It’s almost fall, and I am already starting to love more hearty and spicy fragrances. I have tried some great new perfumes and bath and body products. Here are a few that I really like:
Lisa Hoffman Beauty Tuscan Fig Eau de Parfum
Tuscan Fig Eau de Parfum ($59.90 USD 2 oz) Vanilla Bean, Honeysuckle, Coconut Wood, and Gardenia, Tuscan Fig entices you with its warm essence.
I have been wearing this every day lately. It is a great daytime fragrance because is it soft and warm. I can really smell the vanilla and fig — so nice!
This is $59.90 USD on hsn.com.
Yves Rocher So Elixir Purple
Yves Rocher So Elixir Purple ($59 USD 1.7 oz) — Following the 2010 launch of SO ELIXIR YVES ROCHER, Yves Rocher is now introducing SO ELIXIR PURPLE, an intoxicating and magnetic fragrance that reveals your powers of seduction. The notes of the fragrance are a unique combination of Tuberose, Vetiver, Bergamot, Benzoin and Patchouli.
I like that this is spicy, but also bright — the tuberose and bergamot lighten up the benzoin and patchouli notes. I think it is perfect for an evening out! This will be available in October at www.yvesrocherusa.com/. Also, take their Plantsonality quiz at http://www.facebook.com/YvesRocherUSA to find the perfect fragrances for you!
Strange Invisible Perfumes Lemon Neroli Body Lotion
Strange Invisible Perfume’s Lemon & Neroli Body Lotion ($60 USD 8oz) — A remarkably pure moisturizing formula for all skin types, handcrafted with certified organic, non-photosensitizing ingredients, including hydro-distilled lemon and French neroli. It is made with purified glacier water and natural, certified organic/pesticide-free ingredients and is completely non-toxic, vegan, and never tested on animals.
This is a light, fresh scent and the lotion makes my skin so soft! The Bergamot scent is also lovely for citrus-lovers. Purchase at www.siperfumes.com.
Laura Mercier’s Ambre Vanille Body Scrub
Laura Mercier has releasing a brand new fragrance to her Bath and Body Collection: intoxicating Ambre Vanillé in a Souffle Body Crème, Body Scrub and Honey Bath.
I have been loving the Ambre Vanille Body Scrub. This delicious and pampering body polish, made from crushed Vanilla Seeds and Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, gently exfoliates skin, while Shea Butter and Honey naturally condition and protect. Sweet Almond and Hydrolyzed Rice Proteins, along with Pro-Vitamin B-5 provide moisture balance and protection. For skin that feels super soft and smooth, indulge in this luxurious Body Scrub.
With its ultra-luxurious hydrating silk ribbons, Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration™ lotion sunscreen nourishes and pampers skin while providing broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection, and 12-hour moisturization when out in the sun. Available in SPF 12, 30, 50!
I was given a deluxe sample of Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration™ SPF 30 from www.influenster.com and their VoxBox program to review. Check out their website and sign up to receive FREE products in exchange for honest feedback.
What I think: This is the perfect sunscreen for the person who wants to do double duty by moisturizing and protecting their skin at the same time!
It has a great coconut fragrance and it goes on more like a moisturizer than a sunscreen. It does not leave white residue on the skin. The protection is also great, it lasted a long time, and when I went camping, I didn’t get burned!
You can find Hawaiian Tropic products at most major retailers.
I was sent the wonderful CoverGirl & Olay Tone Rehab 2-in-1 Foundation ($13.99) and CoverGirl & Olay Pressed Powder ($11.99 USD) to review from www.bzzagent.com. This is a community of reviewers who are sent wonderful products FREE to get the word out. Sign up and you could be a BzzAgent like me!
Here is the lowdown on the products:
Science and beauty Skincare and foundation. Indulgence and affordability. COVERGIRL and Olay. Isn’t it great when your favorite things come together to help you look your best? COVERGIRL and Olay have teamed up again, bringing you COVERGIRL & Olay Tone Rehab 2-in-1 Foundation and COVERGIRL & Olay Pressed Powder, to provide coverage for ageless, radiant looking skin, just in time for the peak of summer.
