Defining Skincare

Skincare Products

Skincare includes products for the skin. This includes cleansers, exfoliants, moisturizers, acne treatments, anti-aging treatments, serums for specific skin concerns, as well as sunscreen. Find Skincare product recommendations for specific skin concerns and skincare products using organic ingredients.

Skin care includes ways to care for the skin, including facial skin, throat, decolletage, and body skin. Visit the Skin Care guide section of StyleChicks for more skin care how-to information.

Why Morganna’s Alchemy INSTANTLIFT is Special

November 16, 2016 · Leave a Comment

We tried Morganna’s Alchemy INSTANTLIFT, from the folks who brought us our highly rated Morganna’s Bellatox.

If you’re not yet familiar with the brand Morganna’s Alchemy, it is the phyto-dermo-cosmetic line produced by chemist Maya Hyppolite-Williams M.A. Just outstanding skincare.

Morganna’s Alchemy INSTANTLIFT

Why InstantLift is Special

INSTANTLIFT contains no silicone – the usual method of temporary wrinkle reduction – but instead is a green-chemistry approach utilizing eco-certified organic extracts to achieve tightening effects.

In this particular product Sorghum, Chickory Root and Tara Extracts are the major agents of change.

Sorghum is a cereal-like plant from Africa. Its extract has the consistency of melted sugar which enables it to go on the skin invisibly.
Tara and Chickory Root have the same property and, additionally, add moisture to the skin

These active ingredients are used in high concentrations and are said to act synergistically.

Thoughts on Lifting Products Generally

For quite some time I’ve been attracted to products claiming to provide instant temporary lift and have tried several. My experience with each and every one previously used was that a white film developed upon drying.

Evidently, this was expected by the manufacturers since some products even suggested ways to deal with the white film, such as blotting with a damp cloth or tissue. I did follow that suggestion but could not lose the white film until I washed the product off entirely. Since I did not care for the stiff feel of those products on my face I did proceed to do just that, so never learned how long the temporary tightening effect might actually last. One of those products made my face quite itchy, as well.

The Instantlift Experience

Well, the proof is in the pudding or, in this case, the serum.

Although there was no specific instruction to apply to a cleansed face, that’s what I did. Or, more specifically, to half my cleansed face to be better able to observe any change.

I spread the serum to the more saggy and wrinkled right side of my face, the side I sleep on where gravity has taken a bit more of a toll.

A pea-size drop easily covered (half) forehead to jowl. For those who need address only the eye area a small drop would be sufficient.

There was a very light, pleasant floral fragrance that completely dissipated almost immediately. Since I tend to be very allergic, I typically avoid fragrance but the scent associated with INSTANTLIFT didn’t bother me at all. However, if you can’t or don’t care to use a product with even a briefly detectable, light fragrance, this may be a consideration for you.

Morganna’s Alchemy INSTANTLIFT

There was no residue at all, not on my face or fingers and no dreaded white film which had proved a bane to my previous forays into quick, temporary skin youthifying.

My skin felt comfortable and, upon checking after 10 minutes or so, I did notice a definite wrinkle reduction and lift. Even if this had been the full extent of the improvement I would have been quite satisfied. However, the manufacturer calls the result an almost instant lift in that the maximum initial results occur about one hour out from application and there was, indeed, some additional improvement by the end of an hour.

The lift was noticeable enough to trigger somewhat of a dilemma. While I lost no time applying the serum to the other side of my forehead and crow’s feet (as well as my entire turkey gobble), since I had achieved jowl symmetry by applying only to the droopier jawline, I pondered if I should just leave the naturally tighter left side untreated. Well, curiosity got the best of me, and I did apply the serum to the left side and waited.

A lift was achieved and, with the scrutiny one would probably only give their own face, my “good side” now was a little tighter than the other side of the face that had been first treated. So, I applied a second treatment to only the right jowl, and that brought me symmetrical again. In the future, I will either repeat treatment on the less-tight jaw line for maximum effect or just treat the droopier side alone if pressed for time.

Morganna’s Alchemy INSTANTLIFT

An additional plus stated for the INSTANTLIFT product verses silicone-paste based temporary wrinkle tightener is the ability to easily apply makeup after using which is, apparently, not the case with the silicone-containing products. And I can understand why that would be so since the silicone-based products tend to ball. I, personally, don’t use foundation but do apply under eye and spot cover and those products went on beautifully after INSTANTLIFT.

So, I would report being not only satisfied but delighted with my INSTANTLIFT trial. It did what it claimed it would and the effects lasted all day.

