REVIEW: @LOCCITANE Immortelle Brightening Hand Care

ABOUT THE PRODUCT:

Brightening Hand Care SPF 20 2.5 oz. – $30

The Brightening Hand Care SPF 20 is a triple-action formula that helps smooth hands, even out skin tone and protect against UV rays. Immortelle essential oil helps minimize the appearance of wrinkles and make the skin appear younger looking while Bellis perennis extract, combined with a mulberry-based plant complex, helps the hands appear more even toned and visibly lighten age spots. Hands are also protected with SPF 20 sunscreen.

L’OCCITANE’s Immortelle Brightening skin care line provides beauty benefits from the Mediterranean “flowers of light,” Immortelle and Bellis Perennis (Daisy). Immortelle is a flower with exceptional longevity: it never fades, even after it has been picked. Its essential oil is rich with unique anti-aging results. Bellis perennis, better known as the daisy, yields a brightening extract that helps regulate skin tone.

PRODUCT PROS:

• Excellent moisturizing formula, with lasting hydrating results.
• Sunscreen is an added bonus to protect my hands against the UV rays.
• As with all L’OCCITANE skin care creams, this product has a delicate, flowery scent that doesn’t overwhelm the senses.
• The hand cream is fast absorbing. It melted into my skin in a matter of seconds, without leaving a greasy residue.
• After just one use, my hands felt soft to the touch and my skin appeared taut and healthy.

PRODUCT CONS:

• None!

BOTTOM LINE:

I truly love this hand cream and will recommend it to everyone I know.

WHERE TO FIND IT:

Website:

http://usa.loccitane.com

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/loccitane.usa

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/LOCCITANE

YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/user/loccitaneenprovence/

Pinterest:

DISCLAIMER:

I received a sample in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Expert Tips on Creating Emma Watson’s Bling Ring Premiere Braid Style

Emma Watson, star of the new pop blockbuster, Bling Ring, recently sported a chic intertwined braid updo on the red carpet for the premiere of her new movie. This sultry look is sophisticated yet youthful and has an artistic feel. It’s also great for the summer as it allows you to keep your hair out of your face when it’s hot. The coiled curls in back provide an additional wow-facture creating a visual dimension.

While this may look like it takes a master stylist to achieve, it is actually fairly simple to create yourself. There are also multiple ways this can be done to provide slightly different looks.

Mario Russo, leading expert hair stylist and owner of Salon Mario Russo in Boston, MA, loves this elegant yet edgy look and put together an easy-to-follow 10-step guide to recreating Emma’s intertwined braid style.

What you will need:

• Volumizing shampoo and conditioner (Mario suggests Bumble and Bumble Surf shampoo and conditioner because they give volume without leaving any heavy residue)
• Hair cream (Mario likes to use Oribe Light Moisturizing Cream because it smoothes frizz without weighing down your hair or making it look greasy)
• Dry shampoo (Mario suggests Oribe Dry Texturizer it is a great alternative to a dry shampoo)
• 2 ” diameter sized round brush
• 1 fine-toothed comb
• 2 clear hair ties (Mario loves Bungee’s because they give a great hold without breaking the hair)
• 4-6 bobby pins
• Medium hold hair spray (Mario suggests Moroccoan Oil Medium Hold hairspray because it provides both hold and shine)

1. Wash hair with Bumble and Bumble Surf shampoo and conditioner
2. Blow-dry hair loosely with a 2” round brush, using Oribe Light Moisturizing Cream hair cream for softness and smoothness
3. Once dry, generously layer in Oribe Dry Texturizer for texture and grip
4. With a fine-tooth comb, make a deep side part by using the peak of your eyebrow as guide, then brush the hair through to the back on both sides and secure each with a hair tie to keep them separated
5. Begin with the side that has less hair. Unfasten the hair tie and just above the ear begin French braiding, working it down to the nape of the neck, then fasten with the hair tie
6. Repeat this process on the opposite side but divide the hair into two sections to allow you to braid two narrower lines on this side. The first should be parallel to temples and the second should be close to the crown
7. Once the three pieces have been braided to the nape of the head, merge the remaining hair together and braid in the middle to the end of the pony
8. Once the braid is finished, twist the hair into a bun at the base of the neck
9. Secure the braid bun with 4-6 bobby pins
10. To finish the look, lightly spray for hold and shine and you’re good to go!

REVIEW: @JohnFriedaUS Satin Finish Flat Iron

ABOUT THE PRODUCT:

Successfully fusing sleek, modern designs with breakthrough technology, John Frieda® Styling Tools by Conair is now offering a new generation of stylers that deliver flawless, fabulous and healthy looking results. Each tool harnesses the power of superior ionic technology and advanced anti-frizz conditioning to ensure soft, frizz-free hair, no matter how you style it with an exclusive ceramic titanium coating for a more durable surface.

