Natural by Design Cosmetics was started to showcase the bevy of hair and skincare products made with natural and naturally derived ingredients.  Natural by Design Cosmetics refuses to add any parabens, mineral oil or petroleum to anything that is created. A majority of the products offered are vegan as well.  One of the main reasons that Platinum Product Junkies exists is to bring to you our loyal readers new and innovative products that you might not have other wise heard of and Natural by Design products certainly fit the bill.

We are excited to offer you a chance to win a sample pack from this innovative Etsy Company. Included in the Sample Kit are:

• Curl Magic Leave in Conditioner
• Peach Coconut Moisturizing Hair milk
• Curl Magic Cleansing Conditioner
• Body Basics Body Lotion
• Body Basics Body Wash
• Body Basics After bath Moisture Splash

To enter the contest, register at Platinum Product Junkies forum then leave your screen name in the comment section below!  We’d love for you to introduce yourself in the “Introduce Yourself” thread and jump right into the conversation.

To earn additional contest entries

1. “Follow” the Platinum Product Junkies and Natural by Design Cosmetics  on Twitter.
2. “Like” the Platinum Product Junkies and Natural by Design Cosmetics on Facebook.

Please note: Giveaway is open to US residents only. Contest winner has 48 hours to respond to email notification (please double check your email in the comment section), with a valid shipping address.

Good Luck!!!!

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March has come “in like a lion and out like a lamb” and it’s now April and spring is officially here…at least that’s what my calendar says even if the weather man doesn’t agree.  The temps in March here in DC have been up and down…nice warm balmy 60 degrees one day and a freak snow storm the next.  With such weather fluctuations, it can be difficult to find products that work in both weather extremes.  Here is a quick look back and round up of some of my favorite products from March.

• C. Booth 4-in-1 Multi-Action Body Lotion: This lotion works equally well in warm and cooler weather by delivering great moisture without leaving you greasy.  It also has AHA which helps sloth off dry scaly skin to leave your skin soft and even toned.  Check out my more in-depth review of this product here.

• Philosophy “The Present” Clear Makeup:  Philosophy calls this clear makeup but it’s really a primer…and a darn good one to boot!  Nefertiti and I like to call this “makeup glue” because whatever makeup you apply sticks to it and lasts ALL DAY.  It’s great when the weather is cooler because it locks in moisture from your moisturizer, but when the weather warms up; it keeps your makeup in place and prevents the “melt down”.  I’ve been using this daily for the past few weeks after taking a break from it to test and try other things and I couldn’t be happier to have it back in rotation!

• Ulta Super Blending Sponge:  I never really got the hype over the beauty blender…I always thought it was just an overpriced sponge and surly my makeup brushes provided just as good application or better.  While pursuing Ulta one day, I decided to try this “generic” version and now I FINALLY get it!  I have been using this sponge daily for a few weeks and my foundation has gone on sooo smooth and flawless.  The real selling point for me is that I get coverage without that “heavy” feeling that some foundations can leave.  This blends out the tiniest amount of foundation perfectly and my skin looks like skin and not “foundation on top of skin”.  LOVE this thing and I’m going to pick up a few more!!!

• Hairveda Almond Glaze:  I haven’t been doing much lately with my hair other than twists and puffs.  My hair has grown out of its pixie cut and I’m on the fence about cutting it short again, letting it grow, or locing so I’m just letting it be for now until I decide.  After washing and conditioning, I apply my leave in de jour and seal in the moisture with this.  I LOVE that it’s all natural yet shields my hair from the temperature fluctuations.  It leaves my hair soft and shiny without being too greasy (unless you over apply).  I can apply it directly to my scalp in areas where it gets tight and dry or I can apply it to the ends to keep them from drying out.  My jar is almost out so I’ll be picking up 1-2 more to add to my stash!

•  Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Moisturizer SPF 15: If you know me from Curl Talk or any of the natural hair forums, then you know I’m a HUGE fan of Kiehl’s products, especially their facial moisturizers.  I have extremely oily acne prone skin and it can be difficult to find a product that adds the perfect amount of moisture without causing a breakout.  I have found that Kiehl’s products perform exceptionally well for my skin in this regard.  As the days have started getting longer, I wanted to add in a lighter SPF to my routine (I use SPF 50 in the summertime).  This product provided enough moisture on those bitter cold days, without being too heavy for the nice balmy days we’ve had in March.  An added bonus is that the SPF doesn’t leave that dreaded white ashy cast to my dark skin.  I’m not sure if I could use this in the summer as it might be TOO heavy once the humidity sets in, but for late winter/early spring usage I have found this to be a winner. 

