Greek Yoghurt Foaming Cream Cleanser

You'd forgive us for the delayed absence here at The Pink Mixer if we took the time to explain all that we had been up to since our last post in July. (Wearing bright red lipstick is just the beginning...)  What matters is that we've returned, albeit briefly, because we have discovered a face wash that we love so much, that is so delightful, we couldn't not write about.  

Ladies, Gent, dear Pink Mixer readers, let us tell you about Korres Greek Yogurt Foaming Cream Cleanser.  You know how you get those tiny sample packs of moisturizers, scrubs, and creams when you visit certain beauty stores?  If your bathroom is anything like ours they probably all get tossed into one drawer and forgotten the minute you return home.  So we like to think it was random luck and good fortune that we received just such a sample right as we were heading out on a business trip.  Instead of the usual drawer toss, our sample cleanser happened to land right in our traveling toiletries bag.

You've seen one face wash, you've seen them all, we thought to ourselves the next morning in our hotel room.  Still being fans of the edible kind of Greek Yogurt (and free samples) we tried it.  And found ourselves instantly smitten.  Our skin felt soft, smooth, and genuinely - immediately - healthier.  Deciding it was probably all in our heads we decided to squeeze another dollop out of the sample the following morning.  Voila!  Same amazing, surprisingly delightful results.  Which meant, of course, that we stopped in a Sephora in between our appointments and made a purchase that very afternoon.  Worth every penny.  We used our new full sized cleanser that night in our hotel room and have every day since.  Our face has never been happier.

Average Price: $26
Rating: 5 out of 5

  

Mederma

Recently, while sitting on the examining table in our general physician's office, scratchy paper gown on and all, our doctor commented on the scars we're "lucky" enough to have on both of our knees.  Laughing, we explained that in seemingly back to back klutzy moves we had managed to bang up both of our kneecaps within weeks of each other.

"Looks like it's matching scars on our knees for the rest of our life," we said, with a sigh.

"Not necessarily," our doctor replied.  She grabbed her business card and wrote down the word Mederma, explaining that it's a scar treatment, available over the counter at any local drug store.  "You have to use it like a bad habit," she said with a knowing nod, "but over time you just might see those scars fade a bit."

Intrigued and with nothing really to lose, we sought out a tube of the product the next time we found ourselves near a pharmacy.  It's a little pricey, coming in at just under $20 for a about an ounce of gel.  The minute we got home, we started applying a dime sized drop to each knee twice daily, once in the morning right after we shower and again in the evening, right before bed.

This was three weeks ago.

While the scars certainly haven't disappeared entirely, they are already markedly smaller and less noticeable.  Which means something is most definitely working - particularly as the product packaging made us think we wouldn't even begin to see results until three months out.  

Mederma goes on smoothly and clearly; it has a subtle scent that disappears after it has been rubbed into the skin. The one (minor) complaint we have is that that product tends to dry into a white flaky form, looking a bit like peeling skin after a sunburn.  The flakiness is minimal though and certainly not enough to deter us from using the product. In fact, we are pretty intent on maintaining this "bad habit," given the early positive results.  Who knows? Maybe someday we'll only have a trace of those klutz-ridden scars.  (But we'll still tell the tales of how we got them of course.)

Rating 4 out of 5

Average price ~ $20

  

Bumble and Bumble Brilliantine

It's no secret that The Pink Mixer adores many Bumble and Bumble hair products. Our newest fan favorite is Brilliantine.

It can be a little difficult to describe what Brilliantine does, exactly. Even Bumble & Bumble admits it can be hard to define. We've found you don't have to do much with it beyond rub it into your (damp or dry) hair and you'll get a little bit of polish, a little bit of sheen, and a certain bed-head, tousled, sexy look without much effort at all.

Which, actually means that Brilliantine somehow does it all, without promising much of anything.

Under promise, over deliver.
Smart.

Average Price: $21/2 oz.
Rating: 3 out of 5.

Aveeno's Refreshing 24 Hour Moisturizer

If we had to choose only one fruit to enjoy the rest of our lives, the decision would be an easy one. Sure, we'd miss a lot of other fruits but if we were forced to pick just one?

Blueberries.

