I have no idea where I first learned about liquid chlorophyll. It was likely some time in 2012 when I was researching how to get more vital nutrients into my body. At some point, I read about how liquid chlorophyll can benefit you:
1. Helps to rebuild and replenish red blood cells, therefore helping rebuild and replenish tissue and keep the immune system stronger
2. Boosts energy
3. Antioxidant & Anti-inflammatory
4. Binds to heavy metals and helps remove them from the body (like mercury)
5. Is highly alkaline, so it helps rid the body of candida yeast
6. Rapidly delivers magnesium to the body; also contains Vitamins A, C, folic acid, iron, calcium, and protein.
There's also a claim that it helps work as a natural deodorant, but I am not testing that one. (You're all welcome.)
I ordered this bottle from Amazon (under $9), and I put drops into filtered water every day with some Mio for taste:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00028P7W6/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Verdict?
Yep. It's helpful.
Now, I haven't officially tested my blood or yeast levels (who does that?), but I CAN say I sleep better, have more energy, and simply feel better. I hadn't worked out in weeks due to travel until yesterday, but I barreled through my Spin class like I'd been in the gym every day for three months. The only unusual thing to attribute it to? Several big containers (a day) of water with the chlorophyll in it for the past week or so.
Like many girls my age, I was a bit daft (as the British would say) in my younger years, never wearing enough sunscreen and not realizing the harmful long term effects of getting burnt. As a result, I developed some slightly noticeable sun spots, most visible around the hair line at the top of my forehead.
I tried the basics - lightening creams and serums for fading spots. Nothing worked well, and some of the products smelled awful.
So, I basically gave up and decided to move on with my life.
Knowing the importance of exfoliation and cell turnover, I just happened to be using three products around the time I got a microderm treatment. And the combination of these products and the MD - amazing - began lifting the damaged spots like nothing I'd seen before.
They were:
1. Vasanti BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator ($34)
http://www.birchbox.com/shop/skincare/exfoliators/vasanti-enzymatic-face-brighten-up
"How It Works: This powerful exfoliator mimics the results of professional
microdermabrasion, minus the potential for redness and sensitivity.
First, papaya enzymes break down dead cells while evening out your skin
tone. Next, dermatologist-approved microderm crystals fade the
appearance of fine lines and acne scars, leaving skin smooth and free of
imperfections. Finally, aloe vera, coconut, and vitamins B and E
nourish and soothe skin"
I use this maybe once a week in the shower. It's a slightly gritty exfoliant, but, as it promises, it leaves your face looking alive. Because it uses enzymes, it's not nearly as rough on skin as most scrubs.
2. Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant ($52)
http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=prod2152621
"How It Works: Rice Bran and Rice Extract gently microfoliate skin surface to facilitate penetration of the Skin Brightening Complex. Papain Enzyme and Salicylic Acid help dissolve excess surface cells. Skin Brightening Complex of Licorice and Bearberry helps even skin tone."
At $52, this seemed expensive to me - except that now I've been using the same bottle for two years. Seriously. It takes a very small amount of this powder and a tiny bit of water to make it creamy to use for every-other-day exfoliation, or when I am not using the Vasanti scrub. It's incredibly gentle, no smell, easy to use.
3. Kate Somerville 2-in-1 ResAsphere Retinol Night Cream ($85)
http://www.sephora.com/retasphere-2-in-1-retinol-night-cream-P377369?skuId=1490341
"How It Works: The RetAsphere Smart Release™ Carrier System protects pure Retinol in a
lipid shell that melts evenly into the skin, helping prevent irritation
and dryness. By penetrating deep into the epidermis, this patented,
time-release technology helps diminish the look of fine lines and
wrinkles, and leaves the skin looking and feeling smoother and firmer.
Seaweed Extract, with bio-derived Hyaluronic Acid, locks in moisture for
sustained hydration, keeping the complexion healthy."
The key here is basically just the retinol. It's a night cream that can pack a punch, and I used it lightly (once a week) for maybe 4 weeks. It has a slightly weird smell, but only for about 10 seconds. No redness, no tingling, no irritation. The retinol helps cells turnover faster.
When I visited my aesthetician (About Face Atlanta) for micro-derm, she was shocked at how fast the dark spots on my skin were coming up, even with the machine on a light setting. In my past micro-derm experiences, that was not the case. She asked if I had been exfoliating well or using retinol - and the answer to both was, of course, yes. With the removal of dead skin cells and the faster turnover of new ones, the damaged spots on my skin were disappearing quickly - and they've stayed gone. I likely need another round of this same routine to remove them completely, but this was terrific progress, with three products I highly recommend.
Buh-bye, ugly spots.
When I saw that Armani was so very recognized for their Luminous Silk Foundation, I was excited to try it. It won things like "best liquid foundation of 2013" by InStyle. Alas, it was tough to find in Atlanta - only Nordstrom carries it, and I wasn't in the mood to trek to Perimeter Mall or Lenox Mall. So, I waited.
In the meantime, my skincare consultation at Dior was scheduled, so by the time I got out to Perimeter, I was buying Diorskin Nude Foundation...because...well, because Dior gave me an entire skin care consultation and it was sort of fabulous.
Long story made short, I found Armani Luminous Silk in a Sephora in Le Defense in Paris. Got color matched. Picked it up pronto. Over the course of the next several weeks, I have used both foundations to see which is better.
The winner? Definitely the Diorskin Nude. It's lighter, and goes on much more naturally, while still giving lovely coverage. It lasts all day (over a primer, of course) and is overall more naturally beautiful on my skin.
This is not to say the Armani isn't good - it is. But in this case, Dior takes the ribbon. Other designer foundations I am curious about are from Givenchy, Guerlain, Dolce & Gabbana, and Marc Jacobs. Thoughts on this TBD...as I run out of foundation!
