Posts filed under 'Beauty'
I’ve blogged before about eyeshadow primers and thought I’d found my favorite…until I tried Urban Decay’s Primer Potion. I joined the new Sephora Beauty Insider program (which I really recommend if you shop a lot there) and when you accumulate points you get sent exclusive product samples. On my last order, I picked a sample of the Primer Potion since my normal eyeshadow base, Loreal’s DeCrease, had run out. I gave it a try and instantly liked it more than my old staple. The consistency is very thin, smooth and blends perfectly into my lids. I wait a few minutes for it to completely dry, (I put on my foundation while I wait) and then apply my shadows, eyeliner and mascara. This product literally keeps my eye makeup exactly how I applied it the entire day! I have had zero creasing, smudging or fading. With the DeCrease product, it worked very well but there was some minimal damage done by the end of the day, especially if I was outside a lot. I think the Urban Decay formula works better for me because it is less creamy and more oil absorbing on my skin. I am ordering a full size as soon as my sample gets low. I am so glad I gave a new product a try even though I was pretty happy with my old one!
August 15th, 2007
nicky
It’s time for the first Maintenance routine submitted by a Swish-Style reader! Amber from Portland dishes on her skincare products from Murad:
“I started using this about a year ago when I kept getting pesky chin breakouts. The first two months the treatment cleared out all my pores and I’ve been free of zits for most of the time. If I’m not using all elements of the treatment I will break out from time to time.
step 1 ~ Clarifying Cleanser
step 2 ~ Exfoliating Acne Treatment Gel & Acne Spot Treatment
step 3 ~ Skin Perfecting Lotion
If you order from Murad.com you get all 4 items delivered to you every 2 months and they bill your credit card over a 2 month span $29.99 each time.
Pros: My acne is under control.
Cons: The every 2 month shipment schedule is TOO MUCH. The only thing I run out of is the cleanser (which can be purchased at Sephora or Bath and Body works). I now have 3 of each step due to over shipping. I changed to a every- five month plan but I’m still overrun. Another con is that the lotion doesn’t have an SPF.”
Thanks Amber for sharing your experience with the Murad skincare system! Has anyone else tried these products? I checked about her concern over the lack of SPF coverage with the Skin Perfecting Lotion. The description of the product seems that it is basically an oil-free moisturizer. So if you wanted to try a lightweight, non-greasy lotions with an SPF, I know the brands Boscia, Cosmedicine, Borba, Laura Mercier, and Lancome all should carry one through Sephora.
If you’d like to be featured on the next Maintenance post, send a description of your routine (skincare, makeup, haircare, etc.) and include a snapshot of your products to me: nicky@swish-style.com.
August 7th, 2007
nicky
I thought I’d start off this new feature (see post below) by letting you all know my hair care routine. I have stick straight, fine, long blonde (naturally) hair. I have never dyed it but I sure will if it ever gets gray! My scalp is a complete mystery. I have to wash my hair daily because it gets oily by the next day but I also tend to get an itchy, dry scalp if I don’t use a clarifying shampoo every once in awhile. Yeah, oily and dry, I can’t figure it out! Anyway, here’s my routine. I use a lot of Aveda products. I like that they are natural and a very eco-conscious company, plus they work great for me! I shampoo and condition with Aveda’s Brilliant line. It is helps get rid of build up, makes my hair extra shiny and is gentle on my scalp. About once or twice a week, I shampoo with Aveda’s Scalp Benefits Balancing Shampoo. It’s extra clarifying and helps keep my dry scalp issues at bay. Before I blow dry, I work in a little of Aveda’s Phomollient and Kerastase’s Oleo Relax Serum. The Phomollient is my absolute favorite hair product, it adds volume without being sticky or heavy and it also helps get the tangles out. The Oleo-Relax Serum keeps my hair smooth, shiny and frizz free. It’s expensive but you only use a tiny amount so it lasts forever. I’ve had mine for almost a year and it’s not even half gone. I blow dry with a large paddle brush and about 3 times a week either curl loose waves or flip out the ends with my ancient Revlon curling iron. It looks crappy but still works! I set my style with a little John Frieda Sheer Blonde hairspray. It doesn’t darken blonde hair like a lot of hairsprays can and it is a flexible and weightless hold. So there is my hair care maintenance! Let me know if you have any questions or comments and I look forward to featuring some of your everyday routines!