The Pink Mixer is head over heels for blueberries. Personally, we think they're best right out of the carton on a warm summer day but when that's not an option - and it's not many months out of the year - we'll take them in any form we can. In fact, our blueberry obsession runs so deep, we've even taken a liking to them in our body lotion.

Aveeno's Positively Nourishing Refreshing 24 hour moisturizer provides all the loveliness we have come to expect with Aveeno products and adds in the scent of blueberry and gogi berries. It's a subtle, calming smell, with just the tiniest hint of summer's beloved fruit. Which, to our starved warm, ripe, blueberries soaked in the summer sun mind, is just about perfect.

It'll help us keep the dream alive until the *real* blueberry season is back.

Average Price: $7.99/bottle
Rating: 4 out of 5

Lavender Lotions

Our obsession with lavender scents started aproximately ten years ago while backpacking through Provence. Lavender fields abound in the South of France and the scent shows up just about everywhere - in soaps, lotions, shampoos, satchels, stores, hotel rooms, and on one lucky occasion, a creme brulee.

Lavender scents can be tricky. The authentic smell is divine; but the perfumed, made in a laboratory, faux smell is too sacchrain and sweet. Always on the hunt for the real deal - even when we're not lucky enough to be vacationing in Francais - we recently stumbled on these two lotions which were up to the thankfully up to the task.

The L'Occtaine Lavender Hand Cream is divine for helping to curb the dry, cracked skin we all deal with in the cold winter temperatures. We like the travel size as it's easy to stick in a suitcase or purse. A little dab goes a long way and this lotion tends to last awhile, making the $10 price tag worth it.


Kiss My Face's Ultra Moisturizer Lavender Shea is another favorite. It's a good lotion by all accounts and the scent is just right - enough that you know its there but not too overpowering. We keep this one on our desk at the office and reach for a dose of the calming scent whenever things get a bit too stressful at work. Which is to say, we reach for it often. Luckily, $5 for 4 oz. of goodness makes that justifiable.

Average Price - between $5 and $10
Rating: 5 out of 5!

Dud of the Month: Alba Green Tea Eye Gel

A Happy New Year - AND - New Decade to Each and Everyone of you.

At the House of The Pink Mixer, we've made a few resolutions to kick off 2011. (Because what would a New Year be without resolutions?) For starters, we aim to post more often than we did in 2010.

And two, we 'd like to make a clean sweep of all the products piling up around our house, the gels and lotions and potions we have lining almost every drawer and shelf in our - ahem, cramped - bathroom. If it works? It stays. If it doesn't? Sianara.

Of course, we're not ones to be wasteful and we almost always dutifully use up a product before it gets tossed. The true test, of course, is whether or not we'd ever plan to buy it again. So to which category does Alba's Green Tea Eye Gel fall? Sadly, she's landed in the use it but don't re-use it pile. This is a shame, really, because we fell head over heels for Alba's face wash and thought surely the magic would be repeated. Alas, the spark just isn't there. It's not that this eye gel is horrible, but it's just...well...a wee bit bland. We don't really notice it doing much when applied and at almost $20 a pop? Bland just doesn't cut it.

Average Price: $20/1 oz.
Rating: 2 out of 5

Burt's Bees Radiance Eye Creme

Personally, we have particularly sensitive skin around our eyes. Without applying some sort of daily extra moisturizing eye cream, we get dry, itchy, irritated under-eye skin. It's unpleasant to say the least. While we aren't in love with Burt's Bees Radiance Eye Creme's higher sticker price, we know how difficult it can be to find good over the counter eye creams. If you find one that works, its best to stick with it.

And this little jar o' cream? Well, it works. It's moisturizing and soft and does exactly the job it promises. My skin feels softer, less irritated, and the cream helps fill in those fine (yes, we all have them) lines. The smell is pleasant and it's simple silver topped jar and glass design is too cute to shove away in a drawer. We keep ours at the ready on our bathroom shelf - but really, the where you store it part is entirely up to you.

Average Price: $17.00/jar
Rating: 4 out of 5

Beauty Fix

The Pink Mixer was recently given the opportunity to check out BeautyFix.com. The concept behind this site is simple. Once you've signed up and filled out a profile - your skin type, hair style, etc. - you're able to "shop" (with just the simple click of a mouse! Behold the power of the internet!) and pick out beauty items to be delivered right to your door.

