Amala Detoxifying Body Polish and Soothing Lip Salve Review

Today, I would like to introduce you to Amala, a German, 100% natural origin skincare brand.  Their products are free of synthetic ingredients, petrochemicals, parabens, and genetically modified ingredients.  Amala is also committed to longstanding fair-trade partnerships with farmers around the world and their packaging is made out of recycled materials.

I have the chance to try out Amala Detoxifying Body Polish, which is a gel-based body scrub infused with sea salt and antioxidant plant actives. I used this tonight to exfoliate my feet and gosh, it smells so good.  It has that refreshing peppermint and something else (perhaps myrtle?) scent that just wake you up.  This body polish is gel based that foam up a bit when you rub and it is so finely mill that I say you can even use it on your face.  I find that you don't need to use as much product compare to other scrub because it lathers up pretty nicely.  It is easy to rinse off and does not irritate my sensitive skin.  Afterward, I am left with soft skin that smell good.

(it lathers up as you rub it in)

The next product I am using is Desert Fig Soothing Lip Salve, a nourishing blend of organic Desert Fig Seed, Marula Seed and Shea Butter that moisturizes lip with a subtle sheen.  Did you know that the average woman swallow pounds of lip products in her lifetime?  The fact that almost every ingredients in this lip salve is from organic farming make me feel worry free.  I use it twice a day and it does a good job keeping my lips soft and moisturize.

 

Price:  Detoxifying Body Polish - $26 for 1.7 oz

            Soothing Lip Salve - $18

Overall Rating:  4.5 out of 5 for both

Disclosure:  The products being review was sent for consideration.

Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Mother's Day is just around the corner.  Have you pick out a gift yet?  Do you need some ideas?  Well, if you do, I hope this will inspire you.


1.  Chloe gift set from Sephora, $120.  This is one of my all time favorite perfume, I always get ask and compliment whenever I wear it.  It is a very fresh floral scent that is not overwhelming.  This set has a matching scent body lotion as well.  Read my full  Chloe Eau De Toilette Review.

2.  Personalize necklace.  Nothing is more sentimental than a piece of personalize piece of jewelry.   Small pendants of initial, birthstone, and symbols are just so adorable, delicate, and well...personal.  The pictured necklace is from JCGemsJewelry on Etsy or Stella & Dot also make them.

3.  Orchid Plant.  Orchid is beautiful, exotic, delicate, yet very resilient.  If you take good care of it (water once a week and plenty of sun), it will bloom for months unlike most flowers that wilt within days. 

4.  Laura Mercier Luxe Colour Portfolio Palette from Sephora, $78.  I am lusting over this palette.  It got eye shadows, cake liners, and blushes in one convenience booklet.  It has color for both day and night and flattering to most skin tone.

5.  Sabon Organic Dream Set from Sabon, $47.  Oh, I first discovered Sabon during my trip to NYC and I have love them ever since.  They are a body and face skincare line with stores based in NY and expanded to Chicago.  This set consists of organic hand cream, foot cream, and soap made of medicinal plants from the Swiss Alps.

Cheers to all the mom out there! 

Elemis Japanese Camellia Oil Blend for Stretch Marks

Hi there.  Gosh, I don't even know if anyone is reading this blog anymore as I have not written anything for months now.  After being a mom, things just fell off the wagon.  It's the new year (well, somewhat newish), I'll try to pick it up again.  Blogging has always been my little "escape".

I have been meaning to write a review on this product forever but I never get around to it.  I am glad I finally am.  Mom to be, this one is written especially for you.  One of the many things you think about when you find out you are pregnant is "am I going to get stretch marks?"  I know, but hey, I am just being honest.  I did a lot of research and most reputable sources will tell you that stretch marks are mostly hereditary and there is very little you can do to prevent it.  I have a few old stretch marks on my calves and hips developed during my college years.  I don't know why I got them because I was only 100 - 105 lbs back then.  I was sure I will get these "milestone" marks when I was pregnant and was not even going to bother with any remedy really.  Then I came across a blog post by Nicki  from FutureDerm, she recommended Elemis Japanese Camellia Oil that supposedly Victoria Beckham used during her pregnancy.  I have always respect Nicki's review so I thought I give it a try.

My daughter is almost one now and I am happy to say that I don't have a single stretch marks on my belly or hip (new one).  I contribute that to Elemis Japanese Camellia Oil.  I apply about a nickle size once a day.  One bottle lasted me the whole 9 months. 

As your baby grow, your belly will get bigger and your skin will stretch thinner and thinner.  The stretching of the skin make it very itchy especially during winter months.  On days when I am lazy or forgot to apply this oil, my belly get insanely itchy.  As soon as I apply this oil, it works wonder at hydrating the skin and relief (insane) itchiness.  To me, that alone is enough to qualify as a good, must have product.  The fact that I came out of my pregnancy without any stretch marks is total awesome bonus.  This body oil is not only good for preventing stretch marks but also skin moisturizer.

Rating: 5/5

Disclosure: The product(s) being review was purchased by me for personal use or review purpose.

Introducing Willa Skincare

I am here today to introduce you to Willa Skincare, a new all natural skincare brand designed to address the needs of young girls, created by a young girl (with the help of her mom, Christy)!! The line is free of chemicals, petroleum and dyes.

I was sent a few samples to test drive. While I am far from being a teenager, I thought cleanser, body lotion and lip balm are basic and general enough that I can give a fair assessment.

Start Fresh Foaming Face Wash is a self foaming face wash that is light in both feel and scent. It is effective in removing light makeup and leaving your skin freshly cleanse. I appreciate that this cleanser is free of SLS, unlike many foaming cleanser out there. Unfortunately my skin feels a little tight after cleansing but it could really well be dehydrated due to air conditioner.

