Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Reivew: Personal Microderm Kit!

Hi all! I'm back from my temporary hiatus that has been due to the end of the semester (almost 1 year DOWN in my doctoral program! My how time flies...). I wanted to bring you a special review that I promised you several weeks back but am just getting some time to write up.

The lovely folks at Skincarerx (a sponsor of mine!) were kind enough to send me their Personal Microderm Kit (PMD). It's just like it sounds-- a microdermabrasion at home. For my honest opinion, they sent me one free of charge. So without further ado, here's my two cents.

1. I have used this nifty little product a few times now. I would have used it more, but as some might recall I have been seeing a dermatologist to get facial peels and laser treatments (more on that another time). Since that takes a week or so to heal, I can't use this until I'm totally back to normal. But, the times I have used it have been a good experience.


2. Before using, I watched a little video on how to operate the device. It comes with a small hand-held thinga-ma-jig (I use scientific terminology) and several coarse heads that do the dirty work of micro-derming. The heads vary in intensity of coarseness (I started with green, which is moderate, and will work up to blue, which is heavy-coarse). The head sizes are different, too-- small for face and large for larger areas, like hands or arms. I only used it for my face, as that's my area of most concern. Once I got a feel for how to do it, I jumped right in!

3. Using it is pretty simple. The trick is to get the head as tightly suctioned to your skin as possible so that the dermabrasion head can do it's job. That part is a little tough only because you have to pull your skin tightly with your hands to get it to work. Also, it's a little difficult getting certain parts of your face (like the bridge of your nose, for me at least).In terms of discomfort level, it's just slightly irritating. And once you get used to it, it's no big deal at all. Sort of just like someone is scratching your face slightly, which is completely bearable and no biggie.

4. Results: I wish I could show pictures but unfortunately with my peels and laser treatments, there's no way to show what just this PMD has done. But I can tell you the results were good... not great, but good. In terms of appearance, I didn't notice much difference. Maybe my face was slightly more radiant. In terms of skin texture, a big difference was noted. It really did feel like all the gross, dead skin was sloughed away... which is exactly what it's supposed to do! So, I would recommend using it for that purpose more so than for the appearance of your skin to drastically improve. Then again, others have had better results in appearance, so it probably depends.

Also, I really think that with regular use, appearance of the skin will get better. It's one of those things that I think will help maintain the youth of the skin rather than give immediate, amazing results. So because of that, I'm totally going to keep using it.

**OVERALL RATING OF PMD**: With everything considered, I rate this product a B+: relatively easy to use, not painful, decent results.... hoped improvement with long-term results.

That's all! Hope it's helpful to some of you considering purchasing a personal at home microderm kit. If you are, I would say this is a great one to buy.

Friday, April 15, 2011

Giveaway Congrats goes to...

Finally, I've tallied the results of my $150-valued Perricone M.D. product giveaway! Sorry for the delay, but without further ado...

... the winner is....

Erin une! Erin, I've emailed you, so please respond as soon as you can so I can have that sent to you promptly.

Also, thanks to all who entered! I wish I could give all my readers something special... but remember, try again next time if you didn't win this time! (Good things come to those who wait, hmmm?)

I'll be back later with some other goodies... and an update on my recent derma-laser-peel procedures!

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Checking in...

Hi bloggies! It has been quite a busy time of the month for me, so I just want to check in on a few things:

1. The Perricone MD giveaway is officially closed. I will calculate winners ASAP, I promise. I'll announce the winner no later than the end of this week. Thanks to ALL who participated!

2. I have a great review for y'all coming up. SkincareRX sent me their Personal Microderm System to review and share with my readers. I have used it and can't wait to tell y'all about what I think... that's coming up soon, too.

3. Tomorrow, I'm going in for my first of three Dema Laser Peels. I'm pretty excited about doing this because I've been wanting to take care of my skin in a serious way for a long, long time. From what I've heard, they're not the most fun to undergo, but they give results. I will for sure share how it goes, my recovery time and experience. (Wish me luck!)

