Tag: skin care

tarte’s Spring 2011 Collection​

tarte has introduced some great new products for spring, that include products with fresh colors that are infused with Amazonian clay. These not only look great on, they are so good for the skin.

Some of the new products are: 

Amazonian clay 12-hour blush($25.00 USD) in 8 shades. These solar-baked blushes are infused with Amazonian Clay, nature’s most perfect ingredient. These nutrient rich and skin-nourishing Amazonian clay blushes restore harmony for a flawless finish that lasts all day. The soft blush is great for all skin types:
          Oily skin: Amazonian clay minimizes oil in and around pores to balance skin and keep product in place
          Dry skin: Amazonian clay hydrates skin naturally to restore moisture so your blush wears better & longer
          Dull skin: Amazonian clay improves the appearance of skin clarity and skin texture — Combination skin: Amazonian clay is completely intuitive; gives skin an overall smooth
          & even appearance
 
Available in 8 shades: amused (bright pink), blissful (warm peach), blushing bride (plummy rose), dollface (light pink), exposed (nude), flush (deep berry), natural beauty (red) and tipsy (coral).
 
LipSurgence™ natural lip luster ($24.00 USD).  As a follow-up to the best-selling LipSurgence™ natural lip stains, these shimmering lip lusters give a high dose of color and shine in an easy twist-up stick. Just like the original, our LipSurgence™ technology delivers a surge of moisture on a cellular level for a naturally plumped up appearance while natural peppermint adds a refreshing burst of flavor with each application.

Earth engineered from a proprietary blend of plant bio-nutrients our LipSurgence™ technology quickly absorbs into the skin delivering a surge of moisture on a cellular level while boosting peptides stimulate skin’s own regenerative system and assist in the formation of collagen. This proprietary blend increases skin’s water content for a ‘plumped up’ appearance. The result is naturally fuller, healthier lips without any irritation or stinging. Available in 6 shades: fever (red), pouty (berry), frisky (bright pink), adored (light pink), glisten (peach) and buff (nude)
 
neutralEYES natural eye palette ($44.00 USS)  — Straight from the Runway, neutralEYES natural eye palette has all of your eyessentials for spring! This versatile palette contains 10 Amazonian clay-infused shadows in neutral & universally flattering shades, emphasEYES™ aqua-gel eyeliner in brown, a double-ended shadow brush & a free sample of lifted™ natural eye primer with Firmitol™. Apply lifted™ first as a long-wear shadow base that also helps decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by 51% (in just 10 minutes). Then using the double-ended shadow brush create the look of your choice by using the softly milled shadows (tip: you can also wet them for a more dramatic effect). To complete the look, we suggest applying emphasEYES™ aqua-gel eyeliner in brown, which glides on smooth and dries down to a long-lasting finish.
 
neutralEYES™ natural eye palette includes:
10 Amazonian-clay infused shadows
             Top row (L-R): matte bone, matte taupe, matte olive green, shimmering bronze, matte
             deep teal
             Bottom row (L-R): matte soft pink, shimmering soft peach, matte brown, matte plum,    
             matte navy
emphasEYEs™ aqua-gel eyeliner: brown
double-ended eyeshadow brush
 
Visit www.tarte.com to purchase and learn more about these products.

NEW StriVectin-SD® for Sensitive Skin

NEW StriVectin-SD® for Sensitive Skin

Strangely enough, I find that as my skin ages, it becomes more sensitive. I was excited to try a new sensitive skin cream from StriVectin hoping that it would address some of my anti-aging concerns without making it red and uncomfortable. 

The product is called StriVectin-SD® for Sensitive Skin Intensive Concentrate for Stretch Marks & Wrinkles ($79.00 USD). A mouthful, I know, but a really great product. The claim is that it is, “is an anti-aging powerhouse, developed exclusively for sensitive skin. 100% of StriVectin’s collagen-building, wrinkle-reducing, anti-aging power. And none of the oils or fragrances that cause irritation and leave sensitive skin vulnerable to accelerated aging.”

This cream is for the 49% of women 25+ with sensitive skin who are battling the signs of aging. When using conventional products, they are prone to redness, dryness, flare-ups, burning and stinging. It includes the benefits of collagen building, wrinkle-reducing, anti-aging power with no oils or fragrances. Through NIA-114™, it strengthens skin’s protective layer so wrinkles diminish, tone evens and texture smoothes. Sensitive skin feels less sensitive.

