Organyc Lash and Brow Serum

Organyc Lash and Brow Serum
$34.99

UGGGHHH!!!  I just went to edit this post for a typo and hit something that made the whole thing go away in a poof!

I'm first returning to humanity, day 5 of the flu, and don't have the energy to rewrite the whole thing.  Here's what you need to know:

This stuff works!  It's formulated without all the kah kah resulting in zero irritation, where normally my eyes feel like fire ants are marching across my corneas.

Drop Dead Gorgeous Dry Shampoo

Drop Dead Gorgeous Dry Shampoo from Amazon
$12.90 2.4 oz.

I confess, I'm an Amazon Beauty troll...I love searching through their products and randomly look for well priced 4 and 5 star products from niche brands, thus my discovery of Drop Dead Gorgeous Dry Shampoo, (available in two shades).

I'm not a dry shampoo fan...I don't find them particularly effective and dislike the dull residue it imparts.  Rather than using it for the purpose of extending my time between shampoos, I sometimes use it as a texturizer for volume.

What pushed me to activate my "one click buy" finger, was reading the review from the exercise instructor who was able to go days in between her former daily washing and all the reviewers who raved about the massive volume Drop Dead Dry Shampoo creates.

Flashback Friday: Instanatural Vitamin C Serum

Instanatural Vitamin C Serum
Amazon.com 16.99

The first time I ever heard the term, "serum", was in 2008, when I watched a fascinating PBS fundraising special, that featured the beautiful Hungarian Dermatologist Dr. Denese. She is now also a bestselling host, on QVC, where she sells her extensive skincare collection.

I learned a lot that night and literally, took notes.  Dr. Denese believes in cleansing, toning, exfoliating with glycolic acid and then applying a serum and a fatty moisturizer as a binder, to finish your regime.  Back then, it was not easy to find a serum.  I bought several of her products that night and I don't even recall if she had one to purchase.

Now there are so many, it's hard to know which one to buy...A few thousand dozen later, I have my Holy Grail serum, which I stumbled upon
while trolling Amazon.com.  It very much reminds me of Skinceuticals Ferulic Acid Serum, a fabulous, but very pricey product.  My dupe???

Is WUNDERBROW a Wonder?

WUNDERBROW
Available in 4 Shades $22

I was sure hoping it would be...A couple of weeks ago I blogged about, "Micro Blading", the latest brow craze.  Eyebrows are tattooed in feather like strokes, with medical grade ink, too create natural, full looking brows that last from 18-24 mos.  Two ouch factors; cost, about $800 and a bit of pain, despite the numbing cream.

I thought the better alternative might be WUNDERBROW, an at home, semi permanent brow kit, with magnetic fibers, that is supposed to last 2-3 days without touch up, even after showering.

For my purposes, I thought I would start there...

Brow Mania; Micro Blading

Micro Blading. Before and After

I kept hearing the term "micro blading" and filed it under, note to self, do find out what this means. I knew it was brow and tattoo related, but I couldn't fathom how that could actually translate into fuller, more beautiful brows that look full and entirely natural.   Most tatooed brows unfortunately, look like they were created with a Sharpie.

When a friend posted her newly microbladed brows in a Selfie, I immediately sent a PM asking for the 411. Answer:  "Micro blading is a medical grade tattoo, applied with a small blade that creates hair like strokes.  It does require a touch up in a month, and generally lasts between 10-24 months.  Cost is about $800.

They looked spectacular!
Hmmmmm....

Is it pain free?  Not entirely, though the the numbing cream applied a half hour before significantly take the sting out.  Since this is a long term proposition, I would suggest sourcing an expert, who is licensed and going to someone whose handiwork you have seen in person.

I like how the woman's eyebrows look above, but with an expert shaping, grooming and some brow gel, I think similar looking results could be achieved.

Granted, they would go down the sink nightly.  I did a little dig work and found out that the number three most ordered item on Amazon is WunderBrow, a semi permanent waterproof eyebrow gel, that lasts 2 or 3 days.  It's available in 4 shades and costs $22.   WUNDERBROW contains, "an exclusive blend of hair-like fibers, combined with specifically treated pigments designed to fasten onto skin and hair."

I think I will start here...

What about you???  Do you see Micro Blading in your future???  Is it more maintenance and toil in your book, or would it give your freedom and pleasure to wake up with perfect brows???

xox,

DD

UPDATE!!!

The remarkable Lisa Topham is now offering Micro Blading at the Split Rock Aesthetic Institute in Wilton, CT. Call for your complimentary consultation!

Review: Travalo Refillable Perfume Atomizer

Travelo Refillable Perfume Atomizer
Price Varies from $9.99 to $19.99. Google!

I adore perfume and would no more consider leaving the house without it on then I would my panties.  The trouble is, no matter how fine the fragrance, and my current love Diana Vreeland's Devastatingly Chic is way up there, nothing lasts on me.

This brought me to the conundrum of finding an atomizer that actually worked, without my precious perfume dissipating into thin air...who needs a devastatingly chic smelling handbag?  Not me...  I have purchased several purse refill atomizers from Sephora, one from CVS and a lovely looking finely cut crystal one on from Amazon. Same gig, everytime.

My blogging juju aligned nicely with a reach out from the team at 3D Sales & Marketing who wanted to know if I was interested in trying Travalo's, all aluminum, TSA approved, leak proof refillable atomizer, with a patented Genie-S pump system that guarantees no air exposure.

Review: Revlon Colorstay Gel Eyeliner

Revlon ColorStay Gel Eyeliner
$10.49

I'm not a fan of black eyeliner by day, but it's hard to deny the drama of how liquid black eyeliner looks at night, or maybe it's just that as of late, I am a bit smitten with the fabulously adorable Adele.

