Miracle In A Can: La Roche-Posay 'Serozinc'

photo credit: laroche-posay.com

I can barely begin to get into my explanation onto why this has been one of the best, newly introduced products I've tried out so far this year. If you missed it, I did a UK Beauty Swamp with the lovely Jess over at MakingItUp, & LPR's Serozinc was one of the lovely items I was gifted during the beauty exchange. Its been a few months now & I have yet to put it down from the moment I received it.

If you're a beauty junkie, you'd have heard, read, seen, and/or tried this blue-beauty-in-a-can already, so you know all the rave and hype surrounding this is pretty amazing. I talked a little bit about my love for it early back in that swap post, but todays post is going to be my full thoughts on the product, and how I use it in my day-to-day routines.

In the beginning, I used it as a toner and/or mist after my cleanse, predominantly in the evening hours, and my skin reaped its lovely benefits but, with all the other stuff I was putting on top of it after, I felt slightly bad that it wasn't getting its upfront recognition that it so rightfully deserves. For whatever reason, the way I use it now came to me rather randomly...I thought it would serve and benefit as a great setting spray for my makeup...wait, what?!

My indecisive skin is combo, so more days than not, my skin can get oily midday, and with makeup on and no real time to take a break and blot/retouch/what-have-you, my face looks half grease pan, half goddess-perfection, which can be very (half) aggravating! After all my makeup is on, I spray lightly up, down, & across my face to set it, as you would a normal setting spray. Not only has this method kept my oily bits at bay during the day with its mattifying properties, its helped my makeup stay in place longer than without it! When my skin gets oily, the makeup starts to slide (nose & chin mostly) and by days end, might as well not have put on any makeup at all.

I wasn't seeing everything I wanted to when I was using it as a toner, so I chose this nonconventional route; this was a whim that worked for me. This doesn't mean to neglect it as a toner/mist, with everyones skin being different, listen to what yours wants and go with whatever method best suits you.

Sadly, I'm more than half way through the can already and I haven't been able to find it any place that sells it to ship it to the U.S. Its frustrating that La Roche-Posay hasn't released it over here; theres been no mention or hint at it either that it ever will, so without further ado, my plea/love letter to the brand:

TO La Roche-Posay,

If you're reading this, please, PLEASE take into huge consideration of releasing this absolutely outstanding product that is Serozinc across the pond in the States! There are a plenty acne/oily skin sufferers that can greatly benefit from this gentle & effective product, we would greatly appreciate your it!

For those of you in the UK & France, its readily available to you almost anywhere that sells the La Roche-Posay brand!

The Battle of the Body Scrubs: Clarins vs Soap & Glory

Theres nothing like a good body scrub, am I right? A few times a week at the end of the day, gently exfoliating the dead skin and grime off, only to reveal, soft, smooth, new skin that you never want to stop touching: thats what body scrubs are great for. A little at home treat that your body needs in order to regenerate skin and help cure any rough patches that may take hold on it; your skin is brighter and glowing and clean, just like a car coming out of a car wash. Ok, I think you get it, body scrubs should (if not already, tsk!) be apart of your shower routine a few days a week, though if I could do it ever night without damage I would!

Highend: My favorite body scrub for the last year has been Clarins' 'Exfoliating Body Scrub for Smooth Skin'. Like most Clarins products, the fragrance is a loveliness of medicinal serenity and calmness while being super gentle on my sensitive skin. I pretty much have sensitive skin head to toe, and Clarins has never irritated with its fragrances (which they are known for). It claims to soften (check!), smooth (check!) and firm (?!). I'm not completely sold on the firming capabilities but, that doesn't bother me in the slightest because my skin always feels so lovely and wonderful when using it. I've been using it for so long now, I forgotten how long I've had this bottle for already, but I am almost out!

Drugstore: Thats why I had put a hold on the Clarins before I finished the bottle, and started using the Soap & Glory 'The Scrub of Your Life' that I received in my UK beauty swap with Jess, the lovely lady behind one of my favorite beauty blogs,  MakingitUp.  Right off the bat, I fell absolutely in LOVE with the scent of this body scrub! It took me to such a sweet place that I never wanted to put it down and get on with the day, just wanted to sit and sniff the crap out of it from the tube. The first time I used it and felt my skin, I literally squealed in shock at the smoothness of it, that well, I couldn't stop feeling how smooth and soft I was, and that was before any moisturizer was slathered on! I get baby-soft, reborn-again skin from this scrub, skin so soft that I didn't even think it was possible until.

Now, to get to the bottom of this post... which one is better? To be honest, they are both quite top-notch products. They both do an incredibly phenomenal job at getting rid of annoying dry patches and smooth the skin with ease and no irritations. But, if I must choose one...it would be...the drugstore's Soap & Glory! The reason being, it made me squeal upon first use, and that never happened with the Clarins scrub. You won't be disappointed either route you take, if you're looking for a great body scrub, give one of these a go!

Dry Brushing: Why Its Worth The Hype

I mentioned a few weeks ago about this (not-so) new beauty trend thats making its way back into the beauty world, dry brushing, and how I've been giving it a go, thanks to the generous Jen at Jen Charming. Prior to Jen reaching out to me, I was reading a few articles on Cindy Crawford for beauty research & curiosity, and in almost every article that had to do with her beauty must-haves, dry brushing was always mentioned more than not. For whatever reason, it sparked my interest, than again who doesn't want to know the beauty secrets of one of the worlds top  acclaimed models such as Crawford. So, I did my dry brushing research, & a lot of it.

The benefits of dry brushing are:

1. Reduction in Cellulite: I can't say first hand that this achieves this for me personally, though the consensus thats tried it saids thats what its supposed to help, maybe I haven't been doing it long enough yet to see such dramatic results like that...I'll take the pros word for it, though!

