Beauty Obsessed: facials

1/08/2013

e-naturalne French Green Clay

I've been wanting to use a good, natural face mask for a while without all the nasty ingredients that are in the usual masks I use. Than a few weeks ago e-naturalne asked if I would review one of their products and I chose the french green clay. e-naturalne is an online company that sells organic cosmetic products that are made for all different uses. They sell everything from essential oils to face and body scrubs to plant extracts and much more.

To make a basic mask you mix equal parts of the french green clay (it comes in powder form) with equal parts of water.

I mix equal parts of the french green clay with equal parts of water. Then I add a few drops of Aloe Vera gel since my skin is more on the dry side. The clay and water mix easily into a paste. I use my fingers to apply it over my face and neck then leave the mask on for about 10 minutes or until I feel it harden. It does feel a little tight on your skin, but it's a good feeling and then I rinse with water and a washcloth.

It looks messy inside the bowl but when applying it's not, it doesn't drip or stain anything.

The benefits are amazing! I had no idea, the first time I used this I couldn't believe how soft and firm my skin was! After just one use my skin felt tighter, softer and toned. I've used the mask only 3 times and it's helped my skin stay clear and fresh looking. A mask like this should only be used once a week, once every two weeks if your skin is dry.

I highly recommend this product and wish I started using it a lot sooner! You can also add different ingredients to customize a mask for your skin type. Jojoba oil, honey and avocado are just a few items you can add.

Take a look at the e-naturalne site to see the different ways you can use the french green clay and all the benefits you will reap.

Have you ever used a french green clay mask??

Click the links below :)

12/29/2012

Throwback Saturday- DIY Lemon Facial Scrub

A few weeks ago I wrote about how I wanted to bring back some of my older posts from when I first started blogging. I think it's fun to see how my writing has improved over time and my newer readers get a chance to read posts that they probably haven't read. Like I said in my other post I'm only going to use the posts that got a good amount of views.

The Throwback post for this week is DIY Lemon Facial Scrub and its from June 2011, a month after I started my blog. This is a really great facial scrub and I still use it to this day. Just click here to read the post and let me know what you think :)

Click the links below :)

9/12/2012

Rodan + Fields UNBLEMISH Review

I have something really exciting to share with you!! I know you all remember ProActive, America's #1 selling acne treatment. You know, the commercials with Justin Beiber, Katy Perry and all the other millions of teenagers that benefited from it. Well the same doctors that created ProActive have a new company called Rodan + Fields, the latest in skin care technology and ingredients to give you the best skin of your life.

They have developed four different Multi-Media Therapy Skin Care Regimens:

UNBLEMISH for acne prone skin, REVERSE for sun damaged skin, ANTI-AGE, for lines, wrinkles and large pores and SOOTHE for sensitive skin. These four treatments can also be customized for someone who has a combination of these skin issues.

I was very lucky to be asked to test and review one of their famous skin care regimens. That's where UNBLEMISH comes in. If you're not sure which regimen is right for you then go to there website and use their solution tool. The doctors will recommend a treatment for you based on a few questions about your skin issues.

UNBLEMISH REGIMEN FOR ACNE AND POST ACNE MARKS

"Breakouts? Unpredictable? Unreasonable? Unfair? Take control with our UNBLEMISH Regimen. Clinically proven to combat the entire acne cycle, this sophisticated regimen helps unclog pores, clears breakouts and calms your complexion to keep pimples, blackheads and post-acne marks from making an unwelcome appearance on your face—and in your life".

This 60 day supply comes with 4 different products that are to be used together.

1. Acne Treatment Sulfur Wash

2. Spot Fading Toner

3. Dual Intensive Acne Treatment

4. Oil Control Lotion SPF 20

*I also received a bottle of there Overnight Restorative Cream that can be used with any of the regimens.

Here are some before and after pictures I found on the Rodan + Fields website:

Impressive, right? That's what I thought, so bring it on UNBLEMISH!!:)

So here's the deal, I'm going to post a "before" picture today and then in 60 days I will post an "after picture. I will also do a few update posts every few weeks to let you know how it's working.

Here is my before picture:

(I know the picture doesn't really show too much since I usually get smaller pimples. However I do have blackheads, sun damage, post acne marks, bumpy skin, etc!!)

If you have skin issues you want to address, you should really give one of these systems a try. It can boost your confidence,self esteem and give you the skin you deserve! I am definitely looking forward to starting this program.

Rodan + Fields has a full 60 day money back guarantee. In other words, you can try it for the full 2 months and if you're not happy for any reason, you can return the empty bottles and get your refund. You really don't have a lot to loose. As a preferred customer the cost is $144 for each 60 day supply, which also includes special perks!

If you're interested click here to check it out.

**All reviews are based 100% on my truthful experiences with the above mentioned product(s), and are not swayed by compensation of any kind. I received these products in order to conduct my review, but that has zero influence on the outcome of my review. If you would like your product or service reviewed contact me at kelbananas14@yahoo.com**

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3/02/2012

Five Favorites: February 2012

It seems like this post sneaks up on me every month for some reason, maybe because every month seems to go by so quick. Especially this one since it's the shortest. I didn't buy too many new products this month, so these are products I've used more of this month.

Quick Tan
Bronzing Spray
by Body Drench

I bought this in the end of January and instantly fell in love with it and I've been using it a lot this month. It's been great because I feel like I have a natural tan in February. One of the main reasons I bought this and love it is because unlike other self tanning sprays this one gives you instant color. It's not an orangy fake looking tan either, it actually looks real. I still can't believe it because I've been looking for something like this for a while. Since it's winter I only really use it on my face, neck and sometimes arms. Before finding this I used to use Neutrogena's Micro Mist Sunless Tanning Spray and I liked it but I had to wait about 6 hours for the color to develop. With this you can either use it for a special night out and spray it lightly after you've done your makeup. Or you can use it like a self tanner and spray it before putting on any makeup every other day to build up the color. It doesn't make my face break out at all either. I actually found out about this in a post from another blogger. I ran out to Sally's Beauty Supply the day I read her post and bought it. It was $19.99. Click here to read my full review on this product.

Guest Post: The Importance of SPF and a Skin Care Routine

Hi! My name is Aly and I'm so honored to be able to do a guest post for Kelly's blog! I have my own beauty blog- www.seventhingsbeauty.blogspot.com . I love makeup and I consider it to be a creative outlet for me. In this post I would like to share with you the importance of skincare and my own, personal routine.

I know skincare may seem like a very boring thing that you don't need to pay much attention to. Before I really started getting involved in makeup, I thought the same thing. I really thought that my skin would always look like it did when I was a kid. I grew up in southern Ohio and if you live there, then you know the weather varies a lot . It will be 100+ degrees out in summer and then below 0 in winter. We also get a lot of wind and a decent amount of rain. Growing up, I never applied sunscreen when I was out in the sun like when I went to an amusement park or water park. My mom would always lecture me, but I never really saw the need to put on sunscreen, despite her wishes. Sometimes I would just to keep my mom happy, but that didn't always happen. I would get itchy, red sunburn all over my face and shoulders and I always complained.

Wednesday's Beauty Tip

Beauty Tip of the Week

FACIAL MOISTURE WRAP AT HOME

The number 1 DIY service that can really compete with a high-end spa treatment is this deep facial moisture wrap. This is a treatment that exfoliates epidermis gently, dissolves visible blackheads or whiteheads while intensely moisturizing and providing a natural glow.

DIY: Pumpkin Facial Mask

After our few weeks of Indian summer ended and the cool temps we've had this week, I'm now in the fall mood. I came home the other day and noticed my mom had put a pumpkin in front of our house like she does every year. As soon as I saw the pumpkin it reminded of this pumpkin facial mask I tried last year. I immediately couldn't wait to post this for you guys. The ingredients in pumpkin will help all skin types, high in Vitamins A and Z and Zinc, this squash helps heal and protect the skin from free radicals, while gently dissolving dead skill cells. When you add egg and milk it helps bind the mask together, nourishing and lifting the skin.
I found these easy recipe to be very soothing and moisturizing and my skin had a healthy glow afterwards. Again, I would never share a recipe with you that I haven't tried on myself :) So after Halloween is over don't throw away your pumpkins!

