Beauty411

Tinted Moisturizers: Summer Beauty Essential

Tinted Moisturizers are an essential part of my summer beauty routine, especially once the heat and humidity start to increase.  Most beauty companies have incorporated tinted moisturizers into their lines.  It makes sense; as the technology improves, a standalone moisturizer becomes moisturizer plus color plus sunscreen. As our lives become busier and we have less time, a multi-tasking product like a tinted moisturizer becomes a beauty staple.  If you need a bit more spot coverage, use a foundation brush to apply a thin layer of foundation or concealer.

One of my favorites is the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer; I've used it for years.  The Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer has an SPF 20 and is a sheer, easy to apply formula.  I set with powder and it lasts all day.  There is a good selection of shades and also an oil-free version available.   

 LaMer SPF 18 Fluid Tint is a little more pigmented and feels like velvet when you apply it.  As you'd expect from LaMer, the SPF 18 Fluid Tint contains anti-oxidants, light diffusers and seaweed natural humectants to prevent dehydration.  It comes in three shades--light, medium and dark.

Stila has improved on their already excellent tinted moisturizer by doubling the SPF to 30 and making it an oil-free formula. The Stila Sheer Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30 Oil Free provides a medium coverage and is a great tinted moisturizer if you need a little more covereage or have combination, acne-prone or oily skin.

Finally, one of the newest tinted moisturizers is from Giorgio Armani.  I haven't tried Face Fabric yet, but if it's anything like the Armani liquid foundation I use (Luminous Silk 5), I'll be impressed.  Giorgio Armani Face Fabric contains SPF 12 and ingredients to allow blending and layering of the product for a perfect finish. 

Is tinted moisturizer a product that you incorporate into your beauty routine in the summer?  What's your favorite? 

The ARCONA Studio

                                   

                                      

                                                            

Before the start of the Total Beauty Blogger's Summit, I made the decision to go to LA a day early so that I could experience a facial at the fabulous ARCONA Studio in Santa Monica.  I'm so glad I did, as it was an experience that I won't soon forget!

The ARCONA Studio is a beautiful space, with treatment rooms designed for comfort and efficiency.  My appointment started with a review of my skin and identification of any concerns that I had.  My main skincare concern is a few areas of sun damage.  Debbie was my esthetician for the Fruit Enzyme Peel, which she customized to my specific skin needs. The Fruit Enzyme Peel resurfaces the skin, leaving it glowing and healthy looking. The Fruit Enzyme Peel starts with cleansing and the application of an enzyme complex mask, which removes dead skin cells and helps to restore clarity and stimulate production of collagen.  Application of custom anti-oxidant serums is next, helping to restore the skin's softness and suppleness.  As each product was applied, you can't help but notice the wonderful smell.  The  treatment concluded with LED Light Therapy, which is beneficial for hyperpigmentation and skin conditions such as rosacea.  The LED Light Therapy stimulates collagen production and helps to repair skin damage.  At the conclusion of my treatments, my skin was glowing!

In discussing my treatment products, I shared with Debbie that I currently use several ARCONA products, including the ARCONA White Tea Purifying Cleanser, as well as the Triad Pads.  The Triad Pads are in a league of their own; a multi-tasking cranberry-scented pad that cleanses, tones and hydrates. I like to use the Triad Pads in the evening, when I can cleanse, tone, hydrate AND remove makeup.  In addition to all that, the Triad Pads are an excellent treatment product, as they contain vitamins, phyto-nutrients, essential fatty acids and rice milk.  Like all ARCONA products, they are cold-processed in small batches with active, natural ingredients.

The ARCONA Studio is located at 425 Broadway (across from Fred Segal) in Santa Monica.  More information on the ARCONA Studio can be found here.  Whether to learn about a new skincare regimen, purchase products or to nurture yourself with a skin service, I can highly recommend the ARCONA Studio. You can find ARCONA products online at beauty.com and sister site drugstore.com.

