Allure December 2013

Editors’ Favorites

Chanel No. 5 Intense Bath Oil

Revlon PhotoReady Skinlights Face

Dior Holiday Couture Collection Eye Designer Palette

Model Glow

Eyes - After the usual shimmery shadow on your brow bone and at the inner corner, rim your waterline with a sparkly liner that matches your eye color

Cheeks - Blend creamy highlighter on the tops of your cheekbones; the formula should be slightly shimmery, never glittery. If you have wrinkles or large pores, use a dewy skin balm instead which also softens imperfections.

Lips - After you apply your lip color, dab a light reflecting gloss in the middle of your bottom lip and below the bow of your top lip to make them look pouty.

Body - Apply a shimmer body oil down the center of your thigh and shins.  Make sure to blend it  completely in  a straight line or your legs will splotchy. Blot the rest on your collarbones.

Always smooth lotion on damp skin. You’ve heard it before, but did you know you have a three minute window for best results? Wait any longer and moisture starts to disappear from skin before you can lock it in.

Seductively French Citrus Sorbet Body Lotion

I had a gift card from the holidays and I came across this body lotion and I thought I would give it a try. It was pretty expensive at $38 at 8oz. I figured it either has to be really good or it’s mediocre and I just overpaid. The sweet scented sorbet body lotion went on smoothly almost like whipped cream. The body lotion is 98% natural and 83% organic ingredients and is formulated without parabens, phthalates, synthetic coloring, DEA, silicone, PEG, PGG and aluminum. The sumptuous body lotion is packed  with green tea, aloe, and shea butter that absorbed quickly into my skin and didn’t leave my skin feeling greasy. I loved putting on this soft decadent lotion and waking up with softer, smoother and delicately scented.

Votivo Icy Blue Pine Candle

I had gotten this around the holiday time. I can see why they made this especially for the holiday season. One whiff is the sweet scented candle, you are immediately transported to Winterland surrounded by pine that is slightly giving in the weight of soft white snow. I usually like sweet fruity scents or occasionally mint or relaxing scents. At first, I thought I would hate this scent and now I find myself in the middle of October feverishly looking where I can purchase another can while holding the remnants of what is left.  The small tin has a surprisingly 30 to 40 hours burn time and is hand made with soy wax in the US. While I count down the days for my next fix [and huge stock up], I will have to settle to sniffing the empty tin.

Yves Rocher Riche Creme Comforting Anti-Wrinkle Cream - Day

The rich cream is enriched with 30 Precious Oils that promises to nourish, soften and smoother skin. The creme is made for mature skin to restore it once radiant appearance. Even though, I wouldn’t necessarily call my skin mature, my skin lacked radiance and was constantly dry.  The cream had a luxurious whipped texture that went on smoothly and didn’t feel greasy. My skin face felt soft, smooth and radiant after using the lotion. I also love how it kept my skin hydrated all day.

Biore Self Heating One Minute Mask

Photo Source - Biore

I heard many good things about using charcoal based products to clear away impurities from skin. I figured this would be a good time to try it since it seems tons of charcoal based products are cropping up. The product is very easy to use; just smooth the mask over wet skin. The natural charcoal  draws out skin’s impurities along with dirt and oil. They claim this mask is self heating, which is utter crap. I applied it to my wet skin, and only when I using fingers to massage in the mask did the mask generate heat.  When I did wash off the mask, my face did have a nice cooling sensation. My face did feel fresh but it was a bit tight after  washing off my mask.  I kind of wish there was more than just 4 packets especially since they recommend you using this product 2 to 3 times a week.