dunno. I've only recently started experimenting with hair products, and even then I don't pile 'em on. So for now, No.

"Thinking that more is better?" Nah. I only usually use one product at a time.

"Pulling your hair back with just any elastic?" Oh God, no. I would never use a plain rubber band. Just trying it (once!) made my hair hurt.

"Getting stuck in a style rut?" Maybe, maybe not. I'm growing my hair out (again!), and am going for the beach-y, wave-y look. So far, so good. No more Working Girl helmet hair for me!

"Brushing your hair too much?" Again, I don't know. I don't really brush it often, but I do run my fingers through it now and then. No 100 strokes/day, though.

So there you go. I knew I was probably violating at least one of them. I really need to work on the haircutting schedule. It's not cheap, but for $20 for a trim, that's actually pretty good considering she's a great stylist. I think I'm actually due for one, so I'd best get that scheduled ASAP.

What about you? How did you do on the list?

Beauty Review: Nature's Gate Tea Tree Calming Shampoo

I seem to be on a real hair kick of late, haven't I? The desert's summer heat has really done a number on my hair recently, and the latest humidity levels haven't helped. Last night it was supposed to reach over 40% humidity -- that's like Dallas levels! So much for living in the desert.

It's made my light dandruff condition more than a little picky of late. Normally I wash my hair everyday, which both helps keep my locks from OD'ing on oil and keeps the flakes happily away. I still haven't found the perfect dandruff shampoo -- I don't like the smell of Head & Shoulders, and all others just strips all traces of oil from my scalp and hair. Not a good thing.

Aubrey Organics used to make this cade tar dandruff shampoo that didn't smell all that great but left my hair clean but well-moisturized. Now, maybe they discovered that cade tar actually makes you sterile or whatever, but I miss it so. Their new scalp treatment shampoos just don't cut it.

I've been using Nature's Gate Tea Tree Calming Shampoo the last few weeks, but I have to say that it's nothing special. It smells lovely, and I like the clear consistency. Plus, it really does help keep my scalp clear and healthy, so it lives up to its job description.

Still, it does overdo it a bit on the oil-clearing part, as my hair then requires a super-charged moisturizing conditioner to make up for the drying effect of the shampoo. Maybe that's just the nature of dandruff shampoos, and on scalps with severe cases of dandruff this might be a godsend.

I use this only every other day and alternate with a good, moisturizing shampoo so that I don't punish my strands with all these drying products before I even get out of the shower. It's a solid, inexpensive product that's a good alternative to the really harsh, drugstore dandruff shampoos that pile all kinds of high-octane ingredients on your delicate scalp. If your dandruff condition isn't that bad, though, you might want to use this only 3-4 times a week and give your hair a break by using a mild, moisturizing shampoo on the other days.

Price: $8 for 18 fl-oz. Available at health food stores and their Web site.

Reminder: Don't forget the great giveaway currently being offered by Beauty in Mahogany! I've got a couple of gorgeous BooJee Beads products on offer for two lucky winners. Click here to find out more on how easy it is to sign up and enter!

Beauty Review: Aveda Rosemary Mint Conditioner

I can't say I've ever been a big fan of Aveda. I appreciate that they're making serious efforts at offering environmentally-friendly and sustainable products, but I hate that many still contain irritating ingredients. Just because an ingredient is "botanical" or "plant-based," doesn't make it good for you. As a lot of people point out, poison ivy is totally natural and plant-based, but you won't catch me smearing it all over my face.

I once had a facial at an Aveda spa in Irving (TX, where I grew up), and loved it, but I think it had more to do with the facialist herself and her expertise than with the products. That can make a difference.

Anyway, I'm so not loving Aveda's Rosemary Mint Conditioner. I like the smell, as I'm a big, big fan of anything to do with mint (which annoys B. to no end, as he's the exact opposite and hates mint), but even liberal applications of the product left my hair dry. I left it on for 3-4 minutes, and even after washing it, I could feel the hair squeak in complaint. Once out of the shower, running a comb through my wet hair was the usual ordeal of detangling -- so much for Aveda's claim that the conditioner detangles and smooths hair. I used Hairplay's SEAL to calm my strands once I'd carefully combed out the tangles, and my locks finally sighed in happiness.

