Treating Scars and Stretch Marks Naturally

We all have them but we rarely talk about them. They are part of life but most of us find them unsightly or embarrassing. I worked in restaurants for years and because of that, I have quite a few scars (from cuts and burns). I also have some stretch marks. None of the remedies I've tried have really worked for me. I was given the opportunity to try InstaNatural's Advanced Repair Scar Gel and Powerful & Moisturizing Stretch Mark and Scar Cream.

I was especially interested in lessening the appearance of a scar I've had on my hand for some time. It's from a kitchen burn, many years ago.

I applied the Scar Gel to the scar of my hand twice a day (morning and night) for two weeks. I apologize for failing to get a before picture. The photo above was taken after two weeks of use. As you can see, the scar is still visible but it's much lighter. I like the gel isn't harsh.  The results have taken some time but I haven't had any irritation, redness or skin peeling, like I had with the other products I've used.

The gel has an odd scent but it is not unpleasant. It has a thinner consistency than I expected but you don't need to use a large amount. A little goes a long way and I'm sure the bottle will last for a long time. I've barely made a dent in it.

I also tried the stretch mark cream on the stretch marks that I have on my breasts.  I noticed some softening of the marks but not a significant change. It has a pleasant scent and the cream is extremely moisturizing.

I will keep using both of these products to test out the long term results. The Advanced Repair Scar Gel, in my opinion, is a great product for those with sensitive skin. It's working for me, without any irritation. I'm hoping for lessening of my stretch marks, but I will keep you posted.

Note: I received InstaNatural Scar Gel and Stretch Mark & Scar Cream, in exchange for my review. The opinions expressed in this post are my own.

InstaNatural Eye Gel and More - A Review

Each time I try a new InstaNatural product, I wonder why I've only recently discovered this fantastic company and their products. This time I got the opportunity to InstaNatural's Youth Express Eye Gel. In addition, I was also able to try their Youth Express Eye Serum and Advance Action Retinol Moisturizer.

I have been using Youth Express Eye Gel each morning and I've been very happy with the product and results. The cooling feeling is great to depuff my eyes and it has helped to diminish the fine lines around my eyes. I've noticed a slight diminishing of my dark circles. To be fair, my dark circles are chronic, I have yet to find an eye product that lessens them drastically.

I've been using the Retinol Moisturizer every night after washing my face, along with the Youth Express Eye Serum.

All of these products have been fantastic and would be great additions to anyone's beauty regime. Both products can be used morning and evening. I've been using the Youth Express Eye Gel in the morning and the Youth Express Serum in the evening. This has worked really well for me. I used the Retinol Moisturizer both morning and night. I've noticed a evening effect in my skin tone and my skin feels smoother, overall.

I love that InstaNatural's products are made in the USA and are not tested on animals. Their products are also free of alcohols, sulfates or parabens. Being the product junkie that I am, it's wonderful to find a company and products that I feel good about using and they actually work well, if not better than some of the more expensive products I've tried over the years. Their products are available exclusively online either via their website, or on Amazon.com.


Note: I received these products in exchange for my review. The thoughts I've expressed here are my own. In fact, you'll remember that a few weeks ago I published this post about their Argan Oil hair mask and Pure Argan Oil and Vitamin C Serum. I loved the Vitamin C Serum so much (and so did {msL}) that it's empty and I ordered a new bottle.

Stronger Hair from the Inside Out - A Review

We all know that diet is key to many beauty areas. Of course eating whole foods is the best way to get that nutrition but sometimes a supplement will help you get the nutrients faster and in a larger quantity. I've never had issues with my hair until two things happened, age and mostly my Rheumatoid Arthritis. The number one side affect of one of the meds I take for my RA is hair loss. When I read that side effect, (before I started taking the meds) I was worried. My hair is on the thin and straight side but in general, I've always loved my hair. The thought of losing my hair was daunting. At the recommendation of other RA folks, I started taking Folic Acid right away. It has definitely helped minimize the hair loss but I haven't noticed improvements in new growth. About six months ago I began reading about the benefits of Biotin for growing and strengthening your hair. When Zenwise Labs asked if I'd like to try their Hair Growth Vitamins + DHT Blocker, I said yes (after making sure there were no interactions with my meds).

Of course I also checked with my doctor to make sure that she approved. She did and I have been using the Vitamins for about a month. You should always make sure to check with your physician before starting any kind of medication, even if it's over the county. A little info from their website:

Zenwise Labs Hair Growth Vitamins formula contains our distinct blend of 27 ingredients, including 5000 mcg of Biotin, that promote hair growth and overall hair health. This formula also provides essential vitamins and antioxidants to address deficiencies that have been shown to cause hair loss.

Our all Natural formula can be used to:
Promote Thicker Fuller Hair
Stimulate Hair Growth
Address Vitamin Deficiencies Associated with Hair Loss

Key Ingredients:
Biotin
MSM (Methyl Sulfonyl Methane)
Grapeseed Extract
Saw Palmetto
Pumpkin (Seed-Curcubita Pepo)(4:1)
Gotu Kola (Herb-Centella Asiatica) (4:1)
Ginkgo Biloba (Leaf)
L-Lysine Hcl
L-Proline
Kelp
Citrus Bioflavanoids
Nettle (Leaf-Urtica Dioica)
Catalase
Resveratrol

I have noticed new hair growth since I started using the product and my hair feels fuller. It's also important to note that I haven't changed my hair products since I began using the vitamins. I use the same combo that I've been using for several months. I wanted to ensure that any hair changes could be attributed to the vitamins and not external products.

I have noticed some positive changes in my hair growth since I began taking the vitamins.  I'm happy with the results so far and I've seen improvements over the Folic Acid alone. Fuller hair is a good thing!

NOTE: I was provided the vitamins in exchange for writing about my experience. The opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Curls with the KISS InstaWave - A Review

Unintentionally, this week is shaping up to be new product review week. New year, great new items to test out. I have to admit, one of my favorite parts of being a blogger is getting to try out new products before everyone else. Getting the chance to try a hair styling tool, heaven. I got the chance recently to test out the new KISS InstaWave Automatic Curler. I wasn't sure it would work well on my fine, shorter, hard to curl hair. I thought I'd give it a try and I was pleasantly surprised.

I opened the box and read all of the instructions. It seemed super easy. I loved the idea of getting curls without worrying that my fingers would end up burned and blistered. Since my hair is above my shoulders, finger burns happen more often than I'd like.

The Features:

• KISS InstaWave is a fully automatic tangle-free curler that instantly creates beautiful curls
• Easy for anyone to use, from any angle, with any hand
• Features a Curl Dial with left/right curl directions
• Automatically shuts off after 90 minutes
• 2 heat settings with a low/high switch with maximum temperature of 420

There are two heat settings. I found the lower setting can be best for my fine hair. The indicator light comes on when the InstaWave is ready.

I started by pulling out a small section of my hair.

Hold the KISS Instawave Automatic Curler vertical to your head and just place the hair in the tines of the spindle. You just lay it across.

Then you hit the toggle button in the direction you want the barrel to turn.

Hold the InstaWave Automatic Curler in place for 5 to 10 seconds. Then pull the curler straight down. There was a little bit of a learning curve with my shorter hair and I found using a clip to hold my uncurled hair back was helpful.

Here is a video demo. (Be kind this is my very first video.)




My hair after I finished my full head. My curl lasts all day and still looks good.

PROS

• Easy to use right out of the box but since it was different than a standard iron, it took some time getting used to the motions.
• Heats up quickly.
• Didn't tangle.
• Auto shut-off (after 90 seconds), a plus for forgetful people like me.
• Creates lasting curls, even on my fine hair.

CONS

• Curling was one handed but use was not. I needed both hands to set the hair in place in the curler.
• It will take some time using it before I'm as fast as I am with a standard curling iron. To be fair, I've been using a standard iron since I was 12.
• It makes some noise (see video above). If you do your hair early in the morning while your spouse is sleeping (like I do) be aware that it's not silent.
• On the higher end of curling iron price points (retail: $59.99)

Note: I received my KISS InstaWave Automatic Curler in exchange for my review. My opinions are my own.

Mani Review - Sally Hansen Miracle Gel

As a die hard nail polish girl, it may be hard to believe but I never jumped on the gel manicure bandwagon. I didn't even consider it as a wedding option. Back in the 90's I tried artificial nails. The process destroyed my nails and made them thin, lifeless and they peeled. I worked hard to get them back to a healthy state. I shunned getting a gel manicure for this reason and also the fact that I get bored with my nail polish color and like to change it often. Sometimes however, I need my polish to last through the work week. Several polish companies have released at home gel manicure sets but you still needed a light and they were difficult to remove. I wasn't on board yet. Then Revlon and Sally Hansen released no light gel manicure lines. You all know I'm a huge fan of Revlon. I decided to try the Sally Hansen version, since it was getting rave reviews.

I chose Camo Queen, I loved the idea of a light olive green polish and it was a perfect neutral for me. I got great coverage in just two coats. I could have gone with one but I always apply thin coats to speed the drying process. This was a late night polish job and I was worried I'd made a huge mistake. You know those times when you do a late night polish job and wake up with sheet marks on your freshly painted nails? Yep, that's usually me. Well, it didn't happen this time! The Sally Hansen Miracle Gel dried incredibly fast. It was still a little tacky when I went to bed. I was worried. The photo above is the next morning and it looked great. Now the real test. How long would it last?

Day 7 - My first chip.

Day 8 - Left hand

Day 8 - Right Hand

 I tried to wait as long as possible. I got my first chip on day 7. Then I did the dishes. For me that's the real test. I'm not big on wearing gloves to do dishes. I threw caution to the wind. The results are above. I have to say though, a week isn't bad. A manicure that lasts a week is a win. I'm betting it might have lasted even longer if I had added a coat of clear polish mid week but I wanted to give it a full and honest test.

The polish is on the more expensive side of drugstore polish ($8.99 per bottle and the drugstores near me). You can find combo packs that contain one bottle of polish (in a color) and one bottle of top coat for about $15.99. It's a bargain compared to the cost of a salon gel manicure. Plus, it won't destroy your nails and you can remove it with regular nail polish remover. Sally Hansen Miracle Gel polish comes in 47 shades. I think it's great and will be trying some other colors. My next trial will be testing out regular polish with the Miracle Gel top coat. Stay tuned.


Note: The opinions in this post are my own. I was not provided any compensation or product by Sally Hansen. I purchased these products to test them out and share my results with all of you.

Try It Out - J'Adore Vox Box

I'm a product junkie and one of the things I love most about blogging is trying out the new products that I receive from companies and firms like Influenster. I received the J'Adore Vox Box and it contained quite a few products! Just call me your blogging guinea pig.

 

 

When I opened the box, I found six products. 

• Hershey's Kisses - I LOVE chocolate and Hershey's kisses are one of my all time favorites. {msL} helped me dig into the bag right away. We filled our candy dish with them and there are only a few left.
• Red Rose Simply Indulgent Tea - I received Lemon Chiffon and Creme Caramel. I admit I was a bit skeptical. I love tea but I don't add any sugar to my tea. Occasionally, I add some lemon but that's all. The prospect of tea inspired by desserts didn't sound great. I really enjoyed the Lemon Chiffon but even though caramel is one of my favorite flavors, the Creme Caramel wasn't a hit with me.  I think I'd like to try the Cinnamon Streusel but I didn't get one of those.
• Kiss Looks So Natural Lashes - Even as girly and make-up obsessed as I am, I'm a klutz when it comes to false lashes. I wore them on my wedding day but only because my hair stylist, who is also a make up artist, helped me. I gave these lashes a try and I have to say, I was impressed with the glue the most. The applicator and ease of use, where impressive. I love how the glue applicator has a wand and it goes onto the lash with a greenish hue, that dries clear. It made that part so easy. Then came the klutz part. There is no magic applicator for applying them to my lash line. I got them on and they are light and semi-natural looking thanks to their shape. They would have been great on my wedding day and will be good on special occasions.

