Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentre

Lait Creme Concentre “24hr Miracle Cream” 75ml

One of my favorite beauty product discoveries this season is my moisturizer by Embryolisse.

I can’t claim to have discovered it myself. I heard about it in a tutorial video by pixiwoo.

Sam, pixiwoo makeup artist, called it legendary. And she is right. It’s not a new product. It’s been around from a long time. Tried and true.

I naturally have dry skin, especially in winter. This product is great as a night cream. It’s too heavy for day.

You should also know that it is a French product, so you have to import it to the States. But it’s not expensive. I found it on Amazon.com for $25.

Worth every penny. I’ve been using it for weeks now and I really love it.

Live Blogging: Bare Escentuals on QVC Now

I’m a makeup junkie as you’ve probably noticed. Some of my favorite products are made by Bare Escentuals.

I just got home from work and put on the TV and voila BE is on QVC for 3 hours.

Right Now, they are presenting a glowing hydrating mineral veil. I don’t know this presenter. Where’s Lisa? She works better with Leslie.

But the product looks interesting. It’s a loose mineral veil powder but it’s hydrating and “combats the feeling of dryness.”

Next up, a brush-on powder sunscreen with SPF 30. You can use it every day with your makeup or wear it to the beach. It’s tinted and comes in three colors (light, medium, tan). Water resistant and gentle enough for kids, too. Sounds very convenient.

Gossamers Illuminating face powder in 3 colors with brush. These are sheer and shimmery and so pretty. You can wear them on your face, decolletage, lips. I want everything on this show so far.

Remember, swirl and tap.

If you are new to the Bare Escentuals line, they are now showing a 4-piece Bare Skin kit for first time users. It has the basic kit with foundation, mineral veil, warmth to add some color to your skin and a brush. This is the original Bare Minerals kit. This comes is 9 colors, just choose your skin tone.

I sound like a commercial, but I really love these products. And I thought it would be fun to live blog.

Now, we’re getting into the fun stuff. The Public/Private 4-piece eye collection. Three shadows and a double-ended brush. Really nice basic colors with some shimmer to add interest. This is a kit you will use every day.

Lip Color Mixer Palette with 8 colors and a lip brush in a mirrored case. I have this kit and I love it. Usually, when you buy a palette, you end up using only 1 or 2 colors. But I use all of these. There are 4 of them that I wear all the time. The kit includes a mix of formulas, so some are cream, some shimmer, some are glossy. Buy it now.

Now, they are showing the Purist 9-piece collection that comes with a really cute white train case. This is the showcase kit of the night for the today’s special value price of $96.72. I’m not really into gigantic kits like this. But if you want to try things from each part of the BE collection, this is the way to go. It has foundation, lip gloss, blush, eye colors, and more.

Moisture Burst Facial Mist. You can spray this on while traveling on a plane or any time you need a little added moisture. This looks like it feels great.

Ooh, more lippies.

The 3-piece lip color collection comes with a lipstick, a liner and a gloss. Your choice of mauve, bronze or berry. The berry looks adorable and would be perfect for spring.

Onto the Look of Now Earthy Chic 5-piece kit. This comes with three eye colors, a blush, and a lip gloss. It’s a nude, natural look with a little added prettiness. What a perfect daytime look for summer. According to Leslie, this look is “less about flip-flops and more about heeled sandals.”

I’ve talked about this next product before. The 3-Piece Brow Essentials Kit. This is a powder brow color that comes with a setting gel and a brush. Just match your hair color and you’re good to go. It’s super easy to use and gives a natural look. It never looks like drawn on brows. And it’s practically impossible to mess up. So simple to apply. I use Brunette. It’s a medium brown for dark blonde to medium brown hair. And Leslie says you can also use the powder as eye shadow for a great neutral.

More pretties. Gossamer All-Over Face and Body Mineral and Body Buki Brush. This comes with a huge kabuki brush. The shimmery powder can be used all over. Use it on your legs for the look of silk stockings. The model just put it in her hair. Beautiful.

