It’s Labor Day Weekend and one of the fun things to do over long holiday weekends is to go shopping! I have had the opportunity to review some new products that have pretty much been really terrific. These are the top 10 of what I have recently tested.
Disclosure: The products mentioned in this review are samples that were sent to me for the purpose of review at no cost to me.
1) Colorescience Teint du Soleil SPF 30
This is one of the latest products from one of my favorite brands, Colorescience. (I know the product creator and I learned about the line before it was originally launched.) This is an amazing product. It delivers what it promises. This tinted moisturizer has a SPF 30 courtesy of the physical sunblock mixed into this formula. Available in only 3 shades, I was sure it wasn’t going to match me but it did! It took a few minutes to melt into my skin but gave me a great finish that covered redness, marks and more. With the SPF 30 on board, I can walk out the door for a dog-walk faster than putting on sunblock alone. It’s got a more matte finish so if you are looking for dewy, this isn’t for you. $54.00
2) Rimmel Keep Calm and Lip Balm
This longwear balm is enriched with is enriched with moisturizing oils to help heal dry and cracked lips. The unique formula locks in moisture while softening and nurturing lips, increasing lip moisture by 22%*, so your pucker will always be en pointe. Never let your lips let you down. Keep calm and get the London look. *Clinical Study: Percentage change from untreated bare lips.
Available Shades:
Keep Calm and Shop: clear
Keep Calm and Kiss: pink blush
Keep Calm and Rock: berry blush
Keep Calm and Play: rose blush
Keep Calm and Party: violet blush
Considering that we are in a seasonal transition, I would suggest buying at least 2-3 of balms (for bag, desk, car or nightstand). The hint of color + balm makes it an easy spend because it feels so good going on! The price is so affordable $2.50 each- you can almost buy the entire collection and not break $10. Major drugstores and mass merchandise stores (Target, Walmart)
3) Purity of Elements Skincare
Speaking of seasonal transitions, this is the time to do some skincare shifts before really cool/cold weather sets in. It’s bound to aggravate your skin and any exfoliation followed with moisturizing and hydration immediately. Here’s an interesting line that I have tried that really delivers what it promises.
Purity of Elements is a unique skincare line.
I am featuring 2 products here: Radiance Face Serum and the Anti-Aging Moisturizer.
The key ingredient is Copper 5 Complex™. Copper has been clinically proven to help skin heal in a rapid fashion along with brightening the complex. It makes skin healthy. The FDA has approved topical copper treatments for the treatment of diabetic ulcers and the healing of those ulcers when treated according to MD recommendations. The copper peptide formula for the RX treatments shows amazing results. With over-the-counter treatments, there is not as much copper but typically a person using the OTC version isn’t in the hospital either! While you use this, do be diligent about using it daily. I have seen improvement in my skin faster than I thought I would.
Radiance Face Serum ($60)
Point of sale: http://www.purityofelements.com/skin-care and Nordstorm.com
A delicate blend of Rose Hips, Honey and Sweet Almond Seed Extract mixed with the trademarked Copper 5 Complex™improves skin radiance while diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, revealing a brighter complexion.
Fresh Green and White Tea scent. Free of Parabens, Sulfates, and Phthalates.
Age-Defying Moisturizer($50)
A unique blend of Copper 5 Complex™, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Vitamin E and Soy Protein instantly hydrates and moisturizes skin. Gentle and effective, skin is left feeling visibly soft, smooth and vibrant.
Fresh Green and White Tea scent. Free of Parabens, Sulfates, and Phthalates.
Point of Sale: http://www.purityofelements.com/age-defying-moisturizer?SID=ls9vl0u0tlp95b06rbaum0aj30 and Nordstrom.com
The Radiance Face Serum is amazing. The Anti-Aging moisturizer is very soothing when I wear it at night and when I walk the dog in the early AM. Worth a try!
This line has a complete skincare line as well as body care products. Worth checking and trying a couple. it’s pretty affordable compared to other similar copper-oriented skincare lines.
4 & 5) Restoration Skincare: Restoring your skin!
This brand new line is natural and is geared toward restoring your skin with natural ingredients that work wonders on your body. The array of products for the body is pretty stellar.
About Restoration Skincare:
Sarah Bbeauty, an Emmy nominated make-up artist and beauty specialist has been in the entertainment industry for over 23 years. Amazing, right? But there’s so much more to Sarah Bbeauty! She is a former model with a bachelors in Biology; certified as a Nutritional Biochemist and licensed Esthetician along with being a wife and mom of 2!
