Author: Lindsay

Benefit Hervana Face Powder Flash Sale!

I adore Benefit Cosmetics face powders – reminds me of my San Francisco days and their cheeky names make me smile. Benefit Hervana Face Powder is the newest edition – a swirl of lucky shell, divine peach, heavenly rose and berry delight.

Benefit Hervana Face Powder will be coming soon in January, BUT you can get yours early:  Online only flash here TODAY. Don’t forget to use code “Hervana” at checkout for a free total moisture mini.

The offer is good Monday, December 5th from 12:00 am-11:59 pm, PST only.

LAVANILA

I know I sound like a pre-teen girl, but I ADORE vanilla scents. There is something so comforting about that warm, spicy smell. Because I know they are so personal, I try to make it a rule not to recommend perfumes. But just in case some of you out there love vanilla just as much as me, I wanted to mention LAVANILA.

LAVANILA was created by Danielle Raynor and Laura DiGirolamo, both beauty industry veterans. Their goal was to create fragrances that were healthy, natural and skin-friendly. They selected vanilla as their anchor for its warm and natural qualities. LAVANILA, Madagascar’s native word for the ingredient, was adopted as the company’s name. Traditional beauty products contain fragrances formulated with ingredients that can irritate skin and aggravate senses. Because your skin absorbs up to 60 percent of what is applied, LAVANILA set out to create formulas from 100% organic and natural ingredients, free from harsh chemicals.

The couple of scents I have sampled are definitely not sweet. As they say on their website, this is more “vanilla bean” than “vanilla cookie”. The collections include:

  • Pure Vanilla Collection: Known to the LAVANILA creators as the “Perfect Vanilla,” this is their standard scent. Blending the freshness of Madagascar vanilla with warm patchouli and pure Tonka bean, the combination is soothing and sweet for both your skin and senses.
  • Vanilla Grapefruit Collection: This citrus scent uplifts and refreshes with hints of grapefruit and lime. Blended with rich Madagascar vanilla, this unique, crisp fragrance is accented with warm cedarwood for a comforting aroma.
  • Vanilla Coconut Collection: Young coconut, Tahitian white flowers, and Madagascar vanilla bean create an indulgent aroma in this collection. Feel like you’ve bee transported to an exotic island with this rich, tropical fragrance.
  • Vanilla Lavender Collection: For a feeling of tranquility and serenity, embrace this rich vanilla and lavender mixture. Spanish lavender, rose absolute, violet leaf, and Madagascar vanilla combine to create a rich, all-natural fragrance.

Vanilla Blossom, Vanilla Blackberry and Vanilla Passion Fruit are also available on lavanila.com.

The brand also carries lip butter, body wash, deodorant and a baby-friendly collection. And I love the Mini Roller Ball Set as a stocking stuffer.

Super by Dr. Nicholas Perricone Brightening Activator

Dr. Nicholas Perricone recently launched a second line of skin care based on the power of super foods to aid in aging and general appearance of the skin. I can get on board with this concept. I do, after all, look better when I eat right. And the packaging on these cheerful products were like candy. I couldn’t resist.

I picked up the Brightening Activator that promises to exfoliate, saturate, and activate the complexion while toning the skin. While it is marketed as a supercharged liquid, it feels very watery to me. It does add that second step of cleanliness, like any other toner. But I am not sure it was revolutionary in “prepping” the skin. That being said, it isn’t designed to strip so it played nicely with my sensitive skin. I had zero irritation even though it does contain: carotenoids, ferulic acid, lactic acid, and phytic acids.  I couldn’t detect any exfoliation, but I did feel somewhat hydrated. And my skin care that came after the toner went on really well.

Bottom line: I am not sure this is an active ingredient that will, on its own, improve the appearance of the skin. But those who have dry and uneven skin might like the mild exfoliation. I love the pump dispenser, but I am not too crazy about the mango scent.

Miracle Skin™ Transformer Body SPF 20

Unfortunately, I have loads of redness in my skin.  And I suffer from Keratosis pilaris, a VERY common skin condition in which a protein in the skin called keratin forms hard plugs within hair follicles. This appears as red, bumpy skin, usually on the back of your arms. So, I was thrilled to find this one-step skin enhancer that doesn’t necessarily cover skin imperfections but evens them out. Plus, it contains a UVA/UVB SPF 20.

I know this will be a life saver in the summer. But it has already come in pretty handy. For these holiday party cocktail dresses, there is no shortage of bare skin. I have used the Miracle Skin on my arms and legs. It gives legs an even and glowing appearance which actually makes you look longer and leaner. As the eye travels, it isn’t distracted by unevenness and imperfection. And I don’t care how much people tell me they are in fashion again – I just won’t do nude hose.

Miracle Skin Transformer is definitely a workhorse with SPF 20 and antioxidants. The finish is hydrated but mostly matte. This is achieved with a naturally derived silicone formulation that improves skin texture, minimizes fine lines and pores, and reduces pigmentation spots over time. It also uses the M3 Complex to deliver Vitamin A, K, E, and enzyme Q10 for long-term improvement of skin texture. While I would love to say I use this regularly, I generally save it for special occasions, so I can’t speak to long term benefits.

I have the middle shade, Glow Enhancer, which is just enough coverage for my natural skin tone with a slight shimmer and increased depth of color. It is also available in Sheer Enhancer (lighter) and Bronze Enhancer (darker). Swatches from Sephora below:

The middle shade can be a little messy, especially if you are wearing black. So beware if you are wearing tight fitting clothes.  But it did beautifully with my short, black cocktail dress with no transfer.

As a side note, Miracle Skin Transform founder, Sarah McNamara, is a corporate beauty vetaran. She launched her products largely on the foundation of social media – very cool. She also believes that “consumers are choosing to buy less in order to buy better, reflecting a desire for products that possess greater meaning in their lives.” She understands that beauty consumers are savvier than ever, and I know that is something all of us are thrilled to hear.

 

Le Metier de Beaute Fall/Winter Mini Nail Lacquer in Dynasty

Tis’ the season for a festive red and there isn’t one quite as perfect as Le Metier de Beaute Fall/Winter Mini Nail Lacquer in Dynasty. The shade was part of the limited edition nail lacquer collection for Fall/Winter 2011 and is still available in stores. The collection was inspired by  jewels, spices and luxurious fabrics traveled along the Silk Road, just like the accompanying Fall/Winter Kaleidoscope Eye Kit. What color are you rocking for the holiday season?