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Skincare

Laura Mercier

A Few New Discoveries from Laura Mercier

December 22, 2015

Several of you have asked for swatches and more thoughts on the Laura Mercier In The Glow Trio ($38, featured here). Unfortunately by this time it has sold out everywhere but I thought I’d share swatches anyways along with a review of other recent discoveries from the line. I’ve had the Lip Glacé ($25) in Rose Gold Accent on my radar for months. I was hesitant about the sparkle but decided to cave and buy it and I’m glad I did. The Lip Parfait Creamy Colorbalms ($25) launched earlier this year. I fell in love with the creamy formula and wanted so badly for Amaretto Swirl to work for me – alas I found it too pale for my pigmented lips and decided to opt for Cinn-ful instead. Last but not least, I’ve been playing around with some skincare. I’m one who likes the soothing calming effects of skincare with rose, but my super sensitive nose makes it hard for me to wear rose-scented products sometimes. The Laura Mercier Infusion de Rose ($24-$68, or $110 for the trio set) items are really good for dry winter skin but are super gentle on the fragrance.

Up first is the sold-out In the Glow Trio Set. It had mini sizes of the Matte Radiance Baked Powder in Highlight 01 (0.06 oz.), Bonne Mine Stick Face Colour in Peach Glow (0.12 oz.) and a Caviar Stick Eye Colour in Rosegold (0.03 oz.). You can buy all the items in the full-size version. I had been wanting to try both of the face products and thought this would be a good starter set to test out the items without splurging on the full size. For my medium-olive toned skin, I found both the cheek products very natural on me. 

Bonne Mine Stick Face Colour in Peach Glow gives a very natural peachy glow. Because it’s a close match to my skintone, it gives a barely there glow. It’s a lovely natural cream blush but I suspect it would be more visible on fairer skintones.

The Matte Radiance Powder seems like a contradiction with the both of the words matte and radiant in the same name. On my arm it swatches like a shimmery pale champagne. On my face it translates into more of a matte finishing glow. Long-time readers know I am beyond obsessed with Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Luminous Light (it’s my holy grail powder highlighter). The Laura Mercier Highlight 01 Powder by comparison swatches paler on the arms, but applies on the face sheerer and less glowy. I’m probably not fair enough to be able to use it to set my entire face, but it does act more like a soft finishing powder on me.

Rosegold Caviar Eye Color Stick is a no-fuss easy to wear kind of lid color. I use it regularly (at least 2 times every week) as a base or a quick swipe-and-go kind of color. Here’s an eye look with three of the colors including Rosegold in this post here.

I’m glad I was able to test the 2 face products, I will use them to the end. However I prefer the darker Matte Radiance Powders as they show up better on my skin and add life and a very natural contour. The Bonne Mine Cheek Stick is lovely, but also too light for my medium-olive skin to show up other than having a natural glow. That being said it makes for a good base under powder blushes or bronzers.

Up next are the two lip products I picked up: Lip Parfait Creamy Colorbalm in Cinn-ful and Lip Glacé in Rose Gold Accent.

The Lip Parfait Creamy Colorbalm in Cinn-ful is a super creamy lush brown cinnamon color. On me it’s a darker/warmer your lips but better kind of shade. Amaretto Swirl looks like the most wonderful nude and it is – just on me it was too pale. I suspect I could make it work with liner, but I picked up Cinn-ful to test out the formula. It’s one of the creamiest lip balms I’ve tried and even though it’s a balm, pigment and color payoff is quite impressive. Most tinted balms are sheer to medium in color. This one acts more like a lipstick in terms of finish.

The Lip Glacé in Rose Gold Accent is part of the Candleglow Collection. I had my eye on the Candleglow Palette but after seeing it in stores I decided to pass. The colors, shimmer and pigment are all excellent – it still very tempting, but I found the pans of the top four colors too small to justify the splurge. Rose Gold Accent is a sparkling gloss with a baby pink base. It’s basically clear with loads of shimmer on the lips but I like that it makes the lips look full and healthy without being too glitzy. It’s been a while since I backed-up a lip gloss, I may back up this one.

Last but not least is the Infusion de Rose Nourishing Skincare Line. There are three items in the collection which are available in a limited-edition Infusion de Rose Nourishing Collection set for $110 (it’s a $44 savings). I am smitten with all three items, I think they are particularly good for winter weather right now. The rose soothes and hydrates the skin and makes it feel super smooth. I can’t emphasize enough how thrilled I am that the rose scent is very soft and barely there. Some rose-scented creams are so strong I can’t wear them at night because it prevents me from falling asleep. The ones from Laura Mercier are soft enough that it doesn’t bother me.

