Dr. Jart+ Skincare routine review

         The past couple months, I had the luxury of testing out a new skincare routine, thanks to Dr. Jart+! Winter is the perfect time for me to try new things; I'm always looking for emollient lotions and creams to combat an all-too-parched complexion that is a product of Chicago winters. I had the chance to hand pick the products that caught my eye... and at long last have an overview and review to share with you today!

        For those of you familiar to Dr. Jart+, you'll know it's a Korean skincare line well known for their BB creams. I was pleasantly surprised to find that they had a myriad of items in their skincare line, divided into different color coded categories. I decided to try items from a variety of groups, including the Dr. Jart+ Premium, Black Label, Water-Sure, and Pore Medic lines. The specific skincare pieces I have to share with you Include the Dr. Jart+ Firming Sleeping Mask Overnight Treatment, Dr. Jart+ O2 Cleansing Foam Detoxifying Cleanser, Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Water-Sure Gel, and Dr. Jart+ Derma @ home Peeling.

        The product I just had to try was the Dr. Jart+ Premium - Firming Sleeping Mask. It was listed as a favorite of Jenna Lyons in a New York Times article on her skincare routine. (And you know how I feel about J.Crew!) This overnight mask is designed to lock in moisture and deliver nutrients at night, and can be applied over your regular skincare products. It contains niacinamide and kava extract as well as traditional Korean herbs (I can smell a hint of ginseng, which is a Korean favorite).

        In terms of my experience, I typically take ~2 pumps per use, which is actually a small amount. The formula comes out as an amber colored gel and spreads easily. I don't notice it's there while wearing the mask, but I can feel it come off during my morning cleanse. So far, I'm really loving the Dr. Jart+ Premium - Firming Sleeping Mask ($48). I feel like my skin does look more refreshed in the morning. It's definitely a keeper.

          I'm a bit of a cleanser aficionada, so I was curious as to how I'd like the Dr. Jart+ O2 Black Label Detox - Cleansing Foam ($24). Per their descriptions, the cleanser is formulated with O2 water which contains 3x more dissolved O2 than normal, with the idea of delivering detoxifying bubbles to skin. In addition to cleansing, the the SLS-free, vegetable based formula provides antioxidants and lycopene to protect skin.

         Practically speaking, I found that the foaming cleanser applied gently and the fluffy white cloud-like texture made for a lovely experience! After washing it off, I found that my skin was left with a deep cleansed feeling, without drying the skin. I do find that this cleanser is more aggressive, as in it's particularly great for when my skin's acting up and all oil/makeup needs to be removed. That said, it works just as nicely on a normal basis. I have to give this a thumbs up as well.

        I'll admit that I gravitated towards Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse - Water-Sure Gel ($38) because of it's pretty aqua packaging! The oil-free formula contains hyaluronic acid for hydration, as well as extracts from the olive leaf, cranberry leaf, and baobob tree. I also found that it comes with a little scoop, which I actually quite like, for measuring the cream and not having to dip fingers in.

        I found that the gel formula felt hydrating to the touch, and applied in the lovely way that gel formulas do. I also liked that the formula continued to hydrate skin after initial application making it even winter appropriate; I don't often wear gel formulas, but have tried formulas in the past that seem to disappear after application! The Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse - Water-Sure Gel seems like a good options for those who like light skin coverage that doesn't disappear right away.

        I think it's important to supplement at-home skincare with different masks, treatments, and peels. Regular care can make a difference, and comes with a lighter price tag than clinic visits! Because of this, I couldn't resist trying the Dr. Jart+ Pore-Medic Derma @ home Peeling kit ($42). The two-step kit provides Thermal Crystal Scrub (1.7oz) to provide gentle exfoliation, and a 60 second bubbling peel (2.2 oz) to remove dead skin cells, minimize pores, and brighten skin. Ingredients include Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid, and Vitamin E.

        I found that the peeling kit was gentle and effective. It does seem quite comparable to kits like Philosophy's, which I've purchased a couple times in the past. The first step is a thick exfoliating cream that warms the face; I like to massage this on for ~30 seconds or so to work off any dead skin cells. The second step, the bubbling peel is added on top; it foams slightly while reacting with the first layer. After washing off the mask, I enjoyed an overall smoother and brighter effect (as is expected of these kind of peels). I liked that my skin wasn't particularly dry or flaky afterwards, which can happen with harsher ingredients! Overall, I think this is a cost-effective alternative to similar peels on the market. I only used a small amount each time, and think the entire kit should last for many uses.