What products have you incorporated into your routine over the past month?  What are your standout performers or favorites that have amazed you?  Share them with us in the comments.

FTC Disclosure:  The item discussed below ( C. Booth 4-in-1 Multi-Action Body Lotion) was purchased with personal funds.  This is not a paid endorsement.  All thoughts and ideas expressed are those of the reviewer.

Product: C. Booth 4-in-1 Multi-Action Body Lotion, Vanilla Butter scent

The premise and claims (from www.drugstore.com):

“Simple, natural, trusted.

Why should faces get all the special treatments?  c.Booth believes in equal rights for the skin below the chin.  Take a close look at yours and see if it doesn’t deserve the four fabulous benefits of this extremely busy lotion:

4-in-1

1. A potent combo of alpha hydroxy acids works tirelessly to ditch dead skin cells and even out skin tones so even sun-damaged areas look healthy and happy.
2. Sweet almond, apricot kernel and shea butter oils work in perfect harmony to hydrate needy skin.
3. Vitamins and minerals perform like superheroes, valiantly fighting off the dastardly deeds of the harsh environmental forces that threaten our skin.
4. Caffeine firms and tones less-than-taut skin, making it feel youthful, revitalized and wide awake. “

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 60, Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum), Dimethicone, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil (Coconut), Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter (Cocoa), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) (Shea), Cetearyl Alcohol, Fragrance, Caffeine, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E) (Vitamin E), Retinyl Acetate (Vitamin A) (Vitamin A), Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid), Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil (Sweet Almond), Prunus Armeniaca Kernal Oil (Apricot), Sea Salt, Lactic Acid, Maleic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Niacinamide, Carbomer, Tetrasodium EDTA, Triethanolamine, BHT, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, 2 Bromo 2 Nitropropane 1, 3 Diol

Size:  32oz (1L)

Price:  Varies, but is generally priced between $8-$10.  I usually purchase on sale at Ulta when it is BOBO ½ off or BOGO Free.

Availability: Ulta, RiteAid, Wal-mart, Drugstore.com, and select major drugstores and supermarkets

Consistency/Application:   This is a slightly thick body lotion.  It’s very moisturizing without being greasy and would work for most people year round.  It glides on smoothly to the skin, sinks in fast, yet keeps ash at bay all day. 

Scent:    I’m not scent sensitive so the vanilla butter scent seems very faint to me.  It fades away fast and doesn’t interfere with my perfume.  This lotion comes in three scents (vanilla butter, coconut fig, and lemon sugar) so if you are not a fan of vanilla, you have other options.  I generally prefer unscented body products so I would love to see an unscented version of this product in the future.

Over-all Impressions:  What I really like about the C. Booth 4-in-1 Multi-Action Body Lotion is the addition of the maleic and glycolic acids which help to sloth off dry skin and help with cell turn over.  My knees, elbows, and hands have taken a beating in the gym doing planks, various yoga mat work, and lifting weights.  This lotion sat in my product stash for a while before I decided to try it and I couldn’t be happier with it.  It keeps my knees and elbows from getting scaly and it has also helped with the mild body acne and keratosis pilaris on my shoulders/upper arms from all the sweating my workouts produce.

I can’t really speak to the skin tightening benefits of the caffeine because I believe that nothing really tightens loose skin except removing the excess skin and everything else is temporary.  All in all for the price and quantity you receive, I think this lotion is a winner.  If you’re in the market for a good all over moisturizer that does what it’s supposed to without breaking the bank, I’d highly recommend this product!

FTC Disclosure: This product was purchased by me and this is not a paid endorsement. The views expressed here are my own.

For me, one of the skincare goals I struggle with achieving deals with uneven skin tone. From years of adult acne and repeated popping (yes, I admit it!) of these blackheads I’ve paid the price with pretty ugly hyperpigmented scars. I’ve heard of a lot of the different treatments out there, but minus bleaching creams and prescription retinoids I’ve yet to try more.

Before, I mentioned investing in some products from the Dr. Dennis Gross skincare line, but there was a reason I chose him—The Alpha Beta Peel. It’s a two step formula that’s another multi-tasker in terms of anti-aging, and anti-acne benefits, but the buzz surrounding it actually reducing dark spots fast got me excited. I ordered a 30-day supply of the extra strength version (for normal to less sensitive skin).

