Go Green - Turn In Your Toxins: “Turn In Your Toxins!! Turn In Your Toxins!! Just saying it makes me feel like a 19th century Newsie. You know, the kind that got to dance and frolic with the hotness that is Christian Bale circa 1992. I gotta give it up to the brains behind butter London for coming up with an eye catching line.
In conjunction with Earth Day and in an effort to detoxify your nail routine the Seattle based nail lacquer brand is asking you to ditch your toluene, formaldehyde and DBP laden polishes. Just relinquish 3 bottles of your old, toxic, nail polish and receive a coupon for a FREE bottle of their 3 Free formula lacquer.
But where do you go to score such a deal? butter London has teamed up with BrandHabit to help you locate a nearby retailer. BrandHabit is an online boutique locator that finds where your favorite designers are carried; from major labels to indie brands, including butter London. Unfortunately, butter London hasn’t made it to every small town in the land but it looks like some of major metros are included. Head on over to BrandHabit to find out!
As you know, one of my favorite skin care products is Philosophy Microdelivery Peel. I’ve only bought the product once, and it’s lasted me over two years, even though I use it about once a week. It’s worked wonders to keep my skin smooth, and it helps to keep it exfoliated, which helps to prevent acne. I’ve used lots of skin exfoliants, but this is my favorite by far.
Olay Microdermabrasion Treatment Shortly after I bought the Philosophy kit for $65, Olay released a very similar product - Olay Regenerist Microdermabrasion & Peel System. Its ingredients are nearly identical to the Philosophy kit, but it retails for about $28 at your local drugstore. Well this week my Philosophy kit finally ran out, and I decided to try the Olay Microdermabrasion instead. It was on sale at Target for $23, and I figured if it didn’t work out, I could just return it, and go back to the Philosophy.
I’ve used it twice now, and the results it produces are nearly identical to the Philosophy. It really helps keep my skin smooth and radiant, and I would have a hard time telling the two products apart if I didn’t know which was which. The ph level of the Philosophy is a 2, while the Olay is a 3.6. In theory, I would gather that the Philosophy would work better to exfoliate the skin, due to its higher acidity level, but I think the results from the products are more due to the sodium bicarbonate (the scrub/crystals).
Since sodium bicarbonate is basically baking soda, I wonder what would happen if you used baking soda (mixed with some sort of gel alpha hydroxy acid product) to exfoliate your skin. I haven’t tried this do-it-yourself concoction, but for now I’m okay with paying $23 for the Olay product. I was also okay with paying $65 for the Philosophy version, since the results were so good.
You can’t go wrong with either of these two products, in my opinion. It’s hard to say which is better, but given the price point, I’d probably start with the Olay, unless you have money to burn. And I’m sorry for not mentioning the Olay earlier, but since I hadn’t tried it til now, I was hesitant to recommend it.
Flowery Professional markets disposable manicure and pedicure kits. Even though I’m not a nail professional, nor do I play one on TV (or the internet, for that matter), I thought these kits would be nice ways to get everything you need for a home mani/pedi.
4-way Buffer and Shiner (my favorite product in this kit)
Plastic cuticle pusher
Manicure stick
Nail brush (my runner up, especially since spring has sprung and gardening is in work at my home)
The nail file worked fine, no rips or tears in my soft nails and the 4-way buffer and shiner really did an outstanding job. It was easy to buff my nails up to a high gloss shine and I didn’t have to worry about applying any clear polish! Beautiful. The plastic cuticle stick was also gentle on taming my cuticles into shape. And the nail brush is sturdy enough to get out gardening dirt and grime from nail corners, beneath nails, etc.
With my once weekly use, all the items are still going strong and performing quite well. It’s a great little package and I love not having to buy everything individually.
Flowery’s kits are available in Sally Beauty stores (yeah!), or search the Flowery directory for an online store or a retail store near you.
Trend-Filled Thursdays: Products with Floral Packaging: “Spring is finally here … and that makes this beauty chick excited to sip margaritas at outdoor happy hours, wear skirts with flip-flops and no tights, and — of course — to see pretty flowers! But while I’m waiting for tulips and crocuses to spring up, I can at least content myself with one of the hottest beauty trends for spring — products with floral packaging! From blush crafted in the shape of blooming peonies to perfume bottles emblazoned with tangling vines, there are gorgeous blooms popping up everywhere. The beauties below simply make me blossom with happiness!
Dior Flower Blossom Compact ($52): Yes, $52 is a lot to spend on a single compact. But the multicolored blooms against a backdrop of shimmering pink pressed powder — inspired by Victoire de Castellane’s jewelry collection for Dior — is just so, so pretty.
Kenzo Flower by Kenzo Eau de Parfum ($50): A single poppy wends its way up the curved bottle, packed with a beautiful blend of violet, vanilla and rose for sweet seduction.
Clinique Fresh Bloom Allover Colour ($29.50): The color is gorgeous, the palette is out-of-this-world, it creates a beautiful glow, and I think I’d be happy to just keep this on my vanity forever and ever!
Stella McCartney Sheer Stella Eau de Toilette ($54): Roses open upon a ground of pale pink, making this so perfect for the vanity. And with floral notes like peony and freesia combining with sweet raspberry and spicy pepper, it’s such a mysteriously sexy scent.
Laura Mercier Eye Colour Quad ($38): Create the ultimate smoky eye with these limited-edition palettes, available in your choice of Shy Violet (deep purples and eggplants) or Wild Violet (lavenders and pearlized violets). I love them both so much, I’ll probably buy them both!
CARGO PlantLove Botanical Lipstick ($20 each): The botanical formula is infused with Orchid Complex, meadowfoam oil, shea butter and jojoba to keep lips soft and smooth. And the tube is made out of corn, which makes it environmentally-friendly!
The Body Shop Blushing Daisies ($19.50): Does it get much more springier than daisies poking up into the sunshine? These pearlized powders (available in either Light Pink or Dark Pink) lend just the right amount of shimmer to the cheeks and decollete.
Stila Creme Bouquet Hair Refresher ($28): Does your hair need a pick-me-up after a long flight, intense workout or, well, you slept in after your late night and have five minutes to get ready for work? Spritz on this oil-absorbing spray, scented with the gorgeous aroma of vanilla and amber.
Bath & Body Works Enchanted Orchid Satin Body Veil ($14.50): A blend of calypso orchids, violets and white irises becomes enchanting and intriguing in this spray-on moisturizer, held within a bottle simply brimming over with sprays of flowers.
10 TIPS FOR HEALTHY SKIN: “We’ve all heard about the plethora of products that offer the promise of a flawless face. Some of them work, most of them don’t. A lot of it is trial and error… figuring out what regimine is right for YOUR skin.
But there are some standard practices that really do help to give you a healthy complexion.
Here are my favorite ten to remember, cherish, and use!
1 - Vitamins are vital! Fish Oil has been proven to help in the maintenance of healthy skin and hair. I love the Pharmax Fish Oil with Essential Oil of Orange - it’s a liquid but it doesn’t leave any fishy after taste. It works to give you a glowing complexion from the inside, out.
2 - Don’t overwash… and don’t overdry! Too much washing or drying out of the face only leads to your oil glands actually producing more oil to compensate. Wash twice a day, at the most! And make sure to use a gentle, non-irritating cleanser that is anti-bacterial - to eradicate bacterias that fill your pores. Cetaphil’s antibacterial gentle cleansing bar is a great choice (and an inexpensive one!)
3 - Sunblock, sunblock, sunblock!!! Even if you love a nice tan, you MUST use sunblock EVERY DAY!!! The number one cause of wrinkles is sun exposure!!! And your sunblock should fight against UVA and UVB rays (click HERE for some great sunblock options!)
4 - Change your pillowcases every third night! It seems arduous but the truth is, dirt, bacteria and oils from your hair seep into the pillowcases thus seeping into your skin while you sleep. It’s vital to allow your face a clean, fresh fabric from which to relax and unwind.
