Glossy Box: July 2012

Forget-me-spot

Do you have a spot on your body that you tend to forget about caring for? Of course, not on purpose. Maybe it's the area that always seems to be sunburned, or drier than other parts of your body, or tends to break out more often. Maybe it's just the center of your back that you can't seem to reach and so you neglect. Maybe it just didn't cross your mind as important--think the neck, the ears, and even the ankles. The feet are actually very often neglected.

For me, it's my wrists. I don't know why I do, but they always tend to be the area I forget to moisturize in the morning. Maybe it's because I always tend to assume that it's moisturized based on the fact that I use my hands to apply lotion, but when I get to my car and put my hands on the wheel, it's the first thing I remember that I forgot (if that makes sense!)

Let me know!

Skincare line: Caroline Chu

This skincare line was on Hautelook for the first time a few weeks ago, and I just got it in today. I decided to try it asap to give you my thoughts on it.

Left to right: Moisturizing Lotion w/SPF 15, Ginseng Anti-Aging Toner/Freshener, Night Cream Elastin & Collagen, Shower Gel

LOVE the elegant packaging! I thought it was so funny because I can't find these items on Ebay, and so the prices I paid seem to be the best deals (you can find these on Zappos and I think QVC).

Moisturizing Lotion, SPF 15 (3.8 fl oz/110mL. I paid $21.)
This was the one thing that I anticipated for the most because I'm still looking for the perfect SPF item. What I can't stand in SPF items are strong sunscreeny scents, and those that leave your skin with a cast of white. Well, this doesn't leave your skin white-ish, but there is a slight scent; nothing I can't handle though because I've smelled stronger before. It's lightweight and milky. I had some problems with the pump at first but it seems okay now. I just wish the nozzle were slightly longer so I wouldn't have to tilt the bottle to get the product into my hand and not all over the place... which will definitely be a problem when the product goes lower in the tube (because the straw will altogether have issues sucking up the lotion and pumping in the direction I want).

Ginseng Anti-Aging Toner/Freshener (4 fl oz/120 mL. I paid  $14.)
I read one or two reviews on this (as there weren't many reviews of this skincare line... period) and they seemed good; someone even named this as her holy grail product. It's for normal to dry skin and anti-aging so I thought BINGO! And I used it today. The first thing I noticed is the strong floral scent, and it's nothing I can't stand but it's something I really don't prefer (plus, I think it's awful strange that a toner is scented...). But even for my extremely sensitive skin, I was not irritated and I immediately felt the "freshening" effect. It's almost like a very slight tingle that really does wake your skin up, so that was definitely a new thing for me. All in all, I like this but I would prefer not to have the scent.

Night Cream w/Elastin and Collagen (1.69 fl oz/50 mL. I paid $26.)
As most night creams, this is a bit rich but not as rich as some other night time moisturizers that I've tried (for example the Dr. Grandel night time moisturizer which is far more rich). I might even say this is borderline greasy at first, but as it sinks into my dry skin I don't feel it much anymore. Has a bit of a plasticy scent. A little goes a long way (a nickle-sized dollop was all I needed for my entire face). I'm really not loving this lotion at all. But since it's skincare, I can't return it.

Shower Gel (11.8 fl oz/350 mL. I paid $14.)
This smells subtley of chamomile is a thin, clear, easy-lather gel. This is actually my favorite product from the line. It's supposed to be good fir sensitive skin and is infused with vitamins as well as "soothing aloe vera". I love the pump. This is a generous amount for the dollar I paid. Doesn't leave that squeaky-clean, uncomfortable feeling. May not buy it again but it's alright.

Top to bottom: Moisturizing Lotion, Night Cream, Shower Gel

So you may have noticed that everything I got had to do with anti-aging. I'm 21, and in the prevention process... so I can't tell you if it works or not until maybe a decade later. Even with that being said, I use so many different anti-aging items that it's hard to say which one is responsible for any certain positive results.

Shu Uemura Depsea Water and Travalo

 

On the left is the Shu Uemura Depsea Water and to the right, the little pink atomizer is the Travalo. You can get the Shu Uemura water from Sasa.com, for approximately $22. The Travalo, I got from CVS for $10.

So what is "Depsea Water"? I'm pretty sure they mean "deep sea water". It comes in a variety of fragrances (rosemary, mint, etc) but I got the non-fragranced for fear of a bad reaction. I mean, this is sprayed directly on my face, after all. I got it for the Summer because you can easily spritz some of the solution on yourself to get instant hydration and refreshment, hence the travel-sized Travalo. You also have the option of spritzing some on your face prior to applying foundation, just to give yourself the extra skin-quenching umph.

Have to tell you, I was a little disappointed. I didn't experience any hydration, no matter how many spritzes I used. It was pretty much water on my face, nothing special. Definitely refreshing though; I was thinking about putting it on my fridge and spraying it here and there on those hot days. Haven't done it yet because Fall's already rolling in!

I think the price is pretty high for what it is... maybe it's more worth it if I'd purchased a fragranced one, but for now, I could've put some tap water in my travalo and achieved the same effect that this $22+shipping thing does. For instance, rosemary is supposedly good for the hair, so if I spritzed some Rosemary-Depsea Water onto my hair (which is also sold on Sasa.com), maybe it'll be worth it. I do however have the stinking feeling that I could just put some rosemary in some tap water in a spray bottle and get the same thing....

Love the Travalo though; easy fill, fine mist, and very convenient. Might go back for seconds! They also have a variety of colors.

Milk Bath DIY

Did you know milk can be used for your skin? Yep! It's a natural toner which can keep your skin supple and soft. Its natural lactic acids are responsible for this!

So imagine if we could submerse ourselves in a whole milk bath. The skin would come out so moisturized and soft; unfortunately, a whole tub of milk is expensive, so here's a DIY recipe with other ingredients involved to give additional skin-quenching goodness.

1. 1 cup (or more) of milk. Whole milk is the best recommended; skim milk is too watered down for the task.
2. 1-2 tablespoonfuls of honey. Honey has natural antibacterial properties and retains your skin's moisture, also trapping the new-found moisture of the milk.
3. 1/4 cup of oatmeal. Oatmeal calms the skin and relieves it of redness, itchiness, and dryness. You can use regular oatmeal for this, but I use colloidal oatmeal from the drugstore (Aveeno makes a great oatmeal bath).
4. 3-5 green tea packets. This is probably the most unheard of out of the ingredients, but green tea fights inflammation, radicals, and soothes acne. 

As you fill your tub of water, slowly pour this in and mix it into the bath well. Be sure to squeeze out the last of the juices before you take out the green tea packets and enjoy your bath. This bath is also great for those with eczema or psoriasis. Please keep in mind of your allergies, because the last thing we want is for you to jump into a histamine bath!

Let me know what you think!

What skin type are you?

We don't all have the same skin, and consequently the products which work for your friend (or even family member) may not suit you! Nowadays, most skin products will label whose skin type the item is created for, so how do you know which is best for you?

As you work with your skin, you will figure out what seems to work best and what doesn't, so you are able to adjust your skincare routine accordingly and understand what to avoid (for me, I need to avoid the sun not just because of its aging detriments but also because I'm so sensitive that I break out!) Here are some general guidelines to get your footing on what skin type you could be.

• Do you feel that your skin is stiff after a hot shower? 
• You could have dry skin if you said yes! Chances are, you must also need to reapply moisturizer throughout the day (if you don't, maybe consider doing so).
• If not, you may have normal or oily skin. You know if you have oily skin because after a couple hours, your face might seem a little greasy; sometimes bothersome-ly so. Water-based moisturizers (such as gel consistencies) might be your preference.
• Normal skin will usually feel comfortable after a wash and even after a couple hours after that. Lucky you! Chances are you only have occasional outbreaks.

• Do many products break out your skin? Or even environmental factors?
• If you answered yes, your skin may be sensitive. Yes, you can be both oily/dry/normal skinned and still be sensitive! Watch out for hypoallergenic/non-comedogenic products that will not irritate your skin nor block your pores!
• Also note that sensitive skin persons tend to experience redness often.

• Do you find that your skin is particularly oily/dry in certain areas? Such as your T zone (forehead, nose, chin).
• If you said yes, you probably have combination skin. Although there are products out there targeted at this skin type so accommodate the different areas, some people like to pay special attention to each area depending on its needs; it's really up to you. 

Vitamin E Oil

Vitamin E is good for several health aspects when ingested (respiratory health, heart health...), but what about when applied topically?

You may recognize this better under it's other name: tocopherol. It might be under the ingredient list of some of your skincare products. It can prevent and treat sunburns, have anti-aging benefits, prevent skin cancer (because of its antioxidant properties), and reduce the appearance of dark skin marks.

Before using, consult with your physician.