Review: Rimmel London #Insta Flawless

Rimmel London Insta Flawless
$7.99

When my friends at Tractenberg PR, told me about #Insta Flawless, a product Rimmel London describes as an illuminating "skin tint", my curiosity was piqued.  With SPF 15, and the promise of all day hydration, I thought it would be an interesting product to try, as the dog days of summer will soon be upon us.

#Insta Flawless comes in two shades; Light-Medium and Medium-Dark.  The Medium Dark works nicely, on my always a bit fake baked skin, but I'm sure others would prefer/need, the addition of a Dark shade.

Biore Self Heating One Minute Mask

Biore Self Heating One Minute Mask
$7.99 at drugstores nationwide

I'll admit it...when it comes to masks, I'm a lazy slug.  Once I've gone through all the toil of removing every drop of makeup, pretty much, I'm done.  I'm just not motivated to then apply a mask, wait 20 minutes and then start the rinse cycle again, no matter what the promised benefits are.

Recently, my friends at Tractenberg PR shared with me, that Charcoal Masks are one of Pinterest 100 emerging beauty trends for 2017.  Hmmm... yes, I'm sure they are... but wait!!! The they wanted to tell me about only requires ONE MINUTE to work.

One minute!!! Now, that, I can spare!

Here are the details:

In just one minute, this thermal mask warms to open pores, draws out and dissolves 2.5 times more dirt, oil, and surface toxins than a basic cleanser, and rinses them clean away with an invigorating cooling sensation without stripping the skin. Infused with natural charcoal, this breakthrough mask melts dirt and oil better than the leading competitive mask. So clean your pores from the dirt, oil and makeup of the past and clear the problem. 

So yes please! Do send! I need this. I can commit to this. And for $7.99, we can all afford better skin in 60 seconds, all year long...

xox,
DD

Review: Sally Hansen Complete 7-1 Care Nail Treatment

Sally Hansen 7-1 Complete Care Nail Treatment

                                          $12.99

About a year ago, I had an epiphany; colored nail polish is not my friend. The only time it looked great was when I left the salon. And often by the time I got home, despite a few drying cycles, I would already notice a nick or a dent. Careful to wear gloves, even though my stints at the kitchen sink are short, chips would often appear the next day and that drove me batty. 

Now I only wear nude/ blush tones, that I can touch up or not. The only thing I will do is refresh with a top coat of Nailtiques #2, once or twice between manicures. Plus? My nails are like granite. Minus? The stuff is laced with formaldehyde or some other heavy duty preservative chemical.  Believe me, once you have dissected a cat for Anatomy, you never forget that particular smell. Word.

When my friends at Tractenberg PR asked if I wanted to try there newest launch, Sally Hansen Complete 7-1 Nail Treatment, I happily agreed.

Pur Minerals Volume Vixen Mascara

Pur Minerals Volume Vixen Mascara
$21

I will admit, I am an unabashed Pur Minerals fan.  I wish its distribution was a bit wider, but fortunately, the Ulta where I purchase it, is located near the best freestanding Whole Foods ever constructed. I have taken to buying my DivaDebbi Holy Grail Lip Gloss, Pur's Chateau Kisses Lip Plumping Lip Gloss in Glitzy, in two's. 

I also recently returned to using Pur Minerals Air Perfection Cushion Compact Foundation in Tan. It glides on, providing the perfect summer "faux glow", without anything getting "stuck" the way powder bronzers sometimes do.  As I noted recently, Lancome got all the bells and whistles for their newly launched Miracle Cushion Foundation, but Pur beat them to the "portable" punch by nearly a year.

Pur Minerals Air Perfection Cushion Compact Foundation

But I digress.  All of this brings me to Pur Minerals new Volume Vixen Mascara. When my friends at Tractenberg PR asked me if I wanted to sample it, I naturally responded, hell yeah "yes please."

Christie Brinkley's Authentic Skincare Collection

Christie Brinkley Age 61
2015

Talk about aging backwards!  Christie Brinkley, who was a "Supermodel" 2 decades before Cindy, Linda, Christie T. and Naomi made the term eponymous, continues to capture my awe with her radiant beauty at age 61.

Do I think Christie has brilliant, subtle plastic surgery, fillers and Botox are part of the equation?

Absolutely.

Don't agree?  "Oh grow up!!!", as the late, great Joan Rivers would say.  Neverthless, the tone and texture of her skin is seemingly flawless and now that she is smartly, launching her own skincare line, I am intrigued enough to want to try it (and have requested samples...Stay tuned.)

