Skin Care

Product Reviews: DHC Q10 Facial Film Soap; Olive Virgin Oil Swabs; Revitalizing Moisture Strips: Eyes

October 16th, 2007 by Karen 21 Comments

Have you heard of DHC? They’re a RAD Japanese skin and cosmetics brand where you can buy a bunch of stuff with no English on the packaging, but you always end up with something cool.

Their products are based on high quality olive oil and free of unnecessary coloring agents or irritating fragrances. I started using their products a few years ago when I bought my first bottle o’ Deep Cleansing Oil as a makeup remover. A big yay for those of us with sensitive skin!

Q10 Facial Film Soap

q10-faicial-film-soap

On my next trip I’ll be sure to take a box of Q10 Facial Film Soap. These portable, thin soap film squares are perfect for the girl (or boy!) on the go. Not only does the soap contain coenzyme Q10 to help fight visible signs of aging, I find that one sheet also does a great job of cleansing and removing all of my makeup at the same time. (You may need a separate cleanser if you wear heavier makeup though!)

Check out the magic in the works:

q10-facial-film-soap-sequence-1

This would be a great stocking stuffer for your friends who travel for work or play. One box of 40 sheets is usually $9.50, but right now it’s on sale for $7.00 on the dhccare.com Web site until November 30.

Olive Virgin Oil Swabs

dhc-olive-virgin-oils-swabs
At first I was a little skeptical about this product. One box contains 50 pre-packed, single use cotton swabs that are soaked with Olive Virgin Oil, DHC’s signature beauty oil extracted from organic Spanish olives. How useful can they really be?

Well, after just one week in my life, my tune has so changed, because this stuff is the shizz! I don’t think I can live without these! I am going to start hoarding these and I plan on keeping them in my car, at my desk at work and in my bathroom.

Use them to…

Clean up eye makeup mishaps
Don’t you hate it when you are just about finished with your eye makeup, and then you put on mascara and you end up with stray mascara marks on top of your carefully blending shadow?

This has been happening to me since I started using Plushlash mascara. I’ve been adjusting to the huge mascara brush, so for the past few days I’ve been Olive Virgin Oil Swabs to clean up stray mascara on my top lid. The best part about these swabs is that they lift off stray makeup without disturbing the makeup that you’ve already put on, so you don’t have to redo anything. A big fat HELL YEAH from this lazy makeup blogger!

If I don’t have a lot to clean up I’ll only use one side of the swab, and then keep the other covered half in a safe place in my makeup drawer for later use.

Moisturize dry skin
I pop open a swab when I need to moisturize my cuticles, or the sensitive areas around my nose which tend to dry out when I have a cold.

Clean stinky belly buttons
â€˜Nuff said.

On the wee babe
The swabs are gentle enough to use even on baby’s skin!

The swabs are really easy to use. You just grab one, twist in the middle, and voila!
dhc-olive-virgin-oils-swabs-sequence-1

Everyone I know will be getting a box of these in their stocking this year. Stock up now, because they are on sale for $3.00 until the end of October (they are regularly $4.00 for a box of 50 swabs…what a deal!)

Revitalizing Moisture Strips: Eyes

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Like the moisturizing gel in bliss’ jingle bell socks, DHC’s Revitalizing Moisture Strips: Eyes also contains a high-polymer gel which adheres gently to the skin to deliver a continuous supply of deep-penetrating nutrients. You can even leave the strips on all night for intensive conditioning!

I keep mine on for about an hour (here I am watching I Love NY 2 and cussing out that lame-o, Taylor Made, who conincidentally, wore a gel moisturizing mask before his date wity NY.)
taylor-made-revitalizing-eye-strips
They feel really great on and the skin around my eyes feels softer afterwards. These are also on sale too! One box of six applications is $5.00 (regularly $6.50) on the dhc Web site.

How are you doing on this rainy Tuesday? I hope that you stay dry and that you’re wearing some cute rain gear!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Product Reviews: Bliss snow wonder body butter; thinny thin chin; jingle bell socks

October 15th, 2007 by Karen 24 Comments

Follow your bliss…

According to the saying you should always “follow your bliss.” I wholeheartedly agree, especially when it comes to yummy smelling lotions and cute stocking stuffers.

Time and time again I’ve blabbered on about my obsession for bliss lemon & sage body butter. I love it so much that I always give a few tubes of it as gifts come Christmastime. This year, however, I’ll be stuffing les stockings with the new love of my lotion life, bliss snow wonder body butter.
snow-wonder
Snow wonder sinks easily into my skin, leaves my skin feeling soft and moisturized and the handy dandy tube is huge. The best part, though, is the smell! It’s really light, clean, feminine and a touch powdery. Infused with the scent of just-fallen snowflakes, snow wonder also has an uber-dose of good-for-your-skin antioxidant arctic berries, along with vitamins A and E and sodium hyaluronate. Give one tube to your best gal pal at work, and keep one for yourself! $35.00 for a 8.5 oz tube

Have you found your V Spot?

Oh you dirty birdy! Get your mind out of the gutter. Your V Spot consists of your neck area and your dÃ©colletÃ©, sections that are often overlooked in skin care.

Bliss has got your turkey neck covered, gobble-gobble (totally kidding!), with thinny thin chin, a light lotion designed to improve the appearance of neck lines and cleavage creases.
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I’m really picky about what I put on my neck because I can’t stand that area feeling sticky or icky. Thinny thin chin doesn’t leave a gross film like some moisturizers do, has a delicious citrus smell and is super moisturizing. I’ve been putting a thin layer on my neck and dÃ©colletÃ© area morning and night for the past few weeks, and I’m loving it. Pick up a bottle for your homegirl who you take bikini and jean shopping with you. $48 for a 50 ml bottle.

What the hell am I staring at?
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These, my friend, are my crazy bliss jingle bell socks. I put them on the other day as I lay on my couch, completely paralyzed for three hours by “Legally Blonde,” the musical. These bad boys contain a jelly-esque film that envelopes your tootsies in a moisturizing matrix of sole-softening goodness. The feeling of slipping these on is kind of like dating the weird, yet strangely hot nerd in your physics class; foreign, yet still very cool at the same time.
bliss-jingle-bell-socks
When I first put them on they feel cold and kind of rubbery, as if my feet are returning to the womb. But after a while my feet start feeling good. One pair of socks gives you 50 sessions of foot relaxation heaven. My mom is going to get a pair, because she’s always running around from makeup counter to makeup counter buying my presents come Christmastine (HEY MOM – CHANEL!). $48.00 for one pair.

Blah, it’s so wet and dreary here today! I guess it’s official, summer is truly gone, and fall, like I LOVE NY2, is now in the mother effing house.

Speaking of I LOVE NY2, I’m banking on “It” getting the boot today. And you better be on TEAM MIDGET MAC, girlfriend!

Enjoy this rainy Monday…if we worked together I’d totally take a tea break with ya this afternoon!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Makeup and Beauty Tips for Breast Cancer Patients: Staying Beautiful Inside and Out!; Product reviews – Bath & Body Works In Touch Breast Self-Exam Glove; Tarte’s Sweet Dreams Lipstick

October 12th, 2007 by Karen 32 Comments

Makeup and Beauty Tips for Breast Cancer Patients: Staying Beautiful Inside and Out!

This is a picture of my friend, Mary Anne. She’s a breast cancer survivor and the coolest dentist I know.

maryanne-headshot

We met a few years ago at UC Davis (GO AGS), where she had the annoying habit of getting good grades in organic chemistry!

It seemed like our lives were destined to follow a certain track: finish school, get great job, find kick-ass boy, etc.; so when she was diagnosed with breast cancer last year it was really shocking. It felt like it was only yesterday when we were at her house at 2:00 in the morning “studying,” aka pigging out and watching Jerry Springer.

Next thing I know we’re kickin’ it at the chemotherapy ward and making jokes about the IV she’s toting around.

Yet despite this difficult and emotional year, I’ve watched my friend handle this challenge with grace and positivity.

One of the many challenges for Mary Anne was navigating the world of makeup and beauty as a cancer patient. How do you deal with losing your eyebrows? What do you do when you feel a hot flash coming on? These are just a few makeup/beauty issues that she had to deal with.

So without further ado, here are a few great tips that she’s learned this past year on how to stay beautiful both inside and out.

And if you have a friend or a relative who has breast cancer or was recently diagnosed please forward this post to her. Let’s make someone feel hopeful today!

Makeup and Beauty Tips for Breast Cancer Patients and Survivors from the Lovely Mary Anne

Name
Mary Anne

Age and occupation
31 years old (My 31st birthday was very special. It happened to be my last day of radiation!)
Dentist
When were you diagnosed? How did you find out?

During a routine physical exam in October 2006, my primary care physician found a lump on my left breast. Prior to that, I had no idea it existed and never had any symptoms. Nine days later, the pathology report was in. I was in total disbelief when the doctor said “malignant invasive ductal carcinoma,” all I could do was cry.

After feeling the lump for the first time, I thought to myself, “It’s so obvious; I should’ve found it earlier! I did not do monthly breast exams and thought I was immune to cancer because I was young, strong, and heading to the top of my career. Cancer was NOT on my agenda. Little did I know, it was going to be my only agenda item for this year.

Self-breast exams are recommended every month after our menses. Palpating your breasts in the shower with soap is the perfect time to get to know your breasts. Be sure to lift your arm and check the underarm areas as well.

What are makeup/beauty tips that you’d give to a woman who has breast cancer to stay beautiful on the outside?

Here they are in order of importance! I had to figure most of this stuff on my own, so I thought I should share them all.

– Hydrate daily. Drink plenty of water and moisturize your body including your lips. I like Cetaphil and Eucerin products.

Cetaphil gentle skin cleanser, about $11 for 16 oz bottle, at your favorite drugstore

– When you feel tired, your body is telling you something. It’s saying REST, I’m tired!

– With clearance from your doctor, EXERCISE! If you are taking steroids to counter the side effects of chemo drugs, don’t be surprised if you find yourself a little plumper.

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– Eat healthy but don’t deprive yourself of an occasional treat. Ask your doctor to speak to a nutritionist. Some hospitals offer complimentary consults. If needed, you may also want to consider speaking with a cancer psychologist as well as a social worker to assist with financial aid and participation in cancer programs.

– FLOSS! See your dentist for regular dental care. Post chemo and radiation, I now have xerostomia (dry mouth) and gum recession. Some cancer patients also experience cold/canker sores. I recommend topical fluoride treatments (like Omnii Pharmaceutical’s varnish) and regular cleanings with clearance from your medical physician. Saliva acts as a buffer against the acidic environment that causes tooth decay; so lack of saliva (dry mouth) may result in increased cavities. Speak to your dentist about Biotene (for xerostomia), Periomed (which contains stannous fluoride), Prevention Oncology Rinses (found it in Walgreens, soothing to the tissues), and Colgate’s Orabase (it contains cyanoacrylate, the same stuff in crazy glue, it’s palliative for cold sores). Chew sugar free gum with xylitol. Brush twice a day.

floss-pimp

– Before your hair falls out, try a funky, new, bold short haircut to minimize messy floors and clogged drains. It was only two weeks into chemo that my hair started falling out in clumps. A very sweet hairdresser, Jessica, at Thirteen Salon in Walnut Creek, CA shaved my head. It was one of the most liberating things I have ever done.

Halle Berry with a short style
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Alyssa Milano with cute, short hair
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– Anastasia’s Eyebrow Kit. I was never one to draw in eyebrows. The kit has everything for a beginner — stencils, mascara, the perfect eyebrow brush and colors.

Anastasia Five Piece Brow Kit, $65.00, anastasia.net or Sephora
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– Find pretty nail polish. Chemo drugs such as Adriamycin and Cytoxin will turn your nails black. I prefer darker colors like OPI’s Lincoln Park After Dark and Mrs. O’Leary’s BBQ.

OPI’s Lincoln Park After Dark, $7.50 at Amazon.com
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– Treat yourself to a nice scarf. I found a classy large scarf at H&M for $8!

– Try NARS bronzer and blush. Apply a little bit to give yourself a healthy glow. It works!

Nars Orgasm Blush and Laguna Bronzer duo, $36 at Sephora
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– Attend Look Good, Feel Better, a seminar held by the American Cancer Society free of charge for cancer patients. They give $200-$400 worth of brand name cosmetics to each attendee. They also give free wig and make-up tips. Call your local society for more information.

– Carry hand sanitizer wherever you go.

– When a hotflash comes on, just imagine that you’re in a sauna and think peaceful thoughts. Get a meditation CD.

What beauty tips would you give to a woman who has breast cancer to stay beautiful and positive emotionally?

– Pray. Meditate. Yoga. Walk.

– This really helps: Whenever I was feeling down, I started to count my blessings. I thought of all the things I am thankful for i.e. mom, dad, sisters, brothers, nephew, relatives, friends, advances in health care, food on the table, plumbing, clean water, chocolate.

– Remember, life is worth every minute. You can choose your thoughts. Keep a positive attitude and if there is any time to erase negativity in your life, it’s NOW. Choose to LOVE LIFE and never lose HOPE. Plus, when your kids see you love life and do good for others, they will be happier and will contribute more to this beautiful world in their lifetimes. As you go through this challenge, you will be amazed by your strength, courage, and stamina. You will also be amazed by the resilience of your body.

– Growing up, I have always believed that there are virtues that no one can ever take away from me like integrity…same goes for your HOPE, FAITH, and your ability to LOVE.

– Forgive. Forgive. Forgive. Truly Forgive.

– SMILE, it doesn’t cost you anything.

– Dance, it doesn’t cost you anything.

– It’s okay to cry. It can be very cleansing. Lean on your family and friends for support.

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– Take a picture of your baldness. I wish I did.

– Do something good for yourself everyday.

– Meet other cancer patients and survivors. Make friends at the infusion center. Might as well make your 3-5 hour infusions pleasant.

Welcome to the sisterhood, sista! When you are done, you will come out with GRACE, SERENITY, and POWER! This is where true beauty is found in your heart and soul. There are people who are fighting for you and who want you to win this battle!

What are you looking forward to most in the next year?

I’m looking forward to enjoying family, friendships, life, more rigorous workouts, learning how to cook gourmet meals, travel, and mission trips. I’m looking forward to practicing dentistry again. I love my patients. Oh and, taking a picture with the kitty on this website.
fussy-tabby-closeup

More Fab Breast Cancer Awareness Products

It’s not too early to start thinking about stocking stuffers for Christmas! One gift I plan on getting all the women in my life is In Touch Breast Self-Exam Glove, which you can purchase at Bath & Body Works for $9.00.

bathandbodyworks-intouch-glove

This reusable glove reduces friction by 50% and increases sensitivity, so your fingers can glide smoothy across the breast during your monthly breast self-exam. This kit also includes complete exam intsructions, a monthly reminder calendar, and a pretty travel satchel for your glove.

I just tried this glove during my last breast self-exam and it really does make it easier. I now keep the kit in my bathroom and just check off date on the calendar so I can keep track of my exam dates. Every woman on my Christmas list is getting one of these!

Another great stocking stuffer is tarte’s inside out lipstick in the shade Sweet Dreams, which I reviewed a few weeks ago.
tarte-inside-out-lipsticks-zen-sweet-dreams

October is a great month to pick up this pretty dusty-pink rose lippie, because 20% of the retail sales will go to Young Survival Coalition, youngsurvival.org. You can purchase Sweet Dreams inside-out lipstick at Sephora stores nationwide.

Ladies, please do a monthly breast self exam and encourage the women in your life to do the same!

