Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter from Kiehl's Review

From their site:
Luxuriously Whipped. Sinfully Addictive.

•Luxuriously scented cream – light on skin, yet rich in 24-hour hydration.
•Decadently air-whipped for instant penetration to restore, protect, and soften skin.
•Quickly absorbed to deliver deep moisturization and leave a light, addictive scent on skin.
•No parabens, glycols or silicones.

Most people are aware of Kiehl's. They have many lines of products this is one from the brand that I really love and would definitely recommend it. They also have this moisturizer in lotion form if you like that type of texture better, but please give this whipped body butter a try first!

I fell in love with the texture and the light scent. It is very light and airy. The product absorbs quickly into the skin without leaving greasy residues or shine. Skin is hydrated and feeling soft all day. The scent is completely neutral. They have a partnership with Equinox Fitness Clubs and guys use this stuff in the locker room all the time. It's awesome! A very smart partnership to introduce the brand to the often neglected male demographic. Kudos to their marketing team!

If you've been reading my blog, you'll notice I don't really review that many body products, because all you really need is a good body scrub and a body lotion. I haven't really noticed enough difference between brands to really dive into them. It simply comes down to preference of scents/fragrances when choosing a body moisturizer for most people.  

I have to point out that people with the most beautiful skin on their bodies always tell me they use pure coconut oil for the body right after the shower and that's all they use. I haven't done it yet, because I am dreading the mess, but I think I should really consider doing that, since it's much cheaper than buying a brand name, 

However, if you are looking for a body moisturizer, I will definitely give this a try!

Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter is $38 for 8oz jar and $48 for 12 oz jar.
Read more on their site: http://www.kiehls.com/Creme-de-Corps-Soy-Milk---Honey-Whipped-Body-Butter/915,default,pd.html?start=1&cgid=body-moisturizers

Verdict: Get it!

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Scar treatment reviews- Bio Oil, ScarAway, Scarguard, Invicible, La mer Concentrate, Mederma

My current batch of scar treatments

I have been wanting to write a review on scar treatments for the longest time. For any of you guys out there living with a surgical scar, I'm with you! I've been carrying a very bad scar left behind by an incompetent surgeon whom will remain nameless for this post. My sutures were ripped opened during the healing process and the doctor neglected to look under my gauze so I ended up with a very deep scar that I thought was never going to heal.

My dermatologist prescribed me something called Biafine that closed my wound within a day, since then, I've been on a quest to find the best scar treatment on the market to fix the look of my scar. It's been about 3.5 years and the scar is here, but I've tried many products on the market that I would love to share with my readers.

Mederma is the number one recommended scar treatment by doctors, but for some reason, it didn't do anything for my scar. I think it's nice for non surgical scars like a cut or something, but not for deep scars. My dermatologist still recommends it, so who knows.


The second thing I tried was Scarguard. It's like nail polish for scars. You brush it on your scar, wait for it to dry, then you peel it off at the end of the day. The description from their website is- Developed by a plastic surgeon, Scarguard MD’s® specially-designed technology combines multiple medically-proven treatments into one easy-to-use solution that has been clinically proven to help shrink and flatten scar tissue if it is raised or thickened. If used on newly forming scars, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Scarguard MD® helps decrease the amount of scar tissue that forms during the healing process.

It did help with keeping my scar flat during the healing process (your wound has to be closed already), but it was kind of a hassle to brush it, wait for it to dry, and peeling it off later.. I used a full bottle and I would recommend it if you're looking for an alternative to Mederma. It is more expensive though.


Third thing I tried was Invicible Scar Therapy. I don't think many people have heard about this product. It is on the pricier side, around $80. I have to say this is prob one of the best scar treatments I've used. I started using this and even my surgeon asked me what have I been using, because he didn't think my scar was going to improve and Invicible proved him wrong. I would definitely recommend this to anyone that is looking to diminish the look of their scar. Must buy if you're dealing with deep surgical scars!!

Many of you have asked, you can buy this here-  http://www.inviciblescars.com/ 


The fourth thing I tried was La Mer Concentrate and I saw a difference within 2 days. It has the highest concentrate of the Miracle Broth that was developed to treat severe burns by the developer. It worked wonders on my scar. However, it is extremely pricy $390. I was desperate for improvement and this was definitely worth the price tag for the difference I saw in my scar. If you have the money, this is the one to go with.


The fifth product I tried was ScarAway Serum. It's a 100% Silicone Gel. It comes in a pen form with massage balls. I liked it, but I'm not sure it made any changes.

The sixth product I tried was ScarAway Silicone Scar Sheets. I started combining the ScarAway serum with this, which they said it'll help the scar heal faster. I think I like the sheets better than the serum. I do see some redness after using it, so I have been hesitant about using this on  a daily basis.


The final product I tried was Bio Oil. It is known to treat scars, discoloration, and stretch marks. I really liked this, mainly because it kept the scar hydrated. I'm not sure if it's changing anything, but at least I know my scar is absorbing this oil and staying hydrated when I apply this. I like this better than the ScarAway products.

I used Sea Buckthorn oil for a little bit, but it's not really made to treat scars, so I only use it when I have nothing else to use. It is great for acne scars, because it gets rid of bacteria. Not so much for surgical scars.

So there it is! I hope this brings some light to some of the scar treatments you have been looking at. Honestly, as time goes on, I've learned to live with the scar and accepting that it will always be part of me. So everything gets easier, but these are some of the products I've tried that I think can be beneficial to you. I think my top choice is Invicible in conjunction with La Mer Concentrate. Pass this knowledge along! I wish I had this info when I was looking!

You can get most of the products here everywhere, the only one you have to order is Invicible, and you can order it from - http://www.inviciblescars.com/ . Must try if you're dealing with a scar. I have been using it since my surgery and still using it.

Don't forget to "Like" me on Facebook!

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Scar treatment review- InviCible, ScarAway, Bio Oil, La Mer Concentrate and Sea Buckthorn Oil all compared!



Looking for a scar cream? Wait for my review first! I'm finally getting around to do a review on the most popular scar treatments on the market. These are the final selections I will be reviewing. Mederma is clearly missing, because it simply just didn't work that well compared to these. InviCible Advanced Scar Treatment, La Mer Concentrate, ScarAway, Sea Buckthorn Oil, and Bio Oil. Stay tuned!


Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Soleil de la Mer from La Mer



Look no more, La Mer's got you "covered"! (pun intended).

The upscale Crème de la Mer brand is set to bolster its portfolio with another pillar category, with the April launch of its new Soleil de la Mer sun collection. The line will be introduced this month to selected La Mer travel retail doors across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas

The line will include the Reparative Face Sun Lotion SPF30, the Reparative Body Sun Lotion SPF30 and the Face and Body Gradual Tan.

I know I will be getting the Face and Body Gradual Tan! How about you?


Thursday, March 28, 2013

Natura Bisse Diamond Life Infusion Serum Review



From their site: 

A powerful rejuvenating night treatment exclusively designed to treat skin ages 35 and over capable of regulating the SKIN AGE BIOMARKERS that prolongs the life span of skin cells and slows the aging process to preserve the youth of the skin through a natural magnetite.

This recently discovered magnetic active ingredient, BIO-MAGNET NANOSOMES (PATENT PENDING), provides extremely effective rejuvenating action with a "retinoid-like" effect* of cell renewal, improved skin tone, skin texture and luminosity without the common side effects of sun sensitivity, dryness and irritation or inflammation.

DIAMOND LIFE INFUSION is an ampoule-strength renewal serum formulated with 16 potent anti-aging ingredients combined to enhance their synergy with the exclusive cutting-edge DIAMOND DELIVERY SYSTEM which stimulates a greater and more even penetration of ingredients with diamond nanoparticles, providing long-lasting and cumulative rejuvenating results.

My take:  

First I want to point out I'm not over 35, so I'm not exactly the target demo for this product, but I tend use products that are normally made for anti-aging, so I had to give this a try! 

I liked the product, but  I didn't love it. Mainly, because it has a metallic scent to it, almost like rust. I thought there was something wrong with it, but it turned out the entire diamond line has that scent to them. The Diamond Extreme Cream was not too bad and I actually really like that product.

It definitely has  a retinoid-like effect  to the skin. It kind of dried out my skin a little, but I could see some of the fine lines on my forehead diminishing. It does lift your face, but it was almost too extreme for me to a point that I wasn't sure if it was tightening or just drying out my face. If you have dry skin, I would recommend applying a very hydrating moisturizer after this serum. 

It does work and I did see lines fading. It was not the most comfortable serum on the face, but with continued use, I barely notice the fine lines on my forehead anymore. 

The serum itself had a liquid paste texture to it. It's not as fluid as most serums, definitely a tad thicker than most serums. It does have some glitter/luminous particles in the serum. The rep told me it's from diamond dust, so I'll just go with that and it makes everything more glamorous. It's very little and you can barely see it, so don't worry about having a glittered face. 

It's definitely one of the most expensive products I've ever tried, I don't think I need to continue using this due to my age, but it is definitely something I would consider revisiting maybe 10 years from now. 

I did try the Diamond Extreme Cream, and I really liked it and would consider buying that as a regular facial cream. Do you guys want to see a review of that? If so, leave a comment here, or give me a shout out on Facebook

Natura Bisse Diamond Life Infusion Serum is $590
Verdict: Try it! (If you're over 35)
Read more on their site: http://shop.naturabisse.com/_product_39488/DIAMOND_LIFE_INFUSION


     

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

So I went shopping... La Mer hoarding?

I went out to get a face wash and ended up buying these goodies. Retail therapy? lol

People have been asking me why I buy the concentrate and actually I don't use the concentrate on my face, I use it for a scar I have on my body and it has done wonders to it.


Wednesday, March 13, 2013

LIRIKOS hydration design

I am a big fan of great design and packaging and I recently ran across Lirikos website and I had to make a post to share their design. It's just so beautiful and so "hydrating". You can almost feel the hydration through some of their designs and ads. Absolutely beautiful!




Saturday, March 9, 2013

Organic Male OM4 Review



If you haven't heard of the brand, don't worry. I was not aware of the brand until few weeks ago myself. Organic Male is a complete organic skin care system for men that is organized into 4 fast and easy steps and color-coded by 4 different colors by skin type.

The products are currently only available at high-end spas, such as Four Seasons Spas and Equinox Spas.

I got to try out the Oily line, because the product specialist insisted that this was what's best fitted for my skin, even though I knew I should've gotten the Normal or Encore line. As expected, all the products in this line left my skin dehydrated and tight that it became uncomfortable. If you have combination skin, stay away from the Oily line, and go for either Normal or Encore.

The only product I liked was the Green Clay Clarifying Cleanser. It would be a good cleanser at night time, but definitely not for the morning unless you have really oily skin. 

I have some other samples from the line that I will try and see how I like them. I heard good things about their eye cream so I'm excited to try that out.  I also love the founder's approach to the brand, it's Eco-friendly and organic.


Here's the info from their site: 
The Oily Skin Collection derives essential active ingredients from botanicals that are easily detected in the air. Eucalyptus, lavender, willow and a host of highly effective ingredients, are meticulously formulated to address the unique issues associated with male oily skin. The Oily collection is designed to thoroughly cleanse, regulate oil production, deeply nourish, lightly moisturize and prevent sebum-related skin conditions.

Organic Male OM4 is a complete, type-specific, organic skin care system for men. 21 products address the needs of sensitive, oily, normal and dry male skin. Precise formulations of food grade natural, and whenever possible organic and biodynamic botanicals, yield OM4’s distinctive results. OM4 does not use harmful chemicals, parabens, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, additives, and a less than 1% preservation system (as naturally occurring as possible) to ensure a minimum shelf life of 18 months. OM4 benchmarks against Whole Foods Premium Standards - list of acceptable ingredients. We do not test on animals. We are fair trade, eco-friendly and world conscious.

Read more here:  http://www.om4men.com/product-collections/oily.php

Fresh Rose Hydrating Gel Cream



Fresh came out with another new product! This looks like a great companion to the Rose Face Mask and toner. Unfortunately, I'm allergic to gel texture creams, so I'm not sure if I will be able to give you guys a full review on this. But looking at the ingredients and price point, this is more of a hydration gel cream than an anti-aging cream.

Here's the info from their site: 

Fresh Rose Hydrating Gel Cream with soothing rosewater is a daily moisturizer for all skin types proven to provide 24 hours of significant moisture while protecting against damage caused by pollution. Its unique texture has an immediate cooling effect and instantly hydrates the skin for a healthy-looking, radiant complexion

KEY INGREDIENT:
-Rosewater, rose flower oil, and jojoba oil soothe and nourish
-Porphyrydium cruentum, a “smart” algae, helps to deliver optimum moisture
-Angelica leaf extract is known to boost collagen and improve moisture-retention*
-Rhodiola root extract is a protective antioxidant* that helps revive skin cells
-Hyaluronic acid helps attract and maintain moisture to restore suppleness
-Cucumber extract helps to calm and cool the skin

Claims:
Rose Hydrating Gel Cream is proven to provide up to 24 hours of significant moisture.*
Rose Hydrating Gel Cream is proven to significantly protect the skin from damage caused by pollution.*
After an independent consumer testing panel used Rose Hydrating Gel Cream:*
-100% felt their skin was healthier-looking and more hydrated, supple, and soft
-97% noticed their skin was instantly hydrated and nourished
-93% reported it protected, soothed, and toned the skin

Fresh Rose Hydrating Gel Cream is $42 


Have you tried it yet? If so, do tell!

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Quick update on Natura Bisse Diamond line

Hey guys! I recently posted on my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/themetroperspective) that I have been trying Natura Bisse Diamond line. I just want to post a quick update that I love all the products, but I'm not a fan of the metallic scent. It's kind of a bummer.

I will write more soon!

You are always welcome to ask me for any suggestions on my facebook page!