Tag: Fresh

Wednesday On The Web

The annual Nordstrom Anniversary Sale launches tomorrow for Reward Members (opens up to the public on 7/17). Nordstrom Cardholders will get double points 7/9-7/16 – you better bet I’ll be shopping. Some of my favorites from the site lately (yes, I’ve been creating my wish list):

And some other finds from the web:

I’ve learned just one of these breathing techniques. But because I have a tendency to get a little stressed, I can’t wait to try the others.

The classiest, most elegant wedding.

Surprised I don’t have Scandinavian blood because I totally get “all things koselig, the Norwegian word for ‘cozy.'” Loved this essay about living in the Arctic Circle and seasonal affect disorder. I do believe enjoying the season is a mindset. Maybe I should embrace that idea while I bemoan this sweltering summer heat.

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Wednesday On The Web

oops – in my effort to get organized, this published early. Hello, Tuesday! This week might be a little light on the posting as I am headed to the big apple for a friend’s wedding in a couple days. But for the meantime, enjoy a little blog update:

You might have noticed a couple changes over here at Belle Belle. They are subtle but reflect a direction I’d like to take with the blog. One thing that might stand out is the removal of ads. They started to make me feel like this place was a cluttered corner of the internet. And I decided that (for me) they were an ineffective way to generate revenue to help support the site. I still continue to use affiliate links (where I get a small commission if you purchase an item after clicking on product link on my site) to pay for things like hosting, design and domain fees. But that also might go by the wayside. I haven’t quite decided yet.

With this fresh beginning, I hope to create better content to keep my loyal readers on this (cleaned-up) corner. I am always open to feedback – or questions about blogging in general. In honor of a fresh start, I am working on a fresh faced look above. Keep an eye out for a tutorial in the next couple of days. And some finds from around the web this week:

My dream trip.

As an individual, I don’t identify with either Gen X or Millennial. This article perfectly explains the magical micro-generation born late 70s and very early 80s. If you’d like an entertainment reference to the “Catalano” generation, check this out.

Love all of Louise Roe’s beauty picks!

Jokes for nerds – needless to say, they all made me chuckle.

I am more of a dog person, but these stories of cats saving their owners’ lives is pretty awesome.

I love charts and history… no surprise I am obsessed with this.

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Skin Care Update

It has been a while since I shared my routine, so I thought I would fill you guys in with the products I use nightly. But first a side note: I’ve started washing my hair and showering at night and it has transformed my routine. No overheating while I rush to blow dry my hair in the morning. My skin soaks in all those lovely body oils and I wake up with hydrated skin. And the warm showers lull me to sleepiness in a hot minute (just as I’d imagine sleeping in this dream bedroom above at Tulum’s Coqui Coqui Spa & Residence Resort.

As a result, in the AM I just splash with Thayer Which Hazel and apply SkinCeuticals Metacell Renewal B3 which works against photo-aging. I finish with a current beauty-blogger hit, Murad’s Invisiblur Perfecting Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 30 – so great for sun protection and as a makeup primer.

In the evening, I remove makeup with Bioderma Créaline H2O Micelle Solution. In the shower I wash with Neutrogena Healthy Skin Boosters Facial Cleanser which foams but it still gentle and non-drying. I love my new luxury brush heads from Clarisonic on my Mia – they are suited for daily washing because they are hydrating and slightly less active in their sonic action. After the shower, I apply one of my permanent skin care steps: SK-II Facial Treatment Essence – I splash onto my face and use what’s left to apply to my chest and the back of my hands.

I finish with two new obsessions the Fresh. The Black Tea collection has been rocking my world – the texture is super luxe but the price tag isn’t quite as painful as other super-luxury lines. The Fresh Black Tea Age-Delay Eye Concentrate contains noni juice that firms and illuminates my under eye area. The Black Tea Age Delay Cream soaks into my skin immediately and helps with next-day radiance. My dry, sensitive-prone skin loves this collection.

I know this is a brief summary of loads of products. I plan on doing in depth review of most (if not all) of these in the near future!

AM Products:

PM Products:

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

Self Care Step One: Evening Skin Care Routine

Seems like skin care just moves more to the forefront every day. Not just for beauty buffs and bloggers, but for my gal pals and family too. I love that great skin is now valued as much as a great foundation! So I thought I would start out this little weekend series (aka Happy Valentine’s Day to Me) with my evening skin care routine. I don’t dive into formulas too much here – just discussing why I love the products.

