The Body Shop Tea Tree 1,2,3 Rescue Kit

Happy Holiday-Week Monday (for my US-based readers). Although I've got a slew of palettes to review, I wanted to keep it rolling with the skincare sets.

Part of the reason I got behind on having a buffer of holiday posts was that I went away over the long weekend. Somewhere along the line, my skin exploded in acne that I literally hadn't seen in 20 years (I'm 35, dear readers). As my skin has responded brilliantly to tea tree sheet masks, I couldn't help nabbing this set from The Body Shop, which is an Ulta exclusive.

The Body Shop Tea Tree 1,2,3 Rescue Kit ($16) has three travel/small sized products from the line. I was drawn in when I spotted the tea tree oil, which I was thinking of purchasing on its own.

This appears to be a holiday kit- it's different than the three other The Body Shop Tea Tree value sets at Ulta.

Let's talk about the set, my experiences, and whether I'd consider it a good gift.

The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash (60ml/2oz): This is the only product of the three that I haven't tried as of yet- I didn't want to shock my sensitive skin despite it currently being broken out. I'm going to save this for a time when I'm even more broken out- or breakouts during the summer. I remember seeing this size in-store at my local Ulta, but it's not online. According to The Body Shop, it retails for $5.

The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Mattifying Toner (60ml/2oz): I'm glad this wasn't the first product in the line that I tried, otherwise the tingling would've freaked me out. Looking at the ingredients, it's likely the witch hazel. However, Alcohol Denat is the second ingredient so please follow with an exceptionally hydrating cream because that's such an awful dehydrator. This size retails for $5.

The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil (10ml): This is the smaller bottle, which retails for $10. My breakouts are responding so well to this treatment, and just the smallest bit goes a long way. Again, beware of the high Alcohol Denat content. (This is why I'm doing hydration masks with this anti-acne regimen)


All in all, this retails for $20 individually, or $16 in the kit. It's not the greatest value, but it's a nice little kit if you're interested in the line. I'm flagging the Denatured Alcohol content as a real issue for everyone, but these products are known to be great. It'd be a nice stocking stuffer- with a hydrating mask- and I love having this in my arsenal.

Pick Two: Two Holiday 2017 Giftsets from No7

Huge caveat: I haven't had a chance to test out many of these products yet, but I wanted to share two drugstore skincare sets from No7 (or, as I knew it during my stint studying in the UK, Boots No7) that I picked up at Walgreens recently.  I also picked up the 12-day Advent Calendar ($40, but won't be reviewing my advent calendars until after Christmas).

Normally I'd never want to post about a kit I haven't tested, but you'll see why.

First up, the No7 Deluxe Cleanse Collection ($48, but 50% off this week for $24!)

This kit contains three full-size products normally in the No7 line and a limited edition face brush. It's noted as a Walgreens exclusive with overall retail value of $61.

I've tested two of the four items in this kit, and think this is both an amazing value as a gift, or one worth nabbing for your own usage.

No7 Beautiful Skin Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover (Retail: $8.99): I've used this before and like it. It's a nice, light eye makeup remover that doesn't feel oily/icky and cleanly attacks eye makeup. I usually am running low on eye makeup remover, so I'm happy to have this back in my collection

No7 Beautiful Skin Melting Gel Cleanser for Normal/Dry Skin (Retail: $9.99): I honestly haven't tried this before posting this review other than on the back of my hand in the store. This comes with an internal seal that I won't break until I'm ready to use this. I think this will be my next shower cleanser. It starts as a gel that transforms into an oil.

No7 Beautiful Skin Hydration Mask for Dry/Very Dry Skin (Retail $16.99): I picked up a full size of this in the other set we'll be diving into, and it's lovely. I've been attacking my skin because of acne, so it's a fabulous hydrating mask.

No7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing Brush (Retail: Not Provided; LE): I'm going to pass this off to a family member because it's not for sensitive skin. This comes with the brush and an extra brush head. It requires two AA batteries (not included)

Especially at the special sale price at Walgreens this week, this is more than a value at $24- even if you're not going to use the brush like I won't. This is a fantastic skincare gift! I'll pull in the eye makeup remover when I've finished the ones that I have open, and think the cleanser is likely to be my next shower cleanser. I'm loving the results I'm getting from the mask, so it's great to have a backup.


Next up, the No7 Beautiful Skin Kit ($18, claims $35 value)

This was the first kit that I picked up from Walgreens, and unlike the other one it only has one full-sized item. All of these items are aimed towards normal/dry skin. With the exception of the mask, I have only tried these on my hands in-store but will slowly rotate these into my skincare routine. I found it a good value, but wanted to share it with you.

Side note: my new background looks good here!

No7 Beautiful Skin Hydration Mask for Dry/Very Dry Skin (Retail $16.99): We've already been through this- it's the reason why I bought this kit. Since it's only $1.01 above the normal retail for the mask, it was worth picking up the other samples

No7 Beautiful Skin Micellar Cleansing Water Normal/Dry- 1oz (Retail:$9.99/6.7oz ): I was seriously mulling a full-size of this, and will be throwing this into my travel makeup kit. Especially in the winter, having normal/dry products is awesome.

