January 2022 Empties Galore!

Purchased & Press Sample (Affiliate Links)

I managed to use up a lot of full size products this month, and I learned that several of the products that I finished appear to have been discontinued! I am really trying to start off the new year by buying less, using more of what I already have, and wasting as little as possible! We will see if I am able to finish up a good number of open products next month as well. 

Mad Hippie MicroDermabrasion Facial ($31.99 for 2.1 oz. from Mad Hippie and Ulta): This is a seriously effective, and easy to use, exfoliant that utilizes a blend of physical exfoliants, from bamboo and volcanic ash, in concert with 6 different alpha-hydroxy acids and probiotics, to exfoliate dead skin cells. The physical exfoliating particles, which are gentle against the skin, dislodge dead skin cells while the AHAs help to dissolve them. The end result is clean, soft, smooth, glowing skin that is neither irritated, nor stripped. Purchase Again? Not anytime soon since I have too many exfoliators to use up first, but I would definitely use this again in the future.

Derma-E Essentials Nourishing Rose Cleansing Oil (This appears to have been discontinued): This cleansing oil has the most delectable rose aroma that smells good enough to wear as a perfume– it is utterly glorious, and it transforms the act of cleansing one's skin from the ordinary to the extraordinary. I simply apply a small amount to my dry face and neck, massage it in for a few seconds and then either rinse it off, or remove it with a warm, damp, plush wash cloth. Unlike many of my cleansing oils, this one does not emulsify when it comes into contact with water. What I find remarkable is the extent to which this cleansing oil thoroughly cleans the skin and leaves it incredibly soft, smooth, supple and hydrated. Purchase Again? I would in a second, and I hope that they bring it back!

Go-To Face Hero Protective Face Oil ($34.00-$45.00 for 1 oz. from Go-To): Formulated for all types of skin, this face oil is lightweight, fast absorbing and lusciously moisturizing. It has a rich and velvety texture that melts into the skin– leaving it silky smooth, luminous and lightly plumped. Not only does it brighten dull skin, but after sustained use it begins to lighten dark spots. The antioxidant-rich formula helps to protect skin against free-radical damage, and the anti-inflammatory ingredients help to calm and soothe irritable skin. For this reason, I find it particularly effective when my skin is a bit sensitive, or when I use a peel or exfoliant. It has a delectable warm aroma that is informed by the beautiful variety of oils used, but also from the Orange Blossom & Rose Gardenia natural fragrances. Purchase Again? I already did!

BIOTHERM Blue Therapy Cream in Oil: I have to preface this by stating that I was nearly irrationally obsessed with this cream-in-oil moisturizer. It has a luxurious gel-cream texture that is enriched by nourishing oils, and the way in which in melts into the skin is so luxurious. It is richly moisturizing and it leaves skin very soft, supple and luminous. It has a lovely warm and creamy aroma, but it subsides once it sinks into the skin. Purchase Again? I would, but I do no think that they make this gem anymore.

Babor Perfect Glow Hydration Ampoule Concentrates ($39.95 for 7 ampoules 2ml each from Babor, Macy's, Skincare RX, SkinStore and Walmart): If your skin is dull and in need of luminosity and hydration, then these wonderful ampoules are just what you have been looking for! One ampoule per use offers the skin a wonderful dose of sustained hydration, and the light-reflecting particles blur imperfections and leave skin with a beautiful luminosity. Purchase Again? Maybe at some point, but I am currently swimming in hydrating products and won't need any for quite a while.

Klorane Smoothing and Relaxing Patches ($24.00-$26.00 for 7 sets from Klorane, Bluemercury): These are fast-acting and effective eye treatment masks that smooth fine lines, de-puff the under eye area and they offer wonderful hydration to the delicate skin beneath the eyes. Furthermore, these wonderful patches leave the skin wonderfully luminous, and the cooling gel patches feel absolutely wonderful against the skin! Purchase Again? Yes, absolutely– these are amazing!

Spongellé Private Reserve Body Wash Infused Buffer in Coconut Blossom ($16.00 from Spongellé): This is such a wonderful scent, and such a pleasure to use. Fragrance Notes: Top: Bitter Orange. Middle: Orris, Jasmine, Orange Flower. Base: Rosewood, Vanilla Marshmallow. It smells like a vacation on the beach in the tropics, and it polishes the skin to perfection, effortlessly removing dead skin cells and leaving skin incredibly soft and silky smooth. Purchase Again? I have many of their other fragrances to use first, but I would definitely buy this one when I need another one!

Baylis & Harding White Tea & Neroli Luxury Hand Wash ($3.97 for 16.9 oz. from Walmart): "Mouth watering and refreshing notes of citrus and pear notes are combined with a delicate rose and freesia bouquet on a bed of ambery woods, musks and tonka. This luxurious hand wash will leave your hands feeling invigorated and beautifully fragranced." This is seriously one of the most delectable hand soaps that I have ever used, and everything about it is luxurious– except the price! Purchase Again? Without question!

African Botanics Kalahari Desert De-Tox Bath Salts ($100.00 for 17.7 oz. from African Botanics): This beautiful product removes toxins and boost circulation. Skin is left soft, smooth, supple, and hydrated– while the spirits are elevated and rejuvenated. The aroma is a refined fusion of The Cape Floristic Region botanicals, and while the scent is an amalgam of their scents, the top notes are subtly informed by the slightly tangy Juniper Berry with its edges softened by the Cape Rose Geranium Oil, the Lemongrass Oil and the Marula Oil. The aroma is, itself, a complex, delectable, earthy, uplifting and intoxicating mood elevator that delights the senses. Additionally, the caffeine acts as an effective diuretic that removes excess water-retention and softens the appearance of cellulite while the carefully selected blend of ingredients nourish the skin, relax the muscles and quiet the mind. Purchase Again? Most definitely! I love soaking in bath salts, and it really doesn't get better than this!

African Botanics Marula Firming Botanical Body Oil ($130.00 for 3.4 oz. from African Botanics): It is an antioxidant rich moisturizing and firming oil that makes my skin look and feel utterly amazing. This is essentially an incredibly luxurious, potent and ultra moisturizing antioxidant rich anti-aging oil serum for the body. The idea is to treat your body as you do your face to keep it moisturized, dewy, radiant and protected all year long. This is my very favorite body oil because it does so much more than simply moisturize the skin, but it also does an extraordinary job moisturizing. My skin is left deeply hydrated, luminous, lifted, firmed, toned, and more soft and supple than I could have imagined possible. Purchase Again? I need to use up a lot of open body oils before they go bad, but would definitely get this one again in the future.

Baylis & Harding Sweet Mandarin & Grapefruit Luxury Slipper Gift Set ($14.98 from Walmart): is a wonderful holiday gift set to pamper your feet. The ultra-affordable price tag makes this an especially worthwhile purchase! If you love citrus scented body products, then you will adore this refreshing and uplifting aroma. Purchase Again? Oh yes, and I wear the slippers all of the time too!

LAVANILA The Healthy Deodorant ($14.00 for 1.7 oz. from LAVANILA and Ulta): LAVANILA makes wonderful healthy deodorants that are effective and smell wonderful (though they also make an unscented variant for sensitive skin). Vanilla + Earth for Balance is described as "A warm and woody combination of patchouli and sandalwood that enhances focus and concentration." While its description might summon thoughts of a heavy woody scent punctuated by a pungent patchouli, this is a light, sweet and creamy woodsy scent infused with warm florals, and without any detectable notes from the patchouli. It has a depth and yet it isn't in the least bit overpowering. Purchase Again? I have already opened another on of their amazing deodorants!

Tom Ford Black Orchid Eau de Parfum ($140.00 for 1.7 oz. and $195.00 for 3.4 oz. from Nordstrom, Sephora, Ulta and Bloomingdale's): This fragrance is described as the "essence of the black-orchid flower" that is "both modern and timeless." It is a spicy warm floral which, according to Tom Ford, is a "rich blend of spice and darkness to revolve around you, to be closer, and closer to you. Unleash its perfect power—both rare and extraordinary.” Notes: black truffle, bergamot, black orchid, black plum, noir gourmand accord, patchouli. It is a rich and sultry scent that I find particularly fetching during the cold months of the year. Purchase Again? YES!

Tom Ford Traceless Foundation Stick ($89.00 for 0.50 oz. from Nordstrom, Sephora, 

Saks Fifth Avenue and Tom Ford): Traceless Foundation Stick is a wonderful  foundation, and it makes a fantastic concealer. In fact, it offers buildable coverage with a flawless, semi-dewy natural finish, and it is lightly hydrating. As a concealer, it radically diminishes the appearance of imperfections, and it neither settles into fine lines, nor does it migrate. The soft and creamy texture lends itself to finger application for perfect coverage. Purchase Again? Probably not. I have plenty of other foundations and tinted moisturizers to use, and Tom Ford discontinued my favorite shade, Pale Dune.

Overall Assessment: Not too bad, and hopefully I am able to finish a few more of my open products next month before they spoil. What did you use up, toss out, give away or return in January? Any amazing products to share? Any real disappointments?

Purchased and Press Sample (Affiliate Links). All views expressed are categorically my own. Copyright © 2022 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.

Top Picks for a Gorgeous Glow from Babor, Bodyography and Tata Harper

Purchased and PR Samples (Affiliate Links)

Who among us isn't looking for a healthy glow during the cold months of winter– I certainly have sought wonderfully luminous products for the season, and I have rounded up three of my favorites from Babor, Bodyography and Tata Harper.

Babor Perfect Glow Hydration Ampoule Concentrates ($39.95 for 7 ampoules 2ml each from Babor, Macy's, Birchbox, Skincare RX, Skinstore and Walmart): If your skin is dull and in need of luminosity and hydration, then these wonderful ampoules are just what you have been looking for! One ampoule per use offers the skin a wonderful dose of sustained hydration, and the light-reflecting particles blur imperfections and leave skin with a beautiful luminosity.

According to Babor,

A concentrated skincare booster for dull skin in need of radiance. Thoroughly hydrates the skin, while light-reflecting luminizing pigments create a youthful looking glow and help to even out skin tone. With regular use, PerfectionPeptide P3 helps promote natural skin rejuvenation. Helps to even out irregularities in skin tone, provide intensive moisture, and give the complexion a luminous, smooth, youthful and radiant glow.

Directions:
•Use after cleansing with BABOR CLEANSING products.
•Shake the ampoule before use.
•Wrap a tissue around the neck of the ampoule, grasp it firmly, and with a sharp movement snap it open at the lower, colored ring. Alternatively, use the enclosed ampoule opener.
•Pour the concentrate into the palm of your hand and then smooth over your face, neck and décolleté. Pat gently and follow with a BABOR moisturizer.
•Always apply the entire contents of the ampoule.
•Use daily for 7 days.

Key Ingredients: PerfectionPeptide P3, Cacao Extract, Sugar Beet Extract, Luminizing Pigments, and Polysaccharides.

Ingredients: Aqua, Betaine, Polyglyceryl-5 Laurate, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Carbomer, Parfum, Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Disodium Edta, Mica, Sodium Hydroxide, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Limonene, Benzyl Alcohol, Tin Oxide, Alumina, Hexanoyl Dipeptide-3 Norleucine Acetate, CI 77891, CI 77491.

Tata Harper Illuminating Eye Crème ($115.00 for 0.5 oz. from Tata Harper, Sephora, Nordstrom, Space NK, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, Net-A-Porter, Cult Beauty and The Detox Market): Described as an, "age-defying eye cream with a universal pearl blush tint that minimizes the look of lines and wrinkles and instantly illuminates with diamond dust"– I thought that this would be the perfect combination of a luminizer and a nourishing eye cream, and it does not disappoint.

If you love Tata Harper skincare, then this eye cream definitely lives up to the rest of the line. It is a lightweight cream that has a creamy and smooth texture and consistency that resides somewhere between a serum and a lotion. It melts into the skin upon contact, can be used on the eyelids as well as below the eyes, and feels refreshing against the skin. It is filled with nourishing ingredients and hydrators, such as Hyaluronic Acid, Shea Butter, and all sorts of active extracts and oils that smooth and plump fine lines, reduce the appearance of puffiness and dark circles and leave skin soft, smooth, hydrated and supple. Additionally, the "Diamond Dust Mineral Blend" subtly illuminates the skin and optically blurs imperfections. It has a light pink tint, that is pearl infused, as you can see in the swatch below, but when it sinks into the skin it imparts no color, but just a light luminosity.

It has a very light herbal aroma from the natural ingredients, not from artificial fragrances, but it in no way irritates my very sensitive eyes. It takes very little to make my eyes water, and there is absolutely no hint of irritation or discomfort for me when using this cream.

According to Tata Harper,

This illuminating eye cream is equal parts brightening and age-defying. The formula's pearl blush tint provides a subtle, universal glow and diamond dust reflects light to instantly illuminate the look of the eyes. Hyaluronic acid, Spanish lavender oil, and date palm kernel extract work together to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and hydrate for fresh, glowing skin, while buckbean extract visibly firms and lifts. It provides a beautiful, soft luminescence when worn around the eyes, and helichrysum essential oil lends a green floral aroma.

Solutions for:
• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Dark circles
• Puffiness

Directions: Apply around the entire eye area (upper and lower lids). For added radiance, lightly press into skin on top of concealer. Use AM and PM. Store in a cool, dark place.

Select Ingredients and Their Attributes:
• Diamond Dust Mineral Blend: Illuminates subtle contours with light for a luminous, soft focus look.
• Dual Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid: Provides deep hydration and a visible, double-plumping effect on the skin's appearance, improving the look of elasticity.
• Date Palm Kernel Extract: Reduces the appearance of wrinkles.
• Spanish Lavender: Reduces the appearances of wrinkles in as little as 24 hours.

Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Shea Butter Ethyl Esters, Aqua/Water/Eau, Lavendula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Water, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Olea Europea (Olive) Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Oleosomes, Cetearyl Alcohol, Mica, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter, Glycerin, Cetearyl Olivate, Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola) Extract, Leuconostoc Ferment Filtrate, Silybum Marianum (Milk Thistle) Ethyl Ester, Beta Vulgaris/ Beet Root Extract/ Extrait De Racine De Betterave, Euphrasia Officinalis (Eyebright) Extract, Diamond Powder, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polygonum Fagopyrum (Buckwheat) Seed Extract, Pheonix Dactylifera (Date) Seed Extract, Lavandula Stoechas (Spanish Lavender) Extract, Leuconostoc/ Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Narcissus Tazetta (Daffodil) Bulb Extract, Borago Officinalis (Borage) Leaf Extract, Calendula Officinalis (Calendula) Flower Extract, Medicago Sativa (Alfalfa) Extract, Spiraea Ulmaria Flower Extract, Sabucus Nigra Fruit Extract, Lactobacillus/ Arundinaria Gigantea Ferment Filtrate, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract, Arnica Montana (Arnica) Extract, Menyanthes Trifoliata (Buckbean) Flower Extract, Cetearyl Glucoside, Sorbitan Olivate, Sclerotium Gum, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Cetyl Palmitate, Sorbitan Palmitate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Sodium Phytate, Superoxide Dismutase, Soybean Peroxidase, Iron Oxides, Aroma, Citral, Citronellol, Eugenol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool.

The swatch above illustrates the color of the Tata Harper Illuminating Eye Crème before it is blended, but once it melts into the skin there is no color whatsoever– just a lovely luminosity.

Bodyography makes sensational cruelty-free professional makeup that boasts clean ingredients, and they are always very high quality.

Their Inner Glow Stick ($26.00 for Highlighter: 0.12 oz / 3.6 g and Essence: 0.11 oz / 3.2 g from Bodyography): is a dual-ended highlighter and essence that gives you the perfect luminous glow, without glitter, and it enables you to achieve a wet-looking luminosity. The highlighter, which is a gorgeous champagne, glides across the skin effortlessly, it deposits color evenly and it neither settles into fine lines, nor does it emphasize pores. The highlighter can be used alone for a lovely luminous glow, or it can be used in conjunction with the clear essence for a wet look. The essence, which can also be used alone, imparts a dewy finish without any color. Whether you layer the two, or use them individually– they offer a lovely radiance without any sort of chunky glitter or fallout. The creamy formulas never dry out the skin, and in fact leave it lightly hydrated. This is a perfect choice for an ethereal glow this winter!

Directions: Swipe essence onto high-points of skin for a fresh, wet-looking luminance. Apply highlighter to accentuate bone structure and impart a golden, shimmering glow. Layer essence and highlighter for elevated radiance. Each end can be worn alone or layered together for elevated radiance.

According to Bodyography,

Achieve ultimate glow in just two easy steps with our Inner Glow Stick—a dual-ended highlighter and essence! Swipe essence onto the highpoints of the skin for a fresh, wet-looking luminance, or apply highlighter to accentuate bone structure and impart a golden, shimmering glow. Each end can be worn alone or layered together for elevated radiance.

 Features:

○ Oil-free, two-in-one product to achieve ultimate glow

○ Universal shade flatters all skin tones

○ Creates delicate, glass skin

○ Formulated without parabens & gluten

○ Cruelty-free and Vegan

Below: Light-Neutral Champagne/Clear Essence

According Bodyography,

Bodyography is a boutique professional makeup line for amateurs and professionals alike, conceptualized and manufactured in the USA. But we're more than just your traditional makeup line. We offer cruelty-free, mineral-based makeup with clean ingredients that are infused with skincare benefits such as fruit and plant-derived vitamins and antioxidants. Along with our top-of-the-line formulations, we also offer Vegan, Paraben-Free, and Gluten-Free products that will fit into any lifestyle. The color payoff and quality of our products are undeniable, but what really makes us shine is the way our makeup feels on the skin—our weightless formulas are incomparable!

At Bodyography, our goal is to make our customers feel comfortable with makeup, both on and off the skin. We believe in enhancing your natural beauty to make you look and feel your best. Whether you're going for a natural or dramatic look, Bodyography Professional Cosmetics has got you covered! Our global makeup brand can be found in top salons, spas, and beauty supply stores across the USA, and in over 50 countries worldwide. That's precisely why Bodyography IS the language of beauty.

Ingredients:

Overall Assessment: These are three of my hero products for a gorgeous luminous glow this winter. Do you have favorite

Purchased and Press Samples. All views expressed are categorically my own (Affiliate Links).
Copyright © 2020 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.