Tag: face oil

NUDE Skincare Progenius Omega Treatment Rescue Oil

One of my most favorite fellow beauty bloggers, A Little Bit Etc…, has been raving about NUDE Skincare forever. So I don’t know why it has taken me so long to jump on the bandwagon. But I have now, and I don’t see getting off any time soon. I can’t wait to try out the rest of the range. But for now, I will tell you about my first product from NUDE and a reason to love them on its own.

Summer doesn’t really sound like time to try out a face oil. But my dry skin loved this ultra-sheer version. My skin felt revived but not greasy. Plus, the antioxidants help out while we are subjected to summer’s rays. The antioxidants are thanks to omegas 3 and 6 and vitamin C – all great for environmental protection.

Also included in the formula is bakuchiol which works to repair and refine texture. Coleus root and rosemary helps unclog pores – something I am grateful thanks to a few blackheads that I blame on aggressive SPF application (a necessary evil).

I use about a third of a dropper and apply using the tips of my fingers. I am able to detect a very slight botanical and almost spa-like scent. After it is on my skin, I can’t smell the fragrance (which is all natural by the way). The oil soaks immediately into my skin and soothes any redness – I love applying after my evening walk.

I also appreciate that the rescue oil contains no petrolatum, synthetic color, synthetic fragrance, mineral oil, and silicones. ProGenius Omega Treatment Rescue Oil is all-natural, vegan, and cruelty-free. Made in the USA.

Available at Sephora.

pr samples and affiliate links may be included in the above post

New From L’OCCITANE

I’m kind of in a nervous state due to this drought in California. Not only is it a state I call (one of my many) homes, but I have an Alma Mater and many friends and family that actually live there. I’ll be doing a rain dance but in the meantime, I am also worried about my beloved almonds. California is the source of many – maybe most – of the almonds Americans nosh on every day.

Without surprise, my almond obsession spills over to my beauty obsession. And it was many years ago I first fell for L’OCCITANE Almond Hand Soap (which I sadly cannot find anymore). So when I got a chance to try out the new Almond Velvet Youthful Body Serum and Balm, I was elated.

The serum is truly unique – the concentrated formula contains nourishing almond with vitamin C to heal and energize skin. It hydrates but doesn’t feel heavy or greasy. Skin is left velvety smooth. I can’t think of a better moisturizer for summer. The balm is a heavier cream that soothes skin – but it still sinks into skin quickly leaving a powdery finish. I prefer using this at night and might just be the ticket after a day at the pool.

Also new from L’OCCITANE is the Divine Immortelle 28 Day Renewal Program. I was new to the Divine collection and quickly fell for the Divine Youth Oil – gentle and plumping aka everything you could ask for in a face oil. The Renewal Program took a little more time to review and digest. Over four weeks, I used specifically designed seven capsule strips. The process is crafted for renewal and exfoliation. The capsules are generous in size and I was able to cover my face, neck and decolletage. At the end of the month, I found my skin clearer, refreshed, less red and calmed. It definitely made a difference in my no-makeup experiment. Well worth it to infuse skin with ingredients like Rosemary and Carrot. And bonus points for an (accidental) accountability system to make sure skin care is part of your daily routine.

All products available at usa.loccitane.com.

image here

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE MAY HAVE BEEN 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.

Roses… Are All That

Happy First Day of Spring! While I may have a little spring in my step and fresh tulips on my counter, I always turned my nose up at anything rose. While I maybe have warmed to a select few fragrances with rose notes, I never really fell for anything “rose” by name. Leave it to the beauty department at Neiman Marcus to change my tune.

First, AERIN Beauty Rose de Grasse Parfum – something I certainly didn’t expect to fall for. I never am drawn to ultra-feminine and floral scents. But all that has changed because, first, the roses themselves are special – Rose Centifolia are hand-picked in Grasse, France. Second, the rose is layered with one of my most favorite notes, a warm amber. Lastly, there is a aqua clarity that lends to a cleaner and less cloying rose. Who knew I’d discover a rose-based fragrance as my spring scent?

Filed under “not surprising at all”: I love face oils. My skin loves face oils. But I have never been drawn to one with rose. Chantecaille Rose de Mai Face Oil changed my perspective. Packed with hydration like other face oils, this version is unusually lightweight but still nourishing. I love it under makeup for an added glow. My skin stays supple and dewy for the full day. And the best news is that long-term use will strengthen skin and boost metabolism to fight wrinkles.

Also something really fabulous is going on at Neiman Marcus this month and you don’t want to miss it:

Six remarkable women will become the Faces of Beauty featured in Neiman Marcus’s Fall 2015 Beauty Event campaign

Neiman Marcus is hosting a Facebook contest to find the Fall season’s Faces of Beauty. To enter, state why the nominee is beautiful from the inside out and how she is making some noise in her world, and upload a photo on the online form here.

