Author: Lindsay

Keeping My Feet Happy During NYFW

I just returned from New York Fashion Week and my feet are NOT in good condition. I tried very hard this season to walk the line between comfort and fashion, but my tootsies still paid the price. This year though, I was on top of treatment – a little routine I did every evening. I can report my blisters are healing faster, my feet weren’t as swollen and my soles are soft.

First, I looked to a product that usually is reserved for the face. Avene Thermal Spring Water Spray is designed for hypersensitive or irritated skin and I figured that was exactly what my feet were. I sprayed the natural water to cool my feet right when I got home. I also felt this was a good way to hydrate and calm blistered areas. And you bet I used this on my face too. My skin didn’t look as red and I stayed super moisturized. In a pinch, it also removes makeup.

After letting the Spring Water absorb, I slathered on the Dermelect Cosmeceuticals Runway Ready Luxury Foot Treatment. While I got a little giggle from the name and prioritizing such a specialized product in my toiletries bag (Sara, I’m looking at you here), this stuff became so precious on my trip. The lotion softened my skin and the practice of rubbing it in kept swelling at bay. Argan Oil fortified skin against blisters and germs. Butcher’s Broom and Arnica Extract, improved circulation and prevented inflammation. Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) and Beta Hydroxy (BHA) moisturized and exfoliated.

Lastly, my new favorite thing: Foot Petals Killer Kushionz and Heavenly Heelz. I stumbled on these at a recharging suite in the Empire Hotel. By that point in the trip, the balls of my feet were tender from high heels and these gave immediate relief. Killer Kushionz are a full insole that can be worn with open toe shoes and sandals. They provide a soft cushion for the balls of your feet and increased arch support. I have a high arch and lots of hardware in my left foot from surgery. The increased arch was crucial to comfort. The material, PORON® performance urethanes, stops friction, prevents blisters and protects bones (I’m particularly impressed with this!). All Foot Petal products are proudly made in the U.S.A.

Hope these saviors are helpful to you. I think all three are fabulous and necessary for big events and travel. Shop for them using the widget below:

Cecilia Wong Replenishing Face Moisturizer

On my bucket list is to visit the Cecilia Wong salon in New York City. Her holistic approach to skin care is known to be a tough love with amazing results. But for now, I will have to do with bringing her products home. Even without her magic touch, her products have brought a resiliance and brillance to my skin.

I’ve been using her Replenishing Face Moisturizer for sensitive skin – basically a spa in a (recycled) container. The first thing you notice is the herbal scent. In fact, she recommends spreading a small amount on your fingers and cupping them around the face to experience the aroma. Then press into the skin, moving outwards. The texture is velvety and thick. I would not call it breathable. It almost felt like a mask until it settles in. I love the intense hydration.

This powerhouse also banishes redness like a master. The formula contains Calendula, Lavender and Chamomile to instantly reduce redness and make skin more resilient.  Blackcurrant seed, an antioxidant, fights aging. Overall, my skin was less reactive and more radiant after a couple weeks of use. Her philosophy reminds me of Tammy Fender, one of my most favorite lines. Her products are made here in the USA, certified natural and custom blended.

Art of Shaving: The 4 Elements of the Perfect Shave – Ocean Kelp

I am proud to announce that over here on Belle Belle, we are going to start including some men’s products. I mean, guys should look good too, right? Hope you are as excited as I am. Often, men are interested in products but don’t enjoy the hunt and research as much as we do. So, I have enlisted the help of Beau Beau, my male counterpart, as chief guinea pig.

Even us girls can appreciate a good shave. And it really is the center point of a man’s “beauty” routine. The Art of Shaving has crafted these sets of four “Elements” – they are true masculine luxury. The set contains full-size:

  • Pre-Shave Gel
  • Shaving Cream
  • Pure Badger Black Shaving Brush
  • After-Shave Lotion

There are various scents, but in honor of this last burst of summer heat, we picked Ocean Kelp. The fragrance is refreshing and pleasant and the kelp and oils help sooth skin. The four steps can help prevent razor brun and ingrown hairs. The Pre-Shave Gel softens and preps skin. The Shaving Cream is formulated with glycerin to hydrate hair and improve razor glide. And the badger brush distributes the cream like we never knew possible. And finish it off with the After-Shave lotion for hydration.

Beau Beau reports “it makes shaving an event” and adds “more than a couple notches to the quality ladder” over regular drugstore shaving cream. And with the upcoming holidays, he points out “it is a thoughtful gift.”

So, what do you guys think of some added men’s goodies on Belle Belle for our men?

hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick

My enthusasim boiled over when I tried the newest lipstick from hourglass. Their Opaque Rouge has exceptional staying power and feels (and looks) silky smooth on the lips. I took it for a test run last week. The color stayed even and true through chicken dinner and wine. And when I say it stayed, it stayed just as vibrant as when I first applied it. And all without drying out my lips like some other stains can do.

The formula is infused with skin-conditioning emollients, anti-oxidant fruit extracts, Cili Fruit and Goji Berry, and Vitamins A, C and E, actually hydrate and improve the look of your lips. But it isn’t thick or greasy – the feel is thin (while staying pigmented) and breathable.

The finish is definitely on the matte side, channeling the trends from fall runways like Victoria Beckham, Peter Som and Marc by Marc Jacobs. I found it works best to avoid layering with other balms, and let the color set for one minute. It is available in nine shades.

top row:

  • Ballet (Vibrant Pink)
  • Canvas (Dusty Rose)
  • Edition (Soft Pink)
  • Empress (Aubergine)
  • Icon (Cherry Red)
bottom row:
  • Muse (Coral)
  • Rose (Medium Rose)
  • Raven (Orange Red)
  • Riviera (Tangerine)

Protect & Serve Sun Shield SPF 40 from mybody

myBODY is a new skin care line founded by a makeup artist, the founder of Philosophy and an experienced retail maven. Their pedigree is balanced with a heavy focus on technology, and the scientific focus shines through in their products. The highlight for me is the mySKINTYPE page where you can rank and rate your skin care concerns. myBODY will recommend a kit and additional products just for you.

The product line up features treatments like Calm After the Storm contains innovative skin-calming complex to calm hypersensitive skin, especially after procedures. myHero features ground-breaking anti-aging technologies in one anti-aging product, including exclusive growth factor complex proven to stimulate IGF-1 (Insulin Growth Factor 1). Neck-cessity firms, tightens and brightens the neck area, often overlooked.

One product has already made it into my rotation: their top-selling PROTECT & SERVE Sun Shield, which is actually designed to be used by every skin type. My sensitive skin loved the formula and at the same time. Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide, physically UVA/UVB blockers, tend to play nicer with more sensitive skin than chemical sunscreens, but can sometimes cast a whitish undertone. But both version of Protect and Serve are ultra-light, silky and radiant. The formula is enhanced antioxidants and vitamins, allowing both to work as radiant primers. The tinted version has a silicone base, making a smooth canvas for makeup application.

These products are available at dermotologist offices. You can find your nearest physician here.

Fashion’s Night Out with Bobbi Brown

How am I going to spend this year’s Fashion Night Out? Why, with Bobbi Brown, naturally. And to all those who will be in New York City on September, 6th, join me! Bobbi will be with Leandra Medine, founder of The Man Repeller, one of today’s most influential and fashion-forward sartorial blogs. They will be chatting makeup, beauty and fashion advice and fall trends. And Bobbi’s Beauty Team makeup artists will be on hand providing complimentary makeup applications.

The event will be held at Bobbi Brown’s first ever Cosmetics Pop-Up Shop in Grand Central Terminal. And there you will be able to preview Bobbi’s Red Carpet Creamy Matte Lip Color ($24; otherwise available October 2012.). Only 500 will be released, adorned with a special Fashion’s Night Out insignia. It might just be the perfect fall lip and I cannot wait to get my paws on it.

The details: Grand Central Terminal Lexington Corridor (87 East 42nd Street) on September 6th, 2012 7:00pm – 8:00pm.