Sunscreen, Chapstick and the Natural Exfoliant Called DIRT!

Hello fellow beauty-goers! I'm back!!! After a brief hiatus from the fab sample soire in order to partake in some serious slave labor in the yard, I have news to report! First, as I have said to many friends - when working as a slave, be sure to utilize the proper sunscreen and chapstick so as to protect that fab skin from super sun damage. My beauty regimen this past weekend consisted of this: (1) Wash face and apply favorite product with maximimum suncreen. (2) Proceed to get covered completely with a dirt mask due to chopping down trees. (3) Spit dirt from mouth that constantly got stuck to lips due to chapstick. (4) Pull twigs and bugs from hair and use 3X the normal amount of hydrating shampoo & conditioner each night in an effort to restore some semblance of "good hair". (5) Wash face with eyes closed due to dead-tired status and drag poor body to bed after downing Ibuprofen and turning on numerous heating pads! So ... now that that horrid project is done ... let's discuss beauty!!!!

First, I MUST give a shout out to Fekkai Technician Color Care 3-Minute Mask. After shampooing with Frederic's fab color shampoo, I used this mask in a desperate attempt to restore some shine and vitality to my limp, dull, nearly-dead hair. At first, it felt no better than a basic conditioner. It also didn't smell like heaven, so I wasn't wow-ed. But, when I got out of the shower and even before adding a little glossing cream, voila! Instant hair makeover. The blonde was blonder and the strands softer. Way to go Fekkai. This is a definite hair mask for the ocassional pick me up.

Next I did the sunscreen dance. I really haven't found a sunscreen chapstick that has protected very well, but I also wasn't trying a whole bunch of products. What I did use was the Korres Watermelon Suncreen Face Cream SPF 30. Even that didn't keep my nose from getting burned. But, it smelled super-delicious. It went on extremely thick and would be something I would never use as a moisturizer. But, for a protective day at the beach (or day in the fields) it worked well.

Now, as for body moisturizers, it turns out nothing feels good or works when you have 73 bruises on your arms and legs and your feet and knees are so swollen you can't feel your bones anyway. However, I did use an interesting product worth noting: Body by Sephora. It's touted as a non-greasy intense moisturizing body lotion and, I must say, it lives up to its word. It's so non-greasy that it is almost too slick. However, once it sets in, it does a nice job with hydration. Still, I don't care for the smell. Kind of medicine-y. Therefore, while it has a good feel, it doesn't belong in the "wow" category.

For a more unique product, we turn to Anthony Logistics for Men again and I used the Deep Pore Cleansing Clay. First off, it's fun because it turns your face totally orangy-red. I would love to see that on my man. Since I've never used a mask this color (except for a pumpkin mask, but still not this shade), it was fun. I'm not sure it was the world's best mask, but a little went a long way and it was done in 5 minutes. My skin felt clean and rejuvenated. I liked it! Since it "helps absorb excess oils, tightens pores, and removes impurities from the skin," I'd say it was a winner for my work this week.

Next was Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Cleansing Foam. I actually liked this smell! I assume the product would be better as a foam with some air, but since you can't get that from a sample packet, I had to mix until it emulsified. However, it did a great job removing some eye makeup, which was surprising. I still like the DHC Cleansing Foam better, but this was a nice change.

For the funny product of the week, I tried Korres Evening Primrose Eye Cream. The reason this is easily the funniest product is because, hmmm... the name "Evening Primrose" suggested to me that it was a night cream for your eyes. Then I noticed it was SPF 6 and I thought "Hmmmm ... why would you need SPF while you are sleeping - unless it's Alaska and sunny 24/7?" When I put it on, it went on so darn thick I wondered if I hadn't made the mistake of a face cream for a night cream again or vice a versa. I guess "Evening Primrose" is a flower, so my first instinct of being wrong was right?!?!?! Anyway, I didn't care for it. It was supposed to reduce the appearance of fine lines and dark circles and provide a brightening effect. Nope. Just eye cream.

And the irritating product of the week award goes to Ole Henriksen Pure Perfection Nourishing Night Cream. There's not a damn thing nourishing about it. It's got glycolic acid in it for "wrinkle repair and renewal". I'm sorry, but I just don't think a moisturizer should have these kinds of traumatizing chemicals in them. You have to be able to take off the acid! Now, eventually the pain goes away, but I did use it all week since it mandates prolonged use and it just made me frustrated. Not what I want before bed time. (Maybe when the wrinkles are deeper I'll commit to an evening regimen of pain before bed.)

But an absolutely lovely product for nighttime is Lancome's Absolue Ultimate Night Bx (no - that is the correct spelling of "Absolue"). :) Created as an intense night recovery and replenishing serum, it is meant to go on under your moisturizer at night. I found that it helped the moisturizer slide on better and it just really made my skin feel softer as the product dried. Problem? It's $140 for one ounce, even at Sephora. Tell me I'm not totally thrilled with my eBay purchase of 1/2 an ounce for about $2!

Quick Tip for Sephora Beauty Insiders: You can be the first to try what looks like a wonderful new product from Fresh. It's Fresh Sugar Rose Lip Treatment in SPF 15. Touted as a lip moisturizer that hydrates, repairs and protects lips, it might be worth a look - especially since I love, love, love the Fresh Sugar Lip Gloss. The color is also totally inviting! $22.50 at sephora.com.

Well that's all of the beauty tales I have to tell for tonight, but I'm sure I'll be blogging more shortly. Let me know what you'd like to hear about or if there are any products you are anxious for me to try. I've got my hands on about 200 new samples and can't wait to give them all a test. Don't forget that it is also currently "kit time" at Sephora, well all of your favs can be purchased and sampled for super low prices. I might have to grab some deals myself. I'm especially interested in the mascara sampler (and, yes, maybe the pink lip one!) Oh and check out the new promo code GLOSSWEAR and SK6PH to the right.