Beauty Review: Medicine Mama's Sweet Bee Magic All in One Healing Skin Cream

 

 

 

I've tried everything for my dry skin and I am happy to announce that I've finally found my secret weapon: Medicine Mama's Sweet Bee Magic All in One Healing Skin Cream. This stuff is amazing. I had heard celebrities raving about Egyptian Magic cream but didnt' want to pay that much money for it. When reading reviews, many people commented that Medicine Mama's was virtually the same product but for way cheaper. I couldn't wait to check it out for myself!  

 

It's an all-natural, all-over, miracle healing skin cream that promotes radiant, supple skin. My skin has been glowing since using this stuff. I put it on my face every night before bed and wake up with the smoothest, softest, clearest skin I've ever had. I also use it on very dry spots on my body such as my feet and have noticed a huge difference virtually overnight.

 

I love that all of the ingredients are natural and there are no harsh chemicals to irritate my sensitive skin. I will be using this stuff from now on as my favorite beauty tool!

Do you have any beauty secret weapons? Share them in the comments!

 

Beauty: Arbonne RE9 Advanced 6 Step Anti-Aging Line & Makeup Primer Review

An old friend of mine who is an Arbonne Independent Consultant recently reached out to me to see if I would be interested in trying out some product samples to review on the blog. Heck yes! She sent me some sample of the RE9 Advanced 6 step anti-aging line as well as the Makeup Primer. I was not compensated for my review and all opinions of the products are my own.

A little about the company taken directly for Arbonne.com:
At Arbonne, beauty begins with premium botanical ingredients, innovative scientific discovery, and an unwavering commitment to pure, safe and beneficial products. Arbonne creates personal care and wellness products that preserve and enhance the skin, body and mind for an integrative approach to beauty. Working closely with scientists around the world and our Arbonne Institute of Research and Development (AIRD®) facility in Switzerland, we continually explore and develop scientifically advanced, botanically based proprietary formulas that meet our exacting standards for quality, safety and sustainability.

The products are great for all skin types because they work to balance your PH. Due to how concentrated Arbonne products are you only need to use a very small amount (about the size of a tic tac). This means that the products will last about 4-6 months if you're using them twice a day. So, if you're experiencing some sticker shock by looking at the prices for some of their products, think again -- you're actually spending less than most high-end brands due to how long they will last you!

Another major bonus about the Arbonne line is that the products are formulated in Switzerland where there are very strict laws about what can go into products. They ban about 1100 different ingredients compared to the 11 in the US. The products are vegan certified and are not tested on animals.

The verdict? I LOVED THIS STUFF. After only a day of using the RE9 Advanced line I could really see the difference in my skin and my fine lines under my eyes and on my forehead were already reduced. I couldn't believe it worked that quickly for me! The samples lasted me a lot longer than I expected (about 2 1/2 weeks) due to how concentrated the formula is. I was worried that the 6 steps would get annoying, but honestly because of the great results I was getting, I didn't even notice. What's a few extra minutes to have great skin? I have combination skin (mostly dry though) so it's really hard to find products that work well for me. I was skeptical that these would be the same way but was thrilled to see how well they worked on my skin.

I am currently using the Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Foundation Primer (review to come soon!) so the Arbonne makeup primer didn't totally knock my socks off like the RE9 Advanced line did, but it still worked great! It made my makeup smooth and it was so much easier to blend it into my skin. It made my makeup last super long too - which is always a good thing after a long day of work ;)

I highly recommend trying Arbonne products out for yourself. Everyone's skin is different but with the vast amount of product lines the company offers, I'm sure you'll find one that will work for you! Contact Kelly via her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelly-Valentino-Arbonne-Independent-Consultant/512445235474176 to try samples of Arbonne products and to get more information.

Have you tried the Arbonne line yet? Check it out for yourself and let us know what you think!

