Saving My Brother: Moisturizing without Moisturizer

My brother, Arthur, has a special kind of lazy. The skin on his face might be bone dry, using anything like cream might cause stinging, and he would really rather it all just be better but...he won't moisturize. "I just don't like the way it feels!" With his logic, the feeling of lotion on his face, is worse, than knowing the top layers are mimicking the topography of the Atacama Desert. 

Body Oil Comparison

I didn't really understand how an oil could be 'dry' and why people would want to apply something so liquid onto their skin. Now that I've been able to try out a few varieties of body oils, I thought I'd do a comparison post.

What is Eco-Cert? (Practicing Safe Skincare with. Schaf Products)*

*Press Samples

Here's a question for you. What are you willing to sacrifice for safe skincare?

It takes a lot of money and time to get a product Eco-Cert certified (at least ~$1500). It takes even more money and effort to get an entire line of products certified and Schaf* products, originating from Toronto, are all ECO-CERT certified.

ECO-CERT is an independent inspection and certification body. It is a benchmark for international organic certification and sustainable development. For cosmetic products to become certified, a minimum of 95% of the ingredients must come from natural origins. The products under go an annual audit to ensure that not only the ingredients are organic but that the formulas, packaging, and cleaning procedures of the company follow specific guidelines.  You can read more about this rigorous process here.

Oil Testing (ft. Skinny Coconut Oil)*

*Press Sample

I've seen the rise in popularity of other oils and Coconut is one of the most common. Some of my friends have suggested I use it to cook. Others have told me the benefits of using it in their hair. The internet also momentarily confused me with the idea of "oil pulling". With so many potential uses and equally as many claims of benefit, I'm pretty happy to be testing out the Skinny & Company Coconut Oil* ($15CDN, 2oz).

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula and Giveaway*

* Press Samples

Though it gets cold in Vancouver, it never gets much below zero. Even so, the cold here is seeping and I still need to moisturize. Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula is ubiquitous. It didn't really peak my interest but I've given a few options a try and there are some winners in the pack. I'm hosting a GIVEAWAY for my favorite item.

Laneige Water Bank Gel Cream* #lovingLaneige

*Press sample

The Laneige Water Bank Gel Cream* ($42CDN, 50ml) is part of Laneige's Ultimate 24-Hour Hydration system and I got to try it out because of Influenster.

Self Medicating my Heels

For a time, let's called it Summer, there was an excessive amount of public sandal wearing and during the season, I saw more than a few gross and dirty soles walking down the streets over top leather footbeds. Unfortunately, my own heels were as dry, gross, and skin cracked as the next gal and in my best attempts to self medicate my transgressions, I've been using two heel solutions lately.

L'Occitane Almande

*Press Sample

Really fancy things intrigue me. I want to know how it is that something got so fancy and I want to be fancy too. I want to be that girl that can throw the dollar bills in the high end boutiques while sales people fall over ingratiating themselves to me. Let me roll up in my Benz at the Chanel, like its a drive-thru. But let's get real here, I'm more than a couple million shy of being able to do this, and if I want it to rain money, I might be able to rain down a couple of five cent coins...but let me dig into my couch to find some first. 

The Body Shop Smoky Poppy*

*Press Sample

The LE Smoky Poppy items are now available at The Body Shop! New scent releases at TBS are always intriguing and I'm pleased to report that this scent is worth it. I don't know what Poppies smell like, but if they smell anything like this, warm, smoky, clean and intimate, please plant a whole field of them for me. Released for Valentines day, (sorries, late on the reviews), the promo photos captures the scent perfectly.

Aveeno Fresh Essentials*

*Press Samples

I've been pretty spoiled. I've mostly always used higher end skincare items and this started from the very beginning. Even when I was in high school, my mom believe that it was better to spend more on "better quality" skincare and it wasn't until recently that I've dug into drugstore options. So if you've ever been curious about the Aveeno's Fresh Essentials line* here are some thoughts.

3 Guys and a Nivea Bold Milk*

*Press Sample

I think we can safely say that David, and most men,  have very simple skincare needs. I have yet to find many guys who will prod and examine their skin to the same degree that girls will or a beauty/skincare topic that guys will universally band together about.

Apparently 30-40% of Nivea In-Shower Body Milk* ($7, 400ml) users are male. That was a bit of interesting information. From there, my investigative mind wanted to see if this handy squeeze bottled moisturizer could convert a few of the guys in my life. For science, I enlisted David, and my two cousins as lab rats.

Clarins HydraQuench Cream*

*Press Sample

Has the winter really descended on us already? Are we in a Polar Vortex yet? Lay aside fairytale visions of glistening snow in romantic windswept wintery scenes and clue into the realities of awful commute times, masking as a jeong (gluttinous rice dumpling) with your parka and tackling your drying skin. I've been saving the Clarins HydraQuench Cream specifically for this weather.

The Body Shop Moisture White Shiso Brightening Serum and Moisture Cream*

*Press Sample

I'm still on the whitening and brightening train so testing out The Body Shop's new Moisture White range seemed almost necessary. This range combines the ingredients of Shiso (Perilla leaves), Vitamin C and Liquorice to prevent melanin related pigmentation, increase skin luminosity and even skin tone. Each item in the line is suitable for all skin types.

Etude House Moistfull Collagen Cream

I've been wanting to try this cream for a long time and finally I got my hands on it when I went to Korea!

Review: Innisfree Green Tea Cleansing Foam, Pure Skin Toner and Pure Lotion

(Unfortunately photos in this post were lost due to The Great Deletion of 2014. Some efforts to re-do photos will be made but not all posts will be redone.)

I got to try a 7 day kit of the Innisfree Green Tea skincare line when I bought a Korean magazine. Innisfree is a Korean brand which touts itself as being focused on using natural ingredients. Many of its focal ingredients come from Jeju Island, Korea. They're also focused on eco-friendly packaging and providing their products at affordable prices. Lots to like about this brand! This green tea line from Innisfree sounded quite promising since it is focused on moisturizing (recurring theme...). Let's take a look at how they perform!

Review: Sana Nameraka Honpo Soy Milk Cream

OK. Just get this cream.