Courtney

Get a great lip look with the Stream Cosmetics Airbrush System

Mar 222011

I’m a butterfingers. So I was a little skeptical that I would be able to use the Stream Cosmetics Airbrush System for lip color without getting it outside the lip line.

Sometimes, I love being wrong. This is one of those times.

Today I tried using a Stream Cosmetics blush, Soft Violet, on my lips, mixed in with a drop of Pearlizer (we will talk about how to mix colors in the Stream Cosmetics airbrush stylus in the next few days). It’s amazing how easy it is to get sharp precision and intense lip color from an airbrush. I would recommend the medium setting held close to the lips, and start in the middle of the lip until you get used to the feeling of the stream of air on your lips (it’s a little weird feeling, which surprised me since I really didn’t notice it when I used the system on my eye area), and then do the outline of your lips when you are more comfortable.

Find the Stream Cosmetics Airbrush System and Stream Cosmetics Soft Violet Blush at StreamOfBeauty.com!

Soft Violet Lips from the Stream Cosmetics Airbrush System

New Product: Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase Skin Tone Perfecting Serum XK

Beauty, New Products, Skin, Spa Economy 2 Responses »

Mar 182011

I’m a pale skinned gal. There is no debating this point, it is just an absolute truth. And if you are practically transluscent like me, no matter how careful one is with sunscreen, it’s pretty likely that sun damage will crop up at some point. And it isn’t limited to us pale chicks either - Allure magazine has a several page article this month on various techniques to get rid of uneven skintone.

Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase Skin Tone Perfecting Serum XK

And if, like me, you are a long-term retinol user, it can be a double-edged sword: retinols lighten age spots, but they also increase photosensitivity. So, it’s possible to end up with some skin tone variance that you’d prefer to get rid of regardless of whether you use retinols or not.

There are several excellent products on the market right now to combat hyperpigmentation. I was thrilled to try out Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase Skin Tone Perfecting Serum XK, another great product in the Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase line. This is a reasonably priced serum that produced jaw-dropping results.

When I first starting testing Skin Tone Perfecting Serum out, I put it on and a few hours passed. When I went by a mirror, I noticed my skin was tighter and more dewy. On the third night, I noticed an ever so slight lightening of a dark spot on my cheekbone. I thought I was imaginging things – it just seemed far too soon to have any effect. But sure enough, over the course of the next two weeks, the spot continued to lighten (I’d estimate about 10% in the 14 days) and is progressively lightening still. I’m really excited to see over time how much change occurs. On the whole, my skin seems far more even, including in spots where I don’t have obvious hyperpigmentation issues – my skin looks a bit airbrushed before I even put a speck of makeup on!

Skin Tone Perfecting Serum has great ingredients: Kinetin, the staple of the Kinerase and Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase line, the oh so hydrating hyaluronic acid, Sepiwhite MSH, which is a pigmentation inhibitor, Sepivinol, a potent anti-oxidant, and SymWhite, an effective skin lightener that targets UV-induced skin pigmentation. That’s a great lineup for a great price.

Skin Tone Perfecting Serum XK has made it into my daily routine. I think I”ve found the perfect non-irritating hyperpigmentation sacking combon: I use Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum in the morning under makeup, Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase Skin Tone Perfecting Serum XK at night under moisturizer, and Retin-A a few nights a week (right now my skin gets irritated if I use Retin-A more than that), and my skin is getting all the more even day by day.

Find Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase Skin Tone Perfecting Serum XK at Walgreens.com.

New Product: Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase Wrinkle Repair Daily Lotion SPF 30

Beauty, New Products, Skin No Responses »

Mar 072011

If you’ve been to StyleChicks before, you know I never leave the house without sunscreen. Given the fact that my skin tone is pretty much best described as “see-through”, it’s a bit of a necessity. And if I can find a high-SPF sunscreen that provides anti-aging benefits, I’m thrilled.

Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase Wrinkle Repair Daily Lotion SPF 30

So I eagerly tried out Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase Wrinkle Repair Daily Lotion SPF 30. As I mentioned in my review of Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase Hydrabalance Foaming Cleanser, I have been a loyal fan of the Kinerase line for many years now, and I love how Kinetin, the star ingredient in the Kinerase and Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase lines, soothes my skin, as well as how bright and perky my skin looks after using it. So if you added a SPF to a great Kinetin-containing lotion? Perfect!

