Belle Belle Beauty

Simple Skincare Giveaway Just In Time For Back To School

Ready to turn over a new leaf? Get that skin care routine finally in order? Well, now’s your chance! I’ve teamed up with the folks at Simple Skincare and we are giving away the entire range of Simple’s offerings! That’s right, you’ll have wipes for cleansing, a great lightweight SPF, and a richer Vital Vitamin for those drier days coming up. One of everything. Just enter using the widget below. US Only and good luck!

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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.

Brand Spotlight: YON-KA Skin Care

Yon-Ka is one of those brands I had seen and respected from afar. But I have never really had a chance to dive into their world. After learning about the brand and trying out some of their products, I have become a tried and true fan. The focus on aromatherapy and beautiful packaging make these workhorses and joy to use. The heavy glass bottles are truly luxe and all the dispensers are flawless. But first, a little about the brand.

Laboratories Multaler was founded in 1954 by pioneers in aromatherapy, Cécile, Ernst and Charles Muhlethaler. They focused on botanicals and essential oils and were able to achieve a breakthrough with the discover of “Quintessence” a unique combination of 5 essential oils from the Mediterranean which became the cornerstone of their future skin care line.

They continue their research, blending oils and plants to find other synergies and skin care breakthroughs. Around 1967, the brand took on its mysterious and symbolic name, YON-KA.

Françoise Muhlethaler, a biochemist, and Catherine Muhlethaler, an aesthetician, daughters and nieces of the founders take over leadership of the company in 1968. Under their reign, YON-KA is grows commercially and enters the USA in 1987 and UK and Switzerland in 2000. The new factory is in a filtered air environment with the highest manufacturing standards. Teams of pharmacists, chemist engineers, biologists, bacteriologists, aestheticians work in the Paris campus. Today, YON-KA products can be found in 50 countries and 5000 resorts and spas. Below is l’eSPAce YON-KA, the flagship spa in the heart of Paris.

So, now that we know a little bit about this established and classic skin care company, I’ll share with you a bit about the products I’ve been trying out.

Lotion YON-KA for normal to oily skin sounds like something I wouldn’t like given I am prone to dryness. But I admit, I am becoming quite the toner devotee and this alcohol-free version soothes and refreshes. I love having a second step of cleansing and it preps and evens the texture of my skin. The aromatherapy is a bonus: Geranium flower oil can reduce the appearance of pores while Rosemary oil helps reduce excess oil production for a balanced complexion.

Emulsion Pure has been a god-send these summer months. Have I mentioned I can get super irritated and even have violent allergies to some bug bites? This soother cools and comforts. You can use it both on the face and body for relief from acne, insect bites, waxing treatments and superficial burns. Lavender oil provides antiseptic benefits to reduce bacteria and help heal burns. Cypress oil evens out the skin tone to minimize the blotches. Rosemary oil increases blood circulation, moisturizes and treats sun-damaged skin. I’ve also found it super helpful against my recent psoriasis flare up.

Masque 105 has all the characteristics of a classic clay mask but it doesn’t leave my skin tight and dry. Not as thick as some other versions, the application is silkier and more hydrating. Specially designed for dry, sensitive, acne-prone skin, the mask works to detoxify and refine. I’m left with clear and glowing skin, and my tone is more even thanks to anti-inflammatory and calming Lavender oil. Geranium oil firms the skin.

Yon-ka is available at dermstore.com or find your local retailer here.

images from www.yonkausa.com

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.

Look Effortless With Seventh Generation Skin Serum

The best kind of makeup in my book is makeup that doesn’t look made up. Effortless and natural are keywords. In honor of the Seventh Generation Skin Serum I’ve been using, I wanted to share some tips on getting the non-made-up effect while still looking polished.

Starting with a healthy canvas is first and foremost. I like to clean my face with a gentle cleanser. And then, thanks to my dry skin, make sure I get nourishing hydration so there is no flaky mess. Seventh Generation Skin Hydrating Boost is the perfect formula to give me long lasting moisture with Jojoba, Acai and Passion flower. Other boost options include Soothing, Firming, Revitalizing, Protecting and Clearing).

Just a couple silky drops and my skin is primed and prepped for the day. The texture isn’t oily or greasy and there is only a very faint scent. Every boost is a plant-based serum free of harsh preservatives parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances. They are also hypoallergenic and won’t clog pores. Last skin care step: the ever crucial SPF. I like a lightweight sunscreen lotion that works well under makeup.

