ProductWhores

Fruit Enzyme Mist

I have never been one to use a mist or toner on my face and now that I've started using MyChelle Dermaceuticals Fruit Enzyme Mist I can see how this was a massive mistake in my skin care routine!  I guess I always just thought it was an unnecessary, and, well, potentially messy step, that I didn't need to take.  Since I started using this toner, I have been amazed with the transformation in my skin.  It is super-hydrating (great for my dry skin) and really makes my face have a lovely glow to it (even when I am up all night reading about Kate Middleton's bump and Channing and Jenna's new bundle - why do I care?  No clue).  I spritz the Fruit Enzyme Mist on before I head to sleep and also first thing in the morning after I shower. No more dry patches, especially around my nose and my face feels less tight.  The mist smells great and contains no icky parabens, phthalates, ureas or petroleum-based chemicals.  I'm so impressed with this product, I need to check out more by MyChelle Dermaceuticals (all their products are cruelty-free, vegetarian friendly and gluten-free).  Check it out, you won't be disappointed.  Retails for around fourteen bucks.

Note:  A sample of this product was sent to me by a PR representative working with MyChelle Dermaceuticals.

Faking It

Concealer is always one of my least favorite makeup items to buy... until I break out or have something I want to hide, and then I'm all about it.  And right now, I'm in dire need of hiding my undereye circles.  Don't ask me why, but they are super dark at the moment, like I'm staying up all night solving the economy instead of, you know, eating potato chips and watching the ID Network.  I can't figure it out.  So I decided to use my 15% Sephora discount to buy Benefit's new Fake Up Concealer to see if I could make myself look... less terrible.  And it worked!  I'm kind of obsessed with it now.

First of all, I love the packaging and the way the concealer twists up.  It makes it really easy to apply it exactly where you want.  It's also the first concealer I've ever used that had the concealer part in the middle of a ring of moisturizing ingredients, so it's virtually impossible for the concealer to cake because it's not getting applied over dry skin.  How has no one thought of this before?  It's kind of genius.  The concealer itself is awesome too - it comes in three shades (Light, Medium and Dark) and I bought the lightest shade because I'm so pale and it matches perfectly.  It blends in smoothlessly and really hides the dark circles - it makes me look like I've slept twelve hours instead of, uhm, seven or eight.  Very nice.  I also used it to hide some redness on my chin and it worked well at that too so it seems like a good, all-purpose concealer. Definitely worth picking up.  Fake it 'til you make it!

Bronze, Baby

I use bronzer pretty much year round because, well, I live in Los Angeles and yet am about as pasty white as a person can be without fading into the wall.  It's pretty amazing how pale my skin can be naturally, so even in the dead of winter I swipe on some bronzer every morning, but it's especially important once it starts getting hotter here in L.A. because otherwise I'd stand out like a sore thumb. (Which incidentally is a really weird expression, if you think about it).  

The newest bronzers I've added to my collection are Buxom's Hot Escapes Bronzers ($28), which are available in two shades - Tahiti (Golden Bronze) and Maldives (Rustic Bronze) exclusively at Sephora.  I've been using Tahiti because it's slightly lighter and looks a little more natural on me, but for anyone but the palest of people, I think Maldives would also work too.  The bronzers themselves have a buildable coverage, which is nice because sometimes I want to look naturally sun-kissed and other times, I want to go full on tropical island vacay, so it's good to have options in a product.  The bronzers come with a cool wave pattern etched on them, but my very favorite part about them is that they're laced with a light coconut scent.  How genius is that?!  And how have other bronzers not done this before?  It's subtle, but when you open the compact and brush it on, you can definitely smell it and it puts me in a good mood every time.  It's scientifically impossible to be in bad mood while putting on coconut scented bronzer!  I kind of wish all my face products were scented now.  Imagine it - creme brulee scented eyeshadow!  Someone needs to get on that STAT. 

Note:  Samples of this product were sent to me by a PR representative working with Buxom 

To add to my increasingly longer list of things I want to buy at Sephora, I just happened on this new Argan Cleansing Treatment from Josie Maran and now I really want to pick it up this weekend.  I'm obsessed with Argan Oil lately because it's like, the miracle product for my dry hands and nose (it has seriously tamed the Rudolph-esque aspects of it).  And I hate oily products normally, so if I can fall in love with one, you know it's good.  But doesn't this cleanser + cloth treatment seem kind of awesome?  It has a ton of five star reviews on Sephora's site, so that makes me want it even more.  (Also, am I super lazy for never reviewing anything I buy at Sephora?  They send me e-mails about it all the time asking me to do it and I just... never do).  It's also good for sensitive skin, which is sometimes hard to find.  I'm definitely talking myself into buying it on Saturday here...      

Color Me Green

You know how every once in a while, you're putting on a product you use every day and think, "Damn, this thing is amazing.  How would I ever live without it?"  That's how I felt this morning about my Smashbox Photo Finish Color Correcting Foundation Primer.  It's such a staple in my morning routine that I don't even really register that I'm using it anymore, but then I'll forget to put it on one day because I'm running late or something and I'll notice such a difference that I instantly make a mental note not to forget it ever again.  I've probably written about it here before, but I just kind of had to reiterate how fantastic it is.  I use the Color Adjust - Green shade because my skin is really sensitive and tends to get red when it's irritated (Or when it's cold.  Or windy.  Or just because it feels like it.  It's really annoying).  The green tint tones down a lot of that redness while the primer makes my skin perfectly smooth for the rest of my makeup and helps it last all day.  It really is a wonder product.  And it comes in a lot of different Color Adjust shades, as well as the original clear color, so there's one for you no matter what you're trying to fix.  If only the rest of life was that easy...  

