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Kimberly Loc x Rachel’s Plan Bee Body Oil review

October 30, 2015

11 Comments

The product: Rachel’s Plan Bee kimberlyloc Jasmine Body Oil

It’s a well-known fact that every beauty blogger out there dreams of creating their own product one day. And, today, after too much time and two solid days of website downtime (I’M SO SORRY ABOUT THAT), I’m happy to share with you that dream coming true for my friend Kim, of kimberlyloc!

The scent: Kim is one of my biggest green beauty inspirations (I actually first heard about Odacité on her blog), and her big beauty love is all things jasmine. I’ve never been a big floral lover, but Kim makes jasmine sound like just the most amazing thing–so, when she and Rachel’s Plan Bee set about to create a limited-edition body oil with notes of jasmine and vanilla (Rachel’s favourite scent), I had to smell it!

» Read Kim’s post about creating this body oil on kimberlyloc!

Despite my initial hesitations about wearing a floral body oil, I have to say: I really like what Kim and Rachel have created here. This jasmine and vanilla blend is sweet but sultry, and the moroccan rose-citrus twist makes this body oil smell not just pretty, but interesting, too.

It’s a very heady, complex scent, but you MUST shake the bottle gently before using!!! I always forget to do this, but just giving it a little shake brings out these bright, almost effervescent top notes of vanilla and sweet orange (think delicious, fresh-baked orange loaves and jasmine bushes.)

(I mean. If jasmine grows in bushes? All I know is that it it doesn’t grow on trees. I think.)

The formula

The Rachel’s Plan Bee Body Oil formula is absolutely gorgeous. It sinks into the skin really quickly, but it’s super silky and hydrating — it’s definitely NOT the same experience that you can get with a standard $10 bottle of grape seed oil.

Rachel recommends that you use this oil as a body oil, massage oil, bath oil, or shaving oil, depending on your needs. (I think it would make a gorgeous bath oil, if only I was a bath person.) It’s made from a blend of apricot kernel seed oil, sunflower seed oil, meadowfoam seed oil, and grape seed oil, and all of the scents are absolutes and essential oils — no synthetic perfumes here.

The verdict?

Throw your lot in with the beauty blogging crowd! Order your Kimberly Loc body oil now! :P

But seriously, though. This oil–which, mind you, is limited edition–is a beautiful, unique jasmine scent that is sure to please all jasmine lovers… and convert some of us who aren’t usually. It’s the perfect blend of jasmine, vanilla, and orange, and it is so silky and hydrating that I’ve even been using it on my hands!

My recommendation? Pick up a bottle now, and if you don’t love it on sight, win some brownie points by giving it to a bath-lover this holiday season. No risk and alllll of the rewards.

Availability: $36 USD at Rachel’s Plan Bee! (Or, you can pick up Rachel’s original vanilla and citrus body oil for $29 USD.)

Keep reading! »

Tags: /Extremely dry skin, Moisturizers, Paraben-free, Product Photos, Product Review, Silicone-free, Skincare

11 Comments

BISC Vol.18: What’s the worst thing anyone has ever said to you about your blog?

October 25, 2015

Rae Chen

3 Comments

What’s the worst thing anyone has ever said to you about your blog and what was your reaction?

MELISSA | Switzerland | Kiss & Make-up
No one has ever actually said anything bad or mean about my blog – at least not to my face – so I guess I’m lucky! However I did once receive an anonymous email saying that bloggers like me who review products that have been sent to them for free are sell-outs and that blogging about something as trivial as make-up and beauty makes me superficial and fake. I didn’t let it get to me though. I just hit ‘delete’ and forgot about it. Until now, that is, so uhm, yeah, thanks for that, Jaa.

ANNE | Germany | Linda, Libra, Loca
To be honest, only a few selected people in my personal life know that I blog, which is probably why I rarely face negative comments. After all they are friends and family and supposed to be supportive, no?

In an argument, Mr. Loca once told me he couldn’t understand why “Someone as intelligent as I would waste my time on something as superficial as writing about makeup” (my father would probably agree on that), but after we got past the slamming doors part, he apologized. Beauty may be superficial to some, but it is so much more than makeup.