Price: $9.50 for 8.5 fl-oz bottle. Available at Aveda spas and salons as well as on their Web site.

Beauty Review: Hairplay Salon's SET and SEAL

Ohhhh...hair. I long ago gave up on mine, partly out of sheer laziness, and partly out of frustration. Some women can spend hours and hours on their hair and feel the results are worth the time investment. (My sister-in-law, who has very wavy hair and generally spends 45 minutes each day blow-drying it straight into a beautiful, thick mane, is one of them.) Others will do just enough to make their locks presentable.

Moi? Well, lessee. I have fairly wavy, dark brown hair that breaks if it's within a mile of a comb. It's picky picky picky about its products, and it hates cheap conditioner. Never mind that I have ten cents to my name. It wants to be pampered and loved and spoiled. It does not want Tresemme. It will rebel if it comes near Tresemme. It wants to the good stuff.

So generally, as a freelance writer who spends 80% of her time in front of the computer, I just surrender to the inevitable and do little upkeep on it. I wash it everyday (it's definitely on the oily side) and let it dry naturally. Once it's dry, up it goes into a ponytail. Never mind that I've spent months and months growing it out. All that work, and all I can do to it is tie it up and forget about it.

Recently, though, I had the opportunity to try out Hairplay Salon's new collection: SET and SEAL. Hairplay belongs to San Francisco-based celebrity hairstylist Fritz Clay and has been featured in various fashion/beauty mags, including Allure and Lucky. They pride themselves on being a "multi-cultural haven." Their product line focuses on SET and SEAL.

SET, obviously, is a lightweight setting lotion supposedly guaranteed to detangle uber-fussy hair and give your parched locks all the loving moisture it needs. SEAL, on the other hand, is a finishing serum to give your hair that shiny polish without weighing it down with icky residue.

Now, I'm the kind of person who starts hyperventilating the moment she finds herself in the hair products aisle at Target. I mean, who the hell knows what all this stuff's supposed to do? There are literally hundreds of products out there, all claiming to perform that amazing miracle you've been seeking for your impossible-to-care-for mane. It's enough to make me want to just plop myself down on the floor in the middle of the aisle, twist open a random bottle and just chug.

I tried SET a couple of times and wasn't too impressed with its alleged detangling properties. Maybe my hair really is just one big bird's nest, but surely a product promising to detangle will actually -- surprise! -- detangle. I still had to go through twisted strands and literally pull them apart.

Also, while the label and Web site claim that it's a "weightless" product, I didn't like the residue it left on my locks. Perhaps the fact that I was given the "Extra Hold (3)" version didn't help. It's meant for "frizzy/curly/coarse/dense" hair, but mine is actually more wavy and fragile. The hold was just too heavy for my hair.

The company also claims that the product provides sun protection for your hair. The ingredient list does include Octyl Methoxcinnamate, but as it's not an active ingredient and there are no established guidelines in the industry or provided by the FDA regarding sunscreens for hair, this is pretty much meaningless.

SEAL, however, is getting all kinds of hair love from me. I totally heart SEAL. You put a few drops into the palm of your hand, rub your hands together, then smooth the product over wet or even dry hair. I've been using it on wet hair, and I'm tellin' ya, when my hair dries, it looks gorgeous. My husband greeted me at work the other day when I went to pick him up with a big Wow.

This stuff's light, odorless and super-easy to use, even a hair idiot like me can wield it like nobody's business. Although i live in the desert, we've had 35%+ humidity the last couple of days, and SEAL helped calm the frizz without fuss or muss. My hair just looked smooth and felt silky soft. I think it may even have done a happy dance, it was so healthy.

I would definitely recommend Hairplay's Seal, especially if you're the wash-and-go type like me who doesn't want to spend too much time or money on her hair but who still wants it to look good, you know? I'm not sure about Set, but I might change my mind if I tried the Light or even Medium hold versions. I'm still not loving the mousse-like residue, though.

