Shu Uemura Faves
6/11/13

For many years, Shu Uemura was a somewhat obscure beauty brand with a single must-have product that was splashed in magazines from Vogue to US Weekly: the eyelash curler. Pretty much every fashion editor and starlet raved about the curler, which has since gained global cult status. 

Shu Uemura was raised in Japan and began his journey into the world of beauty through Japanese film and TV. After leaving Japan for the U.S., he contributed his talent and passion in films such as Geisha, starring Shirley MacLaine. Stars and filmmakers took notice, and he started his brand with a single product (cleansing oil) in the 60's. I imagine Hollywood stars loved and trusted Mr. Uemura to create a product that thoroughly removed heavy-duty film makeup, and left the skin moisturized. After researching him and the company's history for this post, I'm drawn to his philosophy, which was classic and timeless: "Beautiful makeup starts with beautiful skin." 

(click photo to enlarge)

After purchasing my first Shu Uemura eyelash curler, I immediately knew it wasn't just hype. My puny, seemingly nonexistent blonde lashes (curse of the redheads) were instantly transformed and primed for mascara application. Where the heck did these lashes comes from?! And the perfect curl?? I was hooked. A limited-edition gold version was all the rage, and of course I had to have it. Sadly, eyelash curlers should be replaced about every six months. They naturally get bent, and no longer provide the same perfect results. Fortunately, the curlers are $20. We're talking $3 + change a month for gorgeous lashes. Each box contains a shiny new curler and a replacement silicone pad, as they wear out faster than the curlers (replace the pad after three months). 

I once popped into Barneys while living in Manhattan to purchase a replacement curler. The sales associate remarked on my unique eye color <blush> and how the Eye Lights pencil would really "open them up." The pencil is double-sided, with matte and pearl whites. She began in the corner of my eyes with the white side, and gradually smoothed the pencil up to the innermost corner of my eyelid. She then flipped the pencil around and used the pearl side on the lower corner underneath my eyes, just to the beginning of my lashes. I looked in the mirror and was blown away. This doesn't happen often. It literally changed how I do my eye makeup to this very day. My face lit up (no pun intended), and I get compliments about this liner/eye highlighter frequently. It takes just a few moment to make your eyes look gorgeous with the curler, the Eye Lights highlighter and some mascara. See bottom right photo (above) in which I used both the curler and pencil with Diorshow Black Out mascara. 

Intrigued yet? Well there's good news and bad news for those of us in the U.S. The good news is the products rock and you can order them...online. The bad news is L'Oréal (the evil empire who repeatedly acquires brands I love and makes poor decisions), pulled the brand out of all but seventeen countries- leaving U.S. residents without tangible products to check out in person. While the ability to purchase online is a relief to brand devotees, they've handicapped themselves to new consumers who don't have access to samples or the retail experience. What girly girl doesn't love a makeup counter?! Oh well. You can purchase my favorites on their website. And check out the rest of the brand. I'm placing the cleansing oil and some lip gloss into my online cart as we speak! Both are supposed to rock hard. They're also known for their false lashes, but I've yet to venture down that beauty path. For those of you who know me well, imagine for a moment me working with glue around my eyes. Yeah, no. 

My verdict? I've tried pretty much every dept. store brand's eyelash curlers from MAC to Chanel, and nothing even comes close. If you buy one product, this should be it. If you like the effect of the Eye Lights Pencil, I highly recommend it as well, and it lasts me nearly a full year with daily use. 

- Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler is $20 and includes an extra silicone pad
- Shu Uemura Eye Light Pencil (White) is $19

Both available through Shu Uemura. 

Summer Hair Care: Part II
6/10/13

Okay. So we've covered our summer hair care basics with shampoo, conditioner, and deep conditioning and repairative treatments. But now what? I don't know about you, but I'm not one of those girls who can go without product in my hair. Whether I wear it straight or wavy/curly, I need hair help. I want it sleek and humidity-proof when worn straight, and frizz-free and "natural" when it's wavy. And by natural I mean appearing effortlessly beachy and pretty.

If I'm using any heat-styling products like a hairdryer, flat-iron or hot rollers, I always protect my hair with Kérastase Nectar Thermique. It's my foundation for other styling products, and I swear by this stuff. Since it has a creamy consistency, it's easy to mix together with other products. One bottle lasts about four months, depending on hair length, thickness, and blowout frequency. More about this gem with product descriptions in a moment. 

One of my go-to products for many years has been Moroccan Oil. I need to get specific here, because there are tons of dupes on the market. The original brand is one word- Moroccanoil. As you can see in the photo, I purchased a travel size bottle many moons ago and have since reused it dozens of times. The travel size is a total ripoff, but I wouldn't trust a random container to hold this stuff, and I certainly don't take chances with oil getting all over my toiletries when traveling (a lesson you only have to learn once). Imagine for a moment attempting to clean up an entire toiletry bag that's been covered by a water-repelling oil. Not a good time. The large bottle with a convenient pump lasts at least 6 months on long, thick, naturally curly/wavy hair. If it's humid (hello, Jersey & NYC summers) I use a quarter of Nectar Thermique to protect my hair from the hairdryer, add three pumps of Moroccan Oil, mix together in my hands and run my fingers through my hair from roots to ends. If you like your hair extra straight and sleek, add another drop to your palm, rub between your hands, and apply to your dry hair. Follow by using a flat-iron, et voilà! Sleek, straight, frizz-proof summer hair. A word to the wise: don't overdo it with the oils. It's a fine line between sleek and lacquered. 

Another go-to heat and humidity fighting product is Kérastase Elixir Ultime. My stylist uses this on my hair at the salon along with Kérastase Nectar Thermique, but I always worried it would be too light (i.e. frizz!) for me to use at home. Hey, it's not easy using a round brush on the back of your own head! I always loved how light and sexy my hair looked when I'd get a blowout at the salon, so I decided to give it a whirl at home on my own. I put the Nectar Thermique in the palm of my hand, use about 2-3 pumps of the Elixer Ultime, mix together and run through my hair with my fingers from roots to ends. While the process is pretty much the same as Moroccan Oil, the outcome is quite different. This definitely isn't for the 95+ degree humid NYC summer days, but works perfectly for Portland summers which are hot, but generally not humid. The scent is amazing, and it makes my hair smooth and bouncy. Definitely sexy, movie star hair. 

Now I'm going to talk about those summer days when you're sweating two minutes after walking outside. I'm talking to you, Northeast dwellers. The type of day where you just want to throw your hair up in a ponytail and forget about it. Davines No. 14 Sea Salt Primer is fantastic for taming waves and air drying on those days you just want to give up. I've had great success towel drying my hair, running a few pumps of either Moroccan Oil or Elixer Ultime, then liberally spritzing my locks all over with this Sea Salt Primer. It manages to give me beachy waves without being crunchy or stiff. I definitely advise "guiding" your waves with your fingers as it dries. If you see any (gasp) errant frizz, simply use a single pump of Elixer Ultime once your hair has dried. This will be my summer hair lifesaver this year. The Sea Salt Primer can also be used on dry hair, making it a perfect product post-swim or for touch-ups anytime. 

My verdict? All four products are fantastic, and all four serve different purposes depending on your preferences. They last so long that the prices are reasonable. I recommend mixing and matching and having fun with it. And don't forget cute headbands! They've become my summer hair crutch, and actually look really cute. Much more chic than a sloppy updo. Check out the hair accessories boutique at Henri Bendel for a massive selection with prices from $25. Something for everyone. 

- Moroccanoil is $43 for 3.4 fl. oz. and $16.60 for 0.85 fl. oz. 

- Kérastase Nectar Thermique is $42 for 5 fl. oz.

