Beauty Review ~ Valentia Even Glow Vitamin C Serum

With all of the hype around serums lately, you might be wondering what is a serum?  Dermatologists and cosmetic chemists say that a serum is more effective than a regular moisturizer because the ingredients are concentrated with active ingredients that deliver a powerful punch of nutrients to the skin.  This also means they are able to target problem areas such as dark spots, acne, and redness.  Valentia Even Glow Serum is made with 98% natural ingredients, including 20% Vitamin C, Sea Buckthorn Oil, Rosehip Seed Oil, Green Tea, and Botanical Hyaluronic Acid.  These ingredients combined, provide a rich Antioxidant that works with your natural body chemistry to promote a youthful appearance.  The oils in the serum are used around the world for their powerful healing properties.

Valentia Even Glow Vitamin C Serum for face has a thick consistency that feels like a big drink of water for my skin.  It absorbs quickly and smells like oranges.  I love this scent as it reminds me of summer, which is an added bonus in these dreary winter months.  It is important to thoroughly cleanse your skin prior to applying the serum. This gives the serum the opportunity to deeply penetrate your skin without clogging your pores from the gunk that collects there throughout the day.  I have found it is best to use this only once a day, especially when you first start using it, because the ingredients are very powerful and could be overwhelming to your skin if you are not used to the ingredients.  I have even started using this serum on my hands, because the skin on our hands ages almost as fast as the skin on our faces.

These are the benefits reported on the Valentia website:

Evens Skin Tone

Vanquish dark spots and discoloration, replacing uneven and ill-textured skin with smooth, wrinkle-free skin that leaves you looking flawless and ageless.

Increases Glow & Radiance

Revitalize your skin with essential fatty acids that leave skin smooth and radiant.  Smooth skin capable of reflecting light will give your skin a youthful glow and a brilliant shine for that well-rested and refreshed look.

Absorbs Rapidly

Moisturizes skin due to the capacity of the hyaluronic acid to absorb water, thereby increasing fluid between cells, giving your skin a smoother and younger appearance.  This intense water absorption means no more dry, peeling, or cracked skin, even in extreme weather.

Boost Collagen Production

The presence of Organic Rosehip Seed oil increases collagen production so your skin retains the elasticity responsible for a youthful appearance and prevents skin sagging associated with aging. Enjoy smooth and supple skin that takes years off your appearance.

Reduces Wrinkles & Fine Lines

Reduce the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles with the help of our foundation 20% Vitamin C. Special ingredients such as Sea Buckthorn oil plump up the skin, which reduces fine lines and wrinkles in the skin so it is smoother, clearer, and younger.

I cannot honestly attest to all of these claims.  I can say that my skin feels healthy and moisturized.  Given the extreme cold weather that I have been living in, this is a big deal.  My skin tends to get flaky and red in the winter.  I have not had this problem since using the serum.  I also think my skin has a glow that is usually nonexistent in the winter, when my skin turns completely dull and lackluster.  

You can purchase Valentia Even Glow Serum for $35 by clicking on the following links:

http://www.valentiaskincare.com/

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HJD8NLY

*Sponsored by Brandbacker in exchange for my honest review

Beauty Review - Instanatural Youth Express Eye Serum & Gel

I have a new best friend named Instanatural.  If you still have not tried Instanatural products, it is time!  You can get 100% of your money back if you are not satisfied with the product, but I really think you will like it.  I love testing their products and I have yet to try one that I did not also love.  Most recently I have been testing the Youth Express Eye Serum and Eye Gel.  Once again, I was happy with the products I received.  I will start with the serum (look at the color of that serum!).

Of course the first thing I noticed about the serum is that vibrant blood orange color!  I have never seen a color like this in a serum.  It is a beautiful color and, most importantly, it does NOT turn my skin orange.  The serum absorbs really quickly, which is great because that means I can use it morning and night without adding a lot of extra time to my routine.  I use the dropper and only one dab works for both of my under eyes.  Dab it on, or roll it on with the pads of your fingers.  If you rub you continue to stretch your skin and cause further wrinkling.  I also dab it on between my eyebrows and on my forehead.  Most of my wrinkles are laugh lines and smile lines so this is the perfect, lightweight product for me.  Here is what Instanatural has to say about the serum:

*Lightweight yet effective

*Diminishes dark circles and puffiness

*Powerhouse formula with  a combo of Vitamin C, Plant Stem Cells, Astanxanthin, Kojic Acid, Caffeine, Hyraluronic Acid, & more

After the serum has absorbed into my skin a quickly follow it with the Youth Express Eye Gel.  The gel is great for puffiness and dark circles.  My busy work schedule leaves me with little sleep so, more often than not, I wake up with sad, puffy eyes.  I use the gel morning and night.  It is so light and cooling that my eyes feel refreshed every time I apply it.  Instanatural says:

*Hydrates, firms, and plumps skin

*Diminishes dark circles and puffiness

*No parabens, sulfates, or alcohol

*Uses organic ingredients

*Goes on gently and safe for all skin types

Key ingredients in this product include:

*Plant Stem Cells mitigate premature signs of aging
*Matrixyl 3000 tightens and firms the skin
*Hyaluronic Acid deeply moisturizes skin
*Other nutrient rich ingredients are Jojoba Oil, Aloe, Vitamin E, Amino Acid, Complex Cucumber Hydrosol, & more

Once again, Instanatural pulls off a nutrient-rich product for my skin.  Whether you apply both the serum and the eye gel, or just one of the products, make sure you follow that with a rich retinol moisturizer.  This will lock in the moisture and the nutrients of the Youth Express Eye products.  Instanatural's Advanced Action Retinol has all of the wonderful ingredients that you expect from their products.  All 3 can be purchased from Amazon for a discounted price.  You can also find more about Instanatural's products by clicking here.

More Instanatural reviews to come, including this product!

*Powered by Brandbacker

hyperbiotics - PRO Dental Probiotics for Oral Health

As you know I have been experimenting with different probiotics in my quest for a healthy gut.  I have always known probiotics to work by targeting the gut to regulate the digestive system.  Did you know that 90% of your digestive health is in your mouth?  I didn't either.  And apparently there is also a probiotic, Hyperbiotics PRO-Dental formula to be exact, that specifically focuses on repopulating your oral health and nasal cavities.  Apparently many of our dental problems (cavities, gum disease, bad breath, and sinus infections) are a result of the probiotics in our dental cavities being depleted.  And because this is where digestion begins, you want to make sure your mouth is healthy.  PRO-Dental will repopulate essential probiotics for a healthy mouth.  But there are other benefits to taking this chewable, minty tablet.  Here are the claims:

-Dissolves plaque and bio-film that causes cavities, staining, sensitive teeth, and gum disease
-Target bad breath without killing the good bacteria (apparently mouthwash kills the good with the bad)
-Balance you healthy microflora to prevent health problems
-Guards against ear, nose, and throat infections

If you are wondering about the taste I can tell you that it is not bad!  The tablets have a subtle minty flavor that is not too overpowering.  They are slightly chalky in texture but nothing that is bothersome.

So far I feel good about taking PRO-Dental.  It can only help, right?  I do my best to take care of my oral health but there are always improvements to be made.  I occasionally suffer from bad breath and I want to have healthy, balanced microflora.  It sounds pretty, don't you think?  I cannot say that I have noticed any major difference, but I certainly cannot visibly see my microflora.  My opinion?  It is worth trying if you have chronic ear, nose, throat and/or mouth problems.  Bad sinuses are in my genes so I will continue to take these probiotics and hope for the best!  I also love that Hyperbiotics products are all-natural.

Want another suggestion for healthy digestion?  You should chew your food 10 times because the longer you chew, the more saliva has an opportunity to mix in.  (See…it starts in the mouth.)  This helps guide the food and work its way through your digestive tract.  So chew your food 10 times and take your Hyperbiotics PRO-Dental formula.  Your gut will thank you.

You can purchase Hyperbiotics PRO-Dental tablets by clicking the following links:

http://hyperbiotics.com/products-pro-dental/
http://amzn.to/1u0ZTXt

This post was sponsored by Brandbacker but the review is honest and is mine.

Arm & Hammer Truly Radiant Family of Products

I recently began a new mission with Smiley360 and Arm & Hammer Truly Radiant Family of Products.  I was given a free package that included one tube of Arm & Hammer Truly Radiant Rejuvenating Toothpaste, one bottle of Truly Radiant Whitening and Strengthening Fluoride Rinse, and one Spinbrush Truly Radiant Deep Clean Manual Toothbrush.  I got all of this for free in exchange for my honest review.  So here it is…

I am a BIG fan of the toothpaste and the mouthwash.  My teeth were noticeably whiter after only a few days and they feel extra clean.  I love that the mouthwash is alcohol-free and restores enamel.  The Truly Radiant Whitening and Strengthening Fluoride Rinse has the following claims:

*Whiter smile in just 5 days

*Strengthens and restores enamel

*Stain Defense Technology helps to prevent stains from occurring

*Provides long-lasting freshness

*Peroxide-free formulation designed to whiten without irritation

*Alcohol-free

The Truly Radiant Rejuvenating Toothpaste has a minty fresh taste and I love the way it makes my mouth feel super clean.  The benefits of this toothpaste are:

*Cleans, strengthens and repairs tooth enamel

*Light and crisp mint flavor

*Cool sensation that lasts and lasts

*Clinically proven to whiten in just 5 days to beautify your teeth and smile

*Fresh from the dentist feeling of clean 

Using these products together truly does make my mouth feel fresh and clean.  I will definitely purchase  both of these products in the future.

The Sinbrush bristles were too hard for my gums, even though they claimed to have soft bristles.  I used the toothbrush for several weeks and it continued to make my gums hurt everyday.  So…I finally gave in switched to a softer bristled brush.  Full-disclosure, I do have uber-sensitive gums, so this could be a personal issue more than a manufacturing issue.  

 Click here to receive your own free sample of Truly Radiant toothpaste.

hyperbiotics PRO-15

Why do we need probiotics?  Long story short, our environment and our diets influence our bodies and give many of us a compromised, unhealthy gut.  Our bodies are in a vicious cycle of sickness, medications, and more sickness.  This is a result of unbalanced bacteria in the gut that is created by stress, aging, medications, poor diet, etc. etc.  80% of our immune systems are in our gut, so…happier gut = happier life.  Hyperbiotics PRO-15 Advanced Strength Formula helps to restore the healthy bacteria in the gut and promote overall health and well-being.  Here are some of the claims by Hyperbiotics:

~15X more effective than capsules - slow release tabs and a patented gel matrix creates a protective layer that increases the survival rate of probiotic organisms from 4% to a whopping 60%.
~Makes your colon happy - prebiotics of kiwi extract nourish the probiotics and help them adhere to your intestinal wall until they are flourishing in you system.
~Improve your mood and increase your energy - lack of vitamins and proper nutrition leads to fatigue and irritability.  This tablet helps your body absorb and retain the vitamins and minerals that will improve your mood.
~Bye bye sensitive stomach - the slow release tablets release the probiotic at a steady rate throughout the day, as opposed to one large explosion of probiotics that often occur with capsules.
~Lose weight - new studies show that the probiotic may improve your metabolism and accelerate fat loss.

As I start a new decade in my life, my body has decided to make some serious changes.  Gone are the days that I can eat whatever I want without disturbing my digestive system.  Lately, everything I eat has seemed to give me a queasy nauseous feeling.  It is not a good feeling.  After taking Hyperbiotics PRO-15 for a few days I began to notice results.  I could eat again and still function as a full human being.  I felt like me again.  My stomach is not influencing my day and I am not afraid to eat.  I would always recommend people take a probiotic.  Now I can specifically recommend you take Hyperbiotics PRO-15.  The more you read about it the more you will want to take this tablet.

All diseases begin in the gut.  -Hippocrates

Click on the following links to learn more or to start on the path to a happy gut

Amazon

Hyperbiotics

*Sponsored by Brandbacker

Kiss Me Organics Matcha Green Tea Powder

I discovered Matcha green tea powder about a year ago and started adding it to my smoothies.  One day I was feeling particularly adventurous and made a latte.  It was good, but really not that adventurous.  When BrandBacker and Kiss Me Organics sent me a bag of Organic Matcha Green Tea Powder to test and review I also got a recipe guide for Matcha from Amazon.com.  I was overwhelmed by the 50+ recipes that can be made using the Matcha.  It isn't just for smoothies and lattes after all.  You can use Matcha to make all kinds of different beverages and cocktails, you can bake desserts with it, make breads and dips, pizzas, even entrée dishes like soups and meats.  I could not believe I had been missing out on all the possibilities.  So I started to experiment.  The recipe guide has plenty of refreshing cocktails and I have not had a chance to try them all, but I really enjoyed the Iced Ginger Matcha Cocktail that is made with ginger, lime, honey, and of course Matcha.  I also made a Matcha Mini Cake with Coconut Sugar, pictured here.  Mmmm green cake!  I love the flavor that the Matcha gives these recipes, but also the health benefits.

So what is Matcha?  It is a kind of green tea that has not been fermented and is ground to a very fine powered.  Matcha has been consumed in Japan for almost 1000 years and was traditionally reserved for royalty and religious or spiritual leaders.  It is like a super green tea as it has up to 137x the EGCG as regular brewed green tea.  This is because Matcha powder uses the entire tea leaf, greatly improving the nutritional benefits.  EGCG is a strong antioxidant that can generate new brain cells by focusing on the part of the brain that deals with memory, both short and long term.  It has also proven effective in fighting many forms of cancer, HIV, and heart disease.  Matcha powder also improves your energy level throughout the day and helps you focus.  It acts as both a stimulant and a relaxant, giving you a steady level of energy for the day.  You want more benefits?  How about a calorie burning booster?  Matcha green tea can increase thermogenesis, the bodies normal rate of burning calories, from 8-10% of energy expenditure to 35-43%.  Matcha also has anti-aging properties that can prevent age-related disease, and protect the skin from harmful UV rays.  All of this in a fine powder.  Oh, and did I mention it is USDA Organic and is harvested at a family-run tea farm that has been in operation since 1915.  I love that!
So here is what I do.  I typically add 1 teaspoon to my smoothies in the morning.  Now I am experimenting with adding it to my cooking and baking routine.  Next I will try the Matcha Fried Chicken!  I am excited about all of the benefits this tea provides and the unique flavor that it is bringing to my kitchen.

Click on the following links to learn more and to purchase Matcha Green Tea Powder:


http://www.kissmeorganics.com/
http://www.amazon.com/Matcha-Green-Tea-Powder-Antioxidant/dp/B00DDT116M
http://www.amazon.ca/Matcha-Green-Tea-Powder-Antioxidant/dp/B00DDT116M
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Matcha-Green-Tea-Powder-Antioxidant/dp/B00DDT116M

Beauty Review: Instanatural Vitamin C Serum and Moisturizer

My latest beauty adventure with Instanatural is this citrusy combo of Vitamin C Serum and Vitamin C Moisturizer.  Vitamin C is known to have powerful antioxidants that fight free radicals in the environment to protect your skin from sun exposure and UV rays.  Both the serum and the moisturizer contain a whopping 20% dose of Vitamin C that helps fight those nasty signs of aging such as wrinkles, discoloration, and dryness.  Other key ingredients include:

*5% Niacinamide

*5% Hyaluronic Acid

*Plant Stem Cells

*Argan Oil

*Peptide Complex

The serum has a thick consistency and a light, citrusy scent that I really enjoy.  Some may not like the scent so be aware that you can definitely smell the Pink Grapefruit Essential Oil that is in the serum.  The serum absorbs quickly in the skin and makes my face feel soft and hydrated, though it is absolutely necessary to follow with an actual moisturizer.

The moisturizer is also very thick, creamy, and nourishing.  Unlike the serum, the moisturizer has almost no scent at all.  So if you do not like the citrusy scent of the serum, you will still like the moisturizer.  This moisturizer is so thick that it takes awhile for it to absorb into the skin.  I typically do the serum and moisturizer on my face, my neck, and (must not forget) my décolletage.  

There are many things that I love about Instanatural products.  I will list a few of them here because I think they are worth mentioning.  

~They always use natural, organic ingredients

~Cruelty-free

~Alcohol, sulfate, and paraben free

~Made in USA

~100% lifetime satisfaction money back guarantee

~Free returns

If you are interested in trying their products click here.  You can also get free shipping with orders over $25.  

*Sponsored by BrandBacker but, as always, the review is mine.