Valentia Pure Glow Moisturizer

Hi all,
I was contacted again by the Valentia brand to try something new from their line of skincare,
this time it was the Pure Glow Moisturizer. This product retails for $25 US dollars and is 4oz or 120 mL.  The moisturizer comes in a brown glass bottle with a great pump to really dispense the right amount of product.  At first when I saw the price tag, I was uneasy, but then when you look at the product size itself, it's a fair amount.  Valentia actually advertises this as a 4-6 month supply, which already seems quite accurate, as I've been using this product for just under a month and barely made a dent.

This particular item is Vegan, Organic, made in the USA, Cruelty Free and made with natural ingredients. According to the website, the moisturizer is made with Ginseng and Kojic Acid for dark spot fading, and Hyaluronic Acid, Safflower and Shea Butter for moisture replenishment.

The product claims in the short term (with my own commentary):
- Provide all day hydration: This is a lighter moisturizer, which would be great come spring and summer, but with the current fall/ winter cold, I found this not strong enough to keep away minor dry skin.  I did enjoy it, but would pull this back out once it's warmer weather.
- Instantly restore radiance: I hesitate with this one, as I feel like I don't quite see a "radiant" complexion as soon as I apply this. How does one really measure radiance? My skin didn't look particularly dull or feel gross, so if we go by that definition... sure it's radiant.
- Tight skin feels nourished: I've got to admit, I hate when companies put claims like this... on a MOISTURIZER. Duh, I'm putting on moisturizer to nourish my skin after it has been properly cleaned. But, I would mention that my skin soaked in the formula, and didn't feel dry or tight one hour, four hours, and even 8 hours later.

For the long term (also with commentary):
- Lightens dark spots: I can't state if I see a change yet, as these types of products, as the claim even states, are long term. Check back on my Youtube channel empties to see how that one works out!
- Evens skin tone: Again, less than 30 days doesn't give you much time to truly test this one out.
- Diminishes fine lines: I'd be interested to see how it claims to do this... again later time and date.

So my initial thoughts on this product are positive and I would consider purchasing this product, even with the $25 price tag. You get a lot of product for this price, and I'd argue that one does end up spending about this much in the drugstore for a 4-6 month supply as well. You can buy it on their website or off Amazon.

Thanks to Valentia for sending this product to me, and as always, these are my unbiased reviews of these products.  My links are not affiliated and I do NOT earn any commission off these products, I added them just to make shopping a weee bit easier! :)

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Valentia Royal Rose Hydrating Serum

If someone said serum to me, I would automatically think

some old lady, anti-aging, fine lines and wrinkles, insanely expensive product

and really random ingredients like snake venom or eye of newt. 

I was sent by the company ,

Valentia a bottle of their Royal Rose Hydrating Serum

to test out and to give honest feedback. 

My skin would best be categorized as "young" and "combo",

with occasional hormonal breakouts. 

I don't really have any problem areas

(yes, I know I'm extremely lucky)

So after using this product for about 3 solid weeks, I've definitely watched my skin acclimate to this product. 

I've mentioned it before, but for skincare to work really well, and for a person to see the effects, ya gotta be willing to put about a month into it. 

This product claims:

The reality:

- It did provide good moisture and I'd rather like to attest to the fact that my skin didn't feel dry.  I also didn't see any dry patches. 

-Ooooooh boy, when brands claim things like "antioxidant protection" I get skeptical because how exactly can a person measure something like that? There's no way I can prove or disprove how that has worked for me. 

-YES, although this claim does feel redundant to the first claim of moisturizing the skin. Like I said, dry skin wasn't there, and my skin felt soothed after I would cleanse at night. 

- I can't say that my skin tone or texture felt dramatically different, but I can't say that it didn't.  Granted, I don't have lines, or wrinkles (yet) and have a pretty even texture naturally. 

- I've never been able to tell if I do or don't have radiant skin.  It doesn't look dull, but I'd also like to attribute it to a good skincare/ cleansing regiment.  

Additional Thoughts:

1. This is a lightweight product, but is effective. Although I wouldn't recommend this for very dry skinned people as this might not be enough. 

2. The pump works great, allowing you to even get a half pump out.  I typically used between 1 full pump to 1.5.  Plus this bottle is glass, so it does feel luxurious. 

3. The rose scent. This scent reminds me of a L'Occitane Rose Perfume roller ball.  It's not a dusty/ old lady-esque scent, instead fresh.  As a person who has actually walked through a rose garden after a rainfall, it is indeed very similar in scent. Rather fresh and spa like. 

If you are looking for a bit of a splurge of $35, this would be a very lovely addition to one's skincare. Although admitedly, the price is a bit steep for my current budget. 

This product is available through Amazon. 

HASK Mint Almond Oil Thickening Hair Care Collection Review

I remember when so many people were talking about HASK

as the lower priced option to Moroccan Oil haircare.  

Granted, that was at least 4 years ago and this brand

has expanded their haircare lines tremendously. 

Hask sent me three full sized bottles from their newer Mint Almond Oil Thickening Hair Care Collection.  This included the Shampoo, Conditioner and Root Thickening Spray, all packaged in 

an adorable drawstring bag. 

