Beauty – Page 152 – Forty, Flirty & Fabulous

Get Your Nails in Shape for Summer with GoNails

My nails take a beating. I change colors weekly, since I review lots of different brands and colors on this blog. So since I am always polishing and removing (then repeat), my nails have been getting thinner and have cracks and a rough texture. I keep them short, but they still show the damage.

I decided to fight the damage with GoNails, touted as “a revolutionary, clinically-proven nail growth treatment formulated to promote longer, stronger nails and healthy cuticles.”

The formula is an alcohol and formaldehyde-free, non-greasy cream that employs a unique combination of Lipoplastadine, Thymulen 4, biotin, keratin and collagen to promote nail strength and elasticity. GoNails also contains a triple patented ingredient, Arginine Aminobenzoate (AAB), a DNA-stimulator, to promote damage repair and cellular rejuvenation.

I really enjoy using this product, it smells fabulous as it has a light citrusy scent. I place a drop of cream on each nail then rub it into the nail and cuticle, massaging my fingers as I go. I have noticed after 3 weeks of use twice a day that my nails are stronger looking and have less cracks in them. They are also growing faster, which is great, but I have to clip them more often! If you are looking for something to help your nails grow and look better, check GoNails out.

GoNails retails for $24.99 and is available exclusively at www.MyGoBeauty.com.

Pur Minerals Perfectly Natural Everyday Balancing Makeup

I have long loved translucent powder. I have never had good luck with matching colored powder to my skin tone. Fair is too light and light is too dark. Yes, I know, weird. But translucent powder matches all skin tones and leaves a great finish.

That’s why I was excited to try Pur Minerals Perfectly Natural Everyday Balancing Makeup ($25.00 USD). I like to use this as a light powder foundation over concealer on my problem spots, but it can be applied over foundation, too. It combines mineral pigment with vitamin E, shea butter and oil-balancing sebaryl to stop shine.

I like how easy this is to apply. When you sweep the brush across the powder, it loosens the minerals and they are captured in the brush. Then swirl it on the lid so that the minerals are push inside the brush. Next, buff all over the face for a beauftiful finish that lasts all day!

Visit www.purminerals.com to learn about this and other great products! Enjoy looking fabulous!

Mineral Fusion Body Care

It’s rare lately for me to find new types of beauty products that I haven’t sampled. I’ve tried mineral makeup before, but never mineral bath and body care. Adhering to their slogan, “Minerals on a Mission”, Mineral Fusion has created a new bath and body line, and I was lucky to try their Mineral Body Wash and Mineral Body Lotion.

The Mineral Body Wash contains mineral extracts plus mineral-rich clay to help absorb excess oil and remove impurities. It is infused with Vitamins A, B, C and E for added nourishment. It is available in the following three varieties as described by the Mineral Fusion website:

Earthstone: This herbaceous blend comprises rosemary and geranium with hints of patchouli and cedarwood for a clean impression. Woodsy and clean.

Sunstone: Crisp white cassis berries make this blend surprisingly fresh with a sprinkle of pink ginger and vanilla. Completely refreshing with a tiny hint of sweetness.

Waterstone: Bergamot zest and grapefruit top this clean, crisp blend with a floral body dominated by a floral accord. Bright and citrusy.

I sampled the Earthstone scent and found it very fresh. I also used it as a bubble bath and it foamed nicely!

The Body Lotion also has a blend of unique minerals that helps strengthen the skin’s natural defenses and provide natural antioxidant protection. It contains:

Vitamins, Sunflower Seed Oil, Cocoa Butter, Myrtle Extract and Hyaluronic Acid promote cellular renewal.
Four varieties: Earthstone, Sunstone, Waterstone and Unscented.

I tried the Unscented which is great for men or ladies who do not like fragrance in their lotion. The lotion itself is very creamy and quenches my dry skin without leaving it greasy. Very nice!

Visit www.mineralfusioncosmetics.com to learn more and you can purchase at Whole Foods.

Becca Cosmetics — Luxury Australian Company Will Help You Stay Beautiful This Summer!

Hot Australian cosmetics company BECCA Cosmetics creates high quality, natural looking makeup. The founder, Rebecca Morrice Williams founded the BECCA spurred on by the need to find a natural foundation that covers and conceals while staying fresh-looking all day long.

Always looking for great foundation, I’ve tried BECCA’s Luminous Skin Colour ($42.00 USD), a combination tinted moisturizer and sheer foundation with a broad spectrum SPF 25 to protect against UVA and UVB rays. I found that this is very light coverage and moisturizing. It will be perfect for the summer when I want to throw on just one product to moisturize, cover and give ans SPF. I do need concealer for my dark circles and imperfections, but that is to be expected. All-in-all, a great tinted moisturizer! Also, it is available in a whopping 15 shades, so you are sure to find one that suits you.

A really fun and convenient product to go with your Luminous Skin Colour is the BECCA Beach Tint ($25.00 USD). This very pretty crème stain is easily blendable for cheeks and lips. It is water-resistant, but is not leave lips feeling dry, as many stains do. Beach Tint comes in 5 delicious colors; Watermelon, Peach, Raspberry, Grapefruit and Strawberry. Not only are the shades the colors of the fruit, each tint is scented with that fruit. So fun! I have the Peach and the Grapefruit and Strawberry and they both smell fantastic!

Learn more about these great products and more at www.beccacosmetics.com. Enjoy getting ready for summer!

Depth Natural Hair Care Products

Looking for natural hair care? There are lots of different high-end formulas out there, but an affordable choice is Depth Hair Care ($9.99 USD each for shampoo and conditioner).

This all natural hair care (they also make all natural body care) contains organic and hydrating sea minerals. They also utilize three different types of algae – red, brown and green – that enhance the hair’s ability to look healthy and dynamic. The combinations of all three botanicals delivers nourishing ingredients to the scalp to ensure ultimate hydration.

Depth Hair Care includes:
·         Refresh Daily Shampoo – For all hair types. Keeps hair soft, healthy and nourished with a nutrient-rich blend of vitamins and sea botanicals
·         Drench Hydrating Shampoo – For dry and damaged hair: Gentle cleansers work to nourish and restore essential moisture; ideal for color treated hair
·         Immerse Daily Conditioner – For all hair types. Nutrient-rich to maintain healthy, beautiful hair without weighing it down
·         Submerse Deep Conditioner – For dry and damaged hair. This creamy conditioner provides deep nourishment and ultra-hydration for extra healthy hair

What I thought: I have been using the Drench Hydrating Shampoo and the Immerse Daily Conditioner for a couple of weeks. The shampoo is thick and lathers very richly. The conditioner is nice, but not quite thick enough for my dry hair. They both smell fantastic and leave hair clean and soft. I think they are a good buy for being organic and natural.

Depth Hair Care is available at Whole Foods Markets nationwide, as well as Drugstore.com, and other fine health food stores or www.depthbody.com. Enjoy!

Burt’s Bees Giveaway!

Want some free stuff? I am giving away this trio of excellent Burt’s Bees Products (descriptions are from Burt’s Bees Website):

Beeswax Lip Balm ($3.00 USD) — Give your lips the soothing feeling they deserve. This natural lip balm is loaded with coconut and sunflower oils, rich in vitamins and essential fatty acids, to nourish, condition and soften lips. Beeswax seals in hydration. We’ve even added peppermint oil for a refreshing tingle. Take your pick of an old-fashioned yellow tin or a recycled plastic tube. No wonder it is our most popular product.

Super Shiny Grapefruit & Sugar Beet Shampoo ($8.00 USD 12 oz) — Grapefruit extract joins forces with highly effective yet gentle cleansers made from coconut and sunflower oils to create a shampoo formula with a rich lather. Meanwhile, sugar beet extract and soy protein penetrate hair follicles to repair and strengthen hair, helping to shield against future damage. The final touch: honey and essential natural oils from orange, lemon, lime and tangerine go to work for a beautifully natural shine.

Very Volumizing Pomegranate & Soy Conditioner ($8.00 USD 12 oz) — Transform fine, flat, lifeless hair into thick and voluminous hair with extra body. Pomegranate and moringa seed extracts revitalize hair by replenishing moisture while sugar esters and honey, a natural humectant, condition hair. Soy amino acids moisturize and lift hair, leaving it soft, shiny and full of volume.

To win these three products (which I have tried and love), comment on any of my blog posts, saying that you would like to win the Burt’s Bees products. I will draw a name next friday, May 28, 2010. Good Luck!

Try Jergens Natural Glow Moisturizers and Help The Skin Cancer Foundation

Jane Krakowski and Jergen's Natural Glow — Photos of Jane Krakowski courtesy of Joe Kohen/Wireimage.com

30 Rock star, Jane Krakowski, has teamed up with Jergens and The Skin Cancer Foundation to help consumers get In the Glow and get their glow the healthy way instead of tanning this summer. To get the word out, Jane created a video that includes her tips on how to get a healthy glow as well as admitting to some of her poor sun choices in the past. Now until the end of summer, you can log onto www.youtube.com/jergens to view the video and share it with you friends. Every time the video is viewed Jergens will donate $1 to The Skin Cancer Foundation. I viewed it, now it’s your turn!

You may be asking, does Jergen Natural Glow give you a natural looking tan? It does! I have been using the Revitalizing Daily Moisturizer ($8.99 USD) for the body and the Healthy Complexion Daily Facial Moisturizer ($8.99 USD) for a couple of weeks. I like how the tan grows over days, so you don’t look white one day, dark the next. I have noticed that it doesn’t stain my hands and that you get a mild tan smell, but not as strong as other sunless tanning. It’s just like using your body and face moisturizer, but it does take a few minutes to dry.

