The Biore Bunch

Here's the story, of a lazy lady!

Who was catching up on all her favorite shows. 

She had to wash her face, and do it quickly,

but the water was just so cold.

Here's the story, of a brand named Biore!

Who'd created some cool cloths of their own.

They removed grime and improved skin tone, 

designed for on-the-go.

And then one day this daft lady met this product,

And she knew it was much more than a hunch:

These facial cloths, were some kind of clean magic,

and that's the way she fell in love with this Biore bunch!

This Biore bunch! 

This Bio-re bunch! 

That's why you should try too this Biore bunch! 

There is no easier way to clean your face than to use Biore Daily Cleansing Cloths. They can be found at drugstores and specialty beauty stores nationwide.

It's What's On the Inside...

I love facial masks. Especially the clay ones. As they harden and tighten I like to pretend I'm slowly turning into a statue... Or that I'm in Westeros on an epic quest with my direwolf and became unfortunately infected with Gresyscale. Curses!

Perfect Pores Clay from Twitty Natural Products is derived from volcanic ash clay that does in fact date back to ancient times. This particular clay has been known to remove toxins and soothe aching muscles, and is also used in many mineral makeups and other wellness products.

Perfect Pores Clay improves upon the clay's natural abilities by using a special proprietary treated manufacturing method that effectively pulls out the bad stuff like oil, impurities and infections, while infusing beneficial minerals that our skin needs.

My sample arrived just in time to tackle an increasingly large pimple on my forehead. But first, we need to discuss this:

What the what?!! What does a shirtless man in linen pants clutching a white-frocked damsel in a random field have anything to do with a beauty face mask?

(Related side note: Hey Twitty Natural Products- I know some really talented and affordable packaging designers and could easily hook you up, okay?)

Moving on!

The mask itself is awesome. I loved having to mix it up myself. The smell was earthy and natural. I enjoy the feeling that as it dries, it's pulling out yucky things from my face. And most importantly, it got rid of that pesky pimple in two days. Plus, it's additive free, chemical free, preservative free, fragrance free and is not tested on animals.

Definitely a cool product that just needs a bit of tweaking in the presentation department.

Perfect Pores Clay Mask can be purchased directly through its website, perfectporesclay.com

Pure BIOBLISS

Like, OMG! It's the "new anti-aging advancement in skin care!"

Hallelujah! Woot woot! Yeeeeeee-haw! Wheeeeeeee!

I mean, come on- every new anti-aging product/system/treatment/etc makes this claim. And as mentioned in previous posts, I am a, shall we say, maturing woman (what? 30 is no 19 people!) and therefore increasingly down with experimenting with the latest wrinkle preventing lotions and potions. But I am also increasingly realizing that most all include fantastic, fancy ingredients that will indeed improve the look and feel of skin long term. So when it comes down to it, you really just have to find something that you love and that you feel works for you. Perhaps that something will be BIOBLISS.

The BIOBLISS System offers a range of products in order to prepare skin and extend the anti-aging effectiveness of its treatments:

Clean: This mild and refreshing cleanser includes calming cucumber extract, Aloe Vera and skin protecting antioxidant Vitamin E. Plus, it smells awesome and left my face feeling super clean.

Srub: I had no idea this was even an exfoliating scrub until after I used it (labels?! who needs em'!?) because it was so extremely gentle. Once I read the packaging (those blasted labels again!), I discovered that it's derived from coconut, olive, macadamia nut, sunflower and avocado. Nothing abrasive about any of those!

Lock It In Serum: This was my least fave of the bunch. Personally, it smelled funny and had a weird texture. And it's specially matched to the Anti-Wrinkle Treatment Patch, of which I did not receive a sample. HARRUMPH! (But my skin did feel super soft after using it.)

Hydrate Lotion: My oh my did my face feel soft and supple after using this! La-la-la-loved! I did feel though that it is better suited to fall/winter months, as it was a bit thick for the current hot and humid Michigan climate. At $60 a pop it's an investment, but definitely a splurge-worthy pick!

To learn more about BIOBLISS, these and other products visit www.biobliss.com

Wowza! Whip Hand!

Is it normal to have a crush on a beauty line? Because I am mad digging on Whip Hand Cosmetics,

GIVE GOOD FACE Rosewater Tonic

I don't really understand what hyaluronic acid is or why or how it "hydrates the skin, plumping and toning your complexion", but it just DOES. I'm officially capital "A" addicted to this stuff. Not only does it smell awesome and is fun to spritz, it 100% made a noticeable difference in my skin. In the slow crawl through a brutal winter's cold, wind and snow, when most of us women struggle double time to keep our epidermis in top form, I caught myself checking out my complexion in the mirror because it looked DEWY. And HEALTHY. Insanity! In the very best way. 