ANGELA | Canada | Do Want Makeup
I don’t know if anybody has said anything negative to me about my blog, to be honest! People tend to be curious rather than critical. Bf has told me that I come across much more cheerful/happy on my blog than I actually am in real life, but I think that is more of a comment on my personality than my blog… ಠ_ಠ My reaction: of course I’m more cheerful on my blog; I get to talk about stuff that I love and excites me!

LILY | Malaysia | Chloe Ash
My experience is very positive, thank heavens. I have received some emails before, saying that I’m ugly and really, I’m secure and mature enough to laugh it off. I don’t know why, but it just cracked me up. I remember a fellow blogger say that you know you’ve made it when you get hate mails. Hahaha! In all seriousness though, my genuine readers have been awesome. I get chats on Facebook, Twitter and even emails, and they’re the sweetest people on earth!

AGATA | USA | Her and Makeup
I have never had anyone say anything really bad or hurtful about my blog so I consider myself lucky! However, one of my friends, after he found out I had a beauty blog, said to me that I became so vain writing about lipsticks and makeup. It was a little hurtful but I explained to him that a beauty blog is more than just writing about makeup, it’s a way of expressing your creativity and connecting with other wonderful people who share the same interests as you as well as passing your knowledge and skills to others.

RAE | Canada | the Notice: a beauty blog
Honestly, no one’s ever said anything really terrible about my blog to my face… But hey, who knows what they’ve been saying behind my back!

JAA | Thailand | Hello Jaa
Back when I first started Hello Jaa (only a month into it I think), someone commented publicly that I was trying to be like Temptalia and told me to “be original”. I was slightly upset (since I would never copy anyone ever) but decided to just brush it off. I know what I’m doing and I think over time I have proven that Hello Jaa has its own style in terms of writing, format, and photography. One time I was also told that I used too many English words in my Thai translations so I’ve been improving on that and trying my best to translate every word into Thai. There is also a thread mentioning that my reviews can’t be trusted because I came out of nowhere and started reviewing all these expensive makeup. Trust me, I always disclose when I receive product samples! Other than that, everyone else has been really nice to me and my blog. I’ve even become good friends with so many of my readers.

[Interested in joining the BISC Network? Send your request to jaa*at*hellojaa.com]

Tags: /BISC

3 Comments

Halloween ideas: Wonder Woman! (3wishes costume review)

October 24, 2015

Rae Chen

6 Comments

I haven’t dressed up for Halloween since I was… oh, god. Maybe twelve or thirteen? But I’m also not a fool, so when 3wishes asked me if I wanted to cover anything from their site this year, I jumped at the chance. Because SUPERHEROES, YOU GUYS. Superheroes.

I tried on their American Hero Costume in a S/M, which is made from swimsuit fabric and comes with a Lasso of Truth and a stretchy Wonder Woman headband. (I mean, I’m not usually a DC girl, but you don’t mess with the classics, you know?)

The costume was comfy and actually really good quality, but it was very small for a S/M — I’m 5″2 and I usually wear a size 4, but because the gold waist area of this costume doesn’t stretch, it was really difficult for me to get into. If you can, I would recommend going 1 or even 2 sizes up from what you usually are! (I am always, always a small or extra small, but a 3wishes M/L definitely would have fit me better.)

[show_shopthepost_widget id=”1133350″]

One of the other reasons that I picked a Wonder Woman-type costume is that, well, I’m not super into showing a lot of skin — and this one could definitely be styled differently. Grab a pair of shorts, some tall boots, and a sweater, and suddenly you’re all covered up and ready to go!

Shop this look »

Tags: /Fashion, Hair

6 Comments

5 top products to try from DHC | More than just cleansing oil

October 22, 2015

Rae Chen

15 Comments

1. DHC Deep Cleansing Oil ($28 USD)

When I first started beauty blogging, everyone who was anyone was obsessed with the DHC Deep Cleansing Oil. It was the only cleansing oil worth noting for those “in the know,” and for a little while there, it felt like all of my beauty friends & fellow bloggers were all ordering it online and raving about its magical, makeup-removing properties.

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil review

I finally tried the DHC Deep Cleansing Oil this month, and let me just say: even though years have gone by and it seems like every single brand out there has released a cleansing oil since then, this is still, somehow, one of the best cleansing oils I have ever tried. Its rich, cushy olive oil and rosemary formula (no cheap mineral oil here!) takes off everything, even waterproof eyeliner, and rinses off with perfect skin neutrality (you know; no greasy film or stripped finish), making it perfect for oily and super-dry skin types alike.

