Archive for the ‘ Beauty Products and Reviews ’ Category

Cold as Ice The Ice Roller Trend

Ice Roller

When it comes to de-puffing a swollen face, whether from a salty dinner the previous night, lack of sleep, too much alcohol or seasonal allergies, the best tried-and-true method is treating your skin to some good old-fashioned ice therapy.

The ice roller is the latest beauty craze to hit TIKTOK and Instagram feeds.  They are a pretty simple little gadget that looks kind of like a mini paint roller. Inside the roller is a mixture of gel and water which turns to ice when put into the freezer. But, unlike ice, it takes far longer to melt (if you apply ice to your face, it melts within seconds) meaning there’s more time to reap the rewards.

You just stick these bad boys in the freezer to get them nice and chilly, then roll out your face. I love using cold compresses whenever my skin gets inflamed especially around the eyes so I was super excited to try this trend out.

And oh my oh my, it is everything the internet promises.  I have rosacea so for me it really is helping with reducing redness.  I have been using the Stacked Skincare Ice Roller from Neiman Marcus.  This facial roller is designed with a premium stainless steel surface, allowing the tool to retain its coolness while you massage your skin. It’s super durable and won’t break even if you put a lot of pressure on it or accidentally drop it or unintentionally tousle it around in the freezer.

Neiman Marcus Ice Roller

Here’s how it works:

As you roll the frozen roller across your skin it constricts the skin resulting in a shrinking effect while boosting circulation and bringing blood to the skin surface which helps to restore radiance and encourage optimum cell function. It instantly reduces puffiness and redness, much like an ice-pack can reduce swelling and bruising.

They can be used on your face, neck, and chest to not only deal with puffiness but also alleviate muscle aches, migraine pain, and more.

Store it in the freezer and use it every day as part of your skincare routine or at the very least, keep it in there and pull it out on days you feel super puffy.

Stacked Skincare Ice roller

Here’s how to use it:

Always ice roll on a clean face.  Start by ice rolling your forehead and work your way down. Roll in a zig zag motion up and down forehead and then from left to right. Move down to beside your nose, lower cheek working upwards. You can apply a little extra pressure in this area if you really want it to be lifted. Roll outwards on the sides of your mouth, then down under chin, and then finish with your neck. It can also be used on the collarbone and upper chest.

There are even ice rollers designed for the body to help with on the go swelling for athletes like the Recoup Fitness Cryosphere Cold Massage Roller.

You can do this morning, night or both. It’s a great way to “roll out” tension at the end of the day.

Ice Rolling benefits:

  • Tightened pores
  • Kickstarted blood circulation
  • Alleviated jaw tension, sinus pressure, migraines and menopausal flushes
  • Stimulated lymphatic drainage for a natural detox
  • Reduced puffiness (particularly around the eye area)
  • Soothed inflammation and/or swelling
  • Uniformed temperature (as opposed to ice which could burn)
  • Immediate radiance

Ice Roller

Ice Roller

The Stacked Skincare Ice Roller is Available at Neiman Marcus Fashion Show or at NeimanMarcus.com 

Dr. Zenovia Hormonal Dermatology

Dr. Zenovia

I don’t know about you, but the stresses of the past year have wreaked havoc on my skin.  It feels like I have been in a never ending battle with breakouts, redness and dehydration.

To help get this skin situation sorted I decided to try something totally new. A skincare line created by celebrity dermatologist Dr. Zenovia which was developed specifically to address the visible signs of hormonal imbalances in the skin.

Hormonal imbalances can happen at any point in life. In fact women can experience hormonal fluctuations throughout SIX stages of life: puberty, pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, menopause and post menopause.

“Studies show that 80-percent of women are suffering from issues due to hormonal imbalances happening within the body,” says Dr. Zenovia. “The skin, being our largest organ on the body, is the first place to reveal these imbalances occurring within.”

With medical-grade active ingredients, Dr. Zenovia helps to bring hormone-impacted skin back into balance. Her products contain NO phthalates, parabens, mineral oil, artificial colors and other questionable ingredients plus they are cruelty free and all of their packaging is made with recycled products.

I have been using Dr. Zenovia’s Essentials Collection which is focused on correcting dehydration, loss of elasticity and uneven tone. After a few weeks of using the line my skin is finally looking like itself again!  No more flaky patches, redness or weird acne like spots! I’m back baby!

There is also a Clear Complexion Collection that tackles all kinds of acne.

