Reviva Revisited - New and Improved Night Cream! #RevivaLabs

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

A little over two years ago, I got a chance to try Reviva's earlier incarnation of this cream-with-the-long-name.  Now, it's back, and better!

Embattle Free Radicals with Emblica! #RevivaLabs

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I have such an affection for Reviva Labs as a company, and for their products.  I really identify with their no-nonsense approach to providing the best products at a reasonable price.  Unique from their beginnings, they started in 1973 by sourcing the specialties of 12 labs in six European countries and bringing them all to the United States.  Since then, they've become experts in blending unique skincare for various targeted concerns - and this new Ultra-Potency Vitamin C + Antioxidant Serum is a product of that research and blending.  It not only combines many of my favorite skincare ingredients, it introduces a new one - Emblica!

What Problem Skin? #RevivaLabs

Press Samples.  All opinions are my own. 

Hello, Fireflies!

I am woman of many contradictions, and one of the biggest ones is on my face.  I'm no longer a teenager, but still suffer from oily skin and blemishes!  When I look for skincare products to balance my skin, I have to be careful that they are not harsh or drying, because that oily skin is also getting older and more delicate.

Energize My Eyes #RevivaLabs

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Every year around the holidays, I tell myself that I'm going to take it easier, not stress, not try to do it all.  Some holidays I make it, and some I don't.  This year, I'm feeling the stress.  So, I'm trying to take some time to take care of me and my skin, including trying this new eye kit from Reviva Labs  - Myoxinal-Infused Collagen Fibre Eye Pads with Skin Energizing Gel.  It can't turn back time (only Cher can do that, y'all!) but can it help energize my eyes?

Feed Your Face with Reviva Labs Nourishing Cream #RevivaLabs

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I've been reviewing all kinds of skincare, but this is the first time I can remember reading a product label and it says that it has these wonderful fatty acids in it, but your skin can be improved even more if you get these ingredients in your diet, as well.  Nourishing your skin from both within and without isn't a new concept, but I've just not seen it so blatantly on skincare before.  Just another reason I love Reviva Labs and their holistic view of skincare - natural, healthful, and cruelty-free!

Wattle no more! With Reviva Labs DMAE Firming Fluid #RevivaLabs

Press Sample. All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

There are several different ingredients that I know my skin likes to help it look its best:  Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid, Collagen.. but I have a new one today to add to the list:  DMAE.  If you have skin that is becoming more fragile, especially on the neck, read on to see what this elixir can do!

Oxygenate My Face! #RevivaLabs

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

 Hello, Fireflies!

I have tried clay masks, sheet masks, snail masks, blue masks, yellow masks, pink masks - alllll kinds of masks.  This Reviva Labs Green Papaya & Hydrogen Peroxide Oxygen mask is the first kind of mask I've tried like this!

Reviva Labs Hawaiian Seaweed Cleansing Milk

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

When I was growing up, we thought that clean skin meant using harsh cleansers and astringents that dried up all the oil.  Thank goodness that we now know that just encourages excessive oil production, and more breakouts.  As an, um, mature woman who STILL has oily skin, I need to take better care of my face.  I wasn't sure about using something as gentle as a cleansing milk - could it still take care of the oils but also care for my aging mug?

Reviva Labs Nasolabial Fold + Multi-Peptide Cream - a Great Cream With A Weird Name #RevivaLabs

Product Provided For Review.  All Opinions Are My Own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I'm learning the lingo of skincare.  I can say, "hyaluronic acid" three times, fast.  I am realizing the benefits of Niacinamide, and Retinols, and have tried more plant oils than you can shake a stick at.

So, when I was asked if I wanted to try Reviva Labs new Nasolabial Fold + Multi-Peptide Cream, my first response was, "Naso-what?" Maybe, yours was too.  I'm glad I can now pronounce it and I'm really glad I tried it, because now I have a fighting chance against those stubborn deep wrinkles around my nose (naso) and lips (labial)!

Reviva Labs Pomegranate Exfoliant #RevivaLabs

Hello, Fireflies!

Sundays have become my pampering days.  I wash my hair and put on a deep-conditioning masque, and while that is doing its thing, I do a scrub on my body and a masque on my face, too.

When I'm all done, I take a nap.

All things that are good for the body and soul, if you ask me.  This week, instead of a traditional masque, I decided to add in my Reviva Labs Pomegranate/Lactic Acid Peptide and Botanical Exfoliant.  I've used it a few times already, and it's perfect for a shower-time masque, even if you don't have time for a full pampering experience.

As with all of Reviva's products that I'm aware of, the packaging comes with a nice reminder of when you should finish the product.  It's also not made with any animal products or tested on animals, and it's paraben-free.