Hourglass Lipstick & Lip Liner

My latest lipstick find is by Hourglass Cosmetics.  I've been using the Hourglass Lipstick and Trace Lip Liner and have been very pleased.  The lipstick, in Fresco, is a muted rose shade and a perfect everyday lip color. I found the lipstick to be long wearing, with smooth application and a natural look for me in this color. The lip liner is a double-ended mechanical liner; on one side you have a cartridge that contains a lip pencil, on the other side is a brush for perfect blending. You know how I love a multi-tasking product!

The Hourglass line has new products that are launching this month, including Illume Crème-To-Powder Bronzer, Veil Mineral Primer and Superficial Lash Mascara.  Look for the Hourglass line at Sephora.

Practice Safe Sun: Use Your Sunscreen!

No, it's not your mother talking...but it is important to practice safe sun and use a sunscreen daily.  May is Skin Cancer Awareness month and I'm doing my part to help educate and raise awareness.  I wanted to focus on reviewing sunscreens that I've used and like.  For previous reviews on sunscreen products, clicky here.

I was recently on vacation and found out a painful lesson.  Most lip glosses don't include sun protection.  I had a preview of how I'd look with a "trout pout"; not so good.  Some dermatologists are saying that glopping on shiny lip glosses without appropriate SPF protection—and lip gloss rarely offers adequate protection— and can actually increase your risk of developing skin cancer because the shiny nature of the gloss could be making the sun’s UV rays hit harder. “These lip glosses can make more of the light rays penetrate directly through the skin instead of getting reflected off of the skin’s surface,” says Dr. Christine Brown, a dermatologist at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas.  Neutrogena MoistureShine Lip Soother SPF20 is a dermatologist-developed, conditioning gloss that couples the healing benefits of a lip balm with the high-shine of your favorite lip gloss, plus broad-spectrum SPF protection.  Another new product from Neutrogena is Neutrogena MoistureShine Soothing Lip Sheers SPF 20, which is formulated with broad-spectrum SPF to help safeguard against additional dryness and damage.  The result is fuller, healthier looking lips. 

In addition to providing excellent UVA/UVB protection, SunEssence Tropical Honey sunscreen smells wonderful!  Think of it as an all-over moisturizer with an SPF 30.  I love the fact that it is light and nongreasy.  SunEssence sunscreens comes in 3 scents:  Tropical Honey, Pink Paradise and Summer Sherbet.  If you'd like an option to sun protection that doesn't include the infamous "coconut" smell, the SunEssence line is for you. The Spearmint Splurge Lip Topping SPF 15 is another option for lip protection. You can find SunEssence retail information here; SunEssence Sunscreens are also now available at drugstore.com.

If you're the type that likes a gel-based texture, you should try TRUE essential SPF30 Gel.  It's a light, broad-spectrum sunscreen that dispenses out of the tube as a lotion, but absorbs easily.  It's oil-free, non-greasy and has a fresh, lavendar scent. 

Another multi-tasking favorite of mine is TNS Ultimate Daily Moisturizer.  In addition to being an excellent daily moisturizer with an SPF20, this product has anti-aging benefits.  TNS Ultimate Daily Moisturizer contains NouriCel-MD (the proprietary blend of human growth factors), peptides, antioxidants--it's really working for you. 

Finally, if you just want a lot of variety, purchase The Sephora Sun Safety Kit ($25 – an $87.00 value).  It's available through June 2008 in all Sephora stores, as well as by calling 1-877-SEPHORA or logging on to Sephora.com and includes:

Korres Natural Products Watermelon Sunscreen Face Cream SPF 30 (.05oz) – Rich in vitamins and essential amino acids, this cream protects the immune system of the skin as well as prevents photo-aging.

