Category: skin-care

Fabulous Finds From Your Drugstore Aisles

You could call this drugstore roundup designed for holiday season. Since Halloween isn’t really my cup of tea, I am going to skip right onto fall festivities. Everything from shiny hair, white teeth and an awesome hangover cure just screams PARTY! That seems to be my focus as I troll the drugstore aisles. Here are some of my favorite finds:

Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask expertly douses my hair with much needed moisture now that I color my hair. My strands are much softer and shinier after using twice a week for the last month.

UrgentRx Ache & Pain Fast Powder works without water and is perfect to stash in your purse. Just pour the powder into your mouth and that lemon-lime flavored goodness will have that headache gone in no time (also an awesome hangover cure).

Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash manages to be both oil and soap-free yet lathers into a satisfying foam that gently removes makeup and leaves skin soft and not dry.

Wet n Wild MegaLast Lip Color applies much more luxuriously than its $2.29 price tag. This rich color has hydrating ingredients ensuring no caking.

Colgate 360 Optic White Toothbrush (I know… a little random) has special polishing bristles which I really do think are helping make my teeth whiter.

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.

Dr. Sponge Facial Cleansing Sponge

I’m newly infatuated with cleansing sponges. While I will never get rid of my Clarisonic, I can’t help but experiment with these gentle, natural cleaning inventions. While I first heard of this one, Dr. Sponge landed on my desk and I must say I am hooked.

Dr. Sponge is all-natural and biodegradable made from plant fibers – yay for being so sustainable. These sponges were originally designed for babies and those with ultra-sensitive skin. They make for a great alternative to the Clarisonic for those who experience redness while using the device. So how do they work? The plant used to make the sponge, Konjac, is native to Asia and packed with vitamins and minerals. So, while it cleanses it delivers nutrients, improving the look of skin. Konjac is also slightly alkaline so it balances acidity in the skin.

I’ve been using mine night and day and I love how it can remove makeup like a champ. My skin feels cleansed but not tight thanks to the toning ability of the sponge. I like using it with my own cleanser that I am testing, but you can also cleanse with it on its own. Massage skin in a circular motion, squeeze out water and use it to dry the skin (the drying step doesn’t work quite as well when you have a bunch of your own cleanser in there).

There are seven different “formulas” of the Dr. Sponge Facial Cleansing Sponge. I’ve been trying Pearl Powder and Green Tea. Both have no scent, but are loaded with ingredients to help with specific skin care concerns. The Pearl Powder can clear and balance skin, leaving it brightened and revitalized. I love the healthy glow I get after using it. Green Tea is packed with anti-oxidants to rid skin of free radicals. It also has great hydrating properties.

The also make body cleansing sponges which I certainly have my eye on to try out next. Available at flight001.com and drsponge.com.

Darphin’s Essential Oil Elixirs “Oil of the Month” and GIVEAWAY

I always love a good try-before-you-buy deal. Especially for skin care when you need to make sure it works with your skin. Darphin launched a pretty genius offer – on the 8^th of every month Darphin will be featuring one of their oils and a chance to try it out free of charge! If you go into any Darphin retailer (Blue Mercury, Space NK or any store in listed Darphin store directory on their site) you can get an oil sample without having to purchase anything. If you’d like to go through the online route, receive the “Oil of the Month” with any Darphin purchase, regardless of cost, when you type in the word ELIXIR into the code box.

[Tweet “Receive the “Oil of the Month” with any Darphin purchase with code ELIXIR.”]

A little more about the Essential Oil Elixirs: these oils, designed for evening application, are created from 100% natural ingredients. Available in eight formulas:

Organic Chamomile Aromatic Care – Essential oil care for Sensitive Skin
Organic Jasmine Aromatic Care – Essential oil care for Mature Skin
8-Flower Nectar – A precious youth elixir
Organic Tangerine Aromatic Care – Essential oil care for First Signs of Aging
Organic Rose Aromatic Care – Essential oil care for Normal Skin
Organic Orange Blossom Aromatic Care – Essential oil care for Normal Skin
Organic Niaouli Aromatic Care – Essential oil care for Overactive Skin
Organic Myrrh Aromatic Care – Essential oil care for Dry or Very Dry Skin

I’ve been testing the Organic Rose Aromatic Care for a couple weeks and love the balanced hydration it delivers. Even though it is designed for PM use, I also have used it in the AM and I love the way it looks under makeup for a dewy, glowy appearance. I’m not a fan of rose scent, but this oil didn’t have an overwhelmingly strong fragrance.

