August Beauty Favorites

August 31, 2020

BEAUTY FAVORITES: BEAUTY COUNTER BEYOND GLOSS | ATELIER COLOGNE CLEMENTINE CALIFORNIA | GLOW RECIPE WATERMELON GLOW TONER | ELEMIS SUPERFOOD GLOW PRIMING MOISTURIZER | ELEMIS SUPERFOOD AHA GLOW CLEANSING BUTTER | GOOD MOLECULES DISCOLORATION CORRECTING SERUM | FIRST AID BEAUTY EYE DUTY NIACINAMIDE BRIGHTENING CREAM

Summer is coming to an end and I’m back with my monthly beauty favorites! In today’s post, I’m sharing the latest skincare and makeup products that I discovered to be my favorites from the month of August. This includes a lip gloss with a responsibly source vanilla, a pore-minimizing toner that smells of juicy watermelon, a multi-purpose moisturizer that also works as a primer and a highlighter, a summer fragrance that is unisex and also can be continually used through the fall season! And more! Continue reading to learn more about these products along with where you can find them!

BEAUTY COUNTER BEYOND GLOSS

This gloss delivers high-impact shine and conditioning lip benefits, while taking transparency to the next level with ingredients that care for your lips—and the greater good. Formulated with a blend of waxes to lock in moisture (with no stickiness), this gloss delivers cushiony color and a sophisticated scent thanks to responsibly sourced vanilla. ECOCERT-certified organic vanilla from Madascascar, Beauty Counter’s supplier is committed not only to sourcing the highest quality of vanilla, but also to improving the quality of life for their community of farmers. This is definitely something I am on board with!

ATELIER COLOGNE CLEMENTINE CALIFORNIA

This scent contains notes of clementine from Italy, juniper berries from Turkey, and vetiver from Haiti. The fresh and fruity perfumes from across the world combine in this citrus cologne for men and women to create a summer scent that evokes sunshine, blue skies, and endless miles of sparkling beachfront. Perfect for those who love a citrus-based fragrance as well as those who love a fragrance that smells sweet but not too sweet and really fresh.

GLOW RECIPE WATERMELON GLOW PHA + BHA PORE-TIGHT TONER

Suitable for all skin types, this bouncy, alcohol-free toner is made with PHA and willow bark, a natural form of BHA, to help unclog pores while hydrating skin. Combined with watermelon, hyaluronic acid, and cactus water, it smooths without stripping skin of its moisture, for poreless, glowing skin. Due to cactus water and cucumber in the formula, scent is herbal with a fruity finish. I definitely noticed a significant reduction in my pore size after only using it for a couple of weeks.

ELEMIS SUPERFOOD GLOW-PRIMING MOISTURIZER

Turn up the brightness while hydrating skin with Elemis’ glow-getting Superfood Glow Priming Moisturizer. A radiance enhancing blend of kombucha and fermented ginger extracts helps to even out skin tone, while green tea seed oil and an active prebiotic help leave the complexion feeling soft, balanced and nourished. Enhanced with universally flattering light-reflecting minerals, the featherlight formula can be used as a radiance-enhancing moisturizer, a hydrating makeup primer and an illuminating highlighter.

ELEMIS SUPERFOOD AHA GLOW CLEANSING BUTTER

Packed with brightening AHAs and skin softening Mango Butter, this nourishing facial cleanser removes makeup, daily pollutants and daily grime to reveal a healthy-looking radiance. The buttery formula can be used as a daily cleanser, a deep cleansing mask or a hydrating makeup remover around the eyes and face for smooth and glowing skin.

GOOD MOLECULES DISCOLORATION CORRECTING SERUM

Formulated with an advanced form of tranexamic acid (cetyl tranexamate mesylate) and 4% niacinamide, this lightweight serum improves the appearance of age spots, acne scars, hyperpigmentation, and sun damage. It’s a great lightener but please note it takes a few weeks to start noticing results.

