Apr 2 2015

Getting beach-ready! Ginvera Green Tea BB Cream & Bio Water Sunscreen from Janiro

Posted on April 2, 2015 by admin

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I suspect you all know by now that we’re gearing up for our holiday. Did you hear that one? WE’RE OFF ON HOLIDAY!

(Given I haven’t shut up about it, it would have been pretty hard to miss…)

Holidays act like a symbolic shove to switch my make-up bag to a summer version. Out goes the liquid eyeliner, and in comes bronzer. It’s a huge relief, but you can feel a little bare-faced when you step in to summer for the first time when those around you are still trawling it on.

Thankfully I haven’t worn foundation for a long time now. I remember some three years ago when I applied some in front of Craig when we first started dating. He came up behind me at my dressing table, planted a kiss on my cheek, and picked up the bottle (in that absent-minded way men sometimes do) and commented that he’d been “under the impression that only old women wore foundation, not pretty young twenty-somethings” - that was enough to make me question whether I needed it. He wasn’t flattering me, he just genuinely thought foundation was an old ladies weapon in the fight against wrinkles and age spots.

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My ditching the foundation happened to coincide with the proliferation of BB Creams on the market. And I haven’t found any better than Ginvera Green Tea BB Cream. Until this came into my life I was using L’Oreal’s Nude Magique and would often end up with patchy cheeks where it cloyed and dried out my skin. This one hydrates and delivers perfect coverage all day. Even better, it’s SPF 30 to prevent photoaging and UVA damage.

A skin care sensation that has swept Asia, Ginvera is enriched with premium Green Tea, Ginseng, Chinese Angelica and Hyaluronic Acid. Not only does it smell utterly divine, it also has some pretty impressive long-lasting effects. Hyaluronic Acid (typically produced by the human body) helps bind moisture and leaves skin hydrated, plumper and firmer, whilst Green Tea, Allantoin, Ginseng and Angelica encourage cell renewal and revitalise tired skin.

Even the lightest of applications will leave your skin fairer and more radiant. Specially formulated with a nano fine texture to allow easy spreading and application, it’s a non greasy texture and dries to a velvety finish in seconds. Although it claims to mattify, you are left with a slight sheen but this is completely natural and healthy-looking and creates a perfect base for the rest of your make-up.

Gemma

My only slight reservation is that, as a nude BB Cream, the inference is that it will colour match against your skin tone. I can’t refute this as my skin is pale. I would be interested to see it on someone with a richer and darker complexion though as it does leave my skin more porcelain than other BB Creams I’ve tried. It also dries to a matt finish incredibly quickly so you will want to apply in sections.

At £24.95, it is expensive, yet to say I’m blown away is an understatement. I just can’t imagine not having it in my make-up bag and will definitely buy it again. You can buy yours from official stockist Janiro.co.uk who are also on Facebook and Twitter should you want to see what other beauty journalists are saying about Ginvera.

As if I wasn’t spoiled enough, they’ve also given me some Bio Essence Bio Water Sunscreen to use on myself and the children. I came across this product months ago as it’s regularly listed as a top pick by health and beauty editors. I can totally see why.

HeidiBioWater

With paper thin water technology, a little goes a long way. It applies just like water and dries to a matt finish in seconds. It’s completely non-greasy and a pleasure to pop on before hitting the beach. Sand won’t stick to it and nor will clothes - so it’s a great choice for fussy kids (also available in SPF 56).

As it’s so gentle, it’s fabulous for the face too. In fact, this is the real selling point for this product as we’re all so used to buying separate moisturisers and make-up with SPF. In fact, it’s worth noting that moisturisers with SPF aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. A good slather of these of a morning isn’t enough. To safeguard against UVBs it will need re-applying every two hours, or more if you use it too sparingly. Rather a mineral sunblock on top of your moisturiser before applying make-up will better protect your skin. These, much like Bio Water, sit on top of your skin to reflect the sun’s rays, rather than absorb into it.

I’d go so far as to say, you can pop this on top of your BB Cream without ruining your makeup - it’s that invisible. You’ll want to do this anyway as it’s also enriched with Tranexamic Acid which serves to lighten the skin and prevent dark spots and freckles.

Now for the best bit. It’s also rich in trace minerals providing a real cooling effect. This isn’t short-lived either, it’ll stay cool to the touch even under the afternoon sun. It’s not an unpleasant, or even particularly strong sensation, rather it’s gentle and understated. A definite bonus if you don’t cope well in the heat!

Once again, this isn’t cheap. You’re looking at £18.90 for 40ml. Yet as I previously mentioned, a little goes a long way, and a bottle per person should be enough for a week’s holiday. As you can’t put a price on your families skin, it’s definitely worth stocking up.

