ARBONNE RE9 REVIEW

Last week I was given the RE9 Advanced Set to test and review for one week by my local Arbonne representative Missy Holtsbaum. If you had read my previous blog on the Arbonne party I went to, you know how much I love Missy and how honest, knowledgeable, relaxed and 'non-pushy' she is. So when she asked me to test out her latest products of course I was going to say yes! I was a little skeptical and scared at first as there is nothing worse than bad skin care that leaves your skin worse than when you first starting using the products. Skin care really is such an individual thing. What works for you may not work for your friends and what works for your friends may not work for you. It really it comes down to trial and error, speaking to your friends with similar skin types or going to see a consultant (preferably one who is recommended). 

For a bit of back ground on my skin.... I have combination skin. Some parts are oily and some parts are dry. It has a lot to do (I find when it comes to my skin) with which season it is as to whether my skin is more oily or more dry. I rarely get pimples (only if I am lazy and don't wash makeup off at night!) and I do have a few black heads in my oily sections (nose & chin).

 Here is my breakdown, product by product, on the Set and then my final opinion.  

RE9 ADVANCED SMOOTHING FACIAL CLEANSER

Crème cleanser provides effective smoothing and renewing of skin surface for soft, supple skin.

Use morning and evening.

I really enjoyed this cleanser. It smelt lovely, orange oil I think. It took my face and eye makeup off easily and did not sting my eyes at all. I also loved the innovative lid. You don't have to take the lid off... you just turn it slightly to reveal a hole at the bottom which releases the product! Much easier than dealing with screw top lids in the shower. 

RE9 ADVANCED REGENERATING TONER

Antioxidant-rich, pH-balanced mist with vitamins A, C and E regenerates skin tone and firmness to deliver younger-looking skin. 

Use morning and evening following cleanser.

The toner was great. I read all the time that toning or putting cold water on your face after cleansing is important. This toner is great. I love that it's a spray so you can just mist it onto your face. So refreshing. It has vitamins and antioxidants in it so it leaves a feeling more like a light moisturiser that has been misted onto your face, rather than the usual toners that just feel like water. It takes a bit of time to dry and I think it is important to wait for it to dry completely before you apply the moisturiser.

 RE9 ADVANCED INTENSIVE RENEWAL SERUM

A powerful blend of clinically proven, collagen-supporting ingredients that visibly firm and lift skin, while diminishing the appearance of fine lines.  

Use morning and evening.

I only used this product in the evening as I find that I cannot wear moisturiser under my makeup as my makeup will just dissipate within the first few hours of applying. On the first day I trialed the products I did exactly as instructed (as I am still always willing to look for a moisturiser to wear under my makeup!) but it just didn't work for me and my oily skin. But the moisturiser is lovely. 

RE9 Advanced Restorative Day Crème SPF 15

High concentrations of advanced moisture-enhancing ingredients support collagen, and protect and restore skin's youthful appearance.

Use in the morning after serum.

After the first couple of days I did not end up using this at all. As I said above, with my skin, I cannot use moisturiser under my makeup. On the first day I applied the Intensive Serum and then this but it was too much. The next day I skipped the intensive serum and just applied this but it still did not work for me. My makeup just becomes unsightly as it disappears. So I just use the moisturisers at night and use the Toner and Arbonne Primer (love the primer!) during the day. But for the days I don't wear makeup I would certainly use this.

 RE9 ADVANCED CORRECTIVE EYE CREME

Exclusive blend supports collagen, reducing puffiness and diminishing dark circles.

Use morning and night.

Being 24 I don't have any wrinkles, puffiness or dark circles... so for me using the eye cream, it's basically just a preventative measure to help support collagen. I used this at night only. It is not the lightest eye cream I have ever used but it certainly did not feel 'heavy' or 'gluggy' (as some cheaper eye creams feel).  

 RE9 Advanced Age-Defying Neck Cream

Visibly firms and tightens the décolleté and neck to smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Use morning and night.

Again, due to my age, this is just a preventative measure so I cant share any 'visible results' other than leaving my skin lovely and smooth. But for some reason I really loved this cream. I loved the texture and the smell. I used it at night time on my neck and decolletage and on my decolletage in the morning. I love the way it sits on your skin and the way it smells. I also love having a separate cream for your neck and decolletage as when I usually use my normal skin care I don't often put it on my decolletage as it is expensive and I almost feel as though I am wasting it.  

RE9 ADVANCED NIGHT REPAIR CREME

Ultra-hydrating blend of botanicals

Use at night.

