Tag: Dr. Dennis Gross

Self Tanning Towelette Winners

The best way I’ve found to tan streak-free and on the go this summer is using the self-tanner towelettes. Two brands have become my favorite and they are ever so slightly different. But I will definitely be keeping both of em close by over the summer. That and loads of SPF.

Kate Somerville Somerville360°Tanning Towelettes and Somerville360° Face Tanning are champions at a quick and even tan. They have a lighter, natural looking glow that appears in about 2-4 hours. You can go deeper in color with another application. But their subtlety makes them perfect for those on the fairer side. They are so simple to use. I wear latex gloves when handling the towelette to keep my hands from being overly tanned. Just swipe the back of hands right as you finish application. Give yourself 10 minutes to let the product soak in and then you are ready to go. The paraben-free formula contains:

  • Anti-bacterial Melaleuca Alternigolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil
  • Calming Cucumber Fruit Extract
  • Soothing Vitamin C and E antioxidants

The face tanning pads are just as easy to use. Place two fingers in the sleeve of the self tanning pad. Peel off the seal to expose product. Using circular motions, gently apply to clean, dry face and neck. The effect is also natural and just sun-kissed. The formula works with your skin’s own proteins to cater a perfect color. It also has anti-aging properties (peptides that can diminish fine lines). I’ve found that the color is on the lighter side, again ideal for the fairer complexions. You can deepen the color with a second application.

Exfoliation always improves self-tanning results. Try ExfoliKate for the body and face before using the Somerville 360.

Now, at Neiman Marcus you can receive Two 360 Tanning Towelettes and ExfoliKate, 0.5oz with any $150 Kate Somerville purchase.

I’m equally smitten with Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta® Glow Pads and Glow Pads For Body With Active Vitamin D. These pads deliver slightly more color than Somerville 360. I use the same application technique with latex gloves. Both the body and face pads contain Active Vitamin D, which helps in absorption of other anti-aging and anti-oxidant ingredients. The pads exfoliate with Alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids, tightening pores, eliminating blackheads, and fading existing sunspots. Microencapsulated DHA and soy proteins deliver color deep into the skin to prevent fading. And believe it or not, these pads contain Capislo™ which can reduce the need to shave by minimizing hair texture, length, and growth. The final result is a deeper and very even tan.

This product is gentle enough for all skin types, vegan, and cruelty-free. And slightly more affordable of the two options.

3floz.com

One of my all time favorite websites is 3floz.com. When I first discovered it years ago, it was a “why didn’t I think of that?” moment. Everything beauty related is made travel friendly. They have an amazing selection of products that are perfect to pick up for a trip or try out at home. But to get a real sense of the all-stars, I asked the heavy hitters for their favorites. Founders, Alexi and Kate, share their top picks and Stacy Small, traveler and agent extrodinaire shares her “must haves” for her many days on the road. I also threw in my favorite items for good measure. Enjoy and be sure to check out the pins of the items on my Makeup Makeup Makeup Pinterest Board.

Alexi:

  • Yes to Cucumber Towelettes – I have these in every bag and my medicine cabinet. They are perfect for taking make up off, especially the eyes – they don’t burn like most Towelettes. I use them as hand sanitizers, cool down after the gym, after a long ride in the car/plane/subway. Basically, you can use them for anything.
  • Archipelago Dubai Travel Tin –  You never know what your hotel room is going to smell like so I like to be prepared. Dubai is blended with Amber, Mandarin and Musk.
  • BlowPro Beach Blow Texturizing Mist – I love my hair after a day at the beach…. The texturing mist gives my hair a day at the beach look!
  • Philip B Lavender Body Wash – Hot man smell in a bottle
  • David Kirsch Wellness Vitamin Juice Packets (Raspberry flavor) – I am pretty forgetful about taking vitamins every day! With the DK vitamins I pour a pouch into my water bottle in the morning while at my desk and drink my vitamins.
  • Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peels – I use these daily on my skin. They peel off the dead skin and leave my face feeling fresh and wrinkle free, or so I tell myself!

Kate:

  • Jonathan Create Volume Thickening Foam – Better than mousse!!  Use on the ends and sparingly on your roots for noticeably fuller hair.
  • Serge Norman Metasilk Shampoo and Conditioner – Luxurious is the only word to describe this combo.  I was a afraid my hair was going to be weighed down by these ultra lush products but that was just not the case and now I am a convert.  Moisture rich shampoo and conditioner that still gives me volume-AMAZING!
  • Blow Faux Dry Shampoo – This product is life changing.  The reason the BFD is my fav is because it really soaks up the oils and works on all hair.  My hair is dark and so I apply it over the crown of my head, massage it in-you need to massage it in like you would shampoo-and use my blow dryer to get rid of the extra powder.  I can extend my blow out a least 2 days longer than I should with this product.
  • Dr. Dennis Gross Glow Pads – these wipes have saved my skin!  Since I met these wipes tanning has never crossed my mind.  They work with your own skins Vitamin D so the color is perfect and they exfoliate the skin leaving a healthy glow.
  • Supergoop City Serum SPF 30+ – First serum I have ever found that does not irritate my skin and doesn’t like that dry film.  I include a few drops in with my daily face moisturize and apply it directly to my neck and décolletage.

