Favorite Serums

Serums are such an underrated skin care step. I can see why. With a cleanser, you get instant gratification of washing off the grim. Moisturizer’s hydration feels so good. And applying SPF is like giving yourself a pat on the back. But a recent experience reminded my how important these guys are.

I was testing a skin care system that didn’t incorporate a serum. I followed it to a “T”. After just 10 days, my skin looked dull and my hyperpigmentation was worse. My skin just didn’t feel as soft. So, I bagged the system I was testing and returned to my serum-inclusive routine.

In just three days, I was back to my old self. Definitely reminded me how important a serum can be. So today, I am sharing my three favorites. I rotate these and often use two together. They  go on after cleansing a before moisturizer.

1. La Mer The Concentrate – I don’t know about this “Miracle Broth” and I have been concerned about some of the ingredients La Mer uses, but I just can’t deny that this stuff eliminates redness like a champ. It was initially designed to improve the appearance of scarring resulting from surgery and burns. I have used this after surgery and it works wonders on minimizing scars. But the premise also works on dry, irritated and sensitive skin. The main ingredient accelerates skin’s natural repair process. And it leaves skin insanely soft.

2. Kanebo Sensai Collection Prime Solution – This stuff is new and I’ve been lucky enough to test it out over the past couple of months. Kanebo is known for using Koishimaru Silk which reawakens skin cells. It boosts the efficacy of other treatments I use – so make sure to apply it first before any other treatments or serums. I love the beautiful glass bottle too!

3. Sunday Riley Juno Transformative Lipid Serum – Actually a dry oil, this has cult-level status. Sunday Riley’s skin care is inspired by Native American botanicals and she is best known for her NV-5 Ageless Complex, a proprietary blend of 5 Native American botanicals to detoxify, heal, and recharge the skin. Juno also includes oils extremely high in natural retinol, Vitamin C, Essential Amino Acids, Omega-3, 6, & 9, UV shields, and natural Anti-Inflammatory agents for luminous skin. This stuff leaves skin super glow-y.

Drugstore Hits and Misses

1. Almay Eyeshadow Trio Smoky Smoky Hazel – Sorry to start out on a negative note, but skip this guy. The powder has very little pigment and is quite dry. I like the idea of a kit that caters to eye color, but they missed on this one.

2. L’Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow – Instead, pick up these pots. They look like pressed powder but have a creamy formula. They apply like a dream. I wish they had more colors and some less metallic options but only because I love them so much. I have Endless Pearl, which is relatively matte and a great base color. Bronze Taupe is a beautiful, warm and multifaceted neutral. These appear much more expensive than they are. Also, they mean it when they say don’t discard the little interior plastic to press down the product. If it isn’t on there the powder loosens. Whoopsie.

3. Ardell Fashion Lashes Black (110) – I am relatively new to false lashes and was incredibly intimidated to try them. But I gave it a whirl with these, using Duo adhesive. It was a breeze! They look very natural and I got loads of compliments. They were comfortable to wear didn’t damage my own lashes. Use tweezers to hold the lash strip. Put a dot of glue on the back of your hand. Slowly and carefully dip the lash strip into the glue several times along base of the lashes. Lay onto your lashes, add mascara and liner to blend with your own!

4. Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner in Blackest Black – This guy is an award winner and no surprise why. The formula has massive staying power. The color is a perfect, deep black. The brush is easy to handle. Need I say more?

5. Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in Coffee Cake – I’ve been ooing and ahing about this innovative product all over the social media waves. The texture is what makes this blush different. It almost feels like a makeup applicator sponge at first. It is malleable but springs back. It applies like a cream, but dries to a long staying powder appearance. The effect is not matte but there is no shimmer (which I love). I picked up Coffee Cake, a nude peach that works great for a tonal, natural face.

6. eos Smooth Sphere Lip Balm – I reviewed these here, but I just had to mention them again. They are fabulous balms and are so easy to find in a big purse. They have loads of flavors with medicated and SPF options.

7. Maybelline Color Tatoo 24HR Eyeshadow in Bad to the Bronze – Another standout drugstore eyeshadow. This is creamier than the L’Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow, with slighly less pigment but a little more staying power. Bad to the Bronze is a lighter version of Bronze Taupe. I also wish this came in more colors because I love it so. Many of the shades are dramatic and on the cooler side.

8. eos Shave Cream, Ultra Moisturizing, Lavender Jasmine – If you like a foaming shave cream, this isn’t for you. But the smell is what sold me. It also comes in pomegranate raspberry, island blue, cucumber melon, vanilla bliss and sensitive – fragrance free. It is massively hydrating and almost feels like conditioner.

9. eos Refresh Active Care Hand and Body Lotion – Again, they got me on the fabulous scent. The fresh cucumber lingers just enough. It isn’t greasy in the least bit. These products aren’t tested on animals and paraban-free. I’m becoming quite the eos fan.

