100% Pure

When I saw the 100% Pure company, I knew I had to check it out.  I'm always trying to watch what I put on my skin and this company really stands out regarding ingredients.  Their products state:

Truly 100% Pure - naver any harsh detergents, synthetic chemicals, chemical preservatives, artificial fragrances or any other toxins.


I had a coupon and combined with a major sale, I ordered 3 products:

First, I wanted to try this silicone-free primer:

Luminous Primer - Vitamins + Antioxidants with Resveratrol

I've used this 2 days so far and LOVE it....so happy with it.

The sale I ran across was on all their Grape Cabernet products and I ordered the hand cream.  The minute I put it to my nose, I thought...Oh no, Koolaid.

Cabernet Grape Nourishing Hand Cream

I put it on and Andy noticed right away....and kept coming close.  I was waiting for the complaints.....and instead, he told me he LOVED the smell.

Last night, I said, "I am shocked smelling like Koolaid is such a good thing" and he exclaimed "THAT's what it is...I've been trying to figure it out!"

Despite the odd scent, this stuff is crazy amazing.....they have quite a few other scents to choose from, too.

And finally, I got a sample of:

Red Wine Resveratrol Nourishing Cream

(Smaller container in photo above.)

You guys, my skin feels amazing....really recommend this.

One of these days, I want to try their fruit-pigmented makeup.

Have you tried any of their products?

Hanging Out in Closets and Smellin' Good!

Well, if you live in the midwest or south, you've probably been enjoying your share of bath tubs and closets this week thanks to the tornadic weather.  We made 2 trips ourselves tonight.  And that is no easy feat, for the girl who can't bend, lift or twist.  Making a huge palette of pillows on the ground, so I can lay fully down....and then struggling to get back up with my muscle weakness in my legs....

Anyhoo...what's the "smellin' good" part?  Well.....I ran across a new product to me (might be new altogether but I don't know).....and it was less than $3.  Seriously!! 

OOOHHH, almost forgot - it is 

PARABEN-FREE!!!!

Parabens are bad....boo hiss...you want to avoid these if at all possible.

Eos Shave Cream - Vanilla  Bliss scent

This is the company that makes those Eos (Evolution of Smooth) round lip balms that are all the rage??  Well this shave cream is SO nice and SO inexpensive!  I found mind at Target.  I am a sucker for "vanilla" because hubs can't handle much of anything else.  NO perfume wearing in this house.  So while hunkering down packed like rabbits in the closet, I smelled GOOD....vanilla bliss on my legs....lol

I did notice it comes in a Pomegranate scent of some kind, but I did not get a chance to check it out.  For the non-vanilla lovers...

I was not contacted or requested by this company to write this review.  I found this item and just love it and had to share!

Revisiting the KollagenX Masks

A few weeks ago, I told you about some amazing masks called KollagenX Rejuvenating 24K Gold Mask that have been available at area TJ Maxx stores and I DID find one at a Marshall's recently.  Both the entire facial mask and the eye masks.  I had heard from a You Tube blogger that one of my favorite beauty gals at You Tube, Tammy at uppiesbeads59, spends upwards of $125-150!!!!!!!!! getting this mask at a professional salon facial.   For ONE!  These packages contain 3 facial masks and 4 eye masks (depending on which one you get).  Can you believe that?  So if Tammy buys one package at TJ Maxx, she saves $420.01 and that is only assuming ONE use, when we know you can get at least 2 uses per mask, giving 6 uses per $29.99??  Are ya following me here?????

Remember these lovely photos:

This product:

Reduces:  melanin production and helps maintain a fair skin complexion. 

Retains:  youthful looking skin by reducing free radical damage to the skin.

Stimulates:  blood circulation for increased nutrient delivery to the skin.

Replenishes:  collagen to keep our skin supple and radiant.


Nourishes:  the skin with natural moisturizing revitalizing nutrients.

Revitalizes:  the skin through cell regeneration.

Well, that was past tense now that she found THESE for $29.99 (facial mask - For 3!) and $14.99 (eye masks - For 4!).    Full price is unknown, as they are only available at select high end salons!  Also realized I can get multiple uses out of each mask if I seal it up tight and put it in the refrigerator.  Woo Hoo!!

