Tag: spot treatment

Mario Badescu The Icon, The Cult Favorite & The Hero’ Set at the Nordstrom Sale

Mario Badescu The Icon, The Cult Favorite & The Hero' Set at the Nordstrom Sale on Belle Belle Beauty

I know practically every blog is talking about the Nordstrom sale right now – so I will spare you a round up of favorites since so many of my fellow bloggers have curated stellar picks. Just one thing I’d like to share on the beauty front since this is the perfect time to stock up on classics.

There is something so pure and timeless about Mario Badescu. Their packaging is chic and simple at the same time. For the sale, the brand is offering the The Icon, The Cult Favorite & The Hero’ Set – a trio of absolute “must haves”. Included is:

  • Drying Lotion – the only spot treatment I use on my acne. The calamine, salicylic acid and drying formula zaps stubborn spots overnight. Dip a cotton swab into pink sediment at the bottom of the bottom (don’t shake the bottle). Apply directly on the affected spot.
  • Botanical Exfoliating Scrub – a botanical scrub ideally used a couple times a week for a deep clean. Skin is left radiant and clear.
  • Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs & Rosewater – a favorite summertime product, this mist is fragrant and hydrating. The slightly herbal fragrance awakens the skin without disturbing makeup. Also great for by the pool.

All the products are made in the USA. Shop Nordstrom sale here.

Brand Spotlight: YON-KA Skin Care

Brand Spotlight: YON-KA Skin Care // Belle Belle Beauty

Yon-Ka is one of those brands I had seen and respected from afar. But I have never really had a chance to dive into their world. After learning about the brand and trying out some of their products, I have become a tried and true fan. The focus on aromatherapy and beautiful packaging make these workhorses and joy to use. The heavy glass bottles are truly luxe and all the dispensers are flawless. But first, a little about the brand.

Laboratories Multaler was founded in 1954 by pioneers in aromatherapy, Cécile, Ernst and Charles Muhlethaler. They focused on botanicals and essential oils and were able to achieve a breakthrough with the discover of “Quintessence” a unique combination of 5 essential oils from the Mediterranean which became the cornerstone of their future skin care line.

Brand Spotlight: YON-KA Skin Care // Belle Belle Beauty

They continue their research, blending oils and plants to find other synergies and skin care breakthroughs. Around 1967, the brand took on its mysterious and symbolic name, YON-KA.

Brand Spotlight: YON-KA Skin Care // Belle Belle Beauty

Françoise Muhlethaler, a biochemist, and Catherine Muhlethaler, an aesthetician, daughters and nieces of the founders take over leadership of the company in 1968. Under their reign, YON-KA is grows commercially and enters the USA in 1987 and UK and Switzerland in 2000. The new factory is in a filtered air environment with the highest manufacturing standards. Teams of pharmacists, chemist engineers, biologists, bacteriologists, aestheticians work in the Paris campus. Today, YON-KA products can be found in 50 countries and 5000 resorts and spas. Below is l’eSPAce YON-KA, the flagship spa in the heart of Paris.

Brand Spotlight: YON-KA Skin Care // Belle Belle Beauty


So, now that we know a little bit about this established and classic skin care company, I’ll share with you a bit about the products I’ve been trying out.

Lotion YON-KA for normal to oily skin sounds like something I wouldn’t like given I am prone to dryness. But I admit, I am becoming quite the toner devotee and this alcohol-free version soothes and refreshes. I love having a second step of cleansing and it preps and evens the texture of my skin. The aromatherapy is a bonus: Geranium flower oil can reduce the appearance of pores while Rosemary oil helps reduce excess oil production for a balanced complexion.

Emulsion Pure has been a god-send these summer months. Have I mentioned I can get super irritated and even have violent allergies to some bug bites? This soother cools and comforts. You can use it both on the face and body for relief from acne, insect bites, waxing treatments and superficial burns. Lavender oil provides antiseptic benefits to reduce bacteria and help heal burns. Cypress oil evens out the skin tone to minimize the blotches. Rosemary oil increases blood circulation, moisturizes and treats sun-damaged skin. I’ve also found it super helpful against my recent psoriasis flare up.

Masque 105 has all the characteristics of a classic clay mask but it doesn’t leave my skin tight and dry. Not as thick as some other versions, the application is silkier and more hydrating. Specially designed for dry, sensitive, acne-prone skin, the mask works to detoxify and refine. I’m left with clear and glowing skin, and my tone is more even thanks to anti-inflammatory and calming Lavender oil. Geranium oil firms the skin.

Yon-ka is available at dermstore.com or find your local retailer here.

images from www.yonkausa.com

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.

