Sunday, July 28, 2013
Monday, June 3, 2013
Recent Favorites - 2013
I've put together my favorite beauty buys as of 2013. I can't believe the year is already halfway over! So I decided to mention the products I really like that I have purchased this year up until now.
1. L'Occitane Almond Supple Skin Oil 3.4 oz $40
I have really been getting into almond oil lately. On their website, L'occitane is intending this to be used for stretch marks during and after pregnancy, but I love it for my skin, hair and nails. It is hard to find a good oil for the skin that isn’t greasy. This oil smells wonderful and is so light and absorbs really well into the skin. I use it on my nails, hands, elbows, and rub a dime size into the scalp once a week before washing my hair. Almond oil is great to stimulate the hair folice. All around a great all in one oil for hair, skin, and nails!
usa.loccitane.com
2. Smashbox Halo Long Wear Blush $24
I am already a fan of their Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder, it lasts forever and I love the way they designed the compact so you can control how much product you want to use. So was very excited to try the new Halo blush and think that this product is genius. All of the Halo products are mineral based, talc free, and paraben free. Jackpot! I purchased the shade Passion for blush and am using the shade Bronze as a bronzer.
smashbox.com, sephora.com
3. Jane Iredale PureLash Extender and Conditioner $16.50
I try to always use a conditioner before mascara, since mascara alone can be irritating and can dry your lashes and make them brittle over time. This lash conditioner is great to use before applying mascara, and also alone as a conditioner before bedtime. I can literally see my lashes soaking up this product as I apply it. When I used regularly, I notice my lashes are longer and much healthier.
www.janeiredale.com
4. LaVanila Healthy Deodorant Vanilla Lavender 2 oz. $14
This is the only natural deodorant I have ever liked, and it works just as good as regular mainstream brands. It smells wonderful, they carry other scents but Vanilla Lavender is my favorite. I have been using this as my daily deodarant now. Unless you plan to run a marathon or bake out in the sun, this deodarant will do the trick and it is 100% natural so don’t have to worry about any harsh chemicals being absorbed into your skin!
Sephora.com
1. L'Occitane Almond Supple Skin Oil 3.4 oz $40
I have really been getting into almond oil lately. On their website, L'occitane is intending this to be used for stretch marks during and after pregnancy, but I love it for my skin, hair and nails. It is hard to find a good oil for the skin that isn’t greasy. This oil smells wonderful and is so light and absorbs really well into the skin. I use it on my nails, hands, elbows, and rub a dime size into the scalp once a week before washing my hair. Almond oil is great to stimulate the hair folice. All around a great all in one oil for hair, skin, and nails!
usa.loccitane.com
2. Smashbox Halo Long Wear Blush $24
I am already a fan of their Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder, it lasts forever and I love the way they designed the compact so you can control how much product you want to use. So was very excited to try the new Halo blush and think that this product is genius. All of the Halo products are mineral based, talc free, and paraben free. Jackpot! I purchased the shade Passion for blush and am using the shade Bronze as a bronzer.
smashbox.com, sephora.com
3. Jane Iredale PureLash Extender and Conditioner $16.50
I try to always use a conditioner before mascara, since mascara alone can be irritating and can dry your lashes and make them brittle over time. This lash conditioner is great to use before applying mascara, and also alone as a conditioner before bedtime. I can literally see my lashes soaking up this product as I apply it. When I used regularly, I notice my lashes are longer and much healthier.
www.janeiredale.com
4. LaVanila Healthy Deodorant Vanilla Lavender 2 oz. $14
This is the only natural deodorant I have ever liked, and it works just as good as regular mainstream brands. It smells wonderful, they carry other scents but Vanilla Lavender is my favorite. I have been using this as my daily deodarant now. Unless you plan to run a marathon or bake out in the sun, this deodarant will do the trick and it is 100% natural so don’t have to worry about any harsh chemicals being absorbed into your skin!
Sephora.com
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Honorable mention: Burt's Bees deep cleansing cream
Ok...so I left out this cleanser because it was in the shower and I forgot I even had it for a quick second. This is my only favorite creamy thick cleanser. It feels so refreshing, and removes all makeup - but is especially great at removing eye makeup as far as cleansers go. Even though it is a creamy cleanser it does not clog pores and is great for all skin types, esp. combination skin.
burtsbees.com
burtsbees.com
Friday, April 12, 2013
The skin you live in...favorite facial cleansers
Lucky for you, and maybe not for me, I have combination skin. This means my cleansers range to accommodate oily to dry skin. These are my favorite 6 cleansers, yes 6 :) but they work all year round and depending on my skin or the weather, I have all my bases covered.
