Bella Schneider Beauty, a new-to-me brand, knew of my penchant for luxury face oils and was kind enough to send me their Bella Schneider Beauty Naturals Cupuacu Super Hydrating Oil. Formulated as a multipurpose oil, this antioxidant-rich oil can be used from head to toe, and I have tried it on my hair, scalp, face and body. The oil is lightweight with a velvety smooth texture and a luscious fruity floral aroma that is as delectable as delectable can be. It utterly melts into the skin and leaves it soft, smooth, nourished, luminous and ultra-hydrated, and it does so without leaving behind any sort of greasy residue. In my hair, it is very hydrating, it fights frizz, leaves hair manageable and gives it a beautiful glossy shine.
I savor this beauty oil and in order to stretch this luxurious elixir a bit further, I tend to reserve it for my face, neck and décolleté– rather than on my hair and body. In addition to using it as a serum for my skin, I also add a drop or two to my moisturizers when I need extra hydration, and also a few drops to my foundation for added moisture and luminosity.
According to Bella Schneider Beauty,
This multi-use oil is great used anywhere on your face or body that needs serious moisture. Cupuacu butter and jojoba oil work to hydrate skin as well protect against free radical damage (thanks to all the antioxidants). Apply the lightweight oil to clean skin or add a few drops to your favorite moisturizer for an extra shot of skin-softening powers. Richly textured & beautifully fragranced, the protective Bella Schneider Beauty Naturals Cupuacu Syper Hydrating Oil indulges the senses while bolstering skin immunity from environmental pollutants and free radicals with potent polyphenols. Luxuriously textured, Bella Schneider Beauty's Cupuacu oil promotes skin elasticity and hydrates with luscious Cupuacu butter, Jojoba oil, skin-strengthening fatty acids, and superfood vitamins.
Directions: After cleansing, apply over the entire face and neck. Allow to penetrate. For more moisture, add few drops to your day or night cream. Ingredients: Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Fragrance, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil.
Overall Assessment: I really like this oil so much, and despite the fact that I have an unbelievable number of face oils in use currently, I anticipate using this one down to the last drop. I definitely want to try more skincare products from Bella Schneider Beauty after such positive results.
If I had to select a single brand for my favorite luxury bath and body gels, it would definitely be Molton Brown. They feature a wide range of delectable fragrances and the rich lather thoroughly cleans without stripping the skin. They are currently having a SALE up to 30% OFF that you will want to check out. I received my wonderful Limited Edition Exquisite Treats Festive Cracker kit after the holidays, but now that it is on sale!
Includes:
1.7fl oz Fiery Pink Pepper Bath & Shower Gel
1.7fl oz Orange & Bergamot Bath & Shower Gel
1.7fl oz Dewy Lily of the Valley & Star Anise Bath & Shower Gel
1.7fl oz Rosa Absolute Bath & Shower Gel
Available in the Sale for a limited time only.
The Icons Cracker (Regularly $25.00 on Sale for $17.50 from Molton Brown): Our most iconic body washes fragrant with floral, spicy and woody notes beautifully nestled in this classic festive cracker.
Includes
1.7fl oz Rosa Absolute Bath & Shower Gel
1.7fl oz Tobacco Absolute Bath & Shower Gel
1.7fl oz Fiery Pink Pepper Bath & Shower Gel
1.7fl oz Re-charge Black Pepper Bath & Shower Gel
Winter weather always precipitates a major skincare product reboot for me, but for some reason this winter has wrought even more havoc on my skin. While my skin is normal/combination, you would think otherwise this season. Therefore, I have been slathering richer and heavier oils, balms and lotions from head to toe. Among my recent product discoveries, that I have been reaching for repeatedly, are two products from Nyakio. In fact, Nyakio Baobab Youth Infused Daily Defense Crème and Nyakio Baobab Lip Balm have proven so effective that I will definitely be repurchasing both (and likely before this winter ends).
