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!