Week 2: Brazilian Peel (4 week process)

Advanced Home Actives sent this new Brazilian Peel chemical peel kit to try, and so far I am loving it.

Exfoliation encourages collagen production, which is key to keeping the skin youthful. In general there are different levels of exfoliation:

• $-$$ The at home scrubs and mild peels, (granular, clays) which are very safe topically and provide maintenance for skin surface.
  
• $$-$$$ Stronger at-home peels that provide more of a surface peel but can burn if not done correctly. Skin remains red after treatment.
  
• $$$ -$$$$$ Medical strength chemical peel, done on an outpatient basis at a dermatologist or esthetician's office. This peel can be done every 3-4 months and as the name states, the skin actually does peel, turning very red and sloughing off over a period of 1 - 2 weeks. Not a pretty sight during this phase, but the reward is smooth, glowing skin as soft as a baby's bottom.

Some camps of thinking, especially European skincare, are opposed to chemical peels. I personally think that if used minimally, a peel will dramatically improve the current condition.

The Brazilian Peel is five times stronger than the typical peel you can buy for home use. Stretched out over four weeks, you aren't left with the blistering residual as if you'd gone professional. You will actually still show up for work. It is also self-neutralizing, limiting any way you could burn yourself.

So how is it going so far?

Week 1: Slightly red the first day. By end of week, makeup coverage noticeably smoother, but I wasn't sure it was anything to write home about
.
Week 2: I've just done the second peel, and wow. My pores look much smaller. The surface clearly improved. I can't wait to see the results by end of week four.

I've been following up with Pevonia Sensitive Skin cream to make sure it is protected, and use an spf.

Photos: I hope to have photos for you next week as my camera is not working. Stay tuned.

Review: Purely Cosmetics Mineral Makeup

Robyn Bloom's first foray into mineral makeup came at a Los Angeles mall. Succumbing to a makeover for her daughter, she soon found herself paying $60 for mineral foundation, with a brush added for free. The results were so nice on her daughter, she decided to make the hour and a half long drive back to get one for herself. This time it was still $60, but no brush. When it came time to reorder, she tried to save herself a trip and pick it up online - and found it was priced at $85. That's when she took a look at the ingredient list and decided she would tackle the mineral market on her own.

Her company, Purely Cosmetics, celebrates its second anniversary this August, and Bloom couldn't be more pleased. She has focused on a line that incorporates the key ingredients that make mineral makeup such a hit, while leaving out micronized and inexpensive fillers. Why is that important? Mineral makeup is often referred to as healthy makeup due to lack of parabens or other preservatives. Micronized titanium dioxide is a recent, common additive in beauty blends, providing sunscreen and adhesion. However, tests have proven that micronized materials break the blood barrier and can pool in the brain. Scans have shown pockets of titanium dioxide in the brain of participants. While the long term effects aren't known, the presence of makeup on the mind seems far from healthy.

Bloom was also able to tackle the markup issues on the makeup. Purely Cosmetics foundation runs well below the $60 price she once paid. There are a multitude of shades to select from, with a reasonably priced custom blend. It doesn't end at foundation. There is a beautiful array of eye shadows, versatile powders, blushes, makeup brushes and other accessories.

Shipping world wide (read site carefully for details), Bloom sells via her website at www.purelycosmetics.com

Personal Experience:

I try to avoid micronized ingredients, so I was very happy to find Bloom does not use it in any of the products offered.

During pregnancy, I had melasma (skin darkening/reddening) which is quite common. However, it didn't completely go away after giving birth. Because of this I wanted to stay with foundations that provided stronger coverage, and wasn't convinced mineral makeup could provide what I needed.

It took a few tries to get the application to my satisfaction, but here is what I found:

• The product is buildable, so you can increase coverage with additional layers
• A silk & pearl primer is also available, which increases staying power
• You can build this on top of liquid foundation, if needed
• This product stops the dreaded sheen
• There is no mottled meltdown, a problem with any other type of foundation
• The line is very affordable
  

The shadow colors I tried are very pretty, somewhat sheer. I played with a combination of two colors that reminded me of one of my favorite nail polishes, OPI's Hollywood Blonde

• Rose Beige (base)
• Champagne (overlay)

I'm also fond of the burnished copper, cappuccino. Blue violet is a spectacular color that reminds me of a favorite creme eyeliner Max Factor used to make.

One of the best things offered in the accesories department?

• Brush Protectors

These slip right over the bristles protecting them from damage. I've never seen these before and they are invaluable for protecting your investments!

~~~

Bloom is offering an exclusive 10% discount on minimum $10 orders for any item on the site, including the new Diamond Finish, through July 15, 2009. Use code sol at checkout (lowercase, case sensitive).

Our first review in from Pfister

Very cool to be Tweeted, but we also got an email:

"I have to tell you all the product in the new spa boutique looks soo good and it makes it smell sooo yummy in here! Have you seen it yet? If not you have to stop by."

Thanks so much for letting us know! We are excited the likes of Johnny Depp will possibly inhale as he passes by ;)

Northwest Woman

Thank you to Northwest Woman for mentioning the Solessence SheaShea Gift Bag in the August/September issue, 'Look What We Found!' section.

You can pick up this issue in the Pacific Northwest, and check out their website at: www.northwestwoman.com

Soul Pitch Media Review

Hey, we've been away for awhile getting ready for 2007, but check out what Soul Pitch Media has to say about our organic creamed sugar & coconut milk scrub:

STYLE ADDICTIONS
smell good feel good look good! The need
to feel luxurious and stylish is everyones addiction. Our beauty, fashion, music
and tech editors have tested the new products and reveal the must have for the
new year! This is definately the power of pampering! SheaShea combines the
fabulous properties of unrefined African shea butter (solid) and oil (liquid)
with coconut milk to create a luxurious bath treatment.

After a loooong day at the office I decided to try this beauty
regimen, and the fabulous aroma of tranquility was all around. My rough skin
became smooth in seconds and the feel of beauty was all around me.





For more information log on to www.solessence.comItem Number: SC1002 Fluid Weight: 12 luscious ounces Price: $18.00

Hope you have been having a great holiday...

Learn Something New Everyday...

From Urban Dictionary:

dime (dm)n.

A very good looking female as in a perfect ten.
Damn, did you see that girl? She's such a dime!


From Young, Black and Fabulous Review:


...(Solessence's) body butter...makes you look like a bronze dime when you put it
on your feet, elbows, knees, and hands.