• Boots Botanics Clay Mask - I rarely have breakouts but before trying this mask, I got the biggest pimple on my chin. I used the mask all over. Then I applied a dot onto the pimple, let it dry and left it on over night. My pimple was drastically reduced in the morning. I was impressed.
• John Frieda 3 Day Straight Flat Iron Spray - I don't have frizzy hair but I have terrible fly aways in the winter. I hoped that this spray would help with that issue. I tried it and it worked to tame my fly aways and fried ends (from my ombre color) but it was a bit much for my fine hair. It left it a bit flat. I'm sure for some of my full and curly haired friends, it would be fantastic. It was easy to use with just damp hair and a flat iron.
• Vaseline Men Spray Lotion - {msL} tried this product. She prefers men's cologne over women's and I thought this would work for her. She loved the application, she said it was easy. She also liked the scent, although she said if she put it on, she'd have to refrain from using any other scent that day. The lotion scent is very strong, but pleasant. She liked the moisture and I liked how soft it made her skin.

I was pleased with most of the products that I received through +Influenster. Many worked well for me and I enjoyed trying them.

Note: I received these products through the Influenster program, for the purpose of my feedback and review. All thoughts and comments are my own. If you're interested in joining, Influenster, leave a comment below or email me at: realgirlrunway@live.com

Skirt the Issue - Review and Giveaway CLOSED

THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED

Please read the review and order your own, here.

There are those days when the planets align and amazing things just happen. Last Saturday morning was one of those time. Every Saturday morning, my good friend Joey and I walk inside Potomac Mills Mall. It's great exercise and a good time to gab. I look forward to it every week and it's a perfect addition to my weekly exercise routine. On this specific Saturday we noticed lots of tables being set up, around the mall, for some sort of expo. It was a summer camp expo for parents and kids and many of the tables didn't interest me. Then just past Starbucks I spied a table with products that peaked my interest. The table was for Skirt the Issue. The skirts looked to be little skirts that you could put on over your leggings or yoga pants. After our walk, we grabbed coffee and I stopped at the table. I asked about the product and met Karen, the owner and inventor of Skirt the Issue!

I firmly believe that leggings are not pants. We all wear yoga pants and leggings when we exercise and most of us take a quick stop at the store, do errands or grab coffee afterward. Changing isn't always convenient or an option. Karen has come up with a solution. She has created a seemingly simple pull on tube skirt. It's small enough to tuck in your purse, gym bag or even your pocket. It covers you and looks incredibly stylish. The skirts come in sizes XS - XL.  I wear a size 22 pant and I can wear the XL (lots of stretch)! I was so impressed with the product. Just by seeing it and talking to Karen, I knew I needed to tell everyone about it. I convinced her (I didn't have too try hard) to share this great product with all of you! 

I had to do a few errands after our walk and I was excited to try out my new skirt. I slipped it on over my yoga pants. Frankly, I was a little worried that it wouldn't fit, based on the general sizing guidelines but it did! It's a fantastic solution for all sorts of fashion issues. Check out the website for styling suggestions. Mini skirts aren't for me, so I won't be wearing my skirt solo but it would look great on my friends. I can picture lots of ladies I know who walk to exercise class, wearing a skirt (over their leggings) during the walk or metro ride. I'm also thrilled to share that the skirts come in lots of great colors and patterns and they are manufactured in Virginia!  I love supporting local businesses!

I will be posting photos on Instagram this weekend.  Be sure to check out my Instagram feed and follow me for updates. I love my skirt, in case you couldn't tell. I'm sure you'll love yours too. Since Karen's business is growing, the available colors, sizes and patterns may change as inventory is restocked and new options are added.

