I am about to get real, real expensive. Cle de Peau expensive. If you aren’t familiar with Cle de Peau this haute couture cosmetics collection was founded in 1982 with the claim to fuse both technology with refined aesthetics. Products in this makeup/skincare line can retail for several hundred dollars, which is why I have always avoided this brand. I simply didn’t believe anything that they could offer would be worth paying that price tag, however I was given a sample of the Cle de Peau Intensive Eye Contour Cream that changed my thinking.
I was at book club and one of my girlfriends received a bag full of Cle de Peau samples from the salesgirl at Neiman Marcus. I was a lucky recipient of one of these samples which as you can imagine from the title of this post was the Cle de Peau Intensive Eye Contour Cream. The sample I received was a tiny fraction of an ounce but I fell in love, ok I was hooked – a junkie. Only an obsession like this would make me spend the offensive $250 on a jar of this cream.
So, let’s breakdown what makes this cream so magical (as noted on the Nordstrom website, but all claims listed I completely agree with)…
Key benefits and ingredients of this cream include:
- Supports the natural vitality of skin to counteract the appearance of wrinkles, lines, puffiness and loss of resilience.
- Replenishes and maintains moisture levels to protect against dryness and ensure a smooth, supple texture over time.
- Contains Illuminating Complex, a cocktail of powerful ingredients that creates optimal conditions for skin cells to promote exquisite radiance.
- Formulated with exclusive Clé de Peau Beauté ingredient Cellular IC Normalizer, which enhances conditions for optimal functioning of the cellular ion channel system.
As mentioned in previous posts I just turned 40 which has made me more conscious than ever about skincare and overall health. After using this cream twice daily for only a week I saw increased firmness, decreased bags under my eyes and the skin under my eyes looked overall more radiant. Another factor I should include is that you only need the tiniest amount of product, seriously just a touch. The cream is so thick and luxurious the tiniest amount is all you need. I anticipate this cream lasting around 6 months which does (sort of) help me rationalize the cost.
Like all expensive department store favorites I will be in search of a dupe for this cream. Not only because it is so expensive but because I love a bargain. I plan on trying the Cerave Eye Repair Cream next. I am crossing my fingers I like it.
I am getting older. I just turned 40 this year and while I was OK with this milestone I am trying to preserve the skin and health I do have as I get older, older and older (I hope anyways!). Living in Seattle we actually do get a decent amount of good weather and we have been especially lucky to be experiencing an amazing summer this year. With this beautiful weather comes the need for sun protection which is why I was very pleasantly surprised to discover the Supergoop! Defense Refresh Setting Mist SPF 50 which I wanted to review for those interested.
I found this product on Sephora and it retails for $28. The details on Sephora describe this product as:
“An innovative three-in-one mist that sets makeup, helps control oil and shine, and refreshes your defense against photoaging UV rays with an uplifting scent of rosemary and mint.” I was skeptical of a product so high in SPF that came with a claim that it was a makeup setting spray. Well, I was right about that. I found that this product when used as a makeup setting spray turned my makeup from fresh to splotchy in about an hour. I also found this product not to control oil. So, makeup setting spray this is not.
However, I did find an two very useful ways to use this product. First, it is great to use when I am out in the sun, not wearing makeup. This mist was a refreshing way to reapply sunscreen to my face and worked much better than having to rub lotion on my face and I found the scent to be very relaxing. The second way I like to use this is on my décolleté. Again, the mist is so easy to apply it is a perfect way to protect this part of your body as well.
So as an overall recommendation I would give this three stars because it does offer broad spectrum SPF 50 coverage and I have found a couple of very useful ways to utilize this product. However I had to cut down the stars since doesn’t work as a makeup setting spray and I do think this product is quite pricey at $28. If you have tried this product out, let me know what you think!
I have a confession…I am not the best at doing eye makeup, which is why Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara has become my beauty BFF. When I refer to doing bad at eye makeup, I want to clarify that I am referring to eye shadow, so I rely heavily on my lashes.
Since I rely so heavily on my lashes to bring my makeup look together, I am a complete freak about making sure whatever mascara I use doesn’t bleed and create raccoon eyes. I have tried all brands, formulas (waterproof and regular), and colors. Enter Clinique’s Bottom Lash Mascara, $10 at Sephora. This is a formula that doesn’t budge – I have never used a formula for my bottom lashes that worked so incredibly well. The mascara gently sculpts your lower lashes, lengthens them and even though your lashes will be stretched to maximize their effect, the color doesn’t flake onto your lower eyelid.
A couple of things to note – this is a tiny tube. When I first received it I was shocked at how tiny it was. Also, the brush is teeny, tiny, itty bitty. It is great to work those lower lashes, but it is so tiny I was surprised when I saw it so I thought I would mention that as well.
In a nutshell, I freaking love this stuff! It is not often that I buy 2 tubes of an item to make sure that if they do discontinue this item, I have backups – however I did just that with this product. Those amazing Pinterest pins featuring breathtaking eyeshadow looks are not something I have been able to master yet, but that will come (I hope.)
In the meantime, I am getting older and I need all the help I can get, so I am LOVING this mascara and definitely recommend trying it.
Here is an image of the magical mascara:
Here are some celebrities with amazing bottom lashes (I don’t know if they used this mascara, but this just reaffirms how much impact great lower eyelashes add to an overall look):
I have extremely sensitive skin so trying new skincare products can be a bit tricky, however not being one to shy away from a new product I had to give this GLAMGLOW Supercleanse Clearing Cleanser a try. On a day to day basis I continue to use my old favorite cleanser which is, Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Cleanser, which I love. Yet, I have found that when my skin is going crazy due to hormones or changes in the environment (anyone else notice a few extra zits with the changes of the seasons?) I need something a little more potent. I have tried several cleansers and they are either too harsh for my skin and break me out or leave my skin feeling overly dehydrated and tight. Soooo, in my search for a little more oomph to my cleanser I tried this GLAMGLOW Supercleanse Clearing Cleanser and I fell in love.
The first thing to know about this cleanser is that it comes out as a mud. I use two pumps of this cleanser and massage this onto DRY skin. After massaging the formula into the skin, you begin massaging water into the cleanser to loosen the “mud” and really get this formula into the skin. Continue to add water, massage into skin and then rinse. This takes a minute or so to complete so be patient, it is worth it. Here is a picture of the mud once it is pumped out of the tube:
I have to tell you about this Foxbrim Orange Blossom Water Toner, it is awesome and you MUST – BUY – IT! I am a voracious online shopper and stumbled on this product by accident. I have become a little obsessed with looking through Amazon for beauty and skincare products. There are items on their website that I can’t find in department or drug stores and they have hugely positive reviews. This toner is one such example.
I was amazed at the number of positive reviews – 555 reviews and 94% of those rated this product at five stars and 5% of people gave this product 4 stars. The products has many claims which include:
- Amazing skin healing and nourishing properties: Stimulates healing and skin regeneration.
- Balances PH with natural acidity and provides skin moisture.
- Safe and effective for all skin types. Perfect for those with sensitive skin and those with acne prone skin will benefit from the astringent and anti-inflammatory properties.
After using this product for several weeks I can’t recommend it enough. Personally I have noticed decreased pore size, my skin feels softer and my skin tone appears more balances. I also enjoy how this product makes my skin feel clean without being overly drying. One last thing to note is that this toner has a refreshing orange-clementine scent. I love it, however if you are not a citrus-scent kind of a person then you might not be a fan of the fragrance.
Definitely amazing and definitely worth trying.
