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Fragrance Friday: Essence of Beauty Luscious Peony Fine Fragrance Body Mist

May 29, 2015 by Kim S. / blog, Fragrance Friday, Reviews / 12 Comments

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Spring is one of my favorite seasons. It’s a welcomed respite from the cold weather, and then as the season goes on, and the weather gets warmer, we’re exposed to beautiful blooming flowers. This spring, Essence of Beauty, the #1 best-selling fragrance and body care line available exclusively at CVS, has paired some of their favorite in-season florals like roses, lavender, and peonies, with complementary products from the line.

Peonies are some of my favorite flowers. You may have caught on to that just by looking at the photos on this blog, as they makeup the majority of the props in the photos. However, this Fragrance Friday, peonies are making an appearance in a new way! I’m featuring the Essence of Beauty Luscious Peony Fine Fragrance Body Mist.

Essence of Beauty describes the Luscious Peony Fine Fragrance Body Mist as follows:

“Evoking a lavish floral garden bursting with freshness, white grapefruit, peony and magnolia exude a vibrant spirit that exhilarates.”

Currently, I use the Essence of Beauty Luscious Peony fine Fragrance Body Mist on my off-days and in the evenings before bed. Yes, I love spritzing on a bit of something after a shower before I head into bed. This mist is perfect for that because it is light, and isn’t too sweet and overpowering.

I think that the Essence of Beauty Luscious Peony Fine Fragrance Body Mist is a beautiful, light fragrance that’s perfect for transitioning into the summer. It’s great for layering fragrances, and when the weather warms up, especially during a hot summer day, I can see myself popping it in the refrigerator, and misting it over myself to refresh and cool down.

The Essence of Beauty Luscious Peony Fine Fragrance Body Mist is available exclusively at CVS stores for $6.99, and there’s also a body and hand cream in the same scent retailing for the same price. Other floral pairings include the rose Enchantment Fine Fragrance Body Mist, and Body Oil with Lavender and Rosemary ($9.99).

Have you tried any of the Essence of Beauty floral fragrance products?

Ombre is so 2014… Balayage Hair Color is In!

May 12, 2015 by Kim S. / blog, Hair Care / 0 comments

There are a lot of hair fads that come and go. Usually, it is clearly defined when one is in and when one is not. I must admit that I am soooo over Ombre hair color. I mean, if you had asked me what the majority of salon color was a year ago, I would have said Ombre color. Now, I am so over it. I love different variations of Ombre but think that it should be put to rest. This summer is about vibrant reds, blondes and soft browns…now of course, purple and green as well, but hey, that is an entirely different blog post.

So you may be asking yourself, “Philisha, so are you saying I can’t wear Ombre?” To that I say, ‘Yes, that is exactly what I am saying! lol…leave it in 2014.

Balayage hair color, even though it’s been around for years, is currently the new Ombre. Balayage is a French hair coloring technique. It’s a freehand technique where the hair color is applied by hand sweeping for a more natural effect. If you are not familiar with what that is, of course I will post pictures so that you are able to look at some various colors and see what you think of it. What is the main difference in your opinion and which do you prefer. Some say it is a style preference while others say that it is simply a manner in which you must choose style over preference.

No matter what you are deciding to do this summer make sure that you color is vibrant and that you rock it with confidence and ease.

If you are in the Atlanta area, consider visiting Preeminence Salon & Boutique www.preeminencesalon.com for your balayage hair color experience.

Are you still into Ombre Hair Color or will you go the Balayage Hair Color Route?

L’occitane L’occibox Spring Collection 2015

April 29, 2015 by Kim S. / Beauty, blog / 21 Comments

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While making a purchase for some of my husband’s favorite skincare items from L’Occitane, I decided to pick up L’occitane’s second L’Occibox. The L’Occibox spring collection features some of the latest and greatest L’Occitane products in one box for $48.00.

The L’Occibox Spring Collection includes the following:

1. Two of L’Occitane’s handcreams, which are a personal favorite of mine. They’re hydrating, soothing, and leaves hands soft. The creams are:

Shea Whipped Hand Cream (30ml)
Shea Butter Hand Cream (10ml)

2. I own a few of the L’Occitane fragrances. Actually, my husband bought for me the La Collection de Grasse Mini Fragrance Set, which included one of the fragrances included in the L’Occibox Spring Collection, the Jasmin & Bergamote Eau de Toilette (1.2ml). It’s a beautiful fruity-floral fragrance complemented by the freshness of bergamote.

3. My husband is a huge fan of the L’Occitane Immortelle Line. I was happy to find a sample of the Immortelle Brightening Essence included in the L’Occibox Spring Collection. The Immortelle Brightening Essence is good for evening out the skin tone and brightening the complexion.

4. Another item included in the L’Occibox Spring Collection from the Immortelle line is the Immortelle Precious Serum (7ml). It’s an anti-aging serum that restores damaged skin, and reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
5. The Bone Mere Rose Soap (3.5oz.) included in the L’Occibox Spring Collection is one of my favorites. I’m a huge fan of L’occitane’s body product, and this one doesn’t disappoint. It is creamy, rinses clean, moisturizes, and doesn’t strip the skin. I love the scent of a nice romantic rose that it leaves.

6. The last item included was a cube of Sugarfina Champagne Bears (3.3oz.) The gummy bears are infused with classic Brut and Rose champagne! Yum!

Overall, I’m happy with this L’Occibox purchase. The L’Occibox Spring Collection is available on the L’occitane website and in stores for $48; however, with code SUGAR you can score it for $20! Pick one up before it’s too late. It would definitely make a great gift for Mother’s Day.

Below are the L’Occitane Immortelle skincare products I picked up for the hubby 🙂

What are your thoughts on the L’Occitane L’Occibox Spring Collection?

COOLA Suncare Mineral Sunscreens Review

April 27, 2015 by Kim S. / Beauty, blog, Skincare / 16 Comments

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We’re back with a brand that’s new to the blog, COOLA Suncare. COOLA Suncare is an organic luxury sun and skincare brand that incorporates a Farm to Face® sourcing philosophy, using the freshest and most natural ingredients whenever possible. That said, I’m reviewing two of the brand’s mineral sunscreens: Face SPF 30 Unscented Matte Tint and Face SPF 20 Rose Essence Tint.

About COOL Suncare’s Mineral Sunscreens

“Coola Mineral Sunscreens contain non-nano sized mineral (physical) actives Zinc Oxide and/or Titanium Dioxide. We formulate our Mineral Sunscreens uniquely, separating and encapsulating each active in an effort to keep them equidistant from each other. This equal dispersal provides not only the most transparent application, but also the best protection, as the active particles evenly reflect UV rays. These lightweight lotions are reef-friendly and include formulas that are water resistant up to 80 minutes.”

First, we’re going to talk about the FACE SPF 30 Unscented Matte Tint, which COOLA calls a “Natural BB Cream”. I’m a fan of skincare that doesn’t include fragrance, so this is a plus for me. Even though it’s lightly tinted, once applied, it doesn’t give off that ghostly effect.

Applying the COOLA FACE SPF 30 Unscented Matte Tint is easy. It goes on smooth, and a little goes a long way. I’ve worn it alone, under and over makeup. I love that I can apply it over my makeup throughout the day for both sun protection and shine reduction without having to worry about it affecting my makeup. Also, it does help a bit in keeping the oil down after applying, which I like, too.

Next, we have the COOLA Suncare Face SPF 20 Rose Essence Tint. This sunscreen is also lightly tinted, and is deemed, by COOLA Suncare, a tinted moisturizer. The tint is so sheer, especially after applied, and blended into the skin, there’s really nothing to see except, soft, smooth, and radiant skin. Oh, and there’s a light rose scent, too. The rose fragrance is very light, but, if you’re like me, and you don’t like fragrance in your skincare, it may be off-putting.

The SPF on the SPF 20 Rose Essence Tint isn’t as high as the FACE SPF 30 Unscented Matte Tint, and I usually like to have my sun care products in the SPF 50 range, but any SPF is better than no SPF, right?

Both of the COOLA Suncare products are water resistant for 40 minutes. Keep that in mind if you tend to perspire a lot, and if you’re spending lots of time at the beach or in a pool, and if you’re doing either of the latter right now, I’m seriously jealous.

You’re probably wondering how are you going to choose which one is right for you, right? Well, the COOLA Suncare FACE SPF 30 Unscented Matte Tint is suggested for those with normal or oily skin, while the Face SPF 20 Rose Essence Tint is suitable for all skin types including those individuals with sensitive skin. If you prefer a higher SPF, and something that takes away shine, then you’d choose the FACE SPF 30 Unscented Matte Tint. If you’re looking for a sunscreen that gives your skin a radiant look, without adding much color, and you don’t mind rose fragrance, then the Face SPF 20 Rose Essence Tint is your best bet. Either way, both are good products. I actually carry around the Matte Tint with me in my purse for on-the-go touchups.

Both products can be purchased for $36.00/ 1.7 FL oz at http://www.coolasuncare.com

Have you tried any COOLA Suncare products? What are your thoughts?

COOLA Suncare SPF 30 Unscented Matte Tint Ingredients
Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide (Sunscreen) 3.2% Zinc Oxide (Sunscreen) 1.8%

Inactive Ingredients: Aluminum Hydroxide, Butyrospermum Parkii (ORGANIC Shea Butter), Cucumis Sativus (ORGANIC Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Glycerin (ORGANIC), Hydrogen Dimethicone, Iron Oxides, Isopropyl Myristate, Isopropyl Titianium Triisostearate, Linum Usitatissimum (ORGANIC Linseed) Seed Oil, Mica, Oenothera Biennis (ORGANIC Evening Primrose) Oil, Plankton Extract, Polyamide-5, Polysilicone-11, Propylene Carbonate, Rosa Canina (ORGANIC) Fruit Oil, Silica Silylate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Synthetic Wax

Organic Ingredients: Cucumber Fruit Extract, Evening Primrose Oil, Glycerin, Linseed Seed Oil, Rose Hip Oil, and Shea Butter

COOLA Suncare Face SPF 20 Rose Essence Tint Ingredients
Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide (Sunscreen) 4.2%

Inactive Ingredients: Aluminum Hydroxide, Caprylohydroxamic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Carthamus Tinctorius (ORGANIC Safflower) Seed Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (ORGANIC Orange) Fruit Water, Cocoglycerides, Coriandrum Sativum (Coriander) Fruit Oil, Cucumis Sativus (ORGANIC Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea (ORGANIC Acai) Fruit Oil, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus (ORGANIC Sunflower) Seed Extract, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein/PVP Crosspolymer, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Iron Oxides, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Lauryl Glucoside, Linum Usitatissimum (ORGANIC Linseed) Seed Oil, Mica, Plankton Extract, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Propanediol, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Salvia Sclarea (Clary) Extract, Synthetic Wax, Tocopherol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Water, Xanthan Gum.

Organic Ingredients: Cucumber Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Linseed Seed Oil, Orange Fruit Water, Safflower Seed Oil, and Sunflower Seed Extract