Best of February and March Roundup - GlamGlow, Chanel, Serge Lutens, Deborah Lippmann

Hello, This is a Best of Roundup post for the month of February and March.  I have been testing and using these beauty items for the last month and a half.   I am very excited about every item here, let's get started...

Skincare - GlamGlow Super-Mud Clearing Treatment

As early as I can remember when I started my beauty journey, my first facial mask was a mud mask.  I used to have combination/oily skin when I was younger, so mud or clay masks were perfect for deep cleansing my skin back then.  Over the years, my skin has become much drier and more sensitive, I can't use a lot clay or mud masks on the market because they can be drying and harsh for my skin now.  

A few months ago, I first sampled GlamGlow Tingling Exfoliating Mud Mask (shown in the small black tubes in the picture above) from Sephora and I liked it, but I thought the granules in the product can be hard on my sensitive skin.  Then I discovered GlamGlow Super-Mud Clearing Treatment during a more recent trip to the store and I was intrigued.  I was completely sucked in by the advertisement on the packaging.

Here is a brief description of what is does from the Sephora website:

This formula was clinically developed by GLAMGLOW® dermatological chemists to help fight all common skin concerns, including breakouts, discoloration, black and white heads, razor bumps and in-grown hair. 

It is clay and charcoal based and it contains six types of acid, Glycolic, Salicylic, Lactic, Mandelic, Pyruvic, and Azelaic.  I am familiar and have used products with the first three types of acid, but not the latter three.  One can use it as a full mask or spot treatment.  I experimented with it on my T-zone weekly for the last month and a half.  Although my skin is dry, but my T-zone can get very congested and I get occasional breakouts due to stress and hormonal changes.  This product is a good at-home substitute for professional extractions, it cleanses the pores on my nose like no other.  It also cleared up my zits in a day and Mr. Rola enjoyed using it as a spot treatment too.

It is not drying and actually quite soothing to use.  I have left it on anywhere from five minutes to twenty minutes, I always get a super nice glow afterwards.  I highly recommend it for combination/oily, oily, and skin prone to breakouts.




Makeup  - Chanel Precision Eyelash Curler and Serge Lutens Tient Si Fin Compact Foundation

Apart from Shu Uemura, Chanel Precision Eyelash Curler is my other favorite eyelash curler.  I have been using this tool for over a year now.  The width of the Chanel eyelash curler is slightly wider than Shu Uemura's, so it is very comfortable to use and easy to adjust for many eye shapes.  Unlike some other eyelash curlers, I do not have a problem pinching my eyelids with the edge of this one. 

I raved about Serge Lutens Tient Si Fin Compact Foundation on Instagram ever since I picked it up from Barneys New York.  I was initially matched with O40, but it turned out to be a tad dark for my skin.  I immediately exchanged it for I20 which is a much better match.  

I have been wearing it over liquid foundation every day, it is a great topper over any liquid foundation.  It gives good and buildable coverage with a finish that is semi-matte and natural if that is possible.  If you need less coverage or have oilier skin, you can certainly wear it alone.  This product is meant to be worn dry, not wet.  I haven't used the sponge that came with the compact.  I prefer to use a traditional powder brush with this product.  Flat top powder brush does not work with this product because it cannot pick up the powder.

The initial investment for the case and powder is pricey, but it is worth it.  The refill is half the cost of the initial price.  This is the most finely milled powder in a compact that I have ever used and I will be repurchasing the refill when I hit pan.  

If you are not familiar with Serge Lutens, please read this fascinating bio on him.  He was first a master in cosmetics and worked with Shiseido in the 80's and 90's and then he went on to become a legend in perfumes.

Nails - Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Set

Image via Nordstrom.com

I first read about Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Set on Instagram.  The nails photos looked amazing, so I had to get the set.  The set comes with a base coat and top coat that is supposed to give your nails the effect and shine of gel nails, but you get it without using UV or LED lamp and there is no need for acetone to remove the gel polish.  The set is meant to be used with regular polishes and easy removal with regular polish removers.

I like that my polish can remain chip-free for over a week.  Or course the chipping is more noticeable on darker color polishes compared to lighter colors.  The topcoat lays on thick and it is harder to remove compared to other regular topcoats.  The shine effect from the top coat does not last as long as gel, the finish becomes dull in less than a week.  

Overall, I am impressed with this set for being what it is.  There seems to be more and more gel topcoats on the market.  If there are other brands of gel topcoat that work better than this one, please let me know.

What are your current favorite skincare, makeup, and nail products?  Thanks for reading.  Until next post......

