I am an absolute skin-care fanatic. The ingredients and science behind skin care is something that I am genuinely passionate about and the reason for starting this blog. I have always maintained some sort of routine since my early teens and believe it’s never quite to early to start. At 18 I started using anti-aging products as well as high doses of SPF. My time has taught me a lot of lessons, like keeping your skin hydrated at all times. A good moisturizer that is right for your skin type is the key to keeping your skin looking youthful, no matter what the form or price tag. I have also seen better results with more natural based ingredients.

As a background, my skin is generally dry with larger pores that have a tendency to get clogged up with gunk. Chemical exfoliators as well as regular facials are a must to keep my pores clear. I had a bout of acne in my mid-twenties and now I just have the occasional break-outs. I have darker under-eye circles made worse by seasonal allergies. I am 30 and anti-aging is my main concern.

Morning

1. Cleanse - In the mornings I will do a quick cleanse with this non-drying formula while gently exfoliating with a muslin cloth.
2. Toner - I keep them cool in the refrigerator and apply after cleansing, blotting off excess with a tissue. I use either the Kahina Toning Mist* or Sanitas Hyaluronic Mist.
3. Serum - I have a whole lot of love for the One Love Organics Vitamin C Serum* which is moisturizing enough to take place of both my serum and daytime moisturizer. Its all-natural and chock-full of exquisite ingredients.
4. Moisturizer - If I need any extra moisture, which I rarely do, I will apply the Weleda Wild Rose cream.
5. Eye Cream - The Clinique Even Better Eyes is my eye cream go-to. It’s a little miracle cream that combats fine lines and dark under-eye circles. I love this stuff!
6. SPF - I will apply my SPF right before makeup either with a makeup primer product or in the form of a sunscreen on the days that I need the extra protection. Currenly using Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer.

EVENING

1. The first cleanse - I love cleansing balms and am currently using the Thermal Cleansing Balm from Omorovicza. It smells delightful and works well at removing all traces of makeup. I apply a small amount to the entire face and neck and remove with a hot muslin cloth. While I love this one, i’m not certain I would pick it up again with such a high price tag. I remove excess eye waterproof eye makeup with Maybelline Expert Eyes Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover.
2. The second cleanse – A facial cleansing machine is a must! I can attribute my clear skin to this little device. I am currently using it along with Fresh Soy Face Cleanser. I will switch up cleansers to include one with salicylic acid when “monthly” break-outs will most likely occur.
3. Toner - I use the Kahina Toning Mist* in the evenings for an extra dose of moisture.
4. Facial Oil - Kahina’s Argan Oil* is a moisture remedy for me. It absorbs quickly and intensely hydrates my skin. The quality is the tops when it comes to Argan Oil.
5. Moisurizer - The Clarins Multi-Active Night is a fantastic moisturizer that I have been using for about two years now. It’s a great option but I will probably pick up something more natural when this one runs out.
6. Eye Cream – Clinique Even Better Eyes.

ONCE A WEEK

• Origins Clear Improvement – Love this clay mask for a deep cleanse, a go-to for many years.
• May Lindstrom Clean Dirt - This product is one of pure beauty. It deeply cleanses and exfoliates with the purest of ingredients.
• Alpha-H - This is my current AHA exfoliant that I use about 2-3 times a week. I was very curious to try this with so much hype surrounding it. It might be a fine exfoliant but it contains a lot of alcohol. I wont be picking it up again.
• Tammy Fender Epi-Peel* - Currently trialing this all-natural exfoliator sent to me by the lovely CultBeauty.co.uk for review. It’s quite abrasive and requires a very light hand. Review to come.
• Kahina Antioxidant Mask* - I do love just about everything Kahina has to offer especially this non-drying clay mask that exfoliates the skin as you remove it.

What are some of your skincare essentials?

*Disclosure – This post contains product(s) sent to me by PR for consideration of review. I do not receive compensation for reviews. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and true to my personal experience.

The Quad Royale is a lengthy 4 1/2 inches to accommodate the included brush. I do like the shape of the brush but it is rather rough and does impart heavy pigment, so be light. I would personally rather tote along a separate brush for touch-ups.

The formula is exquisite and blends into the skin beautifully. The powder is incredibly soft and imparts strong pigment. The micro-shimmering particles leave behind a believable luminous glow. I do suggest using a soft brush and a light hand to slowly build up color to your desired intensity. A small soft contour brush is best for applying the colors individually.

Summer in Capri is a collection of peach, mauve, tan, taupe, and pale pink tones. Most often, I first apply the two deepest shade on to the contours of my cheeks and temples. I then apply all four shades swirled together onto my cheeks.

The swatches in both lights are true to their nature as they appear on my monitor. The photo with flash helps to show the gorgeous sheen that this powder possesses although not as well as it does in person. I am personally smitten with the formula and finish. In the image below please note that I have over-applied the blush to help show the color.

Edward Bess Quad Royale in Summer in Capri $45

available at sephora, edwardbess, neimanmarcus 

L’Occitane Almond Supple Skin Oil is an indulgence I allow myself because it’s fragrance is a delight that I can’t quite deny myself. I’m sensitive to fragrances with such a finicky nose, so when I find one that brings me such pleasure, no matter what form it might take, I allow myself that indulgence. The Almond in the Almond Supple Skin Oil isn’t the one you will find in a kitchen. The fragrance is supple, clean, warm and incredibly inviting. It just so happens to be that the oil itself is an exceptional body moisturizer as well.

The Supple Skin Oil is a product geared toward woman during pregnancy for prevention of slack skin and stretch marks. I find it best to apply this oil to damp skin, it will cover with more ease while allowing you to use less product. You can very quickly run through this oil which is another reason I suggest applying it to damp skin. The oil is a heavier one and will certainly provide optimal moisture even when diluted. The Supple Skin Oil absorbs very quickly and wont leave you slick or greasy in any sense. What you can expect is intensely deeply nourished skin, a slight sheen, and a gorgeous fragrance.

The Almond Supple Skin Oil is top-notch as a moisturizer and gets a big recommendation from me. However with a $40 price tag I would hope this little bottle would stick around a bit longer than it does. Ultimitaley it is the scent that keeps me coming back. The ‘Amande’ line from L’Occitane also includes a ‘Smoothing Milk’ and a lovely moisturizing ‘Shower Oil’.

L’Occitane Almond Supple Skin Oil $40 (sephora.com)

Have you tried the Almond Supple Skin Oil? What are some of your favorite body fragrances?

]]> http://mylucitedreams.com/2013/05/14/loccitane-firming-and-smoothing-almond-supple-skin-oil-review-and-fragrance-favorite/feed/ 16 mylucitedreams loccitane-oil http://mylucitedreams.com/2013/05/08/gorgeous-cosmetics-madam-mini-false-eyelashes-review/ http://mylucitedreams.com/2013/05/08/gorgeous-cosmetics-madam-mini-false-eyelashes-review/#comments Thu, 09 May 2013 00:07:10 +0000 My Lucite Dreams http://mylucitedreams.com/?p=5028 Continue reading →]]> The Australian beauty brand, Gorgeous Cosmetics carries an extensive array of high-quality false lashes. With 27 different varieties, including individual and strip lashes, there is one to reflect each persons personal style needs. The ‘Mini Lashes’ are one of their best-sellers, and I am sharing my review of them with you today.

The Madam Mini Lashes are not really “mini” in any sense, but full and glamorous with just the right amount of drama. The lashes are very soft with a natural appeal. While the lashes are full, they are incredibly lightweight, which makes them a big winner in my book. Blinking won’t feel like an extreme sport because these wear so comfortably. The base of the lashes require the slightest amount of liner to disguise. The mini’s can be re-used up to 10 times, although I don’t personally find that feasible nor have I with any other falsies I have tried.

A small vial of glue is concealed underneath the lash packaging and perfectly suitable for wear. These very helpful instructions are courtesy of the Gorgeous Cosmetics website:

1. Curl lashes and coat with mascara.
2. Apply a thin layer of Duo Lash Glue along the band of the false lash.
3. Leave for 10 seconds until the glue becomes tacky (this makes the lashes easier to stick onto the eye).
4. Stand really close to your mirror, holding your false lashes (the opposite end of the glue) between your thumb and forefinger, tilt head up and place lashes down on top of your natural lashes. The false lashes need to sit in between the skin of your eyelid and where your natural lashes grow.
5. Use your fingers to press your natural and false lashes together so you don’t get a double lash.
6. Finish with an eye liner to disguise where falsies have been applied.

 via gorgeouscosmetics.com

The Madam Mini Lashes are incredibly beautiful and create a lovely, full effect. These beauties are perfect to add an extra amount of drama to your look. The lightweight feel and nearly invisible base make them a great option. I can see myself personally purchasing these when just the right occasion presents itself.

Madame Mini Lashes $16

available at gorgeouscosmetics.com, nordstrom.com, and beautybar.com

*This post contains product(s) provided by PR for my consideration of review. I never receive compensation for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

With the warmer weather and a self-tan I have been sporting a more natural look. A self-tan certainly helps to make that look more obtainable, that and a good skin-care routine. I can attribute two exceptional products for helping my skin to maintain optimal moisture; the Active Moisture Vitamin C Serum* from One Love Organics for day and Kahina Giving Beauty Argan Oil* for night. These two along with Clinique Even Better Eyes have been my HG on the skin care front.

My Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer has recently made its reappearance, reminding me once again just how much I love this product. This one provides a bit more coverage than your standard TM and provides an exceptional glow. I’ve recently picked up the Edward Bess Quad Royale in ‘Summer in Capri’ which I will be reviewing soon. In short, this bronzing-highlighting-blusher is an absolute beauty which I simply adore!

The It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under-Eye Concealer is a favorite year-round and the ultimate for concealer dark under-eye circles. I included this concealer this month as a must-have for those who suffer from seasonal allergies. The Bye-Bye Under Eye Concealer along with Clinique Even Better Eye Cream, Rohto Cool Eye Drops, and L’Oreal Voluminous Waterproof Mascara will bring the life back to your eyes. 

On to my tips and toes, Chanel Azure has been a standard for my pedicures, while I have been sporting the white nail trend via Deborah Lippmann’s Amazing Grace. For my lips I have been either opting for my current favorite bright, Dior Addict Extreme in Diablotine or going for a golden-nude lip with some balm and NARS Cythere Velvet Gloss Pencil.

What have been some of your favorites for the month on April?

The Collection included three limited edition lipsticks. I soon found that tracking down one of these limited edition shades was not an easy feat. After some searching I finally came across the lovely coral shade ‘Merry-go-round’, which I had my eye on, at ASOS.com. I havent included swatches of the lipstick shade in this post because its simply not available anywhere to my knowledge, so on to the blush!

Paul & Joe released 10 blushes in their ‘Carousel Collection’. Like the Lipsticks, the blushes are purchased separately from the cases and come out to $26 together, $18 for the blush and $8 for the case. The blush refill fits securely in place the compact by a magnet. I picked up the shade Re-belle described as a “blissful blend of shining rose and warm apricot designed for breathtakingly neutral looks.”

Re-belle is a lovely pink-rose shade. It has a sweet scent of plastic childhood toys, Charmkins anyone? The scent isn’t that overwhelming and does disappear after some time. The two shades can be applied separately to create a lovely contour or swirled together. The blush contains a heavy over-spray of shimmer. Most of the over-spray washes away, although to my best efforts, quite a large amount of shimmer still remained. The shimmer particles are quite large and tend to sit in pores which is unfortunate because the blush is rather lovely. The formula is very soft and blends into skin quite beautifully, leaving a lovely sheen.

I have over-applied Re-belle in the above image to best show the shade. When photographing these photos I need to consistently apply the blush as the intensity wore away very quickly. Paul and Joe Cheek Color is not one for long-wear but does create a lovely natural glow for several hours.

In conclusion, the wear of the blush and amount of shimmer doesn’t make this one a love for me. I am hoping in due time some more shimmer will wear away making it more wearable. I am not against shimmer if it is executed well, leaving a natural effect. The lipstick however is a beauty and I will gladly review it upon request.