What about you? If you've tried either or both of these products, I'd love to hear your take on them!

Price: SET is $19.50 for an 8-oz bottle. SEAL is $22.00 for a 4-oz bottle. Available on their Web site now and in salons nationwide in early 2009.

Accessories Giveaway! BooJee Beads

I don't work in an office anymore (thank God!), but I know lots of my readers do. And I also know that lots of people work in companies that require their employees to hang their ID badges around their neck on lanyards, or at least pinned to their shirt. I've only ever really worked in one company that had ID badges; I hung it from a cheap lanyard issued to me along with the laminated photo ID.

I only worked at that company as a temp for about two months, otherwise I would have definitely sought out a more attractive option for such a pedestrian but necessary accessory. I've seen lots of good candidates, but these BooJee Beads take the award for Prettiest Lanyards. Check out this lovely and oh-so-elegant little number, the Icy White model:


These lanyards are so gorgeous, they're like jewelry for your ID. If you wear suits, they'll enhance the chic-professional look of your entire outfit, and if you wear scrubs, they'll upgrade your image from blah to beautiful. Plus, not only are they super-fashionable but affordable as well. They also come with two-way pockets so that you can insert your ID and start wearing them right away.

As a special treat to all my Beauty in Mahogany readers and to celebrate the re-launch of this blog, I'm giving away two prizes from the BooJee Beads collection:

• The "Kim" lanyard, a funky-chic silvery chain that's one of the newest additions to the collection. This baby would make a fabulous addition to any outfit and will definitely turn some heads!
• A Hammered Metal Reel Badge with colorful pink stones. This also comes with a two-way pocket ID that can be used either vertically or horizontally. If you don't have an ID badge, this would make an eye-catching accessory for your keychain.

Like what you see so far? So enter now, because this contest ends at 5pm Mountain Time on Wednesday, July 30th. Only one prize per winner, so in this contest, there will obviously be two winners. To enter, take careful note of the following rules:

• Submit a comment to this post telling me your favorite "career film" of all time. The examples are endless: The Devil Wears Prada, Working Girl, Broadcast News, even that old classic His Girl Friday. As long as the plotline revolves primarily around the heroine's adventures at work, it counts!
  
• Make sure that you also tell me which prize you want to win in your comment.
• Only one entry per person is allowed. Multiple entries will be disqualified.
• Two winners will be announced, and each will receive one prize.
  
• You must leave basic contact information when you post your comment. Blogger can link to your blog or site if you submit that information when you comment, but otherwise you'll need to leave an email address or URL in the body of your message.
• You don't have to be a resident of the United States to enter, but you will be responsible for any customs duties should they be levied during delivery by your country's port authorities.
• Deadline for all entries must be received by 5pm Mountain time, Wednesday, July 30, 2008. Any entries posted after this will not be eligible.
• Winners must respond to the email notifying them of their prize within 7 calendar days after the announcement, or they will forfeit the prize.
  

Remember to please follow the instructions, or your entry will be disqualified. The winners will be announced on Thursday, July 31st, after a random drawing.

So enter now, and good luck! And thanks for visiting Beauty in Mahogany!

Beauty Review: Dr. Susan Taylor's RX for Brown Skin Virtual Peel

Oooo, this was a bad one. I'll tell you right off the bat that I did not like this product. At all.

Those of you who read Essence regularly will probably be familiar with Dr. Susan Taylor. She's a renowned New York-based dermatologist specializing in the skincare needs of people of color. I personally would love to be treated by her -- I have yet to come across a dermatologist who really, truly cares about the unique needs of Asian women, and while I couldn't, in all good conscience, recommend this particular product, I will say that I'm pleased that there's finally some notice being taken of our demographic.

Anyway, having said that, on with the review of Rx for Brown Skin's Virtual Peel Ultra Gentle Mask and Booster Kit. First, what it is: the kit contains 4 mask applications and a little pump bottle of the line's Ultra Gentle Hydrating Booster with hyaluronic acid. Each mask consists of two halves: one for the upper half of the face, and the other for the lower half. You peel off the thin plastic adhesive mask from its papery backing and press it on your face. So the upper half, for example, is shaped to go over your forehead, around the hairline, and has holes for your eyes. The bottom half is shaped to go around your jawline and has an opening for your mouth.

