Tag: Skin Care

New From L’OCCITANE

I’m kind of in a nervous state due to this drought in California. Not only is it a state I call (one of my many) homes, but I have an Alma Mater and many friends and family that actually live there. I’ll be doing a rain dance but in the meantime, I am also worried about my beloved almonds. California is the source of many – maybe most – of the almonds Americans nosh on every day.

Without surprise, my almond obsession spills over to my beauty obsession. And it was many years ago I first fell for L’OCCITANE Almond Hand Soap (which I sadly cannot find anymore). So when I got a chance to try out the new Almond Velvet Youthful Body Serum and Balm, I was elated.

The serum is truly unique – the concentrated formula contains nourishing almond with vitamin C to heal and energize skin. It hydrates but doesn’t feel heavy or greasy. Skin is left velvety smooth. I can’t think of a better moisturizer for summer. The balm is a heavier cream that soothes skin – but it still sinks into skin quickly leaving a powdery finish. I prefer using this at night and might just be the ticket after a day at the pool.

Also new from L’OCCITANE is the Divine Immortelle 28 Day Renewal Program. I was new to the Divine collection and quickly fell for the Divine Youth Oil – gentle and plumping aka everything you could ask for in a face oil. The Renewal Program took a little more time to review and digest. Over four weeks, I used specifically designed seven capsule strips. The process is crafted for renewal and exfoliation. The capsules are generous in size and I was able to cover my face, neck and decolletage. At the end of the month, I found my skin clearer, refreshed, less red and calmed. It definitely made a difference in my no-makeup experiment. Well worth it to infuse skin with ingredients like Rosemary and Carrot. And bonus points for an (accidental) accountability system to make sure skin care is part of your daily routine.

All products available at usa.loccitane.com.

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Bliss Fabulous Makeup Melt Gel-To-Oil Cleanser

Dual cleansing, Korean skin care rituals, and makeup free skin all seem to hum around the beauty world these days. I’ve been wearing less makeup during the week. And I have been trying to shed my habit of only using makeup wipes every couple of nights. Frankly, this bliss cleanser was the answer to all I was looking for in my new routine while hitting the current beauty buzz.

Bliss Fabulous Makeup Melt Gel-To-Oil Cleanser dispenses as a gel but transforms to an oil on my skin. Just massage it into dry skin and when you rinse, it becomes a cleansing oil that removes makeup and debris all while leaving skin soft and clean.

A longtime favorite, bliss is always innovating in a spa context. Probably why they integrate oils so well into their formulas. This makeup remover uses seven: tamanu, mirabelle plum seed, abyssinica seed, olive, orange, lavender, and sage. These oils leave skin nourished and calmed.

Sometimes I proceed with a foaming wash, but not always. When I tone post cleansing, my cotton comes away super clean letting me know the Cleanser works against makeup. And on those days when I am not wearing a ton, Bliss Fabulous Makeup Melt Gel-To-Oil Cleanser is all I need in the cleansing step of my routine.

Wednesday On The Web

While my effort at a bare face this week (inspiration above) is going fairly well, I am a bit discouraged by my persistent red nose thanks to this nasty spring cold. I have been relying on Fresh Black Tea goodies to sooth skin while hydrating with Aquaphor and face oils. My routine includes primer, blush, filling-in and brushing eyebrows and a heavy application of mascara (helps looking awake despite clogged sinuses). And clearly there is nothing on my lips but my beloved Carmex despite my proclamations last week.

My nights have been spent recuperating at home and I have some finds from around the web for you:

Social media and how it relates to our “real life” – great perspective on our Instagram profiles.

Need an excuse for a more carefree attitude? Check our Dr. Murad’s book on Conquering Cultural Stress.

I’ve been dreaming about Iceland and Morocco for my next vacation but this ghost town in Texas all of a sudden looks awesome – and much easier to get to. (found via Amber’s Barney’s post here)

Love this European inspired NY apartment.

Sweet sleep – glad to know I am not the only one who swears by these.

Fresh Samples generously provided by Neiman Marcus as part of the Beauty Ambassador Program. I consult for Neiman Marcus which is affiliated with the Neiman Marcus Group, but as always, opinions are my own.

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Roses… Are All That

Happy First Day of Spring! While I may have a little spring in my step and fresh tulips on my counter, I always turned my nose up at anything rose. While I maybe have warmed to a select few fragrances with rose notes, I never really fell for anything “rose” by name. Leave it to the beauty department at Neiman Marcus to change my tune.