5 - Wash your hands before going to bed! Again, clean hands help to keep unwanted dirt and bacterias AWAY from your face. You should really wash your hands consistently throughout the day but also before bed time. You know how they say germs are transferred from your hands to your mouth… thus, spreading virus’ and infection? Well, the same is true with hands to face… spreading dirt and bacteria!
6 - Eye cream must be made a part of your daily regime! Even if you have oily skin, it’s imperative that you hydrate your eyes. The skin around your eyes is a lot more tender and delicate, thus it needs special care. Eye cream should be dabbed - not rubbed - from the outer corner, inwards… twice a day! Click HERE for some fantastic eye cream choices!
7 - Don’t pick!!! This is the hardest rule for me to follow, so I’m gonna add an addendum - If you must pick (like when that white head has taken over your entire chin…), steam your face first. And please, I beg you, wrap your fingers in toilet paper so that you don’t transfer the dirt and bacteria from your fingers to your face/ pimple. Also, make sure to only press lightly… when you try and force the puss out, you’re actually spreading it around and infecting it!
8 - Drink as much water as you can possibly handle!!! This seems like common knowledge, but the truth is, we don’t drink as much water as we should. Water flushes out all the yuckiness inside of our bodies and it promotes health, bottom line! If you find that you’re not a water-lover, try adding a flavor to your water. I suggest Crystal Light on the go packs… they come in 10 flavors, they’re low in calories and they can be added to ANY size water bottle as easily as ripping the packet open and pouring it into the bottle!
9 - Even if you’re oily, you MUST moisturize! A common misperception is that oily skin doesn’t need extra hydration…. NOT TRUE! All skin needs hydration because hydrating your skin actually balances out the oiliness. Obviously, if you have oily or acne-prone skin, you should choose an oil-free, fragrance-free moisturizer. Something that is light and non greasy. There are thousands of moisturizers on the market… try them ALL until you find the one that suits your specific skin. But don’t skip this step!!!
10 - NEVER rub, ALWAYS pat! This is true when applying creams and medicines, and when drying your face after washing. Rubbing your skin stretches it, causing lines and wrinkles. It also ‘rubs’ the bacterias everywhere, infecting not only the problem areas, but the entire face. However, patting your skin - be it with a moisturizer or a wash cloth - is gentle and non abrasive to your face. It also allows the face to truly soak up the moisturizer, medicine, and/or face wash so that you experience the full effects of said products! When you rub, you rub off a majority of the benefits of these products as well!!!
Have a great skin tip? We want to know it! Leave us a comment in the box below!
I totally heart Urban Apothecary. It really is one of the best indie mineral makeup brands around. They’ve just launched some new products that I thought would interest you (or at least they interest me!)
Blush Duo: ‘This perfectly paired powder blush captures the vitality of a youthful glow with its creamy, densely pigmented formula. The texture disperses evenly and blends effortlessly leaving a radiant glow to the cheeks.’ I think the colors look great for all skin tones.
Matte Mineral Eye Shadow: ‘Turn your eyes into opulent works of art with these silky, luscious to the touch, eye shadows that feature couture-quality and cutting-edge color.’ Looks to have more neutrals, which are a favorite of mine.
Mineral Matte Bronzer: ‘Enjoy year round bronzed perfection and flaw minimizing effects of a matte finish with the most natural and skin-perfecting glow this side of the Caribbean.’ Love the colors in this!
Superwear Creme Eyeshadow: ’ This super-innovative, super-luminous shadow is creaseless, budge-free and waterproof… captivating color that won’t disappear until you say so.’ Lame & Moss look gorgeous!
If you’ve never heard of Urban Apothecary, be sure to type the name into a search in my sidebar and all of my reviews will be at your fingertips!
When I first read about DS Labs Trioxil (bisazulene gel) I was rather curious. I came across it on several message boards and it seemed that about half of the people who tried it loved and half hated it. After more reading,it became clear that many reported an increase in acne when they first began using the product, followed by significant clearing. So there was a trend where those who stuck with it, liked it, while those who quit during the first week or two hated it.
I decided to purchase some and try it. Using an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory compound from chamomile that is encapsulated in nanosomes for time release of the active ingredient, Trioxil is advertised as being as effective as Salicylic Acid and Benzoyl Peroxide, without the drying and irritation that those can cause.
I have been using Trioxil for about 6 weeks, but alternating it with another product, so it tends to get used every other day. Consistent with the reports that I read, I experienced an increase in acne the first few weeks that I used it. My theory is that it probably exfoliates to a certain degree, which will bring some of the underlying acne to the surface. Regardless, after a couple of weeks, I cleared up significantly, and while my acne isn’t gone, it is definitely improved 6 weeks later. Unfortunately to get full clearing, I think an appointment with a dermatologist for a prescriptionis in the cards for me.
Trioxil tingles a bit when used, so those with sensitive skin should be prepared for that. But it does not tingle any more than many salicylic acid products that I have used, andit is notdrying or overly irritating. It has a bit of a yellow/tan color to it and aslightly odd scent. Neither is overly problematic, and I don’t notice the scent after it has been on and absorbed, but I would prefer it to be scent free.
I am inclined to repurchase DS Labs Trioxil once my tube is gone, although I might go to using only the Dermaquest Dermaclear formula(read review) that I have using in conjunction with it. I haven’t quite decided yet. At $34 for a tube, Trioxil is cheaper than the Dermaquest product, albeit for a smaller amount of product. But I like Dermaquest Dermaclearquite a bit as well.
Many times at CVS stores, I had noticed the cute packaging of Einstein Lip Therapy. I didn’t fall in love with the Einstein Lip Therapy Hydrating Lip Cream until, recently, I finally picked up one. There are two lip products in the line of Einstein Lip Therapy: Cooling Lip Relief, and Hydrating Lip Cream.
Hydrating Lip Cream is a moisturizing lip cream while Cooling Lip Relief is an intensive deep moisturizing lip balm. I decided to take the Hydrating Lip Cream since I was intrigued by its cute pink packaging. This Hydrating Lip Cream is a cream-based lippy that is infused with Vitamins A, C and E. It has a lotion texture that is quite unique. It goes on smooth and lightweight. However, it will leave a short tingly feeling on the lips.
The lippy has little yellow beads of Vitamin C to gently exfoliate the skin. It dissolves as soon as I gently massage it across the lips. I like to massage a thick coat thoroughly over the lips, the cream penetrates through the skin quickly. It absorbs into the skin so easily that my lips feel quenched and moisturized. Most of all, it lasts well.The lip cream doesn’t deliver a sticky or waxy shine like most of other lip balms do. Thus, I also enjoy using it to condition lips before applying lip color.
Overall, Einstein Lip Therapy Hydrating Lip Cream ($5.99) has a lightweight texture that I like. The lip cream is the most effective lippy I have ever used to promote the restoration of dry lips. It heals my dehydrated/chapped lips nicely, and leaves my lips soft and youthful. It has become my current favorite lip care product for regular use at daytime. The only downside is it lacks deep moisture. I guess the other product from Einstein Cosmetics, Cooling Lip Relief, would complement Hydrating Lip Cream for the best result. I will consider buying Cooling Lip Relief for deep moisturization at night time.
This year there were about a zillion different look son the catwalk with everything from floral and feminine to metallic chic, but which ones will stay with us this year? I have to say I’m rather entranced wi”
Turn In Your Toxins!! Turn In Your Toxins!! Just saying it makes me feel like a 19th century Newsie. You know, the kind that got to dance and frolic with the hotness that is Christian Bale circa 1992. I gotta give it up to the brains behind butter London for coming up with an eye catching line.
As you know, one of my favorite skin care products is 
Blush Duo
Mineral Matte Bronzer
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