So I dutifully read the instructions and smoothed on the mask. Now, at that moment I was already getting a little nervous. There is no product insert in the box that tells you exactly what the mask has in it that makes it so exfoliating, other than the fact that it's basically stuck to your face. The eye openings aren't big enough to accommodate the eyebrows, so I sat there wondering if they're going to end up getting peeled off, too. They weren't even large enough to leave breathing space for the skin under the eyes, which you know is super-delicate and should not be exfoliated, especially not this roughly. Everytime I blinked, I could feel the poor undereye skin stretch and whine.

The mask for the upper half of the face also too large for my forehead, so the mask actually overlapped onto my hairline. Note to those of you with regular-sized faces: do not let the mask overlap onto your hairline! You will regret it deeply when it comes time to peel it off. If you must, try and cut the mask before you peel off the backing so that it fits over your forehead without having to overlap with anything near your hair.

Anyway, so after the requisite 5 minutes, I attempted to "very gently peel each half of the mask off beginning on one side and continuing across the face," as the instructions on the back of the box said. Ooooooooooooooooooo. It. Hurts. Seriously.

As I peeled off the mask, I watched in horror as my skin actually lifted up along with the mask as I ever-so-slowly pulled it across my face. I mean, it was like watching some villain in a Marvel Comics film peel off his mask -- you see the skin actually stretch like it's being pinched and pulled hard. Oh, my poor, poor face.

When it came time to peel off the upper half, I had to actually yank my hair from the adhesive, as strands along the hairline stubbornly stayed put on the sticky surface. Again, it hurt. I was so relieved to finally be rid of the plastic masks that I threw them both in the bin.

My face? It did look smooth, if slightly flushed, but I suspect you'd get the same result if you applied duct tape all over your face. I pumped a few drops of the Hydrating Booster into the palm of my hand and applied it to my face, which did feel good. The gentle, clear fluid is the best thing about this kit, as it did seem to soothe and calm whatever trauma my skin went through with the mask. I would use the Booster again, but not the mask. That was just too much to ask of my skin.

I'm very disappointed that a dermatologist would create this product for anyone, let alone women of color. It's never ever ever good to stretch or pull on your skin, and God knows that we women of color kinda like having a lot of hair on our hairline. It seems to have been poorly formulated, and the cheap-looking packaging doesn't help boost one's confidence in the line. I know that the last thing we should worry about is the packaging, but skincare companies invest millions of dollars in ensuring that their products look as luxe as possible, as we women like feeling pampered by beautiful things. Plus, if I'm going to pay $50 for 4 treatment masks from Sephora, at least give me a sturdier, prettier box rather than this flimsy paperboard.

Bottom line: This is definitely not recommended. The Hydrating Booster is great, but you can find other, similar hyaluronic acid products (like Vichy's) without having to buy painful masks, too.

Price: US$50 for 4 mask applications and a 0.5 fl-oz/15-ml Hydrating Booster serum. Available at Sephora and at Dr. Susan Taylor's Rx for Brown Skin Web site.

Michelle Yeoh

I saw this B-movie sci-fi/horror/spiritual film (yeah, it's as messy as it sounds) called Sunshine this weekend, and was shocked (shocked!) to see Michelle Yeoh in it. Not shocked in a bad way, but rather because I hadn't seen her in such a long time. I've always thought of her as being one of the most charismatic and beautiful actors in Hollywood -- Asian or otherwise -- and in this film she really shines as a scientist on board an ill-fated mission to save the world by detonating a bomb in the interior of the sun. (You have to see it to understand, and even then it might be too confusing.)

I first read about Michelle when I lived in Japan, I think, and she was slated to be in the upcoming James Bond film, Tomorrow Never Dies. A former ballerina and 1983 Miss Malaysia, she's since been cast in such acclaimed films as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. It's a shame that Hollywood hasn't found a good role for her, as she's a marvelous actor plus has exquisite bone structure and elegant grace. Seriously, if she were a white actor in her early twenties, Hollywood execs would be falling all over themselves casting her.

Still, it was so lovely to see her again, even in a flawed film such as this one. She has a kind of magnetism that draws you to her face, her very presence, no matter what else is going on around her. It would be a shame to overlook that kind of unique talent and beauty as she has.

Check out this Michelle Yeoh fan site. Plus, some cool paparazzi shots of her shopping in Hollywood with an unnamed companion. She may be wearing jeans and running shoes, but she still looks stunning.

Beauty Review: Bare Escentuals Buxom Lips

My mom turned me on to this one. I'm not much into full-on lip color, especially during the summer when I want to be as bare-faced as possible without looking too, uhm, plain, you know? So for the most part, when I have to step out of the house and meet clients or even just hang out at Borders for an afternoon leafing through my favorite magazines, I like to swipe on some SPF lip balm and then a nice, non-goopy gloss in a color as close to my natural lip color as possible.

Mom couldn't stop raving about Bare Escentuals' Buxom Lips gloss. A presentation on QVC captured her attention, so she put in her order, got the package, immediately tried it, and was hooked. She gave me the Ginger color as a gift, and since then I've been equally captivated.

According to the Bare Escentuals site, this stuff is formulated with Bare Minerals and the added benefit of antixodants, something you don't often get in run-of-the-mill glosses. Plus, that the tingling feeling you get after application comes from the lip-plumping action released by the gloss. What exactly causes that boost, I've no clue, although the site helpfully informs you that the ceramide is responsible for repairing "damaged lip tissue" and "new collagen production."

Whatever. That slight cooling, tingly effect actually feels good, although I suspect that what's really behind the fuller-looking lips may be the sweet shine on your pucker left by the gloss. I love the rose color, a beautiful and flattering shade on milk chocolate complexions like mine, and -- ta da! -- it smooths on cleanly. No messy residue here, thank you very much. This is a super option for casual days and when you don't want to "do" your entire face but instead want a simple, easy look.

Price: $18. It comes in 11 shades, all gorgeous, and can be found at Sephora or on the Bare Escentuals Web site.

Beauty and Frugality in the New Economy

Have you been cutting back on some of your beauty indulgences because of the economy? I have to say, although I put a nice little dent in my debit card when I was at the NorthPark Center Sephora in Dallas a couple of months ago, I've been pretty frugal of late. (Did you know that Target's house brand version of Vaseline body lotions are just as good as the name brand? Seriously. Well, except for the Aloe & Cucumber. It has a funny smell.)

I really need to get a manicure, for example, and have been putting it off. Sure, it's $15, but it really does add up. Considering that I'm also going to Singapore in a couple of months and need to save up my dough for that, I'm looking very carefully at some of my beauty purchases.

I read about this site called Lifebooker.com, and some of you who live in the NYC are might be interested in it. I gather that it's a sort of collective space for spas and salons in the Big Apple to advertise and offer specials and discounts. It's apparently been doing very well since its launching less than a year ago. Not surprising given the recession, and I'm a firm believer in ensuring that women get even just a bit of pampering in the most trying times. It's more than an indulgence, after all, at least in my book. To me it's good for the soul, too.

If anyone has any experience with Lifebooker.com, leave a comment and let us know what you think and whether or not you'd recommend the site to others. The press release the company sent out says that they plan on expanding to include other sites nationwide. I doubt they'll be coming to Grand Junction anytime soon, but those of you in, say, Dallas, LA, San Fran, Houston, or Seattle might be getting a taste of it soon. Or maybe the entrepreneurial among you can beat them to the punch and set up your own homegrown, locally focused site!

Beauty Review: Vichy Aqualia Thermal Serum

I have to admit, lately, I've been really loving Vichy's products. I last reviewed them back in late April on My Inner French Girl, when I raved about their Capital Soleil sunscreen. I'm picky picky picky about the sunscreen that I put on my face, especially those containing Avobenzone, which can really irritate my semi-sensitive skin. Nothing wrong with Avobenzone, mind you, but it just doesn't work as well for me as it does on others, which is a pity because the physical blocks (Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide) leave this awful, geisha-like white sheen on my face.

