New Look for my fav Suncreen from MyChelle & An Awesome Serum!

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New Look for my fav Suncreen from MyChelle & An Awesome Serum!

My current favorite daily facial sunscreen from MyChelle has a new look! I absolutely adore this suncreen and wear it absolutely every day. Sometimes I wear it on its own. And sometimes I mix it with a tinted sunscreen for some coverage (since I don't wear foundation). It leaves my skin protected, hydrated, and smooth without making me look greasy like so many sunscreens do. Plus, the best part? It does not irriate my sensitive skin nor does it break me out. It is a winner for sure! 

MyChelle Protect Sun Shield SPF 28 Unscented:

Here is the scoop from MyChelle:
Unscented, mineral-based, broad-spectrum sunscreen with soothing Aloe and Vitamin E to help reduce signs of sun-induced irritation. Lightweight daily protection absorbs quickly for a smooth, clear and matte finish.

Seriously, I adore this! It is the best finish of a facial sunscreen that I have ever tried. It provides a beatuiful matte (but not dry) base for makeup. I just love it!!!

Retails for $22.00

MyChelle G2 Instant Firming Serum:

Here is the scoop from MyChelle:
Skin-smoothing serum works immediately to visibly improve firmness. Blended with Argireline™ peptide, Instalift™ from Goji Berries and fermented Pomegranate Extract to refine texture and diminish the signs of aging.

I love the lightweight feel of this serum. I feel that it make my skin look and feel smooth and even toned. 

Retails for $56

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Depuff Your Tired Eyes with Youth to the People Superfood Eye Cream

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Depuff Your Tired Eyes with Youth to the People Superfood Eye Cream:

Raise your hand if your eye area needs help 🙋 I know that mine sure does!!! My eye area struggles. From allergies, to lack of sleep, to hereditary dark circles, and sensitive skin, my eyes were destined to be my trouble spot. So, I am always seeking out the best-of-the-best in eye treatments, creams, and concealers. 

So, I was super excited to try out this promising eye cream from one of my favorite skincare brands: Youth to the People. Before diving into details about the eye cream, lets talk a little bit about the brand.

About Youth to the People:

I think that Youth to the People has such a unique approach to skincare. According to the brand, Youth To The People is skincare created with one simple mission in mind: What you cleanse, moisturize and revitalize your skin with should be as whole, nutrient-rich, and clean as what you put in your body. The Youth to the People formulas combine the best of superfoods and science, including 100% vegan ingredients, cold pressed extracts, gentle preservatives, precise custom formulations, and earth-friendly packaging. 

Youth to the People's formulas work because of their powerhouse ingredients. What can you expect from this line? Think fewer lines, better elasticity, a boost to your skin’s natural collagen, and a rejuvenated look, all thanks to the phytonutrients in superfoods. From kale to spinach to alfalfa, the products have your leafy greens, plus beneficial vitamins and natural sources of youth-preserving goodness. Then, cross-linked Hyaluronic Acid, Tripeptide 37 and Chelated Vitamin C take the formulas to the next level with the best science can offer. 

Youth to the People | Kale + Aloe Sunflower Oil Tripeptide 5 Age Prevention Superfood Eye Cream:

Small but mighty, this nourishing cream delivers vital nutrients with Youth To The People’s proprietary superfood blend of kale and spinach, tried and true aloe, ultra-emollient sunflower oil and an army of reparative vitamins. Equipped with Tripeptide 5 to reduce fine lines and boost collagen plus Crosslinked Hyaluronic Acid to plump and lock in moisture so all eyes are on you!

This eye cream was formulated to combat dryness, lack of firmness, and fine lines and wrinkles. While I don't have lack of firmness, my eye area can tend to be dry, irritated, and some fine lines are apparent. This eye cream works to smooth out my eye area and leaves it feeling hydrated and plump. I like the light feel and fast absorbsion. I struggle with dark under eye circles. While this product doesnt specifically target that issue, I do find that it leaves the eyes prepped well for the concealer that I need to combat the dark circles. So, it layers very well under my makeup! 

Retails for $35.00 at Sephora. 

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Simply Earth Essential Oil Monthly DIY Recipe Box: March Box Opening

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Simply Earth Essential Oil DIY Box: 

Box Opening, DIY Projects, and Promo Code

Simply Earth: 

Monthly DIY Essential Oil Box Subscription: 

March Box Opening!!!

I am so excited to share this month's Simply Earth Essential Oil DIY recipe box. I just love DIYs and using essential oils. However, I am a busy working Mom and I am always feeling short on time. This is one of the many reasons that I love the monthly Simply Earth Essential Oils DIY box subscription! It is a monthly box packed with 4 full sized essential oils, recipe cards, and (almost) all the supplies needed to complete 6 fun DIY essential oil projects!

