moisturizer

Review: DHC Kakonjuka Cream

May 26, 2014

DHC Kakonjuka Cream is a daily moisturizer with exotic ingredients like maitake mushroom, rishi mushroom and licorice.

Normally I stay away from creamy moisturizers since I have oily skin. However I found the list of botanical ingredients intriguing. Reishi mushrooms have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and even anti-cancer properties. Maitake mushrooms protect, moisturize, and strengthen skin.

This putty hued cream has a thin consistency and is surprisingly lightweight. Upon application it feels rather rich but completely absorbs into the skin leaving is soft and smooth. I liked how quickly is seemed to sink in without feeling heavy or greasy.

Unlike other moisturizers it does not have a perfumey scent to it -although the scent is quite unique. The scent fades quickly and I didn’t notice it once I applied the cream to my face.

The cream works well at plumping the skin and moisturizing all day long. It leaves skin smooth and primed for makeup application.

Have you tried DHC’s Kakonjuka Cream?

Favorite things: Korres Natural Skincare and Cosmetics

January 12, 2013

Korres has been one of my favorite skincare and cosmetic brands for a few years now, particularity because they are an all natural and herbal brand. The company was founded in Greece around two decades ago, and they remain to be the “fastest-growing natural skincare company.”

The Korres brand makes all of their products without harsh chemicals, uses all natural and herbal ingredients, helps organic farmers, supports local communities and protects natural resources around the world.

The brand is sold in stores worldwide, as well as in both Sephora and Ulta and sells for $35.00. I recently purchased a Moisturizer, which is one of my staple skincare items. Korres Natural Products Wild Rose 24-Hour Moisturizing & Brightening, Normal to Dry Skin is a 24-hour moisturizer and brightening cream. This moisturizer is made with Wild Rose Oil and all natural Vitamin C, said to reduce the appearance of fine lines and skin discoloration while leaving the skin fresh, hydrated and bright all day long. I use this cream once every morning underneath my make up, and the scent is enough to sell you! With just a dime-sized amount, the cream melts right into your skin and I instantly feel the softness and delicateness on my face.

Korres has made a brightening and moisturizing line of Wild Rose products called the Wild Rose Regimen Kit it includes a Serum, Cleanser, Eye Cream and a mask. Very luxurious!

This moisturizer, like all of Korres products, are made with:

No mineral oil, no silicones, no parabens, no propylene glycol, no synthetic dyes, no retinol, and no animal by-products and animal testing!

Have you tried Korres skincare products or cosmetics?

Unexpected Find: Trader Joe’s Spa Gentle Facial Cleanser + Regenerating Antioxidant Moisturizing Face Lotion

January 7, 2011

As a blogger, my taste in creams and cleansers tends toward the uber-fancy. We all know that while drugstores have some good old standards, the CVS experience isn’t as exciting as toting home a tiny, pretty shopping bag stocked with high-end lotions and potions. In fact, I would have never given this sleek and stylish cleanser and lotion combo a second glance on a recent trip to Trader Joe’s had it not strongly reminded me of the clean lines in the packaging of Ren Skincare.

Stocked unobtrusively among the paper towels and vitamins, I spotted Trader Joe’s Spa Gentle Facial Cleanser and Trader Joe’s Spa Regenerating Antioxidant Moisturizing Face Lotion. I surreptitiously sidled up to the shelf and examined the slim cylinders, giving the ingredients list a quick perusal. The citrus-scented formulations lacked parabens, mineral oil fillers, and boasted Vitamins A and C in addition to skin-friendly aloe vera juice and super-hydrophilic hyaluronic acid. At far less than $10 a pop, I could not place them back on the display, and into my cart they went.

Some cursory research indicated overwhelmingly positive reviews of the product, and I followed the tip of massaging the cleanser into dry skin for enhanced chemical exfoliation. (That sounds scary, but it just means scrubbing without scrubbing.) The cleanser tingles, but not in a bad way. It rinses off with low foam, and feels almost like a mini peel. I followed with a generous application of the Regenerating Antioxidant Moisturizing Lotion, and my skin drank up the moisture- resulting in a clean, but not dry or tight result.

After two weeks of use, I have not required a manual exfoliant once. My skin glows and hasn’t succumbed to winter dehydration, a frustration many of us oily-skinned girls can experience when temperatures plummet. I’m almost mad at Trader Joe’s for depriving me the joy of scanning the counters for a pricey cream and serum to combat cold-weather flakes, but then I remember how awesome my skin feels and all is forgiven.

What beauty finds have you come across in unexpected locations?

Review: Dermalogica Oil Control Lotion

September 8, 2010

If you have oily skin or acne prone skin then you simply must try Dermalogica’s Oil Control Lotion. This Oil Control Lotion is light in texture yet hydrating AND it keeps shiny face at bay. The airy formula goes on effortlessly and a little product goes a long way. When I use this lotion my face is noticeably less oilier and I do not need to blot my face as much. One major plus for me is that there is no harsh “chemical” smell, but rather a light mint scent. There are no artificial colors or fragrances added and it’s also Paraben free.

Dermalogica’s Oil Control lotion contains Camphor, Balm Mint and Cornflower to cool and calm inflammation. It also contains Salicylic Acid (1%) to clear clogged pores and help prevent acne. For those of us that have sensitive skin, Salicylic Acid may cause irritation. Fortunately for me I did not encounter this problem and I have sensitive skin. Enantia Chlorantha Bark is an extract that’s added to help regulate sebum therefore reducing oily surface shine.

This lotion is a great two in one product oily skin. Instead of using a moisturizer and an oil control product I use this lotion. I honestly cannot say that there was anything that about it that I did not like. Overall the lotion was kind to my sensitive skin, kept me shine free for hours and kept my facial oil in Zen like harmony. What more can a girl ask for?

Dermalogica Oil Control Lotion can be purchased here for $37.

Back to the beach!

July 6, 2010

Summer is a time for enjoying the outdoors, vacationing and spending long days seaside or at the pool. I must admit that summer is my favorite season by far. I live for the long days where the sun doesn’t set until 8pm and the weekdays are filled with happy thoughts of the weekend to come at the beach. I can spend days at Fire Island sipping something cold and watching the waves crash against the shore. Yes, for me summer is my favorite season and being near the ocean is one of my favorite places to be. The scent of summer is the smell of the ocean and the sand and that just what On Holiday Moisturizing Body Spray by Votre Vu gives us.

This was my very first time trying a product by French owned company Votre Vu and I was enticed by not only the scent but the ingredients. On Holiday contains grape seed oil, sweet almond oil, apricot kernel oil, jojoba oil and wheat germ. Had I tried this product sooner, it would have surely made the cut in my Just another day at the beach! post. This spray is PERFECT for your dry skin needs, just spray on right after you step out of the shower (no need to towel off!) and be instantly transported to your happy place.

I love that this oil comes in a spray bottle so it’s easy to use without all of the mess. The oil absorbed into my skin quickly and the scent left behind was intoxicating, I couldn’t stop smelling it! I would say easily that this is one of the nicest smelling body sprays that I’ve tried and since it reminds me of one of my favorite summer activities it’s on my must have list.

Disclaimer: The product mentioned in this review was provided by the company for consideration.