Author: Lindsay

Beauty Time Capsule

There is something so profound about looking back at beauty trends of the past. These ads have me pondering how down the road, we will look at the beauty trends and advertisements we see today.

I’m sure, in the future, we will look back at some of our crazy trends with a smile. With that in mind, brands like COVERGIRL, Olay and Pantene are coming together to create a time capsule to be opened in 2038 with some of our current favorite products. Today through June 27th, you can vote on Facebook on what products should be locked away. Just pop on over to StyleUnited on Facebook. And here’s a fun video below commemorates some of those iconic looks we’ve embraced over the years.

Dad’s Day Gift Ideas

This weekend, it is time to fete all those great dads out there! I know my dad and I have a lazy day at home planned, with a yummy dinner and some games of catch in the yard. For those last minute shoppers, here are some of my favorite men’s products I’ve come across lately.

Kiehl’s “Heavy Lifting”Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizer for Men is a super powered version of one of my father’s favorites. Formulated especially for men’s thicker skin, this works to battle signs of aging.

Molton Brown SPORT Collection is for the sporty father. My tester used it from head to toe and reported stellar performance as a shave gel, shower gel and shampoo. I love the convenience of one product, especially for a gym bag. The fragrance blend – cassia bark, nutmeg and lime – helps soothe tired muscles.

My neighbor friend has been sporting the Gucci Guilty Black Pour Homme – dare I say… swoon worthy? And frankly, I wore it myself for a couple days – ladies, this is worth stealing from the boys. The Patchoili gives it a sensuality while orange and lavender leave it feeling not to heavy.

Supergoop! Continuous Mist Broad Spectrum SPF 50, one of my favorite SPFs this summer, has also been a hit with the guys. For the outdorsman father, you can’t go wrong with this great smelling spray. Natural oils add a unisex citrus scent and leave skin nourished.

One of the products my father praises most is his Clarisonic. Men love gadgets so I don’t know why I am so surprised. The Clarisonic ‘Aria – Black’ Sonic Skin Cleansing System is a sleek masculine color and will leave his skin smooth and exfoliated.

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE MAY HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

Hot Mascaras for Summer

While I have some tried and true favorites (Hello Dior Iconic), I always am testing and trying new mascaras. It is an endless and cherished search that I do in the name of blogging (and being a crazy beauty junkie). Lately, I’ve found some standouts – both brand new and others classics.

I fell hard for it Cosmetics a while back when I tried out their concealer. So I was egear to try out other goodies from the line. Their Hello Lashes! 5-In-1 Treatment Mascara in Black did not disappoint. Not only is this a mascara, but a four other products that all work together for killer lashes. Working as volumizing mascara, conditioning lash primer, lash-enhancing serum, lash tint, and a lash comb/curler, this gives blackest black, full lashes. Developed with plastic surgeons, the formula contains peptides, collagen, proteins, acai, jojoba, green tea, and vitamins A, C, E, and B5. The brush goes after every single lash and I love the Magic Wand detailer tip to get lower and corner lashes. Made in the USA.

Maybelline Volum’ Express The Rocket Waterproof Mascara in Very Black has been a drugstore favorite since it hit shelves a while back. This formula delivers wild volume. I get great staying power from the Waterproof formula, but haven’t had as much luck with the Washable version. Maybelline’s Very Black is a cherished inky color that stays vivid all day. And unlike so many drugstore formulas, I don’t get any clumps. The brush is huge but still nimble enough to coat every single lash.

I hadn’t experienced Estee Lauder mascara until this one, and it makes me want to try every single mascara they have to offer. Estee Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Mascara in Extreme Black has three fibers blended in a lightweight base. This creates a false-lash effect with thicker fuller lashes without the weight. At the same time, pearls add a shiny and luminous finish. The best way to describe the effect: lashes just look healthy! The formula also contains Lash-Advancing Vitamin Complex to condition and fortify lashes.

image here

Brand Spotlight: Bioelements

Bioelements is a skin care line focused on fostering younger looking skin with professional grade products you use at home. The skin care regimens are custom blended for ideal results according to your skin type. Their formulas are responsibly crafted, always free of parabens, fragrances and colorants. And never tested on animals. One of the biggest joys of using Bioelements is their glass skin care packaging. Not only does it feel more luxe, but it maintains the integrity of the products and is 100% recyclable.

I’ve been surrounding myself with some Bioelements best and brightest for the past month and have been thrilled with results. Not only are the products wonderful to use – they have honestly made my skin look better. My main issues are hyper-pigmentation and redness. The following four items have helped me moderate both and keep safe in the sun.

Again, an oil based cleanser that really can clean, the Bioelements Sensitive Skin Cleanser is gentle and nourishing. Olive oil is used to lift impurities while calming and soothing. And your skin won’t be striped of precious moisture.

Using one of my most beloved skin care ingredients, Advanced VitaMineral C Complex has a double dose because it uses Acerola cherries, which contain 32 times more vitamin C than oranges. This extract is the most scientifically advanced C ester and can fight aging and brighten skin. I’ve been using this day and night and find my skin to be more radiant without any irritation.

I’ve been spending a lot of time in the sun. I know I needed something with a really high SPF on a daily basis to try to keep this sun damage at bay. The Bioelements SPF 50 FaceScreen has that broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection I need. At the same time, it works to firm and reduce the appearance of fine lines. The formula uses chemical blockers so you get that sunscreen smell, but on the plus side, you don’t get any whitish cast. The rich cream leaves my skin ultra-hydrated. Also to note, it was named ‘Best Anti-Aging Sunscreen’ by Dr. Oz’s YouBeauty.com.

I’ve been running more lately and I couldn’t be more thrilled with the way it leaves me feeling. The downside is my redness really ramps up… even hours after I finish a jog. The Bioelements Calmitude Hydrating Solution is one of the very few products I’ve found that can really calm that flare up. The spray soothes and calms upset skin while hydrating.

Find your closest spa here. Or order Bioelements products on bioelements.com.

Live Q&A Facebook Chat With Caudalie Founder, Mathilde Thomas

In honor of the launch of Caudalie’s Divine Body Collection, Caudalie founder, Mathilde Thomas is holding a Facebook Chat session. Tomorrow night, you can get all your pressing skin care question answered… and win one of several giveaways. Also, Caudalie products will be 20% off on Us.Caudalie.com.

Make sure to join in on the fun tomorrow, Wednesday, June 12^th from 8pm – 10pm EST on Caudalie’s Facebook page.

NEW: Perricone MD Photo Plasma

This frothy, pink cream has me giddy. So so giddy. As I spend these weekend days outside over and over again, I realize I need to be reaching for something I really trust to keep my skin safe. Beyond that, Perricone MD Photo Plasma is perfectly suited for every day SPF, great under makeup and gentle on my sensitive skin.

Somehow this formula is oil-free, while still at the same time super rich and luxurious. My persnickety skin drinks it up – albeit I do like a moisturizer underneath. It is powered by Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide, non-chemical UVA and UVB mineral sunscreens, but I get no whitish cast on my skin.

The anti-aging benefits aren’t just its broad specturm UVA and UVB protection. Astaxanthin acts as a antioxidant known for its photo protective powers. And my beloved Vitamin C Ester (along with Alpha Lipoic Acid) work to even and brighten skin.

Finally, Perricone MD Photo Plasma provides a radiance and makes my skin look great even alone without makeup. I love this “new to me” clinical line has great efficacy while looking fabulous and being gentle.