Chanel Fall 2011 Picks

In the last several weeks I purchased some items from Chanel's Fall 2011 collection and from the Byzance Collection, which was just launched, and exclusive to Chanel boutiques.  I only picked up a few pieces in total, only the items that I felt I really needed to have.

From the Fall 2011 collection I picked up:

• Chanel Illusion D'Ombre in Epatant #84
• Chanel Illusion D'Ombre in Fantasme #81
• Chanel Le Vernis in Graphite #529

From the Byzance collection, I only picked up the eyeshadow quad in Topkapi

I didn't swatch the products because there are a million blogs out there with really great high quality swatches, and I also didn't want to ruin the pattern on the eyeshadows by doing a heavy swatch. 

The reason why I picked these items is that I think theyre the most unique products to come from the collections.  Epatant was the must have mousse eyeshadow which I find to be gorgeous and haven't seen anything come close (except for the green in Chanel's Spring 2011 eyeshadow quint, which isn't as metallic as Epatant).  Fantasme, although it's not as pigmented as the other shadows, is quite versatile and can be worn alone or over other eyeshadows to give your eyes a dramatic glittery effect, not suitable for every day wear.  In fact, I thought that the black mousse shadow could be recreated by taking a heavy black shadow and swiping Fantasme on top (also a reason I did not pick this one up).  I also didn't think the reddish, purplish, or the peachy champagne eye shadows were unique enough, as I have a million eyeshadows similar in tone to these products.

From the Byzance collection I only picked up the eyeshadow quad for the silvery taupe and the gold eyeshadows.  Of the two blushes, Rouge just didn't seem like something I could pull off, given my skin is very fair and it would only make me look doll-like (in my opinion).  The Or blush seemed more of a highlighter to me than a blush. The red lipstick looked gorgeous, but I have so many red lipsticks that I never wear, I figured it would just go into the pile along with the rest.

Overall, while I think there were some amazing products in these two collections, I personally didn't feel I needed anything other than the products I purchased.  I guess I wasn't inspired enough or felt like I could get enough use out of the other products to pick them up, especially when my makeup collection is already pretty big, and counter space/storage space for makeup is really limited in typical NYC apartments.  The products I featured in this post I felt were the best and the "must haves" of these collections, I hope others agree!

Clinque's Moisture Surge Tinted Moisurizer with SPF 15

I have been on a quest to find the perfect day time cream foundation. Since I have super sensitive and dry skin, I am limited to the products I can choose from. Which I guess is good and bad. After testing what seemed like every product on the market, I have finally found salvation in Clinque's Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 15. To be honest, I have not used clinique since my early teens. Mainly because the shades don't really work for me and at times, it's just marketed towards someone older or with less acne.

After seeing an ad for the moisture surge tinted moisturizer, I decided it was time to give clinque a second chance. Boy did I get a happy surprise. Not only did it go on smoothly, it's practically invisible. The coverage is light but it's perfect for someone who just needs to even out skin tone or hid redness. It doesn't feel like you have anything on your skin. This is great since the humid summers in NYC can literally melt the makeup off you (think Wicked Witch from Wizard of Oz "i'm melting...").

My one request was that any foundation I bought does not show my dry patches. And even with my exfoliating and masks, the dry patches just didn't go away. So I have come to accept this and just wanted to work around it. This tinted moisturizer didn't show any of my dry patches. Thank god!

This is definitely an option for those who do not like the laura mercier or mac tinted moisturizers. This is a lot lighter and absorbs better into your skin. I highly recommend this to those who suffer from dry/ sensitive skin

Elemis Spa At Home Cellutox Active Body Oil

Last month I started using the Elemis Cellutox Active Body Oil, which is a body oil designed to detox your entire body.  I stumbled upon it while looking for another Elemis body oil, but this just looked really interesting to me.  I'm all about holistic treatments or alternative approaches to healthcare, so when I saw the description and that the oil is designed to detoxify your body, due to the buildup of toxins from stress, etc., i was curious to try it and see what it could do for me. 

The Elemis Spa At Home Cellutox Active Body Oil contains seabuckthorn, sea fennel, lemon and juniper to do a list of good things for your body, including detoxifying the body, helping smooth the appearance of cellulite, helping boost energy, and also helping with constipation when rubbing into the belly and lower back.  It has a citrusy lemony smell, which according to my aromatherapy research, is supposed to help relax you.  According to the website the ingredients list did not contain any mineral oil, which we all know I try to avoid. 