Give your skin a second chance COVERGIRL & Olay Tone Rehab 2-in-1 Foundation is no ordinary make-up. Thanks to COVERGIRL & Olay, it smoothes the appearance of rough surfaces and gives your skin a radiant finish. COVERGIRL & Olay Tone Rehab 2-in-1 Foundation also contains known skin conditioning ingredients to hydrate your skin and help improve skin tone over time. Neat, huh?
Perfect your look You can’t turn back the clock on aging, but you can reduce the signs. Just one pump of new COVERGIRL & Olay Tone Rehab 2-in-1 Foundation helps instantly cover discolorations, fine lines and wrinkles. And finishing your look with a soft layer of COVERGIRL & Olay Pressed Powder will help brighten your skin tone.
What I think: I really enjoy both products!
The foundation is so moisturizing, but covers well, too! I have read that it may be too heavy for some people, but my trick is to place a couple of pumps of the foundation on the back of my hand, then use a sponge or brush and apply a little bit at a time to my face. That way I can add more if I need to. Plus I can blend, blend, blend! Which is always a trick when applying foundation. I also make sure to blend it down my neck so that I don’t get the “makeup mask”!
I usually use loose translucent powder, so it took me a little bit of practice applying the powder. I started with a makeup brush, but I find that applying it with the enclosed applicator works best for my skin. It helps lay the product down and gives great coverage.
After about a week of use, I have found that I really like this duo. My fine lines are less noticeable and the coverage is excellent! I will probably purchase again.
Visit www.covergirl.com to learn more and you can purchase the items at mass market retailers near you.
Straight from the city that never sleeps, NYC New York Color offers products with uptown style at down-to-earth prices, from $.99 – $4.99. The energy, style and color of New York City shines through the wide range of shades, textures and innovative products. NYC always delivers the most on-trend products & shades hot off the runway!
A beauty-editor favorite is Liquid Lipshine ($2.49). It has pure pigments that created a 3-D gloss effect. Vitamin E provides shine and a moisturizing feel. The formula is non-sticky, super shiny & soft. Available in 10 on-trend shades from neutral nudes, to berries & fuchsias. Start shopping for NYC at these stores nearest you: Walmart, Target, Rite Aid, CVS, Family Dollar, Duane Reade, Kmart, HEB, and others. Visit newyorkcolor.com to check out all shades and fun products from New York Color!
I was given this gloss in Nude York City to review compliments of www.influenster.com. This is a wonderful site that gives free products for review — you just need to sign up!
I LOVE this gloss. It is as good as many of the prestige brands that I review. It is not sticky — actually it is very moisturizing. And it tastes good — just a light vanilla flavor. I don’t usually wear nudes, but this one is very pretty. I highly recommend this product!
Garnier introduces Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfector that immediately and effectively fulfills your skincare expectations. Save time worth just one multi-benefit product that combines advanced skincare + immediate skin perfecting coverage.
Results*:
Instantly – Skin looks naturally more even, radiant and smooth.
After just one use – 90% has a more even complexion, 93% saw a more healthy glow, 96% saw smoother skin.
BB Cream Innovation B.B. Cream (Beauty Balm Cream) is a hybrid formula that offers advanced skincare + immediate skin perfecting coverage that is becoming popular all over the world. It combines several beauty routine steps in one single product.
Garnier Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfector is a miracle all-in-one product with results you can see and feel instantly. Skin appears airbrushed, beautifully smooth and even. Its light-weight and comfortable texture blends perfectly into skin for a sheer flawless finish. This all-in-one formula combines intense moisturizing skincare with vitamin C + Mineral Pigments for an instant skin transformation:
Renews radiance
Brightness complexion
Evens skin tone and blurs imperfections
Hydrates for 24-hours
Protects with SPF 15 UVA/UVB sunscreen against harmful effects of the sun – the #1 cause of skin aging.
