skincare review: 4 serums i'm loving right now...

when it comes to skincare, serums are, in my opinion, a must in my routine. the highly concentrated gems contain nutrients and technologically advanced ingredients formulated to help prevent or correct skin damage. depending on your needs and budget, there are a plethora of options to choose from.


i've been using the following products individually {though there has been some overlap with a couple at a time} over the last several months, and i'm so excited to share with you now how {and why} i love each one. they all address wrinkles and hydration, but are unique and have different purposes. i've noticed fab results from them all... 

Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Serum by RoC is the first on my list. over the last couple of years i've been a brand ambassador and have had the opportunity to work with the company, discovering what makes them and their products so good. while the name suggests it would be a product i wouldn't reach for {i have no severe, deep wrinkles}, the ingredients are fabulous for prevention and correction of fine lines and evening out skin tone. it has a silky, lightweight texture {which was fabulous as i used it over the summer} and it gave my skin a more even-toned, smooth, glowy look. i expected a bit of a reaction from this because the packaging said i might, but also since it contains Retinol {a vitamin a derivative that makes skin more sensitive to sun exposure}, but thankfully, i had none {i do wear sunscreen everyday}. rocskincare.com

Skin & Co Umbria Truffle Hydro-Toning Face Serum is part of an apothecary range of goodies; simple and effective, this serum is certainly worth trying if you are unfamiliar. i love the way it glides onto my skin and absorbs beautifully. it's uber hydrating and creates a smooth finish that works well with other moisturizers and under foundation. i use it twice day and my skin had no negative reaction to it. skinandcoroma.com

Beverly Hills MD sent me their Venox anti-aging serum and it was love at first use. no, that doesn't mean i saw instant results, but that i really loved the way it made my skin feel. with more use, i really began to appreciate the hydration and antioxidants. i used the creamy formula twice a day and it really helped reduce the finer lines i have around my eyes and on my forehead {wrinkles be gone!}. beverlyhils-md.com

and finally i'd like for you to meet Lumene Bright Now Vitamin C BB Serum ~ it's the least expensive on this list, but it certainly doesn't make it less of a powerful product. it smells of fresh oranges and, like the other serums on my list, has improved the look of my skin with its highly concentrated formula. i've been applying it before my sunscreen/moisturizer, and thanks to the light-reflecting pigments, my skin is always left looking beautifully radiant. ulta.com

 vitamins and antioxidants as well as advanced ingredients created by man, all of these serums deserve a space in your skincare arsenal. visit the website links for more info. let me know if you've used any of these gems or tell me about what you've been using these days! 

products featured were sent to me for review consideration; all opinions and thoughts are my own; pics taken by me :)

skincare review: Radical Skin Perfecting Screen SPF30

sun protection is an important part of my skin care routine, so when i was sent a new facial sunscreen from Radical Skincare, i beyond thrilled to try it.

and…

yes, i'm pretty excited about it!

 
not only does Radical Skin Perfecting Screen protect my face from harsh UV rays with a non-chemical spf 30, but it's a skincare gem because it contains light-reflecting pigments that help create a beautiful, luminous finish that is still matte and lasts all day. 

without Radical Screen on the left, with it on the right. :)

 this unique, pearl-toned, slightly shimmery formula applies beautifully, absorbs well and is definitely a new fave of mine. if you have the opportunity, don't take my word for it, try it for yourself. your skin will thank you! :)

visit radicalskincare.com for more info.

product sent to me for review consideration; pics taken by me :)

skincare review: Murad Transforming Powder

bonjour, beauties ~ hope you're doing well...

i've been relishing some fab skincare goodies as of late, including this new one from Murad.

the powerhouse brand has expanded its arsenal of acne products thanks to the recent release of its first-ever powder cleanser, Transforming Powder. this water-activated cleanser provides the ideal amount of exfoliation to help blemish-prone skin get {and stay} clear but without the risk of irritation.

