A Multi Active Lifestyle

A few months ago I posted that I receive the whole line of the recently reformulated Clarins Multi Active line.  Since I had used the line years ago (like over 10) and was now the target age for the product, I was very excited to try it again with the update.  So here's the low down...

True to Clarins form, the formulas are full of unique botanical ingredients. Organic Teasel minimizes fine lines caused by a stressful lifestyle, Myrothamnus fights the effects of daytime stress minimizing fine lines and boosting radiance and Organic California Poppy helps absorb the harmful effects of late nights and interrupted sleep.  They make the Day version in 4 formulas, Normal to Combination, All Skin Types, Dry Skin, and an All Skin Type + SPF 20 and the Night version in 2 formulas, Normal to Combination and Normal to Dry.  I started with the day for All Skin Types and night for Normal to Dry because I love a rich texture at night.  Now I have combo skin, and as much as I love a rich texture, it's warm out, my skin didn't need all the extra hydration and l was waking up with a little bit of clogged pores, so I switched to the Normal/Combo night cream and that solved that problem.  I continued to use these 2 for almost 4 months.  I did use the Normal/Combo day cream a few times during hot and humid days and while traveling to humid climates, it was the perfect lightweight gel texture for those days, but I really loved the texture of the All Skin Type cream for the dry LA weather.

Clarins has texture down, they know what will work for each skin type, so stick with what they recommend.  My skin felt comfortable and hydrated, but never heavy, every day I wore the creams.  My skin was always glowing, looking fresh, never a clogged pore (except when I tried the cream too rich for my skin).  During my time using these I also decided to give my skin a break from Botox.  I've been getting so many compliments on my skin even though I have facial expressions again. I remember in my very first Clarins training, my fabulous trainer Christy said the night cream will give 8 hours of sleep no matter how few hours I sleep you get.  Every morning I woke up looking like I got a full 8 hours of sleep (my average is an unhealthy 5-6), I almost didn't even want to wash my face in the morning for fear that glow would wash away!

Chances are, if you're in the 25-35 age range, when first signs of aging start, you're stressed the fuck out, not sleeping, and wondering why your skin isn't looking how it did 10 years ago.  The Clarins Multi Active line is a going to work great for you.  It protects from free radical damage while smoothing out those first fine line, so pretty much pausing aging and keeping you looking your best.  The night cream is my favorite of the 2 products just because of how amazing I look in the mornings, but the use of both of them together, you really can't go wrong! At $53 for the day and $56 for the night, they're an affordable luxury you can't afford to miss out on.  Which formula is your favorite??

Death Becomes Her

If you’ve ever met me I’m sure you’ve heard me mention 1,000 times how my mom is a Naturopathic Dr and how many supplements I take.  If you haven’t, my mom’s a Naturopathic Dr and I take a shit ton of supplements.  Years ago I started working for this company called Glowelle (which is unfortunately no longer) they created a drink that contained a ridiculous amount of nutrients and and anti-oxidants for the skins benefit.  I was 24 at the time I started working for the company and back then I even noticed how hydrated it kept my skin and how “glowy” I looked.  This was back in 2008, the economy was in the crapper, and people didn’t understand “beauty from within” and couldn’t afford $120 for a 30 day supply.  Now That I’m a bit older and definitely seeing signs of aging, I wish and pray every day that this product comes back.  Until it does, I’ve endlessly researched different types of supplements to keep my skin in top shape from the inside out.  You are what you eat, and what I don’t get from my diet I supplement with supplements :)  Here are a few new and old that I can’t live without.

In August last year I decided the Man Bun was fading out of style a bit too quick and I wanted my long hair back, but damn was it going to be a bitch to grow my sides out to match the top of my hair.  It was time to buy some Biotin!  I first started with the Maxi-Hair for Men from Country Life as it was the most popular one I could find.  I went through about 3 bottles of this and wasn’t very impressed.  I noticed a little faster hair growth, but it wasn’t anything outstanding.  When I was going to replenish one day I ran across the Irwin Naturals Biotin-6000 with Bamboo Extract, being a sucker for packaging this one really appealed to me.  I’m on my 3rd bottle of it and I’m SOOO happy.  My hair has been growing much faster and much healthier, my nails, which have gotten brittle as I’ve gotten older, have been growing much stronger, even my lashes have been staying healthier!  I’ve also noticed it helping my skin as it contains ingredients to help with elasticity, hydration, and free radical protection.  The only slight issue I have with the pill is that they do tend to leak just a little, so be careful not to get them on anything white, there’s usually 1 pill in the bottle that isn’t totally sealed, these pills are however easier to swallow than a lot of other ones I take.  2x a day the bottle will last you 1 month.  Irwin Naturals Biotin-6000 4.5/5 Stars $16.49 a bottle (I usually buy 2 so I don’t have to pay shipping)

