Ever Tried BORBA?

A while ago, I discovered BORBA products and decided to order some of their items. If you've never heard of BORBA, it is a company that focuses on skin-care products and vitamins, all made in a unique way. Many celebrities endorse these products, so I thought I'd give them a try.

Here's what I ordered:

Age Defying 4-in-1 Cleansing Treatment - After doing some research on their website, this face cleanser seemed to be the biggest hit and was designed for twenty somethings. The 4-in-1 claims to moisturize, exfoliate, remove all makeup, and give you some age defying goodness. After using this for a while, I like it. I use a toner after my cleanser to remove all makeup and I've found it doesn't really remove everything, it still makes my face feel really smooth and not tight at all.
Mighty Energy Gummi Mice - I actually got a sample pack of these along with the box I ordered. Apparently six gummy mice equals an energy drink with no crash. I was really curious to try these because they have the same effect as coffee but with actual nutrients. Some people reviewed saying they tasted awful, so I was nervous to try them. I finally did yesterday and I must say they were gross. I could only get two of them down, so I don't really know how well they worked. I am not sure if I will even keep them because of the taste.
Smart & Sexy Omega-3 Bursts - I take these occasionally now, not every day since it only comes with 30 chews in a box. They have a decent taste, not at all fishy, which is what I was trying to avoid. I have been told that Omega-3 helps with anxiety, so I may take one of these next time I feel worried or anxious to see if it helps.
PMS Rescue Beverage Crystals - I haven't tried these yet but I sure hope they help with cramps and other PMS symptoms!
Age Defying Daily Hydrator SPF 30+ - This is the moisturizer that goes along with the cleanser. I would say it works pretty well, but I am curious to see how it holds up in the winter months as my skin tends to be extremely dry. It is a bit oily and separated when it comes out of the tube, but when you rub your hands together it solves this problem. I try to shake it a bit before use too.
Nutraceutical Lip Kix - My lips have been extremely dry lately and even cracking in the corners, so I decided to try their lip balm which comes out more like a gloss. The instructions say that you can only use twice in 12 hours (not sure why), so I only use this occasionally. It seems to help keep lips moisturized though.
Healthy Glow Immunity Drink Mix - I got this for free with my order but I haven't tried it yet. I hope it comes in handy in the winter months when everyone is getting sick.
All in all, I'm not 100% convinced with their products, but I think they are pretty good. They have drinks and other gummies and many products for skin care and health. I think I will definitely keep trying BORBA products. Please tell me, have you tried BORBA products? What did you try and what did you think of it? I would love to hear your thoughts and feedback!

The Lowdown on Epilators

I'm always looking for cost-effective ways to cut down on shaving time. Shaving gel and razors really add up and let's be honest - they aren't that effective. This becomes glaringly obvious in the summertime when you need to shave every day in order to maintain a perfectly hair-free existence. The daily shave-routine in various areas of your body is time-consuming, annoying, and sure to irritate your glowing skin.

I've tried it all: electric razors, at-home waxing strips, and that disgusting chemical cream you leave on 3-5 minutes then scrape off. None of it really worked for me, and left me feeling defeated and discouraged; ultimately forcing me to pick up my razor again.

Flash forward to last week when going through the latest Ulta catalog: I discovered they had epilators on sale…color me intrigued. I wasn’t really sure what an epilator was, other than it promised to “leave you smooth for four to six weeks” and that one costs around $50. Being constantly on the prowl for new and long-lasting hair removal methods as I was, I decided to do a little further research. Here’s what I found: An epilator is a device that looks very similar to an electric razor, but is basically lots of tiny tweezers that plucks the hairs out, giving you a similar effect to waxing.

With the incentive of a sale (who doesn’t love a sale?), I decided to try it out, knowing if it doesn't work for me, I could return it. I got the Remington Smooth & Silky Epilator Kit for $47.99 at Ulta, and so far I'd give it about a 7/10. It does do what it says: pluck the hairs out, and I really had minimal pain even though I am not used to waxing or a similar sensation. Sounds great right? Well before you all run out and buy your own epilator kits, here’s the downside: the time it takes.

That said, I am hoping some of the slow process was due to the fact that it was my first time using it, and next time will be a bit speedier. I found that I spent a lot of time going over the same sections and it kept missing the same hairs. My plan for the next attempt at epilating is to get as much as I can with the kit, and then shave over the problem areas later to ensure prime smoothness. Other downfalls were the noise (my parents both coming in my room..."What is THAT?") and the small red bumps of irritation that came afterwards (but luckily the red bumps go away fairly quickly. I found that the trick is to use it at night so any lingering irritation is gone by morning.) Despite these reasons, for once I don’t feel hopelessly pushed back to my razor! I plan to stick with it in the hope that it will practice what it preaches: smooth skin for up to six weeks with the added benefit of lightening and thinning hair growth over time.

As summer quickly approaches (fingers crossed!) with promises of sun-soaked and pool-filled days, I will keep testing this product and hopefully I’ll be able to ditch my razor once and for all! To give you full discretion: I haven't been brave enough to test it on any other area besides my legs yet, but I have faith it will produce similar results.

Tell me about your experiences with epilators and any tips or tricks you may have!

What Is Skin Brushing?

Tired of going to the spa to get expensive treatments? Want an inexpensive, easy way to reduce cellulite and make your skin glow beautifully? Try a new trend called skin brushing. All you need is a good quality body brush with natural bristles that costs around $6-$10.

So what is skin brushing and how does it work?

Start with your brush or loofah at your feet and move upwards towards the thighs in small circular motions. Don’t brush too hard or your skin might become red and irritated. Next, brush your arms downward and brush your torso towards the heart. Avoid your face where your skin is more sensitive. Hips and thighs are great places to brush because cellulite tends to form there. Be sure to brush gentle and avoid bruises, cuts, or irritated areas.

What are the benefits?

Skin brushing helps the largest organ you have: your skin. It accelerates toxin elimination, stimulates blood flow and circulation, reduces cellulite, helps exfoliate and remove dead skin cells, anti-aging through cell regeneration, and helps you get your moist, supple skin back. Skin brushing also actives your lymphatic system (a part of your immune system) by stimulating the lymphatic channels to release toxic materials in the colon and cleanse the entire body. The waste that it brings to the surface gets out of your skin in the form of sweat and dead skin cells and makes your skin look better and helps unclog your pores. The best part of all this is that skin brushing not only makes your skin LOOK better, it has proven medical benefits. It stimulates your nerve endings that help your nervous system, it gives you a healthy body by helping your skin breathe better with unclogged pores, it helps increase your circulation and blood flow, and it rids your skin of toxins that can destroy your health.

Where can I find an inexpensive brush to try skin brushing?

Amazon.com is the best place to find brushes that cost around $6-$10. Simply search on Amazon or Google Shopping for “skin brushing brushes” or “dry brushes” and you’ll be able to compare prices with brands such as Bernard Jensen, Yerba Prima Botanicals, and Elemis. Other places to check out are vitamin stores like The Vitamin Shoppe and beauty supply stores. Make sure you get one with natural bristles!

If you knew you could get beautiful skin from 5-10 minutes a day with an inexpensive brush, you would have tried this a long time ago!

Check out my original post on ASKinyourface.com.