Borghese Moisturizers for Dry Skin

I am becoming a huge fan of Borghese products, their moisturizers are amazing because they do a great job of keeping my dry skin from flaking and keep my skin supple and moisturized. Especially spending Christmas in Washington where it was freezing cold and at times, dry, my skin needed something that will quench its thirst. I love a good product for my skin, and because my skin is the most important to me, I don't mind paying a little more for great quality- something that works. I took these products with me to Washington, and it was a skin saver!

Equilibrio Equalizing Restorative ($44.50, 1.7 oz)- 4.5 out of 5 stars
What it is: A lightweight, oil-free moisturizer which restores the moisture balance of your skin while controlling shine. Non-comedogenic, Equilibrio normalizes skin, hydrating where necessary, leaving skin with a velvety, matte complexion.

Has witch hazel, rosemary, and white birch to capture excess oil and has Acqua di Vita complex to hydrate dry areas to leave skin balanced.


My experience with this product: I use this moisturizer before applying CuraForte Moisturizer Intensifier, in the morning and after I shower, and it keeps my skin smooth throughout the day without having to reapply and without feeling oily or greasy. Doesn't break me out at all and I love the pump bottle which makes it easy to apply, keeps it sanitary, and no product is wasted. I was using Korres Yogurt Moisturizer, which is around $30 a pop but it didn't last me long and found myself buying a new one every month or a few weeks, this one costs a little more but contains more product and so far is lasting me a long time (I already had it for 2 months now and still have a lot left in the bottle!)

CuraForte Moisture Intensifier ($66.50, 1.7 oz)- 5 out of 5 stars

What it is: A lightweight formula that intensifies and maximizes the skin's capacity to hold moisture by 200%. It softens and lifts dull surface cells allowing the benefits of moisturizers to penetrate easily and perform at their optimum. Surface fine lines and wrinkles decrease up to 70% within 11 days. Improves skin tone and clarity.

My experience: I use this after I apply my Borghese Equalizing Moisturizer, and it keeps my skin more supple, and I noticed that my skin feels more moisturized, lasting all day without any re-application. The best part about their skin products is that they don't feel greasy, or oily, they literally sink into your skin and not just keep it moisturized, but my skin feels more even and soft, so not only does it help dry skin- it also improves your skin. The only gripe I have is that it is a bit pricey, but it does last a long time, and if you are like me where you find yourself always looking for a new moisturizer or repurchasing your go-to one, it might be a savings in the end.

Dolce Notte Re-Energizing Night Cream ($53.50, 1.85 oz)- 5 out of 5 stars
What it is: While you sleep, return Normal-Dry or Very Dry skin to a comfortable, balanced and healthy state. This rich nighttime treatment encourages cell turnover, sweeping away dullness and impurities while revealing radiant skin. Non pore-clogging, good for sensitive skin. Also contains the acqua di vita complex to sweep away dullness.

My experience: Out of the 4 products, this one is my FAVORITE. I am a fan for moisturizers that you can apply at night, and does the work while you sleep. I love putting this before bedtime or after a shower and letting it just seep into my skin. I wake up with baby soft skin making makeup application so easy and everything just goes on smooth. It literally leaves you skin feeling and looking flawless. And smells amazing! And this too is lasting me a long time, it has definitely changed my skin for the better. I used to have patches of dry skin and this totally helped!

Fango Ristorativo Restorative Hydrating Mud for Face & Body ($33.50, 7 oz.)- 4 out of 5 stars
What it is: A multi-purpose mask that helps nourish and replenish skin with vital marine nutrients and Borghese’s signature Acqua di Vita® Complex. It helps protect against environmental damage while soothing stressed or dehydrated skin with a cooling sensation. Reduces redness as well as inflammation and irritation of the skin. Concentrated minerals and micronutrients replenish and re-mineralize dull, depleted skin. Softens, smoothes and enhances elasticity of the skin for a younger, healthier, more luminous complexion.

*This also comes in a tub form, so I am really happy it's now available in a tube- and at HALF the cost!

My experience: I love masks, but to be honest I rarely reach for them. But because this is in a tube and total time is 5 minutes, it makes it super easy to use. The cream is white straight from the tube, but turns a light blue when you apply it on your face as it has little micro beads. It has kaolin to help clean and purify and fights against inflammation of the skin. I just apply, leave on for 5 minute and rinse off. It was a nice feeling on my skin because I am used to masks being so drying to take out any excess oil, but this was nice because after rinsing, you can feel your skin is more refreshed.

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Product Review: Dentisse Mouthwash

Product: 3 out of 5
Taste: 4 out of 5
Packaging: 2 out of 5
Overall: 3 out of 5
Available on: www.dentisse.com, $14.99 (they also have a toothpaste and a lip balm)

I was sent this product to try out, after I was interested in trying new mouthwashes on the market; and it's described as: Dentisse Natural Solution is an alcohol-free oral rinse (mouthwash), which contains Aloe Vera, Xylitol and a blend of natural oils that attack bacteria that form plaque and cause odor without the burning and drying effects of alcohol, moisturizing the mouth and contains baking soda to neutralize acids.

