Ah, More Vita C: A Triple Review of Jeffen, Naturalico & Clarigenic's Vitamin C Serum

I've written what feels like endless reviews on vitamin c serum and the loves that it does (if that even makes sense). To recap.. vitamin c is a great antioxidant, helping to protect the skin against environmental damage and free radicals. It's also a wonderful nutrient for the skin (duh). But, in addition, vitamin c helps to even out skin tone and leave the skin with a lovely glow.

Nowadays, since vitamin c is super hot on the skincare market, most vitamin c serums seem to be combined with other yummy ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid and vitamin e.. which is the case with the vitamin c serums that I'm reviewing today: One, by Clarigenics. The second, by Naturalico (love that name!) Last but not least is a vitamin c serum with argan oil (oo la la) by Jeffer. Since there are many similarities in all of these serums, I'm going to talk about them collectively, then I'll point out things that stand out in any of them.

Okay, so each of these comes in a dark colored, glass dropped bottle. Which is great, because it helps prevent oxygenation and overuse of the product. All three of these serums are pretty thin, so you don't need much to cover your entire face. I use 5 drops or so.

In addition, all three of these serums contain 20% of vitamin c- the pretty standard amount for an everyday vitamin c serum. They also all contain hyaluronic acid, which will add some extra hydration and plumpage.

Jeffen's vitamin c serum- cleverly called "I Am Radiant," actually contains argan oil, adding even more hydration and anti-aging properties. Out of all of the vitamin c serums I have used, I have never seen one with argan oil. I love this and reserve this product for my nightly vitamin c serum. The label of this one is super cool and chic, too. Also, I like to shake this product up a bit before using it, so all of the ingredients mix together. You can purchase Jeffen's vitamin c serum for $19.95 for a 1 oz bottle.

Naturalico's vitamin c serum also contains some gorgeous ingredients, such as green tea, rosehip oil, sea buckthorn oil, and plant stem cells, making this serum also pretty potent and extra hydrating, due to the rosehip oil. Also I am seeing more and more sea  buckthorn oil in skincare products and am super intrigued by it. Not only is the name super fun, but I think I read somewhere that its super amazing for your skin. I'll have to research this. You can purchase a bottle of Naturalico's delicious serum for $18.88.

Clarigenic's vitamin c serum also contains some fun ingredients, such as ferulic acid, jojoba oil, aloe vera, and witch hazel, making this serum a better option for those that don't need quite as much hydration. A 1 oz bottle of Clarigenic's vitamin c serum is only $21.97 on amazon.

All in all, this is a trio of three wonderful vitamin c serums... and they're all super affordable, in my own opinion. Since you only need 5 drops to cover your entire face, these babies will last foreverrrrr. Plus, the potent ingredients are sure to have a positive effect on your skin. Vavoom, baby.

All About That Hemp: A Review of Super Hemp Seeds, um.. Hemp Seed

A few years ago, everyone was obsessed with flax seed. Like, everyone. It was the latest superfood, rich in omega fats. The trouble with flax seeds? The taste is weird- almost fishy- and, since you need to ground the seed to get the benefit out of it, you can't really get away from it. Which was another really annoying thing about flax seed- you couldn't just chow down on it, but had to ensure that you ground it up first. First world problems, right?

So, then came chia seed. I haven't jumped on the chia seed market yet, but I hear its pretty rockin. I was about to enter the world of chia, until I started hearing about hemp seed and how wonderful hemp seeds are. For similar reasons to chia and flax seed, since hemp seed is also rich in the omega fatty acids. But, hemp has some other cool benefits..a lot, actually. For one, you don't need to ground it up to get the nutritional benefits. Yesssss. Two, it supposedly actually tastes good. And three- it's actually way more nutritious than chia and flax. They're high in both protein and fiber and they contain 20 essential amino acids. Here's what Super Hemp (I know, I know, the name is awful) has to say about their hemp seeds:

Super Hemp Raw Shelled Organic Hemp Seeds w/ Omega 3 & 6 (1 lb Bonus-Pack).

"They taste like sunflower seeds... only soft and buttery!"

Super Hemp Seeds contain essential Fatty Acids (alpha-linolenic & linoleic) in a balanced 3:1 ratio. High Protein Super Hempseed contains 20 amino acids and dietary fiber. Delicious buttery flavor will enhance any salad or dish.

Super Hemp is Super Good Superfood...

Super Hemp seed is considered by many nutritionists as nature's most perfect food. Super Hemp is a true superfood providing a perfect 3:1 balance of omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids. These fatty acids promote heart health, lower triglycerides, work to reduce inflammation, promote brain health, and support the immune system. Low in carbohydrates, hemp seeds are ideal for those following the paleo diet or who need to be carb conscious for their health.

Super Hemp also delivers a power-punch of complete proteins, making it a great addition to vegan and vegetarian diets. In fact, Super Hemp delivers 10g of easily digestable plant-based protein per 1 oz serving. Compare that to 6g protein in one large hard boiled egg.

SUPER FACTS
...Super Hemp is super good in recipes, toppings or raw.
...Super Hemp contains more protein and omegas and less carbs than the same serving of Chia seeds or Flax.
...Super Hemp packs a perfectly balanced dose of both Omega 3 and Omega 6 (10g omegas per 28g serving).
...Super Hemp is RAW, shelled, USDA-certified-organic hempseeds.
...Super Hemp is Cold-processed (under 104°F) from raw, live hemp seeds.
...Super Hemp is 33% protein; rich in iron, vitamin E, and GLA (gamma-linolenic acid).
...Super Hemp is a product of Canada.

Super Hemp hulled hemp seeds have a light buttery nut-like flavor, making a nutritious and tasty addition to hot cereal and smoothies. Super Hemp blends easily into desserts, breads, pancakes, granola bars and other baked goods. Sprinkle Super Hemp on salads and blend into pilafs, but don't stop there... Super Hemp tastes great with almost everything.

Because of their high oil content, hemp seeds should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer to keep fresh.

====================================================================
Sounds pretty ideal. Still, I was super weirded out about trying hemp seeds in the first place. Like many other people, I associate hemp with hippies and marijuana, handmade hemp jewelry.. that kinda thing (not like there's anything wrong with any of those).

But I knew I had to try it. After all, I needed to write said review. I think the first thing that I put the hemp seeds in was soup. And it wasn't so bad. I could hardly taste the hemp and what I could taste didn't seem bad at all.

Next, I tried it in salad. Then an omelet. And then, basically anything and everything. And, guess what? I freaking love it. I love that I don't have to ground it up in my coffee grinder first. I love that I can get the hemp benefits by throwing a few seeds into whatever I'm eating. And, I actually really dig the taste. It's exactly like they say in the description- nutty and buttery.

You can get a limited "33% more free" bag of hemp seed on amazon for just $19.24. But, even better, I gots a promo code for you guys! Enter the promo code BUY4HALF when you check out to get a 50% off discount. Super decent! I'm so excited that I discovered this hemp business. I'm just about ready to throw away my almost empty bag of flax seed now... hemp for life!

MeasuPro's Pulse Oximeter: A Review

Remember, though my blog is 99% skincare related, I do like to include general wellness type reviews as well... which is why I'll be reviewing MeasuPro's pulse oximeter today.

What is a pulse oximeter? A pulse oximeter not only measure your pulse, but also the oxygenated hemoglobin of your blood vessels.. in other words, it measure the amount of oxygen you're getting. One may not think this is very important, but trust me- it's super important. Anyone with a oximeter rate under 93% should consider using an oxygen take, at least until getting the pulse ox back up.

Generally, you will find pulse oximeters in medical settings, such as hospitals and clinics. If you've ever been admitted to the hospital, you probably recognize the pulse oximeter, as it's likely been used at least a few times during your stay. Maybe they even kept it on your finger for the day.  You rarely see pulse oximeters in people's homes- but I highly encourage it. In my opinion, a pulse oximeter is on the same level as a thermometer, maybe even more so. Say your loved one has trouble breathing. Clipping this on their finger will help tell you whether there oxygen level is okay, or whether you need to call an ambulance. Stat.

How do you use the pulse oximeter?

It's super easy. Like I mentioned above, you literally just place it on your finger. Turn the pulse oximeter on, then press back the oximeter until it opens, and clip it on your finger. A few general rules: Don't use it on a finger with nail polish, as this can mess up the reading. Also, try to avoid using the index finger if you can. In an ideal world, you'll be using the pulse oximeter on either your middle or ringer finger. After approximately 15 seconds, the pulse oximeter will display your pulse and oxygen rate. I'd recommend leaving it on for 30 seconds - one minute, as it may take a minute to get an accurate reading.

MeasuPro's pulse oximeter is great, because its easy to use and gives an accurate reading super quick. Also, it comes in a convenient black case and a lanyard, so you don't have to worry about losing your oximeter. You can purchase one of MeasurePro's pulse oximeters on amazon.. right now its on sale for only $34.95, which is a small price to pay for what this little device can do.

