Tag: dry skin

NARS Pro-Prime Instant Line & Pore Perfector

Okay, winter. We get it. You aren’t going anywhere soon. But instead of a beautiful white wonderland these days, you insist on being cold and dry, dry, dry. We all know the joys of dehydrated skin. And one of the most charming side effects? Dry skin loves to show off fine lines and wrinkles even more than usual!

I’ve noticed my concealer and foundation settling in the fine lines under and around my eyes. When my skin is moisturized, plumper skin usually prevents this from happening. But thanks to my poor water drinking habits and frigid air, I can’t seem to prevent those pesky lines from showing up. At least that was the case until NARS Pro-Prime Instant Line & Pore Perfector landed on my desk.

This stick is packed with a lightweight primer that smooths and preps skin. Skin is plumped thanks to hyaluronic acid so concealer and foundation go on smooth. Spherical Line Smoothing Powder adds a matte finish and brightens dark areas within wrinkles and under eyes. Thankfully, I don’t suffer from large pores, but this primer promises to diminish their appearance as well.

I swipe under my eyes and between my eyebrows and then lightly press into my skin with my fingers. Don’t worry about a greasy, slippery feel. Skin feels hydrated and smooth with a natural finish. And vitamins A, C and E will improve the look of skin and provide antioxidant protection.

Available at NARSCosmetics.com and Sephora.

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Winter Skin Care For The Body on FOX23’s Great Day Green Country

Yesterday’s post was all about caring for skin in this dry winter weather. Today, I am moving onto the equally important body care. This morning, I’ll be on FOX23’s Great Day Green Country discussing my favorite products to protect, hydrate and nourish. But for those of you out of the area or wanting more details, here’s a sneak peek. I will also be sure to post a link to my segment later today!

Cures For Dry Winter Skin

I’m back on Great Day Green Country this morning to share my tips, tricks and products to cure the inevitable dry skin we find this time of year. I turned on my heater for the first time last night, so I know keeping up with dry skin just got far more important.

Read more “Cures For Dry Winter Skin”

Rich Moisturizers For Dry Skin

I’m drawn towards luxurious rich creams no matter the season. My parched skin drinks up heavy doses of moisture. If I have been diligent (or indulgent) in hydration, I can really see an increased radiance in my skin. While I use these richer moisturizers year round, I know some of you might be rotating in a winter-friendly heavier cream. If you are in the market, here are my six favorite rich moisturizers for dry skin:

Kate Somerville Age Arrest Anti-Wrinkle Cream

Not only does this cream cure dry skin, but it also works against aging with a revolutionary technology. Based on scientific research into telomeres, it is proven to effectively reduce the appearance of wrinkles, increase skin firmness and elasticity and improve the appearance of skin discoloration. It also plays well with sensitive skin. Use morning and night.

Hada Labo Tokyo Skin Plumping Gel Cream

This Japanese brand, wildly popular in Asia, is now available at Ulta and drugstores here in the US. With a compelling price point, this formula focuses on a super-charged Hyaluronic Acid. While it has a gel-like texture, don’t underestimate its hydration power. It contains the highest concentration of Hyaluronic Acid out of the entire product line. Skin is left plumped and soft, but not greasy. Fragrance free and non-irritating. Use morning and night.

Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair Moisturizer

Another rich moisturizer with anti-aging benefits, Juice Beauty’s version uses fruit stem cells to infuse the formula with vitamin C and resveratrol. This blend repairs damage to the skin on a DNA level. Plant oils provide hydration. Juice Beauty products are free of loads of nasty ingredients like parabens, petroluem, sulphates, GMO, silicones, pesticides and artificial dyes. Use morning and night.

L’Oreal Youth Code Texture Perfector Day & Night Cream

Youth Code targets women with younger skin but I was happy to discover this formula packs a moisture punch. Crafted to improve pores, texture and fine lines, this cream has a silky texture. It absorbs quickly with a velvet finish. Plus, you can’t beat the drugstore price point.

myHERO™ Ultra Rich Anti-Aging Growth Factor Cream

myHERO is particularly formulated for dry, mature and sensitive skin. It also targets redness along with other signs of aging. Ingredients stimulate collagen production while comforting irritated skin. Over time, this can help boost skin’s immunity. Use in the evening.

Kiehl’s Since 1851 Super Multi-Corrective Cream

The long-standing skin care powerhouse, Kiehl’s, designed their newest cream to reduce signs of aging with beech tree extract and jasmonic and hyaluronic acids. The formula is also friendly towards sensitive skin. The rich cream has an element of gel texture, allowing for quick absorption. Paraben and fragrance-free. Use in the morning and evening.

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mybody available at lovemybody.com.

Shiseido’s NEW IBUKI collection

After a short blog break, excited to bring you some great news about a skin care line designed for women ages 25 to 34 that is just blowing me away with delight. But first, a little on what I have been up to. First, I am working on my column for Oklahoma Magazine. October should be out soon so can’t wait to share that with you next week. I’ve lined up my first “Belle’s Blog School” with some old friends for next month. Excited to try out a new services I will be offering for those who want a one-on-one crash course on how to get up and running on WordPress, Tumbler and social media. Lastly, I’ve been so run down, fighting off a cold for a week. Why is it I always bring back some illness from NYC? Headed out this afternoon to load up on Kleenex and green juice. But now… back to Shiseido’s newest!

Even though I am on the older end of the target age range for this line, I have found its rich, gentle luxury perfect for my skin. I know so many of you readers, fellow bloggers and friends suffer from the blotchy, dry skin thanks to loads of office time and a little play time as well. Cocktails and unhealthy food binges, anyone?

The new IBUKI collection is designed to address uneven skin tone, blemishes, visible pores, and dryness. It uses Shape Memorizing Cell Technology to align and optimize cells. I’ve been using the Purifying Cleanser (which reminds me of my beloved Clé de Peau Beauté Gentle Cleansing Foam – no surprise as they share a parent company). I love how it gently scrubs with very find granules while still foaming. My skin is left clean but not stripped of moisture. The Refining Moisturizer is for those looking for a lotion rather than a thick cream. While it is lightweight, I get all day hydration but I never feel greasy. This thinner moisturizer works great under makeup. Meanwhile, it is correcting pores, breakouts and unevenness. Lastly, I have been test driving Eye Correcting Cream. I’m getting a definite boost in brightness, especially fighting this cold and a couple late nights. The formula is rich but gentle and not too thick.

Other items available from the collection are:

Gentle Cleanser
Softening Concentrate for long-lasting moisture
more intensive Refining Moisturizer Enriched
Protective Moisturizer SPF18 and
Starter Kit ($25) designed to last two weeks – offering a great price point and a perfect way to test out and recharge your regimen

Available at Shiseido.com, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Bergdorf Goodman and Macy’s.

Belle Belle Visits Mario Badescu Salon

A highlight of my recent New York City adventure was stopping by the Mario Badescu Salon to get treated to a facial and learn more about this brand that I love. Heading into a oasis of calm after hoofing it around hectic New York City was in itself relaxing. While I was fairly confident about my skin type, I was relieved when Maria confirmed that I had very dry skin, slightly sensitive and definitely suffering from sun damage. Relived that I was correct but discouraged I had an uphill battle ahead of me. She was direct but also comforting in saying there was lots I could do to reverse the damage and soothe my dry, irritated skin.

Using lots of products with Aloe, my skin was cleaned. Extractions are usually a breeze for me – clogged pores aren’t my biggest issue. But she was gentle while still achieving a great deep clean. Next up was my beloved Flower and Tonic Mask which can clean pores without drying and while calming sensitivity. Next up was a salon-only peel-off Vitamin C mask. You know me… I can resist a good peel off and this was to help with sun damage and pigmentation. She finished with Facial Spray With Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater. To moisturize and protect, she used Aloe Moisturizer with SPF 15. I feel a little bit better with the higher protection of their Oil Free Moisturizer with SPF 30, but am happy to know of an alternative if I am feeling more sensitive than usual.

My skin looked so great, I braved a dinner with my favorite beauty bloggers that evening completely sans makeup. There is something to be said for just letting your skin breathe after a facial. For those of you in NYC, I highly highly suggest a visit to the salon (320 E. 52nd Street between 1st Ave & 2nd Ave). Starting at $65, facials can be a great way to whip your skin into shape and they are so affordable. The classic and no nonsense approach to skin care and in-person treatment left me with dewy, even skin. Even if you happen to find yourself in the neighborhood, you can drop in for a free consultation at the front desk. They will hook you up with samples of your suggested routine so you can try before you buy.

And those like me who aren’t in the big city, just check out this page on their website. You can chat live with a skin care specialist or fill out a form for your very own digital consultation. They will hook you up with those same samples to check out before you buy. How cool is that???