Shaving Essentials

It's summer, which means I'm shaving almost every day. My legs can get quite irritated, so I take care to use products that soothe rather than chafe. Here are my current products that ensure smooth skin:



1. Schick Quattro Razor/Blades - I used to use the cheapest razors, but after using these, I realized that a more expensive but higher quality razor is really worth the extra money. They give a closer shave and stay sharp for more uses, so I think I actually save money in the long run.

2. EOS Vanilla Bliss Shave Cream - Any shave cream will do, but this one smells especially nice.

3. Shea Moisture Honey & Black Seed After Shave Regenerative Lotion - I've found that using a lotion immediately after shaving prevents razor burn. This lotion is supposed to slow hair regrowth, and has a light, pleasant scent.

4. J.R. Watkins Hand & Body Lotion in Lemon Creme - I like to use this when I want to smell extra yummy. It smells super sweet - it really makes me feel as though I've had dessert. It's a little over-powering, so I only use this on days when I don't feel like wearing perfume (otherwise the combination of scents would be a little much).

~ Susan

Blissoma Product Review Program: Restore Deep Moisture Serum

I was chosen for Blissoma's Product Review Program this month. Blissoma is a natural body care and candle company. Every month, they choose a bunch of people to test Blissoma products and review them. The products may be new or existing formulations. If you're chosen as a tester and give your feedback on the product, you get a discount on your next purchase as a thank you!

This month they sent out 100 samples

 If you'd like to sign-up to be a potential tester, go to Blissoma's Facebook page. Once chosen, you'll receive an email with instructions on how to get your review to the company.

I was chosen as a tester once before, in November. You can check out my previous sample here.

This month's sample is Blissoma's Restore Deep Moisture Serum.

Blissoma's website (iriestar.com) lists the benefits of Restore's ingredients:
Organic Cranberry Seed and Grapeseed oil are light-weight, easily absorbed, and provide healing Vitamin E. Organic Rosehip oil and Seabuckthorn Berry offer anti-aging Vitamin A to help build collagen and fight fine lines. Organic Evening Primrose oil and Pomegranate Oil are rich in omega 5, 6, and 9 essential fatty acids including GLA which helps balance hormones, making this oil dually suitable for dry mature skin and as an occasional treatment for young hormonal skin. Organic Hemp oil is packed with phytonutrients. Organic Tamanu and Red Raspberry oils offer sun protective and healing benefits. Tamanu has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and regenerative properties. Calendula CO2, a uniquely potent supercritical extract, is included for cell regeneration. The last ingredients are toning essential oils; these include Neroli and organic Helichrysum which is alternatively known as Immortelle for its topical healing properties.

Blissoma suggests that mature and dry skin types use this serum daily, while younger skin types only use it weekly, as a spot treatment, or as needed.

To use: cleanse skin thoroughly and apply toner. Dispense one pump of serum and pat gently onto facial skin. Or, mix it into your moisturizer for an extra boost of nourishment. Restore can also be used as an eye treatment.

Ingredients:

Oenothera biennis (evening primrose) Oil*, Vitis Vinifera (grapeseed) Oil*, Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) Oil*, Rubus ideaus (red raspberry) Seed Oil*, Rosa rubiginosa (rosehip) Oil*, Vaccinium macropacrpon (cranberry) Seed Oil*, Calophyllum tacamahaca (tamanu) Oil*, Cannabis sativa (hemp) Oil*, Punica granatum (pomegranate) Seed Oil*, Hippophae rhamnoides (sea buckthorn berry) CO2 Extract*, Calendula Officinalis CO2 Extract, Essential oils of Cedrus atlantica (atlas cedarwood), Cymbopogon martinii (palmarosa), Citrus aurantium (neroli), Helichrysum italicum (helichrysum)*, Rosemary Oleoresin Extract, Tocopherol (vitamin E), geraniol**, linalool**, limonene**, farnesol**

*from Certified Organic Agriculture
**natural components of essential oils

I've tried it out once and so far, so good!

