Wishing You a Very Happy & Prosperous 2012

Top Beauty Picks From 2011: Some Things Old, Some Things New, Some Things Borrowed, Some Things Blue.

It is no exaggeration that I tested a great many beauty products this year, so I decided to compile a list of some of my favorites.

SOME THINGS OLD:

Erno Laszlo Skincare

This was the year that I rediscovered Erno Laszlo Skincare- the first comprehensive skincare line that I started using as a teenager. I have been (re)testing the Sea Mud Soap (reviewed here), the Active Phelityl Oil (reviewed here), the Light Controlling Lotion (reviewed here), the Regular Normalizer Shake-It (reviewed here), and the Controlling Face Powder (review forthcoming). I was not sure how my skin would react to using these products again after so many years, but I am pleased to report that the products are as lovely as I remember, and my skin is happy and healthy (if not luminous). So far, I am quite pleased with the products that I have been trying- the added bonus is that using them is very nostalgic.

Sunday Riley Skincare

What can I say- I am simply madly in love with the entire range of skincare products (face & body) that Sunday Riley has to offer. I mean this quite literally- as I have E V E R Y  S I N G L E  skincare product she makes. This is the line that I use personally every day. This is an outstanding line in every possible way. I have reviewed quite a few of the products, but will review what remains in 2012. If I had to pick my top six favorite products (which is tough since I love them all) I would have to choose: Good Genes (reviewed here), Juno Transformative Lipid Serum (reviewed here), Stimulant 1 (reviewed here), Ceramic Slip Cleanser (reviewed here), Disrobe Body Lotion (reviewed here), and Juno Body Transformative Lipid Serum (reviewed here).

Clarisonic

My Classic Pink Clarisonic (review forthcoming) has got to be one of my all time favorite beauty tools ever! It deeply cleans my skin without irritation and makes my complexion glow. If you don't have one of these you really should consider the investment-- it really is worth it. A light hand is all that is needed to yield unsurpassed results.

SOME THINGS NEW:

Rouge Bunny Rouge

I just recently received my first shipment of Rouge Bunny Rouge eyeshadows from Zuneta, and am going to be using them a little bit longer before doing a review. For my initial impressions click here. What I can say is that I am MADLY in love with the three shadows that I received, but will get into the specifics in my upcoming review.

Hakuhodo Brushes

You simply have not lived until you have tried Hakuhodo brushes. These are the most divine brushes to have ever touched my face- a fact that all devotees agree upon. So far I have only reviewed the G503 Blush Brush L Angled- which is a revelation in the world of blush brushes. The remaining reviews are forthcoming, but I will tell you that every single one of them is positively superb. I am now among the converted.

Sunday Riley Makeup

 

Sunday Riley launched a makeup line a couple of months ago, and it does not disappoint. My two favorite products (today) are the Blush in Blushing (#101) (reviewed here) and the Effortless Breathable Tinted Primer (reviewed here). These are two exceptionally high quality products that are gorgeous and natural looking. The tinted primer can be layered under a tinted moisturizer or foundation, and can be used all by itself. These are two stellar products that are must-haves for me.

Oribe Hair Products

Oribe Signature Shampoo & Signature Conditioner are my new favorite hair products (reviews forthcoming). I have dry curly tresses and these two products alone have transformed my curls into silky ringlets, and I definitely notice the difference when I use other products instead.

SOME THINGS BORROWED:

MAC Brushes

I borrowed my sister's MAC 227 Large Fluff Brush and absolutely LOVE it. She bought hers many years ago and it still looks brand new. It is a fantastic brush to apply a wash of color over the whole lid. The paddle is quite large- which means that people with small eye lids may not like it, but I love how it feels and how much area it covers. When I went to buy one I immediately noticed that my sisters was a bit more pointed- which I prefer, but the newer versions are still fantastic.

Chanel

Some of my greatest makeup and skincare inspirations come from my sister's stash. So here again one of my favorite borrowed items is the Chanel Glossimer in Giggle (46) (reviewed here) from my sister (incidentally she bought me one as a gift after I used hers repeatedly!). This is a one of those fantastic MLBB (my lips but better) colors for me as it is a softened beige pink. Thankfully this is from Chanel's permanent range of products- so unless they decide to discontinue it, I will keep buying it.

