La Mer The Lip Balm Review

La Mer's The Lip Balm ($45) was a very generous gift from Nicole, who seriously has the most fabulous taste in cosmetics. So I know the big question on everyone mind is -- is it worth it? Find out after the jump!


So what does your $45 get you? 0.32 ounces of long-lasting sweet, minty, refreshing balmy goodness containing La Mer's famous Miracle Broth, vitamins, and marine and botanical extracts. The balm imparts a nice light cooling sensation and a yummy minty scent (and flavor), is never sticky, and is really incredibly moisturizing. A little goes a long way so while the stuff is pricey, it should last you for a few months of regular use.


My gripes? Well I would've liked a little SPF in the product, but I guess the absence of SPF makes for a nice nighttime treatment so it goes both ways. My one plea to La Mer is to bring us this fantastic balm in stick form - I would love not having to stick my fingeres into a pot everytime I go to obsessively reapply this wonderfully soothing balm.

So back to the question of whether this slim little pot is worth your hard-earned $45. While I absolutely love my La Mer The Lip Balm, I'm hard-pressed to say that it's worth what could otherwise be spent on a new bottle of foundation or moisturizer. I personally would repurchase as I'm a bit of a La Mer addict and absolutely adore the product, but if you're pressed for cash and on the hunt for an insanely moisturizing lip product, I'd say skip The Lip Balm and check out Sara Happ's The Lip Slip instead. Yes it's sticky and completely different texture-wise from La Mer's Balm, but it's also much friendlier on the wallet and makes a much-appreciated holiday stocking stuffer.

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Eye Cream Quest Part 5: La Mer The Eye Concentrate Review

La Mer The Eye Concentrate ($165 of 0.5 oz.)
A recipient of The 2009 Genius Makeup Award in Elle Magazine, this concentrated, ultraluxe eye treatment quenches and conditions impressionable skin. Significantly reduces the appearance of dark circles and puffiness, lines and wrinkles, encouraging the eye area to look and feel healthy, supple and luminous as never before. Infused with three unique forms of Miracle Broth: the original, a concentrated form and a new, encapsulated form designed to optimize continuous release to the skin.Works in tandem with a specially-engineered, silver-tipped applicator which helps cool the skin, immediately improving micro-circulation.

The Good: La Mer's 'The Eye Concentrate' is one of my favorite eye creams to use for a plethora of reasons. It's tightens, brightens, de-puffs, and overall just feels great going on. It's one of the lightest eye creams that I've used to date, yet it's moisturizing enough for me (and for my mother's dry under-eyes). Because it's so light and silky (never greasy!) it feels great going on, and the silver-tipped applicator lends a great cooling sensation to the overall experience. I definitely feel that massaging with the applicator boosts the circulation in my under-eye area, and my eyes love this stuff. The Eye Concentrate is great for those of you who suffer from crepey, delicate under-eye skin prone to puffiness and dark circles. And of course applicator that it comes with works great with any and all eye creams!

The Bad: I'll admit it - this stuff is expensive. Which is why I was delighted when La Mer released this holiday version that came with a cute little pedestal to hold the Concentrate and applicator! But this is one of those products that you like so that that it's almost worth the price, especially since, in my opinion, the under-eye area is one of the toughest areas of the face to properly maintain.

The Age Range: I'd say this is appropriate for a wide range of ages, anywhere from mid 20's onwards and upwards. My mother is in her 50's and swears by this stuff during all but the coldest of days, and there isn't a wrinkle to be seen on her flawless skin. I seriously think that my skin looks older than hers does!


The Verdict: I happen to love this eye cream but tend to feel guilty using it because of the price and the fact that, while it's good, it's not a miracle worker. Not that that's going to stop me from repurchasing in the future, as I love how refreshed my eyes look and feel after using this!

RATING: 4.5/5

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What New Products Are You Experimenting With?

One of the main reasons that I blog, other than the fact that it allows me to interact with some amazing individuals like you my readers, is that it gives me an excuse to play with new products all the time. Thanks to all the Armani samples Nicole sent me, I was like a kid in a candystore this morning!


So I started off with Armani's Light master Primer ($55), which was nothing like what I was expecting. It has the consistency of a light liquid luminizer, and is supposed to create a mirror-like veil for the skin by reflecting light just so.


