Beauty

Tom’s of Maine Deodorant — Putting It to the Test {with Giveaway!}

June 11, 2016 by Lisa 8 Comments

How often do you take a look at the ingredients in the products you put on your skin? I have always had sensitive skin and, after a bleach exposure many years ago, am very careful with what I use. At one point, I couldn’t walk down the laundry detergent/cleaning products aisles in stores. I’ve always been very conscious about what I use in my home, but this experience made me even more cautious with what I also use on my body. When Tom’s of Maine reached out and asked if I’d like to test their new long-lasting deodorant stick formula in the blazing heat and humidity of North Carolina, I knew it would be the right time to put their products through the paces. Would they hold up?

I use only deodorant in the winter and go back to my sturdy standby (an antiperspirant) in the spring and summer months. My seasonal switch is more about mindset and what I think I need versus what will work just as effectively without containing ingredients I avoid in other skin care products. The older I become, the more I think about my body, how it’s feeling, as well as what I’m doing and the effect on my physical well-being.

There is a period of adjustment when you switch to a deodorant only. Tom’s of Maine Long Lasting Natural Deodorant is not an antiperspirant — it’s a product designed to provide protection against body odor. It is not designed to keep you from sweating. Even during the winter months, my body needs a few days to get used to the difference. I apply my deodorant a few times per day during this transitional period for maximum effectiveness.

After using the product for 5 days, while working in my air conditioned home, I gave it the real test and mowed the lawn. We don’t have a gas powered mower, instead we use a reel mower which is powered by brute strength and buckets of sweat. Afterwards, I ran the weed eater. I was drenched — my clothes were soaked and I’ll be quite honest with you, I didn’t want to think about a sniff test. But, sniff I did and it wasn’t… awful. Actually, it wasn’t bad at all. I wasn’t daisy fresh, but I also smelled no different than I would had I been using my summer standard. In my book, Tom’s of Maine long-last deodorant works.

What does Tom’s of Maine do to keep me smelling fresh, while helping me avoid artificial fragrances and petrochemicals? These long-lasting deodorants contain the botanical ingredient hops (yes, the same hops we brew beer with) to inhibit the growth of odor-causing bacteria and zinc ricinoleate to absorb odor. And it works. That being said, what works for one person may not work for another. The only way to find out if it will work for you is to try it.

Do you want to make the deodorant switch and try the new Tom’s of Maine long lasting deodorant? I’m hosting a giveaway and one person will win a care package to get them started on their #DeoSwitch!
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Why use Tom’s of Maine?

• Tom’s of Maine natural deodorant contains no aluminum, artificial fragrances or preservatives and no petrochemicals

• Clinically proven, 24-hour odor protection using odor-fighting hops and the mineral zinc and only natural fragrances

• Fully recyclable packaging through local municipalities or the TerraCycle Tom’s of Maine Natural Care Brigade

• No animal testing and no animal ingredients

• With every purchase, Tom’s of Maine gives 10% of profits back to helping people and the planet

Follow Tom’s of Maine:

• Twitter: @TomsOfMaine

• Facebook: Tom’s of Maine

• Instagram: @Toms_of_Maine

• Youtube: OfficialTomsofMaine

About Tom’s of Maine:

Tom’s of Maine is a leading natural personal care brand that makes high quality natural toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss, deodorant, bar soap and baby care products. Its team consists of distinguished dentists, scientists and herbal experts that are leaders in their fields, are charged with developing a wide range of products and choices so people can decide what best fits with their needs and values.

Disclosure: This post was developed in partnership with Tom’s of Maine. All opinions are my own.

My Skin Story with L’Oreal Paris and Revitalift™

October 18, 2015 by Lisa Leave a Comment

This is a sponsored post.

I am a woman of a certain age. At times, I’ve been known to stand in front of the mirror and whine to my husband about the wrinkle between my eyes. I have yet to try injectables, preferring to marinate my skin in anti-aging creams and serums. (My husband says it reminds him of when I brine our Thanksgiving turkey.) When my friends over at Conde Nast and L’Oreal Paris, the skin experts, reached out to me and asked if I’d try the Revitalift™ Anti-Wrinkle + Firming line, I was all too happy to take the test.

