Gratiae Renewing Moisturizing Cream

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

I am fortunate to review a cream from Gratiae. If you have never heard of Gratiae, they are an

"Organic Beauty by Nature

The origins of beauty are hidden from the eye and the most powerful ingredients which are the base of GRATiAE beauty products erupt from underneath the ground. The small mineral-rich thermal spring situated near the Sea of Galilee was discovered centuries ago by the Roman emperor Hadrian who also gave it its name - GRATiAE (grace) after the Three Grace, goddesses of charm, beauty, and fertility in the Roman Mythology.

The springs' water, that erupt at up to 125°, are rich with therapeutic and rejuvenating properties gained world fame with their amazing effect on the skin, regaining its beauty and youth.

People from all over the world seek the powers of this special spring and bathe in its revitalizing water. GRATiAE - Organic Beauty by Nature - is an anti-aging skin care line that challenges the effects of time on our skin. Its products include a winning blend of Gratiae's thermal spring water and its exclusive minerals, flora that is unique to the Sea of Galilee area, and organic plants.

The GRATiAE line is specially designed for both men and women who care about true quality and appreciate natural, organic, and healthy skin-care products. With GRATiAE your skin will glow with health and inner beauty."

I took this from the website. They said it better than I ever could!

Aveeno Positively Radiant Intensive Night Cream

Disclaimer: The product mentioned in this post is given to me, I am an ambassador for Aveeno. I am not affiliated with the company nor getting paid to advertise the product. This post is written with my honest opinion.

Please don't forget to enter Aveeno Black Friday Essentials Giveaway. It ends Wednesday, December 18, 2013 at 11:59 p.m. PST (Pacific time).


Earlier this year, I received a basket full of goodies including AVEENO® products.

Ageless Derma Stem Cell and Peptide Anti-Wrinkle Cream

Please don't forget to enter Aveeno® Sunscreen Lotion Giveaway, you can get the information here. It ends August 13, 2013.


Disclaimer: The product mentioned in this post is given to me to review. I am not affiliated with the company nor getting paid to advertise the product. This post is written with my honest opinion.

I was fortunate to receive a moisturizer/cream from Ageless Derma.

Aveeno Clear Complexion Daily Moisturizer

This will be my second product from Aveeno's Clear Complexion line. I already reviewed Aveeno Clear Complexion Daily Cleansing Pads. After using for some time, I decided to give it to my co-worker. Since she has oily skin, it worked better for her. For myself, it was too drying for my already dried skin. It's a good product, but I would not recommend for dry skin individuals. It's great for oily skin. I wouldn't even recommend for normal skin. My co-worker told me she cuts the pad in half. Since the pad is more than enough for one usage, she cuts for two usages. I thought I would pass that along for anyone interested.

Product Review: Aveeno Clear Complexion Daily Moisturizer

Where to purchase: drugstores, mass merchandisers, and online at aveeno.com

Price: $ for 4 fl oz/ 120 mL

Made in Canada

Description on the back: This daily moisturizer has a unique formula with an exclusive Total Soy Complex to help naturally even out skin tone and smooth texture. It also contains salicylic acid to help clear up and prevent blemishes. This fast-absorbing moisturizer is gentle enough for sensitive skin and helps maintain healthy-looking skin and improve your complexion.

Ingredients:

Active ingredient

Inactive ingredients

Thoughts: In all honesty, I was not too sure about this line since I do not have acne whatsoever. For that reason, I did not know what to do with these products. I just told myself I will try it out and review. If I don't like it, I will pass along to friends who will get better benefits from the product.

I like that the moisturizer comes in a pump. This is definitely good for people with acne. People with acne needs to be more sanitary safe, as well as, be careful of what they touch. If you touch something and then touch your face, it can cause more infection on your acne. That will definitely not be fun.

Here's how the moisturizer looks like.

Like with all Aveeno products, it has the same scent. It's very fresh, light floral but at the same time I can smell sweet, fruity scent. It's really hard to describe or I'm just not good at describing scents. It just smells good and it only lasts for couple of minutes.

