Category: skin-care

Favorite Fall Launches on FOX23’s Great Day Green Country

Favorite Fall Launches on FOX23's Great Day Green Country // Belle Belle Beauty

I’m back on FOX23’s Great Day Green Country this morning to chat about my favorite launches for fall. Representing my favorite brands, these new products mark great technological advances, delicious scents and the best formulations. So tune in if you are in the area at 10AM (if not, I’ll post the clip later this week) and catch the roundup here:

Urban Decay Naked Skin Ultra Definition Pressed Finishing Powder is part of a skin collection that reflects weightless, undetectable coverage. This powder achieves that luminous but still semi-matte finish that is on trend for fall. Optical blurring pigments perfects skin with natural looking coverage. The effect is perfect for pictures (or television appearances!).

One of America’s most esteemed, Avon, just got a little revamp. And their makeup is better than ever. This summer, they launched the revolutionary Mega Effects Mascara. The ergonomic design with swiveling handle gives complete coverage of lash-lengthening, inky pigment. Another standout, the True Color Eyeshadow Quads, are packed of vibrant but wearable pigment. The creamy powder is luxurious and ultra-blendable. I love Metal Eyes and Purple Haze.

If you just can’t let go of that summer glow, pick up Caudalíe Divine Leg Tinted Body Lotion. I fell for this scent with the launch of Divine Oil, and this part of the collection gives the perfect subtle bronze. The lotion also nourishes and moisturizes skin and doesn’t budge or transfer.

Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum is helping me atone for my summer skin sins. After loads of days out by the pool, my hyperpigmentation was really acting up. This serum promised to work in just one week. And it delivered. Hydroquinone and glycolic acid team up to jump start progress towards more even skin.

Unlike any other powder foundations, Laura Mercier ‘Smooth Finish’ Foundation Powder manages to be luminous and hydrate my dry skin. The formula glides on without settling in fine lines or giving an overly matte finish. The formula can be used dry for sheer to medium coverage or wet for medium to full coverage.

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.

Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum

Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum // Belle Belle Beauty

I know, I know… I can go on and on about my darned hyperpigmentation. But I am really going after it this fall. Now that I got basking in the sun out of my system (I am NOT doing that next summer), I can really go after the dark spots that have cropped up.

Let’s talk about hyperpigmentation. There are lots of different kinds: sun spots, age spots, darker freckles and a larger area of discoloration. And lots of different reasons behind it including:

  • Exposure to UV rays: While melanin can be a great asset, it won’t always protect from the harmful rays of the sun.
  • Heredity: Nearly 30% of African Americans, Asians and Latino Americans are prone to dark spots or hyperpigmentation.
  • Hormonal Changes: A change in estrogen levels during pregnancy, menopause or birth control pills can cause dark spots on your face and body.
  • Medications: Sometimes hyperpigmentation may be caused due to side effects of certain medicines, including some antibiotics.
  • Diet: According to recent studies certain diets with foods like parsley and lime can cause hyperpigmentation because they contain Psolarens which can make your skin more sensitive to sun exposure.

But no matter their cause or type, all hyperpigmentation is treated basically the same. You can start with kojic acid and vitamin C. There is even a mushroom extract that is said to work well. And many lab developed ingredients that are getting rave reviews. But it is actually a 50 year old ingredient that is still the tried and true (albeit controversial) combatant against hyperpigmentation: Hydroquinone.

Hydroquinone is the star of Murad’s Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum and it promised to make a dent in these dark spots in just one week. I was a bit skeptical since I love my Rx strength 4% Hydroquinone (usually only 2% strength is available over the counter). But, I’ll tell ya, it got this process going in a jiff! I have been using Murad’s Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum morning and night and I can see clear improvement. I am starting to work my Rx version in a little more at night to see if I can speed it up even more.

Also in the formula is Hexapeptide-2, a powerful skin lightening peptide that blocks future damage by helping prohibit pigment formation. And Glycolic Acid also works to exfoliate and enabling the Hydroquinone to work even more effectively. The gel like texture works well under makeup. And even my sensitive skin isn’t irritated by the active ingredients. I am requiring a little more hydration, but that also could be due to a change in season.

Murad’s Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum is available at Sephora, Beauty.com and Murad.

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.

Simple Twitter Party and Giveaway

Simple Twitter Party and Giveaway // Belle Belle Beauty

I feel like this birthday celebration just keeps going. Simple Skincare, a favorite brand that I have the pleasure of working with closely, has quite the event this week! They are giving away 100 Simple Gift Bags on Twitter. Today through September 25th, you can have your chance to win. Make sure you follow @SimpleSkincare on Twitter, use #SimpleVIP and #RedCarpet hashtags and tell us how you use Simple® to get red carpet ready.

