What They Say: "(Formally Gloss) Inspired during photo shoots where it's essential to make hair shine without leaving it greasy and unworkable in the process, we challenged ourselves during the creation of Bb.Shine to make the ultimate lightweight, shine-enhancer for both on set and off."

Jen's Experience: I'm a bit of a shine junkie. I often judge hair products by how shiny they make my hair, and I'm a big fan of using products like Frederic Fekkai Technician Glaze to add a little shine at the end of my hair routine. Although this comes in an aerosol spray rather than a serum, it works pretty much the same way: it adds a layer of shine to your 'do.

Much like my other shine products, you've really got to watch how much you apply. A little bit and you've got shiny hair, any more and you need to get back in the shower. One thing that's different about this product is that, perhaps since it's an aerosol, perhaps it's just the formula, but it smells horrible and it's pretty suffocating. It smells like you're spraying spray paint in your hair. Go outside to use this one.

The main thing that really sets this product apart is that it really does create amazing shine, almost like your hair has been clear-coated. With my fine hair, the shine may be too much, making it appear a little greasy. However, I've never noticed it weighing down my style at all.

For those of you with thicker hair who are looking for incredible shine, this is an excellent choice, probably the best on the market. But if you've got thin or fine hair, you might want to try this product for yourself before you spend a lot of money on it.

Retail Price: $38.95 (Go to Bumbleandbumble.com for locations)

Rating:

What They Say: "Lifts fine hair up and fills it out. Hair looks fuller, feels thicker, stays more abundant."

Jen's Experience: My hairdresser talked me into this shampoo and conditioner after my last haircut (after recommending their hair powder). She told me that I could return it with 2 weeks if it didn't work for me, so what did I have to lose?

Turns out, not much to lose, and a whole lot to gain. This shampoo and conditioner really live up to their promise of making my hair look fuller and thicker. One thing that they don't mention that I find really noticable is the amount of shine that they lend to my hair. Even when I'm wearing hair powder, the shine comes through. Unfortunately, the shine plus my hair's natural oils sometimes lend to greasy hair the next day. After using the hair powder, I can generally get two days of wear out of a shampoo with the Pure Abundance products.

My favorite part about these products? I thought it was just my new haircut, but after trying various products on my hair, I find that my style just falls into place when I use this set. I can actually blow-dry my hair and walk out the door. For me, this is a true time-saver, since I generally use a curling iron or rollers every day.

So, needless to say, I won't be returning these products. In fact, I think they'll keep a spot on my shower shelves for a long time to come.

Retail Price: $14.00 for each product, 6.7 oz (Aveda)

Rating:

M.A.C.'s always got a wide array of new products at any given moment. They're constantly innovating, and adding new shades and packaging as well. This season it's no different! As a fan of M.A.C. personally, I'm pleased to share with you some of the new products that stand out to me from M.A.C.'s new lines.
-Melissa

The Line: UNTAMED

"This fall, the feather in your cap: the soft pinks, restless plums, downy beiges and wild-spirited plumage of this unique colour collection. In life, love, style and spirit: Untameable."

Standout Products:

Take Wing and Well-Plumed Eyes shadow quads, $35.00 each

The Line: The Long-Anticipated VIVA GLAM VI

"Rockin' out with support from its four new spokespeople, M·A·C VIVA GLAM VI Lipstick and Lipglass! As always, every cent of VIVA GLAM VI goes to the M·A·C AIDS Fund to support people living with HIV/AIDS."

Products:

VIVA GLAM VI Lipstick, $14.00
"VIVA GLAM VI, the newest member of the VIVA GLAM family, is a warm terracotta-plum with pearl finish. Wear it alone or finish it off with a coordinating coat of VIVA GLAM VI Lipglass."

VIVA GLAM VI Tinted Lipglass, $14.00
"A soft neutral pink, in Lipglass's hi-shine gloss finish. The first VG shade to be translated into a Lipglass! VIVA GLAM VI, the second Lipglass in the VIVA GLAM family, is a subtle warm terracotta-peach with white pearl and ultra high-shine finish. Wear it alone or over its namesake Lipstick."

The Line: ROCKOCCO

"Gloriously gilded: a modern rock baroque-cracy. A glorious display of reds and fuchsias embellished by delicate gold and pink pigments. Imperial in its mood, rocking in its majesty: a masterpiece of pigments, attitude and art."

