Wednesday, February 13, 2013

BACKSTAGE BEAUTY: Revlon for KaufmanFranco Fall 2013





 
Revlon Global Artistic Director, Gucci Westman, paired bold smoky eyes with luminous skin to complement KaufmanFranco's Fall 2013 Collection.  What I love about this look is that anyone can wear this.  It's adaptable for everyday wear and not just runway-artistic.  Details from backstage at KaufmanFranco:
“I was inspired by Brigitte Bardot, and classic Parisian women from the 60’s, so this look is all about the eyes. ,” says Westman. “I combined smoky grey shadows with ultra heavy black liner and piled on extra lashes for a mysterious and sultry look. To contrast with the gritty texture on the eyes, I kept the girls skin soft and pretty and gave their lips a natural flush.”
 

Revlon L - R: Nearly Naked Makeup, PhotoReady Primer and Shadow in Pop Art, ColorStay Smoky Shadow Stick in Volcanic, ColorStay Creme Gel Liner in Black
REVLON PRODUCTS TO GET THE LOOK:

FACE:
Revlon Nearly Naked Makeup, $9.99
Revlon Illuminance Crème Shadow in Not Just Nudes, $6.50
Revlon Baby Stick for Lips & Cheeks in Tahitian from The Spring/Summer ’13 Collection by Gucci Westman, $8.99 (available April 2013)
EYES:
Revlon PhotoReady Primer and Shadow in Pop Art (dark green shade and sparkle top coat only), $9.99
Revlon ColorStay 16 Hour Eye Shadow Quad in Free Spirit (darkest shade only), $7.49
Revlon ColorStay Smoky Shadow Stick in Volcanic, $8.99
Revlon ColorStay Liquid Eye Pen in Black, $8.99
Revlon ColorStay Crème Gel Liner in Black, $9.99
Revlon PhotoReady 3D Volume Mascara in Black, $8.99

Revlon L - R: ColorStay Ultimate Suede Lipstick in Front Row, ColorStay Ultimate Suede Lipstick in Private Viewing, ColorBurst Lip Butter in Creme Brulee, ColorStay Nail Enamel in Trade Winds
 

LIPS:
Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Suede Lipstick in Front Row, $9.99
Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Suede Lipstick in Private Viewing, $9.99
Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Crème Brulee, $7.49
NAILS:
Revlon ColorStay Nail Enamel in Trade Winds, $7.99
 
Explore more Revlon products via your local mass retailer on online at beauty.com.

Monday, February 11, 2013

Artisanal Soapy Decadence with Passion Savon


 



How do I love thee ... let me count the ways ...

This phrasing comes to mind when thinking about the incredible creations of Passion Savon.  I found this delicious hand crafted soap company via facebook and have been a devout fan and client ever since.  Founder and creator Nia Hafsia wasn't kidding when she called her company "Soap Passion," as she very definitely exudes an incredible passion for her business, for the gorgeous products she makes and really just for life in general.  I have fallen in love with Nia and her exquisite bars.

The mill in France

Passion Savon is based in Bergerec, France.  The soaps are created on site at Nia's and husband Karim's charming french mill.  There, they have an atelier where the two work together to produce what I consider to be soapy masterpieces.  Oh to be a fly on the wall inside that atelier ... divine aromas wafting through the air, multitudes of color strewn all throughout the space, and free-spirited energy weaving through every molecule of the oils, homegrown fruits, botanicals, and gorgeous ingredients that through Nia's direction culminate in inspired works of art.

Nia in her atelier

Nia, with her creative ability and aromatherapy skills has been making soap and toiletries for over 25 years. It all started in Wales (UK), while pregnant with her second child (Dafydd) and “bored” Nia decided to take an aromatherapy course and study the art of understanding and blending essential oils and instantly had a natural aptitude for this wonderful therapy. She started experimenting with natural ingredients to create unique and special recipes and replaced the chemicals normally used in most personal care products with effective, natural materials.  With four young children (sons Gruff, Trystan, Dafydd and daughter Tirion --- you come to "meet" all of them through Nia's facebook page and realize the love she has for her family is even more expansive than that for her soaps!), Nia sold her first soap company to devote time to her children and her opera singing.  Later, Nia moved to France in September 2007, where she met and fell in love with a Frenchman (Karim). The two are happily married and settled in Bergerac where they create luxury soaps, natural skincare products and blend essential oils.

Nia and her daughter Tirion ... beautiful women

Now, I literally could go on and on about Nia, her beautiful family, her extraordinary talent for creating soap (truly more talent than any one person has any right to embody ... lol), as well as her exquisite bars of soap ... the smells, the colors, the swirls, the gorgeous ingredients, but it's probably better I let you discover Passion Savon the way I did initially .... through Nia's photos and descriptions.

Would encourage you to click images to enlarge to see better detail.


 
 

 
French Lavender: this extraordinary essential oil soap has so many therapeutic qualities. Passion Savon uses a high altitude Lavender (which is a superior quality) and this essential oil is famous for its ability to lower anxiety, calm and lessen stress. For the skin it is valuable for its healing properties and ability to promote the growth of new skin cells. It has a balancing effect on sebum (the oily secretions of the sebaceous glands that moisturises and protects) therefore making it suitable for all skin types, even the most fragile, sensitive and delicate. It is also said to have a healing effect on minor burns, boils, acne, eczema, psoriasis and fungal growths. Suitable for all skin types, even sensitive.
 

 

 
Chestnut and Chocolate Torte:  Nia describes this as her most extravagant soap and sooooo good for your skin. Superfatted with organic cocoa butter, natural vanilla seeds, double cream, honey, coffee liqueur, dark chocolate and the "pièce de résistance" are the chestnuts. Called Chestnut and Chocolate Torte, it will send your head spinning, smells divine and the lather is like silky satin.


 
 


Frosted Orange, Spring Collection:  The freshest, zestiest and more fruity orange blended with orange blossom, red mandarin, yuzu, cypress and peppermint for a real wake-up call to spring.


 


Kiwi and Lime:  The zesty, refreshing blend of 100% natural essential oils are de-toxifying, cleansing, astringent, perfect for normal, oily and combination skin types. You can really see the colours, the black charcoal almost has dark blue indigo tints in it mixed with shimmery green mica. With fresh, juicy, spicy and zesty citrus fruity essential oils. The natural fragrance of this soap bar has the true aroma of fresh Limes with refreshing and cleansing organic Green Tea. This tea has great therapeutic benefits, containing potent anti-oxidants called Catechins. The outcome of several experimental studies suggests that Green Tea has anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic potential, which can be exploited against a variety of skin disorders. Lime essential oils is gently astringent and toning for the skin. Nia also uses whole Kiwi fruit from a friend's garden in the soap, the peel and pulp with its tiny seeds, adds to the texture and lather. Kiwi fruit is packed with more vitamin C than an equivalent amount of orange. It also has strong antioxidant protective properties, keeping the skin healthy and energized.


 


Blackberry Passion:  Described as her most complicated soap, it has nine colours. Blackberry Passion smells like a true fine fragrance of the highest quality, but a clever in-house blend of completely natural essential oils achieve an incredible aroma. Gorgeous!


 


La Mer:  One of their most popular bars for men is La Mer, a sexy, seductive blend of herbs, spices and zesty fruits that women fall in love with too. Look at the textured surface of the freshly poured soap (left) which represents la mer, the sea in French.


 


Strawberries & Champagne:  What is more festive and special than strawberries and champagne and here it is in a completely 100% natural soap with inclusion of fresh strawberries and French champagne. The ultimate top luxe presant for somebody special. 100% natural soap with extra virgin olive oil, coconut, shea butter, sunflower oil and castor oil with essential oils. Handmade cold process without chemicals. No palm oil! One of their most popular soaps ... yes, can see why : ).


 


Kaleidosoap:  Limited edition previously, but now part of the standard range as it is so popular. Green aromas of pine, with fruity mandarin, cedarwood and a few spices thrown in with juicy cranberries, gorgeous. I completely fell in love with at Christmas.  The aroma and shimmery micas make this bar extraordinary.  I couldn't get enough of it ... truly.


If you have a penchant for artisan soaps, a desire to pamper your skin with the most lovingly created bars of nourishing oils, therapeutic botanicals and fresh fruits, or want to experience first hand a work of masterful art in all its beautiful glory, you must treat yourself to a bar or several of Passion Savon's exquisite soaps.  For the price (extremely reasonable, including the international shipping), you truly will not find a more decadent way to experience french luxury.  By the way, my two faves? Vanilla Bourbon Pomegranate ... oh. my. gosh!, and Kiwi Lime ... lively and scrumptious. Enjoy!  xo

Learn more about Nia and Passion Savon via facebook HERE

Explore all that Passion Savon has to offer via the shop online HERE

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