About Simply Earth and the Monthly DIY Box Subscription:
Simply Earth's oils are high quality! The monthly box contains your oils and most of the supplies you need to create some super fun and useful essential oil DIY recipes and projects. 

I am so excited to be a part of the Simply Earth blogger squad so that I can bring you the scoop on each month's box and share the fun that I had creating all of the DIY recipes with Simply Earth!

My monthly Simply Earth Box is seriously one of my favorite things!!! There is no question that the addition of essential oils to my everyday life has worked to enhance my environment and help me to manage stress and illness within my house. When I first started out with oils, I just thought that I would enjoy the "scent your home" aspect of essential oils. However, the more I get into essential oils, and the more that I learn and explore, I realize that essential oils can do so much more for you than just smell pretty. Essential oils can do everything from helping you to manage your stress and emotions, to enhancing your sleep, to warding off illness. Essential Oils are so versatile and so fun to explore! My monthly Simply Earth Essential Oils Recipe Box is really helping me to learn more about essential oils a little bit at a time with 4 oils and recipes to go with them. I feel like I have gone so far beyond just diffusing oils! The recipes really help me to integrate Essential Oils into every part of my life.

My Simply Earth monthly Essential Oil subscription box has really taken the guesswork out of exploring and using essential oils. Their monthly box contains 4-5 essential oils and ALL the ingredients, supplies, and recipes for a variety of essential oil DIY projects every month. If you are like me, you are constantly pinning ideas on Pinterest. But, honestly, how often do we actually make these DIY projects? lol, it is time consuming to go hunting around for all those supplies! Well, Simply Earth does all the legwork for you with their DIY box. Plus, I love the "suprise" element every month! I never know what oils might arrive. Since I am an oily newbie, I never know what oils to order when browsing online. Some of the "surprise" oils that have come in my Simply Earth boxes have become my total favorites...and, I would have never known to order them had they not come in my subscription box. Plus, the oils from Simply Earth are high quality pure oils. You are really getting top quailty oils in your box. Seriously, my Simply Earth monthly box is pretty much my favorite thing ever!!! I am not even exaggerating! I get pumped when I know my box is coming and I honestly can't wait to dig in every month and explore and use my oils and get going with some fun DIYs!!!

About Simply Earth and the Monthly Essential Oil Subscription Boxes:

The Monthly Box:
Every month, you get a DIY recipie box with 6-7 different recipes plus about 4 full size bottles of essential oils. The box also contains the labels, containers, some of the ingredients/supplies for all of the recipes included in the box. The recipes are pre-printed on cute index cards.

Simply Earth literally takes all the prep and guesswork out of DIY projects. They make it easy to get started with your DIY fun as soon as you open your box. You can literally just open up your box and get started with your DIY fun! These boxes are so enjoyable from start to finish! I get to explore new oils as well as some favorites and I get to discover new and creative uses for the oils!

Simply Earth makes exploring the world of Essential Oils easy and fun. Plus, can I just mention how amazing the oils are?!?! They are high-quality and theraputic grade. Such great quality oils. I am super impressed and already a loyal fan!

To find out all the details about what is inside this month's Simply Earth Essential Oil subscription box plus to get my Promo Code, please click "read more" below! :)

FarmHouse Fresh's NEW Mighty Tighty Tumeric & Banana Tightening Mask

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FarmHouse Fresh's NEW Mighty Tighty Tumeric & Banana Tightening Mask:

Now here is a mask for you that sounds good enough to eat, right?!?! Introducing FarmHouse Fresh's NEW Mighty Tighty Tumeric & Banana Tightening Mask! 

With powerhouse ingredients like banana, turmeric, and echinacea, you are destined to see some great results in your skin like tightening and firming as well as boosted radiance. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties, while banana pulp and banana peel are rich in bioactive compounds including antioxidants, provitamin A, carotenoids and phenolics that help skin with healthy growth, repair, and protection.

This 98%-natural, vegan mask featuring a phthalate-free, all-natural fragrance, and contains 3 different clays (Illite, Bentonite and Kaolin), which together pull impurities, toxins and excess sebaceous oils from the skin’s surface, helping to purify and detoxify.

FarmHouse Fresh does state that this tingly NEW Mighty Tighty Tumeric & Banana Tightening Mask is not for sensitive skin. I do have somewhat sensitive skin. However, I was still able to tolerate this mask. So, I recommend that you do a patch test before trying this mask if you fall into the sensitive category. 

To use, just apply this mask to gently cleasned skin. Let the mask dry for about 15 minutes and then rinse off with tepid water. 

This mask retails for $30.00 for a 3.2 fl oz jar (which contains approximately 14-18 applications). 

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Pevonia Skincare: Luxe Natural Formulas with Professional Results!

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Pevonia Skincare: 

Luxe Natural Formulas with Professional Results:

It is always exciting for me to explore a new (to me) brand. I have heard really wonderful things about Pevonia skincare over the years. So, I am super excited to dive into this line! 

About Pevonia (from Pevonia):

Pevonia believes the most powerful ingredients in skincare come from the safest source – nature. For nearly three decades, Pevonia uses highly sustainable processes in line with the company’s stance on environmental conservation, tests only on humans, and has been the leader in delivering natural skincare solutions to the finest spas and professional aestheticians. 

I got to try out an assortment of facial skincare and bath products from Pevonia. To find out more about each of these products and how I liked them, please click "read more" to continue! :)

SUPERFOOD Skincare from ELEMIS

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We all know that Superfood is great for our bodies, right? Well, we should treat our skin with the same respect. I know that I always feel better the more superfoods that I eat. So, the same goes with skincare. Good ingredients, like Superfoods, really can make a big difference in the health and appearance of your skin. Our skin is the largest organ of our body. We should care for it well!

Introducing the SUPERFOOD Skincare range from ELEMIS:

"The microflora is the very first defense barrier against environmental stresses that can harm
skin vitality. It’s crucial to keep the microflora balanced for good skin health. The SUPER INGREDIENTS that run through this Superfood range from ELEMIS offer holistic nutrition for your skin and work SUPER SYNERGISTICALLY with all the foods, juices, and supplements you consume." NOELLA GABRIEL, ELEMIS CO-FOUNDER

The SUPERFOOD skincare range started with the amazing SUPERFOOD Facial Oil. This product is now an award-winning bestseller. So, now the range has expanded to include a Facial Wash, a Night Cream, and a Day Cream.

Essential to these power-packed formulas are Supergreen and Supergrain Complexes, rich in anti-oxidants, omega fatty acids, vitamins and minerals to feed the skin with nourishment. The Superfood skincare range features a Pre-Biotic, designed to aid in supporting the good-for-you microflora on the skin’s surface, helping to balance and maintain the skin’s delicate ecosystem.

Created specifically for the wellness and health-conscious, the ELEMIS Superfood Skincare Range  fits right into a balanced lifestyle. Seriously, this skincare range is totally targeted for people like me. I love eating healthy and eat vegan/whole foods about 80% of the time (I am on an 80/20 vegan/non-vegan diet). Literally, I feel better the healthier that I eat. So, I would love to extend this to my skincare. This SUPERFOOD range is a fantastic way to do that!

Lets talk about each of these products! Please click "read more" below to hear more!

Natural Essential Oil-based Skincare from Tu’el

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As ya'll may know, I am very into essential oils. In addition, I have a passion for skincare. After all, my search for the very best skincare for my skin type is what let me to blogging in the first place. So, when I heard about Tu’el, a skincare brand based on natural ingredients and essential oils, I just knew that I had to try it out! 

Tu’el has a variety of formulations based on your skin type and skincare concerns. I have combination skin that is somewhat breakout prone and prone to irritation. So, I opted to try out a combination of products for Combo/Oily skin and Reactive skin types. 

Tu’el has a very natural and gentle approach to skincare. The products are designed to clean, soothe, and treat your skin in a gentle and effective natural way. 

Tu’el Deep Pore Cleansing System | Balancing Act Cleansing Oil + Herbal Toner:

If you only try one product from Tu’el, then I would recommend choosing a Deep Cleansing System based on your skin type. This is just such a *different* way to cleanse your face! Toss out all of your pre-conceived notions about how you should cleanse. This is a completely different and unique method. This kit is a combination of a cleansing oil and a toner that work synergistically together to give your skin a super great cleanse. 

The Balancing Act formulation was specifically designed to deep cleanse your pores while also providing antioxidant protection. Plus, the Cleansing Oil formula contains plant extracts that help with oil production and assist in skin detoxification. The Herbal Toner in the Deep Pore Balancing Act system contains natural astringents of lemon, ivy and sage minimize the appearance of pores, kill bacteria and cleanse, all while conditioning your skin. 

Cleansing oils are different than regular cleansers. Cleansing oils can go deeper than typical milks or gels as they bond with your skin's natural oils. This draws out more dirt, oil, and debris from your pores than you could get out with a typical cleanser. Step one is to use the Cleansing Oil on dry skin. They you apply the Step 2 Herbal Toner and add water to emulsify. The cleansing oil becomes water soluble with the use of the step 2 Herbal Toner which both cleanses and exfoliates. After Step 2 you rinse your face until you do not feel any residue. 

I must say, this type of cleansing routine did take some getting used to. However, once I got into the routine, I really enjoyed this different way to cleanse my face! My skin was always left feeling so soothed and hydrated. 

The Tu’el Deep Pore Cleansing System | Balancing Act Cleansing Oil + Herbal Toner retails for $44 for the 2-piece kit. 

Tu’el Calm Down Essential Oil for Reactive Skin:

This essential oil blend was specifically designed for reactive skin to reduce inflammation, strengthen and regenerate cells, and stimulate healing without irritating your skin. I am so amazed overall with the power of essential oils and am just starting to experiment with using them in facial skincare. I have been using essential oils for over a year now for bath and body products, inhalers, and home diffusing. So, it is a natural next step for me to experiment with using essential oils within my facial skincare routine. 

The Calm Down Essential Oil is a blend of Geranium, Roman Chamomile, Lavender, Frankincense essential oils in a grapeseed oil base. So, this is not pure essential oils but essential oils diluted in a base. I know from my essential oil research that Frankincense and Lavender are two of the best oils for me to use for my skin type. So, I am super excited to have this oil on hand for my skin! 

Tu’el recommends adding a few drops in your hands and then apply directly to your face. I either apply this way or add a few drops to my moisturizer and use it that way. I find this oil to be so gentle, soothing, and healing to my skin. I just feel like I get that extra bit of glow in my skin from using it. It is very concentrated. So, just a few drops is all you need for a great impact on your skin. It pairs beautifully with the Special Delivery Night Cream as the last step in my skincare routine. 

The Calm Down Essential Oil blend retails for $32.00. 

Tu’el Special Delivery Night Cream for Combo/Oily Skin:

This is such a lovely night cream and an awesome final step in my skincare routine. Years ago, I used to skip moisturizer thinking, "why moisturize oily skin?". Well, it is actually really important to moisturize combo/oily skin. My skin still needs hydration and moisture even though I do have some oily areas in my t-zone. This moisturizer contains Silk Amino Acids, Lavender, Panthenol and Vitamin E moisturize while reducing irritation and revealing a softer texture. I absolutely love the soothing Lavender scent. It is perfect for bedtime. I always diffuse Lavender in my room at night. So, just smelling it in this product soothes me! 

As I mentioned above, I do sometimes add a boost to this moisturizer by adding in a few drops of the Calm Down Essential Oil blend before applying it to my skin.

This Cream has helped to give my skin a moisture boost and I always wake up feeling like my skin is smooth and hydrated from using this cream at night. 

The Tu’el Special Delivery Night Cream for Combo/Oily Skin retails for $44.00. 

Overall, I am extremely impressed with Tu’el skincare! Using it has really helped to soothe and soften my skin while adding moisture. 

I am very curious about the rest of the products in the Tu’el line. I would love to try the Daily Protect SPF, the Firming Peptide Serum, the Anti-Aging/Firming Mask, The Detox Clay Mask, and the Acne Serum. 

Have you tried Tu’el or are you curious, too? I would love to hear! 

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Pura Organics: Natural and Effective Preventative Skincare (discount code!!!)

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Pura Organics: Natural and Effective Preventative Skincare

I am always excited to dive into a new (to me) skincare line! So, I am super excited that I get to share about Pura Organics with you today!

Finding gentle and effective products is a driving force behind my blog. Plus, I have an overall passion for skincare. As someone with sensitive and somewhat tempermental skin, finding a balance between natural and gentle and effective is key. I want products that work. I want products that create results without irritation. I want products that work preventatively while also making a difference in my skin. 

My Skin:

Before we jump into our discussion about Pura Organics, lets talk a bit about my skin type so that you know where I am coming from skincare-wise. I have classic combination skin. I am somewhat normal-oily with more oil and larger pores in the t-zone area. I do not break out often. However, I do get the occasional blemish during that time of the month. My skin is sensitive and I have had sensitivity reactions to products in the past. I am highly interested in preventative anti-aging skincare. My "trouble spot" is my eye area as I am plagued by dark circles and redness/purpleness in that area. I am lucky in the fact that my only signs of aging are some fine lines on my forehead and around my eyes (these are primarily noticable when my skin gets a bit dehydrated).