Now you can win your own skirt!  Just enter below. Leave a blog post entry and earn additional entries by liking our facebook pages, following us on twitter and tweeting about the giveaway. The winner will be announced on March 24th!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Make sure to share this with your friends!


NOTE: All opinions are my own. I was provided a skirt for this review and a skirt for the giveaway.

Meaningful Beauty Crème de Serum - Review

Over the past year I've become a big fan of serums. They have become a regular part of my beauty routine. They are perfect for my combination skin. They are moisturizing but not sticky and I can wear them under make-up with no oil build up (even in summer).  When I was offered the chance to try out Cindy Crawford's Meaningful Beauty Crème de Serum, I said yes. Having seen the commercials on late night TV, I was curious to see if the product lived up to it's claim. We all know that skin care is a big part of great aging but genetics is also a big factor. If you've ever seen a photo of Cindy and her mom, you'd know what I mean about genetics.

I decided to give this serum a thorough test. I used it morning and night until the full tube was gone. In fact, after I started using it, I knew I would want to use it until it was gone. It is all of the things I love about serums. At first my skin was a bit temperamental but that always happens to men when I switch treatments. After a day or two of adjustment, it was great. It's light and moisturizing. It worked well under my makeup and didn't feel greasy.

After about a month and a half of use, I am pleased with the results. There were no drastic changes in my skin but I do think my forehead creases look less deep. They are the wrinkles on my face that I dislike the most. If I believe there is some improvement, then the product works. This photo was taken shortly after my forty-sixth birthday. Not bad, huh?

 

I definitely like Meaninigful Beauty Crème de Serum. If you like serums, I'd highly recommend it.


Note: Meaningful Beauty Creme de Serum was provided to me via a program through Influenster. The opinions expressed here are my own honest review of this product.

Avon Mega Effects Mascara Review and GIVEAWAY - CLOSED

This Giveaway is CLOSED.

Mascara can make or break your makeup look.  As someone with short lightly colored lashes, mascara is an essential for me. Because of this I am always looking for the latest and greatest mascara. I've tried lots of department store brands but I've found that the economical brands are great and cost less. When I read and saw the buzz about AVON Mega Effects mascara, I knew I had to try it. Lucky for me I have a great AVON connection. My college roomie, Pam, is an AVON representative. She offered to send me a tube to try and a tube to give to one of you! Oh and she also threw in a great little makeup case.

 

My overall verdict is that I love the results. I got these lashes with the mascara only. I didn't use an eyelash curler. It's rare that I am able to achieve lashes this long and full without a curler and with only one mascara (I ususally use two).

I found the wand a bit hard to get used to but once I did, I found it easy to control. I was able to get to the corners of my eyes easier. It was great that I could use the wand straight or at several angles. This allowed me to achieve better results. I wiped off a bit of the excess mascara before applying and found that helped to ensure my coverage was less sloppy.

I'd definitely buy this mascara again. The results and innovative design make it a bargain for $10! Would you like to win your own tube and a fun little makeup case?  Enter the giveaway below. You can enter until midnight on Thursday.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you've tried AVON Mega Effects mascara, let me know what you think.  I'm definitely a fan.



NOTE: All opinions expressed in this post are my own. I was provided a tube of AVON Mega Effects mascara in exchange for my review.

Better Exercise with Dr. Scholl's® Active Series® Insoles

My apologies for the long silence. Lots of us in the DC area were impacted by the government shutdown. I work for a contractor to the government and was out of work for 17 days. I used the time to do projects around our house, work on me, and take a little break from technology and the blog. Part of working on me was more exercise. Luckily, right before the shutdown, I received Dr. Scholl's® Active Series® inserts to try (via Influenster). Since I battle Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), I jumped at the chance to try something that could possibly make exercise more enjoyable. Moving is an important part of therapy for RA, which is hard sometimes when you don't feel well. So, I try to find exercise that is good for me but also enjoyable.  I attend Zumba class, do yoga and walk regularly. I wasn't sure that these insoles would really help but decided to give them a try.

