Category: skin-care

GlamGlow Mud Mask

I’m fascinated with celebrities’ glowing, even skin on the red carpets. I know, largely, this can be attributed to their makeup artists. But there is a tool that I have discovered that definitely can play a big part in prepping. In fact, GlamGlow was designed as a ‘facial in a jar’ to achieve an ‘immediate’ camera-ready glowing skin. And it is a “must have” for those big event evenings, even if you aren’t a Hollywood A-lister.

GlamGlow is made from mud from Southern France and contains pieces of tea leaf to help exfoliate and deliver antioxidants. It tightens skin and minimizing pores but without drying. My skin actually feels smoother and softer – a great prep for camera-ready makeup. The exfoliation doesn’t offend my easily irritated skin

I use mine in the tub, max twice weekly. I personally save mine for specially occasions. Apply an even thin layer to clean skin. It drastically changes color as it dries, letting you know when it is ready to rinse off. Remove mask with water in circular motions to exfoliate.

La Prairie Cellular Radiance Cream Blush

This is splurge-y. Yes, I know. But it is just that darn good. October of last year, it won Allure’s ‘Best of Beauty’ award for Best Top Splurge Blush. I’ve been using the Cellular Radiance Cream Blush in Peach Glow for a couple weeks. I invariably toss this in my purse because I want it with me all the time. Not to mention how beautiful the silver and gold compact is.

The nourishing formula adds needed hydration and soothes my skin. The Peach Glow just adds a touch of pinky peach with just balanced luminance. It isn’t a dramatic  look but rather healthy and natural. I just use my fingers to apply right on my cheekbones in a sheer wash, but you can build up the color. This can be worn alone or over any lotion or cream foundation.

There are five shades available:

  • Rose Glow
  • Peach Glow
  • Berry Glow
  • Mauve Glow
  • Plum Glow

P.S. I already envy all of you that live out in LA. Or even those of you with an upcoming trip out there. My four days back in April just weren’t near enough. I squeezed in a visit to the new La Prairie spa at the gorgeous Hotel Bel-Air. The property has recently been updated and the new spa is a “can’t miss”. The understated elegancy and luxury is perfectly quiet and tranquil. May I suggest their new Luxe Caviar manicure and pedicure? Or perhaps a signature facial?

by Lindsay Rogers

Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate

I was just at the dermatologist yesterday, fretting about sun damage. Her suggestion: start on some form of Vitamin C stat. Unfortunately, the lauded C E Ferulic® from SkinCeuticals causes some sort of redness on me. So I am anxious to try one of Kiehl’s best-selling product: Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate.

Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate uses a 10.5% concentration of pure Vitamin C. It can help prevent the formation of fine lines, help hyper-pigmentation and improve the texture of your skin. And they are giving all of us a chance to try it:

On Saturday, May 12, Kiehl’s is hosting a “Kiehl’s Day of Strength,” at all Kiehl’s locations and Kiehls.com. Customers are invited to any Kiehl’s location for some Vitamin C refreshments, and to receive a complimentary 10.5 day sample to experience themselves. I know I’ll be there to snag mine.

Use this after cleansing and before moisturizer. Works on all skin types. Use it AM and PM.

NEST Fragrances

Two main reasons why I appreciate Laura Slatkin (other than her outstanding home fragrances). First, she’s a Wall Street girl turned luxury goods expert. I too have some Wall Street years under my belt, so I know how hard it can to be to transition out of that world. Secondly, she’s bringing her award winning home fragrances to our skin. Yep, NEST is rolling out the personal care products. Since this brand is far and away one of my favorites in the space, I wanted to share a few of my favorites with you.

