Spring Break - Protect your Skin

It's finally here! Spring - and with it comes warmer temperatures and for many of you, spring break! Treat your skin with care and protect it from the damaging rays of the sun with some of the newest and best products on the market today.

Kid Friendly
I know as a kid I hated it when I had to put on sunscreen - that thick white lotion took forever to skin into my skin and I wanted to get back into the water or the sun. Kids today have so many new and wonderful options that won't put them on the sidelines for long.

These Hello Kitty sunscreen sprays are perfect for kids. They offer 30 or 50 SPF and come in fun scents like Pineapple and Kiwi - no kid will be able to resist. Even wiggle worms will be covered in no time with a few sprays that work on both dry and wet skin.
 
Face Friendly
Your pretty face needs protection, but please don't slather body sunscreens on it. Use something specifically for the face, like La Roche-Posay's Anthelios 30. It's a cooling water-lotion that will protect and refresh skin without clogging pores or causing breakouts. Because let's face it, a breakout is never wanted! I love this because it melts into skin almost immediately, leaving no residue behind.


A Little Bronzing
Unless you've been tanning all winter (and really, is that good for your skin?) your legs might be a little pasty for spring break. No worries. Australian Gold offers sunscreen (15-30SPF) with bronzer to protect and add a hint of color so you won't blind everyone when you step out into the sun for the first time this year. Bonus: It smells great, too.


After Sun
Mistakes happen. Did you get a little too much sun? Even if skin just feels tight and itchy, Alba Bontanica's Very Emollient After Sun Lotion will soothe, hydrate and replenish skin. Made from 85% aloe vera and no parabens, phthalates or synthetic fragrances, you can feel good about putting this on anyone in the family.

February Favorites

I've been rekindling my love with some forgotten products and here they are:

1. Clean & Clear Oil-Free Shine Control Moisturizer
This is a great light moisturizer for the day that helps keep oil slicks away. I see this becoming my daily go-to product over the next few months as it warms up. I still use a heavier moisturizer at night and my day and night serums, but this is an excellent day lotion.

2. Londontown Lakur nail color in Thames from the Eye
I've been wearing this on my toes for a while now. I love the color. It's unique and sophisticated and fun - plus it reminds me of ocean water which has been nice during the crazy weather we've been having. But, the best thing about this polish it its staying power. It really lasts! I will be looking into getting some additional colors once my obsession with this turquoise color fades.

3. Ahava Dead Sea Osmoter™Concentrate
This is my holy grail serum. I'm sure I've mentioned it before, but it bears repeating. It's amazing. So light and silky feeling, but it really helps hold moisture in my skin. I can tell if I forget to use it. It's perfect to use day and night along with your preferred day and night cream. It lasts a long time - I've been using mine for about 2 months now and have not had to replace it yet. So, while it's a bit pricey (about $60) - it's worth it because it will last you at least a couple of months, bringing the price down considerably each month.

January Favorites

I know, I know, I'm very behind. Life got busy and even though I had it on my schedule to share with you my January Favorites, taking the time to do so was a challenge. But we're here now, so let's get on with it!

1. Jordana Twist and Shine
I know the Revlon Balm Stains are all the rage now, but you've got to try the Jordana Twist and Shine Moisturizing Balm Stains. They're pretty awesome. And they're cheap! I get compliments every time I wear them. You can find them at your local Walgreens. Honey Love and Cranberry Crush are both very wearable for most skin tones.



2. Lush Rose Jam Shower Gel
I know I've told you about this shower gel before, and I kinda feel bad bringing it up again since it's no longer available on the Lush site, but it is so amazing. I used up an entire 32oz bottle of it over the last month and started in to my second 32oz bottle. It smells so good and I even use it every now and again as a shampoo, because the rose fragrance is unbelievable and stays with me all day. I understand why people love the bath bombs and bubbleroons so much now. If you ever have the opportunity to get your hands on this shower gel, do it! I promise you won't be disappointed.

3. Not Your Mother's Dry Shampoo
Anytime I can skip a shampoo, I'm all for it. And Not Your Mother's lets me do that on a regular basis. I just spray on any part of the roots that are starting to look greasy, give it a few minutes to soak up the oil and brush out. Bonus tip: You can also use this dry shampoo on freshly washed and dried hair to add volume and body if you have limp or fine hair. Sometimes when my hair is too clean it just doesn't want to do anything but lay limp. Not anymore!

4. Say Yes To Cucumbers Face Towelettes
We all know it's important to take your makeup off at night. I know this. But sometimes, in a pinch, I resort to facial cleansing wipes to speed up the process. I like the travel size  to throw in my purse in case a long day has my eyes aching for makeup relief. These wipes fit the bill; they take off makeup in a snap and leave my face feeling and smelling fresh and clean. There are no harsh ingredients and my skin seems to love them.

NYFW: Cynthia Rowley and Dermelect ME

Photographer Credit: Fred Namdar 

 

 ‘Moonbow’ Nail Design Created by Celebrity Manicurist Elle for Dermelect ‘ME’ at the Cynthia Rowley Fall 2014 Presentation on Wednesday, February 12th at the Diamond Horseshow in NYC.

