New Products

Algenist – a brand to watch

March 13, 2011 · Leave a Comment

Sephora.com has a new skincare line called Algenist, sold exclusively by Sephora. Born out of a renewable energy project, the biotech scientists of Algenist realized that a compound (alguronic acid) that protects microalgae cells would also protect and renew skin cells – and as any La Mer fan can tell you, seaweed and algae do wonders for the skin.

The line consists of a Serum, a Moisturizer with SPF, a regular Moisturizer, and an Eye Balm. Comprehensive and straight-forward.

I’d be inclined to give the line a try. The science makes sense, and it seems like it would be especially effective for those of us in the “wait – is that the beginning of a wrinkle?????” stage.

Find the Algenist line exclusively at Sephora.com.

Get a fresh faced glow with NARS Illuminator in Copacabana

March 9, 2011 · Leave a Comment

NARS has added to their Illuminator line some great shades including the perfectly pearlized Copacabana.

As much as we love the Multiples for their versatility, there is something amazing about subtle and quick look of the NARS illuminators. The colors are perfect for layering, and Copacabana is a great pinky-pearlized sheen for highlighting cheekbones, forehead, chin, browbones, and down the middle of the nose.

The slightly liquidy texture makes it easy to blend and the lightness of the formula is ideal for on the go makeup – if a bit strays out of the intended area, it’s no big deal.

Find NARS Illuminator in Copacabana at Sephora.com.

New Product: Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase Wrinkle Repair Daily Lotion SPF 30

March 7, 2011 · Leave a Comment

If you’ve been to StyleChicks before, you know I never leave the house without sunscreen. Given the fact that my skin tone is pretty much best described as “see-through”, it’s a bit of a necessity. And if I can find a high-SPF sunscreen that provides anti-aging benefits, I’m thrilled.

So I eagerly tried out Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase Wrinkle Repair Daily Lotion SPF 30. As I mentioned in my review of Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase Hydrabalance Foaming Cleanser, I have been a loyal fan of the Kinerase line for many years now, and I love how Kinetin, the star ingredient in the Kinerase and Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase lines, soothes my skin, as well as how bright and perky my skinÂ looks after using it. So if you added a SPF to a great Kinetin-containing lotion? Perfect!

Now, when I first started using the original Kinerase line, the last thing on my 20-something mind was wrinkles. And thanks to great skin products and prescription retinols, my skin is still pretty smooth for my age. But…wrinkles and how to prevent them from getting worse does cross my mind now, especially when my skin is dry. Kinetin improves the skin’s ability to skin cells to stay healthy without irritation, and soothes skin while it works. In addition, Wrinkle Repair Daily Lotion contains Symrepair 2%, which increases the skin’s ability to maintain moisture, and QuenchT 2%, which also soothes the skin.

Of course, texture and performance are key in choosing both a sunscreen and a daily lotion. Previous to Wrinkle Repair I had been using La Roche Posay’s Anthelios 60 Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid for Face, which as the name implies, is an ultra light liquid, and it absorbs really quickly.

Wrinkle Repair is a cream, but it absorbs just as fast and leaves a smooth, hydrated, semi-matte finish. My skin looks dewy and plumped immediately without a hint of greasiness – it simply looks young.

Makeup sits on top of the skin beautifully with Wrinkle Repair on, and since the formula is pretty light, I can use a serum underneath and still not get sticky or greasy. I love the very subtle citrus scent which dissipates when the lotion absorbs. It’s simply a great sunscreen and wrinkle-fighting lotion rolled into one.

I plan on buying this product in the future. In the days I’ve been testing it out, I’ve had a few circumstances of being in rooms with extremely dry, forced heat that would typically leave my skin parched, but the moisture in my skin held up with Wrinkle Repair Daily Lotion. I’m thrilled!

The directions say to use a dime sized amount, which will more than cover your face – I tend to stick with using a nickel sized amount just out of habit, but be sure to use at least a dime sized amount.

Find Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase Wrinkle Repair Daily Lotion SPF 30 at Walgreens for $27.99.

New Product: Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase HydraBalance Foaming Cleanser

March 2, 2011 · Leave a Comment

I’ve been feeling a little Goldilocks-esque lately when it comes to facial cleansers. Some are really moisturizing, but take too much scrubbing to wash off. Others wash off easily, but don’t do a thorough job when it comes to taking off all my makeup and sunscreen.

And then I found Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase HydraBalance Foaming Cleanser.

Based on past experiences, I generally shy away from foaming cleansers since the ones I’ve tried tend to be drying. However, I have used Kinerase products for years now, so I had hope that their mass market line in connection with Dr. LeWinn would live up to it’s claim of being not just non-drying, but hydrating. And it does. My skin is soft, hydrated, and bright after cleansing. And as far as taking off makeup? It is exceptional. No scrubbing needed, it just takes everything off on both face and delicate eye skin. I’ve been using a liquid liner lately that is fabulous, but it is pretty tough to take off at the end of the day. Hydrabalance Foaming Cleanser takes it off easily and with no tugging. Yay!

HydraBalance Foaming Cleanser is soap-free, which will make your dermatologist happy (mine was the one who turned me on to the Kinerase line in the first place years ago). But I can’t say enough how well it cleanses while it treats the skin with great ingredients like Kinetin (which is in the whole Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase line in the same amounts as the regular Kinerase line). I’ve tried products from both the Kinerase line and other lines that contain Kinetin, and they are always so soothing to the skin. It encourages cellular turnover without irritation – a great alternative to retinoids. It also contains SK-Influx to protect your skin’s moisture barrier, and Aquaxyl to hydrate the skin. All in all, a great way to start your skincare for the day and end it at night.

In an act of sisterly love, I let Lyn use the cleanser, and her comments were interesting – she said that she’s never used a foaming cleanser that felt soft. She hit the nail on the head – there is something that feels kind of rough about most foaming cleansers, but HydraBalance Foaming Cleanser isn’t that way. It is gentle, soft, and luxurious feeling. I’ve been using it with my Clarisonic – it feels like a spa cleansing!

I’m pretty thrilled with this cleanser. We’ll be reviewing other products from the Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase line in the upcoming weeks (spoiler alert: Skin Tone Perfecting Serum is so effective it’s kinda spooky), and I will purchase HydraBalance Foaming Cleanser in the future. And since my derm loves the regular KInerase line, I can’t wait to tell her about this very affordable and very effective new line!

Find Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase HydraBalance Foaming Cleanser at Walgreens for $10.49.

New Product: SEPHORA COLLECTION Flower Kabuki Brush Set

February 22, 2011 · Leave a Comment

This set of Kabuki brushes made me smile – how adorable would these look on your makeup table? I also like the bristles of different lengths – some powders are best applied with even bristles, but uneven bristles will give a more natural look if you aren’t going for high coverage.

Find the SEPHORA COLLECTION Flower Kabuki Brush Set at Sephora.com for $34.