You can buy all the items separately which includes:

  • Flawless Skin Infusion de Rose Nourishing Oil (1 oz.) is a super lightweight nourishing oil. It conditions the skin and leaves it glowing. I normally wear beauty face oils on weekends (no makeup days) or at night as I find many interfere with the lasting power of foundation. This one worked really well for me under foundation.
  • Infusion de Rose Nourishing Creme (1 oz.) is a smooth feeling cream. It’s emollient and super hydrating. I will say that it is on the emollient side but it doesn’t feel super heavy and absorbs nicely into the skin. A little goes a long way, I really like that it has a smooth lightweight texture.
  • Infusion de Rose Nourishing Lip Balm (0.4 oz.) is a new lip balm. It’s super hydrating and makes the lips feel soft and moisturized. Review in my lip balm roundup here. Right now it’s exclusive to Laura Mercier’s website (if you want to buy it separately). I suspect it will launch at other retailers soon.
I think it’s a winning skincare set. I’ve been testing the items for a full month now and can say they have been really good for dry winter weather but still gentle enough for my normal/combination skin.

I hope you found this mini review helpful. I think the Rose Gold Accent Lip Glace is a winner, even though I usually don’t like super sparkly lip glosses, it’s really pretty on. The Infusion de Rose Skincare collection was a pleasant surprise because I ended up liking the entire collection. I was really lucky to receive the In the Glow Trio as a press sample, but after testing it – I can’t say that I’ve discovered any new must-haves. The only must-have in the set for me is the Rosegold Caviar Eye Stick (and I already own the full size). Still sets are a nice way to test something at a cheaper price before committing to the full size.

Do you have any new Laura Mercier favorites? I just saw the Candleglow Foundation popped up online at Sephora. This upcoming month is going to be the season of new foundations and I can’t wait to test them!

You can find Laura Mercier at a number of different retailers. Online at Laura Mercier, Sephora, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s, Bloomingdales.
Note if you’re shopping for last minute gifts, many are offering expedited shipping upgrades with qualifying purchases. The best one I’ve seen is Nordstrom is offering expedited free shipping until noon EST by December 23rd on qualifying items, each item has an indicator, no min-purchase needed.
Press samples featured include the In the Glow Trio and Infusion de Rose Set.
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Holiday Gift Guide: The Best Skincare Sets

December 11, 2015

Out of all the beauty sets this year, the skincare sets this year give you the biggest bang for your buck. I think shopping for skincare for others can be tricky because we all have different skin types, needs and texture but three lines that come to mind that I think you can’t go wrong with include First Aid Beauty, Tatcha and Kate Somerville. All three have a good selection of excellent products suitable for all skin types, especially sensitive skin. Sets also have a sampling of products for you to try so it’s a nice way to try a lot of products at a value price.
I’ve been recovering from a bad allergic reaction to Neosporin for 3 weeks It was bad enough that I felt like I couldn’t go out in public, but not bad enough that a prescription was needed. All I could do was wait for it to go away. I stopped using most of my skincare with the exception of items from the three lines listed above. The First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Instant Oatmeal Mask in the FAB to the Rescue Kit* was a lifesaver in calming down skin once I could put product on my face. The Tatcha Indigo line* was instrumental in helping my skin stay moisturized and heal. Kate Somerville’s Dermal Quench Retinol* helped my skin at night in the regeneration process. If you can find sets with any of these I recommend trying them.

Onto the sets – I’ve tried items from all these lines and think there is something for everyone to love. If you treat yourself this holiday, skincare is a great area to splurge on. If you’ve been eyeing a Clarisonic – there are lots of skincare sets and values with other brands of cleansers to choose from. I really like mine and wish I had bought one of the sets during the holidays. This Mia3 + K-Beauty Set ($199) comes with two sheet masks, cleansing oil, enzyme peel and moisturizer. The Smart Profile Face and Body Set ($265) comes with two brush heads and two skincare products.

6. Jack Black All About Face Set $75 (my husband loves the Beard Lube)

Here’s another giveaway as a thank you and my way of giving back. One lucky winner will receive a $50 gift card to Sephora. It’s open internationally but you must be 18 years or older to qualify. If you’re a non-US selected winner you can opt to receive $50 via Paypal. Please refer to terms and conditions listed via the widget for all the details. Selected will be selected and announced via the Rafflecopter widget below and will be contacted via e-mail by me directly. Entries will be collected through 12/16/2015 11:45 PM PST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 


What’s your current favorite skincare line? Have you found any really good sets this holiday season?

A few more ideas to shop from:

Have a great weekend!

Some items mentioned were sent as press samples indicated with a *.

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Skincare Cleaning Devices: Foreo Luna Mini and Le Mieux 4-in-1 Ultrasonic Anti-Aging Skin Perfecter

November 29, 2015

I’ve been testing a few skincare devices since last summer. I’ve been a huge fan of my Clarisonic Aria (now called Mia 3) and use the Cashmere Brush head (both reviewed here). It’s a skincare cleaning tool that I’ve been using for over a year and after and found that it’s been really good in keeping my skin clearer. It’s also been instrumental at improving skin texture. Out of the brushes I’ve tested, the Cashmere is my favorite for sensitive skin. After using it for a few months I switched back to the Normal Brush for a day and felt like it was extremely abrasive and rough – so I immediately ordered a replacement for my Cashmere brush head. If you like the concept of using a facial cleaning device that uses sonic technology but don’t like the concept of using a brush, I have two alternatives to share thoughts on today. I was fortunate to receive samples of a few devices to test, one is the Foreo Luna Mini ($139) and the other is the Le Mieux 4-in-1 Ultrasonic Anti-Aging Skin Perfecter ($189).

