55 Secret Street

Ne Plus Ultra: NARS Essential Oil-Infused Therapy Soak

Speaking of NARS limited edition products - did you know that Al Gore was in the beauty business?

Well, he is.  Sort of. 

NARS Essential Oil-Infused Therapy Soak is an essential oil-infused therapy soak that contains a blend of Hawaiian Alaea salts and Tahitian tiare oil.   Of course, it's eco-chic.  It's packaged in a reusable fabric bag and box made of at least 50% post-consumer recycled materials.  Considering it's exotic origin, the price tag is steep, even for NARS at $120.00.   But it may make you feel better to know that NARS donates 100% of the net proceeds to Al Gore's The Climate Project which means that you can detoxify and help the environment at the same time.

Who knew!

NARS Essential Oil-Infused Therapy Soak $120.00.

Secret Weapon: Peter Thomas Roth Continuous Sunscreen Mist SPF 30

Yes, another Peter Thomas Roth "Secret Weapon".  The minute Peter Thomas Roth stops being so fabulous, I will stop!

Now honestly, calling Peter Thomas Roth's Continuous Sunscreen Mist my "secret weapon" is not entirely accurate because I am VERY public with this.  I have been known to duck into a corner while walking down the street to give myself a spritz if I've been out in the sun long enough.  It's almost as bad as my hair mascara habit but I really have no shame with it because it's not like I care what strangers on the streets of Manhattan think.  They've seen worse! 

I love this sunscreen mist because  I can see the light coating go on and then disappear before my eyes into a light sheen which give my arms and legs have a nice little glow.   It also has a nice non-sunscreen-ish scent that does not disrupt my Dolce & Gabbana even for a minute. 

I'd love to spray it on my face but it's not a good idea (contact lenses, common sense...)

Peter Thomas Roth Continuous Sunscreen Mist SPF 30, $28.00.

Tea is not just for drinking anymore

On hot and humid days (and ever so long waits for the subway) I tend to get that I need to wash my face feeling throughout the day.  While looking for a face mist I came across Ole Henriksen’s hydrating and anti-aging (oh how I love a 2 for 1) African Red Tea Face Mist.

It smells yummy, like a cold drink of pomegranate tea, and as it dries I swear I can feel my pores tightening.  It leaves my face feeling refreshed like I just had a facial, and who doesn’t want a mist of antioxidants everyday?

Ole Henriksen African Red Tea Face Mist 4 oz $28.00.

How To Not Look Old (Start Young)

Angela Bassett, who will be 50 in August, by Matthew Jordan  Smith.  I posted her picture because she looks fabulous and NOT because I am suggesting that she uses any of the products below.

This article from Jezebel a few days ago caught my attention and I have a confession to make: I have been buying anti-aging products since I was in my early 20s.   Even though I have a great start in the aging department (I'm black, I don't smoke and I have great genes) I started with the anti-aging stuff early with the goal of being in Tina Turner-territory by the time I hit my sixties and seventies and I think I am on my way.  And, it doesn't hurt to look at my grandmother, who is just shy of eighty and has no wrinkles in sight - and she smoked for twenty years!   

I have two iron-clad anti-aging beauty rules - exfoliator and sunscreen.   The exfoliator can either come in the form of a scrub or an acid and usually, I will go with the latter in the form of  Peter Thomas Roth's Anti-Aging Cleansing Gel, one of my longtime favorites.  I do alternate (I like exfoliating cleanser and sunscreen from Rx for Brown Skin) but I always come back eventually.  As for sunscreen, I am always surprised to read that dermatologists still have to convince some Black women to use sunscreen!   Of course we have to use sunscreen too!  We have skin!  Everyone with skin should use sunscreen - period.   I mentioned Peter Thomas Roth Uber-Dry Sunscreen yesterday, but I still stock up on Olay's Age Defying Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizer with SPF 15 and Cetaphil's Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15.

Oh, and just to clarify - I am not saying that there is anything wrong with being old.  But why not look like Tina Turner (or Angela Bassett!)  if you can help it?

 

 

Peter Thomas Roth Age Defense Kit ($97 Value) $45.00.    Peter Thomas Roth Uber-Dry Sunscreen SPF 30, $26.00.  Rx for Brown Skin Protect and Defend Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 15, $26.00 .   Rx for Brown Skin Bright and Even Regimen Set ($75 Value)  $55.00.

Comfort Creams & Candles

   

Sorry ladies! 

I'm trying not to be too sporadic here but I'm working on a soon to be not-so-secret project that is also taking up a lot of my time, sleep and energy which means a little indulgence goes a long way with me.

My latest little indulgence?  Body creams.  Lush, creamy, heavenly-scented concoctions enriched with natural oils that moisturize well and even do double-duty for me as aromatherapy.  I haven't always been a big fan of body creams thanks to one too-many fake-smelling posers that simply mimicked its corresponding fragrance without doing much else.  I have always been a big Fresh fan and I love, Love, LOVE their newer scents.  Take my word for it - follow Fresh's now classic Brown Sugar Body Polish with the Mangosteen Body Lotion.  Heaven.

Or, if your version of heaven smells like roses, the Cannabis Rose  will definitely make you happy.  I'm funny with rose scents, but I love this one and I love REN's Damask Rose Body Cream.  I have heard good things about REN Clean Skincare, but I stumbled upon it by accident one day in the SpaceNK store on Manhattan's Upper West Side. 

                        

I also need good candles even though they can run a little on the expensive side.  Believe me, if I could find a Tocca quality candle for $5.99 I would grab it!  However, I have yet to find many cheap inexpensive candles that can come close to the subtle, beautiful scent that Rodolfo leaves in my apartment.  I can even smell a hint of it when I walk in the door and long before I get to light it.

Little indulgences definitely make a big difference...

Fresh Cannabis Rose Body Creme 6.8 oz $65.00. REN Damask Rose Ramnose Biosaccharide Body Cream 6.8 oz $44.00.  Fresh Mangosteen Body Lotion 10 oz $28.00.   Tocca Beauty Candle Collection 10.6 oz Rodolfo Candle.

Fat Girl Sleep

Okay, where have I been? 

I was writing a completely different post tonight (or err... this morning) when I discovered Fat Girl Sleep by Bliss.  I still don't really believe in cellulite creams, but every now and then, I am a big sucker  - especially for Bliss.  I think of it like insurance.  Late night is primetime for beauty treatments for me, so I'm going to race out and buy this tomorrow and see if the lavender scent fools me into thinking the encapsulated "slenderiZZZe complex" and "dimple diminishers" are the real deal.

I'll get back to you...

Bliss Fat Girl Sleep $38.00.

Secret Weapon: Ole Henriksen Apricot Cleansing Lotion

My skin has gone beserk lately - breakouts, dark spots, even the occasional dark undereye circles which I never get.    While stress has definitely been a factor, I don't help matters when I break beauty rule #1,009 - Keep your hands off of your face!  Sure, I know better, but unconsciously I have found myself reverting back to bad habits (eating crap, picking at my face)  that I know not to do.

So, I'm finally turning it back around.   I change my pillowcase every night (I'm taking no chances!)  I catch myself when I am typing or mindlessly reading something and find myself unconsciously picking at my face.   And I have been cleansing my face at night with Ole Henriksen's Apricot Cleansing Lotion.  It's a creamy cleanser, something that I used to avoid considering my mild T-zone situation, but I like it because it is a thorough, yet gentle cleanser and my skin is left with it's natural moisture and is not even remotely greasy.  Getting rid of stress has certainly helped, but I also credit this smooth, calming cleanser for my vastly improved complexion.

Next step:  attacking my crappy eating habits (I think The Recession Diet may be right up my alley.)

Ole Henriksen Apricot Cleansing Lotion $30.