Review: Elixir Skincare

Today the courier came guess what it was?

Some samples from Elixir Skincare!

Let's have a look:

Elixir Balancing Toner

Product Description:

Use this gentle toner after cleansing to remove any residue, restore pH balance, stimulate circulation, reduce oiliness and refine open pores.

Spritz face until skin is damp then tissue off excess, or spray toner onto cotton pad and gently wipe facial area. For normal to combination skin.

Size:100ml/ 250ml

INGREDIENTS: Distilled water, rose oil concentrate, vitamin E acetate, Santalum album (sandalwood), Lavandula officinalis (lavender)

A mild, odourless toner that is not harsh on the skin and purifies.

Elixir Balancing Cleanser

Use this light, balancing milk-based cleanser morning and evening to remove pollutants and dirt.

Apply to skin and massage in with fingertips to cleanse. Rinse well with water or remove gently with damp cotton pad. For normal to combination skin.

INGREDIENTS: Vegetable-based carrier lotion and carrier cream, water gel, surfactant, Santalum album (sandalwood), Lavandula officinalis (lavender)

Just like the toner, except this a cleanser and milkier. Lavender scented and gentle, but left my skin a bit dry afterwards.

Elixir Derma Gel Treatment Cream

Soothe, hydrate and purify your skin with this activating and rejuvenating treatment.

Massage liberally onto cleansed and toned skin. To treat dry skin, leave on overnight. For an oily complexion, leave on for 10 minutes and then rinse off with warm water and damp cotton pad; follow with night moisturiser. Suitable for all skin types.

Size: 50ml/125ml

INGREDIENTS: Aloe ferox, vegetable-based carrier cream, water gel, vitamin E oil, Eriocephalus punctulatus (Cape chamomile), Lippia javanica (zinziba)

Moisturised my skin quite a bit, happpy with the quality. Great texture.

Balancing Night Moisturiser

Product Description:

This rich formulation firms and nourishes your complexion while you sleep.

Apply after cleansing and toning face and neck. Gently massage in with fingertips, using upward movements. For normal to thirsty skin.

Size: 50ml/125ml

INGREDIENTS: Vegetable-based carrier cream and thickened carrier cream, sweet almond oil, carrier milk, Aloe ferox, Santalum album (sandalwood), Lavandula officinalis (lavender)

Another lavender scented night cream, it left me feeling confident in nourished skin before bed!

Multi Active Enzyme Exfoliator

Product Description:

Repairs damaged skin, antibacterial. Feeds skin, gently exfoliates and refines pores for a smoother skin.

This exceptional skin treatment exfoliator offers a mild skin peel that gently exfoliates using the lightly stimulating action of bamboo granules, fruit acids and papaya enzymes.  Rich in antioxidants, it repairs stressed and damaged skin. Aloe ferox gel fees the freshly exfoliated skin, offering a smoother, brighter complexion. Perfectly suited to mature or delicate skins, and gentle enough for frequent use. Can be used on all skin types.

Very impressed by this product, it removed dead skin cells on my face, causing me to reappear with more radiant, brighter skin.

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Thanks for allowing me to try out these tender products, Elixir Skincare!

For more info, be sure to check them out in the link below:

http://elixirskincare.com/

What's in my Avène Bag?

Hey guys!

So I got sent this this adorable parcel a while back from Eau Thermale Avène.

So, What's in the bag?

Below I will mention the products and a short POV:

1) Avène Cleanance Expert

- Helps eliminate mild to moderate blemishes, spots, and blackheads.

- Light emulsion that is quickly absorbed and leaves skin feeling hydrated and mattified

My POV

Quite watery. It blended easily into my skin but left my skin feeling quite damp afterwards. It definitely gave it a natural matte finish.

2) Avène Sunscreen SPF 30

- Suitable for oily, acne-prone skin

- Dry touch

-  Paraben-free

- Photostable

- Water resistant

My POV

Being thicker than the Cleanance Expert, I had to spend a bit more time rubbing this into my skin. Much to my dismay, it ended up like other sunscreens tat I have used in the past; leaving my skin oily and shiny. It did not have a matte finish on my skin. It did however, last longer than most SPFs.

3) Avène TriAcneal Expert

- Targets blemishes and marks

- Moisturiser

My POV

This has a peachy colour and scent. I much like the look of the product! It did not a greasy feeling when massaged onto my face and had a dry touch, with my skin itself not feeling dry. This is a great moisturiser especially if you want to get rid of those old acne scars and dark marks!

4) Micellar Lotion

- Cleanses and removes make-up in just one step

- Skin feels cleansed, soft, comfortable

My POV

It burned my skin, but got the job done. Odorless. Was not very powerful against my makeup.

5) Avène Thermal Spring Water

- Direct connection between spring and production plant

- Sterile packaging

- No expiration date

- For irritated skin

My POV

This was the first time I tried a thermal water spray and it was definitely an amazing experience. Odorless and clear, it reminds of a natural spring bath! Although this has so many different uses, I used it to sooth my eczema on the back of my knee. It worked a miracle and didn't burn at all and soothed my skin. This has got to be my favourite Avène product. 

I'd recommend the Thermal Water, TriAcneal EXPERT and the Cleanance Expert to anyone who is looking for a way to safely get a matte look on their skin, without all the harsh makeup!

A huuuuge thank you to Avène for sending me these amazing goodies!

Find out more about them here:

http://www.eau-thermale-avene.co.za/

AFRIDERM Peeling Gel Review

I recently received this peeling gel from Afriderm.

Product Description:

This exfoliating Peeling Gel can be used daily by all shades of dark-pigmented skin to deeply cleanse and encourage the natural process of skin renewal. The Peeling Gel gently removes dry, dull and dead cells from the skins surface to encourage natural skin regeneration. Used regularly, it leaves skin clear, silky-soft, healthy and youthful looking. Made from a soothing complex of herbal oils and extracts.

Features :

1. Active face care especially formulated for dark-pigmented skin
2. Exfoliates: Deeply but gently removes dry and dull skin cells
3. Regenerates: Encourages the natural process of skin renewal
4. Moisturizes: Helps create silkier and softer skin
5. Soothes: Calms stressed skin and helps fight signs of aging
6. Protects: Guards against ashy-looking skin
7. Best of Natural Ingredients: Coenzyme 10, Aloe Vera, Chamomile & Ginkgo, Biloba Extracts plus Evening Primrose, Grape Seed and Borage Seed (Omega 3 & 6) Herbal Oils.

• Cleansing Perfection
• Facial-Intensive Care
• For Dark Pigmented Skin
• Gentle exfoliation to create smooth, clear, attractive skin tones & texture!

Cleanses and prevents the build-up of dead and dry cells on the skin’s surface.

Accelerates natural, fresh cell renewal and guards against dry “ashy-looking” skin appearance.

Contains natural herbal extracts and non-irritating moisture-enhancing ingredients.

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Propylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile Flower), Extract, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf, Extract, Coix Lacryma-Jobi (Job's Tears), Seed Oil, Borago Officinalis (Borage), Seed Oil, Dehydroacetic Acid,, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose)Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil,Parfum (Fragance),Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis(Rosemary) Leaf Oil, Algae Extract, Polysorbate 20, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Limonene, Linalol, Butylphenyl Methylpropional. PARABEN FREE.

My POV

Other than the amazing, elegant look that product gives off, it has a gentle feel.

When I first applied it to my skin, I expected it to burn around my nose and cheek area, like other peels and masks have done in the past. I left it on for one minute as stated, and probably took another two minutes to admire the fresh smell it gave off. When I washed it off with warm water, it cleansed off easily and my skin didn't feel dry afterwords. It felt tight around the cheek area. When I woke up in the morning, my skin felt smoother than ever and also had a radiant look to it! I will definitely be be adding this peel to my weekly skin routine.

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A big thank you to the Afriderm team! 

Find out more about them here:

www.afriderm.co.za

Rose Water Skin Care Recipes and Ideas

Rose Water Skin Care Recipes and Ideas

Rose water is used in a variety of ways in skin care treatments. The best part of using rose water for skin is that it is suitable for every skin type. Whether you have an oily skin or a dry one, sensitive skin or normal skin, rose water is perfect for you. It also has some antiseptic and anti-bacterial properties that help to do away with some of the basic skin problems if used in the right way. It is gentle on your skin and has a heavenly smell.

Rose water is effective in soothing, balancing, toning and moisturizing your skin so that you feel rejuvenated and refreshed. Once you start realizing how easily you can take care of your skin with the help of rose water, I am sure it is going to take a permanent place among your beauty products.

Rose Water Beauty Tips for Skin:

• Use Rose Water instead of plain water while you prepare your face packs; this would help to enhance the effectiveness as rosewater is endowed with natural cleansing as well as moisturizing properties.

• Use it directly on your skin as a cleanser. Since it has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, it helps to take out dirt and oil from clogged pores and trim down the problem of pimples and acne.

• Dab it on your face and use it as a toner. If you can do it everyday, you would notice significant diminishing of open pores. It helps to hydrate your skin, give a youthful touch and prevent wrinkles.

Rose Water Skin Care Recipes: Seven Easy Ideas

1. Rosewater-Glycerin cleanser: Add two spoons of glycerin and a few drops of rose essential oil to a cup of rose water. Use it as a cleanser for your face. It is very gentle on your skin and helps to lessen chances of getting fine lines.

2. Rosewater-Lemon juice skin tonic– Mix rose water and lemon juice in equal quantities. Wash your face, preferably with warm water since that would help to open up the pores. Apply the mixture on the affected area and wait for fifteen minutes. It is useful to reduce pimples and acnes. It is however recommended that you get a patch test done before application as you might suffer from irritations if it does not suit you.

3. Rosewater-Sandalwood pack- Add one spoon of sandalwood powder with one spoon of rosewater. Apply the paste on your face to get rid of acnes. This must be done once in a week.

4. Fenugreek Rosewater pack- Soak a few fenugreek seeds in water overnight and make a fine paste by crushing them in a blender. Add rose water. Apply it on your face. Keep it on for about twenty minutes and rinse in cold water. This pack is helpful in treating acnes.

5. Rosewater-Fullers Earth faces pack (for oily skin): If you have a tough time controlling excessive oil secretion, try this pack. Take some fuller’s earth (multani mitti) and add some rosewater to make a fine paste. Add a few drops of lemon juice. It cleanses pores effectively and prevents excessive oil secretion.

6. Rosewater-Almonds face pack (for dry skin): Make a paste of almonds and combine it with rose water. You may also add some honey. This face pack is excellent for dry skin.

7. Rosewater-Honey face pack (for sensitive skin): Mix rosewater, milk and honey. Add some oatmeal and make a paste. Apply it on your face and let it dry. Rinse with cold water.

How to Make Rose Water At Home?

Instead of relying on the ready-made rosewater available in fancy bottles in your favorite cosmetic stores, if you want to prepare rosewater at home for your beauty needs, you would require some rose petals (if possible, free from pesticides) and a pot of water. Trim the petals and add adequate water. Let it boil for about twenty minutes. The liquid should be strained well. The rosewater should now be allowed to cool and then stored in the refrigerator. This is pure and your skin reaps the best benefits.

Review: Nivea Facial Night Cream vs. Nivea Facial Day Cream

I recently received a box of wonderful Nivea products from Symbiotic Communications.

Now, Nivea has always been one of my most used and favourite products!

I'm going to be comparing two special creams that I found in the box; the Nivea Perfect&Radiant Facial Day Cream and the Nivea Perfect&Radiant Facial Night Cream.

Basically this is a breakdown of the two different creams and although they have total different time usage specifications, I'll be giving my thoughts on which one I find most efficient to my skin routine.

Lets start off with the Facial Day Cream:

NIVEA Perfect & Radiant Facial day cream SPF 15 with the innovative Eventone Pure Active works deep within the skin cells to visibly reduce dark marks and uneven skin tone. Daily sun protection (SPF15) protects the skin, preventing future skin darkening, while advanced mattifiers prevent oily shine.

The silky, smooth formula, enriched with Eventone Pure Active and Vitamin E, works to gradually enhance skin complexion while visibly reducing the appearance of dark marks.

Results on skin:

• Inner radiance is revealed.
• The appearance of dark marks and spots is reduced.
• Visibly more even and mattified skin.
• Skin tone is evened out, and complexion improved.
• Skin feels soft and smooth.

Although I see nothing different in this day cream compared to others, this day cream moistened my skin and provided me with an excellent base start to my makeup applications.

With that said, the results of the Facial Night Cream:

A silky-smooth nourishing formula, enriched with Eventone Pure Active and Pro Vitamin B5, increases cell renewal and regenerates the skin. Works during the night to gradually balance skin complexion and restore its natural even tone and radiance.

Results On Skin

• Works to increase cell renewal and regenerate the skin
• Skin tone is brighter and more radiant
• Dark marks are reduced
• Provides skin with lasting nourishment and moisture
• Skin feels soft and smooth

When I first apply this night cream(after washing my face, before bed) I always get a fresh smell that is never too over-powering. What's different about this compared to other night creams is that when I wake up, my face actually feels hydrated and soft, without the oiliness!

With that being said, it's clear that I favour the Nivea Facial Night Cream over the Day Cream because I can not only see the effects more but feel it too.

A big thank you to Symbiotic Communications

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More awesome reviews coming soon!

How to Hide Acne/Pimples with Makeup

-Finding the Right Makeup-

•Acquire oil-free makeup. Cosmetics that do not clog pores are called noncomedogenic or non-acnegenic. The first ingredient in your makeup should be water. Opt for mineral-based cosmetics, which will absorb excess oil and hide redness without irritating your skin.

Noncomedogenic makeup does not interfere with acne medication.

•Pick the right primer for your skin. Use oil-free primer to keep your makeup in place. It can be especially difficult to keep concealer on an inflamed zit, but a dab of primer does the trick. Lightweight primers are less likely to irritate acne and are easier on oily skin.

•Use a primer with SPF for protection from the sun, especially if you have scarring or hyperpigmentation. Sun exposure can slow the healing process.

•Consider a powder foundation. A mineral-powder foundation is less likely to clog your pores than a liquid foundation, though it will provide less coverage. Opt for mattifying products: they absorb excess oil, and a matte finish conceals bumpiness.

•Avoid shimmery finish, which will draw attention to bumps.Foundations that are designed to last all day are more likely to clog your pores, causing further acne.

•Find or make a concealer that matches your skin tone. Concealer that is too light or dark will highlight your trouble spots, rather than hiding them. Mix two shades of concealer if you cannot find one that matches your skin.

•Consider using a setting powder.Setting powder can benefit oily skin, but can exacerbate dryness in other skin. If you choose to use it, find a light setting powder that is less likely to trap oils under your skin.

-Applying the Makeup-

•Clean and moisturize your skin. Before applying makeup, gently wash your face with warm water. Gently rub in a fragrance-free water-based moisturizer. Apply a sunscreen or a moisturizer-sunscreen combination for protection against the sun.

Sunscreen does not cause acne unless it contains harmful chemicals such as PABA and benzophenone.

•Prepare your brush or sponge. You can use brushes or sponges to apply your makeup if you would like to avoid touching your skin. Acne can be caused by bacteria on the hands, but sponges or brushes can also hold bacteria, so be sure wash them at least twice a week.

•Apply primer. Wait a few minutes to allow your skin to absorb the moisturizer, then use your fingers or a sponge to apply primer. If you prefer not to use a primer across your whole face, you can dab it onto problem spots to help fasten your concealer.

•Apply concealer. Wait a few minutes for your primer to set, then apply concealer in an x to your acne. Gently pat it in place. Do not rub, or it may streak.

You may prefer to wait on the concealer after you have applied foundation, as foundation will cover many of the milder occurrences of acne.

You can use a green concealer to diffuse pigmentation. Never apply green concealer after applying foundation.

•Apply foundation. Wait a few seconds for your concealer to set, then use a brush to apply foundation. Use as little as possible. If your first application seems inadequate, add light, even layers until you are satisfied with the result.

If you still have spots, wait a few minutes for your foundation to set, then add concealer.If you are finishing with a setting powder, you can apply it now. With a brush, apply it on your skin in slow circles.

Once your foundation has set, you can apply the rest of your makeup.

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