Archive for the ‘Skincare’ Category

Start of the year with great skin! My friend Stephanie, one of the first San Francisco Rodan and Fields Representatives, is having a super fun pop-up shop at SeeZenn on Sunday, Decemeber 11. Head over there to check her amazing skincare line and stop by the Geek Style Lounge Holiday Mixer, too.

R+F HOLIDAY POP-UP SHOP

@ SeeZenn – Store No# 435,
4th Floor, Dome Level
Westfield Shopping Center
865 Market Street, San Francisco

Stop by and demo for yourself
what beauty editors are raving about!

+ AMP MD System
“the skinprepping tool that really works”
- InStyle

+ ANTI-AGE Lip Renewing Serum
“the solution” for your lips
against losing volume and definition.
- Harpers Bazaar

Try our
Solution Tool
and be entered for a chance to win an
Anti-Age Hand Treatment Regimen
giveaway ends 12/31/11

Valentine ’s Day is the best day to get down, dirty, and greasy for all the right reasons. Why? Treating your lovely lover to a special sensual sweetheart massage is a thoughtful and inexpensive way to celebrate and obtain the most memorable experience on the annual day of love.  Pass him the dinner bill and return the act of kindness with the most unparalleled Valentine’s present of all:  A seductive and completely sensual rub down given by his most favorite person in the entire world. (That would be you!)

I’m sure you’ll get extra hearts day bonus points if you do it wearing the most scandalous and sexy lingerie you can find but for the ultimate massage experience it is essential to choose the right massage oil! Not any old baby oil will do -though I am sure he won’t be complaining after that pre-Valentines trip to Victoria’s Secret – but giving a little extra thought into finding the right liquid remedy that will appease, calm, and inspire the scent of love in the air will provide an unforgettable atmosphere that no future Valentine’s Day will ever match.

The best thing about massage oils is that you can use them for more than just massages. Drop them in your bathwater for a relaxing touch to any warm bath or, with a light hand, use it as an after shower moisturizer. Just apply on damp skin and towel off for the ultimate dry skin quench!

Here are my top three massage oils for Valentine’s Day and beyond:

Bath and Body Works “Sensual Massage Oil” - You know if it has the word “body” and “sensual” it’s going to be good. So good, in fact that when I tested the scent on my wrists, I actually got a little giddy. I’m not even kidding. Black currant heightens the sexuality and vanilla calms the nerves, stat. It’s also very luxuriously silky. Find your neares San Francisco Bath and Body Works location by clicking here.

Weleda “Arnica Massage Oil” – Rosemary and lavender lends the most indulgent scent as its unrivaled blend of arnica, sunflower seeds, olive oil, and birch oil make this well-being brew a popular choice among masseuses and physiotherapists. Stiffness and cramps instantly disappear while muscles relax and accelerate recovery. Find your nearest San Francisco Target or Whole Foods to find Weleda products near you.

Aromafloria “Muscle Soak Massage Oil” – Packaged in a spa-ready container, Aromafloria helps you rejuvenate with the delightful scent combination of calendula, eucalyptus, peppermint and lemongrass while soothing muscles and increasing circulation with its simple and fast-absorbing  formula of sunflower, jojoba, sesame, and carrot oils. The no-mess pump dispenser makes it extra easy and convenient to use, too. Click here to find the nearest Aromafloria products near you.

Happy Hearts Day! If you have some one, have some seriously sexy fun – If you don’t, I hope that Mr. Right shows up soon…If not Mr. Right Now will do just fine.

Don’t forget to follow me on @miratorres

I first met Jonathan and Don, the founders and owners of Heliotrope SF, during separate occasions at SFFAMA’s third Thursday fashion discussion forums. The first impression I had of both of them was, no lie, “Wow! What insanely gorgeous skin.” Don and Jonathan both have extremely smooth, glowy and impeccably flawless complexions.

So, when I later found out that they were co-owners of a local skincare line/store, it was really no surprise. What was surprising (an extremely pleasant one at that) was not only do Heliotrope SF products deliver excellent, high-quality results, but they are locally sourced, all-natural and organic. With an incredible list of ingredients like neroli, arnica, eucalyptus and aloe, Heliotrope SF is delivering luxurious skincare products that pacify and repair problem skin in combination with exceedingly indulgent scents and a good-for-you, good-for-the-planet philosophy.

