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Tarte ReCreate™ Foundation

I love liquid foundation. I know that mineral powder foundations are all the rage these days, but I for me nothing beats the perfect smoothing foundation that is a perfect match to my skin color. It hides my pores and makes the rest of my makeup look flawless.

Tarte’s ReCreate™ Foundation ($37.00 USD) is a natural anti-aging foundation with Wrinkle Rewind™ Technology. What’s that, you ask? Tarte’s website explains it as, “proprietary re-hydrating complex restores moisture, tone, and elasticity to the skin, effectively reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles”. They also claim the micronized minerals in the formula help brighten the skin and provide an SPF 15.

Other ingredients also include goji berry extract, peat extract, and wheat extract and its paraben, sulfate, and phthalate free. To find out all of the ingredients, visit Tarte’s website at www.tartecosmetics.com.

I think that the price of this foundation is good for the great coverage and glow it gives you. I have noticed that it doesn’t settle in my fine lines and makes my pores (a big problem) less noticeable. I am yet to get a lot of lines (yay sunscreen!), but it seems to make the ones I have less noticeable. All in all, a great liquid foundation!

Dry Flyaway Hair? KMS California Products Can Put the Moisture Back!

Kansas City weather is rough on the hair. It is so dry in the winter that my hair is dull and flyaway. In the summer it is so humid that my hair looks like a big frizzy puff ball! But for right now, these KMS California products — Moistrepair Revival Creme, Silksheen Gloss Spray, and Moistrepair Overnight Mask — really help my hair stay soft and silky.

I apply KMS Moistrepair Revival Creme ($13.95 USD) to clean, wet hair like a leave in conditioner. It is infused with aloe and vanilla and makes my hair very soft once I dry it.

KMS Silksheen Gloss Spray ($16.95 USD) gives a nice shine to my dull hair. I spray this on my dry hair before I leave the house in the morning. This spray contains almond and basil, and is not sticky at all and gives great shine.

KMS moistrepair overnight mask ($29.95 USD) is best used on clean, dry hair at night. Like the Revival Creme, this is infused with aloe and vanilla. I slather a half a tube to a tube (for really dry or long hair) of this on my hair, sleep, then I wake up to soft hair in the morning. Don’t worry if your hair is a little wet with the product at night because it drys by morning and does not leave any residue on your pillow!

KMS California has different collections for every hair situation, such as colored hair, flat hair, curly hair, etc. I am looking forward to trying (and reviewing) their Anti-Humidity Seal in the summer. Their website. www.kmscalifornia.com can direct you to a salon near you that sells the products.

Sea Results Line Menders from H2O+

The Sea Results Collection from H2O+ claims to, “visibly rewind signs of aging with firming phospholipids and restorative sea nutrients.” The Sea Resulsts Line Mender cream and Sea Results Eye Mender Plus also claim to improve the quality of aging skin in 28 days.

The H2O+ website, http://www.h20plus.com, also touts these statistics concerning the Sea Results Line Mender cream ($54.00 USD), “Over 28 days of continued daily use, 97% of those participating in a consumer panel test reported their skin to be more richly hydrated and 95% noticed smoother, more even skin texture. There was a 22% decrease in wrinkle depth and 19% increase in firmness over that same period of time. In addition to softening dermal creases and refining skin texture, this multi-tasking formula also provides antioxidant protection to help reduce the effects of free radical induced damage. ”

People who participated in a consumer panel test of the Sea Results Eye Mender Plus ($36.00 USD) reported that after a period of 28 days of continued daily use, a 47% decrease in wrinkle depth, a 24% reduction in puffiness and 19% increase in firmness was observed.

I have been using these products for approximately 28 days and I have to say that my skin looks clearer, it is softer and firmer and my eyes look less puffy. My lines on my forehead are a little less noticeable. I think that if I use it a month or two longer, they will be even smoother.

I really do love this cream. It absorbs quickly and can be worn under makeup. That is a big plus for me as I have little time in the morning to get ready for work. The eye cream is thicker, but also absorbs fairly fast. Also, they both smell really great. They have a lighter version of the H2O Spa scent.

My verdict? The price is a bit high, but the quality is excellent. I definitely recommend this line!