this dual-action powder is formulated with exfoliating bio-enzymes and dissolving jojoba beads to quickly transform from an exfoliating scrub into a light, foaming cleanser with the addition of water. the enzymes aid in breaking down oil, dirt and dead skin cells, but unlike other exfoliators, is super gentle and rinses away easily.

  over-exfoliation can be a problem, and especially so if if you have acne-prone skin. this is, as i've already mentioned, really kind to my skin. other ingredients {pumpkin seed extract and salicylic acid} work to keep pores clear, manage oil production and encourage cell turnover, a fab benefit for keeping skin looking youthful as well!

so, it's another win for Murad! i've really enjoyed the last few products sent to me to try. are you a fan of Murad products? what are your faves?

be sure to visit murad.com for more info.

product featured sent to me for review consideration; pics taken by me :)

total beauty: 14 best face scrubs

 bonjour, beauties! hope all is well wherever this post finds you. personally, i'm doing well, settling into the first week of high school as my daughter officially started 9th grade on monday! it's strange to think that 20 years ago i was in her same stage of life; although as a person who loves school, i think i was way more excited than she is, LOL!

now back to the topic of beauty...

i have another fab list featuring a topic that's quite an important one in my life: exfoliation. facial scrubs to be more specific. as you probably already know,this step in your beauty routine is not to be ignored. just by adding exfoliation, you'll not only help aid the natural shedding process of skin, but also benefit from a healthier, smoother, more even-toned and clear complexion.

do you use face scrubs? which one is your fave?

take a look at the following list and discover the best ones, according to reviews over at Total Beauty.

enjoy!

14 Best Face Scrubs

Buff your way to glowing skin with these reviewer-approved face scrubs

This is a TotalBeauty.com Skin Care article Exfoliation is a key step in any good skin care routine. Not only does it get rid of dead skin cells, promoting smoother, more even-toned skin, it also can help your other skin care products work better. To make it easy for you to choose one, we rounded up a list of the best face scrubs, according to our reviewers. see the best face scrubs now

No. 14: Philosophy The Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash, $26

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 8.9

One reader calls this the "equivalent of microdermabrasion, minus the suffering."

No. 13: Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser, $36

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 9.0

Readers call this scrub "a super product to whisk away dead skin cells."

No. 12: ZO Skin Health Offects Exfoliating Polish, $60

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 9.1

"This is truly the best product I have ever put on my face," says one reviewer.

to see the No. 1 face scrub, click here!

refreshing beauty products for summer...

as if you hadn't noticed, summer is in full swing. if you enjoy the high temps, i'm sure you've been in heaven, but if you're like me, the heat isn't your favorite. there are ways to make the best of it, of course. 

those things include {but are not limited to} cool drinks, staying indoors as often as possible, and taking advantage of extra pampering {because the heat really does take a lot out of me}. 

speaking of cool drinks and pampering, here's a fun list some fab parings featuring the most refreshing drinks of the summer. as a compliment, check out products from Laura Mercier, ReVive and nyakio ~ you'll be more than happy to treat yourself with one of these luxurious products while you sip your favorite drink.

take a look...

if you like iced coffee:

you should try nyakio Kenyan Coffee Face Polish ~ it blends naturally energizing and exfoliating kenyan coffee extract with jojoba to gently remove dull skin while providing antioxidant benefits. lemongrass and neroli oils also play a role, making this a unique fusion that leaves skin toned, moisturized, soft and immediately radiant.



if you prefer banana mango smoothies:

ReVive Moisturizing Renewal Serum, made with key ingredients coffee, mango pulp and banana pulp extracts to hydrate, gently exfoliate, and kick start the anti-aging benefits of skin-repair, is a luxurious formula that also boasts RES Technology that aids in smoothing and re-texturizing skin.



if strawberry lemonade is your drink of choice:

Laura Mercier Crème Smooth Lip Colour in Strawberry Sorbet will give lips the ultimate in color, texture, and finish. this gorgeous, creme formula lippie envelops lips in rich color with a semi-lustrous finish in one smoothing swipe.


