Test Driving - Inhibitif Advanced Hair-Free Face Serum!

Inhibitif has added a bunch of new products to their line to help in the fight against unwanted hair - including Natural Hair Free Body Serum - 120ml - $19.99 - with a more natural but slightly slower results; Advanced Hair-Free Body Mist - 150g - $23.99 - with an aerosol format; Hair-Free Intimate Care - 75ml - $14.99 - so you can fire your waxer; Hair-Free Body Hydrator - 100ml - $15.99 - moisturizes and hydrates skin while minimizing the need for hair removal and preventing ingrown hairs; and the one that interests me the most:

Inhibitif Advanced Hair-Free Face Serum - 30ml - $24.99 - brings its unique and effective hair inhibiting technology to a face friendly formula to reduce the prominence and density of facial hair. When used twice a day for 8 weeks density and thickness are visibly reduced and then you just need to apply every other day to maintain smooth results.

Knowing that I'm a total loser when it comes to testing products that depend on regular use for optimal results, I recruited a few ladies of varying ages and facial hair concerns for a broader idea of what this stuff will (or won't) do!

Angie - 23 - medium toned skin with noticeable facial hair - I have been using Inhibitif on my upper lip, chin and uni-brow and am very impressed that there is almost no hair growing back in the areas that I've been applying it to for the past 8 weeks.

Toni - 44 - olive skin with dark facial hair - along with my Italian heritage comes the stereotypical lady-stache. It's been the bane of my existence since I was 13 and it has not improved with age. I have been scared to get it lasered so Inhibitif sounded like a good alternative and while it hasn't gotten rid of it entirely, there is now a lot less hair and it's finer - will definitely keep using!

Meg - 30 - light skin with light but thick facial hair - I have a line of pretty thick hair that goes from my sideburns down to my chin, if I dyed it dark, it would look like one of those strange contour beards that alternative guys wear. Up to now I have either had it waxed or used a depilatory cream but both methods make me break out and/or get bad ingrown hairs so I was happy to discover that after using Inhibitif for 7 weeks twice a day that now it is just a light sprinkling of hairs instead of a full on beard!

Lisamarie - so very young - fair skin with light, but annoying peach fuzz on upper lip and jaw line - so my experience to share comes from being the idiot person who could never remember to apply it twice a day - mostly I just applied it once a day in the morning. The serum is super light and a little goes a long way - two drops covered the whole bottom half of my face - it also doesn't absorb super quickly so to give it a chance to sink in, I apply the serum and go and do something for a few minutes and then come back to apply moisturizer on top of it. Even though I have been lax in the suggested twice a day application I have noticed a definite thinning of hair - I figure once I have used it once a day for 16 weeks it will be the same as if I had used it twice a day for 8 weeks and I'll have my optimal results!

Available at select Shoppers Drug Mart stores across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Our readers took the Clear 7 Day Challenge - and here's what they thought!

Last month we asked 10 Beauty Crazed readers to take the Clear 7 Day Challenge and sent them a bottle of the shampoo and conditioner to see if it would do what it promised to which was to leave hair noticeably stronger in just 7 days - out of the 10 that promised to give us their opinion, 7 of them actually did and here's what they have to say:

Jessica - age ? -  hair type ? - When I first got it; I immediately tried its scent for size, lol - don't know why but I like a nice scent when washing my hair and body.

Not too powerful or heavy and Clear met those expectations. I liked the creamy texture of the shampoo and conditioner. After lathering and massaging my scalp, I rinsed - squeezed out as much water as I could and applied the conditioner. Left on while I proceeded with my body. After, I rinsed well, possibly 3 minutes later. It did feel clean. I combed out my hair and let them dry naturally since I wanted to see the product in its full expansion. Well, my hair was a little dry. My scalp felt itchy. So, it could be the weather here, mid-season flare-ups or end of season flare-ups because of dry heat in homes during the winter and spring. I waited a few days, and, repeated the procedure two more times during the week. My hair did not get worse, only my scalp was itchy. Hair shaft had that brittle looking side to it. My hair is thin. Not sure, if I could use it again right now. Will have to wait till summer or late spring to really evaluate Clear.

Lisa - 48 - fine hair - I tried the Clear set several times and my hair became drier and drier after each shampoo - on its own, I did not apply a treatment or whatever. Just the shampoo and conditioner gave me almost the same results as many other shampoo. I couldn't believe that I had to fall in the smallest percentage who will claim that it did nothing for them. 

Jamie - 36 - fine, curly coloured hair - I was impressed from the first day trying clear scalp and hair therapy it has a great scent and a creamy texture. At the time I started using clear scalp and hair therapy my scalp was very itchy so it was great to put it to the test. During the week of trying this product my hair was more manageable with less flyaways, also day by day my scalp was less itchy. Despite the rich texture of this product it doesnt weigh my fine hair down, which is a real bonus as usually with a moisturizing shampoo my hair is weighed down and lifeless. Now thanks to Clear scalp and hair therapy i have healthier and more manageable hair and a new favourite shampoo and conditioner. 

Tasha - 31 - thick and wavy, dry to normal hair - I noticed a difference in my scalp the first day I used the products. I have very wavy and frizzy hair and this has really helped to tame it. No, it won't make your hair so perfect that you don't need to use any additional hair styling products, but it doesn't claim to do that. My hair feels a whole lot silkier (NOT oily) and the smell? One word... heavenly!

I have used a few different "expensive shampoos/conditioners" in the past. And honestly there is nothing that those products will do that this shampoo/conditioner won't do. If anything these products works just as good, if not better. The bottles are a fairly decent size, easy to open and you don't need to use a ton of product to get the job done! Which means it will last longer! Yay!

