New Skincare - New Skin Hopes - New Arrivals Featuring MuLondon and Melvita

My epic and ever-growing skincare collection has welcomed a significant amount of new hopeful products in the past month or so. Some of these are re-purchases and essential in my beauty routine as is the case with the MuLondon Organic Skincare while others were impulse purchases and gifts from the people in my life that enable my cosmetic addiction quite regularly.

The fact that most of these new-additions are natural and organic in nature is no coincidence since I have been making a gallant effort to transition most of my personal care towards a cleaner ingredient direction. As a matter of fact this change has been translated in other areas of my life as well, in an effort to improve my health and lifestyle in general. There are a lot of things to consider and pay attention to during these alterations but at the end of the day this kind of diligence and determination will and already is proving to be worthwhile. The expression "no pain - no gain" often comes to mind!

The change of seasons can do a number on your skin if precautions and appropriate skincare isn't utilized (see here!), which coupled with over-reactive, sensitive skin types can cause all kinds of trouble for the complexion. Whenever my skin "freaks out" my natural impulse always points me in the new purchase direction, meaning that my haulage can sometimes get out of hand due to desperation alone. Seeing how this time I had a clear cut goal to natural skincare options I was forced to consider, research and think through the new candidates a little bit more, resulting in smarter and more appropriate selections.

My MuLondon purchase was a no brainer! I have fallen in love with the Organic White Chocolate Truffle Moisturizer ($25.00 for 2 oz) (see review here!) which needed to be re-purchased so I took advantage of that instance and invested in a few other skincare products I had been lusting over. I truly believe in Boris and his vision so its my personal goal to spread his genius and his products to anyone who cares to listen (or read!). 

As a huge fan of true rose scents I knew that I wanted to try the Organic Rose Collection which led me to order the MuLondon Organic Rose Foaming Face Cleanser ($27.00 for 5 oz) and the MuLondon Organic Rose, Rosehip & Rosemary Moisturizer ($20.00 for 1 oz). The moisturizer is made with 100% organic Rose otto oil, Rosehip Extract and Rosemary Antioxidant and the fragrance itself is true to its origin completely. You will not smell a more genuine rose scent anywhere else! Both the cleanser and the cream are recommended for dry, irritated and sensitive skin so in theory this should fit my needs perfectly. 

Boris was kind enough to include the MuLondon Organic Marigold, Frankincense & Myrrh Moisturizer ($15.00 for 1 oz) with my order but that particular jar was already confiscated by my mother. Not surprisingly she hasn't stopped raving about it ever since! 

My devotion to the Organic White Chocolate Truffle Moisturizer meant that ordering the MuLondon LE Organic White Chocolate Elbow, Knee & Heal Cream ($32.00 for 2 oz) was pretty much a given, especially since colder, drier weather is approaching and my dry skin will be in need of some major pampering and care very soon. Once again the scent has me intoxicated with its realness - there is absolutely nothing artificial about the White Chocolate fragrance! 

Melvita is yet another French organic skincare company that has been on my radar for a little while now so receiving the Melvita Foaming Facial Scrub ($27.00 for 2.5 oz) and Melvita Essential Oil - Soothing Care ($48.00 for 1 oz) as a birthday gift was especially delightful. The French are well known for their skincare (as evident on this blog) and Melvita is no exception to that statement. I have only used the products a few times so its too early to be specific about the yielded results however I can already tell that the Soothing Care Oil is a definite standout! Full reviews will follow once I have a chance to properly test them out for at least a few weeks.   

I first discovered the Organic Surge Skincare lineup through my love of various UK Beauty Blogs where their products receive huge rave reviews not just for their efficiency and ingredients but also for their reasonable prices as well. I was pretty bummed out to discover that they weren't available in Canada and that online orders were the only means of me getting my hands on their genius formulas. Imagine my surprise when I spotted the Organic Surge First Class Face Mask ($15.00 for 1.66 oz) at my local Winners - Homesense store. I snatched it up without even a second thought and seeing how masks are huge when it comes to my skincare routines I am very excited to see how Organic Surge Skincare compares to the masks I already have in my arsenal. 

I am very happy with all the additions to my overflowing skincare cabinet and for once I can say that my choices this time around were a little more calculated and useful this time around. The fact that its all more or less in the nature department makes me even happier :-)

Have you tried any of these products? What was you last skincare haul?

Thank you reading

XOXO

ANJA

Are You Getting the Most Out Of All Your Skincare?

Quality skincare doesn't have to be but sometimes is expensive and time consuming. Not to mention it can become a game of trial and error in order to find the products that work with your particular skin chemistry. I am not even taking into account brand research, ingredient deciphering and the sometimes perilous process of acquiring the item of choice. The beauty industry can be a confusing place even for the best of us. 

For argument sake lets say that you discovered a product, visited the official website, consulted beauty pushers like me and finally made your purchase. The investment was made, the skincare did not make your face off and you are actually seeing the fruits of all that labor (aka results)! If it all lines up like that, pat yourself on the back and enjoy your complexion improvements! 

The story really should end there but of course it doesn't and it really shouldn't! The goal now is to maximize the results you are seeing in the mirror and make sure to utilize the active ingredients to their I full potential! Take it's for what it's worth completely. Think about it, you spent the money, you took your time so naturally you want to make sure you get the best out of it all!

Why settle for a $100 when you can work it to a $1000! 

Believe it or not making a few small changes in your beauty routine along with a few simple guidelines can make a world of difference! 

Here are a few skin loving rules to elevate your regiment from GOOD to AWESOME!