Jan 15 2015

Want to look younger? RENU 28 Review

Posted on January 15, 2015 by admin

I recently challenged skincare brands to send me their top rated products in order for me to put them through their paces. I like to think I have one of the fiercest reputations when it comes to skincare blogging and am known for slamming under-performing and overpriced products. So when Steve Ottewell (an ASEA distributor) got in touch to tell me about his products, I treated it with the same skepticism I would any new trial.

He sent me his flagship product, the RENU 28.

Renu28 Tube, Renu 28, Renu Logo

So what is it?

It’s a gel-based firming moisturiser that has been formulated by top scientific bods in the US. They sought to reverse the effects of aging skin by boasting the performance of our body’s mitochondria. Mitochondria are often referred to as the powerhouses of the cells. They generate the energy that our cells need to do their jobs and produce byproducts that need to be neutralised by antioxidants. If old age and environmental pressures interfere with this complex relationship, the natural rejuvenation of our skin slows down and causes visible signs of aging.

I won’t bog you down with science, I’ll let these guys do it instead, but the main thrust is that RENU 28 will help aid the Redox signalling function that calls the antioxidants to action. This process of molecular restructuring allows our cells to perform at peak efficiency.

ASEA primarily makes supplements that will target our entire body at a cellular level, but they also make RENU 28. RENU 28 claims to (funnily enough) provide critical communication between cells to ensure optimum renewal and replenishment, therefore allowing the skin to rejuvenate itself more effectively.

First thoughts

It’s nothing I haven’t heard before. It’s American, it’s had hundreds of dollars thrust into its making, and the scientists behind it will dazzle you with jargon in order to shift it.

Yet what I really appreciated were the case studies of real people. These weren’t celebrities, and nor were the “after photos” a result of a good make-up artist and photoshop. Check out DoYouRenu.com for tons of images, but these are some of my favourites:

Renu 28

There’s also a ton of independent studies that support ASEA’s claims, and its ingredients are simplicity itself.

Aqua/Water/Eu - a.k.a water
Sodium Magnesium Silicate - a synthetic silicate clay compromised primarily of magnesium and sodium silicate. It’s used as a bulking agent and binder, and to preserve the composition of cosmetic products (prevent them darkening or smelling).
Disodium Phosphate - primarily a buffering agent, although it is has additional uses as a corrosion inhibitor, fragrance ingredient, and pH adjuster
Sodium Chloride - a.k.a salt

Everything is zero toxicity and entirely safe to use. Although there isn’t a hard-hitting ingredient to hang your boots on, apparently it’s all in the balance and purity of the ingredients used.

Renu28Gel

So how did it perform?

Introducing a gel to my skincare regime was strange. Once shaken, it’s a nice consistency, there’s no smell, and it sinks into the skin leaving a matt finish on which to apply make-up. This means you can use it in tandem with other moisturisers which suits me perfectly. From Day 1, I also used this on my neck, breasts and tummy.

The firming action was almost instant and I could feel my skin was tighter when I applied my BB Creme on top. Yet for the first few weeks, my skin did dry out considerably. This was great for oily areas such as my nose, chin and forehead, but an unwelcome side effect for my cheeks which are typically very dry anyway.

Renu28BeforeAfter

Yet, having been sent a usage video that forewarned me of initial dryness, I persevered for a full month - After all, it’s called Renu 28 for a reason.

I’m so glad I stuck with it. This is a little bit special and really does work. My skin looks and feels a million times better.

In week 2, my skin began to balance itself out. Nuisance pores shrank, the skin around my eyes tightened, and my whole complexion was lifted. My skin was left brighter, more even in tone and much plumper.

I have no idea what within this product works. I find it really hard to reconcile all these results with the ingredients list above, but in the end, who cares. It’s firmed the skin (and reduced the stretchmarks) on my breasts, it’s faded my c-section scar considerably and it’s made my face look even younger than it does (I still get ID’ed for cigarettes at age 32, so clearly aging skin isn’t something I needed to worry about anyway).

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If you’d like to experience this product for yourself, you can contact Steve through his website http://www.redoxhelp.co.uk/ - prices are dependent upon the quantity you buy.

If you’re also looking for a work from home opportunity, ASEA might fit the bill. Steve Ottewell has plans to introduce RENU 28 Parties where you can earn an extra income through sharing the product with friends. Such parties aren’t for everyone, but do suit many because of their flexible hours. If you try RENU 28 and it works for you, it just might be an option. Follow @SteveOttewell on Twitter or like his Facebook page if you’d like more information.

Nov 14 2014

Hero Products from MyChelle: Advanced Argan Oil & Ultimate Lash and Brown Serum

Posted on November 14, 2014 by admin

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The onset of colder weather can play havoc with your skin. Central heating, wet and cold air, and switching your make-up from summer to winter products, can leave it dry, flaky, and feeling itchy. There are a whole host of products out there that claim to combat these problems, but none (in my opinion) are better than these revolutionary products from MyChelle Dermaceuticals.

Who are MyChelle Dermaceuticals?

