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Five tinted moisturizers you can use even with oily skin

beauty, Estee Lauder, Jane Iredale, Kiss My Face, Laura Mercier, Moisturizer, Neutrogena 2 Responses »

Jan 202011

Tinted moisturizers have become a staple in many people’s makeup boxes, but it’s hard when you have oily or problematic skin to find ones that don’t make that problem worse. When I am looking for a tinted moisturizer, I tend to lean towards those that aren’t overly heavy and still have some SPF protection. Luckily, it hasn’t been that difficult to find exactly what I’m looking for at any price point.

One reason why tinted moisturizers are so popular is that they can be used in place of foundation. Choose the right one, and you can get by with a swipe of mascara and a dab of gloss, and you’re out the door. I find that when I’m just hanging around the house or running boring errands, this is my go-to makeup of the day. Here are my picks for the best five:

Estee Lauder DayWear Sheer Tint Release Advanced Multi-Protection Anti-Oxidant Moisturizer SPF 15: (Nordstrom, $43) It’s the most important thing you’ll put on today. This lightweight tinted moisturizer enhances any skin tone with a healthy, even-toned glow. Plus it defends against signs of premature aging and diminishes their appearance with Estee Lauder’s most effective antioxidant power ever. Visibly reduces the first signs of aging, like dullness and fine, dry lines. Skin feels smoother, looks fresher and healthier instantly.

Jane Iredale ‘Dream Tint’ Moisture Tint SPF 15 (Nordstrom, $36) My very first tinted moisturizer! This super-absorbent product not only hydrates, but prevents water loss, calms inflammation and improves the skin’s elasticity. Plus, Dream Tint creates a soft-focus effect that minimizes the look of large pores and fine lines. Unique algae extracts moisturize and soothe. Titanium dioxide provides SPF 15 with UVA protection. Use alone as a tinted moisturizer and sunscreen or as the perfect primer for Jane’s mineral bases.

Kiss My Face Natural Tinted Moisturizer, Clay (Drugstore.com, $9.99) Kiss My Face mineral based tints provide sheer coverage that’s natural, not from artificial dyes. Enriched with Ester-C our Tinted Moisturizers smooth out skin tones with oil-free, fragrance-free, sheer color while protecting against UVA/UVB rays with SPF 8. Available in six skin tones, Beach, Branch, Clay, Manila, Rattan and Sisal with an improved formula that is more sheer and blendable to provide an even better match to any skin tone.

Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20(Nordstrom.com, $42) Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer is a buildable foundation that can be worn by all skin types but especially those with acne-prone, sensitive or oily skin. The sheer, lightweight formula helps control oil breakthrough while providing hydration to prevent dryness and offers further protection from UVA and UVB rays with an SPF 20. Perfect for troubled skin.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer Tinted Moisturizer (Drugstore.com, $9.03) This is an alternative to foundation that provides everything you need for softer, healthier and younger-looking skin in one beautiful step. This dermatologist-developed formula contains a vitamin-rich Retinol treatment to visibly smooth fine lines and reduce signs of aging. It nourishes skin and protects against future sun damage with a weightless SPF 20 moisturizer. Each skin-enhancing shade provides a sheer tint of color for a more even, naturally beautiful look.

It’s possible that pore strips could be an obsession

beauty, Biore, skin care 1 Response »

Jan 142011

There is something extremely gratifying about using pore strips, isn’t there? I mean, who doesn’t love knowing that gunk that was in their skin one moment is now stuck to some stuff to be looked at at analyzed? Okay, maybe not analyzed, but who doesn’t get satisfaction out of clear pores?

Biore was my first introduction to pore strips back in the day, and now they have a new formulation: Ultra Deep Cleansing Pore Strips. Formulated with a patented system that lifts out deep-down dirt, the custom-fit strips are twice as effective as the leading pore cleanser at getting rid of pore-clogging buildup and blackheads. Bioré Ultra Deep Cleansing Pore Strips target and instantly unclog even more pores than the Biore Original Nose Strips because they are longer. Tea tree oil, known to help treat breakout prone skin as witch hazel which aids in reducing redness and inflammation. Menthol provides tingling and cooling, signaling a deep clean. Keeping pores free of deep, down dirt is the best way to keep pore-size small.

I don’t know how often you are really supposed to use these things, but I average at least once a week, sometimes more. Do you use pore strips, and do you think that they help the situation?

PS: did you know you can make your own pore strips? Me, either. I’m far too lazy for such a thing, but information is power!

Your best face: skincare in 2011 – Reviva Labs Hyaluronic Serum

anti-aging, anti-wrinkle, Reviva 4 Responses »

Jan 092011

This is one of those gems that you could very well miss unless you were really paying attention. The packaging isn’t anything special, and you’re just as likely to find it in a health food store rather than a department store. But don’t let any of that keep you from discovering the benefits – Reviva Hyaluronic Acid Serum is an affordable gem that simply needs to be in your anti-aging regime.

Hyaluronic acid, also known as a glycosaminoglycan, is found naturally in the body, especially in the connective tissue. It has lubricating properties there, and in skin care it is often used in conjunction with vitamin C to aid in penetration. It is also found in the dermis and is helpful because it can hold up to 1,000 times it’s weight in water. How does that help? It literally plumps up the skin by attracting moisture (water) and holding it in. It also helps in the formation and maintenance of collagen, an important part of the skin that breaks down in the aging process.

When used in my skin care routine, I notice that it is an excellent fix for fine lines and wrinkles. The more moisture in your body, the better it works, so drink your water! It’s a simple serum, inexpensive, and easy to use. It’s not greasy and absorbs very well. Use after cleansing and before a moisturizer.

Reviva Hyaluronic Acid Serum is available at Amazon.com for about $14.

Your best face – skincare in 2011: Payot Gelee de Choc

anti-aging, anti-wrinkle, beauty, Payot, skin care Comments Off

Jan 082011

I have long been a Payot fan. They were my first introduction to French skin care way back in the 90s, when I was just starting to realize the benefits of high quality products for my troubled skin. Their line for oily skin managed to keep most of my problems under control, and I was so sad when I moved away and never found it in my new town.

However, due to the internet, I am back to my Payot-loving ways, and I discovered Gelée de Choc this year during a new product launch. In the three months that I have been using it, I have seen a noticeable difference in the brightness of my skin, which is good for us 30-somethings who are starting to see dullness creep in.

I apply this in the mornings, after cleansing and toning and before a moisturizer. It’s quickly absorbed and lightweight and doesn’t create any oiliness at all. It helps brighten the skin and is especially beneficial on those days when you’re overly stressed or didn’t get enough sleep. I definitely notice that is helps my skin look brighter, more refreshed, and in much better condition.

Gelée de Choc – Revitalizing Energizing Day Care for Combination to Oily Skin (1.6 fl oz.) is available at Dermstore.com for $58. Another skin care product that I keep in very heavy rotation.

Your best face – skincare in 2011: Olay Total Effects Moisturizer plus Cooling Hydration

anti-aging, anti-wrinkle, Olay, skin care Comments Off

Jan 072011

I’m a big multi-tasker. If I can combine a few products into one, that makes me excessively happy. I don’t always have the luxury of time to do an extensive skin care routine, and when I’m pressed for time I need products like this one –
Total Effects Moisturizer Plus Cooling Hydration.

Olay has long impressed me with their drugstore brand anti-aging products. I have never tried one that hasn’t produced excellent results, and this lotion isn’t any different. It has seven different benefits: minimizing fine lines and wrinkles, soothing dry skin with cooling moisturizing properties, fighting dullness, gently exfoliates skin, refines and minimizes pores, fights free radicals with antioxidants, and firms the skin with hydration.

It’s oil free, so even those of us with difficult skin can use it with no problem. This is perfect to throw in your weekend bag when you don’t want to pack ALL your products with you. Simply use it after a good cleansing product, and you are all set.

Best of all? The $20 price tag. And you can always keep an eye open for sales at your local drugstore.