The consistency of Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy shampoo is fairly thick and more concentrated than what I am used to. I only needed to use half the amount (approximately half of a tablespoon) I would normally use because it lathers up quite a bit more than your typical shampoo. It really does a thorough cleaning job of the scalp without stripping the hair of moisture as it's a moisturizing shampoo.

The conditioner left my hair feeling silky smooth and weightless, just like that of when you get your hair done at the salon. My hair is more manageable, shiny, full of life and smells delicious even the next day. The light scent lingers. My scalp feels great. 

Audrey - age 23 - thick, coarse, wavy/curly, dry and frizzy hair - I don't usually have any issues with my scalp except the occasional oiliness if I don't wash it for more than two days. So for me, the hardest thing to control is the frizz and the dryness. I'm always on the lookout for a great shampoo and conditioner that will put some moisture into my hair so it's soft and manageable. My first impression of the Clear shampoo was that it was thick and creamy but it still had a nice consistency. It was easy to lather and wash my hair thoroughly. It washed clean and left my hair feeling smooth. The conditioner was just as thick and creamy and also left my hair smooth after rinsing. Unfortunately, after I got out of the shower, my hair didn't feel any different or better. I also didn't care for the smell of the products much. I will continue to use the products until they are done but I don't think I'll be inclined to buy it unless it was on sale. 

Karin - 48 - long thin hair with brittle ends - I tried Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy-Damage & Color Repair and I found it to be good. I really liked the fragrance, soft and not overpowering. I have thin hair and I often feel a residue left in my hair after washing, but I didn't feel any residue at all when I used Clear. I also suffer from brittle ends. I straighten my hair 3-4 times per week and I found that the longer I used Clear, the less brittle it became. I would have to say I really liked Clear. My only worry of course is that after prolonged use it wont continue to the same job. I have often found that after prolonged use some products dont measure up to how they at first were. But I do like Clear and I will continue to purchase, even my daughter in-law wants to try the 7 day challenge.

 

Meg - 24 - fine, colour treated hair - I loved the smell I however feel the shampoo did not lather as much as I’d like, I love the after smell and how the product lingers in my hair ; the conditioner was not to thick and made my hair super silky and a little went along way 

Day 2: February 26th 2013: Second use; Was super excited to use this again, the smell is the greatest part so far, I noticed my hair was not as greasy (normally overnight my hair is greasy as I have thin oily hair, the main reason I wash daily) typical though, I am not seeing a difference in strength it is only the second day. 

Day 3: February 27th 2013: When I used this today I wasn’t so impressed after the conditioner I let my hair air dry and it seemed really coarse. I do have bleach in my hair but it just seemed blah today! Perhaps just a build up of product, -- time for a deep condition. 

Day 4: February 28th 2013: Did I mention the smell, I have been tracking the progress in my note pad on my device and everyone loves the smell including me! Today I also let my hair air dry and I used the flat iron I do still tend to see coarse-ness in my hair. I noticed this so suddenly I’m wondering if I just never noticed it as much before, my hair lacks shine – hmmm. 

Day 5: March 1st 2013: I really do not like this shampoo and conditioner at all at this point, it’s not for me – my hair is just not working well with it. The coarse feeling and lack of shine is really disappointing – But as promised 7 days! 

Day 6 and 7 – March 2nd and 3rd 2013: This product did nothing for my hair. The reason I did not like is the feeling of my hair, it felt clean but it didn’t look healthy. It didn’t repair my hair or even make it look shiny. I also noticed my hair beginning to fall out a lot more. I would absolutely not purchase this product as it was just not the right combination with my hair.
 

Total rating: 2/10 - the smell was just about the only positive thing I can say; besides it did the job of a basic clean. I did not like anything about how it made my hair feel or look and to top it off it made my hair fall out more with brushing and cleaning than normal. I think I will stick with my Lush BIG shampoo! 

- Our Wonderful Beauty Crazed Testers - 

Sick of dealing with both blemishes and wrinkles? Then help us test drive an exciting new serum from SkinCeuticals!

Is there anything more unfair than having acne and wrinkles at the same time!?! Nope and SkinCeuticals feels your pain!

SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense - 30ml - $90 - is meant for aging skin prone to breakouts and it treats imperfections and signs of aging in one shot with: 1.5% salicylic acid and 0.3% capryloyl salicylic acid - to treat blemishes and the damage they cause to skin's texture and tone; 2% dioic acid - to combat imperfections and help prevent hyperpigmentation; and 3.5% glycolic and 0.5% citric acids - to minimize fine lines and wrinkles, smooth rough texture and reduce irregularities. The great results you can expect to see are: reduction of blemishes and imperfections; smoother and softer skin texture; diminished fine lines; and brighter and more even skin tone.

SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense will be available January 23rd through selected distribution channels via dispensing doctors, medical spas and high-end spas across Canada. For store locator please visit skinceuticals.com , or call 1-877-238-8754. For product information and updates, please visit SkinCeuticals on Facebook at facebook.com/SkinCeuticals.Canada.

 Does this sound like something your skin would love you for trying? Read on...

SkinCeuticals is looking for 5 Canadian Beauty Crazed readers who are fed up with having to deal with both acne and wrinkles at the same time and are willing to try out this brand new serum!

You will need to use the product for 2 weeks and then report back to us on your results - love it or hate it, we want to know everything!

Interested? Leave a comment if you are Canadian and are willing to give us a full report - let us know your name, age, confirm your skin concerns and we'll need your e-mail to contact you. You have until January 19th to apply. We really want people who are excited about the product so preference will be given to people who tweet about this post and "like" SkinCeuticals on Facebook at: facebook.com/SkinCeuticals.Canada

If you're really keen and have fulfilled all of the requirements go ahead a shoot us an e-mail with your address to info@beautycrazed.ca that will expedite the process!