Combining her love for science and beauty, Sarah has taken her passion for a new venture, creating her very own, all natural skincare line called
“Restoration Skincare.” The need to make her own skincare products occurred when all the products on the market were hurting her family, who all have very sensitive, dry skin. After years of breaking out in rashes from harmful products, Sarah knew that it was time to put her knowledge to the test and create a product for her family that would give their skin the nourishment it needed.Sarah Bbeauty uses only organic and natural products such as, avocado oil, coconut oil, coco butter, Shea butter and other essential oils. The makeup of these high quality oils and butters used in the products prevents the need of fillers and preservatives. Her goal was to be chemical free.
“I believe in eating clean and not putting anything on my body that I wouldn’t put in my mouth. I like to feed my skin vitamins and nutrients to promote a healthy status and balance inside and out,”
It’s clear Sarah Bbeauty is passionate about organic natural ingredients to turn into natural, organic products that are effective and show results FAST . Her product line includes the following categories:
Lip Treatments (2) ,
Body Scrub,
Body Butter and Body Butter Balm,
Whipped Body Lotion,
Massage Lotion and
Hydration Mist (for face and body)
There are two scent choices: clove and lavender.
I was sent 3 products to try, but I am only reviewing 2 here today. Hydration Mist in Lavender
The Hydration Mist is delicate in scent (definitely not overwhelming) and it’s got a great texture to it. Light yet soothing, hydrating yet not oily, the mist can be used under makeup, over makeup, and even on hair. (I tried it that way). I am surprised I like this product that much but I do!
Whipped Body Lotion in Lavender ($28 and up)
Chemical free, Preservative free, handcrafted, 100% Vegan, loaded with fatty acids and antioxidants to nourish and promote skin restoration. Main Ingredients: Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Jojoba oil and Vitamin E. Scented with Lavender or Clove Essential Oil. Product needs to be refrigerated or stored in less than 72 degrees. Because this product is lovingly hand crafted, there may be a very mild difference in color or texture between batches.
What’s not to love about lotion- but this is not your typical lotion. Whipped lotion is more solid than a lotion though it does melt on contact with skin. It’s light in texture and in scent. It’s better stored in the refrigerator and during hot Indian Summer days and nights, use it straight from the frig.
I like how fast it’s absorbed and there is no greasy residue.
Point of sale for all Restoration Skincare products is http://www.restoringyourskin.com/
6) Grace’s Nitflix Shampoo and Conditioner ($46.75 for both products)
It’s back to school now and one of the problems of returning back to school are head lice and the hassles that accompany it for the child and the family as well as the rest of the classes in school. The problem with lice is that they are a silent epidemic and a head/hair check with your child being rated as “positive” can turn your work-day (whether at-home mom or working mom) into a nightmare with the pick up and treatment of the kid — along with tons of laundry to be done. The result of head lice on a child might result in you needing to treat your hair as well. Not such a great thought, huh!
Thanks to a “desperate Mom who ‘has a thing about bugs’®, Grace Ratto has come up with the perfect answer: Grace’s Nitflix Shampoo and Conditioner, you can prevent your child from getting them. The bonus is that the hair products are actually great everyday hair treatment products.
This hair care system is a prophylactic to getting head lice. You use it advance to prevent getting them. This is a “real deal” product that is really amazing. It’s natural, therapeutic, prevents lice and gives you gorgeous hair as the positive outcome.
The founder is an RN who hired one heck of a chemist who came up with a very effective formula for hair care products that is full of non-toxic ingredients and will leave you with great hair. Using these 2 products weekly will protect you and your family from contracting head lice.
I would highly recommend this hair system. You only have to use it once a week and you- and your kids- will be lice free! No more headaches, hassles, combing for nits on treated hair. It’s that easy and that amazing.
Buy it from http://www.awaywithlice.com/ Ask Grace Ratto questions on that same site or connect with her on the social channels listed on the site. Great products that deliver great results is something I believe in sharing!
7) Chi Touch 2: Touch Screen Hair Dryer ($!89 at Ulta Stores and Ulta.com)
Looking for the next evolution in hair dryers that will actually make a difference in your drying time as well as how your hair looks?
The Chi Touch 2 Touch Screen Hair Dryer is a dryer that you should check out!
Key Features:
● Adjustable ion, temperature and speed settings personalize the drying experience for each hair type.