Christie Brinkley Authentic Skincare Collection
Launching on HSN March 5th and Kohl's later this month

Here is a bit more information that was sent to me from my friends at Tractenberg PR:

Pur Minerals Air Perfection Cushion Compact Foundation

Pur Minerals Air Perfection CC Foundation
(Light, Medium and Tan, pictured above)
 $30

I am a huge Pur Minerals makeup fan, so when my friends at Tractenberg PR asked if I wanted to sample their new Air Perfection Cushion Compact Foundation , I pounced.

Available in just 3 shades, light, medium and tan, I opted for tan, since I tend to fake bake year round.  When I opened the clever packaging, (that keeps the sponge applicator cleanly separated), I thought I might of erred. Even with it's spongy air infused texture, I still thought my face might read a bit praline... it turns out, my worries were unfounded.

Air Perfection Cushion Compact Foundation, is quite different from any formula I have ever tried. This portable, "lighter than air" foundation, utilizes, "an innovative liquid-dispensing cushion, that delivers high quality, sheer to medium coverage with a unique mousse-like texture".

Literally, I couldn't have said that better...

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.

Korres Greek Yoghurt Primer

Korres Greek Yoghurt Primer
$30 Sephora

I am such Korres fan and their original anti-aging primer was one of my all time faves.  I thought it was perfect and never new why they reformulated it.

I do believe that primers make a difference. They moisturize a bit, blur imperfections, set a nice canvas for foundation and usually helps makeup stay put longer.

Many primers are silicone based, which have an odd slippery yet dry feel, that I don't care for. I was thrilled to hear that my friends at Tractenberg PR are now representing Korres, since I will now have the opportunity to sample their products and launches.

Sensai Cellular Performance Recontouring Lift Essence

Kanebo Sensai Cellular Performance Recontouring Lift Essence
Neiman Marcus $180

Last month, I wrote about Sensai Intensive Hair Mask. It was my first introduction to Kanebo products, which I thought, mistakenly, were limited to hair care.  

It's such an incredible product.  The first thing you notice is the scent of beautiful flowers; it's infused with 10 different kinds--The second thing you will notice is your lush, thick, shiny hair.  I loved it so much, that I took to scooping out little goodie jars to share with my Gal Pals.

When my friends at Tractenberg PR, wrote me about Sensai Cellular Performance Recontouring Lift Essence, I hadn't  realized that they also have an extensive skincare collection.  Divine!

Mio QuickStart Exhilarating Shower Gel

Mio QuicksStart Exhilarating Shower Gel
$22

Sometimes I'm a bit slow to catch on...I had received several pitches from "Mio" skincare for products that definitely appealed, but I usually prefer to write about easily accessible, well known products that my readers can relate to.

I have used and loved Mama Mio skincare in the past...Duh, "by chance is "Mio" Mama Mio?" I inquired back to my friends at Tractenberg PR. "Yup. One and the same, just re-branded".

"Fabulous.  In that case I'm in!"

Sunday night is the film industries biggest night of the year- The Oscars.  This is my Superbowl. Though I have always hoped that I had a glam party or benefit to attend, I'm usually channel surfing the Red Carpet between E and and whoever is hosting, tweeting, checking out arrivals on my favorite fashion sites Red Carpet Fashion-Awards and Just Jared while  preparing my post Oscars snark blog, in yoga pants and a ratty tee shirt.

Tonight I got my wish! Moet & Chandon are sponsoring and event for The Greenwich International Film Festival at JHouse.  Needless to say, Diva has been in prep mode.

It started with Mio's QuickStart Exhilarating Shower Gel.  Anyone who knows me well, family, bosses, friends, high school guidance counselors, knows morning are not my long suit. My energy peaks as the day wears on...Go figure.

How nice to instantly have my senses jolted awake with this delicious shower gel. This sulfate free cleanser is enriched with coconut cleansers, spearmint oil and guarana caffeine to stimulate, cleanse and brighten your skin.

Hello Gorgeous: Sensai Intensive Hair Mask

Sensai Intensive Hair Mask
$57 7.0 oz

Lately, I find myself slipping down the professional blowout rabbit hole, more and more frequently...It's not just that my stylist Lucas Magnum at Becker Salon in Greenwich gives me a fabulous blow out, he does, but that it always looks shinier and healthier than when I do it.

Why is that???

Partially, it's product, though I have all the good ones too.  I like that fact that their shampoos are never rushed, and every client will sit for a few minutes with their freshly conditioned hair wrapped in a steaming towel for further absorption. Also of course technique, brushes (multiples often are wrapped and rolled while Lucas works on other sections) and the best blow dryers.

Still, I can't always have it blown but I need to achieve a better result than the puffy, dry hair I seem to be ending up with lately and for sure, I have been slacking on deep conditioning.

When I received information from my friends at Tractenberg PR about Sensai Intensive Hair Mask for extremely damaged hair, I wondered if that might be my ticket back to home hair care salvation and I promptly requested a sample.

Burt's Bees Radiance Day Lotion: Protect Me, Protect Me Not?

Burt's Bees Radiance Day Lotion
$18.00

I had received a sample of Burt's Bees Radiance Day Lotion recently, with their lovely Radiance Cleanser and Body Lotion which I reviewed glowingly.  I put Radiance Day Lotion on the back burner because of the low SPF.  "7" seems and odd and arbitrary number for SPF in a moisturizer.

Curiosity definitely got the best of me, when the temperatures spiked to the 90's last week.  I could see this would be a lightweight moisturizer, which is always my preference in warmer months.

Burt's Bees Radiance Products: Buzz Worthy and Fit for a Queen

Burt's Bees Radiance Body Lotion
with Royal Jelly
$9

I received a sample of Burt's Bees Radiance Body Lotion with Royal Jelly recently from my friends at Tractenberg P.R.  I like Burt's Bees products...they rarely disappoint.

I am always looking for a high quality, price friendly body lotions since I use them with abandon.  This one, is, in a word, delicious.

The texture is a bit thin,  but silky.  It smells heavenly, absorbs quickly and since it contains mica, a light reflecting mineral, it leaves you glowing.

It is infused with Royal Jelly and Sunflower Oil. The star is definitely the Royal Jelly, the same substance that is fed to Queen Bees.  Royal Jelly is packed with, "8 essential amino acids, Niacin, Folic Acid and vitamins A, B1, B6, C, D, and E."

The other product I received was Burt's Bees Radiance Facial Cleanser:

Virtual Makeovers: Try It On at Rimmel London

My "Virtual Makeover"
I'm wearing Medium-Dark BB Cream, Light Medium Match Perfection Blush
and Sundance Bronzer

OMG, I LOVE this amazing "app" Rimmel London has added to their website.  It gives you the opportunity to "try makeup on before buying it". You can then share your photos and if you wish save a copy of what products you are wearing.  Brill.

Simply upload a picture of yourself and click on different shades of foundation, lipstick, BB creams, bronzers and blush.  If I was 12, I would probably be cutting school on Monday and playing with my virtual makeup all day.

I received some Rimmel London products from my friends at Tractenberg P.R. this week.  I have long been a Rimmel fan and have purchased it on my own as well as receiving samples.  I think they do an outstanding job of marrying fashion, quality and price.  It is definitely one of my favorite drugstore brands.

Rimmel London BB Cream
$5.99

I'm still intrigued and obsessed with BB and CC creams (I have yet to try a CC cream or really discern the difference, which is described as "Color Correcting". Truly the only color correcting I need is from pale and tired looking to lightly tanned and rested.

• Rimmel London's BB Cream bills itself as a 9-in-1 Skin Perfecting Super Makeup that: 
• Primes,
• Moisturizes 
• Minimizes pores
• Conceals
• Smoothes
• Mattifies
• Brightens
• Protects (with SPF 25)

A Lumene Contest: Too Good Not to Share

I am a fan of Lumene's products, particularly their Premium Beauty Rejuvenating Serum , which I am never without...a few drops of this delicious smelling serum will leaving you glowing and radiant.  I included it my DivaDebbi Best of Skincare 2011 picks.  I use it in the morning and evening after cleansing.  It's divine.

My favorite serum.. I just picked up a new one today! $32.95 at drugstores

I receive dozens of requests to post contests and giveaways, but when I received this one from my pals at Tractenberg PR, I immediately wanted to enter!  It's a goodie,  too good not to share:

I want to tell you about "The Essential Ingredients of Your Life" video competition that Lumene will be launching on February 15th, to celebrate its expansion in the United States . Consumers will be asked to submit a 1-minute video that details what they consider to be the essential ingredients of their lives, reinforcing Lumene’s dedication to using only the purest ingredients to illuminate one’s natural beauty.

Based on consumer feedback and voting, a jury panel will select one grand prize winner, as well as three runner-ups. The grand prize includes:

Round-trip flights for two to Finland

Hotel accommodations for 4-nights

Spa treatment for two at Kamp Spa

A year's supply of Lumene products

The runners-up will each receive a VIP gift basket filled with Lumene’s best-selling products. Winners will be announced on May 1st, 2012.Check out the link for more info: http://www.facebook.com/#!/LumeneUSA


Brand Ambassador and actress/socialite Byrdie Bell has already created and uploaded her video to the Lumene Facebook page to serve as inspiration (hint: you need to "Like" the page to see her video).

Since they didn't say a word about Bloggers being exempt, I think I will be tossing my own video into the hat!   Good luck to all...someone's going to be a very happy camper.

Yo-de-lay-hee-who!

xox,

DD