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

Clear + Brilliant Laser

I am always on the look out for the latest technology to fight the signs of aging & improve the quality of my skin. Why? Because I'm vain- there I said it.  I also always joke that I've given up below the neck, so I put a lot of effort into maintaining from the neck up! Having our Diva of Dermatology, Dr. Noelle Sherber treating patients at La Papillon has its perks. She's just as obsessed with the latest & greatest advances as I am! We recently brought in the Clear + Brilliant Laser for an event.  The high tech/ low downtime laser is all the buzz amongst celebrities.

So of course, I wanted to experience it & give you Beauties a behinds the scenes peek! I started off by applying a topical numbing ointment on my face for 20 minutes prior to the treatment to minimize any discomfort. Don't I look gorgeous?

Don't be fooled by the cute, MAC like appearance of the Clear + Brilliant Laser- it packs a lot of punch.  Made by the manufacturers of the Fraxel Laser, the Clear + Brilliant Laser was created for us impatient gals & guys who want results with little to no downtime. The laser helps reduce the appearance of fine lines & pore size, while evening out skin tone & stimulating collagen!

After removing the numbing, Dr. Sherber passed the laser over my entire face (avoiding my eyes) a few times. The first pass felt fine- almost like those micro needle rollers, but charged with a little static electricity. Unlike IPL treatments which pulse, this is more of a continuous motion across the face.  Not painful, I would say it was more annoying.  Dr. Sherber then did a few more passes on problem areas, such as where I have excessive pigmentation on my upper cheeks.

Initially following the treatment, my face was incredibly flushed & warm.  I immediately applied my favorite anti-inflammatory serum, Skin Ceutical's Phyto Corrective Gel, then topped it with ice packs.  For the next few hours, I wasn't uncomfortable- but did feel like I could fry an egg on my face it was so warm.  Be sure to check back for the next post in the series to see how my skin progresses!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M
The event was such a success, we're bringing in the laser to La Papillon May 23rd for a whole month! I will be getting treated a few more times during the Clear + Brilliant 30 Day Challenge, since for optimal results they recommend a series of 3 sessions.  Of course, I'll be taking you girls along with me for the journey!

Skin's Secret Weapon

I don't know if your parents are anything like mine & I don't know if there's an actual term for having this affliction.  But let's just say that they are chronic email forwarders.  Is it wrong to want to list your Mom as a spammer?!? I get so many emails from them it's slightly ridiculous. However I skimmed over one article the other day they sent & found it quite fascinating.  I would say of the clients I treat that easily 85% of them have dehydrated facial skin.  Hydration & moisturization are often confusing terms to my clients.  In simple terms I explain hydration= water & moisture=oils.  Not all moisturizers have oils, but I say this in order to separate the two. The fact is that every skin type needs water- whether you are the Saharas of dry or the oiliest of acne sufferers.   Water brings everything into balance- it's especially important if you're using aggressive AHAs or retinols. I always say you wouldn't fertilize a plant that hadn't been watered in a week would you?  It would irritate & burn it. I use Skin Ceutical's Hydrating B5 Gel like it's going out of business to help hydrate, it's like a drink of water for my skin.  But in terms of whole body health, listen to these facts:

*37% of Americans mistake thirst for hunger due to a weak thirst mechanism

*Even Mild dehydration will slow down metabolism (that must be it!)

*Lack of water is the #1 cause of daytime fatigue

*Research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water can ease back & joint pain in up to 80% of sufferers!

*One glass of water can resolve late night hunger pains in 100% of dieters in a University Of Washington Study

*Just a 2% drop in body water can cause mental fogginess

*Drinking just 5 glasses of water a day can reduce the risk of colon cancer by 45%, breast cancer by 79% & bladder cancer by 50%

So it looks like it's not milk, but water that does a body good. Drink up Beauties!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

GloMinerals Remedy Gel

I'm always on the look out for ways to fight off the aging process...even as an esthetician, sometimes that means I can over do it. A few weeks back I tried a peel that left my skin rather unhappy- don't worry Beauties it wasn't my beloved Skin Medica Peel! My normal go to products to rectify the situation just weren't cutting it. To finally calm my rather irritated skin I turned to GloMineral's Remedy Gel. I'm a big advocate of anti-inflammatory products in general as inflammation is never a good thing & can cause premature aging. This soothing gel contains Aloe, Hydrocortisone & Rosehips (which accounts for its divine smell.) It's perfect for after waxing, when you've over exfoliated or even a blemish- because of course what is a blemish? Inflammation. The texture is fabulous & light, not a bit greasy. It's so lovely I would want to use it every day, but since it contains Hydrocortisone it's not meant for extended use as it can thin out the skin. But it will become a staple in my medicine cabinet to reach for in times of skin duress.

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash

I received a deluxe sample of Bliss' Fabulous Foaming Face Wash in one of my many beauty subscription services recently. You know I am honest and forthcoming of my beauty addiction, girleens! I thought it would be perfect to take with me while I was in Florida. In general I tend to gravitate towards Bliss, or at least their cute packaging & cleverly named products. Oh & did I mention the yummy smells? Bliss' Lemon & Sage body butter makes me swoon! However this cleanser just didn't seem to like me. I noticed my skin feeling pretty tight after using it the past few days, something my teenage self would have adored- but current self not so much. However last night was the real test. I came home from dinner & washed my face with it. I always do a double cleanse if I'm not showering at night to make sure all traces of my make-up are removed. I looked up & not one bit of my foundation had been broken down. Eeks! Mascara running down my face- I had to reach for a different cleanser to do the job. On paper this cleanser looks like it would be a dream come true with it being oil free & having man made exfoliating spheres, but alas this one one isn't for me.

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M