Category: skin-care

Omoroivza Queen of Hungary Mist

I’ve recognized some skin care products for sticking around for decades, but this is the first time I’ve encountered something that has passed the test for centuries. The original formula of Queen of Hungary Water was formulated for Queen Elisabeth of Hungary in the 14th century. It was the original “must have” in Europe, known all over the continent for centuries. Are you paying attention yet? Because this legend certainly had mine. And I can’t say I blame the Queen for reportedly having the original formula written in letters of gold. Yes, it is that good.

And I am no stranger to sprays or sprits. I use these products year-round: for extra moisture in the winter and a refreshing cool-down in the summer. So trust me when I say this one is special. It is part fragrance, but only in the sense that it effects your mood in the most lovely way. The Orange Blossom, Rose, and Sage Waters are uplifting, refreshing and soothing all at the same time. The updated formula contains no alcohol, allowing for tremendous skin care benefits.

The whole Omorovicza line utilizes Hungarian Thermal Water, full of minerals and trace elements that work wonders on the skin. In addition, the founders developed Omorovicza Pannon Complex that works to best deliver these beneficial ingredients. So, as your mood lifts, you are toning and hydrating the skin – probably why I have decanted this into smaller containers for the airplane.

Some of my other Omorovicza favorites include: Thermal Cleansing Balm, Gold Eye Lift and Gold Shimmer Oil.

 

 

Travel Friendly Wipes

I was, almost irrationally, excited to achieve a exclusive frequent flier status this past year. Those little perks, upgrades and VIP treatment are just enough to transform a flying experience. So, needless to say, I am no stranger to airplanes. And you’ll be surprised to hear, unlike most beauty junkies, I do not check luggage if at all possible. Fretting over its safe arrival is just too much to take. And maybe a little control freak problem going on there too.

So, I like to consider myself an expert on how to pack TSA-friendly cosmetics. The champion of this endeavor is wipes. These guys don’t require any of that precious space in that plastic baggie. So, why not throw in a couple varieties? Along with Yes to Cucumbers Facial Towelettes, these are my favorites.

Lumene Sensitive Touch Cleansing Wipes are the value performer. At the same time, they are gentle on my sensitive skin. I like using these for workhorse eye makeup removal. Even though they are gentle, they can easily stand up to a heavily dressed up eye. The wipes are alcohol-free, colorant-free, fragrance-free, paraben-free and silicone-free. The smaller packs of 10 wipes for $2.99 are great for your purse and you can find them at CVS.

Korres Milk Proteins Cleansing & Make Up Removing Wipes are also super gentle but a little more of a splurge – $12 for 25 wipes at Sephora. But these guys are performers. I get that fully cleansed feel after I use these, just as if I had used my favorite foaming cleanser. The milk proteins help soften the skin with supple, refreshed results. These milk proteins contain amino acids that actually nourish, rather than strip, the skin.

Hope these will come in handy for you on your upcoming (and hopefully beach getaway) travels! Bon Voyage.

Tammy Fender

Over the holidays, I had the pleasure of using some of my favorite products from Tammy Fender. I was eager to say the least – I recently visited her skin care center and was blown away about her approach to skin care.  Not to mention, the amazing facial coupled with holistic healing treatments.

While Tammy Fender is adored by Hollywood celebrities and has been featured in magazines like Vogue, her skin care flies slightly under the radar. It is almost part of the allure. Every product and skin care center experience has an authentic and sincere feel. The products and treatments are crafted with care, packaged in glass containers. And each works to benefit each individual on a physical, emotional and spiritual level.

My take-home skin care regime started with the Purifying Cleansing Gel, containing Spearmint & Alfalfa. This gel does not foam and is very gentle. Sometimes I needed an extra step to get off a full face of makeup. But this cleanser wasn’t about just a clean face – the herbs balanced my skin, drastically reduced redness and lifted my mood with the lively scent.

Alfafa was a new ingredient for me – I’ll be keeping an eye out for it in the future. The high chlorophyll content and minerals promote balanced absorption and healing. Mint has always been a favorite for detoxifying and reducing redness – plus I love the scent can put a pep in my step.

Next up is the Capillary Strengthening Blend. While this is technically a “treatment”, it often fulfilled my moisturizing needs as well.  No wonder since it has Jojoba and Borage Oil. In my early thirties, I have noticed more redness around my nose. While I have confirmed it isn’t technically rosacea, I do have that nagging inflammation. So I am right in the market for something that can protect my capillaries. This treatments repairs delicate tissue with chamomile, neroli, rose and carrot seed. And bonus – it helps regeneration of healthy new skin cells.

I admit, my last product, Antioxidant Creme Neroli & Orange, was on my list solely because of its amazing scent. But after a couple weeks, I discovered it is equally lovely because of the supple skin it fosters. It has collagen-stimulating benefits and the Neroli helps heal scar tissue and reduces puffiness. Sweet Orange is one of my all time favorite scents. Its vitamin C encourages collagen production and can clear blemishes.

