4.13.2010

# beauty # Reviews

Recent Beauty Finds

I am happy to report that I am in my third trimester and am growing, growing, growing! And since fashion really isn’t in the cards for me right now (I basically wear a tunic with leggings every single day) all I have is beauty. And thankfully my recent trip to Sephora was not only fruitful but very successful. Here are my recent beauty finds:

The Clarisonic

I seriously do not know how I lived without this invention. This is hands down the single best beauty item I’ve ever purchased in my entire life (and I promise to stop using hyperbole after this sentence). The Clarisonic is a gentle cleansing system that uses sonic technology in the form of a rotating brush to cleanse and exfoliate your skin. I’ve been using mine (I purchased the travel friendly Clarisonic Mia in pink) for the past two and a half weeks and my skin has never looked better! People keep complimenting me on my pregnancy ‘glow’ and I don’t have the heart to tell them it is all due to my beloved Clarisonic Mia. Thank you to all of my readers that recommended it to me…


Bare Escentuals Buxom Big and Healthy Lip Balm in Portofino

I have been searching high and low for a beautiful, sheer lip balm that adds a bit of color and moisturizes and I am happy to report that my search is over. Bare Escentuals (one of my favorite beauty brands- I use several of their products) has just put out a series of lip balms in pretty sheer colors that meet all of my criteria. This handy little lip balm (there is a mirror in the lid allowing you to discreetly check your application!) has beautiful color that lasts, keeps my lips hydrated and isn’t sticky in the slightest. I love it…



Clinique Quick Eyes Cream Shadow in Rock Violet


I have always regarded cream eyeshadows with suspicion. I like the idea of them but have had too many bad experiences with creasing and fading throughout the day. I can happily report that Clinique’s Quick Eyes Cream Shadow is the first cream eyeshadow that actually lasts all day long (I did use an eyeshadow primer underneath- Urban Decay’s Primer Potion). I am honestly so impressed I am already planning on purchasing other colors! This eyeshadow is easy to apply and provides beautiful, sheer color- perfect for summer.



L’Occitane Ultra Rich Face Cream


This is an old school face cream in the sense that it doesn’t do 15 things at once (i.e. sun protection, anti-aging, etc.) but that is what I like about it. I have been looking for a rich moisture cream that I can wear at night that will simply hydrate and soften my skin and so far I am loving this one. Primarily composed of Shea butter, the Ultra Rich Face Cream leaves my skin luxuriously moisturized and supple…

I would love to know your recent beauty finds…

The Clarisonic Mia is $149. Bare Escentuals Buxom Lip Balm is $15, Clinique Quick Eyes Cream Shadow is $15 and L’Occitane Ultra Rich Face Cream is $38. All products can be purchased at www.sephora.com.

20 comments:

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Such an informative post..I am sure that you are all aglow as is my lovely DIL....who is due early June.
I have heard so many positive comments on that Clarisonic...I maybe need to test drive one soon.
Relax and be well...

Vanessa said...

Beauty products like anti aging creams are increasing in their popularity. There are many good beauty products that do help you to reduce the signs of aging and make you look younger. Most of the products reduce wrinkles and dark spots that are there on the face.

the gardener's cottage said...

I guess Hostess and I are reading the same blogs b/c I have heard quite a bit about the clairsonic also. As an esthetician I'm a bit hesitant but everyone seems to LOVE it so I guess I'm going to have to give it a try. Also, the lip balm sounds good b/c I hate sticky lip balms!

Thanks for the reviews! Congrats on the 3rd trimester, you don't have long to go now!

Rose said...

am going to have to try this machine! we don't have sephora here- a constant source of upset- but am sure i can track one down!

I can't believe you are in your third trimester already- it's gone so fast!

Josephine Tale Peddler said...

Hello Jennifer,
I always enjoy reading your new beauty finds. I haven't heard anything about the Clarisonic (it's new to me) I'm always a bit scared when it comes to too much exfoliation of the skin and all the gadgets. I do really worry that people are exfoliating too much and stripping their skins without realising Anyway, as I said I'm ignorant of what it actually does Thanks for all the other tips. I do know the Loccitane Ultra Rich Cream and it is lovely I agree. xx

Kristi said...

