Pure + Simple Skincare Earth Day Special! #earthday2017

photo credit: Pure + Simple

Earth day is coming up on April 22nd. One reason I always look forward to Earth Day is because Pure + Simple Skincare has a recycling program where they offer 50% off of one their house brand products in exchange for an empty bottle of skincare (can be any brand). Obviously, this is an amazing savings, especially for the higher priced items. I'm going to purchase their Collagen Elastin Plus serum. I can't wait to have my favourite skincare serum back in my life!

I know that I passed on this last year but I'm definitely going to be taking advantage of this great offer this year. If you love Pure + Simple Skincare or have always wanted to try one of their house brand products, now is the time to take the plunge.

You can participate in-store or online this year. All instructions on how to participate are described in the photo above.

Pure + Simple is a cruelty-free company. 😍

This post is not sponsored. No affiliate links.

March Empties: Health and Beauty! #Reviews

March seriously flew by! I can't believe it's already time for another empties post. My last empties post can be found HERE if you want to see last months empties.

I didn't realize I had collected so many empties, so I will try and be brief with my reviews and I will post links where possible.

Let's start with beauty products as I know that's what most of my readers are probably interested in.

- George's Always Active Aloe Mist- This is a staple in my beauty routine. I love to use it after cleansing and to dampen skin in between layering my skin products. It's very hydrating and great to have on hand in the summer, but I use it all year.

- Retin-A Micro Gel 0.04%- This is by prescription here in Canada. This particular formula does not cause irritation or peeling of the skin. I never even had an adjustment period with this Retin-A product. Retin-A is supposed to promote skin cell turnover and build collagen.

- Martina Gebhardt Black Mud Cream- I've been using this heavy cream every night since 2012. It did wonders for my dehydrated and acne prone skin! I always go back to it. I am currently trying out another product from Martina Gebhardt, but I highly recommend this to anyone with dehydrated or devitalized, or acne prone skin. (It also comes in a lotion).

- Pure + Simple Rejuvenating Rosehip Mask- This is super hydrating. I love to use it after a gentle exfoliation for better absorption. You can leave it on or wait 10-20 min then rinse. It's all natural and cruelty free.

- Vichy ProEven Advanced Daily Dark Spot Corrector- Although it has some great ingredients, I did not notice enough of a difference to purchase this again.

- Alba Botanica Terra Tints- I have this in the colour "Bloom." This is a mineral tinted lip balm with SPF 8. It gives my lips the hydration it needs, sun protection, and I love the colour on me. It's a pretty blush of colour on my lips, I'd say a light berry tone. I've tried so many others but this is my favourite and it's perfect for summertime!

- Madre Bees Organic Lip Balm- I always have these organic lip balms on hand. iHerb always puts them on sale, so I stock up when they are on sale. (They also come in a shimmer formula).

- Nature's Answer Rhodiola- This is nature's stress buster. Regular readers of my blog know how much I rave about this product. It's the only thing that stopped me from waking up at the crack of dawn every morning! I take one a day in the afternoon.

- Madre Labs CocoCeps-  This organic cocoa powder contains immune building cordyceps & reishi mushrooms, and the pure dark cocoa powder is good for our hearts. I put this in my morning smoothies everyday, and sprinkle it on ice cream etc. It is unsweetened, so I like to add Stevia. It's also a great natural energy booster!

- True Raw Choice Colloidal Silver- I get this at my local pet store (Pet Valu). It's great for people and pets! I highly recommend you keep this product on hand. Below is some info to help you decide if this product is for you and your 4 legged friend...

Here is some info from True Raw Choice's website:

Colloidal Silver is used as a treatment to fight more than 650 disease organisms found in pets. The treatment is effective against bacteria, fungi and viruses without affecting the healthy cells surrounding the infection.
Treats... Osteoporosis, Arthritis, Nerves & Stress, Blood Circulatory Cleanser, Eyes, Ears, Caker, Sinus, Muscle & Joints, Bones & Ligaments, Allergens, Pollution, Skin Problems

- Hydrogen Peroxide- I use this for my homemade cleansers, to disinfect my mouth guard, as a teeth whitener, and for cuts and scrapes. It has many uses and everyone should keep some on hand. I buy mine at the dollar store to save a bit of money.

-Nature's Way Niacinamide- I actually take this to help my body metabolize carbs. It helps me maintain my weight. That's not why I started this product, but that's what it ended up helping with. If I have a high-carb meal I will take 1 capsule. (From iHerb: "Niacinamide is the non-flushing form of Niacin/ Vitamin B3. It is necessary for normal breakdown of fats and the release of energy from carbohydrates"). This explained to me why it ended up helping with maintaining my weight.

