Dove Celebrates 60 Years of the Beauty Bar

When it comes to classic brands that stand the test of time, Dove is one of the first to come to mind.

This year the trusted brand is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Beauty Bar—its iconic cleanser. Dove has been a mainstay in my bathroom for as long as I can remember and for good reason. The Beauty Bar works wonders on my acne-prone skin and it smells so darn good. Ah, that fresh, clean smell! For me the gentle cleanser’s scent instantly takes me back to my childhood when I was first introduced to the timeless beauty essential.

Dove 60th 6 Bar Pack (horizontal)

Find Dove’s Beauty Bar here.

Nostalgia aside, Dove’s Beauty Bar continues to evoke emotions from women every day. From the empowering commercials to the tried and true formula, the Beauty Bar is the unchanged standard.

To commemorate this milestone, Dove has released a limited-edition bar with the word “care” engraved on it.

To commemorate this milestone, Dove has released a limited-edition bar with the word “care” engraved on it.

In the spirit of the brand’s new campaign, #RaisetheBeautyBar, I plan to continue instilling confidence in my 7-year-old daughter and letting her know that she’s smart and beautiful inside and out.

They say, “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it,” and this sentiment rings true for this cherished product. Happy Birthday, Beauty Bar—here’s to another 60 years!

Check out this cool retrospective video celebrating the contributions women have made in beauty throughout the years.

How do you plan to #RaisetheBeautyBar?

Say Hello to Your New Favorite Style Control Gel: Carol’s Daughter Pracaxi Nectar

I’ve been covering new hair care products for over a decade. Needless to say, throughout the years I’ve reviewed countless shampoos, pomades, puddings, creams, conditioners and more. So, when something earns a spot in my tried and true rotation, it’s GOOD.

Enter: Carol’s Daughter new Pracaxi Nectar Style Control Gel. Infused with acai extract and natural oils, this miracle in a tube instantly awakens my daughter’s curls.

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Carol’s Daughter Pracaxi Nectar Style Control Gel available here, $10.99

Although it’s formulated to reduce frizz and tame flyaways, it makes her dry hair super soft and moisturized—something that doesn’t happen with most gels. I don’t know about you, but in the past when I’ve used products that aim to “control,” I’ve been left with sticky and goopy concoctions that slick down hair making it hard and crunchy. Oh and let’s not forget that crusty white film that they create.

Well, this control gel defies the odds and manages to keep curls defined and hydrated. Plus, it smells so good! If you like tropical scents, this will become an instant fave. Coming in a little over $10 at Sally’s, you’ll want to stock up on this soon-to-be staple.

What’s your all-time favorite Carol’s Daughter product? 

Celebrity Facialist Shares Tips on Achieving Flawless Skin

Enviable skin? Yes please! And what better time than the start of the New Year to treat and pamper your skin like the special organ it is? But, don’t take it from me; I caught up with Shani Darden, the woman behind Kelly Rowland’s and Chrissy Teigen’s glowing complexions to get the deets on how to give your skin the TLC it needs to shine…not literally, but you get the point.

The highly sought-after facialist and Consulting Esthetician for Garnier SkinActive has been helping Hollywood’s elite achieve flawless skin for years and shows no signs of slowing down. The brunette beauty dished on teaming up with Garnier, what she’d tell her younger self about skin care and more!

Shani Darden is a skincare wizard who's worked her magic on Hollywood's elite. Courtesy of Shani Darden

Shani Darden is a skin wizard who’s worked her magic on Hollywood’s elite. Photo Courtesy of Shani Darden

Check out our Q&A below:

BGG: In a nutshell, how did you become one of the most sought after facialists in LA?

Shani Darden: I’m so lucky to have amazing clients that are generous enough to speak out about me!

BGG: Did you always know that you wanted to have a career in the skincare industry?

SD: I’ve been obsessed with skincare for as long as I can remember. I used to make face masks when I was little and begged my mom to take me to the dermatologist at an abnormally young age. 

BGG: Tell me about your partnership with Garnier.

SD: I teamed up with Garnier because the brand’s skincare philosophy aligns very closely with my own — simple and accessible skincare that really works. 

BGG: I know your skincare philosophy is “less is more,” can you elaborate?

SD: People don’t need to use too many products or always try the next “big thing.” Once you find a skincare routine that works, stick to it.

BGG: You’ve worked with some of the most notable and undeniably beautiful women in Hollywood. What are the top three things women can do/use at home to attain enviable complexions?

SD: 1)Use retinol. Retinol helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles, boosts collagen in the skin, and helps make skin look younger and tighter. It also has amazing acne-fighting properties and helps alleviate discoloration. My Retinol Reform is a great option – it’s effective, yet gentle enough for almost all skin types. 

2) Exfoliate weekly. I recommend using a light, at-home chemical exfoliant weekly to help get rid of dead cells on the surface of your skin and give you an amazing glow. 

3) Incorporate an at-home microcurrent device into your routine. This helps improve facial contour, tone skin, and reduce wrinkles to make you look more youthful instantly. 

BGG: I know that you have extensive experience working with severe acne sufferers. If you could give them one bit of advice what would it be?

SD: Don’t pick! When you pick at pimples, you can push bacteria deeper into the skin and cause scarring. Avoid the temptation. 

BGG: What are the top three skin care offenses we should ditch in 2017?

SD: 1) Using the wrong products for your skin type. Talk to your skincare professional to get on a routine that’s right for you. 

2) Not washing off your makeup off at the end of the night. This leaves bacteria on your skin that can clog pores and cause acne.

3) Skipping sunscreen. The single most important thing you can do for your skin is protect it from the sun. 

BGG: What is the single most important skincare product every woman should be using no matter the season?

SD: Sunscreen. Never leave the house without first applying an SPF 30. 

BGG: What would you tell your 17-year-old self about skin care?

SD: If you lay in the sun now, you’ll have brown spots on your face by the time you turn 30. You won’t like them and they won’t all go away. Take care of your skin now, so it will stay amazing as you age!

How do you plan to take better care of your skin? More facials? More sunscreen? Please share!

Ring in the New Year with These Dazzling Beauty Buys

Still debating whether you’re going to ring in the New Year on your couch or at a festive gathering amongst friends? Hopefully, the following beauty goodies will make you lean toward the latter. But, of course there’s no rule against getting dolled and celebrating New Year’s Eve solo. Either way, make sure your lips are primed for your significant other or the unmistakable beauty staring back at you in the mirror when the clock strikes midnight.

Check out some of my top New Year’s Eve beauty picks:

clinique-high-impact-custom-black-kajal

Clinique High Impact™ Custom Black Kajal available here, $17

 

Want to amp up your peeper game this NYE? This blackened-blue liner glides on effortlessly and transforms eyes into dramatic windows of the soul. Plus, if you get sentimental as the ball in Times Square drops, don’t worry—your perfected cat-eye won’t smudge or smear.

Urban Decay Full Spectrum Eye Shadow Palette available here, $39

Urban Decay Full Spectrum Eye Shadow Palette available here, $39

Nothing calls for drama like NYE and this eye shadow palette delivers. With a variety of deep seductive hues, you’re sure to find  a dark shimmery shade to create a smoldering look to close out 2016.

Your Je Ne Sais Quoi Complexion Perfection Face Palette available here, $42

IT Cosmetics Your Je Ne Sais Quoi Complexion Perfection Face Palette available here, $42

Thinking of tapping into your inner J-Lo? If so, this highlighting palette has your covered. Infused with an anti-aging formula, the shimmery flecks of the matte bronzer, luminizer and blush will accentuate your best features while giving you an instant glow. What better time than NYE to take your makeup up a notch and dazzle?

jane iredale Lip Fixation available here, $32

jane iredale Lip Fixation available here, $32

You’ll be able sip champagne all night long without a single smear with this lip stain and gloss combo. Plus, the ultra-hydrating formula will leave your lips moisturized and kissable down to the last second.

Mischo Beauty Nail Lacquer in “Good Kisser” available here, $18

 

Don’t let your lips get all of the shine. As you toast in the New Year, this luxurious lacquer lets your tips get some much-needed attention too!

Do you have plans to stay in or go out this New Year’s Eve?

These Are the Top-selling Beauty Products at CVS in 2016

For me, there’s nothing more satisfying than scouring the beauty aisles at drugstores. Since I was a teen, heading to my local CVS for the latest beauty buys from tried and true brands has always been an instant pick-me-up and favorite pastime.

From scoring buy one, get one free offers to finding affordable mascaras, shopping for makeup, hair care products and other cosmetics is my definition of a good day.

So, when CVS shared their top-selling products of 2016 with me, I was excited to see if some of my top picks made their list—they did—and for good reason. The following products boast superb quality and excellence without breaking the bank.

Check them out below:

e-l-f-poreless-face-primer

e.l.f Poreless Face Primer, $6

covergirl-perfect-point-plus-eyelinerCoverGirl Perfect Point Plus Eyeliner in Black Onyx, $6.79

cvs-makeup-remover-cleansing-clothCVS Makeup Remover Cleansing Cloth Towelettes, $5.49

essie-gel-setter-top-coat-boxEssie Gel Setter Top Coat, $10

garnier-skinactive-micellar-cleansing-water**BGG PICK** Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water All in 1 Cleanser & Waterproof Makeup Remover, $9

nyx-soft-matte-lip-creamNYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Stockholm, $6

pantene-pro-v-classic-clean-2in1-shampoo-and-conditionerPantene Pro-V Classic Clean 2in1 Shampoo and Conditioner, $5

revlon-colorstay-eye-liner**BGG PICK** Revlon Colorstay Eye Liner, $9

sally-hansen-miracle-gelSally Hansen Miracle Gel in Top Coat, $10

tresemme-tres-two-extra-hold-aerosol-hairsprayTRESemme TRES Two Extra Hold Aerosol Hairspray, $2

wet-n-wild-silk-finish-lipstick-open**BGG PICK** Wet n Wild Silk Finish Lipstick in Dark Wine, $1

cvs-health-oil-absorbing-sheets

CVS Health Oil Absorbing Sheets, $5.49

Did some of your faves make the cut? What were your best beauty buy of the year?

5 De-Slicking Products to Keep Oily Skin at Bay

They say that oily skin is the secret to the coveted fountain of youth. If that’s the case, call me Mrs. Benjamin Button!

All jokes aside, oily skin can ward off wrinkles by providing a natural layer of moisture resulting in a more youthful appearance. However, being greasy isn’t easy. In fact, those sebaceous glands secreting sebum right below the skin’s surface can wreak some major havoc. If they get clogged in unsuspecting hair follicles, voila you have a perfect recipe for pimples. Recently, my oil-slicked skin has been causing some embarrassing breakouts and blemishes.

Sure, having an ever-present “glow” has its benefits, but keeping my oily skin at bay trumps my desire for an everyday dewy look.

Below, find a few of the products that keep my oily skin in check:

black-up-perfect-mattifying

black|Up available here, $44

Black|Up Primer: This mattifying primer is the perfect antidote for combatting overly shiny skin. It goes on easily and provides a smooth surface for applying concealer and foundation. Plus, it’s fragrance-free and doesn’t clog pores.

honest-beauty-blotting-papers

Honest Beauty Dependably Clear Blotting Sheets available here, $9

Honest Beauty Absorbing Sheets: These are a mainstay in my makeup bag and for good reason. They’re compact, affordable and get the job done. The wood and hemp pulp soaks up oil effortlessly. Gently press one of these thin, super absorbent papers onto your skin and watch the oil disappear without disturbing your makeup—one blot at a time.

yes-to-tomatoes

Yes To Tomatoes Detoxifying Charcoal Paper Mask available here, $2.59

Yes To Tomatoes Detoxifying Charcoal Paper Mask: Pampering your skin should always be a priority. Thanks to the acne-preventing properties that help keep greasy skin under control, these masks will have your skin saying “yes to” these at-home treatments again and again.

skindinavia-the-makeup-finishing-oil-spray

Skindinavia, The Makeup Finishing Spray available here, $29

Skindinavia, The Makeup Finishing Spray Oil Control: Not just for weddings or special occasions, this oil-fighting mist is a must for us oily girls. It keeps skin hydrated, but without the unwanted shine. The award-winning spray absorbs effortlessly into skin leaving behind a flawless matte finish.

aveeno-moisturizer

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer available here, $10.99

Aveeno Daily Oil-free Moisturizer: It might seem counterintuitive to slather on a rich cream when it seems like your skin is its own moisture-producing machine. Yet, this oil-free moisturizer provides adequate hydration without leaving skin feeling greasy. Plus, it’s infused with salicylic acid that prevent pesky pimples.

Do you suffer from oily skin? If so, what are some of the products you swear by?

Product Review: Clinique’s City Block Cleansing Gel & Even Better Dark Spot Corrector & Optimizer

When it comes to toxins, big cities like NYC, L.A. and Chicago can produce some pretty nasty pollutants.

Countless emissions emitted into the air by vehicles, factories and other chemical-spewing culprits can wreak havoc on vulnerable skin.  In fact, research shows that dirt and potentially hazardous vapors can clog pores causing breakouts and skin irritations.

Enter Clinique’s City Block Purifying Charcoal Cleansing Gel. This is not your typical cleanser. To start, it’s black as tar, which makes it fascinating and jarring at first glance. Formulated with us city girls in mind, it promises to clean out the dirt, grime and other impurities that seep into our pores on a daily basis.

Living in a major metropolis and being a cystic acne sufferer, I was excited to give this wash a go. Never before had I used a product that aimed to rid my skin of grit expelled from the environment. To say I was intrigued would be an understatement.  Could the environment be the cause of the headless pimples that peppered my forehead? I don’t know, but I was willing to try anything that could possibly combat my condition.

clinique-city-block-purifying-charcoal-cleansing-gel

Clinique City Block Purifying Charcoal Cleansing Gel available here, $20

After weeks of using the fragrance-free, natural charcoal infused cleanser, my skin looked undeniably refreshed and radiant. It also rectified my “ever-present dewy glow” problem by reducing excess oil production. However, it didn’t stop those pesky and painful cysts from popping up. And remember, these are not simple, surface pimples, but the heavy duty ones you can feel brewing well beneath the skin. Sadly, I’ve come to the conclusion that those unsightly nodules are due to hormones and can’t be treated topically.

While the bumps eventually go down, they still leave behind dark blemishes that can take a toll on the most confident BG’s self-esteem. Luckily, Clinique’s Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector & Optimizer has been my saving grace. Its dual chamber pump releases a serum that brightens old blemishes creating a vibrant, even complexion. It goes on clear, absorbs quickly and  doesn’t live behind a sticky film. Also, the optimizer component serves as a protector, lessening the chance of skin darkening again in the future. Plus, it’s prescription-strength so you can skip that expensive trip to the dermatologist. I’ve been using it as directed twice a day for over a month and the results have been amazing!

clinique-dark-spot-correcter-optimizer

Clinique Even Better Dark Spot Corrector & Optimizer available here, $79

All in all, I’ll continue to use the City Block because it keeps the majority of my skin in check save for the occasional cysts and the Even Better Dark Spot Corrector & Optimizer is a must-have for anyone who suffers from hyper-pigmentation and yearns for bright, even-toned skin.

Take it from this city girl, when it comes to skincare, Clinique knows its stuff.

What does your fall skincare routine include?