YSL Rouge Pur Couture Vernis à Lèvres Glossy Stain

I’ve run across some incredibly clever video vignettes from the cosmetics companies lately, like this one from Chanel. Literally, as I was testing out the new YSL Rouge Pur Couture Vernis à Lèvres Glossy Stain, I stumbled on this charming video about making the glosses.

http://youtu.be/pN5zCZqfkbM

A product this inventive is deserving of it’s own movie. The formula is literally like no other. It bills itself as a “glossy stain”, but I think it falls slightly more on the stain side of the spectrum. What makes it different is the supple, shiny application. It looks like a shiny lipstick after applied. After a couple hours of wear, it fades into a stain. It is not drying in the least and in the stain phase, works great under a sheer gloss.

This bottle looks deceivingly like nail polish and I love the shock factor of pulling it out and swiping it on my lips. And it has a subtle but pleasant fruity flavor. I was worried about the relatively large applicator but it is actually quite nimble. I chose Rouge Gouache (a slightly darker version of what appears to be a blogger favorite, Corail Fauve). It is a bold red with just a touch of fuschia. Even though it is darker, the texture is so lightweight, it is perfect for summer. Those little boxes online are horrible indicators of the color, so I suggest checking out Karla’s gorgeous swatches to help you decide which shade to pick up.

Lancome Rouge in Love Lip Color

So, either advertising works or I am a marketer’s dream. I have loved these Lancome ads with Emma Watson and just had to have the new Lancome lipstick – Lancome Rouge in Love Lip Color. And not a moment of regret. The product is pigmented, soft and long-wearing. The color never stains my lips, but is pretty persistant through everyday tasks. It won’t last a meal, but easily survives a diet coke.

Because the ads and name were so feminine, I decided to try a rosy, bright pink – Roses in Love from the Jolis Matins mood.

The shades are developed into three moods. I actually like this idea –  it makes allows a customer to narrow down the avaialable colors based on the desired look or taste.

  • Jolis Matins: “Pretty morning” – ready-to-wear, and luminous fresh day shades that recreate daylight on the lips, for subtle and soft brilliance, due to the precious mother-of-pearl.
  • Boudoir Time: Trendy, punchy “it” shades that give color to the lips thanks to the intense contrasted mother-of-pearl. These shades offer an intense bright color reflection. Perfect to start the evening right.
  • Tonight is My Night: Sophisticated, pure intense shades to give depth to lips and brighten a night out, for a deep lacquered effect and luminous color, thanks to gold mother-of-pearl.

These little tubes of lipstick are compact but rest assured they contain the same amount of product as Bobbi Brown Rich Lip Color SPF 12 and NARS Lipstick (0.12 oz.).

 

Kiehl’s Desert Run for amfAR – Limited Edition Desert Run Travel Essentials Kit

Calling all biker beauty lovers! This is such a cool event, celebrating Kiehl’s unique 161-year-old heritage with motorcycles while building HIV/AIDS awareness. Kiehl’s Desert Run for amfAR will travel from Las Vegas to Los Angeles March 29 through April 2, 2012, to raise funds and awareness for amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research.

Also supporting amfAR (and for those of us who are not bikers), the Limited Edition Desert Run Travel Essentials Kit is an assortment of Kiehl’s best-selling travel size products, with 100% of Kiehl’s net profits from the sale of this product, up to $25,000, to benefit amfAR. The kit retails for $69.00, and features Amino Acid Shampoo & Conditioner, Ultra Facial Cleanser, Ultra Facial Cream, Creme de Corps, Midnight Recovery Concentrate, Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate, Super Fluid UV Defense SPF 15 and Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado.

If you are in the neighborhood, you can swing by one of the Desert Run stops for music and refreshments. Or you can join the Desert Run Community Ride, Sunday, April 1, from Kiehl’s at The Grove to Kiehl’s on Robertson Blvd. Those interested in riding must e-mail [email protected] to RSVP and for additional details.

The stops include:

  • March 29th: Kiehl’s Since 1851 at Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas, NV – 3:00pm – 5:00pm Forum Shops at Caesars
  • March 31st: Kiehl’s Since 1851 at Saks Fifth Avenue– 2:00pm – 4:00pm
  • April 1st: Kiehl’s Since 1851 at South Coast Plaza – 12:00pm
  • April 1st: Kiehl’s Since 1851 at The Grove – 3:00pm **Desert Run Community Ride**
  • April 1st: Kiehl’s Since 1851 on Robertson Blvd. – 4:30 pm

Essie Spring Collection 2012 – Orange, It’s Obvious! Nail Polish

To accompany my recent acquired “tan” thanks to Xen-Tan, I need a shock of a bright color for my manicure. It is finally spring, after all. I picked up one of my bottles from the Essie Spring Collection – Orange, It’s Obvious!. The shade is perfectly on trend and looks great with darker skin tones.

If the orange shade doesn’t suit you, the spring collection is full of other options. Rock mint green with Navigate Her. I love the fuchsia shade, Tour de Finance. Or the timeless neutral, A Crewed Interest.