Stacy:

  • Air Repair Complexion Quenching Facial Mist – The aloe leaf juice, hyaluronic acid and sodium PCA makes this stuff a champion at fighting the drying effects of flying. It actually soothes irritated skin and leaves me radiant upon arrival.
  • Ole Henriksen See the Difference Serum with African Red Tea – As a frequent traveler, I am constantly on the look-out for products that will hydrate my skin without clogging my pores. The Ole Henricksen Red Tea serum is like a magic potion that does just this…especially on the plane and when traveling in colder climates than I am accustomed to.
  • David Kirsch Wellness B-12 Spray – The B12 Wellness spray is a fantastic way to get my needed energy boost when jet lag hits.
  • Murad Energizing Pomegranate Lip Protector – I love the Murad pomegranate lip protector year-round; have tried so many different lip balms and glosses and this one is soothing and shiny without being greasy.
  • Phytovolume Actif Volumizer Spray – My naturally straight hair loves the Phyto volumizer as it adds just enough volume without that awful product residue of many sprays and volumizers.
  • Murad Essential-C Eye Cream SPF 15 – Vitamin C can work against those stubborn dark eye circles and I love the SPF is already included.

Me:

  • Herban Essentials essential oil towelettes – I love their mixed bag of towelettes because I use different scents for different things. On an overnight flight, the lavender is a perfect way to remove germs while unwinding. The mint refreshes in the AM. And citrus is perfect after a rush through an airport or a workout.
  • Yes to Cucumber Towelettes – Like Alexi, I stash these everywhere. They are perfect if you are just too tired to do the whole routine in the evening. Just wipe your makeup off and fall into bed.
  • Blow Faux Dry Shampoo – Kate introduced me to this stuff. Thank goodness, because it is the best dry shampoo I have tried. I love how you squeeze the bottle to dispense. It leaves hair fresh and clean.
  • Jack Black Intense Lip Therapy SPF 25 with Natural Mint & Shea Butter – Actually designed for men, I can’t quit this lip balm. It is super conditioning and thick, but also with a hefty does of SPF. The mint is really refreshing.
  • Dr. Hauschka Birch Arnica Body Oil – You know how you can get kinda sore after being cooped up in an airplane? I love throwing this stuff in a bath upon arrival. It supports muscle flexibility and soothes sore joints and muscles.

The At-Home Peel

At one time, peels required a doctor’s visit, inspired fear and often disappointed on results. Not to mention the healing time required afterward. Today, peels have transformed into a satisfying step in skin care that you can do at home with next day results! I’ve heard so much banter on the twitter waves lately about these products, that I had to share my favorites.

  1. Glamglow isn’t a peel in the name, but accomplishes many of the same goals. And it is no longer an underground cult favorite – Glamglow was a Neiman Marcus Beauty Award Winner in2012! It is popular in Hollywood, but the mud base hails from Southern France, home to glamorous Cannes, St. Tropez and Monaco. Glamglow was a proprietary technology that allows ‘Super-Squalene’, a moisturizer, and ‘EGCG Super-Antioxidants’ direct into the mud from the pieces of tea leaves. This can be quite granular, so be gentle, but you will not believe your glow afterwards.
  2. Sulwhasoo Skin Clarifying Mask (also technically not a peel, but I had to include it since you peel it off) is a very gentle and very gratifying way to lift out impurities and dead skin cells to detoxify and clarify dull, devitalized, and problem skin. Korean medicinal herbs on in this honey like formula that you allow to dry on your face and then literally peel off. This is better for those who lean to the oilier side of skin.
  3. Dr. Dennis Gross Skinare Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel is a peel designed for daily use because it is so gentle. I love the simple two step proccess: simply wipe the face with a pad from Step 1, wait two minutes, then repeat with Step 2. This stuff can stand up to any problem: fights wrinkles, balances oil, tones skin, increases clarity and radiance, and calms redness.
  4. For those with sensitive skin try Natura Bisse NB Ceutical Tolerance Enzyme Peel reviewed here. Instead of glycolic or lactic acid, this Peel uses enzymes. It has a great texture that is rubbed in until it liquifies. My skin looked brighter and more even immediately after I used it. There was absolutely no tingling at all.
  5. La Prairie Cellular Resurfacing 3-Minute Peel is a little more active. I could feel tingling, but wasn’t left with any redness. They recommend using this once a week, which I would adhear to. La Prairie is serious about the inclusion of “professional level” exfoliants, including AHAs, BHA, Salicylic Acid and Mixed Fruit Acids. The skin is retexturized by the removal of surface debris. My skin was incredibly smooth and evened after using.
  6. Kate Somerville Micro Glycolic Polisher uses both glycolic AND lactic acid work together to promote surface cell turnover, gently and effectively. At the same time, she added anti-aging to leave us with a youthful glow. Can it get any better? Blue Lotus extract delivers anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant benefits to calm skin and fight against free-radical damage. This doesn’t cause my skin to tingle at all and I can see immediate results.And I’m already hooked on Felicia’s, Bergdorf’s Social Media Beauty Editor, trick: “Add one pump of Micro Glycolic Polisher to your regular night time moisturizer for a little overnight mild exfoliation. Wake up glowy.
  7. Kate Somerville also makes Clinic-To-Go™ Resurfacing Peel Pads which are genius for travelling. When I first started using them, I did get a little tingle. No more. I love having these around for the evening after a long airplane ride or the night before an early morning important meeting.

Do you use a peel?