A True Sanctuary

We have a special guest post today BrainyBeautys—

My wonderfully beautiful and game sister, Christine, gave Sanctuary Spa Facial Youth Boosting Facial in a Box Kit a whirl. Sanctuary Spa is the UK's number one day spa, and specially designed this "revolutionary" facial to include all the steps carried out in a professional spa treatment in order to deliver visibly firmer and plumper skin at home. The treatment includes a single sample of products found within Sanctuary Spa's Youth Boosting skincare range that when used together, enhance the other's skin boosting qualities.

Christine's insightful review is as follows!

The before

Step 1- Warming Exfoliator/Scrub: This had a clean fresh scent and provided a warming, relaxing sensation when rubbing in. Although it was sticky upon application, I definitely noticed smooth, softer skin after washing off.

Warming scrub doing it's warming thing.

Step 2 - Time Renewal Mask: Cooling, with a pleasant fresh lemony scent. I experienced a tingling sensation after a few minutes on my face and found it to be very hydrating. The instructions also call for you to put the entire contents of the mask on your face, but that felt like it was too much and maybe a waste.

Mask-tastic!

Step 3 - Serum: A little goes a long way here! It was very hydrating and smoothing, but also unfortunately a bit gross smelling... kinda like a sweaty locker room. Yuck! Although perhaps small price to pay for beauty?

Looking good there!

Step 4 - Lift and Brighten Eye Cream: The eye cream had a Vaseline like consistency, and went on smooth. I focused only on the crows feet and under eye area and found it to be especially cooling on the eye area. Again, a bit of an odd smell... not bad, not good, just odd.

The eyes have it—do they seem brighter to you too?

Step 5 - Night Concentrate: Ahhh! The concentrate features a fresh, clean lemony scent and was very hydrating. Not at all greasy which was awesome.

Ta-dah!!! The final outcome: Hydrated and loving it.

Final verdict? Overall, the mask was my favorite. I could definitely notice a difference in the hydration of my skin throughout the day. I usually have very dry skin, so it was nice to notice the hydration. Not sure of the price, but I'm sure it's much cheaper than getting an actual facial at the spa with probably similar results. I've only had one spa facial before, but my skin felt similar after doing this at home kit. I would recommend the kit to anyone looking for a little complexion boost- it was easy and fun to use and left my skin feeling great.

Thanks Christine! You rocked it!

 Sanctuary Spa Youth Boosting Facial in a Box is priced at $39, and can be purchased through QVC and www.QVC.com

Time to Get TAUT: Part I

Nutricosmetics.

Never heard of it?

Me neither, until I was recently introduced to the new LAC TAUT line. This innovative collection of collagen-replenishing nutricosmetics (or ingestible cosmetics) and collagen-boosting topical products promise to renew and beautify from the inside out.

There are two main components to this celeb-worthy regimen:

1) TAUT Premium Collagen Replenishment Formula
2) TAUT Collagen Mask

Sure, I was excited when I read the press release, but when my sample package arrived I realized how truly major this stuff is.

 The TAUT Collagen Mask boasts a unique and concentrated blend of anti-aging ingredients including hydrolyzed collagen, Squalene, Hyaluronic Acid and antioxidants. Key benefits include fading of fine lines, and firming and rejuvenation of skin. It feels a little slimy to take out of the package, and also a bit confusing to unfold and place on your face, but oh MAN! After using, your skin feels CRAZY soft! Like newborn baby soft! I was truly amazed.

The goods

 Pretty pouch! Whatever do your contents hold?

 Ooooh slimy skin boosting goodness!

 So you look like a monster for 10 minutes... Feels great!

The Replenishment Formula comes in a neat 8-pack box of individual glass bottles- or "shots." Featuring the highest concentration of ingestible collagen on the market- 30 grams per 1.7 oz. serving- TAUT Premium Collagen utilizes a unique hydrolysis technology to shrink the collagen molecule from the size of a basketball to the size of a peanut, which makes it small enough for the body to absorb.

Things be getting fancy up in here!

Not gonna lie, I was a little weirded out about doing a "shot." I'm more of a wine drinker truth be told. Plus, I started feeling a sort of Death Becomes Her vibe at the whole task... I'd really like to avoid a tumble down the stairs only to survive with my head on backwards.

But! All in the name of BrainyBeautys right?!

Immortality aside (I hope?), TAUT Replenishment Formula promotes the following key benefits:
Skin: improved repair, firmness, and pigmentation
Hair: restoration, growth
Nails: strengthening and improved appearance

So I cheers-ed my reflection and took it like a champ. Not bad! The real orange juice taste is definitely is a plus.

Bottoms up baby!

As it is recommended every other day (3-4 times per week), I am only three bottles and two masks in. Thus far, my usually brittle nails are wicked long and strong. Definitely love that!

To be continued...

 

TAUT Collagen Mask, $50 for a box of 5; TAUT Premium Collagen Replenishment Formula, $110 for a box of 8 1.7 oz. bottles. Products can be found at RenewAlliance.comhttp://www.renewalliance.com/

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. 

Recipes for Your Face

Erika Katz, beauty expert and author of Bonding ver Beauty, has created some fun & easy DIY recipes that will turn your holiday extras into an at-home spa day for you and your loved ones!