I really like it when I can recognize so many of the ingredients in my skin care.  Bentonite and Kaolin clay are great for absorbing oils and toxins, pomegranate and lactic acid help mitigate damage to the skin, and you can cook with thyme, bran, pepper, and oregano.  Maybe season a nice tomato sauce...

You can definitely feel the exfoliating pieces in this scrub, but they're not harsh or jagged.  In fact, you can use this scrub 3-4 times a week if you'd like, but I like to alternate with other masques for different outcomes.  I also like to keep my skin guessing.

I love to do clay masques, but I don't always have the time to wait 15-20 minutes for it to dry.  This exfoliant only takes 3-4 minutes.  It doesn't dry hard on me, but rather the texture gets a little crumbly.  The directions call for rubbing it off with a dry towel or your fingers, and then rinsing off the rest.  I lightly scrubbed it with my fingers, and then rinsed off the rest in the shower.

My Sunday Relaxed-Post-Scrub-Post-Nap-No-Makeup Face.  I love that the skincare I use makes me feel better about my own clean 40+ year old skin.

I can't recommend the stable of products from Reviva Labs enough.  Here's my review of their Seaweed Soap, and also their Hypoallergenic Mascara, and also their Vitamin K cream. I also recently reviewed their Elastin Serum and DMAE Cream.  If you'd like more information or to purchase Reviva Labs products, please check out their Facebook page, or their website.

Do you have a pampering day?  What kinds of products do you use?

Reviva Labs Floral Nail Art, Revisited

Hello, Fireflies!

Who knew I'd miss doing floral nail art so much?  When I did this look for yesterday's post on Reviva Labs, I fell in love.

 I didn't take any pictures of the creation, but I did take a few more of the finished product..

I started with two coats of Wet 'n Wild LAC-My Mani, a pale cream matte from their new Fall LE collection.  Over that, I did a light sponge of Revlon Essence, a dusty green, and a little white.

I did a one-stroke technique for the flowers, where I loaded a flat paintbrush with Sally Hansen White Tip on one edge, and Koco Mountain Of Youth on the other, blended a little, and then created the flowers.  A few dots of white and black in the center completed the look.

No topcoat this time - I wanted to preserve the contrast of the glossy and slightly textured flowers against the matte background.

Bottle shot:  Wet 'n Wild LAC-My Mani, Sally Hansen White Tip, Revlon Essence, and Koco Mountain Of Youth

On the one hand, it kinda reminds me of a bedspread my mom would love.  On the other, I totally love it, and found myself sneaking peeks at it.  And it's not holo, OR flakie.  Who knew?

Have you ever surprised yourself with how much you loved a particular makeup or nail polish look?

Reviva Labs - Lastin' With Elastin, DMAE Cream Keepin' On

Hello, Fireflies!

My love for Reviva Labs is no secret.  I've loved everything of theirs that I've tried.  I dig their simple, slightly retro packaging.  Their price point is super reasonable for the amount and efficacy of their products.

When I was asked if I wanted to try their newly reformulated Elastin Serum, at first I was like, sure! and then, I was like, what's that?

As we age, our skin starts to lose its ability to bounce back into place after being stretched.  Our skin's loss of Elastin is partially responsible for that.  This high-potency serum feeds the skin special Elastin to help boost its elasticity and firmness.

One of the changes to this product was the change from glass ampoules to this great little pump.  I love pump dispensers for serums, as it allows me better control over how much I dispense, and keeps the rest of the supply from being contaminated.

When I read on the back of the packaging about how this serum works best when alternated with their DMAE serum, a lightbulb went off - I had purchased their Alpha Lipoic Acid, Vitamin C Ester & DMAE Cream a bit ago, but I hadn't used it yet.  So, I decided to pair them together.

DMAE is a lifting and firming agent, and the Vitamin C and Alpha Lipoic Acid help fight free radicals and aging.

Before I go on, can I just point out that Reviva Labs puts an expiration date on all their products - in plain sight? I wish more companies did this.  I also love that Reviva Labs is cruelty-free.

The hook for this product is not just in the ingredients, but in the way they are blended together, and the liposome technology that delivers the ingredients to the skin.

Ok, I know, it's a tub.  I know how some of us feel about tubs of products, but it's a cream, so I'm not sure how well it would work in a dispenser.  That aside, the texture of this cream is like a gel-cream hybrid.  I really like gel-like creams because they seem to work really well with my oily skin. 

What I didn't get from this? more breakouts.  That's right, this duo of skincare didn't cause my skin to breakout or get irritated. More often than not, when I try anti-aging products, they are too rich for my oily skin, and it's pimple-city.  I was so happy that my skin loved these products.