Next came Armani's new Lasting Silk UV Foundation SPF 20 in Shade 2 ($58) which I've seriously been dying to get my hands on. The SPF in this has been micronised in such a way that it won't reflect back during flash photography (meaning no Edward Cullen-esque white face), and it touts a revolutionary new water-based foundation provides 14-hour luminous matte coverage without the coverage feel.

This is my first day using this so I can't say much about it, but I am loving the way my skin looks today. I was able to achieve a flawless complexion with minimal foundation and my pores aren't as prominent as they have been as of late. And best of all, I feel like I'm not wearing any makeup.


I topped the foundation off with Armani's Micro-Fil Loose Powder in Shade 0 ($48) to matify everything and keep the oilies at bay. I didn't have adequate time to really feel this out, but the powder seems to have a gorgeous, super-finely milled feel to it and looks great on.


And of course I had to wear my new La Mer The Lip Balm ($45)! Anybody who knows me knows that I can't resist La Mer. I'm loving the minty taste and how soft, supple and plump my lips are looking.

So what new products have been been testing out lately?

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New in Beauty: La Mer's The Treatment Powder Foundation SPF 15

La Mer The Treatment Powder Foundation SPF 15 ($95)
This luxurious, lightweight powder foundation may be applied to create uniquely flexible coverage.

• Gemstones capture light energy to create a translucent color palette, optically erasing imperfections to reveal a naturally flawless complexion.
• An exclusive Radiant Ferment works continuously to add visible clarity and brightness, revealing a more luminous appearance.
• This versatile powder foundation is ideal for natural, long-lasting coverage and simple touch-ups over any other Skincolor foundation SPF15.

How to use: Apply with sponge for buildable, medium to full coverage. For lighter coverage, apply with puff.

Following months and months of eager anticipation, La Mer has finally launched their 'The Treatment Powder Foundation.' I'm a huge fan of pretty much all of La Mer's products, from their skincare to their color collection (see my review of their Skincolor de La Mer powder HERE to read about what's quite possibly the best powder ever), so of course I was super excited for this one, but unfortunately I'm balking a little at the price. I know I've paid this much for their foundation, and much much more for their actual skincare line, but $95 for a small powder just seems to be a bit excessive. What are your thoughts?

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Latest La Mer Haul, Some Purple Yams and a Yam-Inspired FOTD

This post is basically a mish-mash of what I did this past weekend-I know I've been neglecting you! To start it all off, you can now follow me on Twitter!

FRIDAY: But onto more interesting things! My mother has a friend whose daughter works for Estee Lauder (corporate), and so as a one-time deal she picked up a bunch of products for us using her awesome 50% discount!! Look at all the great stuff we picked up!

The Haul:
~2 body creams
~1 radiant facial
~1 eye concentrate gift set
~1 lifting face serum
~1 2 oz. creme de la mer

Of course I'm seriously grateful to her will be reviewing many of the products for you! I've already started using the La Mer Body Creams and I LOVE!!!

SATURDAY: Had some absolutely stunning purple yams for breakfast. They're a paler purple when raw, but steam them and you're presented with this vivid, royal-purple hued tasty treat that's simply delicious (and of course healthy).

Hung out with SO all day, then had a bit of a spat as I'd told him that I wouldn't be going to his friend's birthday thing that evening, yet somehow he'd conveniently failed to hear me. I got talked into going even though I looked horrendous (no makeup, hair in a bun, and the ugliest outfit ever), so we popped by Sephora for a quick makeover. I ended up wearing Urban Decay Deluxe Eyeshadow in Ransom, Urban Decay 24/7 liner in Zero, and Bare Escentuals Buxom Lips in Bambi (which I'll be reviewing soon). I'm actualy not wearing any mascara since I hate mascara testers and I didn't have any on me.


SUNDAY: Did my usual church thing, then did some work on these Swarovski crystal cell-phone charm crosses I"m making for my choir kids as their Christmas presents. Let's hope they like them and my hours of slaving over tiny little beads isn't for naught!

