Tag Archives: recommendation

Spring Forward: Moisturize Dry Nose & Skin During Allergy Season

Hey Rosés,

Image via Getty

The Spring Forward Series provides tips and news for seasonal allergy sufferers to stay clear and beautiful during spring allergy season.

This morning, I woke up refreshed, excited for the weekend, and – achoo! I started getting dressed, made some breakfast then I – ACHOO! Ugh…warm beautiful spring weather means ugly irritating allergies for me. My sneeze attack was followed by a waterfall of a runny nose, and by the time I finished half a tissue box, my nose was dry and sore.

If you’re like me, you’re wondering…how in the heck can I keep my nose and skin from drying out after allergy attacks? And worse, how do I wear make-up over a Rudolph red nose? Whether you have dry patches, or rough tissues dry out your nose, today is your lucky day…

3 great moisturizers to keep your nose nourished and even with a touch of color and coverage:

1. Burts Bee’s Radiance Day Creme

Purchase: $17.99 drugstore.com

If you want all natural ingredients, this lightweight silky smooth moisturizer is perfect for quick touch-ups, spot treatments and all over moisture. It’s infused with royal jelly, which is great for eczema and psoriasis. I actually use it on my body when I see a dry patch.

Ingredients: aqua (water, eau), helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, glycerin, cetyl alcohol, parfum (fragrance), stearic acid, kaolin, royal jelly, prunus serotina (wild cherry) bark extract, aloe barbadensis leaf extract, hydrolyzed jojoba esters, lecithin, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, jojoba esters, pollen extract, mentha viridis (spearmint) extract, betula alba bark extract, citrus medica limonum (lemon) peel extract, arctium lappa root extract, chamomilla recutita (matricaria) flower extract, cucumis sativus (cucumber) fruit extract, equisetum hiemale extract, euphrasia officinalis extract, hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) leaf extract, humulus lupulus (hops) extract, pinus strobus cone extract, rosa canina fruit extract, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract, salvia officinalis (sage) leaf extract, urtica dioica (nettle) extract, xanthan gum, alcohol denat., sucrose stearate, sucrose polystearate, phenoxyethanol, amyl cinnamal, limonene, linalool.

2. philosophy Hope in a Jar Oil Free

Purchase: $39 sephora.com

Your favorite nourishing moisturizer got an oil-free facelift. This soothing lightweight but heavy-duty cream contains no parabens, no sulfates and no phthalates. It’s perfect for normal and oily skin, but will also keep dry skin moisturized throughout the day. It goes on matte, so perfect to touch up your nose or rough patch before adding powder or foundation.

Ingredients: Water/Aqua/Eau, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Acacia, Decurrens/Jojoba/Sunflower Seed Wax/Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Methyl Gluceth-20, Lauryl Lactate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Lavandula Augustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Rubus Fruticosus (Blackberry) Leaf Extract, Squalane, Beta-Glucan, Arginine, Potassium Ascorbyl Tocopheryl Phosphate, Phospholipids, Polysorbate 80, Polysorbate 60, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Powder, Allyl Methacrylates Crosspolymer, Ppg-12/Sdmi Copolymer, Maltodextrin, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Benzyl Alcohol, Salicylic Acid, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol.

 

3. Clinique Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15

Purchase: $26 bloomingdales.com

This is the non-greasy liquid version of the oil-free hydrating cream that comes with a hint of color. Perfect for pre and post nose blowing, keeps your skin from cracking and covers any red irritation with sheer coverage and sunscreen. 

Ingredients: N/A

 

What moisturizers save your nose during allergy season?

Taste the beautiful life ~ Alicia

 

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Spring Clean Your Make-Up Drawer

Hey Rosés,

NARS Spring 2012 and Marc Jacobs Spring 2012

Today is the Spring Equinox, which means pastels and color blocking are officially back! Yet also means it’s time for the dreaded spring cleaning. This season while you’re cleaning those dust bunnies behind the bed and donating those clothes you haven’t worn in two years, make sure you give your beauty drawer a thorough overhaul. Not only will you protect your skin from expired and tainted ingredients, you’ll have more room for the new bright and refreshing spring color palettes!

Here are some tips on how to kick off your make-up spring cleaning:

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Dump Products Every 3-6-12 Months

Every beauty product expires and has a limited shelf-life, regardless of its ingredients or when you open it. Unless it has an explicit expiration date, once any item with natural or synthetic ingredients is opened, it should be used or disposed of within three and no more than twelve months. I use the seasons or fiscal quarters as a reminder to throw out my mascaras and lipsticks, the products that capture the most bacteria and can cause infections like pink-eye. Remember, “all-natural” and “organic” products expire faster due to less preservatives.

Below is a quick guide on when to toss your make-up:

Toss Every 3 Months

Mascara

Toss Every 6 Months

Foundation – Liquid & Cream
Concealer
Body Wash & Lotion
Facial Wash & Lotion

Toss Every 12 Months

Pressed Powder
Eye Shadow
Lipstick/Lipgloss
Pencils – Eye & Lip

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Wash Your Tools Weekly

Whether it’s a broom, sponge or a make-up brush, start your spring cleaning off right with clean tools. I wash my natural and synthetic make-up brushes every week with a make-up brush cleanser. It keeps the bristles in prime condition and disinfects any residue and old color-distorting product.

Use an easy spray like Ulta Professional Brush & Sponge Cleaner $10 on ulta.com

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How do you remember to update your makeup?

Taste the beautiful life ~ Alicia

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Get The Look: Styled by June Series Premiere

Hey Rosés,

Welcome to the Juniverse…

 

 via Vh1

Last night, celebrity stylist and NYC-based fashion icon June Ambrose, debuted her new show on Vh1 “Styled By June.” Known for dressing A-listers like Jay-Z, Kelly Ripa and Rihanna, the “Curator of Style” is also a trendsetter in her own right, popularizing the turban and head-to-toe color blocking.

(2nd L to R) Rachel Roy, June Ambrose, Mischa Barton, and Byrdie Bell via StyleBistro

Her reality show not only highlights the celebrities she styles, but it also gives us a glimpse into the various roles a fashion stylist plays, from glam squad to therapist to cheerleader. In episode one, June’s mission is to re-brand starlet Mischa Barton (from tv show The OC) from being a paparazzi princess into a red carpet queen. As Misha is preparing to launch her new handbag line, June carefully crafts a comeback, sending her to red carpet events like the Style360 party and front row at the Naeem Khan Spring 2012 New York Fashion Week show. At the end of the episode, she not only successfully thrusts Mischa back into the spotlight, she taught us how to shop in our closets and quickly fix wardrobe malfunctions.

(L to R) Rachel, June, Eli

June’s professionalism and straight-forward persona is balanced by her dramatic assistants: socialite Rachel Heller, and the ambitious duke of one-liners Eli Wasserman… “I can be your best girlfriend or that yeast infection that doesn’t go away.” *blank stare*

The best accessory of the night was June’s amazing color spectrum of lips! Check out how to recreate her day to night looks with these allergy-friendly lip lovers:

 

Muted Brick Red Lips

Recommended: Clinique Long Last Lipstick in Red Red Red

Purchase: $15 bloomingdales.com

The Clinique brand is continuously tested for allergic reactions, and great for acne-prone and sensitive skin. Muted red lips will take you from daytime power moves to evening dance moves.

Ingredients: Ricinus Communis (castor) Seed Oil, Euphorbia Cerifra (candelilla) Wax\Candelilla cera\Cire de Candelilla, Isopropyl Palmitate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/ Hexastearate/ Hexarosinate, Octyldodecanol, Diisostearyl Adipate, Microcrystalline Wax\Cera Microcristallina\Cire Microcristalline, Ceresin, Ozokerite, Triticum Vulgare (white bran) Extract, Olea Europaea (olive) Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Lecithin, Linoleic Acid, Tocopheryl Linoleate/Oleate, Octyldodecyl Myristate, Cholestrol, Glyceryl Rosinate.

 

Matte Pale Pink Lips

Recommended: Bobbi Brown Lip Color in Pink

Purchase: $23 barneys.com

For a soft daytime look go with a pastel or pale pink colored lipstick. A matte texture will tone down the shine so you don’t actually look like a Barbie doll.

Ingredients: N/A

 

Sheer Nude All Season Lips

Recommended: CoverGirl NatureLuxe Gloss Balm SPF 15 in Clay

Purchase: $5.99 drugstore.com

This moisturizing balm is from Cover Girl’s natural collection. You can apply a nude color or get a subtle hint of color while your lips are protected from the sun with SPF 15.

Active Ingredients: Octinoxate (7%)
Inactive Ingredients: Ricinus Communis (Castor Seed) Oil (Castor), Lanolin Oil, Polybutene, Lanolin, Ozokerite, Oleyl Alcohol, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla Cera) Wax (Candelilla), Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Paraffin, Acetylated Lanolin Alcohol, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter (Cocoa), Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter (Mango), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) Fruit (Shea), Fragrance, Glyceryl Oleate, Cocos Nucifera Oil (Coconut), Propylparaben, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis) Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate (Vitamin C), Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Propylene Glycol, May Contain (+/-):, Titanium Dioxide, Yellow 5 Aluminum Lake, Red 6 Lake, Iron Oxides, Bismuth Oxychloride (CI 77163), Red 7 Lake, Red 27 Lake (CI 45410), Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Carmine (CI 75470)

 

What was your favorite look on Styled By June?

Taste the beautiful life ~ Alicia

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Birchbox Review: February Box

Hey Rosés,

The February Birchbox was filled with products to keep you soft and glowing for Valentine’s Day, both two features that can be hard to achieve if you have sensitive skin and allergies. There were some great finds in this love box, see what got the best ratings below.

To see which other Birchboxes had great products, check out December and top-notch January.

 

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant®

Champagne Rating: 4 out of 5 bottles

 

 

 

Excellent alternative for skin that normally rips and tears from abrasive exfoliants. Once you add water to this powder it feels thin, but after a few days I did notice smoother skin like a normal exfoliator but without the irritation. The powder is also great for travel since dry spills are easier to clean up than liquid spills.

Ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Magnesium Oxide, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Colloidal Oatmeal, Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Starch, Allantoin, Papain, Salicylic Acid, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, PCA, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Populus Tremuloides Bark Extract, Cyclodextrin, Lauryl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Limonene, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891).

 

Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint in Bronze

Champagne Rating: 4 out of 5 bottles

 

 

 

Love this tint! The hint of bronze shimmer prevents that gray shadow I fear from most tinted moisturizers with SPF. It gives light enough coverage to have that “no make up feel,” but just enough for a dewy look. SPF 20 sunscreen will block sun’s evil rays and wrinkles while gentle moisturizers keep you soft. It does contain parabens so unfortunately I cant give it a full 5!

Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide 0.05%, Zinc Oxide 0.05%. Inactive Ingredients: Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Propylene Glycol, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Peg/Ppg-18/18 Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Magnesium Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Chloride, Zinc Chloride, Lysine, Panax Ginseng Roodt Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Phytantriol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Boron Nitride, Glycerin, Palmitic Acid, Dextrin Palmitate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben. May Contain (+/-): Titanium Dioxide, Mica, Iron Oxides.

 

colorescience pro® Mineral Bronzer Face Color in Kissed By The Sun

Champagne Rating: 3 out of 5 bottles

 

 

 

This self-tanner and bronzer actually came in a reusable “Go and Glow Travel Puff.” Such a fun concept, the puff and special pouch comes pre “moistened” with dry bronzing powder and you can store in your purse for quick touch-ups. Once the makeup is gone, puff can be washed and reused. Love the Eco-friendly use, but the actual powder was a bit chalky and made me look too matte. I do recommend for oily skin looking for a matte powder, self-tanner and puff in one. 

Ingredients: Micronized titanium dioxide and micronized zinc oxide, mica, iron oxide and bismuth oxychloride, manganese biolet, carmine, and pearl powder.

 

Eye Rock Designer Liner

 Champagne Rating: 3 out of 5 bottles

 

 

 

For those who have trouble creating a cat or winged eye, these eye liner strips were fun and easy to put on! I used tweezers to apply the self-adhesive press-on eye liner, and did a quick trim with scissors to fit my eyes. It was fun for a night on the town, but doesn’t look natural enough to wear during the day. There was no irritation from the adhesive glue, but towards the end of the night it was getting loose and started to ripple. Birchbox recommends using lash glue to combat that.

Ingredients: N/A

What was your favorite product in February’s Birchbox?

Taste the beautiful life ~ Alicia

 

*All images via Birchbox
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3 Body Butters To Whip You Into Spring

Hey Rosés,

 

 

Happy 1st Day of March…this means spring is just around the corner!

Wait…are you sure those cracked feet and scaly elbows are ready to strut peep-toes and sleeveless shirts? Thought not. If you are still battling winter’s dry skin or looking to prep your skin for springtime freedom, here is a great guide, for a variety of skin types, on body butters that keep you moisturized without leaving that greasy, thick residue behind.

Image via Target

1. Shea Moisture – Organic Lavender & Wild Orchid Body Butter

Purchase: Target

Shea Moisture’s body products are as nourishing as its natural hair products. This beautifully floral scented butter is more like a deep conditioner for your body. It is sodium lauryl sulfate free and paraben free. Apply lightly for a lotion feeling, or massage deeply to hydrate even the most cracked crevices.

Ingredients: Shea Butter, Lavender

 

 

2. Decadent Body – Body Butter in Chocolate Cream

Purchase: $10-15 decadentindustries.net

Brooklyn-based beautypreneur Nikki creates a compilation of all things moisture in this no-fuss mixture. It hydrates like a rich shea butter, but glides on smoothly like a light oil, keeping your skin glowing and touchably soft well past the afternoon, requiring no touch-ups for the evening. The chocolate-cocoa essence melts on your body giving you an appropriate scent for day and night.

Ingredients: shea butter, cocoa butter, mango butter, coconut oil, olive oil, sweet almond oil, beeswax, fragrance oil

 

Image via Savannah Bee

3. Savannah Bee Company – Royal Jelly Body Butter

Purchase: $24.70 savannahbee.com

This southern Georgia favorite is filled with royal jelly, the stuff that literally makes up a Queen Bee and a known natural ingredient to help heal psoriasis. Its lightweight formula is gently scented with blackberry and pecans, and did make my skin feel more elastic. Excellent natural ingredients, also include “no artificial colors, no petroleum-based ingredients, no parabens or preservatives and no synthetic fragrances.”

Ingredients: Royal Jelly, blackberry

 

Taste the beautiful life ~ Alicia

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