Good Question: Brighten Your Eyes For Less Than A C-Note

SheFinds Reader Question: I love Shiseido's new White Lucent Brightening Eye Treatment, but at $100 for a tiny bottle, it's a strain on my pocketbook. Is there a less expensive anti-dark circle cream that actually works?

Apparently quite a few people have wondered the same thing--the web's awash with compliments on Shiseido's effectiveness, and complaints about its price. Everyone agrees that the moisturizing, whitening cream does a number on those nasty dark circles (we couldn't wait to write about how Shiseido made us look ten years younger back when the product hit shelves in March), while protecting against wrinkles as well. But .54 ounces for $100? We can see how that might put a few people off. A more budget-friendly option is Clinique's Advance Stop Signs Eye ($32.50 for .5 oz), which promises--and delivers--to smooth skin and even-out color, at almost half the cost. Now you can keep your face bright and your wallet right!

Solution: Make Your Expensive (And Painful) Brazilian Last Longer With Shobha

What: The My First Brazilian kit from Shobha, $38

Why: So you finally took the plunge and got your first Brazilian. Since it's highly unlikely you'll want to feel that YOWZA! kind of pain again anytime soon, it behooves you to maintain your new landscaping job for as long as humanly possible.

That's where Shobha comes in. Shobha Threading is one of New York City's premiere hair removal salons, specializing in threading, waxing, and sugaring, all with the exotic and ancient Indian philosophies of beauty in mind. If you didn't make it out to SoHo for your first intimate haircut, you can still benefit from Shobha's worldly wisdom. Keep a My First Brazilian kit on hand for all your maintenance needs.

The first couple of days after your waxing, slather on 1% hydrocortisone cream to prevent yucky, irritating bumps and to tame the inevitable redness. Keep your newly-hairless area clean with Shobha's freshening cloths - gentle, cleansing cloths that calm redness and are safe for the tenderest of spots. Finally, after a few days, prevent ingrown hairs and keep your bikini line smooth by exfoliating with Shobha's all-natural cloth. It may feel rough to the touch, but after a soak in warm water and your favorite body wash, the natural-fiber cloth is ready to do all kinds of dirty work (e.g. sloughing off dead, dull skin cells) with a soft touch. Stick to this regimen and your Brazilian will last much longer—that means all gain and way less pain for you.

Get Yours: shobhathreading.com

Latest Blog Posts From MomFinds

Beauty Find: Miraculous Mascara - No Flakes, No Smudges

• You’ve probably seen the new ads with Drew Barrymore sporting this space-age looking mascara and thought, “Looks pretty on her, but what about me?” Rest assured, this fat brush works wonders on every mom.
  

• I wear Crocs.  There, I said it.  And you know what?  I like them; they’re comfortable.  Before you roll your eyes or skip to the next post, you have to take a look at these new Crocs.
  

• Your jeans are no longer zipping up over your baby bump.  Time to get some new maternity jeans.  You can fork over $200 for a pair of designer denim or you can buy four pairs on sale at Gap for the same price.  
  

Camera-Ready Friday Night Eyes: Tarte’s Creaseless Eyeshadow

What: tarte Lock & Roll Creaseless Eyeshadow Duo

Why: I’ve been into shimmery cream eye shadow since I got a tube of Maybelline Cool Effect eye color who knows how many years ago. It became the base of many a night-out eye, and then, it seems, they discontinued it. Perhaps it was a sign, because the ensuing gap in my eye makeup wardrobe led me to tarte’s Lock & Roll Creaseless Eyeshadow Duo ($17).

Now, it says creaseless in the name, but in this age of digital cameras (with zoom functions), documentation from the weekend often disproves such claims. But somehow, this cream-and-powder duo clings to lids indefinitely. I know this because, in the many Friday night photos in which my eyes are (Alluringly? No, probably not) angled downward, there it is: a pretty, light-deflecting wash of slightly-hued shimmer. The cream, which is supposed to be applied as a bottom layer, dries within a few seconds. Follow with the powder and the stuff seriously won’t budge all night long.

Get Yours: Sephora.com

Blog Round-Up: Heard On The Web This Week

I'm Not Obsessed gives you a sneak peek at Barneys Co-Op Surprise: Rogan Gregory for GO. International.

Dreading swimsuit season? Get your best beach bod with StyleBakery.com's tips for finding the right swimsuit for your figure.

SheFinds comes to the rescue when you don't know What to Wear to Meet the Parents.

The Beauty Brains tell us the story of Emily Skin Soother, a skin salve developed by a father for his infant daughter. 

Girlawhirl's stocking up on fitflops for summer before they sell out again! 

Smarter Fashion gives you MORE great online coupon codes from top online stores in clothing & accessories. They will expire at the end of this month so no procrastinating! 

Top Button is madly in love with light summer scarves. Especially this TDM Design Marino Water Scarf. Ahhh-mazing! 

At Real Simple's Simply Stated, we go on a Single-Item Shopping Spree and discover the skirt that goes everywhere.  

Spend A Hundred Bucks And Get Tons Of Free Swag From Beauty.com

I'm such a sucker for a good gift-with-purchase, especially if the gift-with-purchase comes in a cute makeup bag (seriously, I have more Clinique bags than I know what to do with). So you can imagine my excitement at Beauty.com's latest offer: a free Lela Rose-designed makeup bag packed with samples of some of the site's bestsellers and new favorites. If you're me, the bag alone—a retro, navy-and-camel polka dot number with the most adorable khaki bow—is worth the price of admission (that would be any $100 Beauty.com purchase). But beauty junkies without my particular affinity for cosmetics cases will still find some swag to swoon over here.

Free samples are the best way to experiment with products you've always longed to try but maybe aren't so sure about dropping cash on. Go out on a limb and stick on Vincent Longo's La Dolce Vita lashes , then slick 'em and curl 'em with your new Vincent Longo The Curl mascara. Take Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion for a test drive and see how well your favorite shadow holds up with a dash of this revolutionary basecoat. And get all blushy with super-versatile Tarte cheek stain in Tipsy, a does-it-all convertible color that works on lips, too.

When your night o' beauty is over, clean up with L'Occitane (their Harvest Verbena shower gel and body lotion smell so fresh and springy), Freeze IceSheild's SPF 15 cleanser, and Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash. I'm most excited to try the intriguing Cranberry Toner from Arcona and luxe-sounding Caviar Moisture Shampoo from Alterna.

Having trouble thinking of ways to blow a Benjamin at Beauty? Open your wallets for just one of these products and you've got your freebies in the (need I say it again, gorgeous) bag:

Give your wrists a spritz of Bvlgari Pour Femme Eau de Toilette spray ($125), a pure and timeless floral that evokes luxury and grandeur.


Do something nice for your skin and your fellow women by investing in a Clarisonic Skin Care Brush in limited edition pink for breast cancer awareness ($195). Clarisonic's gentle vibrations clean and prep your pores, so you get the most of the money you've spent on cleansers, toners, and moisturizers. Plus, $10 of your purchase goes towards the fight against breast cancer.


Fire up iTech's Wet-&-Dry Tourmaline Flat Iron ($180) and get your hair dried and looking sleek in half the time. Top vents help excess water in your locks to evaporate, and precious stone tourmaline creates deep-penetrating heat that's not as damaging to your 'do as traditional flat irons.

The Latest Blog Posts From MomFinds

Deal Of The Day: Half Off Cozy Mommy And Me Bath Robes

• Matchy, matchy mommy and me outfits can be hard to pull off, but that’s not the case with these bath robes.  Slip into one these oh-so-soft robes and have your kid do the same, and both of you will want to wear them all day long. 

• Uh oh! Check the calendar lately? There are just a few days left to find a gift for your favorite mom, but it doesn’t have to be obvious that you left things to the last minute. Follow our last-minute guide and all you’ll have to worry about is getting dinner reservations. You don’t expect her to cook, do you?
  

• New makeup and skin care lines launch every day, and not only is it hard to keep up, but products just seem to be insanely expensive these days. And for those of us to rely on full regimens to keep our moody skin in check, the price tag can be huge.  SircuitSkin solves the problem with a variety of products to help skin look clear, young and vibrant that don’t cost a mint.
  

The Best Beauty Booty Takes Center Stage At An Awards Ceremony Just For Makeup

The beauty world's equivalent of the Academy Awards were given out last week, with more than 600 of our fave products going head to head for coveted CEW Beauty Awards in 27 categories. The beauty editors, cosmetics industry honchos, and other beauty insiders who make up the Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW) had the tough task of sorting through all kinds of hair, skin care, fragrance, and other beauty loot to determine the cream of the crop in both mass and prestige categories. 

The big winner was Olay, who cleaned up in three "mass" categories. Their soothing, self-heating Thermal Pedicure ($10) took home the best Body Treatment award; the innovative Derma-Pod Anti-Aging eye treatment system ($25) nabbed the top prize for Facial Skincare/Eye Treatment; and firming, amino-peptide-packed Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream ($24) took top honors in the Facial Skincare/Anti-Aging category.

Other "mass" winners we love: Cover Girl's LashBlast mascara ($8) has a precision brush that rivals that of its CG older sister—and SheFinds obsession—Lash Exact. Also, Almay's multi-purpose Smart Shade Blush & Bronzer gel ($9) has an ingenious formula that allows you to match your skin tone flawlessly.

If you want to ante up a little more for a "prestige" winner, plan on ponying up your cash for Marc Jacobs Daisy ($55), the reigning Women's Scent champ. Or perhaps you prefer something more laid back. Origins' Dr. Andrew Weil Way of the Bath Matcha Tea batch scrub ($45), the big winner in the Body Treatment group, is potent and purifying all at the same time.

And how did SheFinds fare? A few weeks back, we picked our favorite nominees. Two of 'em turned out to be winners: BareEscentuals Rare Minerals Blemish Therapy ($28), a pimple-preventing powder, won the one-and-only award for Facial Treatment/Acne Treatment, and Frederic Fekkai Coiff Controle Ironless Straightening Balm ($25) will likely see a boost in sales when it shows off its new prestige Hair Care and Hair Color award.

For a full list of winners—plus handy links to buy them all—head on over to the CEW Beauty Awards LookBook and start shopping.

And check out our Guide to Beauty Bestsellers.