Prince Charming and I relocated to the Pittsburgh area at the beginning of August. With a two month window of little to no obligations, we dubbed it our “life hiatus.” During said time, we’ve been bumming around, learning many of

the cool nooks and crannies of our new city. And, because it’s been a hiatus, I have also taken to not blow-drying my hair and wearing virtually no makeup. (Gasps understood.) I toyed around with not shaving my legs for a period, but honestly, who wants to look at prickly dark hair on lily white skin? (Turns out, no one.) But there have been two staples that I have been unable to live without: my Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Tinted Moisturizer (in Light) and my Benefit Watt’s Up! highlighter. The former is a sheer coverage foundation, moisturizer and SPF all in one. It simply evens out your skin while using only a small dab of product. Easy to use, packaged sleekly and of the highest quality, I don’t know why this took so long to find its way into my hands! The latter is the newest highlighter from Benefit (the brightening authority). Adorably shaped like a light bulb, this champagne-colored, cream highlighter makes a festive addition to my collection. It even comes with a cotton buffer at the bottom to make blending easy-peezy. The color is unbelievably spot on and the cream texture is long-lasting. It definitely helps me fake baby’s bottom, “lit from within” skin.

It’s no secret that I’m obsessed with perfume. My dresser tops are covered in them (I think it’s pretty, Prince Charming thinks it’s clutter– tomatoes, toe-mat-oes)… And now I have a new one to join the pack: Paris by Balenciaga. I was in a store and had spontaneously sprayed this on, knowing nothing about its notes, etc. and found myself sniffing my wrist again and again. I even went back the following day when I discovered how well it lasted on my skin. Demure, airy and downright sexy, I thought, “This deserves a place on my dresser top.” Notes of violet, cedarwood, pepper, patchouli and vetiver round out this well-balanced gem. Packaged in a timeless, clear crystal bottle with with a cream, crackled t0p, this would certainly bring an air of elegance to any vanity.

Good day Beautista readers.

My name is D. John Robinowitz and I am an artist in residence working in cooperation with the Beautista.  My first post will offer some advice for the practical man who cares about his appearance but has little time or effort to fuss about this aspect of himself for more than a minute or two per day.  Also, the products discussed below can serve as great gifts for a boyfriend or friend especially if you’re trying to send the “hygiene message.”  The Beautista slips me a new cologne sample when my man musk is leaning especially left of center and often leaves a new conditioner in the shower when my locks begin mimicking the consistency of a dirty Brillo pad.  The first products I’d like to mention come from Mixed Chicks, a company that specializes in products for curly hair.  Over the years, I’d hated the majority of shampoos and conditioners that promised moisture but then, didn’t quite deliver.  When I tried the Mixed Chicks products, I was astounded at the effect on my hair.  The dry feeling had disappeared.  I highly recommend their shampoo, conditioner and especially the leave-in conditioner which doubles as a styling product.  It smells fresh and vaguely like a Pina Colada on a hot summer night.  These products don’t cost much more than the Aussie/Tresseme/Old Spice bottles that may be occupying your shower stall as you read this.

But, I promise they will deliver superior results.  I also noticed that they now produce a men’s line called His Mix which I have yet to try.  However, the aforementioned product, as I’ve proven, is unisex.

Another new product I’ve been using in the groom room is Original Vetiver from Creed.  This cologne  will make you smell fantastic and it is perfect for late summer and fall.  I’m not a  professional nose but this one smells like clementines and autumn.  This bottle is admittedly very pricey but you can sometimes find some sweet deals through web-based fragrance shops.  If this is out of your price range, you can always go for some Curve by Liz Claiborne, a personal favorite with notes of Lemon, Mahogany and Musk that can be worn year round.  It’s been known for years that ladies flock to those wearing Curve (ahem, Beautista), which may be why this fragrance has been unchanged since 1996 and is still the 17th most-sold cologne in the U.S.  I’ve also tried Curve Chill for Men which is similar in some ways.  I recommend both but suggest starting with the original.

Signing off for now.  I hope that then men in your life can get the results from these products that I have.  Next time, I’ll dig out some older products and remedies that are still used widely today.  Thanks to the Beautista for having me and happy trails.

Kiehl’s has just came out with a FABULOUS, light-as-air moisturizer that couldn’t be anymore ideal for summer. The Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel-Cream is a weightless drink of water to the skin and is absorbed instantly. Similar in texture to NARS’ Aqua Gel Hydrator, this gel-cream (leaning way more towards the gel side though, I’d say) is targeted to those with combination-to-oily skin. For y’all out there who have been struggling to find a moisturizer that doesn’t feel heavy or greasy– no matter how “oil-free” and “light” the label claims it to be– you have finally met your match in this latest product from Kiehl’s. And retailing at $24.50, it’s nice to know it ain’t breakin’ the piggy bank either!

I must have Barbie on the mind because all I’m interested in wearing is bubblegum, hot pink lipstick (visions of me turning into Magda from Something About Mary just sashayed through my mind…). My latest love is with Trish McEvoy’s Vibrant Pink lip color. It’s reminiscent of Angelika gloss (from NARS) in color, but of course, is more sheer. A true, blue-based pink, this lipstick made no attempts at turning orange (my nemesis) once applied. The no-fuss application and light texture, round this out as my Summer 2011 “Best Beauty Find.”

*Please note that the lipstick appears much more coral in color in the photograph than it is. It is truly blue-based.

I’d been looking forward to trying DDF’s Mattifying Oil Control SPF 15 Moisturizer for a while. In the summer, I am a grease ball– anything that has “mattifying” and “oil control” in it instantly has my ears perked up. I love the added bonus of the SPF 15! However, the name was a complete falsehood– I was left looking greasier than ever. There was no mattifying, no oil controlling, no perfect looking porcelain skin– nothin’. About the only thing, this “moisturizer” has going for it is the SPF (which, if we’re going to be honest, really should be higher than a 15 anyway!)– HUMPH! The Beautista is left being one Crabby Patty.

Looking for a less expensive, healthier alternative to “mainstream” cosmetics? Then, meet Modern Minerals, an American based company committed to creating pure, natural makeup in sustainable packaging. Not only are they scrupulous about the ingredients they decide to put in their products, they also don’t test on animals. Totally awesome.

Not to mention, the products themselves are pretty kick ass too. After playing around with the ultra pigmented shadows in Spellbound (a deep midnight blue with hints of rich purple and shimmering silver) and Muse (a golden infused, sparkling olive green), I was sold. Long lasting, great depth of color and easy application? Did I mention the $8 price tag? What’s not to love?!

In the spirit of spreading the lurv, we are doing a give away of Modern Minerals’ brand spankin’ new summer colors (they haven’t even hit the website yet! You get

first shot at ‘em!)– a set of four warm shadows (sparkling pink, sandy beige, warm gold and pink gold) that will be the perfect complement to your faux tan this summer! (Colors are shown below in picture.) All you have to do is “like” The Beautista and Modern Minerals on Facebook. (Leave a comment on both pages!) Being beautiful was never so easy….