Cult-Classic Salve

Smith's Rosebud Salve 
7/25/13

This is one of those products that I keep all over the place. My makeup bag, one of many skincare-filled bathroom drawers, seemingly every handbag I own, my car, bedside tables, my carry-on toiletry bag...I think you get the idea. It's certainly the most multi-purpose and versatile beauty product I've ever used, and far from the fanciest. I discovered this gem many years ago at the natural pharmacy Pharmaca, which I recently learned has locations in California, Colorado, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington. I'm both a browser and an impulse buyer, which is how this cute tin of the original salve first ended up coming home with me. 

For the first year or so, I used it primarily as a lip balm. It's absolutely fantastic for this purpose. As the name implies, it's a rose shade and has a very mild scent which is pleasant. The salve leaves lips wonderfully hydrated and naturally shiny. They also offer a Minted Rose Lip Balm, but as you can see in the photo below I've yet to try it! The original is so good that I'm not certain why I even purchased the minted version. I imagine it would feel really great on sunburned lips. After applying to my lips, I found myself massaging the remainder onto my cuticles and nails. This quickly became my second favorite use. Dry and irritated cuticles and nails were instantly softened, and healed over time with regular use. 

Another great use of the salve is on dry skin. I keep a separate tin solely (no pun intended) for use on my toes and heels, which get dry during summer when I wear sandals and more open shoes. It also works wonders on dry hands, elbows, and anywhere else you need extra healing moisture. A little bit goes a really long way. 

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For many years I had my hair chemically straightened (thermal reconditioning), which left my scalp incredibly dry and irritated for about a week after each treatment. I massaged this salve onto my scalp after the torturous three-day period when my hair had to remain dry and untouched. This was the only thing that gave me relief from my itchy and irritated scalp. 

While doing my homework for this post, I was amazed to learn about many other uses, such as applying over lipstick for added shine, to tame eyebrows (I'm so trying that tomorrow), to manage fly-aways or frizz, and even as an eye shadow primer. Not to mention all the medicinal uses like soothing burns, insect bites, and even blemishes. 

My verdict? This gender-neutral product has been healing skin since 1892. Between the medicinal and beauty uses, I will always keep plenty of this cult-favorite on hand. 

- Smith's Original Rosebud Salve is $6 for a .8 oz. tin or a .5 oz tube. 

- Smith's Minted Rose Lip Balm and Strawberry Lip Balm is $7 for a .8 oz tin. 

Available at Pharmaca, Sephora, C.O. Bigelow, & natural stores everywhere. 

Note: prices can vary by about a dollar at different stores. 

Travel-size Beauty

Travel-size Beauty
7/24/13

Whether it's a summer vacation or business travel, mini toiletries can be a woman's best friend- or a space-consuming, leaky nightmare. After many years of travel for both business and pleasure, I've learned a lot of tricks as well as some lessons the hard way. I've already revealed my quart-size Ziploc carry-on bag, which contains several items I don't need duplicates of, like rollerball perfume, eye cream, and lip balm. But what about all the other items, from the shower to styling your hair? I've had one too many mishaps with generic toiletry containers, so they're dead to me. 

Stores like Sephora make a killing off of travel-size items, with little value. It's taken me years to figure out the beauty of store samples, and which stores and brands offer the types of items I like to use. Kiehl's is incredibly generous with samples, particularly if you make a purchase (even small). I live for their deluxe-size shampoo, conditioner, and body wash samples. Many higher-end beauty brands like La Mer and La Prairie are quick to offer samples, since testing pricey products can eventually lead to a purchase of full-size items. Never order higher-end brands online, or you'll miss out on all the potential samples. They'll even make samples for you if they're out of what you want, and trust me when I tell you that their containers are far better than generic drugstore ones.

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One commonly overlooked travel savior is the Gift With Purchase or GWP. Half the reason I love the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is for the beauty sets, often complete with deluxe size GWPs. Both facial cleansers (Chantecaille and La Prairie), the La Prairie toner, and my La Mer samples (half of them, anyway) shown in the photo above were all GWPs that came with their respective beauty sets. It's a win/win if you already use the brands. Another place to score travel-size or deluxe size toiletries is hotels, of course. Heck yeah I take my daily Kiehl's supply when I stay at the Soho Grand, for instance. High-end hotels have high-end amenities, and you're paying a premium to stay there. Even mid-range hotels are offering nicer toiletries these days like Molton Brown and L'Occitane. If you're paying, it's hardly stealing. I've often had housekeeping leave extras in my room without asking for them. A tip helps!

I always like to bring a facial mask with me to rehydrate my skin after a long flight, and NARS Aqua Gel Luminous Mask is a reasonable size with a trusty closure. For my locks, I rely on my mini bottle of Moroccanoil that I refill from my full-size bottle, and blow dry shampoo to get the most out of my blowouts. Pretty much everything else is in my carry-on Ziploc. Then there's makeup, of course...but that's an entirely different bag. ;)

My verdict? You can never have too many travel-size favorites, no matter what the brand. And never, ever trust those empty plastic bottles they sell at drugstores or pack nail polish in your suitcase. Yes, that happened. 

Safe travels!

Blotting Paper

Tatcha Original Aburatorigami
Japanese Beauty Paper

I've been a fan of Tatcha's Rice Enzyme Powders for a couple of months, and was recently surprised to see their blotting papers online at places like Sephora. This struck me as interesting, considering they quite literally only sell their skincare products in the U.S. at Barneys and on their own website. I think this was a fantastic choice for the brand to introduce themselves to a larger market. 

I've been using blotting papers for many years, with varied results. Sephora's papers were literally like rubber, made from some sort of blue plastic material in a poorly-constructed black package. Then I tried Shiseido's, but I can't stand blotting papers with powder. I was beginning to feel like I'd have to settle, and I did for many years on Sephora's Blotting Papers. While doing some research for this post, I was shocked to see that Sephora now offers three options, including a Shimmer Sheet Set (doesn't that defeat the purpose?), and two other types of sheets with "treatment" ingredients, such as tea tree oil. I don't know about you, but all I ask for in a blotting sheets is to remove any excess shine from my face. Then I found Tatcha's. 

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The Original Aburatorigami Beauty Papers were included with Tatcha's Sampler Set, which I'd purchased to get the full experience of their line. Like all their other products, the packaging design is beautiful and high quality. Made solely of Abaca leaf and gold, these incredibly thin and nearly translucent papers are a far cry from all the other blotting papers out there. I love a good story, and they deliver. These all-natural papers are powder free, fragrance free, and handmade. 

Why blotting papers? I've yet to meet a woman who enjoys a shiny face. If you wear foundation, primer, powder, or any other makeup on your face, blotting with a regular tissue will steal or mess up your makeup, moisturizer, and can leave fibers behind. Adding more powder to cover the shine creates an uneven look and can potentially clog your pores. These blotting papers remove shine while leaving your makeup intact, and without stealing your moisturizer. I don't wear any makeup aside from on my eyes and lips (and nails, of course), but I prefer my moisturizer remain on my face while removing any shine or oiliness in my t-zone. 

Using these papers is incredibly simple. Simply remove a single sheet from the cool envelope package and gently dab on any shiny areas. You can use both sides of the sheet, and discard with a good conscience since they're biodegradable. Tatcha also makes Evening Aburatorigami Beauty Papers, which are essentially smaller and darker - perfect for a clutch. 

My verdict? I can't imagine returning to the archaic blotting papers I once used, and nothing has worked as well or looked as good as Tatcha. Enjoy a shine-free summer!

- Original Aburatorigami Japanese Beauty Papers are $15 for 30 sheets. 
- Evening Aburatorigami Japanese Beauty Papers are $15 for 40 sheets.
- Aburatorigami Japanese Beauty Papers Duo is $19 for both products! Total steal.

Available at Tatcha online & Sephora. Note: the duo is only available at Sephora. 

Moisturizer - Chantecaille

Chantecaille Retinol Intense Cream
7/11/13

I've had a couple of bad experiences with Retinol, but I've had great success with other Chantecaille skincare products and decided to give this cream a try. When the word Retinol was uttered, I used to cringe. I'd tried both an eye cream and another face cream containing the anti-aging ingredient and had visibly poor results, with one lone product being a happy exception. My skin became red and just didn't agree with the products. I'd just about written off Retinol until I saw that Chantecaille had a Retinol cream with excellent reviews. I've found the line to be gentle overall, so they'd already established my trust. Retinol has so many amazing and highly-coveted benefits, from warding off wrinkles to banishing breakouts, tightening pores and improving skin texture, I couldn't say goodbye.

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Since Chantecaille categorizes this as a nighttime treatment, I knew I'd have less irritation. Many age-fighting products containing ingredients like Vitamin C and Retinol have adverse effects on my skin in daylight. The idea that a night cream could not only clear up but also banish acne is refreshing. Once again, I must reiterate my love of all products working their magic while we sleep, when our body naturally goes into healing mode. After reading many an article about how Retinol loses its effectiveness over time, I decided to use it 3 nights a week, and continue using La Mer on alternate nights. I've simply incorporated this cream into my nightly regimen as I would any night cream - as a last step. Directions indicate applying two to three pumps onto fingertips and gently pressing onto entire face and neck until fully absorbed, careful not to tug at or pull skin. Very similar to La Mer's application method. To my delight, the application area also includes the delicate under-eye area where we all need an extra boost of anti-aging benefits. 

I immediately loved the soft and smooth texture of this cream, and how my skin happily drank it up. It's practically unscented, with perhaps a very slight Pure Rosewater scent, which is the product's base. Not exactly heavily perfumed. It's also Paraben-Free, which several of my readers have indicated is important to them. Because the cream feels so light during and after application, I was thrilled that my skin remained dewy and deeply hydrated all night, and still felt soft and supple come morning. Not only have I not experienced a single adverse effect, I've noticed major improvements to my skin texture (including smaller pores), a more even skin tone, and vanishing fine lines around my eyes. They've quite literally disappeared. Granted, they were small - but who wants wrinkles?! Not I. 

My verdict? This surprisingly gentle and effective night cream has become part of my nighttime skincare regimen three times a week. I see continued improvements with each passing week, and while it's somewhat expensive, it should last about two months with use three nights weekly. The smart pump design also keeps the cream germ-free. I simply can't say enough great things about this product. 

Chantecaille Retinol Intense Cream is $110.00 for a 1.7 oz. bottle. 

Available at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, & Barneys.

Lash Primers

Diorshow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum

7/10/13

It took me quite some time to buy into the whole "lash primer" thing before I decided to give it a try. I'd received a deluxe sample of Lancôme's Cils Booster XL Super Enhancing Mascara Base, and what better time to try something than when it's free? While my go-to mascara is by Dior, I figured it was worth a shot. I noticed that my mascara actually stayed put with the Lancôme primer! I managed to get through a hot day without mascara anywhere it shouldn't be. You know, like under your eyes or on your eyelids. Not a good look. 

Since I liked the results so much, I ordered Dior's Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum. That's a mouthful. I read the information and it's essentially Dior's primer with "extras," which include a laundry list of promises, including promoting long-term lash growth, strength, vitality, priming, plumping, and lengthening. Those are some pretty lofty promises. Frankly, I really just want a primer that will give something for my mascara to bind to, and provide extra staying power. That said, I wouldn't mind longer, stronger, plumper lashes! Bring it. 

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I never leave home without mascara and under-eye concealer, so I took my new miracle lash primer/serum out of the box and began my routine. First, the under-eye concealer and curling my lashes with my beloved Shu Uemura eyelash curler. I then opened my new primer and pulled out the wand. Like the Lancôme sample I'd tried, the brush and product were both white, but I immediately notified that the Diorshow Maximixer had a pointy tip, unlike their mascaras. The brush tip doesn't have bristles, so it appears to suffer from poor design. 

I then began application utilizing the same method I did with the Lancôme sample primer as well as years of mascara application. The goal is to apply evenly, while concentrating on the base of the lashes for added volume. To my dismay, the new primer/serum/eyelash wonder didn't apply evenly or easily. I actually found myself combing the product through my lashes before applying mascara. I generally comb through lashes between mascara coats but never with a primer, albeit my second try. I allowed the primer/serum/mystery product to dry and applied two coats of my usual favorite mascara (Diorshow BlackOut). It didn't go on at all smoothly, and I'm sad to report that mascara did most definitely not stay put. This was incredibly disheartening since I'd had such success with a free sample. 

My verdict? I'm buying a full-size bottle of Lancôme's primer. It glides on and keeps my mascara, well, on my lashes - unlike Diorshow's primer. I'll be sticking with Diorshow Black Out mascara for now, and am sad to have paid for a useless and pricey product. Use those samples! You never know when you'll discover a great product. 

Diorshow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum is $28.50 a bottle. 

Lancôme Cils Booster XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Base is $24 a bottle. 

Diorshow Black Out Mascara is $25 a bottle. 

All are available through Sephora and Nordstrom. 

Hydrating Mask

NARS Aqua Gel Luminous Mask
7/9/13

I know many women don't wear masks, and I'm hoping this easy and super hydrating mask will encourage even one woman to give it a try. I personally love masks, and experience many positive results after use - not to mention that I find them to be very relaxing and a nice way to wind down after a hectic day. I've tried enough to distinguish the good from the bad, so any mask I blog about is something I've used repeatedly. I use masks that brighten, refine pores, exfoliate, lift/firm, soothe/calm and hydrate. That's a lot to sort through! I'm happily working my way through them all and sharing my experiences. 

