Summer Prep: Hydration

Tags

Borghese, Evian, Garnier Moisture Rescue, Giovanni, skin care, Summer Beauty FiJi

Summer kick off is already in swing but it’s not quite official. Not yet beach weather (for me it’s 85 degrees) and rainy days. It’s a small window where if you need to shed pounds, buy fresh summer gear and taking your skin up to season. We all know that the sun can and will damage your skin but the best way to fight is to be prepared. The first step is bringing your skin to optimal hydration. Hydrating from the inside out and from the outside in.
I have dry/dehydrated and this time of year can be confusing. Hot and humid one moment and cool and dry the next. Not to mention air conditioning, my sworn enemy. Nothing dehydrates more than AC. So how to maintain the balance? I eat my water as much as possible. Meaning I eat water rich foods (cucumber, tomatoes, oranges) and good fats (fish, tree nuts and avocados).
And from the outside I use products that are full of water retaining properties and that help restore the lipid barrier of skin.
And of course you can’t skip water. Do not substitute it. If you drink 1 liter of coconut water or iced-t add 1liter of water as well.
So by July you should be ready to handle the 100 degree weather and unforgiving sun with some of these products.

- Garnier Moisture Rescue for dry skin
Nice all day light moisture

- Borghese Bano di Vita
Deep cleans and tonifies

- Giovanni 2chic Sleek Body lotion (*not pictured below)
Has a cocktail of nourishing oils olive, argan oil and macadamia with softening and firming gotu kola and keratin from cacao. Do not let the fluid texture fool you, a little goes a long way and is hydrating without the tackiness. Sleek!

I drink tons of water and I go for the flat mineral flat kind.
Fiji,Evian and Volvic all have oligo elements like silica and calcium to restore balance.

Beauty Packing for Summer

Tags

Guerlain, Hampton, Hawaiian Tropic, L'oreal, Longchamp, Lumene, Maybelline, Memorial Day, Montauk, Rimmel, summer beauty, Week end Getaway

What to pack, what to pack! For this Memorial Day Week End I will be in Montauk for a quick getaway. Everything packed has to fit in one bag and has to be essential.
And when it comes to getaways I hate forgetting things.
So I go for multi purpose and the perfect sized products. Big enough to use generously but small enough not to weigh my carry on.
These are the products I will be relying on to keep me beautiful through the days of strolling the beach to cocktail hour.

- Almay Liquid Lip Balm in Nus-Triments
It is my new favorite lip product of the moment and gives a nice natural low maintenance shine and non color color.

- Rimmel Scandal Eyes in 006
Dark metallic teal to electrify my eyes in the evening but doubles as a liner to make inensify my gaze in the daylight.

- Guerlain Cils D’Enfer mascara
In black. Always. Long full and curvy. What else is there to say.
Doesn’t flake! Trust me, it’s important.

-Guerlain Sun Shimmer Highlighter in Sunny Pink.
Illuminator and blush in liquid form. Perfection.
Glow from within and post coital flush? Yes please!

-Lumene Pure Radiance lotion w/SPf 15
Light moisture and anti-oxidant
Let the sun shining without the UV damage.

- Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration w/SPF 30
Rich moisture to hydrate all day and eve with strong enough protection to sunbathe.

- H2O+ Sea Marine Body Scrub
Foaming scrub for cleansed but exfoliated skin.
Just the right amount of grit slough off grime and sand but gentle enough not to make skin too sensitive to the sun.

- Maybelline BB Cream
Lightly evens skin out and offers additional SPF

- L’Oreal Nail Polish in Not a Cloud in Sight.
This turquoise is not too pastelly and guaranteed to brighten your day when you look down at
your toes. Looks great with all white garb and denim. And flatters sun kissed skin.

All neatly packed in a Longchamp canvas bag that screams I will be on a beach somewhere in the south of France on the East Coast of America. Chic without the pretense.

And wether you are going away or having a staycay pack all of your fave summer goodies in you favorite handbag or small luggage.

Make everyday a Getaway.

Happy Memorial Day

Kiss!