Overall, I am impressed with the holistic and original approach of the line. The skin care institute is a “must” for anyone in the Palm Beach area and worthy of a field trip for those who need an excuse to visit sunny, South Florida.

 

Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm

Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm is like a little slice of European Spa heaven. This black balm has a relaxing, natural scent that I only can describe as spa-like which assures me that the cleansing must be outstanding. I’m probably getting a whiff of:

  • Hungarian Moor Mud:Brimming with calcium and magnesium carbonates, acts as a magnet to impurities and make-up.
  • Sweet Almond Oil: Nourishes the skin and leaves it soft and silky.
  • Orange Blossom: A surprising whiff of orange blossom transports to distant shores.

A finger scoop of the greenish, black cream cleans out my pores and brightens my skin without stripping it of hydration. While it sounds messy and more mask-like, it really is a cream cleanser empowered by European detoxifying ingredients. Just massage all over the face – I’ve tried dry and wet skin and either works. Then rinse using a washcloth. Any skin type can take advantage of the balm.

The mud used in the balm has been around for 2,000 years, used in Hungary’s thermal baths for curative purposes. Five years ago, Margaret and Stephen de Heinrich de Omorovicza began using this ancient healing resource in their skin care system. Their packaging is elegant and harkens a glamourous age.

Right now, at Neiman Marcus, you receive a gift with any $100 Omorovicza purchase – reason to run out and pick some things up. I am a fan of so much of the line and have several Omorovicza product reviews coming up, including Queen of Hungary Mist, Gold Eye Lift and Gold Shimmer Oil.

 

 

 

LAVANILA

I know I sound like a pre-teen girl, but I ADORE vanilla scents. There is something so comforting about that warm, spicy smell. Because I know they are so personal, I try to make it a rule not to recommend perfumes. But just in case some of you out there love vanilla just as much as me, I wanted to mention LAVANILA.

LAVANILA was created by Danielle Raynor and Laura DiGirolamo, both beauty industry veterans. Their goal was to create fragrances that were healthy, natural and skin-friendly. They selected vanilla as their anchor for its warm and natural qualities. LAVANILA, Madagascar’s native word for the ingredient, was adopted as the company’s name. Traditional beauty products contain fragrances formulated with ingredients that can irritate skin and aggravate senses. Because your skin absorbs up to 60 percent of what is applied, LAVANILA set out to create formulas from 100% organic and natural ingredients, free from harsh chemicals.

The couple of scents I have sampled are definitely not sweet. As they say on their website, this is more “vanilla bean” than “vanilla cookie”. The collections include:

  • Pure Vanilla Collection: Known to the LAVANILA creators as the “Perfect Vanilla,” this is their standard scent. Blending the freshness of Madagascar vanilla with warm patchouli and pure Tonka bean, the combination is soothing and sweet for both your skin and senses.
  • Vanilla Grapefruit Collection: This citrus scent uplifts and refreshes with hints of grapefruit and lime. Blended with rich Madagascar vanilla, this unique, crisp fragrance is accented with warm cedarwood for a comforting aroma.
  • Vanilla Coconut Collection: Young coconut, Tahitian white flowers, and Madagascar vanilla bean create an indulgent aroma in this collection. Feel like you’ve bee transported to an exotic island with this rich, tropical fragrance.
  • Vanilla Lavender Collection: For a feeling of tranquility and serenity, embrace this rich vanilla and lavender mixture. Spanish lavender, rose absolute, violet leaf, and Madagascar vanilla combine to create a rich, all-natural fragrance.

Vanilla Blossom, Vanilla Blackberry and Vanilla Passion Fruit are also available on lavanila.com.

The brand also carries lip butter, body wash, deodorant and a baby-friendly collection. And I love the Mini Roller Ball Set as a stocking stuffer.

Super by Dr. Nicholas Perricone Brightening Activator

Dr. Nicholas Perricone recently launched a second line of skin care based on the power of super foods to aid in aging and general appearance of the skin. I can get on board with this concept. I do, after all, look better when I eat right. And the packaging on these cheerful products were like candy. I couldn’t resist.

I picked up the Brightening Activator that promises to exfoliate, saturate, and activate the complexion while toning the skin. While it is marketed as a supercharged liquid, it feels very watery to me. It does add that second step of cleanliness, like any other toner. But I am not sure it was revolutionary in “prepping” the skin. That being said, it isn’t designed to strip so it played nicely with my sensitive skin. I had zero irritation even though it does contain: carotenoids, ferulic acid, lactic acid, and phytic acids.  I couldn’t detect any exfoliation, but I did feel somewhat hydrated. And my skin care that came after the toner went on really well.

Bottom line: I am not sure this is an active ingredient that will, on its own, improve the appearance of the skin. But those who have dry and uneven skin might like the mild exfoliation. I love the pump dispenser, but I am not too crazy about the mango scent.