Kicking off the week with a beautiful start! Well, trying to at least. 🙂
Last weekend, ugh! — totally floored me. That two-day migraine felt like a symphony of jackhammers in my head, and it was rough. It’s gone now, thank goodness, and I’m feeling more like myself again.
So, earlier today, just as I was about to jump back into the pet assisting grind, I thought, “Ya know what? What I need right now is to do something that makes me feel really, REALLY great, even if it’s just for a half an hour.”
I needed a beauty pick-me-up, so I made a cup of chamomile tea, grabbed a few new fave beauty products from René Furterer, Repêchage, Dolce & Gabbana and Estée Lauder, and told Tabs that I’d back to work in a few.
René Furterer Karité Intense Nourishing Mask
First order of business: a hot shower and René Furterer’s Karité Intense Nourishing Mask ($46 for a 6.93-ounce jar), a five-minute deep conditioning treatment for dry hair that smoothes and hydrates with a mix of fair-trade shea butter and plant oils.
I just started using it last week, and I think it’s the reason why I had a series of near-epic hair days — like, the best I’ve had in months. Karité adds body, shine and leaves my hair smelling like lilies. I love it!
Repêchage Hydra Dew Illuminating Cream Mask
Have I mentioned that I’ve been on a face mask kick? I don’t know, but there’s something about a good face mask that gives me…hope, LOL! I’m also a big fan of sitting on my butt and doing absolutely nothing while I wait for a mask to work its magic.
My skin’s been a little dry lately (you know, ’cause winter) so after I jumped out of the shower, I applied a layer of Illuminating Cream Mask for Normal to Dry Skin ($38 for a 2-ounce tube) by Repêchage, an under-the-radar brand actually carried in spas all over the world. Their whole line contains products with “nutrient-rich seaweed” harvested off the Brittany Coast of France.
After 10 minutes, I tissued off the mask and could almost hear my skin sighing with relief. Ahh…
Dolce & Gabbana Desire
If I could, I’d hug every single one of the perfumers over at Dolce & Gabbana. I feel like they get me, ya know (says the girl who wore Light Blue on her wedding day)?
Desire’s, a de-lovely fruity floral, is their newest scent ($93 for a 1.6-ounce bottle). It lasts all day long for me and brings to mind overseas adventures, exploring foreign cities at night with a new love.
The official fragrance notes include…
- Top notes: Mandarin, lychee, bergamot and Lily of the Valley
- Middle notes: Madonna lily, Indian Tuberose, jasmine and plum nectar
- Base notes: Vanilla-infused caramel, sandalwood, musk and cistus labdanum (a resin from a Mediterranean shrub)
One spritz and I felt like a new girl.
Estée Lauder French Nude Collection Nail Lacquers in Bittersweet and So Vain
I wrapped up my beauty boost today with a quick at-home polish change using two Pure Color Nail Lacquers ($20 each) from Estee Lauder’s new French Nudes, a five-piece summer collection of neutral shades. I painted my fingers with creamy dark brown Bittersweet and my toes with rosy beige So Vain.
If you can, please take some time today — even if it’s just a 10-minute break with a cup of tea — to do something that makes you feel good. It’s important, you know?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I love the idea of a hair mask – I’ve never done one. I’ve heard coconut oil works, but I’m a little wary of washing it out – a dedicated hair mask product sounds less scary to me 🙂
Hi Emi,
I’ve tried quite a few and this one’s GREAT. It adds a lot of moisture without weighing my hair down.
I absolutely love the Estee Lauder polish in Bittersweet! Also, I have the same mug as you! Mine has baby pink flowers and a ‘J’ on it(for Jennifer)- how funny!
Jennifer xx
Please check out my blog at asprinklingofeuphoria.blogspot.co.uk
Glad to hear that you took some time for yourself today, especially after that awful migraine headache. I did that this weekend and it was much needed after two tough days at work, spent walking around and taking care of others.
I also did a little shopping at Sephora today and pampered myself with some new products. I picked up the new Nars concealer because of your positive review. Thanks for that!
Hi Lisa,
I hope you like the new NARS concealer. I’ve been experimenting with it and finding a lot of cool little tricks, like mixing it in with a little bit of MAC Careblends Oil before applying it under my eyes (SOO GOOD).
What else did you end up picking up from Sephora?
If only I could…..I REmember those days when I was a self conscious teenager, taking care of myself, taking bubbling baths, putting masks on my face, my hair, sitting in front of my vanity, and thinking for as much time as I wanted to, what kind of make up I would feel like wearing today….Now I have two kids that take plenty of my time, I have to do everything super fast!!!
I’m glad you had some time to pamper and get some cool goodies after your awful migraine! I like that Rene Furterer mask – I’d have to try it next time I’m feeling like splurging on something luxe. I just bought the Olay version of the Clarisonic (40 bucks versus 150 and does the same job), and can’t wait to try it tonight. I’ve been having some issues with cystic zits and am wondering if it could be either my Biotin supplement for my brittle nails or working out/working a lot. My “expensive” splurge in the past couple of weeks was the Body Shop’s body butter in Moroccan Rose. Love the scent, and it moisturizes like crazy.
The face mask sounds good but the perfume sounds amazing. I have to smell it asap! !! I have Rose the One from D&G and it is beautiful.
That hair mask sounds divine! I have yet to try a hair mask, but this one sounds promising. And I want to get my hands on that pefume now! I’m becoming a bit of a fragrance junkie, unfortunately.
My face is getting dry recently, irratiting even by toner. I do masks twice a week, and put sleep mask over night, it has not rescuing my face yet. I think the problem is caused by my morning routine. I am in a rush to my morning class, sometimes the only thing I put on my face is make up foundation. Lol, this makes me feel so tight after a long day, then I realize that I forgot to moisturize my face before make up. Winter is drying my skin as a hell, deadly want spring come.
Great post, Karen. I love the sound of that mask. And.. sometimes it’s all about the small things in life 🙂
Way to take time for yourself. Thankfully, I don’t get migraines but I know many people who do and it’s just awful. You definitely need to find a way to feel better after that. The hair mask sounds like a winner and I’m definitely going to give Desire a sniff. 🙂 Glad you’re feeling better! I’m off to So. Cal. tomorrow, which means better weather and proximity to a Sephora. Priorities, right?? 🙂
I’ve never tried that hair mask – I’m kind of hooked on Organix. What does it smell like? I know… but I need it to smell good and not like food.
You had me at Mandarin! I so need to try out D & G Desire!
Karen, don’t tease! Please please show us your mani with the new Estee shades! I grabbed my nail partner in crime and we headed to the counter the very day they came out! Her picks were Bittersweet and Diabolique, and me- I still can’t decide, but love Bittersweet, Nudite and So Vain(delicious gold micro shimmer!). Love them all! But today my bottle of Insatiable arrived from Estee and you weren’t kidding, it is love at first swipe. I change my polish to pick up my mood, so that is very often, sometimes daily! Rocking Insatiable now, which is unlike any color in my too big collection of lacquer. thanks for the tip for my tips! 😉
“near-epic hair days”?? Then I just have to try Karité as well!! 🙂 Are you still happy with it? I think that hair gets used to some products and the first wow-effect is vanishing… but thats just my experience.