1. Boscia
Out of the brands mentioned, I am newly getting acquainted with Boscia, thanks to a Sephora sample of Detoxifying Black Cleanser that I adored. It warms to your skin, is non-irritating yet left my skin feeling clean and refreshed. I went ahead and purchased another cleanser, their Purifying Cleansing Gel, and am equally if not more impressed. The purifyng gel works great with my Clarasonic brush. Both cleansers work for all skin types but are especially great for combination skin.
2. Burt's Bees Acne Solutions Gel Cleanser
I have tried a few Burt's Bees cleansers, but this one is my favorite. It's a super light, foaming cleanser that is great for oily skin because it contains salicylic acid. This also works great with the Clarasonic brush.
3. Jurlique Soothing Foaming Cleanser
This is an amazing creamy foaming cleanser for sensitive skin. I have the hardest time finding a sensitive skin cleanser because most of them tend to be very thick and leave a filmy residue. Jurlique made an amazing formula for this sensitive cleanser that rinses clean, my favorite among favorites.
4. Neutrogena
Neutrogena is an old time favorite brand of mine, I don't think any girl hasn't tried their classic orange foaming cleanser and I was super excited when they introduced a natural skin line. My favorite of the line is definitely the Purifying Pore Scrub. It is super gentle and has a sudsing quality so it's a great dual purpose cleanser/exfoliating scrub. I use this 2-3 times per week on its own. I also really like the Cleansing + Makeup Remover, it's great to have to remove makeup and (hint hint) works super well if used w/Clarasonic brush.
1. Boscia
Out of the brands mentioned, I am newly getting acquainted with Boscia, thanks to a Sephora sample of Detoxifying Black Cleanser that I adored. It warms to your skin, is non-irritating yet left my skin feeling clean and refreshed. I went ahead and purchased another cleanser, their Purifying Cleansing Gel, and am equally if not more impressed. The purifyng gel works great with my Clarasonic brush. Both cleansers work for all skin types but are especially great for combination skin.
2. Burt's Bees Acne Solutions Gel Cleanser
I have tried a few Burt's Bees cleansers, but this one is my favorite. It's a super light, foaming cleanser that is great for oily skin because it contains salicylic acid. This also works great with the Clarasonic brush.
3. Jurlique Soothing Foaming Cleanser
This is an amazing creamy foaming cleanser for sensitive skin. I have the hardest time finding a sensitive skin cleanser because most of them tend to be very thick and leave a filmy residue. Jurlique made an amazing formula for this sensitive cleanser that rinses clean, my favorite among favorites.
4. Neutrogena
Neutrogena is an old time favorite brand of mine, I don't think any girl hasn't tried their classic orange foaming cleanser and I was super excited when they introduced a natural skin line. My favorite of the line is definitely the Purifying Pore Scrub. It is super gentle and has a sudsing quality so it's a great dual purpose cleanser/exfoliating scrub. I use this 2-3 times per week on its own. I also really like the Cleansing + Makeup Remover, it's great to have to remove makeup and (hint hint) works super well if used w/Clarasonic brush.
Friday, December 28, 2012
Zoya - How long will it last?
On to the second non-toxic brand, Zoya. I picked this color because it reminded me of Tiffany Blue, and looks great with silver and turquoise jewelery. The color is called Wednesday. I took a photo of a Tiffany box next to the bottle just to see how close it came, it is slightly darker but still a really nice color.
Day 4 - Recoat. Total for Zoya - One Week! I managed to make my manicure last 7 days with only one recoat.
Day 4 - Recoat. Total for Zoya - One Week! I managed to make my manicure last 7 days with only one recoat.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Julep - How long will it last?
I've decided to do a time lapse blog on a few of my favorite non-toxic nail polish brands to see which brand will last the longest! I will continually upload photos of my nails and will continue until I feel they are too chipped and remove the color. We will see who lasts the longest at the end! I am going to do this experiment with Julep, Zoya, Deborah Lippman, RGB, and Acquarella.
I'll first start with Julep. I purchased their Oprah's Favorite Things a dozen shades set recently (below). Some of them are classics, and a few are unexpected shades I would normally stray away from but actually am surprised at how lovely these off beat shades actually look! Julep does a great job at this, since they have a creamy texture to many of their darker shades, it subdues the boldness which makes them very wearable.
The color I am wearing right now is Amy. I used 2 coats of color on bare nail (no base or top coat). I then used one drop on each nail of their quick dry formula, which I love because it contains Vitamin E and Lavender Oil which nourishes the nail bed.
(Day One)
(Day 3 - chip on middle finger and pinkie)
Day 4- My nails were too chipped, so instead of removing the polish, I did one touch up coat. I will do this on all brands one time if needed to try and stretch to a full week
Day 6 - Even though I applied a re-coat, my middle finger managed to chip... a little disappointed, had hoped Julep would last until day 7.
