Tag: BeautyReview

The One Skin Care Product You’re Not Using That You Must: Pond’s Cold Cream!

Published on by Lee1 Comment

Fashion and beauty experts often say, “What’s old is new again.” I see vintage looks from the 70’s, mixes of bold colors from the 80’s, and even bigger hair from the 90’s starting to return now.

In skin care, I’ve been reading a lot about the return of masques lately. But there is one sensational product I haven’t heard much about a revival, and that is cold cream.

While our grandmothers, great-grandmothers, and those at the turn of the 19th-20th century raved about cold cream can do magic for your skin. It is an all-in-one cleanser, makeup remover, and moisturizer.

What Defines a Cold Cream?

Traditionally, a cold cream must be comprised of a few simple ingredients: olive or almond oil, beeswax and water (Journal of Chemical Education, 1944). However, as time passed, the most hydrating cold creams were found to also include occlusive agents to lock moisture in, such as petrolatum or mineral oil. Various ingredients were also added by different manufacturers to infuse a scent or for additional benefits, like antioxidants.

In addition, a “cold cream” must be cooling to meet the definition in a traditional sense. “Cold” is simply a reference to the cooling sensation it causes after being applied, believed to be due to the water content of the cream evaporating off the skin.

Benefits of a Cold Cream

  • Dry skin relief. Those who suffer from dry, flaky patches on the skin will find some relief from regular use of a cold cream.
  • Climate change relief. When the weather changes, the alterations in temperature and humidity can cause variations in the amount of moisture your skin needs. The beauty of a cold cream is that your skin tends to absorb the level of moisture it needs after a few minutes of application, and then the rest is then rinsed away.
  • Excellent for use with a retinoid or AHA. Cold creams can provide an extra level of hydration to aid the irritation associated with strong anti-aging treatments.
  • Cleanser. The oils dissolve all oil-based debris, and the water-based ingredients absorb the water-based products still on your face.
  • Makeup removal.
  • Moisturization. If you leave cold cream on your face, it can penetrate the skin well, leaving it soft and hydrated. Note: If you have oily skin, you may wish to use another cleanser afterwards, as the cold cream may leave your skin feeling a bit oily.
  • Cost and preservation. A cold cream is quite affordable for most persons, and it lasts for a long time.

Who Should Not Use a Cold Cream?

  • Those with oily, very oily, or acne-prone skin
  • Those living in hot, humid climates
  • Those with allergic reactions to oils

Isn’t Mineral Oil Terrible for the Skin?

Cosmetic-grade mineral oil does not generally clog the pores, as many are lead to believe. Cosmetic-grade mineral oil usually warrant only a 1 or 2 rating on a scale from 1-5, with 1 being the least pore-clogging, and 5 being highly pore-clogging.

However, cold cream is not a leave-on product. So using mineral oil in a cleanser gets you all of the hydrating and moisture-locking potential of mineral oil, without the possibility of it trapping comedogenic ingredients against your skin when rinsed properly.

TOP PICK

Ponds Cold Cream Cleanser is by far my favorite at the drugstore. While many drugstore cold creams will give the “cooling” sensation with ingredients that can be irritating or drying like mint or citrus extracts, Ponds Cold Cream Cleanser is simple. It hydrates the skin deeply with mineral oil, water, beeswax, montan wax, and cetyl alcohol, and leaves the skin feeling soft and smooth after its application.

Ingredients: Mineral oil, water, ceresin, beeswax, triethanolamine, ceteth-20, fragrance, behenic acid, montan wax, cetyl alcohol, carbomer, dmdm hydantoin, iodopropynyl butylcarbamate.

Bottom Line

If you are someone with a dry, normal/dry, or normal skin type who is looking for a product to boost the performance of their skin care regimen, I highly recommend adding in a cold cream. Popular in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, I have a feeling cold creams are going to make a comeback soon, with sensational cleansing, makeup removing, and hydrating properties! I highly recommen Ponds Cold Cream Cleanser.