A Review of BRI Nutrition's Yacon Syrup: A Peruvian Superfood

Superfood? I think super"root" is more like it, as that's what yacon syrup comes from.
In Peru, yacon is known as "peruvian ground apple." It is native to South America and is actually in the same family as the sunflower- I never would have guessed that, since a yacon closely resembles a sweet potato and looks like this:

After seeing this picture, I'm starting to think that they actually sell these at my local grocery store.. hmmmm...

They say that the fruit tastes sweet and similar to an apple- hence the name nickname of "peruvian ground apple), but I wouldn't know,  since this review involves the syrup that comes from the root of this bad boy. The syrup from the yacon root was initially studied in diabetics. They found that its consumption helped lower insulin levels significantly...even though yacon syrup has a sweet taste, it contains molecules that are about half as sweet as sugar- but don't affect insulin levels.

In addition, after the "diabetic" study, they also found out that yacon syrup can help promote weight loss and suppress appetite. It has also been shown to have cancer-fighting properties and promotes la healthy liver.

To sum it up, here's a fun little pic I found that:

BRI Nutrition, a company that specializes in unique and cutting-edge diet and wellness products, sent me a bottle of their own yacon syrup. Here's what they say about it:


Discover A Natural Organic Substitute That Burns Fat: Yacon Syrup For Weight Loss

Top Rated Yacon Syrup - Pure Organic All Natural Premium Raw Yacon Root Extract From Peru

    Quality Sugar Substitute Super Food Seen On Dr. OZ
    Made For Diets, Weight Loss & Lean Living
    Made in the USA FDA Approved Processing Plant
    GMP Certified - 8oz - 48 Servings

What Is Organic Yacon Syrup Allergenic?

Yacon Syrup is 100% organic and does not contain traces of soy, wheat, gluten, flour or dairy which are components identified to cause mild side effects on the body such as bloating, nausea, and constipation. These allergenic can also cause some serious allergic reactions such as rash and itching in some people.


And this is from their amazon product page:

HOW IT WORKS: Our Yacon Syrup is a 100 percent certified pure raw root extract from natural regions of Peru. This 8oz premium high essential fiber food has a sweet taste that you will love. Our Yacon Syrup has been shown to help with appetite suppression & increased rate of metabolism, helps lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels, improves immune system function & increase energy levels.

WHAT IT IS: Yacon is an important natural source of FOS (fructooligosaccharides) which is a vital source of fiber for an healthy digestive balance and good probiotic function. This type of fiber passes through the digestive tract un-metabolized and has a very low caloric value. This natural source of fiber has been shown to slow food transit time and support healthy blood sugar levels which can assist in reducing food cravings and aid in weight loss.

PURITY: 100% safe and natural. No fillers or artificial ingredients. We use only the very best, scientifically-tested ingredients, all of which are manufactured in the US in a FDA-registered, state-of-the-art facility, with strict adherence to good manufacturing practices (GMPs). Every batch is third party tested to ensure the ingredients are safe and pure.

So, we see here that a teaspoon of this stuff is low in calories, fat free, and even contains a little bit of potassium and calcium (and a super tiny amount of magnesium, but that's still something, right?!)

The Nitty Gritty:

Enough of my jabber, let's get to the actual review. Okay, okay, here goes. When I first opened the bottle, I was a bit taken aback by the smell- it's sweet, but slightly bitter. After tasting a little bit of the syrup, it tastes exactly like it smells- sweet and bitter, go figure. Also, it is very thick and dark brown in color.. nothing to be alarmed about, since this is a SYRUP, people! Think of molasses. It's like molasses, though probably a tad thinner.

They say that the best way to consume this is by taking a few teaspoons a day.. but I couldn't do it. The bitter, earthy taste got to me. But, I had a better idea- instead of choking down actual teaspoonfuls, why not use it in my food? Brilliant! Since then, I've been using this product in my cooking. For example, I'll add a serving to my daily smoothie. It adds sweetness, but the bitterness is masked by yummy fruits, vegetables, and protein powder. I do, however, have to keep shaking the drink, as the syrup tends to settle on the bottom.

I also like to use this in baking. Though I mostly bake healthy alternatives, such as high protein muffins and sweet potato pancakes, I find that yacon syrup is a perfect addition to my healthy snacks. For example, I throw 1-2 teaspoons into my delicious two ingredient sweet potato and egg pancake batter. The result is sweeter, more flavorful pancakes without a bitter aftertaste that the syrup alone would provide.

As far as the weight loss and appetite suppression goes... I don't think I personally use enough of this stuff to be able to say whether it contributes to weight loss. I know that I'm trying to lose weight, unsuccessfully as of recent. However, after adding this to my cooking, I notice that I do get filled up faster than usual. Also, let's not forget that legit research supports that, indeed, this product does contribute to weight loss. So, there ya go.

Overall, I think this is a fantastic product. For those looking for safe and healthy weight loss / appetite suppressant alternatives, I highly encourage you to try this product for yourself. I mean, why not? Use this instead of sugar in your food and, even if it doesn't make you lose weight, think of all of the other benefits you get from this.

You can purchase 8 ounces of BRI Nutrition's yacon syrup for $19.95 here on their webpage. For you amazon lovers, you can actually purchase it for $1 cheaper.

________________________________________________________________________________

Looking to learn more about yacon syrup and its research and benefits? Check out these pages:

"What are the Benefits of Yacon Syrup" - A Livestrong article
What is Yacon Syrup? - WiseGeek
Can Yacon Syrup Really Help You Lose Weight? An Objective Look- A wonderful article for research nerds like me, by Authority Nutrition

A Different Kind of Review- Spacoustic Audio Therapy

When I was offered to review this audio therapy program by Spacoustic I was, to say the least, very intrigued. Why? I'm a spiritual kinda chick with a Bachelor's in Psychology, a license in esthetics, a reiki practitioner, and I work in a psych hospital. What does this mean? This is something I'm all about. When I was working on my undergraduate degree in Psychology, I became interested in subliminal messaging- that is, relaying messages that one doesn't hear in the music itself. Though this isn't exactly what Spacoustic utilizes, I do believe in the power of music therapy.

This is probably the most complex review I've ever done. Bear with me here. To make the mush of words that is in my brain come out easier, let's leave the description in Spacoustic's hands:

Spacoustic was created by Prescription Audio™, the leading supplier of drug-free programs that use the healing power of sound to relieve stress, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and addiction. Our programs utilize audio vibrations embedded into the multilayered sound technology known as Quantum HarmonicsTM. When precisely delivered, these sound frequencies create synchronization between the brain’s left and right hemispheres, quieting the mind, and allowing deep relaxation, meditation, and dreamless sleep to occur. These therapies are fully natural, completely drug-free, and clinically proven in studies conducted by independent researchers and the United States military. Watch this video to learn more about Spacoustic from our founders, Rod Slane and Jill Noonan, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dq64X8tLALQ

Chill, by Spacoustic, is a stress relief program that merges the science of Quantum Harmonies with the benefits of meditation in a revolutionary new technology that enables you to quickly and easily achieve levels of profound relaxation -- without the years of practice that is normally required. At the touch of a button, the chill program quickly and efficiently guides your brainwave patterns from relaxing alpha frequencies, to deeply meditative theta states within minutes.

Nocturne, by Spacoustic, is a sleep enhancement program that guides your brainwave patterns into the deep delta state in just minutes. There are several stages of sleep which people pass through in the course of a good restful night. In each stage that our sleep gets deeper, our bodies get more relaxed and our brainwave patterns slow down. The deepest and most rejuvenating levels of sleep are associated with delta brainwave patterns. Good health begins with a good night's sleep.   

In addition, here is a five minute video that gives a pretty good overview of the program:

 

Spacoustic gave me a choice of reviewing a portion of their "chill" or "nocturne" programs. Fortunately, I have no problem sleeping (knock on wood).. unfortunately, my stress level is sky high. Naturally, I opted to review a section of their "chill" program.

The section they sent me is pretty much a guided meditation- actually, I'm guessing that that's exactly what its called on their website (they never told me the exact section they were sending me). It starts out with soothing music, followed by a gentle female voice that instructed me to lie down in a comfortable position (why, thank you, kind woman voice!) Through the 25 minute section, the voice guided me to relax every muscle and take deep breaths in and out. Towards the middle of the program, the voice faded out, leaving me with gentle, spa-esque music that I have always been a sucker for.

After listening to this program, I did feel less stressed and more relaxed... and then I entered the outside world. You see, the trick to these relaxing things- be it meditation, relaxation therapy (sauna, spa services, etc) is to let the positive effect it has on you last as long as you can. Try to hang onto it as long as humanly possible- don't let the "real" world corrupt you so soon! Luckily, I have this program downloaded onto my iPod, so I'm able to listen to it on a regular basis, which is exactly how often I'm stressed out (always). In fact, I'm listening to it right now, as we type- I know, the guided voice lady is probably frowning at me- however, I definitely am feeling less stressed, even though I'm only half listening to it!

Purchasing this program is much, much cheaper than getting a weekly massage, facial, whatever it may be, and there's no limit to how often you use it. Plus, there are a number of different programs- besides the "chill" and "nocturne" program, there are also programs to help with weight management, quitting smoking, energy alignment, and a "master" meditation program. 

I'd highly encourage anyone and everyone to check out the services that Spacoustic offers.. as I type this, I just noticed that I let out a long sigh.. yeah, release that stress, girl!!!

You can check out the programs that Spacoustic has to offer by browsing their website, here. You owe it to yourself! 

Under Eye Gel Triple Whammy: A Review of True Skincare, Yelmeh Beauty, and Pure Body Natural's Eye Gels

As some of you may know, I'm a bit "eh" on eye gel. Don't get me wrong, the concept is great, plus the gel has a cooling effect on the eyes, which feels awesome. I love layering a heavier cream on top of the eye gel for added "oomph." Unfortunately, many of the eye gels I've tried end up flaking off later on in the day, which is, of course, no bueno.

Today we're getting a little crazy on the eye gel reviews, because I have three, count em- three- eye gels to review: In review order, by Pure Body Naturals, True Skincare (I can't find a website for them), and Yalmeh Peerless Beauty. So, lets get to it, huh?

Recently, I've reviewed a number of things by Pure Body Naturals, who seem to carry an array of various products, from skincare products to essential oils. Their eye gel came in a large, airless pump bottle- all 1.7 oz of it, which is pretty large for an eye product. Here's what they have to say about their Ultra Youth eye gel:

Pure Body Naturals ULTRA YOUTH EYE GEL - HYDRATES AND RADIATES FOR YOUTHFUL SKIN-Our product has been formulated to restore your skin to perfection by rejuvenating, enriching and moisturising the skin so it is not only smooth and firm, but vibrant and filled with moisture with the use of Matrixyl 3000 and Plant Stem Cells to reinforce the skin and prevent eye bags and wrinkles.

STOPS DARK CIRCLES AND WRINKLES, REDUCES PUFFINESS, AND REVERSES SYMPTOMS OF AGING- Our product is known to protect and care for the skin so effectively that it leaves the skin invigorated and youthful by alleviating wrinkles and dryness with Hyaluronic acid, preventing sagginess, and stopping dark circles around the eyes. Our gel can also be used on all parts of the body as the anti-aging qualities leaves the skin looking radiant and feeling smooth and nourished.
NATURAL AND SKIN-FRIENDLY - We use only the best natural ingredients that are safe for every skin type with no alcohol or sulfates. Rather than irritating the skin, our product soothes and cools due to our organic cooling agents that relieve and relax the skin, without aggravating the eye. Our product is bottled in an FDA approved factory to ensure exceptional quality.

Rejuvenating and Enriching Anti-Aging Eye Gel that Revitalizes Your Skin!

    • Vibrant and healthy skin
    • A youthful, rejuvenated look
    • Eradicates aging symptoms like eye bags, puffiness and eye circles
    • Invigorates your skin by hydrating and leaving it with a firm, plump complexion
    • Organic and all natural ingredients
    • Manufactured in FDA approved facilities
    • Safe for every skin type as it does not contain parabens, sulfates or alcohol
    • Non-comedogenic and Hypo-allergenic
    • Soothes and cools

Our product contains the highest quality, most effective ingredients like Plant Stem Cells, Hyaluronic acid, and Matrixyl 3000.

Ultra Youth Eye Gel will restore your youth with rejuvenated and vibrant skin, so your skin feels and looks amazing. 

Here's their full ingredients list:

Organic Herbal Infusion, Organic Aloe, Matrixyl 3000, Palmitoyl Trepeptide - 3, Kosher Vegetable Glycerin, Plant Stem Cells, Cucumber Hydrosol, Organic Jojoba Oil, Botanical Hyaluronic Acid, MSM, Hydroxethyl, Cellulose, Carrageenan Gum, Silk Amino Acid Blend (SodiumL-Pyrrolidone, Carboxylate, Sodium Lactate, L'Arginine, L-Aspartic Acid, L-Pyrrolidone Carboxylic Acid, Glycine, L-Alanine, L-Serine, L-Valine, L-Proline, L-Threonine, L-Isoleucine, L-Histidine, L-Phenylalanine), Wild Crafted Periwinkle Reishi, Organic Gotu Kola, Frankincense, Vitamin E, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Ethyl Hexyl Glycerin. 98% Naturally Derived/75% Organic.

Not a bad ingredients list... the hyaluronic acid will deeply hydrate. It also contains aloe, plant stem cells, cucumber extract, gotu kola, periwinkile, silk amino acids, MSM, and matrixyl 3000. A lot of key ingredients.

Of course, we know that having a load of ingredients doesn't automatically mean that the product works miracles. Some of those uber expensive, uber popular products on the market contain a list of ingredients a mile long- and its not all good stuff, either. However, I think its definitely wise to know what's in your ingredients. I mean, look at all the good stuff in this one!

The Nitty Gritty:

It doesn't take much product to provide plenty under the eye area. I'm talking less than a pump. It definitely is a clear, odorless gel. Applying it to my under eye area felt cooling and refreshing. As soon as it dried, my eye area felt tighter. Looking in the mirror, you can definitely tell the difference between where I applied the eye product and where I didn't.

As for dark circles, unfortunately, I haven't noticed much of a difference with that. I'd say this product is great for tightening and firming, but not so much to help with under eye bags and discoloration. Wah! Either way, if you're looking for a great firming, anti-aging eye gel, this is a good option.

You can purchase Pure Body Naturals Ultra Youth Eye Gel here on amazon for $17.95. The 1.7 oz airless pump bottle will not only last forever, but the airless pump will prevent oxygenation and contamination.

Onto the next one.....

True Skincare (again, can't find a website for them, and I apologize greatly if I missed it out there in internet world. When you google "true skincare," quite a few results come up. Their webpage didn't seem to be one of them) sent me a snazzy looking bottle of their own anti-aging eye gel.

First of all, the packaging is great. I love the black and teal logo and label on their clear, airless pump bottle. Its definitely professional and appealing to the eye (ha, get it.. eye?). But, what we really care about is what's in that bottle, right?

Here's what they say about it:

True Skin Care's proprietary formula is a unique blend of natural ingredients designed with sensitive skin in mind.

Unique Blend of Active Ingredients
- Vitamin C
- Hyaluronic Acid
- Green Tea
- Cucumber
- Peptides
- Caffeine

Hyaluronic Acid will keep your skin hydrated throughout the day. While Peptides and Green Tea stimulate the skin to reverse the signs of aging and vitamins and peptides nourish your skin to fight free radicals and keep your skin looking fresh!

Our Under Eye Serum combats dark circles, puffiness and crows feet. But don't just take our word for it, we have raving customers who claim our Under Eye Gel is the best on the market!

At True Skin Care we focus on providing the best Under Eye cream on the market. The proven results of our Eye Gel coupled with our attention and hands on approach to make sure every single customer is satisfied is what really separates us from the competition. For example after you purchase our product today, if you need anything at all just send us a message and one of our Founders will personally read and respond to your inquiry within 24 hours. As a family-owned and operated business we appreciate every customer who chooses our product, and we want to make sure that you are 100% satisfied.

ANTI-AGING this unique blend of the most effective natural ingredients includes Peptides, Aloe, Hyaluronic Acid, Green Tea, Cucumber and Licorice Root.

REDUCE dark circles caused by aging, toxins and poor sleep with our soothing eye gel specifically formulated for the delicate skin around your eyes.

HYDRATE the sensitive skin around your eyes to combat fine lines and wrinkles with just two applications a day (morning and night).

SOOTHE puffy eyes/reduce inflammation and enjoy a brighter complexion (even without concealer).

Ingredients:

Deionized Water, Butylene Glycol, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Ethoxydiglycol, Hesperidin Methylchalcone, Steareth-20-Dipeptide-2, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sorbic Acid, Carbomer, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Extract, Euphrasia Officinalis (Eyebright) Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Sodium PCA, Triethanolamine, Glycosaminoglycans, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Allantoin

Like PBN's anti-aging eye gel, this one also has some great ingredients, though different: Aloe and cucumber hydrate and soothe and are in PBN's product. We also have green tea, eyebright, allantoin, and licorice root extract, which will help to brighten and even out the skin tone.

The Nitty Gritty:

This product is also clear and odorless, but the texture was a bit more.. gelish? Hard to describe, but I do love the texture and, like PBN's eye gel, a little goes a long way. This product contains more ingredients to help with under eye circles, such as caffeine and licorice root.

After using this product for a few weeks, I do feel that this product does provide positive results as both an anti-aging gel and to target under eye circles. Though it doesn't work like magic- after all, nothing seems to fully get rid of the circles- I do notice a difference. The eye area doesn't feel quite as firm as PBN's product afterwards, but that's not necessarily a bad thing either, if you're looking to target both areas effectively.

You can purchase a 0.5 oz bottle of True Beauty's anti-aging eye gel here on amazon for $35.95.