Here's what I liked: Well, it's shopping for beauty products! What product junkie doesn't enjoy that? It's fun to peruse the "shelves" of products and decide what items you might like to try.

Here's what I didn't like: The majority of the products stocked at the site are brands with which I was unfamiliar. While I'm all for finding new lotions and potions (clearly) there's something that makes me a tiny bit wary about selecting creams and makeup and products without having the chance to pick them up and decide in person if they're right for me. Call me old-fashioned but I enjoy a tangible product when I shop.

The flip side, is when I did receive my box o' hand-selected goodies from Beautyfix, I was pleasantly surprised by all of its contents. The colors and shades of make-up I selected were true to what the website showed and I've been nothing but pleased with the products I've been using thus far.

But here's the best part of my review. For once you DON'T just have to take The Pink Mixers word for it! You can, ahem, get your OWN fix...and try BeautyFix.com yourself and if you can enter the code: BFIX1 you'll receive $30 off the $49.99 price and get free shipping! (And really, who isn't a sucker for free shipping these days?)

Average Price: $49.99 (Before discount)
Rating: 3 out of 5

Johnson & Johnson's Bedtime Bath

I’m aware it might seem odd that a 30 year old single, childless woman has a baby bath product in her shower. You’d understand once you tried Johnson & Johnson’s Bedtime Bath, though, I swear.

Honestly I’ve never strayed too far away from the J&J baby product line, even as an adult. I love the gentle formulas, subtle scents, and the fact that their products do not break the beauty budget.

Lately the Bedtime Bath has been my go-to in the shower at the end of a long day. With hectic work schedules and social plans and calendars filled with too much going on, it’s not often I follow the childhood routine of dinner, then a bath, then story time before bed. Still, every once in awhile it’s a nice feeling to resurrect – climbing into bed smelling clean and soapy and curling up with a good book before the alarm clock greets me all too soon the next morning.

Plus, now I get to have a glass of wine instead of a glass of warm milk before bed. I suppose adulthood does have its perks.

Average Price: $5.00/bottle

Rating: 5 out of 5!

Dove Nutrium Moisture Body Washes

A few weeks ago, a marketing company asked me if I’d like to sample the newest in Dove body washes. I’ve long been a fan of Dove – both for their products and their Real Beauty campaigns – so I agreed; with the stipulation that I be allowed to tell the truth in my review. (Honesty is The Pink Mixers policy!) And so I was mailed three of their newest body washes – Dove’s Body Wash with Nutrium Moisture.

Now, some might say, who cares? A body wash is a body wash is soap, right? Wrong. For one, I always, always opt for body wash over soap. For me, there’s just this thing about soap. It never feels like I’ve got it all washed off and I walk around all day feeling like there’s a layer of wax or something on my skin. No thanks.

But, I will admit, I was a tad skeptical. How could Dove change their body wash, again, I wondered? And yet, it turns out they have. For the better. As I mentioned above I do like Dove’s products – with a caveat. I've never really loved their smell. In the past I’ve actually strayed from their body washes because of this. I have a sensitive sniffer, you see, and there was always something a tad off-putting to my senses. It was just too overpowering, a soapy scent that lingered all day long, making me feel a trail of perfume-giddy tweens were following me around all day long.

But! It seems this might have changed!

Thankfully this round of Dove’s Nutrium Wash seems to have toned down their scent. Oh, it still smells nice, absolutely. The difference is it’s not so darn overpowering that I feel like I’m living inside a bottle of body wash for the day. Phew. So there’s that. And do you know, too? I’ve been using their exfoliating wash for a couple of weeks now and I can actually notice a difference in my skin. We’re deep into Fall here in New England, which is the time of year when my skin swaps to it’s desperately thirsty stage. This exfoliating wash has been leaving my skin feeling smoother, softer, cleaner, and with a good scent to boot. Hoorah. This round? Dove wins a gold star in my book.

Average Price: $7.00/bottle

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Nivea Body: Q10 Firming Lotion

Most of the time, when it comes to lotions, we try and go the natural, organic skin lotion route. The other week though, we found ourselves in a drugstore, standing in front a very large, looming body lotion isle. Something (the bright fluorescent lights?) pulled us toward the Nivea skin section. In an instant we recognized an old favorite, Nivea Body Q10 Firming Lotion, and knew we had to revisit the product.

We can’t rave about how organic or au natural this product is. And we won’t promise you over the top, amazing, you never need to work out again, skin firming results either. We will however tell you that the other day, when we first started using the lotion again? The smells brought us instantly back to another spring many years ago, one filled with lots of good moments, memories and promise. For us, that sealed the deal of being a Q10 fan. We plan, as with everything, to enjoy this lotion in moderation. Turns out everything involves balance huh? Even beauty products.

Of course, we didn’t mind that while our sense of smell triggered a mental stroll through memory lane, we actually did seem to think our skin was getting a tad firmer after a few weeks of continuous usage.

Who knew nostalgia could yield results like that?

Average Price: $9.99/13.5 oz
Rating: 4 out of 5

Neutrogena's Clear Pore Soothing Gel Astringent

Know that moment when you can just tell a zit or blackhead or some sort of not-cool acne is going to sprout up on your face? One minute all is well and blemish free and then the next minute? Something becomes amiss under your pores. It’s like you can just feel that bastard coming and you know it’s only a matter of a day or so until you have an unsightly blemish to contend with.

One of life’s annoyances, that.

My go-to during those initial, instant, do or die response moments, is Neutrogena’s Clear Pore Soothing Gel Astringent. The Neutrogena website claims that it’s the first maximum strength cooling gel that treats and prevents breakouts while soothing irritated skin.

A good thing. Me? I just like it because it gets down and dirty with those pores that are acting up – and fast.

Average Price: $8.99

Rating: 4 out of 5

Mario Badescu Strawberry Face Scrub

We here at The Pink Mixer are a sucker for free samples. When we learned that Mario Badescu will send a package of various facial lotions and potions to your home (for free!) after you fill out a questionnaire about your skin on their website we signed up immediately.

Our products came quickly and we've been pleasantly surprised with the whole lot of loot.

The Strawberry Face Scrub stands out from the pack the most and is certainly something we plan on purchasing once we run out of our sample. This scrub is intended to be used about once a week and it works (with real strawberry seeds!) to shed dull, old, flaky skin, unclog pores, and reveal your healthy, glowing skin. The subtle strawberry scent is excellent and while the scrub does it's exfoliating work like a champ it's not so harsh that you feel you're rubbing sandpaper across your delicate face. Which, well, figures.

After all, strawberries are always sweet, aren't they?

Average Price: $15.00/4 Oz. (Available by mail)
Rating: 4 out of 5

Clinique: Water Therapy Moisture Glove Hand Cream

All hand creams are not created equal.

Between washing our hands many times a day and especially during harsh, brittle, winters our hands are in dire need of some gentle TLC.

Clinique's Water Therapy Moisture Glove Hand Cream is without question the best hand lotion I've ever found. It's non-greasy, has a pleasant, non-obtrusive smell and forms a seal to protect your precious hands against all elements.

There's a rumor spreading that Clinique might be discontinuing this gem of a product, so get it while you can.

(Moisturized, soft, smooth, protected) hand over heart, I promise you'll love it.

Average Price: $19.50/3.4 oz
Rating: 5 out of 5!

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash

Harsh, cold, bitter winters can wreak havoc on my skin. In seasons past, I’ve dealt with dry, flaky, itchiness that I can’t seem to keep moisturized no matter what I do. Enter Aveeno’s Moisturizing Body Wash, a favorite on The Pink Mixer shower shelf from November through April.

The oatmeal soothes skin and the creamy body wash moisturizes as it cleanses. There’s no soapy, filmy feel post-shower, the scent is perfectly subtle, and your skin really does feel better – healthier – long after you’ve dried off after your shower. On those winter mornings when we’d all like to just stay in bed, snuggled under the warm down comforter, this body wash is a pleasant, simple, daily-used product that makes getting out of bed and ready for another chilly day just the tiniest bit easier. And on those really cold days? Well, we need all the motivation we can get.

Average Price: $7.00/12 oz

Rating: 5 out of 5!

Pond's Dry Skin Cream

So. You've probably noted that here at The Pink Mixer we're working hard to find products that are healthy for both the user and the environment. We favor organic, paraben-free products. However, we also don't like waste so we work at using every last drop of various items, lotions, and potions left lying about our house.

So while we can't tell you all about the organic, natural properties of Pond's Dry Skin Cream, we can tell you: that it. works.

