Tag: hydration

Nutrisystem Week 13

A couple reasons to celebrate today. First, this week, I lost 1.4 pounds for a total weight loss of 23.0 pounds. With a little extra effort on drinking water, I was able to break through after a bit of a slower week. While I never hated drinking water, I never fully embraced how important it was. I think my skin has improved. Workouts seem easier. And my metabolism clearly moves faster. A popular trick that I had never tried is adding a little lemon in the morning to my water. It changes things up a bit and can clear skin, boost your imune system and aid digestion.

Secondly, you might have noticed there wasn’t a post yesterday on the blog. That was because Belle Belle moved to a new hosting company. My old hosting provider just couldn’t handle the traffic. Now, that’s a problem I’ll take any day! Thanks, dear readers, for helping me take Belle Belle to the next level.

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.

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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.

Brand Spotlight: Mario Badescu & 5 Products Everyone Should Own

I’ve been deep in the world of Mario Badescu for the last couple of weeks. Not a bad place to be at all. The products, established by Romanian-born Mario Badescu in 1967 in New York, are based on Eastern European skincare with a focus on being simple, gentle and effective. The price point is compelling, bringing luxe results and reasonable prices. Today, the spa attracts stars and beauty gals in the know (I dream of one day visiting). While I have always had mad respect for the brand, I haven’t really had a chance to dive in and discover some of the crown jewels. Today, I am rounding up five of their products that I think every woman (and actually men too) should have in their bathrooms.

1. Glycolic Foaming Cleanser: My obsession with Glycolic Acid is no secret. There is nothing better to break down debris on the skin to reveal more even, radiant skin. This version is super soothing (the formula is amped up with herbal extracts). They recommend using a couple times weekly, but I just can’t stay away – shhhh. This works like a champ with my Clarisonic.

2. Almond and Honey Face Scrub: I may or may not have just gone into my shower and taken a huge whiff of this stuff. Do you like almond scents as much as me? You won’t be able to resist this yummy concoction This non-abrasive scrub has finely ground Almonds and Cornmeal to gently remove dead skin cells. The honey acts to hydrate and soften skin. YUM.

3. Drying Lotion: Is there a more iconic Mario Badescu product? I think not. I’ve owned this in the past, but feeling high and mighty about having my acne under control, it has been out of the rotation. Well, a short day after getting my paws on a new bottle, I got the deepest, most annoying blemish on my neck. SO RANDOM. Anyway, I used this spot treatment loaded with salicylic acid and calamine and that bugger shrunk right up overnight. Don’t shake this stuff – just dip a cotton swab past the liquid into the pink lotion and dot on the blemish. Don’t rub in. (Note: this will also take the itch out of mosquito bites!)

4. Hyaluronic Eye Cream: I’m dry… dry… dry. And nothing looks less cute than a dry, haggard under eye. This calls for the revival skills of Hyaluronic Acid which looks in moisture without leaving a greasy or heavy feel. After a couple minutes of absorption, this eye cream works like a dream under makeup. I’ve been using it day and night and darkness and dryness are banished! You can also use this on the lips.

5. Oil-free Moisturizer SPF 30: I admit, I turned up my nose at first to an oil-free moisturizer. But in the interest of blogging, I tested it out and was so so impressed. The formula has a balance between being lightweight and hydrating (not an easy task for a sunscreen). Green Tea fights premature aging while Aloe Vera hydrates and softens skin. St. John’s Wort soothes and repairs. This is my new recommendation to those who need sun protection after starting a retinol treatment. Dry skin suffers, don’t shy away. This keeps my skin comfortable all day.

So, Mario Badescu fans, tell me in the comments… which of your favorites did I miss?

Shop my favorites here:

Mario Badescu products can also be found at Nordstrom.

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.

glow by dr. brandt™ ruby crystal retinol hydracrème

I’m pretty much a goner if I ever see skincare with promises of this elusive “glow” – I’ll snap that puppy up in no time. All I can think about is that youthful, even and radiant skin. Well, recently I discovered a little gem that makes that glow not so elusive anymore.

Dr. Brandt came up with this thick and pearlescent illuminating moisturizer inspired by an in office treatment he performs called a ruby laser procedure. (I don’t know what that is but I want it.) In the meantime, I am striving for similar results at home with the ruby crystal retinol hydracrème. I’ve been using this morning and night for a week and won’t be quitting anytime soon. The formula works great under makeup and gives an immediate luminescence while promising long-term improvement in skin’s texture and evenness.

The Ruby Crystal actually transforms external light into an energy source for skin cells (kinda weird but I like it). The Hydra-Balance balances skin water content and prevents dehydration. I’ve found this alone provides plenty of hydration on my dry skin. Oliveactive counteracts inflammation -perhaps the reason I have zero irritation with this product. And my all time favorite ingredient, retinol, increases cell turnover, smoothing skin. Just make sure you use a supercharged UV protection while using this product.

You can buy the glow by dr. brandt™ ruby crystal retinol hydracrème at Sephora.

Brand Spotlight: Koh Gen Do

It all started with a cleansing water. That is, my love for Koh Gen Do. While I sung the praises of this “best of breed” makeup remover, I had yet to try other makeup from the line. Well, that’s all changed. I’ve been trying out two foundation formulas and a powder for the last month or so. In true Asian fashion, the makeup has deep roots in skincare while still having coverages and finishes suited for Hollywood.

