Author: Lindsay

Brand Spotlight: basq skin care

Even though I am not a mom, I can appreciate a brand grown out of skincare for expecting and new moms. Brands like this put my mind at ease knowing that they are gentle and free of harmful ingredients. All basq products are chemical, paraben and phthalate free and not tested on animals. And note that all basq products are rigorously tested for no skin allergy and irritancy. Not to mention they are backed by some major celebrity fans including Heidi Klum, Molly Simms, Jamie Lynn Sigler and Poppy Montgomery.

As the brand evolved, their products expanded to appeal to women in all their stages from pregnancy to weight loss to mature skin. The premise is keeping skin looking polished and young. While I haven’t tried the skincare, I have had a chance to check out some of their goodies for the bod. While gentle, they also are infused with aromatherapy. Ingredients include nutrient rich oils and plant extracts to strengthen and rebuild skin.

One of their most popular product lines is focused on treating stretch marks ranging from prevention to repair. The two products I have been testing out are part of this group. First, Citrus Sugar Body Polish is known as the first step in fighting a repairing stretch marks. Exfoliation literally pushes damaged skin up and out. The gentle sugar granules remove dull, dry skin and reveal renewed skin underneath. Essential oils like Rosehip, Grapeseed, Wheat Germ and Hazelnut work to nourish and improve skin, leaving it hyrdated and radiant.

The citrus scent – Neroli (Orange Blossom) – is fairly mild and the exfoliation action works well with my redness-prone and sensitive skin, probably thanks to the oils. Skin is left prepped for other treatments, particularly the rich moisturizers I am using in this frigid and dry weather. The basq Resilient Body Toning & Hydrating Oil has been high in the recent rotation. Touted as even more effective than lotions, this stuff is packed with oils much like the scrub: Hazelnut, Sweet Almond, Wheat Germ, Grapeseed, Rosehip, and Eucalyptus oils, along with Vitamin E.

These oils and vitamin E can strength skin in ways that lotions can’t. They protect skin while it is stretching during pregnancy, preventing marks. And even those who aren’t will love the amped up hydration that I have come to love. My main peeve with oils is sometimes they can leave skin greasy. Not this one… it absorbs easily and there is no sticky residue you can so often find with creams and lotions.

Available at BeautyBridge.com and basqnyc.com. Right now at BeautyBridge.com, get a FREE basq Citrus Sugar Exfoliating Body Polish 4 oz. with $75 or more of basq Purchase.

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE MAY HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

March’s Oklahoma Magazine

I’m with nine other fabulous bloggers on MegBiram.com sharing our winter beauty must haves. Don’t miss the post here. And check out my column in Oklahoma Magazine’s March issue and don’t miss the full issue here!

POPSUGAR Now!

Today I have a little news flash for all you guys – get ready for some more sugar in your lives! POPSUGAR is airing POPSUGAR Now Weeknights 6/5c on TVGN. And don’t miss a chance to win $100 to Amazon All This Week on POPSUGAR Now! Every day, POPSUGAR posts a question of the day on our show. Pay attention to the show for the answer, and once you know it, tweet it to @POPSUGAR using the #POPSUGARNow hashtag. Here’s a little preview:

Check below to find your TVGN channel:

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by POPSUGAR. While I was compensated to write a post about POPSUGAR NOW, all opinions are my own.

February Favorites

Where did this month go? I feel like everyone is saying the same thing. While February had some up and downs, it was basically awesome. I love my new apartment down the hall from my old place. I really look forward to showing it off here on the blog. My view out to the west has some great sunsets. We are bracing ourselves for one (hopefully last?) winter blast this weekend, so will be a great time to stay cozy and organize. Happy weekend to you all and to celebrate a couple sales and my favorites from around the web over the last four weeks. Happy March!

Friends and Family at Saks OFF 5TH means 60% off! And now an extra 30% with no code necessary.

40% off your purchase at Banana Republic with code BRTUNEIN through tomorrow.

Real Deal Sale at Neiman Marcus means 40%-65% off regularly priced items through tomorrow.

50%-90% off everthing at the BaubleBar Sample Sale – use the code SAMPLESALE to get a $25 gift card when you spend $100.

Save up to 80% on Fall and Winter designer fashions for women and men at yoox.com.

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Shiseido Shimmering Cream Eye Color

For Spring, Shiseido added eight new shades to their Shiseido Shimmering Cream Eye Color lineup. These candy colored shades were lovely to look at but a little intimidating to apply. The exception is Yuba, a warm yellow gold, that I have been reaching for as an eyeshadow base for weeks. Esmaralda (a striking teal) and Konpeito (a golden rosy red) sat untested on my bathroom counter. But that’s not the end of the story…

First, a little about the texture of these gems. Previously, I had only really fallen for drugstore cream shadows. But this luxury version delights with their lightweight texture and elegant finish. The luminous pigments look natural, not glittery. And their staying power blows the budget versions out of the water.

Back to the neglected pots of bold shadow. While ~~perusing~~ devouring the latest Allure Magazine, I came across an article about rose eyelids. I ran immediately to my makeup and grabbed Konpeito. Using my fingers, I blended a wash of color from crease to lash. And I’ll be darned if it wasn’t the prettiest, softest feminine look. Then, inspired by my boldness, I grabbed Esmaralda and discovered a much more opaque shade. While I wouldn’t rock this on a daily basis, the bold teal made for a fresh and inspired eye.

Shades from top to bottom: Yuba (BE217), Konpeito (RS318) and Esmaralda (BL620).

Available at Shiseido.com and Saks Fifth Avenue.

NARS Pro-Prime Instant Line & Pore Perfector

Okay, winter. We get it. You aren’t going anywhere soon. But instead of a beautiful white wonderland these days, you insist on being cold and dry, dry, dry. We all know the joys of dehydrated skin. And one of the most charming side effects? Dry skin loves to show off fine lines and wrinkles even more than usual!

I’ve noticed my concealer and foundation settling in the fine lines under and around my eyes. When my skin is moisturized, plumper skin usually prevents this from happening. But thanks to my poor water drinking habits and frigid air, I can’t seem to prevent those pesky lines from showing up. At least that was the case until NARS Pro-Prime Instant Line & Pore Perfector landed on my desk.

This stick is packed with a lightweight primer that smooths and preps skin. Skin is plumped thanks to hyaluronic acid so concealer and foundation go on smooth. Spherical Line Smoothing Powder adds a matte finish and brightens dark areas within wrinkles and under eyes. Thankfully, I don’t suffer from large pores, but this primer promises to diminish their appearance as well.

I swipe under my eyes and between my eyebrows and then lightly press into my skin with my fingers. Don’t worry about a greasy, slippery feel. Skin feels hydrated and smooth with a natural finish. And vitamins A, C and E will improve the look of skin and provide antioxidant protection.

Available at NARSCosmetics.com and Sephora.