SkinCeuticals will send you your product directly and we will need you to begin testing it as soon as you receive it for at least 2 weeks.  We will need your results, comments, opinions and anything else you want to tell us about your experience by Saturday, February 18th for a review of the product  February 21st - so please don't sign up for the panel if this time line won't work for you!

Excited? Me too! I'll be testing it on my own guinea pig (aka husband) and am looking forward to seeing what it can do!

- Lisamarie -

Guest Post - Sephora Nail Bling - so easy even a Pink Sith can apply them!

My motives for asking my best American friend, Elvira to try out the nail stickers were only half pure, you see my nails are so small that trying this kind of thing is useless, I have to chop them up so much that there is no hope of them looking good. On the other hand, I never imagined she would be successful with them after last time so I was at least  expecting to get a bit of a laugh out of it... as it turns out the joke's on me, they look great and I'm jealous! Read on for Elvira's adventures with Sephora Nail Bling:

Hello darling readers of Beauty Crazed in Canada. I’m baaaaaack! It’s Elvira from The Pink Sith Blog with another review of a Sephora Nail product.  Back in June of 2010 I wrote about Sephora Chic Prints for Nails. It was a great experience working with Lisamarie but a terrible experience wearing those blasted nail stickers. Now it is over a year and a half later and here I sit with more nail stickers, provided by the loverly Lisamarie - am I an idiot for agreeing to do this all over again? What’s that saying? Fool me once, shame on you…Never mind, don't answer that...

I’m very pleased and very glad to say that my experience with the Sephora Nail Bling Stickers was a complete 180 from the previous experience. Not only did these stickers apply easily. They looked awesome and I received many compliments on them!

Sephora Nail Bling is a collection of nail art stickers in a range of textured bling effects. (8 designs currently) Each set contains 18 stickers in nine sizes.These easy-to-use appliqués create a dazzling 3-D nail art effect with a raised texture that you can feel.   

Lisamarie sent me the Black Rainbow set and I was so pleased when I saw the design.Tiny raised dots with all the colors of the rainbow adorn these black appliqué stickers.  

If you are a very tactile person…or live with one, then these nail stickers will either be a huge hit…or drive you crazy…or both! Mr. Sith (My Husband) and Darthypie (My almost 5 y.o. Son) are very tactile. When I applied the Sephora Nail Bling stickers to my nails both of them could NOT stop touching my nails. You know what? I kinda got obsessed with touching them as well. 

The directions to apply the Sephora Nail Bling were on the back of the package. The application was super easy. I did manage to get a crease in one nail, but that’s because I was not paying attention. Thankfully I was able to easily smooth it out.  The ends of the stickers filed off incredibly easy and I was left with perfectly shaped nail stickers that did not fold or curl or separate after filing. In fact, Sephora recommends covering the nail bling with a layer of clear polish after application. I think this helped a lot with the longevity of the wear. Please note that these Sephora Nail Bling stickers do not require you to fold over the excess sticker on the edge of the nail. I think that you could have fairly short nails and still be able to wear these!  At first the stickers felt strange on my nails but after a few minutes I was used to them and it was just like wearing regular nail polish.

More like wearing super awesome mega platinum first-class 3-D rainbow dot nail polish that is!   

I mean look at this - it’s so fun!  It’s so Disco! It’s so AWESOME! I loved wearing these Sephora Nail Bling Stickers. Not only did they last through 4 showers they lasted through multiple hand washings, buckling in and unbuckling Darthypie in his car seat, typing, typing and typing and just general wear and tear!  By day 5 they needed to come off.  The funny part was they were lifting by the cuticle and not by the tip of the nail... Shows you how well they stick on, huh?  I easily removed the stickers by soaking my fingers in warm water and then I peeled away stickers. I then used some nail polish remover to get rid of any remaining adhesive and I was happy to note that my underlying nail was not damaged at all. 

Do you NEED these? YES!  At a mere $8 CAD ($7 USD) these stickers are totally worth a night or two on the town. The 8 designs available are:
Black Flower
Black Rainbow
Gold Bubbles
Gold Leopard
Horizontal Zebra
Pink Zebra
Red Chip
White Basket Weave 
 
All are pretty and I for one am going to pick up the Black Flower nail stickers for New Years Eve!  You know, for when I sit at home watching Ryan Seacrest on TV with Mr. Sith because getting a sitter on New Year’s Eve is impossible. I asked Lisamarie to babysit but now she's not answering my calls...

- Elvira -

Help for stretchmarks from Mederma, Nip + Fab and Palmer's!

After 3 pregnancies and losing 100 pounds, there isn't anyone better to test out stretch mark creams then our very own Christelle - so enjoy her rare appearance as she gives you the run down on what she's tried:


Mederma Stretch Marks Therapy - 150g - $39.99  
The treatment is applied morning and evening and massaged in a circular motion on the affected areas. The scent is fairly light and pleasant and thankfully the cream is not greasy since you have to apply it twice a day for at least 4 weeks. My skin definitely visibly improved after a few weeks.
Available in Canada at Walmart, Shopper’s Drug Mart, Loblaws, London Drugs, Pharma Plus and other drug stores nationwide.

Nip + Fab Multi-Fix Oil - 100ml - $14.95
This oil is super light, practically odorless and super moisturizing. It takes just a few applications to improve skin's texture. Available exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart.


Palmer's Skin Therapy Oil - 150ml - $13.99 
Like the previous oil, the Palmer's skin therapy oil helps with  improving your skin's texture. I like to mix these oils with a conventional body lotion for an easier application.