What did you do this weekend?
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La Mer The Radiant Infusion Review

La Mer The Radiant Infusion ($95 for 4.2 oz.)
{Check out the old watermark! I've had this post in my blogger drafts for almost 3 months now!}

Product Info: This high-potency treatment infuses the skin with a cascade of activity to deliver extreme radiance, clarity, pore-minimizing and tone on demand. The Radiant Infusion's vital ingredients - ionizing sea salts, Radiant Ferments and super anti-oxidants - are suspended within a radical, fluid architecture. Expanding and contracting as necessary, the mesh-like sea gel works with La Mer's exclusive Deconstructed Waters™ to deliver extraordinary activity.

In my pre-Peter Thomas Roth Hyaluronic Acid Complex Serum days La Mer's Radiant Infusion was my favorite pre-moisturizer treatment, but oh how things have changed! I still do love this, along with the Hydrating Infusion, but the PTR definitely gets more love in the ABS skincare cabinet these days.

But onto the actual review! La Mer's Radiant Infusion is similar in consistency to the Hydrating Infusion, if not a little thinner. It's somehwere in between a liquid and a gel, but leaning more towards the liquid end--think jello before a minute or two after it's been mixed up and before it's really begun to set at all.

Does it deliver on all of the fabulous promises it makes of tightened pores, increased luminosity, and greater tone and clarity? Well....somewhat. I happen to love this product because it doesn't irritate my skin and with continuous use I have most definitely noticed increased luminosity and a better tone/clarity and overall appearance to my skin, but as for tightened pores, I'm not so sure. My pores have been looking a bit more refined since I started using this product, but that could be attributed to the million other skincare items I've tested since then, plus the fact that I've now begun cleansing and exfoliating like a fiend!

Overall I'd definitely repurchase this as my skin definitely seemed to like it a lot. I sometimes layer this under my PTR serum to lock in all of the La Mer goodness, but may begin using it on its own under moisturizer during the day and saving the PTR for night-use, at least during the warmer summer months.

Related Posts:
Read about the best powder in the world here--you won't regret it!
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Skincolor de La Mer The Powder in Translucent Review and Swatches

Skincolor de La Mer's The Powder ($65)
"This luxurious finishing powder is so incredibly light it appears to float. Developed with symmetrically shaped, uniquely coated particles, it magnetically attracts to the skin for a perfect fit. Airspun seaborne particles – some of the lightest materials on earth – create an imperceptible finish that leaves skin looking flawless. Translucent coverage."

I get quite a few reader e-mails asking me what my one must-have beauty item is, and whereas a year or so ago that would have been a difficult question for me to answer, my current answer is hands down La Mer's loose powder in Translucent.

Now before you go rolling your eyes and telling me that I'm crazy for spending $65 on a powder, just hear me out!

La Mer's The Powder comes in a range of 6 shades, but my color of choice is Translucent, which is nearly colorless and has a slight shimmer to it (this is the only shimmer shade, the rest are all matte). Not glittery chunks of shimmer--just enough of an ultra fine shimmer to give your face a lit from within, "I have the most beautiful skin the world" glow.

The powder is seriously light as air and the most finely milled product I have ever seen or felt. If you were to pop the top off this and stick your finger inside, you would feel nothing and encounter zero resistance, this stuff is so light. In addition, it offers a small amount of coverage and glides over pores, lines, and any other imperfections you may have, creating a gorgeous veil of flawlessness.

I poured some in the lid to photograph for you, although it pained me a little to do so!

And for those of you who're thinking, "I can't wear powder it makes my face feel dry"--you just haven't found the right one yet! La Mer's loose powder does an AMAZING job of keeping me matte (better than any other product I've used) but never looks cakey or dry and is completely weightless. You can apply a ton of this stuff (although you don't need to since a little goes a long way) and it won't settle into your lines or pores like other products, nor will you feel it just sitting there on your face.

Yes $65 for a powder is crazy expensive but I've been using mine on a daily basis for almost a year (and I've given away a few small samples of it) and I've barely made a dent in it. So while I wouldn't say it's a bargain, it's definitely worth it in my book!

So I piled a good amount of the powder onto my hand here (although it doesn't look like much). See the subtle shimmer?

Spread out a little.

And all spread out. It literally disappears and you don't feel a thing!

The only negatives that I can think of are that the powder comes in a giant glass tub which while attractive is rather heavy and cumbersome, and that it comes with a puff which is unsanitary. But just use a brush and you'll have no problems!

Rating: 5/5



Related Posts:
Read my review of La Mer's new 'The Hydrating Infusion' here.

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La Mer 'The Hydrating Infusion' Review

La Mer The Hydrating Infusion ($95)



"This high-potency treatment saturates the skin with a wave of hydration, smoothness and conditioning, preparing it to receive and boost the transformational benefits of Crème de la Mer.

The Hydrating Infusion's vital ingredients—vitamins, minerals, tourmaline and Hydrating Ferments—are suspended within a serum-like gel network. This interactive sea gel works with exclusive Deconstructed Waters™ to deliver extraordinary activity on demand."

One of my readers asked me to review some La Mer skincare products since I happen to be even more obsessed with skincare than I am with cosmetics, and I thought that The Hydrating Infusion would be a good starting point since I happened to already have photos of it on my desktop, plus it's La Mer's latest release in its lineup of bio-fermented products.

The Hydrating Infusion serves as a serum of sorts and preps and hydrates your skin so as to enhance the benefits of the Creme de la Mer. I've used it both in conjunction with my La Mer Oil Absorbing Lotion and with other non-La Mer products, and I have to say that I'm liking it a lot both ways. It gives my dry yet oily skin the moisture it needs without causing any irritation or breakouts and serves as a great foundation for whatever moisturizer I may choose to use that day.

The Hydrating Infusion has a thick watery consistency (think the consistency of jello right after you've added the water) which luckily comes with a pump dispenser so you're not likely to make too huge a mess (unlike the Radiant Infusion).

I'm currently working my way through two deluxe samples of this which should last me quite a while since you really only need a small amount of this morning and evening, but once I've depleted those I'll probably be purchasing a full size of this.

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New from La Mer: The Hydrating Infusion

La Mer 'The Hydrating Infusion'-4.2 ounces for $95

Via Neiman Marcus:

"This high-potency treatment saturates the skin with a wave of hydration, smoothness and conditioning, preparing it to receive and boost the transformational benefits of Crème de la Mer.

The Hydrating Infusion's vital ingredients—vitamins, minerals, tourmaline and Hydrating Ferments—are suspended within a serum-like gel network. This interactive sea gel works with exclusive Deconstructed Waters™ to deliver extraordinary activity on demand.

An elaborate bio-fermentation process helps sea parsley and other precious seaborne ingredients infuse the skin with untold energy and hydration, awakening a healthy, resilient appearance.

Used with Crème de la Mer, the visible signs of damage are significantly reduced: lines and wrinkles begin to fade from view and a glowing appearance is revealed as skin's look and feel take on a healthy new life."

Since I absolutely love La Mer's The Radiant Infusion (which is $5 cheaper at 4.2 ounces for $90), I'm very interested in learning more about the new The Hydrating Infusion (and how it differs from The Radiant Infusion), and of course, trying it for myself.

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Bergdorf Goodman Beauty Event Haul!!

Who doesn't love a good beauty event? Cosmetics coupled with free gifts create a purchasing frenzy. Throw in Bergdorf's amazing deal of $25 off any cosmetics purchase of $100 and you've got a virtual madhouse on your hands. Unable to resist a good deal, I braved the crowds yesterday afternoon to restock on some of my old favorites and to try out a few new goodies.

Onto the loot! I came home with:

• La Mer The Treatment Creme Foundation
  
• La Mer The Powder
  
• Cle de Peau Gentle Protective Emulsion SPF 15 (and some cute little samples!)
  
• Chanel Long-Lasting Eyeliner in Celadon and Vert Bronze
  
• Chanel Glossimer in Gazelle
  
• Chanel Inimitable Mascara (waterproof)

The event ends tomorrow (Saturday the 12th), so if there's something you've been dying to try, now's the time to do it!

http://www.bergdorfgoodman.com


A happy family photo:




And some swatches of the Chanel products with and without flash (from top to bottom: Gazelle, Vert Bronze, and Celadon):



I'll be reviewing the Chanel Summer 2008 line tomorrow so be sure to check back!


See my review of the Chanel Ombre D'eau shadows here.

Read my review of the Chanel Summer 2008 collection here.
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