Hugs to you and to all the breast cancer survivors fighting to stay healthy.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Product Reviews, Fragrance, Skincare – Covet by Sarah Jessica Parker, Darphin Paris Azahar Cleansing Micellar Water; Face of the Day – Nix’ie Cosmetics Eye Shadow Palette

October 8th, 2007 by Karen 14 Comments

Yay or Nay? – Celeb Perfums

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The thought of most celeb perfumes makes me want to throw up in my mouth a little. I mean, let’s get real. If my net worth was a jillion dollars I wouldn’t be buying a $14.00 fragrance with my name on it if was kept in a locked glass cabinet at Walgreens.

Plus, I think it’s a touch presumptuous to think that the masses would want to go around smelling like you. If we really got a true whiff of Britney, chances are she wouldn’t emit the scent of “Loquat Fruit and Tonka Crystals.”

So when I got this wee bottle of Sarah Jessica Parker’s “Covet” I was more than prepared to haterade all over it, but a mix of curiosity and masochism drove me to place a few drops on my wrist. I waited and waited and waited for the eau de self-centered celebrity to kick in … but then was pleasantly surprised to find that I liked how it smelled. In fact, it actually smells pretty good — like lemons, your boyfriend’s sweater and baby powder brewed together in a cauldron for a really long time.

I am happy to declare that I don’t hate this! What’s your take on celeb perfumes? Got any guilty pleasures?

Product Review – Darphin Azahar Cleansing Micellar Water

darphin-cleansing-water
I’ve been on a makeup remover kick lately. I’m looking to feed my inner beast of laziness, so my mission is to find a product that that:

– removes long-wearing eye makeup easily
– doesn’t require an extra rinse of water
– smells good
– doesn’t dry out my skin

When I found Darphin, a French skin care line, I thought that I found pay dirt with their makeup remover for sensitive skin. Azahar Cleansing Micellar Water is a no-rinse formula that I apply with a soft cotton ball or pad, and it removes almost all of my makeup and doesn’t require an extra rinse of water. It doesn’t leave my face feeling taught or dry, and has a wonderful light, floral smell that is divine.

The downside? It’s pricey – $50.00 for a 6.7 fl oz bottle (I know, I know!) Also, while this removes most makeup it won’t remove long-wear products, like MAC Liquidlast liner.

It’s a wonderful, luxurious splurge though. Christmas is around the corner, so it might be a nice stocking stuffer for the makeup junkie in your life who has everything.

Face of the Day – A Light Purple Eye with the Nixie Eye Palette

A few weeks ago I posted pics of a beautiful shadow palette from Nix’ie Cosmetics. Here’s a FOTD I did with two of the shadows from that palette:
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On the eyes I used these two colors from the palette.
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And for the rest —
Makeup Forever Lift Concealer as shadow primer on lids
MAC Concrete and 266 brush for brows
MAC Plush Lash Mascara in Plushblack
MAC Select Moisturecover Concealer

Cheeks —
MAC Mocha Blush
MAC Emote Blush

Lips —
MAC Pink Treat Cremestick Liner
MAC Brew Lipstick
MAC Style It Up Lipglass

Face —
Laura Mercier Oil-free foundation
MAC Invisible Set Powder

This colors in this palette have varying levels of color payoff. It was especially evident when I tried it with different shadow bases. I tried MAC Paint, MAC Paint pot and liquid concealer. The concealer grabbed the shadows best and gave the most color payoff and ease of blendability.

I like the colors in this palette for either a sheer wash of color or as a pop of color to line the upper and lower lash line. I’ve been reaching for it often, especially on my 10-minute makeup days.

How was your weekend? I barely spent time inside the house because it was so beautiful outside. It pains me to know that rainy and gloomy weather is right around the corner.

El hub and I went into the city on Saturday night for the opening night of Litquake, a yearly literary festival held in San Francisco. The evening was a tribute to San Francisco author Armistead Maupin, author of Tales of the City and The Night Listener. Several of his closest friends, including actress Laura Linney and Judd and Pam (ha!) from the Real World San Francisco, were there to read from his works and tell stories about him.

Anyway, enjoy your Monday! Another week – and another chance to make a new start, right?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Product Reviews, Drugstore Beauty Finds – Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream, Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser, Almay Moisturizing Eye Makeup Remover Pads, Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash

October 2nd, 2007 by Karen 16 Comments

Drugstore Beauty Grab Bag

If you spent a little too much at the MAC counter this weekend, you know I feel your pain. What’s a girl to do when she’s got limited dollars in her beauty budget? One of the ways I like to balance the costs of my beauty dollars is to mix department store and drugstore products. I don’t think cost is necessarily an indicator of a product’s effectiveness – it could be all just part of the marketing scheme, for all I know.

I like to prowl Rite Aid and Long’s for skin care and body care products, especially. Here are a few that currently are in heavy rotation!
olay-regenerist-micro-sculpting-cream
Product: Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
Use: As an anti-aging cream that smoothes skin, lifts sagging eras and restores elasticity
Price: $24.00
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B

What I liked about it:
– Great light, fruity scent
– Non-sticky product texture that’s thick but doesn’t leave a sticky film on my face and neck
– Very moisturizing
– A little goes a long way, and you don’t need to use a lot of it.

