LYRA MAG.

We try scores of beauty/skincare products…but-what we end up using till the container is empty= that is a product that gets the major love. It works and it works for our active lifestyle-(outdoors, endurance sports)…as well as quality (passing  the urban sophisticate test) and, a MUST- practical to use. Like our wardrobe- we take high/low approach to this…as there are loads of inexpensive products ---and plenty of pricey items that are worth it. IMO.                                                                   Eye MakeUp With all the watery environments and sweat induced activities-we're always bemused by claims of "waterproof" makeup. Yeah, right.  The first test we did 2.5 years back was with MakeUp Forever's at that time fairly new AquaLiner $23-in Dragon Lagoon Green-a bold toned liquid eyeliner ...

741 Broadway, NYC On the cusp of hip Union Square-meaning very subway friendly-E.L.F. EyesLipsFace.com  debuted its first store -in just about record time, we were told- in Manhattan last week...taking probably less than 3 months to get going and emerge with a clean, easy to navigate, demo friendly emporium of makeup, makeup tools, nail  polishes etc. 10 flatscreens offer product highlights and how-to's free makeovers Even fans of E.L.F. available at retail partners will flock to this brick and mortar take on what has got got be one of the most inexpensive brands anywhere---as this store carries all the makeup collections (studio, essentials, mineral )...just about-with 1000 skus---rather extensive. BONUS-the color tone ranges of these SPF15 tinted moisturizers---most brands have only 3-5. quality packaging color ranges including yellow or red undertones---work for all skin tones is very impressive hot item-concealer pencil-very smudg...

With so many relatives---for the under 25 group---we buy a horde of stocking stuffer items-...spread out on a table-and then give tote bags out-for the young'uns to just take what they want...like those candy bins. Fun and appreciated. And ageless, really. We have never shopped at any TV shopping networks-really, we live in NYC-but since we went to an HSN holiday preview-we were impressed with the assortment-and of course-it's easy. Home decor wise- the real wine labels (and bottles)---used as candle holders by Nashi , packed in a wooded crate-a welcome hostess gift, ($19.95). Nothing signals holidays to us than the tree people taking hold of a quarter of our block-selling evergreens to the urban masses in the 'hood. HSN CARES ornaments, beautifully packaged- are courtesy of various celebs---PLUS-the winning assortment benefits assorted charities such as St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, via 100% of the profits -donated. ...