Author: Lindsay

bareMinerals READY® Luminizer

I used to think a highlighter was just an optional, festive step. But after loads of compliments on my skin, I realized this holiday treat needs to be in the main rotation. While I have been a fan of MAC Skinfinish, I am welcoming bareMinerals READY® Luminizer as new favorite. Their powder has a creamy consistency without depositing too much pigment. The addition of SeaNutritive Mineral™ literally makes your skin glow from inside out.

I use this, day and night, on my cheekbones, cupid’s bow and forhead. This face chart below can give you a good idea of where to place highlighter and contour (contour = matte bronzer or foundation three shades darker than your skin tone). These also make great eyeshadows.

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Both shades, The Love Affair (left) and The Shining Moment (right), would make great stocking stuffers… or just snatch them up for yourself.

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE WAS 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.

Kate Somerville in Dallas Next Week

Attention Dallas readers! Kate Somerville will be in town next week. Besides being an extraordinary talent, she is a pleasure to chat with and knows all about skin care.

Introducing the NARS Andy Warhol Facebook Profile Makeover

Bored with your Facebook profile? Perk it up with the new Facebook app from NARS. They are celebrating the creativity and playful spirit of the NARS Andy Warhol collection with a tool to create profile and cover photos. The results are inspired by the colors of new collection. Here’s my new cover photo:

Get your Facebook profile the NARS Andy Warhol Makeover here.

And, a side note… other than makeup, jewelry has to be my favorite thing. I’m excited to share with you a new favorite store to shop for baubles. Charm & Chain carries designers like Dannijo, Sharouk, Fenton/Fallon and Kendra Scott. A little early holiday gift from me: get 25% off using code CC25OFF and this link: CharmandChain.com.

NARS Velvet Gloss and Matte Lip Pencil Decoded

You know a good thing when you see it. But when you see two good things, how do you pick? I love both the Velvet Matte and Velvet Gloss Lipstick Pencils from NARS, but it is good to know the difference.

NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil is highly glossy and moisturizing. Hyaluronic spheres nurture lips, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t long wear. This stuff does not budge. And Mexican Rose, below on the top, is a universally flattering, bold pink with a shiny finish. Like the Matte version, the chubby sticks are easy to apply.

NARS Velvet Matte Lipstick Pencil applies just like a lipstick. The matte formula isn’t drying and has an opaque, rich color. Dragon Girl, below on the bottom, is is that perfect, cool red. Unique silicones ensures long-lasting, velvety finish. But… don’t believe this is longer wearing just because it is matte. The gloss version was actually harder to remove from the back of my hand.

Which do you prefer? I thought I loved the glossy more, but these days I am all about the matte.

Natura Bissé Diamond Life Infusion

Natura Bissé Diamond Life Infusion is probably one of the most luxurous serums I have tried to date. I already swoon over anything Natura Bissé (check out the review of my favorite peel here) and it was a pleasure to try their latest and greatest. Diamond Life Infusion uses their diamond delivery system for deep penetration of 16 anti-aging ingredients.

This serum uses a natural magnetite to extend the life span of skin cells. The Bio-Magnet Nanosomes provide retinoid-like rejuvenation without those nasty side effects. Like other serums, this is a concentrate of the most active ingredients to promise the most potent of results. In vitro test (Gene array analysis of 64 skin-specific genes) revealed that skin looked appeared 3.9 years younger after seven days.

I’ve had this in the rotation for a little over a month, using on the face and decollete area, and I am already hooked on the luminous glow it gives. The creamy, spa-scented consistency is perfect to work in via a little mini-massage. I do think it helped me heal from massive dryness caused by an bump in my retinol prescription. And it is capable of preventing formation of dark spots. This would be a real asset in recovering from surgery or procedures. It has the properties of La Mer The Concentrate with a more nourishing feel.

I recognize this is super pricey for a small 25 mL/ 0.8 fl. oz. pump. However, Natura Bissé is known for producing products with absolute cutting edge technology. The company was started with a skin care line featuring free-form amino acids in 1979, and continues to be known for its innovative products. Diamond Life Infusion is a highly concentrated, super charged serum with loads of active ingredients. And the proven results make it all the more worth it.

Scrub Soaps

I recently passed along some samples of scrub soap along to beau beau, my male guinea pig. After trying them out for a couple weeks, he couldn’t help but rave. So much so that I needed to hunt some down for myself. These soaps slough skin with physical exfoliators like oat bran. I was concerned about irritation, but these guys both got my skin extraordinarily clean without injuring delicate areas. It was so helpful in tackling dry elbows, feel and backs of arms.

Kiehl’s Ultimate Man Body Scrub Soap may technicallly be a men’s product, but ladies, you will want to borrow this one. It is designed for thicker skin, with natural oat bran, oat kernal and pumice. The soap itself has a refreshing scent and lathers while you work on your tougher skin. I prefer this to the standard pumice as it cleans and is slightly gentler. For those of you with men who have rough skin, this will soften without leaving an overly feminine fragrance.

If you prefer a little more bang for your buck, Bliss Mammoth Minty Scrub Soap is an ENORMOUS bar of soap that is well designed, effective and refreshing. Not only is the bar large, but it is hard-milled making it extra long lasting. Jojoba beads offer a gentler exfoliation. And the mint oil make it superbly refreshing.

Jack Black, of lip balm fame, makes a ‘Turbo Body Bar™’ Scrubbing Soap that offers that deep clean men seem to crave. There is a good amount of lather and hydration (murumuru and shea butters) in this bar, along with exfoliation. The scent is invigorating with natural blue lotus and ginkgo biloba making it a dream for early mornings. Natural lava rock is a hefty but gentle exfoliator.