Another amazing product from Embryolisse!

You’ve probably heard of the Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentratè that every makeup artist swears by, but have you heard of the Embryolisse Hydra-Masque? My skin has been quite dry and flaky lately due to eMatrix laser treatments, so I wanted to try a mask that would literally bathe my skin in moisture. Well, I found it!

With ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, natural sesame & sweet Almond plant oils, and vitamins (A, E and F), the mask plumps you skin within minutes. It restores radiance and suppleness to instantly revive dull and dehydrated skin. The blend of beeswax sweet almond and sesame oils give the long-lasting effects of a cream as they rebuild skin’s lipid barrier to lock in moisture. The vitamins diminish fine lines and wrinkles while neutralizing free radicals for a soft and smooth complexion.

The Hydra-Masque is intended to be used once or twice a week and be left on the skin for 5-15 minutes. Because my skin has been very flaky due to my treatments, I actually leave it on all night long and it works amazingly well. The mask rehydrates my skin and in the morning I wake up with smooth, moisturized, glowy skin. At $35 a tube, this is also one of the most affordable masks out there and works much better than my Bobbi Brown Skin Nourish mask which retails at $49. Embryolisse used to only be available in Europe but thankfully it’s now readily available in Dubai and in the US including Target and DermStore. Happy shopping!

New Brand Alert: Highlight Cosmetics

When Highlight Cosmetics contacted me to try their new matte lipsticks I was very intrigued. Not because the lipsticks are matte, but because their lipsticks are made with natural ingredients such as turmeric, sea kelp, green tea, white tea, vitamin C and E. Sounds amazing right? They are!

I chose three shades to try, Desert Mirage, Rare Nebbiolo and Sandstone Cashmere. Each shade is highly pigmented and very moisturizing on the lips. When applied, the formula feels very soft and velvety. I was extremely impressed that I only needed one coat to get a full, even color… and I didn’t have to re-apply all day. The formula stayed on my lips all day without smearing or budging. Truly impressive!

There are 10 shades to choose from, including 5 metallic shades which are stunning. Each lipstick retails for $25 via the Highlight Cosmetics website . If you’re in the market for a new liquid lipstick, I highly recommend you give these lippies a try and experience for yourself how natural ingredients can transform the look and feel of your lips.

*All reviews discussed on this blog are my personal take and honest opinion on the product.*

 

Melvita L’or Bio Extraordinary Oil

I usually have a love and hate relationship with multi-purpose oils but I had heard great things about the Melvita L’or Bio Extraordinary Oil, so I decided to give it a try.

I rarely put oil on my face, so I only used it on my body and it was perfect. The oil is described as 100% dry oil, which explains why my skin absorbed it within seconds… which for a body oil, it’s quite rare. My skin was soft, smooth and moisturized for the rest of the day. It truly gave me baby soft skin. I loved it so much I actually started using it in place of my hand cream throughout the day.

The next thing I loved about this oil is the scent. It’s very soft and light, not overbearing and overall very pleasant. The packaging is okay, but I would have preferred a pump, because is would dispense out more product, quicker.  

Melvita is a French brand specializing in organic cosmetics. This is the first product I’ve tried from Melvita, but I’m now  intrigued to try more… as I love the Bio Extraordinary Oil so much. If you’re in the US, you can purchase it on Amazon here and for my readers based in Dubai, can you get it at Green Chic here. For the rest of the world, you can purchase directly on the Melvita website.

Margaret Dabbs Anti-Ageing Hand Serum

They say you can tell a woman’s age by looking at her hands. While we take care of our skin with treatments, expensive creams and facials, our hands are left a bit neglected.  I’ve always had very dry hands and found myself constantly having to apply hand cream. Lately, I started noticing that my hands are not as smooth as they used to be, so I did my research to find something that would smooth out my hands, without having to use needles. That’s where Margaret Dabbs’ Anti-Ageing Hand Serum comes into play. I call it a miracle worker, but you can call it a serum.

The serum, which is made with Lupinus Albus Seed Extract, reduces the visible signs of ageing of the hands, improves the appearance and quality of the skin, reduces age spots and creates an even skin tone. It’s fast absorbing, so my hands never feel greasy or oily, and I don’t have to apply constantly throughout the day. Two times a day is all that’s needed. I have noticed a drastic change in the way my hands look over the past few weeks, and it’s all thanks to this serum. It’s no surprise that this serum is also a CEW 2016 Beauty Award Winner.

