Belle Belle Beauty

Budget Beauty Buys

I’m back on Great Day Green Country on Tulsa’s FOX23 this morning to share all my new favorite finds from the drugstore aisles. Everything from a new awesome mascara to some seriously revolutionary hair care lines, there are some great beauty finds at low prices.

CeraVe Facial Sunscreen Face Lotion SPF 50 will have fans of this dermatologist recommended brand thrilled. This sunscreen is powered with physical only blockers, limiting irritation. It also comes in stick form, which dries clear, preventing that dreaded white cast.

L’Oreal EverCurl is the first ever drugstore hair care line especially designed for curly hair. Check out my giveaway here to win the entire line! I’m giving away three gift baskets. Did I mention Jordin Sparks is a fan?

Simple Skincare Radiance Cleansing Wipes have become such a staple for me. This new version promotes a radiant complexion. And they are so perfect for those nights when you are just too darn tired for the whole skin care routine.

Nexxus Youth Renewal is part of one of the hottest beauty topics these days. Backed by some serious scientific research, these formulas adresss the eight signs of aging hair. The Elixir is especially exciting as a versatile styling agent that can give immediate results.

Rimmel Scandaleyes Mascara was recently introduced to me by my dear friend, Jessica. Whoa – she was right! This mascara blew me away. The large fluffy brush gives you soft and full lashes that go on for miles.

AESOP Petitgrain Hydrating Body Gel

Anyone else shock their skin a little this weekend? I know my pale winter legs got a dose of sun and, while I didn’t get burned, there was certainly some heat going on. This Body Gel from AESOP is just what I needed. The Lemon and Grapefruit makes this gel perfectly unisex and ideal for summer. It is ultra-light and infused with calming Witch Hazel, famed for antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. And it is also ideal for post shave. The serum-like texture leaves my skin soft and not greasy. When it really heats up, you can keep the tube in the fridge for an extra cool down effect. Leave it to this Australian skin care line to come up with the perfect summer hydration.

Available at Net-a-Porter.

Nutrisystem Week 22

This week, I gained 1.7 pounds for a total weight loss of 30.2 pounds. Whoopsie. But I can say after 21 weeks straight of posting steady or a loss, I accept this gain. And I am using it to move forward with greater inspiration and verve. Like the above says, I will continue to look forward and not let this week’s outcome dictate my future. I packed loads of Nutrisystem for my trip to Dallas this weekend, but elected to partake in the amazing conference food. And I’ve been doing a lot more strength training than cardio this week. Those two factors, I believe, resulted in a bit of a step backwards.

But I am not discouraged. I am even more confident that another week of discipline and perhaps some long runs will turn the boat around. It is easy when you have delicious entrees! My newest favorites are the stuffed chicken breasts – one with mushrooms and the other with broccoli and cheese. Totally yummy! And like I just mentioned, I’ve tied up my running shoes again after a five year hiatus. Feels good to be pounding the pavement again.

And some super cool news: Nutrisystem now offeres a 5-Day Jumpstart Your Weight Loss Kit exclusively at nearly 2,000 Walmart. The kit contains 15 entrees plus desserts, a free meal planner and program guide with access to free weight loss counseling and can be purchased for $44.98. The menu details:

5 Breakfasts – Chewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bar, Cinnamon Bun Bar, Granola Cereal, Double Chocolate Muffin and a Honey Wheat Bagel.
5 Lunches – Fudge Graham Bar, Cheesy Homestyle Potatoes, Chicken Noodle Soup, Chocolate Peanut Butter Bar, and Red Beans & Rice.
5 Dinners – Chicken Alfredo, Lasagna with Meat Sauce, Rotini & Meatballs, Homestyle Beef with Potatoes and Thick Crust Pizza.
5 Desserts – Chocolatey Nougat Bar with Peanuts & Caramel, Peppermint Cookie Patty, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Fudge Brownie and a Coconut Almond Bar.

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 http://www.nutrisystem.com/nsblog.

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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Favorite SPF Lotions for the Face

If you aren’t already getting your mug nice and protected every morning, now is the time to start. SPF is crucial and (along with retinoids) the only thing proven to prevent aging. Here are my current top five for both under makeup and for a day at the pool:

Hampton Sun SPF15 Super Hydrating Face Cream manages to be lightweight and super nourishing. The Calendula soothes my redness-prone skin while Canadian Willow Bark calms. I love how it quickly absorbs and is powered with gentle zinc oxide. Fragrance and oil free.

CeraVe SPF Sunscreen Stick is relatively new to the market, but you should be able to find this in your drugstore. Perfect for on the go, this stick is also powered with the gentle physical-only sunscreens. The formula finishes dry with no greasy residue.

Kate Somerville Daily Deflector Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 Anti-Aging Sunscreen has long been a favorite (initially reviewed here). It is the trifecta, offering hydration, UV protection and anti-aging benefits. The unique formula keeps the sunscreen in a “reservoir” on the skin, maximizing effectiveness.

Neutrogena Clear Face Break-Out Free Liquid-Lotion Sunblock SPF 55 gives you superior sun protection without clogging pores. The water-light texture is weightless, letting skin breathe. At the same time, it is water-resistant, oil-free and fragrance-free. Not only does it look great under makeup, but also works for those days when outdoor activites call for a feather-weight SPF.

ZO Skin Health ‘Oclipse’ Sunscreen + Primer SPF 30 is the ultimate sunscreen for under a full face of makeup. This stuff has a silky texture with nude coloring. It has no coverage but avoids that nasty white cast. Not only does it have broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection but it blocks natural melanin – BONUS!

The Nexxus Art & Science of Hair Exhibition – Attention NYCers

Vogue and Nexxus have teamed up for quite the event this week in New York City. The Nexxus Art & Science of Hair Exhibition, celebrating the launch of Nexxus’ Youth Renewal hair care line, is quite timely. The buzz lately seems to be all about the aging of hair. Check out the Wall Street Journal’s article, Are You Having an Old Hair Day?. Women are just now starting to think about how their hair changes and questions abound on how to combat the eight visible signs of aging hair: volume loss, breakage, less shine, roughness, dryness, brittleness, unruliness and loss of color vibrancy.

Yesterday, I had a chance to take a first look at the VIP event to kick off the event. I interviewed Nexxus Creative Director Kevin Mancuso and we chatted all about styling tips for aging hair. Kevin was trained at Vidal Sassoon, followed by nearly thirty years with hair icons including John Dellaria, Oribe (where he held the position of Creative Director) and Pierre Michel. He has worked as contributing editor for Allure, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle and American Salon. Needless to say he’s a classic stylist and a texture wiz.

Kevin point out that the Youth Renewal line is unique in that it solves the problems like dryness and brittleness without weighing down hair, allowing women to manage changing texture. Kevin pointed out that often women with aging hair turn to frizz-fighting formulas when actually texture and flyaways are the problem. The specific holistic approach of Youth Renewal really addresses thickness and the diameter of the strand. The formulas are infused with Nexxus’ unique VITA-8 COMPLEX™ (containing Omega 3, Vitamin E, Wheat Protein, Benzophenone-4, Keratin, Essence of Pearl, Argan Oil, and CoQ10), which helps to improve color radiance, shine, strength and volume, as well as reduce frizz. The line has five products:

Rejuvenating Dry Shampoo
Rejuvenating Shampoo
Rejuvenating Conditioner
Plump & Lift Blow Dry Spray
Rejuvenating Elixir

The rockstar, Rejuvenating Elixir provides moisture and support with polymers acting as a detangler and styling aid. And the dry shampoo uses fewer dry particals, preventing stress on the hair. All of these innovative products are thanks to Kevin’s close work with the lab in developing the products and Nexxus’ long-time scientific approach to hair care.

During my interview with Kevin, I got a sneak peek of the venue for the event. Think hi-tech, sleek, interactive and sophisticaed. New York based readers: the event is today and tomorrow Friday 4/26 and Saturday 4/27 and open to the public at 30 Gansevoort Street at Hudson Street. Why stop by? Because you can receive a personal hair consultation from Kevin and styling from Nexxus stylists. Plus there is lots of good exhibits to check out, telling us how and why hair ages. And of course, my favorite, a photo booth.

Five Favorite Scents for Spring

Just a little round up on how I am shaking up my fragrance routine this time of year. Here are some of my current new favorites:

Hampton Sun Privet Bloom will take you right to the Hamptons. Lily of the valley, white hyacinth, sea spray, dune grass, blue plum and privet bloom feel fresh, clean and beachy.

Molton Brown Mahina just feels warm. The bottom note is vanilla but this is no sweet, generic scent. Tiare flower, cedar wood, citrus orange blossom and ylang-ylang round out with spiciness.

NEST Amazon Lily feels rich and fresh with Amazon Lilies, tangerine, lime, driftwood, and white musk. And the 18th Century botanical artwork on the bottle is stunning art for your vanity.

Yves Saint Laurent Manifesto embodies femininity but still holding onto some of that wood and spice I am wild about. Jasmine and green notes give it a lightness that makes it perfect for warmer months.

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Amyris has both a hard and soft side. The spice gives me a pep in my step while lemon leaf and orange leaf feel feminine. Vetiver and oud give me that warmth I am always drawn to.