• Peter Thomas Roth Max Sheer All Day Defense Moisture Lotion SPF 30 (.25oz) – Great for all skin types, this ultra-light lotion utilizes powerful antioxidants to give extra sheer protection.
• DDF Daily Protective Moisturizer SPF 15 (1oz) – The Doctor is in! Everyday protection from environmental damage with a light non-greasy feel.
• Cosmedicine Medi-Matte Oil Control Lotion SPF 20 (.35oz) – This lightweight lotion provides UVA/UVB protection while working to control oil and reduce shine, leaving the skin even, smooth and flawless.
• Juice Beauty Green Apple Moisturizer SPF 15 (.17oz) – Nutrient rich moisturizer provides broad spectrum sun protection with anti-aging ingredients to help repair past damage.
• Murad Firming Bronzer SPF 15 (1 oz) – Get that bronzed summer glow without the help of the sun. This light shimmering bronzer helps firm up the skin with cornflower and rosemary and provides broad spectrum sun protection to help prevent environmental damage.
• Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion SPF 55 PA + + + (.08oz) – Keep your skin protected and hydrated with this light, intensely moisturizing lotion with a powerful UVA/UVB sunscreen.  (One of my personal favorites!)
• MD Skincare Powerful Sun Protection Pads SPF 30 (6 single use pads) – Pocket sized protection with powerful broad spectrum protection with no residue and quick absorption.
• Clarins Sun Wrinkle Control Cream Ultra Protection SPF 30 (.17oz) – Let the sun shine safely with this ultra luxurious cream that safeguards skin against long-lasting environmental stress.
• Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer SPF 15 (.25oz) – This cult favorite has been revved up with serious sun protection to not only give a flawless finish but also to help repair past damage.
• Tarte 24/7 Lip Sheer SPF 15 in “Thursday” (.098oz) – Perfect your pout with this smudge proof tint that provides intense hydration with a soft natural hue; your lips only better!

Make sure to incorporate sunscreen into your daily beauty routine and practice safe sun!

Sjal Skincare: Spirit, mind, heart & soul

Sjal is an innovative, luxury skincare line developed by mother-daughter team Karen and Kristin Petrivich, that merges Swedish simplicity (out with confusing, complicated regimens!), a holistic and scientific approach to product performance and a new-age vibe that channels the energy of the ingredients.  Add the fact that many products are multi-tasking and for me, that's a perfect combination.

The balans cleanser can be used for both face and body.  It's a gentle, gel formula that smells wonderful, deep cleans, brightens, moisturizes and detoxifies skin. 

The mineral kalla energy tonic is a moisturizing spray that hydrates, tones and protects from environmental damage.  It's soothing to the skin and a very refreshing mist.  In addition to minerals and botanicals, the mineral kalla energy tonic contains super moisturizers of rose petals, vitamin E and hyaluronic acid.

Serum 1 is also considered a liquid vitamin lift.  It's light green in color (perhaps due to the blue + green copper in it) and offers a whole host of anti-aging benefits, most importantly lifting, firming and wrinkle reduction.  Serum 1 combines anti-oxidants, peptides, vitamins, minerals, botanicals and more, to achieve one of the more complete anti-aging serum formulas that I've tried. 

orbe, also known as eye contour creme, is an anti-aging eye creme designed to life the eye area, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, dark circles and puffiness.  Initially, I was hesitant and wasn't sure if I was seeing results.  I continued to use the orbe, though, and can report that the skin under my eyes is smooth, taut and I have definitely noticed a decrease in puffiness. I have had slight improvement in dark circles.  Overll, I am very pleased with this product.

The Sjal line also includes moisturizers for dry/mature skin (kura intuitif) and a lightweight formula for oily/combination skin (cela intuitif), which I have not tried.

Overall, considering I knew nothing about this line before I tried it, I have been pleasantly surprised by Sjal Skincare.  I love that the products contain natural, as well as pharmaceutical-grade ingredients.  I like that Sjal doesn't use fillers like mineral oil, alcohol, caffeine, petroleum or silicones; I love the fact that the products look pretty on my counter (shallow, yes, I know, but that's all part of it for me!).  And I love that there are a few core products that address a multitude of skincare concerns. 

Sjal Skincare is available at Barneys, Bergdorf Goodman and Fred Segal and online at eluxury, Apothia and DermStore.  For a complete list of retailers, check out the Sjal Skincare website.

Rodial Glam Balm

Rodial Glam Balm is a product that doesn't fit into one category, such as "moisturizer" or " "anti-aging treatment".  Why?  This is one multi-tasking product that does so much, it is next to impossible to categorize it.  I fell in love with Glam Balm, because I found that practically whatever my need, a dab of Glam Balm did the trick.  Seriously.

Glam Balm contains some wonderfully soothing, natural and moisturizing ingredients.  Shea butter, Myrrh extract, Vitamin C and Calendula work to plump up collagen and smooth out wrinkles, calm irritation and lock moisture into skin.  In addition, all Rodial products contain antioxidant-rich pomegranate extracts.  Throw a tube of Glam Balm in your purse and you've got a treatment product for your face, lips, hands, cuticles (yes, I know that's indulgent) and neck; I also apply it to my dry heels.  If you're a frequent flyer, this is an incredible treatment for in-flight, when your skin starts to go all arid on you.  Your skin literally drinks this up. The formula itself is thick and very emollient; you only need a small amount, as it's rich.

There is an interesting mention of Rodial founder Maria Hatzistefanis in this month's W magazine.  Incredibly, the line has no advertising budget, yet has achieved cult status through word of mouth.  You can find Rodial Glam Balm at Skinstore, Bliss and DermaDoctor.

HÅKANSSON: A Functionalist approach to skincare and beauty

HÅKANSSON is a line of cosmetics and skincare developed by Katarina Håkansson, a Swedish makeup artist known for her "un-made-up" look of skin at it's best:  natural, glowing and healthy.  The mission in developing this line was to develop a no-nonsense method of skincare using natural extracts, vitamins and beneficial oils.  The line is based on the premise of multi-tasking skincare and color cosmetics.  You know that's a concept that I would be in line with! 

I recently took the Small Skin Pack on vacation with me.  The pouch contains miniature sizes of The Moisturizer, The Oil, The Remover, The Soap, The Scent and The Vitamin Spray.  I was actually a little apprehensive; the line is so....minimalist.  No worries; once I started using the products, I was actually looking forward to my morning and evening skincare routines.  First, I have to tell you, these skincare products are like aromatherapy.  They smell fresh and wonderful.  And they work.  And my apprehension at putting oil on my face?  Forget it.  It made my face feel so soft and smooth, it was incredible.  My secret fixation and biggest surprise?  The Vitamin Spray.  I actually tucked this into my purse (and then inserted it into my 1 quart TSA-required bag) and when all hell was breaking loose at the airport, whipped The Vitamin Spray out and spritzed.  And spritzed again in the plane.  And got off the plane looking refreshed--not haggard and stressed.  Worth the price of the product all by itself!

The HÅKANSSON cosmetic line is equally as impressive.  The products come in futuristic mod-looking compacts and are wax-based pure pigments.  You mix and match the colors to achieve a natural look.  The compacts are truly multi-tasking.  You can use them as a concealer, eyeshadow, blush, lip color -- just by mixing and blending shades in the compacts. After a couple times, I was my own makeup artist, mixing and creating.  The colors apply and blend well and feel good on your skin.  I feel the HÅKANSSON line lives up to it's mission.

You can find and purchase the HÅKANSSON line online at www.hakanssonskin.com.  I would recommend spending some time on the website, especially to read frequently asked questions.  This section really gives you insight into the line, best practices with the products and answers typical questions you might have.  The Small Skin Pack I tried is available at MioMia, where they also carry other products in the HÅKANSSON line.