This may sound rudimentary but we all know that with skincare the main purpose is to get the ingredients into the skin so they can preform their primary function. Knowing what order your products should be applied can make sure to speed up absorption and maximize the penetration effect of the good stuff. The general rule is to go with light to heavy when it comes to texture and consistency. This means serums before moisturizers, and creams before balms or ointments. If a product has more active ingredient compared to the other then it needs to be applied first in order to maximize its power. Your aim is to get the best and most potent stuff in first! 

Applying an eye serum and/or eye cream is suggested as the first step after washing your face to make sure the delicate eye area is not compromised by products meant for the face only. The under-eye area especially is quite a bit more delicate than the rest of your face and therefore might be prone to irritation from actives it has no business with. To avoid this, just apply your eye treatment first so its somewhat coated when your face products come in to play. The Peter Thomas Roth Laser-Free Resurfacing Eye Serum ($67.00 for 0.5 oz) has been making quite a splash in my routine and I can't wait to review it and give it some well deserved praise.

To amplify hydration and skin recovery due to season changes on my face I have been using the Biotherm Aquasource Deep Serum ($55.00 for 50 ml) lately with some pretty impressive results (review to follow). My day moisturizers can change pretty often around here but as you know I have been loving the MuLondon White Chocolate Truffle Moisturizer ($25.00 for 60 ml) , alternating between that and the lovely classic Clarins HydraQuench Cream  ($49.00 for 50 ml). I have used the Clarins HydraQuench blue tubs for so long that the familiarity alone is comforting.

If you remember your Science class then you might recall the oil and water don't mix concept and that holds true when it comes skincare as well. Water-based products need to be applied first and then sealed with an oil treatment. However if you are using a dermatologist prescribed medication then that's the one that always should be used before anything else. Generally speaking the closer to the surface a product is, its effectiveness increases. To improve absorption try misting your face with some of the many facial mist sprays available (see here!) or simply dampen the skin surface prior product application. 

The oil of the moment in my bathroom cabinet is the Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil ($30.00 for 1 oz), which is quickly rising to the top of my facial oil stash! It's definitively giving my beloved REN Rose O12 Ultra-Moisture Defense Serum ($80.00 for 1 oz) a run for its money :-)

The beauty sleep dilemma has been debunked by some skincare experts and I am not sure if I personally buy that skin cells renew themselves more during the night but there are definite benefits in using certain products while you dream. Retinol based formulas such as the Vichy LiftActiv Retinol HA Night ($47.50 for 1 oz) along with some antioxidants make the skin very sensitive to UV rays and their efficiency is significantly lowered due to sun exposure, which means those products are best to be used indoors (or at night!). Cosmetic companies have a tendency in making night-time formulas more concentrated and spiked with higher levels of active ingredients so applying them when you are not wearing makeup (at night!) provides more time for them to work their magic. Another instance when a treatment is more effective when there is no sun exposure is in the case of resurfacing serums such as the StriVectin Advanced Overnight Resurfacing Serum ($69.00 for 1 oz) or the Roc Max Wrinkle Resurfacing System ($29.99 for the set). Come to think of it if you are using aggressive treatments like that sun exposure should be limited in the first place! 

A lot of beauty products and especially skincare have silicone's or dimethicones as part of their formulation. Many of us have a love-hate relationship with these smoothing agents and I personally consider them as "cheat ingredients" that only fool you into feeling the smoothing sensation of your skin. I understand that's the appeal in the first place but my preference would be to treat texture issues not just mask them. Since silicone's coat the surface of both hair and skin, a barrier is formed so products put on top may not be able to penetrate or work properly. If products like that are part of your routine to minimize the problem just make sure that anything like that is applied as one of the last steps (ex: primer). 

Silicone based primers that I have gotten along with in the past are: Too Faced Primed & Poreless Skin Smoothing Primer ($38.00), Tarte Clean Slate Poreless 12-Hr Perfecting Primer ($39.00 for 1 oz) and The Body Shop Tea Tree Pore Minimiser ($18.00 for 1 oz).

I am not even going to bother lecturing anyone about sunscreen use since we all know how essential SPF is for the health of your skin.  Melanoma, premature wrinkles and leathery skin is not a good look for anyone so it's most important to get this step right. 

As there are two different types of sunscreen it's no surprise that there are two application methods to consider. 

Chemical Sunscreen like La Roche Posay Anthelios XL SPF 50+ for  Face and Body require absorption in order to preform so therefore should be applied as one of the first products in your routine. Physical Sunscreen like the SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 ($34.00 for 1.7 oz) use Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide to form a barrier between the fragile skin and the damaging UV rays. Since that barrier needs to remain strong these sunscreens are applied on top of your skincare but is also sustainable under light makeup. You can avoid that hassle by choosing a tinted moisturizer or foundation with high SPF protection already built in. 

As you know I have a tendency to go overboard when it comes to skincare and complicated regiments so it wont surprise you that even this post has its own little brownie point section. 

If you are indeed using targeted essentials like heavy duty lip treatments and lash conditioners you know that using such extra-credit products can sometimes interfere with your daytime beauty rituals. 

Ultra-nourishing lip treatments are perfect for overnight healing and repair but can become quite the hassle if you try using them when lipsticks and glosses are trying to be the stars of your fabulousness. Layering balms can just end up smearing and diluting your desired lip color so treatments like Hourglass N28 Lip Treatment Oil ($49.00 for 0.25 oz) and  Bite Beauty Superfruit Butter ($21.00 for 0.23 oz) are better left for indoor times. 

Lash treatments are not everyone's cup of tea but the beauty obsessed like myself find such products totally helpful and the results these days can be rather impressive. My picks are the old standby Mavala Switzerland Double Lash (15.70) and my new discovery Talika Eyelash Growth Lpocils ($28.00) However as awesome and gratifying these are I have never found one that is mascara-friendly so I have to reserve them for night use. Luckily beauty companies have recently come out with mascara's laced with lash treatments and the Revlon Lash Potion formula has been on the forefront for some time now but the jury is still out! 

The main point I wanted to make with this blog post is that we are putting our faith in these cosmetic companies, spending our hard earned money and putting in precious time researching product specifics - that kind of effort deserves the very best these products can offer. With just a few tweaks and some tidbits of information you might not have thought of utilizing, the products you already have can go from PRETTY GOOD  to FREAKING AMAZING! 

As a girl who has a very difficult time remembering to read the directions on anything I wanted to find a way to pass on real world beauty experience points to girls like me and avoid sounding like a product pusher for once... I hope this helps!

Thank you for reading

Do you have some secret skincare tips? 

XOXO

ANJA

When Passport & Cult Beauty Collide - The Very French Embryolisse Lait Creme

The more skincare I get my greedy little hands on, the more I am convinced that I could very well be little bit of a fancy French girl. The bathroom cabinets and numerous shelves in my vicinity are stacked full of French pharmacy brands but even more telling of this is my own skincare routine where France makes an appearance quite frequently. 
I find that the European beauty market in general does seem to focus more on quality skincare than makeup, which is something I am very passionate about as well. After all, if the complexion is in bad shape all the pretty makeup colors will never get to shine to their fullest extent so it only makes sense to take care of the primary canvas first. France is definitively on the forefront of this skin loving trend and hopefully North America will continue to follow.

I am not sure when I first heard about Embryolisse but I know I have had a tube of their famous Lait-Creme Concentre ($16.00 for 1 fl.oz. or $28.00 for 2.6 fl.oz.) for a little over a year and since then I've become quite attached to its miracle effects. The Embryolisse gained its popularity through its users and not some marketing or advertising campaigns, meaning that it earned its reputation strictly based on results and recommendation from its happy customers. So many YouTube gurus, beauty bloggers and professional makeup artists swear by this stuff and it has been rumored that this low-key cream is used backstage to get models’ skin hydrated and plumped and ready for action. With endorsements like that its no wonder it reached cult beauty status around the world! 

It’s not very often that I come across a product that really exceeds my expectations. In the case of Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentre, my expectations were not only exceeded, but I now find myself wondering how I ever lived without it. I didnt know I could be dramatic like that but there it is...

Official Description;
Lait-Crème Concentrè (24-Hour Miracle Cream) is a rich moisturizing lotion. This specially formulated lotion is quite versatile; throw it in your travel bag when you don’t have enough space for numerous products. Our creamy lotion is really three products in one: the make-up artists use it as a primer, moisturizer, and make-up remover. It also reduces irritation after shaving!

Ingredients;

AAqua. Paraffinum Liquidum. Stearic Acid. Glyceryl Stearate. Triethanolamine. Cera Alba. Cetyl Palmitate. Butyrospermum Parkii, Steareth-10. Polyacrylamide C13-14 Isoparaffin. Laureth-7. Propylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Aloe Barbadensis. 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol. Tropolone. Parfum.Note: Paraben Free and Not Tested on Animals

The first thing you need to know about the Lait Creme Concentre is that I don't use it everyday - in fact my utilization of this wonder cream is different from what you'd expect! I can be a rebel like that but to each its own.

This can be summed up as my special occasion creme - I use it as a moisture-surge mask, makeup base (primer), sunburn relief coolant, DIY tinted moisturizer and even make-up remover. As a huge fan of multi-tasking products I can really appreciate the versatility this offers especially because no matter how I use it the results are always the same - healthy looking, smooth, nourished, moisturized, plumped, dewy, glowy skin! My mantra is that you cant argue with results and Embryolisse is a true testament to that! The nourishing and softening abilities of this French formula are derived from shea butter, beeswax, aloe vera, and soya proteins. These work together to restore natural moisture balance and promote skin renewal process. It basically motivates and strengthens your own skin cells to preform the metabolic processes that slow or lessen with normal aging. 

The term concentre in the name alludes to the rich hydrating powers of this cream, which it delivers beautifully but what is surprising (at least to me) is the texture itself. Embryolisse might be concentrated and ultra-nourishing but the light consistency makes it suitable for all skin-types because its absorbed quickly, sinks in deep and hydrates without adding more grease to the skin surface. It feels luxurious and light at the same time which is a rare feature in a moisturizer that is said to cater to all skin types and the lack of strong fragrance appeals to sensitive individuals as well. Huge brownie points for that last bit!

The beauty of this product is really in its simplicity. The only thing that I would change or rather add is inclusion of SPF in the formula to make it more suitable for daily use as a primary moisturizer. There is the issue of availability as well but that's really not a product quality issue so it would be unfair to count that against it but it is worth mentioning. 

Currently you can order the Embryolisse products on their website, Amazon, Birchbox Shop, Ebay and of course if you are lucky Paris itself. 

Thank you for reading!

Have you tried Embryolisse? What is your favorite French skincare brand?

XOXO

ANJA

Skin Care Jack Pot - MuLondon Organic White Chocolate Truffle Moisturizer

I think this blog and the sheer amount of skincare posts illustrate the fact that I take my beauty products quite seriously. My reviews are lengthy, precise and hopefully helpful to those of you researching your next beauty endeavor. I take my time with testing things out and if I like something I can be quite vocal about it.

Well, I honestly can't be loud enough about this product - MuLondon's Organic White Chocolate Truffle Moisturizer just might be the single best skincare product I have ever had the pleasure of using. Everything about this moisturizer is beyond impressive and testing it out has gotten me so excited about everything else they have to offer so much so that I have been stalking their for website days plotting what is sure to be a huge order.  

In the world of cosmetics there is a lot to be said about the new crop of so-called natural and organic brands swept up by the rising need for good for-you products that are kind both to the body and the environment. The success stories are there and need to be celebrated but recognition needs to be given to the best of the best, those companies that deliver the natural products they promise without sacrificing functionality, feel and results. 

Let's just say that something being natural doesn't always translate into a good beauty product, which is why I believe in giving credit and recognizing this feat when someone gets it right. MuLondon doesn't just get it right, they bang it out of the park and present a product that not only outperforms moisturizers that cost 4x as much and promise a heck of a lot more than this lovely concoction even touches on.

Before I introduce you to what is probably the best moisturizer I have ever used I think its important to introduce the company and the man behind this seemingly unassuming brand that is bound to become a household name among natural beauty connoisseurs very soon.
MuLondon is an award-winning UK based cosmetics brand, specializing in natural, organic and almost entirely hand-made skincare products. In fact the founder of MuLondon, Boris, is their head hand-whipper! That fact alone makes their products sound wholesome and freshly inspiring!
The brand credentials and philosophy is completely committed to the natural, organic (where possible), pure and vegan lifestyles, guaranteeing absolutely no artificiality and complete transparency when it comes to ingredients and resulting product formulations. Basically there are absolutely no qualms and reservations with anything they make!

The Organic White Chocolate Truffle Moisturizer was my first MuLondon product and as you can see I am a huge fan already.

Official Description;
Delicious, decadent Organic White Chocolate Truffle face moisturiser. Indulge your skin and your senses in this luxury spread for your face and your body.
Contains organic Shea Butter and Jojoba Oil and rich, yummy & fragrant extracts of Cocoa and pure Bourbon Vanilla - to spoil, pamper and excite.
Added certified organic Rosemary Antioxidant helps replenish and revive the skin.

Ingredients;

Vitellaria Paradoxa (Shea Butter)*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut Butter)*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba Oil)*, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary Extract)*, Vanilla Planifolia (Vanilla Extract)*, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa Extract)

The first thing that blew me away with this face cream is the scent itself - this is decadent, luscious, rich and absolutely true to its description real white chocolate. There is no artificiality or cloying interference whatsoever, which means that while the fragrance is definitively sweet it doesn't have the overly sugar undertone usually associated with gourmand-like products. I loved it so much that if they ever decided to bottle this as an EDP I would be first in line to purchase the jumbo size. You can't go wrong with real bourbon vanilla! 

Since this is a rich, concentrated moisturizer with the emollient trifecta - Shea Butter, Cocoa and Jojoba Oil, the texture is quite thick and needs to be used sparingly to achieve the proper moisture balance. The fact that its hand-whipped allows the thickness to melt and glide easily on the skin surface, making it ideal for a very spa-like facial massage experience. The combination of scent and this creaminess elevates the simple act of moisturizing by engaging all of your senses at once and making your entire skincare routine feel just a little more special than usual. 

The key ingredients, Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil and Coconut Butter, make this cream ideal for anyone with sensitive, reactive, and dry skin, because all of those target and alleviate the symptoms of the irritated epidermal layers. Anyone suffering from eczema, psoriasis and similar skin conditions would definitively benefit from this, meaning that if all you have to deal with is dry patches then this amazing moisturizer will work like a charm. You really can't argue with results! 

I have used the MuLondon Organic White Chocolate Truffle Moisturizer almost exclusively for the past few months and it has become one of my all-time favorite skincare products to date. Everything Boris and his team promise, this cream absolutely delivers and has surpassed every single expectation I have when it comes to facial moisturizers. 

In a world where big beauty companies make outrageous claims with equally outrageous "unclean" ingredients it is so refreshing to come across something like this that simply delivers and doesn't require a Masters in Organic Chemistry to decipher. 

The fact that the MuLondon products are also very affordable only further drives my point that they are awesome. 

My new favorite moisturizer is available in 30 ml for $15.00 and 60 ml for $25.00 here, proving that natural skincare doesn't have to cost an obscene amount in order to be amazing. 

I am almost out and this is going to be a definite repurchase :)

Have you tried the MuLondon products? What is your favorite natural brand? 

I hope this was helpful!

XOXO

ANJA

The Seasons Are Changing And So Should Your Skincare!

I love summer! I love the sunshine, the trips to the beach, barbecues, exciting outdoor festivals and lets not even talk about the exhibition parks. I turn into a 12 year old girl almost instantly.

Despite the fact that summers obviously have all kinds of attractive qualities, my notorious fickle nature starts pining for the different kind of warmth only autumn can bring and daydreaming about chestnuts and rich jewel-toned colors develops pretty quickly after that.
Lets face it, the hot muggy weather and constant "perspiration", loses its very charm quickly when it comes to a girly girl like me. By the time September rolls around I am more than ready for a change!

With the season rotation the beauty connoisseur in me gets pretty excited about making the switch to a more fall-appropriate makeup color palette, treating the whole transition process like some kind of a "lifestyle makeover" and relishing each new discovery to its fullest.
As my beauty experience evolved I began to recognize that my skincare concerns were also affected by the upcoming temperature and environmental changes which naturally progressed to a shift in those routines as well. You would be surprised just how big of a difference a few formulation changes can make when it comes to skin happiness and more importantly, the ever elusive comfort factor. 

The warmer summer temperatures called for refreshingly light and usually gel-like textures, all of which will prove to be insufficient once the cold weather comes around. Those of you with drier skin will agree with me right away but I am sure that everyone would benefit from a little richer and creamier formulas once the cold starts setting in. The go-to summer products start under-performing but luckily I already have amazing back-ups to supplement my beauty regiment well before the Canadian weather starts playing around.

Today you guys get to witness yet another glimpse in to my beauty saturated world. It can get pretty ridiculous but try to bear with me - I promise there is definitively a method to my madness! 

Cleansing Procedures 

When choosing a cleanser for the fall or winter season the thing I always look for is that wondrous combination of "creaminess" and the "gentle factor". The summer may have vied for the "cooling effect" but in the cooler weather my bigger concern and end result is always all about efficiency without any kind of stripping or over-drying. In fact all of my "wintery" picks focus on adding things in to the skin as opposed to taking things out, which is something that can be a little tricky when it comes to the cleansing step. Essentially the cleanser needs to be able to effectively but gently clean my skin and enrich & hydrate all at once. Needless to say my love affair with cleansing balms becomes even more evident around this time because their balmy formulas when it comes to the concept of cleansing hydration.
My favorite transitional cleansers are: Pai Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser ($70.00 for 6.8 oz), Suki Creamy Foaming Cleanser ($32.95 for 4 oz) and Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm ($35.00 for 3.8 oz).

Exfoliating my dry and sometimes flaky complexion is accomplished by an even more regular use of my Clarisonic Mia Cleansing System ($139.00), which coupled with my choice chemical exfoliants keeps everything smooth and in-check without over-drying and further irritation. When my skin needs happens to need a little bit extra scrubbing TLC then I reach for some substantially creamy and function targeted facial scrubs, which do the job quickly and swiftly in a manner of just a few minutes.
The most important thing about these scrubs is that they hydrate my skin without being greasy or clog-worthy!
Some of the best are: Michael Todd True Organics Tropical Fruit Enzyme Exfoliant Scrub ($18.00 for 3.4 oz), Aveda Tourmaline Charged Radiant Skin Refiner ($40.00 for 3.5 oz) and Juara Rice Facial Scrub ($29.00 for 4.75 oz).

The Toning and Treatment Step

The debate whether or not a skincare routine really needs a toner completely ended for me when I discovered the genius nature of chemical exfoliants and I really haven't looked back. Swiping a saturated cotton pad over your face takes mere seconds and the difference that short amount of time has had on my skin texture and appearance is more than amazing. For me that has solidified the toning step and I really can't imagine me ever cutting it out. The only thing that is important is choosing a formula that is gentle and low in alcohol content in order to minimize any over-stripping and drying, which is especially important during the winter months when vast amounts of time is spent in artificially heated environments.
My firm favorites still include Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner ($34.00 for 120 ml), Biologique Recherche P50 ($89.00 for 8.5 oz) and the new Korres Pomegranate Toner ($26.00 for 6.75 oz).

No skincare routine is complete without a treatment serum, which is basically souped up, targeted health supplement for your skin. The beauty of serums lies in the fact that depending on the formulation you choose you can treat any specific concern or problem your very own skin requires - nothing beats personalization when it comes to beauty routines and including one of these in yours is a sure-fire way to whatever your little heart desires.
Since I am a proud Canadian, our wonderfully cold winters and my own dry skin require highly hydrating, soothing and protective potions to help me acclimatize to the ridiculously fluctuating temperatures.
Serums that get the most play in my bathroom are: Aesop Damascan Rose Facial Treatment ($80.00 for .81 oz), Murad Sensitive Skin Soothing Serum ($63.00 for 1 oz) and my trusty Clarins Bi-Phase HydraQuench Intensive Serum ($58.00 for 1 oz).

More and More Hydration

Keeping up with the hydration theme I am sure you can predict that my moisturization is going to be even more important during this transition phase and as the winter months get closer it will gradually intensify even more. My skin is definitively on the drier end of the spectrum but its also easily irritated and prone to clogging, which makes choosing a richer moisturizer a little trickier than usual. The formula needs to be deeply hydrating, soothing and rejuvenating but can't be filled with traditionally clog-prone ingredients such as mineral oil and the various "butter" variants.
The all stars in my skincare arsenal include: Tatcha Moisture Rich Silk Cream ($150.00 for 1.7 oz) and my new favorite MuLondon Organic White Chocolate Truffle Moisturizer ($24.00 for 2 oz). The MuLondon Skincare is probably one of the greatest discoveries of the summer for me so expect in-depth reviews very soon.

Another way I hydrate and pamper my skin pretty much year round is by including regular facial mask sessions each week and making sure to choose hydrating, luxurious formulas for maximum effect and best results. My favorite time to use them is right after a shower or hot bath on clean, warm and damp skin, leaving them to do their magic as I busy myself with body lotions, creams and rich moisturizing oils. Nothing beats beauty multi-tasking!
My new discoveries include: Rodial Dragons Blood Hyaluronic Mask ($45.00 for 50 ml), KORA Organics Hydrating Mask ($49.95 for 100 ml) and my new-found obsession Tarte Amazonian Clay Double Detox Facial System ($46.00 for the set!).

Just glancing at my blog and the over abundance of blog posts such as this one clearly illustrates the fact that I take my skincare very seriously so much as that I continuously invent reasons to talk about my over-planned regiments. With that in mind, its obvious that a lot of the products I introduce are not necessarily must-haves in a regular persons skincare routine however I can't deny the fact that all of these really do make a difference in the way my own skin looks and feels.
I firmly believe that investing in good skincare products, expensive or not, is important to every beauty queen out there - after all those beautiful fall makeup color palettes will never get to shine with their full potential is your complexion is lacking that healthy, radiant glow!

Do you change your skincare products with each season? Any favorites I need to know about?

Thank you for the reading :)

XOXO

ANJA

P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-)

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion - Was the +ReallyWorth It?

I have had a bunch of people ask me very recently about my opinion on Clinique skincare and more specifically what I thought about them reformulating their iconic Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion and adding that precocious (+) at the end. My guttural reaction was very quick and painfully clear "its about time!" 

Official Description;
Step 3 in Clinique's 3-Step Skin Care System. The moisture "drink" developed by Clinique's dermatologists to maintain optimal moisture balance for very dry skins, or skins dry in the cheeks, comfortable to oily in the T-zone. Softens, smooths, improves.\
The big plus: with a new complex, this formula strengthens skin's own moisture barrier by 54%. More moisture stays in. Skin feels soft, springy. Has a glow.
* For Skin Types: 1 - Very Dry to Dry, 2 - Dry Combination

I am not really a big Clinique skincare user, even though i had dabbled in their 3-Step Skin Care System I never found anything to be impressed about and moved on to bigger and better things. I, however, am I extremely brutal when it comes to product evaluation so for something to stick around in my bathroom cabinet for any amount of time it really has to blow me away or at least have something unique to be excited about. 

The original Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion was too basic for me and the ingredient list, despite all their claims of sensitive-skin & allergy testing, resembles a 1960's chemistry lab experiment, without any skin-loving additions to speak of. Granted this moisturizer is probably the world's most recognizable beauty product and those who use it are fanatically loyal, plus we can't ignore the fact that according to the Clinique team one bottle of the Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion is sold every 4.87 seconds.

I can see why Clinique did not want to change or alter a product that was already so popular and so lucrative in sales and sheer demand for constant supplies all over the world. In fact their team is very open when it comes to the reasons decisions were made, what is different about the new version, what their criteria was during development and in true Clinique fashion the promises and claims made are not over the top nor are they unrealistic. That is actually one of the biggest reasons why I respect their company - their expectations and projections when it comes to skincare are very down-to-earth, respectable and precise, without any of the usual "miraculous power" proclamations of some other worst offenders.

However leaving a moisturizing formula the same since 1968 when their skincare specialists had every opportunity to improve or alter the cream, just because the sales and demand was there seems a little unsavory to me. The problems the skin needed to deal with in 1968 or 1978 were somewhat different from the challenges skin cells had to overcome in 1998 or 2008, meaning that a proactive approach could have been implemented a while ago.
We all know that the past can't be changed now but I hope Clinique continues on this road of self- improvement and reflection in the future.

Clinique has always referred to this famous yellow lotion as a "moisture drink" that is meant to maintain and restore optimal hydration balance to your dry areas but also keep the "oily zone" (usually T-zone) comfortable and calm. Essentially what the Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion represented was a very basic moisturizing formula whose primary and only function was to hydrate and soften skin. This lotion had absolutely no anti-aging ingredients, enzymes, antioxidants or even sunscreen. I suspect that it was the "bare-bones" formula that attracted the attention of so many skincare-oholics, especially since simplicity can work wonders in terms of "calming" over-reactive complexions.
However for me personally, the high price tag for such a bland moisturizing formula could not be justified and besides being in my late 20's has made me hyper aware of anti-aging products, which are now starting to show up in my skincare routines more regularly than just a few years ago.

 In summary the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion has to really up its game significantly and offer my skin a bit more this time around, if it even has a prayer of gaining  that "coveted spot" in my skincare & beauty routine.

The new Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion + is described as a new, updated, fine-tuned, reformulated and modern version of its predecessor. Clinique's skincare specialists and as always backed by independent dermatologists took great care to retain the same lightweight texture and impressive absorption of the of the original but boost the formulation with a certain "complex +", which is said to strengthen skin's natural hydration barrier by 54% and in turn improves, softens, smooths and protects your complexion. The moisturization factor of the new (+) lotion is further enhanced by adding hyaluronic acid, glycerine and urea, whose combined benefits result in a skin that is hydrated, silky soft and radiant.
Check out the new Clinique commercial for their new moisturizer;

What ultimately swayed me completely towards the new Clinique Dramatically Different MoisturizingLotion + was the importance of its research findings and the time it took to ultimately get the final product on our skincare shelves. It took 6 years, 600 "real" women and 5 countries to test and approve the new Clinique moisturizer. 

No matter how loud the sceptic inside complains there is no way for me not to admire and respect that kind of dedication and hard work. I appreciate skincare and as such appreciate any brand that stands behind its products to that degree.

My experience with the new Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion + was a lot better than I expected and the difference in "feel" between the original and this new "souped-up" improved formulation is definitively palpable. While my original encounter with the first Clinique moisturizer was a rather underwhelming one, this time around I would have to describe the experience as "hopeful". The "complex +" hydrated my skin deeply with absolutely no residue or "tacky surface" feeling and my complexion remained calm and radiant the whole day.

In conclusion I will admit that I was rather impressed with the new Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion + and despite the fact that this still isn't a moisturizer with specific anti-aging or other treatment properties, I appreciate the new formula and will happily keep this little "yellow potion" in my skincare cabinet for days when my skin needs a break from the actives I enjoy so much.
I would recommend the Clinique + to everyone as well but I have a feeling that the masses won't need much encouragement with this product.
Very soon Clinique will have yet another "cult" product to add to their hall of fame and I for one am happy to have had a chance to try it and change my mind about their skincare in general.

For more information and retail visit the Clinique website. The Clinique Complex + retails  for $14.50 for 1.7 oz and $26.00 for 4.2 oz

I hope this was helpful to someone :-)

Have you tried the new Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion +? Did you like the original?

XOXO

ANJA

P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-)

Review - Kate Somerville Goat Milk Cream

Kate Somerville skincare was mistakenly labeled by my groggy self as an "infomercial gimmick" brand a while back when I happened to be awake at 4 am, flipping channels and enjoying the dramatic displays various paid programming spots were showing. Somewhere between the incessant Proactiv ads and the Magic Bullet demonstrations, Kate's products got lost in the shuffle and for a long time after I dismissed the constant raves I read online about her celebrity clients.

I guess it takes the right "celebrity" to get my attention and in this case change my very stubborn mind. Caroline Hirons, my unofficial skincare consultant, featured a few Kate Somerville picks in her own skincare routine and specifically mentioned the Goat Cream as a great option for a moisturizer because of its Lactic Acid mild exfoliation properties. She actually classified this as her Absolute Must Have!  Caroline's genius had never let me down before so when i came time to find a new moisturizer Kate Somerville's Goat Cream was my obvious first pick.

Description;
As restorative as it is gentle, Goat Milk Cream moisturizes and soothes dry or damaged skin. Along with natural ingredients—like Aloe, Jojoba, and Avocado—this gentle formula utilizes Lactic Acid to reveal a fresh, renewed complexion.

Ingredients;

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Goat Milk, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Emulsifying Wax NF, Stearic Acid, Glycerin, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Salix Nigra (Willow) bark Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Mannan, Melia Azadirachta Seed Oil, Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) Extract, Tetrasodium EDTA, Citric Acid.

Key Ingredients;

Jojoba and Avocado for hydration & smoothness
Aloe Vera to calm irritated skin
Grape Seed Extract as natural antioxidant to neutralize free radicals
Lactic Acid (from the milk) to exfoliate and preserve skin's natural pH level

The main feature of the Goat Milk Cream is the clever combination of the mild exfoliant, Lactic Acid, with hydrating agents, Jojoba, Coconut & Avocado. Goat milk is naturally rich in proteins, vitamins, amino acids, antioxidants and lactic acid, making it an ideal ingredient for treating skin that requires hydration and de-clogging properties. 

I really appreciate the unique packaging as well because it cuts down the chances of contamination and the since its not a traditional pump it will not clog like some of its counterparts. 

The level of moisture provided in this cream is definitively suitable for combination-dry or even slightly oily skin types but those with very dry skin will need an additional hydration source, such as a serum. I find that the texture of this cream is deceptive because it seems and feels light but in reality its very concentrated and rich. A small amount is needed to properly moisture and if I use too much my skin stays tacky a little bit longer. With practice I have found that about a half pump is more than enough for the face and neck and if I get it right the cream sinks in quickly, leaving my skin comfortable and silky soft. The smooth factor makes this moisturizer a perfect base for makeup application, so much so that there are times I skip the primer step and apply just foundation over the Goat Cream. 

I have read reviews that mentioned the offensive "milk-like" scent but I have to disagree because my jar barely has any fragrance and it does not emulate milk in any way. If I had to speculate I would say it smells fresh, calming and almost comforting. However fragrance is highly subjective so to you the scent might seem completely different too! The formula does not have any added fragrances, no parabens or silicone's, making it a good choice for my fellow Sensitive Skin Care Club members or anyone else with reactive skin. 

The final conclusion on my part is very positive and I can see this moisturizer staying in my skincare routine for a very long time. Kate Somerville's Goat Cream moisturizes my skin deeply, comforts & calms redness and inflammation and most importantly leaves my complexion looking bright and radiant. I strongly believe that anyone looking for a natural, simple, high quality formula in a moisturizer will love the Goat Cream. 

My apologies to Ms. Somerville for my quick judgement! I think I finally found a worthy infomercial product :-)

Have you tried the Kate Somerville Goat Cream? Whats your favorite infomercial discovery?

XOXO

ANJA

P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-) 

Review - La Roche Posay Toleriane Soothing Protective Skin Care

A little more than a month ago La Roche Posay was a brand whose product complexities intimidated me so much that I actively avoided their skincare shelves and ignored the constant raves that flooded the blogosphere. Lets just say that things have definitively changed over the past few weeks!

I don't like to admit this too often but being an unapologetic girly-girl sometimes causes me to 'snub' some of the plainer products and I have been known to make purchasing decisions based purely on packaging details. If its pink, sparkly, shiny and smells good, chances are I will have a hard time resisting it!

Just one look at the La Roche Posay products will tell you that there is nothing about their packaging that could possibly reel me in. However when it comes to skincare we all need to remember that the only thing that counts is what is inside the tube and "pretty" designs should only be seen as secondary perks, at best.

My first La Roche Posay experience came in the form of the Toleriane introductory set which contained Toleriane Soothing Protective Skincare Cream, Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser and their signature Thermal Spring Water. The Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser turned out to be a huge success (review here) so I was excited to see if the Toleriane Cream would yield good results as well.

I am so happy to present you with yet another amazing La Roche Posay product. My skin loved it!

Description;

Its formula concentrated in La Roche-Posay thermal spring water soothes the tight, burning, pulling sensations found in intolerant skin. Its soft, fresh formula penetrates easily to restore skin comfort. Strict formula charter, with a minimum number of ingredients to limit allergy risks. Fragrance-free, preservative-free, paraben-free. Non-comedogenic.

Ingredients; 
Aqua/Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Isocetyl Stearate, Squalane, Glycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Pentylene Glycol, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Cetearyl Alcohol, PEG 100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Dimethiconol, Ethylhexl Glycerin, Acrylates/C10 30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxide. 

La Roche Posay brand doesnt need much of an introduction these days. Its a classic French pharmacy brand whose claim to fame rests on their no-frills approach to skincare and the fact that all of their products are "spiked" by their unique source of thermal spring water. They don't make too many outlandish promises or claims about "miracle molecules" and instead focus on coming up with formulations that might not be glamorous but actually do what they say they will do. I respect that kind of stance very much!
Their products are fragrance-free, preservative-free, paraben-free and non-comedogenic, which is important for those of us with reactive, problematic sensitive skin.

The Toleriane Soothing Protective Skin Cream is essentially a comforting, calming hydration treatment for very sensitive, reactive or otherwise compromised skin. Its a simple formulation designed to literally soothe and moisturize, by building up the natural skin healing cycle and reducing both sensitivity and reactivity in the future. The ingredient list is short, fillers are kept at a minimum and the simple formulation reduces additional irritation, which makes it suitable for even the most sensitive skin types. 

The texture is best described as somewhere between a lotion and light cream, never greasy, absorbs quickly and gives instant hydration relief. I love the comforting sensation as I can actually feel it working to heal and soothe my skin.
I will admit that the Toleriane Cream is not my everyday moisturizer but I do use it whenever my skin feels irritated, inflamed or particularly red. For me this works better as a hydrating treatment or a moisture mask when my complexion is in need of some serious TLC. 

My final verdict is very positive and I would recommend the Toleriane Soothing Protective Skincare ($30) to everyone but especially my fellow members of the Sensitive Skin Care Club. 
La Roche Posay prices are a bit higher than your usual drugstore skincare selections however the formulation is far more superior and thereby worth paying for. 

La Roche Posay's products can be found at Shoppers Drug Mart in Canada but selection of products varies from store to store. 

Have you tried the La Roche Posay Toleriane line up? What is your favorite La Roche Posay product?

XOXO

ANJA

P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-) 

Review - Omorovicza Rejuvenating Night Cream

Omorovicza happens to be my all-time favourite brand and despite their high prices I would always recommend them to everyone because I really believe in their ingredients and formulations. 

My favourite thing about Omorovicza is that they really are a "true" skincare company. What I mean by that is that their primary focus is quality skincare and their range shows that they don't have any "filler" products. Everything they release is extensively tested and refined with a true purpose and proven results.

Omorovicza does luxury right and not just with ingredients - everything smells and feels  luxurious and even the packaging spells class. Each order comes with its own magnetized reusable box and I am the kind of girl that appreciates things like that. 

Omorovicza Rejuvenating Night Cream is the epitome of pampering and results all in one. There is something so comforting about smoothing this on and the lovely fresh scent and silky feel make you feel like you are using something truly special. And you really are!

Description;

This buttery night cream nourishes and strengthens the skin during sleep. Silky and aromatic, it feels soothing and comforting upon application; Vitamin A helps boost cell renewal leaving skin fresh and rejuvenated.

Benefits;

• Plump and firm to minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles with hazelnut peptide.
• Boost the production of collagen with carrot oil, rich in pro-vitamin A.
• Restore suppleness and soothe the skin while providing anti-oxidant defence against free radicalswith plum almond oil.
• Deliver long-lasting hydration and suppleness with apple pectin.
• Leave skin firmer, more supple and younger-lookingas Hydro Mineral Transference™ delivers minerals deep into the skin.

Ingredients;

Hungarian Thermal Water, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Cetearyl Olivate, Stearyl Heptanoate, Sorbitan Olivate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydrolyzed Hazelnut Protein, Cera Alba (Beeswax), Phenoxyethanol, Mannitol, Sodium Lactate, Malpighia Punicifolia (Acerola) Fruit Extract, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fragrance, Chlorella Vulgaris/ Lupinus Albus Protein Ferment, Yeast Extract, Linalool, Geraniol, Potassium Sorbate, Beta-Carotene, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Ascorbyl Palmitate.

The Rejuvenating Night Cream looks and feels rich, nourishing and luxurious. Everything from the texture, the colour, the luxe jar and the little spatula will make you excited about using it. The creaminess of the formula implies the holistic benefits of the nourishing oils used in the rejuvenating formula so your skin really feels renewed, refreshed and rejuvenated. 

A quick glance at the ingredient list shows that the fabled Hungarian thermal water combined with Shea butter, Coconut oil, beeswax, Apricot oil, Almond oil, Carrot oil etc. is responsible for such a rich cream. 

What I find fascinating is that they have managed to combine all of these oils into a cream that  feels both rich and nourishing without a hint of greasiness. The consistency is a light cream so it's not as dense as some other cloying greasy night treatments but delivers moisture, nourishment, rejuvenation and benefits that others only promise to give. 

I didn't use night cream for a long time because of this issue. I don't like greasy creams that sit on top of my skin all night long, leaving an oily residue on my pillows and a shiny face in my mirror. Through Omorovicza I have given night creams another chance and discovered that I don't have to settle for dense, oily creams to treat my skin in the evenings. It's as close as I have ever come to a skincare epiphany! 

The price tag ($230) might be hard to swallow but I invite you to think of it as an investment. You only have one face so protecting and taking care of it now will be something you will appreciate for years to come and besides one jar of this lovely cream will last a long time. 

Did I mention it makes you feel like a million dollars? It really does! 

Omorovicza products can be found at Sephora and purchased directly on their website!

Make sure you check out their loyalty Pengo Points program here!

Have you tried Omorovicza yet?

XOXO

ANJA

P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-)