InstantLift Clinical Testing

Upon clinical testing a 43% mean decrease of wrinkling occurred with the best subject achieving an 81% decrease so, based on that information, the average user can reasonably expect a very satisfactory result.

My experience with the eye area was especially striking, rolling back time a decade or more. I can’t begin to tell you how that made me feel!

One other thing to pass along, though I haven’t used the product long enough speak from experience, is the manufacturer indicates cumulative long-term results from the Tara Root in INSTANTLIFT. I will be continuing to use this product and will let you know when my personal jury comes back on this point!

First Update:
When I prepared for bed the temporary improvement didn’t end when INSTANTLIFT was washed off and even this morning some noticeable benefit remained.

Where to Find InstantLift

Find it at http://morgannasalchemy.com/product/morgannas-instant-lift/

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqDge7MJxsg[/embedyt]

ABOUT THIS POST

I received this product in exchange for my unbiased review and received compensation for my time and effort. However, my experience with the product and the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine.

Skincare: PleasingCare Sonic Facial Cleansing Brush

October 29, 2016 · Leave a Comment

ABOUT FACIAL CLEANSING BRUSHES
The facial cleansing brushes are popular because they make skin so smooth to the touch. But the benefits of a facial cleansing brush are not just softer skin: a facial cleansing brush provides a deeper clean to reduce bacteria and oil on the skin, as well as exfoliating dead skin cells, all of which result in less acne. Freshly exfoliated skin appears younger and radiant and exfoliation allows better absorption of products such as moisturizers, retinol, and Vitamin C serums. It is important, however, to exfoliate skin gently and hygienically so that any topical skin serum or product application does not cause undue irritation. This requirement makes a brush with anti-bacterial brush heads, such as the PleasingCare Facial Cleansing Brush, a real asset in skincare.

PleasingCare Sonic Facial Cleansing Brush

ABOUT THE PLEASINGCARE FACIAL CLEANSING BRUSH
The brush comes in a silvery muted glitter patterned hard box that is very suitable for gift giving. Inside the lid is packaged the sturdy zippered carrying case for the brush for storage and to take your brush while you travel. The rest of the items are placed within a compartmentalized secure base suitable for long-term storage. The box contains:

1) The PleasingCare facial brush, mine is pink
2) The brush charger
3) Three brush heads (with caps)
4) An all-cotton stretchy colorful headband to keep hair out of the way to better reach the forehead, temple and cheekbone area
5) Instruction Guide & One Year Warranty
6) A card to redeem for one year of free brush replacement heads

PleasingCare Sonic Facial Cleansing Brush

ABOUT THE BRUSHHEADS:
The brush set comes with three interchangeable heads, for use depending on your current skin care need. The bristles of the three brush heads are made of a bacteria resistant, soft material. These bristles are thinner in diameter than a human hair. None of the brush head bristles feel scratchy on the skin, but the white head (with the black ring) is the softest of the three. The ring in each brush rapidly oscillates at 300 vibrations per second. The inner circle of each brush head provides the deepest cleaning, the outer bristles vibrate but do not move, so they are the more gentle cleansing part of the tool.

1) White head: normal and sensitive skin brush
2) Green head: Acne removal brush
3) Blue head: deep cleansing pore brush, also useful for removing oily or mineral makeup debris.

PleasingCare Sonic Facial Cleansing Brush

I also use my brush on my throat, collarbone, decolletage and at times my shoulders. When used on the hands before a manicure, it quickly cleans up dry and flaking cuticles. The deep cleansing brush is particularly useful on the back of upper arms for tackling keratosis pilaris, those little white bumps that look similar to acne but do not respond to acne treatments. This brush provides bacteria-free exfoliation that it very useful just before the application of AHA and Salicylic Acid products to reduce or eliminate the bumps.

Both the white brush head and the blue brush head make for easy removal of oily, cream or powder makeup residue, even heavy makeup. The brush is not for use around the delicate undereye area.

PleasingCare Luxe Cashmere Brush Heads
There is also a separate 2-pack available of Luxe Cashmere brush heads which are compatible with all PleasingCare Cleansing Systems. These are as plush and luxurious as it sounds, with bristles twice as long as the other brush heads, and they softly bend for an extremely gentle cleansing, softer and more hygienic than washing by hand. I like the Luxe Cashmere brush head for skin that is very delicate due to sunburn, peeling, eczema, rosacea, or chemical peels. Ideal for ever-so-gently exfoliating wrinkles and enlarged pores, the Cashmere brush heads increase blood circulation in the skin. The Cashmere head also creates a nice fluffy foam and feels wonderful when used. Suitable for twice a day use even on very sensitive skin.

PleasingCare Sonic Facial Cleansing Brush Luxe Brush Head

ABOUT THE BRUSH

Some special features about this facial brush include:

GENTLE BUT EFFECTIVE EXFOLIATION:
The PleasingCare Cleansing System oscillating brush does not rotate, so it is not over-zealously “buffing” the skin like some brushes.

PleasingCare Sonic Facial Cleansing Brush

WATERPROOF:
The brush design is with sonic air compressor technology that makes it waterproof. It can be used in the shower, which I love because it is so convenient to use this way, and I also use it on my throat, chest, shoulders and the back of my arms. While waterproof, do not extendedly submerge the brush in water.

FAST RECHARGE:
The charger is a small inductive base about the size of a half dollar. It magnetically adheres to the front handle of the brush; there is no open hardware on the brush itself. The brush recharges quickly, the first charge takes 15 hours. A feature I like is the gentle, soothing light on the charge indicator instead of annoyingly bright light. Since I frequently recharge my devices overnight, it is nice to have a light that does not produce excess glare.

PleasingCare Sonic Facial Cleansing Brush

EASY USE:
There are two-speed settings and one on/off switch. Once charged, the brush is cordless and portable. The buttons are big and easy to operate even with wet soapy hands.

T-ZONE MODE:
There is a built-in one-minute pulsing T-Zone timer for rapid, deep cleansing the forehead, chin, and nose. I like this feature so that I can both deep clean this oily area up to six times cleaner while still gently cleansing more delicate skin with the same brush head. This is superior to other facial brush cleansers that would require a changeout of the brush head to accomplish both a deep cleansing of the T-zone and cleansing normal skin areas.

EASY BRUSHHEAD REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT
To remove a brush head, place the plastic cap over the bristles and grasp the top and bottom of the brush in your index finger and thumb respectively. Press and twist the head counter-clockwise until the brush releases, like a medicine bottle cap. To apply a brush head, press it onto the base positioning it over the threads, turning clockwise and gently pop it into place until you hear a snap.

HOW TO USE THE BRUSH:
1. Select the brush head of your choice and put it on the brush device
2. Use the headband if desired
3. Dab a facial cleanser onto your damp skin
4. Wet the brush
5. Turn on the brush to the low or high setting (up or down). There is a built-in one-minute pulsing T-Zone timer for deeper cleansing the oiliest parts of your face.
6. GLIDE the brush head over your skin, keeping the head moving in slow, sweeping circular motions outwards. There is no need to press it into the skin firmly or to scrub your skin with the brush as if using a washcloth. Use light pressure only.
7. Do the forehead for 20 seconds, then ten seconds for each cheek, the nose, and the chin. You will feel a single pulsing surge when it is time to move to the next area.
8. Turn off the device
9. Rinse and dry
10. After each use, remove the brush head, wash the brush head with water and place in a well-ventilated area until dry.

TIP: The brush is safe for once a day use with the white, blue and green heads and the Luxe Cashmere heads can a particularly excellent value twice a day.

RESULTS
The PleasingCare Sonic Facial Cleansing Brush reduces and removes blackheads very quickly, especially on the nose and chin. There is also a reduction in the appearance of enlarged pores and fine wrinkles. The acne brush removes dry, flaky skin without irritating existing pimples. I especially love the Luxe Cashmere heads, they feel so soft and gentle that I was surprised to see how well they could exfoliate, but I have been very pleased with how smooth and flake free my skin is, and how soft and dewy my skin looks. My skin is gently exfoliated each day in one minute, leaving a fresh, clean surface to apply moisturizers and serums. The anti-bacterial brush heads are gentle on my skin but effective. The presentation style box makes it suitable as a gift. The PleasingCare offer of one additional year of free brush heads makes this set a particularly excellent value.

Find the PleasingCare Sonic Facial Cleansing Brush at PleasingCare.comÂ and at Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/PleasingCare-Cleansing-Included-Rechargeable-Cleaning/dp/B00OJFAPSY/.

You can purchase the PleasingCare LUXE Compatible Cashmere Cleanse Replacement Facial Brush Heads at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0151CK1ZA, and both are available on Prime Shipping!

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJ6hR1oEXGs[/embedyt]

Skincare: InstaNatural Vitamin C Serum

October 21, 2016 · 6 Comments

WHY USE A VITAMIN C SERUM?
Vitamin C Serum is used for anti-aging purposes because it aids in the production of collagen, a vital building block of skin which gives skin itsâ€™ support. As we age, we lose collagen which is why skin begins to sag, wrinkle and look dull. Vitamin C also lightens discoloration caused by brown spots, old acne scars, and dark undereye circles. Even if you are in your twenties, a Vitamin C Serum can be beneficial to reduce acne, fade acne scars, and build collagen reserves.

WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT INSTANATURAL VITAMIN C SERUM

I find two things special about this serum: it makes skin look healthy and youthful like an optical diffuser, and it has a cocktail of ingredients to deliver results quickly.

InstaNatural Vitamin C Serum

APPLICATION AND USE
InstaNatural Vitamin C Serum has a powerhouse of ingredients that do not leave skin sticky, dry or greasy. I can easily apply makeup on top of the serum, and my skin is not dry or tight feeling after use. Skin looks VERY GOOD immediately after application: pores tighten, there is a beautiful glow to the skin, wrinkles appear plumped. I like this in a Vitamin C Serum because I prefer to wear my Vitamin C during the day under my sunscreen and makeup.

But apart from that it looks good, it is important to derive benefits from your serum. What makes InstaNatural Vitamin C unique? Some ingredients give a Vitamin C serum an extra kick and can make a real difference for aging skin because it accelerates collagen production. Vitamin C alone is a building block, but the body needs to know to produce more collagen. Various skin care ingredients can aid in the collagen production process in many ways. Some products contain one or two of these collagen production promoting ingredients, but InstaNatural Vitamin C has several of them in this serum.

NOTE: You will notice this serum is opaque, not transparent. This is due to the super-anti-aging Sea Buckthorn Oil. The color of this product is NOT an indication that the Vitamin C has turned old and ineffective. See the video below to note the color of the product fresh from the manufacturer.

InstaNatural Vitamin C Serum

INGREDIENTS:

In addition to 20% Vitamin C, some of the helpful ingredients include:

Hyaluronic Acid. When a product pairs Vitamin C with Hyaluronic Acid, it is often a very effective. The reason it is so effective is two-fold: Hyaluronic Acid holds a tremendous amount of moisture which both plumps the skin and makes the skin appear youthfully dewy almost immediately. It fills wrinkles and enlarged pores to make them less visible. The second reason Hyaluronic Acid pairs great with a Vitamin C serum is that Hyaluronic Acid helps active ingredients reach deeper layers of the skin. The deeper the Vitamin C can reach into the skin; the better collagen building supports the skin receives.

Ferulic Acid is a skin-brightening antioxidant that found in fruit. This is not often paired with a Vitamin C Serum, but it makes for glowing skin. Skin dulls with age, and even a younger person would be happy to get brighter skin tone.

Vitamin E is well-known in skin care, in this serum, it makes skin more pliable and soothes the skin to avoid any irritation. I slather the serum on pretty liberally, and I have had no dry, red or irritated spots, even around the sensitive eye area or on my throat.

Rosehip Oil contains powerful antioxidants to remove toxins and improve the skin texture. Visible results can be seen especially quickly on sun damaged skin. It is also useful to soothe the skin from any irritation. I find it works well on acne scars and rougher skin areas.

Sea Buckthorn Oil is what gives this Vitamin C its opaque color. Sea Buckthorn Oil is a boon to any anti-aging skin care product because it accomplishes so many tasks including providing over 200 nutrients to the skin to feed it, it soothes sensitive skin, it heals skin damage including scars, burns, and abrasions. Most importantly, though, Sea Buckthorn Oil encourages collagen production by treating aged or damaged skin as if it were wounded skin that needs extra help to heal. It calls repairing cells to rescue skin, going into collagen production overdrive. Sea Buckthorn Oil

Plant Stem Cells is a phrase often used in skin care, and the exact definition is often vague. In the context of Vitamin C Serums, stem cells call the body to rapid collagen production to action while the building blocks of topical Vitamin C are present.

InstaNatural Vitamin C Serum

CONCLUSION: A generous sized bottle for the price, I am very pleased with how dewy and flawless the InstaNatural Vitamin C Serum makes my skin look upon application. Many Vitamin C serums leave skin oily or sticky or dry; this serum just looks good while it is worn. The combination of ingredients is a nice one to provide gentle, but robust treatment to the skin, such as lightening dark circles, fading age spots and improving the appearance and texture of sun damage and scarring.

I am happy to see improved texture to my skin, and use this on my face, eye area, throat, decolletage, and hands.

Find it at InstaNatural.com.

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

I received this product for free for my honest and unbiased feedback. If you have any questions about my experience with it, leave it in the comments section below, and Iâ€™ll do my best to answer it!

Skin2Spirit Organic Caffeine Eye Whip Cream

October 14, 2016 · Leave a Comment

DARK UNDEREYE CIRCLES AND ME
I have had dark undereye circles as long I can remember, even as a young child. People tend to ask if I am tired because of my dark circles. It is difficult to conceal the darkness with makeup very well, and even if I do, there is still the puffy undereye bag. I have tried various products over time, and while some products do lighten to a degree, nothing seems to be able to eradicate them.

OPTIONS FOR DARK, PUFFY UNDEREYES
The best option I have found is a three-prong attack: reduce the puffiness, find a good light deflecting product to visually obscure the darkness, and make sure that product is creamy enough to apply concealer on top, yet not so greasy that my makeup wears off. And when possible, contain anti-aging ingredients to combat wrinkles and sagging.

A tall order indeed.
SKIN2SPIRIT ORGANIC CAFFEINE EYE WHIP CREAM: HOW TO SACK THE DREAD MORNING PUFFY EYE

The Skin2Spirit Organic Caffeine Eye Whip Cream is a coffee-scented, highly creamy de-puffying eye antidote that helps to reduce the appearance of under-eye bags and dark circles. While dark circles occur for a variety of reasons and can be treated with various degrees of success, a good product can sack undereye puffiness with success.

Skin2Spirit does just that with a host of soothing ingredients.

Skin2Spirit Organic Caffeine Eye Whip Cream

INGREDIENTS: AN INTERESTING COMBO TO SHRINK BAGS FAST

While eye creams boast about having 2-5 good ingredients, this one has a whole slew of them including nourishing Aloe, skin texture improving Rosehip Oil, conditioning Coconut Oil, soothing anti-inflammatory Green Tea and Cucumbers. These soothing ingredients keep the eye area dewy looking while caffeine removes excess fluids and tightens the bag pronto.

While many eye creams contain caffeine, Skin2Spirit does something unusual by pairing caffeine with multiple anti-oxidant fruits and natural anti-aging ingredients that aid in youthifying the eye with wrinkle reduction, improving elasticity, and promoting Collagen production. Increased collagen means a stronger undereye bag that is less susceptible to wrinkles, sagging and puffiness. Collagen also reduces undereye discoloration due to sun exposure. This gives an immediate improvement in the appearance of the under eye bag, plus provides the skin with the ingredients for improvements in skin structure, coloration, and texture.

The fruit combination is a nourishing one: it contains power anti-oxidant fruits such as Acai, Blueberries, Goji Berry, Noni Berry, GAC Fruit, Mangosteen, Grapeseed, Brown Seaweed, Pomegranate. High in Vitamin C, these provide short term a short-term antioxidant remedy and long-term Vitamin C induced collagen production to tighten and lighten the actual undereye bag.

Another important ingredient that is used almost exclusively in expensive eye creams is Sea Buckthorn. Sea Buckthorn soothes sensitive skin conditions and heals skin damage such as burns and abrasions. It encourages the skin to produce more collagen by treating aged skin as if it was wounded skin that needs to heal. It is very gentle and ideal for the undereye area and immediately plumps wrinkles and lines. It is also very nourishing with over 200 skin nutrients.

Skin2Spirit Organic Caffeine Eye Whip Cream

APPLICATION AND USE
A notable detail is this is a large bottle for an eye product, almost 2-3 times the size of other eye products I own. And you only need less than half a pump for both eyes. I also like to use some on the side of my eyes up to my temples.

It is very creamy but melts in beautifully without a residue or greasy feel. I wait about five minutes just to allow it to absorb and shrink the eye bag before applying any concealer or foundation on top.

RESULTS:
My left undereye bag is naturally larger and longer than the right, it seems puffier and makes my eyes look uneven. I was pleased to see about 10 minutes after product application that the extra puffiness on the left was dissipated, which made my eyes look even! Nice! It also left a lovely light deflecting property on the skin that was both dewy looking and obscured any fine lines around my eyes. My makeup applied smoothly atop the cream and did not melt quickly. I was very pleased!

CONCLUSION: I am excited to see such a powerful group of ingredients to make a nourishing eye cream, as well as to have a product in my beauty arsenal that can eradicate under eye puffiness so quickly and thoroughly. My circles are especially dark, so the dual approach of plumping fine lines and wrinkles while deflecting the light upon application combined with long-term benefits of the fruit cocktail including Vitamin C and other helpful anti-aging ingredients makes the best of a life-long dark circle problem. Organic Caffeine Eye Whip Cream leaves undereye skin looking good enough to go out without even concealer, which for me is a pretty big deal.

Find Skin2Spirit Organic Caffeine Eye Whip Cream here.

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COUPON CODE: SAV20TOM

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rH7b83guUws[/embedyt]

I received this product at a discount for my unbiased review and received compensation for my time and effort. However, my experience with the product and the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine.