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Best Eye Cream

Nina B | 02/01/2013 | No comments

I have fallen in love with a new eye cream. I have been trying alot of new products lately and the Hyaluronic Eye Cream from Mario Badescu seems to be working. I have been using it morning and night for about three weeks now. I have noticed fine lines have lessened and my eyes are much more hydrated. My concealer stays put and I just love the light feel of it.

It’s $18 which is a great price, considering a lot of drugstore brands are just as much. I ordered it on line from the site, and there was free shipping and they also sent me 3 trial sizes of my choice.

I also read all the reviews on the Mario Basdescu site and on amazon. They were all great with the exception of a couple of people who seemed to have a reaction. It is an aloe based formula and it will keep your eyes hydrated all day. If you have a Nordstrom you can try it there.

If you don’t use an eye cream it is never too late to start. You will be happy to have the eyes of a 40 year old when you are 80.

I just love it, and I think you will too.

Category: Beauty, Product Review Fridays

Favorite All Around Treatment Product-Kiehl’s

Nina B | 09/07/2012 | No comments

I went to get my hair cut yesterday and my hairdresser asked me what I use on my skin. Now, as an aesthetician I can tell you that I have used many, many brands and although I have a few favorites, there is one product that I adore. It is the Midnight Recovery Concentrate by Kiehl’s.

It comes in a dark blue glass bottle and you only need about 3-4 drops to cover your face. It is lightweight, and absorbs quickly into your skin. I use it alone, but you can also add another moisturizer on top of it. Use what you think your skin needs.

What I like even better is the price. It is $46, compared to many of the other top store brands that go for $75 and up ( LaMer for example). Now I know that is isn’t cheap by any stretch and its a lot of money to shell out. However what I will tell you is that my last bottle almost lasted 9 months.

The pros of the Midnight Recovery Concentrate are these:

It is paraben free and naturally derived
lightweight
quickly absorbs
Hydrates and minimizes fine lines
Regenerates and restores skin to a healthy balance.
Essential oil blend with primrose oil.
Best suited for normal to dry skin.

If you have a Kiehl’s store near you or a department store that carries the line, ask for a sample. They give generous sizes and then you get to try before you buy.

What I also told my hairdresser is that it really doesn’t matter what type of moisturizer you use on your skin; I use Purpose with SPF15, its about what you put under it that counts.

Category: Beauty, Product Review Fridays | Tags: Kiehls' Midnight Recovery Concentrate

The Perfect Bead-Pandora Bead Stopper

Nina B | 08/03/2012 | No comments

This review is for those of you with Pandora bracelets. I don’t know about you, but it has been driving me crazy that the beads tend to twist off the end of the bracelet. The beads are too expensive to lose. My sister in law came from California and I noticed this really neat little bead anchored at the end of her Pandora. She showed me the bead and it had a silicone ring inside so that it didn’t move very much. So I went down to the Pandora store and no one knew what I was talking about. I then did my own research and found silicone bead stoppers that can fit on any Pandora or Camilla bracelets. For $5.99 I ordered one from Milestones Jewelry. Look under the Pandora style beads and then select the bails, spacers and stoppers. It came with in a few days and its awesome. I love it. For $5.99 they sent two. It easily twists on, doesn’t move around and prevents my beads from twisting off. Check it out.

Category: Product Review Fridays | Tags: Pandora silicone stoppers

Full Coverage Foundation – Lancome’s Teint Idole Ultra 24 Hour

Sheila M | 06/22/2012 | 4 comments

I have Rosacea. My case involves some mild redness on my forehead, nose, cheek, and chin areas – but that is not the part that truly bothers me. I also have these broken capillaries on both of my cheeks (left cheek is way worse than the right). These little guys began to stain my face after my first born and year after year invite their sneaky friends to come and join the party, ON MY FACE!

Desperate, and out of my foundation, I visit the cosmetic counter to purchase my – tried and true – full coverage foundation but sadly cannot remember the name or color - uggh (with two kids in tow, truthfully, I have a tough time remembering my keys – let alone the name and/or color of my foundation). The lady at the counter mercifully helps me - trying to find a shade that matches and covers. In doing so, she used a foundation brush. Revolutionary! This brush, while providing full, even coverage, also let a little of me shine through. I looked in the mirror, redness gone, but, without all the heaviness of a “cake-face”! My eyes filled up with tears. I actually hugged the Lancome lady – Cheryl. I simply could not believe it.

The make up, which I now only use half of a pump, is smooth, has sunscreen, and truly works for 24 hours. I apply half of a pump to the top of my hand and with my foundation brush, dab and apply a few brush dots to the regions requiring the most coverage. From there, I brush my entire face, closed eyes and all, blending the makeup over my entire face. It really does cover most of my friends – the broken capillaries. It also provides an overall even-ness to my skin tone (hiding the aforementioned redness). The two take-aways - Lancome Teint Idole Ultra 24 Hour Foundation and a set of Foundation Brushes (my brushes were acquired through a “free gift” with purchase event).

Category: Product Review Fridays | Tags: beauty, makeup, roscea

Product Review Friday-Garnier Skin Renew B.B Cream

Nina B | 06/15/2012 | No comments

There has been a lot of talk of skin cremes that can do it all-B.B Cream. These face cremes are supposed to give coverage, sun protection, and minimize fine lines and wrinkles at the same time. Too good to be true, right? I decided to try the Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector- B.B. Creme with SPF 15 in Medium Deep.

The consistency is excellent, almost like a mousse but in a cream form. Goes on really smooth, like a silicone, but I will say I feel like my face looks a bit shiny until it sets about 4-5 minutes. I have combination skin, so I feel like I look a bit too greasy, but I throw a bronzer over it and I am fine. What I do like about it, is that its a one stop. My sunscreen and coverage in one product. I would think of it like a tinted moisturizer, with a bit more. I would probably only use it for days that you don’t want to wear foundation, or just heading to the gym or beach and don’t want to be bare faced. My skin feels soft and has a bit of a glow to it. If you are looking to try a product like this, you might love it. I read a lot of reviews on amazon and drugstore.com and they are mixed. The cost is about 10.99-13.00 so try it out, its a cheaper product, but it might just be the product you have been looking for. They do have these B.B Creams at Sephora but the price tag is about $36 and up.

Category: Beauty, Product Review Fridays | Tags: Garnier B.B Creme

Retro Handset- So Fun

Nina B | 06/01/2012 | No comments

Chat Old School Style

I know many of you may be laughing at this handset, but I think its very cool. My friend Julie gave it to me and I just love it. I use it when I am at home chatting or at the playground or sometimes sitting in my car. Initially it looks kind of silly, but so many people stop and ask me about it. I sometimes get really sick of holding my cell phone to my ear, my face accidentally hitting the numbers, and always concerned that my brain is getting baked with radiation.

The handset is made of a rubber like material, very comfortable to hold and it also has a button that you can click to switch calls. My kids love it, and I actually feel better having them use this handset than the actual cell.

There are many different brands out there on the market of these handsets. Brookstone actually has one that is cordless. The one I have is the Native Union handset for the iPhone. It can also be used with Andriods. Price ranges anywhere from $20-29. Great gift for yourself or a friend.

Retro-styled handset in soft touch pink combines classic style with a contemporary edge
Compatible with all 3.5mm jack mobile phones and computers, including iPhone, BlackBerry, iPad, and the latest MacBooks
Noise-reducing technology for a crisp and polished sound
Eliminates up to 99 percentage of the radiation absorbed compared to a direct use of mobile phones
One touch button for convenient pick-up/hang-up directly from the handset (not all mobile phone support function)

Category: Product Review Fridays | Tags: Retro Cell Phone handset

Trader Joe’s – Peanut Butter Filled Pretzel Nuggets

Sheila M | 05/25/2012 | No comments

Trader Joe’s offers up another winner. These little nuggets of love will not disappoint. It is the perfect combination of sweet, salty and crunchy. They are delicious. You will find them in the snack aisle for a reasonable $3.69. Trader Joe’s offers products without preservatives, artificial colors or flavors, genetically modified ingredients, MSG, or artificial trans fats. I appreciate a company that takes the guess work out of serving healthy foods to my family. Give them a try – your family will love them.

Category: Product Review Fridays | Tags: pretzels

Monthly beauty = Birch Box

Nina B | 05/18/2012 | No comments

This is one of the coolest things that I have come across as an avid product user. It is called Birch Box. It is a program that sends you the latest and greatest samples from top companies and ones that are new. It is a fantastic way to try new things without the commitment. This was my mothers day give to my family. A three month trial. The recipient can then customize their hair and skin type when they receive their first box. Its like a beauty surprise each month. How fun. I have to say that I did order a 3 month trial for myself, I couldn’t resist. It will give me a whole new batch of products to try out.

So weather you want something for yourself of a friend who you know will love this, check it out. I did have to put in a request for purchase, and I heard back in about a week. They give you a 96 hour window to sign up. You can do a 3, 6 or 12 month plan. Genius.

Category: Beauty, Product Review Fridays | Tags: Birch Box

All Greek Yogurt is not the Same

Nina B | 05/11/2012 | No comments

I know everyone either loves or hates greek yogurt. It can be to thick for many people, however the benefits are numerous. I have one brand through much testing that I have settled on and its Fage 0%. It has an amazing 18 grams of protein, which will keep you full and only 7g of sugar. The sugar is key when it comes to yogurt. My nutrition guru told me that 4g of sugar=1 tsp of sugar. So when you look at yogurt some have a whopping 24g of sugar, that is like eating 6 tsp of sugar. Gross!. So keep that in mind when looking at any food product. Its smooth and creamy and I have no complaints.

I always buy the plain and then either add: fruit, a little bit of Agave, and also some cinnamon. It actually tastes really good. You can also add it to a smoothie with frozen fruit and juice or make a dip and add your favorite favorings from Knorr. You can visit Fage for other recipe ideas.

Please post any other brands that you may use so I can check them out.

Category: Product Review Fridays | Tags: Fage

Best Fake Tan-Per-fekt Skin

Nina B | 05/04/2012 | 2 comments

I have fallen in love with a new product that I stumbled upon in NYC. My mom and I walked in Henry Bendels, totally loving the high energy atmosphere, it’s a product junkies dream. So many products to try, so little time. Well we stopped at a counter with a spunky sales girl, who looked like J.Lo. The line is Per-fekt. I can’t say enough about how cool this line is, however I will just focus on one of the product that I am using now. It is the gel/tan Per-fekt. It is a multitasking product that is an alternative to self tanners and bronzers.

This little miracle product has shea butter, and hyaluronic acid in it, which treats the skin for dryness and tone. I have been using it on my arms and chest area, and applying to my legs as needed until I get some sort of base color. Goes on silky smooth, and the color totally makes me look like I have a tan glow, but natural not orange. The counter manager said that the tube should last all summer, that is yet to be seen . I will tell you that I was blown away at how great my skin looked and felt. My mom too, was thrilled. Her skin looked fantastic. She ended up walking away with five of their products. I have two others that I am trying and will keep you posted on the results. I do know that this product is sold at Sephora and worth a test drive. I promise you will not be disappointed.