Category: Skincare

Lavanila The Healthy Body Butter in Vanilla Lavender

Lavanila The Healthy Body Butter in Vanila Lavender
Lavanila The Healthy Body Butter in Vanilla Lavender
 
Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there!
 
Lavanila’s mission is to create healthy skincare by using natural ingredients. They are proud that their products also contain vitamin-rich antioxidants & pure essential oils and are non-toxic. Lavanila products are eco-friendly and they don’t test on our furry friends!
 
I have tried The Healthy Body Butter in Vanilla Lavender ($25.00 for 8.5 oz). Vanilla Lavender is their newest scent. It is a blend of Spanish lavender, rose absolute, violet leaf and Madagascar vanilla.  I love the scent of lavender and vanilla, but wasn’t sure how they would smell together. Luckily, I really like it. The scent is very warm and comforting. The lavender is dominant when I first apply the lotion, then the vanilla softly comes through.
 
The lotion itself contains 100% pure shea & cocoa butters and protects with the antioxidants goji berry and kakadu plum. It is a thick cream and it leaves the skin soft and very moisturized.
 
Visit the website at www.lavanila.com to learn more about this great brand and find a retailer near you.       

Juice Beauty — Organic and Fabulous Skincare

I really like the way the beauty industry is heading towards creating natural and organic products. Many lines offer natural collections, while other companies are committed to making only natural and/or organic products. To me, using natural ingredients on my skin makes perfect sense.

Juice Beauty is one of those companies. They state that, “what we feed our skin should be organic, healthy, nutritious and naturally toxin-free. Juice Beauty contains no pesticides, parabens, petroleum propylene glycol derivatives, no harsh surfactants or sulfates, no artificial colors, phthalates or synthetic fragrances.”

I was lucky enough to try some of the products. My two favorites are from the Green Apple Collection.  

Green Apple Cleansing Gel ($26.00 USD 4 oz) This gel consists of certified organic, antioxidant-rich apple and lemon juices, purifying botanicals and soothing cleansers. It claims to remove lifeless skin and refine the complexion. I love the apple scent of both of these products, and the cleanser is very refreshing. I have been using it on my face and neck and I find it cleans my skin without drying it.

Green Apple Antioxidant Moisturizer ($45.00 USD 2 oz) This certified organic moisturizer includes organic apple, lemon and grape juices, nutrient-rich essential fatty acids, and alpha lipoic acid, coenzyme Q10, vitamin C, peptides and DMAE to replenish, nourish and firm aging skin.  This is a very gentle cream that goes on smoothly. I do need to let it soak in a few minutes in the morning before applying makeup. But it’s worth the wait as my face is soft all day.

I reccommend visiting the website at www.juicebeauty.comto learn more about their commitment to organic beauty.

Olay Professional Pro-X — The Answer for Youthful Looking Skin

Olay Professional Pro-X Anti-Aging Starter Protocol
Olay Professional Pro-X Anti-Aging Starter Protocol

Olay Professional Pro-X is a scientifically advanced line of skincare that claims to give you younger looking skin in 28 days. Too good to be true? I decided to try it and find out.

I have been testing the Pro-X Anti-Aging Starter Protocol ($68.00 USD) for about four weeks. This includes the following three items as described by the Pro-X website:

Pro-X Age Repair Lotion with SPF 30 is designed and professionally tested to help shield your skin from harmful UVA and UVB exposure. This Primary Solution also hydrates to fight the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Pro-X Eye Restoration Complex is designed and professionally tested for the part of your face that communicates age the most: the delicate eye area. This Specialized Treatment hydrates to restore the area to its optimum appearance by improving the look of crow’s feet. Massaging it in reduces excess fluids to diminish dark circles and puffiness.

Pro-X Wrinkle Smoothing Cream is designed and professionally tested to smooth uneven textures with moisture, combating the look of fine lines and wrinkles.

Well. My face looks pretty great. Especially around the eyes. The skin under my eyes is so smooth and that really makes me look younger. I love the Repair Lotion because it feels light and silky and even though it has an SPF 30, it absorbs quickly so I can put my makeup on right over it. I Use the Wrinkle Smoothing Cream at night and it is very moisturizing. Plus, when I wake up, my skin is glowing!

