simple twitter party recap3

simple favorites

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have you ever been to a twitter party? i took part in my first one last week with the simple skincare simple advisory board, their brand ambassadors and what felt like, oh, one thousand other skincare enthusiasts from everywhere under the sun. simple kept the conversation going during each segment of the one-hour party by putting their various experts behind the wheel and having them answer questions from participants. the conversation was super engaging and informative – imagine hundreds and hundreds of girls sharing skincare tips and getting advice on their routines. It was a blast!

i walked away with so many great tips that i wanted to share some of the highlights with you.

from fitness expert, kacy duke:

  • we all know that exercise is good for your body, but did you know that it’s also good for your skin? sweat cleanses your body of toxins and leaves behind a dewy glow. if that’s not incentive to get out for my afternoon run today, I don’t know what is!

from nutritionist, ellie krieger:

from dermatologist, dr. debra luftman:

from makeup artist, gita bass:

from psychiatrist, dr. josie howard:

  • stress impacts skin in a big way (especially those of us who are sensitive), so taking time for yourself makes a difference inside and out

and this is just the tip of the iceberg. you can review the whole information-packed conversation here, and then prepare for the gorgeous skin that is sure to result from implementing just a few of these nuggets of wisdom!

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Posted in skin | Tagged | 3 Comments

korres greek yoghurt nourishing lip cooler8

korres greek yoghurt nourishing lip coolers
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these little lip coolers from korres are bringing something new and different to the table. with a consistency that feels like you’re smoothing greek yoghurt over your lips, the formula buffs away dry skin as it melts on. the long-lasting hydrating effects give way to lips that are softer and more hydrated and the tiny rollerball hidden inside the applicator massages the product in to your lips so that you get the full effects. you’ll feel a burst of coolness once the treatment is in place and the peach and raspberry shades provide a beautiful hint of tint.

having loved all things korres lip (like these, these, and these) in the past, i was super eager to give these a try and i’ve gone back and forth with my feelings on them, but i’ve decided that they’re a love and here’s why:

once you get past the strange consistency (which isn’t offensive in any way – it’s just unlike anything that i’ve ever put on my lips) and the grit (which in the end, disappears and leaves my lips without a single flake), you’re left with improved lip texture and a sheer wash of moist color that’s very, very pretty.

true beauty junkies will appreciate the uniqueness of the product and the innovations in packaging and formula. this is not a necessary addition to every makeup bag, but one that’s been a refreshingly fun find for me – and who am i to deny you anything fun?

korres greek yoghurt nourishing lip coolers, $19

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a few favorites10

a few favorites

it’s been one of those weeks where the winning beauty discoveries just did not stop coming and i’ve been pulling these five products out of my beauty basket almost daily since i brought them in to the glossarie test lab.

physicians formula mineral airbrushing blush spf 30, $10.79
the perfect pink in a smooth, easy-to-wear formula that also packs spf 30. this gorgeously packaged blush is so summer-right, i can’t even stand it. (and if that doesn’t sell you, there’s the cutest ever mini kabuki brush hiding underneath the blush pan!)

topshop brow pencil, $12
i am still letting my brows grow in a bit (it’s painful) and this pencil has been a godsend. the spoolie brush is substantial enough to tame my unruly arches and the pencil formula is so creamy. it’s easy to blend and impossible to overdo.

jouer pearl lip enhancer in rose, $16
jouer’s classic lip enhancer is ultra moisturizing and these new tinted versions are just as soothing. the rose pearl shade is the ultimate glossy nude and it’s been polishing off my everyday face with just the right touch of color and shine.

21 drops 10 calm essential oil rollerball, $29
confession: i’m not the most relaxed person and i hate to fly. this essential oil saved me on a recent flight and i’ve kept it close ever since. a couple of drops in the palm of my hands, cupped over my face, and a deep breath in – all is right with the world.

dr. lewinn by kinerase instant perfecting b.b. cream, $15.97
a complete surprise, this bb cream blends beautifully and blurs away imperfections. it’s hydrating, but very lightweight and includes spf (both very important for dc’s ugly summer weather). my skin looks bright and glowy and it feels like i’ve got nothing on.

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Posted in blush, brows, cheeks, editorial sample, eyes, face, foundation, fragrance, lips | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

mario badescu a.h.a. botanical body soap5

mario badescu body soap

some days it seems like my face gets all the love. with a multi-step routine and all of the painstaking ways that i pamper the skin above my chin, it often dawns on me that my trunk and limbs get the short end of the stick. on the search for some serious skincare for my body, i stumbled upon mario badescu’s a.h.a botanical body soap. adding this simply packaged, no-frills product to my shower scene has made a major impact on clarity and glow – especially on my arms and chest. (thank goodness – because when sleeveless season comes creeping up on me, i start to get a touch self conscious about the skin that’s been hiding in sweaters all winter.)

this alpha hydroxy formula has polished my skin to perfection, ridding it of dry spots and the tiny red bumps that can crop up when it’s cold. it deeply cleanses and exfoliates, breaking down dead skin cells, and making an instantly noticeable difference in softness. the natural scent is rejuvenating in the morning or after a run, but the thing i like best about this bottle is that it has cleared up the problem areas on my back and shoulders. (later, bacne!) it sudses up in a major way, but washes away clean with no soapy residue.

