November 5, 2013

Anokha Skin Care - Red Sandalwood & Neem Clarifying Facial Masque - pics, swatches, review

Hello, Beautiful!

If you have acne-prone skin, even just monthly hormonal breakouts - then you have to check out this amazing mask from Anokha Skin Care. Their Red Sandalwood & Neem Clarifying Masque is a miracle worker for my skin, clearing my blemishes quickly and effectively, while making my skin feel super clean and firm. Check out my full review, including all the product info, after the pics!

Anokha Skin Care
Red Sandalwood & Neem Clarifying Masque






















Anokha Skin Care Red Sandalwood & Neem Clarifying Masque Info & Review:
Cost/Availability: $30.00 (3.5 oz full size). Available on the Anokha Skin Care website, on the Dermstore website, and everywhere else Anokha Skin Care is sold.
My Rating: 5 out of 5 Kisses!

The Red Sandalwood & Neem Clarifying Masque combines several highly anti-septic ingredients: neem, turmeric, tulsi, red sandalwood, and rose petal powder. Turmeric also contains anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory agents, and sandalwood decreases inflammation while moisturizing.

Apply this mask to your face (and neck, if you want) and leave on for at least 10 minutes and up to 20 minutes. Then rinse off and follow with the rest of your skincare routine. Use once a week.

I use this mask for 20 minutes each time I have tried it, even though their website says 10 minutes - but the packaging says 20. I tend to do other things while masks are on my face and lost track of time anyway, so I don't mind waiting the full 20 minutes (and honestly I've left this on for probably an hour once because I got so busy and forgot I had a mask on).

I don't like the smell of this mask - it's very earthy - and when you first apply it the smell is kind of strong - sort of like when you open a bag of coffee and the smell is most strong and then it kind of settles down and you don't smell it as much. That's kind of the way the scent of this mask works. I can smell it less and less as it sits on my face and I don't really mind the scent too much to the point where I wouldn't use this mask - it's certainly tolerable and you may even like the scent. And the more I use the mask the more I'm ok with the scent but I guess you can say you can really smell the ingredients, lol. Anyhow - scents don't matter, what matters if how it works!

The texture of this mask if very thick, paste/mud-like, but smoothes onto skin easily. You don't need to use a lot to get it on your face. If you have acne prone skin like me then a mask like this is a really good and easy option to incorporate into your skin care routine. Also great for those that have hormonal break outs once a month.

This mask washes off very easily and leaves your skin feeling very clean and firmer. I feel like my pores get really cleaned out when I use this mask and any break outs I am having seem to shrink after just one use of this mask. I was really impressed with how well this masks works. It really helps clear my break outs and heal them faster, while preventing new breakouts from forming. If I notice my acne starting to flare up I'll use this and it seems to calm everything down, very quickly. I've even used this as an overnight spot treatment on the really big breakouts and it is very effective at calming them down by morning.

I think this mask is totally worth the $30 price tag; a little goes a long way - the mask is thick but you don't need a thick layer and that means it will last awhile. It's also extremely effective at healing acne and helping to keep your skin breakout-free. I was truly impressed with this mask from the first use and would very much recommend this - especially to those with acne-prone skin!

Now let me know what you think...
What do you think of this mask? Have you tried this or is this on your beauty wish list? Discuss in the comments below.

November 2, 2013

Jergens Shea Butter Deep Conditioning Moisturizer - pics, swatches, review

Hello, Beautiful!

Jergens has released a Shea Butter collection celebrating women's radiance with a collection of lush moisturizers enhanced with pure African Shea Butter in limited edition packaging. There are four products in the line, and I have the Shea Butter Deep Conditioning Moisturizer, the big 16.8 oz size. Available in other sizes - which I'll list below. Check out my full review, including all the product info, after the pics!

Jergens
Shea Butter Deep Conditioning Moisturizer
 




Jergens Shea Butter Deep Conditioning Moisturizer Info & Review:
Cost/Availability: $8.99 (16.8 oz size). Other sizes are 3 oz for $1.99 (great for hands or for your purse), $3.99 for 8 oz, or $5.97 for the Crema Deep Condition Shea Butter with Oatmeal in the 8 oz size. Available at Walmart, Target, as well as mass retailers, drugstores and grocery stores nationwide.
My Rating: 5 out of 5 Kisses!

Achieve visibly radiant skin with the deep conditioning power of shea butter. These lush moisturizers are enhanced with pure African Shea Butter. Known in West Africa as "women's gold", shea butter is more than a moisturizing, radiance-boosting ingredient. Sourced exclusively from West Africa, the precious ingredient empowers thousands of women every year by providing job and income during shea harvest and production season. In effect, shea butter doesn't just improve the skin of women around the world - it improves the lives of these women who harvest it.