July 20th, 2007
nicky
I am not a fan of facials. The times I have tried, I end up with irritated, oilier than normal skin that usually breaks out afterwards. Maybe I just haven’t discovered the right facial for me but it’s not my cup of tea. I have very sensitive skin and on top of that a very low pain tolerance. One time a lady did extractions on my face and I cried. Also, for some reason, other people touching my face kinda creeps me out. I don’t know why but it gives me the willies! After seeing how many people rave about microdermabarasion, I have been so tempted to go and try it but my fear of facials stops me. The next best thing is trying something at home and I have been hearing wonderful things about Philosophy’s Microdelivery products for some time now. Since it is a brand I’ve had great experience with, I finally gave in and purchased The Microdelivery Exfoliating Face Wash and The Microdelivery Exfoliating Cloths a couple weeks ago. The nice thing about the face wash is that it is gentle enough to use as a daily cleanser in case you need some extra everyday scrubbing, like let’s say you sunburned your nose last week and now it is one big peeling mess? Voila, instant smooth nose! (Not that this happened to me.) But combine the face wash with the exfoliating cloths and you have an instant, at home, super strength exfoliating facial. I can control the number of strokes with the cloths so I don’t beat up my delicate skin and it left my face feeling extra smooth. Sephora says, “this unique formula is sulfate-free and formulated with ingredients designed to replenish and protect the skin with topical antioxidants as it helps condition the skin and retain its moisture level.” My face was not stripped of all moisture and also didn’t turn into an oil slick like it often does. My pores felt clear and with regular use this combo treatment will brighten and refine my temperamental skin. These Philosophy products have satisfied my curiosity about at home microdermabarasion while also keeping my facial fears at bay. Maybe if I’m feeling extra strong, I’ll actually attempt the real thing at a day spa but for now I am content!
July 19th, 2007
nicky
Sometimes the sheer number of lip gloss options is overwhelming. So many brands, shades and formulations that you have no idea where to start! I usually stick to my tried and true favorites but ocassionally give a new gloss a try just to see if it might win a spot on my rotation. I had a coupon for a free item by Goldie and decided to give their lip glosses a chance, I’m so glad I did! Goldie is sold at Bath and Body Works stores, which in case you haven’t noticed, have a ton of brands besides their traditional lotions and potions. It’s like a little mini Sephora selection! Since I’m not a huge fan of their normal bath products, I will have to make an effort to stop by more often to see what other beauty lines they offer. Anyway, back to Goldie. I picked out Blossom, a sheer, coral shade with a hint of shimmer. After I tried it, the first thing I noticed was the taste- YUM! It’s like a hint of vanilla or birthday cake. Not fake tasting at all, just delish. I also loved how the gloss was not super sticky and thick like some can be. The color is the perfect shiny, summery shade and the shimmer was not overpowering at all. The only thing I don’t adore about this product is the packaging. The case is a bit large and rectangular- I would by the mini purse size next time. But overall, I am very glad that I gave Goldie a try, it’s a great gloss!
July 9th, 2007
nicky
Having a fair complexion and blonde hair means virtually non-existent eyebrows and eyelashes. Thankfully applying mascara is a no brainer but what’s a girl to do to fill in her brows naturally? I don’t want to look like they’re penciled on and I don’t want to deal with messy, smeared creams either. For years I have taken matters into my own hands and lightly brushed a little taupe eyeshadow into them. Yes, it is unglamourous and faded within a few hours so it was not a fool proof solution for me. A friend told me about Benefit’s Brow Zings and I was excited to give them a try. First, you apply the wax with a mini-angled brush, then you apply the powder with the blending brush. The wax tames your brows while the powder helps fill them in a bit. A tiny pair of tweezers is also included for grooming on the go. I love Brow Zings so far, it is a very easy, natural looking product for great looking brows! I attached a before and after pic of my eyes to show you all the difference. Not sure if the quality is good enough to notice the detail but Benefit’s Brow Zings give subtle definition to brows of all shades and sizes!
June 26th, 2007
nicky
I know it seems that I try a million mascaras but I am positively, absolutely, 100% sure that Fresh’s Supernova Mascara is my new favorite. Not only is the packaging simply adorable, but the product is nothing short of amazing on my lashes. One coat is all it took to perfectly separate, lengthen and thicken my lashes just they way I like them. No clumping, flaking or smudging here! The brush is the best shape for my eyes, not too tiny and not too huge, and it also leaves just enough mascara on the wand so you don’t have to wipe and waste a bunch of product or pump like crazy to get any on there. For special occasions, I tried doing two coats and it was like BAM, I had instant lash extensions! Loved it! According to Sephora’s description, it is made with “panthenol, protective linden extract, and nourishing meadowfoam oil,” which must be why it glides right on and looks glossy and deep in color. I had never before used any of Fresh’s makeup products but I am so happy with this one that I am looking forward to trying others. I also noticed that Supernova is a Best of Sephora 2007 nominee. If you click on the link you can enter to win $1000 Sephora gift card as well as a ton of beauty goodies!
June 4th, 2007
nicky
If candles weren’t technically on fire to release their scent, I would rub this one all over me. (Hot wax is not my thing!) And I got it for free with my Aveda Pure Privilege card, whoo hoo! Now if I can only accumulate 50,000 points, I can redeem them for a 3 night spa getwaway in Jamaica, Ireland or Italy. But the decision gets tough when 50,000 points could also translate into hmmm, let’s see, 20 Shampure Soy Wax candles! Smells…soooo…good…
May 9th, 2007
nicky
I’m going to be up front and honest with you all, sometimes I think my face is made of oil. I get so frustrated, I am like three years from 30 and I still have to blot my stupid t-zone all the time! It’s not that I have a problem with pimples or anything, just straight from the pizza slice oil! So for awhile, I have been trying out different remedies for this annoying situation. I’ve used a couple different mattifying lotions, Clinique T-Zone Shine Control and Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Shine Mattifying Gel. I also use a facial cleanser with salicylic acid and tote Sephora’s Matte Blotting Film everywhere with me. The mattifying lotions haven’t really been working wonders for me yet. I still get shiny after a couple hours and the Peter Thomas Roth gel made my makeup feel really cakey as well. I spoke to one of the ladies at Sephora about my issues and she recommended Cosmedicine’s Medi-Matte Oil. She said has the same problem as me and uses this product with great result. And her face didn’t look the least bit shiny so I believed her! I put in an order and hopefully it will be my answer to a life of constant blotting! Do any readers out there have suggestions or success with a certain product? Let me know and have a wonderful weekend!
April 13th, 2007
nicky
I have been wearing the same perfume for years and although there is a certain nostalgia to that, it can be a little boring too. Every once in awhile I try something new but I can never seem to find a different scent that’s really my style. I don’t like really strong, heavy scents and I definitely don’t want to smell like I’m wearing my great grandmother’s perfume! I am more of a fresh, crisp fragrance kinda girl hence my usual staple of Clinique Happy. Well, last week I got a purse sample of the fragrance, Coach, with a recent order and I decided to give it a chance. Surprisingly, although Coach has been around for over 50 years, this is their first fragrance. The top notes are mandarin, guava, lily and violet. The middle are Genet flower, jasmine, mimosa, and honey. While the base notes are amber, sandalwood, vanilla, and iris wood. I felt very comfortable wearing this perfume, it was feminine but not overly so and was initially very refreshing and bright. After a few hours, the amber and vanilla base notes were more noticeable, which I also found very pleasing to my nose. Plus, Adrian seemed to like it too and that’s always important! I still have quite a bit left in the purse sample and I am seriously considering buying more when that runs out. The packaging is distinctly classic Coach and their fragrance is available in a traditional perfume spray, a compact purse spray and a portable perfume solid.
April 2nd, 2007
nicky
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