Belle Belle Beauty

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.

L’Oréal Paris EverCurl Sulfate-Free Curl Care System and GIVEAWAY

My curly haired friends – this is for you! Ever wished for premium, luxury products just at your neighborhood drugstore? Well, ask and you shall receive. EverCurl is the first-to-mass sulfate-free system, so it is gentle on the hair fibers. It also suits every curly haired woman from loose waves to tight curls – even gave my wavy hair a little boost. Hibiscus Extract and Grape Seed Oil not only give it a great scent but also prevents frizz.

The collection includes:

Hydracharge Shampoo: has gentle cleansing properties with a majorly lovely scent
Hydracharge Conditioner: softens curls without weigh down
Hydracharge Cleansing Conditioner: ow-lathering creme is gentle and preserves moisture
Sculpt & Hold Cream-Gel: condition and style at the same time with this feather-weight cream
Silk & Gloss Dual Oil Care: even this straight-haired girl is obsessed with this detangler that works to separate curls
Hydracharge Leave-In Cream: nurtures without the weight

You know it has to be gold standard if we can find Jordin Sparks stocking up on EverCurl. Check out these shots of her shopping for loads of EverCurl goodies.

Now for the good part! Want your own chance to try out EverCurl? I’ve teamed up with L’Oreal to give away three sets of the entire product line up. Enter using the widget below. Open to the US only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Three Dry Skin Saviors

Sometimes you have to bring in the big guns. When my skin is seriously dry, I turn to these three guys to get me back on track:

Mustela Cold Cream is technically for infants but who cares!? It is packed with almond oil and nutrients and gentle enough for the youngest of skin. The lotion is on the thicker side with a beach-y scent.

Egyptian Magic All Purpose Skin Cream is a rich balm that seriously gets me glowing (I also love it for cuticles and as a salve on scrapes and burns). This huge tub will last you forever.

Weleda Skin Food is one of those natural cult-classics. I use this rich lotion everywhere – especially after a marathon dish washing session. But don’t hesistate using this on the face, elbows and even your lips. Lavender, rosemary and sweet orange oil give it a botanical and invigorating smell.

NEW: Kiehl’s ‘Skin Rescuer’ Stress-Minimizing Daily Hydrator

It is almost like Kiehl’s read my mind. After three six plane trips in four weeks and diving into a retin-A prescription, my skin is stressed! And regular anxiety can actually translate into redness and irritation. Did I mention my work email has been on the fritz for two whole days? UGH. Skin Rescuer is just what the doctor ordered for some tender loving care for this mug.

In the mornings, I’ve been layering Skin Rescuer under Kate Somerville Daily Deflector for a super-charged hydration and added sun protection. I really don’t mind the lack of sun protection in Skin Rescuer. I feel like Kiehl’s was appropriately focused on healing properties. I have found that my skin has perked up, appearing less red and dehydrated.

Not only does Skin Rescuer heal. Rosa Gallica Botanical Extract helps minimize skin’s visible response to stress over the longer term. While a rare sugar, Mannose, protects skin while it recovers.

The texture and feel of the lotion is very straightforward, much like other Kiehl’s favorites. I can’t detect any scent. The weight is balanced – nourishing but not heavy. And I am a huge fan of pump dispensers – just feels a bit more clean. Cheers to whipping my skin into shape just in time for summer!

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE WAS 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.

Secret Agent Beauty – Kiss-Kiss Rendezvous Agent in Golden Spy

What can I say? I love shiny things. Especially when it comes in the form of a lip gloss really unlike anything I have ever seen. This Secret Agent gloss available at Ron Robinson has golden flakes suspended in a clear gloss. While the gold isn’t really visible on lips, it does add a dimensional shininess.

The formula is plumping, but it doesn’t have any of that tingling effect. The texture is silky and keeps my lips super soft. And there is no scent or taste. I have particularly loved this over a bold color for a dramatic, glossy finish. Not to mention it is so darn festive when you whip it out of your purse.

Inspired by Pastel Makeup for Spring

Spring has me craving pastels. I love the look of a light feminine face as we welcome the warmer weather. It is also a great time to experiment with lighter versions of bold shades like mint green eyeshadow – surprisingly beautiful! Here are my picks for some of the Easter egg inspired shades:

Laura Mercier Crème Cheek Color in Oleander is the softest sweetest pink and this cream formula applies like a breeze.

Guerlain ‘Maxi Shine – Gloss d’Enfer’ Lip Gloss has insane shine, giving this pretty pink an even bigger impact.

For those who want to try out a higher impact, pastel eye, try Dior ‘5 Couleurs – Haute Couture’ Eyeshadow Palette. And this formula makes these powders creamy and beautifully blendable.

Deborah Lippmann Rockin’ Robbin Glitter Nail Polish features the glitter Lippmann is so good at but this time with Staccato effect, using black glitter against a pastel backdrop for a unique look!

Lancôme ‘Aquatic Essence’ Eye Palette has copper and brown mixed in with blue pastels to make the shades so wearable!

I like to prep my skin using Simple Skincare Hydrating Light Moisturizer. I haven’t found any other moisturizers that manage to balance nourishing properties while being ultra-lightweight. And bonus that the formula is chock full of vitamins to help improve the appearance of my skin over the long term.

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.