DHC Moisture Care Lipstick in Sweetpea

2. & 3. DHC Moisture Care Lipstick ($14.50 USD/each)

I’m not big on lipsticks with shimmer, but the DHC Moisture Care Lipsticks are totally the cutest lipsticks to be had at under $15 each! They’re shiny and slick, and detailed in flowers and butterflies — what could be cuter?

Pictured here are PK04 Sweetpea (the peachy nude) and WN12 Sugarplum (the plum). Both come with a heaping dose of silver shimmer and a glossy frost finish, so purchase only if you’re a glitter lover!

DHC Moisture Care Lipstick in Sugarplum

4. DHC Extra Nighttime Moisture ($36 USD)

The DHC Extra Nighttime Moisture moisturizer is the perfect plain moisturizer. It’s full of olive oil, squalane, collagen, and radish root ferment filtrate, and is free of stuff like silicones, fragrances, and parabens.

I wouldn’t recommend this one as a day moisturizer (it definitely leaves you looking greasy), but it’s great for dry or reactive skin that just needs something really rich, soothing, and nourishing.

DHC Extra Nighttime Moisture review

5. DHC Face Wash Powder ($12.50 USD)

Ladies and gents, I have saved the best for last. The DHC Face Wash Powder looks unassuming–fine, white powder; basic, dated packaging–but it is an absolute treat to use.

When mixed with a couple drops of water, this boring-looking powder foams up to create a lovely, dense lather that removes all of my day-to-day makeup without any scrubbing or smearing. It’s gentle, simple, and completely non-gritty and non-stripping.

I love this one for daily use, but it would be fantastic for travel, too!

DHC Face Wash Powder review

What are your favourite products from DHC?

—

This is a sponsored post. However, all of the opinions included in it are my own — I got to pick out each product & share my honest thoughts on all of them!

Tags: sponsored/Cleansing, Cleansing oils, Company Review, DHC, Extremely dry skin, Grouped reviews, Indie brands, Lips, Moisturizers, Paraben-free, Product Photos, Product Review, Product Swatches, Silicone-free, Silicone-free moisturizers and serums, Skincare

15 Comments

All about brows with Annabelle (reviews & swatches) | Annabelle BrowShow, Skinny Brow Liner, Stay Sharp, and Brow-to-Go Kit

October 20, 2015

Rae Chen

19 Comments

Annabelle Stay Sharp Brow Liner in Dark Brown

This fall, Annabelle took a focus on brows and launched three brand new brow products plus three new shades in an old favourite. All of them retail for an insane(ly good) $9.95 CAD or less, and right now, they’re on sale for $3.95-$4.95, which is… I mean, you have to buy at least two of them, at those prices.

Each product is best for a different set of brow needs, so here’s what I thought of the different formulas! (Spoiler alert: the Skinny Brow Liners are my new brow must-haves, so go grab them for next-to-nothing on the Annabelle site before they sell out!)

Annabelle Fall 2015 brow launches

Annabelle BrowShow Brow Liner & Highlighter ($9.95 CAD)

↳ Best for: Unruly brows and tired eyes

The Annabelle BrowShow Brow Liner & Highlighter ($9.95 CAD) was the product that, I’ll admit, I was the most excited to try out of Annabelle’s fall launches. Available in two shades (both swatched here), it features a gel-like pencil on one end that delivers colour and hold to the brows, and a highlighting pencil on the other end to give that wide-eyed, “brow lift” effect.

My brows don’t need a lot of hold, so I go easy on the brow liner, but I make very liberal use of the highlighter on the browbone and in the inner corners of my eyes. The highlighter, which is the same shade in both the Light and the Medium pencils, delivers a sheer, pretty pink glow, while the brow liners can be applied sheerly or heavily and really do act as both tint and wax.

I found Light to be nice and taupey, but a light feathering of Medium suits my brows best — it’s not too warm or yellow at all. Plus, at $9.95 (or $4.95 right now), the BrowShow pencils totally act as a Benefit High Brow dupe ($22 USD/$29 CAD) for just a fraction of the price!

