Sisley Confort Exteme Body Cream For Very Dry Areas

Product Tag Line:

A creamy formula, a rehydrating and repairing body balm for dry skin.

Product Profile in short:
(as described on Sisley Website)
• helps the skin to regain suppleness and softness
• offers immediate relief and comfort

Promise:
intense, long-lasting nourishment

What’s Inside:
• Shea Butter and Kokum Butter for instant soothing and repairing skin.
• Harpagophytum extract brings a sense of relief when the cream is massaged onto the skin.
• Chestnut extract helps strengthen the skin's barrier function

Close-up on Active Ingredients:
Water
Brassica Campestris Seed Oil- Grape seed oil
Cetearyl Alcohol – used as emulsion stabilizer, emollient, thickening agent and carrying agent for other ingredients
Glycerin – humectant, attracts moisture to the skin
Butylene Glycol - another humectant
Castanea Sativa Seed Extract - Chestnut Seed Extract contains esculin, an antioxidant compound. In addition to this Chestnut Seed Extract is mentioned in many sources as having potent anti-inflammatory characteristics.
Mineral Oil - occlusive, keeps moisture locked in skin
Isopropy Palmitate – thickening agent and emollient, facilitates water retention in the skin, lubricates, softens.
Dimethicone – occlusive
Garcinia Indica Seed Butter - Kokum Butter - softens skin, restores elasticity, helps to regenerate skin cells and promotes skin’s healing
Butyrospermum Parkii- Shea Butter - emollient
Hydroxystearic/ Linoleic/Oleic Polyglycerides – natural emulsifier
Squalane - natural organic compound used in cosmetics as a natural moisturizer (mostly comes from shark liver oil)
Cetyl Palmitate- emulsifying agent
…
Mallow Extract, Panthenol (humectant, emollient and moisturizer, soothes and treats irritation), Lavender Oil (balances skin, stimulates cellular growth), Thymus Mastychina Herb Oil, … Sage Oil… Glycine Soya Oil

As always in Sisley products, a couple parabens at the end are used as preservatives.

Experience
Texture: Very rich, creamy
Absorption: For such a rich cream is great (or is my skin too thirsty?)
Smell: Nice light herbal smell with just a touch of bitterness. This is the type of a product that you like to smell before application.

I loved this product! I applied it to dry areas including knees/elbows, lower legs (from the knees down) and used it as a night time hand cream. The mentioned promise that it is comforting is not just a promise really - the sensation is amazing.

Upon application, you get a strange pleasant feeling as if your skin just relaxes and goes into nirvana (I can almost hear it sighing with a relief :-)). I guess it is the action of the above mentioned Harpagophytum extract - also known Devil’s Claw and used as anti-inflammatory and pain-reliever.

This cream leaves skin soft and hydrated. So as a conclusion, I would just say – it is another luxury wonderful product from Sisley.

Price Tag:
Ranges between $ 90 to $ 120

| More

Beauty Buzz: Skin Care Line for Tattoos?

Since I do not have a tattoo, I didn’t have any idea that there is a need for special tattoo care. It appears, however, tattoos do need some maintenance. They tend to fade or blur with years and need to be refreshed. What contributes to this fading a lot is the sun and free radicals that damage skin cells caring ink pigment. So this week a special skin care line for tattoos was launched in New York called Inkguard.

But is it special? According to the manufacturer, Tattoo defender has UV screen of SPF 30+ and Tattoo Enhancer contains “most potent” anti-oxidants. The “most-potent” anti-oxidants are green-tea, pomegranate, cocoa, carrot, coffee, Vitamin E, D, A.


Well… to me, it looks like another anti-oxidant moisturizer and another sun screen.

| More

Beauty Find: Clarisonic. What’s all the hype about?

Photo: Clarisonic.comClarisonic is nothing new and has been on the market for a couple years already. But recently I’ve been coming across information about Clarisonic a lot for some reason.

When you hear alot about a product, is it because the product is great and everyone is talking about it? Or is it simply because the company is investing in marketing? Sometimes it is hard to tell the difference.

Clarisonic is a hand held device with a brush for cleansing skin. Brushing and sensitive skin don't really go together, so I have been just ignoring all the hype and not really paying attention to the rave reviews about this product. But today I read that Clarisonic Skin Care System actually includes a special brush for sensitive skin. This and the fact that Clarisonic is one of Oprah’s favorite products inspired me to look into more details.