The Clarisonic is on my dream list --- I'm going for the mia, as well. I can't wait!!!! Some day ....

Rebecca said...

I've read rave reviews of the Clarisonic. I didn't realize they come in different varieties. It's on my list of must haves.

You must be so excited about your baby girl on the way! I love reading about it...

The Daily Connoisseur said...

Hostess- Best wishes to your son and daughter in law- what an exciting time!

Vanessa- Because I'm pregnant I have been looking for simple beauty products that don't have complex properties found in anti-aging creams (just in case they are harmful for the baby). Normally I am all about a multi-tasking cream but for the next few months I want simplicity... Thanks for your comment!

Gardeners Cottage- I did not know you were an esthetician- how fabulous! I really do love the Clarisonic. It took me a long time to get up the nerve to purchase it as it is so expensive but for my problem skin- it really was worth it.

Rose- what is the English equivalent of Sephora? I will need to know this in case we move back there someday!

Josephine- I thought the same thing but there is so much technology behind this product- they've thought about that already too! The brush heads are super gentle (you can even purchase one for sensitive or delicate skin). The main piece of advice is to not press too hard into your skin- just lightly go over it. Whatever it's doing is working because my skin is clear and truly glowing...

Kristi- I hope you get one soon- you deserve it! xo

Rebecca- Yes, I didn't want to get the regular Clarisonic. I think that one is over $200. I travel a lot so the Mia is tiny and compact and I'm sure works just as well... Thanks for the kind words re: baby :)

Lulu said...

Thank you for sharing. I've been interested in the Clairisonic for a long time. I think on of these days I'll try it out. The cost has been putting me off. However, I've heard great things about it.

I'm a Bare Escentuals user. I like most of their products too.

ScentScelf said...

Yay, third trimester! Wishing you smooth sailing all the way.

Shea butter is so wonderful...I love the L'Occitane hand creams that use it. They have handy little sizes, too, so I can keep them tossed about in my bag, in the car, in a drawer, etc.

Uxille said...

Once my Project 10 Pan is over, I'm getting that L’Occitane Ultra Rich Face Cream. The waiting is killing me right now... :D Thnx for the review.

Marsi said...

Love the Clarisonic; it makes all the difference in the world.

The Clinique cream shadow is great, too. I've been wearing it with some regularity ever since I got a deluxe sample from Sephora. It truly doesn't crease, and it gives just a little bit of natural-looking definition.

Third trimester? That baby'll be here before you know it!

Lisa D. said...

all of these beauty finds look delightful! i haven't tried any...i think if i had to choose one of these to try...it would be the lip balm. :)

Stephanie said...

I love the clarisonic and have the exact same one. I can't believe how nice my face feels after using it. I also notice a difference when I don't use it for a day or so, yuck.

Unknown said...

Okay, my friend, on your suggestion I went out last Friday and invested in Mia. I actually put it back twice before deciding I am definitely worth it. This has been one of the best investments OF MY LIFE! I saw a difference the very next day. This is such a luxurious indulgence...I absolutely love it. Merci, merci, merci!

The Daily Connoisseur said...

Beth- I am so glad! Don't you love it? I still use mine every night and it has improved my skin SO much- it just gets better over time. I'm glad you went for it!

Trish said...

This post is the first place I heard about the Clairsonic. After much hesitation (due mainly to the cost) I finally decided to buy the little Mia. My post-menopausal skin has been doing breakouts and dry patches-ick-and I'm now doing farm chores in the cold winds!! I was also fortunate there is a nice special going on now at the company website. Can't wait till it get here next week!

The Daily Connoisseur said...

Trish- how wonderful- let me know how you like it! xx

Renee said...

This is my fav post by far! I have purchased the MIA, the eye shadow and the lip balm! My best find was the MIA on aspenleafspa.com. They are selling all Clarisonic for 25% off! I bought one for me...along with extra brushes and plan to buy them as gifts as well!

The Daily Connoisseur said...

Thank you Renee- Glad you like the beauty products- especially the MIA! :)