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 2012 Roundup - Body Care, Hair Care, Etc.

Hello, We already talked about my 2012 picks on skincare and makeup in the previous posts here and here.  This is the last (but not least) installment of the Best of 2012 Roundup, let's get on with it...

Body Care

It looks like soap, but it isn't!  Lush Body Butter in King of Skin is a skin conditioner that is meant to be used after cleansing on wet skin in the shower.  Be sure to keep it in a closed container or you will lose product if it is in contact with water.  It is so convenient to use, I can even skip lotion if I use this.  It is very moisturizing and nourishing.  There are five types of body butters available online at Lushusa.com.  I was informed in store that King of Skin is the most hydrating.  It smells creamy and really good!  Some of the ingredients are avocados and bananas, good enough to eat.  I highly recommend it!

Caudaline Divine Oil was my favorite all-purpose dry oil in 2012.  Read more about it here. Try it!

Hair Care 

When it comes to hair, it was year of Oribe for me!  My hair is thick, dry, and chemically treated constantly.  The Oribe products really keep my hair in tip top shape, my hair has become better conditioned and more shiny.  If you have similar hair to mine, you should consider trying Oribe Masque for Beautiful Color, a deep treatment for colored hair.  Oribe Supershine Moisturizing Cream is a leave-in conditioner that will tame and add shine to your hair.  Lastly, I am on my second mini bottle of Oribe Apres Beach Wave and Shine Spray, still loving it!

Also, Ombre is still my favorite hair color look.  I like it because you can always tweak and customize your own look.  I am inspired by Song of Style, her hair is always beautiful...

Image via Song of Style

Etc...

Gel nails has been on my radar in the last few years, but I actually started getting gel nails in 2012.  Do I love it?  Yes and no.  I love that the polish is super shiny and it can remain chip free for two weeks, but it is very drying for the nails and can look artificial.  

From my experience when I am wearing gel polish, it helps to use cuticle oil or any emollient oil on the entire nail and skin around the nail every day.  And if you can find nail salons that use non-toxic gel polish removers instead of Acetone, that will save your nails from becoming further dried out and damaged.  If you are in the San Francisco Bay Area, check out Nova Nail Spa.

Thanks for reading, until next post......

Gelish after one day

Gelish after two plus weeks

OPI Gel

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......

Best of 2011 Roundup - Skin Care, Body Care, Hair Care

Hello, 2011 was a great year with many great products in the market.  Yours truly has tried and tested many good products and some not so good.  Here is a quick run down of the Best Products of 2011 based on my own trial and error, I would consider re-purchasing all of these products in the future:

Skin Care

From left to right:

1)  Boots Botanics Soothing Eye Make Up Remover - I use this to remove stubborn waterproof eye makeup and it is not irritating to my sensitive eyes
2)  Aveda Green Science Perfecting Cleanser - This cleanser contains argan oil which is very nourishing to the skin.  It removes makeup and dirt quite well, yet it is gentle on my dry skin.  It never leaves my skin tight and dry
3)  Andalou Naturals Blossom & Leaf Toning Refresher - This is a newer brand that I discovered at Whole Foods Market.  I was intrigued by the Fruit Stem Cell Science behind the products.  This toner is hydrating and refreshing at the same time.  I really like the fresh herbal scent
4)  Sponge Ladi Avokanto - This is my current night treatment made of avocado and olive oil.  See more information from my previous post here
5)  Aveda Green Science Firming Eye Creme - I have some dry fine lines forming around my eyes.  I can feel the firming action around my eyes when I put this one, it is really moisturizing at the same time.  It is the perfect eye cream under makeup or on its own

Body Care

From left to right:

1)  80 Acres Verde Olive Oil Body Balm - I have written about this body balm in two separate posts.  Can you tell it is my favorite body balm?
2)  MJ's Herbals Lavender E Salve - This is another balm good for dry hands, burns, cuts, scars, headache and stress relieve, etc.. It is an all purpose natural potion

Hair Care

From top to bottom:

1)  Josie Maran Argan Oil Hair Serum - I have very thick and dry hair.  Even for my hair, a little of this product goes a long way.  I use this on damp or dry hair.  It seals and adds shine to my hair
2)  Living Proof Restore Mask Treatment - After seeing the introduction of this product on the Dr. Oz's show, I had to try it.  It is a wonderful hair treatment that I use twice a week, it repairs, tames, and softens my damaged hair like no other

3)  Hot Tools Tempest 2000 Salon Turbo Ionic Dryer - Lastly, I was getting tired with the cheap drugstore hair dryers that keep breaking on me every couple of months.  I decided to splurge and invest in a more powerful and better quality hair dryer.  This dryer is a good one for under $100, it is worth the money.  There are more expensive hair dryers out there, but I am not a professional hair stylist and can't justified spending more than $100 for a hair dryer.  This one comes with the standard attachments and it is easy to use. The biggest benefit for me is that it dries my thick hair in less time compared to other dryers that I have tried.  Low EMFs is another plus

Have you tried any of these products?  I would love to hear what you think about them.  Stay tuned for another Best of 2011 post coming up soon!  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!

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......

Best of August Roundup - Skin Care

Hello, I finally got around to start a monthly favorites post.  I hope it is not too late, so here I am starting with the Best of August Roundup.  I will mention one item from each of the categories of skin care, makeup, body care, and fragrance.  These are products that I reach to the most everyday in the past month and there are good reasons why I think highly of each one of them.

Skin care

I have been using Sarah Chapman Skinesis Overnight Facial throughout the past four months or so.  I admit that I was intrigued by the product's name that it claims to be an "Overnight Facial".  It sounds like every busy woman's dream, right?  My curiosity led me to Space NK in Bloomingdale's, I wanted to feel and smell  the product before buying it.  When I first pumped the product out from the tester, I was completely taken by surprise that this product was an oil  because I was expecting it to be a cream mask for some reason.  l have an obsession for facial oils anyway, so I was sold!  Overall, I like the product, my skin does look clear and hydrated in the morning after using it at night.  It does not clog the pores in my skin.  It is a night treatment, however, I do not see why you can't use it during the day if you have very dry skin and when you need that extra quench of moisture.

Product breakdown

Ingredients - Some of the ingredients include Vitamin A, C, E, peptides, and blend of Abyssinian Oil, Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Melon Oil, and other essential oils.  See back label of all the ingredients in the picture above.  It is mostly natural and paraben free
Texture - Oil.  It has a consistency of a cross between an oil and serum, not too thick or too runny.  I did not get a chance to take pictures of the actual product before I used it to the last drop this past week
Scent - Floral from Jasmine and Rose.  It may be strong to those who are sensitive or allergic to fragrances
Skin type - Normal to Dry
Price - $89 for 0.5 fl oz. 

Repurchase? - Maybe.  Although I like the product, the price is stopping me from buying this too frequently.  I would like to find a cheaper version and good quality facial oil.  Can anyone give me some recommendations?

August Roundup on makeup, body care, and fragrance will be posted shortly, please stay tune.  Until next post......