Say Goodbye to Acne + Clogged Pores

Disclosure: I received products to facilitate this featured post.

Effectively clearing up acne is pretty tricky. There isn’t just ONE option available, because there are so many different skin types. It’s pretty hard to judge which one is the best for YOU, YOUR complexion, skin tone, and skin type. Oily, Normal, Combo?? It’s all so confusing at times, huh?

It is very common for pregnant and new moms to have acne because of their hormones. So if you are wondering how to kick that acne the EASY WAY= ZAPZYT is where you need to look. You don’t have to hide from pictures with your baby bump or new addition ANYmore. Smile bright sunshine- your face is clear!

Damaged skin, scarring, a lack in confidence and even depression are just a few of the symptoms that are associated with adult acne. Today, one in five women between the ages of 25 and 40 suffer from it.

From stress to hormonal influxes during or after pregnancy, there are a number of causes for breakouts in adults, but very few effective solutions. ZAPZYT offers one of them!

Using a variety of dermatologist-recommended formulas, ZAPZYT acne treatments are fast-acting, effective and are free of alcohol, fragrances and dyes. The line offers two cleansers – the ZAPZYT Acne Wash Cleanser and Pore Clearing Scrub, and two on-the-spot treatments – the ZAPZYT Acne Treatment Gel and Pore Treatment Gel, which features medications AND soothing botanicals to help heal and moisturize skin. Each product ranges from $4 to $9.

 

*Tips for Clear Acne-Free Skin

*Choosing Makeup + Moisturizers- Clear skin isn’t just about over washing- it’s also about what you PUT on. Make sure you are choosing the right foundations, BB Creams, and Powders for your skin type + texture. Any face washes, serums, + lotions also need to be checked.

*No touching- Make sure you aren’t touching your face throughout the day. The natural oils from our fingertips can cause breakouts, so watch out. Don’t lean your face on your hands or touch your face in any way- use makeup brushes for makeup AND day creams/facial products.

 Image Source: WikiHow.com

After realizing you’re doing it, you might notice how OFTEN you’re doing it. More than you thought, right? Read this for tips on how to Keep your Hands Away From Your Face.

*Wash Nightly- Do NOT (no matter how tired you are) go to sleep with makeup on. It’s only going to take a couple minutes- 10 at the most. WASH and moisturize. Spreading makeup isn’t smart, produces more oil. Wash with Cleanser + Pore Treatment but also make sure you use a calming moisturizer cream (Such as Aveeno).

*Don’t Overwash- Overwashing your skin can cause more problems than it solves. Dirt isn’t necessarily what is giving you the acne, so keep washing to regular schedule. Overwashing your skin will eventually strip your skin of it’s natural oils. Then THAT will throw your skin out of whack, causing it to OVERPRODUCE oils that cause even more acne.

TIP: If your face feels tight after washing it, this is a tip you’re over-cleansing.

Wash with something that doesn’t have a foot-long list of ingredients. If what you’re using doesn’t help within a couple weeks/ months change what you’re using. You don’t want to switch it up too much and confuse your skin though. Give your pores time to react, keep with a product at least 2-4 weeks (unless you’re allergic)

*Snooze it up- Go ahead Sleeping Beauty! Hit the bed a little earlier. You are strengthening your immune system and blocking acne causing bacteria. 

*Change it Up-

Image Source: TheClearSkinProject.com

While you sleep, your pillowcase + sheets are trapping dirt, oil, and dead skin. During the night your pillowcase is producing a bed of bacteria that is constantly being pressed against your face. The solution is to change up your pillowcase + sheets as much as possible. For instance, if your acne is really bad, switch pillowcases every other night (or every night). This will give your pores air to breathe, + less chance of clogging up.

Bodycology Blackberry Vanilla Bath & Body Products

Disclosure: The items mentioned in this post were sent for review purposes only; all opinions are 100% honest.

Bodycology is my go-to beauty company. They have the most amazing scent mixtures priced so that every woman on any budget can enjoy. I am also flattered that their products are free of parabens and phthalates. They do business right- high quality products that are affordable and paraben free!