Somme Institute: High Five Skin Care

Somme Institute is a research company that has developed a high-tech skin care system that promises results in 5 weeks, in 5 steps that take 5 minutes.  Since 5 minutes is about all the time I have for a skin care routine, the challenge was on.  The Somme Institute scientists have developed a technology called MDT5 (Molecular Dispersion Technology); a synergistic blend of 6 vitamins (A, B3/B5, C, D and E) that when released, go deep within the skin in their active forms at high concentrations.  Once inside the skin, the vitamins can work to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin discoloration, tone, texture and clarity and repair sun damage.

Each product comes in a white, futuristic-looking bottle with a colorful dot.  Line up the dots in the order of application and start counting down to better skin.  The products in the order used in the regimen are: 

• Nourishing Cleanser- (step 1) - a non-foaming, non-irritating cleanser
• Transport - (step 2) - AHA/BHA exfoliating peel pads
• Serum - (step 3) - highly concentrated Vitamin C gel
• A-Bomb - (step 4) - moisturizing cream with high concentration of Vitamins A & E
• Double Defense - (step 5 - am only) - Moisturizing SPF 30+ sunblock with UVA/UVB protection

So did the promise of 5 steps/5 minutes/5 weeks deliver?  It did, with impressive results. The first week of testing the product, I immediately began to notice softer, smoother skin.  And from there it just kept getting better.  By the third week of use, I was starting to see improvement in fine lines on my forehead.  By the fifth week, I noticed substantial clearing of the dreaded "11" lines on my forehead.  In addition, I did see lightening (but not completely) of UV damage, as well as reduction in the size of the pores on my face.  This line is not limited to those seeking an anti-aging routine; if you've got acne, you can definitely benefit from this combination of ingredients.   

I liked all of the products in the line.  While I prefer a foaming cleanser, the nourishing cleanser was gentle and didn't leave skin feeling dry.  The Transport pads tingled initially and are generously saturated, but not harsh.  After applying the pad to my face, I had enough product to apply on the tops of my hands and experienced the same impressive results.  I found that the Serum absorbed quickly, enabling you to move through your 5 steps one after another.  The A-Bomb was perhaps my favorite of the products, with a light texture and citrusy smell. The Double Defense lotion is a moisturizer with sunscreen that didn't feel heavy or greasy.

Somme Institute products are available at Nordstrom, Beauty.com and at spas such as the Mandarin Oriental in New York City, The Peninsula Bevery Hills, The Spa at the Hershey Hotel and Bellagio in Las Vegas.  If you've got 5 minutes a day to dedicate to better skin, give the Somme Institute line a try!

Three Custom Color Specialists: Beauty comes in Threes

Three Custom Color Specialists fills a unique niche in the cosmetics industry.  If you've ever gone through the frustration of countless purchases of lipstick that just doesn't look "right" on you, chances are it's because you've selected a "warm" shade when you really needed a "cool" one.  Three Custom Color Specialists takes the worry out of that by dividing their lip and eye collections into Warm and Cool tones.  Not only that, they give you a goof proof guide to selecting your correct skin tone.  If that shade of foundation or lipstick that you've loved forever has been discontinued, Three Custom Color Specialists keeps a searchable archive of discontinued shades.  And if you still can't find what you're looking for, they will custom blend the perfect color for you.

Trae at 3CCS recently sent me several products to try.  One surprise was that each product was a multi-tasker, which I love.  The Pink Hyacinth Watercolour is a beautiful, sheer pop of pink on my cheeks.  It applied easily and also doubled as the perfect just-bitten stain on my lips.  Brow Powder #3, has already made my Holy Grail list.  Not only is this the perfect brow shade, I've used it as an eye shadow and by wetting my brush, as an eyeliner (top and bottom of lids).  The Creme Concealer (#1) provided excellent coverage, was blendable and buildable.  And lastly, the eyeshadow, is finely milled, easy to apply and can be used as a shadow, highlighter or liner when wet.  For a versatile line of multi-tasking products, Three Custom Color Specialists is worth a look.  3CCS cosmetics are available on their website as well as at beauty.com.