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First up is the Foreo Luna Mini ($139) in Cool Grey. This is an ultra compact cleaning device that gives the skin a deep cleanse with something called T-Sonic technology. These are pulses that are delivered through the silicone brushes to your face which helps loosen dirt, oil, dead skin cells and makeup residue in the skin.

The Luna Mini device channels 8,000 T-Sonic (transdermal sonic) pulsations every minute. For those who feel that brushes are too harsh for the skin, the quick-drying, non-porous silicone cleansing brushes offer a more gentle alternative. When testing this, I preferred to use a two-step double cleanse for evenings. I first removed all my makeup with cleansing water or cleansing oil (right now loving the Bioderma Sensibio for the dry weather and my sensitive skin). Then I followed with a regular cleanser and this device. I tested this with the cleansers I already owned, I found the ones with a creamy finish worked better than gel cleansers. The thicker ones just lathered up better for a deeper clean when using the Luna Mini.

There are two speeds with this device, I found both gentle enough for my skin and didn’t really have a preference for either one. I have small hands but long fingers so with this one I did find there was a slight learning curve to learn how to hold this without feeling like it would slip through my fingers. I like that it’s super compact and completely waterproof. A huge bonus is that a full charge is supposed to last up to 300 uses (they say about 5 months) which I think is really impressive. I haven’t used this that long (only a month now), but will report back after testing it.

Three of my favorite cleansers I used this with: First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Deep Cleanser With Red Clay, First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser, and Amore Pacific Treatment Cleansing Foam (mini from the Moisture Bound Oil-Free Set).

The device is designed for all skintypes. There are different kinds of brushes on the device, the front has thinner touch-points gently cleanse sensitive or dry skin. The description says the backside has broad touch-points to refresh oilier skin on the back. I tried both and prefer the front – it’s more flexible and more gentle on the skin.

After testing this for a month 2-3x per week instead of the Clarisonic, I’ve found it to be a really good alternative to the Clarisonic. The silicone is very gentle on the face but still really effective. I like that it seems more sanitary compared to the brushes although I’ve never had issues with the Clarisonic brushes (I spray them regularly with alcohol). It does make the skin feel cleaner and less oily around the nose. If your skin is prone to irritation from brushes this is an excellent alternative. I really like the compact design. I think it will be really easy to carry while traveling. Right now Foreo is having their Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale, all devices are 25% off (no code needed). If you’ve been eyeing this, now is a great time to save.
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Next up is the Le Mieux 4-in-1 Ultrasonic Anti-Aging Skin Perfecter ($189 at QVC). I was really hesitant to try this tool because it looks like a skin scraper. I watched several demonstration videos before braving this and am really glad I did. This is a device that gives the face a micro-massage through 28,000 ultrasonic vibrations per second. It cleanses, tones and stimulates the skin to allow for a deep clean.

This is a 4 in 1 tool because it’s a cleanser, exfoliator, extractor and infuser. This chart from Le Mieux explains everything better than I can so I’ve added a screen shot. I’ve tested this since September using it 1x per week to really put it to the test and see if it worked as described. I have used this as a second or third cleanse step as well. You only need to add water to your face and then use the device, but I prefer to clean the skin entirely and remove all traces of makeup. This is gentle enough for my skin – it glides along the face easily, no tugging at all. I think it’s been really good for my skin in terms of exfoliating the sides of my face and along the chin. It really does help clean out the pores – especially along the sides of the nose and chin (my problem areas).

Here’s a close up of the device. There are three settings, Lo, Pulse and Hi. I like to use the Lo setting. Hi was ok too, just too intense for my skin on super sensitive days. If you read the user guide there are lot of different ways to use the device. My preference is to keep things simple, I used it with the lo setting and as a cleaner/extractor starting from the center of the face moving outwards.

If you watch the demonstration videos on QVC.com it will make sense to see how this works. For now I have a few photos demonstrated on my hand. Wet the skin with water, turn on the device and the move it along the skin.

 

Moving it will result in a super fine mist that comes from the device. It’s the sonic pulses moving along the skin and water to help clean out the oil and dirt from your pores. I found it really cleaned out the pores along the nose. It’s helped keep skin clearer and works as a super gentle extractor. For areas I’ve had some dry patches and flakes, it’s gently removed the layer of dead skin without ripping or breaking the skin.

Both are really good skincare discoveries for me. If you’re one who prefers at-home treatments rather than regular facials, these are good DIY kind of devices that you can use in between treatments. Both are on the expensive side but have made a significant noticeable difference in my skin. I like that they are both compact and don’t take up a lot of bathroom or shower space. They both seem to be travel-friendly as well.
I had my husband try both and he still prefers his Clarisonic Alphafit by far (review here, also Clarisonic is also having a sale this weekend, 20% off all devices with code CYBERWKND, ends 11/29). He says hands down if you’re looking for a good gift for the men in your life, the Clarisonic Alphafit is something he highly recommends. It’s something he doesn’t think guys would normally get for themselves, but it’s something they will definitely use and like if gifted. (I bought it for him and he uses it every day.)

