Review: Juice Beauty CC Cream

As I promised a few weeks ago I have gotten my greedy little hands on a few CC creams and have started trying them out. When I review a product I always wear it for at least a month to test it out to my satisfaction. I test for breakouts, ease of use, longevity and performance with a face product. I always want to be strait forward and completely honest and if a company sends me a product for review I always tell you guys that.

The first CC cream I tested is from Juice Beauty and let me tell you it is a-freakin-mazing!! I used it in conjunction with their Hydrating Mist and I couldn't be happier with my skin at the moment!  I used it as a primer under my makeup on most days because I like a fuller coverage make-up look but I wore it every single day even if I was just running errands to give my skin a nice healthy glow and to even out my skin tone. According to Juice Beauty  "Juice Beauty's Stem Cellular Repair CC Cream is ideal for all skin types and especially beneficial for skin showing the signs of aging including fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage. Available in two shades, Natural Glow and Warm Glow, to match and enhance any skin type and color. Since Juice Beauty uses no artificial dyes, the colors are effective for skin tones ranging from very light to dark." and it claims to

• Repairs damage
• Evens skin tone & texture
• Firms & improves elasticity
• Reduces fine lines & wrinkles
• Creates a radiant, glowing complexion
• Balances skin tone
• Rich in antioxidants
• Protects with chemical free SPF 30 · Mineral tinted coverage
• Ultimate moisturizer
• Skin perfecting color
• Great for all skin types

I have never used products that do almost everything they claim to do. I definitely feel as if I have firmer skin and fewer visible wrinkles. The color lasted all day and didn't make me oily even if I didn't set it with powder. I have also not broken out and I have very sensitive acne prone skin. I don't know about the repairing damage claim, but I see brighter and firmer skin in the mirror! I actually feel a difference because there are zero silicone in this product my skin is actually softer rather than just feeling softer. I am quite fair so I use Natural Glow. I was very sad to put it away after trying it and I am sure I will bring it back out after I am done testing the rest of the new CC creams, but hey a reviewers job is never done right?

xoxo,
Rachel





I paid for this CC Cream with my own moolah :)

CC Cream

I just knew this was going to happen when we started hearing whispers of  another skincare+makeup cream last spring and what better name to give it than CC cream?? What is the hype with CC creams all of a sudden? Well I imagine that we can thank the explosion and financial success of  BB creams that hit the American markets in 2011. I have tried a ton of BB cream both American and Asian brands and really I only like the Dr. Jart and Garnier. If you have no idea what I am rambling about see What are bb creams? CC cream is the new BB cream. Except, well it IS BB cream right? I am sooo confused! Lets start over.


Last spring the only new product anyone could talk about was bb cream (beauty balm or blemish balm) and later most of us found out that several cosmetic companies just repackaged their tinted moisturizers just so they could label them BB creams and jump on the money train bandwagon. There is a vast difference in the Asian and American  BB creams as well because most of the American versions have ingredients in them that are not good for your skin. In the spring us product junkies and testers started to hear that Chanel had created a color correcting balm that would probably be called " CC Cream". The CC stands for color correction and Chanel says that the CC Cream is "A completely original creation. A fusion of skincare and makeup. The double know-how of CHANEL Research and the Makeup Studio. Backed by true expertise regarding the precise needs of Asian women in terms of flawless skin." As soon as I can get the CC Cream  I will be testing as many as I can but I just find it terribly redundant because the BB creams made the EXACT same claims!


I expect that many of the same companies that repackaged their tinted moisturizers will do the same with their BB Creams and change the label to CC Cream. I do hope I find the stand out products because as I research I get more interested in trying the products and I will be reviewing them. What do you think about the new CC Cream, fad, or here to stay?

xoxo,
Rachel

My Favorite Spring Perfumes

I live in the Deep South and lately Mother Nature has been teasing us with snatches of beautiful sunny weather, so needless to say I am burning up with a terrible case of spring fever! That means I have started craving spring scents, pastel nail polishes, sandals and sundresses. While I know it's still a little too chilly for the sandals and sundresses, I can trot out my favorite spring scents and start to incorporate them into my lighter winter repertoire.

I have one perfume that is an absolute mainstay in my spring perfume collection, I have worn it since high school and I could easily say that I have purchased over fifty bottles since then. I also have a couple that are recent discoveries. Because I sample a ton of perfumes every year, I seem to find a few new ones that I that I simply must have the full size of.

Green Tea by Elizabeth Arden is a fragrance that has stood the test of time for me. I have worn this since high school and I have yet to get tired of it. I am always asked what I am wearing when I don this scent and I have tried the different variations but I always come back to the original.

Fragrance Mood and Notes: Energizing. Refreshing. Uplifting. From a lush, green world of freshness comes Elizabeth Arden Green Tea, the fragrance that energizes the body, excites the senses and invigorates the spirit. Citrus lemon, rhubarb, peppermint, oakmoss, musk and amber.

 

White Citrus  by Bath & Body Works is a unique blend of crisp lemon, invigorating grapefruit, lush waterlily and alluring ginger flower to create this fresh, modern interpretation of classic citrus. It is a very simple fragrance and is probably surprising that it made my top five list but for all its simplicity it is a very lovely, light scent that I wear often and I associate with sun, flowering trees and rain in the springtime. I have the entire line of this one and I layer it starting in the shower. For tips on layering fragrance go here.

