Report Card - Antioxidant Serum

Well I have a new report card to hand out and I am sad to report that I find this product to be a hard to grade item.


Kate Somerville Total Vitamin Antioxidant Serum - $65 for 1 oz.
(Sephora and online at Sephora.com)

I was turned on to this product by a lovely Sephora associate. She took notice of my large shopping bag and my fair freckled skin and just knew that I was ripe for the picking.

Now all of you BGNDers know that I love the high end as well as the cheap - and while I was in the market for a new antioxidant serum to add to my morning routine- I was not just gonna plop down a cool $70 for 1 oz of product. (Even if it did come from the lovely Kate Somerville - a skin genius.)

So while I did not buy this product when first introduced to me many many months ago - I finagled a rather large sample. After using the sample everyday for about a month (I told you she gave me a good amount) - I was convinced this was worth an actual purchase so off I went to help that one gal's commission for the day.

So now here I am, a few months of use under my belt, the entire bottle completely dry and my thoughts on the matter - ehhh.

That's right - I give this product an "ehhh".

For those of you that don't know what that is - think of your lovely husband saying "Hey honey, aren't you excited to see my boss and his wife tonight? You guys are great friends!" To which you think...."ehhhh...she's okay but it is Saturday and I was hoping for a hot date."

Yup - this product is ehhh.

Now to be fair - the main reason I think this product is just blah is because I think it is not for my skin type (although it claims to be for normal to dry skin).
I think on the right face - this would be a good product. (Not great - just good.) For me - it really didn't do anything.

The Positives
- Chock full of the good antioxidants you need and want to fight those evil free radicals
- Nice opaque bottle so the lovely vitamin C inside doesn't lose its mojo
- Lovely smell (not so of all antioxidants) and texture
- Quickly absorbed and leaves nice finish on skin - no grease, no sheen, no weird pastiness

The Not so Positives
- Not a great product for those that have anything less than combo to oily skin
- For a product that touts major sun damage reversal - after 3 months of daily use - I saw nothing - and I am a majorly freckled woman!!
- Price

So now you may look at these positives and negatives and wonder what I am thinking? Well for me - the negatives definitely out way the positives. What good is a product if it doesn't work? Even if food is made with the best ingredients - sometimes it doesn't taste that great...Hello - Top Chef?!

So my grade is this...

If you are older, have dry skin or serious skin damage - skip this.
I give it a C+ for your skin care needs.

If you have oily skin or are just starting to see the signs of damage - try it but don't expect a miracle.
B/B+ at most.

Like I said - even if I had the right kind of skin for this product - I am not sure it would do what it promises...and at $65 a bottle - that is not worth it.

Keep looking fabulous!

BGND

P.S. One disclaimer - when I was using the sample it was summer - perhaps my skin was a bit more oily and reacting better to the product....so if you are set on this item- perhaps use this in summer and switch to something with more moisture for the winter...just a thought....

Decisions Decisions

Doesn't it sometimes feel like we are all always looking for that one perfect product? I have one friend who is always buying new blush- striving for the perfect glow. I have another friend who has a trash can filled to the brim with discarded mascara in search of the best lash. And of course- the ideal concealer is something that eludes many.

Well lately I have a new product I am constantly hunting. For the first time in my life - I need foundation. Now truth be told, I have dabbled with foundation in the past. But I have always been lucky enough to use it only on special occasions or for when I really wanted to look polished. However with my twenties further and further in the rear view mirror - the reality is that my skin needs a little help.

Now mind you, I know that I am lucky. For the most part, I am not dealing with super deep lines or sun spots or acne scars or any of the other myriad of skin issues that women face. My biggest issue is splotchy skin. I crossed 30 and all of a sudden I was a little more red around the nose and a little uneven overall. Suddenly, my usual powder and concealer combo was not working. It was time for something a bit more serious. I have used mineral foundation in the past and had great success but I am feeling liquid is my future.

So here I am - in search of something that will allow my skin to show through but will still even me out.

The first thing I purchased was this...

Stila One Step Correct - $36 (Sephora and online at multiple sites)

I have been using it for a couple of weeks. I like that it is a primer that addresses many skin issues. However, I am not totally impressed. I think that there are better primers out there for less money. I don't feel it evens me out all that much and while I do like the moisturizing feel - I am not loving its work on lines or pores. Regardless, I am willing to stick with this primer for a bit longer. At least until I can see what this primer mixed with the right foundation accomplishes.

Now for the real issue....

The reason I am in a deep quest at the moment is because I cannot get my hands on this....

My long time favorite. But Prescriptives, alas is no more and my shade of Traceless is sold out on line and everywhere else I have checked.

So in a quest to find a new fave for natural coverage - these are the two new foundations I am going to try:

1 - Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation SPF 15 - $45 (Sephora and online at multiple sites)

This little bottle promises exactly what I am looking for - "invisible, lightweight coverage that looks like skin, not makeup." If that statement is true - I have found my new best friend.

My second option if good ol' Bobbi Brown fails?

2 - Smashbox High Definition Healthy FX Foundation SPF 15 - $38 (Sephora and online at multiple sites)

I love Smashbox and am currently a huge fan of this...so I have high hopes for this foundation as well - even though I am going to give Bobbi Brown the first draft slot.

So wish my luck BGNDers....and tell me what products are you constantly hunting for?

And of course - check back in with me to see how these foundations held up....

Keep looking fabulous,

BGND

Smashing Smashbox!

I love Smashbox Cosmetics. They make quality products, invent new make up bag staples year after year and they give back to the community- AMAZING.

Today I have to give a little shout out to the new Smashbox 2009 Holiday Collection. Not only are there some fantabulous finds in this year's event (hello 8 awesome choices - I am loving the Smashbox Sampler Kit myself!) but with each purchase a donation goes to the Children's Miracle Network.

So go ahead - get a beautiful gift for a friend and something special for yourself. It's a charitable donation right? Tax write off!! (Hehe- just kidding...)

Keep looking fabulous!
BGND

Freebie Fun!

So this weekend when exiting the movie theater with my lovely significant other, a shiny blue package was shoved into my hands. I immediately thought that whatever this was would end up one of two places - the garbage or the bottom of the family junk drawer. However when I looked down..I saw that this was not a flier or some odd new candy treat I was being handed - it was a sample of the best kind of freebie- a beauty freebie!!

Dove Intense Damage Therapy Shampoo and Conditioner - $4.77 each (Online and nationwide at mass retailers)

So there I was holding 5 FREE SAMPLES!!! of both the shampoo and conditioner - who am I not to give them a try? Well today in the shower I braved these new sweet smelling hair products and I was pleasantly surprised. I have never been a big fan of Dove shampoo and conditioner- I have found it to be more fragrance than substance. However, this newer version of their product performed decently well on its first outing.

It is winter time so my hair is on the dry side...as a result it literally sucked up the moisture in this "therapy" shampoo. In fact, the shampoo had that feeling of more a shampoo/conditioner combo than it did pure shampoo. It was sudsy and it lathered well but my hair felt smooth and soft- almost conditioned after the wash. The conditioner was pretty standard.

So my final thoughts on this freebie? Good at first use- definitely worth a try in the winter. However, I would be concerned on hair like mine (fine and wispy) that this product would be too heavy over time. However, if you have coarse or thick hair I think this could be just what the hair doctor ordered.

All in all, I think perhaps I will give this a go for a few days in a row to see what the buildup is like on fine hair and if it is too much for a regular everyday shampoo/conditioner- this will have a spot as a once a week treat for my winter dry hair.

And good news - if you are interested in trying these Dove products out - drugstore.com is having a buy 1, get 1 50% off sale....click here for all the details.

Happy Monday and keep looking fab,
BGND

Handy Information....

The following is a post from last October but considering my hands are cracked and bleeding AGAIN and I have gone to this product as my savior - AGAIN - I thought it was worth sharing...
AGAIN!!

Hehe....


Ah the crisp fall weather has arrived AT LAST. Now for some of you in the eastern or northern parts of the country, the weather has been deliciously fall-like for some time. However, for those of us here in Southern California (and other warmer climates) mother nature has been taking her sweet time getting around to fall. Well, it has FINALLY cooled off (no more 90 degree October days hopefully!) and here at BGND we are loving it.



Well, as much as I love the cool, along with it comes a host of beauty issues that arise from cooler outside climates, drying inside heaters and inclement weather in general. Today's issue of choice?
DRY HANDS.



I love me some hand lotion....I have several tubes dotted all over the place...in the car, on my nightstand, in my purse, at my computer...the list goes on and on. Well, in these frigid times my hands really take a beating. They get red and dry and sore and cracked and it is NOT fun. So today I bring to you my favorite hand creams for fall...a little something for everyone if you will. The following list includes some classics, some personal faves and some hand lotions with a little something extra. Mix and Match- I know that you will love them all!





My absolute #1 pick? (aka the ROCKSTAR hand Cream)
Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream - $4.49 (Drugstores nationwide and online at Drugstore.com)

This hand cream is no joke. It is scent free, goes on without any greasy residue, absorbs quickly and a little goes a long way. Best of all? When my fingers and knuckles start to crack and bleed from dryness (yes - gross but true for me in the winter) this is the ONLY thing that will bring them back to life. LOVE IT. (Side note - there is a version with SPF that I also enjoy but don't find it quite as effective at hard core moisturizing and repairing.)

Other great choices:
Palmer's Cocoa Butter Concentrated Cream with Vitamin E - $4.04 (Drugstores nationwide and online at drugstore.com)
- smells great, rich and creamy and feels ultra-soothing
Bath & Body Works Anti-Bacterial Moisturizing Lotion (Travel Size) - $3-4 (Nationwide at Bath & Body Works and online at bathandbodyworks.com)
- great scent choices, good moisturizing and anti-bacterial..perfect for your car or on the go
Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream - $11.69 (Nationwide at drugstores or online at drugstore.com)
- scent free, great for sensitive skin and all skin, not just hands

Of course, you know my love for this lotion as well...http://beautygirlnextdoor.blogspot.com/2008/08/product-of-week-august-7th-2008.html.

So go forth and may your hands, fingers and knuckles survive the cooling outside!

Keep looking fabulous for fall,
BGND

Color Me Mine

As you BGNDers know- I love finding things meant for one thing and using them for something else. It is truly how some of my best product finds have come about. But this urge to think outside the box spreads not just to the product category but to accessories as well. For example, I love to use a concealer brush for any kind of shimmer or glow application - it is just the right size for precise illumination.

Today's think outside the box moment I think is something that will benefit any of us who need help with organization (me!!). I saw this item advertised in In Style as an answer to organizing and storing menus and coupons in your junk drawer...but as soon as I saw the pic- something else came to mind...it is so pretty and color coordinated- it made me think of an eyeshadow palette.

Semikolon Accordion File Folder - $32 (Available online at seejanework.com)

I love this pretty pretty file folder. It is so bright and cheerful and in my opinion - a great organizer if you are someone whose eye make-up is all swimming around in a bag or a drawer somewhere. Simply put each color eyeliner and eye shadow in its coordinating folder and you will always know where your favorite black eyeliner or your favorite pink eye shadow is. So easy!!

Keep looking fabulous,
BGND

P.S. www.seejanework.com is a SUPER cute website so even if you aren't into the file folder- check out all their other goodies!!

Pop go the eyes!!

So my good friend Anne always hooks me up with free stuff - she has some killer connections! And since she is a very tan blonde and I am a very pale brunette - we don't use the same cosmetic colors and the ones she can't utilize get thrown my way.

Her most recent freebie is one that has been amazing since the first use....

Eyecake by POP Beauty - $19-$20 (see link below for locations)

I seriously have been blown away by this set. Not only are all the colors beautiful and perfectly coordinated AND they highlight whatever color eyes your momma gave you -best of all - they last.
Yup, you read that right- they actually last from when I put them on in the morning at 7am all the way through till 11pm when I am washing my face for bed (and yes that included going to the gym and sweating it up...). In a word- these eye shadows are solid quality. And what is most telling to me is the fact that when it is very early in the morning and I am staring at my make-up kit thinking I have nothing to use (you know the same feeling we all get in front of the closet) - I inevitably grab for this eyeshadow palette just like we all reach for that killer black dress. Yup - these eye shadows are that great.

Totally recommend this pack and a huge thank you to Anne for giving me my first taste of POP Beauty. I am already making a list of the other products I am going to try. So no worries POP- I will be paying money for these eye shadows and more soon enough!

If you are as into this new find as I am - click here and POP will hook you up with the retail location closest to you.

Keep looking fabulous,
BGND