Best of January Roundup - The Organic Pharmacy, Kevyn Aucoin, Tres Semme

Hello, Beauties, Hope you are all doing well.  January flew by too quickly, but I had fun venturing out and tried some wonderful new products.   This is just a sneak peak of the best in the bunch, let's see what made me such a happy camper this month...

Skincare

Since I haven't been in Barneys New York in a while, I dropped in to see what's new on the shelves in 2013.  They had switched around the counters and displays in the cosmetic department in order to make room for new brands.  Excitement sets in...

I circled around not looking for anything in particular, then I stumbled upon The Organic Pharmacy line.  I have seen some write ups on this UK line before, but it was the first time for me to touch and feel the products.  I was really pleased to find another organic and natural line at Barneys, so I decided to give it a go.  

I have heard from many bloggers rave about Rose Hip Oil, the hype surrounding this oil peaked my interest.  Honestly, I have been using The Organic Pharmacy Virgin Cold Pressed Rose Hip Oil for a little more than one week and I am convinced that this is the best thing you can add to your skincare regimen.  Especially for those with dry and sun damaged skin.

Here is a brief description of The Organic Pharmacy Virgin Cold Pressed Rose Hip Oil from  the company website:

This amazing oil is imported by us directly from Chile. It is well known for its rejuvenating and repairing properties both for the skin and hair Because it is organic and virgin cold pressed, it retains its precious actives that make this oil so special. A high percentage of Essential Fatty Acids, Tretinoic Acid and major carotenoids Betacarotene, Lycopene, Rubixanthin, Gazaniaxanthin, Betacryptoxanthin and Zeaxanthin are largely responsible for making this oil fantastic for scarring, acne scars, sun wrinkles, sun spots.

I add a few drops of this oil to my favorite moisturizer and apply the cocktail to my face and neck.  I get an instant glow to my skin.  Not only that, the oil absorbs quickly and it smooths, hydrates, and plumps my skin more so than using a moisturizer alone.  This oil has truly transformed my skin and nursed it back to health in a short time.  It can also be used on hair.  I highly recommend it!

Makeup

My love for Kevyn Aucoin continues, this time in the form of The Sensual Tinted Balm.  Thanks to Beauty Professor for tempting me into this one!  Check out the sleek packaging, very cool and good for travel.  It comes in only four shades and I have it in the color, SB01.  When I swatched the colors, SB02 is actually lighter and more yellow than SB01.

Here is a brief description from the Space NK website:

BENEFITS:

Treats with botanical rice extract, rich in peptides

Increases cell longevity

Induces a delay in ageing

Derivative of liquorice soothes and calms the skin

Conceals imperfections with light-weight pigments versus dense compounds

Protects against UVA and UVB rays with a theoretic SPF 20

Oil-free, paraben-free and D5-free  

The creamy formulation provides sheer to light coverage, it will not cover major blemishes.  If you want more coverage and flawless finish, you can mix in a tiny amount of The Sensual Skin Enhancer (Amazingly high coverage foundation and concealer in one!).  The tinted balm by itself provides a protective barrier for the skin with a wash of color, I like using it on causal days.  It has a natural finish, not too dewy or matte.  The downside is that it lacks SPF in the product, but it does not bother me that much because I can always layer it over a sunblock. 

Here are some swatches of SB01:

Hair Care

Via Google images

In 2012, Tres Semme Split Remedy line was a favorite amongst bloggers and beauty editors alike.  I have been using the shampoo, conditioner, and leave-in conditioning treatment for a few months.  The line is really amazing because it does what is claims.  I used to have a huge issue with split ends from over processing and my hair looks so much healthier and better after using this line.  I definitely see a reduction in split ends which used to be quite obvious and unsightly, virtually unnoticeable these days.

Tres Semme Split Remedy line is accessible and affordable, why not give it a try?  It is available at most drugstores near you.

What were your holy grail products in January?  I would love to hear from you.

Until next post......

Best of September Roundup - Colbert M.D., Ellis Faas, Nature's Gate

Hello, I am smitten with everything I am about to share with you today.  These are new brands to me and they have made quite an impression.  Let's get started:

Skincare - Colbert M.D. Intensify Facial Discs

Exfoliation is a crucial step in my skincare routine.  I exfoliate by alternating between enzymatic, chemical, and manual exfoliators at least once a week, but no more than twice a week.   I discovered Colbert M.D. Intensify Facial Discs during one of my many trips to Barneys New York earlier this year.  

This at-home microdermabrasion product is an enzymatic exfoliator.  Here is what it does from the box:

There are 20 moistened textured discs housed in a glass container, so you get 20 uses from it.  I concentrate on the T-zone when I scrub with the disc.  The result is clean pores and smoother skin.  The proof is in the mirror for me.  If your skin is not ultra sensitive, you can use it up to three times a week according to instructions.  I highly recommend this one if you like enzymatic exfoliators.  Available at Barneys New York and ColberMD.com.