For me, I still haven’t decided whether I prefer the Foreo or Clarisonic. My husband has expressed multiple times that he doesn’t like my Clarisonic Mia 3 because he finds it big and bulky. After testing the Foreo, I do feel the Clarisonic is a lot bigger, but it’s a different concept and design so I don’t know how it could be designed to be more compact. I do think for Clarisonic there is a big gap between the texture of brushes – I like the Cashmere brush but many have said it doesn’t do anything for their skin. The Foreo is a good one because I do think it’s more universal to fit more skin types and sensitivities.

Foreo devices can be found at a number of different retailers like Nordstrom and Sephora, but right now there is a 25% off sale at Foreo.com until 11/30 (no code needed). The Le Mieux 4-in-1 Ultrasonic Anti-Aging Skin Perfecter can be found at QVC.com.
Have you tried either Foreo or Le Mieux? If yes, what do you use and what are your thoughts? Would love to hear input on the Foreo cleansers or if you’ve tried any of the other devices.
Both the Foreo and Le Mieux devices were provided as press samples for review consideration. As always, all opinions my own.
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Tatcha Holiday Gifting / Friends and Family Sale 11/27 to 12/6

November 27, 2015
Tatcha has some of the most beautiful gift sets and the ones for this holiday are even more stunning than ever. If you’re looking for something extra special, you can’t go wrong with anything in their holiday lineup. Right now Tatcha’s Annual Friends and Family Event is happening where you can save 20% off everything through 12/6 with code FF2015 at checkout. Last year the sets sold out very quickly – if you have your eye on any I suggest you order soon.  Today I have three gift sets to share.

First a bit of some background on my Tatcha loves. I have very sensitive skin that is prone to flaring up and react to a number of skincare products or foundations. Tatcha has been a regular go-to for me to help keep my skin clear and glowing. It’s also a great line to help calm my skin with flare ups. When my skin goes crazy, Tatcha is one of the few lines I can use while my skin is recovering because everything is gentle but still very effective. If you have extremely sensitive skin, I can’t rave enough about how much I love this line.

The packaging this year is simple but exquisite. Each one comes beautifully wrapped – the paper and gold ties are gorgeous!

If you’re new to Tatcha or have a friend who is looking for new skincare, the Hakken Special Introduction Set ($95) is the best trial set because it has a little bit of everything. This is a 6-piece set with travel sized skincare items customized to suit your skintype. There four options in Combination, Dry, Sensitive and Oily. Each set has a slightly different variation of products. The one I have featured is the one for combination skin it includes travel sizes of:
  • Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil (25 ml) – one of the best cleansing oils I’ve tried that removes all face makeup, but leaves the skin soft without any film
  • Polished Classic Rice Enzyme Powder (10 g) – the gentlest of exfoliators, it’s a water-activated powder that thickens into a cleanser
  • Radiant Deep Brightening Serum (10 ml) – a super gentle serum
  • Supple Moisture Rich Silk Cream (10 ml) – great for the days I’m extra dry
  • Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen SPF 35 (10 ml) – my holy grail sunscreen
  • Ageless Revitalizing Eye Cream (3 ml) – the perfect eye cream for everyday (I’ve been relying on stock-piled minis that come as a promos with online GWPs)
You can buy all the travel sized items individually which is nice for travel or to test something out before committing to the full size. If you were to buy all the items individually the retail price would be $141, so you are getting a good value when you purchase this as a set. Each gift set comes with a beautiful description sheet.

Quick snapshot of the items in the Combination Set. Do note you can select different options online for this exact same style/format. The items will vary slightly depending on whether you pick Combination, Dry, Sensitive or Oily. Do note all items come in their individual boxes with product ingredients, directions – everything is well packed and protected to make sure the items arrive in perfect condition.

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Next up is the Hitomi Bright Eyes Set ($149) which has 4 Luminous Deep Hydration Revitalizing Eye Masks and one 15 ml size of the Ageless Revitalizing Eye Cream. The retail value of the kit is $183 so as you can see, the set does give you a price break. The eye masks are one of my favorites to soothe, hydrate and depuff eyes. When I bloat, have allergies or get headaches, my eyes are always the first area to get swollen (my skin is kinda high maintenance). I swear by these eye masks to remove signs of puffiness. Full ingredient list and description here.

The Ageless Revitalizing Eye Cream is something I was skeptical about since I’m super picky about eye creams in general. I don’t like any greasy feel but at the same time many gels just don’t do the trick to give enough hydration. I put the Ageless one to the test for night time first. It does take a little bit of time to see results, but with regular use I think it really does improve the texture and brightness of the eyes. A little goes a long way so you only need a tiny bit. I love that it’s non-irritating and doesn’t sting the eyes.

