Archive for July, 2005
Jul
Kristen plays with color
FYLO is my first introduction to this line of lip-only products, hence the acronym FYLO (For Your Lips Only). I received the Cowgirl Mini Set, which includes two lip glosses in Prelude and Fantasia. This compact has to be the coolest thing! It’s a little box with a flip-top lid with a mirror inside. Basic so far, but the lip product are in these little cubes that can be replaced or refilled with other lip products.
Fantasia, to me, is a combination of brownish/nude/pinkish shades, but the product description on their website says it’s a “soft shimmery lavender”. I don’t think it is, or at least it doesn’t look that way on me. It’s a beautiful nude rose color that is nice with a tan, while Prelude is a very soft, faint pink with a hint of shimmer and is good for wearing alone for a soft look or you can layer it over another color. Both are very pretty and complimentary colors with decent moisturizing properties that lasted after many cups of coffee in the A.M. through lunch. One thing I don’t marvel in is the price. For this set of two, it’s $26, but that does include the Mini-Sized Urban Cowgirl Cubicle ($10 without the lip colors), then two glosses that cost $8 each AND it can be refilled without having to buy another cubicle, so I guess it’s not that far off from other products out there. Not to mention it’s so CHIC! I get asked often where it came from.
During the summer months, I am learning to love something lighter than normal foundation: Smashbox Conversion Cream to Powder Foundation. It’s a cream formula in a compact, which I have never had success with others in the past. The sponge is housed underneath the compact so it doesn’t sit there in the foundation. The packaging is just like Chantecaille’s compact powder. The shade I tested is called Conversion 2.5. This foundation was wonderful with its coverage, application and staying power. I thought a found a new friend until it happened – my face broke out like crazy after two days of use! I am not talking about a few little zits – my forehead was covered with them. I stopped using it and let my face clear up, then used it again hoping it wasn’t the foundation. Sadly, it was. It was a sad, sad day when I had to find it a new home in my cosmetic graveyard. I swear, I still want to wear it in spite of what it did to my skin, but I just have to step away from the cabinet. By all means, try it and see if it does the same to your skin. It’s that much worth it.
Jul
Denise gets some therapy with Skyn ICELAND
I’ve had the opportunity to try so many great products in my quest for the perfect skin care regimen, but the Skyn Iceland line will definitely go down as one of the most memorable. This line was developed by Sarah Kugelman, formerly of gloss.com. Part of the research that led to Skyn was Psychodermatology, the study of how emotions impact our skin – or in clinical terms, the relationship between psychiatry and dermatology. This line isn’t about looking younger by pumping chemicals; it’s about looking better by relieving stress. Skyn is Icelandic for “senses”, and these products are specifically aimed at easing one’s senses and relaxing away day to day stresses. I tried (and loved) the following products from the Skyn line.
Glacial Face Wash with Biospheric Complex ($30) uses oat as the main ingredient in this rich, foaming formula, but Icelandic Kelp helps to combat redness and inflammation. Glacial Face Wash left my face squeaky clean – it is a definite must to moisturize immediately after washing with this one – but not stripped at all. I love the slightly mentholy-licorice smell… it reminds me of a much needed spa experience! I followed the Glacial Face Wash with Arctic Face Mist With Biospheric Complex
($35). Although this ultra fine mist, packed with white willow bark, chaparral extract, and Skyn’s “Triple T Blend” (a mix of white, yellow and green teas), can be used anytime to calm and hydrate the skin, I used it in a toner capacity, and it was great. As with any spray-on toner, it was a bit messy, but it removed any residual traces of makeup from my skin and prepped it for moisturizing.
As a day moisturizer, I used The ANTIDOTE Quenching Daily Lotion ($45). This moisturizer has a thick, balmy texture that feels as if it locks in moisture and provides a barrier between my skin and the elements, despite its lack of sun protection. I added an extra layer of SPF over The Antidote for my daily travels. Icelandic Relief Eye Cream with Biospheric Complex
($45) contains vitamin K to reduce under eye circles and rice peptides to combat wrinkles. I found this eye cream to be competitive with other products on the market today, but nothing really special. On the other hand, Skyn’s fabulous night moisturizer, Oxygen Infusion Night Cream with Biospheric Complex
($75) is outstanding. This rich cream contains the usual mix of vitamins A, C, and E, as well as rice peptides, but it also contains an ingredient that I was not as familiar with: Imparata Cylindrica Root. This magical herb is said to have intense moisturizing properties. As with the other ingredients contained in the Skyn line, it is potent but light. The night cream also boasts microencapsulated oxygen, which fortifies and energizes the skin, all suspended in Icelandic glacial water. Whew – I’m feeling better just thinking about it!
Whether your vice is caffeine, nicotine, or carbs, or if you’re a workaholic or a multitasking mommy, you’re bound to find a product that at the very least will provide temporary relief. And the products are all priced reasonably, to boot! You can get your Skyn fix at Sephora.com or at a Sephora nirvana near you.
Jul
Kristen gets Clinical
Just on the heels of trying out a pretty nice new skin care line, I was thinking what could possibly be as good or better? Well, I found something I definitely can live with and would buy again. The Missouri-based Clinical-Basic Skin Care is a custom-made, non-comedogenic clinical skin care line by Sharron “The Blender” Koltun C.P.E. (certified paramedical esthetician). After reading her bio on her website, I thought to myself, “I know the feeling!” She talks about her skin and the lack of custom-made options for some of us that don’t fit into the mold of regular market items. Sharron’s fateful day arrived when she received a custom facial from a salon. A changed person after that (with some nice skin to boot), she ended up working there for 11 years, then left to start her own line. I am sure her salon clients are weeping, but they don’t need to anymore. Now she has her own stuff!
With just the three simple products I tried out, my skin started to look noticeably better in just a few days. I had a horrible breakout of whiteheads and small acne bumps on my forehead that simply wouldn’t go away, and after about two days of cleaning with the Gentle Facial Wash, exfoliating with the Gentle Facial Beads, they went bye-bye! The Gentle Facial Wash is blue in color and incredibly soft on my skin and leaves no trace of makeup. My tell-all was a swipe of an astringent from EmerginC that has no mercy on the remains of makeup – my cotton ball was completely clean! Impressive. To exfoliate, I used the regular strength Cleansing Beads. The granules are small and soft and would be good for sensitive skin. Although the cleanser and exfoliator are more aimed for normal to dry skin, they are also for acne-prone skin (ME! ME!) and didn’t make my face greasy. I was actually quite surprised to see it is for normal to dry because it seemed to regulate my oiliness. Hmmm. Whatever, it works!
The third and final product used is a lightweight, gel-type moisturizer called Hydrating Gel Emulsion for all skin types. This was nice for my combination skin because it wasn’t heavy and didn’t have the propensity to be greasy like a cream would that’s too much for your skin. It provides just the right amount of moisture for my needs, but I don’t think it would be enough for those of you with parched skin requiring major moisture. All in all, this trio is very nice. I will be heading to the website to scope out other products. The products are very reasonably priced and won’t break the bank. The website is very comprehensive with respect to skin care and other things that I didn’t know that could irritate my skin. Sharron also has a personal skin consultation page where you can answer some questions about your skin and its behavior and she will design a regime for you. Check out Sharron and her products at clinicalbasicskincare.com.
Jul
Kristen has a new Neighbor
Benefit has finally come out with a skin care product that I want to tell my friends about. Don’t get me wrong, I love Benefit’s makeup, but I never have had wonderful things to say about most of the skincare products, except their Wonder Lift (another mask). Benefit Hi Neighbor!
is a facial mask with the color and consistency of Pepto Bismol. The application is not what I am used to – a sponge-type ball attached to a small rod coming from the cap – but I like it because I don’t have to get my hands (or anything else) messy with the liquid. It’s not a thick mask at all, so the application works. You just spread it all around and allow it to dry, just like any other mask. Rinse and you get soft, smooth skin. Since it is aimed for normal to oily skin, I am definitely the latter and the oil was soaked right up because of the clay in it. Let me tell you, I needed something to dry up my face in these hot and humid summer months in Texas. I can’t say it cleaned out my pores, but it doesn’t claim to. It just gently removes the greasies. I like to use it about once a week or whenever I feel like I need it to keep the oil at bay. It’s so gentle that I could see using it daily if I had excessively oily skin because it doesn’t strip your skin at all. There is nothing abrasive about it, and it’s chock full of soothing properties.
Jul
New coupon from ULTA!
Yipee! New coupons from ULTA.com. Get going and pick up some cool stuff!
Coupon Code 34805
- Offer: Receive $3.50 off a $10.00 Purchase*
- No limit on the number of times the coupon can be used
- Valid Dates: 7/17/05 – 8/6/05
And now for the fine print
*Coupon offer valid on all regular price, sale and clearance merchandise. Excludes fragrance, prestige cosmetics, prestige skincare, colonial candles. Cannot be redeemed for cash or gift cards. This offer may not be combined with any other coupon offer. Not valid on prior purchases. Limit one per purchase.
Jul
Judith finds goodies galore
I thought I’d share some of my current finds… from drugstore goodies to department store luxuries!
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer is the best light foundation I’ve found at the drugstore in a long time! In the summer, tinted moisturizer is my foundation of choice, and this new product is sheer enough to compete with any tinted moisturizer. Like many other new foundations recently on the market, the colors adjust to your skin and the look is perfectly natural with added bonus of Retinol and SPF 20. Fair to Light 20 was my first choice in color, although Light to Neutral 30 works well, too! ($11.29 at drugstore.com or your favorite drugstore.)
I gave up eye liner many years ago, not because I didn’t like the way it looked, but because I couldn’t see to apply it! (Just wait until you hit the big 5-0 and realize you can’t see anything with eyeglasses anymore!) Well, I ventured back into the eyeliner field a couple of years ago after having my makeup done at the Bobbi Brown counter at Nordstrom. Being able to smudge three colors of eye shade together was easy enough, but it didn’t have the same look as I would have preferred from eyeliner.
Enter Smashbox Cream Eyeliner ($29 at QVC.com)! I’ve seen this product on QVC several times and decided to give it a try! Trust me… It’s practically foolproof, due to the wonderful little brush that comes in the compact of 10 shades of eyeliner! It’s a short, straight edge brush that makes it really easy to get the eyeliner right down to the base of your lashes! I love this stuff and was feeling so self-confident about being able to apply this that I decided to give another eyeliner a try.
Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner ($18) is easily applied with the brush that came with Smashbox eyeliner. My favorite color is Black Plum. The difference in this and the Smashbox eyeliner is that it is completely waterproof and needs to be removed with a waterproof eye-makeup remover, like Bobbi Brown One-Step Cleanser and Longwear Makeup Remover ($20 for 3.4 ounces).
Another recent find from Bobbi Brown is her Limited Edition Beach Beauty Face Palette ($45), which contains two shades of eye shadow (Bone, a BB basic, and Vanilla), Suntan Pink blush, Sun Kissed Lip Creme, and the piece de resistance for me, Bahama Brown Summer Blush, which is not as dark as a bronzer, but gives a wonderful warmth to my untanned skin! I love it! Bobbi Brown offers limited edition collections each season, and they are perfect for trying products and colors before you splurge on the real thing! Check them out at bobbibrown.com or neimanmarcus.com.
On my never-ending quest to find the perfect mascara, I think I finally have it! Kevyn Aucoin Beauty The Volume Mascara has the most perfect slim brush for making the most of every lash! Using The Volume Mascara will change your view on fat mascara brushes forever. This is the best! Also available is The Curling Mascara in Black and Magic Red, which is a dark plum. Both mascaras are $25 each at kevynaucoin.com and bergdorfgoodman.com.
For the same effect as the Magic Red, hustle over to your favorite drugstore for L’Oreal Panoramic Curl, which comes in plum, which is almost the identical color to Magic Red. I use it over my black mascara and love the effect! Available at drugstores or for $6.99 at Walgreens.com.
Happy Summer! Happy Shopping!
Jul
Kristen discovers Tarte
This is my introduction to Tarte. I’ve read about the famed Cheek Stain on Sephora.com
and every beauty magazine and I’ve always wanted to try it. I was super excited when I got the opportunity to try a whole bunch of their products. I tried the Cheek Stain in 3 colors: Sunkissed, Flush, and Tipsy. I had very high expectations for this product since I had heard so much about it, but I was disappointed. Although I am a fan of powder and sometimes cream blushes (Laura Mercier’s is wonderful), I’ve not found a gel-based one I’ve liked and this is no exception. I found it hard to apply and spread around to look natural, and my cheeks broke out with little zits. I just think it’s too solid, and definitely don’t use it if you have normal or dry skin, as I found it difficult to apply with my combination/oily skin. To mention the colors, Sunkissed is anything but. It looks almost black and it looked like I had dirt on my cheeks. Flush is a prettier red wine color, while Tipsy is a pretty pink with a slight hint of coral in it.
Next for my face I used the relatively new Tarte Smooth Operator SPF 20 in Cover-Up. I LOVE this foundation! With its feather-light texture, it goes on very smooth and has a beautiful finish – so good that I didn’t want to ruin it by applying layers of concealer to spot my red acne scars. I was quite surprised by the color, too. Upon inspection, it looked much too dark for me and actually it is, but since I am tanned on my body but not my face, this color matched my body quite well (provided I blend it well), but that wasn’t a problem because it went on like a dream. I never tan my face, so it’s usually as white as a baby’s bottom, but I am a fan of powder bronzer so I can match my face to my body. This foundation actually eliminates the need for it because it is dark (the darkest available). I set it with a bit of translucent powder and go. I am always tickled pink when I find a foundation that I’d actually use other than my coveted Laura Mercier. As many of you know already, I think the world of that foundation, and I’d actually purchase this one from Tarte again. It’s so nice for the summer months when you don’t want the feel or look of a more full coverage foundation and since my complexion is looking better these days, I don’t require a lot of touching up. The color really makes me glow and it has SPF 20 in it. I think even if my tan were to fade a bit, I could mix this in with another foundation for a bit of color because it just has that nice of a consistency. I better use it for the rest of the summer because once I start losing my tan, I won’t be able to use this color. But, you better believe I’ll be buying whatever shade I’ll need next!