About Nyakio:
Global beauty secrets. Cultural traditions. Indigenous ingredients. Baobab oil, derived from the coveted namesake superfuit in Ghana, is rumored to be the preserver of youthful beauty. Nyakio has always been fascinated with the baobab "Tree of Life" due to its high levels of vitamin A, E and omegas 3, 6 and 9. From the leaves to the roots, the baobab tree has been used for generations.
Nyakio Baobab Youth Infused Daily Defense Crème ($35.00 for 1.5 oz. from Ulta): This lightweight antioxidant-rich face cream is nourishing and fast-absorbing, and despite its inherent emollience it leaves behind no greasy residue, whatsoever. It melts into the skin, deeply moisturizes dry and dehydrated skin, and leaves it soft, smooth and supple. There is a very subtle aroma, from the essential oils blend, but it is neither overpowering, nor is it long-lasting.
According to Nyakio,
Give your skin a bounce back. Restore skin's natural glow and enhance protection with Nyakio's Baobab Youth Infused Daily Defense Crème. Enriched with antioxidant-rich baobab oil, this lightweight crème helps defend skin against damaging free radicals.
Key Benefits:
- Lightweight, whipped cream helps to restore skin's natural glow
- Packed with vitamins and antioxidants to protect skin
- Contains Baobab Oil from the "African Tree of Life"
- 100% Vegan
- Cruelty-Free
Formulated without sulfates, phthalates, parabens, mineral oil, petrolatum, formaldehyde, butylene glycol.
Directions: Massage onto cleansed face and neck one to two times per day, as needed. Nyakio's Tip: "I like to add a drop or two of one of my Nyakio oils. This cocktailing technique helps me add intensive hydration and provides customizable targeted treatment."
Nyakio Baobab Lip Balm ($22.00 for 0.50 oz. from Ulta): This is my favorite new lip balm because it has been so effective in its ability to quickly heal my winter-chapped lips. It has a thick consistency, but it effortlessly melts into the lips and spreads, coats and protects them with ease. It isn't in the least bit tacky, and it boasts the perfect amount of cushion for comfortable wear. It leaves lips very soft, smooth, hydrated and healed. There is no discernible fragrance to this lip balm, and therefore it should pose no problem for people with sensitivities to scented skincare products.
According to Nyakio,
Silky, soft lips like you never knew. Nyakio's Baobab Lip Balm is a luxuriously rich balm that melts instantly for soft, supple lips.
Key Benefits:
- Melts instantly for soft lips
- Intensely hydrates
- Contains baobab oil from the "African Tree of Life"
- Cruelty-Free
Formulated without sulfates, phthalates, parabens, mineral oil, petrolatum, formaldehyde, butylene glycol.
While I do not have thinning hair, I do have a serious and abiding love of all of the Vitabrid products that I use on a regular basis (Reviewed HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE), and therefore I thought that I would share the Vitabrid Hair Tonic Set with you in case that you, or someone you know, has thinning hair.
Vitabrid C¹²'s HAIR Tonic Professional set is specifically formulated for intensive care of hair and scalp to promote the look and feel of thicker, fuller hair. The powder and serum work together to help alleviate itchiness and diminish the appearance of hair loss.
