Dupe Review: Hard Candy Cheeky Tints

Hard Candy's Cheeky Tint's
$6.00
Exclusively at Walmart and Walmart.com

Gel blushes and sheer tints are definitely having a moment. I'm a fan of the concept.  I find powders drying and creams vanishing.  The challenge with gels is that coverage can be uneven and streaky and there is no easy fix.

I fell in love with Perricone MD's No Blush Blush and recently reviewed it. There is only one shade but it's mine to the tee.  I'm not a huge believer in "one size fits all cosmetics", so you might be out of luck. Less lovable was the $33 price.

When my friends at DNA PR emailed me about the launch of Hard Candy Cheeky Tints, nicely available for $6 and in 6 shades, I asked to receive samples in the hopes of find a possible "dupe" for No Blush Blush.



I received 3 Cheeky Tints Sheer Blush Gels; Goddess (bronze), Geisha and Surfer Babe.  The closest match to No Blush Blush would probably have been Diva (um...), second from right, but hey, if the consistency and staying power were right, I can be a sport and buy one myself.

The best news is that Cheeky Tints do provide a natural, streak free flush with great staying power.  The color does have a lot of pigment, so you may want to consider choosing a lighter side. I combined Goddess with Burts Bee's Radiance Body Lotion and created a rather fabulous tinted bronze moisturizer that looked stunningly natural.

All in all, a terrific buy, and a decent dupe.  What other pricey product is  Hard Candy a great dupe for???
I have no clue. But I will be checking out other items and of course, I will keep you in the loop...

xox,
DD

DivaDebbi's 2016 Skin Care Holy Grails

March will mark 8 years, since I wrote my first DivaDebbi blog.  I both purchase an extravagant amount of products and receive them to review by friends I've made over the years in the beauty/PR world.  Regardless of the source, I try always to write honest reviews, that reflect my experiences; good and bad.  

All of the products below have been anointed DivaDebbi Holy Grail status.  What that means is, that after years of trial and error, I have come across a product that has no peer and the search is over!  It always feels like a huge relief when I can tick one off... Some of have been using for years, others were new discoveries in 2015. In no particular order, here they are:

Philosophy Resurface Microdelivery Dual-Phase Peel ($69)- None better. Simple to use and delivers spectacular results.  I purchased this 3 years ago and try to remember to use it at least twice a month.  You will enjoy many treatments from one system. Insanely good.


Hada Labo Cleanser (11.99)- I stumbled upon this incredible, well priced skincare line from Tokyo, on my first trip to Ulta and have since turned many friends on to it. You will be tempted to hoard it.

Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightener($60)-I have not baked in the sun for several years, but every now and then, on a breezy 70 something degree day or on vacation, I will not resist soaking up a few rays. Inevitably, whatever hard work I have put into lightening freckles and age spots is undone.  This product is more effective than prescriptions I have used.  It is always on hand.

Burt's Bee's Radiance Body Lotion ($9)- I'm crazy about this lightweight moisturizer that is infused with Royal Jelly, Aloe and Sunflower Oil. It also had minuscule mica particles that literally, leaves your skin glowing.  The price is sweet too.

Exuviance Age Reverse Toning Neck Cream ($78) This giant tub lasts a good long time. I am crazy about this extremely effective, gel like cream.  It's easily absorbed and is hands down the best neck cream I have found.  I often use it on my face and upper arms. It's jam packed with anti-oxidants and cutting edge anti-aging ingredients. 

Neutrogena Make-up Remover Cleansing Towelettes (6.99) I'm pretty sure I have tried every towelette on the market. Because I'm fussy about my skin care, they are just my first step in removing my makeup, but suffice to say, I'm about 70%  there, including lots of mascara, after using just one towelette.

Simple Cleansing Micellar Water ($6.99) I still haven't quite figured out this stuff works...essentially, the consistency is like tap water, but yet it does clean and tone, boosts hydration and expertly removes makeup gaffes without disturbing the rest of your makeup.  It took 3 years, but it's now officially part of my nightly repertoire. (P.S., quite liking Garnier's new version, intended for waterproof eye makeup too.)

