Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Burt's Bees Cocoa & Cupuacu Butters Body Lotion

This lotion is well labeled: Richly Replenishing!

Smells like vanilla, honey, and the beach.

Does not feel greasy, just makes your skin go "Ah."

I use mostly as a hand lotion at work, people always ask what smells so good :)

Skin is soft, I smell good, all is right with the world.
Thank you, Burt!

Dr. Brandt Time Arrest Face Fluid

Think of visible signs of aging as a werewolf-- this is the silver bullet.

Light serum that spreads on easily, perfect first step. Absorbs quickly so you can put your sunblock on next.
Slight lavender scent, not at all overwhelming (as lavender can be).
Makes your skin feel wonderful!

Going Dark To Light

Have naturally dark hair and want to go blonde?  It’s a big step, but with professional guidance, it can be done and look great. Patrick McIvor, Matrix Artistic Director, says it takes lot of time and money.
“Dark brown to blonde is a big change, and since hair grows a half inch a month, you need to visit a stylist every 4 weeks to keep the blonde looking good.  And, because of the transition, it takes time to process,” explains McIvor.

McIvor says there are many types of blondes – platinum, light blonde, dark blonde, multi-colored, highlighted, so pick the one that fits the time and money allotted for the job. The lighter the blonde, the more time and money it will take to maintain.  For instance, platinum hair like Michelle Williams requires touchups every 2-4 weeks and for multi-colored blonde like Shakira, hair needs to be lightened in two steps - either all over or with lots of highlights and then a glaze (every 4 weeks).  For hair the color of BeyoncĂ©, products like MATRIX Wonder.Browns can be used to lighten hair all in one step (every 4 weeks). There are many ways of approaching going blonde, ask professional for guidance.

“Many women with naturally dark hair, especially those who have only used a demi permanent color, are surprised at how the texture of their hair changes when they go blonde.  Whenever hair is lightened, it changes the protein bonds in hair, so caring for newly colored blonde hair requires more attention and products,” explains McIvor.

McIvor recommends using a color care regimen such as Matrix Biolage colorcarethĂ©rapie Delicate Care Shampoo and Conditioner that has no sulfates which helps color last longer.  In addition, he suggests using a treatment at least once a week like Delicate Care Masque to replenish moisture.  For ultra-polished blonde, use Delicate Care Organic Certified Oil – formulated with organic olive oil and Argan oil from Morocco to restore sheen for optimal shine and smoothness, and long lasting luminous color.

Patrick McIvor is Artistic Director for Matrix, a leading professional haircare and haircolor company in the United States and part of the L’Oreal USA Professional Products Division. As one of the most respected colorists in the industry, the former Color Director for Nick Arrojo and Rodney Culter in NYC, is a cultural junkie inspired by international cosmopolitan influences from fashion, global trends, technology and social networking.  McIvor is featured in the book “50 Hairstylists.”
Website: www.patrickmcivorcolorstudio.com , YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/patrickmcivor

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Redken: Forceful 23 Super Strength Finishing Spray

Serious, hardcore hold without giving you a hair-helmet.
This spray keeps your updo done.
Well done, Redken.

Sunday, June 17, 2012

The Linen Closet 12 Bar Lemon Verbena Soap Dispenser

Individually wrapped small soaps in the freshest lemon verbena scent are so nice to have around when you have guests coming to stay. Or keep them all for yourself like I'm doing. Each gives a light lather and lasts about 10-12 days. Now I want a lemon verbena perfume. Mmmm.

Pureology: Anti-Breakage Twist

Yes, I was a little mystified by the name, but I fully understand what the Anti-Breakage Twist does for my hair!
This cream makes my hair shine, but not in the needs-to-be-washed way.
It fights frizz!
All this while making my hair stronger and preventing my color from fading.
It smells lightly beachy, but so lightly.
My hair seems to be very happy with it, so I am as well!

Pureology: Hydrate Shampoo and Conditioner

Hydrate system for dry, color-treated hair
I recently got highlights, and while I love the caramel tones, my hair has been noticeably drier.
Enter the amazing Hydrate Shampoo & Conditioner from Pureology!
The Shampoo lathers, rinses, and cleans without stripping away the life from your hair.
Delicate herbal scent.
The conditioner is minty, smoothing, rich...
It's all also environmentally friendly & wonderful, so you can feel super-good about using it!
Thank you, Pureology!

Yes to Blueberries: Night & Day

From Judi

About the Yes To! Blueberry stuff I tried.:
Deep Wrinkle Night Cream
I love the overnight product it makes my skin soft and nice without it feeling overly greasy. I like it so much I use it during the day as well. I would definitely purchase more.

Daily Repairing Moisturizer with SPF 30
The day time one however, I didn't care for it was to thick applying and left a white film on my face that took "forever" to fade away even though I felt as though I had rubbed it all off trying to rub it in and the white color away. Afterward it left my skin feeling tight and as if I was wearing a mask all day. Sorry, not a fan!

From Kate
It seems that, across the board, the only Yes To products that we didn't love were the day creams. They were too thick & sticky. Everything else, we loved!
The face wipes, cleansers, eye treatments, night creams-- all have been wonderful.
My advice: Buy everything they make that is non-SPF, wait for reformulations on that.

Lumene: Vitamin C+ Pure Radiance Day Cream SPF 15

Day cream for under my sunblock!

Light enough for layering, strong enough to make my skin glow-y.

Has only UVA protection rating, so don't rely on it for sun protection, but do count on it for making your skin happy!

I know there's a lot of back-&-forth about the effectiveness of anti-oxidants lately, but I think that the proof is in the pudding:
Try this cream for a couple of weeks & get back to me, doubters!

Feels, smells, and makes your face lovely. 
CVS even sells mini-jars that are perfect for traveling or testing.



Tarte Eye Shadow

Yes, the BrainyBeautys love Tarte.
And here's something to deepen that love: eye shadow!
Rich, true colors that go on easily & last.
I have a palate-- use the dark colors for liner or over black liner. Can do so many looks.
Great colors, great consistency!

Kala: Swedish Dream Sea Salt Soap

Sea Salt Soap rocks!
Let me start by saying that the packaging is awesome.
I want to redo my bathroom to match, seriously.

The actual soap is, no kidding, even better than the packaging.
I know, hardly seems possible.

Fresh, oceanic scent; but very light.
Excellent lather & rinse, softens your skin like mad.

The box does not lie about the soap being good for shaving either.

LOVE, Love, love!

Kala: Save Water Soap

Save Water, Shower With A Friend
That's the tagline for this fresh soap!

A little grapefruit, a little sweet, all clean.

Lathers well, rinses easily.

Leaves your skin clean, but not dry.

Bloxsun: Sun Protective Scarves

Scarves & gloves with sun protection built in!
The scarves are soft, a good size (both sizes, but I like the large), & easily packable.
So pragmatic, and they look lovely!
So light, but perfect as a shawl.

Thursday, June 14, 2012

NYC~Kiss Gloss

NYC Kiss Gloss is the perfect mix of glossy without sticky, and tint without stain. Kiss Gloss comes in an endless number of hues, and with this tube, what you see is what you get! Gloss up your lips with a little sparkle, with a brightly colored flavor choice, or with a simple colorless shine.

Lush~Ocean Salt, face & body scrub


Yet another wonderful, all delicious product from those geniuses at Lush, Ocean Salt is a fresh scented, face and body scrub. This little tub of brightly colored nourishment is mild enough to use as your daily cleanser and yet potent enough to use as a weekly treat for your skin. Use Ocean Salt to cleanse, to exfoliate, and to rejuvenate.