Life is all about enjoying the little things. I apply this philosophy to my life in all aspects and my beauty routine is no different. I’ve mentioned a time or twenty that I have very oily skin so I keep that in mind whenever I buy products for my face. So as you can imagine blotting sheets and I are BFFs. Blotting sheets remove that excess oil that pops up during the day that can ruin an otherwise flawless makeup application. I’ve tried several brands of blotting sheets but some of them contain ingredients like mineral oil which is not good for the skin. Yuck! Well that was before I cam across Boscia Green Tea Blotting Linens. Ahhhhh….Nirvana.

These blotting linens have been my saving grace for a shiny face! It’s pretty amazing that one little product can really improve your appearance in such a big way and that’s why I carry them in my makeup bag. Boscia offers a variety of scent infused linens for your blotting needs. Should you desire something with no scent you can opt for the “Fresh” (essence free) option. If you enjoy a little scent play then you can choose from: Green Tea, Vanilla, Lavender, Rose, California Orange or Peppermint. Boscia Blotting Linens are natural; they’re made from fibers of the Abaca Tree Plant. The best part is that there are no artificial ingredients and the blotting sheet is powder free so no unpleasant powdery residue to be left behind. Yes, these blotting sheets are simple yet effective and that’s why they’re one of my favorite little things. What’s one of your favorite little (beauty) things?

Boscia Green Tea Blotting Linens are $10 for 100 sheets

Lavanila Healthy Sunscreen SPF 40 is a highly nourishing and safe alternative to chemical-laden formulas, the Healthy Sunscreen is developed with a new generation of natural mineral sunscreens that offer superior protection, youth-promoting antioxidants and immune supporting botanicals. Perfect for sensitive skin, the fragrance-free, ultra-sheer formula glides on smoothly with no white residue.

While many sunscreens contain PABA, parabens and synthetic fragrances Lavanila Healthy Sunscreen is 100% natural. This deodorant contains Shea Butter to soften, moisturize and protect as well as Green Tea which is a powerful antioxidant. Some of the healthy benefits are protection from UVA & UVB rays which cause sunburn, dryness and premature aging as well as botanicals and amino acids to help hydrate and replenish skin. This formula is non-coledogenic, clinically tested, biodegradable and not tested on animals.

This sunscreen felt incredibly light on my face, like I wasn’t wearing anything at all and it didn’t feel greasy. Many sunscreens for the face feel sticky to the touch but not Lavanila, there is also hardly any scent at all (which I can appreciate). I think that it’s important that a sunscreen is free of chemicals because over time chemicals can accumulate in the bloodstream and cause irritation or allergies. This one is certainly a winner!

Lavanila Healthy Deodorant is $28.00 for 1.8oz. and can be found at Sephora, Sephora.com or lavanila.com

Disclaimer: The product mentioned in this post was provided for editorial consideration by a PR company.

As a part of my beauty routine, I always apply moisturizer to keep my skin supple and also as a smooth base for my makeup application. Even though I have oily skin moisturizer is still an essential part of my routine otherwise my skin would be even oilier! Another problem that I have are breakouts so it’s always a balancing act of making sure that I use all of the right products that work for my skin while keeping my pores clear and making sure that I’m doing all of the right things. So when I received Avon’s Reversalist Day Renewal Cream I was anxious to try it out because it helps to reverse the signs of aging while providing SPF 25 – score!

Avon claims that this formula can visibly reverses wrinkles with Activinol Technology and here is what they have to say about what their product can do:

What is Activinol Technology?
Activinol Technology is shown to increase the production of Activin to help boost skin’s ability to repair itself and recreate fresher, newer looking skin. Avon is the first to use this complex consisting of two exclusive Phytochemicals:
• Amorphophallus: Stimulates Activin production to help trigger skin’s surface repair process.
• Sesbania: To help deliver firmer, less wrinkled looking skin

I’ll admit that I was a bit hesitant because I thought that this cream would be a too heavy and therefore would clog my pores but on the first application my fears were alleviated. The cream was very light and not at all oily. This cream does have a perfume scent to it although it’s not too strong it’s definitely noticeable.

I used this product for approximately two weeks before reviewing it, just to make sure that it did not cause any breakouts and that it showed some improvement in the condition of my skin. On my initial trial of the product my skin was well moisturized but not oily. Over the weeks that I used the product I noticed that my face had a much smoother appearance.  I don’t have a huge problem with wrinkles but I do have some parentheses (aka laugh lines) on my face that are starting to show up. These little laugh lines appeared a bit plumped up, yay! If I keep this up I might just look 21 again!

I love that this formula also has sunscreen, which is great because we all know how important it is to protect our skin from the sun. Avon’s Reversalist Day Renewal Cream also states that it helps to reverse discoloration and although I do not have much of a problem in that area I will continue to use it to hopefully see an improvement in a light scar that I have on my cheek ~ I’ll keep you posted. Overall did this product do what it says it could do, I’d have to say yes. It’s a great moisturizer with SPF 25 and it helps give your skin a more youthful appearance so I will certainly continue to use this product.

Avon Reversalist Day Renewal Cream is available at Avon.com – 1.7oz retails for $27

Disclaimer: The product mentioned in this review was provided by a PR Agency for editorial consideration.

As a woman with sensitive skin I am always on the lookout for products that cleanse, tone and moisturize without stripping away the precious moisture of my skin or leave it read and irritated. When I learned that Dermalogica was launching a system specifically targeted at sensitized skin I jumped all over it. Dermalogica launched their new product line in their 1,640 square foot Soho, NY store where clients received microZone treatments – 20 minute mini facials where your skin is analyzed and then zone specific treatments are utilized to treat areas of concern. I really love the concept of a 20 minute facial because it’s quick enough to do on your lunch break but thorough enough where you will feel completely refreshed. The treatment is $35 for a 20 minute facial which is a steal in my opinion considering the great customer service and the high quality or products that are used.

The product that stood out the most to me was the UltraCalming Cleanser which is a ph-balanced cream cleanser that helps to calm the skin, cool the redness and easily rinses away. Some of the key ingredients are Raspberry fruit extract, Lavender and Cucumber all which calm and sooth sensitive skin.

UltraCalming Cleanser

The cleanser retails for $9.50 for 1.7 fl oz bottle and $33.00 for 8.4 fl Oz bottle.

The other products included in this line are:

UltraCalming Mist - a soothing toner with Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice. $8.50 for 1.7 fl oz and $32.00 for 6 fl oz.

UltraCalming Serum Concentrate - a silky moisturizer to correct inflammation and redness. $52.00 for 1.7 fl oz

UltraCalming Barrier Repair – a waterless moisturizer to soothe and help repair damage from the environment. $37.oo for 1.0 fl oz

UltraCalming Relief Masque – this formula uses colloidal oatmeal to soothe irritated skin. $42.00 for 2.5 fl oz

I was able to try each product in the new line as well as check out some of the many skin care treatments that Dermalogica offers. The Concept Spaces have Skin Bar Stations, MicroZone Treatment areas and Face Mapping skin analysis. The Skin Bar is equipped with personal steamers, mirrors and other implements to allow clients to test and experiment with products.The consultations are free of charge and there is no appointment necessary. There are two Concept Spaces in the US: Soho, NY and Santa Monica, CA however if you are ever in Berlin, Dubai, New Zealand or Mumbai feel free to give your skin a treat.

All of the products were created by The International Dermal Institute which develops skin care products free of mineral oil, artificial colors, fragrances or SD alcohol. To learn more about Dermalogica please visit www.dermalogica.com

As someone that has oily skin, I need to exfoliate on a regular basis. I also have very sensitive skin that get easily irritated so I need to get products that do the job…but gently. I’ve tried products by Jurlique before and I know that they pride themselves on natural products that are innovative and organic. While shopping I came across the Jurlique Fruit Enzyme Exfoliator and decided to give it a try since it exfoliates your skin with natural alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) instead of using grains, sugars or beads. When I got home I tried the product right away (hey who has time to wait)! I cleansed my face I applied the treatment and left it on for about 5 minutes as directed. There was no itching, burning of other discomfort while the treatment was on, thank goodness. After about 5 minutes I rinsed my face off with water and gently dried it with a towel. What I initially I noticed was that was face was not dried out or irritated and there were no signs of redness and secondly it felt smooth – very smooth. Ahhh success!