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Last but not least, one of the most impressive gift sets is the Complete Travel-Size Kiri Set ($375). This is an 18 piece set that includes Tatcha’s entire lineup of travel-sized products (16 items) plus a roll of the Original Aburatorigami Beauty Papers and the Gold Camellia Nourishing Lip Balm. I broke down the price of all the contents which total $392. The savings isn’t quite as much as some of the other sets, but it comes in a beautiful large box tied in a beautiful purple wrap. I almost didn’t want to show you what it looks like inside because I feel like I’m ruining a surprise, but wow, it’s quite a sight to behold. Below shows a mix of the product with the boxes. Everything in the set comes boxed and padded with beautiful tissue paper. I think this set is absolutely perfect. You can see the full content list online but to recap, it contains:
  • Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil (25 ml)
  • Polished Rice Enzyme Powders in Classic, Gentle, Deep and Indigo (10 g each, review here and also here)
  • Radiant Deep Brightening Serum (10 ml)
  • Supple Moisture Rich Silk Cream (10 ml)
  • Ageless Enriching Renewal Cream (10 ml)
  • Ageless Revitalizing Eye Cream (3 ml)
  • Luminous Deep Hydrating Firming Serum (10 ml)
  • Luminous Dewy Skin Mist (12 ml)
  • Gold Camellia Beauty Oil (10 ml)
  • Gold Camellia Nourising Lip Balm (8 ml)
  • Indigo Soothing Silk Body Butter (30 ml), Hand Cream (10 ml), Triple Recovery Cream (10 ml) (all three currently favorites in rotation as my skin is recovering from a bad allergic reaction right now)
  • Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen (10 ml, review here, I love this one)
  • Petal Fresh Clutch Ready Aburatorigami Beauty Papers (review here)

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Shop all their gift sets here. If you’re the kind who wants to pick out your own items separately, Tatcha has a cute option to create your own Custom Travel Gift Set. You pick three items and they will package it in a zip pouch for you. There are a number of helpful customer reviews on their website, many have helped me order items. I haven’t tested everything from the line but am looking forward to trying a lot of the face creams from the travel set. Of the items I have tried though, my top five picks include:
  • Original Aburatorigami Beauty Papers – the best blotting papers to absorb shine, they won’t disintegrate when they blot nor will they leave any powder residue on your face
  • Pore Perfecting Sunscreen – the best sunscreen that’s super gentle and really does make your pores disappear like magic (I like this as a foundation primer too)
  • Indigo Soothing Silk Hand Cream – best instant soothing hand cream for irritated skin
  • Indigo Soothing Silk Body Butter – same for the body
  • Rice Enzyme Powders either in Classic or Indigo – the most gentle face exfoliating products I’ve tried to clean the skin and gently remove dead skin
If you want to go all out Tatcha has the Complete Kiri Collection, similar to the Hakken set above in the sense that it’s also customizable by skin type. This one has has full-sized items. The sets are priced at $650. The most luxurious splurge of all is the Tabi Ultimate Journey Set which has a selection of full sized items packed into a hand-finihsed calfskin suitcase line with genuine kimono fabric. This one is priced at $1,800.

Bottom line lots to love with a wide variety of options at different price points. All the gift sets for holiday are limited-edition and exclusive to Tatcha.com. Whether you’re looking to treat yourself, stock up on staples, or find a beautiful gift – there’s lots to choose from and the Friends and Family Sale is a great time to save. You can take advantage of the 20% off savings now until 12/6 with code FF2015 at checkout.

Do you have any Tatcha favorites? I actually discovered the line because readers recommended it to me! I’ve been thrilled ever since I tried the Camellia Lip Balm.

Many thanks to Tatcha for sending the gift sets for review.

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Kate Somerville Clinic on Melrose Place

November 9, 2015

I’m excited to share one of my latest discoveries in skincare today which is the Kate Somerville Clinic in Los Angeles. It’s a hidden gem in Los Angeles and if you are ever in Southern California, I highly recommend you book a visit there. I was invited to the clinic for a facial treatment in early fall and had an incredible experience back in September. I’ve had about 5 facials in my lifetime usually tagging along with girl friends who know a lot more about skincare and treatments than I do. I’ve found facials in general to be a luxurious splurge, but not life-changing. My experience at Kate Somerville was what I will call life-changing though, it was hands down the best facial I’ve ever had with visible results immediately following the treatment. Right after the treatment your skin glows. For me, my skin maintained its glow for a week after the treatments.

The week before my facial, my skin had a freak-out. I had breakouts and a lot of red areas from irritation and flare-ups. The following day after my facial, my husband commented how much better my skin looked – all signs of redness were gone, my skin was glowing, swelling of a few pimples was dramatically reduced (and they magically disappeared within 2 days when it usually takes weeks to disappear and heal). My husband told me whatever they did it worked and he suggested I go back for regular visits since he knows how sensitive my skin is. I went back for a second visit about six weeks after my first visit (they recommend facials every 4-6 weeks depending on your needs and skin type). My skin has never looked or felt better.

I’ll go through the steps that were done for my treatment, thoughts on products used, skincare I’ve incorporated since the facials and also take you on a tour of the beautiful Kate Sommerville space.