No7 Beautiful Skin Radiance Exfoliator for Normal/Dry Skin- 0.5oz (Retail:$10.99/2.5oz): I have quite a few scrubs open right now, so it'll be awhile before I can comment on this

No7 Beautiful Skin Dry Cream for Normal/Dry Skin- 0.84oz (Retail: $14.99/1.6oz): I like that this has SPF15 in it. Once I've finished my day cream, this is next up.

No7 Beautiful Skin Night Cream for Normal/Dry Skin- 0.84oz (Retail:$14.99/1.6oz): I think this is more of a spring/summer cream, given the weight of it.

All in all, I think this is a nice little set and these four deluxe samples were more than worth $1.01.

It's normally not my M.O. to talk about kits I haven't thoroughly tested, but the rewards this week are so good. I redeemed $35 in rewards and got back $20 with all of the bonus offers. No7 is a very reputable skincare brand and I've never hated a product from the line that I've tried (and I've been trying them off and on since 2002).

Kiko Trick and Treat Mask

Happy Halloween!

A recent trip into my local Kiko store yielded this awesome discovery- the Kiko Trick and Treat Mask ($4).

I probably should've reviewed this before now so that you could pick it up before the holiday, but I picked it up way too late to do so.



This is a hydrating mask with a twist- it's shaped like a bat!

Looking at the ingredients, the actives are supposed to include chamomile, carrot, cucumber, and hyaluronic acid. They're at the tail end of the ingredient list, so I'd just call this more of a "feel-good" novelty item than a serious treatment.

I found this to be a cute little treat and won't hesitate to pick up a future holiday-themed mask. It worked well and I enjoyed the experience.

Trick or Treat!

Simple Water Boost Micellar Cleansing Water

Once upon a time, there was a green-topped Micellar water and a makeup-loving girl. They were the match made in heaven in liquid form, and the girl thought it was true love (although the wipes left the girl cold and with residual makeup). One day, the girl met a mysterious French lover named Bioderma and left her Simple lover for the mysterious French liquid.

About a year and hundreds of dollars later, the girl was bored and browsing Ulta's site, as any makeup lover is apt to do for entertainment. The girl's cheating eye noticed a new, blue-capped Simple Micellar water.

A few mouse clicks and several days later, the girl tore into the new arrival and promptly left her French love for her true American sweetheart.

I know, right? But it's Micellar Water and I had to be a bit creative.

Let's really get into it. As my little story indicated, the OG Simple Micellar water was the first that I tried, and I liked it... until I started down the Bioderma path. When I noticed a new formulation, I picked it up since I was about to open my last Bioderma backup.

The Simple Water Boost Micellar Cleansing Water is available at your local drugstore (I've spotted it while doing my tours of local Rite Aids and Walgreens in particular hunting the new Wet 'n Wild release). At Ulta.com, it retails for $9.99, which is where I purchased. Local prices are apt to vary per regular experience at the drugstore.

Here's why I was so interested to try this out. Simple is already known for being sensitive-skin friendly, but this is marketed specifically for sensitive, dehydrated dry skin. Although my skin is less dry during the summer, I'm always interested in non-drying products. You also get a generous 13.5oz/400ml.

After trying this for about a month, I'm sold. My last Bioderma hasn't been cracked yet, which is stunning. I feel like this is an effective Micellar water that agrees with my face wonderfully. I don't have a makeup removal test to show you, but trust me when I say this is one of the best I've ever tried. It rivals Bioderma in effectiveness, and given the price disparity and availability I think I may start preferring this Simple again.

If you see this at your local store, I highly recommend picking it up. I'm a new fan.

Kate Somerville UncompliKated SPF Setting Spray

Setting sprays have become a bit of an obsession for me as of late. I adore the idea of keeping a flawless face all day long since my days are extremely long. Since taking a new assignment, my commute time just went from 10 minutes each way to 90 minutes on public transportation each way. With summer settling in, that means a lot of ick.


The real thing that I'm obsessed with is SPF. I don't leave the house even in the middle of winter without SPF slathered all over my body. Despite my self-tanned current state, I embrace my natural paleness. I've been able to hold off hard core aging (aside from a couple of lines that showed up these past 2 months). I blame my religious addiction to SPF.

Kate Somerville's UncompliKated SPF Setting Spray combines the best of both worlds. At $38 for 3.4oz this is a pricey setting spray. Its genius lies in the SPF50. Thank you.

This is a revolutionary product for me. It's so hard to find SPF that you can reapply throughout the day (remember, you have to reapply your SPF!) that doesn't tear up my makeup.

I've been testing this for about 2.5 weeks and couldn't be happier. It's not the world's best setting spray in terms of lengthening wear time but it layers well with more hardcore sprays for that purpose. This reapplies wonderfully and doesn't look to be too much.

I really like the nozzle though:

The spray, overall, is excellent. It's soft and won't mess up your makeup (no worrying about splatter- a real thing with some setting sprays). I'm still not sold that it's great for extending the wear; I just consider this added sunscreen.

Bottom Line: I highly recommend this to everyone. It's expensive for SPF, but it's a genius way to refresh your look and your sun protection. The sprayer is gloriously amazing and doesn't splatter.

QBB Hauls: QBB Loves K-Beauty

I'm going to spill a little tea on myself with today's QBB Hauls post. Even though the trend has been going strong for awhile, I've been loving K-Beauty for longer than most. I live "near"a robust K-town communities and have been going to Korean beauty shops for years. I have numerous stores that I can visit- and I do. I limit myself to a trip every 2 months or so because I spend so much money when I go!

