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Hot Vegas beauty
The first part of May, my husband and I took a much-needed vacation to fabulous Las Vegas to celebrate our wedding anniversary. I had never been to Vegas before, and immediately fell in love with this kinetic desert oasis. There's no question we will be going back sometime soon! During the day, we relaxed, went to the pool, or generally walked around all day, but at night, we went out to dinner, or a show, and hung out on the strip until all hours. Lots of fun and activity meant lots of dressing up, and a full face of makeup after 6pm every evening! It was so fun to put on a glam face, because I don't often do it when I am at home! I took full advantage of all the great color cosmetics that made their way into my suitcase.
During our stay, I quickly found out how much a different climate can impact your beauty routine and the products you use. My normally wavy, fluffy coif turned smooth and well behaved even when I let it air dry (low humidity is a good thing!). My somewhat oily skin quickly turned normal-to-dry, not to mention that the skin on the rest of my body dried out immediately - very different than the moist Midwest. It was a great excuse to do a little shopping, and pick up some new goodies :) Consequently, I've put a list together of 10 great vacation beauty products. Maybe you'll find a winner for your own getaway.
Bare Escentuals i.d. bareMinerals All-Over Face Color in Warmth ($20)
With a fair amount of practice, I have really gotten the hang of loose mineral makeup and face color. I wasn't sure about this color, because it looked pretty dark in the container, but applied lightly and judiciously (with a big, fluffy brush) it made my face look sun-kissed and pretty. If I did get a little heavy-handed, I just dusted a bit of loose powder (I am using Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil right now) over my face and it blended it into the parts that were too dark. Warmth has a bit of shimmer, but it does not look "sparkly." In fact, I think a woman of any age could use this product for a healthy outdoor glow. The natural SPF 15 this formula provides is an added bonus!
Estee Lauder Pure White Linen fragrance Eau De Parfum (1.7 oz for $45, or 3.4 oz for $65)
When I received a bottle of this for review, I almost didn't even bother to open it. While the classic White Linen fragrance is forever imprinted in the "nostalgia" part of my brain, I tend to choose a very different type of fragrance for myself, and never thought this new interpretation would appeal to me. I stand corrected! An infusion of fresh fruits (like grapefruit, mandarin orange, and pear), spices (like ginger and cardamom), and flowers (jasmine, red tulip, and rose) make Pure White Linen fresh, clean, and quite modern. I wore it almost every day, and found it very crisp and uplifting. My husband liked it, too!
Olay Daily Facials Night Cleansing Cloths ($7)
Who wants the hassle of taking cleanser, toner, and exfoliator on vacation? That precious suitcase-space is much better saved for another pair of shoes! I like really like these "just add water" cloths; they lather really well, and easily remove all that extra makeup I was wearing without over-drying. And, they are perfectly-packable - just place a few in a Ziploc bag - no worries about spilled product on your clothes. My only word of caution would be to those whose skin is normally very dry - these might be a little aggressive for you, so tread lightly.
CO Bigelow Dr. Hiosous Quince Hand Lotion ($15 for 4oz, at Bath and Body Works)
In the desert heat, it only takes a short time for hands to become dry and rough, and this lotion is a real skin-saver. Quince and carrot seed extracts provide a protective barrier to dry hands (and feet - apply before bed for the softest "peds") without being greasy or heavy. It even lasts through a couple of hand washings! While there is no added fragrance, the quince fruit smells bright and citrus-y. My mom and I stockpile this hand lotion; I personally have a few at my home, one in my purse, and one at work!
Creme de la Mer (1 oz for $110)
Instead of spending that $100 in the casino, drop that cash on this rich, healing moisturizer. Yes, it is very expensive, and yes, (I think) it is worth every penny. No matter how many high-falutin' brands I try, this is one they are all judged against. I have been using the original formula for years and I love it! Remember, you only need a VERY small amount of this cream - too much might cause a breakout. A tiny, pea-sized dab is all I need for my whole face. Press between fingers to "warm," and then apply by gently pressing fingers against your face. I also use it as eye cream. A perfect multi-tasker that will make skin appear fresh and rested while calming redness and healing any little breakouts!
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Baked ($15)
Hands down, one of the best eyeliners I have found to date. I absolutely love this new formula! Velvety-smooth and silky, this formula stays soft and creamy for blending (for about 30 seconds), and then dries down to a long-lasting finish that just lasts and lasts. Created with 50% moisturizing ingredients, this waterproof formula offers very long-lasting color that applies with tugging or skipping. While I do miss their discontinued eyeliner shade in Alley Cat, Baked is a warmer variation on light brown that comes fairly close. Made with jojoba oil, vitamin E and cottonseed oil, these pencils condition skin and stay put!
Neutrogena Fresh Cooling Body Mist Sunblock, SPF 30 (5oz for $12)
This spray sunscreen makes application so simple, there's no excuse to "forget" your sunscreen. In the desert, you need a broad spectrum UVA/UVB, high SPF sunscreen. This spray is simple to apply (without help, but hopefully you have some lovely companion who will assist you!). The spray nozzle works at any angle, so getting your back and shoulders is a breeze. It will not clog pores and has a fresh, cool feeling when applied. I will be using this one all summer!
Estee Lauder High Gloss lip gloss in Bronze (will be $16, at counters in June)
I know I already mentioned this one in my seasonal color report, but I really like this color a lot! I have been living in this sparking brown shade since I first tried this product. It works so well with my warm brown hair and green eyes - not to mention the moisturizing qualities really helped my lips stay soft and smooth in the dry desert heat.
Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner (approx. $24 each)
OK, so technically these are two products, but I'm counting them as one :) I received a sample of the shampoo from beautysak.com a while ago, and really liked how silky it made my hair feel (not to mention I really like the smell!). Enriched with caviar, these products are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which supposedly help to fight "the signs of aging." Mmmm. I'm not sure exactly what that means, but I am sure about the fact that this duo moisturizes and protects my colored tresses, and makes them shiny and less frizzy. They make a volumizing formula, too.
Simply Divine Botanicals Creme De Rose Heavenly Facial Moisturizer (2oz for $39.95)
Ever since I tried the Black Velvet Foaming Cleanser, I am hooked on this small line of natural and organic skin care products. Consequently, I had to try their "first born" product. This cream is suitable for normal to dry, mature and sensitive skin, but it has not clogged my pores since I have been back in a "moister" climate. Personally, I've been using it as a neck and, ahem, decolletage cream (those areas need moisture to stay resilient - don't neglect them!). It smells so nice, and really moisturizes those sensitive areas. With ingredients like organic whole-leaf aloe vera, sweet almond oil, and real Bulgarian rosewater, it smells and feels lovely on skin.
I hope you enjoy some of these great products on your own summer getaway! Now get out there and enjoy the beautiful weather!
- Lisa
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Posted May 31, 2006
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