Reviewed: Glossier. Mist, Moisturizer and Balm

Glossier.'s Massive (Hydration) Attack!

What do you do when one of your favorite beauty sites launches their own skincare products? First you squeal with delight, then you check out the product site and then you order to your hearts desire.
This was my exact sequence of emotions once Into the Gloss launched Glossier. I'd been creeping on Glossier.'s twitter pre-launch trying to figure out what was going on? why the pink? those emoji-con's are cool?! Now finally I have experienced the magic that Emily and co at ITG and Glossier have shared.
I purchased the Phase 1 box that came with 4 products, Soothing Face Mist, Priming Moisturizer, Balm dot com and Perfecting Skin tint. But I have the Mist, Moisturizer and Balm review for you today:

Glossier. Soothing Face Mist

Glossier. Soothing Face Mist (4 oz., 118 ml, $18) is a rosewater spray that also has aloe and glycerin in its key ingredients. Its hypoallergenic and alcohol free, which is fantastic for everyone really. Unlike some bottled mists, which operates like a straight shooting spray, this is actually a mist- like a tiny cloud of dew for your face. I really like this mist, its refreshing post facial wash and pre-serum and/or moisturizer.

Glossier. Priming Moisturizer

Glossier. Priming Moisturizer (1.7 oz., 50 ml, $25) is a really creamy moisturizer that includes hyaluronic acid and a mushroom super hydrator to hydrate and plump your skin. The consistency of the moisturizer is creamy and leaves a dewy finish. I've tried this moisturizer in my nighttime routine and I have to say that I really love the way my face feels in the morning- super soft!

Glossier. Balm dotcom

Glossier. Balm dotcom (.5fl oz., 15ml, $12) this salve can be used on your lips and pretty much everywhere that is super dry. The key ingredients include caster seed oil and beeswax. I think this product rivals my beloved french pharmacy favorite Homeoplastine. Balm dotcom is NYC's Homeoplastine, it hands down amazing. On my lips, it lasts for hours and provides a great base for my other lip products, especially my matte lipsticks. When winter comes in a few weeks, I know that  bdc will be in every jacket pocket, pant pocket and purse until I re-order.

Check out Glossier.'s products at www.glossier.com/#!/
If you're in the NYC area, check out Glossier.'s pop-up shop on 123 Lafayette in Soho.

50 Grades of Shea- part 1

While everyone and their bull dog terrier is coyly trying to finish their 50 Shades book series before summer ends, you can take comforting pleasure in knowing that you don't have to hide away these 50 products packed with shea butter ( non guilty) pleasure.

So what so salivating about Shea Butter? Its primarily used in cosmetics, body and hair care to help with moisture. The butter is extracted from the African Shea tree and has properties that are coveted by those who have dry, brittle, cracked and fragile external needs.

With that, here is my first list of 10 shea products that fit an A grade. p.s. * products are my A+'s.

Naturopathica Vitamin C Revitalizing Complex

*For the past few weeks I've been using Naturopathica's Vitamin C Revitalizing Complex as my "Sunday Night Spa Night" routine. When I wake up my skin feels really refreshed and upon doing my research for this project, I didn't know it had shea butter in it.. well, Shea and vitamins A,C & E help you to start out feeling right!

Bella Cosmetics Sheer Lip tint

Carols Daughter Coconut Shea Souffle

Fekkai Advanced Essential Shea

Burt's Bees Bug Bite Relief

Eyeko London Curvy Brush Mascara

Philosophy Gingerbread Girl Duo

Alaffia Coconut & Shea Daily Hydrating Shampoo

* I started using Alaffia's Coconut and Shea Shampoo this summer and my hair has feel sumptuous! Its a gentle cleanser that uses black soap and the other natural ingredients (shea), has hydrated my hair since June.

PhytoSpecific Beauty Styling Creme

* This has been a beauty staple of mine for at least 4 years, sadly Sephora no longer carries it. Have no fear, Amazon will get you taken care of if you are looking for a leave-in that locks in moisture and only requires 1/2 dime size of product to work a hair full of miracles.. miracles I tell you! I heart Phytospecific's Beauty Styling Creme, let me count the ways!

Fresh Seaberry Exfoliating Soap

 

Curating fun with Critical Mob

What happens when you re-tweet@criticalmob? You get entered into a weekly drawing for a Critical Mob t-shirt that is all types of awesome. I was shadily jealous when looking at SXSW pics of cool kids at taco trucks with the shirt on but just last week, I won a shirt!
So now what?! Taking inspiration from future happenings here in NYC like the Keith Harring exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum, Esperanza Spalding at Celebrate Brooklyn, Prada and Schiaparelli at the Metropolitan Museum.. the list goes on. I decided to curate my Critical Mob shirt with some fun beauty items that would get me in the mood for these relaxing days.
From left to right: Marni for H&M bracelet, Tata Harper's Hydrating Floral Essence, NARS lipgloss in Wonder, Maybelline's Great Lash Lots of Lashes in Blackest Black and gold paillette mini-purse from H&M.

My Mini-facial with Tata Harper at Butterfly Studio!

Last week I had the pleasure of stopping by Butterfly Studio for a mini-facial with Tata Harper.
My initial thought upon opening my email invite was that I was getting a facial with Tata Harper's skincare products but no, I read wrong . I was getting a mini-facial by Tata Harper using her much raved about skincare products! This was amazing as 1. I never have received a facial before- I do my own DIY facial and 2. This invite could not come at a better time, post mid-terms, pre-classmate dinner outing that put me in rush mode all day.
My facial with Tata Harper at Butterfly Studio, which is amazing, was such a great experience!  Tata informed me of how she started her product line and how she worked with scientists for 8 years to perfect her truly 100% natural skin care. It made me re-think about the different ingredients in our skincare and food. But I digress,  in the 20 minutes I had with Tata, I received the Resurfacing Mask treatment for about 7 minutes that smoothed away the roughness from my distressed skin. Tata recommended that it be used for a half hour once a week. Also in my session, I received aromatherapy Stress Treatment, which was very much needed. An application of the oil was applied to my hands in which I rubbed together and deeply inhaled and exhaled for about 10 breathes. How can something so small work so effectively!
After the session, I thanked Tata, took a photo (see above) and headed to Pio Pio for dinner. I placed my hands over my boyfriend's nose who said- " That smells.. really relaxing".

Special Thank you's to Tata Harper and BPCM