I had seen the BeautyBlender on the Purely Cosmetics website many times and had read reviews of the funny pink egg on blogs but I just never felt compelled to buy it. What is it? It’s a funky spongy pink egg thingie that is touted as “The Ultimate Make Up Sponge Applicator”. I mean really – how “ultimate” can a make up sponge be? I thought I was happy with my flat-top brush from Purely Cosmetics so I figured I didn’t need this bizarre looking tool.

Then on the Bionic Beauty blog (fun blog – check it out) – they said there was a special offer for Valentine’s Day – you got 2 Blenders plus a bunch of sponge-cleanser packets to keep it fresh. I checked out the site and decided that it was time to try this thing out. (I actually bought the one without the cleansers as I like to use Garden Girl shower gel to clean brushes and sponges.)

So these cute little guys arrived at my doorstep and I was immediately intrigued. I have to say, for some reason I expected them to be firmer – not as soft. But they are very soft and they are AMAZING with mineral powders! I said I had “thought” I was happy with brushes but once I tried this I knew I’d never go back – at least not for the base powders (I still prefer a brush for blush and obviously eye liner).  No more powder messes that have always frustrated me. Plus – the egg shape is perfect for getting different areas covered – the wider ends for the forehead, cheeks and chin – the pointier end for eyes and nose areas. Really – it’s a simple but fantastic little tool.

So I highly recommend getting the blenders – either from PurelyCosmetics or straight from the BeautyBlender website where, by the way, they are still having their special offer! Even if you use cream based foundations or other non-mineral products, check them out – you’ll love them!

You know, I have to say – when I read this blog post from SELF magazine’s editor, I just found it completely depressing and defeating. The deal is, Kelly Clarkson is on the cover of September’s SELF magazine. Apparently, last week there was a lot of buzz on the internet that SELF had “photoshopped” the cover shot. Now, I’m not naive. I know (especially being in the beauty business) that there is seldom a photo in a magazine that hasn’t been airbrushed to death. That’s why the actresses that are in their 40’s and 50’s seem to have this flawless skin without a single wrinkle. But I am getting the sense that this is all going way too far. The ability for digital photos to be seamlessly manipulated makes it fantastically easy for magazines to create this fantasy world where women have no cellulite and no wrinkles.

And when the editor of a major magazine blogs about this with such ease and confidence, I realize that it truly has gone too far. The SELF editor says “Pictures are meant to tell a story, express a feeling, convey an emotion or capture a moment. Portraits like the one we take each month for the cover of SELF are not supposed to be unedited or a true-to-life snapshot.” I say – why shouldn’t they be true to life? What good can we possibly be teaching our children and even ourselves when we have to retouch every photo? And for this photo, apparently about 20 pounds were shaved off Kelly. If we continue to show these covers and represent them as “true-to-life” (which, sorry SELF, is how they are perceived), then we are saying that even when you are confident and strong, you still should not be proud of what your body REALLY looks like? That there’s always room to “touch things up” a bit? We have far too many body-image issues in this country. And if this editor thinks she is not partly – and directly – responsible for perpetuating images that feed into these issues then she is kidding herself.

I will end my rant with the quote that I found most ridiculous and offensive:

“Kelly has this amazing spirit, the kind of joie de vivre that certain people possess that makes you want to stand closer to them, hoping that you can learn what they know. In this case, you get the feeling Kelly has not let fame spoil her, but also that she was just born confident, with a generosity of spirit that is all about others and rarely about herself. She is, like her music, giving and strong and confident and full of gusto. Did we alter her appearance? Only to make her look her personal best. Did we publish an act of fiction? No. Not unless you think all photos are that. But in the sense that Kelly is the picture of confidence, and she truly is, then I think this photo is the truest we have ever put out there on the newsstand.”

How can it be her “personal best” if it is not reality? And moreover, how can this woman actually say it is NOT an “act of fiction”? Lastly – if this is the “truest” photo they have ever put out there – then how can we trust anything in this magazine?

I’d love to hear your comments! (and be sure to read the blog comment – yipes I am sure they are scrambling to figure out how to handle this further!!)

What a lovely surprise yesterday to hear from the folks at www.TheLuxurySpot.com – a fun and very cool blog that is all about fashion and beauty. They checked out some Garden Girl products recently and apparently are now “ga ga” for Garden Girl

Their review was on Hugs vanilla body butter and Pucker Up Coconut sugar scrub. I’m so happy they liked the products – the word is definitely starting to spread! And they are spot on – both Hugs and Pucker Up work wonders on flaky, dry winter skin.

Check out the review when you get a minute: http://www.theluxuryspot.com/2009/02/24/gaga-for-garden-girl/

Just checked out a great article on the body + soul website – Crazy Beauty Tricks That Really Work - they have some fun and easy recommendations and they are spot on for the benefits of the ingredients (it’s surprising how many magazines get that stuff wrong!).

I had been perusing the website to see if Garden Girl’s Pucker Up Coconut sugar scrub was on there yet (which it’s not yet). But for those of you who hadn’t seen a past posting – Pucker Up is going to be featured in the March issue of body+soul magazine! I’m SO excited! I have been assured it didn’t make the cutting room floor so fingers crossed GG will get some nice national exposure. If you are not familiar with body+soul, it’s a great Martha Stewart Living-owned magazine full of tips and tricks focusing on healthy living (but not one of those overly organic, crunchy mags).

Speaking of magazines, I recently subscribed to Prevention magazine, thinking it would be also all about health. Well the first issue I got was jam packed with recommendations for skin care products that are far from healthy – instead they are products packed with petroleum, sulfates, and parabens. What’s up with that? You’d think they’d be a little more aware, wouldn’t you?

So anyway keep your eye out for the March issue of body+soul! Meantime-check out the website. Those Crazy Tricks are pretty cool