Category: skin-care

Budget Beauty

Everyone loves a deal. And a beauty steal is even sweeter. Here are some of my favorite budget beauty buys I’ve discovered lately:

Hada Labo Tokyo Ultimate Anti-Aging Facial Mask – Sheet masks are all the rage and this one has a great price if you are ready to dip your toes in. For around $1.50 per mask, the 100% cotton adjustable facial boosts hydration, smooths fine lines and firms skin. The scent is refreshing but not overwhelming. And Hada Labo’s proprietary Super Hyaluronic Acid™ plumps skin and strengthens skin’s natural moisture levels.

Softlips Cube Lip Protectant – While my love of these cubes isn’t new, I did just discover my favorite new scent, Vanilla. This Shea Butter packed formula nourishes my lips and leaves just a bit of shine. And the cozy but still tropical scent is delicious. Bonus points for included SPF 15 protection.

CoverGirl Intensify Me! Liquid Liner – My eyeliner collection is borderline obsessive. It is probably the product I enjoy trying out most – it gives my bigger eyes much needed definition. My former favorites have always skewed luxury, so I was surprised to find my current favorite in the drugstore aisles. This paddle-shaped felt liner in Intense Black is inky, easy to apply and stays on like a champ.

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Mario Badescu Botanical Exfoliating Scrub

I recently have been frustrated by clogged pores on my nose. I hate to admit to it but likely cause is falling asleep with makeup on (gasp!) and now I am paying the price. While I am tempted to reach for those oddly satistfying Bioré nose strips, I happened to have a new scrub from fan-favorite Mario Badescu to test out.

Not surprisingly, their newest lives up to Mario’s amazing reputation. This scrub works against buildup (hello, friend!) and banishes dullness. The Ecuadorian Ivory Palm seeds are fairly gentle and my skin is left calm without redness. And botanicals like Ginger, Ginkgo, Green Tea, Aloe, and Coconut are infused in the gel-like formula. I don’t detect much of a scent – a good thing in my book.

I use a couple times a week – usually three coinciding with my hair-wash days. I splash warm water to rinse and those little clogged pores are banished – until my next makeup removal misbehavior. At least next time I doze off before washing my face, I’ll know how to erase signs of my sins.

Available at mariobadescu.com.

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NERD Skincare Masks

There is nothing like a whirlwind weekend of hard travel to make you appreciate a good sheet mask. No wonder sheet masks are having a moment. They are convenient, effective and still a bit of a novelty. While I will always have a soft spot for the classic SK-II Brightening Derm-Revival Mask, this trio from NERD Skincare were pretty darn amazing to use.

First a little about NERD: the products use serious science (no wonder this beauty nerd is drawn to the brand). The masks use biocellulose, a natural product used for centuries in medical treatments. The masks are hypoallergenic and send ingredients deep into skin while binding comfortably with skin – key in these pre-cut and shaped wearable skin care items.

For the fellow nerds out there, biocellulose is actual grown using acetic acid bacteria (AABs), specifically Acetobacter Xylinum – a strain no one else uses. This specific strain builds the smoothest microfibrils that work best on human skin. They make neat patterns that allow more surface area exposure to skin, allowing for maximum ingredient absorption.

Okay, back to the fun. The three masks work against specific concerns: dullness, dryness or damage with serums that focus on brightening, hydrating or repairing.

The Miraculous Brightening Mask uses antioxidants, collagen and elastin building blocks to add back a glow. The serum softens appearance of fine lines and tightens pores. I loved this mask when my skin was looking particularly dull after a late night and a bout of allergies.

Skin Repair Master Mask heals and soothes stressed skin. In my experience, this was the least nourishing mask but had the greatest effect on the appearance of my skin. I’d love to have it in my stash after a day in the sun at the lake. Antioxidants work against free radicals and skin cells are revitalized.

Super Hydrating Mask was my favorite. My dry skin adored the way this mask infused my skin with moisture after a long day of travel. Plus the serum infused a barrier to continue retaining hydration over my long weekend in NYC. My skin was left supple and full.

I left the masks on for 20 minutes. Because there was a generous amount of serum, I was able to work what was left on my face into my skin and decollatage. I also liked the way the substantial texture of the mask was easy to adjust on my face. Plus, they were long so they went to work below my chin and jawline as well.

Available at NERDSkincare.com and Amazon.

image via NERD Skincare

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Skin Care Update

It has been a while since I shared my routine, so I thought I would fill you guys in with the products I use nightly. But first a side note: I’ve started washing my hair and showering at night and it has transformed my routine. No overheating while I rush to blow dry my hair in the morning. My skin soaks in all those lovely body oils and I wake up with hydrated skin. And the warm showers lull me to sleepiness in a hot minute (just as I’d imagine sleeping in this dream bedroom above at Tulum’s Coqui Coqui Spa & Residence Resort.

