Alpha-H - Better skin in just 90 days?

Well here I am, naked.


Oh fine.  I'm not 'naked' 'naked', but I feel exposed without my usual modesty covering of foundation.
I suffer from pigmentation, and took some BEFORE photos on the 1st of October 2011 in preparation to unleash the Alpha-H Liquid Gold Skin Perfecting System on my blotchy skin. The pigmentation and broken capillaries on my face really stand out against my fair skin, which is why I prefer to wear a least a light smattering of foundation everyday.

To quote from the Alpha-H website, the brand has created 'a system of therapeutic cosmeceuticals which target the key factors of ageing as they manifest in the different layers of the skin'.  During the Australian Beauty Bloggers weekend, I was privileged to learn more about glycolic acid, and I also had the opportunity to take a kit home with me to try.  Lucky duck.


I'm not going to go into the finer details of the products just yet, as I'll include some comparison shots and lots of details of my experience with the Alpha-H line in a future post.  I am still in the first of three stages in my course of treatments, being 30 days using the Alpha-H Prep & Prime each morning. 


My teenage son is also using this product to help his skin through an acne breakout, but I won't comment further on that until he has used the line for another week.


What I would like to achieve during this program of treatments is a reduction in the obvious pigmentation on my forehead and under my right eye.  I'm not so worried about my freckles, but the larger blobs of colour are free to move on, no questions asked!  Any improvement in redness would be a bonus.


The Alpha-H Liquid Gold Skin Perfecting System including all three stages retails for AUD $99.50 and can be purchased directly from Alpha-H here, or if you have Foxtel you could watch the products being demonstrated on TVSN.


So here are the before shots...

 Stay tuned for an update!

P100P #021 - Lancome Hydrazen Moisturiser

This Lancome moisturiser is great if you have very sensitive skin, and you are in your 20's.  While the texture is lovely and the product is excellent quality, I found that it wasn't quite nourishing enough for my parched skin.

I moved it to my travel bag, and recently finished it off. 

P100P #012 - Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation

Ole Henriksen’s Sheer Transformation oil free moisturiser did nothing for my skin.  I really struggled to finish it.  It wasn’t moisturising enough and I can’t recommend it for dry skin at all.  I had seen another YouTube guru using it, and we tend to have very similar skin woes, so I was hoping I would see the same fantastic results on my skin.

I bought it as part of the 3 Little Wonders box set, which also included the Truth Serum and an Invigorating Night Gel.  This kit retails overseas for USD$70, but will cost you a whopping AUD$165 if purchased locally in Australia.  The products are aimed for the anti-aging market and promise to deliver ‘truly transformative results as they embrace your skin with protection, comfort and hydration. Every product works to defend against signs of aging by firming, lifting, retexurizing, tightening and evening out skin tone with light, oil-free formulations.’

Here’s what Ole Henriksen says each product will do: 

Truth serum-collage booster 1 fl oz / 30 ml - Provides skin with natures most potent anti-aging nutrients, deeply hydrates and calms with rose hips extract, green tea and Vitamin C
Sheer transformation 1 oz / 28 g - Feels light and silky as it penetrates, leaving behind a protective and restorative surface. Gradually reduces hyper pigmentation with licorice extract, actiwhite™ and Vitamin C and increases cell turnover rate with beta hydroxy acids and fruit acids

Invigorating night gel 1 oz / 28 g - This firming treatment contains botanical alpha hydroxy acids in concentrated amounts for rapid cell proliferation, exposing younger and firmer looking skin. Hydrates and prevents irritation with fruit acids suspended in purified algae extract, vitamins A, C and E, plus mucopolysaccharides

I cannot recommend the Sheer Transformation moisturiser and I am extremely happy to see the empty container in the recycling bin this week.  I’ll give the other two products another go in the next few weeks, and see if they survive Project 100 Pan!

CHANEL - Hydramax Active Moisture Gel Cream

Hydramax Active Moisture Gel Cream is a light silky smooth sorbet gel cream which immediately melts into skin.  This a high performance cream ideal for summer.