        Overall, I've really enjoyed my first foray into Dr. Jart+! The set has been gentle and effective on my skin; and I'll be using in the days to come. My favorite has to be Dr. Jart+ Premium - Firming Sleeping Mask, which locks in moisture overnight for a refreshed look the next morning. The Dr. Jart+ O2 Black Label Detox - Cleansing Foam comes in at a close second, for its thorough, comfortable clean! Both are wonderful options for those looking to start out in the line; of course, Dr. Jart+ skincare is also organized into easy-to-explore categories for those looking to find targeted solutions as well!

        Thanks for reading! Have you tried anything from the Dr. Jart+ BB cream or skincare line? What skincare products are you loving lately?

Love,
Dovey.

LUSH Angels on Bare Skin and LUSH Dark Angels cleanser review + photos

          When it comes to my skincare routine, cleansing is my favorite step, hands down. It's a refreshing start to the morning and a relaxing end to evenings. I can live with only one moisturizer, but I like to keep a variety of cleansers on hand for different occasions and states of my skin. By this time, my affinity for LUSH should be well-known --- though LUSH is famous for fizzy bath bombs and colorful concoctions, many of my favorite LUSH items are actually basics from their skincare line. The short and largely natural ingredient lists seem to agree well with my finicky skin. I recently finished my tub of LUSH Let the Good Times Roll cleanser (reviewed here), so I decided it was time to try something new. Today, I have a review of my newest acquisitions, two skincare 'angels' : LUSH Angels on Bare Skin cleanser and LUSH Dark Angels cleanser!

        LUSH Angels on Bare Skin cleanser and LUSH Dark Angels cleanser are packaged in LUSH's classic black plastic pots. (By the way, if you return five empty pots to LUSH you get a free fresh facemask!) Both cleansers have a doughy consistency; it might seem odd at first, but they're easy to use. Simply take a pinch of your cleanser, work it into a paste in your wet hands, and then cleanse your face as usual!

LUSH Dark Angels cleanser (left) and LUSH Angels on Bare Skin cleanser (right).

          LUSH Angels on Bare Skin cleanser is LUSH's best selling cleanser for all skin types. It has kaolin clay to cleanse, rose and lavender to sooth and balance, and ground almond to exfoliate. A  couple years ago, I would have been hesitant to try a non-sudsy cleanser with essential oils in it; however, I've since learned that sometimes a gentle cleanser and the right variety of oils can do good!  LUSH Angels on Bare Skin becomes a nice milky paste with a soothing lavender scent. The almond scrub is nice, but on the mild end of exfoliators. The glycerine, lavender oil, and chamomile oil leave a hydrated, comfortable finish. Overall, I found LUSH Angels on Bare skin to be a soothing and balancing wash great for everyday use.

 Ingredients: Ground Almonds, Glycerine, Kaolin, Water, Lavender Oil, Rose Absolute, Chamomile Blue Oil, Tagetes Oil, Lavender Flowers, Limonene, Linalool. (100% natural, preservative free).

LUSH Angels on Bare Skin cleanser

          LUSH Dark Angels cleanser is a lump of (char)coal for incorrigible, naughty skin!  Dark Angels is LUSH's exfoliating cleanser for blemished skin. Rhassoul mud lends antimicrobial properties, cold pressed avocado oil softens and moisturizes, and rose wood and sandalwood soothe. Dark Angels takes exfoliation seriously; it's LUSH's scrubbiest facewash. It can be used daily or as a situational scrub depending on your skin. The exfoliants are small charcoal granules; there are also larger ones (as seen below) encrusted on the outside for decoration, however they aren't present throughout. If the exfoliation is too harsh, you can always dilute with more water for a gentler effect. As a side note, LUSH Dark Angels is a nice alternative to Ocean Salt if you like a scrub without acidity. I, for one, love a good, non-drying scrub, so I'm thrilled to have this in my stash. It makes for a very clean and polished complexion!

Ingredients : Rhassoul Mud, Cold Pressed Organic Avocado Oil, Glycerine, Powdered Charcoal,  Black Sugar, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Perfume, Linalool, Sandalwood Oil, Rosewood Oil.

LUSH Dark Angels cleanser

           Both LUSH Angels on Bare Skin ($10.95 for 3.5 oz.) and LUSH Dark Angels ($28.95 for 8.8 oz.) are two scrubby cleansers that I enjoy for very different reasons. The former is a gentle wash that's perfect for everyday use, while the latter is great for getting a thorough scrub and polish. Two 'angels' for skin, indeed! Thanks for reading! What cleansers or skincare items have you tried from LUSH? Have you tried doughy or non-traditionally textured cleansers?
          

Love, Dovey.
Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration by PR. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own.

LUSH Popcorn Lip Scrub + LUSH Let the Good Times Roll Facial Cleanser (Holiday 2012) review + photos

          Holidays are full of good eats, both salty and sweet. Often, the warmest memories are constructed from the simple scents of repast: like the popcorn strung on a homemade garland or the steaming smell of baked goods from an oven. Today I'm sharing two such simple delights from the LUSH Holiday 2012 collection: LUSH Popcorn Lip Scrub and LUSH Let The Good Times Roll facial cleanser.

          LUSH Popcorn Lip Scrub is the perfect antidote to dry and peeling winter lips. It has a combination of sugar, salt, and fizzy candy granules that exfoliate skin; jojoba and coconut oil leave a moisturizing finish. The scrub itself has the buttery taste of movie theater popcorn.

            To use LUSH Popcorn, take a pinch of the product and apply it to slightly wet lips. Work it around your lips to smooth and moisturize the skin. I like to wash off the remaining product, but I suppose you could lick it off too! I like that LUSH Popcorn has a combination of salt, sugar, and pop rocks; it makes for a cooler texture and better scrub than sugar alone.

LUSH Popcorn Ingredients: Castor Sugar, Organic Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia chinensis), Fine Sea Salt (Sodium chloride), Corn Meal (Zea Mays), Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (Cocos nucifera), Fizzy Candy (Isomalt, Lycasin, Carbon Dioxide), Flavour.

           I am loving LUSH Let The Good Times Roll facial cleanser. This brand new cleanser is conceptually similar to LUSH Buche de Noel cleanser, the crumbly, doughy cleanser that is a perennial fan favorite. LUSH Let the Good Times Roll is an exfoliating concoction of maize flour, polenta, and cinnamon that gives faces a fresh and polished look.

           LUSH Let the Good Times Roll facial cleanser looks, feels, and smells like dough. I've seen all sorts of descriptions regarding the scent, but generally people agree that it smells like baked goods. To me, it smells like a cinnamon-raisin loaf! To use the cleanser, take a pinch of the 'dough' and work it in between damp hands before applying it to the face. The milky cleanser doesn't really froth or bubble like a typical soapy cleanser. Small exfoliating granules of maize feel scrubby, but are gentle enough to use twice a day. After use, I'm left with glowing skin as a result of the exfoliation and moisturizing glycerine residue. Initially, I was skeptical as to whether LUSH Let the Good Times Roll would work well with my combination skin. I'm pleased to report that the gentle cleansing and exfoliation may work better for my winter skin than a deep cleanser.

LUSH Let The Good Times Roll Ingredients: Maize flour (Zea mays), Glycerine, Talc, Water (Aqua), Corn Oil (Zea Mays), Corn Meal (Zea Mays), Popcorn, Gardenia Extract (Gardenia jasminoides), Cinnamon Powder (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), Fragrance. 

          LUSH Popcorn Lip Scrub and LUSH Let The Good Times Roll facial cleanser are two salty, sweet, and scrubby items that will add joy to your holiday skincare routine. I'm enamored with both products and plan on using each down to the last crumb! Thanks for reading! What LUSH cleansers and lip scrubs have you tried? Do you change your cleanser when winter arrives? Have you ever strung popcorn on a string?

Love, Dovey.
Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration by PR. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own.

LUSH Festive Fiesta Gift (Holiday 2012) review + photos

           If I had to pick a favorite gift set from the LUSH Holiday 2012 collection, the LUSH Festive Fiesta gift would be it! I'm really loving the Mexican inspired theme found in LUSH stores this holiday season. The LUSH Festive Fiesta gift is stuffed full of eight citrusy and scrubby goodies packed in a reusable tin. I enjoy collecting LUSH tins; they're great for storing my LUSH collection, as well as Christmas ornaments. I'm thinking that this Mexican-inspired tin with its mariachi Santa, cacti, and chili garlands might be the highlight of my collection!

