Category Archives: skincare

moisturizers, lotions, masks & cleansers

simple skincare

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simple-sensitive-skin-line-w724

simple skincare has been the #1 skincare brand in the uk for nearly 50 years. with over half of the female population (yours truly and from what i know, many of you lovely readers included!) self-identifying as having sensitive skin, simple made a big splash with their entry into the u.s. market last year. their philosophy is to bring skin-loving goodness of the purest kind to those of us who suffer from sensitivities. they have an impressive range of products, including cleansers, moisturizers, makeup removers, wipes and eye care, all ringing in at under $13 each.

because of my own personal struggle with breakouts related to sensitive skin and my dedication to bringing you practical beauty solutions that truly work, i’m honored to be partnering with simple in 2013 as a brand ambassador.

if, like me, your skin is on the picky side and you find it tricky to compile the perfect routine, you are going to love these products – if you’re not incorporating them into your skincare regimen already! to launch my partnership with simple, i am giving away ten sets (!) of their new skincare launches for 2013:

i’m looking forward to sharing my simple adventure with you in the glossarie over the course of this year. since skincare seems to be a hot button issue, i would love to know if there are specific concerns or issues that you’d like to see covered. leave any ideas in the comments below!

ENTER GIVEAWAY

this post was created in connection with my appointment as an ambassador in the simple® skincare program. visit www.facebook.com/SimpleSkincare to share your story on sensitive skin. for more tips and deals from simple, join the simple vip community.

clinique ‘moisture surge’ overnight mask

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clinique 'moisture surge' overnight mask

my dermatologist taught me that skin is the most primed and ready to receive treatments of any kind at night. that’s because it’s the time when skin naturally works to repair and rebuild itself. your masks and creams are more easily absorbed and work more effectively when you apply them before bed, bringing new meaning to the phrase beauty sleep.

when clinique’s new ‘moisture surge’ overnight mask landed on my doorstep, i knew it was going to be a game changer. i have loved the moisture surge line since college when i went running to fredericksburg virginia’s only department store (a hecht’s, now macy’s) and put myself at the mercy of the clinique counter. dorm room dryness had done my skin in and the lady in the white lab coat behind the counter prescribed clinique’s original moisture surge thirsty skin relief. it was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

this mask is like a souped up version of thirsty skin relief. it’s thick and almost balm-like, far more moisturizing than your typical night cream. smoothing it over your face and neck feels like heaven and the glowy look that your skin takes on will make you feel instantly prettier. put yourself to bed and awake in the morning with skin that’s plump and hydrated, not at all greasy. as an added bonus, i’ve noticed that things are clearer when i use this (my dermatologist also taught me that zits can crop up due to your skin being too dry, not just because it’s too oily). all in all, i really feel like i’m doing something great for my face when i apply this stuff. i’ve been going with an every-other-night regimen and it’s whipping some major butt in the winter blues department.

if your skin needs a little something extra this season, pick up a tube of clinique’s ‘moisture surge’ overnight mask, available in stores and online for $32. you will not be sorry!

day to night: lip care

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day to night: lip care

it is chilly outside! and i swear the first part of my body to feel the effects of the winter change is my lips. every season i can tell when the humidity is leaving town and colder days are on the way…brrr. i would love to know how some of you deal with the perma-chapped lips that come with winter, because the only way that i can seem to manage is with a super soothing one-two punch. i have needs beyond lip balm and chapstick. after washing my face in the morning and slathering on moisture, i’ve been using dhc’s lip cream for long-lasting hydration. oilive oil and vitamin e make this stick really luscious and wash my lips in smoothness before i layer on the day’s lip color. at night, i keep reaching for murad’s soothing skin and lip care to encourage healing whilst i get my beauty rest and it even exfoliates the dry damaged spots – it works wonders, i’m telling you. both products have drastically improved the look and feel of my lips and i’m really hoping that their combined magic continues as the weather gets colder.

do give your lips a little extra love this time of year?

