NeoStrata Skin Care Review & CONTEST!

Hi Everyone!

A few weeks ago NeoStrata contacted me about reviewing some of their products. NeoStrata is a company that develops a wide variety of skin care collections. They have a multitude of products and packages that range from Targeted Treatments, Cleansers and Toners, Moisturizers and Masques, Body Treatments, and Makeup too! They sent me the Exuviance Introductory Collection for Sensitive Skin and the Exuviance Skin Caring Foundation SPF 15. I've been using the collection morning and night as instructed and the foundation each morning for a week. The site says that in four weeks participants experience significant benefits, but after just a few days I could tell my skin was a lot softer and calmer when using these products.

Above is the Exuviance Introductory Collection for Sensitive Skin.

This collection comes with a face wash, toner, evening moisturizer, daily moisturizer, and a hydrating eye complex cream. Let me first start off by saying that the products all smell incredibly fresh and a bit tropical; definite plus.

Each morning and evening I washed my face with the gentle cleansing creme. The creme is not abrasive and my skin felt refreshed and not red as it sometimes does when I switch to different face washes. I then applied the toner with a cotton round and waited for my face to become beat red and irritated. This is did not happen. My face felt clean and definitely did not discolor at all. I used the appropriate moisturizer next and then applied a pea size amount of the hydrating eye complex creme around my eyes. I love the eye cream, definitely a fabulous product!

I was pleasantly surprised to find that NONE of the products bothered my skin in the slightest. So in true trial/error fashion I waited for the breakouts to begin - NONE! I did not break out once! Usually if a product is going to react negatively to my skin I would see something within the first 24 or 48 hours. I was so happy to see that I had hydrated, super soft, and clean skin - and that's it! No break outs, no discoloration, no irritation! It's been a week now and I only have nice things to say about this collection. Once it runs out I feel as though I will probably purchase the Evening Restorative Night Cream, Hydrating Eye Complex Creme, and the Soothing Toner Lotion. I'm really happy with this collection! It's on sale for $40, so I recommend testing it out for yourself!

*NOTE* There are several collections to choose from so if you have a certain skin type or issue NeoStrata definitely has something for you!

To the right is the Exuviance Skin Caring Foundation SPF 15. It is a liquid based formula. According to their site the Polyhydroxy Acid Gluconolactone provides anti-aging benefits. It's smudge-resistant, light-to-medium, all-day coverage and comes in eleven skin flattering shades.

It applies beautifully and has the perfect amount of coverage. I've been looking for a liquid foundation that wasn't too dry, nor too runny and this one has been working out really well. It also does not bother my skin at all as some liquid foundations tend to do. This has now become my everyday foundation.

CONTEST TIME!

I told NeoStrata that I'd be happy to review their products, but I'd be happier if they were willing to help me give away something to my followers, subscribers, and readers! They were very happy to oblige. Therefore ONE winner will receive an Intro Collection of their choice! A $60 Value!

How awesome is that?

You have THREE ways to enter:

Retweet ANY Tweet of mine about this contest!

Write "Enter Me" in the comments below and follow my blog!

-OR-

Write "Enter Me" in the comments on my YouTube Vlog about this contest!

Contest ends December 15th!

To learn more about the prize please click here

If you're interested in purchasing ANY NeoStrata Skin Care products, please enjoy this coupon (LIMITED TIME ONLY)! And consider following the company on twitter @NeoStrataSkin for information about deals and promotions this holiday season!

Thanks for reading!

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Top Five Favorite Friday: Skin Care!

Hi Everyone!

I'm excited to announce a collaboration that I'm participating in with a fellow beauty blogger, Emma, of http://www.stylebyemma.com/.  Check out her blog if you'd like to be treated to her thoughts on style, makeup, and a bit on life as well. You can also follow her on twitter at @EmmaSaidWhat

Treat yourself well, follow your intuition, and live beautifully!!!  

One of the best elements of this partnership is sharing one of my favorite bloggers with YOU, my lovely readers! We thought it would be fun to embark on a Top Five Favorite series! Last week I wrote about on my TOP FIVE FAVORITE Fall Must-Haves-- Splurge vs. Steal style and this week it's Emma's turn! Be sure to check back each Friday to read our weekly picks on everything from lipstick to shoes and everything in between.   

Emma’s Top Five Favorite: SKIN CARE

Welcome to installment two of Top Five Favorite Friday– this week I’m sharing my favorite skin goodies.  It’s extremely important to take good care of your skin, as it serves as an essential protective barrier to the elements (and is the largest organ we have)!  Each person’s skin is different, and a routine should be planned based on lots of factors that vary such as age, environment, and individual health.  The products below are basic staples– a cleanser, a tool, an exfoliator, a moisturizer, and a spot treatment.  I nearly included my favorite toner (Kate Somerville Clarifying) and a serum (Dr. Brandt Collagen Booster, Lancome Genefique) but left those lovelies off the list as they are not essential for all ages.

Where’s the SPF?! I currently use Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock SPF 55.  I do like this product for my face, but I’m not head over heels in love.  (Someday I hope to find that perfect fit SPF!)   I encourage you to use the SPF of your choice after moisturizing, and let it absorb for a solid 15 minutes before you apply your makeup.  USE SPF!  Healthy skin should be the first and most crucial step in any makeup routine.

An additional note: To me, skin care is an investment in my health.  After years of trial and error, I’ve found that many of the best products for my skin come with a higher price tag.  There are bargain goodies to be had, but sometimes a higher price does yield an exceptional result.  I encourage you to look at the health of your skin in a preventative sense and consider that excellent care early on will save you money as you age (and look absolutely fabulous doing so!).
On to the list…

Top Five Favorite Skin Care Products!


1.  Philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleanser. 

I’ve gone through more bottles of this than I can recall!  This cleanser removes dirt and oil without stripping moisture from the skin.  In a pinch, it quickly removes makeup as well (although I do use a separate eye makeup remover).  The scent is light and natural, a bit on the herbal side.  Philosophy Purity will work for ALL skin types– dry, oily, acne-prone, sensitive, and mature.  I’m hooked for life.

                                                 Availability:  Sephora, Philosophy.com, QVC. Tip:  Opt for the everlasting 32 oz. bottle with pump for around $45 for the best price per ounce.

2.  Clarisonic Mia. 

In conjunction with Purity cleanser, I use the Clarisonic Mia (I have it in pink!) 3-4 times per week.  Although this exfoliating brush isgentle enough for daily use, I opt for less action as I also indulge in a weekly scrub.  The Clarisonic has improved the texture of my skin, and gets rid of dry flakes that can clog pores.  I highly recommend investing in a Clarisonic, and specifically, the Mia.  The brush head on the Mia is the same size as its larger counterparts (Clarisonic, Clarisonic Pro) and Mia is compact for travel.  A whole new level of “clean” skin!
For reference, I have the brush head for sensitive skin.
Availability:  Sephora, Clarisonic.com.

                                                        3.  Kate Somerville ExfoliKate.

   The best scrub on the market, hands down.  I’ve blogged about this exfoliating fruit enzyme enriched scrub before.  I stand by it 100%.  Many scrubs are harsh and ineffective, stripping the outer layer of the skin and ultimately causing breakouts.  Others are too gentle, and fail to truly exfoliate.  ExfoliKate gets rid of blackheads and dead skin exceptionally well– leaving you with glowing, fresh, healthy skin.  A facial in a tube!  This green gooey goodness is pricey, but worth every penny.  Availability:  Sephora, KateSomerville.com


4.  Bare Escentuals bareVitamins Skin Rev-er Upper

This moisturizer and primer in one has been my go-to choice for the past three years.  There is a small amount of salicylic acid in the mix to encourage skin cell turnover, as well as vitamins (surprise!) and botanicals.  The texture is light, which allows it to sink into the skin very quickly– perfect for rushed mornings.  This also works very well under makeup– of the mineral variety, MAC MSF Natural, liquid foundation, even as a boost under tinted moisturizer.
Availability:  Sephora, Ulta, Bare Escentuals boutiques

                                                      

5.  Kate Somerville EradiKate

This is my top overnight spot treatment.  Every woman needs a bottle of this sulfur based potion in her medicine cabinet!  EradiKate can make a noticeable difference in a spot overnight, and dries up blackheads and clogged pores faster than anything else I’ve tried.  Sulfur is one of the best anti-acne topical treatments on the market.  If benzoyl peroxide is overly drying for you, give sulfur a shot.  Even if you have near perfect skin, stash one of these away… just in case…!
Availability:  Sephora, KateSomerville.com



What are your favorite skin care goodies?  Let me know if you are a fellow fan of anything I mentioned.
Wishing you healthy skin…
XO
E

Stay tuned for next week's TFF!

Thanks for reading!
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Want to watch me chat? Check out My YouTube Channel