First, AERIN Beauty Rose de Grasse Parfum – something I certainly didn’t expect to fall for. I never am drawn to ultra-feminine and floral scents. But all that has changed because, first, the roses themselves are special – Rose Centifolia are hand-picked in Grasse, France. Second, the rose is layered with one of my most favorite notes, a warm amber. Lastly, there is a aqua clarity that lends to a cleaner and less cloying rose. Who knew I’d discover a rose-based fragrance as my spring scent?

Filed under “not surprising at all”: I love face oils. My skin loves face oils. But I have never been drawn to one with rose. Chantecaille Rose de Mai Face Oil changed my perspective. Packed with hydration like other face oils, this version is unusually lightweight but still nourishing. I love it under makeup for an added glow. My skin stays supple and dewy for the full day. And the best news is that long-term use will strengthen skin and boost metabolism to fight wrinkles.

Also something really fabulous is going on at Neiman Marcus this month and you don’t want to miss it:

Six remarkable women will become the Faces of Beauty featured in Neiman Marcus’s Fall 2015 Beauty Event campaign

Neiman Marcus is hosting a Facebook contest to find the Fall season’s Faces of Beauty. To enter, state why the nominee is beautiful from the inside out and how she is making some noise in her world, and upload a photo on the online form here.

THE PRIZE
· Round-trip airfare to Dallas, Texas
· Luxury hotel accommodations
· A celebratory dinner with Neiman Marcus Executives
· Hair styling, makeup application, and a private fitting with a Neiman Marcus stylist
· A photo and video shoot at one of the Neiman Marcus stores
· A luncheon at a Neiman Marcus restaurants
· $1,500 in cosmetics and fragrances to take home

Hurry! Nominations close on March 24, 2015 at 11:59 p.m. CST.

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Samples generously provided by Neiman Marcus as part of the Beauty Ambassador Program. I consult for Neiman Marcus which is affiliated with the Neiman Marcus Group, but as always, opinions are my own.

Peter Thomas Roth Irish Moor Mud Purifying Black Mask

You’ll be hearing more about this mask in a roundup in a couple days, but it was just too good not to share on this St. Patrick’s Day! Peter Thomas Roth Irish Moor Mud Purifying Black Mask is a little bit of Ireland on your vanity. And if you forgo “amateur night” and stay in this evening, you’d enjoy staying in and giving yourself an “Irish Facial” – at least that is my plan!

Regular readers know I love mud and clay masks and this one lands right at the top of my favorites of the crew. I love how the inky, black mud isn’t too thick or irritating. The moor mud works to draw out oil and impurities. And the black hijiki seaweed works to add nutrition and hydration. And the activated charcoal? Well that comes in the future round-up that you won’t want to miss.

I apply a fairly thick layer (remember the consistency is fairly thin for a mud mask so you can pile it on). While 10 minutes is recommended, I usually get antsy and take it off after five. Even on my sensitive skin, I can use this a couple times a week without any irritation or redness.

So happy the luck of the Irish was with me and I had this fab new mask to review on this Saint Patrick’s Day. If you are headed out to celebrate, be safe!

h2O Waterwhite Advanced Brightening Collection

Literally hours ago I was having a conversation with a friend about how Vitamin C can be sometimes hard to use. It is often harsh and irritating. At the same time, I was planning to write about my new favorite cleanser and toner – a duo that left my skin clear, clean, bright and full of clarity. As I researched my new infatuation, I discovered that it was made with none other than Vitamin C. But without the harsh side effects.

h2o is fabulous at using effective ingredients in a calculated and soothing way. The Waterwhite Advanced Brightening Cleanser has all the foaming action I crave while still fading dark spots. Along with Vitamin C, Knotted Sea Kelp and Asian Brightening Botanicals blend into the silky formula to keep skin clear but not dry or tight. Sea minerals work to soften and energize skin, repairing signs of aging.

I am a huge convert to toners. It was a struggle to relinquish this one to try out Whitewater Advanced Brightening Toner. The new arrival is just as captivating. With the same ingredients as the cleanser, the toner rids my skin of any residue while refreshing skin. Surface cells are scooped away and my skin tone is totally brightened.

Both products are amazingly gentle on my skin – surprising now that I know they both include Vitamin C. The ingredient is crucial for correcting tone but can often cause redness on me. However, not with these guys. I get very little scent with both the cleanser and toner. One caution, the cleanser does hurt if it gets in your eyes so take care. Overall, I think this duo is perfect to transition to spring without drying on skin and working on dark spots.

Pick up this collection at h2oplus.com.

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