Product Reviewed: Urban Decay Baked Bronzer


Now that warmer weather is here, it's time for shorts, tank tops, sundresses, and.....pasty white winter skin?  I think not!  It's the time of year when bronzer is your best friend.   The Urban Decay bronzers are great because they come in three formulas (Baked-shimmer, Gilded-mucho shimmer, and Toasted-matte).  For an everyday look, I love the Toasted.  It looks very natural and wears all day.  I can apply it lightly or build it for a sun-kissed bronze goddess glow.  Each compact last forever!  I apply my Toasted generously, almost everyday, and have had it for months and months.  Can be used wet or dry, but I recommend dry for a more natural finish.


Tip:  Apply bronzer in the shape of a '3'--top of your forehead, under your cheek bones, and along your jaw--for a natural, slightly contoured look.


Another tip:  If you're going for a noticeably bronzed look, be sure to bronze your neck and  decollete for balance.

Product Reviewed: The Caudalie Skincare Line


I usually wouldn't review an entire skincare line in one post, but I feel that the issues I've had with Caudalie have been pervasive throughout the entire line.  There are several lines within the Caudalie brand (anti-aging, brightness, firming, purifying, etc.).  I've tried at least one product from each specific line, and have found the same problem with every product: the Caudalie products are EXTREMELY comedogenic! (aka clogging. yuck.)  I started using the Foaming Cleanser, which is designed for combination skin types.  Even the lighter foam formula clogged my pores tremendously.  As I started using the radiance moisturizers and serums, my skin started to get even worse.  To be fair, my skin is incredibly reactive.  However, I don't usually get blackheads all over, and I use anti-aging products regularly.  (In fact, I use anti-aging products obsessively.)  I had also purchased a milky cream cleanser (the Gentle Cleanser), but ended up returning it before even trying it.  Obviously, what works on one person's skin may not work on another's, and vice versa.  I've heard mixed reviews of Caudalie across the board; seems to be a love/hate brand.


Tip:  Caudalie's hand creams, body/spa products, and beauty elixir are absolutely worth checking out! 

Product Reviewed: Dior Liquid Eyeliner


Liquid eyeliner can be intimidating.  Proper application requires technique, practice, and the right product.  Dior's liquid liner pen takes some of the trickiness out of liquid liner, and helps you achieve a polished, sophisticated eye look.  (See my liner looks post for some great looks for every style!)  The click-up pen applicator gives you unbelievable control and precision.  The formula has a va-va-voom glossy finish subtle enough for day, yet sexy enough for night.  This liner comes in black and brown.  I love using this liner on clients because it allows for maximum control and makes it super easy to create a soft or dramatic eye look.


Tip:  Love false lashes?  Apply this liner after applying false lashes to camouflage the strip and complete your look.


Another tip:  In order to allow for the most control, I click the pen a few times and let the liquid product come out the top of the pen.  I then rub the excess product onto the back of my hand and dip the brush in the liquid.  This way, I know the product is evenly distributed on the brush and I get an even application. 

Product Reviewed: Origins Modern Friction Nature's Gentle Dermabrasion


I just recently started trying Origins products, and I am SO impressed!  (I have a feeling you'll be seeing a lot more Origins products reviewed as I continue to further explore the line.)  I'm starting off with this exfoliant because it has all the qualities you're looking for in a skin care product: affordability, effectiveness, and natural ingredients.  The Modern Friction Dermabrasion feels like a spa treatment, and offers many of the same benefits as popular facials.  This exfoliant is gentle yet effective, and offers both immediate and long-term benefits.  The gentle formula sloughs off dead skin cells to reveal a brighter, more even skin tone.  Fine lines and large pores are also diminished with regular use.  This product is ideal for all skin types.  Clinical results show that 94% of women tested would consider using Modern Friction instead of undergoing a spa microdermabrasion procedure.  (Now that's impressive!)  After just one use, my skin feels and looks brand spankin' new.  I can't wait to see the results over time!


Tip:  If you have more sensitive, apply Modern Friction to wet skin.  Otherwise, wet skin after applying product.  If you experience redness after use, don't worry.  The exfoliation causes blood to rush to the surface, giving you a flushed look.  Unless the redness becomes an irritation, it shouldn't be a problem.  Just don't use Modern Friction just before heading out the door for a big date.

Product Reviewed: Moroccan Oil Treatment


The Moroccan Oil hair care line is one of the first to popularize using oil to hydrate and treat all hair types.  This oil treatment is extremely versatile.  This oil can be used wet or dry, and blends well with other products.  Moroccan Oil protects, hydrates, and repairs hair.  (As a bonus, it also smells delicious!)  Used wet it will reduce your blow dry time; used dry it will add weightless shine.  Moroccan Oil's formula  is different than a lot of similar hair oils because its texture is non-greasy and it absorbs into hair strands rather than sitting topically and adding weight.


Tip: LESS IS MORE!  Especially when applying to dry hair, use Moroccan Oil sparingly.  A dime size amount will be sufficient for medium length hair.  Less for shorter or finer hair.  


Another Tip: When applying to dry hair, emulsify product in your hands and clap onto the ends of hair strands.


Yet Another Tip:  Apply product staring from ends of hair, and do not bring product all the way to the roots, or it can make hair look greasy or dirty.

Product Reviewed: Perricone's No Foundation Foundation


Dr. Perricone's No Foundation Foundation is essentially the original gangster of BB Creams.  Launched before the BB Cream trend picked up, this foundation faker combines skin care with light coverage to give your skin both immediate and long term TLC.  The color of this product is Oompa Loompa orange, so it's not great to wear by itself.  I like it best as a primer to give a bit of warmth under a powder foundation.  Especially for us fair skin gals, it's important to apply this product lightly, keeping coverage sheer and blending out the color.  The skin care benefits definitely make this a great product if you're looking for a little coverage/warmth.  DMAE (think Spanx for your skin), Alpha Lipoic Acid, and Vitamin C Ester provide anti-aging and skin tone correcting benefits.  


Tip: If you're fair, apply before powder as a primer, or mix in with your moisturizer  or primer  for the most natural looking color.

Product Reviewed: Kate Somerville's DermalQuench Liquid Lift Advanced Wrinkle Treatment


So at first I was a little creeped out by this product.  (C'mon, it looks like a baby alien!)  I was hesitant to try anything aerosol, and the price point was up there.  However, I put on my big girl pants and decided to try this crazy new innovation.  And was it worth it?  Drum roll, please...YES!  I was pleasantly surprised by how this product worked.  At first it smelled a little odd (aerosol sure ain't perfume), but the scent dissipates relatively quickly.  Kate packs a ton of innovative ingredient combinations into this skin care treatment, and it promises both instant a long-term improvement in skin elasticity, firmness, and texture.    After just one use, skin's moisture will increase by 130%.   I've been using the DermalQuench for only three days (am and pm) and my skin is absolutely softer and more even.  A great new product for the skin care junkie who's really looking to invest in the latest innovation.


Tip: Application is definitely unique.  Shake well before use.  Apply one stripe of product horizontally across forehead.  Apply 3 stripes across each cheek.  Rub in so that all of your face is covered equally.  Let absorb before applying other product.


Another tip:  Kate isn't too clear as to where in your skin care regimen the DermalQuench fits in.  Since it's so light and absorbs so nicely I've been using it before my serum.  It's been working great for me, but again, not sure what Kate had in mind.


*UPDATE*  I just finished up my deluxe trial size (which is a little less than half of the full size product), and it lasted me less than a week.  I can only guesstimate, but I'd say the full size would last less than four weeks.  At $95, that is pricey!  If you have the means, go ahead an indulge.  But for those of us on a beauty budget, this is not going to be a cost effective purchase.