Bliss The Youth As We Know It Concentrate

Although I haven't tried too many, I've been a big fan of the few Bliss products I've gotten my hands on. My latest obsession is The Youth As We Know It Concentrate. It is a light weight moisture lotion put on after exfoliating with Peeling Groovy facial serum. It has pearl illuminators to give my skin some luminosity. The hydration is supposed to be longer lasting than most since the Hydroplex-3 (used in Bliss's in-spa The Youth As We Know It facial) binds to the skin to continue to moisturize over time. I just like that is is super light weight, smells like yummy grapefruits and absorbs quickly.
You can use alone as a light weight moisturizer or under The Youth As We Know It Moisturizer for a double dose of hydration.

Hydrate lovely!

P.S. Bliss has a special offer August 12th though August 16th:

Liiv Botanicals by Avon Vital Day Cream SPF 20

Everyone is following the trend to be more green, more natural, even Avon. Their line Liiv Botanicals is all about using plant extracts and dye-free and preservative-free formulas. I had a chance to try few of the products in the line, and so far I am happy with them. But my favorite has been the Vital Day Cream with SPF 20. It is every thing I ask for in a good daily moisturiser. It goes on light, absorbs quickly, and has sunscreen! I doesn't irrate my sensitive, combo skin and seems to keep shine to a minimum under my face powder. For $15 bucks, I'll forgive its only flaw, that it comes in a pot which can be messy and unsanitary. I'm looking forward to trying more of the Liiv Botanicals products, and glad to know I can purchase them online without a Avon rep.

Green Lovely!

Jan Marini Age Intervention Peptide Extreme

If you have read my blog before, you would know how much I love Jan Marini's products. They are high quality, well-researched, and always make my skin very happy. So when I got the chance to try a new addition to their line, I jumped. Here is what their website says about it:

"Age Intervention Peptide Extreme is the most concentrated, proprietary peptide formulation ever and sets a new standard for extraordinary skin rejuvenation with four targeted peptide blends that work to rebuild and revitalize any skin type. Combined with potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatories, your skin will visibly respond on every measurable level."

I have been using this serum for a few weeks now and I like what I see. My skin is still relatively young, but I would like to see it stay that way. I think that using this product chalked up of antioxidants and such, I can do just that. Not to mention, it glides on easy and drys quick, so application is a breeze. There is none of that sticky-icky feeling you get with some serums and that I can get along with!

Serum Lovely!

The Body Deli - Skincare products so natural you could almost eat them

Like to eat fresh? Organic? Raw, whole foods? Well, why not use them on your body too? The Body Deli has created a line of skincare and body care products made of fresh, organic, raw ingredients. They are so fresh, each product actually has an expiration on it! I've had the chance to try a couple of their products and so far I really like them. It is very cool to read the list of ingredients and actually know what all of them are!

Inspired by the concept of natural living and driven by the science of “living foods,” The Body Deli’s products are designed to provide nutrition for the skin. All of the products are handmade in small batches and incorporate raw, fresh, natural and organic ingredients, including organic yogurt, amino acids, fresh fruit and vegetables, and all-natural plant oils. Yum! The result is nutrient-rich products for the body, face and hair that deliver fresh vitamins, enzymes and minerals at their peak potency. Hence the expiration date!

When my skin was freaking because it was so dry, I reached for the Creme de la Rose. Normally, this luxurious cream would have been too heavy for me but my skin was extra thirsty from the dry heat. I used it only at night and it kept the tightness I was feeling at bay. So, if you want a heavy cream with tons of anti-aging benefits, from the oils of pure organic steam distilled bulgarian rose, moroccan rose geranium and sandalwood from India, try this out. You'll feel like you are using a cream meant for a queen.

Another lotion I tried was the Solar Defense Day Cream. We all know what a big fan I am of moisturizers that include a sunscreen. Who wants to put two products on when one can do the job just fine?! My typically slightly oily skin likes the lightness of this lotion and the fact that is blends in fast. No to mention it includes anti-oxidants such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Superoxide Dimutase, which work to neutralize free radical damage and improve the health and vitality of the complexion. Yeah, that's right! Nature does good work!

Lotion Lovely!

Not a Flake in Sight... Thanks guys!

I know I might be jumping the gun a little but I think my skin is all better. I listened to a few friends' sound advice, and presto! My skin is back to being soft and smooth. Usually, I am the one giving the tidbits of product knowledge to my girlfriends, but this condition was so out of the norm for me I was clueless, kinda.

I was chatting with my friend G yesterday who recently moved from Cali to DC and is experiencing her first "real" winter. I explained my flaky, red, itchy, dry skin and she had a surprising solution: St. Ives Apricot Scrub. She suggested using the gentle formula, but I already had the blemish fighting formula at home, so I decided to tried that. I used it in the shower, so my skin was soft and hydrated. The 2% salicylic acid and walnut shell powder work together to exfoliate and scrub off all the dead skin cells. I had stopped using it because I was worried it was too harsh, but I think it worked well for my uber flaky skin. I won't use it everyday, but maybe every two days or so, to keep the flakes at bay. Thanks G!

While at Walgreens, I remember a conversation I had with my friend D the other week when I remarked how lovely her skin looked. Here she was in the middle of finals and law school application hell, and her skin was radiant! I asked her what she was using, since I know she has fairly sensitive skin like me. A bit of a brand snob like me, I was surprised to hear she was using Aveeno Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15. It is a great face lotion for sensitive, irritated skin. It has a nice light scent, but it's hypoallergenic and noncomdeogenic. My skin felt soft and smooth after I used it, and has continued to stay that way all day. Thanks D!

I am not exactly sure what caused my skin to get so irritated, but I am happy to have discovered (and re-discovered) these reasonably priced products to get me back on track towards beautiful, radiant winter skin.

Smile Lovely!

Help! Winter Is Attacking My Face!

Seriously, I need some honest to god suggestions for excellent face creams and dry skin remedies. Some combination of trying a new cleanser (Murad's Clarifying Cleanser - think it was too drying for my right now), the crisp 50 degree weather, my heater, and my acne medication (Retin-A Micro, Rx only) has turning my face into a red, dry, scaley mess! I can't even wear foundation or powder, cuz they stick to the dry areas more than the not dry areas and I look like a clown!

I have been slathering on The Body Shop's Vitamin E Nourishing Night Cream multiple times a day, since it's the thickest face cream I have on hand. But it doesn't seem to be cutting the dryness, only creating a layer of moisture over it. I am only washing with Cetaphil, the super gentle one, but its doesn't seem to do much either.

I think I need to exfoliate all this dry skin off, but I'm scared to get a worse reaction. My face is already kind of red and irritated, I can't imagine having to walk around with it any worse.

Help me! If you have any suggestions on products that have helped you in the past, please let me know. I made an appointment to see my dermatologist, but the earliest I can see her is Thursday... I can't wait that long.

Advise lovely!

Just a Quick Word

This is going to be a quick post today cuz I actually have a lot of work to do...yuck! Anyways, thought I would just list a few things I'm eying right now, but trying to hold off on, say, until my next cc bill cycle:

MAC's Antiquitease hit stores today. I am lusting after the Mineralize Eye Shadow duo in Family Silver and the Fluidline in Uppity.

NARS Night Series Mini Palette, a limited edition available at Sephora. Such a grat combo of colors to create the perfect evening looks! mmmm

Philosophy's Hope in A Jar. I bought the mini jar on a whim in line at Sephora (those bins by the check out always get me!) and now I think I'm in love. Its rare for a face cream not to sting or irritate my skin, espically when I'm using Retin-A from my dermatologist, but Hope in a Jar is great and has a nice light scent.

Browse Lovely!