SIBU, Now Known as Sea Berry Therapy in Canada

Have you heard of SIBU Sea Berry Therapy? They're an American, natural and cruelty-free beauty brand. For those of you who are familiar with SIBU, they have rebranded and relaunched in Canada under the name Sea Berry Therapy. The products have remained the same, just the name has changed!

"The process by which Sea Berry is brought from the Himalayan Highlands to your shelf is nothing short of a labor of love, and it all starts with the Turkestanica Sea Berry. This tiny orange berry found only at 12,000 feet above sea level is known as the richest source of Omega-7 in the world, and has been used for more than 13 centuries because of its wealth of amazing properties, including 190 bioactive compounds." 

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I was fortunate to have been gifted two Sea Berry Therapy products to try, and spoiler alert, I LOVE them both!

"Deep yet gentle cleansing is the basis for effective facial care at every age.  This naturally antibacterial sea buckthorn face wash gently removes dirt, impurities and make-up while maintaining a healthy balance in your skin without compromising its natural protective nutrients.  Sea Berry Polishing Facial Cleanser is perfect for sensitive skin, and will leave your face fresh, clean and perfectly balanced." 

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Sea Berry Polishing Facial Cleanser has quickly become a favourite of mine. It comes in a pump (love pumps for EVERYTHING) and it really gets my face clean. It removes makeup, gets the oil and grime off, but it doesn't strip my skin. The exfoliation is mild but noticeable and it leaves my skin feeling smooth. Typically washing my face leaves my skin feeling taut and dry but not with this cleanser. I will definitely be purchasing it with my own money once this bottle is empty!

"Experience the ultimate in skin hydration.  This light, non-oily serum penetrates deep into your skin to help deeply hydrate your face and neck & eliminate flaky, dry skin. Infused with vitamins, Hyaluronic acid and Sea Berry (Sea Buckthorn) extract, this serum fortifies the skin against the aging process and helps repair damage at a cellular level."

Hydrating Serum is made with Hyaluronic Acid for deep hydration and is suitable for both oily and dry skin types alike. This lightweight serum has a pleasant scent and it absorbs so fast. My Skin feels soft and supple immediately after applying this. I find it adds a supple radiance which is always nice. If you have dry skin like I do, you will want to follow up with a moisturizer or cream. Oily skin types may find that this is all they need. Two thumbs up for this serum!

I am definitely interested in trying more from the brand so if you have any recommendations, I'd love to hear them!

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

Give The Gift Of Youthful Skin This Holiday ~ Robin McGraw Revelation

Last month I featured some amazing products from Robin McGraw Revelation (read here) and today I'm back with some more awesome products from Robin's line that would make fabulous stocking stuffers!

"This antioxidant foaming gel cleanser gently and thoroughly removes all traces of makeup, dirt and oil, leaving skin soft, supple, and glowing. The balanced formula contains hydrating and purifying ingredients to cleanse without stripping skin." 

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Foaming Joy! Purifying Facial Cleanser ($22, 120 ml) contains Chamomile Extract for its anti-inflammatory, soothing and astringent properties as well as Green Tea Oil for its anti-aging and antioxidant properties. There's even Apple Fruit Extract, a natural AHA, to exfoliate and encourage cell renewal.

This cleanser is actually a gel, not a foam as its name would suggest. It does foam up though and it cleanses without stripping. I use a dime sized amount after removing my makeup, and It leaves my skin refreshed.

"Achieve a refreshed, relaxed, and younger-looking complexion with this advanced formulation. An innovative blend of four unique peptides relaxes and smooths the appearance of expression lines to help diminish the visible signs of aging." 

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Face It, You Look Amazing! Revitalizing Serum ($38, 15 ml) contains three key ingredients to assist in preventing visible signs of aging by reducing expression lines.

Ginseng Root Extract

Valued as an anti-aging ingredient, due to the many phytonutrients found in the plant, with anti-aging and energy-supporting properties that help to tone and brighten the skin.

Purslane Extract

This cute little plant is also loaded with antioxidants like Beta Carotene, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Omega 3 Fatty Acids. It has long been used to treat skin disorders and wounds.

Gotu Kola Extract

An ancient healing plant, modern science has recognized it’s calming and healing properties. Rich in amino acids and Beta Carotene, it helps stimulate new cell growth and build collagen.

I've only been using this serum for slightly over a week, so I can't comment on its long term effects (yet). I can say that a little goes a long way, and it feels so hydrating on my skin. I've just started to develop some expression lines on my forehead, so fingers crossed I see some results! FYI, this serum is for expression lines (not all over your face). Apply it to your forehead, between the brows and crows feet.

"Wake up to a repaired, refreshed complexion! This unique nightly treatment addresses multiple visible signs of aging while protecting skin from future damage. Increase firmness and elasticity, balance skin tone, and restore skin’s moisture all while you sleep." 

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Hydra Qwench Moisturizing Night Cream ($42, 30 ml) contains a healthy dose of Squalane - an antioxidant that feeds skin cells to promote cell growth, Hyaluronic Acid to promote collagen production and to plump skin, as well as Caprylic Acid.

This night cream is so rich and hydrating! I apply this as the final step in my skincare routine and I'm so impressed. I wake up to skin that looks even, rested and hydrated. Perfect for Canadian winters!

I have yet to try a product from Robin McGraw that I don't like, so yes, I totally recommend them!

To learn more and purchase these products, visit robinmcgrawrevelation.com

Press samples were generously provided to me for editorial consideration. As always, all opinions are my own.

NeoStrata's New Acne Clear Line ~ Review

If you suffer from breakouts, you should check out NeoStrata's new Acne Clear line. Widely available at most major drugstores, this line will help treat active pimples while helping to prevent future breakouts. There are 2 different treatment options and today I'm sharing my thoughts on the system for severe acne.

The first step in any anti-acne routine is cleansing. NeoStata's Acne Clear Clarifying Gel Cleanser (200ml, $24.50 CAD) deep cleanses to wash away bacteria, oil and impurities. It's formulated with 2% salicylic acid to help dry up any active breakouts and unclog your pores to prevent future breakouts.

I love how clean my face feels after using this cleanser! I use it in the evening after oil cleansing and it leaves my face feeling deeply cleansed. A little goes a long way - which means this bottle will last a long time. Since my skin is prone to drying out, I only use this in the evening. If you have oily skin or have lots of breakouts I'd recommend using it twice daily.

The next step is applying NeoStrata's Acne Clear Clarifying Solution (200 ml, $29.50 CAD). Chemical exfoliation is key to treating and preventing acne. This clarifying solution contains both BHA (2% salicylic acid) as well as AHA (10% glycolic acid). In case you're not sure how BHA's and AHA's work here's a quick breakdown as found on NeoStrata's website .

GLYCOLIC ACID

The alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) of choice. Its small molecular size makes it effective in removing the build-up of dead cells on the surface of the skin. Has an ideal pH for better results.

SALICYLIC ACID 

A beta hydroxyl acid that dries and helps clear up acne pimples while reducing the severity of acne pimples, allowing skin to heal.

If you're new to using chemical exfoliants, its best to start slowly to build skin tolerance. Start by applying it at night, every other night, and gradually increase the frequency of applications. If you have severely problematic skin you can use it twice daily. If you have minimal breakouts or just want to prevent them, you can get away with applying it a few times a week. Alternatively, you can use it as a spot treatment. Always wear sunscreen when using AHA and BHA because they make your skin more susceptible to sun damage.

I personally use it every other night and as a spot treatment because my skin tends to dry out fairly quickly. Even though I don't use it daily, the effects are still noticeable - smaller pores and reduced breakouts.

The final step is to apply NeoStrata's Acne Clear Acne Fluid Treatment (50 ml, $29 CAD). It helps to dry out pimples, absorb excess oil and minimize dilated pores. It also moisturizes leaving a shine-free finish, soothes skin and calms redness.

I don't know why, but I was expecting this to have more of a lotion texture seeing how it's the final step in this anti-acne routine. As the name suggests, it is indeed a fluid. Even though it is quite viscous, it feels very hydrating and that feeling lasts. It absorbs quickly and leaves my face looking calm and shine free. I only apply it once a day because my combo skin is prone to drying out when I use too much salicylic acid.

This anti-acne treatment plan has been helping my skin stay clear amidst the stress of moving so it gets a definite thumbs up from me!

You can find NeoStrata's Acne Clear range at most mass drugstores and online at well.ca

*press samples were provided for editorial consideration. All opinions are my own.

Shiseido WetForce BB VoxBox ~ Review + Swatches

When it comes to skincare, Shiseido is a brand that I love. So when Influenster sent me the WetForce BB VoxBox complimentary for testing purposes, I knew that I was in for a treat!

"Sunscreen and makeup in one. This ingenious hybrid keeps skin looking undeniably gorgeous and protected, even while you have fun under the sun playing sports and working out. Now in a transfer-resistant BB tinted sunscreen, discover the ultimate sun protection formula with innovative WetForce technology. The super-lightweight formula blends easily into skin and stays put, delivering comfortable natural coverage that camouflages uneven skin texture and tone so you can look your best while you sweat." /source/ 

I received Shiseido Sports BB Broad Spectrum SPF 50 + WetForce in the medium shade and it's a perfect match for me - at my palest. This product is only available in 3 shades (light, medium and dark) so it may be hard to find a suitable match if you're anything deeper than light-medium. The poor shade selection is a shame because this product is actually amazing!

Shiseido Sports BB Broad Spectrum SPF 50 + WetForce is tinted enough to cover redness and minor imperfections while still looking natural. It dries to a satin-matte finish in seconds and it has a powdery feel when dry. There's no white cast and it doesn't feel heavy. It lasts all day (the BB coverage; not the sun protection) but it can be tricky to remove. An oil based cleanser works best and luckily enough, one was included in this VoxBox!

"Shiseido Ultimate Cleansing Oil is a specially designed purifying formula quickly and easily removes long-wearing foundation and water-resistant, high-SPF sunscreens. It rinses away quickly leaving no sensation of stickiness." /source/ 

This cleansing oil melts off heavy facial makeup and sunscreen with ease. It emulsifies with water and rinses off clean. I found it worked extremely well at removing my base makeup and sunscreen, however it didn't perform too well on my mascara.

I also received a sample of Shiseido's Urban Environment UV Protection Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 40 For Face/Body.

"This daily shield utilizes advanced sun care technology to protect against dryness, oxidative pollutants, and UVA/UVB rays that cause photo-aging, spots, and wrinkles. " /source/ 

This product was a huge miss for me. Although it feels light on the skin and has a matte, powdery feeling finish that I love, it gives off a major white cast. It doesn't matter how well I rub it in, the white cast is quite noticeable.

Out of the three Shiseido products I was sent, I would definitely purchase Sports BB Broad Spectrum SPF 50 + WetForce and the Ultimate Cleansing Oil.

You can find Shiseido in-store at Shoppers Drug Mart and Sephora & online at Sephora.ca and beautyBOUTIQUE.ca

If you're not a member of Influenster yet, I highly recommend you sign up! Feel free to use my referral code www.influenster.com/r/1074768

*I received these items complimentary from Influenster, but all opinions are my own!