Skin Care - L'Oreal RevitaLift Bright Reveal

So I recently signed up for Influenster Canada and received a VoxBox from L'Oreal to test. Within the box, was their new JLo spokesperson Bright Reveal line. As I am becoming older I realize how important skin care is and I take great pleasure with a skin care routine, as it allows me to wind down before bed and relax. I have used it for a couple of days and truly, you cannot review a skin care line until you have used it for at least a month. Instead, I am going to discuss my first impression and then follow it up with a full review after using it for a while.

Brightening Scrub Cleanser - is a daily scrub cleanser containing Glycolic acid and Perlite. First, what is Perlite? Google to the rescue. According to www.perlite.org, it is "a naturally occurring siliceous volcanic rock". Therefore, I am assuming the "grit" is this.  Secondly, the glycolic acid does not have an indicated percentage.
I am not a proponent of daily scrubs. I say this because too much physical exfoliation can lead to micro tears and inflammation of the skin, thus more break outs. Additionally, I prefer chemical which this line already has with its glycolic pads. The cleanser is perfumed with a clean, fresh scent and also contains sodium laureth sulfate. Both of which are irritants to the skin, with the latter potentially drying out the skin.
My thoughts so far are mediocre due to the scent, the recommended daily exfoliation and the ingredients.

Brightening Peel Pads- claims to resurface uneven skin. Immediately brightens. Reduces wrinkles* (in terms of looks).  It contains 10% Glycolic Complex, a combination of citric acid, glycolic acid and HEPES (-hydroxyethyl)-piperazineethanesulfonic acid). For me, I would like to know the percentage of  each acid within the complex.
My first impression is a good one, but I am a little biased as I enjoy a chemical exfoliation. These are gentle and do not make my skin sting. These are great for glycolic virgins.

Brigtening Daily Lotion with SPF 30-  this contains Glycolic acid, Vitamin Cg (Ascobyl Glucoside) and Pro-Rentinol (Retinyl Palmitate). I love the idea of Vitamin C with my moisturiser; however, I am not a fan of using retinols nor glycolic acid during the day. For me, using retinol  and glycolic acid during the night where cell turnover is at is most efficacious, is best. Again, the packaging does indicated the amount of glycolic acid, which is irksome. However, I am glad it contains a broad spectrum sunscreen Octocrylene 7%, Homosalate 5% Octisalate 5% and Avobenzone 3%. All of which are chemical sunscreens. In addition, one the ingredients closest to the beginning is dimethicone, which is a silicone and will give the skin a soft, velvet feel.
I can appreciate a broad spectrum especially if it contains pro-retinol and glycolic acid. It would be irresponsible of them not to. However, I do not like silicone in my moisturiser as it leads to a false sense of smoothness and silicone can block pores. It absorbs nicely into the skin without the white cast that many sunscreens give. The scent is very light and clean.

Brightening Dual Overnight Moisturiser -  this contains 4% glycolic acid and pro-retinol, which is where it should be. It has a dual chamber, one is transparent, while the other is semi-opaque with a pearlescent quality. Once pumped, the texture is silky and slightly thin.
Looking at the ingredient list, you find glycolic acid near the beginning, which is fantastic but the pro-retinol near the bottom. Furthermore, dimethicone is also near the beginning.
Even though it has silicone in it, I am enjoying it thus far. While at first it feels slightly tacky, this fluid texture eventually absorbs well into the skin, leaving it smooth and feeling hydrated. Anytime, you moisturise  your skin at night, your skin will thank you.

These are just a few of my thoughts and observations
Megsx

Winter Skin

The snow and the temperatures are starting to fall and inevitably our skin will take the hit. Winter skin, you know that tight, dehydrated feeling where our skin feels like it is going to crack, isn't pretty. The first thing we want is to slather the richest and most emollient product on our chapped skin. We also want to prevent it from getting to that point. It is confusing out there as some ingredients are good, whilst others impede the skin . For example, any product with phenol, petroleum, and lanolin prevent the lip from naturally producing oils. Additionally, there is a line with exfoliating- too little, you will have patches of dry skin, too much and your skin will over produce oil and skin will be irritated. Furthermore, lips need exfoliation, but no need to use overpriced products, just gently use a soft toothbrush or a wash cloth with warm water.