Swatched L-R: Annabelle BrowShow in Light/Medium, Medium/Dark, Skinny Brow Liner in Universal Ebony

Annabelle Skinny Brow Liner ($8.95 CAD)

↳ Best for: Natural-looking brows, brow beginners, and on-the-go

If you’re not sure where to start with your brows, start with this pencil. The Annabelle Skinny Brow Liner ($8.95 CAD) makes filling in your brows super easy, and because it’s a micro-pencil, you’ll never have to sharpen it or worry about drawing outside the lines.

I’ve been wearing the Annabelle Skinny Brow Liner in the new Universal Ebony, and it is the PERFECT shade for Asian brows: not too warm, not too dark, and not too red. It just looks natural, like I rolled out of bed with perfect brows and defined features, and it makes me certain that there’s a perfect match for everyone in the line’s six matte, long-wearing shades.

Plus, the Skinny Brow Liners are an insane $3.95 right now, so they’re ideal for beginners. The formula is dry and sheer (aka exactly what you want out of a brow pencil), and I honestly think that these are just as good (if not better) than the Anastasia Brow Wiz pencils ($21 USD/$26 CAD). Plus, at these prices, they’re cheap enough that you can keep one in your vanity, one in your handbag, and one in the car!

Just in case.

You know, for emergencies.

Keep reading! »

Tags: sponsored/Annabelle, Canadian beauty, Eyebrows, Eyes, Fall/Winter 2015, Grouped reviews, Paraben-free, Product Photos, Product Review, Product Swatches

19 Comments

LUSH Bat Heebie-Jeebie Halloween review | Lord of Misrule Shower Cream + Nightwing Shower Jelly

October 19, 2015

Rae Chen

4 Comments

The product: LUSH Bat Heebie-Jeebie Halloween gift set

↳ Lord Of Misrule Shower Cream (60 ml) and Nightwing Shower Jelly (full-sized)

Every October, LUSH comes out with a bunch of adorably spooky shower confections and gifts for Halloween lovers small and tall. This year, one of those gifts is the Bat Heebie-Jeebie ($17.95 CAD), a little bat-shaped decoration filled with a Nightwing Shower Jelly and a baby Lord of Misrule shower cream.

LUSH Bat Heebie-Jeebie gift set review

LUSH Nightwing Shower Jelly ($6.95 CAD)

The last thing I expected when I picked up my little Shower Jelly tub was that it would contain, somehow, an entire jelly bat inside of it — but that’s exactly what I got.

The Nightwing Shower Jelly bleeds purple and smells exactly like green apple/lime candies. It’s super wibbly, ultra wobbly, and (presumably) made of magic, seeing as it can unfold entirely and get stuffed back into a plastic tub repeatedly without any wear or tear.

Shower Jellies, as I found out just today, can also be frozen for a stiffer experience or used as shampoo to add softness and shine, making Nightwing a great all-’rounder! Plus, it’s hella fun to cut into little pieces and use (seriously, this stuff is like invincible jell-o), and it doesn’t leave a lingering scent the way that the Lord of Misrule does.

The LUSH Nightwing Shower Jelly ingredients: view

Glycerine, Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Propylene Glycol, Fresh Lime Juice and Aloe Vera Gel Decoction, Carrageenan Extract, Lime Oil, Carob Syrup, Citral, Limonene, Red 33, Blue 1, Iron Oxides. AND MAGIC, APPARENTLY.

LUSH Lord of Misrule Shower Cream ($9.95 CAD)

The Lord of Misrule is a LUSH Halloween classic, available this year in Shower Cream format and as a Lord of Misrule Bath Bomb ($6.95 CAD), which contains little popping candies that fizz and crackle in the bath.

This super-liquidy shower cream is bright green and full of glitter, making it the most interesting shower not-gel experience I’ve ever had. Unfortunately, I also found it to be really drying, and for some reason (WHY???), it stains my skin if I leave it sitting for too long.

Even though I know that many love the Lord of Misrule scent (it’s black pepper oil, patchouli, and vanilla), it just doesn’t live up to its promises of being “perfect for dry winter skin.” By which I mean: it’s actually awful for dry skin. Like, it’s cool in theory and feels fine while you’re using it, but… yikes.

The LUSH Lord of Misrule Shower Cream ingredients: view

Water, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Patchouli and Black Peppercorn Infusion, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Stearic Acid, Lauryl Betaine, Propylene Glycol, Fragrance, Lactic Acid, Organic Wheatgerm Oil, Black Pepper Oil, Patchouli Oil, Fair Trade Vanilla Absolute, Titanium Dioxide, Limonene, Linalool, Snowflake Lustre (Potassium Aluminium Silicate, Titanium Dioxide), Yellow 5 Lake, Blue 1, Methylparaben.

The verdict?

While I really wasn’t impressed with the Lord of Misrule Shower Cream, LUSH’s Nightwing Shower Jelly is just too cool to pass up. If you’re a texture junkie (and really, what beauty addict isn’t), you totally need to give it a try!

Or, if bats aren’t really your thing, LUSH offers plenty of other jellies, too–but only the seasonal ones come in cool shapes like this one. (I want to try Needles and Pines and 93, 000 Miles next!)

Availability: $17.95 for the set at LUSH stores and online. (Or, buy Nightwing on its own here.)

Keep reading! »

Tags: /Cleansing, Fall/Winter 2015, Grouped reviews, LUSH, Other, Product Photos, Skincare

4 Comments

Odacité Oleosomes Time Release Delivery Crème review | The perfect serum booster

October 15, 2015

Rae Chen

9 Comments

The product: Odacité Oleosomes Time Release Delivery Crème

The science behind oleosomes: The new Odacité Time Release Delivery Crème features safflower oleosomes, which are plant organelles that store vitamins and triglycerides surrounded by a phospholipid bilayer. Oleosomes melt upon contact with the skin, and can be used as an all-natural delivery system in skincare.

The Oleosomes moisturizer also contains things like aloe (to hydrate), white tea extracts, hyaluronic acid, and calendula oil (to soothe), but the big pull is the oleosomes — they’re meant to deliver actives to the skin slowly, keeping it hydrated and glowing all day long.

The idea: Odacité recommends two different uses of their Oleosomes Delivery Crème: (1) used on its own as a moisturizer, or (2) used with 2-3 drops of an Odacité Serum Concentrate to deliver the serum to your skin throughout the day/night.

The idea behind this is that you’d use your Oleosomes Crème as a staple product, and then edit your serums frequently, switching them up for day/night, changes in the weather, etc. It makes a lot of sense, if you ask me — I tweak my skincare regimen based on how my skin is doing at any particular moment (for instance, I’ll use Ca+C when my skin is sensitive, but Po+R when it’s dry), and it’s cool to see an entire skincare line that operates around that idea, too!

The results: I really liked the Odacité Oleosomes moisturizer, but I have to admit — I did have a couple of problems with it. First off, the good stuff: the formula blends perfectly with any oil, and it feels rich and smooth when applied. It’s also 100% natural and silicone-free, and works well for sensitive skin types.

As a delivery mechanism, I think the Odacité Oleosomes crème is wonderful. It pairs well with all of my serums to deliver all-day hydration and efficacy, and I only need one pump of moisturizer to two drops of oil for great results.

However. For skin as dry as mine, I need not one, not two, but almost three pumps of product if I’m using it alone, and there’s just something kind of strange about the texture of this product — it melts into the skin when applied, but is stiff enough in the bottle that it can be a struggle to get any product out at all.

If you live in a warmer climate or you have normal to slightly dry skin, I doubt you’ll even notice a problem with either of these things. But for those in colder climates (or those with dry skin or eczema), I would definitely give this one a pass.

The verdict?

If you own ~~and love~~ any of Odacité’s Pure Elements Serum Concentrates (the fact that you’ll love them is taken for granted) and you’re not sure what moisturizer to mix them with, the Oleosomes Time Release Delivery Crème will be perfect for you. It’s hydrating and non-irritating, and will definitely help you get the most out of your serums.

However, it wouldn’t be my first choice for a stand-alone moisturizer. I like the line’s Night Time Repair Serum moisturizer ($120 USD) a lot more when used alone (that one’s actually quite nice), and in terms of getting the most bang for your buck, I think it would make more sense to add one of the line’s serums to a cheaper skincare regimen than it would to switch your normal moisturizer to this one!

Availability: $68 USD/$82 CAD at The Detox Market.

Keep reading! »

Tags: /Fall/Winter 2015, Indie brands, Moisturizers, Odacite, Paraben-free, Product Photos, Product Review, Product Swatches, Silicone-free, Silicone-free moisturizers and serums, Skincare

9 Comments

Lise Watier EYEvolution collection review, swatches, photos (Fall 2015)

October 13, 2015

Rae Chen

9 Comments

The products: Lise Watier EYEvolution Fall 2015 collection

Lise Watier’s fall collection is a bit of a unique one, both for the brand and for the makeup community. It features only eye products, and it was designed by Rachel Ladouceur, Lise Watier’s former public relations manager who now works as their product creator. (For real!!)

Rachel’s quiet transition into her new role has quite a fairytale vibe to it, if you ask me, and EYEvolution is a beautiful first collection to put out. Plus, all of the products are either limited edition or new to the permanent line, so there are lots of new, pretty basics for the rest of us to dig into this season!

Lise Watier EYEvolution Eyeshadow Quartet ($37 CAD, LE)

The highlight of the collection, if you ask me, is the EYEvolution Eyeshadow Quartet. It’s limited edition and will likely disappear off of shelves at the end of the month, so make sure to get it while you can.

Lise Watier EYEvolution Eyeshadow Quartet swatches (indirect sunlight; swatched over primer)

The formula used for these eyeshadows is described as a “half-cream, half-powder formula,” and it results in a really smooth, creamy pressed powder eyeshadow experience. The peach and charcoal shades have a slightly sheerer semi-matte finish, while the khaki and taupe have a slightly more luxurious, medium-opacity satin finish.

This quad was meant to be the perfect everyday/night palette, and I think it does a great job of it. It looks fantastic both on light skin and on a tan (not my tan; an actual tan), and I think that those with yellow and olive undertones in particular will really like this one!

Lise Watier Ombre Velours Suprême Eyeshadow in Rose Thé Velours and Pèche Velours ($25 CAD/each, new)

Next up are the Ombre Velours Suprême Eyeshadows, which are the brand new matte counterparts to Lise Watier’s well-loved (but crazy shimmery) Ombre Soufflé Suprême Eyeshadows ($25 CAD).

The new Ombre Velours shadows have a gorgeous, marshmallow-y cream texture, and still somehow manage to maintain the same “bounce” that the Ombre Soufflé eyeshadows have. They dry to a powder finish and hold up very well when swatched, but unfortunately, my eyelids decimate these sheer creams within two hours.

Swatched L-R: Lise Watier Ombre Velours Suprême in Péche Velours, Rhose Thé Velours; Extreme Hold CC Eye Primer; Intense Waterproof Eyeliner in Chocolat Intense and Espresso; Dramatique Intense 3D Volume Mascara in Noir

Lise Watier Intense Waterproof Eyeliner in Espresso and Chocolat Intense ($22 CAD/each, new)

Next up, the new Intense Waterproof Eyeliners. Here, Lise Watier has taken a page out of Clinique’s book and updated an old favourite with more pigment — in this case, the Lise Watier Waterproof Eyeliner ($22 CAD).

I tried out Espresso and Chocolat Intense, and both are super smokey and, yes, intense. With this much pigment, though, I would love to have seen a more workable formula — these set almost immediately, and within seconds, they’re locked down tight. They do wear very well, however (much better than the originals!) and still look intense and smokey at the end of the day.

Keep reading! »

Tags: /Canadian beauty, Eyes, Fall/Winter 2015, Grouped reviews, Lise Watier, Paraben-free, Product Photos, Product Review, Product Swatches

9 Comments

BISC Vol.17: How do you get rid of acne scars?

October 11, 2015

Rae Chen

3 Comments

How do you get rid of acne scars?

MELISSA | Switzerland | Kiss & Make-up

I’m afraid I don’t have any secret insider tips on how to get rid of acne scars. I just kind of just leave them be and heal on their own. However I did read somewhere that putting Vaseline on acne scars can help them heal faster though, but I haven’t tried it yet myself…

ANNE | Germany | Linda, Libra, Loca

Acne scars is something I have a lot of experience with. The worst don’t come from my early years of acne but from my mid-twenties, when my skin went completely mental for six months.

