InstaNatural Dead Sea Mud Mask Review

InstaNatural's Dead Sea Mud Mask is a detoxifing mud mask that is sourced from the Dead Sea. The many minerals in the mud like magnesium, bromine, potassium, sodium and calcium work to cleanse the skin.

I've tried a few mud masks that were good but the number one reason why this is my holy grail mask is that it doesn't have any added scents or strong essential oils. Normally, I don't mind if there a scent or if there's peppermint essential oil, etc. for a cooling effect. But ever since I had my severe dermatitis, I didn't want anything that would remotely stimulate my skin as it could worse my dermatitis. Thankfully, this worked like I had hoped and didn't worsen my skin.

Additionally, InstaNatural's Dead Sea Mud Mask works to clarify and soothe my skin. I apply the mask by using a clean brush and never double-dipping back into the container as I'm scared of contaminating it (the last thing I need is slathering bacteria on my affected skin eugh). Then I wait for it to dry and wash it off in the shower as it's easier for me than the sink. My skin always feels soft and calm after using this mask and it honestly looks glowy.

Like I mentioned, I'm scared of contaminating this batch and because it's a large amount, I take however much I'll be using separately.

InstaNatural's Dead Sea Mud Mask is one I recommend immensely to anyone who wants to give their skin a soothing cleanse.

Press sample.

Read More

Uplifting Beauty Anti-Aging Moisturizer Review

I recently tried out Uplifting Beauty's Anti-Aging Moisturizer which contains Matrixyl 3000, an ingriedient I've been hearing about frequently.

Now that I'm older, I make it a point to moisturize even though I have oily-combination skin. To be honest, I don't notice a long time improvement i.e. less oiliness but usually I will have decent skin through the day if I moisturize. Since this moisturizer absorbs within a short period of time, there isn't a greasy feeling left, which is great especially for people who have skin issues like I do.

I've noticed that whenever I use this in the morning, my skin feels hydrated throughout the day and does not feel as oily.

I've enjoyed the benefits of using this Uplifting Beauty's Anti-Aging Moisturizer and would suggest it especially for those who suffer from dry or mature skin.

Press sample.

Read More

YALMEH Super Youth Eye Cream review

I have whined about my horrendous, deep wrinkles under my eyes for years. I promise you I've had them since pre-puberty and I have found that nothing has helped ease my obsession of ridding them.
I recently tried out YALMEH's Super Youth Eye Cream to see if it would help.

YALMEH's Super Youth Eye Cream has a light but thick consistency. I realize it sounds like a oxymoron but the texture reminds me of a whipped body butter. It's bouncy and light but once you apply it, it feels thick and luxurious. I did not notice a fragrance which is a plus in my mind because I hate applying eye creams or serums with added fragrances.

Upon application, this eye cream immediately moisturizes the eye area. I have found that after application, the area under my eyes are less puffy. I've never had that result with any eye cream before so I was definitely surprised. I also found that by applying it nightly, I would wake up with less dark eye bags. That is another shocker as I can't remember the last time I had something that worked to reduce them.

After trying this out for a while, I did not notice a significant reduction in my under eye wrinkles which is a bummer. However, I did like that it could immediately reduce my puffy bags and with consistent use, work on my dark eye circles. 

This eye cream isn't going to break the bank so if you're looking to try out something that will work for your dark circles and puffiness, I would recommend trying YALMEH's Super Youth Eye Cream on Amazon and their website.

Press Sample. All views expressed are author's own. 

Copyright © 2014 Jazesin All Rights Reserved.

Read More

Kiss Me Organics Organic Dandelion Root Tea review

Organic Dandelion Root Tea with Hibiscus & Cinnamon is USDA Organic certified so you can be assured you're getting a regulated product. This tea helps healthy digestion by supporting liver and kidney detoxification which in turn helps the body absorb more nutrients and improve your body functions.

Each box contains 20 sachets which contain 2 grams of tea per bag. As far as taste, I taste something similar to licorice which I don't enjoy. I didn't get any taste of hibiscus and wish it was was a bit stronger to cut out the licorice-like taste for me.

Also, I did not like that the cinnamon powder is too fine for the tea bag and goes through it. So when you open a bag, be careful as the bottom will have cinnamon powder in the fold.

Overall, this tea is good, especially with a meal to aid with digestion. I personally don't like the taste because it reminds me of licorice but that is easily fixed for me when I mix it with other teas. It's also great that you can get 5 boxes at a go and save on re-ordering. If you're interested in trying out Kiss Me Organics' Dandelion Root Tea with Hibiscus & Cinnamon, check them out here.

Press sample.

Read More

Kiss Me Organics Culinary Grade Organic Matcha review

I had a chance to try out Kiss Me Organics Culinary Grade Organic Matcha recently and was pleasantly surprised. Traditional matcha is supposed to have a slight bitter taste because of its high caffeine content but this organic matcha didn't. Since I enjoy drinking matcha with sugar and milk, which some would call a sin, it's nice that there isn't a bitter note

I like that unlike brewed green tea, this matcha contains the entire tea leaf which dramatically increases the nutritional content. There are many ways to incorporate this in your diet through smoothies, muffins, pancakes, etc. and they blend nicely to me.

I enjoyed trying this matcha an hope Kiss Me Organics comes out with a larger version soon that comes in a spill-proof container.

You can check them out at their various sites:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Matcha-Green-Tea-Powder-Antioxidant/dp/B00DDT116M
http://www.kissmeorganics.com
http://www.amazon.com/Matcha-Green-Tea-Powder-Antioxidant/dp/B00DDT116M
http://www.amazon.ca/Matcha-Green-Tea-Powder-Antioxidant/dp/B00DDT116M

Press sample.

Read More

Radha Beauty Intensive Youth Eye Gel review

I've tried a lot of eye creams, especially this past winter season; some worked well and some did nothing for me.

Aside from Radha Beauty's Intensive Youth Eye Gel working for my eye concerns (puffiness, dark circles, dry paper-y feeling), the thing I love the most about this is that it has an amazingly unique scent. It smells like sun-ripened cantaloupe which I love! I hate sweet scents in anything skincare or beauty related but this scent is soothing and soft.

On to the product's effectiveness... Yes this did work to soothe my tired puffy eyes. Since I have late nights and early mornings, I apply this before bed and when I'm up a few hours later, I don't have a telltale sign of my insomnia. I also do not get dark circles anymore. I still have deep wrinkles under my eyes but this does help to fill in the ridges slightly so that when I apply primer, it doesn't look cakey.

Though I received an initial bottle as a sample to provide my honest review on, I have repurchased it because it's effective. The smell of something usually is not important in skincare but in this product, it does not detract from the effectiveness.

Press sample.

Read More

Radha Beauty 100% Pure Argan Oil review

As one of my new favorite companies, I was happy to try out Radha Beauty's 100% Pure Argan Oil.

Argan oil is multi-purpose and as desperate as my dry hair was, I was not about to pay an inflated price for a brand name argan oil that wasn't even organic! Thankfully, Radha Beauty's Argan Oil is all of the benefits without the ridiculous price tag. Best of all, you get a generous 4 ounce bottle as opposed to many comparable versions that are 1 ounce.

Because it is nourishing and fast-absorbing, I use it many of my beauty recipes. I apply it before washing my hair as a mask and again after washing it. For my hair, I've set aside some of the oil in another tinted bottle and added peppermint oil to give a cooling sensation that stimulates my scalp.

I also use this in my lip scrub and to condition afterwards. The list can go on and on regarding the uses for Radha Beauty's Argan Oil but it's a staple for me.

I would recommend this argan oil happily, knowing that it's a quality product that will work for people seeking a lightweight moisturizer that has many uses.

Press sample.

Read More

Clarigenics Hyaluronic Acid Serum Review

I had a chance to try out Clarigenics Hyaluronic Acid Serum recently. Since I get a lot of hyaluronic acids and most of them are easy to work with i.e. does not irritate most skin types, absorbed easily, etc., I did not expect I would have much reason to hate Clarigenics' version.

While I was right and it was effective at moisturizing my skin, the difference I experienced with this serum was that it was not so thick like others. I don't using thick hyaluronic acids as it feels like I'm rubbing hair gel on my face. Clarigenics Hyaluronic Acid Serum absobs quickly and does not leave a greasy feeling. Definitely check out their hyaluronic acid serum at their website.

Press sample.

Read More

InstaNatural Vitamin C Serum review

After trying out InstaNatural's 20 % vitamin c moisturizer, I tested out this serum. The reason I did not use the 2 together was due to an illness NOT RESULTING FROM PRODUCT USE, so I did not want to overwhelm my skin.

Because I had great results with the moisturizer, I expected to see results with this serum. With ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ferulic acid, vitamin e, organic rosehip oil, sea buckthorn oil, organic argan oil, this serum seems amazing. And it was! I've had a chance to try out a lot of vitamin c serums for a particular skin condition I have and InstaNatural's was the first that had such a vast mix of ingredients that all worked together. Not only does it contain active ingredients to help your skin renew itself like vitamin c and ferulic acid but it also contains ingredients to help soothe and moisturizer your skin for a longer period of time.

Once you apply this serum on cleansed skin, it will absorb within a few minutes and leave your skin silky smooth without being greasy. You can then apply your moisturizer but I prefer to wait for a while. Since I have a lot of scars, I have to use this on every area on my face every night. 1 ounce has lasted me for almost 3 months which is ideal because any skincare product with vitamin c oxidizes so you will not be able to keep an open bottle for years. At most, you should use up an opened bottle within 6 months. If you have less areas to worry about, this will probably last for that amount.

Since I've used this for a few months, I've been able to target my most problematic scars and notice a gradual change. If you would like to help even your skin texture and complexion, InstaNatural's vitamin c serum will be useful.

 

Press sample.

Read More

Majestic Pure Cosmeceuticals Lemon Essential Oil review

While I like the fresh scent of lemon in this essential oil, I'm slightly irritated/confused about discovering the oil had evaporated from a sealed bottle. When I received it, it looked fine and I kept it away until I needed it. Upon checking it today I see that a significant amount has disappeared. I'm not sure why and I've never had this happen.

Overall, the good quality of the oil and the price make it a great product but the poor packaging heavily detracts from it for me.

*Update 02/16/2015*
The oil is still evaporating even though I've changed the lid to the dropper. Also, the lemon scent is starting to fade and become muddy like old moldy lemons. I'm not sure if I just got a bad bottle or if the scent itself is degrading.

Press sample.

Read More

InstaNatural Vitamin C Moisturizer review

I tried out InstaNatural's Vitamin C Moisturizer recently. Here's how it worked out for me...   

InstaNatural's Vitamin C Moisturizer contains a mix of antioxidants and other effective ingredients. Key ingredients like 20% vitamin c, 5% niacinamide, 5% hyaluronic acid, peptide complex, plant stem cells help improve the texture and appearance of your skin. Vitamin c is a powerful antioxidant that protects your skin from the effects of sun exposure. Niacinamide and hyaluronic acid keep your skin moisturized.

This Vitamin C Moisturizer is packaged in a ginormous 3.4 ounce bottle which will last a while for me. It looked like the size was too big for me to finish within the time period of maximum effectiveness but I also use this on the rest of my body every other day. I apply this in the morning if my skin is feels oily or dull and occasionally at night. 

So far, my face does appear slightly brighter. However, my acne scars are still visible. I'm hoping for it to fade further as I continue to use this moisturizer. The texture of my skin though, does feel better. It's not as rough or scaly. Since I have started to suffer from dermatitis, I have to be cautious about what I use on my face. I don't use this on my face when I'm having a dermatitis breakout so I can't say if it would affect it.

Overall, I think this is a fairly decent moisturizer. For some reason, my skin does not react as much to vitamin c/citric acid skin care products. So while it works, it just takes longer to see any pigmentation differences. I would recommend this for people who use a vitamin c serum already and have seen positive differences. When using this or any other vitamin c product, be sure to apply a sunscreen prior to sun exposure, even if it's a cloudy day.

If you're interested in InstaNatural's Vitamin C Moisturizer, check them out and their wide range of products to fit your skin and body concerns.

Press Sample. All views expressed are author's own. 

Copyright © 2015 Jazesin All Rights Reserved.

Read More

GreenForce Labs NO2 Preworkout review

I had a chance to try out Greenforce Labs NO2 Pre-Workout Supplement recently and I was rather anxious. I was worried that the supplement would either work too well and cause me to be hyper or that it wouldn't have an effect on me. Luckily, this supplement worked out for me.

Greenforce Labs NO2 Pre-Workout Supplement is created to help you get the most out of your workout, based on scientifically proven results. Who can argue with science right?

Ingredients like L Arginine, L Ornithine and L Citrulline are shown to support muscular energy, slow down fatigue and help increase nitric oxide levels. This makes it a perfect for a workout when you go through ups and downs and can sometimes find it hard to push through. Whenever I would work out, even with a pre/post-workout snack, I would always feel lethargic afterwards. I tried a lot of things to help me achieve the 'post-workout energy burst' that everyone raves about but never could. After adding this supplement to my workout regime, I never hit that restlessness afterwards and can extend my workout. 

NO2 Pre-Workout Supplement also contains ingredients like beet root extract and niacinamide to
help maximize performance and boost energy and focus.

Aside from this supplement being effective for me, I like that the manufacturer/distributor is not an questionable source. I like to restrict what I put in my body and with Greenforce Labs, you get a high quality product made in the USA and GMP certified.

If you're interested in trying out Greenforce Labs NO2 Pre-Workout Supplement, check them out on their website or on Amazon.

Press Sample. All views expressed are author's own. 

Copyright © 2015 Jazesin All Rights Reserved.

Read More

InstaNatural Age-Defying Retinol Serum review

If you've kept up with my reviews, I've been a fan of InstaNatural skin care products. I love that they carry products that contain effective ingredients without unnecessary fillers. An added bonus for me is the simple packaging.

I recently had a chance to try out their Age-Defying Retinol Serum which contains a blend of antioxidants and nutrients that help the condition of your skin.

This 1 ounce serum contains retinol (vitamin a) which not only helps protect against free-radical damage but also works on your current skin issues by slowly resurfacing it. Vitamin C also helps with protection against damage and fixing skin pigmentation while hyaluronic acid keeps your skin moisturized.

I've previously used retinol/retinoid in my skin care routine and had zero change. This was over a 2 year period and one of the few times I kept up with a single product for that long. Same for several 20% vitamin c serums. So I did not expect much results from this serum. However, I was surprised that after 2 weeks, I did notice that my scarring on my forehead has lightened and a icepick/pock scar had become less deep.

I think my skin did better with this serum because of 2 things. One is that my skin may have been used to each individual key ingriedients (vitamin c, retinol, hyaluronic acid) so a mix of the 3 gave that extra push to affect my skin and help it. Next, I think because of regular chemical peels, my skin was able to heal and become better rather than if I used the serum on "bare skin" that had not gone through. micro-dermabrasion.

After trying this out consistently, I can definitely see an improvement in my acne scars. I will continue to use this post-chemical peels and hope that my skin issues will become better.

If you aren't allergic to the ingredients and suffer from issues like hyperpigmentation/acne scars, uneven skin tone, enlarged pores, etc. I would recommend trying this serum out which comes with a lifetime satisfaction guarantee from InstaNatural.

Press Sample. All views expressed are author's own. 

Copyright © 2015 Jazesin All Rights Reserved.

Read More

InstaNatural Retinol Moisturizer review

I had a chance to try out InstaNatural's Retinol Moisturizer and wanted to see if it would help with my dermatitis and acne scars.

This moisturizer contains the maximum strength concentration of retinol (vitamin a) which helps to fight free-radicals that damage your skin. It also has other key ingriedients like vitamin c, green tea, hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil and shea butter.

InstaNatural's Retinol Moisturizer comes in a 3.4 ounce bottle which is huge! I would think that the size is almost too big but because I use this twice a day mainly on my face and neck and occasionally on my knee where I have a huge scar, this bottle might last me up to 6 months; which is the maximum I like to use any skin care product because effectiveness rapidly goes down with more exposure to air, etc.

So far, I have used this moisturizer twice a day after washing my face (and body). For days that I'll be doing a chemical peel, I skip this 1 full day before and after. I haven't broken out or experienced any side effects from using this post-peel. For best results, I would recommend using this with InstaNatural's retinol serum to target any trouble spots.

My oily-combo skin has gotten better with less oiliness/dullness. It keeps my skin moisturized throughout the day without becoming greasy or tight. Overall, this is a great moisturizer for my skin and I'll continue to use it in my skin care routine.

Press Sample. All views expressed are author's own. 

Copyright © 2015 Jazesin All Rights Reserved.

Read More

Press Release: Zoya Spring Collection 2015 Delight

For Spring 2015, Zoya brings a collection of 6 pastel-perfect hues that are every bit of their namesake, Delight.

Inspired by the soft and airy colors of the season, Zoya Delight brings 3 cheery creams and 3 flash metallics for a modern chic way to wear pastels! Best of all, all full-coverage shades are BIG5FREE which means it contains no formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, dibutyl phthalate, toluene or camphor.



ZP773/Lillian: Faded aquamarine with a glossy cream finish

ZP777/Eden: Classic spring flower pink in a glossy cream finish



ZP774/Tiana: Palette-cleansing ‘pistachio gelato’ green in a glossy cream finish

ZP776/Leslie: Soft spring lavender with a turquoise metallic flash

ZP772/Rayne: Dewy, spring blue with an energizing turquoise metallic flash

ZP775/Daisy: Refreshing ‘lemon merengue’ yellow with a turquoise metallic flash

These cheery pops of pastel will be available February 2nd, 2015 from Zoya for $9 each.

Read More