Pura Organics:

Now that you know my skin type and overall skincare concerns. Lets dive into talking about Pura Organics and the products! Pura Organics is a line of preventative anti-aging products developed by a young entrepenuer and skincare enthusiast Molly Fey. Years of research went into the product line's developement. 

I tried out two products from the Pura Organics line: the Pura Organics Firming Night Moisturizer and the Pura Organics Under Eye Tightening Gel.

To find out more about these items from Pure Organics, please click "read more" below!

Spa Night at Home: NEW Youth To The People Age Prevention Superfood Mask

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I am all about Spa Nights at Home. Treating myself to a weekly or bi-weekly bath and facial mask is the ultimate for me as far as relaxation with the added boost of a skincare and wellness treat! So, I love exploring masks. Recently, I am on a real natural products kick. On that thought...this is one of my exciting new discoveries!!! Introducing the NEW Youth To The People Age Prevention Superfood Mask! This product is my first introduction to the brand Youth to the People and I am just hooked!

Lets chat about this awesome mask! 

The NEW Youth To The People Age Prevention Superfood Mask just recently launched on Sephora.com. This new vegan age-fighting cream mask is enriched with leafy greens that will leave your skin looking naturally awesome!

Get your greens from land and sea, this age prevention mask is packed with the best superfoods on earth. Formulated with Spirulina, Bioactive Microalgae and Hyaluronic Acid (plus kale & spinach!), these superhero ingredients protect from free radical damage while nourishing your skin for a healthy, youthful glow. Leave on for 10 minutes and discover results you can sea!

This mask is such a treat to use. I adore the relaxing and soothing herbal scent. I just apply this mask after washing my face and then leave on for 10 minutes or more (usually as long as my bath lasts). I really like how this product soothes my skin! It does dry but not hard and tight like so many masks do. So, it is a totally comfortable experience to use this mask! Plus, the ingredients are awesome and pure! 

Retails for $44.00.

Be sure to check out this mask and the Youth to the People line next time you are at Sephora!

As always, thanks for reading!

XOXO!!!

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Effective, Natural, and Gentle Skincare from SIBU: SIBU Sea Berry Therapy

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SIBU Re-Brands with the SIBU Sea Berry Therapy Line:

The premium natural skincare and suppliment brand SIBU has replaced their Sibu Beauty line with SIBU Sea Berry Therapy. This re-branding and repackaging more clearly defines the core ingredient, The Sea Berry, and how SIBU products are a solution for problematic skin. This SIUB Sea Berry Therapy line targets skin concerns such as eczema, acne, rosacea, sun damage, and excessive dryness. 

What sets SIBU apart from other brands using the Sea Berry (sea buckthorn)? SIBU stands out because of the quality of the wild berry it sources exclusively from the Himalayan highlands. More from SIBU about the Sea Berry: Known as Turkestanica, this sea berry sub-species thrives in the harsh environment at 12,000 ft. above sea level. Packed with over 190 bioactive compounds, it’s the most nutrient-dense of all sea buckthorn varieties and is the world’s richest source of omega-7 fatty acids. 

SIBU's new product line name, logo, and package design are very fitting for the fabulous products inside the packaging! SIBU Sea Berry Therapy consists of a full range of gentle, yet effective, skin care products and supplements that work for for dry damaged skin, fine lines, wrinkles, age spots and more. In addition to topical personal care products, SIBU also offers a varitey of supplements.

To get re-acquainted with the line and the new packaging, I tried a variety of items from the SIBU Sea Berry Therapy line: SIBU Sea Berry Therapy Polishing Facial Cleanser, SIBU Sea Berry Therapy Hydrating Face Serum, SIBU Sea Berry Therapy Clarifying Facial Toner, and SIBU Sea Berry Seed Oil. To find out more about each of these items and how they worked for me, please click "read more" below.

Get Scrubby with LATHER's NEW Chia Seed & Passion Fruit Exfoliating Gel

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Get Scrubby with LATHER's NEW Chia Seed & Passion Fruit Exfoliating Gel:

I just love a good scrub! So, I am very excited to tell you guys about this awesome new product from one of my favorite natural skincare brands: LATHER! 

LATHER's NEW Chia Seed & Passion Fruit Exfoliating Gel:

This super gentle exfoliator is a non-foaming and moisturizing facial scrub that was designed for normal-to-dry or mature skin. I am happy to report that while I have neither "mature" skin (well, maybe I do as I am in my early 40s) nor normal-to-dry (I am currently combo-oily), this product still works fabulously for me! Actually, I really adore using it! 

First of all, OMG...the scent! I absolutely love the refreshingly fruity scent of this scrub. Plus, the gel texture combined with the scrubbiness of the chia seeds really gives an awesome sensation when you are gently massaging it on your skin. It really gives you an amazing spa-like facial treatment right in your own bathroom. 

The Skinny:

Here is the scoop, in a nutshell, about this awesome New Chia Seed & Passion Fruit Exfoliating Gel:

• This is a gel based, non-foaming exfoliator
• “Physical” exfoliating agents include passion fruit seed powder and jojoba beads
• Also contains tropical fruit enzymes for additional exfoliation.
• Chia seed oil moisturizes, soothes and protects skin with omega-3 fatty acids  
• Price is $29.00 / 4 oz.
• Available beginning July 1 online at www.lather.com or in LATHER retail stores 

How I Use:

LATHER recommends that the Chia Seed & Passion Fruit Exfoliating Gel be used about 2-3 times a week. For my somewhat sensitive skin, I find that 2 times a week is just perfect. It gives me a fantastic boost of exfoliation without being "too much" for my skin. To use, I first cleanse my face with a gentle cleanser and leave it wet. Then I apply a small dollop of the Chia Seed & Passion Fruit Exfoliating Gel to my entire face (avoiding eye area). I very gently massage the product on my skin using sweeping circular motions. Then I let the product sit on my face for about a minute or two as a "mask" before rinsing (I like doing this with enzyme-based exfoliating products to allow the enzymes to do some extra work on my skin). 

My Results:

I am so pleased with the results of this amazing Chia Seed & Passion Fruit Exfoliating Gel from LATHER! I feel like my skin is so soft and refined from using this product consistently. Plus, I also love the instant hydration and smoothness it brings to my skin right after rinsing it off. I feel like the extra exfoliation also keeps my skin clear and bright. Not to mention, the gorgeous scent and the feel of the gentle exfoliators really makes this a spa-quality treatment right in my own bathroom. This product is a total treat to use! 

LATHER fans, what else do you love from this line? I have only begun to explore LATHER skincare and would love to know your recommendations!

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Get Your Daily Dose of Vit C: Mad Hippie's Vitamin C Serum

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I am all about taking my Vitamins. Vitamin C has long been a go-to for my daily vitamin intake. It just does so much for your body. So, it is no surprise that it is great for the skin, too! 

Using an antioxidant serum daily really is like your skin's daily vitamin dose! As part of my regular skincare routine, I like using a serum after cleansing and toning and before moisturizing. Just a few drops of a high quality serum can make a huge impact in your skin. An antioxidant serum can help prevent and treat signs of aging and reduce discolorations. Few skincare ingredients are as well proven as Vitamin C!

Mad Hippie's Vitamin C Serum is an all natural serum with Vitamin C as well as Ferulic and Hyaluronic Acid. This serum tightens, brightens, and smooths skin while also reducing the effects of photo-aging!

Key Ingredients Include:

• Grapefruit – Rich in antioxidants & citric acid, grapefruit works to remove dead skin cells, acting as a natural exfoliant, while toning & tightening the skin.

• Konjac Root Powder – Exotic flower from Asia, works to effectively soften & smooth the skin while forming a thin protective barrier.

• Vitamin E - Potent natural antioxidant shown to heal and correct skin damage, wrinkles and signs of aging. 

• Hyaluronic Acid –  Works to plump up the skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.  A naturally occurring substance in the body, hyaluronic acid begins to deplete as we age. 

• Ferulic Acid -A natural  antioxidant found in the cell walls of plants.  When combined with vitamins C & E, Ferulic Acid has been shown to have a compounding photo-protective effect

I really enjoy using this serum! I found that this product really worked quickly to brighten my skin and reduce discolorations. Plus, the hyaluronic acid makes it nicely hydrating. I really like that I can add this serum to my skincare routine without causing breakouts in my somewhat acne-prone skin. I just love the feel of this product on my skin. Plus, I love that it does not irritate my sensitive skin. If you are looking for a high quality and natural antioxidant serum, you should check out this awesome Vitamin C Serum from Mad Hippie! Be sure to scope it out next time you are at Whole Foods.

Price: $32.99 online via www.madhippie.com

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My Skin Loves: Sibu!!! Facial Cleanser and Eye Cream Review

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It is time for another installment of the "My Skin Loves" skincare blog series! My skin can be temperamental and I typically write about skincare that works well for me. The "My Skin Loves" series highlights the "best of the best" of my home skincare arsenal.

My Skin:

I believe that your skin's needs are constantly changing and you need to evaluate your skin and give it what it needs. Your skin's needs and temperament can fluctuate not only week-to-week or month-to-month, but also day-to-day. It can be complicated and frustrating for sure! Currently, I am pregnant. So, my hormones have been wreaking havoc on my skin. I have changed from my usual "combo" to "combo-oily" and even just straight up "oily". My skin has also been somewhat acne-prone lately through this pregnancy. 

Signs of Aging?

Yes, I am starting to see some signs of aging in my skin. As a women in my late 30s (40 is just around the corner, ya'll!), I am seeing some fine lines around my eyes and even my mouth. While I have not deep lines or wrinkles yet, I do want to keep those at bay. Also, I do have some dark spots emerging. These tend to occur with me during pregnancy and they seem to slowly fade after pregnancy.

Sibu and the Sea Buckthorn Berry:
Sibu Beauty is an entire skincare line designed to deliver the nutrients of the Sea Buckthorn berry to your skin in a pure and natural way. The idea behind Sibu was sparked when the founder traveled to India and met an ayurvedic specialist in Chinese plants and herbs who introduced him to the famed Sea Buckthorn berry.

image: Sibu

What is so great about the Sea Buckthorn Berry? According to Sibu: With over 190 bioactive compounds, sea buckthorn is an unsurpassed source of Omegas 3, 6, and 9. And it's a rich source of the elusive essential fatty acid, Omega-7, an essential fatty acid vital to collagen production and healthy skin, hair and nails.

My Skin Loves: Sibu's Sea Buckthorn Balancing Facial Cleanser and the Sibu Sea Buckthorn Age Defying Eye Cream:
There is no question that my "skin loves" Sibu! The products are gentle and effective and my skin has really improved. Actually, one of these products is my new "Holy Grail" favorite! That does not happen often!!!

To find out more details about both the Sibu Sea Buckthorn Balancing Facial Cleanser and the Sibu Sea Buckthron Age Defying Eye Cream, please click "read more" below!

Totally Teen: Naturally Clear Skin with Relogy: First Impressions Review and Top 10 Q&A's

It is time for another Totally Teen Review! :) Since my skin rarely breaks out, I passed this skincare line on to my niece Mollee who is the Pammy Blogs Beauty Teen Reviewer. Mollee's skin is generally pretty clear as well. However, she does get the occasional breakout and because of her age, she can benefit from skincare geared towards keeping skin clear.  So, Mollee was happy to test out these products!

About Relogy:
Relogy combines clinically proven acne ingredients with natural ingredients. The result are healing and anti-inflammatory. 

Relogy products are 100% vegan which means they use absolutely no animal bi-products. Also, Relogy uses natural materials when possible and practices socially and environmentally responsible business practices.

To find out about Mollee's first impressions of Relogy and to read the Top 10 Q&A's from Relogy, please keep reading!

Earth Sourced: NEW Natural Skincare Line from Paula's Choice

I am so excited about this new natural skincare line from Paula's Coice: Earth Sourced!

For those of you that don't know Paula "The Cosmetics Cop" or the Paula's Choice brand, let me introduce you! Paula Begoun is one of the main inspirations for why I started getting into reading product reviews and writing them myself! I stumbled across her amazing book "Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me" over 10 years ago. The book is a reference volume of 100s of cosmetics and skincare product reviews by brand. I instantly became hooked on reading product reviews before buying. The reviews are written based on the product formulations. So, the products are evaluated based on the integrity of the ingredients (rather than personal reviews).

I feel like I owe a lot to Paula as she was such an inspiration to me! I have always loved testing out and trying products. My search of product reviews led me to Makeup Alley where I read and contributed to the product reviews in the MUA database. I also discovered many great product review blogs, such as 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic, where I would read product reviews on a daily basis. After years of reading reviews, I finally decided to start my own blog to publish all my product reviews in one place! I am so happy that I have found an audience and I just love my readers!!!

Not only does Paula Begoun have a fabulous beauty product reference book, but also she has an amazing skincare and makeup line: Paula's Choice. Her products used to be staple items for me years ago. I found her skincare to be very effective while not irritating my sensitive skin! I still like her products. However, I had not used them in awhile. I do so much product testing (especially with writing this blog), that I switch up my skincare frequently. So, I was absolutely thrilled when Paula's Choice contacted me about her new Earth Sourced Skincare line!

The Earth Sourced Line:
The Earth Sourced Line is a natural skincare line with 98% plant-based ingredients. The line is suitable for normal, combination, or dry skin types. Earth Sourced products contain no synthetic compounds. Paula strives to pick the best ingredients based on skincare research. According to the website, Earth Sourced products can help to repair wrinkles, reduce environmental skin damage, and diminish signs of aging. Have you used natural products in the past that irritated your skin? I sure have. Well, Paula's Choice knows to keep natural ingredients out that are known skin irritants like cinnamon, peppermint, and citruses. The natural ingredients in Earth Sourced products are both gentle and effective! These products contain no dyes nor fragrances. The line is really a great option for sensitive skin!

For this review, I tried out the Earth Sourced Cleansing Gel, Refreshing Toner, and Antioxidant Enriched Natural Moisturizer. To find out how I liked these products, please keep reading!

Reviva Labs Skincare Giveaway: September

Summer is almost over! This post/Giveaway marks the end of my 6 Months of Spring/Summer Skincare Giveaways with Reviva Labs!Thanks so much to all of you who have been loyally following this Giveaway/Review series!

More about Reviva Labs:
Reviva Labs is a clinical skincare company that is also environmentally conscious. The products are researched and they deliver great results. Reviva Labs items are available at natural foods stores, grocery stores, and even Ulta! If you missed some of my previous Reviva Labs review posts, be sure to check out these links! Expectant Mama Skincare Review, Expectant Mama Skincare Review (part 2), Reviva Labs Gentle Smoothing Cleansing Gel,  Reviva Labs Vit E Stick,  Reviva Labs Makeup Primer,  Collagen Fibre Eye Pads and Willard Water Anti-Irritant Gel.

This Giveaway is for Reviva Lab's Hyaluronic Acid Serum and TGF Beta-1 Cream (or Collagen Regneration Cream). To hear more about these products and enter the Giveaway, please keep reading!

Eclos Skincare: Plant Stem Cells Try-Me-Pack "First Impressions" and Giveaway!!!

Have you seen this new natural skincare line called e'clos from Freeman Beauty?  I have always had great luck with Freeman products. So, I am excited about this new line!

Eclos is an "apple stem cell"/ plant-based skincare line. Research shows that swiss apple extracts can stimulate skin stem cells to help skin behave like "younger skin". According to Eclos, their special blend of apple extracts plus antioxidants (Eclos calls it "PhytoPlex24") can help to minimize fine lines and make your skin look refreshed and more rested. This sure sounds promising!

So what does this mean for us? Eclos gives the consumer an affordable option for apple stem cell products! Apple Stem Cell skincare seems to be the newest rage in skincare lately. Now it is available at your local drugstore or Ulta!

First Impressions and a Giveaway! A Promo Code too!!!
Eclos recently sent me a "try me" skincare pack of the new Eclos line. I am going to give you my "first impressions" of this line as well as offer you readers a chance to win a "try me" pack! Why "First Impressions" instead of full blown product reviews? Well, first of all Eclos gave me a deadline for the giveaway winner's info. So, I wanted to get this giveaway posted ASAP for ya'll! Typically, I test products for as long as possible (4 or more weeks) before publishing a full review. Also, since this is a "try me" pack with deluxe sample sizes, the sizes of the products do not allow for 4 weeks of testing. With all that said, I tested out these items for a couple weeks and can certainly give you some first impressions!

To find out more information about the Eclos line and enter the giveaway, please keep reading! Hear about my first impressions too!

6 Months of Reviva Labs Skincare Giveaways: August 2012

It is time for my August 2012 Reviva Labs Skincare Giveaway! As ya'll know, I have been hosting Six Month of Skincare Giveaways with Reviva Labs. Next month, September, will be the last of this 6 month Skincare Giveaway series. So, be sure to check back for that. In the meantime, lets talk about this month! August is the hottest month of the year. What better time to pamper your skin?

Have you Heard of Reviva Labs?
Reviva Labs is a clinical skincare company that is also environmentally conscious. I am a huge fan of the brand and I have had such great luck with their products. The products are researched and they deliver results. Reviva Labs items are most commonly found in natural foods stores. With that said, my local grocery store and Ulta carry Reviva Labs too! If you haven't already, be sure to check out some of my Reviva Labs reviews! : Expectant Mama Skincare Review, Expectant Mama Skincare Review (part 2), Reviva Labs Gentle Smoothing Cleansing Gel,  Reviva Labs Vit E Stick,  Reviva Labs Makeup Primer, and the reviews listed in June's giveaway Collagen Fibre Eye Pads and Willard Water Anti-Irritant Gel.

Giveaway Schedule:
Coming Soon: Month Six (September): Hyaluronic Acid Serum and TGF Beta-1 Cream

Keep reading after the page break to learn more about the products in this month's giveaway: Reviva Labs Organic Antioxidant & Texturizing Day Cream and Reviva Labs Cream Hydratante (Hydrating Night Cream). Giveaway entry form is at the bottom of the post after the jump.