Beauty Talk: My Favorite Non-Makeup Makeup January 25th, 2010 By

The Present is perfect

The Present is Perfect

I know there are a lot of women who are loathe to leave the house without doing some major face painting. I take my hat off to these ladies, because frankly, there are some mornings that I’m so tired I can barely brush my teeth before heading out the door.

Because of this, one of my all-time favorite products – one I have recommended to many friends who’ve felt equal adoration – is easy to apply, but provides absolutely incredible results. No matter who you are or what your beauty routine, what’s not to love about that?

Philosophy’s The Present is a clear, silicone-based foundation that produces a near-perfect finish, and leaves my skin incredibly soft. Even better, when I use The Present, I see an improvement in my complexion – redness clears, blemishes heal. Honestly, it’s like someone has airbrushed my face.

And, even though I’ve done nothing more than brush my teeth and put on The Present, that kind of instant airbrushing gives me confidence and makes me feel good about myself. Clear makeup that makes me feel pretty without color cosmetics, improves my complexion and boosts self-esteem? Yes, ma’am. And that’s why it’s one of my all-time faves.

Buy Philosophy’s The Present at beso and see for yourself!

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Top 5: Exfoliators January 13th, 2010 By

Philosophy The MicroDelivery Multi-Use Peel Pads

Philosophy The MicroDelivery Multi-Use Peel Pads

Is your skin feeling dull and dry?  Join the club.  This cold winter weather wreaks havoc on our skin.

Here are 5 of our favorite ways to get back the glow:

Peter Thomas Roth Botanical Buffing Beads

Peter Thomas Roth Botanical Buffing Beads

Peter Thomas Roth’s Buffing Beads are gentle and effective.  Try the Blemish Buffing Beads formula to combat bacne and other body blemishes.  The salicylic acid-infused formula will keep your skin clear and soft.

St. Ives Apricot Scrub is a bargain beauty must-have.  If you have Keratosis Pilaris (“chicken-skin”) or dry, ashy knees or elbows, this scrub can be a key part of a skin saving regimen.  Since it costs less than $4 a tube, you can afford to use it on large areas (arms/legs) every few days to keep skin supple.  They also offer a salicylic acid version for extra exfoliation and blemish-fighting.

Cosmedicine’s Medi-Morphosis Scrub is the perfect facial scrub.  It is gentle, the scrubbing beads are super fine and they dissolve as you scrub so you can’t overdo it.  The liquid in this formula is mostly witch hazel which means your skin is being pampered and calmed as you exfoliate.  A must-have for sensitive skin that you can even use on your lips!

Chemical exfoliators may not be what we expect when we think of scrubbing away old skin, but they can work even better than mechanical scrubs to maintain hydration and clear skin.

Try Philosophy’s Microdelivery Peel Pads on face and body.  The multi-use pads (100 pads, 8.5 oz. $55) are perfect for legs, arms and face or can be cut in half to get more uses at an affordable price.  The mini peel pads are smaller (60 pads, 2 oz. for $35) but easier to deal with if you only want to exfoliate your face.  Use in the evening and apply moisturizer immediately after.

Peter Thomas Roth Un-Wrinkle Peel Pads

Peter Thomas Roth Un-Wrinkle Peel Pads

Peter Thomas Roth’s Un-Wrinkle Peel Pads are heavy-duty clinical skin-care.  The solution contains alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy (salicylic) acid as well as Gamma (Linolenic) Hydroxy Acid (GLA) and amino acids. You apply the solution, let it sit for a few minutes (no more than three minutes), and then rinse it off.  You’ll feel tingling and you should start off slowly, once every few days to make sure your skin can tolerate it.  This peel will help to decrease the appearance of fine lines and dark spots on skin (such as acne discolation) while clearing and refining pores, making it the perfect choice for fighting both signs of aging and blemishes.

Use a good sunscreen when using any of these exfoliators (especially the chemical ones) to protect that bright, fresh new skin you’ve uncovered!

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Shop under $50: Last Minute Gifts December 23rd, 2009 By

Found yourself searching for a present at the last-minute?  Whether this is your first time in this predicament or you always procrastinate, this year we are here to help you out.  

These are our top picks for last-minute gifts under $50:

Capelli Convertible Mittens

Capelli Convertible Mittens

Winter accessories with some flair.

Scarves, gloves and hats are classic Christmas gifts, but choose something trendy to make your gift a hit. A ruffled scarf, beret hat or flip-top mittens will please any fashionista.  These Capelli mittens from Boscov’s are a steal at just $8!  While these Jacob Ash mittens, suitable for gadget loving guys who need bare fingertips, are under $15 at Sierra Trading Post.

 

Jewelry.

Cute earrings or bracelets are an easy gift idea for a girl whose style you are familiar with.  Rachel Roy offers some earrings that will appeal to a girl who prefers classic style as well as more boho-chic items.  Try these simple bow earrings, for the girl who appreciates the understated or any of the hoop styles for someone with a more daring style.  Check out these ultra-affordable bracelets from Forever 21.  At less than $6, they make a great stocking stuffer. 

 

Minnetonka Fluffy Slipper 

Minnetonka Fluffy Slippers

Cute comfy slippers.

 These Minnetonka slippers rival UGGs in their comfort and style, but they win the shopping battle hands down because they are so much more affordable.

 These adorable Minnetonka Fluffy Slippers are under $30 at DSW.  

 

 

Converse Sneakers.

Have someone on your list who lives in their sneakers?  A new pair of Converse sneakers may be the perfect gift.  Great for a boyfriend or son who loves his Converse sneakers but has totally worn them out, you can find most of the classic styles for around $40.  Shopping for a girl?  These raspberry and aqua Converse sneakers are on sale for just $30!  You’ll have to do some stealth size checking, but it’ll be worth it to see him throw out that old ratty pair.

Spa-Worthy Treats

Jack Black Lip Balms and Skin Care Sets are a great stocking stuffer for guys.  The lip balm is matte, moisturizing and just $7.  The Clean and Cool Body Basics Set is $49 and includes a hand cream, body wash, dedorant and body lotion. 

Holiday Hostess Set, $20

Holiday Hostess Set, $20

Philosophy is my favorite line for treating women to delicious bath and body bliss. Get an adorable pre-packaged holiday set of Cinnamon Buns products or the fruitier Health Bar Cocktail set, $20 and $40, respectively.

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Musings on Serendipity and Shopping December 10th, 2009 By

Sunny's Moccasins on the Beach

Sunny's Moccasins on the Beach

Hi!  Greetings from Sunny, the very lucky gypsy-trotting girl who won the Fan It to Bag It Sweepstakes!  This very minute, my amazing Frye tote occupies the seat across from me here at the coffee shop in Myrtle Beach.  And my laptop (which my roomy Frye now totes from place to place for me) is my quill and ink as I do a little Christmas shopping online.  And this year, I’m shopping with beso… and I’ll tell you why.

While on my road trips, I recently traveled to New York City and stopped by Serendipity’s 3 for a frozen hot chocolate and discovered my new favorite word… serendipity.  “The art of making happy discoveries, or finding the unexpectedly pleasant by chance or sagacity.”

Let me just tell you, my friends, chancing upon the beso Fan It to Bag It Sweepstakes was quite indeed serendipity for me.  I entered the sweepstakes, got a call somewhere between Virginia and New England from beso saying that I had won a gorgeous-bag-which-I-love… and, in the process, I discovered some of the warmest people I could meet and a jewel of a site for shopping!  I found philosophy, Target, Sephora, Old Navy, Victoria’s Secret, Levi’s and a bajillion others all on one site (with frequent online sales to boot!).

Here’s a little of my beso-style serendipity.  Moccasins for Thanksgiving on the beach.  I know, they are sort of relegated to fall wear and most of us are over that.  But nothing spells free spirit like fringe and natural comfort.  I did the whole Last of the Mohicans thing and wore them while hiking trails in Virginia.  But I rethought the flip-flops for long walks on the beach and that was a happy discovery…

Sunny and Her Moccasins in Myrtle Beach

Sunny and Her Moccasins in Myrtle Beach

By the way, friends, if you haven’t entered the new 12 Days of Gifting Sweepstakes, do it!  You could be one of the very lucky 12 to win!

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