What are your thoughts on cold cream? Let me know in Comments!

KALI | REVOLUTIONIZING PERIODS

Published on by LeeLeave a comment

I am the biggest fan of subscription boxes. The subscription boxes are usually filled with stuff that I’ve never tried before or what I have tried before and loved. Since discovering Knours, I have also came across Kali Box. A company that specialises in delivering chic, organic, and toxin-free tampons, pads and sanitary wipes right to your door. Revolutionary!!

What is Kali?

In a time when everyone is concerned about health, Kali Boxes fits right in.  Their products are made of 100% organic cotton, free from fragrances, parabens, chlorine bleach, dyes, deodorants, and other ingredients that can be harmful to our bodies.  Kali Boxes’ products are vegan and cruelty-free and are also ICEA and GOTS certified. Their individually-wrapped wipettes are also free from harsh ingredients such as chlorine, sulfates, and parabens, and can be used to freshen up any part of your body.  In addition to tampons, pads, panty liners, and wipes, Kali Boxes also carries facial mist, menstrual cups, coconut body scrub, bath soaks, and a custom essential oil blend, all of which are also made of organic ingredients sans any harmful chemicals. Kali Boxes’ mission is to provide you with products that will make you feel good during that time of the month so that you can pamper yourself even when you’re not feeling your best.

Along with your monthly supply of pads, tampons, and wipes, Kali Boxes also includes a free facial mist in every order, as well as a couple of surprises from various brand partners.  These goodies can range from organic deodorants to clay face masks, allowing you to sample new products from the comfort of your own home. Past Kali Boxes brand partners have included HUM Nutrition, Only Hearts underwear, Little Seed Farm, Cocofloss, and many more.  Kali Boxes function as both a feminine product subscription service and a beauty and self-care sample deal, making it one of the best “bang for your buck” subscriptions out there.

Now, I’m usually good at keeping period supplies at home but sometimes I find myself rummaging around the house when that time of the month comes looking for that one pad to rescue me. I usually fail and end up having to send my beautiful mother to the nearest market to grab a box. Pads and tampons are filled with chemicals and harsh materials so it is important to educate yourself on which lady essential to use.

Kali products are exactly the feminine hygiene products I’ve so desperately been searching for. These pads are made with 100% hypoallergenic and certified organic cotton. Absolutely no chemicals!
The tampon and cardboard applicator are 100% biodegradable and ethically and sustainably sourced. They don’t shred fibre either. The liners are also 100% hypoallergenic and made from certified organic cotton. Both of their absorbency is terrific! The wipes come in handy too. It’s great for traveling and freshing up not only your V but also your face and underarm as well. They are 100% Sulfate & Paraben Free, and 99.98% organic and all natural.

The subscription costs roughly around $18 – $22.89 a month depending on the box options. It actually costs about the same as tampons and pads you purchase at the drug store or supermarket but much better quality and better for your body and health. It also saves you a trip to the store and you never have to worry about not having pads each month when your evil step sister flow arrives.

In addition to the regular feminine product subscription, Kali Boxes also offers a teen box catered towards younger girls who might be getting their periods for the first time.  The teen box includes 6 organic cotton teen day pads, 6 teen night pads, 6 teen panty liners, 4 organic tampons with cardboard applicators, and 4 organic tampons with plastic applicators, as well as 10 wipettes and some special product surprises.  The teen box is perfect for younger girls who are new to the world of feminine hygiene and aren’t sure what products they should use. The Kali Lux Teen Kit is a great place to start, as it allows girls to try out different menstrual products and find what works best for them.  The teen box makes a perfect gift for your daughter, younger sister, or niece who may be feeling worried and insecure about starting their period, as this can help them prepare for that time of the month and eliminate any additional stress. Younger girls will also appreciate the extra goodies that come with their Kali Boxes, and they’ll enjoy getting to sample new products.