On both occasions, I had the Kate Somerville Signature Facial which is their basic facial treatment. It runs about 50 minutes long and on your first visit they have a detailed skincare form for you to fill out so the therapists can customize the treatment to your specific needs. Pricing on all treatments are listed here. My main skin concerns were issues with texture, flare ups, break outs, and anti-aging. They do perform extractions which I usually find irritate my skin and often make my face worse. On both occasions at the KS clinic, extractions were very gentle and there were no issues afterwards. Here is what I experiences in Q and A format, I hope you find this helpful! Throughout most of the facial a steaming device was above my face to help open pores.
  • What kind of facial did I receive? Was it a mix of treatments?
    • You received the Signature Facial, which is customized to your needs and skin concerns. This treatment begins with enzymatic exfoliation and extractions, and a customized treatment mask follows along with an acupressure massage. This is truly the best facial to receive when first dipping into the life-changing world of facials!
  • Can you highlight what treatments were performed? 
  • There were a couple of interesting tools used, one was a tiny needle and the other was a small vibrating tool used over the skin – can you tell me what those were?
    • Ashley used an Ultrasound machine for exfoliations, permeation and circulation. This helps with lymphatic drainage and exfoliation. Later in the treatment the High Frequency device was used, this helps bring oxygen to the surface of the skin, it kills bacteria and improves overall texture of the skin.
  • There were 2 products that felt active on the skin, can you tell me what those were?
    • A custom blend of exfoliation products were used which included ExfoliKate Intensive to eliminate dead skin cells and contribute towards a brighter complexion. This truly reveals glowing skin due to the Fruit Enzymes and Lactic Acid to renew the complexion. Ashley also used the DermalQuench Liquid Lift™ post extractions to oxygenate and hydrate the skin. This also helps neutralize any redness in skin, and instantly plumps fine lines and wrinkles.
  • At one point a Clarisonic was used, what was product was used with it? 
  • My skin had a lot of redness but after the facial, everything seems to have calmed down significantly, what was used to help decrease inflammation/redness? 
    • A customized combination along with Clinical strength professional products from the Kate Somerville line. The skilled massage followed by the Nourish Daily Moisturizer helps increase blood circulation and oxygen to the surface to the skin, which is extremely healing and calming. The EradiKate Sulfur Mask was used which helps tighten and tone the skin. It also reduces redness and inflammation.
  • My skin seems a lot smoother, what products during the treatment helped with this? 
    • Enzymes and acids to exfoliate are the key to a smooth complexion. Ridding the skin of dull skin turning over cells and nourishing the skin.
  • I know this probably depends on the skin type, age and treatments performed, but how often do you recommend facial treatments? 
    • Monthly facials are ideal for all skin types, 28 days to be exact. If a client has highly congested skin, I might suggest coming in every 2-3 weeks until the congestion is under control. If the skin type is normal, coming in every 4-6 weeks will do the trick. There are certain skin conditions that may require more frequent visits. Skin is like a road map – there are several routes you can take to end with optimal skin health. I like to customize the path for each client, to ensure that glowing healthy skin is the end result. 
A few of my favorite products from Kate Somerville along with some new discoveries I’ve incorporated into my skincare routine over the past few months:

  • Clarifying Treatment Toner is something I’ve had in rotation for a long time, it helps with post-acne scars and keeps the skin feeling clean and hydrated
  • Daily Detox Cleanser* is one of the few cleansers I’ve tried that really cleans out the pores but doesn’t dry out the skin, I’ve used up the tube entirely ordered a replacement tube this past weekend
  • Age Arrest Anti-Wrinkle Serum* helps with fine lines, plumps the skin and feels ultra smooth, it helps me with oil control throughout the day and works well alone under foundation or moisturizer
  • LumiWhite Two Tone Perfector* was recommended for me to use as a spot treatment to help with dark spots, I’ve tried this on spots and all over the face, it’s helped with brightening and spots have started to fade, although the fading is happening gradually (I’ve since purchased the D-Scar Serum to see if this works better/faster, I’ll review once I’ve tested it)
  • DermalQuench Liquid Lift* is a something that was recommended I use instead of toner (after cleansing the face), it’s an anti-wrinkle treatment that helps with wrinkles, improves skin texture, and uneven skintone, my skin has looked and felt a lot better after using this, it’s worked wonders with redness and helped keep skin texture smooth
  • DermalQuench Liquid Lift With Retinol* (for night) is something I just started testing a couple weeks ago, I’ve used it as an alternative to other night time treatments to start since I wasn’t sure how my skin would react, more detailed review to follow, but I wake up with smoother skin that is noticeably smoother to the touch
  • RetASphere 2-in-1 Retinol Night Cream* is one of the most gentle Retinol treatments I’ve tried, although so many of my readers have recommended I incorporate skincare with this ingredient, I have been hesitant to do so since past experiences with Retinol and Retin-A left my skin extremely red with lots of peeling and pain, this treatment from Kate Somerville is ultra gentle and has improved skin texture
Many thanks to the Kate Somerville team for allowing photos of the clinic. Here’s a mini tour of the facility. The entryway is so beautiful:

Spacious and bright waiting room where you can browse the products by line:

Products on display with a tester unit:

Beautiful feminine interiors:

 A look at one of the treatment rooms:

Inside the room I had my facial:

I’m overall thrilled with my experience at the Kate Somerville Clinic. It’s a 2-3 hour drive for me to get to Los Angeles, but well worth the drive for me, especially for a fun day trip. If you haven’t checked out the clinic, I think it’s a must. There are a number of different facials and treatment options, I’m still relatively new to most of them but if you’ve tried any, I’d love to hear about your experiences, feedback or recommendations on what else I should try.

If you’re like me and are often overwhelmed by all the skincare options, hands on evaluation of your skin by a facial treatment expert with recommendations based on your specific needs is priceless. I often like to pick out skincare based on what I think I need, but it’s always helpful to hear what the experts say. Out of all the items they’ve recommended, all have worked. I’ve purchased a few more items they marked on a recommendations list that I have yet to test out, but am really excited to.

Do you have any Kate Somerville favorites? Please share!

Facial provided compliments of the Kate Somerville team. Press samples indicated with a * beside the items listed.

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NuFACE Mini Facial Toning Device

November 4, 2015

 

As I age I’ve become more aware of the effects of aging on the skin especially when it comes to wrinkles. This year I turned 34 and although I still have pretty good skin, I’ve started to notice wrinkles and creases form on my forehead develop, mainly from me making weird facial expressions that have caused creases over time. The good news is that the wrinkles aren’t too bad yet. As I transitioned from my late 20’s to 30’s I noticed many of my friends the same age explore and try various treatments and procedures such as Botox, fillers, lip injections etc. I’ve seen some great results in my fellow girl friends but for me I get super scared with anything invasive so I’ve been more of an observer from afar.

 

I’ve been introduced to a few facial devices this year, one I’ve been trying over the past month is the NuFACE Mini Facial Toning Device ($199). This is a microcurrent device that is FDA-approved designed to give the face lift and contour and takes 5 minutes to use. I did a lot of research online before I testing it on my own face. I read dozens of reviews and watched several videos to learn more about the NuFACE brand and micro-current technology.

 

The NuFACE Mini Facial Toning Device is a smaller petite version of the NuFACE Trinity Device. I really like the size of the mini. It fits easily into the hand and works well for my face size. There device comes with a charger and a 2 oz tube of the Gel Primer which helps conduct microcurrents from the device to your face. The initial charging for the mini is 16 hours so you can’t use it right away straight out of the box.

 

https://www.mynuface.com/pages/microcurrent
So first up are the basics: what is NuFACE and what do microcurrents do? I will say up front that I have no scientific expertise or background on microcurrents. Everything in this review is based on what I’ve read and watched. If you have any information to add, please do so in the comments. The NuFACE devices are described as follows:

 

“The NuFACE mini is a natural, noninvasive, anti-aging solution perfect for travel and for those looking for that first step into microcurrent treatments. This petite, portable microcurrent facial toning device is FDA-cleared for facial stimulation and gently works to stimulate the larger surface areas of the face to provide a five-minute facial lift. As we age, our body’s natural current begins to slow down (just like our metabolism), leading to sagging skin, loss of contour and wrinkles. Microcurrent mimics this natural current and goes beyond skin deep to tone facial muscles while improving contour and skin tone, and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.”

 

In watching a number of videos and reading a few articles about this, microcurrents in the NuFACE device are low level currents that help stimulate muscles under the skin and help lift, tone and contour the facial tissues. It’s described as a mini workout for your facial muscles, many of which aren’t used a lot over time like other muscles which causes sagging. It works from the bottom of the skin layers up to lift up tissue in a gentle non-invasive way.

 

In addition clinical studies and research from NuFACE have shown microcurrent help stimulate ATP production, which is supposed to help stimulate structural proteins, such as collagen and elastin. More on microcurrent technology here.

 

The NuFACE mini is super easy to use. Simply press the power button in the middle and the device will light up. You can control the intensity of microcurrents to light, medium or intense. I have super sensitive skin and found the lightest setting sufficient. The medium setting felt a little zappy.

 

Close ups of the device below:

 

 

To use the device, it’s recommended you use it on your face in sections. I’ve done mine in three sections, right half, left half, then forehead area, although my main focus has been on my forehead. It’s recommended you use once a day although to start I’ve been using it 2-3x per week. You first clean the face with an oil-free cleanser to allow microcurrents to penetrate the skin. Oils can block the microcurrents. Then apply the Gel Primer over the section of the face you want to lift. I found that a thick and generous layer is needed. It helps the device glide over the skin, if you don’t have enough on, it will stick to your skin.

 

A closeup of the Priming Gel applied on my hand so you can see what the consistency looks like:

 

 

In testing it over the past 30+ days I found it really does work. My first use took around 10 minutes because of my personal learning curve, but you can complete the treatment over the entire face in 5 minutes. After the first couple uses with the lowest setting the face feels noticeably firmer along the cheeks and especially on the forehead. I have been using this mostly on my forehead because I thought I would see the most results there. The forehead area is lifted and I can feel it especially along the brow areas. Skin is firmer and smoother. Wrinkles and fine lines are less visible. The effects are temporary but skin is supposed to improve over time with regular use.