What they say:
Brush and rinse with Dentisse for just two weeks, and you’ll have...

• noticeably shinier, whiter teeth
• long-lasting fresh breath
• less plaque and tartar buildup
• a smoother, cleaner "mouth feel"
• a more-radiant smile

First impression: The bottle itself was different from other mouthwashes I have encountered as I thought it resembled a shampoo bottle, lol.  When I read it had Xylitol, I was a bit confused as it is a natural sweetener often found in gum and wondered if that was counter-productive, but to my surprise Xylitol actually has a lot of health benefits and has been clinically proven to provide oral health benefits, which you can read more about here. And our bodies already produce it! (Learn something new everyday!)

PROS:
- Nice minty taste. I was scared of the taste before trying it because I thought the baking soda in it would make it taste and feel chalky but not at all! It tasted and smelled like a regular minty fresh mouthwash you may already be accustomed to, but has a more herbal taste to it, and no intense burning sensation.
- Didn't dry out my mouth, made it feel moisturized.
- Has a lot of product to last awhile.
- Cap screws on pretty tight and no leakage as of yet, even during the move! Which is a plus, I hate crappy caps that waste so much product.
- My teeth were noticeably a smidge whiter after 2 weeks of use and mouth felt cleaner.
- They ship outside of the US.

CONS:
- No measuring mouth cup/cap common in many mouthwashes found at your local drugstore, and I like the convenience of having one as it makes things so much easier and sanitary by avoiding having to sip straight from the bottle or trying to pour it in its cap that's not meant for that. I also like knowing I am using the recommended amount, rather than eyeballing the amount myself, which can either be not enough product to fully utilize it to its true potential, or using too much product, therefore wasting it.
- I am not a fan of the package design. Like I mentioned it looks too much like a shampoo bottle and fear that there is someone out there that's probably gonna mix up the two one day LOL. 
- $14.99 is a bit steep for a mouthwash (personally), but it's like hair products, you just pick and choose your battles and some people are willing to pay more for better quality products that work well for them.
- Only available currently on their website, www.dentisse.com and not in any stores at the moment.

Overall: 
It was nice to try it out given my small hesitation initially because it was so different from mouthwashes I was used to seeing in stores (which is a good thing, because you never judge a book by its cover!), but it definitely grabbed by curiosity and I liked the easy-going taste, and the fact it didn't have a crazy burning sensation. I wish products like these were available in brick and mortar stores so that more people have easier access to them. But if you are all for more natural products and trying new things, especially when it comes to oral health, it's something worth trying.

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Finally settled in....

Ugh, I hate moving. Even though we decided last minute to stay in the city we currently live in, it was annoying to pack and unpack and disassembling all the big furniture and having to put it back together. But I am just so happy it's all done! As much as I desperately wanted to move closer to work, we found nothing we really liked in any of the nearby cities (and that didn't cost an arm and a leg- damn you Los Angeles) and decided to stay here since we love where we live now. Commute still sucks but I must say, I look forward to going home, where it feels like home. And I love our spacious kitchen that has an island! Comes in handy when we are cooking. We still have some more unpacking to do....but all the essentials are in, and we have internet! So I will be adding more posts soon!

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Review: Yuko Repair Through Spray for Hair

Product: 4 out of 5

Packaging: 5 out of 5

Quality: 3.5 out of 5

Overall: 4 out of 5

Price: $24 for 6.8 fl. oz, available on Yuko-USA, Amazon

Happy Monday dolls! This will probably be my only post this week since I am moving and don't know when I will be getting my internet and cable setup, but have no fear, if all goes well I should be back in business next week *crosses fingers*. I love Japanese skin and haircare products, they are just so gentle and always seem to work well with me. I was in search for a new leave-in conditioner since my long hair can get unruly and dry, I like something that can keep my hair shiny and moisturized without weighing it down or making it feel like I have product in my hair; and was happy to try Yuko Repair Through Spray.  They also have shampoos and hair treatments on their online shop.

What it is: Leave-in conditioner which contains various kinds of amino-acid that protect hair from blow-dryer or ironing. 

What they say: Diminish damage from heat by excluding alcohol as ingredients. Moisture and moisten agencies penetrate into hair, protection agency covers cuticle with softness and anti-static. Leaves essential moissture in hair, protects from heat from blow-dryer or home care iron. Deeply revitalizes, detangles, and smooths the hair before styling prevents split ends and breakage. Makes the hair shiny, moist and light silky. 

Usage: Spray onto wet/damp hair before blowdrying.

PROS:

- No weird or funky smell like other products (Ojon works wonders but not a fan of the smell), so I like that this has a very light scent.

- Detangler is a bonus! Ladies with long hair know what I am talking about, but this definitely helped combing my hair after a shower a lot easier (and painless!)

- I felt my hair wasn't as dry, felt more soft to the touch, and gave a nice sheen. 

- Pretty large bottle to last awhile.

CONS:

- Kind of pricey for a leave-in conditioner, although I have not used it long enough to see how long-term results are (to see if it may be worth it).
- Must purchase online rather than an actual store, some salons carry certain products according to their site/store locator, but not too many options available.

Overall: It seemed to do a good job at keeping the ends of my hair moisturized, since having long hair tends to dry my ends. My hair felt nice and soft after a few sprays, and it was easy to comb and style since it's also a detangler. But $24 may be pricey for a leave-in conditioner for some (including myself), I currently don't spend that much on hair products in general, but then again it's because I don't spend a lot of time on my hair in terms of curling, straightening, etc. So for those that care more for their hair than I do with mine, it's definitely worth checking out.

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Review: Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Strips

L to R: Frock Star, Bling It On, Wild Child, and Laced Up

Product: 4.5 out of 5

Packaging: 5 out of 5

Quality: 5 out of 5

Overall: 5 out of 5

Price: $8.99 each

Shade I am wearing in pics below is: "Bling It On"

Available at most drugstores

I went to Target last week and came across these Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Strips which claim to last up to 10 days, since I am challenged when it comes to putting on nailpolish on my right hand and have no patience for waiting for it to dry, I thought these would be perfect to try out. They are pretty new to the market, they aren't even on the Sally Hansen website yet and they were hard to find (not all Target stores had them or drugstores for that matter). But I think they should be rolling out to more places in due time within the next couple of months if not sooner.

Each box comes with 16 nail strips (extras in case you make a mistake) and of course different sizes so you can find ones that fit your nail bed, a cuticle pusher, detailed instructions, and a nail file. I recommend that you have warm hands or fingertips when you apply these so that when you smooth out the nail strip it sorts seals it onto your natural nail and helps it adhere.

PROS:

-I noticed they have remarkable staying power when used with a top coat. I used Seche Vite top coat to help seal and make it last longer and didn't experience any chipping so far and have had it for about 6 days now; and usually with regular polish I do on Day 2 or 3. Without a top coat it's more prone to peeling or getting etches quicker.

- They have a variety of cool designs and colors, from lace, zebra, high-impact glitter, neon, matte, shimmer, etc. to choose from.

- They are $8.99 each which is relatively cheaper than a manicure you get at a salon.

- Super easy to apply and remove, and very natural looking. It only took me 10 minutes or less to do both hands, and you can remove it with regular nail polish remover.

- Great if you are pressed for time and need to do a quick manicure, no need to wait for them to dry!

CONS:

- Not all of the nail strips will fit all nail beds, but it's not too noticeable, just gotta find the one that fits you the best.

Overall: I love, love, love these! I honestly wanna just get these from now on as oppose to regular nail polish because they are just so easy to do lol! I like that I don't have to wait for these to dry, and that they last a long time. They also come in many fun designs as well as more normal nail polish shades and finishes. I had people even say "I love your nailpolish color what brand/shade is it?" and they are shocked when I say they are nail polish strips, because they look that natural.

The shade "Bling It On" was hard to capture its true color, it's a really pretty medium bright rose pink in person, not as dark as it is in some of the pictures.

Used a different camera, but color is closer to the pic above, and is still as vibrant as Day 1:

Minimal chipping on index fingernail near cuticle, but still in tact for the most part

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Bornprettystore.com

Happy New Year ladies! Sorry i've been slacking this week in posting, everyone's back from vacation so i've been busy catching up at work and because the fiance and I are moving next week (even though I feel like we just moved into our place!), but I am moving to be closer to work since the commute now sorta stinks. So I am sad leaving the home we had so many memories in, but looking forward to making new ones at our new place; which is going to cut my commute from an hour to less than 30 minutes! But I hope you all had a wonderful holiday with loved ones, and toast to the New Year! May 2011 bring lots of luck, happiness, good health, and of course more money wouldn't hurt either! LOL.

Product: 4 out of 5

Packaging: 5 out of 5

Quality: 5 out of 5

Anyway, I had an opportunity to try out a couple of 16 shimmer eyeshadow palettes from www.bornprettystore.com, as well as their sponge bun maker. When I first saw these palettes I was amazed at how colorful they are, and when I swatched them on my hand, they were so pigmented! I've seen random palettes from places that look bright and pigmented, but are far from it when you swatch them, and definitely not the case with these. I wish these palettes came in all neutral colors as well for everyday wear, or even a matte version to switch things up. They also come with sponge-tip applicators.

These are without a base, pretty pigmented!

Product: 4 out of 5

Quality: 4 out of 5

Their sponge bun maker is so nifty and makes nice loose hairstyles in a jiff. My hair is long, thick, and heavy, so usually I can't rock hair 'do clips that make updo's or buns because my hair just weighs it down and my head ends up feeling bruised at the end of the day, but because these are made out of foam, they are pretty comfy to sport and makes it easy to do a messy bun or chignon in seconds. Although I had to use some bobby pins to pin a few pieces since it wouldn't hold all my hair together, it still came out great! It's great for those of you with shorter hair, or fine hair as it will hold up really well, for us ladies with long and thick hair, it takes a bit of work and you may need some pins to keep it in place, but you can still make nice hairstyles.

From their website:

A loose chignon I did for a wedding:

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UD Limited Edition Eyeliners-Get yours now!

They are back on the site ladies, hurry before they are sold out again! US Residents only, UD does not ship internationally unfortunately :(

www.urbandecay.com 

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