Perricone Product Review – Part III

Welcome to the final part of my three-part review of my stash of Perricone skin care products.  Click to see Part I, to see the first part of my review and to find out which products are included in my stash, and Part II to see my review of three Perricone moisturizers.

In this final part of the review, I will give you my thoughts on two serums that I had in my Perricone stash.  I tried out the Advanced Eye Area Therapy and the Neuropeptide Deep Wrinkle Serum.

Advanced Eye Area Therapy

The Advanced Eye Area Therapy comes in a small bottle with a pump.  It’s a thick cream that is dark in colour.  You only need a teensy weensy bit and it can be dabbed on in the eye area.  I found that it provided good moisture to the area around my eyes.  However, I also felt a slight tingling/burning when I put it on.  It only lasted for a second or two, but I’m pretty sure that I didn’t imagine it.  I wasn’t too keen on the tingling on my skin.

I’ve used this cream each night before bed for quite a few weeks now.  Despite the many weeks of use, I can’t honestly say that I’ve noticed any differences to my eye area.

Neuropeptide Deep Wrinkle Serum

The Neuropeptide Deep Wrinkle Serum comes in a dropper bottle.  Inside, it’s a clear, thin liquid.  It’s intended to be applied to deep wrinkles.  The idea is that, after 8 weeks of application, the wrinkles will be less noticeable.

I used this on my neck area.  I used it twice a day (morning and night) for several weeks.  I’m probably not the best test subject for this serum since I don’t actually have deep wrinkles (yet!).  My skin definitely feels softer, but once again, I can’t honestly say that I have noticed a difference in my skin.

The Verdict

As you can probably guess, I wasn’t overwhelmed by either of these products.  Having said that, I don’t think that they are bad products by any stretch. Rather, they simply aren’t right for my skin.  Given the success I’ve had with other Perricone products, I’m sure that these would work great for someone who has the issues that these products target.

I’m glad that I got to try them, as well as the facial cleanser and the moisturizers that I reviewed in Part I and Part II of this series.  Overall, I’m quite pleased with my Perricone stash and I’m looking forward to finishing it all off!

My Perricone Stash

Perricone Product Review – Part II

This is the Part II of my three part review of my Perricone skin care products. Check out the first part, and the contents of my Perricone stash, here.

For this part of the review, I’m going to focus on the three moisturizers I have in my stash of Dr. Perricone products.  As you see below, I have three items:  More Than Moisture SPF 30, Face Finishing Moisturizer, and the Advanced Face Firming Activator.  I have been using all three for the past few weeks.  Check out my thoughts on each one below.

More Than Moisture SPF 30

First of all, the scent in this cream is heavenly.  Every time I use it, I detect hints of cocoa butter and orange.   It smells really rich!  Perhaps that contributes to my feeling that it’s also a bit of a heavier cream.  It’s not greasy on my skin, but definitely feels like a thicker moisturizer.

I have used this cream every time I’ve gone out for a walk.  It does a good job of protecting my skin from the sun.   It’s lovely to have a cream that acts like a sunscreen, but doesn’t smell too strong or feel heavy on my skin.

Face Finishing Moisturizer

This cream comes in a jar with a little spatula.  The cream is more gelatinous and a bit thicker than the other moisturizers.  I guess that’s why the spatula is included.

The moisturizer felt the thickest out of the three that I tried.  It also provided the most moisture out of all of them.

This cream has a floral scent.  Fortunately, it’s not overpowering.  While I’m not usually a fan of floral scents, I quite like this one, probably because it’s not that strong.

Advanced Face Firming Activator

This is the one cream that I had used before.   As soon as I opened it, the scent brought me right back to the time when I was first introduced to this cream.  It was such a memorable time that I’d like to digress slightly here and tell you about it.

A short side story…

Remember the 2010 Winter Olympics?  Well, I was there!  For real!  I was one of fifty people that my company sponsored to volunteer at the Olympics.  I worked with a group of people in the head office.  Our job was basically to help people keep motivated, especially those in the head office who didn’t get a chance to be at the events.  It may not sound like much, but it was a great job.  The easiest way to motivate people was to give out free tickets.  We handed out lots and my team also attended lots of events.

Here’s a photo from one of my first days on the job!

Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics

Back to the Advanced Firming Face Activator

I was saying…the scent brings me right back to the first time I used it.  Similar to the SPF cream, I smell a bit of cocoa and a bit of citrus.  It’s a light, refreshing scent. (and to me, smells of the Vancouver Olympics!)

This cream is the lightest of the three.  It moisturizes well, without feeling heavy on the skin.

Which One Do I Like Best?

Well, it depends!  I really like each of these creams.  They all serve a different purpose for my skin.

I like using the SPF when I’m going to be outside.  It does a great job as a sunscreen.

I love the Advanced Firming Face Activator for the morning.  It’s light and moisturizing.

Finally, I really enjoy using the Face Finishing Moisturizer at night time.  It’s thick and moisturizing and is perfect for overnight rejuvenation.

Having said all of that, if push came to shove and I was forced to choose just one, I would go with the Advanced Firming Face Activator.  Not only does it remind me of my Olympic adventure, it also does a great job of moisturizing all day long.

Have you tried any of these moisturizers?  If you have, let me know what you think of them!  For those of you who want to learn more about these moisturizers, or see the ingredient list, check out the Dr. Perricone website here.

Skincare Tips for the Spring

Spring is almost here!

A few weeks ago, we started to have double-digit temperatures!  It was such a treat to be given a sneak peek into Spring.  I celebrated by going for a long walk with my son in the baby carrier.  Sadly, the high temps did not last and we’ve had more snow since then.  In fact, as I write this, I’m looking out the window at a snow shower.  Nevertheless, I know that Spring is close and it’s time to get ready for sunshine and outdoor fun!

Spring also means that my skin will have different needs. Here’s how I’m planning on taking care of my skin.

Spring Soap

I just whipped up two small batches of Goat’s Milk Melt and Pour Soap.  I made a few bars of soap using green clay and scented them with Patchouli.  In the past, I’ve sometimes overdone it with the Patchouli scent.  Fortunately, I’ve learned from that and these bars are nicely scented.

I also made some bars of soap with pink clay.  I use these on my face.  They are gentle and are able to clean my skin without removing all of the natural oils. I scented these bars with Grapefruit essential oil.  I like to call these bars Pink Grapefruits!

Light Moisturizers

I’ve been using the Emollient Wheatgerm cream this winter.  It’s been great.  Now that the weather is turning, I’ll be using face oils only.  I love the Suti face oils.  They have a delicious scent and are light on the skin.  I also make my own face oils and have experimented with all kinds of oils.  Once I finish the batch that I have in my cabinet, I’ll be making some more to try!

It’s also time to switch to a light lotion.  I always need to help my skin with moisture.  However, I can get away with a light lotion during the warmer months, rather than a thicker lotion or cream.

Hair Care

If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you’ll already know that I’m a big fan of reverse hair washing.  I just love the results and I continue to wash my hair this way.  With the added humidity that comes with Spring, my hair can get a bit frizzy. I find that a weekly hair mask is just what it needs to stay under control.  My favorite mask right now is plain coconut oil.

How do you pamper your skin during the spring months?

This post is part of the GiG Spotlight #5: Spring Fever.  Thanks to Caity of Moi Contre La Vie and Mari of I Love Green Inspiration for hosting this wonderful event.  Are you wondering what GiG is?  It’s the Girls Inspired Group.  Click on the image below to check out their blog and join!

Product Review – The All Natural Face’s Vegan Eye Liner

I’ve almost completely made the switch to makeup made from natural ingredients.  My go-to brand is Jane Iredale.  However, I still like to try new brands when I come across them.

The All Natural Face

A few months ago, I spotted a coupon for three vegan eye-liners by The All Natural Face.  Though I can’t quite remember how much the deal cost, I do recall that I thought it was a decent deal.  So, I bought myself a trio of vegan eye liners.  They arrived a few weeks ago.

Colours

I received three different colours of eyeliner.  There was a Caramel Fudge, Hot Fudge Brownie, and That Black.  Normally, I don’t stray too far away from black eye liner, so this was extra exciting to have received other colours!  Here’s what they looked like on my skin.

Use

They each go on really smoothly.  The wand allows you to choose the thickness of line very easily.  These are probably some of the simplest eye liners to apply that I’ve ever had.  I found that they lasted about as long as other eye liners that I’ve used.  They would work for me for a night out or a work day.  Even better, they did not smudge!

Ingredients

The ingredients for each eye liner are listed right on the tube. I love that feature.  There are no questions about what you’re putting on your skin.  They are also listed right on their website. Click here to check them out.  In a nutshell, these eyeliners are all made with pure ingredients that aren’t known or suspected to be harmful for your skin.

Vegan Eyeliners – The All Natural Face

Recommendation

If you’re looking for a clean eyeliner, I would definitely recommend this brand.  The packaging is simple and informative.  The wand has a great tip that allows you to easily control the thickness of the line.  Most importantly, the ingredients are pure and are considered safe for your skin.

Product Review – Pure Creations’ Emollient Wheat Germ Cream

I ventured out to the spa a few weeks ago for a much needed facial.  If you read my last post, you’ll know that, during the facial, I was dismayed to find out that my skin was on the dry side!

One of the products that was used and that I then purchased was the Emollient Wheat Germ Cream.  I’ve been using it for a past several weeks and wanted to provide a short review on it for all of you!

Pure Creations Emollient Wheat Germ Cream

Ingredients

Pure Creations prides itself on incorporating natural ingredients in its products.  You can see from the website’s description that the cream contains ingredients like organic wheat germ oil, almond oil, and aloe vera. While I wasn’t able to find a detailed ingredient list, after chatting with the folks at Pure Creations, I know that they do not use any potentially harmful or unnecessary ingredients.

Emollient Wheat Germ Cream

Usage

This is a thick, rich cream.  A little bit goes a really long way.  Personally, I would only use this on my skin during the dry winter  months.  I think it could be too much for my skin at other times of the year.   I also like that this cream does not have a strong scent.  (That’s the last thing I want before bed!)

Since my facial, I have used this on my skin before bed each night.  It has helped me maintain that smooth polished feel in my skin.

Packaging and Price

Pure Creations’ packaging is simple and fresh.  The jars are a good size.  At $24.95 for a jar of this long-lasting cream, I think it’s a good investment.

Would I recommend this cream?

Yes, I would!  It has worked wonders for me during this very dry winter.  I continue to receive compliments on how smooth my skin looks.  🙂

The One Caveat

Just because this cream works for me, doesn’t mean it will work for everyone else.  It’s always good to test a bit of any new product on your skin before diving in head first.

Oil vs. Lotion – Which One Do You Use?

Do you use a moisturizer on your face or skin at least once a day?  My guess is that most of you do, even if you are one of the lucky ones who does not suffer from dry skin.   Assuming you do use a moisturizer, what do you use?  Oil or lotion?  Or, do you use a combination?

My Daily Routine

For as long as I could remember, I have used a moisturizer on my face.  I have tried various different creams and lotions to treat my dry skin and keep it hydrated.

Then, some time ago, I learned how to put together a face oil.  I tried it on my face and I loved it!  I was so anxious about applying an oil to my face.  Fortunately, it turned out great and I was so happy to have found a moisturizer to use on my face that didn’t cost me an arm and a leg at the store!  Plus, I could make this on my own.

A few months ago, I tried a sample of Suti’s Nourishing Oil.  I liked it even more than the one I had made.  The scent was lovely and it made my skin feel great.

Finally, a few weeks ago, I had a facial.  It was pointed out to me that my skin was a bit dry.  What?!  How could it be?  It certainly didn’t feel dry to me!  Yet, after an hour of exfoliating, steaming and moisturizing, I could feel a marked difference in my skin.  It felt so smooth!  I even received a few comments on how great my skin looked.  I left the spa with a jar of Pure Creations’ Emollient Wheat Germ Cream that was used on my face.  It’s a rich cream and good for moisturizing my skin during the dry winter months.  I’ve used it once a day ever since the facial and my skin still feels great.  Stay tuned to my blog for a full review on this product!

And all of this lead me to ask which is better, lotion or oil?  Did I make a wrong turn when I started using a face oil?

Lotion

There are so many lotions and creams available on the market.  They can have all kinds of additives, like Vitamin E and oils that are beneficial for our skin (my most recent favorite oil to use is Kukui Nut Oil).  Lotions come in varying degrees of greasiness.  The ideal lotion is one that doesn’t leave a greasy film on your skin.

Lotions are designed to penetrate the skin.  This allows your skin to absorb all of the great ingredients in that lotion, thus replenishing the look and feel of your skin.

Oil

Body and face oils are used widely in certain parts of the world.  Like lotion, they can contain oils that are beneficial for your skin.  Where oils differ from lotion is that they tend to prevent moisture from leaving your skin.  However, they are not necessarily designed to penetrate your skin like a lotion.

Check out these links to learn more about the differences between lotion and oil.

http://www.rodale.com/moisturizers

http://www.vivawoman.net/2009/11/24/is-oil-better-than-a-moisturizing-lotion/

Baby’s Skin

The best test I’ve found was on my son’s skin.  Like many babies, he had dry spots on his skin in the first few weeks following his birth.  I used a bit of coconut oil on them and for the most part, they went away.  However, there were a few very persistent spots that the coconut oil simply would not address.  On a whim, I tried a wee bit of lotion that I had made. It was very basic and did not have any essential oils in it.  Surprisingly, it worked immediately and eliminated those pesky dry spots. I couldn’t believe it!

Oil vs. Lotion – The Verdict

So, which one is best?  Well, it depends!  Both oils and lotions have their place in providing extra moisture for your skin.  Right now, I use an oil on my face in the morning and a cream on my face at night before bed.  That combination has worked great during the dry months of winter.  I have no doubt that I will have to change that routine when the weather warms up a bit and it’s not so dry.

What do you use to keep your skin hydrated?

Fabulous Foot Balm By Suti

A few months ago, when I was well into my pregnancy, I won a beauty giveaway from Donah at Sweet Jelly Bean.  She sent me a few samples of some great Suti products.  I tried each one, except for the Fabulous Foot Balm.  That was the only one that was not considered safe during pregnancy, due to some of the essential oils on the ingredient list. Check out my product review here.

Now that I’m well past being pregnant and I can reach my feet once again, I treated myself to my sample of Suti’s Fabulous Foot Balm.  As expected, I loved it.

First Impressions

The balm is scented with a few essential oils.  I found that it had a refreshing scent of eucalyptus.  It reminded me of the spa and I immediately started to feel pampered!

Shea Butter

Texture

The balm looks and feels a bit grainy.  The grainy texture comes from the unrefined Shea Butter in the balm.  It melts on contact with your fingers, so it’s easy to massage into your feet.  The balm was oily, without being greasy.  It is perfect for treating the dry skin on my feet!

After just two treatments of this balm, my feet were much smoother and feeling moisturized.

Recommendation

I have very dry feet and they need lots of attention all the time.  I would certainly recommend Suti’s Fabulous Foot Balm to anyone who needs to pay the same amount of attention to their feet.  Not only does this balm do a great job of moisturizing your feet, it smells great and has a lovely texture.

Moving from 2012 to 2013 – Happy New Year!

A quick review of 2012…

2012 was an exciting year for me, both for my blog and on a personal front.

My Blog – Au Naturel Essence

On my blog, I set out to boost the number of views I got each day.  I got two major increases in readership throughout the year.  In the first quarter, I saw a big improvement and about half way through the year, my numbers went up again.  It was so exciting to know that others were keeping track of my blog.  To all of you – thank you!

I also set out to post at least once a week.  I’m quite proud to say that I exceeded that goal.  In total, I had over 90 posts in 2012!

Unexpectedly, I was nominated for several blog awards throughout the year.  You can learn all kinds of odd tidbits about me and my blog in the following posts:

Super Sweet Blogger Award

Sunshine Award

Beautiful Blogger Award

Inspiring Blog Award

Blog of the Year Award

I love the concept of blog awards.  They are a great way to learn about other blogs and to recognize other blogs that you follow.

On a Personal Front

The highlight of this year was the birth of my little boy.  I was so excited when I found out I was pregnant around Easter time.  The next few months went so quickly and yet so slowly!  Our little bundle of joy was born just a few weeks ago and he’s been keeping me very busy ever since.

Looking forward to 2013…

Looking forward, I would love to keep up with my blog at the same pace as I had in 2012.  However, I want to be realistic. Having a new baby on hand has slowed me down a little bit!  As I soon as I learn how to blog with a baby in one arm, I’ll be right on track!

Gentle Goat’s Milk Soap for Baby

When I have the time, I’m looking forward to making more baby products.  In particular, I’d love to experiment with my own homemade shampoo.

Thank you for all of your support throughout the year.  I look forward to sharing more ideas and projects with you in 2013.  Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

This is one of my favorite times of year — full of good food, family get-togethers, and time spent with close friends.

This year, the holidays are extra special because we have a new family member, Emir.

For the past few years, I have made it my new custom to give handmade gifts to friends and family.  This year’s goodie bag was made back in November, as I waited for Emir’s arrival.

Here’s what it has in it!

Soap

There are at least two bars of soap.  Each bag has some combination of striped soap, floral soap or a solid bar of goat’s milk or coconut soap.  Each bar is mild enough for the skin and full of great ingredients.

Striped Soap

Fancy Feet

Our feet all take such a beating. They deserve a treat.  Each gift bag has a jar of minty foot cream.  It’s thick and moisturizing and the scent is quite refreshing.  It’s a great treat for your feet!

Minty Foot Cream

Bath Bombs

I tried my hand at something new this year.  I made bath bombs!  As I suspected, it was actually quite easy and I have no idea why I never pursued this before. These provide fizzy fun for the bath and they smell great!

Lip Lube

What would a gift bag be without some homemade lip balm?  My lip balms are moisturizing and good for any season.  I added a variety of flavour oils to them this year.

The contents of each gift bag were meant to be used.  None of these products are good for a hoarder!

Wishing all of you a wonderful holiday season!

Striped Soap

I’ve been experimenting with soap lately.  My favorite so far is a bar of minty black and white striped soap.  It’s a great way to incorporate charcoal into my soap and also making it look a little more interesting than just a plain bar of black soap.  The minty scent is refreshing in the morning and this soap is gentle on the skin.

Minty Striped Soap

In fact, I recently spoke to a friend who was complaining of dry, itchy skin.  I gave her a bar of this soap to try and she said that she immediately noticed an improvement.  Her skin was less itchy and she needed less moisturizer after her shower.  I was so happy that I was able to help!