Author: Lindsay

One Love Organics

This week, I was lucky enough to try a some of the most valuable players from the One Love Organics line.  The Essentials to Go kit includes: travel sizes of Easy Does It Foaming Cleanser, Brand New Day Microderma Scrub and Masque, Skin Savior Waterless Multi Balm,  My New Best Friend Skin Shammy and a Love Springs Eternal Youth Serum.   I love their philosophy of a select few necessary products that are hand-made and hand-filled, using ethically sourced raw materials.

The true rockstars in this line are the serum and the Balm.  Rachel Zoe has already given her blessing to the skin savior Waterless Multi Balm. The balm is made of cold-pressed plant oils, beeswax and vanilla extract and can be used for cleansing, moisturizing, conditioning, smoothing and massaging. I have been using mine on my hair, cuticles and feet.  I even followed the tips and applied to my dry face, massaged and removed with the included shammy.  Not bad but I did miss that foamy clean feeling.  But the balm is a wonderful summer tool for heels, hair and hands.

The love springs eternal Youth Preservation Serum has a pleasant herbal smell, likely due to the natural goodness ingredients.  It reminds me of Tammy Fender products for those who are familiar.  The serum includes: watermelon seed oil, Bulgarian Rose Oil and D’Orientine S. D’Orientine S is a plant-derived ingredient extracted from the date-palm kernel.  It has been clinically proven to prevent wrinkles and fight free radicals (source: http://www.lotioncrafter.com).  This serum is hydrating but not too oily.

One Love Organics is a beautiful line with honest, organic products.  Thrilled to have it in my routine.

Kate Somerville® ‘Clinic-to-Go™’ Resurfacing Peel Pads

If you are ready to stop messing around and really have your way with your skin, try this. These Resurfacing Peel Pads are a professional-strength peel achieved through 16 individual pads.

My skin can be dry and sensitive, so a couple months ago I turned to these as an alternative to a regular, in-office peel.  The worker-bee ingredient is lactic acid (along with myrtle extract and sage leaf extract).  It is applied through these really handy pads that slide over your fingers.  To apply, buff your face with these slightly exfoliating pads.  There can be a little tingle but nothing that stings or irritates.

Kate (we are on a first name basis) instructs you to use twice a week for 4 weeks.  But even after the first three or four uses, I found my dark spots were fading and my pores looked smaller.  I was only slightly red after use.  But was back to normal in an hour.  Plus, this wasn’t an issue since I did this in the evenings.

A lot of my benefits have disappeared with being in the sun this summer.  But I know exactly what to turn to in the Fall to improve the appearance of my skin without a trip to my doctor’s for a peel.

Cover FX Setting FX Translucent Setting Powder

While I am not usually a powder girl, some makeup control is necessary in my hot, sticky, Texas Summer.  But I was looking for something that didn’t create an artificial matte look because I like to rock some “dew”.  Good thing I came across sweet Melissa at CoverFX who introduced me to Translucent Setting Powder in Dark. 

I am relatively fair so I was a bit taken aback when I saw the darkness of the powder. But I gave it a chance. So when you see it in person DO NOT ABORT. I repeat DO NOT ABORT.  Even though it appeared dark, it comes off as a great shade for me in the summer. 

It appears on the skin with a sheer dose of natural and sunkissed color. It isn’t a bronzer as the color intensity isn’t strong enough for that effect.  But it simply adds a “summer radiance” or glow.  I blend all over with my Le Metier de Beaute Kabuki brush. The powder also comes in Translucent for those who want to shy away from color.  This would also work great in the winter.

MAC Cleanse Off Oil

This was an adventure for me – I am new to MAC skin care and really have never embraced the oil on the face approach.  But at The Makeup Show this year, the MAC counter was aflutter for requests and raving reviews were being thrown around.  So a snatched some oil up for myself.

For $10, you a 1oz bottle (which has lasted me forever!) of industry-strength oil-based makeup remover.  Unlike the regular Almay pads, the oil isn’t greasy or difficult to handle. If anything, it is like kindness to the skin. 

The oil is a blend including olive, evening primrose and jojoba seed – there is ZERO mineral-oil (which I like to hear).  I use this on a tissue, but it would also work on a cotton pad.  But I am working on adopting the artists’ approach: massage onto the skin to loosen and remove any (including waterproof mascara).

One of the reasons it doesn’t become greasy is that it emulsifies into a lotion-type liquid with water.  So, you are actually left with soft and conditioned skin. Don’t worry if you are oily – this is good for all skin types.  But I especially like it for my “dry in the winter” sensitive skin.

Cle de Peau Beaute Refreshing Cleansing Foam

There are few products that I have loved over the span of years.  This is one of em.  Decided it was time to share my precious cleanser with you all.  My dear friend and former makeup artist, Meg, introduced me to this ultra-lux, worth every penny, creamy, foaming goodness. 

This contains a substantial foaming capability, but not so much that you can’t use it with a Clarisonic – I certainly use them together.  There are some “gentle granules” in the foam, but I don’t even notice them.  Not sure if they are super sparse or dissolve. And I never see them clinging around the Clarisonic after a wash.  The cleanser leaves an ultra-clean feel, polished, but not tight.  I adore the coverage the generous foam generates, while not having to worry I will be dried-out.  I can get plenty of cleansing action from a dime sized amount of the cleanser.

Bonus: it contains something they call an “Illuminating Complex” that maintains moisture.  While I still use a dose of my favorite Chantecaille Flower Harmonizing Cream after, the cleanser itself gives some moisture and radiance. If you want to spoil yourself (and your face), you won’t regret this charmer.

Stila Prime Pot Waterproof Eye Shadow Primer

Ever want something that can make eyeshadow stick and withstand summer heat? And, to boot, no creases? My new, little Prime Pot is just what the doctor ordered.  Right now, I am using this for a clean and neutral look that can withstand the pool and sweat.  Over the last couple of days, it is also come in handy for a more awake look (crucial while battling this obnoxious cold).  Expect a matte look that covers imperfections.  I am fair and the Tawny matches my red-undertoned complexion.  Carmel would work with deeper complexion and a more olive undertone.  Stila claims the formula “sticks” to eyeshadow and keeps it from creasing and facilitates easy blending.  It lives up to these claims.  But right now, my favorite look is the smudge pot just on its own.  The product is dry (hence the matte look), but I have no problem blending it with my finger and adjusting coverage.  It isn’t a powder, but it’s not the creamiest of creams.  Definitely a new summer staple for me.