I love lip exfoliating products, and in the Summer when the lips are exposed to the heat, sun and wind, it is almost a must for me. I am such a fan of Tarte's fRxtion with it's duo sided tube and wonderful taste, so I was thrilled to have discovered this one from MAC. This is from the MAC Summer Future Earth Collection, and it is their Prep + Prime Microfine Lip Refinisher.

On one side, there is a natural exfoliator that is made up from botanically derived ingredients, while the other side of the stick is a superb lip conditioner, with the yummy MAC Vanilla flavor, that helps to moisturize, nourish and soothe lips.

As with anything else, it is very important to wear a sunscreen on your lips when spending a lot of time outdoors, especially when using an exfoliating product. I wish that the lip conditioner side contained one, but it does not, so be sure to use one - okay?

Prep + Prime is $14.50 at MAC. 

While I very rarely talk about fragrances here, that is Cindi’s job over on The Fragrance Fanatic now, I have to take a moment to share my love for my new scent. With my husbands approval, no less.

LAVANILA Vanilla Coconut is the best, and most beautiful Summer fragrance. Evah! Talk about being transported to a tropical paradise with a single spray. Before talking about LAVANILA and the Vanilla Coconut scent, I must avert your attention to the first thing I noticed about this product. The packaging.

The packaging alone features such intricate cut-out’s that the outer boxes are collector worthy alone. I wish the inner box was a clear sleeve so I could display it in my bathroom. It is that gorgeous. But the box alone on my vanity will do. Beautiful! And the colors of this box are a beautiful teal blue and brown - the colors of my soon to be completed master suite. I might just even be bringing in the box for this color of blue to be matched for some trim work I am doing on mirrors and frames. Truly, again I have to say this - beautiful! The rest of the LAVANILA  collection features all different types of boxes, in the most beautiful color’s based with brown. And from what I have seen so far, they all feature different cut-outs. I can only imagine the packaging costs - but this really makes for a more luxurious brand.

“Breaking beauty boundaries with the world's premier healthy fragrance, LAVANILA is the first to fuse luxury fragrance with natural science. Their sensual vanilla blends captivate the senses and nurture the skin thanks to a healthy dose of pure essential oils, active botanicals, and antioxidants. Infused with everything that's good for you and absolutely nothing that's not, LAVANILA is changing the way we spray.

The Vanilla Coconut scent is tropical. Beautiful. Heavenly. Reminds me of the beach, but not in a beachy way. It is more like a beautiful, flower lined street with Palm Trees waving above, with the beach there at the end. It has an oriental yet a warm floral sent is felt.  It smells slightly of coconut, with hints of monoi Tiare (a Tahitian white flower), and a warm base of Madagascar vanilla bean. The other notes in this scent include heliotrope and sandalwood.

I will be rounding out this fragrance addiction with the Vanilla Coconut Body Butter ($25), and can you image this - a Vanilla Coconut Healthy Lip Shine ($14). I am sure I will be licking my lips all day. The 1.7 oz. Eau de Parfum Spray that I am using sells for $56.

Shop at Sephora and online at Sephora.com for this beautiful line up of fragrance based products.

"plan you summer spa vacation on spas of america"

Life should always be this sweet...

With the most sweet Strawberry-Kiwi flavor and the much needed SPF, these Tendertones Lip Balm from MAC will have your lips super soft, super sweet, and protected this Summer.

In a range of 10 beautiful Summery shades, there is at least one or two of these that should be on your lips.

Tread Gently Soft lime green with yellow pearl
E -Z Baby Sheer milky pink
Honey Bare Rosy blue pink with white and gold pearl
Hot n’ Saucy Soft cherry red
Sweet & Nice Sheer red grape with red pearl
Take A Hint Sheer peach with white pearl
Hush, Hush Sheer gold with yellow gold pearl
Sweet Tooth Sheer coral with white pearl
Pucker Sheer berry with red pearl
Deep Sigh Sheer grape brown with red pearl

Surprisingly, especially when just looking at it in the pot, Tread Gently is my favorite shade. It looks pretty on it's own, but so gorgeous over a bright pink lippie.  

Check these out and let me know which ones you scoop up. They are just $14.50 at MAC Cosmetics, of course.

Sometimes the littlest things can totally take me by surprise. A fine example of this would be this great little lip balm/lip gloss.

This is a Lip Glaze. Comfort Shine Lip Glaze from Sally Hansen. I cannot explain it any better than they did when they said that this "Cares and comforts like a balm, shines like a gloss".

Who would have thought that I would have fallen for a lip product from the brand known best for it's nail polish and nail care items. This little pot comes with a little plastic applicator that looks like it would be a brush, but it is not. It is just a rubber ended applicator that you dip into a tiny hole in the top of the pot. This assures that you get just enough of the glaze - not too much, not too little.

The best thing about this lip glaze has got to be the flavors. They are spot on.  Fresh Strawberry is so addicting. I have been applying it all day, not just for the soothing relief, but for the taste. Yum!

Yes, good (and flavorful) things do come in the smallest of packages. 

There is really nothing better than another great lipgloss! And how this lipgloss from Clinique has gotten by me for so long is beyond me. This Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss is beautiful.

This gloss is not only super glossy, it's balm-like consistency keeps lips moisturized. It is long-lasting, offers sheer color, and is not overly sticky or tacky.

Clinique's Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss is a winner! This gloss comes in 8 shades, Rootbeer surprisingly being my favorite, and retails for $13.50.    

Another lip gloss must-have beauty to go item: POP Beauty Mini Ribbon Gloss.

Not only do these glosses nourish the lips with tons of jojoba oil and a yummy, coconut flavor, the glosses are so smooth, almost like a lip balm, but with the prettiest of colors.

For just $10 at Sephora, these glosses should find a way to your handbag. In the following color palettes: Honey Suckle Bronze, Peony Pink, Poppy Red, and Daisy Glow; there is surely one to crave.
 

Elegant. Luxurious. Chanel. And their new Fall Collection exudes exactly that.

The Fabulous Four, LES 4 OMBRES Quadra Eye Shadow in Garden Party is my pick of the collection. No doubt that is what the model is showing on her eyes.

Also in the Chanel Fall 2007 Collection of Limited Editions:
Trio Levres de Chanel Gloss Eclat Satin - brand new lip gloss trio compact in Orchidees
Rouge Hydrabase Creme Lipstick - four new shades in Wild Tulip, Lotus Rouge, Lily Beige, and Magnolia Rose
Aqualumiere Sheer Colour Lipshine - two new shades, Key West and Catalina
Levres Scintillantes Glossimer - two new shades in Iris and Hibiscus
Rouge Double Intensite Ultra Wear Lip Colour - two new shades, Rose Garnet and Nude Topaz
Joues Contraste Powder Blush - new in Narcisse
Le Crayon Kohl Intense Eye Pencil - new in Ambre
Irreelle Duo Silky EyeShadow Duo - new in Lotus-Cactus
Ombre Essentielle Soft Touch Eyeshadow - new in Jungle
LES 4 OMBRES Quadra EyeShadow - two new palettes in Garden Party and Sequoia