Category: skin-care

3floz.com

One of my all time favorite websites is 3floz.com. When I first discovered it years ago, it was a “why didn’t I think of that?” moment. Everything beauty related is made travel friendly. They have an amazing selection of products that are perfect to pick up for a trip or try out at home. But to get a real sense of the all-stars, I asked the heavy hitters for their favorites. Founders, Alexi and Kate, share their top picks and Stacy Small, traveler and agent extrodinaire shares her “must haves” for her many days on the road. I also threw in my favorite items for good measure. Enjoy and be sure to check out the pins of the items on my Makeup Makeup Makeup Pinterest Board.

Alexi:

  • Yes to Cucumber Towelettes – I have these in every bag and my medicine cabinet. They are perfect for taking make up off, especially the eyes – they don’t burn like most Towelettes. I use them as hand sanitizers, cool down after the gym, after a long ride in the car/plane/subway. Basically, you can use them for anything.
  • Archipelago Dubai Travel Tin –  You never know what your hotel room is going to smell like so I like to be prepared. Dubai is blended with Amber, Mandarin and Musk.
  • BlowPro Beach Blow Texturizing Mist – I love my hair after a day at the beach…. The texturing mist gives my hair a day at the beach look!
  • Philip B Lavender Body Wash – Hot man smell in a bottle
  • David Kirsch Wellness Vitamin Juice Packets (Raspberry flavor) – I am pretty forgetful about taking vitamins every day! With the DK vitamins I pour a pouch into my water bottle in the morning while at my desk and drink my vitamins.
  • Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peels – I use these daily on my skin. They peel off the dead skin and leave my face feeling fresh and wrinkle free, or so I tell myself!

Kate:

  • Jonathan Create Volume Thickening Foam – Better than mousse!!  Use on the ends and sparingly on your roots for noticeably fuller hair.
  • Serge Norman Metasilk Shampoo and Conditioner – Luxurious is the only word to describe this combo.  I was a afraid my hair was going to be weighed down by these ultra lush products but that was just not the case and now I am a convert.  Moisture rich shampoo and conditioner that still gives me volume-AMAZING!
  • Blow Faux Dry Shampoo – This product is life changing.  The reason the BFD is my fav is because it really soaks up the oils and works on all hair.  My hair is dark and so I apply it over the crown of my head, massage it in-you need to massage it in like you would shampoo-and use my blow dryer to get rid of the extra powder.  I can extend my blow out a least 2 days longer than I should with this product.
  • Dr. Dennis Gross Glow Pads – these wipes have saved my skin!  Since I met these wipes tanning has never crossed my mind.  They work with your own skins Vitamin D so the color is perfect and they exfoliate the skin leaving a healthy glow.
  • Supergoop City Serum SPF 30+ – First serum I have ever found that does not irritate my skin and doesn’t like that dry film.  I include a few drops in with my daily face moisturize and apply it directly to my neck and décolletage.

Stacy:

  • Air Repair Complexion Quenching Facial Mist – The aloe leaf juice, hyaluronic acid and sodium PCA makes this stuff a champion at fighting the drying effects of flying. It actually soothes irritated skin and leaves me radiant upon arrival.
  • Ole Henriksen See the Difference Serum with African Red Tea – As a frequent traveler, I am constantly on the look-out for products that will hydrate my skin without clogging my pores. The Ole Henricksen Red Tea serum is like a magic potion that does just this…especially on the plane and when traveling in colder climates than I am accustomed to.
  • David Kirsch Wellness B-12 Spray – The B12 Wellness spray is a fantastic way to get my needed energy boost when jet lag hits.
  • Murad Energizing Pomegranate Lip Protector – I love the Murad pomegranate lip protector year-round; have tried so many different lip balms and glosses and this one is soothing and shiny without being greasy.
  • Phytovolume Actif Volumizer Spray – My naturally straight hair loves the Phyto volumizer as it adds just enough volume without that awful product residue of many sprays and volumizers.
  • Murad Essential-C Eye Cream SPF 15 – Vitamin C can work against those stubborn dark eye circles and I love the SPF is already included.

Me:

  • Herban Essentials essential oil towelettes – I love their mixed bag of towelettes because I use different scents for different things. On an overnight flight, the lavender is a perfect way to remove germs while unwinding. The mint refreshes in the AM. And citrus is perfect after a rush through an airport or a workout.
  • Yes to Cucumber Towelettes – Like Alexi, I stash these everywhere. They are perfect if you are just too tired to do the whole routine in the evening. Just wipe your makeup off and fall into bed.
  • Blow Faux Dry Shampoo – Kate introduced me to this stuff. Thank goodness, because it is the best dry shampoo I have tried. I love how you squeeze the bottle to dispense. It leaves hair fresh and clean.
  • Jack Black Intense Lip Therapy SPF 25 with Natural Mint & Shea Butter – Actually designed for men, I can’t quit this lip balm. It is super conditioning and thick, but also with a hefty does of SPF. The mint is really refreshing.
  • Dr. Hauschka Birch Arnica Body Oil – You know how you can get kinda sore after being cooped up in an airplane? I love throwing this stuff in a bath upon arrival. It supports muscle flexibility and soothes sore joints and muscles.

DERMAdoctor KP Duty

Dr. Kunin developed DERMAdoctor to target common (but often overlooked) skin conditions and concerns. While she has tons of products, it was the KP Duty line that really jumped out at me. My Keratosis Pilaris has continuously worsened with age and no doctor or dermatologist recommended anything that would help. Thankfully that all changed after I bought the KP Duty Body Scrub and Dermatologist Moisturizing Therapy. Half of all people have this condition. So most of you are probably familiar with Keratosis Pilaris. But if you aren’t:

KP is a common skin disorder typified by ‘chicken skin’—bumps commonly found on upper arms, thighs and torso. Excess skin forms around individual hair follicles, creating the characteristic minute, rough, grater-like bumps. This disorder is particularly likely to affect anyone prone to eczema, asthma or hay fever.

KP Duty Body Scrub is a heavy duty exfoliation. Don’t even think about using this on your face. The scrub has large granules but doesn’t burn. I had to ease into using it as the first two uses caused some redness and peeling. This medical-quality treatment combines a mini-chemical peel and microdermabrasions.

After exfoliating, I used the Dermatologist Moisturizing Therapy. This rich lotion with hyaluronic acid and texturizing dimethicone kept my dry skin hydrated and plump. But there was still active ingredients at work exfoliating: glycolic acid and urea soften and smooth dry and rough skin. Green tea works as an antioxidant.

After a couple of weeks, my skin was smoother with diminished red spots. Each passing week of use shows an improvement. This definitely will be in my long-term routine.

Somme Institute 5-step Regimen and Boost Mask

For the past several weeks, I’ve been using the Somme Institute 5-step Regimen. While I used different eye creams and added in a minimal number of other treatments, I was consistant with the Somme Institute products to ensure I could measure results (except SPF – see below). I felt that was important with this particular system because the delivery system and philosophy was specific and distinctive. The 5-step Regimen includes:

  • Step 1: Nourishing Cleanser – A non-foaming cleanser containing patented MDT5. Deep cleans skin without irritation or over-drying and dissolves dirt and oils without clogging pores.
  • Step 2: Transport – Soft cotton pads infused with MDT5 and AHA exfoliate dead cells on the skin’s surface, unclogging blocked pores while delivering highly-engineered vitamins thus improving resiliency, hydration and encouraging cell renewal.
  • Step 3: Serum – advanced technology that combines a potent, stabilized form of Vitamin C along with a high concentration of MDT5 to strengthen skin elasticity and smooth the appearance of fine lines.
  • Step 4: A-Bomb – a lightweight cream containing MDT5 and high levels of Vitamins A & E help soften fine lines and wrinkles while targeting problem areas.
  • Step 5: Double Defense (SPF 30+) – lightweight, water-resistant lotion with SPF 30+ and Parsol 1789 to help protect your skin from premature aging while locking in vital moisture.

Somme Institute uses a patented technology to achieve vitamin and protein delivery. The MDT5 (Molecular Dispersion Technology) promises to transform the skin while treating with vitamins A, B3, B5, C and E. This is a fairly active skin care line as every step contains these vitamins. I was instantly met with some breakouts which I was told could be expected as the process delivers the treatment deeper than usual in the skin. But, as promised, those blemishes cleared up quickly. My skin did look clearer and more even, but wasn’t quite as radiant or hydrated.

My two concerns were with the A-Bomb (moisturizer) and Double Defense (SPF). The A-Bomb too lightweight for my dry skin. I felt I had to use an especially large amount. And I had a reaction to the SPF and was unable to use it (but my skin can be unusually sensitive to SPF). Instead I used La Mer SPF 30 UV Protecting Fluid. That being said, I think this is a brillant line for someone with younger, problem skin who is on the oiler side and isn’t too sensitive. The system is easy to use with proven efficacy.