 

A couple things to note, the device is not recommended for use on the neck (use it on the face only). It’s also recommended you don’t over-use it, limit to 1x per day. For quick reference, two other resources I found really helpful. YouTuber uppiesbeads59 has a good NuFace Demonstration. There is also a great in depth review with lots of helpful reader comments and insights on Lola’s Secret Beauty Blog. Do note they tested different versions (mine is the mini) but both offer really good information about NuFACE and the effects of the device.

 

Overall I give this a thumbs up. It’s one of my first steps towards anti-aging devices and treatments aside from regular skincare, serums and masks. I don’t know that I will ever be brave enough to try Botox or other treatments – I suspect it might be a matter of time. If you would like to share any stories about your experiences I’m all ears. For now I’m thrilled I found something to help give my face some help with lift and contour without having something invasive or pokey. I am going to continue using it on my forehead on a regular basis. I use it 2-3 times per week in the mornings. Let me know if you want a 2-3 month update!

 

 

The NuFACE team has been kind enough to offer one mini to giveaway. It’s open to all US readers 18 years or older. Simply enter via the Rafflecopter widget below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Have you tried anything from NuFACE before? If so, what have you tried and what were your thoughts? If not, do you own any other facial tech devices that you use on a regular basis?

 

You can find the NuFACE mini Facial Toning Device for $199 in stores and online at Nordstrom, Sephora, Space NK, Neiman Marcus, Amazon.com and Mynuface.com. Standard color is the white and silver/gray. There is a Chic Black version (limited edition) available for the holidays in celebration of the brand’s 10th anniversary.

 

The NuFACE mini was sent as a press sample for review consideration. Device for giveaway also provided by the PR team. This post was not sponsored. As always, all opinions my own.

 

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L’Occitane Shea Melting Honey Collection Launches

November 3, 2015

Earlier this fall L’Occitane launched their Shea Honey Body Collection which combines the rich smoothness of Shea butter and the soft gentle scent of Provençal honey. The collection is exclusive to L’Occitane stores and online. I was a huge fan of some of the older honey items that they discontinued and was sad when it was pulled, but the items in the new collection are just as divine. There are six pieces in this collection covering bath, body, lip and hand care. I have four pieces to share a review of today.

The Shea Honey items smell like a soft sweet soothing honey. It’s a warm and well-rounded kind of scent that is amazing. There is a very slight hint of floral to the scent, it’s not overpowering like some honey scents can be. If you have an ultra sensitive nose and don’t want any fragrance in your body products, I highly recommend the Shea Butter line. The Extra Gentle Lotion for Body and Hands has been a staple for years. I’ve repurchased so many times I’ve lost count. It’s lightweight but super hydrating and good for sensitive skin.

There are two bath items in this collection. The Shea Melting Honey Soft Shower Gel ($20 for 8.4 fl oz) is a gentle body cleanser that lathers up nicely in the bath or shower. It has a thick consistency but foams up well to leave the skin feeling super smooth and well hydrated. I’ve had some dry patches on my legs this past week and this has really helped hydrate my skin. A little goes a long way.

There is also a Melting Honey Solidarity Soap ($3 for 1.7 oz, sold out online, but I did spot this available in stores still). I’m not a bar soap kind of girl, but L’Occitane is the one of the few lines I actually like and use for bar soaps. They have the best lather and are moisturizing but don’t leave any film on the skin.

My favorite item in the collection is the Melting Honey Ultra Soft Cream ($36 for 3.4 fl oz). This is a super lush and soft cream that melts into the skin. It’s like a body cream or body butter but with a much softer texture. It feels super emollient without any greasy feel. I’m completely obsessed with the formula. I hope L’Occitane expands this formula into other lines like the Almond and Shea Butter (they currently have it in the Rose Heart, Vanilla Bouquet and Zesty Lime). The Melting Honey Ultra Soft Cream has 10% shea butter.

Last but not is the Shea Melting Honey Whipped Hand Cream ($12 for .59 fl oz). I’m a sucker for hand creams that come in cute packaging and L’Occitane launches are always among my favorite. (Have you seen the packaging for the new Pierre Herme x L’Occitane launch? The hand cream trio to die for!!) The whipped hand creams come in an airy whipped formula that feels lightweight but is still super hydrating and creamy. The texture has just the right consistency where you feel moisturized but not greasy. It absorbs nicely into the hand and smells really good. The Melting Honey Whipped Hand Cream is made with 25% shea butter. The honey is very softening on the skin.

I’m thrilled with each item in the new collection. Everything is super hydrating which is perfect for this time of year but lightweight enough so it doesn’t have any heavy feel. The best part about L’Occitane is that they have a wide range of body products to suit everyone’s tastes. I buy the gift sets every holiday as Christmas gifts because they are beautifully packaged and never fail to make friends and family happy (even for the super picky ones that are so hard to shop for). I’m looking forward to seeing this year’s holiday collection and sets in person. The Advent Calendar is the cutest set I’ve ever seen.

Have you checked out anything from the Shea Melting Honey Collection yet? If not, what are your L’occitane favorites? All the Shea Melting Honey items are exclusive to L’Occitane Boutiques and online. Also all pieces are limited-edition.

The Shea Melting Honey items were sent courtesy of L’Occitane for review consideration. All opinions my own.
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