Beauty

[myshell624]

On 1/14/2014 Vamp said:

On 1/13/2014 myshell624 said:

Thanks Vamp! I'll check those out. Have you gotten good results from using Argan oil?

I use oils mostly in the winter when the air is so dry. I like both argan and jojoba oil. I have also used sweet almond oil in the past, which I also like but haven't bought lately just because I have the other two on hand. I like them because my skin can be sensitive and the fewer the ingredients, the better, at least in my book. They do a good job moisturizing and a little bit goes a long way. Hope that helps.

Shea Terra has some good deals when you use a coupon code. I don't know if any coupons/sales are out there right now--I usually get an e-mail from them, but I haven't needed any product lately so haven't been paying attention.

Thanks Vamp! STO did send me a coupon code for 30% off when I signed up for their emails. My skin is a little sensitive as well so I am hoping the oils will work well for me.

[Trix]

On 1/13/2014 myshell624 said:

I have tried the oils in the past and didn't have any luck. I am thinking of trying them again and was looking into this line. I love that they are from Virginia. I live in NC a neighboring state. I am thinking of trying the Argan starter kit. It comes with an oil cleanser, Argan oil, the Argan rose hip oil blend and an oil for the eye area. My skin is on the dry side. I suffer from hyperpigmentation (from Sun damage not acne) and occasional breakouts. I am 38 and overall my skin is pretty good. Any recommendations from this line are appreciated. Thanks! Michelle

My skin is oily, acne-prone, and aging. Hyperpigmentation is one of my biggest skin battles. First of all, as with a lot of African-Americans I seem to be predisposed to it and also, if I break out the spot can appear dark for weeks long after the blemish is gone. I that argan oil helps keep my skin balanced which in effect helps keep hyperpigmentation at bay. However, but I also continue to use a product made especially for that condition. Shea Terra Argan Oil is the only one other than Josie Maran's which my skin seems to like. I think you will like it. It will feel like what it is an oil, but if your skin absorbs it as mine does you can touch your face minutes later and not feel anything but softness. The kit you describe sounds like a good one.

My recommendation to you if you want another suggestion besides Shea Terra would be Ole Henriksen Truth Serum line. Here's a starter kit from Ole's site

<h2 style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: normal; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"> enlighten me kit</h2>

<h3 style="margin: 0px; padding: 1px 0px 7px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-size: 1.1em; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: #999999; text-transform: lowercase;"> all skin types</h3>

Reveal brighter, more even skin tone as each product in this routine works together to treat the appearance of dark spots and discoloration for a noticeably radiant, more uniform complexion!

0.5 fl oz / 15 mL | enlighten me - Skin tone perfecting serum powered by THC, mulberry and lactic acid to brighten, reduce the appearance of dark spots and even skin tone.

1 fl oz / 30 mL | sheer transformation - Multi-tasking treatment moisturizer with vitamin C, licorice and pea extract to hydrate while visibly improving the appearance of uneven skin tone, texture and wrinkles.

0.10 oz / 3 g | micro mini peel- Powerful 3-step spa grade treatment emulates both a microdermabrasion and peel to reveal healthy, polished, more youthful skin.

[myshell624]

Thanks Trix! I will keep the kit you mentioned in mind. I did just order my starter kit from Shea Terra. I plan on using it exclusively for a while to see if it will work for my skin or not.

[HappyDaze]

suzy has convinced me to try that vanilla bourbon body creme on my next order. I don't like really sweet scents but a sophisticated type vanilla sounds intriguing. Darn you girl!

OP, I second the Nilotica shea butter for things like lips, hands, etc, even my picky DH uses this all the time on his lips. I want to try the Gold one sometime too. And rub a little oil (if you get the argan-rose hip seed one) into your nails and cuticles with the remainder after you apply it to your face and you will be amazed at how nice your nails and cuticles will be after awhile.

[suzyQ3]

On 1/14/2014 HappyDaze said:

suzy has convinced me to try that vanilla bourbon body creme on my next order. I don't like really sweet scents but a sophisticated type vanilla sounds intriguing. Darn you girl!

OP, I second the Nilotica shea butter for things like lips, hands, etc, even my picky DH uses this all the time on his lips. I want to try the Gold one sometime too. And rub a little oil (if you get the argan-rose hip seed one) into your nails and cuticles with the remainder after you apply it to your face and you will be amazed at how nice your nails and cuticles will be after awhile.

HappyDaze, the only slight con to the body creme is that it's quite dense. If you find that it doesn't spread as well as you'd like, you can mix it with a little bit of body lotion or apply it while your skin is still a bit damp. It's not a big deal, but I thought I'd mention it.

I think I told you a while back that I was leaning more toward the Organik shea rather than the Gold, but fickle person that I am, I'm now preferring the Gold.

I do like the Nilotica for around my eyes and a tiny bit patted on my face, but I have to say that I prefer the Gold for areas like feet, elbows, hands, etc. (per the site's recommendation). I find that it's so moisturizing and creates a barrier that lasts for many hours.

Funny goof -- I have put a couple drops of oil or a dab of Gold shea in my bath and liked it. Yesterday I tried a it with the Nilotica. Oops. The bathtub became very slippery. But my skin felt great.

[FinnyMinny]

This thread is destroying me! I'm obsessed with every thing on the STO website, and I keep going there and filling the shopping cart and then running away at the last moment -- thankfully! Save me from myself!

[myshell624]

On 1/14/2014 HappyDaze said:

suzy has convinced me to try that vanilla bourbon body creme on my next order. I don't like really sweet scents but a sophisticated type vanilla sounds intriguing. Darn you girl!

OP, I second the Nilotica shea butter for things like lips, hands, etc, even my picky DH uses this all the time on his lips. I want to try the Gold one sometime too. And rub a little oil (if you get the argan-rose hip seed one) into your nails and cuticles with the remainder after you apply it to your face and you will be amazed at how nice your nails and cuticles will be after awhile.

Thanks for the tip on using Argan rose hip serum on my cuticles. My nails are so dry I can't grow them out because they keep peeling and breaking. I am trying vitamins to help but so far they have not.

[myshell624]

Just thought of a question. If I have a vitamin c serum that I want to use would that go on before the oils or after they have absorbed?

[suzyQ3]

On 1/14/2014 myshell624 said:

Just thought of a question. If I have a vitamin c serum that I want to use would that go on before the oils or after they have absorbed?

myshell624, your Vit C serum would go after cleansing, toning (if you use toner), and exfoliation (if you use a chemical exfoliant). I use BHA lotion as my exfoliant and let it absorb. Then I use my NCN serum. It's very light and watery and absorbs quite quickly if you don't use too much.

I usually wait a bit, though, before adding any moisturizer or oil because I want to make absolutely sure that the C is absorbed thoroughly.

[suzyQ3]

I should have added that I use my Vit C serum only in the morning. At night I use my retinol serum.