What They Say: "Makes styling faster, easier.

* Exclusive plant infusion--a blend derived from organic aloe, maize and guar bean--creates a smooth surface on hair
* Organic tapioca defends against humidity for up to 12 hours
* Hydrolized wheat protein protects against surface damage from heat styling

Features our Smooth InfusionTM aroma, a fresh spicy citrus-floral featuring certified organic bergamot, certified organic palmarosa, Bulgarian rose and Australian sandalwood."

Jen's Experience: The area where I live is very humid, and lately it seems like it's been about 90% humidity or higher every day. And when that happens, all the stuff I put in my hair to give it body backfires on me and makes my hair have lots of volume of the frizzy variety.

I was pleased that this product totally delivered on protecting my hair from humidity. My hair looks sleek like it was flat-ironed for hours after using this and feels incredibly soft and silky (and smells good too!). The problem with that is that my hair has very little in the way of volume and is difficult to do any sort of styling. It doesn't look greasy or limp, just a little deflated. So while I don't think it necessarily makes styling faster and easier, if you get the frizzies in the rain or humid summer air, this might be something to add to your hair care arsenal.

Retail Price: $24.00 (Aveda.com)

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What They Say: "The art of perfect brows is simplified with this all-in-one brow kit. Features three powder shades, mini tweezers and mini brush for professional results."

Melissa Says: It feels a little decadent, in its shiny black case filled with three blendable brow powders and tiny perfector tools (tweezer, brow brush, and applicator brush), but seeing the end result is just about enough to justify the luxury.

The powders are the perfect sheerness to add depth to brows without making them obviously "touched-up". Utilizing a slightly lighter shade to do most of the filling in and then a shade up to finish creates an incredibly natural-yet-groomed look. The size of the applicator brush may seem ridiculous, but actually when you apply the powder a small bit at a time, you are less likely to go outside of your natural brow shape. Also, you can easily perfect even the tiny outer corners with no obvious shading showing.

This is a great tool for creating that perfect face frame with your brows. And there is plenty of product to last a very long time.

Retail Price: $65.00 (at Chanel online or in select department stores)

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What They Say: "Our Face Powders create a light, silky veil which can be used on bare skin or as a setting powder over makeup for a flawless finish that lasts all day. Oil-absorbing ingredients minimize shine for a long-lasting, clean matte finish while providing sheer, breathable coverage."

Jen's Experience: Since I am beyond pale, I often use a bronzer to liven things up a bit. Most bronzers are kind of dark on my skin, and often work better as a blush than for all over color. 3 Custom Color Co-Founder Trae Bodge recommended this particular bronzer because it is one of the only ones out there on the market that is specifically designed for cool skin tones. I can use this one all over my face to make it look like I do see the sun on occasion, and it layers well for more contouring. I didn't really see where it absorbs oil, but since I have dry skin and kind of like that dewy look anyway, I'm not going to complain. Those of you with cool skin tones and pale skin, take note: if you've been looking for a nice, subtle color, this is your product.

Retail Price: $19.50 (3Custom.com)

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What They Say: "Ashy or scaly skin? Nevermore with Figs and Leaves handmade soap. Tiny fig seeds brimming with nutrition and gentle exfoliation yield to a creamy, aloe vera conditioning lather and a bouquet of fresh garden aromas. The scent of oranges and earthy ylang ylang linger on your silky, smooth skin as a tempting reminder of sweet cleanliness."

Melissa Says: This is perhaps my favorite offering from LUSH so far. I absolutely am in love with the velvety, fresh scent. It's actually quite a bit more complex than the description sounds, and the orange isn't necessarily predominant at all (which I was happy about). It lingers on the skin beautifully, and even though personally I'd be more than happy to smell like this each day, I imagine for some of you this will be more well-suited as a hand soap (guests will probably love it, and so will you). In that capacity, it still gives you a kiss of scent but also lasts a bit longer. It's not overly-moisturizing, but not drying.

Retail Price: $7.60 (at LUSH online or go here to find a retail store near you)

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About the Shampoo: "Cleanses away anything that gets in volume's way to build body, shape and movement into hair. Hair is left textured, voluminously sexy and shiny. Safe for color-treated hair."

About the Conditioner: "Adds incredible body oomph and lift to accentuate voluminous contours. Perks up shine as light moisturizers tame and detangle with frizz control. Safe for color-treated hair. Follow with Vavoom styling and finishing for big, glamorous results."

Jen's Experience: When I first got this shampoo and conditioner, I wasn't impressed. Where is this "bust-out" body they speak of? But after a few weeks of use, I became more and more impressed. It really does wash away all the build-up so you can use it every single day without your hair becoming dry or limp. Plus, I've had no trouble with my blonde color becoming too washed out or brassy with continued use. As far as the body goes, it doesn't exactly deliver knockout results on it's own, but it does make my hair look thicker while remaining extra soft. It also seems to cut down on the frizzies that I get from living with high humidity. And all that volume can be achieved, as they recommend, with the various styling products Vavoom has to offer.

Retail Price: $14.00 each (go to Matrix.com to find a salon near you)

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What They Say: "Mineral Power Naturally Luminous Blush with micro-minerals provides a soft, healthy glow to cheeks.

• Blends naturally with skin tone for a fresh flush of color
• Skin looks healthy and fresh
• Talc-free, lightweight formula
• Fragrance-free
• Oil-free

Melissa Says: This finely-milled powder goes on a little bit sheer and looks pretty and yes, a little bit luminous! Don't worry, it won't make your face shine...the luminosity is subtle and not shimmery. It also blends into the skin with ease and lasts well.

User Tip: A little goes a loonnnng way, so you only have to tap a bit into the lid before swirling your brush around. Fortunately, the way the interior is designed, not a lot of loose powder will get lost along the way.

Retail Price: $8.99 (at drugstores everywhere)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say:

• 75% of women noticed fuller lips after 2 weeks (based upon two weeks of continuous use)
• Smooths appearance of fine lines by 26%(Average change based upon 8 weeks of use)
• Increases moisture by 26%(Average change based upon 8 weeks of use)
• With refreshing organic spearmint and vanilla flavor
• New packaging reduces waste by 33%

Jen's Experience:When I think of Aveda, I generally think about hair products, or maybe skin care products. But rarely would I think I could walk into an Aveda store and pick out a great lipstick. But as it turns out, Aveda has made an excellent lip color that I am excited to tell you about.

The colors I used in the Nourish-Mint lines were all shades of red. I find that with deeper pigmentations, I often have a problem with dry lips, and nothing looks worse than parched lips with a lot of color. This lipstick, though, really does the trick with the hydration. The moisture even seems like it lasts longer than the color! On that note, I do wish the color lasted longer or maybe just wore a little more evenly. For all the great things about it, I did find that the edges of my lips retained the color for longer, leaving a ring of color if I don't watch it and reapply every 1-2 hours. But the colors themselves, when applied are really pretty with my skin tone and surprisingly pigment rich. The cases, while minimal, are at least made out of plastic so you can throw them in your purse. You can also buy a reusable outer case if you are wanting something a little more substantial.

Despite the fact that the wear isn't the best I've seen, I really like the yummy taste, great colors, and especially the hydration of these lipsticks. I'm definitely going to have to consider Aveda as an option when I'm looking for cosmetics as well as hair and skin care from now on.

Retail Price: $14.00 (Aveda.com)

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What They Say: "This zero clump volumizing mascara creates voluptuous volume with clean definition.

* Patented shaped-to-the-lash brush
* Ophthalmologist tested, Contact lens safe
* Washable"

Melissa Says: In comparison to my experience with several Maybelline mascaras, this one was a disappointment. I actually thought this did clump a bit, but more of a concern was how it tended to separate my lashes into puny-looking spaced-apart pieces, actually doing the opposite of giving me more volume. True, some of the individual lashes looked thicker, but I didn't get the wall of luscious lashes that I have come to expect from many of the volume-boosting mascara formulas that do just that. And my lashes felt a bit brittle once the product dried, too.

Retail Price: $7.49 (at drugstores everywhere)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "Delivers an "airbrushed" effect with precision and ease. Evens out skin tone and visibly diminishes the appearance of fine lines and skin irregularities."

Jen's Experience: A review of this product was requested by one of our lovely DeLush readers, who wanted to get our opinion on the new airbrush foundations, and she was particularly interested in this one from Dior. I had never tried any of this new genre of foundations, but I was eager to give it a try as well, and I have been extremely pleased with the outcome, with a few caveats here and there.

To apply this foundation, you have two options, both of which require a foundation brush. If you're not already using one, that's a must if you choose to use a foundation like this. The primary means of applying is to spray it directly on the face using a Z-like motion, and then evening it out with a brush. This does get by far the best results, but I found it to be very messy and difficult to keep out of my hair, so I use this only when I have my wet hair wrapped in a towel away from my face. The other means is to spray it directly on the brush and apply. I sometimes use a combination of the two: I apply to my entire face, and then if I want to cover up something more, I use the brush alone.

The coverage is medium to heavy. A couple of good sprays and you might look like a Barbie doll. I thought the color was a bit on the orange-y side until I got some sun last week, and now it's just right. But keep that in mind when choosing a shade. I went with the same shade I had bought it other Dior foundations, and it really was a little too dark for me at the time. On the other hand, I learned that it was very easy to blend in the process, so even if they're limited range of shades isn't quite right for you, you can probably make it work.

The coverage is so good, that I really don't even need to wear concealer anymore. I do sometimes get a little of the leftover foundation from the nozzle (so it's a bit thicker) and apply it to the corners of my eyes with a concealer brush to fully even out the area.

This foundation is definitely right up there with my favorites. Although it's much more expensive than other foundations I've tried, I will be keeping this on hand, maybe not for every day use (due to price more than anything), but for times when I really want my skin to look great.

Retail Price: $60.00 (Sephora.com or your local department store)

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What They Say: "BECCA Beach Tint is a beautifully blendable crème stain for cheeks and lips that suits all skin types. Kiss-proof and water-resistant, it dries to a perfect, streak-free, non-greasy and non-drying finish. Each shade is deliciously scented in its synonymous name.

• 2-in-1 crème stain for cheeks and lips
• Deliciously scented
• Oil Free, Streak Free, and Water-proof
• Contains anti-oxidant vitamin E
• Preservative and paraben-free"

Melissa Says: This does have a slightly sweet scent to it, but more importantly, it kisses skin with a gorgeous wash of color. Use just a little bit to create a lovely glow on the cheeks, and a little bit more for a perfectly-stained lip. (Pop on a bit of gloss on top of lips for a completed look.) This does stay very well for several hours, without fading or streaking, and when you apply it, it glides over the skin and blends very smoothly to help create a natural flush on the cheeks. It's also very easy to control the level of sheerness with this as well. This is a great low-maintenance product that applies quickly with the perfect amount of impact.

Retail Price: $25 / .24 fl oz. tube (at beccacosmetics.com or go here to find a retail location near you)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "Stop searching for "something close" to your cherished shades - we can produce discontinued shades for the Lips, Cheeks, Eyes & Face or help you create your own from scratch! All formulas remain in our personal files for easy re-ordering.

If you would like us to re-create your favorite discontinued shade, we ask that you send us a dime sized sample. We analyze your shade for color, texture and coverage and create a formula that remains in our permanent files!

You can have us create your own shade ~ from a splash of nail color in a baggie, a piece of fabric, a paint chip, a photo from a magazine, two lips colors blended together to create the ideal shade... anything!"

Jen's Experience: I mentioned last week that I talked to Trae Bodge at 3 Custom Color about my biggest beauty challenges, and in addition to concealer, I mentioned that I am always in search of a red that doesn't look like too much against my pale skin and blonde hair. I learned from her that with my cool skin tone but blonde hair, that I can get away with a little bit of warmer colors in my make-up wardrobe than I usually gravitate towards. And then she mixed me the absolute most perfect red for me right there on the spot!

The color is perfect for me to wear to work or even out shopping; I just love the way it just works with my skin and hair. The lipstick itself is really long-lasting and wears evenly, so I don't have to keep checking the mirror to make sure that I don't look like a clown (this is a problem that I have frequently with my other reds). If you live in the New York area or are visiting, I would highly recommend making an appointment at the 3 Custom Color studio to get your own custom lipstick. Another option for those who are in love with a color but it's been discontinued or it's just very hard to find: they will blend you the color and texture of your favorites. It's super easy to order if it's already in their database, but you can also send them a small amount and they'll formulate a replica.

Retail Price: $45.00/2 tubes (Get more details at threecustom.com)

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What They Say: "Our Whipped Shea Butter is 100% shea, with no additives or fillers (just a light fragrance). It's double-whipped to the consistency of frosting making applying it not only easy but enjoyable (it feels incredible).

