February 28, 2010

PRODUCT REVIEW: DHC - Q10 Products

 
  
Q10 Starter Set  ($24.50)
Antioxidant CoQ10 is known to protect your skin from free radicals, which can damage skin and accelerate the appearance of fine lines. This set contains smaller sizes of DHC's antioxidant-rich skincare products that target the signs of aging caused by UV rays and stress by utilizing the benefits of coenzyme Q10.  Perfect for the gym or traveling!
Set includes:
* Deep Cleansing Oil -  Its unique water-soluble formula rinses completely, so you’ll never see a greasy residue. Olive oil and vitamin E help ensure you won’t see dryness either.
* Olive Soap - Fortified with olive leaf’s naturally occurring coenzyme Q10, this clear cleansing bar fights free radicals that can cause damage to collagen and elastin fibers.
* Q10 Lotion - this age-fighting toner maximizes your coenzyme Q10 potential to target sun-damaged skin and help smooth and hydrate your complexion.
* Q10 Milk - Bring moisture and suppleness back while fighting free radicals with this milky gel moisturizer.
* Q10 Cream - Combines the excellent toning and firming properties of coenzyme Q10 with olive oil for optimum nourishment and preservation of your skin. 

A refreshing portable toner, rich in antioxidant coenzyme Q10, that you can use anytime and anywhere. Enjoy a pick-me-up spritz to revitalize your skin and refresh your makeup.

 
This intensive eye cream not only contains revitalizing coenzyme Q10, but also employs 10 other beneficial ingredients, including vitamin E, olive oil, kudzu, and alpha-arbutin to help fight fine lines.


 
Q10 Hand Cream   ($7.50)
Age-fighting coenzyme Q10 helps give your hands the extra edge they need to stay soft, supple, and younger-looking. Veil your hands in this silky, fast-absorbing cream enriched with superior moisture-magnets, including nourishing olive and meadowfoam oils.


I've been a big fan of DHC olive-oil based products for years so when I saw them on Twitter I contacted them about doing a review. I had never tried the Q10 line and thought it would be a perfect choice since I'm concerned about fine lines and aging. As I stated in previous post, I love being able to sample skincare sets so you get the benefit of using cohesive products that are meant to be used together. I believe you get a truer response to the products effectiveness.  Since the Q10 Starter Set was missing a few items I believe essential in my beauty routine, I also asked to be sent an eye cream, toner and hand cream so my review would be truly comprehensive. I used the products consistently for a little over a month and I have to say overall  I was happy with the results .

As I stated in previous posts, my skin is not very happy in winter. The combination of cold and wind outside and drying heat inside makes for dull, dry skin.  My skintype  is usually combination but in winter it's more normal with areas of dryness.  After about a week of using the DHC products I noticed that my skin was more luminous and glowing.  I no longer had tiny patches of dryness around my mouth and nose.  My daily routine was to use the soap, lotion, water mist, milk (or the cream if my skin was feeling dry) and eye cream in the morning and then the full set of products at night.  My face and neck felt soft and supple and even with my makeup on my skin still had a dewy look.  

After using the Q10 products for a month I didn't notice a big difference in the tiny lines by my eyes but moisturized skin looks plumper so you don't see them as much.  The hand cream was moisturizing but felt I needed to reapply often to keep my hands feeling soft.  In all fairness have to say as a Makeup Artist I wash my hands frequently so my hands tend to be super dry, especially in winter. I think for the average person they might have better results with the hand cream.  The Q10 water mist is absolutely lovely! I used it after toning, before applying my moisturizer and also during the day to refresh my makeup.  My favorite products from the Q10 line are the Q10 Cream, Q10 Lotion, and Q10 Water Mist ( I was already in love with the Deep Cleansing Oil and Olive Soap). I'm glad that I had the opportunity to try DHC's Q10 products and I plan to purchase items from this line in the future.


Reader alert: This month DHC is offering a sale on it's Q10 Lotion, Cream and Eye Cream along with it's superstar product - Deep Cleansing Oil. And with every order you get your choice of 4 product samples!  Get shopping now Readers!!!!



* Received DHC Q10 Products to review.

NEW FEATURE: READER BEAUTY QUESTION


I was recently on photo shoot with my talented photographer friend, Christine Austin, when she asked me a beauty question. I thought it was an interesting question that would make a good blog post. I also thought that if she had this question, possibly other Karen's World of Beauty Readers would benefit from the answer too.  Christine wanted to know all about lip stains so here's some brief info on what they are and what they do:

Lip stains are a cosmetic product designed to stain the lips with long-lasting color which will resist wear. Unlike lipstick, a stain does not contain wax -  it  temporarily stains and saturates the lips with color like a dye, rather than applying colored wax to the lips like with lipstick. Lip stains are usually created to be waterproof so that the color will be long lasting, smear resistant, wear unevenly, or not come off on your teeth.

There are generally two types of lip stains; the kind that come in a bottle or tube with an applicator to brush the color onto the lips or in a jar and you use your fingers or makeup brush to apply the stain. Most stains are matte so you can apply gloss or blam on top to provide sheen or moisture to the lips. Some cosmetic companies now create sets that include a stain paired with a gloss or lip plumper.


Christine is not much of a makeup wearer and she told me going into Sephora is overwhelming.  With so many cosmetic lines and various types of products it's easy to be confused. Christine has fair skin with a cool undertone and brown hair so the products listed below are ones I suggest for her coloring but note that all these brands offer a variety of shades. Choose a lip stain color that will best suit your own skintone and look most natural.

PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS:
Stila - Lip & Cheek Stain  ($24) - Yumberry Crush (sheer pearlized pink)
A multi-tasking lip and cheek stain, packaged in Stila's iconic clickable pen, that reacts to pH levels to create a perfectly personalized hue.
Benefit - Posietint  ($28)
Benefit's Posietint is a petal-pink stain that plants a kiss of see-through tint on cheeks and lips that last for hours.
 
Laura Mercier - Lip Stain ($20) - Shy Pink (light natural pink)
Laura Mercier Lip Stain provides the visual effect of a stain with the comfort and sheen of a lip gloss.

 
NARS - Lip Stain Gloss  ($24)  Rage (rose coral)
Soft shine and sheer color that gently stains the lips. Shades can be layered for added intensity.  
Tarte - Natural Lip Stain with LipSurgence™ Technology  ($24)  Enchanted (rose)
The old meets the new with LipSurgence™ technology which is clinically proven to increase moisture content so your lips appear naturally fuller and healthier. Like the cheek stains, each shade of these natural lip stains leaves a natural hint of tint that will last throughout the day.
 
Pixie - Lip Blush  ($18)  Purity (a natural pink tone)
This feather-light water stain tints and tones your lips, creating a blushing healthy hue.


Hope you all enjoyed this new Karen's World of Beauty Feature and please let me know if you have any beauty questions you'd like answered.  You can email me or leave your questions as a Comment to this post. If you do, you just might be featured in the next blog post of "Reader Beauty Question."

February 2, 2010

VALENTINE DAY BEAUTY

 
Searching for the perfect products to make your V-Day smoking hot? Fear not, dear Readers, check out my list of  cosmetic gems to help you shine as you celebrate the "Day of Love." Mwuah!!!
 
Red is nothing if not sinful and this is the ultimate red lipstick.
 
Stila - Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner  in "Black" ($22)
An easy-application, waterproof liquid liner that stays on all day and night.
Youngblood Cosmetics - Valentine's Day Gift Set ($47)
Tucked in a sweet pink cosmetic bag are rosy shades of beauty products sure to make your heart skip a beat.  (Contains: "Promiscuous" Lipgloss, "Vivid" lipstick and "Rouge" Crushed Mineral Blush)

NARS - Temptation Gift Set ($30)
This gift set pairs NARS beloved, best-selling shade of blush with matching nail polish. (Contains Super Orgasm Blush and Orgasm Nail Polish)

 
The theme for this collection is "Express True Love With Color." My favorite color from the collection is "After Sex" - A relaxing, yet arousing burgundy (see pictured above).

 
Not just for Valentine's Day, this perfume set let's you celebrate this special day, anytime, anywhere.  (Contains scents: "Be My Valentine", "Call Me" and "Love Me")

 
A three-piece gift set scented with a sweet, playful fragrance.  (Contains: Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath, Body Lotion and Lip Shine)