My Skin Loves: Algenist's Genius Ultimate Anti-Aging Cream and Eye Cream

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It is time for another update in my "My Skin Loves" blog series! As many of you know, I reserve the "My Skin Loves" series for my reviews of my latest and greatest skincare favorites. Believe me, I test out a lot of skincare. With this series, I share with you the best-of-the-best: my ulitmate skincare favorites that "My Skin Loves"! :) 

Over the past few weeks, I have been testing out Algenist's *amazing* Genius Ultimate Anti-Aging Cream and Ultimate Anti-Aging Eye Cream. I have had my eye on these products from Algenist for over a year. So, I am super excited that I was finally able to try them out. Algenist is one of my hands-down favorite brands (seriously, it is in my top 5 skincare brands of all time!). Many Algenist products are Holy Grail/daily use items for me: Algenist's Regenerative Anti Aging Moisturizer with SPF 20 (I am completely obsessed with this daily lotion!) and Algenist's Overnight Restorative Cream (this night cream is amazing! It has the perfect texture!).

Before diving into my review of the Algenist Genius Ultimate Anti-Aging Cream and Eye Cream, lets talk a bit more about Alguronic Acid (The key ingredient in Algenist products). I bet some of you are scratching your head thinking "what the heck is Alguronic Acid?"...

So, what is Alguronic Acid and what does it do?

The story of the discovery of Alguronic Acid is a good one! Sometimes, the best discoveries are the accidental ones!

A team of biotechnology scientists in San Francisco, California, focused on developing microalgae-based renewable energy solutions, unexpectedly discovered Alguronic Acid, a powerful compound responsible for regenerating and protecting the microalgae cell. When scientifically tested, Alguronic Acid demonstrated significant anti-aging properties, increasing elastin synthesis by up to 32%* and cellular regeneration by up to 55%*.

Algenist Skincare is the first line to introduce Alguronic Acid in the skincare market. I have a feeling that they have started a big thing here with this ingredient! The results are scientifically tested and promise good results. Exciting!!!

My Algenist Skincare Favorites and the Genius Line:

To find out more about how I liked Algenist's Genius Ultimate Anti-Aging Cream and Algenist's Genius Ultimate Anti-Aging Eye Cream, please click "read more" below! :)

Makeup Wars: Must-Have Masks!

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It is time for another Makeup War! This time the Makeup Wars bloggers are sharing their favorite masks!

Doing a weekly facial mask is one of my favorite aspects of my beauty routine. Masks are a great way to give your skin a skincare "boost" of whatever it needs: clarification, moisture, anti-aging treatments, etc. Plus, the process is so relaxing! The busy pace of life as a stay-at-home Mom leaves me feeling like a haggard Mommy sometimes. I need to give time to myself...to rejuvenate. A facial mask/beauty treatment is a great way to do this with a short amount of time! When I have more time to relax (or when I am not too tired), I like to combine my masks with a nice soak in the tub or a mani/pedi. If I am feeling short on time, I just apply my mask and leave it on while I do my usual bedtime routine. 

My Skin:
I am always looking for a good mask! My skin needs fluctuate wildly. I have classic combo skin: From dry patches in the Winter to oil slicks in the Summers. My skin's needs are all over the map. So, I tend to choose my mask depending on what my skin "needs" on that particular day. Or I will use a mask to spot treat (e.g., breakout on my chin? Then I apply a clarifying mask to my chin only).

Facial masks have been part of my skincare routine for as long as I can remember. They have always been a skincare treat that I totally enjoy! I am always excited to try out a new mask. What can I say? As a beauty-blogging skincare junkie, facial masks really do thrill me, lol! When I am checking out a new skincare brand, or a brand that I am already a fan of, I *always* want to try their masks! 

Makeup Wars: Must Have Masks with Korres, Algenist, Bausch & Lomb

Must Have Masks! 
So, lets get to my Must Have Masks list! There are *so many* masks that I love. This list is going to focus on the masks that are in my current rotations. These are the masks I love in my current arsenal of products and/or they are newly released masks that you must try! So, when I find myself with some extra "me time", I will reach for one of these masks! My loyal readers know that this blog has a skincare focus. So, you can imagine how many masks that I try. These that I am sharing with you are the ones that I have really enjoyed using for the past 6-8 months or they are masks that have very recently come to me for testing. Either way, I only included my very favorites in this list!

