Mischo Beauty Pick: Charged Up Cherry By OPI

I gave myself a pedicure a few days ago and I'm in love with OPI's "Charged Up Cherry"- so much so, that I had to post about it! I'd been wearing OPI's "Atomic Orange", which I think is hot, but I'm in love with this new color. It's part of the "Brights by OPI" collection and it's a hot pink with a little orange, and a little red in it. The image I've included really doesn't do it justice! Since it's summer, I've been changing the nail polish on my toes every week, but I love this color so much that I think I may need to give it more time to be shown off!

What nail polish color are you wearing at the moment?

Mischo Beauty Pick: POP Beauty Lip Lust

I decided to give my nude lip look a break and try Pop Beauty's Lip Lust in Flirty Fuchsia. There were three reasons why - first, I loved the color. Though it's fuchsia, it's very sheer and perfect for my "day" look. If I need my look to "pop" I just apply a few layers and I'm ready to go! Second, it contains hyaluronic acid, which retains water (1,000 times it's weight) and helps to plump lips. I was blessed with full, beautiful lips, but I do like that fact that this will keep my lips moisturized. And finally, the size of the tube is perfect for all of the clutches I've been carrying lately. Love it!

Have you tried it?

Pop Beauty Lip Lust No 2 Flirty Fuschia

Mischo Beauty Pick: Dr.Hauschka Daily Face Care Kit

I first learned of the "biodynamic" certification last February after reading an issue of WWD Beauty Biz. It's a beauty certification used to certify products that meet certain requirements, above and beyond the "natural" and "organic" certifications. Dr. Hauschka has been operating for 40 years and produces biodynamic skincare products for every skin type. I've been using the Daily Face Care Kit for normal, dry or sensitive skin and love the fact that it includes a complete skincare regimen - cleanser (Cleansing Milk), exfoliant (Cleansing Cream), toner (Facial Toner) and moisturizer (Moisturizing Day Cream, Rose Day Cream and Quince Day Cream). I did add an eye cream and sunscreen to meet my specific skincare needs. I loved the results and my favorite product in this kit was the Cleansing Cream. It definitely left my skin vibrant and refreshed! I'm somewhat of an exfoliant addict (I LOVE using them) so I have to control myself with the use of them and remind myself that "less is more"! Anyway, this is a great kit for those starting a skincare regimen (which I've stressed over and over again) and perfect for those who travel!

What are your favorite Dr. Hauschka products?

Mischo Beauty Pick: YSL Rouge Pure Shine No. 27

Please accept my apologies for the late post! I'm working to get my wireless DSL issues worked out with Verizon ASAP! At any rate my pick for today is totally by accident. I'd gone to the NARS counter at Bloomingdales and asked the two associates behind the counter to "wow" me with a sexy nude lip for the summer. Can I just tell you all that they looked at me like I was speaking a foreign language! Good grief! Anyway, I decided to just browse the beauty counters - because I really wanted to try something new- and stumbled on this lipstick by YSL and I love it! Not only is the color- No. 27 (Natural Honey) perfect for my complexion, but the consistency is that of both a lipstick and lip gloss. It glides on so smooth and has the shine of a lip gloss, with no sticky feel to it! I'm wearing it with my MAC Oak lip pencil. Oh and the packaging is so chic and sophisticated- you should check it out the next time you're near a counter.

Do you have any YSL Beauty favorites?

Mischo Beauty Pick: Lancôme Flash Bronzer Self-Tanning Face Gel

In my post, earlier today, I talked about how much I'm loving the Shade to Order self tanner by True Blue Spa. I failed to mention that I'm not using it on my face though. I read the manufacturer's directions like five times to make sure I hadn't misread them and it didn't mention use on the face. Now there's no way I can walk around with a bronzed body and pale face so I picked up Lancome's Flash Bronzer for the face and I love it! I've been using it every other day - I just want a natural-looking, bronzy glow- nothing too harsh and I'm loving the results. Because it contains 100% pure vitamin E, it gives me enough moisture so that I can skip using my regular moisturizer and just apply my sunblock on top of it. I love, love, love my natural glow and the scent agrees with me just fine!

(photo courtesy of lancome-usa.com)

Mischo Beauty Pick: Juice Beauty Antioxidant Serum

So I finally finished moving over the weekend and when I looked at myself in the mirror last night all I saw was stressed and tired skin. So I immediately followed the steps of my Juice Beauty skincare regimen (which I will post more about later this week) and this morning I woke up to calm and refreshed skin! I'm giving most of the credit to the Juice Beauty Antioxidant Serum which specifically treats stressed skin, and skin damaged by the environment, by working to regenerate and rehydrate skin cells. The serum is certified organic and contains vitamin A and E liposomes which fight free radicals along with certified organic oils which work to regenerate and nouris the skin. I love it and recommend it!

Has anyone else tried it?

Juice Beauty Antioxidant Serum 2 oz

(photo courtesy of juicebeauty.com)

Mischo Beauty Pick: Creative Nail Design Spa Marine Masque

One of my not-so-favorite parts of cosmetology school was my course on nails. I loved learning about all the nail diseases and disorders and of course all the products for nails, but hated working on other people's nails! I will tell you that I do love working on my own nails and lately I've been treating my feet to extra TLC due to the fact that sandal season is here! I love giving my feet a "facial" and the mask I use is the Spa Marine Masque by Creative Nail Design. Near the end of my pedicure, before applying the moisturizer and prepping my toes for nail polish, I apply the mask and allow it to sit for about 15 minutes. It's formulated with a blend of sea extracts, mineral clay and soothing botanicals and it contains natural menthol which provides a "cooling effect" on the feet. I remove the mask with steamed towels and my feet are left soft, smooth and refreshed! I love it!

What are you doing to "treat" your feet?

(photo courtesy of creativenaildesign.com)

Mischo Beauty Pick: REN's Mayblossom and Konjac Balancing Moisturiser

You all know I'm a huge fan of REN's Omega 3 Overnight Lipid Renewal Serum and because I love it so much I recently decided to try a few other products from the line. I'm now using the Mayblossom and Konjac Balancing Moisturiser as my day moisturizer and I love it! I consider my skin to be normal to combination (oily t-zone) and this is formulated for combination skin. The mayblossom and konjac work together to normalize the production of sebum (the natural oil produced by the body), while providing hydration and anti-microbial protection- which means there's less of a chance of experiencing breakouts! I only need 2 pumps for my entire face and neck and I love how it absorbs into my skin so quickly! My only issue is that it does not contain SPF, but it is free of petrochemicals, sulfates, parabens and synthetic colors and fragrances, which is a great trade-off! I simply just follow it with my sunscreen and I'm on my way!

REN Mayblossom And Konjac Balancing Moisturiser - Combination 1.7 oz

Is anyone else using REN?

(photo courtesy of renskincare.com)

Mischo Beauty Pick: NARS Orgasm Nail Polish

You might remember my post, after my return from Fashion Week, about the upcoming launch of the NARS Orgasm Nail Polish. Well it's finally here! I was so late with finally getting around to trying the cult-fave Orgasm Lip Gloss (which I love wearing with the Promiscuous Lipstick), that I was determined to stay on the ball with the launch of the nail polish. Like the lip gloss, the nail polish is also a peach-pink shimmer shade. While I have not tried it yet, I have very high hopes for it! It's Toluene, Formaldehyde and DBP Free and only available at Sephora as part of a gift set, which includes the Orgasm Lip Gloss. If you've tried it, please let us know what you think!

Don't forget to enter TotalBeauty.com's Totally Green Sweepstakes!

(photo courtesy of sephora.com)

Mischo Beauty Pick: Rescue Beauty Lounge Citrus Vert Exfoliating Body Wash

I've been in intense competition this month on nikeplus.com with a few friends. We all joined the "2 miles a day for April" challenge and the heat has been on! Two of my friends have actually hit the "60 mile" mark and it's only the 17th of April! At any rate, I love healthy competition and I'm determined to keep up. But working 10 hour days and then going to the gym has been quite an adjustment for my body. The mornings have been challenging as my body adjusts to the running workouts and luckily for me my morning "picks-me-ups" are saving me! Right now I'm loving Dr. Bronner's Eucalyptus Liquid Soap and Rescue Beauty Lounge's Citrus Vert Exfoliating Body Wash. The Citrus Vert Exfoliating Body Wash is an exfoliant (containing finely milled apricot seeds) and a body wash, which cleanses and removes dead skin cells all at once. And you all know how much I love exfoliants! My skin feels so soft and silky after I use it. And the citrus scent softly stimulates my senses to give me the boost I need to get the day started.

Rescue Beauty Lounge Body Wash, Citrus Vert

Has anyone tried either products? What's your morning "pick-me-up"?

(photo courtesy of rescuebeauty.com)

Mischo Beauty Pick: Dr. Bronner's Baby Mild Liquid Soap

Another oldie, but goodie- two weeks in a row. Granted Dr. Bronner's Baby Mild Liquid Soap surpasses last week's Marc Jacobs' Blush by quite a few more years! At any rate, this is one of my very favorite shower gels. Though my skin is pretty much on the normal side, it does have it's sensitive moments and I've found that Dr. Bronner's Baby Mild Liquid Soap is the cure. It's unscented, containing no fragrances and no artificial dyes, so there's no need to worry about irritation or breakouts. Oh, and it's gentle enough for babies too! It's made of certified organic essential oils such as coconut, olive, hemp and jojoba oils. And you all know how much I love jojoba oil. Jojoba oil is the one essential oil most similar to the natural oil produced by the body. It works to condition the skin, while protecting and keeping it moisturized. I feel clean and fresh after using this and I love the fact that the packaging is 100% recycleable. I'm saving my skin and protecting the earth! Does anyone else use Dr. Bronner's products?

Dr. Bronner's 18-in-1 Hemp Pure-Castile Soap Baby Mild

Mischo Beauty Pick: Marc Jacobs Blush

I don't remember a time when out shopping I stopped to smell a perfume and knew at that moment I just had to have it. But it happened a few years ago when I was in Soho and decided to stop in the Marc Jacobs store on Mercer Street. The fragrances were on the right-hand side of the store just after walking through the front door. Blush was the first bottle I picked up and I immediately fell in love with it. It's a combination of jasmine nectar, star jasmine, pink freesia, orange flower, japanese honeysucle, pink musk, cashmere wood and sandalwood. The fragrance is perfect for spring and even more perfect for summer. It's absolutely divine and I'll continue to keep it in my collection forever. I love it. What's your favorite perfume and why?

(photo courtesy of marcjacobs.com)

Mischo Beauty Pick: Wella's Salon Professional Power Mask

I've said this before and I must say it again for all my new readers. I discovered this deep conditioning treatment while training with Vidal Sassoon. It's the best conditioner I've used thus far for coarse, damaged or bleached hair. It replaces much needed moisture lost during chemical services, returns the hair to it's normal pH and it smooths and seals the hair's cuticle, resulting in soft, shiny hair. My recommendation is to use it bi-weekly while sitting under a hooded hair dryer for 20 minutes.

Mischo Beauty Pick: L'Oreal's Skin Genesis

So everyone knows how much I love serums if you've been keeping up with the blog. After seeing the new ad campaign for L'Oreal's Skin Genesis featuring Penelope Cruz, and her flawless skin, I finally decided to try the Daily Treatment Serum Concentrate. It's formulated to strengthen and tone skin cells, and brighten your complexion. It also contains an anti-aging molecule called Pro-Xylane. Since I was formally trained as a chemist, I can truly appreciate the fact that L'Oreal uses an environmentally safe process called Green Chemistry to extract Pro-Xylane from the beech wood plant. Pro-Xylane is easily absorbed into the environment- non-toxic and biodegradable.

I can't even begin to tell you how much I love this product. For me to try a new product, means incorporating it into my skincare regimen, which means I'm substituting it for something I'm already in love with. I have normal skin, with an oily t-zone, and I'm cautious about trying new products. I've been using this serum at night and every morning I've been running to the bathroom to see the results. Visible results every morning! Soft, smooth and glowing skin! It's an excellent drugstore brand and I recommend it!

L'Oreal's Skin Genesis Daily gets my "Sexy, Healthy, Beautiful" stamp of approval!

Click here to try a free sample by mail!

L'Oreal Skin Genesis Daily Treatment, Serum Concentrate

Has anyone else tried this product?

(photo courtesy of lorealparisusa.com)

Mischo Beauty Pick

I was recently given a Bloomingdales’ gift card (thanks to my sister Nikhel) and perfect for me I knew exactly what I was going to use it on. I’ve wanted to try Chanel’s Levres Scintillantes Glossimer lip gloss for some time now and at $26 (I’m used to buying two lip glosses for this price!) this was my opportunity.

So I purchased Bronze Crystal (limited edition) and Twinkle, and I must say - they definitely deliver the intense shimmer, shine and sparkle as promised! And the packaging- well, very chic and sophisticated. I love them and will tell you that they’re at the top of my list for lip glosses! The formula includes vitamins C and E for protection, and they’re water resistant to guarantee longer wear. While they’re a little more than I’d wear to the office (my co-workers are easily distracted!), I’ve been wearing them everywhere else!

Chanel’s “Levres Scintillantes Glossimer” gets my "Sexy, Healthy, Beautiful" stamp of approval!

What do you think?

(Chanel’s Levres Scintillantes Glossimer photo courtesy of chanel.com)

Mischo Beauty Pick

I've been writing so much about exfoliation lately, that I'm sure you all are well aware of it's benefits (smile). I can't stress enough the need to incorporate it into your skincare regimen because it's one of the best ways to keep your skin looking young, refreshed and vibrant! You can probably guess my age- or close to it- if you've been following my blog, but most people think I'm at least 10 years younger than I actually am! I attribute most of that to my genes and the rest to a consistent skincare regimen. This leads me to sharing with you my absolute favorite exfoliant for the face, and it's Dermalogica's Daily Microfoliant. This product is AMAZING and my skin is always unbelievably soft and smooth after each use.

Here's how it works- it's a rice-based enzyme powder that activates once you mix it with water. It contains rice bran and rice startch which exfoliate surface skin cells. Papain enzyme and salicylic acid dissolve skin cells, and green tea, ginkgo and colloidal oatmeal all calm the skin, leaving it smooth and vibrant. The combination of all the ingredients helps to even skin tone.

It's gentle enough to use daily, but my preference is to use it 2 -3 times a week after double-cleansing and before I apply my mask. This is definitely a winner and worth the investment! I highly recommend it.

(photos courtesy of dermalogica.com)

Mischo Beauty Pick

Another one of my favorite product lines is Davines. It’s a line of hair care products from Europe, with a range of products for every hair type. I was introduced to these products during my first salon apprenticeship. After having worked countless hours as a shampoo assistant, I grew to love the results I witnessed firsthand.

My absolute favorite is the Love Shampoo & Conditioner (Lovely Smoothing Shampoo & Conditioner). It’s a combination of Indian Fig extract, rice proteins, olive oil and vitamin E, resulting in a rich blend of conditioners and moisturizers that work to nourish the hair. The result is always soft hair with a smooth cuticle.

I highly recommend the products for dry, coarse or curly hair. And guess what, just in time to share LOVE for Valentine’s Day…

Mischo Beauty Pick

I now truly believe in the term "beauty sleep" but it took my studying skin physiology to understand it. When you're sleeping your skin cells repair themselves, which is why it's best to use serums, that penetrate deep into the skin, at night. Serums are extremely effective in aiding in the cell repair/renewal process. I was introduced to this product by a sales associate at Sephora recently. It is formulated with omega 3, vitamin E and vitamin A, which all work together to aid in the cell renewal process while hydrating the skin. I wasn't sure what to expect from this serum, but after the very first night I used it, I saw a HUGE difference in my skin. I highly recommend this!

REN Omega 3 Overnight Lipid Renewal Serum 1.7 oz

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Mischo Beauty Pick

As we all know, winter weather causes dry, dehydrated skin. Dry skin lacks oil, while dehydrated skin lacks hydration. I was able to find exactly what I needed in this cleanser. It has a nice, light scent; it contains humectants which hydrate the body; rose is a great moisturizing essential oil; and it has an antiseptic/antibacterial action. I recommend this for all skin types.

Kiehl’s Bath & Shower Liquid Body Cleanser – Glycerin and Rosewater

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Mischo Beauty Pick

I love this product! I use it as a blow-drying serum because I've discovered that it smooths the cuticle while I'm blow-drying my hair, and leaves it shiny. I also use it a few times a week as a moisturizer when my ends begin to dry out.