Spa Night at Home: 2 Great Masks from The Body Shop!

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Looking to add a new facial mask to your Spa Night routine at home? I have two great, and very different, masks from The Body Shop in my collection that I would love to tell you about! 

For my Spa Nights at home, I like to first "diagnose" my skin and then determine what type of mask that I need for the evening. With my combination skin, I can feel anywhere from oily to dry to in-between. So, I choose my mask accordingly. For nights that I want to deep cleanse and purify my skin, I choose the Blue Corn 3-in1 Deep Cleansing Mask. For evenings that I feel a little dry, I choose the Drops of Youth Bouncy Sleeping Mask to nourish my skin while I sleep. 

The Body Shop Blue Corn 3-in-1 Deep Cleansing Mask:
I love the unique and creamy-yet-scrubby texture of this mask! This a great mask to use when my skin needs a little bit of clarifying. I think that this mask is a perfect fit for my combination skin. It deep cleanses, exfoliates, and leaves your skin feeling conditioned. I think that this mask achieves a nice balance. It can suck the gunk out of your pores and lightly exfoliate your skin without overdrying it.

How I Use:
I use this mask after washing my face in the evening about once a week. I leave the mask on my skin for about 20 minutes while I relax. I like that this mask dries, but does not dry in a way that leaves your skin feeling tight or uncomfortable. Then, I wet my hands to re-emulsify the mask and use circular motions to gently exfoliate my skin while gradually adding more water to the mask to remove it while lightly scrubbing. After completely rinsing, my skin is left feeling super soft and nourished. I follow up with a moisturizer. 

The Body Shop Drops of Youth Bouncy Sleeping Mask:
This mask is completely different and unique! I honestly do not have any other masks like it in my facial mask arsenal. As a bit of a skincare junkie, I was immediately intrigued by the unique qualities of this mask. Plus, I am a busy stay-at-home Mom of a 3-year old, and a 1-year old...I am often too tired in the evenings for any complicated skincare routine. So, the idea of a facial that works *while I sleep* is so appealing!

This mask comes beautifully packaged in a large and somewhat flat glass jar. The mask itself looks a bit like glue. For some reason, I was expecting a clear gel. However, it is a white bouncy-feeling cream. The texture almost reminds me of jello with that bounce-back quality. It has a light and somewhat floral scent that I enjoy.

Tips for Use:
After washing your face, use these application tips (suggested in a video on The Body Shop's site), to get the best results from this mask. Before applying, get a small amount of the mask out of jar with the spatula (I, of course, lost my spatula, lol..so, I used a plastic spoon). Warm up the mask in your hands by rubbing the mask in your hands. Then massage the mask over your face using sweeping circular massaging motions with your hands.

I think the trick is to really use a very small amount of this mask. It has a somewhat sticky feeling on your skin. So, you don't want to overdo it or you will feel very sticky and greasy. I do notice that I wake up to very hydrated skin when I use this mask. Since it is the Summer right now, my skin is more on the oily side of combo. I think I will like and use this mask the most in the Fall and Winter when my skin feels more dry. I think this mask can be a very nice hydration boost for your skin! Plus, you need such a small amount of this mask for each use, that this jar will last me forever. So, this product is a great value for the price. You will get a ton of uses out of one jar! If you are looking for a unique overnight mask for hydration, be sure to scope this one out!

So, those are my thoughts on these two very different masks from The Body Shop. I enjoyed using them so much that I would love to explore the rest of their masks! Are you a The Body Shop fan? What are your favorite masks, skincare, makeup, or body products from the line? I always like hearing your recommendations! :)

XOXO! :)

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Tackle Your Under-Eye Issues with Sudden Change Under-Eye Firming Serum: Review and Giveaway!

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Does your under-eye area struggle? Do you have issues like under-eye bags, dark circles, wrinkles, lines, and/or puffiness? My under-eye area is my trouble-spot when it comes to skincare. Actually, my under-eye issues are probably my biggest skincare complaint! I have very dark under eye circles (due to allergies, general lack of sleep, and heredity). I rely on good skincare and ultra-pigmented concealers to tackle my dark circles. In addition, I also have some fine lines around my eye area. Puffiness is not a main issue for me. However, there certainly are times when my eyes get puffier depending on the salt content in my diet and how hydrated I am.

Sudden Change Under-Eye Firming Serum:
Just two drops of Sudden Change Under-Eye Firming Serum applied under each eye is all you need to instantly reduce the appearance of under-eye wrinkles, lines and puffiness.
This product is so unique! It is an under eye serum that can either be used alone or be mixed in with your foundation and then applied to your eye area. Honestly, I have never tried a product quite like this! The serum comes in a small bottle with a dropper. The serum has a thin and almost sticky feel (that disappears as it absorbs). When this serum is used, it gives your eyes an instant and temporary under eye "lift"!

How I Use Sudden Change Under-Eye Firming Serum:
This product is super easy to use. It can be used alone by smoothing 2 drops of the serum under each eye or it can be mixed into your foundation. When I use as a mix-in, I use 2 drops of serum and one drop of makeup and I mix it on my clean hands. I then smooth it on from my inner to outer under-eye area. While doing this, I try to keep my face still (no frowning or smiling until the product dries).

My Results:
As soon as I smooth on the Sudden Change Under-Eye Firming Serum, I can feel the tightening effect. This product really does work instantly to tighten and firm the under-eye area. I feel like my skin looks and feels more taught in the area. Any minor puffiness is eliminated and I feel that my fine lines look less apparent and more smoothed out. It is hard to evaluate the effect on my dark under-eye circles since I do apply this with my makeup (which covers the darkness). I really do like the ease of using this product! Takes just three minutes, but lasts for hours.

Here is my before/after with Sudden Change Under-Eye Firming Serum. The results are more visible in real life (the pictures couldn't completely capture the increase in firmness). There is a difference that I can feel with the smoother/tighter under eye area. My fine lines are not that noticeable to begin with. So, it might be hard to see the difference here. I still have darkness that is apparent. However, my dark circles are darker than most peoples. So, I feel that improvement in this area would be very difficult to achieve.

Where to Buy?
You can find Sudden Change Under-Eye Firming Serum at CVS, Duane Reade, Rite Aid, ULTA, Walgreens and Walmart. Sudden Change is available for under $15.

Giveaway:

Enter the Sudden Change Spring Cleaning Shopping Spree today! Three winners will each get a $100 gift card to a national Sudden Change retailer (CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens or Walmart) for new makeup and other beauty essentials, including Sudden Change Under-Eye Firming Serum! Winners announced on Friday, 5/1, at 12 p.m. ET.

Connect with Sudden Change on Facebook.

What under-eye issues do you have -- dark circles, bags, lines, wrinkles, and/or puffiness?
Comments submitted may be displayed on other websites owned by the sponsoring brand.

To learn more about the Sudden Change brand visit them on the web at www.suddenchange.com and LIKE the brand on Facebook.

For more information about the line of Sudden Change skincare products, visit www.SuddenChange.com

#InstantRetouchwithSuddenChange
#sponsored

To learn more about the Sudden Change brand visit them on the web at www.suddenchange.com and LIKE the brand on Facebook.

This is a product-provided, sponsored conversation that contains affiliate links. I received a package of Sudden Change Under-Eye Firming Serum for my own personal use. All opinions, text and experiences are my own.

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My Skin Loves: Kate Somerville Clinic-To-Go Resurfacing Peel Pads!

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I have a new skincare addiction: Kate Somerville's Clinic-to-Go Resurfacing Peel Pads! Peel pads are a relatively new addition to my skincare routine. I would say that I have been using various brands of peel pads for just over a year or so, and I am completely hooked. My skin NEEDS the deep exfoliation that I can only get with an at-home peel pad type product. They keep my skin clear while providing the anti-aging benefits that a great peel provides.

With my general love of peel pads, I was super excited to try out Kate Somerville's Clinic-To-Go Resurfacing Peel Pads! Kate Somerville is one of my top 5 Skincare Brands! I completely and utterly trust Kate Somerville's products to be effective. It is this simple: I get amazing results when I use Kate Somerville products.

Kate Somerville's Clinic-to-Go Peel Pads literally give you a facial in just 2 minutes! Now, everyone has 2 extra minutes in their nighttime routine, right?! They are just so quick and easy to use and so effective. What is not to love? 

My Skin:

Before diving into details about this awesome product, let me give ya'll a little more info on my skin. I am 40 years old and have sensitive combination skin. I am combo-dry in the cold months and combo-oily in the warmer months. I am fighting both breakouts and wrinkles at this phase in life. I do not break out that often, but do get 1-2 spots per month (typically around nose and chin area) depending on my skincare routine. I find that good skincare products can eliminate me breaking out (so, no breakouts if I am on top of my skincare routine). I have no major wrinkles yet, but do have some fine lines around my eyes and mouth (that really only are apparent when my skin is a bit dehydrated). My biggest skincare complaint? My super dark under eye circles. Sigh!

Key Ingredients:

These Clinic-To-Go Peel Pads are loaded with effective ingredients:

• Latic Acid naturally exfoliates and softens skin, diminishing the appearance of pores and helping to brighten the skin in just 28 days. 
• Soothing Myrtle and Sage Leaf Extract calms and conditions. 

How to Use:

These Peel-to-Go pads are individually wrapped, single-use buffing pads. Used twice weekly (sometimes I use twice weekly, but often I honestly get the same results with my skin with 1x per week use), these pads promote cellular turnover and reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles while also keeping your skin clear. To use, just place your fingers in the little pocket of the pad and peel off the seal to expose the product. Gently buff the pad in gentle circular motions on clean and dry skin. This is my 2nd step in my skincare routine after a gentle cleanser. Leave product on for 2 minutes and then rinse. Easy peasy...and so quick! I can feel this product going to work with a slight tingle (ever so slight and not at all uncomfortable). My skin is sensitive and these pads still work for me! My skin is ever-so-slightly flushed for a few minutes after use (but that goes down in just a few minutes). After rinsing off this product, I follow up with a night cream.

My Results:

These Clinic-To-Go Peel Pads from Kate Somerville work wonders on my skin! Weekly use (1-2x per week) has refined my pores, decreased my breakouts, made my fine lines less apparent, diminished the appearance of my pores, and has left my skin ultra soft and smooth. Plus, I know that with the awesome exfoliation that I get from these Clinic-to-Go Peel Pads, my skincare products are sinking in better and are more effective! I absolutely love this product and highly recommend it!!!

There are so many products that I love from Kate Somerville! Here are some of my other favorites:

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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! :)

Radical Skincare: Age Defying Exfoliating Pads

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Have you heard of Radical Skincare? It is one of my new favorite skincare brands and it is available at Sephora. So far, I have tried the Radical Skincare Instant Revitalizing Mask, which I am totally in love with, and now the Age-Defying Exfoliating Pads.

I am always looking for a quick and easy way to exfoliate my face. My skin *loves* exfoliation. It honestly took me years to discover this. Now that I know how well my skin responds to good exfoliation, I like seeking out effective and easy-to-use exfoliators to add to my skincare rotation. These Age-Defying Exfoliating Pads from Radical Skincare are an excellent option! To find out more details about these pads and my thoughts on them, please click "read more" below! :)

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.

Get Smooth Skin with Neutrogena's Microdermabrasion System: Love this kit!

Get Smooth Skin!
My skin loves exfoliation! For years it was the "missing link" in my skincare routine. Once I realized that good exfoliation was what my skin needed, I was hooked! This new device from Neutrogena is a great way to get some good mechanical exfoliation!

Microdermabrasion?
This new system from Neutrogena is not "true" Microdermabrasion. True Microdermabrasion is really something much deeper: Typically it involves using aluminum oxide crystals to remove dead skin cells and a suction to vacuum those away. Many at-home exfoliants now use the term "Microdermabrasion" to describe basic exfoliation. What this device from Neutrogena gives you is  deep cleansing with exfoliation. While it is not technically microdermabrasion, the device still does great things for your skin! I know enough about Microdermabrasion that I honestly didn't expect this device to be "real" microderm (I wouldn't imagine that any home kit would be able to deliver Dr. office type Microderm results). So, this is not a let down for me. But, just know, you are really just getting exfoliation with this system, not microderm.

My Skin At-A-Glance:
I have normal-dry/combo skin. In the Summer months I lean more towards normal (and even normal-oily in t-zone) and in the Winter months, I lean more towards normal-dry. My skin is generally really clear, but I do get the occasional clogged pore on my chin. No major lines or wrinkles yet for me. But, as i am in my late 30's, I am trying to do everything that I can to prevent these. I have some very fine lines around the eye area (that are especially noticeable when my skin is dehydrated). My biggest concern seems to be that my skin is very sensitive. I always need to proceed with caution when trying new skincare.

To find out how I like Neutrogena's Microdermabrasion System kit, keep reading after the page break.

6 Months of Skincare Giveaways: Reviva Labs July (review and Giveaway!)

It is time for another Reviva Labs Skincare Giveaway!!! This month Reviva Labs would like to giveaway two of their most popular products to one lucky Pammy Blogs Beauty reader! The prize: Reviva Labs Non-Chemical Light Skin Peel and Reviva Labs Seaweed Soap.

I have had such great results with Reviva Labs products that it is a pleasure to offer this ongoing giveaway series for my readers!

Reviva Labs is a clinical skincare company that is also environmentally conscious. The products are researched and they deliver results. Reviva Labs items are most commonly found in natural foods stores. 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 last month's giveaway Collagen Fibre Eye Pads and Willard Water Anti-Irritant Gel. 

What is the Giveaway schedule?

• Month Four (July): Light Skin Peel and Seaweed Soap
• Month Five (August): Organic Day Cream w/Alpha Lipoic Acid and Cream Hydratante
• Month Six (September): Hyaluronic Acid Serum and TGF Beta-1 Cream.

To see product descriptions and reviews keep reading! If you want to enter the contest, read details after the page break and fill out the Rafflecopter form!

Plump up with Algenist Concentrated Reconstructing Serum: Innovative and Effective!

Are you looking for innovative skincare that is scientifically based and proven effective? Look no further than the new Algenist line of skincare! So far, I have had a really great experience with the brand. If you missed it, a few weeks ago I reviewed Algenist Complete Eye Renewal Balm and Algenist Regenerative Anti-Aging Moisturizer.

What is Alguronic Acid and what does it do?

The story of the discovery of Alguronic Acid is an interesting one. Sometimes the best discoveries are the accidental ones! Algenist's research claims that Alguronic Acid is even more effective than proven skincare powerhouses Retinol, Vitamin C, and Hyaluronic Acid! This is promising news. There is a lot of potential here!

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 is a brand based on Alguronic Acid. Actually, they are the first brand to introduce Alguronic Acid in the skincare market.

So, back to the serum! I am totally blown away by this serum! After about 6 weeks of testing, I can tell you that this product really worked for me!  To find out more details about the product and my experience, please keep reading!

Have You Ever Tried a Sheet Mask? b.liv by Cellinique

My love of masking continues with these great sheet masks from b.liv by Cellnique Skincare!

Cellnique is a Malaysian skincare line that I have had great results with in the past. If you haven't had a chance, be sure to check out my previous Cellinique skincare review here: Cellnique Paramedical Skincare. The Seaweed Cleansing gel continues to be one of my favorite cleansers (especially in the mornings for its minty feel!). 

Sheet Masking is so different from applying a clay-type or scrub-type mask! These sheet masks are paper-like sheets that are soaked in gel/liquid type ingredients. You actually lay the mask on top of your skin and let all the skincare goodness absorb! Ya'll know that, in general, I love masks. Well, sheet masks are just "fun" to use! It feels as if your skin is just getting a huge "drink" when you use these.

To find out more, keep reading!