Category: skin-care

Dad’s Day Gift Ideas

This weekend, it is time to fete all those great dads out there! I know my dad and I have a lazy day at home planned, with a yummy dinner and some games of catch in the yard. For those last minute shoppers, here are some of my favorite men’s products I’ve come across lately.

Kiehl’s “Heavy Lifting”Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizer for Men is a super powered version of one of my father’s favorites. Formulated especially for men’s thicker skin, this works to battle signs of aging.

Molton Brown SPORT Collection is for the sporty father. My tester used it from head to toe and reported stellar performance as a shave gel, shower gel and shampoo. I love the convenience of one product, especially for a gym bag. The fragrance blend – cassia bark, nutmeg and lime – helps soothe tired muscles.

My neighbor friend has been sporting the Gucci Guilty Black Pour Homme – dare I say… swoon worthy? And frankly, I wore it myself for a couple days – ladies, this is worth stealing from the boys. The Patchoili gives it a sensuality while orange and lavender leave it feeling not to heavy.

Supergoop! Continuous Mist Broad Spectrum SPF 50, one of my favorite SPFs this summer, has also been a hit with the guys. For the outdorsman father, you can’t go wrong with this great smelling spray. Natural oils add a unisex citrus scent and leave skin nourished.

One of the products my father praises most is his Clarisonic. Men love gadgets so I don’t know why I am so surprised. The Clarisonic ‘Aria – Black’ Sonic Skin Cleansing System is a sleek masculine color and will leave his skin smooth and exfoliated.

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.

Brand Spotlight: Bioelements

Bioelements is a skin care line focused on fostering younger looking skin with professional grade products you use at home. The skin care regimens are custom blended for ideal results according to your skin type. Their formulas are responsibly crafted, always free of parabens, fragrances and colorants. And never tested on animals. One of the biggest joys of using Bioelements is their glass skin care packaging. Not only does it feel more luxe, but it maintains the integrity of the products and is 100% recyclable.

I’ve been surrounding myself with some Bioelements best and brightest for the past month and have been thrilled with results. Not only are the products wonderful to use – they have honestly made my skin look better. My main issues are hyper-pigmentation and redness. The following four items have helped me moderate both and keep safe in the sun.

Again, an oil based cleanser that really can clean, the Bioelements Sensitive Skin Cleanser is gentle and nourishing. Olive oil is used to lift impurities while calming and soothing. And your skin won’t be striped of precious moisture.

Using one of my most beloved skin care ingredients, Advanced VitaMineral C Complex has a double dose because it uses Acerola cherries, which contain 32 times more vitamin C than oranges. This extract is the most scientifically advanced C ester and can fight aging and brighten skin. I’ve been using this day and night and find my skin to be more radiant without any irritation.

I’ve been spending a lot of time in the sun. I know I needed something with a really high SPF on a daily basis to try to keep this sun damage at bay. The Bioelements SPF 50 FaceScreen has that broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection I need. At the same time, it works to firm and reduce the appearance of fine lines. The formula uses chemical blockers so you get that sunscreen smell, but on the plus side, you don’t get any whitish cast. The rich cream leaves my skin ultra-hydrated. Also to note, it was named ‘Best Anti-Aging Sunscreen’ by Dr. Oz’s YouBeauty.com.

I’ve been running more lately and I couldn’t be more thrilled with the way it leaves me feeling. The downside is my redness really ramps up… even hours after I finish a jog. The Bioelements Calmitude Hydrating Solution is one of the very few products I’ve found that can really calm that flare up. The spray soothes and calms upset skin while hydrating.

Find your closest spa here. Or order Bioelements products on bioelements.com.

NEW: Perricone MD Photo Plasma

This frothy, pink cream has me giddy. So so giddy. As I spend these weekend days outside over and over again, I realize I need to be reaching for something I really trust to keep my skin safe. Beyond that, Perricone MD Photo Plasma is perfectly suited for every day SPF, great under makeup and gentle on my sensitive skin.

