Beauty411

Beauty411 Weekend Digest for Jan. 30-31, 2010

Weekends are a busy time, so here's the news that made my radar this week at Beauty411:

• Is there anything Beyoncé can't do?  Singer, actor, fashion designer, superstar--now add "perfumer" to the mix.  To celebrate the launch of her debut fragrance, Beyoncé Heat, on Tuesday, February 2nd, New Yorkers will catch the fever as Beyoncé turns up the heat in Union Square.  The area will be lit up from 6:00 pm til midnight with fiery red light and smoky fog, infusing the winter landscape with a steamy, sexy aura that embodies Beyoncé’s unique appeal.  Sounds like fun!

Darphin BCA Arovita C Energic Firming Cream and Decollete Treatment

 

Darphin supports Breast Cancer Awareness Month with Arovita C Energic Firming Cream and Energic Firming Decollete Treatment.  

The Darphin Arovita C Energic Firming Cream helps to moisturize and renew radiance while restoring skins' natural resiliancy.  If you're starting to notice loss of firmness and sagging of your face and/or neck, this is a great cream to try.  The Darphin Energic Firming Decollete Treatment is a high performance treatment that incorporates cleansing and massage techniques to trap impurities, detoxify, promote cellular renewal and nourish the delicate decollete skin.

Darphin will donate $20.00 from each sale of Arovita C Energic Firming Cream during the month of October to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  The suggested retail price of Darphin Arovita C Energic Firming Cream is $80.00.  It's available at select spas, Bergdorf Goodman, all Space NK and bluemercury locations and at www.darphin.com. 

The Energic Firming Decollete Treatment retails at $25.00 (available at select spas), of which Darphin will donate $5.00 from each treatment sale to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. 

Backstage Pass: Lela Rose at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

While in New York for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, I was privileged to attend the shows and go backstage to get the details on key aspects of the look: makeup, hair and nails.  At Lela Rose, the look was relaxed and inspired by Venice Beach.

Makeup was by Sarah Lucero for Stila and Beauty.com.  Sarah said the look they were going for was a "seashell look on the eyes".  Stila Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 was applied to the face, with Fandango Duo Shadow applied to eyelids, Camelia Convertible Color on the browbone and Cobalt Smudge Pot in inner corners.  Cheeks were naturally flushed using Pomegranate Crush Stain.  Lips were nude, using Camellia Convertible Color.  Black Major Major Mascara completed the look.  Prior to makeup application, various Darphin products were used to prepare the skin.

Darphin Cleansing Foam Gel and Cleansing Milky Emulsion

Darphin introduces two new botanical blend cleansers, Cleansing Foam Gel with Water Lily and Cleansing Milky Emulsion with Verbena.  In the summer, with my combination skin, I am always on the lookout for a good facial cleanser.  Darphin indulges my need for a gentle cleanser, one that is lightly fragranced and is non-drying.

Darphin Cleansing Foam Gel with Water Lily is ideal for all skin types.  It lathers into a generous foam, leaving skin hydrated and soft.  Ingredients include White Water Lily, used to hydrate and protect skin, Vitamin B5 to calm and repair, Coco & Sunflower Fatty Acids to keep skin soft and supple and Barberry to reduce the appearance of redness.  I've found the Darphin Cleansing Foam Gel with Water Lily to be perfect for my skin, especially with all of the product testing that I do.  $35.00

Darphin Cleansing Milky Emulsion with Verbena is a creamy cleanser, suitable for sensitive skin that is prone to redness and irritation.  The Organic Verbena has soothes skin, while Licorice extract comforts and Babassu Oil moisturizes and prevents dryness.  This is a lovely cleanser and would be ideal for year round use.   $40.00

Darphin Cleansing Foam Gel and Cleansing Milky Emulsion are available at www.darphin.com, select Neiman Marcus stores, Bergdorf Goodman, Bluemercury and select spas and boutiques natiowide.

Best Winter Lip Treatments

In order to be named a "best winter lip treatment", a lip balm has to be conditioning, last overnight, be soothing and nourishing.  The skin on your lips doesn't have oil glands, so moisturization must be applied.  Dry winter air (whether from the inside or outside), blowing wind and cold temperatures are hard enough on your skin, let alone your lips. 

Here are some of the best winter lip treatments I've found and highly recommend:

MISSION Product Lip Protector SPF 20:  The MISSION line was developed by athletes for their own use and now for the rest of us.  MISSION Product Lip Protector SPF 20 lip balm contains anti-oxidants and is preservative and paraben-free.  I love that it is long-lasting, has sunscreen in it to protect and soothes without being greasy. The Gretchen Bleiler Lip Balmer SPF 15 is great, too! 

the lip scrub and the lip slip by sara happ:  Everyone knows that the secret to smooth skin is exfoliation and your lips are no different.  But who wants to use a toothbrush or washcloth on your lips?  Sara Happ didn't and neither do I.  She formulated one of the best lip scrubs ever...and followed it up with the lip slip.  At night, I apply a little of the brown sugar lip scrub (which tastes amazing, by the way) and then apply the lip slip.  Infused with Sweet Almond, Jojoba and Macadamia Nut oils, the lip slip locks in moisture.  Get them both--you won't be disappointed.

LABBRI Lip Treatment:  Formulated with only 4 ingredients, including medical grade lanolin, the composition of LABBRI Lip Treatment is nearly identical to the skin's natural oils. That allows the treatment to penetrate deeply and hydrate from within.  LABBRI Lip Treatment is 100% natural, with no colorants, fragrance or preservatives.  A very elegant lip treatment product.

Amore Pacific Moisture Bound Lip Treatment:  I love the Amore Pacific skin care line and when I heard they had a new lip treatment out I had to try it.  Amore Pacific Moisture Bound Lip Treatment combines anti-oxidants like Green Tea Seed Oil Extract, minerals and amino acids to reinforce the lips natural moisture barrier.  It hydrates lips for up to 8 hours--your lips are left feeling silky soft and comfortable.  Love this one!

Darphin Age Defying Lip Balm:  Darphin, the luxury French skincare line, has a winner with the new Age Defying Lip Balm.  A  natural antioxidant complex formed from the combination of Organic Argan Oil & Rosemary Oil neutralizes free radicals and helps protect the lips from aging.  Age Defying Lip Balm has the most incredible, delicate fragrance--a blend of vanilla and essential oils including sweet almond, plum orange and rosewood.  A new favorite.


LaMer The Lip Balm:  If anyone knows moisturizer, it's Creme de La Mer.  The Lip Balm doesn't disappoint.  The Lip Balm is infused with a potent concentration of the original Miracle Broth with marine extracts, botanicals and vitamins.  The Lip Balm also contains an essential protein found in arctic marine life that helps keep them from freezing.  It has a slightly minty taste and soothes and comforts on contact.  I know I can trust LaMer for great products and The Lip Balm is no exception.

Do you have a favorite lip treatment?  Let me know in the comments!

You may also be interested in:

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment

Top 5 Winter Skin Care Tips from Renee Rouleau