glamapersona
Earlier this year, Kate Somerville debuted three new treatment products that I was lucky enough to sample and use for the last few months. Here are my thoughts…
RetAsphere 2-in-1 retinol night cream
Retinol is a must-have in the fight against aging, but it can be drying. This 2-in-1 retinol night cream delivers the power of retinol plus moisturization from seaweed extract and hyaluronic acid. RetAsphere melted into my skin, and did not leave it feeling dry when I used the cream as directed. 3 times a week is how often you incorporate RetAsphere into your nightly routine. Don’t be overzealous and think if 3 is great, more is better. It’s not. That’s all I’m saying…
Because I had major surgery in early January, I was waiting patiently for clearance from my doctors to give this product a try. I like that this serum will reduce the appearance of old and new scars, and improve skin’s texture as well. Once I was given the all clear, the rollerball design made it easy to dispense the product to the targeted area without wasting it. The peptide enriched cream dried to a clear finish without any white residue, a personal pet peeve. My pain specialist suggested that I use the leading brand of scar cream, but I wanted to try D-Scar instead. If she didn’t like the way my skin was healing, she would tell me to stop using it. Working with many post-op patients, she was familiar with the other scar cream’s performance. But after two weeks of using D-Scar twice a day, she was very impressed with the appearance of my skin, as was I. So D-Scar made a good impression on me and a health professional as well!
As the weather heats up, I will really be able to put this sunscreen to the test. I take harsh medicines due to chronic illness, and am advised to avoid the sun. But living in Texas, how likely is that? I like how Body Glow goes on like a body lotion or cream without that greasy feel some sunscreen products have. It also blends into my skin after I apply it. There is nothing worse than the chalky white residue of a sunscreen that leaves me with eau de clown face. I want sun protection not mime face paint. This 3-in-1 formula smooths, protects and firms with mango and shea butters, vitamins and botanicals. It even has light reflective pearls to minimize imperfections. That benefit alone makes it a summer must-have, with sun protection as a bonus!
These products can stand alone and be incorporated into your current skincare regime to get glowing spring skin. You can try these great Kate Somerville treatment products for yourself at your nearest Neiman Marcus or Nordstrom beauty counter, or visit katesomerville.com to learn more.
RetAsphere. D-Scar. Body Glow. Which one of these Kate Somerville treatments would you try first?
In honor of Earth week, Zoya Nail Polish is offering a polish exchange promotion to clean out, replace, and recycle your old bottles of nail polish. I love Zoya and consider them to be a healthy high fashion brand of polish.
Healthy because their polish is BIG5Free:
- No Formaldehyde
- No Formaldehyde resin
- No Toluene
- No DBP
- No Camphor
High fashion because some of the biggest fashion designers use Zoya nail polish for their runway shows. Designers who used Zoya for their Spring Summer 2013 New York Fashion Week include:
The Earth Day 2013 Zoya Nail Polish Exchange allows you to purchase new polishes at 50%, and you can send in old bottles from other brands which Zoya promises to dispose of properly. Make sure to go to zoya.com for all the details. This is a great way to do some spring cleaning and choose some great new nail polish for spring and summer. But hurry, this promotion only lasts one week! Yikes! (This promotion ends April 26!)
Do you need to clean out your nail polish collection for spring? What Zoya nail colors have caught your eye? I have quite a few on my wish list!
I had an opportunity to sit down and talk with the creative force behind Deborah Gaspar Jewelry in her lovely home. Deborah Gaspar and I had a great rapport from the moment we met at her trunk show at Julep Boutique in Shops of Legacy. After a tour of her design studio and jewelry collections, we sat down to talk about all things Deborah Gaspar Jewelry.
Glamapersona: How would you describe your jewelry line?
Deborah Gaspar: My jewelry line is extremely versatile, wearable, classic, timeless. It combines mixed metals, natural stones, mother-of-pearl, texture, and movement.
GLP: Who is the Deborah Gaspar woman?