Like their face wash, Be Brilliant Natural Body Lotion also have very light and fresh scent. The texture itself is also light and absorb quickly. It is the perfect body lotion for summer when you need to care for your skin without the heaviness of a cream.

Born to Glow SPF 15 Daily Tinted Shimmer Lotion claims to protect your skin from harmful UVA/UVB rays while giving you a dose of glamour! I have to warn that the SPF level is too low to use as a standalone sunscreen. While the shimmer is pretty, it is a bit too shimmery and glittery to use all over for someone my age. I instead use it as a body highlighter, i.e. on my sheens, collar bone, upper shoulder, and it works fine.

Smile Butter Lip Balm in vanilla is a clear balm that smells really good, not too strong. It is thick, moisturizing and non-sticky. I like it, include the packaging and would love to try the other (with color).

You can purchase Willa Skincare from their website, Willa Skincare and Target or JCREW Crewcut.

Dr. Teal's Eucalyptus Epsom Salt Bath Treatment

Got ache and pain? Or simply love taken bath? If your answer is yes to both then this is a must.

Price: $4.99 for over 1 Kg.

Pros: Ah, to me, taken a bath is such a simple luxury and I always enjoy adding bath treatment to make it even more special. Lately I have been experiencing back, hips, and legs pain due to being 8 months pregnant, all the extra weight and expansion is taken a toll on my little body. The combination of warm water and Epsom salt really help ease soreness. Of course, this is also great for athletes as well. The packaging said add 2 cups but I only use 1 cup yet I can still smell the spearmint and eucalyptus scent which to me is refreshing and calming at the same time. I have tried other brand before and honestly I cannot smell anything so this is a plus. Also, for the price and the amount of product you get, cannot beat that.

Cons: It comes in this huge bag that is supposed to be reseal-able but it is not. As you pour (because there is no scoop), the salt gets stuck in the seal part and won’t reseal easily. I would totally be willing to pay an extra dollar for them to package this in a plastic jar with a scoop.

Overall/Rating: Despite my dislike for the packaging, I think the product and value itself still warrant a perfect 5/5 rating.

Disclosure: The product(s) being review was purchased by me for personal use or review purpose.

Beauty Regrets

Most of the time when I write reviews, I tend to write about products that excite me in some way. However, I figure it would also be beneficial to share with you my regrets. Afterall, it could potentially save you some money.

Earth Therapeutics Bamboo Body Sponge : I was looking forward to the soft texture but all this does is turn into a ball of cloth when wet, worse bath accessories ever! You are much much better off with just a wash cloth.

Dior Eyeshadow in Petal Shine: Totally was looking forward to Dior makeup. For some reason, even after trying this with different primer, within 2 hours, it creases like there is no tomorrow. I really want to like it but unfortunately the obvious creasing was unattractive.

Juice Beauty Antioxidant Serum: It has good ingredients, affordable but unfortunately, it didn’t do much for my skin. (Review)

Cover Girl Lash Extract Waterproof: Hard to remove and it smudges. Smudging mascara is my biggest pet peeves.

Vitacreme B12: I bought this last year because it got so much publicity and rave from other blogger. It’s the most hype product for me because it does nothing for my skin. It is not even moisturizing enough to use as a basic moisturizer.

Alba Hawaiin Hibiscus Toner: It stings and burns my skin immediately. Ouch!

Disclosure: The product(s) being review was purchased by me for personal use or review purpose.

DHC Q10 Hand Cream Review

Being a germ phobic, I wash my hands a lot.  I constantly wash my hand and reapplying lotion, especially so in the winter.  I favor creamy texture that is rich yet absorb well and it is what I hope DHC Q10 Hand Cream would be. 

Price:  $7.50/1.7oz tube

Pros:  I like that include Q10 for the anti-aging factor.  It’s creamy yet lightweight and non-sticky.

Cons:  It’s a bit greasy.  Also, it’s simply just not hydrating enough, maybe because it is lightweight.

Overall:  This probably will work better in the summer or humid climate.  During the cold weather, it is not moisturizing enough for my hands.  Rating: 2/5.

Disclosure:  The product(s) being review was purchased by me for personal use or review purpose.

Barista Bath and Body Products Review

Awhile back, I introduced to you a new company called Barista Bath and Body. You can read more about them here. I have been using their bath and body products and I have to say, I am impress with certain products.

Perk It Up Energizing Shampoo – Got to be my favorite. It smells so good, just like freshly made coffee. For a product that does not contain SLS, it lathers and cleanses really well. I think it makes my hair shinier as well.

Sooth Those Jitters Moisturizing Conditioner – It does not smells as good as the shampoo, actually I can hardly smell anything. Some day, I find that it does not moisturize enough. To me, it is just okay, nothing special.

Triple Shot Body Wash – Smells lovely, lathers and cleanses well, just like their shampoo. I love how it does not leave my skin feeling dry afterward.

Room for Cream Moisturizer – This cream should be package in a jar or a squeeze tube (with softer plastic). It’s really hard to get the product to squeeze out which is annoying. The cream itself is moisturizing without being greasy, absorb easily.

Barista Bath and Body

I have good news for fans of natural skincare and coffee lover. A luxurious natural hair and body skin care line, Barista Bath and Body was launched in July 2010. Their focus is on offering natural products using organic coffee as the main ingredient. I have seen coffee in skincare but this is the first time for me to see it in hair care products. It contributions to beauty products include aiding in removing impurities from hair and offering a natural PH level to sooth and protect the skin.

Their products range from $4.50 to $28. You can get sample or travel size of 2 oz for around $5 for most products. I have a set that includes shampoo, conditioner, body cleanser, and body lotion that I am saving for my upcoming trip and will report back on my experience.