1. Drunk Elephant Pekee Bar – I just started reviewing this line, but I am already obsessed with their bar soaps. Don’t let the bar form scare you – this formula is still toxin and soap-free. My skin is left balanced, moisturized, calmed and clean.

2. Foreo Luna – I use the Drunk Elephant to create a foam and then use this strange looking device to amp up the cleansing action. I use the Ultra Sensitive version and am still really pleased with the improvement in my cleansing action. While I will never relinquish my Clarisonic, I prefer this in the evenings. The low-frequency pulsation smooths skin, the device is waterproof and you never have to buy replacement brushes – bonus!

3. Fresh Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask – I don’t use this every night, but it is part of my routine a couple times a week. The black tea works against free radicals (which causes wrinkles – yuckie). The whipped texture is just too fun to use. And my revealed skin is clearer and softer. Plus, you guys… this stuff smells so darn good – like a warm, beach-front spa.

4. blisslabs active 99.0 anti-aging series multi-action eye cream – I know I have mentioned this eye cream before but it is just so darn good. I am also obsessed with a Kate Somerville version, but more on that later this weekend. I slather this on when my under-eye is looking rather crape-y and tired. And I’ll be darned – I look perked up instantly.

5. Tammy Fender Intensive Repair Balm – This last one is also a repeat, but I literally missed this moisturizer while I was out of town. The gel-like texture dives deep to nourish skin and I wake up with the glow that I usually only find in the summer months.

Shop The Post:

Foreo and Fresh 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. Other products may have been provided by the company. As always, all opinions are my own. See Disclosure Page for more information regarding our use of editorial samples.

Favorite New Cleansers From Tata Harper and Fresh

Are many of you (like me) trying to be more aware of ingredients in your skin care and makeup? A favorite friend of mine is really making strides making over her routine, and I am inspired to do the same. My brand of choice when it comes to natural ingredients in Tata Harper. Sure, it is a splurge. But I always know what I am getting is the best of the best.

Her new facial cleanser landed on my desk and I am totally appreciating the oil formula in the dry winter weather. Tata Harper Nourishing Oil Cleanser removes makeup and dissolves impurities while keeping the skin’s moisture barrier intact.

After washing, my face is ultra-soft and a little more radiant but not the least bit greasy. The formula contains Sacha Inchi Oil which happens to be the most concentrated source of Omega-3 in the world. While I need one of my beloved foaming cleansers (see below) when I am wearing a full face of makeup, the Tata Harper Nourishing Oil Cleanser is my pick for weekends and mornings. I apply to dry skin and rinse with lukewarm water. Or soak a cotton pad with the oil and apply to the face.

Fresh is one of those brands that I have limited exposure to. I adore the Fresh Seaberry Restorative Body Cream and the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatments but I haven’t tried much else. Might as well start with one of their fabulous cleansers, right?

Fresh Soy Face Cleanser is a gel formula and while not wildly foaming, it does get a little sudsy. This one also removes impurities while leaving most of the moisture intact. The real selling point is how well it plays with my sensitive skin.

So many of Fresh products are centered around soy. A new fun fact for me was that this ingredient promotes moisture retention, elasticity, and firmness. Rosewater balances and tones skin. And the scent can’t be beat with notes of cucumber – my shower becomes a spa.

Between these two stars, I’d say my cleansing game is really stepping up. I use the Fresh with my Clarisonic, but the Tata Harper really inspires me to get after massaging with my fingers – so great for circulation.

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.

Fresh Sugar Tulip Tinted Lip Treatment Sunscreen SPF 15

While I have always loved Fresh and have purchased a few of their lip treatments, I have never managed to accumulate the whole collection. Or even try out every single shade they offer (they are kind of hard to find here in Oklahoma). But I have adored the lemon bar scent and rich balm. And the color is always the perfect tint.

Recently, a new fresh (pun intended) tube landed on my desk in their latest shade. Don’t expect a diminutive color with Fresh Sugar Tulip unlike some of their other versions. Tulip is a strong and bold buildable pink – but the perfect pink (dare I say). It is shocking and sophisticated all at the same time. Despite the time of year, I can’t help but to keep swiping on this cheerful color.

Plus it makes my dry lips feel so so good! Smelling just like a dessert, I get a sugary and lemon scent. The balm is powered by sugar which happens to be a great humectant, sealing in moisture. Meadowfoam, black currant seed and grapeseed also work to nourish and protect. Major bonus points for SPF 15 to shield our most delicate skin from harmful rays.