Now my mom, being the loving and caring person that she is, loves to help out my neurotic beauty habits by sending me over any skin and health related articles and information she receives.  She also loves to send me different supplements she thinks may help my skin.  Regeneplex is definitely the best beauty supplement I’ve taken, Momma bear sent it to me a few years ago and I can’t stop taking this miracle pill.  After 2 weeks of taking Regeneplex I was trying to figure out why I was getting so many compliments on my skin, it looked brighter, plumper, rested, and just all over glowing, then I remember of yeah, that new pill I’ve been taking!  Whenever I run out its like okay, sad face, I need it ASAP.  It’s rich in Carotenoids -Lutein, Beta Carotene, Lycopene- help fight free radical damage, fight photo-aging, and even improve skin smoothness.  Also high in Zinc and Vitamin C to boost collagen and fight free radical damage. A proprietary blend of a bunch of other ingredients like Coenzyme Q10, Vitamin B, and Camu Camu just add to this amazing supplement.  90 Pills in a bottle 2x per day for best results. Now, the only problem is its not exactly easy to find, you have to buy it through an authorized retailer, non of which are online (I found one bottle on Amazon for $130).  Standard Process Regeneplex 5/5 Stars, If you want to get a bottle and can’t find a retailer, hit me up and I can order some for you, its $42.50 a bottle just shoot me a message ihrichak1@gmail.com.

I’ve recently become fascinated with Ayurvedic medicine, one of the worlds oldest holistic healing systems.  Turmeric is probably the most well known of these herbs.  Its mostly used as an anti-inflammatory, which is why I originally bought it, I do so many peels and aggressive skin treatments that my skin does get inflamed and irritated, as well as my muscles being inflamed from either stress or exercise.  Turmeric has also been show to help detoxify the liver, inhibit growth of skin cancer, help with psoriasis, speed up the healing of wounds, help with depression, aid in weight management, natural painkiller, it pretty much does your laundry and makes you dinner.  I’ve been taking it for a few weeks now and noticed less redness in my skin, my body aches have definitely gone down, and one friend said that its made my skin look more tan?  I guess eating a lot of something thats yellow can make the skin more yellow, but I can’t find any studies on that.  I’m enjoying the Gaia Turmeric Supreme 4/5 Stars $20.99 for 120 pills per bottle, 1 pill 2x a day with food.

Being one to buy anything that says it’d good for the skin I’ve decided to give He Shou Wu a try.  This ancient Chinese secret is said to nourish the blood, hair, skin, nervous system, shen (Spirit), and Jing (primary essence/life force).  The last 2 I clearly copied from their website cause I have no clue whats thats all about, but count me in.  People are said to have had their grey hair turn back to black and hair grow stronger from this.  It’s also said to help with liver and kidney tonifying.  It tastes a bit like earthy sadness, so I recommend mixing it in with your favorite tea and a little honey.  I’ve only just started taking this, so the verdict is still out, but I’ve found great reviews for it online, and I mean, when has an ancient Chinese secret ever been wrong?  Sun Potion He Shou Wu available cheapest through Thrive Market (a new favorite store of mine) at $32.95 vs $55 check them out for 15% off your first order.

In addition I take a few other skin beneficial supplements from my favorite herb brand Natures Sunshine, which I’ve been taking for some 20 years.  
Coenzyme Q10 100mg 2pills a day in the AM $41.95 retail, $27.95 member cost- Protects against photo-aging, stimulates cellular activity, stimulates collagen production, and free radical protection.
Super ORAC 1 or 2 pills a day $53.85 retail or $35.90 member cost, also available in the Super Trio daily supplement pack (thats how I take it) - Contains a whole slew of anti-oxidants to fight off free radical damage including Green Tea/EGCG, Mangosteen, Resveratrol, Acai Berry, Turmeric, Quercetin, Selenium, and Apple Fruit Extract.  These are actually all the ingredients that were in the Glowelle drink I use to take.
These can be purchased through Natures Sunshine, hit me up if you want the details on how to get them at member cost (or just follow the link above), it doesn’t cost anything to join, ihrichak1@gmail.com

Have you found the potion to give you eternal youth?  Let me know, I want to start taking it!