Bodycology Blackberry Vanilla is nothing short of fantastic. It is a sensational blend of blackberries, amber, and rose. These ingredients give off a beautiful mixture that isn’t too overpowering or sweet. It’s refreshing and sensual at the same time. This has a crisp yet creamy fragrance, and is one of my all-time favorites! I love it!

Really smells like freshly picked blackberries but it isn’t too fruity smelling or too sweet. It’s just the right mixture of tart and sweet. It is a playful, warm, sensual scent -- the blackberry and vanilla play very well together. The amber & sandalwood bring out an underlying sexy allure. The amber and rose tone down the berries and blend it into a delicious, stimulating scent.

Top notes: Sugared Blackberries & Citrus Creme

Mid Notes: Cassis Flower, Black Plum, & Sugared Rose

Dry Notes: Velvet Amber, Creamy Sandalwood, & Warm Musk.

Blackberry Vanilla Foaming Body Wash

It’s super rich and luxurious, and definitely helps replenish and rejuvenate with it’s fresh, sensual scent. I can dribble a little  bit into the running bath water, and wait for the delicious scent to fill the bathroom. Just a tiny amount makes tons of bubbles. I love kicking back in the bathtub and letting the stress melt away with hot water, some music, and this body wash. Itis very foaming, so it’s also perfect to use as a bubble bath (and you don’t have to use very much at all.)

Bodycology Blackberry Vanilla Body Mist

          

Scent of tangy blackberries drenched in cream

Conditioning and hydrating honey and aloe vera

For a splash of fragrance and energy, spritz lightly on wrists, neck, and shoulders.

Blackberry Vanilla Lotion

It's a luxurious rich consistency, it’s very creamy and soaks nicely into the skin. I love that this isn’t soupy and it has at least an hour staying power. I carry this in my purse at all times now, I absolutely LOVE it.

It doesn’t just smell amazing, it is also very nourishing. It blends Aloe Vera, Shea Butter, and Vitamins E & C to heal and protect your skin. I'll put this on in the mornings and then at night right before bed, and it keeps my skin hydrated & soothed.

I make sure I have at least one Bodycology lotion on hand at all times. I keep some in my bathroom, in my purse, and even on my nightstand. I desperately loathe the dry-skin feeling and make sure to apply lotion randomly throughout the day. Bodycology products aren’t greasy at all, and that’s one of the reasons I love them so much.

Blackberry Vanilla Moisturizing Body Cream

Bodycology Blackberry Vanilla Body Cream are formulated with Shea, Cocoa butter, Jojoba Butter, Vitamin E, & Aloe. It feels so amazing thanks to the moisturizing aloe vera, shea butter and nourishing vitamins E and C.

• Moisturizing aloe vera
• Shea butter

I love the Bodycology Body Creams because they are so creamy and moisturizing. My skin ends up crazy dry in the fall and winter. The Body Creams helps put the nourishment back inside my skin that the cold weather steals, and takes away the itchiness. I love the smell and the fact that I don’t have to use very much at all.

These creams do leave an amazing protective coating behind on the skin, which is smooth (not oily). I love that I can immediately put my clothes on after applying. I don’t have to worry that my clothes are going to look oily or greasy because of any residue. I love to use this on my just shaved legs, it feels amazing.

Have you tried any Bodycology Blackberry Vanilla products yet? Thoughts?

Connect with Bodycology Online:
Facebook & Twitter

Beauty Review: Secret Agent Lip Gloss Golden Spy & Diamond Girl

Secret Agent Beauty, even the name seems mystique, unique, and makes you want to know more right? I was excited to be able to review to work with them on reviewing 2 of their Secret Agent Lip Glosses.

These lip glosses are both clear and may look alike, but it couldn’t be more far from the truth. They are exact opposites are far as glosses go. They both may look like they are just the regular clear glosses seen on every shelf in the beauty aisle, but think again.

 

Diamond Girl Detective

The Diamond Girl Detective Lip Gloss is a moisture packed, aloe-infused lip gloss in a crystal-clear, high-shine gloss that reveals a “level 1” delivery of naturally hydrating & cell-plumping ingredients including aloe vera, peppermint, vitamin e, and sacha inchi.

This is a really amazing gloss. Not only does it feel amazing on the lips, it helps to plump them too. When I first used this, my lips were dry, a little on the cracked side, and I had a slight fever blister. This instantly cooled the burn, while making my lips look super fabulous.

This can be worn under or over your favorite lip stick to give it high shine and moisture. I instantly fell in love after it soothed, healed, and moisturized my too dry lips. I had been a little on the sick side, plus tanning (double double dry!) and within 2 days, they were back to normal.

Lips crave moisture, why leave them in the dark? This awesome lip gloss is packed with ingredients that will naturally help your lips regain the beauty they had been missing! Believe me, I know!

The wand on these glosses are absolutely the perfect shape to get every inch of the lips without getting too much gloss. It’s like they were built to naturally form to the lips. Instead of it being big and round, it’s long and flat Unlike the larger made tips that apply so much gloss that it’s practically dripping gloss off my lips when I’m done.

This is a level 1 plumping gloss, which means it plumps the lips at the lowest level, but it feels amazing. I love the soothing coolness that I immediately feel when I apply this gloss. It’s not thick and cheap looking, which I very much appreciate.

You can tell that these are high quality glosses, because they wear perfectly and smell nice!

About the ingredients:

• Pure Aloe Very Extract that cools, soothes and heals lips. It's packed with amino acids, vitamins A, C, F, B, niacin and vitamin B12 that hydrate and restore moisture to lips.
• Sacha Inchi Oil, which is rich in omegas 3, 6 and 9 as well as iodine, vitamin A & E. These fatty acids help reduce dry flakey skin by preventing dehydration of delicate lip cells leaving lips looking plumper and more youthful.
• Peppermint Oil Extract & Menthol, which are soothing all natural muscle relaxants that leave lips luscious. Their deep penetrating properties impart a tingling sensation that swells lips allowing for a fuller pucker.

Agent Golden Spy

You have GOT to indulge your lips in this Secret Agent Golden Spy lip gloss, it is amazing! This is also Aloe and Vitamin E infused, so all natural moisture, isn’t that what your lips are asking of you? This is collagen infused though, so your lips won’t only be kissable-smooth, but will also be plumped up and looking healthy!

This also contains the oils of sunflower, jojoba, and almonds. This gloss contains all the extra moisture that you’ve been needing for those moisture-seeking lips. You don’t just have to wear this as a lipgloss. This can also be work as a primer for your favorite lipstick or use it as night as a lip-mask!

What makes me fall in love with this is the Gold flakes inside. YES, I said REAL gold flakes. If you look closely, you can see the gold flakes swimming around. It’s an old ancient secret that the gold flakes protect, hydrate, and smooth the lips.

I never knew the secret until receiving the Golden Spy Gloss, but it’s true. My lips have never felt more hydrated, luscious, or healthy. In all my lip gloss use through the years, I’ve never met any that could even slightly compare to these two right here.

The gold flakes just seem to sink right into the lips, there is absolutely no glittery look or feel to it at all. I love how silky this feels without being sticky and gooey. Who wouldn’t feel absolutely luxurious wearing Gold Flakes on their lips? You are now an undercover Super Agent!!

Like the Diamond Girl (and all the other Secret Agent Glosses) they’ve been made over. They now have a new and improved look, which is a bigger tube with a bigger bang! AND the application stick is OH so amazing! It fits my lips perfectly!

• Vitamin E
• Natural Aloe Vera
• Sunflower, Almond & Jojoba Oils.
• Natural Gold Flakes

The Diamond Girl is more for soothing, healing, and hydrating lips. Agent Golden Spy is more for plumping, moisturizing,and drawing attention!

Most plumping glosses contain cinnamon, which can slightly burn or tingle when you put them on. These glosses don’t, you can’t feel any tingling or burning sensation at all. This is awesome because even those with sensitive skin/lips can use this!

Both of these are incredible for showing off your makeup without wanting to wear a lip color! It brings the attention right to your face, and enhances the boldness of your lips! Incredible staying power, and actually hydrates the lips.

These Secret Agent glosses are available at SecretAgentBeauty for $18 a piece

Connect with Secret Agent Beauty online:

Facebook and Twitter

 

-Jessica

Influenster Sunkissed Summer Voxbox 2013 Review

 

I was excited to find out that I prequalified for the Influenster Sunkissed Summer 2013 Voxbox! Woohoo, yay me!

This Voxbox is said to be filled with Summer Fun and I definitely couldn’t wait to get my hands on the box and see what was waiting inside for me!

I got the Voxbox last week.. and Guess what was inside?

4 items that I will tell you all about below!

 

 

*Goodies Ouchless Ribbon Elastics*

The first item I pulled out of the box was the Goody Ouchless Ribbon Elastics. This comes with 5 Ribbons all in different colors!

These are really awesome. I love that they are all different colors. I have been a fan of non-metal hair ties for as long as I can remember. Every single time I’d wear hair ties with a metal piece on it, they’d snag my hair and they’d end up breaking after using them for awhile.

These retail for $3.99-$4.99 which is an awesome deal for something that isn’t going to pull you bald when you want to wear your hair up! Not only has this been awesome for me because I have really long hair, but for my daughter as well.

She always complains when I put her hair up in a hair tie. She says it pulls her hair! Guess who hasn’t heard any complaining since I’ve gotten these? That’s right! ME!

 

*Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream*

The second item I pulled out of the box was the Olay Fresh Effects {BB Cream} Perfecter Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 15. I love that this not only has SPF 15 in it, but it’s more like a tinted moisturizer so it’s better for your skin in the summer than all out foundation!

The Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream is an all-in-one skin perfecter, suncreen, and tinted moisturizer evens tone and refreshes dullness. For flawless looking skin, get your now available in two shades: fair/light and light/medium.

I got sent the light/medium which would be too light for my skin, but it blends AMAZINGLY well. I can’t even tell that it’s light, it just soaks right in.  It looks amazing under my foundation for extra coverage AND sun protection. I have tried CC Creams in the past, but I haven’t had the chance to use a BB Cream until now.

I am glad I got a chance to try it! It’s very light on the skin and has a really nice, clean fresh scent. It smells like freshly washed hair! I love it! I love how creamy it is, yet how well it soaks in. It feels so lightweight like you don’t even have anything on the skin at all.

It refreshes the skin, and keeps it feeling clean! It also helps to brighten the skin while evening the tone and texture. It makes my skin feel SO hydrated and smooth, all while protecting it from the sun! It’s only $12.99 for a large tube!

 

*Sinfulshine with Gel Tech*

The third item I pulled from the box was the Sinfulshine with Gel Tech in “I’m Blushing”. This is a very light pink that almost looks like a tinted pink mixed with white. I love the color, it is very luscious and rich!

There are 32 shades, and they are all eye catching, beautiful, vibrant colors! I am definitely going to have to get more of these! I love the gel tech, this is actually the first shade that I’d tried, and it’s awesome. The shine is SO awesome, and it makes my nails feel so smooth and look so shiny.

It’s a steal too, at only $2.99

*Dr. Scholl’s For Her High Heel Insoles*

Last, but not least is the Dr. Scholl’s For Her High Heel Insoles. Heels are really uncomfortable for me to wear for a long time because of my arch. I swear my feet hate high heels because they have to constantly hold themselves in.

These create all day comfort for both the feet AND the arches, so your feet can be comfortable and cute. It is made out of ultra-soft gel that just makes your feet feel like it’s sinking into your feet! This makes my feet SO comfy and awesome!

It absorbs the shock that would normally go into the heel and feet. The best thing is that the cushioning is very discreet even in strappy heels. You can’t see it at all. These retail for $10.99 and you can’t beat that for the all day long comfort!

Fits comfortably in all your high heel shoes 2" and up
Pumps
Sandals
Sling-backs
Boots

 

I received this Summer 2013 Sunkissed Voxbox from Influenster, for free. The opinions in this post are completely honest!

 

Jessica Renee

Beauty Review: TRῡHAIR Volumizing Style Shapers Hair Rollers 23pc Kit

TRῡ Hair creator, Chelsea Scott, has been in the professional beauty industry for over 20 years. She has specialized in product development and the successful marketing of some of the leading hair care and skin care products that are available on the market today. After owning 2 popular salons and prestige beauty boutiques while working with over 50 of today's most popular hair brands, Chelsea felt like she couldn't find products that allowed us to recreate salon looks at home while being easy to use.

I was excited to be able to work with TruHair! I was looking through their website and was wowed that the products are build around building volume or covering the grays! I ended up choosing the TRῡHAIR Volumizing Style Shapers Hair Rollers 23pc Kit.



I had been on the lookout for some rollers, and was leaning towards hot rollers. The description on these said that they self stick, and that they create tremendous volume and lift without the heat. SO, I was excited to give it a try!


I had to practice a couple times to get it right because my hair is so long and layered, but they do add volume and curl if you set them right. You have to roll them tightly to get them to set in place. I do have to add bobbypins to some of them, but I think it’s because my hair is long and the rollers are velcro material.


I spray my hair with a heat protectant before rolling my hair in these rollers. I let them sit for a minute and then I take my blowdryer and heat my hair up with the rollers in it, and then follow with Shielo Volumizing Hair Spray!

I leave them in for 30-45 minutes while I do my skincare routine and put on my makeup. When I’m done with all that, I take these out and am truly amazed that they worked so well without heat and without anything to hold them in.

If you do feel like they are coming lose, I feel like it’s helpful to place a shower cap over the rollers so they stay in place. It’s best to use them with semi-damp hair, and spray mousse or gel before and maybe a blow-dry spray then spray with flexible hold hair spray after.

Kit Includes:
6 Small Shapers
6 Medium Shapers
6 Large Shapers
3 Jumbo Shapers
1 Tail Comb
1 Travel Pouch

Buy it: TRῡHAIR Volumizing Style Shapers Hair Rollers 23pc Kit $29.99

Connect with TRῡHAIR Online:
Twitter, Facebook, & Youtube


Jessica Renee

Beauty Review: Wet Brush Squirt Mini Pocket Detangling Hair Brush

From the makers of the wildly popular Wet Brush, comes the Wet Brush Squirt! Eliminate tangles quickly and painlessly with this magnificent Detangling Shower Brush. This brush can be used on wet or dry hair and is perfect for all hair types. It features a soft, rubberized non-slip grip for a secure, comfortable hold. The unique, soft, flexible, nylon brush bristles create an entirely new brushing experience!

My Review

 

As a mom of 2 kids, going to the beach for a day isn’t an easy task. Everything MUST be remembered, or there might be an issue. Beach bag, towels, swim suit, flip flops, drinks, snacks, and getting there while it’s still daylight outside. BUT what about a brush?

A brush? YES, that’s exactly what I said. If you swim- you know the havoc that swimming can do on hair. The major tangles. Especially for your little girl.

I always tried to have an extra brush on hand just for the beach because I hated cleaning my own every single time we went. The sand, the dirty beach water hair, and did I say the sand?

The Wet Brush Squirt is adorable in it’s many colors, so my daughter automatically fell in love with it when it arrived in the mail. It’s small, so it doesn’t take up a ton of room in the beach bag. That’s awesome, considering all the other stuff that has to fit inside!

Even though it’s small in size, it’s still an awesome detangler. The bristles are designed to detangle without pulling hair. My daughter HATES getting her hair brushed if she thinks it will hurt. She’ll cry before the brush ever touches her hair. She’s crazy like that.

With this brush, there wasn’t any of those “NO, mommy” “that hurts”. It was amazing just to brush her hair and get it into a ponytail after swimming so that we could be on our way and it wouldn’t tangle up and mat together when we were driving and the wind whipping.

Buy it: You can buy a Wet Brush Squirt Mini Pocket Detangling Brush for only $10

 

Jessica Renee

Beauty Review: SuperGoop SPF 35 CC Cream and ACAIFusion LipBalm SPF 30

Supergoop is a brand that is solely focused on sun care. They make a variety of items that ALL have SPF in them. They have sunscreen wipes, giant pump action bottles of Sunscreen that will last all summer, even sunless tanners!

