Bye Bye, Prescriptives. Thanks a Lot, Estee Lauder.

I'm really disappointed by this one. Estee Lauder announced yesterday it is shutting down the cosmetics, skincare and fragrance brand Prescriptives. Ya know, every time I think, "Hey maybe it's time to give Estee Lauder (the brand) another shot," the company does something like this. Not the first time the company has disappointed its customers with closings and shutdowns, sure it won't be the last.

I used to love shopping Estee Lauder's family of brands on gloss.com. Remember them? They closed that site, wanting folks to shop the brands individually and in-stores rather than offering the convenience of a one-stop online shopping experience, similar to the Sephora online concept but with MAC, Bobbi Brown, Chanel, Origins, Prescriptives, Clarins, Clinique and a few others. Great brands, right? Meow!

Scale back? Sure. Cut back on Px counters? Ok. Shut down the whole brand? Really? Uggggh!

Prescriptives Flawless Skin Foundation has been a staple in my makeup bag for years. I love the thin, oil-free, lightweight texture, which also happens to provide great coverage and long-term wear. There's not another foundation out there like it. And their Magic Liquid Powder is one-of-a-kind as well. The way it plays with light to minimize imperfections and pores, the loose, translucent powder was ahead of its time. Prescriptives has also historically appealled to women with hard to match skin tone due to their custom blending of foundation shades. {Heavy sigh} Really, I'm still in shock by this announcement.

Just checked Prescriptives online and they're already starting to sell out of stock. If you're interested in gathering up some of your Px favorites, better get going before they're gone forever (of course, there's always ebay). As of now, Prescriptives is slated to be gone by end of January. They're offering a free gift with minimum purchase on certain products (see side column for info), so guess they're giving folks a little extra something for your patronage.

Oh, they will still offer Px Calyx fragrance, by the way, through EL's Aramis and Designer Fragrances partnerships. Come on, really? Of all the brand's products you decide to continue rolling out, Calyx? Well, if you like it, you're in luck.

Lancôme Dual Finish Celebrates an Anniversary

This was my first ever Lancôme purchase. In fact, Lancôme's Dual Finish was my first ever high-end or department store beauty purchase of any kind way back when I was a teenager (it wasn't 30 years ago, though, sheesh, did you think I was that old ...). Prior to discovering its magical properties, suggested to me by my younger sister no less, I'd only used drugstore brand products. Dual Finish was the first of many Lancôme products I'd later come to adore.

I was awestruck by this product. Part powder, part creamy foundation, how did they do that? Dual Finish gives your skin exactly the look, the coverage you’ve decided on…from sheer to simply flawless.

• Sponges on dry, over moisturizer, for a soft matte effect.
• Puffs on dry as a matching powder over any Lancôme foundation.
• Sponges on damp for a high coverage, ultra-matte finish.

In celebration of the product's 30th anniversaty, Lancôme is offering Dual Finish in a limited edition compact. It's available in 10 shades and retails for $35.50. Be sure to check out all the Lancôme deals, free gifts and beauty offers updated regularly on our shopping deals page. They've got some fabulous ones going on now!

Summer Bridal Beauty

Every bride want to look her very best on her wedding day, and that includes gorgeous hair, flawless skin and perfectly manicured nails. Beauty beginners and beauty-savvy brides alike will find these tips from Planet Beauty useful for looking radiant and camera-ready on the big day.

Look bright-eyed by getting as much sleep as possible the night before. Combat any dark circles or puffiness with Yonka's Phyto Contour Eye Firming Cream $54. Use eye drops if eyes still look red or tired.

Make sure you use waterproof mascara that can withstand "tears of joy". Lash Injection Pinpoint Mascara by Too Faced will prevent smearing; its exclusive 3D polymers build waterproof tubes around each lash. $19.50

Achieve a flawless complexion as good as professionally created with this smoking-hot product. Winning rave reviews from all over the world, ERA Face Spray on Foundation by Classified Cosmetics is like having a professional makeup artist in a can. This is an oil-free foundation tha contains a nourishing vitamin and botanical base ideal for all skin types. It comes in an array of shades and blends flawlessly into skin. $55

L-R: ERA Foundation Spray in shade R6, AirBrush Shimmer, AirBrush Primer

Keep hair looking radiant and shiny with I.C.O.N.'s AirShine Brilliant Shine Spray $19.50. AirShine blasts dry air for incredible surface gloss and shine while shielding your style from environmental damage. I.C.O.N is fast becoming a favorite hair care brand of many a beauty addict. This stuff rocks!

Create a perfect, pouty lip and blendable soft, shadowed eyes with Napoleon Perdis Palette Patrol $39. The palette includes his seductive set of rich, versatile colors for lips, eyes and cheeks. People StyleWatch says this about the set, "(a) sleek blush, shadow, and gloss double-decker kit from the Aussie brand ... a secret weapon for conquering any beauty battles."

Don't forget all eyes will be on your new bridal bling. Get your fingers ready for the closeup with Barielle's Natural French Manicure Set $16.50, including Cherish, a light pink, Enduring, a white shade, and Top Shield for glossy shine with a protective shield.

For the honeymoon, give yourself a glow from head to toe with Tan Towel's Self-Tan Towelettes. Each towelette is concentrated with a self-tan formula that ensures a quick and even application with no streaking or mess ($4.00 for a full face and body application).

Bridal tips courtesy of Planet Beauty. All products mentioned in this piece are available at Planet Beauty. You can find more tips and trends from Planet Beauty's team of professional makeup artists, hair stylists and licensed estheticians.

images: Zoe Clark, Whiterz