Tag: Kate Somerville

Spring Prep Skin Care On FOX23’s Great Day Green Country

We can now officially say spring has sprung and with that comes the reality that swimsuit/shorts/tank top season is just weeks away. Not only am I hitting the gym a little harder, but I am also changing up my skin care game. With a couple tweaks, we can have clear, radiant skin and sandal-ready feet.

First up, make sure to extend your regular skin care routine to hands, neck and decolletage. This goes for year-round but is even more important as the sun rays intensify. My favorite summertime SPF is Kate Somerville Daily Deflector Moisturizer. It is lightweight and works well from the hairline down the chest. Because it is only SPF 20, make sure to amp up protection if you are spending large amounts of time outside.

Step back on products that are heavy or full of emollients. That rich cream might soothe dry winter skin but isn’t best for warmer months. Perricone MD Chia Serum (covered yesterday here) actually works for light hydration. And it can be used over makeup for that warm, dewy glow.

All those pore clogging sunscreens and sweaty weather don’t only encourage acne on the face. Breakouts on the back and chest can be the worst during pool season. Mario Badescu Special Cleansing Lotion “O” is alcohol-free and soothes sensitive skin. Mild witch hazel formula removes pore clogging debris. Just swipe on post-shower with a cotton ball. The cooling effect is especially pleasant on a hot day.

Not only will exfoliation help with pore-clogging and other breakout causing congestion, but they will also reveal radiant and even skin. For those who look to organic solutions, check out Avalon Organics Exfoliating Enzyme Scrub that uses both fruit enzymes and finely ground walnut shell for a calming exfoliation. New from St. Ives, Even & Bright Pink Lemon & Mandarin Orange Scrub smells like summer and doesn’t cause redness. I use this as a body wash for a deep clean.

Don’t neglect the tootsies. AmLactin Foot Cream is like regular foot cream on steroids. AHAs help smooth and repair callused and dry skin. Just make sure to use sunscreen on the oft-neglected feet because the active ingredients can make them more susceptible to sun damage. The lotion is quickly absorbed but I still like to apply at night and wear socks to get a deep treatment. There is a very slight medicinal scent.

Shop your spring essentials here:

image here (I can’t seem to find the exact source – if you come across it, please let me know)

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My Skin Care Routine and Current Shopping List

My skin care routine is always changing as I am adding new products for review. Every once in a while, I’d like to share my routine, just so you can see what is on Belle Belle’s radar. Here is what is stacking up on my vanity:

1. ReVive Cleanser Exfoliant: This gentle and creamy cleanser has beads that help turn over dull and dry winter skin without irritation.

2.Kate Somerville Daily Deflector Moisturizer: This luminous cream provides important sun protection now that retinol and hydroquinone are back in my rotation.

3. Mario Badescu Keratoplast Cleansing Lotion: This toner helps ensure all traces of my makeup are gone while helping my skin fight redness and promoting even skin.

4. Kate Somerville Age Arrest Anti-Wrinkle Cream: The big 3-5 is only four months away and I’m staving away wrinkles with this hydrating, technologically advanced cream.

5. Rodin Olio Lusso: Ever since I was tipped off to add a face oil over moisturizer to “seal in” moisture, I can’t bear to skip this step and I think my skin is more luminous than usual. This classic is the original face oil.

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Winter Skin Care For The Body on FOX23’s Great Day Green Country

Yesterday’s post was all about caring for skin in this dry winter weather. Today, I am moving onto the equally important body care. This morning, I’ll be on FOX23’s Great Day Green Country discussing my favorite products to protect, hydrate and nourish. But for those of you out of the area or wanting more details, here’s a sneak peek. I will also be sure to post a link to my segment later today!

Rich Moisturizers For Dry Skin

I’m drawn towards luxurious rich creams no matter the season. My parched skin drinks up heavy doses of moisture. If I have been diligent (or indulgent) in hydration, I can really see an increased radiance in my skin. While I use these richer moisturizers year round, I know some of you might be rotating in a winter-friendly heavier cream. If you are in the market, here are my six favorite rich moisturizers for dry skin:

Kate Somerville Age Arrest Anti-Wrinkle Cream

Not only does this cream cure dry skin, but it also works against aging with a revolutionary technology. Based on scientific research into telomeres, it is proven to effectively reduce the appearance of wrinkles, increase skin firmness and elasticity and improve the appearance of skin discoloration. It also plays well with sensitive skin. Use morning and night.

Hada Labo Tokyo Skin Plumping Gel Cream

This Japanese brand, wildly popular in Asia, is now available at Ulta and drugstores here in the US. With a compelling price point, this formula focuses on a super-charged Hyaluronic Acid. While it has a gel-like texture, don’t underestimate its hydration power. It contains the highest concentration of Hyaluronic Acid out of the entire product line. Skin is left plumped and soft, but not greasy. Fragrance free and non-irritating. Use morning and night.

Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair Moisturizer

Another rich moisturizer with anti-aging benefits, Juice Beauty’s version uses fruit stem cells to infuse the formula with vitamin C and resveratrol. This blend repairs damage to the skin on a DNA level. Plant oils provide hydration. Juice Beauty products are free of loads of nasty ingredients like parabens, petroluem, sulphates, GMO, silicones, pesticides and artificial dyes. Use morning and night.

L’Oreal Youth Code Texture Perfector Day & Night Cream

Youth Code targets women with younger skin but I was happy to discover this formula packs a moisture punch. Crafted to improve pores, texture and fine lines, this cream has a silky texture. It absorbs quickly with a velvet finish. Plus, you can’t beat the drugstore price point.

myHERO™ Ultra Rich Anti-Aging Growth Factor Cream

myHERO is particularly formulated for dry, mature and sensitive skin. It also targets redness along with other signs of aging. Ingredients stimulate collagen production while comforting irritated skin. Over time, this can help boost skin’s immunity. Use in the evening.

Kiehl’s Since 1851 Super Multi-Corrective Cream

The long-standing skin care powerhouse, Kiehl’s, designed their newest cream to reduce signs of aging with beech tree extract and jasmonic and hyaluronic acids. The formula is also friendly towards sensitive skin. The rich cream has an element of gel texture, allowing for quick absorption. Paraben and fragrance-free. Use in the morning and evening.

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mybody available at lovemybody.com.

Five Late Summer Favorites

So, today marks the official back to school here in my city. Time to face the music and start thinking about prep for those cooler months ahead. I’m focusing on stretching out this tan, staying safe in the sun, repairing sun damage and nourishing my dried out hair. Among other things! Here are five favorites that I keep reaching for to do just that:

RéVive ‘Sensitif’ Oil-Free Lotion SPF 15 is the most gentle SPF I have come across and the oil-free formula finishes matte and won’t clog pores. Plus, it works fabulously under makeup.

Kate Somerville ‘Somerville 360°’ Tan Maximizer is helping me milk this summer glow for all that it is worth. I love the smell and how nourishing it is on my skin. Natural oils add so much hydration that this might be my go-to lotion all year long!

Herbal Essences Body Envy Volumizing Shampoo basically transports me back to high school with its fruity scent (how appropriate this time of year!). But what really impressed me was the effect – I use this at night and sleep in a wet braid – the next morning I have full and bouncy waves!

Coola TotalBody Organic Moisturizing Suncare with SPF 30 is keeping me sun safe these last couple of pool days. The scents can’t be beat (my favorite is Plumeria). And I feel even better staying safe in the sun using an organic product.

Essie for the twill of it from their fall collection was high on my wish list. But now that I have it in (or on) my hot little hands I’m swooning so hard I almost fell over. The opaque shade is as nuanced and special as any luxury polish. Fall signature mani sold!

Newness From Kate Somerville

By now, most of you know I am a certified Kate Somerville fan. Her skin care is technologically savvy, her formulas work without irritating and her approach to great skin resonates. That’s why I am so glad to see consistently fabulous new launches from her. Most recently, she’s made a foray into makeup with a killer CC Cream. And a new anti-aging moisturizer that my skin just drinks up.

First up is Age Arrest Anti-Wrinkle Cream. Right off the bat, I notice that unlike other anti-aging creams, this formula feels rich but not greasy or heavy. Kate uses ingredients like Extract of Laminaria Kelp to work with skin’s natural ability to hydrate so your don’t get a goopy feel. The thrust of this new moisturizer is new telomere research with a Telo-5™ Technology. Telomeres help keep us looking young and this technology can prolong the life of these skin cell worker bees. In addition, peptides help reduce degradation of collagen. Lastly, Sea Whip Extract and Algae Plasma sooth sensitive skin.

I’m so glad that Kate jumped on this bandwagon because I was dying to know how she’d embrace this BB/CC Cream craze. Again, she marries the science of skin care with naturally occurring ingredients for a balanced and non-irritating formula. Like my cherished Kiehl’s BB Cream, the version from Kate Somerville IllumiKate™ CC Cream has a whopping 50 SPF. Arbutin, Licorice Extract and Natural Amino Acids work to brighten skin. And I get a good dose of hydration thanks to Sodium Hyaluronate. I still wear this over a moisturizer but those would oilier skin could skip it. The coverage is on the sheer side – which is what I prefer. But those who want more coverage will be happy to know it is buildable. I’ve can get away with the light shade, so I am happy to report the four shades cover a fairly wide spectrum of complexions. I haven’t tried the medium but I am guessing it runs darker than other lines.