I'm Officially In Love With Dermaglow

I've toyed with the Dermaglow line via the samples I get from my friendly neighborhood Shopper's Drug Mart Cosmetic Angels but never really given it a fair shot. They now have a new oil free line that combines oil free and mattifying qualitites with their anti aging science. The issue I have with a lot of anti aging products is that they are often too rich and emollient causing breakouts for my super sensitive and oily skin. This cleanser is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive, oily and aging skin like mine.

Get squeaky clean with foamy bubbles!

Today I am reviewing their Foaming Cleanser. It is exactly that, a fragrance free foaming cleanser. I've used a ka-billion cleansers in my time and was not expecting to be overly impressed. It is velvety soft and spreads easily over wet skin, plus, a little goes a long way. And WOW does it clean. Every last drop of make up is removed, even my Urban Decay 24-7 waterproof eyeliner and my Kiehl's Mineral Mascara. Not a hint of a sting in my eyes and my face feels squeaky clean. Not tight and dry but super clean. Amazing that such a gentle cleanser can melt off a day of make up and environmental yuckiness. After cleansing and drying, I do a light mist of rosewater toner (I have been loving this one) and let that soak in before applying my day or night moisturizer. Those reviews will come later but I had to start with this cleanser. At $45 it is not cheap, but a little goes a long way and for results like this, I am willing to pay more. It would take at least 2 go overs with my usual Spectra Gel to get my face this clean! 

Benefit b.right Foamingly Clean for a Beautiful Clean

I have been eyeing the new Benefit skincare line for awhile. The packaging is pretty with that signature Benefit retro style and quite appealing actually. The sky blue glass jars or plastic tubes with the burled wood look to the caps remind me of antique glass with hobnail detailing. They have a tactile appeal as well as visual- which I love. Practical as well, as they don't slip right out of your hands if they are wet or creamy due the little knobs. And, b.right, bright and be right- get it? Cute!

I was recently shopping at Sephora perusing the Benefit counter, when I ran into an old friend who I knew from when I worked in the perfume biz. She is gorgeous and smart and I respect her beauty opinion and she convinced me I HAD to try the cleanser as she was using it and loving it. Like me, she has combination skin, albeit younger less lined skin, and that she was really happy with the results she was getting from the Benefit Foamingly Clean cleanser. It didn’t take a lot of prodding for me to toss it into my basket and take it home. At $21 for a big tube, and only using a tiny bit, this will last me quite a awhile. I also put back my Shiseido Benefiance Eye Cream (GASP!) and decided to also buy Benefit It’s Potent! Eye Cream- that review is here.

The whole b.right line emphasizes radiance- no matter if we have dry, oily, combination, young or aging skin, we all want it to be radiant, right? Benefit has cut to the chase and targeted that “one” aspect, which is rather clever. Radiant pretty much covers all our skin needs and wants, across the board.

Now THIS is radiant...am I looking in the mirror or what? 

Using the Benefit Foamingly Clean is wonderful luxurious cleaning experience. It has a very soft scent, barely noticeable and does not linger on the skin. But it’s the texture that is really something else. I like the old school cold cream feeling it has as it really seems like it is getting every last bit of dirt and make up off my skin. I have tried using Pond’s Cold Cream cleanser and really like the way it takes off every last drop of everything, but was not keen on the oily residue it left behind. I don’t think it’s necessarily a bad thing, but it just didn’t feel clean enough to me. Foamingly Clean has a magical formula that emulsifies beautifully as you rub it into your skin. It feels rich and lovely yet magically foams (not big soapy foam) and rinses away clean. My skin feels clean, not oily and not remotely dry or tight. My oily sensitive skin has not protested and I am very happy with this. I have been using it at night to take off the make up and grime of the day- which includes sunscreen and “stuff” as on sunny days I drive a convertible. Who knows what is on my face by the end of the day, but after a lovely cleansing with Benefit Foamingly Clean all the bad stuff is gone. Love this!

I now want to try the Moisture Prep Toning Lotion and of course, the Ultra Radiance Facial Re-Hydrating Mist, because I love me a good facial mist. Have you tried the Benefit b.right Radiance line? 

Exuberance Beauty Believe Tangerine & Sugar Maple Toner- Beautiful

First, a little bit about Exuberance Beauty. Exuberance is an luxury organic skincare company based here in Ottawa and headed up by the most exuberant Jodi Fedor. Jodi is committed to providing top quality ingredients in the most luxurious formulas to treat our skin. Exuberance offers cutting edge, results driven and scientifically sound formulations created with the highest quality certified organic ingredients. This is no granola organic skincare from the health food store. This is obvious the moment you touch and smell these products – they feel rich and smell divine, and that alone takes your skincare to a whole other level. Exuberance Beauty has an amazing website that tells the story of the company and it’s founder. Trust me, Jodi really IS as lovely as she sounds.

I am a big fan of misting toners. I like to mist after cleansing, sometimes after moisturizing and after applying make up. I will mist halfway through the day to refresh my skin and when I fly it’s a must. I started with Caudalie and have not looked back. For a toner to work for me, it must DO something. I like to feel it on my skin, soothing and comforting. My skin is oily and sometimes acne prone, but I hate to dry it out with acne products. Natural products have proven most effective so I feel that “calming” my skin is the best way to control it. The “Believe” tonic has me sold on all levels. First of all let me tell you about the scent. It’s a lovely orange-y citrus scent, so gentle and soft, and I detect delicate floral notes as well. 

So that’s the beginning of the feel-good effect. If I like the way a product smells, we are halfway home. After cleansing my face, it sits on the skin for a few moments then soaks right in, leaving my skin feeling dewy and soft, not dry or tight. I feel a gentle tingle and notice a nice rosy glow as well which tells me the Vitamin C in Believe is doing its stuff- fighting those antioxidants and renewing myskin. 

The aloe vera in Believe is so soothing and gentle, it really feels like I am doing something nice for my skin, and for myself. Aloe is a mega moisturizer without being oily, and is also proven to heal skin. Perfect. Believe also contains Willow Bark, which is the original source of salicylic acid. Studies show it’s effective against acne and acts to detoxify and soothe irritated, inflamed skin. Which is just what I need. 

I then moisturize and, if I’m going to bed, I will add another spritz. If I’m starting my day, I will apply my make up and give a gentle spritz when I’m done. I feel like it sets my make up and eliminates any powdery residue that may look too make-up-y.

I have noticed a difference in my skin in the 7 days that I have been using Believe. My skin is less shiny and my pores are less congested. I definitely notice a glow and a slight plumping and smoothing effect on my fine lines. Exuberance Beauty Believe is a beautiful product. I am officially addicted. There is also a rose based Exuberance toner geared towards drier skin and fine lines….thinking I might need that one too! Stay tuned for reviews of more products in the Exuberance Beauty line.

Exuberance Beauty skincare can be purchased on their website, and select locations of The Bay. There is a comprehensive list of retailers here as well. You can find Exuberance on Facebook and follow them on Twitter as well.

Dislcosure: products reviewed from samples provided by Exuberance Beauty