OPTE' SKIN PERFECTING DEVICE - TAKING SKIN CARE INTO THE FUTURE

oPTE' IS A NEW SKINCARE DEVICE created by proctOr & gamble that "prints" an anti-aging skin matching serum on top of your skin ON AREAs WITH HYPER-PIGMENTATION OR AGE SPOTS LEAVING YOU WITH A FLAWLESS, MAKE UP FREE COMPLEXION. 
tHE DEVICE IS THE SIZE OF AN ELECTRIC SHAVER. It gives the look of a real-world Photoshop.

OPTÉ CAN PRECISELY DETECT AND COVER IMPERFECTIONS, LEAVING YOUR SKIN LOOKING FLAWLESS AND YOUNGER IMMEDIATELY. OPTÉ COULD BE A DREAM COME TRUE. 

I AM VERY EXCITED TO GET THE CHANCE TO TRY THIS DEVICE. IF IT DOES WHAT IT SAYS IT DOES, IT SHOULD BE AND INSTANT HIT.  I'VE PUT MYSELF ON THE WAITING LIST!

Product Review: Kate Somerville's 'ExfoliKate®' Intensive Exfoliating Treatment

    I purchased the smallest size of this product, .05 oz., due to the great reviews and it being proclaimed to be "The next best thing to seeing Kate in the clinic!"  The fruit enzymes in this exfoliant clarifies the skin by removing dead cells and eliminating bacteria. This is highly effective in combating acne, including stubborn blackheads. It also claims to polish the skin, revealing a smooth, glowing complexion. 

    I've used it three times so far and it seems to be a good, not great though, treatment to add to smoothness and glow of the skin. I was pretty surprised when I opened to squeeze out to apply the first time and found it a deep emerald green color! It also had quite a prominent smell of cinnamon, which I did note in the ingredients, but it was stronger than expected. Imagine opening a stick of Big Red chewing gum. That's exactly what it smells like.

    The first time I applied, I did my regular morning face cleaning with my Clairsonic and rinsed with a very warm washcloth leaving the skin moist. I massaged a small amount of the product into my skin briefly, let it sit for a minute and rinsed off. I noticed a slight increase in smoothness and glow, but nothing to rave about.  

    The second time I used I decided to apply the same way, but use more of the product and spend a minute or so massaging it into the skin. I then got in the shower letting the mask stay on until I rinsed it off last thing before leaving the shower.  That process appeared to yield a greater result and I will continue to use twice a week until I finish the tube.  I then will assess if I will repurchase or not.  It is quite pricey for the size and I am not too fond of the cinnamon smell, but I might give the small size  ($22.00) another go when I finish this tube.

Caveat: Some users (not many) have noted burning and/or redness, itching, etc. after using this mask. I suspect an allergic reaction to one or more of the ingredients. I had no issue at all with it, but suggest a patch test before using on your face.

Ingredients

Water/Aqua/Eau, Lactic Acid, Polyethylene, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Pectin, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit, Lactobacillus Pumpkin Ferment Extract, Ceteareth-20, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Dehydroxanthan Gum, PEG-100 Stearate, Salicylic Acid, SD Alcohol 40-B, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Sorbic Acid, Cinnamomum Cassia Leaf Oil, Honey (Mel), Acetic Acid, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Bromelain, Papain, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Phenoxyethanol, Geranium Maculatum Oil, Aniba Rosaeodora (Rosewood) Wood Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil, Linalool, Limonene, Cinnamal, Beta-Carotene (CI 75130), Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex (CI 75810).
Ingredients are subject to change at the manufacturer's discretion. For the most complete and up-to-date list of ingredients, refer to the product packaging.

Natural Beauty: Baking Soda and Apple Cider Vinegar Face Mask

Baking Soda and ACV Exfoliating Mask 

For the last month or so I've been doing baking soda scrubs 2 - 3 times a week and I have been really loving the results.  Once a week I use apple cider vinegar (ACV) with the baking soda instead of hot water to create a paste which I apply over my face and neck.  I will usually let it sit for no longer than 3 minutes then rinse off with warm water.

Aloe Vera Plant

Make sure you apply some sort of moisturizer after this treatment. I prefer fresh aloe vera.  I have a plant, so I break off a small piece of a stem, split it down the middle with my fingernail and massage the gel pulp all over my face and neck directly from the leaf. As it dries, it tightens and adds a beautiful glow to your skin that looks amazing.  Another option is to purchase pure Aloe Vera 1:1. I've ordered From Nature With Love before and the products are wonderful and shipping is fast. 

  

Empty Dropper Bottle

Recipe:

• Place 1 or 2 tablespoons of baking soda place in your palm. (plastic spoon)
• I've transferred my ACV to an empty dropper bottle for ease in adding and mixing with the baking soda. (It will bubble at first)
• Mix with your finger
• Apply to face and neck
• Let sit for as long as it is comfortable. No longer than 3 minutes or so.
• Rinse.
• Apply aloe vera.
• And GLOW!

Enjoy!

Product Review: Clinque CC Cream

Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream in Deep and Medium Deep

With the fall and winter months looming ahead, I have been thinking about how I will transition my skin care routine. I've pretty much only been wearing my 

Neutrogena Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF 50 with Helioplex

with the Stila Bronzing Tinted Moisturizer over it for most of the summer.  Both are very light weight, great ingredients, don't cause breakouts or irritations and adds light coverage and a wonderful summery glow hue to my summer tan. 

I've tried samples of various BB creams over the past year and have not really liked any of them because of either lack of color range, fragrance or just not the right texture/coverage. Clinque has always been pretty good for me in the past, I used to wear several of their foundations and used the skin care 3 package in high school without any problems. When I saw they came out with a CC cream (one upping you BB's) I had to give it a shot.

I went to Macy's and the lovely girl at the Clinque cosmetic counter was just great. She really took her time to go over the technology behind the CC cream, applied and match several different colors of the 8 available, and provided me with generous samples of the two colors above to take home to try and/or blend. I told her I tend to oxidize (darken down) as the day goes on with foundations, so I tend to go a bit lighter than I normally would. We were also working with my summer tan face, so when the fall rolls around, my face will be lighter, so I might need to revisit and try the shade above med deep.

This CC cream boast to be one simple step for glowing skin: hydrates, perfects, protects. Lightweight formula instantly color corrects a range of complexion concerns. In seconds, you look like the picture of health. Brightens dullness, sallowness. Diminishes redness. That gray look on darker skin tones? CC gets it glowing. Oil-free hydration and sunscreen mean a more flawless look tomorrow, too. Each versatile shade is appropriate for a range of skin tones and undertones.  The product is also fragrance free, which is great. I tend to avoid products with added fragrance as they tend to cause problems with my skin.

• How to use: Mornings, apply to clean skin after cleansing and any treatment serums. Smooth evenly over entire face, or just to areas of concern. Wear alone or under foundation.
• Can also be worn over your favorite moisturizer (a great option for drier skins).

I've worn a few times and so far so good. I do think I will still need a concealer for my eye area, but all in all it is a great look, light weight, everyday go cream.