If you’re in Dubai, you can find this little gem at any Sisters Beauty Lounge or at the Margaret Dabbs salon inside Level Shoes. For everyone else, you can find it on Amazon here or directly on the Margaret Dabbs site here.

Splurge vs. Steal: The Denim Sneaker!

Joshua Sanders/Steve Madden

I’ve been searching for a pair of denim slip-ons for some time now, as I think they would be perfect to wear in the Spring. The bow detail makes these shoes look even better. From dresses to shorts and even a white pair of jeans, these would be perfect to throw on for a casual day out. Which pair is your favorite?

My Experience with At-Home Micro Needling for Acne Scars with Before & After Photos

It’s no secret that I’ve been battling hormonal acne for most of my adult life. It took years for me to finally figure out that cow’s milk was the cause of my horrible breakouts. Since switching to almond milk, I’ve been breakout free, but unfortunately I have acne scars left behind as a reminder of what my skin used to look like. After trying countless of products to get rid of the scars, I decided to try micro needling as a last resort before I tried laser and spend thousands of dollars. My first micro needling session was at my dermatologist’s office, but afterwards I bought my own dermaroller and continued weekly “rolling” sessions as home.

Before I describe my experience, I just want to state that this is my experience on micro needling and I am not an expert or a dermatologist. Before doing this yourself, always consult with your doctor and/or dermatologist. 

What’s Micro needling?
Micro needling is when you use a dermaroller which has tiny needles to create tiny holes in the skin. The process stimulates your skin’s natural ability to heal itself and in the process produces collagen and elastin.

Is it Painful?
Well, you are poking your skin with tiny needles so I wouldn’t exactly call it pleasant. That being said it’s tolerable, and since you’re doing it on your own skin, you can control the pressure you are putting on your skin.

How do you prep your skin?
Make sure to thoroughly cleanse your skin prior to your micro needling session. Remove all traces of makeup.

Sterilizing your dermaroller
This is the most important step. Since you are doing this at home and not at a dermatologist’s office, it’s important to take the proper steps to ensure that your dermaroller is properly sanitized. Make sure to sterilize your roller for 1 minute before and after each use. Pour some Isopropyl Alcohol in a glass and dip your roller in the glass. Leave it for 1 minute. Shake off the excess alcohol. Your are now ready to use it.

How to Use a Dermaroller
Using some pressure, roll your dermaroller back and forth on your skin, focusing especially on scars. Roll over scars several times in different directions (diagonal, horizontal etc). As you’re rolling, use your other hand to gently pull your skin. This will ensure that the needles are penetrating into the skin. If you have any active breakouts DO NOT use the dermaroller over them. You will infect the breakout and make it even worse.

Size of Needles
You can find dermarollers in various sizes but to actually see a difference in your skin, it is recommended that your needle is .05mm. Once your skin gets used to dermarolling, you can go up a size but since you’re doing this at home, pace yourself because you don’t want to harm your skin and cause irreversible damage. You can find good quality and affordable dermarollers online. I bought mine from Dubai but this is a similar one from Amazon.

Below, I’ve included some before and after photos. I forgot to take a proper picture of my skin before I started this process, so I had to go back and find a random picture, so please excuse the quality of the photo. The before photo was taken three years ago, right before I started my micro needling journey.

Before Micro Needling

After Micro Needling

I’ve been using a dermaroller on and off for the past three years and as you can see from the pictures above my scars have improved drastically. If you’re thinking about using a dermaroller, I highly recommend you speak to your dermatologist first and do your research on the different types of rollers, etc. Let me know if you’ve done micro needling at home. I would love to hear about your experience.

xoxo
t.

 

EPIONE Signature Series Restoration Firm & Lift

I’ve been following Beverly Hills dermatologist Dr. Simon Ourian on Instagram for some time now and have always been amazed at his work. When I heard that he came out with his own skincare line, EPIONE, I knew I had to try it. For my introduction to Epione, I decided to try the Signature Series Restoration Firm & Lift.

The serum is a skin brightener and lightener that improves uneven skin tone and clarity. The serum is actually a brown cream-like lotion that glides on the skin and is absorbed in seconds. It includes a high potency of Vitamin C, as well as kojic and azelaic acid. I have been using this serum nightly for over a month and I am in love. It has truly been a game-changer for my skin. Not only has it has drastically reduced my acne scars, but it has evened out my skin tone. My face now looks brighter, firmer and tighter. I had to buy another bottle as a backup because I didn’t want to run out while I was in Dubai. The only downside to this product is the price. At $145 a bottle it’s a bit steep, but I am still on bottle number one, so hopefully a little will go a long way. Let me know if you’ve tried any other Epione products. I would love to hear from you what I should try next.

My Sephora VIB Sale Haul

1)Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder; 2)Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer; 3)Caolion Premium Blackhead Steam Pore Pack; 4)Tom Ford Soleil Blanc; 5)Stila Stay All Day Liquid Eye Liner; 6)Anastasia Beverly Hills Master Palette by Mario; 7)Tatcha Pure One Step Camelia Cleansing Oil; 8)Neogen Dermalogy Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling; 9)Chanel N°5 L’EAU; 10)DIOR Creme de Rose Smoothing Lip Balm  

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! No, I’m not talking about Christmas, I’m talking about the Sephora VIB Sale! Since makeup, skincare and fragrance rarely go on sale, I decided to take advantage of my 20% off discount to try some new products as well as pick up a few favorites. I am especially excited about my perfume purchases. I’ve been wanting these two for some time now, so I’m excited to have picked them up at a discounted price. Stay tuned for upcoming reviews on the masks and the much talked about Mario palette!

 

The Original Pedi-Sox Review

What is the one thing you refrain from doing once the weather gets cooler? If you’re like me it’s probably a pedicure. Not because you don’t care what your feet look like because they’re hidden away in boots, but because you’re too cold to have your feet exposed while you’re filing, cutting and polishing your toes. The people behind The Original Pedi-Sox took note and invented the perfect socks to bring some warmth back into your pedi.

The Pedi-Soxs are toeless socks that keep freshly pedicured feet warm and comfy. The socks include a Sox Aid Moisturizer Absorption that helps lock in foot creams for softer  and smoother feet. I used the Pedi-Soxs along with the brand’s SoftSpa Cream concentrate and my feet have never been so smooth. The main difference I noticed is around my heels. Prior to using the socks my heels were dry and a bit cracked. I’ve been using the socks nightly for the past few weeks with the cream and my heels look amazing. The Pedi-Soxs come in different materials and different colors, making them great gifts and stocking stuffers. Prices vary from $7 – $16, depending of the material you choose, but regardless which type you choose, it’s a great price to pay for gorgeous feet.

*All reviews discussed on this blog are my personal take and honest opinion on the product.*

CLARINS BB Skin Perfecting Cream Review

Image courtesy of CLARINS

If you’ve been following my blog for a while, then you know that I am a big fan of BB creams. I have a couple of foundations that I bring out on special occasions, but my go-to everyday staple is the BB cream. Because of my acne prone skin, I feel that BB creams are a bit more gentle on my skin and don’t make me break out. Since the majority of my skincare consists of Clarins, I decided to give the Clarins BB Skin Perfecting Cream a try and see if I love it as much as I do the rest of their products.

The first thing I noticed is that once the cream is applied, it looks like makeup but feels like a heavier moisturizer. The cream has medium coverage so it’s great for covering up hyperpigmentation and acne scars, but it’s light enough for your skin to breath. The texture is silky smooth and very easy to blend. Once it’s applied, skin looks smooth, even and radiant. Another thing that I love is that it includes SPF 25. I never apply a separate SPF (unless I’m at the beach), so I always try and find products with sun protection in them. The Clarins BB Skin Perfecting Cream aims to “Revitalise, Protect, Perfect”and does so with a blend of plant extracts and radiance pigments which fuse together to provide a light but effective BB Cream.

The only flaw that I found with this product is the shade selection. With only three shades available it will be a struggle to find a match. I went for the lightest shade 00 Fair, which is actually a pretty good match for my fair skin, but with only three shades, it will be difficult to match everyone’s skin tone.  The BB cream retails for $42 in the US, which is not cheap… but if it substitutes your foundation, it’s completely worth it.