It had been a blissful, warm, summer season - one that didn't require a nighttime moisturizer for my skin. Sadly, summer has bid us adieu, October has rolled in and with her, cooler air, dry nights, and yes - you guessed it, dry skin. Last night, I dipped into my vat of cold cream for the first time in months and remembered how much I love the stuff. It smells great, goes on evenly and smooth, and while this cream packs a good moisturizing punch, it isn't so heavy I feel like I'm walking around with a jug of oil smeared across my face.

I only use it nightly in the deepest part of winter. In the fall, crisp, harvest moon nights like the ones we're being treated to right now? Using it 3-4 times a week is just about perfect.

Average Price: $4.49/jar
Rating: 4 out of 5

EO Shower Gel (Grapefruit & Mint)

Given the choice between a bar of soap and a bottle of shower gel, I'll always opt for the latter.

In an attempt to use more environment and body friendly products, I decided to give EO's shower gel a try earlier this summer. The subtle grapefruit and mint scent - a hint of citrus with just a tinge of spearmint - is a cheery way to start the day. I do feel better about washing with an organic, paraben free product, just as I feel better about watching those soapy organic, paraben free suds slide down my bathroom drain after my shower.

I do wish this gel had more moisturizing properties though, as my skin is left feeling clean but a tad dry after use. For the $7 a bottle costs, I can't say I'll run right out and purchase another bottle the instant I've used this one up...however I wouldn't rule it out. We, at The Pink Mixer, may just sample a few of our other options first, is all.

Average Price: $7.00/8 oz.
Rating: 3 out of 5

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock

Continuing on our Labor Day weekend We Love Summer trend, our next spotlighted product is very much a necessary one these days (lest you want your skin to be as wrinkly as a prune by the time you’re 35).

Yup, you guessed it, we’re talking about sunscreen.

We are partial to Neutrogena’s Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock. It goes on easy without any of that pesky oily, greasy feel some sunscreens have and is virtually dry to the touch the instant you rub it in. Personally, I opt for the SPF 30 but it’s also available in 45. What little trace of sunblock scent it has is pleasant, it’s water and sweat proof, and PABA free. Maybe life really is a beach after all.

Average Price: $9.99/3oz.
Rating: 4 out of 5

Nivea's Sun-Kissed Firming Moisturizer

In honor of the upcoming Labor Day holiday the Pink Mixer thought it only fitting to pay attention to a few items that aim to help us all enjoy the dog days of summer as long as possible. I’ve tried my share of the tanning moisturizers that have saturated the market over the past few years. I haven’t picked a favorite quite yet, so if any of you have recommendations we’d love to hear them!

Usually one brand gets my devotion for a summer (and then by next summer I can’t remember which one worked the best but that’s a different post entirely.) Summer of 08 saw me devote my attention to Nivea’s Sun-Kissed Firming Moisturizer because, well, I had a coupon for $2 off a bottle. And nothing works like a coupon to get me to try a product.

I just finished using a bottle of this stuff earlier this week and I have to say my overall opinion of the product is a resounding meh. I didn’t love it, I didn’t hate it. The smell is fine and not nearly as chemically as some of the other gradual tanners available. It certainly doesn’t turn me orange, which is a good thing, but it doesn’t exactly make me look like a genuine sun worshiper either.

I believe, if another coupon came my way I’d use it, but I doubt I’d pay full price for another bottle of the stuff.

So tell us, what’s your favorite gradual tanner? We just might want to keep rocking a healthy glow until December if we can.

Average price: $9.00/8.4 oz bottle
Rating: 3 out of 5

Burt's Bees Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream

The "97% natural" claim was initially what caught my eye when looking for a new face wash. Burt's Bees Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream does the job it promises, effectively and sans any harsh products or chemicals. I like its earthy clean smell and the slight tingling sensation (is that the soap bark?) it leaves my skin with as I pat my face dry.

It doesn't dry my face out and in fact feels as if it is moisturizing while it cleanses. There have been a few nights when I go to bed feeling like I have a bit of a soapy residue left on my skin after washing with this cleansing cream; although those moments usually coincide with the nights I've sampled a little too much of the house wine. Coincidence? Maybe it's not Burt's fault after all...

Average Price: $8.00/6 oz.
Rating: 3 out of 5