All of these products approved the appearance of my stretch marks to one degree or another but of course nothing will actually get rid of them entirely so just don't expect miracles!

-Christelle-

Proactiv Solution - finally an acne clearing product that does what it says it will!

Proactiv Solution 3 Piece Kit - $34.99 - promises 3 simple steps to clear skin - the products for those steps are made up of:
Renewing Cleanser - may be used on your face, chest or back once or twice each day 

Revitalizing Toner - use at least once or twice daily after cleansing to hydrate the skin and help keep pores from clogging 

Repairing Lotion - apply to the entire face, chest, back or other acne blemish-prone are - can be used alone or under makeup.

Judging from the commercials you would think this stuff was magic in a bottle - Jessica Simpson goes from a frankly scarey pimply mess to a clear skinned beauty in 30 seconds so what's not to love?!

Since I'm blessed with mostly clear skin I was not the right person to test out the claims - so my husband not being quite so lucky became my Proactiv guinea pig! 

Let's just break the suspense right now - within 30 days his skin was totally clear!

It is recommended that you start using the Proactiv system once per day, or once every other day if your skin is sensitive, for the first 3 to 5 days. And then you advance to twice daily as your skin becomes accustomed to it - being a man, my husband didn't bother reading or following the directions so he started off using it twice a day from the beginning with no ill-effects - obviously I wouldn't necessarily recommend that. 

And again with the whole man thing, I had to drag every feeling and opinion about the product out of him in that painstaking process that men hate called "having a conversation" and here's what I got:

His likes are all related to the way the products feel: the cleanser has an exfoliating action to it but it's not overly harsh; and the toner doesn't sting as many acne fighting ones are prone to do. Of course what he likes the most is that the system works and his skin became clear!

His only complaint is the sizing of the products and that he wishes they made them proportionate to how they are used up - the lotion was emptied first, then the toner but he still has lots of cleanser left - sounds like they need to make the cleanser in the smaller size and make the lotion bigger!

If we needed anymore proof that the system worked, as soon as he ran out and was off it for about a week, his face started breaking out again - if I didn't need him to guinea pig something else, you can be sure he would have been buying more!

There are several easy ways to get it: directly from Proactiv - www.proactivsolution.ca or from The Shopping Channel - www.theshoppingchannel - they both also offer an auto delivery option if you want to receive regular shipments of it without having to re-order. If you don't want to buy online, I've also noticed Proactiv kiosks at the mall where you can buy it in person.

If you do have problem skin and have tried other products without success I would definitely recommend you give Proactiv a try - having seen the results for myself (if not on myself) I'm impressed!

- Lisamarie -

3 Surprising Products for this Summer: Garnier Gel-Cream, Korres Body Butter and IT Cosmetics Brow Power

What was surprising about  these 3 products? I was surprised how much I liked them!

Garnier Nutritioniste Refreshing Gel-Cream for Normal to Oily skin
The surprise? The cooling effect: it's like a little splash of water on your face. The product itself is pretty cool too, it's a light green gel. I didn't care for the scent but this is a nice day cream for summer.

Korres Fig Body Butter
Sometimes good things come in small packages (I'm sorry but this does not apply to men!)
The surprise? This butter is silicone free, mineral oil free and I actually love the fig scent from the fruit extract, it's not a very common scent so it might not be everybody's cup of tea. It does moisturize really well, though.

IT Cosmetics Brow Pencil
When I saw this universal eyebrow pencil, I thought I had to try it because I didn't believe it would work...the surprise? It does work. First of all, I'm not a fan of brow pencils - I prefer brow shadow duos - but after using this brow pencil, I got such a natural effect that I've incorporated this pencil in my daily makeup routine.

Now here is the kicker: I asked my blonde friend Nina to test it and again she loved it. Obviously, she didn't need to use as much as me. She was a bit pissed though, because she had just spent a good deal of money on makeup including a Lancome brow pencil and mascara (her Definicils Lancome mascara was fabulous, however)...oh well that's what friends are for!

I have no idea if it would work on a red-head but it worked on my very dark thick eyebrows and on my friend's light eyebrows, so to me it delivered on its "universal" promise. Don't ask me how this is possible, I'm still scratching my head on this one.  You can buy this pencil only on the Shopping Channel in Canada ($24) or on the IT Cosmetics website.

-Christelle-

Lancôme Slimissime 360° Slimming Activating Concentrate Review

Lancôme Slimissime 360° Slimming Activating Concentrate - 200ml - $70 - as summer rolls on the search for the perfect cellulite cream continues - I admit it, I'm obsessed with them! This one came out last spring and I have been meaning to try it ever since - better late than never right?!

It has turned out to be perfect for the hideously hot weather we have been having lately because of the way this gel-cream feels tingly and cool when applied. I also really like how fresh smelling it is. It claims visible results in 10 days if you use it twice a day but as I tend to only apply once a day, it was a couple of weeks before I saw visible smoothing. I also did notice that by using the massage techniques that are included with the product, that I have seen better results then I have previously with other products. It would be interesting to try the same massage technique with a different product and see if it also makes it equally effective.

Lancôme explains that the unsightly appearance of dimpled skin is caused not only by fat storage within adipocyte cells, but also the multiplication of these cells, followed by their migration to the skin's surface. The 360° complex combats the appearance of existing cellulite and minimizes its recurrence by: increasing elimination of fat sorage; reducing multiplication of adipocyte cells; slowing down adipocyte storage; and fighting against the breakdown of support tissue, a process responsible for the unsightly appearance of dimpled skin.

If I ever make it through the 5 zillion other cellulite creams in my possession I would actually try another bottle of this one - I was happy to use something with results that are actually visible!

- Lisamarie -

Nuxe Body-Contouring Serum for Embedded Cellulite Review

It's no secret how I feel about cellulite - I hate it with the fiery passion of a thousand burning suns! - And deep down somewhere, I do understand that it is part of my genetic makeup as a member of the female species over the age of 18 - but that doesn't mean I've resigned myself to it - no siree!  I will continue to try every treatment and cream out there until I draw my last gasping breath, so there! Enough ranting, let's get on with the actual review:


Nuxe Body-Contouring Serum for Embedded Cellulite - 150ml - $39 - with a triple action body-contouring effect to reduce the effect of embedded cellulite all over the body: 1) patented Cocoa Polyphenols combined with Botanical Caffeine activate the breaking down and releasing of stored fat while Yacon Leaf Extract slows down fat regeneration; 2)Micro-Algae stimulate the natural mechanism that burns fats; 3) and patented Brazillian Mimosa and Glaucine Extract sculpt and shape waist, hips and thighs. Then throw in some Photo-Corrective Pigments for an instant optic smoothing effect on the surface of the skin.

This serum is part of the brand new Nuxe Body line.  I was drawn to it because 1) it's a serum and I really like serums, 2) it's a cellulite treatment and we've just established I'm obsessed with them, and 3) it smells amazing - with notes of Coconut Sorbet, Orange Blossom and Wild Vanilla!

Having now used up the entire tube I'm quite impressed with it.  The optic illusion aspect to it is quite clever - they've done the same blurring thing that is usually used for face products to blur lines and wrinkles and brought it to dips and dimples - this would be excellent if you are needing it because you are about to put on a bathing suit or wearing those slightly oversized underwear that girls are calling shorts these days. It also has a nice smoothing effect but I can't say that it did anything for my stored fat or slowed down fat regeneration as those body departments don't really send me any reports.  I expect I would need to use at least another tube to start seeing anything dramatic. 

Overall, I liked it, and appreciated the lightness of it being a serum as it was absorbed super quick and didn't leave any stickiness behind. And here's a tip, when you think the tube is empty, it's not. Take a pair of scissors and cut 'er open.  There is at least another week's worth of serum stuck to the inside of the tube - see how thrifty I am!

You can find Nuxe as selected Shoppers Drug Mart, The Bay or now even easier at Canada's newest online beauty destination: www.beautyphica.com

- Lisamarie -

NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil Swatches - Baroque and Frivolous

NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencils are the newest lip offering from NARS and I think I'm in love!

Frivolous - iridescent seashell pink - has a very discrete sparkle and a lot of shine.

Baroque - bold raspberry - adds some colour punch without having to worry about precise edges.

 I'm in good company with this colour, Amy Adams wore Baroque to the Oscars!

I really like how shiny and moist feeling they are and how easy the pencil format makes them to apply - I can see myself picking up a couple more of these!

- Lisamarie -

Moisturize your head and toes with Phyto Paris and Gehwol!

I was having a particularly bad day yesterday - maybe it was the wind but everything on me felt super dry!  That of course is the perfect time for product testing and I found two that really stood out!


Phyto Paris Phytojoba Intense Hydrating Mask - 200ml - $42 - specifically designed to intensely hydrate and protect dry hair.  Contains jojoba oil for softness and well as its regenerative, emollient and protective properties; angelica seed and root extract for tonifying and purifying; and South African sweet orange essential oil to provide shine and vitality (and also makes it smell amazing)!  There is a natural gum derivative in the formula to help instantly detangle hair without weighing it down.

I put my chilled self into a bath for 20 minutes last night with a small amount of this mask combed through my towel dried hair and just let it soak in.  After I washed it out and my hair had dried you would never know that it had been a mess of winter frizziness not an hour earlier - it looked perfectly smooth and felt so soft!

You can find it at various spas - check out the website http://phyto-canada.ca to find the one closest you or you can buy it at Sephora and sephora.com.

Gehwol Med Salve For Cracked Skin - 75ml - $16.73 - protects the skin and allows it to regain its natural elasticity and resistance - helps protect against the symptoms linked with cracked skin and inflammation.  Medicated soap, lanolin and vaseline soften hard skin quickly and keep it smooth.  Bisabolol and panthenol help to clear up small skin cracks.  The blood flow to the skin is stimulated by oils of eucalyptus, lavender, rosemary and camphor.  Menthol cools and refreshes and the zinc oxide has a mildly disinfectant effect.

Last night I slathered on a thick layer, put a pair of cotton socks on my feet and went to bed that way - you would not believe how soft my feet are this morning, it's like I've never even walked on these babies! The smell is a little medicinal and the texture is pretty greasy so I probably wouldn't use this without the sock trick or I would leave snail trails everywhere I walked! This salve is designed for severe hard skin or very cracked, dry or rough skin - I really only had the dry and rough part and it worked a charm - I would love to know if anyone else has used it for the other issues and how well it worked!

You can find it at various retail locations or online at www.gehwolonline.com

- Lisamarie -

Deep conditioners to the rescue for my winter ravaged hair! AG Hair Cosmetics, The Body Shop and Nexxus!

Sick of the cold yet?  I am - especially for what it's doing to my hair!  Calling it straw-like would be an insult to straw, so let's just go with craptastic!  The only thing that makes it looks halfway decent these days is a liberal dose of deep conditioning a couple times a week and here's what I've been loving lately:

AG Hair Cosmetics Conditioner Deep - 178ml -  $19 - reconstructing treatment for hair intensely damaged by over-processing and go-deep down to restore protein, moisture strength and shine.  Contains high concentrations of protein, amino acids and humectants to bring life back into dry, coarse or damaged hair.