Makeup - Ellis Faas Glazed Lips L305

Isn't this a beautiful color?  I have been fascinated by Ellis Faas ever since I heard about her makeup line over two years ago.  Ellis Faas is a Dutch makeup artist who is known for her brilliant color range and the uber chic bullet brush pen concept.  

Ellis Faas Glazed Lips L305 is an orange brown and it is the perfect color for Fall.  It is a bit of an odd color when swatched on my hand, but it turned to be a nice and interesting neutral on the lips.  I think this color complements yellow and olive toned skin very well.  I do not have any color like it in my neutral lip color collection, that makes it special.  The non-sticky formula of Glazed Lips is sheer yet pigmented, glossy, and moisturizing.  Their eye colors are amazing as well! 

Ellis Faas is available at Space NK and EllisFaas.com.  Go check out her website, you will love all the artsy and creative looks and how to videos.

Hair Care - Nature's Gate Tea Tree Shampoo 

This is an accidental discovery while shopping for a new shampoo for Mr. Rola.  For the most part, we share shampoos so I have to keep both of us in mind while shopping for a new shampoo.  

I was surprised to find Nature's Gate Tea Tree Shampoo at Safeway because it is a natural brand.  It looks like Safeway is stocking more natural brands as of late.  This shampoo has been such a blessing for my sensitive scalp, it deep cleanses and soothes my scalp.  My scalp has become highly sensitive due to hair coloring and straightening over the years.  Even if you do not have sensitive scalp, it is a must to use a clarifying shampoo weekly to cleanse the buildup in your hair.  This one is gentle for everyday use.

A look at the ingredients:

Thank you so much for reading!  Have a great weekend!  

Until next post......

Best of July Roundup - Rodin, Chanel, Melvita

Hello, July was a fabulous month with many new beauty discoveries for me.  Luckily for me, they were all winners with no major fails.  I had to narrow down to the few that I felt were "Gold Medal" material.  Yes, I have been watching the Olympics games non stop, they are exciting and addicting.  Go USA! 

Skincare - Rodin Olio Lusso Luxury Face Oil

If this is good enough for Adriana Lima, VS model, it is good enough for me.  I often get sucked into celebrity endorsements when it comes to beauty products, but this oil has been nothing but amazing.  Since I finished Sunday Riley Juno which I love, I wanted to try a new facial oil because I like to experiment.  Rodin Olio Lusso Luxury Face Oil surfaced on to my radar after I read this article about the founder, Linda Rodin and the product.  Rodin is in her 60's.  She comes across as a really cool lady with her own unique sense of style and taste.  Not to mention great skin to boot.

I use this luxurious natural oil on my face and neck at bedtime.  I would describe it as "Liquid Gold".  It is not greasy and I find the floral scent from the essential oils help me fall asleep.   The downside of this product is that it does come with a hefty price tag.  So I would consider repurchasing, but I will probably alternate it with a less expensive oil.

Rodin Olio Lusso Luxury Face Oil is available at Barneys New York.

Makeup - Chanel Le Crayon Khol Intense Eye Pencil in 75 Peche Cuivre


This golden peach color eye pencil was an unexpected find for me.  A few months ago, I was looking for a flesh tone pencil for the waterline at the Chanel counter at Macy's.  They did not have anything close to what I was looking for, but I stumbled upon this color from the summer collection.  This pencil is a sweet surprise in the sense that I can achieve the same bright eye look with it as compared to using a flesh color pencil.  It is a versatile color that can be used on the lid, lower lash line, or waterline.  If you haven't tried Chanel eye pencils before, you should know that they are really soft and easy to apply.  The colors are pigmented and long lasting.  The color would stay on my lower lash line for more than 10 hours, impressive!


Chanel Le Crayon Khol Intense Eye Pencil in 75 Peche Cuivre is available wherever Chanel is sold.  I am not sure if this is a limited edition color or not.

Left - Heavy swatch
Right - Light swatch

Body Care - Melvita Scented Dry Oil

I have been using this dry oil after shower everyday for the last two weeks.  I bought it from a sale event at Melvita's a while back.   Some of the main ingredients include Pomegranate, Argan, and Moringa of which all have anti-aging and repairing properties.  It comes in a spray glass bottle which I am not too crazy about because it is sometimes hard to spray the oil out and the bottle is weighty.  The oil itself is very light and is easily absorbed on the skin.  The scent is supposed to be orange blossom, but to me it smells more grassy or herbal on the skin.  Overall, I like how it softens my skin without being too heavy and the ingredients are of natural origins.  It can also be used on hair, but I have yet to try it on my hair.  I have been using another oil as hair treatment and loving the results.  I will report on that product later.


