winter beauty: Obiqo Silky Body Butter + Smoothing Eye Cream

Obiqo skincare combines nutrient-rich sea kelp from new zealand’s pristine waters with the very finest natural marine anti-aging extracts and powerful antioxidant properties of french organic sea lavender. this beauty brand was recently introduced to me, and it was this description that caught my attention.

i've been using Silky Body Butter and Smoothing Eye Cream for a few weeks and i can't stress enough how i think you need these gems in your life. since using them, i've noticed on my skin looks better, feels amazing and they're just a treat to use!

the rich-textured Silky Body Butter really is silky and lush; it absorbs quickly, smells fabulous, and i just love it. it's perfect for using right out of the shower, but of course can be used anytime and anywhere on the body that needs moisture. i especially love applying it right before bed ~ its a guaranteed way to wake up with soft, smooth skin!

Obiqo Smoothing Eye Cream is a luxurious treat for my eyes at the end of the day {and so refreshing when used in the morning}. thanks to its gorgeous rich formula, this fragrance free, non-irritating {in my experience} cream keeps dryness and puffiness at bay. 

 i've had such a fabulous experience with Obiqo; so much so that i'm ready to try out some of their other items {like the Restoring Night Cream and the Radiant Day Cream}. and the best thing about this luxurious brand is their products are so affordable! 

you can get more info about Obiqo products at obiqoskincareusa.com and purchase online at amazon.com

products sent to me for review consideration; all opinions are based on my own experience; pics taken by me :)

fall beauty: start fresh with Laura Mercier, nyakio and RéVive

the best thing about a new season {or anything for that matter}, is the idea of a fresh start. it's the opportunity to begin again, reinvigorate and/or try something new. in this case, i'm dishing products for your skin, an important subject in my life and i'm sure certainly high on your list as well.

a few innovative, season-appropriate offerings from Laura Mercier, nyakio and RéVive have been put on my radar that are fabulous picks for starting off fresh this new season...

to smooth things over, consider RéVive Intensité Line Erasing Serum. described as an ultra-luxe serum, this product promises to help reduce wrinkles instantly and overtime. the secret ingredient  sounds a bit odd, but technology these days is crazy good, so i can imagine that the cone snail venom extracted from marine, freshwater snails, really works. it's pricey, but if you have the money to spend... 

 Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide will amp up your coverage and give your skin a gorgeous, natural-but-better look. i've been using this beautiful new foundation and it's a game-changer. the buildable, medium-to-full coverage does exactly what it says: delivers a smooth, seamless complexion that lasts. available in 24 flawless lightweight, oil-free shades, this is a gem i can't recommend high enough.

keep your "eye" on the prize. nyakio Firming Eye Balm with Baobab Complex is a balm  that utilizes baobab oil, from the African "tree of life" to help skin feel instantly firmer, reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness and dark circles and brighten the eye area. i've not tried this myself, but every nyakio product i've used has given me beautiful results. hopefully i can try this next!

visit the respected sites for more info and here's to a happy, healthy, gorgeous fall season!

info and images provided to me by PR; Laura Mercier foundation was sent to me for review consideration

beauty review: Juara Skincare faves

Juara recently sent me a few of their products and, naturally, i wanted to share some of my thoughts about them with you. the fabulous Kerri Russell had some of the products used on her skin to prep it for a red carpet event, and like many people, i loved the results ~ what a surprise when the products showed up on my doorstep!

Tamarind Tea Hydrating Toner
this toner-serum fusion is a fabulous product ~ it really makes my skin look and feel so beautiful. i first tried this toner in 2009, and in my review i said it was "the most moisturizing toner i have ever used." fast-forward 5 years, i still think it's still a fabulous gem. to quote myself: "this toner is unique in that it provides hydration and moisture without oil, while also soothing and leaving my skin feeling amazingly soft! if your skin needs hydration, this is perfect. if you are looking for a toner with calming benefits, this one will work for you too." it's definitely a gorgeously beneficial step in my skincare routine.

an oil-free gel-cream, the Sweet Black Tea & Ginger Mattefying Moisturizer combines radiance-boosting, anti-aging benefits thanks to antioxidant-rich sweet black tea. this beauty is infused with vitamin B, hydrating hyaluronic acid as well as purifying ginger and cinnamon to nourish and keep skin in gorgeous condition. i love how the formula glides on smoothly, absorbs quickly and leaves my skin feeling moisturized with a soft, matte finish.

Juara Sweet Black Tea Eye Crème is quite luxurious, i must say. the silky texture feels amazing to apply morning and night. it's kept the area around my eyes so hydrated. the combination of  kombucha {fermented black tea}, avocado butter, rice bran oil and candlenut oil all work together to nourish, refresh, treat and keep my eyes looking youthful.

are you a fan of Juara products? what are your faves? visit juaraskincare.com for more info and to find a retailer near you.

products featured sent to me by the brand; pics taken by me :)

beauty review: Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream Eyes

as i grow older more fabulous, i've found myself using concealer under my eyes on a more frequent basis. the use of eye creams, anti-aging serums, gels and the like are not new to me, and i'm a huge fan of highlighting/illuminating products. so, as one might expect, when i was introduced to Smashbox BB Camera Ready for Eyes, i was obviously very curious and excited to try the new multitasker. 

 and it is a multitasker!

not just a concealer, this beauty is also a treatment, a primer, an illuminator and offers spf 15 sun protection. 

love it!

and just when you think it can't do any more, it does. BB for Eyes can also be used to highlight your brow bones, giving your face a more lifted appearance, and you can use it when contouring around the cheeks, creating a more defined look.

have you tried Smashbox BB for Eyes yet? visit smashbox.com for more info. 

product featured sent to me for review consideration; pic taken by me :)

eye creams for every budget...

for any beauty maven, eye creams are essential. for the prevention and/or treatment of dark circles, discoloration, fine lines and wrinkles, it's safe to say that these concentrated creams {and gels} play a major part in the skincare routine.

when it comes to which are best for you, more often than not, it's not just a matter of which product is best and actually will work, but also what is most affordable for your budget.

thankfully, there are many fabulous options on the market that are effective and won't send you into debt. i've used the following eye creams {on their own, separately, over the last several months} and they are all effective and have varying price points...

Caudalie Premier Cru the eye cream is the priciest {just under the hundred dollar mark}, but lives up to its promise of delivering a healthy, youthful look to the eye area. tetrapeptides and grape seed polyphenols {antioxidants!} are to thank for the results this rich, iridescent cream gives. highly concentrated, this gem gave my skin a more hydrated feel as well as a supple and radiant look.

Philosophy Eye Hope is in the mid-price range and my favorite for reducing puffiness and keeping fine lines at bay. this popular eye cream is heavy with antioxidants and hydrating ingredients, but is completely lightweight and fast-absorbing.

the Yes To brand offers eye products that are affordable and can be found in your local mass retailer {CVS, Target}. Yes To Cucumbers Soothing Eye Gel {not pictured} does exactly that, thanks to ingredients like chamomile and cucumber, while Yes To Blueberries Eye Firming Treatment gives eyes a radiance boost and aids in keeping the delicate area of the eye firm. both are rich in antioxidants and didn't irritate my eyes at all.


tell me: do you spend more on your eye cream because it's what works best for you and is worth the splurge, or do you only use what you can afford??

caudalie and yes to brands sent to me for review consideration; pic taken by me :)

Total Beauty: Best Firming Eye Creams

looking for some fab eye cream recs? real women took the time to log on to totalbeauty.com and share their thoughts on their favorite eye creams-- this is a handful of only the best-- take a look!

Best Firming Eye Creams

Find out which skin care products Total Beauty readers saw the most eye-smoothing results from

This is a TotalBeauty.com skincare article From serums to creams to gels, see which eye firming products had the most uplifting effects for our readers. See products

No. 9: Clinique Anti-Gravity Firming Eye Lift Cream, $34.50

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 8.1

"I love how good I look around my eyes …"

No. 8: Philosophy Eye Believe Peptide Firming Gel, $30

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 8.2

"It was very nice and soothing …"

No. 7: Olay Regenerist Eye Lifting Serum, $19.99

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 8.2

"I can't believe how much I like this serum …"

Want to see what other products made the list? Click here!

xo

Dr. Denese SPF 30 Eye Defense Cream

daily sun protection is a must. adding a bit extra around the delicate eye area can be irritating. thanks to Dr. Denese, now adding extra sun protection around the eyes without irritation is possible with her SPF 30 Defense Eye Cream. it not only treats the skin around the eyes with peptides*, but also conceals and protects skin from harmful uv rays.



the silky texture of this eye cream goes on smoothly and can be applied on the eyelid in addition to under and around the eye (because i was wearing makeup, i show it applied under my eye). the color is a light beige, but as it is promised, the color adjusts, so it acts much like a lightweight concealer. i found it blended in easily and made my eyes looks more rested. this is definitely a must-have!

Dr. Denese SPF 301 Eye Defense Cream can be found on qvc.com and drdenese.com

xo
*peptides are protein fragments that can stimulate the production of collagen and elastin and can thicken the dermis (the layer under the skin that gives skin its plumpness) without any harsh side effects.

Beauty Girl Tip: Use Eye Cream

here's a tip for your peepers, the windows to your soul, the...ok, you get the eye-dea (ooh, that was bad, wasn't it?):

use an eye cream. even if you're only 21 and don't think you need one-- trust me you will thank me in ten years. eye creams do everything from reducing puffiness to diminish dark circles to softening fine lines and wrinkles. good ones can be found at every price point!

one i'm enjoying right now:



Lumene Time Freeze Instant Cooling Eye Stick (you can find it at CVS and on cvs.com) is a refreshing eye cream that i have been using in the morning to wake up my tired peepers. i received this while i was in nyc from the some fabulous PR gals. i love the smooth texture, and there's no messing with a tube-- just swipe it under your eyes and pat in until absorbed.


eye creams my beauty blogging gal pals love:

Alyson (@glossmenagerie on Twitter, glossmenagerie.com) loves 100% Pure's Coffee Eye Cream

Erika (@makeupbag on Twitter, makeupbag.net) recommends Chanel's Sublimage Eye-- "so rich and creamy!"

Amy (@thebeautychick3 on Twitter, thebeautychick.blogspot.com) has been using DeClars Lifting Eye Serum


let's dish! do you use an eye cream? why or why not? what is your favorite?

xo
Lumene Eye Stick received from PR for review consideration
eye stick pic taken by me :)

L'Oreal Revitalift Deep-Set Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream

eye creams have become a beauty staple for me, so i appreciate that L'Oreal has created a duo that will keep the skin around my eyes looking their best. one part of the duo has spf 15 for day and the other contains retinal for night.

definitely travel-friendly, L'Oreal Revitalift Deep-Set Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream comes in a slim two-sided package. the day formula is creamy and light, and absorbs nicely into my skin. the night formula never stings, and it too absorbs rather quickly.

i've noticed a little bit of change in my eye area since i began using this about 3 weeks ago. i hadn't been getting the best sleep (it was my bed, but i got a new mattress, so i'm looking forward to restful slumber again), so my eyes were showing it...

while it has been keeping the skin around my eyes moisturized and looking refreshed, it's also keeping them extra protected from the sun. this is key when using any retinol/vitamin A-derived product (found in the night eye cream), since the skin will become more prone to burning-- thanks to L'Oreal for that!

find L'Oreal Revitalift Deep-Set Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream at your local drug and mass retial stores, as well as online at drugstore.com

xo

My Favorite Products of 2008

happy new year! how would you say 2008 was for you? good? better or worse than most? i would say, for me, it was a good year overall. i have learned a lot, and grown a lot. i hope 2009 will be even better!

this is my first-annual "favorites of 2008" post, and i have chosen the products i absolutely loved this year, but i have to say, it wasn't easy! but, i had to choose, so here they are...


my favorites of 2008 by beauty girl

favorite cleanser: Philosophy Purity Made Simple-- really i can't say enough about this cleanser except that it is really the best cleanser for removing all traces of dirt and makeup (including mascara)! i love everything from the smell to the texture and i even sometimes use it to clean my makeup brushes! honorable mention: Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser

favorite eye cream: iQ Derma RestoreEyes Firming Eye Therapy-- this eye cream keeps my eyes looking bright, hydrates wonderfully, and i never have to worry about puffiness when i use it! honorable mention: L'Oreal Skin Genesis Eye Serum

favorite moisturizer: L'Oreal Skin Genesis Daily Moisturizer Oil Free Lotion-- to quote myself, "i love this stuff!" honorable mention: Bioelements Beyond Hydration

favorite acne treatment product: Bioelements Amino Mask-- this fabulous mask keeps my skin clear and works great as a spot treatment. honorable mention: iQ Derma Acne Treatment Lotion

favorite spf product: Lisa Hoffman Day Cream SPF 15-- non-greasy and keeps my skin looking healthy! honorable mention: Raw Minerals Active Veil

favorite oil-control product: Cosmedicine Medi-Matte-- controls oil, and contains an spf! honorable mention: MAC Oil Control Lotion

favorite foundation: Redpoint Transformative Dual Foundation- this full coverage foundation goes on smooth, blends easily and never feels heavy. honorable mention: Revlon Custom Creations Foundation

favorite new eyeshadow: L'Oreal HiP Metallic Eyeshadow Duos-- highly pigmented, long-lasting, beautiful colors for a beautiful eye look. honorable mention: Bobbi Brown Metallic Eyeshadows

favorite mascara: Maybelline XXL Extensions Mascara-- gives me long, lush, beautiful lashes that wears all day and removes easily at night. honorable mention: CoverGirl LashBlast mascara

favorite blush: Redpoint Airbrush Effects Blushwhip-- love the beautiful sheer color it gives. honorable mention: The Body Shop's Nature's Minerals Cheek Color

favorite lipgloss: L'Oreal Infalllible Never Fali Lipgloss--the best long-wearing lipgloss that doesn't dry lips out in the slightest. honorable mention: Clinique Superbalm Lipgloss

favorite lipstick: Bobbi Brown Metallic Lipstick in Pretty Pink-- i don't usually like lipstick, but this one is easy to love. honorable mention: NARS Lipstick in Beautiful Liar

favorite body wash: Caress Cream Oil Body Wash really surprised me with how soft and smooth it left my skin! honorable mention: Jan Marini Bioglycolic Resurfacing Body Scrub

favorite shampoo: Aveda Dry Remedy Shampoo-- the most moisturizing shampoo ever! honorable mention: none

favorite conditioner: L'Oreal Vive Pro Nutri Gloss Conditioner-- a product i didn't expect too much from, but found to be truly amazing! honorable mention: none

favorite hair treatment: Moroccanoil Masque for Hair leaves my hair silky and shiny! a definite must-have! honorable mention: Bumble & Bumble Creme de Coco

favorite styling aid: Bumble and bumble Spray de Mode-- a fabulous and unique hairspray! honorable mention: Product

favorite multitasker: Ojon Tawaka Ancient Tribal Rejuvenating Cleanser-- cleanses the skin on your face (removes makeup, too!) and body, as well as your hair with good-for-you ingredients. honorable mention: Global Goddess Beauty South Pacific Shimmer

favorite body lotion/cream: Bioelements Vitalization-- leaves skin feeling and smelling fabulous! honorable mention: Elizabeth Grant Vitamin C Body Lotion

favorite nail color: NARS Jungle Red-- my perfect red. honorable mention: OPI Baby It's "Coal" Outside

favorite fragrance: Miss Dior Cherie-- an amazingly girly scent that is fun and still sophisticated! honorable mention: John Varvatos for Women

favorite beauty/fashion book: Carmindy's Get Positively Beautiful-- i love the makeup tips and how-to's, but i think it's great that there's so much more to this book than that. honorable mention: Rescue Your Nails by Ji Baek and The One Hundred by Nina Garcia

what were some of your favorite products this year?

happy new year!

xo

Quiz: What's the Best Eye Cream for You?

using eye cream is essential when you desire to keep those peepers looking bright and happy. unfortunately, lack of sleep, stress, poor diet, you name it, our under eye area can reflect all the bad stuff.

eye creams can be very helpful in combating those fine lines, darkness and other common ailments associated with the eye area. if you already use an eye cream (and even if you don't), and want to make sure you're using one that's right for you, take this fabulous quiz from Total Beauty to see if you're on the right track or if it's time to shop for a new one:

Quiz: Is Your Eye Cream a Rip-Off?

Pinpoint the right ingredients for dark circles, puffiness and wrinkles

Eye creams aren't exactly cheap, so if you're going to use one you want it to work, right? Find the perfect eye cream (that will actually give you results) with this quiz and stop wasting money on sub-par creams. Take the quiz

xo

review: Kinerase Under Eye Rescue

for many of us, me included, eye creams are a must-have beauty product. i don't really care what anyone says, i need my eye cream! i believe it is what keeps the skin around my eyes hydrated and looking fresh, even on days when i haven't gotten the sleep i so desperately desire.

Kinerase Under Eye Rescue claims to immediately hydrate and smooth the under-eye area, while the advanced peptide formula reduces the look of under-eye circles and puffiness.

hmmm...guess my skin didn't get that memo...

not that it didn't hydrate, it did, but all of the other things i didn't notice. maybe because i don't have dark circles, but when i used this, i didn't wake up looking as good in the eye area as i had hoped.

also, this stuff stung my eyes every time i applied it. i was super careful, too, but each time i used this, found myself having to let my eyes water in response to it. i tried patting it under my eyes, just under my lashes, but something in this irritated my eyes. they were watering like i was cutting an onion.

strange...i've never had a problem like this before!

while i know everyone has different reactions to different products, reading the review on this stuff has me convinced that i am a rare case. many others find it works brilliantly, and will never go back to their old eye cream. unfortunately, that wasn't my experience, so i'm moving on...

Kinerase Under Eye Rescue can be found at sephora.com


xo

Giveaway: Estee Lauder Re-Nutriv

Estee Lauder introduced Re-Nutriv Creme in 1958 and now, new technology has improved on this, reaching a breakthrough with the formula.

with the new Re-Nutriv Ultimate Youth Eye Creme, containing a Youth Molecule- derived from the anti-oxidant Resveratrol- findings have shown that the Youth Molecule more than doubles the survival rate of skin cells.

this revolutionary, soon to be launched product will preview on ideeli, the first invitation-only online shopping community. they are thrilled to celebrate Estée Lauder’s rich history and latest breakthrough by offering five lucky winners a giveaway duo which includes: the Re-Nutriv Ultimate Youth Creme duo (value of $350 combined) with an exclusive online event this week!

so how to enter, you ask?

simply visit ideeli.com and enter the invitation code renutriv for access to enter.

fill in your info and you'll be the member of an exclusive online shopping site (that also offers HUGE discounts on designer goodies)!

xo

iQ Derma RestorEyes Firming Eye Therapy

who isn't on the hunt for the perfect "it" product that will give them the most beautiful, have-never-lost-a-minute-of-sleep wide awake eyes ever?

yeah, that's what i thought...

i've been reading about RestorEyes Firming Eye Therapy on a few other blogs, and kept telling myself, "i have to start using mine, i have to start using mine"....but it never happened. until a couple of weeks ago that is.

so here i am with "what took me so long to use this" going through my head every time i apply this lovely eye cream.

just to be clear, i didn't doubt the fabulessness of the product from iQ Derma, the same brand that makes that amazing cellulite firming gel, and also calls Intelligent Beauty home (Redpoint and Raw Beauty products do as well), i just had so many other things to test out before it.

so moving along...this eye cream work great! i don't know how well it works for wrinkles or dark circles, since i have neither, but i can tell you this made the skin around my eyes look smooth and hydrated while keeping the puffiness away. i have been staying up late way too much lately (i seem to be going through this i-can't-fall-asleep-even-though-i'm-exhausted sort of thing, so i end up staying up writing or reading, then don't get to bed until "past my bedtime"), but i don't look like i have! i love the fact that a little goes a long way (i love when products do that!) because, i'll be honest, the price isn't cheap. but, as i always say, if you do the math, it really is worth the price just because you will have, and use it, for a long time. and the best part of it all is you'll have well-rested looking eyes!

find iQ Derma ResorEyes at iqderma.com and dermstore.com


xo

review: Jurlique Biodynamic Beauty Eye Cream

if you're looking for a fabulous eye cream, but need to know its good for you, Jurlique Biodynamic Beauty Eye Cream just might the one you've been looking for!

this fabulous little tube houses an all-natural, better-than-organic blend of ingredients, including euphrasia and arnica (to relieve inflammation).

i love the high moisturization (my spellcheck doesn't like this word) of this cream, and let me tell you, a little goes a long way! so if you compare price to the amount of product you get, it really is a great value-- you will have this product for a lo-oo-ng time.

i like that this eye cream is so moisturizing, but if i used too much it didn't absorb well, so be careful! plus, you really don't want to waste any. it's better to apply a little at a time rather than apply too much. i would say the size of a small pea would work for both eyes (of course, this is my own personal experience, you might like to use more or less). it keeps my eyes from becoming puffy and it leaves my eyes looking bright with no darkness in sight-- hey, i made a rhyme!

find Jurlique Biodynamic Beauty Eye Cream at jurlique.com
and don't forget to enter for your chance to win this, and five other products, in my Jurlique Giveaway!


xo

last day! keep clicking please!

photo: jurlique.com

L'Oreal Skin Genesis Eye Serum

so i've raved about L'Oreal Skin Genesis Serum Concentrate as well as the Oil-Free Daily Moisturizer.

it will be no different with this eye serum...

L'Oreal Skin Genesis Eye Serum is a fabulous!

i have been using eye creams for years now, and this has definitely become a favorite. don't let the word serum throw you off either. this is an eye cream. the consistency is thick enough to give the skin around my eyes the moisture it needs to look it's best, and actually keeps it looking fresh and puff-free.

formulated with the same ingredients found in the entire Skin Genesis line- to strengthen the skin and encourage collagen production- this is a fabulous little product is one that i think you will love!

xo

discover a fabulous spa!

photo: walgreens.com