According to its manufacturer, the Clarisonic System “helps remove six times more makeup than soap and water alone”. Maybe this thing could be useful for my sensitive skin after all?

What people love about Clarisonic is that
- it is waterproof and you can take it to the shower
- you can control the intensity and use it on sensitive skin
- it unclogs pores
- makes skin soft, smooth and even erases some lines
- it comes with three cleansers: Gentle Hydro Cleanser, Refreshing Gel Cleanser, Nourishing Care Cleanser

It is quite expensive. But if, like me, you don’t get professional facials too often, it maybe a good investment!

So, what I want to know is if anyone out there has used this product? Is it as wonderful as everyone says? It is worth the investment?

| More

Beauty News: Tanning Drug Approved for Clinical Trial

Photo by Angeluzzo at Flickr.com
Did you hear about a drug that makes you tanned?

A drug that stimulates melanin production and turns skin caramel for up to two months has received U.S. government approval to begin clinical trials.

A man made hormone called afamelanotide is injected into the skin to stimulate tanning. The drug is being developed as a treatment for patients whose health due to rare genetic disorders is endangered by sun's rays.

Even though it has not yet been approved for tanning, a similar unlicensed product under a very descriptive name Melanotan II based on a similar compound, has become available from online retailers and is gaining popularity. American and British officials are concerned that use of this drug can cause serious short-term and long-term health problems. For example, a recent research has proved that injecting this compound into skin can cause a change in size and shape of moles which could be precursor to skin cancer.

What makes Melanotan II even more popular is that in addition to tanning, it also appears to produce aphrodisiac and erectile function effects.

Sources:
BBC NEWS UK
Wired.com
Pressrelease at mhra.gov.uk
CNN
Bmj.com

| More

At Home Laser Hair Removal Systems

The closer the summer, the more concerned we become with the smoothness of our skin. Shaving, using depilatory creams, and electric epilators can help you get rid of unwanted hair but the results won’t last long. Long term results can be obtained from laser or electrolysis. But those involve huge money investment and frequent repeated sessions till you see any results. However it appears you can perform laser depilation in the privacy of your own home! About a year ago two laser hair removal systems have been approved for the use at home: Silk'n and Tria Laser Hair Removal Systems.



Silk'n
How do the at home laser hair removal systems work? Both systems are portable hand held devices. They are based on the same idea as a professional laser treatment. Laser device releases quick burst of light energy which gets absorbed by the targeted hair and damages its follicle to prevent regrowth. The hair falls out in a week or two but not necessarily forever. It still can eventually grow back but will be much thinner and lighter.

Auch, does it hurt? According to the reviews I read and watched on youtube both devices are not pain-free and will sting.

But how effective are these at home devices as compared to professional treatments? The answer is they may be less effective but are much cheaper. Clinical trials showed that after 3 months Silk'n reduced body hair on average 55-65%. Silk’n hair removal system costs between 650$ and 800$.

Remember, Silk’n and Tria Hair Removal Systems are not for everyone. You have to be light skinned and have dark hair to be able to benefit from these at-home laser devices.
Get more information on these 2 devices and read how Silk’n compares to Tria.

Watch this report and review on Silk’n and Tria by Becky Worley from "Good Morning America".

| More

Estee Lauder Collection Bronze Goddess

Bronze Goddess collection by Estee Lauder includes everything you may need to be a Goddess this summer. It is not limited to just makeup, Estee Lauder also offers a fragrance range, self-tanning and sun care products.
I love bronze colors and I especially love wearing bronze colors in the sunny season! I think tanned skin, bronze eyelids and lips with a touch of gold shimmer look sexy. So needless to say I am impressed with Estee Lauder collection!
Let’s start with makeup.
Bronze Goddess SunBlush Illuminator (Limited Edition)

Bronze Goddess Sand & Sea EyeShadow Palette (Limited Edition)

Duo Tone Eye Pencil (Limited Edition)

Bronze Goddess Luminous Liquid Bronzer (Limited Edition)

Pure Color Lipstick in Golden Goddess (Limited Edition)

High Gloss in Rose Goddess, Golden Goddess, Coral Goddess (Limited Edition)

Pure Color Nail Lacquer in Golden Goddess (Limited Edition)