Comparing to most lotions, this is on the thicker side. If you're comparing this to creams, I would say about the same in consistency. It's on the thick side, but I think it's good for dry skin and acne prone. Since people with acne use products with chemicals to diminish their trouble skin, they would need a thicker moisturizer. I would not recommend this for oily skin with no acne, as well as, normal skin. It also carries the ingredient salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is the ingredient people with acne should look for. The ingredient helps clear blemishes and try to prevent future ones. This product is aimed for teenagers to adults with acne. Overall, it's extremely moisturizing and lasts all day long. It has helped my dry winter skin leaving my skin soft and smooth. I'm pretty impressed with this product!

Pros:

* Aveeno; a brand that uses natural ingredients.

* Recommended for acne prone skin.

* Salicylic acid; acne medication.
* Oil-free, hypoallergenic, and noncomedogenic.

* Light floral scent to sweet, fruity.

* Thick is consistency.

* Comes in a pump; sanitary safe.

* Hydrating.

* Last all day long.

Cons:

* Would not recommend for oily skin without acne and normal skin.

Would repurchase: No, because I look for products to prevent future wrinkles.

Rating:  4.5 Tobey's Paws

Disclaimer: The product mentioned in this post is given to me. I am an Aveeno Ambassador, and I am not getting paid to advertise any products. This post is written with my honest opinion.

Aveeno Smart Essentials Nighttime Moisture and Aveeno Giveaway

I actually received this last year, and forgot all about it until this winter. My bad! :X I always believe it's better to do it now than never do it at all. I thought it's about time I review it since I'm almost done with the product.

Product Review: Aveeno Smart Essentials Nighttime Moisture Infusion with Vitamins A, C, & E

Where to purchase: drugstores, mass merchandiser, or online at aveeno.com

Price: $14.99 for 1.7 oz/ 48 g

Made in NJ

Description on the back:

oil-free - hypoallergenic - noncomedogenic

Get great, healthy looking skin when you moisturize at night. Diet, free-radicals, environmental toxins, and a hectic lifestyle can lead to stressed skin that looks dull and tired. Formulated with antioxidant Southernwood extract, Smart Essentials nighttime moisture infusion helps keep what's good for your skin in, and what's bad out. It replenishes skin's moisture barrier while you sleep so you can wake up to skin that feels refreshed, renewed and ready to take on another day.

Smart skincare that knows what your skin needs and what it doesn't because:

it keeps the good in

* Hydrates your skin to help offset dryness caused by environmental stressors

* Helps support the natural moisture reserves of your skin during its nightly renewal phase, leaving your skin feeling soft and smooth

* Infuses skin with a blend of antioxidants and vitamins

and the bad out

* Fortifies your skin's moisture barrier to hep resist the attack of daily environmental stress

Ingredients:

Thoughts: When it comes to night creams, I get really excited! With my aging skin, I feel that I need more of a thicker product. I was really excited to get this. The reason why it took so long to use this is that I feel that once you open up a product, you have to use it right away or else it won't be as effective. That's only for skin care. I don't feel that way with cosmetics. Once it's open, germs can go in and the air inside the sealed package will not be the same. Since I was using a night cream, I waited until I could use this.

The first thing I did once I opened the package is smell the product. I'm not too sure what the smell is. It's definitely floral. In all honesty, it bothered me in the beginning since I'm not a floral person. After a week, the smell did not bother me at all. I actually don't mind the smell. :) If you're a floral person, this is perfect. Even if you're not a floral person, it might not be bad. I'm just sensitive when it comes to smell.

Now for the consistency of the night cream, it's on the creamier side. It isn't thick but it actually hydrates pretty well! I like how it spreads on the face, as well as, the cooling sensation. It definitely helped me with my dry, winter weather. I recommend this for someone who is mid to dry skin. I actually think it's pretty good for normal skin as well

I love that it's oil-free. I cannot stand products that have oil. I'm not too sure why we would want to put oil on our face. Most people including myself want the dry, glowy skin rather than greasy, oily face. I could be wrong on that. :X

It also has vitamins A, C, & E, as well as, antioxidants. These are suppose to help your skin resist the daily environmental stresses.

Pros:

* Aveeno; a brand that uses natural ingredients.

* Vitamins A, C, & E.

* Antioxidants.

* Oil-free, hypoallergenic, noncomedgenic, & dermatologist-tested.

* Get use to scent.

* Creamy texture.

* Hydrating.

* Help resist the attack of daily environmental stresses.

Cons:

* Floral scent; only if you don't like.

Would repurchase: Yes.

Rating:  4/5 Tobey's Paws

Remember how much I talked about Aveeno Positively Nourishing Energizing Body Lotion!?!? I wrote a thorough review on the body lotion, as well as, it was one of my favorite products for the month of April.

Aveeno is so kind to give one of my readers this body lotion!!! :)

How to enter:

1. You must be a public follower of my blog with Google username (I will check). PLEASe do not just follow for the giveaway and then once the giveaway is over, stop following. It's just not polite!!!

2. It's only open to US residents.

3. You must be 18 years or older. If you're younger than 18, please get your parent's permission.

4. The giveaway will end in two weeks, May 19, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. PST (Pacific time).

5. The winner will be drawn with a random number generator. You have 48 hours to contact me at aly_4realz (at) hotmail (dot) com or else a new winner will be chosen.

Extra entries:

1. Following my Facebook page. (+2)
2. Following my Twitter. (+1)
3. Re-tweeting the giveaway daily. (+1 each day)
4. Posting the giveaway on your blog. (+1)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you Aveeno for sponsoring the giveaway! :)

Disclaimer: The products mentioned in this post are given to me by Aveeno, I am their ambassor. I am not affiliated with any company nor getting paid to advertise any products. This post is written with my honest opinion.

Olay Regenerist Cream and Aveeno Hair Kit Giveaway

Please don't forget to enter my Too Faced Shadow Insurance Giveaway. It ends December 18, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. PST.


I bought Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream from Costco earlier this year.

I haven't had the time to review this, but I thought I should. I always say it's better later than never. ;)

Product Review: Olay Regenerist Advanced Anti-aging Micro-Sculpting Cream

Where can you purchase this: drugstore, retail, Costco, and online
Price: $30 something (I cannot remember the exact price)

Made in USA

Description from the back: Hydrate and firm skin's appearance without drastic measures.

The result of over 50 years of Olay research, this luxurious cream has the highest concentration of our signature amino-peptide + B3 complex infused with intracellular fortifier and a touch of precious marine proteins.

The Results: Intracellular hydration regenerates volume and shape across skin's 10 million surface cells, progressively lifting and micro-sculpting to help:
* firm sagging-prone areas, even the jaw line
* smooth skin's surface
* restore elasticity
Ingredients:

My thoughts: The first time I saw this was when my sister-in-law was using it. I asked for her opinion and she said she loved it. I thought it wouldn't hurt getting one from Costco.

Is it just me but all anti-aging products in the US come in red packaging. Why is that? I also noticed they come in thick bottles. :/

The first thing I did is smell the cream. It smells fruity to me, but I could be wrong. I know some people think the smell is thick, but it doesn't bother me. I actually like the scent. :X If you don't like it, it lasts about 5 minutes or at least it does for me.

The texture of the cream is thick, beige color. If you have oily skin, this definitely isn't for you. I think it's a great night cream for people with normal to dry skin. You can use it during the morning as suggested, but I don't. There's a reason why I don't. I don't know if it's just me but I noticed whenever I wear this cream during the morning and apply makeup afterwards (I do with most moisturizers), it makes my face look like it has dry patches. I don't have dry patches, but I noticed a layer of something moves around. It's so irritating. For the longest time, I couldn't figure it out until now. In my opinion, I think this cream doesn't melt into your skin. Maybe in the beginning it hydrates your skin but if you put too much, it just sits on your skin. I could be wrong, but that's the only thing I could figure out why I have thick chunks of something. It's not like I put too much cream either. After I apply it, my skin looks smooth, but I could feel the consistency of cream on your skin.

By the way if you're wondering about the spoon, Shiny Pretty Things gave it to me. It was so nice of her to send me one! :) I use it all the time, and it's so worthwhile. You don't have to dip into your moisturizer/cream anymore.

Thank you Shiny Pretty Things! :)

Other than the smell and texture, I think it hydrates your skin well. After I apply the cream, my face feels smooth. I don't know about the anti-aging effect, but my skin has looks decent.

Pros:
* Olay; brand I trust.
* Fruity smell.
* Scent doesn't last long.
* Thick consistency.
* Great for dry skin.
* Great for winter weather.
* Good for night.
* Hydrates.
* Your skin feels smooth.

Cons:
* So thick, consistency doesn't completely absorb onto skin.
* Not so great for morning.

Would I repurchase: Maybe, only for night cream.
Rating:  3.5/5 Tobey's Paws


Aveeno is so kind to offer one of my readers a hair kit with tons of products. How nice of them!!! :) In the kit, it contains...

Aveeno NOURISH+ Shine Shampoo and Conditioner

Aveeno Living Color Shine Glaze

Aveeno NOURISH+ Style Fortifying Hairspray

Aveeno NOURISH+ Leave In Conditioner

How to enter:
1. You must be a public follower of my blog with Google username (I will check). PLEASE do no just follow for the giveaway and then once the giveaway is over, stop following. It's just not polite!!!
2. Open only to the people living in the U.S.
3. You must be 18 years or older. If you're younger than 18, please get your parent's permission.
4. The giveaway will end in three weeks, December 28, 2011 at 11:50 p.m. PST (Pacific time).
5. The winner will be drawn with a random number generator. You have 48 hours to contact me at aly_4realz (at) hotmail (dot) com or else a new winner will be chosen.

Questions and extra entries:
1. You must give me the Google Username that you are using to follow my blog.
2. You must live within the U.S.
3. If you follow my Facebook page, give me the username you are using to follow. (+2)
4. If you follow Aveeno Facebook page, give me the username you are using to follow. (+2)
5. If you follow my Twitter, give me the username you are using to follow. (+1)
6. If you follow my Twitter and re-tweeted the giveaway, give me the link. (+2)
7. If you added the giveaway on the side bar of your blog, give me the link. (+1)
8. If you added a post but is on a separate giveaway page, give me the link. (+1)
9. If you added a post and is on the main page, give me the link. (+3)
10. What do you like about Aveeno? (+2)

Thank you Aveeno for sponsoring this giveaway!!! :)

Disclaimer: The products mentioned in this post are bought with my own money except for the pictures taken from Aveeno. I am not affiliated with any company nor getting paid to advertise any products. This post is written with my honest opinion.

Face Place Cell Regenerator Moisturizer

Don't forget to enter my giveaway. It ends Sunday, August 28th, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time.


Several months ago, I received a cleanser and moisturizer from Face Place. I think I gave it enough time to review the products. They also have FaceBook so check that out. ;)

The cleanser on the left and the moisturizer on the right. I will only review the moisturizer this time around.

Product Review: Face Place Cell Regenerator Moisturizer

Where can you purchase this: online on Face Place and Face Place locations
Price: $65 for 2 fl oz./60 mL

Made in USA

Description on the website: Provides intensive moisturization and protection, and addresses the appearance of visible signs of aging by helping to rebuild and revitalize the skin. Helps to soften and return elasticity to skin. A complex of natural botanical extracts (grape seed, yeast, green tea, olive) that are rich in vitamins and free-radical scavenging antioxidants. A unique encapsulated carrier system delivers the potent ingredients to where the skin needs them most.
Ingredients:

My thoughts: I was really excited to try this since I love trying new products and brands I have never heard of! She told me it's good for my dry skin. :) On the website, it says it's for normal to dry skin.

The first thing I did is smell the moisturizer. I'm not too sure what the smell is but it kind of smells flowery. I'm not a big fan of flowery smell, but the smell disappears within seconds after you apply. It isn't bad! ;)

The color of the moisturizer looks off-white, creamy color. The moisturizer in the tube also looks very waxy, but it isn't once you apply it. One thing I found interesting is when you apply moisturizer, there's always a dent where you scoped it out. With this moisturizer, there's never a dent. It moves back into shape as if it's brand new. I'm not too sure why but I thought it was interesting!

Since it's summer time, I've been applying this at nights only. It's too heavy for the morning. I definitely think it's great for normal to dry skin people to use it during nights, as well as, mornings and nights during winter season. It's really moisturizing and leaves a dewy glow on your face. It looks nice at nights or at least I think so. When I wake up in the morning, my face looks great! I don't see dry patches and it looks dewy. I can actually go out without a moisturizer in the morning, but I still apply a light one. It's always good to apply moisturizer if you have dry skin. You don't want to create more fine lines.

Pros:
* Trying a new brand.
* Smells disappear within seconds.
* Product moves back into shape; looks brand new.
* Moisturizing.
* Gives of the dewy look.
* Lasts a long time!

Cons:
* Comes in a container you have to scope; not sanitary.
* Smells flowery.

Would I repurchase: Yes, and no. Yes, because it's a great product. No, because it's expensive.
Rating:  4.5/5 Tobey's Paws

Disclaimer: The products mentioned in this post are given to me to review. I am not affiliated with any company nor getting paid to advertise any products. This post is written with my honest opinion.

Merlot Grape Seed Moisturizer

Please don't forget to enter the Perricone MD Cold Plasma Giveaway! It ends June 27 at 11:59 PST (pacific time).




I haven't reviewed a beauty product in such a long time. I think it's about time I go back to reviewing... hehe~ Since I finished my Cellnique Vita Cellular Repair Emlusion (click here to read my review), I needed a light moisturizer for the summer. I bought this end of last year to use for the winter weather and realized it was too light for my dry skin. For that reason, I decided to hold back until summer... hehe~ If you go get this, know that this is the old packaging. They have a different logo on the container... hehe~ ;)

Product Review: Merlot Grape Seed Moisturizer

Where can you purchase this: Walgreen

Price: $14.99

Made in USA

Information on the back: MERLOT is made of natural red grape seed polyphenols. It offers sensational antioxidant properties thereby helping to inhibit the aging process. MERLOT is fragrance free, non-oily, absorbs quickly.

Ingredients: 

My thoughts: I've read reviews on this moisturizer from other blogs and it really interested me. For that reason, I bought one end of last year. How great is it to use a product that has antioxidant and anti-wrinkle. It sounds great for aging skin which is one of my concerns (I don't have to worry about acne). When I first used this end of last year, it wasn't moisturizing for my dry winter skin. Now that I'm using it now, it is really cooling to the skin. You don't need much; a little goes a long way. Then again it might be the summer weather where it's not really dry... hehe~ On the back it says, there isn't any fragrance. I have to say I disagree because I do smell the grape flavor. Even though the information isn't correct, I don't mind since it smells nice. I love grape flavor!... hehe~ I also like that the moisturizer is purple. I know that sounds weird but it makes me feel that it really is made from grape... lol~ :D

Pros:
* It claims to have antioxidant and anti-wrinkle.

* Smells like grape.

* Little goes a long way.

* Moisturizing.

* It's purple.

* Can easily purchase it from Walgreens.

Cons:
* Don't see the effects of the antioxidant and anti-wrinkle.

* People who don't have Walgreens cannot purchase it.

Would I buy this again? Yes, only for the summer.

Rating: 

 4/5 Tobey's Paws

I haven't been buying things lately for several reasons, but I couldn't resist on this one... hehe~

When I saw this on Forever 21 website, I thought it was cute and that was about it. Then I saw a girl wearing this ring on her YouTube video and I knew I needed it... hehe~ I'm so glad I got the last one in my size... wheee~ :)

Disclaimer: The products mentioned in this post are bought with my own money. I am not affiliated with any company nor getting paid to advertise any products. This post is written with my honest opinion.