Pumpkin Facial Mask

This recipe is full of exfoliating enzymes that will brighten your skin, giving you a healthy, refreshed glow. Pumpkin is also rich in vitamin A, which can help heal skin and repair damaged tissue. The antioxidant properties of the vitamin A will also help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

❑2 tsp canned pureed pumpkin

❑1/2 tsp honey

❑1/4 tsp heavy

whipping cream

To Make: Mix all ingredients together and apply to face. Leave on for 10

minutes then rinse thoroughly. You’ll love the results!

Clementine Hand Scrub

Skin often gets dry and brittle from the cold winter so I make a gentle orange hand scrub. Oranges are rich in vitamin C and Alpha Hydroxy acids and help to remove the dead skin. The honey and olive oil help moisturize the skin. The baking soda acts as a gentle exfoliant.

❑1 tbs clementine juice

❑1 tbs honey

❑1 tbs sugar

❑1 tbs olive oil

To make: Mix together all ingredients.

and then gently wash your hands with the

scrub. You won’t believe the difference!

Cranberry Mask

Cranberry juice helps detoxify the skin and is particularly useful for those who are acne-prone or suffer from psoriasis or have oily skin. In addition cranberries help reduce skin inflammation, redness, and itchy, irritated skin.

❑1 cup fresh cranberries

❑1 cup seedless red grapes

❑2 teaspoons grapefruit juice

❑1 envelope unflavored gelatin

To Make: Mix ingredients until it becomes a paste. Cover and refrigerate for 45 minutes to let the mixture thicken. Remove from the fridge and let sit for about 10 minutes.

Banana Cream Pie Mask

With all that leftover pie, why not use it to soften your skin? Fight against dry skin and cold winter air with this cool facial mask.

❑1 mashed banana

❑flour

❑3 tbs. heavy cream

❑1.5 tbs. dark honey

❑1.5 tbs. white flour

To make: Mix all the ingredients and put

into a pretty jar. Apply to face and love the results!

 

 

Systeme 41 Rejuvenating Masque

Click Here

This is a gritty white clay mask that you can apply and then rinse off immediately or let it sit for up to 20 minutes. I gave myself a facial steam and applied it. Immediately my very sensitive skin started to burn but I kept it on for about 5 minutes. When I rinsed it off and applied my moisturizer, my skin felt SO soft and plump. It claims to remove superficial dead skin cells to reveal smoother, younger looking skin. And boy did it! My skin is still soft a few days later. Plus, the ugly blackheads on my nose are no longer. I plan on using it every few weeks.

Cures By Avance Anti-Acne Mask

This mask is full-on AWESOME!

Goes on creamy, cooling.

Does not get all dry & cracked.

Rinses well.

Leaves your face clean, but not arid.

A very nice treat for your visage, resulting in calmer, clearer skin!

3 LAB Perfect Mask

Moved From Lotions & Potions:

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2008

3 LAB Perfect Mask

This mask promises to lift, firm, and brighten your skin, and it does just that. I found the process a bit uncomforatble though. You unfold the mask and lay it on your face then pat until centered. Easy enough, but its a bit heavy and unless you can lay still for 10 minutes it slips down quite a bit. I personally have to work these things in to my busy day so I would have prefered using a mask that allows me to go about my tasks. This mask made that dificult. On the upside, my skin did feel great after, and had a nice healthy glow.

3 LAB Perfect Mask

This mask promises to lift, firm, and brighten your skin, and it does just that. I found the process a bit uncomforatble though. You unfold the mask and lay it on your face then pat until centered. Easy enough, but its a bit heavy and unless you can lay still for 10 minutes it slips down quite a bit. I personally have to work these things in to my busy day so I would have prefered using a mask that allows me to go about my tasks. This mask made that dificult. On the upside, my skin did feel great after, and had a nice healthy glow.

Mask: Be.Fine--Warming Clay Mask

Be. Fine
Warming Clay Mask
Pros:

• Goes on nicely
• Smells good (light, earthy, fruity)
• Warming sensation not too warm
• Seems to clear up blackheads on nose & weird chin zits

Cons:

• Does not rinse off easily
• Leaves face coated in oil/waxy stuff

I like the during part of this mask, but I wind up washing my face afterward to try & cut through the oil/wax. The water beads up on my face when I am rinsing off. Am I doing this wrong?

Caudalie Purifying Mask

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Caudalie-- Masque Purifiant (Purifying Mask)
One of the rules I have for myself include never trying a product without reading the ingredients. So, I threw that rule out the window tonight, now I'm paying the price.Put on the mask--thinner, creamy consistency. Spreads easily.I wonder if it smells like lavender. Directions say to leave on for 15 minutes.4 minutes later, I am gagging from the smell & frantically washing my face, which is burning.Yeah, did I mention I am allergic to chamomile? This mask is, of course, chock full of chamomile. I can't believe I didn't check the ingredients!!!So, now I have a headache, a sore throat, and an itchy face. I'm hoping I washed it off quickly enough to avoid getting hives. Red, bumpy, itchy rash rarely looks good.On the plus side, it did clear out my pores.If I weren't allergic to it, I'd use it again. Right now, however, I am going to put some ice packs on my face & hope for a good outcome.Moral: ALWAYS read the ingredients!!!
Posted by Kate at 6:46 PM 0 comments