THE PRIZE
· Round-trip airfare to Dallas, Texas
· Luxury hotel accommodations
· A celebratory dinner with Neiman Marcus Executives
· Hair styling, makeup application, and a private fitting with a Neiman Marcus stylist
· A photo and video shoot at one of the Neiman Marcus stores
· A luncheon at a Neiman Marcus restaurants
· $1,500 in cosmetics and fragrances to take home

Hurry! Nominations close on March 24, 2015 at 11:59 p.m. CST.

image here

Samples generously provided by Neiman Marcus as part of the Beauty Ambassador Program. I consult for Neiman Marcus which is affiliated with the Neiman Marcus Group, but as always, opinions are my own.

Winter Makeup Routine

I know it doesn’t come as a shock that I am always changing things up when it comes to my routine. But this particular combo of goodies has seemed to garner quite the motherload of compliments… if I do say so myself. So here is my step-by-step face makeup routine of late – think glowy and natural but still medium coverage (now if I could just get my hair to look like the above).

1. On top of my unsual moisturizer, add a dose (three drops or so) of Kate Somerville Dilo Oil Restorative Treatment and allow to soak in.

2. Using my new favorite FLOWER Ultimate Liquid Foundation Makeup Brush, I apply two small drops of my long-time favorite, Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation (I wear shade 4.5).

3. Touch up with another old favorite, Cle De Peau Beaute Concealer in Beige – mostly under eye and on the chin. I like to work in using my fingers mostly because I am lazy but I also love this brush.

4. Longevity is all about layers. So I end with a sweep of bareMinerals Mineral Veil – translucent but adds a glow. And bareMinerals READY Bronzer in High Dive to add some warmth to my summer pallor (just a light touch needed!).

Shop The Post:

I have a feeling that some of this routine will (happily) be supplanted when my new Glossier Phase 1 set arrives this week – I have heard rave reviews. I can’t wait to share my thoughts on this new line by my fellow beauty blogger.

image here

For The Guys: A Jack Black Routine

I’m hearing more and more from men with questions about how to care for their skin. With more options than ever, even the guys can find a routine that addresses concerns from anti-aging to acne. Jack Black might be one of the original premium men’s skin care brands. In fact, I’ve found I love tons of their products myself like this lip balm.

Despite the temptation to keep these goodies for myself, I reluctantly let my dad give Jack Black Epic Moisture MP 10 Nourishing Oil and DIY Power Peel a try – and wow, they were a hit!

First up, I have to note that my dad is an exfoliation junkie. We share a tendency for ingrown hairs and dry skin. So I knew he would love the super-powered DIY Power Peel. This is a professional level peel so guys, you have to skip shaving on days you use the pads. But don’t worry if you have sensitive skin. The gentle exfoliation helps with anti-aging and can lighten dark spots. Dad reported no irritation and a more radiant complexion both the day of use and over the couple of weeks he was testing.

Another surprising thing I’ve discovered since I enlisted dad to be a product tester: he loves anything moisturizing. Since I had fallen for face oils, I had a feeling he’d be open to trying one out especially designed for men: Jack Black Epic Moisture MP 10 Nourishing Oil. MP 10 stands for ten multipurpose benefits for skin and hair. Ideal for men, this oil is light and absorbs quickly, leaving a sheer, non-greasy moisture behind. The antioxidants and fatty acids improves skin over time. If you have a guy in your life that shies away from lotions and creams, this could be just the ticket!

Available at Neiman Marcus and now earn up to a $500 gift card with your select online purchase of $200 or more and code APRILGC. Shop The Post:

Samples generously provided by Neiman Marcus as part of the Beauty Ambassador Program, but as always, opinions are my own.

Fighting Dry Skin With Perricone MD Chia Serum

Is it an oil, serum or moisturizer? Frankly, after three weeks of testing… I am not quite sure it isn’t all three. Chia has been on my mind (I’m striving to incorporate refrigerator oatmeal into my routine). Chia Seeds, a key ingredient of refrigerator oatmeal, are a valuable source of Omega-3 fatty acids, crucial for radiant, protected skin. So it makes perfect sense that this might work directly applied on the face.

Because chia has five fat-soluble vitamins and nutrients, it nourishes and heals dry skin. But you don’t have any of that nasty greasiness. With the warmer months, I am all about the glow that hydrated healthy skin breathes. Skin is left vibrant but not shiny and this ranks upon the quickest facial oils when it comes to absorption. Not a facial oil fanatic? Try mixing it with your favorite moisturizer for a hydration boost. Or the real trick is to use a minimal amount over makeup for a dewy glow.

Available at PerriconeMD.com, Sephora and Nordstrom.