Belle Belle Beauty

Brand Spotlight: Amarté Skin Care

I love reviewing skin care systems that embrace regimen approach. When products are designed to work together, I feel my skin gets a re-boot – almost like a cleanse for the face. The system is comprised of four components: cleansing, moisturization, rejuvenation and protection. The Heart & Seoul Collection, the set I tried out, encompasses all these steps in one easy package.

Amarté views cleansing as a fundamental part of skin care, maintaining integrity and skin barrier function. The Daily Wonder Cleansing Foam has that creamy formula which plays so nice with my dry skin. At the same time, I love foaming action to really get my skin clean.

Amarté has a two-step approach to moisture. At first, I was confused how to layer and use these two products: Aqua Veil and HydroLift. But after I was instructed to use Aqua Veil first, followed by HydroLift, I found my dry skin uniquely quenched. The hydration was “sealed in” with the second, richer application. The Aqua Veil is a cucumber-infused moisturizer on the light side. It might be just perfect for the warm summer months. I love the fresh, nourishing feel without any heaviness. The heavier HydroLift works agains fine lines and wrinkles. Retinol works on tone and texture while caviar extract and acacia collagen deeply hydrate to plump the skin.

Restoration comes next with the Eyeconic Eye Cream, coupled with an applicator like I’ve never seen before. The formula contains 3.8% stabilized retinol, while remaining gentle and elegant. I experience zero irritation and am thrilled to find an eye cream turbo charged with retinol.

The Heart & Seoul Collection also included two travel size containers for their Natural Finish BB Cream. My friend, Amber, reviewed a full size of the BB Cream here and I share in her enthusiasm. It is truly a best of breed with great coverage, natural finish and rigorous skin care. The SPF 36 is up to my standards and the consistancy is rich and smooth. The formula contains antioxidants and complexion enhancers

If you feel the New Year is bringing a need for a little re-set, I highly recommend the Heart & Seoul Collection. The portions are generous and it is a great way to expose yourself to the brand. At the very least, check out the BB Cream. The collection can be found at www.amartecosmetics.com.

A little about the brand: The Amarté Skin Care has deep roots in Korea, but was discovered by an American dermatologist, Dr. Kraffert, and introduced to the West. The line is developed at a Bio Regional Innovation Center using leading science, maintaining its roots in luxurious and results-oriented skin care.

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.

Nutrisystem Week 7

This week was a bit of a plateau with no weight loss so my total remains at 14 pounds. While there is a touch of disappointment, I still am seeing results. I upped my cardio with an extra 10 minutes. And I have added in strength training, leaving me feeling stronger and more energized. Yesterday, a neighbor pulled me aside and sincerely told me how great I look. I’ll take that over a number on a scale any day! Again, encouragement like this is what makes this whole journey easy, rewarding and possible.

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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NARS Blush in Deep Throat and Amour

I know everyone is gaga-googoo over NARS Orgasm Blush, but I’ve just discovered two others that really make me excited. NARS ‘Andy Warhol’ Edie Gift Set (still available at Nordstrom) included a blush duo of Deep Throat and Amour. Deep Throat is a sheer peach with a subtle shimmer, making it perfect for high on the cheekbones. Amour is a deeper, matte peach. At first, I thought the tiny pan would make it hard to get product on the brush. But no problem… lay your blush brush down on whichever shade you desire and then pat onto cheekbones. Or, if you are feeling a little crazy, swirl in both pans for a mix.

Both shades are available as single blushes. Or the Edie Gift Set contains the duo with another all time favorite: the Stylo Eyeliner in Carpates. As a note, Gaiety, Douceur and Albatross are also very close to my heart and worth checking out.

Get the Look: Allison Williams at the Girls Premiere

I admit I have some catching up to do on Girls, the drama on HBO staring four twenty-somethings living in NYC. But I am a big fan of the show. The plot is sassy and smart and real. After watching some of season one, I fell in love with Allison Williams, daughter of NBC Nightly news anchor Brian Williams. She has classic beauty and the smarts to be an actor taken very seriously with tremendous talent.

At Wednesday night’s Girls season two premier, Celebrity Makeup Artist Julie Harris for CARGO Cosmetics worked to compliment Allison’s Altuzarra bustier top.

Julie first applied a thin layer of the CARGO Liquid Foundation, which is a great oil-free foundation, in shade F-20 to Allison’s flawless skin in order to add a little glow for the red carpet
She then applied a touch of the CARGO OneBaseTM to highlight and brighten under the eyes
Julie wanted to bring out the blue in Allison’s eyes so she applied a gold shimmer shadow all over the lid and a slightly deeper gold shade in the crease and right below the lower lash line using the CARGO Color Palette in Baja
To emphasize Allison’s beautiful lashes, Julie applied the CARGO High Pigment Pencil in Black along the water line and TexasLiner (liquid liner with a felt tip – available this spring) along the top and bottom lashes before applying two coats of mascara with the CARGO TexasLash Mascara in Black for maximum volume and impact
Using the CARGO Bronzer in Medium, Julie focused on the high points of Allison’s face (the forehead, the temples, cheekbones, chin and down the sides of her neck) to give skin warmth
Julie then applied CARGO Blush in Cannes to the apples of her cheeks to create a fresh glow along with the CARGO ColorStick in Champagne on the brow bones and cheekbones to highlight while also adding a light shimmer
She also lightly dusted the CARGO blu_ray™ Blush/Highlighter in Pink Shimmer to the top of cheeks and up to the temples, creating a dewy effect to go with the shimmery eye
Lastly, Julie kept Allison’s lips soft with CARGO Lip Gloss in Fresno, a pretty pink/nude gloss

DIMITRIOS KAMBOURIS/WIREIMAGE

Shop for the products used to Get the Look here:

Get The Look: Kaley Cuoco at the People’s Choice Awards

There isn’t anything quite as refreshing as a star walking the red carpet in beautiful, affordable makeup. At last night’s People’s Choice Awards, Kaley Cuoco went for a girly mod look with the help of mark Makeup Artist Jamie Greenberg. Here’s how she got the look:

Face: Started with mark’s Min-A-Real Cream to Powder Foundation, layered on mark’s Touch & Glow Shimmer Cream Cubes All Over Face Palette with Just Blushing in Lovespell. Lastly, used mark’s Bronze Pro Bronzing Powder all over the face and decollete and mark’s Jewel Body Cream all over.

Eyes: Used i-mark in luvstruck on the lid with a swipe of mark’s Touch & Glow on top and lightly blended into the crease. Next, used mark’s Keep It Going Longwear Eyeshadow & Liner in Entourage with a kiss of the purple shade from mark’s On The Dot Bold palette as liner under the lower lash line. Finished up the look with 2 coast of mark’s Scanda-lash mascara in Blacklash.

Lips: mark’s Lipclick Luxe in Pink Icing for the red carpet with a coat of mark’s Glimmer Shine Lip Gloss in Pink Glimmer.

Shop for the items needed to get the look here:

Best Masks for an At-Home Facial

One of my New Year’s Resolutions was to do more at home facials. Since weekly spa treatments aren’t really in the budget, I’ve been adopting some at home versions and have been pleasantly surprised by how results-oriented they can be. Here are some of my most favorite masks and treatments I’ve used lately:

Omorovicza Deep Cleansing Mask is the class spa mask loaded with Hungarian thermal mud to nourish while cleansing the skin. For all skin types, this traditional experience leaves my skin feeling uber-clean but also enriched and radiant. The white clay helps draw out oil and toxins, but without leaving my dry skin feeling stripped.

bliss ‘No Zit Sherlock’ Breakout-Busting Rubberizing Mask is what I turn to when I am feeling a little congested (in the skin that is). If I were a black head, I would shutter if I saw me whipping this stuff up. The mix-it-yourself mask transforms into a rubbery, thick texture that sops up oil and clog-causing debris. Seaweed, tea tree and menthol nourish and calm while cleansing.

Sisley-Paris Black Rose Cream Mask is a great mask when my skin is feeling a little sensitive. The rich formula infuses skin with vitamins and plant extracts to rejuvenate and plump. Fine lines are diminished and tone is brightened. If I am slightly red or irritated from dryness or too much retinol, the black rose cream soothes and softens skin.

SK-II Facial Treatment Mask is my dream travel companion. I haven’t been brave enough to wear this alien-looking mask on the actual plane. But every time I happen to have one, I immediate apply for a little pick-me-up once I check into my hotel. The cotton is soaked with vitamins, organic acids and minerals to return skin to normal operating behavior. Radiance and moisture are back in the game.

Somme Institute ‘Boost’ Mask, a warming mask, is particularly pleasant in the winter. The warming action increases blood flow, allowing for nourishing delivery of minerals and enzymes. The spicy, pumpkin scent sounds seasonal, but you’ll be drawn to it all year long.

Shop my favorite masks here: