Nuance Salma Hayek Anti-Aging Tinted Eye Brightener

I was already hooked on the Nuance Salma Hayek Oxygen Activated Foaming Face Wash reviewed here. But a new batch of products, including the Anti-Aging Tinted Eye Brightener, was recently added to the lineup. Add this to my list of drugstore superstars.

This is a pen with a brush at one end. You twist the bottom as the product enters up from the center of the brush. At first, the pigment looks peachy orange, but it goes on perfectly. It promises to be universal and I think it would work on any skin tone. And not because it is sheer, because the darkness under my eyes is evened. It adds a bit of yellow to my reddish skin making it smooth.

Lemon extract & vitamin C help nourish the skin and provide antioxidant protection. Blue Agave’s age-defying properties help soothe, hydrate and firm the skin both instantly and continuously. Caffeine invigorates the skin to help reduce the appearance of puffiness. Haloxyl (Haloxyl is a trademark of Sederma, Inc.), an advanced peptide complex, helps to minimize the appearance of dark circles and sculpt the eye area for fresher, vibrant, more youthful-looking eyes.

A little more about Nuance: Salma Hayek wasn’t just a celebrity name to slap on a product line.  Her grandmother, a cosmetologist who developed home remedies, inspired throughout the development of the line.   Salma was active in the creation of products and you can really see her Mexican heritage in the ingredient list (blue agave & lemon). She covered the bases: Ophthalmologist tested. Dermatologist tested. Hypoallergenic. Noncomedogenic. Fragrance free. Paraben free. Not tested on animals.

Kate Somerville DermalQuench Liquid Lift Advanced Wrinkle Treatment

If you visit the blog often, you probably know that I am a huge fan of Kate Somerville’s products. But I never could possibly expect a product that could do this. Literally, I was checking out some new lines on my forehead, wishing I had a solution but knowing it was just a reality of the mid-30s. And then enters Kate Somerville DermalQuench Liquid Lift Advanced Wrinkle Treatment.

The can/bottle looks unlike anything I have ever seen. Why did it have this protruding nozzle? After a quick read of the instructions and a test on my hand, I had to see what this stuff could do to those new (and annoying) lines on my forehead. She has basically packaged her cult-status 60 minute “DermalQuench Oxygen Treatment” into a bottle. The treatment uses oxygen and Hyaluronic Acid to plump skin.

The cannister is actually presurized and contains ”wrinkle-relaxing PFC-Oxygen Carriers”. These “carriers” deliver the oxygen and Hyaluronic Acid. Watch out for going overboard. I did get a little over-zealous on the first use and had some resulting peeling. But after some weeks of use, my lines were noticably reduced. This can be used once or twice daily. My sensitive skin does better with just one use per day.

This isn’t on the Neiman Marcus website yet, but I know it is already in stores. You can also find it at Nordstrom.com.

A side note: I was lucky enough to visit “The Clinic” in Los Angeles this weekend. I can’t wait to report back on my experience!

3floz.com

One of my all time favorite websites is 3floz.com. When I first discovered it years ago, it was a “why didn’t I think of that?” moment. Everything beauty related is made travel friendly. They have an amazing selection of products that are perfect to pick up for a trip or try out at home. But to get a real sense of the all-stars, I asked the heavy hitters for their favorites. Founders, Alexi and Kate, share their top picks and Stacy Small, traveler and agent extrodinaire shares her “must haves” for her many days on the road. I also threw in my favorite items for good measure. Enjoy and be sure to check out the pins of the items on my Makeup Makeup Makeup Pinterest Board.

Alexi:

  • Yes to Cucumber Towelettes – I have these in every bag and my medicine cabinet. They are perfect for taking make up off, especially the eyes – they don’t burn like most Towelettes. I use them as hand sanitizers, cool down after the gym, after a long ride in the car/plane/subway. Basically, you can use them for anything.
  • Archipelago Dubai Travel Tin –  You never know what your hotel room is going to smell like so I like to be prepared. Dubai is blended with Amber, Mandarin and Musk.
  • BlowPro Beach Blow Texturizing Mist – I love my hair after a day at the beach…. The texturing mist gives my hair a day at the beach look!
  • Philip B Lavender Body Wash – Hot man smell in a bottle
  • David Kirsch Wellness Vitamin Juice Packets (Raspberry flavor) – I am pretty forgetful about taking vitamins every day! With the DK vitamins I pour a pouch into my water bottle in the morning while at my desk and drink my vitamins.
  • Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peels – I use these daily on my skin. They peel off the dead skin and leave my face feeling fresh and wrinkle free, or so I tell myself!

Kate:

  • Jonathan Create Volume Thickening Foam – Better than mousse!!  Use on the ends and sparingly on your roots for noticeably fuller hair.
  • Serge Norman Metasilk Shampoo and Conditioner – Luxurious is the only word to describe this combo.  I was a afraid my hair was going to be weighed down by these ultra lush products but that was just not the case and now I am a convert.  Moisture rich shampoo and conditioner that still gives me volume-AMAZING!
  • Blow Faux Dry Shampoo – This product is life changing.  The reason the BFD is my fav is because it really soaks up the oils and works on all hair.  My hair is dark and so I apply it over the crown of my head, massage it in-you need to massage it in like you would shampoo-and use my blow dryer to get rid of the extra powder.  I can extend my blow out a least 2 days longer than I should with this product.
  • Dr. Dennis Gross Glow Pads – these wipes have saved my skin!  Since I met these wipes tanning has never crossed my mind.  They work with your own skins Vitamin D so the color is perfect and they exfoliate the skin leaving a healthy glow.
  • Supergoop City Serum SPF 30+ – First serum I have ever found that does not irritate my skin and doesn’t like that dry film.  I include a few drops in with my daily face moisturize and apply it directly to my neck and décolletage.

Stacy:

  • Air Repair Complexion Quenching Facial Mist – The aloe leaf juice, hyaluronic acid and sodium PCA makes this stuff a champion at fighting the drying effects of flying. It actually soothes irritated skin and leaves me radiant upon arrival.
  • Ole Henriksen See the Difference Serum with African Red Tea – As a frequent traveler, I am constantly on the look-out for products that will hydrate my skin without clogging my pores. The Ole Henricksen Red Tea serum is like a magic potion that does just this…especially on the plane and when traveling in colder climates than I am accustomed to.
  • David Kirsch Wellness B-12 Spray – The B12 Wellness spray is a fantastic way to get my needed energy boost when jet lag hits.
  • Murad Energizing Pomegranate Lip Protector – I love the Murad pomegranate lip protector year-round; have tried so many different lip balms and glosses and this one is soothing and shiny without being greasy.
  • Phytovolume Actif Volumizer Spray – My naturally straight hair loves the Phyto volumizer as it adds just enough volume without that awful product residue of many sprays and volumizers.
  • Murad Essential-C Eye Cream SPF 15 – Vitamin C can work against those stubborn dark eye circles and I love the SPF is already included.

Me:

  • Herban Essentials essential oil towelettes – I love their mixed bag of towelettes because I use different scents for different things. On an overnight flight, the lavender is a perfect way to remove germs while unwinding. The mint refreshes in the AM. And citrus is perfect after a rush through an airport or a workout.
  • Yes to Cucumber Towelettes – Like Alexi, I stash these everywhere. They are perfect if you are just too tired to do the whole routine in the evening. Just wipe your makeup off and fall into bed.
  • Blow Faux Dry Shampoo – Kate introduced me to this stuff. Thank goodness, because it is the best dry shampoo I have tried. I love how you squeeze the bottle to dispense. It leaves hair fresh and clean.
  • Jack Black Intense Lip Therapy SPF 25 with Natural Mint & Shea Butter – Actually designed for men, I can’t quit this lip balm. It is super conditioning and thick, but also with a hefty does of SPF. The mint is really refreshing.
  • Dr. Hauschka Birch Arnica Body Oil – You know how you can get kinda sore after being cooped up in an airplane? I love throwing this stuff in a bath upon arrival. It supports muscle flexibility and soothes sore joints and muscles.

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer Radiance

For a long time, I was on the fence about primers. I just didn’t see their value. Until I gave Laura Mercier’s Foundation Primer a shot. My foundation lasted hours longer. And I was a convert.

Laura Mercier, the queen of the flawless face, is known for her complexion items, especially her tinted moisturizer. But I think these primers are the real stars. She has five varieties:

My friends and family will all tell you I am a fan of the glowy and dewy look. I love a hydrated and healthy face (an uphill battle with my dry skin). So, I was quick to get my paws on the newest primer, Laura Mercier Foundation Primer Radiance.

The primer contains Jojoba Oil and Vitamins A, C & E that keep your skin from looking dull and tired. The the water content keeps it looking hydrated. The formula doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin at all and is silicone and paraben-free.

Out of the tube, this looks like a peachy, pearl lotion. But it goes on perfectly sheer when you blend it into the face. Don’t be fooled though – it is creating the perfect canvas for foundation. My undertone is slightly less red with a radiance about it. And it makes a bare face incredibly soft. I still need a moisturizer underneath, but those with more normal or oily skin will do just fine without.

DERMAdoctor KP Duty

Dr. Kunin developed DERMAdoctor to target common (but often overlooked) skin conditions and concerns. While she has tons of products, it was the KP Duty line that really jumped out at me. My Keratosis Pilaris has continuously worsened with age and no doctor or dermatologist recommended anything that would help. Thankfully that all changed after I bought the KP Duty Body Scrub and Dermatologist Moisturizing Therapy. Half of all people have this condition. So most of you are probably familiar with Keratosis Pilaris. But if you aren’t:

KP is a common skin disorder typified by ‘chicken skin’—bumps commonly found on upper arms, thighs and torso. Excess skin forms around individual hair follicles, creating the characteristic minute, rough, grater-like bumps. This disorder is particularly likely to affect anyone prone to eczema, asthma or hay fever.

KP Duty Body Scrub is a heavy duty exfoliation. Don’t even think about using this on your face. The scrub has large granules but doesn’t burn. I had to ease into using it as the first two uses caused some redness and peeling. This medical-quality treatment combines a mini-chemical peel and microdermabrasions.

After exfoliating, I used the Dermatologist Moisturizing Therapy. This rich lotion with hyaluronic acid and texturizing dimethicone kept my dry skin hydrated and plump. But there was still active ingredients at work exfoliating: glycolic acid and urea soften and smooth dry and rough skin. Green tea works as an antioxidant.

After a couple of weeks, my skin was smoother with diminished red spots. Each passing week of use shows an improvement. This definitely will be in my long-term routine.

Gucci Flora Gracious Tuberose and Gorgeous Gardenia

Fragrance is so personal. But I love these new Gucci fragrances for summer so much I urge you to check them out. Flora was inspired by an iconic print originally designed for Princess Grace of Monaco. The pattern was revived a couple years ago and now has been translated into a scent. I am usually drawn to clean, herbal and musky scents. My signature fragrance through high school and in my 20s was Donna Karan Cashmere Mist. But I now find myself loving fruity, floral fragrances, especially for the warm summer months. They are so light, clean, fresh and pretty.

Gracious Tuberose:

  • Top notes – peach, orange flower (orange blossoms come through in a big way for me)
  • Heart notes – rose, tuberose
  • Base notes – white cedar wood, citrus

Gorgeous Gardenia:

  • Top notes – red berries, juicy pear
  • Heart notes – white gardenia, frangipani flower
  • Base notes – patchouli, brown sugar accord (after some time of wear, this patchouli is front and center on me)