Coachella Beauty....

It's Coachella time here in the States, and I love everything about it – perfect weather, beautiful setting, dry, soft grass underfoot and a fun, relaxed area for a weekend away. The music isn't bad either. Sadly, I'm not going this year, so by rights I should be sulking and vindictive, especially with Pulp and Arctic Monkeys on the same day. Be still my Britpop-beating heart... Instead, I'm going to try to be helpful, and share my list of beauty essentials, the music festival edition of what's in my handbag?

It's a long day (or days) under hot sun - so keep makeup simple, with a hint of cool, easy edge, and bring along pint-sized products for minimum fuss and maximum glam. Here's my top ten - all of which will fit very nicely into a tiny, across the body purse or wristlet, so as not to hinder your ace dance moves - just make sure it zips or fastens up – you don’t want things spilling everywhere when you pass out in the front row. Not that I’d know anything about that…

1) Super by Perricone Sun Kissed SPF 25 - start with this light sun protection with a hint of tint, for natural, glowing skin.

2) Caudalie Beauty Elixir - to refresh and invigorate tired skin with rosemary and mint. Heaven on a hot, dusty day.

3) Josie Maran Bear Naked Facial Wipes - gentle and mild for quick touch ups. Also, there's polar bears on the packaging, which will always get points from me.

4) Laura Mercer Kohl in Antique Jade - because black is very rock, but oh so dull - this creamy stick lines eyes with a rich, warm shade that has a hint of green depth and will look so much prettier in the outdoor light.

5) Laura Mercier Caviar Shadow Stick in Khaki -smudge your liner with this fabulous cream shadow/liner - for undone but glam eyes that will look magic in the desert sunset. Follow rock rules when it smudges/fades - just add more over top.

6) Eyeko Skinny Mascara – for long, fluttery lashes that last and last, with none of the dry, prickly feeling of a waterproof mascara. You should probably bring along the included guitar pick - someone's sure to need it, and you just might save the day.

7) Burt's Bees Grapefruit Lip Balm - don't mess with fancy new glosses or balms on a day in the desert - play it safe with what you know works. Refreshing citrus smell and super hydrating formula leaves lips plump and natural, and you can tuck it in your bra when you dance. That's what I do anyway.

8) Klorane Gentle Oat Milk Dry Shampoo - freshen up roots and add some cool texture to your locks in between sets.

9) Tocca Stella Scented SPF 30 Wipes - touch up shoulders, arms and chest throughout the day with these heavenly, blood-orange scented SPF towelettes. Don't forget your feet - gladiator sandal tan is never attractive.

10) NARS Paradise Brush/Bronzer/Highlighter Trio - the perfect festival compact - in a genius padded, zip package, with universally flattering hues for defined, sunkissed cheeks and temples.

Who’s your favorite in the Coachella line-up this year? Do you have a must-have item for long days in the sun? Share your tips below!

Super by Perricone Coconut Quench

I've been quite impressed by all of the Super by Perricone products I've used so far, and I love facial sprays/mists/toners so much that sometimes I get stuck on a spritzing loop some mornings in front of the mirror. So I was expecting great things from the Super Coconut Quench hydrating mist - it's full of simple, quality ingredients, comes in a lovely frosted glass bottle, and smells like coconuts - a very good start.

My first thought upon receiving the bottle was, " Ooh, coconut water mist, lovely!" followed by a sceptical realization of, "Wait a minute - this costs $38 - couldn't I just refill this with $4 coconut water from the store when I'm done and get the same effect?"

Unfortunately, no. The second ingredient in the Coconut Quench mist is hyaluronic acid, so it has some super hydration properties for a spray. Add to that the coconut water and oil - both rich in MCTS - a form of fatty acids that are incredibly close to the skin's natural lipids and oils, therefore easily absorbed and super hydrating, and a smattering of beneficial minerals to round things out, and you have quite a tonic. I will stop saying super now.

The smell is gorgeous, if you like coconuts. I do, very much, but I find that I don't always want to spray it on post cleanse because it clashes a bit with the lavender and rose themes in most of my skincare. However I find it wonderful as a finishing spray over makeup, and like to use a generous misting after a peel or exfoliant, to add moisture back to the skin before I seal it in with a rich cream.

Where I really found my favorite results was strangely, my hair. The label suggests use on face and hair, so I tried spritzing some in my bangs to restyle and blowdry them, and the results were brilliant - the little bit of coconut oil adds a bit of shine without any weight, and I ended up with a tidier fringe than I can usually manage with styling products. I can imagine this becoming a must-have staple in the summer - refreshing droopy bangs, cooling off sunburned skin, and brightening up tired, hot complexions. If I were fabulously wealthy I would buy a bottle and add a bit of salt to make the perfect beach hair tonic. But I'm not, so I'll be using it sparingly until then.

I do have trouble with the price tag - it's packed with great ingredients, but $38 is still such a lot for something that I see as a treat, not an absolute necessity. For me its nearest competitor in terms of price and quality is the Caudalie Beauty Elixir. While I think that the Caudalie gives better instant results, brightening and balancing, this is gentler and more hydrating, so a good choice for those who want a little boost during dry weather and sun exposure. I'm planning on taking this for quick touchups to the pool, on the plane, to music festivals, even to the gym* - anywhere I want to feel instantly refreshed and transported to the tropics. As it is, in the sub-zero temperatures I'm in at the moment, it's a little sunny vacation everytime I wash my face, which is lovely, but leaves me with a consant and terrible craving for a pina colada, which I am going to have to remedy one of these days.

If you feel like trying this out, Super by Perricone products are available on their website, at Sephora and at SkinStore - who is currently offering 20% off with the coupon code NEW2012 . Do you use a toner/mist/spray during your daily routine, and if so, which one? How do you like it? More importantly, do you too feel a terrible hankering for a pina colada now?

This product was kindly sent by the brand for consideration.

Photo via Pinterest

Super! by Perricone

There isn't actually an exclamation point in this brand, but I feel like there should be, and it's a missed opportunity for some jaunty punctuation. The original Perricone line has been around for a while, and is very well respected - a lot of people swear by it, though I have to say that I've always been a bit intimidated by the large amount of choices and the plain bottles - combined with the higher prices, it's just somehow never made it to my bathroom shelves.

The new Super by Perricone brand is clearly aimed at a slightly younger, hipper demographic - the bottles have easy to decipher labels with punchy graphics, and the offerings are simpler to put together into a skincare routine. Like the original line, they're natural products with high quality ingredients, but the Super line takes its most active ingredients from superfoods - fruits, vegetables and spices that are extremely high in antioxidants and nutrients - boasting anti-inflammatory, brightening and anti-aging actions.

I had sampled the Sun Kissed tinted SPF this summer and loved it - so I was thrilled to be able to try out three more popular products from the line that were particularly recommended to brighten up dull winter skin. These were some of the first products I sampled for The Blossom Shed, so I was very happy that I didn't have to start off the site with a bad review. It would have brought the mood down considerably.

The Products:

Night Recharge is a PM treatment that contains nutrient-rich red algae and retinoids to smooth and brighten skin - it has a light, lotion-like texture that goes on very smooth under my night moisturizer and smells of lemongrass. I hate lemongrass, but this dissipates as soon as it's applied, plus it's fantastic, so I deal with it. This immediately smoothed and calmed my skin - it seems to have a very good anti-inflammatory effect for me - any redness or spots were incredibly lessened the next morning, and the broken capillary I have under my eye was about half as red as usual. After one use, I consider this an incredible result. I've been using it every night, and it's balanced my skin as well - no breakouts or irritation since I've been using it, and my skin is even, smooth and bright. This should do well with most all skin types, and is a great way to amp up your nightly routine with just one new product. I kept waiting for someone to mention how glowy my skin was, but all I've gotten so far was a "rough day?" which suggests maybe I didn't look quite as well rested as I had hoped.

First Blush is a light serum with melon, rosemary and oat bran extracts - all ingredients that heal and protect the skin. I'm partial to this one simply because the bottle looks so pretty on my counter, and I love the smell - something like melon mixed with eggnog, very natural but sweet. It's a thin liquid texture that I smooth on under my day cream, and it makes my skin feel very quenched and soft without any residue. This is supposed to brighten skin and give it a healthy "blush" - I don't notice an obvious glow, but it does feel lovely, and it seems to balance and soothe my skin as well. Not a terribly necessary product for me, but very pleasant all the same.

Sweet Clean is somewhere between a cream and a milk cleanser - it has a very unique consistency that I find really nice. Cartenoids are the main attraction in this one - acai berry packs a huge punch when it comes to antioxidants, as do the grape, blackberry and blueberry extracts. I really like the smell, which is sort of like sweet berry vitamins, but it might not be for everyone. This gives a really deep clean feeling without stripping the skin, but it's not moisturizing enough for my extremely dry skin. It would be a fantastic product for younger or more combination skin, and a good way to wean off terrible skin stripping foaming washes! I'm recommending this one to my sister who has more normal skin than me. A little goes a long way as well, so the bottle will last forever, making it a pretty good value.

