Review: Lush 9 to 5 Cleansing Lotion

Lush says this cleanser is, "Like Dolly says, 9 to 5 is quite the way to make a living. It can take its toll on the skin and leave you looking worn out. Our inventors created this one a long time ago and named it 'Orchid Oil Cleanser.' Our customers had been crying out for a liquid cleanser, so we decided to bring (the newly renamed) 9 to 5 to the LUSH shelves. This gentle cleanser is made with almond oil, dove orchids and everlasting flower absolute to remove your leftover make up, dirt and grime at the end of a long work day.

Product Review: This liquid cleanser has the consistency of a runny lotion. The term "liquid cleanser" is a bit deceiving because you don't actually mix it with water. Instead, you massage a dime size amount of the lotion onto your face and use a damp washcloth or dry cotton rounds/balls to remove. If I am wearing heavy makeup or a lot of mascara I will add a bit more and go through the entire process twice. I'm guessing the almond oil is what helps break everything down. Not only does this cleanser remove all my makeup, but it also leaves my face super soft. Sometimes I use a toner afterwards, but I rarely find traces of makeup left except around my hair line. I reserve this cleanser for lazy nights when I don't feel like taking a shower or washing my face at the sink.

Size of Product: 3.4 oz or 8.5 oz. plastic container

Price: $10.95/$21.95

Would I Repurchase? I would repurchase this for travel use. It's very convenient and removes makeup, dirt, and oil much better than cleansing or makeup removing clothes.

Natural Skincare: Coconut Oil and Grapeseed Oil

I have been trying to incorporate more natural skincare products into my daily skincare routine. After hearing so much about skincare oils, I decided to try two popular choices: coconut oil and grapeseed oil. I purchased my extra virgin coconut oil from Amazon.com and my grapeseed oil from my local Whole Foods store. You should be able to purchase 

both at any natural food store.

Review: Lush Imperialis moisturizer

The Imperialis moisturizer from Lush is a great choice for those with combination to oily skin. Lush says this about the moisturizer... "If you’re not sure which moisturizer is for you, we recommend starting here. Imperialis is a finely crafted moisturizer that works with most skin types to ease and soothe irritations. Made with lavender infusion to balance the skin's sebum production, the lavender encourages dry skin to produce more natural oils and discourages oily skin from overdoing it. Orange blossom water brightens up dull looking areas and leaves you smelling gorgeous all day long."

I wasn't planning on purchasing a moisturizer when I visited the Lush at Lennox Square Mall in Atlanta the other weekend, but somehow I left with Imperialis in my bag...my expensive Lush bag. 

I have combination skin that gets oily throughout the day. I am also very acne-prone. If something is going to break my face out it normally happens within 48 hours of using the product. I normally use Olay Complete All Day Moisturizer, Origins Vitazing, or grapeseed oil as moisturizer. My favorite day moisturizer from those three is definitely the Olay. It sinks into my skin quickly, has sunscreen, and creates an almost matte effect on my skin which is helpful before applying makeup.

Size of product: 1.5 oz. I was very skeptical of the small tub of moisturizer. I figured it would only last about two or so months. The sales associate told me that it should last me at least six months! It has a shelf life of a year, so I won't be left with old product that has gone bad.  I was told to dabbed two fingers into the lotion and dot around my face. That little amount does a perfect job of covering my entire face and neck.

Product review: I hate to admit I really love this product because 1. it's a lot more expensive that my regular moisturizer and 2. Lush is a two hour drive away from me (or I can order online).

Imperialis has the consistency of runny yogurt. Kind of gross but I feel like that helps it sink into my skin quickly. I've been skipping foundation primer since using this because it leave my skin smooth and almost completely matte. Not matte as in my skin has been sucked of all moisture but good matte--soft and not a hint of oil. 

Like I said before, a small bit of this stuff goes a long way. With my Olay moisturizer I am used to using a nickel size amount of product. With Imperialis it is literally two dabs. However, I tend to apply a bit more at night since that's when I normally use face masks or exfoliating treatments.

My face seems to be less oily during the day which is always a good thing. I haven't eliminated my blotting papers yet, but I definitely use them less.

Also, my face has not been irritated or broken out at all! The only downside of using Imperialis is that there is no built-in sunscreen or sun protectant. 

Price: $24.95--way more expensive than my Olay moisturizer which is about $8 for 6 oz.

Would I repurchase: I would repurchase this but only after I complete my Olay moisturizer. My Olay moisturizer works about the same, has sunscreen, and is much less expensive, but I love the fact that Lush uses natural and organic products in all their products. I am really trying to make an effort to switch to natural skincare and Lush has so many products to try! 

If you have never stopped by a Lush store I highly recommend talking to someone and sampling new things. Their sales associates in every Lush store I have been to have been so helpful and have demonstrated every product on my hand for me. Plus, something about their products just make me feel cool :).

What is your favorite Lush product? 