Heliotrope SF has a full line of bath and body products available in every price range at their Church Street boutique and online. One thing that truly puts the brand above the rest of San Francisco’s ever-growing green skincare movement is that they offer custom aromatherapy blends created to suit whatever customized lotion or oil your heart desires to craft. Choose a Heliotrope signature blend, or create your very own, to spoil yourself or that special someone with a truly original and innovative gift.

Speaking of gift giving, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and do you know what is the best gift to give the man who has it all? The gift of gorgeous skin that is also obtained through products that are all-natural and instantly beautifying.

Men often forget the importance of taking care of their most prominent feature, leaving the skin to the harshness and damaging effects of poor hygiene and neglect. With Heliotrope SF’s specially priced travel packs and gift sets, showing him the way of great skincare is easy. Plus, the sizes make perfect travel-friendly companions. A little encouragement goes a long way, and the right products will ensure your sweetheart a lifetime of fantastic-looking skin!

Try an “All-Over Body” kit to get the royal Heliotrope treatment from head to toe. An “About Face” kit is the perfect pack to let him know that a complete face-care regimen is incredibly imperative. And for the ultimate in everyday luxury, a “Shave the Day” box helps him turn his daily routine into a daily treat complete with rich botanicals and soothing moisture.

Be sure to stop by Heliotrope SF at their San Francisco location:

1515 Church St.
San Francisco, CA 94131
415.643.4847

And don’t forget to “like” Heliotrope SF on Facebook and “follow” them on Twitter!

RSS to my blog to be the first to know when my Heliotrope SF product reviews go live (soon!) or follow me at @miratorres!

He was that smoldering sexy “grass is greener” guy that Samantha Jones admired in the next door apartment in the first Sex and the City movie. That tall, dark, and handsome guy was Gilles Marini. That’s how I know who he is. The hot sultry scenes of him walking shirtless, tanned, and muscular are now ingrained as happy images in my thoughts forever. Anyways, let me wipe this drool off before I get it all over my keyboard.

Complete with orange flavored macaroons, mimosas, and champagne, L’Occitane threw a Grand Opening to remember at the Powell St. Boutique.  Aside from the delicious appetizers and refreshments, the lovelies at the San Francisco Centre store were able to combine two things that we girls adore: Hot men and brand-spankin’ new luxurious skincare products.

Making an appearance at the San Francisco store was Gilles Marini, the latest spokesperson for the French skincare brand. He is without a doubt on our list of desirable male eye-candy and their latest holiday line “Fleur Cherie” is equally as swoon worthy.

Meeting  the DWTS (Dancing With the Stars) hunk at the L’Occitane event a few weeks ago was no easy feet… He was in high demand, and definitely the man of the hour.

As we saw woman after woman fawning and asking for his autograph, we decided to take the liberty to avoid the crazy fandom exhibit and ventured the store to find the latest and greatest of L’Occitane’s new skincare line. Any L’Occitane lover knows that their products are absolutely luxurious. If you don’t, just head into one of their stores to get a whiff of their unforgettable aromas (pretty much the moment you walk in) and you can enjoy trying and sniffing any product your heart desires with their endless selection of samples.  Their lotions, fragrances, and scrubs are always scented to perfection and always soothing and smoothing.

What is so amazing about the Fleur Cherie, aside from the unique, light, and delicious decadent orange blossom and black currant notes, is that it is perfectly packaged for the season of giving in a number of limited edition holiday packages. The unique orange and white boxes, trimmed in gold, makes picking out holiday gifts for the mom, sister, or mother-in-law convenient and gratifying.

My favorite? This adorable Fleur Cherie Jewel Lip Palette. This is GORGEOUS! This little gem contains two sparkly lip glosses (beige and pink) encased in an adorable vintage pocket watch inspired compact.

I was able to meet the hottie! Here are a few pics. You can see more on my facebook fanpage at www.facebook.com/thebeautybohemian.

xo, @miratorres

A few weeks ago, I was able to receive a Clarins facial at the new Clarins Skin Spa at Nordstroms, designed as an oasis of tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle of downtown San Francisco.

It was absolutely unforgettable and amazing! My Clarins-trained beauty therapist was, Rachel, an upbeat and friendly lady, full of positive energy and a genuine sweetness. She had a dangerously relaxing touch that pretty much turned me into butter within the first few minutes of the treatment.  I was given the “Oily Skin Rescuer” treatment, which is designed to help brighten, tone, and soothe my acne-prone, oily skin with motion, mask, and exfoliation steps.  Extra plus? The massage does not stop at the décolletage, the entire experience is pretty much all over, with gentle pressure and relaxing movements on the shoulders, arms, back, hands, and legs. All I kept thinking about was how badly I needed this treatment and Rachel in my life! Not only are the treatments absolutely lovely but they are affordable, too. It costs $75 for a 1 hour treatment (includes a hand massage and a very unique and fun Spa Plant Mask) and $50 for a 45 minute treatment.  Using only the most valuable PRO formula exclusive products,( which are not found at any Clarins Counters) every treatment is designed with your skin’s unique characteristics in mind to provide the finest and most effective results.

Megan Dennen, Clarins Skin Spa Development Manager, was also on hand to give me the details and down-low of all that is Clarins Spa and Clarins Beauty. Here are just a few interesting facts about the Clarins Skin Spas:

New & Dynamic Spa Experience. Clarins is bringing the spa experience to the department store environment, making luxury treatment conveniently available for those of us that think we don’t have time or the resources to spoil ourselves.  Located in the back rooms of Nordstrom’s Beauty Department, IT IS a spa. The only time you will remember that you are in a department store is when your treatment is over and you need to walk out to look for the beauty counter. Nonetheless, you’ll still be on that woozy, stress-free Cloud 9 provided by Clarins.

Clarins Power of Touch. Clarins does not believe in extractions, machines, or harsh treatments. The only “machine” you will find is a towel warmer. Their belief in revealing skin’s natural beauty,  is to care for skin with the richest botanicals, (which are the essence of all Clarins products) and with the power of gentle touch.  True to Founder Jacques Courtin-Clarins’ original beliefs and in keeping with the brand’s tradition, using the same hand motions that have been perfected over the last 56 years for the most effective treatments. 

San Francisco, consider your selves so lucky to have a Signature Clarins Skin Spa in town. The same unique services can also be found in Clarins’ Paris, London, and New York flagship Skin Spas. The entire experience is an expedient and luxurious pick-me-up, that is possible to do even under the most demanding work schedules or in between dropping the kids off at school and running errands. There is now no excuse to give you a well deserved moment of “me-time.”

Trust me, once you’re on that spa bed, you’ll be wondering why you didn’t do it sooner.

Check out Clarins at www.clarins.com

My favorite evening herbal tea has showed up, on my doorstep, bottled up in an award-winning creamy form! JASON Everyday Natural Care has teamed up with Celestial Seasonings to create a “Sleepytime” Antioxidant Rich Hand and Body Lotion perfect for pre-sleep pamperers like myself.  It’s a clever, moisture-quenching lovely herbal-tea infused blend of blackberry leaves, hawthorne berries, calming spearmint, and chamomile that’s both, therapeutic and aromatic…

And just like that JASON and Celestial Seasoning’s kicked my current bedside table lotion’s sweet little behind to the curb.

Available at your local Rite Aid. and other leading drugstores in the Bay Area.

For more beauty news follow me on www.twitter.com/miratorres and subscribe above!

Blogging. Who thought up that word?

After a year as the San Francisco Beauty Examiner, I’ve finally decided to allow myself some growth and start my own blog. Why not? It sounded like a fun idea and it seemed like something that I could really, really get into.

And it probably isn’t a suprise to anyone that I’ve made it primarly a beauty site. If you’ve met me before you know that I’m an utter beauty junkie. I am product obsessed and on a constant mission to find only the most fabulous glamifying loot, at the cheapest possible price, and in the least amount of time it takes.  But there’s so much more to life than lipstick, isn’t there?

So…What else am I going to put on here, you ask. 

Well, everything. All that is of my little hearts’ content. I hope you don’t mind. Makeup, music, books, food, parenting, (I’m a mama, too, ya know!) green living…All kinds of stuff! And reviews…perhaps, lots and lots of reviews. From household cleaning items to the latest best-seller.  A quick feature about a local greasy spoon or the latest self-tanner on the market. I think that’s the beauty of these blog-things…You can kinda just do whatever you want.

And the best part? Readers can read whatever they want, too. So I won’t be unabashadly annoying the crap out of everyone with my oversharing, either.

Yes. This is going to be fun.

So hold on to your bloomers and come with me on this new found voyage - my blog. This is the Beauty Bohemian, where I’m going to let you know about unconventional beauty…Simplified.

And well, everything else I can think of. 

‘Til next time, fellow beauty bohemian blog babes!

xo

Mira

The Beauty Bohemian