Skincare with Immediate Benefits from Garnier

Looking for instant gratification?  Who isn't?  One of the best pieces of advice ever given to me was to, "Be patient and act classy."  It applies to everything in life and I find patience to be the killer, which is why I once opted for a Fraxel treatment instead of gently ridding dark spots overtime.  Never again.  Because of people like us, skincare brands have gotten smarter by providing instant and long term results.  The latest...

I recently got my hands on a new launch by Garnier, their  Ultra-Lift Transformer Anti-Age Skin Corrector, an anti-aging moisturizer that immediately illuminates your skin and makes the tone appear more even and then works on the firmness and reducing fine lines and wrinkles over time.  Using pro-retinol as it's main anti-aging ingredient, it helps the skin cells turn over quicker, which results in a brighter, more youthful complexion.  The formula adjusts to boost your skin tone and of course, I also like that it has SPF 20.

Garnier skincare is impressive.  I know most of you are familiar with the brand for their haircare, but if you're into the above, check out their latest, Garnier Clean +, which caters to different skin types.

*This post is sponsored by Garnier, but all of my thoughts and actions are true.

A Shadow Palette Worth Buying, Yes, You'll Use Every Shade

If there's one eyeshadow palette you need it's the Urban Decay Naked2 Palette.  Last week when I received a mailing from the brand with all of their latest launches I anxiously focused on the palette and opened it to see what the upgrade was because their first Naked palette was a huge hit. Consisting of 12 shades ranging from neutral to black it encompasses eight metallic and four matte shades that help to make up that I believe every woman should have in her cosmetic case and yes, they're universally flattering.  Because of the range you can make your eyes look as natural or dramatic as you want.  The upgrade?  Five new shades mixed within and a double ended shadow brush.  The full size mirror is always a plus.

This one's to covet and going right in my makeup case!  You can find the Urban Decay Naked2 Palette at Sephora for $50.

Why A Hot Stone Massage is So Worth It

Normally, if I take time out for a massage I opt for a deep tissue, which is anything but relaxing.  Since I work out a ton and stress myself out more than necessary, I need the knots worked out of my upper back and get enjoyment out of wincing through the pain. However, when I was invited into the Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa for their Desert Stone Hot Stone Massage, I wasn't about to pass up on the offer and now have a new found appreciation for taking a few minutes out for relaxation. It was 30 degrees outside and nothing felt better than slipping into the heated bed and feeling the hot stones resting on my back.  Right away, I knew I was going to enjoy it.  The rocks used were Basalt Rocks, which are from defunct volcanoes and hold the most heat.  "The heat releases tension, softens muscles and helps to further relax the body, which allows for the therapist to deeper penetrate the muscles," explained my masseuse, Kimberly Knight.

Throughout the 50 minute massage I was completely relaxed and the rotation of the heated rocks being rubbed over oil and having a regular massage was a nice mix.  I will warn you as Knight warned me, because rocks are being used you do hear them clanking around a bit as they're switched out and placed in the heater, which can be distracting if you allow it to be.

Review: Origins Plantscription Eye Treatment

Since the skin around your eyes is three times thinner than your facial skin, it's the first area you'll notice signs of aging.  Crows feet anyone?  Of course I have a bit of crows feet, but what really bothers me are the horizontal lines that are starting to appear underneath my eyes. Before I started getting them I didn't even know they could potentially exist on my face!  For the past seven weeks I've been testing Origins Plantscription Anti-Aging Eye Treatment and have seen improvement. Made with a combination of tree bark, kombucha (fermented black tea) and rosemary, it helps to repair fine lines and wrinkles, improve the skin's elasticity and has collagen boosting benefits that work over time.

When it comes to skincare, I've tried a slew of natural products in the past and normally resort back to good 'ole chemicals.  What can I say?  My skin likes toxins.  However, I've never tried an all natural eye cream before and not only has my skin reacted nicely to it, but since I'm seeing improvement, I plan on sticking with it.

Every morning and night I dab a bit of the eye treatment around my whole entire eye with my ring finger (it's the finger with the least amount of strength and God knows I don't want to damage the area anymore) before applying my facial moisturizer.  It's a super moisturizing, light texture so when applied, the moisturizing properties help to plump and smooth my fine lines right away. Overtime though, it will help to firm the delicate skin and so far so good so I'm a believer!

Origins Plantscription Eye is available at Origins.com for $42.

*This is a sponsored post, but all of my comments are true.

Shiny and New, My Hair Has Never Looked So Good

Lately I've been getting the best compliments on my hair!  It's not just the type of compliments girls give each other when they first meet up either – you know the, "I like your shoes." and "Great bag!" type.  These are coming from people who have known me for years are looking at me in shock saying, "Your hair looks so good. What are you doing?"  My answer, "I restored its virginity." I've noticed it to.  Being that as far as styling products go, I've always used just a dollop of mousse here and there so that's not it, but in the very beginning of September I switched my shampoo, conditioner and hair mask to the Living Proof Restore Line.  The claim – it restores your hairs virginity. Now I'm not exactly sure when my hair lost its virginity, but I knew as a color whore, it was long gone.

When I attended the event, the marketing and research and development team explained that when using the products your hairs moisture, shine, manageability and strength will be restored by nine times.  About seven weeks into use, I can honestly say my hair has never looked or felt more healthy. The catch (yes, of course there's a catch), once you stop using them, it's innocence will be lost again.

Tom Ford Launches Nail Polish and I'm Obsessed

When Tom Ford first came out with a $48 magic bullet, lipstick of course, despite the price woman ran to the counter.   Now he's coming out with a nail polish collection – I die!  The catch, each luxe lacquer is a whopping $30. (Yes, even more expensive than the Chanel in Graphite you've been trying to convince yourself you don't need – but of course you do!) The polishes are part of Ford's fall beauty collection, which will be available on November 1st at Bergdorfs, but you can pre-order now and I'd get on that.  My faves include Bordeaux Lust (a deep and sexy almost black red), Carnal Red (true red), Plum Noir (deep purple), and Mink Brulee (a dark nude).

Unfortunately for my wallet, but fortunately for my nails, these are another must have and I cannot wait for this mani!

It's Fall and My Skin's Been See Through... Until Now

As soon as September turned into October I began noticing that I was so pale I was actually unhealthily see through. Yes, that's my natural skin tone. You could see the blue veins in my hands creeping up into my arms and it wasn't attractive.  It was sickly looking. Everyday for the past two weeks I've been using one of those gradual self tanning body moisturizers that not only changed all that, but also my outlook on gradual self tanners. Once a day when I step out of the shower I've been applying Nature's Gate Glow Lotion, $12.99 all over.  Made with shea butter and Vitamin E, it's super hydrating so unlike other gradual self tanners I've tried in the past, I'm comfortable replacing my moisturizer with it.  When I pump it out of the tube it has a slight scent of cinnamon and I'm not sure why.  Turned off at first, the scent doesn't last once you rub it in so it's safe to say it's odorless on the body.

For some reason after two weeks now I haven't noticed any blochiness of the the glow wearing off.  In the past when using these types of products I would notice that the self tan would wear off in certain spots quicker than others.  I think it's because this "tan" is more of a radiant glow than a tan.  It's perfect.

Prep Your Skin for Fall with the Brazilian Peel

With Labor Day Weekend coming up it's time to begin thinking about fall!  Whether you like it or not it's almost here.  For me, I've already begun getting my skin in shape, shopping for new boots and thinking about what how I may change my hair color, because New York Fashion Week is less than two weeks away and that's my official start to fall. Lately, I've been getting a ton of compliments on my complexion (thank you) and the only thing I'm doing differently is using the Brazilian Peel, $78.  It's an at home glycolic peel that comes with four once-a-week uses.  I just finished my months worth and it was worth it.  Despite how much SPF I wore this summer and the types of products used, I still get freckles and hyperpigmentation from just being out in the sun.

"A glycolic acid peel would be a great way to help refresh the skin, restore vibrancy and even out skin tone following a long, hot, summer," comments Dr. Audrey Kunin.   "It does indeed remove dead surface skin cells."

The peel has 30% glycolic acid in it, which is pretty strong and compares to one you'd get at a derms office. The first time I used it I felt a tingling and burning sensation, but weeks 2-4 I didn't. Now, I have a more even toned complexion (my forehead was really dark) and my skin is super smooth.

"Most people unless they have very sensitive skin or are prone to rosacea are able to utilize a glycolic acid peel, but pay attention to your skin and discontinue use of it is irritating," Dr. Kunin warns.