Standout Products:

Lipstick in three new shades (Gel, Overdone and Rockocco), $14.00

Fluidline in sumptuous Fall shades (Brassy, Rich Ground, Macroviolet and Ostentationus), $14.00
"Ultra-smooth, Fluidline’s gel formula provides the precision of a liquid liner with a silkier, softer finish. Goes on “foolproof” with a brush in an easy dip-and-stroke action. Long-wearing. Smudge-proof."

The Line: TECHNACOLOUR

"Eyes go vibrantly "technacolour," as new long-wear propelling liner, Technakohl, and Velvet Eye Shadow's vibrant gem-tone colours match or contrast to line and shade your eyes! Limited edition."

Standout Products:

Technakohl Liner in nine standout shades, $14.50
"A new mechanical pencil-style liner. In formula, soft and creamy, with an intense, rich, colour deposit. Blends on application: dries quickly to a long-wear, non-smudge finish. Versatile. An easy way to line the top and lower lash line of the eye. When applied at a 90 degree angle, provides a thin precision line. For thicker application, apply at a flat angle."

Technacolour Eye Shadow, $13.50
"Highly-pigmented powder. Applies evenly, blends well."

What They Say: "Bb.Session Stylist Laurent Philippon made the tradition modern by creating these aerosol styling powders to his specifications in five shades. They add sexy va-va volume, extend the life of a blow-dry by absorbing excess oil and provide a dry texture that keeps pins and clips from slipping (so styles stay put). The shades enhance or shift hair color - these fantastic (and fun) forms of temporary color can be used to blend away roots between color appointments."

Jen's Experience: This was supposed to be a triple review...and then it was going to be a double review...and then in the end, it was all me. It turns out that with this Bumble and Bumble hair powder you've really got to buy the product that blends in with your natural hair color. For me, blondish blended in so well that I could barely tell where I'd sprayed it, but for Toya and Melissa, their color choices didn't work out as well. With darker hair, discrepancies in the color are more obvious. What's worse is that the dark powders also dust the scalp. It definitely seems to be a problem. Elle magazine's coverage of the hair powder trend recommends using the white powder, even on darker hair, and while DeLush hasn't tried that out, you may want to leave that option in mind if you've got darker hair.

Once I spray the blondish powder on my hair, I can pretty much make my hair do whatever I want, whether its 100 degrees with 90% humidity outside or if it's pouring down rain. I know that's a major claim, but my hair doesn't do a thing in either of those conditions, the style just falls out and whithers into a pile of shiny, but very flat hair. Since I started using this product, I put waves in my hair in the AM that are still working for me at night. The powder texturizes my hair, which helps it to hold the curl, plus it absorbs grease and prevents the humidity in the air from making it into my hair.

I can't say enough good things about this product. It's really changed the way I style my hair every day. But I do have one very serious complaint: the mess. Since this powder is dispensed through an aerosol container, it goes everywhere. The bathroom floor, where it turns into blondish mud. Ditto for the bathroom sink and tub. Inside the medicine cabinet and drawers. It made it into the next room over and coated all the horizontal surfaces. Is it worth it? Maybe, but I've started spraying it on outside -- at least while the temperatures are still pleasant outside. Because it's so hard to aim directly for your hair without making a mess, I certainly wouldn't recommend spraying it on while wearing your outfit for the day.

If you can handle the fallout from the spray can, this is definitely the powder that I would get if that's something you're thinking of shopping for. (Of course, the Aveda powder even works well in addition to this product to add more volume at the roots.) The real bonus is that you can keep layering it on for 2 or 3 days straight to get great volume without constantly having to wash and blow dry.

This is one of the most exciting products I've tested in a long time. I love innovative products that really improve the way my beauty routine works, and this is definitely one of those products.

Retail Price: $41.95 (Visit Bumble and Bumble for salon locations)

Rating: (only because of the mess factor)

What They Say: "Boost your style. Halo Bodifying Gel infuses hair with body, texture and control with a smooth finish. A blend of specialized proteins strengthen and thicken each strand, increasing the width of the hair shaft and enhancing hair's overall body and fullness. Like all Halo styling products, this Bodifying gel is formulated with our exclusive Illuminating Color Protection® Technology to protect vibrant color and increase brilliant shine. It also delivers added UV and thermal protection."