I'll first start with Julep. I purchased their Oprah's Favorite Things a dozen shades set recently (below). Some of them are classics, and a few are unexpected shades I would normally stray away from but actually am surprised at how lovely these off beat shades actually look! Julep does a great job at this, since they have a creamy texture to many of their darker shades, it subdues the boldness which makes them very wearable.
The color I am wearing right now is Amy. I used 2 coats of color on bare nail (no base or top coat). I then used one drop on each nail of their quick dry formula, which I love because it contains Vitamin E and Lavender Oil which nourishes the nail bed.
(Day One)
(Day 3 - chip on middle finger and pinkie)
Day 4- My nails were too chipped, so instead of removing the polish, I did one touch up coat. I will do this on all brands one time if needed to try and stretch to a full week
Day 6 - Even though I applied a re-coat, my middle finger managed to chip... a little disappointed, had hoped Julep would last until day 7.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Don't Make Me Blush
...unless it's talc free. I'm so excited to have found some amazing talc free, toxic free blush and bronzers. It was not easy, but my skin thanks me. Here are three different brands that offer talc free blushes/bronzers.
1. Jane Iredale
I cannot say enough about Jane Iredale blush and bronzers. At first, I was a bit skeptical since the pots they came in looked a bit small, however my blush brush actually fits perfectly around the compact. Jane Iredale PurePressed Blush in Cotton Candy ($27) is the perfect shade of pink for my light olive skin tone. It seems to be a very versatile color, and I'm sure it would look great on many skin tones. Cotton candy provides just a perfect amount of subtle shimmer. I would compare this blush to my old favorite from NARS. Jane Iredale Bronze A Go-Go ($25) I am very pleased with this bronzer well, it gives a light glow without looking orange or obvious. Available at Janeiredale.com and Nordstrom.com
2. Josie Maran
I was looking for a luxurious cream blush so I thought I would try Josie Maran Argan Color Stick in Petal Pink ($22). I am not usually a huge fan of cream blush because they can be tricky to apply. I do like this option because it is all natural and has Vitamin E and other goodies for the skin. I wish it was a little more blend able, but overall I am happy with it. My other purchase was the Argan Illuminizing Powder ($30). This is a great highlighting shade. I use it over the cream blush, it is a very loose formula with quite a bit of fallout, but it doesn't bother me as much since the shade is so forgiving.
Sephora.com
3. bareMinerals
These were the first two talc free blush and bronzers I purchased. Unfortunately, they are on the back burner now because I much prefer the quality of the two other brands mentioned. I have only used the bronzer on a couple of occasions (Ready Bronzer in The Skinny Dip, $24), however as you can see from the photo (click to enlarge), it is already changing in consistency by darkening in some spots, which to me is a sign of poor quality. I do like their blush, however they did something clever and took up half the space with a virtually useless blush brush. - Ready Blush in The Secret's Out ($22). sephora.com
1. Jane Iredale
I cannot say enough about Jane Iredale blush and bronzers. At first, I was a bit skeptical since the pots they came in looked a bit small, however my blush brush actually fits perfectly around the compact. Jane Iredale PurePressed Blush in Cotton Candy ($27) is the perfect shade of pink for my light olive skin tone. It seems to be a very versatile color, and I'm sure it would look great on many skin tones. Cotton candy provides just a perfect amount of subtle shimmer. I would compare this blush to my old favorite from NARS. Jane Iredale Bronze A Go-Go ($25) I am very pleased with this bronzer well, it gives a light glow without looking orange or obvious. Available at Janeiredale.com and Nordstrom.com
2. Josie Maran
I was looking for a luxurious cream blush so I thought I would try Josie Maran Argan Color Stick in Petal Pink ($22). I am not usually a huge fan of cream blush because they can be tricky to apply. I do like this option because it is all natural and has Vitamin E and other goodies for the skin. I wish it was a little more blend able, but overall I am happy with it. My other purchase was the Argan Illuminizing Powder ($30). This is a great highlighting shade. I use it over the cream blush, it is a very loose formula with quite a bit of fallout, but it doesn't bother me as much since the shade is so forgiving.
Sephora.com
3. bareMinerals
These were the first two talc free blush and bronzers I purchased. Unfortunately, they are on the back burner now because I much prefer the quality of the two other brands mentioned. I have only used the bronzer on a couple of occasions (Ready Bronzer in The Skinny Dip, $24), however as you can see from the photo (click to enlarge), it is already changing in consistency by darkening in some spots, which to me is a sign of poor quality. I do like their blush, however they did something clever and took up half the space with a virtually useless blush brush. - Ready Blush in The Secret's Out ($22). sephora.com
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