Skin Prep & Skin Care
Review: NeoCell Super Collagen Powder
What is It?
Collagen is a protein found in our connective tissues. As we grow older, we begin to lose the ability to produce collagen which can lead to wrinkles, fine lines, and even joint pain. NeoCell’s Super Collagen Powder is a dietary supplement rich in hydroxyproline and hydroxylysine, which are two key amino acids specific only to collagen and especially important to collagen production. It has a 90% absorption rate into the blood stream where cellular changes occur.
While many creams on the market advertise their collagen boosting properties, it’s important to know that collagen actually cannot be absorbed by the skin. The best way to take it would be through your diet.
Review
I started taking NeoCell’s Super Collagen Powder a little over a month ago. After reading amazing reviews for it all over the internet, I was excited to see what the hype was about. The powder comes in a 7oz jar which will last you about 30 days. You’re supposed to take it on an empty stomach and then wait 30 minutes before you eat.
On the jar it claims to be tasteless, so the first time I took Super Collagen Powder, I scooped some into a big glass of water and attempted to stir it in. It got really clumpy and would not dissolve; I got impatient and just I gagged down the clumps. Not pleasant. The next day, I figured I needed a better method. I decided to blend some of the collagen powder in my protein shake in order to mask the flavor. Using a blender worked wonders! The powder dissolved right away and I was barely able to taste it.
After about three weeks of taking the supplement regularly I had started to notice some subtle (but welcomed) changes. My nails were growing super fast and I found myself having to file them much more often. My nails are usually very brittle, and they start to peel if they get too long. The collagen powder has strengthened them and I’ve noticed a lot less damage on the nail beds. After another week, I noticed that my hair was not only growing faster, but it was shedding a lot less as well. I have a lot of hair, and it is always coming out. While I usually lose between 20-30 hairs after a shower, lately it’s been around 10-15. I’m 24 years old so I don’t have wrinkles, but I do have small fine lines around my eyes. I have started to notice them filling in and disappearing.
Another common benefit I found while reading other reviews was that the powder is supposed to help immensely with joint pain. I do not have joint pain, so I cannot vouch for it’s effectiveness with this particular issue, I feel it’s worth mentioning!
Overall, I am pleasantly surprised with NeoCell’s Super Collagen Powder. I read that after 25, collagen begins to break down at a rate of 1.5% a year. I am definitely going to keep this powder in my beauty routine as another defense against anti-aging. The price is fantastic too! At between $8-16 (depending on where you buy) for a month’s supply, Super Collagen Power is an easily affordable addition to any beauty regimen.
Cons
The Taste
It’s hard to describe the taste of the powder. It doesn’t have a strong flavor at all but for some reason it was very hard for me to drink. Adding it to a protein shake made it much more tolerable.
It’s not Vegan
While I do not claim to be vegetarian or vegan, I try to make sure the majority of my diet free from animal products. Unfortunately, the Super Collagen Powder is derived from food grade bovine collagen so it would not be suitable for vegans.
Hard to Mix
This stuff would not dissolve when I stirred it. I had to blend it in my mini handheld blender in order to make it dissolve in my protein shake.
www.neocell.com
Disclaimer: From time to time, companies will send me products to review. I pride myself in providing my readers with honest feedback of the products I am testing. I will not recommend something I would not use personally or professionally. Sending me product does not guarantee a review and I accept no monetary compensation for in exchange for reviews.
Review: Reviva Labs
When Reviva Labs contacted me to review several of their products, I was a bit hesitant since I am very picky about what goes on my face in terms of skincare. However, when I discovered their products were all natural, AND they earned the seal of approval from my grandma (who looks 15 years younger than she really is), I decided to try them out!
The Glycolic Acid Cream
It’s impossible for me to actually pick a favorite product out of the three I tested, but the Glycolic Acid Cream is definitely a strong contender for the title! I’ve been interested in Glycolic Acid creams for awhile and since Revia Labs is a leader in the glycolic acid field, I was excited to try out the best of the best!
What is it?
Glycolic Acid is derived from sugar cane and is used as a natural exfoliant. It loosens any dead skin cells and whisks them away, increasing the rate at which younger cells reach the surface. It is clinically acclaimed to help diminish visible wrinkles, discoloration and age spots. As an added bonus, using Glycolic Acid allows your other skincare products to penetrate deeper. Sign me up.