Here are some recommendations:

Moisturisers/Treatments

• Avene Skin Recovery- soothes and protects, comes in rich and original- Most Pharmacies
• Avene Soothing Hydrating Serum-Most Pharmacies
• Avene Soothing Hydrating Mask- Most Pharmacies
• Vichy Nutrilogie 1 and Nutrilogie 2- for dry and very dry skin- Most Pharmacies
• La Roche Posay Toleriane- comes in Rich for dry skin and original for normal skin, soothes and protects- Most Pharmacies
• La Roche Posay Lipikar - Baume AP, Surgras, Syndet, Body Milk- the entire range is fabulous for dry skin- Most Pharmacies
• RoC Enydrial lip balm- Most Pharmacies
• Korres Yogurt cream- for dehydrated oily skin- Sephora
• Clarins Hydrating Serum - The Bay, Murale, Shoppers Drug Mart, Sephora

Cleansers  Avoid foaming cleansers and sodium laureth sulfate (detergent). Water can also dry out our skin.

• Bioderma Sensibio (Crealine) Micellaire cleanser-  Rexal, Shoppers Drug Mart,
• Korres 3-in-1 Milk- Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart
• Avene Gentle Cleansing Milk- Most Pharmacies

 

Not only does winter dictate our cleansing and moisturising routine, but it also effects the kind of makeup we wear. Our skin has a tendency to lack radiance, so wearing a foundation with that added gleam will wake it up. Furthermore, a rosy bloom or that scary bright pink will add life to your pallor. Honestly, I am not one who likes powder as it accentuates any dryness, so using cream blushes are fabulous.

Foundations:

• Lancome Teint Miracle- Holt Renfrew, Shoppers Drug Mart, Murale, The Bay, Sephora
• Clarins Super Restorative- The Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart, Murale
• Bourjois Healthy Mix- Shoppers Drug Mart
• Chanel Vitalumiere- Murale, The Bay, Holt Renfrew
• L'Oreal Magic Lumi- Most Pharmacies, Walmart



Blushes:

• MAC - Pink Swoon (powder)- MAC counters
• Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge - Pale Pink, Pink Truffle, Chocolate Cherry- Murale, Holt Renfrew
• Stila Convertible Colour- Rose, Fuchsia- Murale, Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart
• Shiseido - PK304 (powder) - The Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart, Murale
• Revlon- Berry- Most Pharmacies, Walmart
• Nars- Cactus Flower - The Bay, Murale

If you have any other suggestions, please leave a comment below. Hopefully, this winter our skin won't feel the -20 ....brrrrrr

Take care,
xo Megs

Review: A B C's of BB creams

image source:beautyblitz.com

Blemish Balms or Beauty Balms (BB), whatever you want to call them, are the latest buzz product in North America and I am asked about them all the time.  First, just a little bit about them. They have been around the beauty industry in Asia via Germany a number of years ago as a skin treatment/protector with the ability to cover and an alternative to heavy foundations.

Skip to now, where Western beauty companies stretched the term BB Cream to their versions. I say versions because they are not quite the same as their Asian counterparts. Not to say they are not fantastic products, but let's call them what they are - a repackaged and re-marketed tinted moisturizer. As aforementioned, true BB Creams are a skin treatment with coverage and the Western versions also "treat" the skin, ish.  For instance, most prime, moisturise, cover, and protect. All of which have done in the past/present by tinted moisturisers. With that said, the newest bunch have started to include such ingredients as vitamin c and hyaluronic acid. Making them closer to the Asian versions. Some of the BB Creams on the market include:

• Maybelline Dream Fresh BB- sheer to light coverage, SPF 30, oil free, moisturising, five colours,good for combo skin
• L'Oreal Magic Skin Beautifier BB- granular,very sheer radiance, moisturizing, four colours, dry skin
• L'Oreal Youth Code BB Cream-  SPF 15, two colours, light coverage, normal to dry
• Marcelle BB Cream- sheer to light coverage, moisturising,radiance, two colours, dry skin
• Marcelle Anti-Aging BB Cream-  SPF 20, two colours, medium coverage, hydrating, radiance, normal to dry skin (My favourite)
• Garnier BB Cream Skin Renew- light coverage,Vitamin C,  moisturizing, two colours, combo skin
• Gosh BB Cream- liquid/runny, sheer to light coverage, moisturizing,four colours, dry skin
• Annabelle BB Cream- SPF 15 medium coverage, moisturising, two colours,normal to dry skin
• Clinique Perfecting BB Cream- light coverage, three colours (very pink), moisturising, radiance, combo skin
• Stila HD 10-in-1 Beauty Balm- one colour, sheer, hydrating, oil free, paraben free, normal to dry.
• Smashbox BB Cream- SPF 35, tacky, light coverage, five colours, dry to combination skin
• Lancome Renergie Eclat Multi-Lift BB Cream- more anti-aging ,poor blendabilty, moisturizing, illuminates, three colours, mature dry skin
• Vichy Pro-Even BB Cream- SPF 20, two colours, moisturising, normal to dry, medium coverage, Vitamin C and E, hyaluronic acid
• Vichy Neovidol BB Cream- one colour, mature skin, dry, anti-aging

