Category Archives: Reviews

Miracle in a Tube!

Posted on April 5, 2012 by Beautasia

In today’s world, we are faced with many challenges. For one, we just don’t seem to have enough time. As a Superhero, I too find myself a little scattered and wishing for more hours in the day. Beauty emergencies are universal and I can only do one at a time. ;) But – I found hope in a tube! Miracle Skin Transformer is just that.

I’m constantly looking for “double-duty” products that will help save us time and, more importantly – money! Why spend wasted minutes on multiple serums that only confuse us in the end? Why not find a few products that can give us multiple results in the least amount of time?

My motto is “prevention is half the fight” so I like to teach our young ones early on how to protect and take care of their skin. But, for those of you that curse their mothers for not teaching us about prevention at an early age, I’m here to tell you that it won’t take a lot of steps to cover up and help reverse some of those dreaded signs of aging.

When I first tried the product, I had to get used to the texture. It has a silicone-based product that is used in many makeup primers on the market today. I usually don’t wear primers because of my dry skin. Primers are made to create a smooth surface to the skin and fill in pores. Each day I used this product, the more I fell in love with it! The more I fell in love with it, the more people complimented me on my skin. Super!

I’ve been fortunate enough to not have too many skin issues. But more recently, I’ve had some breakouts that left some scars on my face. :(   5 years ago, I started noticing enlarged pores and the appearance of sun damage. So when I started using the treat and conceal, I was in heaven. Not only did it instantly cover my scars and sun damage, I felt protected with the plant extracts and antioxidants.

I, personally, use the Miracle Skin Body Transformer in all of my videos. Check them out!

(Had some curling iron scars)

Miracle Skin Transformer was developed by Sarah McNamara – a beautiful  power-player that has worked for many of the major leading brands. She, like many people, is a busy mom. Her creed is to instill simplicity in your daily skin routine (like me!) During her years at these companies, she discovered that people wanted to get rid of additional steps in their skincare routine. So, she developed Miracle Skin Transformer. Thank you, Sarah!

I love this product and I wanted to investigate it further, so I had a few questions:

Q: Why only a 20spf?  Miracle Skin Transformer has an SPF20 due to the fact of our unique naturally-derived silicone formulation.

A: It actually registers at an SPF28, which is great for daily use. With the addition of Ecophysalis, an eco-certified plant extract from the Brazilian rainforest, you get double the protection.

Q: Why is the concealer darker than the base product?

A: It depends on the shade of “treat and conceal” you are using, Medium is great for the Tan or Medium Tan shades.

Please follow the link to get more information – Miracle Skin Transformer. If you’re looking for a great time-saver that will hydrate, conceal, and protect you – you need to buy this product. The folks there are really helpful and nice – and will love to answer your questions. Follow them on twitter and facebook. :B-Savvy

As always, let me know what you think!

I give this product a 4 compact rating


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Hydroxatone: Hydrolyze review

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Beautasia

Back when I was in my twenties, I used to laugh when I’d get carded, and blush when people asked what high school I went to. I had fair, clear skin and rosy cheeks and rarely gave a thought as to skin care. Moisturizers? Sun screen? Who needed it? Day cream? Night cream? Not me! After all, we’re talking about someone who was being asked what high school she went to!

Okay, maybe that was only once, but still…

As I approach the forties (I’ll be 38 in a week), all that has changed. The sun, the late nights, the years of wearing contacts, and the stress of a lay-off that lead to two years of unemployment has taken a toll on my skin. Even the addition of SPF-30 moisturizer (appropriately enough, when I hit 30) could do little to stop the wear and tear. And the creases, oh the creases! My “parentheses” (the little lines around the mouth, or the nasolabial folds, that appear in our mid-twenties) were deep and pronounced, and the bags under my eyes aren’t so much bags as luggage.

So when I was offered the chance to try Hydroxatone Hydrolyze Advanced Under Eye Formula- I jumped at it.

The cream itself is creamy-smooth, and dabs on like a dream (dab- you dab products on the skin around the eyes, never rub!). It has no odor and was soothing to apply in the morning (it is recommended that you apply morning and evening). Also, on a personal note- my skin is sensitive to new products. I tend to break out or experience redness; but with Hydrolyze, there was nothing of the sort.

The first week, upon close inspection, I didn’t notice much of a difference, only how many tiny little wrinkles appeared around my eyes when I smiled. But by the second week I made a startling discovery: My parentheses had diminished a great deal! In fact, when I wasn’t smiling, you could barely see them! My under-eye circles, too, were less noticeable. The fine lines, however, are still pretty visible.

The third week I made an effort to be in bed at a decent hour, and the bags shrank further, and I looked smoother, over all. Look- products are great, but they aren’t magic. If you aren’t going to make efforts toward working on the inside, then don’t expect things you apply to the outside to work unfailingly at turning back the clock.

