Tag: hydration

TULA Urban Defense Hydrating Mist

I have always liked mists but mostly used them on a whim during the summer. Honestly, they never became part of my everyday routine. But TULA Urban Defense Hydrating Mist is worth keeping on the regular. It is perfectly designed for my needs for hydration, protection and to fight against redness.

I have heard about TULA products and accolades for their hydrating products but hadn’t had a chance to try the line. The nourishing properties of the mist makes me want to branch out! The mist works via all sorts of interesting ingredients, many which I have seen in health foods and eastern medicine (not to mention a goop article or two). Included:

Coconut water acts like a natural moisturizer that helps reduce excess oil.
Ashwagandha extract is a stress-relieving, anti-aging herb that calms skin.
Reishi mushroom extract has anti-inflammatory and anti-allergenic agents that fight free radical damage.
Algae extract hydrates and detoxifies, while replenishing essential vitamins and minerals.
Probiotic technology protects against harmful bacteria and restores skin’s natural balance.

After my skin drinks in the mist, it is supple, remarkably soothed and even in appearance. The fragrance is incredibly light – vaguely clean and crisp. I give my face 4-5 sprays from about eight inches away. I like to finish my nightly skin care routine with a round of mists, but it also works great during the day over makeup. It also came in handy when I rolled in from the pool directly to a casual dinner over the long weekend.

Available via TULA on Amazon.

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Deep Moisture Balm

We have had a rather dry and cold winter here in Tulsa which is a perfect recipe for extra dry skin. My face seems to drink up moisturizer in a hot minute, leaving it feeling dry by the middle of the day. That was until this tub of goodness arrived here at Belle Belle.

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Deep Moisture Balm is one of the richest moisturizers I have ever used. The balm texture literally seals in hydration thanks to glycerin. The formula also contains the Ultra Facial Ingredient of Antarcticine which has bioprotective properties, keeping skin looking young. Edelweiss flower extract, known to thrive in the high altitudes of the Swiss Alps, helps to strengthen the skin’s barrier function to lock in hydration.

My skin stays soft and subtle all day – this balm hit shelves just in time for me to cure the driest of winter skin.

Available at www.kiehls.com.

boscia Sake Treatment Water to Hydrate and Brighten

I admit that at first blush this looks like a very very expensive toner. But after using boscia Sake Treatment Water to Hydrate and Brighten for a couple weeks, I see the light. This treatment is much more than a toner. The water actually works to improve and empower other skincare products.

After washing my face, I pump once or twice into my hands and press onto my skin. Instantly, I can feel a hydration and detect a brighter complexion. The vitamins and minerals delivered with sake work to improve tone and texture. The scent is subtly green while the formula is ultra-light.

Vitamin B3 primes skin while Sodium Hyaluronate adds hydration. Jojoba Leaf helps to prevent free radical damage while nourishing the skin. Free of preservatives, artificial fragrance, gluten, color, and ethanol alcohol. Available at Sephora.

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Summer Legs

Summer clothes are far from my favorite. Regular readers will know that I love layers and cozy fabrics of fall best. But one thing I do welcome is retiring my black tights and baring my legs when the summer arrives. But that also comes with the issue of dry and pasty skin. To remedy that, I am sharing ome of my favorite items that have been on rotation the last month or so here:

Kate Somerville Somerville360° Tanning Towelettes – Hands down, the best self-tanner out there. The cloths are so easy to use (and travel with). I just wipe on my legs quickly when the towelette is fresh and then buff on the color over a minute or so each leg to ensure everything is even. The color is natural and says put for a week. Plus, it doesn’t mess up sheets or clothes and has a relatively pleasant scent.

Miracle Skin Transformer Tinted Body Lotion – Sometimes a faux tan can only take you so far. If you want to up your game, try a tinted lotion like this one. The ingredients help firm skin, including caffeine that works against cellulite. And the shimmer is more subtle than “over-the-top”.

mark. Naked Love Body Butter – My tans tend to last longer when I moisturize my skin at night. Since I prefer something without a tint and slightly richer in the PM, I reach for body butters. The newest from mark smells like a summer dream: apricot nectar, white peaches, velvet freesia and skin musk. It is perfectly rich but still melts into skin.

Alba Botanica Hawaiian, Kukui Nut Body Oil – You can’t beat the shower as a great time to hydrate. I like using oils right at the end of the shower to “seal” in moisture. My recent oil smells like a Hawaiian vacation – and as close as I will get to a Hula for the foreseeable future. Vegetarian and cruelty-free.

note: Honorable mention for PrttyPeaushun Skin Tight Body Lotion in Medium which is vegan, natural and gluten-free. It has slightly more shimmer than the Miracle Skin and can be used on the face and hair.

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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.

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Kate Somerville Nourish HydraGel Mask

A lot of people talk about the Sunday blues, but I actually am starting to love these days at the end of the week. I like structure. I love my work. And weekends sometimes throw me off balance. I sound really boring right now, but hey…. I am being real. So today I am prepping for my best self tomorrow so I can hit Monday morning running.

In Oklahoma right now – as far as skin care is concerned – that means treating a big ole dose of dry skin. Leave it to Kate Sommerville to come up with the ultimate cure. The Nourish HydraGel Mask infuses skin with Hyaluronic Acid – the one ingredient that can drive deep hydration into skin. At the same time, skin is cooled and balanced. And antioxidants works against free radicals.

The gel is clear making this mask less messy than alternatives. The scent is marine and transports me to the tropics. After a short five minutes, I rinse the mask off and am left with glowing skin. Perfect to get me right back into Monday morning mode.