Currently Loving : February 2015

I was hellbent on doing a favourites 2014 post and had even gone as far as writing and photographing them .  But 2015 seems to be on a strong thrust forward and we are suddenly in March. So I decided to present you will my February favourites . These products I have thoroughly enjoyed.

Tata Harper Purifying Cleanser - I have been dancing around the Tata Harper range since my visit to New York last year July. The Boosted Contouring  serum is on my wishlist, but I'm undecided. I would not use Tata Harper products for an undying need to use 100% natural products on my face. However, I like the idea that TH is not outsourced to labs that make up a number of other brands formula's, but are manufactured on her farm in Vermont. I actually love the strong floral scents of her products. This is a pure botanical range that is meant to deliver results. I decided to purchase the Purifying cleanser when Net-a-porter had free shipping!. If I could order this in vats I would! It has a gel type formula with a slight oily texture, which does not foam. I massage it onto dry skin and sometimes throw in a little facial massage. It has an invigorating and refreshing sensation. I rinse with water and my skin is left soft an clean. It does suggest to apply on damp skin ,but I find I use too much and it does not feel as clean.

Koh Gen Do - Cleansing Spa Water - This is a really effective but 'gentle on the eyes' cleansing water. This is meant to have more skincare benefits than Bioderma. I love them both and they work equally well in removing makeup. So use whichever is stocked in your area. Unfortunately I bought 4 of these minis when traveling, so I am trying to use them up slowly - I'm on bottle # 3.

Perricone MD Formula 15 -a long time love of mine! -I recently started using this again in an effort to use up my open products. I had not used it for some time as I do try lots of new products. But, am once again seriously impressed with the results I get when I use this amazing serum . I have reviewed this previously here. Perricone does have two new concentrated serums being launched on QVC and hopefully everywhere else soon. I have my eye on these as my skin just seems to love Alpha Lipoic Acid and DMAE.

Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser - My skin has finally settled after the upheaval my illness caused. Nars tinted moisturiser (in Groenland) just looks amazing on my skin. My skin is hydrated and looks fresh. I cannot wait for my order of the new Luminous weightless All-Day foundation arrives!

By Terry Terrybly Densiless Concealer - I got this in the beginning of the year sight unseen. I had a tiny sample of shade 4 which matched my skin perfectly. But, I wanted it to be slightly brightening so I chose shade 1. When it arrived I thought I would have to wait to buy shade 4 and mix it as it looked ghostly pale. With a sigh of relief it actually works perfectly. It brightens the under eye without looking like and owl. This is a creamy formula that never creases on me. I also has enough coverage to hide my lack of sleep. It's also packed with skincare ingredients. I reach for this concealer most days. I can highly recommend this to all those 35+ as the skincare benefits can only add to whatever eye cream you are using.

Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Lash Stretching Mascara- I got this Armani formula by default as my makeup mule in Hong Kong said the mascara I asked for was out of stock (obsidian -love) and my second choice ETK Extreme was also out of stock. Said mule also said Sales Associate looked so bored and was yawning. I screamed down the phone " take whatever mascara she has in stock and in black." I can safely say I have never met an Armani mascara I did not enjoy. Even thought this is meant to be lengthening I find it a good all rounder!

Lipstick Queen - this was my second LQ acquisition. Lipstick Queen hit out shores the end of last year and I am working on building my collection. Medieval is the red meant to suit everyone. While I cannot attest to that selling point I can say it's a wearable everyday natural juicy red. My lips are hydrated and feel comfortable wearing this. I will do a post soon on the LQ shades and formula's I have. Definitely worth a look for lipstick lovers.

Nars Pro Prime - everyones favourite primers. Great to keep my shadow fresh on my oily lids. Only gripe is that I never know when it going to finish!

That ends my list of products that I have been in heavy rotation . What have your's been, we must compare notes!

Till next time.

MR

xx

Perricone MD OVM - Eggsellent Anti-Aging Serum

A very corny heading to very serious skincare product. OVM was launched at Sephora at the end of last year and a few weeks earlier on the Perricone MD site. I received mine for review a few weeks back and am now ready to share my thoughts with you. This product is a new innovation, which takes thinking 'out of the box' to new heights. In the past Dr Perricone has focused many of his products on Alpha Lipoic Acid and DMAE, of which I am a huge fan. Then came his Blue Plasma range (formula 15 and other Perricone lovelies) and now OVM. This unique product works on re-energising the skin and adding volume, which as you age, is lost. The idea behind the product, is based on how the membrane that surrounds an egg nourish's and protects the egg yolk and white within. OVM was born. It is described as "A bio-matrix technology with  Eggshell Membrane that delivers unparalleled anti-aging benefits." It sounds sci-fi, but grounded in real science!

OVM has become an integral part of my morning skincare routine. after cleansing and toning, I apply this light serum, and then follow up with Perricone MD Photo Plasma. The texture reminds me of a frothy whipped yolk. It is slightly tacky upon application , which then disappears. It had a fresh scent, that I find pleasant and does not linger. It has a combination of Eggshell membrane, DMAE and Retinol as the key ingredients. I have had no irritation at all, even with the inclusion of retinol in the product. I classify it as a serum, as it is a targeted product that precedes my moisturiser.

I love my little white jar of goodness. I have definitely seen a fullness and density return to my skin. That elusive plumpness that I see in my daughters skin, I can now see emerging in my own. I have hardly made a dent in use of this products and can say it will last a good few months. Hurrah for that!
What new wonder products have you started recently?

December Empties

I am proud :), to present another empties post. Proud , yes, as I find it hard to finish product. I'm not sure if I am not putting enough on , as I am sure the SA says "should last you 3 months" - 10 months later I am still smothering myself.

Perricone MD Nutritive Cleanser - a gel cleanser that gives a gentle cleanse to my oily skin. It does not foam up, but gives a fresh, non-stripped feeling to my skin. I will repurchase.

Perricone MD Firming Facial Toner - a refreshing toner with Glycolic, that gives my skin a tight revitalised feeling. Keeps my pores clear and gently sloughs of dead skin. I will repurchase.

This Works Clean Skin 5 - in - 1 water - I use this primarily to clean off my eyes and give my face a quick once over before I cleanse. This is almost an exact dupe for Bioderma. It is effective on all my eye makeup ( I do not wear much waterproof products) and is extremely gentle on my sensitive eyes. Many eye makeup removers make my eyes weep. Biorderma is easier to get so I have not repurchased.

Natura Bisse Oxygen Mousse - I was disappointed with this cleanser. It comes out the dispenser in a glorious foam . That's where the magic ends. A foaming cleanser like this should make your skin feel fresh and clean. I felt I need to wash after I used this. it did not leave a residue, but did not feel it thorougly cleansed my skin.

Skinceuticals Phloretin CF - This anti- oxidant treatment is a must have for sunny climates. Its lightweight and absorbs well. I will repurchase

Perricone MD Acyl Glutathione - This serum/cream is to treat deep creases. My mom swears by it. I am using it as a preventative treatment and feel it is keeping creases at bay. I have repurchased in the past, but now have a bottle of their Acyl- Glutathione Deep Crease serum to replace it with.

Bobbi Brown Instant Long-wear Makeup Remover - a good makeup remover. I do feel my Bioderma which is more economical works better even for Bobbi Brown's Long-wear eyeliner gel. I would repurchase if (horror) Bioderma became available.

I think I have made some good headway in finishing some products. My next wish would to hit some Pan, to make me feel I am really working my products. Have you managed to use up any products - you can join me in a victory dance!

Perricone Super Berry with Acai Supplement

I mentioned a few weeks back I had bought the Perricone MD Acai Berry antioxidant supplement. I am a few days shy of finishing my months supply and I have already purchased a replacement box. It is very hard to judge a product that works in the 'back rooms' as it were.
According to the Perricone website this is what the supplement is working on:

• Helps combats the signs of premature aging.
• Promotes both cardiovascular and digestive tract health.
• Amino acids help sustain healthy muscles
• Aids in the absorption of Omega-3 fish Oil

Well, as you can see it is hard to say definitely that it is working. But, since using it my skin has a wonderful glow to it. I have added the Perricone MD Wrinkle serum ( to review soon) to my morning regime during the same period. The combination of both seems to have perked my skin up. "The proof is in the pudding", so the saying goes, and I can only say that my skin looks healthier. I have used various other supplements and other Perricone supplements, but I can say I have seen results with the Super Berry one in particular. I think as with all natural supplements full results only 'arrive' in 2-3 months.

It comes in travel friendly single dose sachets. I drink it with about 500ml of water in the early part of the morning. Make sure to stir well to mix the product properly into the water. I prefer slightly chilled water for best taste.
Are you a believer in supplements?

Perricone MD Lip Plumper

As we age we can really see a difference in the fullness of our lips . I purchased Perricone MD lip plumper to help. This products has my favourite Perricone ingredients Alpha Lipoic Acid and DMAE.
The handy container has an angled applicator. This product itself, has a wet fluid consistency, so only a small squeeze is needed. I have found that a once day application was best for me. If I used it more frequently, I found my lips were a bit aggravated.
This is not a quick fix lip plumper that tingles, and forces lips to swell, but more of an anti- ageing treatment. Within a week, my lips natural fullness was restored and the fine lines that appear on the edges of the lip area were smoothed. I think consistency is the key as continued use with have compounded effects.
I am also excited as I just purchased the Super Berry Powder with Acai supplement. I am only on day 3, so I am looking forward to many health benefits. I will report back when I am nearly finished my 30 day box.

What lip treatments do you recommend?

Perricone MD Vitamin Ester Serum - To Brighten and enhance your skin

Perricone Md launched the Vitamin C Ester Serum earlier this year. During there fabulous Spring Event I bought it as well as the new Acyl Glutathione serum. I have use it for about 6 weeks now and am loving the results.

It come in a bottle with a dropper top. I only need 4-5 drop to cover my entire face including the  eye  area. This has just given my skin the boost it needed. Since I already use the Vitamin Ester 15 at night and Blue Plasma, my skin's condition is pretty good. This just nudged it into excellent territory. The serum has a light citrus scent and is light and absorbs quickly. The texture of my skin is fine and clear. I use this in the morning. As far as I understand this Vitamin C serum can withstand use in the day, as it is combined with Palm oil to stop degradation from sunlight (hope I got that right). Besides it's powerful  radiance boosting element it also offers antioxidant protection throughout the day- Don't forget your sunscreen. I love that this is a multi - tasker and can work to help my fine lines around the eye and lip area. I then do top with my eye cream. I recently went for a mini-facial at a spa and the aesthitician was trying to diagnose my skin and used a fancy machine to measure my moisture levels. The measurements were good ( I have surface dehydration- we live so high above sea level and this can affect this). After the treatment she remeasured in the hope they has improved to show off how good their products were. No change. Good is Good. She could not fault my home care- Thank you Dr Perricone...... and I went home empty handed. While this product specifically does not deal with hydration it has definitely helped in nourishing my skin. This I was told differs from the Vitamin C Ester 15 as it has a more brightening result as is used all over the face and eye area and the Ester 15 while brightening it also has a tightening effect. I love them both and use them in tandem. This is another must have product from Perricone MD.



Have you tried any of Dr Perricones products?

Dr Perricone Blue Plasma

Dr Perricone has really been pumping out new glorious products this year. I have had the privileged to have been using Perricone MD Blue Plasma for about 3 months now. It is marketed as a non- acidic exfoliator which harnesses the power of Salmon Roe Enzyme which targets only dead skin cells *weird science*. The curiously blue liquid (all natural by the way) also has L- Carnitine and Copper (hello blue)which work to unclog, repair and hydrate.

Fresh out of the box- dropper top not yet inserted

 I use Blue Plasma in the morning after cleansing and/or after toning. It is a dropper bottle, so I dispense a few drops in my palm and smooth it over my entire face. I have not experienced any irritation (though Dr Perricone always recommends spot testing first) or redness since using this product. There is no discernible scent either. I have found that my skin's texture is looking fine and fresh. My skin really has regained a more youthful glow and looks energized as my dead skin has been gently sloughed off. I think if you are concerned about lack-luster looking skin, this product could work for you. Also, aging skin needs a little help as cell turnover decelerates with time. Many chemical exfoliators can leave skin dehydrated, however the moisture in my skin has not been compromised and appears to be less dehydrated than before (a problem for me). I have only made a small dent in the use of this product and have only used just over a quarter. This is a really good non-irritating daily exfoliator. This adds more depth to the already extensive Perricone range, as they do not have a mechanical exfoliator (a scrub) or a chemical one, both which can cause some irritation. Dr Perricone believes inflammation is a major player in aging, so this products aims to keep irritation and redness out of the picture. Perricone typically used Glycolic Acid as their gentle daily exfoliator in their Toners like Serum Prep, Cleansing Bar. This technology takes exfoliating to another level.

I received this product for review before I started writing this blog. I will definitely repurchase when I finish this product as I feel my skin has benefited from Blue Plasma.

What are your thoughts on exfoliators?

Perricone MD Formula 15 - really excellent skincare

It's no secret I am an ardent Perricone fan. My core skincare regime is all Perricone, with a few other brands popped in for good measure. Before I started writing this blog the kind peeps at Perricone sent me this product for customer review as they knew of my love for the Advanced Face Firming Activator from my many interactions on their facebook page.
Formula 15 marks 15 yrs of anti- aging research for Dr Perricone. This is his super- charged ADVANCED Advanced Face firming Activator. The already patented science of DMAE and Alpha Lipoic Acid have been increased in this formula for a power punch of these proven ingredients. I just know that my skin, which is not as young as I'd like to admit, is looking tightened, my pores refined and my texture soft and fine. The ALA acts as a strong anti-oxidant to fight free radical damage and helps improves nasty discolouration. DMAE boost the elasticity of my skin for a more youthful appearance. All this goodness is sent straight to the correct layers of the skin with their new NTP complex, a super smart delivery system.

The texture of the cream is somewhere between a serum and a lightweight lotion. It is fine for my oily skin and since it is used under a moisturizer it would be perfect for dry skins. I am using this instead of my AFFActivator in the morning. I make sure I take it up towards my hairline, crows feet area and neck to get full benefits of the contouring ingredients. The Perricone MD website states it helps "tackle the length, width and depth of a wrinkle"- this is of course over time, so don't expect a wrinkle free face by the end of the day. What I can say is that my mini- wrinkles in the making are looking softer and my face fresher. I will definitely continue to use Formula 15 as with Perricone MD products, the science just make sense to me and I feel my skin is getting ingredients with loads of research behind them. This little nugget is also paraben free. So if you need a little nudge into Perricone territory, this would be my first choice as a start. A good friend of mine now has little parcels whizzing across the Atalantic(Pacific?) after I introduced her to Perricone MD (S you know who you are!) I am guilty as charged, a full on Perriconista. But, I do promise to do some reviews of my other favourite skincare brands soon.

What are your tried and tested skincare favourites?

Hi Friends. I would appreciate it if you could refrain fron including self- promoting links in your comments, as I then have to mark them as spam. I love to hear from you, but can only publish comments that adhere to the above. I am really forward to hearing from you all!

Happy Anniversary Dr Perricone - No Concealer Concealer Review

Ok, so I was planning my No Concealer Concealer review, when I received a Perricone MD email discussing Dr Perricone upcoming 15 Year Anniversary. So, firstly I would like to say thank you to Dr Perricone for 15 years of continual innovation and for bringing us such effective products that have truly changed my skin. His dedication to his field of expertise really came evident to me when watching a presentation DVD of Dr Perricone giving a informative lecture on his quest to learn about aging and how to combat it (The DVD came in a gift set I had purchased). This brings me to another of Dr Perricone's wonderful products that I have been using for awhile now - No Concealer Concealer.

A well loved bottle of No Concealer Concealer

No Concealer Concealer is a tinted under eye concealer with both anti-aging and protective qualities. This combination of treatment and make-up really makes it a time-saving product.
It is a peach-toned tint which helps counteract dark circles. It is meant for all skin tones, but those on the far end of the spectrum might struggle with the colour - but it is perfect for me (light to medium skin with both yellow/pink undertones). I use it in the morning after my Face Finishing Moisturizer. I take a really small pea size as a little goes a long way. I use my ring finger or my Real Techniques deluxe crease brush for seamless blending.
This formula has neuropeptides which works on my fine lines and helps with elasticity. I do feel my fine lines have improved with use of this product. It also has a mineral based SPF of 35! This makes it great for everyday use and even better for the beach for that barely there makeup look. It also contains Vitamin C Ester that is a well documented anti-oxidant with good brightening properties. Lastly, it has micro-circulatory agents (007- not sure) to help boost blood circulation to the eye area which helps overtime to erase dark circles, which I do suffer from, so this has been a great help.
It goes on smooth and my under eye area does look fresher. It wears well and does not settle into my fine lines. I have enjoyed using this product. Let me be the "first" to say Happy Anniversary Dr Perricone, I cannot wait for the next 15!


No Concealer Concealer was sent to me for consumer review (before Makeup Remastered was in existence). This review is 100% my own opinion.

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