● Customized settings provide the perfect combination of features specific to your hair’s needs for the perfect blowout each time.
● Color Significance on Dials:
Speed Setting: The color change from red orange to green symbolizes stop to go.
Temperature Setting: The color change from yellow to orange signifies the heat increasing from warm to hot.
Cool Shot Setting: The blue signifies that the air that is blowing is consistently cold which the only heat setting that is not adjusted.
● Slimmer Design: Slimmer compact design with a concave handle makes it more comfortable to hold.
● Lightweight DC motor: Lighter design for a more comfortable drying experience.
● 3D Ion Generation System: Emits over 3x more ions for super smooth styling.
● Hands Free: Back of dryer can be used as a stand on a flat surface for hands free drying.
● CHI Ceramic Technology: Provides moist heat and a consistent temperature giving the best styling results on all hair types.
● Includes Diffuser and nozzle.
I love this hair dryer. It’s lighter than the one I was using for a long time. It’s ionic in a new way (3 D Ion Generation) that gets your hair dryer faster and with more shine. I love that I can adjust the speed and heat to something specifically for my hair and certain parts of my hair. It’ makes dry a thousand percent easier. I like that I can set it on the vanity to dry my hair but when I need two hands I do have to stack up a few things to get it to the height I need. I love that the dials are so easy to change. I cut my drying time down by 10-15 minutes. The only negative is the diffuser. It’s not much of a diffuser and I couldn’t find another one that would fit that dryer.
If you want more information from the brand: visit this link: http://farouk.com/chi-launches-the-touch-2-touch-screen-dryer
For purchases visit this link: http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod12431123 or your local Ulta store.
8 & 9 ) Smashbox “Photo Op” and “LA Lights Blendable Lip and Cheek Color”
Photo Op: $20, LA Lights Blendable Lip and Cheek Color: $29
Because concealer alone sometimes just doesn’t cut it, we’ve developed this breakthrough to prep for application that immediately wakens and brightens skin. PHOTO OP can be used on any area of the face to highlight and add radiance, too. Winner of Self Magazine Healthy Beauty Award for Best Highlighter.
This is a next generation of highlighter. Think of it as a lightweight concealer with a highlight component so that you don’t need to use quite as much as you are used to using. It’s new, different and easy to apply. It comes with it’s own brush. I would suggest using your finger to tap it own or your own very slim, pointed concealer brush. It’s a liquid: it will drop from the brush. The color is called NUDE and it seems to be a one-size fits all if I trust the Smashbox website. It does lighten up dark circles but you need to be careful in building up too much. There are lots of uses for this product. I like it on the top of my cheekbones and used on the inner corners of my eyes and tapping it down to where the dark circles start.
For $20, you can’t go wrong.
You can find this at Smashbox.com, Ulta, Sephora and wherever Smashbox products are sold.
LA Lights Blendable Lip and Cheek Color: ($29)
WHAT IT IS:
Get the ultimate West Coast glow—on-the-go! From Santa Monica to Sunset Boulevard, our latest innovation in illumination is inspired by the magic light of L.A.WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT: MULTIPURPOSE LIP + CHEEK COLOR
Multipurpose color for cheeks and lips. There’s a shade for any look, from a subtle sheen to a full-on flush. The lightweight, brightening formula feels and looks as natural as your own skin—only more illuminated and gorgeous.ULTIMATE IN BLENDING
A Smashbox-only blending trifecta! It’s all about blending, blending and more blending for this natural, lit-from-within look: a curved dome shape means no harsh lines when applying; a creamy formula means the formula glides effortlessly onto skin; and finally a velvety, flat sponge for blending—so you get just the right amount of diffused color.HOW TO USE IT:
Apply to face, lips and/or cheeks for a beautifully illuminated veil of natural color. Blend with the included buffing sponge.JUST THE FACTS:
• A beautifully illuminated, veil of natural color for cheeks, lips and face
• Double-ended with a flat buffing sponge on one end and a curved dome on the other—perfect for blending on-the-go!
• There’s a shade for any look, from a subtle sheen to a full-on flush
LA Lights comes in 4 colors:
Beverly Hills Blush: Peachy-Pink with shimmer
Venice Beach Bronze: Soft bronze shimmer
Silver Lake Sunset: Warm coral
Malibu Berry: Rich berry
You can find this at Smashbox.com, Ulta, Sephora and wherever Smashbox products are sold.
The last two shades are fairly sheer with out the shimmer of the first two but they are very luminous. I received the Silver Lake Sunset and it’s much sheerer than I thought it would be. It’s light on the pigment so it works well on brow bones, cheek bones, and if you have pale lips (or lips done with a deep lip color), a perfect topper to tweak a like color. I like the applicator and it has a sponge at the other end for buffing. It does need to be buffed. I have used it on my eyelids to create a slight base to hold a powder shadow. It’s not very dark. I have medium yellow-toned skin so this would be the color for me. While it’s a great highlighter, it’s not a blush. It’s for topping a blush so that your cheekbones pop. Also could be used on the cupid’s bow of lips, providing you choose the right color. I like that it’s very portable and doesn’t require any extra accessories. Because I have pigmented lips, I can’t use this on my lips alone. It wipes out the pigment. It might work on deep toned lip color and applied lightly on my lips.
I do love it on my cheekbones!
10) Via Buff Buffing sponges for body and face ($4- $33 depending on the set or products)
Mini Buff sponges ( This is a 3-pack for use on the face. Sponge strength ranges from extra gentle to medium.)
What is Via-Buff
Via-Buff facial and body buffs are covered by a US patent and they are dermatologist tested.. They are also well-tested with estheticians too which means women who do facials and body treatments at a spa use these products all the time.
What makes Via-Buff unique from all the other low priced products out on the market is Via-Buff utilizes an open cell polyurethane foam which is naturally antifungal, antibacterial and allergen free. They are machine washable and very durable. Estheticians that use Via-Buffs have washed their Buffs over 20 times in the past year. Via-Buff provides 5 colors and intensities of foam so you can match the right color to the users skin type. Purple and blue are gentle and seem to work well on acne and psoriasis; green is mild for eczema; pink is moderate for keratosis pilaris, waxing and ingrown hairs; and white is clinical for the real rough dry skin. There is a 19” arched handle available for users with lack of mobility to exfoliate the hard to get areas of the body.
Duo Body Exfoliator Buffs ( $11 each and available in combinations to suit your skin as well as with the buff handle)
What’s Via-Buff like?
It’s like having the Rolls-Royce of sponges for your face and body. I have used my minis and my combo Buffs and have been very happy with the texture and how well they work. You should get them wet before using them. It helps to have the skin prepped with cleanser or soap. You should go slowly and don’t apply too much pressure when using the buffs on the face or tender parts of the body the first few times. Judge how the skin feels pre and post scrub. Don’t go crazy with using gritty scrubs additionally to the body, you will understand when you try to shave after using them. I find I love using the purple and the pink mini-buffs on my face. I have a duo body buff and I love the way it smooths out my skin. If you think about applying a self-tanner or bronzer, you want to use this sponge first. It’s amazing and it works really well with the addition of the buff handle!
It would be exceptional for someone with acne or psoriasis providing they bought the extra-gentle sponge!
I have never seen a buff-ing sponge quite like the Via-Buffs. I love them. What’s not to love! It’s affordable, makes a great gift and really works. It dries quickly too.
Find Via-Buff online at https://www.viabuff.com/shop/.
Disclosure: The products mentioned in this review are samples that were sent to me for the purpose of review at no cost to me.
Thanks to all the brands who provided samples for me to try. The ability to have samples to try new products in no way compromises my ability to be impartial. I had curated this review to only feature items I really liked and I thought would be useful for most people.
Stevie Wilson,
LA-Story.com
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So, since I am coming to the US tomorrow which is the one thing you’d buy?
Fiona, congrats on crossing the pond. Where will you be? Answering your question, I am sure you have access to the Rimmel lip balms so skip that.
I love Colorescience but you have such a lovely complexion I am not sure you need it But worth checking out their powder sunblock (Sunforgettable) you just brush it on and go.
I adore the Via-Buff sponges and they are very affordable. They might be on Amazon.com too.
If you want lovely body products- check out Restoration Skincare (all body products at the moment)
If you want facial skincare products, you should check out Purity of Elements… but it’s only available online I think..
If you love fragrance, I would recommend Cologne Atelier – but if you get to Paris, you can buy it there too since they have a couple of stores there. Poppy King’s lip colors are amazing and fabulous. ( check that out at Barneys or at Sephora)
Let me know what you are doing in the US!!
The Colorscience brand is really excellent. The products are lasting a very long time too. I like the under eye brighter product…something I can use. Many good buys here, as usual, Stevie.