Spring Roses from The Body Shop Part 2 — The Moroccan Rose Bath & Body Collection

Happy Valentine’s Day! So he didn’t get you roses? Go get yourself some by indulging in the Body Shop’s Moroccan Rose Bath and Body Collection!

Notes:

Top notes: Rose, floral, spice
Middle notes: Rose, mimosa, orange
Base notes:Rose, cedarwood, vanilla, musk

Moroccan Rose Eau de Toilette (25.00 USD) — “A fresh, sophisticated and feminine rose fragrance that captures the beauty and romance of Valentine’s Day. ” This fragrance is very interesting. It goes on very rosy smelling and dries sweet and spicy! It is quite an unusual rose fragrance that took a little bit of wearing to get used to, but I really like it. Maybe if I wear it today, my husband will get the hint!

Moroccan Rose Body Butter ($20.00 USD) – This creamy moisturizer is infused with Moroccan Rose extracts that smooth the skin. It also contains Community Trade shea butter and Community Trade babassu oil; both ingredients that leave the skin soft and supple. I find that this is great in the winter when I needs thick body cream to moisturize my very dry skin.

Moroccan Rose Body Milk ($16.00 USD) – This is a lightweight “12-hour moisturizer” that comes in a pump. It is nice for a lighter moisturizer and will probably be fantastic when the weather turns warmer. This product is also imbued with Moroccan Rose and also includes Community Trade sesame, organic olive oil, and organic babassu oil.

Moroccan Rose Bath & Massage Oil ($18300 USD) – This lovely body oil is perfect for colder and warmer weather. It is very moisturizing and gives the skin a soft sheen after use (it will look great with skirts and shorts! Boy, I can’t wait for warmer weather) It contains Moroccan Rose extracts and Community Trade organically grown soya oil which is rich in essential fatty acids, helps to restore the skin’s natural moisture barrier.

Moroccan Rose Shower Gel ($13.00 USD) – This shower gel is free of harsh soaps so it leaves the skin very soft after washing. It has Moroccan Rose extract and Community Trade organic honey which moisturizes and conditions skin.

The Body Shop’s website at www.thebodyshop-usa.com to purchase products, find a store and learn more about the Community Trade ingredients that are used to create these wonderful products.

Spring Roses from The Body Shop Part 1 — Roseflower Makeup Collection

The Body Shop has released a beautiful Spring Roses Collection that includes The Roseflower Spring Makeup Collection and the Morrocan Rose Bath and Body Collection. I am going to review these collections in two parts, since there are so many fun products included.

Roseflower eyes ($14.00 USD) comes in two colors Sunshine Gold and Mint Green. These colors go on as a wash of color leaving you with a lovely watercolor look. Don’t be afraid of the Mint Green, it is a very subtle color. I have worn it to work and received compliments on my “pretty makeup”! The shadows also have an embossed shimmery rose in the middle of it, so not for the shimmer-shy, but also not too glittery.

Roseflower Lips $(16.00 USD) are available in Soft Pink, True Pink and Deep Pink. I have the Soft Pink shade which looks very pretty with the eye shadows and Fuscia blush. It goes on shiny and soft, and looks almost like a lip gloss. It is VERY moisturizing and contains, “Community Trade organic beeswax and marula oil from Namibia helps to repair skin’s moisture barrier.” Very good for a spring-y day look!

Roseflower Blush ($20.00 USD) in Fuscia and Pink is a very soft, blendable cheek color. I have the Fuchsia, which really brightens the face and gives you a little flush. As with the eye shadow, there is an embossed rose in the middle that adds a hint of shimmer.

There is also a Roseflower Radiance Stick ($22.00 USD), which is a highlighter. I have not tried this product, but the claim is, “The soft, velvety texture instantly transforms from cream to powder formulation on contact and delivers a sensational luminescent effect.”

All of the products from this collection is imbued with a very slight rose scent. And, these colors are perfect to bewitch your Valentine!

You can purchase these products or find a The Body Shop location at www.thebodyshop-usa.com.

