Friday, August 27, 2010

Friday Face off - Concealers!

Another new feature for the blog. On Fridays I will try to compare two products from different natural brands and take a look at their ingredients and how they work. And of course I'll put my two cents in on which one I think works best.

First up - concealers. I love concealers, I could give up foundation, but not concealer. Tarte and Korres are two great natural brands. They both offer great concealers, with similar applicators. Korres has their Wild Rose Concealer and Tarte offers They Eraser Concealer. Since we hit Wild Rose in our Natural Know How last entry, let's start with the Korres Wild Rose Concealer.

Manufacturer's description:



A concealer that provides to intense coverage for skin imperfections and dark circles, as well as treating hyperpigmentation and the first signs of aging.What it does:Korres Wild Rose Concealer contains ultra-fine pigments that reflect light in multiple directions for a luminous effect. Wild Rose extract increases skin radiance and moisture while also offering antioxidant benefits and diminishing fine lines, wrinkles, and hyper-pigmentation. This brand favorite is clinically proven to brighten, firm, and hydrate skin while functioning as an eyeshadow base and preventing creasing. What it is formulated WITHOUT: Parabens, Sulfates, Synthetic Dye, Synthetic Fragrance, Petro-Chemicals, Phthalates, GMOs, Triclosan. What else you need to know: Skin that benefits from the Wild Rose Collection: Skin that has newly developed expression lines, is environmentally stressed, needs all-day hydration, or has post-acne problems. This product does not contain mineral oils, propylene glycols and ethanolomines.

Tarte's The Eraser Concealer:



This concealer contains Skinvigorating™ ingredients like safflower seed oil, a vegetable-derived oil that has moisturizing capabilities, and arnica flower extract, which is known to reduce the appearance of dark undereye circles. The concealer also contains cucumber extract, known for skin-soothing properties, vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps prevent premature signs of aging, and vitamin E, an antioxidant that acts as anti-inflammatory emollient. Dermatologist-tested. What it does: Unlike other concealers that just cover the problem, Tarte The Eraser Smooth Concealer contains Skinvigorating™ ingredients that help treat and soothe irritated skin and blemishes. What it is formulated WITHOUT: Sulfates, Synthetic Fragrances, Synthetic Dyes, Petro-Chemicals, and Phthalates

Each of these has a brush applicator. I hate brush applicators. I hate the twisting, and the bristles on the brushes feel very plastic and strange to me. Neither of the applicators on these concealers changed my opinion on brush applicators. I don't know about you, but I usually toss the brushes that come with blushes or powder foundations. But you can't toss the brushes on these because they are attached! Boo!

Overall, they both offer great brightening, and are especially effective under the eyes. For me, I think I'll stick with the Korres, their lightest shade is very well suited for someone pale such as myself. The concealer itself was incredibly smooth and gliding right over my skin. The Tarte color was slightly off, and the coverage didn't look as natural, and didn't layer as well as the Korres.

The Tarte Eraser Concealer is available for $22, at $20 the Korres Wild Rose Concealer is a slightly better buy. Sephora carries both lines, and they are also available online if you don't have a Sephora near you.

Cheers!

The Diving Loon

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Natural Know How: Wild Rose

I am starting a new feature called, "Natural Know How." In each "Natural Know How" entry I will focus on a particular natural ingredient used in skincare or cosmetics, explain where it's derived from, it's purpose, and the pros and cons of the ingredient.

For my first entry, I chose wild rose. Wild rose is a super hip ingredient, and you see it in tons of natural products on the market today. "Wild rose" is usually referring to wild rose oil.

Rose contains high concentrations of Vitamin C and is often use as a brightening and moisturizing agent.

Korres Wild Rose Brightening Regimen is available at Sephora for $39.50, and you get a ton for the money.

The kit includes a 0.68 oz Wild Rose Cream, 0.68 oz Wild Rose Serum, 0.68 oz Wild Rose Mask, 0.68 oz White Tea Cleanser, and a 0.34 oz Evening Primrose Eye Cream in a signature gift box. I love kits, it's a great value and you get to try a lot of different products in smaller sizes. Plus, they are perfectly formulated to give you the desired results.

The best part is the Korres Wild Rose Regimen Kit is dermatologist tested, and free of mineral oil, silicone, propylene glycol, and ethanolamines.



Cheers!

The Diving Loon

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Yes to Carrots - Hydrating Body Lotion with SPF 30

I am a huge sunscreen fan. I wear sunscreen when it snows, when it rains, and sometimes even when I go out at night. Now how could such a forgetful person remember to wear sunscreen all the time? Well, I rely on double duty products. I will not buy a foundation or a day time face lotion that doesn't have spf. It's one of my requirements. However, most of the time I forget to slather sunscreen on my arms, shoulders, or legs if they are exposed - because I don't have a double duty product! Yes to Carrots now has a body lotion that comes with an spf of 30!



Yes to Carrots Hydrating Body Lotion with SPF 30 is free of parabens, SLS, and petroleum. I was pretty pleased with my test run - no burns to report after a day in the sun. However, because the sun protection factor comes from zinc oxide, you do get a bit of a white cast on the skin, so make sure you rub it in completely. It's also pretty thick, so you'll definitely need to give it some time to absorb. Yes to Carrots Hydrating Body Lotion with SPF 30 also contains kaolin clay which gives it a nice matte finish (no greasy feel).

You can get Yes to Carrots Hydrating Body Lotion with SPF 30 at most drugstores for about $14.00.

Cheers!

The Diving Loon

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Beets! Bears! Battlestar Gallatica!

Forget Chocolate Rain!


Chocolate Sun is an all-natural, organic, chemical-free, sunless tanning solution. Chocolate Sun uses Dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which is a natural ingredient derived from - get this - beet sugar!! Dwight Schrute would be so proud. Not only that, Chocolate Sun also has an SPF of 30.

You can purchase Chocolate Sun at Spirit Beauty Lounge. Chocolate Sun is priced as affordable as other luxury tanners, the body lotion runs $40.00 and the facial gel is priced at $17.00.

They also have an entire line of other natural products to extend the life of your tan.



Cheers!

The Diving Loon