While Sampling at Sephora

Don't you just love when you have a day where if you spend two or three hours just playing around in Sephora you don't have to feel guilty about the indulgence?  Such was a day for me yesterday and I enjoyed it to the hilt.

Here, some ramblings about my thoughts and experiences sampling these well known brands and products:

KATE SOMERVILLE EXFOLIKATE
First, Kate Somerville ExfoliKate (2 oz - $85).  Oh my goodness ... I have to say I'm quite surprised by my reaction to this one. I expected to love it with all the hype and rave reviews.  I can't stand it!  Well, that may be a bit strong, but seriously, ladies, the smell of this product left me so turned off I can't imagine applying it to my face. Yes, I know it's enzymatic and that perhaps lends to the smell of this exfoliator, but please!  Now the physical element of its exfoliation is gentle and I'm sure probably effective (as may be the product as a whole), but even after wiping the product from the top of my hand (which is where I sampled all the products I'm writing about) with water and a cotton pad, I could still smell the thing lingering in the air. Bleck!  I couldn't get used to this if you paid me.  I'm sticking by my REN Skincare F10 Enzymatic Smooth Radiance for gentle enzymatic exfoliation and REN's Glycolic Skin Renewal Peel for when I want a more potent treatment. For physical exfoliation, I'm still in love with my Rodan + Fields Microdermabrasion Paste, which I've literally used for years and haven't found anything I like as much.

KATE SOMERVILLE DEEP TISSUE REPAIR
So as I was already at the Kate Somerville shelves, I tried her famous Deep Tissue Repair Cream (1 oz - $150) next. Ok, so it's a nice thick cream in texture, but when I read the ingredients, I see there are lots of different alcohols (which concerns me, as will it be drying on facial skin?), some silicones, but also some rather nice anti-aging ingredients and cannabis seed oil, squalane, jojoba, copper ... by the way the cream boasts a high conentration of  "Peptide K8" ... Kate's clever utilization of her name (again) in her products. Anyway, I'm not blown away by this one, though I've hardly given it a fair shake as longer term use may have left me pleased with results; the skin does become firmer upon absorption of the cream.  I have to say, I'm so disappointed as I was sooooo ready to love this brand!  I can't imagine paying the price for the line, it left me that under-whelmed.

PHILOSOPHY MIRACLE WORKER
An anti-aging cream I AM loving is Philosophy's new Miracle Worker (2 oz - $55).  This product is the bomb, ladies!  Let me first admit that I've never been a fan of Philosophy's cult favorite Hope in a Jar (even though the divine Ms. O raves about it on her favorite things list as do others).  Again, it's a smell thing for me; I could never get used to the smell of Hope in a Jar, and for that reason alone I just never "acquired the taste" for it. I am a Philosophy Girl, though, don't get me wrong, loving lots and lots of their other skincare, fragrances, 3-in-1's and more. And I've found a new favorite anti-aging cream in their Miracle Worker.  This is a satiny almost gel-cream in texture product, much lighter than some of their other creams.  It glides onto skin, and with such potency that a little goes a long way.  It feels delightful on skin, and it's loaded with vitamin C, resveratrol, and antioxidants.  I loved the way this made my skin feel, very smooth. This one I bought!

BLISS TRIPLE OXYGEN +C ENERGIZING CREAM
Onto Bliss Spa's section to try their new Triple Oxygen +C Energizing Cream (1.7 oz - $54). This is a cream with a light weight kind of custard-y gel-cream texture and the satisfying shade of light orange (though don't look for it to smell subtly of sweet oranges or even vanilla-orange, a facet I wish they'd have provided; it doesn't have much of a scent at all).  The cream feels lovely on skin and is quickly absorbed.  The idea behind this product is the brightening and renewing effects of both oxygen and vitamin C.  I think I could easily love this, just wish it had the extra sensory pleasure of a sweet subtle apricot, citrus, peach, melon any of those scents to pair with the color.

TARINA TARANTINO PEARL GLOW PRIMER
Here's one more that needs mentioning.  Playing around with the Tarina Taratino collection and loving the Pearl Glow Primer (1 oz - $32).  This is an opalescent pinky-pearl primer that applies easily and yields a fresh glow to the face.  it's not too shiny, too highlight-y, just enough that even a 40-something year old can get away with wearing it without it looking too made-up.  I'm liking this.  It's a true surprise for the trip, as didn't expect to take to much from the collection geared mostly to younger beauty addicts.  It's a definite must-see on your next trip to Sephora.

Disclaimer: All products mentioned above were sampled while browsing at Sephora.

REVIEW: La Mer The Regenerating Serum + Free Sample Offer

Oh how I've been waiting for a fabulous new product offering from La Mer, and here it is!