StriVectin-SD® for Sensitive Skin is fragrance-free, oil-free, paraben-free, allergen-free, and artificial dye-free. This soothing formula contains Nia-114, active peptides, rose & cucumber extracts, and oat kernel extract to deliver powerful results in a gentle way.

What I think: The very first time I used this product, I noticed immediate smoothing and brightening of my skin. It was very surprising. So many face creams make my skin red at first, before the benefits kick in, so I am not used to such fast results.

I have now been using the cream twice a day for a few weeks and love using it. It hydrates my dry, winter skin leaving it feeling soft and nourished. My skin looks noticeably younger because of the glow and smoothness it imparts.

I highly recommend the StriVectin-SD® for Sensitive Skin Intensive Concentrate for Stretch Marks & Wrinkles for the face. I haven’t tried it on my stretch marks, but I bet it would help. You can purchase this at www.strivectin.com and www.sephora.com

Dry Skin Driving You Crazy This Winter? Soothe It With New Products for Hands and Body

When the weather gets cold and dry (and blizzards like it did in Kansas City this week), skin and nails really need to be nourished.  My hands and feet especially have been cracked and my cuticles are peeling. I have taken this opportunity to try new products (or ones that are new to me) to get my skin feeling soft and hydrated.

Cures by Avance Hydrating Body Silk ($26.00 USD) is a weightless body milk which claims to transform the skin. I like to use this after a shower to lock in the moisture. My skin feels silky and soft afer use. To purchase, visit  www.curesbyavance.com

It’s a known fact that winter air completely zaps the essential natural oils found in  skin and hair but unfortunately, attention to the nails has long been neglected. Due to the sub-zero effects outside and the bone-dry heat that is pumped indoors, the nails take a real beating – quickly becoming dry and brittle which results in cracks, painful splits and very short-lived manicures (the shame!)
 
In order to prevent and combat these harsh effects, protect nails with Perfect Formula’s Daily Moisture ($29.00 USD)– a tried and true treatment that keeps nails long, strong and healthy. Formulated with Keratin, the main protein that makes up nails, Jojoba Oil, an excellent moisturizer that is similar to the natural lubricant of skin, and Vitamin E, this product instantly nourishes and strengthens dry, thirsty nails even in the most treacherous conditions. 
 
To use, simply brush Daily Moisture on top of nails, under nails and on cuticles daily. Can be used on polished or natural nails. purchase at http://www.perfectformulas.com or QVC.com.

Caudalie Vine Body Butter ($36.00 USD) is deeply hydrating, with a delicious light scent and velvety texture melts into skin and provides all the therapeutic benefits and efficiency of Vinothérapie Spas. This lotion is perfect for anyone with very dry to damaged skin wanting an ultra nourishing, repairing and luxurious treatment. Apply morning and evening, massage gently into skin in upward motions.

I love the scent of this lotion, it is a bit fruity and is very refreshing. I like to apply it to my hands, feet and legs after shaving. Visit www.caudalie-usa.com to purchase.

Enjoy your hydrated skin!

Love QVC? Love tarte? Check Out These Exclusive Products!

Love QVC and tarte? QVC is lucky to carry select tarte products before they are available anywhere else. I tried a couple of fun tarte eye makeup products recently — the  smooth operator™ Amazonian clay eye base and the  emphasEYES™ aqua-gel eyeliner in indigo shimmer.

I have recently become a fan of eye base. A good one smooths the eyelid and increase the staying power of eye shadows. Tarte’s smooth operator™ Amazonian clay eye bas is naturally brightening and utilizes the intuitive power of Amazonian clay to balance oily lids and hydrate dry areas around the eye. The waterproof primer leaves your lids soft and smooth, allowing shadow to remain truer to color and last all day.

skinvigorating™ ingredients:
·         beeswax: is used as a waterproofing agent, and creates a natural protective barrier between the skin and the environment
·         Vitamins A: antioxidant that helps remove free radicals, promotes collagen production and retains moisture
·         Vitamin C: inhibits melanin oxidation which improves skin’s brightness and clarity
·         Vitamin E: natural preservative that also acts as an anti-inflammatory emollient and protects against free radical damage
·         Amazonian Clay: this nutrient rich clay is extracted from the banks of the Amazon River where the nutrients are at their highest concentration. As nature’s most perfect ingredient this multitasking and total skin balancing clay has been known to:
o    Remove surface oil to mattify lid area
o    Hydrate dry area around the eyes
o    Give skin area around the eyes an overall smooth and even appearance
o    Reduce the appearance of dryness and flakiness
o    Improve the appearance of skin clarity and texture
 
I love the matte finish of this primer. If you are in a hurry, applying this then a little eyeliner and mascara well get you out of the house quick and looking great! But if you do apply shadows over it, they will last all day long! 