Your best face: skincare in 2011 – Prep Microdermabrasion by YBF

exfoliation, ybf 2 Responses »

Jan 062011

My love affairs with exfoliators goes way back to when I was first introduced to premium skincare as a teenager. Back then, going to the Clinique counter was a huge deal, and it was there that I learned to type my skin and figure out exactly what I needed to keep the problems under control. Remember the sliding question/answer display they had to determine which number your skin was? I was a type 3, which included my bar soap, a toner, and their standard yellow moisturizer along with a weekly exfoliant that I loved.

I no longer use Clinique, but I use an exfoliator every other day as a minimum. I’ve tried some great ones, some not-so-great ones, and some really awful ones. However, PREP has to be one of the best I’ve ever tried.

PREP has microdermabrasion crystals in it, which I love. The best part is that they aren’t sharp – ever tried a microdermabrasion that just hurts? You won’t have that problem here. The crystals along with alpha arbutin whisk away dead skin and debris to help brighten and balance skin. The addition of niacin helps with the refreshed look my skin has after a good scrub.

Not only does PREP help with anti-aging by reducing fine lines, it helps remove blackheads as well. You will need to use it consistently to see this benefit, but it will happen. Those with sensitive skin will want to make sure to do a patch test before using on the entire face. Use as a scrub, then leave on as a mask for even more antioxidant and peptide benefits.

PREP is available at The Skin Care Shop for $80 and comes with a big seal of approval from Retrodiva’s Beauty.

Your best face: skincare in 2011 – NeoStrata Foaming Glycolic Face Wash

alpha hydroxy acid, anti-acne, anti-aging, anti-wrinkle, NeoStrata 2 Responses »

Jan 052011

Glycolic acid is a AHA, or alpha hydroxy acid, and is especially useful for exfoliation purposes. While many people use AHA’s as an anti-aging product, it can also be useful for those with breakout-prone skin due to it’s ability to get underneath the damaged upper layer of skin and remove the “glue” that holds dead skin cells and other debris to the skin. These dead skin cells and debris are what can clog up your pores and case blackheads, whiteheads, and full blown pimples, if not treated.

The important thing to remember when using a glycolic acid product is to make sure the concentration is at least 10%. If the product doesn’t have at least that concentration, you may experience very few benefits, and 10% is considered to be the absolute minimum. Not a problem with NeoStrata Foaming Glycolic Wash, as the concentration is 18%. It also contains lactobionic acid, which is helpful in smoothing fine lines and improving the skin’s texture.

The foam is extremely easy to use – two pumps is all I need to throughly cleanse my face, and it washes off with no residue, as it is a completely soap-free formula. Those with drier skin may need a heavier moisturizer afterwards, and should probably consider using it only a couple of times a week as an exfoliant. I personally use it twice a day with excellent results.

NeoStrata Foaming Glycolic Wash is available at SkinStore.com and Dermstore.com for $32.00

Your best face: skincare in 2011 – Estee Lauder Perfectionist CP+ Wrinkle Lifting Serum

anti-aging, anti-wrinkle, Estee Lauder, skin care 1 Response »

Jan 032011

It’s time to get serious about your anti-aging skin regimen. If it’s not on your list of new years resolutions, you might consider adding it on. By the time you’ve reached 30, your skin is going through some changes, and the sooner you start, the less you will have to work when aging really sets in.

Some of us are lucky and don’t need any help with softening already existing wrinkles. The rest of us, however, need a touch of help, even if it’s just to soften those laugh lines around the eyes. One of the best products on the market that I have found is Estee Lauder ‘Perfectionist CP+’ Wrinkle Lifting Serum.

It applies like a velvety dream, and for those of us who don’t need any extra grease on our already-oily skin, you won’t be disappointed in this formulation. It sinks in immediately and leaves skin feeling soft and smooth. The product contains Exclusive Wrinkle Lift Restructuring Peptides™ which are supposed to amplify collagen production in only two hours, according to Estee Lauder’s in vitro testing.

Immediately you should see a 36% reduction in length, depth and number of fine lines and wrinkles, according to the EsteeLauder.com site, and the product is supposed to “fill in and visibly immobilize wrinkles with a flexible elastomer.”

I noticed on my first application that my skin was smoother, softer, and appeared to have fewer fine lines than before. After a few weeks, I noticed even more of an effect – laugh lines around my eyes were much softer, and the deeper lines on my forehead weren’t nearly as severe.

Product instructions advice applying in the morning on a cleansed face, but I usually apply at night after cleansing, exfoliating, and toning but before moisturizer.

Estee Lauder ‘Perfectionist CP+’ Wrinkle Lifting Serum is available at Nordstrom.com and at any Estee Lauder counter or EsteeLauder.com.

The top five of 2010: skin care edition

acne treatment, Annemarie Borlind, anti-acne, anti-aging, anti-wrinkle, GoodSkin Labs, Mario Badescu, Oily Skin, Origins, skin care, Votre Vu Comments Off

Jan 032011

I am convinced that a good skin care regimen is the basis of beauty. We all know how important it is to keep sunscreen on our skin all year long (right?) to fight aging as well as skin cancer. We know that there are great anti-aging systems out there at all price points, and we know that acne is no longer a social death sentence.

I personally have potentially problematic skin. I can break out quickly if I don’t keep a handle on my routine and use only products that are completely non-comedogenic. It’s tough finding anti-aging products that work well with my oily skin, so I am forever switching it up and trying new things. Some work great, others not so much. Here are my top five for 2010:

PEAU ÉQUILIBRÉE Sérum Balance Pour Le Visage by Votre Vu. I’m not sure what exactly is in this serum that works so well with my skin, but it’s a keeper. This is one of the first products that I’ve tried that actually works to control the oil on my face, even though I don’t see anything about that benefit in their marketing materials. It’s a lovely light serum that goes on smoothly and lasts most of the day. I can make it to about 3 PM before needing to blot excess oil, and that’s a new record for me.
Exten-10 Instant Youth Boosting Moisturizer SPF 15 by GoodSkin Labs. GoodSkin Labs is actually under the Estee Lauder umbrella, and Estee has some of the best skin care out there. This moisturizer not only has SPF protection, it’s not greasy, which is huge for me. While it claims to make you look 10 years younger, I don’t know if that’s true. I haven’t bothered to pull out some photos and compare, but I do like what it does for my skin. This one is a keeper.
Origins Zero Oil Oil-free lotion with Saw Palmetto & Mint. I love not only the smell of this naturally inclined line, but the addition of salicylic acid does wonders keeping the excess oil at bay. Salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid, is one of the best anti-acne ingredients out there, and it also helps with anti-aging by removing debris and dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. It is one of the only ingredients proven to actually cut through the layer of oil on the skin and penetrate into the pores. Combined with an oil-free moisturizer, this is almost a miracle product for those of us with older oily skin.
Borlind Ultra Stick by German line Annemarie Borlind. This is a handy little blemish fighter, totally portable and easy to use. Contains salicylic acid and can be applied as often as needed. It clears up blemishes without leaving a flaky mess behind, and contains other natural ingredients.
Mario Badescu Drying Cream. Mario Badescu is my go-to line for my breakout needs. This year I discovered the drying cream which is a super powerful cream that you can apply morning or night which clears up any problem areas while toning down the redness that is often associated with breakouts. I can apply this at night and wake up to a significantly lesser problem than I had when I went to sleep the night before. Fragrance-free and easy to use.

Votre Vu’s PEAU ÉQUILIBRÉE Sérum Balance Pour Le Visage helps troubled skin

skin care, Votre Vu 1 Response »

Dec 142010

I could start by waxing poetic about French skin care, and the French women who use it. They all seem to have clear, radiant skin, use little to no makeup, and just a quick brush of their hair and some red lipstick, and they are all set. Perhaps I am a bit envious, the attitude of “I am beautiful regardless of the makeup I may or may not have on,” is so foreign to us over here on this side of the pond. But you know what? I won’t get into that. What I will say is that I started using the Votre Vu skin care line for “troubled” skin (because my skin definitely has the potential to be trouble), and that dream of beautiful clear skin isn’t that far off any more.

I am wary of any line that doesn’t contain my beloved salicylic acid. I know that a 2% concentration can prevent all my breakouts, and should one appear if I haven’t been as diligent as I should, one treatment usually knocks it out. But the Votre Vu line doesn’t appear to have any salicylic acid, certainly not at 2%. So I began my regimen with trepidation, thinking that I would soon have a wonderful mess that would need to be cleaned up with a beta hydroxy acid. Imagine my surprise after a week, even two, when none of those breakouts happened. This would mark the first time I have used a skin care line that was not specific to breakout prone skin that actually worked.

The secret, I believe, is the serum that was part of the regimen. First cleanse, then tone, then apply the serum before moisturizing. PEAU ÉQUILIBRÉE Sérum Balance Pour Le Visage doesn’t require a great deal – just a few drops will cover your entire visage (face sounds so much nicer in French, doesn’t it? Visage). It’s not a gel, it’s more of a liquid, and it’s easy to apply. What I’ve noticed in my month-long trial is that it really seems to help oil production, and I do not say that lightly. Many products claim to help reduce oil and I have found that very few of them actually do it. Or at least, deal with the amount of oil that I deal with on a daily basis. PEAU ÉQUILIBRÉE Sérum actually seems to work.

It’s a Festivus miracle!

PEAU ÉQUILIBRÉE Sérum Balance Pour Le Visage is available at VotreVu.com and retails for $52.

Gift Idea: Patyka Body Oil in Precious Woods

beauty, Patyka, skin care Comments Off

Dec 062010

This is more of a stocking stuffer. Or you could wrap it up. Either way, this is a great addition to any shopping list. It’s small, glamourous, and a truly amazing product. Patyka is a French cult classic. The line is natural and mostly organic, and is filled with amazing products that are not only good for your skin, but a true joy to use. The brand is also committed to Fair Trade practices.

Precious Woods body oil glides on with a smooth, satiny feel. The scent is created with extracts of vetiver and tonka bean and is warm and enveloping. It is a wonderful winter scent that will always garner compliments. It also has my favorite, ylang ylang, which is a powerful cell regenerating agent and it works on all skin types, especially dry and mature skin. It’s perfect for winter skin, too!

Patyka products are available at Sprit Beauty Lounge and New London Pharmacy, and the body oil retails for $65.

Holiday have you stressed? Your skin won’t look it with GoodSkin Labs

anti-aging, anti-wrinkle, GoodSkin Labs, skin care Comments Off

Nov 162010

GoodSkin Labs has all your holiday skin care problems solved:

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Problem: High school reunion. Solution: Exten-10 Instant Youth Boosting Moisturizer SPF 15. I have this moisturizer in my beauty cabinet, and it is a favorite of mine because you do see some pretty amazing results! It instantly helps restore the radiance, moisture, and translucency of young-looking skin and over time restores the skin’s vitality. It’s clinically proven to make you look 10 years younger, so you won’t looked as if you’ve aged a day since you saw them last! $39.50 exclusively at Kohls.
Problem: Late night holiday partying. Solution: Eyliplex-2 E ye Lift Circle Reducer. Late night partying have you looking and feeling tired? Awaken those eyes with this dual system eye treatment designed to restore your youthful gaze instantly. It consists of 124 ingredients that are combined to work in synergy targeting eye complexities both immediately and over time, and it it customized based on the time of day for more effectiveness. $39.50 at Kohls.
Problem: Holiday card photos. Solution: SMOOTH-365 Intensive Clarity Peptide Serum. ‘Tis the season for family photos — get perfectly smooth skin in seconds with this skin perfecting super serum and anti-aging treatment that offers instant improvement to the overall quality of skin’s texture, while firming and reducing the look of lines over time. A perfect makeup primer, it’s your go-to solution for stay-put makeup under the camera’s bright lights. $42.50 at Kohls.
Problem: Holiday shopping marathon. Solution: Filextra Facial Revolumizing Treatment with Collagen. Running around town holiday shopping can leave you feeling and looking dull and drawn, but Filextra immediately restores a youthful radiance and a heathy glow! An all over facial moisturizer, this magical product helps visibly rebuild youthful volume skin has lost over time. $42.50 at Kohls.
Problem: Holiday madness hangover. Solution: Tri-Aktiline Instant D eep Wrinkle Filler. Stressing from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season takes a toll on your skin. Your compensation for all the hard work – memories along with some extra laugh lines. Relax and repair those wrinkles by using Tri-Aktline. It features a potent mix of ingredients that instantly fills fine lines and wrinkles while helping to firm the skin over time. This innovative concentrate helps eliminate the appearance of wrinkles on contact, evening out and smoothing away the look of the most deepest, most visible lines. $39.50 at Kohls.