2. Exfoliates Dead Skin: This I can most definitely say this does. Since you dry brush before a shower on dry skin, the bristles from the brush help relieve the skin of dead skin cells to provide a smooth canvas, much like an in-shower body scrub can do, but less abrasive.

3. Decongests the skin: I don't have body acne, so this one I can't vouch for, either. Though studies and trials have stated that this can help decongest and unclog pores for clearer skin with continued, everyday use.

4. Lymphatic System: This simply means that dry brushing helps release and eliminate toxins from the body that can potentially make you feel unwell. Dry brushing is usually recommended during the day for this reason, it kind of jump starts your body and gives you more energy.

No wonder why Cindy Crawford raves about this every chance she gets! I was easily hooked on trying this technique, so when Jen reached out to me about a week or so after I read these articles, I didn't hesitate to jump on board to give this trend a try.

I have to say, I absolutely love that I did.

Steps on How to Dry Brush:

1. Before you shower, morning and/or night, on dry skin.

2. Legs: Start from the ankles, with a firm grip on the handle, gently sweep UP the leg in medium strokes gently, all around the calves and thighs, working your way up to the heart.

3. Arms: Start from the wrists, same technique and process as the legs, sweeping up towards the heart with gentle, medium strokes.

4. Stomach: gentle, circular motions.

5. Proceed onto your normal shower routine.

What I love about Jen's brush so much is that its double-sided: one side provides the dry-brushing bristles, while the other is a gentle, completely relaxing body massager that you can work around all over the body. The massager portion provides the proper blood flow and circulation throughout the body.

After my shower, I pat most of the excess water off, then cover myself in Target's up & up light sesame formula body oil (Neutrogena dupe for half the price), per Crawford's ritual; I then use the body massager side and take a few minutes to gently massage every part of my body in this oil, starting from the ankles up. My skin feels smooth, hydrated, relaxed, and comforted. I find this is the best way I can get a great nights sleep when I just take the time to do this step every night. 

If I find myself being a bit lazy (which happens some days, guilty!), while still in the shower, I'll massage Sanctuary Spa's 2-Day Moisture Shower Oil, and repeat the same steps with the body massager, than rinse off. Either route I take, my skin still feels so wonderful and my body and mind feel enormously relaxed afterward. I notice that on those odd days where I don't dry brush, my skin can get irritably dry the next morning, so I make sure its done (almost) every night!

I love how this brush in particular feels on my skin. This is a great brush to get yourself into the habit of dry brushing. Its very gentle, with a a long and sturdy handle to help better control and reach in those harder to reach spots! I love supporting up and coming skincare companies, and Jen's done an amazing job with this brush, so please go check her out here & get a brush of your own to start your dry brushing journey!

Lilfox Botanicals: (Affordable) Luxe-Green Beauty + Offer

Green beauty can be a luxury without having to break the bank. When you think or see the words all natural, organic, handcrafted, naturally you'd assume it would cost a lot like how organic food usually costs more than non-organic at the grocery store; that doesn't have to be the case anymore with LilFox Botanicals.

Madame Fox, aka Alexis, the owner & botanical apothecary connoisseur of this new, straight out of Miami skincare brand is making itself known in the green beauty world with her luxe-without-the price-tag skincare range. Her extraordinary, information-filled brand website of every single product she makes is worth a checkout and read. With every product listed, she gives a background on why she created the product, every ingredient that she's crafted into it, and the functions and purpose of each ingredient in the product. I probably sat in front of my computer screen for a good half hour reading every single page; she writes with such eloquence. It shows the time she's spent on the research and the thoughtful consideration of every product and their ingredients. If that hasn't gotten you excited, please go and check it out for yourself, you will be overjoyed with all of the insightful information without leaving anything into question, and something that excites the skincare addict. 

Aphrodite Rose Toning Mist w/ Rose Quartz Infusion, 100ml/$32

With that being said, she graciously reached out to me recently and asked to give some of her products a go, after having such a joyous experience from reading her website alone, I was excited to be able to incorporate more organic and natural skincare into my routines. She sent a lovely care package, and I gleed with each delicate unwrapping of the beautiful, dark glass bottles and jars she stores her products in with its simplistic packaging; something that'll look splendid on the bathroom vanity. I love that she uses dark glass by the way; she's helping keep the integrity of the products and extend their longevity. A lot of companies make the mistake of putting delicate ingredients in light or clear colored bottles; with constant light exposure, this, overtime, ruins the product and its use and cuts the longevity in half.

Now, this isn't going to be a review post, forgive me for not making that clear earlier but, the main reason why I am making this post, besides to introduce you to LilFox Botanicals, is that the lovely Madame Fox has given my followers on my blog & all other platforms, here & here, an absolute outstanding offer on all her products on LilFox's website, starting now and ending October 15th!!

With using the promo code 'ALWAYSAVIXEN' at checkout, you guys will receive the following promotion(s):

- 15% off ALL orders + some free samples.

- Orders $150 & over  will receive the 15% OFF, FREE samples, FREE domestic shipping (U.S. residents only), & a FREE 'Chamomilla Infusion Makeup Remover' (pictured below, full size).

Chamomilla Infusion Makeup Remover, 20ml/$22

- If there are any specific product(s) that you would like a sample of instead getting a few at random, leave a message in the 'order note' box at checkout!

LilFox Botanicals is being so incredibly generous to myself and my followers, that I had to make a post about it to make sure everyone can take advantage of this amazing offer! Keep your eyes on this page in a months time, I'll be giving my full review on the products she sent me and how they faired. For now, you'll be able to see how I am incorporating them in my skincare routines throughout the next month here. 

Again, don't forget the offer above ends October 15th!!!