New From Suave Professionsls ~ Keratin Infusion Dry Shampoo!

My hair product arsenal is out of control.  If it promises to nix frizz and boost shine, it's guaranteed to be under my sink.  Unfortunately, that's where most of it stays!  Nearly every hair care product out there seems to over promise and under deliver these days!  While I'm a sucker for pretty packaging, I actually want something that's going to work! 

I have tried a dozen different dry shampoos, and a few of them aren't bad, but when I got my hot little hands on a "sneak peek" of Suave Professionals new Keratin Infusion Dry Shampoo I knew I would love it even before I tried it!  The super sleek gold can reeled me in.  I was so anxious to try Suave's new product I used on my clean hair.  It gave me amazing volume and smells so good!  Since the Keratin Infusion Dry Shampoo formula is infused with Keralock Technology, it keeps your hair smooth and manageable with just a few sprays.  In between washes, Keratin Infusion Dry Shampoo absorbs oil and refreshes your hair giving your tresses a gorgeous, smooth, touchable finish.

The Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion Collection is set to hit stores beginning in January/February so keep your eye out and grab it when you see it!

Also available in the Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion Collection:
 
-30 Day Smoothing Kit
-Smoothing Shampoo
-Smoothing Conditioner
-Color Care Shampoo
-Color Care Conditioner
-Heat Defense Leave-in Conditioner
-Smooth & Shine Serum

Julep for soft hands and colorful mani/pedis!

I always rave about how much I love short, colorfully painted fingernails. (Mine are painted green right now!) I usually only opt for a professional manicure about once a month for cuticle maintenance, but at home, I’m always changing my nail color! Julep “Facial for Hands” Glycolic Hand Scrub is perfect for those quick, in home mani’s. Packed with potent glycolic acid combined with apricot seeds, Julep “Facial for Hands” provides powerful double exfoliation leaving your hands feeling noticeably softer and younger looking after just one use. And it’s as easy as washing your hands! Just a nickel size amount in the palm of your hands is all you need. As you start to lather the product in your hands you can really feel that it’s working. I added a tiny bit of water to my hands and it really gave me a good exfoliation. My hands were SO soft afterwards! I’ve been using “Facial for Hands” every other day since it’s been so dry outside and my hands remain smooth and soft. I’m thinking about trying it on my feet next!

Once your hands are perfectly smooth, it’s time for some color! Julep has any and every color you could dream of! I’m in love with Reese, a very dainty and girlie light pink and the brand new for fall, Alfre, which reminds me of gunmetal black. Alfre hasn’t been released just yet, so keep your eye out for the release coming soon! It’s the perfect addition to this seasons’ wardrobe.

The Julep website is packed with fun stuff, including a Julep Spa Pedicure At-Home Party for 6 which includes everything you’ll need for a fun girls night in! Four different nail polishes, basecoat, topcoat, nail tools (just to name a few) and they even throw in six pedi slippers and a cosmopolitan cocktail mix!

Visit Julep.com to check out all of the fun products and gifts they have to offer! Perfect for the holidays!

In Love With Aveeno Skincare!

Finally an eye cream that doesn’t irritate the delicate skin around my eyes! It’s no secret that I’ve been on the lookout for a
very gentle eye cream. I’ve literally tried dozens, some brand names, some not so brand names, searching for the one that
won’t burn or chap the area around my eyes.

Trying various eye creams had me a little gun shy, worrying what the next cream I tried would do to me, so when Aveeno Positively Ageless Lifting & Firming Eye Cream was presented to me I was a little nervous. Last week, with Thanksgiving just a few days away, I wasn’t sure I was prepared to experiment with yet another eye cream that could possibly irritate the skin around my eyes. Think of how those family pictures would turn out! I was worried for nothing! Aveeno Positively Ageless Eye Cream is my personal Thanksgiving miracle. I’ve been using for 5 days now and I couldn’t be happier with the results. I’ve experienced ZERO redness or irritation! It is super light so it’s perfect for night and morning use since you can use it over your moisturizer and under your make up. The Eye Cream is clinically shown to deliver a firm and lifted look to the sensitive skin under your eyes while reducing the appearance of fine lines in as little as one week. If you have super sensitive skin as I do, Aveeno Positively Ageless Eye Cream is for you!

