Tag Archives: tan

Summer TestTube

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I’m so in love with Birchbox and the idea of new beauty products and samples being shipped to your door. My friend Josephina told me about the New Beauty TestTube and was instantly sold on it. Unlike Birchbox it only comes 4 times per year, but it’s overflowing with full-sized products, generously sized samples and the New Beauty quarterly magazine (normally about $12 on it’s own) for just $29.95 per quarter! You do pay for shipping with this service so it comes out to $39.80 per quarter total.

You end up getting way more than you paid for considering some of the full-sized items in the box retail between $10 and $50! And you always get more than one full-sized item. I love love love TestTube!!! I’ll be reviewing each tube I get, providing details on the full-sized items I received and a brief description of the deluxe samples.

Here’s a peek into the summer TestTube!

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Full-Sized Items Inside (Valued at a total of $54.98):

Mally High Shine Liquid Lipstick in Blossom ($20)

What it is: A sheer lipgloss in a twist tube with a brush applicator

My Thoughts: This is definitely not a lipstick like the title suggests. It’s a sheer lipgloss and it’s great. It has a very emollient texture and a sheer mauvish-pink color. The tube is also really elegant looking with gold and snake skin. It also has a lipsticky smell to it, which I like. While the gloss is great, for the $20 price tag I don’t think it rivals my favorite lip glosses enough to fork over the cash for it. But the full-sized tube came in my box so I’m not complaining!

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Serum ($20.99)

What it is: An anti-aging serum packed with retinol and Hyaluronic Acid

My Thoughts: I’m a big fan of Neutrogena skincare so I was excited to try this serum. It’s full of skin-brightening retinol and hydrating Hyaluronic Acid to smooth skin and reduce the look of fine lines while diminishing age spots. While I don’t have a lot of these skin issues at this stage in my life, I do use anti-aging products daily and Neutrogena is known for making fantastic anti-wrinkle products. I’ve been using this daily and would definitely pay full price for this when I run out. It goes on smoothly, absorbs quickly without feeling greasy and my skin feels great after using.

Neutrogena Brightening Eye Perfector ($13.99)

What it is: A concealer, brightener, depuffer and sun protectant in one

My Thoughts: This is a neat product because it’s a concealer and eye treatment in one. While hiding under eye circles well it also brightens and depuffs with a blend of vitamins and antioxidants and protects from the sun with SPF 25! It goes on really smoothly and blends like a dream with a great applicator brush, although I use my BeautyBlender to apply it. Love this product and would definitely purchase.

Deluxe Samples Inside:

It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In Plus Keratin (Full size cost $20)

What it is: A leave-in conditioning hair treatment

My thoughts: I am seriously loving this stuff! I received a really generous sample bottle of this treatment. I’ve been using it daily for the past week and have not quite used up half the sample yet. First, it smells AMAZING. It has a thicker substance than most leave-in conditioners I’ve tried, but it absorbs quickly and leaves no residue or weighted feeling in the hair. This awesome product defrizzes, restores protein, makes styling easier, protects against heat, etc. I’ve been using it before I put in my MoroccanOil and my hair feels amazing. I will be buying a full-sized bottle when I run out of this generous sample.

LashFood Eyelash Conditioner (Full size cost $80)

What it is: A lash treatment that thickens, darkens and lengthens with long-term use

My thoughts: I’ve only used it twice since I received it but the sample tube is a really large size so I’m hoping to see some results before I run out! It’s supposed to work within 3-6 weeks. I’m not sure I’d purchase a the product due to the hefty price tag but if it really works then it may be worth it!

Hydroxatone InstantEffect 90 Second Wrinkle Reducer (Full size cost $60)

What it is: An eye serum that provides a temporary fix for wrinkles and puffy eyes

My thoughts: I used this to depuff my eyes twice so far. The first time I must have used too much because as soon as it dried I was left with white streaks all around my eyes. I washed it off immediately. I tried it again the next day with a much smaller amount and it did tighten and depuff my eyes. I feel like a good eye cream (like this one) or a splash of cold water would do the same. Would not purchase. It may work wonders for temporarily smoothing wrinkles. I didn’t have any to test that on. :)

Lumene Time Freeze Firming Night Cream (Full size cost $21.99)

What it is: An anti-aging night cream

My thoughts: Like all their samples, this was a generously sized sample jar. I’ve tried a lot of night creams and am really picky. This is not nourishing and hydrating enough for my skin type so I tried it once and haven’t used it again. It may be right for someone whose skin is normal to oily. I prefer a much richer night cream.

Jane Iredale Tantasia (Full size cost $36)

What it is: A bronzer and self-tanner for face and body

My Thoughts: I have not tried this yet but may put it on my legs this weekend since I plan on wearing a lot of dresses. It’s just too hot for jeans!

Smashbox Photo Finish Oil-Free Foundation Primer (Full size cost $36)

What it is: A water-based primer that preps skin for foundation by allowing a smoother and more even application

My Thoughts: I haven’t tried this yet but I love all things Smashbox so I’m sure it’s amazing.

AHAVA Time to Hydrate Essential Day Moisturizer Normal to Dry Skin (Full size cost $39.50)

What it is: AHAVA’s products are full of minerals from the Dead Sea. This moisturizer has amino acids, Vitamin E and Aloe.

My Thoughts: This was a generous sample size and I’ve been using it every day this week. I really love it. It has a rich texture and my skin feels supple and happy after use. I would not purchase only because it doesn’t have sunscreen in it. I don’t like to have to wear both sunscreen and day cream, I only use products that have both. I would try other things from this line, though.

Sunless Tanning Part 2: My Favorite Ways to Get a Sunless Tan

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Happy Tuesday! Don’t forget about my amazing lip balm giveaway that started yesterday! If you haven’t entered already, go do it now! Also, voting has opened up for Albuquerque The Magazine’s Best of the City 2012. I would so appreciate your vote as best blogger. This is listed under the “People” category of the survey. Even if you aren’t from Albuqerque you can vote, and I’d just love it if you did! :) Here is the link to the survey. Please and thank you!

As a follow-up to my previous post last week about sunless tanning, here are my favorite ways to get a natural-looking, summery glow:

Airbrush Tan $35

Getting airbrushed is the best possible way to get a tan because someone is manually applying the product all over your body and making sure it’s evenly distributed. My best friend owns Broadway Skin & Body Retreat and gives fantastic airbrush tans using South Seas airbrush system. I’ve had many from her and it always turns out gorgeous. It lasts between 3-7 days, depending on the amount of activity, swimming, showering, etc. Also, keeping skin moisturized after getting the tan helps prolong the color.

Mystic Tan $30

Mystic Tan is another great way to get a safe tan. They have upgraded their systems over the last few years and the color is much more evenly dispersed. It’s nearly fool-proof, as long as you hold your hands out properly and use the provided barrier cream on your knuckles, wrists and ankles.

Image Skincare Body Spa Face & Body Bronzer Creme $26

This is by far the BEST tanning lotion I’ve ever used, and I’ve used a LOT. It has a light tropical smell and doesn’t have a strong scent like most tanning creams. It can be used on both face and body, unlike the other products I list below. It distributes gorgeous color that develops gradually. Image Skincare is a fantastic line of face and body products that can only be purchased through professionals. I buy mine at Broadway Skin & Body Retreat.

Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer $8.79

This really is an amazing product. It’s no wonder it continues to win beauty awards and fly off the shelves. They have different shades so you get the one that’s right for your skin tone and it provides gradual, buildable color. You don’t wake up tan after using it, but with regular use you can achieve the color you want and maintain it.

L’Oreal Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Lotion $9.49

Before I discovered the Image cream, this was my go-to tanning lotion for deep color. First of all, it smells fantastic. It has a perfume-like scent to it that I love. It also has a bit of color to the cream itself and some shimmer, so skin is left with a beautiful sheen as soon you as you apply it. Like most tanning lotions, I have had a few mistakes with this but it was mostly user error. This is a fantastic product and it gives a pretty, natural-looking tan color to the skin. It also comes in medium and deep shades so you can pick the right color for you.

Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs Leg Makeup $12.79

While this isn’t exactly a self-tanner, it is an absolutely amazing water-resistent product that gives legs a natural tan color when applied. I’m totally hooked on this stuff. Any time I didn’t remember to put on tanning cream before wearing a dress I spray this miraculous leg makeup on and voila! Gorgeous, lightly tanned legs with an airbrush finish. Any scars, bumps,veins and discolorations are covered. It’s very natural looking yet it gives really noticeable and gorgeous color and coverage. It does have a bit of shimmer to it but you can only see it in direct sunlight. I use the light version but they have one for darker skin as well. It absorbs fast (within 60 seconds) and won’t budge until you wash it off with soap and a wash cloth or body pouf. Just spray it directly onto skin or to your hands (a little goes a loooong way) and then apply. Either way you do need to rub it in to get even coverage. You don’t just spray it and it’s done. Be sure to apply it BEFORE you get dressed. It will stain clothes and it’s not easy to get out. But seriously, go get some of this stuff. Now.

What are your favorite sunless tanning products?

Sunless Tanning Part 1: 2 Crucial Steps For a Great Sunless Tan

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Now that the warm weather has arrived, I’ve been doing the sunless tanning thing. I’m naturally very pale and I normally embrace it. During the summer when bathing suits and dresses are clothing staples, I do like to have a bit of a glow while keeping my skin safe. I used to tan in tanning beds (gasp, I know) in my college years and I loved the look of being tan. I’m now very educated on the horrors of tanning so I never step foot in a tanning bed now.

Whether I get a professional spray tan or do it at home with a lotion, there are two extremely important steps you must take before getting the actual tan to ensure the color distributes evenly. A friend of mine requested that I share these steps on my blog so here they are! This is for you Miss Isabel!

Exfoliate!

This is so important and is often a step that’s skipped. Exfoliating helps get rid of dead skin and leave a smooth surface for the tan to absorb into. If you don’t exfoliate, your tan could end up looking streaky and it won’t last as long because dead skin sheds quickly, which means your tan will be gone before you know it.

Before you get a sunless tan, exfoliate in the shower. If you have the Clarisonic PLUS, you can use that as a body exfoliator. I have the Mia version and that isn’t mean to be used on the body. I exfoliate with a body scrub. I really like 100% Pure Body Scrubs. They’re packed with skin brightening fruit acids, have tons of delicious scents and are totally natural. These scrubs are full of oils so I exfoliate a day before I’m going to either apply sunless tanner or get a spray tan. If you are going to be getting the tan the same day, do NOT use an oil-based scrub. All that oil will make your skin slick and the tanning product can’t fully absorb into the skin and develop color. Clinique makes a fantastic body scrub that isn’t oil-based, called Sparkle Skin Body Exfoliating Cream. This pretty lady (my cousin) introduced me to it and I love it.

If you need to shave, do it before applying the tanner, because it will take off some of your color.

Moisturize!

While you don’t want your skin covered in oil prior to getting a sunless tan, you also don’t want bone dry skin. Getting the tan on parched skin will leave streaks and patches that you won’t like! Applying on hydrated skin lets the color absorb evenly and smoothly.

Be sure to slather your whole body in a rich lotion or cream prior to tanning. I really like Jergens Original Scent Cherry-Almond lotion because it absorbs quickly and isn’t greasy at all. If my skin is really dry I’ll use 100% Pure Honey Almond Body Cream. I like to give the moisturizer at least 30 minutes to absorb before applying tanner. The longer you wait, the better.

Now that you know the two crucial steps you should NEVER skip when sunless tanning, stay tuned for my post next week about my favorite products to achieve the perfect summer glow!