Haven's Arc Vitamin C Serum Review

     I have never used a serum like this on my face before. I wasn't quite sure what it would feel like or what it was supposed to do. I've used toners, lotions, creams, masks, oils, and sprays. But never a serum. And I am so sad I have been missing out on this item. It's completely different from any of the aforementioned products.

      The serum is so easy to use and effective. It comes in a nice, small, dark-colored, glass vial. The dark bottle is a key component because it keeps the ingredients inside the bottle fresh. Light can actually damage nutrients. That is why beer is usually stored in a brown bottle. Just in case you wanted a fun fact today.

     The lid twists off and has a syringe attached for easy application. It's a little dropper that keeps you from having to stick your fingers in the unused serum. Which would contaminate the rest of the bottle. Plus, it has a liquid consistency like water and so you need the dropper or else you would waste a lot of product by pumping or pouring.

     When you apply the serum to you face it runs a little just because it is just like water. You have to rub it in as soon as it is applied. It is almost immediately absorbed into the skin. That is great news because that means the nutrients are also absorbed immediately. There is absolutely NO residue left behind. Your face feels clean and smooth almost as if there is nothing on it. Which is great because it can be worn underneath your makeup or moisturizer and nobody will ever know it is there.

     It is hard to describe what your skin is like after applying the serum. My skin feels and looks refreshed after using the Vitamin C Serum. It is not a miracle overnight makeover, but it does have some overnight benefits. I have a problem with acne. And when I am extremely tired, stressed, or depressed I have a tendency of picking at my face. It's horrible. Right now my face is worse than usual because I have new mommy hormones going berserk inside me, a 3 month old with colic, and a husband that is only around for an hour each day. Usually the day after I have attacked my face it is inflamed, irritated, and sore. But when I use Haven Arc's Vitamin C Serum after these episodes and wake up the next day my face looks like it usually does 2 days after picking. It's almost as if this serum helps heal my skin faster.

     I did a little research and found out that Hyaluronic Acid is actually naturally present in the human body. And it is used in the healthcare industry. Here are some interesting facts I found:

Some people apply hyaluronic acid to the skin for healing wounds, burns, skin ulcers, and as a moisturizer.There is also a lot of interest in using hyaluronic acid to prevent the effects of aging. In fact, hyaluronic acid has been promoted as a "fountain of youth." However, there is no evidence to support the claim that taking it by mouth or applying it to the skin can prevent changes associated with aging. www.webmd.com

    Organic Rosehip Oil, Organic Sea Buckthorn Oil, Green Tea Extract, Botanical Hyaluronic Acid, and Resistem (Plant Stem Cells) are all ingredients found in Haven Arc's Vitamin C Serum. All of these ingredients are used for their anti-aging properties and ability to enhance Vitamin C effectiveness on your face and skin. Special ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid and Organic Sea Buckthorn oil help plump up the skin which reduces wrinkles and leaves skin looking clearer and younger. 

     The presence of Organic Rosehip Oil and Vitamin C increases collagen production. This makes it so your skin retains elasticity and prevents skin sagging associated with aging. I don't really have an issue with wrinkles yet and so I can't really vouch for its effects on reducing fine lines and wrinkles, but I'll accept any prevention of aging it offers. 

     Overall, I am extremely pleased and quite surprised with this product. I was hoping for a little extra moisture and maybe some nice plump skin, but what I received was so much more. It helped reduce the redness and inflammation associated with my acne. It has helped to heal my face more quickly and efficiently. And it makes my skin feel amazing after each use. I would recommend it to friends and I would continue to use it myself. 

If you are interested in giving it a try it is available on Amazon: HERE

This is the product description on their Amazon Page (They can explain its benefits much better than I can:

Our Vitamin C Serum 20 % is a powerful concentrated serum for the highest form of active, stabilized, Vitamin C boosting collagen production, increasing elasticity and firmness for your beautiful skin .

It is enriched with vitamin E, ferulic acid, vegan hyaluronic acid to plump skin cells and restore cells. Our potent plants-derived ferulic acid incorporation into the topical solution of vitamin C+E improved chemical stability of the vitamins C+E and doubled photo protection to solar-simulated irradiation of skin from 4-fold to approximately 8-fold as measured by both erythema and sunburn cell formation! This combination of pure natural small molecular antioxidant can reach deep skin layer and provide meaningful synergistic protection against oxidative stress in skin.

Functions:

★ Provide amazing eight-fold small molecular weight antioxidant protection.

★ Proven to reduce and restore sunburn cells up to 96%.

★ Prevention of the formation of free radicals in sun exposed skin.

★ Fade sun spots and discoloration right away.

★ Refine skin texture and reduce wrinkle formation.

★ Plump skin cells and increase elasticity.

★ Provide deep moisture protection on the skin.

★ Prevent and treat UV-induced damage.

★ Brighten and restore the skin cells to its natural radiant glory.

Manufacturer's guarantee: Our goal is 100% Customer Satisfaction! We provide 100%Satisfaction Warranty! If you are not satisfied with your order, we will happily refund your money. 

I received this product free of charge in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Naturalico Speed Jump Rope Review

     This is one of the most exciting items I've been able to use all year. Even my husband and daughter cannot get enough of it. I cannot pull it out of its carrying case without one of them at my side begging for a turn. And I must be a horrible mom because I don't want to share. lol. Most moms have to hide in a closet to eat a candy bar without being disturbed. Well, if I could fit in a closet with my new toy then I would too.

     My favorite toy of the year is my new Naturalico Speed Jump Rope. I just can't get enough of it. This thing is absolutely amazing. I want to give each and every one of you one of these just so you can see how amazing it is. I didn't own a jump rope as a kid and so I have never been very good with one. I remember always dreading one day of gym class each year in elementary. I loved gym. It was always my favorite subject. But one day I always gym class... jump rope day. It was a competition to see who could jump the longest. I just wanted to jump, but as soon as you messed up you had to sit out. So, I was always one of the first ones sitting on the sidelines. I hated not being able to participate in all the FuN.

     As soon as you enter junior high school they do away with the ropes and you never see them again. Which is a pity because they are actually one of the best forms of exercise. I discovered this while doing some research during college. I decided it was time to buy a rope and teach myself to jump. I headed to the nearest store and purchased what I thought was the best jump rope. It was made by one of the leading fitness brands, Gold's Gym. It was designed so that it can be used as a normal jump rope or a weighted rope. I followed the instructions (I am a stickler when it comes to following rules) and trimmed it down to size. I was so thrilled about my rope. But after a few uses it stopped working. It literally would not spin on the one side. Do you know what you can do with a jump rope that doesn't spin? NOTHING! I was devastated by my loss. I gave up on jump-roping altogether.

Rope Jump Rope . Naturalico Speed Jump Rope . Gold's Gym Jump Rope

     A few years later I came across my rope again. I wanted desperately to jump rope. I searched my father's workshop for tools and went to work. After a lot of frustration and sweat I got the dang handle open. The rope had gotten stuck with the weights and made it nearly impossible to unscrew. Once I had it open and fixed I jumped and jumped and jumped. Every day I jumped until I got too frustrated and quit. It always seemed to snag and stop rotating smoothly. And I could never get a very good rhythm going.

     But it is completely different with this rope. It is so smooth! It will keep spinning FoReveR! There are bearings in the handles and on the rope. The ball bearings are meant to increase the number of revolutions per minute. This is the ideal rope if you need to achieve double and triple unders, as well as the best PR's (personal records) during a workout. There are 4 high grade metal ball bearings on the rope which promote faster turning and longer durability. I am pretty sure it can spin faster than anyone can even jump. And the rope part is made of plastic coated cable. This makes it light, durable and smooth. Which is perfect for beginners like me! The cable is 10 feet long and adjustable. That means anyone of any height can use it. It also comes with a pamphlet that explains how to measure your rope properly. Until I read through it I had no idea that there are different lengths used for beginners and advanced users. And as you get better you can adjust your rope even more!

With the rope, you also get a free nylon bag to carry it in.

Did you know that short, intense jump rope circuits are an effective way to burn calories and fat during your workout and after?! I could definitely use some extra burning when I'm sitting around after my workout is done. lol. Jumping rope for 10 minutes can burn the same amount of calories as 30 minutes of slow cardio. Who doesn't need more time?! 

Check out this link to find out how many calories you will burn for someone your weight:

HERE

Jumping rope is a great cardiovascular workout. Your cardiovascular system will actually improve if you jump rope for as little as 10 minutes each day! My arteries could definitely use a little help with that, especially since my introduction to Sweet Potato Fries.... Jumping rope also demands physical and mental endurance. Maybe it will help ward off Alzheimer's and Dementia? And best of all, it will trim your waistline!

That makes it perfect for beginners, WOD's Crossfit Trainers, Boxers, MMA Trainees, and everyone else that is capable of jumping. 

Here are 10 benefits of Jumping Rope:

1. It requires very little space
2. Jumping rope can help you lose weight
3. Jumping Rope will increase your muscle tone
4. It is a workout you can do almost anywhere (Just not in a closet). You can pack it in your suitcase the next time you vacation and don't want to ditch your diet
5. Jumping rope is great for your heart and cardiovascular system
6. Jumping rope can help with your coordination
7. It can also help you develop better balance
8. Jumping rope is a whole body workout
9. It’s a cheap way to get in a good workout
10. It’s fun!

and there are so many other benefits! Try it out for yourself! If you want to try a jump rope like this one out you can purchase it online here: Naturalico Speed Jump Rope

You can watch me jump here...

I even let some of the members at my local gym try it out. And these people are serious speed jumpers - wish I could've gotten a video of them for you. They absolutely loved this jump rope. They are now begging the gym owner to replace their jump ropes with these ones. I'm telling you, these ropes are so smooth and it makes a HUGE difference!

This product also comes with a limited lifetime manufacturer guarantee.

I received this product free of charge in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

NaturaliDerm Organic Facial Moisturizer Review

    For the past month I have been trying a new facial moisturizer.  It's called NaturaliDerm Organic Facial Moisturizer. I was excited to try it out because it is Organic. And if you know me then you know I love all things all-natural. The hardest part about organic products is knowing for sure if they are truly natural or not. And since I'm not a chemist, I can never tell by reading the label. I have to trust the companies word for it and go with my gut. I discovered that not all of the ingredients are organic. Just some. Six out of the Seventeen ingredients are organic. These include: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Shea Butter, Witch Hazel, Cocoa Butter, and Rosemary Extract. Organic enough for the claim, but not enough to be all-natural.

    Packaging can tell you a lot. But it can also be quite deceiving. The packaging for this moisturizer was quite impressive.  The lotion comes in a gorgeous little bottle that I found quite nice to look at. It looks like a bottle that you would find on a shelf at the spa. It is so much cuter than any of my other products that I own. To me, it shows that this company took a lot of pride in their work and want to showcase their creation. They went into the extra effort of making the packaging look appealing. Which they did quite well. This is a lotion that I feel like I can put on display. I actually was tempted to keep it on the counter to compliment the decor. Is that crazy? oh well, maybe I am. lol

     The container is clear and so you can actually see the lotion inside. It looks so fluffy and fabulous in its pretty little bottle. It reminds me of homemade cool whip or whipped yogurt. Which for some reason really excited me! Maybe because that translates in my mind into lightweight, smooth, and creamy.

     But for me, the looks didn't match the feel. When initially applied it didn't seem to spread very far. I felt like I had to use two pumps to cover my face. And then my face felt ULTRA sticky. If you have ever applied Aloe Vera straight from the plant, that is how my skin felt immediately after application. My eyelids were actually stuck to themselves when I had my eyes open. That is a strange feeling! After a couple of minutes the moisturizer was absorbed into my skin and felt much better. The stickiness went away and it felt like I had nothing on my face.  But maybe that's a good thing??!

    I have really dry skin and my face flakes very easily. For me, it did not seem to moisturize enough to be a part of my nightly routine. Normally, I use oils on my face at night. And I found that if I used this lotion in conjunction with my oils that it was able to replenish my skin. But either one on it's own was unable to hydrate my skin thoroughly. Oils have gotten a bad rep in the acne treatment industry. But I have suffered from intense acne for nearly 14 years. In my case, dry skin and hormones seem to be the root cause, so I need extra moisture.

