Anew Clay Mask Review: Calming, Brightening & Purifying

So you’re staying out late enjoying summer, partying hard and lounging on the beach. Maybe you’re having way too much fun to slow down and pamper your skin but sooner or later you’ll need a facial.
Taking time to relax and indulge in a spay day is important because all that sunscreen, makeup, sebum and pollution needs to be addressed.

Avon has created 3 new kaolin clay masks with active ingredients that target your skin concerns and remove impurities in just 5-10 minutes! Use them individually or mix and match to create a custom treatment that replenishes and revives.

The Purifying Clay Mask ($16.00) is infused with white charcoal powder to absorb excess oil around the chin, nose and forehead. The detoxifying formula deep cleans and tightens pores for a smooth complexion less prone to breakouts and blemishes. Use it weekly to help combat environmental aggressors, greasiness and dirt. After treatment my skin feels soft and rejuvenated but I usually follow-up with a hydrating cream or serum since clay tends to deplete moisture.

To slather on my masks I use the applicator brush from the Eco Tool Facial Mates Kit ($10.99). It also comes with 3 soft sponges that are perfect for wiping away stubborn dried on clay. The pads are gentle, absorbent and reusable, plus you can lather them up with your favorite face wash. (Available at Rexall, Pharma Plus, Pharmasave, London Drugs, Guardian IDA, Lawton and more)

The Brightening Mask ($16.00) with citrus peel extract is my favorite! It smells fantastic, reinvigorates dull skin and boosts your glow for an even skin tone. I use this formula to help fade blemishes or after spending too much time in the sun. It also does a great job of flushing out my pores and ridding my skin of icky product build-up.

The Calming Mask ($16.00) is enriched with aloe to help balance, refresh and soothe mild irritation and redness. I didn’t really notice a difference between this formula and the others. It seems to cleanse, remove impurities, soften and smooth in much the same way so it probably needs a bit more aloe.

The masks are available at avon.ca or through independent consultants.

Avon Limited-Edition Skin So Soft Comforting Shea Collection

Spring is in the air so it’s time to rejuvenate dry winter skin with a blast of nourishing moisture. One of the most hydrating ingredients on the market is Shea – known for its incredible ability to condition, comfort and deeply moisturize. Avon’s decadent new collection will leave you supple, smooth and refreshed from head-to-toe with a pampering selection of oils, butters, shower creams and lotions at affordable prices.

The Body Wash ($10.00) is creamy and fragrant to help you relax and foam away pollutants, impurities and oil after a long day. I drizzle it over my mesh bath pouf and create a bubbly lather that cleanses without leaving skin dry, tight or stripped. There is also a large bottle of Shea Bath Oil available if you crave an indulgent soak.

The Body Lotion ($10.00) smells delicious without being too sweet and the lightweight, luscious texture seeps in quickly so skin feels soft and silky with no greasiness. If they removed the parabens it would be even better but for dry, flaky skin it works! The cream is also available in a Body Butter formula ($9.00) if you prefer something richer.

The driest part of my body is probably my hands because I wash them frequently and often forget my gloves. The Shea Hand Cream comes in a large tube for just $6.00 and instantly softens and soothes brittle nails, damaged cuticles and rough skin. I keep it at my desk to moisturize throughout the day and it is perfect for your guest bathroom or powder room.

With Mother’s Day coming up these products are great for care packages and gift baskets! Avon is available online at avon.ca or through independent sales representatives.

Mark Rebel + Ice Bath & Body Collection by Avon

This season Avon is transporting you to the new South West with a collection of irresistible body products and fashion accessories inspired by tranquil blue skies. Rebel + Ice is fresh and invigorating with notes of cool mountain air, winter iris and white birch wood.

The pretty packaging, billowing scarf and crisp scent reminds me of sailing in Saint Tropez as the brilliant blue water sparkled beneath the sun and the Mediterranean wind whipped around the boat. 

After a long, cold day, relax with a warm shower and the Rebel + Ice Body Wash ($10.00) to soothe tired muscles and deeply cleanse. These fragrant shower gels (available in various scents) are some of my favorites from the brand because they lather well on my bath puff and create a lush foam that rinses away impurities without drying out the skin.