SET THE STAGE PRIMER

Goes on like a soothing lotion all over the face to fill, smooth and re-texturize skin before applying foundation and other concealer. It's unscented, non-irritating and easy to blend in. Again, this product delivers a noticeable difference- pores become invisible, skin becomes balanced and smooth, and foundation glides on like a dream. Fun fact: This product is even used on-set by the Good Morning American make-up and beauty team! 

LIMITED EDITION LOOSE PIGMENT EYE SHADOW: CAMO COLLECTION 

Special Forces: Shimmering peachy gold is a great highlight and all over lid base color. 

Locked + Loaded: A gorgeous gun metal gray with the perfect amount of shine and staying power. Truly my new favorite color. 

LIP CREME in Coven

A pretty bubblegum pink that you can build from lovely light stain to more heavier, saturated coverage. Oh and it doesn't budge one bit. 

Beyond the addiction inducing products, the packaging is flippin' bada$$ too. Oh and did I mention that Whip Hand is also a local Detroit, MI made and manufactured company? The amazingness is almost too much! So what are you waiting for?! Get out there and Whip Hand! Whip Hand it good!

Talking 'Bout a New ZENSATION

Most complexion perfectors take time and diligence in order to see results, so it's kinda tough when you're given an itty bitty sample of a face gel to try out and then report back on. I mean, what can you really expect in these first few little uses? Will my pores instantly shrink to nothing? Will all the redness disappear and leave me with skin to rival a porcelain doll? Will little leprechauns appear out of thin air and do a jig while singing a traditional folk song about an Irish lass with skin so fair? 

I didn't think so.

Given this, I opted to pick out one of ZENSATION's Deep Moisturizing Gel's five uses:
1) Massage: apply gel to face and neck and massage until absorbed.
2) Mask: apply a generous amount to face and neck and leave to set for 15-20 minutes.
3) Overnight Mask: apply generous layer to face and neck and leave on overnight without rinsing.
4) Personal Blended Treatment: Combine gel with other ZENSATION skincare products.
5) Facial Treatment: apply gel to face and neck and massage areas with facial device until completely absorbed.

I chose #3, the mask. 

The gel had a pleasant scent and felt fresh and cooling on my face. I think I might have messed up though in allowing the mask to dry before massaging in because after the allotted 15 minutes, my face was shiny and sticky. Whoopsies! After rinsing off the goo with warm water the gel's potent combo of Provitamin B5, Red Alga, Sodium Hyaluronate and Marine Hydrolysed Collogen ingredients definitely left my face feeling velvety smooth and soft. I can only imagine the improved skin texture, look and feel that would ensue with continued use. 

V Beaute

Evidence Eraser (cleanser)
Rub Off (exfoliator)
Undercover Agent (anti-wrinkle serum)
Lite Up (brightening treatment serum)
Buying Time (Everyday Creme)
Eye Never (eye creme)

Available as a travel friendly clutch (the It Kit) or individually.

I read about V Beaute before trying & thought "Oh great, another hedge-fund-manager/socialite using her money and connections to make people buy whatever crap she has other people making for her. Super, I love giving my money to people who don't get out of bed for under a million."
Yes, I'm slightly bitter about not being a millionaire-socialite. I would even make do without the socialite-part.

After trying the V Beaute line, however, I am impressed.
Very impressed.

Fragrance free! Paraben free! Products that work without irritating my skin!

I use the Undercover Agent before sunblock in the morning; then one of the face washes, the Light Up, the Eye Never, and finish with the Buying time at night. Tightens & brightens, makes my skin happy.

Can't argue with results-- this chick (V Beaute creator Julie Macklowe) has done the work & come up with something great. Expensive and lux, but you'll have your face for the rest of your life-- might as well treat it right.

L'Occitane Immortelle Brightening

Immortelle Brightening Essence

Immortelle Brightening Moisture Cream

So, could L'Occitane have done something wrong?

I love the Immortelle Precious Cream & Eye Balm, was very skeptical that any reformulation could be good.

I tried the Brightening Essence (read: serum) and Moisture Cream, not expecting much.

I have rarely been so happy to be proved wrong!

This combo seriously worked on my parenthesis, those dark spots from my temples around the side & up onto my forehead.

My skin glowed, and not in that oily-sheen way.

Again, well done L'Occitane.

I <3 again="again" amp="amp" brilliance.="brilliance." div="div" doubt="doubt" efficiency="efficiency" in="in" never="never" will="will" you="you" your="your">

P.S. The milky glass containers? Love almost as much as the cobalt glass.

