Garnier Body Repair Reparative Balm Review

In the summer when the skirts, shorts and sleeveless tops make their way out from the back of the closet it is important to keep skin hydrated and looking healthy. I enjoy stepping out of a relaxing, warm shower and slathering on some creamy lotion, it makes my skin look and feel great. Over the years I have tried and tested many different brands and today I have a review on a wonderful new body balm by Garnier. This cream is so rich and nourishing that it has quickly become one of my favorites, in fact my tube is already empty!

The reparative balm is targeted at uncomfortable, extra dry skin and although I don’t experience discomfort I do like the smooth texture and the fantastic scent! It is formulated to provide "48 hours of hydration" and although it does last all day it needs to be reapplied after showering. It is also enriched with 20% glycerine and shea butter to alleviate dry, itchy skin by regenerating the moisture barrier. 

What I like most about the cream is that it is fast absorbing and I can actually see an improvement in my skin right away. It makes skin smoother and wonderfully soft and supple! The formula, it is non-greasy and rich but still light-weight and once applied  there is no greasy shine or residue. It protects against environmental aggressors so it can be used during all seasons, although it does not offer SPF protection.

Applying the cream after shaving when there may be increased sensitivity helps soothe and it works great on dry hands and cuticles. This is the first time I have tried a body lotion from Garnier but I will definitely be purchasing another tube. It retails for about $7.99 at drug stores.

**Disclaimer: This product was provided for review courtesy of Garnier. All opinions stated in this review are my own and based on my experience with the products. Results may vary based on individual use.**

Montagne Jeunesse Face Masks Review

Every Friday night I enjoy a pampering at home spa day with deep cleansing and a revitalizing face mask. Today I have a review on a line that I have been using for years. Montagne Jeunesse is a company that is very familiar in my home; in fact many of the women and even some of the men in my family have incorporated these masks into their skin care routines.

Over the years I have tried many of the masks this company has launched from sheet masks, peels and clays. I have purchased them in large tubes for multiple applications as well as individual packs for vacations, gift baskets and stocking stuffers during the holidays. The formulas in the masks work well for my sensitive, combination skin and I haven't experienced any problems with irritation.

The great thing about these masks is that they encompass some of the best natural ingredients from around the world from places like: Africa, China, Tibet and Scandinavia. The company harnesses revolutionary and ancient skin care ingredients that are beneficial for a wide range of skin types.

Today I have a review that showcases the great variety and versatility of Montagne Jeunesse including a few new soothing and deep cleansing masks that have recently launched. 

Glacial Clay Spa Mask

What makes this mask unique is the addition of  nutrient rich Arctic cloudberry juices from Scandinavia!

Natural Ingredients: natural clay, sea salt, Canadian glacial clay, sugar, aloe vera, red grape, cloudberry extract.

*Cools, hydrates, high in anti-oxidants, clears pores, removes impurities and soothes.

Aloe Vera Face Spa

I have used raw aloe vera gel on my skin before and I enjoy its soothing and cleansing properties.

*Natural ingredients: purified water, aloe, sugar, carrageenan, citric acid –(ph balancer), cucumber, algae, green tea extract.

Red Earth Clay Spa (with pulped pomegranate)

*Natural ingredients: purified water, natural clay, Mediterranean clay, sugar, orange oil, cinnamon, and pomegranate.

*Deep cleanses and protects.

Dead Sea Mud Spa (with pressed sea kelp)

*Natural ingredients: purified water, natural clay, sugar, aloe, Dead Sea salt, seaweed extract, sea kelp, Dead Sea mud.

*Revitalizes, boosts and hydrates.

Manuka Honey Peel Off (with honey nectar from New Zeland)

* Natural ingredients: purified water, honey, caramel, aloe, horse chestnut, chamomile, vanilla, and jasmine.
*Cleanses, anti-bacterial properties, hydrates and maintains moisture barrier of skin.

Super Fruit Mud (with Goji berries)

*Natural ingredients: purified water, natural clay, Dead Sea salt, acai fruit, pomegranate and gojiberry.

* “Goji berries are nature’s more powerful super fruit.” This mask is rich in amino acids, vitamins, and anti-oxidants to nourish, sooth, hydrate and rejuvenate.

Damask Rose (ultra deep cleansing)

*Natural ingredients: purified water, natural clay, shea butter, cocoa seed butter, Dead Sea salt, Mediterranean clay, rose, marula seed oil and damask flower.

