Review : Acure Organics Lemongrass and Argan Oil Firming Body Lotion

Product Description
Skin reluctant to snap back? Feeling baggy and saggy? Snap out of it! This unique antioxidant formula restores buoyancy and stimulates collagen production with firming Gotu Kola Stem Cells, Chlorella Growth Factor, and Resveratrol probiotics. Organic Argan Oil and Cocoa butter replenish needed moisture. Fight back against free radical damage and firm up.

Vegan

Paraben Free

Sulfate Free

Cruelty Free

Gluten Free

No Synthetic Fragrance

I heard good things about Acure Organics so I decided to pick up this from Iherb after reading positive reviews about the product.

At 235ml, it is packaged in a tube that made dispensing the lotion easy. The scent smells wonderfully fresh and tangy and the texture is not thick but lightweight yet creamy. It gets absorbed into the skin pretty quickly without leaving any greasy or sticky after-feel and made my skin feels smooth.

In terms of moisturizing, it works well but in terms of firming capability, it isn't that effective as I do not see an improvement in the firming aspect or better toned thighs and bums. You can shop Acure Organics Lemongrass + Moroccan Argan Oil Firming Body Lotion on Amazon or purchase it from Iherb.

Ingredients :
Organic curoxidant blend (organic euterpe oleracea (acai) berry, organic rubus fruticosus (blackberry), organic rosa canina (rosehips), organic punica granatum (pomegranate), organic calendula officinalis (calendula), organic matricaria recutita (chamomile), fair trade certified organic aspalathus linearis (rooibos), organic camellia sinensis (mango ceylon), organic aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice, fair trade certified organic theobroma cacao (cocoa) seed butter, organic carthamus tinctorius (safflower) seed oil, organic cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, glyceryl stearate SE (vegetable derived), vegetable glycerin, organic helianthus annuus (sunflower) oil, infusion of organic calendula officinalis flower in fair trade certified organic olea europaea (olive) oil, organic argania spinosa (argan) oil, glucono delta lactone (fermented sugar), d-alpha tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E), organic oenothera biennis (evening primrose) oil, potassium sorbate (food grade preservative), centella asiatica (gotu kola) stem cell culture, organic chlorella pyrenoidosa extract (chlorella growth factor), marrubium vulgare (white horehound) stem cell culture, echinacea stem cell culture, lactobacillus/fermented resveratrol extract, CoQ10, olea europaea (olive) leaf extract, cymbopogon schoenanthus (lemongrass), lavandula dentata (French lavender), evernia prunastri (oakmoss), & rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) essential oils.

Review : Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral SPF 45

Product Description
A transparent SPF 45 mineral powder in a convenient brush applicator that works immediately to block out the sun's harmful UVA, UVB, and infrared rays to help prevent sunburn, skin damage, freckling, and discoloration. The light, matte powder gives the complexion a smooth, radiant, youthful look.

I picked up this product last year, during the Sephora 20% sale for $45.60, down from $57. I had wanted to increase my sun protection because I still think that my current daily application of sunscreen and BB cream are insufficient to protect my skin effectively.

This is my first product from Peter Thomas Roth, a brand where they are known for
good formulas with astonishing results, without the unnecessary additives, fillers, perfumes, etc. The man himself leads all research and development efforts to deliver progressive, cutting-edge products in his own lab and production facility. He is said to scour the earth for the best and most powerful ingredients to deliver state of the art quality at effective concentrations.

Since Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral SPF 45 is my first sunscreen powder, I prefer to use it as the last layer of application, after my loose powder. It can also be used alone but because it is translucent, I prefer to have my loose powder applied as well.

I read that the product comes in multiple colours - from tinted, which helps even your skin tone, to sheer, which is simply for sun protection but Sephora Singapore only has it in translucent.

Sunscreen mineral powder is easy to use because it is convenient and portable. For this product, you simply pull off the cap, tap lightly to get the powder out, apply on the skin and finally twist, pull the bottom down and replace the cap. It can be used on face, hands and décolleté and reapply after swimming, excessive perspiring, or towel drying.

The translucent finely-milled talc-free powder, dispenses through a retractable brush, feels weightless and has no scent. Just remember to disperse the powder well as there were times where a glob of powder can be found on my skin.

The powder is matte and does not produce any white cast, however contrary to what the description says, it did not give me that radiant and youthful look although that was never my purpose anyway.

