Belle Belle Beauty

The Beauty Place and TanTowel

Just a little PSA for my beauty lovers out there. Have you checked out TheBeautyPlace? The discount website is wholly-owned and operated by women and sells a wide variety of some of my favorite brands including Clarisonic, Youngblood, OPI, Bliss, GloMinerals and TIGI. I recently finally picked up TanTowels from there – had to see what all the fuss was about. I adore the easy of use with the towelette form. Talk about avoiding a mess. Also, I was impressed with the relatively innocuous scent. I used two applications for an even deeper tan.

And now a little treat for you, my readers. Use code TBPBELLE for 10% off any purchases now through the end of December!

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.

Nutrisystem Week 35

This week, I neither lost nor gained weight for a total weight loss of 37.4 pounds. I’m beating myself up a little bit as I had hoped to hit my final goal of 45 pounds by the time I left for my grand beach vacation. But then I remembered my first goal when starting Nutrisystem was to lose 30 pounds and I have certainly blown past that. I also am the same weight I was 10 years ago, which is by definition… healthy. While I am not giving up the good fight to hit the 45 mark, I am not going to beat myself up either. Oh yeah, PS – I just put on my jeans from high school and they FIT!

I am so grateful I get to hit the surf confidently in a bikini (mostly which have become too big might I add!). I also have resolved to keep up my workouts while on the island. How can you even resist a great long walk on the beach with a friend. Exercise clothes and Nutrisystem bars are packed. Along with a healthy appetite for island fair like fresh grilled fish and fruit.

Check out last week’s 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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Mario Badescu Peptide Renewal Cream & Serum

“Simple, gentle and effective.” If any claim makes me sit up and listen, it’s those three magic words. While I am a huge fan of active ingredients and medical grade skin care, this summer I’ve been focused on nourishing and calming my skin. That’s why Mario Badescu has been such a huge part of my routine over the past couple of months.

Peptides have long been known to help fight the good fight against wrinkles and fine lines. This targeted duo also used botanicals to achieve a more toned complexion. Not to mention, the formula contains my beloved hydrating Hyaluronic Acid.

The Mario Badescu Peptide Renewal Cream is rich and nourishing but doesn’t leave my skin greasy. The Mario Badescu Peptide Renewal Serum is hydrating enough for me on its own. And it has similar properties to a face oil. Personally, I slightly prefer the serum as it contains soothing chamomile and yarrow helping the redness in my complexion. The serum also has green tea to protect against free radicals.

If you are aiming to skip retinol this summer or just want anti-aging for more sensitive skin, don’t miss these new treats from Mario Badescu. The Peptide Renewal Serum is definitely in my permanent rotation as a soothing, nourishing tool against fine lines.

Getting Beach Ready For Summer – Sally Hansen Summer Sweepstakes

Readers… I apologize. I know I won’t shut up about this beach trip. But it is definitely consuming my thoughts. While I have been to Florida recently, I haven’t left the country in a couple of years. That’s a bit odd for me since I am the definition of a travel junkie. Not to mention my recent weight loss – tune in tomorrow for an update on that! But either way, I have a ticket in hand and I am bikini ready.

Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been grooming and smoothing. Some of my tips on getting beach ready:

First, start using SPF a couple days in advance of your trip. Yep, that’s right. Sun protection can build up in the layers of your skin, helping you stay sun safe. This isn’t an excuse to skip sun screen at the beach, but it will help out in upping your protection.

Second, shoot to remove unwanted hair at least a week in advance. I am so prone to redness and irritation that my skin takes some time to calm down. And if you use wax, like Sally Hansen’s Ouch Relief Wax Strip Kit, you should have a large enough time window without regrowth.

Next, I’ve started letting my hair air dry and using sea salt spray. I know it sounds weird, but I feel like hair has memory and after weeks of round brushing it straight. It is hard to ease into that careless beachy look. Plus, practice makes perfect so tousled waves are just right in those vacation photo shots.

Lastly, I have started setting aside a pile of “must haves” on my kitchen counter. Yeah, it looks a little sloppy but those nightmares of forgetting something have already started. Stashed over there is a rich nourishing night cream, after sun lotion, my passport and a stack of beach reads. (PS – Anyone read The Paris Wife yet? I cannot wait to dive in!)

So, that’s how I am prepping to hit the sand next week. What are your tips and tricks?

To celebrate getting beach ready, don’t miss this awesome Sweepstakes from Sally Hansen! Contest details can be found here: http://showoffchallenge.com.

Two ways to win:

You can join the sweepstakes for a chance to win a $5000 shopping spree or
Enter the Take it Off, Show Off contest – there will be 7 show off moment challenges throughout the summer, which means seven chances to win. Each challenge will have 5 winners, and they will each receive $100 worth of Sally Hansen products.

Want to Show Off Smooth Summer Skin? Sally Hansen Ouch-Relief wax strips get you hair free and care free all summer long! Go Ahead Show Off and Enter the Sally Hansen Challenge!

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Sally Hansen via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Sally Hansen.

NARS Fall

First, I agree that summer is most certainly not over. Particularly with my major vacation just around the corner. But I do admit to dreaming of those crisp fall days with football blaring in the background. While these two eye shadows from NARS might not scream “Fall!” they are particularly wearable and do echo one of my favorite trends for the next season.

I’ve been trying out Namibia (a grey moon left) and Yamal (a maple sugar right) for the past week or so and they are so ultimately wearable. I love them for a wash of matte color. Also, Namibia is a perfect reflection of that on-trend steel grey, a surprising and new neutral.

Available at narscosmetics.com, and Nordstrom.

Summer Favorites From Jouer Cosmetics

Oh how I’ve had a love affair with Jouer. Way back in the early days of the blog – almost two and a half years ago – I sung the praises of Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint thanks to an intro by Birchbox. I was hooked and quickly added The Weekender Collection and the Mini Tinted Lip Enhancers Kit to my collection. I’m so glad to have this classic and modern cosmetics line back on the blog today with some of my favorites from their summer collection.

First up, Jouer Mattifying Powder Bronzer, is the perfect matte bronze for contouring. The formula leaves a smooth and blended matte finish while never looking cakey or dry. The formula contains Gingko Biloba Leaf Extract and Aloe Vera to help improve skin’s texture while you wear it.

My summer lip of choice these days is a lipstick/balm blend: Jouer Lip Sheers. I love that the formula contains SPF 15 to keep me protected. And this balm has an unusually high level of hydration. My lips get just the touch of color I crave in the summer, not to mention are adequately moisturized without looking flaky. My favorite shades are Antigua (Sheer Honey Peach with very little rosiness) and Maui (a pinkier nude).