I buy a lot of these products on iHerb's website. I highly recommend them for their low prices, low international shipping, and it's pretty much a one stop shop. I can buy most of my health and beauty products there (from Elf to Real Techniques and Physicians Formula, plus all my supplements), it's quite amazing.

If you've never shopped at iHerb, you can save $5 on your first order with discount code AGU725 or by clicking HERE.

If you do shop at iHerb, make sure to check out the Daily specials & Deals at the top of their website. They offer some serious savings with those deals, and they change daily!

I hope you enjoyed seeing what I used up this month as well as what I loved and what didn't work for me.  Hopefully, you find my reviews helpful, I know reading reviews helps me to find products that work for me.

Have you found any products you can't be without? If so, please share in the comments. I get some of the best suggestions from my readers!

ps, come and join the fun over at a fabulousandfunlife and best-blogosphere-link-week-65

Amy
xoxo

Pure + Simple and Holistic Vanity #earthday Celebration Specials!

I have been shopping at Pure and Simple Spa's for a few years now. For the last two years, I have participated in their amazing Earth Day celebration and I already can't wait until next year!

All you have to do is bring in some empty skincare products from any brand for recycling and they will give you 50% off of their products (Maximum 3 products per person.) Included in this sale is the Pure + Simple line, Holistic Vanity as well as their Minimalist line. They have 3 spas in Toronto and  1 in Waterloo. If you live out of town they even offer a mail-in program to participate. 

I stocked up on 2 of my favourite skin serums: 100 ml Algae Serum

And I traded in my empty Holistic Vanity Argan oil to try their Camellia Oil: 100 ml Camellia oil

I even received a free sample size of their all-natural deodorant. 

Remember, you will get 50% off on Earth Day, April 22nd. If you miss this sale they always have monthly sales on different products, usually 15%-20% off.

I'm excited to try the Camellia oil. It's not only for Rosacea! It's supposed to be very calming to the skin and it has great reviews on their website. After a quick "google" search, I see that Camellia oil has numerous skin benefits and it's non-comedogenic (won't clog pores or cause acne.)

If you're in the Toronto or Waterloo area and want to participate, they are open until 9pm tonight (Waterloo is open until 7 pm.) Or you could call their head office and ask about the mail-in program.  

Pure + Simple Contact info

How are you celebrating Earth Day?

(this is not sponsored and I purchased everything with my own money. I just love their products and service!)

Xo Amy

Paula's Choice- Anti-agng skin care review: Skin Recovery Replenishing Moisturizer

I received my first order with Paula's Choice the other day. I got a $10 off coupon that I found online plus they had free shipping, so I figured I didn't have much to lose- the $26 skin product I wanted to purchase only ended up costing me $16! I did have to pay a $5 customs/brokerage fee and tax however, but it was still a deal! 

Here is what came in my package:

 I ordered the Skin Recovery Replenishing Moisturizer ($26 reg) and a nice size at 60ml! The other items are samples and some skin care booklets that all came free with my order.  When you checkout on the website you are able to add 3 free skin care samples of your choice. I'm excited to read the free skin care booklets too, since I'm a total skin care junkie! 

Here is the Skin Recovery Replenishing Moisturizer that I started yesterday:

 I used the Recovery Moisturizer last night with my Holistic Vanity Argan oil (from Pure and Simple Spa) over top and Pure and Simple's Algae Serum underneath. My skin stayed hydrated until I woke up... I couldn't stop touching my skin! Even with the Argan oil, a lot of my other moisturizers fail to keep my skin moisturized through the night, Paula's Skin Recovery Moisturizer did not disappoint.

This morning I used the Skin Recovery Moisturizer again, this time just over a serum, and without an oil over top. It left the perfect finish to my skin, it looked and felt moisturized, but sunk right in and did not leave any greasy residue. It also left the perfect finish (almost like I had used a primer) for application of my daily BB cream (currently that is the Physicians Formula Super BB),  Usually when I apply this BB cream my skin looks dry underneath, despite my previous moisturizers layered underneath.

It's currently past 5pm and I cannot stop touching my face! And it looks GREAT for a change! So I am excited to say the least, I love me some good skin care. I don't want to get too ahead of myself because I am very acne prone, but *knock on wood, so far so good, I don't see any signs of clogged pores, nor does it feel clogging, and the few spots I have from other skin care samples I tried still seem to be clearing up!

ps. if you are interested, I encourage you to sign up with them as they will send you info on sales as well as coupons for your Birthday etc..

If you want to try Paula's Choice, here is a $10 off coupon for your first order: Paula's Choice coupon

(note: this is an affiliate link and we will both benefit if you use it. After signing up you can also get a $10 off coupon code to share with your friends and family).

Happy Skin care shopping!

xo, Amy