Category: bath and body

Mother’s Day Beauty Gifts on FOX23’s Great Day Green Country

Well, I know many of you are beauty junkies but do you have a Mother who shares your passion? I’ll be on FOX23’s Great Day Green Country again this morning chatting all about Mother’s Day Beauty Gift ideas that will thrill the one who fostered your very own love of makeup and skincare:

First up is the new fragrance from Sofia Vergara, Sofia. This is especially perfect if your mother is also a celebrity fan. Sofia channeled her home country’s (Columbia) native gem, the emerald, in designing the bottle for an elegant and angular vessel. The juicy scent is wearable with notes of blackberry, Colombian rose, orchid, earthy woods and vanilla.

I know it sounds trivial, but my personal belief is a luxe lip balm is something you can savor and enjoy multiple times a day. One of my favorites, By Terry Baume de Rose, is celebrating its 10 year anniversary. To celebrate, Terry de Gunzburg has designed a new limited-edition jar of the classic Baume de Rose included in a set along with the gloss form. Usually not a rose scent fan, I actually love this creamy but not sticky formula. I keep it by my bed and use it on my cuticles as well!

You probably have been under a rock if you haven’t heard of Urban Decay NAKED eyeshadow palettes. The third edition, Urban Decay NAKED 3 Eyeshadow Palette, hit shelves a couple months ago but still thrills. I finally took the plunge and picked this up at Sephora’s Friends and Family. And I am smitten. These nudes can accomplish virtually any look. The handy packaging which includes a dual sided brush is perfect for the mother on-the-go.

Okay, I know it sounds a little weird to give your mother a foundation. But this breakthrough formula is so exciting that any beauty junkie would love to have it on their vanity. bareMinerals Bareskin Pure Brightening Serum Foundation is both a tone-correcting liquid mineral foundation and a skincare serum in one. The ultra-thin texture actually has fabulous coverage. Splurge on accompanying Bareskin Perfecting Face Brush because it is shaped with a special well where you can drop the foundation and then buff into skin. I literally need one drop for a full face of light coverage – two drops for more medium to full coverage. Lilac plant stem cells work over time for a brighter, youthful appearance. Fragrance, water, silicone and oil-free.

Now for the mother who needs a little relaxation. Aveda’s newest collection might just be one of my favorites. The Aveda stress-fix formula contains lavender, organic clary sage and lavindin (a hybrid of true and spike lavender). The effect isn’t cloying or overwhelming but rather balanced and soothing. My favorite is the body cream which moisturizes with sustainably harvested sea algae, doesn’t leave skin greasy and honestly alleviates any feelings of stress.

For the mother who loves unique and elegant at the same time, Mai Couture has packaged makeup in paper form that is so exotically stunning. I honestly love all their products, but the Femme Forever Gift Set is a great way to discover these specialized products. The bronzing paper offers a mattifying effect along with a glow. For the blushing papers, just rub the sheet on apples of cheeks. The blotting paper delivers vitamin C and E while eliminating excess oil. And gloss gives lipstick a boost in color and hydration. Or pass along to her the Mai Couture Glow-Geous Trio with the 2-1 Bronzer/Blotting papers, Highlighter and Blush – all you could ever need!

stay tuned for the segment – i will post as soon as it is available online or tune in here locally at 10AM!

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Caldrea Essential Collection

On a budget but need to add some beauty to your bathroom? Look no further than Caldrea Essential Collection which is now exclusively created for and sold at Target. The new Essential Collection is their first foray into personal care and consists of five products that are budget but certainly don’t feel budget.

Body Oil, Body Lotion, Body Wash, Hand Balm and Exfoliating Scrub (all under $13) come in three fragrances:

Apple Mint contains Spearhmint and Cedarwood and smelled almost holiday to me – expect a good dose of autumnal apple
Ginger Honey (probably my favorite) has a spiciness to it that was really uplifiting
Mango Lily isn’t overly mango-y (a positive in my book) and I love the hint of vanilla

The body oil is (not a surprise here) my favorite. If you are new to the blog, you should know that I love love love body oils. The dispenser is perfect, the oil absorbs quickly and my skin is soft and hydrated. The body wash doesn’t leave behind much of a scent but is pleasant and doesn’t strip skin. The lotion absorbs quickly and comes in a giant container – perfect for keeping on your office desk. I can’t wait to get my hands on the exfoliating scrub and hand balm!