These masks are amazingly hydrating....even had hubs try the eye masks one night.  Not his favorite activity, but hey, he was getting jealous of my soft, youthful appearance.  lol  Not sure if he'll be doing that again, but his eyes WERE softer and smoother after that!

OK, so this gal, Tammy, put up another video describing all kinds of masks that she uses......and she talks about the KollagenX near the end, I want to say it was around the 13:00 minute mark?  So hang in there, but you will learn SO much from this video.  And Tammy, well....she's a hoot.  One beautiful lady who wears her hair long like I do......I've learned a ton from her.  I think you will love her too - here is her mask video:

Go visit Miss Tammy and subscribe - as she says, it's an "Anti-ager"!

Do you shop at Origins?

I have never been to an Origins store or counter (in Macy's or Dillards near us), and was surprised when I walked in a stand alone store in a shopping area while hubs shopped for new phones.   I loved how the store was NOT heavily scented, or I would have had to leave.  Why do stores do that?

Anyhoo...I asked what products they have for dry, maturing skin and I was introduced to 2 that I want to strongly recommend.  (Others not so much - for example, their foundation was awful for my skin and their eye cream did nothing for me).

First, for mild exfoliation, you must try the Modern Friction - Nature's Gentle Dermabrasion.........this stuff is amazing.  Very sticky and folks, a little goes a LONG way.  I am still using the sample I was given, 3 weeks later!!  I use this 2-3 times a week.  We weren't going to buy it until they used it on my husband and he was SOLD.   Your skin feels baby soft after using this.  (They also have a Modern Friction for the body, but we didn't try that).  We lucked out and found this at a CCS - a store I had also not visited before, so we saved a bit more.

See how thick this is?

 It has little rice beads in it....

This is obviously smeared over skin....very thick, very sticky.  You lightly dampen your face, then apply a tiny amount.    Then rinse off.  Wonderful stuff.

Now the second product had us hesitant at the get go.  WAY more money than we ever spend (and we haven't spent it yet...more on that).   The new very highly touted Plantscription - Anti-Aging Serum.  Have you heard of it or seen the commercials?

This is the SAMPLE.  The full-size has a pump bottle.  One sample size is one week's worth of product.

The sales lady explained that this is their best new creation - an "all natural Retinoid", since Retinols are so damaging to the skin.  Using this plant-based product, the skin is safer but still sees similar or even better results than prescription Retinol products.   Lines and wrinkles were greatly diminished in clinical trials.

Well, my engineer husband just really wanted to know WHY the cost is $55 for 1 fl oz (that they say will last 3 months but engineer hubby did the math and will actually run out sooner compared to the sample size)? Me too.   That gal gave us a sample and assured us we'd be back.    From what I've been reading online in testimonials, long-time Youthtopia users went to the store with a scowl, NOT planning on liking Plantscription and now they are saying "Youthtopia who?"  lol

It takes a TINY amount - more is not better!  You put it on after the toner but before your moisturizer.  I use this much or LESS each morning and evening:

Sorry for the blurry photo - this product is very smooth and thinly creamy...not sure how to describe.  It leaves a light film on the face before soaking in.  You almost can't feel it.

 As I mentioned, we were traveling last week, so guess what we did?  We ended up acquiring 5 samples at 5 different stores!!!!!!!  The advertising states that one will see dramatic results within 6 weeks, so we decided to find out before purchasing.  Smart, eh? 

I can tell you that SOMETHING huge has happened to my skin in the last 2 weeks.  Is it the Plantscription and/or the Modern Friction?  I cannot tell you for sure, but it is amazing.  Hubs has actually stopped and looked deeply at my skin, run his fingers across my face and asked what was different.  Remember he's an engineer.  I'm not "data".  lol  If HE noticed, it is noticeable.

Am I going to run out and purchase this?  No.  Honestly, not in the budget and I am still deeply in love with my Simply Divine Botanical  - all natural, no chemicals whatsoever - skin care products (that I have written about MANY times...) and have plenty of those to use up.  But I will wait and see what my skin does after I run out of samples.  lol  And then, I'll give another opinion.  Is it really something I can't live without?  We'll see.