Massage into clean, damp hair for 3-5 minutes, comb through and rinse.  This one has my favourite smell - fresh and kind of fruity - I also prefer the packaging, it's much easier to squeeze product out of a tube when you are in the shower then unscrew are jar and scoop it out!

The Body Shop Rainforest Moisture Hair Butter For Dry Hair - 200ml - $14 - luxuriously rich and intensive conditioning treatment for soft, smooth, glossy and tangle-free hair.  Contains pracaxi oil which is sourced from the seeds of the pracaxi tree which is grown organically in the Amazonian rainforest as well as Community Trade ingredients: organic olive oil from Italy, brazil nut oil from Peru and honey from Ethiopia.  What it doesn't contain is silicones, colourants, parabens or sulphates.

Work through damp hair and leave on for at least five minutes.  Massage with warm water then rinse out thoroughly.  I love how incredibly soft this leaves my hair so much that I am willing to overlook the smell which is a little to perfumey for my taste.

Nexxus Humectress Hydrating Treatment Deep Conditioner - 156g - $14.99 - helps to strengthen dry hair with ultimate deep hydration and moisture-repair technology.  Formulated with avocado and honey extracts it replenishes vital moisture and leaves hair 10 times stronger in one use. It also reduces breakage and reduces frizz.

Apply to damp hair and comb through evenly from root to tip.  Leave in for 3-5 minutes and rinse out.  Can be used once a week in place of your regular conditioner or more often as needed.  A little goes a long way with this one, I find if I use to much that it's much harder to get it all out and it feels like there is a film on my hair!

- Lisamarie -

Lierac Paris Morpho-Slim Anti-Cellulite Concentrate

I haven't posted about cellulite creams in quite awhile and you were probably thinking that I finally got over my obsession with them...no such luck!  The obsession lives - in the winter it calms down a bit though as I am always so bundled up - so I only use it once a day instead of twice so I don't go through it quite as fast!  Not to worry, with spring on the way I will be upping my usage again so you can look forward to lots more lovely cellulite cream reviews!  Here's the one I most recently finished:

Lierac Paris Morpho-Slim Anti-Cellulite Concentrate - 200ml - $62 - for recontouring and firming it contains a combination of ultra-concentrated active caffeine (10%) and glaucine complex (2.5%) for simultaneous action on the appearance of cellulite and skin firmness.  Gel serum texture that is non-sticky and alcohol free.  In just 15 days, the look of dimpled skin is reduced and your skin feels smoother and your thighs appear more refined.

First off the three things I liked most about this product, the smell (fresh, kind of citrusy), the pump and the firming effect!  After applying this my skin immediately felt tighter and firmer which of course makes the little dimples look less obvious!  The texture is nice - a gel serum that absorbed quickly and wasn't sticky.  The downside of course is that as soon as you stop using it, the problems are all back!

If they would just make this is a vat size - I would just soak in it everyday - what do you say Lierac?


You can find Lierac products at Rexall or go here to find locations to purchase nearest you.

- Lisamarie -

Test driving Estée Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Mascara!

Estée Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Mascara - $28.50 - is the latest Sumptuous mascara offering and promises "over-the-top mega-volume lashes with zero-clumping".  

It has a mousse like formula with a blend of light-weight gels, polymers, waxes and pigments to create volume without clumping and a blend of hybrid powders to maximize extreme volume.  The brush is also new – a big brush in a new shape that provides all the thickening of a brush with the definition of a comb.  

And to give you beautiful, healthy lashes it's enriched with Vitamin B5 and Rosemary

Available at counters now in Extreme Black, Extreme Brown, Extreme Indigo and Extreme Violet

   

 

Here's the before and after - as you can see my lashes are naturally light and fine, really I just look like an albino bunny without mascara - this is a close up to give you an idea of the volume

And here's a picture to give you an idea of the length results - I combed them out a bit from the first picture! 

I don't generally wear thickening mascaras because I usually find the brush so big that it's tricky to use - this brush was a little bigger then regular brushes but not huge and ungainly so I was able to deal.  Normally I would comb out my lashes like I did in the second picture for a less dramatic work look and leave them be when I am going out - the one thing I did find when I combed this mascara is it flakes - not a huge amount but enough to be annoying.  I didn't find that it flaked anymore during the day with regular wear so this was probably just a by-product of combing the mascara when it was already dry.

Has anyone else tried it and what did you think of it?! 

- Lisamarie -

Perricone MD Super Berry Challenge

To celebrate the launch of Perricone MD Super Berry with Acai Dietary Supplement on The Shopping Channel January 21st, I was asked to participate in a 30 Day Super Berry Challenge which I began about 2 weeks ago.

Superberry Powder with Acai delivers a powerful dose of antioxidants to protect against free radical damage. It is derived from a combination of berries including raspberry, blueberry and Dr. Perricone's #1 recommended super food, Acai, which is packed with vital nutrients, minerals and essential amino and fatty acids. Acai is also known to boost energy and deliver an overall sense of well being.  It comes in a straw form that you just need to add water to.

I have one thing to say for starters, the stuff might make you live longer, but the taste will make you wish for a quick demise.  You are supposed to mix it with water (I've heard that it dissolves better/faster in warm water) and drink it like that, which I did the first day but it took everything in me to choke it down so since then I've been cutting it with juice, about half a glass of water, the other half juice.  My husband suggested adding Raspberry vodka but I pointed out that it might negate the healthy attributes - he's not convinced.

So after two weeks is it working?  I have to admit that I do feel more energetic, especially in the morning when I would normally drag a little - I will get back to you on the 21st when I have finished them all and give you my final thoughts and if anyone else has tried it, I would love to hear what you think!

- Lisamarie -

Crest challenges me to a duel and loses! Okay, fine it was a whitening challenge, but duel sounds more interesting...

About a month ago, I was asked to take part in the Crest and Oral-B 3D White Before and After Smile Challenge.  I was happy to do it, the holidays coming up are the perfect excuse for some smile whitening!  As you can see from my before, my teeth aren't too bad but they are a little stained on top from my devotion to coke (drinking kind) and blueberries!

And here's after - please excuse the weird mouth thing I'm doing, I realized that a real smile hides part of my front teeth and since that's what I really wanted you to be able to see, I did my "I'm so happy to see the in-laws" smile instead!  I also meant to wear the same lipstick but couldn't remember what shade the before one was!  This one is close anyhow!  Here is everything that I used:

Crest 3D White Professional Effects Whitestrips - with Advanced Seal no slip technology - $59.99 - I first tried whitestrips when they first came out years ago and I hated them - I couldn't get them to actually stay on my teeth, I remember giving up before even finishing half the box so I'm happy to report that they really have improved the technology!  If you dry your teeth off a bit first before applying they really stick well and I found even if my teeth were a bit wet, they would slide around a bit at first but would eventually stick on and stay.  I will say though that they made my teeth quite sensitive, especially now that the weather is so cold. I found the best method for me was to use them for 30 minutes once a day for 2 or 3 days and then take a day off.  It stretched the time period out, I should have been through them in 20 days and it took me close to a month but if time isn't an issue and you are sensitive, this is the way to go!  I also noticed on the first day after using the strips that I had small white dots on my gums but they didn't hurt and it only happened the first time so I guess it wasn't anything to worry about.

Oral-B Pulsar 3D White Advanced Vivid Toothbrush - $6.99 - it does this vibrating thing that is supposed to disrupt plaque and stimulate the gingival margin.  I am used to a full on electric Oral-B so this didn't feel like it was doing much of anything at all but I would use this for traveling as it is much more portable!  This would probably be more impressive if you were trying it after being used to a regular manual brush!
Crest 3D White Vivid Toothpaste - 165ml - $3.88 - I'm not generally a big fan of whitening toothpastes as I find they usually have kind of a chalky feel but this one's texture is like a regular toothpaste.  I only ended up using this once a day and I used a toothpaste for sensitive teeth the rest of the time to help with the sensitivity I was experiencing from the strips, but I would use the toothpaste now to help combat staining!

Crest 3D White MultiCare Whitening Rinse - 473ml - $6.49 or 964ml - $8.99 - I really hate alcohol in mouth wash so I was really pleased to see that this one is alcohol free.  I found the taste really pleasant and my husband hated it - and since he is addicted to Listerine, I knew this was a good sign, it wasn't medicinal tasting enough for him!  It contains hydrogen peroxide to whiten teeth by removing surface stains and sodium hexametaphosphate to help protect against future surface stains.

I actually bought my husband a box of the strips and made him do the challenge with me but he refused to let me take a before or after picture which is too bad as his teeth were much worse to begin with and they have whitened up to about the same shade as mine.  But at least that proves that it will work for you whether you need to whiten a little or whiten a lot!

Has anyone else tried any of these products?  Would love to know what you thought of them!

- Lisamarie -

Oil up from head to toe with help from Moroccanoil, shu uemura, Body Blitz, Argan Magic and Neutrogena!

Oil seems to be a dirty word in some beauty circles but when the right type is used in the right place and at the right time, it can be the most wonderful thing ever!

Moroccanoil Light Oil Treatment for fine and light-colored hair - 100ml - $37.50  - It's alcohol free and absorbs very quickly while it adds shine and long term conditioning benefits without a sticky residue.  Apply a small amount through damp hair and style as usual.  I have been wanting to try Moroccanoil for ages but knew that the original formula would be too heavy for my fine hair - was I ever happy to hear that they had been listening and created a light version to combat this very issue!

It's sold in salons and you can check out the website to find the location closest to you - www.moroccanoil.com

shu uemura cleansing beauty oil premium A/O advanced formula - 150ml - $40 - suitable for all skin types including sensitive skin - if you have ever had trouble with your usual cleanser at getting all of your foundation, lipstick or eye makeup off, you will want to try this! The natural oils contained were specially selected to solubilize stubborn waxes and oils in waterproof mascara, foundation and lip colour as well as oxidized sebum, which accelerated the aging process.  As well, it contains green tea - an anti-oxidant and ginko leaf - to stimulate micro-circulation - extracts.  The only tricky part for me was learning how to use it correctly.  I am used to wetting my face and then rubbing in a cleanser but with this you smooth over a dry face and then wet your face to emulsify the oil.  Available at select Holt Renfrew stores.

Body Blitz Argan Oil Face Serum - 30ml - $65 - From Canada's first authentic water spa for women comes a line of products to give you the Blitz experience at home. All of the Body Blitz products are made with 100% essential oils and are free of parabens, artificial colours and detergents to reflect the company's on-going commitment to a healthy body and a healthy environment you would expect the product to feel less luxe and more granola - not so!  The serum is my favourite of the line and is made from 75% organic argan oil, organic olive oil, organic aloe vera, rose damask and organic lavender, not only does it feel good, it smells good too!

Not to worry if you aren't in Toronto and can't go to the spa to buy your products - Canada and US spa-ers can now buy the Body Blitz products online! Check it out at www.bodyblitzspa.com - if you are in the area and want to swing by you can find them at 471 Adelaide Street West - 416-364-0400 - and while you are at it, book yourself a treatment!

Argan Magic Nourishing Bath Oil - 236ml - $25 - naturally fragranced with orange blossoms and white rose petals which would make you think it would smell floral but there is also pomegranate, which gives it a wonderful fruity smell.  If you love to soak in a tub as much as I do you will love the way it soaks into every little bit of dry skin and makes it silky smooth!  If you want bubbles you can add a bit of bubble bath with it, I didn't find it changed how well it worked at all!  Available from The Shopping Channel - www.theshoppingchannel.com

Neutrogena Body Oil - 250ml - $12.99 - if you're more of a shower girl, your thirsty skin will appreciate this light sesame seed oil.  I find it works best if I apply it while my skin is still a little wet and I also love applying it before I go to bed to wake up to super soft skin!

What about you guys - are there any oils that you use that you can't live without?!

- Lisamarie -

When's the last time you tried a new eye makeup remover? Check out some possibilities from Biotherm, Isomers, Marcelle and Lancôme!

It occurred to me a couple of months ago as I was removing my eye makeup one night that for a product junkie, I was not being very adventurous with my makeup remover and in fact had been using the same one for years!  Not that it's a bad thing to find something that works and just stick with it, but for me this is crazy talk and what if something much better had happened in removers and I had totally missed it?!  The horror!  So of course I immediately set out to try some new (to me at times) removers.  Here are the ones I liked best:

Biotherm Biocils Lash Optimizer Eye Make-Up Removal Care Lash Condition & Beauty Waterproof - 125ml - $31 - a makeup remover that works to prevent loss and thicken lashes with three active ingredients: madecassocide, L'arginine and citric acid.  Suitable for sensitive eyes and for contact lens wearers.  I have noticed that I do tend to lose lashes when removing my makeup, I've always chalked it up to my being too aggressive with the cotton pad but a remover that would also help with this issue seems like a good idea to me!  It removed waterproof mascara and liner easily and didn't leave an oily residue - just remember to shake it before use!

Isomers Totally Tugless Multi-Use Make-Up Remover for eyes, lips and more... - 240ml - $25 - paraben and fragrance free - helps calm, soothe and soften the skin while cleaning.  This one is a little bit different as it requires more work but if you are very sensitive, you will probably prefer this to the oil based removers.  One area at a time, you apply and hold for several seconds, this helps lift the makeup up and off the skin.  Wipe skin clean with downward strokes.  Repeat if necessary and rinse with tepid water.  The Shopping Channel carries the whole Isomers line, you can check it out at www.theshoppingchannel.com

Marcelle Essentials Gentle Make-Up Remover for Sensitive Eyes - 150ml - $14.25 - half oil, half water, all effective.  It contains green tea and cucumber extracts and is hypo-allergenic and perfume free. This one also easily eliminated waterproof product, I did find it a bit oily then the others but since I always wash my face after removing eye makeup, this wasn't a big deal to me.
Also available in the Marcelle line is an oil-free remover - 150ml - $12,25, a remover gel - 100ml - $12.25 and remover clothes - very cleverly packaged as 2 packs of 15 cloths which make them great for travel - $12.25.

If you're wondering what my "go-to" product has been for all these years, it's - Lancôme Bi-Facial - 125ml - $34 - gets off makeup, including waterproof, with ease - suitable even for sensitive eyes and for contact lens wearers.  It's the priciest of the bunch but it need not worry, our love affair isn't entirely over, I just can't promise not to ever stray...

- Lisamarie -

Avon Mascaras - I discover a new world!

It is possible to be a virgin past 20!  Up until a short time ago I was an Avon mascara virgin and then I saw something that I thought might equal my beloved Maybelline Lash Discovery:

Jillian Dempsey for Avon Professional Mascara - $9.99 - Available in black or brown - dual-ended mascara with different formulas and brushes for upper and lower lashes:  Volumizing formula for upper lashes includes a big brush and Waterproof formula for lower lashes includes a baby brush.

You see I love Lash Discovery because of the tiny little brush that is so perfect for getting the lower lashes and the ones at the very outer corners - I even had a minor breakdown a few years back when they discontinued it for a time - but I have to say, this Avon one is better, I far prefer the shape of the little brush and it's also very handy to be able to have both mascaras in one tube - I don't necessarily think the other side is the best mascara I've ever tried, but it's pretty good and should I use up the little end first (which I'm sure I will) I don't see any reason not to switch sides with the little brush - aside from the fact that the side with the big brush is not a waterproof formula like the small brush side is.

    

And as long as I was being adventurous and trying their mascaras I also tried the SuperMagnify Mascara - $9.99 - Available in black, brown/black, brown or navy - 1,000 bristle molded brush to see up to 60% more lashes and no clumps with a 5-to-1 bristle to lash ration to multiply and magnify lashes.

I can't say I love the molded brush although it does do a great job of making the mascara less clumpy then bristle brushes do.  It did make my lases look longer and fuller but I did have to fight with the brush a bit more then I'm used to.

Sonic Boost Vibrating Mascara - $16.99 - Available in black or brown - micro-vibrating brush with 8,000 vibrations per minute.  Simply twist the end to activate the wand's vibrating motion and apply slowly from root to tip.  The vibrating brush is meant to push the bristles through the lashes for the ultimate in coverage and separation.

Remember when vibrating mascaras came out a couple years ago?  I thought it was kind of gimmicky and bought a girlfriend one for Christmas as a joke.  She told me it was embarrassing putting it on in the washroom at work because of the sound it made and what could be inferred from that... I was actually surprised as how much I liked the vibrating brush - it seemed to make the mascara go on easier and smoother - and it's fun to carry around in your front pocket! ;-)

All are available through your Avon rep 1-800-265-AVON or online at www.avon.ca

Ever tried an Avon mascara?  What did you think?

- Lisamarie -