Pink Power: Support BCA Month with Light

SHINE: Glassybaby Evelyn Handmade Glass Votive Candle Holder. BEAUTY: Four artists and three layers of molten glass create a vibrant pink votive holder that shines with a lively glow when lit. BEACON: Partnering with Nordstrom, the company donates 10% of sales to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Halloween Nails: Candy Corn-Colored Polishes

Boo!-hoo... Too bad Halloween only comes once each year. Be that as it may, we're gonna supersize our sweet tooth craving with one of the most iconic treats of the annual celebration--candy corn. This classic confection not only screams Halloween, but also bursts with bold colors of the season (pumpkin orange, leaf changing yellow and ghostly white). 

Candy corn serves as a drop-dead template for a scary good mani. The devil's in the details, so begin with a base coat and two layers of yellow polish. Next, apply two coats of orange lacquer over two-thirds of the nail starting from slightly lower than mid-range to the top. Then, layer two coats of white polish on the tip of the nail. Finish with a top coat.

No matter "witch" polish you select, the following lacquers make your nails look more delightful than frightful. They may not raise the spirits, but they're guaranteed to lift yours. 

Happy Halloween Eve!

SHINE: Butter London. BEAUTY: Cream Tea (white), Cheeky Chops (yellow) and Jaffa (orange). BEACON: Free of formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate and parabens.

SHINE: Dazzle Dry Nail Lacquer. BEAUTY: Sheer Elegance (almond), Frozen Lemonade (pale yellow) and Orange Sorbet (orange). BEACON: Vegan, and contains no formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate, camphor or nitrocellulose.

SHINE: Milani Nail Lacquer High Speed Fast Dry and NEON (right). BEAUTY: White on the Spot (white), Yellow Whiz (yellow) and Awesome Orange (orange). BEACON: Free of dibutyl phthalate, toluene and formaldehyde. 

SHINE: Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Color (middle) and Complete Salon Manicure. BEAUTY: 120 Polar Bare (white), 360 Mellow Yellow and 560 Kook-A-Mango (orange). BEACON: Contains no dibutyl phthalate, toluene or formaldehyde.

SHINE: Zoya Nail Polish. BEAUTY: Christinna (white), Pippa (yellow) and Pia (orange). BEACON: No animal testing. Free of toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin and dibutyl phthalate.

Pink Power: Support BCA Month with Skin Care

SHINE: Murad Hydrate for Hope Set (Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture and Hydro-Dynamic Moisture for Eyes). BEAUTY: Restore and replenish dry, dehydrated skin with shea butter, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and peptides. BEACON: No animal testing. Donates 10% of sales this month to the City of Hope in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Face Lift-Like Skin Care: Paradise on Mother-in-Law Day

The coastline of Kona, Hawaii.

My mother-in-law grew up on a coffee plantation in Kailua (Kona), Hawaii. The good news is she spent her entire childhood living in paradise. The bad news is her skin took a beating from overexposure to the sun, which prompted signs of environmental damage later in her life.

The latest tightening and brightening formulations rescue loose, lackluster skin typically suffered by more mature women. Many contain plumping peptides, healing antioxidants and hydrating hyaluronic acid, which are designed specifically to promote a smooth and supple appearance. They provide face lift-like results without the pain or expense.

This Sunday, October 28, marks Mother-in-Law Day. Give your significant other's mom the gift of lift in a jar with the following firming formulations. These moisturizers, serums, gels and peels seek to repair and renew, which are benefits that may extend to your relationship with her after she experiences their transformative powers.

SHINE: Abrioné by VB Cosmetics Face Lifting Serum. BEAUTY: Minimize sagging and wrinkled skin with green tea and marine extracts, peptides and hyaluronic acid. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: Elizabeth Grant Collagen Re-Inforce Intensive Face Lift. BEAUTY: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and aloe vera leaf juice promote suppleness and firmer skin. BEACON: No animal testing. Supports the HollyRod Foundation and World Society for the Protection of Animals.

