Iraya skincare

I don't particularly have oversensitive skin but I am a picky shopper where cosmetics or suchlike are concerned. So when Grazia magazine India sent me a hamper from Iraya skincare, I was apprehensive.

Iraya is the perfect merge of Indian ancient knowledge and French expertise. Iraya also satisfies my eco needs. It's products are not tested on animals, they only use pure, naturally-derived ingredients, and they adhere to ayurvedic formulae.What more could a environment friendly girl ask for?

They have 4 broad categories- skin care, face care, body care and special care.

My standout favorites from the skincare category were the Indian jasmine day scream and the aloe vera protective gel.

Face care too had some excellent products but I especially adored the saffron elixir face balm and the wheatgerm facial massage cream. I am, thankfully, blessed with acne-free skin but a friend has dutifully informed me that the 8 Spices Acne Mantra works wonders for the acne-inflicted. Also, grab the root and bark eye cream after that late night out to look your best the next day.

Body care involved me obsessing over the sea kelp reviving body wash (doesn't that sound incredibly exotic?), the fantastic sandalwood hydrating body milk and the unbelievable wild flower nourishing body lotion which seriously relaxed me after a long, hard day.

Finally, special care had 2 great products- the nourishing head massage oil (I'm Indian and understand and embrace the importance of using oil to condition your hair once a month) and the toning and strengthening body balm which seriously saved me before a huge event (I was nearly exhausted to death).

Now, it took me the longest time to figure out what products to buy to suit my skin so if you're similarly deluded where skin is concerned, go ahead and check out their skin chart. It has all the info you'll need whether you have dry mature skin, normal to dry skin (ahem, me), normal to oily skin (for the zits-prone), and oily skin.

You can buy these gorgeous products here. Take it from me, you most definitely, will not regret it.

Copyright ©2009 Haute Mimi International LLC. All rights reserved.

Trilogy Beauty via Beautorium

Beautorium is a great source for natural and organic beauty products.

Trilogy Balancing Gel Cleanser: an amazing facial cleanser that has a slippery gel like consistency that can even remove the thickest mascara. It makes your face fresh, bright and balanced.

Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil: the perfect moisturizing oil for face or body. It absorbs quickly and since its organic, you know you are safe. I like to mix it with my regular body lotion.

Trilogy beauty products contain:

• NO mineral oils
• NO paraben preservatives
• NO synthetic colours
• NO synthetic fragrances
• NO pesticides or herbicide residues
• NO genetically engineered ingredients
• NO propylene glycol
• NO D.E.A or T.E.A
• NO PEGS
• NO harsh detergents or surfactants

Trilogy employs a safe, reliable and universally approved preservative system (always at levels of less than 0.7%) complimented with natural preservatives such as grapefruit seed extract and vitamin E. Learn more at their official website.

Jill Loves: e.l.f. Professional Shine Eraser Sheets

These little wonders are my favorite natural blotting sheets for a matte complexion. I love the fact that they contain green tea extract for extra free radical combat. I cannot stand having an oily face, so this product is an essential. You can buy ten or more packets of these (each pack contains 50 sheets), for the same price of one of their beauty competitors.

Le Mystere Skin

You probably associate Le Mystere with lingerie but darlings get ready to associate the alluring company with high-tech skincare. I was having a horrid time keeping my skin hydrated with the drying winter weather in NY, so I was especially delighted when I heard about the launch of Le Mystere Skin products that promise to nourish and cure. It's been two weeks since I began using the Moisturizing Day Dream in the mornings (sinks in fast so I'm able to apply my make-up right after application) and the Active Nourishing Night Cream at night. The line contains this new ingredient that the beauty industry is going crazy over called Colostrum, milk that's secreted by mammals during late pregnancy and a few days after birth. It's said to have curative powers and the perfect balance of nature's goodness. We can all use some of that. Le Mystere Skin is available at Bloomy's. Mind you they have a full skincare line so make sure you check out the whole collection and enjoy a totally new and refreshing skin care regime courtesy of Le Mystere.

Interview with Danielle Vincent of Kimiko Beauty

Last week we gave you the inside scoop on the fantastic and brand new beauty line Kimiko (which by the way is available on Vivre now) and now we're giving you the inside scoop on the gorgeous Danielle Vincent, founder of Kimiko beauty. She's a beauty insider, makeup artist and a diva with impeccable taste. Here's what Danielle spilled to HM. (Steal her tips to stay stunning)
HM: Describe your style in one word.
DV: Easy.

HM: What is your best-kept beauty secret?
DV: Proper sleep – your skin and your eyes always look best and brightest after a good night’s rest.

HM: Where is your favorite place to shop for beauty products?
DV: I prefer boutique shops. I enjoy the thrill of discovering rarities; a beautiful one-of-a-kind makeup bag, or a unique perfume that I know isn’t widely available.

HM: Who is your style icon?
DV: Style is very personal, with inspiration drawn from so many different places and even specific moments. I do appreciate Grace Kelly’s timeless and easy elegance.

HM: What is the biggest mistake a woman can make when putting on make-up?
DV: Everyday makeup is meant to enhance, not create a made-up look, so the key is to blend well. Protect the skin with a broad spectrum SPF before beginning the makeup application. Focus on blending, so the result is enhancement rather than distraction.

HM: What is one lesson you are grateful for learning throughout your career in the beauty industry?
DV: Envision your goals and take smalls steps towards them every day. These small steps are what make big dreams a reality.

HM: What advice would you give to young beauty industry professionals trying to make their fame?
DV: Trust you instincts, be bold and do what you love.

HM: If you could give women a beauty tip to always look fabulous what would it be?
DV: Be comfortable in your own skin. Self-esteem shows a woman’s true beauty. (and when you’re running out that door to take on the world, a fabulous eye-opening mascara never hurt either!) http://www.kimikobeauty.com/

Beauty Product Review of the Week: E.L.F. Cosmetics

We all get a little jolt of triumph when we score a bargain. Especially when that bargain will make you not only turn heads but break necks. My new favorite drugstore find is E.L.F. Cosmetics. E.L.F. (which stands for eyes-lips- face) offers an array of makeup that leave you looking gorgeous without breaking the bank. The color palettes are expertly chosen to compliment fashion trends. So this fall while you’re prancing around in that plum satin mini dress and gold cowboy boots, dust your lids with E.L.F.’s plum palette. With so many products to choose from and at insanely low prices why not go crazy and fill up your professional Sephora make-up trunk.

Editor’s Pick:

My favorite product from E.L.F. cosmetics that I stock up on is the Hypershine gloss. I go through one tube of lip gloss in one week. So this gloss is perfect, economy wise. The formula is long lasting and won’t leave your lips feeling sticky or gooey. I finished off a mini bottle of Pellegrino with gloss intact. Now that’s a feat. The applicator is genius. It dispenses just the right amount of gloss. Hypershine gloss comes in an array of colors that compliment all skin-tones. Get glossy ladies. http://www.eyeslipsface.com/ xx MIMI

Fake a Clear Complexion

I started using this Origins concealer a few months ago and I love it. You use it to cover pimples, red spots, brown spots, scars, etc. It goes on full coverage, and is almost waterproof, but it does come off easily when you wash your face. It covers better than any other concealer I've tried in the past. It is almost "tacky" in texture when it is nearly dry, but it blends well. Foundation blends smoothly over or under it. I like to put a dab of concealer on any problem spot, or under my eyes to cover dark circles. Then, I use either my middle or ring finger to lightly "dab" it over and over, around the problem area to smooth it out evenly to the contours of my face. The key is to keep the problem spot covered with the product. Don't rub off the product by rubbing too harshly with your fingers or application sponges.