Bronze Goddess Soft Matte Bronzer
Bronze Goddess Soft Shimmer Bronzer

Bronze Goddess Soft Duo Bronzer

Pure Color Gloss Stick in Orange Poppy and Pop Pink

Bronze Goddess Fragrance:
Bronze Goddess Eau Fraiche
Bronze Goddess Body Oil
Bronze Goddess Luminous Body Lotion

Bronze Goddess Sun Care and Self-Tanners
Sun Indulgence Lotion for Face SPF 30
Golden Perfection Self-Tanning Lotion for Face
Golden Perfection Self-Tanning Milk for Body
Golden Perfection Tinted Self-Tanning Gelée for Body

| More

Enhance your Body With Makeup

Not so happy with your body? Maybe want fuller breasts or a six-pack for the abs? It appears, you can achieve it all using some smart makeup!
Just recently I stumbled upon It Cosmetics
line that offers special makeup kits that help to sex you up in a matter of minutes. With the vacation season approaching, looking good in that bikini becomes one of the burning issues. So what if you could get a smoking hot body in minutes instead of spending sweaty hours training and exercising. Folks at It Cosmetics promise that you can!


Start by sculpting, shaping and highlighting your legs with Contour and Highlighting Palette to get those “Smokin’ Hot Legs”. No time for sit-ups, your tight six-pack abs come in a box!


Use Abs in a Box Contour and Highlighting Palette to draw abs of your dreams. Enhance your cleavage and give your bust a lift with My Beautiful Breasts Contour and Highlighting Palette. Vuala! You are ready!
Each kit costs $39.00 and has a manual with diagrams to ensure a successful makeover!

PS: Sounds great! But don’t forget it’s just makeup and even though It Cosmetics promises it’s water and sweat proof, nothing ensures you look great in a bikini like a healthy diet and exercise!

| More

Beauty Term: Dermobiotics

This term was coined by Biotherm from the skin [dermo], cellular life [biotic]. Dermobiotic means probiotics for the skin.

Biotherm, used the term for the first time when they introduced RIDES REPAIR cosmetics to the market. RIDES REPAIR line is based on Pure Thermal Plankton which enhances skin internal defenses against aggressors such as UV exposure and pollution.

Because biological effects on the skin of Pure Thermal Plankton can be compared to the effects that probiotics have on human organism, Pure Thermal Plankton was pronounced the first dermobiotic™

| More

Beauty Talk: Stretch Marks - Treatment

If you already have stretch marks, the good news is they are treatable. The bad news is they do not disappear completely.

Stretch marks need to be treated while they are still fresh and red in color. This means taking measures during first few weeks or months of their occurance. If stretch marks are not fresh, already turned white or silver, and if they went very deep into dermis, no treatment will remove them completely. However, you can still minimize their unsighty appearance and at least fade them.

To treat stretchmarks at home, use topical products containing ingredients that stimulate collagen production and thicken skin. Several ingredients to look for include retinoids (should not be used by pregnant women!), Vitamin C and glycolic acids.

A couple examples of the products that can help against existing stretch marks include
ProCyte Striae Stretch Mark Crème
Stri-Vectin Intensive Concentrate for Existing Stretch Marks
Triderma MD’s Scar Reliever
Lierac Gamme Phytolastil Anti-Stretch Mark Solution
RoC Retinol Anti-Stretch Mark Serum.

Professional treatments availbale at the doctor office are lasers like the Pulse Dye and Nd. They can thicken the skin and take away redness. But get ready, it will hurt your wallet. The cost can range from $250 to 500 per treatment. Note, the use of a pulsed dye laser was shown to increase pigmentation in darker skinned individuals with repeated treatments. CO2 resurfacing lasers are also used to treat old stretch marks and can blend them in. The price tag is higher and is $900-3’000 per treatment.
Another treatment reducing visibility of stretch marks to consider is Dermabrasion. This treatment will be most effective if the scar is raised above the skin’s surface.

You did everything possible but the stretch marks are still visible? Camouflage them! Best way to make stretch marks a secret is a self-tanner. There is also special makeup developed to cover tattoos and port-wine stains. Check out Smart Cover Makeup Line, Tattoo Camo, Joe Blasco's Tattoo Covers etc.

| More

Clarins Stretch Mark Control

Promise:
Helps Reduce the Appearance of Stretch Marks, Promotes Skin Elasticity and Comfort

Product Profile in Short:
Three targeted actions help prevent and reduce the appearance of stretch marks while comforting skin during pregnancy or periods of weight fluctuation.