     Last month was the first time I've had my monthly since I had my baby in December. And this lotion was put to the test! My face broke out horribly. It was one of those episodes where you don't leave your house for a week because you're too embarrassed to let the world see the grotesque mess you've turned into. I continued to use the NaturaliDerm Organic Facial Moisturizer (since I had just started using it) with my oils at night and by itself during the day. I wasn't sure if experimenting with my routine was a good idea with the fragile state of my condition. But I did it anyways. And it worked! With time, my face healed and cleared up. The lotion did not make it any worse. It actually felt better than other lotions do at that stage.

    Once my face started getting better I decided it was time to start wearing makeup again. A little war paint always makes me feel a little more indestructible. I discovered that this lotion is ideal for makeup application. It is not heavy or greasy at all. It leaves the perfect foundation before your makeup routine. My other lotions tend to be too oily, slick, or heavy. My makeup always ends up moving and smearing. But with this lotion it stays in place better and looks more natural. I love it!

     While writing this review I started looking over the ingredient list

     Maybe that's why it felt like Aloe on my face. Oh geez! Now I feel dumb. Oh well, I'll leave it written the way it is and you can laugh at me too.

     Here are some of the benefits better explained:

1. Key Natural Ingredients - 

• Aloe barbadensis - Hydrates and restores skin moisture
  Witch Hazel - Tightening pore size
  Shea Butter - Seals moisture, protects skin from damage
  Cocoa Butter - Seals moisture, protects skin from internal and environmental damage
  D-Panthenol - Skin conditioner and moisturizer.

Does not contain

• Parabens or harmful preservatives
  artificial fragrance
  artificial color

All in all, I really do like this lotion a Lot. However, it may be  better for certain skin types. For people with skin like mine, it is better just as a daytime moisturizer. But then again, I might just be accustomed to having residue left on my face since that's what other moisturizers do. Because my face didn't flake any more than it already did. It actually seems to flake less! And I seem to have fewer breakouts. In addition, it is great for those of us that wear makeup! Maybe give it a try and see what you think...

NaturaliDerm Organic Facial Moisturizer

     As for me, I'm going to continue using it and see if my face continues to improve. In my own personal life I've come to the conclusion that you need to give skincare products a few months to really see a difference! Luckily,  with NaturaliDerm you're protected by a 60 day, no-questions asked money back guarantee and world class customer service!

I received this product free of charge in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Exfolimate Review

     Ok, so I swear I have the fastest growing body hair on the planet! But the hair on my head never grows at all. Lol. Does anyone else feel this way or is it just me? And the saddest part - I hate hair. Every time I shower I shave. Girls are always laughing about how they feel bad for their husbands because they turn into wooly sheep during the winter. I'm not one of them. I can't stand going three days without shaving. It's horrible. And I shave everything. Literally everywhere from the neck down is game. It's such a hassle. And the irony is that my grandmother didn't have hair on her legs. At all. And one of my best friends in high school didn't have hair on her calves. Mother nature hates me! She is so cruel. jkjk.

Look at that handy dandy wrist strap on my Exfolimate!

      If you shave regularly then you know some of the side effects. I was so desperate to shave while camping once that I tried shaving my legs completely dry. BiG MistaKe! I had shaving rashes and burns all over my legs. It was miserable. And last summer I was working out twice a day and say I was shaving once a day at least. My armpits had the worst razor burn and they always seemed to have ingrown hairs. And no matter what oils or creams I use I always end up with ingrown hairs in a place that you try to keep as "pretty" as possible. Red bumps down there isn't something anyone wants to see. That's some scary stuff!
      Recently, I was tempted to even start shaving my face because of a talk show on the radio! They were saying that a recent study was claiming that shaving your face will give you younger looking skin. Really?! But there was noway that I was going to try that because I didn't want to risk growing back double the hair with extra thickness. Apparently, that's just an old wive's tale. Or so they say. If you're brave enough go ahead and try this one out for me and let me know your results. I'm still a little too sheepish to take that plunge. Plus, that would mean more shaving! NOOOOO! And what happens when you're snogging and your 5 o' clock shadow starts scratching your hunk's face??! No thank you! I don't need any more embarrassment in my life.
       But it makes sense. Exfoliating gets rid of the old, dead, dry skin and actually leaves younger, healthier skin on the surface. So, you are left with a more youthful glow. The glow comes not only from the fresh skin, but also the increased blood flow from the movement and pressure.. More blood circulating means more oxygen reaching the cells which leads to healthier skin. You still can't convince me to shave my face though! That's why I LOVE this new product I have been using. It solved this whole issue for me. It's called Exfolimate.
     It's an Australian design that helps to exfoliate your entire body. It comes with a body tool and a face tool. When I first opened the package I was actually kind of scared. They look like razor blades. And like I have said before those ain't going near my face! But I soon realized they're actually quite nice. I didn't get cut. And I DID use it on my face!
     The first time I used it in the shower and I noticed that they did exfoliate, but not as drastically as I was expecting. I guess I thought I was going to left with raw red skin like you do after a chemical peel. That's not the case. They remove just enough skin that you're left with nice skin that you can go out in public and sunlight with. Hooray!
    I noticed the biggest difference the second time I tried them though. The first time I used them in the shower. The second time I used them in a bath. I poured some Adovia Dead Sea Salts into the hot water and soaked for a minute before using my Exfolimate. Holy Cow! They worked extremely well this go around. And it felt soooo... GOOD! The pressure of the blades running along your skin is like this insane massage. I swear you can actually feel the blood circulating as you run it across your body. The only thing that could make it better is if someone else was doing it for you. I tried doing my feet, but my feet are outrageously sensitive. I couldn't stop squirming and jolting from the tickling torture. But it worked like heavenly magic everywhere else. I didn't find a whole lot of build up on the Exfolimate itself. But I found it when I tried shaving afterward. After every stoke I had to clean all of the dead skin out from my razor. I know it's gross. But that's how good this product works!
     Normally, I have to apply lotion the second I leave the shower or else I dry up and look like the dried and cracking ground in the Sahara Desert. But as soon as I was done I was interrupted by my two year old who wanted to get ready for bed. I had to put my routine on pause and take care of her. To my amazement my legs were still soft and silky when I finally got around to lotioning! Say what??!! Yep, you heard me right. That's when I decided that these little tools were my new best friends. And for the next two days I kept rubbing my legs and touching my skin. I couldn't keep my hands off myself. They were still the softest and smoothest they've ever been! If you've ever heard angels sing please insert music now.
     Last night I was unable to use my Exfolimate and today I regret it. I opened a brand new razor last night and I can already feel the prickly hairs today. GRRRrrr! But when I used the same brand of razor that was 4 months old with the Exfolimate my legs were smooth for days! Ka-ching! I found gold!
     They even removed my Keratosis Pilaris! Don't worry it's not contagious. Although it sounds scary it pretty much just means I have too much skin. Have you ever had those bumps on the backside of your arms? They almost resemble pimples, but they're not. It's just extra keratin. Well, Exfolimate got rid of them! YaY! Silky smooth skin everywhere!

Instead of soap on a rope it's a thing on a string!

    Now if you're thinking that any hard piece of metal will do the job. You're wrong. These little tools are actually an Australian design with more than meets the eye. They have little micro-grooves that help to remove the dead skin. And they're perfectly grooved to get in all of the right places. You can do your jawline, neck, chest, armpits, groin, legs, feet, and almost anywhere else you wish! And unlike sponges, rags, loofahs, and those puffy mesh balls you don't have to worry about bacteria growing in them!  Even better news for your skin! They also come with cute wrist straps to keep you from dropping them in the shower. Which also makes them more convenient to store.
     So if you suffer from dry skin, ingrown hairs, or Keratosis Pilaris then you should give these a try. Or if you are planning on getting a spray tan these are a must! Even if you just want soft, smooth, silky, younger looking skin, or you want a really good massage then you should give these a try!

You can get them for points from Walgreens HERE.
or
Directly from their awesome site HERE.
or
for Amazon points and free shipping HERE!

And as they say on their website

  G'day Mate!

I received this product free of charge in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.