Search Results for: Bliss

Rescue Dry Winter Lips

I’ve been fielding loads of questions about caring for dry, chapped winter lips. I battle dry lips year round, so I am in even more of a pickle when the humidity plummets. Here are my favorites to have on hand over the colder months:

1. By Terry Baume de Rose: I was a little weary of a rose scented balm, but this rich formula melts into a glossy, nourishing treatment. I wore it over red lipstick yesterday and the effect was a blended, shiny pigment with loads of hydration. This also doubles as a great cuticle cream.

2. La Mer ‘The Lip Balm’: If mint is more your thing, this other luxury option is more of a solid balm with still the same nourishing hydration. The balm contains La Mer’s famous Miracle Broth™ with marine extracts, botanicals and vitamins to regenerate the delicate lip skin.

3. bliss fabulips sugar lip scrub: There are a couple different lip scrubs that are often repeated as “favorites”. I’ll tell you why I love this one: it is gentle while removing flaky mess and leaves behind Shea and Cocoa butters to soften and heal.

4. Kate Somerville ‘Quench & Correct’ Plumping Lip Gloss & Restorative Lip Treatment: This option is packed with skin care to help improve the appearance of your lips. The Correct end of the pen contains Hydra8™, boosting collagen renewal and eliminating dryness. On the other side, Quench, adds moisture and plumps. See Kate’s Winter Skin Care Tips here.

5. ChapStick Cooling & Soothing Lip Balm: I couldn’t be more tickled with the latest flavor of ChapStick: Peppermint. The same healing formula now has a cooling feel that seals in moisture while you brave the elements. I can’t think of a more festive lip balm.

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Winter Weather Blues – Dry Skin Cures

I woke up to the coldest morning yet this season and my skin definitely knew it. Adjusting to a colder climate has set me on a search for what battles itchy, dry skin best and I have some leaders already lining my shelves. Here are my favorite lotion and potions to protect your skin from winter dryness:

CeraVe Moisturizing Skin Cream: This thick cream is like a little tub of drugstore heaven. The dermatologist-developed formula has no scent, focusing only on deep hydration. Its patented MVE formulation releases ceramides and other essential ingredients throughout the day. There is zero irritation, and anyone with sensitive or irritable skin should love this. On really dry days, I slather this on as soon as I get out of the shower. It absorbs quickly and leaves skin quenched all day long.

Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentrè: I can’t resist a good European import. Especially when I see it in makeup artist’s toolkits so frequently. Often used as a primer, this has a rich lotion consistency while providing cream-strength hydration. I love soothing my skin with this cream after retinol agitation. The formula contains emulsifying and softening agents with active moisturizers that are symbiotic with our skin’s natural balance and encouraging the rebuilding of the hydrolipidic layer.

Kiehl’s Limited Edition Kenny Scharf Creme de Corps: I’m frankly embarassed it took me so long to try this iconic lotion. But might as well try out the limited edition Kenny Scharf version for my first time. Again, this is an unscented lotion – I feel like the focus should be on hydration for serious dry skin. The classic formula absorbes quickly, plumps skin and heals. I like using this at night because there is no stickiness when you are under the sheets.

Caudalie Vinotherapie Divine Oil: This smells so similar to my old, impossible to find favorite – Tocca Body Oil – that I can’t help but go gaga. The spray dispenser is so much easier to use than a simple open top. This particular item is fragranced, but in the most soothing, spa-like way (“subtle, floral and sunkissed fragrance, punctuated with woody undertones”). Grape, hibiscus, sesame and argan oils are combined with anti-oxidant polythenols. My skin looks more luminous. And last night, I even used this on dry ends of hair. It absorbed quickly and left my hair shiny and bouncy. And confession, I even sprayed this on my face with results similar to my trusty Rodin Olio Lusso.

JR Watkins Body Oil Mist: This drugstore body oil also has a spray nozzle and drenches the skin in moisture. I’ve been using lavender, coconut and grapefruit and adore them all. Apricot kernel oil and vitamin E to nourish the skin while providing nutrients. And the oil is quickly absorbed.

And of course, my beloved bliss body butters work great on dry winter skin. See my review from yesterday here.

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.

Cyber Monday Beauty Sales

As the online shopping day of the year winds down, I wanted to cover a couple beauty focused sales for your evening shopping.

BATH & BODY WORKS: 25% off entire site with code CYBER2012, 11/26 only

BEAUTYBAR: Spend $100 receive $20 off their purchase on cyber monday with checkout code “BBCYBERMONDAY”

BLISS: Up to 50% savings on best in skincare; save 30% on Bliss+Remede bundles, 20% on Bliss, Remede, Elemis products, GWP over $150

BOBBI BROWN: Free beauty trio of your choice + free specially-sized lipgloss with every order, free shipping through 11/26

CLARISONIC: 20% off entire stock of cleansing and finfusion systems

CLINIQUE: 3 free minis with any $25+ purchase, plus free shipping, no code necessary

COOLA: 25% off on all products (except MineralBaby and Sun essentials kit) with code HAPPYMONDAY

DR. HAUSCHKA: cyber monday only: spend $50 and get a free hand cream

GIORGIO ARMANI: 20% off + free shipping on $75+ orders; 20% off + free shipping + choice of 6 samples on $125+ orders, 11/26 through 11/30 only with code CYBER12A

GLOPROFESSIONAL: Love #CyberMonday? Don’t forget to shop and get 20% your purchase today plus free shipping with promo code SHOP20: ow.ly/fAVPy

KATE SOMERVILLE: Golden Glow Kit ($48.00, regularly $76, valued at $100); Revive & Renew Kit ($150.00, regularly $170, valued at $225), valid through 11/27. When visitors purchase any luxury sized product, they will receive a complimentary full-sized product, 11/23 through 12/9.