*Deep cleansing, hydrate, smooth and moisturize for soft, silky skin.

It is difficult for me to pick just one favorite but I usually opt for the clay masks because they cleanse deeply and leave my skin rejuvenated and fresh. With such a large variety almost anyone can find a mask that suits their skin's needs.

These masks can be purchased at most drug stores including Walmart and are quite affordable from just $1.99-$2.49 for individual packs and $5.99 for an 80 ml bottle.

For more information click HERE

**Disclaimer: These products were provided for review courtesy of FarleyCo & Montagne Jennesse. All opinions stated in this review are my own and based on my experience with the products. It is recommended by the company that you test the masks for irritation on the inside of the arm prior to use on the face. Results may vary based on individual use.**

Ko Denmark Body Oil and Face Serum Review

This winter I have been loving essential oils for skin care so today I have another review on some natural oils for use on the face and body.

Ko Denmark is a skin care line that is founded by a woman named Henriette who utilized her knowledge of botanicals and her family’s ancient skin care secrets from their garden in Denmark to create some wonderful products.

The first product I am going to review is the jasmine - neroli - rose body oil

The oil can be applied to clean, damp skin to lock in “the body’s natural moisture.” It can even be used in the shower before you step out or as an indulgent massage oil! 

Ingredients

This oil contains: sunflower oil, apricot oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, aloe, vitamin E, olive oil, rose, rosemary and neem.

I always read the labels of products I put in or on my body and if there are minimal amounts of quality additives it can mean the difference between purchasing a product or leaving it on the shelf. I like this oil because unlike many drugstore moisturizers it actually contains beneficial components instead of synthetics.

How it Works

After taking a warm shower the oil feels luxuriously moisturizing and the scent has fresh, botanical aroma therapy benefits. After application I can feel trace amounts of oil on my skin until it dries. Because it is meant to be applied on damp skin the oil absorbs slowly due to the water barrier but feels pleasant and lasts long. I even add a few drops to my body lotions for more hydration. A nice deep tissue massage is also a wonderful way to allow the ingredients to seep in and relax tense muscles.

The only thing I would recommend is adding a dispenser because pouring the oil from the wide bottle opening can get a bit slippery. 

This body oil retails for $42 per 150 ml you can find more information by clicking HERE

The next product I am going to review is the jasmine – neroli – rose anti-aging rosehip & evening primrose face serum

Description: “Luxurious anti-aging face serum designed to help calm dryness and reduce fine lines. Primrose has the ability to clear the skin and rosehip has a high concentration of fatty acids, vitamin E, vitamin C, and vitamin A to promote cellular metabolism.”

The face oil contains many of the same natural ingredients as the body oil and has a pleasant, mildly fresh herbal scent. It has a medicine dropper applicator which is ideal for dispensing the oil and contains no parabens, mineral oil, perfume or animal ingredients. 

I primarily use this oil before bed  because I don't use oil based products under my makeup. This oil provides instant soothing relief for dry skin. You only need 2-3 drops to hydrate the entire face. The more you use the more shine and product you will see on the skin but eventually the oil absorbs, dries and becomes less noticeable. It is also great for dry hands and moisturizing the cuticles. I use a tiny bit on my eyelashes before bed to help nourish the hair and promote growth. 

These essential oils do not clog pores or cause acne but rather nurtures the skin with vitamins. The moisture lasts all night and by morning my complexion looks healthy and dewy.

This face oil retails for $38 per 30 ml you can find it HERE 

For more information on Ko Denmark products you ca visit their website at: KoDenmark.Com

You can also find them on:

TWITTER

FACEBOOK

**Disclaimer: These products were provided to me for a sponsored review courtesy of Ko denmark. All opinions stated in this review are my own and based on my experience with the products. Results may vary based on individual use.**

How to make your own body butter

When you purchase body butters from most stores chances are that when you see ingredients like, mango butter, shea butter and other types of butters and oils listed in the ingredients there are only tiny amounts of these essential active ingredients present. But if these butters are so good for your skin imagine how wonderful your skin would feel if you had these butters and oils in their pure, natural form without all the extra additives and the things you can't pronounce. Well that is exactly what I did. I placed an order with New Directions Aromatics which is a company that sells essential oils, botanicals, butters and other natural ingredients in their purest forms and made my own whipped body butter.

