Without a doubt, the first thing that grabbed me about this brand is that fact that they’re called “MyChelle“. So obviously, since my nickname is Chelle, this MUST be for me right?
(Sidenote, as someone with the name Rachelle and nickname Chelle, I NEVER see my name anywhere. It’s not on souvenir key chains, glasses, paraphernalia… NOTHING. So this is very exciting to me!)
Getting into the grit of the product, MyChelle‘s Refining Sugar Cleanser is for all skin types. It gently exfoliates (it’s definitely not a sugar rough/coarse texture), clarifies and hydrates. It’s also boosted with “anti-aging Matrixyl® Synthe’6™ Peptide, bioactive Plant Extracts, and Hyaluronic Acid to help keep skin hydrated.”
MyChelle Refining Sugar Cleanser
I’ve been using the MyChelleRefining Sugar Cleanser for the last few weeks and I have to say… it is 100% love at first sight. The consistency of this cleanser is unlike anything I’ve ever felt. It has sugar particles suspended within a thick, pillowy consistency of a cleanser. When you add water to it and massage it into your face, it turns into this creamy marshmallow-like texture. Honestly, it’s a lot of fun to play with while washing your face. There’s also a sweet sugary marshmallow scent to the product so it’s all around an extremely pleasant face washing experience!
MyChelle is a brand that is available via Murale in Canada and will be popping into stores this September. They’ve got a HECK of a lot of products, and after trying out this Refining Sugar Cleanser, I am definitely keen to find out more about this brand. This particular sugar cleanser retails for $32 CAD, if you’re in the USA, you can purchase it online at ulta.com for $25 USD.
The products featured in this review was sent to me for consideration.
Some of you may have seen the silver peel off masks that have been floating around on the skincare market for a little while, and StriVectin now has their own!
StriVectin Silver Peel-Off Purifier (the actual bottle)
I was sent two lab samples of this product (first time that’s ever happened to me!), so I can’t speak to what the actual bottle looks and feels like, but I was provided with the shot above which is pretty darn sleek looking.
StriVectin Silver Peel-Off Purifier
The StriVectinSilver Peel-Off Purifier is an “innovative mask, formulated with the power of colloidal silver, [it] helps purge skin of built up debris and pollutants. Complexion is left soft, smooth, and radiant, perfectly primed for the application of serum, moisturizer, and makeup.” It’s intended to be used before you continue your skincare routine, kind of as a prep step. It was formulated to physically draw out dirt and environmental impurities that builds in our pores on a daily basis.
Key ingredients:
Proprietary NIA-114: scientifically proven to reinvigorate skin surface for optimal performance, strengthen and nourish the moisture barrier, inhibit the impact of environmental aggressors, and intensify the efficacy of other ingredients.
Refining Enzyme Complex: comprised of five potent enzymes found naturally in the body, the non-abrasive compound promotes skin surface renewal to reveal radiant, smooth skin and diminishes the appearance of wrinkles.
Encapsulated Moisture Delivery System: a controlled release of hydration to the skin ensures long-lasting moisture throughout the night leaving skin soft and cushioned.
StriVectin Silver Peel-Off Purifier – left shot is just applied, the right shot is after 25 minutes
I applied a generous layer to my face, but be aware that if you apply too much in some areas, it will pool up and take a heck of a lot longer to dry. They say you can wait 15-20 minutes before removing, but I found I had to wait a teensy bit longer because I applied a bit too much in some areas.
While the mask was on, I had a slight tingling sensation on my skin as the mask worked into my skin. As I’ve mentioned in the past, I really, REALLY like when I can feel my skincare at work on my skin, so I was really pleased about that. (If I can’t feel SOMETHING happening, I often feel like NOTHING in happening!) Once the mask has fully dried it’ll be transfer-proof (test it with your fingers!) and you’ll have the absolute delight of pulling off a full face mask in on fell swoop. LOVE!
My skin felt really nice afterwards – not tight like some masks can make it feel, but smooth and supple. Amazingly, I also felt like I didn’t need to apply moisturizer, which is not something I expected to feel with a purifying mask!
The StriVectinSilver Peel-Off Purifier mask retails for $72 CAD. It can be purchased at Shoppers Drug Mart and Murale locations, as well as online at beautyboutique.ca.
The product featured in this post was sent to me for review.
Caprina‘s Fresh Goat’s Milk line is one of those brands that I’ve always seen and acknowledged, but, for whatever reason, never purchased. Perhaps because it’s always there, readily available, that makes me think “oh I’ll try it next time I run out of something” (which is, honestly, NEVER). I see it whenever I grocery shop or go to the drugstore, but sadly, I’ve always passed it by. Till now!
Caprina Fresh Goat’s Milk Body Wash with Orchid Oil
The Fresh Goat’s Milk Body Wash with Orchid Oil is one of those steadfast body washes that you can rely on. It foams up nicely and has a really comforting soft soap scent. It’s not overly intrusive, so you won’t find your perfume or body moisturizer competing with the scent of this product. Although I had never used this body wash before, there was something really comforting about it – it smelled like hundreds of soaps I had used in the past when I lived with parents. 🙂
Caprina Fresh Goat’s Milk Body Lotion
I don’t know about you, but even though it’s summer right now, I still get really dry skin on my shins (to the point where it’s actually ITCHY! UGH!). What a weird location to get a dry patch! I need to moisturize that area pretty consistently, but I tend to opt for lightweight moisturizers in the summer for it… however, they’re usually TOO lightweight and don’t actually do anything to cure the super dry patches. I started using the Fresh Goat’s Milk Body Lotion on this area and the dry patches are gone and no longer itchy! It’s not a super heavy duty moisturizer either – like it doesn’t FEEL super thick or goopy, but it’s definitely getting the job done!
Caprina Fresh Goat’s Milk Original Soap
And lastly, the Fresh Goat’s Milk Original Soap and potential staple for everyone. The scent is soft and soothing and I’ve been using it in the shower lately whenever I wasn’t using the body wash. (Yes, there are still people out there that suds up with a bar of soap instead of body wash!) This is right in line with the body wash – I find it just as comforting on my skin because the scent is really soothing.
So in short, the CaprinaGoat’s Milk products a really good serviceable line of products that has long been overlooked by me, but have now found a place in my regular bodycare routine. Let me know if you’ve tried any of their products!
If, like me, you’re new to NIP + FAB‘s skincare range, then you might be curious as to who/what they are. Maria Hatzistefanis is the founder of NIP + FAB as well as the Rodial, another brand you may be familiar with. From my little bit of research, they seem to be a UK brand that is also sold in the US at Ulta and in Canada at Shoppers Drug Mart.
The NIP + FAB range I’ve been testing out over the last month has been their Glycolic Fix range which is intended to exfoliate and brighten.
Nip+ Fab Glycolic Fix Overnight Purifying Gel
The NIP + FABGylcolic Fix Overnight Purifying Gel was the first item I dug into. This gel is a night-time cleansing system for dull and oily skin (I’m somewhat oily during the summer so this works out!). It contains glycolic (4% acid) and salicylic acid to help resurface and purify the skin bey gently lifting dead skin cells away with.
I found that this was definitely comfortable to wear overnight because it sunk in to my skin enough to not feel like a gel mask overnight. Oddly though, I found when I took my shower in the morning, I had to wipe it off my face because it kind of turned my face into a a slippery texture. Was a bit unusual, as I’d never experienced anything like that before, but there were no ill effects as far as I could tell!
Surprisingly for me, I did seem to notice a difference in my skin within a few days. I’ll admit I didn’t actually read the instructions or bottle before I started slapping it on my skin. So when I woke up one morning and was like “my face looks brighter” I was like… where the heck is this coming from? I then took a look at the skincare I’d started using and it’s only then that I realized that this stuff was intended to do that! I almost wonder if blind skincare testing is the way to go. Use it, see what it does, then see if it matches the claims. So yes, this did make my face brighter! It also has a wonderful grapefruit scent which I highly enjoyed.
The NIP + FABGlycolic Fix Overnight Purifying Gel can be purchased online at Ulta.com for $14.95 USD.
Nip+ Fab Glycolic Fix Night Pads Extreme
If you’re looking for a more intense skin resurfacing, the NIP + FABGlycolic Fix Night Pads Extreme may be for you. These contains “concentrated acid blend of AHAs and BHAs help to improve the skin’s natural exfoliation process + decongest dull skin with one pre-soaked pad. Pores appear more refined + the complexion brighter to rival results of an acid peel.” (The glycolic acid is 5% in this one.) Of course, sometimes reading the directions is beneficial, as this one told me I should only use it 2-3 times a week (once a week if you’re sensitive). I had used it five days in a row with no ill effects… however I also didn’t notice anything else happening either. It’s entirely possible this was working in conjunction with the Overnight Purifying Gel, but when I cut it down to once a week, I didn’t notice a change.
The NIP + FABGlycolic Fix Nights Pads Extreme can be purchased online at Ulta.com for $14.95 USD.
Nip+ Fab Glycolic Instant Fix Mask
And lastly, we have my favourite out of everything I tried. The NIP + FABGlycolic Instant Fix Mask is a “high potency, pore tightening gel mask to perfect and mattify the complexion. Glycolic acid combines with EVERMAT technology to gently smooth away the appearance of lines + wrinkles whilst clearing + reducing the look of enlarged pores. Skin is more even-toned + visually smoother.”
This is a 10 minute mask that you’re actually going to FEEL like it’s doing something. And as someone who doesn’t always notice a visual change in the appearance of my skin, I’m really freaking happy to get that sensation that something is actually happening with my skin. Whenever I applied this mask (about once a week) I got a slight burning/tingling sensation on my face throughout the duration of wear. It definitely turned my face red, which was still visible after removing the product, but it slowly dissipated afterwards. I made sure to moisturize my face after each use because I was left feeling like my skin was tighter. Once my face had calmed down, I felt a difference when I touched it with my fingers and it definitely looked minutely smoother than before I used the mask!
The NIP + FABGlycolic Instant Fix Mask can be purchased on online at Ulta.com for $12.99 USD.
Final Thoughts
Of the three NIP + FAB products I tried, the Glycolic Fix Night Pads Extreme was a pass for me. The other two – the Glycolic Instant Fix Mask and the Gylcolic Fix Overnight Purifying Gel – were a total win. They’re also in a really nice price point and won’t break the bank so I think that’s something to take into consideration as well. Let me know if you’ve tried anything by NIP + FAB before and what your thoughts were!
The products featured in this review were sent to me for consideration.
I’ve been an absolute sucker for Hawaiian Tropic suncare ever since my friend introduced me to the brand a few years back. Why did I become so entranced by it? Well, frankly, it’s entirely because the fact that if you buy the “Ultra Radiance” version of their sunscreens, you get glorious freaking SHIMMER particles in it! Sunscreen isn’t the most fun thing to wear, but we gotta do it so we can:
avoid the painful lobster look,
avoid getting skin cancer, and;
keep our skin looking youthful!
So if we’re going to wear sunscreen, we might as well have a little fun with it!
New for 2016 is Hawaiian Tropic’s Silk Hydration Weightless which comes in SPF 15, 30 and 50. It’s intended to be a “barely there” sunscreen lotion which has a dual-ribbon formula that combines strong protection from the sun alongside 12 hours of moisturization.
Right off the bat, I can tell you that I love this product. I love that it has a pump top because I’m so DONE with squeezy sunscreen tubes that get soooo gooped up. The pump even does that “push the product up from the bottom thing” so you’re not left trying to bang the open container against your hand when you’re trying to get the remaining drops out. I am more than happy to report that the Silk Hydration Weightless formula smells identical to Hawaiian Tropic‘s regular lineup of sunscreens – yay!
This sunscreen does have a lightweight feel, but since I definitely glob my sunscreen on, it still FEELS like sunscreen to me. This one is water resistant, not waterproof like the original Hawaiian Tropic sunscreens. Not a problem in general, but something to be aware of if you plan to use this on beach or pool days where you may be getting wet. I wore this all over my face and body last weekend for soccer in roughly 30 degree heat and it didn’t sweat off which was a HUGE relief since I’ve used a few sunscreens that have seeped into my eyes while playing and it’s hell on earth when that happens. I also didn’t burn or excessively tan either! Winner!
Hawaiian Tropic After Sun Moisturizer
The other new product I’ve got my hands on is the Ultra Radiance After Sun which is an ultra-conditioning moisturizer that soothes, softens and leaves your skin radiant. The Ultra Radiance formula is the one with the shimmer particles in it which are light reflecting mica minerals – they’re very, VERY subtle in this bottle though. I didn’t feel they were nearly as strong as the ones in the sunscreens I’ve had in the past (which is probably a pro for most people!).
The scent on this one is “Island Mango” which smells just as beachy and summery as you would expect with a name like that! Although it’s labeled as an After Sun, what I learned by looking at the ingredients on the back is that this doesn’t actually contain aloe vera. I checked the other After Suns had in my closet and it honestly seemed to be 50/50 on whether or not the products had aloe in them (was a surprise to me, I always thought After Sun meant that it contained aloe vera!). While this the After Sun is soothing and hydrating, if you’re looking for something that contains aloe, this isn’t the one for you.
I’ve seen Hawaiian Tropic at just about every drugstore in Canada, and you can buy it online at ulta.com if you’re in the USA.
The products featured in this review were sent to me review.