I do have some Korean makeup, but the trip last weekend was to restock my enormous sheet mask collection. In the past two months, I've used most of my firming and brightening masks. Even though I don't live that far, I try to stock up and limit my trips.

Let's start with my purchases at The Face Shop. It's a mostly natural product store that focuses on skincare. I have loved their masks (which are usually on sale) for years. Their Real Nature Blueberry mask is one of my favorites on the market and I always have at least 5-10 on hand. For real.

• I picked up a package of their Mild Cotton Pads ($2 for 80, they're great for toner!)
• I purchased 6 of their The Solution face masks (they were running B5 G1free): 3 x Vitamin C, 2 x Pearl, 1 x Hyaluronic Acid
• I purchased 12 of their Real Nature face masks (B5 G1): 2x Peony, 1x Lotus, 1x Lily, 1x Green Tea, 1x White Tea, 1x Blueberry, 1x Acai Berry, 1x Avocado, 1x Rice, 1x Kelp, 1x Pomegranate
• I also got a few samples: Eco Natural Sun SPF 50, Chia Seed Fresh Cleansing Foam, Rice Water Cleansing Foam, Cucina Hand Cream

For those that think pricing is similar to Ulta or Sephora, nope. Your average face mask in legit K-Beauty stores is between $1.50-3.

Next, I headed to Aritaum, one of my favorite stores. For those who don't know, this is operated by AmorePacific's parent company. You can get Iope, Laneige, Aritaum, Mamonde, and Sulwhasoo products at my local store.

• I've never seen the bio cellulose masks before. They're a bit pricier than the average mask here ($3), but they're apparently jelly masks. I was intrigued. I picked up the soothing & lifting versions.
• Same goes for the cel: cushion mask. I picked up the moisturizing version to try.
• Next, I picked up 15 of their regular sheet masks (B10G5). At $1.50, I find this to be the best deal on sheet masks around- you can customize and mix and match. There are far more versions, but these are my favorites. I picked up 3 x Vitamin C, 2x Tea Tree, 4 x Hyaluronic Acid, 3 x Green Tea, 1 x Pearl, 1 x Lemon, 1 x Pomegranate.
• I also received a few samples of Pure Artemisia Watery Calming Cream.
• I picked up two of the Baby Face Mists. I swear by the Hyaluronic Acid (blue), and I'm eager to try the Tea Tree (green) this summer)

Lastly, I went to a store that should be familiar to most my readers: TonyMoly. I feel bad for those of you without access to their stores, because you're getting ripped off! Let me explain.

• I picked up a 10-pack of my favorite Pore Care Red Wine Sheet Mask. This (and the Baby Face sprays) were the reasons I went to the stores in the first place. I always purchase this in a 10-pack.
• I purchased two of the Master Lab face masks- EGF Wrinkle Care and Centella Asiatica. I've loved all of the ones in this line that I've tried, so I can't wait to try these two.
• I picked up two masks from the Tonymoly x Pokemon Collab: Naong (Vanilla) and Kkobugi (Lotus).
• I'm interested in trying the My Little Pet Wrinkle Line Patch because my smile lines are becoming an issue.
• I received the Golden Mushroom Mask Sheet (coming soon) as a gift with purchase to try.

Let's talk math and how retailers in the US are ripping off consumers who aren't aware on these masks. My beloved Red Wine Pore Care mask retails for $4.00 each at Ulta, which is where many learn about the brand. At the store, these masks retail for $2.00 each if you purchase individually. If you purchase a 10-pack (in a bag with bar code), it's $19.00. So I could pay $4.00 each at Ulta or drive 20 minute to the store and pay $1.90 each. This is how I use so many masks!

What are your favorite K-Beauty masks?

QBB Hauls: Recent TJMaxx/Marshalls Finds

Welcome to another QBB Hauls! I've been lurking around my local TJMaxx a lot and have been finding some real beauty gems there. It's not only drugstore brands- it's also high end. But let's start on the drugstore side of things.

After purchasing two of their baked palettes and watching a number of YouTube videos, I was so pumped to spot some of the larger BH Cosmetics palettes at my local TJMaxx! It ironically happened right after I was browsing their website and didn't know what to purchase.

I found two of the Contour & Blush palettes (1 &2), 2 of the blush palettes (Glamorous & Professional), and the Foundation & Concealer 2 Palette.  The total price for these 5 palettes? $25.49 plus tax! Admittedly the Foundation/Concealer Palette is too dark for me but I wanted to play and test the formula. I can bronze/contour for sure.

Moving on, let's talk some other makeup finds. 

I purchased the Style Essentials All About Glow Palette on clearance for $3 because I wanted to test the quality. Likewise, the Absolute New York True Palettes Element looked like foiled shadows in gemstone shades for $6. I just want to give it a chance. I also spotted a Milani Liquid Eye liner in Brown for $1.99 near my checkout line. For the same price, I also nabbed ELF Tinted Moisturizer in Porcelain for the same price.

Oh yeah, I think I forgot something. That's one of the Marc Jacobs Style Eye-Con No 7 palettes in 202 The Tease (the purple one) for $19.99. I've been able to find two of these over the past three weeks. I spotted the MJ nail polishes for $9.99 each but passed.