Large cosmetic houses, like L’Oreal, have much more research dollars at their disposal, which means while they are a “drugstore” brand, the number of participants in blind studies is greater than those of boutique cosmetic firms found in department stores.

First appearances:

When I received the products, the first thing I did was examine the packaging. The Revitalift™ Anti-Wrinkle + Firming line is very well designed. I love the blue glass container of the Revitalift™ Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Night Cream, which reminds me of old Joy perfume bottles. My only wish would be that the Revitalift™ Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Eye Cream came with an applicator or in a tube to prevent contamination.

My Skin Story:

Time certainly takes a toll on your skin. If I could go back and tell 12-year-old Lisa to coat her body in the highest SPF available, I would. It would certainly save me from the hours I’ve spent staring in the mirror. The first night I used this product line, my skin texture was rough and red, with pigmentation along my jawline due to hormonal acne, a few dark spots on upper cheeks from old bouts of acne I could see the first signs of aging — fine lines, crows feet, and the dreaded wrinkle between my eyes from squinting while I work.

After one use, my skin felt different. The luxurious emollients in Revitalift™ Anti-Wrinkle + Firming were an added bonus due to a few stressful days I had spent with my Grandmother in the hospital, where the air is so dry, it feels as if it’s sucking the moisture out of your entire body. My skin looked dewy and fresh.

Thirty days out, there has been an all-over change in my skin. Fine lines aren’t as noticeable and there has been definite decrease to my dark spots, especially the ones on my upper cheeks. My jawline is going to take longer to fade, as those are dark spots from hormonal cystic acne due to PCOS. My skin feels softer, firmer, plumper, and looks fresher to me. While I’d love for there to be a magic eraser I could rub all over my face and make the wrinkles, dark spots, and myriad of other issues disappear, I’m satisfied with the results achieved from my thirty-day challenge with the L’Oreal Revitalift™ Anti-Wrinkle + Firming line.

L’Oréal realizes that each person’s skin story is unique, which is why they focus on different stages of aging skin. They offer a personalized online skin consultation to help you find the perfect match for your unique skin concerns.I’m in my early 40’s and this is when lines deepen, skin appears duller and drier. It’s time to replenish moisture, rejuvenate and tighten.

Bonus: I have been using the Revitalift™ Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Night Cream on my chest for several years. While I’m not sharing cleavage shots here, in my personal opinion, it has made a difference in the actual skin texture and sun damage I’ve received from being in the sun, surfing, and from wearing a v-neck shirt every day of my life for the past 20 years.

I’m naturally very pink.

Products tested:

Revitalift™ Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Day Cream SPF 18

Revitalift™ Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Night Cream

Revitalift™ Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Eye Cream

Product breakdown:

L’Oreal Paris, the skin experts, wants users to experience advanced action against the signs of aging. Revitalift™ Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Cream SPF 18, a unique daily moisturizer with broad spectrum UVA/UVB SPF 18 sunscreen protection, delivers smoother, firmer skin in just 4 weeks. Fortified with Pro-Retinol A and Stimuplex, Revitalift™ Anti-Wrinkle + Firming works to increase cell turnover, reduce wrinkles, firm skin, and provide 24-hour hydration.

Revitalift™ Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Night and Day Creams have a subtle, pleasing fragrance. There is not any detectable fragrance in the Revitalift™ Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Eye Cream. As someone with sensitive eyes, this is a bonus, as there was no irritation from scents which would normally cause redness and watery eyes.

The Revitalift™ Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Night Cream was truly a standout. This product felt amazing going on, no burning, or irritation, even after using an alpha hydroxy acid on my face to exfoliate. It is just as elegant as night creams I’ve paid over $200 USD for and after using, my skin felt softer, smoother, and definitely more plumped.