I have to say that I like this product very much, it does what it’s supposed to do. What I did not enjoy as much was the scent of the product, honestly it’s not very pleasant. The scent is not overly strong and it does not have a chemical scent but rather something more “bark” like, I could not really nail what it was. I do like that this formula is non-abrasive and that there was no redness after use (which is something that I have encountered more often that not with new products). The product over all is pretty good, but it is a little pricey for the 1.7oz bottle that I purchased. I also must mention that you will need to use sunscreen if you use this product (although you should use sunscreen every day) . AHA’s have been known to increase the skins sensitivity to the sun and this can result in sunburn, so while using this product be sure to liberally apply a facial sunscreen and limit your exposure to the sun.

Jurlique indicates that these are the key ingredients in their formula:

*Australian Desert Fruits Complex: Indigenous Quadong, Desert Lime, and Acacia (Wattle) contain fruit acids gently and naturally exfoliate the skin.
*Pumpkin Enzyme: Provides gently exfoliating, leaving skin refreshed and healthy looking.
*Willow Bark Extract: Improves tones, texture, and appearance with natural Beta Hydroxy Acids.
*Prickly Pear: Offers excellent hydrating properties and antioxidant help promote firmer skin.

Jurlique Fruit Enzyme Exfoliator retails for $45 and is available at Sephora and the Jurlique website.

Sephora wants everyone to have great skin in four easy steps:

1.     Cleanse
2.     Treat
3.     Moisturize
4.     Protect

From March 25th through April 14th Sephora pros will assist you in finding the right products for your skin. To take part in this special simply sign up for the Beauty Insider Program and you will receive your Skincare Challenge Card. Each time that you purchase a facial skincare item you will receive a stamp on your card, collect 4 stamps and you will receive a FREE personalized sample bag. So be sure to stop by your local Sephora to participate in this great challenge, you’ll earn some pretty cool swag!

The product that I tested out today is dr. brandt pores no more® vacuum cleaner® blackhead extractor. When you have large pores you must be stringent in your beauty routine in order to avoid blackheads. I usually get routine facials to keep my pores clear but that can get expensive. I’m also guilty of constantly leaning my hands on my face which doesn’t help! Anywho I came across this product and decided to give it a shot since it claimed to unclog pores and loosen and remove blackheads.

Some of the key ingredients are Eijitsu rose which is an extract from a Japanese rose known to help tighten pores as well as Glycolic Acid to exfoliate and soften skin. After you cleanse your face you need to apply a thin layer to the affected area.

After application you need to leave the product on for about 10 minutes or until dry. While drying it felt tingly on my face kind of like the sensation that mint gives, it felt very refreshing and cooling on my skin. When the product is fully dry it turns cornflower blue and you can then rinse it off. After I rinsed my face off I noticed that my pores appeared smaller AND clearer. I initially tried the product on one side of my face so that I could compare how it felt before and after and I definitely felt like I had exfoliated the side that I used the product on. There was no irritation, no unpleasant odor and a certain marked improvement in my skin so I would recommend this product for those with large pores. Pores no more® can be used 2-3 times per week and best results are seen after four weeks. A 1 oz tube retails for $45 and is worth the investment for acne prone skin. This one is a winner!

I have been a fanatic about my skin care ever since I can remember, so when I spotted my first sign of a laugh line believe me it was no laughing matter. Honestly I was really surprised that at my age my skin was showing signs of damage (but being a former smoker I’m sure that didn’t help). I considered getting cosmetic fillers to help recover some of the smoothness that I was losing but that’s an investment that I was not quite ready to make. I’ve tried a multitude of products but none of them seemed to reverse the damage…that is until I tried Kinerase Advanced Repair Serum. This product states that it will dramatically reduce the depth of wrinkles in 30 days – well ladies I started seeing results within a week! Yay! I am usually skeptical about products that make such dramatic claims but I am happy to say this product DOES deliver.

The serum also claims to help reduce blotchiness and discoloration but I have not yet seen results in those two areas. I mainly started using the serum around my “parentheses” so that’s where my focus was, I still have 2 more weeks (to reach my 30 day mark) so if there is more improvement in those areas I will be sure to update my post.

Kinerase is a well known brand that is known to use plant extracts, this particular product uses Zeatin  (a powerful plant-derived antioxidant). Studies have shown that Zeatin has helped to improve skin roughness, texture and reduce the appearance of fine lines. The cost of this product certainly ain’t cheap, for a .5 fl oz bottle it’s going to cost you around $115. I’ve seen this product on Amazon for approximately $80 but on most skin care sites its in the $100+ price range. Even though this product is very expensive, it’s certainly less expensive than getting a cosmetic filler. So would I recommend this product? Absolutely…great skin is no luxury!