This is a *massive post* my dear readers! Actually, this is going to be a post in 2-parts since I have more masks that are in line to be tested that did not make it into this publishing date (the publishing date got changed before I could test all my masks! Ooops!). So, stay tuned for another masks post in a few weeks with more masks.

I have been working on this post for weeks already in draft form...writing about each mask as I use it. It has been fun! I mean, I always love to mask...but, it is fun having a mask-testing focus to motivate me to mask more frequently and to branch out to try some new masks. So, there are a lot of masks included and a lot of detail.

So, grab a glass of your favorite beverage (wine for me ya'll!), and lets settle in for a nice lengthy mask discussion! Shoot, you will even have time to apply your favorite mask and let it do its magic while you read this post. :) Ya'll know that I tend to be verbose sometimes. Well, masks are apparently one of my favorite things to blog/talk about!

To find out more details about each of these masks, please click "read more" below!

Despirately Seeking SPF: My Spring/Summer Roundup of SPFs for Face and Body!

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It is that time of year...time to talk SPFs! Wearing SPF is a big deal for me. Not only do I have super fair skin and live in sunny Georgia, but also I have a family history of skin cancer and have lost a dear friend to Melanoma. I absolutely do not mess around when it comes to sun protection. I wear it every single day year-round. However, I really up my protection during the Spring/Summer and apply more often. 

As a beauty blogger with an interest in SPF, I have amassed a huge arsenal of sun protection. Plus, there is just so much available! So, I decided to share with you my current go-to picks in my sun protection rotation. No, I don't wear all of these every day. These are just the ones that I tend to reach for, in rotation, the most. I have tested them all extensively over the past year and really love each one for particular reasons, for certain parts of the body, or specific activities.

Current SPF Rotation: Spring/Summer 2014 with Aveeno, Neutrogena, Lubriderm

to find out more about each product, please click "read more" below! :) 

My Skin Loves: My Latest Favorites from Algenist!

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It is time for another update in my "My Skin Loves" blog series! This is where I highlight what my skin is loving lately! :)

Any other Algenist fans out there? As many of you know, I am a huge fan of the brand! For example: Algenist's Regenerative Daily Moisturizer with SPF 20 is my everyday staple for my Winter Skincare Routine (to learn more, check out my full review here: Algenist Regenerative Daily Moisturizer with SPF 20). Well, I have recently added quite a few new Algenist products to my routine and let me tell you, my skin is loving it!

Here are some of the newest Algenist additions to my current skincare rotation: Algenist's Overnight Restorative Cream, Algenist Multi-Perfecting Pore Corrector Gel Moisturizer, and Algenist's Firming & Lifting Intensive Mask. To find out more about these products please click "read more" below for my reviews! :)

Holiday Shopping Gift Guide 2013: Skincare Gift Set by Algenist

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Skincare as a gift can be a bit tricky! It is such a personal choice. Some things work for some people, yet not for others. However, if you know that someone likes a particular brand or if you know that a gift set is full of best-sellers for someone's particular skin type, then a skincare gift might be a great choice!

I am excited about Algenist's lineup for Skincare Gift sets for the Holiday 2013 season! I have tried many products across this line and I have been impressed by every single thing that I have tried! The products are innovative and effective; yet, they are also very gentle. I think that Algenist skincare would work great for anyone looking for high end anti-aging skincare that is research-based and gentle on the skin. 

Algenist's Holiday 2013 Gift Sets: Three Sets are Available:

• The Anti-Wrinkle Collection: This three-piece set provides everything you need to combat advanced signs of aging. Arm yourself with a full size Gentle Rejuvenating Cleanser, a deluxe size Complete Eye Renewal Balm and a half size Regenerative Anti-Aging Moisturizer. Price $52.00
• The Best of Algenist Collection: Knock it out of the park this year with our tried-and-true skincare must-haves. This set includes: a full size Gentle Rejuvenating Cleanser, a full size Complete Eye Renewal Balm, Concentrated Reconstructing Serum, and a deluxe size Firming & Lifting Cream. Price $119
• The Firming Collection: Sculpt and shape this holiday season to combat overindulgence. Our Firming Collection will have you looking tight in time for the New Year. This collection includes a full size Retinol Firming & Lifting Serum, a full size Firming & Lifting Cream and a deluxe Gentle Rejuvenating Cleanser. Price $98.00

To find out how I liked the "Best of Algenist" gift set, please click "read more" below! :)

Makeup Wars: SPF Favorites!!!