I am excited to say that I have gotten a chance to review their new CC Cream and an AMAZING lip balm that both have SPF inside!

The CC Cream

 

Supergoop has a new Daily Correct CC Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 35 which is available in two shades; Light to Medium and Medium to Dark. This is amazing because it promises to soften the look of lines, wrinkles and pores.

A multivitamin for your skin, this light and silky cream protects, corrects, smoothes, and nourishes with specially formulated health properties.

I’ve heard a LOT about the CC Creams, but haven’t had the chance to try one out yet. SO I was super SUPER excited to be able to see first hand what this bad boy could do!

I don’t really like wearing makeup (cream foundation or anything creamy) that much during the summer. It’s because my skin automatically gets SUPER dark and most foundations make me look like a ghost AND they tend to melt/sweat off.

IF it doesn’t sweat off, it clumps or balls up- which I DO NOT like. So, if I don’t wear mineral makeup, I don’t wear anything. UNTIL now. I’ve been testing this out for awhile and LOVE it!

I love how silky this CC Cream is, and how well it blends into my skin. It acts as a primer, concealer, and foundation all in one! It leaves my face feeling fresh and perfectly flawless.

I love that it blends so well with my complexion. I don’t like noticing that there is a weird lightness to my skin after I’ve applied a foundation or cream. This doesn’t do that though.

It works amazingly at protecting, correcting and smoothing uneven skin. It’s a giant plus that is has SPF in it, SPF 35 to be exact. Amazing anti-aging benefits and super antioxidants to help fight free-radical, wrinkle-forming damage.

The staying power is a big A+ for me. I don’t like having to take time out of my day to reapply because I’m always on the go with the kids, errands, and such. I can put this on at 8-9 and it will still be there around 3-4 which was amazing to me! I didn’t have to reapply even ONCE!

I love the SPF 35 because I’ve been using a skin care at night that makes my face sensitive to sunlight. I wash it off in the morning, but there’s still a chance it could make my skin burn just by being outside because it has Retinol A in it. This keeps me satisfied knowing that I’m covered from the burns!

Neutralizes discolorations, inflammation, blotchiness while restoring vibrancy and glow which I love. This IS a CC cream, so you aren’t going to get the SAME coverage as a Foundation, but you could certainly apply a thin layer over it if you wanted. I love how it works like a Concealer/foundation/primer all in 1!

100% natural ingredients and antioxidants to triple protect against UVA, UVB and infrared-A rays. Light-diffusing mica minerals soften the appearance of pores and wrinkles for a fresh, flawless complexion!

NO parabens, fragrances, petrochemicals or oxybenzone to provide an environment- and skin-compatible choice for UV protection. I’m glad that I found something that I can actually wear in the summer without it balling up or sweating off. It doesn’t even feel like I’m wearing anything when I put this on!

Want to give it a try?

Buy IT: You can buy the Supergoop SPF 35 CC Cream in Medium/Dark and Light/Medium for $32 for 1.6 oz

 

The Lip Balm

I had been on the lookout for something like this. EVERY single time I get in the tanning bed my lips dry out. No amount of chapstick was helping break the dryness cycle, and it was because my lips were dehydrated and burning I guess.

The shea butter in this lip balm provides deep, long-lasting hydration. I can put this on my lips before getting in the tanning bed and my lips still feel SO soft and hydrated when I get out.

It protects against broad-spectrum UVA and UVB rays while calming, soothing and protecting dry or chapped lips. It feels more like a lip gloss to me than a chapstick which I love.

I can easily apply this over my lipstick or wear it by itself and it looks amazing! I love the fact that even though it wears like a lip gloss, it isn’t sticky! It goes on very smoothly and has lasting power.

It says that there’s a pink tint to it, but it’s more of a sheer pink than anything. It makes my lips look so healthy! It doesn’t have a taste and it doesn’t smell, which is a plus. If this tasted like Acai berry, I’d probably lick it off LOL.

Want to give it a try?

Buy it: Supergoop AcaiFusion Lipbalm SPF 30

Connect with Supergoop on their Blog, twitter, facebook, and pinterest

 

Jessica Renee