You can also find some awesome skincare deals at TJMaxx, if you didn't know.

I got a bareMinerals Good Clean Fun cleanser set on clearance for $10, A 6-pack of Precision Beauty nail files (flamingo!), 2 Flamingo clippers from Precision Beauty,  a package of Ole Henriksen Clean Truth Cleansing Cloths, 1 Yes to Grapefruit Lip Balm, a 2-pack of Lavanilla deodorants (for $16.99!), Schmidt's Rose & Vanilla deodorant.

Last up are the masks I nabbed at TJMaxx.  I've got SpaLife Miraculous Moisturizing Hand Gloves (2 pairs, $3.99), SpaLife Under Eye Strips (12 pack, $2.99), and a random Pore-Shrinking mask from CVS. Whoops.

Have you found anything interesting at TJMaxx recently?

Foreo Luna Play

I've purposely held off on this post although anyone who has browsed my Instagram has seen a preview of what I might say today. Since we're talking both skincare and a cleansing device, I wanted to put it through its paces before really giving it an honest review. And let me also put this out there: I paid full price for mine and did not get mine through a subscription box.

What is it? It's the Foreo Luna Play ($39, available in 7 colors), a mini version of the Foreo Luna sonic cleansing brush. Each one is non-rechargable and is pre-loaded with 100 uses. It is designed for either travel or for how I used it- a way to honestly take a silicone cleansing tool for a real life trial without committing to a full-sized version ($99 and up, but included in Nordstrom's Anniversary sale).

How does the manufacturer describe it? From Foreo's website,

"Though small in size, the LUNA play facial-cleansing brush is big on innovation. Packing the entire LUNA experience into a macaroon-sized device, the LUNA play is a fun and affordable intro to the amazing skincare benefits that come from T-Sonic cleansing.
Every LUNA play face brush provides up to 100 full cleansing routines and is non rechargeable.

Experience T-Sonic pulsations with the LUNA play.  Soft silicone touch-points gently remove dead skin cells, unclogs pores of makeup residue, and removes up to 99.5% of dirt and oil. Your skin will be left glowing, soft and smooth.

The LUNA play’s 2-zone facial brush features finer touch-points which cleanse sensitive/normal skin on larger areas like the cheeks and forehead, while thicker touch-points provide a deep and precise cleansing on areas like the T-zone."

What type of skin does QBB have? Highly sensitive, mild rosacea in the cheek area, slightly oily just around the nose and chin with a few enlarged pores. QBB is in her early-to-mid 30s, with only the monthly hormonal 1-2 pimples reminding me of my biological clock. Otherwise, QBB has very smooth, mostly unblemished skin without acne scarring or sun damage. During winter, QBB's skin is exceptionally dry; during summer it becomes about normal. In a nutshell, I'm not exceptionally oily or problematic- I mostly just try not to poke the bear and it's pretty happy as long as I throw moisture at it and keep it clean.

What was QBB's cleaning routine before trying this? It depended on whether I was a morning or evening shower. If showering in the AM, a creamy cleanser in the shower (Chanel Mousse Douceur, one of my faves). If showering in the PM, I'd use the same creamy cleanser but then in the AM use a foamy cleanser to wash my face like L'Occitane Precious Cleansing Foam. I used my hands and a soft wash cloth. I rarely exfoliate because of the sensitivity of my skin.

What other cleansing devices has QBB tried, and what was the outcome? HA! I had one and only experience with a Clarisonic, at a Nordstrom Beauty Trend Show. The brand reps were on hand, and I somewhat fearfully stood in line for the "best cleanse of my life". I relayed just how darned sensitive my skin was, they used the cashmere brush head (which works apparently on 99% of the population), and it hurt. I looked like a tomato within 30 seconds and the person wielding the device stopped and said "I'm sorry, honey. Don't ever let anyone use one of these on you again." So you can see why I was a bit leery of even the Foreo Luna Play. (I do have a Clarisonic, by the way- the Pedi. My feet love it.)

Phew, with those important details, let's talk about the Foreo Luna Play. First, it's tiny. This comparison picture to some of my favorite cleansers should give you a size reference:

I thought that it would be difficult to handle, but it took about 20 seconds to figure it out- and I actually like the size for really getting into my trouble areas like the pores on the side of my nose (TMI, I know). Here's the size of the button:

One of the major cons that people have mentioned is that it's not reusable and therefore it's bad for the environment. I don't know what to say other than we all make some choices that are better or worse for the environment than others. Make your own decisions... for me, it's been worth it.

You can use it with any creamy cleanser- I like so many on the market, but used mostly these two Chanels while testing:

Overall, I was stunned with the results. My skin feels smoother and cleaner- and I was shocked at just how much more stuff the Play was able to get off my skin than my regular cleansing routine. It's also gentle enough that my hyper-sensitive skin was never irritated by it. I never tried using it more than once a day, so I can't speak to those who would want to use it morning and night.

I'm hooked. For me, the biggest decision is which model to get- the Sensitive or the regular Mini? I can honestly see a difference in the texture of my skin and it's much healthier. I had my normal hormonal breakouts since starting to use it, but they're less intense. I can't recommend this enough to everyone.