And as if that wasn’t enough…. on Wednesday join a Twitter party from 8-9 p.m. EST. Hosts include Simple Advisory Board fitness expert Kacy Duke and makeup expert Gita Bass, giving great tips on how exercise and makeup can effect your skin. To join, follow @SimpleSkincare and can use the tag #FallBeauty to ask these two experts any advice they have about fall skincare, especially as it relates to makeup/fitness. And there will be even more Simple product giveaways, so you really don’t want to miss this fiesta 🙂

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.

Shiseido’s NEW IBUKI collection

 Shiseido's NEW IBUKI collection // Belle Belle Beauty

After a short blog break, excited to bring you some great news about a skin care line designed for women ages 25 to 34 that is just blowing me away with delight. But first, a little on what I have been up to. First, I am working on my column for Oklahoma Magazine. October should be out soon so can’t wait to share that with you next week. I’ve lined up my first “Belle’s Blog School” with some old friends for next month. Excited to try out a new services I will be offering for those who want a one-on-one crash course on how to get up and running on WordPress, Tumbler and social media. Lastly, I’ve been so run down, fighting off a cold for a week. Why is it I always bring back some illness from NYC? Headed out this afternoon to load up on Kleenex and green juice. But now… back to Shiseido’s newest!

Even though I am on the older end of the target age range for this line, I have found its rich, gentle luxury perfect for my skin. I know so many of you readers, fellow bloggers and friends suffer from the blotchy, dry skin thanks to loads of office time and a little play time as well. Cocktails and unhealthy food binges, anyone?

The new IBUKI collection is designed to address uneven skin tone, blemishes, visible pores, and dryness. It uses Shape Memorizing Cell Technology to align and optimize cells. I’ve been using the Purifying Cleanser (which reminds me of my beloved Clé de Peau Beauté Gentle Cleansing Foam – no surprise as they share a parent company). I love how it gently scrubs with very find granules while still foaming. My skin is left clean but not stripped of moisture. The Refining Moisturizer is for those looking for a lotion rather than a thick cream. While it is lightweight, I get all day hydration but I never feel greasy. This thinner moisturizer works great under makeup. Meanwhile, it is correcting pores, breakouts and unevenness. Lastly, I have been test driving Eye Correcting Cream. I’m getting a definite boost in brightness, especially fighting this cold and a couple late nights. The formula is rich but gentle and not too thick.

Other items available from the collection are:

Available at Shiseido.com, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Bergdorf Goodman and Macy’s.

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.

Belle Belle Visits Mario Badescu Salon

Belle Belle Visits Mario Badescu Salon // Belle Belle Beauty

A highlight of my recent New York City adventure was stopping by the Mario Badescu Salon to get treated to a facial and learn more about this brand that I love. Heading into a oasis of calm after hoofing it around hectic New York City was in itself relaxing. While I was fairly confident about my skin type, I was relieved when Maria confirmed that I had very dry skin, slightly sensitive and definitely suffering from sun damage. Relived that I was correct but discouraged I had an uphill battle ahead of me. She was direct but also comforting in saying there was lots I could do to reverse the damage and soothe my dry, irritated skin.

Using lots of products with Aloe, my skin was cleaned. Extractions are usually a breeze for me – clogged pores aren’t my biggest issue. But she was gentle while still achieving a great deep clean. Next up was my beloved Flower and Tonic Mask which can clean pores without drying and while calming sensitivity. Next up was a salon-only peel-off Vitamin C mask. You know me… I can resist a good peel off and this was to help with sun damage and pigmentation. She finished with Facial Spray With Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater. To moisturize and protect, she used Aloe Moisturizer with SPF 15. I feel a little bit better with the higher protection of their Oil Free Moisturizer with SPF 30, but am happy to know of an alternative if I am feeling more sensitive than usual.

My skin looked so great, I braved a dinner with my favorite beauty bloggers that evening completely sans makeup. There is something to be said for just letting your skin breathe after a facial. For those of you in NYC, I highly highly suggest a visit to the salon (320 E. 52nd Street between 1st Ave & 2nd Ave). Starting at $65, facials can be a great way to whip your skin into shape and they are so affordable. The classic and no nonsense approach to skin care and in-person treatment left me with dewy, even skin. Even if you happen to find yourself in the neighborhood, you can drop in for a free consultation at the front desk. They will hook you up with samples of your suggested routine so you can try before you buy.

And those like me who aren’t in the big city, just check out this page on their website. You can chat live with a skin care specialist or fill out a form for your very own digital consultation. They will hook you up with those same samples to check out before you buy. How cool is that???

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.

Simple Skincare Pinterest Contest

Simple Skincare Pinterest Contest // Belle Belle Beauty

One of my beloved brands, especially for my increasingly sensitive skin, is launching a Pinterest page! And to celebrate, they are hosting a huge giveaway that I get to be a part of! As a Simple Skincare Ambassador, I get to pick one of seven winners. And if you are a Pinterest addict like me, entering is easy peasy!

Starting this week and through September 27th midnight EST you can enter to win one of seven Simple Gift Bags which includes the entire range and a $50 American Express gift card – whoa! Steps to enter are:

Good luck! Open to the US Only.

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.