Review:
Even though I wanted to jump in with the heavy duty 10% Glycolic Acid Cream, I decided to start with 5% since I read that you should allow time for your skin to get used to the product (or you risk irritation). They warn you that there may be stinging when you apply the cream, but I felt none. Since I don’t have sensitive skin at all, I made my boyfriend try it (haha) and he reported no stinging either.
I applied the cream at night, before bed, and I woke up with the smoothest skin ever; it literally felt like a brand new layer had emerged! Getting these amazing results so quickly encouraged me to keep going with the product. After about a month, my skin looked incredibly clear and bright (I even received compliments!) and I have noticed I am breaking out much less. Since I am 23, I can’t vouch on it’s ability to fade lines and wrinkles, but I have noticed that it has started to fade some mild acne scars on my chin! I am in love with this product and will definitely be purchasing a jar of the 10% very soon.
Ingredients:
My absolute favorite thing about this product is that it’s all natural! The ingredients consist of:
purified water, glycolic acid polymer (extracts of sugar and rhubarb), extracts of pumpkin, peach, sage, chamomile, witch hazel, Vitamins A, D, E safflower oil, and sunflower oil. No parabans, chemicals, dyes – nothing!! Amazing.
The Essential Fatty Acid Cream
What Is It?
Reviva Lab’s Essential Fatty Acid Cream is one of their newer products but it has already won an award for the 2010 Skin Care Innovator of the Year!
As we age, our skin begins to lose Essential Fatty Acids which results in the thinning and increased fragility of our skin. Reviva Labs EFAs cream was designed with 10 different Essential Fatty Acid oils (including sunflower, avocado, hemp, flaxseed, borage, black currant and pomegranate) to create a fuller, smoother look and feel.
Review:
Like I said before, I am only 23 therefore thin skin is not a problem for me at the present time. However, I am all about prevention and was super excited to see what this cream was all about.
I have had the hardest time finding a daytime moisturizer to go underneath my foundation without turning me into a greasy mess within hours. Before I tried this cream, I immediately dismissed it as a night cream when I saw how many oils are in the ingredients. I was so wrong!! This cream feels incredibly light and soaks into the skin so quickly, leaving a smooth surface that is not greasy at all! My foundation stays put all day and I have not notice any increased oilyness whatsoever. The first time I used it, my boyfriend commented that my skin “looked good!” Granted, he is dating a makeup artist and is much more in tune with these things than a normal guy, but still. The only thing I’m not crazy about is the smell. It smells kind of like tea, which is a good smell… just not for my face. It does go away very quickly though.
I love the immediate results I get from this product and I trust that I am preventing my skin from thinning just by using it 
Ingredients:
Purified water, aloe vera gel, veg. glycerin, cetearyl alcohol, sunflower oil, flaxseed oil, borage oil, rosehip oil, hemp oil, avocado oil, wheat germ oil, black currant seed oil, olive oil, sesame seed oil, polysorbate 60, stearic acid, glyceryl laurate, panthenol, pomegranate oil, mixed tocopherols, olive squalane, soy liposome, green tea extract, sweet almond oil, allantoin, cocoa butter, phenoxyethanol and ethyl hexyl glycerin and benzyl alcohol (preservatives).
Makeup Primer
What is it?
We all know what a primer is right? If not, primer is worn underneath your makeup to increase longevity, “fill in” lines and refine the texture of your skin for a smoother application of makeup.
Review:
To be honest, when I got this primer in the mail, I was pretty apathetic. “Reviva Labs is a skincare line .. what do they know about makeup? hmm whatever, I guess I’ll try it.” were my exact thoughts…I couldn’t have been more wrong, I LOVE THIS PRIMER!!!
I carry about 5 different primers in my makeup kit. I don’t really know why; probably because I haven’t found “the one” just yet. After testing Reviva Lab’s Makeup Primer, I have taken out 3 of my other primers and replaced them with this!! It’s that good. It makes your skin feel so incredibly soft and silky. Other primers in my kit had a more watery feel and oily appearance (*cough Smashbox cough* ). Reviva Lab’s primer has a thicker consistency without feeling or looking oily. Note: It’s important to let the product soak all the way into your skin! Upon application it will probably feel greasy and heavy (which threw me off at first) but once it soaks in, you are left with a smooth, perfect canvas to apply your makeup on.