Introducing La Mer The Regenerating Serum

A skincare powerhouse that diminishes the appearance of lines, wrinkles and pores, infusing skin with the look of youth. Current scientific studies suggest that lines and wrinkles are "micro-scars" to skin's underlying support network. Their formation is thought to be triggered by chronic inflammation caused by a variety of internal and extrneral stressors such as UV sunlight and free radicals. These inflammatory stressoprs can lead to the destruction of collagen, which in turn provokes premature skin aging.

Inspired by these findings, The Max Huber Research Labs have created The Regenerating Serum, La Mer's new anti-aging powerhouse. Four years and hundreds of hours of lab work in the making, this ultra-luxe elixir is the result of the combined effort of physicists, marine botanists and biologists around the world. Not only does it contain a high concentration of La Mer's proprietary Miracle Broth, but it also includes the new Regenerating Ferment, derived from marine plant stem cells. The Regenerating Ferment helps skin trigger its natural production of collagen, elastin and other "youth proteins", harnessing the power of the skin's ability to renew its appearance. 

Powerful Anti-Aging Ingredients

• Miracle Broth: The original fermented elixir known for its healing properties developed by Dr. Max Huber 
• The Regerating Ferment: A new bio-ferment containing potent marine plant stem cells, which assist in the skin's renewal, helping support its natural structure, restore its integrity and protect it from external aggressors. 
• The Marine Peptide Ferment: An anti-aging marine algae and peptide complex that helps firm the look of skin and boost its natural collagen production, reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles. 
• Colloidal Gold: A skincare super-conductor that effectively delivers skin smoothing, firming, and anti-irritant benefits to skin. 
• Lime Tea: A unique lime peel extraction, and one of Dr. Huber's original ingredients included in Creme de la Mer - a perfect antioxidant companion to the Miracle Broth.

This is a lightweight creamy serum that feels wonderful on the skin.  It is quickly absorbed and has assisted my uneven skin tone in appearing more even and renewed.  After two weeks use I can say my skin is healthier in appearance, more toned, feels firmer, and surprisingly brighter and more even in complexion.  I'm enjoying the refreshed, smooth feel of my skin after applying the serum each night.  The scent is very subtle, light and fresh in aroma.  I encourage anyone wanting to renew aging skin to give La Mer's The Regenerating Serum a try.  It retails for $250 in a 1 oz bottle, which I realize is a bit extravagant, but worth the luxury if you're able to at least sample it.  Available new this month at select saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman and at LaMer online.

Your chance to try this lovely serum is available right now through Bliss Spa, but only until 3/19/10 so hurry if you want to try it!  Receive a deluxe sample of the serum and complimentary shipping with any La Mer purchase online at Bliss.

Enter code: LAMER3 at Bliss Spa checkout

ideeli Bliss Giveaway Coming Soon

Season's Treatings
Some ladies spa. Others? They Bliss. What began in 1996 as a Soho haven for superior skincare has evolved into a worldwide synonym for corporal serenity. Now praised for its miracle working product line and recognized by its distinctly witty voice, Bliss has opened locations from San Francisco to Singapore. No news there, right? You may also know that what sets their facials and scrubs apart from the pampering masses is attitude. They have none! Pretense-free, Bliss is all about making their clients feel as "fabu-bliss" as can be.

In this spirit of the individual and the approaching holiday season, Bliss wants to make sure all of your gift recipients are overcome with pure bliss by offering 30% off Make Your Own Gift. Available for a limited time only, just click on to Blissworld.com, check everyone off of your list then enter promo code: GIFT30 and rejoice in a holiday shopping spree well-done. (While you're there, sign up for the latest Bliss offers, news and launches via their delightfully entertaining email updates.)

Bliss also believes that there's no reason why all of your friends and family should soak up so much spa time on their own. One lucky ideeli member will win a $500 gift card towards treatments or products, too. Part Bliss, part ideeli, this is one giveaway that's a match made in heaven.

This giveaway is part of the ideeli Thanks A Million series.
Login to ideeli to see when they will start accepting entries for this giveaway. Your special ideeli invitation code is compliments of For the Love of Beauty - here it is: love

Bliss Big Beauty Bargains!

Take time to treat yourself with a beauty bargain from Bliss!

Follow the instructions next to each offer to redeem, and make your purchase at blissworld.com. To get free shipping, make any purchase of $100 or more at blissworld online. These deals end 9/10/09.

To make your appointment for your Youth As We Know It facial, call 877 TO BLISS (877-862-5477) or book online at blissworld.com. To receive your discount, bring a printout of this page with you as 'payment' for the price differential.

Happy Labor Day!