Archives for 2017

PRETTY IN A CUP: RejuvaBlend K-Cups with Biotin For Strong Hair & Nails

April 8, 2017 · Leave a Comment

Women under stress often notice their hair and nails often become lackluster and brittle. Biotin remedies this problem, kicking hair & nail growth into high gear and even skin glows again. But not just any Biotin pill gets results: the key to lush hair, eyelash, eyebrow, and nail growth is finding a high-absorption, bioavailable form of Biotin and then to take it daily. RejuvaBlend developed a way to sneak a daily dose of a high-absorption Biotin into…wait for it…a rich, smooth coffee. RejuvaBlend coffee is like pretty in a K-Cup.

Starting my morning with Rejuvablend Nature Cups K-Cup Coffee with bioavailable Biotin

The only thing better than a quick beauty fix? A quick beauty fix included in your coffee. Like a magic beauty potion, RejuvaBlend coffee remedies a big beauty complaint of many busy women: stress taking a toll on their appearance. Burning the proverbial candle at both ends often leads to the depletion of the body’s reserves, leading to lackluster hair and nail growth.

WHAT IS BIOTIN?

Biotin is a water-soluble B Vitamin (B7) which is associated with glowing skin, thicker, fuller, and longer hair and the growth of longer and stronger nails. Biotin also supports the health of the nerves, digestive tract, metabolism, and cells. Because it is water soluble, it should be taken daily.

WHAT DOES BIOTIN DO FOR HAIR GROWTH?

According to Dr. Richard K. Scher, Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College has spoken extensively about Biotin. Hair that is brittle, damaged, not growing or even experiencing hair loss can have many causes, and Biotin seems to have the ability to halt various types hair loss and encourage regrowth in most women, regardless of the reason behind the loss. Whether hair loss is due to postpartum, stress or poor diet, a bioavailable Biotin can help. Want to regrow overly thinned out eyebrows? Biotin can help with that too.

How Biotin works is unclear. Dr. Scher believes Biotin supports the building of the keratin structure of hair and nails. I thought that sounded promising since my hair looks so much better after a Keratin conditioning treatment.

WHO CAN USE MORE BIOTIN?

Almost everyone. Unlike some B-Vitamins, Biotin is considered safe even in larger doses. But a multi-vitamin and even many B-Complex supplements often do not contain even the minimum daily requirement of Biotin, much less the amount that enhances hair and nail growth.

HOW MUCH BIOTIN IS NECESSARY FOR HAIR GROWTH?

The daily recommended dosage of Biotin required to grow hair is at least 2.5 mg (or 2,500 mcg). Rejuvablend contains 2928mcg.

I was surprised to see that my highly reputable brand and rather expensive daily multi-vitamin pill only contains 33% of the daily requirement of Biotin! After some research, I see my daily multivitamin is not the only one that does not supply as much Biotin as might benefit me. Even a well-known hair-growth vitamin contains only about 60% of the daily recommended dose of Biotin.

ABOUT BIOTIN DEFICIENCY

Few people have a severe Biotin deficiency, but it can occur if you take antioxidant supplements such as Lipoic acid (AKA Alpha Lipoic Acid). If you consume lots of antioxidants in the form of white tea, green tea or as a supplement, these can all increase your need for biotin. Â Lipoic Acid, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory supplement that is an anti-aging insider beauty secret, made famous by Yale celebrity dermatologist Dr. Nicholas Perricone within his beauty/health and anti-aging diet. Since Alpha Lipoic Acid is such as wonderful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory supplement, it makes sense to supplement with more Biotin than to cut back on beauty supplements like ALA.

Certain medications and medical conditions can impair or block the absorption of Biotin within your system. If you have such medical problems, a bioavailable Biotin such as found in Rejuvablend can be an excellent daily Biotin source.

WHY BIOTIN IN YOUR COFFEE?

While reputable brand Biotin vitamins are available, there are several advantages to getting Biotin from RejuvaBlend coffee:

EASY AND CONSISTENT: You likely drink coffee every day, so it not only makes it easier to get your Biotin, you will likely not miss a daily dose of Biotin. Consistency is key with Biotin: if you’re serious about growing your hair out, don’t skip doses.
BETTER ABSORPTION: As a B Vitamin, Biotin has better absorption as a liquid that a pill or capsule. Liquid consumption of B Vitamins has twice the absorption rate of pill or capsule form vitamins. Rejuvablend has a proprietary delivery system that maximizes the absorption of Biotin into the body, making the most out of this beauty-making B.
EASY TO SWALLOW: Many Biotin vitamin pills or hair growth vitamins are big, chalky and hard to swallow.
COST: Rejuvablend K-Cups are a comparable price or less expensive than standard K-Cups but with the bonus of a high-grade, proven effective, bioavailable Biotin.
TASTE: Rejuvablend is Tasty! Made with 100% Arabica coffee. It is a medium-dark roast that is not bitter and has a caramel note.

Rejuvablend K-Cups

HOW MUCH BIOTIN IS TOO MUCH BIOTIN?

While it’s hard to have too much Biotin, it is possible. The recommended usage is one to two cups of RejuvaBlend coffee which is enough Biotin to amp up both hair and nail growth, more than that is not necessary.

Drink one to two cups of RejuvaBlend Coffee a day for optimal Biotin levels

ABOUT REJUVABLEND K-CUPS

RejuvaBlend Nature Cups K-Cups are 100% recyclable and work with any Keurig Brewer machine, old or new. They come 16 K-Cups to a box.

HOW DOES REJUVABLEND COFFEE TASTE?

I like it! A smooth, dark, rich taste with no afterbite. There is a note of caramel but it is not too sweet.

RejuvaBlend coffee with Biotin has a rich, smooth taste with a hint of caramel

CONCLUSION

I found RejuvaBlend coffee to be tasty, smooth and delicious without an aftertaste; there is nothing medicinal tasting about this coffee! Hair, skin, and nails all respond well to Biotin, especially when taken with a balanced meal containing other B Vitamin rich foods like eggs, whole grain, cheese, and soy. Having my Biotin in my morning coffee with breakfast ensures that I get this water-soluble vitamin daily. Longer hair, fuller eyebrows, batworthy lashes, and healthy nails, here I come!

Find RejuvaBlend K-Cups wherever K-Cups are sold.

RejuvaBlend is like a pretty potion in your morning cuppa!

Style Chicks received Rejuvablend K-Cups with Biotin in exchange for our unbiased review and received compensation for our time and effort. However, our experience with the product and the opinions expressed in this review are 100% ours.

Keep Hands Young with a Hand Grip Strengthener

April 7, 2017 · Leave a Comment

In Season 1 of the TV series Younger, Jane Krakowski’s character Annabelle tells Liza, who poses as 26 but is in actuality, 40 years old: Be careful of your hands, sweetie. They’re a dead giveaway. Annabelle speaks truth. We slather our faces and necks with beauty treatments, moisturizer, and sunscreen but often neglect our hands. StyleChicks recommends three-prong attack on hand-aging that includes applying sunscreen and Retinol to hands and keeping them in top physical shape with a Hand Grip Strengthener with Adjustable Resistance.

“Be careful of your hands, sweetie. They’re a dead giveaway.” – Younger

WHY USE A GRIP STRENGTHENER FOR YOUNGER LOOKING HANDS?

A Hand Grip Strengthener quickly builds up tone and strength in the hands, wrists, and forearms. Stronger hands make for graceful, feminine, and agile movement.

Your hands, like your legs and arms, look their best when skin drapes over toned muscles and ligaments. Resistance training makes hands look healthy, improves blood flow and makes them appear slimmer and longer. Low resistance hand exercises counteract the “old-lady” look that hands can take on with age. Stronger hands and wrists are also less likely to need to pick or pry things open with your fingernails, which subjects them to breaking and damage.

Homai Hand Grip Strengthener

WHY USE THE HOMAI HAND GRIP STRENGTHENER TO STRENGTHEN HANDS?

I was only familiar with the hand grip strengtheners that guys tend to use like my Dad had when he played baseball or the ones I see weightlifters at the gym use. I found that type of hand strengthener too difficult to use. But a Hand Grip Strengthener is just the right level of difficulty for me, and it feels like a better fit in my hand.