Adrianne's Current Skincare Routine

After a lot of experimenting with different products over the years, I’ve finally settled on a skincare routine that works for me. Although it’s kind of a mish-mash of products from a few different brands, I’m happy with the combination. Of course I get the usual skincare concerns, but overall I feel much more comfortable and confident with my skin than I did just a few years ago.

Morning

• Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
• Olay Complete All Day Moisturizer with Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 15– Sensitive
• Lip balm or gloss with SPF (varies)
• Jergens Original Scent Cherry-Almond Moisturizer

Every morning I use Cetaphil’s Gentle Skin Cleanser. I’m not sure what I did before I found this face wash. It’s extremely gentle and does a good job of removing any oil from the face without drying the skin. I follow up by patting my skin dry and applying Olay Complete All Day Moisturizer to my face, neck and ears. Depending on how I’ve done my makeup, I use either a lip balm or gloss. One additional product I use is Jergens lotion—I douse myself in it after I shower. This is a must for me because of my dry skin.

Evening

• Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes
• Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
• Neutrogena Oil-Free Makeup Remover
• Clinique Mild Clarifying Lotion
• Olay Night of Olay Firming Cream
• Clinique All About Eyes Rich
• Eos Lip Balm Smooth Sphere
• Jergens Original Scent Cherry-Almond Moisturizer

My night routine is a little more time-consuming. First, I use a makeup wipe to gently take away some of my makeup. Then I use my Cetaphil cleanser and pat my skin dry. I soak a cotton ball in Neutrogena Oil-Free Makeup Remover to take away remnants of eye makeup and mascara. After that, I soak a cotton ball with Clinique’s Mild Clarifying Lotion. This stuff is great for removing those last traces of makeup and toning the skin. Then, I apply Night of Olay Firming Cream all over my face and target the skin around my eyes with Clinique’s All About Eyes Rich (click here for my review). I finish off my facial routine by applying Eos Lip Balm (click here for my review). One of the last things I do before I go to bed every night is massage some Jergens lotion into my feet and put on a pair of cotton socks. This does wonders for smoothing out dry patches.

Body and Miscellaneous

• Clinique Acne Solutions Spot Healing Gel
• St. Ives Invigorating Apricot Scrub

There are a few skincare products that I don’t use every day, but they are important to my routine. I exfoliate once or twice per week (always at night) with St. Ives Invigorating Apricot Scrub. My mom introduced me to this product years ago and it’s always been a go-to of mine—cheap and effective. I’ve also been using Clinique’s Spot Healing Gel (see my review here) to target blemishes.

Even though I’m happy with my routine, I’m always searching for new products to try, particularly those that can help heal or fade dark spots and the occasional blemish.

Tell us about your skincare routine! What are your must-have products?

They’re (Almost) Here: DD Creams

{via}

You’ve heard of BB (beauty or blemish balm) creams—those seemingly tinted moisturizers that pack a punch with major skin benefits. They can be used in lieu of a foundation or as a primer and go on flawlessly. It’s no wonder they’ve become so popular.

You’ve heard of CC (color correcting) creams. While the BB cream really focuses on providing skincare benefits with a hint of color, the CC cream really strikes more of a balance between color and skincare.  

And now, the beauty world is getting ready to unveil DD creams. What! Yes, it’s true. DD, which stands for daily defense, is rumored to be a product that focuses more on the body and feet rather than the face. The cream is supposed to be very heavy duty in order to provide serious moisture for skin. 

Supposedly there are a few products already on the market—one intended to help heal cracked and dry feet and the other that has sunless tanning agents. Doesn’t seem like a continuation of the BB/CC trend, but more a marketing scheme to get people to buy. Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see how the new DD creams differ from existing body products and what benefits they offer.

Have you tried BB or CC creams? Will you try a DD cream?

Battling Dry Skin

Not only do I hate cold weather, I hate what it does to my skin—dry flaky patches, cracks, more visible fine lines, an overall parched feeling. None of it is fun, but you can do your part to help battle and overcome dry skin during the winter months. Here are a few tips:

Drink water: Enough said—I’m sure you guys already know this, but it’s the easiest thing you can do to help save your skin. If you don’t like water, find ways to spice it up. Add a lemon, lime or orange to help provide some natural flavor. If that doesn’t do it for you, eat foods (like cucumber or watermelon) that have high water content. On the flip side, skip foods that will dry your skin out, like alcohol or anything salty.

{via}

Consider your face wash: Do you use a foaming face wash every day? How many times do you exfoliate per week? If the answers to these questions are “yes” and “more than once,” you’re doing your skin a disservice. Foaming facial products are notorious for drying out skin, which is great for oily or acne-prone skin or for the summer months, but skip it once it gets cold. Try a creamy cleanser, or one made with very gentle ingredients. My year-round favorite is Cetaphil® Gentle Skin Cleanser (starting at $9, available at most drug stores). If you’re exfoliating several times per week, STOP. You might think that because your skin is flaky that means there are layers of skin wanting to be removed through exfoliation. That isn’t the case. Flaky skin is a sign that you and your skin aren’t properly hydrated. The best things you can do in this situation are to increase your water intake or intake of foods with high water content, use a gentle face cleanser and moisturize. Exfoliating once a week, or even every other week, should be fine for winter if you encounter this problem. Some people even recommend only washing your face at night and just splashing water on your face in the morning, but I’ll leave that up to you if you want to try it!

Consider your moisturizer: As with your wardrobe, your skincare routine has to evolve with the changing seasons. If the skin on your face is dry, maybe all you need is a denser face cream. If the skin on your body is dry, one great thick-and-creamy lotion you may want to check out is Aveeno® Daily Moisturizing Lotion. Apply it as soon as you finish showering or bathing to help lock in moisture. And if you don't use an eye cream, try one out this winter. Cold and dry weather makes fine lines on the face more visible. Keeping the eye area hydrated can help minimize the appearance of those lines.

{via}

Change your makeup: If you use mineral makeup or powder every day, find alternatives for the winter. Switch to a liquid foundation or B.B. cream that can provide a little more hydration. I don’t use powder at all. If it’s a part of your makeup routine that you just can’t let go of, consider using much less during the winter or putting it only in spots where you really need it, like your forehead or nose. You could also skip powder blush and choose a cream product.

{via}

Turn down the water temperature: Yes, I know it’s extremely difficult to take a shower using lukewarm water—especially when you just woke in the morning and are going straight from your toasty bed to the bathroom. But, hot water is a killer for your skin. If you can’t commit to showering with cooler water, at least make sure to turn down the heat as you wash your hands throughout the day. And never, ever wash your face with hot water!

{via}

Ditch your loofah: When you use a loofah or wash cloth in the shower, it’s providing exfoliation for your skin even if you’re using the gentlest of body washes. Try skipping these items in the shower at least a few times per week and make sure you moisturize your entire body when you step out of the shower.

{via}

Baby your hands: If you’re in your twenties or thirties and your hands look like that of an 80-year-old woman’s, the weather could be to blame. Try not to expose your hands to hot water, and make sure you moisturize immediately after getting your hands wet. I usually carry travel-size Jergens lotion in my purse, gym bag and keep bottles on my desk at work and in all my bathrooms at home. While you’re at it, make sure you take the time to moisturize your cuticles. When the cuticle/nail area is dry, it begins to crack and really shows the effects of dry weather. At least once per week, take the time to use a cuticle oil or cream. My favorite is Burt’s Bees® Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream. If you can, do this once per day for amazing results.

{via}

Take care of your feet: Feet easily get dry and cracked during the winter. Fortunately, it’s not too hard to get your feet feeling soft and hydrated. The first thing you can do is to wear socks—all the time. If you walk around barefoot at home, don’t. Every night before I go to bed, I take a handful of lotion and rub it into my feet, and then I put on a pair of cotton socks. Try it once and you’ll be hooked! If you have the time, also use an oil or cream for the cuticles on your toes. If your feet are in really rough shape, try a heavy duty product like Dr. Scholl’s® For Her Ultra Overnight Foot Cream.

{via}

Don’t forget about your lips: Chapped lips are so uncomfortable and they look terrible when they flake. To prevent chapped lips, exfoliate them once per week and use a really dense lip balm, like Carmex. Also make sure to carry around lip balm and apply it throughout the day, particularly after eating, drinking, brushing your teeth or being outside. Stay away from using products like lip stains during the winter—these products tend to be drying on the lips and will just exacerbate the look of chapped lips. 

Do you have any tips to beat dry skin during the winter?

Amanda's September Birchbox

 

I really enjoyed my Birchbox this month. Sometimes it's a hit or a miss but overall I really enjoy receiving these samples each month. I have found some great products I wouldn't have tried otherwise and am so happy that I did!

1. Benefit foamingly clean facial wash and Benefit refined finish facial polish

2. Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Beauty Balm SPF 25+

3. Birchbox and Color Club® Custom Collection

4. Caudalie Vinexpert Firming Serum

5. twistband™ Hair Tie

6. tili Bags Small Collection 1

1. According to the Birchbox Breakdown: Benefit’s daily cleanser comes in a chic blue tube that will make your other products look humdrum in comparison. Appearances aside, the gentle formula works into a creamy, meringue-like lather that softly removes dirt and impurities. And unlike some cleansers, it gets the job done without drying out your skin.

and

 

We seldom go a day without makeup, which means it’s important to take extra good care of our skin. The beauty experts from Benefit devised this pore-purging facial polish to clear away all traces of product residue and breathe new life into dull skin. Use it to leave skin feeling refreshed and clarified, never dry. It’s formulated for all skin types, making it a no-brainer addition to your cleansing regimen.

 

My review: I LOVE BOTH OF THESE. Sorry for the caps but honestly they smell amazing and left my face so clean and soft. I suffer from dry skin and most of my face washes dry it out even more. Not these products, they left my skin feeling more hydrated then before I washed my face. I couldn't believe how much I liked them and will be purchasing them once my samples run out.

 

2. According to the Birchbox Breakdown: We desperately try to adhere to the less-is-more philosophy, and Dr. Jart’s Water Fuse Beauty Balm helps us minimize our routine. A moisturizer, sunscreen, and treatment serum all-in-one, this tinted BB cream even helps hide imperfections—so there’s no need for foundation or cover-up. Think of it as the Swiss Army Knife of your beauty cabinet.

 

My review: When I opened the tube it looked like the product had already been used. There was BB cream all over the lid and top of the bottle and I wasn't sure if it happened during shipping or if someone had previously used it. After disinfecting the top, I applied what was left to test it. It covered well and matched my skin tone fine (I'm tanner than normal so I'm not sure how it would look in the winter) but it wasn't as moisturizing as my normal BB cream. I would not purchase this.  

 

3. According to the Birchbox Breakdown: If you update your polish nearly as often as you check your Twitter feed, you’re not alone. We designed this share-worthy custom collection with Color Club for all the social media addicts out there. You’ll be inspired to tweet, pin, tag, and post these four gorgeous shades with your followers.

 

My review: I've received another Color Club polish in a past Birchbox and enjoyed the color, but it didn't last long before chipping. Sadly, I experienced the same issue with this one. I got a fall/winter shade this time  called Status Update and it was a darker grey/slate color. I am always looking for more colors to add to my growing nail polish collection so I was not totally disappointed. I just wish it lasted longer before chipping.

 

4. According to the Birchbox Breakdown: It’s a fact of life: as we get older, our once-firm skin begins to lose its elasticity and fine lines start cropping up. Instead of flying into a panic, we’re enlisting Caudalie’s lab-proven anti-aging serum. It’s formulated with grape-based actives and other botanicals that soften the look of wrinkles, plus tightening agents that go to work right away to lift sagging skin.

 

My review: I tried this a few times before bed and in the morning before I started my beauty routine and didn't notice a difference in the firmness of my skin. Perhaps after regular use this product would start working, but it didn't dazzle me.

 

5. According to the Birchbox Breakdown: We never paid much attention to our hair ties before Twistband came into our lives. Now we can’t go anywhere without one (or three) of their snag-free, super soft elastics. They keep hair secure without leaving ugly creases behind, and look as good on our wrists as they do in our ponytails. These colorful collections come with twelve ties, so you’ll always have plenty of spares on hand.

 

My review: I have seen these hair ties everywhere and was curious to see if they worked. I was so excited to get on in my box this month and couldn't wait to try it. It left my hair crease free and didn't pull out any hair like my normal hair ties do. I also like to wear them on my wrist if I might need to put my hair up at some point and was pleased that these did not dig into my wrist like my other ones do. I would definitely purchase these!

 

6. According to the Birchbox Breakdown: Traveling can be a stressful experience—whether we’re going through airport security or catching a subway during rush hour. After spilling the contents of our purse in public one too many times, we turned to tili’s stylish reusable bags. They’re small enough to fit inside your purse or carry-on but large enough to hold all your lip glosses, loose change, or travel-sized toiletries. Each pack comes in three colorful varieties.

My review: I thought these bags were cute. I wouldn't mind throwing one into my purse to keep all of my lip glosses and loose items organized. I don't think I would purchase these, but I'm glad I was able to try one. Perhaps if I traveled more I would be willing to drop down some cash for fancier plastic bags.

 

Want to try Birchbox for yourself? Sign up here.

 

 

Adrianne's August Birchbox

The August Birchbox theme was “back to school” essentials for your makeup kit. Though it’s been quite a while since I’ve had a first day of school, I really enjoyed this month’s samples that were focused on the basics.

Schick Hydro Silk Razor

Comodynes Self-Tanning Intensive

Comodynes Hydra-Tanning Face Moisturizing Summer Glow

Beauty Fixation Make Up Remover

Juicy Couture Viva la Juicy La Fleur

DDF® Brightening Cleanser

Schick Hydro Silk Razor: I used to think the commercials touting the fact that more blades on a razor equal a better shave. This razor has convinced me. It gives a nice shave without irritating the skin. Birchbox was nice enough to include a coupon with this razor, so I’ll definitely be purchasing again.

Comodynes Self-Tanning Intensive: These tanning towels are very handy and a non-messy way to apply self-tanner. Unfortunately, one towel is not enough to cover the whole body and once you’ve done a few swipes against your skin, the towel loses its firmness and balls up, which makes it really difficult to keep applying and leads to some streakiness and missed areas. With that being said, the color doesn’t look too orange and it gives a nice glow. 

Comodynes Hydra-Tanning Face Moisturizing Summer Glow: This lotion went on very easily and blended in well. I didn’t see much color on my face, but the lotion seemed gentle enough for everyday use on my sensitive skin.

Beauty Fixation Make Up Remover: Makeup remover inside a cotton bud? What a great idea! When you’re ready to use one of these, all you have to do is crack one end and the makeup remover fills the other side of the cotton bud. I recommend using this during your makeup application process to wipe away any small smudges or mistakes. There’s really not enough remover to wipe away makeup when you want to remove everything.

Juicy Couture Viva la Juicy La Fleur: Having purchased JC Viva la Juicy perfume, I was really happy to receive this Viva la Juicy La Fleur sample. I know I’ve said before that I’m not a huge fan of floral scents, but this fragrance was perfectly balanced. You can smell a subtle hint of flower and a lot more of the fruity scent the original is known for. Love it and would absolutely purchase.

DDF® Brightening Cleanser: I couldn’t have received this sample at a better time. The weather here has been a little crazy – cool, then warm, then hot, then rainy. When the seasons change, my skin definitely notices and doesn’t respond so well. My skin broke out bad and this cleanser helped clear it up. It’s got a fresh scent and is slightly foamy during washing. 

Hope you guys had a lovely Labor Day weekend!

Skincare: Nutra Sonic Face Brush System

My skin has gone through several phases of good, bad and really bad. I've tried so many different things to have clear, hydrated, bright skin and a lot of stuff fell way short. 

My mom knew I had been wanting to try a sonic face brush to clean my face at night and surprised me with one (it wasn't even my birthday! My mom is the best) and I couldn't wait to try it out. I've read so many reviews on face brushes and I wasn't sure if it was worth the money. 

The Nutra Sonic Face Brush System surpassed all of my expectations. It lightly exfoliates without being too harsh to get all of my dead skin and makeup off at the end of the day. It deep cleans my face and I've noticed even my pours appear smaller. 

{via}

I was afraid that it would be too harsh on my skin to use every day but I've been using this for about a month now and so far it's been great. I've noticed an improvement in my skin -- it's clearer, brighter, cleaner and even the appearance of fine lines have reduced a little. I've always had an issue with dry skin in certain areas of my face (I have combination skin) but since using this brush I haven't noticed any dry skin.

It's the middle of the road as far as price goes for the ones I've seen on the market and it comes with two brush heads to get you started. There are three different settings to choose from and it stays charged for well over a week before I have to plug it in again. It came with a nice case that will be convenient for when I travel. 

I'm sold -- this thing has really helped improve the quality of my skin. If you're on the fence about trying one I would definitely recommend it! 

Have you tried a sonic face brush before? What one do you recommend?

15 Tips for Clear and Healthy Skin

{via}

Whether you’re a skincare pro and know exactly what works for you or you have yet to figure it all out, the following tips are ones that everyone should follow in order to get clear and healthy skin. 

1. Try not to sleep with your facial skin touching your pillow. The hair products you use combined with the natural oils of your hair rub onto your pillow as you sleep and all that can wind up on your face and clog pores. Additionally, sleeping on your face causes creases on your face. Over time this can cause permanent wrinkles.
2. Regularly wipe down your cell phone. This seems like a no brainer, but not enough people do it. 
3. Trying out new skin care products and not seeing results? Your skin may need several weeks to respond. If a product doesn’t immediately work, give it at least six to eight weeks before you give up. The exception to this is if you immediately have a bad reaction to the product.
4. Use separate towels for your body and face. Though you’re clean when you come out of the shower, your hair may still have conditioner residue that can transfer from your towel to your face and clog your pores.
5. Every night before you go to sleep, moisturize your feet and put on a pair of socks. When you wake up in the morning, the soles of your feet will be incredibly soft. 
6. Wear SPF every day – even during the winter. If you can, try to reapply throughout the day. You’d be surprised how much sun exposure you get while doing things like driving in your car. Don’t forget your neck and very sensitive upper chest area.
7. Exfoliate, but not too much. Exfoliating every day can actually dry out your skin. Start with once per week and see how your skin responds. If you have oily skin, try twice per week.
8. Wash your makeup brushes as often as possible (at least once per week). And make sure you clean your makeup products as well.
9. Moisturize all of your skin every time your step out of the shower. 
10. Drink lots of water and eat a healthy diet. Avoid smoking and limit your alcohol intake.
11. Do everything you can not to touch your face throughout the day. If you touch your face without washing your hands first, you’re transferring any bacteria from your hands to your face.
12. Apply your facial moisturizer while your skin is still damp. 
13. When washing your face or taking a shower, avoid using water that is too hot. 
14. Remove your makeup before you go to sleep every night. Better yet, remove your makeup as soon as you get home if you know you’re staying in for the night.
15. Don’t forget to exfoliate your lips! Moisten a washcloth and gently run it across your lips. Be sure to add lots of lip balm afterward.

Do you have some great skincare tips to share? Leave them below in the comments!