Bikini Soft Product Review & Giveaway!
FTC Disclosure: This product was provided for review
It is that time of the year again when us ladies (and some gents) are getting ready to hit the beach in our ultra-sexy swimwear. But, before you strut your stuff on the beach you need to make sure all unwanted hair is under control, so on a quest for a smooth shave, we tested out Bikini Soft Smooth Shave Oil.
What is it? The product is a combination of natural oils, rich moisturizers and softeners that lubricates the skin and softens the hair shaft, enabling a close, smooth shave.
What does it do? It replaces all traditional forms of shave lubricants such as creams, soaps, gels…etc, and claims to dramatically reduce skin irritation, razor burn, nicks, cuts, scratches and ingrown hairs in sensitive areas such as bikini lines and underarms. The transparent oil allows you to see exactly what you are shaving, while also nourishing the skin.
The promise: Bikini Soft has a 30 day, 100% money back guarantee. If you’re not happy for any reason, you can return it for a full refund, no questions asked.
The result (product tested by Jolevette): “Using the recommended dose of 8-10 drops, I massaged the oil onto the area I wanted to shave, and put a little on my razor blade for a closer shave. The mix of essential oils, such as jojoba, aided in soothing the sensitive areas I shaved, and left my skin feeling silky smooth. Overall, I was very pleased with the product, and I am not shy about stepping out on the beach in my swimsuit this summer!”
*****Bikini Soft Giveaway Details****This contest is closed. The winners will be announced shortly***
So you can experience the smoothest shave ever, enter below for a chance to win Bikini Soft. 6 lucky winners receive a one month supply of Bikini Soft (Both Shave Oil & Razor Saver Oil). If you don’t win the contest, don’t worry, all readers can use discount code FIFTYOFF at checkout to get 50% off Bikini Soft (offer only valid for the month of June).
Here are the rules to enter:
1. Leave us a comment here with your email (= 1 entry).
For 1 more additional entry to increase your chance of winning (optional):
2. “Follow” Delialicious Picks on Twitter, then leave a comment here letting us know that you did (= 1 entry).
Each comment counts as an entry. The winner will be chosen using random.org. For example if the number 4 is selected and your comment is the 4th one down, you will be the winner, so multiple comments increase your chance of winning.
Rules: This giveaway is open to residents of the US only. You must be 16+ to enter. Six winners will be chosen at random on June 16th, 2013. All entries must be received by June 15th 11:59pm EST.
Dr. Denese SPF 30 Defense Day Cream Review
As summer approaches, and we eagerly anticipate the transition from cold winds to warm sunshine, it is important to make sure we have everything we need to protect our skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Summer weather means it’s time to beef up your SPF protection and switch from heavy foundations that may streak and look oily, to more lightweight products like tinted moisturizers and BB creams. Stay protected while maintaining a fresh complexion with Dr. Denese SPF 30 Defense Day Cream, an oil-free flesh-tinted BB Cream loaded with SPF 30 UVA/UVB broad spectrum protection. It’s a 3-in-1 product that works a moisturizer, sunblock, and makeup primer, saving you time and money. You don’t have to worry about the color not matching your skin, since the moisturizer, which comes in one shade, is formulated with Dr. Denese’s Pro Melanin Technology™, and imparts an undetectable self-adjusting sheer tint for a flawless completion.
FTC Disclosure: This product was provided for review
Cost: $34.00 for 1.5 oz and $75 for 4oz
How to use: Apply a generous amount of the day cream every morning to the face and neck. The product is safe enough to use around the eyes, including the upper eyelid. Reapply every few hours if you’re spending the day outdoors.
What I like: The cream blends into the skin smoothly and leaves behind a nice, matte finish. You should wear SPF year round, so it’s a nice option as a multi-tasking primer when using foundation during the cooler months. It doesn’t have a strong odor, nor does it or leave behind white residue, characteristic of most sunscreens.
Extra Info: The product is not pigmented enough to cover flaws, but it will give you a smooth canvas. Hide your imperfections by placing concealer only in the areas you need it, after applying the cream.
Where to buy: drdenese.com
The Skin Regime: Boot Camp for Beautiful Skin Q&A with Author Dana Ramos
If you are like me, you have spent a ton of money and time trying out every product that claims to be the latest and greatest new thing out on the market that will make you have beautiful, more youthful skin. In The Skin Regime: Boot Camp for Beautiful Skin, author Dana Ramos claims that many products on the market are not only costly, but useless. According to Dana, by following a simple “boot camp” skincare regimen consisting of several glycolic peels, you can transform your skin from dull to vibrant in as little as six weeks.
Anxious to read the secret to skin perfection I sat down with the glossy pink-and-green, army camouflage patterned book, and finished reading it in under an hour (FTC Disclosure: I received a copy of this book for review). The book is an easy read and written in a witty-tone, with the author handing out advice to you as if you are one of her best girlfriends.
“…there are some great books written by doctors which go into all the medical terms like dermis, epidermis and subcutaneous,” reads page 21. “The point of this book is to cut to the chase and give you basic cold, hard facts and info you need to get your skin looking terrific in a few weeks. This is boot camp, baby!”
In addition to providing skin regimen tips, Dana also lists makeup tips, as well how to transform your skin from head to toe. Here is a brief Q&A with Dana, where she answers some pressing questions, and provides some helpful skincare tips that can be used for the upcoming summer months and year-round.
How did you come up with the regimen?
I came up with the Regime after doing what my dermatologist, Dr. David Bank, instructed for years. In fact, he is the technical advisor of the book, and it is the TRUTH about skin care.
Are there any age groups that shouldn’t follow the regimen?
Anyone can follow it, but children should avoid it since their skin is too delicate and undeveloped. Pregnant women should also hold off on following the regimen even though there is very low risk of anything happening at all, it’s not worth taking the chance.
Since you are not a professional dermatologist, which should people trust your advice in the book?
Every single word in my book is approved by one of the most respected dermatologists in the United States: Dr. David Bank of New York. He was the technical advisor and wrote the forward. Furthermore, everything in the book is based on exactly what dermatologists suggest and reveal about what REALLY works in skin care, and what is just bull.
What is the most dramatic result someone has received from following the regimen?
I had bad skin and it has gotten better over the years. But one of my most notable clients is Tanning Mom; she healed her skin with The Skin Regime and you can see the results on my website.
Tanning Mom-Before & After
What did you hope to achieve in writing the book?
I am passionate about teaching people the TRUTH about beauty products and skin care products. The beauty industry is full of fraudulent claims, and we waste billions on bogus products. People need to know the TRUTH which is laid out in the book. In fact, the very first page of the book is a challenge to the entire beauty industry to test against what The Skin Regime preaches. It is a powerful statement, and so far, no one has taken on the challenge.
I also give at least 5 percent of proceeds to worthy non-profit organizations. I really believe in giving back.
What are the biggest beauty product myths/scams out there on the market?
There are too many beauty myths to list in one answer, and I cover a lot of them in my book. For instance, the claims that you can get “firming” or “lifting” results in a bottle, or that the stuff in expensive skin care lines can do the things they claim—lies, lies, lies. They can’t. There ARE great products out there, and I teach how to recognize the fact from the fiction, and what the REAL pros say–the dermatologists in private practice. Again, you can read the “challenge” to the industry I give both as my first page in the book, and on my website (See Skin Myths Busted). I am out to BUST the myths and frauds, period.
What, in your opinion, are the top tips in the book everyone should follow year round?
Top tip, best ever: use sunscreen. The sun is the single worst thing for your skin. Smoking is number two on the list. No doctor in the world debates this, it is a FACT.
Another great tip: you can get great results with inexpensive drugstore items like Dove soap and Lubriderm lotion. Skip the expensive stuff. Any dermatologist will tell you the same thing.
And finally, you can give yourself exfoliation treatments, similar to what doctors use, safely, at home, and get great skin without having to pay a lot. That is one of the most revolutionary things I teach in the book. It is time for people to know they CAN do these things themselves.
With summer approaching, do you have any advice on how to transition into a new skin routine for the humid weather?
Use lighter moisturizers and makeup so that your skin can breathe. Don’t forget to do proper exfoliation. I have fabulous tips on this on my website, and in the book, of course.
What has been the most rewarding part of writing this book?
Hundreds of people have written to me saying that they had given up hope on getting great skin. They couldn’t believe that they had been lied to for so long by expensive beauty products, and now “see the light.” I love knowing I have helped those people save time and money. And for those who have severe issues such as severe acne or eczema, I have put them on the right track to get help with some of the newer treatments out there such as the use of light and lasers.
You can read the first 30 pages of the book for free at this link»
Click here to purchase the book on Amazon for just $8!
Get Glowing Skin this Spring with Per-fekt Beauty
This weekend in NYC I was in disbelief as I peered out the window and saw snowflakes softly falling from the sky. The good news is, the weather was too warm for it to stick. Do you know what that means? Spring is coming! And soon after, summer, summer, summertime (cue Will Smith from his Fresh Prince days). Anyway, what better way to prepare for the advent of skin-bearing clothing than to make sure your body is glowing from head to toe with a hot new beauty kit from per-fekt beauty.
Rihanna’s makeup artist, Mylah Morales, has used some of per-fekt beauty’s products to create the singer’s sexy glow, and now you too will have everything you need to look like a superstar with the newly launched Ready, Set, Glow Kit. The products, according to Morales, “are unique in that they act as a modern multi-use alternative to traditional foundations and powder bronzers and blushes, creating a healthy and youthful look to boost your natural skin color.”
The kit (a $100 value) includes per-fekt’s body perfection gel in matte tan ($45), cheek perfection gel in bronzed ($28) and lip perfection gel in sunset ($24). Get it now for $45 by using the code “GLOWKIT” at checkout (P.S. If you sign up for their newsletter you can save 25%).
Sebamed Skin Care Review
FTC Disclosure: These products were provided by a pr firm for review.
For as long as I could remember, I’ve always suffered from hand eczema. This winter, my skin has been doing very well, but, I know that when summertime comes around I will be reaching for a tube of hydrocortisone, and wearing gloves just to wash my face. Whenever I’m approached by a skin care company to review a product, I’m never too excited because of the fear that the items I test may lead to an eczema breakout. But, when I was approached by a representative of Sebamed, a soap-free product line with same pH as healthy skin (pH 5), I was excited to test out the products, which are said to be suitable for people with problematic and sensitive skin.
Most products designed for eczema usually colorless, odorless, and don’t lather very well. This isn’t the case with the Sebamed Liquid Face and Body Wash. As I poured a small amount onto my washcloth, I was surprised to see a pretty turquoise ribbon of gel emerge from the bottle. The aroma of the wash is clean and fresh, reminiscent of as a lighter version of Irish Spring. Formulated with natural moisturizers allantoin and pentavitin, it lathered nicely and didn’t dry out my skin.
I followed the Liquid Face and Body Wash with the Moisturizing Body Lotion, which is enriched with chamomile extract and allantoin to soothe and moisturize. It was non-greasy, lightweight and moisturized very well. I absolutely adore the smell of the lotion. It has a soft, powdery fragrance that lasts for hours.
The following day, my skin wasn’t irritated, which is a good sign to me. I will defiantly be using this line of products during the summertime, when my skin is at its worst.
Sebamed can be purchased in stores such as CVS and Rite Aid. Click here to view a full list of retailers. And, visit their website to learn how you can receive $3 off your purchase of 2 Sebamed Sensitive Skin & Hair Care Products.
How to Transition your Skincare Regimen from Warm Weather to Cold
Hilary Lambert is a skin care consultant for Rodan + Fields Dermatologists. She also writes a beauty and fashion blog at http://simpleaesthetic.com/. Her goal is to bring the audience simple ways to wear the latest styles in fashion and make up as well as give advice about skin care that makes it easy to get the best skin of your life.
Here she talks about how to transition your skincare regimen from warm weather to cold…
It’s that time of year again! Time when the cold fall/ winter weather tends to cause major changes in our skins look and feel. For most of us, cold weather dries out our skin leaving it rough, dry, cracked and red. For others, issues like eczema or acne are heightened by these weather changes. I’m a consultant with Rodan + Fields Dermatologists (the new Anti-Aging line by the doctors who created Proactiv) and here are some suggestions on how to combat the effects of cold weather and improve the overall look and feel of your skin at the same time. I’ve also made some recommendations for the skin care products you need to arm yourself with this fall /winter season to stay looking your best even when the weather isn’t optimal.
We all know that when you look good you feel good so read on…
First and Foremost…
It’s a great time to get rid of the sun damage that you may have done during the summer months and throughout the years. We’re outside all of the time during the summer and there’s only so much protection that sunblock can give us before we start to see the obvious and not so obvious signs of aging that comes from time is the sun. This exposure causes brown spots, dullness, hyper-pigmentation and melisma which are tough to get rid of without a trip to the dermatologists office. The doctors at Rodan & Fields have made it a lot easier to rid yourself of these problems without an expensive trip to the doctor’s office.
To get your young-looking skin back, pre-sun exposure, try the Reverse regimen.
This regimen will actively fade sun-spots and other damage caused by the sun by evening out your skin tone. This system has been clinically proven to be effective by doctor’s studies and by many before and after photos taken by clients.
For example, after 2 months of using the Reverse regimen this client looks 10 years younger. (more…)
ArganBody Radiance Grain Review, Plus Get $15 off
All year-long, it’s important to exfoliate skin at least once a week in order to maintain a healthy, glowing complexion. Many people find they need to exfoliate a lot more in the winter than in the summer, since harsh, cold temperatures can dry out the epidermis. But, just because the weather is harsh, doesn’t mean your face scrub should be, too. Over the last week, I tested out ArganBody Radiance Grain Face Scrub, a gentle exfoliator made out of 100% natural active elements.
FTC Disclosure: These products were provided by a pr firm for review.
Radiance Grain Face Scrub ($35, arganbody.com)
Within the confines of a beautifully designed shiny red box, lays a tube of the scrub, which consists of small particles of cranberry seeds and argan nuts mixed together with argan oil, shea butter and beeswax. The gentle formula removes dead cells, moisturizes and fights against premature aging.
The nut and seed particles are very visible when you dispense the product. However, as you are rubbing your face with the scrub, 
you barely feel it. The grains are not irritating or abrasive; they gently remove impurities, as the rest of the ingredients work to revitalize the skin. My face felt pampered as I delicately massaged in the product, which felt more like a rich cream than a grainy exfoliator. In addition to feeling good, Radiance Grain smells good. My senses were awakened with aromas of the extracts and essential oils infused in the scrub, which include organic oranges, green tea extract, rose-water, bergamot, lemongrass and peppermint.
After I rinsed my skin, I noticed it felt very soft and looked radiant. I’m excited to continue using the product, and encourage you to give it a try.
Radiance Grain is available online for $35. To learn more about products in the ArganBody line, click here. For a limited time, you can use coupon code delia15 for $15 off any order, no minimum purchase required.
Beauty Tip: Always apply moisturizer after exfoliating the skin to prevent dryness.
Product Review: Skin Authority’s Dramatic Eye Lift
When I was a beauty public relations intern, I asked my boss, who had the epitome of beautiful, wrinkle-free complexion, if I should be using eye cream. Her response was, “If you’re old enough to ask for it, then you’re old enough to use it.” I was also old enough to ask about botox, and I’m sure I didn’t need it at 19, so I never really followed her advice. Later on, as I continued to advance in the beauty industry, I got better advice from another flawless beauty, “The key to ant-aging is prevention, so start early.” So, now as I am a few short years away from (gulp) the big 3-0, when women swear gravity begins to work against them, I have decided it is now time for me to start using an eye cream.
For the last two weeks I have been using Skin Authority’s Dramatic Eye Lift ($134.00), a highly concentrated, protein-rich formula that tightens and lifts skin around the eyes. Infused with essential fatty acids and anti-inflammatory agents, the product also reduces dark circles and promotes healthy skin turnover.
I like the way the gel-like consistency glides onto the delicate skin of the eye area, so there is no need for vigorous rubbing, just light tapping with the ring finger. Since it is highly concentrated, you only need a little bit to gain the benefits – and I mean a little bit. One night I got overzealous in my quest for smooth lines, so I slathered a huge pump of the product around my eyes, and was left with an uncomfortable warm sensation that lasted about a minute, so use sparingly.
Even though the gel is lightweight, it moisturizes really well, and my concealer went on smoothly after it was absorbed.
Glee star Heather Morris named Dramatic Eye Lift as one of her must-have products in Life & Style weekly last year. But, you don’t have to be a star, to give the product a try. Dramatic Eye Lift is available for purchase on Skin Authority’s website here. Also, this week one lucky reader will have the opportunity to win one bottle, so stay tuned!
Clarisonic Mia2 Review
My Clarisonic
I have a confession to make. Ever since I saw the Clarisonic on QVC for the first time, I became borderline obsessed with wanting the product. I would literally rush home from work on the nights I knew the product would be shown, and sit in awe as models demonstrated how the rotating brush thoroughly cleanses, revealing smooth, healthy looking skin. I suffer from dry skin patches and extremely large pores, so as far as I was concerned, this tool was a necessity for my skincare regimen. I’ve been hesitant about purchasing the product for the last two years, because of the $200+ price tag. But, recently, I decided that if I’m willing pay well over $100 at the spa, I might as well invest in a product that will allow me to bring the spa home. So, when Sephora sent out a 15% off coupon via e-mail, I decided to purchase the Mia2™ Sonic Skin Cleansing with Sephora Collection Instant Moisturizer. I already use the Sephora moisturizer (which, by the way, is amazing!), so that’s why I selected this particular set, but there are others you can choose from. I’ve been using my Clarisonic for about two weeks now and here are my thoughts so far:
PROS
- My skin has never felt so soft. I noticed this after the first time I used it. The dry patches I mentioned above were gone after the first use.
- My makeup goes on smoother. Before, when I would apply foundation, sometimes the color would get stuck on flakes of dry skin, making the foundation visible.
- My skin is clearer. I think this is because the brush cleans deep down into pores, allowing the products you use to sink into your skin and work more efficiently.
- It beeps to signal when you should move onto another part of your face. If it wasn’t for this, I would spend at least a minute just on my nose, trying to get rid of the huge pores that reside there. Over-exfoliating is not good for your skin, so move on when the brush tells you to.
- It’s very lightweight and portable – I was able to take it with me to my overseas vacation, and it comes with a cute little travel case.
CONS
- When you first get the Clarisonic, you must charge it for a full 24 hours. And, it really does take 24 hours to charge. The anticipation of wanting to use my new tool was intensified by this process, but I’m glad I waited it out.
- My Clarisonic came pre-timed to shut off in one minute. I suppose one minute is all you need when washing your face with a brush that rotates 300 times per second, but I would like it to figure out how to remove the pre-timed setting so I can have enough time to get down to my neck.
Have any of you tried the Clarisonic?
Beauty Secrets from my mom: #1 Cocoa butter
image from blackskinlightening.com
Since I was a little girl, I’ve always watched my mom massage Palmer’s Cocoa Butter all over her body, including her face. She takes a small washcloth, dips it into the butter in circular motions, and briskly applies it to her skin. She is approaching 60 now, without one wrinkle in sight on her perfectly soft, youthful-looking skin. When she wasn’t looking, I would stick my little finger into the jar and bore a hole through the butter, because I liked the way the smooth texture felt against my skin. To this day, she still inquires about the mysterious hole that used to show up in her cocoa butter years ago.
Just the other day, as I thought about writing about the benefits of cocoa butter, I decided to sneak into her room and bore a hole through her butter the way I did when I was a kid for, um, research purposes. Do you see the trouble you all make me get into? The soft, creamy, lightly-scented cocoa butter brought back memories of my childhood, and I walked out of her room with supple, silky hands.
Cocoa butter is the natural vegetable fat that is extracted from the residue of fermented cocoa beans, the fruit of Cacao Trees which is located mostly in tropical jungles, and is traditionally used to make chocolate products. It has a soft, chocolate aroma, and has been used in skin care for years.
Nothing beats the moisturizing properties of cocoa butter, which melts as soon as it makes skin contact and is absorbed very quickly. It creates a second skin for your body, since a thin layer of oil is left behind, acting as a barrier between skin and the environment, making it the perfect choice for people who suffer from dry skin condition such as eczema and dermatitis. It can also be applied to burned skin to soothe irritation, and the appearance of scars. It is also acclaimed for its ability to prevent and reduce the appearance of stretch marks. The butter is also known for its ant-aging properties, so I think my mom has the right idea, applying it onto her face every night. Like I said, the woman has absolutely no wrinkles. Here are my favorite Cocoa butter products you may want to give a try:
1. Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Original Solid Formula - My mom uses this every day to keep her skin moisturized. It’s also great to use for stretch marks, burns, and to reduce the appearance of dark spots.
2. Dove® Nourishing Care Shea Butter Beauty Bar – I suffer with eczema, especially during the cold winter months. This soap leaves my skin silky smooth, and keeps skin flare-ups at bay.
3. Cocoa Butter Moisturizing Stick – I always have a small stick of coca butter in my bag at all times. It comes in handy to treat dry skin, tame unruly flyaways, and condition cuticles.
4. Cococare Lip Balm Cocoa Butter – Keeps lips soft, supple and protected with this lip balm.
