Beauty – Page 161 – Forty, Flirty & Fabulous

Conquer Winter Skin with McBride Beauty

McBride Beauty believes in “beauty from the inside out”. This natural skincare company’s products do not contain sulfates, parabens, harsh chemicals, synthetic colors, synthetic fragrances and they do not test on animals. The founder of McBride Beauty — Bronx-born, Brooklyn-based Wini Burkeman — has a passion for balancing purity and remedy in skincare products.

I was lucky enough to try some of McBride Beauty’s fabulous products (I do love natural beauty)! These are the items I tested:

Soy & Coconut Cleansing Bar (2 bars for $12.00 USD) – This mild-smelling, gentle soap lathers nicely and is safe for face and body. I tried it on my face and it even took my mascara off — but still left my skin soft! The natural ingredients are Soybean Protein, Coconut Oil, Palm Oil, Castor Oil, Safflower Oil, and Glycerin.

Face & Body Multi-Purpose Repair Stick ($15.00 USD) – This is formulated for the entire family including sensitive baby-soft skin. It is touted to help heal dry lips, skin abrasions, insect bites, dry patches, windburn and discomfort from harsh elements or smooth ragged cuticles and brittle split ends. I have been using this on my lips and cuticles, but I tried it on my 6-year-old daughter who gets very chapped lips, and her lips were much better in a couple of days. I felt safe putting this product on my little one — which is hard to find in beauty products! The ingredients include Neem Oil, Rosehip Oil, Shea Butter, Meadowfoam Oil and Rosemary Oil.

Face & Body Instant Rescue Balm ($25.00 USD) – This thick but non-greasy balm has the texture of a thick butter. It is “a head-to-heal deep moisturizer designed to repair dry skin on the face, elbows, hands, knees and heels. It’s key actives have also been used therapeutically to help prevent and minimize psoriasis, deep wrinkles and stretch marks. Safe enough to use on little ones with extremely dry skin too.” My teenager with eczema has tried this and likes that it doesn’t irritate her skin. I love the lavender scent and find that it helps my dry hands and feet. I like to smooth it on my feet at night and cover them with socks. In the morning, they are much smoother. Ingredients include Organic Lavender, Aloe Leaf Juice, Mango Butter, Shea Butter, Neem Oil and Rosehip Oil.

To Learn more and to purchase this fab products, visit www.mcbridebeauty.com. Enjoy!

Skin Nutrition Nutrissentials

Always looking for effective skincare that will help me look younger, I’ve tested a couple of products from the new Skin Nutrition Nutrissentials range. Their websites states, “the Nutrissentials range of products is a unique, highly bioactive range of skin care products that are naturally clean and utilize patent – pending nano-encapsulated nutritional extracts such as super-berries, plankton derived omega 3, fruit & seed oils, and spinach for its high bio-available mineral content. Also included is a super-hybrid lipid soluble vitamin C, which is more than 50 times more effective than ascorbic acid (regular vitamin C), as well as highly bio-available forms of amino acids and other phyto-active botanical extracts.”

What does that mean for the skin? The claim is that these ingredients will work well with the body’s natural biological processes will help reduce cellular inflammation, flush out toxins, and regeneration cells. This process should slow down the premature aging process and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, making skin appear younger and healthier.

I tried the:

Complexion Revitalizing Serum ($70.00 USD) — I have been using this on clean skin before moisturizer twice a day for at least a month. This clear, thick serum smells amazing and only takes a couple of minutes to sink into the skin. I think that it instantly smooths my skin and gives me a glow. I have noticed that my skin seems clearer and smoother lately, and I am looking pretty young!

Moisturizer ($70.00 USD) — I follow the serum with this moisturizer. It comes out of the tube thick, but smooths on easily and you can apply makeup in just a few minutes. I have been using it day and night, and I think it works well for both times of the day. It is thick and rich, but not greasy at all! It leaves the skin soft, with an almost matte finish.

I haven’t broken out while using these products, which is a plus. I think they are a luxury that is worth the price! Visit www.skinnutrition.com to learn more and to purchase these fab skincare products!

ReVersital MicrodermaStick

Is your skin getting dry in the cold air? In the winter it is so important to exfoliate skin. It keeps it from getting scaly and uncomfortable. There are many great exfoliation products on the market, but which ones to use? Some irritate skin. That’s why I tried ReVersital’s 3-in-1 MicrodermaStick. It’s touted to exfoliate, moisturize and stimulate collagen production.

I like that this product is not a messy cream and that it come in a convenient stick. You just twist it up and rub on your dry spots. The website states “Resurfacing crystals are suspended in a solid anti-oxidant hydrating matrix (activated with a water rinse) producing a protective long-acting moisturizing shield on the skin and stimulating collagen production. Our invention takes advantage of the stick form to apply substantive and occlusive moisturizers to the skin during the Microdermabrasion process combined with beneficial herbal and anti-oxidant ingredients to provide a long-term (8-12) hour moisturizing and anti-inflammatory activity, non-irritants and skin firming agents. ” The product does leave a bit of a moisture film on the skin, but when it dries it is unnoticeable except for the fact that your skin is very soft!