I've been using this for about a month now, applying it to my "problem areas" including my belly, thighs and legs, and my upper arms and shoulders, right after a shower when your body is warm.  To be honest I'm not sure how to tell if its providing detox, but what I can tell you is that I feel very hydrated from this body oil and it leaves a really nice sheen on the shoulders and legs, especially nice if I'm wearing a dress.  I use a couple of drops for each part of my body (about a dime size amount for each part) on top of aloe vera gel, under a regular body moisturizer (Nivea). 

I should tell you that I had recently returned from my vacation and my skin was pretty burnt, not red and flaking, but my skin was significantly drier (especially at the shoulders), significantly! After about a week's use of this body oil, (along with the aloe vera gel) I felt like I had my soft skin back (whew). 

I also received a deluxe sample of the Elemis Spa At Home Frangipani Monoi Body Oil, which I had been reading about everywhere, but I only used it once because I wasn't particularly fond of the scent.  It had a muskier scent which I'm not a fan of, so if you're looking to try a body oil, I think the Cellutox version is the way to go.  Who doesn't like the smell of lemons?

Shu Uemura Tasai Cream

Last month I cheated on my hair stylist at a new salon.  I wasn't unhappy with my stylist at all, but I've been going to him for eight years now, and even though I think he does a fabulous job, I always wondered if someone else could possibly make my hair better than it already is.  After some research I ended up at Michael Angelo's Wonderland, and had my hair consultation, cut, and style with Annastasia, who recommended the Shu Uemura Tasai Cream.

According to the Shu Uemura website, the Tasai Cream is a moisturizing styling cream that offers texture, definition, and shine.  To apply, I use about two pumps to each side of my damp hair, before blow drying.  It's pretty liquidy, I wouldn't say the texture of the hair cream is very creamy, so it's rather easy to apply and spread throughout.  The product does exactly what it says it will do, which is, it texturizes my hair and gives it an extra bit of "movement" to it.  For reference, I have straight hair, and I don't have a ton of it, so I'm always looking for volumizing products, which don't ever seem to work out for me.  However this was the first product that has helped increase the volume, in the sense that it makes it seem like I have more hair than I actually do.  The cream also has a great scent, very light and pleasant. 


So far I am loving this product, I have been using it every day since the day I got it, and on the days that I don't use it I definitely notice a difference.  I would recommend this to people who have hair just like me, straightish and more sparse (not necessarily thinner hair, but it may help), not really sure how it would react with other types of hair.  Annastasia also recommended using dry shampoo, even on freshly washed hair, for even more volume.  What I do is section my hair into six parts, spray these sections, and also spray once in the back under the top of the underside of my hair, and work it into my scalp.  (For reference I'm using the Tresemme Fresh Start Dry Shampoo, which has a complementary scent to the Shu Uemura Tasai Cream). 


I highly recommend the Tasai Cream if you haven't tried it already, and I also recommend going to Annastasia if you're looking to try a new stylist!

NewBeauty Magazine

I discovered NewBeauty magazine randomly some time ago, and have been reading their online versions when available.  NewBeauty is a very unique magazine, in that it focuses on the science behind beauty, which is what I love about skincare and makeup.  I love reading about products, but I'm always focused on the essential ingredients and what they're supposed to do for my skin or hair, etc.  The magazine also features brands and products that are not necessarily what I consider "mainstream", brands that are commonly found at Sephora, Ulta or the department stores, rather the magazine features brands that are somewhat less known or new, brands that are used in spas, and brands that are more commonly found internationally, etc.  Alot of these products are very high end and alot of the products are also natural.  The magazine also provides information about plastic surgery, which, if it's something you're interested in, can be very helpful.  I'm not thinking about plastic surgery at this point in my life, but it's something that I'd like to be educated about. 

Recently they removed online access to the magazine, so I started subscribing to their Test Tube Program.  NewBeauty offers subscriptions to the magazines alone (four issues per year) or you can subscribe through their Test Tube Program, where you get the magazine and a variety of deluxe samples, and it comes with a booklet that gives more information about each of the samples.  Included in the tube is also a $20 gift card to spalook.com. 

