Author: Lindsay

Laura Mercier Face Polish

I am generally hesitant to use anything with beads to exfoliate my face, but Laura Mercier has come up with a VERY gentle cleanser/exfoliator that leaves smooth, even skin. This is one of mom’s favorites and she always finds the gems. Face Polish is a creamy scrub that you can also use as a cleanser (I use mine a couple times a week). It also removes dead skin cells with microbeads while emollients soften skin. The smell is very clean and pleasant, and the cleanser is also enough for me to remove my makeup. I don’t feel dry or agitated afterwards. This is an especially nice treat when I get off a long airplane trip. Who knew Laura Mercier was more than just a pretty face, but also had kick-butt skin care too?

MAC Lustre Drops

Don’t be intimidated by this little bottle of liquid sun. I LOVE this to brighten your look on a summer day. There are so many different ways you can use it, but I have been mixing it with tinted moisturizer for an all-over glowing look. At first, I was afraid of using too much. But it really is almost fool proof. A couple of drops is easy to manage and blends really well. It adds a glow but still is fairly sheer and natural-looking. Bonus: don’t worry about breakouts because it is water-based. It also works great with lotion on the legs or shoulders for a sheen if you are dried out by the heat. It comes in Sun Rush and Pink Rebel. I have the Pink Rebel because the Sun Rush looked a little artificial and orange on me. I think if you have more olive to your skin, it could work well, but with my natural redness the Pink Rebel is better. And the itty, bitty bottle lasts forever and is still a sinch to travel with.

Xen-Tan® ‘Deep Bronze Luxe’ Premium Sunless Tan

Okay. I’ve made my point. I am over my pale skin. I need a shot of color desperately. I remembered my self-tanner from last summer and rescued it from under the sink this weekend. I had forgotten how lovely the color is from Xen-Tan ‘Deep Bronze Luxe’. Over night, my legs and arms were gently tanned – not too brown and not too orange – a pretty olive undertone. There was zero streaking. The color of the tanner out of the tube can be a little shocking – a dark muddy green. But it blends in sheer. And I actually like the fact there is some color to the cream because you are aware of where it is applied. It also contains shea butter, Vitamin E, green tea and antioxidants to smooth and hydrate. And for the more adventurous of you, I also use this on my face. Downside: my foundation no longer matches. Upside: I don’t really feel like I need foundation! But here is the most important thing: make sure you get a tube with “Fresh Vanilla Scent”. It is really subtle and quite lovely. I have another tube of the same tanner without the scent and it smells terrible. Happy Tanning!

AHAVA Dermud Enriched Intensive Foot Cream

Once again, my beloved @birchbox has addicted me to a product. Now, I never was a “foot cream” person. But when I started my company, I cut back on my weekly (yes, weekly) mani/pedi. And my feet noticed. Some tender, loving care was in order. Now that I have added the AHAVA Dermud Enriched Intensive Foot Cream to my nightly routine, my feet look (and actually feel) much better. According to Birchbox, the cream contains a mineral complex and Dead Sea mud to cure rough and callused soles. The scent is a bit strong, and not 100% floral, but actually quite pleasing. And it doesn’t stick around. I have started wearing socks, however unattractive, after application. And I do think it is absorbed even better. My feet will never be pretty, but at least I can wear my new flat Prada sandals without embarrassment now.

YSL Dessin du Regard Long-Lasting Waterproof Eye Pencil

A pencil that looks like liquid? I am in! I have two colors of this powerhouse liner and have been really pleased, especially on these hot summer days. What really shines about this product are the colors. I always love a deeply inky black, but have fallen hard for the Ultramarine. Although they call it aqua, I think it has a hint of navy or true blue. It really does look neutral on my eyes, but just adds that slight bit of unexpected. In some ways, it adds a subtle sparkle and shimmer.

Because these are such soft pencils, all it takes for a beautiful application is a quick sketch of a line. The application does mimic liquid, with a deep, very pigmented look. However, you can’t get that really fine line that is possible with a liquid eyeliner, so don’t recommend it for lower lids because it ends up looking rather thick (unless you are up for a deeply smokey eye). I think the staying power is great. I do find some migration below my eye on those really long nights, but for a pigment, I think its worth the trade off.

1 Black Ink (inky black)
2 Patent Leather (deep brown)
3 Ultramarine (fresh aqua blue)
5 Shimmering Burgundy (plum brown)
6 Amazon Green (rich blue green)

Erno Laszlo TranspHuse Night Serum

I have always been intrigued with the romance and tradition of Erno Laszlo and the iconic cleansing bar. I was so happy to find the Erno Laszlo TranspHuse Night Serum in my most recent Birchbox. After just a taste, I had to try it on an ongoing basis. Although hyperpigmentation and occasional acne is a bigger concern for me, it can’t hurt to fight some wrinkles too. The formula is designed to plump fine lines and prevent further wrinkles using Glycosaminoglycan to promote collagen production. While it is a creamier serum, it wasn’t hydrating (at least enough for me) so I used it with my beloved Chantecaille Flower Harmonizing Cream. Wow – what an impressive and, rather immediate, result. The mornings after use, my skin was smooth, supple and even more even. This is a serious splurge, but I can see the rewards of its active ingredients. It makes me want to try that iconic cleansing bar soon.