Denise Richards’ New Line of Skincare

I’ll cut to the chase and then tell you more about the products: this line is actually good.  CBMe Beauty is a line of skincare by Denise Richards.  It has 4 products (I’m missing the cleanser in the picture below) and is a routine for the morning and the night.  The routine has a cleanser that you could use in the morning or at night, a retinol, an eye cream, and a mineral sunscreen for the day.

I think that it’s pretty impressive that a “celebrity” beauty line has a sunscreen in it and a retinol product because a lot of the lines that I’ve seen or tried are really basic.  They keep them basic so that they work for the most number of people, but that doesn’t mean that they’re effective for anything.  If I want a basic moisturizer, I’d rather buy Cerave than Kylie but you do you.

Anyway, I would have to say that the star product in CBMe Beauty is the Nightly Tri-Retinol Renewal Serum.  I think it’s worth looking at the ingredients because then you’ll see what makes this serum so great:

Glycerin, Glyceryl Diretinoate (GDR), Retinol, Retinyl Ester Lysophosphatidic Acid Phospholipids, Ascorbyl Linoleate, Myristoyl Nonapeptide-3, Heptapeptide-12 (P604), Galbridin ,Ethyl Macadamiate, Allantoin, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Passiflora Incarnata Seed Oil, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate.

You can see that there are indeed 3 different types of retinol in this formula.  There’s the Glyceryl Diretinoate, which is a mix of glycerine and retinoic acid, there’s retinol, and then there’s Retinyl Ester.  It’s great that there are 3 types of retinol in this product, but the truth is that it’s probably only the first 2 that are going to be effective on your skin, and they’re entire serum is nice and moisturizing so there’s very little irritation in your skin. Truly, this is a serum if you want to use retinol, and it’s not too irritating.  I do wish they had written the percentage of retinol on the product so that you could figure out if it would be irritating or not.

The eye serum is great – it’s nice and light but moisturizing as far as eye serums go.

The cleanser was ok, but my pump broke.

And the sunscreen – again – wow, way to go for introducing a mineral sunscreen into the line.  I did find it a little whitish on my skin but it’s great for using under makeup and it’s really a hydrating formula.  To be honest, it’s not my favourite sunscreen that I’ve tried on this summer but I do like it.  The ingredients list a blend of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide so it’s a little sheer but also a little greasy so better for dry skin.

What I love about this line is that it makes skincare simple and effective.  Maybe she will add more products to the line to tackle other skin issues, but as it is, the line is a simple way to have an effective skincare routine.

 

Here’s a little Q&A with Denise Richards:

How did you come to be involved with this skin-care company CB Me? 

I was approached by Kevin Harrington, former shark on “Shark Tank,” through a mutual friend. Skincare has been something I’ve always been passionate about. Over the years, I’ve tried so many different products and mixed different things, so I was very excited to get involved and be able to do my own line.

 

What does your current skin-care routine look like? 

It’s very minimal right now, especially during the quarantine because I’m not wearing a lot of makeup. A lot of times in the morning, I don’t even wash my face, I just rinse it with water and then I put the cream oil moisturizer on and if I’m outside I’ll put a sunscreen on top.  It’s been a great break for my face not having to wear heavy makeup on set all day. At night, I’ll wash my face with my cleanser and I use the nighttime serum and a little bit of the eye cream. 

 

What is your favorite product from the line?

I love the Cream Oil, because prior to this line, I always would mix my moisturizer with real oil and make my own concoctions. What I love about it, that it doesn’t leave your skin greasy at all and it is very moisturizing. I love that we were able to use hemp oil, which has a lot of amazing benefits and it helps you produce your own collagen. I have found that even people with oily skin have been able to use the hemp oil as well.  

 

Other than skincare products, what do you do to stay camera-ready?

I drink a lot of water; I try to take good care of my skin and lead a healthy life-style. I stay out of the sun when I can and use sunscreen! I also have a great glam-team when necessary! LOL

 

You have an amazing body. What is your secret to staying in shape?

