PRODUCT POTPOURRI

~ MORE PRODUCT REVIEWS FROM AN INDUSTRY INSIDER ~

 

It can be a daunting task for consumers and spa professionals to narrow the number of products to consider.  The savvy person always takes the time to perform due diligence, which can take on many forms, including perusing magazines, in-store product testing, sleuthing the product websites and social media pages, or even doing Internet searches to see what the chatter might be on a particular product.  I enjoyed testing this latest grouping of products and also hope you enjoy reading about them. 

Mineral Fusion Mineral Makeup ~ Mineral Fusion offers a range of natural mineral-based makeup products that are healthy for skin, while providing natural coverage that enhances; the company also offers a range of application tools, skin, body and hair care.  Their product line is all natural, not tested on animals, hypoallergenic, gluten-free, and also free of parabens, talc, artificial or synthetic ingredients, phthalates or sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS).  Mineral Fusion is an environmentally conscious company that regularly practices manufacturing best practices for sustainability, as well as partnering with and supporting local and global charitable organizations.  I reviewed some of their makeup products, which included Loose Powder Foundation, Concealer Duo, Eye Shadow, Eye Pencil and Lip Gloss.  Both the Concealer Duo and Loose Powder Foundation were easy to apply and provided maximum matte coverage that remained throughout the day, which didn’t require any touch-up; the Eye Pencil went on smoothly and was easily smudged as an accent eyeliner; the Lip Gloss left my lips moist, while adding a subtle blush of color.  Whole Foods carries this line as one of their Premium Compliant personal care product lines.  http://www.mineralfusion.com

Penhaligon’s, London Perfumers since 1870 ~ When I was doing research on aromatherapy and perfume to prepare for a series of presentations on the subject matter, I became familiar with Penhaligon’s, the quintessential London Perfumer.  My first introduction to this company was through one of its celebrated books, “The Language of Flowers”, Penhaligon’s Scented Treasury of Verse and Prose.  I became fascinated with their fragrances, because through my research I learned that their formulations contained the finest and purest of essential oils, extracts and resins; formulas were maintained over the years, so that when a fragrance was re-introduced, its aromatic integrity remained as did the original version.  I had the pleasure of experiencing two of Penhaligon’s most popular fragrances and one of their most recent.  They included Gardenia (1976), Elisabethan Rose (1984) and Peoneve (2012).  Each fragrance remained true to its single-note name.  The dry-down of each note (top/head, middle/heart and bottom/base) remained subtle, without altering the integrity of top/head note.  http://www.penhaligons.com

Raw Skin Care Smoothing Serum ~ I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing other products in this beautiful organic skincare line.  I’ve come to appreciate using face oils for hydration and find them more effective than many creams or lotion.  The Smoothing Serum is an organic virgin cold-pressed Argan Oil from Morocco; it has three prestigious organic certifications, including the USDA, QAI and EU.  This potent serum is naturally rich in anti-oxidants and also contains vitamin E, Omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids, squalene and polyphenols.  The consistency is luxurious and silky, applies effortlessly, and is quickly absorbed without leaving any greasy or tacky residue; it’s also non-irritating and hasn’t any aroma.  After using, my skin looked healthy, hydrated and vibrant.  After the first use, I noticed diminished fine lines and wrinkles in age-prone areas like the forehead, crow’s feet, under eye contour, nasal and marionette folds, etc.  Argan Oil has also been found to be beneficial in topically healing sunburn and acneic related. The product is only available at salons and spas that carry this prestigious organic skin care line as part of their treatment menu.  http://www.redcherrygroup.com

Toezies ~ If you’re like me, working out while wearing socks and athletic shoes is uncomfortable and limits flexibility.  Working out in bare feet isn’t always the answer, either, since depending on the surface area you’re using, you can slip, or stub the toes, or lose your balance.  When I first put on the “Sassy Stripe” design, finessing the cutouts over each toe felt awkward, but once they were on, I loved how the gripping heads kept me “sure footed”, allowing for freedom to flex my toes and use them to stabilize my balance.  While wearing them, not only didn't I slip, I also felt grounded.  The Toezies also felt like second-skin.  They were very comfortable to wear and definitely ideal for working out or walking around.  http://www.mytoezies.com

Vichy Laboratories LivActive Serum 10  ~ This anti-aging Serum has garnered international recognition by Marie Claire Magazine for its 2012 Prix d’Excellence Beauty Award, the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval and Allure Magazine Beauty Breakthrough.  High-performing ingredients include rhamnose (a regularly occurring plant sugar that contributes to skin rejuvenation), hyaluronic acid (aids in moisture retention, while improving levels of decreased collagen and elastin) and ceramides (to diminish signs of aging).  The Serum is concentrated and requires only a single dropper of product, applied twice daily.  Its consistency is silky and goes on smoothly, is quickly absorbed and doesn’t leave any greasy or tacky residue; there wasn’t any aroma.  While I used the product for three weeks, my fine lines were visibly softened; however, the texture of my skin felt slightly grainy on those areas prone to dryness.  http://www.vichyusa.com

 

That’s it for this edition.  Until the next one, remember to take care of yourself and those you love.

By Terry Herman

Terry Herman is a recognized expert in the industry, and regularly covers issues that include business, management, operations, customer care, treatments, products, and trends. In addition to writing and reviewing, she is also a management consultant and motivational speaker.  She also serves on EXPERIENCE | PREMCHIT Journeys In Retreat To Wellness Advisory Board, which is comprised of ten international experts in various fields of wellness and spa.  She also serves as a Group Manager for the popular LinkedIn group, The Spa Buzz.  You can email her at terrysspabeautywellness@gmail.com.

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(Photo credits as represented by the specific brand.)

N.B.  Google’s blog platform is incompatible with my Mac OS X and Firefox browser latest software versions, which is why some web links appear in different colors and why when attempting to have embedded images their sizing is consistent and/or can’t be sized.