JFS2 Satin Finish Flat Iron ($54.99): Pin-straight hair has never looked sleeker or felt softer. The revamped, premium flat iron now features generously sized 1 ½” inch plates that allow for quick, easy straightening using an advanced ionic generator. In just 15 seconds, the Satin Finish Flat Iron reaches temperatures of up to 455°F/235°C, while its titanium-coated plates protect hair from heat damage. Developed with John Frieda® Styling Tools by Conair’s unique ceramic titanium coating.

PRODUCT PROS:

• Hair looked straight and shiny after use (I used the iron on my thick, long, wavy hair that was frizzy from air drying)
• 1 1/2 inch plates allowed me to speed up the hair straightening process
• Heats up fast – the iron reached 365 degrees in seconds
• Large LCD digital temperature display
• Auto shutoff – great piece of mind when I leave my house in a hurry

PRODUCT CONS:

• Frustrating design: the on/off switch as well as temperature controls are located on the side of the iron. I accidentally pressed them a number of times while straightening my hair.

BOTTOM LINE:

This flat iron delivered on the manufacturer’s promise and left my hair sleek and glossy. The results were just as good as using my CHI iron. The JFS2 Satin Finish Flat Iron is reasonably priced and I highly recommended.

WHERE TO FIND IT:

Available at drug, mass and food retailers

Website:

http://www.johnfrieda.com

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/johnfriedaus

Twitter:

Tweets by JohnFriedaUS

YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/johnfriedaus

DISCLAIMER:

I received a sample in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

 

10 Beauty Budget Hacks To Save You Money

Image credit: http://blog.birchbox.com

The following is a guest post written by Andrea Woroch, a nationally-recognized consumer and money-saving expert who helps consumers live on less without radically changing their lifestyles.

With 2011 beauty sales surpassing $38 billion in the U.S. alone, it’s no wonder beauty and personal care products command such a high percentage of our monthly expenses. You don’t have to break the bank in your pursuit of healthy skin and regular highlights, however. Read on for 10 beauty budget hacks that will leave you looking fabulous for less.

1. Try Before You Buy
In addition to requesting samples, you can subscribe to BirchBox.com to find out which new beauty products work best for you. You can customize monthly shipments based on your skin type and other preferences like natural ingredients or anti-aging products. At just $10 per month, this service is a frugal way to find out which products work best for you.

2. Ditch Name-Brand
As much as we’d all love our beauty boudoirs to be overflowing with Dior and Bobbi Brown, spending a month’s worth of lattes on a two-pack of eye shadow is just silly. Since there’s not much chemical difference between designer and drugstore products, opting for the latter will save your pocketbook without sacrificing your look.

3. Get Free Samples
It’s hard to find products that work without testing them, so ask for a trial size before you commit to a full-size version. Department stores and beauty retailers like Sephora will give you samples for free. Also, check freebie sites like MrFreeStuff.com to find complimentary health and beauty samples including shampoo, conditioner, body lotion and more.

4. Try Store Brands
When it comes to sunscreen, generic is the way to go for better protection at a better price. Consumer Reports found that some name brands failed the test when it came to UVA and UVB protection despite costing 30-percent more. When shopping for other products like body lotion, compare ingredient lists between name-brand and store-brand. In some cases, ingredient lists are identical and the only difference between the products is price.

5. Get Rewarded
Reward programs are key to saving money on beauty products at drug stores and specialty shops. When you become a Sephora Beauty Insider, for example, every dollar spent earns you one reward point, plus you get a complimentary gift on your birthday and free samples with every order. The ExtraCare Beauty Club offered by CVS gives you 10-percent off your first beauty purchase after enrollment, plus $5 ExtraBucks rewards for every $50 spent and extra points on your birthday.

6. Buy the Mini Size
Though you may think “more is more” when it comes to beauty packaging, sometimes the travel size is a better value. For instance, mascara can dry up quickly and you may not use all the product you paid for. Buy the smaller tube for up to 50-percent less and simply replace it with another travel-size product when it runs out.

7. Use Coupons
You don’t have to subscribe to your city’s newspaper for access to the beauty coupons. In fact, some of the best offers are found in women’s magazines or online, where sites like Coupon Sherpa aggregate online coupons for beauty and other categories. You can also download their app for in-store savings to Ulta, Macy’s, Sephora, Lord & Taylor and more.

8. Be Adventurous
Haircuts and color treatments can cost hundreds of dollars per appointment, making them one of the costliest beauty procedures. If you’re style borders on adventurous, consider getting your hair cut by budding hairdressers for free. Students and trainees need volunteers to help perfect their craft and are often supervised by professionals to ensure you leave with a style you like. You can also check with your local salon about model application opportunities, since they also seek people willing to sport trendy looks in exchange for free services.

9. Get Creative
Some beauty products can do double duty during your routine, saving you money on redundant items. For example, the right cream blush doubles as a great lipstick, while baby powder can be substituted for dry shampoo. Even sunscreen can be swapped for lower-cost body lotion containing SPF15. Evaluate your routine and determine where you can stretch your products for savings.

10. Buy in Bulk
While we might not consider deodorant and toothpaste to be beauty essentials, we can all agree that it’s tough to feel pretty without them. These pricey toiletries can be purchased for less in bulk, so scour the aisles of Costco and Sam’s Club for multi-packs of morning routine essentials. You can even find popular brands of body lotion and hair products for up to 30-percent less at warehouse stores.

Author Bio:

Andrea Woroch is a nationally-recognized consumer and money-saving expert who helps consumers live on less without radically changing their lifestyles. From smart spending tips to personal finance advice, Andrea transforms everyday consumers into savvy shoppers. She has been featured among top news outlets such as Good Morning America, NBC’s Today, MSNBC, New York Times, Kiplinger Personal Finance, CNNMoney and many more. You can follow her on Twitter for daily savings advice and tips.

New @JuicyCouture Fragrance: Viva la Juicy Noir

Attention Juicy Couture fans! Viva la Juicy Noir, Juicy Couture’s latest scent, will now be on shelves in late-June 2013!

Viva La Juicy Noir reflects the bold side of the glamorous Viva La Juicy muse. A sultry take on the original, Viva La Juicy Noir is for the woman who is daring and leaves a lasting impression. She’s the life of the party – not afraid to show off and get noticed. She is irresistible and unforgettable.

Viva La Juicy Noir will be available at Nordstrom and Nordstrom.com.

The Products

Viva La Juicy Noir Eau de Parfum, 3.4 fl. oz./ 100 ml  $90

Viva La Juicy Noir Eau de Parfum, 1.7 fl. oz./ 50 ml  $70

Eau de Parfum Rollerball Duo featuring Viva La Juicy and Viva La Juicy Noir .17 fl. oz./ 5 ml each $25

5 New Products from the @OrganixHair Smooth Hydration Collection

With summer weather in full swing, my long, wavy hair is in desperate need of products that make it look frizz-free and smooth.

Enter the Organix Smooth Hydration Argan Oil & Shea Butter Collection, which ensures sexy, sleek hair that won’t surrender to humidity’s hair-raising effects.

Each product is infused with a creamy blend of shea butter to balance hair and scalp, while weightless argan oil smoothes and restores shine. This lightweight formula of sulfate-free surfactants will provide sleek summer styles without fear of heat related hair havoc.

Here is a full range of products, along with descriptions of the benefits. From my experience, the products have worked wonders on my hair. The shampoo, conditioner, oil and masks each have a smooth, buttery consistency and smell absolutely divine.

Smooth Hydration Argan Oil & Shea Butter Shampoo and Conditioner

• An intensely moisturizing formula designed for all hair types
• Hydrating and lightweight, hair is left touchable and shiny

Smooth Hydration Argan Oil & Shea Butter Moisture Restore Weightless Oil

• Leave-in moisturizing oil designed for all hair types
• Non-sticky, lightweight oil leaves hair touchable and shiny

Smooth Hydration Argan Oil & Shea Butter Moisture Restore Mask

• Weekly deep conditioning mask for extremely damaged, course hair
• Moisturizing, non-sticky formula

Smooth Hydration Argan Oil & Shea Butter Curl Enhancing Yogurt

• Leave-in curl defining cream designed for all hair types
• A fusion of shea butter and argan oil create soft, springy curls that are smoothed and hydrated
• Locks moisture into every curl or wave

The Organix Argan Oil & Shea Butter Collection will be available for $7.99 each at Walmart, Walgreens, CVS and Rite Aid.

GIVEAWAY: Bioré 4-in-1 Detoxifying Cleanser (5 Winners)

Clean, tone, detoxify in 1 action-packed cleanser.

With all we do throughout our day, the word “multitasker” doesn’t begin to describe most of our busy lives. So why shouldn’t your facial cleanser follow suit? Bioré’s 4-in-1 Detoxifying Cleanser cleans, tones, detoxifies, refreshes and truly does it all – just like you.

This unique, oil-free self-foaming cleanser wipes out over 93% of impurities, dirt and oil to leave skin healthier-looking and refreshed.

“The easiest way to get on a good skincare regimen is to use effective multi-purpose products, like Bioré Skincare’s 4-in-1 Detoxifying Cleanser—cutting down on the products you use can help you stick to good skincare habits,” says Bioré consulting dermatologist Dr. Sapna Westley.