Makeup Innovations from CARGO

CARGO cosmetics creates extremely innovative products. They are always coming out with high-tech but beautiful makeup. I was intrigued by their blu ray collection, PlantLove and the very cool The Reverse Lip Liner and was lucky enough to try these fun products!

blu ray, is “a revolutionary collection developed for make-up artists filming in high-definition, as well as all women who want to achieve a flawless face. Ideal for filming, photography, weddings, special events and for everyday beauty because life happens in high-definition.” This collection includes a pressed powder, blush/highlighter, mascara, lip gloss palette, and a high definition mattifier. I have the blu ray Blush/Highlighter ($28.00 USD). This peachy blush has a little sparkle and brings a warmth to my face. I brush it on my cheekbones, forehead, nose and chin and gives a healthy glow. It contains, “photochromatic pigments that adjust with ambient lighting to provide a natural finish day or night. For perfectly glowing skin, the irregular particle size diffuses light and creates an optical blurring that gives the look of a softer, more refined complexion. This ultra-soft formula is oil-free and suitable for all skin types and complexions.”

The Reverse Lip Liner ($14.00 USD) is my favorite product of the three. This is a natural colored pencil that comes in two shades; light and medium dark. You line the outer edges of your lips, and blend. Then apply your favorite lip gloss or lipstick and the color stays in place! Really! Lipstick has always moved to underneath my lower lip as my day progressed, and this liner has helped tremendously. This can also be used in the inner lower eyelid to brighten the eye. Just line the inside of your lower lids and you don’t look as sleepy. Very nice!

The PlantLove Botanical Lipstick ($20.00 USD) is infused with Orchid Complex™ and meadowfoam seed oil as well as jojoba and shea butter. Not only that, but it’s environmentally friendly, containing no mineral oils or petroleums. It comes in wide variety of shades. I have Sagamaratha a sheer rosy-beige cream. The lipstick tube is “made entirely out of corn – a renewable and abundant resource. This environmentally-friendly innovation also emits less greenhouse gases, which many scientists believe to be the major cause of global warming. The outer carton is made of flower paper embedded with real flower seeds. Simply moisten, plant, and wait for a bouquet of wild flowers to grow!” That is very cool, but what also is cool is that the lipstick is moisturizing and fairly long-lasting, especially with the Reverse Lip Liner underneath.

Another great thing about the PlantLove Botanical Lipstick is that CARGO is donating two dollars from the sale of every shade to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Visit their website at www.cargocosmetics.com to find out more and to locate a retailer.

LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics — Truly Unique Products

Looking for a way to spice up bath time? Try LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics bath products. These aromatic products are made with organic fruits and vegetables as well as essential oils and safe synthetics. These planet friendly items are made fresh with little or no preservatives or packaging. They even tell you when they were made, so you know just how fresh they are!

Here are some fun and fragrant bath products that I recommend:

Sex Bomb Bath Bomb ($6.25 USD), “is the perfect bath bomb for a romantic evening for two, or an indulgent evening for one. Romantic pink water and an incredibly sexy jasmine fragrance set the mood… and once the rice paper rose petals fill your tub, there’s no holding back” states the website. Some of the ingredients are Jasmine Absolute, Clary Sage Oil, and Ylang Ylang. This fizzes up then gives you very pink and fragrant bath water. It’s so nice! But if this isn’t the scent for you LUSH makes lots of Bath Bombs in various scents.

Karma Bubble Bar ($7.85 USD), “has a spicy Far Eastern influence, with traditional European lavender and a splash of light orange dancing around in there somewhere. Once struck, you’ll want it in every form that exists. Here it is as a bubble bar.” This also contains Pine Oil, Lemongrass Oil and Gardenia Extract. To use, break off a piece of the bar and crumble it under running water. It then gives you lots of bubbles.

Lemslip Buttercream ($8.75 USD for a 1/4 lb, sold by weight), “This delightful conditioning body cleanser makes your skin feel clean and silky. Astringent and toning lemon and lime rouse you for a new day. Softening cocoa and coconut butters make you smooth and soft for a night in a cocoon of satin sheets. With Lemslip, your bath or shower becomes an extravagant pleasure. What a lovely way to start or end the day”! This is a jell-like soap that is very lemony and feels very nice while washing you up! I used it before I shaved my legs and it help the razor glide right across!

To purchase these products as well as others for face cleansing and moisturizing, hair products and perfumes, check out their website at www.lushusa.com. Happy shopping!