                                                                 
“Cynthia’s key word describing the inspiration of her collection was ‘moonbows,’ a reflection on the romanticism of her sporty chic line for the Fall 2014 season,” says Elle. “Representing a rainbow of darker shades not using any primary colors, we layered two shades from the same color family on one nail, beginning with a darker red, to orange, yellow, green, indigo and purple to achieve the perfect ‘moonbow’.”

 

NYFW Fall 2014 - Ouidad and Tracy Reese

Ouidad’s team of Curl Experts returned to New York Fashion Week for the second consecutive season as the official hair care sponsor of Tracy Reese’s Fall 2014 show at Center 548 on Sunday, February 9th.

Photos by Will Ragozzino

 

The inspiration for the hair look was “individual beauty,” which perfectly mirrors Ouidad’s advocacy for embracing one’s self and natural hair texture. Creative Director, Morgan Willhite led the Ouidad stylists as they created a variety of bold, emotional and textured styles exclusively for the Tracy Reese runway. 

The Ouidad stylists created individualized looks that incorporated different hair parts, inconsistent wave patterns, free flowing strands, a windblown “halo” effect and natural texture. To achieve these looks, the stylists used Wave Create Sea Spray, PlayCurl Volumizing Styling Spray, 8.5 oz, Styling Mist Setting & Holding Spray, Shine Glaze Serum, Moisture Lock Leave-In Conditioner and Salon Series by Ouidad Mongongo Oil Multi-Use Hair Treatment.

“Bold, naturally textured styles are all the rage right now and will continue to be a growing trend.  These styles can be recreated on all hair types and these effortless looks can be achieved easily with the appropriate styling products and tools,” says Ouidad Creative Director Morgan Willhite. 

Giveaway! Natural/Organic Skin Care

GIVEAWAY TIME!

I've got a treat for you! Since we began talking about natural and organic skin care and cosmetics products, you have shared with me that you're interested in taking a more natural approach to skin - and I couldn't agree more. While Earth month is still a ways away, we can celebrate now!

The great people from Michael Todd True Organics and Aurora DeJuliis M.D. European Medical Spa came to me with a generous offer - a giveaway of four products for one of my readers valued at approximately $150! I'm so excited to share this with you!

If you are interested in easing in to a more natural or organic line with your skin care regimen, this is a great time to try out some new products. I have tried them both and they're great. One of my favorite products is the Michael Todd Enzyme Scrub - it has a fresh citrus fragrance and works effectively without being too harsh, just like all of these products.

Here's a peek at what could be included in your prize:


The Charcoal Detox Cleanser is a detoxifying facial cleanser is particularly effective in caring for blemished and oily skin types as well as combination and normal skin. The creamy vegan cleanser is infused with Activated Charcoal to deeply clean pores of toxins and bacteria for smoother clearer skin. Activated Charcoal is an amazingly absorbent substance, widely known for its ability to effectively cleanse the skin, unclog pores, and remove deeper impurities and dead skin cells. Sulfate free "no tears" formula does not irritate eyes. $24.00

The Liposome Antioxidant Moisturizer is a soothing cream moisturizer made with organic ingredients and liposomes to transport antioxidants deep into the skin to restore and maintain healthy skin, counteract sun damage and fight premature skin aging and wrinkles. $24.00


From puffy skin to dark circles under your eyes, your skin needs to recover, rejuvenate and refresh.  Get some beauty sleep with Aurora DeJuliis, MD’s Retinol Night Crème, a unique encapsulated retinol delivery system that provides maximum release with reduced irritation typically associated with retinoids. Retinol diminishes the appearance of fine lines and deep wrinkles by stimulating collagen production and cell regeneration, which enhances skin tone and texture and reduces the appearance of discolorations, age spots, and occasional blemishes.  $59.00

Given how much we enjoy our daily dose of caffeine via a steaming-hot cup of tea, it’s only natural that we’d gravitate towards a skincare regimen with the same awakening effect.   Boasting a range of skincare benefits, Aurora DeJuliis, MD’s Chamomile Cleanser is quickly becoming a beauty bag staple.  Infused with chamomile, vitamins A and E, this gentle cleanser provides moisture absorption and retention properties as well as its antioxidant quality.  Harsh environmental conditions with pollutants or irritated skin conditions can be soothed by this rebalancing cleanser.  $35.00



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Winter Weather Dryness

I'm sure I'm not the only one with dry dry skin from all the winter weather. The heat and dryness from being indoors is awful on skin. My arms and legs felt like sandpaper. Regular lotion just wasn't cutting it. So I dug into my stash of products and rediscovered a product I love. H20+ Sea Salt Body Butter. It's heaven in a bottle. The Shea Butter and Coconut Oil melt into skin with no greasy feeling (this is important!). Also in the formula are sea fennel and sea lettuce, which keep skin feeling replenished. I finally have soft skin again, not to mention I smell great!

This is definitely something you should try if you've been suffering from serious dry skin like I have. I can't say enough good things about it (and if I didn't love it, I wouldn't write about it!)