Now that I've finished my ode to why I love masks, I'm excited to talk about one of my new favorites. NARS has always been known for their fabulous makeup, but they recently reformulated their skincare line and relaunched it last year. Practice makes perfect, and I immediately fell in love with this intensive hydrating mask that smoothes and softens the skin while natural botanicals enhance collagen production. Youthful glow? Yes please! It's also Synthetic Fragrance-Free, Paraben-Free, Alcohol-Free and Gluten-Free. This is good stuff, my friends. Great for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

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The mask super simple to use and remove. For a quick burst of hydration and a dewy refreshed glow in a hurry, cleanse skin and massage a generous amount on face and neck, avoiding the eye area, and leave on for 5-10 minutes. The texture is incredibly soft, smooth and soothing. Then simply tissue off remaining product (your skin will drink up most of the mask) and follow with a toner. You won't need moisturizer after this ultra hydrating treatment. My favorite way to use the mask is to massage a super generous amount on my face and neck about an hour before bedtime, and allow the mask to work its magic while I sleep. If you follow my blog regularly, you already know how strongly I feel about using the right products at night when the body is in healing mode. This product is gentle and effective, leaving your skin radiant, silky smooth and hydrated come morning. What a nice way to start the day! 

My verdict? By far the best hydrating mask I've tried, bar none. The radiance and youthful glow are welcome bonuses. I highly recommend using it overnight to reap the most benefits. But starting slowly with a 10 minute trial run will win you over as well. A must-have.

I order my NARS products directly from my NARS and beauty guru in LA via phone and email. He's the skincare god who taught me the overnight method. They offer free shipping and generous samples to boot. Here's his contact info:

Michael Duquette | Award Winning, NARS-Certified Resident Artist

Nordstrom at The Grove 

323.900.1417

Michael.Duquette@nordstrom.com

NARS Aqua Gel Luminous Mask is $39 for a 2.6 oz. bottle. 

Or order from Nordstrom online, but you won't get extra, fun NARS samples. 

Facial Sunscreen

Clarins UV PLUS HP SPF 40 Day Screen

7/8/13

Sunscreen. It's one of those health and beauty items we use because we know we have to in order to protect our skin from the sun's harmful rays. Nothing good comes from unprotected skin, from melanoma to premature aging. As a fair-skinned Irish redhead, I'm a firm believer in the benefits of SPF 30 as a bare minimum, which is easy to find when seeking body protection. Heck, they even make an SPF 100 now (overkill, but hey). While there are a bounty of options available for high SPF body care, options are very limited when it comes to facial protection. A lot of brands add sunblock to all types of beauty products, from foundation to moisturizers with added sunscreen. I don't wear foundation, and don't wear much more than serums on hot summer days, leaving me with very few options. I also find that moisturizers with added sunscreen are not only heavy, but leave my skin feeling greasy and prone to breakouts. Enter Clarins. 

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I first bought this product a couple of years ago online. I expected not to like it, since I've struggled with many SPF products on my face. This sunscreen was a fantastic surprise, for several reasons. It's oil-free so you don't have to worry about looking greasy or having it cause a breakout, it provides UVA/UVB protection with 100% mineral filters, AND it's SPF 40! If you wear foundation, BB/CC creams or any other makeup, simply apply this SPF before your makeup. For me, I love the fact that I no longer have to wear moisturizers with SPF instead of moisturizers I actually like. On cooler days or during the winter, I cleanse, tone, use my day serum (followed by another product I'll be revealing shortly), apply my moisturizer of choice, and finish with this SPF before any makeup application. No more suffering through greasy moisturizers to protect my skin! I also apply this to my neck and décolletage, as I do with my serums and moisturizers. 

One of my favorite things about this product is the packaging. There's a ball inside that mixes the SPF when you shake it prior to application. Then there's the small tip that provides control while dispensing the product (you squeeze the bottle) so it doesn't come rushing out at once. Control over your skincare is a good thing. This product allows you to choose which makeup and moisturizer, if any, you want while providing a high level of SPF protection. Gotta love that. 

My verdict? An oil-free SPF 40 designed for the face that's applied after your normal skincare and before your regular makeup? Not needing to change any of the skincare products or makeup you love while simply using this as an invisible shield is fantastic. I've been using this for about two years and can't imagine using any other sunscreen on my face and neck. A definite year-round staple. 

Clarins UV Plus HP SPF 40 Day Screen is $25 for a 1 oz. bottle and $40 for a 1.7 oz. bottle.

Available in both sizes at Nordstrom.