Search Results for: Vitamin C

Travel and Beauty: Ms. Alaine Eous Products Acorn Vending Machine Capsules

August 12, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Of course, there is the traditional use of these Acorn shaped capsules for a small trinket, novelty or toy items; they make for good grab bag items for school fairs, prizes, treasure hunts, and parties. But there are endless uses for a small, sturdy 2″ plastic dome with a secure, tight-sealing cap.

Some ways I have used Ms. Alaine Eous Products Acorn capsules:

FOR TRAVEL AND HOLDING DECANTED BEAUTY ITEMS

Since these capsules snap tightly shut, they are very useful for holding broken eyeshadows, blushes, and face powders. I have some makeup palettes that the blush or eyeshadows were cracked, the powder it gets all over the palette, and I can’t carry it for touchups. These acorns are perfect for cutting the remaining powder out of the palette and storing it safely. They are also useful for holding loose powder, (such as the finer milled powders that tend to come in a tin), mixing your custom lipstick shades or nail polish shades, and holding general loose pigments, and mineral makeup.

Ms. Alaine Eous Products Acorn Vending Machine Capsules

For using beauty products in transit, or carrying vitamins for travel, or for decanting purposes for various beauty products including heavy creams or conditioners for use at the beach or the gym. If you don’t like placing your bottle down on the potentially germy surface of a gym shower, or you are afraid of leaving full bottles of shampoos and conditioners in a public shower, try decanting only what you will use these capsules, and throw the capsule away afterward if you wish.

STORING JEWELRY
By keeping jewelry and storing them clear side up in a drawer or box, I can easily see all my pins, earrings, rings, necklaces, and bracelets at once and keep them from scratching or entangling with other pieces.

Ms. Alaine Eous Products Acorn Vending Machine Capsules

SEWING, CRAFTING AND HOUSEHOLD STORAGE
Whether you do jewelry making, sewing, card-making, scrapbooking or other crafts, these are the perfect size for holding your beads, embellishments, buttons, sequins, nibs, pins, threads, or any small item. This keeps crafty accessories organized, easy to label, easy to spot, and safe. Also useful to hold nails, tacks, paperclips, pushpins, and loose change.

Ms. Alaine Eous Products Acorn Vending Machine Capsules

FOOD USES

Keep a small amount of a protein boost snack in my bag if I get hungry or could use a pick-me-up. Some items include a handful of almonds, nuts, craisins, or trail mix. Also useful for powders such as loose tea, coffee mix, hot cocoa, or matcha. Instead of eating the entire bag, I use these containers for portion control for M&Ms, chocolate, or other candy.

Keeping Crispy Dry Ingredients Separate in a Bagged Lunch
I bring or buy a basic salad at lunch and add your my toppings (bacon bits, croutons, Chinese noodles, sesame seeds). This keeps crunchy toppings fresh until it is time to eat them. This concept also works for al fresco Ice cream social toppings or any food items that include several small inclusions or optional toppings.

Jello shots! Or other similar gelatin based portable party snack.

You can probably think of many other uses including holiday and wedding favor holders, or as a promotional item for business.

CONSTRUCTION
The Ms. Alaine Eous Products Acorn Vending Capsules have a rounded bottom so they do not stand upright on their own, but they do stack together in a basket or sit on the flatter cap end. The caps come in a variety of colors; my pack included yellow, red, orange, blue, and purple.

They are sturdy and do take some effort to remove the cap. While this might not be so easy for younger children to open, I prefer they require effort to remove the caps when using them for my storage and travel needs.

Good value, useful and versatile product.

Find them at Amazon.com.

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I received this product at a discount in exchange for testing and review purposes.

I Max 15% Trichloroacetic Acid Serum-Deep Chemical Peel

July 13, 2016 · 4 Comments

I Max 15% Trichloroacetic Acid Serum-Deep Chemical Peel

Don’t be fooled by the comparatively low percentage on this Serum compared to other serums; 15% Trichloroacetic Acid is still a deep chemical peel and as such, it is very potent and should be diluted with distilled water before use and only left on the skin for a few minutes. It is, however, very effective when used multiple times a month or even bi-weekly, so be assured that even if you over-dilute it, you will still see results in a relatively short time period.

This Serum is best for those with normal to sensitive skin or those with generally good skin but with some problem areas, such as acne scars, brown spots or other hyperpigmentation, and fine wrinkles on areas such as the forehead. Even though I frequently use products on the delicate eye skin area that are not intended for use around the eye, I would never use this product around the eyes because the eye area skin is just too thin to do so. This serum is best used on tougher skin areas such as the forehead or on stretch marks on the legs.

While it can eventually treat scars, moles, warts, and skin tags; it will take multiple treatments and the 45% Trichloroacetic Acid made by the same company will work faster. That being said, anything that can treat a wart, mole, or skin tag is strong, and should be applied accordingly. ALWAYS read all the directions.

RESULTS
What I like best about the 15% Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA) is it creates a very even appearance to the skin in both the texture and tone. It reduces the appearance of rough patches, wrinkles, and scars from teenage acne, childhood chicken pox scars, as well as lighten brown age spots.

I also liked the results so far on the texture and appearance of my stretch marks, especially those on the upper outer thighs. They appear more subtle, and while they are not invisible, the texture of that skin seems much more normal.

Do note that this is a deep peel, which is different than a glycolic peel or dermabrasion in that skin will be dry, flake and peel for several days after use. If the area of application is on your face, plan accordingly to since there will be too much peeling to conceal it with makeup. It will be a good week until your skin stops peeling and then new, softer skin appears. Apply an emollient moisturizer daily, and make sure to wear sunscreen.

NO EXCESSIVELY IRRITATING CHEMICALS
When using a more potent product such as this TCA serum, there is always a concern of excess irritation to the skin due to chemical additives intended to preserve the active ingredients. The entire I-Max line of skin care products uses natural preservatives instead of chemical ones, which is excellent for more sensitive skins. The serum is preserved naturally using a pretty ingenious idea of a natural Vitamin “charge” of Vitamin B as a preservative. When you open the bottle for the first time, there is a fizzy reaction similar to when a carbonated beverage such as a soda or seltzer water bottle is opened. That charge keeps the product preservative free. To retain freshness, there is a special inverted dropper to dispense each drop.

What I especially like about the I-Max TCA is there are no excessive irritants to the skin because it uses natural preservatives instead of chemical ones. This is done with a natural Vitamin “charge” that can be seen when opening the bottle; there is a fizzy reaction when some of the carbonated charge is released.

CONCLUSION: A powerful peel that can make skin appear even, soft, and improve texture to look younger and smoother. Works on scars, acne marks, wrinkles and rough patches of skin, especially on the forehead. Suitable for stretch marks. Remember to dilute the product with distilled water before use.

Find it atMax Life USA

I received this product in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. 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!

Majestic Pure Clear Body SPF 30+ Sunscreen

June 14, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Sunscreen is a fundamental component in any beauty arsenal to both protect the skin from burning but to also reduce premature aging and the production of sunspots and the eroding of collagen, which gives the face an older, duller look. Despite the importance of sunscreen for younger looking skin, many women don’t consistently use sunscreen because it leaves the skin too greasy feeling to apply makeup, and some prefer not to use the kinds of chemicals found in many sunscreens especially on the delicate facial skin. There are various reports about sunscreen chemicals can seep into the skin and absorb into the body. Some parents want to use only natural sunscreens on their children. For these reasons, I was excited to try Majestic Pure 30+ SPF Sunscreen, a 100% natural broad spectrum water resistant sunscreen for face and body.

I was intrigued by the concept of an all-natural sunscreen, not knowing that some oils were in fact, natural sunscreens. Some of these ingredients are Grape Seed Oil, Sunflower Oil, Organic Honey, and Coconut, all of which have natural sunscreen properties and the Palm Oil and Sea Salt support and enhance these properties

Grape Seed Oil is a non-greasy oil that serves as a natural sunscreen and has outstanding nourishing, anti-aging and moisturizing properties. Grape Seed Oil contains proanthocyanidins which are potent antioxidants that diminish the sun’s damaging effects and lessen the free radical damage. Grape Seed Oil in a sunscreen is also beneficial for reducing age spots, sunburn, and wrinkles.

Sunflower Oil Its nutritious composition makes it one of the healthiest oils for consumption as well as application on the skin and the hair. The main component of sunflower oil is linoleic acid. Its other components include oleic acid and palmitic acid. In addition to these, it contains lecithin, carotenoids, tocopherols and appreciable quantities of vitamins

Sea Salt can help mitigate the effect of sunburn and soothe skin and for the body is a natural deodorant.

Coconut Oil has an SPF value which is magnified by the other oils.

APPLICATION AND RESULTS

The consistency is creamy; I imagine this is what a thickened version of Clinique Dramatically Different Lotion would feel like on the skin. The scent is very mild, a light aroma of Palm Oil and a tiny bit of Coconut, but it is not sweet smelling. It applies smoothly upon contact with the skin and goes on evenly. It is very emollient and seems like a hand cream but melts quickly and does not feel sticky or thick on the skin. There is a very light sheen to the skin so that it could be worn without makeup and the skin would have a nice light deflection glow. I like the subtle glow it leaves on my arms and legs, my skin looks soft, dewy and toned.

Makeup did apply evenly over the sunscreen, but it was necessary to allow a good 15 minutes for the sunscreen to sink in before foundation application to not have my foundation melt away too quickly. On the body, I only wait a few minutes before putting on my clothes because it does dry down well.

I found I did not need to re-apply during the day, and while it is water resistant, the bottle recommends reapplying it after various outdoor activities such as swimming or towel drying.

CONCLUSION: Nice texture and scent, not greasy, soothing to the skin with no irritation. It is nice to have peace of mind that I can protect my skin and not be exposed to excessive chemicals.

Majestic Pure Clear Body SPF 30+ Sunscreen

Primiracle Natural Replenishing Hydrating Conditioner

June 9, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Primiracle Natural Replenishing Hydrating Conditioner

Hair conditioning is crucial for those who color or highlight, use hot styling tools and irons, spend time in seawater and chlorine or just have longer and thereby older, weaker hair. PriMiracle Natural Replenishing Hydrating Conditioner is a compliment to the PriMiracle shampoo, using complementary natural ingredients to hydrate and treat hair.

INGREDIENTS
PriMiracle conditioner contains several quality ingredients for both hair and scalp. I like that in a conditioner so that it can be used even as a Co-Washing (using conditioner as a good massage for the hair and not using Shampoo) since it won’t make the hair oily or greasy.

Aloe Vera is well known for its’ skin soothing properties but also is a natural treatment for the scalp and conditioner for the hair. It doesn’t leave hair greasy or dull. Some research into Aloe Vera shows that its’ protein contains 18 of the 20 amino acids found in the body plus Vitamins A, B, C, and E. Aloe gives intensive hair nourishment and adds shine.

Aloe Vera has a similar makeup to hair keratin, so it can provide nutrients to the hair, giving it more elasticity and add strength to prevent breakage. If you are considering a Keratin treatment for your hair, there are possibly dangerous chemicals and at times, accidental hair loss and breakage. Aloe Vera is a very safe way to enhance your hair’s keratin.

Olive Oil is frequently used as a deep conditioner for hair because it repairs damage and adds shine. It is especially effective on coarse and unruly hair to make it softer and more manageable. The moisturizing properties of Olive Oil are undisputed, but on normal to thin hair, it can make hair appear weighed down and limp. While direct hot oil treatments are common and effective, it is often difficult to fully rinse the Olive Oil from the hair, so Olive Oil as an ingredient within a conditioner is an efficient way to get this benefit without excessive rinsing, weight or dullness from residue.

Rosemary Oil promotes the growth of strong, healthy hair and reduces hair loss and imparts shine.

Grapeseed Oil address problems such as weakened hair, hair loss, and dandruff making hair stronger, healthier, more attractive hair. Grape seed oil contains Vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps to build tissue, and linoleic acid, a fatty acid which promotes hair and skin growth.

Several of these ingredients are not only moisturizing to the hair but are also hydrating and beneficial to the scalp. For example, Rosemary, when teamed with Olive Oil, helps minimize dandruff. Peppermint Oil normalizes the production of scalp oil, balancing the scalp’s pH level. Peppermint also combats dry scalp and dandruff and assists with hair loss. Aloe Vera reduces dandruff and helps maintain the scalp’s pH balance.

USE
Scented, emollient and thick in consistency. After massaging it into my scalp and hair. I tend to leave it in for 5 minutes to allow it to penetrate well. It washes out easily without feeling greasy. The scent does not last after rinsing. I found this conditioner also makes for a good pre-shampoo conditioner, leaving it on for about 30 minutes as a hair masque gave my hair a nice soft feel and shine.

RESULT
My hair is soft but not oily, there is no dulling residue, and my hair feels strong, clean, lush and full. Typically I use some leave-in treatment in my hair since my hair is fairly unruly without some sort of product to tame it. But after using the PriMiracle Shampoo and Conditioner, I let my hair dry naturally with no leave-in treatment to exactly what the conditioner did. I did not have to add any volumizing product to my hair to make fuller, my hair just felt naturally thicker even at the more fragile ends. There was a beautiful shine. To tame my wild mane into acceptable for the office appearance, I only had to touch up my hair lightly with a hair dryer and brush after it dried, and a quick run-through with a flat iron would have worked just as well. I was very pleased to find a conditioner that my hair felt thicker and soft without being greasy.

The PriMiracle conditioner is Peta Certified, not tested on animals, cruelty-free and Vegan.

Primiracle Natural Replenishing Hydrating Conditioner

Primiracle Natural Hand and Body Lotion

June 9, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Primiracle Natural Hand and Body Lotion

Despite the careful use of daily sunscreen and moisturizers on my face, I have comparatively neglected my hands and body skin. In my quest to make up for lost skin care time, I found there are several choices when it comes to moisturizing the skin, but a surprising lack of products that are both natural and effective in skin repair and hydration, especially for sensitive skin. Since the skin is such a large organ, I want to be careful about what chemicals I unnecessarily use on my skin in the form of body washes and body lotions.

PriMiracle Natural Hand and Body Lotion contains Shea Butter, SunFlower Oil and Aloe Vera, three powerful moisturizers that can hold their own against chemical moisturizers any day. These three ingredients are assets to a hand and body lotion because they naturally provide so many protective and curative benefits to the skin. The PriMiracle lotion has several ingredients that not only make skin soft and hydrated but treat the skin as well, including problem skin such as acne prone, eczema and sensitive skin.

INGREDIENTS
Here is a brief overview of some of my favorite ingredients:

Aloe Vera. Most of us have tried Aloe Vera for soothing a sunburn, but that is just one of the many vast uses found in Aloe’s bag of tricks. Aloe Vera excels in remedying dry, flaky skin without being greasy or sticky. It has several of the same Amino Acids found in skin and hair, so it nourishes the skin and helps it look radiant and healthy. It also can reduce inflammation such as in a burn, a pimple or from sensitive skin conditions. The Gibberellin in aloe stimulates the growth of new cells. A hallmark of the PriMiracle line of skin care, Aloe Vera is a high impact hydration ingredient that addresses a variety of skin care woes.

Sunflower Oil is one of my favorite moisturizers because it is very effective even when used straight from the bottle. But it is a semi-greasy oil which makes application and dry down difficult. But when incorporated into a lotion or cream, Sunflower Oil it can be exceptionally useful. While Sunflower Oil is an effective moisturizer all on its’ own, it is also a carrier oil, so it enables the other active moisturizing ingredients to sink deeper into the skin and have more impact. Sunflower Oil is non-comedogenic so that it can be effective moisturizing acne prone areas. It soothes eczema, scarring, redness and irritation.

Shea Butter intensely hydrates skin for extended periods of time and can treat several skin conditions including eczema, psoriasis, and acne. It is especially useful for dry skin patches such as on the heels of the feet, elbows, and cuticles.

Jojoba Oil is another favorite of mine since it is both a barrier oil and a carrier oil, so it supports other moisturizers ability to soothe the skin, and it protects the skin by providing a moisture seal barrier. Despite being an oil, it absorbs quickly. Jojoba’s structure is similar to skin’s natural oils, so it helps regulate smooth skin without leaving it too oily, whether your skin is dry, oily or normal.

Passion fruit seed oil, also known as Maracuja Oil, is rich in vitamin A and potassium to help keep skin healthy. It is also antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and naturally anti-itch. It is an excellent addition to anti-acne and sensitive skin care treatments.

Also important is what is NOT in this lotion, including no parabens, sulfate or harsh chemicals.

APPLICATION AND USE

It is a light to medium consistency, I use about a half-dollar size dollop for legs and arms, and another about the same size for torso and shoulders. I use it post-shower and let it soak for a bit while I towel off my hair and prep it for styling. I re-apply to my hands during the day and elbows as needed. I also use it at night on my hands, and my legs since summer has begun, and I want my skin smooth, flake-free and hydrated.

I love that this is unscented, that is a big perk for me since my skin is sensitive and my office is fragrance-free. And when I say unscented, I mean you smell nothing, there is no chemical scent to mask in this lotion. When I do wear scent, I prefer to use it deliberately instead of getting it from an all-over lotion. Being unscented allows for me to add a bit of scent whether perfume or scented oils, to this lotion directly, which is much more versatile and useful to me.

RESULTS
I found that after using the lotion for about a week, that I didn’t have to use it daily since it softened some dry and rough patches such as my knees, elbows, feet, and hands. So if I am in a rush after my shower, I can skip a day. Like many people, I wash my hands several times a day and use Hand Sanitizers, and with most hand creams, I must re-apply multiple times a day. But this lotion kept my hands soft all day with only once or twice a day use. I am especially pleased to find a quality hand lotion that lasts through the day.

Primiracle Natural Hand and Body Lotion