Happy Valentine's Day From KENZO!

Hi all! I just wanted to share with you a special promotion that KENZO is running for Valentine's Day. Through February 11, when you make ANY purchase at the KENZO website, receive FREE 2-day shipping with the code VALENTINE15.

My recommendations: Flower By Kenzo EDP (previously reviewed), KENZOKI Nightshift Cream (so delicious and light...smells subtly of ginger and helps to revitalize your skin while you sleep!)

There is also a new fragrance on the block that you might be interested to try. L'Eau de KENZOAMOUR is a limited edition offering of the popular KENZOAMOUR that is said to be a bit lighter and fresher. The bottle is also quite gorgeous, I might add. (I will be reviewing this shortly)

Perfect time for your guy to treat you to a sweet gift, don't you think? Go ahead, drop those hints!

Saving Skin with SK-II Skin Signature

By Skincare Confidential



Sometimes our skin needs a little extra attention and pampering to help stave off the effects of the daily grind. Cult skincare brand, SK-II, has a delectable anti-aging skincare range, Skin Signature, which features a moisturizer designed to restore and strengthen the skin, improving overall radiance and smoothness. SK-II Skin Signature ($205) is a lightweight luxe cream that contains Vitamin B3, Pitera and Oli-Vityl which work to condition the skin while delivering long lasting moisture. Vitamin B3 is important for overall skin and cellular health, while Pitera and Oli-Vityl are derived from yeast and olives respectively, to help improve the skin’s clarity and provide hydration.

I have been trialling this cream and have found that it has done a great job at keeping my skin soft and supple, especially at the end of the day, after thoroughly cleansing the day’s grime, grease and sunscreen off with a heavy duty cleanser.

Under makeup, Signature provides a good silky base over which foundation can glide. I recommend allowing at least 3 minutes to let it sink in so that skin is really hydrated before applying foundation. If it hasn’t absorbed fully, makeup can get a bit streaky. No time to wait? Add a drop of foundation to a pea-sized amount and make your own delectable tinted moisturizer.

What I love most about this cream is that it did a good job helping my skin cope with the roller coaster humidity and heat of this past summer, which had the ability to wreak havoc on even the most normal skin. Over the period of testing the product, I noted my skin didn’t dry out or turn flaky by the end of the day. Nor did it turn super shiny or breakout when humidity levels climbed. In terms of clarity and tone, it was a bit hard to tell. During the summer months, my skin generally has a more “even” tone due to my natural mocha hue.

I recommend Skin Signature to everyone as it is lightweight, provides lasting hydration, and doesn’t contain anti-aging ingredients that can irritate sensitive skin. This product is an ideal addition to any basic skincare regimen.

Caudalie Friends and Family Sale!

Hi everyone! 'Tis the season for Friends and Family sales!

From October 21 - October 25, Caudalie is offering 20% off on all purchases made at www.caudalie-usa.com. Enter code FF2010 to redeem.

Sooo, I have a confession. I have actually yet to try Caudalie skincare products (hangs head in shame). Do you have any favorites? Share with me!

Will you be indulging?

Votre Vu Duette Luxe Lip Balm & Tarte D'Amande Hand Creme: A Treat For Your Skin And Your Sweet Tooth

I have become obsessed with a new double-duty skincare product, Votre Vu's Duette Luxe Lip Balm & Hand Creme. Luxurious and moisturizing, both boast formulas rich in hydrating and nourishing ingredients. Dry skin is most definitely out of the question! The lip balm, housed underneath the cap, rejuvenates chapped lips with coconut oil, shea butter, and UV filters and provides a subtle, healthy shine. It simply feels amazing on my lips!

And now for my favorite part of the duo....the rich Tarte D'Amande hand cream! It smells good enough to eat (like almond icing!) and it soothes my dry hands like nothing I've ever tried. The formula is designed to maintain the suppleness and youth of the skin, and it does that so well. The lotion is rather thick and concentrated and the scent is intoxicating. I can't help but want to lick my fingers after I apply it (don't worry, I restrain myself)!

I just love the convenience factor of the Duette. Having a lip balm and a hand moisturizer in one tube not only saves room in my always overstuffed makeup bag, but it also cuts down the amount of time it takes me to find what I need (I'm always looking for chapstick and lotion...even in the summer when my face gets more oily, the rest of my body remains parched!)

I really can't say enough about this product, but I'll leave you all with one word....YUMMY!! The Duette Luxe Lip Balm & Hand Creme retails for $38 and can be purchased online at www.votrevu.com or through a Votre Vu representative.

NB: This product was sent to me by a PR representative for my consideration. Though I did not purchase it myself, my review was in no way influenced by my receipt of a sample. I am dedicated to providing reviews that are 100% my own opinions, bias-free. If I ever feel that I cannot give my readers honest feedback on a product, I will not present a review for it. I am here to inform, and publishing untruthful thoughts is neither beneficial to those who visit my blog nor to me.

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant: Gentle, Yet Invigorating

My skin has been acting mighty strangely lately. Though it has been feeling dry and even a bit flaky, I've been finding myself dealing with frequent break-outs. I have been trying out new skincare routines - separate products for morning and night time (I'll include a separate post about my new regimen). Thus far I have been very happy with my latest find from Dermalogica. Dermalogica's philosophy is to deliver products that are free of irritants (those that can cause break-outs, for example), are high-quality, and appeal to the professional community.

The brand's Daily Microfoliant has become my "weapon of choice" at night time. It is a rice-based powder, that when activated with water, lathers to become a very gentle and thorough exfoliant. It is intended to be used after cleansing. Although I was at first skeptical about the power of a powder exfoliating product, I completely changed my mind after using this product. It works deep down to remove any excess skin debris, while working to smooth and tone the skin, helping to improve its appearance over time. I have been very impressed with the way my skin has been feeling, invigorated and exceptionally clean. The exfoliating beads are so fine that they permit the use of the cleanser on a daily basis without irritation. It is recommended for all skin types. My skin can be rather sensitive at times, and I have had no problem using this exfoliant.

In addition to the rice base, the formula contains a blend of ingredients that work together to achieve its intended results. Papain, Salicylic Acid, and Rice Enzymes work to gently exfoliate away any dead skin cells, and the brand's own Skin Brightening Complex acts to help balance the skin's pigmentation. Skin-soothing agents such as Green Tea, Ginkgo, and Oatmeal leave the skin feeling calm and refreshed.

To find a Dermalogica retailer near you and to receive more information on the product range, visit www.dermalogica.com.

NB: This product was sent to me by a PR representative for my consideration. Though I did not purchase it myself, my review was in no way influenced by my receipt of a sample. I am dedicated to providing reviews that are 100% my own opinions, bias-free. If I ever feel that I cannot give my readers honest feedback on a product, I will not present a review for it. I am here to inform, and publishing untruthful thoughts is neither beneficial to those who visit my blog nor to me.

(seed) Grape Seed Enriched Body Lotion: An All-Natural Way To Wake Up Tired Skin

I have been plagued with dry, itchy, irritated skin, notably on my arms and legs, that gets especially bad with the sudden drops in temperature. I have tried a host of body lotions, but I have found that some just can't properly quench my thirsty skin, while others leave my skin feeling a little bit too greasy (this is not to say that I haven't found some that have worked for me!)

I am always up for trying new products (especially beauty and skincare that are all-natural), so of course I was excited to see how a lotion from (seed) Body Care would perform on my sensitive skin. (seed) is a brand with which I had previously had no experience. Well, ever since it appeared on my radar screen, I have been really intrigued by it. The line's range of skin and hair care - body lotions, soaps, and shampoo/conditioner - is 100% free of parabens, preservatives, and artificial colors, and are not tested on animals. The premise behind (seed)'s products is the notion that the grape seed contains powerful and potent antioxidant properties as well as vitamins and essential fatty acids. These features help to enrich the body and maintain its health. All of their products contain grape seed oil.

For the past few days I have been using the brand's Nourishing Body Lotion Invigorating Citrus Blend every night, post-shower. I have honestly been amazed at how my skin has been responding. The lotion is very light and seeps into the skin almost immediately. I found that I didn't have to apply much effort to work the cream into my skin. My skin has been feeling invigorated and refreshed. Along with grape seed oil, this lotion also contains sunflower seed oil, shea butter (to condition and soothe), as well as citrus oils and rosemary. The scent is very pleasant and clean. With continued use, I am confident that my dry skin will continue to improve!

(seed)'s line of products can be found online at www.seedpowerbodycare.com. The body lotion retails for about $20, and it, along with the rest of the product offerings can be purchased through Amazon.com.

NB: This product was sent to me by a PR representative for my consideration. Though I did not purchase it myself, my review was in no way influenced by my receipt of a sample. I am dedicated to providing reviews that are 100% my own opinions, bias-free. If I ever feel that I cannot give my readers honest feedback on a product, I will not present a review for it. I am here to inform, and publishing untruthful thoughts is neither beneficial to those who visit my blog nor to me.

(C)hello Radiant Skin! Chella Enzyme Exfoliating Crema Mask

I've been a bad, bad beauty girl. Why, you ask? Well, I have a bit of a confession to make. I haven't exfoliated my skin or used a face mask for a month...or so. Deciding it was about time that I gave my pores a nice cleansing, I brought out my Chella Enzyme Exfoliating Crema Mask to help me in my efforts. This being my first time using the product, I had no expectations about how the mask would perform. I have to say I was very happy with the results!

This Chella mask contains enzymes that exfoliate dead cells from the skin while encouraging cell turnover. This results in a more radiant and youthful looking skin. The formula is very gentle (while it is exfoliating, it does not contain large or harsh scrubbing beads), so it is safe to use on even the most sensitive skin. Some of the key enzymes and ingredients in this product are: lactic acid enzymes, which work together with sugar cane and apple extract, to remove the damaged/dead skin cells, aloe vera, to heal and encourage skin repair, licorice extract, to purify and brighten the skin, and ginger root and horse chestnut, to stimulate skin circulation, giving the skin a healthy glow. Vitamins E and B5 work to help the skin retain moisture, softness, and elasticity. The Chella philosophy is to "repair and restore the skin by stimulating collagen production, nourishing and defending the skin's cells and defending the skin from free radicals and UV rays."

My skin felt so clean and fresh after I used this mask (which you only have to keep on for 10 minutes) and my blackheads were cleared away. What I found interesting was that the product actually had no visible color when applied to the skin (for some reason, when I think "mask," I think of a thicker, readily visible substance). The consistency is very light and soothing, not at all irritating to my sensitive skin. The exfoliating product does not dry up on the skin or harden. It just leaves your skin feeling "happy." Recommended use is once a week for best results. I am curious to see what continued and regular use will do for me!

The Enzyme Exfoliating Crema Mask is available at the Chella website and it retails for $60.