SHINE: Éminence Organic Skin Care Bamboo Firming Fluid (for normal to dry skin types). BEAUTY: Soften wrinkles and crow's feet, and strengthen skin with bamboo, apple plant stem cells, and coconut and neroli oils. BEACON: No animal testing. Supports the National Breast Cancer Foundation, National Ovarian Cancer Coalition and American Cancer Society.

SHINE: Garnier Ultra-Lift 2-in-1 Wrinkle Reducer Serum + Moisturizer. BEAUTY: Shea butter and vitamin E provide healthy hydration to smooth wrinkles and boost firming benefits. BEACON: Supports TerraCycle. Carries the Forest Stewardship Council logo.

SHINE: HydroPeptide Anti-Wrinkle Polish & Plump Peel System. BEAUTY: Experience microdermabrasion-like results without irritating crystals with orange peel and lime oils, peptides, alpha hydroxy acid and green tea extract, which enhance elasticity and smooth skin. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens, synthetic fragrances and phthalates. Supports American Cancer Society.

SHINE: Innovative Skincare Instant Smoothing Gel. BEAUTY: Apple and watermelon fruit extracts, peptides, and vitamins A and E help tighten skin, and strengthen and repair the dermal structure. BEACON: Contains no parabens. Supports Washington Cancer Institute, Revlon/UCLA Breast Center and Stars For Stripes. 

SHINE: Lily Herbceuticals Goji Berry Youth Restore Complex Firming Serum. BEAUTY: Accelerate skin cell turnover and restore a youthful looking appearance with goji berry, green tea extract, peptides, hydrolyzed silk and vitamin E. BEACON: Free of petrochemicals and parabens.

SHINE: Luzern Laboratories Serum Absolut Clinical Collagen Booster RX. BEAUTY: Aloe vera leaf juice, peptides and hyaluronic acid help hydrate skin and stimulate new collagen. BEACON: No animal testing. Contains no parabens, preservatives, fragrances, dyes, glycols or petrochemicals.

SHINE: Murad Rejuvenating Lift for Neck and Décolleté and Time Release Retinol Concentrate for Deep Wrinkles. BEAUTY: Restore suppleness of skin, and minimize crepiness and sagging with peptides, vitamin E and pomegranate extract. BEACON: No animal testing. 

SHINE: Pevonia Ligne Esthébuste Restore Neck and Bust Concentrate and Cream. BEAUTY: Chamomile flower extract and kigelia africana fruit extract smooth skin's texture and renew youthful elasticity. BEACON: No animal testing. Supports the Beauty Bus Foundation.

SHINE: Somme Institute Neckline. BEAUTY: Promote tone, texture and clarity of the skin with marine extracts, peptides, and vitamins A and C. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens. 

SHINE: Sumbody Antioxidant Lifter. BEAUTY: Argan, carrot and jojoba oils, black, white and red teas, and coenzyme Q10 act as hydration boosters and anti-wrinkle actives. BEACON: Contains no parabens, animal oils, sodium laurel/laureth sulfates, artificial preservatives or synthetic chemicals. 

SHINE: VENeffect Anti-Aging Intensive Moisturizer. BEAUTY: Reduce fine lines and wrinkles caused by hormonal aging with resveratrol, grapefruit seed extract, peptides and hyaluronic acid. BEACON: Free of parabens.

Pink Power: Support BCA Month with Lip Gloss

SHINE: Afterglow Cosmetics Organic Infused Hydra Gloss Cirque (lustrous cool pink). BEAUTY: For a pretty-in-pink pout, moisturize and nourish your lips with vitamin E, and jojoba seed, avocado and sesame seed oils. BEACON: Donates $2 of every purchase this month to the Young Survival Coalition in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Also contains no parabens, nanos, bismuth oxychloride, gluten or talc.