My package arrived in a pink box, with the magazine, an issue of SpaFinder, which is a supplement that features different spas throughout the world, and a ton of samples.  Some of the samples that came with this issue include:

• Ahava Essential Day Moisturizer
• Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray
• Dr Brandt Microdermabrasion Body
• Kerstin Florian Correcting Oil-Free Daily Defense SPF 50
• LashFood Natural Eyebrow Conditioner
• Lumene Vitamin C Radiant Day Cream & Radiant Beauty Drops

I'm loving the idea of the Test Tube Program, since I'm constantly buying and testing new products anyway, this makes it just a bit easier.  Throughout the next couple of months I plan to review some of the products that I'm liking.  I'm really excited about some of these, especially the eyebrow conditioner!

Physicians Formula Organic Wear Jumbo Mascara

My all time favorite mascara is L’Oreal’s Voluminous Mascara. After trying over hundred of mascara's (great lash, falsies, dior show, lash blast and etc), voluminous is definitely the best bang for the buck. I thought I would never EVER cheat on Voluminous until recently when I tried Physicians Formula Organic Wear Jumbo Mascara. The packaging is a tad whimsical, looks like a leaf. But I was pleasantly surprised by the job of this mascara. I have horrible allergies so I decided it was time to find a mascara that is more natural, since I tear so much and ½ of it goes into my eyes. Why make my eyes go through more agitation then necessary.

This product is Hypoallergenic, Fragrance free and Opthamologist approved. I have no idea what mascara is made of but if I can, I rather use something more natural. I feel like the best thing about L’Oreal’s Voluminous mascara is the brush. The brush totally makes the mascara. This brush is a tad different but works well. There are no clumps and it doesn't smudge. Most importantly, this is a mascara that can be used every day. It thickens a little and lengthens just a tad. If you are looking into more natural products and you need a mascara, I would highly recommend this product. Don't expect anything like results of Dior Show, but you will get a great everyday look mascara

·         -100% of the Total Ingredients are from Natural Origin.

·         -47% of the Total Ingredients are from Organic Farming.

·         -100% Dramatic Volume & Glamour.

·         -OrganiSoy® Moisturizes and helps nourish lashes.

·         -Eco-Olive(r) a natural antioxidant, shields lashes from harsh environmental aggressors.

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock

The one thing I love about going to the dermatologist is getting free samples of anything and everything. There has been many times when I was tempted to purchase a product, cause of great review, only to get a sample and realized it didn't work for me. Yes these are drug store brands and they not expensive but I hate buying something only to never use it again, and in some cases force my boyfriend to finish the product (muahahaha). So imagine my surprise when I got a sample of Neutrogena sunscreen and fell head over heels for it. 

I have always been an avid user of sunscreen and for a while I was using moisturizers with spf. After developing eczema, I became more cautious of the products I used. I started to use a moisturizer and sunscreen separately. I have tried many sunscreens, the most recent being the elemis sunscreen. I have to admit, other than scent and maybe a slight texture difference, I wouldn't be able to tell one brand from another. That is why I liked the Neutrogena sunscreen so much. First it is super light and not greasy. Once you put it on, it dries right away and you can't feel it at all on your skin. The scent is ok, nothing bad nothing good, I just love how it feels on my face, right away I can put on my makeup primer (with the other sunscreen I had to wait for it to dry) and get on with my day. So if you are in the market for sunscreen, I highly recommend you try this out.

Upcoming Sephora VIB Sale

Sephora is having a VIB 15% off sale this weekend starting Thurs.  There are a few items I have been holding out for in anticipation for this sale:

1. Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Oil

As much as I love the Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil (the pink version for combo skin), I don't like that it's primarily composed of mineral oil.  The Josie Maran cleansing oil looks like it doesn't contain mineral oil, rather it is made up of argan, grape seed, and grapefruit oils.  I have heard some great reviews about this brand, but I haven't had a chance to try any of the products because I am scared to use oils on my skin (other than an oil-cleanser because I do a double cleanse with something that will take off excess oil).  I don't look for products that are oil-free, but the thought of using an oil deliberately on my skin makes me think of the potential break-outs that might happen.  I am looking forward to using this cleanser.

2. REN  Keep Young and Beautiful SH2C Serum

In a magazine article that was published a few months (I feel it might have been Allure, honestly can't remember), the article talked about the different signs of ageing that appear based on a person's ethnicity.  The article indicated that Asian skin doesn't tend to wrinkle, rather it loses elasticity and volume.  Since I am approaching my mid to late twenties soon, I am starting to use more anti-aging skin care products that are targeted towards my preventative needs.  Based on my research, I have been looking for products that stimulate collagen growth.  I've been researching serums that also contain Vitamin C, which helps with brightening the skin and treating dark spots.  This REN serum also contains peptides, which boosts collagen production, so this seems like the perfect serum for me right now. 

This year I plan to test alot of anti-oxidant serums and vitamin C serums, so I will keep posting my thoughts on good finds. 

3. Yves Saint Laurent Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils

My number one mascara of all time is the L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara, but lately I feel like it's been smudging under my eyes alot more, and it's given me a reason to try other mascaras out there.  The brush on the YSL Faux Cils is very similar to the L'Oreal Voluminous, which is very dense and seems like it would cover alot of lash surface area.  I've tried the Radical Noir version of the YSL Faux Cils, which is a super super black version, but this one did smudge quite a bit.  Based on some research (mostly reading other reviews), the regular black version of this mascara doesn't have this problem.

4. Dior Addict Lipstick

So many of the beauty blogs have put up reviews for the relaunch of the Dior Lipstick, but I have yet to purchase any, simply because I am overwhelmed by the selection of colors (somewhere around 56 shades).  To make it even more difficult, the colors of the plastic testers are not good indicators of the actual color, so I spent quite some time at Sephora trying to determine which shade was which name, remembering which ones I liked based on the name or number, so I gave up.  But I did find one color that I really like, Paris.  It's a bright cool pink, very pretty for spring.  I'll probably also pick up a nude as well (I would love to hear if anyone has any suggestions!). 

For VIB members, the code for the 15% off, valid April 14 - 21 is "CHICWEEK".  If you attend the opening party (Thurs from 6pm-9pm) the invitation indicates there will be a goody bag!

Life with Eczema

I never knew what eczema was until a year ago. What I thought was normal itchy winter skin quickly turned into  raw red angry itchy eczema skin. After the diagnosis, I became a tad depressed. Every time I looked in the mirror my body was red and dry and itchy. I have never been so uncomfortable and depressed at the same time. Knowing there is no cure for eczema, I turned my depression to anger. I told myself "I will not let this depress me or ruin my day. I will treat it somehow!"

So that started my quest of buying every product in the market that was sold as a miracle cure or snake oil. According to my dermatologist, my eczema is a tad harder to treat due to the severity/non-severity of it. This means the light steroid medication does not work on me and the sever steroid creams are too strong. After much research, I realized I could not depend on medication along. As anyone can tell you steroids are never good to use for an extended period of time. One of the side effects is that it will thin out your skin. There was a point when I would bend my back and my entire back felt like there were thousands of paper cuts.

After spending hundreds of dollars on these products, I have finally been able to figure out a regimen that worked for me. I still have occasional breakouts and when that happens I use the steroid cream (only on affected spots).

In the mornings I take a quick shower in luke warm water for 30 seconds. No soap. Just want to hydrate the skin.


While still wet, I apply medication as needed. Then, with damp skin, I apply Cutemol. My dermo suggested I use this because my skin was so dry and flaky that NOTHING helped. I mean even if you poor pure oil on me and I have tried, I would become dry again in 1 hour. Cutemol traps moisture on your skin and prevents skin from getting dry. It's a very pasty texture so your body needs to be moist in order to spread it easily. Make sure to spread lotion in one direction or risk rubbing lots of extra skin off.

At night I take a quick shower (no shower should last longer than 15 minutes and I have super long and thick hair) for 15 minutes.

I have used everything from Aveeno (every version, even for babies) to Dove. This is the only body wash that worked for me. It doesn't smell that great but I was never one for fragrance soaps. With this body wash, my skin actually did not become super dry or itchy 2 minutes out of the shower. 

Apply medication as needed. 

After trying olive oil, jojoba oil, vitamin e oil, calendula oil, lavender oil and etc, this is the most moisturizing oil out on the market. I use this on damp skin. This has a light nutty smell but not offensive in anyway. 

After the argan oil, I spread this shea butter on my body. Again, lightly nutty scent. This comes in a grainy texture so it's best to rub it in the palms of your hands and spread it on your body while your skin is still damp from argan oil. 

Depending on the weather (winter vs summer), I might end up putting Aquaphor on my skin right before bed. All the creams in the world won't matter if there is no barrier between the moisture and the dry air. Aquaphor seals in the moisture on your skin. It is the most greasy thing I have ever used but it works. I usually use it at night since it takes awhile for it to skin into your skin and dry. Trying to put on skinny jeans with aquaphor on your legs can be the most annoying and exhausting thing EVER. 

I hope this post helps some eczema sufferer out there! 

Shiseido Urban Environment UV Protection Cream SPF 35

Last month I started using the Shiseido Urban Environment UV Protection Cream.  I discovered it randomly when I was at the Shiseido counter at Saks to ask about men's face cream with SPF (btw did you know Shiseido launched men's products?).  They didn't have anything for men with sun protection, but the SA told me about this new sunscreen.  It's supposed to be the city version of the Ultimate Sun Protection Cream (the blue one, which comes in SPF 55 and SPF 38).  At the counter, I tested a few drops of the Urban sunscreen and the Ultimate sunscreen, and the SA pointed out that the Urban version is supposedly lighter and that you don't need an oil cleanser to remove it either.

The packaging is identifical in size and shape as the Ultimate version, just different coloring.  While I thought it was less creamy and more smooth as I tested it out on the back of my hand at the counter, in applying it to my face it was almost the same consistency as the Ultimate.  I don't really think it's too different than the Ultimate, except that its a tad smoother and requires slightly less effort to rub into the skin.  (However, I think less tugging on the skin is probably better in the long-run, as the skin sags with age.)  In fact, I actually think that the Urban version is slightly more greasy than the Ultimate version. 

I think I will continue to purchase the Ultimate sunscreen when I run out of this one.  While I like the Urban, the Ultimate gives me a better finish.  Both apply great under makeup, make a good base (especially if you like the slightly dewey look), and offers a good amount of sun protection. It's probably worth getting a sample of both to see which one suits your skin better.  Somehow the original version just works better for me.

L'Oreal Sublime Mousse Hair Dye

Since the start of the recession, I've pretty much been dying my hair on my own, trying all sorts (semi permanent, permanent) and brands of dyes.  My personal favorite is Perfect 10 by Clairol, which I find to be the "healthiest" for my hair, as it does the least amount of damage, in my opinion.  However, anyone who colors their own hair knows how challenging it can be, especially if you have long hair, large quantity of hair, etc. to reach each strand from root to tip, AND the underside of the hair (lol, you know what I mean), in order to get uniform color throughout. 

I've been noticing alot more ads in magazines lately for DIY mousse hair dye kits, and of course I had to try it.  I picked up the L'Oreal Sublime Mousse in Pure Medium Brown (I had black hair) to test out.  What sold me was the speed and accuracy of the product; it's supposed to be really easy to apply, pretty much like shampoo.  This was the fastest application in my experience as a self-dyer, and I probably finished (from the time I opened the box until I started the clock) within 10-15 minutes.  You mix the two liquids together in the larger container, put on the cap, swirl it around (do not shake), squirt a few "test" squirts to get the foam started, and apply.  Once you coat your hair, massage your head to get the dye throughout, and wait 30 minutes before washing it out.  The dye also washed out of my hair within two minutes, which was also amazingly fast. 

While I love how quickly and "accurately" I was able to dye my hair at home, despite the 30 minute wait time, I don't know if I can give an accurate review due to the resulting color.  Since I have been dying my hair a natural black for the last year, a la Kim Kardashian, the color didn't really show up as I had anticipated.  For the record I have naturally dark dark brown hair, and the one inch or so of dark dark brown hair is now just dark brown, while the majority of my then black hair is very dark brown.  I don't necessarily blame this on the dye, since you're supposed to go only up to 2 shades outside of your current hair color, whether its natural or dyed, and I went for something out of the range, so I'm not surprised at my results.  As far as the quality of my hair, I feel that it is slightly drier, also expected, but not really noticeable and it doesn't cling together when my hair is wet. 

I think I will continue to try different mousse dyes, maybe the John Frieda one next. Maybe ill go for a medium brown again next time around, and will do another review in a month or so.  Overall I am very happy with this new technology.

Btw, this is random, but I also think hair dye kits have the BEST and most moisturizing deep conditioning hair treatments ever! I especially like the Perfect 10 hair treatment.

Vince Camuto Malaya

My shoe crush of the moment is the Vince Camuto Malaya Black. I am seriously loving the intricate studs on the back and heel of the shoe. Platforms are my new best friend since it's awesome to fake height. This shoe is currently retailing for $118. Even though that's super reasonable, I just can't bring myself to pay retail...EVER. I don't know what is wrong with me.

Since it's still cold in NYC, I will not be needing this shoe anytime soon. Can't wait for it to go on sale!

After seeing the photo below at The Sartorialist, I couldn't stop thinking about shoes with detailing in the back. Would love the Chanel pair below, but am happy with the Malaya. 

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua vs Nars Sheer Glow

Chanel recently launched a new foundation, Vitalumiere Aqua.  It's a sheer coverage foundation that is oil-free and feels very weightless.  I've been using it for about a week now and I am loving this just about as much as I love the Nars Sheer Glow.  I feel that these two foundations are very similar in wear.  Both are great foundations for day, offer sheer coverage that, while do not completely cover my blemish scars, neutralizes them.  Both provide a glowy, fresh, natural look that lasts throughout the work day. 

In some ways I like the Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua more, in that after setting my makeup with a dusting of powder, the Vitalumiere Aqua immediately looks slightly more natural, whereas the Sheer Glow needs about twenty minutes for the oils in my skin to break through the powder.  Also, the Vitalumiere Aqua offers SPF 15, while the Sheer Glow does not provide any sun protection. The Vitalumiere Aqua may also be slightly better for spring/summer since it's oil-free, especially for those like me who have combination skin.  But, the Sheer Glow advertises that it contain ingredients that improve the quality and texture of skin, while the Vitalumiere Aqua does not mention anything about the effect on the skin. 

The one noticeable difference, and this is slight, is probably the color.  I am using Deauville in the Nars Sheer Glow and Beige Pastel B10 in the Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua.   Deauville is described as a perfect balance between pink and yellow skin tones, but to me it is a tinge more on the yellow side, while the Beige Pastel is a true beige. 

After considering everything, I really can't decide which one is better, or which one I like more.  But I will say that I'll probably be using the Vitalumiere Aqua more and more as the weather gets warmer. 

Weekend at Barneys

When I went to Barneys a few weeks ago to pick up the foundation pump that I was so excited about, I passed by the Chanel counter, where my girlfriends and I signed up to have our makeup done at a Chanel National Artist event, this past weekend, in conjunction with Barneys' beauty bag event (where you receive a goodie bag with purchase).  At the event, I had my makeup done by Judy, who picked out some really great shades for me, including the Mystic Eyes eyeshadow palette, and a stunning red Rouge Coco, Paris.  I also had some of my makeup done by the featured artist, Roberto Casey, who taught me how to do a red lip without bleeding around the lip line, how to de-emphasize the roundness of my face by contouring with the Soleil de Tan, and who also picked out a new blush for me. 

When I first saw the eye shadow palette I wasn't entirely impressed, but once I tried this on I changed my mind after seeing the effects of the colors on my lids.  Personally my favorite of the four is the silvery gray taupe with gold flecks.  Today I am wearing this as a base, with the lighter bronzey brown color on the outer third of my eye.  I also used the darker chocolately brown color on the crease, and the pink shade above to blend out the edges.  

In Love is a coral with peach and brown tones and gold flecks.  It's a complex color, like many Chanel blushes.  I haven't tried this out yet (Since I've only had it for a day) but I can see myself using this a great deal this summer. 



I saved my favorite piece for last, the Paris Rouge Coco.  Paris is a gorgeous pink red swatched, but looks brick red on the outside.  I received so many complements when I wore this, but what sold me was really the name. This is the type of red I imagine a chic Parisian woman would wear. 

Overall I really enjoyed the makeup event and meeting the artists.  I picked up some great tips and went home with great products that I would never have found, without their help. 

Oh, and I also received this as my gift with purchase: