Luxy Beauty Care Long-Handles Shower Brush ~~REVIEW~~

When I first began looking for a shower brush, I never considered it more than a soothing tool used to massage my skin and spread the lather around my body while I showered.  However, body brushing is apparently a "thing".  It's a beneficial "thing" at that!  Did you know that the benefits of body brushing include:

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• Increased circulation to your skin
• Removes dead cells while promoting cell renewal 
• Skin becomes firmer and tighter
• Relieves stress, soothes aching muscles
• ...and more!

I didn't know these things until I had the opportunity to try this long-handled shower brush by Luxy Beauty Care free in exchange for my honest opinions.  Some may say that all shower brushes are the same... Well, I'll never know, because this one is absolutely wonderful, and you know what they say... "If it ain't broke, don't try to fix it!"  

This brush is very long.  In fact, it's so long that I wasn't able to hang it from the water spout in my tub, and had to hang it from the shower head.  I am very tall, and have a long torso, so the length works perfectly for those hard-to-reach areas.  It's made from durable materials, and I don't foresee it breaking any time in the near future.  It has really soft, soothing bristles, that really does do a great job at relieving stress after a long day of work.  It also has a handy massager on the back that is designed to tackle achy muscles.  

Oleavine Health All Natural Therapeutic Foot Soak ~~REVIEW~~

There's nothing like a warm, soothing, relaxing foot soak after a long, hard day/week, right?  I really enjoy just sitting back with a glass of wine and my feet in a tub full of warm water.  While we usually just use Epsom salt in our foot baths in my house, I recently received the opportunity to try All Natural Therapeutic Tea Tree Mint Foot Soak from Oleavine.

The minty scent of this amazing soak is enough to send your senses into a paradise free from all the stresses and worries of life.  However, the soak, made from a variety of therapeutic salts and oils, is also designed to tackle nasty foot odor, fungus, and skin irritations.  The best news is, it really works! I've got to get back to the scent for a minute, however.  Yesterday afternoon was the last time I used this foot soak, and here I am 24 hours later, still smelling the delightfulness of tea tree mint floating through the air in my home.  I can't go on enough about how wonderful it is.  Don't take my word for it though.... Try it out for yourself!!

Love It! Stainless Steel Tweezers ~~~REVIEW~~~

I was recently invited to try the Love It! Stainless Steel Precision Tweezer Kit for free in exchange for my honest review.  On the day I received my new tweezer kit, I was preparing to go out with a few friends for my birthday.  Occasions such as this are normally the only times I paint my fingernails and toenails, color my hair, pluck my eyebrows and apply fake eyelashes.  With that said, my kit came at the perfect time!  I had actually purchased a set of fake eyelashes earlier that day, and the tweezers that came with them were impossible to use.  They were way to think and difficult to apply the lashes in the right place.  My tweezer set, however, came with a small, pointed set of tweezers that worked perfectly to hold my lashes as I placed them carefully along the base of my lash line.  The pointed tweezers will definitely get the most use as far as I'm concerned, but the other two, with larger tips will come in handy for a variety of tasks.

#UTILYZE Rechargeable Electronic Foot File ***Review***

I admit. I rarely wear flip flops or sandals in the Summertime because I simply don't take care of my feet. Not that I don't want to, but I'm terribly attention deficit and can never find enough time in the day to get everything done due to being diverted multiple times per day. Last Summer, a friend filed my feet, however, and they were so incredibly soft and smooth, I loved them! This Summer, however, they've been neglected. That is, until I received the opportunity to try the Utilyze rechargeable electronic foot file at a discount in exchange for my honest

review.

While packaging is not the basis of my review, I'm one who tends to believe that the more effort a business puts into their product from beginning to end, meaning from ordering to packaging to delivering to follow up, the more appreciative I am of their product. Therefore, when I received the product, delivered neatly in an attractive package, instead of just a plastic bag, I was immediately impressed. However, I do know that a pretty package does not always equal a spectacular product, therefore I was eager to put it to use.

Before I get to the great part, I will mention the one thing that I found slightly disappointing. I expected this device to be much more powerful than it is. Nevertheless, while if more powerful I'm sure it would achieve more in less time, it manages to do the job, superbly, I might add. I really don't mind taking the extra time as well, as by doing so, my feet were left incredibly soft, smooth and beautiful!

