First off, my apologies all around for being MIA last week. My husband came home after a little bit of time in the desert and I took some time with my family for a vacation. And while it may have left you feeling unloved my dears, it was certainly worth it when I heard my 2 year old wake in the middle of the night and call for her daddy to comfort her.

So now onto the stuff you really care about, this weeks product review!
Chella Professional Skin Care is one of those companies that has somehow managed to fly under my radar for way too long. Focusing solely on their dedication to charities it’s a company I can support, but there are plenty of other reasons to try these products as well. Lots of research and plenty of proven botanical ingredients certainly don’t hurt.

With oily, blemish prone skin I have occasion to use clay masks on a regular basis. They’re great for drawing out impurities and helping to clear my skin during the most troublesome of breakouts. However, they also have a tendency to be very drying and can be too harsh for sensitive or delicate skin types, and sometimes even oily skin. Chella’s Balancing Clay Mask (more…)

Many of us would like to use Alpha Hydroxy Acids but cannot tolerate using Gylcolic Acid (the most commonly used and considered one of the harsher forms of AHA’s). So what do you do if you want the exfoliating and anti-aging benefits of using an AHA, but have sensitive skin?  I recently discovered a wonderful Gylcolic Acid alternative skincare line called NuCelle.   Not only does it incorporate the use of the a gentler Mandelic acid AHA, NuCelle has created a skincare line that responds beautifully with sensitive, dry, oily or acne prone skin.

The secret ingredient that will reveal your naturally beautiful skin is NuCelle’s almond-based Mandelic Acid. Physicians have long recognized the powers of this anti-bacterial alpha-hydroxy to treat common skin problems such as photo-aging, irregular pigmentation, and acne. (more…)

DERMAdoctor, how do we adore thee? The fun purple packaging, the helpful friendly website, and, of course, the extensive line of products giving us easy access to treatments for a variety of skin related issues that most prestige companies skip entirely. Honestly, if you’ve only ever seen DERMAdoctor on the shelves at your specialty beauty store you will be amazed at what they offer in their full product line.  From Athlete’s Foot to Tinea Versicolor (it’s okay, I had to look it up too), they have great selection of helpful products and tips to go with them. I am personally a devoted fan of  KP Duty and KP Duty Scrub (buy the kit for $60), which has done wonders for my “chicken bump” arms. Since I have moderately oily skin and have had such great results with KP Duty, I was thrilled to try out Tease Zone oil control gel. (more…)

Before I launch into my thoughts on the Garden Girl products, I just want to say that I love the fact that you can host a “Garden Party” in your home as well as simply purchasing these products online.  Just because someone is buying from a home party doesn’t mean they should be handed a bottle full of junk for twice what it’s worth. SO many home sales companies are offering little more than cheap fillers and harsh ingredients and I am so happy to see a responsible product in a setting that reaches so many more consumers. There aren’t too many consultants (yet, if you want in then do it now!) but you can have a sample party and still get some goodies for being a hostess while offering your friends some of this  paraben/petroleum/sulfate/phthalate free goodness.

Okay, that part of my fawning is over with, let’s move along….

I’m definitely not the first to get the word out about Garden Girl products, and Joycey Couture beat me to it over at Bionic Beauty, but I was pleased to read her review today and find that she had the same results I did…lots o’  love! (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…)

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

Sometimes I get a product that absolutely intrigues me. If Nano Cyclic soap does half of what it claims than it’s some kind of miracle product. It fights dandruff, psoriasis, acne, athlete’s foot, and can be used on diaper rash or to soften calluses. Holy crap, does it make breakfast in the morning too? Because I would buy it in bulk if it did

Nano Cyclic cleanser is a translucent round of soap. To be more accurate it’s a highly concentrated cream in the form of a bar. The ingredients are; Nano Silver, or colloidal silver in extremely small particles, Collagen, Silica, Chitosan, derived from the shells of shrimp and othe crustaceans, Sericin, a water-soluble protective gum which coats silk, Aloe, and Vitamins A, E, and D.

Silver compounds have long been used in medicine. Colloidal silver itself has a long history as an antibiotic before the discovery of other drugs like penicillin. Ingestion and inhalation of too much colloidal silver is linked to a condition called Argyria, one of the symptoms of which is a blue-ish discoloration of the skin. It’s important to note though that I couldn’t find any record of this condition being linked to topical application such as is found in Nano Cyclic soap, and Cyclic maintains that their product is completely safe and is not absorbed into the bloodstream. Generally we come in contact with trace amounts of silver in our everyday life, so short of ingesting large amounts of silver on a daily basis it doesn’t seem to be a major threat. In fact, colloidal silver has been approved by the FDA for use as a disinfectant in hospitals. If it can kill the bacteria in hospitals imagine what it can do for the bacteria in your pores.

Cyclic claims to help diminish age spots, improve skin texture, provide extra sun protection, eliminate body odor, reduce callous build-up, protect your skin from outside elements (also known as free radicals) and decrease the signs of skin conditions such as psoriasis and acne. To accomplish this they offer two similar formulas, pink and silver. Pink has a higher collagen content for sensitive to normal skin and age fighting effects, while Silver is preferred for oily and acne prone skin, like mine.

After two weeks use I can honestly say I have seen a difference in my skin tone. I have a much more even tone, with less blotchiness. It appears clearer and smoother, and while I still have blemishes they don’t have the glaring red coloration they used to. I’m surprised at the difference an even skin tone provides. I use less foundation and powder, and concealer can be used only on individual blemishes and those under eye circles that recently moved in. Using Nano Silver in conjunction with my usual acne spot treatments has eliminated almost all of the irritated discoloration I’ve previously seen. For me the Silver didn’t eliminate all my acne issues, but I was still pleased with the results. I didn’t feel overly dry with this product, though it did leave my skin a touch on the thirsty side. Cyclic recommends you not use a lotion or other product with this soap to prevent clogging of the pores and to let your skin adjust naturally. I did notice minor increased oiliness by the end of the day when using this without additional skincare products.

Nano Cyclic soap is applied in a unique way. After wetting your face and hands you rub the soap between your wet palms until it creates a foam. Lather the foam for a few seconds and suddenly you have a rich cream that you lightly apply to your face, no rubbing required. Leave on for 6 minutes or until you feel a tingle and rinse thoroughly. I never felt a tingle, but perhaps that’s just because I like to be difficult. Cyclic recommends leaving the product on for less time as your skin clears, while most products for acne prone skin suggest you gradually work UP to the maximum time to reduce irritation. You also need to store your soap in an airtight container after each use. This product is sensitive to temperature and moisture, so if you fail to store it properly, poof, you could lose it. Many people keep theirs in the refrigerator to extend the soap’s shelf life as long as possible.

There is a definite segment of the population this product isn’t suited for. Sadly, I’m part of that segment. During the summer break I could usually wake in the morning and let the Nano Silver do its thing before showering and finishing my morning routine. But now, with 3 kids and school to juggle, I have to jump in the shower first thing and get ready as fast as I can or I risk looking like the abominable pajama monster all day. This is a product that requires time, and I just don’t have the extra minutes to spare most mornings. Also, if your skin is particularly difficult it is recommended you use 3 times a day instead of two. I challenge you to find a time in the middle of your day when you wouldn’t mind washing off your makeup and reapplying with a 6 minute break in between. I’m sure you could do it on your lunch break if you were really dedicated, but clearly I’m not, sorry.

There are 3 bar sizes to fit any budget, and if you aren’t ready to shell out the $80 for a full size bar, you could always pay only $10 for a trial size. While this isn’t a product I will be using regularly due to my inability to multi-task, I can certainly imagine that more dedicated individuals might really love Nano Cyclic cleansing soap.

 

Warning! The photo rejuvenation devices I am about to review are expensive! You may be better off being blissfully unaware of these rather awesome devices. I give you this warning because once you read about what the Baby Quasar and Baby Blue Photo Light Devices can and do for your skin; you will covet them until you finally own them!

What are the devices: Photo Rejuvenation and Acne Clearing Devices

How they work: The Baby Quasar (or BabyQ, as it’s affectionately called) is designed to deliver four light wavelengths (that is amber, red and infrared). The Baby Blue delivers only blue light. This is a picture of the Baby Quasar. The Baby Blue looks exactly the same, but emits a blue light.

What the devices do: By following a series of photo rejuvenation sessions for six weeks, the Baby Quasar can enhance the skin cells circulation, stimulating collagen production and healing. The Baby Blue emits a blue light that kills the p. acne bacteria. Used together, they can reduce the inflammation and redness associated with acne or sensitive skin. The red light causes the release of nitric oxide, which is essential for healing. These devices are meant to enhance and improve the effectiveness of your skincare serums and treatments. Light Therapy is best for individuals with sun damage, redness, broken blood vessels and brown discoloration, including freckles.

My experience:

I was told to start by using the Baby Blue device first followed by a Baby Quasar session for six weeks to achieve the maximum benefits. I used both devices every other day for six weeks and each session lasted for about 35 minutes.

Both devices were easy to use. The warmth from the light felt good against my skin and there was no pain involved. I found the light therapy sessions very soothing, especially after using the Baby Quasar. I noticed that my blemishes seemed to heal more quickly and the number of my breakouts diminished while using both devices. I generally used the Blue Light as a spot treatment on areas where I tend to break out (nose, cheeks and chin), and the red Baby Quasar over the entire face.

I noticed that the Baby Quasar significantly helped diminish my skin’s redness. It was very soothing to my skin. Over the six weeks, I noticed more firmness and softened lines around my eyes, mouth and forehead. My pigmentation issues have improved and are less noticeable on my cheeks and chin. On my cheeks, I noticed some very dramatic improvements including some pigmentation spots fading and completely vanishing. I have been trying to clear up some very deep small whiteheads on the apples of my cheeks for years, and while using the BabyQ and Baby Blue, these small whiteheads have slowly been surfacing and disappearing!  I have also noticed diminished pore size around my cheeks, chin and nose.

In short, I loved the Baby Quasar. You are going to love what these devices can do for your skin!

You will need to avoid shining the light directly into your eyes or around mucous membranes. I did get a few strange sores after exposing my nostrils to the light. Other than that, I noticed no other side effects or adverse issues while using the Baby Quasar and the Baby Blue devices.

Where do you purchase, and how much:

The price of these devices is very high. The Baby Quasar costs $449 plus $20 s&h at the Baby Quasar site. Both the BabyQ and Blue devices are sold for $699 plus $20 s&h in the Baby Quasar Power Pack. However, if you look at the cost of going to an esthetician or clinic for Photo Rejuvenation Therapy or Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) a series of five treatments can cost between $1,000 – $2,000. To have a device that can be used at your convenience and indefinitely, you can see how these devices can be a deal. The Baby Quasar devices have a one year warranty from the manufacturer, and the company provides excellent customer support. You can also share the devices with other family and friends. This discount code can also be used toward the purchase of Baby Quasar Pro Line, professional strength results at home!

Special Discount Code: Baby Quasar is offering a promotional code, ‘mythbeauty’ that will give you an additional 10% discount off any Baby Quasar device.

Conclusion: The improvements are subtle and take time, but I have noticed some real benefits while using the Baby Blue and Baby Quasar. I highly recommend using the Baby Quasar.

[Here is picture I took today with a bit of makeup, (but really not that much), and no touch-ups! My skin isn't perfect, but not bad for a 39 year old mother of five.]

Don’t just take my word either, a fellow beauty blogger and skincare aficionado Miss K has also written rave reviews of the Baby Quasar device, “What my skincare routine has been missing”: Miss K’s Blog. She also includes some great before and after pictures.

If you are serious about getting the most out of your skincare, purchasing the Baby Quasar would be definitely a step in the right direction. BabyQ really rocks!

I am a fan of the Oprah show, but didn’t catch a recent episode with guest Sophie Uliano about her newly released and revolutionary book, “Gorgeously Green.” 

“Gorgeously Green is a lifestyle choice that is simple, easy and fun.  Going Green doesn’t mean you have to go without.  On the contrary, it’s the most exciting, fulfilling, and wondrous way of life imaginable.” – Sophie Uliano, Gorgeously Green

Sophie appeared with Oprah and Julia Roberts and discussed her new book, her “GG” philosophy, and some great eco-smart products.  One of the beauty products she mentioned was from my favorite skincare line, suki®! 

this mother’s day, pamper mom  + make her look + feel especially beautiful! 

all our luxurious gift sets presented in a deluxe suki® box.

nurture + nourish for a gorgeous summer glow, **special price $129

protect + enrich deep moisture, **special price $95

plus free ground shipping within the continental u.s. 

special promotion for orders placed before may 5th.

www.sukipure.com

(coupon code: “nurture” or “protect“. if you wish to order both gift boxes, please contact our customer service department at 1.888.858.suki.)

Last week I visited with one of my best neighbor friends Stacy. Actually, I went over to pick up three of my girls that were playing with their five children. At the front door, I noticed a few more neighborhood children playing there as well. Stacy’s home is a magnet to many of the neighborhood children because she is such a warm-hearted person, and her children are such an enjoyable group to hang out with.

Such is the life of busy, big social families. It is wonderful, and a bit stressful. With a large group of kids, there is a large amount of noise, mess, and general chaos. Stacy and I got talking about skincare, and she mentioned that she has been struggling with some breakouts along her jaw line and chin areas. I have learned that these breakouts are usually associated with hormone fluctuations and stress related issues. I want to recommend one of my favorite skincare products that not only treat blemishes, but soothes and purifies the skin as well. Of all the skincare products I have tried, Sukipure’s Transformative Facial Clay would top my list.

Sukipure’s Transformative Facial Clay: green tea, roses, and white willow

Achieve real results with our uniquely powerful facial purifier. an effective cleanser, masque & spot treatment for normal, combination, & oily skin, blemishing, acne, any condition of inflammation, & for refreshing & brightening all complexion types. helps rid the skin of blemishes, impurities & toxins, evens tone & reduces inflammation in as little as 5 minutes.

I enjoy the delicate smell and texture of this kaolin clay lotion. I use this for my PM cleanser and when I need some additional purification treatment, leave it on 5 to 15 minutes as a masque. Sukipure’s transformative clay leaves my skin feeling soft and refreshed. This clay is a very effective cleanser and treatment for sensitive, acne-prone, or oily skin types. The Sukipure facial transformative clay retails for $36.65 at www.sukipure.com.