The line was created by actress Ai Saotome 25 years ago and evolved into a eco-friendly makeup line. The products are created for hi-def cameras. But that doesn’t mean they are heavy or only for film. I am hooked on it for everyday and special occasion wear.

First up is the Maifanshi Moisture Foundation, a mineral makeup in liquid form with light coverage (however, it is buildable). This foundation is the jewel of the line and no wonder it is a bit of a cult-classic. The formula uses a technology from Japan, integrating two types of light-reflecting particles. The liquid feels substantial but in a moisturizing way. It almost is gel-like in consistency. This made it particularly helpful on a recent airplane trip – my skin looked even and stayed well hydrated. While coverage starts off sheer, it has properties similar to a BB Cream, evening fine lines and color correcting. Maifanshi Moisture Foundation is now part of my permanent “favorites” collection as an everyday, light coverage foundation, particularly in the dry winter months.

On Monday, I appeared on a morning talk show and my foundation of choice was Aqua Foundation SPF 15 PA++. A step up in coverage, the formula is a high-definition, smooth finish foundation with lasting coverage. I am particularly impressed with its ability to cover up my hyper-pigmentation. The finish is satin and nearly flawless (without feeling heavy). Seawater minerals and birch sap extracts add hydration and radiance to keep skin looking healthy and natural.

And, my newest favorite product, across the board, is powder. I used to turn my nose up at powder, but today’s formulas don’t have that heavy, matte, dusky finish. Maifanishi Face Powder is a finely milled, silky translucent powder. The extra step on top of foundation adds a luminescence and staying power. And dry skin suffers will love the addition of moisture-retaining hyaluronic acid. Rather than making my skin look flakey and powdery, it hydrates my skin and makes the foundation finish even more radiant.

Shop my Koh Gen Do favorites here:

Ouidad Curl Recovery Whipped Curls Daily Conditioner & Styling Primer

Whipped Curls might sound good enough to eat, but it is really quite something special for those ladies with curly hair. This luxe formula has a triad of functions: styling primer, daily conditioner and leave-in hair mask. The rich, thick cream melts into your hair, hydrating a variety of curly hair types.

First, I gave it a whirl on my naturally wavy locks. I made the mistake of using too much product, but the result was a great hydration treatment. After trying to coax my natural waves out, I gave up and put my hair in a bun. My hair was a little crunchy and greasy. But…. when I rinsed the product out, it was supple, soft and shiner than it has been in … well, a long time. The triple Olive Oil blend with Shea Butter and Glycerine moisturize, strengthen and nourish. Green Tea provides anti-oxidant and environmental protection.

Next, I enlisted Lisa from Elembee. She’s got those enviable, bouncy, ringlet style curls and had mentioned she wanted to try Ouidad a few months ago. She didn’t make my same mistake – she just used a nickle-sized amount of product (see below for what Lisa calls the “Ouidad Flower”). She loves the product as both a styling cream and conditioner. Wait, let me correct that… she “LOVES” it as a styling cream! Once the proper dose was established, Lisa reports “ringlets that were soft to the touch, not frizzy, and hair that doesn’t look or feel greasy.” Her curls looked relaxed, natural and bouncy.

Bottom line: Curly haired curls, take note! Lisa gives this her seal of approval. To those with dry and breaking hair, I would also recommend this as a hydrating hair mask. Other Ouidad favorites include:

Clear & Gentle Essential Daily Shampoo makes for a great clarifying shampoo, but with a low-pH, low-foam formula that doesn’t strip hair and works on color-treated hair
Moisture Lock Leave-In Conditioner is an intensive conditioner that is a savior for dry, winter hair. The formula is lightweight but deeply hydrating (also can be a leave-in).

Ouidad Curl Recovery Whipped Curls is available at Ouidad.com, salons and ULTA.

Make sure you check out Lisa’s blog here. She has great blogging tips and a fabulous series coming up in 2013 for those who adore travel as much as I do.

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Kate Somerville Nourish Body Rescue Cream

Does the dry winter weather make you want to beam yourself to a lush tropical (and humid) island? I actually like the cold weather, but I could definitely stand for a little more moisture in the air. So, at the very least, I am going to make my skin feel like its drenched in ocean air.

Kate Somerville (the queen of skin care in my book) spreads the love to body care also these days. Nourish Body Perfection Cream uses plant actives to improve hydration levels almost immediately. Moisture, different from hydration, is infused with shea butter and cupuaçu fruit. Sugar cane extract helps restore dry dehydrated and sun-damaged skin (remember we are at the beach here). And botanical tea and ginger extract calm and sooth skin. My red-prone skin on my arms looks more even and supple. And the lightweight formula is quickly absorbed while leaving a fresh, marine and spa-like scent.

But Kate doesn’t stop there. She takes her anti-aging expertise past the face. One of her proven ingredients, Advanced Matrixyl 3000 works to firm aging skin and refine texture. The plant botanicals renew damaged skin. So, not only is the skin healthier but appears younger. Win-win.

I’ve been using this as soon as I get out of the shower and right before bed. I guess I can’t seem to get enough. You can purchase Nourish Body Perfection Cream at Neiman Marcus.

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