Category: Beauty

Borghese Nail Care

Borghese is a classic beauty brand that creates quality products. Their extensive nail care line boasts beautiful polishes as well as helpful manicure items and hydrating hand and foot creams.

Borghese Nail Laquer ($8.00 USD) comes in a large variety of colors and finishes. The Duale Curve Tip brush is unique because it is two brushes fused together and curves for a precision line. It is free of Tolulene, DBP and added fromaldehyde for a healthier polish. This polish is also fairly long lasting, which is good for us busy ladies!

To get going fast after you do your nails, spray on Borghese Manucure Perfecting Finale Fast Set Nail Spray ($15.00 USD). It literally dries wet nails in seconds. I usually apply two coats of polish and a top coat, and the spray dries my nails instantly! This is handy for everyone, and kids think it’s really fun to use. It can also be used to freshen your shine between manicures and pedicures. The spray contains olive oil, Acqua Di Vita® complex and grape seed extract to moisturize and create high gloss shine.

The Borghese Crema Divina Hydrating Leg & Foot Creme ($15.00 USD) is a luxurious lotion to soften and sooth skin. It is infused with grape seed, olive and sunflower oils, as well as Acqua Di Vita® Complex and sweet almond oil to hydrate and restore skin’s moisture.  I lvoe smoothing this on after a hard day at the office. It smells really lemony, too.

Visit the website at http://www.borghesenailcare.com/ for more information and to find a retailer near you. 

 

 

Ken Paves Healthy Hair Collection

Ken Paves has been a sought after hair stylist for over 14 years. His hair products and clip on hair extensions are sold around the world.

Ken Paves Healthy Hair Daily Shampoo and Conditioner($22.00 8oz each)  are formulated to give hair body, strength and shine. They are safe for color and chemical treated hair and have sunscreens and vitamins. Extracts of lavender, chamomile and soapwart gently clean and lavender, chamomile, geranium and Aloe Vera condition hair. 

These products have a soft floral fragrance that is nice and not overpowering. They clean and condition the hair leaving it soft and managable. I recommend these products for use every day, because they are so gentle.

Check out Ken Paves entire line at http://www.kenpaves.com/.

Pacifica’s Bright Fragrances are Great for Summer

Pacifica is a fragrance and bath company that believes that indulgent beauty can be eco-friendly. Their products are vegan and free of sulfates, mineral oil, parabens, phthalates, and propylene glycol.

I recently tried the products below, which all smell and feel fabulous. They are: 

Pacifica Tuscan Blood Orange Body Wash ($18.00 16 oz) This Sephora-exclusive pampers the skin with an infusion of natural ingredients and essential oils. Its refreshing fragrance is a blend of blood orange, strawberry, raspberry, and juicy mandarin. The delectable complexity of the scent emerges layer by layer, creating a bright, sophisticated impression.

Pacifica Bali Lime Papaya Soy Candle ($16.00 5.5 oz) is made with natural and essential oils, soy wax, vibrant color, and a lead-free cotton wick. The fragrance is a blend of papaya, Kaffir lime, and sweet lime blossom. This is a very long lasting candle  will burn for approximately 100 hours.

Pacifica Malibu Lemon Blossom Solid Perfume ($9.00 .33 oz) is long lasting and affordable. The fragrance is a blend of lemony Litsea Cubeba, flowering Angel’s Trumpet, and fresh herbs. It smells like summer and the beach! Formulated with natural essential oils, and organic soy and coconut waxes, these cute little tins of perfume are portable and at their great prices, you can buy more than one!

To learn more and to purchase the products, visit the Sephora website at www.sephora.com

St. Tropez Creates High Quality Self Tanners

St. Tropez should be a familiar name as it is one of the original tanning companies.  Their products now have a modern look and formulas to go with it, making theirs some of the best tanning products on the market today.  
 
Self Tan Bronzing Mousse -($30.00 4 oz, $40.00 8 oz) — So far, this is the best self tanner I have tried. The mousse is very lightweight and easy to apply. It is tinted bronze so you can tell where you have put it and where you may need some more. As long as you rub it in all over, you will get an even, streak free tan. The only minus is that although it is advertised that their “innovative Aromaguard™ fragrance technology eliminates the tell-tale self tan aroma by a minimum of 70% and instead gives a beautiful subtle, yet refreshing fragrance”, when the mousse starts tanning the body a few hours after application, the tanning scent is very strong. Still, the natural color you get is worth it.    

Here are some tips for application from the website:

Exfoliate with St. Tropez Body Polish before moisturizing dry areas thoroughly with St. Tropez Body Moisturizer (elbows, knees, ankles and feet). Help protect light eyebrows and hairline with a little extra moisturizer. Then, pump the mousse into your palm and sweep it from top to toe making sure you’re well covered as it’s only missed areas that can look patchy. Once you’ve got even coverage wait for 60 seconds before getting dressed. Then try not to get wet, or sweat, for at least four hours. Finally, shower off to reveal a perfectly golden, natural looking tan.

Another fun St. Tropez product is the New Everyday Perfect Legs ($45.00 USD 5 oz) — This is two products in one, a gradual self tan and a bronzer that is made especially for legs. It is infused with soothing aloe and marine extract, so you will have a gorgeous natural-looking tan that lasts. Plus your legs will be super soft.  The website suggests, “to apply, smooth on the  gradual tan lotion (using the white pump), sweeping it from toes to upper thighs in light, even strokes. Make sure you’re well covered as it’s only missed bits that’ll look uneven. Next, for immediate color, coverage and a flawless finish whilst your tan develops, apply the instant tan (using the black pump) sweeping from toes to upper thighs.” Your legs will look instantly polished for evening outs, special events or everyday looks. 

I also want to recommend the Self Tan Remover ($18.00 USD 11 oz) — wash your hands with this scrub after application, and you will not get dark or streaky palms.

St. Tropez also has wonderful a body polisher, after tan lotions, and other types of self tanning products. Visit the website at www.st-tropez.com for more information.

EnPointe Skin Solutions

I always enjoy bringing you, my discriminating readers, new ways to take care of your skin and maybe even help you look a little younger! I recently discovered EnPointe Skin Solutions, a line created by plastic surgeon, and former dancer, Dr. Cristine Rodgers. Dr. Rodgers has this to say on her website:

“As a plastic surgeon for over 20 years, I have had the pleasure of meeting inspirational women through my work and my love affair with dance. Many of these women have been my patients and colleagues. Others I befriended when I laced up my dancing shoes to help heal my body and spirit during my battle with breast cancer. These extraordinary women inspired me to develop EnPointe Skin Solutions, a luxurious skincare line that I formulated to address the skin concerns of women.”
~ Dr. Christine Rodgers

The website also states that the products “are formulated with natural botanicals, active extracts and a proprietary anti-aging complex to nurture and rejuvenate stressed skin. They help fight against environmental damage, hormonal effects and pre-mature aging of the skin. The result- beautiful balanced skin with a natural, healthy glow.”

I tried samples of the following three products:

Encore Renewal Serum ($85.00 USD 1 oz) — This products includes natural brighteners, powerful anti-inflammatories and anti-oxidants to help decrease melanin production, reduce pigmentation and minimize the appearance of age spots. Formulated with Dr. Rodgers’ proprietary Bio-Energy Complex to smooth, hydrate, and promote radiant skin.  This serum is safe for all skin types and ethnicities and is paraben-free.

Fouette Firming Moisturizer ($85.00 USD 1 oz) — This fragrant moisturizer delivers intense moisture, helps stimulate collagen production and helps create a barrier against cellular damage from environmental and free-radical damage. Formulated with Dr. Rodgers’ proprietary Bio-Energy Complex to rejuvenate, tone and diminish the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Paraben-free. 

Pas de Trois Age Delay Eye Solution ($75.00 USD .5 oz) — This powerful blend of moisturizers, anti-inflammatories and antioxidants is a triple threat against the signs of aging. Shea Butter and Almond, Coconut and Olive oils provide maximum moisture. A combination of the latest peptides and botanicals helps deliver instant lift and diminish the appearance of fine lines. A trio of specialized ingredients works together to reduce puffiness, dark circles and wrinkles.

I used these products for a couple of days and have to say that the serum and moisturizer are very thick and concentrated and should only be used at night or on very dry skin. When I applied them it felt like I was coating my skin with product, and some was still on my face in the morning.

The product that I really like is the eye solution. It is creamy, not greasy and can be used day or night. It smoothed the skin under my eye and feels wonderful on.

Visit the website at http://empoweryourskin.com to learn more about and to purchase these products.

Hampton Sun Privet Bloom Body Lotion

Hampton Sun Privet Bloom Body Lotion
Hampton Sun Privet Bloom Body Lotion

Looking for a light floral lotion for the summer? In a season of very fruity scents, a soft floral fragrance is most welcome!

Hampton Sun is a luxury brand that mostly creates sun-tanning products inspired by the beautiful beaches of eastern Long Island, New York.   Recently, Hampton Sun has released Privet Bloom fragrance, lotion and shower gel, that evoke a feeling of being in the Hamptons.

I have tried the  Privet Bloom Body Lotion ($35.00 6.6 oz). This is a silky lotion with natural ingredients such as Aloe Vera and Vitamins A through E along with extracts of Slippery Elm and Chamomile. Some of the notes in this fragrance are sea spray, dune grass, blue plum and the privet blossom. It is very fresh and flowery, but not overpowering.

Visit the website at www.hamptonsuncare.com to learn more and purchase this wonderful lotion.

Nu Skin — Anti-Aging Specialists

Go ahead and hate me, I deserve it. For a woman of 40 (okay 41, I just had my b-day), I don’t have a lot of wrinkles. But I do have some on my forehead and the lines around my mouth (marionette lines) are starting to deepen. I also have big pores and a little redness. Aging is so much fun!

So, like many women of my age, I am searching for products that will make me look even a little younger. Nu Skin is a company that has a variety of products to help your skin be its best. Since 1984, Nu Skin has pursued creating quality products with premium, wholesome ingredients. This is luxury skincare, so it is not cheap. But I have found with the combination of the two products described below, Tru Face Line Corrector and Tru Face Essence Ultra, the lines I have look smoother and my skin is firmer and more even. 

Below are the products with descriptions from the website.

Tru Face™ Line Corrector — ($48.00 USD) — Features revolutionary pro-collagen peptides that help soften moderate to deep lines around your mouth, eyes, and forehead. Medical science has recently discovered that peptides have the ability to send age-reversing signals to collagen-producing cells, promoting younger looking skin. Tru Face™ Line Corrector offers a targeted approach to help the most aggressive signs of aging in just four weeks. Gentle and safe for all skin types. Some of the benefits are: Reduces the appearance of moderate to deep lines and wrinkles, minimizes the appearance of dermal creases around the mouth and forehead, smooths the appearance of crow’s feet, delivers results in as early as four weeks. Clinical testing has shown continued improvement over six months.

Tru Face™Essence Ultra — ($180.00 USD) — Combined for the first time with the coenzyme Q10, TeGreen 97®, and a protective antioxidants network, the powerful science of Tru Face Essence Ultra helps restore facial firmness, promotes cellular energy production, and helps prevent future signs of aging. In clinical studies, this silky serum was proven to increase skin elastin content to youthful levels, enhancing skin firmness and elasticity. Tru Face Essence Ultra—leave sagging skin in the past and fight current signs of aging for firmer, younger looking skin now and in the future. Benefits are: promotes skin firmness and elasticity and fights current signs of aging with ethocyn®, an ingredient clinically proven to improve skin elastin, helps prevent degradation of elastin with elastase inhibitors, helps contour and firm the skin for a more youthful appearance and defines skin around the eyes, neck, chin, jaw line, décolleté, and hands.

I use these products twice a day. I first smooth the essence, which comes in single use capsules, over my face concentrating on the fine wrinkles around my eyes and my chin and neck. I then gently pat the line corrector in the lines around my mouth and forehead. The essence is a bit oily, so I don’t put it where I break out, my cheeks and forehead. I have been using these products for over a month, and have noticed my forehead “frown” lines almost disappearing and my chin and neck are is more firm. I am looking younger!

These items are a splurge, but one that may be perfect for your skin. Learn more at www.nuskin.com

Bobbi Brown’s Illuminating Bronze Collection

“Nothing says summer to me like healthy skin with a bit of shimmer. It’s gorgeous and super sexy – and who doesn’t want to look like that?”

– Bobbi Brown

I know I want to look like that! A great bronzer is the center of my summer makeup wardrobe. Bobbi Brown has come out with the Illuminating Bronze Collection. The products in this collection are:

Shimmer Brick for Body ($75.00 USD) — This oversized bronzer brick can be used on arms, legs, décolleté, or anywhere you want to glow. It features three shimmering bars of color. This can be used with Bobbi Brown’s giant All Over Body Brush ($85.00 USD), to add a little color any place you wish.

All Over Bronzing Gel SPF 15 ($28.00 USD) — Bobbi Brown has offered this gel-based bronzer before, but it now has the added benefit of sun protection. It is available in a new shade, Golden Sun, and the original shade, Desert Sun. Depending on desired effect, blend bronzer all over face or where the sun naturally hits – forehead, nose, cheeks, and chin.