Anyhoo, I digress.

I've been using their new Aqualia Thermal Serum 24-Hr Fortifying Moisturizer the past week, and oh man, I love love love it. (I know, I overdo it a little on the triple-emphasis, but hey, why say it once when you can say it...thrice? And italicize while you're at it?) I dab on a little bit at night all over my face, and I find that I don't need a second moisturizer at all. Now, my face is pretty oily, but I do live in the desert, so even in the summer I sometimes find the need to smooth on a bit of moisturizer in the evening (though not during the day except for what it's in my sunscreen).

Some of its awesome benefits:

• A cooling, silky, fluid texture. Very soothing.
• Absorbed instantly.
  
• Great for my sensitive skin. My face actually looked smooth and calm, despite the torture I'd put it through with the Neutrogena astringent the past month! (By the way, I skipped the astringent this week. No sense in inflicting more damage.)
• Can be used either during the day (under sunscreen and makeup) or at night. Unless you have very dry skin, there's no need for a separate moisturizer.
• Literally does work for hours. I don't know about the 24-hour part, but it did provide continuous moisturization the entire time I was beauty-sleeping. Woke up and was very pleased at how radiant my skin looked, despite the bad I had tossing and turning. (What's up with that?)
  
• Loaded with antioxidants and Hyaluronine, which is supposed to boost hydration.
  

Definitely give this one a shot if you have a chance.

Price: $29 for 30 ml/1.01 fl-oz. Available at www.vichy.com and at select stores, including Ulta.

Some great beauty and fashion blogs to check out

I thought I'd send some link-love to a few of my favorite beauty and fashion bloggers. These gals really put a lot of effort into crafting savvy reviews and critiques of the latest stuff out on the runways, fashion mags and department store/drugstore counters, so if you have a chance, check them out:

StyleManila -- Sasha Manuel is a blogging fiend. Seriously. She runs several blogs, all of them great and thought-provoking, but this is the one I first discovered and still my favorite. Sasha's an occasional model, stylish and make-up artist, not to mention a savvy businesswoman and a prolific blogger. Yeah, she's da bomb. Anyhoo, StyleManila is a great source for fashion and beauty tips, so pay a visit sometime! She's super-friendly, I promise.

Shake Your Beauty -- A lot of you probably already know this one, but just in case, you should definitely head on over to Tia Williams' site if you haven't. Tia's not just a blogger, though; she's also the author of popular chick-lit novels and a spokesmodel for Olay. She's funny and irreverent and a definite queen in the beauty blogging world.

AsianCajuns -- The blog title pretty much says it all. Half-Cajun, half-Chinese twins who blog about fashion from the dynamic city of Atlanta.

The Makeup Girl -- Makeup, makeup and more makeup! I'm more of a skincare gal myself, but I love checking out their beauty tips and reviews all the same.

Beauty Bento Box -- Another of Sasha Manuel's beauty-inspired blogs.

Jolie Nadine (formerly Jolie in NYC) -- One of my all-time favorite beauty blogs. You may already know Jolie, but if not, get thee to her blog! She's a former beauty editor at Lucky and rocketed to blogger fame when the blog she'd been writing anonymously about the perks of being a big-name beauty editor was busted by Page Six. Talk about serendipity. Now she's a well-known blogger, author (her book Beauty Confidential is a must-read for any beauty addict) and beauty consultant. This girl's got it goin' on. Plus, she offers up generous celebrity gossip, too. Woo hoo!

Beauty 365 -- One of my very first readers and still one of my favorite beauty blogs for women of color. Love her! (Oh, and I think I owe her a meme from, like, six months ago. Eek.)

That's it for now. Enjoy! I'll have more beauty and fashion news tomorrow!

Beauty Review: Neutrogena Clear Pore Oil-Eliminating Astringent

Okay, as a Filipina, I've always been a big fan of astringents and toners, no matter how much grief they've been getting of late. Yeah, they can be drying, and yeah, they can be hit-or-miss when it comes to effectiveness. But seriously, if you've ever spent much time in the trenches of a huge Third World metropolitan city (I'm talkin' to you, Manila!), you know how extremely satisfying it is to wipe that toner-soaked cotton pad across your face and find evidence of that layer of dirt right on the pad.

