Best of 2011 Roundup - Skin Care, Body Care, Hair Care

Hello, 2011 was a great year with many great products in the market.  Yours truly has tried and tested many good products and some not so good.  Here is a quick run down of the Best Products of 2011 based on my own trial and error, I would consider re-purchasing all of these products in the future:

Skin Care

From left to right:

1)  Boots Botanics Soothing Eye Make Up Remover - I use this to remove stubborn waterproof eye makeup and it is not irritating to my sensitive eyes
2)  Aveda Green Science Perfecting Cleanser - This cleanser contains argan oil which is very nourishing to the skin.  It removes makeup and dirt quite well, yet it is gentle on my dry skin.  It never leaves my skin tight and dry
3)  Andalou Naturals Blossom & Leaf Toning Refresher - This is a newer brand that I discovered at Whole Foods Market.  I was intrigued by the Fruit Stem Cell Science behind the products.  This toner is hydrating and refreshing at the same time.  I really like the fresh herbal scent
4)  Sponge Ladi Avokanto - This is my current night treatment made of avocado and olive oil.  See more information from my previous post here
5)  Aveda Green Science Firming Eye Creme - I have some dry fine lines forming around my eyes.  I can feel the firming action around my eyes when I put this one, it is really moisturizing at the same time.  It is the perfect eye cream under makeup or on its own

Body Care

From left to right:

1)  80 Acres Verde Olive Oil Body Balm - I have written about this body balm in two separate posts.  Can you tell it is my favorite body balm?
2)  MJ's Herbals Lavender E Salve - This is another balm good for dry hands, burns, cuts, scars, headache and stress relieve, etc.. It is an all purpose natural potion

Hair Care

From top to bottom:

1)  Josie Maran Argan Oil Hair Serum - I have very thick and dry hair.  Even for my hair, a little of this product goes a long way.  I use this on damp or dry hair.  It seals and adds shine to my hair
2)  Living Proof Restore Mask Treatment - After seeing the introduction of this product on the Dr. Oz's show, I had to try it.  It is a wonderful hair treatment that I use twice a week, it repairs, tames, and softens my damaged hair like no other

3)  Hot Tools Tempest 2000 Salon Turbo Ionic Dryer - Lastly, I was getting tired with the cheap drugstore hair dryers that keep breaking on me every couple of months.  I decided to splurge and invest in a more powerful and better quality hair dryer.  This dryer is a good one for under $100, it is worth the money.  There are more expensive hair dryers out there, but I am not a professional hair stylist and can't justified spending more than $100 for a hair dryer.  This one comes with the standard attachments and it is easy to use. The biggest benefit for me is that it dries my thick hair in less time compared to other dryers that I have tried.  Low EMFs is another plus

Have you tried any of these products?  I would love to hear what you think about them.  Stay tuned for another Best of 2011 post coming up soon!  Until next post......

Best of August Roundup - Makeup, Body Care, and Fragrance

Hello, Continuing with August Roundup, here are my favorite products for makeup, body care, and fragrance:

Makeup

Burberry Light Glow Blush in Tangerine No. 06 was my go to blush in August, see previous review .  In fact, it was in my purse everyday for most of this summer.  The color is perfect for the office and it was great for me to have it for touch up after work if I was going out.  There is nothing bad I can say about this blush except the price is on the high end.  But you pay for what you get.  The entire Burberry makeup line is classy, no fuss, and good quality products.  It stays true to the branding of the company.

Body Care

McEvoy Ranch 80 Acres Verde Olive Oil Body Balm was one of my favorites last month, see previous review.  This body balm leaves a nice sheen on the skin and provides adequate hydration.  You can wear it in the summer as well as into the fall and winter. 

Fragrance

I picked up the MAC Turquatic fragrance after the re-launch on August 11.  As I mentioned in a previous post, it was the only MAC fragrance I have owned and enjoyed in the past.  The ad campaign displayed beautiful images inspired by the sea and the new decorative bottle is more interesting looking than the old.  It is a crisp, casual, and warm fragrance.  Great for the daytime and not offensive to most noses.  The lasting power is not the best.  It lasted two to maybe three hours on my skin, by then the scent turned faint.

According to the MAC website, Turquatic is a sensual sea spray with notes of Anemone, Lotus, Orris, and Corsican Blue Cedar.  I purchased the 0.68 fl oz. or 20 ml size for $27.50 at Macy's.  It also comes in a 6 ml  rollerball and a 50 ml size bottle.

Until next post......

McEvoy Ranch 80 Acres Verde Olive Oil Body Balm

Hello, The cooler weather will soon be upon us and it often takes a toll on my dry skin.  My skin can get very dry and chapped in lower temperatures.  I stumbled upon McEvoy Ranch 80 Acres Verde Olive Oil Body Balm and it is amazing!   McEvoy Ranch is located in Petaluma, California and they are known for their certified organic olive oil.  The olive oils are sold in certain supermarkets and you can taste the olive oils before you buy at their retail store in San Francisco.  You can get more information about the olive oils and their 80 Acres body care products in their website. 

This body balm is made with their trademark certified organic extra virgin olive oil along with a few other simple natural ingredients.  This is everything I look for in a body moisturizer.  I will tell you why...... 

Product breakdown

Ingredients - 97% certified organic ingredients. Olive oil content is 81%.  You will see the full ingredient listing from the back label  in the picture above. Ingredients include olive and jojoba oils, beeswax, and vitamin E.  All come with natural antioxidants that can provide protection and nourish the skin
Texture - It comes in a soft balm in a glass jar.  Take a little, warm and melt it in hands, then spread it onto the skin.  I prefer a balm or oil based moisturizer.  I like the feel of how the product glides on, it feels like a luxurious treatment.  My dry and sensitive skin can tolerate the oils in this product.  It absorbs into the skin quickly without a lot of massaging.  The product will leave a light protective film on the skin which does not bother me because it is not a greasy film
Scent - Verde is mostly citrus with some lavender and ylang ylang.  It is a fresh and green scent.  The body balm also comes in Lavender and Blood Orange (new) scents

Skin type - Normal to Dry
Price - $22 for 3.75 Oz

Repurchase? - Yes

Until next post......