The revolutionary emphasEYES™ aqua-gel eyeliner has been around for awhile now. It claims to capture the high pigment concentration and staying power of a gel pot in an effortless pencil, no brush required! Even more unique is the proprietary formula which encapsulates rich mineral pigments in a 50% water concentration. By a process of hydrous pigmentation, cooling and refreshing pure water absorbs into skin to hydrate and replenish the delicate eye area, leaving behind an intense, long-wearing and pigment-rich color. Fortified with vitamin E, cucumber and aloe this soothing aqua-gel eyeliner maintains moisture balance in the skin while treating with healing free radical fighters.

Skinvigorating™ benefits:
Water: pure water delivers and retains moisture to replenish and hydrate skin
Aloe leaf extract: soothing, healing and antiseptic properties help maintain moisture balance in the skin
Cucumber extract: rich in vitamins A &C and helps soothe skin
Mineral pigments: colors and dyes derived from natural minerals soothe and soften the skin
Vitamin E: natural preservative acts as an anti-inflammatory emollient and fights free radical damage 
 Due to this unique formula:
DO NOT over advance the pencil tip. Due to the soft nature of this formula breakage may occur of pencil tip is over-advanced.
ALWAYS secure cap tightly after use to prevent drying. 

Indigo shimmer is the new color exclusive to QVC. It is very dark, almost a black-blue with a little bit of shimmer. Very dramatic. I love rimming my eyes with this pencil before going out. The only thing is that the formula is so soft that you have to apply it very lightly. I have broken off the tip a couple of times. But the pigment pay-off and smoothness of application is worth it.

Both product are formulated without:
parabens
mineral oil
petrolatum
phthalates
sodium lauryl sulfate
synthetic dye
synthetic fragrance

Visit www.qvc.com to learn more and to purchase. Enjoy!

Create a Flawless Canvas With Palladio Primers and Foundation

I love the herbal and vitamin infused Palladio products. They give good coverage and are good for you — at an affordable price! Below, I review the new herbal primers and foundation.  

Eye Primer ($8.00) — Meet the new industry standard in eyeshadow primers—one that retails for LESS THAN HALF the cost of department store brands! Enhanced with 5 different herbal extracts as well as Vitamins A, C and E, this sheer, silicone-based formula glides on like silk and then vanishes instantly. It’s the ultimate makeup kit accessory, that eliminates creasing and ensures maximum shadow vibrancy all-day long.

Face Primer ($12.00) — Our unique silicon formula creates a velvety seal that literally treats the skin by delivering active ingredients such as Gingko Biloba (which promotes blood circulation) and Aloe Vera (which contains soothing properties). Also enriched with several key herbs and vitamins that combat elasticity breakdown, this foundation base smoothes fine lines and imperfections by filling pores, allowing a flawless foundation application. (Suitable for all skin types.)

Herbal Liquid Foundation Tubes ($10.00) — This unique, oil-free formula contains light-reflecting pigments which diffuse and bend to create a natural, matte appearance. Vitamins A and E, as well as Ginseng and Gingko extracts, aid in reducing the look of fine lines, large pores and other imperfections. Enrichments like Cucumber, Aloe Vera and Chamomile extracts sooth and moisturize the skin while evening its complexion. Designed with convenience in mind, this all day, sheer-to-medium coverage comes in an easy-to-squeeze tube that ensures no product (or money) goes to waste. (Suitable for all skin types.)

What I think: I love that all three of these products are so great for my skin. Although skeptical at first, I use eye primers every day. They make the eyelids smooth and help shadows last all day and do not crease. The face primer makes my skin so soft and had a great slip that makes my concealer and foundation slide right on. The foundation is the perfect touch to balance my color, gets rid of my read cheeks and makes my pores look smaller. Beautiful!

Visit www.palladiobeauty.com to learn more, and you can purchase at Ulta. Enjoy!  

 

L’Oreal Paris Age Perfect Hydra-Nutrition Day/Night Cream

L'Oreal Paris Age Perfect Hydra-Nutrition Day/Night Cream

My skin is getting drier as the weather gets colder. I usually have to amp up my hydration during the winter months, and L’Oréal Paris’ Age Perfect Hydra-Nutrition is the perfect nourishing day/night cream to help skin stay soft.

Specifically designed for mature skin and perfect for women who don’t have time to follow an extensive skincare regime (day treatment, day lotion, night treatment, night cream, etc.), Age Perfect Hydra-Nutrition treats skin to deep hydration and intense nutrition in one step and can be used both morning and night. The cream combines a unique Nutrient Complex enriched with calcium,and it envelopes skin to effectively nourish parched, sagging skin and leave it supple, fortified and resilient.  Plus, the always classy Diane Keaton  is the face of the product. 

What I think: I love the texture of this product. It is almost like a balm, so thick. But it melts right into the skin and doesn’t leave it greasy, just really soft. I even use it in the morning before applying makeup. It keeps me hydrated all day long and my skin looks so smooth. 

Price: $16.59, Available at www.lorealparis.com and chain drug, food and mass market retailers. Enjoy your younger looking skin!

Cindy Crawford’s Meaningful Beauty Skin Care

Cindy Crawford has fabulous skin and looks like she hasn’t aged a day since she started modeling. So how does she do it?

That’s what I wanted to know when I tried Meaningful Beauty, a skincare line that she began with Dr. Sebagh.  Cindy describes it as, “My beauty secret — Dr. Sebagh. As a client, I loved the results I saw with my own skin and asked him to create Meaningful Beauty, so we all can use it at home every day!

You can purchase a skin care kit of Meaningful Beauty for $39.95 USD. It includes:

  • Skin Softening Cleanser
  • Antioxidant Day Crème
  • Anti-Aging Night Crème
  • Lifting Eye Crème
  • Firming Chest & Neck Crème

Plus, 3 FREE Bonuses:

  • Deep Cleansing Masque
  • Travel Size Glowing Serum
  • Wrinkle Smoothing Capsules

I tried the following products (with their online descriptions) from the collection:

Skin Softening Cleanser — “This mild, non-irritating face cleanser is designed to provide a healthy clean without stripping skin of natural oils. Its creamy, non-foaming texture sweeps away makeup and impurities, leaving skin clean and glowing, not tight and dry.”

Antioxidant Day Crème SPF 20 UVA/UVB — “Give your skin a daily dose of anti-aging ingredients to clarify, brighten and even skin tone. This anti-wrinkle crème combines our breakthrough antioxidant complex with a botanical blend that helps hydrate and revitalize skin. Formulated with SPF 20, it’s also designed to shield against UVA/UVB damage.”

Glowing Serum– “Dr. Sebagh calls this his “model secret.” Previously available only to his exclusive clientele, this serum is designed to help smooth and condition while helping to encourage cell renewal to restore skin’s vitality and brightness. Use in the morning before applying moisturizer or anytime for an instant pick-me-up.”

My favorite of the three is the Cleanser because it is so gentle and creamy and really cleans my skin well. After use, my skin is soft and smooth. The serum is so lovely because it brightens my skin right up. The day creme is a little heavy for my skin, but I like how it has an SPF 20 built in — sun protection is so important, even in the winter!

I have noticed a change in the few weeks I have been using these products. My skin is softer to the touch and noticeably smoother.

Visit www.MeaningfulBeauty.com  to learn more and to purchase yourself the gift of younger looking skin!

More Great Holiday Bath Gift Ideas

Bath and body care are great gifts for the holidays! I love giving and receiving them. The sets below are all good gifts and affordable, too! Have fun shopping!

SJ Creations Mistletoe & Mint Ceramic Caddy Set ($20.00 USD on sale for $9.99 USD). Keep your hands clean and soft with this coordinating pair of cleansing hand wash and moisturizing lotion in an attractive, reusable ceramic caddy. The scent is fresh and minty, and is perfect for the holidays. The set includes:

  • 16.9 fl. oz. Cleansing Hand Wash
  • 16.9 fl. oz. Moisturizing Hand Lotion
  • Reusable Ceramic Caddy

If you are in the shopping mood, SJ Creations is doing a Cyber Monday promotional contest. When you purchase anything, enter the code CYBER15 to receive 15% off on Monday, November 29. Plus if you sign up for their newsletter you will get a code for 30% and be entered to win free products in a drawing on Tuesday, November 30th. Just visit www.sjcreationsinc.com to learn more.

Gingerbread House Bubble Bar ($6.25) is one of the many fun holiday products and gift sets that LUSH has released this season. This warming, spicy, stimulating bath time treat is crammed full of ginger powder to help increase circulation and warm you up on cold winter nights. There’s also a hint of buchu oil and lime, to give it a fruity scent. 