Ingredients (from Sephora.com):

Extra Strength Step 1:
Water, Alcohol Denat., Glycolic Acid, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Extract, Potassium Hydroxide, Salicylic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Malic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Soy Isoflavones, Disodium EDTA, Copper PCA, Zinc PCA, Fragrance, Sodium Benzoate.

Extra Strength Step 2:
Water, Sodium Bicarbonate, Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Retinyl Palmitate, Retinol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Resveratrol, Ubiquinone, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Soy Isoflavones, Phospholipids, Copper PCA, Sodium PCA, Zinc PCA, Simethicone, Octoxynol-9, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol.

**This product is vegan and cruelty free.

Supplied in: 30 day, 60 day,

Cost(s): $85, $126.50

Availability: Dennis Gross, Sephora, Blue Mercury, Nordstrom, QVC, Beauty.com

The peel system consists of two jars (labeled #1 and #2) indicating the order in which you should use them. Each jar has 30 presoaked towelettes. After washing my face, I used one from each jar, going in circular motions over my entire face and underside of my jaw line until the towelette is pretty much dry. In between #1 and #2, you have to wait a few minutes before using the last towelette. After my skin has dried I follow with the Ferulic Acid + Retinol Brightening Solution and then a smidge of the Vitamin D serum oil to moisturize.

The cons: The two steps do take time to do so for the skincare minimalist you may not want a stepwise system. The peel states that for best results follow with the Ferulic Acid + Retinol Brightening solution OR Vitamin D serum oil. I used everything in tandem, but cost wise it may be hard to justify making that large an investment. You’ll have to decide based on your skin’s needs.

 My Skin Results:

Final Impressions

I’ll let you be the judge, but for 30 days given what I started with, this is a good result. Of course, my skin was jumping off the deep end in the before shot, so I wasn’t expecting to be completely clear in 30 days after years of skin problems. Any process takes time and dedication. Actually, when I first started using the peel it was cathartic—meaning, it drew out blackheads. I brought out blackheads I didn’t even think I had, and blackheads that were already visible or palpable it brought them to a head faster, I remember a few days when on contact with the towelettes the blackheads would pop. Now that’s strength!

My skin tone definitely appeared more even and my hyperpigmentation scarring lessened. The older scarring as you can see is harder to combat, but new blemishes (in combination with the Ferulic Acid serum) cleared rapidly. Using this system helped me not only detoxify my skin, but recover from those periods faster. I look forward to continuing to progress in my skincare journey. For those looking to try an at home peel, I’d give Dr. Gross a serious look!

Have you tried Dr. Gross’ products or similar types of facial treatments at home? Let us know your finds and successes! We love hearing from you!

FTC Disclosure: This product was purchased by me and this is not a paid endorsement. The views expressed here are my own.

Cheers,

FTC Disclosure: This product was purchased by me and this is not a paid endorsement. The views expressed here are my own.

Dr. Dennis Gross is a NYC based dermatologist/dermatologic surgeon who has been making major waves in the skincare industry with several products that have received rave reviews. I invested some items from his skincare line during the black Friday holiday and went into major testing mode! After over 2 months of exclusively using this skincare line. I definitely felt I could weigh in and share my thoughts on what I purchased.

The Ferulic Acid + Retinol Brightening solution was designed to combat uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation by reducing their appearance. The combination of Ferulic Acid and Retinol (along with its anti-aging and pore reduction properties) acts on the skins imperfections to lighten them, but not beyond your original skin tone. This, Dr. Gross refers to as the skin “self-correcting”. So basically, this was made to help put your skin on autopilot to clear!

Ingredients (from Sephora.com):

-Ferulic Acid: Sun damage protection; Plant-based antioxidant that enhances properties of other vitamins for healthy skin.

-Retinol: Helps smooth wrinkles and lines while increasing moisture and elasticity.

-Bearberry Extract: Corrects hyperpigmentation and helps increase cell turnover; natural alternative to Hydroquinone.

-Azelaic Amino Acid: Helps control oil secretion to prevent formation of blackheads and whiteheads; fades darks spots and brightens skin.

Licorice Root Extract, Mulberry Extract, Glycolic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Willow Bark Extract, Hyaluronic Acid.

**This product is vegan and cruelty free.

Size (s): 1 fl oz (30ml), 2 fl oz (60ml)

Cost(s): $85, $125

Availability: Dennis Gross, Sephora, Blue Mercury, Nordstrom, QVC, Beauty.com

How I used this: I applied it twice daily; once in the morning after washing my face prior to applying moisturizer, and in the evening after cleansing and using their Extra Strength Alpha Beta peel. It’s a lightweight serum that spreads easily across the face. The dropper makes dispensing the product clean and efficient. Supplies of microfiber pads are included to help distribute serum more evenly onto the face. At first, I used these pads, but found that I lost more product to the pad than what actually got onto my face, so I switched to dropping the serum directly onto my skin (3 drops each section: forehead, cheeks, chin). I conserved much more serum using this method. I bought the 1 ounce size which was more than enough for 2 months of use.

My results:  Within the first 10 days I saw a difference! At the time I starting using the serum, I had a fresh blemish from a recent pimple that looked pretty ugly. By day 10 that area was noticeably not only smoother, but lighter in appearance and much closer to being healed than my other existing blemishes still pretty dark 2-3 weeks after my last breakout. On early skin problems, it gets an A+. On older scars, it took a little while longer, but after the third week I needed less foundation and the texture of my skin improved by at least 60%. I also noticed another thing– I needed less under eye concealer. By a month, I needed NO under eye concealer!   Dennis Gross 1: Dark circles ZIP. 

However, I will say that once I stopped using it for a few weeks to test some other stuffs, my under eye darkness returned. You best believe that serum is back in the rotation!

Breakouts were definitely less severe (3-4 blackheads at the most), but the oil control was non-existent for me. My oiliness is pretty tough to control though. As far as wrinkle reduction goes, I don’t have issues with wrinkles (unless you count my minor laugh lines), so I couldn’t see an appreciable difference in that area. It didn’t do much for me in the way of pore-size reduction, but my skin did look and feel smoother overall.

Final Impressions:  The formulation (Ferulic Acid and Retinol being #6 & 7 respectively in the ingredient list out of 25+) gave me faith that this product would help my skin get back on track and I was right. In the 2 months that I used it in my skincare regimen, I experienced most of the benefits this product provides with reduced hyperpigmentation, reduced breakouts, and improved skin texture. I think one of the major drawbacks for most people would be the cost, but I would have to say in the end it’s cost effective. I used it twice daily for 2 months and still have plenty left, so it balances out in my opinion. The real drawback for me would be that my under eye results weren’t permanent. They do have a dedicated eye serum though, so perhaps I will invest in that in the future, or simply stop by his office and say hello!

Have you tried or want to try this product? Tell us your thoughts. If you’re curious to see the pics of my results using the Alpha Beta Peel, click here!

Cheers,

FTC Disclosure: This product was purchased by me and this is not a paid endorsement. The views expressed here are my own.

Grapefruit Ginger Sea Salt Scrub

FTC Disclosure: This product was purchased by me and this is not a paid endorsement. The views expressed here are my own.

 
Lackluster, dry, itchy skin? Body discoloration? Need more circulation? There’s nothing better than sea salt scrubs!  They exfoliate, tone and detoxify the skin. They feel amazing. I prefer them to sugar scrubs, because I like a little more “scrub” in my mix. I live at Etsy.com, so I’m always looking for new hair and body products to try. Discovering Naki Nagi Body Scrubs on Etsy reminded me of my need to get my skin ready for the arrival of Summer- the time for bare skin, sandals and light clothing.

Rachel’s sea salt and sugar scrubs contain an antibacterial soap, and she also offers a sulfate-free option. Her scrubs can be used on the face and body, and she makes a peppermint scrub for the feet. I ordered the Grapefruit Ginger Sea Salt Scrub, and I’m SO glad I did!  I love the smell of citrus and ginger, and the combination is heavenly. My shower experience was exhilarating – I’ve been experiencing the itchies, so the gentle, yet effective scrubbing action worked wonders. The soap in the scrub keeps the “oilies” down – the scrub rinses off, with no greasy residue. My skin felt stimulated and insanely soft. I glowed  Wow. Note: This is not a “foaming” scrub. Do exercise caution in the shower.  The shower/tub will be slippery.

Shipment was quick, and my package arrived safely (no leaky jar).  The scrubs start at $15.95, and now thru the month of April there’s a $5 coupon code – SPRING

Enjoy!

FTC Disclosure: This product was purchased by me and this is not a paid endorsement. The views expressed here are my own.