Thanks for reading.  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......

Sunday Riley Modern Skincare

Hello and Happy Sunday!  I have been incorporating Sunday Riley Modern Skincare to my daytime skincare routine for over one month.  I am happy to report that I am adding Sunday Riley Modern Skincare to my list of HG skincare lines that already includes Acure, Arcona, Aveda, and Melvita.

Sunday Riley Modern Skincare is all about using Green Technology and incorporating their own NV-5 Ageless Complex in the products.  You can read more about Green Technology and NV-5 Ageless Complex on their website here.  I have done a lot of research online before investing in the products.  During my research, I discovered lola's secret beauty blog and Lola's blog contains a wealth of information on Sunday Riley's products.  Lola has been an avid user of the line for many years.  Her posts are well written, insightful, and informative.  Go check out her blog.  

To give you a quick overview of the Sunday Riley products, I have been layering or mixing the first three products in the daytime after cleansing and followed by sunscreen:


 - Juno Transformative Lipid Serum - It is a facial oil and it is the star product in my opinion.  This product gives your skin a luminous glow like no other
- Skin Adrenaline Anti-Aging Concentrate - Light moisturizer for all skin types including oily skin
- Good Genes Treatment - This is a brightening treatment that I use five days in a row as a treatment once a month.  I would layer or mix it with Juno and Skin Adrenaline
- Start Over Active Eye Cream - I have not started to use this product yet.  It was a gift with Sunday Riley purchase at the Barneys New York Beauty Event in February.  I wanted to finish up my Origin Eye Treatments before opening this one
- Charisma Creme Cleanser - I picked up this cleanser last weekend after trying the sample I received in February. It is a good cleanser for normal to dry skin and it will remove eye and face makeup while it softens the skin


All products are available at Barneys New York.


In the evening after cleansing, I am still using and rotating between Acure Radical Age Reversal Treatment and Sponge Ladi Avokanto. I reserve these treatments for bedtime because I find both textures to be too heavy for daytime.


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

New Skincare For The New Year - Sponge Skincare

Hello, Hope you are all having a wonderful holiday season!  It has been a busy one for me with family from out of town and overseas, hosting a holiday party, and shopping, etc...I am sure you can relate.  But I am back with a skincare post that I have been wanting to write for several weeks now.


Sponge is a skincare line from Greece. I first discovered it after receiving a couple of samples from Barneys New York and used them during my recent vacation.  My skin was exposed to extreme cold and dry weather while I was traveling and the products did wonders for my tired and dehydrated skin.  The line was originally created by a doctor who offered these products to his pregnant patients.  Here is more on what the Sponge's website says about its ingredients and standards:


Sponge uses only the finest organic and wild-crafted ingredients which are naturally extracted by boiling the plants, herbs and flowers to particular temperatures and times based upon the maturity and the region in Greece it was grown to retain the highest amount of nutrients and vitamins. It is a slow process but it is also very pure to help ensure that your skin will ultimately benefit.


The highest sustainable growing standards are upheld where our plants, herbs and flowers are nurtured and harvested. We have also developed a method of testing products for safety and efficacy that is cruelty-free, which has been accepted by the Dermatological Society of Europe.

I have been using Sponge Illuminating Cream for daytime and Sponge Ladi Avokanto for nighttime.  All of the Sponge creams are chemical free, hand blended, and they all have an olive oil base.  The illuminating cream has a blend of mango, gold, and pearl as its key ingredients.  The mango scent smells amazing, almost good enough to eat.  The cream has a subtle sheen that helps brighten the skin for daytime.  It is light, but it is very moisturizing. 


Sponge Ladi Avokanto is their star product.  They call it a serum, but it is really an anti-aging facial oil made of avocado and olive oils as the main ingredients.  This is the first Sponge product that I tried and I was really impressed.  I am obsessed with facial oils and this one fits the bill for me this winter.  This is a luxurious night treatment that I look forward to using every night.  When I need an extra boost of moisture on some days, I would layer Ladi Avokanto and illuminating cream during the day.  It makes my skin look so plump and fresh when I layer the two products together. 

Thanks to Sponge, these products have really saved my dry skin this winter.  Both products come in a glass bottle with a pump.  Sponge is available at Barneys New York  or its website.  


Happy New Year to you all!  Stay safe.  I wanted to share with you Chanel Wishes 2012!  This segment has fabulous graphics with one of our favorite logos!