Saturday, October 31, 2009

NEW: Yves Saint Laurent Parisienne Fragrance Review


Yves Saint Laurent recently released a new Eau de Parfum, Parisienne. I will give you the scoop on this new fragrance in just a bit but first, some clarity...

Normally, I don't review non-skin care related products because this blog's focus is primarily on providing information and tips on how to get and maintain fresh radiant healthy skin.

In addition, (let's not get it twisted), this blog's secondary purpose is to introduce and familiarize you with Blended Naturals (currently completing a transformation), a handcrafted line of 99-100% natural face, bath and body products that are especially beneficial for women of color who frequently experience issues with dry, sensitive and acne prone skin. You know, blacks, hispanics, native americans etc.  However, I had to share my opinion on Parisienne.  Now without further ado...

Yves Saint Laurent's new Eau De Parfum, Parisienne is FANTASTIC!  I give it 10 out of 10 starts.  I really like this scent which is odd because I don't typically like floral scents but this one is floral with fruity undertones: Blackberry - Damask Rose – Sandalwood   It's light and authoritative.

Parisienne keeps on keeping on throughout the majority of the day.  It retails for $39 for a 1 oz bottle, $65 for a 1.5 oz bottle and $85 for a 3 oz bottle.  That's not too hard on the wallet for this delectable fragrance.

The one thing I didn't care for is the whole "sex sells" message that's used to promote the fragrance. I think this product could sell just fine on it's own with adding all the sex undertones.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Acne Treatment with Hair Care Products - Introducing Kairos


If you have problems with forehead, jawline, neck or upper back acne, you are going to love Kairos Anti-Acne Hair Care line developed to treat and prevent acne.

Kairos was developed by a nurse practitioner and registered nurse by the names of Catherine Parker and Doreen Campbell, respectively. Their philosophy is that the ingredients in our hair care products could be impacting our skin, influencing acne.  I tend to agree.  I actually wrote an article about it not too long ago, entitled, "Acne Breakouts - Is Your Hair the Culprit?"

The Kairos product line consists of:
  • Clarifying Complexion Clearing Shampoo
  • Balancing Breakout Controlling Conditioner
  • Oil Reducing Pore Perfecting Treatment
  • Clear Finish Hair Spray
There are other products in the line but these are the ones I have. 

The Kairos system has a 3 fold approach:
  • To eliminate acne irritating and pore clogging ingredients
  • To unclog pores
  • To prevent the over production of oil in the skin, which we all know influences an acne breakout.
I use the shampoo, conditioner and treatment on my jawline and upper back area.  I even let my 14  year old daughter try the shampoo on a few pimples she developed on the side of her face while she was on her menses.  For the skin, the results were astounding.  The acne pimples dried up within 24 hours and my skin was not left feeling overly dry.

So by now, you should know, I don't sugar coat anything.  If I like a product, I say so and why.  If I don't like a product I say so and why.

For the Kairos shampoo, conditioner and treatment, I give an impressive 8 out of 10 stars.  Why not 10 out of 10?  One reason which may not be a big deal to most people but is somewhat of an issue for me...While the shampoo effectively treated a breakout and helped dry it out rapidly, it also stripped my hair of the oils and left it feeling too dry.  If you have oily hair, this may be a good thing for you.   For hair that is normal or dry, you will definitely want to follow with an all natural moisturizing shampoo.  Natural because remember, the goal is to eliminate skin aggravating ingredients.

The Kairos conditioner did help make the hair more manageable but didn't restore my natural oils.  I was taught (and partially why I have a decent hair of head today), that us black women should not wash our hair until it's squeaky clean.  You want to leave some of the natural oils on the hair.  The Kairos shampoo left my hair too squeaky clean.  That's what a clarifying shampoo is supposed to do and it's doing it's job.

I will probably continue to use the Kairos shampoo treatment to combat any hair induced breakouts I may get since I do use heavy hair products at times (ie JAM).  However, I will also continue to use WEN by Chaz Dean as my primary shampoo and conditioner for softening my hair.  Since, my hair is all natural and only straightened with a flat iron, I have to keep it as manageable as possible.

Hey, sometimes you need one product to accomplish one goal and other to accomplish another goal. They don't call it being a product junkie for nothing!

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Healthy Skin Month is Coming!

Hey did you know that November is Healthy Skin Month? What better time than to get your skin in the best health possible.

What's necessary for healthy skin?
  1. Start by making sure you follow a daily skin care regimen. Read these Skin Care Tips for more detail.

  2. Use skin care products that are right for your skin type (normal, dry, oily, sensitive, combination)

  3. Since whatever you put on your skin is absorbed into it, avoid skin care products with heavy laden chemicals.  While it is necessary to have some form of preservative to prevent bacterial invasion, avoid products that contain Parabens (ex: methylparaben, butylparaben).  Also avoid Sodium Laurel Sulfate and ingredients that look like it (ex: Sodium Lauryth Sulfate).  The chemicals prematurely age your skin and can even cause other health problems.

  4. Patience - If you have issues with acne or other skin conditions, it takes time to get your skin healthy.  You may need to see a dermatologist but still be aware of the chemicals they are giving  you to use.  Acne medicines are ok to use for a short while.  Howevever if you notice your skin looking wrinkled or dried out, STOP using the product and consult your doctor.  Some ingredients are too harsh for sensitive skin.




 NOTE: Blended Naturals is being re-launched this month. What a great time for a healthy skin line to be introduced during  healthy skin month!  Stay tuned for the announcement.  I'll be giving away free samples. All you will have to do is sign up to receive them - while supplies last so stay tuned!

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Free Skin Hydrotherapy At Home

As a member of Total Beauty, I have access to tons of great beauty tips.  Some of it isn't for skin like mine (and yours if you are a woman of color).  However, whatever I come across that I know will be useful, I pass it on to you!  This one is about hydrotherapy...

Your shower is the place to go when you need a free hydration treatment. Since this blog is for women with all kinds of skin issues, dry skin is probably a problem for you on some part of your body!


A hydration treatment at home is a comparable solution to expensive spa treatments.  Here's what to do:
  1. Run the shower water until it becomes hot and steamy
  2. Jump right in!
  3. Let the steamy water roll down your body for about five minutes then switch to 20 seconds of cold water (I know, it may be a shock for a minute but keep going)
  4. Repeat, starting with the steamy water.  This hot to cold water technique will hydrate your skin and stimulate the blood flow.
 The Result: A fresh radiant glow
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Michelle Howard Smith is helps women of color to achieve healthy skin by providing an array of information including how to care for the skin with natural products. Subscribe to The Skin Natural newsletter to receive information on skin care and related topics.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Green Tea Benefits: Not What I Expected


It's no secret that Green Tea is good for your overall health but did you know it's also good for your skin health?  I personally don't care for the taste of Green Tea but heck if it can make the skin prettier I'm all for it!

If you don't usually purchase skin toner, you are doing your skin an injustice really.  Facial Toner is necessary to close up and refine pores after washing your face, which opens your pores.

Green Tea Can makes an excellent facial toner. What's even better is it's great for acne prone skin because it has natural antiseptic properties and it's oh so gentle.  Green Tea is also rich in antioxidants which neutralize free radicals.

Free radicals are those nasty little critters that can cause your skin to prematurely age, cause cancer and other health problems.  Free radicals are typically generated from everything you do from breathing to sleeping. However, antioxidants (which should also be a part of your diet intake) help to neutralize those free radicals.

Another case for Green Tea!
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Accomplish your beauty routine with style and ease!  Michelle Howard is a true to life resource for skin care information. Subscribe to her Skin Natural newsletter to receive industry and related skin care information.

Friday, October 16, 2009

Added Exfoliation with No Added Cost


So, if you've been following this blog you know that I'm a big fan of exfoliating regularly (no more than twice a week though).  Exfoliation smooths your skin and removed dead skin cells so that a nice, fresh layer of radiant skin can be seen.

Well, there's good news for the frugal.  If you just don't find it important enough to spend the money on or if you don't have the $$ to buy an exfoliating scrub, here comes Baking Soda to the rescue!

Baking Soda is known for its odor killing properties but guess what? It can help you exfoliate too!  Yep.  Just add a half of a teaspoon of your favorite Baking Soda (I know none other than Arm & Hammer) to your facial or body cleanser and exfoliate away.  The best part is you can do this regardless of your skin type but for those with dry skin, make sure you moisturize with a good quality moisturizer right away.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

The Big 4 for Fresh Radiant Skin


There are so many skin care products on the market that it's sometimes overwhelming.  While it's true that many brands are good, it's equally true that certain brands have an edge when it comes to beautifying your skin. What is that edge you may ask?  Well, it's simply their ingredient make up.

When it comes to having beautiful skin (and who doesn't want that right?), there are four key ingredients to look for in your skin care products that will help to promote fresh radiant skin. The following skin care ingredients are very beneficial for healthy skin:
  1. Peptides - Helps to heal blemished skin and is also effective for improving skin elasticity
  2. Vitamin C - A natural antioxidant that's effective to improve overall skin appearance
  3. Retinol A - Destroys free radicals that are in the skin and reduces the production of acne causing oils
  4. AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) - Helps reduce wrinkles and increases moisture in the skin
Using skin products with at least 2 or 3 of these ingredients will prove very beneficial.  Of course, it's also important to use sunscreen and if you can find a product that has a sun protection factor of at least 30, that's a bonus.

Michelle Howard Smith is a natural skin care professional and helps individuals to achieve healthy skin by providing an array of information including how to care for the skin with natural products. Subscribe to The Skin Natural newsletter to receive information on skin care and similar topics.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Welcome Kathy Ireland!



Reviyve welcomes Kathy Ireland's NEW Dead Sea Mineral skin care line, Essentials. Like Blended Naturals, this line contains NO Parabens and NO Sodium Laurel Sulfate.

Kathy Ireland Essentials is a chicly packaged Dead Sea cosmetics line for women and men, specially formulated with a high magnesium concentrate MG48. Magnesium is beneficial for detoxifying your skin's epidermis, fights acne and has anti-aging properties. The Kathy Ireland line consists of facial cleansers, facial moisturizers, facial masks and body care products that are rich in Dead Sea minerals and Magnesium

Kathy Ireland has a line of apparel, lighting, furniture, and now skin care! Her brand carries with it her unique personal style and flair.

To celebrate the release of this new line, Reviyve is offering a 10% discount to anyone who makes a purchase of Kathy Ireland Essentials. Just shop at our online store with coupon code KIE.

Reviyve is an authorized reseller of Kathy Ireland Essentials offering below manufacturer's pricing.

Is Your Moisturizer Effective?

If you struggle with dry skin, you are probably really frustrated when you go to use what's supposed to be a moisturizer and it turns out to be useless.  There is one reason for that...inadequate ingredients for moisturizing.

Many creams and lotions on the market call themselves, or rather their manufacturer calls them moisturizers but there is one critical ingredient that is required to be #1 on the ingredient list for that product to be a good moisturizer and an effective moisturizer. After that ingredient is another critical ingredient that MUST be your skin care product for it to be effective. Read more about what's necessary for an effective moisturizer.  I was going to type you the 411 here but then figured why do all of that typing when I just wrote a complete article on the subject two days ago!

Ciao
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