Tag: exfoliate

bluemercury M-61 powerglow peel

bluemercury M-61 powerglow peel on Belle Belle Beauty

I am a big fan of in-office peels with your aesthetician. But sometimes that isn’t always possible. And bluemercury has a solution is just as good. With a new store here in Tulsa and their 18th anniversary, I figured I’d bring back an old favorite to the routine. The M-61 powerglow peel is a fan-favorite product at the store. The 1-minute 1-step peel works well as part of a a regular routine or for special occasions for a radiant glow.

I do want to note that this isn’t for the weak at heart. I call the effect “spicy” but this definitely stings. I don’t mind since I can be sensitive and I know it is working. But those who have temperamental skin might want to test out before buying a big box of peels.

The wipe is super easy to travel with. Packed with glycolic and salicylic acids, the peel exfoliates, resurfaces and clarifies skin. But the best effect is the radiant glow. The chamomile and lavender calm skin and I credit them with leaving only very slight redness on my skin.

Available at bluemercury.

Five Favorite Scrubs for Spring

Five Favorite Scrubs for Spring // Belle Belle Beauty

I can rattle all sorts of reasons for scrubbing it up this time of year: self-tanning, time of renewal, glow-y skin, silky legs, and on and on. Yesterday was the first day of spring after all. Down with strep throat this week, I’ve being playing spa at home while I recover. All in the name of research, right? Before you run out and stock up your shower for a new exfoliator or body polish, I wanted to share my five favorite scrubs I am reaching for right now.

Elemis Spa Home Tranquil Body Polish takes me back to an amazing spa (now long gone – RIP) I used to visit that featured Elemis products. The line is elegant and exotic all at the same time. This polish has fine granuals made of natural rice that actually have a pretty active exfoliating effect. There is no greasy residue but the formula does contain Cupuacu butter to smooth and condition. Essential oils of patchouli, mandarin and ginger add to the spa-like effect – absolutely love this fragrance. This scrub is great for prepping legs for a self-tan. Available at here.

AHAVA Smoothing Body Exfoliator also has a to die for fragrance but the formula is slightly different with a gommage texture. I actually like how this prevents the scrub from sliding around while you work it into the skin. The Dead Sea plant extracts and granules, actually quite large, but very gentle, clear skin and improve circulation. I particularly like this for those stubborn bumps on the back of my arms. Available at AHAVAUS.com and Nordstrom.com.

Avalon Organics Lavender Luminosity Exfoliating Enzyme Scrub is what I’m turning to for my mug these days. This enzyme scrub is super gentle but still sloughs away flakey and dull skin. Both fruit enzymes and walnut shells work as exfoliants while botanical extracts calms skin. The formula is made with at least 70% organic ingredients. Available at natural food stores, Whole Foods Market and www.avalonorganics.com.

Alba Botanica Natural Hawaiian Exfoliating Body Wash will send you straight to the South Pacific. We are having a little seasonal cool down this week, so I am counting on this body wash to keep me in the spring mood. As an exfoliating body wash, this is slightly more gentle while still using Pacific seas salts to detoxify and exfoliate. The citrus scent is great for a little boost in the AM. My skin is super soft post-sudsing up thanks to Jojoba, Macadamia, Avocado and Sweet Almond Oils. Available at natural food stores, Whole Foods Market and www.albabotanica.com.

bliss fatgirlscrub provides a little slim down – who wouldn’t want that? While the Himalayan pink salt exfoliates, the peppermint-scented formula tightens skin. The action promotes circulation, reducing fluids that cause lumps and bumps under the skin. And the removal of dead skin preps skin for any other slimming products that you use post-shower. Available here.

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE WAS PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

St. Ives Skin Apricot Scrubs Collection

So, I was that girl who had never tried the iconic St. Ives Apricot Scrub. How could I miss out on such a drugstore favorite? I knew this problem required a quick remedy and just in time for an exciting new launch. The scrub is getting a makeover with 100% sulfate-free formulas.

Summer brings more activity, grime and sunscreen build up… at least for me. So I am thrilled to have these in my rotation. These are formulated with natural exfoliants that can even skin. After using all four new formulas over the past couple weeks, I do think my skin is more radiant.

The sulfate-free Scrub collection now includes:

  • St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub
  • St. Ives Timeless Skin Apricot Scrub with gentle alpha-hydroxy acids
  • St. Ives Blemish Control Green Tea Scrub with 2% salicylic acid
  • St. Ives Sensitive Skin Apricot Scrub

Each variety has a slightly different feel. They all share a fresh, fruity fragrance I am swooning over. The “Fresh” version is probably closest to the original. The granules in Fresh are quite large – beware of scrubbing too hard and irritating the skin. I love the Blemish and Sensitive version. They are smoother and a little more creamy. I’m not sure you can go wrong, especially at drugstore prices. Another St. Ives favorite for me is their exfoliating pads with AHAs that can be found for under $3!!

Suggested retail price is $3.99 – $5.69. St. Ives Scrubs are available at select mass retailers, drugstores and supermarkets nationwide.

Laura Mercier Face Polish

I am generally hesitant to use anything with beads to exfoliate my face, but Laura Mercier has come up with a VERY gentle cleanser/exfoliator that leaves smooth, even skin.  This is one of mom’s favorites and she always finds the gems. Face Polish is a creamy scrub that you can also use as a cleanser (I use mine a couple times a week).  It also removes dead skin cells with microbeads while emollients soften skin.  The smell is very clean and pleasant, and the cleanser is also enough for me to remove my makeup.  I don’t feel dry or agitated afterwards.  This is an especially nice treat when I get off a long airplane trip.  Who knew Laura Mercier was more than just a pretty face, but also had kick-butt skin care too?

Kate Somerville® ‘ExfoliKate®’ Intensive Exfoliating Treatment

I am still on a high from my Kate Somerville® facial I had this weekend at Neiman Marcus.  All the wonderful products meritted another product mention.  This exfoliating treatment has achieved much acclaim, but I was afraid to try a formula that has beads.  I introduced myself to the treatment with the gentle formula, which I loved.  And was left with no fears trying the stronger version after I understood Kate Somerville wasn’t about to assault me with harsh granules.  The fruit enzymes clarify skin by removing dead cells and eliminating bacteria (and smells fabulous). The treatment is helpful with blackheads, acne and dull skin. I can definitely see what the fuss is about.  I will treasure my samples and then promptly go buy a tube. ($85)