Illuminating Bronzing Powder ($33.00 USD) — I have this bronzer in Aruba, a light golden bronze, but it is available in 6 sunny shades. The ultra-soft and smooth pressed powder is formulated with a unique and innovative blend of sheer powder and micro pearls. This is a shimmery bronzer, but not glittery, and can be used for day or evening looks. I have been wearing it to work and have been receiving compliments on my makeup.

Visit the website at www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com to purchase a new bronzer or to find a location near you. Have fun glowing!

Milani Cosmetics — Drugstore Luxury

Milani is a quality drugstore brand that was launched in 2002 and was first created for women of color. Now the line extends to all skin types, which is great for everyone who wants highly pigmented products at an affordable price!

I have been lucky enough to try quite a few products from Milani’s varied collection. Below are reviews of three of my (many) favorites.

Sunset Duos Blush and Bronzer ($6.49 ) — This is a wonderful product! The website states that it “delivers a fresh, cheeky blush and a healthy-glow bronzer in one convenient compact! Expertly matched blush & bronzer are pressed into one cake, taking out the guesswork on how to coordinate your makeup.” I completely agree! It comes in 6 duos. I have 01 Sunset City which is a shimmery light brown bronzer and a pretty peachy blush. I like to wear it two different ways. I either take the bronzer and apply it in an E or 3 depending on which side. This means I start at the temples and sweep down to my cheeks, then down to my chin, creating a natural bronzed look. I then apply the blush to the apples of my cheek. Or some times I swirl my brush around the bronzer and blush together and sweep it all over my face. Very pretty and fresh!

Buzzworthy Lip Gloss ($5.49) — I swear to you that my shade of gloss, 03 Bee Rich (a very sheer red) tastes just like a watermelon Jolly Rancher. Yum! This gloss has a nice slanted tip applicator that is easy to use and it creates a very glossy lip. For moisturized and smooth lips, this gloss was formulated with Honey Extracts, Cranberry Seed Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil and enriched with Vitamins A & E. Available in 9 shades.

Runway Eyes ($8.99) This is a unique eye shadow palette. There are six intense eye color bars in one compact. You can use the colors individually or combine them for a multidimensional impact, and they can be applied wet or dry. I have number 08 Catwalk, which include a dark gray, deep blue, burgundy, silver, bronze and white shadows. Although it sounds very dramatic, it is surprisingly wearable. A plus is that the colors last all day!

Visit www.milanicosmetics.com to learn more and find out where you can purchase these fun products!

Try Glominerals for Healty, Radiant Skin

glōminerals is a company that believes that good-for-you beauty doesn’t have to be basic. Their website states that the products are, “uniquely formulated utilizing only the finest pharmaceutical-grade ingredients, triple-milled high-pigment minerals, and an advanced antioxidant complex of Vitamins A, C, and E and green tea extract, glōminerals provides broad-spectrum UV protection and helps to defend against free radical damage, to deliver a radiant, healthy complexion. In addition, glōmineralsformulas are talc-free, non-comedogenic and free of perfumes and chemical dyes, making them suitable for even the most sensitive skin types, including those with acne and rosacea.”

These are lofty claims. Do the products live up to them? I say “yes”. I have tested their mineral powder base, liquid bronzer and lip plumper; and concur that the products are as luxurious as they are good-for-you.

gloPressed base ($39.00 USD) — available in 20 shades. This is a matte, not a sparkly, mineral base. You apply it by using a kabuki or powder brush in small circular motions to achieve perfect even coverage. Using the brush of choice apply gloPressed base to clean, moisturized skin, beginning with a small amount, and layering if needed. I found that I only needed a little of this base to achieve an even, flawless look. It stays on and looks fresh for most of the day.

gloSheer tint base bronzing gel ($30.00 USD)— This gel is creamy and easy to apply. When you first squeeze it out it seems really dark, but blends in and looks natural even on my pale skin! I think this would look lovely on all skin tones. I love that it isn’t shimmery at all, which is a nice break from all of the glittery bronzers on the market today. It just give the skin a subtle glow. I sometimes like a little shimmer with my bronzer for night, but this is a great for a day look.  This sheer tint also repairs and protects skin from UV damage.

gloLip plumper ($16.00 USD) — This plumper is infused with spheres of Marine Collagen Atelocollgen, which work to plump lips by trapping water and swelling, thus providing volume to the skin’s structures. It is available in clear, perfect plum, very cherry, sheer berry, and copper shimmer. This plumper does swell the lips, but doesn’t sting, which makes it more comfortable to wear than some plumpers. You can use this under a gloss or lipstick, or use it on it’s own for a shimmery pout.

Visit www.glominerals.com to learn more about these great, healthy makeup options and to locate a retailer near you.