Five steps to get glowing skin just in time for the holidays

anti-aging, beauty, skin care Comments Off

Nov 152010

Ah, the dream of glowing, perfect skin. We all crave it, few of us actually have it. But there are easy steps you can take to ratchet up your glow factor, and none of them involve a day spa or fancy equipment. Just make sure to do them regularly, and you will see glowing results.

Cleanse with the right cleanser. Not everyone needs an exfoliating cleanser all the time – that abrasion and irritation may be contributing to your breakouts. Choose your cleanser wisely based on your skin’s unique needs.
Exfoliate once a week (maybe more, if your skin needs it). Just because you don’t need an exfoliating cleanser doesn’t mean you get to skip exfoliation altogether. Exfoliating is one of the best ways to increase your glow. Choose a microdermabrasion mask or a peel. Follow the instructions carefully, and watch the glow happen.
Steam your pores. This is one of those tricks that can be used as often as needed. Boil water, pour carefully into a large bowl. Bend over it with your face about three inches from the water, and drape a towel over your head. Try to relax for about 10 to 15 minutes. Feeling green-goddessy? Add herbs to your water. Chamomile and lavender for irritated or dry skin, rosemary or thyme for normal skin, and tea tree oil for problematic skin.
Nourish, moisturize, and hydrate. Every skin needs excellent moisture. Yes, even oily skin – especially oily skin after a round of exfoliation. Dry flaky skin is not glowing. Choose a hydrating cream and use it religiously before bed. Remember to take special care of the undereye area, and use an anti-aging formulation if necessary.
Choose light-reflecting makeup when you need to boost your glow. There are so many excellent formulations out there for every budget. Just look for “light reflecting pigments” and remember to go easy. Use highlighters and primers for an extra boost.

Check out our slideshow below for some of our favorite products to help get your glow on.

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Enter to win the ultimate girls night out with Caress

beauty, skin care Comments Off

Nov 062010

Caress has created a Facebook application that allows you to enter for a chance to win the ultimate night out with your girlfriends.

Just head over to Facebook.com/Caresskin and answer a few questions. You’ll get your personalized recommendation for the best Caress product for you (I got Tahitian Renewal, which is actually in my shower now – it’s one of my favorites) and you’ll be entered to win a customized night out for you and your girlfriends in your hometown.

Product review: Proactiv Makeup Removing Towelettes

beauty, skin care Comments Off

Nov 052010

For the most part, I’m pretty good at doing a full makeup removing ritual along with cleansing, toning, moisturizing, serums, creams, and whatever treatments and masks I’m currently using. Not so much that I’m worried about anti-aging or anything like that, but that I know if I leave my makeup on, there is a good chance that I will wake up with a full-blown breakout. And I really hate breakouts – even more than I hate wrinkles. So at the very least, no matter how exhausted I am, I can usually manage to at least cleanse my face.

However, there are times, and Wednesday night was one of them, where I just couldn’t do it. I had gone out with some friends, drank a few pineapple martinis, and stayed out way past my bedtime. By the time I had made it home, I was beyond tired and knew that I had to get up in just a few hours to make sure the kids were on the bus and get myself to work. So instead of meticulously washing my face, I collapsed into bed. The good news? As I was lying there drifting off to sleep thinking about the nonsense that I would wake up to on my face in the morning, I remembered that I had a pack of Proactive Makeup Removing Towelettesin a basket next to my nightstand. Without even getting up out of my bed, I reached over, opened the pack, got a wipe, cleaned my face off, and promptly fell asleep.

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