MAC PREP + PRIME BB BEAUTY BALM COMPACT SPF 30 Review

Posted on January 10, 2013 by Henna

It’s here… MAC’s entry into the BB world!

MAC BB Cream

You can now get MAC BB Beauty Balm, either in a compact or as a cream, and it’s been worth the wait, because there’s finally a true BB Cream option!

I tried the BB Beauty Balm in the compact, and I have to say that I was impressed.

The cream has a smooth matte finish that provides natural-looking coverage, plus SPF.  It’s not foundation though… the finish is more of a powdery cover-up that conceals just a bit.  If you want more coverage you can follow up with an actual foundation or concealer just where you need it.

Coverage is long-lasting, stands up to oily skin pretty well, and is meant for every skin tone.  Because of the powdery nature of the finish, you’ll probably want to hydrate well before using this if your skin is prone to dry parts.

The only catch?

The Pre + Prime BB Beauty Balm comes in only 3 colours, all of which are light.  The colours available are Extra-Light, Light, and Light Plus.  If you are darker than NC 30 there isn’t an option for you, unfortunately.

My hope is that the BB does so well that they introduce more shades, and if they do, I’ll be in line to pick up the one that’s more suited for me.

Pick it up for $36.50.

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L’Occitane Shea Butter and Honey

Posted on January 3, 2013 by Henna

This month, L’Occitane comes out with their new Shea Butter and Honey collection.  I’m usually not one for sweet scents, and you may already know, but because I love L’Occitane’s super moisturizing products, I gave this line a try and I’m glad I did.

L'Occitane Honey Whipped Body Cream

Though I have to admit that the scent kind of grows on you, once you realize that it’s not just honey, but honey and some florals, it’s hard not to kind of get addicted to the pretty scent.

Also a winner? Their new Shea Honey Whipped Body Cream ($28) which I had never seen before.  The amazing thing is that even though this cream has a souffle texture (seriously you can see the bubbles), it’s still got 10% Shea Butter in it which means crazy moisturizing.

Check this out at Shea Butter boutiques – you have to see it for yourself to know how nice the texture is.  And like all good things, it’s limited edition so don’t dawdle.

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Choosing the Best Facial Cream

Posted on January 2, 2013 by Henna

With so many products to choose from, picking a facial cream can seem like a daunting task. You’ll want to use different creams for different situations, including the time of day you are using the product and for what purpose.

In the morning

Start your morning off right by applying a morning moisturizer. Your morning facial cream serves two purposes:
1. Protecting skin from the sun
2. Moisturizing skin throughout the day
Choose a facial cream with an SPF of at least 15. This will help prevent age spots and sun wrinkles. You can also choose a tinted cream that is mixed with foundation to even out your skin tone and hide blemishes. Depending on your skin type, you’ll want to choose a facial cream geared towards your specific situation. Skin types include dry, oily, combination, normal or sensitive. If you have normal skin, you can generally choose any type of facial cream. Other types should buy products geared specifically to their needs. If you suffer from acne, choose one with alpha hydroxyl acids.

At night

The main job of your overnight cream is skin rejuvenation – you want your skin to be repaired, hydrated, soothed and smoothed. During the day, your skin is busy fighting off irritants such as the sun. But at night, your skin comes alive creating new cells and repairing or shedding damaged ones. Your overnight facial cream should encourage this process. Again, pick an overnight cream that is geared towards your skin type – dry, oily, combination, normal or sensitive. Fatty acids are a must for dry skin, while antioxidants help coddle sensitive skin. Those with oily skin should avoid products with, you guessed it, oil. Instead, look for hyaluronic acid, glycerin, dimethicone or alpha hydroxyl acids. You may have to experiment and try a few products before you find the perfect cream for skin rejuvenation.

After a procedure

If you’re having any kind of work done on your face – Botox, laser skin treatment, face lift – you’ll want to pay extra attention to your facial cream selection. First, if the doctor gives you any special ointments or prescriptions, be sure to use those. Depending on your treatment, you may be able to continue your normal moisturizing and cleansing routine as soon as the day of the procedure.

