Skincare member revelation

Some secrets are really too good to keep to myself. Like great skincare at even better prices. (I know, that really does sound like an info-merical but it's true)!

That's why I want to introduce you to www.skincaremember.com. This amazing, direct-to-the-customer site brings online consumers spa quality products at extremely competitive, wholesale prices.

I became involved with skincaremember.com several years ago when the products first made their way to me through a very dear friend. I was asked to test and review the initial line, give my feedback, and see what items would be most appealing for people with some expertise and background in skincare. I tested the skus I believed to be the most useful, well balanced and malleable, and today skincaremember has an amazing and expansive array of products for all skin types, tones and ages.

While I've loved just about everything I've tested, here are some absolute, top dog items you must experience to believe!

Glycolic Renewal Gel:  This water-based formula moisturizes without oiliness. And oh, does it do a nice little number to dry out acne, (at least for me)!

Complex C Serum:  This concentrated Vitamin C Serum protects, hydrates and conditions delicate or irritated skin. I've been really delighted with the overall feeling and finish this product provides overnight. A general, all-over brightening effect can be seen in a short period of days. 

 

Super Firming Creme: Clinical studies confirm the effectiveness of this high performance crème, showing the reduction of superficial facial lines by 36% within 4 weeks and increasing skin firmness by 21% with 4 weeks. All I can say is, yummy!

Microdermabrasion Creme This amazing formula gently and effectively exfoliates with micro fine particles that will not irritate delicate skin tissue. You can use this crème two to three times a week. (I actually found it gentle enough to use regularly in the shower almost daily).

Marine Moisturizer: Unique to this state-of-art moisturizers is Red Marine Algae (Abnfelitia concinna) that is naturally derived from red marine algae found in the Hawaiian Islands. My favorite item of all!!

Rapid Response Line Filler: The Rapid Response Line Filler incorporates micro-spheres containing Hyaluronic Acid that penetrate into varying depths of the skin folds and trap water in the fine lines and wrinkles. What can I say--this is a must for early morning risers! 

With that said, you really need to try it to believe it. And when you get a load of the prices, you'll feel as heavenly as the cremes themselves. 

Keep following my blog in the coming weeks for a terrific little giveaway from skincaremember.com and me to you!

With Love,

Noa B

BB Creams: Where have you been all my life?

Hi Everyone,

I'm so delighted to be able to introduce you all to my favorite new item in the world of makeup--B.B. Cream!!

A dear friend of mine recently came to stay with me, and while trading makeup tips and talking shop, she happened to ask if I had experimented with B.B. creams. I sheepishly admitted that not only had I not, but... what on earth was BB Cream?

Well, BB cream, (short for Beauty Balm) is in fact a relatively new category in the field of facial products. So new that very few retailers are carrying or developing it in the U.S.--yet...

Originated and developed in South Korea, BB Cream lies somewhere in-between the realm of tinted moisturizer, primer, concealer, luminizer, and sunscreen. An all over, miracle product, it's the perfect item for those of us who want to "even out" but don't want to feel "made up" as far as our skin. Somehow, BB cream manages to do what both the thinnest moisturizer AND the creamiest concealer do, with all the ancillary skincare and sun-care benefits mixed in as well.

Astonishing huh? I had to go out and test drive it for myself. Again, as BB creams are primarily still coming out of Asia, they're not that easy to spot. But here are a few of my new faves within the U.S. market to try!

#1: ...And my personal fave, Dr. Jart BB Cream. Available at Sephora and Dermstore.com, this one trick pony does it all. I'm head over heels in love with its dewy, opalescent finish. One, pinky sized dollop is all it takes to wake up your skin, and since it's already got SPF 45 and concealing properties, little to no primer is needed beneath. One side note though, it only comes in a light, single shade for the moment and is best suited to fair complexions.

#2: Boscia BB Cream: Available at Sephora. Labeled as "BB" for "Blemish Balm", this formula appears to have more warming properties to make you look like a flushed, million bucks in a single step.The product is slightly peachier and deeper in color than Dr Jart, which is useful if you're not very fair skinned. I love its slightly drier texture and glide. Boscia is a Japanese line revered for their attention to more organically oriented ingredients. If you hop to your nearest Sephora, some of them are beginning to carry sample sizes of this product. So you can try it pain free!

• Here's a look at the tone and overall finish after I applied 3 drops of Boscia BB cream plus blush.

