Retinol Revive #Valentia

Press Sample. All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Does the word, 'Retinol' strike fear into your heart?  Do you immediately think of the harsh, doctor-prescribed formulas of yore that made your skin turn red and peel off before finally healing?  Skincare science has advanced, thank goodness, and now you can get the skin-clearing benefits of Retin-A, but in a non-prescription form of Retinol.  It takes longer, but is so much gentler, and it's become a staple, not only in my skincare, but that of my husband, as well.

New York Biology Eye Gel and Retinol Cream #NEWYORKBIOLOGY

Press Samples.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Sometimes, a product ticks all the boxes that you look for in skincare, and it works great.  And sometimes, it ticks the boxes, and for some reason, it just doesn't work for me.  I tried two products from New York Biology as part of my skincare routine last month, and both things happened to me!

Retinol - Aging, Oily Skin's Best Friend #JoyalBeauty

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Long-time readers will know that I do love checking out serums.  I love trying new formulations, small brands - big brands - lots of different serums.  There are a few ingredients that I just keep coming back to, because I know that my skin looks and feels better when I use them - and Retinol is definitely one of the stars of my skincare routine!

Serum Ceuticals Skincare Regimen #Vitamincfacial #Antioxidantfacialserum

Press Samples.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I am a serum-aholic.  I love trying new ones, and new combinations, finding out what my skin responds best to.  I've had skincare regimens that were pick-a-mix from lots of different brands, and had great results - but there is something synergistic about a set that is designed to work together.  I have three serums from Serum Ceuticals to tell you about that I think do just that!

The Elixir for Oily, Aging Skin #LaDeessaBeauty

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Over the past year, there's one skincare product that I've been able to get my husband to use consistently, and it's Retinol.  His oily face and bald pate have really improved in texture, tone, reduction of blemishes, and in the vitality of his skin.  He's really inspired me to up my skincare game and be more diligent in my application of Retinol, too. 

One Serum To Fight All The Wrinkles #AzureNaturals

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Wrinkles - who wants 'em? Not me.  I'm fighting them with several ingredients, and I'm always happy when I find a serum that combines several of these wrinkle-fighters in one!

Essa Says, "Whip It" #VitaCWhip

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

You're welcome for the earworm.  Figured I'd share, since I can't think about ESSA Vita-C-Whip  without rockin' out to some Old School Devo. 'Cause when some skin problems come around, I must whip 'em!

When You Need One Moisturizer To Do It All! #asanabeauty

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

When I packed for a trip to see my family, the Asana Beauty Synergy EX Retinol Hyaluronic Collagen Moisturizer was the only moisturizer I packed.  It had to do double-duty as both morning and evening moisturizer, and occasionally, a hand moisturizer, too.  How did it hold up under the stress of travel?

OZ Naturals Retinol #OZNaturals

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I remember when you could only get Retinol products via prescription.  The ones you can get over the counter are less potent, but they work well over time, and are more gentle.

Applejack Life Retinol Serum #ApplejackLife

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

It's serum time again on the blog.  I love serums all through the year, but they can be especially helpful in the winter months when my oily skin could use more nutrition, but not necessarily a heavy duty cream.  This serum from Applejack Life has lots of great things for the skin - Retinol, Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin E, and Green Tea, to name a few!

Are You Getting Enough Vitamin D? #skinauthority

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

As a pasty-skinned, cave-dwelling Night Owl, I know I'm probably not getting enough Vitamin D from the sun.  I drink my Vitamin D-fortified milk, and take a multi-vitamin, but is it enough? I'm going to check with my doctor to get my Vitamin D levels checked, and I've been using Skin Authority VitaD Fortified Topical Elixir to help my skin get more Vitamin D.

Skin-tightening StriVectin

Hello, Fireflies!

One reason I love writing this blog is getting to tell you about all different kinds of products.  From the simplest basics, to cutting edge scientific breakthroughs, from national brands to little Indies, there are so many interesting things to learn about and try.  One brand I've been introduced to this year is StriVectin.  Their product line is based on NIA 114 - an ingredient with a little name but with big results.

Trilane Retinol + Vitamin C

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

If you've been wanting to try Retinol, but have avoided it because your skin is very dry, I think I have found the Retinol moisturizer for you!

"Manly" Retinol Serum #InstaNatural

Product provided for review.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

For many years, my husband wasn't really concerned with skincare.  Men's skin holds up better to the ravages of time because it's thicker, due to the hair follicles.  And, fortunately for them, our society thinks that men's wrinkles are distinguished.  Now that he's in his 40's, however, I'm starting to rub off on him, and he's willing and interested to try some of the products that he sees me slathering on my face.

Super Strong Super Retinol from Aria Starr Beauty #retinol

Product provided for review.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Retinoids, a derivative of Vitamin A, can be a big help in smoothing skin by increasing collagen production and diminishing dark spots.  If your skin is starting to look dull, with fine lines, you may want to check out this Super Retinol Serum from Aria Star Beauty.

Helping Out My Beauty Goddess With Radha Beauty #RadhaBeauty

Product provided for review.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Radha (pronounced 'rada') means "Beauty Goddess."  Now, I believe that we are all 'beauty goddesses' already, which is why I address my readers as 'Fireflies' - we are all lit from within, like a firefly.  We all carry our beauty within us, glowing.

Sometimes, I need a little help getting my beauty going on on the outside, though.  So I've been using this trio of skincare products from Radha, for a little help.

A Refreshing Retinol Surge! #bodymerry

Product provided for review.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I'm not really a detail-oriented person.  I have to make to-do lists, or I forget stuff.  Sometimes, I'll just look at what appears to be a mountain of skincare, throw up my arms in defeat, and go to bed, pulling the covers over my (dirty, dirty) head.

But, the other day, I actually found myself looking at that skincare and looking forward to putting on my moisturizer.  What? Yep.  I washed my face, applied my fave serum, and happily reached for my new happy-moment moisturizer, Body Merry Retinol Surge Moisturizer.

Sweetsation Therapy’s Bio’Sensiya MultiVitamin Night Time Serum ...and polkadots!

Hello, Fireflies!

It's serum time again!  This serum has a long name - Sweetsation Therapy’s Bio’Sensiya MultiVitamin Night Time Serum - and a long list of ingredients that are great for your skin.   Keep reading for my review and some nail art inspired by it's fiery packaging and uplifting scent!

I Have A Face Full Of Insta-Natural! #Instanatural #niacinamide

Product provided for review.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Today, I have a bunch of products from Insta-Natural to tell you about.  They run the gamut from one that I think should be named after me, it's like it was made just for me - and one that didn't work for me at all.

Body Merry Makes My Face Merry, too! Pro-A Serum, Morning Dew Serum, and Age Defense Eye Cream Review

Product sent for consideration.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

A year ago, I couldn't have told you what serums were for.  Now, I'm obsessed.  Today, I have a serum duo from Body Merry, and an eye cream to tell you about.  You may remember that I've reviewed a cellulite cream from Body Merry, and I liked it so much, I wanted to try more of their products!

First up, the Body Merry Pro-A Serum.  Can we first talk about the packaging?  I love these tinted bottles, and not only are they pretty, but they're functional.  The tinting actually helps protect the sunlight from damaging the serum and making it less effective.  And, it's pretty.  Did I mention that it's pretty? I love amber bottles.

I preferred to use this serum at night because of the retinol, which can make your skin sensitive to UV rays.  

I've talked a lot about Hyaluronic Acid before.  As we age, our bodies just don't produce as much as before, which can lead to skin getting thinner and not regenerating as well.  Adding it back in via serum helps mitigate that loss, plumping up the skin, and improving the texture.  By adding it to this serum, it can also help your skin take maximum advantage of the retinol by buffering it against irritation.

Green Tea is a powerful antioxidant, and if you don't like to drink it, you can still get some benefits by letting your skin absorb it!  Both this and the Hyaluronic Acid are plant-derived.  This natural formula doesn't have any parabens, sulphates, phlalates, fragrances, or alcohol, and it's cruelty-free.

It has a very mild herbal/medicinal scent that I assume comes from the plant botanicals.  It dissipates quickly, and the serum just gets sucked in.  Slurp!

If you thought the Pro-A Serum bottle was pretty, get a load of the Body Merry Hyaluronic Dew Serum's gorgeous blue bottle.  Humina, humina!  Again, the tinted glass is great at protecting the precious serums and oils from breaking down from UV rays.

I think this serum is really aptly named.  It's great for using in the morning, on a clean face, to plump it up and get that dewy, radiant, healthy look.  It still has the hyaluronic acid, as well as antioxidants green tea and vitamin c, but no retinol, so you can wear it easily in the sun.

In addition to being plant-derived, natural, and organic, this serum is also vegan.  Like the Pro-A Serum, This natural formula doesn't have any parabens, sulphates, phlalates, fragrances, or alcohol, and is cruelty-free.

It also has that same faint herbal/medicinal scent.  It absorbs quickly, but has a dewy feel for a moment - a sensation that I rather liked.  Almost as if you could feel the moisture.  Science, or magic, you decide.

The Body Merry Age Defense Eye Cream didn't win me over as much as the serums.  The first problem I had may have been faulty packaging, so it may have been a one-off problem.  I usually like these pumps for lotion, but this one drove me crazy.  For the first week I used this product, I would try to get just a little bit out, and end up with practically enough for half my face.  It finally settled down, but I don't know how much product I ended up using other places other than my eyes.  I think it makes a good lip cream..

Here's the other issue I had with it: the scent.  It has a botanical smell very similar to their Cellulite Gel-Cream, which my husband thinks smells like jellybeans.  I don't find the smell to be offensive... but it's the kind of smell that it felt like it got in my eyes.  So, I found myself not really enjoying the eye cream as much as I would have liked to.  The cream does have a lot of botanicals in it, such as Aloe, Rose Hip Oil, Jojoba Oil, Coconut Oil, Beeswax, Cranberry, Licorice, Sunflower Oil, Borage Oil, Flaxseed Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Lavender, Calendula, Chamomile, Witch Hazel, Cocoa Butter, Cucumber, and Green Tea, so perhaps I'm sensitive to one of them. 

I did stick it out for a while, and found that I could get over it, and I do like that it absorbs quickly and does make my skin feel refreshed and moisturized, without being greasy.  Best of all, if I didn't like it, Body Merry has a 90 Day 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. If you don't like any product, just contact them and get a full refund. You don't even need to return the bottle.

If having an eye cream that is natural, organic, free from parabens, sulfates, phlalates, and is made in the USA and is cruelty-free is important to you, you may like it. 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.