Continuous Results by Elayda Skin Care System

Elayda offers the Continuous Results System as a subscription-- each set is a 60-day supply, and the new shipments increase product strength.
The starter kit includes the Gentle Hydrating Cleanser, the Transforming Complex, and the Nourishing Hydrator SPF 29.
So, you have face wash, retinol night cream, and a day cream with SPF.
The face wash is gentle, yet effective.
The retinol cream is the first retinol product I have been able to use! No skin-burning pain!
The Hydrator was a nice moisturizer.
My problem-- the fragrance.
Scented products can be kryptonite for my skin, and this was the case here...
My cousin, who is more fragrance-resistant, tried the products & loves.
Very good products, but know your scent-sitivity before ordering!

Dr. Brandt Time Arrest Face Fluid

Think of visible signs of aging as a werewolf-- this is the silver bullet.

Light serum that spreads on easily, perfect first step. Absorbs quickly so you can put your sunblock on next.
Slight lavender scent, not at all overwhelming (as lavender can be).
Makes your skin feel wonderful!

Coola Face Sunscreen Moisturizer

Broad spectrum SPF 30.
Cucumber goodness to brighten your morning.
All sorts of organic ingredients to improve your skin.
Didn't make me greasier than normal (yes, super oily skin), made my skin look and feel smoother.
Brightened and refined.
I even like the packaging.
Just another way that something useful can also make your morning a little brighter, even if the sun has not yet risen when you are on your way to work.

Dr. Brandt UV SPF 30 Face

Claim:

Formulated to provide advanced broad spectrum UVA (PA+++) protection against UVB rays (SPF 30). Dr. Brandt advanced sun care helps decrease pigmentation induced by UV exposure; preventing photo-aging. Designed with dry-touch technology to absorb quickly, leaving the skin smooth and soft with a shine-free finish.

Truth:

Totally works! No greasy or kabuki face, no sunblock shards, no melt-offs!

My problem:

The container, with its convenient pump dispenser, is too small. While great for traveling, I want a honking giant bottle at home to last the whole summer.

All the other sunblocks should take notice.

SensiClear

SensiClear System

My husband has some occasional breakouts and has tried several different face washes and products. Since I knew he was still searching for something that worked, I let him try the SensiClear System. It only took one use for him to decide that this was the product for him. He even went so far as to say that he preferred it to ProActiv. The thing he likes best is that his face feels clean after using it, and the face wash is gentle on his skin. His only complaint was that if he forgets to pack it and take it with him on trips, his face tends to break out again. Overall, he would recommend this product over all others that he has tried so far and will continue to use it in the future!

Somme Institute Face Regimen

Somme Institute
Twice-Daily Face Regimen


The Somme Institute has been creating and testing what works best for your face for over six years. They created and patented a skin technology they call MDT5 which they use in their products to produce amazing results. They have come up with six amazing products to help improve, rejuvenate, restore and nourish your face. The first step is a nourishing cleanser. This cleanser is gentle, non-foaming, and does not dry out your skin after use. Next, use the non-abrasive Transport pads. They exfoliate without being harsh. The first time I used it, my skin burned a little in certain spots. That feeling did not last long, and did not happen more than a few times. It unclogs pores and re hydrates the skin at the same time. After the Transport pads, you must apply the thick and rich serum. This lovely little bottle contains lots of vitamin C to boost collagen levels, eliminate brown spots and redness, and smooth fine lines. My face felt better after the first three steps, but of course there is more. The A-Bomb is a very lightweight, lemony smelling cream that I looked forward to putting on my face every day. It is fortified with vitamins to target problem areas of your face and neck. After nourishing, cleaning, and re hydrating your skin, it is time for defense. The next step is a Double Defense Day Moisturizer. This face lotion is waterproof and provides protection against the sun (SPF 30+). It can be used alone throughout the day if needed. Finally, there is EYE. EYE is a moisturizing cream designed to reduce dark circles, puffiness, and wrinkles around the eye. I can honestly say that after using these products for a couple of weeks, my skin looks and feels better. The redness and puffiness has been minimalized. I know it seems like a lot to do, but once you start using it, you won't want to stop. I can't believe how clear and fresh my skin looks. My suggestion would be to get the "mobile" kit. Great packaging makes it convenient to take along with you on vacation or to the gym.

Sun Block: Shiseido--Ultimate Sun Protection Cream for Face

Shiseido
Ultimate Sun Protection Cream SPF 55 PA+++
Thick, smells fresh, no kabuki-face*!
I'm sold:)
It's not the Best Of Sephora for no reason.
A minimal amount needed for good spread coverage.

*Kabuki Face--when your sunscreen gives your face a ghastly pallor. You look like you are wearing white kabuki pancake make-up.