Makeup
- girlwomanbeautybrainsblog » See my profile
- Points: 11850
- Reviews: 231
Here are all my reviews:
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Clinique Super City Block Oil-Free Daily Face Protector Broad Spectrum SPF 40
Sunblock or Sunscreen?
We talk ad nauseum about sunscreens because they are one of the best defenses against skin cancer and wrinkles, but we have failed to mention another important defense: Sunblock. What's the difference between a sunblock and a sunscreen? Sunscreens actually absorb the ultraviolet radiation, thus reducing the amount of radiation that penetrates the skin. Sunblocks, instead of absorbing UV rays, reflect them. Remember the zinc oxide stripe on the nose? Many summers ago, sunblocks could be spotted by the opaque white film, but new technology has created sunblocks with particles so tiny, that the opaque film is no longer noticeable. Chemicals most common in sunblocks include titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Super City Block Oil-Free Daily Face Protector SPF 40, containing titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, is a high-level daily sun protection in a sheer, weightless formula that is invisible under makeup. Although the product is tinted when first applied, it's quickly absorbed into the skin and becomes invisible. The ingredients are compatible with all skins, even the most sensitive. In addition, it is a sunscreen, offering SPF 40 protection from sun’s UVA/UVB rays. There are not a lot of antioxidants in this product, but for $16, you shouldn't expect much. With only titanium dioxide and zinc oxide as the main ingredients, this is a good choice for women with sensitive skin or rosacea.
August 7, 2008
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I had my hair cut by Aveda Artiste Kevin yesterday -- his artistic talents add a certain je ne sais quoi to my overall style -- and as an extra service, I received a hand massage from Cute Salon Girl with Aveda's new Tourmaline Charged Radiance Masque ($26) and Tourmaline Charged Hydrating Creame ($32). Okay, girls, this was a hand massage on endorphins! First my hands were cleaned with something that smelled so organically clean. Then the masque was massaged into my hands for five minutes or so. (Just writing about a massage releases endorphins in my brain. More on endorphins in Brains on Beauty and Anti-Aging.) Then Cute Salon Girl covered my hands with hot towels for five minutes. After that, more massaging. When I left the salon, not only my brain was in an alpha state but my hands were smoother than a newborn's skin. The result of the Tourmaline Masque and the warm-towel approach motivated me to try that same technique on my face. In the privacy of my bathroom, I applied the masque to my face, covered my face with warm towels that I had warmed in the microwave, and my brainwaves went into an alpha state -- more of those loveable, little endorphins.
August 3, 2008
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Offering up a reverent petition to the gods of beauty products yesterday for an early release of Bobbi Brown—Almost Bare ($60), I tiptoed into Saks (so as not to disturb the gods) and made my way to the Bobbi Brown counter. As you might suspect --Curses! Foiled again! -- the June release of Almost Bare is scheduled for June. Since Saks Girl had not put her lovely phalanges around the neck of a retail bottle of Almost Bare, we both entered into a lively discussion about our love of the sample that we both had received. Product Review: Almost Bare is a fresh floral fragrance that features a delicate balance of inspiring Italian Bergamot blended with Violet Leaves to relax and soothe the senses. The scent is enhanced by a note of Soft Muguet and gentle Jasmine Petals, with a Soft Cedar and Warm Amber background. Like Bobbi Brown, this fragrance promises you a long-lasting but uncomplicated clean and fresh friendship. As a aficionado of soft floral scents (see Sephora's fragrance finder), I have discovered very few that leave me wanting more. Philosophy's Amazing Grace, my signature scent, has been a party of one for years. But no fragrance is an island. Bobbi's Beach has consistently been part of my summer repertoire. Recently I added Zents-Fresh. And now, Almost Bare.
August 3, 2008
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Luckily, I had an opportunity to test-drive Sun Sauce Moisturizing Sunless Lotion. It's a white girl's best friend. Believe me, without tanning, I'm sallow and ashen white. As a personal trainer, sallow and ashen white skin is not a good look for business. But I found a new best friend - Sun Sauce. I have tried many self-tanning products, but I will endorse Sun Sauce as the very best sunless tanner EVER. No streaking. It doesn't come off on your clothes. You actually look tan, not orange. Pleasant smell. Doesn't stain hands. Contains anti-aging ingredients. Hydrates skin. Builds slowly. At the gym, my Sun Sauce tan has received so many compliments. "Were you just on vacay?" "No, it's the Sauce." "The sauce?" "Sunless Sauce." And when they don't ask, I tell all my clients about it. Sun Sauce is formulated to deliver the highest levels of vitamins, minerals and rich botanicals to keep your skin looking and feeling its best. We have included the finest quality of the very best ingredients available such as shea butter, monoi oil, sweet almond oil, tea tree oil, unitrienol and healing vitamins that include A, B and E plus complex minerals to give your skin the best care possible. Jamie
August 3, 2008
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Beauty Product Review: Rembrandt Whitening Touch Up Pen Between work, work, and work, and meeting up with friends, I almost live out of my car. Sometimes brushing my teeth in the morning and before I go to bed just isn't enough. Rembrandt Whitening Pen gives on-the-go whitening that a girl on-the-go requires. I have one in my gym bag and one in my handbag for those in between times -- like after my blueberry yogurt in the morning or meeting the girls for a glass of red wine at night. And if you don't think that white teeth and smiling is good for your health, just read what Rembrandt has to say about that: Laughing releases endorphins, neurotransmitters that make you feel good. Exposing yourself to the laughter of others can have the same effect. At Rembrandt, laughing is essential to a healthy, happy mouth. After all, white teeth don't matter if there's nothing to smile about. Reviewed by Jamie
August 3, 2008
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Read no further if you are a woman who doesn't believe in a relationship between health, beauty, and the earth, and all living things, because Jurlique, an independent alternative skin care company, creates beauty products with hand-picked biodynamic and organic herbs and flowers from their very own farms in South Australia. Just the notion of flowers and herbs freshly picked from a farm makes me smile. :) Brains on Beauty: When Girl-Woman-Beauty-Brains-Blog was in the think tank, the mission was to educate women so that they could make empowered choices. I have been testing Jurlique Serum for six weeks, and I am totally sold on the product, and there is no doubt in my mind, that Jurlique is brains on beauty. It's beauty forward. It's our future. It's your life. The new line of Biodynamic Beauty products, which includes the serum, does not contain parabens, mineral oils, propylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfate, synthetic emulsifiers, artificial colors, or fragrances. The serum blend includes Rose Gallica, Licorice Root, Black Elder, Chamomile, Pansy and Violet extracts, which work together to combat the appearance of redness and fade discolorations to brighten the skin. You may know from reading other reviews by me that my skin gets red from my use of Retin-A and that I am constantly battling age spots. I honestly can't say that Jurlique Serum faded my age spots on my face because Retina-A allegedly fades discolorations, too, but there is no doubt that Jurlique Serum soothed my aggravated skin. Most importantly, as I continue to educate myself on beauty products, my allegiance leans towards natural and organic products, and with the love and attention that is given to the production of this line of anti-aging products, I wholeheartedly support the vision and the values of Jurlique. Jurlique is offering an opportunity to win a trip to their certified organic and biodynamic farms in South Australia—where the plants and flowers used to create the products are harvested. Eli, president and CEO of Jurlique, is so hands-on, he writes his own blog. He recently wrote: ...to celebrate the debut of our biodynamic beauty skin care line, formulated to harness the biodynamic potency of nature to renew skin, we want to send three Jurlique fans (each one with a guest, so six people total) to our source of renewal – our certified organic and biodynamic farms in south australia, where we harvest the plants and flowers that go into our products. We're also giving away a number of other prizes, including $1000 product giveaways and online gift certificates - but obviously, to me, the opportunity to visit the jurliuque farms is the best prize of all. i started this blog because i wanted to reach our customers, to share my ideas with people who share jurlique’s philosophies and this contest is a fantastic way for me to hear what you have to say. go to Julique and share your own story of renewal. you can even supplement your text entry with photos, or even videos, which you can upload & share via our youtube group. tell us how you have made efforts to renew nature and the Earth, renewed your neighborhood or community or brought about renewal for yourself on a personal level. Three winners (each with a guest) will have the chance to tour the farms, partake in authentic harvesting experiences, and be pampered with a Jurlique treatment. One first prize winner will be chosen from each of the following regions; the US/Canada, Australia, and the UK. Other prizes include $1,000 product giveaways and online gift certificates. Winners will be selected by a Jurlique panel based on the quality of submissions. The competition is currently and closes August 15, 2008. Examples of stories include: Made efforts to renew nature and the Earth Renewed your neighborhood or community Brought about renewal for yourself on a personal level Reviewed by Beckie.
August 3, 2008
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Whenever I'm feeling a little stressed out, I take a deep breath, close my eyes, and travel to my happy place: I am sitting on a white sandy beach, the sun is warming my soul, the blue ocean waves are licking my toes, and I am Kate Hudson with beach hair -- those natural sexy surfer-girl waves. A girl can dream, can't she? If you aren't near the beach, you can still channel Kate Hudson's hair with these tips: Stylist David Babaii finger-combs Biosilk Silk Therapy Serum ($20.99) into actress Kate Hudson's hair. We use this, too, and it truly adds shine and calms the frizzies without weighing hair down.
August 2, 2008
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Beckie: Although I would buy Nars eyeshadow in a different color combo, the quality of the shadow is fabulous. The iridescent copper is too lustrous for my mature lids. Jamie: Because I have more warm tones than Mom, both eyeshadows complement my skin. Beckie: The convenience of the duo colors in the makeup-friendly bag compact raises it up a couple of notches.
August 2, 2008
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Beckie: I am new to the Nars product line, except for a few cult favorites -- Turkish Delight Lip Gloss and iconic blush -- so when we received the three products listed above for review, I thought, "What's all the hubbub about, Nars?" Jamie: Yes, Mom's a bit behind the Nars curve. Beckie: After applying Nars lipstick in Masai I understood the excitement. The sheer lipstick added a hint of glossy pink nude color to my lips. I have looked long and hard for a pink nude that looked flattering on my pale lips. As importantly, it's very, very moisturizing. Jamie: Masai is more of a nude sheer on my lips. I love the color, and the neutral nudes are still hot for fall.
August 2, 2008
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Beckie: Nars nail polish in Saratoga is a deep burgundy red -- a great fall color for a pedi. I don't stray very far from my skin color on my fingernails, so as to not draw attention to my mature hands. Jamie: Sorry, Mom, but I would choose Nars nail polish in Saratoga for a mani or a pedi -- for a fall color, that is
August 2, 2008
