March 15, 2010
Posted by marta
100% Pure is one of those brands that I want to like, but have always felt that it was a little bit too gentle – well, if I’m honest, namby pamby. Nice botanicals, nothing nasty, but not much of an antiaging oomph. Although I recently started using and like the Cranberry Cleanser and Kim raves about their fruit pigment-based makeup, I had mentally tagged them as a nice range for 30-somethings. The only way I was going to put my prejudice to the test would be try out the self-proclaimed heavy hitter, 100% Pure’s 100% Potent Mushroom & Peptide Antioxidant Concentrate ($39).
For the first couple of weeks, I was patting my prejudice on the back for yet another prescient insight. 100% Potent Mushroom was nice, but there was no indication that much was happening. Thankfully, I stuck with it and I must say that this is a lovely skin conditioner. It moisturizers, firms the skin and plays very nicely with other products. Read more...
March 9, 2010
Posted by marta
Due to weather, hormones, testing products that don’t suit me or something other than lifestyle as I have been rather saintly recently (well, at least for me), my skin is blotchy and unhappy and, horrors, the pores on my nose are enlarged. Various remedies are being tried out and will be the subject of future posts, but I am pleased to say that I am finding toners can be a quick fix for troubled skin. I often turn to Amala’s Rejuvenating Toner, but recently I have been trying out Rilastil’s Intensive Toner ($45).
Both are European newcomers to the US, but unlike Amala’s, Rilastil’s toner comes alcohol free. I really like that one of the most dominant ingredients is cornflower. This plant is rarely used in cosmetics (probably because it has been almost eradicated by pesticides and is, therefore, expensive) although it is a known anti-inflammatory and has been used for treating ocular disorders for more than a century. The extract is rich in the polyphenols called flavonoids and anthocyanins. Read more...
March 4, 2010
Posted by copley
When I hear “serum”, I think runny…slimy…sticky. I think of an oftentimes unpleasant base layer in my beauty regime which typically neither moisturizes nor provides SPF protection. And I think of suffering short-term discomfort for long-term benefits. Perhaps I’ve been hanging with the wrong serum crowd, because I was just introduced to a new product by Wilava that fits none of these descriptions. Wilava’s Vitamin C Serum is somehow airy, agreeable, and satisfying all at the same time. Instead of filling in as an added step, this serum stands on its own while thoroughly moisturizing, protecting, and improving the look and feel of skin. Read more...
February 28, 2010
Posted by Mark
There are a great many excellent skin care lines available and if you do any reading at all, you’ve become familiar with many of the US lines. However, there are small niche American companies and European lines that are also a fortuitous discovery. Although I have heard of the Dermophisiologique brand, my knowledge of this 30 year old Italian company pretty much ended there.
Happily, I can now say that I have made acquaintance with them, using their Polivalente Crema Tonificante ($71.29) for just over a month. To begin, their unique container is ingenious. With a twist of the cylinder’s top, the center rises up and is the airless pump dispenser. When done, another twist and it lowers back down flush, eliminating the need for caps that fall off when traveling or get lost at home. If only all skin care containers were so thoughtfully made. Read more...
February 25, 2010
Posted by Roberta
It was at the gorgeous Enchantment Resort in Sedona, Arizona that we discovered the La Bella Donna mineral makeup line. We all know the deal with mineral makeup at this point, right? It’s made from pulverized minerals, which usually indicates that the makeup is free from chemicals that cause inflammation and irritation to the skin. It also is reputed to allow to skin to breathe more easily and provide natural sun protection.
In addition to La Bella Donna’s full line of mineral foundations, blushes, eye shadows, mascaras, and lip colors is the big Bella of the group: the truly singular Co-exist Gel Crème ($198 for 2 ounces).
At first, I thought, “What’s the big deal?” The ingredient list didn’t seem to hold any surprises: the cream contains sodium hyaluronate, which any beauty junkie knows is a natural hydrator, keeping skin moist and smooth. And pentapeptides, of course, help repair the skin’s outer layer and stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, which in turn diminishes fine lines and wrinkles. In short, it makes your skin look younger and suppler. Read more...