Pumpkin Party: Celebrate Soft & Luminous Skin

Photo by Pendragon

Photo by Danielle Scott

Let's get this party started. Fall celebrates pumpkins like no other time of the year with jack-o-lanterns, pies, muffins, cheesecakes, bread and lattes. However, you don't need to go to a Halloween or Thanksgiving party to appreciate this festive fruit. As a topical application, the enzymes and antioxidants contained in pumpkins perk up dull complexions--which is music to our ears and faces. 

Pumpkin contains natural enzymes that act as a velvet rope to help keep dead skin cells off the guest list. This makes it a popular ingredient in masks, peels and exfoliants. When the skin stays free of excessive cellular buildup, it allows other products--such as moisturizers, serums and sunscreens--to penetrate more easily.

You can't talk about the effectiveness of pumpkin as a topical tool without popping a few corks for its rich antioxidant benefits. Vitamin A possesses the ability to soothe and soften skin as it reverses environmental damage, while vitamin C stimulates collagen growth. For those who suffer from acne, these healing vitamins also help reduce pore size and excess oil.

No need to be a party pooper when it comes to your skin. Check out our list of VIPs (very important pumpkin products). We guarantee you'll be doing a happy dance in the spirit of the season. 

SHINE: Éminence Organic Skin Care Yam & Pumpkin Enzyme Peel. BEAUTY: Slough dead skin cells and promote youthful looking skin with yam and pumpkin pulp purées, as well as pineapple and papaya enzymes. BEACON: No animal testing. Supports the National Breast Cancer Foundation, National Ovarian Cancer Coalition and The Cinderella Project. 

SHINE: June Jacobs Perfect Pumpkin Peeling Enzyme Masque. BEAUTY: Pumpkin, pomegranate, grapeseed and goji berry extracts stimulate cellular turnover and combat signs of premature aging. BEACON: Free of parabens, petrochemicals, synthetic dyes and fragrances, and sulfates.

SHINE: Lamas Beauty by Peter Lamas Pumpkin Spice Polish 3-in-1 Instant Facial. BEAUTY: Brighten skin tone, and dissolve makeup, excess oil and pollutants with pumpkin seed oil, aloe vera leaf juice and vitamin E. BEACON: Vegan, and contains no parabens or petrochemicals. 

SHINE: Naturopathica Pumpkin Purifying Enzyme Peel. BEAUTY: Pumpkin enzymes, and honeysuckle flower and cinnamon bark extracts combat dead skin cells for a clear and radiant complexion. BEACON:  ECOCERT seal. Free of sulfates, parabens and glycols. Supports  the American Botanical Council, Stop Global Warming and the Green Spa Network.

SHINE: Sanítas Pumpkin Enzyme Mask. BEAUTY: Soften the skin, unclog pores and help reduce hyperpigmentation with pumpkin enzymes, hyaluronic acid, and vitamins A, C and E. BEACON: Supports the Cinderella Foundation. 

Pink Power: Support BCA Month with Nail Lacquer

SHINE: Dermelect Cosmeceuticals ME Nail Lacquer--Provocative (fresh fuchsia). BEAUTY: This peptide infused color treatment strengthens brittle nails, and helps resist chipping, peeling and splitting. BEACON: No animal testing. Donates 30% of net proceeds this month to Cancer and Careers, a CEW Foundation program, which is the charitable arm of Cosmetic Executive Women. Also contains no dibutyl phthalate, toluene or formaldehyde. 

Spa Week 2012: Soothe, Scultp & Shield Your Skin

Take a long, deep breath--Spa Week has finally arrived. It gives cost-conscious consumers the opportunity to relax, refresh and rejoice during October 15-21. Treatments, such as facials, massages and body wraps, become more affordable by being marked down to $50 at participating facilities. 

People have different reasons for visiting a spa. Some need to escape the stress of work, family or school, while others just want to relieve sore muscles or repair skin with the help of a qualified esthetician or massage therapist. Relaxation lounges, saunas and steam rooms also factor into the experience.

