The best stuff ever in the whole entire world for hip, happening ladies!

Not surprisingly, I am not the only one who is a frequent user of Benefit make-up. Today’s GleePeek comes directly from Chicago where my friend Angie is touting the benefits of Benefit.

Hello Flawless – I had just run out of liquid foundation and found myself walking by the Benefit store.  It is lightweight and comes with a brush and sponge.  With the sponge, it works like a concealer, while the brush provides lighter coverage.  It is a lovely break from liquid foundation! – Angie

I know that it is possible to fall in love with an eyeshadow, because I have fallen hard for Jane Iredale’s PurePressed Mineral Eyeshadow. It just goes on so smooth and has perfect staying power. I always use it over a base, such as MAC Paint in Bare Canvas (featured previously here). No creases whatsoever, which is huge when you live in a very humid tropical climate. I get this little twinge of satisfaction every time I put it on. Really. That may be pathetic, but it is true.

Not only does the eyeshadow look great, but the whole make-up line is actually made to benefit your skin. Everything is mineral based and has no chemical dyes or preservatives. Can’t argue with that. I have the triple eyeshadow pictured above, and I cannot wait to get more.

I’m back from an intense shopping trip to Atlanta. My first official trip to the south and the only time I was actually outdoors was to get out of the taxi and walk into the hotel, and to leave the hotel to get back into the taxi to head back to the airport. I got little done but shopping for the boutique, which was of course fun, but when you are indoors in forced air heat all day and night, it gets you all dried out.

I was happy to come back to Megan’s suggestion in this GleePeek. Get my hands on this for my next stateside trip!

Lansinoh Breast Cream:  This nipple cream for breastfeeding mothers is the ultimate lip balm.  Once you get over the weirdness factor and give it a try, you’ll be in love!  Made from 100% lanolin (all natural — from sheep!), it’s non-addictive to the lip tissue, which is coincidentally the same tissue as the nipple (and labia).  Since there’s no wax or alchohol, the lip is moisturized, without getting dried out in the process.  I slather this cream on before bed and it’s still on in the morning when I wake up.  My new secret trick is to apply a thin layer over my lipstick when I’m about to drink red wine.  This eliminates that gross red wine lip stain. – Megan

I know some people are in desperate need of Vitamin D at the moment. That’s what winter can do to a person! Time to rosy on up those cheeks, nose, forehead and whatnot with a little extra help. My favorite is Benefit’s Dandelion powder. Even though I live in the Caribbean, I work pretty hard to keep my face as protected from the sun’s rays as possible, so this light pink diddy works for me all the time. There are plenty of suggestions for other skin tones to, so browse around.

P.S. It has come to my attention that there are certain people out there that have not heard of Benefit, or possibly not tried their products. Um. That is unacceptable. Get on it gals! (and guys who like to wear make-up)

Today is another make-up essential from Megan. I keep buying her suggestions, and they have definitely become staples for me too (see her previously here, here and here). And just in case you need proof of how fabulous Megan is, she made this past issue of Vogue (along with Didi who is another GleePeek contributor)!

Here is her latest and greatest. Yet another addition to my wishlist.

Yves Saint Laurent Highlighter – perfect for post-lunch touch-ups at work or before I head out for the night from the office, without needing to re-touch the entire face. – Megan

So I have arrived in Wyoming after nearly 24 hrs of traveling and a bit of sleep. Now begins the process of drinking the most incredible amount of liquids to try to deal with the complete lack of humidity. I am like a dried out sponge. My eyes don’t blink properly, my nose and lips are crusty. But most importantly, I look like I’ve aged 10 years over night. Bad stuff.

So at this point I am segueing into the ugliest picture I have ever posted on this website…

Let me just tell you a little something about this picture. The products – pillow case, gloves and eye mask – are from Cupron. They are appearance enhancing, in that they reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles (read the website for the science).

I bought the pillow case at the beginning of summer, because I am of the firm belief that you cannot get enough of a jump on that skin care. Now I wish I had the whole set. What a great gift for yourself! Or for your girlfriends with which you talk endlessly of facial regimens. Ugly picture or not, it is a product I am quite excited (and hopeful) about.

Have you tried any Fresh products yet? If not, get on it! Delightful. Here is a pick from Lani, who I know is a big fan.

Sugar Lip Treatment- from Fresh (a fabulous brand, I love almost everything they make) I haven’t tried the new sugar rose yet. – Lani

Any gal with any sense will tell you that lighting is key when putting on make-up. And good lighting? Well…not the easiest thing to come by all the time, mainly in the dreary winter months.

This mirror from Target was a great wish list suggestion from one of gleegarden’s subscribers. It is double-sided (so you can get those really magnified glances at yourself) and lighted. Perfecto!

I have received lipgloss sets from Benefit in the past on a few different occasions, and let me just say, excellent gift.

These go everywhere with me. I like that I can switch up colour on a whim. What a sweet relief to get those lips prettied up when you need a little perking.

Whether you are shopping for yourself, or any deserving lady in your life, this Glitz, Glam, & Gloss set from Benefit is an excellent choice for a very nice department store make-up product (at a reasonable price!).

Smooches.

When this whole Gleegarden project started last summer, I went to my good gal friends and asked them to give me little write-ups on their favorite products/doodads/whatnots, thus originating Gleepeeks.

Well, most of the gals launched off huge lists, but my friend Rainey? Nah. She gave me two things (see her other GleePeek here). I love Rainey, and I think it speaks volumes about the way she lives her life and the way a lot of us live ours. She is BUSY! She is raising 3 children and dealing with all the life stuff that just gallops over us. When I asked her for her faves, it took her quite awhile to come up with anything. Then I get the list of two. Two things that are necessities for her in a life where she doesn’t have the time to really give her self much thought. These must be good! I know I pay attention when she tells me what’s what. Without further ado, Rainey’s latest recommendation…

Exact Eyelights by CoverGirl – This is for those women, should there be any, that find themselves needing a great mascara. Now, I’ve tried mascaras that are supposed to be the next big thing, and have upscale names and prices at the mall, all the way down to the clearance rack at Walgreen’s. So I decided to give Cover Girls exact eyelights a try. – Rainey

I am a firm believer that a great mascara is crucial for every make-up wearing lady (and should be for some of the non-make-up wearers). Exact Eyelights apparently has hints of metallic colour that brighten eyes. Definitely have to give this one a go! I’ve certainly been failed by every single one of the expensive mascaras I’ve encountered too.

Thanks Rainey! And if you ever get another inspiration, let us know.