Put your best face forward

Research shows that starting an anti-aging program as soon as possible is the key to success. Your main goals should be to protect skin during the day and provide the moisture it needs 24/7. You also want to focus on helping your skin to repair itself overnight to achieve ultimate skin brightening results. Finally, if you opt for additional facial procedures, be careful to follow the instructions of your doctor on when you can return to your normal skin care routine.

Sponsored content was created and provided by Tria Beauty.

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Lancome Blanc Expert Derm-Crystal

Posted on December 28, 2012 by Henna

…Crystal Brightness Activating Essence review.

Lancome Blanc ExpertSo, usually, I’m not into anything that has “whitening” or in this case “blanc” in the title, but when a bottle of Lancome Blanc Expert Derm-Crystal ended up on my desk I hung on to it, just in case.  It got its street cred by being made in Japan instead of France, and also thanks to a tiny bit of fine print that said “tested on Asian skin”.  Well then!  It was probably good enough for me.

Well, thank goodness I did hang on to it, because I’m in need of some serious skincare TLC, and wanted something that would brighten.  I figured this would do the trick.

The serum is clear, almost watery in consistency, and super light, which makes me think that it would work on any and every skin type without causing much of a breakout.  One dropper-full is enough to coat my face and neck  and before I know it, the serum has sunk in and is doing its thing.

Now, after a couple of weeks of use, I have to say that my skin isn’t whiter but thanks to the serum it definitely has a super pretty glowy luminescent quality to it. I actually love using it so much that I’ve taken to applying it to the back of my hands, because you know, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander, right?  And I think it’s making a difference.  My hands are definitely clearer… and not whiter, which in the end, is a good thing, because that would be weird.

$130 at Lancome counters.

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Smith Farms Natural Skincare

Posted on December 24, 2012 by Henna

Smith Farms Hand CreamConsidering that I’m the type of person who’s really into beauty products, maybe I’m a little backwards sometimes.  I mean, I’m really mindful about what I eat – what I put into my body – no soda, try to cut out the salt and sugar, eat healthy as much as possible, but when it comes to skincare, I will use anything and everything in the hopes of finding something that really works and works well.  I’m always on to the next, and trying to find the next best thing.

I will say, however, that over the last year, I’ve become more inclined to use natural-based lotions because I’ve found that they really do moisturize better. Fresh, Philosophy and L’Occitane are among my favourites, and now I’ve discovered Smith Farms.  The products are all natural and have a high percentage of organic ingredients which is kind of major.

You need to try their Vitamin Rich Hand Cream ($18): 74% organic and all natural ingredients including sunflower oil means that this cream packs a punch for dry winter skin.  Add Aloe Vera to the mix and you’ve got a hand cream that’s as soothing as it is moisturizing.  The cream has a light, almost gel-like consistency that sinks into hands and leaves them really moisturized.

What I love the most is how luxurious the products feel –  we’re a sucker for clean simple packaging that lets you focus on the product.

Check out their website for their full range of amazingly natural and moisturizing collection.

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Worth the Hype? Maybelline Baby Lips

Posted on December 21, 2012 by Henna

So for the past little while, all we’ve been hearing about is Maybelline’s Baby Lips.  We think it’s supposed to be the best lip balm ever, but since we’re more lip gloss than balm, we never really considered trying it out for ourselves.

Maybelline Baby Lips

Until a trio of tubes appeared in the mail, and then we thought that was like, a sign.

So for the past little while, we’ve been smearing these bad boys on our lips to see what all the fuss is about. I mean all those tweets about it can’t be wrong, right?

Well…

Ok, they’re not wrong, but we have to admit that this is one over-hyped lip balm.

Baby Lips has a standard slightly greasy lip balm texture.  It comes in lots of flavours (Coral Crush is what we’ve been trying out) and is mildly scented.  It doesn’t have a taste (yes, we checked).  The colour payoff is sheer, but if you really wanted to make a splash with these you could choose a brighter shade or a much lighter one for more of a tint.