Follow up with the extra-rich Body Lotion ($10.00) that quenches, softens and heals dry skin with layers of silky hydration. This formula also works well on hands and feet or any areas that need more nourishment to combat frigid temperatures.

Finish with the energizing Body Mist ($14.00) which enhances the wonderful scent and lightly locks in hydration with castor oil.

The What a Scene Scarf ($18.00) has the same pretty print as the bottles featuring shades of blue and hints of crimson. This limited-edition set makes a great care package to help friends and family survive winter.

 Avon is available online at avon.ca or through independent consultants

Avon Anew Clean Skincare Review

If you want fresh, healthy skin without breaking the bank, there is a new skincare collection in town that includes all the essentials you need for removing makeup, toning, cleansing and exfoliating. The Anew Clean range by Avon is great for daily use and many of the products are formulated for all skin types.

The first thing I do after a long day is remove heavy, pore clogging makeup and start replenishing my skin. The facial wipes are gentle, non-irritating, soft and infused with a decent amount of nourishing cleanser to efficiently remove dirt, pollutants, foundation and stubborn waterproof formulas. They eliminate most of what’s on my face in a few swipes and you can also use them with cleansing cream to help emulsify. There are 24 wipes per pack retailing for $12.00.

The collection also includes a rich Illuminating Cleanser that rinses away remaining residue and impurities with an invigorating cream-foam lather. The smooth, bubbly consistency works well with my Clarisonic or Foreo Luna and I didn’t see any harsh sulfates in the ingredient list which makes it less drying and more refreshing. It also does a great job at rejuvenating and prepping the face for moisturizer, serum or oil. The cleanser retails for $12.00.

Cleanser & Scrub

The Refining Daily Scrub has just the right amount of exfoliating particles to smooth rough, skin, polish, soften, and refine the look of pores. The beads are suspended in a hydrating, lush cream infused with shea butter, jojoba and fruit extracts plus it doubles as a cleanser. Although the formula is gentle and non-irritating, it is still efficient enough to produce fabulous resurfacing results and retails for just $12.00.

The line also includes a Revitalizing Toner and a Micellar Cleansing Water for all skin types. Both these products are great for ridding the face of excess oil, makeup and dirt with absorbent moisturizing ingredients that suck up everything left behind. Since they are quite similar, I don’t really think you need both but whichever you choose will work well. They retail for $12.00 ea.

Micellar Water & Toner

If you travel frequently like I do then you may also be interested in the mini bottles which are great for short vacations or weekend getaways. You can get the Cleansing Water, Toner, Gel Cleanser, Cream Cleanser & Mask, Rich Foaming Cleanser and the Daily Scrub in these sizes. The small bottles retail for $6.00 each but Avon offers them at a discounted rate of $3.99 online.

You can find this great collection at avon.ca or through independent consultants

Spa Gift Baskets with Avon!

I know it’s only October but right after Halloween stores begin prepping for my favorite holiday of the year, Christmas! I like to get my shopping done early to beat the rush and in true seasonal spirit I begin concocting my list in August! I love giving and receiving great quality beauty products... even though my house is beginning to look like a mini Spehora! The great thing about putting together your own gift baskets is that you can personalize them, create a theme and add products your loved ones will go crazy for. They are also suitable for women and men of all ages and a wide range of occasions including birthdays, anniversaries, weddings/bridal party gifts, graduation, mother’s day or care packages and when done right they can look quite impressive.

Today I am featuring a fabulous spa basket with amazing products from Avon and a theme all women appreciate- relaxation and pampering! I’ve included a selection of products for bath, body and skincare that can be used day and night.

