Kiehl's Apothecary Preparations Personalized Skincare Service (plus the launch of a NEW Face Mask!)

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Kiehl's Apothecary Preparations Personalized Skincare Service!

Plus the Launch of a NEW Face Mask: The Ginger Leaf & Hibiscus Firming Mask:

Kiehl's Apothecary Preparations Personalized Skincare Service:

Now ya'll know that I love me some Kiehl's, right? Well, with their personalized skincare service the Apothecary Preparations, they have even exceeded my super high expectations! 

Kiehl's has a long history. They have been around since 1851 and started then as an Apothecary in New York City. Well, with their new personalized Apothecary Preparations, they are really going back to their Apothecary roots! The Apotehcary Preparations are completely personalized to your own unique skincare concerns. I can't wait to tell you more about mine and the experience.

Kiehl's Apothecary Preparations: 
Getting Your Personalized Serum: How it works:

When you go to a Kiehl's store, a skincare expert there will sit down with you for a 1:1 consultation. For my experience we discussed my skincare concerns as we went through a book with pictures to help identify the state of your skin in reguards to Kiehl's TARGETED COMPLEXES for
Wrinkles, Texture, Clarity, Enlarged Pores, and Redness. The idea here is that you are identifying which of these are your primary concerns.

While many of these targeted areas are concerns on some level, Kiehl's helped me to identify my top two: Pores and Visible Redness. Lines and wrinkles are a "concern" of mine. However, my concern is about prevention, not diminishing existing lines and wrinkles. So, while that area is a concern. It is not a top concern. So, the wrinkle complex is not in my formula. (I kinda wish it was though as it is the target complex with Retinol!).

Kiehl's will give you a custom label for your Apothecary Preparation Skin Serum and also a personal "perscription" for when you want to come in for a refill. They can simply scan it you can refil the same exact formula. So, you take home a jar of serum with two tubes of additives that you mix in at home. I love this!!! You really feel like a home chemist formulating your own unique and custom created skincare.

For my skin, I was instructed to use this serum either morning or night or both (up to me). Since I do love using Retinol, and Retinol is not in this Apothecary formula, I will be using this serum primarily in the mornings after cleansing and before moisturizing/applying sunscreen. The Kiehl's associate made it clear that my skin will be more sensitive to the sun from the actives in my formula. So, I really like how clear he made it that I needed sunscreen (I already know this but I am glad it is part of what they tell people). I only need 1-2 drops of this serum for effectiveness. I love the feel of this serum on my skin! I have only used it for a few weeks and I am already seeing noticable results.

If you are in a lull with your skincare routine, or if you perhaps are just feeling kinda lost with what your serum needs are, you should consider getting your own custom formula at Kiehl's! It was such a fun experience and I honestly feel like I learned so much about my skincare routine. Plus, they talk you through your routine as far as the order of application and everything. With a custom formula, you really can't go wrong! Plus, you don't have actives in your formula that you don't need!

Overall, the Kiehl's custom Apothecary Preparations consultation was a fantastic experience! I walked away with more knowledge of my own skin, a better understanding of my skincare routine, and an amazing custom product which is exactly what my skin needs!!!

In addition to the Apothecary Preparation skincare experience, I also walked away with a few additional products to suppliment my skincare routine. Many of these are old favorites...but, I just had to tell you about Kiehl's brand new sleeping mask...

NEW Face Mask: The Ginger Leaf & Hibiscus Firming Mask:

Facial masks are a weekly part of my skincare routine. So, I am super excited to get to try out this brand new one from Kiehl's! The day that I went to the Kiehl's flagship store in Atlanta at Lenox Mall, I was able to come away with this amazing mask on the very day it launched! 

My skincare expert at Kiehl's told me to use the mask after cleansing my face. I like the idea that on mask night (with this mask), I will have a simplified routine. Literally all you do is cleanse your face and then apply this mask. You can either tissue off the excess or just apply a thinner layer and leave it on all night. For nights with this mask, that is the only skincare you will need! As someone with a long multi-step routine, I love the idea of a mask not being an "extra" step, but as a more simplified night routine. So, I am going to literally use this mask when I feel like my skin needs some extra moisture and attention but on nights that I don't want a long routine! Since this mask is on your skin all night, it really is a sleeping mask and will do its amazing work on your skin while you sleep. So, you wake up nicely hydrated! I love the gorgeous scent and feel of this mask. I do not have trouble with lack of firmness in my skin. So, I can't speak to that benefit. However, I do feel that my skin is more plumped, smoothed, and hydrated when I wake up in the morning after using this mask. 

Here is what Kiehl's says about the Ginger Leaf & Hibiscus Firming Mask:

Made for all skin types, the nighttime formula is infused with botanicals and essential oils that make it an indulgent and luxurious addition to your nighttime skincare routine. Ginger Leaf & Hibiscus Firming Mask is non-comedogenic and paraben-free. With continued use, a younger-looking complexion is unveiled.

The innovative tightening formula includes Ginger Leaf (an ingredient that is typically

discarded during the harvesting of ginger). The mask delivers it's skin-smoothing properties. The

Hibiscus flower is known to close during the night to preserve its nectar. The extraction of the plant’s seeds contain a high protein content, and is combined with other ingredients in the formula to improve the look of dull and tired skin that shows signs of aging. We have a beautiful Hibiscus tree on our back porch in the summers. The tree is unbelieveably beautiful and the blooms are just lovely. I have a special love for this mask because of my love of Hibiscus trees. 

From the premise of Kiehl’s commitment to “skincare with a mission,” this particular product benefits the female farmers of Hoa Binh, Vietnam, from where the Ginger Leaf is sourced. Kiehl’s is providing the 14 women who carefully collect the ginger leaves with education and new tools for safer, more efficient farming of Ginger Leaf.

The Ginger Leaf & Hibiscus Firming Mask retails for $54 for 3.4 fl oz. This jar should last me a long time since you really do not need to apply much to get great results.

Be sure to stop by at Kiehl's soon for all of their amazing new products including the Ginger Leaf & Hibiscus Firming Mask and for the amazing custom Apothecary Preparations skincare experience. It was such a fun experience for me! I turned it into a whole girls-day-out with my Bestie with lunch and drinks after! (see below). :)

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Vine Vera Skin Care: The Cabernet High Potency Collection

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Vine Vera Skin Care: The Cabernet High Potency Collection:

It is always exciting to immerse myself in a new skincare routine. Finding effective skincare is one of the passions that led me to beauty blogging. So, I get super excited when I discover new brands and products that work for me. 

When I heard about Vine Vera, I was so intrigued! We are wine enthusiasts in our family. Not only do we love to drink wine, but also my husband is in the wine business. We study all aspects of wine: from the grape to the final product. Learning about wine has taught me about the amazing properties of the grape. Plus, Cabernet is one of my favorite wine varietals! 

Vine Vera and the Power of the Grape: Resveratrol Skincare: 

There are so many health and beauty benefits harnessed inside each little grape. The powerhouse ingredient: Resveratrol. Resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant found in the skin of red grapes. According to Vine Vera, Resveratrol is thought to cleanse your body of its impurities and it helps in preventing signs of aging (e.g., fine lines and wrinkles).

Vine Vera is a super high end luxury skincare line developed around harnassing the power of the grape. Resveratrol is one of the primary active ingredients infused within all of the products available from Vine Vera. Vine Vera offers a variety of skincare lines suited to various skin types and based on a certain types of grapes. While Resveratrol is a highlighted ingredient across the line, Vine Vera also includes many other skin-loving powerhouse ingredients like: essential oils, nutrients, antioxidants, natural extracts, vitamins, and minerals.

Let me just go ahead and tell ya'll, I really love using this skincare line. My skin has responded so well to the Vine Vera Cabernet High Potency Collection. My skin is amazingly soft, smooth, and even toned from using this line for a few weeks. I have even found some new favorites that I will continue to use for quite some time! 

For this review, I tried out the entire Cabernet High Potency Collection from Vine Vera. I am so excited to share more details about this collection as well as my overall impressions, thoughts, and results!

My Skin:

Before diving into my review of the Vine Vera Cabernet High Potency Collection, let me share a little more about my skin type and concerns. I want to give you some background on my skin so that you can understand my frame of refrence and will understand what I seek in my skincare products. 

I have classic combination skin that is somewhat sensitive. I do not break out often. However, if I am not careful with my skincare choices, I do ocassionally break out around my t-zone area. I am in my early 40s. So, I am interested in age prevention. While I do not have any major lines or wrinkles yet, fine lines are a concern. I want to prevent those signs of aging from appearing for as long as possible. I believe in both prevention and treatment. My fine lines are not very noticabel. However, they do tend to crop up more when my skin gets dehydrated around my eyes and ever-so-slightly around my mouth. I am looking for great anti-aging products that are proven effective. Yet, I want products that do not aggrivate my sensitive skin nor break me out. I tend to pay close attention to ingredients when trying out new skincare. 

So, are you ready to learn more about the amazing Cabernet High Potency Collection from Vine Vera? I am very excited to share more details with you. As a big fan of Cabernet wine, this Cabernet-based skincare line really appeals to me! 

Please click "read more" below to find out more! 

The Beauty Spotlight Team: Lola's Secret Beauty Blogs's Most Repurchased High End Skincare

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Helen, from Lola’s Secret Beauty Blog, has a serious penchant for luxury skincare, but only a short list of products are ever replenished and repurchased. Here are the holiest of holy grail products that she simply cannot be without.

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Skincare from Onsen: Aloe Gel Cleanser and Soothing Eye Cream (review and discount code!)

It is so exciting to explore a new skincare line! Sure, I love my old favorites but it is always fun to test out some new products.

What is Onsen?
Onsen is a high-end skincare range. Their products feature a combination of natural ingredients and their patented Micro Water Complex. Onsen's Micro Water Complex uses waters derived from Japan's volcanic hot springs which is legendary for its healing properties for mind, body, and spirit. According to the Onsen website, their active water system somehow transforms water into an antioxidant to heal and protect your skin. I am not sure exactly how this transformation occurs but I am intrigued.

My Skin Background:
Before jumping into the review, I wanted to tell you a bit about my skin. I have combo skin which is combo-dry in the colder months and combo-oily in the warmer months. So, my skin's needs are all over the map depending on the time of year and the weather. I do not break out often. However, when I do, it is usually on my chin and only a minor breakout. I am in my late 30's. So, I am interested in anti-aging skincare and any skincare that does not irritate my very sensitive skin. Luckily, I do not have any major lines or wrinkles yet. Occasionally I see some fine lines crop up in my eye area when my skin is dehydrated. My biggest skin complaint? My very dark under eye circles. My dark circles are so dark that I literally look like I have black eyes. It is terrible! Also, my eyes can get puffy depending on my allergies and my diet. With my allergies, heredity, and sensitive skin, a good eye cream is a must!

The Onsen line has a nice variety of products in four categories: Basic Face, Basic Eye, Anti Aging, and Body. The products that I tested were from the Basic Face and the Basic Eye categories.

Discount Code!
In addition to my product reviews, this post will also contain a 20% off discount for you readers! So, keep reading to get the code. :)
Recently, I have been testing out some really nice skincare products from Onsen's Basic Face and Eye categories: The Aloe Gel Cleanser and the Soothing Eye Cream. To find out how I liked these products, please click to keep reading.