NOTD: Lancome I Do, Blue and Julep Coretta

Today's NOTD is something different- one of the few times that I've actually worn an accent nail.  Today I have Lancome I Do, Blue on all fingers, with one coat of Julep Coretta (April's birthstone polish) as an accent on my ring finger.

I normally don't do accent nails, but I adore how this looks together. It's subtle but pretty.  By day #3, however, Coretta had lost shine. It's soft and subtle enough to wear even in the office for me- which is saying a lot.

There are three thin coats of I Do, Blue on my nails, one coat of Julep Coretta on my ring finger. It's all topped with one coat of Butter London Hardware.

Today's posts are accidentally wedding-themed- I swear there's no subtext!

April 2014 Empties

Wow!  April was quite the use-it-up month for me.  I also regifted several small shopping bags of samples to family, so although I've been buying a lot lately, I'm trying to keep things in balance.  I'm hopeful that May will be just as productive in terms of empties!  I've been testing some new products, so it's a good time to use samples.  I know we're halfway through May already, but this month has been anything but ordinary for me.

I had to break up the groups a bit.

 April Makeup Empties:

• Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof- Gris- I loved this and will likely repurchase in the future.
• Fresh Sugar Lip Balm (1 full size, 1 deluxe sample)- This is a staple in my home and I go through a silly amount of these
• Dior Diorshow Extase Mascara (deluxe sample, monthly mascara) - April's mascara, I've previously reviewed it.  I actually didn't like it as much as I did months ago, but this is one of several mascaras that I favor at the moment.
• Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Gel- Full size, it's a must-have every single day.
• Guerlain Meteorites Primer (sample)- I really liked the effect of this, but I can't justify the price.
• Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer (0.33oz)- My normal go-to, I go through this every few months
• Dior Diorshow Lash Plumping Primer- I can't live without this. I have incredible lashes- all thanks to this!

April Basics Empties:

• Sephora Collection Daily Brush Cleanser- I go through this quickly.
• Butter London Powder Room Nail Polish Remover- Part of a set, I didn't particularly like the scent.
• Zoya Remove+ (8oz)- My prior go-to. It's now what I'd use if I was going to leave my nails bare only.
• 2x Ulta Exfoliating Cotton Rounds- I should really just buy these by the case.
• Shiseido Facial Cotton- The only cotton that touches my sensitive skin. I've done a side-by-side test with Chanel's Le Cotton, and Shiseido wins by far.
• Not photographed: box of Butter London Scrubbers- I originally meant to review these, but I think they're awesome.

April Skincare Empties:

• Philosophy Purity Cleansing Wipes- These are a must-have for me.
• Origins Plantscription Anti-Aging Eye Cream-It took me forever to finish this. I received a full-sized version with a Sephora code. It's ok, but I'm just not a big fan of the product. I had high hopes for it since I love Modern Friction and stuck it out.
• First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads- I didn't realize how much these did until I stopped using them for awhile. They're amazing.
• Assorted samples- A lot of Shiseido, and 2 deluxe samples from Chanel. I particularly liked the Hydra Beauty Serum and its scent, but I actually ended up selecting a different Chanel skincare regimen.

April Hair/Body Empties:

• Philosophy Peaches and Cream 3-in-1- My favorite scent of all time. Luckily I have a second 1L of this tucked away
• The Body Shop Vitamin E Body Butter- It's ok, this is a product I've had sitting around for awhile and am glad to have used it up.
• Koh Gen Do Cleansing Water- I use this like it literally is water. It's a must-have
• Illume Coconut Mango Body Wash- Part of a set.
• Bumble and Bumble Color Minded Shampoo- Tried it, didn't like what it did to my hair.
• Bumble and Bumble Color Minded Condtioner-  Ditto
• Kiehl's Sunflower Oil Color Preserving Conditioner- My everyday conditioner these days.
• Kiehl's Superbly Smoothing Argan Conditioner- I love the effect, hate the medicinal smell
• 2x Sephora Collection Body Butter samples- Caused me to buy a small size!

Phew!  I know May won't be as great as April- but hopefully I can have a huge month like this every second or third. My collection cries for it.

NOTD: Yves Saint Laurent Bleu Celadon (Summer 2014)

Today's NOTD is my only selection from YSL's Summer 2014 Collection.  Bleu Celadon is a light blue creme that leans slightly teal. It has decent coverage for a light shade.  I went with my default of three thin coats, with Butter London Hardware.

I pulled a few shades from my collection to swatch, but I honestly don't have anything even remotely close to this. It's greener than Dior Saint Tropez (2012).