my mario badescu skincare regimen

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mario badescu
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at my wits end with my skin (yet again), i turned to the experts at mario badescu for a customized regimen. as i ran through my laundry list of complaints (acne-ridden, tight after washhing, oily in the afternoons, sensitive and all around miserable to deal with) my expectations were low that the brand could deliver anything that would improve the situation. i was pleasantly surprised to receive a warm and friendly “let’s get you cleared up!” and a note that my new skincare was en route.

the products that landed on my doorstep (complete with personalized instructions) were simple and no frills. i fully appreciated that they were completely non intimidating and after following the instructions to a tee, i noticed a quick response from my skin. from the very first wash, i felt pretty confident that this system could really work for me. things were clearer, but also healthier and more nourished. the routine wasn’t just ridding my face of bacteria and clogged pores, it was giving something back, but without extra ingredients that my skin doesn’t need. this is very difficult to achieve. knowing that the line is botanical-based and fairly priced has only fueled my love affair.

here’s the system that’s working for me:

AM glycolic foaming cleanser, $15 – lathers and exfoliates dead skin chemically (which i’ve learned is so much better for my sensitive skin that manual scrubs and brushes)

AM oil-free moisturizer, $22 - light and soothing, a pea-sized amount hydrates my entire face without clogging pores, it also leaves my skin so soft and works as a great base for makeup

PM orange cleansing soap, $12 – oil-free and soap-free, removes all makeup and dirt without stripping skin

PM seaweed cleansing lotion, $15 – super gentle, non-drying, catches any traces of makeup that i may miss with my cleanser and includes anti-inflamatories to help with redness

PM a.h.a. & ceramide moisturizer, $20 – oil-free with lemon extract, revives my oft-congested skin, non-greasy and really helps to restore everything (since acne treatments can be super dulling)

it’s the exact right amount of steps, the exact right combination of formulas. all together, it’s not too gentle, and not too harsh. my skin has never been happier!

am i way late to this party? have you tried mario’s miracle workers?

koh gen do cleansing spa water

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between you and me, cleansing spa water is really just a fancy and chic way of saying makeup remover. good for a quick clean up, cleansing waters are super easy to use, making makeup removal completely painless. they’re great for beauty minimalists who don’t need the overkill of a nightly regime and for night owls who tend to get a little lackadaisical about face washing.

as a longtime vaseline user for removing my eye makeup (i know…but it works!), i must admit that koh gen do does the trick even better than my trusty petroleum go-to. a few swipes with a cotton pad removes it all without irritating my eyes or leaving a greasy residue. it’s oil-free, alcohol-free and safe for those of us who wear contacts. as an extra bonus, it has six herbal extracts that nourish your skin, meaning that it gives a little something back while it cleans your makeup away.

koh gen do cleansing spa water is available in two sizes at sephora.

do you use a cleansing water to remove your makeup?

victoria’s secret moisture luxe hand cream

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victoria's secret moisture luxe hand cream

these tubes have a luxe appeal that i can appreciate. i love the extra detail of their twist top, giving them an apothecary feel, but also the fact that they are plastic, not metal. this means that there’s none of the oh-god-how-do-i-stop-the-lotion-from-coming-out panic moments after you squeeze to apply. but as good as these hand creams look on the outside, it’s what’s inside that’s really got me singing.

the lotions that live inside these tubes are deeply nourishing, boasting a trio of unique scents. not only do they glide on and sink right in, leaving skin intensely soft, but they offer up their subtle perfume throughout the day making me smile every time i touch my hair (which is a lot). shea butter and avocado oil make these ultra rich and gorgeous and i feel like they really soothe my skin, restoring and moisturizing – perfect for fall and the colder months to come.

victoria’s secret moisture luxe hand cream comes in three scents, each available for $14 here.

sephora collection perfecting ultra-smoothing primer

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products coming out of the sephora camp of late have really exceeded my expectations, but two of them have weaseled their way into my everyday beauty basket: my new favorite moisturizer being one and this primer being the other. the primer was a surprise sample in my sephora bag, but after one application, i couldn’t get back to the black and white mecca for a full-size version fast enough.

what makes this primer different from others is the slip in its texture which does more than cover skin and mute imperfections. it smooths and perfects, preventing makeup from sitting directly on your skin and creating the perfect canvas. when i apply it, i use less foundation because makeup goes on more evenly and looks more natural. it hangs on longer and keeps shine away (especially on my nose, whose oil glands are insanely persistent).

i have shied away from primers in the past because they have felt heavy and seemed like an unnecessary step in the process, but the lightweight feel and instant absorption on this one really improves my whole makeup look and the subtle hydrating properties feel so good on the skin.

if you’re looking for an impressive primer to improve skin tone and texture while masking minor imperfections, this is your best bet. get it at sephora for $15.

on sundays, we boost

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yes, i know it’s monday, but as i sit here enjoying the effects of last night’s skin treatment, i feel compelled to share my little secret.

first, you should know that for a high maintenance beauty queen, i’m sadly lazy about my skincare. i can only commit to so complicated of a routine and three steps is definitely where i max out…but, for someone whose skin sees as much action as mine does in the product-switching department, i need a regular part of the regimen that can work some serious miracles – the requirements being that it has to be speedy and it has to work wonders once-a-week.

my answer to the riddle is somme institute’s boost mask. it’s subtly pumpkin scented (making it especially appealing this time of year!) and has an almost gluey texture that glides onto skin and begins warming on contact. the formula nourishes and regenerates making way for clearer pores and less redness while also working to improve sun damage and fine lines. it’s gentle but at the same time supremely fierce at absorbing oil, destroying dirt and impurities. it’s a pleasure to use and works its magic in ten minutes flat.

last night alone, it softened the blow on an allergic reaction to something i tested last week. this morning, i awoke to fresh skin almost completely clear of the little bumps left behind by a wayward foundation that have been lingering for days.

boost is nicely priced at $40. grab your own tube here.

laura mercier almond coconut body butter

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this body butter has been running through my group of friends like wildfire. it all started when one of us received a complimentary bottle through a work function and let the rest of us in on her sweet-smelling secret. perhaps the $35 price tag is not ideal, but, it smells so good.

i’m a sucker for yummy scents, so if that wasn’t enough to get me hooked, the rich, fluffy texture of the moisturizer without a trace of stickiness sealed the deal. and as the weather gets dryer, it’s the perfect solution to the thirsty skin that’s bound to follow suit. plus, the tube is surely going to look all kinds of glamorous on a dresser and i love anything that pretties up both my vanity and my skin!

laura mercier’s almond coconut body butter is available here.

murad hydro-dynamic ultimate moisture

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fall is upon us, beauties, and a change in the air means a necessary change in the skincare routine. i don’t know about you, but the first day without humidity and my skin is dryer and tighter than it is through the warmer months. for everyone, but especially those of us who are blemish-prone, finding the optimal moisture level is essential to healthy skin. normally one to avoid, a rich heavy moisturizer, i was a little skeptical of murad’s new skin quencher, but the claims seemed too good not to give it a try.

the formula is designed to lock in optimal moisture levels for up to eight hours, meaning that regardless of your skin type, this stuff will help keep things comfortable and smooth. although it’s a heavier moisturizer, the technology behind it it keeps your oil glands from working overtime so that it actually combats shine and blemishes by calming and caring for skin in the best way possible. you’ll feel the hydration immediately and you will be amazed at how long that feeling lasts. murad has mastered the balance between a lotion that’s intensive but lightweight.

the formula is super concentrated so you only need the tiniest amount to cover your entire face (meaning: this jar might last you a lifetime, although it’s only 1.7 ounces). after a week of use, my insanely sensitive skin has been handling this stuff like a dream which is a true testament to its gentleness and development by dermatologists. in fact, i think it’s improved my skin texture and clarity, overall. hooray!

if you’re already on the hunt for your winter moisturizer, i would urge you to give this one a try. it’s full priced at $65, but you can snap it up as part of murad’s hydrate for hope set for $49.50.