A lot of the lines are putting out face primers and I had the chance to find a few. Some didn’t work at all while others faired really well in the temps. Know that both are free of lots of bad for you ingredients like parabens, synthetic fragrances and petro chemicals and the formula of the Korres one is the first ever to be silicone-free.

KORRES Face Primer ($10/.34oz, $28/1.01oz @ sephora.com)

Here are some more new beauty products gettin’ us in the mood for some warm weather! Clockwise L to R:

SOFTLIPS Lip Protectant/Sunscreen in Coconut Cream and Cherry ($2.99-$3.99 @ walgreens.com)
CLINIQUE Almost Bronzer SPF 15 in Light/Medium ($28.50 @ clinique.com)
PRESCRIPTIVES Exhilarating Lipcolor in Papaya ($17.50 @ prescriptives.com) from the Exhilerating Summer Collection.
BOND NO9 Astor Place ($145/17.oz @ saks.com)
REDKEN Sparkling Shield ($11/5oz @ redken.com for salons) from the Color Extend Collection.
ZOYA Hot Lips Glossy Lip Balm in Starlet ($10 @ zoya.com)
JOSIE MARAN Bronzing Argan Oil ($52/1.7oz @ qvc.com)

I’ve read many places that you should be wary of at-home peels and such but it seems that more and more companies are putting out, what they call, “gentler strength” ones for just that. And I guess that’s what my job is for here, right? It’s a tough one, but I’m up for the challenge. So take this REN Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel ($55/1.7oz @ bloomingdales.com), for example. It sounds quite daunting doesn’t it? It’s pretty simple actually. It’s a resurfacing mask that uses fruit acids and Papain to deeply exfoliate the skin, that’s it. Even though it’s made for acne or blemish-prone skin, my normal to dry skin seemed to do just fine with it, like I just had a deep cleaning and it only takes 10 minutes once a week.
And another way to weigh the cost of this one is that I only had to use a little bit each time, so this tube will last you quite a long time.

We are officially at the start of a new summer season and when it’s super hot out the last thing I want to do is slather on a heavy moisturizer. I still want to “lock the moisture in,” so I choose a body oil instead. One I’ve been using right after the shower is from the new line MBEZE. Their Body Oil ($16/8oz @ mbeze.com) is made with nourishing vitamins like A, B, C, D, and E and wow, does it sink in quickly. Check it in 8 different fragrances and from the few that I sniffed, they are pretty light, which I like. Choose from the summery coconut/hazelnut/orangey Koko Haze or the vanilla/apple/limey of Once Bitten. Highly recommended.

We were just quoted in Women's World recently on budget skin creams though I don't recall stating I test out 20 to 30 creams a week. Can you imagine?? Also, have you noticed that's all the topics are in the mags these days? Features on buying beauty products when you're are on a budget? Hope things get better soon...

I’m often asked that when all is said and done and I go back to being a regular civilian and not a beauty writer, what products will I continue to buy. And CETAPHIL Gentle Skin Cleanser ($5.49/4oz @ amazon.com) will be one of them. Can you believe we’ve never featured this on the site? It is kind of one of those staples I always go back to like Pond’s Cold Cream. This formula is great for anyone – non-comedogenic, non-irritating, fragrance and soap free, just a great straight up face cleanser. ‘Nuf said.  

My oh my, I’m in love! In love with this Tropic Eyeshadow ($22 @ nordstrom.com) from the NARS new Summer 2009 Collection. I’ve never seen anything like it and as the whole collection is concerned, this is the only one worth recommending. The other colors are fine but how I pick my favorites are based on what I’m feeling when it comes to each season and I’m just not feeling the others quite as much as this silver-flecked teal. Yowza, gotta get to practicing putting this on!

And I’m also filing this post under Product As Art as I was afraid to touch it with a brush for about 1 week after I got it! I know, I know …

It’s almost a requirement to wear primer under your makeup in the summertime, otherwise you risk it sliding right off your face before you’ve even left the house. GIVENCHY just put out Mister Mat Mattifying Foundation Primer ($30/.8oz @ sephora.com). Got oily? Then this one is made for you as it has ingredients to help control sebum production. It also contains those light-refracting properties found in a lot of foundations these days, so get to matting!

Not only do these do away with dead skin but these both nourish the skin. And the scents? Totally spring-approved!

BIDWELL BOTANICALS Shea Butter Sugar Scrub in Mirabilis ($18/8oz @ bidwellbotanicals.com) – smells of lemons and plum with just a hint floral like spicy carnation and a base of nutmeg and sandalwood. Very earthy.

EMINENCE ORGANIC SKIN CARE Mimosa Champagne Sugar Scrub ($48/8.4oz @ dermstore.com) – sugar-based and smells a little grapey, a little orangey and all together so yum that I want to eat it … but won’t.

The PHILOSOPHY line just came out with the Unconditional Love collection. It’s a ($34/16oz), Firming Body Emulsion, Bath & Shower Gel ($22/16oz),and Spray Fragrance ($40/1.7oz) and I am in love with this scent right now! If you like soft florals, this might be something you want to check out. And don’t forget to layer, layer, layer! All @ sephora.com.