By the time you get to this cream... you have the intensive serum, the eye cream and the neck cream on so it is a fair amount of product at night time (and during the day if you use the products as directed). When you use all the products during the day (intensive serum, eye cream, neck cream and day cream) it doesn't feel too heavy, it actually feels just like wearing makeup. But, to me, when you use all the products at night it does feel a little bit heavier. This could be due to my oily skin as well and in saying that... does it really matter if the products work well for you?  

My Humble Opinion....

Please keep in mind that I only trialed these products for one week. I don't believe you can learn much about skin care in one week, except whether or not you are going to have a reaction to it or if it suits your lifestyle and makeup regime. So I don't really feel as if I can give you much of an opinion.

 In saying that, for the week I have used it... my skin is certainly not dry and feels lovely and smooth since using the products. If I had longer I would certainly continue to use them and I am very interested to see how it would work for me during a whole six week program and I am even more interested in seeing an older woman do a six week program to see if she receives visible results from the products.


Stay fabulous!


CLE

Alpha-H Update.

I know I said I was going to V-log instead of B-log about this but I just cannot get the vlog right for the life of me! There is just so much about the products I want to share! I have definately noticed a difference. My red spots or 'hyper-pigmentation' are certainly reduced and I have fewer blackheads and break outs! wohoo! Here are my pictures I have taken on the day I started and the two week mark!

Left picture is the first day I started using the products and the right one is two weeks in! The pictures don't tell much of a story as my skin was quite clear but you can definately see the reduction in the redness on my face. So I am seeing great results after two weeks! Now I will give you my thoughts on all of the products I have received!

 First up is the tripple action cleanser that I use morning and night. I do love this cleanser. It works wonders taking my makeup off at night and it is gentle and safe so you can use it to remove your eye makeup! I have tried so many products in the past that say it can be used to remove eye makeup and it stings your eyes but this cleanser does not sting at all! I love it! One thing I am not so sure about is that I have to use alot of the product at night time as it is not the easiest product to spread when wearing makeup. Although it does its job perfectly, I need to use a fair amount of it at night so I am not sure if this product is going to last me the whole six weeks! TIP: When removing your makeup at night use a white face cloth in conjunction with your product so you can make sure you have removed all of your makeup. When no more colour is coming off onto the cloth you know you have done a great job! 

Next is the Micro Cleanse that I use twice a week. This exfoliating face wash is looovely. I love the smell (spearmint I think) and I love working it into the specific areas on my face that can get so oily and I know that dead skin cells are being banished from my face to leave me with a clearer complexion! This product actually stung my face a little, along with some of the other products, which kind of scared me at first because on the back of the product it warns "Stop using this product immediately if you experience adverse reactions including STINGING, itching and burning". My face did sting but it was a only a little uncomfotable and not painful so I did a bit of research into Glycolic Acid which is the ingrediant in the products that do sting me and here is what I found.... 

 Glycolic acid is used in many skin care products due to its excellent capability to penetrate skin. It is used often as a chemical peel performed by a dermatologist or in at-home kits. Glycolic Acid reacts with the upper layer of the epidermis, weakening the binding properties of the lipids that hold the dead skin cells together hence it improves the skin's appearance and texture.

So obviously you are going to get a bit of stinging. I also noticed that the stinging was varied with the same product. Sometimes it would sting quite a lot and others not so much. So I did a bit more research into it and found that Glycolic Acid is pH sensitive so I think that the stinging can vary due to the pH of your skin. Keep in mind I haven't spoken to Alpha-H about this yet. So I will let you know!    

TIP: I have to use this product twice a week, I use it on Tuesdays and Fridays, so to remind myself of the days I have to use it I took a permantent marker and wrote TUES & FRI on the bottle which helps me remember I have to use this product on these days. I can be a bit slow in the mornings so I find this really helps!

I use the eye cream morning and night. Its very light and cool when you put it on, it is not oily at all and drys quickly. It is a great eye cream! You need a different cream for your eyes compared to the rest of your face as the skin around your eyes is more sensitive and a lot thinner than the skin on cheeks.