What I didn’t like about it:
– Can’t positively say if it actually helped to lift or restore elasticity
– Jar packaging isn’t convenient, I wish it came in travel-friendly pump form.

Somebody once asked me what my anti-aging secret was, and I told them that it was a combination of immaturity and sunscreen. My sunscreen choice since I was a teenager has been Olay Complete. I’ve always had good luck with Olay products and love trying anything that they come out with because I’ve been a long-term user of the brand, so I got the chance to try Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream I was stoked. Get me on that Olay train!

I have to say the biggest thing about this cream is that it smells and feels great. The scent is light but not overwhelming or chemical. It’s light and fruity and a pleasure to put on at night. The texture of the product once applied to my skin is also great. I don’t like the sticky feeling some lotions have — I especially can’t stand having a sticky neck, yuck! But this cream leaves my skin feeling dry and moisturized.

The active ingredients are an amino-peptide complex and an intracellular fortifier made up of hyaluronic acid. Like with other anti-aging products that I’ve tested, I can’t really say if Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream actually lifted sagging areas and restored elasticity. It’s really hard to quantify, especially if you don’t have lots of areas sagging areas to start with (gimme a few years though, ha!)

The biggest points with this cream are that I like the texture, scent and the fact that it does provide excellent moisturization.

You might like it if:
– You are a fan of the Olay brand
– You like your moisturizers to feel dry and not sticky after application
– You need a heavier moisturizer on your face and neck.

neutrogena-fresh-foaming-cleanser
Product: Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser
Use: As combination foaming cleanser and makeup remover
Price: $7.00 for a 6.7 fl oz pump bottle
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B

What I liked about it:
– Removes all types of makeup quickly and thoroughly
– Great price
– Handy pump-top packaging

What I didn’t like about it:
– Weird plastic-y smell
– Too drying for me, left my skin feeling tight

Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser is the Casanova of all quick-acting makeup removers. It takes it off. It takes it all off. And it does it faster than you can say “get naked Christian Bale!”

Ya’ll know that I’m often in a hurry, so I have a weak spot for products that work quickly. Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser is a combination makeup remover and cleanser, and the best part about it is that it removes foundation, powder and most eye makeup (you’ll need something to supplement if you use Liquidlast or Fluidline) lightening fast. It doesn’t hurt my eyes and rinses away without leaving a film on my skin. And it didn’t break me out, yay!

However I find that it’s just way too drying for my face, and after I rinse off within a few minutes my skin feels tight. Also, when I first started using it I noticed the cleanser had a strong plastic-smelling scent. It did fade away after a few uses, though.

You might like this if:
– You are a teenager or in your 20s and have oily skin that can tolerate stronger cleansers and doesn’t dry out easily
– You live in a humid climate
– You are lazy like me!

almay-eye-moisturizing-eye-makeup-remover-pads
Product: Almay Moisturizing Eye Makeup Remover Pads
Use: To remove waterproof eye makeup and longwearing lip color
Price: $6.00 for 80 pads
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A

What I liked about it:
– Didn’t break me out
– Cheap, and you get a lot (80 pads) for your money
– Removes everything (Liquidlast did take a little work, though)
– Pads are soft and non-irritating
– Pads are thoroughly soaked with product

What I didn’t like about it:
– Need to rinse off with water
– Makes my eyes a little blurry (!) temporarily

So cheap. So effective. So lovin’ this!

I’ve been using Neutrogena Ultra-Soft Eye Makeup Remover Pads and Almay’s pads blow those pads right out of the water. Almay Moisturizing Eye Makeup Remover Pads are softer, contain more eye-making removing product and work faster. I use fewer swipes to get remove long-wearing products like MAC Mattene Lipstick and MAC Liquidlast Liner. You also get so much more for your money. I can easily stretch this jar out by cutting the pads in half.

Sometimes I get the occasional small pimple in the browbone area because I tweeze so I was nervous about how oily this product is. So far it hasn’t broken me out, knock on wood.

The only downside so far is that I can’t just use these pads and go. I have to do a final rinse off to remove the oil, the makeup, everything. Plus, my eyes get a little temporary blurriness, but that seems to always happen to me when I use oil-based cleansers.

Oh, and FYI, the main ingredient in this is mineral oil, so if you are sensitive Almay Moisturizing Eye Makeup Remover Pads might not work for you.

Despite the negatives I would definitely purchase this again. A Makeup and Beauty Blog Winner!

You might like this if:
– You wear long-wearing cosmetics
– You like oil-based removers
neutrogena-body-clear-body-wash

Product: Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash
Use: To clear body pimples
Price: about $7.00
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A++++

What I liked about it:
– Nice, light smell
– Dried up existing body pimples, yet didn’t dry out my skin
– Helped prevent additional pimples
– Thick formula that builds to cushiony foam

What I didn’t like about it:
– Not much, however I wish it was cheaper

Sweet jeebus this stuff saved my ass, literally. Notice how this bottle is almost halfway empty? That’s because I used it for a month to cure the acne that developed on my shoulders, back and bum (BOO!) after road testing Curls Milkshake. (And I have to say one more time — it could’ve also been the new medication I was taking, I can’t say for sure if it was that hair product.)

The active ingredient in Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash is salicylic acid, which normally doesn’t do much in terms of pimple treatment/prevention on my face. It was a frickin’ miracle on my body though, and cleared up the handful of existing pimples quickly while preventing new ones from forming.

I was worried about the formula being too drying on the rest of my skin but that wasn’t the case at all. I just applied it onto my hands and washed without a bath puff or exfoliating gloves because I didn’t want to irritate my skin. The scent is light, and the formula builds up foam nicely. Love. This. Stuff.

You might like it if:
– You play a lot of sports and have to deal with body acne
– You are pregnant and your hormones are going nuts and you’re experiencing body acne
– You are a beauty blogger with sensitive skin who insists on testing mystery products

Drugstore Beauty Product True Confessions!
neutrogena-visibly-even-1
You might be wondering why you’re staring at this mangled tube of Neutrogena Visibly Even Foaming Cleanser. Well, I finished this bottle last week and could no longer squeeze any more product out of it. Instead of throwing it out I used some scissors to cut the top off. It was like Christmas, ya’ll! Inside was at least three more days worth of cleanser. I dug my little fingers in and just replaced the top back on the tube. You know I like to get my money’s worth!
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Now don’t you feel smart?

Today is another gorgeous day in Northern California! I can’t wait to go out and go running today. The fall days here in Nor Cal are beautiful. The weather is warm with a slight crisp in the air, and the leaves are starting to change colors. If you ever travel to San Francisco late September/early October is probably the *best* time to visit.

How are you doing this Tuesday? I hope that wherever you are that you’re feeling good and lookin’ HOT!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

News: Nix’ie Cosmetics Palette, Blissmobile + Brownies in San Francisco, October 3-21st; Makeup – Chanel Garden Party Quad Lust

September 25th, 2007 by Karen 16 Comments

Nix’ie Palettes are Too Sexy for This Blog

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SoCal girls may already be in-the-know about Nix’ie, a cosmetics line with two free-standing stores in Redondo Beach and Valencia, California. I met a makeup artist recently who raved about their shadows with a great and fanatic urgency! Nix’ie sells these awesome palettes for $9.00, and you can fill â€˜em up with any of their 200 (!) shades, which you purchase separately. Each shadow pan is $15.00 and the pans are quite large, too.

I’m becoming a huge fan of palettes and can’t wait to bust into this one.

Blissmobile + Free Brownies = Hell to the Yeah

In addition to being afraid of bright pink and orange eye shadows, I have a fear of vans —
especially white, windowless, kidnapper-friendly ones.
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When you stare at this van, do you think of puppies and rainbows? Probably not. You know that whenever a white van is in the equation nothing good can happen.

Despite this, I realize not all vans are scary dens of hell. Take for example the blissmobile, a happy-go-lucky vehicle that makes me want to solve some crimes with Fred, Velma and the rest of the Scooby gang.
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Don’t be scurred when you see the blissmobile cruising the streets of San Francisco from the Ferry Building to the Castro Street Fair between October 3-21st. No kidnapping will be involved, just some brownie taste testing! Bliss is on a mission to find the best brownies in SF to serve at their San Francisco spa, and they’re taking it to the streets. They’ll be passing out brownie samples from three bakeries, and then you’ll get to choose which one you like the best on the spot.

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Free brownies, hello?

(And if you’re not familiar with bliss products, then you need to stop by Sephora or Pure Beauty stat and get yourself a tube of lemon + sage body butter. It rocks!)

Stay tuned for more bliss news in October, as I’ll be heading to the bliss spa to get a much-needed manicure.

Lusting for Chanel’s Fall Color Line
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I’m going to Macy’s next week to get a makeover from a Chanel national artist, and I can already forsee where the hell this party is going. I am determined to go that counter and purchase the Garden Party Quad ONLY. Yup. That’s it. Nothing else.

It’s like when a boy at a college party puts down his red plastic cup (full of Natty light keg beer) and looks longingly into your eyes and says, “Let me give you a massage.” Ya’ll know that you are gonna get more than just a massage, ladies and gents.

Anyway, it’s Tuesday (woo hoo) and sunny and beautiful here! I hope that wherever you are that you can enjoy the sunshine on this fantastic day. Keep smiling!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Product Reviews: Neutrogena Ultra Soft Eye Makeup Remover Pads, Juice Beauty Green Apple Nutrient Eye Cream, LIERAC Paris Dioptigel and Dioptecerne; Just for Fun: The Hills Quiz

September 17th, 2007 by Karen 5 Comments

The Hills Have Eyes

“Staring at the blank page before you, open up the dirty window…”

If you have any clue to what this quote is, then you know that it’s Monday, and Monday means that The Hills is on tonight!

(And girl … if I had a dollar for every time I stared at a blank page before me I’d be one rich woman.)

I love all of The Hills ladies, but has anyone else noticed that many of the characters are looking a lil’ ragged around the eyes? I guess those late nights at Area and Les Deux are starting to take their toll. Hmmm…maybe I can give them some help with a few eye products that I’ve been moved by lately. Let me reach into my MONDAY BEAUTY GRAB BAG OF AWESOMENESS, where all the products rock my world (and hopefully will rock yours soon enough.)
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MONDAY GRAB BAG OF AWESOMENESS #1:
Neutrogena Ultra Soft Eye Makeup Remover Pads
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I don’t hide the fact that I’m one lazy bastard. What can I say? I like any type of makeup shortcut that makes my life easier; it gives me more time to do productive things like obsess over The Hills.

Lately I’ve been on a mission to find an eye makeup remover worthy of replacing my former holy grail Sephora FACE Eye Makeup Remover, which was recently reformulated and thus turned into useless crap.

Neutrogena’s Ultra Soft Eye Makeup Remover Pads are on their way to holy grail status. These plush round pads are a makeup remover and cotton pad in one. They smell good, and most importantly, take everything off – even Fluidline. I’ve even used this to remove Fluidline on my waterline and it doesn’t irritate or scrape at all. One jar has 30 pads and is about $6-$7, but you can make it last longer it by cutting each pad into fourths.

MONDAY GRAB BAG OF AWESOMENESS #2:
Juice Beauty Green Apple Nutrient Eye Cream
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Juice Beauty’s Green Apple Nutrient Eye Cream packs a lot of moisturizing punch. My skin has been dry and tight because the weather is changing, so I’ve been using this for the last two weeks on my eyes and around my mouth. It hydrates like crazy, feels thick but not greasy and doesn’t break me out. It’s $35 for a 0.5 fl oz jar with pump. Yes, the price is kinda steep but I find I barely need to use any, two to three drops tops, to get all the moisturization I need.

MONDAY GRAB BAG OF AWESOMENESS #3:
LIERAC Paris Dioptigel and Dioptecerne
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What is it with the French? They dominate in the cream sauce arena, the dessert arena, and arguably with skin care.

LIERAC is a new line from Paris, and dangit if I’m not already in love. The line is all about “botanicals” and “active plant synergy”, musical words to a former bontanist wanna-be.

Dioptigel is a “Reducing Gel” for undereye bags (Hello, LC) and is a yellow gel that comes in an aluminum tube. The texture is smooth without being sticky and it has a faint plant-y smell. I’ve only been using this for a week so I can’t really attest to the undereye bag reduction properties (and I don’t really have bad bags to start with), but I love how the gel instantly sinks in and feels like it’s tightening and hydrating. It’s active ingredients are plant based: ivy, horsetail, chamomile and alchemilla. $29.00 for a 0.3 fl oz tube.

Diopticerne is a “Treatment Cream” for dark circles (um…Hello, LC?!?!). It too, has lots of lovely plant ingredients like Arnica, Butcherbroom and Vitamin E. Like Dioptigel, I’ve only been using this for a week so I can’t tell the difference the darkness of my circles (the product insert says to use it for at least a month). The texture is a light cream that smells clean and absorbs easily. $29.00 for a 0.16 fl oz tube.

You can check out LIERAC at CVS or the beauty.com website.

Grab Your Black Liner and Let’s Go to Les Deux – The Hills Eye Makeup Quiz

So how well do you know the girls of The Hills? It’s time to get your Nancy Drew on. Guess each character’s eyes and leave your answers in the comments section.

C’mon, you know you wanna!

#1
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#2
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#3
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#4
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#5
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#6
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I hope your Monday is off to a fantastic start, and that you’re smiling and happy.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

News – Upcoming Beauty Events in San Francisco — Neiman Marcus Beauty Event September 6-17; Laura Mercier Beauty Bootcamp September 12-15; Juice Beauty Launch at Sephora September 6; Interview with Juice Beauty

September 4th, 2007 by Karen 2 Comments

Get Yer Spend on at the Neiman Marcus Beauty Event in San Francisco: September 6-17 from 10-5 p.m.

Bring your product lust and your wallet to Neiman Marcus for their fall beauty event! Spend $100 on cosmetics/beauty and you’ll get a tote full of beauty goodies (past bags included products from La Prairie and Jo Malone). In addition to the goody bag some beauty brands will also include a gift with purchase. I’m looking forward to hitting the BECCA counter — they’ll be giving away a free full size Glossy Lip Tint in Mamilla and a full size CrÃ¨me Eye Colour in Antique Gold (valued at $49).
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I Love Laura and So Can You at the Laura Mercier Beauty Bootcamp at Neiman Marcus: September 12-15

I’ve gushed on and on about Laura Mercier foundation on this blog, so if you’re curious about the line and want to go to the Neiman Marcus beauty event in San Francisco you might want to plan your visit around one of these four “beauty bootcamps” with with Katy Messer, a Laura Mercier National Artist. Register for a one-on-one lesson for any of these workshops:

Â·Wed, September 12- Fresh Fall Trends: Perfect Everyday Eye, Luscious Lips

Â·Thur, September 13- Achieving your own Flawless Face, 5 minutes to Flawless Skin

Â·Fri, September 14- Architecture of a Flawless Brow

Â·Sat, September 15- Your Best Evening Eye: Transitioning from Work to Wow!

Not only will you get a beauty lesson, you can also bring home some serious beauty loot.

Bringing home some serious beauty loot 101:
1. Spend enough bucks at the Laura Mercier counter and to snag get the Neiman Marcus goody bag.
2. In addition Laura Mercier will also be giving away a 6 piece gift-with-purchase available (but only for a limited time).
3. Call the counter at (415) 362-3900 or email kari dot mcmullin at lauramercier dot com to make your reservation. Mention that you saw the ad on Craigslist (which is where I found this info) to also receive a free CrÃ¨me Brulee body soufflÃ© and honey bath duo ($65.00 value)!

And girrrrlll…don’t leave the premises without snagging some Secret Brightening Powder! Seriously, it will change your life.

Juice Beauty Launch at the San Francisco Sephora on September 6th

Juice Beauty is doing a special launch for their new body products on Thursday, September 6th from 8:30-10:00 am at the San Francisco Sephora Store on Powell Street!

Get a sneak peek of their new Organic Green Apple Body Brilliance Collection, which includes Green Apple Mousse Body Cleanser, Green Apple Body Peel and Green Apple SPF 20 Antioxidant Body Moisturizer.

CEO/”Head Juicer” Karen Behnke will be there to give an organic beauty update. Oh, and the’ll have plenty of organic antioxidant-rich juices, snacks and hand treatments. YUM!

You can rsvp via email: Alyssa at juicebeauty dot com or by phone, (415) 457-4600 X 232.

Q&A with Juice Beauty CEO Karen Behnke

If you haven’t heard of Juice Beauty yet, I’m sure it’s only a matter of time. This up-and-coming beauty company focuses on organic skin and body products, which are good for your skin and good for the planet, yay. The brand is quickly gaining a cult following among the Hollywood elite; Kate Hudson is a fan and gushed over Juice Beauty products recently in Harper’s magazine.

Makeupandbeautyblog.com recently sat down with Juice Beauty’s CEO and “head juicer” Karen Behnke to get the lowdown on her favorite Juice Beauty products and the company’s plans for the future.

Makepandbeautyblog.com: Juice Beauty is on its way to becoming a well-recognized brand in the beauty world. What do you think is the key to your continuing success?

Karen Behnke: I think the key to our continuing success is our products. We’ve just developed unbelievable formulations and I think people are really interested in products that work and are organic…Our goal is to provide the healthiest, most highest efficacy products for women and men. And at the same time we’re helping the planet because we’re support all of our organic farmers and we use recycled packaging.

We use 100% organic juice base, which is very expensive, and it’s jammed with antioxidants, polyphenols, vitamins, minerals and all of the things that will really feed your face. To that we add over 60 organic ingredients and also high age-defying types of ingredients.

MBB: What’s your favorite product from the line?

KB: Oh! That’s hard for me to say, but I can give you a couple ties!

[One of my favorites] is the cleansing milk. It’s just so luxurious and rich. It takes off all of your makeup and I just love it.

And my favorite treatment product is our Green Apple Peel. It’s what we’re really known for. Our Green Apple Peel has powerful alpha and beta hydroxy acids and it’s an immediate result type of benefit. Immediate!

MBB: What’s so special about it?

KB: It’s a powerful exfoliator, and a peel that you do once a week.

MBB: Any other favorites from the line?

KB: My favorite moisturizer is our Green Apple Antioxidant Moisturizer. It’s rich, rich, and has all of the age defying ingredients. And I have to add my favorite [sunscreen] is the SPF 30 Mineral Light Moisturizer, and that’s what I put all over in the morning. Face, neck, hands, you name it. It’s a chemical-free, organic, full UVA-UVB sun protection, and it’s anti-oxidant rich pomegranate, and we tint it with minerals so it gives light coverage. You just put one moisturizer on in the morning and it provides full coverage, and offers a little bit of light foundation. I’ve never worn foundation in my life, but this makes you really glow.

MBB: Sounds pretty! Do you have one color for all skin tones or multiple shades?

KB: We have three different shades.

MBB: What products do you think are good intro products for people new to the line?

KB: Our best intro products are our kits. We have our Organics To Go kits, which a great sampling of a lot of our products, and for $29.00 you can sample 5 products. Our other great kit is our Organics To Clear Skin, and that’s our blemish regimen. It’s a step-by-step kit [which includes] our Cleansing Gel and Blemish Clearing Serum, one of our best sellers.

MBB: What’s the active ingredient?

KB: It’s gentle salicylic acid/willow bark …It really keeps your skin clear. [And our kit also includes] our Oil-Free Moisturizer and our Sensitive Green Apple Peel. That’s about a three month’s supply and that’s $39.00 for a sampler.

MBB: You guys are growing fast. Where would you like to see Juice Beauty in five years?

KB: Well, we are the organic prestige leader right now in the United States. And we want to certainly maintain that position, but we’re growing quickly internationally, so our goal is to become the worldwide organic prestige leader in skincare. And we’ve just branched into body care.

MBB: Do you have any plans to expand into makeup?

KB: We have some tints in our moisturizers, and we have some lip cover, but other than that we probably won’t go into makeup. We’ll probably just keep going into body and then probably next would be hair.

MBB: What on piece of advice would you give women entrepreneurs who are starting out in the beauty industry?

KB: I would say the most important thing is to follow your passion. And within the beauty aspect of that is to find out where your passion is within beauty and just really follow it. Our passion here is organic and in efficacy, and so we really work hard at trying to find pure organic ingredients that really work.

Interested in checking the products out? Head to your nearest Sephora store or visit their Web site, juicebeauty.com.

Can you believe our weekend is over? I didn’t really do much except work on some writing and watch a few movies, which is just how I wanted it. =) I could probably use at least two more days of relaxation though! Keep up the good fight and remember to look on the bright side – at least it’s a short week, right?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. MUCH LOVE to all the beauty bloggers heading to NY for the shows! I wish I could be there with you. =)