Next up, I like to apply a tinted moisturizer or BB Cream with a wet sponge. I find I get the lightest, yet most even application this way. Start in the middle of your face and blend outwards, using as little product as possible. Using the tips of my fingers, I use a little cream blush on the apples of my cheeks. The pinkier rather than rosier looks more natural on me, and I prefer a little bit of radiance to add that outdoor glow. A neutral cream shadow in light taupe goes on my lids, heavier from lashes to crease and then lightly blended up to brows. Some days I am going au natural, I just curl my lashes. For a little extra boost, look for a mascara that focuses on length, not volume to separate and extend lashes. Brush down any wild eye brow hairs and add a swipe of nude lip gloss and done! Project Effortless Beauty accomplished.

Seventh Generation Boosts are available at Walgreens.com.

#AllNaturalStyleSecrets

I received a free sample of this product from Lucky and Seventh Generation for use in connection with this blog.

Kooba for AHAVA Body Care Set (Nordstrom Exclusive)

Attention deal hunters! Major alert. This adorable set from Kooba and AHAVA makes for a great little gift, back to school treat or just a little something for yourself. Personally, I can’t think of anything better than fashion and beauty married together – NARS and Pierre Hardy, anyone? And AHAVA has been high on my list ever since an aunt shared a collection with me about ten Christmases ago.

This time, packaged in an adorable Kooba clutch (cousin Holly… I can totally see you wearing this!) are three mineral body care products that will rock your world. The scents AHAVA manages to capture are spa like and pleasant but not at all too heavy. The set includes:

Mineral Body Exfoliator (perfectly sized pink beads exfoliate while a gel mildly foams, leaving clean and soft skin)
Mineral Body Lotion (a beachy, clean and light scent keeps my skin hydrated for hours)
Mineral Hand Cream (not too greasy of a formula absorbs fast)

Available exclusively at Nordstrom.

Mai Couture Highlighter and Blush Papiers

Trolling the beauty section of Neiman Marcus not long ago, I came across these little delicate papers. I thought they were oil blotting papers, but in actuality they were that and much much more. Mai Couture has been in the back of my mind ever since. I can’t tell you how thrilled I was when I got a chance to try out some of their latest launches. They have some new shades and sets for the fall beyond their basic foundation and oil-blotting offerings. I’ve been testing them out and am so impressed by their unique approach and travel-friendly packaging.

Crystal Cove Highlighter Papier is a new shade of highlighter and my new favorite way to amp up the glow on the go. You can even use it on the body – perfect for on your shins and collar bones pre-cocktail event. Just lightly press the colored side of the paper to desired areas (I like cheekbones, chins, cupid’s bow, nose and brows). The formula comes off surprisingly evenly and each sheet tears easily and cleanly.

Studio City and Montecito Blush Papier work in a similar way. At first I was concerned about the precision required for blush. But using your hands opposite the colored side of the paper gives the perfect, smudgy (in a good way) rosiness. I love how it layers with the highlighting papers and the formula is paraben and talc free. The Studio City shade is my favorite – radiant without too much drama. Apply using a semi-circular motion on your apples. There is plenty of pigment on each sheet should you want to double up for more depth.

Like A Diamond Trio Pack is a brilliant collection, perfect for a long trip or a girl constantly on the go. Can you imagine bronzer, highlighter and blush all in a little credit card sized package? This pack contains:

Highlighter in “Crystal Cove”
Blush in “Sunset Blvd.”
Blush in “Studio City”

One sheet is enough for a single application so you get 20 days of makeup out of this collection. Start with a mattifying bronzer, follow with a blush around the apples of your cheeks and then highlight as desired. I feel like this just screams honeymoon or European vacation. A similar product, Mai Couture Glow-geous Trio, has been on my wish list at Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom for ages.

Mai Couture’s retailers include Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Beauty.com. Fall launches should be available around October at these retailers but you can find them now at MaiCouture.com.

Nutrisystem Week 37

Well, I wish I had a better update for you. I lost a little momentum after a great week last week. I allowed myself a little pasta here and skipped a day or two of exercise. And what I am left with is a week with no weight loss. This morning, I recommitted and am looking forward to a workout as soon as this post is completed.

Part of the problem is a little bit of fatigue. First, I didn’t sleep very well last week thanks to restless dogs, a little stress and am amazing book (The Paris Wife). And, frankly, after eight months on Nutrisystem, I crave a change of pace now and then. Don’t get me wrong… I absolutely love the food and it is delicious. But I have been seeking out alternatives, especially since I know this is my last month on the program. While I know these last couple of pounds aren’t easy ones, I rest assured because I feel great, clothes fit wonderfully and I am a happier and healthier person. I’ve lost 35.4 pounds since I began Nutrisystem.

Check out my previous Nutrisystem post here.

Want to lose weight and get healthy on Nutrisystem? Join today by calling 1-888-853-4689 or by visiting Nutrisystem.

Disclosure: As part of the Nutrisystem Nation Blogger Program, Nutrisystem has provided me with complementary meals in exchange for my honest thoughts on the Nutrisystem plan. The opinions expressed in my posts are strictly my own. No other compensation is being given.

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