I'm a #CoolAger! Thanks, Philosophy, for pointing that out!

Thanks to being a Crowdtapper- a member of Crowdtap- I recently had the opportunity to try Philosophy's "uplifting miracle worker moisturizer"- their "cool-lift & firm moisturizer for face & neck". 

I'm a #CoolAger, all right!

At 57 (I'm a #Boomer born in 1959), I Do like to think of myself as a #CoolAger - one who at least tries not to let anything stop her, and for whom age is only a number! My mom is THE ULTIMATE #CoolAger- at 94, and a WWII US Army #Veteran, she is a 165 avg. bowler and a Great golfer (see photos below), as well as a professional artist- and a 20-year breast #cancer survivor/thriver! She has been my Cool Aging Inspiration for many, many years- my whole life, actually- and as a result, I have a lot to live up to in the Cool Aging Department! LOL

My belief is that being able to be a #CoolAger, and to keep doing the things you love and want to do, depends a lot on genes- and I'm counting on having my mother's! But it is also an attitude, and a determination not to "let the turkeys get you down", as the expression goes! I HATE when people advise others not to do the things they love and want to do because of their age! As long as you want to and enjoy doing the "crazy" things you've always loved to do, keep doing them!! For me, being a #CoolAger is also doing what ever I can to make myself both look and feel good, and as youthful as possible. No, barring a miracle, I'm not gonna look 35 again (dang! LOL), but I can strive to look as good as possible. Living now in Extremely Rural West Virginia (as opposed to NYC, where I'm from and lived for many years), means I don't have access to monthly facials and spas and shopping, and such, so I really have to do it all myself! I don't wear makeup every day now, either, so it's important to me that my skin look as good as it possibly can without makeup. I do a lot of research on natural medicine, which I rely upon for my health, and I take Ayurveda (Indian) herbs every day as they really do make a difference in how I look and feel. And as an Official Anti-Aging Beauty Product Junkie, I am Always looking for the newest, best, and most 'cutting edge' anti-aging beauty products to hold back the hands of time (at least visually LOL), and so I was really excited to try Philosophy's "uplifting miracle worker moisturizer", as it promises, in only 4 weeks, to make one's skin feel more firm with a better bounce, with one's facial contours appearing more sculpted, youthful and defined. In 8 weeks, 75% of the women who sampled it showed a clinical improvement in skin firmness, radiance, and texture! That is pretty darn impressive!

I've used a number of Philosophy products in the past and have always been pleased with them, and I was pleased with this one, too! (Thank you, Crowdtap!)

I really like the way the uplifting miracle worker moisturizer feels when I apply it- it's cool and lightly firming. You can see from the photo of me applying it, that my skin has a nice, smooth sheen to it. It's absorbed quickly into my skin, my face does feel soft and hydrated all day, I've experienced no breakouts or other issues, and my makeup goes on smoothly on top of it. It is a great moisturizer! To be honest, however, I was, frankly, expecting more... more visible anti-aging results, faster, I guess, especially as it's $65 and not an inexpensive product... I am using it on my face, neck, and decollete, twice a day, and I am going to continue using it to see if I get more "lifting" and "firming" results over time. Philosophy does suggest that for best results it should be used together with their "uplifting miracle worker instant-effect cool-lift & tightening moisturizer booster", which supposedly provides "instant results"...  and I want to try that, along with this moisturizer... Not cheap, but heck- I AM worth it! :-)  

My 94 year old mom- #CoolAger Extraordinaire!

My 94 year old mom playing golf last month...

As you can see, I received the full-size product to try from Crowdtap, which was great, because to see results with a product like this you really do have to give it a fair shot and some time to work- it's unfair to judge a product after only sampling it once or twice. I HEARTILY recommended joining Crowdtdap if you enjoy market research and giving your opinions on products- sometimes you get to try them, too!
SO: the bottom line is: YES, I really like Philosphy's uplifting miracle worker moisturizer, and the cool, firming feeling it gives, and the way my skin looks and feels after I've applied it, and YES, I'm going to keep using it! AND I'm going to lash out and buy the serum, too! :-)

RoC Multi-Correxion Night Cream & Eye Cream: The anti-aging babe's review!

I recently had the opportunity, as a member of Crowdtap, to sample two new RoC anti-aging skin care products: their MULTI CORREXION 5-in-1 Restoring Night Cream and RETINOLCORREXION Eye Cream, both of which I've now added to my daily skin care regimen.

As many of my readers know by now, I'm an Official "Anti-Aging Product Junkie", always interested in trying the latest and greatest new products in my quest for Eternal Youth! Yes, that's a bit of a LOL, but I am serious about trying to stave off the aging of my 57 year old face (and neck and chest and hands and- hell- all of me! LOL), and so I have been using a regimen of RoC anti-aging products for some time now. Back in February of this year I did a blog post on the RoC 5-in-1 Multi Correxion Chest, Neck & Face Cream, and the results were dramatic enough that I've continued to buy and use it:  http://southernwestvirginia.blogspot.com/2016/02/hows-my-neck-i-used-roc-multi-correxion.html 
So now, in addition to using Roc's 5-in-1 Multi Correxion Chest, Neck & Face Cream and Deep Wrinkle Serum, I've added their RoC's MULTI CORREXION 5-in-1 Restoring Night Cream and RETINOLCORREXION Eye Cream to my "arsenal" of anti-aging products, and I have to say that I'm pleased enough with both of them to go out and buy them once my samples are done! The night cream is light, but rich and very creamy, and I now use it every night, in place of another cream I was using. I like its moisturizing properties, and that a little goes a long way! The scent is very light and nice, as well, and it's not heavy, pore-clogging, or sticky. I've been using the eye cream morning and evening, also in place of another eye cream I was using, as I've found it to be a light and creamy eye cream that moisturizes very well, and again, that a little goes a very long way! The scent is very light and pleasant, and I've had NO problems with irritation- I mention this because I do know that some people have reactions to Retinol. 
As I said, I HAVE have seen excellent, visible results from RoC's 5-In-1 Chest, Neck & Face Cream, especially on my neck and decollete, so I am going to continue to use their products- and they are affordable enough that I can stick with the program! 

Not so bad for 57! :-)

That is seriously one of the best things about RoC products: that they are affordable and easy to find in stores, so you can actually afford to not only try a complete regimen, but to stick with it long-term, so you really do see results! Perusing their website I've discovered several other RoC products I want to add to my anti-aging arsenal- heck, I AM worth it! :-)
Have you tried RoC skin care products? Which ones have YOU seen great results with? Let me know in the comments!

The Anti-Aging Babe Tries Garnier Miracle Anti-Fatigue!

The three-product Garnier Miracle Anti-Fatigue regimen

I'll admit it- I'm an Anti-Aging Product Junkie! I'm 57, and I like to think I don't look it LOL, and I'd also like to keep it that way! I'd also like to (of course) take off 20 years, LOL, so I'm always interested in trying the latest and greatest anti-aging products to hit the market. As a member of Crowdtap, I recently got to sample (and share with my gal pals) the new Garnier Miracle Anti-Fatigue three-product regimen: the Miracle Anti-Fatigue Wake-Up Hydra-Gel Moisturizer in the morning, and the Miracle Anti-Fatigue Sleeping Cream and Miracle Anti-Fatigue Eye Gel-Cream at night. I really liked that I am getting to sample all three products, as they are meant to work together, and so I'm hopeful I will see some good results over time.
I very much like the light and silky texture of all three products, how they feel on my skin, and how my skin feels after I've applied them.
The morning Wake-Up Hydra-Gel Moisturizer has a really light, gel-like texture, and it feels very good on, and leaves my skin soft and smooth. I have worn it successfully both under makeup and without makeup. It contains 15% Hydra-Glycerin, which is a humectant (a.k.a. "moisturizer" LOL), Hyaluronic Acid, and an Antioxidant Complex of Wild Berry, Vitamins C and E. After one use, it is supposed to plump skin and provide all-day, deep hydration, and after one week, to have improved your skin's signs of fatigue, re-activated your skin's radiance, and smoothed your skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines. I can say that it does keep my skin smooth, soft, and hydrated (without being greasy or shiny) all day, and I hope to see more results as time goes on! The other great thing is that it's only about $17, so it's affordable, and readily available at places like Rite-Aid and Walmart, as well as online- so you can afford to stick with the program!

Wake-Up Hydra-Gel Moisturizer in the morning

Anti-Fatigue Eye Gel-Cream

Applying the Eye Gel-Cream at night

In the evening I am using the Miracle Anti-Fatigue Sleeping Cream and Miracle Anti-Fatigue Eye Gel-Cream. The Sleeping Cream is creamy, but (thankfully) quite light, easily absorbed, and not heavy or greasy, and it doesn't clog my pores or cause me to break out. It contains Lavender Essential Oil, Hyaluronic and Hydroxy Acids, and it's meant to renew and firm skin, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles- while you sleep! I do like the way it feels, and will continue using it, as I'm hoping for more results the longer I do! The Eye Gel-Cream I think is the most unique of the products, for its extremely light and silky, gel-like texture, which I really like. It's not greasy or oily, the way so many eye creams are, and it's absorbed immediately into my skin. It's also infused with Essential Oil and Hyaluronic Acid, and Caffeine, as well, and its goal is to help fight signs of fatigue and reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness. And that's exactly what I'm looking for! And these products are only about $17 each, as well, so for about $51 you can try the entire regimen and find out if it works for you, without spending the hundreds (or thousands) of dollars that so many skin care regimens cost!
Through this Crowdtap sampling opportunity, I also had the opportunity to share the Wake-Up and Sleeping Creams with my gal pals, and as they are all over the country I shared it with them on Facebook, and sent them samples in the mail! One of my girlfriends really loved it- she wrote: "I tried the morning cream this morning and really liked it a lot. It made my skin feel soft all day. I am going to try the night cream tonight... Where can you buy these products?" So I told her! :-) (Check out the Garnier USA website, which has deets on all the products, as well as a Store Locator interactive map you can use to find out where to buy the products near you. I often order online, as here in Extremely Rural southern West Virginia there's basically no place to shop- our nearest Walmart is one hour away!)

My "Crowdkit", including samples to share with my friends

The samples I sent to my friends...

As I've written before, Crowdtap is a great program if you are interested in giving your opinion about products, as well as being invited to sample and review them! Check it out and let me know what you think in the comments- and let me know if you've tried this Garnier anti-aging skin care regimen, and what you think of it!

How's my neck?! I used RoC MULTI CORREXION 5-in-1 Chest, Neck & Face Cream...

After 2 weeks with Roc Multi Correxion 5-in-1

Thanks to being a member of Crowdtap, I was able to sample RoC® MULTI CORREXION® 5 in 1 Chest, Neckand Face Cream, and I have been using it for for two weeks now, with excellent results! Having done "before and after" photos, I can honestly and seriously say that my skin looks much better, ESPECIALLY on my neck- that is where I truly see a great, positive difference! My neck is smooth now (I'm 56 and definitely had a "wrinkly issue"), not dry, and much more even-toned, with none of the red, blotchy discolorations I had before, and I love it! I have no problem now wearing more "open" tops, which is a great feeling! I did "before and after" photos, so I could see if I had any real, visible results, and I have to say I'm really impressed- and will keep using it!  

Before starting to use Roc Multi Correxion 5-in-1

My one issue with the product is that I do NOT like using SPF chemicals on my skin and they are not needed in this cream. The cream actually has 4 of them: Avobenzone 2%, Homosalate 4%, Octisalate 4%, and Octocrylene 2%.  UCK! The skin is the largest organ of the body, and I prefer to use as few chemicals on it as possible, and as these four are truly NOT needed in this product, I am hoping Roc will come out with a version of this cream that doesn't have any of those chemicals. When I reviewed Roc Multi Correxion 5-in-1 Chest Neck & Face Cream online I gave it 4 stars for that reason- if not for that, I would have given it 5 stars.

RoC® MULTI CORREXION® 5 in 1 Chest, Neck and Face Cream is a smooth, rich, yet light cream, that goes on smoothly and is absorbed well; I use it after my RoC^® RETINOL CORREXION^® Deep Wrinkle Serum in the morning. (I also use it on the back of my hands, and they are much more even-toned as well- they were quite red and blotchy). Roc Multi Correxion 5 in 1 cream utilizes "HEXINOL^® Technology", to strive to improve a wide range of aging issues, including fine lines and wrinkles, loss of firmness and elasticity, loss of radiance, and evenness of skin tone.

I found the biggest benefits to me were with regards to lines and wrinkles on my neck and chest, and evenness of skin tone. Roc promises it will give visible improvement in as little as 4 weeks, and as I have seen results in only two weeks, I do want to stick with it! The other great thing is it's only $28.99, and readily available at places like Walmart, Walgreen's, CVS, and & Drugstore.com, and  not some $400 cream, so you can afford to give it a shot! For more info on the product, go to the Roc skincare website and the Roc Multi Correxion 5 in 1 Chest Neck and Face Cream page.

Let me know what you think of the product in the comments- have you had success with it, too? What other products do you use with it?

L’Oreal Age Perfect Cell Renewal: Update!

I am participating in a Vibrant Influencer Network campaign for L’Oreal Age Perfect. I am receiving a fee for posting; however, the opinions expressed in this post are my own. I am in no way affiliated with L’Oreal Age Perfect and do not earn a commission or percent of sales. #sponsored #cellrenewal

As you know from two previous posts, I was delighted to be chosen to try the L’Oreal Age Perfect Cell Renewal regimen, and I’ve been using all three products- the Age Perfect Cell Renewal Golden Serum, Age Perfect Cell Renewal Day Cream, and Age Perfect Cell Renewal Night Cream- Religiously, daily and nightly since early November. I’d always wanted to try a complete anti-aging skin care regimen, where all the products were made to work together and complement each other, and I finally got to do it! Hubs took some “before and after” photos of my face so I could tell if there’s been real, visible improvement, and here are the results to date: 
 

 

After- NOW!

Before... (Nov.6)

After! NOW!

Before... (Nov. 6)

I think I look a WHOLE heck of a lot better!
Seriously, the photos really speak for themselves! 
I love the "dewy" lightly golden glow I get from the serum, and the way makeup goes on smoothly and stays that way (I am using only very light makeup now :-) ), and I love the velvety way my face feels when I put on the Serum and then the Day or Night Cream, but most of all I'm delighted with the new condition of my skin. It's smoother, softer, and the blotchyness and lines have noticeably decreased.  I'm So glad I got to try it, and stuck with it, using it every day and night. And I'm glad hubs took photos, so I could really see the results! It's an easy-to-do regimen, and the results are real! 

Those who read my first post on the regimen in early November noted that I did see an immediate and positive difference in the appearance and texture of my skin. The regimen promises to accelerate skin cell renewal, by enhancing exfoliation, so surface cells are revealed faster, resulting in "refreshed, re-plumped, and visibly renewed skin", and firmer skin after only one month! I am- sadly- an “instant gratification” girl, and I did need to see something positive fast- and I did! For more information on the products, see the L’Oreal Age Perfect Cell Renewal website: www.lorealparisusa.com/cellrenewal 


 
In short, I am REALLY happy with the L’Oreal Age Perfect Cell Renewal regimen, and I am going to KEEP on it! I am pleased with the fact that L'Oreal products are affordable, and readily available at places like Walmart, so there's no reason NOT to try it! The products lasted long enough that I only had to buy more Serum- there is plenty of the Day & Night Creams to get you through 2 months. And if it can make a real, visible improvement in my 55 year old face, think what it might do for you! :-)

A week with Neutrogena® Rapid Dark Circle Repair® eye cream: Results!

After a week of using Neutrogena® Rapid Dark Circle Repair® eye cream, and I'm pretty darn impressed! I thought I was stuck with the purple circles I've had for many years, but quite apparently, I'm not! I was able to try it through a ‪#‎Crowdtap‬ ‪#‎sponsored‬ program! YAY! for Crowdtap and Neutrogena! 

I think the photo results truly speak for themselves. I have been using it daily, and I am going to KEEP using it daily- because it works! And one of the best things is that Neutrogena products are affordable, and readily available! I am so intrigued by how fast this worked that I want to try the rest of their "Rapid" products!

Before...

After one week! Pretty impressive, huh?

After one week- light makeup

After one week- NO makeup!

Plexus: HELL, YEAH it works! See for yourself!

3 weeks on Plexus, and here are my results (black dress photo above) so far! I am actually beginning to see my waist again AND my cheekbones! YAY!  SO happy, because it's TOTALLY without dieting! Hubs Dan is thrilled, because he sees- and can feel!- "me" again- and he knows I've tried Everything, and how frustrating it's been! Plexus isn't some "overnight miracle"; you really do have to stick with it! But if you are serious about losing weight, give yourself a month at least to try it!  It's easy to do, I feel good, and I am DEFINITELY sticking with it! If you'd like to join me, and my friends, check out my Plexus website http://elkhorninn.myplexusproducts.com , and if you have any questions, email me at elisse@elkhorninnwv.com, or call me at 304-862-2031, and I will help you get started! I have tried EVERYTHING under the sun to lose weight, and this is actually working- and with NO DIETING!  YAY!

Me, "before"- UGH!!!

