Glymed Plus Ultra Hydrating Enzyme Treatment

Great news! My audition for Broadway's Wicked went really well! Just kidding Beauties! This is just yours truly looking stunning while trying out Glymed's Ultra Hydrating Enzyme Mask.

While in the midst of taking my Clear + Brilliant 30 Day Challenge I was yearning to exfoliate, but needed to do so gently.  I received a sample of this enzyme treatment in an online order I placed,  so I decided to try it out.  It uses papain enzymes to nibble away dry skin. Glymed calls papain a 'Biological Scapel', slightly creepy analogy- however this brilliant enzyme derived from papayas somehow knows to digest dead tissues, while leaving healthy live tissues alone. I use papain often in my treatment room, because of this. For a girl used to some serious exfoliation, this product was very gentle- it's definitely more of a hydrating treatment than anything else. I think it would be ideal for normal to dry skin types.  This product also includes pineapple enzymes, which are known for their anti-inflammatory effect. I did love the fact that the mask didn't harden in that 'I'm becoming a mummy sort of way.' I would recommend you apply this about 10 minutes before you shower, go frighten & startle loved ones with your green face, then hop in the shower & rinse it off in there, as it's a bit of a mess. What we do for beauty, eh?

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Must Have Make-Up Monday: Bergdorf Beauty Event

Oh how I love my Gifts with Purchase! It's embarrassing that with some lines I'll buy things I don't even need to get the gift! Well it's Bergdorf Goodman's Beauty Event my friends. Yes, $200 is pretty steep- however Bergdorf's is known for launching & carrying incredibly exclusive brands like Edward Bess, Le Metier de Beaute & the entire Tom Ford make-up collection. Plus other lines are offering additional gifts with purchase, so it's a win win in my opinion. Let's also acknowledge the size of just the Orlane sample alone- it looks full sized! I think I'll finally be picking up the much coveted Clea de Peau concealer & (I know- shock) a few more lipglosses! Whatever samples don't fit my skin type are saved for stocking stuffers! Happy shopping.

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Jouer Cosmetics

Henri Bendel's has a crack like effect on me. Major addiction. I seriously cannot go into the flagship store in NYC without making something mine.  This go around I decided to try Jouer, a cosmetics company known for the ability to connect their individual compacts into customizable palettes.

I picked up the limited edition Blushing Beauty Palette, which consists of the Whisper Tint/ Feather Highlighter duo, Chocolate/Peach Eyeshadow duo, Sheer Matte Touch Powder & Bronzer duo + Cherish Lipgloss. In this picture all of the pieces are actually connected. Worth mentioning- I think I got a lot of prestige product for the price of $58.

Here I am sporting the shadows, powder/bronzer duo & gloss. The colors are neutral classics.  I could see a lot of brides sporting this collection for the summer wedding season now upon us. Though it's listed currently as out of stock on Jouer's website, I would call Bendel's & see if they can ship it to you. It's pure loveliness!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Kate Somerville's Quench Oil Free

Can you hear the angels singing, Beauties?  Kate Somerville has made millions happy for years with her hydrating Quench Serum, which has evoked a cult like following. This celebrity loved product known for creating luminous, dewy skin was the launching pad for putting the entire brand on the map. However, this serum is really ideal for normal to dry skin types. But finally- Kate has created a product for us oily skin types!

Quench Oil Free Face Serum ($65) is an ultra light serum. It has a whipped gel like consistency that feels delicious on the skin.  Besides having water binding hyaluronic acid, it also boosts skin loving glycerin that is like a tall drink of water for thirsty skin. Rounding out the ingredients that caught my eye? Peptides, which are known for their anti-aging & anti-inflammatory properties. Best of all? No break outs!  Clients often confuse & interchange hydration with moisture.  Every skin type (including acneic!) needs water AKA hydration, but some don't need moisture- which refers to oil.  When nervous about whether a product will agree with your skin or break you out, choose an oil free version & go from there. I would say Kate Somerville's Quench Oil Free Face Serum is a great place to start!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

I purchased this product

Polish Pic{k}s

So when I spotted Layla's Hologram Effect nail polish in Ulta I was intrigued. Though I usually favor dark color on my hands, I'm a glutton for special effects. Hologram is an avenue I haven't experienced before so I scooped it up- at a rather pricey $15.50 for a small bottle.  I normally draw the line at @$9 for my OPI & Essie polishes, unless I have to have a particular Chanel shade.   

As much as I wanted to fall in love with this polish, it just didn't cooperate. I buffed my nails (recommended) then used a ridge filler.  The first coat was very sheer and oddly matte.  The polish also had little globs in it that made it difficult to maneuver

 Usually the second coat hides all sins for me, but it was a bit streaky & then dried down to the same weird matte finish.  I topped with a clear top coat & thought I managed to salvage the manicure - not scrap it & have to start over with a different polish.  

 However upon inspection the next day, the polish looked so streaky that I ended up topping it with my trusty OPI for Sephora shimmery champagne color.  My only thought was that the chemical make-up of the polish was doing something odd with my topcoat, since it was already starting to turn matte again.  I then had chipping rather early on, too! I'm sad to report this polish was a total bust for moi in terms of performance! Has any one else tried it?

Peace. Love. Polish. M

5 Things

What a delightfully lazy weekend I've spent with friends.  What have I reached for time & again over the last few days? Always, my trusty Tory Burch sunglasses.  I'm also 'that' girl obsessively protecting her skin while out on friends' decks. What can I say? I'm an esthetician, plus just last week I had the Clear & Brilliant laser treatment. Though I would like to be wearing a full bee keeper's uniform, reaching for Physicians Formula's Healthy Wear SPF 50 Powder Foundation & L'Oreal's Colour Riche Balm SPF 15 helps me feel protected.

A little Patron Silver on the rocks with a lot of lime wedges = crisp, refreshing heaven.

I totally fibbed & passed off pasta salad I brought to a cookout yesterday as my own. "Sure I made it from scratch."  As in, yes I opened the box, cooked the pasta & added mayo. Done & delicious. How have you spent the holiday weekend Beauties? 

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Senna Cosmetics

So I did a fair amount of damage while up in NYC for The Make-Up Show. I showed  *ummm* let's say a little restraint when it came reigning in my purchases. First up Senna Cosmetics.  Though I've never tried their line before, it was created by make-up artist Eugenia Weston & has been around since 1976. 

I know you'll be shocked that I picked up more nude lip treats. The never ending quest continues. I had read in Lucky Magazine a celebrity rave about their lipliners, so of course I had to scoop up one. I went for the lip liner in Heather {t} & a gloss in Flaunt{b.}

Here's the Smooth Lip Pencil {$18} in Heather. It's a nice classic nude, with pink undertones. A great basic.

I'm loving the Lip Lacquer {$20} in Flaunt & the packaging's gorgeous, too! Doe foot applicator, but the wand still dispenses a nice amount of gloss.   It's rather opaque in coverage- it reminds me a bit of Lorac's Couture Shine Liquid Lipstick, which I love.  Together this duo offers a look that ranks high in my book, though they're solid enough on their own to get plenty of use.  Just what I need- another make-up line to love!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.

I purchased these products.