My Shower Duo:  L'Occitane Huille de Douche Cleansing Shower Oil ($25) and Swedish Sea Salt Soap $7.99) 

Instanatural Vitamin C Serum (14.99) An amazing Amazon find. Dozens of disappointing serums had me searching me for something similar to Skinceutical's Ferulic Acid Serum, in feel and efficacy but with a much softer punch at check out. I found it in this wonderful serum. I wish they made it in a larger bottle. Thank goodness I have an Amazon Prime membership and it ships free...I'm on my fourth bottle.  A total winner.

Vichy Liftactive Serum 10 for Eyes and Lashes ($36) When it finally sunk in, that my eyes will never be happy as long as I was using eyelash growing serum, I luckily stumbled across a blog written by my friend Jane Daly. After several months of use, Jane was even able to retire her mascara and she also liked the lightening and brightening effect she saw under her eyes.  Good'nuff for me.  I was able to purchase this at CVS.  It's a little gem that I use twice daily, one pump for both eyes(and a last swipe across the brows) It's not quite the oomph of a lash serum, but my lashes are long, strong and healthy. Good'nuff indeed...

TheGadgets:

Trophy Skin MicrodermMD ($300)- Yes. It's expensive...however, the results you will achieve are worth every nickle.  I try hard to remember to use this weekly on my face and on areas of my body that have fine wrinkles, age spots or freckles I wish to address.  At the low end, 3 professional Microdermabrasion treatments could easily cost $300. It's simple to operate and comes with a 30-Day Money Back Guarantee. This is a game changer.

**** MicrodermMD now makes a poratable, $199 kit that is every bit as good and comes with an additional head made specifically for the body. Effective and now a bargain. Go.

Jenu Ultrasonic Infuser System I first learned about Jenu's Ultrasonic Infuser System when it was included in Vogue's Best of Beauty for 2015 breakthroughs. Suffice to say that if the likes of Vogue's beauty editors who buy nothing and try everything found it to be groundbreaking, I needed to see what all the hype was about.

I won't bore you with the science, but I can tell you that for 5 painless minutes everyday, I supercharge my serum and night cream. What can you expect to see before deciding if you are returning it at the 30 day mark of your money back guarantee? Brighter, smoother skin, fewer freckles and sunspots and improvement in fine lines. An absolute keeper.  Do read my whole review and to take advantage of the special offer they provided for DivaDebbi readers, click here.

Clarisonic Mia ($109)- I wish I could say I have continued using this every night since I purchased it 5 years ago...I can't. What I do know is that when I use it consistently, my skin is not only scrupulously clean, but visibly glowing.  I prefer the head made for sensitive skin, though I don't claim to have it.  It's a great product.  Using it again would have been a fabulous resolution.

So there you have it Lovelies. My absolute must haves, for at home care.  For those who live in the NY tri-state area, the following fantastic skin gurus will help you achieve your goals, so you can look your absolute best. I wholeheartedly recommend them with complete love and confidence:

Julie Pipilo-Owner and Proprietor of Skin NY 914-213-5724

Lisa Topham RN BSN and Director of  Split Rock Aesthetic Institute 203-831-8029

Dr. Maura Reinblatt- NY Group for Plastic Surgery 914 366 6139

Despite all my insanity, I really believe the truest beauty radiates from the inside out. What brings it to fore? KIndness, thoughtfulness, good manners, being able to laugh at yourself, forgiveness, appreciativeness and a warm smile, even for a stranger. Here's to a fabulous 2016....

xox,
DD

Bath time = Bedtime

I

L'Occitane Huille de Douche  
Cleansing Shower Oil
8.4 oz. 25

For many parents, bedtime is a struggle. Kids, by nature, just want to stay up a bit longer, so they don't miss a thing.

My Mom, never had that issue with me. I couldn't wait to be scrubbed, powdered, slathered in baby lotion and put in crisp pajamas. so I could dive into bed, fresh and cosseted. 

To this day, absolutely nothing has changed, except I have replaced warm milk with hot tea.

I have purchased both L'Occitane Huille de Douche, and Swedish Sea Salt Soap at least a half a dozen times, combining them both on an exfoliating shower sponge. Together they smell delicious and they leave my skin scrupulously clean but never stripped and the almond oil in Huille de Douche leaves me glowing. 

