Marissa’s Pick of the Week

I love this time of year! All the cosmetic companies are in full holiday gear and the best bargains of the season have arrived.  My pick this week is Bobbi Brown’s Exclusive Limited-Edition Artist Palette for Lips.  It’s a big name for a big palette – 42 of Bobbi’s colors all in one compact.  The palette is big, about the size of a novel, but slim.  I keep it in my gym bag as it’s way too big for most purses.  This palette is broken down into three categories: 21 lip colors, 11 creamy lip colors and 10 lip sheers.   I love this palette not for all the colors that I normally wear, but for all the colors I never bought or wouldn’t have tried because I thought that they weren’t compatible with my skin tone.  Plus, you can mix and match these colors. The other day I had on Burnt Red lip color with a touch of Bare lip sheer to tone down the red.

This is one item that all make-up junkies need to have in their hands this holiday season.  Right now, it’s exclusive to Neiman Marcus, but my sources say it will soon be available wherever Bobbi Brown is sold.

JK Jemma Kidd at Target

A couple of years ago, when Jemma Kidd’s Make Up School first was introduced in the US, I favorably reviewed most of the products in her range. At that time, her products were only available at Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman in the US.

JK Jemma Kidd for Target

I was delighted to find that in the past few months, Jemma Kidd has made her her products available in a new line of cosmetics for Target which she calls JK Jemma Kidd. My findings, for the products I have tried thus far, did not disappoint.

I don’t usually wear any kind of primer under my foundation…just  a lot of moisturizer, but I decided to try JK Jemma Kidd Mannequin Skin Complexion Enhancer ($24). The product, infused with Vitamin E, has a faintly luminescent finish, but after rubbing it into your skin, it isn’t too noticeable. It does, however, make a beautiful finish for your foundation. In this case, I was using JK Jemma Kidd Pro Finish Moisture Tint ($28) in 02-Mid.  While   you could use this as a tinted moisturizer, it is layerable, so you can control how much coverage you want. Just like Jemma Kidd’s foundation in her high-end line, the foundation has a very yellowish tone, but blends beautifully into the skin and doesn’t look yellow at all once you have applied it. Only three shades are available. I used 02-Mid. I had thought I would have to go lighter for cold weather, but the foundation readily adapts to enhance your won skin tone. Compared to Jemma’s Light-as-Air Liquid Foundation from her original line, I like the new version better, as it is much more moisturizing.

Jemma Kidd’s blush products in her original line were my favorite items.  I still use them! IMO, her new blushes  are just as good as the old ones! My current faves are Chic Cheeks Powder Blush in 01-London,($21), a light mauvey pink and Stain/Flush/Blush Concentrate in 03-Flirt ($17), a sheer cream blush in a light peachy pink. Both give very sheer and natural color to your face.

JK Jemma Kidd’s products at Target hold their own against her  upscale department store Jemma Kidd Beauty School products. There is not much of a price difference between her two ranges of products, as her original line was very fairly priced for the stores that were carrying them. Having them available at Target certainly will widen her audience!  I heartily recommend giving them a try!

Happy Shopping!
-Judith

Denise’s Skin Care Quest continues . . .

New skin care line ALERT! www.skinscriptrx.com

Many of you will know that I am always on the hunt for the latest and greatest in skin care products. It seems that my quest for the perfect skin care regimen is never ending. Well, I’m happy to report that I’ve discovered a new line of products that have left my skin happy, glowing and renewed. And one of the best things about it is that the line’s creator, Lisa VanBockern, lives right here in Tempe, Arizona – so I can feel good about supporting a budding local woman-owned business too!

Skin Script is a line of professional grade products, which means that they can only be sold under the supervision of a skin care professional (i.e. a licensed aesthetician or a physician). These products have been designed using cutting edge chemistry and skin care research. But rest assured, Skin Script products are NOT tested on animals – which is an absolute must in my world. They are an amazing blend of natural botanicals, antioxidants, and effective active ingredients. As such, they are extremely effective and definitely results-oriented.

The Skin Script line has been developed to be “chirally correct”, which is something that I knew nothing about before I came across this line. Chirally correct basically means that the molecules in the active ingredients have been formulated so that they work with the molecules in your skin, not against them. They are designed so that they can be used by and integrated into skin cells, so that you reap the maximum benefits. For a much more cohesive description of this, check out the Skin Script website. I’ve learned a lot about the chemistry of the dermis (skin) from researching the Skin Script line, and I’m happy to pass along my findings to you!

I went to a local med spa and asked an aesthetician to design a skin care regimen for my normal to combination skin. Skin Script has products specifically designed for every skin type. I came home with the following products, and I’ve been using them for about three months now.

