Aveda At Home Facial and Pure Privilege Double Points Weekend

Hello, Do you have a skincare brand that you do not stray from?  For me,  Aveda is that brand.  I mean I do stray, we all do.  But I always come back to Aveda.  Since I was first introduced to Aveda in my college days, I have always re-purchased their products and keep them on hand all these years. 

I really like using Aveda skincare especially when I am under a lot of stress and it shows on my skin.  Above is the line-up I have been using for my facial at home.  I am a big believer in combining aromatherapy with effective natural ingredients in skin care.  The aroma in Aveda products is not overpowering, instead it is calming and relaxing.  They are great choices to use for facials.


The line up for my at home facial including Aveda and other brands:


Eye Mask


Origins No Puffery - It de-puffs and cools the eye area, very refreshing on tired eyes. I have used this product on and off for many years.


Facial Mask


Aveda Tourmaline Charged Radiance Masque - A creamy mask containing tourmaline, mushroom extract, sugar, lycopene, and other ingredients working together to exfoliate the top layer of dead skin and brings back radiance to stressed and dull looking skin.  This is one of the Aveda products that I have re-purchased over and over again.  I really like treating myself with this mask.  If you have concerns with tired and lack luster skin, the Tourmaline line is a good one to try.


Toner


Aveda Green Science Refreshing Toner - It is a thick lotion, unlike other typical runny toners.  It is a multi-tasker, it exfoliates with salicylic acid and glucosamine and it moisturizes with argan oil.  I do not like using toner everyday, but I love using this one because it works for dry skin.


Serum


Aveda Green Science Lifting Serum - The Green Science line is an anti-aging line, so the serum and moisturizer offer lifting and firming properties.  Although I do not need much lifting and firming yet, but I believe prevention is important.  The scent of this serum is intoxicating, it is a little herbal but fresh.   I was not able to try the Firming Face Creme before because they were pulled from the stores to be re-formulated.  The new formula is available now and I am planning to try it in the near future.


Blemish Oil


Burt's Bees Herbal Blemish Stick - A natural tea tree and juniper oil blemish eliminator.  I like it just as much as the Desert Essence Blemish Touch Stick.   They are very similar and both products attack and dry up blemishes in a short time.


Pore Strips


Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips - I am sure most of you are familiar with pore strips.  It cleanses your pores by sucking out the nasty oil and dirt with the strips.  This is a good at home alternative to facial extractions for me because I do not go to the spa for professional facials as much as I would like to.


If you are an Aveda Pure Privilege member, it is double points weekend at the stores from May 10-13.  I know I will be stocking up a few things this weekend.  Happy shopping!


Do you use Aveda skincare and what do you like to use?  Until next post......

Best of March Roundup - Sunday Riley, The Face Shop, Burt's Bees

Hello, The month of March flew by so quickly, I hope you are all doing well!  Busy season has begun at work, it is the reason why I have not been blogging very much recently.  But I am still here, I still managed to find time to try some new products to pamper myself with and to relieve the daily stresses in my life.


Skin Care - Sunday Riley Charisma Creme Cleanser 

As I have mentioned in a prior post, I have been using and loving Sunday Riley Modern Skincare.  I have used Charisma Creme Cleanser for more than two weeks now and it is amazing!  When I think of cream cleanser, I think greasy and heavy.  The consistency of this cleanser is quite the opposite, it is a very light cream cleanser for dry to normal skin.  I would think oily skin can benefit from this cleanser too because it is so light and calming.  The ingredients are super natural and very gentle on the skin.  Some key ingredients include milk, aloe, multi-fruit acids, acai, chamomile, lavender, and green tea.  You would massage this cleanser on dry skin, then rinse with water.  I sometimes use the Clarisonic to remove the cleanser and it works very well to remove makeup and dirt.  It has a light milky scent that is very pleasant.  It is housed in a plastic bottle with a lockable pump.  Sunday Riley Modern Skincare is available at Barneys New York.

A closer look at the ingredients

Makeup - The Face Shop HD-Perfect BB Cream SPF30 PA++ in 02 Natural Beige

I found this BB cream at The Face Shop located on Korean Way in New York City last year.  I happened to be staying at a hotel very close to the shop.  My husband was the one who pointed out the store to me as we were passing by.  It was my first time visiting The Face Shop, so I only picked up this BB cream as I was not too familiar with their products at that time and I was getting ready to travel overseas.

Its claim:  "Contains HD Skin Complex to meticulously conceal skin flaws and blemishes while covering widened pores and uneven skin surface to provide a fair and smooth HD skin appearance...making actresses radiate confidently even in front of HD cameras..."  For the most part, it covers minor flaws and blemishes.  It does a good job minimizing the appearance of large pores.  I cannot speak to how it looks in front of HD cameras and I have not been photographed with this BB cream on. 

It is made for normal to dry skin that gives a semi-matte to natural finish on my skin.  The coverage is very good for a BB cream, similar to that of a light foundation.  It is easy to blend and goes on semi-matte at first.  After the product mixes with the natural oils from your skin, it morphs from semi-matte to a nice sheen on the skin.  It looks very natural and does not look flat on the skin.  It comes in two shades, 01 Light Beige and 02 Natural Beige.  01 Light Beige is for NC15 skin tone or fairer while 02 Natural Beige is for NC20 to 25 skin tones .   I have been looking for a BB cream that does not have a gray tint and this one is perfect. 02 Natural Beige is a light beige tone. 

I highly recommend this BB cream for those with normal to dry skin and prefer good light to medium coverage.