You get quite a bit for your money with this product. Included in the box, you'll find the file, the ac adapter, an extra roller, and a cleaning brush.

On that note, this is a fabulous, easy-to-use product that will leave your feet beautiful!!

#NuElle Cellulite Concentrate **Review**

Earlier this month, I celebrated my 22nd birthday for the second time.  After 20 x's 2, I really stopped "celebrating".  Not that there's "nothing" to celebrate, per se', things are just "different" the second time around.  Instead of wanting new things, or feeling like I "deserve" something special for my birthday, I've grown to just appreciate what I have while also reflecting on things I've taken for granted.  One of those things, in fact, is my genetically good skin.

It seem the women in my family just don't really age too quickly.  While I feel like I have aged faster than some... for instance, my 83-year-old grandmother could easily pass for 60-ish... I'm probably just being to hard on myself.  Nevertheless, the problem is, I wasn't too hard on myself when I needed to be.  Throughout my 20's and early 30's, I was blessed with bright, youthful, glowing skin.  Instead of nurturing it, however, I pulled numerous "all-nighters," rarely cleansed my face, and almost never used lotion.  Luckily, it didn't reap the havoc one might expect.  However, as I mentioned, my skin has aged quite a bit, and considering I also didn't watch what I ate, my weight has fluctuated up and down over the years, giving my skin even more of a beating.  One of the results:  Cellulite.  Ugly, ugly cellulite.

Don't get me wrong, I don't look like a walking map of the moon.  In fact, I feel very grateful that I have as little cellulite as I do.  However, the one area it has attacked with vengeance is my butt.  I've also been "blessed" with a tad bit on the front of my legs.

I recently received the opportunity to try Skin QR Organics NuElle Triple Action Anti Cellulite Concentrate at a discounted rate in exchange for my honest review.  While I've tried cellulite creams in the past to no avail, it's been a while and, being an optimistic person, I decided to give NuElle's version a shot.

The cellulite cream has a creamy consistency and is easy to apply. After applying, you will feel a warming sensation.  No worries, it's just the cream doing it's "magic".  While after a couple of weeks of use, I was a little disheartened to see that my buttocks still looked more rippled than I would like, I was, on the other hand, was so pleased with the appearance of the front of my legs that I was ready to to apply to be a Rockette.

Bottom line, short of surgery, nothing is going to eliminate the lovely little butt bumps that serve as reminders to take care of myself from here on out.... but with products like this, I can "fake it till I make it."  (The money for the surgery, that is).

Amara Organics Retinol Cream Review

In the past week, I have been asked by 3 of my closest friends, "What are you doing differently to your skin?" While I have had made a lot of changes recently in regard to skincare and overall health and wellness, I must give a large amount of credit to Amara Organics Retinol Cream 2.5% w/Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamins E and B5.

In addition to performing every bit as much or perhaps even better (in my opinion) than it's higher-priced competitors, I won't go broke in my efforts to keeping the Amara Organics Retinol Cream a regular part of my beauty regime.  

The cream is packed full of ingredients known to promote healthy skin and fight against the effects of aging, including but not limited to aloe vera, retinol, and hyaluronic acid.  These ingredients have proved themselves by leaving me with brighter, healthier looking skin.  My skin, which had become increasingly drier in recent years, is once again smooth and firm, with a glowing appearance.  

If you are interested in improving the look and feel of your skin, be sure to find Amara Organics on Amazon and order a bottle for yourself!

LaNouvel Cellular Hyaluronic Acid Nutri Serum Review

If you have a high interest in anti-aging products like I do, you probably can't go a day without hearing or seeing a discussion about hyaluronic acis, and with good reason.... it's AMAZING. Hyaluronic acid is said to have a myriad of health benefits, but in regard to skin care, it's often said to:

• Advance collagen production 
• Plump skin 
• Hydrate 
• Reduce wrinkles 
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• Reduce scarring 
• Heal wounds 

When it comes to skincare products containing the ingredient, hyaluronic acid, the LaNouvel Cellular Hyaluronic Acid Nutri Serum is probably my favorite product I've had the opportunity to use to date. Since I started using it a few weeks ago, the furrow between my eyes has diminished to the point that I don't notice it anymore. I first started noticing the eyesore between my eyes at around age 37, and I'm now 41. Over the past few years, it's become deeper and more prominent. As one who wants to retain as youthful of an appearance as possible for as long as possible, the furrow was not a welcoming addition to my face. I've tried several products, but until I had the opportunity to try this serum, which I received at a reduced rate in exchange for my honest review, I had not noticed any significant changes.

Not only has this serum greatly reduced the appearance of the ugly furrow, I love everything about it, from the packaging to the scent to the way it feels against my skin. The consistency is a little thicker than most serums; More like a runny gel. It doesn't take much to cover my entire face, and it goes on smoothly, leaving silky, soft skin. When it dries, it is not sticky, making it very easy to apply my makeup over the top. I normally like to lock in my serums with a moisturizing lotion over the top before applying my makeup.

I would say the price is "competitive". While it's much lower than some expensive serums I've tried that don't work nearly as well, it's a little higher than I, a mother of three on a limited income, would like. However, the results are so amazing that I plan on making room for it in my budget!

Super Youth Eye Gel Review #OzNaturals

As I venture into my 20's for the second time, I've found myself far more concerned with skincare and preserving a youthful glow than I was the first time around. I truly took for granted the fact that I was blessed with incredibly good skin. As a teen, I never had acne, I've never experienced extra dry or oily skin, rashes or other dermatological issues. I also never took good care of my skin. Now, it is all catching up with me... Or, at least that's how I feel when I look into the mirror. With that said, I've taken an interest in learning everything I can about skincare and healthy habits in an effort to reverse the effects of aging to this point, and slow down the process altogether. I've been so fortunate recently to have the opportunity to try a variety of health and beauty products free or at discounted prices in exchange for my honest review. One of those products is the Super Youth Eye Gel from Oz Naturals.

Dark circles under the eyes seems to be an inherited trait in my family, and I'm sure that being a stress magnet has not helped. Ptosis is another common trait among the women in my family. The drooping of my eyelids started becoming pretty apparent in my late 20's (the first time), and I don't like it. I don't like it at all. I really hoped to see the Oz naturals product start working a little faster than it did, but that's my only complaint. Really, that's not a complaint at all, as I can be a patient person, and patience does, in fact, pay off. With that said, I was pleasantly surprised to see quite a significant difference after just three weeks of use. As you can see in the photos below, I had some pretty dark circles under my eyes to begin. While I can still see a tiny bit of darkness under my eye in the picture on the right, it is a huge difference. Furthermore, the skin around my eyes seems much firmer, and my upper eyelid appears to have a much stronger appearance.

 The product comes in a .5 oz pump. The gel has a thick consistency, and is very easy to apply. Just a tiny dollop can be spread around both of my eyes. It goes on smooth, without a trace of stickiness. I can easily apply my makeup and/or other products over the top of the gel. Perhaps the best part, is that with my Amazon Prime membership, I will be paying less than $20 for additional supplies, which is super awesome!

#Labeautiful Eye Wrinkle Remover Applicator Review

Determined to slow down the process of aging by (almost) whatever means necessary, you'll find a lot of my posts and reviews refer to anti-aging products, services and methods.  Or, perhaps you'll just see me babbling about how I've got to find a new way to tackle a skin-care and/or aging concern. You may recall me discussing my experience with the derma-roller a few weeks ago, which is one of many products I've tried in my efforts to discover the fountain of youth.

While the derma-roller is a product that will continue to be used on my skin-care regime, I've found another product that, when used in combination with the derma-roller, works absolutely fantastically.  Don't get me wrong, the La-Beautiful Eye Wrinkle Remover Applicator does not need help, but the results when used along with the derma-roller are amazing! Furthermore, though designed to conquer eye wrinkles, this product works phenomenally on the entire face.  

I must admit, being one who finds juvenile humor entertaining (what else would you expect from someone who strives to maintain a youthful appearance?), the "adult-toy" reference jokes began almost immediately upon tearing open the product.  Nevertheless, considering that I did receive the product for a discount in exchange for my honest review, I proceeded to use it as directed.

When used on a daily basis without the derma-roller, it takes about 2-3 weeks to see the results of this product.  However, when used with the derma-roller, the results can be seen after just a couple of uses.  To use, you simply apply your favorite eye cream before applying this roll-on massager to the area and letting the ultrasonic therapy do it's magic.  

Basically, through the use of micro-electric pulses, the massager will push the creams and oils deeper into your skin in an effort to activate the ingredients and enhance the effectiveness.  This results in the appearance of healthier, younger, and brighter skin with fewer fine lines and reduced puffiness, redness and dark-circles under the eyes.  It only makes sense that a product of this nature would work, not only for the eyes but all over the face.  

Derma Roller Review

I'll never forget the day I first saw them at the age of 32. I was driving into work one morning when I happened to glance up at my rear-view mirror. At first, when I saw what appeared to be rippling waters, I thought my entire car was being swept up by a flood. Fortunately, I was mistaken and safe from deadly waters. Unfortunately, however, what I saw was just as traumatic. What was it, you ask?

Ugh.

I hate to even admit it... but what I saw was one of the first dreaded signs of aging. Wrinkles. I remember pulling into my parking space that morning and spending at least 10 minutes with my face in the mirror, pulling and stretching at my skin in an attempt to make them "go away". No such luck, however. For at least the next year or two, I spent countless hours in front of the mirror, stressing about the reality of the situation, when I could have been finding products that prevent and/or minimize the effects of aging as well as learning more about taking care of my skin.

Now in my forties, I am learning to take better care of my skin than ever before while also taking the opportunity to explore a variety of skin care products that will help me fight the effects of aging without resorting to surgical procedures. I recently had the opportunity to try out a Derma Roller for free in exchange for my honest review.

I'll be honest; When I was offered the opportunity to try the Derma Roller, I didn't really know what I was getting myself into. All I knew is that I have wrinkles, fine lines and a number 11 between my eyes that makes me feel as if I look 111. With that said, I tend to jump on nearly any product that has the potential to reverse or slow down the signs of aging. Before receiving the product, my thoughts were that this product was going to be the equivalent of a "rolling pin," which would "flatten" my wrinkles as I rolled it across my face. Ok, so it was a nice thought, right? With that said, for those immediately drawn in by the prospect of younger-looking skin, I encourage you first to take the time to understand what a derma roller is, what it does, and how to properly use a Derma Roller. If you're deathly afraid of needles, this probably isn't the product for you. Don't wait until you open the product to find out that a Derma Roller is filled with tiny NEEDLES that will PENETRATE YOUR SKIN as you use it. Don't let that scare you away either, however, because surprisingly.... THEY DON'T HURT. Luckily, I am not one who falls into the "deathly afraid of needles" category, so, while I was a little hesitant to try it for the first time, I wasn't ridden by anxiety either.

So, to answer the first question you might have about the Derma Roller: Yes, it works fabulously. I actually enjoyed the slightly prickly but not painful sensation that accompanies the use of the device. I actually found myself feeling very relaxed as I used it.

This Derma Roller uses 1mm needles, which is perfect for a beginner, such as myself. One thing to keep in mind is that longer needles may result in more pain. Furthermore, needles longer than 1.5 mm are recommended to be used by professionals only and increase the risk of permanent skin damage if not used properly. However, needles between 0.75mm and 1 mm are perfect for facial skin concerns such as acne scars, crows feet, fine lines and deep wrinkles.

You might be inclined to press hard when using the Derma Roller, but I found that it's not necessary, and you risk damaging your skin. The recommendation is to simply press, but not push, the roller onto your skin, and roll a few times in various directions.

When I was finished using the Derma Roller, I applied my favorite moisturizers and oils. My fear was that my freshly "poked" skin would burn after applying the oils, but that was not the case. Furthermore, applying products like vitamin c syrum, retinol cream and facial moisturizers and oils after using the Derma Roller will likely penetrate deeper into freshly rolled skin that it does without using a Derma Roller, which is one of the reasons the product continues to become more popular among fountain of youth seekers such as myself. If that includes you, I strongly encourage you to give this product a try!

Product Image from Amazon - I ordered my Derma Roller at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VXXODXS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1