Thursday, January 30, 2014

Olay Fresh Effects Out of This Swirled Cleanser & Everything Off Cloths


Olay is jazzing up their Fresh Effects line with a helping of new products . Among them are new cleanser options .

Out Of This Swirled Cleanser combines a light exfoliator along with a gel . They are swirled together to come out as one when you give the cleanser a pump. The duo gets skin very clean and the exfoliating is just enough, not rough or harsh but just a little to help slough off dead skin and clean into pores. It's more gel than granules and has acne/oil fighter salicylic acid in there. Great for combo/oily skins.



Much of the new Fresh Effects, including this cleanser, are scented with honeysuckle and green tea,   in other words they smell really good. If you aren't one for scented products, you might not feel the same but fellow green tea fans, this is a nice way to clean up.


If you're looking for a quicker way to cleanse and love wipes (and who doesn't love them ?)  Fresh Effects also has new Everything Off Makeup Removing Cloths for a  refreshing and also honeysuckle/ green tea scented towelette that gets even waterproof makeup off.


Look for these new Olay Fresh Effects cleansers at your store now.

Out Of This Swirled  is $ 6.99

Everything Off Wipes are $ 5.99 for 25 cloths, $ 1.99 for 7 cloths.




Reading - Linda Ronstadt Simple Dreams, A Musical Memoir


As a more than avid reader, I thought why not  work in a little book talk now and then. It's not usually beauty related but it sure is a topic I love .

I read constantly so once in awhile a new post might just pop up under the "Reading" headline. Feel free to weigh in if you've read or are reading the same book or have suggestions.

As a  huge music fan  since I could toddle , as well as a reader, rock autobiographies rank high on the book list and I just finished up Linda Ronstadt 's Simple Dreams, A Musical Memoir .

Linda has said she had no interest in a kiss and tell, so this doesn't go there. It's about her musical life, her influences, her songs and her voice. This is a woman in service to that voice, always trying to get better, reach higher , learn more. It wasn't about fame for her so much as simply being able to sing.  I would have loved her to be a little  more personal, but she seems a very private person so this is what we got and it was still an enjoyable read.

Not that there isn't namedropping. The Eagles ultimately came about due to her and she worked with or knew many of the eras heavy hitters.


It's hard to overstate just how huge Ronstadt was in the '70s thru the '80s. I was very young when I first started listening but I remember her songs and photo being everywhere.  The Mom and I listened to Blue Bayou over and over . She was possibly the biggest female singer at the time and with her much gossiped about relationship with then ( and current) California governor Jerry Brown, that era's Brangelina.

A real voice who could rock or croon she pulled an amazing second act partnering with Nelson Riddle to do the standards .  Then there was Trio with Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris. Neither of those was something musically I was into at the time, but I appreciated the talent  and the success.

She's had an amazingly versatile and long career and I am pretty sure for a good many of us her songs are part of the soundtrack of our lives. Linda is finally getting inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame this year. Sadly she now has Parkinson's and can no longer sing.

If rock autobios are your thing I can also recommend ones by Eric Clapton, John Taylor of Duran Duran, Rod Stewart, Heart and Pat Benatar . Clapton's especially tells the history of rock in the UK and is a fast paced read.  Heart and Benatar make us appreciate what they went through paving the way for today's female rockers when they worked hard to be about the music and not just a sex object.


Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Winter Weather Skin Savers


With so much of the country in the deep freeze it's time for a round up of skincare that will keep you well hydrated in these drying times. Along with heavy hydrators , I have some picks for those with oilier skin too, as I well recall when my skin was much oilier than it is now, how hard it was to pin down what would work. Links provided to original  review where applicable.

Normal to dry:


Algenist Genius Cream- New from the brand, this cream feels light on application but has plenty of moisture and feels wonderful on skin. Micro algae oil  along with alguronic acid helps firm and tone while soothing , smoothing and moisturizing weary skin.


Chanel Hydra Beauty Creme Riche- Chanel  says this brand new cream says is "specifically developed to deliver intense moisture — regardless of a woman’s age, skin type or environment .  The deeply hydrating formula features the moisturizing powers of Camellia Alba PFA, the anti-oxidant properties of Blue Ginger PFA and the nutritive benefits of precious Camellia Oil."

Kiehl's Rosa Arctica-  Super moisturizing, rich cream with shea and cocoa butters along with the anti-aging rosa arctica resurrection flower to help retain moisture and elasticity.


L'Oreal Age Perfect Hydra Nutrition Golden Balm- Heavy duty moisture from this , yes, golden colored cream. Skin  benefits from the deep moisture coming from 10 "precious oils" including apricot seed and orange peel oils. The signature ingredient of calcium is there for skin's anti-aging needs. ( There is a great matching eye cream as well). 


Elizabeth Arden Prevage Night Cream- This super hydrating night cream has shea and cocoa butters as well as glycerin. It also packs plenty of anti-aging with Idebenone and Mega Complex A, which includes a retinol derivative, vitamin E, lemon peel extract and carotenoids. ( There's a top notch day cream as well).



Peter Thomas Roth Camu Camu Power C Cream  - Packed with Vitamin C from superfruits and  avocado oil this cream really does help to brighten skin.  It's also extremely moisturizing and the emollient cream  comes in push plate container to preserve the volatile Vitamin C from losing strength .


Oily skins: It's easier now than ever to find a moisturizer for oilier skin.  In winter you might want  a little extra but you don't want anything heavy or greasy feeling.

Bobbi  Brown Hydrating Gel Cream- A light cream that adds just enough moisture to refresh oily to normal skin while sinking in fast  with no scent and vitamin E for antioxidant protection.


Kiehl's Arctica Lightweight Cream -The lighter version of the original cream. This one still has plenty of moisture but less heavy emollients, using lavender oil and glycerin for just enough  moisture on oilier skin.



Olay Fresh Effects Dew Over Hydrating Gel Moisturizer- I haven't tested this new oil free lightweight gel/cream but with a green tea/honeysuckle scent , and a formula that absorbs fast it should be a winner for the very oily.



Monday, January 27, 2014

Chanel Chance Collection 2014



To celebrate Chance, Chanel brings three new ways to wear the three versions of the fragrance.

All are LE and available now.

Chance Shimmering Body Cream- 7.0 oz. $75.00

Chance Eau Tendre  Shimmering Powdered Perfume- 0.88 oz. $50.00

Chance Eau Fraiche Shimmering Touch - (A light, fragranced gel)  0.88 oz. $50.00

RoC Multi Correxion 5 in 1 Perfecting BB Cream




What brand didn't have a BB Cream ? RoC . Until now.  Just out is new Multi Correxion 5 in 1 Perfecting Cream with SPF 25.


As a brand ambassador for RoC I get sneak peeks and when I saw the RoC had done a BB I knew it would have to be a good one, and it is. The first thing I liked was the metal container with a pump top. Not something we usually see in BBs. Then there is  the retinol, a cornerstone of RoC skincare and it's in their BB as well.

The BB cream has good coverage, meaning it gives a little coverage and helps to cover flaws.  BBs if you are new to them run from sheer to light coverage in general. Personally I prefer coverage with mine and like that RoC's provide's a good bit. Skin looks a bit evened  and it adds just a little moisture.

The formula is lightweight but not thin or runny and blends easily . There is one shade , and it is meant for all skintones. Whether it will work for the darker tones, I don't know for sure but it does sink into skin without leaving much color behind.

With it's skincare ingredients , RoC says that use over time will improve your complexion.

The SPF 25 is broad spectrum with octinoxate, octisalate and titanium dioxide.


Retail is $ 28.99 for 1 oz bottle.




Sunday, January 26, 2014

Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus Sampling Program


Hitting the mall for some retail therapy in the deep chill much of the US is having ?  If you're near a Clinique counter beginning today and lasting  through February 14th , you can get a free 2 week sample of Repairwear Laser Focus for free, no purchase needed.

Plus, once you've used up that 2 week supply, using the product twice daily, take the empty bottle your first sample came in back to the counter and get another 2 weeks. 4 weeks of free, good skincare? That's a winner.

I've always liked much of Clinique's skincare and Laser Focus is a serum that helps smooth and even skintone . This new formulation is said to deliver twice the smoothing results than the original.  Apply the serum after cleansing, and before any  moisturizer .

The sampling program is all at Clinique counters and specialty stores like Ulta and Sephora,  but those stores will have limited distribution.

Friday, January 24, 2014

Ponds Luminous Finish BB Cream

 

Looking for a  great BB at great price ?  Pond's has you covered. I'd heard many fellow beauty bloggers raving and it took me awhile but I finally tried it as well. And yes I came away impressed as well.

Pond's  Luminous Finish BB instantly smoothes and brightens skin , giving it almost a matte finish. This is perfect prep for makeup or  on it's own. There isn't really  a lot of coverage which some BBs have and some don't but the finish helps  make up for that.  The only downside is that the SPF of 15 could be a little higher, but 15 is better than none. The SPF is a mix of Zinc Oxide ( 5.12%) and Octinoxate ( 7.49%).


The BB feels light on  and has a little moisture but isn't heavy or greasy. It blends in fast for quick application.


Pond's BB comes in  two shades-fair and deep . The fair shade, what I use, seems to work on most light to light- medium skin tones .


Available now , retail varies.







Thursday, January 23, 2014

Chanel Melodieuse Rouge Allure & Sonate Glossimer- Spring 2014



Chanel Spring, Notes de Printemps has been on counters for a bit, but in case you haven't seen it yet, there are some pretty shades awaiting, especially in the lip category.

I am completely in love with both  Melodieuse and Sonate . They are  beautiful coral red shades that work together or separately. Both have no shimmer and plenty of pigment.


Melodieuse feels very fresh right now and I've been wearing it. A bright lip peeking out from that hat and coat looks really nice.  Sonate is not heavy but not sheer either and gives nice coverage.


These definitely brighten up a look, and if pink is more your thing , there are several nice lip options available.




Garnier Shine Control Cleansing Gel



Always looking for a new cleanser to try , I checked one of the  new ones from Garnier. I've always loved their cleansers going back to  Nutri -Pure in 2007 ( whew old  blog post there). So it's good to see some new ones .

Shine Control is a good gel  cleanser meant for oilier skins. It has a slight smell of charcoal , not  too bad but it is there.  Charcoal is one of the ingredients and is well known to be beneficial to oily, clogged skin. Salicylic acid is in there as well.


The cleanser itself does  a nice job. It gets skin very clean and takes away the oil.  I like that is has a mattifying effect as well and did think it helped keep oil down a bit in the T Zone which is the only place I have oil this time of year.

For me this is exactly the kind of cleanser I love during warm weather when my skin really pumps the oil. If you are  a year round oily , like I used to be, then this would be a solid  cleanser choice.


If you have other skin types, Garnier has many new cleansers out including cream, foam and oil ones. Something for every skin .




Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Walgreens/Neutrogena Nationwide Event Jan. 23rd


This Thursday, the 23rd ( tomorrow) there is a nationwide event at Walgreens.  Called Night at the W and in partnership with Neutrogena  stop by any Walgreens  from 4-9PM EST for free samples, buy one get one 50 % off all Neutrogena products , enter to win a trip to Nashville and  also 50 lucky winners will get a $ 50 Walgreens gift card.


More infowww.Walgreens.com/nightatthew

The Nashville contest details:
**All you need to do to WIN the trip to Nashville is purchase any Neutrogena product between 4-9pm on January 23rd, and you’ll receive a code at checkout with instructions on how to enter.





Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Lipstick



Do not fear the shimmer , that's the message I give with Bobbi Brown's new Shimmer Lipsticks.

These beauties have shimmer obviously , but it's not glitter, it's not super frosty, it's just right , like you would expect from Bobbi. The shimmer adds dimension and there is nice shine but never overdone. 


As you might be able to tell I am loving these. Not only do I like a little shimmer to say the least but these are so creamy and moisturizing . At this time of year they feel so good on lips. I don't have ingredients but the website says there are butters and oils in  there and you can tell. You won't need a balm  with them. 

Also nice is that all that moisture doesn't affect the wear time. These have been wearing really well  and there's been no feathering or migrating .  


The pigment is good, medium , with the lighter shades being more sheer.  If you have a fav deeper lip matte or satin color, one of the lighter colors here like Pink Gold makes a  great top layer to brighten. 


Bobbi Brown Shimmer Lipstick comes in 12 new shades and all are available now for $ 25



Clinique Cheek Pop


 Clinique's new Cheek Pops are delightful little Gerbera Daisy blossoms that will make you blush. How cute are they ?

Cheek Pops not only are cute but they are bright pots of color  , each having good pigment . They are buildable though,  somewhat sheer and your first pass on skin will look lighter than my swatches which are three layers.

Plum, Ginger, Berry, Peach

These definitely brighten you up and this time of year we need it, especially those of us who are pale. Come warmer temps they'll go beautifully as well. They fairly yell SPRING.

Cheek Pops have a smooth and creamy feeling formula that goes on easily with very little  drag. It's a bit hard to explain , but one thing that helps is that when you swirl your brush over, there's no fallout.No excess of powder.  It looks like a cream, but is a powder and they began life as a liquid before being baked into a powder per Clinique.

They last well and the color stays true as well.  There is a tiny bit of shimmer but mainly they are a satin finish.


There are four shades : Plum Pop, Ginger Pop, Peach Pop and Berry Pop.

 $ 21 each and available now .






Monday, January 20, 2014

Beauty Cartoon- Boys vs Girls

For the beauty mavens , this funny cartoon pretty much sums up the battle of the sexes when it comes to beauty items.

Sunday, January 19, 2014

L'Oreal Voluminous Butterfly Waterproof Mascara




L'Oreal's Voluminous Butterfly Mascara now comes in waterproof for the New Year.

 I never got around to trying the original Voluminous Butterfly, in some part because it wasn't waterproof and I really have to have that. So I can't compare the two but the waterproof formula here is definitely long wear with no smudging even when I had watery eyes.


The wand  has the winged out portion for the outer lashes to get the "butterfly" effect. So you do have to use it one way with that part facing the right direction. I can manage that. It gave me good length but not that much volume . The outer lashes were elongated  a little more but not a huge difference.

This does dry a little crunchy yet lashes don't feel too stiff and I was able to apply another coat long after it dried for an evening touch up.


If you loved the original but wanted a waterproof formula then this is for you. Me, I am always glad to find any mascara that doesn't run on me but I would love this to have just a little more lash oomph.


L'Oreal Voluminous Butterfly Waterproof Mascara is available now wherever L'Oreal is sold.




Friday, January 17, 2014

NARS Love Blush



Love is one of the new blushes from NARS Final Cut collection. It's a bounty of pink  and is feeling just right to me, right now.


I've been feeling a bit bored with my blushes lately. I know , "First World Problems" as some of  my Twitter friends would say or "Things A Beauty Blogger Says".  But what can I say  it's true.  Believe me  I have plenty of far , far more stressful issues to deal with . Makeup is the fun part even when I am bored with my blushes.


Since in general I am not a pink person I actually don't own a pink blush. Well a Lancome that is 15 years old, but I'm pretty sure that one needs to be retired. But for Winter and into Spring, this lovely shade from NARS called Love is so right.


Love is a  pretty , pretty tea rose  that's light but not pale,  isn't bright or too vividly pink and like all NARS blushes has lots of pigment.  There is a tiny bit of shimmer, but it's barely there.

Love is buildable as well, I have 3 layers on in my swatch. Two is what I've been using on my face.


NARS Final Cut launches Feb. 1st at Nordstrom and NARS boutiques. March 1st online .

The four new shades are :

Sex Fantasy -Pale lavender pink

New Attitude -Cherry blossom pink

Final Cut -Peach coral

Love -Tea rose