Sunday, October 25, 2009

Smaller Pores/Less Acne/Laugh Lines Filled

So it's been about a week and a half since, I started using the products and I actually have noticed some change in my appearance. I am not normally a person who pays a lot of attention to my pores. I "see" them and don't see them if you know what I mean, but when I took my before pics, I was actually studying my face to see what improvements I wanted to make (smaller pores not being one of them) and have noticed that they are smaller, and that it does make the skin look smoother in a way. Smaller pores are one of the benefits of the Night Cream (Revitalizing) which is great. Luxurious feeling and nicely scented (again, if you like the smell of flowers).

Another change in the skin, are the little bumps that were residing on my forehead, heat bumps, acne whatever you want to call it. They are fading and I think that may be a result of a product I have not reviewed yet. Its the Anew Clinical Retexturing Peel. It's a like a Clearsil Pad but with more potent product. I can feel it take off the old dead skin cells and clear the way for new perfect ones. I will do a full review of this product later.

The product I am most happy with thus far is Derma Full. I have had laugh lines for what seems like forever and for the first time, I can't see them, and makeup isn't creasing there! Woo! Derma full seems to be the truth, at least for minor creases and wrinkles. For more advanced cases, an injection may still be the best and most immediate solution.

I will post some more pics as soon as I have some time.

Best in Beauty,

kg

Monday, October 19, 2009

Derma-full and Anew Rejuvenate Revitalizing Night Cream

So after taking my little "before" pics, I started a night routine using the Anew Ultimate Contouring Eye System, Anew Clinical Derma-Full and Anew Rejuvenate Revitalizing Night Cream.




The Derma-Full I think I was most interested in because it contains Sodium Hyaluronate which essentially a injectable face filler. This particular product contains 3x the injectable grade of hyaluronic acid. In 2003 the FDA approved hyaluronan injections for filling soft tissue defects such as facial wrinkles. Restylane is a common trade name for the product. Hyaluronan injections temporarily smooth wrinkles by adding volume under the skin, with effects typically lasting for six months. Juvederm is non-animal-sourced Hyaluronic acid injectable filler, similar to Restylane but differing slightly in terms of effect and longevity. It is used for lip augmentation, reduction of folds and wrinkles as well as removal of scars. The effects of Juvederm treatments are also temporary, and costs are similar to that of Restylane. The presence of hyaluronic acid in epithelial tissue has been shown to drive collagen synthesis and normal skin function. It has been reported that hyaluronic acid is a very effective topical humectant, however results may only be sustained as part of an ongoing treatment program.



So, I wouldn't think that using Dermafull would give any extreme or drastic changes in appearance as you would see my going to your local plastic surgeon for a couple of face injections...but in lieu of that, I think that it could plump up a skin fold or two if used on a regular basis. I have been using it on my forehead frown lines, and the laugh lines around my mouth.
The lotion itself is light and creamy. Doesn't really have a scent, no flowery, no sweet, just a cold cream sort of smell. Selling this month for $54.00. I don't see this one reduced much in price ever. No bargains on 'injectible in a jar', but I think it's still a bargain for one who may not be ready to actually inject!






Anew Rejuvenate Night Cream

So this night cream is boasting a couple of different things. The first is a mini extracting technology that apparently gives the appearance of smaller pores over time by performing thousands micro extractions...hmm. The second thing is the Exfo-smoothing complex that essentially resurfaces the skin over time, the third thing is Revitafresh technology which is supposed to reinforce cell bonds and make skin smoother. This night cream seems mighty ambitious. I was happy, however to see that one of the ingredients is Chlorosalicylic Acid, a derivitive of salicylic acid that aids in the exfoliation process in a deeper more penetrative way providing a rapid turnover of dead skin cells to let the new, smooth skin shine through!! Do note though, this cream smells like flowers. Roses, to be particular, so if you don't do well with fragrance, this particular night cream is not for you! It's selling this month for $30.00 but there is a trial size for $7.00 which is a nice way to start.






Anew Ultimate Eye Contouring System

This product is a show stopper on many levels. First, the packaging and and the promise of getting 2 for 1. That is always promising. Secondly the fact that you really MAY just get two products at once. The concentrated elixir is in the upper jar. It reminds me of a gold petroleum jelly. NOT that thick or greasy, but it's definitely substantive. It goes on OVER the cream which is in the lower jar. Essentially the Cream is working to restore elasticity to the delicate skin of the eye, while the Elixir is working to to reduce the look of the under eye bags and fat pockets. YAY! This product was made just for me I swear. With all of the stress in my life over the past two months, all I can see is fat pockets under my eyes. So the Elixir is 'powered by sirtuins' . What are sirtuins you ask? They are an anti-aging enzyme in living cells that enhace cell survival during times of stress. "It's looking like these sirtuins serve as guardians of the cell," said Harvard Medical School researcher David Sinclair, who led the new work published in yesterday's online edition of the journal Nature. "These enzymes allow cells to survive damage and delay cell death." [Sirtuin.com] My eyes are stressed. I stare at computer screens all day and night at the studio and I squint out in the California sun. I am looking forward to seeing the what improvements this Elixir can offer me. Selling this month for $32.00, and after about 5 days, I would say, worth every penny....

That's it for now. We are starting with three powerful creams right out of the gate. This beauty game is not for the faint of heart ladies!! Below are some of my sad little "before" pictures. Let's hope for some drastic improvements courtesy of Avon....







TO SHOP: www.youravon.com/kiaglover

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

What Happened....

Calamity! What happens when a diva/product whore runs out of outrageously overpriced product??!! You are reading this because this very tragedy befell me several months ago and I was not able to procure more of my various favorite silky potions. If you don't know me well, then I'll tell you that I am addicted to beauty creams. Moisturizers, daytime spf creams, day serums, night serums, eye serums, eye creams, scrubs, peels and pads. That is just the pre make up routine. The make up is also an involved process all with the intent of looking like I am wearing not much at all. Not so objectively, I'd say most of the time I come close to hitting my target. So now the the bling bling era is over (temporarily) and the recession has visited my general vicinity, I've had to creatively find ways to maintain some semblance of a youthful glow. For six months I did nothing save some vitamin e and olive oil treatments here and there. Then I had a nervous breakdown. I missed my bottles and jars and their various scents. I missed my cold masks and horror of horrors (!) I found a line or two on my face. Oh hell no! Clearly I had to take action. I had been getting mailers for Avon for at least six months and have decided to give a couple of products a try. This blog will follow my trials and experiments with the various products from my own unique point of view. My degree is in chemistry so with all of my beauty products I'm always wanting to know exactly what the activating ingredients are and how they work on my skin which happens to be extremely sensitive. As I go forward, I will share my little findings with you and try to guide you toward things that I think work. I also decided to to become and rep and so far it's been highly informative and fun. Will I use solely Avon products? Of course not. But they are working their way into my extensive multi step beauty routine and have certainly saved me during crunch times. Listen, times may be rough, but surely your skin shouldn't be! Jeezus. Anyway, questions and comments, esp. from my scientist peeps are welcome and appreciated. If you'd like to purchase feel free to do it through my site www.youravon.com/kiaglover for free delivery straight to your door. If you'd like more info on becoming a rep yourself contact me at kia4avon@gmail.com

Now, on to to the POTIONS!!