despite getting two pedicures meant to totally restore one's feet for summer i can still use my heels to sand furniture. my feet were great for a week, but they went right back to their old, dry ways. some people say it's all the heels i wear, but really who knows how these things happen? right now i'm attempting to use my florida vacation as a total footsie makeover. just walking along the beach, the sand and shells scrape off the dead skin a bit, but in order to hurry things along i've also been applying miss oops pedicure in a bottle ($18) a couple times a day. the instructions read: apply twice a day until you can no longer sand furniture with your feet. (how did they know?!). i've been using for about a week and my feet are not soft as kittens, but they are much better.
this miss oops! seems to be a mind reader of sorts, as she also makes a product called miss oops dry sponge, which removes deodorant stains from clothes. see her line at missoops.com.
it's the final countdown. there is exactly one week until mother's day (mark your calendars, it's may 11th).
know what that means? you need to go shopping. below, makeup loves me's top 5 mother's day gift ideas.
1. thierry mugler's angel fragrance heavenly collection - my mom wore ""as her signature scent from the time i was in middle school (when it first came out) up until a few years ago. so this smell definitely says "mom"to me. but beyond that it is a delicious, comforting and empowering fragrance, which makes it perfect for (most) mothers. $85 at department stores.
2. red door spa's mandarin honey manicure/pedicure - this treatment left my feet a bit raw from some overzealous exfoliation, but there are red door spas nationwide and they tend to be a luxurious setting where mom will be treated like a queen. this seasonal mani/pedi is a fun treat to help ease mom into the spa lifestyle. manicure - $42, pedicure - $80.
3. the sephora sun safety kit - will keep momma safe from those uv rays. this kit contains 11 travel-sized sunscreens from a variety of brands, so she's sure to find a match. major plus: 100% of the net proceeds go to the skin cancer foundation. $25 at sephora and sephora.com.
4. kai body butter - oprah (it was listed as one of her "favorite things") loves it, so you know mom's gonna be all over it. it has a rich texture and a sweet, lily of the valley scent. $55 at bendel's or online at eluxury.com.
5. noodle & boo glowology - noodle & boo started out as a natural product line for babies, but it turned out the mommies were loving these gentle products too! so, the founder then created the glowology line for the baby mommas, including pregnancy and sensitive skin treatments. prices vary by product.
but i somehow ended up using maternity eye brightening creamby belli for the past month. and i gotta say, i've quite enjoyed it.
at first i got that sensation that boys get when they accidentally eat a luna bar ("this is women?! what the hell, man? is it gonna turn me into a woman?") except, you know, with the pregnant. but now i just think of it as a regular eye brightener, which it is. and a good one at that.
belli has a full line of maternity skin solutions - the perfect gift for a pregnant friend or for yourself! bonus: if people see you using maternity products on the bus, they will give you their seat.
as many of you regular readers know, i live with the boyfriend. which i absolutely love, but being the product maven that i am, i prefer going to bed looking like some sort of very unsexy zombie with deep moisture treatments and eye creams encasing me than like the beautiful girl he met. i don't want to give up my night routine (and future good skin!), but i also want to still be gorgeous and glowing around him as often as possible.
and prescriptives, as usual, has heard my prayers (i love you guys!).
their newest night moisturizer, good in bed, has serious replenishing and wrinkle-reducing properties, but it combines them with subtle tanners and light reflecting optics that make the skin look glow-tastic. rather than going to bed a pasty mess, i look like a golden goddess (sans makeup)! it's pretty win-win. $65 at prescriptives.com and prescriptives counters nationwide.
kiehl's introduced their superbly restorative preparations earlier this month. the collection includes three products - skin salve ($25), body lotion ($35) and dry oil ($30) - all made from fairly traded morrocan argan oil and argan leaf extract. fair trade is an eco-conscious, social movement for fair international labor and policy standards.
argan gives the products a rich, nutty scent, which (like i mentioned with the new york streets haircare) is tres refreshing when it gets hot and humid (when floral and fruity scents can start to seem sickly sweet).
pro-earth, pro-workers, smells good, and hydrates beautifully - what's not to like? that's why i'll be moisturizing my skin superbly this summer. check it out at kiehls.com or at your local kiehl's.
i'm downing this champagne for educational reasons. this picture was taken on my napa valley wine tour last week and i think it's also a great example of how good my skin is looking (the only reason i feel justified in bragging like this is because it so did not look good before).
another step in the new upkeep regime? alaska glacial mud co.glacial facial in vanilla-lavender. when i got off that plane home from san fran last week my face had a baked on griminess sensation. i had used this facial masque a few times before the trip and was physically craving it by the time i stepped out of the cab to my apartment. i painted it all over with the facial brush (an extra $6, and it totally makes the experience) and let it dry and soak up all that scum.
the use of alaskan mud to remove impurities is actually a time-honored tradition in the region. using this product feels very natural (it is free of all synthetics) and the company itself is earth-friendly and dedicated to sustainability.
I just wanted to send you my final thoughts on the Olay Regenerist 14 Day Skin Intervention...
Phase 1: I loved how moisturizing this was! I was using Retin-A and had some major dryness that nothing was fixing, and I put this on one night, and poof! All flakes were gone :) The texture is very nice, smooth and dries to a matte finish. One thing I did notice, though, is that this is very similar to another Olay product, the Regenerist Night Recovery--texture, color, ingredients, etc.
Phase 2: This had a different texture than Phase 1--slightly grainy. To be quite honest, I liked Phase 1 more. I felt like this one didn't absorb as nicely into my skin. By the end of treatment, I noticed a slight decrease in the depth of my frown lines, but nothing much in terms of improvement of undereye wrinkles. Overall, there wasn't much visible difference in terms of wrinkles.
I think my major complaint with this product would be that yes, the packaging is nice and convenient because it gives you a "daily dose," but I really feel like a lot of product could get wasted in the little tubes.
Also, my skin was definitely getting moisturized, but I started to notice more and more breakouts. Maybe it's just me, or maybe this will be an issue for others with oily skin, I'm not sure...but since I'm already struggling with acne, this probably wouldn't be a product I'd use again.
Pros: excellent moisturizing, lovely texture for Phase 1 Cons: packaging, breakouts, didn't do much for me
eco-friendly beauty is coming out of the woodwork for april aka "earth month". mlm has your guide for where you can get your green on.
brushes and tools:ecotools makes a full line of makeup brushes with bamboo handles and cruelty-free bristles. they also have wide array of shower accessories (loofahs and sponges) made from natural materials. green bonus? their prices are very wallet friendly. $2.99-7.99 per brush.
hair:tela beauty organics by philip pelusi, is a salon-quality line that follows the certified organic fold. this line is just being released, i believe next week. i got a little preview of the shampoo and conditioner and i have been using them for about a week. i'm quite pleased, my hair has been drying naturally and still looking styled. $50 a piece at barney's (in stores and online) and at the tela design studio in the meatpacking district (which, from what i hear, is a heavenly place to visit. the salon, not the meatpacking district.).
skincare:pangea organics challenges the notion that organic skincare isn't hip. they offer sophisticated scents like egyptian fennel with rosemary & mint cream. their earth-friendly packaging is sleek, chic, and the outer part can be planted in the earth to grow into an organic plant such as sweet basil or amaranth (i love this idea. i wish all my packaging turned into plants). prices range, but the aforementioned cream is $31.
burt's bees has a devoted following to natural products. they started out making beeswax products, but they now offer a large and commendable facial care line in simple, earth friendly packaging. their anti-aging serum is $25.
body care:chillessence makes safer, natural soaps, body washes, and lotions. the mediterranean-inspired fragrance of many of their products sounds like the perfect summer accent. $12.99-$25.99 per product.
makeup/color:afterglow cosmetics is a mineral makeup line with high pigment colors. all of their makeup is certified organic. i've used their loose bronzer; it brings the glow. prices vary by product but bronzer is $18.
lately my skin has been the topic of conversation, in a good way. my skin is a constant struggle for me, i usually break out around the chin/jawline, then in the winter i get some dry patches on the cheeks, and the pores on my nose can be way too visible (sounds hot, huh?). but recently, my skin has been clear, and people have been taking notice! it would be difficult to credit a single step or product with this new fantasticness, but i think i can trace it back to three things:
1. about a month ago i had a facial with christie at mario badescu - this facial was not all that relaxing, and mario basescu is certainly not the most attractive spa space i've visited, but whatever they do there, it works. my friend heather had highly recommended christie (and heather has divine skin). when i left my skin was super splotchy from the extractions, which christie warned me about, but after three days it cleared beautifully and since then my breakouts have subsided. facials are typically $65, but mine included a vit C add-on which doubled the price, but still not too pricey for a manhattan facial.
2. md skincare powerful sun protection spf 45 sunscreen cream - wearing such a powerful sunscreen everyday is huge. the anti-aging benefits of sunscreen cannot be underestimated. also, this particular sunscreen gives me a perfect radiance, rather than making my skin look greasy. i'm not even entirely sure this product is for faces, but i use it on mine and love it. $45.
3. prescriptives custom blended tinted moisturizer - i've raved about this before here. if you haven't gotten one yet, you aren't looking as good as you could be. this light lotion and amazing coverage and blendability. it is custom made to your specifications, so you just can't go wrong. i wear mine everyday in place of foundation and i've only gotten more compliments on my complexion. $48.50 at bergdorf goodman.
all three of these things are definitelymlmfavorites.
This product comes in 14 little tubes. Each one contains an individual use. There are 7 for the first product, 7 for the 2nd. I kept a little diary of my use:
Day 1: no noticeable result. Light scent, slippery texture. Did not sting.
Day 2: skin felt noticeably more smooth, noticed when washing face. Face continued to feel smooth throughout the day. Didn’t look any different, just felt different.
Day 4: Two breakouts! I don’t normally break out mid-month, so I wonder if it’s from the product. My skin is feeling smooth otherwise.
Day 7: My sister-in-law complimented my skin, saying “I can’t stop staring at your face!” She wanted to know my secret; I wouldn’t tell.
Day 8: My first day to try the 2nd product. This one was a different color, and felt a little grainy when I applied it. I went to bed and my skin actually felt a little warm. !!!
Day 10: My skin is feeling very smooth, and… plump. Fine lines around my eyes seem to be a little bit less. My makeup is going on very smoothly.
Day 12: I can’t describe it any better than saying my skin feels plump! Not dry, not flaky, but smooth and moisturized.
Day 14: I’m sorry to see that I’m using my last vial today! Overall, I don't see all that much improvement, but my skin feels great and is very smooth.
I would definitely use this product again, and feel like it’s well worth the money it costs.
this product consists of 14 tubes - one for each night for two weeks - to help rejuvenate skin to prepare for an occasion. it typically retails for just under $25. and here's what laurie has to say about it:
After the 14 days, the change I observed was very minimal. Perhaps just a slight decrease in the appearance of the lines around my eyes (crow's feet) and the lines from my nose to my mouth. The product is packaged in a fun way (14 mini tubes in a firm plastic rack, totally portion controlled), but not at all environmentally friendly. The fragrance is nice and it felt smooth on my skin.
congrats to mlm readers rebecca and beth for winning the random drawing based on their comments on the whole foods podcast! each lovely winner will receive the dr. hauschka cleansing cream and moisturizing day cream. both beauties were notified via email, so if your name is rebecca or beth and you entered the contest be sure to double check your email for a message from me and to send your address my way!
tonight, during the epic scripted reality television show, the hills, the first episode of "fresh takes" will air. this microseries created by dove is taking the term soap opera back to it's original meaning (a drama series sponsored by a soap company). alicia keys stars in this fun little story about women in their 20's who struggle with men and do yoga (i am partial to these things). you can check out the first installment tonight, and if you just can't wait, here's a super-long preview.
i am seriously thinking of watching the hills just to see "fresh takes".
don't forget that you have just two days left (until friday 03/21/08) to enter the makeup loves me/whole foods/dr. hauschkagiveaway! click here for all the deets and good luck :)
like many savvy beauty junkies with temperamental skin, i'm a cetaphildevotee.
i rarely switch up my face wash because irritation ensues. but, i do whatever it takes to bring my readers the newest reviews that they crave. so when kiehl's released the ultra facial cleanser and the ultra facial toner, meant to be suitable for all skin types, i had to try them out for a solid week so i could report back.
i was happily surprised to find that this wash is actually quite similar to cetaphil! it is just a little bit thicker, which i actually like. it has the same milky, gentle feel. i could see myself switching to this wash, especially in the summer when i want something a little extra to help remove the baked on nyc humid grime. plus i think $17.50 for a 4 ounce tube is pretty reasonable.
as for the toner, i thought this was also gentle and lived up to it's "good for all skin" motto. i don't usually use a toner, so i wasn't able to get myself to use this one everyday but if i was a toner gal, i think this one would have me hooked. $15 for a 8.4 ounce bottle.
both available, along with other members of the ultra facial care line, at kiehls.com.
some of you may remember my giveaway with whole foods/mineral fusion last fall - if i do say so myself, it was a great success! so naturally, i'm doing it again!
this time two readers will each win twodr. hauschka products - the cleansing cream and the moisturizing day cream.
like last time, this contest asks you to watch a video on the whole foods site and leave a comment, including "makeup loves me" in "website" field for your comment. your comment may be anything you think would be useful to the whole foods team. here is the link to the video. you have until next friday, march 21st.
this new video is a response to growing consumer interest and confusion about natural person care. it aims to help consumers decipher which body care products in its whole body™ departments contain the most natural and highest quality ingredients. godspeed, beauties!
going somewhere? a wedding or high school reunion perhaps? someplace where you want to shine. well, you're in luck because makeup loves me is looking for someone who is going somewhere, preferably in the next 1-2 months.
specifically mlm wants to send you (if you are this person) one of olay's newest products, regenerist 14 day skin intervention to help get you ready for the event.
this product fascinates me. it's 14 little individual tubes - one to be used each night for two weeks - that will result in a mini non-surgical face lift. but i'm so a.d.d. with products that there is no way i could use the same thing for 14 nights in a row! so i'm looking for a fabulous reader to test it out and write a one time guest review.
if you are interested please email me at: beautyeditor [at] makeuplovesme [dot] com and tell me what your event is and why you are interested in trying this product and doing the guest review. one reader will be selected. i'm looking forward to hearing from you, beauties!
amy winehouse finally went to rehab. now it's your (lips' and skin's) turn. get those cracked, dry parts ready for spring! beauty rehab makes a rose salve and a peppermint lip balm. the rose salve is a big hit among the spice girls and david beckham loves the peppermint lip balm (if you hadn't guessed, the company is british). i learned about them at the bendel's breakfast, but if your not headed to 5th ave anytime soon you can get your rehab on at beautyrehab.com, $10 a piece.
but, no matter what mascara i use, i end up with huge raccoon eyes every evening when i wash my face. fighting these suckers off can be tough and ordinary makeup remover isn't delicate enough for the sensitive eye region. long story short? lancome's bi facil double action eye makeup remover is the only eye makeup remover i ever use. it's $26 and one bottles lasts months.
i was not kidding at the end of my last post when i told you i was off to catch some sun - i made the ultimate faux-cation move and got a spray tan! i went to sundara airbrush tanning in hell's kitchen and had their senior techician, natalie cupid (i love her name. i think i want to be called natalie cupid from now on. just kidding, natalie cupid, i won't steal your name.) spray me bronze. this has had an entirely desirable effect, several people have said one of the following things to me:
a. well, don't you have a nice tan! b. you're glowing today! c. did you go somewhere?
and no one has said to me: d. you look oddly orange - are you half-oompa-loompa?
anyone who i do tell i got a spray tan to (which is just about everyone, because let's face it, i'm not very discreet) cannot believe how natural the color is. i'm loving it.
some things you should know before going for your own airbrush tan at sundara:
1.shave and exfoliate that morning. removing any barriers to your freshest layer of skin will make for the most even tan. 2. you are going to be getting naked or very close to it (you can leave underwear on if you are more comfortable that way) and natalie cupid will be seeing you naked and using a small sprayer to lightly mist your naked self. however, she is a warm person and she does her best to help you overcome any awkwardness. 3. wear dark baggy clothes that you do not care about, because they may get stained afterward. 4. don't plan on going anywhere where you might care what people think of you afterward. you shouldn't wear a bra afterwards because that may shift the color around in a manor that is not cute. also, you can't shower for 8 hours following application and you get gradually much darker and greasier during this time. so unless you like looking greasy and bra-less in front of others, plan to kick it at home post-tan. 5. i have been doing some, but not all, of the maintenance and my tan has held up very well for 5 days so far. i do use the sundara coconut body butter, because natalie cupid told me i would need to use a natural lotion, but with no natural exfoliators in it, and that was just too confusing for me, so i went with the one she recommended. sundara is located at 425 w. 46th street, ny, ny. visit their website here. they offer full body, half body, and face only airbrush tans - for $75, $45, and $25, respectively. i think that's all the info you need to get your own faux-cation glow, but please feel free to ask me any questions about airbrush tanning in the comments, beauties!