Body Care - Burt's Bees Honey & Shea Sugar Scrub

Via Google Images

I continue to find amazing products from Burt's Bees.  I truly have not met a Burt's Bees product that I do not like.  Burt's Bees Honey & Shea Sugar Scrub is 100% natural and full of goodness.  The combination of key ingredients of sugar, ground almonds, and honey is so luxurious and will give you a spa experience in the shower.  The sweet scent is heavenly and addicting.  The scrub leaves your skin moisturized, nourished, and supple.  Scrub is one body product that I go through the fastest, I will definitely repurchase this scrub in the future.  It is available at most drugstores.


I will be back with more new discoveries that I got to try and experience in March.  My posts will be sporadic due to my busy schedule at work for the next two weeks, so please bear with me and check back!


Until next post......

gud Natural Body Lotion in Vanilla Flame from Burt's Bees

Hello, This is a quickie post about a new drugstore find.  Have you seen the new gud hair and body products at your drugstores lately?  It turns out gud is a brand from Burt's Bees.  I have been trying the gud Natural Body Lotion in Vanilla Flame.  If you love vanilla scent, this is for you.  It is a sweet, fresh, and warm vanilla and rice milk scent.  The ingredients do not contain vanilla or rice milk, I assume the scent comes from fragrance which is listed as the third ingredient.  The scent lasts a long time on me and I think it is a wonderful hydrator for the cooler weather.  The consistency of the lotion is not too thick, it is easy to spread and absorbs quickly on the skin.  It comes in other scents such as Orange Petalooza and Floral Cherrynova as shown on the website. However, I have only spotted Vanilla Flame and Orange Petalooza at the Walgreens stores so far.  It is a great value too, I got it on sale for under $7.

I would love to know if anyone has tried the body wash, shampoo, or conditioner?  What do you think about this new line from Burt's Bees?

Until next post......

The Top 4 Tag

Hello, I was tagged by Hayley from The Flaxen Owl to do the Top 4 Tag.  She has a blog about her experience switching to natural products and she just started her own YouTube channel.  She has the most amazing skin, check her out!  The Top 4 Tag is to show your top 4 makeup items from your collection.  It is extremely difficult to choose just four, so I have chosen four items that I would use on a daily basis and these are also items that I would definitely repurchase over and over again.
And I tag all of you to do this tag, it would be very interesting to read all of your picks.  Here are my Top 4:

1)  BB Creams - My all time favorites are Lioele Beyond the Solution BB Cream and Skin 79 VIP Gold Collection Super + Beblesh Balm.  I did a brief review on these BB Creams here

2)  Black Eyeliner - YSL Dessin Du Regard Eye Pencil in 001 Velvet Black is intense and long lasting

3)  Voluminous Mascara -  YSL Volume Effet Faux Cils Shocking Mascara in No. 5 Black Burgundy.  To me, YSL makes the best color mascaras.  The burgundy color in this mascara is actually quite subtle because the focus is more on black.  You can pick up the burgundy color under certain lighting.  The brush and formula help create the look of false lashes without the hassle.  I also picked up this mascara in two other colors in Deep Black and Black Bronze when Nordstrom's had a sale on mascaras.  I am not sure if this is a limited edition item, I sure hope not!

Via Google images

4)  Tinted Lip Balm - I reviewed the Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balms here.  They are my most favorite tinted lip balms

Thanks for reading!  Until next post......

Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm

Hello,  I have been wanting to give a proper rave on Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm for quite a while now.  I have been a loyal user since they first came out.  They are simply one of the best tinted lip balms I have ever tried.  I wear them religiously all year round, alone or under lipstick or lip gloss.  I have worn them in extreme cold weather recently during my last trip and they kept my lips protected and moisturized.  There are 6 shades to choose from.  The colors are all very wearable and they give just the right hint of color on the lips.  My favorite shades are Tiger Lily (peach), Hibiscus (pink coral), and Rose (sheer red).   It costs $7 each and can be found at most drugstores near you.  

This is a must for lips in the winter.  Do you wear lip balm and what are you currently wearing?  Until next post......

Swatches without flash

Swatches with flash

Best of November Roundup - Skin Care, Makeup, Hair (Travel Edition)

Hello, When I travel, I pack essential products that are almost used up from home and lots of samples for ease of packing.  Below are some of the star products that I used everyday during my trip in the month of November:

Skin Care

1)  Sisley Cleansing Milk with White Lily
2)  Yes to Cucumbers Facial Towelettes (used up, not pictured)
3)  Chantecaille Ultra Sun Protection SPF 50 PA+++ Anti-Glycation Primer
4)  Kate Somerville Goat Milk Cream (used up, not pictured)


Makeup

1)  Skin79 VIP Gold Collection Super Beblesh Balm
2)  Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler
3)  Dolce & Gabbana Powder Foundation in Warm 100 - I decided that this powder foundation might be better for combination/oily skins.  It was a bit too drying for my skin especially in cold weather
4)  Chanel Le Crayon Sourcils Precision Brow Definer in Soft Brown
5)  YSL Dessin Du Regard Eye Pencil in 001 Velvet Black
6)  YSL Volume Effet Faux Cils Shocking Mascara in No. 5 Black Burgundy
7)  Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara in 02 Black/Brown
8)  Trish McEvoy Little Black Card in Delicate Beauty
9)  Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Hibiscus
10)  Dolce & Gabbana Passion Duo Gloss Fusion Lipstick in 30 Delight



Hair

1)  Josie Maran Argan Oil Hair Serum

I also discovered some good products from the samples that I used such as Sponge Ladi Avokanto.  I was so impressed that I picked up a full size bottle when I came back home.

If there are any products from this post that you would like me to review, please comment below and I will do my best to do so.  Thanks for reading.  Until next post......