Beauty Buzz: Would You Buy Beauty Products From A Vending Machine

More and more companies turn to vending machines to retail cosmetic products. BodyShop recently joint the two beauty vending pioneers- beauty retail Sephora and fragrance company Coty. Now Body Shop products are available for purchase though 20 vending machines set up in varios locations in the us in airports and shopping centers as well as in grocery stores such as Kroger Marketplace and Stop & Shop.

More and more luxury high-end products are available for purchase through the vending machines. For example, a company called Chirp is selling bags from Michael Kors, U*tique dispatches cosmetics and fancy chocolates, Retro Sport offers tees with vintage NFL logos.

All of the machines accept credit cards and not cash.

So what do you think? Progress? Or would you prefer to touch, smell, hold a product and buy from a live person?

Cosmeticsdesign
Marie Claire Jan 2011

Best of Beauty 2010

This year I have not been doing enough reviews - I admit... But I have tried and discovered for myself some outstanding products and I thought it would be a good idea to do each year a roundup of the products that I consider best in various categories. So here are my favorites for the year 2010!

Best Skincare Product 2010


This nomination is absoluteky won by Dr Denese’s Advanced Firming Facial Pads

These peeling pads with glycolic acid are absolutely amazing. They make your skin glow and look youthful even on your worst days i.e. you feel like sh** but look perfect!

Best Eye Product 2010


I still consider Guerlain's Happylogy Glowing Eye Care the best eye cream ever!

Best Hair Product 2010



Sheer Blonde: Blonde Hair Repair by John Frieda did miracles for my hair. It literally revived it, maid it look healthy, shiny and bouncy!

Best Makeup 2010


This year my heart belongs to Dior! I have been bewitched and drawn like a magnet to Dior's makeup. As a result I have now 2 gorgeous sets of eyeshadows by Dior which win Best Makeup 2010 title:

Dior's eye shadow from their summer 2010 collection Golden Spotlight 616 ads gold karats to your eyes. You can wear it alone or layer it ontop of other eyeshadow to get the effect of precious gold sparkles.



Dior All-In-One Artistry Palette 008 Smoky Design - everything you need for a vamp smoky eye is in this palette.

Best Quick Fix 2010



La Prairie Light Fantastic Cellular Concealing Brightening Eye Treatment has served me very well the whole year to conceal the tell-tale signs of sleepless nights...

Best At Home Treatment 2010



Shiseido Benefiance Pure Retinol Instant Treatment Eye Mask
These eye pads contain retinol and moisturizing ingredients. They pamper and treat the skin around eyes. I love those!

Best Body Product 2010



Shiseido Daily Bronze Moisturizing Emulsion
This is the most naturally looking tan you can get from a jar. It gives your skin a subtle golden glow. It's a rule: I apply Shiseido Dai8ly Bronze before going to bed and get a ton of compliments in the morning from my hubby!

Best Perfume 2010



Nightshift by Harvey Prince
Magic of the night flowers captured into a bottle of perfume.

Best Natural Skin Care 2010



Last year I tried and was impressed by an amazing natural skin care line from the sunny California - Annmarie Skin Care.

Beauty Shopping: Payot Emulsion Reconciliante Soothing Care

My jar of Estee Lauder Verite moisturizer is about to run out. So yeaterday I dropped by a local beauty store intedning to buy another one but a friendly salesguy trying to be helpful pointed out some discounted products which included Payot Emulsion Reconciliante Soothing Care. And so I got it instead of Verite! It's anyway advisable to change your skin care line from time to time. I already tried the emulsion and it feels really nice! Let's see how it compares to Estee Lauder's Verite...

My New Year Beauty Resolutions for 2011

Even though after the birth of my baby boy, beauty is not my first priority, I still need to set some goals and keep it up so to say! So I was thinking about my beauty resolutions!
I did not do so well with my resolutions this year… Ok! Let’s see...
1. Get regular facials: I got a couple facials but, I sadly admit, they never became regular. On the other hand, I did become a regular customer at a beauty salon down the street dying my hair at least every month and getting manicure or pedicure every month or every other month depending on how much time I have. Trust me it is not so easy to find time for beauty procedures when you have a baby. I think why I did not get regular facials is that they are more time consuming, pricey and I had an unpleasant experience once this year (long story)
2. Start using SPF regularly… again! Check! I think I did well on that one!!!
3. Eat less sweets. I am starting to think this resolution is hopeless! Why did I even put it on the list!
4. Drink more water. Not doing so well on this one… Probably I should try to “eat water” which according to the latest information could be even more beneficial.
5. Eat less meat. Check! I did great on this one. I very rarely eat meat now and I don’t even want meat. I prefer fish which I mostly eat in the form of sushi!
6. Learn something new about Beauty... No time for learning new skills… But I did discover that at home glycolic acid based light peeling products can do wonders for my skin!
7. Try something new in Beauty Blogging. Again a miss on this one because of lack of time!

