Category: face

Kiehl’s Skin Tone Correcting & Beautifying BB Cream

It wasn’t but a couple short weeks ago I was thinking about Kiehl’s and hoping the famed skin care brand would come out with a tinted moisturizer. It was like they are reading my mind! Now available online and in stores on June 1st, Kiehl’s Skin Tone Correcting & Beautifying BB Cream is at the top of my list and a best of breed.

Now, you probably are thinking there are so many BB Creams out there – how can this one be that different? Well, you know how I go on and on about my dreaded hyper-pigmentation? This BB Cream actually works to correct skin tone while concealing imperfections. Using Vitamin C – something we already know Kiehl’s is good at – the BB Cream effectively goes after uneven skin tone and dark spots. Often prone to seperation, the Vitamin C is combined with natural mineral pigments making it stable and gentle.

The formula is silky and lightweight, but still buildable enough to offer moderate coverage with no greasy or cakey finish. On the skin, the cream looks balanced – not too luminous nor matte. The color wears for a full day and color stays true. There is bit of a mineral/chemical smell, but nothing offensive, likely due to the heavy duty SPF 50 and natural mineral pigments.

I’ve been spending lots of time outside lately, so I am actually wearing Medium (above left) but could get away with Light (above right). It is offered in four shades: Fair, Fair/Light, Light, and Medium. This stuff isn’t leaving my regular rotation anytime soon. I love the way it looks on my skin and am so encouraged about what it can do for my dark spots and sun damage.

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.

Summer Beauty Inspiration

Top Five for May

I’m loving all this silky, healing goodness for the start of the spring. While I am whipping my body into shape for some swimwear, I am also working on my skin and hair, wanting it hydrated and still natural looking. So for you today: a little top five round up of what is rocking my world lately.

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula with Vitamin E Skin Therapy Oil is from one of those iconic drugstore brands but totally revamped to make me fall in love all over again. This oil helps improve the appearance of scars, stretch marks or just regular ole dry skin. My uneven and ultra-dry legs have been loving this stuff right out of the shower. The Rapidermal® Absorption Systeme® means just a short wait before you can throw on clothes. Also know this can be used on the face or as a bath oil. Made in USA.

Flower Face the World Tinted Moisturizer is part of Drew Barrymore’s new makeup line exclusively at Wal-Mart. I was tripping over myself to try out the collection, particularly when I heard how it performs luxe at drugstore prices. The tinted moisturizer, available in 11 shades, is a light-coverage, luminous cream. It hides perfections and smooths with out cakey heaviness. Even my dry skin gets plenty of moisture. I can honestly say I have been reaching exclusively for this as my BB Cream/Foundation/Tinted Moisturizer since it landed in my hot little hands.

Tracie Martyn Amla Purifying Cleanser, another gem from Net-a-Porter’s new beauty section, is a ultra-high quality foaming cleanser. The A-list isn’t shy about signing the praises of this cleanser. It gently exfoliates and prevents breakouts while aromatherapy works to relax and recharge. Its namesake ayurvedic anti-aging Amla Extract is rich in Vitamin C while Hawaiian Green Papaya enzymes exfoliate.

POE Pumpkin Perfecter Enzyme Mask might smell very fall but those active pumpkin enzymes are perfect to embrace all year round. The anti-oxidant rich pure pumpkin promotes cellular turnover. The gentle formula would work for more sensitive skin types and can be used up to three times a week.

L’Oreal Advanced Haircare Total Repair 5 Damage Erasing Balm promises to repairs a year of damage in one use – sign me UP! Even though I don’t chemically treat my hair, I have seen some more damage around the ends over the past year. The luxurious balm works to instantly improve the appearance of split ends, rough ends, weakness and dullness. After one use my hair was silkier and shiner. One of the biggest bonuses? My hair wasn’t weighted down. It was still bouncy and full.

Pierre Hardy for NARS

A couple weeks back, I filled you guys in on the entire collection created by Pierre Hardy for NARS. Now that I’ve had a chance to try out some of the products, I wanted to share my thoughts.

Rotonde is a unqiue and vibrant blush palette. At first, I thought the coral/apricot color was to vivid for my skin tone. But after a blending session, my skin looked enlivened and summer-like. And of course it has that iconic silky texture like all of the NARS blushes. Pierre Hardy’s iconic avant-garde print is only a gold overlay, so I will be sad to see it go. But for now, it is oh so pretty.

The nail duo I snatched up was Sharks. I was plesantly surprised how flattering the lavender was on my skin tone. And the accent of the yellow gave a cheerful spring look. The duos are packaged in an adorable “shoebox” including even a dust bag for storage.

Like other NARS polishes, I get a shiny finish. It isn’t as long wear as other brands but I got a decent run out of this manicure. NARS polishes also include UV protection to prevent polish discoloration and are 3-FREE (Toluene, formaldehyde and DBP free).

Inspired by Pastel Makeup for Spring

Spring has me craving pastels. I love the look of a light feminine face as we welcome the warmer weather. It is also a great time to experiment with lighter versions of bold shades like mint green eyeshadow – surprisingly beautiful! Here are my picks for some of the Easter egg inspired shades:

Laura Mercier Crème Cheek Color in Oleander is the softest sweetest pink and this cream formula applies like a breeze.

Guerlain ‘Maxi Shine – Gloss d’Enfer’ Lip Gloss has insane shine, giving this pretty pink an even bigger impact.

For those who want to try out a higher impact, pastel eye, try Dior ‘5 Couleurs – Haute Couture’ Eyeshadow Palette. And this formula makes these powders creamy and beautifully blendable.

Deborah Lippmann Rockin’ Robbin Glitter Nail Polish features the glitter Lippmann is so good at but this time with Staccato effect, using black glitter against a pastel backdrop for a unique look!

Lancôme ‘Aquatic Essence’ Eye Palette has copper and brown mixed in with blue pastels to make the shades so wearable!

I like to prep my skin using Simple Skincare Hydrating Light Moisturizer. I haven’t found any other moisturizers that manage to balance nourishing properties while being ultra-lightweight. And bonus that the formula is chock full of vitamins to help improve the appearance of my skin over the long term.

This post was created in connection with my appointment as an Influencer in the Simple® Skincare Program. Visit www.facebook.com/SimpleSkincare to share your story on sensitive skin.

Folklore Collection From Laura Mercier

The Spring/Summer collection from Laura Mercier just hit counters. And this collection, inspired by cultures of South and Central America, have definitely been warming me up. Did I mention it was in the 40s here this week? Where are you, Spring? The rich, earthy colors are easy to wear and suit a summer glow perfectly. Or manage to fake one until the sun reappears.

First up is the product that seems to me the one that is getting the most buzz. Laura Mercier Limited Edition Baked Blush Bronzer in Ritual

is one of Laura’s classic formulas but with five shades that blend together. Each tile of bronzer is hand-mixed. When I first applied Ritual, I had a WHOA reaction. It was pretty darn dark. But for my light to medium skin and with a lighter hand, it proved a great option for a more dramatic warming. The natural color stays beautifully. And will transition well into the summer months.

I’m a long time fan of Laura’s Crème Eye Liner and the new Espresso shade offers a softer version of black that works so well in the summer. If you are on the hunt for a long-wear eyeliner, give this waterproof formula a whirl. Could it just be perfect for the beach? I think yes.

And I’ve saved the best for last. These creamy lipsticks hitting counters lately have me swooning. Laura Mercier Limited Edition Lip Crayon in Folklore has that hydrating feeling but great long-wear. And the shocking pink translates to a punch of spring color on the lips. Bonus points for the packaging, allowing great precision application.

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