Pure Local Organics Face Oil

I had the pleasure of trying (now I am addicted) to the Pure Local Organics Face Oil for Normal To Oily Skin. Melissa shared the story with me as to how this product came to be, she was working on a natural skincare product that would increase skin cell turn over to reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks on her body. After the product performed well on many different skin types it was also developed for the face.

Using skincare that assists will cell turnover has always been important to me as our cell regeneration slows as we get older which is why pores and fine lines appear larger. I was so excited to give this product a try. After using the serum for a month, in the evenings under my regular moisturizer, I noticed an increase in the hydration of my skin, luminosity and overall more youthful appearance.

Because this product was originally formulated for the body, I also used it on my cracked heels in a pinch one evening. This is something I have suffered from since having children and it really hurts. After applying the oil to my heels two nights in a row, my crack was heeled enough that it was no longer opening in the morning when I started my day.

This product does what it says it will do in my experience and thats why I am excited to keep using it!

You can learn more about Pure Local Organics and everything they offer our Lambton County Community on their Facebook page here. 

My Current Skin Care Routine - Arbonne RE9 Advanced

For the last 10 months I have been using and experiencing a bunch of the products that Arbonne has to offer. And for the last 6 months I have been enjoying the RE9 Advanced skincare line so I wanted to share it with you here. Not only do I test various products on myself to find out how they work, I also love learning about the ingredients that are included in products I use and how they work to improve my skin. Call me a nerd but the science of beauty products is really interesting to me. So here is what I have learned and my personal experience with some RE9 basics.



General Awesomeness About Arbonne 

• All products are vegan certified 
• Dermatologist tested 
• Botanically based

RE9 Advanced Smoothing Facial Cleanser 

Personal Experience 

• I love the smell of the RE9 products, a light citrus fragrance.
• The gentle foam leaves my skin feeling fresh and clean without over drying it.
• I experienced a small breakout when I first started using this product line which is always a good thing as it shows me the products are working to draw out impurities. After about two weeks the blemishes were gone.

Purpose 

• Cleanse skin and remove makeup or impurities collected on the skins surface throughout the day.

Key Ingredients

• Algae Extract - strengthens existing collagen to help diminish the appearance of fine lines.
• Shea Buckthorn Oil (antioxidant) - counteracts the damaging effects of pollutants and other things in our atmosphere that our skin comes in contact with throughout the day. 

RE9 Advanced Regenerating Toner

Personal Experience

• It left my skin feeling balanced and clean not tight like toners I have used in the past.  

Purpose 

• Collect any impurities that may be left on the skins surface after cleanser and return the skin to its natural PH balance.

Key Ingredients 

• Witch Hazel - an ingredient used to calm and sooth skin. 
• Citric Acid - occurring in many acid fruits and when used in skin care acts as an astringent to gently cleanse the skin. 

RE9 Advanced Restorative Day Creme With SPF 20

Personal Experience 

• This moisturizer hydrated my skin and absorbed quickly without leaving any oily feeling on the surface, perfect for daytime and applying makeup over top. 

Purpose 

• To hydrate and protect the skin throughout the day. 

Key Ingredients 

• Kudzu Root - is a plant estrogen that helps to slow down the sings of aging and assists in the renewal of collagen in the skin creating a more firm surface. 
• Peptides - also aid in firming the skin with their ability to penetrate the upper layer of the skin to stimulate collagen regeneration. 

The focus of this skin care line is on anti-aging and hydration and over the 6 months that I used these products I would say that I saw an improvement in the appearance of my skins surface. I was also impressed at how long the products lasted. High end skin care products should include high percentages of their active ingredients to justify their price, which also means you only need to use a small amount, thus your skin care routine should last you 4 - 6 months.

There are many more pieces in the RE9 Advanced line, like serums, eye creams and night creams, I started with the basics. Some of you might be overwhelmed with a 5-9 piece skincare line and I totally get that, I always recommend starting with a cleanser, toner moisturizer and exfoliating 1-2 times a week. These steps are the most important when beginning to care for your skin or maintaining healthy skin. You can learn more about the RE9 Advanced Skincare Line here and about my Arbonne journey here. If you have any questions or concerns about skin care, I always love chatting beauty with you, you can comment below or email me heatherlapier@gmail.com. 

Thanks for reading my review!

Skin Care Essentials

As some of you may know, I used to work at Caryl Baker Visage in Sarnia.  I have roughly seven years experience working in the skin care and makeup industry.  One of the most important lessons I learned while working in the beauty industry, is that while makeup is amazing for enhancing your beauty, taking care of your skin is the first step to looking great.

Luke has been sick and teething the last few days so he has been waking up through the night (which is unlike him) and we have been doing lots of snuggling during the day.  I haven't taken much time for myself in these last few days so while Luke napped yesterday, I enjoyed a long shower and a facial scrub.  Exfoliating my skin totally refreshed my tired complexion and made me feel much more awake.

I have had people ask what products I use and what my beauty routine is so here are my basics.  Eye creams, serums and masks are great too but this routine will get your skin on the right track and for me, keep me feeling great.  As we start our family, I am more conscious of my spending so I have detailed the high and low end products that I have used and love.

High End 

Eye Makeup Remover - CBV Oily Eye Pads
Face Wash - CBV Botanical Gel Cleanser
Moisturizer - CBV Vitamin Enriched Defence Cream
Scrub - CBV Papaya Scrub

Low End 

Eye Makeup Remover - Equate Cleansing Cloths
Face Wash - Aveeno Positively Radiant
Moisturizer - Ponds Dry Skin Cream
Scrub - E-mergin C Micro Scrub (CBV)

Routine

I remove my eye makeup first.  You can use your face wash but in my experience it is more work to get your eye makeup off that way.

Next I clean my skin with my face wash, towel dry and apply my moisturizer.

I exfoliate my skin with a scrub once a week, this step takes place after my face wash and before moisturizer.  Exfoliating allows moisturizer to absorb deeper into the skin and refines pores.

In the morning I just rinse my skin with water and apply my moisturizer.

Lastly, I know you have heard this a million times but drink lots of water.  Hydrated skin will age more gracefully.

My scrub is something that I always splurge on, if you find a piece of skin care or makeup that really works for you, just stick with it.

If you have any questions about skin care please feel free to comment below, connect on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram