Made-for-You Beauty

Frustrated by one-size-fits-all products? Our beauty director took a tour of the world of customized skincare products, makeup, and perfume. Do try this at home.

By Patricia Reynoso

Soaps and Concealers

WANTED: A yummy-smelling soap for me and my kids

In my world, where getting my 4-year-old twins to wash up is a daily battle, a tempting hand soap is an essential. So, I figured, why not have one that we all love? How I got it: Aware of Garden Botanika's custom program, where nine body products can be personalized with up to three scents, I visited the Web site to make my selections. I knew that I wanted something musky rather than floral, yet I was tempted by the descriptions of the floral notes. In the end I opted for a mix of Vanilla Musk, Almond, and Transparent Floral (it sounded like "petals lite" to me). When the bottle arrived, I took a big happy whiff of my one-of-a-kind scent. It was a hit with the kids, too! Price: $11. How you can get it: Visit www.gardenbotanika.com or call 800-968-7842. Full refunds are offered.

WANTED: The perfect concealer

Ask me which beauty product is my desert-island must-have and I'll answer: "concealer!" Yet as much as I adore how it helps me fake the look of eight hours' sleep, I'm often overwhelmed with the many color choices available.

How I got it: At the Manhattan studio of Three Custom Color Specialists (3C), a company specializing in customized makeup, I met with one of 3C's makeup artists. After telling him which areas I wanted to camouflage -- under my eyes, my chin, and around my nose -- he hand-blended shades for me to try. I opted for a three-shade palette, ideal for each of my trouble areas. I never leave home without it now!

Price: $36.50 for one concealer and $19.50 for each extra shade. Personal consultation: $65-$105.

How you can get it: Call 888-262-7714 for a consultation in Manhattan. Or go to www.threecustom.com to get any shade created.

Glosses, Scents, and Skincare

WANTED: A multitasking lip gloss

Did I really need another lip gloss? No. But I was intrigued by the idea of a gloss that was that perfect neutral shade, plus a whole lot more. How I got it: I put the kids to bed and logged on to www.reflect.com, the Web site for Reflect-True Custom Beauty. I clicked on to the page for the Elixir Custom Gloss, where I settled on a mulberry shade that looked ideal for my skin tone. I passed on the shimmer option, but I did add the mint extract (smells great and tingles), plus a lip plumper for extra volume and hydration. The best part: I was able to name it! (My choice: MAMA.) When it arrived, I was pleased that it looked exactly as it did on-screen. Price: $22.50. How you can get it: Log on to www.reflect.com and follow the simple instructions. If you're unhappy with your creation, send it back with your corrections and your receipt, and Reflect.com will replace it.

WANTED: A truly personal scent

My mother, a fragrance fanatic, can't believe that I own just a few fragrances. It's not that I don't like fragrances, I tell her, it's simply that I haven't found one that I love enough to wear every single day. But, I thought, what if I created my own? How I got it: At Creative Scentualization, a fragrance company that offers an online version of its customization program, I answered a quiz about my favorite colors and locales that helped narrow my sensory preferences. A few days later, I received three sample vials of the "Patricia" fragrance. They were all slightly different, with a mix of amber, vanilla, and gardenia notes. The winner? The one that made my husband say, "You smell good!" Price: $25 for three samples. Order a 1-ounce bottle to get a 15-percent discount, $51 all told. How you can get it: Go to www.creativescent.com or call 888-799-2060. You're entitled to one free revision, but all sales are final.

WANTED: Super skincare

I'm pretty happy with my skincare routine, but when it comes to banishing the redness around my nose, nothing seems to work. How I got it: I was drawn to Essencia, a natural skincare line based in Shreveport, Louisiana, both for its use of essential oils and because I would get to discuss my concerns with a skincare expert over the phone. Essencia's expert created the Rose Geranium Facial Restorative Serum to help reduce redness. I received the product a week later, and while I haven't seen a big change yet, I know that's to be expected. For now, I'm happy to keep using it -- it smells amazing! Price: At $240 for the consultation and two bottles of customized product, this is one pricey solution. But reorders cost just $15 and up. How you can get it: Schedule a 15-minute phone consultation by calling 866-568-5848 or e-mailing consult@essenciaonline.com.

Source: http://www.lhj.com/lhj/story.jhtml?storyid=/templatedata/lhj/story/data/MadeforYouBeauty_02142005.xml&catref=cat1530002&page=2