Whatever the reason, many spa-goers ultimately seek a radiant, healthy glow. However, if you don't have the time or budget to make an appointment during Spa Week, you can still achieve a flawless appearance at home with the right products. The following cleansers, moisturizers, eye creams, body lotions, SPFs and serums soothe, sculpt and shield skin for spa-like results. 

How do you plan to celebrate Spa Week?

SOOTHE

SHINE: Clarisonic PRO Sonic Skin Cleansing System For Face and Body with Refining Skin Polish and Refreshing Gel Cleanser. BEAUTY: Gently remove impurities and oily residue with sonic micro-massage action, which helps keep your skin looking softer, smoother and more supple. BEACON: Polish and cleanser contain no parabens. Box material and plastic packaging enclosure can be recycled. 

SHINE: Éminence Organic Skin Care Sweet Red Rose Whip Moisturizer. BEAUTY: Pamper your senses with the fresh, floral fragrance of red rose extract and oil, and restore dehydrated skin with vitamins A, C and E, coenzyme Q10 and alpha lipoic acid. BEACON: No animal testing. With each purchase of the product this month, $5 will be donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

SHINE: Malie Organics Plumeria Body Cream and Wash. BEAUTY: Nourish and refresh skin with the uplifting aroma of the plumeria flower, along with aloe vera leaf juice and vitamin E. BEACON: No animal testing. Donates 20% of the sales of the Plumeria collection this month to the National Breast Cancer Foundation in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

SCULPT

SHINE: Pevonia Lumafirm Eye Contour Lift & Glow and Lumafirm Repair Cream Lift & Glow. BEAUTY: The eye contour minimizes puffiness, and fine lines and wrinkles, while the repair cream increases your skin's elasticity. BEACON: No animal testing. Supports the Beauty Bus Foundation.

SHINE: Refineé Anti-Aging Eye Treatment. BEAUTY: Green tea extract, peptides and aloe vera leaf juice help smooth signs of aging and revitalize the eye area. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens.

SHINE: Sanítas PeptiDerm Anti-Aging Serum. BEAUTY: Firm and tighten the skin, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles with peptides and sweet almond seed extract. BEACON: Supports the Cinderella Foundation. 

SHIELD

SHINE: Ava Anderson Daily Moisturizer with SPF. BEAUTY: Zinc oxide, aloe vera leaf juice and shea butter help combat sun damage and keep skin hydrated. BEACON: Vegan and no animal testing. Free of parabens, PEGs, SLS, synthetic fragrances and dyes, and phthalates. 

SHINE: CellCeuticals Photo Defense Color Radiance SPF 55+ (medium). BEAUTY: Minimize signs of aging, and protect against UVA and UVB sun exposure with sweet almond and avocado oils, aloe vera leaf juice and titanium dioxide. BEACON: No animal testing and vegan. Contains no artificial colorants and fragrances, sodium lauryl sulfate, phthalates or parabens.

SHINE: Murad Lustre Day Moisture SPF 15 and Essential-C Eye Cream SPF 15. BEAUTY: Avocado oil and vitamin E restore suppleness, smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and shield skin from the sun. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: Naturopathica Lavender Protective Moisturizer SPF 17. BEAUTY: Nourish skin and prevent sunburn with lavender, olive fruit and jojoba seed oils, and zinc oxide. BEACON: ECOCERT seal. Free of sulfates, PEGs, DEA, parabens and glycols. Supports the Natural Resources Defense Council.

SHINE: VENeffect Anti-Aging Moisturizer SPF 15. BEAUTY: Peptides, aloe vera leaf juice and broad spectrum SPF 15 maximize collagen production, skin tone and protection from sun damage. BEACON: Contains no parabens. 

Pink Power: Support BCA Month with Hair Tools & Accessories

SHINE: Conair Pink Hair Brushes and Scunci (a division of Conair) Pink Hot Streaks 18" Clip-On Faux Hair and Elastics (32 pieces). BEAUTY: A minimum commitment of $100,000 from the sale of these products will be donated this month to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. BEACON: Conair also supports the American Red Cross, Lee National Denim Day and National Dance Institute.