L’Oreal Age Perfect Cell Renewal Test: Update!

I am participating in a Vibrant Influencer Network campaign for L’Oreal Age Perfect. I am receiving a fee for posting; however, the opinions expressed in this post are my own. I am in no way affiliated with L’Oreal Age Perfect and do not earn a commission or percent of sales. #sponsored #cellrenewal

As you know from my post last month, I was delighted to be selected to try the L’Oreal Age Perfect Cell Renewal regimen, and I’ve been using all three products- the Age Perfect Cell Renewal Golden Serum, Age Perfect Cell Renewal Day Cream, and Age Perfect Cell Renewal Night Cream- Religiously, daily and nightly! I’d always wanted to try a complete anti-aging skin care regimen, where all the products were made to work together and complement each other, and I’m finally getting to do it! Hubs took some “before and after” photos of my face so we can all see if there’s any real, visible improvement after only a month, and here are the results to date: 

Before: Oct 27 - no makeup

Now:  Dec 1 - no makeup

Nov 14 - with light makeup

Dec 1 - no makeup

Dec 1 - no makeup

  I personally think I'm looking MUCH better! The best part (for me), is that my HUSBAND sees a positive improvement, and wants me to stick with the program!  Where I see the most visible improvements are in the lessening of redness and blotchy discoloration, both on my face and neck and décolletage, where the “wrinkly” area is much smoother, too! YAY! The regimen has smoothed and improved the texture of my skin, which is a real plus, as well.

I strongly suggest you take “before" photos, too- because day-to-day you may not see results, but you WILL when you look at the photos after a couple of weeks!

I have to say I am Quite impressed! I honestly wasn’t expecting anything so dramatic at all! 

As I wrote in my last post, my initial experience with the products was lovely, and it still is; I especially like the way the Serum goes on smoothly and velvety, and the pale, golden sheen it gives my skin. The Day Cream is creamy and richer, and goes on smoothly on top of the serum, as does the Night Cream, and all the products are readily absorbed into my skin, and give me a nice, “dewy” glow, but no oiliness or greasiness or breakouts. My skin continues to feel soft and velvety after applying the products, and that feeling lasts through the whole day, which is great! I don’t wear makeup most of the time, but when I do, it goes on smoothly over the products with no problems at all, and the Serum and Day Cream make my foundation look and wear better- as you can see from the photo where I have on light makeup, I have a nice "dewy glow", as opposed to the usual matte finish that full-coverage foundation gives me, which seems to accentuate every single "fine line" on my face... The Serum has no perfume to speak of, and I like the light, sweet scents of the Day and Night Creams. I have already bought more Golden Serum, and I am continuing with the regimen!

No, Age Perfect didn’t take off 40 lbs. or 15 years (yet - LOL), but I do find that in only 34 days it has made a noticeable and positive difference in the appearance and texture of my skin- and what made me happiest is that Other People (hubs) noticed it, as well. The regimen accelerates skin cell renewal by enhancing exfoliation, so surface cells are revealed faster, thus resulting in refreshed, re-plumped, and visibly renewed skin, and it also promises firmer skin after only one month- and it has noticeably improved the look and texture of my skin.

 

My feeling is that the regimen of all three products would be a wonderful holiday gift for a friend who you know would Love to try it, but might not buy it for herself! (Or himself! :-) )  I don’t know about you, but I have LOTS of friends (and relatives) like that! And in the new “one for you, and one for me” tradition of holiday gift-giving, here’s a great coupon to get you started: http://bricks.coupons.com/Start.asp?bt=vi&tqnm=vixncnp45783236&o=116959&pt=&lang=&ws=&ct=&ci=&cl=&cp=&eb=1&c=LP&p=168169158&z=&r=&pc=&  One of the nicest things about L’Oreal products is that they are not prohibitively expensive, and are readily available across the country, so this is also an easy gift to get oneself or for a friend!  TIP: if you are getting all three products, my suggestion is to get two bottles of the Golden Serum, as there wasn’t enough product in one bottle of Serum to get me through one jar each of the Day & Night Cream. That’s really my only “pet peeve”- I wish there had been twice as much Serum in the jar, so I hadn’t had to go buy more Serum when I was only half way through the Day and Night Cream!

Stay tuned, because I'm going to post another update in about a month!

 

Here’s the link to the L’Oreal website, so you can check out all the products: www.lorealparisusa.com/cellrenewal

May you all have a happy- and beautiful- holiday season!