The creamy formulation is both hypoallergenic and waterproof with 12+hour long lasting protection.  It absorbs easily into skin without leaving behind any white marks or stains and contains skin-soothing conditioners such as dimethicane and petrolatum for an extra level of comfort and smoothness that helps prevent irritation.

For more information visit www.secret.com

Affiliation: This set was given to Pretty Connected by a company representative.  Pretty Connected was under no obligation to write this review.

Just in time for spring, the June 2010 issue of Women’s Health Magazine will report the winners of their 4th annual Beauty Awards. Featuring both reader’s and editor’s picks by category (hair, face, body, and makeup), I had the privilege of joining the publication for the announcement of their winners and received an advanced copy of the magazine.

So who won? Here’s a sneak peek at some of my favorite editor’s picks:

• Best Budge-proof Eye Shadow – Tarte Lock & Roll Eyeshadow in Burnt Bronze
• Best Sheer Cheek Color – NARS Cadacques Multiple Tint
• Best Foundation – Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
• Best Self-Tanner – Clarins Self-Tanning Instant Gel
• Best Mascara – CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume
• Best Dry Shampoo – Umberto Beverly Hills Dry Clean Dry Shampoo
• Best OTC Treatment for Uneven Skin Pigmentation – Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector

I have to say this event was a lot of fun. Women’s Health Magazine featured all the winners by category and I greatly enjoyed reading about each product and having the opportunity to talk makeup with Women’s Health Beauty Director Molly Nover-Baker and Associate Beauty Editor Alexis Farah and answering the infamous question of ‘what do you think?’ Honestly, I was impressed for a number of reasons, mainly because I thought it was very original.

I was happy to see of the products I had tried, all of them were in my top five for that category (if not my favorite), and pleasantly surprised that I hadn’t tried the majority of the winners. There was great mix of mass and prestige brands across all categories and price points. They didn’t choose a lot of the ‘classic winners’, which while deserving, it’s always nice to learn about some unsung heroes who are just as worthy. In fact, I noticed a healthy assortment of new products that launched within the past year that have been on my radar won. Of course we all have our favorite products and brands we’d love to see make the charts, but it’s difficult to be so opinionated when there really are so many spectacular products on the market right now. So while I can’t judge what I haven’t tried based on the assortment of winners, I’m very intrigued and excited to try their recommendations. This is especially true for the Best Product for Curly Hair winner of whom Alexis raved about –however you’ll have to pick up the issue for that winner (I’ve spoiled enough of the surprise).

The complete list of winners is available in the June 2010 issue Women’s Health Magazine hitting newsstands on May 25th. For more information visit WomensHealthMag.com

With notes of mandarin, passion fruit, hibiscus, exotic woods, and apricot musk, Summer Romance is really an exquisite fruity/floral combination that makes for a lovely day fragrance. Ironically, I’m not generally drawn to fruity or floral scents (let alone mixed), mainly because I find many of the market to smell too artificial or be overpowering.  However, Summer Romance is just sweet enough while still managing it stay clean and fresh.  Plus, I’ve been getting loads of compliments on it, so apparently this romance is a too way street.

What can I say, the sun is out, flowers are in bloom and I’m embracing my feminine side.

Price: $78/3.4 oz. For more information  visit Macys.com

Affiliation: a press sample of this product was provided by a company representative. Pretty Connected was under no obligation to write this review.

Who would have thought in 1985 when Madonna released the song ‘Material Girl’, that she would one day dress the teenagers of the future?  But are diamond necklaces, pink satin dresses and long gloves in their future?  Not likely considering the line will range from $12 – $40, but we’ll find out this August when the MG collection is set to premiere nationally in 200 Macy’s locations and online.

Check out Gwen Stefani’s latest Harajuku Lovers Fragrance Collection - Sunshine Cuties!  Now available, these summer scents include Love (fruity floral), Lil’ Angel (citrus vanilla), Music (sensuous floral), Baby (dewy floral) and G (creamy musk).

Ready to hit the beach, these scentsational little ladies are all sporting swim suits, chic hair styles, and of course mani-pedis.  Get them while you can, these limited edition Sunshine Cuties are only available while supplies last.

Price: $30 each.  Available at Sephora, Macy’s, and Nordstrom. For more information visit hlfragrance.com

Spring is around the corner (I hope!), and it’s time for a change. For Marc Jacobs Daisy it’s a new season and a new look. Now in bloom, the beloved fresh floral scent of Marc Jacobs Daisy has been made over in a new limited edition bottle.

Price: $57/1.7 oz. Available while supplies last at fine Department Stores and Sephora. For more information visit www.daisymarcjacobs.com.

Roses are red, violets are blue, and with Valentine’s Day around the corner, ladies I have the perfect fragrances for you!  Oh and for him too.

Carbon Aimez-Moi EDT

As a child I loved violet candies.  Among my favorites were Choward’s Violet and Les Anis de Flavigny Violette. When I opened the package, an amazing scent of violets was unleashed like perfume; and I love the memory of how they made me feel every time I took them out.