Paul & Joe Cheek Color

available at b-glowing.com, beautyhabit.com, and asos.com

In creating the Active Moisture Line, Suzanne LeRoux the creator of One Love Organics (who also makes this beauty) and Elizabeth Dehn came to recognize that something was missing from their skin care products. That something was moisture, “not just any moisture but intense moisture and active ingredients that deliver maximum hydration benefits.”  A tune too familiar to me. Together, Suzanne and Elizabeth have given us what we have so desperately been seeking, nailing it with the Moisture Active Vitamin C Serum.

The Active Moisture Vitamin C Serum helps to “restore moisture levels and minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.” It’s potent mixture of antioxidants “naturally brighten and replenish skin for a more radiant, even-toned complexion.” It contains vitamins A, C, D, & E, antioxidants from green tea oil and sea buckthorn oil as well as rare fatty Acid Omega 7, along with Omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids.

This amped-up serum is a bit heavier than your traditional serum and has a gel consistency. It blends out similar to a dry oil that completely absorbs into the skin without leaving any excess grease. Your skin will drink this up and feel instantly plumped and intensely moisturized while your complexion is provided with an instant boost of radiance.

For a dry-skinned girl like myself I was quite surprised when my skin felt sufficiently moisturized with use of the serum alone. I have been using the Active Moisture Vitamin C Serum for about 7 weeks now with great results. My skin feels incredibly nourished, radiant and perhaps even a little brighter. In the morning, after toning, I apply one pump to my face and neck pressing the product into my skin using my fingertips. This product takes place of a serum and moisturizer and more than meets my needs. I highly recommend the Active Moisture Vitamin C Serum to anyone of any skin-type.

 Vitamin C Active Moisture Serum is $68 for 0.8 FL OZ

 Available at OneLoveOrganics.com

Also available is the Elizabeth Dehn for One Love Organics is a sample pack that includes sample sizes of the Vitamin C Serum and Vitamin E Eye Balm for those who like to try before they buy!

*Disclosure: This post contains product(s) provided to me by PR for my consideration of review. I do not receive compensation for my reviews and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

a white mani for the week and the latest Allure

some people have asked if I picked up anything from the Sephora VIB sale – ergo – some well trusted staples and a few new things (Shiseido Foundation Brush is new and incredible!)

some Paul & Joe whimsy

the weather permitted sandals this week! (Chanel Azure pedi pairing)

Blu amid the dandelions

I hope you all had a lovely week! 

Azure is the shade compared to the sky on a clear summer’s day…

Azure is a complex shade with many dimensions. It is a metallic duo-chrome shade that transitions from a royal blue to an aqua green. In sunlight and bright artificial light, Azure’s micro-shimmering particles sparkle with great intensity. No matter what the light Azure is incredibly vibrant and will demand a lot of attention.

(in natural light)

Azure cover’s in one coat, although I would recommend two for extra vibrancy. The formula is a dream to apply and perhaps for its metallic properties, it lasts a bit longer than traditional Chanel Polishes.

(in sunlight)

Chanel Azure is a must for your collection and a true standout this summer!

This Limited Edition shade is $27 (chanel.com)

In lieu of this day I have created a makeup look using an assortment of all natural, clean and eco-friendly beauty products. Natural beauty brands have come a long way in past couple of years creating formulations on par with high-end brands. I love to experiment with natural cosmetics since experiencing incredible results by incorporating mostly natural and organic ingredients into my skin care routine. While I do use some natural beauty products my personal routine is certainly not a clean one.

In this look:

• RMS “Un” cover-up #22 – (as foundation)
• Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques Golden Bronzer (used as bronzer and contour)
• RMS Cream Eye Shadow in Magnetic (on lids)
• W3LL People Universalist Multi-use Color Pot in #2 (applied to cheekbones, brow bones and inner corner of eyes)
• Honeybee Gardens Truly Natural Mascara in Black Magic
• Vapour Organic Beauty Aura Multi-use in Impulse #209 (on lips and cheeks)
• Kahina Giving Beauty Toning Mist (to set makeup and to add a dewy finish)

What are some of your natural beauty faves?