To B.B.?

Spring has finally arrived on the East Coast, you guys! And that means, amongst other things, it’s time to ditch the heavy creams and foundations for beloved B.B. Creams.

First things first, here’s everything you need to know about B.B. Creams:

1. B.B. stands for Beauty Balm.  Some say Blemish Balm or Beauty Base, but I’m sticking with Beauty Balm.
2. B.B. creams are a true all-in-one product meant to moisturize, even skin tone, protect the skin from harmful UV rays, and provide full coverage all day.
3. B.B. creams come in a variety of shades (and prices), enabling almost everyone to simplify her daily makeup routine.
4. Finally now that you’re up to speed on B.B. creams, you should know that they are the predecessor to C.C. Creams, which have the added benefit of Color Correction.

Now that you know the basics, here are some of my tried, trusted, and favorite beauty balms:

• Kiehl’s | Pros: broad spectrum SPF 50 PA +++ UV protection, vitamin C, provides very good coverage throughout the day | Cons: thick solution for a B.B., only 4 shades currently available | Price: $37 | Overall rating: +++
• Bobbi Brown | Pros: lightweight, full coverage, 9 shades currently available | Cons: only available in SPF 35 | Price: $44 | Overall rating: +++
• Chanel C.C. | Pros: extremely lightweight, refreshing scent, full coverage and even skin tone, best moisture | Cons: only available in 2 shades and SPF 30 PA +++, reveals fine lines throughout the day | Price: $55 | Overall rating: ++++

The Chanel C.C. cream wins my top vote, given the coverage, texture, and moisturizing benefits. However if the sun is extra harsh, I’ll forgo moisture for the higher UV protection from the Kiehl’s.

The Weekender

I’m having one of those “is it Friday yet?” kind of weeks.  I usually try to break up my week with dinner plans and other fun extracurriculars, so most of the time I’m not living for the weekend; however, I’m just really itching for a few days off at the moment.

Naturally my mind is shifting to weekend plans and potential getaways.  Luckily I always keep a few travels essentials on hand, so that I’m always prepared for a spontaneous getaway. A bit of prepared spontaneity, I guess.

Here’s some of my absolute favorites for a weekend getaway:

1. The ultimate weekender bag. I LOVE this bag by Everlane – it’s basic, fashionable, and the perfect size! And the price is right at just $95. Available online

2. Favorite PJs by Eberjey. Cute. Comfy. Can’t live without them. I pack these for every trip — they are heaven. Available online for $97.

3. I’m a little embarrassed to admit that I sleep with eye shades, but I do. It’s very Holly Golightly of me, I know. I actually freak out if I forget to pack my eye shades, so I’m considering buying a spare to keep in my weekender bag at all times. I found my favorite pair (pictured above) at Journelle in NYC, and they just came out with this new version, which I might have purchase – I love!

4. Moisture spray is essential for me.  I have very sensitive skin, and if I’m going to be spending several hours in a plane, train, or automobile, I like to make sure that my skin stays hydrated. I love the spring water spray by Eau Thermale Avène. This spray is soothing and great for sensitive skin — just a quick mist midway through your journey, and you’ll feel refreshed and ready for your trip! Avène spray is widely available at drugstores like Duane Reade and Wallgreens — at under $10, this is definitely one of my favorite drugstore buys.

5. Of course I never leave my house without my vitamins!  Travel essentials for me include: B12 for energy, C to ward off contagions, and biotin to keep my hair, skin and nails looking great.

Now I just have to decide where to go…only 3 more days until Friday!

Beauty on a budget

As a libra, one of my biggest weaknesses is self-indulgence.  I’m the first to admit that I love all things lush, luxe, and lavish! And my favorite indulgence is of course anything having to do with personal beauty – makeup, products, lotions, potions, and serums – I love it all! However, you don’t necessarily have to break the bank to look great and feel healthy.   Here are some of my favorite beauty tips and tricks that won’t hurt your wallet. Enjoy!

1. Olay ProX efoliating brush: these gentle brushes remove dead skin cells and provide a deep clean, leaving skin silky and ready to absorb your toners, essences, and moisturizers. Daily exfoliation prevents pores from clogging, speeds up the skin’s natural renewal process, and leads to visibly brighter skin. And the best part – this Olay ProX bush sells for a fraction of the price of comparable models currently on the market.

Price: $33 | available in most major drugstores and online

2. Reviva vitamin E stick: this is a fabulous product to use directly on the lips and sensitive areas surrounding the eyes. I use this throughout the day on my lips and gently press into my eyelids overnight. Lips will be soft and smooth, and you will see a visible reduction in dark circles and puffiness around the eyes.

Price: $4 | available at Wholefoods and online

3. Vitamin E gel capsules: I take 2 vitamin E gel capsules with a glass of water daily (for a total of 800 I.U. per day). I believe it is essential to boost your skin from within, and vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that protects against the damaging effects of free radicals (which cause premature again, fine lines, wrinkles, etc.)

In addition when my skin is feeling extra dull and dry, I like to slice open a capsule and apply the gel directly to my face overnight. I wake up to a glowing and rejuvenated complexion; however, it is important to note that you should avoid synethic versions of vitamin E. Search for the natural d-alpha version, as opposed to dl-alpha, which is synthetic and will do more harm than good for your complexion.

Price: $15 | available in most major drugstores and online

4. Coconut oil: I’m constantly finding new uses for coconut oil! This fatty-acid superfood is my holy grail — I enjoy pouring it into my water, cooking with it, and applying it directly to my hair, skin, and nails. Some of my favorite uses include: deep conditioning for my hair (especially in the summer heat after a day on the beach!), cuticle softener, body oil and shaving lotion for my legs.

Price: $9 | available at Wholefoods and online

5. Vaseline: I find vaseline to be an excellent makeup remover for the eyes, especially when I have an event and wear heavy liner and mascara. Apply with a cotton swab, and gently wipe away. Many claim that vaseline can also help to reduce fine lines; however, I prefer to wipe it off to prevent my pores from clogging.

Price: $7 | available in most major drugstores and online

6. Rosebud salve: This is the one product you will always find in my handbag – a lipbalm, hand creme, and perfume all in one!

Price: $6 | Available at Sephora and online 

7. Green tea: another powerful free radical fighting antioxidant, green tea provides so many health and beauty benefits. I drink 5 glasses per day, which keeps me hydrated and my skin glowing from the inside out! Green tea is also believed to burn fat, protect the skin from UV rays, prevent heart disease, reduce the risk of certain cancers, and it’s delicious – there’s really no reason to not implement green tea into your daily diet!

Price: $10 | available in most markets and online

8. Water: last, but certainly not least, water! Water is essential to maintaining a healthy, moisturized, and glowing complexion! Water is a key component of my beauty routine – I splash cold water onto my face for 30 seconds every day after cleansing to reduce my pores, and I will never apply makeup until I drink a full glass of water, which quickly adds moisture to my skin.

Product Showcase | SK-II Facial Treatment Essence

Those of you who know me will agree that I am a certifiable product junkie.  I have tried everything over the years (including botox at age 25…don’t do that). I must say, if I had to choose one product which I absolutely cannot live without, it would be SK-II’s Facial Treatment Essence.

SK-II Facial Treatment Essence | Miracle Water

There’s a reason this product is called Miracle Water — use this pitera-based solution twice daily after cleansing, and you will see results! For those of you who don’t yet know, pitera is a yeast extract formed during the fermentation of sake, or rice wine. It may sound odd to put an alcohol byproduct directly onto your face; however, this water is incredibly soothing, gentle, and effective! In fact, the power of pitera was first discovered at a sake factory in Japan, where the workers dealing directly with the sake all reportedly saw soft, youthful, and wrinkle-free hands. Over a decade of research later, and voila! we have our beloved Miracle Water!

And this product is so easy to use. Simply wash with your usual cleanser, then with your hands press a few shakes of the Facial Treatment Essence firmly into your face and neck, and proceed with your normal moisturizer / SPF routine. I use the Facial Treatment Essence both day and night, 7 days a week.

When asked by ELLE magazine if she could live with just one product for the rest of her life, Cate Blanchett answered, “It would be SK-II Facial Treatment Essence because it has so many purposes. I use it over makeup and under makeup. It’s a moisturizer, but the key ingredient, Pitera, also works on the clarity and the radiance and hydration of my skin. When I can only pack one thing, it’ll be that. If I had the choice between spending a lot of money on a foundation or buying a bottle of Essence, I’d get the Essence because if you use it over time you need less foundation anyway.”

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“When I can only pack one thing, it’ll be that. If I had the choice between spending a lot of money on a foundation or buying a bottle of Essence, I’d get the Essence…”

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Well there you have it — if it’s good enough for Cate, it’s good enough for me. I hope you’ll try SK-II’s Facial Treatment Essence for yourself, I know you will love the results!