Awaken Your Senses with the Philip B. Botanicals Collection

Philip B. Botanicals create hair and bath products that are made with natural ingredients and without harsh detergents to create a healthy and enjoyable bathing experience. What I really like about the two products I have, is that their exilerating fragrances really wake me up in the morning!

I really love the scent of the Thai Tea Mind & Body Wash (11.8 oz $35.00) because it reminds me of being in a Thai Food Restaurant. Its spicy and citrusy all at once! This product is enriched with a nurturing blend of 20% pure botanical plant extracts indigenous to Thailand. The website explains, “Philip B® Thai Tea Mind & Body Wash is a base of Honey, Black Tea and Milk Proteins for cleansing toning, tightening and replenishing your skin. This invigorating, active formula contains herbaceous extracts of Lemongrass, Lemon Verbena, Ginger, Citronella, Lime and cooling Peppermint.” This wonderful fragrance makes you feel happy as soon as you breathe it in!

The Scent of Santa Fe Balancing Shampoo (7.4 oz $29.00, 11.8 oz $42.00), contains a blend of Shea Butter and Panthenol (Vitamin B5) infused with 10% pure plant extracts of Piñon, Sage and Juniper Berry. This pungent shampoo is good for helping all scalp types and makes the hair super-soft! This is definitely not for the faint-hearted. But if you like a strong scent, use it as a body wash, too. It is anti-bacterial and safe for color-treated hair.

Visit Philip B.’s website at www.philipb.com to learn more about and to purchase these products.

The Wonders of Nude Skincare

In my quest for healthy, youthful skin, I have recently found Nude Skincare. Nude formulas are biocompatible, meaning that they work with the body’s own biology to naturally moisturize and balance the skin.

Nude’s products contain peptides, phytoactives and bioactives to target aging by firming and smoothing the skin. They keep out parabens, sulphates, silicones and many more ingredients that could be harmful to the skin. For more information, check out the website at www.nudeskincare.com.

The Cleansing Facial Oil ($52.00 USD) has won an Allure Editor’s Award and it is very easy to see why. This effective cleanser is blended with Omega-3 and Vitamin E-rich oils and easily removes makeup and dirt. Just massage the oil on your face and add water, rub and rinse. The face is left feeling soft, not greasy.

The Replenishing Night Oil ($78.00 USD) is a pure blend of omegas 3, 6, 7 and 9 and nourishes and protects for silky, soft skin. It contains the antioxidants cranberry and avellana that defend against free radicals and is fragranced with Tahitian vanilla oil and rose absolute. I recommend this oil only for night since it is a bit greasy. But by morning the oil is gone and you are left with incredibly soft skin.

I have been using these products for a couple of weeks now and my skin looks clearer and much smoother. You can find these products at their website or Sephora, and probably other department stores. I think that with Nude skincare you definitely get what you pay for, high-quality skincare!

OPI’s South Beach Collection — Get Ready for Bright Colors

: OPI South Beach Collection

OPI nail polishes are such quality products. The colors are beautiful and they last on my nails. This is probably the reason that so many nails salons use them!

Their new spring 2009 collection, the South Beach Collection, just came out in stores. The shades in this collection are mostly bright and sunny, with a few softer shades thrown in for the bright-color shy. Some of the fun shades are: Paint My Moji-Toes Red, a warm rosy red; Conga-Line Coral, a brilliant orange-y pink; and Feelin’ Hot-Hot-Hot a fun hot pink.

OPU Done Out in Deco — OPI Done Out in Deco

The color I have is Done Out In Deco, a cool medium lilac that looks great on fingers or toes. It is not as bright as some of the others, and I like that. It can be worn at work and looks fun and professional at the same time.

Ulta has recently advertised this collection, so it is a good place to find it. And I’m sure your local salon carries it, too.

Check out OPI online at www.opi.com and have fun with your nails!

Hey All! Enter my 100th Blog Post Giveaways! I will be giving away products from It Cosmetics, Yes to Carrots and EcoTools! To enter, just leave a comment on ANY of my posts between 4/26 – 5/2. I will draw 3 names on Sunday 5/3/09 and notify the winners! To see exactly what I am giving away, check out my post http://tinyurl.com/dgnxda. Good Luck!