A New York City Health and Beauty Blog

Getting Lippy: Luxe Lips with Lipstock

Every woman loves to feel that her lips are soft and kissable and with Valentine’s Day coming up what better occasion to stock up on lip conditioners to keep that pucker pretty. I tried Lipstock Cream Lip Conditioner because I love to pamper my pout plus this little tube come wrapped up like candy (very cute).  My lips get really dry when I don’t wear lip-gloss or lipstick so I always look for products to use when I’m on the go and I don’t have time to apply makeup. Lipstock uses  USDA certified organic ingredients including Watermelon Seed Oil, Avocado Oil, Green Tea, Vitamin E Oil and Shea Butter in this creamy mixture.

Lipstock cream lip conditioner
Image from http://lipstockist.com/blog

Another bonus about this product is that it’s cruelty free and made in the USA. Lipstock is a fairly new company based in NYC; they pride themselves on their handmade products that are manufactured in small quantities to preserve freshness.

I like this product because it left my lips feeling luxurious and with a subtle sheen. I thought that it would be waxy but it’s actually very smooth and non-greasy. It’s perfect to wear alone as well as underneath your favorite lipstick. 

Use promo code: “VALENTINE” for FREE shipping now through February 14, 2010

Image from http://lipstock.tumblr.com/

Lipstock, $15

 

Oh Pore me: dr. brandt Pores No More Blackhead Extractor

dr. brandt pores no more

The product that I tested out today is dr. brandt pores no more® vacuum cleaner® blackhead extractor. When you have large pores and oily skin you have to be stringent in your beauty routine in order to avoid blackheads. I usually get routine facials to keep my pores clear and that can get expensive. But I’m also guilty of constantly leaning my hands on my face so facials are pretty necessary. So when I came across this product I decided to give it a shot since it claimed to unclog pores and loosen and remove blackheads.

Some of the key ingredients are Eijitsu Rose which is an extract from a Japanese Rose known to help tighten pores as well as Glycolic Acid to exfoliate and soften skin.

After cleansing your face you apply a thin layer to the affected area. This is about how much of the product that I used:

dr. brandt pores no more

After application you need to leave the product on for about 10 minutes or until dry.

While drying, the product felt tingly on my face kind of like the sensation that mint gives, it felt very refreshing and cooling on my skin. When the product is fully dry it turns cornflower blue and then you can then rinse it off. After I rinsed my face off I noticed that my pores appeared smaller AND clearer. I initially tried the product on one side of my face so that I could compare how it felt before and after and I definitely felt like I had exfoliated the side that I used the product on. There was no irritation, no unpleasant odor and a certain marked improvement in my skin so I would recommend this product for those with large pores.

Pores no more® can be used 2-3 times per week and best results are seen after four weeks. This one is a winner!

dr. brandt Pores No More® Vacuum Cleaner® Blackhead Extractor, $45

Bye Bye Shine

When you have oily, shiny skin you need to get creative with your beauty routine to prevent your face from looking like an oil slick. So when I saw a product at a sample sale that claimed to neutralize the shine I said why not give it a try? I purchased  La Roche-Posay Emulsion Hydratante Matite Active and I gave it a shot. The moisturizer is applied morning and night and claimed to minimize large pores, neutralize shine and clear sebum clogged pores. I applied the very lightweight moisturizer right after I washed my face.

La Roche-Posay Emulsion Hydratante Matite Active

I was impressed by how the fluid absorbed quickly and the immediate disappearance of my shiny face. My skin felt very smooth to the touch and not at all sticky or tacky. My sensitive skin was not irritated; it’s oil free and fragrance free. La Roche skin care products are hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic so they are great for skin that is acne prone and easily irritated.

My face remained shine free for about 5 hours and I was very happy with the results. This product will be great in the summer when I don’t feel like wearing foundation or pressed powder.This moisturizer is very popular in Europe but can be found online on various websites. It’s all about the little luxuries in life ya know!

La Roche-Posay Emulsion Hydratante Matite Active, $24

Heidi Montag Plastic Surgery: When is it too much?

I’m sure that by now most of us have either watched on television or read about the recent plastic surgery from The Hills star Heidi Montag. If you are not familiar with the story, 23-year-old Heidi recently underwent 10 surgical procedures in one day including: breast augmentation (2nd), rhinoplasty (2nd), botox, mini brow lift, cheek injections, butt augmentation, chin reduction, neck liposuction,  ears pinned back, and liposuction on hips, waist and (inner & outer) thighs. And after all of the surgeries she stated that she wanted even larger breasts “H for Heidi”.

Here is a picture of Heidi Montag before and after surgery:

Heidi Montag

Many people have asked if Heidi is addicted to plastic surgery and why would a young woman have so many procedures done in the same day. Take a look at her interview below. What are your thoughts?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpUj1PKNGn0[/youtube]

This is Heidi’s second trip to the plastic surgeon – a few years ago she underwent rhinoplasty and breast augmentation. After her most recent surgeries Montag declared, “I think I look like myself. I think I just look like a different, improved version of myself”.

To be completely honest, I don’t have a problem with cosmetic surgery, I feel that it’s a personal choice that people have for various reasons. Some people undergo plastic surgery to alleviate a problem or discomfort and some people have surgery to look better and feel better about themselves. Whatever the reason is when is it enough? If you had a choice would you undergo plastic surgery and why?

Body Blessings: Mmmm smells delish!

I have a weakness for great smelling products so when I first picked up Lemongrass soap by Body Blessings I had to try it. I briefly chatted with one of the sales representatives at a Shecky’s Holiday Shopping event in NYC whom told me that the soap was made from organic ingredients and it was also handcrafted. This soap has a great citrus scent and smells very yummy! It reminded me a little bit of the lemongrass soap that is sold by Bliss, however the scent of this soap is a bit stronger.

Here is a closer look at the details:

This was my first time trying a product from Body Blessings but I will be coming back for more. Body Blessings also carries a wide array of hair care, skin care and bath & body products. Give them a try!