I think the best way to handle this is via the comments- if you have questions, please shoot me a comment. Skincare is such a personalized experience, so I want to try to give the best answer possible.

Bottom line: Try it. JUST DO IT. It's only a $39 investment, but it's so worth it. Your skin will thank you!

Snow Day Beauty

With so much of the country experiencing snow within the past few days, I thought I'd re-start the blog by bringing you my snow day beauty favorites. This is the exact combination that I wore while shoveling for hours- and why I chose each carefully curated item.  This comes from a lifetime of living in areas with snowy winters- and never having the luxury of a garage/snow blower!

Please note the yummy throw- it may show up from time to time as a background. It seems right since we're talking winter. This picture really was taken by a fireplace (which was in use recently).

1. If you're planning to spend all day digging out in the snow, it's important to pamper your face a little bit more. I upped my moisturizer to L'Occitane's Shea Butter Ultra Rich Comforting Cream ($34, 1.7oz)(sample from last holiday's L'Occitane Advent Calendar) to give just a bit more protection. It has 25% shea butter, which allowed my sensitive skin to deal with the cold elements with nary an issue.

2 + 3. UV protection is a MUST, and you'll be getting a lot more UV (reflection from the snow) than you may estimate. Even though it's winter, protecting your skin is essential. I trotted out my regular daily duo- Chanel UV Essentiale  Complete Sunscreen UV Protection Anti-Pollution Broad Spectrum SPF 50 ($55, 1 oz) and Shiseido Sun Protection Eye Cream SPF 34 ($35.50, 0.6oz). In the time that I've been away from blogging, I have re-dedicated myself to a SPF'd lifestyle. This combo is my HG for use with daily makeup and provides as high of a SPF content as I can find.

4. A light base- I personally love Iope's Air Cushion XP as an awesome cushion compact. It's not available directly for sale online in the US, but it's worth tracking down. I'll post a full review in the coming weeks, as well as more info on how to find the most pale-complexion-friendly cushion compact on the market (IMO).

5. Even though I went au natural for blush and the cushion compact let my freckles (and rosacea) shine through, I have a few spots that I wanted to cover, plus my naturally-occurring dark circles. I could've pulled out my NARS Creamy Concealer, but Sephora Collection Bright Future Gel Serum Concealer ($14) has been in my rotation far more often as of late. PS- my NW15ish skin likes shade 01- Bavarian Cream.

6. Right now, my hair is a few shades darker than my natural shade, so filling in my brows is a must or I look silly. I adore my Tom Ford Brow Sculptor ($45) in Chestnut for a quick one-step brow.  (In case you're curious, I love using MAC Cork with some Fix+ for additional coverage.)

7.  This was one of two totally unnecessary steps, but honestly I wanted to test this out after getting a deluxe sample during the holidays. Any totally neutral eye pencil will do, but I wore NUDESTIX Magnetic Eye Color in Angel ($24), a lovely nude shade. It's my eyes but better. It wore decently well while exerting myself, but if I was going to do this over I'd pull out Laura Mercier's Eye sticks.

8. Pick out your favorite waterproof mascara. This is the one that I have open right now, Chanel Le Volume Waterproof Mascara ($32).

9. Your lips will need some pampering. Do it up right with the Rolls Royce of lip balms, By Terry Baume de Rose. I pulled out the special edition from Holiday 2015- the Gold Baume de Rose Parure Lip Balm ($31). It's Baume de Rose with shimmer. It's the best of both worlds- the luxurious lip balm and a glittery gloss.

10. Let's be honest, friends. Shoveling is an awesome cardio workout. Continue smelling awesome with a little bit of perfume oil. I pulled out one of my favorites, Elizabeth and James Nirvana White Perfume Oil ($35).

11. If you're heading out to shovel, or if you're simply taking a halftime break, a great dry shampoo is essential. Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo ($28) is my HG and beats the pants off of any other dry shampoo I've tried.

If you want to simplify, simply edit out the mascara and eye pencil. I didn't wear them on the first day that I was shoveling.

What are your snow day beauty must-haves?

Peter Thomas Roth Rose Stem Cell Bio-Repair Cleansing Gel

After trying the new Peter Thomas Roth Rose Stem Cell Bio-Repair Gel Mask and falling head over heels, I was curious about the companion Cleansing Gel.  At $38/8.5oz, it's less than half the price per ounce of my HG cleanser. It comes in a tall, clear plastic bottle that showcases the light pink hue of the cleanser.

This is a mildly lathering cleanser. I appreciate that it forces the user to engage in some facial massage to create the lather, which is excellent for anti-aging and overall skin health. It appears to be clear once it leaves the bottle- suggesting that the pink isn't overloaded with synthetic dyes.

I found that this cleanser stripped my face of any moisture. I actually felt dry enough to put an additional moisturizer on several hours later on top of my Le Weekend (a real no-no!).  I am dedicated to using this bottle up, but don't expect to repurchase.

I compared the ingredient list with the one on this page and they're identical.  This cleanser promises a lot- "With state-of-the-art breakthrough stem cell technology, rose stem cells are blended with rose extracts to help repair visible signs of aging, including the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, skin texture, and dullness. It effectively clears skin of impurities and sweeps away dead surface skin cells that can dull the complexion. Rose water adds a light, delicate scent and leaves skin clean, purified, silky soft, rejuvenated, and youthful-looking." I'm not sure how well it delivers on any of them because it's honestly too much for my face.