• And here's a sample of Dr. Jart's finish after adding a hint of powder to set.Voila! With just a hint of blush.

#3: Clinique BB Cream, available in shades 1 and 2 and currently available at Sephora. This product is neither as thick or rich as the other two, yet it's one of the only lines currently showcasing more than one color. A good starter BB Cream to invest in.

#4: Smashbox's new take on a BB Cream/primer combo. This item was not yet available to test in stores when I went hunting, but it's already shipping online in four colors, so stay tuned for a full review when it appears!

#5: Nanoce BB Cream: Available in a variety of Japanese retailers. I found this one at two locations, both in Little Osaka in West Los Angeles. But you can find this baby online here. I really like the fact that it also comes in shades 1 and 2, and I purchased shade two, which has a slightly bronzey quality.

With Love,

Noa B

Birthday Wigstock

This year I rang in my 36th birthday on Friday the 13th. And the following night I got to celebrate with a few of my nearest and dearest. The one caveat?

Everyone who entered had to don a wig, (a nod to taking life a little less seriously).

I'm lucky, all my ladies are good sports. They even let me exercise my right as birthday girl to choose their wigs. From "Flapper" to "Rocker", to "Bunny", we had something for everyone.

There were "Runaways"...

Some Elvis and Co...

Lots of blondes... Beverly Hills, Orange County. You name it.

Finally, it was time to blow out the candles...

Have my cake and eat it too.

And say goodbye to 35, and hello to double Chai! (That's the Jewish term for age 36). It's technically "double life", but I prefer to think of it as forever, "twice 18".

Dress: Noa Portee original design, circa: 1997, Heels: Guess

Here's to a happy, healthy, and fabulous 2012! To all of you beautiful ladies inside and out, thank you again for making it so special.

With Love,

Noa B

A working birthday

It's Friday the 13th. And it's my birthday! It's also another day on set. So I thought I'd share an outfit from this week's hectic, production schedule.

Linen jacket. Satin pants, and the always necessary and practical, biker boots for long days standing. This photo was taken on the first of 3 jobs I worked in a single day!

 But it's been a great week, filled with work, work, and more work!

And when work and friendship collide, it barely feels like a job at all. The always beautiful, Jelynn Sofia! Good people make long days easy!

 

Blazer: H&M. Jewelry: Vintage and Paris. Scarf: American Apparel. Boots: BCBG. Tank: H&M. Satin skinnies: BCBG

But the best part of this day? When I return home, I get to play with the beautiful, new camera my husband bought me for my birthday! Oh bliss! Thank you Ross. You are one in a million!

With love,

Noa B

Clarisonic Opal Review

There are times when I get so excited by a new product that I simply have to share! And there are times when I'm so overwhelmed by the generosity of my friends that I have to make note of their kindness. 

This is my beautiful girl, Kacey, (also known affectionately as "Po"). 

Kacey is a rock star--seriously. She has amazing style, effortless chic, and the most extraordinary product knowledge I've ever come across. Talk about Diva--this lady knows her stuff. From color to skincare, she's got the insider scoop on all things luxurious. She's inspired me countless times over the years and I never fail to fall in love with some new item she whips out to share with me.

And this, is Kacey's latest gift to me, which I cannot get over! It's the Clarisonic Opal! (You can read all about it here on their website).

This product is so lovely! It uses sonic pulses to press marine based serum under and around the delicate eye area, resulting in smooth, de-puffed eyes first thing in the morning.

It comes with its own charging station and will last weeks on end with a single, overnight charge. It also comes with the initial serum, (although you can substitute another of your choice once you run through the product. I like this C-serum from www.skincaremember.com, available here).

A single drop of serum is placed in the rubber eyepiece, and then you gently move it around the under-eye area until the vibration stops. It's amazing how much brighter the eyes look after 1 minute with the baby!

On me and Kacey: vintage dresses. Shoes: Charles David. My jacket, vintage Wilson's Leather

And the proof is in the pudding. Here we are, rested and refreshed. Not only have I been able to use it regularly on myself, but I recently tested it on clients in the chair with exceptionally good results. For early morning calls, every makeup artist should have this tool in their arsenal, and for the rest of you beauty junkies, this is definitely one bad boy you'll want to treat yourself to. 

Thanks a million Kacey!

With Love,

Noa B