Created in Seoul, Vitabrid C12 is the only product in the world known to continuously deliver active, stabilized Vitamin C deep into the scalp for over 12 hours. The affect it has on thinning hair is incredible, as seen in this 90 day before & after image below. Thank you for considering us! Applying Vitamin C onto the scalp is unique and Vitabrid C12 is the only product in the world known to continuously deliver active, stabilized Vitamin C for over 12 hours. As a result, the Vitabrid C12 HAIR Tonic Professional Set has recently been ranked #1 as a trusted brand for hair regrowth in Japan. Vitabrid C12’s HAIR Tonic Professional Set includes a mixable, Vitamin C powder along with a specially formulated hair tonic to promote collagen production. Working together, the set targets one of the main factors causing hair loss – a deficiency of collagen 17A1. Without it, decreased collagen levels cause the disappearance of hair follicle stem cells. Created through their patented bio-hybrid technology, the Hair Powder is combined with an OTC drug hair tonic to allow the delivery of transdermal Vitamin C into the scalp for 12 continuous hours. This improves metabolism, preventing hair loss, and making the hair stronger. The Vitabrid C12 Hair Tonic also delivers various active ingredients into the depths of the scalp and provides a soothing effect, moisture, and nutrients for thicker and shinier hair. Vitamin C is the most definitive and safest substance for boosting collagen synthesis in the scalp. However, it typically has an unstable and vulnerable nature, making Vitamin C difficult to be delivered deep into the scalp by topical application. This all changes with the introduction of the line’s breakthrough ingredient, Vitabrid CG, the main component of Vitabrid C12. As a brand-new Vitamin C complex (certified as a new material by the International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary), this new form of transdermal Vitamin C is stored and preserved with its active property between mineral layers. Once applied to the scalp, it releases active vitamin C continuously for over 12 hours, delivering it deep into the skin. In turn, this stimulates collagen synthesis and scavenges free radicals in the scalp, preventing or delaying hair loss and promoting hair regrowth. With each use, the scalp feels clean and invigorated.
Directions:
1. Pour entire contents of HAIR Professional Powder into HAIR Professional Tonic bottle.
2. Install enclosed sprayer pump on tonic bottle and close tightly.
3. Shake the bottle to mix contents well before each use.
4. Before application, divide your hair into parts so that your scalp is visible.
5. Spray the mixture directly onto your scalp.
6. Massage gently for better absorption.
Picture Courtesy of Vitabid
$80.00 Powder: 0.05 oz/1.5g. Tonic: 3.7 fl oz/110ml. from Barneys New York.
$55.00 for Powder: 0.03 oz/0.8g. Tonic: 3.7 fl oz/110ml. from Barneys New York (Affiliate Links)
Lola's Secret Beauty Blog's love affair with all things Charlotte Tilbury is going strong, and we think the Hollywood Complexion Brush is definitely a covet-worthy must-have multipurpose beauty tool! #charlottetilbury
If dry skin is something that you deal with during the winter months, you'll want to see Stacie's tips and product recommendations on The Makeup Obsessed Mom.
Who says sunscreen isn't needed in winter? Marcia, from The Beauty Info Zone, not only says you need it all year but she even has a great giveaway for Zinc It Over. You'll love the sunscreen and your skin will love you.
Have you tried the Becky G x ColourPop collaboration? It's muy caliente, says Shipra ofTaneja's Bride.
The extent to which my hands have been chapped and dry this winter cannot be overstated. In fact, for some reason all of my skin has been unusually impacted by the very dry and cold weather– leaving my skin dry and chapped. One of my go-to picks this season is Kiehl's Ultimate Strength Hand Salve, and not only does it work wonders on my dry hands, but it is likewise incredible for dry feet.
This salve is incredibly rich and emollient, and it has the most delectable whipped texture. It is lightweight and it melts into the skin without leaving behind a greasy residue. It is very moisturizing and it leaves skin soft, smooth and supple. This cream has a light Eucalyptus aroma that is neither overpowering, nor long-lasting, and it does have a slight cooling and uplifting effect.
According to Kiehl's,
Care for dry hands with our heavy-duty moisturizing hand salve. This thick, rich formula provides all-day care for active and dry hands. Formulated with Avocado Oil, Eucalyptus Oil and Sesame Seed Oil, this hand moisturizer for dry skin leaves hands feeling soft, conditioned and cared for.
Features:
- Thick, rich formula soothes, conditions and moisturizes dry hands
- Draws and absorbs water from the air forming a “glove-like” protective barrier against moisture loss
- Helps protect and repair the appearance of severely dry hands caused by manual labor, neglect, exposure to harsh elements and heavy industrial labor
Select Ingredients and Their Attributes:
Avocado Oil, derived from the fruit of a tropical American tree, is a rich, fatty-acid emollient known to be the most moisturizing of any fruit oil. It is also a natural source of amino acid proteins, Vitamins A, D, E and Potassium. Sesame Oil is a refined moisturizing oil that is commonly used as a carrier oil for skincare products. Within our formulas, it is known to absorb easily and soften skin. Eucalyptus Oil is derived from the leaf of Eucalyptus, a tree native to Australia and cultivated worldwide. Known for its purifying properties, Eucalyptus Oil has been used extensively for centuries. Within our formula, it provides a clean and refreshing aroma.