Minty Freshness

This is kind of a genius idea, especially for L.A., where even this time of year gets hot enough to cause some sweating.  Boscia's Pink Peppermint Blotting Linens come 100 to a pack (for only $5!), are made from 100% natural leaf fibers from the Abaca tree plant, and best of all, are scented with peppermint so they feel AND smell refreshing.  And the little pink, sparkly package is so adorable and tiny enough to slip into even a small clutch.  Love that.  These must be mine immediately.   

Complexion Perfection

I really wish I could get a job naming products because I think I'd be really good at it.  It's creative, but not boring, and it seems really fun.  Case in point - Benefit's new How to Look the Best At Everything kit.  How to Look the Best At Everything is a great name!  It immediately made me want to buy it, even before I knew what was in it, but once I saw inside, I wanted it even more.  Here's what you'll find once you open it up:

- The POREfessional
- Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow SPF 25 PA+++
- BOI-ING
- Hello Flawless!

It's everything you need to create a flawless complexion.  It seems perfect to travel with, right?  I must have this as soon as possible.  I could use some flawlessness in my life!

Aqualibrium Cleansing Face Wipes

H2O+ has just released new Cleansing Face Wipes as part of their Aqualibrium line and they are better than any other face wipes I've ever tried!  I am usually a fan of Pond's, but H2O+ has hit the mark with these super-moisturizing wipes that get off every single bit of make-up, even stubborn mascara.  They smell amazing - think fresh sea air - and come in a package with a lid that actually seals shut each time so no drying out of the wipes!  Yeah, they're a tad on the pricey side (at $19.00 for the package of 45) but it is so, so worth every single penny.  My sensitive skin loves these wipes and I will never, ever go back to drugstore brand.  These are it for me!  I've noticed if you sign up for emails from H2O+ they have some pretty great sales so you can get the wipes (and anything else from this incredible line of products) for less.  Thank you, H2O+ for actually creating wipes that don't dry out my skin and do what they're supposed to do - remove all my make-up on one of those nights where I can't be bothered to wash my face (I know, I know, bad me.)

Note:  A sample of this product was sent to me by a PR representative working with H2O+

Bronze Away

It's coming to that time of the year when I have to start using even more bronzer than usual to make my pasty white skin look like it's not, well, pasty white.  Because during the winter, I'm somewhat okay with looking so pale, but come on, I live in Los Angeles.  When the weather gets really hot and most of the rest of the people are walking around with a little tan, I feel the need to as well.  This year, I kinda want to try this new Silk Blush Bronzer Duo from SEPHORA COLLECTION.  It's $22, but I saw it at the store and it's HUGE, so it would last forever.  Plus, the colors seemed really natural and I feel like they'll do a good job of making me look tan instead of just dirty, which is what some bronzers do.  According to some of the reviewers on Sephora's site, it looks a lot like NARS' Orgasm and Laguna Highlighting/Bronzing Blush Duo, which is almost twice the price at $41, so if they're right, that's a big score.  Has anyone tried it yet?  Do I desperately need it or can I muddle through the summer with one of the bronzers I already own?

Chanel Goes to Vegas

Oh, Chanel.  Why must I love you so much when I can afford so little of your products...  I could seriously buy every single thing Chanel ever made if I didn't need to, you know, eat.  The new Las Vegas de Chanel collection contains four fabulous products, all in gorgeous shades of gold.  (The color of the coins I've never won in any of the slot machines there!)  Here are the four pieces you'll be coveting:

Lucky Strips - The Exclusive Creation of the collection concentrates the entire spirit of Las Vegas in its traditional square case. Lined up in rows, four shades of sand and bronze sweep through every variation of a fabulous desert in which gold embraces the sun and shines. On the surface of the colours, an embossed star design seems to extend a warm welcome to the city of dreams. For an illuminating makeover, a beveled brush is ideal for choosing and blending shades, sweeping lightly over the cheekbones, face or eyelids.

Rouge Coco Shine Brilliant - The extremely melt-away texture and playful spirit of the most mischievous CHANEL lipstick get into the game with a total golden look. BRILLANT: faithful to the style of Coco Chanel, its sheer golden shade gives a fun twist to the traditional codes of elegance.

Le Crayon Levres Vegas Gold - It accentuates the centre of the upper lip with a golden line. A makeup tip that adds a touch of light and emphasizes the fullness of a sparkling smile.

Le Vernis Gold Fingers - A semi-sheer golden lacquer glides over nails like a talisman for a Midas touch. 

If I could only buy one thing, it would definitely be the Lucky Strips palette.  I'm seriously swooning over it.  Gorgeous!

The collection is available now on Chanel.com and at the CHANEL Bellagio Hotel and Wynn Hotel boutiques.