KIEHL’S: $20 off $75+ orders + free shipping with code JOYFUL

L’OCCITANE: $10 gift card with any $50+ purchase with code GIFT10, up to 25% off favorite gift sets, buy 3 get 1 free select stocking stuffers

LANCOME: 20% off any order with code HEARTS, through 11/30

LUSH COSMETICS: Celebrating Cyber Monday with a $10 e-gift card and FREE SHIPPING on all orders over $100!

MAC COSMETICS: Overnight Shipping is FREE until midnight, EST. Use code CYBER at checkout.

MARK: Today only, consumers will get a FREE mark fashion and beauty gift set valued at $72 at www.meetmark.com with any $40 (or over) purchase by using the code, MKCYBER

MARIO BADESCU: up to 20% off your entire purchase with free shipping and a gift with every purchase

NARS COSMETICS: on monday and tuesday, get 20% off with promo code “NARSFF2012” (excluding orders that include only a single foundation pump, pencil sharpener or foundation refill sponge)

NORDSTROM: awesome gifts with purchase from Kiehl’s, Jo Malone, Clarisonic, Smashbox, Clarins, Estee Lauder, La Mer and YSL

SEPHORA: free mystery gift with code “UNDERWRAPS”

THE BODY SHOP: 50% off entire store + free shipping at $30

ULTA: free beauty bag with $35 purchase, 20% off Fekkai, buy two butterLONDON polishes – get one free, 25% off body shop products, 20% off all AHAVA

URBANDECAY: 50% off select palettes

This list is continuously being updated to stay tuned. For fashion sales, check out this post here.

This post contains some affiliate links, which will give us a commission when you click-through the link AND make a purchase. When you shop through affiliate links, you help to support Belle Belle Beauty!

Scrub Soaps

I recently passed along some samples of scrub soap along to beau beau, my male guinea pig. After trying them out for a couple weeks, he couldn’t help but rave. So much so that I needed to hunt some down for myself. These soaps slough skin with physical exfoliators like oat bran. I was concerned about irritation, but these guys both got my skin extraordinarily clean without injuring delicate areas. It was so helpful in tackling dry elbows, feel and backs of arms.

Kiehl’s Ultimate Man Body Scrub Soap may technicallly be a men’s product, but ladies, you will want to borrow this one. It is designed for thicker skin, with natural oat bran, oat kernal and pumice. The soap itself has a refreshing scent and lathers while you work on your tougher skin. I prefer this to the standard pumice as it cleans and is slightly gentler. For those of you with men who have rough skin, this will soften without leaving an overly feminine fragrance.

If you prefer a little more bang for your buck, Bliss Mammoth Minty Scrub Soap is an ENORMOUS bar of soap that is well designed, effective and refreshing. Not only is the bar large, but it is hard-milled making it extra long lasting. Jojoba beads offer a gentler exfoliation. And the mint oil make it superbly refreshing.

Jack Black, of lip balm fame, makes a ‘Turbo Body Bar™’ Scrubbing Soap that offers that deep clean men seem to crave. There is a good amount of lather and hydration (murumuru and shea butters) in this bar, along with exfoliation. The scent is invigorating with natural blue lotus and ginkgo biloba making it a dream for early mornings. Natural lava rock is a hefty but gentle exfoliator.

What is On My Nightstand

I’ve been a little obsessive with my nighttime routine and I wanted to share my favorite products during evening hours:

Lucas PawPaw Ointment – This Australian ointment is like Aquaphor but better. It has Papaya to help exfoliate and my lips have never been so healthy. No wonder it has been around for 100 years.
Jason Vitamin E Oil – I’ve had cracking dry skin on my feet and hands. This nourishing (albeit a little messy) oil contains essential oils of Black Currant, Evening Primrose, Macadamia Nut and Borage. It is a truly intensive treatment if you need to heal skin quickly.
Bliss 24-Heaven Healing Balm – I can’t stop talking about this moisturizing cream. It is thick but absorbs quickly and leaves skin hydrated and supple.
Avene Thermal Spring Water – I picked this up on whim in New York City. It is a refreshing spray that adds moisture and can act as a makeup remover in a pinch. A little on a cotton ball and I don’t feel so guilty for not washing my face on those late nights.
Bio-Oil – Can you tell I have dry skin? For those nights I need a little extra dose of moisture, I use this on my arms and legs. I spot treated on a nasty bruise on my arm and really do think it sped healing.
LoLLIA Relax – I reach for this in the AM too. The main note is lavender, but the bee blossom honey and Indian amber add a sweet spiciness. I am a big believer in aromatherapy and this makes it a little easier to unwind.

Laura Mercier Ambre Vanille Souffle Body Cream

Laura Mercier might be known for the flawless face, but I think her bath and body products are just as epic. I love her frothy, sweet but elegant scents. Almond, Coconut and Vanilla are featured prominently (which I love). But her latest scent, Ambre Vanillè, has a hint of musky woody flavor to make is the perfect cozy fall fragrance.

I have gravitated towards the actual Eau de Toilette in the past, but for this collection I am savoring the Souffle Body Cream. The upcoming dry months are the perfect excuse to indulge in a rich and hydrating lotion. Laura didn’t just make a pretty scent either. She really thought about skin care. The formula includes vitamin A, pro-vitamin B5, C and E. Grape seed, rice bran oil, vanilla extract and honey soothe and condition skin. Almond and rice protein provide moisture balance and protection.

The Body Cream doesn’t leave the skin sticky, but it is dewy. The fragrance persists and makes for great layering with your perfume. The consistency isn’t as stiff as other balms – the body cream applies slightly more like a lotion. After using this and Bliss High Intensity ’24-Heaven™’ Healing Body Balm for a couple weeks, my skin looks healthier and more radiant.