Nude Skincare - ProGenius Treatment Oil

I can not believe I haven't posted since September - shameful!  Especially because I've tried so many wonderful products!

One of my recent adventures into the skincare world was trying NUDE Skincare's ProGenius Treatment Oil.  Here's what the product claims to do: "This 100 percent pure and active treatment oil provides a precisely balanced diet of vital nutrients for luminous and healthy looking skin. The all-absorbing formula delivers deep and long lasting skin cell nourishment, revealing skin that appears lit from within."

I had a sample size packet, but since you only need 2-3 drops of this oil (and it is definitely an oil), it has lasted several days.  I've been putting it on my skin at night, after cleansing/toning as usual.  The pros to it are definitely strong - it's suitable for vegans, gluten-free, allergen-free, a simply natural product.  When I initially put the drops into my hand, I thought my face was about to feel greasy.  When you first rub it into your skin, you have a tiny sheen, yes.  But very shortly after, it's simply like you used a good non-greasy moisturizer.  It soaks into the skin quickly and very well.  The next morning, my skin still felt supple and moisturized, but clean.  


Overall, it's definitely a good product.  It's probably best for normal to dry skin. Reviewers of the product recommend blending just a drop with foundation for a great flawless finish.  Others say it has definitely made their skin brighter.

While the full-sized product is not exactly cheap ($78.00), the bottle must last for absolute ages!  The sample size (which is tiny) has gone several days for me and still isn't empty at all.  I'd imagine this full-size product could last over a year.  For someone needing some extra moisture or suppleness/brightening, that's a solid investment for a year!

This is the first time I've tried an oil on my face, but it was quite nice.  Have any of you used one you recommend?

Product Link: http://www.sephora.com/progenius-trade-treatment-oil-P374111?om_mmc=GoogleKWL-ws

Pearly Whites Love

Over the years, I've learned the incredible value of taking care of my teeth.  I had quite a few fillings as a child/teen, and later learned that fillings aren't permanent.  They usually have to be replaced after a number of years.  That process is not fun.  And it's expensive to replace them with something that WILL last, like porcelain.  Worth it?  Yes.  Avoidable?  Also, yes.

My new dentist (I adore their practice, which is saying a lot coming from someone who hates going to the dentist) was incredibly kind to me last year, and he gave me a brand new electric toothbrush.  It is another product that has honestly changed my life, and I won't go without one now.  Since I began using it regularly, I haven't had a single dental problem.  My exams are wham-bam-gorgeous-teeth-thank-you-ma'am. Love it.  

A lot of people have these toothbrushes and love them.  If you don't, PLEASE get one.  The one I have is literally $12 online.  (Link: http://www.amazon.com/Oral-B-Pro-Health-Clean-Electric-Toothbrush/dp/B002HWS9G6)  It's battery-powered, so they do have to be changed occasionally, but then it travels well with no charging cord.  You can go up to a couple hundred bucks with these things, and I might spring for the $100 Oral-B re-chargeable one at some point.  For now, this one has been so great.  It times your brushing for two minutes and rotates lots to get your teeth squeaky-clean.

Of course, this works BEST if you floss every day (floss picks - another wonderful product!) and use mouthwash, but a $12 investment is something everyone can make, especially if it saves you money on dental procedures in the end.  Stocking stuffer idea, yes?

Makeup Remover Wipes = Amazing

There are not very many products that I can say have definitely changed my life, but makeup remover wipes certainly have. Sure, they're cheap.  But they can make such a difference in skincare quality, especially for busy women!

I heard/saw a renowned aesthetician once say that the single biggest mistake women make with their skin that causes poor skin quality and aging is simply not removing their makeup completely every single night.  This hit home with me, because at the end of a long day, I often opted to sleep in my makeup vs. going through a full face washing routine.  

Once I realized I could buy these handy wipes to take off all my makeup, I began removing it all the time at home, even during the day.  Having a clean face just feels so nice!  

These wipes are quick, easy, disposable, and cheap.  Here's the kicker - you can get them for $5 to $7 a package at the grocery or drugstore, but you can also use my trick and go to Ross/T.J. Maxx/Marshall's and check the beauty section - they typically always have packages for $3 to $5.  I am not picky about brand, as long as they say "makeup remover" on them (there are some that are only for refreshing).  I've never had bad results from any brand, but some of the highest-rated are the Neutrogena Cleansing Towelettes and the Olay 2-in-1 Daily Facial Clothes.  I've also had luck with ELF and Dead Sea Cosmetics.

 

I recommend taking off eye makeup, then using a cloth to remove the rest of your makeup and cleanse.  If followed by a cleansing toner and some serum/eye cream, your skin could quite possibly look fantastic.  These are going to be stocking stuffers for the women in my life this year...inexpensive, but very helpful!

Fabulous Fitness Attire

So...I work out pretty often now.  Sure, it's something to be proud of if you're into it.  But the amount of sweat?  Ew.  

And I have now discovered that basic cotton lounge clothes just aren't very conducive to regular exercise.  They stay terribly wet, then they can mildew in the laundry basket (gross, I know).  With regular exposure to sweat and more steady washings, they also break down and get worn out really quickly.

I've tried active wear from various brands now - some cheap, some really pricey.  And my favorite?  My favorite is actually Old Navy - mostly because of the balance between product quality and price. The items always go on sale (in-store sometimes, online basically all the time), so they're crazy cheap at times.  At the same time, the compression and dry-fit materials are good quality, comfortable, and they stay dry or dry quickly.  They last quite a while - longer than my more expensive items from other stores, actually. I would wager something much more expensive (like lululemon) may last a little longer, but when considered with the price factor, ON is more worth it.

Some of my favorite items...

1. The GoDRY Tank (right now some are on sale online for $9!)

2. The Active Running Top - well vented and light

 
3. Compression Capris - give a great range of motion, comfortable, and easy to work in!

I also really like their yoga clothes, shorts, and sports bras - all worth checking out if you need some active wear added to your wardrobe!



 

Body Butter(s): Yum

I think I am possibly addicted to feeling moisturized.  Recently, I've tried various lotions, body oils, shower gels, etc.  

My favorite find has most definitely been Tree Hut Body Butter - I stumbled on ONE at Publix, but they're all available online and are very affordable ($7-ish per jar).   The one I tried is the Brazilian Nut scent - info on the product here:

"Natural Brazil nut oil hydrates and repairs, damaged and neglected skin, with vitamins A, C and E, helping it to regain its healthy sheen. This extra thick body butter, infused with certified organic Shea butter, Cocoa butter, Brazil nut oil and Safflower Seed oil, was designed to seal in moisture for those problem areas, leaving you with repaired, renewed skin."

From trying the whole jar first-hand, I have to say - the website doesn't lie.  It's a thick cream, but it rubs/soaks into the skin beautifully, leaving skin ultra soft and actually feeling firmer.  The scent and moisture last all day.  

I love this product, and now that I've located their various scents, I will likely have to purchase them all...you know, just to be thorough!  This may also become a gift of choice for my lady friends - fair warning!

In Our Prime(rs)

If I've learned one really valuable lesson about cosmetics, it's to never skip primer.  At one point a couple of years back, I felt like I couldn't find the right foundation for me.  Even with expensive foundations, nothing seemed to apply right or last through the day, so I was always wearing too much or re-applying to compensate for it wearing off.  I asked a makeup artist about the issue, and her reply was simply: "What primer are you using?".  She was shocked when I revealed..."Well, I'm not."  

Apparently, it's a basic rule of the cosmetics world that you never put any makeup on your face without applying primer first.  And now that I've used several different primers, I agree wholeheartedly with the rule!

Since using primer, I use LESS makeup.  This allows me to purchase BETTER, more expensive cosmetics (which are better for my skin!), and to not worry about re-applying throughout the day.  Primers are made to address various skin issues, and here are two of my favorites.

1. Color Me Right: PUR Minerals Color-Correcting Primer

This primer is made to - you guessed it - correct discolorations.  It comes in neutral (to even color/tone), green (reduce redness), and peach (reduce dark spots).  It's a mid-price primer at around $30 per bottle, and does a pretty good job making your skin look more evenly-colored.  This was my go-to primer for quite a while, and I still keep it on hand.

2. Keep It On: Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer

 A bit on the higher end, this primer does it all - evens skin tone, reduces pore size, creates a smoother canvas for makeup application - but most of all, this one is great for keeping makeup on.  I have literally used this (with foundation) before a sweaty workout - and my makeup didn't come off.  Impressive.  It runs more expensive, at around $50 per bottle, but does last a long time.  With the savings it provides on foundation, it's still worth it.  It also contains SPF 15, giving you a little extra protection.

Unfortunately, my third favorite primer (Tarte ReCreate) was terrific for smoothing the skin out and creating the perfect base for foundation, but it was discontinued - bummer.  My search for a replacement continues.

All in all, the money spent on a good primer comes back to me tenfold when I can use less makeup AND feel more confident in my overall appearance day to day.  Definitely a product I recommend for all women. Does anyone else have primers you love?

Biore Triple Action Astringent

Astringent seems so 1980's, doesn't it?  Regardless, this is an item I've kept in my bathroom for a couple of years now.  It's a cheap product (between $5 and $9) and has helped keep my pores small and my face clear of breakouts, simply by helping remove excess oil, dirt, and makeup.

 

I will say I'm not sure this product would be for everyone.  I am not very acne-prone, and if I break out, it's because I haven't cleansed or exfoliated correctly, or because I used a bad product.  After I cleanse my face each night, I do a quick sweep of this and the cotton pad always has extra dirt and makeup on it that didn't come off with just my cleanser.  The active ingredient is your basic 2% salicylic acid, and there is some alcohol in this.  I don't mind that, and I get a very clean, tight, tingly feeling after using it.  And what's more - I don't break out.

I'm not sure how this Biore formulation differs from the other astringents in this price point (Clean and Clear, Clearasil, etc.), but it works much better, in my experience.  A good add to your medicine cabinet if you just want a little extra clean feeling on your face.