I have the MicrodermaStick for body, elbows and feet ($80.00 USD and $90.00 USD for the MicrodermaStick for face, throat and decollete). To use, I wet the stick to activate it and use is on my hands, feet and any place that is dry. I have also used it lightly on my face to get rid of scaly patches. Don’t use it on your face if you have sensitive skin, though!

The MicrodermaStick has a wonderful fresh scent and is a nice luxury skin care product if you need good exfoliation! Visit the website at www.reversital.net to learn more.

Safi Fragrance

Safi (which means clean or pure in Swahili) Fragrance is a wonderful, sweetly fresh scent with a bit of a spicy dry down. I don’t usually go for fruity scents, but I really like this. I have been wearing it for a few days and have been complimented on how good I smell!

The notes are:

Top Notes: lychee, pineapple and black currant

Heart Notes: stargazer lily, fressia and neroli

Base Notes: muhuhu wood, bamboo, crisp papyrus, and vetiver

The fragrance is available in Eau de Perfume ($78.00 USD) or in Perfume Oil Roller Ball ($60.00 USD). Visit www.safifragrance.com to purchase. Enjoy!

LUSH Holiday Collection

LUSH has some wonderful holiday bath and beauty offerings this year. There is a wide range of bath bombs, soaps shower gels and even lip balms. Some of my favorites are:

Let Them Eat Cake Lip Balm ($6.95) — This vegan holiday lip balm smells like cake, but the flavor of the one I have is a little bitter. But I do love the consistency of the balm. It is rich and thick; it feels great on my chapped winter lips.

Snow Fairy Shower Gel ($19.95 16.9 oz, $14.95 8.4 oz, $8.95 3.3 oz) is a popular holiday scent at LUSH. Their website describes the scent as, “sweet as pink cotton candy, mixed with soothing vanilla.” I think it smells like strawberry licorice. It is glittery and fun for girls of all ages!

Secret Santa Holiday Gift ($9.95) — The name says it all really; it’s the perfect present for a Secret Santa gift exchange at work, school or within the family. It comes in two different colours with cute tags in the shape of a Snowman, Penguin and Santa. It contains Satsumo Santa Bath Bomb, with a refreshing citrus fruit blend with mandarin oil, bergamot oil and orange blossom absolute and Snowcake Soap — which is a mild almondy-minty-creamy soap. Very nice!

Stop in to your nearest LUSH store or visit www.lushusa.com. Happy Holidays!

Lorac 3’s A Crowd Makeup Collection

Lorac's 3's a Crowd Collection — Lorac 3's a Crowd Makeup Collection

The quality makeup brand LORAC has introduced another great makeup set at a unbeleivable price. Their latest set features 3 incredible trio’s of LORAC favorites – 3 Lip Polishes, 3 Lipsticks and 3 Glam Rocks Loose Pigment Shadows. Exclusively available at www.LORACcosmetics.com for just $19.50 USD (with a value of $157)!

You get:

Lip Polish in Bliss– light taupe with shimmer

Lip Polish in Delicious — mauve with shimmer

Lip Polish in Sizzle — berry with gold shimmer

Glam Rocks Metallic Loose Pigment Eye Shadows in Metallic Pearl

Glam Rocks Metallic Loose Pigment Eye Shadows in Metallic Gold

Glam Rocks Metallic Loose Pigment Eye Shadows in Metallic Copper

Matte Lipstick in Imagine — natural rose brown

Matte Lipstick in Explore — bright orange based red

Cream Lipstick in Tango — red-brown with shimmer

I like that this collection contains warm, cool and neutral shades so you can buy it and split it amongst your girlfriends or give it to someone knowing that she will be able to find something to love in it. Or keep it for yourself! It is great for holiday parties — a glam look for New Years!

Essie Winter Collection

Tired of the dark fall shades of nail polish and want to lighten or brighten your nails? Essie’s Winter Collection ($17.00 for 4 pc. mini set or $8.00 for a single, full-sized polish ) includes pretty polishes to make the holidays more festive!

The winter collection includes:

mint candy apple – creme de menthe mint
lollipop – candy cane red
rock candy – sweet treat pink
3 way glaze – all-in-one base coat, strengthener and top coat

I like all of the colors, but I think the Minty Candy Apple is so different from anything I’ve seen lately. It’s really fresh and pretty. The set would make a great gift or stocking stuffer for women of all ages!

You can find Essie at beauty stores near you such as Ulta and Beauty Brand. You can shop online at www.essieshop.com. Enjoy!

Beauty Stocking Stuffers $10.00 and Under

Looking for affordable stocking stuffers for ladies who like beauty, but you don’t want to shop all over town for them? I have some ideas from three of my favorite brands that I have tried this year. You can get a variety of fun gifts in one stop! She will be thrilled when she opens her stocking.

The Body Shop — has a large variety of bath, body, perfume and home fragrance products to choose from. You can find these items at www.thebodyshop-usa.com. Some of my favorites for the holidays are:

Soft Hands Kind Heart Hand Cream ($10.00 USD 2.5 oz): This is a richly moisturizing lotion with a refreshing fragrance. By purchasing this product, you can reach out and show your support for children and young people suffering across the globe, by taking direct and positive action to protect them against sex trafficking. Ingredients include Angelica for its protective and soothing benefits and Community Trade organic olive oil to condition and soften the hands. With a fragrance of fresh citrus aspects in the top, leading to a floral heart on a warm amber background.

Merry Cranberry Lip Balm ($8.00 USD or 2 for $12.00): This festive balm leaves lips soft and shimmering with a fruity cranberry scent. Cranberry seed oil moisturizes skin. Community Trade organic beeswax conditions skin and helps to lock in moisture. Antioxidant vitamin E nourishes and protects the delicate skin on the lips.

Home Fragrance Oil ($7.50 USD on sale for $5.25 USD): You can used this with an oil burner. I just use it the old-fashioned way — a few drops in a pot of water on the stove! I like the Black Velvet Apricot which has notes of: orange, apricot, redcurrant and orange flower. Other holiday scents are Merry Cranberry, Mandarin Ginger, Nutmeg and Vanilla, Silver Fir, Mulled Berries, Vanilla Spice, Pecan Chestnut, Mexican Cocoa and American Pumpkin.

Sula Beauty — A fragrance and beauty company that make products for women of all ages, Sula’s beauty items that are perfect for giving. Find them at www.sulabeauty.com or Ulta stores.

Shea Butter Balm ($9.00 USD) — Pocket-sized and portable, these Organic Shea Butter tins will soothe and soften cheeks, lips, neck, hands, arms, legs and feet. Works wonders on unruly eyebrows and hair, too! Each balm contains essential oils of fruits or flowers. Scents include Bergamot, Neroli Blossom and Rose Damascena.

Paint and Peel Polish ($9.00 USD for one $14.00 for gift set trios) — This water-based nail color has amazing appeal. The colors apply easily and simply peel off the nail. Touch ups are a snap with the fast drying formula. They come in many different classic and edgy colors.

Hard Candy — The original luxury beauty line is now at Walmart and the prices are fantastic. Great stocking stuffers are:

Kal-eye-descope Baked Shadow Duos ($6.00 USD) are perfect palettes of highly pigmented, wet-dry shadows that instantly bring color and eyes to life. Apply wet for more dramatic color or dry for a softer, more shimmery effect.

Just Nails Nail Polish ($5.00 USD) gives you color with a ring to it! Each fun polish comes with the classic ring, so you get quality polish with a little fun, too!

Mouthing Off Lip Gloss ($6.00 USD) Sheer, glistening color that comes with a great application wand. Many fun colors to choose from.

So, enjoy Christmas shopping for others, and maybe pick up one of these affordable gems for yourself!

LOVE ETC…A New Perfume from the Body Shop

Love Etc...Eau de Parfum — LOVE ETC...Eau de Parfum

The Body Shop’s newest perfume LOVE…ETC ($29.50 1.69 oz, $24.00 1 oz) is a great gift idea because not only does it smell lovely, it is a really great value for a good quality fragrance.

The company’s website states that LOVE…ETC’s fragrance personality is, “A sensuous blend of Egyptian jasmine with warm, radiant notes of vanilla and sandalwood” and it is a floriental.

Notes:

Top notes: pear, neroli, bergamot
Middle notes: jasmine, heliotrope, lily of the valley
Base notes: vanilla, sandalwood, musk cream

I would call it a fruity floriental, because the pear and bergamot are the first notes that you smell and as it dries down, there is still a creamy, fruity scent along with the floral and spice.

I think this is a great scent for all ages. Younger women may be drawn to the fun, zesty top notes and the older ladies might like the spicy base notes. I think it is very complex and pretty!

Visit www.thebodyshop-usa.com to purchase or visit a The Body Shop store near you.

Give the Gift of Beaute Lip Gloss Sets

Beauté Cosmetics luxury lip glosses are offering beautiful lip gloss collections for the holidays! Some of the kits are:

The Temperamental Gloss Set ($90.00 USD) — A collection of Beauté Cosmetics’ best selling glosses. The shades included are: Heroine – sheer “your lips but better” plum, If – creamy peach, Girlie Show – sheer bubble gum pink and Elitist – sheer tawny.

The Electra Gift Set ($68.00 USD) — This fiery set includes Masochist (red-orange) Lip Crème, Urge Luminous Volume Gloss (sheer red) and Fever (sheer dark red) Liqui-gel Stain.

The Girly Girl Set ($45.00 USD) — For the ultimate pink lover. Girlina Weightless Lips Creme delivers creamy Barbie Pink lips, and Girlie Show Luminous Volume Gloss lends its bubble gum perfect shine.

These lip products are all wonderful. The Liqui-gel is so pretty on — a really nice stain, and the lip cremes are very moisturizing!