As a result, in the AM I just splash with Thayer Which Hazel and apply SkinCeuticals Metacell Renewal B3 which works against photo-aging. I finish with a current beauty-blogger hit, Murad’s Invisiblur Perfecting Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 30 – so great for sun protection and as a makeup primer.

In the evening, I remove makeup with Bioderma Créaline H2O Micelle Solution. In the shower I wash with Neutrogena Healthy Skin Boosters Facial Cleanser which foams but it still gentle and non-drying. I love my new luxury brush heads from Clarisonic on my Mia – they are suited for daily washing because they are hydrating and slightly less active in their sonic action. After the shower, I apply one of my permanent skin care steps: SK-II Facial Treatment Essence – I splash onto my face and use what’s left to apply to my chest and the back of my hands.

I finish with two new obsessions the Fresh. The Black Tea collection has been rocking my world – the texture is super luxe but the price tag isn’t quite as painful as other super-luxury lines. The Fresh Black Tea Age-Delay Eye Concentrate contains noni juice that firms and illuminates my under eye area. The Black Tea Age Delay Cream soaks into my skin immediately and helps with next-day radiance. My dry, sensitive-prone skin loves this collection.

I know this is a brief summary of loads of products. I plan on doing in depth review of most (if not all) of these in the near future!

AM Products:

PM Products:

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pr samples and affiliate links may be included in the above post. Fresh samples generously provided by Neiman Marcus as part of the Beauty Ambassador Program. I consult for Neiman Marcus which is affiliated with the Neiman Marcus Group, but as always, opinions are my own.

Upgrading My Face Washing Game

By now, I assume my fellow beauty-addicts have changed their skin care routine to accommodate the climbing temps. But if you have not (or are just looking for a major upgrade in your cleansing game), check out this new set available at Sephora from Caudalie and Clarisonic.

Cream cleansers start to feel heavy this time of year. And while I love oils, I often need that second step after removing makeup to get a fresh and clean feeling. This set offers a balanced approach that doesn’t leave skin irritated or dry, but still super clean. Plus, the product combo brightens – something so crucial with the lighter makeup routine I’ve been embracing.

I had tried many of Caudalie’s products but the Instant Foaming Cleanser was new to me. It is gentle and straightforward. Plus, it offers that instant gratification to those of us who love the foam. The serum and sorbet both soften and hydrate skin and you cannot beat the cult-favorite Beauty Elixir.

Regular readers know I love the Clarisonic – if you don’t, you can read more thoughts here. But one new item I have been adoring are the new luxe brush heads. Since my skin is prone to redness, this fluffy and gentle option keeps my skin calm but still super clean. And it helps hydrate! Sold.

Set includes:

Clarisonic Mia 3
USB-Enabled Charger
Sensitive Brush Head
Caudalie Beauty Elixir
Caudalie Instant Foaming Cleanser
Caudalie Vinosource Crème Sorbet
Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum

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New From Burt’s Bees

Burt’s Bees in not only a favorite drugstore brand but my definite pick when it comes to budget natural goodies. They hit shelves before natural was an official buzzword (over 30 years ago). And each of their products is carefully crafted from their iconic lip balm to their newest products.

The newest collection is designed to fight wrinkles with Hibiscus and Apple Rejuvenating Complex. I am dying to try the whole line, but for now I can report on the Renewal Refining Cleanser. I actually prefer this as a scrub – a creamy base has larger granules so make sure not to apply too vigorously. The ingredients work to plump and hydrate skin and after using my face is calm and incredibly soft. And I love the refreshing apple scent, especially for the coming summer!

Also new from the brand, Sheer Body Lotion is lightweight and not heavily scented. The formula contains Safflower Oil to smooth skin. I like to spray on right after the shower and let it soak in before I towel off. I can envision this being perfect on hotter (stickier!) days this summer.

Of course, my favorite launch was promptly chewed by my two (lucky they are adorable) puppies. I couldn’t find my new Squeezable Beeswax Lip Balm for a couple days. Lo and behold, it was located in Tink’s bed slightly gnawed on but a goner nonetheless. Sigh.

A version of my favorite original lip balm, Squeezable Beeswax Lip Balm uses the same beeswax and vitamin E but is slightly more nourishing. The slanted tip made it a breeze to use. And the peppermint left the best, subtle tingle.

All products available at burtsbees.com.