Whether you adopt the full Essentials or Clear Completion Routine or simply add a few of its high-tech anti-aging products into your existing regimen, you’ll be working against the clock to ensure that signs of hormone imbalances don’t show up on your skin.

Here is a breakdown of the products I have been using:

Dr. Zenovia Bakuchoi Hydrating Cleanser

Bakuchoi Hydrating Cleanser is formulated with bakuchiol (also known as “nature’s retinol”), REG-ulate360 complex, powerful blend of antioxidants Green Tea & botanicals. This cleanser is soap-free, clinical grade and pH balanced and suitable for any skin types, even the most sensitive.

Dr. Zenovia Retinol Recovery Eye Cream

Retinol Recovery Eye Cream is one of Dr. Zenovia’s must-haves to address signs signs of hormonally imbalanced skin around the delicate eye area. She describes it as a “powerful, yet gentle” formula that helps address loose skin around the eye area and dark circles.

Dr. Zenovia Peptide + Ceramide Repairing Moisturizer

Peptide + Ceramide Repairing Moisturizer is a deep moisturizing cream that helps enhance skins tone & radiance while helping firm, plump and strengthen skins barrier to boost elasticity. It contains a unique combination of bio-equivalent ceramides, humectants & emollients to retain and distribute moisture. This is a great night cream and is fabulous for dry winter skin.

Dr. Zenovia Inflam-Aging Night Repair Treatment

For evening Inflam-Aging Night Repair Treatment helps reduce inflammation and brighten the overall complexion. The treatment contains active ingredients green tea, caffeine, and medical-grade resveratrol, which Dr. Zenovia describes as “a robust antioxidative combination helps repair the tissue and helps heal the inflammatory process associated with aging skin.” It’s especially powerful for sensitive skin types, including ongoing skin conditions like rosacea (like mine). In the morning, you wake up with firmer-feeling, plumper-looking, even-toned skin.

Click to SHOP Dr. Zenovia’s Essential Collection:


Click to SHOP Dr. Zenovia’s Clear Completion Collection:

Dr. Zenovia

I Tried Lip Lab By BITE and Totally Geeked Out

The Lip Lab by BITE

Have you ever been so excited about something that you totally geeked out, I mean completely and totally nerded out over it?  Well, that was me this week as I walked into the brand new Lip Lab by BITE at Fashion Show.

Here’s a little back story… I am a BIG fan of lipstick. There is just something about lipstick that can turn your whole day (and look) around. I am also a BIG fan specifically of BITE’s Lipsticks, if they aren’t on your radar yet prepare to fall in love.

BITE was born with a singular idea: create a lipstick that is remarkably different. They use good-enough-to-eat all natural ingredients like fruit and vegetable extracts and pigments making them a fantastic cruelty free, clean, plant based company. Equally as awesome as what’s in their products is what’s NOT in their products!  NO parabens, sulfates, petrochemicals, phthalates and all products are gluten-free.

Susanne Langmuir, the founder and driving force behind BITE believes “You eat what you put on your lips, so lipstick should be good for you”!

The Lip Lab by BITE

Lip Lab takes BITE one step further into the arena of Bespoke Beauty.

At Lip Lab you create your own lipstick!  Yes that’s right, from shade to finish, scent and even the name!  What you create is totally unique to you!

Lip Lab by BITE features the brand’s state-of-the-art rapid heating and cooling technologies, as well as high-speed centrifuges to blend each artisanal creation 2,500 times in 5 seconds – all to achieve the perfect lipstick in both performance and feel.  The lipsticks are made while you wait and you leave the lab with your creation.

The process begins with designing a shade.

You can choose from classic lipstick color families (nude, pink, red) or something edgier, like blue or black.

Next, customers can select a finish: matte, satin, sheer or a sparkly finish that Bite dubs “luminous.” Then add a flavor — choose from fruity, floral or fresh.

Your Lip Lab artist will then custom blend a few different options in the desired shade range for you to try on so that you can find your perfect custom colour.

LIP LAB by BITE

Once you have your shade perfected the artist will create your bespoke lipstick. I made two, an orangey-red for everyday and a pink-red for the holidays.

LIP LAB BY BITE

Next, your formula is measured out, heated and blended in the high-speed centrifuge before it is poured into a mold.

Once in the mold, it is placed on the cooling deck to set.

When cool it is removed from the mold and placed in a tube.

And finally, you “name it and engrave it,” stamping your custom lippy with the moniker of your choice.

I went with “Skinny Marg” for my lime flavored orangey-red shade and “Santa’s Comin’ to Town” for my mint flavored pink-red.

Bite will keep your “recipe” on file and can mix it up again on demand.

This was such a fun process- I could have stayed there all day mixing shades like a mad makeup scientist!

I highly recommend you try it for yourself- I mean who doesn’t want their own bespoke lipstick that they get to name!

Lip Lab by BIte

If you don’t feel like making your own Lip Lab has created a special shade exclusively for Fashion Show which is available for purchase.

Lip Lab by BITE

To celebrate the Grand Opening Nov. 6th, guests will receive 15% off when booking with code WELCOME15 (offer ends November 30,2020)

Reserve your spot at Vegas.LipLabBoutique.com 

Lip Lab by BITE is located at Fashion Show on the upper level near Tiffany & Co.

*This post was created in partnership with Fashion Show. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

How to Get Chic French Girl Hair

FrenchGirlHairSecrets

We admire them for their joie de vivre because being effortlessly chic and sophisticated just seems to come naturally to French girls.

The clothes, the food, the wine, the attitude! It’s that whole vibe that French girl’s have which we are constantly chasing. So it’s no wonder the Parisiennes’ signature low-key aesthetic also extends to the way they style their hair. It may look effortless but we all know looking like you “haven’t” tried requires a lot of time (and product).
What’s the secret to getting tres chic tousled tresses? How to get chic French girl hair? Luckily for us Francophiles there is no need to travel abroad to learn these secrets, we have a brand new spot right here in Las Vegas at Fashion Show, created by our own un expert en cheveux a la française, Signature Salon by Claude Baruk.
If you have been binging Emily in Paris and longing to add a dash of French chic to your look, this is the place to get that effortlessly well-coiffed (or should I say de-coiffed) cut, colour and style like a French girl.
I sat in Claude’s chair to get a taste of the French Girl hair experience with one of his expert blow-outs and we chatted about how to get chic French girl hair.
French Girl Hair Secrets

Three Secrets to French Girl Hair from the Expert Himself, Claude Baruk

Un- “In France we love the natural. The “not styled” effect, but styled. It may take you a bit of time in front of the mirror but the final effect should be that you didn’t spend any time on it. We call it négligé. It should look very natural and say ‘I didn’t have time to do my hair’ but it’s perfect.  It’s the French version of  ‘I woke up like this’.”

Deux- “The French love quality hair products. Kerastase is extremely famous in France which we carry in the salon, but the French also love niche brands.  There are a few of these niche brands that I love that will be coming to the US market soon, that my salon will be able to help you discover like Mon Shampoing and from the South of France Vegetalement Provence.  Both product lines are cruelty free, clean beauty comprised of organic botanical ingredients. ”

Trois- “Balayage is a signature French girl hair technique. Balayage is a French word meaning ‘to sweep’ or ‘to paint’. It allows for a sun-kissed natural-looking hair colour, similar to what nature gives us as children. Rather than dyeing the hair with one single lighter colour, there are two shades, and one is always slightly darker. This gives that true Parisian vibe.”

Get the Look

Signature Salon is offering a really cool concept. Not only can you come in and experience any service including cut, colour,  Kerastase hair treatments (I got one and my hair has never looked healthier), blowouts, cold fuse extensions and hotheads tape-in extensions- you can also sign up for a membership program.  The program has three tiers: Club Signature, Fashion Signature and Carre VIP Signature. Each membership comes with it’s own perks like free blowouts, discounts on salon services, discounts on products and free root touch ups!

Signature Salon

Signature salon by Claude Baruk
Signature Salon by Claude Baruk
Signature Salon by Claude Baruk is open Mon-Sat from 11am to 8pm and Sun 11am- 7pm at Fashion Show directly across from California Pizza Kitchen. Call 702.476.4882 for an appointment or walk-ins are welcome.
*This post was created in partnership with Fashion Show. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
How to get chic french girl hair

Tiziana Terenzi Sea Stars Collection

Tiziana Terenzi Sea Stars Collection

It’s no secret that I’m a sucker for a good fragrance. Fragrances tell a story- one of who you are or who you want to be.  They convey mood, conjure memories and instantly transport you to exotic locales.

One of my greatest “discoveries” as a blogger has been niche fragrance brand Tiziana Terenzi. The brother sister duo behind a brand and I met a few years ago at an event at Barney’s New York. They captivated me with their ability to seamlessly meld modern with classic. The brand celebrates history while conversely at the same time is somehow completely forward thinking and innovative!

The dynamic Italian duo recently launched a new collection “Sea Stars”.  The collection took three years to bring to fruition and let me tell you, it was well worth the wait.

For those that aren’t t familiar with the brand, Paulo Terenzi is a third generation perfumer known for his unconventional compositions whose philosophy is to “compose beauty”. He works only with natural raw materials which he sources personally all around the world. Focusing on 200-300 most precious notes he blends highly complex, sophisticated, rich compositions.  Paolo has worked with some of the biggest fashion houses out there to create their fragrances (Gucci, Brioni, Ferragamo) but he and his sister Tiziana created their own signature brand Tiziana Terenzi in 2012.

All of the Tiziana Terenzi fragrances are unisex, in Paolo’s words his scents “Represent life, the emotion, the sentiment, the mood of life, and they have no gender”.

Their facilities in Italy produce using solar power in order to have as little effect on the environment as possible.  They believe that you cannot create beauty if you are destroying the environment around it.

Tiziana and Paolo grew up with a passion for the sea. This passion was handed down to them by their Father Evelino, an expert navigator and “Old Sea
Dog”.

The Tiziana Terenzi new Sea Stars Collection is inspired by their families passion for the sea and for sailing.

Each fragrance is an experience whose journey begins with opening the box where you are delighted as you gaze upon the most beautifully crafted bottle I have ever seen. The bottle is revealed by a light inside the box. After you have taken in the beautiful design it’s time to take in the scent.

The collection features FIVE completely unique fragrances each with a magical infusion of the sea. Tiziana Terenzi Sea Stars Collection

Telea

This mystical fragrance is infused with all the shrouded mystery of its namesake magical star (which is also the name of Paulo’s boat).

  • Top Notes: Calabrian Bergamot, Sicilian Orange, Hawthorn flower, Bulgarian Rose, Romagna Pear
  • Heart Notes: Ambergris, Locride Jasmine, Peruvian Heliotrope, Red Patchouli & Ylang-Ylang
  • Base Notes: Ambergris, Musk, Tahiti Vetiver, Mahogany, Tuscan Oak, Cambodian Agarwood & Durmast

Cubia

Inspired by an ancient sea talisman for good luck, the fragrance embodies the magical power of good luck.

  • Top Notes: Lemon of Sorrento, Bergamot of Calabria & Brazilian Orange
  • Heart Notes: White Peach, Yellow Peach & Cassis
  • Base Notes: Cedar Atlas, Indonesian Patchouli & Indian Sandalwood

Tiziana Terenzi

Tiziana Terenzi Sea Stars Collection

Atlantide

A totally captivating scent that embraces the hypnotic aroma of the “flower of sin”, the tuberose. During the Renaissance, young girls were forbidden to smell its narcotic perfume for fear that they should “fall into temptation”.  Similarly, the flower was also banned in India where its name, KiRani, means “suitor of the night”. 

  • Top Notes: Tuberose Absolute, Bergamot, Rose, Passion Fruit
  • Heart Notes: Cassis, Redberry, Narcissus, Orris, Orange Blossom, Tuberose
  • Base Notes: Musk, Benzoin, Amber

This fragrance is packaged in a bottle of sea water. How cool is that!

Tiziana Terenzi Sea Stars Collection

Orza

From the Italian verb for to luff which means “to move” the bow of a sailing boat towards the direction of the wind.

  • Top Notes: Green Apple, Calabrian Mandarin, Red Plum of Romagna, Coconuts, Raspberry, Blackberry Mexican Magnolia & Himalaya Orchid
  • Heart Notes: Indian Jasmin, Bulgarian Rose & Lily of the Valley
  • Base Notes: Ambergris, Australian Sandalwood, Benzoin, White Musk, Vanilla from Madagascar & Caramel

Poggia

From the Italian verb for “to rest” which in sailing means to bear away or move the boat away from the direction in which the wind blows.

  • Top Notes: Bergamot of Calabria, Lemon of Sorrento, Blood Orange of Siracusa & Yellow Peach
  • Heart Notes: Rosemary, Plynesian Ylang-Ylang, Turkish Rose, Green Apple & Passion Fruit
  • Base Notes: Musk, Vanilla, Madagascar & Vanilla

Tiziana Terenzi

Tiziana Terenzi Sea Stars Collection is Available at Neiman Marcus.

Click below to SHOP the Collection:

Tiziana Terenzi Sea Stars