Confession: I don’t make it out for facials as regularly as I should so I’m big into DIY facials and face masks. I’ll double and even, triple mask at any given time. And to clarify double/triple masking means either you use them all at the time targeting different parts of your face OR what I do, which is use one after the other. The order for me is always, exfoliate, tighten, moisturize. Which you can also do with non-mask beauty products. The idea being when you exfoliate you get rid of all the dead skin cells and then whatever you put on top will absorb and penetrate better into the skin. And any type of exfoliation should be followed up by some type of product to close the pores and moisturize. You don’t have to add more masks but be sure to use an essence or alcohol-free toner, serum and moisturizer (or whatever your product preference is) so that the exposed skin doesn’t take in more dirt now that it’s so exposed from the exfoliation. When it comes to masks, I love ones that brighten, tighten, wake up my skin, fill in the wrinkles, prevent sagging and everything in between. There have been a lot of strong new releases this past years and here are the masks that have been using on repeat:
Tag: Fresh
8 Face Masks That Made My Year
Beauty 411: Sephora Collection Rebrands, Oribe Launches makeup, Fresh turns 25, It Cosmetics goes small and more!
It’s been an exciting few months of events, launches and rebrands! I’ve been on the road so much it’s been hard to keep up but here’s some of the highlights!
FRANCOIS NARS Book– The founder and Creative Director of NARS has launched his photo-autobiography. A three year passion project that captures the most defining moments and images from his career as a makeup artist, photographer and creative director. The book is a stunning collection of visuals filled with our favorite NARS campaigns and iconic models who have worked with the brand. The book is $85 and available at lordandtaylor.com
Space NK “Autumn Beauty Edit” – Coming to every Space NK location in the US and online, mark your calendars for September 9th for their Beauty Edit event. It’s your chance to meet the experts behind the brands for makeovers, advice and tips. And exclusively for the event and online, while supplies last, shoppers that spend $250 or more you will receive the limited edition Space NK Cosmetic Bag filled with over $400 worth of must have beauty product samples from 29 brands they carry including Hourglass, Kevyn Aucoin, Diptyque, Smith & Cult, Lipstick Queen, Ouai, R+Co, Rodial, Sunday Riley and more!
Sephora Collection Rebrand – I love Sephora and I’ve being using their liquid lipsticks forever! The brand hosted a re-launch party last night and announced an exclusive Instagram handle for their namesake brand, @SephoraCollection. After launching 18 years ago — can you believe it’s been that long?!?! You’ll see new packaging, products and fun website features all broken down on their site, HERE!
It Cosmetics has gone mini! It makes me so excited they have launched a travel size of all their top sellers. Don’t get me wrong, I never want to be without their Your Skin But Better CC Cream with SPF 50+ but the monster size has been a makeup bag challenge. And with how much I travel I’m so pumped they have launched a travel size collection! Also in other big It Cosmetics news (which you probably heard), L’Oreal bought them!
DevaCurl Rebrand – My favorite (yup, I used the word favorite) curly hair brands has new packaging, and website update that now includes a blog and youtube channel. We’re a family of loyalist to their No-Poo Original and Gel for as long as I can remember — my sister, the curly hair queen, more so then me. She has been exclusively using their products for over a decade and anytime I try to get her to test out other curly hair products for me she’s utterly uninterested. DevaCurl also debuted a new product, the Wave Maker Touchable Texture Whip, which is designed to add texture and volume and frizz free waves when applied to damp/wet hair. I just got it and will try it soon and report back.
Fresh Turns 25! Can you believe it? At the beautiful 25th Anniversary party for the beloved skincare brand they the launch of a new range, Vitamin Nectar — starting with the Vitamin Nectar Vibrancy-Boosting Face Mask. It smells like citrus and exfoliates and brightens to wake it up skin.
The Red Door by Elizabeth Arden update – They have a new name, from Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa they are now The Red Door by Elizabeth Arden and have a new logo which you’ll see as part of the rebrand. They have also partnered with omni-channel to offer guests the best in beauty and wellness, in and outside of the salon and spa locations. Whether you’re throwing an office party or bachelorette, Elizabeth Arden can host your next event or come to you. Mani’s, facials, massages… cushy robes, gift bags and all they are ready to help you plan it all or come to you! This service is currently available in NYC, Chicago, Boston and coming soon… DC! Learn more partybeautiful.com.
Oribe launched makeup! The award winning hair brand recently launched a makeup collection consisting of two illuminating face palettes, three nail lacquers, and three cream lipsticks, Lip Lust. Okay it’s been about a month so it may be old news to some of you but I finally got my hands on the Lip Lust, The Violet shade (which is more of a wine shade then violet) and could not be more excited!!! Also stay tuned for more — rumor has it a skincare, body products and hair tools are on the next!
Smith and Cult – From a nails brand to adding in lippies, now for fall Smith & Cult is expanding to an eye range which includes the Book of Eyes Eye Quad eyeshadow palettes in 4 shades, B-Line Eye Pen in 3 shades — Still Riot (charcoal), Rush to Whisper (Steel) and The Shh (Deep Sable), and Lash Dance Mascara. The 411 on Allure.com.
Tweezerman got a makeover on their website and sent me an engraved brush with my name to celebrate. Thanks Tweezerman! Check out the new site at tweezerman.com.
In case you missed it Max Factor is back in a limited capsule collection. You can read my review HERE.
Lastly all I want in life is Pat McGrath’s Lust 004 Lipstick Kit. From BryanBoy to Naomi Campbell, every celebrity thats rocked the soon-to-launching lip has me so jealous!!!!!!! It’s available at Sephora starting September 8th for commoners, and September 6th for Sephora VIB and VIB Rouge members. Sign up for notifications at Sephora.com.
The Fresh Beauty Cleanse Pop-Up Truck is in Town!
Today, Fresh® is kicking off of their summer beauty cleanse with a pop-up truck perusing the city streets from now until tomorrow! The campaign features the Soy Face Cleanser which boasts to remove dirt and makeup without ridding the skin of the moisture it needs to be soft and glowing. Fresh® is partnering with juice cleanse masters BluePrint and will be offering a Fresh® Beauty Cleanse Kit that includes the Soy Face Cleanser, BluePrint Cleanse Spicy Lemonade, and a card for a free mini Sugar Lip Treatment Advanced Therapy!
THE FRESH BEAUTY CLEANSE TRUCK SCHEDULE:
If you’re not in New York or you’re just not able to brave the heat and make it out, you can still get involved by going to the Fresh® Facebook page and share what you are cleansing from! Upload a photo that represents your personal cleanse, and you have a chance to win a $1,000 Fresh shopping spree. The Fresh® Beauty Cleanse Contest runs from July 25nd to August 8th. Fans can entry daily, and the participant with the most “likes” wins.
For more updates on the Fresh® Beauty Cleanse Truck, Facebook Contest, and other campaign news, follow Fresh® on Twitter @FreshFounder and Facebook at facebook.com/fresh
QVC: The Sephora of TV (and online)
Having lived in major cities my whole life, I never much subscribed to home shopping networks like QVC — which I associated with stay-at-home moms and consumers that didn’t have immediate access to stores at every corner. Living in a place where there is a Sephora on every other block, TV is the last place I look to make a beauty purchase (although they do sell online as well).
However, after attending a recent QVC event, I could not have been more wrong — given the amount of beauty brands out on the market it’s a challenge to pick which product is worth the investment; QVC offers consumers that educational component and the opportunity to learn about the products beyond just staring at the packaging straight from the expert behind the brand.
I was shocked by the amount of prestige brands they are currently showcasing — Perricone MD, Bliss, Algenist, Clarisonic, Fresh, Tarte, Lipstick Queen, Make Up For Ever, Go Smile, Josie Maran, Mally, Laura Geller (to name a few) as well as retailers like Space.NK, and Sephora are now partnering with them as well!
And they certainly got my attention. Walking the isles of the QVC event, I got to meet Dr. Perricone and hear first hand why I need to drop everything and try his Vitamin C Ester 15 (QVC Item #A221548) — which has a high 15% concentration of vitamin C fused a with fatty acid derived from palm oil that’s going to brighten my skin and give me a glowing complexion. And then there was Poppy King (THE LIPSTICK QUEEN!!!) — who I’ve been obsessed with for some time now. Her lipsticks are so luxurious and rich and offer this perfect combination of hydration and pigment without being messy or flimsy. She’s launched the Lipstick Queen Liptopolis Lipstick Collection ($48/QVC Item #A226460) which has this super cute packaging that includes 3 lipstick shades, Central Park (peach), Soho (red) and Upper East (nude hue). What can I say… I’m so Soho — I haven’t stopped wearing this shade since I got the set. I met Josie Maran, Ken Paves, Laura Geller… and hearing first hand from these experts what makes their products so great and the best way to use them adds such a value and educational component that I’m a total QVC convert. Plus you can expect a medley of specials and exclusives from these brands only available on QVC.
{Ken Paves gives Cheryl of The Fashionista Stories his signature Hairdo extensions — looks so natural!}
{Sarah Potempo demoed her “The Wrap-Up” ($24/QVC Item #A323424) on a model, instantly giving her the perfect bun in seconds!}
{Fresh co-founder Lev Glazman introduced us to their hand blended (in a monastery) ancient remedy to the fountain of youth, Elixir Ancien + Face Treatment Oil ($50/QVC Item #A226364), which is being offered exclusively in a .5 ounce size on QVC}
{Former super model Josie Maran has more then one reason to be glowing — we suspect it’s part baby-bump, part her latest Argan Illuminating Body Butter ($30/ QVC Item #A224383) which combines her lightweight, hydrating body butter that’s infused with her signature ingredient, argan oil and a delicate luminzers that offers a subtle shimmer for that perfect summer glow.
For the complete list of beauty offerings, visit QVC.com
Fresh and Veuve Clicquot team up to create “Clicquot in the Snow Beauty Survival Kit”
Break out the bubbly, Veuve Clicquot has partnered with skincare brand, Fresh to create a limited-edition “Clicquot in the Snow Beauty Survival Kit.” Geared to keep snow bunnies hydrated, the beauty survival kit features Fresh’s most nourishing products (including the Citron de Vigne scent which was originally inspired by Veuve Clicuor champagne), the kit includes:
Citron de Vigne Eau de Parfum Rollerball is a purse-friendly fragrance perfect for travel and slope-side pick-me-ups with a Veuve Cliquot inspired sparkling citrus aroma.- Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15 blends real sugar, a natural humectant, with meadowfoam and black currant seed oils to hydrate, soften, and protect your lips while you ski.
- Soy Face Cleanser To-Go is an extra-gentle formula for all skin types that whisks away impurities after an active day outdoors without stripping the skin of essential moisture.
- Crème Ancienne, the ultimate anti-aging face cream, is proven to provide long-lasting hydration that will stand up to high winds and low temperatures on the mountain.
- Seaberry Restorative Body Cream To-Go is an ultra-nourishing, omega-rich treatment designed to calm and relieve irritation—making it ideal for post-ski pampering.
- Brown Sugar Hand Cream provides up to six hours of supreme moisture for seriously dehydrated hands, so they stay silky soft and smooth underneath your gloves.
Housed in a chic, black cosmetic case that reads “Clicquot in the Snow” and adorned with snowflakes, the collection is affordably priced at $60 ($106 value). So lets face it, you don’t need to hit the slopes to appreciate the great assortment and value of the set.