After You Labor, Pamper! #AntiquityBC

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Today is Labor Day, a day that has its roots in the Labor movement, but has come to mean having a day off from work.  If you're working hard today, you're gonna wish you had one of these amazing soaps from Antiquity BC to clean off with afterwards!

Cleansing, Firming, Exfoliating, Toning, Mattifying #InstaNatural

Press Samples.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

It's been a while since I've had the chance to review anything from Instanatural, and now they're all grown up!  Sleek new packaging and graphics, and new formulas that my oily skin is just loving.  I've been starting my cleansing skincare routine with just two of their new products, but they do so much, it's like I'm using more!

ClEansing With Derma E

Press Samples.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I have become a real skin-care addict these days, interested about this new ingredient here, or that new formulation there.  There is a special synergy that I enjoy when my skin is rejuvinated by products in one skincare line, though - and I've found some great products from Derma E that I want to tell y'all all about.

Cleansing my Face With Ocean Minerals #AzureNaturals

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

When I think about how I used to clean my face with a bar of body soap and not think about it, I cringe a little.  But, I didn't know anything about skin care when I was younger - it just wasn't on my radar, really.  Now, even my cleanser is an important part of my skincare routine.

Pure + Luxury = #purxury

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I wish I could just intuitively take better care of myself.  I wish I liked only healthy foods, and lots of exercise, and fresh air.  It's really hard for me to make the best choices for my health and well being.  One area I've been able to make some inroads in is with my skincare choices.  Purxury is a brand created by a family looking to get rid of all the toxicity in their lives - to create skincare with natural and organic ingredients with names they could pronounce. It's also made in the USA, fragrance-free, and cruelty-free, too.

Cleansing and Toning with Michael Todd #clearskin #ultabeauty

Press Samples.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I used to not give much thought to cleaning my face.  I may have used bar soap, maybe whatever was in the shower.  I know, I know.  Now that I'm older, with aging, but still oily skin, I've done a 180 and am obsessed with finding solutions to my particular skin issues.  I want to have smooth, blemish-free skin that looks healthy and radiant.  One system that helps me out is from Michael Todd Organics.

Jellied soap?

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

When I first started expanding my blog from just nail polish to a wider range of beauty products, one of the things I loved most was discovering new niche products that I'd never heard of before - whether it was a new ingredient, or a whole new way of looking at a product.  I'm so glad I had the opportunity to try a couple of products from Zakia's Morocco, because one was a new mask experience, and the other totally changed how I see soap!

Organically Clean Face! #amaraorganicscleanser #amaraorganicstoner

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

If there's one thing that I've learned since becoming a beauty blogger, it's that no matter what lotions and potions I put on, and no matter what kind of spackle and paint I layer over that, if I don't start with a clean face, I'm just not going to look or feel my best.  With this cleanser and toner from Amara Organics, I get a clean face, and a clean conscience, too!

Battle of the Cleansing Machines: Michael Todd Soniclear Elite v. Foreo Luna

The Soniclear Elite is a Press Sample. I won the Foreo Luna in an iFabbo contest.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Most of us wash our face every day.  I know for most of my life, I didn't think much about it.  At first, it was whatever soap I was using in the shower, then I started using specialized cleansers.  Then, the tools started coming out, and they started getting more and more expensive.  Maybe you haven't been able to decide between some of the options out there.  I've been using both the Michael Todd Soniclear Elite and the Foreo Luna, and I want to share my experience and opinions with you, in hopes it helps you find the right tool for you.

Natural, Nourishing Vitamin C Cleanser from #OZNaturals

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Even though I have oily skin, I really don't love the process of washing my face.  Maybe I was traumatized by years of harsh soaps, but sometimes I even dread the idea of washing my face twice a day.  I'm not sure any cleanser will ever make me LOVE the process, but it's nice to find another cleanser that makes my face feel clean without feeling stripped, and also has botanicals to improve the condition of my skin.

I've Been Carded! #DesiredDiva

Press Sample. All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

When I first became interested in African Black Soap, it was mostly for my husband's eczema-prone skin.  Now, he's lucky if he can pry it out of my hands!  I've used it in liquid form, bars, gel, and today I want to share with you this unique facial cleanser from Desired Diva.

Cleansers for the Whole Body with Oblige by Nature #obligebynature

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Though I'm not always as conscientious about what I put on or into my body as I should be, I'm trying to make better choices about my skincare.  Naprodis, makers of Oblige by Nature, make it easy for me with their amazing French Clay masks and cleansers!

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?

Gel-tastic skincare from OZ Naturals #facialmask #facialcleanser

Product provided for review.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

While you might be thinking, as I did, that OZ Naturals is from Australia, they're actually a US company based in Florida.  OZ is from the abbreviation for the unit of measurement the Ounce.  And, ounce for ounce, these products pack a lot of skin-loving punch.  I was fortunate enough to receive the Ocean Mineral Cleanser, the Amino Herbal Hydration Mask, and the Super Youth Eye Gel to review.

Safe Organic Skincare Answering the SOS for my Oily Skin

Product provided for review.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Spring in Florida has brought temperatures in the 80's, the return of 24-7 A/C, and my oily skin trapping dirt and sweat like a lint roller.  This one-two punch of cleanser and scrub from Safe Organic Skincare has been keeping my face in check!

You're So Vain (Pursuits), You Probably Think This Skincare's About You...

Product provided for review.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Growing up in the 1970's meant that all the personalized products I saw were for girls named Jennifer and Katherine - I never saw my name on anything! As an older woman, I still feel pretty unique in that department, and even as a woman with aging skin that's still oily and prone to breakouts, I still feel like my skincare needs are fairly specialized, and not just anything off the shelf will do.  With Vain Pursuits, I get fulfill the needs of both that little girl I was and the older woman I am! Win/Win!

The Clean I Didn't Expect With Michael Todd True Organics Soniclear!

Product provided for review.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Before I get started, you should know that I am an idiot.  In the picture above, the Soniclear is facing the wrong way in the charger.  Just thought I should get that out of the way.  If you buy this machine, TURN IT AROUND in the charger.

Luckily, it arrived fully charged, and a charge can last 30-40 uses, so I wasn't kept from using it.  And, use it I did.  It's like nothing else I've tried!

Ageless Derma Oil Free Purifying Facial Cleanser Gel #agelessderma

Product provided for review.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

How do you clean your face?  I never knew there were so many choices, but I'm having fun picking textures, scents, and systems that work for me - and may work for you. 

Fusion of Color

Hello, Fireflies!

As I get more into makeup, I'm loving a lot of Indie brands for the great quality and unique colors and products they can offer.  I jumped at the chance to try a few items from Chicago-based Indie, Fusion of Color, owned by Kathy Duncan.

Lots of products, pictures, and a full-makeup look ahead.  Read on to see if I liked this brand!

DermOrganic

Hello, Fireflies!

I recently had the chance to try some products from the DermOrganic line and give my honest review for y'all.  Here's what I received: Hand and Body Moisturizing Lotion, Soapless Facial Cleanser, Daily Moisture Renewal, and 100% Pure Argan Oil.

Let's start with the DermOrganic Hand and Body Moisturizing Lotion, which was one of my favorites.

Originally, I put this in the bathroom, to replace my regular lotion pump, but then my husband said he really liked it as a massage lotion for me, so it got moved right next to the bed! Yes!  It's one of my favorite lotions - a light, kinda herbal-y scent, not greasy, very soft and pillowy, and rich.

Next, the DermOrganic Soapless Facial Cleanser.

This is a luxurious, creamy cleanser.  I'm not sure it was the best for my oily skin - it just didn't feel strong enough? It didn't take my makeup off, either.  I started using it lately with my konjac sponge and I like it better that way.  

The after-cleansing face lotion is DermOrganic Daily Moisture Renewal.

Like the other DermOrganic products I've tried, it has a very light herbal scent, which I like.  A lot of 'fragrance-free' products have a really off-putting smell - I've never found any skin care product that was truly unscented, but this is pretty close.  This lotion is in a pump, which I really like.  About 1 and a half pumps is enough for my face and neck, and it absorbs quickly.  If I put this on right after my shower, my face was ready for primer and makeup when I was.

The product I was most excited to try was the DermOrganic 100% Pure Argan Oil.

I love oils.  I use them all the time, everywhere.  I don't think my skin was ready for 100% Argan oil, though.  To be honest, I don't know which of the products was responsible, since I started using all at the same time, but when I first used these, I got the biggest, most painful, under-the-skin pimple I've ever gotten in my life.  I stopped using this on my face, but I still like it on my hair and hands, but only at night.

I received a sample of DermOrganic Hair Masque from Ulta, and thought I might as well include it here.

I have a ton of thick, curly hair that can be coarse and frizzy.  I have used so many different conditioners and products, but I've never used a hair masque.  I didn't think they'd be different from a deep conditioner.  I was wrong.  This is a sample, so I used the whole bottle in one go. I did use my normal products in my hair afterward, but my hair never felt this good before! Shiny, soft, manageable.  Amazing.

I went out that afternoon, and here's a picture of my hair from that day.  My hair is DOWN! And it's not huge and frizzy!

This is a really great line of products.  Natural, and cruelty-free, too.  Aside from the one painful pimple that only happened once and did go away, there were no other adverse reactions.  It may be that folks with dry or normal skin wouldn't have that problem, but the older I get, the more oily my skin is getting! After about a month of use, my skin is soft, and after one use of the hair masque, my hair feels great.

Ulta does not (yet!) carry the skincare items, but they should have the pure Argan oil on shelves between May and July.  If you'd like more information, or to order DermOrganic products, they have a website, Facebook page, and Twitter.

Two posts today! If you'd like to check out my Dippin' Dotticure for #NailArtForNubs, click HERE!