Close-up on Active Ingredients:

Aqua, Cyclomethicone, Catearyl Alcohol, Carpylic/ Capric Triglyceride, Isononyl Isononenoate, alcohol, hydrogenated coco-glycerides, Glycerin, Cetaryl Glucoside, Squalane, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Asiaticoside, Pluacrylamide, Dimethicone, Carbomer, Octyldodeceth-25, c13-14 Isoparafin, Disodium Edta, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydrozide, Sodium Cetearyl sulfate.

Experience:
Becoming a mom is the most exciting event of your life. I was really looking forward to this fulfilling experience. However motherhood comes with certain “side-effects”. Namely – stretch marks… Determined to do my best to minimize the imprint of pregnancy on my body and skin, I chose Clarins Stretch Mark Control to help prevent stretch marks. Read more about my experience below.

Texture: creamy, but not overly oily nor heavy
Smell: no fragrance

I liked the texture of this product. It is not too heavy but very moisturizing and nourishing. I used it mostly on my tummy and breasts. After massaging the cream in I could get dressed in about 3-5 minutes. It gets absorbed fairly quickly and leaves skin very soft and smooth. However you have to watch the amount you put on. I noticed that if you use too much it would turn into crumbs and would feel unpleasant, kind of itchy on the skin.

I didn’t have much problems with irritated itchy skin so cannot comment on weather Clarins Stretch Mark Control relieves itchiness from the stretching. But what I can say is that I had NO stretch marks after I gave birth! So either it is good genes, good luck or Clarins Stretch Mark Control works. Note, I was very diligent with applying this cream. I started early on at 2.5-3 months and from 4th month would apply it twice daily. And let me tell you, Clarins Stretch Mark Control was quite an investment. I would go through one tube in 1.5 months…

Price Tag:
49$

Bottom Line:
This is a very good product. However, no one will guarantee that it will work for you... but it worked for me so it’s worth trying!

| More

Clothes Help to Fight Acne

Can you imagine: clothes that's not only stylish but has SPF and also fights acne! Unbelievable but true! A smart company SunSoul created a line of clothes “blumod” that, as they claim, will help blemished skin. How? With the help of “professional light treatment technology”! SunSoul specializes in clothing made from what they call Fluorescent Therapeutic Materials. The latter provides protection from the damaging UV rays and uses sun light to benefit your skin.

So the type of material used in the blumod line turns broad-spectrum light into a narrow wavelength of blue light which kills bacteria and this way helps to fight acne. Obviously it treats acne only on the parts of the body it covers. Blumod line offers men's and women's shirts, unisex shirts, hats and accessories.

I find this a very interesting idea. As a teenager I suffered from acne on my back which was so frustrating and embarrassing for me then. So I can really associate and understand a need for such clothes… I wonder if it really works… What do you think?

| More

Shiseido Daily Bronze Moisturizing Emulsion

Today I restocked on Estee Lauder Anti-Stress Masks and I got something new – a bronzing daily moisturizer by Shiseido. Last summer I didn’t use anything of a kind. didn’t really care how pale my skin looked… I just gave birth and the only thing on my mind was how to survive on a couple hours sleep a day. Well I survived and this spring I feel I already want my skin to glow. So I didn’t actually do any inquiries or any research into what’s available out there. Just walked into a store talked to a sales girl and chose Shisedo based on the intensity of the color it provides which is very light, no smell and the added benefit of anti-oxidant protection.



Let’s see how it works for me!

In addition to my purchases I got a wonderful present: a cosmetic bag by Shiseido with a Perfect Rouge lipstick in RD 514 and a Smoothing Lip Pencil in RD 305, Shiseido Advanced Essential Energy Hand Nourishing Cream, Benefiance Pure Retinol Instant Treatment Eye Mask, Replenishing Body Cream and Refining Body Exfoliator. Lucky me! Looking forward to trying everything out.

| More

Dior Svelte Body Contouring And Firming Concentrate

Yes, I finally laid my hands on this product. After so much talking and changing my plans I finally got it. I am not at all satisfied with the results I got with Colistar’s intensive cellulite treatment. Before pronouncing that anti-cellulite products just don’t work I am going to give Dior’s product a chance. In addition to helping combat cellulite Dior promises tightening and contouring effects. Dior’s Svelte Concentrate looks and sounds impressing. Let’s see how it works! Don’t miss my review.

| More

Sperm Has Anti-Aging Effect On The Skin

Photo by Sperm Art at flickr.com
What only won’t you slather on your skin in the hope of becoming younger and more beautiful, right!? Oops, wait! Maybe there are limits to the weird stuff we put on our faces. What about recent discoveries revealing that sperm can effectively fight free radicals and have an anti-aging effect on the skin. Some time ago I came across an article in Cosmo (May 2010) talking about the new “wonder drug”. Scientists call it Spermidine – we call it just sperm. It appears, that in addition to semen being effective against depression when absorbed through the walls of vagina, it also increases lifespan of human immune cells. Studies also show that it acts as a powerful antioxidant protecting your skin from destructive free radicals. Guess what… a couple spas are already offering spermidine facials. Thanks God the sperm is not donated by guys from the street but is created synthetically. Finally, according to Cosmo there are already spermidine creams available on the market. Really? Any examples?

Would you use a spermidine moisturizer?

| More

How to Get Cute Flat Tummy After Pregnancy

In this post I am continuing to discuss skin care and beauty during and after pregnancy. I have already blogged about my experience with stretch marks and stretch mark creams. Now I want to share my thoughts about one thing that, in my opinion, played a huge role in my postpartum recovery. This important thing is a postpartum girdle! Postpartum girdles are a bit of a controversial topic as there is no direct scientific evidence that it benefits skin and muscle recovery. Most women don’t even think about using a postpartum girdle after they deliver and most of them don’t unless their OBGYN advises. In my case it was my husband who brought it to my attention. In fact, he did a small research online and found out how beneficial postpartum girdles are for abdominal recovery. The beneficial effect of postpartum girdle may be similar to that of a compression bandage or garment which helps to reduce post surgical swelling (edema) and this helps the body to heal faster. A postpartum girdle may also help to bring together stretched abdominal muscles. I got my girdle among other presents under a Christmas tree. It worked great for me. I started wearing my girdle the next day after the delivery. In fact, my OB/GYN put it on me the first time. I would make sure it was as tight as it was when my OB/GYN put it on and I wore it day and night. In a couple of days I could already see the effect – my skin looked tighter and my tummy flatter. I started wearing my pre-pregnancy clothes in 3-4 week after delivery. I wore the postpartum girdle for about a month.


I have to say that I did do some other things that could have helped the recovery. For example I started light exercise routine in about 10 days after delivery, I breastfed and had a very healthy diet because my boy was colicky all the time. I also used moisturizer regularly. However I still believe that my successful recovery was mainly due to the postpartum girdle. In fact we were so impressed with the results that we decided to create a website about postpartum girdles to share our knowledge here at Belly Bands website.

| More

The Blonde is Back

Big news! My natural-looking-highlighted-hair days are over… I went blonde again! Just couldn’t stand looking at myself in the mirror any more… One day I just felt bursting with deisre to have lighter… brighter… blonder hair… So what do I do? I just call up local (quite prestigious and expensive) salon and make an appointment to dye my hair. Why didn’t I go to my usual hairdresser? The answer is because I was wondering “what’s out there” and if “I am missing out on something” … So I come to that well-known salon and say that I want to go a couple shades lighter, I don’t need to have it extremely white but PLEASE, no yellow or orangey color. No, of course not! In an hour I am staring at my yellowish head of hair. So I say: “It’s yellow and I specifically asked you to please do something so that it’s not yellow” (Well, I say it more diplomatically of course.) 30 minutes later I am staring at my bluish hair… (Damn!) It will come out in 2 washes I am told, and after paying (I had to pay for that!!) off I go hoping the blue color is not too obvious.

In a couple weeks the orangey hair is back and I am dialing my hairdresser to get an appointment. I lie to her saying that I decided to go blonde but could not reach her… sigh… Have you ever lied to your hairdresser? Not so easy if you have her mobile and her home numbers…

Even though I am stuck now dying my roots, dealing with the orangey pigment and my husband’s constant inquiries as to why I go to hairdresser’s every couple weeks, I still don’t regret becoming blonde again. Good to be back! Blonde rules! *wink*

| More

Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Self-Tanning Milk for Body vs Shiseido Daily Bronze Moisturizing Emulsion

Recently I’ve been using these two bronzers to give some summery color to my pale skin :-) Here are my impressions.

Promise:
Shiseido Bronze Emulsion “promotes a gradual natural bronze color and dramatic silkiness with daily use”
Estee Lauder Self Tanning Milk “dries quickly, leaves a radiant glow”, “even golden color starting in under an hour”


Packaging:
Shiseido Daily Bronze Moisturizing Emulsion comes in a pump which is super convenient. While Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Bronzer is packaged in a bottle with a screw on cap. Pump seemed much more convenient, hygienic and practical to me. I could see with time that Bronze Goddes Tanner was starting to oxidize and turn a bit brown. With Shiseido’s Bronzing Milk you can easily control the amount you want to get out by pressing it all the way down or just lightly pressing down the pump or for a bigger amount pushing it several times. It’s excellent!


Close-Up on Ingredients:
It was interesting to compare ingredient lists of the two self tanners. I remember sales girl advertising Shiseido's bronzer as having some anti-oxidant properties. I found no anti-oxidant ingredients on the list. In fact, it’s a very short ingredients list. I do see several humectants and emollients though, such as glycerin, butylene glycol, and dimethicone. There are no natural extracts and all the ingredients are just artificially created chemicals. In Bronze Goddess Bronzing Milk, on the other hand, I see a lot of natural ingredients, some truly surprising! For example it contains such exotic extracts as Spike Moss Extract, Rosemary Extract Hops Extract, Grape Seed Extract, Pomegranate Juice extract, Apricot Fruit Extract; waxes like Narcissus Poeticus Flower Wax Jasmine Flower Wax; stone powders Sunstone Powder, Amber Powder; oils Kukiu Oil, Olive Fruit Oil…
I was not going to write about ingredients in this review but when I compared the two lists I was so surprised at the huge difference and contrast that I decided to point it out… So actually Bronze Goddess Self-Tanner has a lot of anti-ageing, anti-oxidant natural ingredients. Pretty impressing!

Experience:
Texture: I liked textures of both products. None was oily or sticky. Estee Lauder Bronzer is lighter and more liquid. Shiseido’s Self Tannin Moisturizer has a more creamy texture to it which is still very light.

Fragrance: As you know self-tanners can stink but these two are stink free! Both have pleasant light fragrance to it. Bronze Goddess just as the description says has this beachy scent that your skin gets only in the sun…

*Shiseido’s Daily Bronzing Moisturizer is an axcellent product to achieve just a touch of color. It’s also a plus that you can use it on your face as well. It didn’t break me out or gave me any allergic reaction. In fact this product was dermatologically tested.

Streaks: I never got any streaks with Shiseido Tanning Emulsion.

Color: The color looked very natural. I even got a compliment from my husband after applying it for several days to my face he said I looked fresh and rested (reminding you – I have a baby who keeps me up at night!)
* Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Self-Tanning Milk for Body I would use if you really want and need to see the color. One thing I didn’t like so much was that after application my skin felt hot as if a bit burning…

Streaks: Once it gave me streaks but probably I just didn’t apply it properly. What you need to do is to blend it well and fast. It also absorbs into dry skin on the knees and elbows so make sure to apply moisturizer on these parts to make your tan more even.

Color: In terms of the natural color. It looked to me less natural than the color I got from Shiseido’s Bronzing Emulsion. But I do not remember how my suntanned skin looks :-) I have not suntanned in years :-)

Price Tag:
Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Self-Tanning Milk for Body – 26-27 USD
Shiseido Daily Bronze Moisturizing Emulsion – 36 USD

Bottom Line:
I would definitely get Shiseido’s Bronze Moisturizing Emulsion for daily use again. But for a more intensive tan I may try to look for a middle ground in terms of naturally looking color and intensity between the daily bronzer by Shiseido and Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Self-Tanning Milk.

| More

Beauty Shopping: Clarins Renew-PlusBody Serum

Look what I got onsale! (50% damn percent off! - sorry for that!) I am very excited to try this Renew-Plus body serum by Clarins. Clarins describes this product as Intensive Renewing Beauty Treatment. It combines Water Lily extract with Pre-Retinol to "eliminate dead skin cells, enhance cellular renewal and tone skin" I mean the description is sooo good, I wonder what it will deliver :-)

| More

Flirty Dermastase Soap, Ageless Ultimate Anti-Aging Bar Soap

As soon as I opened the new soaps and put them into my bathroom a heavenly smell filled the whole room and every time I would pass by, if the door was open, I would pause and take a sniff… and go Yum! It was amazing! And this intense scent lasted for a couple weeks!

So here is what I think about Harvey Prince’s new scented soaps and washing gel. First of all the soaps are just as the Harvey Prince site describes them - luxurious. The scent is just like from a bottle of perfume and it lingers on the skin. Both bars Flirty Dermastase Soap and Ageless Ultimate Anti-Aging Bar Soap have exfoliating natural particles such as Pumpkin and berry seeds which provide soft exfoliating effect. Both of them boast having moisturizing, rejuvenating and anti-aging ingredients with a special “revolutionary” Delivery System. This system takes soap bars to a completely new level as a skin care product. Now soaps not only cleanse but treat skin as well. Some of the ingredients mentioned on the company website include tri peptides, Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs), Green tea, olive oil, Mowrah Butter. The soap give nice creamy leather and are a pleasure to use.

My only criticism would be that the bars are huge and I think if they came as the same volume of product but in smaller bars separately packaged they would feel nicer in the hand and the scent would last even longer!!


Eau Flirt Body Wash Liquid Loofah is very foamy and smooth. Creates nice leather, you can even use it to shave… It doesn’t dry out your skin and I love the scent. Actually I like Eau Flirt scent in this washing gel better than in the original perfume because it is not as concentrated.

In addition to the above mentioned new releases check out Harvey Prince’s body lotions with the scents of Ageless and Eau Flirt! I think a genius idea would be to develop a candle with the same scents. How cool would that be!!!??? Looking forward to Harvey Prince’s new creations!

| More

Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Collection Spring/Summer 2010

Spring must have sprung because Estee Lauder's Bronze Goddess Collection has officially been released. This year Lauder introduces a (limited edition) line of makeup, fragrance, and skincare that will transform you into a tropical beach babe.

Here's a shot of me wearing the collection.

Oh wait, that's actually not me at all, but it sure does show the magic of their Liquid EyeShadow in the sizzling blue Aqua Flash shade. Ultra Violet is pretty eye-catching too and both nicely compliment the remaining two universally flattering shades; Sand Shimmer, and Molten Bronze. These 4 tubes have sponge-tip applicators (like a lip gloss) that you dab on your lids and either pat in with your fingers or blend it with a brush. I like the unique texture of the shadows which feels like a weightless mousse that settles nicely into the lids- even mature, dry lids because of the light formula. They don't cake, crease, or smudge and they wear a really long time.

Here's a shot I took that shows the colors well.

Here's another shot where the writing isn't visible so you can see the shades a little better.

The brunette bombshell above is sporting their Coral Look which consists of these products below. You can find the full color lineup of what was used for the look HERE.

Exotic Orchid is their other look, bright and pinky with a shot of bronze which uses these products shown below.

It's a fun collection and a look that's tropical, exotic, and eye-popping so you can kick-start spring with some splashy color.

But it wouldn't be a Bronze Goddess collection without something to get us all bronzy would it? Their well-loved sunless tanning formula comes in a base of gelée, milk, or a lotion that will get you that deep, even, safe tan. I use the Milk, which is colorless, but the tinted gelée for the body has a little bronzer to it so you can see exactly where it's going for a fool-proof application with zero streaking.

Within the past few months I've become a bronzer junkie. I don't know why I wasn't bronzing before (I always bronze everyone else) but now I rarely leave the house without a light dusting of the sunny powder. Their eye-catching Exotic Bronzing Blush, combines the two so you can balance out rosy with bronzy- a big trend right now. I'll be using their Bronzing Gel with a little moisturizer on my neck which is way lighter than my face. It's a perfect bronzy shade that isn't too dark on its own, but you can cut it with moisturizer to lighten it up for natural looking color.

One of the reasons I love Lauder is because they value tradition. They keep products they know are well-loved even if they aren't mainstream anymore. Bronze Goddess is another tradition I look forward to getting year after year. It's timeless, it's sexy, and it never disappoints.

| More