Murad - Beauty Collection Blog

[Review] Murad Environmental Shield Essential-C Daily Complex: Do You Believe In Magic?

July 18, 2011 By Kathleen N. 5 Comments

Dr. Howard Murad, founder of the Murad brand, is widely acknowledged as one of the world’s chief authorities on skin health. As the first in the industry to create a doctor-branded skincare line, Dr. Murad went on to open the first medical spa and Inclusive Health Center, as well as assisted in the development of Esthetic AHA formulations. In addition to traveling the world speaking as a brand ambassador and skin health educator, he continues to actively see and treat patients. As the best selling author of Wrinkle Free Forever and The Cellulite Solution, Dr. Murad continues to educate with a third book that has yet to be released.

Review:

I hate to be a Negative Nancy but I do not believe in magic. I know for a fact that the lady on stage was NOT just cut in half and that a rabbit doesn’t just magically appear in a hat. My sincere apologies to any magic professionals who are reading this, but I just don’t buy it. In my opinion, it’s all smoke and mirrors. An illusion.

Sometimes I feel that way about skincare products. I’ve learned to not put a lot of stock into “wrinkle reducing” products, or believe the hype surrounding these miracle formulations. I am not entranced by the really pretty packaging, rare and expensive ingredients, and large promises to magically transform your skin. Usually I am left disappointed, my trash can is left a little heavier and my checking account is left a lot lighter. That is, until I found the Environmental Shield Essential-C Daily Complex from Murad.

Reading the package, I learned that one of the key ingredients is Vitamin-C. If you’ve read my review of the Ole Henriksen Truth Serum, then you know that I love Vitamin-C! It also contains Murad’s patented Skin Repair System, which promises to improve skin elasticity and clarity, and stimulate collagen synthesis – all while providing antioxidant protection. That’s a lengthy promise. According to the package, this treatment is clinically proven to decrease fine lines by 17% after one application. A 17% decrease after one application? I would be the judge of that!

The day I picked it up, I went home immediately to test it out. Using the fancy little scoop that it comes with, I quickly learned that you only need to use a pea-sized amount to cover your entire face. The velvety-liquid is so light and dreamy…and my skin was equally soft afterwards. Right after I applied, I immediately I started scrutinizing my face in the mirror. The instant clarity was obvious. My skin was polished and it looked like I had both foundation and powder on. [side note: since I have started using this treatment, I have not used foundation or powder!]

The Environmental Shield Essential-C Daily Complex makes my face look matte and flawless. While it is not marketed as ‘fragrance free,’ I didn’t notice a smell at all, and the product sank into my skin right away. As for the 17% decrease in fine lines after the first use? Well I was still on the fence about that. I did not notice an immediate decrease in the appearance of my fine lines, but overall, I was happy with the results I did see.

Fast forward one week later….

I have had three small lines in between my eyebrows for years. Everyday in the mirror they wink at at me, constantly there to remind me that my skin is aging. But my dear sweet readers, I swear to you that after one week of use Murad’s Environmental Shield Essential-C Daily Complex has decreased their appearance! This skincare product kept it’s promise and delivered amazing results. It is magical!

And while I do realize that $92.00 for 1 oz is expensive, the product is well worth it. Take a chance and try Murad’s Environmental Shield Essential-C Daily Complex, I promise you will be amazed!

Product: Murad Environmental Sheild Essential-C Daily Complex

Price: $92.00

Purchase: All Beauty Collection locations as well as BeautyCollection.com

Filed Under: Reviews, Skin Care Tagged With: Murad, murad c, murad essential c, vitamin c cream, vitamin c serum, vitamin c skin

[Review] Murad Clean Scene

April 15, 2011 By Jazzy Leave a Comment

Just when you thought that the Murad line couldn’t be more complete, they come back even stronger. This season they have introduced their first line of skin care, specifically targeting teens. Murad Clean Scene is a thorough collection of skincare, keeping your teenager’s skin clean and clear from start to finish. Designed to keep the skin balanced and hydrated, Clean Scene’s five powerhouse products fend off free radicals using Yumberry – the Superfruit of 2011.

Review

The Clean Scene Collection looks like it was born right out of a teenage girl’s room. With it’s vibrant packaging and flirty designs, the Collection is spot on with Murad’s target demographic. In fact, every time I pick up a bottle and pop it open, I just want to start singing Katy Perry [okay...maybe that's taking it too far, but you get the idea.]

Included in the Murad Clean Scene Collection is: The Begging For Balance Moisturizer, Gaga For Glow Facial Scrub, Crazy for Clear Spot Treatment, Craving for Clean Cleanser and the Down for Defense SPF 15 Moisturizer. Each one of these products smells amazing – like a cross between fresh strawberries, a raspberry smoothie and pomegranate. Previously I’ve only eaten Yumberry on my yogurt, so this opened up a whole new world for me.

Begging For Balance Moisturizer – Free of parabens, sulfates, petrochemicals, phthalates, GMO’s, triclosan [basically everything that you DON'T want on your skin], the moisturizer is perfect for the vulnerable adolescent skin. Murad suggests that you use Begging for Balance once to twice daily, but I found that using it twice left me a bit greasy. I have extremely oily skin, so for those of you with normal or dry, twice is probably perfectly fine. While I did end up greasy, I did notice a difference after 4 days of using it. My skin felt more supple and seemed to have more elasticity.

