LYRA MAG.

C lever or just soon to be an uncool marketing ploy=the monikers tossed out for plain 'ole hemp seed oil to captivate the eyeballs of kids (OR grandkids) of those original Woodstock One goers. (?!) Don't let the maybe annoying distraction take away from the benefits of hemp seed oil as an effective  beauty ingredient -legally derived from the multi-asking industrial hemp plant. (FYI-the industrial hemp plant spawns rope + fabric both super popular for decades too). Derived from the non-or practically non -THC (buzz part) strain of the cannabis sativa plant (for the 411 on hemp seed oil and CBD oil read our clip on what it REALLY is- P art One )...the benefits of hemp seed oil-marketed as the maybe sexier sounding cannabis sativa oil   are front /center now-the way other plant oils are-think coconut and argan-for beauty/skin/haircare products. No longer hippy centric-and now mainstream...expect to see loads of new products-with hemp seed oil's moisturizing-nourishing

Numero uno must wear ( after sunscreen ) -and sometimes 'that's it'--- is concealer. YSL Touché Eclat ($40) and   Clé de Peau 's concealer ($68) got/gets so much press- we bought them to try out. Okay -both are throughly decent products but really , for everyday- the cult fav Eve Pearl Dual Salmon Concealer $39-that is creamy but not greasy-and on occasion, used as a foundation, gets the nod. Also getting used fairly often- truly only need a freckle size IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereyes $24 mixed up with moisturizer for sheerer coverage. left to right- well used-Eve Pearl Salmon Concealer Duo (handy mirror compact), Clé de Peau Powder and a smashed several times Smashbox Photo Set Pressed Powder -mirror compact too. Sponge applicator comes with it-but we like using a foundation brush…for contouring. Separate foundations-akin to fancy and casual wardrobe options-seem to fit. The black tie go to was the  Cle de Peau  Cream Foundation-but we finished that -(over a 3

We try scores of beauty/skincare products…but-what we end up using till the container is empty= that is a product that gets the major love. It works and it works for our active lifestyle-(outdoors, endurance sports)…as well as quality (passing  the urban sophisticate test) and, a MUST- practical to use. Like our wardrobe- we take high/low approach to this…as there are loads of inexpensive products ---and plenty of pricey items that are worth it. IMO.                                                                   Eye MakeUp With all the watery environments and sweat induced activities-we're always bemused by claims of "waterproof" makeup. Yeah, right.  The first test we did 2.5 years back was with MakeUp Forever's at that time fairly new AquaLiner $23-in Dragon Lagoon Green-a bold toned liquid eyeliner that goes on easily enough with the provided thin brush-and sets fast. Waterproof tough was put to the test- as we were going to jump off a ferry and swim t

ZO SKIN HEALTH, ORIGINS PLANTISCRIPTION, YARDLEY Like leaves on a tree, that sense of re-birth/renewal always descends on our brain and skin cells ---and encourages a test drive of new...and new to us -beauty products to go along with the better weather and the shedding of old... For the past three weeks-we've been dabbing on ZO® Skin Health's Olluminate® Intense Eye Repair $130.  This product is by the highly respected pioneer of dermatological endeavors-- Dr. Zein Obagi, MD--- who actually has two collections out now-the other one called ZO® Medical. We don't understand the difference between the skincare lines- besides from a marketing/distribution perspective...as both offerings address similar issues (hydration, anti-aging, etc) and don't vary all that much on price---from what we could see. ANYWAY---the potency of the formulas in both skincare lines= impressive. With the über thick, white creamy Olluminate® Intense Eye Repair -that targets fine lines/w

NYC Earth Day gets celebrated once a year but as a way of life---try 24/7/365! Why slab on untested ingredients in beauty/skincare products when effective, vetted, and well priced alternatives are easily available without all the questionable stuff? It has been awhile since we've reviewed Origins skincare/cosmetics...and a recent reach out brought us up to date with this Esteé Lauder owned company. Impressively, we think this brand---that is widely available---including its own stand-alone locales...has gotten more eco in its formulations and DNA. With the phrase '... powered by nature, proven by science' ---Origins' goodies are  paraben free and ALSO formulated without Phthalates, Propylene Glycol, Mineral Oil, PABA, Petrolatum, Paraffin, DEA and Animal Ingredients (except cruelty-free honey and beeswax). IMPRESSIVE! Checks and BalancesTM Frothy face wash 75ml $15.00 USD/ $18.00 CDN A white cream---a little goes a long way, nice, slightly sudsy (not de