The Nourishing Cleanser, while not foaming, balanced my skin while removing makeup and dirt. I fell in love with the Serum. Vitamin C wasn’t a part of my regular routine. I will continue to purchase Serum as I honestly have seen some improvement in my redness. It also contains extracts of Ylang Ylang, Jasmine, Geranium, Lavender, Marigold and Galbanum to calm and soothe the skin. And a real star for me was Transport. I love a good AHA pad. And these caused zero irritation. My pores were clear and skin looked more even.

My favorite part of the line, not part of the 5-step Regimen, was the Boost Mask. Back in the day, Biore made a warming cleanser that fascinated me. This Boost mask is the same deal. It gently warms up as you work it into your skin, increasing blood circulation and enhancing the MDT5 technology.  The pumpkin enzymes increase cellular regeneration while Kaolin absorbs excess oil, dirt and impurities. It is perfect for an evening bathtime ritual.

Kate Somerville KateCeuticals Moisture Milk Cleanser

I’ve been on a bit of a retinol and AHA kick. And I can say, my skin has never looked better. But it might be slightly in need of some tender loving care. And nothing hits the spot better than a rich, creamy cleanser from Kate Somerville.

The worst is when a gentle cleanser is so gentle it doesn’t to anything, but this stuff is still highly effective. I use a wipe to first remove my makeup. Then smooth the milk cleanser over wet skin. It instantly soothes with vitamins and plant extracts. Bitter orange peel cleanses, leaving my skin honestly as clean as with a foaming wash, but not stripped or tight. The cleanser itself is actually hydrating with Kukui, Macadamia, and Coconut Oils. And the hydration leaves me a little bit more glowy and radiant.

I’ll never be able to quit a big, foaming facewash, but I am also keeping this stuff nearby.

Belle Belle on the Web

I’m thrilled to be part of Safe Sun Stories on the Bergdorf Goodman blog today! Check out my review of  SPF 30 UV Protecting Fluid by La Mer right here. We are coming up on Melanoma awareness month and summer weather is just around the corner. Don’t forget to stock up on Sunscreen. This La Mer fluid is dreamy to use and works great under makeup!

I’m also guest blogging over at The Bolder the Better, rounding up Spring Trends. Amy is a fabulous fashionista in Austin and is making quite the splash with her new blog. She’s a master mixologist of prints and just plain lovely. For more details on bold lips, full brows, metallic lids and colorful nails, check it out here!


St. Ives Scrub-free Exfoliating Pads and Naturally Smooth Hand Cream

What do you get when you mix the buzz-worthy beauty ingredient with affordable, drugstore cult-favorite brand?  St. Ives Scrub-free Exfoliating Pads and Naturally Smooth Hand Cream! Love it the latest and greatest appears on drugstore shelves. And what’s hot right now are AHA’s.

So what are AHAs and how do they work? The most common forms of AHAs are: glycolic acid (from sugar cane), lactic acid , malic acid (from apples), citric acid (from citrus fruits) and tartaric acid (from grape wine). Human skin has two principal components, the avascular epidermis and the underlying vascular dermis. Aging generally occurs in the underlying dermis. So that’s where AHAs come in. Due to small molecular size, these guys can penetrate the top layer of skin (glycolic is the smallest). The generate more collagen at deeper levels and generate new cells at the surface.

I’ve been incorporating these into my routine in the form of products found in the post here. But if your looking to find them at the drugstore price point, look no further!

St. Ives Scrub-Free Exfoliating Pads are gentle enough to use everyday. They are perfect to throw in a gym bag or pack for a summer trip.

  • First mass-market brand exfoliating pads with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs)
  • Exfoliates to reveal smoother, younger-looking skin in just 7 days
  • Formulated with 100 percent natural lactic acid
  • Available at select mass retailers, drugstores and supermarkets nationwide for $4.99 (SRP)

St. Ives Naturally Smooth Hand Cream is incredibly nourishing. It is easy to forget that aging is so apparent on delicate skin on the back of your hands. AHAs will help keep the skin looking young will moisturizing like a champ.

  • Exfoliates and improves the appearance of rough, uneven skin in just 7 days
  • 100 percent natural moisturizers help it absorb quickly into skin
  • Formulated with natural alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs)
  • Available at Target stores nationwide for $2.99 (SRP)