With over 200 natural products on the market, Kiss My Face is a recognized name in the cruelty free cosmetic world, so it almost comes as a surprise to find that they are releasing a Potent & Pure Organic Face Care line. After trying a few products though, I can say they have truly improved an already solid brand. Boasting natural ingredients such as Jojoba Oil, Ester C, Tapioca Root Starch, Organic Mint and more, this line stands out in the ever growing world of natural skin care.

The Clean for a Day creamy face cleanser ($15 for 4 oz.) is perhaps the best smelling wash I have ever had the pleasure of using, even when compared to other organic and natural lines. I have sensitive/combination skin and found the soap free formula left my skin clean, without over-drying (it derives its cleaning agents from sugar and corn). An “Insider Tip” indicates this product can also be used with a cotton ball as a make-up remover. While I found it a little too creamy for this, it still fulfilled its main purpose as a face wash quite well.

My favorite product in the line is the Pore Shrink Deep Pore Cleansing Mask ($15 for 2 oz.) -- a refreshing mask made up of Clove, Tea Tree Oil and Lemongrass. Gentle enough for everyday use on oily skin, yet effective enough for weekly use by those with combination to dry skin, like myself. Using the product once a week will also make the 2 oz. last, as the mask does not require very thick coverage to work.

Additional products in the line include a Jojoba & Mint Facial Scrub ($15 for 2 oz.), SPF 4 Brightening Day Crème ($23 for 1 oz.), Breakout Oil ($19 for 1 oz.), and an incredible hydrating Night Crème, which I enjoyed using once a week for nighttime repair. With ingredients ranging from 63-84% organic and products that deliver the results they promise, Kiss My Face has established a line that should create repeat users out of fans of cruelty-free cosmetics.

Elizabeth Sorrell

JUARA Skincare’s website says “where botanical science meets Indonesian tradition” and it is these principles that make up this straightforward line loaded with botanicals. The creators draw on their East Asian heritages and beauty rituals to put together JUARA. Within their therapeutic body care line, the Candlenut Oil Hand and Body Balm ($25, 4.75 oz) is a luxuriant, nourishing lotion. It is a non-greasy, effective formula with the key ingredient of candlenut oil. An Indonesian staple, candlenut oil is an extremely hydrating plant oil that has a velvet feel and slight tropical aroma. I used the lotion after bathing as warm water can leave skin feeling parched. Instantaneously, my skin felt like silk and replenished.

Ashkan

Kazam Natural Body Care is somewhat political. The line was created by the spouse of an international diplomat. The organic health and skincare line has been used to teach seminars and workshops to empower African women. The full range line boasts products for men and women. After shave products for men tend to have high alcohol contents and preservatives that habitually irritate the skin. While the packaging is reminiscent of an “old lady product” according to a fellow user, the post shave lotion is useful. It provides a decent balance of moisture and calm. The price point ($10) was exceptional in proportion to the amount of product and amount needed for application. There was a distinct aroma of lemon lime and bergamot. If it wasn’t for the dated packaging and we knew its efficacy, we would purchase this one!

Ashkan

Smashbox Cosmetics Reign Collection was designed by makeup artists, photographers and models in the interest of creating a flawless look. The 2009 “Reign” Color Collection is allegedly inspired by the “rule of the English Tudors” so as to “epitomize the lavish extravagance of royalty.” Despite the more than slightly pretentious choice of muse, Smashbox delivers a series of products that may very well be worthy of royal use. The collection includes Lip Gloss, Lash DNA Mascara, Fusion Blush, and Jet Set Palette; all of which come packaged in what could only be interpreted as a convoluted Smashbox-logo-meets-Tudor-Crest design.

Although this reviewer would not dare assume to know whether any product is worthy of a queen’s application, it does seem that in some cases Smashbox has conjured up some luxurious and high-quality cosmetics:

Jet Set Palette ($48): Conveniently housed in a leather compact, the Jet Set Palette is this reviewer’s favorite product of the collection. Such high praise is primarily due to the fancy leather casing and the Mini Arced Liner Brush, which allows for smooth and steady application. Colors include matte black and matte dark brown eyeliner for top eyelids, and metallic gold and metallic brown colors for bottom lashes to achieve a brightening effect.

Fusion Blush ($32): Like the Jet Set Palette, the Fusion Blush also arrives in an impressive leather compact, complete with a mirror; however, the mirror loses all purpose when closing the compact results in the glass surface coming in direct contact with the blush itself. That being said, the product meets its promise to deliver a “naturally-flushed appearance,” as a result of the subtle mixing of both the shimmer and matte shades, which are presented side-by-side in the same compact casing.

Lash DNA Mascara ($19): Encased with a convenient application guide, the Reign Collection Lash DNA Mascara in plum is certainly unique, perhaps fit for those seeking spotlight much like that highlighting a royal throne. The wand is thick, as is the pasty liquid, but application is smooth. Although the color is not conventional, this product’s effect is actually rather subtle and not at all as purple-y as would be expected. Also of note: this product is marked “cruelty-free.”

Lip Gloss ($18): The Reign Collection Lip Gloss’s somewhat tacky application is overcome by a sweet aroma and a charming keychain cap. Smashbox encourages users to “indulge lips in extravagant color and scandalous shine,” yet the effect is actually rather dull and reminiscent of this reviewer’s pre-lipstick adolescence, made up mostly of drugstore finds affordable on a babysitter’s budget.

Smashbox’s 2009 Color Collection is available at The Plaza Beauty by Warren-Tricomi, One West 58th Street at The Plaza Hotel’s Grand Concourse Level.

Jessica Stein

Depending on your style, a morning after a late night out may be associated with a hangover ,headache, a craving for bacon, a desire to recall the name of the person sleeping alongside you, or perhaps all of the above. Regardless of one’s day-after agenda, those of us who adorn mascara and other eye products similarly inspired by Cleopatra, are also inclined to struggle with blurry eye-rubbing resulting in dark makeup-drawn streaks across the sides of our index fingers. The solution? A safe and effective eye-makeup remover.

Finally, the morning after need not be so blurry! This is because Physician’s Formula now introduces to its Organic collection 100% paraben-free, cruelty-free Eye Makeup Remover Pads.

As the skin around our eyes is particularly delicate, this organic formula that is also 100% free from harsh chemicals, is ideal for frequent use. Furthermore, Physician’s Formula also incorporates an aromatically pleasing “eco-aroma” to “condition and soothe” eyeliner/mascara/eye shadow-laden lids.

Pads are effective in a manner of strokes; however, individual pads do stick together and may be somewhat of a nuisance to detach. In addition, multiple pads will be necessary to fully free eyes from all traces of makeup. Despite these minor criticisms, Physician Formula’s new organic family member should be a welcome addition to any users’ cosmetic collection, especially those who loathe the morning-after penalty that comes in not using this product the night before.

Jessica Stein

A living legend, Chico Hamilton has played with the likes of Lena Horne, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Nat King Cole, and Sammy Davis Jr. and recently celebrated his 88th birthday with a show at Le Poisson Rouge in Greenwich Village. I had a chance to speak to the NEA Jazz Master for a very, very brief talk about his illustrious career and found that his craft for conversation was not as developed as his skills on the drums. He was a bit like “mean grandpa jazz” calling my questions stupid but I did coax a few replies out of him before his nap or Matlock or whatever 87 year old Jazz musicians do when they aren’t onstage.

I asked Chico what it was like being a jazz musician coming up in the heart of the depression in California and he thought it was a stupid question but did relent to say that “at that time in jazz, you were considered a sinner and there was only one kind of music being played at that time which was swing music.” After brushing aside a few more questions with Andy Warhol like short answers, I inquired about his experience in teaching and why he wanted to work as an educator to which he replied that it was his way of giving something back because music has always been very good to him.

Mr. Hamilton has had a few choice parts in the world of film, such as his role playing in Fred Astaire’s backing band onscreen in the 1941 hit You’ll Never Get Rich (which featured Rita Hayworth’s first big starring role) so I asked him about how he ended up in the world of movies. He told me that he had been in films ever since he was a kid in L.A.- “I was in all the Tarzan movies- you know those natives running around the jungle, I was one of those kids.” When asked about his feeling about contemporary music Chico stated that “it takes all kind of music to make music- that’s my philosophy” going on to say that music was “God’s will and God’s will, will be done.” Finally as for his advice to young people who want to make it as musicians Chico said to “save your money” and with that nugget of sunshine we bid adieu and I looked back on our five minutes together and thought about all the good times we shared as a montage of dead silence and aggravated short answers played in my head to the hit “Through the Years.”

Tim Needles

Weather changes are imminent and thus, it is time to once again alter our skincare regimens from sun-wary to wind-wary in light of the all-too-familiar damaging effects of colder weather.

Darphin is a Paris-based skincare line founded in 1958 by Pierre Darphin who became renowned for his individualized approach and transformational results. Most unique to the Darphin line of cosmetics, according to the line’s website, is its Aromatic Care formulas, as they are highly concentrated and designed to “purify, balance, tone, [energize, soothe and relax]” the skin through the inclusion of restorative essential oils.

Darphin’s aromatic qualities are meant to enable consumers to enjoy a “multisensory experience” and trigger more than just the skin in the transformation process. This approach brings to life Darphin’s belief that one cannot look good if one does not feel good. There is no doubt that the fragrant nature of this particular product enhances that freshly clean post-use feeling.

Darphin Aromatic Cleansing Balm with Rosewood itself is waxy to the touch and upon mixing with water results in a subtle lather. A little goes a long way, which is very, very, very ideal for an item such as this balm, which sells for $95. Despite it’s not-so-recession-friendly pricing, there is no doubting that this cleansing balm lives up to its refreshing promises. The rosewood scent is delightfully not overpowering and is indeed a very aromatically pleasing scent to apply so close to the nose. Furthermore, skin feels entirely cleansed without also experiencing that drying sensation that other, too-harsh formulas cause.

Darphin Aromatic Cleansing Balm is a splurge worth making for the skincare savvy consumer with a nose for high quality, nourishing formulas. With the onset of autumnal winds and hints of winter ahead, I must warn that one whiff of this rosewood heaven may lead you to consider this one indulgence.

Jessica Stein