These great moisturizers have a powerful blend of antioxidants and Vitamin E and are developed with broad-spectrum UVA/UVB SPF 20 protection. The dermatologist-tested, oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturizer helps prevent premature aging and protects against future damage.

Visit www.Jergens.com/NaturalGlow to learn more about these products.

beautyADDICTS Lash Galore

Cool cosmetics company beautyADDICTS has just lauched a new mascara, Lash Galore. Now, I love mascara and have tons of them, but I enjoy trying new ones. I am always looking for one that lengthen first, then thicken and if it curls that means I don’t need my eyelash curler — so that’s a plus!

The claim of Lash Galore is since it is formulated with Pro Vitamin B5 and Silk Protein, it gives maximum conditioning, length and definition. It is also buildable so more coats for more volume – without clumping or flaking. It is available in 1 shade – Ultra Black – the shade every woman can wear!

Mascara Tips from Lisa Saladino Mihok, beautyADDICTS Makeup Artist:

1. Using mascara brush, sweep lower lashes in towards the nose for ultimate length and definition.

2. If you have lighter lashes you can still wear that black mascara. Just be sure to fully coat the lashes. Place 1 or 2 coats from top of the lashes down and finish by sweeping 1-2 coats up from underneath. 3. If you touch up your eye shadow through out the day, you will need to sweep a fresh coat of mascara over the lashes to clean them up. With beauty ADDICTS Lash Galore the amazing non-clumping formula allows you to add a fresh coat of mascara even hours after the first application. What I think:

Lash Galore thickens and separates very well and I like how it is very buildable — lashes don’t get stiff and goopy. I would like a little more lenthening, but I can layer a lengthening mascara to get the effect I like. The one thing I didn’t love about the mascara is that if you rub your eyes at all, it smears. I have allergies and everytime I looked in the mirror, my mascara was smeared. Still a good mascara if you don’t touch your eyes.

Lash Galore Mascara retails for $18 at www.beautyaddicts.com and at salons nationwide.

The Luxurious Look of Hourglass Cosmetics

Hourglass Cosmetics is a luxurious line that combines quality products and extravagant style. Created by beauty veteran Carisa Janes, each innovative product is formulated with the latest cosmetic technology and cutting-edge ingredients. Many contain anti-aging properties yet leave out harmful ingredients such as parabens, phthalates and sulfates.

Now that it’s beginning to get warmer I only like to use a few products to achieve a natural, bronzed look. The following hourglass cosmetics give an easy and flawless look for summer.

Over the last year, I have become a big fan of face primers. A really good one can even out skin tone, make pores appear smaller and you may not even need a lot of makeup on top of it. Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer SPF 15 ($52.00 USD) IS a really good one! It restores moisture to dehydrated skin while providing protection from the sun and minimizing shine and pores. After I apply it, I only need a little concealer and powder (and the bronzer below) and my complexion looks fantastic!

The Veil Mineral Primer contains naturally derived Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide that protects the skin from UVA/UVB rays. It is also oil-free, fragrance-free, paraben-free and water-resistant.

The Prodigy Hydrating Lip Gloss ($26.00 USD) is a sheer, non-sticky gloss that comes in a slim package that can fit in a pocket or clutch. It contains Vitamin E to moisturize the lips and is water-resistant. Prodigy is available in 6 shades: I have Surreal which is a light, shimmery bronze that is perfect for summer.

New this month is the Illume Bronzer in Sunset, a duo of a golden bronze/rosy pink in a cream-to-powder formula that is housed in signature 360º swivel compact with rotating mirror. This is such a beautiful all-purpose product that will be perfect for the summer. Of course, it is a great bronzer and blush; the colors are natural and so pretty. But they can also be used as eye shadow and even as lip color with a little clear gloss on top.

Illume is oil-free and wax-free and includes vitamins A & E and antioxidants to hydrate and protect skin. It is also fragrance and paraben free.

Hourglass is available at Sephora, Sephora.com and Barneys New York. For more information on the line, please visit www.hourglasscosmetics.com.

FACE Stockholm Introduces Fun New Nail Polish Shades for Spring!

Looking for long-lasting, non-toxic polish in bright new spring and summer colors? Try the quality of FACE Stockholm nail polishes ($12.00 USD). They have released 12 new polishes in shades of hot pinks, metallic turquoise, leafy greens, neon yellows, cool lavenders — plus everything in between.

FACE Stockholm’s exclusive three-free formula contains no DPT, no Tulene and no Formaldehyde. I think that it’s important to make nail polish less toxic, plus when you can also make it smooth to apply plus last a long time, you got yourself a winner!

Purchase these fab polishes at www.facestockholm.com. Have fun playing!