I recommend using this starter kit for 28 days to see what it can do for your skin. And if you think you need a little more care, try the Discoloration Fighting Concentrate to get rid of uneven patches, the Hydra Firming Cream to tighten the skin and the Deep Wrinkle Treatment for those stubborn wrinkles.

Visit the Olay Professional website for more information at www.olayprofessional.com

Fab Spring Releases from Kenzo

Kenzo is fast becoming one of my favorite brands. From their lovely fragrances to their fabulous skincare, everything I have tried has been wonderful!

FLOWERBYKENZO Spring Fragrance Limited Edition ($52.00 USD 1.7 ox) -This fragrance is a limited edition that will only be available this April on the Kenzo website at www.kenzousa.com.

The Notes are:

Top Notes:  Ginger, Mandarin, Lychee                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Middle Notes:  Freesia, Ylang, Parma Violet                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Base Notes:   Incense, White Musk 

This is a very soft fragrance. I have noticed that each time I spray it on, I detect a different note.  When first applied, the scent is a mix of floral and fruity (I can really detect the mandarin and violet) and dries down to a powdery musk. I really enjoy it and have been receiving many compliments!  

The Kenzo Cleansing Ice Jelly ($28.00 USD 5.1 oz)  is a new cleanser that is very effective at removing even waterproof eye make up.  It is a self-cooling cleansing jelly that turns into a soft, water-like cleanser upon skin contact.  It is very refreshing, especially if you chill it before using. The scent is an invigorating flowery ginger. The ingredients include plant water, ginger plant water, ginseng extract, essential oils and trace elements and minerals salts.

You may purchase these products at www.kenzousa.comor use their store locator to find a retailer near you.

Hey All! Enter my 100th Blog Post Giveaways! I will be giving away products from It Cosmetics, Yes to Carrots and EcoTools! To enter, just leave a comment on ANY of my posts between 4/26 – 5/2. I will draw 3 names on Sunday 5/3/09 and notify the winners! To see exactly what I am giving away, check out my post http://tinyurl.com/dgnxda. Good Luck!  

Kiss My Face Potent and Pure Face Care

 

Kiss My Face makes natural and organic skin care. I was lucky enough to try items from their Potent & Pure line. The system was created by combining scientific knowledge with botanicals, vitamins, extracts and minerals. Potent & Pure is safe for sensitive skin and does not contain parabens, phthalates, SLS, artificial colors and fragrances, and is not tested on animals.  

The products I tried are:

Start Up® Exfoliating Face Wash ($15.00 USD) “Cleanse and exfoliate skin with organic ingredients. Clarify, cleanse and luminize skin with this revitalizing blend of natural green tea and other pure renewable plant sources, many certified organic. Gently exfoliate with natural fruit acids.” Contains Natural Fruit Acids, Lemongrass oil and green tea.

Shea Soy Facial Cleansing Bar ( $13.00 USD ) – “Gently cleanse and calm with organic ingredients. This creamy, fragrance free bar contains organic oils, shea butter and aloe to moisturize while you cleanse. Your skin will feel fresh, smooth and hydrated.” Contains shea butter, aloe and soy oil.

Cell Mate® Face Crème & SOF 10 Sunscreen ($21.00 USD)  – “Lightly moisturize and protect skin while reducing the signs of aging with organic ingredients. Instantly enhance skin tone, reduce fine lines and protect from environmental stresses. Antioxidant vitamins and botanicals soothe and revitalize throughout the day while natural mineral sun block helps protect skin.” Contains titanium dioxide, lavender and horsetail.

Eyewitness™ Eye Repair Crème ($19.00 USD) –  “Reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, dark circles and puffiness with organic ingredients. Smooth the appearance of wrinkles and moisturize the delicate skin around your eyes. Natural and organic oils and butters leave skin looking hydrated and rejuvenated.” Contains hawthorne Bery exrract, shea butter and rose hips.

So Refined® Jojoba & Mint Facial Scrub ($15.00 USD) –  “Exfoliate and polish the skin’s appearance with organic ingredients. This non-drying, natural humectant gently exfoliates and purifies skin by removing dirt with organic jojoba beads and other natural and organic herbs and plant oils. Helps skin look visibly younger and refreshed.” Contains jojoba beads grapeseed oil and mint.

Pore Shrink™ Deep Cleansing Mask $15.00 – “Organic ingredients detoxify skin and diminish the appearance of pores. This deep cleaning clay mask helps to remove oils and bacteria from the skin. Cloves, tea tree, lemongrass and other natural, organic and aromatherapeutic® botanical extracts clean and smooth skin’s appearance. Contains bentonite clay, teat tree oil and lemon grass oil.”

I really liked both the face wash and the cleansing bar. My skin is combination, so both worked for me. The face wash smells citrusy and is refreshing. The bar is very mild. Both left my skin clean and fresh-feeling.  Also very cleansing, (and exfoliating) is the facial scrub. This smells very minty and feels great on. Once its rinsed off, my face is very smooth.

My favorite product is the cleansing mask. I love clay masks. They get rid of all of the gunk in the pores. Plus it is green and I got to chase my 5 year old around screaming, “Green Mommy Monster”, so that was a plus!

Probably my least favorite was the face cream. Since it does contain sunscreen, it left a white film on my face that took a while to soak in. I had to wait a bit in the morning to apply my makeup. Besides that, it is a nice cream as is the eye cream.

I really recommend this line. It is very good for you and affordable, too. Check out the website at www.kissmyface.com to check out the Potent & Pure line and other great products. They also have a store locator so you can find a retailer near you.

Jurlique Purely Age-Defying Collection

Jurlique Purely Age-Defying
Jurlique Purely Age-Defying
 

I love organic and natural skincare; plus I love anti-aging products (a little help doesn’t hurt anyone!). Jurlique’s Purely Age-Defying Collection (Formerly the Biodynamic Beauty Collection) is both! It is comprised of herbs and flowers from certified organic and biodynamic farms in South Australia. These unique blends are as follows:

Serum ($75.00 USD) and Night Lotion ($55.00 USD): This blend includes Rose Gallica, Licorice Root, Black Elder, Chamomile, Pansy and Violet extracts, which work together to combat the appearance of redness and fade discolorations to brighten the skin. The Serum renews the skin while the Night Lotion restores. 

Refining Treatment ($35.00 USD) :This blend includes Calendula, Witch Hazel, Echinacea, Spilanthes, Horse Chestnut, Pansy, Sweet Violet, Daisy, Dandelion, Chickweed, Self Heal and Soapbark Tree extracts, which work together to soothe, cleanse and refine the skin to reveal a glowing complexion. This is a natural skin polisher that exfoliates the skin.

Eye Cream ($45.00 USD) :  This blend includes Arnica, Euphrasia, Daisy and Spilanthes, which work together to help combat puffiness and help fade discolorations to brighten the skin.

These products have a light, herbal scent and are very gentle on the skin. I have been using them for a few weeks and my skin is very smooth. I have broken out just a little bit, but my skin looks good!

My favorite products from the line are the Refining Treatment and the Eye Cream. The Refining treatment is a really great scrub that gets rid of all of the dead skin and impurities. And the Eye Cream! Wow, my eyes look smooth and very young right now! I definitely recommend the Eye Cream because its a really effective natural product!

To purchase these items, visit the Jurlique website at www.jurlique.com. Enjoy! 

    

Pur Minerals Pur Perfection Starter Kit

Pur Perfection Starter Kit
Pur Perfection Starter Kit

Looking for to try quality mineral make-up for a reasonable price? Pick up the Pur Minerals Pur Perfection Starter Kit (35.00 USD).

This kit includes all you need for a flawless face:

Application of the 4-in-1 makeup is easy; you take the chisel brush, swirl it in the makeup then draw circles in the makeup lid. This ensures that there isn’t loose powder on the tip of the brush and that the application yields smooth skin. I brush it all over my face, and use a little extra under my eyes for concealer. Don’t forget to blend, because if not, mineral makeup can look a little powdery on and set into the pores.

After I apply the 4-in-1, I take a powder brush and dust the Mineral Glow bronzer on my temples, forehead, nose and chin. I then brush the Universal Marble Powder on the apples of my cheeks and my face looks glowing and pretty.

So if you’re looking for a new foundation, give this kit a try. You can find it at Ulta or visit the website at www.purminerals.com.

CoverGirl Simply Ageless Foundation

CoverGirl Simply Ageless Foundation
CoverGirl Simply Ageless Foundation
 
I love the new influx of anti-aging foundations that have recently been introduced. It’s like an added insurance from those pesky wrinkles that are starting to appear.
 
