Category: skin-care

Arcona Berry Fruit Bar

I know some people who have an issue with bar cleanser, but I am here to tell you why bar cleansers (especially this one) are fabulous. Arcona Berry Fruit Bar comes in the handy tub with a screw top. But, when I am not travelling, I leave it open because this stuff smells so darn good. When I first open the bar, I can stand it up sideways so the scent really fills the room.

Because this isn’t a liquid, instant space is freed up in that pesky, TSA-approved, plastic bag. And no need to fret about cleanser spills and accidents all over your well selected outfits.

Everything has been rough on my sensitive and dry skin this winter. This cleanser satisfies my need for something foamy but not harsh. The berry is really soothing – could be just the smell but it makes me feel better either way. Berries are high in vitamin C, which is an antioxidant. The white tea and vitamin E helps calm down skin irritation. I haven’t been using my Clarisonic with this, but I tried it out on my arm and they play together like champions.

Fresh Sugar Advanced Therapy Lip Treatment

I have an obsession with lip balm and my most recent selection has been my constant companion over the last couple weeks. The miracle of not losing it (as often happens with lip balm) is a testimony to how much I adore this stuff and won’t let it out of my sight.

Fresh Sugar Advanced Therapy Lip Treatment is a gentle and soothing lip balm that just happens to repair, nourish, plump, and smooth wrinkles. And it is scientifically proven to work with ingredients like Hyaluronic Spheres (fills and plumps) and sea fennel extract (smooths and defines).

I love the way Fresh packages their lip treatment in a metal case with a screw top. The screw top ensures that you will never lose the cap and risk that nasty debris at the bottom of your purse contaminating your new favorite lip balm.

“You have to treat your lips the same way you treat your eyes. For these delicate areas, you need ingredients that not only correct but also prevent. With this in mind, we blended effective skincare ingredients with sublime textures for nourishing formulas that offer soft, supple, and youthful lips.” —Lev Glazman, Fresh Co-founder

Lina Hanson Global Face Serum

Lina Hansen is a Swedish makeup artist, currently based in Hollywood. She has quite the lineup of celebrity clients who are already fans of her new serum. So naturally, I had to try it. Like some other “oils” out there, the Global Face Serum is a blend designed to be used as a moisturizer or pre-moisturizer treatment. What makes it different is that the blend is organic and sourced specifically to suport female empowerment and fair trade. Many of the ingredients are harvested by women to promote economic growth in their countries.

I’ve been using one pump, morning and night in addition to a creamy moisturizer. I have been pleased with increased radiance and improved hydration. It is quickly absorbed and calms down my skin after exfoliation. I am using a fairly strong retinol right now, so the addition of the serum has provided much needed balancing and healing. And it looks amazing under makeup. I’ve mixed a little with tinted moisturizer for a dewy, fresh look.

Normally, I would summarize the ingredients, but I love how Lina has detailed what each carefully selected ingredient will actually do for you. It is a little primer in natural skin care:

Marula — rich in antioxidants, anti-aging properties and is said to be a more potent source of vitamin c than oranges
Baobab — helps prevent and treat dry skin conditions
Camellia Seed — moisturizes, brightens the skin, lightens age spots and prevents wrinkles
Argan — protects against premature aging, hydrates the skin and neutralizes free radicals
Brazil Nut — maintains smooth, younger looking skin
Pumpkin Seed — decreases redness on the skin caused by rosacea
Mandarin — promotes a finer textured skin and helps remove any congestion as well as acne scars
Neroli — improves elasticity, stimulates new cell growth and softens wrinkles and scars
Frankincense — rejuvenates the skin and prevent the formation of wrinkles
Palmarosa — moisturizes your skin yet balances the hydration levels
Ylang Ylang — cures both dry and oily skin

Oh, and also worth mentioning:

No animal ingredients/no animal testing
Completely free of parabens, artificial fragrance, silicone, petrochemicals, synthetic fragrances or any other chemical ingredient.

Global Face Serum is available at www.linahanson.com.