I recently used this primer on an actress for a red carpet appearance because I knew her makeup had to last all night. Later, when I saw pictures, the makeup looked exactly the same as when I left her house. It also works amazingly on mature skin!! It fills in lines and wrinkles, hydrates the skin and makes makeup go on perfectly. I love this product so much that I steal it from my kit to use on myself (which I never do)! My only gripe is that it takes kind of a long time to soak into the skin, and when I’m on set, time is money.
Ingredients:
Cyclopentasiloxane, dimethicone, vitamin A palmitate, vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), olive oil, coenzyme Q10, squalane.
CONS
So, since I’ve raved on and on about these three products, I feel like I should think of some type of con, so you don’t think I’m being paid (which I am NOT!! Read my disclaimer at the bottom).. haha
The only thing I can think of (besides the smell of the EFAs Cream and the amount of time it takes for the primer to soak in) is the packaging. When I first checked out Reviva Labs, right away I judged the brand solely on their packaging. It looked outdated and I immediately wrote it off as a line for “mature” customers.
The Bottom Line:
Obviously, we know not to “judge a book by it’s cover” but with so many products on the market today, it’s honestly hard not to. I am SO glad I tried these products because they have all become regular staples in my beauty routine and I am most definitely looking forward to trying out many of their other products (hello Hyaluronic Acid Serum!). Not only are Reviva Labs’ prices incredibly affordable, they contain all natural ingredients and the quality of the product is truley amazing. A+!!
www.RevivaLabs.com
Disclaimer: From time to time, companies will send me products to review. I pride myself in providing my readers with honest feedback of the products I am testing. I will not recommend something I would not use personally or professionally. Sending me product does not guarantee a review and I accept no monetary compensation for in exchange for reviews.
UVSunSense: UV Awareness Around Your Wrist!
Although the first official day of Summer doesn’t start until June 21st, it definitely already feels like the season is upon us. The weather has been gorgeous (at least in California 
), kids are getting out of school and everyone is slowly beginning to post beach pictures up on their Facebook pages. When temperatures heat up, naturally, people start heading outdoors while unfortunately exposing themselves to the sun’s harmful UV rays.
Of course, you would never forget to wear your sunscreen, but how hard is it to remember to reapply?? Check out this awesome new gadget that will make your life a little easier and a lot more safe.
What is it?
The UVSunSense is a new product that has been gaining a huge amount of recognition in the press. It’s an easy to wear bracelet that indicates when you need to reapply sunscreen and also when it’s best to get out of the sun!
How Does it Work?
When you first apply sunscreen, apply it to your UVSunSense bracelet as well. It will turn bright purple when activated by sunlight and the color slowly starts to fade, the longer you are in the sun. When the color reaches light pink, you need to reapply sun protection. When it gets to light yellow, you should probably head indoors.
Where Do I Get One?
The UV Sun Sense bracelets are available many places online such as Amazon.com or CVS.com, or check out their website to find a retailer near you!
How Much Are They?
$6.98 for a pack of 7 bracelets.
Any Cons?
-Unfortunately, it’s not the most attractive piece of “jewelry” you can wear to the beach haha. I can definitely see some people dismissing it because of how “uncool” it may look, but with that said, I have no problem compromising my fashion sense to avoid wrinkles and skin cancer
-Since everyone’s skin and sensitivities to the sun are different, I cannot imagine that the bracelet will work the same for everyone.
www.uvsunsense.com
Review: MUFE High Definition Elixir
MAKE UP FOREVER HD ELIXIR
MAKE UP FOREVER’S High Definition Elixir is a relatively new product for the brand. I have been carrying it around in my kit for several weeks waiting and wishing for the perfect opportunity to whip it out and finally see what all the fuss is about. Lucky for me, I was given two opportunities this past week to test out the product.
What is it?
MUFE Elixir is a serum desinged to hydrate and brighten your skin.
What it Claims to Do:
MUFE says that their Elixir boosts the skin’s hydration levels up to 520% after 15 minutes, and lasts throughout the day (175% after 6 hours)!!! The unique formula is also said to restore skin’s radiance and leave a super smooth surface for the rest of your makeup.
Does it Really Work?
Yes, yes and yes!
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The Skinny
Test 1: On a recent photo shoot, I was working with a model who has been taking Accutane (an intense acne treatment), leaving her with extremely dry, flaky skin. Obviously, any makeup I put on her would not glide seamlessly if the canvas was not properly prepared. I began with the Elixir and applied it to her whole face using a foundation brush and I let it sink in for a few minutes. A little goes a long way!! It is very lightweight and it absorbs into the skin really quick. After the Elixir, I applied a heavier creamy moisturizer and finally, foundation. I kept a very close eye on her skin throughout the 8 hour shoot and it held up amazingly! I barely had to touch it up.