So here we go: Beauty Resolutions 2011:

1. Do regular facials: maybe I could try to find some time to do them at least at home

2. Eat healthier.

3. Drink (or "eat") more water.

4. Learn a new Beauty skill: makeup application!

5. Try something new in Beauty Blogging: Video reviews or interviews with beauty experts?

6. Organize: I need to get better organized - my makeup is in complete chaos!

Happy New Year!

Beauty Shopping: Last Year Holiday Season Limited Edition Lip Gloss by Guerlain

You won’t believe it but I came across a 50% off sale and saw this gorgeous GOLDEN Guerlain lip gloss from last year’s holiday collection! I love golden sparkle so I couldn’t pass up such an opportunity to add another jewel to my golden makeup collection… Hmmm, here is a thought, or should I say a “golden” thought! Maybe I should really start to collect makeup in golden shades and with golden accents, sparkles etc…

The Gloss is called Gold Princess and it looks gorgeous! The packaging is absolutely beautiful!

Merry Christmas

Beauty Shopping: John Frieda Sheer Blonde Collection

Inspired by what Sheer Blonde: Blonde Hair Repair Mask by John Frieda did to my damaged blonde hair I decided to get more products from the same line. So I got a Enhancing Shampoo and Conditioner. It says on the package that they are "Highlight activating... with Light Enhancers". These are made for darker and lighter blonde shades. I got the lighter one "platinum and champaigne". You can choose from various I also received an anti-frizz hair oil for free.I am really wondering how much better can my hair look if I use these products alltogether. Check out the complete Sheer Blonde collection here.

In addition to the products I mentioned I got some eye masks by Talika and Shiseido. (as you can see from the photo) Both of them are so good for undereye area... one solves the issue of puffiness and the other lights up circles!!!

Beauty Tip: Eat Water

We all know how important it is to drink “8 glasses of water “ a day to keep the skin beautiful and hydrated. However according to the recent book by Dr.Howard Murad, the trick is to “eat water” not drink it. It appears if we just drink water by glasses it is quite easy for it “to escape” or get “wasted” and then we just run to the bathroom or get puffy eyes and ankles. However when we eat foods rich in water because this way the moisture will get directly into the cells and connective tissues making cells function at their highest capacity. Try eating watermelon and cucumbers that are 97% water or tomatoes and zucchini which contain 95% of water. Dr Murad promises that “you’ll feel more energized in 10 days, see plumper, brighter skin in 4 weeks, and have a leaner more hydrated body after 10 weeks.


Photo by Hypergurl

Source: Bazaar magazine, August 2010

Beauty Review: Flirty Dermastase Soap, Ageless Ultimate Anti-Aging Bar Soap, Eau Flirt Body Wash Liquid Loofah

As soon as I opened the new soaps and put them into my bathroom a heavenly smell filled the whole room and every time I would pass by, if the door was open, I would pause and take a sniff… and go Yum! It was amazing! And this intense scent lasted for a couple weeks!

So here is what I think about Harvey Prince’s new scented soaps and washing gel. First of all the soaps are just as the Harvey Prince site describes them - luxurious. The scent is just like from a bottle of perfume and it lingers on the skin. Both bars Flirty Dermastase Soap and Ageless Ultimate Anti-Aging Bar Soap have exfoliating natural particles such as Pumpkin and berry seeds which provide soft exfoliating effect. Both of them boast having moisturizing, rejuvenating and anti-aging ingredients with a special “revolutionary” Delivery System. This system takes soap bars to a completely new level as a skin care product. Now soaps not only cleanse but treat skin as well. Some of the ingredients mentioned on the company website include tri peptides, Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs), Green tea, olive oil, Mowrah Butter. The soap give nice creamy leather and are a pleasure to use.

My only criticism would be that the bars are huge and I think if they came as the same volume of product but in smaller bars separately packaged they would feel nicer in the hand and the scent would last even longer!!


Eau Flirt Body Wash Liquid Loofah is very foamy and smooth. Creates nice leather, you can even use it to shave… It doesn’t dry out your skin and I love the scent. Actually I like Eau Flirt scent in this washing gel better than in the original perfume because it is not as concentrated.

In addition to the above mentioned new releases check out Harvey Prince’s body lotions with the scents of Ageless and Eau Flirt! I think a genius idea would be to develop a candle with the same scents. How cool would that be!!!??? Looking forward to Harvey Prince’s new creations!


FTC Product Review Disclaimer: The author of this blog received a sample product for this review.

Beauty Shopping: John Frieda Blonde Hair Repair

In desperate need of some magical treatment for my mistreated blond-dyed hair I first asked my friends to give me as a present for birthday something nutritious and conditioning and got Yves Roche Nutrition Nourishing Conditioner. I was not very happy about the results… So I started looking into other options. Here is something I just bought to try out. Sheer Blonde: Blonde Hair Repair by John Frieda. What do you think?

Beauty Review: Nourishment by Beauty From Flowers

Recently I had a chance to try out an anti-aging moisturizer Nourishment by Beauty From Flowers. Here is my review.

Promise:
...especially beneficial for sun damaged skin. Softens lines and slows aging

Product Profile in Short:
Penetrates deeply, repairs signs of aging, active ingredients prevent moisture loss, soy and papaya extracts provide deep nourishment and healing, concentrated - only a few drops needed

Close-up on Active Ingredients:
organic grapeseed oil, evening primrose oil, organic extracts of soy, and papaya, vitamins D and E, carrot seed essential oil

I like the choice of oils to combine in this product. Grapeseed oil is known as a mighty free radical scavenger! Evening primrose oil is very beneficial for the skin, it not only calms it and reduces inflammation, it’s also an anti-oxidant and fights premature aging. Extract of soy is super good for the skin: it has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and some research showed that it can stimulate the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid. Papaya extract helps to exfoliate the skin and get rid of dead cells. This way it helps to speed up cells turnover, fight lines and improve skin elasticity. I love to make fresh papaya masks – your skin looks incredible after one of those!


Experience:
I used to avoid essential oils on my skin. I have a mixed skin type and am always afraid of breakouts... but finally I realized that it really depends on the type of oil and the quality of the product if your skin breaks out from it or not. This product consists of several oils and is very concentrated but I had no problem using it on my mixed skin.
This face oil has a very light flowery fragrance. I applied 3 drops to my face but it didn’t feel like it was enough so next time I did 5 drops. The skin feels soft and moisturized and it does provide the moisture you need even at this stressful time of colds and dry air. I did notice that a line on the side of my mouth seem to become softer. However every time I would apply it my skin would become slightly itchy. I did not have redness or irritation it just felt “ticklish”. So I guess I am sensitive to one of the oils.

Price Tag:

35$

Bottom Line:
Nourishment by Beauty From Flowers is a good product based on oils and suits even for those with mixed skin. However if you have a history of allergies or sensitivities, you may have a reaction like I did.


FTC Product Review Disclaimer: The author of this blog received a sample product for this review.

TGIF: Have The Time Of Your Life!

Beauty Review: Nightshift by Harvey Prince

Close your eyes and imagine: the sun is down… it’s a warm summer night and you are in the garden with cicadas chirping, fool moon glistening high above, light warm breeze stroking your hair, dancing with leaves and flowers… the wind brings the seductive scent of Jasmine … and then you feel the sweet honey, almond and vanilla of the Night Phlox caressing your senses… intoxicated, you feel another scent, sweet and soft of the Evening Primrose… Nightshift is another amazing perfume by Harvey Prince! I could really appreciate it because I could associate with my personal experience. The fact is we have a summer house with a garden. We always have flowers in our garden that open up and blossom only in the evening or at night. It is as if our garden at night has a life of its own, the mysterious life full of intoxicating flower scents, quiet but at the same time rich and intense…. I thought it was a brilliant idea to make a perfume combining scents of night flowers. The scent is sweet, warm but at the same time very fresh and charged with energy and mystery. Perfect for a night out. Be it a candlelight dinner or a wild night out at a club



FTC Product Review Disclaimer: The author of this blog received a sample product for this review.

Beauty Find: Skin Care Line By Francesco Clark

I came across information about a new skin care line called Clark’s Botanicals in July’s issue of Harper’s Bazar. Clark’s Botanicals skin care line was created by a son and a father and was, in fact, born out of tragedy. Francesco Clark, a wheelchair user, was the inspirational force behind it, his father, a doctor trained in homeopathic therapy, did everything to help his son treat his own skin and bring an idea of a skin care line to life. It was amazing to read the success story of this family run business which started as an at-home created remedy for a son and ended up at Saks Fifth Avenue.

The line uses essential oils and extracts including Algae, Calendula, Lavender, Jasmine Absolute etc. It includes cleansers, moisturizers, lip tints and serums. There is one product I am particularly interested to try Clark's Botanicals Anti-Puff Eye Cream! Check it out here http://www.clarksbotanicals.com/