Features and Benefits:

• Hydrolyzed Soy Protein strengthens and thickens hair, increasing the width of the hair shaft.


• Hydrolyzed Sweet Almond Protein adds additional strength to style while conditioning the cuticle for a lustrous finish.


• Breathable, bodifying holding agents hold style in place, yet allow for touchability and excellent memory.


• Shine enhancing agents reveal incredible glossiness.


• Halo's exclusive Illuminating Color ProtectionTM technology seals in hair color to prolong its vibrancy and reflects light to reveal a luminous, radiant glow.

Jen's Experience: It takes a lot of styling products to make my fine hair hold a style in the high humidity days of summer, and they all have "volumizing" or "bodifying" in the name. I liked that this product is a gel, yet it does more than just help style the hair -- it imparts shine and does seem to thicken my hair without weighing it down.

A look at the gel before I apply it onto my wet hair shows lots of sparkle; the glimmer in the gel gives the hair shine (although not so much that I don't feel the need to apply a final finishing shine) as well as a generally healthy appearance. After it soaks into my hair, I notice that may hair perks up a little. The volume the gel had added is already present. After blow-drying, my hair looks so much fuller than it does without the gel, and yet it still feels totally touchable.

Normally when I think of gels, I think of them as a styling aid, something I would use to help my hair hold a style. I'm not so sure that this product really helps in that department since it doesn't do a lot to texturize, but it does retain the body all day long, and for me, that's saying something.

To me, the only downside to this product is the scent. I think it smells like a bad perm. Although it's surprisingly strong at first, it quickly dissipates, so it's definitely not a lingering problem, just something to be aware of when using the product.

Tips: This may be the only styling product that I will ever say this about, but the key to really impressive volume with this product I've found is by using more of it than you would think you need. Usually, less is more with these types of products, but that's certainly not the case with this one.

Retail Price: $16.00 (Visit HaloHaircare.com for information on salon locations)

Rating:

With all of the luxurious, lovely-hued choices this season, there's lots of room to play with eye color. How can you incorporate this trend into your makeup routine? For the most part, if you play up your eyes with color it's best to leave your lips and cheeks neutral and subtle. The easiest way to add just the right touch of surprise color is with eyeliner. But you can also use shadow close to the lash line or on the lid up to the crease over neutral beige shadow that covers the entire lid. Here are some of my favorite hot eye colors to use this season.

-Melissa

The New Blue
All sorts of bad 70's images of blue shadow come to mind when you think of putting anything blue near your peepers. But blue has truly changed. In rich, jewel-toned, sheer, and color variations such as azure, teal, and more...blue has become a hot accent color for eyes. A smudge of one of the new blues can make your eyes pop.

Some options to try: New M.A.C. Technakohl Liner in Auto-de-Blue and Smooth Blue, Smashbox Color Wash Eye Pencil in Azure, Nars Duo Shadow in Demon Lover (yes, it sounds scary, but the colors look gorgeous), Maybelline Roller Color Loose Powder Shadow in On the Ball Blue, and the New Laura Mercier Mineral Eye Powder in Asteroid.



Green Gaze
When used in moderation along the lash line, green can add a gorgeous "something special" to your eyes. Especially the dark, rich, gold-flecked or irridescent greens paired with a neutral brown or beige on the lid. If you've got a more adventurous side, try the brighter emerald greens as liner.

Some options to try: theBalm Shady Lady Shadow/Liner in Jealous Jordana, Clinique Colour Surge Eye Shadow Duo in Spruced Up, New Smashbox Jet Set Waterproof Eye Liner in Illume, Maybelline Line Stylist in Jade Flash, and Pout Eye Pencil in Eye Miss You.



All Shades of Purple
Long my personal favorite all-time eye enhancer, purple always adds a lush, rich quality to your eyes. It's also very versatile. While you can go dark and smoky on your entire lid or just along the lash line, you can also be more subtle with lighter purples, even venturing into lilac, for a brighter look. In all its shades, this is a color you can feel free to experiment with.

Some options to try: Clinique Quickliner for Eyes in Violet and Grape, Broujois Liquid Liner in Prune Stylist 24 (plum), Smashbox Eye Shadow in Camera or Venus, Tarte Eyeshadow Compact in Electric Slide or West Egg, and Revlon Colorstay 12-Hour Eye Shadow Quad in Blushed Wines.

I love almost everything about fall - the smells, the colors, the warm sweaters...and the lush new makeup. Here are some new products that I REALLY want to try.
Melissa

M·A·C Treasures: 3 Lip/Warm in the new Holiday/Luxuries collection.
What They Say: "A teal blue floral jacquard petite clutch detailed with tassels and faux croc trim, filled with a rich selection of two Lipsticks: Rich Reserve, a caramel with frost, Hug Me, a neutral pink and one Tinted Lipglass, C-Thru, a neutral beige with frost. Embellishing each case – the ornate floral motif found throughout M•A•C Holiday. To complete the set: a teal blue lacquer-stained, wood-handled 316SE Brush. Limited edition."
Retail Price: $30.00 (maccosmetics.com)


Laura Mercier Liquid Crystal Lip Glace
What They Say: "Smooth, luxurious color mimics the brilliance of quartz and opal crystals. Apply a sheer layer for subtle, shiny lips or build for a more intensely rich mouth."
Retail Price: $22.00 (saks.com and other department stores)




Philosophy Cinnamon Buns Body Souffle
What They Say: "New for the holidays, philosophy brings you the long-awaited companion to its best selling shower gel, cinnamon buns, with cinnamon buns body soufflé. This highly indulgent treat is designed to soothe and moisturize the body, giving you world-class, silky smooth skin from head to toe. This dreamy formula will nourish the driest of skin, leaving it smelling and feeling absolutely heavenly!"
Retail Price: $25.00 (nordstrom.com and other department stores)


Guerlain KissKiss Lipstick
What They Say: "Lipstick is like a girl's best friend, her accomplice in seduction. Both luxurious and beautifying, it's also an essential everyday accessory. An ultra modern jewel-like talisman that provides radiant color for lips. With a name so evocative of all that is fun-loving, sexy, and provocative, Kiss Kiss Lipstick is the perfect choice for every look imaginable. Housed in a polished gold lightweight metal case, it's the ultimate in modern luxury."
Retail Price: $26.00 (sephora.com and select department stores)


Laura Mercier Ambre Passion
What They Say: "An authentic reflection of the amber note, Ambre Passion radiates amber from the center and is surrounded by smaller sparkling notes of geranium, vanilla, tonka beans, labdanum, sandalwood, patchouli, musk and cedarwood."
Retail Price: $65.00 (nordstrom.com and other department stores)

Run, Don't Walk...
I am a ha-UGE fan of M·A·C products, and I'm thrilled to tell you that their holiday collection is availabe starting today. Rich, lush colors and fab, pretty packaging - are you as excited as I am? Go to maccosmetics.com to browse and shop or go HERE to find a store that sells M·A·C products near you. Happy Shopping!
Your DeLush Diva,
Melissa

When those big thick fall fashion magazines start coming in the mail, I know my credit cards will be coming out in full force! Here's just a sampling of the products that I think look intriguing this season:

Listed on Glamour's list of top products that beauty editor's horde, this terracotta bronzing powder is just starting to get major press. It was created in 1984 and now sells at a rate of one very 30 seconds. Bronzer is a great way to get a nice glow in your skin when the days are short.

I saw this in just about every fashion magazine this year, and kept thinking, "It's gorgeous...what is it?". Well, it's a limited edition eye and blush palette inspired by the intricately designed Coromandel screens owned and adored by Mademoiselle Chanel. Instructions for application can be found on the Chanel web site.

Fake eyelashes are everywhere this year, and more often than not, magazines like Marie Claire are pointing to Shu Uemura for extraordinary fake lashes. Even when I go to the drugstore, I see that new false lash products every few feet in the make-up aisle. I'm pretty terrified about gluing things to my eyelashes, but you know, if it's trendy, I'll give it a shot.

One of the greatest mascara's of all time is now available in clear! In Style Magazine says that it works like hairspray to hold your lashes in place. It also works as a brow gel. For $6, this is definitely something to pick up!

--Jen