The copy says that the balm provides 8 hour hydration, but really we don’t see how that could be true, unless you’re not eating or drinking anything in those 8 hours (i.e. you’re sleeping?).  The balm does provide major hydration and absolutely does relieve very dry lips.  It also provides protection from environmental dryness such as wind and cold, but you will need to reapply just like other balms.

Apparently, if used for 4 weeks this balm hydrates so much that it visibly renews lips, but we haven’t used it long enough to be able to tell whether that’s true.  Though we’ve said that Baby Lips isn’t anything special, it’s good enough to have earned a place in our already overcrowded lip balm stash.

Pick it up at drugstores.

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Mary Kay True Dimensions Lipstick

Posted on December 21, 2012 by Henna

Mary Kay True Dimensions lipstick 2Ordering cosmetics from your neighbour may be a thing of the past, but that doesn’t mean that companies like Mary Kay are left behind.  They have some of the most awesome formulations for products, and their True Dimensions Lipstick is among the best because this stuff is weightless.

Formulated with Vitamin E, Jojoba Oil, Sunflower Oil, and Mango Butter, this lipstick is super hydrating and literally melts into lips.

For $19 it’s expensive for Mary Kay, but totally worth it.  Our favourite colours are Natural Beaute which is a pretty neutral with a bit of shimmer to give your lips a sheen, but the darker colours are really pretty too, and the best part is that you feel as if there’s nothing on your lips.

Pick them up online.

 

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High vs. Low: Clinique’s Chubby Stick vs. CoverGirl Jumbo Gloss Balm

Posted on December 21, 2012 by Henna

CoverGirl Jumbo Gloss Lip BalmHot on the heels of Clinique’s Chubby Stick is CoverGirl’s version.  Though it’s not intense, after using the Gloss Balm in a couple of different colours, we have to say that if you’re just looking for a sheer wash of colour, this will do the trick.  Despite the addition of mango butter in the formula, the Jumbo Gloss Balm isn’t as moisturizing as Clinique’s version but slap on your regular lip balm underneath and you’re good go.

Also for $9.99 you can afford to invest in a few colours and see what really works for you.

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Holiday Lippies: Clinique Chubby Stick Intense

Posted on December 21, 2012 by Henna

Friends, today is all about the lip. There are so many new fun lip products out right now and we’re going to break down each and every one of them for you.

We start with Clinique’s Chubby Stick Intense which was clearly introduced after the original Chubby Stick did so well. A high-end moisturizing balm and colour that was super easy to apply? Well who doesn’t want that?

And now there’s a version for those of us who want a bit more colour.

Clinique Chubby Stick Intense

Check out the shade selection. Amazing, is it not?

Our original review of the Chubby Stick said that it was light on the pigment, and if that’s what you thought too, you’ll be happy to know that these new Intense versions are pigment packed!  They are also light-weight and feel like nothing on your lips.  But they’re moisturizing so if you’ve got a bit of flakiness thanks to this lovely weather, then you’ll be happy to know that these won’t make it worse and will make it so those lips get some relief.

Our favourite colour is definitely Curviest Caramel which makes for the perfect nude lip.  Heftiest Hibiscus is also the perfect orange that borders on red and is perfect for those holiday parties you’re going to.

The Chubby Sticks are $16 each and are pure perfection in our books.  Pick them up at the Clinique counter.

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Sake and Seaberry

Posted on December 20, 2012 by Henna

As I write this, I’m wearing Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment and enjoying the major moisturizing it’s giving me.

And on the body front, I’ve slathered myself in the Seaberry Restorative Body Cream that came in their Sake and Seaberry Spa Retreat Set which for $86 will please each and every skincare enthusiast on your list.

Fresh Sake and Seaberry

The set is straight up luxury packaged because it’s got a huge bar of exfoliating moisturizing soap, and the aforementioned Body Cream that’s packed with Omega 3 oils so that you get moisturizing that makes a difference on your skin. The cream sinks into your skin in literally seconds, and you’re left with a soft smoothness that rich body butters can’t even provide. It’s something else.

The set is limited edition for the holidays and we suggest you not only get one for giving, but for yourself as well.

Available at Sephora.

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