Pilates has been the main go-to for years. It’s the exercise my body responds to best. During the recent pandemic, I have had to improvise a bit as I am not able to go to the gym, but I love jumping rope. I have also been using weights and doing lunges.

What is exciting about making the products?

We use a patented peptide that is used only in our product – that combined with hemp creates amazing results.

 

What is the team’s long-range plan or CB Me? How do you see the brand existing in the market? 

This is my first time doing a skincare line and I am excited to introduce new technology as it is developed and extend the brand by using unique cannabinoids like CBD, CBG, etc. when legal regulations permit. We see it being sold as an affordable extremely high-quality brand used by 25-70-year-old plus – we see this as internet, tv shopping and mass retail product worldwide. Eventually, I would love to add an exfoliant and a mask to the line as well.

 

Why do you think consumers will be drawn to the line?

Because simply…it’s user-friendly and not overwhelming. Sometimes when you get a line, there’s so many different products, it could take you a half hour just to wash your face at night. CB Me is quick and effective!

 

What specifically sparked your interest in skincare? Did you go through your own personal skin issues in the past?

I don’t do injections. I’ve tried Botox and I don’t like it, it made me feel like somebody was pushing my forehead down. I’ve always been one to take care of my skin. Even at a young age, when I was a teenager, I was always keeping my face out of the sun, I would put sunscreen on. As I’m getting older, it’s something I want to continue to do so. I want to hopefully continue on a great skincare regime and not go towards the injections of different things. I hope I stay that way because I think there are a lot of toxins in those. Skin has always been something I’ve always been passionate about and to be able to have the opportunity to do my own line was very exciting. I did get acne when I was very little. I was actually very lucky because my sister had the opposite skin. She got a lot of acne and she still has oily skin, so we were opposite that way. Of course, I always get that pimple occasionally, even as an adult.

You also have young daughters at home, what do you hope to teach them about skincare?

I want my daughters to learn to take care of their skin. Since they are so young, it’s important for them to use gentle moisturizers and use gentle soap. Since we live in California, I do think vitamin D is good for us, along with drinking lots of water and keeping your face out of the sun. I think keeping the face covered is important as far as maintaining your skin as you get older. Also, just living a clean lifestyle. That’s what has helped me maintain good skin over the years.

Posted in Skin Care | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Choose L’Occitane Cédrat for Father’s Day

…because it smells so good.

Loccitane cedratI thought that the name Cédrat referred to cedar because this men’s scent is so woody, but actual Cédrat is a citrus fruit that has a fresh raw scent. The thick rind conceals a sparkling fresh citrus interior and it’s the inspiration for this line of products.

In addition to having an eau de cologne in the lineup, there’s also a shower gel (which works on both hair and body) as well as face cleanser, a deodorant, face gel, soap, and a range of shaving products.  Because it smells so good, for father’s day I’d recommend a set that includes the cologne and deodorant so that you can keep smelling the scent.

$85 for the Eau de Toilette.

Available at L’Occitane boutiques for this father’s day, also available at The Bay.

Posted in Perfumes | Tagged | 2 Comments

Ole Henrikson 3 Mega Wonders Set

The latest on my bathroom counter are the three products in this Ole Henrikson 3 Mega Wonders set.  What I love about this set is that all these 3 products are meant to work together.  The toner is a full-sized glycolic acid deal, and yes, it tingles when you apply it.  Given my skin is a little sensitive because of 3 days of straight retinol, but still. It’s nothing I can’t handle but beware of it.

The Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum and the C-Rush Brightening cream are not full-sized products but there’s lots in there.  You’ll have enough product for a week or two and you can see if you like them before purchasing the full size.  Personally, I’m not a huge fan of the Banana Bright serum because it pills when I put sunscreen on top but that might also be because I put too much of it on my skin. Still.  Anything that messes up my skincare routine in the morning and messes up with my sunscreen isn’t good.

Love this set though for the concept and for the fact that you get 3 products that actually work well together!

You can get it at Sephora for $98.

Enjoy!

