Skin Care | Beauty and Fashion Tech

Canyon Ranch Balance Light Weight Moisture Lotion

204206 Canyon Ranch Balance Light-Weight Moisture is a nice light moisturizer with no parabens, mineral oil, petroleum, alcohol or added color. I got mine in my last edition of Beauty Fix (I love Beauty Fix! Link is to a previous review).

Overall, Canyon Ranch moisturizer has a nice, soft, luxurious feel. Yet it is light and absorbs quickly. It is perfect for oily to normal skin. It also includes anti-aging ingredients. I have read one Canyon Ranch review where the author had an acne breakout after using the SPF version of this moisturizer. I have had no problem though, and am quite acne prone. So, I guess there are some mixed results in that department. Personally, I love the product.

I curious about the rest of the Canyon Ranch skincare line now. I will have to see about trying a few more of their skin care products.

Note: This review is based on a product given to me by a representative of the company (via Beauty Fix). For more, please see my disclosure page.

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Elizabeth Arden Prevage Day Moisturizer SPF 30

Prevage is pricey, but its active ingredient, Idebenone, an antioxidant closely related to CoQ10, has been touted as a great item for skin protection and wrinkle treatment. As a general treatment cream, I have always liked it, although, as is the case with most wrinkle treatments and skin care items, it is hard to say if it really is having any meaningful effect.

In any event, now Prevage is available as a day moisturizer with SPF 30. Elizabeth Arden Prevage Day Ultra Protection Anti-Aging Moisturizer SPF 30. If you are a Prevage fan, this is a must have item. The moisturizer is on the lighter side and suitable for all skin types. I have been using on my oily, acne prone skin for several weeks with no problems. Yet, it would moisture dry skin fairly well too. It also has broad spectrum SPF 30 protection, which I find essential in a day moisturizer.

So, if you use Prevage and want to get your moisturizer and sunscreen packaged with it, now you can do so!

Note: This review is based on a product given to me by a representative of the company. For more, please see my disclosure page.

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Claro Acne Clearing Device Review

Acne sufferers! Take notice of the CLARO Acne Clearing Device (Nordstrom Exclusive)! This intense pulsed light device (IPL) works quite well at clearing standard acne and, although not developed for use on cystic acne, had some effect on some that was bordering on being that type for me as well. Before I give my Claro review, here is what the company says about it:

CLARO offers a completely new way to treat acne–no lotions, creams or pills. CLARO is a personal acne-treatment medical device that is based on the same Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) technology used by dermatologists worldwide. The IPL system used in the CLARO harnesses a powerful combination of heat and light to treat mild to moderate acne quickly and naturally. CLARO delivers a series of pulses in six seconds that safely penetrate the skin to target the cause of acne.The effective and natural treatment for acne:- Fast and easy to use.- Kills up to 94.8% of acne bacteria after just one treatment.- Results you’ll notice quicker than with competitive devices.- Painless, gentle treatments.- Safe, with no side effects.- Natural alternative to drugs and lotions.- Portable, battery-operated and rechargeable. Color(s): cobalt blue, hot pink, onyx black.

I have been using the Claro for over a month now, with some particularly heavy use on a post-holiday breakout. I think all that bad eating didn’t do well for my skin! I ran into a couple of minor difficulties using it, but overall I was quite happy with the results.

About the Claro Acne Treatment Device: The Claro uses a pulsed light laser to kill bacteria. It also generates heat, something that also help treat acne. It is formulated for use on standard pimples, not for use on cystic acne or blackheads.

Using the Claro Acne Clearing Device: To use the Claro, it is turned on and held over the pimple that is being treated. Two sensors on either side of the light must be in contact with the skin for the device to work. The unit beeps to let you know that contact is made. Then, the button is pressed and the device emits 12 pulses of light over 6 seconds. After one treatment, the user is instructed to wait a few minutes and then treat the same area again. One pimple should be treated this way no more than once every 8 hours. After one set of two cycles, the device pauses and cant be used again for a minute. This is a safety feature to allow the device to cool.

I found that using the Claro Acne Treatment Device was generally easy and comfortable. It heats up slightly while emitting the IPL pulses, but it is not uncomfortable. If you have ever used a Zeno (link is to previous review), the sensation is similar. It is not at all like the quick shocks of heat that come from the now discontinued Thermaclear (link is to previous review). Where I ran into problems at times was lining up the device. It is a bit hard to tell if it is centered over the area of acne being treated, and I have contemplated drawing a black arrow on mine with a sharpie! Also, in areas where the face curves, such as the chin, it can be hard to keep both sensors in contact with the skin. This can result in the treatment cycle being cut short. I sometimes had both cycles cut off, and then had to wait for the device to allow me to use it again.

Effectiveness of the Claro: Here is the great part. I found the device to be very effective, and much more so than the Zeno was for me. The first time that I used it on an area of standard acne, it was practically gone the next day, with only a bit of redness remaining. Needless to say, I was impressed! Then, I tried it on an area that had several pimples, including a bit of particularly inflamed acne. It cleared the entire area up quite well. Finally, I gave the Claro Device a try on a particularly difficult area of adult acne, that was bordering on being cystic acne, but not quite there yet–keep in mind that the Claro was not developed for use on cystic acne. It did not completely clear that one up, but I felt that it hastened its clearing—something I also feels that the Zeno and Thermaclear do with particularly inflamed or cystic acne. I think that heat generation might be the main cause of help when it comes to the tougher to treat types of breakouts. Again, the Claro does not advertise that it works on cystic acne, and does not recommend its use on that type, so there should be no expectations from it on that type of acne. Any such use is off label and not recommended by the company (or me for that matter). It also won’t do a thing for blackheads, and is not recommended for use on them.

Safety of the Claro: Because the Claro uses a pulsed light laser, the user should never look into the light and it should be used with caution around the eyes. The device is shipped with a set of mini goggles if you would like extra eye protection. I used them when treating an area underneath my one of eyes.

Price and Product Life: The Claro is $250. Not mentioned on the Nordstrom sale page is that it also has a product life. It will last for about 800 six second treatments, which if you are comparing it to the Zeno, comes to about equal in pricing since the Zeno is cheaper but needs its tips replaced more frequently.

Want it? You can purchase a Claro below:

This review is based on a product that was sent to me by a representative of the company. For more, please see my disclosure page.

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Glam Beauty Expert: Solve Skin Concerns With Vichy

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Envision Beauty The Solution

Recently some beauty bloggers were discussing favorite products and products that they have repurchased, and multiple people brought up Envision Solution as a favorite. I thought it sounded familiar, so I went digging through my group of products that I am way behind on reviewing, and sure enough, there it was! Apparently I had even started testing it for a review, but for whatever reason, I had set it aside and forgot about it. So I made a point of using it for 4 weeks, and I’m quite happy that I rediscovered it and gave it a try!

Envision Beauty The Solution is an interesting moisturizer that is akin to a cross between a serum and a light lotion. In fact, the website advertises it as a replacement for most skin care items, stating:

The Solution’s luxurious all-in-one formula is loaded with the most effective ingredients found in Nature and Science. It powerfully nourishes, brightens and evens out the skin- repairing and preventing the signs of aging. Applied twice daily in place of a day cream, night cream, eye cream, moisturizer, anti-aging serum and pre-makeup base, The Solution rapidly produces drastic, visible results.

The active ingredient list is also rather impressive with: DMAE, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, NaPCA, Vitamins A, B5, C, and E, Goji, Acai, Centella Asiatica, and Grapeseed.

Overall, I love the feel of The Solution. Most moisturizers with DMAE and Hyaluronic Acid are thick and heavy, but Envision Solution is very light. It feels like a serum, but it still moisturizes very well. I currently have oily skin and had no issues with it feeling greasy or causing breakouts. I would happily suggest it for pretty much all skin types—I think Envision will take care of dry skin nicely, yet not clog up or grease up oily skin. It tingles a bit on application, which is probably from the Vitamin C, and that actually makes me happy, since I can then trust that there is a decent concentration of it.

I used The Solution in place of most serums, eye cream and moisturizers for about 4 weeks and it did indeed replace all of them all rather well. I was particularly surprised to find that I liked it just fine in place of eye cream. I still used my melasma treatment products, Azaleic Acid for acne, sunscreen, and my makeup primer. Contrary to Envision’s assertions, I didn’t find that the Solution worked particularly well as a pre-makeup base. I like to use a silicone based primer for that (psst, try out one of these three best makeup primers). I also would like to see Envision add sunscreen to the product. In any event, I will probably be repurchasing this one when my sample runs out.

Envision Beauty The Solution is $79 and 10% of the proceeds from their sales goes to charities in developing countries.

Note: This review was based on a product given to me by a representative of the company. For more, please see my disclosure page.

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DHC Coupons

DHC SKincare has a few nice sales for the month of January. For example, you can get $5 off $30 of any DHC skin care products or 25% off of Olive Virgin Oil. Click below to use either DHC Coupon (actually, hey are more like sales since you don’t seem to need a coupon code).

DHC also always gives 4 free samples with every order. Looking for ideas on what to buy? Browse through the DHC Skincare category here on Beauty and Fashion Tech or see even more DHC skin care items in the DHC tag.

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Best Beauty Products of the Decade

OK, so I haven’t been blogging all decade, but I have been using products that long and have reviewed items that were favorites from before I began blogging. So, here are my top products of the decade that I have written about. It was hard to narrow the list down! All links are to my original review either here or on Girl Gloss. These are in no particular order. I love them all!

(1) The Ped Egg: Absolutely the best way to remove calluses from your feet. It is easy, painless, clean, and cheap! For those who commented about wishing that it had a handle, it now is available with one.

(2) DHC Velvet Skin Coat: A wonderful silicone makeup primer that fills fine lines and wrinkles quite well and leave skin smooth.

(3) Cat Cosmetics Lip Liner: The best neutral lip liner ever, hands down!

(4) MAC Cosmetics Dazzle Glass: Shimmery, high shine gloss that lives up to the name.

(5) Creme de la Mer: This cult classic is the best moisturizer for dry skin. Use it for anti-aging, or for deep and gentle moisture.

(6) DHC Deep Cleansing Oil: DHC oil virgin oil based cleanser cuts through makeup, dissolves the gunk in your pores, and leave skin feeling moisturized, all without causing acne.

(7) YSL Rouge Volupté Silky Sensual Radiant Lipstick: Simply the best lipstick for long wear, great feel, and bold highly pigmented color. I also equally love Dior’s lipstick, but have failed to actually write much on it!

(8) Kevyn Aucoin Lipstick in Enchantaberry: A great cranberry red lipstick that will look good on a large number of skin shades.

(9) MAC Cosmetics Lustre Twins: MAC managed to come out with one of the few long wearing products that I like. Lustre Twins work and are more comfortable to wear than many other long wearing products, although they still can get that dry, cakey thing going if you don’t reapply the gloss.

(10) Nars The Multiple Multi-Purpose Stick: Use it as blush, highlighter, or on the lips. Available in several great shades, including the ever popular orgasm.

(11) ColorScience Powder Sunscreen: Gotta love a way to put on sunscreen over makeup.

(12) Murad Energizing Pomegranate Lip Protector: This tube gloss is conditioning and feels terrific. It is my all time favorite tube conditioning gloss.

(13) M.A.C. Paint Pots: I adore MAC’s paint pots. This eyeshadow goes on like a cream, but dries to a silky finish that lasts and lasts without creasing.

(14) Revlon Makeup Eraser Pen: A great fix for makeup errors. I have put mine to good use erasing mascara and eyline smudges and mistakes.

(15) PCA Skin PHaze 13 Melasma Treatment: This is the best over the counter melasma and hyperpigmentation treatment that I have used to date. I love the hydroquinone version, but there is one without that ingredient available as well.

(16) Marc Jacobs Cucumber Splash: A light, crisp, fresh scent that is perfect for everyday wear. I love this fragrance!

(17) Kate Somerville Exfolikate: A combo of physical and enzyme exfoliation that is hands down the best exfoliator that I have ever used.

(18) Schwarzkoph Bonacure Moisture Kick Spray Conditioner: Incredible for heat protection and extra conditioning. I have gone through many bottles of this since reviewing it.

(19) The Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Line. Read Part One here, and Part Two here. Sally Hansen put together an affordable line full of wonderful items, including an incredible foundation. I think it is the best overall drugstore line out there.

(20) Nars Dolce Vita Lip Pencil: This lip crayon is creamy smooth and comes in a beautiful, universally flattering shade.