Brand Spotlight: Mario Badescu & 5 Products Everyone Should Own

Mario-Badescu

I’ve been deep in the world of Mario Badescu for the last couple of weeks. Not a bad place to be at all. The products, established by  Romanian-born Mario Badescu in 1967 in New York, are based on Eastern European skincare with a focus on being simple, gentle and effective. The price point is compelling, bringing luxe results and reasonable prices. Today, the spa attracts stars and beauty gals in the know (I dream of one day visiting). While I have always had mad respect for the brand, I haven’t really had a chance to dive in and discover some of the crown jewels. Today, I am rounding up five of their products that I think every woman (and actually men too) should have in their bathrooms.

1. Glycolic Foaming Cleanser: My obsession with Glycolic Acid is no secret. There is nothing better to break down debris on the skin to reveal more even, radiant skin. This version is super soothing (the formula is amped up with herbal extracts). They recommend using a couple times weekly, but I just can’t stay away – shhhh. This works like a champ with my Clarisonic.

2. Almond and Honey Face Scrub: I may or may not have just gone into my shower and taken a huge whiff of this stuff. Do you like almond scents as much as me? You won’t be able to resist this yummy concoction  This non-abrasive scrub has finely ground Almonds and Cornmeal to gently remove dead skin cells. The honey acts to hydrate and soften skin. YUM.

3. Drying Lotion: Is there a more iconic Mario Badescu product? I think not. I’ve owned this in the past, but feeling high and mighty about having my acne under control, it has been out of the rotation. Well, a short day after getting my paws on a new bottle, I got the deepest, most annoying blemish on my neck. SO RANDOM. Anyway, I used this spot treatment loaded with salicylic acid and calamine and that bugger shrunk right up overnight. Don’t shake this stuff – just dip a cotton swab past the liquid into the pink lotion and dot on the blemish. Don’t rub in. (Note: this will also take the itch out of mosquito bites!)

4. Hyaluronic Eye Cream: I’m dry… dry… dry. And nothing looks less cute than a dry, haggard under eye. This calls for the revival skills of Hyaluronic Acid which looks in moisture without leaving a greasy or heavy feel. After a couple minutes of absorption, this eye cream works like a dream under makeup. I’ve been using it day and night and darkness and dryness are banished! You can also use this on the lips.

5. Oil-free Moisturizer SPF 30: I admit, I turned up my nose at first to an oil-free moisturizer. But in the interest of blogging, I tested it out and was so so impressed. The formula has a balance between being lightweight and hydrating (not an easy task for a sunscreen). Green Tea fights premature aging while Aloe Vera hydrates and softens skin. St. John’s Wort soothes and repairs. This is my new recommendation to those who need sun protection after starting a retinol treatment. Dry skin suffers, don’t shy away. This keeps my skin comfortable all day.

So, Mario Badescu fans, tell me in the comments… which of your favorites did I miss?

Shop my favorites here:

Mario Badescu products can also be found at Nordstrom.

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.

Le Métier de Beauté ‘Peau Vierge Anti-Aging Correcteur’ SPF 16 Concealer

Le Métier de Beauté has recieved major kudos for their Peau Vierge Anti-Aging Complex’ Tinted Treatment SPF 18 (review here), but did you know they made a Peau Vierge concealer as well? Not only does the creamy formula flawlessly cover my hyper-pigmentation, but it also works to treat it.

The formula uses the same breakthrough, proprietary delivery system as the tinted moisturizer. Syntoc Actif is unique in its ability to deliver active ingredients. Retinol in the formula encourages collagen production, diminishes the appearance of dark circles, and heals blemishes. I’ve definitely noticed an improvement in my larger areas of hyper-pigmentation since using this concealer.

The consistancy is creamy (so it works great under eyes). The finish isn’t dewy but natural looking. It blends beautifully, making it virutally undetectable. I like using it with the Le Métier de Beauté Concealer Brush or buffing it on with an Eyeshadow Blending Brush (like this one).

Broad-spectrum SPF 16 protects the skin from damaging UVA/UVB rays.

Renée Rouleau Night Time Spot Lotion

Seems like such an insult to get acne when you are in your twenties and thirties.   I never had problem skin when I was a teenager, so I thought I was home free… think again! I have had stubborn breakouts on my chin and forehead since I was in my early twenties.  Never more than one at a time, but very annoying nonetheless.  I would just let the pimple heal itself over 5-7 days (if I could resist picking), until…. i found this.  I already admired Renée Rouleau, a fellow Texan, a great deal and wasn’t hesitant to try one of her products.  With just two nights of using this, my blemish is well on the way to healing.  The formula contains camphor-drying agent, Sulfur-antiseptic/anti-bacterial and Zinc Oxide-antiseptic/anti-bacterial. Definitely worth a couple of nights with a white dot covering that nasty zit. ($27.50)