Design Bitch

I am crazy over Kiehl’s skincare products. I’ve been using their products for several years now and even though I try new lines once and a while,  I always come back to Kiehls. Founded in 1851 as an old-world apothecary, their products have always been made with the most unique natural ingredients available. Today they specialize in hair and skincare products for men, women children and now even pets! You can find all their products at beso.com.

Kiehl’s Since 1851 De-puffing Eye Stick – I swear by this product for tired, sleep deprived eyes, it really diminishes puffiness and dark circles.

Kiehl's Since 1851 De-puffing Eye Stick

Kiehl’s Algae Masque – every week I use this masque and it leaves my face fresh and soft and rejuvenated.

Kiehl's Algae Masque

Technological advances aren’t just for your cellphone or laptop, they can also update your beauty routine. We’ve found some great, affordable skin-care gadgets and an at-home laser hair removal system that works!

Silk’n SensEpil, $500
The Silk’n SensEpil is an at-home pulsed laser for hair removal at a fraction of the price you’d pay at a medi-spa. This latest iteration of the SensEpil has a sensor that will disable the laser if skin is too dark or tan to prevent burning or discoloration. It works best on pale skin with dark brown or black hair. If you are tired of shaving or paying $100 or more per month for waxing, this is a great product that will lessen hair growth. Hair will grow in finer and sparser making upkeep a breeze. The initial $500 investment gets you the main unit and one refill, which is enough to do two to three treatments of legs, underarms and bikini. Each refill lamp is $50, way cheaper than a trip the salon!

Zeno Hot Spot, $40
You may have heard about the original Zeno device or seen it in the drugstore. The blemish clearing powers were tempting but the $150 price tag too daunting. The new Zeno Hot Spot is perfectly priced and very effective. This smaller version of the original is $40 and it is a great addition to your blemish arsenal. The Zeno Hot Spot uses concentrated heat to kill bacteria inside a pimple, making it less and less noticeable with each treatment. The tiny size means you can pop it into your purse for a quick touch-up. The Zeno Hot Spot takes the hot compress to the next level and we love the fact that it is all-natural and it works!

Neutrogena Wave, as low as $11.42 from Target
The Neutrogena Wave promises glowing skin after just one use. The gentle foaming pad vibrates to work the cleanser into skin. It isn’t an exfoliating treatment so skin won’t be scrubbed or irritated. It just helps open up pores and clean them out. It is best used in the evening because it clears makeup and dirt away effectively and will help your skin care products absorb into skin overnight.

REN skincare prides itself on “Clean Bio Active Skincare,” using plant-derived bio-active compounds that are all-natural and that work to improve skin’s health and appearance. REN’s products have no parabens, synthetic dyes or fragrances or petrochemicals. REN also donates a percentage of their profits to environmental organizations so you can feel good about this investment in your skin. Here are our favorite REN products: 

REN Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask, $55
This peeling mask is amazingly effective yet smells and feels like jam and doesn’t burn skin. Apply a thin layer once a week and don’t use any other products that exfoliate for the next few days. Cautionary Tale: I once made the mistake of using an AHA lotion two days after using the mask and experienced some burning before I could rinse off my skin. It is gentle but reveals some fresh, delicate skin so also remember to protect it with some sunscreen (SPF 30 or better). This REN mask is also great for bringing impurities to skin’s surface, which makes it a great pre-extraction treatment.

REN Osmotic Infusion Ultra-Moisture Day Cream, $55
If you have dry skin but are tired of heavy pore-clogging moisturizers, this light but thirst-quenching cream is perfect for you. A dab of it will keep your skin plump, fresh and flake-free. Hyaluronic acid and Omega 6 increase moisture, softness and elasticity without any irritants.

REN Matte Balancing Fluid, $52
A moisturizer that leaves skin hydrated but not shiny is just what combination skin has been looking for. Konjac root, mayblossom extract and essential oils work together to distribute oils, purify pores, control sebum production and heal breakouts. Use with foundation containing SPF in daytime.

Try six of REN’s most popular products in their REN Six of the Best set for just $40 and find your own favorite! The Six of the Best set includes trial sizes of Mayblossom and Blue Cypress Balancing Facial Cleansing Gel, Jojoba Microbead Purifying Facial Scrub, Omega 3 Overnight Lipid Renewal Serum, Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask, Frankincense and Boswellia Serrata Revitalising Repair Cream and Active 7 Radiant Eye Maintenance Serum.