SUMMER PRODUCT FINDS ~ PART ONE

(Image from www.homestratosphere.com)

In a blink of the eye, Spring has disappeared.  Summer has now kicked into high gear with daily bouts of crystal blue skies, warm to steamy hot temperatures, bright and cheery sunshine, balmy breezes, and all-things outdoors.  As we continue transitioning from one season to another, finding new product discoveries to make that transition all the more enjoyable is what my latest is all about.  Here are a few finds sure to please.  Enjoy!

~ It's All About the Face ~

iS Clinical Youth Eye Complex ~ This product delivered results.  The light creamy texture wasn’t greasy or tacky.  It was non-irritating and provided hydration to the delicate under eye area throughout the day.  Over time, fine lines and wrinkles were noticeably diminished, and skin looked brighter; I applied any residue on my upper lip area, which helped to soften some of the vertical lines.  Key ingredients include Panthenol, vitamins A and E, and hydrolyzed soy and wheat proteins. http://www.isclinical.com/youth-eye-complex.html

Jane Iredale Summer Collection 2016 The Good Glow ~ The new seasonal palette of beautiful mineral makeup colors includes Moonglow Golden Bronzer (Golden Shades), Rose Dawn Bronzer (Cool Shades), Sunbeam Bronzer (Luminous Pink & Copper Shades), and Flirt Lip Drink Lip Balm SPF 15.  I opted for the Rose Dawn Bronzer and loved the hint of summer pink and soft taupe, which blended beautifully to give my skin a soft and brightening glow; each color, when used individually or blended for a customized effect, are perfect for accenting the lips, or eyelids.  Key ingredients include mica, pine bark extract, and pomegranate extract.  A real treat for the lips is the beautiful Flirt Lip Drink Lip Balm SPF 15, a soft pink with a hint of peach.  Lips are drenched with nourishing and hydrating key ingredients that include castor seed oil, carrot seed oil, avocado oil, lemon peel oil, vegetable oil, aloe leaf, lotus flower, green tea, coffee seed, and blackberry fruit extracts, plus vitamins C and E.  https://janeiredale.com

Sisley Paris Botanical Skincare ~ Whenever I test my skincare or body care products, I prefer doing so over a three to four week period in order to gauge the product’s efficacy; that’s not always possible, because it requires sufficient amounts of products to execute the test; often, I receive small sample tubes or containers, which stretched, might cover three to five days, at best.  Over the years, I've received a number of prestige luxury brands to review.  For Sisley Paris Botanical Skincare, I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about them, and approached the company for test products; unfortunately they were only able to send me small sample containers, which curtailed a more thorough and for me, accurate assessment.  The comments I'm making take that into consideration.  Overall, because the test quantities were insufficient, I wasn’t able to accurate determine the specific product’s efficacy, other than to state that in general, the products were gentle, non-irritating, quickly absorbed, and didn’t leave any tacky residue.  The products I sampled were formulated within the brand’s Anti-Aging Care All Day All Year range, and included Essential Anti-Aging Day Care, Supreme Anti-Aging Night Eye Serum, White Lily Cleansing Milk,  Floral Toning Lotion, and Black Rose Cream Mask.  I will add, however, that upon trying the Black Rose Cream Mask, I could easily understand why it has a "cult" following; one time sold me!  http://www.sisley-paris.com/en-US/

~ In Closing ~

(Image from www.123rf.com)

Each new season presents so many opportunities for change and renewal.  Finding what works for you might take a bit of time, but in the end, it’ll be well worth the effort.  That’s it for this edition.  Until the next one, remember to take care of yourself and those you love.

By Terry Herman

By Terry Herman

TERRY HERMAN is a recognized expert in the industry, and regularly covers issues that include business, management, operations, customer care, treatments, products, and trends. In the 1990s, she authored an extensive "Glossary of Spa Terminologies" and holds two copyright registrations on her authored work.  Consumer and trade publications have also interviewed her as an expert.  She also conducted an extensive nationally broadcasted interview tour on aspects of creating an at-home spa, interior design, music, stress and time management.  Her work has been published extensively in print and digital in both consumer and trade publications.  In addition to writing, reviewing and being interviewed as an expert, she is also a management consultant and motivational speaker.  She also served on the International Advisory Board for the former EXPERIENCE | PREMCHIT Journeys In Retreat To Wellness; the Advisory Board was comprised of ten international experts in various fields of wellness and spa.  She also served each of the Five Pillars Task Force groups for the Asia Pacific Spa & Wellness Council (APSWC).  She has been a Group Manager for the popular LinkedIn group, The Spa Buzz, and is currently an Administrator for two Facebook Groups, Wild Food Society and Spa College.  In addition to her blogs, her social media outreach includes Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Pinterest.  Be sure to read her food, wine and culinary digital magazine, TERRY’S SECOND HELPINGS.  Don’t forget to “Like” her Facebook Page, Terry’s Second Helpings.  Please note that the “Comment Section” has been disabled.  For additional information, email her at terrysspabeautywellness@gmail.com.

ALL MATERIALS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED

(Photo credits as indicated, or as represented by the specific brand.)

SPRING PRODUCT FINDS ~ PART THREE

(Image from www.typesofflower.com)

~ Spring’s Last Hurrah ~

Springtime is all about change and renewal.  In this, my final installment of my “Spring Product Finds” series, here are a few more of my latest spring product discoveries I tested.  They’re all perfect additions to your daily springtime routine. 

Spring is one of my favorite seasons, and every year, it seems to go by all too quickly.  As I finish this article, it is the Memorial Day Weekend…the unofficial start of the summer.  While the calendar is still fixed on spring, the temperatures and the holiday are pushing it a bit.  Be that as it may, I hope you enjoy my takes on new product discoveries.

~ Boots No. 7 Skincare ~

Boots No. 7 began in 1849 as an apothecary and herbal medicine store in Nottingham, England.  Over the years, and back and forth continent ownership, Boots No. 7 began to perfect its own skincare line beginning in 1935; their products were botanically and scientifically formulated to deliver results, while also being affordable.  Today, Boots No. 7 is available online and at many mass retail brick and mortar stores, like Target, Ulta, and Walgreens.  I tested several of their top anti-aging products, which included  Lift & Luminate Day & Night Serum, Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Serum, and Youthful Eye Serum.  Key ingredients in Lift & Luminate Day & Night Serum include Kiwi fruit water, Sophora Angustifolia root extract, Lupinus Albus seed extract, and Vitamins A and E.  Key ingredients in Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Serum include alfalfa extract, white mulberry extract, ginseng root extract, rice protein, and Vitamins A and E.  Key ingredients in Youthful Eye Serum include Cassava extract, hyaluronic acid, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae yeast extract, and Vitamins A and E.  Overall, I found each product to be gentle and non-irritating, even when application encroached on or above the orbital bone; rich consistency and quickly absorbed, leaving the skin texture even and smooth; hydration effects remained throughout the day; fine lines and wrinkles were diminished, and skin appeared more luminous; often, I found that just the application of either of the Serums was sufficient and an additional moisturizer wasn’t required.  http://us.boots.com

~ Crabtree & Evelyn ~

Crabtree & Evelyn has been one of my favorite brands since the mid-1980s.  I’ve always enjoyed the variety of products they offered, whether it was food, toiletries, skin and body care, aromatherapy, or fragrance.  I recently tested a variety of products that included aromatherapy, body care, and toiletries.  These products are ideal as gifts for any occasion (housewarming, bridal or baby shower, first job, graduation, etc.), and the sizes are especially perfect for travel carryon bag, gym bag, overnight getaway, or in a guest room.  These gift collections would also be ideal as treats for an at-home spa event with friends.  The Lavender Hatbox Gift Set with Bath & Shower Gel, Body Lotion, and Hand Therapy had delightful products all based on my favorite aromatherapeutic scent, lavender. Key ingredients in the Body Lotion included almond oil, coconut oil, lavender oil, shea butter, Evening Primrose oil, rose oil, and magnolia flower extract.  Key ingredients in the Hand Therapy included shea butter, lavender oil, macadamia seed oil, Myrrh extract, and vitamin E.  Pear & Magnolia Essentials Gift Set with Lush Soap, Body Lotion, and Eau de Toilette delivers a fresh and crisply sweet aroma.  The triple milled Lush Soap is subtly scented with extracts of pear, pink magnolia, jasmine, and Osmanthus; other key ingredients include shea butter, cocoa butter, apple flower extract, Evening Primrose essential oil, and glycerin.  Key ingredients in the Body Lotion include macadamia seed oil, shea butter, apple flower extract, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E. Both the Lush Soap and Body Lotion left the skin incredibly smooth and hydrated.  The Poppy Petal & Saffron Candle was the perfect way to diffuse subtle and fresh aromas throughout a room; the beautiful jar with its abstract floral pattern makes for an ideal mini-flower vase once the clean burning candle is spent.  http://www.crabtree-evelyn.com

~ Another Opening ~

(Photo by T. herman)

Soft Surroundings is a beautiful retail store offering products that indulge the senses.  Recently, one of these stores opened in the historic downtown area of Naperville, IL.  There are now over twenty-eight such emporiums nationwide.  Whatever the sensory experience a person wants, Soft Surroundings has a product that’s perfect for that need, including seasonal clothing, swim wear, jewelry, accessories, bedding, home, shoes, bags, fragrance, and beauty.  I recently went to the opening of this latest Soft Surroundings store and was very impressed with the beautiful items offered; but, I was especially impressed with the comprehensive beauty and skincare offerings that included such iconic brands as Jane Iredale, Osmotics, Rodial, Joan Rivers, Dermelect, Colorscience, and Christie Brinkley; another plus was that there brand consultants available to answer questions, or to perform customer makeovers using the latest products and color makeup trends.  If you’re not fortunate enough to have one of these brick and mortar stores near you, make sure you visit their website and discover a place for all things beautiful…all things Soft Surroundings…and definitely something for…My Time…My Place…Myself!  https://www.softsurroundings.com

~ In Closing ~

(Image from www.porch.com)

Each new season presents so many opportunities for change and renewal.  Finding what works for you might take a bit of time, but in the end, it’ll be well worth the effort.  That’s it for this edition.  Until the next one, remember to take care of yourself and those you love.

By Terry Herman

TERRY HERMAN is a recognized expert in the industry, and regularly covers issues that include business, management, operations, customer care, treatments, products, and trends. In the 1990s, she authored an extensive "Glossary of Spa Terminologies" and holds two copyright registrations on her authored work.  Consumer and trade publications have also interviewed her as an expert.  She also conducted an extensive nationally broadcasted interview tour on aspects of creating an at-home spa, interior design, music, stress and time management.  Her work has been published extensively in print and digital in both consumer and trade publications.  In addition to writing, reviewing and being interviewed as an expert, she is also a management consultant and motivational speaker.  She also served on the International Advisory Board for the former EXPERIENCE | PREMCHIT Journeys In Retreat To Wellness; the Advisory Board was comprised of ten international experts in various fields of wellness and spa.  She also served as a Group Manager for the popular LinkedIn group, The Spa Buzz.  In addition to her blogs, her social media outreach also includes Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.  Be sure to read her food, wine and culinary digital magazine, TERRY’S SECOND HELPINGS.  Don’t forget to “Like” her Facebook Page, “Terry’s Second Helpings”.  Please note that the “Comment Section” has been disabled.  For additional information, you can email her at terrysspabeautywellness@gmail.com.

ALL MATERIALS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED

(Photo credits as indicated, or as represented by the specific brand.)