The Verdict:

This line is targeted at a younger demographic, so it suits combination to normal skin types beautifully. I am extremely fussy about textures and residue on my skin, and these all felt lovely, but those with extremely dry skin may find the line isn't quite moisturizing enough as a whole. The packaging is FABULOUS - heavy frosted glass, each with both a pump and screw top, perfect for travel. I fully intend to save the bottles and reuse them. Price-wise it's about average for higher-end natural skincare. The line is easy to use and high quality, and I was quite happy with the products I tried - if you're looking for a new skincare regimen or need to add something to yours, these are definitely worth a look. I'm hooked, and want to try lots more of the line now - I like the look of the eye cream and the moisturizers, so they're next on my list.

The Best Part:

The cheery Super website is having a 25% off sale right now with promo code FRIENDS2011, so if there's a product you've been lusting after, take advantage of it!

(These three products were PR samples)

Sephora Sale

I love Sephora. I love their sharp color scheme, and their broad selection of products, their easy website, and their samples policy which I am so easily able to exploit through subterfuge and lies.

So I'm very happy to report that their storewide 20% off sale is rumored to start on Oct 20th - not a minute too soon because my makeup bag is starting to look pretty forlorn, and the 3/4 empty vials and tubes are getting that crusty, worn look that makes me want to just die.

There are things I absolutely must have, and some that I hope to pick up if I happen to be extra-flush that week. Which is highly unlikely, but a girl can dream. So my wishlist is as follows.....

YSL Touche Eclat in #2 - I've somehow managed to squeak by without this for 6 mos - thank god for a tan is all I can say. Come November when that lovely consumptive look sets in for the winter, this is what will save me from despair - it's the only concealer/cover up I ever use - creamy, sheer and bright.

Benefit Velvet Eye Shadow in Where There's Smoke - maybe one day I'll branch out and wear some other color on my eyes besides irridescent grey. Maybe one day I won't be as lazy, and will learn how to use a makeup brush. Until then, this will be my new go-to eyewear, to try and pry me away from my Laura Mercier Sable. A soft grey. Baby steps.

Guerlain L'Heure Bleue EDT - I'm not going to go into my adoration of this gorgeous, timeless, heartbreakingly beautiful scent. I'll save that for another gushing post where I have unlimited time to wax lyrical. All I'll say now is that I vascillate between preferring the EDT and EDP, the latter is more rich and true and at the moment by #1, but I can always use a bottle of the EDT kicking about - it's first whiff is a little more acid and sharp, but the drydown is sublime. Mmmm. And it’s cheaper, so that’s the clincher.

Benefit They’re Real! Mascara – I don’t think it should be THAT hard to create a mascara that makes my lashes look long, separated and glossy. Not dry or flaky or clumping. Just saying NON-CLUMPING is apparently not enough, as it seems the more they tout this, the worse they glue my lashes together. The only one I have ever been happy with was Clinique Long Pretty Lashes, which was perfect for daily wear, but the packaging reminded me of middle school, and would sort of mess up the whole sartorial feng shui of my vanity table. I have high hopes for this one from the reviews – it seems to tick all of my boxes, but we shall see. I intend to splash out on it and then dish.

Nars Lipstick in Heat Wave - this is so far the only red lipstick my complexion can even begin to cope with. I’m pale but with yellow undertones – anything with any pink or blue tones look beyond gruesome on me. This is very orange based, a matte, tomato red, that with a careful hand I really like on myself. I’m not sure I will ever wear it with my lifestyle lately, which is very chapstick and ball cap, but I have to set myself goals. Watch out grocery store, I’m going to pair this with a high pony tail and a white tee shirt and jeans.

Super by Perricone Sun Kissed SPF 25 – as I may have mentioned before, I HATE the feel of any kind of cover on my skin – Touche Eclat is the heaviest I can stand. I love the idea of tinted moisturizer’s sheer glow, but have never found one I don’t loathe - I think the quality of the moisturizer itself is never up to par, regardless of the tint. So I am extremely happy to report that this is a gem – it made my (summer) skin even and , and feels light and smooth. You only need a very small amount, and I like to think that this over my Caudalie SPF 15 day cream is a good amount of sun protection. Judging by my charming freckle moustache, the SPF 15 on its own is not.

SO – what’s your wishlist for the sale - any stocking up to me done, or a product that you’re just dying to try? Spill below.