Loreal's Showering us with Spring goodies

Common brands that provide great results are few and far between. Loreal stands alone, always raising the bar by providing luxuriously affordable-products that everyone can afford. This spring there is a delightful array of goodies to keep you looking gorgeous.

Studio Secrets Professional Magic Perfection -

The first and most likely to cause an instant grin is this little jar of preparation.

It can be worn alone or under makeup, it's a base that fills lines and minimizes the appearance of pores. Soft light weight powders within the formula provide and instant mattte look.

I've used it both alone and with make up. My forehead was the test, because lately there have been some fine lines appearing that I'm not too please about. It worked wonders and filled in with out caking and lasted all day.

As far as color discrepancies are concerned, Loreal has three moisturizing formulas to keep your face all one hue! One to combat redness, one to illuminate and add warmth to light skin tones, and one that adds glow to mediums skin tone.

Age Perfection Hydra-Nurtition

Remember that forehead I mentioned? I've been slathering this on it.  This cream penetrates deeply to hydrate and moisturize, just a couple things on the list to fight aging. I enjoyed the silkiness of the cream, definitely non-gooey.

Concentrated Lash Boosting Serum and Double Extend Lash Boosting Mascara

Prior to applying mascara, the serum acts as a conditioner to protect lashes. This was my favorite. We underestimate the wear and tear caused by daily application from mascara. But who wants to by-step amazing lashes? I adore the idea of conditioning first, and the mascara went on smoother as well.

Go 360 Clean

OK, so I got a kick out of these! The cleansers feature the first ever Scrublet tool, containing 500 super soft and tiny bristles. It's reusable and there a cute storage spot for it on the cleansing bottle. It's not harsh like those disposable scrub pads and yet does a much better job cleaning out pores with out looking like your cat scratched you. I like popping the Scrublet in and out of its storage place, it's such a neat idea. And it's the perfect product for traveling too!

Colorist Secrets Shine Gloss

Sure you have colored your hair on your own at some point. But have you given yourself a shine enhancement? In ten minutes an amonia-free vibrant flow of tresses can be yours! 
The claim is that it lasts up to four weeks. It's been two weeks and my shine is still pronounced! If you don't try it now, definitely try it mid summer when your hair begins to feel the effects of sun, sand, and dryness.

If you are in the market for affordable beauty enhancing this spring (and I know you are) march down to CVS or Walgreens or Walmart or your local Supermarket or....you get the picture.

M Lab

When sampling an entire line of products, one can get carried away for a few days. I was that one, and aside from my impulsive need to discuss M Lab's Anti-Aging cleanser last week, I really wanted to make sure this line was making a difference.

After all, sampling products is a full time profession 'round here so in order to be sure beauty treatments don't over lap, there has been some down time between reviews. The lull ends here because I'm fully fascinated with M Lab.M Lab's scientists have created a clinically proven line that some have compared it to Creme de la Mer. That's quite a comparison if I do say so myself. I was certainly impressed.

The Anti-Aging Cleanser is still my favorite with its impeccable texture, and tri-active blend of cleansing agents that clean, hydrate, soothe, and calm the skin. I'm still using it daily and love the way it aids in massaging the skin.

I wish there were a body wash that had a similar texture. If ever one surfaces, you will be informed immediately. But back to the current topic.....

Since the weather has gone down the tubes, my skin has been a little on the dry side and M Lab has improved my issue. Not so much that I'm not begging for warmer weather to come back, but enough so that I can tell you that YOU need to get your manicured hands on M Lab's products.

The other goodies I tried were the following:

Anti-Aging Toner - made up of a complex of plant extracts and mineral co-factors to promote smooth skin.

Anti-Aging Blemish Control Cleanser - Gently exfoliates and controls oil while improving skin texture.

Anti-Aging Blemish Control Treatment - Refines pores and increases skin firmness while combating wrinkles simultaneously. I recommended using it during that awful time of the month.

Anti-Aging Eye Cream - Really? Y'all know my excitement when it comes to eye cream. This one uses peptides and is M Lab-Fab!

Anti-Aging Treatment Cream -  advanced peptides and anti-oxidants provided skin firming and dermal elasticity. Also reduces the appearance of fine lines.

Anti-Aging Treatment Serum - This one restores the dermal hydration. My mom used the serum, she hearts it.

....And as a side note, serums usually work better on mature skin. Not to say that you can't use it in your twenties like moi, but a cream works fine. I like a good serum a couple times a week.

The bottom line is that my skin is firmer and well hydrated. Job well done!

M Lab is available exclusively online at www.mlabonline.com and if your in London, Harrods.

Argan Oil

You hear Morocco and visions of Marrakesh and Hookahs come to mind. Here in Boston when we hear Toronto, we think....Blue Jays. Now we can think of body blitz spa in Toronto for being the first spa in Canada to develop their own face serum with indigenous Argan Oil of Morocco. First of all, "Good for them!". I love it when a spa takes matters into their own hands.

Second.........

What is Argan Oil, you ponder?

One of the rarest on the planet, it's an oil extracted from the Argan Tree which is located at the edge of the Sahara desert in Morocco. Sometimes coined the “Tree of Iron” because of its survival for hundreds of years in such a harsh environment.

The oil itself is extracted from its fruits and is plopped up on a pedestal for its nutritive, cosmetic and numerous medicinal properties. Maybe because Argan oil just so happens to be the world's richest natural source of vitamin E, a natural wrinkle fighter.

body blitz's Argan Oil Face Serum combines over 75% organic Argan Oil with olive oil, aloe vera, organic rosehip, organic rose absolute and lavender.

What I loved about the African oil with a nutty scent, is the fact that even though it is an "oil" it was not too clingy to my hands after applying + absorbed quickly and my skin felt like it was wrapped in a warm blanket. This is something I'm definitely keeping around for the winter when my skin needs extra hydration. No doubt - will make a great stocking stuffer for mom or sister.

Not only did body blitz develop their own serum, they have done their research for a cause. You may be proud of them to know: the harvesting and production of Argan Oil is performed by Berber Women’s cooperatives. These cooperatives were set up to empower the women in the region and to guarantee fair trade practices. body blitz receives oil that is from a registered Berber cooperative and purchasing Argan Oil Face Serum directly benefits the women of this region and helps preserve the Argan forests, now a designated UNESCO Biosphere Heritage!

For more information and to purchase visit www.bodyblitzspa.com

Carrot Oil

Remember what we said about carrots last month? Another leader in skin care, Molton Brown of London has got the same bright idea! During times when you feel like a stronger cream is needed for your nightly routine, think about Molton Brown's new and part of a limited to consumers collection, Hungarian Wild Carrot facial oil.

It firms up your skin while you catch some zzz's with wild carrot, bergamot and cedarwood. It was designed to replace your moisturizer, but I used it over my moisturizer and loved the results. In the morning I didn't wake up greasy skin due to the oil, it was well absorbed instead leaving my skin supple. It has an aromatherapy-ish scent as well - so I suggest using it with an at-home facial when you have the chance.

In addition to the Hungarian Carrot Oil - The luxury British brand introduces two other oils as well: Somalian Myrrh and Tunisian Naroli, used in the Molton Brown spas, these oils are now available for $58, for a limited time, to consumers at all emporia locations as well as www.moltonbrown.com.

MyChelle

MyChelle Dermaceuticals is a combination of founder Myra Michelle Eby's name (pronounced "My Shell"). What it is not, is a combination of harmful chemicals or parabens. In fact MyChelle products are all 100% natural, eco-friendly, and cruelty-free!

I jumped at the chance to try three NEW products from her line. And all of them are three products you always here me raving about! Serums, Mists, and Eye care, Oh My!

Pumpkin Hydrating Mist - You know I love a good mist when I travel. The Pumpkin Hydrating Mist has a light pumpkin scent that is just enough. No worries. You will not go around smelling like thanksgiving dinner. It can be applied over makeup as well - this is why I like it for traveling on the driest bird in the sky.
With pumpkin juice and poppy extract leading the list of bio-available ingredients, it is no surprise that this mist provided the moisture my skin was needing on the plane, and through out the days since I started using it.

G2 Instant Firming Serum - Collagen boosting. I'm sold. But wait! This serum with a military sounding moniker is so much more. Goji berry fruit aids in instant firming and is combined with Argireline (safe muscle relaxer) and pomegranate to help inflamation. With long term use, this army of ingredients battle fine lines and wrinkles from future invasion.

Magnolia Fresh Eyes - Some of my favorite eye creams have done me wrong. Like getting in my eye and turning it red and itchy. Not Magnolia. Non-toxic Daisy Flower and Green Coffee work together to ward of puffiness and black circles safely!

MyChelle Dermaceuticals can be found at your nearest Whole Foods. For more information visit www.mychelle.com

Wild Thang

Wild Rose. One of my personal favorite items on the beauty scene is Korres's Wild Rose Serum. I sit here in my apartment in Greece and remember the first time the serum sample came with a magazine. (Magazines in Greece are awesome like that, full sized samples with periodicals every time! Genius!) I already loved Korres so I used it right away. Dabbed a bit on my brow bones and cheek bones, a little on my temples. You get the picture. Then I applied my daily moisturizer and voila! An illumination that came through magificintly in photos, if I do say so myself. Well now that Korres is located every step I take, I'll be stocking up. Of course you can get it in the states virtually everywhere, but I like to remember the first time I used it, in this very room.

La Mer

Here's the 411, I had a scar from 2003 on my décolletage, I had a black freckle removed. Since it was a freckle and not a mole, there was a minor surgery performed that went pretty deep. In turn, it caused a keloid to form, that's when skin heals from the outside. The good news is that the freckle was harmless, the bad news was my scar was horrific in a bikini and i looked as though someone had stabbed me in the chest.

For one year I tried several creams, but one day a whole year later mind you, when I was at Neiman's i got a sample of "The concentrate" from La Mer. I had read about the scientist behind the concentrate so I was intrigued.

Needless to say my scar started to slowly diminish after three months and I kept using it every couple days (finally investing a small fortune in my first bottle). My scar is still there but it is barely noticeable and has camouflaged its way, back in with my skin.

I have recently burned my hand twice while cooking and it has worked wonders for me, once again. It's pricey but you get a lot of bang for your buck.