normally not one to get too excited about a product that washes down the drain,  i feel such a huge difference in my skin from before i get into the shower to the time when i’m toweling off, that i can’t help but be impressed. this one has really won me over with its chemical exfoliation that’s leaving my skin ready for sundresses.

mario badescu a.h.a. botanical body soap, $8 – $14

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Posted in body, editorial sample | Tagged | 5 Comments

pantene pro-v ultimate 10 bb crème giveaway!7

Pantene Pro-V - BB Crème

it’s probably no surprise that i like to keep it pretty simple when it comes to my hair. i’ve been rockin’ a lob for a long while now and (thankfully) it doesn’t require too much maintenance – because my hair can’t handle a lot of product. the main gripe i have with hair products is that in order to serve a purpose like smoothing, de-frizzing, heat protecting, etc. they often take vital nutrients from my hair. they make things look great in the short run, but they’re not really doing my hair any long-term favors – sometimes leaving it dry and damaged (plus, the blow dryer and flat iron don’t help matters).

i’ve been wanting to get my hands on pantene’s bb crème for hair for, well, ever, so when their camp reached out to me about testing it, i couldn’t send them my address fast enough. i’ve been using the product for over a week now and let me just say that i’ve been enjoying some seriously good hair. the serum-like formula leaves my hair silky and smooth with beautiful shine. while it works to tame frizz and protect from heat, it also repairs rough/dry hair and strengthens it to better protect against damage. i am already noticing a big difference in how my hair behaves and i love how light this product is! it feels like i’ve got nothing in my hair at all, yet the finished product is way above average. if you blow dry and straighten your hair, you’ll notice that it actually speeds the process along and makes me feel like i’m “fighting” my hair far less. i can straighten it more quickly and the results are more polished. not only does my hair look incredible, but it feels healthy.

it suffices to say that i’m in love.

so in love in fact, that i want you to share in my happy hair. i am giving away one full size bottle of pantene pro-v ultimate 10 bb crème! this contest is open to readers in the u.s. – please enter using the link below. good luck to you and your lovely locks :)

enter the pantene pro-v ultimate 10 bb creme giveaway here!

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Posted in editorial sample, hair | Tagged | 7 Comments

tie dye beauty8

tie dye beauty

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i’m obsessed with all things multicolored and have been delighted by the gorgeous options on the beauty market. just a few of the pretty possibilities:

one: clarisonic surf mia2, $159 (and 20% off!)

two: lorac lips with benefits, $18

three: stila countless color pigments, $22

four: victoria’s secret sunset kiss, $3.99

five: mane message the boho package, $10.50

six: stephanie johnson fiona dome cosmetic in tucson desert, $35

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Posted in editorial sample, mixed bag | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

fresh sugar shine lip treatment5

fresh sugar shine

a non-sticky, hydrating lipgloss from the creator of everyone’s favorite lip treatment? (of which there are eight shades/varieties now, by the way.) sign me up! this new tube from fresh claims to brighten your natural lip color with the shine of a gloss and the nourishing moisture of a balm. if it’s anything like fresh’s current line up, i know i’m going to love it. so, please excuse me while i cut this post short and go straight to sephora…

fresh sugar shine lip treatment, $18.50

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Posted in lips | Tagged | 5 Comments

another video! 3 simple favorites0

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lip crayon love6

lip crayon love
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i love a good lip crayon. super easy to carry, a cinch to apply without a mirror and thanks to the narrower point, you get beautifully defined lips along with gorgeous color. pigment is often richer and more true to the product than with traditional lipstick, too. basically, it’s the ultimate in fuss-free beauty so it’s no wonder that i’ve got them coming out of my ears in all shades and brand names. but, something wonderful has happened to the lip crayon lately: it’s gone glossy! now my favorite way to apply lip color comes in a slicker, shiny finish that adds an element of sophistication to the plain old lip crayon. i’ve been stocking up on them and i’ve currently got five on constant rotation:

mark. color me in lip crayon in punchline, $12
a gorgeous fruit punch shade that lasts all day and leaves a soft stain behind

ilia lipstick crayon in karma chameleon, $24
a fiery coral packed with healing oils

topshop lip crayon in secret party, $14
a vivid raspberry with a touch of shimmer – such a unique color

nars satin lip in rikugien, $25
a super moisturizing rose pink, love the way this one feels

trish mcevoy essential balm in gorgeous pink, $38
an ultra light formula in girlie pink that brightens up my whole complexion

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Posted in editorial sample, lips | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

burberry summer9

burberry summer

like lara, my signature winter scent is burberry body. it stays on heavy rotation during the chilly months, along with kate spade’s twirl (which is now discontinued, boo! although a gal pal of mine recently snatched up a bottle on e-bay if you’re willing to put in that kind of work…) and stella mccartney’s stella (a subtle scent with hints of rose, amber and mandarin – the $20 rollerball version lasts forever, and i always have one stashed in my purse).

but with the summer-like spring days we’ve been having here in dc, i’m reverting back to a favorite discovered late in the warm season last year: the appropriately named burberry summer. floral and fruity top notes keep this perfume light and fresh enough for the hot days, while cedarwood and musk undertones guarantee that it lasts morning to night. i love how the scent lingers long after application, and the way the pink bottle is brightening up my dresser doesn’t hurt either!

so, all this chatter has us dying to know: what’s your favorite warm weather scent?

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Posted in fragrance | Tagged | 9 Comments