I basically have a love/hate relationship with the Daily Essential Moisturiser. I love it (especially the smell, I love the smell of sunscreen!) but I find that if I use it I have to let it dry on my skin for at least half an hour to an hour before I put my makeup on. This is most likely due to the SPF 30+. So if I jump up in the morning, wash my face and have to apply my makeup then and there I don't use the moisturiser as my skin is already quite oily and I find the moisturiser + the makeup + my oily skin leaves me waaaay too oily and my makeup doesn't last half the day. But other than that I do spend a couple of makeup free days at home and I love putting it on and I also make an effort to wash my face and put it on early as I do have dry areas on my face (I have combination skin) and using this moisturiser has definitely helped. A few ladies at the Alpha-H workshop expressed that they used this moisturiser under their makeup without a problem so you can always speak to Alpha-H and they can give you a sample tube for you to test before you buy!

Balancing moisturiser with gentle exfoliant. I love it and I use it every night. There is nothing better than having a clean face at night, putting on your night cream and getting into your nice warm bed. It's so comforting to me and is a wonderful way end to a busy day! This is cream is very light and not oily at all. It is fast absorbing and just lovely!

I use the liquid Gold and Clay Masks once a week, on my 'Me Night' which is a Sunday :), and I love them. I sit in my spa with a glass of red and my mask on my face! Sooo relaxing and sooo good for your skin! My skin feels beautiful and smooth after using the masks. I use the Liquid Gold mask first, leave it on for 10 minutes then wash that off and put the clay mask on for 10 minutes. I look forward to my 'Me Nights' on Sunday even more now!

Overall I am loving the products and I am looking forward to seeing further results! If you are interested in the products check out www.alpha-h.com

Stay fabulous!

CLE

avandia recall

ARBONNE

A few weeks ago I went to an Arbonne night. I am never usually up for these nights, it has nothing to do with Arbonne its just that over the years I have been invited to tupperware parties, lingerie parties, candle parties and all the rest... so I go and never usually like the product and feel pressured into buying something I believe is way overpriced hence I tend to avoid these nights at all costs! But the person hosting the party, Mikkie Walker, is a great friend of mine so I agreed and now I am actually really glad I went! I really enjoyed this night! The Arbonne consultant, Melissa, was lovely and she kept the spiel short and sweet only telling us the information we really needed to know including her personal favourite products and then she told us to jump in and try any products we liked.... and we did!

The pictures above are actual pictures from the night and all of the products were there for our use! Arbonne has lovely make up and skin care lines. All of their products come with a 45 day money back guarentee, are vegan certified, no animal by products and are not tested on animals. There is no animal hair in their brushes either (they have great brushes! I much preferred these brushes to my Napoleon ones that moult all over my face!).
Melissa's personal favourite 5 products were:
1. Primer- It's a crime not to prime! Vitamin-rich makeup primer visually diminishes fine lines and pores, creating a canvas for flawless makeup application.
2. Perfecting liquid foundation - The foundations come in 15 different colours so you are bound to find one that suits your skin tone!
3. Firming body cream. - The cream supports collagen and elastin to help promote a firmer, more toned, smoother look and feel to skin.
4. Shea Butter Hand and Body Care Duo- This includes a handwash and handlotion that comes in a convient caddy to put by your bathroom basin or kitchen sink!
5. Hair Mask - Contains antioxidants, vitamins and minerals with a hydrating formula that helps strengthen, condition, repair and revitalize the hair shaft for a lustrous, healthy shine.

I purchased the primer and I must say.... I am in love with this product. There is no way I could put foundation on without it now. It helps my foundation go on so much easier. I put it on my neck as well as my face as it makes it ssoooo much easier for me to work my foundation down my neck so I don't get a nasty foundation line. It goes on like silk and makes your skin feel like the most beautiful canvas you could ever imagine! Love it!


My top tips to have a great Arbonne party (because I now reccommend it!) are-
1. Give your friends plenty of notice so they have time to save some money incase they would like to make a purchase, which i'm sure they will!
2. Ask if you can have the catalogues early so you can have a browse and decide what you need, what you like and what you want to try on the night!
3. Wear no make up! Scary I know but to try these products is so much fun and you will get a real feel for them which will help you decide if you like the product or not.
4. Champagne and nibblies! Mikkie put on a brilliant array of food we could eat while drinking our champers and trying the make up! Food, Champagne, Skin Care and Cosmetics.... What more can a girl want?!
5. Melissa Holtsbaum. Melissa was a wonderful consultant! She was extremely knowledgeable, honest, and at no time did anyone feel pressured into buying the products.
If you would like Melissa to host an arbonne party for you send me an email and I can put you in contact with her. casey.lee.evans@gmail.com

Melissa (left) and Mikkie (right).
Thanks for a great night ladies! I look forward to trying more arbonne products in the future!
CLE