Have your Cocktails + Keep your Radiance, too!

  As the holiday season has quickly descended upon us, the endless party circuit stream has, or is certainly soon to, take its toll.  Radiant skin is replaced by dull, drab looking skin, dark circles are complimented by bloodshot eyes, and instead of resting and becoming restored, we put on yet another cocktail dress, add some eyeliner and brightening foundation and we're off to the next fete! 
  Well, here's a little help from our friends over at Kiehl's.  Their Midnight Recovery Concentrate is absolutely fantastic for restoring the radiance, moisture, and suppleness of over-worked, under paid skin that is often neglected during the holidays.
  The main ingredient in this serum is squalane, a powerful antioxidant that is derived from the olive.  Squalane is a natural compound found in our sebaceous glands and acts as a lubricant, maintaining the suppleness of the skin and also helping to deactivate free radicals.  Moreover, squalane is thought to help diminish age spots and fine lines, as well as increase cell turnover (similar to Retinol/Vitamin A).  It's a great moisturizer that is colourless, odourless, has anti-bacterial properties and is very bio-compatible. 
  Other fabulous ingredients in this restorative serum are lavender, which helps to ease inflammation and promote a more even complexion, and evening primrose oil, which helps to repair the skin's barrier and is also rich in the moisturizing omega 6 fatty acids.  This product is also 99.8% naturally derived and is free of parabens!
  So enjoy your cocktails and late-night parties without the dreadful complexion-diminishing effects.  See you on the dance floor!



More info on the Kiehl's website

Let there be GLITTER!

  Continuing with the holiday sparkle trend (and personal obsession) is this tres exclusive, limited edition glimmering hair spray.  ALTERNA Caviar Glitterati Shimmer Sparkling Shine Spray (now that is a great example of alliteration!), a light hold hair spray that imparts a luxe, not-too-flashy but oh-so-glamorous shine to your hair.  A fantastic aspect of this product is that its formulated without parabens, phthalates, PABAs, mineral oil, DEA, and petrolatum. Available exclusively and only online at Sephora.com, this hairspray is a great way to up the
ante on your holiday look, or serves as the perfect stocking stuffer!!



Product info at Sephora 

From a Wise Philosopher...

  I have always had a strong attraction to Philosophy products.  The adorable packaging (mostly on their body washes), unique fragrances, inventive product names and the overall mantra of the company make the entire line oh-so-appealing.  Their most popular, original product is Hope In a Jar - an all-purpose moisturizer that contains some fabulous ingredients that provide stellar results.
  Firstly, the entire formulation is a mousse-like texture, it is light, fluffy almost, and is quickly absorbed into the skin.  Slight exfoliation and the promotion of cell turnover is initiated by Lauryl Lactate, which is the ester of Lactic Acid, the natural alpha-hydroxy acid found in milk.  This acid ester works on the surface of the skin and helps to impart radiance by removing dead cells.  The next powerful ingredient is beta glucan, which is a derivative of glucose.  The beta glucan plays an interesting role in this concoction - it helps to strengthen and regenerate specific cells that target environmental toxins, dead cells, malfunctioning cells, or any other substances that are not natural or necessary for optimal functioning of the skin.  Once initiated, these cells target the removal of cells, toxins, or unnatural substances that may be the result of UV damage, environmental toxins, and free radicals.  Ultimately, the beta glucan helps to restore youth and is known to diminish fine lines while also returning skin to optimal function by ensuring that its protection factors are strong.
  Along with a shot of Vitamin E, which helps to moisturize and protect the skin, Hope in a Jar also contains Retinyl Palmitate, the precursor to Vitamin A (my favourite all-time skincare ingredient), which encourages cell proliferation and turnover, promotes collagen and elastin production, and reduces fine lines, sun damage, and results in luminous, radiant skin.
  Hope In a Jar has been a cult favourite for some time now, and right in time for the holiday season is limited-edition packaging, perfect for anyone on your list!

Hope In a Jar on Sephora's website



For the Love of Kabuki

  This Holiday season (which is so quickly approaching!!), NARS has unveiled a super exclusive, extremely giftable set of lip colour.  The Bento Box was inspired by Francois Nars' fascination with the drama and precision behind Kabuki style makeup, and is thus packaged as two separable, ceramic bowls within a beautiful wooden box. Inside the ceramic bowls are two, hand-poured lipstick formulations - Maiko, a devilish red and Sakura, a playful pink - which took over ten years to perfect.  As always, the lipstick is highly pigmented and contains nourishing Vitamin E.  Within the set is a wisteria brush, which allows for precise, even application.  Priced at $140 and available exclusively at Holt Renfrew (in Canada), this is one gift that a true beauty addict would adore.



NARS Bento Box

Berry Beneficial

    Raspberries have long been touted for their powerful health benefits - they possess strong antioxidant properties and are chock full of essential and cancer-fighting ingredients.  The component in raspberries (and other berries and nuts) is a phytochemical (plant chemical) called ellagic acid.  Studies have shown that it is likely that ellagic acid has anti-angiogenic properties through its inhibition of cancer cell growth.  Moreover, it has protective properties that help to detoxify and nourish the body.  Cosmetic scientists have caught on to this notion and believe that these detoxifying, protective, antioxidant properties would be exhibited in a cosmetic formulation.  Thus far, it has been determined that ellagic acid prevents the formation of age spots, wrinkles, and other damage caused by UVB rays through the inhibition of MMP (matrix metalloproteinase) enzyme production.  MMP enzymes break down the holy grail of youth: collagen - and nobody wants that!   With the prevalence of natural ingredients in cosmetics, coinciding with the idea that what goes on the body goes in the body, it is fairly safe to say that ellagic acid would exhibit some of its rockstar qualities in a cosmetic product.  I can't wait for more research to be done on this exciting ingredient!

Ellagic Acid in Cosmetics and Toiletries
Ellagic Acid on Cancer.org

Slip into Something a Little More Comfortable...

  It has become evident that I have a slight obsession with all things that sparkle or shine.  So, it's something short of a miracle that I haven't discovered this absolutely amazing product sooner.  Allow me to introduce... Bare Escentual's Body Lingerie.  This "luminous body shimmer" resides in a vintage-looking perfume bottle, equipped with atomizer (to provide the perfect amount of product with every spritz) and all.  A combination of mica (a silicate stone that is highly utilized for cosmetic purposes for its ability to impart a uniform, intense sparkle.  This is due to the hexagonal nature of the atoms that form each crystal), bismuth oxychloride (adds a pearlescent shimmer), oxides of iron and titanium, silica, and a natural vanilla scent all contribute to the fabulousity of this product. 



More info at Bare Escentuals and ingredient info at Cosmetics Database

Image courtesy of BE website, ingredient info from Cosmetics Database

Stocking Stuffer Beauty - Holiday Gift Guide

From top:

1. MAC Tartan Tale Holiday Collection 2010 - www.maccosmetics.com
2. philosophy The Gingerbread House - ginger-spiced and uber festive bubble bath and shower gel
3. Chloe Chloe Gift Set - the design house's floral, sexy, addictive scent
4. NARS Orgasm Lust Lip + Cheek Set - Laguna and Orgasm cheek compact, Super Orgasm lipgloss

Image 1 courtesy of www.maccosmetics.com
2-4 available at www.sephora.com (images courtesy of)