This is a homemade recipe for the ultimate body butter. It is rich and 100% pure. When you apply this butter your skin will feel soft, supple and amazing!

I call this the ultimate butter because not only is it pure and natural but it is good for: dry damaged skin, UV protection, anti-aging properties, collagen support, discoloration, antioxidant properties, contains vitamins, anti-inflammatory abilities, rejuvenates, smooths, softens, rich in fatty acids, moisturizes, helps improve the look of stretch marks and more!

So here are some of the pure butters so you can see what they look like and some facts about each

Avocado butter: 

*Has natural sunscreen properties

*Contains  vitamin: A, B, and E

*Great moisturizer for dry damaged skin

Used in: soap, face cream, lotion, lip balm and hair products

What I use it for: skin and hair. This butter is my favorite for use as a skin moisturizer.

Vitamin C (L-ascorbic): This is not a butter but it is used in this recipe

*Antioxidant

*Important component in collagen

*Makes skin supple

*Helps reduce production of age spots

*UV protection

*Anti-aging benefits for skin

*Prevents bacteria growth on skin

*Can help to lighten discolorations and spots

*Reduce the size of pores

What I use it for: skin

Hemp seed butter:

*Essential fatty acid for skin

*Moisturizes dry damaged skin

Used in: soaps, hair products, creams, lotions, sunscreen

What I use it for: hair and skin.

Pumpkin seed butter:

*Rich in vitamin: E, C and A

*Rich in fatty acids and antioxidants

*Helps rejuvenate dry damaged skin

Used in: soap, cream, lotion, lip balm, body butters

What I use it for: Skin and hair

Sweet almond butter:

*Rich in protein and vitamin D

*Used to soften and condition dry skin

*Used to condition dry damaged hair

Used in: soap, cream, lotion, lip balm, hair products, bath bombs

What I use it for: moisturize skin

Shea butter:

*Rich in vitamin B

*Anti-inflammatory properties

*Rich in fatty acids

*Penetrates deeply into skin to moisturize

*Antioxidant properties

*UV protection

*Smooth supple skin

Used in: body butters, lip balms, lotions and face creams, shaving creams, soaps

What I use it for: moisturize skin
Note: raw shea butter has an unpleasant smell so you can choose not to use this in the recipe

Mango butter:

*Antioxidant

*Soften, smooth and moisturize dry skin

*Treats burns and stretchmarks

*Helps improve the appearance of scars

*Healing and regeneration

*UV protection

Used in: lotions, body butters, balms, soaps and hair products

What I use it for: skin

Oils used:

Organic coconut oil:

*Skin moisturizer and softener
*Rich in good fats which benefit the skin

Used in: body butters, lotions, lip balms, hair products, soaps, cooking

Vitamin E oil:
*Crucial in protecting skin cells
*Protect against UV rays
*Helps reduce wrinkles

Tangerine oil: 
*Refresh, Rejuvenate and soothe the skin
used in: perfumes and soaps

Argan Oil:
*Moisturize and nourish

*Glycerin (used to thicken)

Directions

The Ultimate Body Butter 

*Please note that for this recipe you can use which ever butters you prefer as long as they are 100% pure *

1. In a mixing bowl (I used a glass bowl), put in a portion of each of the butters listed above. You can add however much you want depending on how much product you want to make.

2. Melt the butters in the microwave. Heat until they are just melted but do not overheat or you could alter the effectiveness of the butters.

3. When the butters are melted add: 1 tsp of vitamin E oil and 1 tsp of argan oil and mix well.

4. Add 12 drops of tangerine oil or until the mixture smells of citrus. This will help improve the smell of the raw ingredients. You can also add peppermint oil if you prefer.

5. Add 1 tsp of vegetable glycerin .

6. Put the mixture in the fridge until it cools and has hardened slightly. You don't want to wait until it is completely hard because you won't be able to whip it. It should look solidified but still feel soft to the touch.

7. Whip the butters using an electric mixer until it is light, airy and fluffy, it should look something like the photo below.

8. Place your body butter in a clean jar. I used an empty conditioner jar which worked well.

When your body butter settles it should look solid but feel light and airy like mousse. It is important to whip the mixture well.

Directions: For best results apply to your body directly after showering. This butter is non greasy.

For more information on New Directions Aromatics please click HERE

I hope you liked this recipe! What DIY beauty products have you made?

Source: New Directions Aromatics