SOME THINGS BLUE:

Erno Laszlo

I have been testing out Erno Laszlo's Laszlo Blue Firmarine Treatment Bar (review forthcoming), and must say it is quite a nice soap! This leaves my skin feeling clean, but not in the least bit dry or stripped. I have used this numerous times with my Clarisonic, and have to say that the results are quite amazing.

MAKE UP FOR EVER

I am a huge fan of MAKE UP FOR EVER and have a formidable stash, but one of my favorite products is SENS'EYES Waterproof Sensitive Eye Cleanser (review here). This is one highly effective and gentle formula-- which is a rare combination in an eyemakeup remover. Whenever I use any waterproof products this is my go-to product. When I am not wearing anything with a waterproof formulation I use Koh Gen Do Cleansing Water instead (review here).

MAC

MAC knocked it out of the park with all of their Paint Pots from the Posh Paradise Collection (Limited Edition), but my favorite has to be Imaginary. This gorgeous color is described as a blackened navy blue, but I would add that it is on the verge of purple. This is a fantastic shade that can be used all over the lid as a base or as a shadow, but also makes for one lovely eyeliner as well. While this is a LE item- as of 12/30/11 it was still available online. 

Another gorgeous blue eyeshadow is Blue Spruce from the MAC Iced Delights Eye Bag/Silver (Limited Edition Holiday Collection)(review forthcoming). Mac describes this color as a marine blue with lavender sparkle (Velvet), and it is that and more. This is a magical color that shifts with the light and is gorgeous on the lid, lovely as a liner, and makes a great outer v color.

Dior 'Garden Party' Spring Collection is Now Available!

Nordstrom now has the Dior 'Garden Party' Spring Collection available. I am not a collector of all things Dior, but I must confess that these are really beautiful palettes. To be fair, I personally would not wear many of these colors, but I truly appreciate how spectacular these quints look. Garden Roses (top) and Garden Pastels (bottom) are $59.00 each. I suspect that Dior collectors will have a very difficult time bringing themselves to use these because of how lovely the embossing is, but I say just use and enjoy them!

HauteLook Deal of the Day- Kinerase Restructure Firming Duo 52% OFF!

Kinerase Restructure Firming Duo includes:
Restructure Firming Eye Cream 0.5 oz. ($59.00 value)
Restructure Firming Face Cream 1.7 oz. ($98.00 value)

Regular price: $157.00
Flash sale price: $75.00

What they say about these products:

Visibly transform and contour with the elastin-strengthening technology in these two award winning products.

Kinerase skincare provides powerful anti-aging efficacy, delivering clinically-proven visible results in gentle skin-caring formulations. The power behind Kinerase is Kinetin (N6-furfuryladenine), a plant-based antioxidant whose anti-aging properties were discovered when scientists found that it prevented plant leaves from drying out and withering. With Kinerase, indulge the luxury of skincare science to reveal youthful, radiant skin.

I have never tried either of these products, but this is a good deal for those who have, and a good way for Kinerase devotees to try these products. The few Kinerase products that I have used in the past were very nice and very high quality.

http://www.hautelook.com/product/2835312
You will need to login to HauteLook before being able to view this item.

Hakuhodo G503 Blush Brush L Angled- REVIEW

As you may recall, my first foray into the world of Hakuhodo was a result of not being able find the now discontinued Chanel Pinceau Contours No. 5 (Euro version). I sought out this brush with unprecedented vigor, and even went so far as to have a friend go all over Paris trying to find one anywhere he could. To no avail we both came out empty-handed, and I was very sad as a result of our unfruitful search. I was so attracted to this brush because it was firm, yet soft, and perfectly suited to Chanel's baked Euro versions of their Joues Contraste blushes- which tend to be considerably harder than their US counterparts. These blushes are among my all time favorites, so this brush would have been the perfect accompaniment.

After reading so many incredible reviews about Hakuhodo brushes I decided to take a closer look at their complete range. When I stumbled across the G503 I was gleeful because it looked so close to the Pinceau Contours No. 5. Could it be that I had found a match??

The visual similarities alone had me very excited about the possibilities of a near match- so I decided to take the plunge and order it sight unseen. Let me just say, I am so happy that I did. This is one spectacularly amazing brush.

The G503 is a fantastic multitasking brush in that it has a rather flat and firm top edge making it amenable to digging into harder blush formulations (or less pigmented ones) so that one can lay down color with ease. This very feature also makes it the perfect tool for contouring. It also has a good sized flat paddle perfect for applying blush to the apples of the cheeks, or for applying a wash of highlighter. The firmness of the short tightly packed bristles does not lend itself to the use of very pigmented blushes that require a light-hand because the end result will be horrifyingly overdone.

This has become my Holy Grail blush brush both because of its quality and versatility. It should also be noted that it is as soft and luxurious against the skin as it is firm and effective. I just cannot say enough good things about this brush- it really was a fortuitous find.

Overall assessment: This is an amazing brush. I LOVE IT! Run, don't walk to your computer and order one before Hakuhodo institutes their January 1st price increase.

Would I still buy the Chanel Pinceau No. 5 given the chance? Well, yes because I have wanted it for so very long. That said, I am overjoyed by the G503 and no longer feel the need to try to track down the discontinued Chanel brush.

Chloé Leather Platform Wedge- Oh So Pretty!

I am L O V I N G these Chloé platform wedges. In fact these are probably my favorite wedges right now- but at $695.00 they will have to remain in my unrequited love category of beautiful things.

Urban Decay Naked2 Palette is Now Available at Sephora.com

Sephora now has Urban Decay's Naked2 palette in stock, but it is only available online at this time. However, it will be launching in all of the Sephora stores at the end of January if you want to swatch it before buying it.

$50.00 includes 12 shadows, 1 lipgloss and a double-ended brush.

Suki Sensitive Cleansing Bar- REVIEW

Suki makes a fantastic bar soap that is formulated for use on the face or the body, and it is vegan and filled with healthy high quality ingredients. Sensitive Cleansing Bar is an extraordinarily gentle French milled soap that is both moisturizing and pleasant to use. The organic lemongrass extract used gives this bar a luscious lemony smell that is positively intoxicating.

I apply this soap with a loofah and the results are nothing short of miraculous-- it leaves me feeling silky smooth and moisturized. I have also found that it makes an amazing shaving cream for my underarms and legs-- which is probably what I love the most about it.

Active ingredients: organic lemongrass and shea butter.

Full list of ingredients: water (aqua/eau), sodium palmate, sodium (coconut) cocoate, glycerin (vegetable), sodium gluconate, zingiber officinale (ginger oil), butryospermum parkii (shea butter) *aroma/fragrance, *component of 100% essential oil.

Overall assessment: This is an awesome bar soap that I highly recommend.

4 oz. bar $10.95
I purchase mine directly from sukiskincare.com

Sephora Sale PLUS an Additional 20% off Through 1/3

Sephora is having a sale on lots of great stuff right now, but through 1/3/12 you can receive an extra 20% off at your online checkout (Code: EXTRA).

Zuneta.com is Having a Sale- Up to 50% Off!

Zuneta.com has extraordinary products and outstanding customer service, and they are having a big sale! Take a peek at some of their offerings. Unfortunately Rouge Bunny Rouge does not appear to be included in this sale, but I'm sure that you will see a few things of interest.

 

Happy Holidays!

If Your New Year's Resolution Involves Using Fewer Chemicals in Your Beauty Products...

...then you should consider familiarizing yourself with the Environmental Working Group's (EWG) amazing database Skin Deep. You can look up the safety of the products that you use, or the safety of particular ingredients. Be aware that once you fall down this rabbit hole you will find yourself scrutinizing the safety of all of the products in your house- I know that I did. However, this does not mean that you have to throw everything away and start anew, but instead to become more discriminating in the choices that you make. Take a peek and see what you think.

