Fifty-cent Head

Review on the fly - Philosphy's Help Me

I need help!

Oh boy. I've been testing out a slew of new products and now my skin is a disaster! I know, I know, throw me a pity party. I am very grateful that I'm able to test products, so I'm not complaining. I'm a product addict who's smart enough to know she's getting a good deal with this testing thing!

But now I've got to clear things up and calm my skin down. And then resume testing at a slower pace and see if I can find the culprit.

So the bad news is: no reviews on skincare or face makeup for the next week or so until I have a good base to work with.

The good news is: I have a great opportunity to use one of my favorite products!

Philosophy makes a great over-the-counter retinol product named help me. I've used it before and it was amazing for minimizing fine lines and hyperpigmentation. It's also smashing at smashing the gunk in your pores (which is why I'm reaching for it now). It's a great retinol option because it's a bit slower than the big (prescription) guns but still gets the job done.

WARNING: For this, as with all retinol products, use this at night as the active ingredients are inactivated by sunlight. And more importantly - woman who are or think they may be pregnant should consult a doctor before using this product!

$45. Available at Philsophy.com and Sephora.

Lush goes retro!

Lush goes retro!

Online only special at Lush, kids! They're bringing back some oldie-but-goodies from the discontinued past, and you can get them now (fresh, of course)!

Do you miss Slammer- that lovely citrusy tequila slammer scented bath wash of yore? You can get it again!

Is your hair just not the same without the fruits and veggies in Okra conditioner?

Been stressed out since the honey and ylang ylang of Flying Saucers flew away?

Potion Lotion started the Lush Potion scent-sation - You just haven't been the same since it was nixed?

Are you baths just a bit more tedious without Psychodelic bath bomb?

Honey Waffle was how you liked to start your day - back in the day- and your mornings just haven't been as good since?

Rush to Lush (online) and pick 'em up while the pickin' is good!

Trilogy at Beautorium - 20% off this week only!

Trilogy at Beautorium - 20% off this week only!

Rose hips. No, these aren't the parts of a rose that hold up its jeans - they're the fruity little doo dads that you can find on a wild rose. They've been used in cuisine and used medicinally for years, and have also made their way into the cosmetics realm. Reportedly good for you in that high Vitamin C an-apple-a-day kinda way, they're also high in antioxidants and may have some impact on rheumatoid arthritis, bladder infections, and other ailments.

(rose hips image courtesy of mooseyscountrygarden)

Trilogy, a skincare line from New Zealand, focuses on products created with all-natural, 100% organic rosehip oil. Why? The line -and many other folks- believes in rose hips and their ability to hydrate and soften skin for hours, protecting it from the environment and dehydration. According to the company, rose hips have been clinically proven to improve skin's moisture by up to 44%, reduce the appearance of wrinkles up to 23%, and improve skin's smoothness by up to 21%.

We know I like organic, we know I like Fair Trade products (yes, Trilogy works only with Faie Trade ingredients) and we know I love a company founded and/or run by women!

Haven't heard of Beautorium, yet? Shame on you! It's a great online bonanza featuring the best natural and organic beauty products in the world. It's fab! You don't have to research and track and study a line- Beautorium does it for you so you know anything you buy there is healthy organic fare.

Go on over to take a look at Trilogy @ Beautorium - everything Trilogy is 20% off this week only.
I'm going to review some in the near future - keep your eyes peeled.

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Eco-Facts to know about Trilogy and Beautorium (copied from the Beautorium website):
Trilogy Rosehip Oil featured as the "Star Product"" in Vogue Australia! And was the "Editors Favorite" in Marie Claire Hong Kong. It was also "Applauded" by the French in French Vogue! And Hello! UK had this to say: "The new formulations can be used for cleansing and hydrating, and even in place of serums and night creams. Try some of the best and discover how well they perform. Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil, famous fans of this Antipodean range include Dannii Minogue.

Trilogy products contain 100% natural active ingredients. The rosehip oil is certified organic by Bio-Gro of New Zealand; many other organic ingredients are certified by Eco-cert. Trilogy products contain no parabens, petrochemicals, PEGs, pesticides, synthetic colors or fragrances, GMOs , or harsh surfactants. 100% vegetarian.

             

	Trilogy uses innovative fiber recycled from sugar cane waste for all its sales materials. All products and packaging are biodegradable.
	Beautorium is delighted to be one of the first retailers in North America to stock the full  line of Trilogy products.
	Products selected by Beautorium are not tested on animals.

FCH Review Round-up: Clinique Even Better Skintone Corrector

Review Round-up: Clinique ~ Even Better Skintone Corrector

While we're on Clinique, I have to touch on a product that really disappointed me. Even Better Skintone Corrector offers an economical and safe method of softening the appearance of pigmentation, uneven skintone and the dark remains of acne scarring. Since it's from Clinique, we know it's not going to break us out, and they say its even safe for darker skins- many products of this type are not.

The Verdict: Well, I'm sad to say I saw little improvement after using it twice a day for several weeks. Granted, it says you'll see results in 4-6 weeks, and maybe I didn't wait long enough, but I just couldn't hang in there without seeing ANY results whatsoever. I like how quickly Philosphy's Help Me works, and I also get good results from the Elizabeth Arden/Allergan product Prevage. You? If you have sensitive skin, don't want to use retinoids, are dark-complected, or can't swing the hefty Prevage pricetag, give this a shot. Me? I'll pass.

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Read the other posts in the Round-up:

• FCH Review Round-up
• Whish Shave Crave

• Olay Difinity line

• Clinque ~ Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief
• M Lab Skincare
• Stila ~ The Kitten collection
• Bobbi Brown ~ Almost Bare
• Clinique ~ Even Better Skintone Correcter
• Clinique ~ Superbalm Moisturizing Lipgloss
• Sally Hansen ~ Lip Fix Lip Repair

FCH Review Round-up: M Lab Skincare

Review Round-up: M Lab Skincare

This one is for all of the Brits out there. No, not girls named Brittany! I'm talking about folks from the England! This review is of a new skincare line available exclusively at Harrods: M Lab Skincare.  Though you don't have to be from England to enjoy this line now - it's available online at mlabskincare.com. If you're looking for heavy-hitting skincare, this is the line for you! Its level of active ingredients is beyond that of any other line: somewhere between 45% - 74%. That unreal! Most products hover somewhere around 10% -20% give or take. So this range of antiagers will really make a difference, one assumes. As well it should because it's pricey! Of course, it was designed to be pricey, based as it is on the desire to have be high-end, top-of-the-line, premium-ingredient, effective skincare line.

The Verdict: I say if you have the  £'s for it, have at it! But since there's a well-crafted claim on the line's website that says, in response discontinuing use of the product at some point, "The M LAB™ skincare line does not permanently repair skin or change skin structure, so your skin will return to the state it was in prior to using M LAB™. To ensure continued improvement in your skins’ appearance, use M LAB™ daily as a long-term solution" I will go ahead and skip it. I don't think it's "continued improvement" if it's not going to last! I want products that repair permanently, provided I take precautions not to recreate the damage later. I also don't care for lines that tell me all of their products are "synergistic" and therefore I should buy all of them. On the plus side: I liked the scents of these products, and they felt nice going on. They're also paraben-free and not tested on animals. Oh, and the sleek black-and-white packages look fantastic - great on a modern vanity or on a man's countertop. This is a nice unisex line.

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Read the other posts in the Round-up:

• FCH Review Round-up
• Whish Shave Crave

• Olay Difinity line

• Clinque ~ Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief
• M Lab Skincare
• Stila ~ The Kitten collection
• Bobbi Brown ~ Almost Bare
• Clinique ~ Even Better Skintone Correcter
• Clinique ~ Superbalm Moisturizing Lipgloss
• Sally Hansen ~ Lip Fix Lip Repair

FCH Review Round-up: Olay Definity

Review Round-up: Olay ~ Definity

Next on the product review chopping block is Olay. I got a lovely gift from the Olay PR team that included a few items from the Definity line. This collection is meant to add luminousity to the skin while fighting the signs of aging. Glucosamine Complex will help repair while hydrating and minimizing imperfections. Other ingredients minimize brown spots and correct dullness. Enlightening!

The Verdict: I thought the foaming moisturizer was cool - a novel approach to an otherwise humdrum part of the beauty routine. Overall, this was a great line that, unfortunately, broke me out. However, I was quite luminous and my skin felt great (prior to the acne). If you don't have sensitive or acne-prone skin, I heartily encourage you to try the Definity
line! I really wanted this to work for me and gave it two shots, but I can't keep up with a line that breaks me out (and I'm pretty sensitive and break out to a lot). I also give the line props for the sweet packaging: not only are the product containers lightweight, but the store packaging is easy to open, which I appreciate greatly. The scent of the products are nice, too, in that there's hardly a scent at all.

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Read the other posts in the Round-up:

• FCH Review Round-up
• Whish Shave Crave

• Olay Difinity line

• Clinque ~ Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief
• M Lab Skincare
• Stila ~ The Kitten collection
• Bobbi Brown ~ Almost Bare
• Clinique ~ Even Better Skintone Correcter
• Clinique ~ Superbalm Moisturizing Lipgloss
• Sally Hansen ~ Lip Fix Lip Repair

FCH Review Round-up: Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Release

Review Round-up: Clinique ~ Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Release

Twelve hours of moisturization - that's what they say when they talk about this product from the wonderful labs of Clinique. Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief keeps your skin soft and hydrated through anything: extreme temperatures, changes in environment, heaters and air conditioners. It stands up to them all! By pushing skin to retain a stable moisture balance, this product enables skin to defend itself better against environmental aggressions. This is a good thing. You may be familiar with this product already ... or are you? It's been tweaked and now has ingredients that help lock in the intense-but-not-overwhelming hydration. It's got the same color (peachy) and consistency (gel-like cream) it always has, and still won't clog your pores or break you out.

The Verdict: I love this stuff. I love the lightweight feel but heavy-hitting hydration. I don't really notice a scent and the way it makes my skin feel is DIVINE. You can also use this moisturizer as a mask - layer it up on the skin and let it sit for 10 minutes before wiping it off. This is a new permanent fixture for me. FCH-Approved!

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Read the other posts in the Round-up:

• FCH Review Round-up
• Whish Shave Crave

• Olay Difinity line

• Clinque ~ Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief
• M Lab Skincare
• Stila ~ The Kitten collection
• Bobbi Brown ~ Almost Bare
• Clinique ~ Even Better Skintone Correcter
• Clinique ~ Superbalm Moisturizing Lipgloss
• Sally Hansen ~ Lip Fix Lip Repair

FCH Review Round-up: Whish Shave Crave

Review Round-up: Whish ~ Shave Crave

 

Made by Whish, this product promises to be a luxurious way to shave the legs. It comes in several "flavors"; I tried Blueberry Mint. Whish products are made with essential oils and natural ingredients, and they are supposed to help keep your skin soft and supple while giving you a great shave.

The Verdict: Blueberry Mint Shave Crave is truly unusual. It comes in a pot and you scoop it out with your fingers. Smoothing it onto the skin is quite a different experience - I'm used to foams or gels and this is like slathering yourself with a thick pudding of product. The shave is nice, and I had no nicks or bumps when I was done. I will use this up and probably buy another, maybe in pump form, 'cause why shouldn't shaving be tolerable - or even pleasant!? I look forward to trying more Whish products in the future...

 

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Read the other posts in the Round-up:

• FCH Review Round-up
• Whish Shave Crave

• Olay Difinity line

• Clinque ~ Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief
• M Lab Skincare
• Stila ~ The Kitten collection
• Bobbi Brown ~ Almost Bare
• Clinique ~ Even Better Skintone Correcter
• Clinique ~ Superbalm Moisturizing Lipgloss
• Sally Hansen ~ Lip Fix Lip Repair

Rosy Cheeks, courtesy of Berwick Beauty

Everything's "coming up roses" at Berwick Beauty, or so they say. I was honored to receive a full-size jar of each of the products shown above, so I could test and review them. This was just after Earth Day Week, and of course I was stoked to try a new botanically-based skincare line and I want to tell you all about it.

Above, you see three of the products in the 5-item line. From left: Balancing Day Cream, Eye Contour Gel, and Restoring Night Cream.

I'll tell you a little more about the line and why I thought the night cream could possibly rival the well-known cult classic Crème de la Mer in one aspect... but you have to keep reading!

 

Mother's Day: A gift I wouldn't mind

So, around any kind of holiday, including Flag Day, Groundhog Day, No Socks Day (yes, it exists, and it's today[!], and I am 100% behind it - see why, here), I get swamped with emails from tons of PR folk. I weed through and find out what I'm interested in and what I think you'll be interested in to see what's going on FCH.

One of these items keeps popping up again and again, for every holiday, and so finally I'll bite.

The line?  Molton Brown. I admit: I have not tried anything from this line, but it seems to get decent press. I checked my ultimate online resources for mass reviews, MakeupAlley and TotalBeauty and got mixed reviews. I hate that!

[Editor's Note: clearly, FCH is your best resource for everything beauty, but I haven't tested everything, so I go to these sources if I don't have my own experience yet! ;) ]

Regardless, I'm still intrigued by this brand.  It's from England, and it's all-natural. Or wait ---- is it? Despite the buzz you may here in some placles, the answer is: NO. Here's a quote from the company:

"We endeavour to use as many naturally derived ingredients as possible, sourced from sustainable sources around the world. We will not mislead our consumers by implying that our naturally derived or natural ingredients equate to a totally natural product."

That doesn't turn me off of the brand, but it's just worth pointing out for those of you who won't use products that aren't 100% natural. If that's you, move on to another post! ;)

This is nice, though:

"Molton Brown's iconic bottle is fully recyclable, and we will be launching ranges in 2008 taking advantage of the most recent environmental advances in packaging. As a business we are currently constructing a five-year plan to become a market leader in environmental ethics, focussed on the reduction of carbon emissions and waste. However green our products and business practices evolve to become, this is never something we would manipulate for marketing purposes."

So, moving on to the offering that really piqued my interest.

Give mom the gift of relaxation with Molton Brown. Yuan zhi, a wild South China plant, is used traditionally to balance energy (Chi) and soothe the spirit. This richly moisturizing bath formula and sleep mist combats stress and promotes peaceful sleep.

Price: bath gel $28, sleep mist $44, Available at www.moltonbrown.com

I could use some Chi balancing, I'll tell ya. While I have a favorite going-to-bed scent, I would be open to seeing how this one works! (Yes, that's what happens when you're a beauty blogger- you adopt strange behaviors like having a "going-to-bed scent". I'm going to be posting about my going-to-bed-scent later today, actually, so stay tuned if you're curious!)

Have you tried Molton Brown products? How about this one? Tell us in the comments if your Chi is balanced or any other thoughts you may have...

 

Hands Down! Hand lotions that actually work...

I was planning on doing a feature on hand lotions that actually work, and sadly there aren't many contenders. Basically, this story just became a short list of items I'd actually recommend. There's not much point belaboring it, so let's just jump in with both... hands?

1. Ole Henriksen ~ Hands Forward | This product was sent to me by PR folk and for some reason I was just figuring it wouldn't work. It has actually become a staple and I get really twitchy when I can't quickly find it. Go figure! It's got shea butter, so it's really moisturizing but not greasy; mushroom extracts that help fade discolorations and prevent/correct pigmentation issues that make your hands look old; cyclomethicone, a natural silicone that helps your skin stay soft; sugar maple extract, which makes hands smooth. Love this stuff! PS: they are natural and plant-based yet come from a mind schooled in chemistry and they are animal cruelty free. I think I need to try some more Ole Henriksen products, dude. Hands Forward is $28 USD and available at Sephora online or Ole Henriksen online.
2. Curel ~ hand and cuticle cream | Soy milk, monoi oil, and Vitamin E are key ingredients that help keep skin and cuticles soft through a few hand washes. I don't know about that, but it was definitely nice and hydrating. Of course, I'm really tough on my hands, what with the constant hand washing and sanitizing (I'm a mom and a makeup artist, so that's a lot of cleaning!).  Available at grocery stores and discount stores, and at drugstore.com, where it is currently $4.79 USD.
3. LUSH ~ Handy Gurugu | I will always love you, Handy Gurugu but when my hands are truly dry I must use the other products listed. Otherwise, I prefer your silky smooth cushiness. I love that you are animal cruelty free, made of all natural ingredients, and you use fair trade ingredients. And you smell ok, too!  Pumpkin seed butter, organic almond butter, and organic peanut butter mix with shea butter to create this divine hand silk. $16.45 USD online or at Lush boutiques. Honestly, I think I'll always buy you and use you except on the roughest of days, even if I go through you quickly because you're not quite as hydrating - but you're LUSH and you're the one that feels the best when I slip my fingers across you...
4. Le Couvent des Minimes ~ Repairing Hand Cream | I reviewed this once before and still love it. It's great and that smell - that amazing honey smell... it's still a great product. $10 - $22 USD.

That's it, folks. Those that didn't make the cut were other items from LUSH (which may be good for those who aren't so tough on their hands), Keihl's, Vaseline, L'Occitane, Neutrogena,  Eucerin, Creabtree and Evelyn, The Body Shop and  Burt's Bees.

And there you have it: the Hands Down round-up!

I am a bronzed goddess - or at least my left leg is!

I was completely gypped when I was born. I inherited- from someone? somewhere? - super fair skin. I have that type of skin that is usually called porcelain. I should have blue eyes and pale blond hair. Red hair would make people automatically assume my last name begins with Mc or O'  (it doesn't). I should be explaining my heritage as Nordic,- that would make sense. If my skin were a bit more rosy, I'd be referred to as "peaches and cream" but instead I just have a saucer of milk. No one else in my family gets a sunburn when they go out to get the mail, but I do. No, I'm not kidding. I've always wanted to be bronzed and gloriously (safely) tan, and I recently had my chance to try it.

"Jen gets a tan". That's what I wanted to call this post, but that would be exaggerating a bit. At least it wasn't "Jen turns orange". I got to try touch of bronze moisturizing body lotion from Clinique (a self-tanner) recently and I want you to know about it.

Keep reading to see how it went...

The results are in on MAC Strobe Lotion...

MAC's Strobe lotion was created as a lighter version of their infamous Strobe Cream - which sounded great because many of us liked the look we got from Strobe Cream, but hated the way it smothered our skin. With much anticipation, we waited for Strobe Lotion when we heard it was on the way...

Like many of you, I rushed to the counter to swoop up Strobe Lotion and hopefully slathered it on my face. Ok - I didn't really slather it, I tentatively applied it to my very smooth, very blemish-free skin and then crossed my fingers.

I immediately loved the effect I got: radiant skin that didn't look makeup-y. It was slightly more subtle than the Strobe Cream - not as obviously iridescent, but instead pleasingly candlelit. YAY!

Later, I did not love the effect I got: a raging breakout on my nose and chin. GRRRR....

Strike Two, MAC. You gotta pull it together...

So I say to you sensitive-skinned gals, those of you with combination skin, and my oily-complected friends: you may not be happy with Strobe Lotion - not any happier than you were with Strobe Cream. As my daughter would say, "Bummer."

Dude Review: Burt's Bees Natural Skincare for Men

Awhile ago I got a package in my hot little hands, and I was excited to see it was Burt's Bees Natural Skincare for Men. Naturally (pardon the pun) I gave it to the hubby for testing...

We both try to be as green as possible, and we're really trying to get things as natural as we can in a lot of ways. I thought this would be right up his alley... and I was right! The Natural Skin Care collection for men is a natural-ingredient line, which is awesome, and it contains no parabens, which is really awesome or completely unnecessary, depending on who tells the tale.

My husband, let's call him "Michael" ('cause that's his name) spread his testing over a few days so as to really get a feel for the products. What he tried was the Travel Kit ($13 USD), which is such a great way to test products. The kit had the following items in it:

*  Natural Skin Care for Men Cologne (.03 fl. oz.)       
* Natural Skin Care for Men Aftershave (.5 fl. oz.)       
* Natural Skin Care for Men Shave Cream (.5 fl. oz.)       
* Natural Skin Care for Men Bar Soap (1 oz.)       
* Natural Skin Care for Men Body Wash (1 fl. oz.)       
* Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm (.15 oz.)

Read on for the reviews.

Have you ever wondered about Prevage?

Ok, I know it's expensive, but so are a lot of things that are good for you, right? You may have wondered if you're a good candidate for Prevage, and the answer is probably. It's great for fending off skin damage from aging, sun exposure, and the elements (smoky bars, anyone?). It will also help reduce some of those problems if it's already a bit too late and you've got some fine lines, pigmentation, dullness, or uneven texture.

The active ingredient in Prevage is called Idebenone, which is widely considered to be the most effective antioxidant currently on the market. Prevage is a collaboration between Elizabeth Arden and Botox makers, Allergan. The product comes in a serum, an eye treatment, and a night cream. The serum is really the major impact for the skin, and it can be smoothed on before moisturizing with the product of your choice (though Elizabeth Arden would urge you to increase the benefits by putting on the coordinating night cream before going to bed!).

If you're interested in trying these products, check out this nice set, below. Still costs a pretty penny, but you get to sample the products and see what - if anything- you want to make a part of your long-term skincare plan.

The set includes:    
* PREVAGE® Anti-aging Treatment 1.7 fl. oz.    
* PREVAGE® Eye anti-aging Moisturizing Treatment, .5 fl. oz.    
* Plus two deluxe travel sizes of PREVAGE® for face and PREVAGE® Eye.

It doesn't include the night cream, though, which is a bummer.

The set shown in this post is $240 and available at ElizabethArden.

A few disclaimers:

• There are folks who aren't necessarily sure that Idebenone is all it's cracked up to be. It may not have the long-term effects that are promised by folks who use it in their products. (Elizabeth Arden and Allergan are quick to discount that by citing high percentages of users who noticed "some improvement" in the skin problems targeted.
• Idebenone can be a bit strong for certain skins, so make sure you try these products only twice a week for awhile, then gradually work your way up to daily usage! If you notice irritation, discontinue the product!

I will say that my favorite estheticians really love this product and use it themselves, so that makes me think it's worth trying. What do you think? Have you tried Prevage? Thoughts?