My spa days always start with a rejuvenating shower and the Avon Naturals Collection has a variety of calming, sweet scents to help melt your stress away. The Comforting Fig Hydrating Shower Gel and Body Lotion are fall classics! Enriched with sweet purple figs and juicy plums the fruity formula lightly fragrances the skin and moisturizes with shea and vitamins C & E. The shower gel retails for just $6.00 and the body lotion is $10.00

The Avon Planet Spa collection consists of purifying and nourishing products with a range of body butter, foot scrub, cream and more. My weekly facial always includes a fabulous treatment and the Perfectly Purifying Dead Sea Minerals Clay Mask minimizes pores, detoxifies, cleanses and revives for just $10.00. The Blissfully Nourishing Hand, Elbow and Foot Cream with African Shea Butter deeply conditions rough dry skin with natural butters and oils for smooth, silky results. The cream retails for $10.00.

The Anew line is one of my favourites from the brand and sunscreen is necessary even in the fall. The Anew Vitale Day Lotion with SPF 25 is a great lightweight moisturizer for everyday wear and it deeply replenishes to combat aging while brightening and protecting from environmental assaults. The formula is oil-free and helps reinvigorate the appearance of tired skin while evening tone, texture and shrinking pores. You can pick it up for $32.00.

The Anew Ultimate Gold Standard Anti-Aging range makes a fabulous gift package on its own! Together the products have 10 remarkable results including: smoother skin texture, clarity, even tone, reduction of deep wrinkles and fine lines, enhanced moisture, resiliency, firmness, volume and lift. The Day Cream with broad spectrum SPF 25 provides a supple layer of protection while the rich, rejuvenating Night Cream is designed to make skin look like it has a new life and a healthy, glowing finish. The Anew Ultimate Multi-Performance Eye Cream makes eyes appear lifted, smooth and refreshed while diminishing the look of crows feet and brightening dark circles. Each of these products retails for $39.00.

My favorite addition to my gift basket is the Anew Power Serum which was inspired by Nobel Prize Winning Research! This luxurious formula is packed with potent skin loving ingredients to deliver concentrated, individualized treatment for your specific skin concerns, anti-aging and damage. This lightweight serum can be applied on its own or layered under your moisturizer to boost their benefits and improve firmness, hydration, texture, radiance and appearance of wrinkles. The Serum targets troubled areas and goes to work exactly where you need it most to improve your overall complexion. You can pick it up for $40.00.

For the acne suffers out there you can toss in the new Blemish Clearing Overnight Treatment with the maximum concentration of Salicylic Acid and a non-oily formula to help reduce redness and zit size as you snooze. This treatment also helps prevent future breakouts and works well as a spot treatment to eradicate pesky pimples. It retails for just $8.00.

When preparing your skincare basket you don’t have to add as many products as I have but you can mix & match to include other useful gadgets like pumice stones, nail files, sheet masks, exfoliating shower gloves, a plush towel and whatever else goes with your spa theme!

You can pick up these fabulous products at avon.ca and through independent consultants.

*Press samples featured

Avon Stress Relief Skin So Soft Aroma Therapy Bath & Body Collection

With the popularity of deliciously scented rejuvenating bath products Avon has healthfully combined the benefits of aroma therapy and skin softening ingredients to help melt stress away and lull you into relaxation. The new Stress Relief Collection includes the 48 hour moisturizer, body wash and foam bath so you can fill up the tub, light some candles and slip into the fluffy warm bubbles.

We have all had those long, strenuous days that make you want to retreat from the world and enjoy some alone time in your own little sanctuary. This collection has a soothing fragrance blend of eucalyptus, geranium and a touch of citrus to help calm your mind and body. You simply add 1-2 capfuls to running water and relax as the bubbles cleanse and alleviate tired muscles.  

The products smell very fresh and pleasant which creates the serenity of a tranquil spa in your own bathroom. In fact the intermingling of fragrance and botanicals actually reminds me of products used at the spa and the formula nourishes the skin while appeasing your senses. The foam bath retails for $9.99.

After a long, much needed bubble bath the 40 hour moisturizer provides luxurious hydration enriched with extracts and oils that leave skin velvety soft. The lotion has the same calming, natural scent as the foam bath and it puts me in the mood to get cozy under a warm blanket and enjoy the rest of the evening. It retails for $9.99.

You can find the collection at avon.ca or through independent sales representatives.

*Press samples featured