~ Susan

Blissoma Product Review Program

Blissoma, a natural body care and candle company, has begun a Product Review Program. Every month, they choose a bunch of people to test Blissoma products and review them. This month 50 samples were sent out. The products may be new or existing formulations. If you're chosen as a tester and give your feedback on the product, you get a discount on your next purchase as a thank you. =D

 I was chosen as a tester for November's product - the Awake Morning Facial Moisturizer.

Blissoma Awake moisturizer

According to Blissoma's website, Awake is a lightweight day moisturizer that is supposed to firm, brighten, and give antioxidant protection. It is formulated from a combination of brightening and tonic herbs that "creates a lively complexion for you while building protection from the inside out." The ingredients include organic red raspberry seed oil (which offers natural Vitamin E), a blend of essential fatty acids,and Tamanu oil. These ingredients are traditionally known forth their ability to heal sun damage. Witch hazel, lemon balm, and eyebright firm and mattify. Organic Horsetail and Heather Flowers offer natural concentrations of the flavonoid quercetin. Quercetin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and contributes to proper collagen synthesis. Blissoma makes products in small batches with freshly prepared botanical ingredients.

I can't wait to try it out! I'll post a review in two weeks.

If you'd like to sign-up to be a potential tester, go to Blissoma's Facebook page. Once chosen, you'll receive an email with instructions on how to get your review to the company.

Review:

At first, I really did not enjoy this sample. It was very watery and felt more like a water-based serum than a moisturizer.

So, I put it aside and didn't think about it for a couple months. When I tried it again the consistency had changed to that of a very think serum. (I have no clue why this happened... maybe it separated during shipping?) I actually like it a lot - it's moisturizing but it doesn't leave any wet spots on the face where less moisture is needed. It sinks in quickly - I am able to apply my mineral foundation a couple minutes after applying this. I also really like the scent. I'm glad I gave this another try!

~ Susan

Review: Origins VitaZing SPF 15 Energy-Boosting Moisturizer with Mangosteen

Everyone seems to really like the VitaZing moisturizer by Origins, so when I had the chance to get a sample a while ago I did. This moisturizer promises to hydrate, energize, and protect your skin. Though it appears white at first, this moisturizer gains a tint when applied to the skin that is supposed to impart radiance.

This has a Skin Deep Rating of 4

The skin-tone matching ability seems a bit off, this product came off as too dark/orange for me. It also makes my skin look greasy, so I need to use powder to set it... so there's no point for me to use this instead of a regular moisturizer.

Active Ingredients: Avobenzone (3%), Octisalate (3%), Octocrylene (2.7%)

Other Ingredients: Water; Citrus Aurantium Amara (Bitter Orange) Flower Water, Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile) Flower Water, Ethyl Macadamiate, Butylene Glycol, Methyl Trimethicone, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Lauryl Peg-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Peg-100 Stearate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Jojoba Esters, Glyceryl Stearate, Barosma Betulina Leaf Oil, Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus (Eucalyptus) Leaf Oil, Abies Sibirica (Pine) Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Amara (Bitter Almond) Kernel Oil, Mentha Arvensis (Field Mint) Leaf Oil, Rosa Damascena (Rose) Oil, Limonene, Panax Ginseng (Ginseng) Root Extract, Cordyceps Sinensis Extract, Garcinia Mangostana Peel Extract, Castanea Sativa (Chestnut) Seed Extract, Hordeum Vulgare (Barley) Extract, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Caffeine, Cholesterol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Cetyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Myristate, Trehalose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Linoleic Acid, Squalane, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Ascorbyl Tocopheryl Maleate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Citric Acid, Stearic Acid, Silica, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, Iron Oxides, Titanium Dioxide

The ingredient list - which wasn't included with the sample, don't you hate it when that happens? - was crazy-long. It was interesting to note that the ingredient "limonene," which can be found in citrus, has the highest rating out of all of them.


I'm glad that I didn't buy this, as it's quite pricey ($35 for 1.7 oz.) and it doesn't work for me.