Overall Assessment: I only wish that I had discovered this hand salve years ago, and I will definitely purchase another tube as soon as I finish this one. If you have dry hands or feet, I highly recommend this fantastic hand salve. A+
LORAC Alter Ego Hydrating Lip Stains, which comes in eight highly saturated buildable colors, seems more like a lipstick than a lip stain, in my estimation. Each of the five shades that I have can be sheered out, or built up for greater opacity. They cling to the lips like a matte lipstick, but they are lightly moisturizing and they have light sheen. I find that all of the shades that I have been testing glide across the lips effortlessly and deposit color evenly. I neither experience bleeding into lip lines, nor do I experience patchy uneven fading. They each have enough cushion for comfortable wear, and I receive several hours of wear from per application with greater longevity from the darker, richer shades.
According to LORAC,
Instantly transform your look with LORAC Los Angeles Alter Ego Hydrating Lip Stain. This sexy and playful stain coat your lips in highly-pigmented color and hydrates with nourishing Jojoba Seed Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Shea Butter and Mango Seed Butter for all day pigment, shine and hydration. Embrace your every identity and dress up your lips with LORAC.
LORAC does not conduct, condone, nor endorse testing on animals.
Secret Agent is a plum brown
Comedienne is a nude peach
Activist is a berry
Pageant Queen is a plum
Thrill Seeker is a scarlet red
Ingredients: Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Propylene Glycol Dibenzoate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Ceresin, Phyosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Ethyl Vanillin, Diisostearyl Malate, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Synthetic Wax, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Oil. May Contain: Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850), Red 28 Lake (CI 45410), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Yellow 6 Lake (CI 15985), Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090).
Overall Assessment: I like this formula a lot, and have been wearing Secret Agent almost every single day!
There is absolutely no shortage of neutral eyeshadow palettes on the market, and they range from the most affordable drugstore versions to the most expensive luxury variants. I thought that I would feature one of my favorites that offers a mid-range price point with uncompromisingly high quality shadows. bareMinerals Gen Nude Neutral Eyeshadow Palette features a combination six ultra-finely milled powder shadows in matte, satin and metallic finishes, and each one of them is ultra-silky to the touch.
All six of the shades glide across the skin effortlessly, deposit color evenly and blend to perfection. I find that I get all day wear, without a primer, and these shadows do not crease or migrate, but I do not have oily eyelids, and therefore your wear may vary.
According to bareMinerals,
The GEN NUDE® collection is all about good-for-skin nudes made for every skin tone. With GEN NUDE® Eyeshadow Palettes, we're making it easy to create natural eye looks, glam smoky eye looks, and everything in between. Each palette features six neutral-toned matte, satin and metallic eyeshadows. The long lasting eyeshadow colors are highly pigmented, with mineral-rich ingredients, including cucumber extract that sooths and depuffs the eye area, moisturizing borage oil for softer skin, and antioxidant-rich algae that helps to protect skin. These eyeshadows are crease- and smudge-resistant to ensure your eyes look flawless all day long.
Features:
- Long lasting formula is crease-resistant and smudge-resistant.
- Four different palettes ensure there is a natural-looking eyeshadow assortment for every skin tone.
- Cucumber extract sooths and depuffs the eye area.
- Cold-pressed borage oil hydrates and softens the eye area.
- Antioxidant-rich algae helps to protect delicate skin around the eye area from environmental stressors.
Paraben-free, phthalate-free, talc-free, gluten-free and fragrance-free.
Each palette includes step-by-step guide for three looks.
Not tested on animals.
