Journalists are supposed to be objective. Maintaining an appropriate distance from one’s subject is expected, nay, demanded. So I am asking for the reader’s indulgence as I have fallen in love with the Emani Mineral Foundation and I have zero ability to write without passion for this product. Since using the Mineral Foundation, I have received many compliments on my skin and the appearance of my rosacea has diminished dramatically. Armed with this newfound complexion confidence, I approached my interview with Michelle Doan, the company’s founder, with the joy and enthusiasm of Marcia Brady in that episode of “The Brady Bunch” where she gets Davy Jones to play at her school’s prom.

A long time ago, in a land far away Dineh Mohajer transformed her college pad into a makeshift factory. Working away, hours on end, she developed funky pastel polishes that were a hit with celebrities and trendsetters alike. This was the birth of Hard Candy (www.hardcandy.com). Helping her along the way, Jeanne Chavez was a key ingredient in the Hard Candy recipe from the very beginning. Together, Jeanne and Dineh set trends and expanded the Hard Candy line into a full range of cosmetics. Fashion and music influenced the Hard Candy line, making the makeup line not only original, but edgy. Capturing the attention, of the young consumer, Hard Candy established its name as a leader of innovation in the cosmetic industry. After selling Hard Candy, this dynamic duo took some time off, but were busy dreaming up their next brand ¼.

(Present time) Dineh and Jeanne are back with yet another fantastic creation. Introducing Goldie. Representing a fusion of preppie and punk, Goldie consists of a range of color cosmetics reflective of music, style and fashion. Inspired by a blend of “Papagallo pretty and anarchy, Goldie is manners gone mad.” This line is fresh, fun and reasonably priced. Offering everything from lip gloss, nail polish, bronzers and special made gift packages, Goldie offers an entire spectrum of cosmetics. After sampling some of the line, here are some favorites that everyone should try.

No, I’m not channeling the Coffee Talk chick. Even better. I’m talking about the new lipstick formula from Clinique.

If you’re anything like me, you’ve gotten totally spoiled over the past few years with all of the amazing lip glosses out there. They’re great for your lips, smell great and deliver subtle color in a flash. I have even found myself trying on lipsticks, in search of more pigment, and wiping them off because they feel heavy or the color seems too severe. Or so I thought, until I tried Clinique’s new formula. Color Surge Butter Shine Lipstick.

First of all, anything that you can compare to butter…hey, it’s gotta be good…right? But seriously, this new formula lives up to the mental imagery conjured up by such a name. It’s actually a revolutionary gel formula that delivers pigment without being garish, with the shine of a gloss. It actually feels like butter going on. Rich, luxurious. It also comes in more than a dozen shades, so there is no way you’re going to want just one. Ok, Ok, you need some suggestions? Delovely is the perfect neutral to tone down something too red or dark or just slick on for a shine that feels dreamy. Want a bit more of a just bitten berry stain? Cranberry Cream! Want a softer tone? Try Pink Toffee or Rum Kiss. No matter what, you won’t walk out of that store with just one! Available at department stores or online at www.clinique.com.

Who doesn’t want their skin to look great, all day””every day? We all know the big three of great skin: sleep, water and SPF. So what’s the best way to get that glow even if you’ve been a bad girl and stayed up all night; forgot your sunscreen; and the only water you’ve had was from the melted ice in your cocktail?

Well girls, meet your new best friend. Kevin Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer.

The unique formula can be used in several ways. As a highlighter, try a shade lighter than your own skin and apply to the high points of your face. Voila! Instant radiance. As a concealer, you can spot treat and blend away blemishes, dark circles and imperfections. Use a brush for best (most inconspicuous) results. As a foundation, you can actually determine how much coverage you get by the amount of product you use. You can start off light and add more where you need it.

The formula is unique in that it’s concentrated with a touch of powder. Once it sets (usually takes about 5 minutes), it’s on for the day: resists smudging and leaves your skin looking fresh, glowing and natural. Sixteen shades of Sensual Skin Enhancer guarantee that there will be a color just for you (and one slightly lighter that you can have on hand for the highlighter).

