Holiday Beauty Gift Guides 2014 — Skincare and Bath and Body Sets

Have you started your holiday beauty shopping for your besties (and yourself) yet?  I have been seeing some excellent skincare and bath and body sets and thought I would highlight some in many different price ranges.

Radical Skincare Radical Start Kit
Radical Skincare Radical Start Kit

Radical Skincare Radical Start Set ($99 USD) — An all-in-one discovery kit to experience radical results. Power and performance: a set combining multiple benefits for your skin. Use the Age Defying Exfoliating pads to remove dead skin cells while infusing the skin with firming agents. Follow with Advanced Peptide Antioxidant Serum—there is no better shield against the free radicals responsible for skin aging than this multitasking, anti-wrinkle serum. When combined with Anti-Aging Restorative Moisture, this power duo delivers an anti-aging one-two punch, gifted with active ingredients that have been shown to combat dark spots, even skintone, and increase hydration 60 percent in as little as two weeks. Finish with Eye Revive Crème, another multitasking wonder that reduces the appearance of wrinkles, dark circles, and puffiness while firming and hydrating the sensitive eye area.

This set contains:
– 15 x Age-Defying Exfoliating Pads
– 0.5 oz Advanced Peptide Antioxidant Serum
– 0.5 oz Anti-Aging Restorative Moisture
– 0.17 oz Eye Revive Crème

Available at Sephora.com

Revive Artbox 12
Revive Artbox 12

ReVive Skincare Artbox 12 ($595 USD) — RéVive celebrates the 12th Annual Limited Edition Artbox with an incredible painting by Markus Linnenbrink. Hand-selected by Dr. Brown, a true art connoisseur and avid art collector, Artbox 12 is a celebration of his passion for the intersection of art and beauty. The image featured on the keepsake box is WHATAPIECEOFWORKISMAN from Markus Linnenbrink’s newest body of work which is a continuation of his well-known drip paintings made of epoxy resin on wood panels with a decadent glossy finish.

Exclusive Collection Includes:
Moisturizing Renewal Cream Suprême
Eye Renewal Serum
Moisturizing Renewal Eye Cream
Sensitif Renewal Cream SPF 30
Fermitif™ Neck Renewal Cream

Available at http://www.reviveskincare.com

Clarisonic Smart Profile
Clarisonic Smart Profile

Clarisonic Smart Profile ($265 USD) — A Smart-enabled, multipurpose cleansing device that cleanses 11 times better than hands alone for smooth, clean, radiant skin from head to toe.

Smart Profile introduces the most functional and intuitive device to ever touch your skin—a powerful, professional cleanse at the push of a button for a total skin transformation. Head-to-handle smart technology automatically adjusts power and timing to fit specific skin needs while the redesigned user interface visually indicates speed, battery-life, smart setting, and brush replacement. With amplified turbo boost to add a power boost to your cleansing routine, four speeds, extended usage, and head to toe capabilities, this device cleanses 11 times better than hands alone for superior results.

Enhance your experience with the Refining Skin Polish for the body. This intensive, 3-tier refining solution exfoliates, firms, and smooths, delivering radiant, silky-soft skin. The Refreshing Gel Cleanser contains willowbark extract and beta-hydroxy acid to balance and clarify while antioxidants soothe and protect. Bearberry extract helps promote a bright, even skintone, and pro-vitamins B5 and B12 promote skin hydration.

This set contains:
– 2 oz Refining Skin Polish
– 1 oz Refreshing Gel Cleanser
– Clarisonic Smart Profile Stand
– Body brush head
– Brush stand

Purchase at http://www.sephora.com

L'Occitane Shea Butter Rose Hugs and Kisses
L’Occitane Shea Butter Rose Hugs and Kisses

L’Occitane Shea Butter Rose Hugs and Kisses ($24 USD marked down to $20 USD) — Bring on the cold weather. We have your perfect skin savior with the Shea Butter Hand and Lip Balm duo in a limited edition Rose scent.

This set includes:
– Shea Butter Rose Hand Cream 1 .oz.
– Shea Butter Organic Rose Lip Balm 0.4 .oz.

This subtle Rose Hand Cream is highly concentrated with Shea Butter (20%) to help nourish, protect and soften the skin. Rapidly absorbing without oily traces, this cream is enhanced with the sweet and comforting fragrance of Rose. You can also kiss dry and chapped lips goodbye with Captivating Rose Organic Lip Balm. This nourishing balm protects with Shea Butter, while repairing dry and chapped lips. Its light and non-sticky formula softens lips, leaving behind the sweet fragrance of Rose.

Purchase at http://www.usa.loccitane.com

Laura Mercier La Petite Pâtisserie Soufflè Body Crème Collection
Laura Mercier La Petite Pâtisserie Soufflè Body Crème Collection

Laura Mercier La Petite Pâtisserie Soufflè Body Crème Collection ($58 USD) —

Petite, complete Gourmande sampler of ultra-rich whipped Soufflé Body Crèmes to instantly hydrate and nourish the skin.