I enjoyed the Revitalift™ Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Day Cream SPF 18. That being said, I’m disappointed in the lower sunscreen amounts. I look for, at a minimum, an SPF 30 in my products, especially those containing any form of retinol. Adding more sunscreen was a minor inconvenience, but definitely adds time to morning routine due to the time required for drying.

Explore Revitalift™ Anti-Wrinkle + Firming on L’Oréal’s Website.

Additional Notes:

I used my standard cleansing routine, which includes cleanser, a liquid AHA (at night) and a moisture mist, followed by the L’Oreal Revitalift™ products.

Follow L’Oreal Paris, the skin experts.

Hashtag: #AskSkinExpert
Brand Website & Take The Consultation: www.lorealskinexpert.com
Facebook: @lorealparisusa
Twitter: @LOrealParisUSA
Pinterest: @lorealparisus
Instagram: @lOrealusa
YouTube: @lorealparisnyc

Disclosure: This was a sponsored post for L’Oreal and Conde Nast. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My Vanity and an Invite to Learn about Kybella™

July 27, 2015 by Lisa Leave a Comment

I have been looking in the mirror more often as of late. What is normally an act of personal growth and inner connection has become one of “who is that woman in the mirror?” My own vanity has been kicking my rear, and for once, I’m okay with it. I’ll never look like I’m 20 again, but I can do things that will help me slow down time on her eternal march across my face.

My name is Lisa and I’m a mid-life woman who has a notebook filled with things I can do for my skin and face. These include cosmetics that “blur,” fill in the wrinkles and help give my skin, and albeit temporary, dewy look and procedures done in my dermatologist’s office.

The aging process has also resulted in things “shifting” on my face. I’ve always had a full face and extra weight has given me the dreaded “double chin.” A recent consumer survey revealed that 68% of consumers are bothered by fullness under the chin. To that I say, well, yes. Known as submental fullness, the appearance of double chins or neck fat is a condition that can negatively impact the overall appearance of the face and can result in a person feeling older and heavier.

My friends over at Dermatology, Laser & Vein Specialists of the Carolinas heard about my mirror time and invited me to their open house and seminar to introduce me to Kybella™, the first and only approved non-surgical, injectable treatment developed to address this common complaint. Kybella™ reduces moderate to severe double chins and neck fat with no surgery no downtime and no sedation required. Now, I have yet to undertake any injectables or fillers in my face, but I do have serious curiosity about what they can do for me.

So I’m heading over tomorrow night to check out Kybella™ and see if it’s a good fit for me in the future. I’ll add the things I learn to my handy dandy notebook and continue to learn more about the process. I’m sure that it’s going to be a popular option for both men and women who are fighting the middle-aged spread and want to avoid invasive procedures.

WHEN:

Tuesday, July 28,

Dermatology Laser & Vein Specialists of the Carolinas

1918 Randolph Road, Suite 550

5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

SCHEDULE:

Dermatology, Laser & Vein Specialists of the Carolinas Open House Schedule Includes:

6:00 p.m. Dr. Munavalli will be holding a “What’s Next for the Neck” seminar
- Learn about other new and alternative treatment options
6:30 p.m. Dr. Munavalli will be performing live demonstrations of the Kybella™ treatment
Free consultations offered throughout the event
From Good Morning America, meet one of the first patients to receive the Kybella™ treatment from DLVSC and see her results http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/fda-approves-injections-treat-double-chins-30696856
Light hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be served

WHO:

Dr. Gilly Munavalli is the only Charlotte physician to serve as a principal investigator in the clinical trials for the development of Kybella™, making him one of the most experienced Kybella™ injectors in the nation and DLVSC one of the first practices to offer this groundbreaking treatment.

“In my dermatology practice, I see many patients who have undesirable fullness under the chin, even though they may have an otherwise balanced and harmonious facial appearance and be in great physical shape,” he said.

HOW:

Kybella™ is administered by injections into the fat under the chin, tailored to the treatment goals of the patient and the physician. Each in-office treatment session is typically only 15-20 minutes and many patients experience visible results in two to four treatments for long-lasting effects.

PLASTIC SURGERY FACTS:

Minimally-invasive cosmetic procedures increased 3 percent, to more than 13.4 million procedures in 2013, according to The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

“The demand for plastic surgery remains strong,” said ASPS President Robert X. Murphy, MD. “Facial rejuvenation procedures were especially robust last year, with more Americans opting for facelifts, forehead lifts, eyelid surgery, fillers and peels. With new devices and products hitting the market each year, there are more options and choices available to consumers wanting to refresh their look or a little nip and tuck,” he adds.

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT:

For more information or to make an appointment, clients should call 704.375.6766 or visit http://www.carolinaskin.com RSVPs are encouraged and both women and men are welcome to attend and schedule a free consultation.

AboutDermatology, Laser & Vein Specialists of the Carolinas:

Dermatology, Laser & Vein Specialists of the Carolinas was Charlotte’s first Mohs Surgery Center when it opened in 1990 and remains the busiest Mohs Surgery practice in the area. Now with their team of board-certified physicians, DLVS offers additional services, including face lifting surgery, blepharoplasty (eye lifts), laser hair removal, laser skin resurfacing, endovenous laser ablation, sclerotherapy, tattoo removal, laser resurfacing and many fillers. There is also a medical aesthetician on staff who performs skin care and facial treatments, and several lines of skin care products are available for sale. The practice also offers the most advanced treatment options available for general dermatology, skin cancer, varicose veins, laser surgery and cosmetic surgery. Physicians are in the office every day and personally perform or directly supervise all procedures done in the office. For more information visit: http://www.carolinaskin.com or call 704-375-6766.

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. I’m a curious consumer who is considering future options for the sake of my own vanity.

Shedding the winter coat with Gillette VenusSwirl™

March 23, 2015 by Lisa 30 Comments

I spent the earlier part of last week shedding my winter coat with the Gillette Venus Swirl™ razor. I would love to say “no judgment” as a southern gal never develops a winter coat, but it has been cold and I had no desire to shave my legs every day. Seeing as how I have been hiding out in cozy pants and sweaters, there was no need. (I also moved during the month of February and my razor has yet to appear among the boxes.) However, North Carolina is known for its changing weather and we jumped from 40 degrees to the 70’s and I needed to clean my act up in a hurry. Imagine you’re Magilla Gorilla and you want smooth legs for a cute dress. That’s your mental image for this review.

Gillette and WalMart reached out to me to ask if I’d like to give the new Gillette Venus Swirl™ a test and I took it as a sign. I headed to the shower with my new razor and the Gillette Venus Olay VioletSwirl™ Shave Gel, took a deep breath and got to work. The Olay® VioletSwirl™ shave gel was a pleasant surprise. I don’t normally use a shave gel because I find their fragrance overpowering and fruity. VioletSwirl™ is subtle, without that cheap candle mimicking spring scent.

Here is where I noticed the differences. I have been a Gillette Venus user for a long time (years). It is a great razor. But the Venus Swirl™ beats the Venus by a long shot. Venus Swirl™ is the first Venus razor to feature Gillette’s most advanced blade technology, with five Contour™ blades that cut hair at lower cutting force and have thinner, finer edges — the thinnest in Gillette’s history. The Contour™ blades individually adjust to a every curve and contour.

Combine that with the new proprietary FlexiBall™ technology and it offers a totally unique movement like no other male or female razor on the market. Venus Swirl™ is the first and only razor with the FlexiBall™, moving in multiple directions to navigate all of the tricky areas of a woman’s body. It helps shave hard-to-reach places and capture hairs other razors might miss. (They miss plenty — I have yelped many times since I started shaving while plucking a rogue hair from the back of my knees with tweezers.)

What really sold me was VenusSwirl’s™ new Microfine Comb and five Contour™ Blades. Pesky knee and ankle hairs and other tricky areas are no match for it! The comb grabbed hair you might have missed at the back of your knee and guides it to the blade. The visuals were almost too much for me it works so well.

Where can you find this magical winter coat pulverizer? Look for the entire collection of VenusSwirl™ products in the shave aisle at your local Walmart store or at venusswirl.com.

Do you want to give the Gillette VenusSwirl ™ and Gillette Venus Olay VioletSwirl™ a try? I’m giving away a $20 Wal-Mart gift card so you can pick up your own VenusSwirl™ products today. Giveaway ends March 30, 2015, at midnight.

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Follow Gillette VenusSwirl™:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gillettevenus
Twitter: @GilletteVenus, @Walmart
Website: venusswirl.com

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by SheSpeaks/Gillette Venus. I’m pretty sure the world at large is thankful for their intervention.

Bathe like Cleopatra: Testing the Milk Bath

November 3, 2014 by Lisa 1 Comment

This is a sponsored post.

Have you ever taken a milk bath? I had never taken one but have wanted to since I was a little girl and obsessed with Egyptology. Cleopatra, the last active pharaoh of Ancient Egypt, wooed the man who would turn the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire and rocked the smokey eye long before it was ever a thing. She also took milk baths and, by all historical accounts, had lovely skin. The Greek historian Plutarch describes her alleged exoticism as “itself neither altogether incomparable, nor such as to strike those who saw her.”

When I mentioned this to a few friends, one responded with “Hey, let me send you some powdered milk from my client, Milkman. You can take your milk bath and not waste fresh milk!”

Why am I talking about taking a milk bath? I’m 42 and my skin has decided that, along with wrinkles and acne, it is also going to be incredibly dry. I don’t know what is up with my hormones, but it’s quite obvious they hate me. You might be thinking hate is too strong of a word, but believe me, it’s not. A study from Osaka, Japan, confirms that after 60 minutes of bathing, subjects experienced a dramatic reduction in cortisol and chromogranin, two sensitive salivary stress markers.

A milk bath is the perfect way to relax and make your skin feel amazing.

Photo by Lubomirkin on Unsplash

Milk contains naturally occurring lactic acid (the type in milk is a beta hydroxy acid) which gently exfoliates, removing dead skin cells, leaving skin feeling soft and silky. Milk in the United States also contains added Vitamin D, which is used in skin care products to treat psoriasis. Vitamin A found in milk is also added to my skin cream and helps improve the look and feel of skin overall.

How did my milk bath turn out? I’m not sure if it had a true effect on my skin after one bath however, I felt calmer and more relaxed. My skin seemed to feel softer and I felt as if I had chugged a cup of warm milk and was ready for bed soon after my bath. I also made a powdered milk mask to use on my face, as I am naturally quite pink and flushed, in hopes of soothing it. My face did feel much smoother and appeared calmer and less pink than normal, even after a warm bath.

I’m currently developing a new hot cocoa recipe to use with Milkman powdered milk, which I’ll publish when I have it perfected.

Milk Bath How-To

Milk Bath — Add 1 to 3 packets of Milkman powdered milk to running bath water. Add 3-4 drops of your favorite soothing essential oil (I used French Lavender). Soak for 20 minutes. Gently pat your skin dry and moisturize with your favorite lotion.

Milk Mask — Mix 1.5 TB of Milkman powdered milk to 2 tsp warm water. Stir until it’s a paste you can spread over your face easily. (add more water as necessary for dilution.) Apply to face. Climb in the tub. Soak for 20 minutes. Rinse off. After which, apply your favorite moisturizer.

About Milkman Instant Powdered Milk:

Milkman Instant Milk has been a favorite low-fat powdered milk source for anyone who wants to enjoy milk but needs something more convenient than a liquid milk resource.

From campers and boaters to hikers and people who live in areas where it is difficult to make regular dairy or supermarket visits, Milkman has been delivering real-milk flavor with the convenience of powder for over 60 years.

Long considered the best-tasting low-fat powdered milk product available, Milkman’s “kiss of crème” gives it a remarkable natural flavor, while remaining low-fat.

Milkman is a product of Marron Foods.

I have been compensated for my time in creating content and receive samples for review. All opinions are my own.

Tom’s of Maine Deodorant — Putting It to the Test {with Giveaway!}