In addition to offering subscription boxes full of quality organic feminine care products, Kali Boxes also runs Kaliperiodical.com, an informative blog brought to you by the Kali team.  Blog topics on the site include period talk, lifestyle, travel, health and wellness, and sex and relationship advice. The Kali Periodical is a great resource for women of all ages, as it provides insight on everything a modern girl would need to know.  The site is run by Kali CEO Jonna Piira, as well as several other team members, including writers, fitness gurus, and nutritionists. The Kali Periodical is one of the most informative blogs out there for women and definitely worth a visit if you’re looking for fun, educational content.

If all of this information still hasn’t convinced you that Kali Boxes is the best feminine subscription service out there, then I strongly suggest trying it for yourself! To get started, simply take the short quiz on the Kali Boxes website to create a customized box. Your box will ship within 2-3 business days, and then you can expect your boxes to arrive by the first day of every month. With the holidays right around the corner, a Kali Boxes subscription makes a great gift for the women in your life!

Kali Box is the greatest luxury for periods so go ahead and give it a try!

There is No Commitment and you can Pause or Cancel at any time.

KALIBOXES.COM

Have you purchased from them yet? Let me know what you think!

If you have any other subscription boxes suggestions, comment down below.


Lucie and Pompette Lip Batter – 3 in 1 Balm, Gloss and Treatment

Published on by Lee1 Comment

Let’s face it – cute things make for a great gift. Recently I featured the Lucie and Pompette Lip Batter 3 in 1 on my Instagram Story and I figured it was so fun and cute that it needed it’s own post as well.

Back Story: Lucie started with a dream… an idea that makeup is about creating magic within yourself.

When you feel beautiful, you exude confidence. It’s confidence that inspires you to follow your dreams.

Lucie + pompette is a brand that believes in the magic inside every woman and strives to inspire confidence in their ability to live their dreams.

The unique specialty products are made with the finest ingredients, most innovative formulas, and the utmost care.

Lucie + Pompette offers products that are inspired by all of the petite indulgences of Paris, from its finest chocolates to its most delightful pastries.

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The Lucie + Pompette Lip Batters are a 3 in 1 balm, gloss, treatment retailing for $16. These little lip balms make a great gift or the perfect stocking stuffer for any beauty lover. It is available in 5 different colors: La-La, Go-Go, Bon-Bon, Mi-Mi, and Can-Can. The Lip Batters are the longest wearing plumping lip gloss with a revolutionary formula that plumps, fills and hydrates your lips instantly. You get a gloss like a product that acts as a treatment and plumps the lips without any type of irritation. The unique smoothing cushion envelops the lips for a more voluptuous appearance.

The lip batters are made of an anti-aging cocktail of Vitamin E, Green Tea, and white tea with a light vanilla scent inspired by fresh macarons. Lucie + Pompette products are Vegan, cruelty-free and paraben-free. Applying them is easy. You can apply the gloss liberally and allow 10 seconds for the lip batter’s smoothing cushion to set on the lips. Once applied, voluptuous lips can be enjoyed all day. The lip batter can be layered to create a more pronounced lip line as well.

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Each lip batter has a flexible applicator which allows the product to hug each curve of the lips, providing a flawless, precise application. The glosses have a sheer tint of color which is infused with subtle, light-reflecting pigments to add to the illusion of fuller lips. There is a light delicate tingle that stimulates blood flow to the lips for a natural plumping effect. While this is a plumping type of gloss, it doesn’t burn or have an uncomfortable sensation as others on the market and since the tint of the gloss is sheer, you can wear it alone or over your favorite lipsticks or lip products. It feels comfortable on the lips though it does have a sticky like texture. The light tingling sensation can last up to 10 minutes but it never feels weird or burning, uncomfortable or unable to bare.