I've actually worn this several times- it's a bright for summer but totally doable.

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.

NOTD: Yves Saint Laurent Beige Leger

Today's NOTD is Yves Saint Laurent Beige Leger.  This is one of those universally-loved nude shades that it's hard to understand why from photographs. Beige Leger is hiding its lovely sophistication.  There's far more that meets the eye with this beauty.

There are three thin coats plus Butter London Hardware on my nails here.

For those who were wondering, it's quite similar to Chanel Rose Cache. They both have that lovely pink shimmer hidden in the polish.

Edward Bess Luxury Face Brush

Edward Bess is one of those brands I've read a lot about and always wanted to try. I highly recommend that everyone does a bit of reading about the creator and his eponymous brand.  Edward Bess products are truly created for a woman to look her best.  They're not flashy, but they're high quality items that make a woman look her best.

I recently took advantage of the sale being offered as the line exits Sephora. (Don't worry, it will still be available through other retailers.) I can already tell that this won't be my last purchase from this line.

Today I'm pleased to be sharing the Edward Bess Luxury Face Brush ($56) with you,

Edward Bess makes only two brushes: the Luxury Face Brush and the Luxury Eye Brush.  I was more than a little skeptical that the Luxury Face Brush could really meet all of my needs. I owe the brush and its creator an apology. Likewise, I was blown away by the bristles, even though they initially seemed like they would be too harsh.

I have a checkered past with kabuki brushes. In theory, I like them and I want to use them. However, I'd not yet found one that worked for me. I'm pleased to say that this brush far outperformed my expectations..  It may be small, but it's small but mighty.

The Edward Bess Luxury Face Brush is about 3inches long in total; 1.5"-long handle and 1.5"-long bristles. The black bristles are slightly wavy in appearance. According to the box, it was manufactured in China.

Yes, it's really this small. But it's a fantastic tool.

It turns out that this brush is an incredibly versatile tool. I've used it for both all-over powder (Chanel Les Beiges) and bronzer, which requires a more precise hand.  The performance of this brush blew me away. It picked up exactly the right amount of product and deposited it on my face for a natural look.  It's clear to me that Edward Bess' aesthetic is you, but better.  Consider me sold.  The small size of this brush makes it easy to take on-the-go for touch-ups. I only wish it had a case to protect it.

Admittedly, I haven't put this through many washings. The times I have washed it, there wasn't a lot of shedding, and it retained its shape.

This is the first kabuki brush I've reallly enjoyed. This is what I've been searching far and wide for.  Even more remarkably, this can replace powder, bronzer, and  (if you're incredibly careful) a fluffy blush brush for travel.  I'm sold.  So much so that I'm thinking of buying a second one, at full price. It's now my tool of choice for my beloved Les Beiges.

Let's be honest: if I'm in love with the Face Brush, I can see the Eye Brush ($40) in my future.  I've also learned an important lesson: don't judge a brush by its appearance. Edward Bess has created a superior face brush in terms of design and performance.

NOTD: Zoya Vega

Today's NOTD is Zoya Vega, one of the three PixieDust polishes Zoya released for Spring 2014. I recently realized that I haven't talked about any of the textured glittered polishes I own.  To be perfectly honest, there are a few reasons why.  But let me show this this stunning shade first, and babble later.

There are three coats of Zoya Vega on my nails in this shot, no top coat.

The twist with Zoya's Spring 2014 PixieDusts is the inclusion of holo glitter, which I have a lot of difficulty photographing well.

OK, back to the matte, textured glitter shades. I have a number of them from Zoya, OPI, and Julep. Since I do work in a somewhat conservative office, I don't like wearing glitter on my nails as a general rule.  That, and I hate the removal. Oh, and textured polishes really aren't my thing. I like smooth and shiny nails.

But that doesn't mean I don't get distracted by the pretty every now and then!

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.

NOTD: Deborah Lippmann Marquee Moon

Today's NOTD is an older Deborah Lippmann polish that deserves its time in the proverbial sun, despite its name of Marquee Moon.  I know, bad pun.  I've been sick lately, so I'll blame it on that.

I have three thin coats of Marquee Moon on my hands here plus Formula X topcoat. It's a lovely silver metallic shade with larger flecks of glitter suspended in the base.

Confession time: this is actually an old photo and swatch that I discovered in the depths of my blog folder from... wait for it... 1 December! Wow!

Although I swatched it around the holidays, this is totally workable as a year-round shade.

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!