This is the second post of a collaborative series of posts with Elements Beauty Shop about skincare. (Check out the first one here.) Because it’s been super cold here in Richmond for the past week or so, we decided we’d share some winter skin savers.
My skin tends to be on the dry side, so I like to use hydrating masks year round. I’ve started to incorporate some extra moisturizing products into my routine for winter. I like to keep most of my routine the same (cleanser, moisturizer) so I like to pack in the extra moisture in the form of oils and balms. Here are a few of my favorites:
1. REN Vita Mineral Emolient Rescue Cream: I love using this on any spots of dryness (like the corners of my mouth). I’ll put it on before I go to bed, and even dab it on over my makeup throughout the day if I need to.
2. CV Skinlabs Restorative Skin Balm: Sherry and Jeanie had nothing but good things to say about this stuff. The consistency reminds me of Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour cream: that thick, vaseline texture that’s good for super, super dry spots.
3. REN Rose O12 Moisture Defense Oil: This smells amazing, obviously, but it seriously does the job too. I mentioned it first in my Best of Ren post, where it’s described as a “blanket for your skin.” I like to put this under my moisturizer before bed.
4. REN Vita Mineral Omega 3 Optimum Skin Serum Oil: Leslie, the Ren rep mentioned here, was kind enough to send me a bottle of this to try and it’s great! It’s not quite as thick as the rose oil, so I can use this one during the day too. Omega 3 from Vegetal Plankton and Gold from Pleasure Oils are supposed to promote natural cell renewal and optimum moisture levels to restore firmness and elasticity.
5. Erno Laszlo Hydra Therapy Memory Sleep Mask: I can’t even believe how soft my skin is when I wake up after using this. It has the coolest texture. Apparently it’s “based on memory foam developed for the NASA space program, the weightless gel texture bounces back, cushioning the skin to restore youthful elasticity overnight.” How crazy is that – NASA?! I bought this last month and it’s my favorite new product.
If you have issues with dry lips, Jeanie and Sherry recommended the Pure Marula lip balms. It has micro-encapsulated marula oil, beeswax and mango butter for barrier protection and Kokum oil for skin rejuvenation. I can’t wait to try it.
Use the code “Tiramisu” at ElementsBeautyShop.com for 10% off your purchase!
I’m also super excited to tell you about the Elements Beauty Shop Pin To Win contest! All you have to do is create a beauty wish list on Pinterest (here’s my board), and you could win a gift card! ! Check out the details in the image below and click through to enter on Facebook.
*This post is a sponsored collaboration with Elements Beauty Shop. All opinions are my own.
PS: Elements also teamed up with a few more bloggers, so be sure to look out for their posts (I’ll be sure to share them on my Facebook page).
Here are a few of my favorite products of 2014!
I got this makeup bag for Christmas (which I LOVE). I did a “What’s in My Makeup Bag” post a while ago, and I’ll be doing an updated one soon.
Express has some really great wear-t0-work staples. I talked about the portofino shirt here, and now their Barcelona Cami has caught my eye. I was shopping with my friend Emily, who was looking for things to wear for her job as a statistician (Models, SomersD, Basel? What?!), and she picked up a couple of these. The shape reminds me of the silk camis at J. Crew (I talk about those here) but these seem a lot sturdier and I love that they’re reversible.
It smells like Christmas!
My boyfriend sweetly surprised me with this as a stocking stuffer after I raved about a sample I’d gotten. I love love love the way it smells.
PS: Tiramisu For Breakfast followers can get 10% off on this and tons of other great stuff with the code TIRAMISU at ElementsBeautyShop.com
I borrowed a fancy fur from my friend to wear to a fancy event (seen here) last year and loved it. Then, one of my favorite YouTubers, LisaLisaD1, mentioned this one from Forever21 and this one from ASOS in one of her videos.
I went for the one from Forever21. I wasn’t sure about it at $67 but I got it half price on Cyber Monday and it’s awesome. I wore it to dinner with my boyfriend’s aunt, and got lots of compliments when I wore it to the mall the next day.
I’m wearing it with this blouse from LOFT (one of my favorites), and a pair of black J Brand jeans I found at Marshalls.
Forever21 actually has a bunch of really cute coats like this. I like this one:
I was hesitant at first, but I think these are all really fun. If you’re dressing up for new years, it would be fun to wear one with a dress, but I also really liked it with just jeans and a blouse.
What’re you wearing for New Year’s?
I loved these Vince mules (No longer available) when I saw them on Gal Meets Glam, and I just found a copycat version at Macy’s. Aren’t they cool?
Here’s what the Vince ones look like (on Julia from Gal Meets Glam).
How clever is this? I saw this on Buy Now Blog Later‘s instagram. I found the seller on Etsy, and they have a couple of different options.
These are super nice!
I didn’t know gloves came in so many sizes. I got a 7.5 and they’re nice and snug.
If you’ve been following my posts, it’s no surprise when I say that REN is one of my FAVORITE brands. Ever since my cousin bought me their body cream and bath oil one year for Christmas, I’ve loved discovering new products from the brand. A lovely local boutique/online store, Elements Beauty Shop, noticed my love of REN and suggested we partner up to spread the word about great skincare products. I was blown away when
I saw all the brands they pack into their adorable Carytown shop. I’ve loved discovering new (to me) lines like Erno Lazlo, The Organic Pharmacy and Somme Institute.
This is the first of a collaborative series of posts about skincare. There are a bunch of great products I can’t wait to talk to you about. When I asked on Facebook, you all shared some of your skincare concerns. Make sure to let me know what you’d like to see so I can include it. I’m excited to learn along with you as I talk to the experts at Elements and share tips with you! Because I’ve already tried out and fell in love with so many things from REN, I figured it would be the best place to start. I talked to a representative from REN Skincare, Leslie, to make sure I had all the facts about the products included in this post, and I’m excited to share them with you.
These are my favorite products so far from REN. Let me know your favorites or the ones you’re excited to try in the comments! 
1. REN Rosa Centifolia™ No.1 Purity Cleansing Balm: This was one of the very first REN products I ever tried and it’s wonderful. (I mentioned it first here back in January, and again here when I shared my favorite rose-scented products.) Apply this to dry skin, and then use wet fingertips to rub it in as the texture changes from a (I use baby washcloths because they’re extra soft)
2. REN Rosa Centifolia Hot Cloth Cleanser: After I liked the balm so much, I decided to give the hot cloth cleanser a try. This one smells just as good and I like to alternate between the two.
3. REN Moroccan Rose Otto Bath Oil: My favorite thing to do with this is pour a little in a tiny bowl, add hot water, and soak my hands as part of a mini-manicure.
4.REN Flash Rinse 1 Minute Facial: OK, does this not sound amazing? The marketers were super-smart about the naming of this product, because who doesn’t want an at-home facial? And it only takes a minute? Here’s how it works: Vitamin C from Ascorbic Acid stimulates collagen synthesis, evens out skin tone and provides instant radiance to the skin. Boswellic Acid from Boswellia Serrata Bark relaxes micro-contractions of facial tissue to smooth lines. Glycogen Magnesium from Marine Glucose Mineral boosts skin energy and radiance. Fancy, right?!
5. REN Rose O¹² Moisture Defence Oil: Fab, fab, fab. I got this last winter because my skin was feeling super dry. I use it at night and in the morning underneath my moisturizer. Even though it’s already gotten chilly in Virginia, my skin hasn’t gotten the memo and started being dry like crazy. But when it does, I’ll be pulling this out.Leslie called this “a blanket for your skin.”
6. REN Radiance Gift Set: I bought this set when I started hearing tons of buzz about the Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask. This whole set is the same price as just the mask, so I went for it and got the extra goodies at no extra cost. Leslie shared some very cool things about these products with me. The entire radiance line is for improving uneven skin tone (think acne scarring or sun spots) and dullness. She recommends this set to use the night before a big event as a “Red carpet facial.” Start with the micro polish cleanser, then apply the AHA concentrate for even deeper exfoliation. Then, apply the Glycolactic mask and leave it on for 30 minutes. Remove it with a wet cloth, and then use the vitamin C serum. Last, use your favorite moisturizer.
After chatting withLeslie about her favorite products, the Rosa Centifolia Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser and the Vita Mineral Emollient Rescue Cream are next on my list of things to try. A lot of you have talked about looking for products that combat dry, winter skin. Replacing your moisturizer with the Vita Mineral Emollient Rescue Cream is supposed to do the trick! (Update: I picked up the Emolient Rescue Cream and I LOVE it.)
A little bit more about REN:
Antony Buck and Robert Calcraft of the UK started REN Skincare. Buck’s wife was pregnant at the time, and was struggling with reactions to all of her beauty products. They founded the brand based on these three principals:
Performance: REN gives you groundbreaking product formulation, the latest hi-tech actives, rigorous product testing and clinically proven results.
Purity: REN uses only 100% plant and mineral derived actives and is free from skin-unfriendly synthetic ingredients *.
Pleasure: We believe that the texture, fragrance and experience of using REN can make the world a slightly nicer place to be and make us feel slightly nicer being here.
Elements is having a special skincare event next Wednesday, December 17th. Eva DeVirgilis, an amazing actress and make up artist, is sharing skincare tips and giving makeovers. Check out her TedxRVA speech.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gto6w0a13B0]
I love what she has to say about beauty: “I think every woman who sits in my chair is beautiful, with or without makeup; she just has no idea…Makeup is my therapy puppet to help a woman open up about how she’s feeling…Almost every time, it works. I see a woman leap up out of my chair and actually smile at herself. Even if it’s temporary, there is a very real transformation that happens in this chair.”
If you’re in Richmond, I’d love to see you there! Everyone’s invited, and all the details are in the Facebook event here. Tiramisu For Breakfast followers will get 10% off their purchase at the event. If you’re not in Richmond or can’t make it on Wednesday, use the code ‘TIRAMISU’ to get 10% off your first order at ElementsBeautyShop.com. They’re also doing free shipping for the holidays!
*This post is a sponsored collaboration with Elements Beauty Shop. All opinions are my own. Thanks so much to Leslie from REN for sharing awesome tips!
