Tag: exfoliation

Blue Mercury Facial Peel

radiant skin on belle belle beauty

Who doesn’t want glowing skin for the holidays? With all the revelry and cheer, it helps to put your best face forward. With that in mind, I’ve just executed project “radiance” over the past 10 days by using the M-61 Power Peel. While I’m no peel novice (see this post), I’ve never done one over the course of days. But because this package has both a peel AND post-peel with vitamin A & C treatment, I never had any irritation but still had great results.

This peel is an at home version of Blue Mercury’s Power Facial (more on that to come). The dual pack (one per day) has step 1 on one side and step 2 on the other. The first is a deep exfoliating glycolic peel with colloidal oatmeal to soothe and bilberry extract to even skin tone. After leaving this step on for two minutes (no rinsing required), apply step 2. This deactivates the peel while infusing skin with liquid vitamins A, C and E. This firms skin and locks in moisture while lavender and chamomile calm any irritation.

I felt 10 days was enough for significant results. But they also offer a 30-day peel, perhaps for those of you who have a big event or want to be a little more aggressive. The 10-day pack is $28 and the 30-day pack is $74.

Now, for you lucky ducks near a Blue Mercury location, you can pop in for the “You Glow Girl” facial. You can find locations here. This Bluemercury exclusive facial begins with cleansing, followed by the M-61 Fast Blast mask and M-61 Power Pro-Peel for complete exfoliation. The treatment includes serums with loads of vitamins for glowing skin. And the oxygen treatment (one of my favorite parts of a facial) helps with the glow factor as well. These facials are available until December 31st for $85.

Image: Kate Bosworth: In Style, November 2011 found here via here

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE WAS PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

La Prairie Cellular Resurfacing 3-Minute Peel

I have been lucky enough to try out La Prairie Cellular Resurfacing 3-Minute Peel during some spa treatments, but I never have had the cherished stuff at home for some regular use. Now that is has been on my vanity for a couple weeks, I can official declare it’s even better than I thought. The results after periodic peels is exfoliated, smooth, soft skin.

This once-a-week peel is “professional level” exfoliation that you most certainly feel working. Professional strength AHAs, BHA, Salicylic Acid and Mixed Fruit Acids clean the surface and exfoliate, pushing fresh, younger cells to the surface.

The peel itself has a pleasant fresh floral scent. The large jar comes with a brush (it sits in a small slot at the base of the jar). I like the ritual of using the ultra-soft brush to get an even, complete application. You can get into those nooks and crannies around your nose. Immediately, I feel tingling, almost itchiness, but not to the point of discomfort.

When you rinse it off – literally after three minutes – somehow a silky texture moisturizes and calms the skin. The peel emulsifies into a silky gel that requires a washcloth to remove. My skin is a little red immediately after use, but calms down to be even and soft in 20 minutes. Despite this, probably better for evening use.

Click here for my other favorite at-home peels.

Natura Bisse NB Ceutical Tolerance Enzyme Peel

I frequently recommend glycolic or lactic acid to readers who want an exfolating treatment, but sometimes even gentiler lactic acid can be too much for the most sensitive of skin. So, I’ve been on the hunt for something results-oriented but that still didn’t irritate. Cue NB Tolerance Enzyme Peel. I did not experience even one tingle and my skin was left with zero redness. Talk about fostering some serious radiance! And all while remaining exceptionally effective gentle.

I almost hate to use the word “peel” when discussing this product because it sounds so extreme. But does precisely that: “a non-aggressive (granule-free) micro-exfoliation of the most damaged layers of the skin”. The formula is hypoallergenic, alcohol and paraben-free. Enzymes remove impurities and dead skin that can lead to dullness. The formula includes:

prickly pear (opuntia ficus)
papaya (carica papaya)
botanical extract of chamomile that soothes, decongests, and maintains the skin’s natural pH balance
sugar extract from bio-fermented Zea Mays

The highlight of using this product probably was the process of massaging until texture is “modified”. I didn’t quite know what this meant before using, but as I was massaging the product info my face – probably after a minute or two – there was suddenly a liquified state that had more slip. After the transformation, the gel-like mask was easy to rinse/wipe away.

Natura Bisse is a somewhat new line to me. After the Ceutical Tolerance Enzyme Peel, I am anxious to try more of the natural skin-care line. Founders, Ricardo Fisas and wife, Maria Gloria Vergas, have been dedicated with luxury treatments featuring natural free-form amino acids for over 30 years.