Is this Ultra Facial Cream really Ultra? #JoyalBeauty

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Ultra.  Mega.  These words, and ones like them get thrown around so much, they are starting to lose their meaning!  Is this Ultra Facial Cream really deserving of the moniker?

Make An Aging U-Turn with #YouTurnUSA

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

If only we could make a literal U-Turn down the aging path and start looking and being younger again.  Though, I don't want to go back to high school... maybe my 30s.  I loved my 30s.

After the Peel is Done, the Pain is Gone... #ceramidefacialcream

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello Fireflies!

When I first started trying chemical face peels, I really thought that my skin was going to actually peel off, you know, in sheets.  Rest assured - at least with none of the peels I've tried - there's no molting of entire sheets of skin.

Some of the peels, though, especially those with high levels of AHA, can sting and burn, and leave the face red and sensitive for a while afterwards.  So I was really happy when Max Life offered this Ceramide Moisturizing Post-Peel cream for me to try.

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!

Fight the 12 Signs of Aging with Science #StriVectin

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I review a lot of different kinds of skincare, from drugstore, to Amazon, to high-end.  There are great products at every level, for every skintype.  Some luxury products are worth it because of how they make you feel, and some are worth it for the results they give you.

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!

LeliaSea Luxe Lotion

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

A while back, I made an online friend who lives in Israel, and we had a cosmetics swap between us.  Among other things, she sent me a lotion made with Dead Sea Minerals, and it smelled so lovely and fresh.  It's long finished now, but it's still one of my favorite lotions ever.  I didn't think I'd ever find another Dead Sea lotion I liked as much - until now!

Nourish and Protect with StriVectin

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I know it's important to wear sunscreen.  I know, I know.  I really don't like most sunscreens, though.  I don't like the typical 'sunscreen smell', and I don't like how heavy they usually feel, and I don't like how they often feel greasy or take forever to absorb so I can put on makeup.

I was given the opportunity to try StriVectin Repair & Protect Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30, and I can now feel good about wearing sunscreen!

Body Merry Age Defense Neck Cream #bodymerry

Product provided for review.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

It's been said that there's nothing sexier than the curve of a woman's neck.  If you're like me and gravity is turning that curve into a wattle, maybe it's time to look into a neck cream like Body Merry Age Defense Neck Cream.

Instantly moisturized with InstaNatural Youth Express Vitamin C Moisturizer! #InstaNatural

Hello, Fireflies!

The two places on your body more likely to betray your age are your face and your hands.  This new Vitamin C Moisturizer from InstaNatural is my latest favorite way to combat both of those problems!

My Oh Me, Keomi! #NaturalSkincare

Product provided for review.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies! 

It may not get that cold here for our Florida winters, but my skin still does need a little extra moisture these days.  I find myself reaching for richer hand creams to slather on at night, and after doing my nails, and when I'm sitting at my desk, or watching TV.. well, all the time, I guess.

Even though it's winter, the scent of Keomi Skincare All Natural Hand Therapy takes me right to spring.

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.

Is Your Skin Moody? It May Need Natural Skincare From The Moody Sisters!

Product provided for review.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

After all the stress that inevitably comes this time of year, maybe your skin becomes Moody like mine has.  The Moody Sisters have a natural skincare line designed to help all moody skins!

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)!

Scarred for Life? Maybe not, with Body Merry Stretch Marks and Scars Defense Cream #bodymerry

Product provided for review.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Having been around this worldy block a few times, my skin isn't as pristine as it once was.  I have some stretch marks and scars that I was tired of seeing, so when I got the opportunity to try out Body Merry's Stretch Marks & Scars Defense Cream, I figured it was worth a try.

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.

Racinne Ultimate Aqua Blanc

Hello, Fireflies!

I'm on a journey with no road map when it comes to figuring out my skincare.  Oily skin is both a blessing and a curse at my age.  Oily skin usually means fewer wrinkles.  But, no one, especially at my age, wants pimples.  Acne leaves red and dark marks on the skin that take longer to heal as I age, and environmental stressors can make any skin dull and lackluster.

So, when I got the chance to try a few products from the Racinne Ultimate Aqua Blanc series, I was excited to see if it could improve the look of my skin.

After cleansing and toning (I used my own cleansers; there is a cleanser and toner in this series which I did not try,) it's time for the Ultimate Aqua Blanc Concentrate serum. 

You know how they have "new car smell" and everyone knows what that is? They should have "expensive skincare smell" too.  I don't know what it is, but there is something about putting on a product that has that particular fragrance... it's not even something I can put my finger on. It's a level of intensity, too.  It's light, fresh, unobtrusive.... classy.  These products from Racinne have it.  Maybe it's playing Jedi-mind tricks on me, but when I smell that scent, I think I'm getting something good.

This serum is thin, but not runny, with a slightly milky look to it.  It contains niacinamide, which my MUA friends tell me is a real skincare workhorse.  It also has lotus stem cell extract, aloe vera, and cucumber extracts to brighten and soothe the skin.  It absorbs quickly, and leaves the skin soft and ready for the next treatment:

The Ultimate Aqua Blanc Boost is both a moisturizer and a brightener.  It also contains the lotus stem cells and niacinamide, and is formulated without hydroquinone.

My oily skin tends to not like very rich creams, and this one is moisturizing without being heavy.  You can see in this picture how it compares to the serum.

I used these products twice a day after cleansing, and in the morning I didn't have to wait to apply my makeup, which I like.  Having to wait for my products to absorb can be a deal breaker for me.

The last product I tried was the Brightening Masque.

I've discovered a new and deep love of all things masque this year, but this type was a new one on me.  It's a creme-like masque that you apply all over your face, let it absorb for about 15 minutes, and then you pat in whatever residue you can, and rinse off the rest.

I've done sheet masques that you pat in the residue and I've done clay masques where you rinse off the hardened clay, but this is a new one on me. It wasn't unpleasant or anything, just strange.

I never applied it so thickly that there was much to tissue off afterwards.  I rather wish it retained that white pigmentation so I could remember to rinse it off afterwards.  I can see forgetting that you have it on!

It's gentle enough to use twice a week.  I would alternate it with some of my favorite deep-cleaning masques, too.  

My overall impression? I really liked these products.  Everything from the packaging to the fragrance and texture reads luxury, but the prices are not exorbitant.  The serum and lotions absorb quickly and, especially at first, feel like they're doing something.  They don't hurt, but you can feel a tingle. After this trial, I still have some dark spots, but I think my skin is brighter, less ruddy, and more luminous. 

If you'd like to try Racinne for yourself, they have inexpensive trial sizes, and their site does say something about free samples.  They also have deals of the week (the masque is half off this week, from $36 to $18!) and promotions.  As of this writing, they have a 20% off code, and also some purchase rewards options, as well as free shipping with a certain amount of purchase.

For more information, you can find Racinne on Facebook, Twitter, and their website.

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.