07.15.2011
Bliss Fabulous Skin-Reviving Rubberizing Mask

Every once in awhile I like to do a mask but when I heard about Bliss’ Fabulous Skin-Reviving Rubberizing Mask, I HAD to try it (rubberizing is what really caught my attention- not gonna lie).  Designed to temporarily envelop the skin’s surface, this rubber mask absorbs into the skin, peeling back to reveal purged pores and renewed skin.  The mask is also packed with skin brightening ingredients like vitamin C and Bilberry, which help refresh the skin.

Once I realized that I had to actually mix the mask myself, I was a little hesitant since I’m definitely lazy, ha, but it was surprisingly super easy and honestly kind of fun to make! The only thing that was more fun was the rubber peeling itself.  Hint: make sure to apply more than you think you need, which makes the peeling experience even better.

The pack contains six masks (one per week = six weeks worth of rubber fun) for the very reasonable price of $38.

06.15.2011
The FDA (Finally) Cracks Down on SPF Rules!

It’s hard to believe that until now, the FDA’s rules were so utterly and completely lack luster.  I consider myself a connoisseur of sunscreen; friends, family and sometimes strangers ask me questions on a regular basis and I try not to go on a long 20 minute rant about how no, they should not use tanning oil with SPF 8 as their daily sun protection and no, they should not use the bottle of Hawaiian Tropic they’ve been using since 1998.

After 33 years with no major sunscreen label changes, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finally decided to set some rules – waaay behind Europe, I might add.  2012 is going to be a big, HUGE year for SPF awareness!  Here are the main changes:

  • Broad Spectrum: Only sunscreens that pass a test proving they shield from both UVA and UVB bays can be called broad spectrum.
  • SPF Ratings: Only those sunscreens with an SPF rating of 15 or higher can claim protection against wrinkles, skin cancer and sun damage and they must include the following: “Skin Cancer/Skin Aging Alert: Spending time in the sun increases your risk of skin cancer and early aging.  This product has been shown to help prevent sunburn, not skin cancer or early aging.”
  • Is it waterproof? Manufacturers can no longer use the terms “sunblock,” “waterproof,” or “sweatproof.”   Water-resistant WILL be allowed, as long as the label clarifies whether it will last for 40 or 80 minutes.
  • How long does it last? Sunscreens can no longer make claims that they provide immediate protection OR provide protection for more than two hours without reapplication, unless approved by the FDA.
  • How much is too much SPF? Due to lack of evidence that SPFs over 50 provide extra protection, the FDA also plans on banning sunscreens with an over 50 SPF label.
  • And how does that SPF come? Unique SPF products such as wipes, towelettes, powders, etc. can no longer be marketed without special approval.  As for sprays (one of my personal faves!), the FDA will require manufacturers to submit data on their effectiveness and whether or not they pose safety concerns due to inhalation.

05.11.2011
Sponsored Post: Melvita organic skincare

I’m the first to admit that I give organic skincare the side-eye.  It’s not that I don’t want to believe in it but it’s more the fact that I’m constantly reading about skincare lines that are not organic that work wonders.  With that said, every once in awhile I come across an absolutely amazing organic product that completely blows my mind and hence, I need to share.

As my readers know, I have dry facial skin and am always on the hunt for the next amazing miracle product that’s gonna keep my hydrated and dewy.  I tried out Melvita Hydrastim (I also like saying “Hydrastim” a lot) and oh boy, was I impressed.  The moisturizer lasted a realllly long time and is also shown to help reduce expression lines and give a fuller, smoother and firmer appearance.  Being that I’m now 28, this is a total bonus for me.  The gel, a form I’m always a fan of, combines aloe vera, hyaluronic acid and various other botanicals a remarkable hydro-regulating effect, keeping skin at its ideal moisture level. 

I’m also loving the back story behind Melvita; the line was started in 1977 by a biologist named Bernard Chevilliat who developed Melvita based on ingredients from a beehive.

 

04.28.2011
Sponsored Post: L’OCCITANE Shea Butter Products

So I’ve been a fan of the skincare brand L’OCCITANE for years and i’m especially into their shea butter products.  After doing a little research, I learned that the french skincare brand sources the ingredient from Burkina Faso, Africa and uses the super ingredient in a ton of body, hair and skin products because of its uber moisturizing element.  Shea butter is known to protect, soothe and heal the skin and personally, I actually really love the texture…it makes me feel like I’m slathering on something luxurious every time.  Right now I’m loving the Ultra Rich Face Cream, especially perfect for dry skin like mine.

 

 

 

02.01.2011
The Reveal Imager and GRAM Skincare

So I recently had the opportunity to have a special photo taken of myself using the Reveal Imager, which takes in-depth photos of your skin to reveal inflammation and other skin conditions like sun damage, etc.  I’ll admit that I went in a bit cocky thinking I’d have little to no sun damage (or damage in general like acne, dryness, fine lines and wrinkles, etc.) since I’ve been an avid sunscreen user for many years and make it a habit to stay out of the sun.  Makes sense, no?  Well yeah…I was wrong.

While I didn’t have many fine lines and wrinkles (thank god), I did however have a decent amount of dryness and skin thinning in addition to my freckles (aka sun damage).  The photos were quite shocking to me and a bit of rude awakening that yeah, ok, I’m almost 28 (which is almost 30) and it’s time to take anti-aging skincare seriously.

Dr. Gram (of GRAM Skincare) diagnosed my skin after checking out the photos above.  Basically he told me that my skin is dehydrated, which I already knew, and that the skin under my eyes is a lot thinner than it should be.  No bueno.  I’ve been using GRAM Eye Rescue which uses Rutin and Vitamin K to restore and illuminate the delicate skin around the eyes.  I used to be a bit of an eye cream skeptic but I will say that I’m already noticing a small difference in my eye area that I’m liking a lot. Dr. Gram also told me to start using a cleanser that won’t strip down my skin (another culprit of thinning and dehydrated skin).  I’m really liking the GRAM Skincare Clarifying Cleanser, which uses a combination of apple stem cell technology, salicylic acid and the Nutri-Vit Complex, which fights blemishes by going deep into the pores to dissolve bacteria that cause blackheads before they get to the surface.

Note: the red dot in the center of my forehead is not sun damage, it’s a ZIT. I mean…I know.

12.22.2010
Holiday Gift Idea: for the party girl who stays up too late

So as I get older and older I’m beginning to see that everyone isn’t crazy and yeah, I can get bags under my eyes.  My youthful skin of yesteryear is gone, unfortunately, and sadly there’s not much I can do about it.  And then I was introduced to Elizabeth Grant’s The Socializer– Bright Lights and Late Nights. One, the name is awesome.  Two, this stuff really works.  I first tried “Late Nights” (since that seems to be my usual problem) and saw instant results- the key remedy to the whole “too much fun and too little sleep,” as they put it.  I applied this little miracle on around 4:30 am and woke up looking refreshed and dewey.  Love.

 

12.22.2010
Holiday Gift Idea: for the party girl who stays up too late

So as I get older and older I’m beginning to see that everyone isn’t crazy and yeah, I can get bags under my eyes.  My youthful skin of yesteryear is gone, unfortunately, and sadly there’s not much I can do about it.  And then I was introduced to Elizabeth Grant’s The Socializer– Bright Lights and Late Nights. One, the name is awesome.  Two, this stuff really works.  I first tried “Late Nights” (since that seems to be my usual problem) and saw instant results- the key remedy to the whole “too much fun and too little sleep,” as they put it.  I applied this little miracle on around 4:30 am and woke up looking refreshed and dewey.  Love.

 

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