Well known to help with a whole host of skin problems, our Pure Shea Butter melts at skin temperature and soothes troubled skin anywhere. Use it on hands, elbows, lips, or anywhere else a little loving touch is needed.

Scent offerings change from day to day or week to week, depending upon what our freshest batches of product are. If your favorite isn't here now, try something new, or check back from time to time. You can always email us to ask about your faves. NEW!! Net weight 2.5 ounces.

Note: Our shea butter is imported from Africa and is the freshest that we can get our hands on. Due to seasonal and crop differences, the color can vary from white to a light creamy yellow. Be assured that whatever color shea you get, it's fresh, pure and ultra refined using natural clays. Yum."

Melissa Says: I tried this out in the Chocolate-Dipped Orange scent (which I highly recommend), and just couldn't get enough of it. Though the consistency was a little bit more thick than I anticipated from the description, it still spread nicely on my skin and made it SUPER soft. I would mostly suggest this for hands, elbows, feet...anywhere that could use the extra softening this luxurious blend provides. Though you can still use it on your arms and legs to create babysoft touchable skin (however it does take about 10 minutes or so to completely soak in because of its concentration).

Retail Price: $16.00 / 2.5 oz jar (at productbody.com)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "For Fine / Medium hair. Use before blow-drying hair. Ultra light lotion helps protect hair against blow-dry heat. Gives natural body shape and movement. Follow with Iron-in Volume Protective Dry Mist to heat-seal design."

Jen's Experience:  I had great results with the MATRIX Amplify line, and really good results with the Vavoom Iron-In Spray, but I guess the run had to end at some point.  Perhaps I can attribute my healthy ends to near daily use of this product before my blow-dry.  It does seem to give a little bit of a volume boost, although not nearly as much as the Amplify ThickLift Volumizer did. 

The biggest problem that I had with it was that it was hard to get just the right amount.  Any at all on my bangs and they'd be stringy for the rest of the day.  On other parts of my hair, one pump just didn't seem like enough, two made my hair a little bit greasy looking.   Used along with the Iron-In Volume product, I got much better results, but I think that had more to do with the other product than this one.

In the end, the bit of shininess and volume that I got from using this just wasn't enough to justify it's place in my beauty routine. 

Retail Price:  $16.00 (Visit Matrix.com for a salon near you)

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What They Say: "...a natural shine enhancing serum for dull, coarse or brittle hair. Smooths, protects, and adds luster to even the most unruly hair. Contains rice bran oil to improve the condition and manageability of hair. Place 3-4 drops in the palm of your hand and rub hands together. Distribute evenly on damp or dry hair. Style as usual."

Melissa Says: To be perfectly honest, it was hard to focus objectively about the shine power of this product at first because I was distracted by the scent. It really isn't too pleasant. However, I did notice it faded a while after application. It's very...herbal. I have nothing against herbal scents, of course, as long as they're pleasant. This one wasn't something I'd want to smell like all day, that's for sure.

Shine-wise, I wasn't incredibly impressed. I've certainly used some serums that are more effective, and I felt like it would have certainly taken more than 3-4 drops to make a the difference I was looking for. I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to handle that much more of the scent at once.

Retail Price: $16.00 / 1.7 oz (go to abbahaircare.com to find a salon near you)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "This versatile formula is appropriate for all skin types and is designed to provide the most effective coverage for redness and dark circles. Use in isolated areas with our Concealer brush or your fingers. For full coverage all over the face, use with a dry sponge. For sheer coverage, use a wet sponge or blend with moisturizer. Also available in refills for your Refillable Trio."

Jen's Experience: When I was in New York for fashion week, I got the chance to sit down with Trae Bodge, the Creative Director for 3 Custom Color, in her studio and tell her about my biggest beauty obstacles. One of my biggest issues is finding a concealer that looks natural, but does a good job covering the dark circles under my eyes. She recommended their Creme Concealer, and offered to mix one up for me to match my tone exactly, but we were lucky enough to find that their #2 worked perfectly for me.

Since I've gotten it home, I find that I reach for this before any of my other concealers. It looks so natural and does such a good job covering up dark circles, redness, even acne, that it can really be used as needed instead of covering the whole face with foundation. If I have any complaints at all, it's that the creme is a little drying. It's easily remedied in the undereye area with some good eye cream worn underneath. Overall, this is an excellent product that just works wonders for my undereye circles.

Retail Price: $19.50 (ThreeCustom.com)

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