DG: The Deborah Gaspar woman wants to be a bit different, she doesn’t want to be a walking clone of what everyone else is wearing. She wants to wear something that becomes a part of her, something that states who she is. She loves fashion designer jewelry so she also enjoys wearing John Hardy, David Yurman and Ippolita. My celebrity clientele includes Katie Couric, Carolyn Hennesy, Donna Spangler, and Tia Carrere just to name a few.
GLP: What is your design process from inspiration to final piece?
DG: I sit on the floor in my studio, and I just start creating and building a piece. I don’t draw it out, it’s just something that comes straight to me. Then I start wire wrapping and creating my looks.
GLP: What is your favorite material to work with?
DG: Definitely mother-of-pearl. It was my very first signature piece. I’ve created my own mother-of-pearl stones that I use throughout my whole collection. I love the luster, sheen, and chameleon like quality of mother-of-pearl. I like its versatility and how the stone takes on whatever color you’re wearing. Being a Midwest girl, practicality is important part of my designs. So if you own silver tone or gold tone mother-of-pearl, you can wear it with absolutely anything in your wardrobe.
GLP: What is your biggest accomplishment to date?
DG: A few weeks ago, I was invited to participate in the Grammy Style Lounge, which was probably one of the most amazing events I’ve ever participated in. I design men’s bracelets–masculine links of different gunmetals, and I was able to get pieces on Paul Phamous, producer and composer for the Jonas Brothers, and Johnny White, who represents Justin Timberlake. My mixed metal tassel necklaces and the magnetic pieces seemed to attract the most attention overall. So moving outside of the Dallas circle, and getting my jewelry on people in the music business can hopefully get it on more people.
GLP: What can we expect new from Deborah Gaspar Jewelry?
DG: I want to continue to work on my functional eye candy, which is what I call the magnetic pieces. It allows you to wear jewelry several different ways–from a belt, to a choker, to a double wrapped bracelet, to a long necklace.
Do you own any Deborah Gaspar Jewelry? Who are some of your favorite fashion designer jewelry brands?
As mentioned in my What I Wore for a Breezy Day post, I discovered some great local boutiques when I attended the Shoptiques Pop-Up Shop a few months back. Cheryl McDonald, owner of Julep Boutique in Shops of Legacy was kind enough to send me an invitation to this event. Shoptiques is an online community that showcases local boutiques from across the country. By visiting shoptiques.com, it exposes you to boutiques in your own community and other places you may want to visit, and does it all virtually. With about 5-6 local boutiques represented at the Pop-Up Shop, it was an informal way to browse selected items from several shops in one place, in this case Hotel Palomar Dallas.
I really appreciate what Shoptiques is doing for its member boutiques, and I purchased pieces from several shops (Y & I Clothing Boutique and Confections Boutique) during my visit. I found new boutiques to shop at, and in turn do my small part to positively impact the economy in my own community. I plan to highlight different shops I discover here on this blog. I encourage you to do the same and Shop Local!
What are some of your favorite local boutiques in your area where you Shop Local?
Fur vest: similar | Wide V Neck Top: LA Made | Black grey striped maxi skirt: Billabong | Coral purse : La Terre | Globe pearl satin ribbon necklace : QVC | Pointed toe ballet flats : Target | Sunglasses: 7 For All Mankind
Even though it’s springtime, the nippy weather is reminiscient of a breezy fall day. So here is an outfit I wore in late fall, and continue to wear this winter spring. Thirty degree weather and freeze warnings, torrential rain, and then balmy days means Happy Spring, at least in Texas that is.
I picked up the long sleeve top (with thumbholes which I love, love, love) and the striped maxi skirt at a Shoptiques Pop-up Shop a few months back. Shoptiques showcases local boutiques across the country, and their Pop-Up Shop brought together several Dallas boutiques in one spot. It was a great way to discover local boutiques like Julep Boutique in Plano, Y & I Clothing Boutique in Dallas, and Confections Boutique in Frisco.
How do you dress to keep up with the fickle springtime weather?
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