Category: bath and body

Nest Midnight Fleur Eau De Parfum

First, I was bitten by the Passiflora bug. Check out the review here. But I just couldn’t resist trying out another NEST Fine Fragrance and word on the street was Midnight Fleur was right up my alley.

Exotic woods, patchouli, black amber and night-blooming jasmine couldn’t be more my kind of scent. While I recognize and love these notes, the fragrance blends into something very unique. It is warm, sensual and slightly masculine. But it isn’t heavy or herbal. I love the dichotomy of Passiflora and Midnight Fleur – both unique but one very green and one very amber. Amazon Lily is also a winner with notes of Amazon Lilies, tangerine, lime, driftwood, and white musk. I have only sampled it, but it seems very feminine and fresh.

The body cream is hydrating and works great for layering the fragrance. I’ve found that this scent lasts through the day, but performs even better when layered over body cream. I love the way the two products look together displayed on the vanity. The bottles are a treat on their own with artwork inspired by 18th Century artist Mrs. Delany. And the artwork even inspired the scent: the company worked with master perfumers to compose complex and exquisite fine fragrances that best represent Mrs. Delany’s unique and meticulous artwork. And the matte black bottle looks so sleek, it deserves to be displayed.

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE WAS 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.

Winter Drugstore Hits

Happy New Year’s Eve! I’ve been trolling the drugstore aisles this holiday season have some finds to report. This round-up has goodies that will hydrate and cleanse gentle, dry winter skin without leaving it irritated or stripped.

1. Baudelaire Large Wool Sponge: I am a foam fanatic and this natural sponge gets my shower gel all in a lather. Showering just became a lot more fun.

2. Neutrogena Transparent Facial Bar Soap (also comes in fragrance-free): If Jen Aniston loves it, I had to give it a whirl. You know? She was right. The smell is irrisistable and it removes makeup and cleans skin throughly. The bar is actually perfect for my Clarisonic habit – I just rub the brush head on the bar and suds away.

3. Yes to Cucumbers Hypoallergenic Facial Towelettes: These gentle towlettes are must-haves to remove the celebratory makeup from the season. Also helpful if you are just too darn ~~tired~~ tipsy to wash your face.

4. CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion AM & PM: This duo is a straight-forward, no-frills way to clear, even skin. You don’t even have to think: just use AM in the morning for sun protection and moisture and PM in the evening for improved skin tone and hydrated skin.

5. J.R. Watkins Foaming Hand Soap: This natural, dye-free hand soap comes in four scents and is delightfully foamy. Not to mention, I love the vintage packaging. The formula is free of all that yucky stuff and still gets your hands clean from those pesky germs.

Buxom Divine Goddess Luminizer

This little baby hits Sephora shelves today and you don’t want to miss it. I’ve been trying out this face and body luminizer for a couple days and it is just what the doctor ordered for – let’s just say not-so-tan – winter skin. I’ve been using it as a highlighter, skin evener and leg shimmer, all to great success.

Buxom Divine Goddess Luminizer // Belle Belle Beauty

The cream is ultra-lightweight and blends easily to a sheer, not to “glittery” shimmer. Because it is so sheer and balanced between warm and cool, I expect it to work on most skin tones.

Buxom Divine Goddess Luminizer // Belle Belle Beauty

The cream has just a touch of a cooling sensation. And pretty darn good staying power. Would work great for on the legs during New Year’s festivities!

Available at Sephora today.

Tips For The Perfect Shave

Shave tips from Schick // Belle Belle Beauty

Anyone else a Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show fan? You better bet I tuned in. I loved the dramatic clothes (can you even call them clothes?), glam makeup and, of course, the Angels. As I was watching, I thought about all the exercise and makeup that goes into getting those models runway ready. And part of that is definitely a dose of hair removal. Today, I am sharing some of Schick’s tips for getting “Angel Ready” legs:

Schick’s Angel Shave Tip 1: Use a razor with a pivoting head and multiple blades to give you a smooth, close shave.

Limited Edition Schick Quatro Disposables Winter Pack // Belle Belle Beauty

While the snowflakes fall and the air is crisp and cool, Lindsay Ellingson isn’t the only one to cozy up by the fire with legs as soft as snow! Keep your legs so smooth you can skip a day or two, with the icy blue Limited Edition Schick® Quattro for Women® Disposables Winter Pack ($7.39). The compact pivoting head that follows the body’s contours, a convenient travel cap, and two Hypo-Allergenic Aloe Formula Conditioning Strips on each 4-blade cartridge will make the snow melt.

Schick’s Angel Shave Tip 2: DO keep skin relaxed while shaving. In places where hair grows in different directions and in hard-to-reach areas, such as underarms and the bikini area, try pulling the skin slightly, making it more taut and easier to shave.

Schick Quattro for Women TrimStyle // Belle Belle Beauty

Be prepared with the must-have accessory that gives you the confidence and energy to strut like Candice Swanepoel all year long. When less equals more, shave, trim and transform yourself with a simple flip of the handle. The Schick Quattro for Women TrimStyle ($10.99) razor features the innovative Acai and Jojoba Complex to enhance moisture, diminish irritation and create a smooth shave with a desirable pink exterior.

Schick’s Angel Shave Tip 3: Shave in the shower, and wait! Shaving should be your final step before leaving the shower. The warm moisture of a shower makes hairs soft and plump and opens your pores.

Schick Hydro Silk // Belle Belle Beauty

When rocking this year’s Fantasy Bra like Alessandra Ambrosio, you need something to go beyond the basic and hydrates your skin like no other. The 5 curve-sensing blades of the Schick Hydro Silk ($9.99) brings hydration back to your legs with a water-activated moisturizing serum by replenishing skin’s natural moisture throughout each shave leaving legs beyond silky smooth.

You’ll find all three of these razors in my bathroom. I’m a long time TrimStyle fan – it comes in so handy for bikini matinence. The Schick Hydro Silk gave me one of the closest shaves of all time, all while giving me a hefty dose of hydration. And the disposables make no sacrifices for quality – they are perfect for travel.

Burberry Body

For the past week, I have been test-driving Burberry Body. After playing around with unconventional grassy and herbal scents, I wanted to try something uber-feminine. Burberry body is incredibly sensual and exotic. Luxe notes include green absinthe, illuminating peach and delicate freesia. Those are warmed up with rose absolute, iris and warm sandalwood. And, of course, I am drawn to the cozy base notes of woody cashmeran, creamy vanilla, amber and musk.

The feel of the fragrance, even with those exotic notes, is classic just like the Burberry brand. I started reaching for my 10 year old Burberry shearling coat just to celebrate my perfume over the past couple evenings. The chilly weather and cozy base notes only make my fur coverlet more appealing. And the luxurious scent is complemented by only the most treasured pieces in my makeup collection.

I love the addition of Body Milk to the collection. The consistency is easily absorbed and almost like a dry oil in feel. This spray on moisturizer adds depth and staying power to your scent. And my skin definitely can’t hurt from the added hydration this time of year.

Burberry Body is available at Macy’s (here).

Kate Somerville Nourish Body Rescue Cream

Does the dry winter weather make you want to beam yourself to a lush tropical (and humid) island? I actually like the cold weather, but I could definitely stand for a little more moisture in the air. So, at the very least, I am going to make my skin feel like its drenched in ocean air.

Kate Somerville (the queen of skin care in my book) spreads the love to body care also these days. Nourish Body Perfection Cream uses plant actives to improve hydration levels almost immediately. Moisture, different from hydration, is infused with shea butter and cupuaçu fruit. Sugar cane extract helps restore dry dehydrated and sun-damaged skin (remember we are at the beach here). And botanical tea and ginger extract calm and sooth skin. My red-prone skin on my arms looks more even and supple. And the lightweight formula is quickly absorbed while leaving a fresh, marine and spa-like scent.

But Kate doesn’t stop there. She takes her anti-aging expertise past the face. One of her proven ingredients, Advanced Matrixyl 3000 works to firm aging skin and refine texture. The plant botanicals renew damaged skin. So, not only is the skin healthier but appears younger. Win-win.

I’ve been using this as soon as I get out of the shower and right before bed. I guess I can’t seem to get enough. You can purchase Nourish Body Perfection Cream at Neiman Marcus.

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