Ole Henricksen Truth is in the Eyes- REVIEW

Ole Henricksen's Truth is in the Eyes is a powerful but gentle exfoliator/peel specifically designed and formulated for the delicate eye area. This product first came on my radar when I was looking for something to eliminate milia from my delicate eye area-- created by the use of eye creams that were too rich and thus clogged my pores. I was a little reluctant to try something that peeled such a delicate area, but the lovely sales associate at Sephora assured me that it was safe, effective and non-irritating. This product was not developed to remove milia, but to soften fine lines and dark circles, but I figured that if it could do that then there was a good chance that it would remove my milia as well. So rather than going to the dermatologist to have it extracted (read: expensive, typically not covered by insurance, and involves needles) I decided to give Truth in the Eyes a try. I must say, this product does not disappoint.

Truth is in the Eyes is a peel concentrate for the eye area that promises to give you a "gentle antidote to dark circles and fine lines." Ole Henricksen formulated this exfoliating treatment to "revolutionize skincare for the eye region." Because the skin around the eye area is so fragile and delicate it is most often recommended not to exfoliate this area, but Henricksen created this unusual formula that is both gentle and extremely effective. Be mindful that this is not a product to be used in lieu of an eye cream, but instead to be used under it. I tend to use it at night, but if you use it during the day you need to use a sunscreen because it will produce photo-sensitivity.

Not only did my milia start to go away, but my fine lines softened, and my dark circles started to fade. To be fair, I stopped using a heavy eye cream which was no doubt the culprit in the first place, but I can tell you that after a few months of use I have no milia whatsoever!!

If you are noticing a build up of milia I would suggest getting a lighter weight eye cream and giving Truth in the Eyes a try. It really worked for me. It is very concentrated-- so a little goes a very long way. Thus the 0.75 oz. tube is bound to last you quite a long time. I purchased mine at Sephora, but asked for samples to try before making the purchase.

This product is formulated without: Parabens, Sulfates, Synthetic Fragrances, Synthetic Dyes, Petrochemicals, Phthalates, GMOs, or Triclosan.

Active ingredients:
-Pepha Tight (Algae Extract):Helps firm skin and boost collagen production.
-Regu-Age (Rice Brand & Soybean Protein): Strengthens under-eye tissue and improves circulation to reduce dark circles and puffiness.
-Lactic & Glycolic Acid (AHA's) - gently exfoliate skin to enhance cell renewal, reduce and prevent wrinkles.
-Pentavitin: Reduces dryness and irritation caused by the use of AHA's.

Full list of ingredients: Water (Aqua, Eau), Glycolic Acid, Glycerin, Potassium, Hydroxide, Lactic Acid, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Protein, Oxido Reductases, Algae Extract, Pullulan, Allantoin, Calcium Ascorbate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sorbitol, Carrageenan, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 20, Oleth-20, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Citric Acid.

Overall assessment: This is a highly effective product that I wholeheartedly recommend. Caviat Emptor: BE SURE TO USE A SUNSCREEN if you use this during the day!

0.75 oz. $65.00 Available at Sephora. (Affiliate Link)

Malin+Goetz Mojito Lip Balm- REVIEW

My new favorite lip balm is Malin + Goetz's Mojito Lip Balm- don't get me wrong I still love my Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm, but I misplaced it and needed something ASAP. As I went digging I found an unopened tube of the Mojito Lip Balm that I had received at the Barneys famous bag event this year- so I decided to try it. It has a lovely texture and feels fantastically moisturizing on the lips. What's more is that it has the shine of a lip gloss which means that it can effectively do double duty on my winter parched lips. It is super concentrated so you only need the smallest amount to cover your lips. As the name suggests, there is the faint taste of limes, but that quickly subsides.

According to Malin + Goetz: Back by popular demand!  Our Mojito Lip Balm is as soothing to the lips as it is to the senses.  Flavored with (MALIN+GOETZ) Mojito, our lip balm is scientifically blended to restore and replenish.  Our hydrating lip gel easily integrates for daily maintenance, prevention and treatment of dry, irritated lips.  Color and Paraben free.

Full list of ingedients: Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Tricaprylin, Phenoxyethanol, Bisabolol, Fragrance.

Final assessment: I really like this stuff. It is going to take me a very long time to get through this tube, but once I do I will be certain to pick up another one.

.35 oz. $12.00 Also available at Barneys New York (I believe you have to purchase it in store because I am not finding it online) and Bloomingdales.

Erno Laszlo Sea Mud Exfoliating Cleansing Set Special!

Erno Laszlo is offering some lovely holiday gift sets, but the one that really caught my eye was the Sea Mud Exfoliating Cleansing Set. It includes a full sized Sea Mud Soap (6 oz. regularly $40.00) and a full sized Sea Mud Exfoliating Mask (3.5 oz. regularly $45.00) in a drawstring gift bag.

The special price is $59.00 (a $95.00 value- I'm guessing that the gift bag is valued at $10.00), and they are offering a free shipping code: GIVELASZLO.

This is a great value and a wonderful way to try these two fantastic products. This is an exclusive offer through Erno Laszlo online. If you are interested hurry while supplies last.

Merry Christmas!

REN Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask- REVIEW

I have yet to find a disappointing product made by REN, and their Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask is no exception.

Ren conceived this mask as a "A potent bioactive complex that reduces fine lines and dramatically improves tone, firmness, and radiance." They claim that this treatment product "safely and effectively resurfaces the skin, without causing irritation. Its four-fruit-acid-complex (lactic, glycolic, tartaric and citric) and papain enzyme create a gentle-yet-potent exfoliating action that leaves skin glowing and healthy." This mask is fantastic for congested skin, blemished skin, blackheads, whiteheads, post-acne scarring, and sun-damaged skin. They claim that is particularly recommended for mature skin, but the salesgirl told me that it was really good for anyone and that I should try a sample to see if I liked it-- she used it regularly and was in her 20s-- so I gave it a shot.

As with most peels your skin feels completely rejeuvenated as it sloughs off dead skin revealing  new skin. Unlike many home peel products this one does not dry. Instead it has a thick consistency (which feels and smells a bit like Orange Marmalade) that covers your entire face with ease, and stays put until you are ready to remove it. Those who are used to a drying mask might be off-put by the fact that this one will not dry so that you can peel it off, but make no mistake that does not impede the efficacy of this product.

Ren suggests that you apply a generous amount to clean skin and leave it on for 10 minutes. They recommend that you "pat and lift" with your fingertips to remove the dead exfoliated skin. I never quite understood their "pat and lift" idea- so I just rub it around after it has been on my face for about 10 minutes, and then I rinse it off. My skin feels baby soft after using it, and it does a great job eliminating whatever is trapped in my pores.

Another wonderful thing about this product is that it isn't loaded with all sorts of harsh chemicals.
Here's what you won't find in it: Parabens, Sulfates, Synthetic Fragrance, Synthetic Dyes, Petrochmicals, T.E.A, D.E A., Glycols, Silicones, or any of the PEGs.

Active Ingredients:
-Lactic, Citric, and Glycolic Acids: Help loosen dead skin cells.
-Papain: Helps to gently exfoliate.
-Omega 7: Improves skin appearance and reduce redness.
-Omega 3: Soothes skin and helps boost cell turnover. 

Full List of Ingredients: Polysorbate 60 (Source Rape Seed Oil), Glycerin (Source Coconut Oil), Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Water, Lecithin (Source Soybean), Lactic Acid (Source Wheat), Ribes Nigrum (Black Currant) Seed Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Passiflora Quadrangularis Fruit Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Ananas Sativus (Pineapple) Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Fruit Extract, Alcohol denat. (Source Grape), Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Seed Oil, Xanthan Gum (Source Corn), Maltodextrin, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract, Parfum (100% Natural Fragrance), Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil, Citrus Nobilis (Mandarin Orange) Peel Oil, Citrus Tangerina (Tangerine) Peel Oil, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Seed Oil, Limonene, Linalool, Citral, Phenoxyethanol (Source Aromatic Ether), Sodium HydroxymethylGlycinate (Source Amino Acid), Hippophae Rhamnoides (Seabuckthorn) Berry Oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E).

Overall assessment: I love this product and highly recommend it.

1.7 oz. $55.00 I received numerous deluxe samples from Barneys New York. Once I have used them up I will likely buy the full sized tube. You can also get this at Sephora and Space NK. I would recommend asking for a sample before buying it to see if you love it first.