Ms. Lynn Beauty

Beauty in Review: Yves Rocher Anti-Asphyxiant Flash Mask

Tags

anti-aging, face care, face mask, French skincare, skincare, yves rocher, Yves Rocher cure solutions

When a product carries a name as powerful, almost violent as asphyxion. No other choice but to take notice. I immediately ordered a tube of Yves Rocher Anti-Asphyxiant Flash Mask. In just 5 minutes this gel mask brightens, softens and smooths skin and features. The active ingredient is moringa seed peptides, which are great at Anti-oxidation and can even clarify polluted water for consumption. Very impressive! Touted for centuries as a miracle tree as it has countless health and therapeutic uses. Throughout the tropical world diseases are fought, like diabetes, asthma, ovarian cancer and 300 other health problems. And thanks to the Yves Rocher scientists and chemists our skin can benefit from this miracle ingredient. On the skin it is anti-oxidant, anti-pollution and anti-inflammatory. Perfect after a long night or a long week.
Apply this amazing smelling (nutty sweet and floral) orange gel all over face and neck and leave on for at least five minutes. The gel does not harden and rinses off to squeaky clean fresh skin.
This is one of my favorite products. Part of Yves Rocher’s Cure Solutions range which is designed for skin fighting everyday stressors like pollution and stress.
To check out the rest of the range at http://www.yvesrocher.com

Did I also mention this mask works in 5 minutes!?!

Au revoir! Xoxo

Ms. Lynn Beauty

Beauty in Review: Almay Color+Care Liquid Lip Balm

Tags

Almay, Almay cosmetics, beauty review, Lip balm, lip care, lip gloss, make up, summer beauty looks

I seldom buy Almay cosmetics. Simple reason, not colored skin girl friendly enough.
I used to love the Almay amazing lash mascara and now that it’s been discontinued for ages I only consider them for skin care. Their best product in years is the just released Liquid Balm in twelve must skin friendly shades. Creamy balm texture and pigmented enough to double as lipstick but not as high maintenance. Found at Duane Reade and other major drugstores for $6,49! It’s pretty impressive.

Smack it around!

Ms. Lynn Beauty

Yves Rocher: The Best Beauty Brand you Are Not Using

Tags

anti-Age, beauty, cosmetics fromFrance, French Beauty Company, French beauty products, moisturizer, skincare, yves rocher

Yves Rocher is for me much more than household beauty brand. I have an emotional attachment to the company for it’s genius products that have been part of my beauty training and routine for more than 15 years. If I could credit any beauty entity for making me the beauty savvy person that I am today, Yves Rocher would take the honor.
Celebrating fifty years of pioneering the vegetal beauty business and continually introducing accessible and hi performing products. Very few others do it better or even meet the bar.
My story with Yves goes way back. Popular in Quebec as much as it is in Europe, all of the women in my family were addicts. Little pots and perfume bottles littered the bathroom cabinets and vanity tables. I dipped my tiny fingers into as many as I could without giving myself away as we can be quite territorial about our beauty stock. Soon as I was earning, my own stash was starting pile up. I was ordering online and stocking up on sales found at the retail stores. There was no stopping me.
There is still no stopping me. As I said they believe in quality and accessibility for all women. After moving to NYC, I would buy as much as possible when I went home to visit but years went by and my visits became infrequent. A few months ago I placed an online order and fell in love allover again and this time it is even stronger. I have tried everything from dove soap bars to $500 creams and Yves Rocher is up there with the very best.
Their mail order service is so much fun, little promotion and product stamps to stick on and great free gifts.
They are engaged in biodiversity of vegetal sources bio farmed allover the world to give us the best that nature has to offer. In their own words “cosmetovigilence” to maintain the integrity of the skin.
Always introducing new products to their thirty million clients worldwide and some great classics that are as good now as they were the first time. Most impressive is that the family owned business has not lost touch with it’s core values and is doing it’s part in taking care of the environment and the farms they source their ingredients.
My list of loves is long. Be inspired and discover the Yves Rocher for your own loves and please share them with me.

Happy discovery!

Ms. Lynn Beauty

Skin Resurrection

Tags

Bamboo scrub, body care, body scrub, Exfoliation, lather, Macy's, origins, pharmaprix, Sephora, shoppers drug mart, skin care, soap&glory, Spring beauty