As for the Asian BB creams most are Korean such as Dr. Jart, Missha, Lioele, and Skin Food. These lovelies fight blemishes, have anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory ingredients. Why didn't I buy them when I lived there?!!!

This isn't to say that North America doesn't have a BB Cream... it just doesn't call itself that. In Canada, Cover FX is such a product and is put in the category of a Cosmeceutical - cosmetics that heal, protect and treat the skin, thus a traditional Asian BB Cream.  It contains vitamins F, A, C and E and was developed at Sunnybrook Hospital for those who had scars, rosacea, and burns. Fantastic company and products. I use them on brides and they photograph beautifully.

I apologise with the length, but as a consumer, especially in the beauty industry, it can be overwhelming. Therefore, clarification, information and suggestions are definitely needed. So, now that we have a clearer understanding of these guys, companies are now introducing the CC cream- colour and correct, or colour and care. They one upped the BB cream. The two I have heard about are from Chanel and Oil of Olay.

Whatever you choose, they are a fabulous alternative to foundation and easy to use. Let me know which BB Cream you like.

Take Care,
xo Megs

The Who's Who of Beauty

As someone who uses and "collects" makeup, I have a habit of being a tad biased when it comes to some companies. I have always noticed, whether it was the packaging, texture or ingredients, obvious similarities between high-end and low-end cosmetics. This can be explained by who owns them. Now, most people know L'Oreal owns Lancome, Maybelline, Vichy and La Roche Posay and Estee Lauder owns Clinique and MAC, but there were some other brands that many do not know about. There are four major players on the beauty scene and these include Estee Lauder, L'Oreal, Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy (LVMH) and Shiseido.

I have compiled lists of some of the companies and their brands:

Estee Lauder

• Aramis
• Clinique
• Smashbox
• MAC
• Prescriptives
• Bobbi Brown
• Origins
• Tommy Hilfiger
• La Mer
• Aveda
• Jo Malone
• Bumble and Bumble
• Michael Kors
• Darphin
• Tom Ford
• Coach
• Ojon

L'Oreal

• L'Oreal Paris
• Garnier
• Maybelline New York
• Essie
• Giorgio Armani
• Keratase
• Redken
• Matrix
• Shu Uemura
• Ralph Lauren
• Lancome
• Helena Rubinstein
• Biotherm
• Cacharel
• Viktor and Rolf
• Diesel
• The Body Shop
• YSL Beaute
• Vichey
• La Roche Posay
• Kiehl's
• Roger & Gallet
• Skinceuticals
• Stella McCartney

LVMH

• Benefit
• Acqua di Parma
• Guerlain
• Givenchy
• Marc Jacobs
• Christian Dior
• Kenzo
• Fresh
• Make Up For Ever
• Sephora's namesake line
• Fendi

Shiseido

• Ayura
• Cle de Peau
• Decleor
• Iso Hair
• Joico
• NARS Cosmetics
• Jean Paul Gaultier
• Issey Miyake
• Narciso Rodriguez
• John Varvatos

Bourjois/Wertheimer

• Bourjois
• Chanel

Clarins

• Kibio
• Thierry Mugler
• Azzaro
• Stock holder in L'Occitane

Revlon

• Revlon
• Almay

Coty

• Rimmel London
• Lancaster

Elizabeth Arden

• Prevage
• Fragrances such as Britany Spears

Surprising eh? So when we look at a Lancome mascara, just know that the L'Oreal mascaras have the same research/technology and ingredients behind it. Or when we look at the baked blushes at Bourjois and compare them to Chanel, they are going to be relatively similar, at a fraction of the cost.

Cheers,
xo Megs