Author: Lindsay

Drugstore MVPs

Fall trends are quickly approaching and there is no better way to try on a trend than your drugstore beauty aisle. For the autumn months, I am liking a natural, healthy-looking face with a bold lip. After months of wearing a bun in this hot weather, I am excited to stretch a blow out for a couple days – finally possible without the excessive heat. And for weekends, I love a super hydrated nude lip. Don’t forget to reassess your skin care and make sure you rotate out those more drying items.

1. Aveeno Ultra Calming Makeup Removing Wipes are the perfect “too tired to wash my face” cheat. I love how gentle these are on my drier skin. Literally, you have no excuse for going to bed with makeup on.

2. L’Oreal Colour Riche Balm in Caring Coral is another version of the lipstick/balm hybrids. This is a little thicker than the Revlon Color Burst Lip Butter, with better staying power.

3. Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk was the first dry shampoo I ever tried. It might even be the best. While it does have a white coloring, it absorbs well and works even on my dark brown hair.

4. Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Lipstick has to be one of the coolest celebrity/beauty collaborations. Leave it to Kate Moss to create classic colors that look polished but utterly fashionable. They aren’t drying and stand the test of time (literally and figuratively).

5. Rosebud Perfume Co. Smith’s Rosebud Salve is always at my desk (I also like the mint variety). It is super hydrating – a must to prep for the vampy shades that will be popular this fall.

6. Maybelline Dream Fresh BB 8-in-1 Beauty Balm Skin Perfector SPF 30, not to be confused with a foundation, is a ultra-light tinted foundation that has a radiance. It feels like you have nothing at all on, but it magically evens skin.

Note: I received the Aveeno Ultra Calming Makeup Removing Wipes as a Klout perk. All other items I purchased myself. 

Laura Mercier Ovarian Cancer Fund

September is officially Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and also the launch of the Laura Mercier Ovarian Cancer Fund. And it is always a no-brainer – support a brand and cause that is important by buying new makeup! All September, Laura Mercier will donate 100 percent of the profits from the sale of two products – Bonne Mine Healthy Glow for Face & Cheeks Crème Colour Palette and Rose Hope Lip Glacé – to the Fund.

Join me in supporting Laura Mercier. The lip glace is a rosy, shiny gloss that I love alone but would also worked layered for depth of color. I am already smitten with the palette – super portable bronzers and blush that blend beautifully. These are a go-to for me for creating a natural, sunkissed, look. Use your fingertips to apply Bronzer Veil over areas where the sun naturally hits, like cheeks, nose, browbone, forehead and chin. Use your fingertips to blend Cheek Veil over the apples of your cheeks. You can apply either shade alone, or blend both shades together for a custom color. Use your fingertips to blend Glow Veil over the high points of your face – cheekbones, center of nose, browbone, cupid’s bow and top of forehead.

Both Laura and her President and CEO, Claudia Poccia, have been personally touched by the disease – Laura through a dear friend, and Claudia through her sister. Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death among gynecological cancers in the United States, and the fifth leading cause of cancer death among American women. The mission of the fund is to raise awareness and fund research and educational efforts that will help diagnose, treat and support women with ovarian cancer.

SK-II ‘Facial Treatment’ Essence

The true center piece of the luxury skin care line, SK-II, is the SK-II ‘Facial Treatment’ Essence. Much more than just a product, this is actually a ritual. I’ve been dying to try this line for years. And I am thrilled to report, this lives up to the hype. After a couple weeks of use, my redness was moderated and my skin looks more even. The immediate effects are a refreshing and soothing and it amplifies hydration.

The formula helps stimulate the natural renewal process of the skin’s outer layer through a specific application process. Put a few drops in the palms of your hands. Press your hands together and then press it into your face. (in Asia they do it 100 times, I generally make it to about 20). Don’t miss your neck and décolleté. I take what is left and use it on the back of my hands.

The key to the essence’s efficacy is that it contains over 90% pure Pitera. Pitera was discovered in the 1970’s when a group of sake brewers in Japan were discovered to have ageless hands. The yeast they worked with had tremendous anti-aging properties. The scientists isolated the unique yeast strain to derive this source of vitamins, amino acids and minerals. There is a reason SK-II ‘Facial Treatment’ Essence has been a cult product for decades – a scientifically rooted formula with proven results. And there is something calming about a little “ritual” in my skin care routine.

Some other SK-II favorites:

Viviscal Report #2

Average hair growth is about 6 inches per year or 1/2 inch per month. When I measured my strands for this second Viviscal update, I couldn’t believe my eyes. I had to remeasure and remeasure. Until, I finally realized: yes, my hair did grow an inch and a half. 1.5 inches. In a month. When I (repeatedly) measured at the cowlick, my hair is 14 inches long (compared to 12.5 inches on July 30th).

This drug-free formula sped up my hair growth approximately three-fold. I assume some parts of the year, hair grows faster. But even adjusting for seasonality, this is impressive results.

My hair is slightly more oily, a somewhat expected side effect. There is a component of fish oil in the supplements. But this is something I am happy to exchange for fuller, healthier locks. Actually, the change in moisture actually tamed frizz – that and my new favorite hair oil.

I’ve also heard that users find their body hair grows faster. I cannot attest to this as I am a huge fan of laser hair removal. But I could swear my lashes and brows are fuller and longer.

I’ll check back in after month two of my trial! For more details on Viviscal, check out my first post here.

bareMinerals ‘Stroke of Light’ Eye Brightener

Do you ever wish there was a happy medium between cake-y concealer and a luminizer? Well, may I present the bareMinerals ‘Stroke of Light’ Eye Brightener. This formula has light to medium buildable coverage and also adds luminescence. The brightener conceals fine lines and reduces dark circles. The tint especially comes in handy to make a tired face look refreshed and even.

The light formula blends beautifully. And the four shades cover a wide range of complextions. I like luminous 2 (Yellow/Light) to counter the redness in my skin. I use it below and in the corner of my eyes. Any leftovers on my finger goes down my nose, on the brow bone and on my cheek bones. Those days I need a little more coverage, it layers perfectly over a heavier concealer.

I’ve been so impressed with recent bareMinerals launches. The have expanded their mineral foundation empire to cover a range of needs. Formulas are exceptional across the board. Check out some other favorites below:

Kate Somerville DermalQuench Liquid Lift Treatment GIVEAWAY!

You know those products that work just so darn well? I like to call them Holy Grail products and Kate Somerville DermalQuench Liquid Lift Advanced Wrinkle Treatment is one of them. So naturally, I have to share it with you, my beloved readers. I teamed up with Kate Somerville to give three full size DermalQuench Liquid Lift Treatments away.

Basically, Kate packaged her cult-status 60 minute “DermalQuench Oxygen Treatment” into a bottle. The treatment uses oxygen and Hyaluronic Acid to plump skin with wickedly quick results. Check out my full review here. And if you just can’t stand the suspense, I encourage you to head over to Sephora to pick one up stat.

Enter using the widget below and good luck! Open to residents in the US and Canada.

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