Reviva has turned out to be one of those reliable, reasonably priced brands that deliver department store and even spa experiences for the thrifty, but demanding (that would be us). Not only have we reviewed and recommended a clutch of Reviva’s products, but many of them are still in use in my bathroom. Take the Collagen Eye Pads.
This kit, which costs $37.69 at the TIA shop, comes with a 2oz bottle of Skin Energizing Gel that is applied around the eye area before positioning pre-soaked pads. The gel has ahnfeltia concinna extract, which has peptides that are thought to trigger a signal to the epidermal and dermal cells that a substantial breakdown of collagen has occurred. Just the thing before adding some replacement collagen. Enter the pads, which are applied over the gel, under the eye and up to the crow’s feet area. In addition to collagen, there is Myoxinol in the pads. Brilliant to perk you up before a night out and a must for the morning after the night before. Read more...
With winter coming to an end, pampering your pout doesn’t have to be an emergency application of chapstick. For Valentine’s Day (yes, we know it was corny) we came up with Five Best for kissable lips. An obvious is inclusion was Revolution Organics Lip Glosses as they are natural and tres glam (they are available in the TIA store). And for the ultimate lip line eraser, there was Define from Your Best Face (we keep twisting YBF’s arm to let us have some more of the bundle that they put together exclusively for us and we have a limited supply left in the shop).
To get cocktail party lips, follow the tips in Erica Lytton-Miles’ video. She demonstrates a three-layer technique that will last you for several Cosmopolitans.
The weather in NYC lately has got me in a fabulous mood, reminding me that Spring is imminent. Paired with the recent Indian celebration Holi, or the “festival of colors” (where in a playful tradition people throw colored powder and water at each other to signify taking all the sorrow away and making life a little brighter), I’ve been inspired to pay homage to both by doing a short round up on just how you can add a little color to your life:
I’ve never really taken to Napoleon Perdis as a brand. The products seem to be undifferentiated, the logo reeks of a gold medallion nestling in a hairy chest, and the NP body scrub has the dubious honor of being the first in its genre that I don’t like (usually I am a pushover when it comes to body scrubs). So I was intrigued to see Napoleon Perdis Devine Goddess lipsticks in Ulta for $22 that boasted being “enriched with herbal extracts and antioxidants”. Perhaps NP was about to win me over.
To be sure, Devine Goddess lipsticks have a dash of Matrixyl (palmitoyl oligopeptide). It also has lemon balm (melissa officinalis) and the good news is that this is also a proven antioxidant. However, given that both come at the end of the ingredient list, I expect the antioxidant quotient to be not much more than angel dusting (as it is known in the trade). As Copley reported, angel dusting is an unfortunately common practice in the cosmetics, cosmeceuticals, and dietary supplement industries. In formulating a product, certain suspect manufacturers incorporate a miniscule portion of an active ingredient, insufficient to produce any measurable benefit. Read more...
I was recently introduced to the Kaplan MD line of antiaging cosmetics and I’ll be writing more on the full range and the approach behind it in future posts. In the meantime, I have been getting acquainted with the Lip 20 Treatment ($30), a lip plumper with Dr Kaplan’s signature tally of ten antiaging actives.
The first thing to say about Lip 20 is that it does plump the lips. Mine are thinner than a snake’s when left to their own devices and lip plumpers generally don’t work or are uncomfortable. When I looked up into the mirror after applying Lip 20, I couldn’t help but break into a big grin. My lips were pleasantly full, darker and smooth. This is a look I could get used to. Read more...