LA PETITE PATISSERIE SOUFFLÉ BODY CRÈME COLLECTION INCLUDES:

– Ambre Vanillé Soufflé Body Crème, 2 oz. plastic jar

– Almond Coconut Milk Soufflé Body Crème, 2 oz. plastic jar

– Crème de Pistache Soufflé Body Crème, 2 oz. plastic jar

– Fresh Fig Soufflé Body Crème, 2 oz. plastic jar

– Crème Brulee Soufflé Body Crème, 2 oz. plastic jar

– Tarte au Citron Soufflé Body Crème, 2 oz. plastic jar

Available at http://www.lauramercier.com

Philosophy Holiday Spice Rack Trio
Philosophy Holiday Spice Rack Trio

Philosophy Holiday Spice Rack Trio ($27 USD) — These moisturizing, multitasking formulas provide a rich, foaming lather to gently cleanse and condition, leaving skin and hair feeling super soft. Choose from the delectable fragrances of Spiced Cinnamon Stick, Creamy Cardmom, and Vanilla Bean Nutmeg, or mix and match for the ultimate shower cocktail. The light and delicious, spice-inspired scents provide the perfect accent of holiday cheer.

This set contains:
– 6 oz Spiced Cinnamon Stick Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath
– 6 oz Creamy Cardmom Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath
– 6 oz Vanilla Bean Nutmeg Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath

Available at http://www.sephora.com

What beauty goodies are you purchasing this year?

Brightening Skincare For All Price Ranges From Nuance Salma Hayek, Shiseido and ReVive

Brightening products are increasing in popularity as consumers look for ways to get rid of troublesome spots and lighten skin in targeted areas.  I know I have a few dark patches and spots that I would like to lighten.

These products are a big deal in the beauty market as women of all ages want to lighten their dark spots.  One of the most popular products at the moment is Clinique’s Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector.

I haven’t tried that product, but I have tried the following standout products at different price-points for brightening:

·        $: Nuance Salma Hayek Renewing and Brightening Facial Serum –Developed by CVS/pharmacy and Salma Hayek, the Nuance Salma Hayek Renewing and Brightening Facial Serum ($19.99, http://www.cvs.com) features natural Licorice Extract, a tyrosinase inhibitor, to brighten skin and help prevent hyperpigmentation. Other key ingredients include Botanagen SL™ to brighten skin and promote collagen synthesis, exfoliating Bio-Tripeptide, and an antioxidant blend of Tepezcohuite, Blue Agave, South American Camapu, and Mexican Prickly Pear Extract to soothe, hydrate and firm.

What I think: I have tried this product just a few times, so I haven’t seen an improvement in my dark spots.  I do notice that it is a very light serum with a subtle floral scent. And it leaves my skin very soft — must be the exfoliators.  The applicator is a metal roller, which is cooling and soothing on the skin. It goes on before moisturizer.

I am really impressed by the quality of this product.  I will be reviewing other products from this line — look for that post soon!

·        $$: Shiseido White Lucent –Expanding upon their groundbreaking White Lucent technology, which targets pigmentation and microcirculation (the two major causes of pigmentation), the line added two new products last month – White Lucent Anti-Dark Circles Eye Cream ($55, www.shiseido.com) and White Lucent Intensive Spot Targeting Serum (diminishes dark spots in ten days and prevents future pigmentation, $125, www.shiseido.com). The White Lucent products feature 4MSK, an exclusive patented brightening ingredient that diminishes the activity of the enzyme tyrosinase, helping to prevent melanin formation, as well as Yomogi Extract, Multi-Target Vitamin C and Hawthorn Extract.

What I think:  I have been using the Anti-Dark Circles Eye Cream for a couple of weeks now.  It has a fluffy texture and a light, fresh scent.  The packaging is very pretty — a shimmering pink jar.

I like how this feels on my skin.  It instantly smooths and moisturizes my under-eye skin.  My dark circles are a little less noticeable after a couple of weeks.  I will continue using this until it is empty.

I have not tried the serum yet, but I will be trying it soon (am using the ReVive serum below).  It has received mixed reviews, but I will give it the benefit of the doubt since I enjoy the eye cream.

·        $$$: ReVive Blanche Lighten Brighten – Created by renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Gregory Bays Brown, ReVive Blanche Lighten Brighten ($400, www.reviveskincare.com), safely and effectively fades spots caused by acne, sun damage and age. A cocktail of four non-hydroquinone agents and powerful antioxidants work together to even skin tone.

What I think:  I have been testing this lovely prestige serum for 2 weeks now.  It is very pricey — the most expensive skin care product I have tried.  But, so far so good.  I wear it under moisturizer morning and night.  It is a rich serum, and I hot days, I only need a little sunscreen over it.

I have noticed that my skin is noticeably brighter, and my dark spots have gotten a little lighter.  It is not greasy at all, so I will continue to use this for the next few weeks.  It would be great to have my brown spots less noticeable by summer!

If you have tried one of these products, or a different product by one of these brands, please leave a comment!

Enjoy!