CoverGirl has partnered with Olay, by infusing their Simply Ageless Foundation  ($15.99 USD), with Olay Regenerist Serum for a double skin treat. This cream foundation comes in 15 shades to choose from, for all skin tones. 
 
The CoverGirl website claims, “This breakthrough formula with Olay Regenerist Serum and SPF 22 stays suspended over fine lines and wrinkles, unlike the leading anti-aging department store foundation that can gather in wrinkles and make skin look older. Clinically shown to provide significant improvement in skin condition in just four weeks.”
 
This foundation is very creamy and gives great coverage. It is definitely not a sheer foundation. It also drys fairly quickly, giving an flawless matte finish. I also love the SPF 22 because you can never have enough sun protection!
 
www.covergirl.com is a great place to purchase products or find the location of a retailer near you. It also has a really cool tool called the CG Makeup Mirror where you can upload a photo of yourself and try on CoverGirl products. Have Fun!
Hey All! Enter my 100th Blog Post Giveaways! I will be giving away products from It Cosmetics, Yes to Carrots and EcoTools! To enter, just leave a comment on ANY of my posts between 4/26 – 5/2. I will draw 3 names on Sunday 5/3/09 and notify the winners! To see exactly what I am giving away, check out my post http://tinyurl.com/dgnxda. Good Luck!  
 
 
 
 
 

Want Flawless Skin? Try Belle De Jour from Kenzo

Kenzo Belle De Jour
Kenzo Belle De Jour

Belle De Jour (1.7 oz $105.00 USD) is a luxurious cream from Kenzo. “White lotus water is the heart of its secret formula. This natural and potent ingredient has proven relaxing and anti-free radical effects and helps restore skin to its natural balance.” The interesting thing about this cream is that the lotus flower counteracts the stress hormone cortisol’s levels in your skin and relaxes it. This make the skin clearer and smoother.

And it really works. After using it for just a week my skin looked good, and now a few weeks later, my skin is very smooth and glowing. Ladies, I look younger!

My 13 year old daughter has eczema and it gets pretty severe on her face during cold weather. She had red patches under her eyes that were so bad she didn’t want to go to school.  So I offered my Belle De Jour, and her face cleared up in a couple of days, and it is now very soft and smooth.

I put the cream on before bed and in the morning after cleansing. It isn’t greasy, but it is creamy so it needs a few minutes to soak in before makeup application.  It smells fantastic, too. Two thumbs way up from me.

You can purchase this cream, as well as other fabulous Kenzo skincare and fragrance items at www.kenzousa.com.

Avon liiv botanicals

Avon has been around a very long time and is continuously coming out with fun new products that are accessible to almost everyone.
Recently, Avon has launched a new line of skincare products called liiv botanicals. This line boasts “Plant Essence Technology  which captures active plant extracts to deliver rejuvenating benefits directly to the skin.” These products are fragrance-free, preservative-free and dye-free. This makes them ideal for sensitive skin (like mine). 
liiv botanicals Vital Day Cream with SPF 20 ($15.00 1.7 fl. oz).  The claim is that this, “nourishing formula with natural plant extracts protects skin from harmful UV rays, stress and the environment. After 1 day of use, skin is noticeably fresher and smoother. In just 3 days, skin reveals a healthier clarity and improved texture and tone.”
In the morning and night, I slather this cream all over my face and it absorbs quickly, leaving my skin very soft. I have noticed that since I have been using it, my skin does look more even and has a nice glow to it. Another plus is that since it does absorb so quickly, you can apply makeup just a few minutes after rubbing in the cream. And, I can’t say enough about the importance of SPF in your day cream!
liiv botanicals Vitalizing Eye Cream with SPF 15 ($12.00 5 fl. oz). Claims that in just 2 weeks the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles will diminish, and it will minimize bags and tighten the under eye area. In 4 weeks it claims to reduce under eye circles and firm up skin. 
I have been using these products for about 3 weeks now and my under eye area does look smoother. My dark circles are a bit lighter and my bags are gone! This also has an SPF. I don’t know if it is as vital to have SPF with your eye cream, but it is nice.
All in all, I think this is a very nice line for the price. It is affordable for almost all budgets and the natural ingredients are great for the skin. Check out this line and others at www.avon.com or talk to that awesome Avon Lady that you know…