Beautasia note: I always preach to “find your balance” We can’t always be “perfect” and do what expected all the time. What we take away we must put back in. French fries one day mean extra cardio the next. One too many glass’s of wine means juicing and lots of water and vitamins the next. Good luck Superheros in training! ;)

All in all, I give Hydrolyze 4 out of 5 compacts. I would have liked to see a little more of the fine lines disappear. I will, however, keep on using it in the meantime and would definitely be interested in experimenting with their other products.

(One month in)

Contributed by Melissa Daniels, who works as a mother, personal assistant and comic book artist & writer in Los Angeles (when she isn’t reviewing beauty products).


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Hydroxatone Review

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Beautasia

We’ve seen those late night ads promising us more hydration, the appearance of less wrinkles, and improved texture and tone. I’m here to tell you about a product I’ve had my eye on for a while. The super folks at Hydroxatone gave me a free sample of their am/pm hydrating cream.

I’ve been wanting to try this cream for a few years now – ever since I’d first seen the commercial. It has 3 of my favorite ingredients:

Matrixyl 3000

This super-sounding ingredient is called a peptide. Peptides are in many cosmeceutical products on the market today. Our skin is made up of protein (putting on my smart glasses). Peptides are a chain of amino acids that assimilate protein. These dynamic little guys go in and strengthen the matrix level of the skin. If you want more scientific information, I found this great site that can help the brainiac in you. :)

Argireline

Now, I’ve been a HUGE fan of Argireline for a few years now. This peptide is also referred to as “topical Botox”. (For those of you that don’t know what Botox is, click here.) Botox is used to deaden the muscle so it can’t move. Argireline slows down the receptors in the muscle to inhibit wrinkle formation. So imagine this: You have your nerves. There’s a pitcher and a catcher (like baseball) that transmit to each other, to form the wrinkle.  With repeated use of Argireline, you can prevent the wrinkle from happening, and it has a lot less risk than Botox.

Beautasia Quote: Prevention is half the fight!

Hyaluronic Acid

If you could hear a sound effect right now, imagine the sound of angels flying around and sounds of “Ahhhh, ahhhhh, aHHHHH!” This – hands down – is my FAVORITE ingredient on the planet right now. Hyaluronic acid is present in our skin. It’s what our collagen and elastin swims in. Hyaluronic acid, also known as HA, holds 1000 times it’s weight in water. So this succulent ingredient gives our skin and joints hydration. We lose this precious element in our skin as we age. Good news, we can buy it!!!

I’ve been using it for 3-4 weeks now. I’m here to tell you that I LOVE it! I’ve been wearing it day and night. It gives me the dewy feeling under my mineral makeup and it’s rich and yummy and doesn’t clog my pores.

I give it a 4.5 compact rating.

This is one of the better and more affordable options on the market today. Good job folks at Hydroxatone. You’re SUPER! Let me know if you found this review helpful and if you’ve tried this product yourself in the comments below :)

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Surf and Sand Resort Spa-Laguna, CA review

Posted on April 20, 2011 by Beautasia

I want to share with you a review of a beautiful resort nestled along the pacific coast cliffs. It is a superior resort. You could enjoy a effervescent glass of champagne while watching the waves crash along the shoreline. There I enjoyed a lovely conversation with some Philadelphia housewives vacationing and letting loose. I enjoyed their conversation so much that I ended up be a little late for my services. *oops*

I went into the spa and apologized profusely for being a little late (8 mins). The bubbly receptionist assured me it was no problem and, if there weren’t any health issues, to just sign the waiver. So, I signed and off I went.

My first service was a hot stone massage.

Since I stand for long periods of time in my high-heeled boots, I wanted something more relaxing. Being an avid spa-goer, I ask the girl to tell my therapist that, since I’m running a little late, I would rather have my full service with the massage and cut some of the facial. She happily complied.

The facilities were beautiful. I was told there was steam and a jacuzzi, but I was in a hurry. I changed quickly and began to look around curiously. Now where do I go? I ventured down the hall to see a sitting area with some water, tea, and mixed nuts. I figured this was where I was supposed to get picked up. I waited a few minutes then the massage therapist greeted me.

We went up a steep set of stairs and into a treatment room. The decor was cozy and dim, just like a spa should be. My treatment seemed rushed and I would have to admit, a little clumsy. If you’ve never had a hot stone massage. You get the massage with warm stones instead of hands, then the stones are placed on pressure points on the body. It’s very good for relaxation and energy movement. I was tired from my champagne lunch, so I dozed off for a bit, then woke up – dazed and confused. The therapist told me she would be outside with water. I slowly got up, went into the hall and waited. Did she say she would be right out? Was I supposed to get water? She finally entered from a door at the end of the hall with a small cup of water. Her instructions were to go back to the waiting area.

I went into the locker room to use the little superhero’s room and noticed it was 10 minutes before the hour. Most appointments were on the hour, so I thought a little steam room might be in order. I walked into what I thought was a sauna (because I didn’t see steam). It was ice cold! I asked a nice lady in the locker room how to turn it on. She looked at me puzzled and pointed to a turn dial. I turned it, and low and behold, that was how you turn the steam on. I think I was inside for about 5-7 mins. But when I walked out, my robe was gone! That’s efficient… but not very convenient.

Let’s fast forward and get to my facial.

As I discussed my concerns, I told my esthetician that I was an expert myself and wanted to try something new. She recommended the pumpkin peel, only to realize my skin was too sensitive. She immediately removed it, which I appreciated. My facial seemed rushed also, but I was in such a daze – I tried to relax. The extraction process was brutal… I regularly get skin maintenance (so I didn’t have a lot of congestion), but she brought out the metal tool. YIKES. This thing feels like a scalpel. My personal feeling is that it should only be used on flat areas like the forehead and back, and only for the BIG blackheads that get stuck in the skin (hard to remove – but only after your fingers are used first). But, whatever. I went with it and didn’t complain.

Finally, the tightening mask was applied. I can’t remember if I got an arm massage or neck and scalp. Regardless, that is just fluff, but, whatever happened, it was uneventful. After removal of mask and application of moisturizer, I slowly got up and my therapist helped me walk down those steep stairs. Again, appreciated.

I went into the locker room and showered off. The multiple shower heads were lovely and really woke me up. Afterward, I looked around and was confused as to where I would dispose of my used towel and robe. When on vacation or being in a new environment, you really want things to be easy for you. I finally saw a hole in the wall and decided to throw my stuff in there.

To sum things up, it was beautiful, and I had a great time regardless. Since I’m probably more picky than the average person (I was also groggy from champagne ;) ) I’ll give the spa a 3.5 compact rating.

It wasn’t terrible, but I would have expected things to feel more user-friendly.  Love to hear what some of your favorite spas are – I would love to review! Please leave comments below.

http://www.surfandsandresort.com/spa.html

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Make your dollar stretch- spa review in Los Angeles

Posted on March 10, 2011 by Beautasia

Let me tell you a story about a pristine, 3500 square foot spa that hugs downtown Los Angeles called Wi Spa. Winter is ending and I noticed some dry patches on my arms. If you’ve never experienced an authentic Korean body scrub, then let me tell you about it!

Immediately, I was happy to see ample FREE parking behind the building. As I walked in, I was instantly greeted by a friendly staff member that gave me a “watch” looking key for my locker. She told me to soak in the hot tub for about 10-15 minutes before my service (but only after showering). Before you enter the ladies’ area, you’re asked to remove your shoes. Finding my locker was fairly easy, and you felt like a real superhero as you swipe your “watch” to open the locker.

Now, if you’re body-conscious or modest, Korean spas are filled with naked broads of all shapes and sizes. Trust me when I say this – No one is looking at you. :)

After soaking, steaming is recommended for an extra 5 minutes to get your skin all nice and soft before a scrub. Then you are greeted by a woman that looks like your sweet Korean mama. She’ll take you to a flat table in another room and have you face down. Now the scrubbing begins. These ladies leave no stone unturned, so you better believe they are in every nook and almost cracky. ;) As you flip over, you will see piles of skin on the table. Considering there is no pain or redness from the scrub this is amazing to see. After a diligent job of body scrubbing, she washes your hair. So those of you with baby fetish should be in heaven. After the treatment is over, she hands you an envelope for her tip. Typically these days it’s between 18%-20%, but I left her $10 because I tend to be generous, and this is a physically demanding job. (As is anyone in this field).

Afterwards, I showered again and put on a Wi Spa t-shirt and shorts and headed to the third floor to the common area. Here you will see a bevy of Korean men and women napping, reading or gossiping. Large screen TVs display Korean soap operas. Not sure what they are saying, but I’m pretty sure it’s all the same. Sex, Intrigue, sprinkled in with some hot Asian twin sisters.  (oh my) On this floor, there are ample hot saunas to detoxify and recharge your body as well as a cold room to revitalize. I’m leaving the link for you to explore and read further into the sauna rooms and the benefits.

http://www.wispausa.com/our-services/exclusive-sauna-rooms.html

I was hankering for some authentic Korean fare in the cafe, so with one swipe of my “watch”, I was able to eat a bim bim bop salad and get billed upon my check out. Brilliant!

Finally, to wind up an incredible afternoon. The total came out to $60!

$30 for scrub + $15 Entrance fee +$15 for lunch. The beauty about a Korean spa is you can simply pay a $15 entrance fee and get access to the common areas. Perfect for those on a squeaky budget.

I give this review 4 compacts out of 5 on the review scale.



I hope you enjoyed hearing about the Korean Spa, and I welcome any comments.

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