Last But Not Least.. Yalmeh's Glory Eye Bright Gel

Your search for the best Eye Gel is finally over. When you purchase from us today, here’s just some of the things you can look forward to… Fed up with your Dark Circles, Wrinkles, Puffiness and Weary Looking Eyes? It’s time to handover your worries because it’s time for YALMEH GLORY EYE BRIGHT GEL!! Yalmeh Glory Eye Bright Gel ranks up as the best superior Anti Aging for all your skin concerns. Extremely effective eliminate dark circles and wrinkles. Evenly efficient for puffiness and loss of tone. Yalmeh Glory Eye Bright Gel revitalizes daily eye treatment that alleviates the appearance of puffiness, dark circles, and other possible signs of fatigue with a unique combination of highly-developed and preventative botanicals. The Gel can also be used as an all-round cure for the entire face-skin for a much bright, glowing and radiant skin like never before. 

What are the benefits of choosing Yalmeh products? 

• Made With Mostly Plant Based Ingredients 
• Pure Product, Made With No Fillers 
• Free of Glutens
• Vegan Friendly 
• Proudly Made in U.S.A. in an FDA Registered Facility 
• Yalmeh Uses Only Quality Ingredients. 

These benefits are found in EVERY product produced by Yalmeh. Because of this, you can feel confident in your choice of any moisturizing or anti aging products. But what makes the Yalmeh Glory Eye Bright Gel so useful. 

What can you expect this product to offer you?  

People Can't Stop Staring! ☆ Gently Calms, Soothes and Smoothes Your Radiant and Glowing Eyes. ☆ Naturally Reducing Puffiness, Brightening Dark Circles, Tightening. ☆ Increases Softness, Firms and Plumps the Skin Around the Eyes. ☆ Dramatically and Naturally Reduce the Appearance of Dark Circles, Puffiness, Dryness and Sagging Around the Eyes. ☆Gives a Cool and Refreshing Experience that Gives a Soothing Feeling and Keeps Your Eyes Fresh Throughout the Day. ☆ Will Help in Improving the Tone and Texture Around the Eyes. ☆ Significantly Moisturizes the Eye Area. 
The best thing about Yalmeh’s Glory Eye Bright Gel is that it does more than improve your appearance, it heals your skin and improves your overall skin health. This combination of health and beauty is unstoppable. Yalmeh Glory Eye Bright Gel Contains Plant Stem Cells for Superior Anti Aging Effects which hydrate the flimsy eye area (including eye lids) to avoid premature ageing It does cooling your skin, it will leave you bright-eyed, bushy-tailed and ready to take on the world! 

Is It True Yalmeh Donates 10% of Profits to Charities? Yes! Giving back to our society will ALWAYS be our top priorities. 

Phew, that was a lot to read. Here are the ingredients:

Tea of Wildcrafted Taraxacum Officinale (Dandelion), Wildcrafted Arnica Montana (Arnica), Organic Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) and Organic Calendula Officinalis (Calendula), Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf (Aloe), Matrixyl 3000, Palmitoyl Triepeptide-3, Kosher Vegetable Glycerin, Globularia Cordifolia Callus Culture Extract (Plant Stem Cells), Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber Hydrosol), Organic Simmondsis Chinensis (Jojoba Oil), Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide (botanical hyaluronic acid), Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), Hydroxyethyl Cellulose, Carrageenan Gum, CoQ10, Silk Amino Acid Blend (Sodium L-Pyrrolidone Carboxylate, Sodium Lactate, L'Arginine, L-Aspartic Acid, L-Pyrrolidonecarboxylic Acid, Glycine, L-Alanine, L-Serine, L-Valine, L-Proline, L-threonine, L-Isoleucine, L-Histidine, L-Phenylalanine), Wildcrafted Vinca Major (Periwinkle), Organic Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice), Wildcrafted Euphrasia Officinalis (Eye Bright), Wildcrafted Ganoderma Lucidum (Reishi), Organic Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola), Boswellia Serrata (Frankincense), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Organic Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola), Wildcrafted Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail), Wildcrafted Geranium Maculatum (Wild Geranium), Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Ethyl Hexyl Glycerin.

The first and main ingredient is dandelion tea, followed by arnica, turmeric, calendula, aloe, and matrixyl 3000... damn! I was expecting to see something else there, like water, something.. but it's just herb and plant after herb and plant. Some uniqueness there too, as I've never seen turmeric in a skincare product before. Turmeric is an amazing anti-inflammatory agent, so you know that this won't irritate the area. This product also contains gotu kola, horsetail, geranium, eyebright, jojoba, MSM, hyaluronic acid.. the list of goodness goes on and on.

The Nitty Gritty:

Okay, I hate to say it, but you know how I talked about how eye gels tend to flake on me (literally, ha!) Well.. this one does. I know, I know. Maybe I'm using too much of it, I don't know.. but I tend to put it on underneath another eye cream.. and maybe 10 minutes later, I'll notice a bit of flakiness. I suppose I'll need to experiment and see how this product does on its own, without another eye cream on top of it... other than that, this product is pretty great. It's richer than the other eye gels in this review, and I mean.. those ingredients!! ::drool.

I'm not giving up hope on this product, I just need to make some modifications in how I use it. As for results.. umm.. I guess it just felt more hydrated. It didn't tighten like the PBN eye gel did, nor did it help with dark circles, like True Beauty's one. However, I would use this eye gel just for the sheer fact that it is filled with yummy ingredients that I know are doing something awesome to my skin, perhaps on the cellular level.

You can purchase a 0.5 oz tube of Yalmeh's eye gel here on amazon for $19.95. Give your eyes the medicine it needs!

All in All...

All of these products provide positive results, but in different ways. If you're looking for an eye gel whose primary focus is solely to firm and tighten, go with Pure Body Natural's eye gel. However, if you're looking to fight undereye circles, purchase True Beauty's eye gel. Yalmeh's eye gel didn't seem to provide many positive results, but I refuse to believe that its not doing anything amazing to my skin, since the ingredients are full of wonderful herb and plant extracts that have proven results. Also, it must be said that the prices of these three products vary significantly- a 1.7 oz bottle of PBN's eye gel is only $17.95, while a 0.5 oz bottle of True Beauty's is $35.95.. and, a 0.5 oz bottle of Yalmeh's eye gel is $19.95. It's all in what you're looking for, folks. I just hope that you're using an eye product night and day, every. Single. Day. 

Saucy Skincare Review: Valentia's Rosehip Oil

I love love love my rosehip oil. Seriously. I know that there are tons of different oils for your face, but rosehip oil has become my facial oil of choice. I use it every day. One of my first reviews ever was for a vitamin c serum by Valentia Skincare- check out that review here. I loved that serum. So, when they sent me a bottle of their organic rosehip oil, of course I was excited.

Valentia Skincare's mission is "to provide you a greater level of overall happiness with your appearance without the harsh chemicals that dry out, stretch, burn and prematurely age the skin.  Our strategic formulations include powerful natural ingredients that have been scientifically proven to succeed in giving skin a natural and radiant glow that contributes to a youthful look."

They tend to focus on scientifically proven, organic ingredients.. deciding this only after conducting research to see what their customers truly wanted out of their skincare. As a result, their products are paraben and toxin free, and are made with natural and organic ingredients.

In my battle of the rosehip oils review that I posted a few months ago, I talked about the benefits of rosehip oil and what exactly makes this oil different from all the others out there. For one, rosehip oil is considered a dry oil- meaning that it absorbs pretty quickly into the skin, whereas other oils sit on top and leave you with that greasy feeling for hours. While rosehip oil is still indeed an oil- it still feels a bit greasy going on your skin- I can tell you firsthand that it does absorb much quicker than other oils. I put this on at night and, when I wake up in the morning, there isn't a trace of oiliness to my face.

Rosehip oil is also stock full of omega fatty acids 3 and 6. It also contains plenty of vitamins A and C. In other words, its full of yummy things for your face. This helps increase elasticity of the skin, repair the skin's surface (hi, sun damage) as well as protect against free radicals.

What else does it do for the skin? Rosehip oil is extremely gentle, meaning that you can apply it undiluted on the skin- even the most sensitive. It's great for dry, dehydrated skin, especially during these winter months. And, let me say, I use rosehip oil every night and do not notice a bit of increased congestion or breakouts, so its safe to say that its non-comedogenic, or non-pore clogging. Its also great for scars and evening out skin tone- apply a drop or two to any acne scars or sun spots.

While I like to slather my face in rosehip seed oil at night, you could definitely use it during the day as well, but I'd use a bit less- after all, even though its a dry oil, its still an oil. I applied it to my face during the day a few times and, while it did leave me with an awesome glow, I probably should have applied less- like a few drops.

Valentia's organic rosehip oil comes in a 1 oz, dark amber dropper bottle, making it easy to measure out the amount that you need- remember, a few drops goes a long way. It, like other rosehip oils, has an orange tint to it, which confirms how much vitamin A, or beta-carotene, it has in it! It has a slight smell that, to me, is a mixture of roses and fatty acids (I take evening primrose oil capsules every day, and the smell is similar).

If you're not going to use your rosehip oil every day, I would recommend storing it in the refrigerator. Don't worry, it won't solidify, but it will have a longer shelf life by storing  like this. Otherwise,if you're going to use it every day, store in a cool, dry place.

I swear by my rosehip seed oil. Having combination skin, this oil is absolutely perfect for me. You can purchase a 1 oz bottle of Valentia's rosehip seed oil here on amazon, on sale for $13.99.

If it Weren't for Peppermint Oil.. A Review of Two Different Brands of Peppermint Essential Oil

Guys! It's now officially my second essential oil review! Just the other day, I talked about how excited I was to finally post a review about essential oils, which I'm obsessed with. Today is day #2, where I'll be reviewing two different brands of peppermint essential oil: the first, by Pure Body Naturals and the second by Magestic Pure Cosmeceuticals.

First and foremost, lets talk about peppermint oil and how amazing it is. Because, trust me, it is very, very amazing. Like I said about essential oil before.. this is pure oil that is extracted from the plant/fruit/herb.. in this case, peppermint.. itself. So, its potent as heck. Meaning that its uber concentrated, meaning that you don't need to use much of it to reap its benefits.

Speaking of peppermint essential oil benefits, what are they?

Ummm, like, everything. Jk. Obviously we know what peppermint smells like. It's strong and potent and.. minty?

Sinuses:

It can help to clear our sinuses as an aromatherapy agent. I like to use this in my humidifier during the dry winter months. The room smells delicious and I can sleep better. Also, I've applied this to my skin while suffering from a sinus headache and it worked great. It also works wonders for coughs and colds.

Cramps, muscle aches, and general pains:
 
In addition, I love to use this for pain- nausea, stomacheaches, menstrual pain. You guys.. I had the worst cramps last week. You know, those ones that wake you out of your deep sleep? Yeah, those. I asked my boyfriend to get me my peppermint oil and applied just a bit to my stomach and lower back.. within 10-15 minutes, I was sleeping like a baby again. It was magical!

Antimicrobial

Peppermint is filled with antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, so it can be used to help reduce inflammations and infections. Heck yes!

Breath Freshener

... for real!!! Why spend all these dollaz on a tiny bottle of breath freshener when you can just use a few drops of peppermint oil that will last forever? Seriously. My old spa carried peppermint essential oil and I would use it to freshen my breath before providing face treatments- it worked great. The only problem? You seriously, seriously only need a few drops- two at best. I accidentally poured like five drops on my tongue once and, well, it was way too potent.  

Other benefits..

There are tons of other uses for peppermint oil. As an aromatherapy agent, it relieves stress and tension. It relieves itchiness and rashes. It supposedly helps with toothaches. Its even supposed to help with things like gas, liver, and gallbladder problems!

Guys, I cannot tell you enough.. get some peppermint oil. Seriously. You will use it. I promise! In so many ways.

Pure Body Naturals and Magestic Pure Cosmeceuticals both sell huge, 4 oz bottles of peppermint essential oil at a super great price! The 4 oz bottle is enormous for essential oil- almost all essential oils come in a 0.5 oz or 1 oz size.. since you only need a few drops, it lasts forever! Both come in a dark glass bottle, making it less susceptible to oxygenation. They are both therapeutic grade and both pure, undiluted, straight up peppermint oil.

The only difference here is the price. A 4 oz bottle of peppermint oil by Pure Body Naturals runs for $19.95, while a bottle by Magestic Pure Cosmeceuticals is $14.50 on amazon (plus, their label is so much cuter, no offense PBN!) So, you can decide which brand you wanna go with. They are both wonderful products that should be an essential in everyone's medicine cabinet.

PS- Peppermint oil makes for a lovely, relaxing bath.. just don't use too many drops. I nearly ruined my last bath by putting in wayyyy too much peppermint oil. 20-30 drops should suffice!

A Gentler Way of Exfoliating: A Review of Oleavine's Konjac Sponge

(Hopefully) we all know that exfoliating should be a necessary part of our skincare regimen. Regular exfoliation sloughs off dead skin cells and unclogs pores, leaving a smoother, brighter, more even complexion less prone to blackheads and breakouts.

Of course, not all exfoliants are created equal! There are granules, acids, and facial tools that all provide ways of exfoliating the skin. These methods can range from uber gentle to crazy rough (think super strong chemical peel that can only be done in the doctor's office versus a really mild everyday cleansing scrub). Oleavine sent me one of their konjac sponges to try out, and I'm pretty into it.

Oleavine provides a ton of information on their konjac sponges, which come in four different varieties, on their webpage that I encourage you to check out. In the meantime, here's a summary of what they have to say about it:

100% Plant Based Konjac Sponges have been a beauty secret in Asian cultures for decades. Often called the “Miracle Sponge” by our customers because this luxuriously soft sponge gently exfoliates & cleanses, is naturally pH balanced, promotes circulation, absorbs toxins and fights bacteria while leaving your face glowing and refreshed. You don’t even need to use a face cleanser, unless you want to.

    Gently Exfoliates
    Deeply Cleanses
    Effectively Detoxifies
    Luxuriously Refreshes
    Naturally Moisturizes

The Secret Is In The Fibers!

The unique net-like structure of the natural vegetable fibers helps to deeply clean, remove blackheads, promote blood circulation and stimulates skin cell renewal without the irritation caused by traditional exfoliating methods.

Made From 100% Pure Konjac

The Konjac used in our beauty sponge is grown on the volcanic plains of UNESCO protected Jeju Island in South Korea.

Our pure Konjac grown in this pristine protected environment is free from chemicals, pollution and irritants. 100% biodegradable and sustainable, this moisture dense plant fiber is naturally alkaline to balance the acidity of skin oils and impurities.

Konjac, which is a perennial plant found in tropical parts of Asia, is actually commonly consumed as a jelly and is used more for its texture than its flavor. To my surprise, it is also a common substitute used in vegan seafood. In skincare, the fibers of the konjac sponge are perfect to gently exfoliate and unclog pores. If you're interested in reading more about the konjac sponge, check out this great Refinery 29 article that I found.

As for Oleavine's konjac sponge:

Oleavine's konjac sponges come in four varieties, each with their own unique benefits- bamboo charcoal, french green clay, french red clay, and pure original. They sent me one of their "pure original" sponges to try, which is supposed to be the most gentle of the four and therefore suitable for all skin types, including sensitive.

This sponge is, well.. a sponge! So, you need to thoroughly wet it to make it soft and easy for use. It's pretty big too- bigger than other konjac sponges I have tried- so be patient as you get it wet. In fact, Oleavine provided some useful instructions to care for this sponge. See below, folks!

After applying my usual amount of cleanser to the sponge, I noticed that it lathered a ton, more than usual. Make a mental note: This allows you to use less cleanser, thus providing more value. Cool.

The sponge felt super gentle and almost comforting on my face. It felt so nice and soft and not rough at all, like some exfoliants I have tried. Plus, the shape and size of this sponge is perfect. I have tried konjac sponges in the past that are literally about 20% of the size of this one and come in a circle shape. I love the way that this sponge comes to a point at the end, making it easy to apply to the hairline and around the nose area..all the nooks and crannies!

After cleansing with just this sponge and cleanser for a few days, I realized that I missed my usual exfoliator. While I love the konjac sponge, I can't say that it alone provides enough exfoliation for my skin, though I'd definitely cut down on the amount of times that I exfoliate. For example, I use a very gentle strawberry rhubarb exfoliant by Eminence Organics. I used to use this exfoliant every other day, but now that I have my konjac sponge, I only use it twice each week.

Overall, I really love this sponge. The shape and size provide better quality and is more functional than other konjac sponges I have used. Though I would personally have chosen a different kind with my combination type skin (bamboo charcoal, maybe) the pure white konjac sponge is super gentle for all skin types- even babies. The fibers of this sponge make it a much more efficient tool than, say, washcloths do. Plus, it allows me to use less cleanser, making my cleanser last way longer. All in all, this sponge is definitely worth it.

You can purchase Oleavine's konjac sponge here on amazon. At $10, its completely worth it.

Essential Heaven: A Review of Pure Body Natural's Lemon Essential Oil

I love my essential oils. I know, we haven't really discussed essential oils yet, but let it be known that I freaking love them. There are hundreds of different essential oils in nearly ever scent imaginable. They last forever and have tons of different uses. I'm proud to announce that today is officially my first essential oil review, by Pure Body Naturals, who sent me a bottle of their lemon essential oil. But, first of all...

What is essential oil anyway?

If you google "essential oil definition," this is exactly what comes up: a natural oil typically obtained by distillation and having the characteristic fragrance of the plant or other source from which it is extracted.

Distillation uses heat to get the oil out of the plant, herb, fruit, etc. You can do this yourself, but it'll take a lot of work and a ton of time. What's more, you'll go through a lot of plant/herb/whatever, just to get the tiniest amount of oil. Think about juicing: to get one glass of orange juice, you need to go through, like 5 oranges. It's kind-of the same thing with essential oil. What you have, in the end, is a small amount of pure herb oil.

What makes essential oil so special?

As stated above, essential oil is exactly that- the pure oil extracted from the source. Which means that it's very concentrated, which means that you need very little oil in whatever you're using it for. Of course, this depends on what you're putting it in. For example, if I'm taking a bath, I typically put about 20-30 drops of essential oil, depending on what kind it is, since certain oils are naturally stronger than others (think peppermint v. bergamot). Likewise, many would advise against applying essential oil directly to your skin, as it could irritate. Instead, you can put a few drops into something called a carrier oil- the oil that you'll be mixing the essential oil into to make it less concentrated. Popular skin carrier oils include jojoba, apricot, avocado, and grapeseed.

Here's what Pure Body Naturals has to say about their lemon essential oil:

Naturally fresh and uplifting citrus aromas awaken the senses and clear the mind. Keep a healthy lifestyle with ease. Juts add  a few drops of our natural lemon oil in a hot drink or water to energize and cleanse the body of toxins and add flavour. Great against fevers and colds. Use also as a powerful cleaner, freshener and polish to keep your home looking and smelling great. 100% Pure - so dilution may be required as it is highly concentrated and strong.

PREMIUM QUALITY LEMON OIL 100% Pure Oil No Fillers or Additives - Pure Therapeutic Grade Essential Oil (Citrus limonum)

FRESHENER - Has a natural, refreshing and uplifting scent that clears the mind and used for aromatherapy. Perfect for air freshener and freshening up clothes. 

Also a MULTI-BENEFIT INGREDIENT - Add drops of lemon oil in your water for aid with digestion, to boost weight-loss efforts, and to boost your mood and metabolism.

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE-  Our premium lemon oil is naturally a detox, antiseptic and disinfectant. Our pure lemon oil has the ability to help clear the skin, treat stress disorders, fever, infections, asthma, obesity, insomnia, skin disorders, hair conditions, stomach problems and tiredness. Used by Aroma therapists to treat anxiety. Good immune system booster, helps aid in digestion, and can help detoxify and purify the liver.

CLEANER - A naturally good cleanser of the body. Also a disinfectant, ideal for cleaning metal surfaces, dishes, and clothes. Perfect for polishing leather, jewellery and wood furniture. Perfect Non-toxic and natural cleaning alternative for household use.

It's cool that they suggest so many different functions of the oil. I've actually never used it as a household cleaner, but this sounds like a great idea, since its a natural disinfectant. I would just add a few drops to my dish detergent to kill bacteria and get some healthy aromatherapy while washing the dishes- talk about killing two birds with one stone!

Other Benefits:

We already know that lemon essential oil is refreshing and uplifting when used in aromatherapy. We also know that it is antibacterial and a natural disinfectant, making it a wonderful addition to cleaning products. In addition, lemon oil is very astringent, so it can be used to help with acne prone skin. Though you must remember not to apply it directly on the skin! Add a few drops into your daily cleanser or skincare mask, or apply it with one of the carrier oils listed above.


Pure Body Naturals lemon essential oil is a great household item for, well.. anyone. Whether you want to add a few drops to your humidifier, shower, or bath to help uplift your spirits or add a few drops while cleaning around the house, you'll definitely find some uses for this stuff. I also like how this oil comes in a dark, glass container, to prevent oxygenation. Remember to store in a cool, dry place! In addition, they give you two different tops- a screw top, and a dropper bottle top. I like to use the dropper bottle top, so I don't overuse the product.. trust me, it's potent!

Plus, most essential oils come in a 1 oz bottle, sometimes smaller... but Pure Body's lemon essential oil comes in an enormous 4 oz glass bottle! I've never seen one this size. For $17.95 on amazon, this is a super great value.

The Magic of the Dead Sea: A Review of Instanatural's Dead Sea Mud Mask

This stuff is great. I mean really, really great. But let's start from the beginning: You've probably all heard of mud masks. And, a lot of you may have wondered, "why the hell would I want to put mud on my face?" Well, truth be told that mud is rich in minerals and stuff that is beneficial for the skin. Of course, not all mud is created equal- for example, please don't use this as an excuse to run outside and dig up mud in your pseudo-backyard if you live in an urban area.

Instanatural sent me a huge (I'm talking 16 oz!) tub of their dead sea mud mask. Now, I've already heard about how floating around in the Dead Sea is like a spa treatment itself. Here's what Instanatural has to say about it:

InstaNatural’s Dead Sea Mud Mask is an all-natural detoxifier and purifier that comes from the renowned and sacred Dead Sea. More than a million visitors each year flock to this extraordinary body of water in the Mediterranean, which contains many minerals beneficial to the skin, such as magnesium, sodium, bromine, potassium and calcium. Once applied, this mud mask treatment starts working to absorb excess oil, dirt and toxins from the skin. It is great to expunge acne, pimples and blackheads. It also helps to restore an even skin tone for a smoother complexion. When used as a body treatment, the mud mask can soothe and relieve muscles aches and pains. Whether used on the face or the body, our Dead Sea Mud Mask is a superb in-home spa treatment that will reveal more vibrant, refined, healthier skin.

Okay, so they're being pretty straightforward here. Mud, especially mud from the Dead Sea, contains tons of yummy stuff for the skin- calcium, magnesium, potassium,  sodium, bromine. But, how exactly will this help your skin? These minerals restore skin's natural pH (optimal pH of skin is 5.5), provide a natural exfoliation, and is a great anti-inflammatory, meaning that it's great for sensitive skin and those with skin conditions such as rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis. In addition, these minerals detoxify- as instanatural mentioned- so, they help pull out heavy metals and debris that clog up the pores.

Like the product description, Instanaturals' mud mask is also very simple and straightforward (and it's gosh darn lovely).

Ingredients:

Pure Dead Sea Mud, Organic Shea Butter, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Aloe Vera Juice, Organic Calendula Oil, Hickory Bark Extract

This is a very simple ingredients list that I absolutely adore- you can count the ingredients on hardly two hands! There are SIX to be exact.. six!! I love that it starts out with pure Dead Sea mud.. meaning that this product contains more mud from the Dead Sea than it does any other ingredient. It follows up with shea butter and jojoba oil, which help restore moisture and hydration in the skin (since this pulls stuff out from the skin, it may be a bit dry afterward without these ingredients). The aloe vera and calendula oil soothe and heal, while hickory bark extract is a common ingredient in mud masks and helps with detoxification.

Application:

Always, always, always cleanse and tone the skin before applying a mask. I mean, think about it- it doesn't really make sense to apply a mask on top of skin that has makeup, creams, and debris on  it. So, start out by cleansing, toning, then applying product. I like to apply masks after I bathe, if I have the time- this way, the pores are nice and soft, allowing for better absorption (this is why, when you get a facial, steamers are often used before masking).

I scooped out just enough product to cover my face and neck- you don't need too much, even though its tempting since this is such a huge container. It spread nicely on my face and was super smooth. The instructions say to leave the mask on 10-15 minutes or until dry. I think because, once it's dry, it means it has already done its magic. When removing, I splash some water on my face and rub it all over to re-wet the mud- this makes for a much easier removal. It will help to have a cloth or gentle sponge handy, especially in the nooks around the nose and hairline.

The Nitty Gritty:

After removing this mask, my face felt much cleaner. Though it didn't necessarily feel dry, I wouldn't want to use this product every day or anything- even though it has hydrating properties, remember that this mask's main purpose is to detoxify. My skin did seem to have a fresh look to it- not really a glow, because this isn't really the product for that. More like a really clean look- think "Noxzema girl," if anyone remembers those ads. And as for blemishes (which, believe it or not, I do suffer from every once in a while- especially blackheads, since I have combination skin that makes me prone to them), it does seem to help bring them to the surface.

Overall, this is a lovely product. The ingredients are pure and minimal and the container is huge. Even those that don't suffer from a single breakout would still benefit from a product like this. You can purchase a 16 oz tub of Instanaturals' Dead Sea Mud Mask from their website- at $25.77, you're in for a treat that will last you quite a long time.

The Glorious Argan Oil: A Review of Two Different Argan Oils

Oh, argan oil, how I love thee. Argan oil sprang onto the market, what, five years ago? And it hasn't gone anywhere since. If anything, the argan oil market has only gained in popularity, as argan oil is now commonly used in skin products as well.

The thing is, in Morocco, the oil's native country, argan oil isn't just used as a beauty product. Rather, they would use the oil to dip breads in- like many countries do with olive oil. The oil is extracted from the fruits of the argan tree (and by the way, side note, but this tree is seriously suffering from our vain use for beauty products. I know, it's awful, because this is the only stuff I've ever found that actually works on my hair... see below. But yeah, it's pretty bad).

Some may think that argan oil is used on the skin as a moisturizer only. Actually, it can be used to treat acne as well. It has also been used to treat dandruff when used as a scalp treatment. And, it's super popular to be used as a cuticle oil.

I haven't used argan oil on my face. Even though its known as being non-comedogenic- meaning that it is very unlikely to irritate skin- I was always a jojoba or rosehip seed oil girl. To this day, I still only use argan oil on my hair. Because it works wonders. I also use it on my cuticles when I give myself a manicure. I have a tendency to bite my cuticles (I guess its better than biting my nails), so this works great to help keep the area around my cuticles nice and moisturized.

I have very thick, coarse, frizzy hair. I usually only wash my hair twice a week, and its not because my hair looks oily- its because my scalp begins to itch after that much oil builds up on my scalp. Since I have so much hair, it takes forever for it to actually look oily.

Anyway, since my hair is so naturally crazy, there's no way I could let it air dry and leave the house with it down. I always have to wear it up or flatiron it... that is, until argan oil came along. Since I started using argan oil in my hair, my hair is so much less coarse and crazy looking. Just a dime sized amount will tame my mane (ha). With a quick blowdry, I can head out the door with my hair down. Win!

Of course, there are hundreds of different argan oil lines out there. I recently tried two- one by Pure Body Naturals and the other by Haven's Arc (whom I can't find a website for).

Both products are great. They have a kind-of heavy, serum-like texture, like most argan oils. A little goes a long way, as you don't need much in your hair- on skin, you'd need much, much less.

Both products claim to be certified organic, though neither have an actual USDA certified label on the bottle. The Haven's Arc brand is cold pressed, meaning that it retains more of the nutrients- the good stuff. Also, neither brand have any added ingredients- its just straight up, pure argan oil. And, both brands come in a 4 oz glass bottle. Plus, they're super similar in price.

You can purchase Pure Body Naturals' argan oil on amazon for $17.95. Haven's Arc argan oil is just .55 cents more, at $18.50. They're virtually the same thing- except that Haven's Arc is cold pressed, while the oil by PBN doesn't seem to be. They're both great oils.

Instanatural's Youth Express Eye Serum: A Review

You already know how much I love Instanatural. Their products are mostly natural and organic, with minimal fillers and yucky stuff. I was looking forward to try out their youth express eye serum because I've never used such a product before. Sure, I've tried what feels like hundreds of face serums and I've tried just as many eye creams and gels. But, I've never tried an eye serum, much less come across one.

As we've discussed, serums are more concentrated- potent- than your typical creams and gels. They contain more active ingredients, which is why they're almost always (and at least, should be) in an amber colored dropper bottle, to prevent oxygenation.

As soon as I read the description of the eye serum, I became even more excited. Here's what they say about it:

InstaNatural’s Youth Express Eye Serum is a highly concentrated blend of invigorating ingredients designed to restore a youthful appearance to the eye area. Our serum contains an advanced Peptide Complex - along with Plant Stem Cells, Matrixyl 3000, Astaxanthin, Kojic Acid, Caffeine, Passionflower, Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamins C and E - which help to deliver exceptional results to the under eye area, resulting in a decreased appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, dark circles and puffiness.

And, here's the product description that's listed on their amazon page:

Wake Up Those Tired, Saggy, Puffy Eyes and Diminish Those Dark Circles with a Daily Dose of our Youth Express Eye Serum.

Our Eye Serum contains a supercharged blend of antioxidants and other nourishing ingredients that help restore health & youth to the eye area:

- Vitamin C / Plant Stem Cells / Astaxanthin: Prevents premature aging of the fragile skin surrounding the eyes
- Caffeine: Absorbs excess water and provides constricting effect
- Niacinamide / Kojic Acid: Inhibits hyperpigmentation from forming
- Hyaluronic Acid: Deeply moisturizes the skin to reduce skin problems that occur due to age

Our serum absorbs in seconds to quickly deliver these nutrients that help give you dramatic results:
- Reduces appearance of dark circles, puffiness & saggy eyes
- Diminishes the appearance of wrinkles & fine lines
- Increases elasticity, firms and plumps the skin around eyes
- Provides improved tone and texture of skin
- Hydrates the delicate eye area to prevent premature aging
- Helps you achieve a more radiant, brighter complexion

With InstaNatural, rest assured you will receive the best customer care and highest-quality Eye Serum around.
- Made in USA in FDA registered facilities
- Contains NO harmful parabens, sulfates or alcohol
- Cruelty-free

Instanatural kind-of does the same thing as Azure Naturals, unfortunately... they don't list the full ingredients on their website, but state that it is available upon request. I really hate when companies do this. To me, it almost looks sketchy, they're trying to hide some crap ingredients or something. But, as of yet, Instanatural's product ingredients have only been awesome! Some lovely person did request the full ingredients on the amazon page, so here they are.

Ingredients:

Deionized water, Organic Aloe Vera, Vitamin C (Sodium, Ascorbyl Phosphate), Botanical Hyaluronic Acid, Matrixyl 3000, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-3, Plant Stem Cells, Vitamin E (d-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate), Pink Grapefruit Essential Oil, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, (2s)-2-Amino-5-guandinopentanoic Acid, Undaria Pinnatifida Cell Culture Extract, Astaxanthin (Haematococcus Pluvailais Extract), Vitamin B5 (Niacinamide), Wildcrafted Reishi, Organic Passionflower, Caffeine, Organic Gotu Kola, Wildcrafted Horsetail, Wildcrafted Dandelion, Wild Laurate Lecithin, Ethylhexyl Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol.

See? Same goes here- there's really nothing bad in this ingredients list. In fact, I'm super satisfied with the amount of natural, plant ingredients. Hyaluronic acid, caffeine, matrixyl 3000, aloe vera, passionflower, gotu kola, dandelion.. the list goes on.

The Nitty Gritty:

This product is so strange! Not in a bad way. It is your typical serum consistency. If anything, it is a bit on the thinner side. So, you really only need 1-2 drops at the most for both eyes, above and below. I like to use it under a heavier cream for added hydration. The color is bright orange, which throws a lot of people off. Since there isn't any added coloring or the like in this product (plus, why would you add any color to an eye cream?), you can rest assured that the bright orange color is natural and due to some of the fruit and plant extract in the serum. Don't worry, it's not like you have to walk around with orange around your eyes all day, just ensure that it is absorbed fully. The smell is great- very citrusy!

After using this product for a few weeks twice daily, I noticed that my eye area seems more hydrated. Unfortunately, it hasn't seemed to have an effect on my undereye circles. Nothing seems to work for those stubborn things. The eye area did feel slightly more firm as well. I've never really had a problem with eye puffiness (knock on wood), so I can't really say whether it has an effect on them... but remember, this product contains caffeine, which helps with excess water. So, in theory, it would definitely help depuff the eye area.

Overall, this is a potent serum full of yummy antioxidants and vitamins that inevitably have a positive effect on the eye area. While this might not be the #1 product for reducing dark circles, I think it is a great anti-aging serum. Pair this with a heavier eye cream on top of it, and you're set!

You can purchase Instanatural's Youth Express Eye Serum on their website for $23.97. Their amazon page, however, has it listed a few dollars cheaper- for $21.95. Not sure why its different there, but hey, if you wanna save a few bucks, order it from there.

And a note to my lovely Instanatural peeps- your products just plain rule, and so do your ingredients. Ain't no reason to hide those things! List them with pride, everywhere you can- including your webpage :) 

Azure Naturals' Review Double Whammy: The Fabulous Lime Retinol Moisturizer and Cucumber Eye Gel

You guys know I love my Azure folks. Just last week, I reviewed their sweet orange cleanser, toner, and moisturizer. So far, everything is a win with them.

So, here's two more to add to the mix. Azure sent me a bottle of their organic retinol moisturizer, as well as their cucumber infused eye brightening gel.

Let's start with their organic retinol moisturizer. Here's what they say about it:

    HOW DOES IT WORK? Cellular renewal happens continuously when we're young, but as we age the skin's ability to renew itself slows down. Retinol has a very small molecular structure that allows it to deeply penetrate your skin activating collagen and elastin. Applied at night ULTIMATE Retinol Moisturizer will increase your skin's moisture, promoting cellular turnover and renewal.

    ONE YEAR MONEY BACK GUARANTEE: We are so confident that we have created the best Natural and Organic skin care products available we back all of our products by a 365-day, 100% Hassle-Free, Money Back Guarantee. If you don't absolutely love any of our products we will give you a full refund, including shipping!

    BUY WITH CONFIDENCE! Made in the USA With The Highest Quality Natural and Organic Ingredients Available: 97% Natural, 71% Organic. Contains No Parabens, Plant Based, No GMO's, Cruelty Free and Never Tested On Animals!

    RETINOL WORKS! Retinol is one of the most effective ingredients for reducing fine lines and wrinkles. Vitamin A is proven to improve pigmentation, fine lines, wrinkles, skin texture, skin tone, color, as well as increase your skins hydration levels. This Moisturizer is the most advanced Retinol product currently available. We have designed a delivery system that allows very high strength 2.5% Retinol to be used around the eyes and even by people with sensitive skin. Our elegant suspension of Retinol combined with a synergistic blend of other active ingredients, softens and heals the skin. Combine with our RETINOL Serum and experience the ULTIMATE Anti Wrinkle Tag Team!

    HOW DO YOU RECEIVE OPTIMAL RESULTS? Start using in your late twenties or early thirties. Early use of Retinol can combat fine lines before they become apparent. If you don't have prior experience using Retinol products start slowly and be consistent with your use. Apply a small amount every other day, after a couple of weeks you can begin applying more frequently as your skin adapts. Just like exercise, it is very important to use your skin care products consistently. If you do experience any irritation decrease usage for a few days and work your way back up after that.

Ingredients:

Organic Aloe Vera, Organic Sunflower Oil, Palm Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Phospholipids, Retinol, Polysorbate 20, Potassium Phosphate, Vitamin E (Tocopheryl), Botanical Hyaluronic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate,Cetyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Kosher Vegetable Glycerin, Organic Jojoba Oil, Wildcrafted Green Tea, Wildcrafted Resina Propoli, Shea Butter, Vitamin B5 (Panthenol), Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexyl Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Lime Oil, Lavender Oil

And finally, the directions:

Apply after cleansing, toning, and any other corrective serums or exfoliating treatments. Our Lime Infused Organic Retinol Moisturizer works beautifully around the eyes, neck, and décolleté and may be worn under makeup. For optimal results combine with our ULTIMATE RETINOL Serum. Wear under a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF 30 or greater during the day. Our ULTIMATE RETINOL Moisturizer will help fight acne, hydrate your skin, while reducing fine lines and wrinkles.

The Nitty Gritty:

I was initially nervous to use this product. Lime is acidic and is known to be potentially irritating to skin. I was expecting this to smell like citrus also.. but actually, it doesn't. Instead, it smells like lavender, yum! Plus, the lime is the second to last ingredient, meaning that it contains a very low amount of lime in comparison to everything else.. meaning that it's unlikely that it would irritate. In small amounts, lime can actually be good for the skin, as it has astringent properties and fights acne.


The cream is medium-weight, but absorbs fairly quickly and definitely makes my skin feel soft. However, after using this product for a few weeks, I unfortunately didn't notice much of a difference, aside from it feeling softer. However, the ingredients make up for it. This product contains a whole bunch of really delicious ingredients that I know are good for my skin.

You can purchase Azure Natural's lime infused 2.5% retinol moisturizer for $19.95 on amazon.

On to the next one.. Azure's delicious cucumber infused eye brightening gel.

Now this... this, I love. It is amazing. But, before I go into my own opinion, let's read what Azure has to say about it:

This formula speaks to the deep and grounded evolution that Natural Skin Care Formulating has gone through in the last three decades in order to be able to deliver such a brilliant eye therapy product to you today. It is no exaggeration to say that this formula addresses every single eye area concern possible. Dark circles, wrinkles, sagging, puffing, loss of plump and firm, loss of tone and resilience....it's all taken care of in this delicate and light gel.

    Matrixyl 3000 + Plant Stem Cells + Hyaluronic Acid
    98% Natural, 71% Organic, Vegan (Plant-Based)
    Contains No Alcohol, No Parabens, Gluten Free and No GMO's.
    Cruelty Free. Never Tested On Animals!
    Made in the USA and Contains the Highest Quality Natural and Organic Ingredients Available
    ONE YEAR MONEY BACK GUARANTEE: We are so confident that we have created the best   Natural and Organic skin care products

I can't find an full ingredients list, which seems to be hit or miss with Azure.. but I did find a pic, which I'll post below, then pull out the good stuff for you.

Okay, here we go.. the good stuff: Matrixyl 3000, plant stem cells, a lovely herbal infusion, jojoba oil, licorice, eyebright extract, gotu kola, frankincense extract, vitamin e, hyaluronic acid, and, of course.. cucumber. Yum.

The Nitty Gritty:

The product comes in an airless pump, like most Azure products I have tried. I only use about a pump of product, if that, since you don't need  much for the entire eye area. I was pleased at the scent- refreshing and cucumber-y, but not overpowering. It looked like more of a cream than a gel. I was expecting a clear... well, gel-like texture, but instead it was white and felt creamy/gel-ish. As soon as I applied it to my eyes, I knew I was in love. It felt so cool and refreshing, totally freaking amazing! Also, within a minute, I felt the eye area tighten up. Plus, it absorbs quickly and doesn't leave any residue or flakiness, like many eye gels I have tried.

I must say, though, that, while Azure states that this product fixes nearly any cosmetic problem of the eye area, I didn't notice much of a difference when it came to the dreaded undereye bags. Instead, it seems to work best as an anti-aging cream.

Still, this is a really great product that I absolutely love and recommend to anyone looking for an anti-aging eye treatment. You can purchase Azure Natural's eye brightening gel for $17.95 on amazon. The 1 oz bottle is sure to last quite a while.

One of My Faves: A Review of Joyal Beauty's Timeless Skin Renewal Serum

I first heard of royal jelly back when I used Burt's Bees products. I was obsessed with their royal jelly line, especially their night cream. It made my face so soft and left the perfect glow. I became crazy for royal jelly, since it seemed so perfect. The only problem? I had no idea what it was.

Royal jelly is actually pretty crazy. It's this special nutrient produced by honeybees. What makes it special, you ask? Because it is fed only to certain bee larvae that will eventually become the queen bee once the current queen dies. She may even already be dead, so the bees need to hurry the eff up to get their larvae are super queen-ified. Apparently, the bees choose certain larvae to become future queen bees early on- sometimes when the current queen is still alive. So that's why they say that bees are so smart!

When used on the skin, royal jelly increases moisture content and prevents aging by increasing the rate of cell regeneration. It is also stock full of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. If that weren't enough, it's also antibacterial and antifungal- so take that, acne!

I love love love Joyal Beauty's timeless skin renewal serum. Here's what they say about it:

The Famous "Joyal Jelly"- Royal Jelly Serum, The BEST Royal Jelly Serum In The World! 

Joyal Beauty Timeless Skin Renewal Serum is enriched with powerful natural antioxidants and plant bio-actives, bee propolis, honey, and royal jelly. Bee propolis and royal jelly formula preserve and restore proteins and enzymes for anti-aging action in the skin, as well as amino acid protein building blocks for younger skin. Honey formula has humectant properties and is enzymatically active for a gentle cell renewal boost that tones and lifts the skin. This serum is the highest quality bee related face serum you can find in the market. Can be used as a delicate eye gel. It is definitely a treasure for every bee product lover. You will see amazing younger-looking skin within 4 weeks! 

- Excellent natural antibiotic agent to stop bacterial growth. Super potency on anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-acne, anti-inflammatory.
 - Quickly and effectively remove lines and puffiness and fades facial wrinkles as a super antioxidant.
 - Reduce inflammation, soothe itching and moisturize dry skin. Moisturizes and keeps skin looking soft, vibrant and smooth.
- Encourage skin tissue repair and regeneration and lift younger-looking skin

*Best For Skin Cell Renewal And Skin Lifting!
*The Most Powerful Bee Propolis and Royal Jelly Antioxidants!
*Natural Anti-Oxidant! *Naturally Restore And Maintain Skin Structure!
*Anti-Bacterial! *Naturally Retain Moisture And Much More!
*98% Natural And 72% Organic!
*Paraben-Free, Sulfate-Free, Phthalate-Free, Petrochemicals-Free!
*No Mineral Oil!*No Alcohol! *Cruelty-Free!
* Proudly Made In USA By Our FDA-Certified Facility!
*Proven Amazing Positive Results Within 4 Weeks! 

I'm in love with Joyal's timeless skin renewal web page, which I highly encourage you all to check out. Not only do they list all of the information posted above, they also list very detailed directions as to how to use the product, as well as a full ingredients list- you know how much I love those!


Ingredients:
Organic Herbal Infusion, Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (Aloe Vera), Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel), Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), Organic Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba Oil), Mel (Honey), Organic Resina Propolis(Propolis), Organic Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola), Carbomer, (2s)-2-Amino-5-guanidinopentanoic Acid, Royal Jelly, Melissa Officinalis (Melissa Essential Oil), Organic Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea), Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol.

This ingredients list is looking pretty good. Yes, we have some additives, but let's face it- it's really, really difficult to make a badass product (one that feels good, smells good, and WORKS good) without adding something, even if its something so similar as a thickening agent.

Aside from that, some yummy ingredients in this serum include aloe vera (the second ingredient, yay!), witch hazel, MSM, oils, gotu kola, royal jelly, of course!, essential oils, and green tea. That's a whole lot of nutrients, antioxidants, and hydration for the skin.

The Nitty Gritty:

The product comes in a pump bottle. After a few pumps, the product started dispensing in small amounts. It's pretty thick, so you may need two pump's worth of product. The serum has a slightly sweet, honey scent. 

The product feels great!! Not too heavy and not sticky at all, which I was initially slightly worried about. It absorbs quickly and instantly left a natural glow to my skin. Plus, it was baby soft.

In conclusion, I honestly have to say that I love this product. Though I am a bit conflicted- stealing magical queen bee food from their nest seems a bit unethical- the stuff really works magic.

You can purchase Joyal Beauty's Timeless Renewal Serum on their webpage or here on amazon for $24.95 for a 1 oz bottle. It's originally listed at $89.99, so that's a pretty big price drop. Also, I should mention that this product won't expire for two years, whereas most product have a shelf life of one year at the max. I'd recommend this product to anyone. What's not to lose?