Category Archives: Beauty

Beauty: On the Cheap

Posted on December 12, 2012 | 13 Comments

There is something so fun about trolling the aisles of a drugstore looking for low-priced beauty products. It’s a bit like Russian Roulette trying to find something that’s actually good, but since it’s not too hard on the wallet, I don’t mind taking the chance.

The other day I picked up some newbies and I found these three fantastic products. I definitely got lucky — they are my new faves:

Physicians Formula Multi-colored Highlighter

Using this Physicians Formula mosaic highlighter as my new go-to face powder. It helps with redness, winter dullness and evens out skin tone with a baby-fine powder that’s not overly matte. The overall effect is brightening.

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser

If you’re anything like me, you’ve tried a gazillion concealers. I’ve tried high-end, low-end and everything I could get my hands on. Most of the time they make me look worse, so I just went without. But this one, I like a lot. The Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser spongy applicator is fool-proof, the formula is light and it doesn’t settle into my wrinkles, making them look worse. It just lightens, covers and easily blends, without making a big announcement that I AM TIRED AND I HAVE CONCEALER ON! Good for pigment spots, dark circles, breakouts, etc.

Maybelline DreamLumi Touche Highlighting Concealer

I’m going to put this jewel in the best supporting beauty product category. While the concealer above, does the heavy lifting, the Maybelline DreamLumi Touch Highlighter makes for a good finishing touch, especially for nighttime makeup. It’s nice in the corners of the eyes to brighten up after a long day. Also, you could try it blended all along the tops of your cheekbones, for a lifting effect and subtle sheen.

It’s funny, as I get older, I’m more interested in having better-looking skin, than wearing colorful lipsticks, blushes or eye shadows. So glad to have found 3 cheap products that work so well.

x Laura

Hate Your Sunscreen Yet?

Posted on July 3, 2012 | 6 Comments

Sunburn Barbie

Sticky, hard to rub in, smells toxic, ghostly white, too greasy, stings your eyes, rolls your makeup and irritates your skin. Are you sick of your facial sunscreen yet? If you’re ready to ditch your current tube, have I got the thing for you (cue the music).

Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF 40+

In my (humble) opinion Josie Maran has hit it out of the park with her chemical-free moisturizer + sunscreen duo for face, neck and chest. It’s an Argan Oil based moisturizer, with the added benefits of micro-mineral sunscreen and a SPF 40+. The silky, mild lotion (almost a milk) has other skin supporting ingredients like jojoba oil, pomegranate oil, green tea and chamomile.

Here’s why I love it so much:

chemical-free sunscreen in SPF 40+
feels more like a moisturizer than a sticky sunscreen
no white residue — the mineral sunscreens immediately disappear
less products, less steps in the morning (1 step, rather than 2)
Argan oil moisturizes without looking shiny
acts like a make-up primer (now that’s 3 steps covered)

I’ve been using the Joise Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF 40+ ($32) for over 5 months now and haven’t had a single complaint with this product. It smells very good (fruity), pumps out easily and my first bottle (the 2.0 oz) lasted 3 months with daily use. I then sent a bottle to my mom for her try out and she loves it too. I’m onto my second bottle now (the jumbo 4 oz) and plan to use this until the end of time.

Reviewers over at Sephora give it 4.7 out of 5 stars. Nearly a perfect score. That’s pretty good if you ask me.

Also, if you’re into natural skincare, you’ll be happy to know that it’s formulated without: Parabens, Sulfates, Synthetic Fragrances and Dyes, Petrochemicals, Phthalates, GMOs and Triclosa.

What about the rest of my me?

I’m using the Josie Maran product strictly on my face, neck and chest. For the rest of my body, my go-to sunscreen is still Dr. T’s Supergoop!. Read my review of it over here. This sunscreen gets high marks from my whole family and we buy it in the large size pump, which lasts a fair amount of time. This formula sinks right in, is invisible on skin, leaves a slight sheen, is water-resistant, and free of parabens, fragrance and oxybenzone. Also available at Amazon.com.

Have fun in the sun this week!

x Laura

More posts like this one:

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Posted in Beauty, Skin care

Tagged Argan oil, beauty, best sellers, chemical-free, highly rated, Josie Maran, mineral, Moisturizer, Sephora, Skin care, skincare, sunscreen

Each Other’s Eyes

Posted on June 21, 2012 | 9 Comments

Eyes from Around the World, Photo: AFAR Magazine

We are all unique and yet connected. I find this picture of eyes from different women around the world to be beautiful and mesmerizing. Click through to see a larger picture with the country written under each set of eyes.

“Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other’s eye for an instant?”

– Henry David Thoreau

x Laura

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Posted in Beauty, Fashion, Travel

Tagged AFAR magazine, beauty, Henry David Thoreau, Travel, women around the world, world beauty, world photo

Beauty: Acure Brightening Facial Scrub

Posted on April 23, 2012 | 2 Comments

Acure Organics Skin Brightening Scrub, $15

Last month I was in Pharmaca, the clever vitamin + natural beauty + pharmacy all rolled into one, and a rep from Acure Organics was giving away samples from their skincare line that day. She hooked me up with a few products and after trying them out, the one I went back for was the Brightening Facial Scrub, $15.

What’s In It?

The scrub has three parts to its organic ingredients formula to get you glowing: (1) the sea kelp and walnuts exfoliate, (2) the french clay and lemon peel remove impurities, and (3) the chlorella and raspberry help stimulate new cell growth. All I know is that my complexion is visibly brighter, clearer and actually prompted someone to say, “what are doing differently?” Wow, get me some more of that scrub, pronto!

Pro Tips

How to use it: Get your face really wet and with wet fingers apply a small amount (pea size) to your face. Gently rub it all around, avoiding the eye area and then leave it on for 2 minutes. Rinse off with cool water. The rep says by leaving it to sit on your face for a few minutes, you get added benefits from the active ingredients. By the way, she was 40+ and had gorgeous skin — glowing, dewy and vibrant.

Where To Get Yours

Did you notice that it’s only $15? Their whole product line is extremely affordable, organically-sourced, free of petrochemicals AND supports the fight for breast cancer. Available at Pharmaca, Whole Foods and online at AcureOrganics.com.

What have you tried lately that you love? I’m always interested to hear about what you’re into!

xLaura

More Beauty Reads:

Sublime* (Sunless Tanner)
Put Your Money Away: Budget Beauty Finds

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Posted in Beauty, Skin care

Tagged Acure Organics, Brightening, face scrub, Skin care

Put Your Money Away – Budget Beauty Finds

Posted on February 16, 2012 | 9 Comments

Photo: Allure

Does dropping serious money for cosmetics really deliver a better beauty product? Maybe not. After road-testing a handful of budget options, I’m convinced that sometimes dime store make-up is just as good as higher-priced lines. Following are a few penny pinching beauty items and the comparable higher-priced option.

Almay Wake-Up Hydrating Makeup (Mineral), $13

It’s a mineral powder that delivers a cool, icy feel when it first touches the skin, due to a hydrating formula packed with cucumber, green tea and aloe vera. Great light-moderate coverage without looking dry or too powdery. Layers well over sunscreen for a radiant natural day look.

Compare to BareMinerals at $26

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Compact Makeup, SPF 55 (Cream), $11

Said to have the highest amount of sunscreen available in any makeup on the market, I just had to try this. It’s creamy texture sinks right into skin delivering moderate, but buildable coverage; perfect for evening out skin tone. Finish is hydrating and dewy. Great choice for everyday makeup.

Compare to Sheisedo Sun Protection Stick Foundation, $27

Roc Retinol Correxion Eye Cream, $18

This has an arsenal of ingredients for all your under eye problems. It claims to visibly reduce: wrinkles, crow’s feet, dark circles and puffiness. I’ve long given up hope that a cream will actually reverse my wrinkles, but I’m hopeful that they will keep new ones at bay. What I like is that the Roc formula is non-irritating, hydrating and relatively inexpensive. Works as well as any $100 eye cream that I’ve tried. Won the Allure Editor’s Award.

Compare to Clinique All About Eyes, $29

CoverGirl Lash Perfection Mascara, $6

Solid choice for building long lashes with volume. No clumping, no smudging and washes right off at the end of the day. More natural looking than the CoverGirl Voluminous line. The black brown is my go-to for day.

Compare to Lancome Definicils High Definition Mascara, $26

Aquaphor, $7 tube

Everyone knows about Aquaphor, but it really comes in handy this time of year. Put aside your pricey foot creams and lip balms and reach for a $7 tube of this wonder gel. Here’s how it’s been saving my skin:

Heals skin irritations from trying so many random products.
How did my feet get so crazy dry? Slather this on at night, put on socks and awake to baby-soft, pampered heels.
Rub on cuticles and lips every day to keep them from cracking from winter winds and cold air.

Compare to Bliss Foot Patrol, $18

Other Great Products to Try:

Neutrogena Lip Sheers, $9 vs. Tarte Natural Lip Sheer, $16

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Blends Bronzer, $12 vs. Smashbox Fusion SoftLights, $30

Physicians Formula Matte Collection Quad Eyeshadow in Canyon, $6 vs. Sephora Collection Matte Madness, $24

What’s your favorite drugstore or grocery store beauty make-up? How do you save money on cosmetics?

xLaura

Check out my other Beauty Reviews:

Beauty Reviews: Does Natural Deliver?

Beauty Round-up: Winter Skin

Beauty MVPs