Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid

I remember reading a beauty book in the late 80's or early 90's that was unlike any other - it seemed to offer practical no nonsense advice, even mentioning common household products that could double as part of a commonsense beauty regimen. I always have remembered that book since I thought the name was great - “Blue Eyeshadow Should be Illegal” and the contents were memorable, seemingly born from the frustration of trying a myriad of products that didn’t deliver on their promises.  It gave me my first exposure to beauty skepticism - the message was that beauty products are typically not going to produce miracles, though there are some formulas and ingredients that are scientifically proven to improve appearance. The rest is all marketing and we WANT to believe it. 

Fast forward, and here I am trying a product from a beauty line created by that book’s author: Paula Begoun, “Cosmetics Cop”.  Turns out she is a nationally recognized consumer expert for the cosmetics industry and has written 20 books.  Her product line is called Paula’s Choice, and it is based on those same principles. From the Paula’s Choice website : “Our products are based on our unique combination of research, reviews, and results-driven product development. Finally, products that really work.”  I like her website, since it seems dedicated to matching people to the right products, even if they are not her own. One can find advice and reviews about a wide variety of products in various categories such as anti aging or sunscreen, and it is organized in a really easy to use way. I could spend hours just reading about products I have used and/or have gathering dust on a bathroom shelf...

On to the review! The product I am trying is Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Skin Perfecting Liquid. This product actually works, and while I have not seen a miracle I have definitely seen improvement.

From the marketing associated with the Paula’s Choice Bzz Agent campaign which sent me a full size product to try:

‘Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid is unlike any other product on the market. While there are many BHA (short for beta hydroxy acid) products available, formulating them at the pH level needed to penetrate pores is extremely difficult. This leave-on exfoliant:

•  Rapidly exfoliates the skin’s surface and inside the pore, reshaping the pore lining, unclogging pores and improving skin cell turnover rate
•  Effective for anti-aging, blackheads, enlarged pores, keratosis pilaris (red bumps on arms and legs), redness, rosacea, wrinkles and acne breakouts
•  Increases collagen production and drastically smooths the surface of skin
• Attacks blemish-causing bacteria at a faster and deeper rate
•  Fades discolorations caused by dark spots and acne marks
•  Effective for anti-aging, blackheads, enlarged pores, keratosis pilaris (red bumps on arms and legs), redness, rosacea, wrinkles and acne breakouts
•  Exfoliates to reveal smoother, firmer, younger-looking skin
•  Calms redness and builds collagen

That’s a ton of promises, but the first two are what I am really hoping for by using this product! (OK, I really would be totally happy just with less giant looking, unclogged pores...)

So how does one start a conversation about one's pores without it turning disgusting? Blackheads, whiteheads, big pores and the suggestion that they are filled with all kinds of bacteria and debris does not make for pleasant reading, so I won’t get into a lot of gruesome detail. Maybe it will suffice to say that I have been a lifelong acne sufferer and my pores are  not in the nicest shape... that is, until I started using the Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid!

I like this product a lot. The recommended application is with a cotton ball or pad, but being naturally frugal that seems like a waste of the liquid which gets thrown out with the pad, so I apply it with clean fingers right after washing my face. It goes on smoothly and clings to the skin. It is a liquid rather than a lotion, so it goes on in a nice thin layer without any rubbing in. Dries quickly, so the rest of the day’s (or night’s) products can be applied. I think the bottle I received will go a long way and as beauty products go, the cost is very reasonable. Best of all, NO ANIMAL TESTING!! Hooray!

If I sound disappointed at all, it’s because I still do have many pores and blackheads, although I can see visible improvement. Perhaps I am not destined to be air-brushed-magazine-ad-pore-free, although I admit I was hoping! I think this product lives up to what Paula’s Choice seems to stand for in general - there are no miracles,  although there are products that do contribute to better, more beautiful skin. I also really like the whole Paula’s Choice website. The information there is really well organized and easy to find. Products are arranged by category in easy to compare table form, with columns for effectiveness, price and other factors. It’s  a great place to go for information in general, and I think the product line is of good quality and reasonably priced.

Burt's Bees Lip Products

The most fun reviews are for beauty products! I was thrilled to get samples of Burt's Bees lip products from Pop Sugar Sample Squad and eager to try the new formulas. I have been a Burt's Bees fan for a while - who doesn't like high quality, natural products, mostly free of scary chemicals? Best of all, NO animal testing! Perfect. I admit I am biased before I even start reviewing.

I received two kinds of lip product - Lip Shine in "Pucker" and Tinted Lip Balm in "Sweet Violet". Both are excellent choices.

