Tag: toner

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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AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE MAY HAVE BEEN 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.

Dermalogica’s Precleanse

Getting settled after one heck of a long trip. Excited to be cozy with the pups, but wanted to check in with an introduction – my hilarious and talented friend of DammitSuzanne.com (you’ll obvi love her blog). Today she is over here on Belle Belle sharing her thoughts on Dermalogica’s Precleanse! Take it away, Suzie:

This one goes out to all the ladies that like to put a dark eye on now and then. Or the girls like me, who are blonde and fair and need black eyeliner and two coats of mascara to look like I’m awake. Regardless, with dark eyeliner comes great difficulty in removal. There are always two problems a girl has, (1) how to remove eye makeup gently, and (2) how to do it in the best, most efficient way. Eye makeup remover works, and I’ll never dog it, but for me, it always feels greasy on my eyes afterwards, which is something I hate. Enter Dermalogica’s Precleanse. I started using this product about two months ago, and can’t get enough of it. It removes my makeup, and when wiped away with tissue, leaves nothing but hydrated skin. My preference is to use a cotton ball wet with warm water for my eyes, but it’s not necessary. I admit I use it mainly for my eyes because I don’t wear a ton of makeup on the rest of my face, but the Precleanse works for the whole shebang. Give it a try, you won’t regret it. It’s changed my life almost as much as Broad City.

Caudalie Beauty Elixir Limited Edition by L’Wren Scott

It is amazing when a good thing gets even better. This time, your vanity will thank you as a classic is being updated with a beautiful vessel from L’Wren Scott. Caudalie’s best selling Beauty Elixir spray is inspired by Queen Isabella of Hungary who charmed the King of Poland thirty-five years her junior. This serum/toner hybrid works to add radiance to any skin type. Ingredients include:

Rosemary Essential Oil to purify
Lemon Balm to calm
Peppermint to stimulate
Orange Blossom to soften
Rose for radiance
Grape Pulp for moisture

The limited edition bottle is inspired by L’Wren Scott’s 2013 fall/winter collection and Austrian painter Gustav Klimt. The mosaics and female silhouette also incorporate vine shoots in honor of Caudalie’s roots.

Beauty Elixir can be used as a primer under makeup and also throughout the day over makeup. It also makes for a great after-shave for the guys.

Available November 1^st at US.Caudalie.com, Caudalie NYC Boutiques (315 Bleecker St. and 1031 Lexington Avenue) and the Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa at The Plaza Hotel.

Brand Spotlight: YON-KA Skin Care

Yon-Ka is one of those brands I had seen and respected from afar. But I have never really had a chance to dive into their world. After learning about the brand and trying out some of their products, I have become a tried and true fan. The focus on aromatherapy and beautiful packaging make these workhorses and joy to use. The heavy glass bottles are truly luxe and all the dispensers are flawless. But first, a little about the brand.

Laboratories Multaler was founded in 1954 by pioneers in aromatherapy, Cécile, Ernst and Charles Muhlethaler. They focused on botanicals and essential oils and were able to achieve a breakthrough with the discover of “Quintessence” a unique combination of 5 essential oils from the Mediterranean which became the cornerstone of their future skin care line.

They continue their research, blending oils and plants to find other synergies and skin care breakthroughs. Around 1967, the brand took on its mysterious and symbolic name, YON-KA.

Françoise Muhlethaler, a biochemist, and Catherine Muhlethaler, an aesthetician, daughters and nieces of the founders take over leadership of the company in 1968. Under their reign, YON-KA is grows commercially and enters the USA in 1987 and UK and Switzerland in 2000. The new factory is in a filtered air environment with the highest manufacturing standards. Teams of pharmacists, chemist engineers, biologists, bacteriologists, aestheticians work in the Paris campus. Today, YON-KA products can be found in 50 countries and 5000 resorts and spas. Below is l’eSPAce YON-KA, the flagship spa in the heart of Paris.

So, now that we know a little bit about this established and classic skin care company, I’ll share with you a bit about the products I’ve been trying out.

Lotion YON-KA for normal to oily skin sounds like something I wouldn’t like given I am prone to dryness. But I admit, I am becoming quite the toner devotee and this alcohol-free version soothes and refreshes. I love having a second step of cleansing and it preps and evens the texture of my skin. The aromatherapy is a bonus: Geranium flower oil can reduce the appearance of pores while Rosemary oil helps reduce excess oil production for a balanced complexion.

Emulsion Pure has been a god-send these summer months. Have I mentioned I can get super irritated and even have violent allergies to some bug bites? This soother cools and comforts. You can use it both on the face and body for relief from acne, insect bites, waxing treatments and superficial burns. Lavender oil provides antiseptic benefits to reduce bacteria and help heal burns. Cypress oil evens out the skin tone to minimize the blotches. Rosemary oil increases blood circulation, moisturizes and treats sun-damaged skin. I’ve also found it super helpful against my recent psoriasis flare up.

Masque 105 has all the characteristics of a classic clay mask but it doesn’t leave my skin tight and dry. Not as thick as some other versions, the application is silkier and more hydrating. Specially designed for dry, sensitive, acne-prone skin, the mask works to detoxify and refine. I’m left with clear and glowing skin, and my tone is more even thanks to anti-inflammatory and calming Lavender oil. Geranium oil firms the skin.

Yon-ka is available at dermstore.com or find your local retailer here.

images from www.yonkausa.com

Getting Clean With Mario Badescu

A good clean feel can’t be beat, especially on hot summer days. I’ve been turning to Mario Badescu the last couple of months for head-to-toe cleansing. I am completely hooked on their toners and their body washes are balanced and moisturizing (not to mention smell great). Click through below to check out my current favorites:

If you are reading this in an email or reader, be sure to click through for the full experience.

Jack Black Bump Fix Razor Bump & Ingrown Hair Solution

Another one we will want to steel from the boys, the newest from Jack Black is a super-powered solution for ingrown hairs. I’ve had my man team (aka Dad) testing out Bump Fix for a couple weeks and he loves it so much it kinda makes me want to take it right back out of his hands!

The formula is powered with alpha-beta hydroxy acid complex to soothe and heal razor bumps and ingrown hair. It also works with salicylic acid and lactic acid to exfoliate and prevent new ingrown hairs from forming. Unlike other toners, Jack Black’s version calms skin with aloe, green tea and chamomile. Also hyaluronic acid works to hydrate making it a true multi-tasker.

The fragrance-free formula makes it great for men and women. And don’t think this is just for the face – we’ve been testing it out on legs and underarms. I’m thinking it would also be great for the bikini. Exclusively at Sephora.