I feel like this cleanser would work best for above-30 skin that's been historically a bit oily since I found it a bit drying on my sensitive skin.  The good news is that it leaves you feeling fresh- and although my face felt dry, it didn't irritate my skin.

This is a product that I highly recommend trying before you buy.  Peter Thomas Roth Stem Cell Cleansing Gel is available at Sephora, Ulta, Nordstrom, and the brand's website.

Peter Thomas Roth Rose Stem Cell Bio-Repair Gel Mask

Consider this fair warning and a bit of a spoiler: this is a very long post about a product that's a total game-changer for me in my skincare routine.
 
I know I've been talking about skincare a lot recently, but that's mostly a product of the changing seasons.  This past winter was especially harsh on my sensitive skin, so I stocked up on incredibly rich and nourishing products. Those are fantastic for when it's snowing; when it's 90 and humid, I go diving for much lighter products- especially gel-based ones.

I think it should be clear by now that I am usually one of the last to try the latest it-ingredient in skincare.  While I'm always thrilled to try the latest makeup trends, my ultra-sensitive skin is another matter altogether.  It took me years of trial and error to finally land on products that work.  I'm usually very cautious about adding new products into my rotation- especially from a brand I'm not currently using.

For whatever reason, I threw caution to the wind with Peter Thomas Roth's newest release: the Rose Stem Cell line. I've been testing both the mask and the cleanser for about a month. Today's post is only about the Bio-Repair Gel Mask; I'll cover the cleanser another day.

The Peter Thomas Roth Rose Stem Cell Bio-Repair Gel Mask ($45/5 fl oz), according to its box, is "Cutting-edge plant biotechnology isolates and replicates the perfect rose stem cells for maximum anti-age repair. With state-of-the-art, 21st century breakthrough stem cell technology, five rose stem cells are blended with their rose extracts in a cooling, rejuvenating gel to help stimulate cell turnover for younger looking skin. Helps repair the signs of aging, including the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, dehydration, dullness, and sagging as it strengthens and tones the look of skin. Reveals silky soft, radiant, beautiful, and youthful-looking skin."


The PTR Rose Stem Cell Gel Mask comes in a clear plastic jar, and the gel mask is a light pink color that applies on the skin clear.  I don't detect a rose fragrance from the mask, but I've been having sinus and allergy issues for the greater part of two months.

Returning to the box, here are the directions: "Apply a generous coat on clean skin. Allow to remain on for 10 minutes. Rinse with cool water. For an intensive treatment, refrigerate and apply as a mask or apply a thin layer as the last layer of skin care and leave on overnight. Use 2-3 times a week or daily for intensive repair."  I've also verified the list of ingredients is the same as Sephora lists- so feel free to read them over there.

How I applied it:  Always after a full cleansing, not just after removing my makeup. I tried this following the matching cleanser, Shiseido's Benefiance and The Skincare Cleansers, and Philosophy Purity Cleanser.  I tried two different methods of application- with my fingers and with a synthetic foundation brush. I vastly prefer the brush, even though fingers allow for some facial massage.

Frequency of application: To really give this a truthful trial, I've been applying it an average of 5 days per week

Length of testing: Just under 4 weeks

The results? I simply can't believe them.  This was the only change in my skincare routine and the change in my skin is amazing.

My skin, which was in pretty good shape before, it truly luminous in a non-oily way.  It glows with health and looks better than it ever has in my life.

So, let's evaluate some of PTR's claims.

• "cooling, rejuvenating gel to help stimulate cell turnover for younger looking skin."- The mask is very cooling and soothing. I can't speak to cell turnover, but there's been a change in the appearance of my skin
•  "Helps repair the signs of aging, including the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, dehydration, dullness, and sagging as it strengthens and tones the look of skin." - I don't have fine lines and wrinkles, so I can't evaluate that, but it's more hydrated, luminous, and looks amazsing
• "Reveals silky soft, radiant, beautiful, and youthful-looking skin."- Yes to all of the above

I'm generally a skeptic about these types of claims, but I've found a real keeper with Peter Thomas Roth's Rose Stem Cell Bio-Repair Gel Mask. This is a skincare product I'll keep using with regularity since it's produced incredible results. My skin looks better than I can ever remember- healthy, luminous, hydrated, soft, smooth.... any positive trait that you can think of, my skin's got that going on.

Sephora Collection Super Supreme Body Butter

Since I shared my favorite self-tanner with you earlier today, I thought it was only appropriate to share my new favorite lotion for the summer that I use on the days that I'm not self-tanning- and it continues the budget beauty theme today.

Sephora Super Supreme Body Butter comes in 2 sizes- 3.2oz ($8) and 15.8oz ($25).  Consider this a case of sampling gone right.  I tried this first in the sample packets that are available with online order at Sephora.  I adore Bliss' Body Butter for the winter, but it's a little pricey for year-round use.  Enter Sephora Collection Super Supreme Body Butter.

I didn't detect any added fragrance, which is one of the things I look for the most in a body butter.  I prefer a neutral scented base for any perfume I choose to wear.