Back to skincare. Rare Minerals Renew and Reveal Facial Cleanser. This is a powder cleanser. You wet your face, put a little powder in your hand, add a little water, and it will froth. Wash your face and just rinse it off.

Multi-Tasking Face Makeup and Concealer with Brush. Choose from 5 colors. This is one of their original products. Use as a concealer or an eye shadow base.

bareMinerals foundation with brush. This is the best product in the whole line. This has radically changed the way I apply makeup. No more liquid bases for me. Just swirl, tap and buff with the soft brush. I use fair. It’s the lightest shade out of the 9 offered. You don’t need much of this. Less is more with this product. I use it every day and I still have the original jar I bought 2 years ago. I think probably 7 out of 10 women I know now use this as their foundation. I’m not exaggerating.

Brighten Up 4-piece collection and gold case. These are all-over sheer colors to lighten and brighten your face. Wear them alone or with your blush. The pale gold shade can be used to highlight. The rose color to add color and the soft-focus warmth to add depth. This kit comes with a brush.

Amazing. The second person just called into the show and had tears in her voice. Bare Escentuals has changed their lives. The first woman had acne and could never wear makeup until she found bare minerals. And the next woman also could never wear makeup and has been buying everything that Leslie sells.

Uh oh. I think the credit card might have to come out now. Its the 5-piece buffing brush set for $49.00. I love the BE brushes. You get a buki brush, blush brush, soft focus shadow brush, wet/dry shadow brush, eyeliner brush in a carrying case.

bareMinerals 3-piece eye collections. Each set has a light, medium, and dark of the same shade. I don’t actually like these sets. I’m not the type to wear 3 matching shadows in colors like blue or plum. Not for me. I like the more dramatic kits.

Buxom lip duos in 5 color combinations. These are lip glosses with a glassy finish. I like more color than this but these are good for daytime or for when you have a dramatic eye look.

Buki brushes. Yay! I love me some buki brushes. I always use the full coverage buki when I apply my mineral veil. I also use it for blush. I don’t have the baby buki but I must get it. It’s so cute.

Prime Time Mineral-Infused Foundation Primer. I’ve never tried a primer but I know some makeup artists who swear by it. It smoothes out the skin and pores on your face and gives you a blank canvas for your makeup.

RareMinerals night treatment. I think this is something I must try. At night you cleanse and moisturize your face, then apply rare minerals. It has some color to it so you look good when you go to bed. But more importantly, it reduces pore size and smoothes wrinkles.

Well, that’s it. I hope you had as much fun as I did. Go forth and be beautiful.

Baby Cheeks

During the Christmas holidays I traveled back East to the bitter cold.

On a good day, I have dry skin. Living in Southern California I manage to keep it under control with a myriad of expensive sunscreens, skin creams and luxury lotions.

But as soon my plane touched down and I stepped outside, the skin on my cheeks chapped right up. I actually had red flaky patches on each side of my face.

My sister had a jar of good old-fashioned Pond’s skin cream in her bathroom cabinet. I remember my mother saying that her mother always used Pond’s and had beautiful skin well into her 80s. I used it the whole time I was home and my face recuperated almost instantly. My skin was as soft as a baby’s.

Now, I’m a devoted fan. I slather it on before bed. You can find it at any drug store. My sister had the dry skin formula so that is what I bought, too. It costs less than $5.00. The scent is a little strong but pleasant, and it fades in no time. You’re not stuck smelling it all night.

Sometimes, the old-fashioned products are best. They haven’t lasted this many decades for nothing.

Pond’s Dry Skin Cream

Battle Winter Skin Blahs

As soon as the weather starts to get chilly, my hands get dry.

L’Occitane makes my favorite hand cream. It’s a little expensive but it’s worth it. It lasts a long time, feels wonderful and smells clean and luxurious.

L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream

I buy the super size 5.2 oz for $25.00. It also comes in a 1-oz. purse size for $10.00.

They make great gifts.

