Beautisol Self Tanning Products

I have been experimenting with self tanners for years, the only one I eve seem to get right is the one for my face and I had all but given up on a tanner for my body that was easy to use, didn't smell horrible and gave me the results I wanted. A few months ago I was sent Beautisol (formally Antidote) to try. I had wanted to start playing with this product long ago but had not been feeling well enough to play with tanning products. Well this week after tanning my upper body I had to fix the fact that my legs were casper white still so I pulled out my bottle of Beautisol to try.

I went straight for the dark tanning lotion as my upper body was quite dark and I really wanted some balance. One of the first thing I noticed was the smell of this product, which was not what I was used to from tanning products, it was a very pleasant smell! The website says that 'our innovative SMELL RIGHT fragrance technology actually encapsulates the unpleasant processing odor by up to 80%'.

The next thing was how dark this product was. The website explains that is a guide colour and once on the skin it actually blended in quite nicely and was not as dark as I was expecting from looking at the bottle.

This product blended really well into the skin even using the gloves provided in the package. It glided on with almost a gel feel which I found so easy to use. This product also dries very quickly and I did not feel a residue like I have felt with many other tanning products.

This lotion is paraben-free and packed with powerful antioxidants and anti-aging ingredients that help nourish and hydrate the skin. Summer Glow™ is recommended for all skin colors and tones as it highlights and blends with your own skin’s pigment. I can attest to the fact that even with my very light skin this product did not look orange and was perhaps the most natural artificial tan I have ever had. 

I really liked this product and will continue to use it. I have also included some before and afters from Beautisol's website as I forgot to take a before pic of my legs before applying the product!

CLIMATIK by Marcelle

Inspired by two-time Olympic medalist Jennifer Heil who also becomes the ambassador of these new products, Marcelle® has developed CLIMATIK: a line formulated specifically for those whom, like Jenn, appreciate being in the open air. Regardless if it’s sports, vacation, work or one of your passions that brings you to be out in the nature, CLIMATIK is for men and woman of all ages and all skin types.

CLIMATIK formulas will have you ready to benefit from the Canadian climate; rain or shine, in the cold months of winter or on hot summer days! The ultra-light film-forming agents offer global protection, a great performance and a remarkable duration.

Adapted to our CANADIAN CLIMATE, a few KEY INGREDIENTS:

• Irwinol®: protective and repairing filming agent; moisturizes and softens skin. 
• Golden Root Extract: powerful antioxidant; protects the skin against stress caused by the elements (wind, heat, cold). 
• Exsy-ARL®: improves the skin’s natural defense system, shields it from pollution, antioxidant. 
• Lemon Peel Wax: film-forming protector; moisturizes and protects. 
• Shea Butter: moisturizes, softens, helps to repair and protect the skin. 

Check Out CLIMATIK everywhere where Marcelle is sold.

Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion

I was recently asked if I wanted to try Skin MD Natural Shielding lotion! I jumped at the chance as I am always looking for a better moisturizer, especially during the cold months of Canadian winter. When the bottle arrived I remained skeptical but started to use the lotion instead of my normal moisturizer. Many moisturizers are much like lip protectants (I won't name any names, but you know who they are)! They give great results in the beginning, then as time goes on you become dependent on the product for your skin just to feel normal! Skin MD claims to be different.

Skin MD says the following about the Shielding Lotion; '"Shielding lotion is a lotion that forms a protective barrier on the skin and keeps out irritants and chemicals. It also allows the natural oils and moisture to remain in the skin so it can heal better. It is a big advantage that shielding lotions are light and go on without a greasy mess," says Dr. Brian Zogg, a dermatologist in Albert Lea, MN'.

This lotion contains aloe vera, vitamin E, Chamomile just to name a few of the natural ingredients. It also contains Cyclopentasiloxane and Dimethicone which aid in creating the barrier discussed above. The Shielding Lotion is also dermatology tested, hypoallergenic, non-comedeogenic, fragrance and colorant free, paraben free and is not tested on animals.

Although I have a tendency toward oily skin, during the winter months my skin develops dry patches and becomes very itchy. I began using the lotion 4 times a day, as the bottle states you may need to use the lotion more at first. If you read my posts regularly you know that I am NOT patient and wanted to start seeing results as quickly as possible.

I loved how the lotion disappeared into the skin without that greasy and heavy feeling that many lotions can give. As well I noticed that my skin felt smooth immediately. This was a result of the Cyclopentasiloxane and Dimethicone creating that shielding effect! I later realized that this made the lotion a wonderful primer as well! After a few days I began applying the lotion 2 times a day as I felt my skin was begin to reap benefits and the packaging suggests at that you will need the lotion less as time goes on.

After about 2 weeks I began to see a real difference in my skin! The patches were gone and my skin didn't feel parched as it had before. My pores didn't clog, therefore not breaking out my skin like many lotions tend to do. Skin MD says that a bottle of lotion should last about a month, depending if you decide to use it on your face only or on your body as well I think you can really get longer out of one of these bottles as a little goes a long way!

I was really impressed with what this 4 oz bottle had to offer and I would suggest it to anyone who needs hydration and feels that traditional creams and lotions just aren't doing what they promise! At $18 (American) this lotion is a great buy, especially if you are used to department stores creams and lotions. Shipping varies but no matter where you are I would suggest just buying multiple bottles at a time for the affordable price they are!

Stay tuned in the coming days for a great giveaway from Skin MD Natural!!!

Ban Dry Winter Skin

If you are anything like me you suffer from dry skin during the winter season. It's a horrible feeling and is inevitable during this cold season. There are some easy steps you can do, as well as not do to help keep your skin as moisturized during the cold months of winter.

1. Avoid hot baths- I know we all love them but hot water will dry the skin. Keep baths as short as you can and keep them luke warm. Use bath products that will but moisture into the skin. Shower instead of a bath when ever possible ( I know I am a bath lover too, but it is extremely drying) and opt for a shower instead!
2. Use a humidifier- Going from the heat into the cold and back is very taxing on the skin. Blowing heat in homes and especially in the car can dry out skin in a short amount  of time. Using a cool steam humidifier will help balance out the moisture in your home and not only benefit your skin but often your sinuses as well.
3. Moisturize more- I know it sounds simple, but many people don't realize that during the cold months it is necessary to add moisture more often to the skin. As well using stronger lotions is usually needed. Look for creams with 'humectants', or labeled as ointments. Be careful when switching your face cream as you don't want to cause skin irritation. Usually the brand you normally buy will have a more moisturizing option.
4. Hydrate from within- I know you have heard it before but assuring your body is hydrated will aid your skin. As well new studies suggest trying fish oil or omega-3 for soothing dry skin. Omega-3 aids our body in more then one way so no matter the time of year this supplement is a great one to take for overall health.

I know there are dozens more tips, but these are the one's that I find the most helpful for combating the dry skin of winter. What are your tips for moist skin during the cold months??