This body butter also gets high marks for absorbing quickly (a must for first thing in the morning) and doing so without making my skin feel greasy.  I'll be replenishing this tub when I run out for sure.  I do love the smaller size- product stays nicer.

Overall, I'd call this a great basic body butter. Don't be afraid to give it a shot- my legs have been loving it!

Nivea Sun-Kissed Beautiful Legs Shave Minimizing Gradual Tan Daily Lotion

Although I primarily use high-end skincare and makeup, there are a handful of drugstore products that I couldn't imagine life without.  Nivea's Sun-Kissed Beautiful Legs Shave Minimizing Gradual Tan Daily Lotion for Fair to Medium Skin ($9.99/6.8 fl oz) is one of my staples.

I've previously bemoaned the issues that us alabaster beauties face when it comes to summer and self-tanner. Most high-end products are geared to medium-dark complexions and look fake or orange on me.  That's not what I'm looking for in terms of a self-tanner.

My requirements for a self-tanner?

• Not very deep
• No orange tint
• Idiot-proof
• Not too stinky
• Buildable, so I can control the shade

 If I'm not looking to look like I just spent the weekend at the beach (c'mon, everyone can immediately tell that I burn just thinking about the sun), then why use self-tanner?

I have one main motivation: I don't want to wear pantyhose in the office all summer, but I also don't want my legs to blind everyone.  I am seeking a soft glow that's not distracting and would disguise some of the imperfections visible with my (admittedly) translucent skintone.  As for wearing shorts, I couldn't care less what the general public thinks about my legs. It's about being more comfortable in the office yet still looking put together.  To achieve that, I use a combination of this self-tanner and a shimmer lotion (my latest favorite is the Clarins Shimmer Oil I talked about earlier this month).

While I have some doubts about the Shave Minimizing claims, this product ticks all of my boxes. It's incredibly light and therefore buildable. It dries quickly when spread thinly, but the lotion texture allows you to control application for probably up to 5 minutes- making it idiot-proof.  There is a self-tanner smell, but it dissipates within a couple of hours. In the summers, I tend to shower immediately after getting home to wash away the heat and sweat of summer, and then apply self-tanners in the evening.  I get about a month's worth of applications from this tube.

Are there better overall self-tanners out there? Probably.  But this works well for my purposes, and I wanted to take a moment to show a drugstore product that I love since I routinely rave about luxuries like $50 lipsticks.

Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster

I hate fakes. I despise fakes. I think that it's always better to go with the original, and if you can't afford the designer bag, find one within your p-rice point rather than supporting fakes.

Aside from sun.  I only get my tan in the fake sense.  It's a matter of health, people!

I've been testing Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster for the last month, and I'm sold. This is my best experience with high-end self-tanners to date.

First, let me make this clear: You cannot use this self-tanner without a moisturizer of your choice. Did everyone get that?  It's the consistency of soy sauce and will do some serious damage to your skin and your perfect fake glow.

Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster is unique in that you can use it with your moisturizer of choice. In theory, you can wear this during the day, but I highly recommend only using this at night.  You start to notice a distinct self-tanner smell after a few hours.

I've been using this with Sephora Collection Instant Moisturizer, to great success. I purposely found the most basic moisturizer that I could so that the self-tanner didn't interact with any retinoids or other active ingredients. In this review, you're getting a mini 2 for 1- I haven't noticed any negative impacts from swapping my regular moisturizer out for the Sephora Collection Instant Moisturizer. It actually reminds me of an old favorite Boots Sensitive Moisturizer that isn't available in the US (I actually bought my last bottle in Dubai). My sensitive skin agrees with the Sephora Collection Instant Moisturizer, and at $12 for the smaller 1.0oz squeeze tube (perfect to mix with the Golden Glow Booster), it's very affordable.

Overall, the effects from Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster last 3-5 days, and are buildable. Since it's early in the season, I've been using it about every 4th day just to keep a slightly sun-kissed look. Once we transition into June, July, and, August, I'll be using it daily until I achieve my optimal shade, then every 2nd or 3rd day to maintain. That said, my optimal tan is much paler than most people even start the season!

One of the things that I struggle with as a porcelain beauty is finding that balance between a healthy glow as someone who works in an office and avoids the sun and a fake orange or deep tan.  I appreciate self-tanners like the Clarins Golden Glow Booster that allow for customization of a light tan.  The Clarins representative said that this is designed to be "5 minutes of sun." That's plenty for me!

Bottom Line: This is a must-have, safe self-tanner for us pale beauties. I can't speak to the efficacy on medium and deep complexions, but there are a multitude of other self-tanners that are designed for those beauties.

Clarins Shimmer Oil

The return of late spring and summer heat means that it's around this time that pantyhose are discarded in all but the most ultra-conservative of offices.  For an alabaster beauty such as myself, this means that I need to do some work on my legs so that they don't scare small children.  For me, this routine is two-part: self-tanner and a daily shimmer product to give a soft glow. I was looking for something to replace the now-discontinued Charlotte Ronson A Summer's Kiss that I've been using on my legs.  Clarins is a brand that I haven't explored much, but I've been really impressed by the few products I've tried.

I suspect that Clarins Shimmer Oil ($32/3.3oz) will be one of those love/hate products for most.  I'm honestly not sure how well this will work on a darker skintone.  Temptalia reviewed this rather poorly last summer, reinforcing my suspicions that my ultra-fair complexion is right in the sweet spot for Clarins Shimmer Oil, and my intentions for the product just right.