Murad’s Skin & Face Moisture Analysis

April 4, 2011 By Jazzy Leave a Comment

Murad’s skin specialists stopped by Beauty Collection Calabasas to offer free mini-facials and skin moisture evaluations to our beloved customers. Check out the revolutionary tool that analyzes the amount of moisture in your face, allowing you to customize your skincare routine even further.

Filed Under: Skin Care, Video Tagged With: Murad, murad reviews, murad skincare, murad.com

[Get the Look] Halle Berry at the 13th Annual Costume Designers Guild Awards

February 25, 2011 By Jazzy Leave a Comment

Last night Halle Berry captured our hearts, as she walked the red carpet in this Red chiffon and lace Elie Saab gown. With her gown making such a strong statement, Halle chose to go with a dewy, fresh and absolutely flawless look.

EYES

Use the Stript Crushed Mineral Eye Shadow to create Halle’s Plum smoky eye. With the ability to be applied wet or dry, the mineral shadow comes in a wide range of tones and pigment pay-offs. Try blending two or more together for a smooth, smear-proof look.

FACE

Start with the Murad Skin Perfecting Primer in Dewy Finish to create a smooth, resilient canvas while evening skin texture and tone. After letting it set for two to five minutes, you can cover with the foundation of your choice. Our personal fave is the Stila Illuminating Liquid Foundation, a lightweight formula that leaves your skin with a luminous, air brushed look.

BROW

Halle’s brows are near perfection, a look you can easily fabricate at home. With the BrowStix Arch Stencils from Anastasia you can achieve a true Anastasia shape at home. Simply peel off the back of the stencil, position it over the brows and fill in. The 5 Piece Set comes with a few different stencil options to compliment a number of different of face shapes.

BLUSH

To get the Rosy cheek that Halle achieved, try Cozy or Heat from the Stila Cheek Color Pan. The blush will brighten and define your cheeks, giving you a soft, feminine glow. Pop any Stila eyeshadow or cheek color pan into a Stila signature, refillable aluminum compact.

LIP

Go nude with the Rilastil Make Up Lip Gloss in Natural Rose. Formulated especially for sensitive skin, the gloss is protective, super moisturizing, emollient, and long-lasting. Not only is it beautiful on, but studies show that after 30 days, your lips will experience a 217% increase in moisture, a 78% increase in protection to prevent dry, chapped lips, and a 56% increase in smoothness of the lips.

Filed Under: Cosmetics, Get the Look Tagged With: Anastasi Beverly Hills, Cosmetics, Costume Designers Guild Awards, Halle Berry, Murad, Natural makeup, Nude, rilastil, stila, stript

Bye, Bye Breakouts: 10 Steps to Clear Skin

August 11, 2009 By The Beauty Curator 3 Comments

When it comes to acne, no one gets a free pass. Whether you’re a tween, teen, adult, or even a movie star like Cameron Diaz or Brad Pitt, chances are you’re going to have to battle breakouts at some point. [And, if you have our luck, usually before a hot date!]

The culprit? Oily skin. During adolescence especially, raging hormones put the glands that moisturize your skin into overdrive, trapping oil, dirt and bacteria—a perfect storm for acne. While most people weather the brunt before age 20, it’s not uncommon to bear those blemishes well beyond your teen years. But don’t despair! The road to clear skin starts here:

#1. Cleanse. Use a daily cleanser for your face and body. Celebrities like E! News’ Giuliana DePandi Rancic swear by DDF Blemish Foaming Cleanser. For very oily skin, the magic ingredient is salicylic acid. Try DDF Salicylic Wash 2%.

#2. Treat. Stop those angry-looking pimples in their tracks with a medicated mask, like DDF Sulfur Therapeutic Mask, which also prevents new blemishes from forming. DDF Benzoyl Peroxide 5% Gel with Tea Tree Oil uses the acne-fighting staple benzoyl peroxide to zap zits, while the tea tree oil soothes the skin and prevents it from drying out.

#3. Protect. If you’re not careful, over-scrubbing can leave your skin dry and flaky. Keep it hydrated with an oil-free lotion like Murad Acne Skin Perfecting Lotion.

#4. Drink up. Water helps combat oily skin from the inside out. Make sure you get eight glasses a day to keep your skin healthy and clear.

#5. Work it out. Moderate exercise is good for your skin. It promotes your overall health and can be a great stress reliever. Skip the makeup though to avoid clogging pores and shower afterwards to keep your skin clean and oil-free.

#6. Don’t get picky. Resist the urge to pop those zits. You’ll just spread the bacteria, and worse, you could end up with nasty scars.

#7. Pull back your hair. Hair traps dirt and oil – don’t let it rub on your face! Try wearing it short or pulled back. Ladies, make it easy with a pretty pony cuff or band. Choose one of our favorite tangle-free bands from Smoothies.

#8. Go oil-free. Skip oil-based makeup and go for water-based eyeshadows, toners, moisturizers and sunscreens like Peter Thomas Roth’s Über Dry Sunscreen. To avoid clogging pores at night, make sure to remove all makeup before going to bed.

#9. Do your laundry. Fabric traps oils and dirt, so make sure to use clean towels everyday. Switch out pillow cases, washcloths and makeup brushes for each use to keep skin clean and fresh.

#10. Rest up. Skimping on shut-eye throws off your body, and those changes can result in breakouts. Can’t get your 7-9 hours a night? Sneak a cat nap in the afternoon and make sure to schedule some downtime when you’re awake.

Filed Under: Curator Corner Tagged With: acne, breakouts, DDF, Murad, oily skin, peter thomas roth, skincare, smoothies, sunscreen