doTERRA Essential Oils

 

I'm going to be discussing something a little different today. This is not a traditional beauty product but it is something I've been very interested in and quietly studying through my friend Elaine from Amena Bean (who tragically lost her dog Amena recently, who is the namesake for her line of products). We have been sick, sick, in our family. Even with flu shots, which I'm not crazy about, it hit us hard this year. It went through my office and the school and with K playing basketball our germ intake just got insane.

We have been unable to completely kick it, it's just hanging around making us not feel 100% yet. K has asthma so this seal bark is not helping that either and traditional meds, even his prescription inhalers just weren't helping. Elaine mentioned her success with doTERRA, she used to have asthma/allergies as bad as our K does and so she knew what we were up against. She sells doTERRA in her spa and has had great success with different clients needs using the oils. She also uses them on her kiddos so I felt safe using them on K. I ended up buying a bottle of the On Guard and she mixed a few little concoctions together in roller bottles for us to try to see what worked.

I have to say...we actually got immediate results. K had basketball the first day we tried it out so he was already croupy. I gave him a bath, got him all warmed up and cozy and rolled some of her cold blend (rosemary, eucalyptus and carrier coconut oil) concoction on his feet, behind his ears and on his chest like you would use Vicks. I tucked him in and hoped for the best because at this point, it's been 2-3 weeks without a full nights rest for any of us.

He was out within 30 minutes and he did not make one peep throughout the night. He barely even moved. He got the best nights sleep in weeks and he did not cough once. I have been trying her liquid ambien recipe because I never, ever sleep without some assistance and it works so well. Not only does it smell earthy and amazing, but it got me relaxed and into a deep sleep within an hour of applying to my chest, armpits, behind my ears and on my feet, but it kept me asleep for the whole night. I always wake up several times a night.

I just can't beleive that something who's ingredients I can actually pronounce and without any chemicals or nasty side effects works this well for us. But it does, it really does.

I'm very interested in Vetiver for use on my rowdy boy and wondering how all of these oils can assist his allergies, asthma and exposure to germs at school that effect him so much. I'm also interested in the On Guard, Whisper, Serenity and Breathe blended oils for myself and my boys. I'm curious if any of you have used doTERRA and what your thoughts are.

If you'd like more information, feel free to email Elaine at beautybydelivery@hotmail.com
 (she is a wealth of information on doTERRA) or check out their website at www.doterra.com

**not a sponsored post, products were purchased with my own money**

My Daily Skincare Routine

I thought since January is all about fresh starts I'd take a minute to show you guys my daily skincare routine and talk a little about some newer products that I'm loving.

One of the newer items is the Neutrogena Eye Makeup Remover cream. This stuff is a revelation. It's not greasy at all. None of that gooey, grease feel you normally get from eye makeup remover, and it works on waterproof mascara. BONUS. Quickly and easily removes eye makeup without feeling harsh or greasy and leaves my eyes and eyelashes happy. Really good find.

Next is the Clean and Clear Deep Action Exfoliating Scrub. Do you know how hard it is to find just a basic scrub that isn't geared toward anything but exfoliation. HARD my friends. I like this because it's got a lot of scrubbies without feeling harsh and also has a cool tingle which just makes your face feel super clean.

That teeny itsy bitsy bottle is the Philosophy Clear Days Ahead cleanser and can I just say one of the best cleansers I've ever used. My skin freaked out over the holidays...I think the stress of the rebuild, the holidays and the super cold temperatures did a number on my problem areas (my cheeks). This is one of the first salicylic acid products I've used and liked. I will definitely be purchasing the larger bottle when this baby one runs out.

Neutrogena Acne Stress Control toner. HOLY GRAIL STATUS. This reminds me so much of the original Proactiv toner that I loved. This one has a slight cucumber scent to it but it's not a burny-painful toner. It definitely works and has helped clear my cheeks up in record time. I can't say enough good stuff about this toner. I know the Acne Stress line can be hard to find (not sure if they are discontinuing??) but this toner is great and if you see one, I'd highly recommend snatching it up and trying it out.

Amena Bean Glycolic Moisture Cream. I've done a full review on this before, it's still the bees knees in my book and one I use every night with great results!

Origins Make a Difference cream. I use this in the morning and it helps keep my skin supple and hydrated without getting greasy or over moisturized. It has a slight satiny quality to it and I just love this stuff.

Clinique All About Eyes eye cream. I only use this at night and a little goes a long way. I use this more preventatively than anything else, just to keep the wrinkles away not to really treat anything yet. It's lightweight and effective and does not irritate my eyes.

Amena Bean Luminous Peptide Serum

Today I'm reviewing another fantastic Amena Bean product.  This little bottle has completely changed my skin care regime. I literally only use 3 things on my face at night now. Cetaphil face wash, Amena Bean serum and Aveeno daily moisturizer. Massive changes for a product junkie like me.

This is just amazingness in a bottle.

Amena Bean describes this product as:

Luminous Peptide Serum

Dry, Sensitive, Oily, Normal, Combination

Available Sizes: 1 oz, 16 oz

This serum uses Bearberry, Daisy, Licorice Leaf Extracts and CoQ10 & natural skin brighteners (no hydroquinone) to enhance the appearance of the skin.

Use

Apply to cleansed skin before moisturizer or sun protection.

Benefits

Clinical test with Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 resulted in a 44% reduction of deep wrinkles, a 37% reduction of main wrinkle density, and a 16% increase in lifting effect.
Clinical tests with Bellis Perennis (Daisy) Flower Extract resulted in a reduction of melanin formation and anti-oxidative activity, providing significant lightening effects. Results of a comparative study conducted with Belides (Daisy) Flower Extract and Arbutin (another trade mark lightener that has been a popular ingredient), used at equivalent polyphenol concentrations, showed that (Daisy) Flower Extract was twice as active as Arbutin.

Key Ingredients

Red Maine Algae(Ahnfelita Conccina Extract) – increases skin hydration significantly with enzymes and mineral naturally found in this algae extract, which is indigenous to the Hawaiian Islands. Sodium Hyaluronate – holds up to a thousand times its weight in moisture retention properties. Bearberry Extract (Uva Ursi Extract) Licorice Extract and Daisy Extract- ingredients to even out skin tone. Co Q10, Vitamins C & E, and Green Tea Extract – that fight free radicals that damage skin causing anti aging effects. Acetyl Hexapeptide-3 (Argireline) - is a topical botox, relaxing the muscles that cause deep wrinkles around the forehead.

Since this had such major promises (skin lightening AND topical botox results!!) I have been using this for a month and a half to see the results myself before coming to any conclusions.

I have to say, it definitely does work in the lightening department and toning the overall appearance of my skin. As I've previously mentioned, I have some sunspots on my forehead and hyperpigmentation on my cheeks that are basically the bane of my skin issues and drive me crazy. I've used this serum religiously twice a day and those areas are practically gone.

As far as the deep wrinkle relief...luckily I don't have any deep wrinkles YET so I can't really testify to that. I will say though, that I have noticed a major improvement in the suppleness and overall skintone. My face just has a glowiness without any makeup on it now that it hasn't for a while. I attribute some of that to the Amena Bean glycolic moisture cream that I love so much, but when used in conjunction with this serum I saw major results.

Overall, I would highly recommend this product to anyone looking to reverse sun damage, brighten their skin tone, reduce minimal signs of aging and improve the overall appearance of their skin. Amena Bean has impressed me again!

For more information on Amena Bean products you can contact Elaine at:

Beauty By Delivery

beautybydelivery@hotmail.com

http://beautybydelivery.com

**This product was sent to me for consideration of a review. All opinions are 100% honest and my own**

Amena Bean Glycolic Moisture Creme

Today I'm going to be reviewing another amazing Amena Bean product from Beauty By Delivery. This one was not sent to me for consideration of a review, but it was given to me as a birthday gift. You guys know how much I love my Amena Bean products and this one just takes the cake. I have been using it pretty religiously since November and have formed a very good opinion on it.

photo courtesy of beautybydelivery

 

The Amena Bean Glycolic Moisture Creme is described as:

A daily reconditioning treatment containing natural fruit acids of Grape, Lemon, Passionflower and Pineapple. All of these natural fruits gently encourage the skin to shed its surface coating of dead cells. Usage on a daily basis will help diminish fine lines, scarring and skin discolorations.Vitamin A, E and C protect the skin from the damaging effects of free radicals and help improve elasticity. This formula is lightweight and oil free.

So...heaven in a jar, right?

I was having some issues with old blemish scarring, hyperpigmentation leftover from pregnancy (lovely), sun damage, clogged pores on my cheeks and just a general dull complexion. Even though I take good care of my skin and exfoliate a few times a week, it just didn't glow or look healthy like I am used to and I wanted that look back.

I use this twice a day. I wash my face with Cetaphil for oily skin, tone with Clinique toner and then apply the Amena Bean Glycolic Moisture Creme. It is a very light, lemony scented cream, absorbs quickly but leaves my skin feeling supple and healthy.

I kid you not, I noticed results within a week. Very dramatic fading of old blemish marks, clarified and dramatically glowier skin, a much more overall even and healthy appearance of my complexion.

This one product has made such massive changes to my skin that I don't know what I would do without it. It's brought back the pretty skin of my teens and twenties. It's just completely changed my complexion. This has replaced my dermatologist prescribed face cream and has pretty much reduced my breakouts to nothing. It's my holy grail product for sure.

This is definitely worth the price, I believe it retails for $20 a jar containing 1.7 fl oz. Even with using this twice a day for 8 months I still have a bit left in the jar. If you can get your hands on it, I just can't recommend it enough.

One thing to note, as with all AHA products please use caution when exposed to the sun. I highly recommend using a daily moisturizer with sunscreen in conjunction with this product.

For more information on Amena Bean products you can contact Elaine at:

Beauty By Delivery

beautybydelivery@hotmail.com

http://beautybydelivery.com

Amena Bean Papaya Enzyme Polish

 

I really like this polish. When it was sent to me I was kind of in the market for a scrubbie because my Clinique 7 Day Scrub had just ran out. I like to exfoliate at least twice a week. This came in the mail and I was so excited to try it.

 

I wouldn’t call it a scrub or an exfoliator after using it though, it’s much more refined and gentle than that. Polish describes it perfectly. It has a fresh citrusy scent which is pleasant and subtle. I used this 3-4 times a week and noticed immediate results. My skin felt softer, fresher and much less congested feeling.

 

Amena Bean describes this as:

 

Papaya Enzyme Polish
Refreshes your delicate skin. The special Linked Papain enzyme incorporated in this formula exfoliates and digests dead skin cells that can clog pores. Essential oils in this creamy polish help eliminate bacteria and refresh the senses. The cleansing ingredients are extremely mild and used mainly in baby products. Sugar in this formula has an exfoliating function. Lactic acid is also added to this formula.

 

I used this on freshly washed skin and left my face a little damp. I wish the instructions were a little clearer on that. I used this on not wet and not dry skin, but somewhere in between gave me the best results. If your skin is too wet, the polish will just swirl around and not be effective. If it’s too dry, this can hurt or feel scratchy and won’t spread well. I rinsed with cool water and used a toner to close my freshly polished pores. I was left with glowy, happy skin. The closest thing I would compare this to is Philosophy Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash. Which retails for $26 for 8fl oz. The only difference is the Philosophy is a cleanser and a polish, this is strictly a polish.

I would definitely repurchase this and think that for $5 (!!!!), this is a high quality product with very visible results.

 

Amena Bean is a local business who I like to support whenever I can. I've never tried one of her products that I haven't liked. I feel like they are very high quality products, especially considering her prices. I would not even mention them if I wasn't impressed by the products. If you are in the area or are interested in more information you can contact Elaine at:

 

Beauty By Delivery

beautybydelivery@hotmail.com

http://beautybydelivery.com

 

**This product was sent to me for consideration of a review. I was not compensated for this review. All opinions are 100% honest and mine. As always.**

Amena Bean Acne Prone Skin Care Kit

 

 

Today, I'm doing my very first review of a product that was sent to me for consideration. EXCITING!!

I was recently talking about how I've been having some issues with my skin which I now believe to be from Revlon ColorStay foundation. I think the Whipped Version is fine but the original just freaked my face out. I was sent this package right around the worst part of the breakout and right when I stopped using ColorStay. I started using it religiously twice a day and have noticed some serious results. I've not experienced any further breakouts in the 3 weeks I've been using it, my old spots are gone and any residual redness has faded noticeably. I am very impressed with this system.

It consists of 3 products, a cleanser, a toner and a moisturizer.

You start with the Dermaclean Cleanser.

Product Description:

This unique foaming liquid cleanser includes a blend of Meadowsweet extract, combined with Lactic Acid and polysaccharides from Honey extract. This combination provides excellent moisturization while increasing skin surface renewal. Lemon Bioflavonoids and Rosemary extract stimulate and tone. The fragrant essential oils of Orange, Geranium, and Eucalyptus refresh the senses. Thoroughly cleanses and removes excessive oil, environmental impurities and makeup.

This is very gentle and has a nice soft, clean, slightly floral scent. It has no exfoliants like the Proactiv cleanser and suds up a little more than a Cetaphil cleanser. It's a really nice product. I found it to be very soothing and a little goes a long way. It doesn't take much to clean my whole face and does so without overdrying it or leaving it feeling "tight" or anything. Just very comfortable. My skin used to respond better to benzoyl peroxide but as I get a little older I find that gentler products like this produce better results for me. The directions recommend rinsing this with cold water, I used lukewarm and found it worked just as well.

The next step is the Herbal Blend Toner.

Product Description:

Organic Salicylic Acid (Willow Bark Extract) is added to enhance this formula. It is one of the most effective Hydroxy Acids. Willow Bark Extract can increase cell renewal. Willow Bark is a safe way to get the benefits of a Beta Hydroxy acid without the risk of irritation. Willow Bark Extract is known for its antiseptic, astringent and anti-inflammatory properties. All of the selected extracts help clarify and condition the skin while giving the skin a revived and refreshing feel. We have improved on the blending of the extracts by using a cold process and eliminating the alcohol content.

If I'm being honest, the toner is my favorite step. I love products that you can feel working when you use them and this is definitely one of those. It doesn't have a stingy "astringent" feel because there is no alcohol in it (YES!) it just makes your face feel SO CLEAN and fresh. I love this toner. It is unlike anything I've tried before, gentle but powerful. I started out using it once a day but now use it morning and night with no drying or redness. It's dramatically reduced the redness left from old breakouts, BONUS! I feel that products like this with antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties work two fold, the antiseptic reduces new breakouts and the anti-inflammatory agents reduce any current breakouts leaving your skin literally healthier and less acne-prone. That makes SENSE to me, it's a proactive approach to skin care that I love. Rather than slathering on acne creams to dry them out, this actually works to stop them before they ever even happen. Genius.

Lastly, I finish with the Sage and Citrus Moisturizer.

Product Description:


This lightweight crème uses ingredients selected to help to condition and tone skin. A combination of active botanicals Sage, Watercress and Lemon Bioflavonoids, purify and revitalize the complexion. The antioxidants Vitamin A, C & E are also incorporated in this formula to protect and improve the skin’s elasticity.

 

This honestly took some getting used to. I don't generally love "herbal" scents. The sage in this was something that I wouldn't have picked for myself but after use I now really enjoy it. The citrus scent balances the sage out leaving a very clean and fresh overall scent. I only apply this at night because I apply a moisturizer with SPF during the day. I really like that this just goes on smoothly, doesn't require a lot and it feels like it just gets absorbed right into my skin. I do not like moisturizers that feel greasy or thick on my face right before bedtime and this is not like that at all. It's light and effective. It leaves my skin feeling refreshed and healthy and looking great.

This Amena Bean kit retails for $26.50 and contains a 5oz Dermaclean, 5oz Herbal Blend Toner and a 2oz Sage and Citrus Moisturizer. There are 2 kits available, I can only speak to the one I've actually tried which was Kit 2 and is designed more for acne prone skin. For more information you can contact Elaine at:

Beauty By Delivery

beautybydelivery@hotmail.com

http://beautybydelivery.com

**This product was sent to me by the company for consideration of a review. I was not compensated for this review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own.**