Tag: lip balm

Five Tips for Holiday Makeup from Neutrogena

Amy Oresman, celebrity makeup artist from Neutrogena, shares some of her tips using for holiday makeup. I’ve been test driving these items too over the past couple of weeks and am also sharing my thoughts on these drugstore buys.

1. During the holidays when you’re running from one event to the next, your makeup can take a beating. To help you look picture perfect, it’s important to start with a good base. The Healthy Skin Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 15 instantly smoothes skin imperfections so makeup applies more evenly and lasts longer.

Editor’s note: I LOVE, I mean love, this primer. It evens skin just on its own while cooling and hydrating. I love the SPF (non-irritating at that). And there is no balling and sliding under makeup.

2. Between parties, shopping and cooking, the holidays can leave many women feeling and looking rundown, often showing up as bags and dark circles under the eyes. Healthy Skin Brightening Eye Perfector is a do-it-all product that not only brightens and conceals but is clinically proven to de-puff and treat dark under eye circles. Formulated with optical eye brighteners, this silky formula instantly boosts radiance and lightens shadows around the eye area, leaving skin looking refreshed and more even-toned, so you’re close-up ready!

Editor’s note: I’ve had one of these in the rotation for a couple months. This is not an illuminator pen – it really conceals with a radiant and moderate-coverage finish. I love using it around my eyes and down the sides of my nose.

3. Often times, the photo flash can make your look washed out. To really make your eyes pop, eyeliner is a girl’s best friend. Nourishing Eyeliner contains a specialized blend of light-reflecting pearls that help make the whites of eyes appear whiter, while the rich color instantly brightens and defines eyes. What’s more, the formula is enriched with skin-conditioning ingredients including olive oil, rainforest shea butter and Vitamin E to help nourish the delicate skin at the base of the lashes.

Editor’s note: This creamy liner is easy to use and especially great for a smudgy look (there is a smudging sponge at the other end). I love the in-cap sharpener and addition of vitamins and conditioners for delicate skin. This sadly doesn’t work on a water-line, but could be great in conjunction with your favorite eye kohl (remember: layering liners makes them stay longer).

4. My must-have accessory for any holiday look is mascara! My personal preference is HEALTHY VOLUME® Mascara because it builds lash volume by 400% with the triple benefits of olive extract, Meadowfoam seed and sweet almond for fuller, more conditioned lashes. The exclusive super sized Visible Volume brush quickly coats and builds every single lash, without clumping, smudging or flaking, resulting in beautifully defined lashes that are conditioned from the inside out.

Editor’s note: This mascara not only conditions and improves your lashes, but boosts volume in a major way. The large brush is my preferred tool and adequately coats each last for more length and fullness. There is no dry, crispy feeling (hate when that happens).

5. No holiday look is complete without the perfect pout to round off the picture perfect look! Every woman wants soft, luxurious lips, but achieving them isn’t always so easy since many products can leave lips feeling dry, especially during the winter months. Revitalizing Lip Balm SPF 20 is formulated with with ion₂complex™ Technology that offers a surge of moisture and improves lips’ overall appearance. In just one week, this sheer tinted balm is clinically proven to improve the texture of lips while restoring lips’ rosiness.

Editor’s note: It is hard for me to not love a good balm. These did not disappoint They really are hydrating with a fruity flavor. I love “Sheer Shimmer” for an easy translucent lip and “Petal Glow” gives a subtle hint of rose, both leaving my lips super shiny.

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.

Dior Addict Lip Glow Color Reviver Balm

Self-adjusting makeup items always cause me a little bit of a side eye. As usual, the Dior Lip Glow was met with skepticism. But after a couple weeks of use, I am sold. I’m not sure exactly how this “responds to my color chemistry” but all that matters is I like it. The effect is a slightly pinky nude. The best part is the hydration and sun protection. And that classic fruity scent. Have you guys tried any color adjusting products?

Dior Addict Lip Glow Color Reviver Balm is available at Neiman Marcus.

Caudalie Favorites & Bleeker Street Boutique Opening

I am a devoted Francophile. I’m also a devoted wine drinker. So it is no surprise that I adore Caudalie, a beauty company that built its brand around stabilized grape seed polyphenols (aka wine material). I’ve been dabbling in their skin care and body care products for over a decade and have several of their goodies in the current rotation. Bottom line: I am a fan. So now I have even more reason to envy my New York City friends – tomorrow marks the opening of the first ever Caudalie Boutique!

The brand will offer skincare consultations, mini treatment experiences and “Les Introuvables” (boutique-exclusive products) in their new flagship, located in SoHo at 315 Bleecker Street. The store design in inspired by Les Source de Caudalie Vinothérapie Spa in Bordeaux and Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte. The wine and vinyard motif play throughout – is there anywhere more relaxing than wine country? I think not. Classic decor of white, oak wood and bordeaux make for a stunning spa setting. Much like the brand Lush, the boutique will feature a beauty bar in the shape of a barrel bath – the perfect spot to try products.

There will be two complimentary services:

The “Instant Beauty Pick-Me-Up” This 10 minute instant beauty service will offer clients that certain “je ne sais quoi” that comes with a flawless, healthy glow. The experience utilizes Caudalie’s top radiance boosting products like Mineral Tinted Moisturizers and the Divine Powder with advice from a Caudalie skincare expert. Skin will be radiant and glowing and the senses will be restored – all without booking an appointment.
The “Hand Massage” Experience a moment of relaxation with a massage to relived tired and fatigued hands. Utilizing gentle manipulation and Caudalie’s beloved Hand & Nail Cream, muscles will be relaxed, while skin is nourished and protected thanks to a moisturizing formula of grape oil, Vinolevure and Fair Trade Shea Butter.

While you are there, check out some of my favorite Caudalie products:

Divine Oil – I’ve been using this mix of four oils on my arms, legs, face, hair… you name it. Moroccan rose, Bulgarian rose, grapefruit, pink pepper, cedar, vanilla and white musk combine to make an irresistible scent – no kidding… this might be my favorite find of the season.
‘Thé des Vignes’ Eau de Toilette – Ginger and neroli make for a delicious, light scent that feels fresh and fruity. Notes of florals like orange blossom and jasmine round out a clean spray – perfect for those who don’t like a heavy fragrance.
‘Fleur de Vigne’ Shower Gel – I’ve been using this shower gel for years. It has the perfect suds, leaves the perfect scent and will always remind me of summer. The scent is white rose and pink peppercorn.
Hand & Nail Cream – A great hand cream only gets better with sweet orange and almond fragrance – but it doesn’t have an overpowering scent and leaves no greasy residue.
Crushed Cabernet Scrub – I am all for firming these days and… what’s the harm? Especially if it is 100% natural. This scrub is pretty aggressive and designed as part of the Slimming Regimen. The formula contains the six draining and cellulite-fighting organic essential oils of the Contouring Concentrate.
Firming Concentrate – After using the Cabernet Scrub, I slather on the concentrate. I use this on my arms and stomach where it promises to help improve elasticity and firmness and prevent stretch marks. Doesn’t hurt that the fragrance is awesome – a peppery, citrus flavor.
Lip Conditioner – This balm is a best seller in the Alps. While it is massively conditioning, it isn’t too thick. So it works great as a base coat for lipstick to prevent the look of flakey color.

Bliss fabulips treatment kit

A few weeks ago, I was talking about a facial for the hair. So why not a facial for the lips!? A healthy pout is not only prettier, but absolutely mandatory for lip color. There is nothing worse than an uneven, flakey bold lip. Might as well make an at home, mini spa treatment out of priming those lips to look their best.

The kit includes everything you need for the four step treatment:

Lift impurities and lip color with the foaming lip cleanser.
Polish lips and remove dead skin with the sugar lip scrub.
Use the volumizing instant lip plumper
Moisturize with the softening lip balm.

The lip “facial” has amazing results. But these are also great to use solo. I adore the foaming lip cleanser for removing lipstick or stain at the end of the evening. It gently cleans with Cocoa butter, shea butter and rice bran extract. Let it set for 20-30 seconds to activate and foam.

I keep the sugar lip scrub in the shower for daily exfoliation. It contains almond and walnut shell to exfoliate and nourishes with jojoba seed. It is packed with vitamins and, on its own, leaves my lips hydrated.

The lip plumper comes in handy before big events (it doesn’t tingle or irritate – just minty). Cork tree extract and peptides volumize and contour. Sodium hyaluronate keeps hydration in, boosting volume even more.

And the balm is so silky and soft. This is probably my favorite of all. It is perfect for right before bed. Waxes and oils condition delicately. Shea butter, jojoba and grape seed oils seal moisture in with a dose of Vitamin E.