if green juice with ginger is your summer fave:

nyakio Hydrating Face Oil with Kola Nut  is a blend of light, non-greasy african kola nut and 8 essential oils, including ginger, ximenia, chamomile, and trichina oils. these promise to invigorate and hydrates for over 12 hours while aiding in softening, toning, creating more even look and reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles, leaving all skin types more youthful-looking.


tell me: what skincare products help your skin look its best during these hot summer days?

info and images courtesy of brand PR

expert tips for using coconut oil

if your skin is struggling to recover from the cold, miserable winter {or dry, practically rainless "winter"}, no worries…you’re definitely not alone. there is hope, of course, found in an all-natural resource: 

coconut oil!

and it's not only great for skin, but hair, nails…well, actually every part of your body, from head to toe…

Josie Feria, director of operations at Lapis Spa at Fontainebleau Miami Beach recently shared her suggestions on how to utilize this hot beauty multitasker, and the best part? you can find it as close as the grocery store.

take a look at Josie’s tips below and your skin will be back in gorgeous shape in no time...

intensive treatment for dry hair work into wet hair, cover with a shower cap and leave on for up to 30 minutes; rinse and shampoo as usual.*

stimulate hair growth by massaging a bit into your scalp*

to fight frizz use a small amount in your hair for instant control.*

use as makeup remover on your face:, including eyes and use in place of lip balm to treat lips.

massage into cuticles to eliminate dryness and stimulate nail growth

as a body moisturizer, use as you would a normal body lotion for overall treatment, focusing especially on dry elbows.*

 mix with sea or rock salt and exfoliate {mix with sugar for sensitive skin} for a skin-pampering treat.

apply to skin daily to prevent stretch marks and avoid scarring during pregnancy

 apply to skin affected by poison ivy, oak or sumac to soothe irritated skin

rub on feet to hydrate and condition skin; fights athlete's foot and low level fungus.



tell me: do you use coconut oil? if so, how do you incorporate it into your daily routine?; if not, are you going to try any of these ideas for yourself?

many thanks to Josie for sharing such fabulous tips to help us get our most gorgeous skin. here's to the  beautiful spring/summer season ahead!

*ways i've used coconut oil {and i also sometimes cook with it} :)

skincare gem: eraclea Pure Hydration Serum/Zinc

happy wednesday, beauties…

it's thanksgiving tomorrow…wow! where did this year go?! {a question i ask every year, haha}

in any case, i'm definitely loving it…this is the time of year that makes me so, so, so happy! cold, crisp morning walks with my dog following my daily workouts {i'm still in love with practicing yoga,  barre3, Ellen Barrett, Jessica Smith and core fusion} bring so much positivity to my day. i'm always thankful for that...

and my family...hot mugs of tea…new beauty goodies…leg warmers…scarves…hats…

you get the idea :)

what else am i thankful for?

Pure Hydration Serum/Zinc from eraclea skincare.

it's amazing.

as it so happens, my skin has become bit drier over the past year {i blame stress and ongoing health issues}, so using this daily over the past several weeks has been perfect ~ it was created with these issues in mind! i do still consider myself an oily skin type, and every skin type needs hydrating products {not necessarily to be confused with moisturizing}, so with eraclea Pure Hydration serum i have really noticed those pesky little dry areas on my face are more smooth and supple looking.

 this moisture-intensive serum is anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory thanks to zinc which helps promote healing while reducing redness. the serum's hydration rejuvenates and replenishes the skin with the brand's HylaSponge®System, a hyaluronic acid complex, which is said to be the reason it leaves skin feeling fresh, smooth and hydrated {and no greasy residue}.

my skin really has responded positively to this lovely product. along with it, i was sent other products in the range to try, but Pure Hydration has given me the most visible and positive results, i had to tell you about it first!

i will definitely purchase this, though i still have product left. i'm pretty sure that i'll be sad when it's gone, but to be honest {full disclosure here} since i have other products to use and test out for you, i'll most likely have put it off…

maybe someone will put a bottle in my stocking… :)

for more info and to learn more about this innovative brand of skincare, visit eraclea.com.

item featured sent to me for review consideration; the review/opinions are honest and my own; pics taken by me :)