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It is time for another Makeup War!!! This time the Makeup Wars bloggers are discussing their favorite sunscreens! SPF is not only our best anti-aging defense but also a total lifesaver. It is absolutely a product that I use everyday, without fail, on all exposed body parts: face, arms, and hands, etc. 

Lets talk SPF! Summertime is the perfect time to look at your skincare routine to see what types of sun protection you need to add. I am a bit of an admitted SPF-junkie. My skin is super-duper fair. So, not only do I seek out the anti-aging and cancer protection benefits of sunscreen, but also I don't want to get burned! Plus, Skin Cancer runs in my family (My Dad) and I have already lost a very dear friend to Melanoma. So, I honestly do not mess around when it comes to SPF. I inherited my Dad's complexion. So, I know I have an extremely high risk for Skin Cancer because of his Cancer history.

What types of SPF?
My SPF needs change depending upon what "mood" my temperamental combination skin is in, what time of year it is, and what activities I have planned for the day.  Spending the day outdoors? Then I choose a high SPF. At the Pool? I apply something water resistant. Is my skin acting a bit oily? I go with a mattifying sunscreen. You get the idea! :) So, with that said, I have quite an assortment of sunscreens at my disposal and I choose whatever my skin requires.

SPF: Recent Favorites with Neutrogena, Kate Somerville, Aveeno

Want to know more details? Keep reading for the scoop on my favorite sunscreens for the face, body, and the baby!

NEW from Algenist: Anti-Aging Moisturizer and Pore Corrector Concentrate

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It is always a pleasure for me to try out products from Algenist. I have already had such great success with products from this line. The key to this product line is their revolutionary ingredient and new scientific discovery: Alguronic Acid. There is no question that Algenist's products are both innovative and effective. I am a huge fan! 

What is Alguronic Acid?
A team of biotechnology scientists in San Francisco, California, focused on developing microalgae-based renewable energy solutions, unexpectedly discovered Alguronic Acid, a powerful compound responsible for regenerating and protecting the microalgae cell. When scientifically tested, Alguronic Acid demonstrated significant anti-aging properties, increasing elastin synthesis by up to 32%* and cellular regeneration by up to 55%*.

My Skin Background:
Before diving into the review, it would help you to know a bit more about my skin type and skin concerns. I have sensitive combo skin. In the winter, it leans towards combo-dry and in the warmer months I get a bit oily through the t-zone. I have to be careful when testing out products as my skin is prone to irritation and redness (if I am not careful with my selections of what to test: I have learned over the years various ingredients to avoid). I am in my late 30s. So, anti-aging products are typically what I seek out. While I don't have any major lines or wrinkles yet, I would like to delay their appearance! So far, I just have some fine lines that crop up around my eyes if my skin is dehydrated or when I smile. I do not break out very often. However, if a product is too rich, it can sometimes clog my pores.

Today's review is for the NEW Multi-Perfecting Pore Corrector Concentrate and the (new to me) Regenerative Anti-Aging Moisturizer.

New from Algenist: Targeted Deep Wrinkle Minimizer

You may be thinking...hmm...you don't have wrinkles Pammy! Well, I don't *but* I do have some pesky deep expression lines on my forehead and some fine lines. They are really not that noticeable but they totally bug me! When I found out that this product fills existing lines while also preventing lines, I figured it was worth a try!

This gel product is a very concentrated serum that contains Algenist's key anti-aging ingredient: Alguronic Acid. It feels like a super thick makeup primer.

What is Alguronic Acid?
It is the newest and latest anti-aging skincare discovery! It was discovered in San Francisco by a team of biotechology scientists (working on microalgae-based renewable energy solutions). The discovery was accidental...and aren't we beauty nuts excited about this "accident"! Alguronic Acid is more effective than Retinol, Vitamin C, and Hyaluronic Acid! Wow, this is indeed very exciting news.

Here is how Algenist's Targeted Deep Wrinkle Minimizer works:

• FILL: upon application, the exclusive Alguronic Acid Filling Sphere technology swells to instantly fill and smooth lines and conceal imperfections.

• PRIME: skin is primed and smoothed for improved ease of makeup application and longer lasting makeup wear.

• TREAT: the regenerative power of Alguronic Acid combines with soy protein, Echinacea and an active peptide complex to minimize the size of deep wrinkles and even skin texture creating a more youthful appearance over time.