Estee Lauder Favorites - November 2014

I've spent a significant amount of time helping out at our Estee Lauder counter lately, as they are making some team changes. This has allowed me time to try some current Lauder products and develop a few favorites!  If you haven't tried any, these should be on your list:

1. Double Wear Stay-in-Place Eye Pencil. 12 Hour Wear, water resistant.  This liner comes in a variety of awesome shades (add a light line of color to your eyes above your normal black/brown for a great new look - rose gold or silver, maybe?), goes on easily and smoothly (you don't have to press down hard), and best of all - it lasts.  $22 each, and I highly recommend the $8 double sharpener Estee makes to keep it in A+ shape.

 

2. Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup Foundation. 15-hour wear, stays on through heat, humidity, activity. Won't smudge onto clothes.  Though it IS long wear, it does not feel heavy. Medium coverage. Looks great on just about every person I've tried it on - and it comes in a lot of shades so you can get a perfect match. $37

3. Revitalizing Supreme Global Anti-Aging Moisturizer. I was a little skeptical of a "smart" creme - something that adjusts to your skin as needed...but after trying it for a week, I am pretty sold. This improves multiple signs of aging - lines, wrinkles, firmness, dullness, dehydration. It's a thick creme and feels very luxurious going on, and my face is clear, firm, and radiant with use.  Recommended!  $50, $75, $90 (three sizes)

4. Sensuous Nude Perfume. It's what it sounds like - sexy. Intimate, feminine, sultry. Notes of woods, musk, bergamot, sandalwood, amber.  My hubby prefers a more fruity scent, but this one is lovely and sensual if that's what you're into! $58, $65, $90 (three sizes)

 Anyone else have favorites from Estee?

Early Summer 2014 - New Products

Through spring and early summer, I've been trying multiple new products.  A quick review of just a few:

Lush Shampoo Bar

My sister bought me one of these for my birthday, and I was really pleasantly surprised!  Lush's Shampoo Bars are preservative-free and environmentally friendly, with no harmful packaging (mine was a travel size so it came in the tin), and are made to last as long as three bottles of liquid shampoo.  They come in different formulas, but this "Squeaky Green" is made to deep cleanse scalp and hair.  It smells like tea tree oil and rosemary - very nice.  I'd definitely try the other versions of this - they make them for softening, oily hair, volume/shine, de-tangling, dandruff, thinning hair, etc.  $12

 Lancome's Rouge in Love Lipsticks

I don't wear many lipsticks - they generally feel too heavy on my lips. However, these new lip colors from Lancome are definitely cool.  They come in the very in-style bold shades, but they are a VERY lightweight matte finish, so they wear a bit more like a lip stain - and they are 6-hour wear! A light sweep of color gives me a good base shade for long wear, and I can pop a little gloss over it if I want more shine. They've been very popular at Macy's so far. $28.50

 Guerlain Lingerie De Peau - Invisible Skin Fusion Foundation

In my search for a light-weight foundation with a lovely finish, I found this on Sephora's website, with extremely high ratings. It has SPF 20, and is a light to medium coverage formula.  Goes on really smoothly.  The color is not a perfect match for me, but since I like the feel, I've been blending it with just a little foundation in another shade to add a bit of pink undertone.  Goes on well with a blending brush or a blending sponge.  At $61, it runs higher in price than some counter brands, but it's a little nicer, too.

Dirty Works Supreme Cream Body Butter

You all know about my love affair with body butters. I grabbed this one on the cheap at TJ Maxx - the brand is sold mostly overseas, but at $7, it seemed like a good buy.  It's more whipped-feeling than other body butters - more like a light cream.  It smells great (shea butter and sweet almond oil) and leaves the skin silky.  It's not a product I can grab at my local store, but I'd buy it again.  Plus...the retro packaging is a bit fun.

Murad T-Zone Pore Refining Serum

I've had this product for a couple of months and have been putting off blogging about it, because I simply can't tell if it's working or not.  I bought it at the recommendation of an aesthetician who gave me a facial.  I rarely break out, but occasionally get some trapped oil in the larger pores on my cheeks, or near my nose.  Even if they don't turn into actual breakouts, they annoy me. This serum is supposed to tighten pores, dissolve oil, and prevent excess oil production.  It doesn't smell bad, but doesn't smell good like some of my other serums.  I don't use it every night - maybe twice a week?  I will say I seem to have less trapped oil in pores, but I'm not sure if it's due to this serum.  It runs $42, and doesn't seem to hurt anything, but I'm just not certain what I can attribute to its use.

What about you, ladies?  Tried any new products this spring/summer?

CC Cream Fail.

Birchbox discoveries are often great, but last month's box contained a slight failure - the Supergoop! Daily Correct CC Cream is definitely not something I'd purchase.  It's supposed to be lightweight, fragrance free, easy to blend, and skin perfecting. 

On the good side, it's not heavy, has no scent, and has SPF 35 and some natural ingredients.  On the not-so-good side..the finish just isn't nice.  There was no real coverage or skin perfecting to speak of, and when I added another layer to see if it helped, it felt - no pun intended - goopy.  It doesn't wear well, and I've honestly been more impressed with $15 drugstore brands.  This $32 price tag is good, but not for a product that doesn't really work.  Sorry, Supergoop! - you can keep this one.

NARS Eyes & Spa Smoothness

Two totally random product reviews:

This little NARS palette is a duo recommended by the beautiful Emma Watson - she always looks fresh-faced and a little sultry at the same time, so when she said "jump"...I did.  Called Tzarine, this is a pinkish-beige on one side, and a sparkly gray on the other. It's an interesting combination because the colors are so very opposite - i.e. not simply a lighter/darker version of the same shade, like a lot of shadow duos.  Both shades have a TINY bit of shimmer, but don't translate as sparkly. They blend nicely into each other, but I admit the light shade needs to be layered on to show up well.  Overall, I like it.
$35, http://www.amazon.com/NARS-Duo-Eyeshadow-Tzarine/dp/B003VRCEEE

H2O+ Sea Moss Black Sand Body Scrub - on the subject of deals and steals, I found this fun product at TJMaxx for about $8 - it typically runs $20. When I buy discounted products, I am always a little skeptical, but this stuff is excellent. I find it cool that the micro-fine sand grains are from cooled lava. It also contains sea salt, aloe vera, and provitamin B.  There's enough grit to exfoliate, but enough moisture to make the skin soft vs. dry. Definitely a good find!
http://www.h2oplus.com/product/sea+moss+black+sand+body+scrub.do?sortby=bestSellers&refType=

For all the Dior Divas

I am asked fairly often about my list of Dior "must haves" as compared to other brands. While I use quite a few Dior products, I readily use other brands if they seem to work better for me and my skin.  After a few years of Dior product use, the favorites that I will keep buying well into the future are...

1. One Essential Super Skin Serum

As I've said before, serums pack the most skin treatment "oomph", and of all the serums, this is my favorite! It detoxifies, cleaning out and purifying skin cells, and boosting the effectiveness of all other products significantly.  Revitalizes and makes skin more radiant, and helps correct/prevent signs of aging. "Pollution, stress, fatigue, UV rays…the atmosphere in our biggest cities has proven to be just as intoxicating as it is harmful. The ozone alone increases toxin production by 44%. Every day, 7 billion toxins accumulate in the skin, preventing it from repairing itself and diminishing its glow. As if suffocated, the skin becomes dull and appears tired."  It's not cheap at $95 and $120 (two sizes), but in my opinion, worth every cent. 


2.  Capture Totale Multi-Perfection Creme

This is my current favorite moisturizer. It's a beautiful, thick, smooth creme, and it melts into the skin.  It improves multiple deeper layers of the skin to plump, smooth, structure, and illuminate the skin. At $155 a jar, it's not cheap, but once you purchase, you can buy re-fills for $140 that pop into this "jewelry box" case.  A little goes a long way, so re-purchasing should not happen often.  Dior also makes a "rich" creme version of this for very dry skin.

3. Capture Totale Multi-Perfection Eye Cream

I am very choosy about eye creams, and have yet to find any sort of miracle cream for firmness, moisture, and dark circles.  So far, this is one of my overall favorites.  It is extremely moisturizing, and helps fill in lines and wrinkles to firm around the eye.  It's wonderfully comfortable and feels a bit like a spa treatment. 