Jergens Skincare currently uplifts the women of West Africa and their families by purchasing the shea butter infused into the Jergens Shea Collection. In addition, Jergens is pledging a donation to the Global Shea Alliance to support the empowerment of women in West Africa as a part of the brand's celebration of women's radiance, at home and abroad. In solidarity with these inspiring women, Jergens Shea products will bear limited-edition "Celebrating Women's Radiance" packaging. By using Jergens Shea Butter Moisturizers, you share in the secret of women's gold and directly impact women halfway across the world - becoming a part of the movement to honor women's inner and outer radiance.

Shea butter has been beloved for centuries for its long-lasting, deep hydration and radiance-boosting benefits. Shea butter spreads quickly and melts to condition, and instantly transforms skin for 3X more radiance. As a beauty staple, shea butter nourishes and increases skin's resiliency. Use as a body moisturizer or replenishing hand care.

I don't know about how much I feel like I'm helping or becoming a part of the movement, but what I do know is I really like this moisturizer!

It has a light scent - which I really can't describe, but it's light and smells good. It has a nice creamy texture and absorbs easily into the skin. Really hydrates and makes my skin soft and smooth. I have the large size, which comes with a pump top - I like pump-tops because they are easy to use. You can get a smaller size for your purse, like the 3 oz size.

If you like Jergens moisturizers, you'll like this a lot. I'd recommend this!

Now let me know what you think...
What do you think of this moisturizer? Have you tried this or is this on your beauty wish list? Discuss in the comments below.

November 1, 2013

Action Solutions For Men - new skincare line - pics, swatches & review on 5 items from the line!

Hello, Beautiful!

There is a new men's skincare line that recently launched: Action Solutions For Men. I had my male product testers try most of the line, which includes a cleanser, face scrub, shave cream, pre-shave oil, and after shave repair (there is also a Hair, Face & Body Wash, plus a Lip Action balm but didn't have those to try out at the time). With the holidays coming up soon, now is a great time to look into gifts for the man in your life - significant other, best friend, brother, father, etc. Anthony Logistics for Men developed the Action Solutions For Men product line, so you know it's backed by a great company - but the Action Solutions For Men is a more affordable line with price points averaging about $12 to $14. Check out their review on each product, plus all the product info, after the pics!

Action Solutions For Men





Action Solutions For Men
Face Cleanser
 

 



Action Solutions For Men Face Cleanser Info & Review:
Cost/Availability: $14.00 (8 fl oz full size). Available on the Action Solutions For Men website, at Drugstore.com, Duane Reade stores, and coming soon to Kohls, and everywhere else Action Solutions For Men products are sold.
My Rating: 5 out of 5 Kisses

A winning workout for your face. A refreshing combination of rose hip oil, echinacea, and calendula cleanse, moisturize and calm all in one easy action. A select white tea complex improves lipid production and works as a powerful antioxidant.

This cleanser has a nice creamy silky gel texture. It smells good too - like orange creamsicle! As for how it works, my male product testers thought it was a nice face cleanser that did a good job with no complaints. They noted you didn't need to use a whole lot to get the job done, so the price point wasn't bad.  They would recommend.


Action Solutions For Men
Face Scrub

 





Action Solutions For Men Face Scrub Info & Review:
Cost/Availability: $16.00 (6 oz full size). Available on the Action Solutions For Men website, at Drugstore.com, Duane Reade stores, and coming soon to Kohls, and everywhere else Action Solutions For Men products are sold.
My Rating: 4 out of 5 Kisses

A gentle exfoliator that scrubs away dead skin cells, lifts beard hairs and releases trapped ingrown hairs. Removes dull, dry flaky skin. Lifts beard hairs and releases trapped ingrown hairs for a close shave.

This face scrub has a fine grit texture with a bright orange color. It has a  scent that was hard to describe - it was similar to the cleanser, but not so much orange creamsicle as much as just orange and something else.

It's not the most intense face scrub out there, but did enough to make their skin soft after use. Because it's not a harsh scrub, you could use this a few times a week or even daily if needed. Both my male product testers felt it was good and was happy enough with it that they'd recommend - although one of my male product testers did note that for the price point they're not sure they'd repurchase all the time because of how quickly they went through it (he used it daily - and probably used more than needed).



Action Solutions For Men
Pre-Shave Oil
 

 



Action Solutions For Men Pre-Shave Oil Info & Review:
Cost/Availability: $13.00 (2 fl oz full size). Available on the Action Solutions For Men website, at Drugstore.com, Duane Reade stores, and coming soon to Kohls, and everywhere else Action Solutions For Men products are sold.
My Rating: 3 out of 5 Kisses

Preparation is the name of the game. This blend of peppermint, rosemary, macadamia, and olive oils helps to soften the beard and works to guard the skin giving you a close and comfortable shaving experience. Hydrates and softens beard. Prepares and protects skin during shaving while helping to prevent razor burn.

This has a silky oil texture and smells a bit like peppermint. Only one of my male product testers tried this one out and unfortunately didn't find it to be anything amazing but it wasn't awful either. It was just an average, good product. He didn't feel it really prepared his skin/beard hair in any way, compared to shaving without it. He does have very coarse hair, so maybe if you don't have as coarse hair this would be more effective.

Action Solutions For Men
Shave Cream
 





Action Solutions For Men Shave Cream Info & Review:
Cost/Availability: $14.00 (6 oz full size). Available on the Action Solutions For Men website, at Drugstore.com, Duane Reade stores, and coming soon to Kohls, and everywhere else Action Solutions For Men products are sold.
My Rating: 5 out of 5 Kisses!

A seriously close shave. The richest, thickest cream that helps make your stubble soft and your razor glide. With vitamins B5, A, E, C and aloe to help your skin feel out of this world. Promotes a smooth close shave. Makes razor glide - not drag - over the skin. Rinses off razor easily.

This shave cream has a whipped creamy texture and a light scent - but it was hard for me to describe the scent. I wrote down a faint smell of peppermint, but I had a question mark next to it which means I couldn't fully decide on what the scent was lol.

Both my male product testers really liked this shave cream. They had no complaints and would definitely recommend!

Action Solutions For Men
After-Shave Repair
 




Action Solutions For Men After-Shave Repair Info & Review:
Cost/Availability: $15.00 (3 oz full size). Available on the Action Solutions For Men website, at Drugstore.com, Duane Reade stores, and coming soon to Kohls, and everywhere else Action Solutions For Men products are sold.
My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Kisses

No need to get irritated! Cool it. This greaseless, quickly absorbed emulsion moisturizes, soothes, and calms razor burn. Instantly soothes skin after shaving. Cools on contact. Reduces minor razor burn and redness while restoring skin's moisture.

This after-shave repair has a thick, creamy gel texture that has practically no scent at all. Feels cooling and refreshing when you apply, and does a good job at reducing redness. Both my male product testers were happy with this product and would recommend. On a side note, doesn't my one swatch look like a hand giving a thumbs up? 


Now let me know what you think...
What do you think of this new men's skincare line? Do you plan to try anything out or buy any of these for a man you know? Discuss in the comments below.

Boots No. 7 - Natural Blush Tint Powder in Coral Flush - pics, swatches, review

Hello, Beautiful!

I have another drugstore blush to share with you in this post. This one is the Boots No. 7 Natural Blush Tint Powder, which I have in the very pretty shade Coral Flush. This blush gives you a natural tint of color for a pretty flush on the cheeks. Check out my full review below, including all the product info, after the pics!

Boots No. 7 - Natural Blush Tint Powder
Shade: Coral Flush






Boots No. 7 Natural Blush Tint Powder Info & Review:
Cost/Availability: $9.99 (0.1 oz full size). Available on the Boots No. 7 website, at Target, at Drugstore.com and everywhere else Boots No. 7 cosmetics are sold.
My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Kisses

This light powder formulation is soft and fine to provide a natural finish. Light-diffusing particles brighten the cheeks while vitamin E and pro-vitamin B5 help moisturize and care for the skin, leaving it with a lovely luminous glow.

Available in 5 shades: Coral Flush, Spice, Honey, Cool Pink, and Soft Damson. I have the shade Coral Flush - which is a gorgeous shade for those of us with light to medium complexions.

I love the shade Coral Flush - it's really pretty and goes well with my skintone. The formula of the blush is okay; it's soft and smooth to the touch, but is slightly powdery - which isn't too bad because it doesn't look powdery on the skin.

The swatch shows the color a bit heavier/darker than it really is on your skin -- these blushes give you a natural tint of color, without intense pigmentation, so it's easy to look naturally flushed. I'm not a big blush person, although I have a lot, but I did like this blush - not sure any of the other shades really appeal to me so unless they come out with more this will probably be the only one from the line I get but I'd still recommend checking these out if you're looking for a blush that gives you a pretty tint of color.

Now let me know what you think...
What do you think of this blush? Have you tried this or is this on your beauty wish list? Discuss in the comments below.

October 31, 2013

Happy Halloween!

Hello, Beautiful!

Happy Halloween to all my beautiful blog followers! I hope everyone has fun today/tonight - even if it's just staying home and eating a bar of candy all to yourself. I know I'll be taking my son into our little town tonight for some free candy and fun. If you're dressing up, what are you this year?

For fun, here is a pic of my horror movie tattoo sleeve -- I feel it's pretty fitting for the day. I only have one more sitting (this Sunday) and then this sleeve will be complete! This sleeve will have a total of 8 sittings after this Sunday and this has been done over the course of about 7 to 8 months - so I'm very excited to finally have it all complete and tied together.


Happy Halloween!