MyChelle Hero Products

Admittedly MyChelle were new to me when I contacted them. I make a point of following skincare brands on Twitter (especially those with organic and natural claims) and decided to contact them after checking out their range online. I must have been hiding under a rock as these guy have built quite the reputation with beauty journos and insiders.

It’s worth saying I’ve never visited a website that has got me quite as excited as this one. Their stance on the environment and cruelty-free promise is one thing, their commitment to non-toxic 100% natural ingredients is another, but their ground-breaking products are on a whole new level altogether. Here is a range of skin care products designed to deliver visible results, target specific complaints as well as offering hero products that promise to boost your best bits. The premise just sat really well with me and I couldn’t wait to try them out.

MyChelle Dermaceuticals Advanced Argan Oil

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Argan Oil isn’t a new phenomenon. It’s a plant oil produced from the kernels of the argan tree endemic to the semi-desert area of south western Morocco. It’s been used in the beauty rituals of Moroccan women since antiquity, and has been harnessed in a variety of high-end beauty and skincare products for some time now.

Made up of unsaturated fatty acids, Vitamin E/tocopherols, squalene and sterols, it offers a whole host of benefits. Advocated as a moisturising oil it also boasts antioxidant properties and helps with chronic inflammation, acne and sun damaged skin. It is also believed to boost the conditioning properties of hair care treatments.

MyChelle’s advanced argan oil is USDA Certified Organic. It’s also Baobab enhanced ( > a 100% natural, nutrient-dense raw wholefood rich in vitamin C, calcium, potassium and thiamin) bolstering the antioxidant properties of the argan oil.

My thoughts?

Natural sunlight / No foundation / No BB Creme

I LOVE IT. It is fabulous for my sensitive skin and has significantly improved the luminosity of my face. I actually have really great skin anyway but am knocking on for 35 and do have a few pigmentation marks, this has evened out my skin tone immeasurably. My skin also feels firmer, softer and less itchy. I’ve added drops of it into my BB Creme, body lotion, shampoo and conditioner and it’s boosted the performance of every single one. I’m now regularly going out without make-up as I’m so confident my skin is looking so perfect.

In terms of application, it’s completely non-greasy, sinks in well without leaving a high sheen, and delivers results after just one day’s use. The bottle dropper is great quality and allows you to use the oil sparingly, as well as helping you mix it into other beauty & skin care products easily. It’s largely scentless but there is a slightly nutty aroma (note: this doesn’t contain nuts so is completely fine to use if you have allergies).

Best bit, this is £16.95 for 30mls. If you’re just using this on your face, I’d estimate this being a good 3 month supply. I couldn’t live without this now and can honestly say it’s the best thing I’ve ever used on my face.

MyChelle Dermaceuticals Ultimate Lash and Brown Serum

MyChelle Lash and Brow Serum

As if the argan oil hadn’t gone down well enough, I was also sent this. With “unique, clinically proven breakthrough peptides and nourishing botanical conditioners“, Ultimate Lash and Brow Serum claims to naturally improve lash length, darkness and volume to make them noticeably longer and lusher. But it wasn’t this that got me excited. Nope, I was a teenager in the 90s where over-plucking eyebrows was the ‘done thing’. I now absolutely hate mine as they’re too sparse to thread and are somehow two shades lighter than my hair colour. I was hopeful this would thicken my brows and prepare them for treatment.

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The serum contains MyChelle’s proprietary Myracle Peptide Complex, which is a culmination of peptide technology designed to stimulate the production of keratin. It also claims to have restorative, protective and moisturising properties. The idea is to promote healthy lash and brow formation, protect hair follicles and banish brittleness.

My thoughts?

Although I can appreciate that the peptide mix above does boast several of the properties naturally found within lashes and brows, whether simply applying a small layer to this area would actually enhance lashes and brows is another thing entirely. I was naturally dubious but absolutely hopeful. My brows are a cause of major anxiety for me as I think it makes my nose look bigger.

Application was simple. The brush is like a thin paint brush, you simply brush it over your eyebrows and where your eyelid meet your lashes (top only) as though you would liquid eyeliner. There’s no sticky or greasy residue, and you can simply carry out with your normal make-up routine afterwards if you so choose (Note: I apply mine before bed so my face is free of make-up). There was no irritation or itchiness.

Results-wise… well amazingly it works. I’ve applied this daily for some 3 weeks and my eye lashes are definitely fuller than before. I don’t believe I have new hairs forming, rather each lash is fatter and plumper. It’s not enough of a difference to prompt comments from others, or something that could replace any lash cosmetics, but there’s no denying they are thicker.

As for my eyebrows, the same applies. As they’ve plumped, they’ve gone slightly darker and look much better. It’s definitely boosted my confidence and I’m hopeful I can get myself down a beautician’s soon for a thread and tint; I’m chuffed to bits with it.

This costs £39 so isn’t cheap, but if you have genuine anxieties or are approaching skincare from an anti-aging perspective, I would definitely recommend it.