Because my life is anything but normal....

Jan 23, 2015

Dr. Song 20% Salicylic Acid Peel - Review



 I recently got the opportunity to try (and review!) another wonderful Dr. Song product


I'm relatively new to peels, but I've used several other Dr. Song products in the past and I've always had good experiences with them. They're quickly becoming one of my favorite brands.


 I've recently been experiencing severe acne. I spent my whole life with wonderfully clear skin until I approached 30 and started getting massive breakouts. Since I've never had to worry about it before, I've had to scour for information and try tons of products to find something that gives me back my clear skin.


 I've tried just about every OTC acne treatment I could find and they didn't really seem to help. This salicylic acid peel seems to be doing far more for me than any other acne treatment. I really love this brand in particular because it looks and feels like professional quality. You KNOW you're using a high quality product.






 I have been using this peel every other week for 2 minutes at a time. I wash my face, I apply the peel with a kabuki brush to the oiliest parts of my face first then I apply all over and leave it on for about 2 minutes. I neutralize with baking soda and water, rinse, wait 20-30 minutes, then I moisturize. I haven't noticed any sensations other than a mild tingling and my skin hasn't really peeled, but I have noticed that my skin is improving. I have a more even skin tone, smoother skin, and less breakouts. I haven't noticed any change in an acne scar that I have, but I didn't really expect to see any change anyway.






 There are a few things that I cannot stress enough if you're going to try this.

 Firstly, it seriously dries your skin out. You have to moisturize religiously if you don't want dry, flaky skin.

 Secondly, it would probably be super harsh on sensitive skin. I get a little redness after using it, and some peeling on my nose and forehead area for a day or two, but I think this would be a little much if your skin is sensitive already.

 Third and lastly: if you have oily skin and frequent breakouts, this will help, but only if you use it on a regular basis. You have to set some sort of schedule because it treats the problem instead of "fixing" it. If you constantly use it or suddenly stop using it, your skin will make you regret it. You'll get redness and burning from using it too often, or your breakouts will come right back in full force if you suddenly stop using it. I recommend it to maintain your clear skin.

 Once my skin is completely clear, I'll probably only use it once a month to maintain it. This peel has worked for me where most everything else has failed. I'll definitely keep using it and I would recommend it to anyone in the same boat as me.



















** Disclaimer**
I was provided a product or coupon for testing and review purposes. In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note that all opinions are my own and I will only endorse items which I truly feel are of value to my readers.








Jan 22, 2015

Giveaway! Enter to win a $25 SpaFinder Gift card!





Giveaway Time!



I somehow received a $25 SpaFinder e-gift card that 
I am probably never going to find time to use. 





 


  Since I'm sure we all had stressful holidays 
and could use some pampering, I figure that someone can use it. 
So I'm giving it away!



Here's the deal: 
 This giveaway will run from 12:00 PM today (Jan. 22) until 11:59 PM on February 5th, 2015. Enter with the Rafflecopter widget below.
  Winner will be randomly chosen through Rafflecopter. The lucky winner will be notified by email within a few days after the giveaway ends and will have 72 hours to respond. The prize will be sent via email in .pdf format within 1-2 weeks of confirmation.... Blah blah blah, you can read the rest of the fine print below xD









 Terms & Conditions:
Giveaway ends February 5, 2015 at 11:59 PM EST. No purchase necessary to enter or win. Your privacy is important to me, I will not share or sell your email address. Winner will be chosen randomly through Rafflecopter Random Selector (which uses Random.org) and contacted via email. A reply to the winning email is required within 72 hours before a new winner is chosen. The winner’s entries will be verified. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery of physical prizes, 1-2 weeks for digital prizes, unless other wise noted. Unless otherwise specified, open to U.S only, ages 18+. Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Spafinder, Instagram, and Google+ are in no way associated with this giveaway. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Days in the Life of Kris blog reserves the right to publish winner’s first name and last initial. Days in the Life of Kris blog also reserves the right to choose a different winner in the case that the randomly chosen winner refuses to co-operate with rules, reply to winning email in 72 hour time period or does not have verifiable entries. Giveaway is subject to the laws of the state of Ohio. Taxes due, if any, on prize winnings, are the sole responsibility of the winner. Void where prohibited by law.
 

Jan 15, 2015

Yalmeh Foundation Brush - Review










Yalmeh's Y19 foundation brush is my new favorite. I love everything about it.


  It has the perfect combination of softness and firmness. The bristles are synthetic, but they don't shed, feel rough, or poke you. They actually feel really soft and smooth, and are firm enough to apply liquid foundation without having that hard, overly stiff feel like some other brushes. The tapered end is perfect for getting any area of your face.






  You can use this for both powder and liquid foundation, I have even used it for finishing powder and it still worked great. I have had nothing but smooth and even application while using this brush.





  Its really easy to wash and just as easy to use. It can take a while to dry after washing, but you can easily dry it with a blow dryer without causing any damage to the brush. It has a sturdy feel with a smooth wooden handle that feels nice in your hand.





  Honestly, I could see this in any professional's kit. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a high quality foundation brush. Hypoallergenic, Cruelty Free, Vegan Friendly, and backed by a 90-day money back guarantee, you really can't go wrong. I can't wait to try Yalmeh's other brushes!




If you're interested in checking them out for yourself, you can find it at Amazon or you can head to Yalmeh.com and explore everything that Yalmeh Peerless Beauty has to offer.



















** Disclaimer**
I was provided a product or coupon for testing and review purposes. In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note that all opinions are my own and I will only endorse items which I truly feel are of value to my readers.




Jan 14, 2015

YALMEH Glorifying Facial Cleansing Moisturizer & Rejuvenator - Review










  I haven't heard much about Yalmeh Peerless Beauty before now, but at first try, the brand is blowing me away.The Yalmeh Glorifying Facial Cleansing Moisturizer & Rejuvinator is a really unique product that delivers results in a very unique way. This is a cleansing moisturizer, which means you can massage it onto your dry face and then rinse it off instead of using it on a wet face like typical cleansers.










   This cleansing moisturizer has ingredients that are wonderful for your skin like olive oil, avocado oil, and jojoba oil. It has a light scent, but it doesn't linger on your skin after rinsing. It looks very much like a normal moisturizer and glides on very similarly. Once you rinse it off and dry your face, you really get to see how wonderful it is. It leaves your skin feeling like you've washed, toned, and moisturized all at once.








  My skin felt soft, firm, and felt well moisturized. I was really impressed by how much time I saved since I didn't have to complete additional steps to moisturize and tone. I haven't tried this to remove make-up, so I can't say whether it would be effective or not. I've been using this morning and night in place of my normal face wash, toner, and moisturizer. Honestly, this is working just as good as the three products I usually use. My skin hasn't felt dry or oily/greasy from using it in place of my normal products. If you're looking for something that is great for your skin and saves you time, you've found it.


 If it sounds like something you'd like to try out, you can find it on Amazon or you can check out Yalmeh Peerless Beauty at Yalmeh.com
















** Disclaimer**
I was provided a product or coupon for testing and review purposes. In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note that all opinions are my own and I will only endorse items which I truly feel are of value to my readers.










Jan 7, 2015

Pure Body Naturals Peppermint Oil - Review









I love the smell of peppermint, especially during the holiday seasons.





  Pure Body Naturals peppermint oil is absolutely wonderful. It has an eye-catching bottle that is attractive without being flashy. It comes with a convenient dropper lid that can replace the regular lid on the bottle so you can choose to drop or to pour.







  What I love most about this peppermint oil (and all of Pure Body Natural's oils) is how pure it is. There aren't any added ingredients or filler oils. There a lot of useful suggestions on the bottle for how to use it, but I honestly don't use it for much other than the smell. It smells AMAZING! A few drops here and there makes the whole house smell wonderful and festive. You can also find a lot of recipes on the internet for soaps, scrubs, facials, hair masks, and massage oils. Really, there is no limit to how you can use peppermint oil.





  Pure Body Naturals is quickly becoming my favorite brand for essential oils and beauty products. Their high-quality, customer-friendly packaging, and satisfaction guarantee makes their products very unique amongst other brands.


   And, just for fun......
Here's a fun DIY Candy Cane Sugar Scrub recipe that would make a great winter gift!
(credit to Isavea2z.com)


Homemade Peppermint Sugar Scrub Recipe
INGREDIENTS
2 cup Sugar
1/4 cup Coconut Oil (or Almond oil if you prefer)
Red Food Coloring
Peppermint Essentials Oil
Optional:  Add a tablespoon of Vegetable Glycerine for extra moisturizer.  Glycerine is not easily found in stores so do yourself and favor and order it online.  It will save you time and gas.  Trust me.  It makes your skin amazingly soft.
DIRECTIONS
Pour sugar into medium sized bowl.
Mix in coconut oil (add more if you like a wet consistency).
Add a few drops of your Peppermint Essentials Oil.
Divide your sugar mixture into two equal sized portions.
Mix in a few drops of red food coloring to one portion (be careful not to add to much or you will have a bright red).
Add your sugars to the jar in layers. Press your Sugar down with a spoon or I use a can to compact.
Alternate between your pink and white layers
Add a Label to the front and maybe a ribbon to gift.

You can view the original recipe here for pics, labels, and ideas




















** Disclaimer**
I was provided a product or coupon for testing and review purposes. In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note that all opinions are my own and I will only endorse items which I truly feel are of value to my readers.

Jan 5, 2015

Pure Body Naturals Organic Argan Oil - Review


  I recently got the opportunity to try 
Pure Body Naturals Organic Argan Oil.


  I use argan oil for several things, but mostly I use it for my hair. I dye my hair a bright red, so I always mix a bit with my conditioner to keep my hair smooth, shiny, and frizz free. I posted a pic of my hair even though it turned out a little pink. In real life, its bright red. Think "Ariel" from the little mermaid rather than the magenta it looks like in the picture. I'll try to get a different pic up when I have the time and maybe even a tutorial on how I dye it and manage it if anyone is interested.


Spur of the moment messy hair photo!




  But anyway, there are so many uses for argan oil that it is one of the best things you could ever keep on hand. It is absolutely amazing for your skin, hair, and nails. If you're a first time user and worried about being "oily", don't be! Argan oil is a "dry" oil, which means that it will not leave any oily residue on your skin! I could go on and on about the uses and benefits, but a simple internet search can tell you everything you'd ever want to know.








 
 I particularly like this Pure Body Naturals argan oil because of how pure it is 
and because of the realistic packaging


  What sets this argan oil apart from the rest is how very pure it is. It doesn't have the garish brown-yellow of lower quality argan oils that I have tried, and it also isn't mixed with any other oils or fragrances. This is just pure, organic argan oil. I'm becoming very partial to this brand of argan oil specifically because of how much faster it absorbs than other brands and because of how convenient the packaging is.





  It comes in a dark colored bottle (to protect the oil from light). The bottle is pretty simple and includes helpful usage tips. It also shows right on the bottle that it is certified organic (by EcoCert), cruelty free, not tested on animals, and that the oil is imported from Morocco. It seems like a small, insignificant thing, but I can't tell you how many times I've seen products claim they're organic or cruelty free and there isn't any sign on the product itself. Seeing it on the bottle gives me more faith in the product and shows me they're proud of those features.


  Anyway. When I call the packaging realistic, I mean that they understand how people use this oil and have made the packaging convenient and real. The bottle ships with a seperate glass dropper. This is truly unique to me because every other argan oil I've ever purchased either has a dropper as the lid or has no dropper. Pure Body Naturals has made sure that their packaging doesn't limit your usage options. You can use it with the rubber-sealed lid that comes on it, or you can replace that with the dropper lid they've included with it. This is especially useful if you've bought this argan oil for a specific purpose like me. I would use a dropper for argan oil that I am going to use on my skin/nails, but I would prefer to pour it out of the bottle for my hair or use a pump. It seems like Pure Body Naturals knows and understands how people use their products and wants happy customers. The only thing I can think of that would improve this packaging is if they included the dropper and a pump.







  This oil does have a slight scent. When I compare the scent to other pure argan oils I've tried, it almost smells sour in the bottle where it should smell similar to olive oil. This isn't a big thing to me because I'm not even sure if it is the oil itself or if it is the bottle because it doesn't really have that scent when you use it.


  All in all, this is a great argan oil. It has customer friendly packaging, and all the features you should look for in an argan oil. I would recommend it to anyone, whether they're a seasoned user or a new one. Pure Body Naturals delivers on both quality and convenience. They also have a lifetime 100% money back guarantee if you are not satisfied in any way, so its worth a try!



















** Disclaimer**
I was provided a product or coupon for testing and review purposes. In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note that all opinions are my own and I will only endorse items which I truly feel are of value to my readers.

Jan 2, 2015

Syono Orthotics Gel Insoles - Review







I recently got the opportunity to try out Syono Orthotics Gel Insoles
So I'm writing a review to tell you guys what I think about them.



  These insoles are alright. They're easy to trim down to size. The cloth top is soft and smooth. It feels good on your feet whether you're wearing sock or you just shove shoes on your bare feet. The gel is thin, but comfortable on your foot. It cushions your foot and absorbs some impact from walking. They provide some cushion without being too thick inside your shoes. They slid around in my shoes a little for the first few days until they were broken in, but it wasn't much of a problem. They mostly just slid up or down when I was putting my work shoes on or taking them off.









  They're perfect for shoes that are hard or uncomfortable, but they don't have any arch support or other support, so I don't think they'll work as well for specific foot conditions or needs. If you're looking for comfort, these will work great for you without being costly. If you're looking for pain relief or arch support, you should look for insoles specifically targeted for what you need. Regardless, they're backed by a 100% money back guarantee which always makes me feel like the product/brand is honest and fair.






























** Disclaimer**
I was provided a product or coupon for testing and review purposes. In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note that all opinions are my own and I will only endorse items which I truly feel are of value to my readers.