Author: Lindsay

Jack Black Bump Fix Razor Bump & Ingrown Hair Solution

Another one we will want to steel from the boys, the newest from Jack Black is a super-powered solution for ingrown hairs. I’ve had my man team (aka Dad) testing out Bump Fix for a couple weeks and he loves it so much it kinda makes me want to take it right back out of his hands!

The formula is powered with alpha-beta hydroxy acid complex to soothe and heal razor bumps and ingrown hair. It also works with salicylic acid and lactic acid to exfoliate and prevent new ingrown hairs from forming. Unlike other toners, Jack Black’s version calms skin with aloe, green tea and chamomile. Also hyaluronic acid works to hydrate making it a true multi-tasker.

The fragrance-free formula makes it great for men and women. And don’t think this is just for the face – we’ve been testing it out on legs and underarms. I’m thinking it would also be great for the bikini. Exclusively at Sephora.

Cristophe Professional Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner

I’m throwing everything I can at this dry hair situation. The current regimen that is finally giving me soft and silky hair is Cristophe Professional Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner. The formula has all the nourishing goodies to add moisture back into my strands, healing dry ends. It also contains UV protectors, creatine to provide strength and improve elasticity, and Vitamin C for shine and vibrancy. The scent is that classic old school juicy floral, perfectly nostalgic.

At $8.99, these salon-quality products are worth snatching up. Shop online or find your closest salon here.

Color safe. Paraben free. Cruelty free. Not tested on animals.

Nutrisystem Week 20

This week, I technically didn’t lose any weight so my total weight loss remains at 29.0 pounds. I say technically because I did have a bit of a victory this week. After celebrating at the beach, I came back with 2.4 extra pounds. After just four days of eating Nutrisystem meals and working out diligently, I am back to where I was before the vacation. And you know what? It was worth it to reward myself. I’ve discovered it is all about balance. As I get closer to my goal, I know this will be a life-long routine, keeping my weight in check and making adjustments if things start to get out of whack. And I am okay with that. Because I just feel so darn good.

Check out last week’s Nutrisystem post here.

Want to lose weight and get healthy on Nutrisystem? Join today by calling 1-888-853-4689 or by visiting http://www.nutrisystem.com/nsblog.

Disclosure: As part of the Nutrisystem Nation Blogger Program, Nutrisystem has provided me with complementary meals in exchange for my honest thoughts on the Nutrisystem plan. The opinions expressed in my posts are strictly my own. No other compensation is being given.

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Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant

I was thrilled to recently guest pin on Pinterest for Birchbox in honor of International Women’s Day (check out the board here). Birchbox teamed up with Elizabeth Arden for the event, and as a thank you for participating, I was gifted the classic Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant. Frankly, I was kind of embarrassed to be a beauty blogger and not have tried this iconic product. Birchbox to the rescue!

A confession: I did hunt down this classic at a department store a while back and was turned off by the smell. I now realize the counter sample must have been old and turned. Once I was assured the cream has basically no scent, I couldn’t stop using it. Beta-hydroxy helps calm irritation. Petrolatum adds moisture. Salicylic acid gently unclog pores. Vitamin E (a.k.a. tocopherol) acts as an antioxidant. This team of stellar ingredients makes the cream versatile enough to hydrate dry skin, tame brows, condition cuticles, treat post-shave and even soothes minor scrapes and sunburns.

Elizabeth Arden’s legacy shines through in her bestsellers – her focus since opening her first salon in 1910 was enhancing women’s looks with a focus on science. The resulting products have fostered the most fiercely loyal fans. The multi-purpose salve has been around 1930 and remains a best-seller. Now I also understand why people remain so devoted to the formula.

I put Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant on a bad scrap on Monday afternoon. Where I’d normally have scabbed and dealt with redness, I just have two small flaky spots a couple days later. Makeup artists love it to add glossy lids and lips to any look. It also can help reduce redness. Basically, it is just a lovely thing that we should all have on hand. Available at Birchbox.

I’m also totally hooked on Eight Hour Cream Nourishing Lip Balm Broad Spectrum – was so clutch at the beach last weekend. I can’t find it at Birchbox but it is available here.

New: Pierre Hardy for NARS and Pro-Prime Light Optimizing Primer

Can it ever get better than shoes and makeup? I think not. Again NARS brings us a unique coupling with such style. Inspired by his Summer 2013 shoe collection, Hardy’s collection has six polishes pairings (two polishes designed to compliment each other) and two blushes. The polishes come in a small shoebox with dust bag (a nod to Hardy’s own footwear packaging). The blushes feature Hardy’s signature cubic print with a gold overspray. Look for the collection May 1st at narscosmetics.com.

ETHNO RUN: orange, navy

SHARPLINES: peach, burgundy

VERTEBRA: coral, dusty rose

EASY WALKING: rose gold, camel

SHARKS: yellow, lavender

VENOMOUS: gunmetal, black

Blushes ROTONDE: tiger lily and BOYS DON’T CRY: pink grapefruit

Also, NARS is releasing a new primer: Pro-Prime Light Optimizing Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 15. The lightweight formula is packed with Light Reflecting Complex and red algae extract to keep skin looking luminous and fresh all day. The formula absorbs quickly and fights dullness and fatigue while Vitamins A, C and E help ward off free radical damage. Available April 15, 2013 at NARS boutiques and narscosmetics.com.

Hourglass Foundations and Concealer

I’ve had the pleasure of covering quite a bit of Hourglass makeup on Belle Belle. Some favorites include Ambient Lighting Powder and Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick, among many many others. The luxury brand has a true pulse on classic beauty with serious formulas that flatter so many skin types. But I was remiss in covering one (favorite) product area – foundation and concealer. When I dove in, I was thrilled to find two different foundation formulas. I fell hard for them both – but they are quite different. So, hopefully this will help you decide which is perfect for your skin.

First up, Veil Fluid Makeup. If you have aging or drier skin, this is the formula for you. The formula is packed with anti-aging ingredients like wrinkle-filling peptide Matrixyl Synthe’6, wheat and marine-based Skin Tightener ST PH and Vitamin E. The texture has a moderate weight, but the silicon-based formula is buildable in coverage. The finish is that dewy and glow-y look that I am always drawn to. I like applying with my fingers very sparingly for a sheer, radiant look. Vegan-friendly. Eleven available shades across a wide spectrum.

Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation could be a true godsend for those with oily and acne-prone skin. The formula is liquid powder with a matte finish, allowing a full day wear without powder or touch-ups. The oil-free formula is also water-resistant – can we say perfect beach vacation foundation!? But the exciting part is, after many customer testimonials, Hourglass realized that Immaculate was helping with acne and scarring! They are now conducting clinical testing and the preliminary results are pretty dramatic. This stuff controls oil, improves scars, lessens severity and frequency of breakouts and improves texture and clarity. This development makes me extremely enthusiastic for this foundation for readers who suffer from acne. Also, this foundation is also gluten-free. There are eight new shades for a total of sixteen options.

I’d be remiss not to mention Hidden Corrective Concealer. I’m not terribly surprised Hourglass developed such a luxe, balanced concealer. The stick is creamy but with robust coverage. This allows for both under eye and blemish concealing. I’d liken it to a slightly more creamy version of this. The finish, as it dries down, is slightly matte, but the Vitamin E charged formula keeps it from caking. And there are six shade options.

Available at Sephora and Barneys.