I really like the coverage this gives. It evens skin tone and covers dark spots. I like to use a little translucent powder (It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores) over it to cut the shine and give me a matte finish. I also use a little concealer where needed, but the bb cream covers very well. I also love the SPF!
This can be purchased at mass-market retailers everywhere. Learn more at www.garnierusa.com.
Calling all sun worshipers – extend your summer glow into fall with products from Beauty Bar.
Skin-loving, self-tanning essentials that deliver a healthy-looking glow will extend your summer tan into next season.Achieve a stunning, luminous bronzed glow without exposing your skin to the sun’s harmful UV rays. It might sound too good to be true, but it can be done with these luxuriously formulated self-tanning products from Beauty Bar.
Dedicated to catering to a beauty-savvy, sophisticated clientele, Beauty Bar delivers the exclusive products from luxe domestic and international brands, and the chic boutique’s selection of self tanners lives up to its high standards. “As many people are aware, sun exposure leads to a greater risk of developing skin cancer, as well as other harmful photo-aging side effects,” says Beauty Bar’s Medical Director Dr. Robert T. Anolik. “That’s why if you’re looking to get tan, you should opt for safe self-tanning methods that don’t require you to bake under the sun.”
Get glowing with these self-tanning essentials from Beauty Bar that guarantee your bronzed look will last well into the fall:
Philosophy Here Comes the Sun Gradual Self Tanner for Face
Philosophy Here Comes the Sun Gradual Self Tanner for Face ($26 USD) — Here Comes the Sun Gradual Self Tanner for Face gives skin a natural-looking golden glow, while helping to improve the signs of aging. Who needs the sun when you can have a sun-inspired golden glow? This product allows you to find your perfect glow without the harmful effects of the sun. It doesn’t just give your skin a glow, it gives it skin-loving ingredients to help improve the signs of aging. This self-tanner gradually delivers color for a remarkably natural-looking golden glow, while an amino acid complex helps improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The oil-free, non-greasy formula absorbs easily. Use it each day to increase intensity, and find your perfect glow.
Kate Somerville Somerville 360 Tanning Towelettes
Kate Somerville Somerville 360 Tanning Towelettes ($48 USD for 8) — It’s easy to get a gorgeous glow with just a simple swipe. Kate Somerville Somerville360¦ Tanning Towelettes offer an incredible sun-kissed look that doesn’t require SPF. With a quick and easy application that prevents uneven tone or streaking, it’s the best way to get a healthy-looking tan. Because this advanced formula works with your skin’s own proteins, it gradually darkens to an ultra-natural, complementary color every time.
Towelettes containing paraben-free self-tanning formula
Produces a uniform, natural-looking glow on the skin
Delivers a quick and even application with no streaking
Hampton Sun Sunless Tanning Gel ($32 USD) — Get the bronzed skin you crave without the harmful effects of the sun. Hampton Sun Sunless Tanning Gel gives an ultra-natural looking, streak-free tan within just a few hours of application. Using natural and organic ingredients, this hypo-allergenic self-tanner leaves the skin incredibly smooth with no lingering scent.
Self-tanner that delivers an ultra-natural looking tan
Streak-free with no lingering scent
Contains natural and organic ingredients including walnut oil, aloe, and vitamins A through E
Omorovicza Glam Glow
Omorovicza Glam Glow ($85 USD) —
In just a few hours, Omorovicza’s Glam Glow gives the face and body a natural-looking golden glow, while hints of lemon and tangerine in this self-tanning lotion lift the spirits and precious oils replenish the skin.
Skin can get too oily, blotchy from the sun or dry from sunburn during summer. So I really try to take care of my skin this time each year. Here are some amazing skin care ideas to help with your skin troubles.
BABOR CLEANSING HY-ÖL and Phytoactive Combination for Oily Skin Conditions
We’ve heard that certain things don’t mix, with oil and water being at the top of that list. In the first step toward beautiful skin, BABOR Cosmetics has a tried and true method that mixes the two perfectly. The brand successfully combines the natural cleansing power of oil and water to create a unique signature bi-phase system that ensures a mild but thorough deep-cleansing experience.
HY-ÖL ($32 USD), the brands signature product first introduced in 1955, is a gentle plant-based hydrophilic (water loving) cleansing oil formulated with pure herbal ingredients and free from preservatives. Suitable for all skin types, this cleansing oil base contains vitamin E to help trap free radicals while bisabolol calms the skin. This multi-purpose product can be used as an eye makeup remover and is meant to be paired with a Phytoactive (a water-soluble cleanser) such as the one designed for combination skin.
Phytoactive Combination ($28 USD) is the second-phase of the BABOR CLEANSING experience formulated to regulate and normalize oily and combination skin. When applied with the HY-ÖL, this herbal extract works to refine pores, regulate sebum production and calm irritation. Elderberry and witch hazel calm and soothe skin while sage and guaiazulene inhibit bacteria and inflammation.
PHASE 1: Massage three pumps of HY-ÖL onto the skin.
PHASE 2: Immediately apply two pumps of Phytoactive Combination on top and massage the two cleansers together. Add water, massage and rinse off. A wash cloth may be used, if desired.
What I think: I for one love a good cleansing oil. Some people can be afraid of using oil on the face, but it is great for all skin types (even oily). I love this system. I follow the steps above, and after a few weeks of use I find that instantly, my face is clean and refreshed without being too dry. The HY-ÖL is also wonderful by itself as an eye makeup remover! Available at www.babor.com and select spas nationwide.
Radical Skincare’s Age Defying Exfoliating Pads
Radical Skincare ‘s Age Defying Exfoliating Pads ($95 USD). Summer heat often has extreme effects on the skin, either causing dry flaky patches or nasty oily pores. Radical Skincare founders Liz and Rachel Edlich have created the Age-Defying Exfoliating Pads designed to help you remove that run-down top layer of skin, exposing soft beautiful skin. The Age-Defying Exfoliating Pads also combat summers’ effects on aging skin resulting in improved skin firmess and texture. Exclusively sold at Barneys, Radical Skincare ‘s Age Defying Exfoliating Pads are an extreme answer to and extreme problem.
What I think: This is a gentle, but effective exfoliator. I use one each night and it makes my skin glow without any irritation! This is for the person who doesn’t want a harsh exfoliator, but needs one that works! After a couple of weeks using this, my skin looks clearer and my enlarged pores look smaller! Visit www.radicalskincare.com to learn more!
Kate Somerville CytoCell P299 Oil Free Anti-Wrinkle Serum
Kate Somerville CytoCell P299 Oil Free Anti-Wrinkle Serum ($95 USD) — This concentrated treatment serum utilizes P299™, a scientifically advanced stem technology Polypeptide, to diminish the look of wrinkles and help fight the signs of aging by activating the natural renewal process that strengthens skin. Additional anti-aging ingredients—including Hyaluronic Acid and Marine Algae Extracts—not only even out the appearance, but also restore essential hydration. The result is a healthy-looking, radiant complexion that is unbelievably smooth.
P299™ is a scientifically proven active ingredient that helps stimulate the production of healthy skin
A blend of three advanced Peptides is designed to diminish the look of fine lines and wrinkles
An advanced Moisturizing Complex maintains optimal hydration levels and helps restore the skin’s natural capacity to retain moisture.
Oil-free formula is ideal for all skin types.