NARS Makeup Removing Water

I have fully embraced cleansing oils, especially in this dry, Texas winter. But I just can’t get on board with the oil-based makeup removers that leave behind a filmy residue. NARS to the rescue. They recently launched a soap-free, oil-free, and alcohol-free water that removes face makeup and tones the skin. This is great alternative for those with oiler skin or those who prefer to stay away from the heavier formulas. Not to mention, I now can’t go without this toning step after cleansing to really make sure all my makeup is gone. This will come in especially handy this summer, when my skin is calling for something lightweight and refreshing. It is gentle enough for my sensitive skin and has soothing botanical ingredients that leave my skin glowing and hydrated.

International Salves

My Belgian friend, Sarah and I joke about her being my intern. I am pretty sure she thinks I am kidding, but I am dead serious. She recently saved the day by tracking down a European drugstore offering that I was dying to get my hands on: Homéoplasmine.

Since I am the queen of dry, irritated (and red) skin, I am always game to try out something that provides relief for skin irritation. This European salve is made with plant extracts and an antiseptic to soothe. I have been using it on my forearms where I suffer from Keratosis pilaris (those nasty red bumps that also show up on the back of the upper arms). I also have used it on cuticles, scars, psoriasis, and even on my cheeks where I have a little redness. No wonder this is (was) the best-kept beauty secret of countless professional estheticians and makeup artists.

The balm contains Calendula officinalis (pot marigold), a popular plant in Europe, that induces wound healing and helps relieve skin infection. It is an antiseptic and accelerates the cellular rejuvenation. Make sure you pick up a tube on your next visit to a Parisian pharmacy.

My other international gem isn’t quite as hard to find. Yu-be Moisturizing Skin Cream is available at Sephora. Yu-be was invented in 1957 by a Japanese pharmacist, and continues to be the top selling medicated skin cream in Japan today. The cream is glycerin based, with vitamin E, vitamin B2, and camphor (giving it a slightly medicinal smell). Glycerine is used in personal care products as a humectant to give smoothness and lubrication. It is an effective treatment for psoriasis, irritation, rashes, calluses and burns.

I have been putting Yu-be on my dry and callused feet before bed. After about 10 minutes in socks, my feet are soft and moisturized. Cuticles are soft and the camphor has a cooling effect, but without an obnoxiously overwhelming odor.

Miracle Skin Giveaway

I went about this a bit backwards. I was already hooked on the Miracle Skin™ Transformer Body SPF 20 but hadn’t yet tried Miracle Skin’s original product: Miracle Skin™ Transformer. There is certainly no method to my madness. But moving on, I was met with just as wonderful of a product as I expected. Sarah McNamara (Miracle Skin founder) has developed a core set of products that are simple, effective staples for your vanity (and mine). Plus they are made in the USA and not tested on animals, snagging my seal of approval.

The Miracle Skin™ Transformer isn’t a tinted moisturizer, but a tinted skin enhancer. The coverage is very light (but buildable). The silicone formulation improves the look of skin by minimizing fine lines, dark spots and blemishes. My complexion is evener but not covered up. At the same time, using the M3 Complex, the skin is hydrated while active antioxidants and vitamins (A, K, and E ) go to work. The formula literally calms down my perpetually red skin. And this winter, it has been my go to sun protection (SPF 20/UVA/UVB protection). I use Light. It is pretty sheer so it works, but I suggest you go a shade darker than you think you need. Next time, I’m going pick up Medium Tan.

Available in six shades:

Since I was clearly a convert, I HAD to try the Miracle Skin™ Transformer Treat & Conceal Eye & Face. This might be the all-star. It is actually a serum that conceals while it treats acne, redness, lines, bags, circles or whatever needs hiding. Salicylic acid helps treat blemishes – but it is gentle enough not to anger my sensitive skin. Vitamin K treats vascular conditions like nasty dark circles and redness around the nose. White rose and chamomile extracts calm the skin. Unlike any other concealer, it is silicone derived, creating a smooth and natural coverage. This is the least cake-y concealer I have used. I use light for the undereye, but I think next time I will pick up light/medium. Light is great for circles but a little too fair for my blemishes.

Available in three shades:

I can’t help but share this enthusiasm with you, my dear readers. So Miracle Skin and I are giving away a Miracle Skin™ Transformer AND Treat & Conceal Eye & Face to one lucky reader. Just enter using the widget below. Good luck!