           LUSH Mr. Punch soap is a Holiday 2012 item. True to name, Mr. Punch looks like a pretty bowl of punch full of floating fruit. The soap is packed with toning and fragrant ingredients including juniper berry oil, blackcurrant absolute, lime oil, and a splash of gin.

           LUSH Sandstone soap is a year round item. It's LUSH's most scrubby soap and was inspired by the smooth bodies on Brazilian beaches. It contains real sand to exfoliate skin, as well as a strong citrusy scent from 'litsea oil.'

         LUSH Buffy body butter is a moisturizing and exfoliating massage bar that's available year-round. It's meant to be used on wet skin or in the shower. Buffy contains ground rice, almonds, and beans that act as exfoliants to decrease cellulite, lumps, and bumps. Cocoa and shea butters moisturize the skin.

           LUSH Each Peach (And Two's a Pair) massage bar is part of LUSH's year-round collection. This citrus scented massage bar contains avocado, mango kernel, cocoa, and shea butters to moisturize. It can be used to massage a partner, as well as a nice everyday moisturizer for self.

         LUSH Sandy Santa Shower Scrub is a Holiday 2012 item. This santa-molded scrub has sugar and sand exfoliants. It has a really nice orange, rosewood, and sandalwood oil scent. To use Sandy Santa, you pinch off a small piece and massage in the shower; the consistency is soft and crumbly as opposed to that of a firm bar. I'll probably be using this as a hand scrub before manicures.

         LUSH Ocean Salt cleanser is an exfoliating and toning facial cleanser best used on oily or combination skin. This citrus scented cleanser contains exfoliating sea salt, along with avocado, coconut, and vodka. Ocean salt is available year round.

           LUSH Slammer shower gel is a part of the LUSH Retro Christmas collection, available exclusively online. This shower gel is full of lime; it has lime juice, lime peel, and lime oil. (It smells like lime gummy candy).  Slammer a very potent wake up call when used in the shower! The consistency is on the thinner and less bubbly end of LUSH shower gels.

          LUSH Ponche is a star product from the LUSH Holiday 2012 lineup. Ponche is inspired by the traditional Mexican holiday punch of the same name. It smells like a combination of orange juice and tequila.  This bright and boozy fragrance makes for a really fun and different shower experience. The alcoholic fragrance comes from Buchu oil, however there's also a shot of tequila mixed in to tone skin. The consistency is a typical of a very bubbly LUSH shower gel.

          The LUSH Festive Fiesta Gift ($74.95) is full of citrus, scrubs, and spirits that are sure to rouse tired skin from a winter slumber. Plus, the Mexican Santa tin adds extra festivity to the fiesta. Finding this under your Christmas tree would make for a very Feliz Navidad, indeed. Thanks for reading! What do you think of the Mexican Christmas theme? Which item from this set stands out to you? Have you tried anything from LUSH Holiday 2012?

Love, Dovey.
Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration by PR. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own.

Nude Skincare review: Perfect Cleansing Oil, Purify Cleansing Wash, and Miracle Mask

           Beauty and skincare aficionados may have noticed the recent launch and promotion of Nude Skincare at Sephora. My interest was  certainly piqued. Today I have the scoop on Nude Skincare, as well as reviews of a few items from their line. Nude skincare focuses on feeding your skin with omega oils and their trademark n-probiotic cell nutrient*. The line focuses on creating healthy skin with ingredient lists free of gluten, parabens, sulfates, silicones, mineral oil, sulfates, synthetic color, and synthetic fragrance. All three products shown today are vegan.

Even the boxes are pretty!

            Nude Skincare's products are packaged in mod lavender packaging with purple writing. It complements their logo quite well. I think the simple modern packaging is going to going to appeal to a lot of beauty lovers. (My mom loves this color and I can already see her calling me after this review). The plastic is matte, if you know what I mean. It's not the slippery shiny variety. Some of the moisturizers and other products in the Nude Skincare line are packaged in dark purple glass bottles with silver lids. It's also worth noting that the products I received were made in France.

          The Nude Perfect Cleansing Oil has a pretty jasmine scent, which I love. Cleansing oils are great for removing makeup and dissolving away other oil-soluble impurities. Typically they're applied to the face dry, however I like to dampen my face slightly before using the Nude Perfect Cleansing Oil. The consistency is a little thicker than other oils, so this helps. Warm the oil between your hands before use helps increase fluidity. The cleansing oil does a good job of removing all my makeup. After rinsing off with warm water, a protective layer of oil does remain. It's quite a bit actually. This would work well for those with dry skin, especially in the wintertime. Since I have combination skin, I use a heavy cleanser to remove all residue after use.

           The Nude Purify Cleansing Wash is a balanced foaming cleanser that cleanses the skin with the help of ingredients like cinnamon, ginger, and burnet root. The cleanser has a gentle fruity, soapy, earthy scent that I like. When squeezed it out of the tube, the cleanser comes out in a semi-solid gel like consistency. The soap is relatively concentrated so you only need a small amount to wash your face. It works on the face easily to create a gentle lather. The Nude Purify Cleansing Wash does a good job at cleansing, but it's a little shy of being deep cleanser. It leaves skin feeling comfortable, not dry after the wash. I was pleased with the Nude Purify Cleansing Wash. I think its performance runs in a nice middle ground that can please oily and dry types.

          The Nude Miracle Mask brightens and adds radiance to skin via a blend of AHAs (a natural glycolic acid) and exfoliating rice beads. The scent is reminiscent of orange marmalade. It's similar to the REN peel, for those of you who are familiar with it. The peel has a thick serum like consistency that has very small exfoliating grains. The peel should be massaged onto the face for one minute, and then left on for five minutes. The result is brightened skin. There are similar 'mask/peel' products available at similar price ranges and I think it depends on your preference. REN Radiance lacks any exfoliating grains, Philosophy Microdelivery is much more exfoliating, and Nude Skincare is in between.

          Nude Perfect Cleansing Oil ($36 for 3.4 oz.), Nude Purify Cleansing Wash ($26 for 3.4 oz.), and Nude Miracle Mask ($48 for 2.6 oz.) are available at Sephora or Nude Skincare online. I like the clean and pretty aesthetics of the packaging. I also appreciate the vegan and simple ingredient lists of these products.  Because the line's treatment philosophy involves the use of omega fatty acid containing plant oils*, I would say this that the Nude Skincare line would be best suited for normal to dry skin. Thanks for reading! Have you seen Nude Skincare in stores? Have you tried any products or samples? What are some of your cleansing oils, peels, or cleansers?

Love, Dovey

*Note: Science is a big part of Nude Skincare's marketing campaign, so I felt it was important to mention it here. Their products are based on the use of 'Omega Oils' and 'N-Probiotic.' First, I assume, but can't be sure, that 'Omega Oils' refer to oils rich in Omega Fatty acids. Second, concerning Nude Skicare's n-probiotic cell nutrient, their website specifically states "Within 24 hours your skin starts producing its own natural anti-aging ingredients*". This claim is based on "*in vitro"(i.e. cell culture) results. (Sephora omits 'in vitro' completely). Technically, 'your skin' should actually be denoted as 'skin cells'. This is an important designation, since cell culture results do not necessarily correlate with actual results on living skin. I hope the company will clarify these two things in the future.

Ingredients: Nude Perfect Cleansing Oil- Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Parfum (Fragrance), Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol. Nude Purify Cleansing Wash- Water, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Stearic Acid, Isostearyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Palmitate, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Lauryl Glucoside, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Flower Extract, Sanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum (Fragrance), Butylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Tocopherol, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Phenoxyethanol. Nude Miracle Mask- Water, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Germ Powder, Citric Acid, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Sclerotium Gum, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Alpha Glucan Oligosaccharide, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Fragrance, Pentylene Glycol, Tocopherol. 

Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration by PR. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own

TATCHA Normal Skincare Routine review

         
          TATCHA is a luxury skincare line that has drawn inspiration from old East Asian beauty rituals. Founder Victoria Tsai brought together a two hundred year old book detailing the beauty rituals of geisha and modern skincare scientist to formulate an East-meets-West skincare routine. The ritual is based on a trifecta of antioxidant rich red algae extract, rice bran, and green tea extracts that form TATCHA's trademark HADASEI complex. TATCHA has recently featured in Vogue magazine, as well as other printed and online press.

           TATCHA products show an attention to detail that should be expected of a luxury skincare line. The skincare products are housed in off-white thick plastic containers that are reminiscent of porcelain. The Tatcha logo is embedded with a blue and gold enamel-like finish. The new containers are taped closed with a strip of blue and white geometrically patterned tape. Upon opening the bottles, I peeled the stickers off. Even the product boxes (seen above) have a beautiful wooden print. All the products I received were made in Japan. TATCHA also sent a beautiful pamphlet detailing the history and inspirations behind the brand (seen below).

          There are four steps to the TATCHA skincare routine: PURE, POLISHED, RADIANT, and SUPPLE. The first step,'Pure,' refers to the One-Step Camellia Cleansing Oil. It is followed by 'Polished', an exfoliant Rice Enzyme powder. 'Radiant' is the Tatcha Deep Brightening Serum. Finally, skin is moisturized with 'Supple', the Moisture Rich Silk Cream

         The TATCHA One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil contains a blend of camellia oil, rice bran oil, red algae, and green tea. It's a gentle cleanser that is meant to wash away makeup and other impurities. The scent is beautiful; it smells like sweet rice water with some floral hints. The Camellia cleansing oil is meant to be applied directly to a dry face for best effect, which is typical of cleansing oils. I found that it also works well when applied to a slightly damp face. One to two pumps is enough per use. The Cleansing oil has a watery non-oily texture that is easy to work over the face. It dissolves away makeup (except for stubborn waterproof mascara) and washes off easily with warm water. Only a slight oil residue is left on the face. Those with dry skin could stop here, however I like to use a cleanser afterwards since I have combination/clog prone skin.

          The TATCHA Rice Enzyme Powder  is the second step in the routine. This polishing step exfoliates and smooths the skin using a blend of rice and papaya enzymes, plus Tatcha's HADASEI-3 complex. Rice enzyme has long been used in East Asian cultures for beautifying skin. The TATCHA Rice Enzyme powder comes in three different blends (Gentle, Classic, and Deep) to account for different types of skin. I have the Classic version, which contains added pearl for skin conditioning. The TATCHA Rice Enzyme Polishing Powder was unique from other skin treatments I've tried. Half a teaspoon of powder is poured into wet hands. By mixing the powder with water, the treatment is activated and becomes a luxuriously creamy paste that can be massage onto the face. The texture is mostly milky, however I could feel a few larger particles and some micro-particles working on my skin. Again, there was a sweet rice scent. After washing the TATCHA Rice Enzyme Powder off, I did notice my skin was smoother and brighter.

          The TATCHA Deep Brightening Serum contains licorice, scutellaria, jujube, and TATCHA's HADASEI-3  Complex to add luminosity to the skin. Silk and Squalene aid in moisturization. Recently, brightening and lightening serums that have been used by Asian consumers for some time have become more popular in the U.S . The TATCHA Brightening serum has the same beautiful scent as the other TATCHA products. It goes on smoothly and sinks in quickly. A smooth residue is left at the surface. This product has received a lot of love from other beauty bloggers for its ability to even skin tone, however it wasn't a good fit for my sensitive skin. There was no obvious bad reaction. I noticed mild signs that my skin wasn't happy and stopped using this part of the routine. I have plans to test this on Mr. Lovey though; he has a lot of freckles and sun damage that could use erasing. I will update if I see results.

          Finally, the TATCHA Moisture Rich Silk Cream is a cream made with silk protein designed to form a barrier that protects the skin. Rice bran oil, red algae, and green tea works to prevent aging. Wild thyme, ginseng root, and royal jelly promote moisturization and balance. The cream certainly had a luxurious feel. It was silky to the touch and had a plush feeling when worn. It was moisturizing, without feeling oily. While the moisturizer does sink in, you will notice a moisturizing film if you touch your face, even hours later. I does a good job of protecting your face and locking in moisture. The cute fabric knot and golden spoon were delightful details on the packaging too.

          Overall, I enjoyed my Tatcha experience. The packaging was beautiful and the products were of appropriate quality. The light floral and sweet rice fragrance was a plus as well. My favorites were the TATCHA One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil for its light feel and the TATCHA Rice Enzyme Powder which was a unique and effective experience. TATCHA One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil ($48 for 5.1oz.), Classic Rice Enzyme Powder ($65 for 2.1oz.), Deep Brightening Serum ($150 for 1.0 oz.) and Moisture Rich Silk Cream ($150 for 1.7oz.) are available through Barney's or TATCHA's online shop. Thanks for reading! Have you tried the TATCHA products or passed by a counter? What do you think of the packaging? Do you use any Asian inspired skincare routines or product lines?

Love, Dovey.

Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration by PR. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own.   

Skincare Saturday: Murad Resurgence Renewing Cleansing Cream review

           My Saturday/Sunday skincare series is making a resurgence with a review of Murad Resurgence Renewing Cleansing Cream. The Murad Resurgence line is an anti-aging line for hormonally aging skin. The Renewing Cleansing Cream is supposed to gently exfoliate using papaya enzyme. When you look at the tube, you can see the cleanser has a very shiny, pearly appearance. The consistency is relatively thick and cream-like and smells a bit fruity. The cream is mostly smooth but it has a little texture during washing. The finished result is a clean feel that's not too dry or tight. I had Mr. Lovey try this product as well. He noticed that after a couple days of use, his skin would sting when applying sunscreen for the day. Although this is not ideal, it highlights the fact that the enzyme exfoliants in the Murad Resurgence Cleansing Cream are likely working even though you can't feel them the same way as a physical exfoliant. While it might seem surprising that a fruit extract could do this, keep in mind that certain fruits like papaya and kiwi contain effective enzymes that can be used as meat tenderizers! If you use this cleansing cream, I would recommend taking care to rinse it off completely before applying moisturizer, as to remove any residual enzyme.

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Stearic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Panthenol, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan) Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, Sorbitol, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Benzophenone-4, Butylene Glycol, PEG-8, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Limonene *, Linalool *, Fragrance (Parfum)   

          In conclusion, the Murad Resurgence Renewing Cleansing Cream is an interesting cleanser, combining a pearly look, creamy feel, and fruity smell. You might like this enzyme-based exfoliating cleanser if you're not a fan of abrasive exfoliants. However, the enzymes almost too effectively exfoliate for certain skin types. Although this is not the ideal cleanser for either Mr. Lovey or I, I do keep in mind that it is designed for 'aged' skin. Perhaps the strength of the cleanser would be appropriate to turnaround and provide 'resurgence' to older or less sensitive skin. Thanks for reading! What are your favorite Murad products? Do you use enzyme containing cleansers?

Love, Dovey.

Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration by PR.  

New York City drugstore haul

        You know you're in New York City when you see a duane reade pharmacy on every block. On Mr. Lovey's last trip to Manhattan, I asked him to pick up a couple French skincare products. Avene and La Roche Posay might be commonplace on New York shelves, but they're largely absent elsewhere in the U.S. I decided to start with Avene Eu Thermale Cleanance Soapless Gel Cleanser and La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne treatment. I'll share some initial impressions below.

           Avene's products are based on a thermal spring water. The silicates and trace elements are thought to benefit the skin. According to their site, the thermal water is directly connected to the manufacturing center; the first time the water 'sees the light is when it touches your skin'. So far I'm enjoying my Avene Cleanance Soapless gel cleanser. It's not sudsy, but a small drop can be spread easily over my face. My face feels quite clean afterwards. The cleanser is scented lightly with what I imagine to be a thermal spring smell. If you've visited Yellowstone or other springs you might be familiar with the warm sulfur scent these pools emit. Incidentally, sulfur has antibacterial properties which I surmise could be a mechanism behind Avene's effects on skin.

The Black Pool: a thermal spring in Yellowstone

          La Roche Posay is a part of L'Oreal's portfolio. La Roche Posay Effaclar duo is a benzoyl peroxide based acne treatment (as opposed to salicylic acid or retinoids). I've saw such good reviews that I had to try it for myself. After eating too much chocolate recently, I've had to battle with some breakouts. I'm hoping the effaclar duo can help. I've used it for a few days and it hasn't had a magical skin clearing effect yet. It may have gotten rid of larger breakouts, but I still have really tiny bumps on my skin; I can't tell whether they're a reaction to the product or whether they're blemishes that have been shrunken in their tracks. I'll report back when I know more!

           It's too early to declare whether my new skincare goodies work, but I'm excited to use them. I particularly love the scent, feel, and packaging of my new Avene cleanser. If these warm feelings continue, I'm sure I'll find myself back at the display to pick up a few more things.

          Thanks for reading! Have you tried Avene or La Roche Posay? Does your drugstore stock them? Are there any brands that are exclusive to your region or city?

Love, Dovey.


P.S. Drugstore and drugstore display photo credit: Mr. Lovey

Note for cruelty-free beauty lovers: It is worth noting that L'Oreal  is not cruelty free (what a shame). If it weren't for that, I'd be singing their praises. I really hope that one day this will change.