Ingredients:

- 2 teaspoons of cooked pumpkin (you can also use canned pumpkin)
- 1 egg
- Splash of milk

Optional Ingredients:
For Dry Skin- you can add a small amount of honey- it will attract and keep moisture inside your skin where it belongs.
For Oily Skin- mix in a splash of apple cider vinegar for an astringent effect.

Directions:

Whisk together the pumpkin, egg and milk
Add any optional ingredients and mix gently
Apply to your face with either your fingers or an old makeup brush (avoiding the eyes)
Relax, read, do chores or whatever you would like for the next 15-20 minutes
Rinse thoroughly with warm water and apply your regular moisturizer

*Put an old shirt on that you don't mind getting ruined and put a towel on your counter or floor. If you drop some you don't want it to ruin your clothes or floor.

Let me know if you try this and how you liked it :)

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9/13/2011

Updated Full Review: Elemis Fresh Skin Products

Do you guys remember last week when I did a post on how I won a giveaway from the beauty site Daily Glow? Well if you didn’t you can check it out real quick here Review: Elemis Fresh Skin Products. I promised I would come back to give you a full honest review on each product. Here’s a quick recap about Elemis:

This is a new skincare line formulated for woman in their teens and twenties. All products are made with raw ingredients, specially chosen for their ability to help cleanse, exfoliate, prevent damage, moisturize and boost skins elasticity to keep it youthful for longer.

They sent me a variety of their products and I finally was able to use all of them. Here’s my opinion on each:

Peach Perfect Gentle Face Wash: This has a pleasant sent and I felt like a little went along way. It also was light but had lots of suds which made it easier and quick to thoroughly wash your face.

Skin Glow Exfoliating Scrub: I would say this was a decent exfoliator, the beads were a little too big but overall my skin did feel softer and fresh.

Dreamy Sleep Night Time Moisturizer: The first night I used this I was expecting it to be a thick lotion but it wasn’t which I liked. I woke up and my skin felt super soft but a little on the shiny side and my skin hardly ever gets oily. I used it again the next night, then I noticed that I had 2 pimples the following day. So I put two and two together realizing that it made my skin oily which caused me to breakout. So I haven’t used that again.

Tired Eyes Soothing Eye Rescue: I used this on a morning where my eyes seemed really tired and puffy for some reason. I noticed a slight difference with this, but not enough to make me not go get cucumbers to put on my eyes.

Softly Softly Daily Moisturizer: Overall I was pleased with this, it was very light and had a pleasant smell. The only thing I don’t like about it is that it doesn’t contain any SPF which I was a little surprised about. I only use moisturizers that have SPF in them for added protection. It’s still a good moisturizer though.

Loving Lips Quenching Lip Balm: They weren’t kidding when they called this “quenching” lip balm. Although it does make your lips smooth and conditions them, it's almost too much. I have to use my fingers instead of the tube to apply this because so much comes out at once. Then I usually end up getting it in my mouth, yuk. lol

Deep Clean & Magical Face Mask Duo: Now these I love! The package comes with two different masks; a clay purifying mask and a moisturizing mask. The clay mask really makes your skin feel so clean while soft and smooth. The moisturizing mask is like an instant boost for dry skin, my skin felt as soft as a baby’s bottom. lol. I would definitely recommend these two products.

Make-Up Away Cleansing Wipes: One product I always have to have are facial wipes, I use them everyday and night before washing my face. These did a good job at taking off my face and eye makeup. I’ve been using them everyday since I got them and really like them.

I'm not 100% satisfied with all the products, I feel like they might make my skin a little oily, especially the night time moisturizer and I don’t breakout on a regular basis so that makes me a little nervous. So far, the other products I’ve used haven’t so I will still use them. I'm very happy with the face masks and would love to purchase more when I run out. I think the results of these products depends on your skin type. If you have oily skin, I probably wouldn’t recommend these. Even though there are a few products I don’t love I'm still happy to have received this skin line.

9/07/2011

Wednesday's Beauty Tip

Beauty Tip of the Week

JUST ADD SOME SUGAR!!

So you go to get out your favorite exfoliating scrub, start squeezing the bottle but then realize, oh yea, I forgot that I used the last of it the other day. It’s happened to me, I have a bad habit of putting back empty bottles of face wash, shampoo, etc. It’s okay though, you still can get a decent exfoliating scrub by just adding a little bit of regular sugar to your everyday facial cleanser and there you go, you just made your own facial scrub.

Sugar produces glycolic acid, one of the natural alpha hydroxy acids that exfoliates the skin. That’s why theirs so many natural homemade facials that includes sugar. Sometimes I’ll add a little sugar to my everyday facial wash just to give my skin a little extra care.

Gotta Love Sugar!!!

7/30/2011

DIY: Easy Homemade Facials you can do yourself

DIY Easy Homemade Facials

How fun is it to hang at home and pamper yourself with a homemade facial? I love it! I like mixing up all these great recipes from things I can get from my kitchen. These ingredients are just as good or even better than some of the expensive facial scrubs we buy. I wanted to put together a list of my favorite homemade recipes for you guys to try out. Let me know if you try any of these and what you thought

~Bananas, Sour Cream and Honey Facial~

Mash a half of a banana and add one tablespoon of honey, two tablespoons of sour cream. Then mix together until all ingredients are mixed well. Apply to face and let set for about 10 minutes, then wipe off with a damp washcloth

~Simple Cornmeal~

Take two tablespoons of cornmeal and mix with enough water to make a thick paste. Gently apply to face and leave on for 5-10 minutes. Wash off with warm water

~Yogurt and Berries~

Combine a 1/2 of a cucumber, one tablespoon of plain yogurt, 2 strawberries and one teaspoon of honey in a food processor or a blender. Apply to face and let dry, then either use a washcloth to wipe off or rinse with water.

~Easy Avocado~

Mash a half of an avocado and apply to entire face. Let set for about 20 minutes then rinse off well with warm water.

~Apricot Cream~

Soak one cup of dried apricots into water until softened. Puree in a blender or food processor with two tablespoons of skim milk. Apply to face and let sit for about 15 minutes. Gently wipe off with a damp washcloth, then rinse thoroughly.

~Cucumber Yogurt~

Puree a 1/2 peeled sliced cucumber in a blender or food processor and add one tablespoon of plain yogurt. Apply to face and let sit for 20 minutes then wash off with warm water.

Key Ingredients:

-Plain yogurt- is effective at cleansing and disinfecting pores, preventing acne, moisturizing skin and revitalizing texture. Using an organic yogurt is your best bet because it also contains more active, live cultures, which improve yogurt's nutrient bioavailability.

-Sour Cream- is like all fermented milk products, contains lactic acid, which is a key skin-enhancing ingredient, it helps the skin retain moisture and is a natural exfoliater. It also boots the production of collagen. Lactid acid is used in many beauty and skin care products.

-Banana- is rich source of Potassium, antioxidants, Vitamin B and Pyridoxine (Vitamin- B6), also highly prescribed for healthy skin and to treat skin disorders like Psoriasis, eczema, dry skin and even myeloma

-Honey a wonderful beauty product that has many health benefits including moisturizing, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflattation properties. Also good for treating acne.

-Cornmeal- is an excellent exfoliant (especially when mixed with other products such as olive oil)

-Strawberries are great for clearing up acne and preventing acne, its main skin pleasing ingredient is alpha-hydroxyl acid, a great little substance that helps us slough off dead skin cells so that new, youthful skin is revealed.

-Avocado- are rich in the oils A, D & E, which are wonderful for the completion and it wonderful for dry skin

-Cucumber- has a wide range of advantages.on physical application as well as consumption. They are rich in fiber, water and Vitamin C and many other elements like magnesium, manganese, potassium etc., It also cleans your skin by acting as a deep pore cleanser while bringing out a radiant glow in your face

-Apricot- is a light and gentle oil used in creams, lotions and other beauty products to balance, nourish and lubricate your skin

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