We are post Easter and Passover and the Spring Equinox which are great markers of fresh new starts spiritually and of season. The weather here in NYC is changing and I cannot wait to for the trees and flowers to bloom.
I also have a concept of myself that tends to materialize anywhere between Spring and the Summer Solstice. Somehow, this time of year is more concrete than new year resolutions. They are great concepts we have but they really start manifesting (or not) by the 4th of July. Have you hit the gym and gotten that body you wanted? Did you improve your diet? Did you quit procrastinating? Even our taxes need to be done as to leave the past completely behind us.
We should all be doing the things we want and improving where we feel we can do better. Our religious faiths and traditions serve to help the within. But what about the without?
The best and easiest way to make a fresh start to your body is a good body purifying scrub.
I’m a scrubber!
My favorite to give me a deep down scrub is Lather’s (www.lather.com) Bamboo and Lemongrass foaming body scrub. It deep cleans for a nice smooth finish without drying the skin.
It is pretty grainy so do not apply pressure.
Rinse thoroughly and finish with generous amounts of your favorite body moisturizer to nourish the new skin surface.
More great foaming scrubs are Soap&Glory’s Pulp Friction(www.sephora.com, and Shoppers Drug Mart in Canada) and Origins Modern Friction (Macy’s, http://www.origins.com)
This is the first step to resurrecting your body from the ashes of the cold winter but the rest is up to you.

Happy Spring!

Ms. Lynn Beauty xo

Beauty Eurostar to: Germany

Tags

alterra, dm-markt, Douglas Parfumerie, Garnier, Nivea, Rossmann's drogerie-markt, salt house totees meer, Schwarzkopf

When I find myself in a different country, my first stop before any monument or tourist attraction is a pharmacy or drugstore. Oh yes, discovering new products is my thing. And the most fascinating to me are foreign countries. You get an idea of their culture where self care is concerned.
When I first arrived in Germany my suspicions were confirmed, they are into herbal and homeopathic beauty solutions. They are no non sense about beauty and cosmetics.
This time was my second and I knew exactly what I wanted. I’d previously loved everything that I had bought and was decidedly back for more.
Firstly, was Rossmann drugstore’s Alterra body butter at 3€! The price is more than right and the quality is astounding for a generic brand. So I wiped the shelf clean. My newest favorite. I picked up other essentials like my Nivea shower oil, Garnier skincare since the collection there is more extensive. Some beauty tools like tweezers and nail polish remover. I also discovered Salthouse Dead Sea bath products. Also really inexpensive given the quality of both the shower gel and the body lotion. DM drugstore (= drogerie-markt) is also another great place to pick up the above and more. I also picked up Schwarzkopf Argan oil hair serum. Everything I bout were 6€ or under. Def reason to stock up! My next stop is always Douglas Parfumerie. It has many of the household name brands so I stay away and focus on more local brands. Art Deco cosmetics, Helena Rubenstein, Douglas’ Thalassotherapy body care and Anny nail products.

I am a Beauty Tourist no doubt about it.

Check out my beauty post card.

Hello from Germany from yours truly
Ms. Lynn Beauty

Body Cocoon

Tags

beauty, Biotherm, body butter, body care, body creme, CVS, Duane Reade, Lierac, riding boots, Vichy Lipidiose, winter skin, yves rocher

There are very few things that I like about cold weather: Love the fashion since I am a jacket and and riding boots type of girl., cozy(ing) under a fleece blanket and a rich body lotion and creme. The only time of year where I can just pile on moisturizer without fear of feeling like an oil slick. It’s not just about greasing it up, it’s about cocooning and nurturing skin to protect it from the dry air from the weather to in-door heating. I like to put mine on my heater to warm up the product before rubbing it on and I rub and rub. Great for making the product penetrate adequately while promoting better circulation.

Here are some of my superstars for all day cocooned skin.

• Biotherm Anti-Dryness Body Butter (Biotherm.com)
• Yves Rocher Repair Lotion Extra dry Skin (yvesrocher.com)
• Lierac Hydrofilia Super Cream (lierac.com, CVS and Duane Reade)
• Vichy Replenishing Nourishing Body Care (lotion or creme)
• Garnier Body Intensive 7 days body lotion in Cacao butter (Canada-Europe)

These are some of the very best out there that don’t get enough beauty cred.
Promised to keep you cocooned in moisture all day long.

Bises x

Ms. Lynn Beauty

Summer Skin Rx

Tags

Clinique, duanereade, h2o+, Lierac, Nivea, Sampaar, Sephora, skincare, summer, summer beauty, Summertime, sun care

A little vitamin D is essential and good for your health and one of the easiest ways to get this nutrient is by simply exposing yourself to the sun. Chances are If you love the sun as I do, you probably over expose yourself. All good things in smaller doses specially when it comes to the sun. It gives life and energy but can zap moisture and burn which is a horrible combo for the skin. No fret, now that the skies are a bit more grey and the sun more forgiving you can undo the damage of the last three months. As I witnessed on my friends who worship the sun the appearance of unevenness and sun spots. There are ways to let you skin heal naturally and with some cosmetic help of course. These are some of the products to help you along in rescuing your skin.

It’s getting cooler and that light body lotion may not be cutting it but i’s not yet time switch to something heavy duty. I recommend mixing almond, olive, coconut and or Shea butter oil to the body lotion. One of these three should be enough for the next month or so to repair and keep skin hydrated. I do a similar ritual at night. I love olive oil because it is fine in texture and has anti oxidant properties and coconut for being very hydrating and anti microbial.
- Lierac Mesotharapie serum and face cream
A rich cocktail of vitamins and minerals with a bit of alpha hydroxy acid to smooth texture and bring back the glow. (Lierac.com)
- Clinique Even Better Spot Corrector (Sephora.com and major department stores)
For the sun spots and uneven skin
- Garnier Photo Repair and Garnier Moisture rescue for dry skin
- H2O+ Oasis Dual Action Exfoliating Cleanser (duanereade new look boutiques and
H2o plus.com)
To remove clogged pores exfoliate without rubbing the skin
- Avene Thermal Water
Spray and let air dry before applying moisturizer. The minerals help rebuild skin and soothe any type of inflammation. Good to keep year round. Great for moisture deprived months in the winter.
- Nivea Q10 firming lotion or Sampaar joyous body milk ($$$) to properly moisturize and rebuild collagen. (Nivea is sold drugstores and Sampaar online lovelyskin.com)

And the most natural ways to restore your body is to sleep, sleep, sleep and drink, drink, drink!
Water, natural juices (carrot, orange and grapefruit) and enhanced waters once in awhile like Vitamin Water.

Kissing Summer Goodbye

Warm kisses xoxo

Ms. Lynn Beauty

Saturn Return and Your Skin

Tags

astrology, BB creams, libra, moon in Scorpio, Saturn return, Saturn rx, Scorpio, Venus, Virgo

Astrology is a subject that passionates me.it’s a topic that does beyond you basic zodiac sign. Many do not want to admit but many of our rituals are traditions revolve around astrology.
The study of the astres is so complex and thus why it fascinates. The new discoveries never stop.
The cosmos has a hand in this, as my moon is Scorpio known to be fascinated by mysteries and things of the occult. I am naturally inclined to the esoteric. And my sun in Libra which means my interests also include all that is Venus like and aesthetics.of course, I have the pickiness of my Virgo rising. You may wonder what is the link between astrology and beauty. Can the stars and the planets foretell of beauty woes? Not exactly but there is an interesting correlation. We all go through something called a Saturn return which happens every 28 to 30 years. The planet of karma returns to the exact placement it held in your solar chart (blue print of your life) when you were born. When you think about it 28 to 31are the most challenging and when we make our first big commitments and suffer great disappointments. Failed relationships or ambition, buying a home, new career, marriage children. Years of reassessing and building towards the future. Lessons needed for adulthood. It’s definitely tough and not without it’s tests. I know I took beating!
But it built character. Physiologically Saturn rules, skin, teeth and the bones. Basically, the markers of time, health and youth. As I am nearing the end of my Saturn return (phew) I can testify that not maintaining a balanced center amidst the overwhelming changes and stress will wreak havoc on your looks. The lessons I have learned during this transit is how to let go.outside circumstances often cannot be controlled and should be left alone li,e a passing storm. These past turbulent years definitely left a mark; sparse grays, cystic acne, fines lines. But thank goodness for BB creams that I now wear daily. It took care of myself the best I could but my personal image suffered. My emotional state was not visible but it was perceptible by my lack of presence. It was all in my eyes.
Thankfully I made it through the other side better and stronger. Smoother sailing ahead.if you are going through it, astro inflicted or not. Rest, rest, rest and eat your eight servings of fruits and vegetables. These are the best things you can do for yourself. Whatever you can do to harmonize your inner being to your outer world the better your health and psyche will be. Looking now in the mirror I see more than a clear skin and bright eyes ( after a really good night sleep). I see a whole being and what those dreadful years have taught me to love and accept myself no matter the circumstances. Clicheed but true. I can go on but it’s enough navel grazing for one post.

Take good care of yourself!

Ms Lynn Beauty xoxo