4. DiorSnow White Reveal Gentle Purifying Foam

I recently blogged about this as my newest favorite cleanser - it foams, cleanses, brightens, but does not strip or dry the skin at all.  A great add to your cleansing routine.

5. DiorSkin Nude Natural Glow Radiant Foundation

For a nude/dewy foundation finish, this is still my go-to.  It comes in many shades, applies smoothly with a brush or sponge, and looks fresh through the day.  A nicely balanced foundation. 

6. DiorSkin Nude Compact

For a very even, natural, slightly satiny finish, this is my favorite powder.  It comes with a small brush for light application, and a sponge for more coverage, which is ideal for use throughout the day. I've used it alone and with all sorts of foundation. 

7. DiorSkin Airflash Foundation

This was the first product I ever got hooked on from Dior. Originally developed for professional makeup artists, this spray foundation gives amazing coverage that feels like absolutely nothing on your face.  It goes on easily with a brush or sponge, and is so thin, you forget you're wearing foundation. The finish is flawless and smooth, semi-matte, and long wear, especially with primer.

8. DiorSkin Nude Tan Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder

I've been a bit bronzer-averse since it seemed to be all the rage while I was in high school and early college, and it was so overdone.  As I learned how to use it lightly for an all-over touch of color OR for contouring, I started keeping it in my bag for every day use. This one is my favorite simply because it's so light and finely-milled.  It's hard to apply too much.  They make slightly illuminated shades (like the one above) with varied colors to look more natural.  The same bronzers are made in more matte shades, as well.  The compact comes with a handy kabuki brush for application and blending, but I typically opt to use a larger blush brush for a lighter sweep of color.

9. DiorSnow Lash Maximizer

This is a white formula that sweeps on smoothly, and dries clear.  It plumps, lengthens, and primes lashes for mascara. It's an active serum with soy proteins to promote long-term lash growth and strength. Lashes are hair, and need to be cared for.  This makes my lashes healthier, but also makes my mascara go on better and last longer. 

10. DiorShow Mascara

Dior has been famous for their mascaras for years, and they have several great options. My favorite is still the classic DiorShow. It's a buildable volume, slightly false-lash effect. The brush is very plush, and the formula is smooth.  It sweeps on easily, and - my favorite thing - wears SO well.  It doesn't get crunchy or flaky, and stays soft, almost like natural lashes.  I can brush them side to side and not rub off the mascara. My fave.

11. Dior Addict Gloss

I seriously probably have 40 lip glosses in my cosmetics trunks, but they're going into the recycle bin, because I only use this one, in different shades.  The formula is beautiful on - shiny, sparkly (if it's a shade with shimmer), and yet (here's the kicker) - NOT STICKY.  It infuriates me when my hair sticks in my lip gloss.  Addict Gloss comes in shades sheer enough to wear over other lip colors (stain, lipstick, whatever), and shades that are beautiful colors alone or with liner. 

Notable Mentions:

Dior Lip Polish - a pink gloss that exfoliates lips and keeps them smooth

Dior Lip Maximizer - a collagen-active gloss that goes on clear and plumps lips

Creme de Rose - a rosy lip balm that is incredibly moisturizing and smoothing, and easy to wear alone.

DiorShow Liner Waterproof - roll-up liner (comes with a sharpener on one end) that glides on smoothly, and stays put - comes in several great shades to avoid being boring with black each day.

 

Clarisonic: Can't Live Without It.

Occasionally, a product comes along that changes your life.  Is that dramatic?  Maybe. Oh, well. I had seen the Clarisonic brush used in spas, and knew it was highly recommended, but I didn't see the point in spending $150 on a skincare tool. When I started working with Dior/Macy's, I met woman after woman with great skin, but they all used different skin treatments and products. Except one - they all seemed to use the Clarisonic. 

So when Macy's brought out the Mia First at $99, I went for it. And...I. Love. It.

From the Clarisonic site: "Day and night, skin is subject to oil, perspiration, debris, makeup, and environmental pollutants. These combine to make a sticky, stubborn pore-clogging film that can make the skin look unhealthy, feel rough, and become irritated, while acting as a barrier to skincare products. Unlike spinning devices, our patented sonic cleansing technology works with skin's natural elasticity, oscillating at a sonic frequency that produces over 300 movements per second. The resulting flexing action created between the inner and outer brushes works to loosen dirt and oil, removing deep-seated impurities from pores and priming skin to better absorb topical treatments."

This means improvements in:
Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Loss of firmness and elasticity
Enlarged pores& excess oil
Rough surface & uneven texture
Dullness/Lack of Radiance
Acne/blemishes

I have to say, it comes through. When I wash without the brush now, I don't feel half as clean, and my skin looks much better when I'm using it. My products work better, meaning I spend less money on them (and on cosmetics) overall. Granted, I did get my Macy's discount, so it was a great deal - but I think it's worth the investment. 

Anyone besides me <3 the Clarisonic?

February Birchbox Goodies

This month's Birchbox arrived during Winter Storm PAX and is a welcome distraction from all the ice!

 This month, we have...

Beauty Protector, Protect & Oil
"Hair oil that defends against UV rays, heat, and breakage."  I have a feeling I'll love this, since this brand's leave-in conditioner and detangler is my FAVORITE.

Dr. Brandt, Pores No More Pore Refiner
"This celeb favorite minimizes pores and absorbs oil for a photo-ready matte finish." This is supposed to work as a primer too, but I am not sure I need quite this much oil control. I'll try it and see how it works.

Juicy Couture, Couture La La Malibu scent
"Breezy So-Cal inspired scent that mingles sparkling mandarin with pink sugar." May be a bit summery, and not the same quality as a good designer scent, but Juicy does usually smell pretty good.

Ruby Wing, color-changing nail polish in Kitten Heels
"Color-changing polish morphs from a hot fuchsia to a deep magenta in the sun." I've already been experimenting with color change polishes and totally love them. They make your manicure a bit magical!

32 Oral Care, effervescent breath crystals
"Breath-freshening crystals that attack unpleasant odors for a cool, clean feeling." Seriously? They're like pop rocks for fresh breath. You swish them around until they pop. Weirdness.

What did you ladies receive in your BirchBox/Ipsy/etc. this month?

Guide to Makeup Brushes

I could write an entire post on brushes, but MakeUpGeek has done it for us! 

Check the list and great video here: http://www.makeupgeek.com/makeup-basics/must-have-makeup-brushes-in-your-kit/

She uses MAC and MakeUpGeek brushes for the most part, but there are certainly other brands that make great brushes.  I'd use this guide more to  know what types of brushes you need and what they're each used for.

Happy brushing!

Dior vs. Armani: Who wins the foundation battle?

When I saw that Armani was so very recognized for their Luminous Silk Foundation, I was excited to try it. It won things like "best liquid foundation of 2013" by InStyle. Alas, it was tough to find in Atlanta - only Nordstrom carries it, and I wasn't in the mood to trek to Perimeter Mall or Lenox Mall.  So, I waited.

In the meantime, my skincare consultation at Dior was scheduled, so by the time I got out to Perimeter, I was buying Diorskin Nude Foundation...because...well, because Dior gave me an entire skin care consultation and it was sort of fabulous.

Long story made short, I found Armani Luminous Silk in a Sephora in Le Defense in Paris.  Got color matched. Picked it up pronto.  Over the course of the next several weeks, I have used both foundations to see which is better.

The winner?  Definitely the Diorskin Nude.  It's lighter, and goes on much more naturally, while still giving lovely coverage.  It lasts all day (over a primer, of course) and is overall more naturally beautiful on my skin.

This is not to say the Armani isn't good - it is.  But in this case, Dior takes the ribbon. Other designer foundations I am curious about are from Givenchy, Guerlain, Dolce & Gabbana, and Marc Jacobs. Thoughts on this TBD...as I run out of foundation!

In Our Prime(rs) - Volume 2

Back in May 2012, I posted a blog about various primers I had tried.  Since then, I've found another fabulous one and may (*gasp*) stick with it for a while vs. trying something new.

Laura Mercier's Foundation Primer has been called the very first foundation primer - some argue that Laura Mercier invented primer altogether.  I can't speak to the truth of that, but I can say this stuff is awesome.  It does the job of making my makeup last, first and foremost.  But the great thing about this stuff is that is has so many other benefits.  It gives the skin boosts of vitamins A, C, and E, and minimizes pores over time. It absorbs very quickly and doesn't make the face feel cakey at all.

I saw that InStyle magazine awarded this Best Primer of 2013 and I definitely have to agree with them - this is a product that's worth the purchase. Thanks, Laura Mercier!

Nude Skincare - ProGenius Treatment Oil

I can not believe I haven't posted since September - shameful!  Especially because I've tried so many wonderful products!

One of my recent adventures into the skincare world was trying NUDE Skincare's ProGenius Treatment Oil.  Here's what the product claims to do: "This 100 percent pure and active treatment oil provides a precisely balanced diet of vital nutrients for luminous and healthy looking skin. The all-absorbing formula delivers deep and long lasting skin cell nourishment, revealing skin that appears lit from within."

I had a sample size packet, but since you only need 2-3 drops of this oil (and it is definitely an oil), it has lasted several days.  I've been putting it on my skin at night, after cleansing/toning as usual.  The pros to it are definitely strong - it's suitable for vegans, gluten-free, allergen-free, a simply natural product.  When I initially put the drops into my hand, I thought my face was about to feel greasy.  When you first rub it into your skin, you have a tiny sheen, yes.  But very shortly after, it's simply like you used a good non-greasy moisturizer.  It soaks into the skin quickly and very well.  The next morning, my skin still felt supple and moisturized, but clean.  


Overall, it's definitely a good product.  It's probably best for normal to dry skin. Reviewers of the product recommend blending just a drop with foundation for a great flawless finish.  Others say it has definitely made their skin brighter.

While the full-sized product is not exactly cheap ($78.00), the bottle must last for absolute ages!  The sample size (which is tiny) has gone several days for me and still isn't empty at all.  I'd imagine this full-size product could last over a year.  For someone needing some extra moisture or suppleness/brightening, that's a solid investment for a year!

This is the first time I've tried an oil on my face, but it was quite nice.  Have any of you used one you recommend?

Product Link: http://www.sephora.com/progenius-trade-treatment-oil-P374111?om_mmc=GoogleKWL-ws

In Our Prime(rs)

If I've learned one really valuable lesson about cosmetics, it's to never skip primer.  At one point a couple of years back, I felt like I couldn't find the right foundation for me.  Even with expensive foundations, nothing seemed to apply right or last through the day, so I was always wearing too much or re-applying to compensate for it wearing off.  I asked a makeup artist about the issue, and her reply was simply: "What primer are you using?".  She was shocked when I revealed..."Well, I'm not."  

Apparently, it's a basic rule of the cosmetics world that you never put any makeup on your face without applying primer first.  And now that I've used several different primers, I agree wholeheartedly with the rule!

Since using primer, I use LESS makeup.  This allows me to purchase BETTER, more expensive cosmetics (which are better for my skin!), and to not worry about re-applying throughout the day.  Primers are made to address various skin issues, and here are two of my favorites.

1. Color Me Right: PUR Minerals Color-Correcting Primer

This primer is made to - you guessed it - correct discolorations.  It comes in neutral (to even color/tone), green (reduce redness), and peach (reduce dark spots).  It's a mid-price primer at around $30 per bottle, and does a pretty good job making your skin look more evenly-colored.  This was my go-to primer for quite a while, and I still keep it on hand.

2. Keep It On: Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer

 A bit on the higher end, this primer does it all - evens skin tone, reduces pore size, creates a smoother canvas for makeup application - but most of all, this one is great for keeping makeup on.  I have literally used this (with foundation) before a sweaty workout - and my makeup didn't come off.  Impressive.  It runs more expensive, at around $50 per bottle, but does last a long time.  With the savings it provides on foundation, it's still worth it.  It also contains SPF 15, giving you a little extra protection.

Unfortunately, my third favorite primer (Tarte ReCreate) was terrific for smoothing the skin out and creating the perfect base for foundation, but it was discontinued - bummer.  My search for a replacement continues.

All in all, the money spent on a good primer comes back to me tenfold when I can use less makeup AND feel more confident in my overall appearance day to day.  Definitely a product I recommend for all women. Does anyone else have primers you love?