2010 Favorite Products: Beauty and Skin Care

Hello ladies,

I put together a grouping of my favorite products from 2010. These aren't necessarily new releases, but rather products that I discovered over the past year that became an integral part of my beauty routine.

Hard Candy: So Baked Bronzer in Tiki

This is the first bronzer that has truly complimented my fair skin. I use it as a blush and as a highlight all throughout the year.

This mini primer comes as a sample with each In the Shadows eye shadow collection. It's a phenomenal primer that I wish were sold full size. The mini tube is nice to toss in a travel cosmetic bag. Only a small amount of primer is required to keep eye makeup in place throughout the day.

Bella Sugar Cosmetics: eye shadows

This small, family run company produces the smoothest, most pigmented pressed shadows I have tried. My 18 shadow palette shows evidence of serious use. The pan is visible on quite a few shades. I have received so many compliments when wearing these shadows. Their greens and pinks are particularly noteworthy.

Make Up For Ever: Lift Concealer

I use this concealer under my eyes every day. It provides natural, crease resistant coverage.

B'Liv by Cellnique: Off With Those Heads Blackheads Sebum Gel

With twice daily application, Off With Those Heads has dramatically reduced the blackheads on my nose. Even if you have small pores that aren't yielding to a comedone extractor, this product will help clear them. At present, my blackheads are showing about 80% improvement with continued results each week.

Neutrogena: Ageless Restoratives Anti-Oxidant Daily Moisturizer SPF 20

I apply sunscreen every day no matter what the weather. Neutrogena makes many effective sunscreens, but Anti-Oxidant Daily Moisturizer is among my favorites for its weightless texture and compatibility with makeup application.

Neutrogena: Intensive Moisture Wrap

This Norwegian formula body treatment is reminiscent of Neutrogena's popular hand cream. With consistent use after showering, I haven't once experienced a dry patch this winter. Intensive Moisture Wrap is my new cold weather staple.

Bathory Diabolique: Scrub

I could praise these foot scrubs 'til the end of time. Beautifully perfumed and rich with skin healing shae butter, each scrub offers its own artisan beauty. Bathory Diabolique scrubs have helped keep my feet soft despite all the city walking I do.

Made from Earth: Rooibos Tea Face Scrub

This face scrub employs tiny jojoba spheres for exfoliation. I appreciate the wholesome, organic ingredients as well as the soft feel of my skin after each use. Perfect!

Pure Source: Protective Day Cream

This moisturizer is so healing for dry, sensitive skin. With continued use, my cheeks are smooth to the touch even on the coldest days. Protective Day Cream provides an effective barrier against environmental agents.

2010 could also be called The Year I Discovered Reviva Labs. My medicine cabinet looks like a slightly pillaged shrine. I have an assortment of partially full bottles and jars, all in active rotation. If I were relegated to using products from only one skin care company, it would be Reviva Labs. Below are a few of my absolute favorites of all that I have tried.

Reviva Labs: DMAE Firming Fluid

I am currently half way through my second bottle. DMAE will help firm skin along the jaw line and cheek bones. For anyone who has decided to pursue healthy weight loss this New Year, DMAE can assist with maintaining skin elasticity.

Reviva Labs: Skin Energizing Gel

I apply this gel under my nighttime moisturizer to increase its effectiveness. Because of Skin Energizing Gel, I no longer have to use heavy night creams to keep my skin hydrated.

Reviva Labs: Non-Chemical Light Skin Peel

Light Skin Peel is a great multi-purpose facial mask. It helps clear pores, refine skin texture, maintain natural oil balance and exfoliate dry skin. I can see how it would benefit just about every skin type. I use this mask every week. I wish I could give a sample to everyone I know.

Have any of you tried my favorite products? Do any seem tempting to you? What are some of your most reached for beauty items from the past year?

You can read disclosure information for each product and find purchasing information at the original posts.

Happy painting, ladies!

Pure Source Protective Day Cream with kiwifruit and New Zealand sheep wool

Hello ladies,

I have been enjoying an interesting skin care product from New Zealand that pairs kiwifruit and sheep wool to improve skin health. Protective Day Cream from Pure Source also contains vitamins and anti-oxidants to shield skin from the damaging effects of pollution.

Pure Source Protective Day Cream with kiwifruit and New Zealand sheep wool.

A squirrel in a low tree. He looks like he's flexing.

When I first think of the possible benefits of New Zealand sheep wool, I will admit I don't visualize skin care products. Apparently, sheep wool is source of keratin, a protein that helps maintain skin elasticity and suppleness. What makes sheep wool ideal for supplying keratin is the protein can retain its three dimensional structure during the extraction process. The keratin derived from sheep wool will be in a purer form than from sources requiring powerful solvents.

One of the things that attracts me to products like Protective Day Cream is the potential to access ingredients in the form closest to nature. I feel it makes a difference in the quality of my skin care. I am pleased with smooth feel and appearance of my skin with regular use of Protective Day Cream. Despite the name, I have been applying the product before bedtime. As the weather gets colder, I will switch to using Protective Day Cream under sunscreen.

I was also intrigued by the idea of kiwifruit in a moisturizer. Along with potassium and magnesium, the natural antioxidants and Vitamin C in kiwifruit make it a useful ingredient. As a city dweller, I appreciate antioxidants in helping to defend my skin from pollution.

Protective Day Cream has an interesting fragrance. As I apply the product, I can detect the wool based ingredients as well as the kiwifruit. It smells like eating freshly sliced kiwi while wearing a wool sweater. While I find the aroma comforting, the scent dissipates shortly after application.

The ingredients include: Purified New Zealand Spring Water, Octyl Palmitate, Octyl Methoxycinnamate, Glycerine, Glyceryl Stearate and PEG-100 Stearate, PEG-120 Stearate, Octyl Salicylate, Benzophenone 3, Cynergy TK, Ceteareth-20, Polysorbate 60, Avocado Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Provitamin B5, Vitamin C, Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A), Sodium Polyacrylate, Chamomile Extract, Kiwifruit Extract, Manuka Honey, Phenoxyethanol, Diazolidinyl Urea and Fragrance.

Another beneficial New Zealand ingredient is manuka honey. This component can help with cell rejuvenation and turnover. It also assists in the formation of collagen.

I am impressed with Protective Day Cream. It's pretty fascinating how nature is the great multi-tasker. We can easily associate wool with scarves, kiwi with fruit salad and honey as a sweetener for tea, yet all of these ingredients can work to beautify the skin.

Pure Source Protective Day Cream was given to me by a friend. This product can be purchased at korunaturals.com, the US distributor. The retail price is $13.85. It also can be ordered from beauty-spa.co.nz.

Happy painting, ladies!