You can imagine my joy when I got my hands on a bottle of the very sophisticated scent, Caron Paris Aimez-Moi (“love me”) fragrance.  Voila, the fragrance I’ve been looking for (and I didn’t even know it)!  A flawless blend of floral and woody notes –violet, bergamot, and anise, with hints of amber and wood, combine a perfect balance and synergy to create this very seductive fragrance without being too sweet.  Light and airy, this fragrance can easily be worn from day to night. J’taime!

Price: $85/50ml. For more information visit www.beauty360.com

L’Occitaine Rose de Mai

Rose Nuit de Mai (“Night Roses of May”) Roll-on Eau de Toilette by L’Occitane is a lovely fragrance for those of you who swoon over the scent of rose.  This one is like putting your nose in a bed of fresh roses.  There’s even a slight hint of a woody essence, thanks to notes of sandalwood and cedar that compliments the rose fabulously.

This scent creates a very sensual, natural fragrance that I could sniff all day.  And the packaging is tres chic!  The roll on makes for easy application on pulse points (chest, neck, and wrists), and it’s also very portable, fitting perfectly in most purses and makeup bags.  Looks like everything’s coming up roses!

Price: $16/0.33 fl. oz.  For more information visit www.loccitane.com

Sephora Deluxe Fragrance Sampler for Him

Choosing the perfect scent for your mate can be very difficult (not to mention a lot of pressure).  Fragrance can be a very personal choice for many and more times then not, it can be easier to get sucked into buying a brand name or an attractive bottle.

Sephora did a great thing when they created the Deluxe Fragrance Sampler for Him set taking the guesswork out of figuring out which fragrance would make the perfect gift for the men in your life.  Each set contains 12 samples from their top-selling fragrances along with a gift voucher that can be redeemed at any Sephora location for a full-size product. This is more thoughtful than picking a bottle at random, with less of a risk factor. Plus it’s so much more fun to play with a variety of fragrances together, and help them pick their favorite new signature scent.

The Deluxe Fragrance Sampler for Him Includes:

• Anthony Logistics for Men Shave Cream
• Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio Pour Homme
• Diesel Fuel for Life Men
• Juicy Couture Dirty English
• Ralph Lauren Polo Blue
• Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Pour Homme
• Givenchy Play
• Lacoste Challenge
• Versace Man Eau Fraiche
• Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male
• Giorgio Armani Code Men
• Prada Amber Pour Homme
• L’Homme Yves Saint Laurent
• Fragrance guide

Price: $50 ($84 value). For more information visit Sephora.com

Here are some headlines that caught my attention this month:

* Francois Nars launched his latest book 15×15 (only 1500 copies!). Get it while you can.

* This weekend, Bernard and Ruth Madoff’s government auction brought in over $1 Million. The proceeds will go toward reimbursing victims who lost their investments in the Madoff scam.  PETA wanted Ruth Madoff’s furs to be donated to the homeless, to keep them warm this winter.

* Privately owned, highly regarded (just ask Prince Charles and First Lady Michelle Obama) fragrance brand Creed will open it’s first doors in the US on Madison Avenue in December.

* Tim Burton’s exhibit officially opens today (and will be up until April 26) at MoMA.  Burton’s influence on film and art has had a heavy impact on the fashion industry.  WWD reported last week the Dollywood trend for Spring 2010 is no doubt attributed in part to Burton’s adaptation of Alice in Wonderland premiering March 5, 2010.  I’m so excited!

* Gossip Girl’s costume designer Eric Daman will launch his latest book, You Know You Want it: Style-Inspiration-Confidence, on December 15. Available on Amazon now to pre-order. You know what I want? That dress Serena wore to Rufus and Lilly’s wedding. Oh and Jenny’s sequence dress that she’s wearing in the group shot on their website, and-I’ll stop. I could play this game all day.

* James Franco joins the cast of General Hospital for 2 months. Drool!

* Kate Moss’s motto, “Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels”.  Well she must feel great!

* Concerns/rumors of Sammy Sosa’s sudden change of skin tone being due to a skin infection or byproduct of alleged steroid use have been put to rest. The former Chicago Cubs slugger was reported saying “It’s a bleaching cream that I apply before going to bed and whitens my skin some.” Keep that cream away from me! Pictures HERE.

* After 25 years, Oprah is ending her run of the Oprah Winfrey show in 2011.  But considering the debut of OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network) slated to launch in 2011, perhaps a new talk show will be in the works.

* Tomorrow, November 23, Bergdorf Goodman unleashes their holiday window!  You know where to find me.

*These products are in the order of the post below (not in order of my favorites).

Origins Peppermint, Basil, Rosemary Glass Candle

This candle fills any room with it’s soothing blend of peppermint mixed with basil and rosemary, infusing an amazing smell that helps me decompress after a long day. Available in two sizes, 2″x2″ ($10),  and 3″x 4″ ($30).

Click HERE for more information

Jurlique’s Peppermint Pure Essential Oil

Jurlique’s  Peppermint Pure Essential Oil is great for relieving headaches, sinusitis, congestions, and nausea.  This product works great in a vaporizer or I put a little on my temples and palms, take a few breaths and just inhale the oil to relax. I keep one at the office, and I do not fly without it.

For more information click HERE