Get Your Glow On From Home With NeoStrata's At Home AHA Peels ~ Review

NeoStrata has released two new AHA peels that deliver maximum results with no recovery time. Formulated with the highest level of glycolic acid available over the counter, these new peels will have your skin looking it's best in no time!

NeoStrata has three AHA Peels. The original Skin Renewal Peel Solution (50ml, $75) is formulated with 20% Hydroxy Acid Exfoliation and contains 10% AHA Glycolic Acid and 10% PHA Gluconolatone. This peel is suitable for all ages and is ideal for dull skin, dilated pores and rough skin texture.

The NEW Brightening Peel Solution (40ml, $78) is formulated with 25% Hydroxy Acid Exfoliation and contains 10% AHA Glycolic Acid, 10% PHA Gluconolatone, 5% Fruit Enzyme (Papaya extract) and 2% Genowhite (a lightening peptide for dark spots and brightening). This peel is suitable for all ages and is ideal for dark spots and uneven skin tone as well as dull skin and dilated.

The NEW Anti-Aging Peel Solution (40ml, $78) is formulated with 25% Hydroxy Acid Exfoliation and contains 10% AHA Glycolic Acid, 10% PHA Gluconolatone, 5% Fruit Enzyme (Papaya extract) and 1.5% Anti-Aging Peptides. This peel is suitable for all ages and is ideal for treating wrinkles, lack of elasticity as well as dull skin and dilated pores.

All three of NeoStrata's Peels come in a sleek glass bottle with two packages of cotton pads and a glass dropper. Application is super easy - shake the bottle, fill the enclosed dropper with the peel solution, moisten one cotton pad and apply the treatment evenly on clean, dry skin. After applying the solution to your face, gently massage your skin for 10-15 seconds and leave it on for 5-15 minutes before rinsing off. Once you rinse the peel solution off you should apply a moisturizer. NeoStrata's Post-procedure Repair Cream (review coming soon!) is recommended, but you could easily use whatever you have at home.

NeoStrata's at home AHA Peels are not only easy to use, they're gentle as well. Given the potency of the product, it's normal to experience a temporary tingling sensation or redness. So far I haven't experienced either of these possible side effects. If you have sensitive skin or are a Glycolic Acid virgin, I would recommend leaving it on for only 5 minutes the first time you use it. It's important to note that Glycolic Acid can increase sun-sensitivity so always make sure to wear sunscreen after a treatment. If possible, do the treatments in the evening.

I decided to start off slowly by using NeoStrata's Skin Renewal Peel Solution since it has a lower concentrate of exfoliating properties. I applied it at night and left it on for 15 minutes, 3x a week. I didn't experience any redness or tingling at all. It's an easy to apply liquid, doesn't have a strong scent and it was easy to rinse off. The best part? The size of my pores were dramatically reduced and my skin felt very hydrated.

After a week of using the Skin Renewal Peel I decided to give NeoStrata's Brightening Peel Solution a try. Unlike the original, this peel has a thicker consistency similar to a gel. It has a slight scent to it which isn't overpowering and it is easy to spread on my face and rinse off. I leave it on for 15 minutes and rinse well. Similar to the original, I noticed a huge reduction in the size of my pores and my face looks even and feels smooth. I'm hoping that with continuous use I will see some brightening of my skin.

I haven't gotten around to using NeoStrata's Anti-Aging Peel Solution yet as I want to give the Brightening Peel a full month to see the full scope of it's capabilities. If it's anything like the other two peels (and I'm sure it is) it will be great!

You can find NeoStrata's Peel Solutions at most major drugstores. To locate a NeoStrata point-of-sale nearest to you, visit https://www.neostrata.ca

Have you used any at home AHA peels? Would you like to? I'd love to hear your thoughts below!



*PR samples were sent to me for editorial consideration. As always, all opinions are my own!

Cliniderm's Skin Repair Balm ~ Review

Cliniderm is a dermatologist recommended brand for a variety of skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis (eczema), dry skin, impetigo, psoriasis, rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, diaper rash and sunburn. Cliniderm products are free of parabens, dyes, perfume, lanolin, formaldehyde and proteins. They're irritant free and suitable for sensitive skin.

Cliniderm recently released their Skin Repair Balm (40ml $19.99), a soothing and repairing balm for dry, irritated skin. Cliniderm claims that results can be seen in as little as 3 days with full results in 28 days. This balm is irritant and fragrance free and is suitable for use on children (over the age of 2).

Skin Repair Balm is formulated with 0.04 allantoin, 2% Defensil Plus and 2% Gatuline Skin Repair Bio to repair and restore skin's appearance while restoring and maintaining the skin's protective barrier.

As someone who suffers from the occasional bout of eczema I'm always on the hunt for products to soothe and quickly heal my skin when a flare up occurs.

I have very sensitive skin around my eyes and I react to a lot of eye creams. Sure enough, I switched eye creams recently and my eyes reacted to it. After a week of applying Polysporin's Eczema Cream with no success I decided to give this a try. Full disclaimer, this product is not recommend for use around the eyes.

After not wearing eye makeup for a week and getting nowhere with the Polysporin, I figured it was worth a try. The eczema patches were in the crease of my eye as well as underneath my lower lash line - far enough away from my eyes so there was no risk of it going directly into my eyes.

I applied a tiny amount (the size of a grain of rice) to my eczema patches before bed. When I woke up they weren't nearly as red and flaky. I continued applying it for three days (twice daily) and it cleared up completely. My eye contour area feels hydrated and looks fresh - obviously I'm quite impressed!

This cream is very hydrating, non-greasy and gets absorbed quickly. There's no scent to it and it's indeed irritant free. I love the fact that it is suitable for children; I don't have to buy a separate product for my girls.

If you have sensitive skin that's prone to irritation I highly recommend you give Cliniderm's Skin Repair Balm a try - you won't be disappointed!

You can find Cliniderm products at most major drugstores and online at www.well.ca


*PR samples were provided to me for editorial consideration, but all opinions are my own!

Getting #PhotoReadySkin With Shiseido's Ibuki Smart Filtering Smoother ~ Review

Shiseido is one of my favourite skincare brands so when I found out that Influenster was sending me the #PhotoReadySkin voxbox complimentary, I was beyond thrilled! This voxbox contains four amazing Shiseido skincare items that are to designed to give you that perfect selfie - without the need for filters!

So here's what I received

• Ibuki Smart Filtering Smoother (full-size)
• Ibuki Quick Fix Mist (deluxe sample)
• Ibuki Beauty Sleeping Mask (single use packet)
• Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate (deluxe sample)

If you're familiar with Shiseido than it comes as no surprise that the Ibuki Smart Filtering Smoother can be worn under as well as on top of makeup. A lot of products in the Ibuki range can be worn on top of makeup which I've always found quite interesting. Naturally, I had to try it out on top of my foundation first!

After applying my foundation, I rubbed a small amount of the smoother on my finger tips and patted it on top. I didn't want to run the risk of smearing my perfectly blended foundation so I sort of patted/pushed it on top. This technique worked very well, my foundation didn't budge at all! I did find that I had to use a fair amount of the Smart Filtering Smoother in order to do my whole face. It sets quickly once it's on and my patting/pushing method meant that I needed to use a bit more than if I were to rub it in. The end result was a matte and smooth finish, with subtle blurring of my pores. 

Shiseido's Smart Filtering Smoother is technically a serum (it's not a primer as the name would suggest) so I decided to use it as part of my skincare routine to see how it performed without the aide of makeup. After applying my regular serum and day cream I used this as a final step. I didn't have to use as much since I was able to run my fingers across my face instead of patting it on. It set quickly and left me with a completely matte look. My face felt and looked smoother and my pores weren't quite as noticeable. This product didn't magically erase them nor did it disguise them; it's more of a subtle blurring. If you're looking for a product to erase your pores, this may not be the product for you. If you want something to help blur the look of your pores than you'll like this Smart Filtering Smoother. 

What I liked the most about Shiseido's Smart Filtering Smoother is that it kept my face matte for a solid 8 hours without drying it out. I tend to get oily in my t-zone fairly quickly and this kept the oil at bay. If you want a product to keep you looking matte while protecting and treating your skin, I highly recommend you give this a try!

Shiseido's Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate is a nifty product that's designed to boost the efficacy of your serums and creams. I've used this product many times and love to include it in my routine. It has a nice, light scent and it absorbs into my skin quickly.

The Ibuki Quick Fix Mist is another great product that I use all the time! It feels so refreshing and it really gives my face an extra boost of hydration. I like to keep a bottle in my fridge; it's even better when it's chilled. The only downside is that it can spray uneven at times which means I have to spray three or four times to cover my entire face. Not a huge deal, but worth noting.

Last but certainly not least is the Ibuki Sleeping Mask. I absolutely love this sleeping mask! It has a gel like texture that feels so nice on my skin. Unlike a lot of sleeping packs/masks this one gets absorbed into the skin (no sticking to your pillow) and it feels very light. I ran out of this awhile ago and haven't repurchased it because I've been panning my skincare. I will certainly be buying this again once I finish my current nighttime cream.

If you love to receive free products in exchange for your honest review, I highly recommend that you join the Influenster community. If you're not a member and would like to join, feel free to use my referral link 😊

*I received these products for free courtesy of @InfluensterCA and @Shiseido but all opinions are my own! #PhotoReadySkin #contest

Have You Heard Of Teeez Cosmetics?

Teeez Cosmetics doesn't do boring. From fun packaging to funky, neo-chic shade choices; Teeez is a brand that sets themselves apart from the competition in both aesthetics and quality.

I stumbled across Teeez Cosmetics a few years ago when I received their Read My Lips lipstick (Roulette Red) in a beauty subscription box. The first thing that caught my eye was the packaging. The sleek white tube with the pastel-hued skull was so different from anything I had ever seen before and it spoke to the teenage punk rocker in me. The quality of the lipstick sealed the deal ~ I was in love with the brand!

Last year I attended the official opening of the Teeez Cosmetics at the Hudson's Bay where I was one of the first to experience their new (and very high-tech) cosmetics counter (read all about it here). If you're located in Canada and haven't experienced the Teeez counter yet, I highly recommend you visit the Hudson's Bay to check it out. You won't regret it!

Today I'm sharing three products from Teeez that I absolutely love. They're a great introduction to the brand and I know you will love them as much as I do! All three products are from the Fashion Vendetta collection which was inspired by catwalk beauty trends. This collection is cruelty-free and vegan (with the exception of the Bulletproof Flexibility Mascara).

Eye shadow has always been a weakness of mine, so naturally I dove right into Teeez Cosmetics To Die For Eyeshadow Quad ($48) first. Each quad contains 4 complimentary, high-pigment eyeshadows that are water-resistant and long-wearing. These skin-smoothing eye shadows can be used dry or wet and are available in 6 shade combinations from neutral to bold. I own two of these beautiful palettes (both neutral) and I'm sharing my favourite one with you today.

Cinnamon Revolution is a neutral quad that contains 4 very easy to wear shades. It contains a matte, nude shade (upper right), a shimmery, nude shade (upper left), a matte, cool toned, brown shade (lower left) and a matte, warmer toned chocolate shade (lower right).

One quick swipe done by finger,with no primer and photographed in natural lighting

The neutral matte shade is perfect as a base and great for those no makeup-makeup looks. The shimmery nude shade has a gorgeous rose-gold hue to it and it looks so pretty worn all over the lids. It also makes for a great inner corner and brow bone highlight. The two brown shades are perfect for adding definition to the crease. I use the deeper shade (bottom right) dry to create a subtle, daytime smokey eye and wet when I want to intensify it for the evening. Teeez's To Die For eyeshadows are easily blendable and when worn with primer, last the whole day. I can attest to their water resistance after trying to wash off these swatches (they did not want to come off ). The two lighter shades are very similar to my skin tone so they didn't swatch well. They show up much better on my eyes (with primer) than they do on my arm.

Whether you prefer a subtle radiance or a glow that can be seen from space; I think we can all agree that highlighters are a makeup essential. Teeez cosmetics Style Addict highlighter ($32) is a radiance boosting cream that can be worn as a hydrating primer or applied to the high points of your face as a highlighter. Style Addict is available in 4 shades that are sure to tickle your fancy!

Body Heat is the most gorgeous pink toned colour and it's absolutely perfect for spring! When blended, it sheers out to give a very subtle radiance. It can be layered for a more intense look (my favourite).

It's important to note that this highlighter is not a glitter bomb. Don't get me wrong; I love me some glitter, but sometimes you just want some shine without the sparkle. Style Addict also plays nice with my foundation. I find a lot of cream highlights/contours cause my foundation to move or separate; I'm happy to say that this stayed where I put it. I tested it on top of Estee Lauder's DW and Too Faced's Born This Way and it looked beautiful. I also applied it (while half asleep and under caffeinated) after I had set my face with powder and it didn't look bad at all. Not great, but not bad.

Last but certainly not least, is Teeez's Material Girl Lipstick ($29). These lipstick bullets are absolutely amazing! There are 10 shades available and although they aren't overly long-wearing, they are incredibly comfortable. I'm taking a break from the oh-so-drying matte liquid lipsticks and it feels good. Besides, when a brand has packaging this amazing, I don't mind having to reapply it. It just means I get to admire it more 😉

I own a few of Teeez's Material Girl Lipsticks, but today I want to share with you my top pick for Spring (and Summer). Nude Varnish is such a fun shade plus I really dig the name. It's not your standard nude at all; it's a peachy/orange shade and it's fabulous.

As far as wear goes, it lasts for about 3 hours before needing a touch-up. It isn't transfer or kiss proof, so you will need to reapply it after any eating, drinking or kissing. Material Girl Lipsticks are incredibly hydrating and they have a beautiful shine finish.

You can find Teeez Cosmetics exclusively at the Hudson's Bay, both in-store and online at www.thebay.com. If you're not located in Canada, you can order directly from Teeez at www.teeezcosmetics.com

Have you tried Teeez Cosmetics? If not, What would you try first? I'd love to hear your thoughts below!

*PR samples were sent to me for editorial consideration but all opinions are my own!