FIRST AID BEAUTY EYE DUTY NIACINAMIDE BRIGHTENING CREAM

This cream is formulated with peach micro-pearls to help the eye area appear dewy and revitalized, while sodium hyaluronate helps smooth and visibly plump. It is also formulated with niacinamide, pumpkin seed extract, and caffeine to help diminish the look of dark circles over time by targeting two key causes: skin pigmentation (brown circles) and puffiness (blue circles). I can literally see a difference as soon as I apply the brightening cream around my eye area, really amazing stuff!

LOVE & XX’S,

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A Slice of Summer Glow with These 6 Korean Beauty Products

May 21, 2019

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY GLOW RECIPE BUT ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.

With our first official hot day here in New York City yesterday, I got inspired to write up a post on how to achieve that radiant summer glow when it comes to our skin. But sans makeup. Makeup can help achieve the ultimate sun-kissed bronzy luminosity - but for some makeup is a no-no during the warmer seasons. Especially heavier coverage such as foundation. I love to have my skin breathe during this time of year to keep it healthy and fresh, so in today’s post I’m sharing 6 amazing Korean skincare products, all from the same brand, that will definitely give you a slice of that summer glow we all want.

WATERMELON GLOW ULTRA-FINE MIST

This ultra-fine, hydrating, fog-like mist is designed for ultimate skin radiance and makeup enhancement. It’s uniquely formulated with hibiscus flower which naturally contains AHAs to smooth the look of skin, apple cider vinegar (ACV) which naturally helps balance oil production, and rice germ oil which helps protect against free radicals. I have used it before applying makeup and it’s great, but I literally spray this on my face all day long even without makeup on. It smells like watermelon, so good in fact, my husband secretly loves it too! Refreshing, travel-friendly with very cute packaging, it’s my new favorite mist spray for summertime.

BLUEBERRY BOUNCE GENTLE CLEANSER

This hydrating, bouncy cleanser delivers all the antioxidant-rich benefits of blueberries while refining pores with hyaluronic acid and AHAs. The ultra-gentle formula is packed with nourishing oils to remove makeup with minimal rubbing. Skin is clear, radiant, and glowing without feeling stripped. During the warmer months, I prefer a gentle cleanser as I don’t want to use something too harsh for my sensitive skin. This cleanser is really my jam, and I love using it while traveling too when skin can wreck havoc even during the simplest of trips.

PINEAPPLE-C BRIGHT SERUM

Brighten up with pure pineapple juice, a potent, natural source of vitamin C, AHA, and bromelain enzymes. Blended with soothing chamomile, the serum retexturizes skin and evens tone. Glass Skin is the ideal skin look inspired by K-Beauty—so smooth and reflective that it looks like glass. Or that dewy glow effect. It’s the ultimate summer brightening serum - your face will literally look like a mannequin! But in a good way, ha ha! I also love how to chamomile is a red reducer - especially when it comes to breaking out. And how adorable is that bottle?!

WATERMELON GLOW PINK JUICE MOISTURIZER

This oil-free moisturizer calms, brightens, and perfectly preps skin for makeup, while antioxidants protect against environmental stressors to ward off fine lines and dark spots. Use day and night as a moisturizer for oily/combo skin or as a serum for dry skin. Its bouncy, gel-emulsion texture feels cool on contact and absorbs instantly. Perfect for the summer heat. It works best with the pineapple serum for that ultra glowing skin. Plus, the smell is intoxicating. It’s like your face guzzled down a glass of fresh watermelon juice!

AVOCADO MELT SLEEPING MASK

Intensely moisturize, firm, and brighten overnight. Oleic acid and linoleic acid-rich avocado helps to restore moisture and collagen in the skin, while the antioxidants and antibacterial properties of manuka honey refresh stressed out skin. PHAs provide a gentle exfoliation while you sleep. This avocado sleeping mask contains Kaolin Clay: This clay pulls impurities from the skin without causing redness or irritation; and absorbs excess oils, decongests pores, and diminishes shine. Skin is extremely smooth. Would recommend using only a little bit per use - in this case, less is more.

WATERMELON GLOW SLEEPING MASK

My favorite product out of the 6: It’s the first product I ever tried by Glow Recipe and I use it all-year round. This luxuriously bouncy, breathable sleeping mask refreshingly hydrates, smooths, and perfects skin overnight with a revolutionary pillow-proof, transfer-proof formula. The oil-free, lightweight, glow-boosting hybrid is formulated with ultra-soothing watermelon extract, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and gentle AHAs that work while you sleep to tone and clarify roughened, dull complexions. AHAs smooth the surface of the skin by banishing dead, rough surface cells, clearing the path for ultra-effective, lasting hydration, while hyaluronic acid binds moisture to the skin for an incredibly nourished complexion. Skin is baby-soft and bright in the morning, effortlessly.

LOVE & XX’S,

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July Beauty Favorites

July 30, 2018

JULY BEAUTY FAVORITES: DERMAdoctor® MED e TATE WIPES | DERMAdoctor® KP duty | 
LAURA MERCIER FACE ILLUMINATOR POWDER 'DEVOTION' | LAURA MERCIER FAN POWDER BRUSH | 
GUERLAIN ABEILLE ROYAL YOUTH WATERY OIL | GUERLAIN KISSKISS LIPSTICK 'HOT CORAL' | 
KÉRASTASE TOUCHE CHROMATIQUE 'COOL BROWN' | AMOREPACIFIC CREME FLUID | 
PYT BEAUTY NO BS EYESHADOW PALETTE

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY GUERLAIN, AMOREPACIFIC & LAURA MERCIER BUT ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.

My monthly roundup of beauty favorites is now live! I've mixed it up a bit in today's post, ranging from different items in skincare and makeup. In today's post, I'm featuring several on-the-go products ranging from a multi-purpose eyeshadow palette, antiperspirant wipes and even a hair color corrector. There are also a couple of beauty brands that I LOVE but just haven't had the pleasure of trying until now. One is Laura Mercier and the other is Guerlain! I even found my summer's moisturizer for those extra hot days, and trust me, you don't want to miss out on this creme! Continue reading to check out all the details plus reviews and as always, links to directly shop the beauty products featured in today's post.

DERMAdoctor® MED e TATE ANTIPERSPIRANT WIPES

MED e TATE your way to a blissfully dry existence with antiperspirant wipes that purify the being and help reduce embarrassing sweating and wetness. This patented harmonious union of antiperspirant therapy is fortified with botanicals to help create a supremely dry state of consciousness with a simple swipe. These wipes are a lifesaver, especially in the summertime when the temps rise. I find using a few wipes, one after the other helps on those extra hot days. I do notice a shine left from using them, but a little face powder takes that away. Great for people who sweat more than the average person, you can use them on your face, neck, underarms and on your hands.

DERMAdoctor® KP DUTY

KP Duty is an AHA moisturizing therapy for dry skin that contains a patented blend of glycolic acid, green tea extra and urea to help exfoliate, calm and hydrate skin. It helps to improve the appearance of parched skin and rough chicken skin bumps (like keratosis pilaris), leaving your skin feeling softer, smoother and more hydrated. This condition develops when the skin produces too much of a protein called keratin, which can block hair follicles and cause bumps to develop. The bumps are usually on the arms, thighs, cheeks, and buttocks. They're white, sometimes red, and typically don't hurt or itch. But they're annoying! I always get them during the summer and this is the ONLY lotion that helps get rid of these bumps! Highly recommended.

LAURA MERCIER FACE ILLUMINATOR POWDER 'DEVOTION'

A long-wearing, buildable and versatile highlighting powder that provides a natural-looking, radiant, allover glow. Laura Mercier Face Illuminator Powder highlights the skin with pure light-reflecting pigments for a color-true, multidimensional, and luminous finish that complements all skin tones. Its non-dusting texture allows for excellent color payoff and applies smoothly and evenly onto skin without dragging. Designed to complement all skin tones, the unique formula brings natural-looking radiance to the complexion for an instant glow that lasts up to eight hours.

LAURA MERCIER FAN POWDER BRUSH

"I developed this product to help women create a radiant look for themselves using a performance makeup artist tool that allows a buildable layer of shine from subtle illumination to extreme radiance." Laura Mercier A fan brush made to pick up and softly apply product onto the skin for a flawless application, I love that it's buildable to your liking. Some days I want that glow to be more subtle where others I want to pack that extra 'punch' to my skin. This brush has become an essential highlight brush in my makeup brush arsenal!

GUERLAIN ABEILLE ROYALE YOUTH WATERY OIL

Abeille Royale Youth Watery Oil offers the skin all the power of Guerlain-exclusive ingredients: Ouessant Black Bee Honey and exclusive Royal Jelly. This revolutionary formula combines the power of a serum, the richness of an oil and the freshness of a lotion. The skin appears instantly smoother, plumper and revitalized. Replenishing micro-drops of oil are released at the very last minute, leaving the complexion looking radiant. The skin feels incredibly silky and baby-soft to the touch. Shake the bottle. Take 2-3 drops of the oil. Apply morning and night to the face and neck before the cream, instead of, or before the serum. Bee products are some of the world's most effective natural healing substances. Guerlain Research has extracted their powerful active ingredients to create Abeille Royale: a skincare programme with a Repairing Concentrate that stimulates key skin repairing mechanisms, continuously helping to diminish wrinkles and maintain skin firm. Definitely an A+ in my skincare book.

GUERLAIN KISSKISS MATTE LIPSTICK IN HOT CORAL

Guerlain imagines KissKiss Matte, a hydrating and plumping matte lipstick, intense like a lipstick and comfortable like a balm. The subtle spice extract it contains gives the impression of voluminous lips while the precious oils and the hyaluronic acid smooth and hydrate them. KissKiss Matte offers 9 captivating shades for all special occasions. The iconic packaging is adorned with a golden matte veil. My favorite color for the summer is their 'Hot Coral' shade.

KÉRASTASE TOUCHE CHROMATIQUE IN COOL BROWN

Kérastase Touche Chromatiques - Cool Brown is an ink-in-care to mix in Masque Chromatique. It neutralizes unwanted red reflects for an enhanced cool brown. I use this product about once a week to keep my hair from looking too brassy. They have other color correctors for copper and red shades as well. It's perfect for those who don't have time to make a trip to the salon every few weeks. I try to go every two months if time allows it. This has been such a game changer in terms of color for my hair in between salon visits!

AMOREPACIFIC THE ESSENTIAL CREME FLUID

The Essential Crème Fluid offers the ultimate in green tea antioxidants for your skin. Each bottle contains 150 baby green tea leaves handpicked from the brand's green tea gardens. T-Essentials, a vital nutrient from green tea polysaccharides and green tea carotenoid, enhance and recover skin's moisture, texture, and flexibility. Neutra-Melting Emulsion Technology, the brand's exclusive technology, neutralizes oils from botanicals for all the nutrient-rich benefits in a silky texture. Micro Moisture Capsule Factor unlocks moisture deep within skin's layers and teaches skin to retain moisture more effectively.

PYT BEAUTY NO BS EYESHADOW PALETTE

Consider this your new go-to, on-the-go eyeshadow palette. 8 shades, including essential mattes and glam shimmer finishes (plus a mirror to do it on the fly). PYT knows you hate hitting the pan on your favorite base shades, so they've made them twice as big. Best of all, it is small enough to fit in any makeup bag (or your back pocket) so you can really take it with you. This is a perfect travel-sized palette because you don't have to take 8 different products, just one that fits more than just eyeshadow! Plus the eyeshadows are easily transitioned from day to night looks, so there's that as well. All in all, a total steal and at only $28!