Check out www.lushusa.com to see all of the great gift ideas they have. All products are hand made and many of them are vegan.

Whish Lavender Dream Collection ($25.00 USD) This set includes everything you need to smooth, soften, and pamper your skin in our brand new sweet smelling lavender flavor. Give the gift of perfectly soft skin to yourself or a friend. All items are in flight approved sizes. The set includes:

Three Whishes Body Wash – unique combination of wheat, sugar, and corn rather than harsh sulfates.
Three Whishes Sugar Scrub – exfoliate with our unique sugar, bamboo powder, raspberry seed mix.
Shave Crave – this moisturizing shave cream will leave your skin smooth and soft.
Three Whishes Body Butter – triple dose of moisture from organic shea & raspberry butter and organic aloe.

All Whish products are paraben free, suflate free, DEA & TEA free, and petrochemical free and are all natural with organic ingredients.

I love this lavender scent because it isn’t too strong and has a touch of sweetness to the soothing lavender. The products are all moisturizing and leave skin so smooth! Visit www.whishbody.com to learn more and to purchase.

Grooming Gift Ideas for the Men In Your Lives

Kerastase has just released their Capital Force collection for men that includes a Densifying line to help thinning hair and the Anti-oiliness collection delivers purifying ingredients that create a squeaky clean feeling that lasts. The products in each line include a shampoo, an activator, a hair gel and a styling paste. Very good ideas for gift giving to make your man’s hair look his best ($30 — $34 USD).

Tweezerman Pour Homme Three Piece Kit ($99 USD) — Simple, yet classy, the Three Piece Kit is the perfect luxury grooming set.

Kit contains:
Stainless Nail File
Stainless Folding Nail Clipper
Stainless Facial Hair Scissors
Housed in an elegant, high quality brown leather case.

Availability: Nordstrom, Nordstrom.com

Ona Men Signature Product Line from Ona Spa- Ona knows men like to take care of their skin too, and the products in this line are formulated specifically for the needs of mens’ skin. The line contains a Grapefruit Aloe Shave & Wash, Glycolic 10% After Wash, Soothing Day ~ Night Face Gel, and Cooling Eye Relief Gel. Retail price is $164 at Ona Spa in Los Angeles and online at https://shop.onaspa.com

So by your man some high-quality grooming products, you will love the results!

Give the Gift of Beautiful Skin This Holiday Season

 

 

Looking to give a little bit of luxury for the holiday season? Skincare for the face or body make fantastic gifts for ladies (or genetlemen) who love their skin. Try one of the following from the great skin care companies Liz Earle, Weleda and Juara, or visit their websites and choose a different gift. Enjoy!

Liz Earle Superskin Try-Me Kit ($47.50) — includes:

Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, Instant Boost Skin Tonic, Superskin Moisturiser, Superskin Concentrate, and Superskin Eye & Lip Treatment.

Liz Earle creates natural skincare that is so good for your skin and leaves it glowing. This is especially good for aging skin, it will definately help your skin look younger!

Visit www.us.lizearle.com to learn more and to purchase this and many other holiday skincare kits from Liz Earle.

Another great Liz Earle gift is her new book, Skin Care Secrets: How to have Healthy Beautiful Skin Naturally ($24.95 USD Paperback, Firefly books). This give an age-to-age guide on beuatiful, natural skin. This is availaible at www.fireflybooks.com or bookstores everywhere.

Weleda Pomegranate Body Care Travel Kit ($9.99 USD) has everything that aging skin needs to be completely renewed, revitalized and protected. It’s a conveniently sized sampling of our Pomegranate Regenerating Body Care line to get you started turning back the clock on your skin’s natural beauty.

CONTENTS:
Pomegranate Regenerating Body Oil 0.32 fl OZ (10ml)
Pomegranate Regenerating Hand Cream 0.3 fl OZ (10g)
Pomegranate Creamy Body Wash 0.72 OZ (20g)

Juara has a couple of beautiful tropical skin care sets that will take you away this holiday season they are:

The Beyond Paradise Holiday Set ($45.00 USD — a $53.00 value) — includes the Candlenut Hydrating Shower Gel and Candlenut Hand & Body Balm.

The Escape to Bali Holiday Set ($28.oo USD — a $38.00 value) —  includes the Candlenut Perfume Oil and travel size Candlenut Hand & Body Balm together for $28 (a $38 value).

Visit www.juaraskincare.com to learn more and to purchase.