And a little treat for you guys today – I’ve partnered up with Darphin to give away one of these oils (your choice of which formula) to one lucky reader! Just enter using the widget below. US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Chatting Simple Skincare With The Glossaire’s Lara

I’m pretty darn enthusiastic about my partnership with Simple Skincare. Not only have the products transformed my sensitive skin over the past 10 months, but I get to work with some pretty amazing fellow Ambassadors. Long time friend and blogging buddy, Lara from The Glossarie, is sharing her thought on the Simple Skincare collection. Thought it would be fun to share some of her experiences and favorites. Read my interview with her below:

– What are your major skin concerns? How would you describe your skin type?

My skin is the worst! Breakouts are my major concern, followed by sensitivity and a tendency for my skin to react to everything. All of the aestheticians and dermatologists that I’ve seen have told me that my rigorous product testing regimen is wreaking havoc on my face and have advised me to stop immediately. Obviously that’s not happening!

– How has your skin changed since you started using Simple products?

It’s much more clear and even toned. Redness has been drastically reduced and it’s just overall much more comfortable and happy.

– What are your favorite products from the line? Which one surprised you the most?

The Foaming Cleanser is the hero of my nightly makeup removing ritual. It cleanses thoroughly without stripping my skin. It’s a relatively new discovery and I have been telling everyone how much I love it! The biggest surprise for me has been the Replenishing Rich Moisturizer. I have been using it day and night and it has brought serious balance to my skin. I find that my skin breaks out more when it’s dry, but thick moisturizers tend to clog my pores. This one moisturizes completely but has kept things totally clear. I’m kicking myself for not trying it sooner!

– Does your skincare routine change seasonally?

Oh yes! I just changed from using the Refreshing Facial Wash Gel and the Protecting Light Moisturizer to the Foaming Cleanser and the Replenishing Rich Moisturizer. I do use the two eye products year round: Soothing Eye Balm at Night and Revitalizing Eye Roll On in the mornings.

– Why do you love working with Simple?

I have been so happy to discover a line that not only works like a dream, but is affordable. To me, Simple epitomizes real girl beauty and I love that I get to partner with them on a formal level. The best part of working with Simple has been the emails and comments that I receive from my readers telling me how much they love the products and that they discovered them because of me!

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.

Neutrogena Naturals “Every Drop Counts” and GIVEAWAY

I’ve quietly noticed Neutrogena’s new line, Neutrogena Naturals hitting drugstore shelves, but haven’t had a chance to try them out. When Kristin Bell, one of my favorites, signed on to be a Brand Ambassador, I knew I needed to try. I love that the natural formulations clean skin without stripping and using ingredients straight from nature. Neutrogena Naturals line includes post-consumer recycled packaging – 70% less water was used to make it! A little more about the line:

Neutrogena® Naturals Purifying Facial Cleanser: Fresh smelling and foaming, this formula contains willowbark Bionutrient salicylic acid to remove dirt, oil and makeup.
Neutrogena® Naturals Purifying Pore Scrub: Very gentle exfoliating beads both wash and remove dull skin while detoxifying pores. Also has a great scent and is slightly foaming.
Neutrogena® Naturals Fresh Cleaning + Makeup Remover: Probably now in my permanent rotation to take off a heavy face of makeup, this soothing lotion-like cleanser removes the day without stripping skin’s natural moisture.
Neutrogena® Naturals Face and Body Bar: Avocado & olive oil Bionutrient omega fatty acids douse skin with moisture while cleaning.
Neutrogena® Naturals Lip Balm: Buttery and rich, this balm keeps my lips hydrated for hours without a sticky feeling and leaving a minty scent with no tingle.

As part of her Ambassadorship, Kirstin is championing the “Every Drop Counts” campaign. Through the end of the month, Neutrogena will contribute 10% of the purchase price of each Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Cleanser sold to The Nature Conservancy. Learn a little about our water use here:

Inspired to help? I encourage you to visit the Neutrogena Facebook page to join Kristin – take the pledge to adopt simple water-conserving behaviors. By pledging, you will be automatically entered to win a luxury green spa trip in Napa Valley!!!

And dying to try the whole line? Your lucky day! I’ve teamed up with to giveaway all five products from the Neutrogena Naturals line to one lucky reader! Just enter using the widget below. US only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Bliss Triple Oxygen Ex-‘glow’-sion! Vitabead-Infused Moisture Cream

Looking to up your moisture game for fall? Look no further than the newest from Bliss. Bliss Triple Oxygen Ex-‘glow’-sion! Vitabead-Infused Moisture Cream is packed with ingredients to not only moisturize but give that radiant glow. The formula is infused with oxygen and micro-algae, delivering vitamin E and C.

The texture is almost whipped while still managing to be luxurious and rich. The light citrus scent is pleasant and invigorating. There is no greasy feel and it absorbs quickly. It even is ideal to be used on the neck (and I even treat my decolletage with it!). I’ve been using both at night and in the AM under my sunscreen.

Available at Bliss, Sephora, and Neiman Marcus.