I have pretty full and plump lips already, but I did notice that my lips became plumper. Also, I like the fact that my lips seemed to look very smooth with a great glossy texture.
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Another fun accessory is the Lucie Bag. This cosmetic clutch from Lucie + Pompette is absolutely adorable. While it’s tiny, it is the perfect bag for travel to carry all of your beauty essentials. It’s french inspired and features a glossy white exterior printed with the signature illustrations from Lucie + Pompette and a lined interior. I love the details of this little clutch and the Eiffel Tower Charm is absolutely gorgeous. I absolutely love the art design and the drawing is so feminine and sweet. It would make a great gift for any beauty lover or that sweetie in your life. Totally Chic and those that love Paris… would love this!

Have you heard of or tried anything from Lucie + Pompette before?

**FTC: Products were sent to me. Opinions are 100% my own, of course.

 

  • Lip Batter is a new way to create full, voluptuous lips like no other product on the market
  • Lip Batter is unique 3-in-1 Hybrid…Plumper, Gloss & Balm
  • The longest wearing non-irritating) plumper
  • A moisture-rich balm, infused with Vitamin E, Green Tea & White Tea
  • A non-invasive solution that fills in fine lines to create smoother, fuller looking lips
  • Plump with nonirritating ingredients that stimulate circulation to boost a more
  • Sheer, buildable color, infused with light reflection creates added dimension
  • Vegan, paraben free, cruelty-free

Soap and Glory: Drugstore Product of the Week!

Published on by Lee1 Comment

It’s true, I am OBSESSED with Soap & Glory, but for good reason! This body butter is definitely one of them! The Righteous Butter is such a creamy luxurious body cream, it’s almost hard to believe it’s a drugstore find! The beautiful texture, the girly but fruity smell, and the way it leaves your skin is, without doubt, a triple threat! I love putting this on when I get out of the shower, and I have been doing this for months now. I have dry skin, that’s actually kinda rough (SOOO embarrassing as a beauty blogger), and this has made my skin so soft, it’s unbelievable! It’s softer than a baby’s bottom now, lol. So I have to say, after a month of creamy-delicious-indulgence, I am literally addicted to this beautiful body butter!

For those of you who are not familiar with Soap and Glory, here’s a brief history on this brand.

Soap & Glory has been supporting the Clean of England since 2006, when they started formulating fun, fearlessly world-class products to give every girl THE BEST BANG FOR HER BEAUTY BUDGET.

Within weeks of the first launch, the word – and the gloss – on almost everybody’s lips was their (now iconic) super-plumping SEXY MOTHER PUCKER™. Soon after, our all-time, dry-skin classic – THE RIGHTEOUS BUTTER™ – was voted Britain’s Best Body Butter and our MAKE YOURSELF YOUTHFUL™ anti-aging peptide serum took The Times Beauty Awards Gold Star. The bar was set high. And every single Soap & Glory product that followed has been brilliant.

Was also featured on “How to Look Good Naked” reality tv show on 3/1/2008.

The texture to me is light but some may find it heavy, so make sure you apply this straight out of the shower, then pat dry after half an hour if you are going out! It’s not greasy, it does soak it, but just in case you over apply and get carried away!

The packaging of the Soap & Glory Righteous Butter is charming, pretty & fun. As with many of their products, it’s somewhat nostalgic & PINK!

One of my favorite things about The Righteous Butter is the Scent. It is amazing. Soap & Glory calls it their “original pink fragrance“. The fruity-floral signature fragrance is a blend of rose, bergamot, orange leaf, lemon, strawberry, gardenia, and jasmine. Some have compared it to Dior Miss Cherie perfume.

Bottom Line

If you are an all-natural gal, this may not be for you because it does contain parabens. If that doesn’t bother you, this body butter is worth a try! The company claims that a tub of this is sold every 20 seconds somewhere in the world. I can see why. It does what it claims to do – moisturizes extremely dry, dehydrated skin, it smells amazing and doesn’t cost a fortune! The Righteous Butter has become a staple in my bathroom and I will definitely continue using it.

Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter
Available at Ulta Beauty ($15 for 10.1 oz), Sephora, Target ($14.99 for 10.01 oz) 

Have you tried The Righteous Butter? Or any other Soap & Glory Products? What are your favorites? As always, I’d love to hear from you. Please leave your comments below!