If you have oily or blemish prone skin then you know it can be tough to find a good cleanser. Many cleansers  on the market strip your skin of its natural oils, leaving it dry or flaky while still producing plenty of oil. So now you have flaky skin that’s itchy AND oily. The excess oil helps keep the flaking skin in place and your pores get all clogged up and then you have new blemishes, so you go back to the super strong cleanser and the vicious cycle continues.  And then you start getting older and realize that that dry skin definitely doesn’t help with the appearance of fine lines. Suddenly the search for a gentle cleanser that can tame your problematic skin moves up the priority list.

In my quest for the perfect skin care regimen for my skin I have tried a TON of cleansers. I’ve tried pretty much every formulation out there too, creams, gels, foams, bars. Some I’ve downright hated, some have been okay, and some I’ve really liked, though I never found one that I have the desire to use and purchase faithfully…until now.

I received a gift certificate to SkinCareRx a while back and decided that it might be worth my time to buy something I needed instead of splurging on makeup like I usually do. After all, if it’s not my money  then  who cares if I’m not nuts about it, right? Two simple clicks took me to the cleansers for oily skin and I waited for something to catch my eye. To be honest, the first thing I noticed about PCA Skin’s Facial Wash for Oily/Problem Skin was the price. It’s the least expensive oily skin cleanser on the list($21.50) and I really wanted to get as much as I could out of my gift certificate.  Yes, I’m cheap, that’s how I roll. And I couldn’t be happier. (more…)

A while back one of my favorite giveaway sites featured a skincare set from Kiss My Face. I didn’t win, but I got over it quickly enough when some Kiss My Face products showed up in my mailbox a couple weeks later.

Besides the super fun name, what makes Kiss My Face different? Well, for one thing they’re no newbies to this natural skin care thing.  They sprung into action in the 80’s with a big ol’ bar of ugly green olive oil soap and have kept on truckin ever since, even after a fire wiped out their warehouse and distribution center in the 90’s. They also believe in humor and honesty, two things I look for when deciding where to spend my time and money. Hanging on for almost 2 decades in a market that is just now really starting to appreciate the value and impact of natural products is no small feat, and managing to maintain an independent spirit and sense of humor as well speaks volumes to their dedication and passion.

I tried some products from their Potent & Pure line, a selection of products that get the job done with natural and organic ingredients. (more…)

I’ve been using the Barielle Deluxe Hand & Body Lotion after I take off my
nail polish, and after my nail polish is completely dried to help keep
my hands soft and supple. This has a soft, fruity scent that’s
definitely pleasing. It does an excellent job at keeping my hands
moisturized instead of dry after I remove my nail polish. My hands
feel very silky after using it. I think it absorbs quickly into my
skin, and it doesn’t leave my hands feeling greasy after use. Some
lotions will make my hands feel so greasy that I end up having to wash
them, which sort of defeats the purpose of using them.

I’ve been using the Yes to Carrots C is for Clean Gentle Exfoliating
Cleanser (more…)

In 2002, Suki Kramer started her own skincare company, Suki, Inc., and has recently branched out in making a cosmetics line as well, Sukicolor. I first heard of Suki’s skincare line through my friends at Megsmakeup.com. If you haven’t had the chance, you can read my enthusiastic reviews of two of her products: Suki’s Lemongrass Cleanser, and her Sukicolor Tinted Active Moisturizer. Most recently I have fallen in love with a new sukispa product which I will be reviewing in detail soon, sukispa’s renewal bio-resurfacing facial peel!

The only thing that is better than finding an amazing skincare line, is getting to interview the phenomenal people that are behind these companies.

(more…)

See products

No. 14: MAC Wipes, $25

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 8.9*

Why they’re great: “These wipes are perfect for those of us who are too tired/lazy/intoxicated to wash our faces before bed, but who don’t like the idea of clogged pores and dirty pillow cases either…”

(more…)

If you haven’t heard or had the opportunity, LUSH is a fun, amazing beauty store that sells homemade soaps, skincare, cosmetics, and hair care products.  I have sampled and fallen in love with many of their products, including their Tea Tree Toner, Ultra Bland Cleanser (excellent for extremely dry skin), and Shampoo Bars.  DecoDiva’s favorite facial cleanser is Lush’s Baby Face Cleanser.

If you don’t have a local Lush store to shop at; you can shop online at their website and save! 

Get a $20 gift for just $5 with your next order, at checkout use the promo code: LL5GIFT08.

- Spend $70+ and get a gift worth up to $20 for just $5*

- Spend $85+ and get 2 gifts worth up to $20 for just $5 each*

This code is good only until December 22nd!

*If you would like to read more about the benefits of using shampoo bars versus regular sulfate-based shampoos, follow this link:  “Hair washing without a Bottle? Try a Shampoo Bar!”

How I love the smell and feel of handmade soaps, but from what I am learning, not all handmade soaps are created the same.  Soaps that add synthetic colors and fragrances might appeal to your senses, but can dry and irritate your skin.

 

 

But you don’t need to worry about those harsh additives with the products from Heirloom Soapworks.  Becky makes sure of it! 

Our all natural handmade soap is fragranced with only pure essential oils and herbs, and never colored. Their earthy, natural shades come from the same oils, unrefined butters and nutrients that soften and moisturize your skin.

I was fortunate enough to sample three of Heirloom soaps:  Lavender-Oatmeal, and two seasonal soaps Goat Milk - Fruitcake and Christmas Tree Soap.   I love the naturally scents of these soaps!  They lather and feel absolutely luscious on your skin.  Becky’s use of olive and saponified oils, shea butter and goat milk leave your skin feeling wonderfully clean and soft. 

All of these soaps are priced at $5.00 a bar.  Becky’s current promotion is “Buy 3 -get a terry-cloth Soap Saver FREE”  (that’s what she has been offering at craft fairs).  Customers can put their tiny “slivers” of soap into the pouch and use them up completely! 

And for some jinxy-bizarre reason, both Bionic Beauty and I both wrote up our reviews about Heirloom Soapworks on the same day!!!

Is the No. 1 wash from Clinique? Neutrogena? Nope!  I am feeling some Mythbuster Beauty validation because several of my favorite picks for cleansers are on the Total Beauty reader’s best list such as, Suki’s *Lemongrass Cleanser, Caudalie’s Foaming Cleanser, and *Philosophy’s Purity Made Simple! 

(*Click on the links to read Mythbuster Beauty reviews!)

A cleanser is a cleanser, right? Don’t they all do the same job? Hardly. Our readers gave us their two cents about which cleansers made their faces squeaky clean — without leaving their skin feeling like the Sahara. What product was ranked No. 1 by TotalBeauty.com members? Read on to find out.

See cleansers

One attribute I greatly admire is the art form of making things from scratch.  Anyone can throw a frozen pie into an oven, but to prepare a pie crust, roll it out and carefully lift and place it into a pie plate is a thing of beauty.  To peel and slice freshly picked peaches and pour them lovingly into your prepared pie crust is even more spectacular.

The ability to create and perform these once everyday actions are lost to many of us.  I cannot tell you the last time I rolled my own pie crust!  We use our rolling pin for play-doh these days.

The art of making handmade soaps is another amazing art form to me.  And lately, many independent handmade soap and skincare companies are appearing around the country.  Beautifully thought out and carefully manufactured beauty products from their own kitchens. 

Today I would love to introduce to you Pam Keller the owner of The Golden Goat, LLC from the heartland of America, OshKosh, Wisconsin.  

In 2003, Pam found her passion for animals, particularly goats.  Being a one income family, Jeff decided that the animals would have to pay for themselves so as not to affect the family budget.  Pam, being a researcher at heart, discovered numerous ways to fulfill that demand, and settled on soapmaking. 

She taught herself to make soap, and when the goat milk started flowing, she was ready to start selling her fantastic products.  Local Farmer’s Markets and crafts fairs gave her a good footing and a loyal following.  Soon, the customers requested a retail store front from which they could buy her products year round.

The first product that caught my attention was The Golden Goat’s Goat Milk Shampoo Bar.  Being a fan of some different shampoo bars on the market, I found that this formula was easily equal if not a little more nourishing than the other shampoo bars I have tried (It must be the goat milk).  This shampoo bar creates a lovely lather and has a naturally sweet scent.  Shampoo bars are wonderful for anyone with a sensitive scalp, dry, or naturally curly hair (you can read more about my post on shampoo bars here).  If you are a fan of shampoo bars you must try this one!

A few months ago, we went out to dinner with some good friends.   I noticed that my friend Chris’ neck and face looked slightly irritated and also had a few knicks from shaving earlier that evening.   Chris has been bothered by this issue for as long as he has been shaving, and I asked him if he would like to try a different type of shaving soap.  He was more than glad to volunteer as a guinea pig!

Here is a bar soap for shaving.  The added bentonite clay forms a slick coating on the razor edge. The razor glides sleekly over the skin, cutting the hairs in its wake. Less scraping the skin means fewer nicks, no dry skin, more softness. Amazingly, the clay does not dry your skin!

You have to try this to believe it. Men love it for their faces (and some men shave their entire head with it), preventing razor burn and nicks. Women love it for legs, underarms, bikini area…

No more little red bumpos on your legs. Sleek, shiny, soft legs are the norm wth this soap. As an added bonus, your razors will last longer since the blades aren’t being dullled from scraping your skin!

Chris has been using The Golden Goat’s Goat Milk Shaving Soap for the last month and has reported significant improvements with his skin.  Less knicks, less irritation and a much happier face altogether. 

No need to thank me, just doing my job Chris, just doing my job!

Not only does Pam create handmade soaps, she offers a variety of homemade skincare and cosmetic products at her online store, The Golden Goat, LLC.   I am confident you will find something that you will want to try, and Pam is so incredibly nice; you might even make a new best friend in OshKosh, WI no less!  Pam would like to sweeten the deal by offering $5 off any $15 plus purchase when you put MYTHS in the coupon box!  Thanks Pam!

Hey Tracy, can you send me your recipe for fresh Peach pie?

This summer I attended the Cosmoprof North American Trade Show and met with several beauty and skincare companies.  At this show literally dozens of skincare lines are being featured and each line seems to have a gimmick.  Ingredients that guarantee to lighten, tighten, brighten and stimulate your skin, and promise to make you look 21 again.  With skincare, I really don’t want a gimmick, I just want a well orchestrated skincare line that works well with my skin type.  And that is exactly why I am excited to introduce you to the Gingi Skincare line.

I tried several samples of their line, and was instantly impressed.  All felt, smelled and reacted well with my 39 year old skin that is sensitive to break outs.  In my first letter to Gingi, I jotted down some of my first impressions: 

• I like the simple and informative product names, like “Deep Comforting Cleanser” and “Instant Eye Lift Masks.”  Dang, I could use some of those eye masks this morning!
• I enjoy the natural fragrances (or lack of) of the products I have sampled.
• I really like the gel formulations of the moisturizers and treatments, they absorb well and do not leave a residue or sticky feeling on my skin.  In the winter months, I might want a cream based lotion though.
• So far, I have been able to tolerate products without any sensitivity issues or breakouts. 
• The Sun Care Cream was really nice, absorbed well, with a light, pleasant orange scent.

Gingi Skincare responded to my feelings by saying,

“We pretty much try to keep the whole line simple – part of our philosophy.  A simple line of high quality products and high quality ingredients (90% of the raw materials come from Germany and 10% from Japan – we manufacture and bottle here in southern California).  We package our products for gift sets as well – something you don’t see too much of in the skincare trade.
 
As for the fragrance (or lack of), the products are designed to be unisex so we try to keep the scent as neutral as possible.  I use the Refreshing Toning Water as an aftershave and the Citrus Sun Care on top of my head (no hair!) – though I always tell everyone that the best sunblock is to stay out of the sun!  By the way, the Citrus Sun Care is featured in a sun care article in the August issue of Day Spa magazine.”

I was also lucky enough to get some full size products to use for a longer period of time and was equally impressed.  These items included Gingi’s Deep Comforting Cleanser, Green Tea Face and Body Mist, and Vitamin C & E Lipsome Moisturizer.  All wonderful products, but my favorite product by far was Gingi’s “Citrus Sun Care” which provides sun protection in a non-greasy formula and also treats the skin with antioxidants and antiseptic qualities.  My skin adores this stuff!

I recently compiled a list of the seven beauty items I would bring if stranded on a desert island and Gingi’s Citrus Sun Care topped my list.

Gingi’s skincare is notably more pricey than your drugstore skincare brands, but what you would expect to pay for a specialty brand (the $30-$50 price range).  Considering the high quality of the ingredients and performance of the line, I would consider purchasing some Gingi skincare as money well spent.   Feel free to contact their customer service for any questions with your specific skin concerns.

Gingi is offering Mythbuster Beauty readers an additional incentive by including 1 box of Facial Absorbent Paper ($25) on orders of $100 or more (& free shipping included).  The code to use at checkout is GINGIMBB.