This is a long to do list. And I promise it will get done! Bare with me, folks. Maintaining my 4.0 is currently calling. :)

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

What I've been Shopping: Spring 2011

Yeeesh. It's been a while since I've actually posted a shopping post, let alone much of a post at all. It's cool that I've got some great GIVEAWAYS happening (well, one, and you can click here for it!), but I really should tell y'all about my world a little more often, hmmm? OK. Point taken. :)

It's been pretty warm in the Big D recently and it's seeming like this is a theme that will continue until... you know, like October. I've been on a big hunt for shorts. A few years ago, F21 carried the most amazing, best fitting, cutest cuffed twill shorts. I still have two pairs (white and black) but they're starting to wear out. Unfortunately for me, it doesn't seem F21 is wanting to sell these anymore (boo!), so I'm scouring the interwebs to find good replacements.

I tried these Pleated Linen shorts from ON, but I don't think I'm keeping them. The material is somewhat stiff and itchy. I really like soft, moveable shorts, and since these aren't that I'm sure they'd just sit in the closet. (But just in case otehrs are interested, they actually fit really well! Really cute, it's just too bad they're not softer.)


I just ordered these Plot Twist Shorts from Anthro, and while they're much dressier, I can see myself wearing them a lot. Let's just hope the silk doesn't become too much of a problem....


These shorts from AE (Favorite Shortie shorts) are also in the running, but the inseam looks dangerously small. 2.5" doesn't sound that bad, but you just never know. And I'm not in the business of showing my "Britney" off.


In other shopping news, here are some other pretty scores of the non-shorts-nature from the past month or so--

Anthropologie Night Moves Chemise (I'm loving the asymmetric hemlines this season! This was a must-have for me.)


Anthropologie Floral Rendering Cardi (Zebra meets floral. Swoon!)


Rebecca Taylor Rose Print Cami & Rebecca Taylor Punched Cami (I couldn't help myself, I'm loving her spring line!)



Old Navy Maxi dress (the hot pink is so vibrant... love it.)




Soooo.... what are your shopping loves of Spring '11??

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Giveaway: Get Perricone's best wrinkle cream!

Morning, lovies! This giveaway is actually a little belated, so I apologize, but I have some seriously fun news.

Perricone M.D., an international leader in the best wrinkle creams around, would love to offer you, one of my beloved readers, a chance to win a Perricone product valued at $150 or less! Personally, I recommend the Cold Plasma, and I seriously love love love it. It's an anti-aging face cream that delivers serious results. The texture is smooth and cool and I have actually noticed a difference in the texture of my skin. It helps with my redness, too, which is a huge plus.


Want one, too (or something simliar)?? Well, entering is simple.

* Please comment on this post with your name and email address, mentioning what you'd get if you win amd why you need that product.

It's that simple, lovies. We're keeping it easy over here. :) Note, this giveaway ends Friday, April 8th, which gives you a whole week and a day to enter.

Happy entering!

Saturday, March 26, 2011

OOTD: H&M score

I've gotta thank the lovely Rosa for this top, since she scoured her local H&M to find it for me! Even though Dallas has an "H&M Preview Store" (the first and only of it's kind, ever!), we still don't get much stuff in. I saw the dress-version of this top in this month's InStyle and just had to get it... the mint green color is sooooo pretty and the cutouts add a fun detail. Isn't it cute? Kinda reminds me of Catherine Malandrino, with the floral print. I totally recommend if you can find it in your local H&M....


Top: H&M
Shorts: F21
Necklace: Nordstrom BP

I didn't really do much in the way of accessorizing, but that's mostly because it can stand well on its own. I did, however, add a cute pair of leopard flats because... well, why the hell not. Every outfit could use a little leopard, IMHO.

(Also, blurry iPhone photos apparently continue. Argh.)

Friday, March 18, 2011

Loving-- snake jewelry!

While I'm not usually one for lots of jewelry (I typically wear a neclace and that's about it), I found myself totally falling head over heels for Rachel Rachel Roy's amazing snake jewelry. I love how edgy the concept is, yet she keeps the pieces simple and understated. Totally cool, no? Here are my 3 fave pieces....








Snake transformer (this little baby can be worn as a necklace, bracelet, OR belt! I might snag this one for myself...)



PLUS, the site is doing a 30% off at checkout on all of them! Yippee, hooray! Go get you some, now. :)