Test 2: During the same week on a commercial shoot, another model with dry skin sat in my chair. Her skin was not as bad as the first model, but she had flakiness in corners of her nose and dryness underneath her eyes and around her chin. I massaged MUFE’s Elixir into the dry spots with my finger tips and they disappeared completely allowing the rest of the makeup to glide on. There was no hint of dryness anywhere, and we were shooting in HD! HD sees EVERYTHING.
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I definitely recommend this Elixir if you suffer from dryness anywhere on your face. When your skin is flaky and dehydrated, makeup tends to get caught and gather in the dry areas. If you massage in a little bit of the Elixir, the dryness disappears! It’s not greasy at all and it’s oil free. I cannot say I really noticed a change in the overall radiance of the skin, but I usually work on brightening the skin with other products so maybe they masked it
The only con about MUFE’s magical Elixir is the price 
At $38 a bottle, it might be out of budget for many customers, especially if you are already using moisturizer and primer in your skincare routine.
However, if you can afford to try it, I recommend that you do! You’ll be hooked.
Review: Cetaphil Moisturizer
The Perfect Moisturizer at a Price You Can Afford!
I bought Cetaphil about a year ago after hearing tons of people raving about it, and have been using it everyday since. I must say, I am officially in love! Cetaphil is also the #1 dermatologist and pediatrician recommended brand of cleansers and moisturizers! I love finding amazing products like this at the drugstore, truly makes my day
If you have extremely sensitive skin, or are looking for a product that is gentle, wallet friendly and non irritating, this moisturizer should definitely be on your beauty shopping list. The formulas are so mild and fragrance-free, that they are often recommended to women who have just gotten facial or chemical peels. They are also non-comedogenic, which means they will not clog your pores or make you break out!
I use the “Moisturizing Lotion for All Skin Types” because I do not have sensitive skin, but they also have one specifically for sensitive skin. I love the way it soaks into your skin but still makes you feel moisturized. I hate when moisturizers soak in too fast and you feel like you need to add five more coats to even feel like it’s working! It also acts as a great makeup primer, I feel like my foundation glides on after using Cetaphil.
Tip: Apply your moisturizer and give it a chance to soak in before moving on to foundation. Brush your teeth or do your hair while you wait!
The best thing about Cetaphil is the size! The moisturizer is 16oz. and it’s under $12 (in most stores)!! At that price, you can pretty much coat your whole body in it!
I use Cetaphil a lot on set because it works well with most skin types and will not irritate, which is especially helpful when doing several looks!
CONS:
So obviously, nothing can be perfect, so here are a few of the cons I could come up with:
- If you have oily skin to begin with, it might make your face a little greasy looking mid-day. Combat this by using blotting papers to take away the shine, or by using a smaller pump. You really only need a little dollop anyways.
- They test on animals :( :( NO BUENO
10 Beauty Products I Am Thankful For:
Paying Thanks to the Products that Make My Life and My Job Easier!
1. Embroylisse Moisturizer
Thank you Lait Creme Concentrate Moisturizer by Embroylisse for hydrating the skin of my models and actors so perfectly! Thank you for providing smoother, firmer and softer skin and for being the ultimate moisturizer in my kit!
2. Artificial Light by Smashbox
Thank you Artificial Light for helping my achieve dewy skin and radiant highlights. Thank you for looking even more amazing on camera and for being my favorite go-to highlighter!
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3. Banana Boat Self Tanner
Thank you Endless Summer color for being the best self tanner I have found in my quest to be tan but not leathery. Thank you for making me look bronzed and not orange, and for only needing one application to achieve the perfect color.
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4. L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara
L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara, you are my best friend lol!! Thank you for making my lashes thick, long and black. Thank you for living up to your name and for not breaking my bank account.
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5. Yaby Cosmetics
THANK YOU YABY for making being an amazing addition to my kit!!! I love your eyeshadows, pearl paints and freestyle palettes. Thank you for helping me condense my kit into a more manageable load to carry.
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6. Beauty Blenders
I love you Beauty Blenders! Thank you for helping me achieve perfectly blended foundation and concealer. You never give me lines and you always help me make skin look flawless and gorgeous.
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7. MUFE HD Powder
MUFE HD Powder, you have been a God-send. Thank you for being truly transparent and for working on every skin color I have ever used you on. Thank you for providing a soft, natural finish and for not ever looking “powdery.”
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8. Eve Pearl Salmon Concealers
Thank you Eve Pearl Salmon Concealers for being the perfect answer to dark circles. You are a miracle product and every time I use you, I am thankful for my decision to buy you.
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9. OCC Lip Tar
Lip Tar you are my favorite new product this year!!! Thank you for your incredible pigmentation, versatility and performance. Thank you for being the only lip product I really ever need and for being so easily mixable. I LOVE YOU!!
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10. Sunscreen!
Kind of broad, but so important. Thank you sunscreen for protecting my skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Thank you for reducing my risk of skin cancer, wrinkles and sun spots. Your long term benefits completely outweigh the annoyance of having to apply you everyday
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!
Review: Jergens All Purpose Face Cream
An Unexpected Yet Effective Eye Makeup Remover!
I saw this face cream sitting on the shelves at Target and picked it up out of sheer curiosity. I was drawn toward the old-school looking jar (hello 80′s!), the words “all purpose,” and the $3.99 price tag! Not quite sure what I was going to use it for, or what it even did, I ended up buying a jar that day and fatefully, it has turned out to be one of my absolute favorite items in my beauty routine!
Sooo.. What is It??
The jar says that it “deep cleans to remove makeup and dirt and provides a radiant, dewey base for makeup. Also, softens and moisturizes to help smooth skin and prevent dryness.” I have heard rave reviews about this item being a life saver for ladies with very dry skin. It is very emollient and great for sensitive skin as well. It doesn’t irritate or burn. I don’t think I would use it as a makeup base, as the jar suggests, because it is a little greasy and I can picture makeup sliding off of it quite easily.
How I Use It.
I use it as an eye makeup remover, and let me tell you, this cream is fabulous!! It gets off even the toughest mascaras and leaves my eyes completely clean. I wear a lot of eye makeup and tons of mascara, and this is one of the best removers that I have come across. To use, I pick up a little of the cream on a cotton ball and swipe across my lid. It picks up the makeup instantly, and I usually only have to go over it, a maximum, of 2 times! No harsh rubbing that could irritate the soft skin around your eyes. It’s also great because it doubles as a moisturizer so you don’t have to worry about getting all of the remover off your skin. The leftover cream just softens and moisturizes!
I’ve never used it as a full face moisturizer because I have somewhat oily skin, but as an eye makeup remover I give it 5 out of 5 stars! And did I mention its only $3.99 for 15 oz!??!
Pros:
- Price!!
- Size (I’ve had my jar forever. I should probably get another one just because I’m sure the shelf life is almost up. I use it everyday and it’s only 2/3 gone!)
- Great Eye Makeup Remover
- Very Emollient
- Amazing Moisturizer for Dry Skin.
- Soft, Clean Scent.
- Gentle. Non-Irritating or Burning.
- Absorbs quickly.
- Leaves Skin Feeling Silky Smooth.
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Cons:
- A Little Greasy
- The Jar is Ugly and Outdated (IMO).
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Who Should Use It:
-Women with Dry Skin.
-Women with Sensitive Skin.
- Mature Skin.
-Anybody that Wants a Bomb-ass Makeup Remover for Super Cheap!
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Who Should Avoid It:
-Women with Oily Skin (you can still use it as a makeup remover though!)
Review: Olay Nutrients Night Renewal
Olay Anti-Wrinkle Nutrient Night Renewal Cream
I am always on the lookout for a great night cream! I have several that are in a constant rotation in my beauty routine, but one of my long time favorites is Olay’s Anti-Wrinkle Nutrients Night Renewal Cream. This moisturizer is awesome! It goes on smoothly, and feels so rich and emollient. I am only 22 years old so I can’t tell you how well it works on wrinkles, but hopefully it is working hard to prevent them! It does, however, leave my skin feeling super silky and soft, and did I mention that it smells AMAZING!? It has a fresh fruity smell, but not overpowering at all. To be honest, I pretty much only buy it for the smell haha! Just Kidding..
Unfortunately, for some reason, everything I end up falling in love with is always SUPER hard to find. I have only seen this cream in several drugstores, and trust me, I look! I buy this product online at drugstore.com, Here
Beauty Tip: When applying night cream, DO NOT forget your neck! This is just as important as applying to your face.