Bottom line: these body products have the scent and quality of a much more expensive and sophisticated collection! They are also free of parabens, phthalates, sulfates and DEA and are not tested on animals.

Tweezerman Ultra Precision Slant Tweezer and Cuticle Nipper

You know you are a beauty junkie when you start turning to the gold standard, even when it comes to tools. My tool addiction all started with this classic brush. Now, Tweezerman is really spoiling me. The Ultra Precision Series is not only super strong, but looks so beautiful on my vanity. The gold-colored coating is PVD Titanium Nitrate (TiN or TNT GOLD) and keeps the material corrosion resistant and reduces friction to increase the useable life of the tool.

First, the Slant Tweezer – I used to prefer pointed tweezers but find the slant allows for more precision, especially with brows. The Allure Beauty Award winner has fine and thin tips. And both the shape and coating makes for great ergonomics.

While I am making an effort to resist cutting my cuticles, you can’t help a stray hangnail every now and then. And with those, the precision and sharpness totally matter. The rock hard stainless steel on the Cuticle Nipper is again covered with the PVD Titanium Nitrate for a comfortable hold and extreme sturdiness.

Each Tweezerman tool comes with a lifetime guarantee and a free sharpening policy. Now’s the time to up your tool game! Through 5/11 runs the The Scent Event where you get a free bag and fragrance samples with your $100 purchase online and in stores.

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Samples generously provided by Neiman Marcus as part of the Beauty Ambassador Program, but as always, opinions are my own.

Prom Prep On FOX23’s Great Day Green Country

After a little break last week, I’m back on Great Day Green Country this morning and it is all about prom season. I attended prom twice and loved the pomp and circumstance of prepping as much as the actual event. My fashion was always just a little bit edgy, but like these days, makeup was neutral and easy. My picks for favorite prom prep reflects that same aesthetic.

I’ve filed bliss fatgirlslim arm candy under “Why didn’t I think of that?”. I’ve been using this caffeine powered gel to tighten and firm my arms in anticipation of this evenings fundraising event (I am finally getting to wear my new favorite dress). Much like the Bliss Fatgirl Six Pack, the applicator massages. Aside from the tightening effect, you’ll find your skin is less red and soother – huge when you suffer from keratosis polaris like I do.

Talk about something perfect to throw in your clutch. The FLOWER Eye to Eye Double Take Eye Marker & Crème Eyeshadow has one end with an inky marker, perfect for lining eyes. The marker shades are specifically paired to the accompanying shadow on the other end but all are fairly close to black. The cream shadow has excellent staying power and blends well. Poolside Kiss offers a fun twist on a green but I am equally smitten by Lovely Lilac and Steel a Kiss. Available at Walmart.

Another FLOWER Beauty favorite is the Glisten Up! Highlighter Chubby – perfectly suited for a teenager, this sheer illuminating stick can be used on cheeks and eyes. The sheen gives the perfect natural glow. At under $10, you’ll want all three shades: Pearl Shimmer, Gold Coaster, Honey Bronze. Also available at Walmart.

I might be the last person on earth to have not tried Proactiv. Not only am I ashamed as a beauty blogger, but the founding physicians come from my alma mater, Stanford University. I have heard over and over again how the entire line of treatments have been a godsend to those who suffer from acne. My skin lately has been acting like an angst-y teenager, so I was thrilled to have Proactiv+ Emergency Blemish Relief land on my desk. The formula contains prescription-quality benzoyl peroxide to kill bacteria but also soothe and calm skin. Even my sensitive skin doesn’t get angry or red using this on those pesky pimples.

Another “Why didn’t I think of that?” is PRIME TIME SMILE Smile Fresh Pen in Sparkling Mint – I’m not sure I will ever not have this in my purse. It does double duty: removing surface stains and also freshening breath in a handy twist up pen. Just apply to the suface of teeth and enjoy minty breath. Available at Walmart.

Last but not least: Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray. Like my friend Amber says, “why didn’t this exist when I went to Prom?”. This spray locks in makeup, ensuring it will last through hours on the dance floor (or tears over a terrible date). Formulated with SKINDINÄVIA, it actually lowers the temperature of makeup keeping it in place. Not to mention keeping shades vibrant. Suitable for all skin types and expect a full 16 hours of fool-proof makeup with a soft focus finish. Available at Sephora.

Self Tanning With Victoria’s Secret

It seems as if every spring, I fall for a different self-tanner. I chalk this up to the fact that they just seem to get better and better across the board. New technology makes these once hard-to-use products a breeze. This year, a trio from Victoria’s Secret of all places seems to be pulling away with the lead. First, what I look for in a self-tanner: pleasant smell, natural looking color and lasting power. Using all three of the below products gives me precisely that.

First up, in the shower I slather on Beach Sexy Body Prep Smoothing Scrub. Despite the somewhat silly name, this foaming exfoliator smells sophisticated and understated. I avoid any redness with the relatively gentle formula – the pure sugar crystals manage to even away rough and dry spots while still infusing skin with a clean softness. Acai might be why my skin looks even more healthy than usual. And don’t be fooled – exfoliation before tanning is crucial for an even glow.

I prepped myself for the usual stinky lotion when I popped open Beach Sexy Self-Tanning Tinted Lotion but was thrilled to encounter a bronzey, basically unscented potion. I prefer tinted self-tanner so I can see where I am going during application. Not to mention you get an immediate gratification glow. (Belle Belle tip: use disposable latex gloves and throughouly rub in any lotion for a streak free and even tan). I gave the lotion a smell test last Friday and had a group of (honest) friends tell me if they could detect any self-tanner scent. The verdict? A surprising and emphatic “no!”.

But that wasn’t the end of it. With shorts and skirt weather finally here, I’ve been turning to a bronzing stick to add even more glow and blur imperfections. Beach Sexy All-Over Bronzing Stick is a gel-formula housed in an easy to apply thick tube. While it doesn’t have loads of pigment, the mica and sheer bronze is buildable and adds just a bit of radiance. I like applying down my shins and on my décolleté.

Eight & Bob Eau De Toilette Spray

Thought I’d bring back the luxury series and what better day than a Saturday, right? This week’s edition not only brings you a unique, tempting fragrance but a great story behind it.

As a student in the 1930s, John F. Kennedy traveled to Europe and met Parisian aristocrat Albert Fouquet in Southern France. Not only was JFK charmed by the man, but he loved the fragrance he wore. This hand-crafted scent had a formula only known by Albert and his butler.

JFK was so smitten that when he returned to the US, he got in touch with Albert and asked for eight samples of the fragrance. And with a quirky addition of: “and if your production allows, another one for Bob”. And there you have the name “Eight & Bob“. This has to be one of my most favorite stories of beauty history.

The fragrance became wildly popular even among the Hollywood elite. But sadly, before WWII Albert was killed in a car crash. The formula was guarded by his butler through WWII by concealing bottles inside books he cut by hand. And the fragrance fell off the radar as it wasn’t available even in its limited quantities.

Well, all that has changed. Now resurrected, Eight & Bob is available at Neiman Marcus. This bright cologne is based on the original formula including the rare “Andrea” plant extract from the Andes. And get this… it is packaged in a cutaway book just as Fouquet’s butler has stored the treasured scent all those years ago.

While the notes are a closely-guarded secret, I can attest that this effervescent fragrance is great for men and women. I find more spice than floral and it isn’t overly green. The scent is also offered in an aftershave, candle and deodorant.

Samples generously provided by Neiman Marcus as part of the Beauty Ambassador Program, but as always, opinions are my own.