Pure Love

It is not often I am completely blown away by a new BB Cream/Tinted moisturizer. But I am. Our staff has been raving about Trish McEvoy’s new Beauty Booster Tinted Moisturizer SPF20. I stopped by our new Summit store and picked up Shade 2. I am in love.

It goes on smooth, the coverage is a little better than the average tinted moisturizer (which I need given my ever increasing hyperpigmentation that is coming with age). And it is filled with hydrating hyaluronic acid AND oil-free.

This is my new go-to daytime foundation product, weekday and weekend!!

6 Products I Couldn't Live Without in Istanbul

My husband and I ran off to Turkey for our 10th Anniversary. What a spectacular trip.


We started in Istanbul marveling over the Bosphorus, ran down to Ephesus, the site of one of the most spectacular Roman ruins in the world, and wrapped up staying in an underground cave in the middle of the country in Cappadocia. It was the trip of a life time.

Needless to say, I packed a whole suitcase of beauty products and realized that there were 6 important ones! Here they are:

1. Darphin Intral Toner. This was my nightly scrape the grime off my skin toner, used post cleansing. Istanbul is a city of 20 million people and is rated as the European City with the worst traffic. Coming in from a day of touring I needed a sensitive toner just to scrub at my skin with before doing a mask.


2. M-61 Fast Blast. (Full disclosure, I did create this product). My daily brightening, refreshing, revitalizing, wake up my skin mask. Also used every single day to add luminosity and brightness.


3. Skinceuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50. Used in Ephesus. We were in direct sunlight as we poured through the sites, and even with a hat on, I needed a ton of sun protection. We also did a lot of trekking in Cappadocia and my skin was parched.


4. La Mer New Moisturizing Soft Cream. Cappadocia cooled down a lot at night, as we went outside to admire the bright stars, I really felt like I needed a moisturizer.


5. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 in Nude. An oldie but goodie, this was exactly the coverage I needed for day and night.


6. Bobbi Brown Creamy Lip Color in Crystal Pink. This was my go to, neutral lipstick the whole trip. Wore it with my T. LeClerc Tendre Lip Pencil and I was all set!

Favorite Restaurants: Sunset, Bebek, and Mikla.

Favorite Sites: Istanbul, The Cisterns, Ephesus, and ballooning & trekking in Cappadocia.

Hamam: Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hamam – completely ancient and right next to the Aya Sofia site. Spectacular scrub and massage.

Favorite gifts: Evil eyes for the kids, pashminas from the Cashmere Shop, spices and teas from the Spice Market.

My Mom's Bluemercury Favorites

I have been staying at my parents' house. I wandered into their bathroom and discovered that my mom's vanity looks like a bluemercury store! Some of her favorites:

1. La Mer Crème de la Mer Moisturizing Cream and The Cleansing Lotion (such a La Mer junkie, but who isn't!)
   
   
2. Trish McEvoy Eye Base Essentials in Nude and Demure (She had 3 of each!)
   
   
3. Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15 in Warm Beige 3.5 (my color too!)
   
   
4. Frederic Fekkai Salon Technician Color Care Shampoo and Conditioner in Jumbo Size
   
   

5. Trish McEvoy #3 Snowdrop and Crystal Flowers Eau de Toilette (She has been wearing this since Trish and I started working together!)
   
   
6. Bliss Lemon + Sage Body Butter
   
   
7. Skinceuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50
   
   
8. Molton Brown Thai Vert Fine Liquid Hand Wash and Heavenly Gingerlily Bath & Shower
   
   
9. Laura Mercier Creme Lip Colour in Mistress (She has always loved bright red)
   
   

Also in her cabinet: Oribe, Bumble and bumble, Laura Mercier, RéVive, Hampton Sun, and more!

A true beauty junkie...

Fall Palette: Too Pretty to Use

I have been staring at the new Estée Lauder Palette Violette Underground. I have it sitting on my desk, open. It is like the perfect fall artwork. They nailed the fall colors with a deep burgundy, midnight metallic blue, deep copper and warm bronze. I love the design also. My 9 year old stopped by the office last week and looked at it and said WOW! That seems to be the appropriate word!

Power Cleanse and the power of sunscreen! | Guest Blog from Sandy Rothman

As far back as I can remember, I was always the last one in the ocean. My parents wanted to just get that extra ounce of coppertone on my un-tanned, city skin. My hair was as light as my skin and I was quite prone to the easy burn when left to my own devices with said sunscreen.

I am so thankful for that extra push with the coppertone because after years of beach time and lifeguarding, I am not yet wrinkled and brown-spotted. Today's sunscreen is stronger and more water-resistant, and I always follow the directions and "apply liberally" while everyone else waits impatiently for me...

The only real issue I have with the new, improved, broad-spectrum protection sunscreens, is that they are very nearly quite impossible to remove at the end of the day (reapply, reapply, reapply!).

This summer, after trying every wash & soap I found in my friend's beach house to no avail, I took my M61 Power Cleanse to the outdoor shower (my fave! - the outdoor shower & the Power Cleanse).

The Power Cleanse, with its strong glycolic acid, completely melted off the heavy sunscreen! Amazing, my face felt totally clean! So...I tried it as a bodywash...BEST EVER!! Not a trace of the sunscreen remained!

So, if you are waiting impatiently for me to be finally sunscreened & ready for the beach, know this: I will be quick in the shower afterwards now due to my bonus find with the Power Cleanse!


– Sandy Rothman

Bobbi Haul at the Beach

I just drove from NYC brand meetings to the shore. When I arrived, I decided to open a bag of Bobbi Brown goodies given to me at a marketing planning meeting. I adore everything in the bag, especially the new Longwear Foundation (it is VERY longwear) and the new BB Cream. I love my job!!!


In my haul:

1. Bobbi Brown Longwear Foundation
   (NEW! - my color is Warm Beige 3.5)
   
   
2. Bobbi Brown BB Cream SPF 35
   (Keep an eye out in October - my color is Medium)
   
   
3. Holiday 2012 Sparkle Glitter Eye Shadows
   (Can't wait for this holiday launch - if my daughters were teenagers, they would be all over this!)
   
   
4. The Bellini Lip and Eye Palette
   (Keep an eye out in October)
   
   
5. Moonlight Pearl Lip Gloss
   (A gorgeous sheer lilac - coming this holiday season)
   
   
6. Bobbi Brown Nail Polish in Black Pearl
   (Keep an eye out in October - So going on my toes for fall!)

P.S. I am very addicted to my new Twilight palette ($60), which I just picked up at a Bluemercury in Suburban Square.

A Trip Back to Madrid

I was in NYC for meetings and Tom Ford gave me a bag of goodies, including this gorgeous aqua bottle of Tom Ford's new Neroli Portofino Eau Fraiche Body Splash. The scent and texture reminds me of when I was an exchange student in Madrid at age 21. I lived with a Spanish family and their daughter, Laura, used to splash this cologne water all over her body before we went out at night. It had this heavenly, clean but complex citrus scent that seemed to blend in perfectly with the hot, festive Spanish nights. This is that scent!!! I adore it. This is my new summer splash for those hot days and nights.

Oldie But Goodie: Shiny Hair

I was at our shore house last weekend and pulled out a bottle of Frederic Fekkai Salon Glaze ($28).

During the summer, when it is really humid, sometimes I like to avoid conditioner which weighs my hair down and results in an elongated blow dry time during which my husband taps his fingers at the bathroom door and asks me every two minutes, "How much longer?"

But I still need some form of hydration so my hair doesn't blow dry to a frizzy mess. I go straight from shampoo, slather this glaze through my hair, wait about a minute (I think you are supposed to wait longer - but who has more than an extra minute?), and then rinse out.