Organic Lip Butter

I’m a collector of lip balms/butters.  I own a gazillion tubes and pots.  I’ve tried them all.  Yes,  I’ve tried your favorite too.  Most are nothing special.  A few need to be pulled from the store shelves,  and a few are noteworthy.  You’d think it would be pretty easy to create a stellar lip lubricant – there’s so many butters, oils and waxes to choose from.  Yet, the average lip balm is nothing more than souped-up Vaseline™.   I got a little giddy when I stumbled upon Lisa’s Lip Melts Organic Whipped Lip Butter Etsy store.  My eyes quickly found the Blood Orange and Vanilla lip butters, and after reading the descriptions I decided to pull the trigger and find out if these lip delights are truly hype-worthy. Lisa’s order turnover time is about two (2) weeks, so I tried not to get too anxious. I waited patiently for my order to arrive.

Okay, here’s the deal:

These lip butters should work fine for those who don’t need a heavy duty lip lubricant.  I kept the Vanilla and gave the Blood Orange to a friend. I had to reapply several times during the day, and it didn’t give me that “smooth” feeling of waxier lip balms.  If you need a bit of slip, before applying your lipstick, or if you’re in search of a light  lip conditioning product,  Lip Melts would probably be a good choice. However,  my lips  need a heavier, waxier product for the winter season.

The ingredients: butyrospermum parkii (Shea Butter) fruit, theobroma cacao (Cocoa) seed butter, helianthus annuus (Sunflower) seed oil, cucurbita pepo (Pumpkin) seed oil, olea europaea (Olive) Oil, rosa canina (Rosehip) fruit oil, ricinus communis (Castor) seed oil , oenothera biennis (Evening Primrose) oil, euphorbia cerifera (Candelilla) wax, tocopherol (natural Vitamin E), essential oils.

Happy New Year PJ’s!!! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season.

Along those lines, I’ve really been thinking about what my New Year’s resolution should be. Among all of the things I want to do this year, what did I feel I needed to commit myself to the most?

Can you guess?

Well,  I’ve committed myself to developing a better skin regimen, because something’s gotta give. At age thirty-something, struggling with acne is a chore. Don’t even get me started on the hyperpigmentation and scarring that results from all these blemishes I’ve had over the years! OY! Anyway, it’s past time to get this acne under control, and get clear!

So. when Olay introduced their fresh effects line complete with a nifty cleansing device promising 400% better clean vs. basic cleansing, my wallet did the talking.

What’s in the box:  Shine shine go away! Cleanser & Va-Va Vivid Power Brush (AAA batteries not included)

Front of the box

Side of the box

First Impressions: This brush is super tiny compared to all the power brushes on the market right now, but based on its size it seems like it may have the advantage of getting into those nooks and crannies neglected by most brushes. The bristles are flexible & rubbery, but a quick run of these against my face didn’t feel bad at all. The cleanser (peeking at the ingredients) has kaolin, iron oxides, and witch hazel (the shine fighting ingredients), but they’re way towards the bottom of the list, so I’m unsure how well this cleanser will combat oil. If you have a sensitivity to smells or dislike sweet floral perfumes then this is definitely something you should avoid. It’s strongly scented with perfume. I’m not a fan of floral scents in general, but in small quantities it’s okay.

It will be interesting to see how this all works out. Stay tuned! Detailed pics below!

Box contents

Close ups of the brush

It Starts With Great Skin!

The start of any good makeup routine starts with a good skin care routine. Clear, glowing skin will enhance your makeup, and more importantly, you’ll use less of it trying to cover up blemishes and hyperpigmentation.  As a makeup lover who also struggles with problem skin, I understand the need to find good, quality products that deliver the results they advertise.  So, I’m sharing my skin care gems with you all! Use the form below, to enter the giveaway. Follow the instructions, and check your email! Giveaway ends Friday, 11/30/12 @ midnight (EST). Winner will be announced on Saturday, 12/1/12. Two (2) lucky readers will receive either of the following:

The Murad™ Acne Complex 30-day Kit

• 0.33 oz Oil-Control Mattifier SPF 15-PA++
• 0.25 oz Acne Spot Treatment
• 1 oz Exfoliating Acne Treatment Gel
• 1 oz Clarifying Mask
• 1 oz Skin Perfecting Lotion
• 2 oz Clarifying Cleanser

OR

The Philosophy Clear Days Ahead™ 30-Day Acne Trial Kit

• 30 x Overnight Repair Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Pads
• 0.25 oz Fast-Acting Salicylic Acid Acne Spot Treatment
• 0.5 oz Oil-Free Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment & Moisturizer
• 3 oz Oil-Free Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Cleanser

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