Fabulous Over Forty – Where Beauty Is Ageless

This Saturday (yes, I know it’s a holiday and most of you are out of town, but call your Nordstrom Beauty Guru now to reserve) buy two mascaras and get a third one FREE.    That’s a huge savings!  They must all three be from the same brand, but can be different types within the brand.  Above is just a sampling of mascara brands available.

Clinique has their GWP going on now.    Purchase only $25 in Clinique beauty and get this incredible Trina Turk designed bag (THE best looking bag I’ve seen in a giveaway, hands down!) along with 7 beauty must-haves for summer.  This GWP is definitely not one you want to miss – I mean, look at the Peony tri-shade blush – lovely!  And the sunscreen on a key chain – no excuse to be forgetting your sunscreen now!   Must have!

And for all you lucky MN residents here are some extra events going on at the Nordstrom MOA – call 952-883-2121 to book your appointment.

June 3 – 5 Clarins has their Red Carpet event.    Come in and get a facial and then have your makeup done.   Event runs 10-6 during those days.

June 24-26 is Designer Preview event with national makeup artists here to make you summer-fabulous!   June 24th is Armani, June 25th is Dior and June 26th is Chanel.   Book your appointment today!  

Summerize Your Skin event is on June 26th as well.  There is a gift with $100 purchase and each department will have specials and goodies with purchases.   Be sure to check out the new Kate Somerville skin care line and Jo Malone now at the store!  

And coming up in July the Anniversay Specials. Stay tuned for more info on this.

Images:  Nordstrom

Kate Somerville has a new book called Complexion Perfection!  About a month or so ago I made a trip to my local bookstore checking out the beauty section.   I discovered Kate’s new book which had just come out.  Being the “superfan” of Kate Somerville products, I figured I must purchase the book!   And I can tell you it has not disappointed me one bit, even though I haven’t completely finished it.

Kate, a well known skin clinician with a famous Hollywood following, discusses how she got into the skin care business and her own struggles with eczema and her interest in bettering her skin and how it all things are connected.   She also discusses her foray into the eponymous skin care line and how well selected the products in her line are and the purpose of each ingredient within the product line.  I found it all to be very interesting since she talked about how stress in your life can show up in areas on your skin and how when she gets stressed it shows in her skin too.   About the time I started reading this book I personally was going thru some very stressful things and it was definitely showing up in my skin – not only irritated and tired looking, but flare ups of eczema as well, which she discusses how she combats those issues.   I couldn’t have read it at a better time.

Whether or not you are into Kate Somerville products, this is a must read if you are interested in having any kind of procedure done on your face.  If you’re contemplating injections, facials, peels or surgery this book explains all of those things in great detail and results you can expect and why she personally likes some things and not the others.   I also like how she explains certain things in our life can affect our skin as well and how important it is to take care of our skin and our bodies.  

I truly need to take time to finish the book (I’m almost there).  It’s an easy to read, comprehensible book and I now consider my “skin care bible”.

Kate Somerville Skin Health Experts have been very busy this week getting stars ready for the Golden Globes tonight.   I personally can’t wait for them to begin!

Stars like Debra Messing (shown above with Kate) and Kyra Sedgwick- both fabulous over forty - and many other stars are enjoying skin care treatments with a favorite pre-red carpet treatment being the DermalQuench Oxygen Treatment.  This three step process includes:

• EXFOLIATE - Begins with cleansing facial and serious exfoliation with fruit enzymes.
• HYDRATE – They use a stainless steel spray applicator to drench and infuse skin with super hydrating ingredients and vitamins.
• MOISTURIZE – They finish by layering anti-aging creams, packed with peptides, to seal in hydration and smooth fine lines and lock in the GLOW!

Here are some of my favorite Kate Somerville products that you can use at home to get your own glow:

• Gentle Daily Wash  – to gently cleanse your face.
• ExfoliKate – packed with fruit enzymes to remove dead skin cells and reveal smooth, fresh skin. A personal favorite of mine.
• Total Vitamin Serum – packed with Vitamin C to prevent future damage to your skin – the ultimate in anti-oxidants.
• HydraKate Line Release – this gives an immediate tightening effect to your skin and with peptides and collagen builders to work long term for better texture and tone of your skin.
• Deep Tissue Repair – moisturize with a special blend of Peptide K8 to soften, strengthen and keep your skin gorgeous!
• Quench – if you have really dry skin and need an extra dose of moisture, top it with Quench (a favorite of mine and many others I’ve recommended it to), leaving your skin looking healthy with your beautiful new glow!

Stay tuned on Monday for more Golden Globe red carpet makeup looks.   I’ll have some fabulous over 40 stars with their how-to looks!

I’ve put together my list of “Best of 2009″ products after going through many blog posts and my bathroom and makeup bag(s).   The list consists of products that I continually use and like love, and restock my supply when out.     They are in no particular order, not all are new to 2009, but they are my personal “Best of 2009″

High End Fragrances  – By Kilian Fragrances.    Originally a perfumer for such names as Armani, Dior and others, Kilian Hennessy then started his own fragrance line “By Kilian”.  It was originally released with seven and now an eighth fragrance has been added to the collection.   Based on love and seduction these fragrances are full bodied, rich fragrances for men and women.   The bottle is so beautiful to a man or woman with the tooled leather detail and it is refillable.   Around $225.

Fragrances - Lisa Hoffman Beauty Variations.  I know you’ve heard me sing the praises of Lisa Hoffman’s products and now you can add the Variations Fragrances to the list of things I can’t quit talking about with this line!     Japanese Agarwood scent is one of my favorite in the line as it’s not too sweet, nor is it too manly.   It’s a scent my sensitive nose loves.   Shown at top is the wonderful packaging concept for these fragrances (there are 5 scents to choose from) which are labeled Morning, Daytime, Evening and Bedtime.  These essential oils have different blends of the fragrance to satisfy a woman’s olfactory senses throughout the day.   Brilliant!  $95 for the leather case and oils, and the case is refillable.   If you like a more feminine fragrance, the Tunisian Neroli is beautiful as well.   (I haven’t smelled the others to compare)   The Madagascar Orchid and Japanese Agarwood scents are available in this limited edition 2-Vial set in recycled plastic case (shown in photo 2 & 3).  $43.

Exfoliant – Kate Somerville ExfoliKate - pure skin care excellence!   I use this once or twice a week and a little dab of the green magic goes a long way.  This fruit enzyme exfoliated removes dead skin in just 30 to 60 seconds flat and leaves your skin baby bottom soft.   If you have sensitive skin, there is a formula for that, but my “tender” skin can tolerate the regular version because it is on for such a short period of time.   ExfoliKate is beloved by beauty bloggers everywhere!   $85, but it lasts for about 6 months.  I have bought this many times over the last few years.

Hair Care - Shu Uemura Art of Hair.  When I was sent the Prime Plenishshampoo and conditioner I thought I would try it with no expectations.   The results blew me away!    Prime Plenish is the perfect formula for over 40 women.   Formulated to build and replenish time worn hair, it leaves my hair full of body and volume and manageability.   It also does not strip colored hair.    $40 for the shampoo, $50 for conditioner.   It’s expensive for shampoo and conditioner, but I am willing to fork over the money for them – they’re that good.    Essence Absolue is their conditioning oil that is like gold magic!    I just raved about this recently so you can read all about it here. 

Eyeliner - Estée Lauder Gel Eyeliner.  I have raved for years about the Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner, but this one by Estée Lauder tops it!  Why?  Because it’s smoother and easier to apply (the Bobbi solid colors are “drier” than the shimmer colors)  It’s creamy for application and gives you time to fix any flaws before it dries and it stays all day.   $19.50.    My only hope is that they add many more colors to the line as it is only available in black, for now.  Do you hear me Estée Lauder?  Browns, plums, greens, blues.   I’ll take one in every shade if you please would make them!   

Mascara - Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill.  I first bought Eyes to Kill mascara late summer 2009 and was amazed at how it made my eye lashes pop.    I have fairly good length to my lashes, so I need volume.   This gives my lashes both incredible volume and length.  In fact, when I started wearing it I was stopped by complete strangers (seriously!) telling me I had incredible eye lashes and some even asking if I use Latisse.   I do not use Latisse and much earlier in the year I had tried NeuLash, but hadn’t for months when I began wearing this mascara.   It never flakes, never smudges, and doesn’t dry out my lashes.    It’s my perfect mascara!   $28.00

Foundation/Tinted Moisturizer – Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint.  Every woman over 4o should have a tinted moisturizer in her makeup bag for adding a hint of color, but also much needed moisturizer as well.  I use the Golden shade and it’s not too dark for my fair skin.    It adds warmth to my face and just the right amount of moisture too.   Some tinted moisturizers I’ve used either are tacky feeling or leave my face super-shiny.   This Luminizing Moisture Tint works perfectly for me.  The bonus is that it’s oil free and has SPF20.

Lipstick - Lancôme L’Absolu Rouge.  I first noticed this lipstick at the Lancome counter display with Kate Winslet’s photo and her favorite shades.  If memory serves me, there were 12 she had selected and of course if anything has Kate Winslet’s name with it I surrender full blown, must try, must have, you had me at “hello” type of reaction.  My first purchase of this extremely creamy, moisturizing, soft lipstick (with SPF 12) was the beautiful shade Aubergine Velvet – a shade that is typically darker than my normal shade range, so I also picked up Rich Cashmere – a great shade for every day polished look, and Tulipwood and Crushed Rose to round out my can’t-live-without-lipstick.   $29.  A bonus is the case is magnetic so you never have to worry about losing the top.

Face Powder - Becca Fine Loose Finishing Powder.  I typically have a love/hate relationship with face powders.   I know they work to set your makeup, but I have an extremely difficult time either finding the right shade or they turn color on me throughout the day or they leave my face looking overly powdered.  Yuck to all of those.    I was introduced to Becca Cosmetics this fall at a conference and haven’t gone a day without using the loose powder since.   The shade that perfectly matches my skin is Sesame and it doesn’t discolor or settle in wrinkles or even look too powdery.   I’ve tried countless finishing powders from inexpensive to ridiculously expensive, and I will not go without my Becca!  $35. 

Body Lotion - Korres Body Butter in Guava. While searching Sephora for a travel size lotion and body wash, I came across Korres Body Butter in Guava.   I love a good lotion, but it can’t be sticky, must absorb quickly and of course, leave my skin silky.   This lotion does it all!   It is thick like a butter and I love the light guava scent.  It comes in a variety of scents, but this one is my favorite.   Starting at $9.50 and up.   Korres comes from Greece and uses advanced natural formulations in their products.   (I love the lip glosses too!) 

Palettes – Jouer Cosmetics.  Palettes are a wonderful and convenient for travel, work or any time you want a “put together look” without having to think about it.   I am in love with Jouer Cosmetics for many reasons and this is another reason why.  Their palettes are completely customizable and all the pieces snap/slide together, even the glosses!    They now have these great collections called Signature Collections that are pre-packaged for you.   (I’ll be sure to post about those another day!)  Prices vary depending on item.

Body Care - Lisa Hoffman Beauty Spa Shower. Did you seriously think I wasn’t going to have these on my list?  The #1 Shower Gel moisturizes your skin as it cleans #2 is a gentle Body Scrub and #3 is the Body Oil that you apply when your skin is still wet – leaving it soft, moisturized and a lovely scent (Japanese Agarwood).   If you want travel convenience, you can get the Travel Packettes for only $9.50.   They’re perfectly size for a weekend away and meet TSA size requirements if flying.  $27.50 on up for the full size.   I think in 2010 I’ll be adding the #5 Hand and Foot cream to my must have list as well.    

Face Moisturizer -Lancôme Absolue Precious Cells.  Created especially for women 50 and over this rich, creamy moisturizer is one I have fallen in love with and consider it my go-to daily moisturizer.   With some powerful scientific claims behind it (by Lancôme’s research) I like this for several reasons.   It’s not too heavy that it clogs pores or makes it difficult to apply makeup over it.   It has SPF 15.  It keeps my face moisturized throughout the day without being oily and it has treatment ingredients as well.   It’s kept my skin looking great and the scientific claims behind it are difficult to ignore.   Only time will tell!  Recently in More magazine this was chosen as one of the favorite treatment moisturizers among a group of testers/readers.  $145.

Take 30% off Kate Somerville products Nov. 27 – Nov.30!  Just enter KATE2009 at checkout to get your discount.   I’m excited about this – ExfoliKate is one of my (and MANY bloggers) favorite products along with Deep Tissue Repair and others!   Happy Shopping!

Did you all get a little too much sun this past holiday weekend?   I know I had more than my “usual”.   We all hear about what we should bring to the beach; sunscreen, hat, great beach bag – all those are wonderful, don’t get me wrong!   But what about after the beach?  

You can protect your skin all you can if you’re like me, but after spending 2 days by the lake boating and soaking up the sun your skin still can feel like, well, dried and grimy.   Especially when you add camping into the mix with bonfires and all.  Ahhh, the 4th of July in Minnesota.

So here is what I used to get my skin back into shape after a weekend of abuse.  And YES I used a lot of sunscreen!  It’s a must in my house, my youngest just had a pre-melanoma mole removed this week, so with my history along with his we do not go without and neither should you.  But lets face it - sunscreen can attract gunk and beach sand etc so let’s talk about getting the skin back into tip-top fab shape.

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