Category Archives: Beauty & Skin Care

Vidal Sassoon Pro Series Review: Repair & Finish Spray and Boost & Lift Foaming Air Mousse | @VidalSassoon

Beauty & Skin Care, Fashion & Style, Style Guide, ,

Do you remember the brown tubular Vidal Sassoon bottles that we had when we were kids?  Well, P&G Beauty & Grooming recently introduced the Vidal Sassoon Pro Series color, care and styling line.  Perfected by experts, the collections offer quality products for creating effortlessly beautiful, real life styles at home.  And in sleek, modern, red bottles this time!

There are five care and styling collections in the Pro Series line, and at-home color kits which were released earlier this year, make styling and maintaining hair a breeze.

This week I tried out Vidal Sassoon Repair & Finish Spray and Vidal Sassoon Boost & Lift Foaming Air Mousse. I was excited to try out both products but I really love the Boost & Lift Foaming Air Mousse from the Volume Collection. Special foam technology helps control unruly hair for a weightless, pumped up feeling and provides up to 24 hours of flexible hold. What’s really great about this product is that it is easy to comb out. It doesn’t make my hair feel like a plastic wig like some mousse does.

On Monday I went to the salon and had about 5 inches of hair cut off with the result being a layered bob.  It had been about a 8 months my last hair cut and I was ready for something different.  My style inspiration came from Michelle Williams’ cute longish-pixie cut at the Oscar’s but I didn’t want to go that short so my stylist gave me a chin length layered bob.

Before my stylist blow-dried my hair, I expressed my concern that because my hair is so thick, it would still be heavy and lay flat, even with my new layers. That’s when she lifted two sections of hair and I applied a mousse. Of course, the salon’s mousse is about $30 and I had just paid a lot to get my hair cut so I passed on their mousse and I’m glad I did because one day later I received the Vidal Sassoon products to try.

I don’t have a lot of confidence when it comes to styling my hair or applying makeup so I appreciate any product that makes it easier for me to do either. Before blow-drying my hair I lifted two horizontal areas of hair about 3 inches wide and applied the Boost & Lift Foaming Air Mousse. I thought that it might leave my hair difficult to brush while blow-drying but it didn’t. After blow-drying, my hair looked full instead of flat and drab. Mission accomplished!

VIDAL SASSOON PRO SERIES

The Repair & Finish Spray is applied to towel-dried hair and tames the fly aways of which I usually seem to have a lot of after about two hours after having dried my hair. My hair just doesn’t seem to want to stay in place. While I will probably never use as much hairspray as I did in the 80’s I don’t think it’s a bad thing to use if it will keep your hair under control. This product also keeps damaged hair from breaking. If it’s been a few months since you had a cut or you recently had your hair colored, this is a great product to try.

Both of the products smell refreshing and light and are $3.99 each for 5.07 oz.  You can find the Vidal Sassoon Pro Series collection in drugstores and mass retailers including Wal-Mart and Target.

Click the product links above to learn more about each product and watch how-to videos.

Vidal Sassoon Pro SeriesVidal Sassoon Pro Series Collections:

Connect with Vidal Sassoon on Twitter and Facebook to learn more and get up to the minute news and tips about the Vidal Sassoon Pro Series collections.

I am a compensated P&G Blogger and received these products for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

2 Easy Lip Balm Recipes to Make with your Daughter – A Great Valentine’s Day Activity!

Beauty & Skin Care, Gifts, , , ,

I hadn’t thought of making lip balm with my daughter, but these recipes are so simple that I think that we will give it a try!

To pucker up for this special day, bond over these beauty recipes from author of Bonding Over Beauty, Erika Katz. These easy recipes can be stored in an adorable heart case or a small jar.

fruity lip balm recipeFRUITY LIP BALM 

To keep lips soft and silky, this fruity lip balm exfoliates dead skin and softens at the same time.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
  • 1 scoop powdered drink mix in your favorite flavor
  • Lip gloss jars

Directions:

Clarify the vegetable shortening by heating it in the microwave for 15 seconds. Stir in the drink mix. Pour the mixture into a lip gloss jar. Let the mixture harden for 10 minutes and your lip gloss is ready! You can decorate the jars with fun stickers and sparkles! Lasts up to six months unrefrigerated.

chocolate lip balm recipeCHOCOLATE LIP BALM 

This lip balm contains shea butter, beeswax, and coconut oil, which are all excellent natural emollients. You can get creative and add other flavors like peppermint oil, tangerine oil, or raspberry oil.

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon shea butter
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • 2 teaspoons grated beeswax
  • 1 tablespoon vitamin E oil
  • 15 chocolate chips
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

Put all the ingredients into a double boiler on the stove or in a microwavable container.  Warm the mixture until it melts. Stir until smooth. Pour the mixture into a lip gloss container and refrigerate until it hardens. Lasts up to 3 months at room temperature.

 

Bonding over Beauty: A Mother-Daughter Beauty Guide to Foster Self-esteem, Confidence, and Trust

These recipes were provided by Erika Katz, Author of Bonding Over Beauty, A Mother-Daughter Guide to Self-Esteem, Confidence and Trust.  The link will take you to the book page on Amazon.com.  The link is an affiliate link and we will get a small commission if you purchase the book..and we really appreciate it!

Enjoy and let me know how the recipes work for you in the comments below!

 

Have You Tried This Yet? Exciting New P&G Products and #Giveaway

Beauty & Skin Care, Contests, Health

P&G prize pack

The holidays are over and I’m finally catching up on sleep but I’m telling you.. I look drab as drab can be until I put some effort into my hair and makeup these days.

After I’ve taken a shower and put on my new favorite lipstick, COVERGIRL® Blast Flipstick™, I look a bit more alive!

The  COVERGIRL® Blast Flipstick™ was included in a package I received from P&G recently and I would love to share a package of P&G goodies with you!  Read on to learn how you can win a P&G prize package.

Proctor & Gamble’s “Have You Tried This Yet?” campaign features a bundle of fabulous new products and I was sent a box of goodies try out and am able to give one goodie bag with the same products away to a lucky winner!

Inside you’ll find products including  COVERGIRL® Blast Flipstick™, Tampax® Radiant™, and Secret® Outlast™ Protecting Powder Invisible Solid. While I am in no need of feminine products as I am post-menopausal, a friend of mine was very happy to take the Tampax® Radiant™ tampons and other feminine products included in the box.

There are even more products in the box as you can see in the photo to the right.

Visit PGTryIt.com to see what innovative Have You Tried This Yet? P&G products new mom, Vanessa Lachey, can’t  live without including, Tampax® Radiant™ and COVERGIRL® Blast Flipstick™.

Some of my favorite new P&G products included in the box:

Covergirl Blast Flipstick LipcolorGlimmery lipstick and a shade recipe!

My favorite product in the package is the lipstick. I am always look for new colors to try out.  I have very sensitive lips and can only use lipsticks that glide on smoothly so as to not irritate my lips.  COVERGIRL® Blast Flipstick™, with two shades in each stick, fits the bill!  With a creamy shade on one side and a shimmer shade on the other, it’s two wearable, blendable, lipcolors in one!

I have a yellowish skin tone and I love the 810 Glimmer  COVERGIRL® Blast Flipstick™.
Here is a COVERGIRL® Blast Flipstick™ recipe I think you’ll like!
First, I applied the light shade from the 840 Stunner stick, then I applied the dark shade from the 810 Glimmer stick.  The result was a fun and exciting medium-dark brownish purple shade!  For every day use I wear the lighter shade from the 810 stick.

Olay® Vanilla Winter Retreat Body WashOh, how I love the body wash!

I love the scent of the Olay® Vanilla Winter Retreat Body Wash. I have very dry skin in the Winter and Olay body wash is the only brand that has been able to alleviate the dryness over the years.  I usually take a shower in the evening, after a long day of work, taking care of the kids, running around, etc. and this body wash always leaves me feeling refreshed and relaxed.

Win a P&G Prize Pack!

You can win a box of P&G products including those I’ve listed above!  You must be a subscriber in order to be eligible to enter this contest.  Subscribing is quick and easy.. click this link!   Then leave a comment below letting me know what your favorite holiday memory was from the 2012 holiday season.   Entries can be submitted through 11:59pm EST January 20th.  We’ll name a winner (drawn by Random.org) right here on January 22nd.  Entrants must be at least 18 and prize will only be shipped within the US.

Enter to win by filling out this form:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Note to my readers: I received P&G products for review purposes. As always all opinions are 100% my own.

What Is The Tria Skin Perfecting Blue Light And How Does It Work?

Beauty & Skin Care, Brand Ambassador, , , , ,

 [simple_series title=”All posts about Tria Blue Light”]

tria skin perfecting blue light
Tria skin perfecting blue light

You may have read in one of my recent posts that I experienced pretty bad acne in my teens and early twenties.  Now that I am in my late thirties and I feel pretty confident that the worse of my acne days are over, I have considered laser treatment for acne.  However, before trying a treatment that seems as intrusive as laser treatment and because I still get the occasional pimple.. or two, I am trying out Tria’s blue light ance treatment.

What is it?

Tria’s fabulous gadget is called the Skin Perfecting Blue Light and provides a type of acne treatment that uses non-UV lights to eliminate bacteria from the skin. A buildup of bacteria is one of the main reasons that people develop skin problems. Once the buildup clogs your pores, pimples begin to form. Fortunately, this skin perfecting blue light will treat your skin quickly and effectively. To make it even better, you can now use this device from the comfort of your own home.

It is FDA-approved

Clinical studies have found that blue light treatment causes a 70 percent reduction of acne. Along with that, 93 percent of consumers had a smoother complexion in as little as four weeks. This FDA-approved product will leave your skin looking healthy and radiant. With this hand-held device, you no longer have to suffer from blemishes and breakouts; instead, your skin will have an improved tone and texture.

Recommended by dermatologists

Since the device has proven to be safe and effective, Tria Blue Light is recommended by dermatologists. However, I have learned that you should only use the blue light for acne for five minutes per day. It can be used in a single five-minute period or split into two sessions. The Tria Skin Perfecting Blue Light delivers the same therapeutic power that a dermatologist can provide. The blue light strikes the bacteria on your face and kills them; all without causing harm to surrounding tissue

My personal experience with Tria’s Skin Perfecting Blue Light

Using Tria skin perfecting blue light
Using Tria Skin Perfecting Blue Light

I have been using the Tria blue light for almost a week and love how easy it is to use.  It’s very light, easy to hold, and operates quietly.  Using the Tria Skin Perfecting Blue Light is simple.  Just insert the included cartridge and touch the blue light to your skin.  The Blue Light turns on automatically when you touch it to your skin.  Gently and continuously glide the blue light  over your face.  The blue light beeps every 30 seconds while treatment is being applied.  After using the blue light for 2 1/2 minutes you will hear a different sound, prompting you to either stop and do the remaining 2 1/2 minutes later in the day or continue to use the blue light for a total of 5 minutes.

How to use it

With the Tria Skin Perfecting Blue Light you have the opportunity to accelerate skin cell renewal by using blue light technology. For the best results, apply the device over affected areas. For example, you can apply it to your chin and jaw. If needed, you can even apply it over your whole face. In order to use the device, you simply touch the light to your skin. You should glide it over your face like you would do with a paint brush on a canvas. The sleek design and contoured handle makes the device simple to use. It even has a large tip to effectively penetrate the skin.

Increase self esteem

Because my son is almost a teenager and I want him to know how to get rid of acne if it becomes a serious issue, I have researched a lot of acne treatment reviews.  Since learning about Tria’s skin perfecting Blue Light, I feel confident that he won’t have to worry about developing anything more than the occasional pimple.  The skin perfecting blue light is a great way to increase your self-esteem… I wish it was around when I had acne.
I no longer need to use topical creams to clear up the pimples I get.   I am thrilled that we now have a safe and effective way to treat pimples!

With this affordable gadget, you have the option to treat your face from the comfort of your own home.  Pretty great isn’t it?

For more information about the Tria Blue Light please visit www.TriaBeauty.com.

[simple_series title=”All posts about Tria Blue Light”]

Alicia Hagan, Editor

Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Tria and received a Tria Skin Perfecting Blue Light product sample to facilitate my review.

Join Me As I Try Out Tria Blue Light Acne Treatment

Beauty & Skin Care, Brand Ambassador, New posts, , , , ,

[simple_series title=”All posts about Tria Blue Light”]

When I was in highschool I developed acne.  It stuck with me until I was about 25 years old.  Acne had a huge impact on my life.  I grew my hair long just so I could use it to cover my face at school.  I covered my cheeks with my hands as I sat at my desk and I was not very social because I was embarassed about my acne.    The good thing is that my peers did not make fun of me..that I know of at least.    I sought the best acne treatment available at the time including medication but nothing worked.  Things like light treatment weren’t an option when I was a teenager.

Tria - skin perfecting blue lightI am extremely grateful to not have major skin issues now but I still get pimples.   Now, at almost 40 years old and after having gone through menopause (I thought that was a pimple cure-all) I still get pimples.  Every morning when I put make-up on the tiny scars on my cheeks remind me of what I went through as a middle and high-schooler and into my twenties.

My son entering the teen years and you probably know what happens then.  One of the changes he’s experiencing is with his skin.  He gets pimples on his chin and forehead, the typical T-zone areas.  He is a confident kid and is not as bothered about having pimples as I was at his age.  He takes care of his skin by washing and using cleansing pads but I get very concerned about him developing bad acne like what I had.  I hope and pray that neither of my children will develop acne like what I had and that we don’t ever have to seek the help of a professional for acne treatment.  With that, I am very happy to have been given the opportunity to  try the Tria Blue Light.

I will be participating in a 4-week program during which we will both use the Tria Skin Perfecting Blue Light.

More about Tria Skin Perfecting Blue Light:

  • Tria Skin Perfecting Blue Light is a revolutionary, FDA-cleared hand-held device for at-home use that delivers the same therapeutic power of blue light used by dermatologists to treat breakouts deep within the skin.
  • Tria Skin Perfecting Blue Light eliminates acne-causing bacteria, leaving skin clear, radiant, and healthy looking.
  • Dermatologist recommended, clinically proven and FDA-cleared, Tria Skin Perfecting Blue Light is safe and effective.
  • In clinical studies, consumers saw 70% acne reduction in just two weeks, 93% noticed a smoother complexion in four weeks and 100% said skin looked healthier and more radiant in four weeks.
  • The Tria Skin Perfecting Blue Light should be used to treat skin for 5 minutes per day – either, at once or for two sessions twice per day of 2.5 minutes.
  • Tria Skin Perfecting Blue Light is sold at www.TriaBeauty.com and retails for $245.  It includes the Skin Perfecting Blue Light, the Skin Perfecting Blue Light Treatment cartridge (good for use to 300 minutes) and a battery charger.

For more information about the Tria Blue Light please visit www.TriaBeauty.com.

[simple_series title=”All posts about Tria Blue Light”]

Alicia Hagan, Editor

Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Tria and received a Tria Skin Perfecting Blue Light product sample to facilitate my review.