Overall Assessment: If you are seeking a beautiful neutral eyeshadow palette that is both affordable and high quality, the bareMinerals Gen Nude Neutral Eyeshadow Palette is definitely worthy of your consideration.
The Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Complexion Brush is a wonderful cruelty-free double-ended brush that can be used for highlighting, contouring, or my preferred use– the application and blending of foundations and concealers. The synthetic fibers are densely packed, unbelievably soft and they do not absorb, and waste, your precious products.
The larger end features a flat head that facilitates a seamless, airbrushed finish effortlessly. It easily blends out foundations, softens harsh lines from contouring products and even it blends out pigmented blushes and highlighters. While this head is smaller than many foundation brushes, it is both effective and efficient.
The small end has an angled head that makes contouring easy, but it is also the most incredible tool for the application and blending of under eye concealers. Furthermore, the angled head makes it exceptionally easy to get into the small and curved, areas, of the face.
In addition to synthetic fibers, this brush features a durable wooden handle and an aluminum ferrule in a chic shade of rose gold.
I have washed this brush a couple of times and it has neither shed a hair, not has it lost its shape. Though rather obvious, I suggest storing this brush flat rather than upright– since that isn't good for the bristles. Therefore, I store mine in a drawer where I keep most of my brushes.
According to Charlotte Tilbury,
2-in-1 cruelty-free makeup brush. Darlings, this has luxurious application & a premium look! My Hollywood Complexion Brush is a fabulous 2-in-1 multi-purpose makeup contour brush with advanced synthetic fibres, perfect for effortlessly blending your contour.
Features:
• 2-in-1 makeup brush
• 100% animal cruelty-free synthetic fibers
• No hair fall-out
• The large flat-top head will allow you to achieve a flawless base quickly & effortlessly, perfect for contour blending & softening harsh lines
• The angled small head is perfect for precise contouring, as well as concealing under the eyes, around the nose or small curvatures of the face.
This product is made with synthetic bristles. It is vegan-friendly, gluten-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, and not tested on animals.
Hair: Synthetic Fibre
Ferrule: Aluminum
Handle: Wood
100% animal cruelty free 3-tone fiber
Overall Assessment: This compact brush has quickly become one of my most reached-for tools, and it has proven to be a very worthwhile purchase.
Reflecting back on skincare product launches in 2018, there were so many that it has become a bit of a blur, and few were truly exceptional. Instead, many were gimmicky and superfluous or they were simply decidedly lackluster. In stark contrast were the notable creations of Mandy Aftel, and to suggest that she stands apart in this crowded landscape is an extraordinary understatement.
In fact, Aftelier Perfumes just launched Mandy's new Geranium Cleansing Oil and the incredible brand new Lavender Face Elixir, and from first use it was clear that these beautiful handcrafted luxury oils were peerless. Not only are her new oils unmitigated perfection, but the new glass dropper bottles are elegant, chic, minimalist and stunningly gorgeous.
As I have previously stated in these virtual pages, "Each of the ingredients yield to Mandy's vision and artistry, and allow her to create something far greater than the sum of its parts. In the same way that Renaissance artists perfected nature by creating idealized portraits, so too, does Mandy take her creations to a level unseen in nature....Mandy is able to coax the greatest realized potential from each of them, and this symphony of raw materials, at her hands, play a supportive role that facilitates" artistic creations of extraordinary grandeur.
Aftelier Perfumes Geranium Cleansing Oil is a truly exemplary cleansing oil, the likes of which I have never experienced. My initial observations were informed by the disbelief that there was a permutation of geranium that was so otherworldly. One cannot sufficiently underscore the extent to which Mandy is an artist of rare genius, and this cleansing oil is a reminder of this fact. Geranium often has a sharp edge, but this golden elixir is warm, soft, slightly peppery and informed by a current of light floral notes. Mandy deftly selected each of the ingredients in perfect proportions, and the result is a balance of elements of which only she is capable. The aroma is the sublime embodiment of what geranium could only ever hope to be, and that could only be realized by Mandy.