I’m also raving about the Youth Perfecting SPF 30 Moisturizer by Aveeno. This hydrating daily moisturizer is fab. It’s light and creamy and blends into skin effortlessly to help reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles while improving skin texture.
In my thirties, I’m now appreciating more than ever the importance of even skin tone and texture. I’ve been using Aveeno’s Moisturizer for the past 5 days along with the Eye Cream and I can see visible results already. My skin tone looks more even, before I’ve even applied my foundation. This hydrating Daily Moisturizer also contains an advanced SPF 30 complex that protects against aging UVA and burning UVB rays, helping to protect from future damage from the sun’s harmful rays. Just because we don’t see much of the sun much over the holiday season doesn’t mean it isn’t out there, waiting to give us wrinkles
and sun damaged skin!

LORAC's Breakthrough Performance Foundation

Desperately seeking flawless coverage? With LORAC Breakthrough Performance Foundation you can finally have flawless coverage while pampering your skin at the same time. LORAC‘s Breakthrough Performance oil free, anti-aging foundation with SMS complex and SPF 14 combines pre-aging, anti-aging, hydrating and smoothing ingredients along with antioxidants to help skin appear   youthful, rejuvenated and radiant.

It really does deliver in the flawless looking skin department! I first used LORAC’s Breakthrough Performance Foundation about a week ago and I cannot gush enough about it! Not only do I love the ultra-sleek bottle, I love the way my skin looks after application.

My skin looked matte and dewy at the same time, if that’s even possible! There was absolutely no drying effect on my skin and I found that even after layering cream blush on my cheeks, my coverage was still flawless. I just needed a few pumps of LORAC’s Breakthrough Performance and I was good to go.

Now, if I could just get that Oscar nom, I’d be Red Carpet ready!

The Beverly Hills Thibiant Spa for supreme pampering!

What could possibly be better than an amazing and relaxing facial?  An amazing and relaxing facial at the Thibiant Spa in Beverly Hills!  A firm believer in monthly facials (within reason, of course), I was beyond excited to finally be able to visit the Thibiant Spa for the 80 minute Collagen Facial.  The Thibiant Spa has been mentioned in the pages of Allure, Cosmopolitan, Vogue, In Style and Lucky magazines, just to name a few, and it was finally my turn to see for myself just how fabulous the Thibiant really was!

Beyond the vibrant blue awnings of the Thibiant, Nirvana awaits.  I was greeted with cheerful smiles and welcoming faces as I was escorted into the women’s changing area.  I was given a locker complete with a luxurious spa robe and slippers for ultimate comfort.  After I had changed into my robe and slippers (and sampled some of the hand cream on the vanity) I sauntered into the lounge area where I was to wait for Faye, my skin care expert for the afternoon.  One wall was lined with massage chairs, which I immediately got comfortable in.  Across the room and noticed a beautiful and calming waterfall against the wall across from me.  I also spotted a cappuccino machine stocked with various hot beverage options, some fresh fruit and some dainty looking tea cookies that smelled delicious!  I opted for a cappuccino and glass of cucumber water while I sat enjoying the massage chair.

I was already completely relaxed by the time Faye was ready for me.  She led me up the stairs into her soothing treatment room.  The walls and ceiling were subtly painted to resemble the sky, very calming.  Faye took her time examining my skin knowing exactly which treatment I would benefit the most from.  I closed my eyes and let Faye get to work.  As I lay there, I couldn’t help but imagine all of the famous faces she must have worked on during all of her years at Thibiant.  I asked Faye about the other services provided at the Thibiant. In addition to facials, massages, spray tanning, hair care, make up application, waxing, and body wraps, at the Thibiant Spa you can also make appointments with the doctors on staff for things such as Botox and Restylane injections.  Toward the end of my facial, I was treated to something I’d never experienced during any facial I’d previously had, a warm, chamomile face mask.  It was heaven!  Faye left me alone with my thoughts for about 10 minutes while the warm mask calmed my soul.  It was amazing.  I didn’t want it to end!  After my facial, Faye led me back to the lounge area and made sure I’d had time to experience one of the massage chairs.  I assured her I most definitely had!

I left with a few Thibiant products to try at home and they are fantastic!  I have super sensitive skin around my eyes and have a hard time finding eye creams that don’t irritate my skin, but the Moisture Eyes Eye Cream is so gentle that I haven’t had any irritation in the two weeks I have been using it.  The Calming Face Wash Gentle Cleansing Milk is also very gentle and removes all traces of make-up…even thick layers of black mascara.  I’ve only used the Matte Sense Absorbing and Purifying Mask once since my visit since I was instructed to limit use to only once a week or so, but it’s another amazing product that left my skin looking ultra-smooth and soft!

For more about the famous Thibiant Spa in Beverly Hills, visit ThibiantBeverlyHills.com or call 310.278.7565 to schedule your appointment.  Maybe I will see you there!

Free Your Mane!

Is the change in weather causing crisis to your hair? It is wreaking havoc on mine! I’m tirelessly trying to fight frizz! Lately I’ve been switching up my hair care products in hopes of finding the perfect shampoo/conditioner/hairspray combo so I was really excited to have the chance to try some of the Free Your Mane products.

Free Your Mane ultra-hydrating hair care products combat seasonal hair hazards with a nutrient rich blend of powerful antioxidants and oils including a secret ingredient, brilliant Baobab Oil, which holds up to 8 times its weight in moisture. The Sulfate Free Shampoo, Daily Detangling Conditioner and Reviving Spray are all free of parabens, sulfates and phthalates and are essential to keeping your tresses looking radiant and healthy during the harsh months ahead!

 

The Sulfate Free Shampoo hydrates with oils including sweet almond oil, pomegranate seed and argon oil, which help strip away damage from harsh weather and styling conditions.

The Daily Detangling Conditioner does its magic smoothing and softening frizz and edges, repairing the harm done by the wind and other cold weather elements.

The Reviving Spray reactivates tresses natural style using a blend of rich oils to eliminate the risk of frizz that plain water creates. The Reviving Spray is refreshing for over-stressed dry hair while providing a strong and light weight hold that’s tough enough to battle the unpredictable winter season.

After just one use of the Free Your Mane shampoo/conditioner/hairspray regime, my hair was noticeably softer, glossier, and most of all completely de-frizzed! As I type this I keep pausing to run my fingers through my hair. Really!

You can find these treasures from Free Your Mane at Ricky’s NYC Stores, www.RickysNYC.com and www.FreeYourMane.com

Original review can be found at HelloDollface.com

CATWALK by TIGI for runway ready hair!

Inspired by fashion and designed by hairdressers, TIGI introduces its new Catwalk Session Series, a high performance styling collection that will transform your hair visions from Plain Jane to runway ready (or at least your own version of the runway)!

Included in this amazing collection:  Salt Spray, Styling Cream, Transforming Dry Shampoo, True wax, Wet Look Gel, Finishing Hairspray (my personal fave) and Work It Hairspray.  The collection makes up TIGI’s newest and most sophisticated line of high-performance styling products.  Of the collection, these are my personal top three:

TIGI’s Salt Spray is best used to achieve that beachy, texturized, low-maintenance, sexy look we all love!

TIGI’s Finishing Hairspray is perfect for a brushable hold and fights frizz (an uphill battle for yours truly).  It also works to hold those ultra-glam retro up-do’s in place!

TIGI’s Transforming Dry Shampoo worked not only to spruce up my in-between-wash coif, but it also gave me extra volume when I sprayed it on my clean hair for a little lift in my otherwise boring ponytail.

Designed with professional stylists and the catwalk in mind, the collection is advanced enough for professional use, but easy enough to be implemented into your daily hair care routine. 

TIGI’s Catwalk Session Series is designed to give extreme versatility backstage and beyond!

Mani Of The Week - The Muppets by OPI

I L-O-V-E The Muppets!  Both of my parents love to share the story of me as a baby only falling asleep to The Muppets on the TV. So when I heard that OPI was coming out with The Muppets Collection I couldn't be more excited!

This week I'm showcasing Fresh Frog Of Bel Air by OPI.  To give it some depth, I first painted on Caught With My Khaki's Down by Sephora by OPI.  With Fresh Frog layered on top I got this awesome pop of sparkly green!

The entire collection is fabulous! 

Ready For Winter Hats?

I've been trying to be a cool hat person for years.  Every season I buy the latest fashion head accessory, then take it home and put it in my closet where it sits on the top shelf, with tags still attached.  I bought myself a fedora at the end of summer and was convinced this would be the hat that broke my no-hat-wearing curse.  Wrong again.  I'm just not a trendy hat kind of girl.  

The only hats I don't seem to have a fashion block over are cold weather hats.  For some reason, I can sport those no problemo.  Maybe they remind me of snow skiing as a little girl or maybe I'm just trying to channel my inner snow bunny.  Either way I've found some cute womens winter hats that I have my on (pictured above).  Now, if I can just get this Southern California weather to get below 70 degrees I'll be in business!

Vajayzzle, Vajacial, Brazillians...Oh My!

A few weeks ago I was invited to Cocktail Wax in Los Angeles.  The name alone had me excited and curious.  I’ve been going for routine waxing for more years than I care to admit, but never to a salon that promised cocktails upon arrival.  Points scored already! 

It was a rainy day in Southern California but as soon as I walked in to Cocktail Wax I felt at ease.  The décor is fabulous, think reds, black, stylish.  I was immediately offered a cocktail and decided quickly on a vodka cranberry which I sipped on as I filled out the informational questionnaire and waited for Julie, my Waxing Specialist.  The moment my delicious vodka cranberry was gone, Julie was ready for me.  The wax was extremely gentle and smelled fantastic.  Julie explained that the different waxes used at Cocktail Wax were all exotic European wax flavors described simply as “fragrant, flirty and delicious” which is just what they were.  I was completely comfortable and enjoyed chatting with Julie about how much we both love Maroon 5. 

If you think you’ve heard of Cocktail Wax before it’s because you have.  Kathy Griffin visited Cocktail Wax during her famous “Vayjayzzle” episode of her reality show ‘My Life On The D-List’.  Jennifer Love Hewitt also raved about her Vayjayzzle (a flashy way to embellish your Brazillian with Swarovski crystals) from Cocktail Wax in her book “The Day I Shot Cupid”.

In addition to the menu of waxing and Vajayzzle-ing, Cocktail Wax offers something fairly new to the states, the Smooth Peach Vajacial.  The Vajacial is said to be popular in Europe and is about to take off here in the U.S!  The Vajacial is a 30 minute, 3-step treatment said to rescue our delicate, down there, skin.  I’d love to hear from someone who has already had the treatment…I’m so curious!

To everyone in the Los Angeles and surrounding areas: call Cocktail Wax for your appointment…you will love it!  AND if you mention The Curvy Blonde you’ll receive 15% off your services!

For more information you can visit CocktailWax.com and you can also follow them on Twitter @CocktailWax or “Like” their page on Facebook.com/CocktailWax

Mani Of The Week - Nutra Nail Gel Perfect

I've had shellac manicures three times in the past nine months or so and haven't been thrilled with the results.  First of all, it costs a fortune ($30 for a manicure??) and two of the three times, the shellac was lifting two days later! 

Nutra Nail Gel Perfect UV-Free Gel-Color was loaned to me by Cindy of HelloDollface.com for a test drive.  I love it so far!  It was super easy to apply, first, a coat of the clear Gel Polish Activator, a coat of the Gel-Color, then do the other hand and repeat once more...easy.  And it fully dried within 10 minutes!  I am sporting LOTUS, a bright pink color.  I think I will go with red next time!  I highly recommend Nutra Nail Gel Perfect!

My Face Works - I Need Damage Control

My Face Works – I Need Damage Control
If you’re anything like me, when the seasons change, your skin changes right along with it, and I was hit pretty hard this season. My skin was looking dull and blotchy and when I don’t feel like I look good, I don’t even want to leave the house!
I got my hot little hands on My Face Works Coenzyme Q10 Facial Masks (adorably titled I Need Damage Control). Loaded in these soft and silky little cloths (made of 100% silk) are powerful anti-oxidants that protect your skin against free radicals as they strengthen skin deficiencies against wrinkles and natural degradation. The key ingredients are Sodium Hyaluronate, Imperata Cylindrica Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 and Glycoprotein. All of these things work together to improve skins overall appearance and texture.
Each Coenzyme Q10 Facial Mask comes individually packaged and ready for use. Just open up the mask-like cloth and place gently on your face. The mask conveniently comes in two pieces, one for the top half of your face, the other for the lower half. Then sit and relax for 20 minutes. No messy mask to clean up….just peel mask off your face and you’re done. It’s genius!

Original post can be found at HelloDollface.com

Wrinkles, acne, aging…Murad to the rescue!

Murad’s Most Wanted Complete Skin Renewal Kit is right on target. Included in the kit is the Refreshing Cleanser, Complete Reform with Glyco Firming Complex, Perfecting Day Cream SPF 30, and Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture. Since these are perfectly compact, I decided to bring them along on my recent trip to NYC and give them a whirl. I had all of my eggs in one basket, so to speak, since I hadn’t packed any of my old, trusty skincare standbys, but Murad came through for me!

The Refreshing Cleanser removed all of my makeup, even my eye makeup, and left my skin soft. I went light on the Complete Reform because my skin tends to be sensitive but I had no problems with Murad. Before bed I used the Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture since my face had been out in the grimy NYC all day long and needed some serious moisture and paired that with Murad’s Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture for eyes. Then in the mornings I moisturized with the Perfecting Day Cream with SPF 30 full of powerful antioxidants and a broad spectrum of sunscreens for max protection. I found that the combination of Murad’s Complete Skin Renewal Kit gave my face a youthful texture and tone and was super simple to follow.

I love the multi-purpose problem solving Hybrids Soothing Skin, Lip and Cuticle Care pen. I’ve been using the pen mainly to rejuvenate and condition my dry lips, but I did swipe some on a hangnail the other day and it helped sooth and smooth the skin down. I’ve been keeping it in my purse and using throughout religiously throughout the day.

I also want to mention two products from the Murad Hybrids collection; Hybrids Skin Perfecting Primer, Acne and Shine Control and Hybrids Absolute Bronzing Boost SPF 15/PA++. I added a tiny bit of each of these to my regular foundation and it added just the right amount of sun kissed glow to my face. Both go on smooth and silky and don’t leave any of that funky bronzy build up.

Murad’s Acne Treatment Concealer comes in a sleek “stick” type dispenser for easy touch ups on unsightly imperfections. I also slipped this into my purse for any touch ups during the day. Since it looks a little like a skinny tube of lipstick, no one was the wiser. The stick contains Sallicylic Acid so it’s working to fight acne while concealing at the same time.

Cindy’s note- *Also fabulous is the Murad Treat/Repair Rejuvenating Lift for Neck and Decollete. I apply this after my nightly shower. The delicate skin around the neck and chest often goes neglected. These are areas that show aging so be sure to apply this often to keep skin smooth and supple!

Original post can be found on HelloDollface.com

Shopping your way at Become.com

My latest discovery is Become.com.  On my current quest for fall accessories, I've narrowed it down to a few staple items that I simply have to have.

For obvious reasons, I'm in love with Tory Burch 'Reva' ballerina flats.  Through my one stop shopping at Become.com, I was able to find these within seconds!

Next up, the Birkin.  Since technically I can't even afford to be put on the waiting list for the Hermes icon, I'm happy sporting this on my arm.  I found this on Become.com for only $69.95!

Something else that caught my eye at Become.com was this gorgeous Mel tri fold wallet in 'natural'.  Perfect for all of my new fall handbags!

If you haven't checked out Become.com I suggest you head over there and do so immediatley!  They have everything you can think of from clothes and accessories to automotive and books.  Where else can you find a home computer, cheap soccer cleats, cheap birkenstocks, sandal boots and gardening supplies all in one place?

Mani of the week - Essie and OPI

This week I'm all about the White Crackle by OPI layered over 'Jazz' by Essie.  I was wanting something light and muted to go with some bright outfits I had in mind for the week.  I wasn't sure if this combo would work, but I love it! 

Bluefly.com For Your Fall Wardrobe Must Haves

Fall has come!  Gone are the bright colored T's and flip flops, and in are the warm, cozy, colors and textures that welcome my favorite season back home.  This season, I'm inspired by the deep mochas and earthtones I'm spying in all of my favorite fashion magazines.  Although my wardrobe consists mainly of black, this year I am vowing to incorporate some of these comforting colors with a few statement pieces from Bluefly.com

My top priority is always a fabulous bag.  Speaking of, I am drooling over this coffee colored, ostrich embossed 'Elisabeth' tote by Furla.  I can already imagine the smell and softness of this bag on my arm!

I saw these fantastic Cole Haan Shoes that I can't wait to get.  The birch leather 'air.jocelyn' platform sandals are on sale at Bluefly.com and will look perfect with the new sunglasses I also have picked out.

I've been wanting some Tom Ford sunnies all summer but haven't been able to settle on the style I wanted.  I saw these and they are just perfect!  The shiny rose gold 'Miranda' sunglasses by Tom Ford are stunning!

Lastly, I saw this little gem on a thumbnail on Bluefly.com and couldn't resist clicking on it.  The gold domed crystal star ring by Rachel Leigh is a fun statement ring that will get noticed. 

I could spend hours on Bluefly.com!  My wish list is overflowing!

Mani of the week - The Miss Universe Collection by OPI

 

I've been feeling a little under the weather this week and in need of a shimmery pick-me-up, so I added some major sparkle with OPI.

I used OPI Your Royal Shine-Ness as my base coat and layered  OPI Crown Me Already! on top for an amazing punch. 

I'm head over heels for the entire OPI Miss Universe Collection!

A few more options from the Miss Universe Collection:

(From left to right: Congeniality Is My Middle Name, Crown Me Already!, Swimsuit...Nailed It!, It's My Year)

Stripes by Torrid

Never in a million years did I think I'd be head over heels for striped anything.  I started slowly with the "Customer Favorite" Oatmeal and grey elbow sleeve crochet top from Torrid but only after I made the sales associate swear on her life that I didn't look hideous.  I kept this gem safely tucked out of my sight for about three weeks before I was brave enough to wear it outside of my walk in closet.  I don't know what I was so afraid of! 

It was fabulous paired with denim shorts, a stack of silver bangles and big silver hoops!  I had found my new favorite summer outfit.

I've found a couple of other adorable striped tops from INC at Macys, but Torrid is my one stop shop for the cutest in the trend.  Perusing through Torrid.com this morning, and wanting to take full advantage of the last day of Haute Cash, I stumbled upon these beauties, which I immediatley added to my cart and purchased for Saturday arrival;

Lastly, I just HAD to throw in a pair of flats.  And, in honor of sold out Missoni at Target stores everywhere, and faithfully sticking by my stripes theme, I threw those babies in the cart too.
I can't wait until my striped treasures arrive this weekend!

Budget Beauty by Suave Professionals

My relationship with Suave is very new. To be honest, I assumed that the best hairspray had to come in a tall red bottle and cost almost as much as my monthly gas bill. I tried Suave Professionals Touchable Finish Hairspray and fell in love. I’ve been using Suave religiously for the past few months and remain impressed! My hair stays touchable and soft with just the right amount of hold my hair requires. With my hair pulled back, I can spritz on the Touchable Finish Hairspray and not worry about looking like the Bride of Frankenstein if I take my hair down. (You know the look I’m talking about!)

I’ve just recently tried Suave Professionals Dry Shampoo Spray on my roots in between hair washes and it works wonders. The Dry Shampoo Spray contains mineral clay that refreshes your hair to prevent that greasy feeling in between washes. I found that it gave my roots some volume so I even used a little bit of it on my freshly washed hair for some extra va-va-va-voom! I love that these new Suave Professionals products are so lightweight. I haven’t had crunchy hair since 1993 and that’s the way I’d like to keep it!

(Original post can be found at HelloDollface.com)

Mani Of The Week - Tart Deco by Essie

This week I'm welcoming Autumn with Tart Deco by Essie!  I spotted this fab color on my recent trip to New York at Duane Reade of all places.  It sat alone atop a display of Altoids begging to be mine.  I'm loving the orange hue...it reminds me of my favorite season!

Mani Of The Week - Ice Cream Cake by MAC

 

This week I am rocking Ice Cream Cake by MAC on my fingernails! 

I love MAC polish not only for the super cool color options but because the polish lasts a long time without chipping and it seems to dry super fast, which is perfect for me, Ms. Impatient. 

I picked this color as a little bon voyage to summer.  It's a fun shade of flirty pink, fitting for one of the last weekends of the season.

The VI Peel Experience That Made My Skin Glow

Recently I found myself sitting anxiously in Dr. Kalil’s office in Santa Monica, California ready to experience my very first chemical peel.  My first peel of any kind actually.  My stomach was a little uneasy that morning as I wasn’t sure what to expect.  Thankfully I was armed with my friend Cindy Bokma of HelloDollface.com who was also there for the treatment and who had volunteered to go first!  I had seen a handful of before and after photos of women who had had the VI Peel and the results were noticeably improved and I so wanted to be one of the improved after shots!

Dr. Kalil is the creator and mastermind behind the VI Peel, so I felt 100% confident that I was in the right hands.  I was pleasantly surprised to find the whole process took no more than ten minutes.  Dr. Kalil began by swabbing acetone, that’s right, nail polish remover, all over my face.  I was told the acetone served as an astringent and is often used before chemical peels to help boost saturation of the chemicals (interesting!).  After that dried he swabbed the VI Peel contents on my face one layer at a time.  I braced myself for pain that never came.  The scent is unpleasant, but the burning sensation was merely three on a scale from one to ten.  The tingling lasted only seconds and Dr. Kalil had a small fan nearby that eased any momentary discomfort.  The final touch was a quick swab of the VI underneath my eyes and across my eyelids.  Those areas tingled a little longer than the rest of my face had, but a quick lean toward the fan and all burning sensation was gone.  Afterwards, I was pleasantly surprised to see that my face wasn’t red at all, but looked more like I had a bit of a suntan.  I was instructed to leave the VI Peel on my face for the next four hours then wash my face with the VI Cleanser. 

I was given a post-peel kit that contained VI Derm SPF 55, a rich and soothing VI Derm moisturizer ,two moist towelette type cloths I was to use the next two nights before bed, and step-by-step, day-by-day instructions on what to do and what to expect of my skin in the week to come.  Very simple.

Hours after the peel I found myself at a Katy Perry concert and my face still had that sun tanned glow. I had used the VI Derm Cleanser and applied my regular foundation to cover some of the blotchy spots that were starting to surface.  My face felt a little hot to the touch, but nothing I couldn’t handle.  Day 2, my skin began to tighten, but with generous applications of the VI Derm Moisturizer throughout the day I was out and about running errands.  Toward the end of day 2, the peeling really began.  It started around my mouth first and by the end of day 3, my entire face was flaky and peeling, which is exactly what is supposed to happen.  I endured a peeling face for a couple of days and stayed close to home.

The morning of day 5, the only dry area left was around my mouth, which I was thankfully able to cover up as I was off to a party in the Hollywood Hills that day.  I loaded up on the VI Derm SPF 55 Dr. Kalil had given me and kept the VI Derm Moisturizer in my bag for any touch ups I would need that day.  I felt a little self-conscious about my skin but no one seemed to notice.

By day 9, I looked in the mirror and saw the results I was hoping for!  My skin is glowing, my blemish, problem area is clear and my skin is smooth.  I now see why Dr. Kalil’s assistant Marya, (who also doubles as his gorgeous daughter) recommends doing the VI Peel four times a year.  I would absolutely have another VI Peel and will recommend the simple procedure to everyone.  I was hoping for visible results and that is exactly what I got.  Dr. Kalil has a professional and witty charm about him that will put you right at ease. Marya promptly emailed me that same afternoon to see how I was doing and continued communicating with me all week when I had questions.  All in all, my first experience with a chemical peel was a breeze!

Dr. Kalil was generous enough to send me home with some products from his VI Derm line including, Cleanser, SPF 55, Body Wash, Advanced Firming Lotion, Exfoliating Body Lotion, Complete Care and Ultra A which is perfect for resurfacing and treating acne prone skin such as mine.  Now that the VI Peel has run its course I can continue on the VI Derm skin care regime with all of the fabulous products.

You can learn more about Dr. Khalil and his VI Peel by clicking here www.vipeel.com   or www.kalilmedical.com

Mani Of The Week - "Caught With My Khakis Down", Sephora by OPI

I'm so thankful that the acrylic nail, french manicure craze is finally over! I myself, fell victim to the dreadful acrylic nail and wore and maintained them regligiously for years.  Now that natural nails are back I can't get enough of OPI!  In the past, I had reserved all OPI for my toenails only, but now I'm footloose and fancy free and experimenting with all colors of the rainbow on my fingernails. 

This week I'm wearing Caught With My Khakis Down by Sephora by OPI. 

When I bought this the other day, I had a grand plan to paint OPI's White Shatter over the top, but once I had my digits painted, I fell in love with the color all by itself.  Maybe I'll save the shatter for next time!



Try it, Love it-Klorane Pomegranate Shampoo & Dry Shampoo

by Kristen, HelloDollface contributor

Original post found on HelloDollface.com

Extending the life of my hair color is crucial. I tend to spend a fortune on my hair, so when I walk out of the salon, I want to maximize my dollar and make it last! Klorane Hair Care has come out with a new product line that includes shampoo with pomegranate, conditioner with pomegranate and a no-rinse care with pomegranate. In case you haven’t caught on, the trend here is pomegranate which has been proven to help hair color last up to twice as long! Who knew?!
Each product in Klorane’s new line is formulated withMoroccan-grown pomegranate to help bind color to the keratin in hair. This helps to maintain precious pigments so that color remains vibrant.

Klorane shampoo with pomegranate cleanses, enhances and prolongs the intensity of color while giving hair a super, deep clean feeling. Klorane conditioner with pomegranate is a concentrated treatment that repairs and protects hair that has been weakened and damaged by repeated coloring. Klorane no rinse care with
pomegranate protects hair color on a daily basis, repairing damage down to the fragile ends while also providing protection from the sun with UV filters. Just a small amount worked into your hair before blow-drying is like sunglasses for your locks.

I’ve been using the Klorane pomegranate line for a full week now and I love how vibrant my hair is looking! And, as I’ve mentioned before, in a past review, Klorane seems to take the frizz out of my hair like magic! My hair is styled so much easier after just one wash with Klorane. This November, celebrate National Pomegranate month with Klorane!

Cindy's Note:

Did you know that Klorane Dry Shampoo just celebrated FORTY YEARS! Yes, forty years ago, Klorane Dry Shampoo hit the market and was the first dry shampoo to change the way people cared for their hair. Over time, the ingredients changed and the formula became even better. Its certainly changed my life. Now I can go two days after a blow out without washing my hair. I use this product to absorb any oils and to keep my hair clean and fresh on the days I don’t want to deal with blow drying and curling and styling. It also adds body and volume and freshens hair. I use it after blowing drying my hair straight to add some oomph to my fine strands. It can be used to sop up any excess serum or oil you might have added to your hair.

I like both the aerosol and the non-aerosol versions. When I travel to New York city next month for New  York Fashion Week, this dry shampoo is a must have! I won’t be leaving home without it. There’s a reason that this dry shampoo with oat milk is considered the best of the best…because it is!

Benefit Skincare delivers gorgeous skin

I’ve always loved Benefit cosmetics. BADgal Lash, High Beam, Hello Flawless and Coralista have been loyal favorites in my make-up arsenal for years. Known for their adorable packaging and clever product names, it takes a lot of will power for me to stay away from the Benefit counter at the department store or Ulta!

I was more than pleased and a little over joyed when Benefit decided to come out with a skin care line. As always, the packaging is eye-catching and the Foamingly Clean Facial Wash is perfection. With a soft, gentle lather, it cleanses the skin and removes all traces of make-up, even my 5 layers of mascara! I noticed my skin felt super smooth and soft after I had used just the Foamingly Clean Facial Wash alone. And it smells great!

The Triple Performing Facial Emulsion moisturizer by Benefit is equally wonderful. In another adorbs package (I love the faux cork top) it’s sheer and oil-free with SPF 15 so, for me, it was perfect for day and/or night. The Triple Performing Facial Emulsion hydrates and comforts with Benefits’ exclusive ultra-moisturizing tri-radiance complex. The complex delivers immediate hydration and contains nourishing antioxidant vitamins A and E, both known to protect skin from free radical damage.

I’m dying to get my hands on the Ultra Radiance Facial Re-Hydrating Mist by Benefit next!

Original post found on HelloDollface.com

City Lips for sexy, pouty lips

My City Lips review for HelloDollface.com

One of my favorite guilty pleasures is lip gloss. What else can you get for under $15 (mostly) that makes you feel both girly and flirty in one tube?! On the issue of lip plumper though, I teeter on the edge of loving and hating the stuff. I love the idea of a lip plumper, but have a hard time with the cinnamon taste that most leave on my lips.(Unless it’s a Cinnabon, count me out!)

I’d been hearing about City Lips for a while but had never tried it myself,
so when Ms. HelloDollface herself asked me to review it, I was ready!

I first used the clear City Lips Instant Collagen Stimulating Lip Treatment over my nude lip liner, let that dry completely, then, I added the City Lips Collagen Peptide Lip Plumping Treatment in Tinsel Town (a shimmery peach) on top. My lips looked noticeably plumper immediately and super shiny! So much so that I had to read the box again to see what magical ingredients were in this stuff!

Two of the core ingredients are a Potent Peptide Complex and Hyaluronic Acid Plumping Spheres, both help puff your pucker to perfection. I didn’t have to reapply a single time while I was out running my errands. The shine and color last for hours! In addition to Tinsel
Town, I recommend Los AngeLIPS, a really pretty light pink gloss.

The clear Instant Collagen Stimulating Lip Treatment can also be used on your pout at night before you go to bed to keep your lips moisturized while building that much desired volume and erasing those pesky little lip lines. Now I can get rid of all of the cinnamon/menthol based plumpers from my make-up drawer!

Overnight results with Sadick

My review of Sadick for HelloDollface.com

As I forge deeper into my 30’s and realize my 22 year old skin is long gone, I find myself borderline obsessing over the fine lines, wrinkles and sun spots that seem to be multiplying on my face. In search of that one fabulous skin care product that works and that I can afford to maintain, I find Sadick. With seriously visible results after 3 days (no lie!) Sadick Dermatology Groups’ Park Avenue Prescription delivers. AND it’s paraben and sulfate free, the two major things I check for while shopping for skin care products.

The three step system begins with the Night Serum, which made my skin silky smooth and dewy all on its own. It was almost a shame to waste this amazing skin on sleep! After the serum has soaked in, you head into step two with the Rejuvenation Cream then it’s off to bed while Sadick does what it does best, fight those pesky wrinkles and skin discoloration. The final step, step three, is a light and oil free Protection Cream that is the perfect start to your morning make- up regime. I even found that it worked doubly as a primer! My makeup went on smoother than ever!