This is a product that everyone, all skin types can use. The best thing about it is that nobody’s going to ask what makeup you’re using. They’ll just compliment you on your great skin. The part about the melted ice cubes is just between us!

Kevin’s Sensual Skin Enhancer and other Aucoin products are available at Neiman Marcus and online at www.neimanMarcus.com

You have phenomenal skin, glossy kissable lips””what’s left? Your eyes, doll, your eyes! Look to Chantecaille for one of the most collectable and gorgeous shadow compacts around. From the holiday collection-while supplies last (and you know that means buy it now!!), Les Papillions Shine Eye Shadow Powders are to die for. These gorge compacts feature intricately and delicately stenciled butterflies on the powder. The powder texture is light, airy and almost creamy in feel yet provides a “lit from within glow” thanks to the minute pearl particles that Sylvie Chantecaille built into the shadow formula. According to Sylvie, there’s a secret to these compacts. The butterfly design and colors aren’t just sprayed on the top layer””they are poured all the way to the bottom of the compact so you won’t lose the ethereal pigments after using it a few times. They feel like satin on the eyelids and the luminous color lasts all day.

Choose from:
Papillon Rose: Rose background with white butterfly; bordeaux detail and gold body.
Papillon Bleu: Silver background with dark blue butterfly; light blue detail and gold body.
Papillon Violet: Gold background with violet butterfly; gold detail and turquoise body.
Find Chantecaille at Neiman Marcus and www.neimanmarcus.com

Now that your shadow is set, you need only one more thing before you head out that door””mascara! Don’t reach for just any mascara. Pick up Napoleon Cosmetics Long Black Mascara! This fab mascara has a bent wand to make applying the color easier and you can get every single lash. Napoleon Perdis, the creator of the line, recommends a 3 step process to apply: one coat before foundation, one coat after, and one coat as a final and you have long, gorgeous, fluttery, flirty lashes! Skip the faux lashes, your beautiful peepers won’t need them! Find Napoleon Cosmetics at Saks Fifth Avenue, www.saks.com and www.napoleoncosmetics.com

When one contemplates expiration dates of cosmetics, do you ever think about hair products too? Probably not””I never did till I realized that hair products tend to have proteins, thickeners, softeners and even natural ingredients that do change or go “bad” over time. What’s worse is where you store them””in the shower!! Changing temps, steamy atmosphere and often not so bright light mean things can often change quicker and odd things grow (ewwww!!) in that half a bottle of shampoo or conditioner.
According to NaturallyCurly.com experts, Michelle Breyer and Gretchen Heber, there is a life-span to hair products. “Most large companies put enough preservatives in their products to last at least four years. But if you’ve had a product for longer than two years, it’s probably better to discard it. Companies constantly test their products using a challenge test. They bake the product in special ovens that calculates one month of oven time into one year in your bathroom, or on the shelves. Each month they inject several bacteria into the product to test how effective the preservatives perform. If the company’s results are weak, they will imprint an expiration date onto the product. Consumers should definitely heed that date and discard their product.
It should be noted that even with preservatives, some precautions should be taken to protect product quality. Products should never stand in direct sunlight for a prolonged period of time. This will prematurely shorten the life of the preservatives. Thus, be cautious of products sitting in a window display. Because of the large quantities of products produced, it would be a great idea for companies to be put expiration dates on their products. Make sure you open the cap and smell the product before buying. If it smells odd, throw it away. Look at its consistency. If a product has separated, it’s probably time to throw it away. ”
- Michelle Breyer & Gretchen Heber, NaturallyCurly.com and CurlyKids.com founders

During the late fall and winter, you often want to tweak your cosmetic look because the seasons have changed and the “look” is different. As you face a season of parties and events, you want to have a look that’s glam enough for night. Just for Beauty News LA readers, Kevyn Aucoin Beauty has created this fabulous evening look. Read on for a face chart, and some fabulous products and application tips!

1. Start off with a clean face and prep skin with a moisturizer or primer to create a smooth canvas. Apply concealer as needed: Sensual Skin Enhancer ($42) is a good choice. For a velvet finish, Dew Drop Powder Foundation ($54) is a lightweight, user-friendly, adjustable coverage powder foundation. And for those with dry skin, or those who want a creamy foundation, try Sue Devitt’s Triple C-weed Whipped Foundation ($40) for sheer coverage, complete with “good for your skin” antioxidants.

2. Pure Powder Glow ($37) in Shadore, a soft ethereal pink, is the perfect blush for that radiant complexion. The highly pigmented powder is silky and lasts all night. For a more vibrant glow, apply more layers of color. Dust from cheeks to temples and blend well. For a golden, peachy hue, brush on Sue Devitt Studio’s Silky Blush ($20) in Los Angeles. It goes on sheer for that sunkissed glow.

After too many glasses of champagne, eggnog, and fat-filled foods, the odds of waking up doe-eyed for the next grand gathering are about as good as hitting a 21 at the blackjack tables on the Strip. I think I have found the answer for those tired stressed out looking peepers – eyelash extensions are the new trend in spas all over LA.

I went to a medi-spa on the Westside to try them out. The esthetician had me lay down on a quilted massage table. She taped my bottom lashes – sounds scary, I know. Yet, it didn’t feel awkward, and removal was a breeze – no band-aid ripping agony (ouch!). She then had me close my eyes, and for the next 45 minutes, she applied the extensions lash by lash. Just relaxing there on the table was treat enough, but when I opened my eyes and checked myself out in the mirror, my lashes seemed to go on forever! Was I channeling Twiggy?

For a couple of days, I loved receiving comments on the length of my lashes, and always looking so wide-eyed. Post weekend, though, it all went south. The lashes became hardened and intertwined, my eyes were itchy, and what I thought was mascara was actually clumps of glue. I wanted them off, but figured I would just follow the instructions I was given and let them fall out with my regular lashes.

A few days later, I visited my personal esthetician for a facial, and when she saw my eyes, she was shocked. She was so worried about the health of my lashes that she removed the extensions for me. She said that people have often come to her to get lash extensions removed after a poor job has been done. De-lashified, I felt liberated and quite happy to have my average length lashes back.

If you are in the market for lash extensions, I offer you the following advice: be sure to do your research! Check to see who the esthetician is, and how much experience she has. Ask what products she uses, including lashes and glue. Know yourself and what you might be allergic to. Most glue is made with latex, which is highly allergenic. Although you may be told that lashes last for a month and come out naturally as your real lashes fall out, I suggest only leaving them on for about a week and having them professionally removed. Finally if anything feels wrong or uncomfortable do not hesitate to contact your esthetician immediately and have your extensions taken off!

The last time I bragged about a product was never. Today I’m making history. I finally found something that’s affordable, lasts for years, and saves me time and money. So listen carefully. Throw away your razors, cancel that dreadful wax appointment, and say goodbye to the messy depilatories, and say hello to Emjoi. Their selection of affordable epilators has the same benefits as waxing, except without the pain and mess, and without leaving your skin red or bumpy afterwards. With waxing and shaving you have to wait for all the hair to grow back or for it to grow a certain before you can do something about it. Not with Emjoi. Use it whenever you see unwanted hair grow.

Not sure which one to buy. Try their best sellers, Optimax and Gently Gold Caress, which are both rechargeable, or try their battery operated Green Classic. These are ideal for the arms, legs, bikini line, underarms, and even those pesky hairs that sprout on your toe knuckles. If you’re worried about pain, don’t! You may feel some pinching at first because of its newness, but pretty soon you won’t feel a thing. HINT: The epilators with more tweezers on their heads have the least amount of initial discomfort.