ADJUSTABLE RESISTANCE SUITABLE FOR WOMEN WHO WANT STRONG BUT DELICATE HANDS

A ballerina is an example of appearing elegant and graceful despite the grueling strength workouts. That is the goal with an anti-aging hand workout. Hands appear elegant and slim, not bulky. If you do an upper arm and upper body workout, a workout for your hands is a logical addition for an elegant, long-line look. The Homai Hand Grip Strengthener adjusts to a lower but challenging weight resistance to build strong hands without excessive bulk or making hands appear masculine. Rather, strong hands make for graceful and agile movement on a woman’s hand, elongating the appearance of the fingers, and making hands look younger and more attractive.

Adjust the resistance from 20 to 110 pounds by simply turning the knob

Easy-to-use tension knob, turn left or right to increase or decrease tension

WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM USING THE Homai Hand Grip Strengthener

Athletes and recreational sports enthusiasts: Those who want to improve aspects of sports technique including hitting, throwing, pulling, pushing, and holding. Also ideal for rock climbers, golfers, tennis and baseball players and body builders.
Musicians who want more finger strength, dexterity, speed, and agility, including pianists, guitarists, harpists
Hairdressers who want to increase their grip and stamina to steadily scissors and styling tools
Makeup artists who want to improve their stability and precision
Medical Personnel: Nurses, doctors, phlebotomists, physical therapists, EMT’s, Massage therapists, Physical therapists all need strong and steady hands.
Rehabilitation for arthritis, carpal tunnel, tendonitis, tennis elbow and improve sensitivity of aging hands or those with nerve damage
If you do lots of hands-on work, such as mechanic, a grip strengthener can help prevent injury
Hobbyists that requires precision and a steady hand, such as model building, painting or drawing, building hand strength can improve your stamina.

HOMAI HAND GRIP STRENGTHENER SUPERIOR DESIGN FEATURES

Longer finger handle and the palm handle, so that it fits well in the hand for males and females
Ergonomic, non-slip rubber grip handles for easier use
Spring-loaded grip offers varying levels of resistance from 20 lbs up to 110 lbs allows you to adjust the resistance to exactly what you need.
Compact and portable size

Longer, cushioned handles make it easy to use

Longer, cushioned non-slip handles make it easy to use

PUTTING THE HOMAI HAND GRIP STRENGTHENER TO THE TEST

The Homai Hand Grip Strengthener can be used either every other day or every day, depending on your strengthening goals. I do it every other day while watching TV, Netflix or when I am online checking my email.

I use it on the lowest resistance setting, the 20 lbs, to start. Next week I will increment up a bit. It is just the right amount of tension and difficulty for beginners; it is not too easy and not too difficult. See the video below for how to adjust the resistance to as low as 20 lbs up to 110 lbs.

The adjustable resistance weight range is a very nice feature on this grip strengthener, making it suitable for men, women, kids and even seniors who want to increase their hand strength and combat arthritic changes.

The spring-loaded grip does not snap back on me if I lose my grip mid-squeeze, which is a nice feature.

RESULTS

I quickly felt my hands getting stronger and agiler within a short period of a few weeks of using the Grip Strengthener. I also find that after using the Homai Hand Grip Workout Griper a few times a week, that I’m less klutzy and accident prone with agile, flexible hands and toned wrists.

Surprisingly, a benefit I did not expect from using the Homai Hand Grip Strengthener is I have an easier time applying my makeup because I have steadier hands, especially when applying eye makeup on my “other eye,” my liquid eyeliner game is improving with a steady hand. My arms also get less tired when I am using hair styling tools overhead like hairdryers, curling irons, and the Instyler hair straightener.

CONCLUSION

For youthful looking hands, regular grip strength training is vital. Combining the consistent use of the Homai Hand Grip Strengthener with sunscreen and a topical retinol cream, hands can look younger and smoother.

The padded handles make the Homai Hand Grip Strengthener much easier to use, and the adjustable tension makes it ideal for anyone in the family to use, whether sports enthusiast, musician, kids, or seniors who wish to build up strength in their hands. A sturdy and useful product that is easy to use while watching TV.

