Purse Friendly Beauty

I am a live by what is in my purse kind of girl. Heaven forbid a beauty situation arise in which I am caught unprepared, without the proper tools in my larger-than-life (or me) sack. That being said, here are some of my handbag must-haves for beauty on-the-go.

The Spa Comes Home- Ahava Radiant Spa Kit

If beauty from the Earth is good, then beauty from the Sea is truly exceptional. Ahava is an Israel-born beauty brand that channels all of the healing properties of the dead sea into an amazing array of bath, body, and skincare products. I was a devotee even before my beauty blogging days, smitten after a family friend brought me back a tube of lotion after his trip to Israel.

The Science of Skincare- M.D Skincare’s Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel

When it comes to skincare, I am a huge fan of everything scientific, from advanced formulations, to innovative ingredients, to new techniques; I love to be dazzled with science at its most advanced. This time around, I explore the Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel by M.D Skincare.

A two-step regimen designed to cleanse and exfoliate, this duo is designed to cleanse, exfoliate, protect, tone and brighten the skin with the simple sweep of two solution-soaked pads. Analyze the ingredients, and you will quickly decipher how these seemingly simple swabs work.

Step 1:
Genistein is a derivative of soybeans, and a powerful antioxidant. It serves to inhibit UV ray induced skin cell damage.
Glycolic Acid is a derivative of sugar cane, and is the most active of the Alpha Hydroxy Acids, designed to stimulate collagen production
Lactic Acid is derived from milk, and is an Alpha Hydroxy Acid whose purpose is to act as a mild exfoliant
Malic Acid is an Alpha Hydroxy Acid derived from fruits like apples and pears, and serves as a gentle exfoliant
Salicylic Acid is a Beta Hydroxy Acid derived from willow bark, designed to exfoliate and refine the surface of the skin. It is especially effective as an anti-acne ingredient

The recipe above is a potent mix of gentle ingredients with science to back up their efficacy, and that impresses the nerd and beauty geek in me all at once. Whipping out the pre-soaked pad and rubbing it all over my face and décolleté for the recommended two minutes, I can’t help but enjoy the gentle tingle as I know that the acids are working their magic on my skin. When I take that shmutz-laden pad away, I know that my pores are cleaner, and that my skin already feels more refined.

Step 2:

Phospholipids act as skin enrichers, moisturizing the skin without suffocating it, drawing moisture from the environment to ensure that cells stay smooth and plump.
Vitamins A,C,E are all antioxidants that protect the skin and slow down the aging process.
Sodium Bicarbonate is a fancy name for a familiar compound- baking soda. Used in Step 2, it serves to exfoliate while neutralizing the acids in step 1.

Step 2 is much the same as step 1. I rub the pre-soaked pad over both face and décolleté, foregoing a rinse to allow the solutions to continue working their magic even after the process is done. What I am immediately left with is brighter, smoother skin, and what I have noticed over the time I have been using this product is an increase in tone, brightness, and clarity in my skin. My face feels smoother, and looks more radiant; this is science at its most beautiful.

When it comes to both science and skincare, it is fully possible for the two to marry and make all kinds of wonderful little product babies that do the face and body a world of good. In this case, the melding of potent ingredients and solid science have convinced me that amazing skin is as Easy as an Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel a day.


*Product provided by the brand for consideration

Makeup Quickies, Shu Oil and Lancome Bi-Facil Revisited

Good Things DO Come in Small Packages- Clarisonic Mia

Oftentimes, great things come in large packages that delight in ways almost unimaginable. Sometimes, said things experience a makeover that makes them infinitely more delightful. Case in point, allow me to introduce you to this adorable offspring of the Clarisonic Skin Brush, Mia is a marvelous mini.

More Than Tools- EcoTools for Face and Body

I already know that you are all fans of EcoTools brushes, and so am I. What I bet you haven't discovered yet is that EcoTools also has a full range of affordable and eco-friendly bath and body products, ripe for the picking. This Earth Day is the perfect chance to indulge in some all natural goodness.

De-Slick Thyself- Boscia Green Tea Blotting Linens

With the warmer months fast approaching we are shedding our coats, our gloomy dispositions, and our dry, flaking skin. I am all about the warm sunshine, that is fact. What I am not all about is a different kind of shine- an excessive one that has the tendency to emanate from the pores of my face as my skin's oil glands produce the greasies in excess. Now I know that I am not alone in my tendency to run shiny during the warmer season.

 Renee, I love you but the oily look is exactly what we aren't going for.

Find Your Burt ('s Bees)

Ladies and gents, it's time to talk about Burt. Of course I am not talking about one half of that lovable Sesame Street Duo here.

Ahem, we are actually referring to the Burt of Burt's Bees, naturally.

Spot Free Skin Thanks to M Lab Brightening

While spots can definitely work for those adorable dalmatians (for the exception, see below), they  most certainly do not work for me, or you. Seeking to make brown spots (and wrinkles!) a thing of the past, M Lab has left my skin and the future looking all the brighter since it came into my life.

Steam Heat brings the Skin Clean with Biore

Readers, I was recently on a great and noble beauty quest with my dear friends efficiency and effectiveness in tow. In an effort to wash away my cares (dirt, oil, and makeup), I have scaled those department store counters and drugstore aisles searching for products that will get the job done quickly. Fortuitously, I was invited to a beauty event recently that brought two new cleansing products to my attention from that brand that we all know and love- Biore. Launching both makeup removing towelettes and an in-shower facial cleanser, this drugstore favorite has created two winning products that were made to have me (and you) singing in the shower.

What happens when I sing in the shower.

La Mer Body Creme is Pure Luxury

Spring may be on the horizon, but I am still running dryer than the Sahara this March. High blasts of heat and hot water showers have sapped the moisture from my skin, leaving me feeling itchy, looking ashy, and wishing there were a miracle product that would take all of it away on my terms. What I need is moisture, and lots of it; what I want is a cream that isn't too heavy, and smells amazing to boot. Bellas, I have found said illustrious product in the form of La Mer's Body Creme, the newest addition to my beauty lifestyle. 

Winter Skin Must-Have- Ole Henriksen Skin Insulator

In this seemingly never-ending winter, there is at least one weapon we can arm ourselves with in order to show our skin who's boss.

Ahem, what I am referring to is the Ole Henriksen Skin Insulator with SPF 15.

 

Sent from above, the skin insulator is designed to protect both face and body from harsh conditions like extreme cold and uv rays. Non greasy, fast absorbing, and with a light but pleasant scent, insulator has become a staple in my winter makeup routine. 

  

We may not have control over the weather, but we can control our skin's reaction to it. To arm yourself against the elements, go with Ole Henriksen's Skin Insulator with SPF 15. Your vulnerable skin will thank you.

*Product was provided by PR for consideration.

Jan Marini Age Intervention Prime

Let's talk about Prime.

No, not Optimus Prime. Today we are going to focus on a different kind of prime(r), Jan Marini's newest- Age Intervention Prime.

 

La Prairie White Caviar Illuminating Système

Those of you that know me, know that I cannot stop raving about how utterly amazing La Prairie's Skin Caviar Luxe Cream is. I live in it, I slather myself in it, and honestly, my obsession is reaching a level of epic proportions.

It is for that very reason that I am beyond excited for La Prairie's newest skincare collection, the White Caviar Illuminating Système. Designed to combat the signs of aging, this three part treatment system targets lines, wrinkles, and age spots.

To read the full details on the launch, take the jump

Ole Henrikson Gives Back to Haiti

In my efforts to bring you the latest on the companies that are reaching out and helping Haiti, I wanted to direct your attention to a great skincare company, Ole Henriksen.

From February 1st – 7th (this week), purchase any product on OleHenriksen.com and 20% of all the profits will be donated to the American Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti. Every bit helps, so I encourage you all to partake if are able. Beauty and a great cause, a beautiful thing indeed.

Skincare 201 with Dr Tina Alster

Welcome to round 2 of my skincare enlightenment series. This time, I bring to you various words of wisdom and skincare gems from none other than dermatologist extraordinaire, Dr Tina S. Alster.

I recently had the pleasure of attending a press event held in the fabulous Peninsula Spa, where attendees gathered to get the 411 on skincare from an industry leader. With a resume that reads like an honor student's report card, it becomes clear that Dr Alster is an expert in her field, a wealth of skincare knowledge, and one of the best and brightest in the business. I can also attest to the fact that she also has a fabulous personality, and a killer fashion sense (she is a fan of Jason Wu). Pluses in my book, though completely optional in a good dermatologist.

Skincare 101 with Dr Neal Schultz and DermTV

Source                                                                               ...Settle down kids, skincare class in in session

I have covered many a skincare brand and product here on Krasey Beauty, and have even gone so far as to explain the science behind some of the hot topic ingredients that are out on the market today, present in my lotions, potions, and various shmears. You may not have noticed, but I haven't really gone ahead to delve into the topic of skincare tips, since I couldn't speak on the subject with the air of authority only a professional would have. Well folks, I have found my skincare professional, one who has imparted upon me and several others a wealth of dermal discernment. Not one to hog all of a good thing to myself, I want to share with you nuggets of skincare gold, all courtesy of Dr Schultz of DermTV.

A Brush with Facial Greatness at Soie Aroma Skin

Remember my first facial, way back in October? I had a lovely experience at the Joanna Vargas Spa, indulging in her Signature Triple Crown Facial. Post facial, I was left feeling renewed, refreshed, and with glowing skin to boot. All that aside, now is the time for me to come out and say it. Beauties, I have another confession to make...

I see... clogged pores

Yes dear readers, my pores were in fact shamefully clogged, due to the fact that I have never had a proper cleansing facial, complete with extractions. I passed on a true cleansing facial with Joanna Vargas, only because I had no idea of what to expect, and was afraid of the pain associated with the process. However, becoming hyper-aware of the clogged pores and blackheads my skin was housing, I knew it would only be a matter of time before I had to put my fears aside and get it done. Given the opportunity, I put my skin into the very skilled, very capable hands of Cecilia Wang, aesthetician and owner of Soie Aroma Skin in Union Square.

Beauty Resolution: No More Wrinkles with Baby Quasar

While we are looking forward, lets talk about 2010, and what kind of potential your skin has for greatness, thanks to an amazing little invention that will revolutionize the anti-aging market. Say hello to...


Ahem, I mean:

A New Twist on an Old Favorite

Don't you just love when a company listens to our concerns, and accommodates to our needs?

Such was the case with one of my morning makeup staples. Those of you who recall my review, know that I am a big fan of Chella's Matte Finish Morning Crema with SPF 25. I loved the product and what it did for my skin; the tub of product that was prone to breaking, not so much. Fortunately, Chella has solved that pesky little packaging problem by changing the delivery system to an airless pump. Same great formula, awesome new packaging.

Is there a certain brand's packaging that you just can't stand? One you love? Tell me in the comments!