5 lucky winners will get a Bioré 4-in-1 Detoxifying Cleanser. Open to US residents only.

Enter through this Rafflecopter url: a Rafflecopter giveaway

About Bioré 4-in-1 Detoxifying Cleanser:

This one cleanser really does do it all: now you can detoxify, tone and refresh skin in mere minutes. This unique self-foaming cleanser wipes out over 93% of impurities, dirt and oil to leave skin healthier-looking and refreshed.

Visit their website: http://www.biore.com

Summer Proof Your Makeup With the Help of Celebrity Makeup Artist @mallybeauty

Now that it’s feeling more like the summer season, it’s time to turn to our makeup bags and make some adjustments! No matter your skin type or style, here are some tips from Mally Roncal, Celebrity Makeup Artist and President / Founder of Mally Beauty:

Bronze it up! “Create that glow by using a bronzer that is 1-2 shades darker than your natural skin tone. Apply it to the following areas: concentrate on the perimeter of your face and start behind the ear, working down along the jawline. Then, go across the top of the forehead (along the hairline). Lightly sweep across the forehead, bridge of the nose, cheeks, and tip of the chin. To prevent your face from looking “muddy” or “dirty”, make sure that you also apply a great pink blush on the apples of the cheeks, and a sweep of highlighter on the tops of the cheekbones. Try Mally Beauty Believable Bronzer ($40).

Next, apply a shimmery champagne eyeshadow all-over eyelids. Try Mally Beauty Evercolor Shadow Stick in Saddle Shimmer ($25) and finish off with a nude lipgloss. Try Mally Beauty Super Natural ($20).”

Flawless Finish: “Many women think translucent powder is the best way to battle shine during the summer, but I’m here to tell you that is not the case. It will leave you looking dry, white, cakey, and it will settle in all of your fine lines and wrinkles. I developed a high-performance alternative—my Evercolor Poreless Face Defender ($40), the world’s first ever clear setting powder! This game-changing formula sets makeup, reduces shine, minimizes the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and pores and leaves skin satiny-matte. Best of all you can reapply throughout the day on top of makeup for extra shine protection.”

Waterproof and Bulletproof: “In the summer, I swear by my Waterproof Volumizing Mascara, an amazing formula that captures the one hour’s worth of work I used to do on my clients, so that you just need two coats on the top and one coat on the bottom for lush lashes! To remove, just make sure you have an oil-based makeup remover on hand! (Try my Mally Beauty Dual-Action Makeup Remover for Eyes and Lips).”

Lovely Lace Dresses from @MaggyLondon

Maggy London takes inspiration from the world’s top runways and elegantly translates the trends — like fashion’s current love affair with lace — for everyday women. This season ladylike lace is back with a modern twist. With breezy, delicate details and timeless silhouettes, these three dresses will get you the in demand lace look without breaking the bank.

Be on trend with Maggy London’s youthful, sophisticated take in a sexy black sheer lace detailed peplum dress. Or, try a vintage inspired look with a full flared skirt and floral embroidery and you’ll look like an A-lister, all for under $200.

GRA93M SCUBA SHEATH Price: $148

GRA06M ROSE LACE FIT AND FLARE Price: $158.00

Visit http://www.maggylondon.com/

Hair How-To: Brooke Burke’s Braided Chignon

Here is a step by step breakdown of Brooke Burke’s gorgeous braided chignon created by celebrity stylist Jonathan Hanousek.

Jonathan Hanousek:

First I layered Bumble and Bumble Thickening Spray and White Sands UnderCover Styling Spray on damp hair.

From the outside corners of the eyes, make 2 clean parts back to the crown and pin the section out of the way. Then, blow dry the rest of the hair with a medium round brush to create a smooth finish.

Take the sides of the hair and gather into a ponytail in the back. Fasten with a small rubber band. Clean up fly always using a fine tooth tail comb and White Sands Infinity Hairspray.

Using a small round brush blow dry the top of the hair concentrating on lifting the roots for volume. Spray a few pumps of Moroccan Oil Glimmer Shine Spray all over to smooth and add shine.

With your fingers and the blow dryer, push the hair up and towards the center to create your pomp. Use a few pumps of the White Sands Infinity Hairspray to hold the shape.

Place crisscross bobby pins down the center of the pomp and roll one side over to conceal, fastening with invisible hairpins. Think loose French twist and look in the mirror and adust the shape that’s best for your face. It’s best if it is not too symmetrical, it will look more interesting.

Let the rest of the hair cover the first ponytail. Fasten with a couple pins. Then, gather all the remaining hair and create a single braid.

Twist the braid up, tuck in the ends and fasten with bobby and invisible hair pins. Lock everything in with White Sands Stuck Up Mega Hold Hairspray.

http://www.whitesandsproducts.com/