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! :-)

Curel Hydra Therapy Wet Skin Moisturizer works for my Super dry skin!

Crowdtap sample of Curel Hydra Therapy Moisturizer

I have very dry skin, including "scaly" Psoriasis on my elbows and knees, which is why I was very excited when I was selected by Crowdtap to try Curel's HydraTherapy Wet Skin Moisturizer- and I was not disappointed! In Israel, at the Dead Sea, which clears Psoriasis in 30 days, we'd rub baby oil into our skin under the showers to keep our skin moisturized, and so I am familiar with the concept of wet-skin moisturizing, but Curel's moisturizer is SO much better than greasy baby oil! It's not greasy (like baby oil), and it's absorbed readily into my wet skin. It keeps my skin moisturized, soft, and smooth, and doesn't make me itch like so many other moisturizers I have tried! And I am going to keep using it!

As you can see from the photos, my arms and hands and elbows (as well as my knees) are now all nice and smooth! No redness, no flaky, dry skin, no scales! Just nice, smooth, normal, hydrated skin! I can wear sleeveless tops again! YAY! for Curel! This is really a Great product for anyone with dry skin! 

Applying Curel Hydra Therapy Moisturizer...

I keep my Curel Hydra Therapy Wet Skin Moisturizer in the bathroom on the sink, so it's ready for me when I get out of the tub! I use it every night after my bath, while my skin is warm and wet, and while I use it on my entire body, I focus on my arms and legs, as they are the driest- especially my knees and elbows, where I get "scaly" Psoriasis. I massage it in, and I don't towel off- I let it soak in. It's absorbed really quick, and it's not greasy, so there's no staining of clothing or sheets!

I have been Very pleased with all the Curel products I've tried so far (thanks to Crowdtap I was able to try their excellent "Itch Defense" products- Spray, Body Wash, and Moisturizer- products which I love and use regularly), but this is so far the best one yet!

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 any Curel skin care products, and what you think of them!

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!

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!

 

L’Oreal Age Perfect Cell Renewal: Testing, Testing, 1, 2, 3!

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

I was recently selected to try the L’Oreal Age Perfect Cell Renewal regimen, and, as at 55 I’m the Perfect Age for it :-) , I was delighted to be selected! I've always wanted to try a complete anti-aging skin care regimen, where all the products are made to work together and complement each other, but in the past I've usually wound up using only one piece of the skin care puzzle, and this may be the reason I've never seen any great results… This time I got to try a complete regimen, using all three products: the Age Perfect Cell Renewal Golden Serum, Age Perfect Cell Renewal Day Cream, and Age Perfect Cell Renewal Night Cream, and I used them like a Good Girl, every day and night, and exactly as instructed! I also got hubs to shoot “before" photos of my face (see below), so we'll all be able to see if there are any real, visible improvements, and to prove to all of you that I really am 55 and no beauty queen! LOL Unfortunately, Age Perfect can’t take off 40 lbs. or 15 years (LOL), but when used daily, and according to the instructions, I do find that it made an immediate and positive difference in the appearance and texture of my skin, and I'm hoping it will just get better and better! 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 also promises firmer skin after only one month! (The “instant gratification” girl needs to see something fast!) I have always been pleased by spa and salon facials which incorporate exfoliation, so I have high hopes for this regimen!

For more information on the products, see the L’Oreal Age Perfect Cell Renewal website: www.lorealparisusa.com/cellrenewal  

I have used L’Oreal products for years, and one of the things I like best about them is that they are readily available and affordable- so you can actually afford to try a complete line of products to see if they work for you. So many of the highly-touted anti-aging skin care lines are So incredibly expensive ($75, $150, $200 and more, per item…), that even purchasing one product is prohibitively expensive, much less a whole regimen! 

I was intrigued by two innovative ingredients in all three of these L’Oreal products: LHA, to stimulate surface-cell renewal, and Natecium DHC, a powerful antioxidant to help protect from free radicals. 

I started with the Age Perfect Cell Renewal Golden Serum each morning after washing my face, followed by the Age Perfect Cell Renewal Day Cream. At night, after washing my face, I again used the Serum, followed by the Age Perfect Cell Renewal Night Cream. I used all the products on both my face and neck, (rubbing the last of the creams on the back of my hands), and I didn't add any other products, so I'll truly be able to tell if these products worked for me. My initial experience with the products was delightful: the serum goes on smoothly and velvety, and it has a pale, golden sheen, which is quite flattering. The Day Cream is creamy and richer, and goes on smoothly, on top of the serum, as does the Night Cream. The products were all absorbed readily into my skin, and left no oiliness or greasiness, but I did have a nice, dewy glow! My skin felt soft and velvety after applying the products, and that feeling lasted throughout the day- and I liked the way that felt! I had no breakouts or any negative reactions. I find the smell of all the products pleasant, too, and not overpowering. The Serum has no perfume to speak of; the Day Cream has a light, sweet perfume, and the Night Cream has a stronger, sweet perfume, and I liked them both. (I know some people do not like perfumed skin care, but I have no problem with them- IF I like the scent).
I’m self-employed (my husband and I have the Elkhorn Inn in Landgraff, West Virginia), and I don’t wear makeup every day (as I used to when I lived in NYC), so when I first started using the products I didn't use makeup over them. When I did wear makeup, I simply applied my foundation, etc., after the Serum and Day Cream, and it went on smoothly with no problems. To cleanse my face, I used a gentle facial cleanser, and sometimes a non-alcoholic toner with a cotton pad, which I also used to remove my makeup. I also used a microdermabrasion tool once a week, as that’s been a part of my “beauty regimen” for quite a while, and I think it may help the serums and day creams be more readily absorbed.

Me: before

The things I would like to correct about my skin are some blotchyness and discoloration, the lines around my eyes and mouth, and the deeper ones between my brows. I’d love my skin to be firmer, too… in essence, I’d like to look younger, of course- 42 would be nice! LOL- but I’ll happily ‘settle’ for looking as good as I can possibly look right now! As I mentioned, I am Totally (and, of course, unrealistically) into “immediate gratification”, so I can hardly wait to see the results after a month!

"Selfie" with light makeup,
 over the Serum & Day Cream

I will say that the one (and only) thing that I wasn't so crazy about, was the four sunscreen chemicals in the Day Cream: Avobenzone, Homoalate, Octisalate, and Octocrylene, which are literally listed as the Day Cream’s “active ingredients”, a.k.a. medicines, and I prefer not to ingest- or slather my skin (the body’s biggest organ) with- unneeded medicines and chemicals. I would much have preferred the Day Cream to not include these chemicals, so one could choose to add a sunscreen or not. I, personally, would have chosen not to. On the advice of doctors for many years I never jumped on the “anti-sun” bandwagon, as all my doctors have told me that sun is good and necessary, and that the recent anti-sun hysteria has been, in fact, harmful, with many people now suffering from Vitamin D deficiencies as a result. I’d much rather get my Vitamin D from the sun than from a bottle! I know there are people who really can't and shouldn't be in the sun, but my philosophy has always been “all things in moderation”, and I do feel that genetics, as well as what you do for a living, both have a great deal to do with how one ages. I don’t go to tanning booths, and I use a sunscreen (and sometimes a sunblock) if I’m out in the sun for many hours, but both my 92-year old golfing, bowling mother and I have always enjoyed sunshine with no ill effects; on the contrary, we both always feel Much healthier after being in the sun, and a nice tan has always made us look our best, too! 

My next post will have some "during" photos, so we'll hopefully be able to see I'm getting visible results!