At Christmas time, my desk overflows with sweet remembrances from  colleagues and clients.  Sometimes cards and tags get dislodged.

 I had no idea who left me a delicious bar of Swedish Sea Soap Salt, which I have since purchased time and again, (after sussing it out on Amazon), until the day I saw my friend Linda Levy using Swedish Sea Hand Balm.  A coincidence, this was not.  Linda and her entire family became addicted to it after discovering it Rhode Island and she was my bath time benefactor.

Swedish Sea Salt Soap
3/ 17.50 on Amazon

Today I cleaned out my goodie drawers and closet, to bring some of the barely sampled and used products I have accumulated, to share with my colleagues.  I have virtually stopped accepting offers to try new bath products, because I know nothing will out perform my dynamic duo, which I hereby anoint with Holy Grail status.

I am really trying to pare down my beauty purchases and have faith that I have found, "The One"...OK, in this case "The Two" items per category that I love and call it a day. I just finished by bath time ritual with a good dose of Burts Bee's Radiance Body Lotion, a Holy Grail  that I have blogged about many times.

And on that note, I wish you a good night and pleasant dreams...

xox,

DD

Cracking the Code to the Perfect Fake Tan

Sally Hansen Airbrush Sun
$15.99 in Greenwich, cheaper
everywhere else.

It only took 30 years or so of trial and error, but at last, it's done...

Sally Hansen Airbrush Sun is not to be confused with Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs.  The former is an instant self tanner, that also continues to develop. Nicely, it is also intended blur imperfections.  The latter is a temporary spray that also does the same, (think body makeup, Tots and Tiara's, you get the idea.)

Airbrush Sun only comes in two shades, Light-Medium and Medium-Tan. Fair skin Girls could stop reading now...They forgot about you, but I didn't!

Naturally, I gravitated to the darker of the two, Medium-Tan. When I used it the next morning, I found it to be the color and consistency of a Jello Chocolate Pudding Snack.

My beloved  Holy Grail
Burt's Bees Radiance Body Lotion
$8.99

Ruh Roh.

The first time I used it I knew I was in trouble.  It was too dark, streaky, difficult to apply and I was worried my hands might be henna colored for a week--I had to scrub like a surgeon to remove it.

Burt's Bees Baby Bee: For Baby and You

Burt's Bees Nourishing Baby Oil
4 oz. $9.00

What a sweet oil Baby Bee is! Yes, this lovely oil, enriched with Grape Seed and Apricot Oils, vitamins and antioxidants was created for use on babies skin, but who says you can't double dip?

Burt's Bees Honey & Shea Sugar Scrub

Burt's Bees Honey & Shea Sugar Scrub
$13

On the whole, I love Burt's Bee's products.  I  really like their choice of natural ingredients, and their company culture.  Products are always priced fairly for the excellent quality and I truly appreciate that they are easily available to purchase.

If I could buy Burt's Bees Radiance Lotion by the gallon, instead of an 8 oz. tube, it would be worth the schlep. My skin drinks it up and I love the very quiet iridescent glow that the natural crushed Mica leaves on my skin. Infused with sunflower oil, Royal Jelly and aloe, it keeps my skin smooth and toned.

When my friends at Tractenberg PR offered me the opportunity to sample Burt's Bees new Honey & Shea Sugar Scrub, I answered with an enthusiastic, "yes, please" before I even finished the email.

The Big Tease: Conair Volume & Styling Comb

Conair Volume & Styling Comb

I've said it before and I will say it again, if I could have a Bump-It surgically implanted to the back of my head I would.  Ever since I saw the original Bonnie & Clyde with Faye Dunaway, at the peak of her beauty, I've been obsessed with a little height at the crown of the hair.

Faye Dunaway as Bonnie in Bonnie & Clyde

I have purchased dozens of "lift" and "teasing" combs over the years, and I can handily find one in any clutch or handbag I open.  Some have a long "rat tail" end, for strategically creating an nonstrategic part. Other's have a spray of 5 talons at the end like a gap tooth "Afro pick".

Do they get the job done?