Elemis Sale on HauteLook

Snag top Elemis products at 30% off on HauteLook. If you're not familiar with the brand Elemis is a spa skin care brand that's really luxurious and offers great results. I bought a few of the products after a facial and massage on a cruise I was on last summer, and my husband even owns some of their shaving products. 

Not a member of HauteLook? Here's your hookup: http://www.hautelook.com/invite/bitnb

Votre Vu Duette - A Perfect Combo

At first you wouldn't think a hand cream/lip balm duo is a total must have, but I've been finding that I can't live without Votre Vu's Duette, Luxe Lips moisturizing lip balm and Tarte D'Amande luxe hand creme duo. Votre Vu is a fairly new French skin care company that utilizes natural ingredients, but it also super luxe at the same time.

Luxe Lips is a silky, lightweight balm that smooths lips and imparts a natural shine. Coconut oil and shea butter nourish, while UV filters protect from the environment so you can reapply all day. It also smells delish!

 Tarte D'Amande is a rich hand creme that absorbs quickly and doesn't leave a greasy residue behind (a must for me when choosing hand creams!) Sunflower, jojoba and grape seed oils moisturize, soothe and provide antioxidant protection. 

The package is so pretty I keep it on display in my bathroom and it's also great to toss in your bag for touch ups on the go. I also totally love that the lip balm compartment has a mirror so it won't end up all over your face - total genius.

Head to the Votre Vu website for more info and to order. 


Disclosure: a press sample was provided for editorial consideration.

New for Summer: Essie Resort Collection

I've been having a major love affair with nail polish as of late, and I'm loving the new Essie Resort collection for this summer. Sprinkled with ocean blues and turquoises, mixed with silver platinums and purply pink shades, this new collection screams summer vacation. I recently decked my nails out in Lapis of Luxury, a true ocean blue and got a ton of compliments. Pick up the 4-piece mini collection for $17, or the full size bottles for $8 each. Big tip: I went to Ulta where they're currently having a buy two get one free sale on Essie and OPI nail colors.

Essie Resort Collection:

Lapis of Luxury - a creamy, ocean blue. I recommend a three coat job for this color, because it can turn out pretty sheer.

Splash of Grenadine - a bright magenta pink.

Playa Del Platinum - a sheer, sandy grey. Reminds me of white sand beaches!

Turquoise & Caicos - a tropical aqua shade. I've actually been to Turks and Caicos, and this is exactly what the water looks like!

PS. a huge happy bday to the most fabulous mom in the world, mine of course, the Big D! My sisters and I like to call her the Big D because she's actually one of the tiniest people ever at 5'0.

Worth the Splurge: Bulgari Precieuse

Let me preface this by saying these products are a major splurge. With prices ranging from $150 for Regard Precieux Intensive Regenerating Eye Contour Cream to $320 for Serum Precieux Intensive Regenerating Concentrate, the Bulgari Precieuse skin care line is a definite investment. With that being said, the products and luxury are absolutely amazing. 

Let's start with the packaging: the pumps for the Serum and Eye Contour Cream deliver the perfect amount of product so you're never wasting your precious, super luxe and expensive skin care.  The Creme Precieuse Nuit comes with an applicator so you don't have to stick your fingers in the tub and contaminate the product. Plus the packaging is beautiful enough to grace any vanity.

Now to the formula and results: I've been using the Serum and Creme Precieuse Nuit (night cream) for a few weeks now and my skin is radiant, glowing and at the optimal hydration level. The Serum helps fight fine lines, discoloration, and improves skin density and elasticity. Bulgari's exclusive Gem Essence renews radiance while Polypeptides III stimulate collagen and elastin and restore firmness. My skin has never looked good! I'm always after that fresh, dewy moment, and this gives my skin just that. 1fl oz is $320.

The Creme Precieuse Nuit is so rich and decadent and feels like silk going on. The formula is so concentrated you only need a tiny bit for your entire face and neck. Like the Serum, this night cream contains Bulgari's exclusive Gem Essence and Polypeptides III and leaves skin toned and moisturized, fights lines and wrinkles and lessens discoloration. The minute you put this cream on your face you can tell it's a really luxurious indulgence. At $280 for 1.7 oz it's definitely steep, but the tub is huge and will last a long time, and it's really one of life's little pleasures to pamper yourself with a really expensive cream.

If you order from the Neiman Marcus website you can receive an NM gift card with a purchase of $250 or more (and lord knows these qualify) with the code BET2GET. Hurry though, offer ends today!

Test Drive: Mystic Tan Sunless Tanning Lotion Face +Body

Friends, I am sick and could not get out of bed this morning. I think it had something to do with the fact that I was tailgating in the rain Saturday for ND's scrimmage game. For those of you who don't know Mr. M is an MBA student at Notre Dame and I'm pretty much along for the ride. We're moving back to NYC this summer, which I'm thrilled about. Then it's back to ND until Mr. M graduates in May 2011, and hopefully moving back to the NYC area permanently where we can buy a house, have a huge pile of pets and babies (Mr. M loves when I say this) and live happily ever after. 

But back to the beauty. I am addicted to self tanner because I am a true beach girl (grew up about 10 mins from Ocean City, NJ) who loves to be tan. When I got into the beauty business everyone was force feeding sunblock down my throat, and now I am weening tanning out of my life. When Mr. M and I went to St. Lucia in December I even sat in the shade half the time. But let's be honest, most people look better tan, so that's where a good self tanner comes into play. Read on for my thoughts on Mystic Tan Sunless Tanning Lotion Face + Body.

The Experience:

Right off the bat, I love that you can use this on both face and body without incurring a breakout situation. I started by squeezing a dollop onto the mitt and rubbing in circular motions until evenly dispersed and blended. The tanner is tinted so you have an idea of where it's going. Once I had slathered from head to toe I waited about five minutes to dry before getting dressed. Major plus: very minimal self tanner stink. You can wear this during the day without that awful smell creeping up on you. Other huge bonus: not a hint of orange in sight. The color is very natural looking and ends up developing into a lovely bronzey brown shade. I started off major pale and was completely fine. A not so plus: you won't get dramatic color from just one application. You'll definitely need to use this either twice a day (reapplying after four hours) or for several consecutive days. 

The Verdict: 

I say buy if you're looking for a super natural self tanner that gives great color, with minimal stink. Since it works on both face and body the $38 price tag seems a little more reasonable. I had no streaks and a nice little glow going on that really takes the edge off of pale skin that hasn't seen the light of day in awhile. Ditch the mitt though and use your hands, just be sure to wash thoroughly with soap and water post application. Pick up Mystic Tan Sunless Tanning Lotion Face + Body at Sephora stores and the Sephora website.

Happy Earth Day!

While you're getting into the Earth Day spirit and doing what you can to help the planet and green your life (today and beyond) why not treat yourself to a makeup makeover? tarte cosmetics is offering 30% off sitewide now through April 25th so you can toss those chemical-laden cosmetics and stock up on natural cosmetics that are good for you and the planet. It's a start right?

I'm Using a Chemical Peel!

I know someone's going to say hello, you can only get a chemical peel inside a derm's office. Which is true. Chemical peels are serious stuff and not for the faint of heart. I know you've seen the SATC episode where it's Carrie's book launch party and Samantha looks like a burn victim escaped from the ICU after her chemical peel. 

I'm using a much more gentle and mild, yet still incredibly effective at-home chemical peel. One where you don't have to hide for a week after having it. I've been reading about the Exuviance Performance Peel AP 25 lately so of course I had to run out and buy it. The before and afters are crazy dramatic - skin texture is completely transformed. According to the website, the Exuviance Performace Peel AP 25 is:

A 25% blend of AHAs and PHAs including Glycolic Acid, Mandelic Acid and Gluconolactone that exfoliates dead, dull surface layers, and stimulates the process of cell renewal among all skin layers, to reveal healthier cells. Clinical studies indicate that after one month of twice weekly use:

    * 100% of users saw improvement in fine lines & wrinkles
    * 94% of users saw more even skin tone, texture & radiance

It also claims to refine pore size, brighten and even skin tone and improve clarity. You're supposed to use the peel twice per week for six weeks. I started the first treatment last night and it's super easy. You wipe the peel pad over your face, and sit for 10 minutes. Then you wipe the neutralizer pad over that, rinse with water and apply a gentle moisturizer (I used old faithful Kinerase Cream). I had zero irritation, which I was concerned about. 25% concentration of acids is nothing to scoff at, and my skin usually is not OK with high concentrations of Glycolic Acid, but there was no redness, burning, stinging, nada. After just one use my skin felt incredibly smooth so I'll keep you updated on the progress. 

Pick up the Exuviance Performance Peel AP 25 at Ulta stores nationwide or online here. 

Check out a before/after below for results after 5 weeks.