Until recently, I was not aware that it contained hyaluronic acid to help combat fine dry lines.  I had certainly never noticed the improvement of any fine lines, although I am lucky not to have this as a major concern...yet!

I find this moisturiser leaves my skin soft and supple, but not tacky.  It is the perfect base for foundation, and doesn't facilitate any midday slide. 

Chanel says this moisturiser has the a subtle scent of white peaches, citrus fruits, jasmine, peony & cyclamen flowers, however I cannot detect any of these scents individually.  The fragrance is very subtle and not overwhelming at all.

Just a word of warning... If you happen to drop this jar on the floor while the lid is off, it's square shape will encourage it to bounce with some velocity and empty the entire contents onto your carpet!  I speak from experience.  Urgh!

You can purchase a 50ml size of this cream at department stores like Myer and David Jones.  Of course check out the usual discount haunts such as eBay and StrawberryNet.  I am on my third jar, and paid around AU$75.00.

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Review - Burt's Bees Essential Body Kit

Recently I had a voucher from adorebeauty to use and I elected to put it towards the Burt's Bees Essential Body Kit for AUD$24.95. This kit is a collection of Burt's most popular all-natural creams, lotions and salves and is a great gift, or an excellent way for you to try out the best-sellers from Burt's. The products are not tested on animals. I had never heard of the range before, so was keen to test out all the goodies.

The kit comes in a clear plastic zippered pouch and contains:

- Citrus & Ginger Root Body Wash (29.5ml)
- Peach & Willowbark Deep Pore Scrub (15g)
- Hand Salve (8.5g)
- Lemon Butter Cuticle Creme (8.5g)
- Radiance Day Creme (7g)
- Naturally Nourishing Milk & Honey Body Lotion (29.5ml)
- Replenishing Pomegranate Lip Balm (4.25g)
- Peppermint Foot Lotion (14ml)

I must say when I first opened my parcel I was a little disappointed at the size of the kit. Although the sizes of all items were clearly stated, I was expecting a larger sample in my mind. Note to self – read the details more carefully before ordering! The second thing I noticed was the smell. While all the goodies are locked in their bag together, the mish mosh of smells is quite strange and overpowering. As soon as I took the contents out of the bag and separated them, their own natural fragrances smell so good you could eat them.

My personal favourite from the kit so would have to be the Peppermint Foot Lotion. I was recently spotted sitting at my desk with my shoes off rubbing my feet with this delicious lotion. The refreshing peppermint smell turned heads, and my dry cracked heels were instantly transformed. I would definitely buy this product in its full size, however I believe adorebeauty currently only stocks the Coconut Foot Crème in the full size which is 123g and retails for AUD$24.95. I am sure this would work as well – but with a coconut smell in place of peppermint.

The other outstanding product is the Naturally Nourishing Milk & Honey Body Lotion. I suffer from terribly dry and angry red looking skin on my upper arms. After a few days of using this cream, the skin was notably less red and softer to touch. The lotion is paraben free and phthalate free and is unlikely to irritate sensitive skins. The full size product is 236ml and retails for AUD$24.95.

One item I found a little disappointing (from a packaging point of view) was the Lemon Butter Cuticle Creme. While the tin was adorable and its contents smelt so good I could have spread it on my morning toast, I found trying to get the product out of the tin and onto my nail bed frustrating. I resorted to scraping the top of the crème with the back of my fingernail to grab enough to cover my nail beds properly.  I am not a fan of sticking my fingers into things, so I would love to see this packaged in a tube as an alternative - but not sure how that would work with the product texture.  I applied this balm to my dry sandpaper like elbows and my cuticles and it softened them right away.

All in all this was a great exposure to the Burt’s Bees product line. There are also baby gift sets and travel sets available for purchase and this is a perfect way to try out lots of the products before committing to the larger size.

You can check out the range at http://www.adorebeauty.com.au/adorebeauty/brand/138/Burt's+Bees/suppliers