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Annual Cold Weather Report, Part 2
Certainly, new hair and body products are lots of fun, but the most hardcore of we beauty junkies get really excited about new makeup and facial skin care products. Gorgeous colors in shiny compacts, and lush creams in pretty jars are the highlight of a gray, dreary winter day! Here are some great ideas to have you glowing through 2008!
First things first: Truly, I have to say that the biggest skincare revelation I had this round of testing was the Renee Rouleau skincare line. All of the panelists who have tried the line sing its praises, but surprisingly, I had never tried it before. I had no idea what I was missing!
Now, I'm pretty difficult to impress when it comes to skin care. I have tried Avon to La Mer, to Z Bigatti, and everything in between! Yet somehow, this simple, straightforward line manages make my skin look dramatically better than just about everything I've ever tried. For years, only the Ole Henriksen line got that level of unwavering, long-term loyalty from me, but now Renee Rouleau has joined Henriksen at the top of my own personal favorites list.
My regimen was simple: AHA/BHA Cleansing Gel in the morning (Best Cleanser in Allure's Best of Beauty awards in 2007), Blue Azulene Toner twice daily, White Tea Soothing Complex (used at night), and Multi Vitamin Cream (also used at night). These products combined left my skin glowing, even-toned, and absolutely acne-free. All of the products are fabulous, but I was most intrigued by the White Tea Soothing Complex. It contains a sea-derived compound called Sea Whip. I don't know exactly what it is, but the results are so fabulous (smooth, even skin with reduced redness and irritation), I'll let Renee have her little secrets...
During my testing period, I still used some of my other "tried and true" favorite products to "fill in the gaps." I had no problems with interactions or sensitivity. For day moisturizing, I almost always use a tinted moisturizer with SPF (right now, it is Neutrogena Healthy Skin Glow Sheers SPF 30), but if I need more moisture, I did fine with adding a layer of Multi Vitamin Cream underneath.
For my evening cleansing and makeup removal, I still use and love Philosophy Purity Made Simple because it removes makeup so quickly and easily. For those nights when I'm just too tired to deal with anything that could not be classified as an utterly simple activity, I reach for the "no water needed" instant facial cleansing cloths. I recently tried the Sephora Brand FACE 25 Makeup Removing Wipes
, and I like them a lot - efficient cleansing with no irritation or redness! They're a lifesaver when I'm traveling.
For when my skin really acts up, I reach for Peter Thomas Roth Max Complexion Correction Pads. Although the formulation is very potent - alpha hydroxy acid (glycolic acid 10%), beta hydroxy acid (salicylic acid 2%), and alcohol (46%) - these pads treat my skin kindly while obliterating those occasional, stubborn breakouts. The addition of Aloe, Green Tea, and Chamomile soothes and moisturizes to prevent and burning or redness. These pads are also perfect for body breakouts on chest, back, or upper arms. Now that I've tried these pads, I always have a jar on hand!
Now, with all that smooth, glowing skin, who isn't itching to add some new makeup to their train case? This time of year, I absolutely love to splurge on makeup palettes and fragrance gift sets. This year, the choices were particularly creative and fun.
Justine Case, Benefit Cosmetics "mini-portable beautifier kit," is wonderful for when you want (or need) a little touch-up. As a working mom, I can attest to the difference a little product makes! This tiny little kit contains Some Kind-A Gorgeous Foundation Faker (A product I LOVE!), Benetint Liquid, California Kissin' minty lipshine, and Eyecon, a lightweight de-puffing, de-darkening eye cream, perfect to add a little finishing during a hectic day.
I've had the full-sized version of Some Kind-A Gorgeous for a while now, and I use it quite often. It is a unique product, a wonderful tinted balm that adds sheer coverage, and lightweight moisturizing. The texture is absolutely wonderful, and it refines pores, reduces shine, and helps camouflage redness. My one complaint is that I wish there was an extra sponge with the compact. I replace mine often, but the sponge that comes with the product is very thin; a regular sponge will not allow the compact to close.
Too Faced Cosmetics also had some particularly beautiful palettes with The New Romantic Make-Up Collection in Unicorn and Peacock. Bring a little of love's blush to your complexion with these soft color combinations of pink, plum, brown, and peach. The luxurious, silky-smooth Too Faced formulas make these limited addition palettes a joy to give and receive! Make sure to snag a few before they disappear!
Into the smoky eye look? Shiseido has a gorgeous eye shadow quad set that will give you a subtle, shimmery, smoky eye. Pick up the Lunar Phases quad, a perfect collection of black, pink, silver and golden shades for instant glamour.
Now, with an eye this strong, keep just a whisper of color on lips to balance the look. I love Shiseido The Makeup Automatic Lip Crayon in both LC1 and LC2. The slightly glossy, sheer color makes for a great nude lip that never looks chalky or heavy.
If you love lipstick as much as I do, this is your season! Whether you like a great shimmery-peach (NARS Sexual Healing) or a darker, richer shade (NARS Kiss
or Shiseido Perfecting Lipstick in Red Luxe), save the gloss for spring…
Hope you enjoyed part two of this year's Cold Weather Product Report! Here's to a happy, healthy, and beautiful 2008 from all of us at Cosmetic Connection!
- Lisa
find out about this reviewer and more about the panel...
Posted January 30, 2008
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