skin care – Page 2 – Makeup Most Wanted

Tag: skin care

15
Sep
2015

Noome Anti-Aging Motion Device

categories: Skin Care, Skin Care Reviews, Uncategorized

I’ve seen a lot of weird skin care and anti-aging devices over the years, but the Noome Anti-Aging Device might be the most interesting one that I have ever had the pleasure of actually trying myself.

This battery operated device is supposed to help skin regain natural cushion, radiance and stimulate cell renewal. It should also smooth lines, increase collagen production, soothe facial strain, brighten complexion and help your overall skin care routine. Phew! There is no denying that evoDerma is promising a lot from one little device.

The white handle is topped with a hard rubber suction cup type end. There is a firm or soft option depending on your personal preference. When you turn it on, the end contracts and sucks in repeatedly. You’re supposed to move it over your face slowly in different patterns, letting the cup suction your skin. The sensation is a bit funny. It’s not hard or painful, but it does pull at your skin. It kind of reminded me of those electric pads that they sell in late night infomercials for weight loss. It makes your skin pull and contract in funny ways. If you have thin skin, you might not want to try the Noome. It works best on full, thicker skin that it can suck up.

I used the Noome device a number of times, and I don’t know if it really works as it claims. The idea seems so simple. It’s almost pulling the wrinkles out of your skin. It’s the same idea as knocking a dent out of a car. You just suck the wrinkles off your face. That sounds way too good to be true. I will have to keep using it for a long time before I could give a truly honest account of whether it works.

We did find a great practical use for the Noome. It works great for headaches. The suction is like a little massage for tense face muscles. It relaxes your face and relieves the headache.

Honestly, I don’t know if I would recommend the Noome to readers. I feel like people who would want to try this tool, will try it regardless. Those who don’t believe it will work, won’t. Are you ready to give it a try?

02
Sep
2015

Washbeauty Co. Konjac Sponge

categories: Skin Care, Skin Care Reviews

Lately there has been some buzz about a traditional Asian face washing product, the konjac sponge. This little sponge has been used for hundreds, even thousands of years.

A little background first before we get into the heart of this product: Konjac is a weird looking Asian plant that is praised for its detoxifying effects. It is use in a lot of different dishes often as gelatin or jelly. It has a naturally spongey feel to it, which leads into this product.

This sponge is made up of 100% konjac root fibres. It’s all natural to this strange and interesting plant.

When you first open it and hold it in your hand, you are going to be confused. It’s really solid and porous. It seems similar to a pumice stone almost. You are going to be confused, because the instructions an everything that you read says this sponge is perfect for extremely sensitive skin and delicate areas of the face. It’s suppose to pull the impurities from your skin while cleaning it. You don’t even need to use soap if you don’t want to.

When you soak this hard stone in water, it slowly softens up in your hand. Eventually you will be holding a weird, soft, delicate feeling sponge. It feels light and full of air. Almost like it’s made up of nothing at all. All that’s left is to scrub your face with it. Like I said before, you don’t need soap. The Washbeauty Co. sponge is so light on your face. You will be surprised that it can clean your skin at all. You can feel that it is exfoliating your pores without irritating your skin.

I used this sponge a few times without soap, but I also tried it with soap. If you need a bit of extra cleaning power, this is a great option to change things up. With soap, it feels a bit more like a traditional face wash, but it’s still extremely light.

I don’t have sensitive skin, so sometimes I do like a deep exfoliating clean. I can imagine how amazing this sponge would be for someone whose skin does get easily irritated. For the rest of us, this is a nice way to get an every day clean without adding any extra product.

19
Feb
2015

Face Moisturizer Most Wanted

categories: Skin Care Reviews

Your hands aren’t the only things that get dry and tight during the winter. Give your face some needed moisture with these three new moisturizers.

Skyn Iceland Pure Cloud Cream

Skyn Iceland had one of my favourite products of last year, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I wanted to try their new moisturizer. This moisturizer is meant to smooth and soothe the skin, hydrate and fix environmental stresses.

The smell and texture of this cream are a little strange, but don’t let that turn you off. The smell is a slightly sour lemon smell. It’s not strong, but it is there. The texture is so weird that it’s almost off putting. It’s like a big ball of jelly. It wiggles and stayed together like a solid cloud.

Once you get it out, it’s a really nice moisturizer. It has a cooling effect on the skin that is fresh. It absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave any residue on my skin. It leaves my face feeling refreshed and alert at any time.

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Rich Cream

If you need something rich and thick, Vichy’s Aqualia moisturizer is exactly what your skin needs. I don’t usually have dry skin year round. So, while I loved the light smell and texture, this moisturizer was a bit too heavy duty for my face. It actually makes me wish that I had dry skin, so that I could appreciate this line for everything it is offering.

Olay Regenerist Luminous Tone Perfecting Cream

My favourite of the bunch, the moisturizer that is just right, is the Olay Regenerist Luminous Tone Perfecting Cream Moisturizer. It has a soft powdery smell that I want my skin to smell like. It makes my face feel soft and smooth.

29
Jan
2015

Makeup Most Wanted January 2015 – Alyssa’s Picks

categories: Makeup Most Wanted

January has been all about skin care for me, so it’s not surprising that my Most Wanted products this month have almost nothing to do with makeup. These are my Most Wanted this month.
Lancôme Visionnaire Advanced Multi Correcting Cream

The first time I used this balm-like cream I was convinced it wasn’t right for my skin type because it didn’t feel like it was doing anything at all. But the next morning my skin looked better than normal so I kept using it. Literally every time I use it at night, I’m glowing the next morning. My skin tone looks more even, clearer and I’ve been getting a ton of compliments. I don’t know how it works but I’m loving the results.
Eve Lom Radiance Perfected Brilliant Cover Concealer in Ivory 02

This might be called a concealer but I’ve been using it as a cream foundation. I typically don’t wear a ton of face makeup but I have a lot of redness and this concealer completely covers it up and leaves my skin looking flawless. It doesn’t crack and leaves a silky finish that doesn’t feel cakey.
mark. Naked Love Hand Cream

This apricot scented hand cream smells delicious. It’s not too thick but not runny and absorbs really well. I love that this works as well as it smells.
Live Clean Fresh Face Refreshing Facial Wipes

A lot of makeup remover wipes don’t have any texture to them which makes my skin feel not so clean sometimes. Luckily these wipes have an open weave to them and get every last bit of makeup off. They don’t irritate my skin, especially around the eyes, at all. The fact that there’s a snap lid to keep them fresh is a bonus.
Malin+Goetz Mojito Lip Balm

I received this balm in my Ipsy bag last month and I haven’t stopped using it since. It has a really nice slip to it and keeps my lips hydrated for hours. I can even feel it on my lips after eating but it isn’t sticky at all. I just wish there was more in the tube so I wouldn’t run out as fast.

15
Jan
2015

B. Kamins Clear Skin Product Review

categories: Skin Care, Skin Care Reviews

I have started the New Year with some new skin clearing products that can hopefully clear up all of that holiday stress induced bad skin.

The B Kamins Blemish Gel was my first stop. It has that strong chemical scent that you expect from a strong blemish fighting gel. I applied it to my blemishes for a few days and started to clear up my skin quickly. Acne creams tend to dry out my skin, but this one wasn’t so bad.

I followed this up by adding the Corrective Primer and Corrective Mattifier to my morning routine. I always wonder if it will help my skin layering on so many products. Both of these gels come out of the pump pretty thick, but once you have them on, you won’t worry about it anymore. Both the primer and mattifier combine to make my skin look amazing. Say goodbye to shine and say goodbye to pores. You don’t need to struggle with acne to appreciate having matte pore-free skin!

17
Dec
2014

Lush Holiday 2014

categories: Holiday, Skin Care

The holiday line from Lush usually have my favourite products and this year is no exception. We received a good mix of what the holiday collection offers but there are still so many options that we’re eyeing. I’m pretty sure Lush offers a bigger holiday collection than anyone else.
Buche de Noel

Buche de Noel is by far my favourite Lush product. I pretty much count down to the holiday announcement to make sure it’ll be around each year. The ingredients for this cleanser read more like a baking list with ground almonds, mandarins and cranberries but this one goes on your face instead of in it. It’s really gentle, really exfoliating and makes my skin glow without drying it out. I wish they had this one all year since it expires pretty quickly.
Secret Santa Gift