Find Hand Grip Strengtheners at Amazon

FROM COFFEEHOUSE TO CLASSROOM: Montera Vintage Canvas Backpack by OdyseaCo

April 6, 2017 · Leave a Comment

For a day of errands, hiking, the library, attending class, hanging out at a coffee shop on a rainy afternoon or a weekend away, nothing beats the versatility of a rucksack style backpack. Just as necessary in grad school as high school, a sturdy backpack neatly & easily carries all the essentials for a long day. We like OdyseaCo’s stylish Montera Vintage Canvas Backpack because it’s compact yet safely holds everything we need including textbooks, notebooks, a laptop, tablet, a water bottle, snacks, and a makeup bag with room to spare.

The Montera Vintage Canvas Backpack goes from the college classroom to the office in style

AN ODE TO THE GROWN-UP BACKPACK

Ever notice how some backpacks make an otherwise competent-appearing person look like a junior high school student or an inexperienced newbie on the job?

The Montera Vintage Canvas Backpack by OdyseaCo looks like something a responsible grown-up would own, while it still has a slimline, stylish retro-urban line to it. It looks good, so here is no need to hide it away during the day. Its’ functional design is attractive and suitable for either gender to carry.

The Montera Backpack has enough style for an adult to use, including research assistants, teaching assistants, and interns. If you’re a college student or a professional who is going to grad school at night, you’ll appreciate how efficiently everything fits into this backpack including a bottle of water, a packed dinner, and snack, your textbooks, and laptop.

USES FOR THIS PACKBACK

This Montera backpack is ideal if your work environment is not as structured as a corporate lawyer briefcase type of look, but your job still requires some polish and organization to transport work materials neatly.
The many divided compartments in this backpack are ideal for holding files, forms, documents, a laptop, and various data storage mediums, pens, pads of paper and other materials such as a person in a technology field, an artist or a teacher might carry.
The look is appealing for both men and women, as the styling and lines have a retro vintage vibe.
The sturdy canvas material also works for hiking, camping, and if you pack lightly for travel, or wish if to keep valuables and important documents on your person.

Stylish retro look that will last for years

The Montera Vintage Canvas Backpack is made of an attractive durable, thick canvas that has a stylish retro look & will last for years

Montera Vintage Canvas Backpack FEATURES

Here is a closer look at some of the features that set apart the Montera Vintage Canvas backpack:

- FRONT POCKETS: The slimmer front pocket closes securely stores your wallet, phone, passport, tickets or other essential documents.
- COMFORTABLE PADDED SHOULDER STRAPS: It has sturdy padded shoulder straps that are riveted for extra reinforcement. They distribute the weight better for less back strain and better posture while carrying the bag. The straps are adjustable to best fit your frame.

Reinforced stitching on padded shoulder straps

- LAPTOP COMPARTMENT: There is a padded inner pouch holds up to 15.6″ screen laptops or tablets with ease and a thick velcro strap to ensure the laptop stays safely in place within the bag while in transit.

Sturdy velcro strap on soft, padded laptop compartment

- SIDE WATER BOTTLE/WINE BOTTLE POCKETS: Â Two very large side pockets can hold wine bottles or a large daily water intake bottle, horizontal straps secure very tall bottles on top and bottom.

- GRAB HANDLE: It has a sturdy grab handle to lift the bag in a hurry or not carry it on your shoulders. It holds up even when the bag is full.

Grab Handle

- LARGE ZIPPERS: It has large easy to grasp zippers that withstand “overstuffing” the bag without bending or unraveling.
  Large pull zippers are easy to use and evoke a stylish retro look
- HEAVY DUTY CANVAS: The canvas is a heavy duty fabric, and the bag itself is well made with no loose pieces or loose stitching. It will easily last for years

Sturdy reinforced stitching withstands heavy textbooks & tech wares

Sturdy reinforced stitching and durable interlocking straps withstand heavy textbooks & tech wares or other gear

- SECURE with a hidden zippered pocket to transport valuable items securely. Ideal for holding cash, valuables, your keys, and medications. It also comes with two sets of interlocking click-in straps to ensure the zippers are not unzipped until you want to open the bag

Interlocking straps fit over the zippers to horizontally secure the bag

- ROOMY: It fits a jacket or sweater, a guidebook or map, snacks, and extra water.Â It is large without being cumbersome to carry. At 14″ x 18 ” x 8″ capacity there’s plenty of storage space.

Roomy backpack holds books, a laptop, water bottles and more

The sturdy grab handles & multiple compartments make it easy to find something in the bag while on the go

PUTTING THE MONTERO BAG TO THE TEST

The Montera Vintage Canvas Backpack easily held my water bottle in the outside side pocket, my 15.6″ screen laptop fits into the laptop compartment, my drawing tablet fits into another compartment. There is room for some paperwork, a sketchbook, and a notebook. I can hold a few textbooks for a night time class. There is also space for a small makeup bag for touchups, and a few snacks and a brown-bag lunch.

It’s not too heavy to carry around, and the weight distributes nicely with the reinforced nature of the leather shoulder straps. Even when I overpack the backpack, the straps don’t dig into my shoulders. I like the grab handle; it is stitched very well, making it rugged enough to withstand some abuse when I pick up my bag.

The Montera Vintage Canvas Backpack by OdyseaCo stylishly keeps holds my laptop and other daily essentials

CONCLUSION

I like the Montera Vintage Canvas Backpack for carrying around my laptop or tablet because it holds it securely in the padded compartment, yet the backpack itself is not particularly conspicuous as a laptop case. I feel more comfortable transporting my tablets, expensive wares from work, and my laptop with my data and work product on it when on-campus, at the library, or walking city blocks to my destination.

The Montera Vintage Canvas Backpack is sturdy, stylish, holds several heavy textbooks at once, securely keeps a laptop in a tidy padded compartment, and neatly holds papers and valuables all in their respective places.

Find the Montera Vintage Canvas Backpack at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MA26PBX

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nv_bbkrX9eY[/embedyt]

Style Chicks received the Montera Vintage Canvas Backpack in exchange for our unbiased review and received compensation for our time and effort. However, our experience with the product and the opinions expressed in this review are 100% ours.

BY TERRY LIGHT-EXPERT CLICK BRUSH FOUNDATION is NEW + IMPROVED

March 16, 2017 · 8 Comments

2025 Update: This article is a product review of the improved redesign of the By Terry Light-Expert Click Brush Foundation. We cover 4 ways the resigned Light-Expert is better, and one potential caveat. Read on for details.

By Terry Light-Expert Click Brush Foundation isn’t new, but a recent re-design & formulation tweak gave a smoother consistency & easier application. How does it compare to YSL Touche Eclat now? Does Light-Expert belong in your beauty arsenal?

New & improved: By Terry Light-Expert Click Brush Foundation

ABOUT THE BY TERRY BRAND

Some time ago, devoted YSL Touche Eclat fans heard that Terry de Gunzburg, the creative director behind the iconic Touche Eclat, took her creative genius self and developed an improved version of the popular product, under her own haute couture quality line, aptly named By Terry.

So of course, we bought it immediately.

Some of us liked, but we didn’t love.

We did, however, very much like the foundation click pen named Light-Expert.

Then BY TERRY LIGHT-EXPERT CLICK BRUSH FOUNDATION got an overhaul that we DO love.

ABOUT The Improved BY TERRY LIGHT-EXPERT FOUNDATION

By Terry Light-Expert Click Brush Foundation is intended as an overall foundation but is pigmented enough to work as a concealer for a dark undereye.

BY TERRY LIGHT-EXPERT FOUNDATION Swatch in Apricot Light

I selected the shade Apricot Light to warm up my pale skin. It gives a hint of color without making me unnaturally orange or fake looking. Because it blends so well, the extra color looks natural.

There are rosy shades, golden shades, and neutral shades.

Swatch of By Terry Click-Expert Foundation in shade Apricot Light

By Terry Click-Expert Foundation Apricot Light swatch

COMPARING BY TERRY LIGHT-EXPERT CLICK BRUSH FOUNDATION + YSL Touche Eclat

Of the By Terry line, we evaluated the three products we considered the closest match to the iconic Touche Eclat. We liked the Light-Expert more than the products that are considered counterparts or replacements for the Touche Eclat for two reasons:

Light-Expert is versatile with fuller coverage when applied directly, but it can be buffed and blended to a very sheer, almost undetectable finish.
Light-Expert is a better color match/dupe (see photo above) for the youthifying brightening we get from the iconic YSL Touche Eclat than the smaller click-pen Touch Expert Advanced Multi Corrective Concealer Brush ($47 at Barneys) or the By Terry Touche Veloutee Highlighting Concealer (about $58).

4 Ways How the BY TERRY LIGHT-EXPERT CLICK BRUSH FOUNDATION is Better

IMPROVEMENT ONE: SUPERIOR INGREDIENTS

If you are a regular StyleChicks reader, you know of our love of Hyaluronic Acid.

It pulls moisture from the air into the skin resulting in plumping out wrinkles and fine lines, enlarged pores practically disappear, and skin becomes a smooth surface to apply makeup.

IMPORTANT TIPS FOR WHEN USING FOUNDATIONS CONTAINING HYALURONIC ACID

Make sure to use a good moisturizer underneath the foundation to hydrate/feed the Hyaluronic Acid.
If you’re in a dry-air environment such as an office, library, museum, or other places with dry, forced air, consider misting your face with a water spray, or an infused hydrating product such as MAC Prep & Prime Spray, or just dab your face with a damp Beauty Blender during the day to keep the makeup supple and dewy. Otherwise, it might be subject to a bit of cracking as the Hyaluronic works to pull more moisture into the skin.

IMPROVEMENT TWO: ABILITY TO SEE HOW MUCH PRODUCT IS LEFT

By Terry Light-Expert is constructed similarly to a refillable ink pen, as seen in the photo below.

With the new By Terry Light-Expert, you can screw off the top above the brush head and pull out the see-through cartridge see how much product is left so you know if it is time buy a new one.

Many of my click pen style cosmetics are a mystery in that regard, and I’ve had times that I do the concealer on one eye and then when I click again, it suddenly ran out of product mid-face.

I hate that.

It is one of my biggest pet peeves that I have no way of knowing how much product is left in a liquid eyeliner or click pen, but that is not a problem with the By Terry Light-Expert.

Nice touch, By Terry, classy and sturdy construction to boot!

Not sure how much product is left? The By Terry top unscrews to see the contents

IMPROVEMENT THREE: BETTER BRUSH

The original brush was shaped like a traditional foundation brush, but it was more of a sloppy paint brush head that clumped together. Also you couldn’t see the product click out until it was over-pumped and overflowing.

The new brush is a round flat top cut at an angle, and the product is atop the surface when clicked, so you can see how much product has been dispersed.

With the new design, I rarely “overpump” and waste product. The brush also does not clump together like the old version.

I also like that the brush itself is angled nicely for direct application especially on facial contours, and it is a solid brush with dense bristles comparable or better to many foundation brushes. Or you can use your Beauty Blender or other brush.

New round flat head angled Brush for smoother application on facial contours

Improvement Four: DARK CIRCLE COVERAGE CONCERNS

If you’re searching for the peachy undertone that conceals dark circles so well:

YSL has come out with the YSL Touche Eclat Neutralizer in Bisque
By Terry has the Light-Expert Perfecting Foundation Brush in Apricot Light (peach) and Rosy Light (pink).

POSSIBLE CONS DRAWBACK

Some Light-Expert shades were discontinued in this overhaul.

If you prefer the original formulation of the By Terry Light-Expert, some one-off vendors (read *not* Barneys, NM, or SpaceNK) have limited quantities of these discontinued colors.

WHERE TO FIND Terry Light-Expert Click Brush Foundation

By Terry Light-Expert Click Brush Foundation is found at Barneys, DermStore, Nordstrom and SpaceNK for $65 for .65 fluid ounces, well in excess of other foundation and concealer click brush pens

By Terry Light-Expert Click Brush Foundation