- Kérastase Elixie Ultime is $54 for 4.2 fl. oz.

- Davines N°14 Sea Salt Primer is available through salons only. I think I paid around $40 for an 8.45 fl. oz. bottle

Available at Moroccanoil, Kérastase, & Davines through salons click link for salon locator). 

Summer Hair Care: Part I
6/7/13

Ah, summer. Longer days, warm nights, vacations, picnics, swimming and water sports, convertibles, and lots of time outdoors soaking up the glorious sun. A time to savor time with friends and family doing all the summertime activities we enjoy. It's also a time we slather on a higher SPF, and often change the types of products we use on our faces and bodies. The heavy face creams are replaced by lightweight lotions, we apply less product on our skin, etc. But do we change our hair products? I do, and I'll tell you why.

Regardless of hair type, ethnicity, or damage, sun, age, and chlorine are not our friends. Even the healthiest of locks need extra TLC during summer months. While I've used Kiehl's skincare products on and off for nearly 20 years, I always breezed by their hair products. I'd tried them randomly on and off for years, through deluxe samples from the store and at various hotels, and quite liked them. Then I started chemically straightening my hair (thermal reconditioning, aka Japanese straightening) several years ago and my hair texture completely changed. Mind you, my natural hair isn't exactly a walk in the park either (naturally curly and VERY thick). I mixed up brands seemingly every time I got my hair cut. I used Alterna, Davines, and Fekkai. All were ok...until I began abusing my hair with heat and chemicals. Aside from self-inflicted abuse, we have the bright summer sun to contend with! Yikes.

My stylist recommended Kiehl's Olive Fruit Oil Hair Pak to strengthen, soften, and protect my hair. I figured I'd try the whole line and also bought the shampoo and conditioner. I noticed the richness of the products immediately, and the mild, pleasant scent. It doesn't take much shampoo for my thick hair to lather, and the conditioner is moisturizing without weighing the hair down. I began using the deep conditioner (the Olive Fruit Oil Hair Pak) twice weekly, and what can I say? I was head over heels. I simply shampoo, squeeze out excess water, and liberally apply the hair mask from roots to ends, applying a bit extra on the ends. Instructions indicate you should rinse after 3-5 minutes, but I tend to leave it on for up to ten minutes. It's really easy to fit into your morning routine while shaving your legs, exfoliating, etc. My hair feels like silk after, and is incredibly easy to blowout and style.

Because I'm a beauty product addict, I also picked up a an incredible hair mask by Kérastase at my salon. While it's more than double the price of the Kiehl's mask and is over 1 fl. oz. smaller, it smells insanely good and seems to tame frizz and flyaways after serious abuse...like too much sun, chlorine, and over styling. Blowing out my hair after using this mask is a dream. Now back to that heavenly scent. It's seriously intoxicating, and lingers for that special date night. You could argue that it's totally unnecessary and a major splurge, but hey. I bust it out on occasion and it lasts for months. In fact, both masks last about 3-4 months with regular use. Subtract a month during the summer, as you'll use more product. 

My verdict? Kiehl's Olive Fruit Oil line is outstanding for summer hair care and extremely reparative, as promised. Pick yourself up some samples and try it for yourself. I promise you'll love it too, and the mask will help heal the damage summer's pleasures can inflict upon our locks. I also clearly love the Kérastase mask, but see it as a splurge that I use less frequently. 

- Kiehl's Olive Fruit Oil Nourishing Shampoo ($7 - $48 for travel size up to 1 liter pump)

- Kiehl's Olive Fruit Oil Nourishing Conditioner ($7 - $48 for travel size up to 1 liter pump)

- Kiehl's Olive Fruit Oil Deeply Repairative Hair Pak ($25 for 8 fl. oz. jar)

- Kerastase Masque Nutri-Thermique ($61 for 6.8 fl. oz. jar)

Available at Kiehl's and Kerastase

Night Eye Treatments:
philosophy miracle worker miraculous anti-aging eye cream
& Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye

Sleep. It does wonders for the mind, body, and soul. It's also the most important time to care for your skin. I spend more time researching and trying out eye creams and treatments than any other skincare product, particularly night treatments. Because the skin around our eyes is the thinnest and most delicate on our bodies, it shows signs of aging and is the most wrinkle-prone area we have. That said, a combination of those hard facts and some women I've seen who look far older than their age have solidified my commitment not only to overall skincare, but to keeping my eye area as nurtured and nourished as possible. What better time to layer up and generously apply products than before sleep?

I never thought I'd use or give kudos to philosophy products, as they generally haven't wowed me. I'd been interested in eye treatments with Retinol, and had been disappointed with other brands I've recently tried. This particular product contains "a proprietary Retinol blend, peptides, antioxidants and moisture." The reviews I'd read were overwhelmingly positive, so I decided to try it for myself. Along with the claim that "the signs of aging are visibly reduced, giving the eye a firmer, smoother appearance," I intended to use it as my first line of defense- under my go-to night treatment. I should note that this product can be used both morning and night, but I reserve it for nighttime application. I love the pump container, which keeps germs at bay. I use about two pumps and smooth over my entire eye area, including both the interior and exterior corners, the full under-eye area, and between and immediately above my brows. It has a gel-like texture that feels soft and gentle during application. I haven't experienced any negative reactions, and have noticed drastic improvements to fine lines, the dreaded line between the brows, and improved overall hydration. Kudos, philosophy!

Nighttime eye creams don't easily wow me. My expectations are generally rather elevated, and admittedly often unrealistic. Estée Lauder is another brand I used to snub in favor of either newer or luxury brands. I'd tried Advanced Night Repair Eye and quite liked it. But I felt there must be something better out there, for what I now realize are unfounded reasons. I used everything from La Mer to La Prairie, and pretty much everything in-between. Yet I found myself consistently returning to Advanced Night Repair Eye. The accolades from high-end fashion magazines to skincare gurus are impressive, and I allowed myself to experience and revel in the product's well documented benefits. The jar comes with a flat spoon applicator, keeping the product germ-free. I like to layer this gel-like treatment over philosophy miracle worker eye, but I also use this product on its own every other night. It manages to feel rich and refreshing at once, and smooths onto my delicate eye skin like a dream. I'm currently testing another brand of skincare, and this is the product I miss the most. Three more weeks! This miracle product has rid my eye area of small, set-in wrinkles I thought were here to stay. Well, I no longer have those wrinkles. I won't go without it again. This relationship is going the distance, and I foresee a bright, youthful future together. What can I say? It's true love. 

My verdict? Both products are purposeful, effective, and reasonably priced. If I had to pick only one, it would be Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye. But both together are an unbeatable match, and defy aging. Sold. 

- philosophy 'miracle worker' miraculous anti-aging eye cream is $65 for 0.5 oz. 

- Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye is $52 for 0.5 oz. 

Both are available at Nordstrom.

Day Eye Treatments:
Shiseido Benefiance Intensive Eye Contour Cream
& Clarins Eye Contour Gel

Ah, eye creams. My first official non-drugstore skincare product was Kiehl's Avocado Eye Cream that I purchased in high school and applied day and night. Sure, it seemed a little odd for a teenager to be dabbing eye cream on in the rear-view mirror or restroom at school. But my mother taught me well, and am I ever glad she did! At 37 years old, I'm happy to report that my skin is nearly wrinkle-free. Clearly this isn't without effort! Over the past 20 years I've tried all kinds of eye creams, gels, and serums. As my skin changes, my products evolve. 

For those laid back days when I'm just hanging out at home, or running errands whilst hiding under massive sunglasses, I love Shiseido. If I'm not wearing eye makeup, I prefer something richer and more hydrating than a gel- unless it's humid. I've been through about ten or so day eye creams over the past year or so, and was blown away by Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Intensive Eye Contour Cream ($55). It's incredibly rich and reduces existing wrinkles while preventing future ones. The jar comes with an applicator spoon, keeping the cream germ-free (just wash the spoon in hot, soapy water). I remember thinking that the spoon was rather small when I first saw it, but realized why after my first application. A little bit of this ultra rich cream goes a long way, saving product and making it truly cost effective. I've been using this cream for over a month, and foresee it lasting 4-6 months easily. Additionally, you could absolutely wear this eye cream at night, given its rich texture and healing and preventative properties. I use a combination of two products at bedtime that I'm hooked on that are night-specific. Again, I wouldn't hesitate recommending this product for nightly use. The cream is also great between the exterior corners of the eyes and hairline, and above and between the brows. It has a very light, barely noticeable scent. For the price, it beats eye creams I've tried at 2-3 times as much.

Choosing an eye treatment for daytime use can be tricky, particularly if you wear eye makeup during the summer and in humid environments. I'm talking to you, NYC. I wear deep black volumizing mascaras and often use eyeliner, so I need something light but effective. Going without any anti-aging eye product? Perish the thought. Fortunately, I found Clarins Eye Contour Gel ($35). It promises to reduce puffiness, diminish dark circles, soften and hydrate. I'm happy to report that it delivers most of its promises and is perfect under makeup, including under-eye concealer and eye shadow. I love that I can use this product all over the eye area, including the eyelids. I keep mine in the fridge which is ultra refreshing during application, particularly on hot and muggy days. It comes in a small tube with a thin tip, so no germ worries. It rids the eyes of any puffiness and feels ultra soothing straight out of the fridge, and dries rather quickly, helping expedite my makeup application. I'm also thrilled that the gel formula doesn't leave me with mascara under my eyes or on my eyelids by day's end, which many cream formulas do. It's unscented, gentle, and effective. Raccoon eyes be gone! 

My verdict? Use the Shiseido cream on days without makeup and at night (if you choose) to avoid the expense of purchasing a separate night eye cream. Use the Clarins gel under makeup to avoid eye makeup smudging, and in warmer, humid weather. Both products are incredibly effective and very reasonably priced for the quality. 

- Clarins Eye Contour Gel is $35 for 0.7 oz.
- Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Intensive Eye Contour Cream is $55 for 0.5 oz.

Both available at Nordstrom, Sephora, & Bloomingdales. 

JĀSÖN Quick Clean Makeup Remover Pads

6/4/13

What a find this product was. I initially spotted it at a natural pharmacy (Pharmaca in Portland, OR) where I often purchase my Dr. Hauschka products and Astara masks. I'd tried various types of liquid and cloth makeup removers, with varied price points. What grabbed my attention about this particular product was the container, which is awesome for frequent travelers. It's a small round shape with pre-soaked pads, so no worries about leaking! Frankly, the fewer liquid bottles I need to carry in my toiletries bags, the better. I also liked that it's oil-free and natural; no petrolatum, sodium lauryl or laureth sulfates (SLS), parabens or phthalates.

My expectations weren't high, since I'd been disappointed and stung (literally) by so many other products. I mainly need makeup remover for my eye makeup since I don't wear foundation or powder. That said, I wear some pretty heavy duty mascaras like Diorshow Black Out, as well as waterproof eyeliners. Volumizing mascaras are notoriously difficult to remove, and I was really unhappy with the liquid eye makeup removers I'd tried, including Lancôme, Clarins, and bareMinerals. They were either too messy, too oily or greasy, or just didn't work well. Since they're liquid, you also need to soak a cotton pad which wastes a ton of product. 

Jāsön has everything I need in one small, tidy package. The pre-soaked pads waste no product, and also expedites the process. I'm generally pretty tired when it comes time for my nightly regimen. I first lightly spritz my entire face with Evian, with a little extra on my closed eyes (you could also simply splash your face with water to loosen your makeup). I love that the Evian Brumitaseur comes in large and travel sizes, and are super refreshing. After waiting a moment, I apply a pre-soaked pad to my closed eyelid and hold it there for about 30 seconds to aid in gentle removal. As usual, I ignore the instructions after the first couple uses and do what I find works best. 

I then turn the pad over and use the other side to clean up what's left. It's that simple. I use one pad per eye, and a third to wipe the rest of my face. Note that this product is also fabulous for travel, to freshen up on the plane and when you're on the ground. I've used these pads to clean my full face in a pinch, and they work quite well. 

My verdict? I can't imagine going back to the overpriced, greasy eye makeup removers I used to use. This is natural, effective and simple. A keeper. 

$8.99 for a container with 75 pads. 

Available at Pharmaca and drugstore.com.

Perricone MD Blue Plasma
6/3/13

A non-acidic daily peel that's non-irritating and only targets and removes dead skin cells? Well who the heck wants dead skin cells chillin' on their face? I had to give this relatively new (released in 12/12) daily peel a go. I've had mixed results with another Perricone MD product, but had read raves about this new miracle peel. I've tried various home peel/exfoliating products over the past year or more, so I have a solid basis for comparison. 

One has to accept that Perricone MD products all have a "fishy" smell, particularly during application. This product contains salmon egg enzymes, which gently removes dead skin cells. The good news is that my nighttime serum and moisturizer mostly mask this scent, which seems to dissipate on its own after a little while regardless. That said, I recommend skipping it on date night. Because of this killer exfoliation, the only Retinol or Retinoid products I use are now solely reserved for my eye area. I won't bore you with the rest of the ingredients. I'll sum them up as intensive yet gentle, and optimal for all skin types and those seeking a brighter, smoother, more even complexion. I have normal/combination skin, and always have a slight paranoia that a new product will cause a breakout in the dreaded T-zone. I've had no problems on my fair and somewhat sensitive Irish skin. After experiencing irritation with another facial peel fairly recently, I was pleasantly surprised by the gentle yet effective nature of Blue Plasma.

Inside the box you'll find the coveted blue bottle with a screw cap, as well as a dropper for application. Usage instructions call for application once daily. I've chosen to add this peel to my nightly regimen, as I'm a firm believer in nighttime healing. After cleansing, use the dropper (about the amount shown above on the bottom right), apply directly to the face and smooth on. Allow a few moments for it to dry, and continue with your regular nightly regimen. Do not rinse off. I then apply my night serum, night moisturizer (Crème de la Mer), and eye cream. This is the first peel I've used that doesn't require rinsing, proving the gentle nature of the product. Most peels require being thoroughly rinsed off after about 3-5 minutes. After the first few nights, my skin was noticeably smoother and brighter. It seems to give my other skincare products a boost, which is pretty darn cool. 

Perricone MD also has outstanding, personable customer service. I've exchanged several private Twitter messages with Dr. Perricone and he's always quick to respond with helpful answers to my questions regarding which products are best suited for my skin type, what to use when, etc). Love that he personally manages his own Twitter account. I recently opened a drawer in my bathroom where I keep my current day and night products to find that the bottle's dropper top had leaked the blue, fishy, pricey miracle peel all over the place (photo of old, defective bottle above). Needless to say, I was rather upset between the cleanup and loss of product. I sent an email to customer service on the Perricone MD website explaining the faulty top and frustrating experience, and they immediately shipped me a replacement free of charge. Excellent customer service is so rare these days, and was greatly appreciated. If you intend to keep this in a drawer as I did, I recommend standing it upright or using the screw top. Lesson learned!

My verdict? Gentle, effective, and completely worth the money. I imagine the bottle will last about three months. Far gentler than any other home peel products I've tried, and it delivers on its promises. Gotta love it!

2 oz. bottle is $95. 

Available at Perricone MD, Nordstrom, & Sephora.