That said, I have a major problem with the design and material of the bottle.  When I see the lovely 3.3oz glass bottle, I can envision the inevitable catastrophe. Likewise, this is a regular glass bottle with considerable heft. To apply the product, one has to tip the bottle into your hand. That would be easier if the product was thicker- but this is water-like.

That aside, let's talk about what I was looking for and why this product works perfectly for me:

• Adds subtle glow- I'm looking for an enhancement to my skin, not something that screams "I put bronzer on my legs!"
• Not overly glittery- this is primarily for an office environment
• Not very dark- Have I mentioned how pale I am, even with self-tanner?
• Appropriate for the legs- there are plenty of highlighters for the face, but not so many for the legs

 For reference, NARS Body Glow is both too dark and too expensive ($59/4 oz) for my tastes. I like the Charlotte Ronson A Summer's Kiss bronzer, but I stocked up as it exited Sephora.

It's worth noting that this is a real oil and needs to be shaken. Otherwise, this happens:

You've probably noticed that there are a lot of words and not so many photos in this post. This product is extraordinarily difficult to photograph.  It gives a subtle improvement to your skin, but no obvious tint or glitter.  This truly makes your skin look better. It softens the glare of harsh office lighting and gives a soft glow.  It's perfect for a subtle look, but I wouldn't wear it without self-tanner.  This is one of those products I'd throw in with favorites like Guerlain's Meteorites- they just made you look better and put together, but it's hard to point at the product itself.

I purchased my Clarins Shimmer Oil at Nordstrom, but it's also available on the brand's website.  It's marked as a LE for Summer 2014.  I'll be purchasing a second bottle, but probably will be one of the few.

Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Creamy Cleanser

I don't do many skincare reviews on this blog, mostly because I find it reprehensible for bloggers to evaluate a product after a few uses. So when you see a skincare product featured in this space, you can be certain that I've really put it through its paces.

Today I'd like to share my HG cleanser with you, the lovely Shiseido Benefiance Extra Creamy Cleansing Foam. It's made it difficult to enjoy any other.  It's also important to know that this is the cleanser that I use as a comparison for all others.

First, the stats.  This cleaner retails for $35 for 4.4oz of cleanser.  This is a creamy cleanser rather than a foaming cleanser. Shiseido's Benefiance line is known for anti-aging properties, but this cleanser is appropriate for anyone with sensitive skin, or who enjoys a gentle cleansing.

I've experimented with this cleanser for more than a year, and it's a staple in my skincare routine. I find many other cleansers to be drying.  Benefiance Creamy Cleanser is moisturizing enough to leave my face soft, clean, but not stripped of its natural oils.  I can't say the same, for example, about Philosophy Purity.

This cleanser excels in being effective without overdrying.  This cleanser, however, has no exfoliating properties. I supplement with Clinique 7-Day Scrub Cream about twice per week to keep my skin exfoliated.

Although it's not the recommended manner, I actually enjoy using this in the shower (no direct spray, thanks).  I find that the steam really allows this cleanser to to work its magic.

I'm at the age where I am thinking of preventing aging (my early 30s), so I can't say much about the anti-aging properties of this cleanser. However, don't let that dissuade you from this product. It's great.

Overall, I recommend this for anyone looking for a gentle cleanser that's effective yet non-drying.

rms beauty Raw Coconut Cream

I realize that I'm a bit behind on the coconut oil trend, but it was recently recommended to me by a top-notch manicurist to tackle some odd callouses that I have on the sides of my fingers near the nail beds.  I actually purchased two different coconut oil products so that I could do a great comparison.  I'm still testing both of these in the long-term, but I've been using this one for a couple of weeks now and feel comfortable writing about it.

First up: rms beauty Raw Coconut Cream

I specifically chose this brand because it's high-quality, vegan coconut oil extracted with centrifuges (instead of heat). This is far different than the stuff you can buy at the grocery store.  I'm honestly not a natural beauty products person, but after spending some time on the rms beauty website, I'm mulling a future purchase or two (like this or this or this).  You can read about their brand philosophy here.

I purchased the 2.5oz tub ($18).  It comes in a frosted glass container.  It's weighty and a nice size for on my bedside table- which is where it has been living.  One of the keys for using any coconut oil product is maintaining a constant temperature.  Coconut oil will liquify upon contact with your skin or higher temperatures. If your coconut oil liquifies, put it in the refrigerator for a bit.

You can apparently use coconut oil as a moisturizer, cleanser, or any number of uses. I've been trying to heal some odd callouses and other imperfections on my hands.  I've also been using it on a patch of rough skin near my shoulder.  I haven't tried it on my face as a cleanser or a moisturizer because my skin is pretty happy at the moment and I'm afraid of upsetting it.

I'm very impressed with the results I've seen so far.  Callouses and odd skin imperfections I've had for years on my hands are significantly diminished. For that reason alone, I will continue to use this.  I believe this tub will last me for a long, long time.

rms beauty products are available via the brand's website,  Dermstore, and Net-a-Porter.

I have another coconut oil product to test, which you'll see sometime next month on this site. I don't believe in skincare reviews without sufficient testing time.