This brand is free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, gluten, drying alcohol and artificial colors,

which is great for people trying to take a more natural route with their hair care. 

After a couple of weeks of using these products, 

I've developed an opinion on each item, both as a collection and on its own. 

So let's start with the products individually:

Almond Oil Thickening Shampoo: ($5.99)

This is a thick formula product, which you can very easily rub into your hair.  

It sits like a hair mask, due to its thickness but does lather quite nicely. 

I find that sulfate free shampoos leave my hair generally flat, as I have an oily scalp. 

But this one didn't do that.  Most days with sulfate free haircare, I'm lucky if I can get to 2pm without my bangs looking like I rubbed them with butter, BUT this shampoo really didn't do that. 

Out of the three products, I would probably not buy this product just because I switch my shampoos often depending on what I've done to my hair for the week.  I prefer to spend a little more on my styling and conditioner. That said, my hair DID have volume, and didn't lay flat. 

Almond Oil Thickening Conditioner: ($5.99)

This conditioner was also very thick, and I found that I preferred to apply it on the ends of my hair, but that is something I do all the time with any conditioner.  I used it about once a week, which due to the thickness of the product, created a really nice conditioning mask.  My hair wasn't weighed down, but that was also due to me using a sparing amount, you can go overboard with it and look like you applied oil on your scalp.  

This bottle will last me a while, but I'd purchase it again because it is a worthwhile investment to my hair routine. 

Almond Oil Root Thickening Spray: 

I was afraid of this at first.  Put oil and root in the same name and it's like 

HOLD UP! 

*hit the breaks*

But once I shook the bottle really well, spritzed it on my hair,

it was like a texturizing spray. 

I love it. 

The product says to use it on damp hair and blow dry/ style but I really liked using this on second day hair to restyle my hair.   

It's not tacky, it's more like a cross between a hairspray and dry shampoo. 

This was my absolute favorite of the trio, and would highly recommend picking this up, but as of now, I can't seem to find this particular product in ANY online retailer!? 

Let me know if you spot it!

As a Collection:

I don't believe I would purchase the entire collection, 

as I switch my shampoo often. But the bottom line is that I would seek out the Root Thickener for sure, and would recommend it to my friends 100%

The Scent:

I just had to throw this in as a category, the scent is AMAZING! 

It's like a light marzipan with a mix of peppermint and spearmint. 

It's fresh, without feeling sickly, or sticky. 

These products are available at Harmon Discount, Bed Bath & Beyond, CVS, Walgreens, ULTA, Target and more!

*I was sent these products by Hask in exchange for an honest review.*

Derma e Comes to Target! #NoticetheLotus

Target.  

A trip there is an adventure. 

It's closer than this mythical unicorn of Walmart and Costco to me, 

but still I have to get to a mall to go shopping there, 

and after teaching for 7 hours, the last thing I want to be doing 

is bumping into my students at the mall. 

That said, 

Target has recently stepped up their game with prices and products 

and now they also sell Derma-e products. 

HALLELUJAH!

I don't have to order online!

Derma-e sent me a few products to try out in celebration of them arriving in Target. 

But I figured I'd bring together a top listing of my favorite 4 things that I'd highly recommend. 

1. Firming DMAE Eye Lift

My sister already uses this, and loves it.  The hardest thing is that I have to use skincare for a very long time to see results.  

But so far, this eye lotion has not given me any adverse effects! 

This is to help with tightening of the eye area and making sure it remains plump and youthful looking. 

Gonna be very real here, I'm 25 years old and can still pass for 18. 

(It doesn't help when your the teacher and the sub for the co-teacher thinks your a student in a roomful of high schoolers....but I digress) 

BUT, 

I find that my under eyes can look a bit dull. 

2. Purifying Gel Cleanser

So at my first review, I wasn't hugely impressed by this product.
BUT then I continued to try this product out.
This cleanser works really well to not over dry the skin,
but also leave your face clean.
My other cleansers leave my face squeaky clean, (which I like as I put on a very good moisturizer)
but for the days when your face needs a break, this works well.
I found that while it doesn't get rid of my pimples super fast, it has helped prevent many breakouts.
(Hello Hormones!)

3. Purifying Oil Free Moisturizer

This is AWESOME for summer.  

A light sprayable moisturizer, that does sink in quickly to the ski



n.
It doesn't leave a tacky coating on the skin, but just leaves a quick refresh.
It's great when you really want to run out the door,
and don't want to sit there are rub your moisturizer in.
I wouldn't suggest this during the winter months as my skin was begging for more moisture.

4. Microdermabrasion Scrub

The scrub above all scrubs.
It's not the least expensive out there,
but I keep holding out to purchase it.
This scrub is amazing.
I suggest only using it once a week, as you can overdo it,
but it leaves your skin so soft and bright, AUGH.
I keep trying to find products similar to it, but while some have come close,
this is still undefeated.


I always suggest, check out the Derma E website as they often have great promo deals,
some that are even better than stores!

What products from the line are you happy to see in stores?