Somehow this formula is oil-free, while still at the same time super rich and luxurious. My persnickety skin drinks it up – albeit I do like a moisturizer underneath. It is powered by Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide, non-chemical UVA and UVB mineral sunscreens, but I get no whitish cast on my skin.

The anti-aging benefits aren’t just its broad specturm UVA and UVB protection. Astaxanthin acts as a antioxidant known for its photo protective powers. And my beloved Vitamin C Ester (along with Alpha Lipoic Acid) work to even and brighten skin.

Finally, Perricone MD Photo Plasma provides a radiance and makes my skin look great even alone without makeup. I love this “new to me” clinical line has great efficacy while looking fabulous and being gentle.

NEW: Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser and GIVEAWAY

Sometimes I feel like Goldylocks with my cleansers. One doesn’t foam enough. Another is a touch too drying. And another one doesn’t quite get all my makeup off. Well, hot off the presses is a new cleanser from Neutrogena and this one has beauty editors singing praises. I can see why because it does everything I ask of a cleanser.

Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser is formulated with a patented technology that can remove 99% of excess oil, dirt and even makeup, while preserving the skin’s delicate moisture barrier. The formula is clear and can whip up to a fairly good lather. I can only detect a very light and pleasant fragrance. All my makeup other than some stubborn mascara comes right off with just a standard wash. And when you rinse it away, there is no tightness or dryness. It rinses clean, so no residue to clog pores.

According to dermatologist Dr. Debra Jaliman, “My patients often complain they have to choose between their skin feeling clean or feeling moist. The key is finding a cleanser that doesn’t disrupt skin’s delicate moisture barrier to leave skin not only clean, but also feeling soft and never too dry or too tight.” Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser, the little workhorse, can do all of this. Not to mention, leave skin perfectly prepped for any skin care treatments applied post cleansing.

Neutrogena came up with a fun little quiz to help you put your cleanser against their new Gentle Daily Cleanser. Pop over and take the cleansing assessment here. If you are one of the first 5,000 people to sign up, you’ll get a free sample! Check out my assessment here:

I’m so enthusastic about the Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser, I wanted to share the love. I’ve teamed up with Neutrogena for a special chance for three of you lucky readers to try out their new cleanser. Enter using the widget below. US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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.

Deals and Steals – Simple Skincare

If you are itching to try out Simple Skincare but haven’t gotten around to it… now’s your chance! Safeway is having a stellar “Buy 2, Get 2” promotion – buy two Simple Skincare products, get $2 off. What a great chance to get on a new summer regimen!

My two Simple Skincare picks with the warming weather? I keep reaching for the Oil Balancing Cleansing Wipes. They seem to do an even better job at cutting through sunscreen and summer buildup. And, at the same time, Zinc PCA refreshes and helps control shine. The Vital Vitamin Day Cream SPF 15 also helps balance me out. Somehow, it manages to keep my skin moisturized without becoming greasy in the warm weather. Not to mention keeps those clogged pores away. It also provides that crucial UVA and UVB protection.

Don’t know if you have a Safeway near you? Based on where you live, Safeway is also known as:

Dominick’s
Vons
Randalls
Tom Thumb
Carrs

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.

First Aid Beauty Gentle Cleansing Wipes

What did we do before cleansing wipes became popular? They come in so handy during hot days, removing loads of makeup, and saving the evening when I am just too darn lazy to full-out wash my face. But so often they can be abrasive and be tough on especially gentle skin like around the eyes. After hearing my fellow beauty junkies rave about FAB (or First Aid Beauty), I know I wanted to explore the line and what better way than those cherished wipes?

These wipes are generously sized and super soft. They have plenty of product – enough to do the job but not so much they get messy. While you can use these anytime for a general refresh, they do an outstanding job removing makeup – even stubborn eye makeup. They also work against surface oils making them idea post-workout.

A unique blend of chamomile, aloe, and bisabolol calm and soothe the skin. The FAB Antioxidant Booster (Licorice Root, Feverfew, and White Tea) prevents free radical damage. The thoughtful combo of ingredients along with the super soft material make these a winner in my book. Even at $15 for 30 wipes, you get what you pay for. I’d especially recommend these for those with ultra-sensitive skin.