The texture of this oil is impossibly silky and smooth, and its tactile effects are not only ultra-luxe, but it is likewise visceral in its ability to evoke unmitigated joy. Use of this cleansing oil, is therefore, profoundly experiential and it requires a slowing down, being present, and savoring every moment of its use. As you massage the oil into your skin, you will naturally be inclined to take long and deep breaths, and this will quiet the mind and soothe the senses. After massaging the skin, add a little warm water to emulsify this magical oil and then rinse with warm water and pat dry.
This oil can be used as a stand-alone cleanser, or the first step in a double-cleansing routine, and it effectively removes every bit of makeup, dirt and debris. However, if you are wearing particularly intense makeup Mandy recommends applying a bit of the cleansing oil on a cotton square and gently wiping away the makeup before cleansing your entire face with her Geranium Cleansing Oil. Once you dry your skin you will be mesmerized by the extent to which your skin is soft, smooth, supple and hydrated. Furthermore, the antioxidant-rich formula conditions and protects the skin and the anti-inflammatory ingredients heal and soothe irritated skin. This is the perfect cleansing oil, and I do not make this proclamation lightly. There really is nothing like this cleansing oil on the market, and I highly recommend trying it– you will be elated by its magnificence.
According to Mandy Aftel,
As I have gotten older (like, 70), I can no longer use commercial facial cleansers, so I created this new cleanser that's good for my skin and really easy to use -- a nourishing oil cleanser that can be rinsed off with warm water. Wild-harvested geranium essential oil was the best choice for the scent, with its gorgeous fresh, green, rosy aroma, and known for enhancing skin repair, reducing inflammation, superior toning, and anti-bacterial properties.
Mandy asserts that she, "created the silky texture and 'feel' of this cleanser using a plant-based biodegradable emulsifier and a blend of the following sustainably produced base oils in specific proportions."
Select Ingredients and Their Attributes:
- Abyssinian oil: penetrates the skin quickly and is easily absorbed. This rich oil replaces lost lipids, eases dryness, improving softness and texture.
- Rice bran oil: full of Vitamin A and C, protects and supports the skin, helps with fine lines & wrinkles, and tissue regeneration. Rice Bran is high in linoleic acid (40%) which helps the oil absorb quickly and deeply into the skin layers and carries plant nutrients to deeper layers.
- Camellia oil: full of vitamin E and anti-oxidants, is rejuvenating, and helps condition the skin. Camellia is high in oleic acid (80%) which helps maintain suppleness, flexibility and softness of the skin. It is highly compatible with human sebum and able to carry nutrients deeply into skin layers.
- Grapeseed oil:rich in Omega 3, 6 and 9 and Vitamin E, is soothing, helps moisture retention and is nourishing for aging skin. Grapeseed oil is high in linoleic acid (74%)which helps the oil absorb quickly and deeply into the skin layers and carries plant nutrients to deeper layers.
- Cold-pressed Broccoli Seed Oil: is high in vitamin A and Omega-9, 6 and 3 fatty acids, which help absorb and retain moisture in the skin quickly without leaving behind a greasy residue. The smooth, soft, silky texture of broccoli seed oil protects cells and is anti-inflammatory.
- PlantaEm™ is made from the esters of glycerin and fatty acids and are very gentle, completely biodegradable and PEG-free. PlantaEmTM offers unique emulsification and conditioning characteristics and is good for skin! It is made from Polyglyceryl 6 Dioleate (and) Sorbitan Laurate (and) Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate (and) Dilauryl Citrate.
Directions: Use one dropper of the cleanser and massage the oil into your face. Massage a bit of warm water over the cleanser to emulsify it and splash with clean warm water. Pat dry with a towel.
If you are wearing particularly intense makeup Mandy recommends applying a bit of the cleansing oil on a cotton square and gently wiping away the makeup before cleansing your entire face with her Geranium Cleansing Oil.
Overall Assessment: There really is nothing like this cleansing oil on the market, and I highly recommend trying it– you will be elated by its magnificence. This is the finest cleansing oil to have graced my face, and you owe it to yourself to try it. A+