Still, I listened to the critics. I laid off toners for awhile. I suffered, but I endured.

Try as I might, though, I couldn't help but gaze longingly at the large collection of toners available on the market. Seems like every company of significant size offers a variation of it. So I succumbed.

Neutrogena has always been a long-time favorite of mine, not the least because they seem to understand best the skincare needs of women like myself, i.e., acne-prone, oily, occasionally sensitive. They have their share of overly harsh products, but seriously, when I lived and worked in Japan after college, I made sure to stock up on Neutrogena's acne products whenever I went home for vacation. That stuff saved my skin more than once.

My skin still breaks out and still insists on clinging to some stubborn blackheads, so I checked out their Clear Pore Oil-Eliminating Astringent. Love the aquamarine color, despite my usual aversion to artificial colors; I think I like how it reminds me of the ocean. Cooling and refreshing, no? Perfect for hot summers. The price, of course, is so right, and it's available just about anywhere, including Target and your local drugstore.

More importantly, though: does it work?

Well, the copy says that it's "specifically formulated to instantly remove surface oil to control shine and to treat and help prevent breakouts," including blackheads and acne. It's active ingredient is 2% salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) known for helping problem skin out by providing gentle exfoliation and oil-sucking capabilities.

This baby did the job of clearing my skin of oil, but probably because of my slight sensitivity, it left my skin looking slightly flushed and red for a few hours afterwards. I felt the slightest tingling, which may or may not bother you, but for some sensitive skins that may be a sign that this isn't the right product. After three weeks of use, though, I saw very little improvement in the blackheads on my nose, nor did my pores look any noticeably smaller. In Neutrogena's defense, though, nothing you can buy over the counter can shrink your pores permanently. And it did do a good job of keeping pimples at bay.

This would be a good, reliable option for those with very oily complexions who are looking for a well-priced BHA exfoliating product. If your skin is at all sensitive, though, you might want to try a patch test first and check out your reaction. I used this once a day, during the evening after washing my face, but those who live in more humid climes (I live out in the high deserts of Western Colorado, where humidity percentages are generally no higher than the teens) can use it up to twice a day, morning and night. More sensitive skin might tolerate this on a less frequent basis, say, every other day.

Price: $5.00-6.00 for an 8-oz bottle. Available at drugstores and Target.

Back to our regularly scheduled program!

Greetings! Wow, I didn't realize I'd been neglecting this blog for as long as...oh, many months. :-)

I've been over at My Inner French Girl for a little while, beauty blogging over there as well as doing some commentaries on fashion, culture, films, books...the usual Francophilia stuff. However, I realized not too long ago that I was starting to cram too much into that poor little blog, and my posts were suffering for it. So I'm relaunching this one to focus exclusively on beauty and fashion and leaving the culture and art to My Inner French Girl. It makes more sense, no?

My plans for Beauty in Mahogany remain the same and true to its roots, though: beauty and fashion reviews for the beauty addicts and fashionistas among you, but especially geared towards women of color. That's my own particular demographic and the one I can speak to the best. We're the fastest growing audience in the country, mes amies, and the beauty industry is finally sitting up and taking notice!

So I deeply appreciate those of you who've stuck with me and have been patient while I work out the logistics of my blogging projects. I haven't forgotten Beauty in Mahogany. Au contraire, I've missed my beauty exclusives here and am so excited to be back in business. You'll find more posts about the latest in beauty and fashion around the country and the world. In fact, I'll be going to Singapore in a couple of months for three whole weeks, and you can bet that I'll be capturing the beauty and fashion scene in that dynamic and oh-so-sophisticated city for you!

In the meantime, I'm starting with a couple of beauty reviews for now. And if you want to check out some of other reviews I've done of late, feel free to visit My Inner French Girl and click on the beauty tag. That'll get you some juicy, in-depth and unbiased opinions about some of the latest products to hit the market. Enjoy!