I have tried several things to lighten them and will gladly share what worked for me:
– Microdermabrasion: Done by a beautician, quite expensive, refines overall skin texture
– AHA/BHA: Done at home am and pm, see my favorite productshere, here and here.
– Sunscreen: Prevention is key!

Things I haven’t tried before are Retinol (will do once the pregnancy is over) and laser.

LILY | Malaysia | Chloe Ash

I used to have pimple marks but not excessive scarring which affects the texture of the skin. The marks turn from red to dark, and I get rid of them by gentle exfoliation and using a good brightening serum. I swear by the Diorsnow range because it got rid of all my pimple marks but each skin is different. Keeping skin well hydrated is also very important. So drink lots of water to get the juice flowing!

ERIN | USA | Clever Girl Reviews

I’ve tried everything short of lasers and not much has worked miracles for me. The key is persistence with things that help like retinoids, vitamin C, and botanical brighteners. Exfoliating is also key to improving skin texture. My current routine featuresSunday Riley Luna, Fresh Seaberry Oil, Derma E’s brightening line, Peter Thomas Roth Unwrinkle Pads, and Fresh Black Tea Essence. Each of these things addresses texture, tone, and brightness while healing the skin. I’ve had a ton of acne scarring. I’ve also had light chemical peels and microdermabrasion but they didn’t help much.

TRACY | USA | Swaybeauty

I try preventing them from the start. When I feel a spot coming on I immediately treat the area with salicylic acid and leave it alone (no picking). I take a break from wearing makeup to let my skin breathe & give it a chance to heal itself. I’ll continue this treatment until it’s gone. If it happens to leave a mark I’ll dab it with aloe vera or apple cider vinegar to lighten the spot.

MATROMAO | Philippines | FoodWorldMe

Two things: Exfoliation and Hydration. I don’t get to go to the dermatologist, so I do the best I can with what I have at home. I exfoliate with a scrub once a week, and then I follow that up with an at-home peel like Philosophy Microdelivery Peel. Then I just religiously slather on moisturizer to try and help along the skin renewal process. I also use argan oil, since I feel like it helps acne scars lighten faster.

RAE | Canada | the Notice: a beauty blog

I mostly just wait patiently (okay, not so patiently) for them to fade, but when I’m really antsy about a particular scar, I’ll add a little Marcelle Revival Firming + Brightening Cream Serum into my skincare regimen. It’s still a waiting game, but the serum really helps speed things along!

JAA | Thailand | Hello Jaa

I’ve been incorporating apple cider vinegar in my skincare routine (as a toner AM and PM) for about 4 months now and I’ve seen great results! Not only does it help fade acne scars, but it also softens and smooths my skin over time. It’s super cheap and effective! The smell is terrible but you’ll eventually get used to it. Then I continue with my VERSO cream day and night. I also exfoliate my skin twice a day with a Foreo Luna. Sunscreen is also a must and now I am using the Tatcha one. I think with acne scars, it takes time so be patient!

[Interested in joining BISC Network? Send your request to jaa*at*hellojaa.com]

Tags: /Acne, BISC, Skincare

3 Comments

5 AHAVA salt & mud products you need to try (& a giveaway to win a set for yourself!)

October 8, 2015

Rae Chen

62 Comments

I have something a little different for you today, dear reader: a countdown of my five favourite silicone-free products from AHAVA, plus a giveaway at the end so that you can try out some of my favourite products from the line!

AHAVA is an Israeli brand with a pretty cool origin story (but not the supervillain kind). Founded in 1988, the brand’s products are based around what they call the Osmoter — a concentrated, proprietary extract of mineral-rich Dead Sea water.

Since ’88, they’ve built a brand around the magic of the Dead Sea, with a plant-based Water Return Process that cleans their manufacturing facility’s waste water without chemicals so that it can be returned back to the region and used again. All of their products are paraben-free, GMO-free, and petroleum-free, and the company itself is cruelty-free!

» Skip to the giveaway!! «

5. AHAVA Liquid Dead Sea Salt ($22.50 USD)

I wanted to start today with one of AHAVA’s coolest products: their liquid salt body mask, a shower-gel-like detoxifying product that can be used as a 2-minute body mask or as a liquid bath salt. The formula contains vitamin E, Dunaliella Algae, and Grapefruit Oil to enhance the skin’s natural defence system and moisture level — think of it like a transportable soak in the Dead Sea.

I’ve never used a liquid salt product before, so (of course) I had to make sure that there really was salt in there… And the verdict is that, yup, very salty; would not recommend licking.

4. AHAVA Moisturizing Salt Soap / AHAVA Purifying Mud Soap ($10 USD/each)

For a Dead Sea shower staple product, AHAVA offers two face-friendly bar soaps: a salt soap for dry skin, and a mud soap for oily skin.

The softly-scented Moisturizing Salt Soap is definitely better suited for my skin, and I’ve been enjoying its rich, non-stripping lather in the shower every night. It features AHAVA’s exclusive Osmoter, a blend of Dead Sea minerals designed to replenish and rehydrate the skin.

The Purifying Mud Soap is definitely the more unique option of the two, though, so I had to give it a try, too! My skin was actually pretty happy with it — it’s an anti-bacterial, oil-free cleansing bar for the face and body, and it got my skin nice and clean without drying it out. The mud soap bar is also made with the AHAVA Osmoter complex, and contains black mineral mud from the Dead Sea region.

3. AHAVA Precious Desert Oils ($42 USD)

I’ve always been a sucker for a good body oil, and this one — this one is good. It’s not as hydrating as some of the 100% oil blends that I own, but it soaks all the way into the skin for a soft, non-greasy finish (and isn’t that always the trade-off). Its formula includes jojoba, sesame, and desert date oils, as well as a little bit of myrrh oil, the AHAVA Osmoter, and Dead Sea algae extract.

At $42 USD, it’s a little pricier than the rest of the line, but the packaging and subtle fragrance are an absolute treat.

2. AHAVA Hydration Cream Mask ($30 USD)

The AHAVA Hydration Cream Mask ties with their Softening Butter Salt Scrub for me, except for one thing: the salt scrub smells inordinately delicious (so, of course, it had to take first place).

I am so, so into this hydrating mask, though! It’s a 3-5 minute mask that’s designed to be used 1-2 times each week, or you can leave it on overnight, as I do. It has a soft floral fragrance and feels very spa-like as it’s worked into the skin, soaking in instantly and making my face feel immediately hydrated and supple.

The formula is loaded up with ingredients like shea butter, Dead Sea water, lactic acid, and aloe, and I always wake up to smooth, fine-line-free skin in the morning — it’s like an overnight radiance facial.

AHAVA Deadsea Salt Softening Butter Salt Scrub review

1. AHAVA Softening Butter Salt Scrub ($24 USD)

My favourite product, by far, from the AHAVA line is this one: the Softening Butter Salt Scrub. This is one product that I think everybody needs to have in their shower, no matter their skin type or shower habits!

The Softening Butter Salt Scrub smells absolutely amazing (it’s scented with a delicious blend of essential oils; think fruity and floral, not herbs and citrus) and is both super scrubby and gentle on the skin. You take a scoop of this stuff, buff it into your skin BEFORE showering, and then rinse off in the shower to turn it into a light, silky lotion.

For me, this shower butter/salt scrub is the best of both worlds. It leaves my skin feeling SO soft, smells fantastic, and acts as an in-shower body moisturizer or moisturizing shaving cream as long as I don’t scrub it off under the spray.

The giveaway

And, lastly, I have something exciting to share with all of you guys: a chance to win your very own at home AHAVA spa kit! (Worth up to $64 USD.)

To enter, use the form below and make sure to tell me if you want a handpicked DEAD SEA SALT SET (for normal to dry skin; includes the AHAVA Hydration Cream Mask, Softening Butter Salt Scrub, and Moisturizing Salt Soap bar) or the DEAD SEA MUD SET (for normal to oily skin; includes the AHAVA Softening Butter Salt Scrub, Purifying Mud Soap bar, and Natural Dead Sea Mud body mask).

This giveaway will be open for two weeks, until October 22nd at 11:59 PM MST, and is open to Canadian & US readers. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post, but all of the opinions are still my own. I chose, tested, cut, and re-tested every single product in this post, and I hope you like them as much as I do!

Tags: sponsored/Cleansing, Extremely dry skin, Giveaway, Grouped reviews, Moisturizers, Other, Paraben-free, Product Photos, Product Review, Silicone-free, Skincare, The Edit

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