The handy guide marks on the underside of the insoles make them easy to cut and adjust to your size.  They come in two sizes for women (and men).  I wear a size nine and received the larger size (8 1/2 - 11).  I removed the insoles that came in my running shoes, cut the insoles to fit and slid them in.  They were a tight fit but I adjusted them and they fit perfectly.  At first I noticed that they made my shoes a bit tighter than the original insoles.  I just adjusted the tightness of my laces. First I tried them at my Zumba classes.  They were great.  In previous sessions I'd noticed some soreness on the bottoms of my feet (before the insoles).  That isn't an issue anymore! No soreness at all. They provided really good arch support as well. Once I tried them at Zumba, I had to give them a try on my regular walks.  I walk with my good friend Joey on Saturday mornings at Potomac Mills Mall.  They have a mall walking program but we just head over early on Saturday mornings for a little gab time and walking.  Joey has lost 150lbs. on Weight Watchers and his main form of exercise has been walking!

Joey and I, all smiles during our walk.

Asics



Jacket - C9 by Champion from Target (sold out but similar here), t-shirt, Yoga Pants - Old Navy (old style but similar here)

There was a little too much window shopping this time so we only got in 3.5 miles.  My new Dr. Scholl's® Active Series® insoles were the star.  They really helped me to enjoy my walk more, with fewer aches and pains. 

Note: My insoles were provided to me via a program through Influenster. The opinions expressed here are my own honest review of this product.

Laudun Cosmetiques - Mitsy Day/Night Moisturizer

A little while ago I was introduced to Cosmetiques Laudun at the NoVA Fashion Week Luxe Lifestyle Event.  It was great to try out a high end organic skin care line.  My skin can be very sensitive. It was great to see that there is a luxury skin car line that isn't loaded with perfumes and unnecessary ingredients. The folks at Cosmetiques Laudun offered to send me a product sample to try.  They surprised me by sending a jar of their Misty Day/Night Moisturizer Cream.

The packaging was beautiful but I've seen lots of beautiful packaging and the proof would be in the creme.  I decided to try the product for a few days and nights to see how I liked it before giving you all my thoughts. The first thing I noticed when I opened the jar was the natural smell of the creme.  It had a light scent that reminded me of herbs instead of perfume.  The creme was extremely rich.  This first night I used it, I made the mistake of using way too much.  The tiniest bit goes a very long way.  When I woke up the next morning my face felt smooth and soft but a bit tacky.  I tried it under my make-up but my skin tends to be very oily in the summer. For me, it was a bit too rich for day during the hot summer.

On the second night I scaled back the amount I used, based on advice from the ladies at Cosmetiques Laudun.  I was thrilled with how soft and silky my skin felt in the morning.  I moisturize my neck and decollete every night and loved how little I needed to use.  We have a backyard pool  I spend lots of time swimming and the chlorine wreaks havoc on my skin and dries it out.  I've started using the creme after sun and pool time.  My skin is feeling less dry than it has in the past and not at all greasy. I've been using the creme once or twice a day. You can see in the photo above, how little I've used (a tiny bit goes so far). The price is a bit higher than I've ever paid for skin creme.  You all know I'm a firm believer in quality over quantity (as you've seen in the concealer I use).  The Mitsy creme as well as the other Cosmetiques Laudun product I tried at the NoVA Fashion Week Event, are definitely quality and would be worth the money.

As I mentioned my skin tends to be very sensitive.  I was pleasantly surprised that I didn't have any irritation or breakouts. That usually happens when I start using something new.  I believe this is due to the organic ingredients and lack of perfumes.  If your skin is on the oily side this might not be the right moisturizer for you but you could contact Cosmetiques Laudun for recommendations.  I'm sure they'd be happy to help you.  If you're looking for a rich skin creme that is organic and high quality, I recommend Cosmetiques Laudun's Mitsy Day/Night Moisturizer. I'm a new fan.



Note: Cosmetiques Laudun provided me a jar of Mitsy Day/Night Moisturizer as a gift.  There was no expectation of a review.  The decision to share my experience and the opinions expressed here are truly my own.