I always say it’s not easy to write about skincare products because everyone has such different skin and concerns. But these products are serious superstars and have a significant fruit-infused ingredients to help with its antioxidant (read: anti-aging) benefits.

CAUDALIE VINOSOURCE
The first couple that blew me away are from Caudalie’s newest collection, Vinosource. I’m always a little nervous to try something new, but creator Mathilde Thomas kept the dehydrated/sensi-skinned people in mind. There are no parabens, sulfates, synthetic dyes, irritating triclosan, petrochemicals…you get it. Their S.O.S. Thirst-Quenching Serum loaded with antioxidant grape water (which increases hydration by 127%) and grape seed polyphenols to keep skin supple by blocking 100% of free radicals (plus they’re 10000x more effective than Vitamin E…yup). Use it with their Quenching Sorbet-Crème which also has polyphenols and soothing chamomile.

I swear, I noticed a difference the very next day. My skin was soft, brighter, and the two products worked consistently well. And it was surprising since the texture for both products are so light and non-offensive. The serum is not sticky or gross which I normally associate potent serums with, and the sorbet goes on like butter. I just haven’t gone wrong with the power pair, and going back for more soon!

Prices:
S.O.S. Thirst-Quenching Serum, $48
Quenching Sorbet-Crème, $38

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In typical Bollywood style, Indian actress Priyanka Chopra prances around in apparent bliss over her “glow.” It’s like. I can’t wrap my head around it but it’s so quirky and weird I can’t stop watching.

By the by, when she says she hates the “chip chip” she means the stickiness. Other than that. I just…have no words.

And this song is for sure going to be stuck in my head. FML.

x
Shy

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By Melissa Stephans

I’m an extremely loyal person, but not when it comes to beauty products. Much like a 20-something male, my attention begins to wander after a short time spent with my conquests. Sure, I appreciate quality. As my products near the end, though, I have the urge to wander and discover newer–maybe better–products. Hmm…is there such a thing as Beauty Addicts Anonymous?

Since my 34th birthday is approaching like a speeding bullet, I’ve been on a mission to overhaul my skincare arsenal. Recently I became obsessed with La Roche Posay’s Effaclar Pore Refining Anti-Wrinkle Serum. It refines the skin and gives it a blemish-free, smooth texture. Despite its strong scent of alcohol, the easily absorbed serum is not at all drying.

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I feel like I’m constantly discovering amazing products that I need some sort of new ongoing series to feature them. Hence, Beauty Product of the Week (Let’s call it BPW for short going forward, k? ).

I’ve been freelancing at Allure, and just as you’d imagine, it’s quite the beauty product heaven. During a recent beauty sale, I picked up a few products from Specific Beauty. If you remember, I had a giveaway with them a few months ago. That was actually the first time I was introduced the brand myself, which is formulated to serve the needs particular to people of medium-to-dark skin tones (particularly, to even out your complexion).

I started using their Skin Brightening Serum and Professional Moisture Complex sparingly every AM and PM. I’m always really critical of serums and skin brighteners in general because the ones I’ve used in the past either feel sticky and gross or they dry out my skin. Surprisingly though, these were neither. The serum was more creamy and combining it with the moisturizer kept my skin from drying out.

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The more I use Physicians Formula’s products, the more in love I fall. They’re multi-tasking quality products that keep price point in mind. This past year has found me fawning over their Shimmer Strips bronzer-blush-shadow palette (it’s amazing for sculpting and adding a little depth — their makeup artist Joanna Schlip says she can’t live without it!), their talc-free Mineral Wear pink correcting primer, and Eye Booster 2-in-1 boosting eyeliner + serum. Now, for the first time, the 74-year-old company is diving right into cosmecetical skincare which I’m predicting will be a game-changer in the “affordable skincare” category. Keeping their mantra to non-irritating, derm-tested products close, they’re come out with three mini-collections that address specific concerns: Aging, Moisture Balance, and Sensitivity & Redness.

MOISTURE BALANCE LINE:
*A panel of women saw a 52% increase in skin hydration in 2 weeks
*100% showed increased skin hydration instantly
*81% saw more radiant skin in two weeks
*88% saw younger-looking, firmer, more balanced skin instantly

OVERVIEW OF THE PRODUCTS:
Hydrating & Balancing Cleanser – a foaming cleanser that removes oil and pore-clogging impurities
Hydrating & Balancing Moisturizer with SPF 15 – an oil-free moisturizer that replenishes skin hydration and eliminates flakiness and tightness instantly. Lightweight, non-greasy formula helps repair skin’s natural moisture barrier for more balanced skin long-term.
Hydrating Eye Cream: Nutrient rich eye cream provides instant moisture, in a lightweight gel-cream formula. Diminishes the appearance of dark circles, fine lines, and puffiness.
Ultra-Hydrating Day & Night Cream - Replenishes skin’s moisture balance and provides an extra boost of moisture day or night. Soothes even the driest skin to improve tone and texture leaving skin soft, smooth and hydrating.

Just a note, I have been using the Day & Night Cream, and I wake up with my skin feeling like silk. I couldn’t stop feeling my face the next day! I’ve never been a huge fan of foaming washes, just because my skin needs a little more give (like gel or cream based cleansers), but the cream here is probably my favorite of the bunch.

REDNESS RELIEF LINE:
*100% felt their skin was soothed and more comfortable instantly
*100% saw healthier skin instantly
*92% felt less irritation instantly
*92% saw a reduction in inflammation, dryness and flakiness in 2 weeks

OVERVIEW OF THE PRODUCTS:
Redness Relief Cleanser - Ultra-gentle, lightweight cream cleanser melts away impurities without stripped skin of its essential moisture. Provides immediate relief to red and irritated skin, leaving it clean and comforted.
Instant Skin Calming Spray - Lightweight mist provides instant soothing relief to dehydrated skin while reducing irritation on contact.
Redness Relief Moisturizer – Extra-gentle, oil-free lightweight moisturizer instantly helps relieve redness and irritation, while providing all-day hydration. Restorative moisturizer soothes dry, itchy and flakey skin, while helping to strengthen and recondition it.
Redness Correcting Moisturizer – Extra-gentle, oil-free lightweight moisturizer instantly relieve redness and irritation, while providing all day hydration. Correcting green tint delivers a sheer wash of color to instantly neutralize redness.

ANTI-AGING LINE:
*100% felt skin looked firmer, smoother and more radiant instantly and long-term
*89% saw less fine lines instantly
*89% saw an improvement in their skin texture after 2 weeks
*71% saw less deep wrinkles in 4 weeks


OVERVIEW OF THE PRODUCTS:
Wrinkle Corrector & Firming Cleanser - Rich cream cleanser effectively removes makeup and impurities while smoothing, firming and protecting skin’s moisture barrier. Leaves complexion clean, smooth and moisturized
Wrinkle Correcting & Firming Moisturizer - (with Alpha Hydroxy Acid, Hydrolyzed Pea Peptide Blend, and Lifting Fruit Acid Blend) Potent moisturizer instantly enhances skin’s firmness, hydration and radiance. SPF 15 protects against UVA/UVB rays. Improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for an overall smoothing effect.
Firming & Lifting Booster - Skin firming serum improves the appearance of fine lines and medium to deep wrinkles.
Dark Spot Corrector & Skin Brightener -(with Phytonutrient and Soy Isoflavone Complex to reduce the appearance of dark spots without affecting the surrounding skin) Potent serum targets signs of uneven skin tone and helps address evident sun damage, dark spots, and dark patches and skin stresses. Antioxidant formula can inhibit the appearance of uneven pigment formation, keeping skin looking brighter and more uniform in tone.
Deep Wrinkle Corrector Day & Night Cream - (with Laminaria Algae Complex) Ultra-rich cream enhances skin’s cycle of repair, encouraging healthy cell renewal to reveal younger looking skin. Helps improve moisture barrier, strengthen skin and protect collagen.
Intensive Wrinkle Corrector Eye Cream - Potent cream targets the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in the eye area. Moisturizing formula boosts elasticity and firmness to improve the appearance of crow’s feet and puffiness. Illuminating properties improve the appearance of dark circles.

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Summer is in full-swing, so I thought it would be nice to talk with Venus dermatologist, Dr. Ellen Gendler, and get her professional advice about how to keep your skin glowing through the (sometimes berating) heat:

BATF: How many times a week do you recommend exfoliating during the summer?
Dr. Ellen Gendler: Shaving is a great, non-abrasive way of exfoliating, especially in the summer. If you’re looking for a little extra, I’d recommend no more than once a week and with a soft washcloth, not a loofah. Daily exfoliating is too harsh for skin!

BATF: My biggest issue with shaving is itchy skin. What are the best ways to minimize that?
Dr. Gendler: There could be many causes to skin itchiness after shaving. Some people get itchy hives when anything is rubbed onto their skin, or if skin is really dry, it can lead to more cuts during shaving, which can itch. Try moisturizing immediately after towel drying, or try an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream.

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