Best of February Roundup - Algenist, Benefit, and Lavanila

Hello,  I have some exciting new and old products to share with you today.  Let's jump right into Best of February Roundup...

Skin Care - Algenist Firming & Lifting Intensive Mask

I am a big supporter of local businesses.  Algenist is a biotech company located in San Francisco that focused on developing micro algae-based renewable energy solutions.  The team of scientists unexpectedly discovered Alguronic Acid in the process.  It is a compound produced by a specific type of algae, you can read up more about the Alguronic Acid and its skin benefits here.

I picked up Algenist Firming & Lifting Intensive Mask at Sephora.   It is a gel mask that contains key ingredients such as Alguronic Acid and peptides.  It has a cooling and soothing sensation on the skin and it is safe to use around the eyes.  I use this mask before big events or whenever my skin needs a pick me up.  What it does for me is it calms redness and de-puffs the skin.  I see immediate results of smoother and tighter skin after using it.  Though I feel that it can be hard to remove with just water, I recommend using Clarisonic or a face cloth to help remove the product.  It can be used up to twice a week.  I look forward to trying other Algenist products in the future.

Makeup -  Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Brightening Makeup SPF 25 PA+++ and Hello Flawless Custom Powder Cover-Up SPF 15

Continuing my support for companies from San Francisco, I have been a big fan of Benefit Cosmetics for a long time.  They came out with their new liquid foundation in February called Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Brightening Makeup SPF 25 PA+++.  The name is a mouthful, but they are known for very unique and catchy product names. 

According to the Benefit website, it is an oil free liquid foundation with brightening properties.  It comes in 9 shades and my shade is Petal, the second lightest shade.  It is a very good match for NC25 skin tone.  To me, it delivers an equal balance of luminosity and natural finish.  It has a runny texture and feels very comfortable on my dry skin.  It has light coverage and can build up to medium coverage.  I am pleased with the air tight plastic bottle with a pump and the built-in sunscreen of SPF25 PA+++ is wonderful.  Overall, I am happy with this new addition to my makeup collection.  I think this would be a great foundation for the warmer weather to come.

I also picked up the companion powder, Hello Flawless Custom Powder Cover-Up SPF 15 in Petal.   It is a powder foundation that can be worn alone or over any liquid foundation.  It comes with a brush and sponge in the compact, but I prefer to use a kabuki or powder brush to apply the product.  It helps set the liquid foundation and makes it last longer.  I think the two products together create a flawless look that can last up to six to seven hours.  Both products are available in department stores such as Macy's and Bloomingdale's.  They are also available at Sephora and Benefit Cosmetics Boutiques.

Fragrance - Lavanila Vanilla Grapefruit Eau de Parfum Roller-Ball 

For those who are new to Lavanila fragrances, here is a brief introduction according to the Sephora website:

LAVANILA carefully infuses pure essential oils with 100 percent active botanicals for natural fragrances that are fresh, clean, and nurturing. With each spray, proprietary natural technology wraps the skin with super antioxidants goji berry and kakadu plum, soothing willowherb, and hydrating olive leaf for a healthy dose of 30 essential vitamins and minerals and 19 amino acids. Imagine, a fragrance that not only smells good but also is good for you!

I have been wearing Lavanila Vanilla Grapefruit Eau de Parfum for about five years.  I had purchased the full sized bottle fragrance with the body lotion in a set years ago and fell in love with the scent.  The notes are grapefruit, lime, cedar wood, and Madagascar vanilla.  After I finished my first bottle, I decided to pick up the roller ball version because it takes me quite a long time to finish an entire bottle of perfume and it is more travel friendly.  I am also trying Vanilla Coconut Eau de Parfum Roller-Ball.  The notes are young coconut, Monoi Tiare, and Madagascar vanilla.  It smells heavenly as if I have been transported to a tropical island!  These fragrances are long lasting and good for all seasons.


What are your thoughts on these products?  Do you support your local businesses?  Until next post......