Cranberry Antioxidant Cleansing Gel ($27.00)

This is a great gentle, foaming cleanser for both morning and evening use. It’s packed with cranberry and green tea antioxidants which leave my skin radiant and clean, but not over-stripped at all. I never experience any tightness or drying with this cleanser, which is rare when it comes to foaming-type cleansers. Check out the Skin Script website for descriptions of all of the active ingredients in these products, such as Yucca Schidigera Leaf/Root/Stem Extract (to improve cell growth) and Litchi Chinesis Pericarp (Litchee) Extract (to aid in cellular regeneration and protection). I don’t know what half of these things are, but I can tell you that they are very effective — in a gentle, non-chemical way. This cleanser also smells great and lasts forever, since a dime-sized dollop is all you need for a nice, foamy face wash.

Pomegranate Antioxidant Creamy Cleanser ($24.50)

When the weather is cooler, I prefer to use a creamy cleanser to keep my skin from becoming too dry and dehydrated. The Skin Script Pomegranate Cleanser is the perfect soothing and nourishing cleanser. It leaves my skin soft and smooth, and never feels like it leaves behind any residue, which I have found with other creamy cleansers. This product is also packed with effective ingredients, my favorites of which are the grape seed and pomegranate extracts. I feel like my skin just had a refreshing botanical bath every time.

Retinol 2% Exfoliating Scrub ($43.00)

In the mornings, I use the Retinol Exfoliating Scrub in the shower; just to make sure that all of the little jojoba beads (used for gentle scrubbing) get completely rinsed away afterwards. This is a powerful cellular turnover scrub containing retinol (vitamin A) and kojic, which is a gentle skin lightener to reduce the signs of sun damage or even reduce the appearance of scars. I have never experienced any irritation from this mild scrub, and I use it just about every day. My skin always feels soft and glowing afterwards.

Cranberry Antioxidant Toner ($24.00)

Anybody who has read my reviews in the past knows that I am a devoted fan of toners. I just love the idea of a “clean sweep” if you will, after cleansing and before applying moisturizers and sunscreen. The Skin Script Cranberry Antioxidant Toner is a gentle yet effective step in my skin care regimen. At first I was a little freaked out by the color, which has sort of a yellow-orangeish hue to it, but now I’m used to it, and I realize that the color comes from the recipe of botanical ingredients that make up this soothing concoction. The Cranberry Antioxidant Toner would be great for all skin types.

Vitamin C/Green Tea Serum ($36.00)

I was going to save this one for last, since it’s my favorite product in the line, but I just couldn’t wait. This serum is amazing, and I say that because of the way my skin feels “the morning after”. I apply the vitamin C/green tea serum at night, under the Skin Script night moisturizer, so that my skin can drink it in overnight. When I wake up, my skin is so soft and supple; sometimes I just can’t believe it. As with all of the Skin Script products, this serum is chock-full of powerful antioxidants and other natural ingredients to encourage skin cell regeneration and repair. It contains Acetyl Octapeptide-3 to smooth and reduce the appearance of wrinkles in the “expression zones” of the face. Talk about a great alternative to injection therapy! I’ve noticed a brighter, firmer, and clearer complexion for sure. This stuff is a lifesaver.

Peptide Eye Serum ($30.00)

I don’t use eye creams or serums regularly, although I probably should. Skin Script’s Peptide Eye Serum is designed to reduce the appearance of dark circles and under-eye puffiness with a mixture of peptides and green tea antioxidants. I have noticed that the skin under my eyes is firmer and less puffy. As for my dark circles, well – I think they’re a lost cause. That’s why I love my concealer!

Ageless Skin Moisturizer ($15.00)

This is an awesome light, non-greasy moisturizer for all skin types. It contains aloe and Co-Q10 to stimulate collagen growth and tighten the elastin in skin. I find that I use quite a big of this moisturizer, which is fine by me. It leaves my skin soft and soothed any time of the day.

Night Moisturizer ($23.00)

I have talked often in the past about the feeling of “feeding my skin”, and that is exactly how I feel about using Skin Script’s night moisturizer. I pretty much slather my face in this great smelling cream before I hit the hay, and wake up with soft, nourished skin every day. It has a shea butter base, which is well known to be a rich and yet non pore-clogging hydrator for skin, as well as other amazing botanicals such as honey extract for its antibacterial and healing properties, and rose hip fruit oil to strengthen capillaries. Skin Script recommends this moisturizer for dryer, non-oily skin types.

Sunscreen Day Moisturizer ($34.00)

Skin Script also developed a moisturizer with SPF 36, which is a must for daytime use. The Skin Script replenishing sunblock contains micronized zinc and botanicals, and is perfect for daily use – even around the eyes! I call it the “pink cream” because of its distinctive pink coloring and rich consistency. A little bit of this moisturizer goes a long way, so this jar will last me forever. It goes on smooth and absorbs quickly into my skin, so it wears fine under makeup. And I can rest assured that I’m protecting my skin from the sun’s dangerous rays.

There is a list of authorized distributors on the Skin Script website who can help you to design a customized skin care regimen and get you the products that you need. And if you have other questions, you can always contact Lisa VanBockern or her staff at Skin Script directly. I have found them to be very helpful and hands-on. Lisa is a licensed aesthetician herself, and takes great pleasure in helping her clients to find the most beautiful version of themselves.

The Skin Script website has complete contact information, and tons of other interesting facts!