The Lip Shine is a red looking gloss in a tube. Right away, I liked the lid that is tamper - proof. It has that breakable ring like on a milk jug, so you could tell if someone had used the product before you. That being said, it was also in a blister type package which may be a more recent development. (?) I remember seeing Burt's Bees products in my local health food co-op with very little in the way of packaging at all. The glosses would be stored in a free standing display with testers. I know Burt's Bees is carried in drugstore settings as well, so perhaps more packaging is needed. In any case, I was 100% confident the lip shine was unused...

It is dispensed with a slant tip top for gliding on the lips. I found the gloss to be a nice consistency - it is smooth and surprisingly not sticky. The ingredients for softening are apricot wax and sunflower seed oil.... yummy! It actually does have a nice, sweetish flavor and seems to last a while. It's the nature of the product that gloss shines like this are not typically long lasting and I re-apply often. The tube makes it very convenient for a pocket or purse.I was pleased that the red color was not too bright or heavily pigmented. It is a very sheer wash of color that seems just right.

The Tinted Lip Balm starts out in wonderful packaging that elevates the lowly lip balm (think Chap Stick on the gas station counter near the register) into a lovely gift to yourself. The package is a neat cardboard tube that shows the name and color against a dark background. I was excited just opening it up! Inside, the plastic tube is the universal lip balm tube, but no matter, the first impression has been made. The tube is a practical design that works and makes it easy to stick your balm in a pocket when you are heading out for a walk. The violet color was most likely not the one I would have chosen for myself, but I was pleasantly surprised that I could actually wear it. Like the Shine Gloss, it turns into a sheer color when applied.

This balm feels smooth and protective, not waxy. The moisturizing ingredient is Shea Butter, with lots of other botanicals in the signature Burt's Bees style. It is also available in 9 colors, more of which I am sure to try. I was happy that these formulas were also both free of shimmer- I like glitz, but sometimes gloss is better served plain. Some of them wind up looking too frosty for my taste. I was really happy to be able to try these products, and I was not disappointed - I still love Burt's Bees!

Fiber One® Meal Bars

 So let me start out by admitting I’m not really a cereal person in the morning. I would no sooner choose a granola bar as my breakfast of choice either. My breakfast food routine is more of the savory variety - peanut butter on toast, or the occasional egg-in-the-microwave between two halves of an english muffin with lots of pepper. I’m not sure if it’s the low blood sugar, but I don’t reach for something sweet in the morning, but rather a food that tastes and feels like protein. My worry about using a cookie or granola-like bar for a meal replacement is the fear that I will experience a huge spike in blood sugar , which leaves me painfully crashing in short order. I truly do limit my sweets, and l have learned not to eat such things on an empty stomach. Dessert is dessert for me, never eaten first like the saying goes. I understand that a lot of people can have donuts and coffee first thing in the morning - thus the “continental breakfast” - but I am not one of them.

With that disclaimer in place I will share my experience with Fiber One Meal Bars. I am a Bzz Agent and agreed to try the Fiber One Meal Bars in exchange for my honest opinion. I received two different flavors for free via Bzz Agent: Chocolate Peanut Butter and Strawberry Greek Yogurt.  One of my favorite things about these bars is that they really don’t taste too sweet. It’s not like eating a candy bar, more like a between a soft granola bar dipped in chocolate or yogurt. Very tasty, and they did not cause my blood sugar so surge madly then plummet. I enjoyed both flavors, too - it is really hard to choose a favorite between the two. I REALLY want to try the Dark Chocolate Almond flavor as well.

According to the label, these bars are pretty fair nutritionally. My Fooducate App gave the Chocolate Peanut Butter bar a “C”. Not ideal, but the comparable bars in this food category are rated between “B” & “D”, so it is not the worst by far. (Food bars typically don’t get “A” grades because they are highly sweetened). The biggest minus to this product is that it is a very processed food, which is not optimal if one is trying to eat "healthy".

The bottom line is this this bar is a delicious snack! I would probably not seriously try to replace a meal with this product, but it does contain a high amount of protein and fiber, which makes it a much better choice than a candy bar for an easy, portable pick-me-up on the go. I was pleased to note that the Chocolate Peanut Butter flavor also contains iron, calcium and vitamins A & C, which has WAY more value than a peanut butter cup. And finally, to really seal my rep as a "health nut" I also try to keep an eye on my sodium intake - ideal foods are 100 mg or less per serving. The bar is 180mg, which is actually still not bad in the grand scheme of things. It's really pretty difficult to find low sodium prepared foods in most categories.

Overall, I like this product a lot, although I would not consider it a health food - just “healthier” than candy. I am sure I am probably more critical than many others would be, but I take my "healthy eating" seriously.

#GotItFree

Every Drop Water Filter

I was really excited about trying the Every Drop Water Filter as a part of House Party Chatterbox. I received a free kit that included the drop shaped portable water filter, a three month replaceable filter cartridge, a carry case and a water bottle with a rubber stopper that ingeniously holds the water filter in place while filling the bottle. I really LOVE the look of the filter and clear case - they are compact enough to be truly portable and the water droplet shape is really slick. There is definitely a cool factor to the filter and carrying case. I've seen nothing like it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4psbKXjeHo

I have city water, and while I am sure it is clean and completely potable, it has an unmistakeably chemical taste which actually affects the quality of the coffee I make. When I am spending $12 a pound for fair trade organic half caff, I am not going to stand for it to be compromised by funny tasting water. My solution thus far has been to use a Brita pitcher, which admittedly does fine for the coffee application. The drawback to the Brita is waiting for the pitcher to filter the water once it has been poured in. It's a minor inconvenience, of course, who can't wait 5 minutes to finish filling up the coffee pot? It's just a little annoying is all. That being said, it becomes a larger annoyance when filling something that needs more water than the pitcher can hold. I have found that using the Every Drop Water Filter is ideal for filling pots of water for cooking - it provides a continuous stream directly from the tap to the pot, with the filter straining out the impurities for better tasting food.

Next stop: work. Seemed like a great idea to have a portable water filter that travels to the gym, to work, on vacation, almost anywhere. I usually lug in a gallon jug of water to keep at my desk, but this seems like a great alternative. The water at work is city water also, but it doesn't taste as chemically as it does when it gets to my house. There is a distinct chlorine taste, however. I filled my rubber topped water bottle (which is really cool for holding the drop shaped filter in place for filling) right from the tap. I was unable to fill at the drinking fountain since the filter and water bottle combo is too tall to make that work. The filter itself is uniquely shaped like a water drop, so it draws attention. Co-workers wanted to know what I was doing, so I explained the Every Drop Water Filter and tried the water. I noticed a marked improvement in taste, although there is still a faint, lingering chlorine flavor.

Overall, I find this filter easy to use and pretty effective. Plus, it's cute! On the downside, gauging the correct water flow into the filter took a little getting used to, since too much water going in (faster than it drains out) causes an overflow and unfiltered water to pour into whatever container you are filling. The optimal tap flow is a bit slower than what I was expecting, but I think once I am accustomed to the proper flow rate, I won't have to pay so much attention to that. I admit that am not overwhelmed with excitement over this product, and continued use of it most likely will depend on the cost of the replacement filters. It does work as advertised and cutting down on water bottles is a worthy endeavor, so I will also see if I can get into the habit of reaching for the Every Drop every time I need water.

Meaningful Beauty Creme de Serum

Influenster recently provided me the opportunity to try a free product from Cindy Crawford's Meaningful Beauty line. I was aware of the super model's line of skin care, more by accidentally coming across an infomercial than any first hand experience or word of mouth. I thought the products were available via QVC or perhaps directly ordering from a website, but it seemed like a gamble to order something I was unable to try. From a look at the Meaningful Beauty, it appears that the products have been available for 1o years, with new innovations added as they happen. it looks like the company focus is on selling packages - it makes sense to me to promote a coordinated line of skin care vs. a piecemeal approach. I think the theory is that all the products complement each other and work together. It is hard to guarantee success of your product if the client is also using something that is not helpful!

The product I was sent is the "Creme de Serum", which looks like a swirl of different colored lotions packaged together in a helix-like design that mingle when dispensed. From the website: "This crème de la crème treatment takes a triple approach to combating the signs of aging with three powerful anti-aging ingredients: superantioxidant melon complex, anti-aging peptides and hyaluronic acid. Combining the power of a serum with the rich, moisturizing effects of a crème, this super-boost is designed to help protect, increase hydration and prevent the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles." A tall order, but those of us who regularly try and /or use anti-aging products are keenly aware of the big promises they advertise and the hope that they inspire. As a result, I always try these things with a healthy dose of skepticism...

The product itself is nicely packaged, and the pump nozzle of the container dispenses just the right amount of product. I must say that I absolutely LOVE how this creme goes on the skin. If a lotion could be cashmere, this would be it. The texture is divine - silky and soft, and spreadable without tugging. The swirled effect of the lotion itself is also appealing somehow. It makes it seem special, as though the 3 ingredients are really separate until applied. It feels very luxurious and high end. I was also really pleased with the hydration of this product. My skin feels wonderful! I have a problem sometimes with sensitive skin and so many anti-aging products seem focused on cell turnover, which in my case sometimes translates to dryness and flaky skin. Now that the winter weather is upon us,I have to be careful not to use anything too drying. This creme fills the bill - it is not dehydrating at all.

I like this enough to keep using it now that I have had the opportunity to try it. From the website, I see that I can order it as part of a skin care collection for $39.95. I haven't had a lot of opportunity to evaluate the anti aging properties of the creme - it can be difficult to rule on a new product until you have been using it for a while, since so much of anti aging skin care is preventative. That being said, I really like this product and if it works as good as it feels, my skin will never look better!

Learn more about the Crème de Serum: http://www.meaningfulbeauty.com/products/products,default,pg.html
Meaningful Beauty purchasing information: http://www.meaningfulbeauty.com/select-a-system/order,default,pg.html

#MeaningfulBeauty @Influenster #CremedeSerum # GotItForFree

Dr. Scholl's Active Series replacement insoles

I had the opportunity to try Dr. Scholl's Active Series replacement insoles recently via Influenster. (@InfluensterVox ) These insoles are geared to athletes, which I take to mean someone with an active lifestyle. I am not a runner, but I do walk after work and I have a standing work station, so I am on my feet a most of the day on the job. These are nicely made insoles compared to other brands I have tried. I like that they are firm, not floppy, although the gel area near the toe area of the insoles does have a bit if that squishy, unstable feel. Some people may love the gel feeling, but it is not my favorite. It’s great for standing still as far as being very comfortable, but with movement there is too much of a wobbly feeling of instability for me. But that is the only caveat with a hearty recommendation for these insoles. They go into the shoe very easily. Again, the firmness of the insole makes it so much simpler to insert into the shoe than others I have tried. They are made with three areas of foot support. The heel cup is great! It fits very well, and I tend to have narrow feet, so that is a real plus. The instep is high, which takes a little getting used to, but it definitely a positive. I would recommend wearing these insoles for shorter periods of time at first, rather than sticking them into the athletic shoes and heading off to work for a twelve hour day of standing. They started out really comfortable, but as the day wore on, the high arch was was really feeling like... well, a lump. I think it's really just a matter of getting used to them. I will definitely leave these in my shoes and see how they last!

Luster Premium White

I really wanted to love this product! I mean, half the fun of being a Buzz Agent is tooting your horn about the cool stuff you've tried and going on about how great it is... I TRIED to love it. I used it for longer than the product recommends, at least 16 times rather than 12 applications. Still there I was after the cycle, not completely disappointed or anything, but a little "meh". To be fair, the Before / After photo doesn't really illustrate the subtle difference in whiteness that I gained form the experience, and my teeth weren't in terribly bad shape to begin with. When I look closely though, my teeth do have some yellowing which I would love to get rid of. I know people who, through artificial means or not, have beautiful white teeth and I want them for my VERY OWN. There's nothing like having a crown on a molar done and realizing that the match for the fake tooth is a disgusting shade of yellow, not white! My experience of using the product was fine - the directions were clear, complete and easy. There was even a secion of frequently asked questions which I also found to be helpful. I tried the 6 day course of treatment, using the products once in the morning and once at night (vs. the more time intensive consecutive repeat of the treatment 1-3 times over three days.) The process involves a 10 second swish with the mouth rinse that should coat the teeth with an "accelerator" for the whitening. Then, the gel from the "pen" is brushed onto the teeth to be whitened. (I think I would very loosely call the product "gel" - it was more liquidy than what I would characterize as gelatinous. It was easy to paint on, but dripped and ran - it didn't cling) The pamphlet instructs the user to to allow the gel to dry on the teeth for 30 seconds before allowing the lips to touch the tooth surfaces being whitened. (No small feat when the liquid is running off.) Oh, and the liquid did sting my gums, albeit temporarily.I think I did a tolerable job of following the instructions though. And Voila! whiter teeth! There is no rinsing, trays, strips, or appliances to mess with with. Once it's applied, just continue with your day. Obviously, one would avoid eating and/or drinking while the Luster White is doing its magic. And it DID work. It lightened and whitened. But not as much as I was hoping. The package I received as a Bzz Agent also included some Luster White toothpaste samples. This stuff is brilliant blue! The idea seems to be to give an instant whitening boost to the teeth by counteracting any yellow tones. I thought it was interesting - it did sort of leave a bluish tinge to the teeth (that only I noticed since I was looking for it - no one asked me if I had been imbibing blueberry Kool-Aid or anything) so it may well have delivered on the promise. I am not sure it actually made my teeth any whiter as far as polishing off stains or whatever, but must toothpastes don't really seem to make a difference in one use. I mostly use whitening pastes in the hope that it will help maintain whatever level of whiteness I have and counteract the coffee and other daily abuse. I guess the final verdict on the Luster Premium White is, yes, it does deliver a whiter smile. It is probably the case that the more dramatic whitening effects would happen for people who are starting out with a more pronounced yellowing. In any case, I am had a great time trying out the product and I am glad I had a chance to use it. It was just a little more work for not enough payoff for me to give it an enthusiastic two thumbs up.