Fragrance Notes: Top notes incorporate lemon, grapefruit and tangerine. A heart adds mandarin, ginger blossom, apricot nectar, water lily, freesia and lily of the valley, while a base finishes the composition with woody accords and musk.

 

 La Vie est Belle  by Lancome introduces a new olfactive story, the first ever iris gourmand. The juice is made with the most precious natural ingredients, a modern interpretation of an oriental fragrance with a twist of gourmand. It entwines the elegance of iris with the strength of Patchouli and the sweetness of a gourmand blend; for an incredible scent with depth and complexity.

Fragrance Notes: Top Notes the elegance of Iris becomes the backbone of the fragrance. It blossoms from the first to the last note like never before. Heart Notes are Patchouli and gives strength and depth. Base Notes are a sweet gourmand that adds a burst of unexpected radiance.
 

Jour scented oil by Jour, is Jouer’s signature roller-ball fragrance. It  has a soft blend of Gardenia, Jasmine and Honeysuckle and is a very straight forward, purely floral fragrance. I keep a mini of this in my bag to freshen up because it is a scented oil and it lasts for about 6 hours on me but then I have to reapply. It smells so lovely that I don't mind.

Eau Flirt  by Harvey Prince is a very interesting scent that claims to "flirt" so you don't have to. I know that I get a million compliments on this fragrance and I am on the wait list for a new bottle! The ingredients used in its composition are essences of real flowers and herbs originating from Italy, France and USA.This company is also cruelty free and they do not test on animals.

Fragrance notes: Top notes of black currant, raspberry, plum, apple and liquorice. A heart is filled with seductive jasmine and ylang-ylang, while a base incorporates precious wood and musk accords.


Well that is my top five spring perfumes in a nutshell. Do you rotate your fragrances like you do your nail polish and clothes?? I am always interested in hearing what you have to say :)

xoxo,
Rachel







I paid for all the perfume in this post except for the Harvey Prince Eau Flirt which I was sent for my honest review. 
 

Cocktails: A guide to mixing hair products.

Your hairdresser does it every time you visit the salon. She does it by instinct and experience because she has learned about hair texture and knows exactly what she wants your hair to look like when you walk out the door. What she uses is appropriately called a product "Cocktail." Since there is no perfect styling or protecting product for each of us we should know how to do this at home. I have several custom mixes that I use and also a general guide to mixing products. I layer products on my waist-length hair, wear it curly or straight, so either way I have got you covered.

As a general rule I use a primer, oils+heat protectant, and finishers. The products I use depend on whether I am wearing my hair curly or straight. I also use my straight routine as a base for other styles and on the second or third day you can always opt to use a curling iron to change your style up. It may seem like a lot but I wash my hair at night then style it, my style then lasts 3 days and I wash it on the fourth day so to me it is well worth most of the work at once. On the third day I use a dry shampoo, brush it through and wear it in a bun or braid. It is also important that you take care of your scalp as well as your hair. Total Beauty has an excellent article on scalp and haircare.

Straight Style: It is really important to start with the correct shampoo and conditioner. If you want a sleek and shiny style opt for a straightening shampoo and conditioner (if you need it). I have used and liked all of these:

Matrix Sleek Look

Bed Head: Control Freak
Herbal Essences Dangerously Straight 

Back to Basics Bamboo Straightening Shampoo
Marc Anthony Instant Straightening
TIGI S-Factor Smoothing Shampoo
Sunsilk Straighten-Up Shampoo

Living Proof Straight (currently using)

After washing and conditioning I do my product layering in stages; primer, oils + heat protectant, flat iron spray and finishers (for an explanation of hair primer go here.)

To damp hair I prime with about 1 tsp. of Living Proof Style Extender. I then use 1 tbs. of my oil cocktail. (Recipe here.) Give that a few minutes to soak in and use a heat protectant spray or cream before you blow dry. I blow my hair out and then spray it with Organix Ever Straight Flat Iron Spray or Matrix Vavoom Gold Heat Flat Iron Spray and then flat iron it. I finish it of with a dry oil shine mist such as Mythic Oil from L'Oreal or Alterna Luminous Shine Mist. They are both very light-weight, make your hair shine like crazy and smell terrific!

Curly Style: The shampoo and conditioner you use really does make a difference and when I am wearing my hair curly I use the correct products for that look. I have used these products and  like them all. It also should be noted that I have Type A wavy hair naturally. If you want to find out your hair type go here.

Aveda Be Curly
Fredrick Fekkai Luscious Curls
Davines Love Lovely Curl Enhancing (currently using)
TIGI Catwalk Curls Rock
Curly Hair Solutions Silk

After I wash and condition I use a cocktail (about 1 tsp each) of Miss Jessies Pillow Soft Curls, Curly Hair Solutions Curl Keeper, and Matrix Sleek Look Blow Dry Cream to prime my hair, then spray a heat protectant on if I am going to blow it dry with a diffuser. If I am going to let it dry naturally I skip the heat protectant and add a few drops of  Matrix Sleek Look Sealing Serum and just leave it completely alone until it is dry. When you are wearing your hair curly, it usually does what it wants to right ladies? The key is to get a curling wand or iron and to readjust the pieces that didn't dry the way you wanted them to. I also have a no-heat version of curling your hair into beachy waves. here. I just finish it off with my dry oil spray to add shine.

If you have any questions feel free to ask and remember don't be afraid to mix your favorite products into cocktails that will work perfectly for you! I use this basic rule of thumb; prime the hair, nourish with oils, protect and finish.

Have a great hair day!!
xoxo,
Rachel