Meanwhile, Hubs and I BOTH are using the Modern Friction......such wonderful, soft skin.  And at the amounts required, that tube will last us over 6 months if not longer.

If you didn't already know, Origins is a very "sample-friendly" store.  Just go in and ask for a sample or schedule a free facial...and they will explain the best products for your skin type and the steps recommended.

*I was NOT compensated in any way for this post by any company.  My opinions are truthful and my own.

High End Face Mask with Unbelievable Savings

Yes, you read that right!!!  I was watching some You Tube videos the other day, and a beauty gal mentioned that the KollagenX  24K Gold facial masks were on sale at TJ Maxx for $29.99 for 3 of them!  These same masks are used in high end salons and the visits start at $150!

Here is some info on the KollagenX mask:

Active Ingredients

Collagen, 24NM Gold Grains, Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin E, Rose Essential Oil,

Amino Acid, Foliage Extract Essence, Vitamin Active Gene, Purified Water

US Patent Pending / Registered Trademark

I looked REALLY cute with it on for 30 minutes!

Spooky, isn't it!  lol  It is really slippery but felt like velvet.  My skin was beautiful the next morning.  I guess the collagen mask is something else.  And why salons can get away with charging so much!

I also found the under eye patches at another store for $14.99!  Used those last night and this morning, my under eye area is so smooth!

 

If you desire a spa treatment without the spa price, look for these at your local TJ Maxx!  (I haven't found them at Marshall's.)

Added:  I had to put this picture on since it is creeping out my sister!  Love ya Sis!

Show Us Your Life - Beauty Tips

This is a perfect time to put a post up about my current beauty tips.  I love reading other blogs and getting ideas of what works and what doesn't!

First things first:  Shower

I have had so much success with the following hair products, my husband has started using the shampoo.  His hair was thinning more and more and frankly, he was using products with ingredients that cause hair loss!  When someone mentioned my luxurious hair and fast growth, he had a light bulb moment.  His hair looks amazing now!

I have wavy, "can be curly if I try hard" hair and this shampoo and condition is to die for:

 Kinky Curly "Come Clean" Shampoo and "Knot Today" Conditioner.

These do NOT have SLS or other damaging products.  I purchase mine at Whole Foods - but you might need to ask - they usually are not with the other shampoos and hair products.

Also in the shower, every day I will use Burt's Bees Citrus Facial Scrub.  Love this! It is  a grainy, fruity concoction.  I get a little bit and smear it all over and scrub, being careful to not let chunks fall on the floor.  I buy mine at Target as I can't find it anywhere else around here.

When I get out of the shower and squeeze excess water out of my hair carefully, I use a Microfiber towel to soak the rest of the water.  This is incredible!!  I bought a "dog" towel at a local store that works just as well and much cheaper!  This will eliminate blow drying time. 

The product that has transformed my hair into luxurious is Morrocanoil.  This smells heavenly and the result in my hair is amazing.  I never spend this much money on my hair, but after my stylist used it month after month.....I was convinced.  You cannot find a single negative testimonial about this - folks swear by it.  Be careful ordering on Amazon - I've heard there are some "fake" products being sold.  I buy mine at my salon.

I've also started using Agadir Argon Oil Spray and it is also wonderful.  I had used it only once when I went to my stylist and she mentioned how soft and healthy my hair was.  For processed hair, that is a good thing!

I put this on after I take my hair out of the drying microfiber towel.

 While my hair is up in the microfiber towel, I use my highly recommended  

Simply Divine Botanicals  

products.  I swear by these.   I am 44 and after 1 year with these products, my skin looks like this:

Please excuse the marks on my nose from my cheap reading glasses.

I have written many times about these products - click HERE.

This company uses ALL NATURAL ingredients - we should be careful what we put on our skin.  Read my link above or go to the company to read all about their philosophy and ingredients.

Be sure to order SAMPLES.  I recommend the main sample pack and the seaweed sample set to start off with.  Samples are great for traveling!

These are the photos of the products I love.

Butter Me Up - VERY thick, I use this every day on my newly shaved legs.  Several scents to choose from.

Body Cream - very much like normal lotion.  Several scents to choose from.

Honey I Shrunk the Pores - LOVE this.  Use it 3-4 times a week.  My skin is so tight afterward.  You could eat - smells very raspberry. 

Peel Me a Papaya - this looks like oatmeal and I keep it in the shower, being careful not to get it moist.  I pour a little in my hand, add a tiny bit of water, tilt my head back (so as not to lose much on the floor) and then scrub into my skin for 2-3 minutes.  I had hubs do this the other day and he was surprised how soft his skin was afterward.

Amazing Face - my favorite day cream.  Light lemongrass scent.

Creme de Rose- a light rose scent.  My daily night cream.  

Rose du Jour - another light day cream.  LOVE the strong rose scent.

Gypsy Rose Tea Astringent/Toner - I've NEVER used this type of product before and now I can't live without this.  Use it morning and night and it lasts forever.

Black Velvet Fabulous Foaming Face Wash - you have to try this to believe it.  Your skin honestly feels like VELVET after use.  They also have one for blemish-prone skin called You Can't Zit Here Foaming Face Wash.  I go to her "Tools" section and also buy the Foaming Bottle for $4 - the product lasts longer this way and actually foams.

Skincredible - a tantalizing sandalwood scent, great for rosacea, wrinkles, bruises, cracked skin, broken capillaries, blemishes, discoloration and other skin issues.

Melon Medley - I love this serum.  While it is oily to touch, my skin soaks it up and feels so soft.


Pure Rose Distillate - I spray this on multiple times a day for hydration. I love the rose scent - very calming.


~~~~~~~~~~

A sea salt peel I have used for the last 7 years is Swisa  Beauty Dead Sea Facial Peel.   I used to find it in mall kiosks, but now order it off ebay.  Your skin, in one use, will say WOW.  You won't believe how much dead skin you peel off and then are left with baby bottom soft skin.

I use once a week.

I also swear by my DermaNew Microdermabrasion System (that I found for a steal at Marshalls!) 

Did you know that products like C.hapstick have some ingredients that not great for us?  We started using this Vitamin C lip balm from Walgreens, and my "chapstick addicted" husband switched over and has never gone back.  Try this for super smooth, nourished lips.

As for makeup, I have several products I highly recommend:

Nars Orgasm Blush - I've used this on all my female family members and it was beautiful!  I would normally NOT have bought this color but reading all the amazing testimonials, I gave it a try.  So glad I did!

VERY pigmented and lasts forever.  I've had this over a year and use it all the time!

Urban Decay Primer Potion - ever wish your eye shadow would stay all day and not crease?   I prefer the EDEN, as it gives me a neutral base.  The original one goes on clear. 

Some of my favorite brushes come from CVS - Essence of Beauty - check them out!

Dual Ended  - packs on color very well.

I recommend getting these makeup palettes at Sephora.  My husband just commented the other day how much use I get out of them.  Easy to travel, too.

This one has colorways that pull out to take with you for the day.

Use a fan brush for your blush - makes a huge difference.  You can run this brush through multiple colors at a time, shake and then apply.  Perfection.  Also use a Kabuki brush for all over blending.

Kabuki and Fan brushes

And ladies, the PERFECT under eye concealer is by Eve Pearl:  Salmon Color!!!  You will be shocked at how well this works.

Another new product I am using is to contour - this one is great!

Smashbox Contour Kit

Oh and almost forgot - my newest purchase -

M.A.C. Mineralized Skin Finish in Soft and Gentle.  Fantastic highlighter!!

 

Two inexpensive Sally Beauty Supply products are:

Palladio Herbal Facial Primer

and

Palladio Rice Powder

And I recommend keeping everything well organized!

One more huge beauty tip for those of us over 35.  When we use peach products with our brown eyes, it ages us.  Try using more pink/purple tones (as a neutral) and see if folks don't comment on looking younger!  I didn't believe it until I tried it. Now, you will hardly ever find me in neutral, peach shades.

This colorway is your friend!!!  Give it a try before saying "no".  I did and now won't go back.

I think this about covers it.  So many more things, but these are my favorites.  Enjoy!  Now I'm off to go see other blogs and ideas!!

 Kelly's Korner Blog