May 2009's New Beauty Products
A library of luscious soaps, the quickest way to get polished, and more.
Great News!
Did you know that Americans are reading more than they have in the past 26 years? Did you know that reading makes you beautiful? We can't prove that last assertion, but loving all things bookish, we were charmed by the Skinnyskinny Organic Soap Set ($48;
SkinnySkinny.com), a novel-looking box filled with a selection of organic soaps wrapped in actual book pages. The box is deliberately unlabeled (what a fresh idea!), so when the soaps are gone, you can slip it into your library to hide all manner of exotica.
Photo: Marko Metzinger/Studio D
Think Fast
Furtive romantic encounter? Microwaved brownie? Quickies can be a thrill—but the satisfaction is inevitably fleeting. Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Color ($5; drugstores), however, impressed us with both its efficiency and its long-term returns. A wide, flat brush lets you cover each fingernail entirely in a single stroke (well, except for the thumbs), and the polish dries to a hard, shiny finish in less than a minute. While we expected to pay for all this convenience with quick chipping, four days later we're still perfectly polished.
Photo: Gisel Florez/Studio D
Stop Messing Around
As much as we like the sheer coverage of mineral makeup, we really hate how messy it can be. But CoverGirl TruBlend Microminerals Blush ($11; drugstores) offers a neat solution: First, pop off the brush. Shake the powder so that just a little comes up through the sifter. Dip the brush into the powder, tap off any excess, and then lightly sweep over cheeks. When you're done, put it all back together—and toss the spillproof container in your bag.
Photo: Gisel Florez/Studio D
A Jewel of a Cream
Not many of us will be splurging on gems this year, but we can indulge in American Beauty Ultimate Diamond Restorative Anti-Aging Cream ($50;
Kohls.com). The formula contains real diamonds (reduced to a fine dust), which leave your complexion with a subtle luminosity. Pomegranate and hyaluronic acid deeply moisturize. Looking for a rich experience? This cream is it.
Photo: Gisel Florez/Studio D
Heavenly Scent
Fashion designer Tom Ford wears his pants tight, his chest hair exposed, his shadow perpetually at 5 o'clock. The man oozes (a certain kind of) sexuality. His latest fragrance, Private Blend Champaca Absolute ($180 for 50 milliliters;
NeimanMarcus.com), has a quieter, more discreet sexiness: The spicy floral (champaca is a flowering Southeast Asian tree) at the perfume's heart is tempered by fresh, crisp greens and warmed with vanilla bean and amber. A little goes a long way (it's an eau de parfum, not an eau de toilette), and the dark bottle protects the juice from light, which could spoil it before its time. Sexy
and practical—a dreamy combination.
From the
May 2009 issue of
O, The Oprah Magazine