  1. You already know how much I love when fashion and beauty meet (hello, Guerlain and Pucci). Same goes for home fragrance and fashion. Jason Wu launched his first fragrance, Orchid Rain, in scented candle form in March. Inspired by florals, Wu included crisp freshness of rare orchid and Asian pear. And the porcelain vessel can be reused (currently home to my makeup brushes).
  2. My favorite size of candle is the single wick. They last about 50 hours and are easy to maintain. The grapefruit is perfect for a clean, “pick me up” scent. Pink pomelo grapefruit and watery green nuances are blended with Lily of the Valley and Coriander Blossom.
  3. I usually don’t like uber-floral candles, but springtime sometimes calls for Peony Blanche Candle. Peony blossoms and watery nuances are accented by a white floral bouquet of jasmine, magnolia, and lily.
  4. I’m new to the diffuser scene and already hooked. It is a persistant and low-maintenance way to freshen a room. I keep my Blue Garden in the bathroom – never having to fret about leaving it unattended.
  5. Here is where the beauty blogger in me REALLY gets excited. Hand soaps are the newest launch and just the beginning of what I hope to be a large personal care line. The soaps are not drying and housed in the most beautiful vessel. Moss and Mint is great for the kitchen and Bamboo (green citrus and white florals) is perfect for the guest bath.
  6. My favorite of all NEST scents is Moroccan Amber – just a hint masculine and so cozy for an evening spent in.

Keep an eye out for the Beach line hitting counters soon – sparkling turquoise water and lush coconut are married with juicy melon and a luminous base of lotus flower and sensual woods. 

Nuance Salma Hayek Anti-Aging Tinted Eye Brightener

I was already hooked on the Nuance Salma Hayek Oxygen Activated Foaming Face Wash reviewed here. But a new batch of products, including the Anti-Aging Tinted Eye Brightener, was recently added to the lineup. Add this to my list of drugstore superstars.

This is a pen with a brush at one end. You twist the bottom as the product enters up from the center of the brush. At first, the pigment looks peachy orange, but it goes on perfectly. It promises to be universal and I think it would work on any skin tone. And not because it is sheer, because the darkness under my eyes is evened. It adds a bit of yellow to my reddish skin making it smooth.

Lemon extract & vitamin C help nourish the skin and provide antioxidant protection. Blue Agave’s age-defying properties help soothe, hydrate and firm the skin both instantly and continuously. Caffeine invigorates the skin to help reduce the appearance of puffiness. Haloxyl (Haloxyl is a trademark of Sederma, Inc.), an advanced peptide complex, helps to minimize the appearance of dark circles and sculpt the eye area for fresher, vibrant, more youthful-looking eyes.

A little more about Nuance: Salma Hayek wasn’t just a celebrity name to slap on a product line.  Her grandmother, a cosmetologist who developed home remedies, inspired throughout the development of the line.   Salma was active in the creation of products and you can really see her Mexican heritage in the ingredient list (blue agave & lemon). She covered the bases: Ophthalmologist tested. Dermatologist tested. Hypoallergenic. Noncomedogenic. Fragrance free. Paraben free. Not tested on animals.

Kate Somerville DermalQuench Liquid Lift Advanced Wrinkle Treatment

If you visit the blog often, you probably know that I am a huge fan of Kate Somerville’s products. But I never could possibly expect a product that could do this. Literally, I was checking out some new lines on my forehead, wishing I had a solution but knowing it was just a reality of the mid-30s. And then enters Kate Somerville DermalQuench Liquid Lift Advanced Wrinkle Treatment.

The can/bottle looks unlike anything I have ever seen. Why did it have this protruding nozzle? After a quick read of the instructions and a test on my hand, I had to see what this stuff could do to those new (and annoying) lines on my forehead. She has basically packaged her cult-status 60 minute “DermalQuench Oxygen Treatment” into a bottle. The treatment uses oxygen and Hyaluronic Acid to plump skin.

The cannister is actually presurized and contains ”wrinkle-relaxing PFC-Oxygen Carriers”. These “carriers” deliver the oxygen and Hyaluronic Acid. Watch out for going overboard. I did get a little over-zealous on the first use and had some resulting peeling. But after some weeks of use, my lines were noticably reduced. This can be used once or twice daily. My sensitive skin does better with just one use per day.

This isn’t on the Neiman Marcus website yet, but I know it is already in stores. You can also find it at Nordstrom.com.

A side note: I was lucky enough to visit “The Clinic” in Los Angeles this weekend. I can’t wait to report back on my experience!