Review: Alba Jasmine & Vitamin E Moisture Cream

Alba Jasmine & Vitamin E Moisture Cream

Signature ingredient: With antioxidants from vitamin E, extract of jasmine, and a slew of mineral and moisture-rich emollients, this cream provides deep penetating protection for dry skin.

This is a slightly heavier cream that is perfect as a nighttime moiturizer. Some may find it too heavy for day. Lightly scented with lovely, calming jasmine, it’s the best-smelling facial cream I’ve ever used. But have no fear, the fragrance is not overpowering. I smooth it on my face before bed and it makes me smile. It’s a little dose of aromatherapy for my stressed-out skin and it feels wonderful.

$16.95 for a 3-oz jar.

Origins Organics

Origins has introduced a new certified organic line of skincare products.

Products include face wash, body lotion, lip balms, hair care oil and more, using ingredients that have been certified organic by the USDA.

Organic ingredients are free from chemicals and preservatives and are also produced by farmers who respect nature and are careful with the way they treat the earth and water supply.

I can’t wait to try the foaming face wash.

Visit the Origins Organics Web site to learn more.

Review: Kiehl’s Lycopene Facial Moisturizing Lotion

My first experience with Kiehl’s was when I was living in New York City. I kept seeing the name Kiehl’s pop up in magazines with different celebrities saying they used various products. So I did some research and found that Kiehl’s has been around forever but it does not advertise. It depends on word of mouth. So here I am continuing the tradition.

I love experimenting with beauty products. Tonight, I tried Kiehl’s new Lycopene Facial Moisturizing Lotion with tomatoes, beta-carotene and vitamin E. Here is the description from Kiehl’s:

A most distinctively modern discovery! Lycopene – derived from the tomato – is enhanced with Beta-Carotene and Vitamin E to become a protective antioxidant preparation, which is released onto the skin. These powerful antioxidants work together to reduce the level of damaging free radicals on your skin. This moisturizing treatment is best suited for normal to oily skin types.

Lycopene is the carotenoid that makes the tomato red and is a powerful antioxidant. It is an exceptional scavenger that reduces damage to the skin caused by free-radicals. Also known to help increase skin elasticity.

The lotion is thin and yellow yet goes onto the skin heavier than it appears. It takes a while to absorb in but doesn’t feel greasy at all. My skin feels soft but I can tell I am wearing lotion on my face. It is odorless and contains no SPF. I would recommend it for nighttime use. I have dry skin so it’s probably not suited to my type. But as I said, I like to try everything. And I like the idea of incorporating tomatoes into a skin lotion.

1.7 fl. oz. bottle – $35.00 at Kiehls

Review: Dr. Hunter’s Hand Creme

Dr. Hunter’s Rosewater & Glycerine Hand Creme

An enriched version of the classic formula of glycerine and rosewater that ranks among the best for conditioning hands, keeping them smooth and supple. 2.5 oz. metal tube, boxed.

I’m on a constant search for hand creams. I like to have lots of different brands, textures, and fragrances.

Dr. Hunter’s has a light yet thoroughly moisturizing formula that takes a minute to absorb into the skin but doesn’t leave your hands feeling greasy. The rose scent is a little strong for my taste, but it calms down after a while and lasts a long time.

If I put it on before I go to bed, my hands still have a light rose scent when I wake up 8 hours later. Amazing.

$12 at Caswell-Massey

Review: Two Eye Firming Creams

OK, sometimes when I get up in the morning I look in the mirror and need some help around the eye area.

So I’ve been looking for some miracle eye creams.

Here are two that I like:

Philosophy Hope In A Tube
A high-density eye and lip firming cream

I dab a little of this cream under my eyes before I apply my makeup.

It has a thick, sticky consistency that sits on top of the skin, fills in any little lines and keeps makeup from filling in the creases.

.5 ounces for $33

La Roche-Posay Redermic Yeux
Daily fill-in anti-wrinkle firming care

This gel-like, non-greasy cream is light and easy to apply.

It disappears into the skin and creates a smooth appearance under makeup.

.5 ounces for $35