It is light, so my blow dry is quick - but even better - my highlights always appear brighter and blonder than ever after using this. I love rediscovering products!

You Can Never Have Too Much Bumble

I love Bumble and Bumble’s brand new Color Minded Shampoo ($29) and Conditioner ($32). So much so, I begged them for my own personal super-size supply.
They pulled it out of their salon and sent it to me. There is something about this shampoo and conditioner that hydrates but also preserves my highlights and draws the light to them. Now I can slather it on my hair without worrying about how much I use.

Sun-shiny hair is mine for the whole summer, thanks to Bumble! I also have it in the little travel size too!

Hot Sun, White Skin

My husband looked at my skin the other day and said your skin is so white, usually it gets so freckly during the summer. I gave him a big kiss – not only because he noticed my skin, but also, I was so excited! My routine this summer is simple.



On beach days, I wake up and put on Skinceuticals Physical Fusion SPF 50 ($30/$64). It has a little bit of a tint which evens out my skin tone. I use this in the morning while I run errands – bike to the local coffee place and the farmers market, run the kids to the park, etc.

Pre-beach I use Skinceuticals SPF 45 in a tube ($37). For some reason, this is the best sunscreen I have ever used to prevent sunburn on the face.

At night, I keep M-61 Perfect Cleanse ($26) in the shower to scrub off all of the beach sunscreen and sand.

Then I use M-61 Vitablast C ($92). There is something about the Vitamin C, the Vitamin E, and the gallic acid (an antioxidant acid found in blueberries and flaxseeds) that is keeping the freckling off my skin. It looks so white and clear this summer!


When I was a kid, I used to strive for the baby oil face tan. Oh how priorities change...

Seven Sunscreens I Can't Live Without

Skinceuticals SPF 45 ($37) - Thick and effective this is THE ONLY sunscreen I will wear to the beach, to play tennis, or to my kids’ soccer game. My kids know that they are required to wear this also. We do not burn when we slather this on. The texture is a little thick, but it works!

Hampton Sun Spray SPF 70 or SPF 55 ($32) - We are all a little lazy – so for legs – I let my kids use this sheer, non oily spray.

Trish McEvoy Spf 40 ($45) or Chanel SPF 50*  ($52) - My sheer, pre-makeup weekday sunscreens, I put this on and then apply primer and foundation. Tinted moisturizers go on beautifully without streak.
*At Select Bluemercury Stores

Skinceuticals Fusion SPF 50 ($64) - in Limited Edition Super Size 125 ml. Pre-beach, on the weekends, or in the morning if I am out running errands, I quickly apply this and run out the door. A hint of tint evens out skin tone.

Not to be missed: the NEW! Kiehl's Men’s Facial Fuel UV Guard SPF 50+ ($34) - Sheer and with a hint of menthol – this is perfect for your significant other or husband. So easy to apply with a nice, light texture and manly scent!

Sun Care Client Favorites

St. Tropez Gradual Tan Every Day Body Lotion ($30)

St. Tropez Tan Applicator Mitt ($6)

Hampton Sun After Sun Moisturizer ($30)

Hampton Sun Sunless Tanning Gel ($32)

Dermalogica Solar Defense Booster SPF 50 ($48)

Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Golden Perfection Tinted Self-Tanning Gelee for Body ($28.50)

Four La Mer Products I Can't Live Without

1. The Regenerating Serum ($260) -  A light hydrating serum which goes beautifully over my nightly vitamin c serum dose. I use this year round when I feel like I need an extra pre-bedtime boost of hydration and renewal.

2. The Eye Concentrate ($165) - Silky, satiny, smooth and hydrating. What else could you want? This is our new staff and client favorite. I have these fine dry lines around my eyes that disappear when I slather this on!

3. The Cleansing Fluid ($65) - I just pulled this out again. This is my go to heavy sunscreen remover. I will not go to the beach, biking, or to play tennis in this heat without a thick SPF 45 or 50 on my skin. My kids tease me - I put so much on my face sometimes looks white. I love this oil-based cleanser. It cuts through all the grease and grime and removes all of the titanium dioxide sunscreen residue.


4. The Body Creme ($220) -  This luscious tub of body cream sits on my counter waiting to treat my bare dry legs. Post shower, pre-night out, I love how my legs and arms look satiny and smooth.

Get Jennifer Lawrence’s Hunger Games Look

I saw the Hunger Games with my husband last weekend and I must admit, I couldn’t stop thinking about the makeup (of course!). The makeup in every scene was spectacular, especially Katniss Everdeen’s. Hunger Games makeup artist Ve Neill was a genius at making her look strong, noble and virtuous. One of my favorites was the scene where she was first presented to the Capital audience. The strong eye, blissfully peach cheeks and lavender lip were unbelievable. Emma, our fabulous district manager and makeup artist extraordinaire, has shown me how to get this look. Bobbi Brown’s Fresh Melon Pot Rouge is the perfect sweet, innocent coral cheek. This is my new spring cheek!

For the lip, we love Bobbi Brown’s Cocoa Lip Liner 
with Lilac Pearl Brightening Lip Gloss.

This makeup scene is up there with the greats—Meg Ryan’s berry lips in “Proof of Life” and Melanie Laurent’s red lips in “Inglorious Basterds.” Only I would see a movie and obsess about the makeup!

On My Desk Right Now

I returned to my desk after two weeks of traveling to find a bunch of goodies! Some are in our stores now, some are coming out in the next couple of months. I have such a fun job!

NEW!

1. Dr. Dennis Gross

Alpha Beta Glow Pad for Body $45

A body exfoliant and self-tanner in one. I am going home tonight to try this on my bare white legs!

NEW!
2. Laura Mercier
LIMITED EDITION Coppery Glow Veil $35
A creamy cheek bronzer that I am putting straight into my purse.





COMING SOON!
3. Hampton Sun
NEW! Hydrating Aloe Continuous Mist $28 and SPF 70 Continuous Mist sunscreen for kids $32
Who says it needs to be for kids?





COMING SOON! 
4. Darphin
The Nourishing Satin Oil $45 is a light dry oil perfect for legs before going out. The Nourishing and Firming Velvet Cream $70 is a heavenly body lotion that is not oily at all. My new favorite luxurious body products!




 

NEW!
5. Clinique
Even Better Skin Tone Correcting Lotion SPF 20 $44.50
An oil-free brightening lotion plus SPF—I am going to try this under makeup tomorrow morning.







COMING SOON! 
6. Ren
Clarifying Toning Lotion $28
An exfoliating lotion with Willow Bark, Lactic Acid, and Glycolic Acid—perfect for refreshing the skin after a long day.





 
NEW!
7. Laura Mercier
Crème Color Lip Print $20
Creamy lip colors. These are going home with me tonight!

Insta-Cool

I returned home from Chicago late last night and my face was on fire. I had day-tripped to Chicago and the two plane flights in one day had wreaked havoc on my skin. It was just irritated with me. Stepping through our front door at midnight, I ran to the shower and then pulled out Skinceuticals new Redness Neutralizer and slathered this cooling lotion all over my face. After an instant cooling feel, I could just feel the irritation slip away. I crawled straight into bed and the next morning my skin was hydrated and back to normal.

Soft & Sweet

While there are many bold and bright spring trends, I must say, I am always partial to the soft and sweet nude lip. I have the good fortune to have oodles and oodles of stuff sent to me by the most creative brands in the world. As I got up this morning, I was looking around for a lip color, and came upon NARS Mayflower. I don’t know when I got it, or how. I have a feeling they gave it to me in their office one day, but I LOVE this color. It was from Spring 2011’s collection and is a semi-sheer soft pink rose with the tiniest hint of sparkle (I am NOT a sparkle person). Loving it for spring.