Now, when I first started using the original Kinerase line, the last thing on my 20-something mind was wrinkles. And thanks to great skin products and prescription retinols, my skin is still pretty smooth for my age. But…wrinkles and how to prevent them from getting worse does cross my mind now, especially when my skin is dry. Kinetin improves the skin’s ability to skin cells to stay healthy without irritation, and soothes skin while it works. In addition, Wrinkle Repair Daily Lotion contains Symrepair 2%, which increases the skin’s ability to maintain moisture, and QuenchT 2%, which also soothes the skin.

Of course, texture and performance are key in choosing both a sunscreen and a daily lotion. Previous to Wrinkle Repair I had been using La Roche Posay’s Anthelios 60 Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid for Face, which as the name implies, is an ultra light liquid, and it absorbs really quickly. Wrinkle Repair is a cream, but it absorbs just as fast and leaves a smooth, hydrated, semi-matte finish. My skin looks dewy and plumped immediately without a hint of greasiness – it simply looks young. Makeup sits on top of the skin beautifully with Wrinkle Repair on, and since the formula is pretty light, I can use a serum underneath and still not get sticky or greasy. I love the very subtle citrus scent which dissipates when the lotion absorbs. It’s simply a great sunscreen and wrinkle-fighting lotion rolled into one.

I plan on buying this product in the future. In the days I’ve been testing it out, I’ve had a few circumstances of being in rooms with extremely dry, forced heat that would typically leave my skin parched, but the moisture in my skin held up with Wrinkle Repair Daily Lotion. I’m thrilled!

The directions say to use a dime sized amount, which will more than cover your face – I tend to stick with using a nickel sized amount just out of habit, but be sure to use at least a dime sized amount.

Find Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase Wrinkle Repair Daily Lotion SPF 30 at Walgreens for $27.99.

New Product: Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase HydraBalance Foaming Cleanser

Beauty, Clarisonic, New Products, Skin, Spa Economy No Responses »

Mar 022011

I’ve been feeling a little Goldilocks-esque lately when it comes to facial cleansers. Some are really moisturizing, but take too much scrubbing to wash off. Others wash off easily, but don’t do a thorough job when it comes to taking off all my makeup and sunscreen.

Dr. Lewinn by Kinerase HydraBalance Foaming Cleanser

And then I found Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase HydraBalance Foaming Cleanser.

Based on past experiences, I generally shy away from foaming cleansers since the ones I’ve tried tend to be drying. However, I have used Kinerase products for years now, so I had hope that their mass market line in connection with Dr. LeWinn would live up to it’s claim of being not just non-drying, but hydrating. And it does. My skin is soft, hydrated, and bright after cleansing. And as far as taking off makeup? It is exceptional. No scrubbing needed, it just takes everything off on both face and delicate eye skin. I’ve been using a liquid liner lately that is fabulous, but it is pretty tough to take off at the end of the day. Hydrabalance Foaming Cleanser takes it off easily and with no tugging. Yay!

HydraBalance Foaming Cleanser is soap-free, which will make your dermatologist happy (mine was the one who turned me on to the Kinerase line in the first place years ago). But I can’t say enough how well it cleanses while it treats the skin with great ingredients like Kinetin (which is in the whole Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase line in the same amounts as the regular Kinerase line). I’ve tried products from both the Kinerase line and other lines that contain Kinetin, and they are always so soothing to the skin. It encourages cellular turnover without irritation – a great alternative to retinoids. It also contains SK-Influx to protect your skin’s moisture barrier, and Aquaxyl to hydrate the skin. All in all, a great way to start your skincare for the day and end it at night.

In an act of sisterly love, I let Lyn use the cleanser, and her comments were interesting – she said that she’s never used a foaming cleanser that felt soft. She hit the nail on the head – there is something that feels kind of rough about most foaming cleansers, but HydraBalance Foaming Cleanser isn’t that way. It is gentle, soft, and luxurious feeling. I’ve been using it with my Clarisonic – it feels like a spa cleansing!

I’m pretty thrilled with this cleanser. We’ll be reviewing other products from the Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase line in the upcoming weeks (spoiler alert: Skin Tone Perfecting Serum is so effective it’s kinda spooky), and I will purchase HydraBalance Foaming Cleanser in the future. And since my derm loves the regular KInerase line, I can’t wait to tell her about this very affordable and very effective new line!

Find Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase HydraBalance Foaming Cleanser at Walgreens for $10.49.

Product Review: e.l.f. Studio Endless Eyes Pro Eyeshadow 100 eyeshadow Palette

Beauty, Eyes, Gifts, Gym Beauty Bag No Responses »

Feb 212011

The e.l.f. Studio Endless Eyes Pro Eyeshadow Palette that boasts 100 shades isn’t a new product, but I’ve come to appreciate it more and more lately. Like most women, I sort of gave up on eyeshadow palettes that have a large number of shades – I end up using the same few, and most go to waste. But when I saw the e.l.f. palette on sale, I thought I’d give it a try for the price (it was $4.98 on sale at Target, it is $10 marked down from $20 at the eyeslipsface website), and I’ve really come to be impressed with it.

The formula is quite sheer and layerable – I haven’t had any creasing issues. The shade range is decent without being too heavy on highly unwearable colors (the one brick red shade has enough chestnut in it to still be flattering – worth trying on olive skin tones especially). I would have liked a true white and true black in the palette, but on the whole it’s a minor issue. There is a mix of matte and shimmering shades, and the subtle shimmer stays put even when not wearing primer.

I enjoy testing out various shades just for feasibility. First night I had it, I decided to try an electric blue shade that I’d never attempt otherwise. To my surprise, it worked on me – if the phrase “bright smokey eye” makes sense, that was what it was. I was expecting a brighter, more intense blue NARS Night Flight kind of look, and while it did impart more color than my usual daytime “three shades of vanilla” eyeshadow look, the layerable color is quite wearable. This led to trying out shades that I’d never usually try each night before I took off my eye makeup, and eventually, I started experimenting in the morning with different variables. For instance – a brown tinted moss green makes sense for a crease color. But what about a wintergreen shade? Or a Kelly green shade? The beauty of this palette is that the formula is so sheer, it takes several color washes to really goof.

I also like the palette for tweaking lipstick colors. I wanted to make a pomegranete shade a bit richer the other night, and I dusted on some brick red color, followed by a dot of fushcia in the center of the lip. The brick red added depth, the fushcia didn’t show as a pink but rather just as a highlight over the basic lipstick. The same principle follows for any shade that needs to be lightened or darkened after application, or needs to be nudged a shade or two over. And if you are looking for a brighter smile, it can’t hurt to add some blue to any lip shade – a perfect use for the many blue based shadows in this kit.

This palette makes a great gift for a teen learning makeup application or anyone looking to experiment with shades. After as many years as I’ve spent playing with makeup, I still came across new looks that work for me, and rediscovered some hues that I had forgotten I liked as much. This weekend I picked up the Mini Eyeshadow Palette (32 shades) for my gym beauty bag – great for when I hit the gym and am then headed back out or back to work. The pinks, corals, and reddish brown shades also work great as blushes (think in terms of Benefit’s Georgia or Dandelion in terms of intensity of wash), just be careful to not get any nearby colors on your brush (pinching the bristles works). It’s one impressive little kit!

Find the e.l.f. Studio Endless Eyes Pro Eyeshadow Palette at eyeslipsface.com for $10.

e.l.f. Studio Endless Eyes Pro Eyeshadow 100 eyeshadow Palette

Product Review: Classic Beauty Skin Care Line

Beauty, Skin No Responses »

Feb 162011

We recently checked out the Classic Beauty Skin Care Line. Ever since we tried Perricone’s products that contained Alpha Lipoic Acid way back when, we’ve always been excited when we see ALA in an ingredient list. Classic Beauty’s products not only have Alpha Lipoic Acid, but Ester-C (a patented neutral pH Vitamin C, so it doesn’t cause irritation), a litany of vitamins including Vitamin E, and calming natural ingredients. It also contains LaraCare, a non-irritating alternative to AHAs. The whole line used together produces smooth skin with definitively reduced appearance of pores. Let’s take a look at each of the products:

Classic Beauty Skincare Line

Step 1: Classic Beauty Comforting Cleanser – This is the standout product of the line for me. The cleanser is uber gentle, oil free, fragrance free, and gives skin an amazingly clean feel and look. It cleanses without stripping the skin of moisture, which is impressive for an ALA cleanser. It also contains Ester-C, Aloe Vera, Cucumber, Chamomile and other botanicals to soothe skin while you wash off the day (or start your day off right). There is an amazing brush that is available on the site to use with Comforting Cleanser, which feels great on the skin. I also tried it with my Clarisonic, and it was the best, most luxurious feeling facial cleansing I’ve had in recent memory. The gel cleanser washes off easily with a few splashes of water – no abrasive rubbing required. I have a business trip next week to an area where the water always leaves my skin raw, and I’m going to be taking Comforting Cleanser along to try to stave off irritation.

Step 2: Soothing and Protecting Day Cream- The silky gel-cream glides onto damp skin and leaves behind no trace of stickiness – it just absorbs into the skin. It has LaraCare to encourage a gentle cell turnover but I didn’t get any irritation from the cream, in fact it was pretty soothing. Skin is left soft and silky, which is really the only sign that you have applied it, since it absorbs so thoroughly. I really love the texture of this cream, and it is quite effective at smoothing those tiny little lines in just a few uses. The goal of the product is to protect against pollutants, and it does it’s job well.

Step 3: Nourishing Night Cream- This is an ever so slightly thicker cream, but along the same line as the Day Cream as far as texture. Like the Day Cream, you apply it to the skin while damp, and let it soak in. It also absorbs quite fast and leaves skin looking tight and firm upon application. By morning, your skin will look dewy, vibrant, and glowing. I was really pleased with the results. Nourishing Night Cream is absolutely amazing on hands. The skin on your knuckles smoothes out to a hand model like softness instantly on application.

As I mentioned before, the products are indeed fragrance free, and Alpha Lipoic Acid does have a natural scent to it. However, the smell is far more subtle than other ALA containing products I’ve used, so I wouldn’t let that put you off from trying the line, and once the product absorbs you can’t smell it at all.

I really am impressed with the Classic Beauty Skin Care Line. Both moisturizers work quickly and are incredibly soothing while providing gentle exfoliating and cellular renewal, and the cleanser provides an incredible, decadant cleansing experience. Find the Classic Beauty line of skincare at ClassicBeauty.com.

Product Review: OOKISA Infinite Volume Collection

Beauty, Hair, New Products No Responses »

Feb 152011

I was recently sent some products from the newly relaunched OOKISA Infinite Volume Haircare line and I am loving the lift and weighless volume I’m getting from the line. The shampoo and conditioner claim color retention properties, and Lyn will be reporting on that after she colors her hair in a week or so. But what is really impressing me is the volume and anti-breakage strength that the line is giving my hair.

OOKISA Nighttime Follicle Renewal Serum

First off, all the products in the line are Paraben-free, sulfate-free, hormone-free, alcohol-free, cruelty-free and allergy tested. They also contain Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, which is the active ingredient in a few eyelash growth products that work at the level of the follicle by reducing DHT (the stuff that makes hair fall out). So ostensibly, using the OOKISA collection could increase the length of time of your hair’s growth cycle, aka your hair will be longer (just remember to keep up with trimming your ends!)

Here’s the rundown of what is really wowing me about each of the three products that I tried:

OOKISA Fortifying Shampoo – I was immediately impressed with how concentrated and luxurious the texture of the shampoo is. It’s a standard gel shampoo consistency coming out of the tube, but when you rub it between your hands, it turns into a thick, rich cream consistency. It is an incredibly gentle shampoo and it washes out clean and left my hair smooth and shiny. After 3 uses of the shampoo and 2 uses of the conditioner I noticed that my hair was more resistant to breakage – when I was running my fingers through my hair after I got out of the shower last night, a hair caught around my finger. Typically it would have broken, but it just stretched. If you have brittle hair, Fortifying Shampoo is worth a try.

OOKISA Replenishing Conditioner – This is a great daily conditioner. It is lightweight, and can be left on for longer periods of time if your hair needs a deep treatment. It plumped the hair shaft out and left me with great volume. Like the shampoo, it washes out cleanly and isn’t perfumed but leaves a fresh, clean scent. I loved how my scalp felt afterwards – it felt more like a deep conditioning treatment (with a little scalp massage thrown in) instead of a daily conditioner.

OOKISA Nighttime Follicle Renewing Serum- This was the jaw-dropping product of the line for me. I applied a few sprays, and then rough dried my hair. When I flipped my hair back over, I was astonished at the bouncy, natural volume. This isn’t a 1980′s hairspray volumized look, this is natural, youthful, healthy volume with absolutely no stickiness or stiffness. Actually, there was no sign that I had product in my hair, and amazingly, the volume held through the night and the next day. I have long layers in the front, and the lift that Renewing Serum provided frames my face and provides a swingy, bouncy, lustrous look.

Buy the OOKISA Infinite Volume Collection at OOKISA.com!

Caudalie Week Product Review: Caudalie Vinexpert Firming Serum

Beauty, Caudalie, Skin No Responses »

Feb 122011

Caudalie Vinexpert Firming Serum

During our incredibly fun week testing out a few Caudalie products, I’ve been using Caudalie Vinexpert Firming Serum in the morning and Caudalie Vinoperfect Complexion Correcting Radiance Serum in the evening for the past few days, as recommended on the Caudalie website. Style Chick Lee will be following up in the next few weeks with a Baby Boomer’s take on the product, but I’m really pleased with the results, and a little surprised that there was as much to be firmed up on my face!

Like the rest of the Caudalie line, Vinexpert Firming Serum has a luxurious, smooth consistency. It glides over the skin with ease. With some firming serums, I find it hard to actually glide it on the skin in the correct motion (up and out), which seems counterintuitive for the purpose. Firming Serum feels like a treat when it is being applied, not like you have to do work to get it on!

I’m quite impressed with how the Firming Serum works in two specific areas, First, it smoothes and plumps my nose to mouth lines. I’m not terribly lined in the area, but I do look older when the area is dry or my skin is not at it’s perkiest. By the second day of application, the area looked smooth and soft. The second area with which I’m quite impressed with Firming Serum is on the cupid’s bow of my lips – the area is more defined, contoured, and plump than it’s been in about five years.

The ingredient list includes pretty much everything I look for in a firming product:

firming and anti-wrinkle Resveratrol titrated at 1000 ppm
immediate tightening effect lucerne, fern, soy
radiance boosting grape
draining red vine and witch hazel
energizing ginseng
soothing B-5 pro-vitamin, oats, and orange flower
moisturizing olive squalene, sodium hyaluronate, plant glycerine, rose, and ceramide-3

The ingredients provide a great combination of firming, toning, and soothing. Not only does it provide long-term care, it provides immediate benefits upon application – no waiting six weeks to see the first signs of results!

I noticed today that I ended up applying far less makeup (and skipped my luminizer) after a week of regular use of Caudalie’s Firming Serum, Radiance Serum, and Premier Cru. If you are a retinol user like me, it is easy and non-irritating to combine the three Caudalie products with your Retin-A or other retinol product routine, and best of all, it calms any irritation from the retinol. It’s hard to find products that don’t cause irritation when used in conjunction with retinols, but I’m finding that all the Caudalie products are incredibly soothing and compliment most skincare routines beautifully.

Find Caudalie Vinexpert Firming Serum at Caudalie-USA.com for $79.00.

We’ll be updating you on our thoughts about the products we’ve talked about during Caudalie week in the upcoming weeks and we’ll get the take of the other Style Chicks so you can get a sense of how the products respond to the skin care concerns of those of different ages. In addition in the next couple of days we’ll be sharing some of our general observations of the line. Stay tuned!

Page 1 of 4 1 2 3 4 Older Entries

Courtney

Get a great lip look with the Stream Cosmetics Airbrush System

New Product: Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase Skin Tone Perfecting Serum XK

New Product: Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase Wrinkle Repair Daily Lotion SPF 30

New Product: Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase HydraBalance Foaming Cleanser

Product Review: e.l.f. Studio Endless Eyes Pro Eyeshadow 100 eyeshadow Palette

Product Review: Classic Beauty Skin Care Line

Product Review: OOKISA Infinite Volume Collection

Caudalie Week Product Review: Caudalie Vinexpert Firming Serum

Search

Subscribe RSS

Categories

Archives

Blogroll