The problem with liquid liners, is that they can look harsh and dated.  As well, unless you have the steady hands of a neurosurgeon, it can be a nasty piece of business to apply. Traditional gel liners are an option, but no matter how deftly I dip the brush in the pot, I always end up with too much product and not enough eyelid to put it on.

I had made a note of Revlon ColorStay Gel Eyeliner, since it won a coveted Allure Best of Beauty Award in September of 2015. It is conveniently packaged, with the brush preloaded into the top of the applicator. Lovely to have it tidy and all in one unit; no need to rifle through 20 or so brushes in search of the one intended for eyelining.

Brill, actually...

Instanatural Serums; A fabulous find that wont break the bank

Instanatural Vitamin C Serum
$16.99 (Less on Amazon.com)

My gorgeous friend Christine Calzalano is a radiant beauty. A busy Mom, who actively fund raises for the Kidney and Urology Foundation of America, she is again Co-Chairing a benefit luncheon and Fashion Show on Nov. 5th at Orienta Beach Club (to attend or donate, please click on www.kidneyurology.org )

Debbi OShea and Christine Calzalano

In her spare time, (which I imagine is around 1:00 am), Christine sometimes researches beauty products. Some of her favorites, are well reviewed finds on Amazon  that are often, bonafide, bargains.


I have long been a serum fan. Longer than they have been popular and when they were harder to find. Nowadays, they are easy pickings, but really, not. How do you choose and how much are you willing to spend.

Despite all I have purchased and all that has sent to me to sample, I had hit the wall.  Nothing felt right. Not the texture, smell, or results.  One of my all time favorite serums is SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Antioxidant Serum.  Yes, it's wonderful.  It should be for $162 for 1 oz. Personally, I don't find that expense sustainable.

Taking a page from Christine's book, I decided to search for a new serum on Amazon. There I discovered Instanatural Vitamin C Serum.  With over 3,000 5 star reviews and for $14.99 (plus my "free" Amazon Prime shipping), I figured I had nothing to lose...

And apparently, everything to gain. I absolutely love it!

Instanatural is a U.S. company that scours the globe for natural and organic ingredients to use in their products. They are all alcohol, sulfate and paraben free and nothing is tested on animals. If you order from their website, they will give your 15% off your first order, shipping is free on orders over $25 and they accept returns unconditionally within 30 days.

The Vitamin C Serum, smells deliciously, of fresh oranges. It reminds me of Murad's Vitamin C Serum,  a pricier, but effective serum I have used many times. The texture is thin and gel like, which is my preference and it layers under my day and night creams perfectly.

Here are some product details:

InstaNatural’s Vitamin C Serum is a powerful solution to reverse the signs of aging. The benefits of its premium ingredients include fighting wrinkles, fine lines and skin pigmentation by nourishing and strengthening your skin to reduce their appearance. It contains 20% Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, Ferulic Acid and Vitamin E. Rosehip Oil, Sea Buckthorn Oil, Plant Stem Cells, Argan Oil and more work together to nourish your skin while restoring its health and beauty. Our formula works quickly to give you glowing skin and a more youthful look. 

I also noticed that they made another serum that contained Salicylic Acid and Retinol. When I ran out of the Vitamin C Serum, I decided to reorder it, plus purchase the Age Defying Skin Clearing Serum to use at night. 

I love it as well!

Instanatural Age Defying Skin Clearing Serum
$21.99

The Dets:

InstaNatural’s Age-Defying & Skin Clearing Serum is a nourishing blend of premium ingredients such as Retinol and Salicylic Acid to give pores a clean and minimized appearance, while also utilizing Niacinamide to help balance the skin’s tone and texture for an even and flawless look. Simultaneously, Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid work together to keep the skin looking soft, healthy and hydrated for a younger and more vibrant appearance that lasts.

I was impressed to receive and email the next day after receiving my purchase from Instanatural with suggestions on the based ways to use and store my serums.
Impressive, but even more so, is my glowing results for such an affordable price.

Instanatural makes other skincare as well as hair care products. I am certain I will be trying others in the future. 

So thank you Christine, for giving me another avenue to source my beauty obsession. There's a whole wide world out there and it can all be delivered to my door in two days.

See you at the luncheon...

xox,
DD

Lost and Found: Laura Mercier Pink Tulle Lip Glace

Laura Mercier Lip Glace in Pink Tulle

I got what I thought was the most fabulous Holiday present this year...Laura Mercier produced a Holiday Gift Set of mini Lip Glaces. Within this kit, I found my HOLY GRAIL shade, "Pink Tulle".  

Pink Tulle is the perfect blend of nude, peach and rose.  Light enough to highlight any lipstick I may have under it, dark enough to stand alone.  I loved it so much, I included it in my Best of Beauty 2011 for the Face round-up (http://divadebbi.blogspot.com/2011/12/divadebbis-best-of-beauty-2011-face.html).

On Sunday, I eeked out my very last swipe and headed over to Sephora to replace it...or so I thought.

It had not occured to me that this gorgeous neutral was not part of a permanent Laura Mercier Lip Glace collection.  Quelle horreur!!! Not only is Pink Tulle not part of the collection, nothing even comes close to resembling it.

Sparing just a dot of what was left in my tube, I then proceeded to swatch my way through: Givenchy, Dior, Benefit, Stila, Lancome, Clinique, Too Faced, Kat Von Die, Korres, Josie Moran, Buxom, Bare Escentuals, Lorac, Nars, Makeup Forever and Sephora's lip gloss brands.

I then enlisted the assistance of one of Sephora's Beauty Advisors.  I know she thought I was daft, but after 10 minutes of swatching, she too agreed I was chasing a phantom.