Author: Lindsay

NARS Cosmetics Monoï Body Glow II

Since I am fully embracing my pale skin, I haven’t even really gotten into self tanners this summer. But I do crave that summer scent. I am so happy NARS came out with a version of their Monoï Body Glow without tint. Honestly, I was afraid I would be too clumsy with the original, dark tan version and get it everywhere, so version II with just oil at least minimizes the impact of my klutziness. The effect is stunning – truly a glow that is only slightly fragrant. You won’t need perfume if you use this oil at the end or right after your shower. The fragrance is neither coconut or vanilla, but stems from the Tiare flower (Tahitian gardenia). It doesn’t have an overly floral note. So charming that in each bottle is an original Tiare flower. The downside is it lacks a dispenser, so be careful when you are pouring. I like to do it right after I finish my shower and pour a bit on each arm and leg and rub in.

PANGEA ORGANICS Lip Balm

You won’t find me without Lip Balm and now you won’t find me without: THE BALM. I admit, I have every variation:

Pyrenees Lavender With Cardamom
Italian Red Mandarin With Rose
Egyptian Fennel With Grapefruit & Sweet Orange

They sound exotic (and a bit frightening) but the scent is tame. I love that each scent comes with a description of its qualities:

Pyrenees Lavender With Cardamom: healing, calming, antioxidant, reviving
Italian Red Mandarin With Rose: soothing, vitamin-rich, hydrating and protecting
Egyptian Fennel With Grapefruit & Sweet Orange: antioxidant, euphoric, soothing, vitamin-rich

I keep the Egyptian by my desk, the Italian in my kitchen and Pyrenees by my bed. It, honestly, does not have a waxy texture, but does feature bees-wax. I can attest to the absorption of the ingredients, as my lips have improved in dryness. And such a bonus it is organic.

CHANEL Levres Scintillantes Glossimer

I just cannot get onto this bandwagon. I know they are iconic and adored, but I find the wear of these glosses, well, annoying. First, they are too frosty for me. I prefer a gloss that highlights the lips and looks more authentic. The shine is really sticky and there is no way I could wear my long hair down – one little breeze and half my hear would be stuck to my lips. This is probably due to the advertised gel texture. Honestly, the Revlon glosses are much better, in my opinion, and at a much more palatable price point!

M·A·C ‘Haute & Naughty Lash’ Mascara

The M·A·C ‘Haute & Naughty Lash’ Mascara creates two different styles of flawless lashes without breaking the bank or irritating my skin. You can choose between natural looking lashes or full-on drama. If you unscrew the pink cap, the effect is natural with no clumps. If you unscrew the purple cap, expect a highly dramatic lash look. This mascara is not waterproof, but water resistant – if you shed a few tears you aren’t going to have a full makeup melt down, but a day in the pool guarantees some bleeding of the color. But don’t expect a super easy removal – this stuff stays on! The only other downside, is it is only available in black. ($18)

Thanks to Sarah, a budding beauty blogger herself, for reporting her findings on her new favorite mascara. Stay posted for updates on her new blog.

Margarite Cosmetics Zinc Cream

I probably haven’t been this excited or enthusiastic about a product in a long time. And bonus that you can find it for under $10. My facialist recommended using this as spot treatment on my occasional cystic acne on my chin. But it can also be used to treat redness or irritation. It contains zinc and sulfur and has the consistency of a pasty cream. I know it doesn’t sound that appealing but this stuff is magical! I also used this on redness on my nose and a scrape on my knee. Healing was accelerated and my blemish has improved dramatically. The tint also made my complexion look even, albeit a little matte where I used it for spot treatment. Don’t worry about the smell – it is very subtle. This will have a permanent place in my arsenal for great skin.

Weleda Wild Rose Smoothing Facial Lotion

For my first foray into the Weleda line of skin care, the First Lines collection seemed perfect for my early thirties complexion. The lotion is designed to soften fine lines and revitalize the skin. I appreciate the organic ingredients, especially the antioxidants, but was a little worried jojoba seed oil – my skin doesn’t always play nice. I was just very slightly irritated with the strong fragrance and oil, but my real compliant was the “quickly absorbing” quality made my face feel tight. The scent was far from delicate and if you are not crazy about roses, stay away.