Note that, the brush bristles are coarse, scratchy and stiff which is not welcomed on my delicate skin so I just apply with light and quick movements, taking care not to scratch my skin accidentally. It will be better for those bristles to be used on the hands or décolleté though.

The plastic cap is poorly made though as it cracks after several months of usage although I didn't even realize it. Thank goodness, the cap can still be used although the powder could have seeped through the crack when you store it after usage.

Scratchy bristles aside, what I like about such sunscreen mineral powder is that it can be used anytime for immediate sun care protection ( I don't really mention SPF45 because in general, people don't apply that much powder to get the full SPF ), without having to re-apply your make-up.

The usual reminder for all sunscreen protection is to re-apply it every 2 hours but I don't do it because I like to start with a clean base. ( read : clean skin ) and for some people, how do they reapply it on top of their make-up? So this sunscreen powder fills in the gap there.

Lets say, you are going out for lunch under our humid weather, just blot the skin and then touch-up with this sunscreen mineral powder and off you go, with a brolly.

The product scored 2.5 from 20 users on Makeupalley.

 

Where To Purchase : Shopee | Amazon

Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral SPF 45

Colorescience Brush-On Sunscreen Mineral Powder

Key Ingredients :
-Titanium Dioxide (20.75%): Provides UVA/UVB protection.
-Zinc Oxide (19.60%): Provides UVA/UVB protection.

Ingredients :
Titanium Dioxide (20.75%), Zinc Oxide (19.60%), Silica, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Ascorbyl Palmitate (Vitamin C), Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, Water, Butylene Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Potassium Sorbate, Tetrasodium EDTA. May Contain: Mica, Iron Oxides, Titanium Dioxide, Manganese Violet, Bismuth Oxychloride, Chromium Oxide Greens, Chromium Hydroxide Green.

Review : Apivita Lip Care with Propolis

Product Description

• Restores cracked lips with vitamin A, a- bisabolol and avocado oil.
• Moisturizes and softens lips with olive oil, beeswax, balsam oil, cocoa butter, shea butter, avocado oil, castor oil, jojoba esters and geranium essential oil.
• Propolis and balsam oil help protect from environmental toxins and prevents irritations
• Ideal for dry and cracked lips

Excludes synthetic ingredients that may pose harmful effects to your health and the environment.
Free of: Parabens, Silicones and Mineral Oil

I bought this 4.4g lip balm for $3.78euros from Greece late last year. With 98% natural ingredients, the lip balm is contained in a fat balm size with a twist and turn tube. The design looks complicated with words all over and I always pull out the wrong side in the beginning because the words were upside down. ie. if you refer to the above picture, the correct end to pull out should be the black base but if I pulled out where the black base is, the words would be upside down.

Initially, I also wasn't that used to its bulky fat size because most of my lip balms are slim and the diameter of it just glides on my lips perfectly. With this lip balm, I took some time to adjust with the thickness before I get used to it. The scent is unique with a mixture of shea butter and a subtle hint of beeswax.

It has a sloped top to make gliding on the lips easier but with much application on my lips, it has now become a flat shape. The application doesn't feel sticky or tacky too.
However, even though it feels highly moisturizing but somehow it still fails to coat it with the level of nourishment I was expecting, on my flaky lips under the air-conditioned office.

Ingredients :

Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil*, Oleyl Alcohol, Diisopropyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Candelilla Cera (Euphorbia Cerifera Wax), Jojoba Esters, Glyceryl Abietate, Cera Alba (Beeswax)*, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter*, Tricaprylin, Copernicia Cerifera Cera (Carnauba Wax), Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Cetyl Esters, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Cetyl Esters, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Propolis Extract, Aroma (Flavor), Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil*, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Phytosterols, Hypericum Perforatum Flower/Leaf/Stem* Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil*, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Sorbic Acid, Retinyl Palmitate, Arachis Hypogaea (Peanut) Oil, Coumarin.

* Certified organic cultivation

Source : Apivita

Review : Marie Veronique Organics Treatment Mist

Product Description
Anyone with acne- or rosacea-prone skin shouldn’t have to suffer from chronic redness, scarring and hyperpigmentation.
• Hydrates, calms and soothes inflamed skin without irritating or drying.
• Redness and inflammation disappear in seconds, leaving you with calmer, brighter skin.

Key Ingredients
BioB's™ This proprietary blend of botanicals and B vitamins has been formulated to boost the effects of B3 (niacinamide) and B5 (panthenol). These Vitamin B derivatives are known for their ability to lighten post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and heal scar tissue.
Licorice Root A botanical extract that delivers two important benefits to inflammation-related skin conditions: it’s a powerful anti-inflammatory and it lightens skin and hyperpigmentation by inhibiting melanin production.
n-acetyl Glucosamine A natural derivative of glucosamine that works synergistically with niacinamide (a form of Vitamin B) to significantly reduce the amount and appearance of hyperpigmentation, age spots and uneven melanin distribution.
Containing 96% organic ingredients, no alcohol, no benzoyl peroxide, no synthetic fragrances, witch hazel or other astringents, this treatment mist comes with an option of a cap and a spray dispenser so you get to choose either one, which is a good consideration for those who travel often. It costs US$37 for a 120ml size and is not available in Singapore, so you have to join a spree to get it shipped over because the shipping costs are high if you just get a few items.

Housed in an opaque brown glass bottle, it helps to protect the ingredients in it. The spray dispenser dispenses the contents in a fine mist which I usually prefer to spray it more generously.

The treatment mist has a heavy herbal scent which I am used to it, due to using its cleanser previously. It can be pretty refreshing and uplifting at times, when I am rushing for work in the mornings.
And even though the contents are dark brown in colour, it is not visible on the skin due to its very fine mist. I usually prefer to spray it generously all over my face and pat it to boost circulation and for it to be absorbed easily. I use it like a toner and apply my usual serum and moisturizer thereafter.

My skin has been in an optimal condition for awhile ( due to using Sulwhasoo and Balm Balm Rosehip serum ) and the treatment mist helps to maintain the condition in terms of hydration and anti-redness but on dehydrated skin, it doesn't help much. 
And in terms of hyperpigmentation improvement, I will say its not effective on me yet, at least I didn't feel that the slight pigmentation on my cheeks was reduced.

Ingredients
Camellia sinensis (green tea)*, aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) juice*, glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) root extract*, BioBTM [panthenol and niacinamide], n-acetyl glucosamine, oat beta glucans, polyaminopropyl biguanide**, dimethylaminethanol (DMAE), lactic acid, lavendula angustifolia (lavender) essential oil*, daucus carota (carrot) seed essential oil, curcuma longa (turmeric) essential oil, helichrysum italicum (helichrysum) essential oil, boswellia carteri (frankincense) essential oil*
*organic
** paraben free anti-microbial agent
% of organic ingredients: 96%

Source : MVO

Review : L'occitane Immortelle Precious Eye Balm

Product Description
The Immortelle Precious Eye Balm offers triple action benefits for firmer skin and reduced appearance of wrinkles:
- Smoother eye contour:
Immortelle stimulates collagen production, which helps fill in deep wrinkles and restructure the epidermis for smoother skin*.
- Firmer eye contour:
The support network of the skin is reinforced*.
- Anti dark circles and anti-puffiness action:
Dark circles and puffiness are less visible (ruscus and holly extracts). Eye area looks younger.
* In vitro / ex vivo on Iimmortelle extracts

I hardly ever use L'occitane products, it just didn't quite appeal to me. Recently, a friend passed me some samples as she is a fan of it. At 1ml, it has provided me with about a week's usage. Formulated with immortelle floral water, this cream is said to soothe, moisturize, nourish, and tone the delicate skin around the eyes.

With a light floral scent, the white lightweight cream has a smooth texture that glides well on the undereye area. Non-oily and non-sticky, it feels soothing and nourishing but a week is too short to see any long term effects for now.

The product scored 2.6 from 114 users on Makeupalley. Shop L'Occitane Immortelle Precious Eye Balm on Amazon.

Ingredients :
Water, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Proplyene Glycol, Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract, Glycerin, Myreth-3-Myristate, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, Decyl Oleate, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Polyacrylamide, Helichrysum Italicum Extract, Sorbitol, Dimethicone, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Hedera Helix (Ivy) Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) Extract, Tocopherol, Carbomer, Laureth-7, Xanthan Gum, Benzoic Acid, Sucrose Palmitate, Sodium Hydroxide, Dehydroacetic Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Glyceryl Linoleate, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil