Review: Nexxus Youth Renewal Rejuvenating Hair Care

Nexxus Youth Renwal Hair Care

Nexxus has just created a new line of products, specifically formulated for aging hair...Genius!!!  Youth Renewal Rejuvenating targets what they refer to as the 8 Visible Signs of Aging Hair: volume loss, breakage, less shine, roughness, dryness, brittleness, unruliness and loss of color vibrancy.  I would say I'm 5 for 8.  Until they pointed it out, it honestly, just kind of crept up on me.

I happened to see Youth Renewal at CVS last weekend and made a note to touch base with my friends at Kaplow P.R. who represent Nexxus to learn more. With my beauty stars in full alignment, they reached out on Monday morning and asked me if I would like to sample Youth Renwal, (as well as their other new launch Hydra-Light.)

Yes please!

I washed and dried my hair tonight using 3 Youth Renewal Rejuvenating Products, Shampoo, Conditioner and Elixir, following directions to the letter...

OMG Girls!  Whose hair is this???  Shiny, rich, lush, strong chocolaty, bouncy and not a lick of frizz.  I could have sworn my hair dried in half the time,as  well.
 Did Youth Renwal meet my expectations?  Nope....it blew them away.

What is in there??? What they refer to as their Vita-8 Complex: Omega 3, Keratin, Essence of Pearl, Argan Oil, CoQ10, Wheat Protein Vitamin E and Benzephenone 4.  OK, they lost me on the last one, but everything else sounds like food for my hair.

I am so excited!

One product that I did not receive is the Youth Renewal Rejuvenating Blow Dry Spray, which adds additional volume and I'm confident it will be a fabulous adjunct to the rest of the line.

I did get the Youth Renewal Rejuvenating Dry Shampoo, which their expert stylists recommend using to extend time between washings to protect your color.  That makes perfect sense to me.

So Darlings, consider this review a rave and run out and treat yourself toNexxus Youth Renewal stat. I didn't know what I was missing, but now you do...

xox,
DD

Monday, January 14, 2013DivaDebbi Giveaway Contest: PowderWorks Facial Exfoliant

PowderWorks Facial Exfoliant $39

I am delighted to announce that two DivaDebbi readers will have the opportunity to win PowderWorks Facial Exfoliant! I recently reviewed it and I am crazy about it! (http://www.divadebbi.blogspot.com/2013/01/review-powderworks-facial-exfoliant.html)

You all know I am all about the glow and I can see that I will continue to purchase PowderWorks as a powerful but gentle tool in my anti-aging arsenal in the future.

How can you win your own full size PowderWorks Facial Exfoliant ($39 value)?
Simple! Like DivaDebbi on Facebook (their is a link on this page), and leave me a comment that includes your email address.

I will select two winners at random on Monday 21st at 9:00 p.m., so don't forget to check back and see if you won! Good luck to all.

xox,

DD

I am delighted to announce that two DivaDebbi readers will have the opportunity to win PowderWorks Facial Exfoliant! I recently reviewed it and I am crazy about it! (http://www.divadebbi.blogspot.com/2013/01/review-powderworks-facial-exfoliant.html)

You all know I am all about the glow and I can see that I will continue to purchase PowderWorks as a powerful but gentle tool in my anti-aging arsenal in the future.

How can you win your own full size PowderWorks Facial Exfoliant ($39 value)?
Simple! Like DivaDebbi on Facebook (their is a link on this page), and leave me a comment that includes your email address.

I will select two winners at random on Monday 21st at 9:00 p.m., so don't forget to check back and see if you won! Good luck to all.

xox,

DD

Review: PowderWorks Facial Exfoliant

PowderWorks Facial Exfoliant
$39 Free Shipping

I like to keep an open mind about new-comers to the beauty field. I have my own dreams of launching my own DivaDebbi products some day, so when I got a reach out about PowderWorks, a new facial exfoliant created by Leslie and Marc Granberry, I was intrigued.

I am a huge believer in exfoliating, and make it a habit to do so at least twice a week.  Housed in an adorable brushed metal "shaker", PowderWorks has a patent-pending technology that "rolls away" dead skin, without harming the healthy layers beneath. It is created with all skin types in mind, even sensitive skin, and can be used on delicate lip and eye areas.

PowderWorks tagline line is, "Shake Up Your Skincare" and it couldn't be easier to use:

Directions: •dampen clean face with water
•shake out desired amount of powder 
•massage onto face with moist fingers
•dead skin rolls away
•leave on a few seconds
•rinse thoroughly with water
•pat dry
•moisturize if needed.
Use twice a week for best results.

The unique formulation includes:  "a specialized grade of Calcium Carbonate(absorbs excess oil and lifts only the dead skin layer that helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles), Hydrolyzed Collagen (connects tissues and pushes out wrinkles and fine lines while plumping the skin, and reduces pore size".) 

SO...how did I like PowderWorks facial exfoliant???  For about a half second, I felt like I was using Soft Scrub on my face, but it quickly felt gentle and not gritty or abrasive.  It was fun to use and rinsed off beautifully.  My skin instantly looked glowing and poreless.  Wowza!!!

Since my love affair with my Clairisonic Mia remains unabated, I was curious to see if every drop of makeup was removed after using PowderWorks. I moistened a cotton ball with Murad Hydrating Toner and checked it afterwards for makeup residue. Mur Happily, it was completely clean.

This terrific new product is available online at ThePowderWorks.  I do believe they are going to let me do a give-away contest, so if your curiosity is peaked, check back in the next day or two.

In the meanwhile, I am so psyched for tonight's Golden Globe Awards! Longtime readers like my post mortem DivaDebbi Fashion Report Cards, so now you have two reasons to check back.

On a personal note, Go Carrie, Brody and Saul!

xox,
DD

Review: Guerlain's Terracotta Blush in Sunny Pink

Guerlain's Sun Shimmer Highlighter's $41
Sunny Pink and Orange/Pink Glow

It's only five days into the New Year, and no, I haven't abandoned my Best of 2012 Blush pick, Tarte's Natural Cheek Stain. It is perfect in every way but one; there is nothing portable about it...

I needed something slim, but richly pigmented, that I could carry in my makeup case and use to refresh my blush if I am going day to eve without a pit stop at home.

I tried it twice at Sephora before purchasing it, to both check it in daylight and to see if it lasted.  It adds a beautiful glow to the skin and looks natural and dewy. Fortunately, a little bit is all that is needed because I think it's rather pricey.
Ultimately, I caved. The Guerlain website suggested the Orange/Pink Glow for brunettes, but personally I think it would look ghastly on me. Sunny Pink is perfect and I have already received compliments while wearing it.

If you are prone to Winter blahs, the way I am, this is a nice pick-me up and it's a lot more cost effective than a trip to the Islands...

xox,
DD

DivaDebbi's Best of Beauty - 2012

There were a number of products that I tried this year that I thought were outstanding, a couple being the very best of their category that I have ever tried.

I will share them with you with links to all.  None of them were sent to me to sample, just my own find, on my own dime...

In no particular order:
 1) Amazing Concealer  ($42, smaller version $28).  Hands down, the best concealer I have ever tried, and I have tried dozens over the years from prestige to mass brands.  I discovered it Sephora several months ago, and I never looked back. Love the texture. Love the coverage. No matter how tired I am, I always look rested.  At some point, I will try their foundation.

Spectacular...

2) Anastasia Tinted Brow Gel ($21) Forget powders and waxes, this fabulous tinted gel shapes and defines my brows without ever flaking or fading. My face always looks more finished once I put my brows on.

Perfection...

3) Too Faced Beauty Balm ($32) BB's took the U.S. market by storm this year.  Women can't get enough of these multi-taskers. They prime, nourish, and tint skin, blur imperfections and protect with SPF.  The first one I ever tried was Dr. Jart's.   I found it to be very ashy and with limited shade offerings, incompatible with my skin tone, (rather than let it go to waste, I do protect and improve the tops of my hands with it every day.)

I tried all of the mass brands, because they were the first to hit the shelves. I can't say I loved any of them, but continued to used them until better brands were finally introduced. I saw new BB's from SmashBox, Clinique and Too Faced at Sephora recently and after testing them decided to try Too Faced's. Since I know longer use  bronzing powder, I opted for the the deepest shade,Beach Glow.

I think this might be my Holy Grail BB. Love the texture, love the glow, love the light coverage and it stays put all day. Available in 5 shades.

"The" one...

4) Tarte Lip Surgence Matte Lip Tint ($24) and Natural Cheek Stain($30)- I am crazy about their matte lip tint, with its slightly peppermint taste.  It lasts for hours.  "Hope" is exactly the same shade as the inside of my lip. Hope plus a touch of lip gloss almost makes my lips looks youthful and lush.   The cheek stain is available in 10 shades, so you are sure to find one that suits your skin tone.  I used to be crazy about Benefit's Posie Tint, but after an hour or two, it would fade away.  Tarte's bestselling, award winning cheek stain brightens my face instantly and it then keeps it staying that way.  There is a ton of product and a little goes a long way.  I can't ever imagine using it up, but when I do, I know I will replace it.

Finder's Keepers...

So there you have it! My faves of 2012. Of course I love them madly now...the real test will be if they make them to my 2013 Hall of Fame.

Stay tuned...

xox,
DD

DivaDebbi's Best of Skincare 2012

I tried a number of products this year that are absolutely fantastic!  Why?  Because they do exactly what they purport to do  Bravo!  Below are my new anti-aging faves, that leave me glowing, with links to purchase:

1) Murad's Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Gel ($60) A truemiracle product, this clear, lightweight gel rapidly and effectively lightens and brightens skin.  It was far more effective then the prescription cream I once got that turned a funky shade of muskrat around the top of the applicator.

Genius...

2) Murad's Intensive-C Radiance Peel (49.50)  Just like it promises, this peel will leave your skin glowing after the first use.  I apply it every Sunday morning for 15 minutes, while I sip my coffee and watch the morning talk shows. It's a peel that won't make you peel...just glow and a little goes a long way. I am not even close to using half of a tube that is 6 months old.

Look for it on next year's Hall of Fame list...

3) Murad's Renewing Cleanser (6.7 oz. $35) Yes. Another winner fromMurad. I tried several cleanser this year and this by far, my favorite.  As with all Murad products, you need very little to get the job done, so if they seem at all pricey to you, bear in mind you will be using them for quite some time.  This cleanser whisks away my makeup, gently exfoliates and never leaves my skin feeling tight, dry or stripped, just dewy and glowing.

Ding, ding, ding...

4) Clarisonic Mia ($119) I held out waaaaay too long before springing for this product, which was highly touted by my friend Kari at FaboverForty, whose reviews I put complete faith in.  NO...No matter how clean you think you are getting your skin with your regimen of choice, you can and will do better with a Clarisonic Mia. The additional benefit?  Any cream, serum, lotion or purchase you use afterward will work more efficaciously.

A Game changer...




5) Jergen's Natural Glo and Protect SPF 20 (10.99)  created separately for both face and body, I test drove this in Florida recently with mild trepidation.  Would the SPF truly be as effective as straight up suntan lotion and was the "natural glo" I was going to end up with, come from being fried???  No worries on either count...the gradual tanning element helped keep me from looking like a tuna in the early days of my visit, while the SPF kept me from burning.

Smart...

6) Laura Mercier's Almond Coconut Milk Scrub ($46)  I adore this stuff!  It vaguely smells like a Mounds Almond Joy.  It cleanses, exfoliates, moisturizes and leaves my skin glowing.  And the absolute best part?  It is not oil based, like so many other scrubs, so it's just me who is getting scrubbed, not my shower stall.  I think all of LM's bath and body products, in their elegant packaging, making lovely gifts as well.

Treat others, treat yourself...

7) Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Body Glow Pads ($45 for 8 large towelettes)  Well, this is just BRILLIANT. I am crazy about this product.  Talk about multi-taskers!  Infused with Vitamin D, these towelettes have a water like consistency, create a natural tan without streaking, exfoliate and brighten, all without noxious fumes.  I use it once a week to maintain a year-round natural glow.

 Peerless...

8) Emergin C Scientific Organics At Home Facial Peel and Clarifying Kit ($90/60 pads each) I have long been a huge fan of glycolic pads. They are simple to use and are incredibly effective. Dr. Gross's two step peel pads were always my fave, especially when he developed them in an extra strengthformula. Heaven!!! Frankly, I thought nothing could top them, until I triedEmergin C's two step At Home Facial Peel and Clarifying Kit.  The peel pad definitely has a kick to it.   You only need leave it on for a few minutes, which is a good thing, since it does have an odd somewhat skunky smell.  You can immediately stop the peeling action by splashing with cold water if it feels too aggressive.  The second step is a cool, comforting douse from the clarifying pad. Unlike other pads I have used, Emergin C's stay incredibly moist and fresh, even if you only used them once or twice a week.  I have been burned many times by glycolic pads that dried out and no,dousing them with water does not bring them back to life  I love how glowing and smooth my skin looks after using them


There you have it lovelies! My tried and trues.  Please, always feel free to leave me a comment or email me at DivaDebbi@gmail.com if you feel I am missing out on something fabulous!!!

Don't forget to tune in for my DivaDebbi Best of Makeup 2012 and if you haven't already, do enter my Elizabeth Daniel NY shirt giveaway contest.  I generously have been given 3 shirts to give away to my readers, and I will be announcing them on January 2nd.

Wishing you a safe and beautiful New Year's Eve.

xox,
DD