Review: Origins Skincare Must Haves

I'm thinking of 2013 as the year of skincare. I'm tired of trying to fix my skin with makeup. I want to find products that really help my skin and restore it to what it should be. I've never been blessed with perfect, or even semi-perfect, skin. I began to have horrible acne in about 7th grade. I tried just about every gel, cream, or antibiotic available until being put on birth control around 15 or so. The birth control definitely helped clear my face since the cause of my acne is hormonal. I am currently still taking birth control and spironolactone to control my breakouts. My birth control is $82 a month and the spironolactone is thankfully only $5. I am very hesitant to stop taking my birth control or even switch to the generic version because whenever I have tried one of the options my face has erupted in horrible breakouts and took months to clear up again.

At the moment I only have a few active breakout spots. Normally, my skin is clear of whiteheads or cystic bumps, but acne scarring and hyperpigmentation makes my face look as though it is broken out. I have combination skin that goes from dry to very oily throughout the day. 

I am currently experimenting with new products from La Roche-Posay, as well as the Origins Skincare Must Haves kit which I purchased from Sephora.com for $55 ($86 value). This is my first time ever using Origins and I am pleasantly surprised. Here are my thoughts on the five products included in this kit.  

According to Sephora, this kit has and will do the following:

What it is:
An exclusive set of five must-have Origins favorites for a bright, fresh complexion. 

What it is formulated to do:
Give your skin a refreshing boost with this collection of energizing, skin-loving essentials. The moisturizer gives skin a zing of antioxidants, while hydrating and protecting from environmental damage. The face wash carefully balances skin’s dry and oily spots for a finish that feels comfortably clean and never tight, pulled, or parched. The dermabrasion formula promises age-smoothing exfoliation without irritation, leaving you kissed with cooling aloe. The serum reduces wrinkle length and depth—especially in stubborn furrows across your forehead and around the mouth. The eye cream instantly reduces dark circles and brightens rapidly for an alert, wide-awake look. 

This set contains:
- 0.5 oz Plantscription™ Anti-Aging Serum 
- 0.17 oz GinZing™ Refreshing Eye Cream 
- 1 oz Checks and Balances™ Frothy Face Wash 
- 1 oz Modern Friction™ Nature's Gentle Dermabrasion 
- 1.7 oz VitaZing™ SPF 15 Energy-Boosting Moisturizer 

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens
- Sulfates 
- Phthalates 

Size of products: I read quite a few reviews that were criticizing the size of the products. I think the size of each product will last you enough time to decide whether you enjoy the product or not. The only full-size item is the VitaZing moisturizer.

Product(s) review(s):

• Plantscription Anti-Aging Serum: This serum is supposed to "help boost cell turnover to restore smoothness, radiance, and clarity, along with helping to rebuild natural collagen and elastin fibers to make skin stronger and more resilient." I am 23 years old, so thankfully I haven't noticed any problem with aging yet. I can't say if this product works or not because I don't know what to compare it to. I will admit I haven't been that diligent using it. I probably reach for it 3-4 times a week after my La Roche-Posay serum and before my moisturizer. It does sink in within seconds and makes my skin feel moisturized without the greasy aftermath than many products leave. 
• GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream: This eye cream is supposed to reduce under eye dark circled and puffiness. This is much too shimmery and illuminating me for. It reminded me of Benefit's Girl Meets Pearl highlighter! I didn't notice any reductions of my bags while using this. I will be keeping it as a face or body highlighter.
• Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash- This is my favorite product of the bunch. This gentle face wash is meant to help balance the oily and dry parts of the face. It has a minty smell that is refreshing in the morning and foams up like crazy when I use it with my Clarisonic Mia. You only need a pea size amount of this stuff, so I have a feeling it will last a while. I haven't tested it to remove makeup (I use a gentle face wash before to do that) but it does leave my face feeling very clean without drying it out.  I will definitely repurchase this in a full size bottle when I run out of my sample.
• Modern Friction Nature's Gentle Dermabrasion: Another stand out product! This exfoliant used rice starch and a creamy wash to rid the face of dry skin without being too harsh. The secret to using this product is to apply it to dry skin. After working it in, you add a bit of water to help the cream lather. After you rinse it off your skin will be smooth and moisturized. A little bit of this goes a long way, just like the cleanser, so I think this is a good alternative to rough scrubs if you have sensitive or reactive skin. 
• VitaZing SPF 15 Energy-Boosting Moisturizer: This tinted moisturizer could be a hit or miss depending on your skin color and type. On my very pale days the tint tends to lean a bit too orange for my liking. However, I always use a foundation over it so that eliminates the problem. The color works great when I use a bit of sunless tanner, though. The consistency of the moisturizer is light, so if you have very dry skin I don't think this will help you too much. If I apply too much, more than a dime size, it makes my skin get oily by the middle of the day. I'm not sure if I would repurchase this or not. I think if you have clear, normal skin this moisturizer would be a great substitute for a light foundation with paired with concealer and powder.

** None of these products have broken me out in the three months I have tried them.

Price: I think the $55 price tag is reasonable since you are receiving a full size VitaZing which retails at $35 and four deluxe samples of the other products. 

Would I repurchase: I am definitely repurchasing the Checks and Balances face wash and probably the Modern Friction exfoliant. I would not repurchase the eye cream or anti-aging serum. I'm on the fence with the VitaZing moisturizer. I'm going to see how it does in the warmer months and decide once I run out of it.

Do you have any skincare recommendations for me? Please let me know in or link your own skincare posts  in the comment section!