Cecilia Wong, founder of her namesake salon and skincare line, is a lifelong wellness enthusiast turned expert. Most teenagers suffer through bouts of acne and pick at blemishes, but Cecilia sought regular facials and took an interest in treating skincare issues beyond just the surface. Her philosophy was simple and straightforward — treating our bodies with pure, organic ingredients would in turn make skin glow.

After studying and mastering her trade in Hong Kong and New York, the Cecilia Wong Skincare Salon was born in December 2009. At her salon, she treats her clients to custom blended skincare designed with organic ingredients. In 2011, Cecilia also launched her own product line to treat all types of skin with the purest oils and organically grown herbs and botanicals. After just one use of her Milk Exfoliating Cleanser, I was hooked and needed to know more about the woman behind the brand.

PG: Your focus is on aromatherapy and healing. Tell us about the ingredients you use in your products, and how do they work?
CW: Each ingredient featured in a Cecilia Wong Skincare product was selected based on the healing traditions of holistic medicine. My formulas radiate healing energy, benefiting one’s physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. Each ingredient is known to have powerful healing properties and contains high concentrations of both nutrients and vitamins. These ingredients are synergistically blended and energetically balanced, and work on a cellular level in the skin to restore harmony and vitality while addressing the psychology of the cell, bringing one’s whole being into balance. Some of my star ingredients include: Black Currant Seed, Meadowfoam, Red Clover, Red Raspberry Seed Oil and Blueberry Seed Oil.

PG: Winter poses its share of skincare challenges. How can we keep our skin looking healthy and hydrated this time of year?
CW: Here are my top there my tips for warding off dry skin and retaining your body’s moisture level in the wintertime: 1: drink water regularly, 2: maintain humidity in your dwelling, 3: apply a nutrient rich skin cream daily. By avoiding the over consumption of dehydrating beverages – like coffee and alcohol – it will prevent the onset of dry, flaky skin, which in turn results in fine lines and wrinkles.

PG: Everyone has a favorite. Of your organic line of products, what is the one you are most passionate about?
CW: I love every single product in my line, but the one that I’m most passionate about is my Black Currant Serum. I created it because I wanted a product that would deliver an instant result. I wanted users to see that a product without chemicals can really work! I have heard so many client stories sharing how my serum truly helped to revive their skin, especially for those who have skin rashes, dry patches, eczema, and who are concerned with aging. These stories are usually from clients who have tried everything on the market, with no great results.

PG: We hear you are a master juice. Can you share a recipe?
CW: This is one of my favorite recipes I especially in the winter season to prevent cold and flu.

- Handful of spinach

- 1-2 oranges

- 1 apple

- 3 teaspoon of elderberry syrup (you can find this at any health food store)

- A slice of ginger

- 1/4 red or green pepper

- 2-3 radishes

- 1/4 beetroot

- A splash of lemon

For more from Cecilia, check out her blog! And, if you’re in New York, go see her in person. Her salon is located on Fifth Ave, between 26th & 27th streets.

Have you heard about StyleMint? It’s a line of exclusive t-shirts designed by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen sold exclusively online. StyleMint operates a little differently than your typical web retailer, When Carla tried JewelMint, my curiosity was instantly peeked. As a t-shirt connoisseur, I love this concept and was so excited to experience StyleMint for myself.

StyleMint starts by asking you a series of questions to get a feel for your personal style and what you like to wear. Based on your responses, StyleMint develops your profile and presents their top picks for you in their showroom. In addition to StyleMint’s picks, you can also choose from other styles in the showroom… which there are plenty of! I picked out the Fillmore in a navy stripe, the Fuller in white and my favorite; the Broadway in a hibiscus stripe to start with.

There’s something enjoyable about opening a StyleMint package. Like JewelMint’s packaging, there’s a care and aesthetic in their packaging that I really like. You can see here how I received mine, it is very simple but I appreciate its simplicity and the care put into each package. After ripping into each package and trying on my new shirts, I became an official StyleMint fan.

Each of one of my picks is a little different in terms of weight and feel. All of them are soft to the touch but my Fillmore is your average shirt with a normal cotton weight, the Fuller is light and thin then the Broadway is thicker and warmer for layering. All of them have held up really well under fire in the few months I’ve had them… and by fire I mean my constant spills and assault on those stains in the wash. All of them have kept their color without fading and feel just as soft as the day I got them. Even more important to me, they are the same size as the day I got them and there has been no piling at all.

For an initial offering, I think StyleMint has done amazingly well. Every month I check into my showroom to see what is new and add a few new pieces to my wardrobe. What we love about StyleMint is how easy it is to find something stylish! So far StyleMint has introduced cardigans, sweaters and even dresses – this Broadway T Dress is on my wishlist. Even though I was happy with the generous fit in their XL shirts, one thing that would make StyleMint even better is expanding their sizing. We’d love to see some plus sizes added into the mix. Then StyleMint would be perfection.

Have you tried StyleMint yet? If not, here’s some good news… First time buyers can get 20% off your first T with our promo code PGIRL20 from now until 2/29. Come back and let us know what you think!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post but opinions are all mine.

Normally during this point of the winter season, I’m desperately seeking sun and booking trips to Florida. This year, though, I don’t know. I’m sure winter will wear me down eventually, but for 8 days into February, I feel damn good.  You could say my barely there case of the winter blues is easily fixed by Benefit Sun Beam, a.k.a. liquid sunshine. They’ve billed it as that, and while it doesn’t warm me up like the sun, it gives my skin warmth that mimics the sun.

Consider Sun Beam your early Spring Break in a bottle, except not the young, messy, sloshy kind. Rather, the sophisticated version. The kind that involves poolside magazine reading, yoga at dusk, daily spa treatments and just the right amount of champagne.

L-R: Benefit Sun Beam, Girl Meets Pearl, Watt's Up

Sun Beam and its light bronzey hue reminded me a little bit of Girl Meets Pearl, so I decided to compare them and see how they fared. There’s no denying the similarities, which explains why I love it so much (GMP is a fave in our camp!), but Sun Beam is a slightly deeper bronze that leans a little more warm and brassy. The consistency is also slightly different, although both blend like dreams. As for Watt’s Up, I wanted you to see how Sun Beam looked next to that lovely rosy gold cream to powder highlighter.  

On my fair-ish skin, Sun Beam is just the right amount of bronzy highlight. It’s one of those work for everyone shades, I think. If you’re seeking an early spring break, you know where to look.

Ricky Martin reminds me of high school Spanish class. I was in 11^th grade when Livin La Vida Loca came out. I tore it up on the dance floor at winter formal to this and She Bangs. (She moves, she moves!) And, wouldn’t you know it, Ricky is just as hot now as he was back then. Maybe even more so, if that’s possible. But in the interest of time, I’ll bring it back to the topic of discussion: Ricky Martin and Nicki Minaj for MAC Viva Glam 2012.

Ricky’s Lip Conditioner is the same great formula we know and love, but with his signature and 100% of the proceeds going to charity. MAC’s vanilla-scented Lip Conditioner ala Ricky makes an idea base for Viva Glam collection partner Nicki Minaj. Nicki’s shade is what you expect, especially as a follow-up to her Pink Friday collab with the brand. It’s very pink and somehow wearable for the average girl on an ordinary Sunday.   

Viva Glam Nicki is not for the shy types, but easier to wear than you’d expect. I applied it lightly, just a single coat followed by a blot, and had several hours of pink lips. I kinda dig it actually. Especially when paired with Ricky’s Lip Conditioner. We declare them the official hot power couple of 2012. Look for it on counters next week!

Calling all Product Girl readers!

We need you to help rock the vote for us in the Birchbox + Zoya nail polish sweeps. We created a mood board with our color inspiration for spring and summer, along with 11 other fabulous bloggers, and the top three winning mood boards will be turned into a Zoya Nail Polish that will be sold exclusively via Birchbox.

Our Mood Board is all about Papaya. A delicious blend of orange and pink. Don’t you just want to wear this shade everywhere — shoes, shorts, cheeks, and of course, NAILS?!

Voting is open now for one week, and you can vote once a day! We’d love if you could show Product Girl Papaya some love! Click here to vote on the Birchbox Facebook page. By voting, you’re also automatically entered to win the entire collection.

Well hello, Maybelline. We hardly recognized you in these Color Tattoo 24HR Cream Gel Shadows. You really know how to keep the product girls on their toes, don’t you? These creamy eyeshadows can hang with the best of the best, and even outperform many. This might be the most exciting drugstore launch we’ve seen in years. Here’s why.

Bright colors and staple neutrals.  All-day wear (truly, if you want) and intensity. Creamy texture. For $7.

Too Cool, Bold Gold and Tough As Taupe are sensational. The frosty white makes an excellent base and can double as a highlighter — seriously, some major cheekbone action as a result. Bold Gold and Tough as Taupe are fab on their own and really amp up my eyeshadow game when I wear under the Urban Naked2 Palette.

But back to the brights. Painted Purple, Tenacious Teal, Fierce  and Tangy and Edgy Emerald are not for the faint of heart. They are for the girls who want to have some fun with their makeup. At Maybelline prices, fun comes at a dollar amount we can all agree is worth it, right?  Have you tried these out yet? Let us know what you think!

Love the new Effortless Beauty Collection from Trish McEvoy. That peony pink bow planner is precious! [Nordstrom]

If you’re a behind the scenes person, you must read this blog post from Benefit about the making of Hervana blush! [Secret Life of a Benefit Gal]

It’s been awhile, but new shades of Laura Mercier Nail Lacquer are coming out this spring! These shades, Flamingo and Ooh La La, feel very Valentine’s Day! [Nordstrom]

The ladies of Refinery29 showcase bold and bright lips. [Refinery29]

It’s an election year. Bobbi Brown wants your vote….to decide which discontinued shade of Lip Color to reintroduce. Vote now through February 29 on Facebook, where Bobbi will exclusively sell the winning shade this October. Let’s make Tulip happen, guys!

I knew it was going to be a great week when the forecast called for spring-like temps. I mean, 45 degrees in Chicago is not supposed to happen in February. And yes, my idea of spring might be a bit depressing. BUT, the spring-like reprieve was fantastic. Throw in five good hair days, and this week was just mine. My locks have a new (to me!) brush to thank, the Spornette Luxury Cushion Brush, this week’s Beauty VIP.

Spornette has been making brushes since the 1950s, and the Sporn family still runs the business (making good brushes must be in the DNA).  In fact, they’re based just south of Chicago. The second best part of Spornette’s Luxury Cushion Brush? It doesn’t come with a luxury price tag. The first part, of course, is how this little diddy treats your hair. I’ve been using the smaller size, which is great for travel (or toting in your purse!)

The brush features a duo of bristles in a combo of boar and tourmaline-infused nylon. The result is a brush that glides gently and smoothly through the hair. I use it on damp and dry hair, and before bed, just like Marcia Brady used to. It manages to smooth out tangles when damp without tugging at my hair and doesn’t cause static when used on dry hair. Also, the handle is very easy to hold on to and has a nice satin finish. If you tend to drop things out of your hand a lot, then you would appreciate this feature. This brush is my new companion. Won’t leave home without it!

Wardrobe malfunctions, botched Black Eyed Peas songs, talking babies and men in tights – yep, Super Bowl Sunday is just a couple days away.  Can’t decide who to root for but still want to dress for the occasion? Lucky for you the New York Giants and New England Patriots have nearly identical team colors so you can still be in spirit without choosing sides.  Check out my style picks for the most watched TV event of the year and if in doubt, stick to reds and blues. I guarantee no one will know you’re only at their viewing party for the beer and halftime show.

I’m lucky enough to be heading to Indianapolis for the game this weekend and I don’t know which performance I’m most looking forward to – Tom Brady’s or Madonna’s. Either way, I can’t wait!  Will you be watching the game (or at the very least the commercials) this Sunday?

Clockwise from top left: Splendid sweater; Super Ciccio Eyeglasses; J Crew bracelet; J Brand Jeans; Rouge Dior Lipcolor; Butter London in Royal Navy;  Buxom Mascara in Blue Noir; Rebecca Minkoff MAC

Some people read romance novels. We read Beauty Huile blog. Written by Nav Kaur, a.k.a. N.K., Beauty Huile is the ultimate resource on oils in skincare. Her product reviews are expertly crafted and written like a juicy, steamy romance novel. A love story for oils, truly. Her insights are unparalleled. By day, N.K. works in strategic marketing and communications and by night, serves as feature beauty writer for a national publication in addition to blogging at Beauty Huile. Lucky for us, N.K. spared some time to share her knowledge here on Product Girl. We suggest you bookmark this and then head directly to Beauty Huile to read her salacious reviews!

PG: There’s a fear factor associated with using oil. What’s your advice for people who aren’t sure where to start?

NK: Yes, most women assume if it’s an oil, it’ll cause skin to break out. It’s a common misconception that face oils will exacerbate acenic conditions. But, really, it’s the exact opposite. Stripping away the oil sends your skin into overdrive, producing more of the spot-inducing shine.  By using nutrient-rich oils on oily skin, you send it a message that there is sufficient hydration, so the sebaceous glands can relax and stop the cycle of overproducing oil. Acne-prone skin responds well to oils that boast essential fatty acids or are vitamin-rich. Did you know that acneic skin has naturally low levels of fatty acids or oils? For these skin types, they should be seeking out oils with a spiky freshness from omega-3 and omega-6 to make up for that deficiency.

Demonizing the ‘oil’ has long been a marketing myth, perpetuated in the media from the original intent of trying to educate consumers of crudely produced mineral oil. Since the 90s, we have seen the launch of some highly purified, pharmaceutical grade qualities of oils. And, some of today’s face and body oils are actually certified USDA, which is the strictest of organic standards because it is really a food standard. It actually requires 95% organic content to use the logo on the packaging and prevents synthetic preservatives from sneaking in and any chemical processing of those wholesome ingredients. Good enough to eat – try it!

PG: What are the benefits to using oil on our faces and body?

NK: Most women opt for face and body lotions, but don’t realize the true, effective ingredients are often found in least concentrations, usually lagging far behind the customary fluff of chemicals. A face and body oil will deliver highly desired plushy antioxidants, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals directly into skin without any potentially irritating chemical offenders getting in the way. Hailing from ancient cultures 5,000 years ago, the use of specific essential oils in precise ways has been well studied and thoroughly documented in the treatment of many skin conditions. Most oils are small in molecular size. Because of their small size, their volatility and lipid-liking characteristics, essential oils readily penetrate the skin to reach and affect the deeper layers of the skin. An interesting sci-fi fact: Rose Oil has the highest frequency (320 Hertz) of all the essential oils, which means its fragrant molecules, on inhalation or application, are able to quickly penetrate and travel the infinitesimal pathways of the body, quickly energizing skin and bringing balance, harmony and beauty to the body. 

Some benefits of using oils include: 

• Deep, Deep Moisture: For skin to maintain its suppleness, firmness and elasticity, it simply must be well-hydrated whenever possible. Face and body oils can help retain your skin’s natural moisture by locking it in. And, with cherry-picked, punchy essentials, you can target normal, oily, mature, or severely dry skins depending on the choice of oil.
•  Anti-Aging Effects: As we get older, much to our dismay, the skin loses its ability to retain firmness and elasticity. Cell turnover slows to a halt and age spots may even pop up unexpectedly. Certain oils contain specialty blends containing pure, organic antioxidants (these are necessary to fight the free radicals that cause damage on the cellular level) to address your anti-aging and anti-pigmentation concerns help with bringing back luminescence lost over time.
• Natural Sun Protection: According to the National Institute on Aging, exposure to the sun contributes to several skin conditions, such as reddening, dryness, freckling, age spots, skin tags and breakdown of the elasticity of the skin. Many oils contain extraordinary high amounts of Vitamins A & E and Omegas, which help counteract the damage done by environmental aggressors by repairing free radical damage and regenerate happy, healthy skin cells. 

PG: Labels can be a mystery. When it comes to oils, what ingredients should we be looking for? And on the flip, what should we be watching out for?

NK: Seek out face and body oils free from chemicals such as glycols, parabens, parrafins, petrolatum, phthalates, propylene glycol, silicones and synthetic dyes. Basically, any chemical sounding ingredient is your hint you’ve got a filler. But, also learn to research out some names, which is just oils under a different name. For example, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is simply another way to list Fractionated Coconut Oil, which is highly refined and brings stability to the product, And, Linalool is really a naturally occurring fragrance substance produced by a wide variety of plants such as mint, cinnamon, citrus fruits and birch trees. 

PG: When did you first start using oils? What product spurred your passion?

NK: I was working for Chanel in the 90s, when they first launched a line of Dry Oil Mists for each of their capsule fragrances. When I took home my supersized bottle of Coco Chanel Dry Oil Mist, I couldn’t believe how super smooth my legs felt after shaving! And, the scent? Forget about it – the spicy oriental lacings of Bulgarian Rose, Jasmine and Vanilla were seductive yet sweet. I came back to oils about a year ago when I covered Tammy Fender’s Bulgarian Lavender Body Oil in a feature story I wrote up in Upscale Magazine. Been hooked since then. 

PG: Do you use lotion? Or are you all oils, all the time?

NK: I do use feathery oils and richer balms (which are oil-based) as the right ones do work nicely under sunscreens and mattifying primers when I need to primp up for work or play with foundation and powder. 

PG: Tell us a few of your favorite products. What are you loving right now?

NK: Beauty wise, I’m so, so impressed with:

• Make Up Forever HD Invisible Cover Foundation: it leaves such the right about of sheen to highlight my cheeks
• Giorgio Armani Maestro Shadows: the muted luster & smooth finish when used wet lasts through all night without creasing
• Estée Lauder Signature 5-Tone Shimmer Powder for Eyes, Cheeks, Face: gives me a flushed look without the overt 80s streaked out glimmer
• In Fiore Veloutee: a wickedly delicious balm, which uses carrot seed, black currant, olive fruit and resveratol to plump up my pucker
• Black Tea-sing Rose Bud Body Oil: a late night [wink, wink] 100% organic playfully femme treatment, which is infused with pink rose buds for weeks
• Artist Brushes from Michael’s: since my fave eyeliner brush was discontinued by Chanel, I haven’t been able to find a suitable replacement to perfect my customary cat eye. Until I popped into Michael’s, where I snagged a $2.50 (after a coupon) impeccably crafted brush to use as a liner. Department store varieties now seem kind of second rate in quality.