This is a great stocking stuffer or you know, a secret santa gift. It includes a Honey I Washed The Kids soap and a Father Christmas Bath Bomb (it smells like Snow Fairy) that basically sums up two of the sweetest and most adored Lush scents. This is great for kids, adults, anyone who likes baths. Your options are wide open with this one.
Winter Garden Gift

Winter Garden also includes two of my most favourite Lush products: Rose Jam Shower Gel (another holiday only product that I wish they’d carry all year) and Ro’s Argan Body Conditioner. The rose scented combination of these two are a shower match made in heaven. Winter Garden also includes the almont scented holiday Snowcake soap, Vanilla Puff Dusting Powder and an Ultrabalm Body Balm which is literally good for everything, including fixing your cuticles. This is a perfect gift to pamper yourself or someone else with.

This list isn’t even a fraction of what Lush has in their holiday line but it’s a pretty good representation of how great a selection they have. There quite a few others I have on my wishlist and I can’t wait to try more out. Lush traditionally has a great sale on the holiday collection starting the day after Christmas and I’m hoping this year that tradition continues.

07
Nov
2014

Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Face Gels

categories: Skin Care Reviews

Face masks sometimes feel like they are a dime a dozen, but you can tell when you get the Skyn Iceland Face Gels that they are something different. The package promises less wrinkles and creases in minutes.

From the looks of the packaging, I thought they were going to be complicated and difficult to apply, but these Face Gels are simple. Skyn Iceland has created masks that aren’t all gooey, messy and sticky. These are thin, dry pads that stick to your face without messing up your hands. You just peel off the back sticker and apply to your forehead, smile lines or under your eyes.

I fell instantly in love with the cooling sensation from the pads. It was so relaxing after a long day at work. I used them in all of the right places to feel calm with these cooling pads on my face. As I put my feet up and let the pads do their work, I noticed that they didn’t tug or get stiff like some masks. I could feel them there, but they were never uncomfortable.

After 10 minutes, I went back to the bathroom to remove the pads. There was no tugging or ripping on my skin. They peeled off with no pain. It’s not like those other pads that peel the dirt off of your skin. These slide off and leave your skin feeling soft and moist. My skin has never felt better. It feels so soft that I can’t stop touching it. I don’t really think I have wrinkles, but even my skin feels unbelievably smooth after using these little pads. Under my eyes does feel tighter, leading me to believe that if I did have wrinkles, I would be praising the miracle properties of Skyn Iceland even more. For now I will keep on relaxing with these cool pads on my face and fight wrinkles before they start.

After you hear all of these amazing things about the Skyn Iceland Face Gels, you probably won’t believe me when I tell you that you can get a bag full of all the gels you need for under $20!

06
Nov
2014

The Body Shop Wild Argan Oil Collection

categories: Skin Care Reviews

The Body Shop has created an argan oil collection that you are going to want to wrap yourself up in. it’s got a rich and velvety scent that is so relaxing to me. Luckily, you really can wrap yourself up in it from head to toe.

The Wild Argan Oil Collection comes in all of The Body Shop’s top products including body butter, body lotion, and shower gel. This time they have added a few new products like massage soap and the product I want to talk about the Miracle Solid Oil for Body & Hair.

I wasn’t sold on solid oils. I thought it would be hard to use and weird having to warm the oil in my fingers. I just dove in one day because I wanted oil for my hair. I have to say it was easy to use and gave me new options for my hair. Instead of having an oil pool in my hand, I can get it onto my fingers. That way I can be more precise on where I apply this oil on my hair. I only wanted to apply it closer to my roots in the front of my hair, and I could do that.

When you are all done with your hair, you can rub the rest of the oil on your body because this product is so versatile. You will be wrapped up in The Body Shop’s Wild Argan Oil all over and love every second.

25
Sep
2014

Racinne Ultimate Hydra Perfection Review

categories: Skin Care Reviews

So many skin care products claim to be gentle but very few are actually gentle enough for sensitive skin and are still effective. Luckily Racinne’s Ultimate Hydra Perfection line does exactly what it says it will.
Gentle Cleansing Foam

This might be the softest cleanser I’ve ever used. It doesn’t get a super thick foam, more of a light one but you can feel it cleaning your skin. It doesn’t leave your skin feeling stripped and dry, just clean and soft.
Gentle Refining Scrub Mask

I don’t know if I would actually call this a mask or a scrub. Sure you leave it on for a few minutes and it does exfoliate but you really don’t notice that it’s doing anything until after you take it off. If you love a good scrub, this is not for you but if you need to exfoliate and your skin is too sensitive to go with the more traditional route, I’m betting you won’t have any issues with this one.
Defense Illuminating Cream

This cream is pretty thick and you really only need a tiny bit to get some serious moisturization. I noticed I had a pretty decent glow a few minutes after applying it for the first time and every time after that, so the illuminating part of the name is a pretty good claim.

With most of the skin care I try on my sensitive, combination skin I usually end up with red patches or I don’t get balanced enough. Racinne’s Ultimate Hydra Perfection didn’t cause any of that and was actually gentle enough that I didn’t have any kind of reaction. Will it be strong enough for the dryness of winter? I don’t know for sure but I’m betting it is.

08
Aug
2014

Skin Care 101 with Dermalogica’s Holly Sherrard

categories: Skin Care, Uncategorized

Dermalogica is one of our favourite skin care brands but we had a few questions, so we had a skin care chat with Dermalogica’s Education Manager, Holly Sherrard.

Can you remember your first experience with skin care?
I was six or eight years old and my aunt let me use her products on my skin and hers. I cleansed her skin, applied toner and then finished with a makeup application then repeated all these steps on my skin. I still remember how our skin was glowing after the application and my mom has a picture of this. Products have changed drastically from 30 years ago and we now have more advanced formulations with botanicals and peptides to benefit our skin. I have always loved teaching and skin care so working with Dermalogica is the perfect marriage for my passions.
What sets Dermalogica apart from other skin care companies?
Dermalogica sets an education standard of excellence for all skin care professionals. We have always focused on education first not only for the skin therapist but also consumers. We are the number one professional skin care company worldwide and are leaders with ingredients and techniques to bring professional success to skin therapists around the globe.
What is the best way for someone to determine which skin care products are right for them?
The best way to determine which products are right for the skin is to seek advice from a skin care professional. Face Mapping® skin analysis by Dermalogica is a great way to analyze the skin and get targeted results. Products are not meant to be one-size-fits-all, customization is key for healthy skin.
With so many sunscreen options and sunscreen added to makeup, does layering actually do anything and are we putting enough sunscreen on our faces?
The Canadian Cancer Society recommends to apply a teaspoon of product to the face for adequate protection however most people use much less. By layering SPF, a person increases their protection factor. Start out with a moisturizer and sunscreen, follow with a primer with SPF and finish with a foundation that also includes an SPF.

How is the new Redness Relief primer different from other primers?
Redness Relief Primer SPF20 is a calming and soothing treatment product to neutralize, relieve and defend against inflammation and irritation induced by skin sensitivity. Natural botanical extracts provide a sheer green tint to counter redness and physical sunscreens protect from UV. Dermalogica’s exclusive UltraCalming™ complex of oat extracts, ginger and bisabolol treat skin sensitivity. It’s all combined together in a silicone-based product which gives a velvety feel and provides a perfect canvas for makeup application.
Are there certain ingredients we should look for in skin care?
Are they any we should completely avoid? Peptides come in all shapes and sizes and can treat various skin conditions from inflammation and acne to aging and pigmentation. Botanicals may be an ingredient choice for people who are looking to go the more natural route. A combination of both science and nature leads to excellent products. The key to finding great ingredients is to use skin care products from a company that backs their claims by unbiased, scientific research. The number one ingredient to avoid is artificial fragrance – it can lead to skin sensitivity and contact dermatitis.
What do you consider skin care essentials?
I have two small children and very little time to get ready in the morning so multipurpose products are the staple in my kit. Cleanser, toner, moisturizer with SPF then primer with SPF. I only use foundation for special occasions so Redness Relief Primer SPF20 is my go-to for a flawless complexion with little makeup.
Is there a product you’re completely obsessed with right now?
Redness Relief Primer SPF20. I couldn’t live without Skin Perfect Primer SPF30 when we launched it a few years ago however I fell in love with Redness Relief Primer SPF20 last May when I experienced it at our Global Education Conference. The velvety finish keeps my skin feeling soft, the sheer green tint diffuses the redness in my skin and the botanicals treat the sensitivity I experience from my allergies. It is amazing to see the difference in the texture and the even tone of my skin with only one application.