Schmidt's Tooth + Mouth Paste | Review

Press Sample (Unaffiliated Links)

You may be familiar with the natural soaps and deodorants that are made by Schmidt's, but you may not know that they also make five natural toothpastes as well. I have been using natural toothpastes for years, though not exclusively, and I was excited to try these, and was intrigued by the flavors.

Each of them perfectly embody their chosen names, but their flavors aren't overpowering. These are a great choice for people who are trying to avoid SLS, PEG, artificial sweeteners, flavors and dyes in their toothpastes, but who also desire a toothpaste that freshens breath, helps to whiten teeth and helps fight plaque and tartar. All five flavors leave my teeth feeling very clean without leaving my sensitive teeth feeling vulnerable. Additionally, they leave my mouth feeling clean and refreshed– and that pleasant feeling lasts for quite a while.

According to Schmidt’s,

Schmidt’s is committed to pushing the category forward with formulas that stand out for their innovative plant and mineral-based ingredients—without compromising on efficacy or user experience. It’s the mantra that inspired us to help change the way you think about deodorant, clean up your soap game, and now help you brush (your teeth) with greatness. Introducing Schmidt’s Tooth + Mouth Paste,  an extraordinary new oral care formula powered by special ingredients you just don’t see in everyday pastes.

We’ve included vitamins, superfood extracts like goji berry and pomegranate, organic aloe leaf juice, CoQ10, and magnolia bark extract while staying free from controversial toothpaste ingredients like SLS, PEG, artificial sweeteners, flavors and dyes. Our plant-powered formulas help to freshen breath and whiten teeth with regular brushing, encouraging a clean, healthy mouth… and then some.

Available in the following flavors:

Wondermint: Enticingly cool and crisp—without the bitter aftertaste. A fresh and modern take on classic mint.

Activated Charcoal with Wondermint: Our signature Wondermint flavor with the addition of activated charcoal. An appealing onyx grey toothpaste color from the addition of charcoal. Not a dark black paste.

Vanilla Chai: Pleasantly warming and mildly spicy, balanced by lightly sweet vanilla. With fragrant accents of cardamom, ginger, and clove. Might just beat your favorite latte.

Coconut + Lime: Mild tropical coconut balanced with citrusy lime notes, and an undertone of cool mint.

Jasmine + Spearmint: Delicately balanced for fresh and sophisticated natural flavor, without overwhelming the palate.

Ingredients: Water, Hydrated silica, Glycerin, Xylitol, Calcium carbonate, Dicalcium phosphate
Magnolia acuminate bark extract, Sodium phosphate, Zinc citrate, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice
Stevia rebaudiana leaf/stem powder, Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) leaf oil, Lyceum barbarum (goji berry) fruit extract, Punica granatum (pomegranate) extract, Ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q10), Tocopherol (Vitamin E, sunflower derived), Natural Flavor, Charcoal Powder (Activated Charcoal Variant only), Xanthan gum, Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate and Sodium Benzoate.

Overall Assessment: If you use, or would like to use, natural toothpastes, then I definitely recommend trying these. Click here to find a retailer in your area.

$5.99 per 4.7 oz tube, or $25.99 for all 5 tubes from Schmidts (Unaffiliated Links).
PR Sample. All views views expressed are categorically my own.
Copyright © 2018 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.

NORDSTROM SPRING 2018 BEAUTY TREND EVENTS

Press Release (Affiliate Links)

Beginning in March, Nordstrom Beauty will kick-off their seasonal Beauty Trend Events!

Every New York Fashion Week, Nordstrom goes backstage to assess the biggest beauty trends and then brings this intel direct to their customers nation-wide. For the Spring 2018 season, they’ve identified trends such as Luminous Skin and Hi-Definition Lips.

Guests can learn how to achieve the freshest runway-inspired looks of the season and get free samples and exclusive gifts with your purchases (while supplies last). Receive one-on-one time with Nordstrom beauty experts, tips tricks to nail the newest trends and receive beauty buzz intel from industry insiders— and it’s free to attend!

To read more about the trends, click here: https://shop.nordstrom.com/c/beauty-trends-store-services

To learn more about Nordstrom Beauty Trend Events, click here: https://shop.nordstrom.com/c/spring-trend-week-by-store

Customers can simply RSVP online or ask for special accommodations by calling or stopping by their favorite cosmetics or skincare counter, located within Nordstrom.

Follow Nordstrom Beauty:
Instagram/Twitter: @Nordstrom
Facebook: facebook.com/nordstrom
#Nordstrom

Goldfaden MD Hands To Heart Anti-Aging Plus Brightening Hand Treatment

Press Sample (Affiliate Links)

I don't know how well you have fared through this particularly bad flu season, but I caught it and was sick for a solid two weeks (and I had gotten a flu shot early in the season). I didn't feel well enough to do my skincare routine– plus I didn't want to stick my germy fingers into any of my products. The one thing that I did use with great regularity was hand soap since the one thing that I did religiously was wash my hands. What I did notice is that my skin became very dry, and my hands were particularly dry, and at times cracked and rough. Once I emerged from ravages of the flu, I started using Goldfaden MD’s Hands to Heart Anti-Aging Brightening Hand Treatment in the hopes that it would swiftly heal my dry, chapped skin, and I am pleased to report that it boasts impressive efficacy. It includes ingredients such as Retinol, which rejuvenated the skin, improves its textures and softens the appearance of fine lines. It also includes a symphony of antioxidant-rich oils, such as Grape Seed Oil, that fight free-radicals and nourish the skin. Furthermore, ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid help the skin retain moisture and plump fine lines.

Goldfaden MD’s Hands to Heart Anti-Aging Brightening Hand Treatment works very well in its ability to hydrate and heal dry, rough and cracked hands, and it leaves them very soft, velvety smooth, supple and moisturized. The texture is lightweight, and yet very emollient, and it immediately sinks into the skin without leaving behind a greasy residue.  Furthermore, it is formulated as an anti-aging hand cream that is supposed to fade dark spots, but I do not have any dark spots on my hands to test these claims. However, I will say that my hands appear more luminous and brightened. I should note that it has a very light citrus aroma, that is incredibly pleasant, but it does fade rather quickly.

Claims:

· Works to hydrate dry and cracked hands

· Fades appearance of unwanted discoloration spots

· Skin will feel softer and appear smoother

According to Goldfaden MD,

Dr. Goldfaden's progressive hand cream is a true multitasking treatment. Developed to address the unique needs of the hands, this rich, yet fast-absorbing cream may help reduce the appearance of dark spots and fine lines while instantly smoothing skin. Breakthrough key ingredients CoQ10, Niacinimide, Glucosamine and Retinol along with potent Hyaluronic Acid may work to provide skin with a more youthful appearance leaving hands nourished, hydrated and soft.

Ingredients: Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Stearic Acid, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Squalane, Glycerin, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Niacinamide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Dimethyl MEA, Thioctic Acid, Saccharomyces/Copper Ferment, Acetyl Glucosamine, Carnitine, Caffeine, Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Retinyl Palmitate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit ) Peel Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q-10), Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Aspalathus Linearis (Red Tea) Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Glyceryl Caprylate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate.

Overall Assessment: I am very impressed by this hand cream, and have no doubt that I will purchase a replacement tube as soon as I finish this one. A+

$38.00 for 3 oz. from Goldfaden MD, Bloomingdale's, Space NK, Credo Beauty, Dermstore, Amazon, Skinstore and SkincareRX (Affiliate Links).

Press Sample. All views expressed are categorically my own (Affiliate Links).
Copyright © 2018 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved. 

Makeup Collecting or Hoarding: How Quickly the Edges Can Blur

Barbara Kruger Untitled (I shop therefore I am) (1987)

I am reposting this publication that I wrote in 2012 after having received a very interesting email from a longtime reader who claimed that she has made a concerted effort to avoid the trap of purchasing from limited edition collections, or anything else that ultimately doesn't suit her, and now feels empowered by the restraint that she demonstrates by making well-reasoned, rather than impetuous, purchases. This inspired me to #repost this article since it contemplates this very issue, and it certainly makes me contemplate my own spending habits as a consumer.

Barbara Kruger's appropriation of René Descartes' maxim "I think, therefore I am"(Cogito, ergo sum) is searingly funny and poignant when "I shop therefore I am" becomes a commentary about the commodification of culture. Ironically, her artwork which is the byproduct of her philosophical critique is worth a tremendous amount of money itself.

I love Kruger's work because it makes you take a long hard look at the underpinnings of what drives culture, and what motivates us to do what we do, and think what we think.

This particular work Untitled (I shop therefore I am) always makes me think about my own buying patterns as a consumer, and it makes me think about the consumer goods that I fetishize, and how so much of that is culturally conditioned. Take for instance makeup, skincare products, Tom Ford reading glasses, or Marc Jacobs wallets and purses (my personal favorites). There is no question that I could live without those things, and thankfully I don't have to. However, we are often unconsciously driven to crave things that we don't yet have, and nearly as quickly as we acquire them we lose interest in them and obsess about the "next thing." Seasonal collections support this fickle consumerism, and we buy into the construct. Madison Avenue banks on our willingness to stay on this expensive joy ride- which we willingly do!

While I long ago realized that I don't define my worth by the acquisition of the latest Collection, I likewise realize that I all too easily succumb to wanting things that I don't yet have. There is a reason, after all, that I have so many lipsticks and blushes that are variations on the same shade of pink. Subtle distinctions are made: this one has a satin finish, this one has a touch of lavender, this one has pink pearl etc. Then there are infinite ways to justify the necessity of extravagant purchases:  this is from the Chanel Summer Collection (including the much dreaded letters- LE), these were from Sephora's Friends & Family Sale, these couldn't be resisted because of double or triple points on my Barneys or Nordstrom card....  There is also the lure of the GWP- even if it isn't a particularly good gift- it can make an otherwise rational person buy unneeded things indiscriminately in order to make the minimum purchase price. I'm not talking about Barneys gift bags that are worth their weight in gold- I'm talking about the run-of-the-mill gifts that get stuffed in a drawer along with the things that you didn't need or want so that you could get the gift in the first place.

Don't get me wrong, I am hardly declaring a personal war, or even a moratorium on makeup consumption- I am just trying to be a little bit more discriminating and mindful of what I am purchasing. I have a sizable stash of makeup, and trust me there are plenty of things that I still haven't gotten around to using yet (and that's not including backups). However this motivation to "collect" is simultaneously at odds with my pragmatic nature and the overarching desire to only have what I need and use. I don't expect this contradiction to resolve itself because truth be told I am a makeup magpie and I like bringing those pretty shiny baubles back to my nest to look at and play with. However, there is a tipping point: there is a balance that must be struck- a delicate equilibrium that must strictly be adhered to- otherwise chaos will ensue.  There is a point where you simply have too much- a point where just one more Glossimer or serum takes you from Collector to Hoarder. I am still in the category of the former, rather than the latter- but the line is much finer than it actually appears the closer you get to it. At a certain point it is a distinction without difference. So beauty blogger or not, I am making a concerted effort to buy consciously rather than impulsively. Weighing, for instance, whether this eyeshadow is different enough from what I already have to be a worthwhile purchase. I do not equate this with deprivation, but instead I see this as a way to make each purchase a more meaningful one. One in which I select things that I really love, rather than things that I feel I should just buy because they are limited edition and will likely sell out quickly. That simply is not a good enough reason to buy a lipstick shade that is unflattering on you-- even if it is the it color of the season.

I still want to be in makeup nirvana I just don't want the frenzy of acquisition to infect my enjoyment of makeup or to cause me to buy things that I ultimately won't use because they weren't well-reasoned purchases in the first place. I want to be as rational about my makeup purchases as I am in all of the other aspects of my life as a consumer. After all, makeup costs money and lots of makeup costs lots of money. So while I am not imposing a ban on makeup consumption- I am going to make a real effort to not only buy what I will covet, but what I will actually use.

This is not an indictment of my own spending habits, but instead it is intended as a wake-up call. This is a simple plea to have my rational self take the wheel before I toss down my credit card- because the makeup magpie in me is impetuous and impractical, and generally likes to take charge in the face of so many shiny pretty things. It is she who is solely responsible for the size of my stash!

What are your thoughts? Do you find yourself similarly inclined to buy things that you don't really need or want? Do you have lots of things that you don't use in your stash? What solutions have you come up with? Do tell!

Copyright © 2018 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.

The Beauty Spotlight Team Week in Review

The Boxwalla February Green Beauty Box Moonlight & Silver Sleep, which features MŪN Skincare Aknari Brightening Youth Serum and Amly Botanicals Beauty Sleep, is a must-have eco-luxe beauty box for skincare enthusiasts. Check out the review on Lola's Secret Beauty Blog to learn why you will want to get one before they sell out!

Prime Beauty is getting her skin red carpet ready with Brevena Skincare, the same product that is in the Oscar swag bags! You can too with her 20% off code!

Lisa at Beauty Info Zone can't resist Paula's Choice. There are two new skin boosters that you need to learn about.

Stacie from Makeup Obsessed Mom got to try out a lipstick subscription box. See what she thought of her first box from LiveGlam.

Have you tried Caption Polish yet? Polarbelle has and thinks you should know about the polishes and ease of the stamping plates.

Check out Pammy Blogs Beauty's Clear Skin Favorites including Zapzyt and more!

Allison from Never Say Die Beauty has been learning the backstory of a new skincare brand, Pili Ani Beauty. Harvested from the nuts and bark of the pili tree from the Philippines, pili and elemi oils are the key ingredients in new Pili Ani Youthful Glow Facial Cream. So lightweight yet so hydrating at the same time!

Stunning duochrome lipsticks from Tarte are so much fun to play with. Read Justina's Gems review of the new Shade Shifting Lipsticks.

BeautyJudy used four new makeup products to create a fairytale makeup look Including a new palette from Maybelline and eyeshadow from Stila!

Maybelline New York has released 10 new shades of SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick. The new Un-Nudes Collection is all about an unconventional and unexpected take on nude lipstick. Check out all the shades, including a light lavender nude on Realizing Beauty!

15 Minute Beauty is sharing all of her long-haul flight beauty tips. No, she doesn't mist herself with water every hour. Did she include your favorite tip?

Aftelier Perfumes Fresh Ginger Chef's Essence Spray | Review

Press Sample (Unaffiliated Links)

You already know of my unmitigated devotion to Mandy Aftel's otherworldly handcrafted face oils and perfumes, but you may not be aware that I am similarly in love with her Chef's Essence Spray. In fact, Aftelier Perfumes Fresh Ginger Chef's Essence Spray is one of the few things that gave me comfort and a sense of well-being when I was so sick with that nasty flu that has been going around this winter.

Mandy's Chef's Essences, which are used by the world's leading chefs, can be spritzed on salads, soups, chocolate bars, and dishes (including take-out) that you wish to enhance, and can also be spritzed in tea. The possibilities on how to use this culinary masterpiece are only limited by your imagination! One of my favorite uses for this gastronomical delight is to add about three sprays, which is equal to about one drop of oil, to my tea– and it beautifully enhances the flavor and is very comforting.

According to Aftelier Perfumes,

Ditch your dried out spices for delicious Chef's Essence Sprays! These concentrated flavors have the upper hand on spices and herbs; they outlive their traditional pantry counterparts and deliver a cleaner flavor. Use these flavors to boost the intensity of ingredients like powdered ginger or fresh basil; substitute them for out-of-season herbs or unavailable spices; or think like a chef and layer other seasonings or Chef’s Essence Sprays together to create amazing new flavor combinations.

Chef’s Essence Sprays come in a limited selection of our most popular flavors, from the same extraordinary ingredients as the concentrated Chef’s Essences. The sprays are diffused in organic grain alcohol, so there are no drops to measure, and the depth of flavor is easy to control. Simple to use, each 30 ml bottle provides around 230 sprays. The Chef's Essence Sprays are ideal for creating a cocktail or finishing a dish. A spray or two is delicious in salads, on vegetables or takeout food, for flavoring tea, and especially for mixed drinks -- really on anything, even chocolate bars!

Overall Assessment: I simply cannot sufficiently express the extent to which I love this delectable Chef's Essence, and I highly recommend it!

$22.00 for 30ml. from Aftelier Perfumes (Unaffiliated Links).
Press Sample. All views expressed are categorically my own.
Copyright © 2018 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.

Vitabrid C¹² Spot Powder and Spot Essence | Review

Press Sample (Affiliate Links)

Whether you have chronic acne, or periodic breakouts– who among us hasn't sought an effective topical treatment to eradicate those troublesome breakouts?! While I seldom have breakouts, they do happen occasionally, and when they do I want something effective and fast-acting to heal the skin and eliminate the pimples. I am very happy to say that I am thrilled by the efficacy of the Vitabrid C¹² Spot Essence and Vitabrid C¹² Spot Powder. I suspected that I would love them because of my elation with the Vitabrid C¹² FACE Brightening Powder (Reviewed HERE), and I was right!

Vitabrid C¹² Spot Essence ($32.00 for 1 oz. from Barneys New York): This hydrating and healing essence can either be mixed with the Vitabrid C¹² Spot Powder for maximum efficacy, or it can be used alone. Unlike many acne topical treatment, this is neither drying, nor does it irritate the surrounding skin. It can be used all over the face, or it can be used to spot treat blemishes and control excessive oil production. It heals breakouts while leaving skin soft, hydrated and brightened.

According to Vitabrid C¹²,

Intended for use with the brand's SPOT Powder, Vitabrid C¹²'s SPOT Essence is a specially-formulated solution that controls oil while hydrating the skin for a clean, healthy-looking complexion. This soothing product can be applied to troubled spots with skin imperfections or to the entire face.

Directions: This soothing product can be applied to troubled spots with skin imperfections or to the entire face. It can be used alone, or it can be mixed with the Vitabrid C¹² Spot Powder.

Vitabrid C¹² Spot Powder ($25.00 for 0.04 oz. from Barneys New York): Vitabrid C¹² SPOT Powder is a very effective spot treatment that can either be mixed with the Vitabrid C¹² SPOT Ampoule, which I do not have, or the Vitabrid C¹² Spot Essence to heal breakouts. It only takes a tiny amount to treat impacted areas. I suggest mixing a very small amount at first and then mixing more as needed. I have found that any potential drying effects from this powder are mitigated by mixing it with the Spot Essence, but if you are having serious breakouts and find that repeated use is drying out your skin, then mixing it with the Essence is a great idea, and you may need to use a trusted lotion that won't break you out afterward. I have found that the combination of these two products knock down the redness and heal the breakouts within a day or two. One of the wonderful benefits of Vitabrid C¹²'s use of Vitamin C is its remarkable ability to brighten the complexion and fade discoloration.

According to Vitabrid C¹², 

Tailored for brightening, anti-wrinkle, and anti-aging benefits, Vitabrid C¹²'s SPOT Powder is a targeted formula that delivers active vitamin C to the skin over the course of 12 hours to effectively clear and repair the complexion. This powerful product provides excellent sebum control, offers antibacterial benefits, and decreases recovery time of the troubled area. 

Directions: Mix an appropriate amount of the powder with one or two drops of a Vitabrid C¹² SPOT Ampoule, or similar product of your choice, in the palm of your hand. Apply the mixture to the troubled area. Since I do not have the Vitabrid C¹² SPOT Ampoule, I mix it with the Vitabrid C¹² Spot Essence.

Ingredients:

Overall Assessment: If you have acne, or periodic breakouts, Vitabrid C¹² Spot Powder and Spot Essence offer a very effective way to treat and heal the skin. A+

Press Sample. All views expressed are categorically my own (Affiliate Links)
Copyright © 2018 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.

Sephora Beauty Insider Birthday Gifts for 2018 from BITE Beauty

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If you are a Sephora Beauty Insider (VIB or VIB Rouge), then you probably look forward to their email reminder each year letting you know that they have a birthday gift waiting for you. I just had my birthday last week, and was so excited when I saw that one of the birthday gifts they were offering was a BITE Beauty Set of Minis or a Glam Glow Set of Deluxe Samples. There is also an online Birthday exclusive featuring Bumble & Bumble gifts! I love BITE Beauty, and love the smaller sizes for travel– therefore this was an easy choice for me. The set includes: an Amuse Bouche Lipstick in Chai (Mauve Brown. 0.05 oz), a Matte Creme Lip Crayon in Glacé (Dusty Mauve. 0.031 oz.) and a packet containing Agave Sugar Lip Scrub (0.018 oz.) and Agave Lip Balm (0.018 oz).

Since I am a VIB Rouge member, they also included a Sephora Collection PRO Mini Airbrush 55.5 Brush and some skincare sample packets.

If your birthday is coming soon, and you are a Sephora Beauty Insider, then I definitely recommend getting this gift– I am very happy with mine.

Top to Bottom: Amuse Bouche Lipstick in Chai and Matte Creme Lip Crayon in Glacé

Boxwalla February Beauty Box Moonlight & Silver Sleep #Boxwalla #GreenBeauty

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Boxwalla enthusiasts know that their green beauty boxes are an extraordinary value, and that the products themselves are nothing short of spectacular. Their carefully curated beauty boxes are a tremendous value, with steep discounts, and they feature truly covet-worthy luxury organic beauty products.

The Boxwalla February Beauty Box Moonlight & Silver Sleep ($49.95 and $59.95 for a one-time purchase. Retail value $165.00) features two full-size products from MŪN Skincare and Amly Botanicals– that will whisk you into calming nights of soothing bliss.

The photograph above is courtesy of Boxwalla

MŪN Skincare Aknari Brightening Youth Serum (Full size. 0.67 fl oz. for $95.00): This oil-based antioxidant-rich face serum is such an immense treat to use. It is a lightweight and fast absorbing luxury oil comprised of Prickly Pear Seed Oil, Argan Oil and Bulgarian Rose Oil. Rich in linoleic acid, phytosterols, Vitamin E, Zinc and Vitamin K, this elegant certified organic serum deeply nourishes and moisturizes the skin– leaving it soft, smooth, supple and luminous. Furthermore, it smoothes fine lines, it lightens sun spots, calms irritated and inflamed skin and stimulates collagen production. Its heavenly aroma, primarily the result of the Bulgarian Rose Oil, is both luxurious and calming.

Boxwalla has included a wonderful MŪN cosmetic bag in their February box!

According to MUN, 

The stunning results of this lightweight age-defying serum are due to the potency of Prickly Pear Seed Oil. Extremely rich in Linoleic Acid and super antioxidant Vitamin E, Prickly Pear Seed Oil combined with Argan Oil works wonders to smooth wrinkles, repair sun damage and lighten dark spots. The protective serum also soothes inflammation, brightens under eye circles and stimulates collagen production. Bulgarian Rose Essential Oil aids absorption and provides a heavenly scent. In tandem, these three oils leave your skin feeling soft and looking radiant. Effective for all skin types as a day, night and under-eye treatment.

Ingredients and their Attributes:

Prickly Pear Seed Oil: "Has traditionally been used to protect and heal the skin from the harsh and burning desert wind in Southern Morocco. One of the most precious plant oils in the world, 1,500 lbs of Prickly Pear fruit is needed to produce 1 liter of the rare oil. Exceptionally rich in Essential Fatty Acids and Vitamin E, a natural antioxidant that helps protect the skin from free radicals. Its inherent anti-aging benefits help reduce the appearance of fine lines and prevent premature wrinkle formation." 

Argan Oil: "Moisturizing and revitalizing properties restore the skin's barrier while neutralizing free radicals, making it ideal for daily skincare. Suitable for all skin types, it possesses anti-inflammatory properties that diminish the redness caused by enlarged capillaries in the skin, making it the perfect treatment for acne and sunbathed skin." 

Bulgarian Rose Oil: "Abundant in Vitamin C antioxidants, featuring rejuvenating properties that soothe while promoting a bright, silky, even-toned and radiant complexion." 

Ingredients: Prickly Pear Seed Oil* anti–aging, brightening, antioxidant Argan Oil* antioxidant, moisturizing, anti–aging Rose Flower Essential Oil antibacterial, antioxidant, smoothing *Certified Organic.

Amly Botanicals Beauty Sleep (Full size, 3.4 oz. for $70.00): Beauty Sleep, while a spray mist, functions like a hydrating serum– which was specifically formulated for nighttime use. Its purpose is to enhance and further stimulate collagen production and cellular repair while sleeping. Filled with trace minerals, this spring water is, "unusually rich in naturally occurring silver salts that are highly bio-accessible. Silver is a very powerful antioxidant, helping fight free radical damage." Ingredients, such as Echinacea, calm irritated skin and help to smooth fine lines, while the essential oils from Clary Sage, Roman Chamomile Neroli, Jasmine, Rose Otto Frankincense and Linden Blossom calm the senses and nourish and calm the skin. The intoxicating aroma, which is an amalgam of the its aromatic ingredients, is calming and relaxing, and therefore so well-suited for a nighttime skincare treatment. Beauty Sleep nourishes, hydrates and pampers the skin while you sleep, and when you awaken skin appears refreshed and rejuvenated. 

According to Amly,

A restorative face mist with powerful ingredients to support natural healing sleep. Fatigued skin will crave a nightly spritz of Amly’s unique silver-rich spring water, laden with rejuvenating botanicals reputed for their beautifying and soporific properties. A star ingredient, Snow Algae activates overnight collagen production and cellular repair to ward off signs of aging by boosting the skin’s longevity. Extracts of Passionflower, Valerian and Hops help relieve tension, while essential oils of Clary Sage, Linden and Roman Chamomile quiet the mind and soothe away the day’s stress. Rose Quartz, Benzoin and Rock Rose imbue warmth and provide comfort, while Echinacea calms irritated skin and smooths fine lines. A deep foral scent, with earthy sweet notes, Beauty Sleep is infused with sublime floral waters of Neroli, Lavender and Geranium to indulge the senses and replenish the skin. The perfect bedtime ritual.

Directions: Shake well before each use. Close your eyes and spray liberally on to face, neck and pillow. Breathe deeply to allow the soothing oils to appease the senses, release tension and induce sleep.

Ingredients: Aqua, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (***Sweet Orange) Flower Water, Rosa Damascena (Rose) Flower Water, Anthemis Nobilis (Roman Chamomile) Flower Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Aloe Barbadensis (***Aloe Vera) Leaf Extract, Glycerin (Vegetable), Brassica Campestris (Rapeseed) Seed Oil, Achillea Millefolium (Yarrow) Flower Extract, Hypericum Perforatum (St John’s Wort) Leaf Extract, Alchemilla Vulgaris (Lady’s Mantle) Leaf Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa (Hibiscus Berry) Flower Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus (Bilberry) Fruit Extract, Crataegus  Monogyna (Hawthorn Berry)  Fruit Extract, Sambucus Nigra (Elderflower) Flower Extract, Althaea Officinalis (Marshmallow) Root Extract, Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail) Extract, Hydrolysed Hyaluronic Acid, Bis (Tripeptide-1) Copper Acetate, Pisum Sativum (Pea) Peptide, *Citrus Aurantium (Neroli) Flower Oil, *Tilia Cordata (Linden) Flower Oil, *Rosa Damascena (Rose Otto) Flower Oil, *Boswellia Carteri (Olibanum) Gum Oil, *Jasminum Grandiflorum (Jasmine) Absolute Flower Oil, *Matricaria Chamomilla, Glucose, Benzyl Alcohol, Selaginella Lepidophylla Extract, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Silver Citrate, Citric Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, **Limonene, **Linalool, **Geraniol, **Citral, **Farnesol, **Citronellol, **Benzyl Benzoate *Natural Pure Essential Oils  **Potential Allergens  ***Certified Organic Ingredients.

Overall Assessment: The Boxwalla February Beauty Box Moonlight & Silver Sleep is a real treat to the skin and the senses, and it is an extraordinary value that costs a mere fraction of the retail price. My suggestion is to get yours before they are gone, you won't regret it!

To order your Boxwalla February Moonlight & Silver Sleep Beauty Box visit: www.theboxwalla.com  

The February Boxes as a one-time purchase is available for $59.95

$49.95 from Boxwalla (Affiliate Links).

Boxwalla also has a few other non-renewing one time options that allow people to purchase the box at the same price as subscribers, that is, at $49.95. These make great gifts since they do NOT auto-renew. These are multi-cycle options that will start with the February Box (till they sell out).

Press Sample. All views expressed are categorically my own.
Copyright © 2018 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.

Makeup Wars! Features Our Favorite Products from Wet n Wild

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The Makeup Wars! Team decided that each one of us would feature our favorite product from Wet n Wild, and while I have scarce few products from the brand, I do have a definite favorite! As someone with a serious penchant for taupe eyeshadows, I long ago discovered the original Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Single in Nutty, and now have their reformulated ,and brand new, version of the same shadow.

Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Single in Nutty is a beautiful taupe shimmer that is surprisingly creamy and smooth for such an affordable shadow. It glides across the skin effortlessly, deposits color evenly, blends perfectly and it is long-wearing. When it does fade, it does so evenly. 

 According to Wet n Wild,

Make those striking eyes of yours pop with our improved Color Icon eyeshadow formula. We’ve combined super-saturated pigmentation and pearlescents into our go-to singles. The satiny texture feels as good as it looks–sans fading or creasing–with better blendability and major staying power.

I happened to still have a depotted pan of the original Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Single in Nutty, and therefore thought that I would compare it to the newly reformulated version. The first, and most obvious difference is that the original Icon Shadows had embossed surfaces, and the new versions boast smooth surfaces. I detect no difference in the texture or longevity, but there is a negligible difference in color between the original and reformulated formulas. I would say that the old formula is a touch cooler and slightly deeper in hue, whereas the new version is a tiny bit warmer and lighter.

Many stores are selling through their original formulas and do not appear to have the new Icon Eyeshadow singles yet, but I most definitely recommend making this guilt-free purchase if you love taupe eyeshadows.

Ingredients: Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Ethyl Macadamiate, Dimethicone, Talc, Boron Nitride, Magnesium Myristate, Silica, Polybutene, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Nylon-12, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Lauroyl Lysine, Tin Oxide, Hexylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, o-Cymen-5-ol, Water/Eau, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, [+/- (MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR): Iron Oxides/CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, Titanium Dioxide/CI 77891, Mica, Blue 1 Lake/CI 42090, Ferric Ferrocyanide/CI 77510, Chromium Oxide Greens/CI 77288].

Overall Assessment: For less than a dollar, you really can't go wrong! Please click on the Makeup Wars! Team blogger badges below to see their Wet n Wild picks!

.99 from Wet n Wild, Ulta, Target, Walgreens and Walmart (Affiliate Links).
Purchased. All views expressed are categorically my own.
Copyright © 2018 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.

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NORDSTROM WINTER SALE SAVE UP TO 40% OFF

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Attention Nordstrom shoppers, the Nordstrom Winter Sale is happening through February 25th, and you save up to 40% (or more) Off! Visit www.nordstrom.com

Sale: Women | Men | Kids | Home

Women's Clothing | Women's Shoes | Handbags & Accessories

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The Beauty Spotlight Team Week in Review

Sand & Sky Brilliant Skin Detoxify + Brighten Purifying Pink Clay Mask is an effective 4-in-1 mask that effectively boosts radiance, clears clogged pores, regulates sebum production and detoxifies the skin in a mere 10 minutes, and it does so without drying out the skin. Read the full review on Lola's Secret Beauty Blog to see why this mask is worthy of your consideration!

Prime Beauty upped her lash game with the new L'Oreal Voluminous X Fiber Mascara. See before and after pics!

The love continues on Beauty Info Zone for Monat haircare. This week Marcia shares her straight, shiny hair favorites.

What are your On-the-Go beauty favorites? Pammy Blogs Beauty shares her in her updated "What is in her bag?" post.

Polarbelle has done a little bit of damage with her hauls of the last few weeks. The video of the first half is now on YouTube.

In case you're in the mood to try out a new mascara or two, Allison from Never Say Die Beauty recommends her current favorites.

BeautyJudy took the new Maybelline Total Temptation Shadow and Highlight Palette for a spin! Check out two looks with this work appropriate AND nighttime appropriate palette!

Are you trying to save some money and not buy all the latest cosmetics coming out? Do you already have a substantial makeup collection not getting used? Jen from The Jedi Wife has been revisiting her old cosmetic favorites with her #TBTBeauty posts. Her latest post features the NYX Cosmetics Sex Bomb palette.

There's a NEW bullet lipstick in town and it's a STAR! Shipra of Taneja's Bride shares ALL 25 ColourPop Lux Lipsticks lip swatches!

S'well Long Weekend Water Bottle Sale February 16-20

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S'well is having a Long Weekend (Presidents' Day) Sale on a wide selection of their amazing water bottles. Now through Monday, February 20, receive 25% Off select styles. 

S'well Water Bottles are ingeniously made from BPA-free, double-walled stainless steel that is so well insulated that it keeps liquids cold for 24 hours, and hot for 12 hours. They are so well insulated that no matter how cold the liquid inside, there is absolutely no condensation outside. I purchased the 17 oz. and 25 oz. sizes, and I use the larger one so that I wouldn't have to refill my bottle as frequently, but prefer the 17 oz. size when I want something smaller, and I have access to quick and easy refills. However, I definitely think that the 9 oz. is a little too small for the purposes of staying hydrated throughout the day. They are also perfect to have on hand when you are out and about during the holidays, and I don't leave home without at least one of them on hand!

Features:

• Bottle may be used as a water bottle or to hold other beverages.
• Made of 18/8 double-walled stainless steel.
• Nontoxic, non-leaching, and BPA free.
• Hand-painted.
• Mouth wide enough for ice cubes and drip-free sipping.
• Vacuum sealed; keeps drinks cold for 24 hours, hot for 12.
• Fits standard-size cup holder.
• Hand wash only. Not dishwasher safe.

They come in a wide variety of colors and patterns, and are available in 3 sizes (25 oz, 17 oz. and 9 oz.). While they are by no means the least expensive water bottles on the market, I assure that they will last a very very long time, and are worth every penny.

Visit: www.swellbottle.com

Delilah, The Foot Warmer

The other day I received a very sweet email from a longtime reader, and in addition to wanting my take on several skincare products, she made the request that I feature my four-legged family members more often. She extolled the virtues of awakening to pictures of happy kitties and pups, and reminded me how much joy these types of posts offer people.

I realized that it really had been a very long time since I had featured our cats or dogs, and I was waiting for the perfect moment to present itself. Well, that moment happened yesterday morning when I was reading. I settled into a very comfortable position and lost myself in an article, and then I noticed that my bare feet had become toasty warm and slightly weighed down.

Initially I hadn't even noticed that Delilah had joined me because I was immersed in what I was reading, but as soon as I took note I stopped reading and cooed over her. This was all she needed for alert open eyes to give way to the heavy-lidded variety that precede a deep slumber. In addition to warming my heart, she warmed my feet– and that is certainly a wonderful way to start the day.

The Organic Pharmacy is Now Available at Nordstrom | Gift With Purchase

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The Organic Pharmacy has long been one of my most loved and reached for green beauty brands, and I am thrilled that it is now available at Nordstrom!

Nordstrom is also offering a The Organic Pharmacy Gift with Purchase:

Receive deluxe samples of Herbal Toner (0.06 oz.), Antioxidant Face Cream (0.06 oz.) and Enzyme Peel Mask with Papaya (0.16 oz.) with your $75 The Organic Pharmacy purchase. A $12 value. Visit: www.nordstrom.com

Online only. One per person, while supply lasts. Will be added automatically in Checkout and shipped to the same address as your order. If associated with a Buy & Pick Up in Store order, gift cannot be picked up and will be shipped to the address of your choice. Gifts cannot be shipped internationally. Past purchases do not apply. If you return the qualifying item(s), please return the gift.