Results from an Independent Clinical Study include:
In just 2 weeks, 77% of women showed improved skin elasticity and firmness
In just 4 weeks, 91% of women showed a significant increase in moisture
In just 4 weeks, 77% women said their skin’s overall appearance was improved and healthier-looking
In just 4 weeks, CytoCell is proven to refine skin texture, improving the smoothness and luminosity of the skin
What I think: This is an extremely moisturizing serum, but is not heavy at all. I have been using it every night for a few weeks and really have seen a difference in my skin! The dry parts of my skin are more moisturized and my skin looks clearer and brighter. I also think it has been helping with my fine lines on my forehead. You can purchase it at www.katesomerville.com.
ANEW Genics Treatment Concentrate From Avon
Avon ANEW Genics Treatment Concentrate ($45 USD) — ANEW Genics Treatment Concentrate,with patentedYouthGen™ Technologyis a skincare breakthrough serum that helps you look up to 10 years younger.* Genics Treatment Concentrate can be used with any skincare regimen.
Avon is the first with patentedYouthGen™ Technology– designed to stimulate the Youth Gene to help skin cells act younger.** Anew Genics Treatment Concentrate is also designed with carrot and soy extract to help stimulate a youth protein.
ANEW Genics Treatment Concentrate is formulated with 2X the YouthGen™ Technology of Genics Treatment Cream and provides the following dramatic results:
INSTANTLY:
• Skin looks and feels firmer*
• Boosts skin’s moisture by up to 165%
• Expressions lines appear softer*
IN 2 WEEKS:
• Plumps the look of wrinkles*
• Dramatically reduces the appearance of discolorations*
IN 8 WEEKS:
• Look up to 10 years younger
*Based on a consumer perception study of women 45-59. **Based on in vitro testing.
What I think: This has been my morning serum for that past couple of weeks because it is very light and soaks right in. I love the instant brightness my skin receives when I use this. My skin has been looking plumper and smoother lately, too. I also love the price of this amazing serum. I highly recommend it!
To locate an Avon Representative call 1-800-FOR-AVON or visitwww.avon.com.
I just received my second VoxBox from www.Influenster.com free to review! It is called the Latina Beauty VoxBox, and I am so excited to try all of these fab products!
I received:
VEET Ready to Use Wax Strips, Leg & Body ($9.99 USD for 40 strips)
Always Radiant Infinity Pads ($6.99 USD for 16)
NEW Bath and Body Works Shea-Enriched Signature Collection Shower Gel in Paris Amour ($5 For 3 oz and $11 for 10 oz).
NYC New York Color Liquid Lipshine in Nude York City ($2.49 USD)
Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Lotion Sunscreen SPF 30 ($7.99 for full size bottle)
Always Tampax Radiant Collection pouch with samples to give away to a friend!
I already really love the lip gloss and the shower gel! I will be doing full reviews on all of the products soon!
Congrats Heather, you have won the Dream Creams Concealer and Highlighter Palette in Regular/Tan and Ombre Baked Blush in Peach Blossom (w/o the brush). I have sent you an email requesting your address.
For my other fab readers, there will be more giveaways to come! I am looking forward to receiving and sharing some wonderful fall makeup — so keep reading!
Announcing my fab Laura Geller Giveaway. I am giving away two products — the Dream Creams Concealer and Highlighter Palette in Regular/Tan and Ombre Baked Blush in Peach Blossom (w/o the brush).
Here are the descriptions of each product:
Laura Geller Dream Creams Concealer & Highlighter ($26.36 USD) — This palette features three stripes of buildable concealers that blur away dark under-eye circles, blemishes, and uneven skin tone, plus a matching crescent of highlighter to bring out your best features. The vitamin E-enriched formula is fortified with natural emollients that help provide smooth, even coverage.
Laura Geller Ombre Baked Blush with Brush ($29.75 USD with brush) — Featuring cascading strips of luscious color, Ombre Baked Blush is an ingenious palette that lets you sculpt a perfect flush. Choose any of the five stripes for an easy glow, or mix and match shades for a custom-blended blush.
To win, just leave a comment on my blog and I will randomly choose a winner on Monday August 6th.
Forty, Flirty & Fabulous 