What did I notice?  After using this combination nightly for a few weeks, I noticed something I'd never noticed before.  I guess I absentmindedly touched my cheeks, and I was startled.  They were..plumper.  The texture was firmer and denser.

I actually spent a few minutes just touching my face.  It was pretty cool. I've been testing another skincare regimen for about a week, and that effect has diminished, so I'm pretty sure it was a result of the Elastin and/or DMAE cream.

You know I love a product when I do a mani inspired by it.  This floral nail art is inspired by the DMAE Cream packaging.

I can't recommend the stable of products from Reviva Labs enough.  Here's my review of their Seaweed Soap, and also their Hypoallergenic Mascara, and also their Vitamin K cream.  If you'd like more information or to purchase Reviva Labs products, please check out their Facebook page, or their website.

Girls' Day Out - BBCFL at The Salt Room Millenia

Hello, Fireflies!

Last week or so, my handlers let me out of my cage, and I met up with some of the Beauty Bloggers of Central Florida for a complimentary salt room experience!

K what? Reviva Labs Vitamin K cream review and #CFLBeautyBlogger Giveaway!

Hello, Fireflies!

You may have heard me sing the praises of Reviva Labs once or twice - I love everything of theirs that I've tried! I'd only heard rumors of Vitamin K cream, but when I got a chance to try it, I jumped! And, boy am I glad I did.

I have a ton of pix to show you, and a GIVEAWAY at the end, sponsored by Reviva Labs and put together with the Beauty Bloggers of Central Florida, so I hope you'll join me after the jump!

Reviva Labs HypoAllergenic Mascara - Review & Mani

(thanks to Mina Slater for use of this image)

When last we visited the Reviva Labs, I showed you the awesomeness of the Seaweed Soap.  Today, I want to share with you the hypoallergenic mascara.

I started using this mascara after I noticed that my eyes were getting irritated after applying my other mascara.  I have pretty thick, dark lashes with a little bit of curl naturally, but I do like a mascara that adds a little length, and a lot of body.

Without mascara:

With the Reviva Labs mascara:

 Here's what it says on the tube about their product:

I really liked this mascara.  It did smudge a little on me, but to be honest, I've never found a mascara that didn't smudge a little.  I've been using this daily for at least a month, and I haven't had any irritation at all.  I love the way it feels and looks - no flaking, nice thickness, no clumps.

I don't like using oily makeup remover, so I tend to avoid makeup that is difficult to remove, like waterproof mascara.  This mascara removed pretty well with my makeup remover wipes and minimal rubbing.

This is my Reviva mascara mani!  I used OPI Black Onyx for the base, and then used a matte topcoat.  Then I brushed on Orly Glitz and more OPI Black Onyx for the 'eyelashes' on my fingers, and used Orly Glitz for the Reviva logo on my thumb.

I don't think of myself as needing hypoallergenic mascara, but I'm glad to have found this one.  What's your favorite mascara?  Are you looking to try a new one, and if so, would you give Reviva Labs a try?

This product was provided to the Beauty Bloggers of Central Florida for review, however, the opinions stated herein are mine alone and as unbiased as possible.
www.revivalabs.com

Rubba, dubba, scrubba

I admit, I'd never heard of Reviva Labs before the CFL Beauty Bloggers were given some samples of their products to review. 

photo credit:  Mina Slater;  www.minaslater.com

I love trying new soaps, so that's where I started.  Sometimes, you just know it's going to be a great experience - you open the package, and the earthy, light fragrance wafts out.  The bar is solid, but creamy, and the little seaweed bits, well, those were my favorite part.

photo credit:  Mina Slater;  www.minaslater.com

I enjoy having my back lightly scratched, and this scratched me nicely all over.  I will say that my husband didn't like that part, but he doesn't like anything scratchy.  It wasn't rough or harsh at all, but I could definitely feel all the little bits on my skin - and it lasted all the way through the soap. This didn't keep him from using the soap, I will add, he just didn't prefer the texture.  We both liked the scent and the way our skin felt, and the light scent.  I thought it lathered well and lasted a nice, long time.

 photo credit:  Mina Slater;  www.minaslater.com

 In fact, I liked it so much, it inspired me to do a Reviva Seaweed Soap mani! 

The base is Cult Nails Cruisin' Nude.  I added Nubar Black Polka dots to all the fingers except the thumb, and dots of Sally Hansen Chrome Penny for Your Thoughts to all the fingers.  On my thumb is my attempt at the little Reviva logo.

Reviva Labs products are available at http://www.revivalabs.com, and this soap is on sale for $4 each. 

This post contains products that were given to me to review.  Nonetheless, the opinions stated are my own, and as unbiased as possible.

http://www.revivalabs.com