If you're looking for a mascara primer that will help build lush, longer-looking lashes while nourishing them at the same time, you may want to try Lancome's new Oscillation Powerbooster mascara primer. The formula creates an ideal base for lashes, while conditioners keep them nourished. We love that it defines and preps our lashes to enhance the benefits of our favorite mascara, giving our lashes the fullest result. $39, nordstrom.com
When we're on the go, it's essential to have products that go right along with us. We're loving this Clinique limited-edition Happy-To-Go set. It includes three unique and oh-so travel-friendly solid perfume pencils: Clinique Happy in its own original scent, A Hint of Citrus and A Wealth of Flowers. Wear them alone or mix together to create your own happy scent. Sharpener and mini bag included. $30, sephora.com
Looking to discover new brands, want smaller versions of your favorite products or need to give a great gift? We are loving these new, limited-edition Sephora Favorites Boxed Kits. With 10 kits to choose from, each comes packed with best-selling goodies in deluxe sample sizes-- and all for under $40 a box.
We recommend you try them all, but the following kits are perfect for Summer:
Sephora Favorites Splashstash Waterproof Deluxe Sampler, $36. If you have any plans to hit the beach, pool or water park, this collection of 7 of Sephora's most wanted waterproof eye essentials will keep you looking fab-- bring on the H2O! Set includes: 0.1 oz Tarte Lights Camera Splashes, 0.169 oz Too Faced Mini Lash Injection, 0.1 oz MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Smoky Lash, 0.85 oz MAKE UP FOR EVER Sens'Eyes Makeup Remover, 0.025 oz MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Eyes, 0.03 oz Urban Decay 24/7 Pencil in Electric and 0.26 oz Urban Decay Big Fatty Waterproof Mascara
Sephora Favorites The Fix-It Kit Skincare Deluxe Sampler, $40. Flawless skin is always in, and this set of 6 skin-perfecting secret weapons will bring your skin a more smooth, firm, and soft appearance.
Set includes: 0.19 oz Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Eye Mask, 0.5 oz Perricone MD Ceramic Skin Smoother, 0.02 oz Cosmedicine Wrinkle Write Off, 0.24 oz Kinerase Extreme Eye Lift, 0.253 oz Dr. Brandt Pores No More and 1.06 oz Clarins High Definition Body Lift
Sephora Favorites Eau Girl Fragrance Deluxe Sampler, $40. Who says bigger is better? We find this set of 8 petite scents to be just the right size to take along on weekend get-aways, stashing in your desk drawer and even your favorite tote or clutch.Set includes: 0.17 oz Dior Miss Dior Cherie Eau de Parfum, 0.17 oz Bvlgari Omnia Green Jade Eau de Toilette, 0.17 oz Versace Bright Crystal Eau de Toilette, 0.13 oz Vera Wang Princess Eau de Toilette, 0.3 oz Prada Infusion d'Iris Eau de Parfum, 0.13 oz Clean Eau de Parfum, 0.24 oz Ralph Lauren Ralph Eau de Toilette, 0.13 oz Givenchy Very Irresistible Givenchy Eau de Toilette
Sephora Favorites Skin Saviors Moisturizers Deluxe Sampler, $24 Don't let your skin dry out! Give it a much-needed drink with some of the most popular body moisturizers to nourish, protect, and hydrate.
Set includes: 1.69 oz Korres Guava Body Butter, 1 oz Philosophy When Hope Is Not Enough Body Lotion, 2.03 oz Fresh Sugar Lemon Body Lotion, 1.7 oz Bliss Blood Orange + White Pepper Body Butter and 2 oz Murad Body Firming Cream
Magnificently fragrant and clean-burning, Pacifica Soy Candle in Tuscan Blood Orange will add a burst of color to any room while filling it with its delicious blend of spicy blood orange, strawberry, raspberry, and mandarin scents. Every candle form Pacifica is handmade with vegetable soy wax, lead-free wicks and Pacifica's signature blends of essential and natural oils. We love burning these in the early morning when the day begins to pick up and we can enjoy its vibrant, energizing scent as the day progresses. Burn time: 100 hours. 5.5 ounces, sephora.com
Q: How can I pop a huge pimple under the skin? I was hoping you could give me some clues as to what you look out for. Please help me!
A: Any pimple, blemish or "zit" shouldn't be picked and prodded. This can cause bacteria in the skin to burst under the skin and spread the problem. When you do experience large, and sometimes painful blemishes, it is best to let nature run its course. If you do see some white pus at the surface, you may do as follows:
- Apply a warm compress over the area 8-12 minutes to help encourage the pus to the surface.
- When you have done this, use two cotton swabs (our favorites are Q-tips brand) to gently lift the fluid out. Do your best to place the tip of each swab "under" the pimple. The pus should come out easily without force.
- If you begin to see blood or clear fluid, it's time to stop. You may see more redness around the area. Apply a cold compress to reduce this.
- Apply an acne clearing product such as Neutrogena On-the-Spot Treatment ($5.99, drugstore.com) to help treat the blemish as it heals. Cleanse your face daily with a salicylic wash and exfoliate 1-2 times per week to keep breakouts at bay.
Best wishes!
Winner of the Fifi Award for Private Label Fragrance of the Year, Victoria's Secret Sexy Little Things Noir is light, playful and deliciously provocative. Appealing without being overpowering, the beautiful blend of sparkling nectarine, sultry amber and exotic orchid smells every bit as glamorous as its shapely black glass bottle, adorned with vintage accents and fabulous retro bulb atomizer spray, looks. 1.7 ounces. $39, victoriassecret.com
For us, Summer is all about weekends at the beach, getting together with friends, relaxing at the park, and simply scaling back a tight everyday schedule. Summer also brings in the heat, and you need products that will help you survive it. We've put together a list of beauty essentials, sure to keep you cool and looking your best.
Essence of Beauty Body Mist in Blue Ocean
With its blend of light scents-- that remind us of cool ocean waves and fresh air-- this body mist will keep you feeling like you're at the shore, even if you are still sitting at your desk. $5.99, cvs.com
Revlon Extra Life No Chip Top Coat
Whether we're playing in the sand, swimming in the pool or washing dishes, we use this essential, high-gloss top coat to keep our brightly-colored manicures in tip top shape for up to two weeks. $5.49, drugstore.com
St. Ives Cellulite Shield Gel Creme
Gym visits are necessary for our overall health, but spending time outdoors is so much more fun in the Summer. To help us look our best, we recruited this powerful and hydrating creme to fight cellulite and leave our skin feeling smooth and looking more even-toned. This formula absorbs fast and includes ingredients like caffeine and citrus extracts work to energize, rejuvenate and stimulate circulation in the skin. $7.99, drugstore.com
Nivea Lip Care A Kiss Of Protection, SPF 30
This long-lasting lip balm protects lips from damaging UV rays, prevents your pout from drying out and leaves them feeling silky smooth thanks to ingredients like Jojoba oil and Shea butter. $2.49, drugstore.com
Colgate Wisp
We love this pocket-sized disposable toothbrush. It fits in our purse, beach bag or glove compartment, and is perfect for keeping our breath fresh and teeth clean on-the-go, no matter where we go. Sugar-free. $2.59, cvs.com
L'Oreal EverPure UV Protect Spray
We admit, we've been stretching time between our haircolor appointments these days, but we couldn't do it without a little help. A few sprays of this on our tresses before we finish our style not only adds moisture to our already dehydrated hair, but protects it from UV rays, thus helping our color look vibrant and healthy longer. $8.99, drugstore.com
Bliss has created the ultimate lightweight moisture-giver in the new Lemon + Sage Body Butter Lite. Much like its nourishing older sister, Body Butter, the botanically-based moisturizing ingredients and antioxidant vitamins in Lite condition skin like, well...butter. It won't, however, leave you with the extra-thick-- and sometimes greasy-- finish. Body Butter Lite is perfect for creating a more dewy finish on the skin, absorbs quickly, and leaves skin weightlessly hydrated. $29, blissworld.com
Clinique's Black Honey Almost Lipstick is the one lipcolor we know we can gift our friends without worrying if it will "work" on them. Now the amazing gloss power of the brand's Superbalm is available in the much-loved shade. Superbalm is an ultra-moisturizing lip balm that thinks it's a gloss, contains antioxidants to protect your pout, leaving lips feeling pampered. It's one of our must-have lip products, and now that it comes in Black Honey, we love it even more. Sephora Exclusive. $13.50, sephora.com
Foundations are the best product for creating a more even, flawless complexion. With so many formulations on the market these days, we care most about finding the ones that feel lightweight but give us the coverage we desire. Now that we're moving into the warm-weather months, these requirements also need to be teamed up with long-lasting finishes that won't melt away. The following picks are some of our favorites, and for you recessionistas, all cost less than $40.
Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup SPF 10 provides a natural-looking, semi-matte finish on normal/combination to oily skin and stays fresh-looking for up to 15 hours. While it hides every flaw, it feels amazingly light and doesn't smudge or rub off on our clothes. Oil-free, fragrance-free. $33.50, nordstrom.com
CoverGirl Smoothers AquaSmooth Cream Foundation is a truly affordable foundation perfect for those with a more dry skintype. We love that this goes on smooth, is easy to apply and gives flawless coverage without a heavy makeup feeling. Special light-reflecting pigments help minimize the appearance of fine lines and imperfections so you can feel confidant in your own skin. $10.11, drugstore.com
MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation is great to apply especially when we're on-the go. This foundation is designed to be used dry, and the fine-milled powders and pigments create a matte, velvety texture that leaves skin looking smooth and fresh. Apply with a brush, powder or sponge. $26, macys.com
Revlon Age Defying Makeup SPF 15 W/Botafirm for Dry Skin works well for mature skin types and provides excellent coverage without looking fake. This foundation is specially designed to help remove fine lines and moisturize the skin all day long while visibly softening facial features for a glowing, youthful look. Also available in a normal/combination skin formula. $13.99, drugstore.com
Shiseido The Makeup Fluid Foundation provides skin with a light, refreshing texture and a translucent matte finish. Fabulous for all skintypes, The Makeup moisturizes skin and minimizes flaws, but still offers varied coverage, from light to full, without heaviness. $37.50, macys.com
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