Fall Beauty Trend: Magical Mineral Makeup

Fall comes alive as the most magical time of the year. The leaves turn into colorful kaleidoscopes, pumpkins become abundant, and the weather changes from hot to not. 

Faster than you can say abracadabra, fall beauty trends start to emerge as well. One we hope won't pull a vanishing act on us anytime soon is mineral makeup. What first began as a best kept secret in spas across the country has now gained mainstream appeal and grown in popularity.

Mineral makeup contains a magic bag of tricks. It consists of natural ingredients from the earth, such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which protect against the sun's harmful rays. Plus, these formulations often include healing antioxidants such as pomegranate seed extract, aloe vera, white and green tea extracts, and vitamins A, C and E.

Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics at LA Fashion Week in 2010.

Mineral makeup suits all skin types--and that's no hocus pocus. Its anti-inflammatory and non-irritation properties make it an ideal choice for people with hyperpigmentation, or sensitive, oily, acne, dry or rosacea-prone conditions. Another benefit includes its ability to absorb excess oil, so your pores won't clog.

Susan Posnick Cosmetics introduced at the LakeHouse Spa at 
Lake Austin Spa Resort in Austin, Texas.

Best of all, loose, liquid and pressed mineral cosmetics offer the appearance of an even skin tone and a youthful glow. For those with busy lifestyles, its weightless-like coverage lasts for long periods without touchups. It can also be used after laser surgery, microdermabrasion and chemical peels.

Take a look at the latest mineral makeup products on the market this fall. They don't need any smoke or mirrors to work their magic. 

SHINE: Advanced Mineral Makeup Liquid Mineral Foundation (ginger snap) and Perfecting Concealer (golden cream). BEAUTY: In addition to reawakening tired skin, these silky formulas will make you feel like someone has just given you the keys to a magic kingdom. BEACON: Contains no talc, artificial fragrances, parabens, dyes or preservatives.

SHINE: Afterglow Cosmetics Organic Mineral Foundations (bisque and camel), Ultra Matte Eye Shadow (bark) and Organic Infused Blushes (tickle and cozy). BEAUTY: These luminous, lightweight and loose minerals will hold you spellbound. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of glutens, GMO, carmine, mineral oil, soy, parabens and FD&C dyes. Supports the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and Young Survival Coalition.

SHINE: Éminence Organic Skin Care Antioxidant Mineral Foundation (honey beige). BEAUTY: Cast aside any illusions you may have about mineral makeup, as this foundation nourishes your skin with acai berry fruit extract, jojoba seed oil, and green and white tea leaf extracts. BEACON: No animal testing. Contains no talc, artificial fragrances and colors, synthetic preservatives, parabens or animal by-products.

SHINE: Sumbody Just Peachy Foundations (dark, medium and fair). BEAUTY: Shazam! These minerals help discoloration disappear with mica, pearl and silk powders, shea butter, and green and white tea leaf extracts. BEACON: Free of parabens, animal oils, artificial preservatives and synthetic chemicals.

SHINE: Susan Posnick Cosmetics ColorFlo Mineral Foundation (M2), ColorEssential Lipstick (milan) and ColorDuo Matte Lipliner/Lipstick (nude/rouge). BEAUTY: You don't need to be a magician to perfect your pout and complete your coverage with these makeup bag must-haves. BEACON: Supports SOAR (Success, Opportunity, Academics and Relationship) Mentor Program and Big Thought.

SHINE: Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics Pressed Mineral Eyeshadow Quad (moulin rouge), Lipstick (blushing nude) and Mineral Radiance Creme Powder Foundation (neutral). BEAUTY: Get ready to take a magic carpet ride with contemporary colors that promote clean coverage for your eyes, lips and complexion. BEACON: No animal testing. Contains no parabens, petroleum, mineral oil, talc, artificial fragrances or dyes.