Oh, and I use this in the morning only – all three of the products.  I like to use retinol at night time, and acids and vitamin C products don’t usually work well with retinol.  You could use the two on alternate nights, if you’re not using retinol every single night anyway.

Posted in Skin Care | Tagged , | Leave a comment

How can I Make My Pores Appear Smaller?

Can you make your pores smaller?

Nope. There is no way no how and cosmetic companies know that which is why their products always say the continued use will only make pores APPEAR smaller.  Usually the branding will say “minimizes the appearance of pores.”

Think about it: just a cosmetic product can’t change the physical dimensions of anything on your face!

Any silicone-containing product or a powder will help minimize the appearance of large pores.  Niacinamide will make them produce less oil which could help.  Or you could use retinol which helps regulate oil production too.

Posted in More Than Beauty | Leave a comment

Wordless Wednesday

Posted in Make-Up | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Vasanti

Shout out to Canadian brand Vasanti, which has been making cosmetics for women of colour for over 15 years!  I remember when they were a kiosk in the mall but they’re now at Shoppers Drug Mart. The best thing in their product line is their concealer – it has orange in it which counters the blue that is under your eyes, so it works as a corrector and then you can conceal.

Vasanti a mid-range brand and many times, the colours and products that you’ll find there will be in neutral, natural tones so that you can create a flawless natural look.

Lately, I’ve really been liking their lip products. I have their sheer lipstick and a lip gloss in a coordinating colour and they are the most flattering products I’ve tried in a while. Both are in a sheer berry shade, and are not sticky at all. They go on smooth and make your lips look naturally pretty.

These are available at online at VasantiCosmetics.ca or at some Shoppers Drug Mart locations.

Posted in Make-Up | Tagged | 3 Comments

Translucent Powder Show Down

It’s taken me a long time to write this post because there’s been some intense powder testing going on.  Which two powders am I talking about?

MAC’s Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder and Make Up For Ever’s HD Microfinishing Powder.

Both powders are translucent, both look like they’re white, and neither one of them will show up on your skin.  There isn’t a huge price difference between the two of them, but one is available at MAC stores (which are everywhere) and the other is available only at Sephora (some people haven’t even heard of that store).

So which one should you get?

I hate to say this but the Make Up For Ever powder is amazing and is totally worth the $10 more that it costs.  After wearing both on alternating days, it’s clear that the MUFE powder lasts longer, really keeps you shine free, while the MAC one doesn’t really seem that different from all their other powders.  It’s nothing amazing and just doesn’t work as well.

Have you tried any of these?  What did you think?

The Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Microfinishing Loose Powder is $48, and the Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder is $35.

 

Posted in Make-Up | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Sunscreen Video

Hello everyone! Hope you guys are having an awesome summer and staying out of the sun! I had to do a video review of one of my favourite sunscreens, and I can’t believe that I’ve been using it for over 2 years now! Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Water Gel Sunscreen is light, it’s fresh, and it’s moisturizing so it’s great for dry skin. I basically use it as a face and body moisturizer all summer line, so that I can take the kids to the park without even thinking about it.

http://www.instagram.com/tv/B_ivlsdpVWS/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Watch the video and tell me what you think!

You can read the original review of this sunscreen here.

Posted in Sunscreen | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Empty: Kerastase Chronologist Rinse Out Pre-Shampoo

We’ve been at home and I’ve been washing my hair everyday, so I added the Kerastase Chronologist Rinse Out Pre-Shampoo to my routine because I’ve been holding on to it since… 2016 and it was time to finish it. I swear, most shampoos don’t last that long in my house, but treatments are hard to incorporate into a routine unless you’re really committed.

You can read the full review of the Chronologiste line here. It’s really luxe.

Posted in Shampoo and Conditioner | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Diane Kruger at the MET

Just a throwback to a great look. The dress, makeup, and hair are all timeless.

Pay attention – blush on the apples of your cheeks actually makes your cheekbones stand out more.

Posted in More Than Beauty | Tagged , | 1 Comment