Magical: The Body Deli Radiance Enzyme Superfood Peel

Magical just about sums up my feelings on this product. Is a review even necessary?
Earlier this year, I raved about The Body Deli Living Hair Shampoo. When I was at Husk (now Detox Market) picking up another bottle of that good stuff, I decided to pick up the Radiance Enzyme Superfood Peel. I love me a good peel and the ingredients in this one just spoke to me. They said, "buy me right now. You will love me forever, or until I run out". At $55 cdn for 2 oz, I hesitated. Then I gave in.

This Superfood Synergy Infusion brings your skin back to life. These concentrated enzymes gently resurface skin texture with imported, active Manuka honey. Fresh, raw superfoods are blended with therapeutic grade MANUKA HONEY. Manuka Honey is known for its healing and skin regenerative benefits. PROBIOTICS and PLANT ENZYMES help to gently refine skin texture. Superfoods high in Vitamin C such as ACEROLA BERRY and CAMU CAMU feed and nourish at the cellular level. With regular use, skin transforms into a healthier and more illuminated complexion.

Like damn, do you not want to run out and buy it right now with that description alone?! 

This green mask is magical, did I say that already? It has the same texture as honey would; thick, sticky, and hard to spread. I like to spritz my face with toner and then apply a thin layer on cleansed skin, 1-2 times a week, and leave it on for 10-20 minutes. Since there's no tingling or burning that happens, like with traditional peels, I leave it on until I feel like washing it off. Once removed, my skin is glowing! It's more even toned and even textured, brighter, and as soft as a baby's bottom. I also like (and this may not be for everyone) that the honey crystalized a bit. It allowed me to gently exfoliate my skin, while applying, which allowed the ingredients to work their magic even better.

Since incorporating this mask weekly, my skin has never looked better. As mentioned above, it's more even toned and textured, brighter, softer, blemish free, and I feel good going out without makeup. And by without makeup, I mean wearing just mascara and brows. Ladies, you understand. Brows and lashes are essential.

Get it here: The Body Deli (visit to view other retailers) and Lilou Organics.

FRESH INGREDIENTS: New Zealand +20 UMF Active Manuka Honey, L. Acidophilus, L. Bulgaricum, L. Leichmanni, L. Lactis, L.Caseii, L. Caucasicus, L. Fermenti, L. Plantarum, L. Brevis, L. Helveticus, B. Bifidum, B. Subtilis, B. Licheniformis, S. Boulardii, Amalase, Protease, Lipase, Papain, Bromelain, *Acerola Berry, *Camu Camu Berry, *Barley Grass Juice, *Wheat Grass Juice, *Oat Grass Juice, Spirulina, Chlorella, Dunaliella, Kelp, Dulse, *Carrot Juice, *Beet Juice, *Brocolli Juice, *Kale Juice, *Spinach Juice, Graviola, Goji Berry, Hawthorne Berry, Schizandra Berry, Nopal Cactus, Citric Acid.

* DENOTES ORGANICALLY GROWN (The latest ingredients lists are posted online and may change from physical product labeling.)
*This product DOES NOT require refrigeration. To extend the potency and preserve the fresh ingredients store in a cool room away from direct sunlight.

Hype Worthy: Ren Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask Review

I adore chemical exfoliants. They are, in my mind, way more effective than a physical one and can be used on sensitive skin. Let me explain that last part. Most products that are sold in stores, that contain chemical/enzymatic exfoliants, generally don't have a low enough PH to make it as aggressive as a full on peel. There are definitely exceptions to that, however, in most cases it's true. Obviously if you have a skin condition or are hypersensitive, you should be cautious regardless.

I've seen REN in Sephora for a very long time and have read rave reviews from Green Bloggers, such as Ana. Their philosophy is basically Performance, Purity, and Pleasure. Performance being results, Purity being natural, and Pleasure being self-explanatory. With a Sephora gift card in hand and high hopes, I picked up this mask.

Description: A potent bio active peel mask designed to renew the complexion, reduce the appearance of fine lines and dramatically improve skin tone. Results:

• Removes dead skin cells to renew the complexion
• Skin looks brighter, healthier, more radiant
• Helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Combats congestion, blackheads and blemishes

Aside from the steep price tag, this mask contains phenoxyethanol. While I don't have a strong opinion on it, I've subconsciously been avoiding it. Still, I have no regrets because this mask totally delivers! I love the airless packaging and the fact that the pump has a little cap, followed by another cap. You with me? The product basically stays fresh as there's no way for air or contaminants to enter. It smells like oranges, has an orange-ish shade and is quite sticky. Luckily, REN has included a cloth to help remove the mask. It tingles a bit upon application and leaves my face a tad red upon removal, but my skin is left noticeably softer, brighter, and more even toned. I also have noticed that it reduces current breakouts and limits new ones. I was using it once a week, but have since been using it twice a week, at night, and my skin has improved greatly. My makeup goes on much smoother and, of course, that could be a combination of this mask with the other skin care products that I'm using. Current skin care routine to come.  If you're not concerned about phenoxyethanol or have the extra money to treat yourself, I highly recommend trying it out and think it's one of the few products that stands up to the hype.

Retails for approx. $66 CAN for 50ml/1.7oz. Can be purchased through Sephora or you can click here to find a retailer closest to you.

Have you tried this mask before? Thoughts?

Pangea Organics Japanese Matcha Tea Facial Mask Review

I have a real soft spot for Pangea products, they're wonderful and work well. After having a horrible reaction to their eye cream, I was extremely worried to try anything else from the line, but something told me to give their discovery kit a try. So glad I did because their cleanser is my absolutely favourite and their toners are fantastic. Is it a shock that I've fallen in love with their mask as well? Probably not.

Description:  Our multi-purpose mask relies on nothing but nature to provide you with the best in beauty. Green and white clays work together to help restore, balance, cleanse, and detoxify; four sea vegetables re-mineralize, hydrate, and oxygenate cells; sugarcane serves to exfoliate, unclog pores, and stimulate the production of elastin and collagen; acai and goji berry extracts lend their extraordinary super-powers as antioxidants, functioning as regenerative “food” for the skin; jojoba and sunflower seed oils nourish and moisturize; three teas are employed in both whole leaf and extract forms to ensure maximum potency for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and energizing effects; and a harmonious blend of extremely concentrated herbal extracts and essential oils further nurture the skin and senses. Using this mask just once will noticeably improve the quality, tone, and texture of your skin – you’ll be amazed at how soft, glowing, and radiant your skin will be.

This mask is even better than I remember. The squeeze tube that it comes in is ideal for travel, dispensing the right about of product, and it looks cute. Can I get a woot woot for basic cute packaging? Woot woot! What's important to note about the packaging is that the plastic cap closes realllllly tightly preventing the possibility of a spill/leak. Well, I guess there's always a possibility but it's less likely to happen. Now, for the actual mask; it's a chunky and gritty textured mask (see below) that can be a tad messy to apply and wash off. It tingles a little and if it's put too close to the eyes, it'll likely make them water. I apply a thin layer on my face and neck, let sit for 10-15 min, wet my fingers and massage for a gentle exfoliation, and then wash off. Once removed, my skin is left exactly how they said it would be..."soft, glowing and radiant". I find it really evens out my skin tone, texture, and helps reduce any redness that I may have. It's a beautiful mask, honestly. The only con is the price, it's about $40 CAN for 4oz. I purchased it when Saffron Rouge was having a sale and clearing out their Pangea stock for, I think, $24 CAN.Since I only use it once a week, it is a mask that I would consider repurchasing at full price.

Retails for approx. $40 CAN for 4oz. Can be purchased at some health food stores, Well.ca, and Pangea Organics/Pangea Organics Canada.

Have you ever tried this mask or any other Pangea products?

Ingredients: INGREDIENTS: AQUA (PURIFIED WATER), GLYCERIN (VEGETABLE), ALCOHOL (SDA 38B ORGANIC LAVENDER), BENTONITE (WHITE CLAY), MONTMORILLONITE (GREEN CLAY), GIGARTINA PAPILLATA (WILDCRAFTED SEAWEED), CAMELLIA SINENSIS (ORGANIC GREEN TEA) POWDER, CAMELLIA SINENSIS (ORGANIC MATCHA TEA) POWDER, ALARIA MARGINATA (WILDCRAFTED SEA VEGETABLE), GLYCEROL STEARATE, LECITHIN (SOY), SUCROSE STEARATE, CHONDRUS CRISPUS (WILDCRAFTED IRISH MOSS), SACCHARUM OFFICINARUM (ORGANIC CANE SUGAR), SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (ORGANIC JOJOBA) OIL, HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (ORGANIC SUNFLOWER) SEED OIL, CITRUS NOBILIS (ORGANIC GREEN MANDARIN) OIL*, XANTHAN GUM, MIXED TOCOPHEROL (VITAMIN E), MYRTUS COMMUNIS (ORGANIC GREEN MYRTLE) OIL*, LAVANDULA MAILETTE (ORGANIC LAVENDER MAILETTE) OIL*, EUTERPE OLERACEA (ACAI) EXTRACT, LYCIUM BARBARUM (ORGANIC GOJI BERRY) EXTRACT, CAMELIA SINENSIS (ORGANIC GREEN TEA) EXTRACT, ILEX PARAGUARIENSIS (ORGANIC YERBA MATE) EXTRACT, OCIMUM BASILICUM LINALOL (ORGANIC BASIL LINALOL) OIL*, CALENDULA OFFICINALIS (ORGANIC CALENDULA) EXTRACT, ROSA GALLICA (FRENCH ROSE) EXTRACT, CUCUMIS SATIVUS (CUCUMBER) EXTRACT, CITRUS MEDICA LIMONUM (ORGANIC LEMON) PEEL EXTRACT, LAMINARIA DIGITATA (ORGANIC KELP) EXTRACT, MENTHA PIPERITA (ORGANIC PEPPERMINT) EXTRACT

*essential oil

Blogiversary: Pure+Simple Giveaway! (CLOSED)

A year already? Where does the time go!? My first blog post was on May 13, 2012, I'm a tad late but HAPPY BIRTHDAY to ME...to my blog? Umm, maybe just a happy birthday will suffice. It's been a fun year of growing, learning, experimenting, and (virtually and personally) meeting some amazing bloggers and companies. I very much appreciate all of the support and kind words that I've received, over the last year, and would like to thank you with a giveaway!

I've teamed up with Pure+Simple to share with you a couple of my favourite products from this fantastic company. The winner will get a Face Colour in Glow, which is my absolute favourite blush of life, and a Calming Cucumber Mask. With Summer around the corner, the mask will be especially cooling after a day of fun in the sun!

This giveaway is open internationally, yippee, and you must enter using Rafflecopter below. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

The winner is S. Montoya. I had a few issues with Rafflecopter, that's why her name isn't displayed above.  Congrats Sara! 

**A big thank you to Pure+Simple for this giveaway

Glowing Clear Skin - Clay Mask Concoction

Since using up all of my packaged face masks, I was determined to come up with a recipe that would smooth, soothe, even out, detoxify and clear up my skin. I'm a huge fan of clay masks because they pull impurities to the surface (oil, dirt, etc) and detoxify the skin. There are several different types of clays, each for different skin types, and I'd personally suggest playing around with each one to figure out which works best for you. I really enjoy Kaolin (White) Clay because it's super gentle yet effective. I have been making and using this mask for a few weeks now and am completely in love. It calms down any redness, dry up blemishes and keeps my skin soft.

Feel free to play with the measurements and ingredients. This is just what I use and what has been working for me :)

Ingredients

1 tablespoon White Clay

1 tablespoon Green Clay

1/2 tablespoon honey

1/2 tablespoon toner (you can use toner, water, tea, etc. A little liquid will help smooth it all out)

5-6 drops Neem Oil (great for acne and any other skin irritations, however, you can leave this out or add in essential oils)

Mix clays together

Add in honey, toner, and neem

MIX! Mix until you reach a consistency that you like

 I'm sexy and I know it haha. Apply it to your face & neck or just face.

How long you leave it on is entirely up to you. I will usually leave it on for at least 15 minutes, but you can leave it on for less or more time. I then rinse, use a gentle toner to remove any excess, and apply my tamanu and sea buckthorn oil. Voila! Super easy and your skin will love it.

Let me know what your favourite facial mask concoction is or if you plan on trying this one!

Andalou Naturals Avo Cocoa Skin Food Mask Review

I picked this up when I went to visit Lisa from Serenity on the Humber Spa.  She's absolutely fantastic! We spent countless hours discussing different products and she was trying to clear out inventory, because she had purchased way too much, so most things were 50% off!! I will be doing a post about her and her spa soon.  Having loved the Pumpkin Honey Glycolic Mask, I though I'd love this as well so I picked it up for $12 CAN. 

Description: Fruit Stem Cell Complex, dark cocoa and organic avocado oil, abundant in Vitamin E, superfruit antioxidants, and amino acids, deeply nourishes dry, damaged, and depleted skin, stimulating healthy cell renewal and dermal structure for soft, smooth texture, and a beautiful, nurtured complexion.

The Good:

• smells exactly like friggen chocolate! Can you say nom nom nom? NOM NOM NOM
• a little goes a long way
• hydrating

The Bad:

• too heavy for MY skin
• made my acne more apparent (weird :S)
• burned/tingled, leaving my face red
• leaves a film
• heavy glass jar

Verdict: Blah, such a disappointing product. It's a thick chocolate mousse consistency. It spreads and applies really nicely, requiring only a small amount to be needed for the entire face, but feels like it's burning my skin. I'm not sure what's causing that but I gave this a few tries and it happened each time. I find it difficult to remove and while my skin is hydrated, it feels like there's an oily film left. Luckily, toner removes that annoying residue yet still leaves my skin soft. It comes in a heavy glass container, like their other mask, so I used a wooden "popsicle" stick to take out desired amount. It would have been wonderful if it was in a squeeze tube instead of the jar, easier to travel with and definitely more hygienic.  Perhaps my skin just isn't dry enough for this mask, I will not be repurchasing it.

Retails for approx $15.99 CAN and can be purchased at most health food stores.  Check out Andalou for more info.

Have you tried this rich chocolately mask?

Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis Juice*, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Powder*†, Vegetable Glycerin, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Butter*, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter*†, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) and Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oils*, Cyamopsis Tetragonolobus (Guar) Gum*, Sclerotium Gum, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Juice*, Fruit Stem Cell and BioActive 8 Berry Complex*, Coffea Arabica (Coffee) Extract*, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Resveratrol, Ubiquinone (CoQ10), Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) and Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Oils*, Lecithin, Phenethyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Camellia Sinensis (White Tea) Extract*†
*Organic
† Fair Trade
Made naturally without GMO’s, gluten, paraben preservatives, petrochemicals, phthalates, sulfates, synthetic colors, dyes and fragrances. Verified Gluten-Free 100% Eco-friendly, Vegetarian & Cruelty-Free