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?

Sweet Skin: C. Booth Honey & Almond Body Products

I have been a long-time lover of C. Booth's hand cream, so I am not surprised that I really love their body butter!  At $8, it's totally cheap.  Thick, smooth, creamy...but it absorbs beautifully and leaves the skin feeling terrific.  The smell is light, clean, slightly sweet, and not overpowering at all.  I'm definitely looking forward to trying their other scented body butters.  I want them now!

While the body butter is great, I wasn't so impressed with the Honey Almond Nourishing Body Wash.  Price and scent are both attractive, but the lather is weak and I didn't feel incredibly clean or moisturized after using it.

Finally, the Honey Almond Nourishing Dry Oil Mist was decent. Same low price and pleasant scent.  I love a good dry oil, but I felt like I had to use this one on top of a lotion instead of alone.  That's not a terrible thing, but I seem to only use this for an extra bit of shine instead of real nourishment.

Looking forward to trying some other C. Booth products - always a plus to find a budget-friendly brand that still gives a luxurious experience...

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.

 

Cleaning My Act Up - Cleansers, Spring 2014 Edition

Since my winter cleansing write-up, I've continued trying new cleansers to find a product with the right balance of cleansing power and benefits for the skin. 

(1) My sister gave me a bottle of DDF's Brightening Cleaner, which I used both with and without my Clarisonic for several weeks. 

Without the Clarisonic, it didn't seem super effective, but with the Clarisonic, I was much more pleased. It's a clear gel that doesn't foam much at all. After using, my skin was clean, and, yes, actually a bit brighter. I don't know if it's powerful enough to lighten dark spots or correct any discoloration (as it claims to do), but it definitely left my skin looking bright and awake. At $39, it's not a bad price, but Sephora doesn't carry the brand anymore, so you have to buy from BirchBox or Amazon, or DDF directly. 

(2) When Dior came out with the new DiorSnow White Reveal Melt-Away cleansing balm, I was excited to try it, since cleansing balms seem to be all the rage. 

It is super creamy, and you massage it into skin to break down makeup, then wipe off the excess. I was admittedly a little disappointed. It may be great for just a makeup remover, but not as a full cleanser. Can't use it with the Clarisonic, and at $50 I'd rather have an actual cleanser. 

(3) I moved on to Dior's (also fairly new) Instant Gentle Cleansing Oil. 

Cleansing oil? Seems counterproductive, right? Nope! This stuff is lovely. It's a silky mid-weight oil, and you rub it into your face to let it melt away makeup and dirt. After massaging it in, you rinse your face, and it becomes a tiny bit foamy/lathery. Not really for use with the Clarisonic either, but I didn't really need it - this took off all my makeup and left me really clean, without feeling dry or tight at all. For winter or people with drier skin, definitely a win at $36! 

(4) My last Dior cleanser test was the DiorSnow White Reveal Gentle Purifying Foam. 

The DiorSnow line is formulated for brightening skin, and so far I mega-love this cleanser. It's perfection with the Clarisonic! Texture is super creamy, and with whatever, foams up beautifully. Unlike the case with some foaming cleansers, my skin doesn't feel the least bit dry or tight after rinsing. Lovely balance of clean and comfy! The tube is $45, but it's pretty large and lasts quite a while. Possible new favorite? 

(5) Birchbox sent me a couple of samples of the NUXE Reve de Miel cleanser, which I've been trying this week. 

I am torn on this product - it seems to do the job of cleansing my skin, but it doesn't remove eye makeup well, and I do not enjoy the smell.  It's made with honey and sunflower extract to leave skin soft after cleansing, but the smell is SO sweet - it's a bit cloying. Then again, the bottle is only $19, so it's on the cheaper end of French products. Overall, not BAD, but not great, either.  

(6) Last, but not least, I picked up a deluxe sample of Murad's Essential-C Cleanser after a recent facial.

This cleanser is made with a lot of antioxidants to cleanse and re-hydrate skin.  It has a fresh citrus scent.  It doesn't foam much, but it does the job.  Another mid-price ($36) cleanser that works, but didn't amaze me.

After all of the recent weeks of testing, my FAVORITES are:

DiorSnow White Reveal Gentle Purifying Foam

-and-

Philosophy's Purity Made Simple

Jazz up your Spring & Summer Manicure!

I am 100% stealing this from Lucky Magazine, and linking to their site here:
http://www.luckymag.com/beauty/2014/03/dainty-spring-nail-art-stickers

I am not averse to nail art, but I can't seem to make it last, or I get bored with it quickly, so all of these are great ways to "jazz up" the digits.

My favorites...of course, I adore the summery nautically-inspired Dior polishes and stickers that come along with them, especially the gorgeous Sailor blue.

Incoco's multi-colored bloom appliques are so ladylike and pretty!

Finally, Sephora's temporary cuticle tattoos? Adorbs!  Buying ASAP!