.:: CybeleSays ::.

Think about all the skin care lines out there right now and the new ones rolling out every year. I think it’s harder and harder to get what little attention there is unless you have something really unique about your line. But on the other hand, they do say the cream rises to the top and I think that’s what you get with this FAIZA COSMETIQUES line (pronounced Fiza Cosmayteek). Hailing from Montreal, Canada, the line was created by the daughter of an internationally known scientist, she wanted to create a line using the finest botanicals and other non-toxic ingredients.

I’ve been using the full system of the Gentle Milky Cleanser ($39/6.7oz) - this is my favorite product in the line!, Toning Lotion ($39/6.7oz), Intense Repair Serum ($71/.5oz), Anti-Age Rich Cream ($65/2oz) and Lift Cream with Ceramides ($62/1oz) for about 6 weeks now and I must say, these seem to have rebalanced my skin; like it has rebounded from all that I put on it by trying out different products throughout the year. A skin detox, really! I've heard about "bringing the hair back to its virgin state" lately, so I think of this system like that but for the skin.

The formulas feel super light to the touch and on the skin and each product is made without parabens, synthetic fragrances, petrochemicals and dyes, all which have been proven to irritate the skin. If you’re sensitive to most products, you may want to look into this line. And be sure to check out the great ingredients.

Now, since this is an anti-aging line, did it turn the clock back? It’s super hard to tell something like that to the naked eye but since it seems to have brought it back to its normal state, I will say yes, it has turned the clock back some.

Want to see for yourself? How about trying a Sample Kit of all the necessities for $12.97? Get them and the full sizes @ faiza.ca.

And congrats to the brand for being a finalist in the TASTE AWARDS for the Best Skincare in North America. We’re pulling for you!

Disclosure: Samples of these items were provided for review purposes.

I’m thankfully able to use just about anything on my face without worrying about breaking out or any kind of irritation. We’ve all heard of the crazy circle people with oily skin go through – when skin is not hydrated, it produces oil and then it becomes too oily and shiny, so you wash it again only to go through this crazy cat and mouse game over and over. So you try oil-free products and those just lack lasting moisture so it’s back to the former and on and on. So the KIEHL’S line took it upon themselves to come up with a collection of skin care products that are oil-free but are still able to not only hydrate the skin but also seal it in. It’s their Ultra Facial Oil-Free Collection and is proven to rebalance the skin and prevents the overproduction of oil. And the collection contains all the necessary ones to get it all under control –

Ultra Facial Oil-Free Cleanser ($18/5oz)
Ultra Facial Oil-Free Toner ($16/6oz)
Ultra Facial Oil-Free Lotion ($24.50/4.2oz)
Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream ($24.50/1.7oz)

A great value and way to try out these products is with the Ultra Facial Oil-Free Moisturizer Starter Kit for $29.50. It contains a 1oz Cleanser, 1.4oz Toner, and 4.2oz Lotion. Get this collection @ kiehls.com.

Disclosure: Samples of these items were provided for review purposes.

Need to prove how in-the-know you are about the latest and greatest when it comes to skin care lines? Pick up something from the NUDE SKINCARE line and you’ll illicit a wow from the recipient. The holiday season brings about a lot of holiday sets and the line got on board with putting out a winner.

The Essentials Collection contains three basics – Cleansing Facial Wash (3.4oz), Hydrating Water (3.4oz) and Age Defense Moisturizer (.50oz). So what makes this line stand out? It’s free of a lot of the bad stuff found in a lot of lines like parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, dyes, petrochemicals, and others. $60 @ sephora.com.

Disclosure: A sample of this item was provided to Cybelesays.com for review purposes.

Sea Mineral Healing Tonic ($22.50/5oz) – contains pure plant essences and seas minerals like blue green algae and orange blossom. This one smells like I could wear it as a fragrance! Big recommendation.

Overall, I really liked these two products though I really not really used to using cream cleansers that don’t foam. It just doesn’t feel like I am getting my skin clean if it doesn’t feel tight after cleansing it. But then again, tight doesn’t mean clean. What do you think of non-foaming cleansers? Do tell in the comments!
Both @ gabrielorganicsinc.com.

Disclosure: Samples of these items were provided to Cybelesays.com for review purposes.

I come across a lot of products made for night time but not often one for mornings. EXUVIANCE SunRise Bionic Tonic ($40/36 pads @ neostrata.com) contains a high level of polyhydroxy acids, which is molecularly larger than alpha-hydroxy acids and proven beneficial for those who are sensitive to AHAs. Each single-use pad really perks skin up using the above PHAs and cucumber, eucalyptus, vitamins A, C and E and green tea. So say good morning to your latest cup o’ joe for the face!

Disclosure: The following item was provided to Cybelesays.com for review purposes.

I don’t know the last time the buzz over one ingredient has been so deafening as it is over Açaí (uh-sah-hee – now you know). It’s the antioxidant for protection from environmental factors, and I have read a few times that it works wonders at controlling rosacea. Just out last fall from our friends at KIEHL’S is their Açaí Skincare Collection of face products. What’s great about this collection is that each product is 100% all-natural and certified organic – both Ecocert and Cradle to Cradle certified. That’s pretty major. These two orgs don’t mess around.

The collection is comprised of the following products:

• Açaí Damage-Minimizing Cleanser ($24.50/5oz)
• Açaí Damage-Protecting Toning Mist ($26/6oz)
• Açaí Damage-Repairing Serum ($48/1.7oz)
• Açaí Damage-Correcting Moisturizer ($44/2.5oz)

All @ kiehls.com.

Disclosure: The following items were provided to Cybelesays.com for review purposes.

INTELLIGENT AESTHETiCS’ TruthBased-SkinCare is a new line just coming out so we were quite excited to try some of the products out. They are made to your "skin’s profile" depending on where your face is at in life – Quench for dry, Enlighten for damaged, Nourish for combination, Balance for oily, Clear for blemish and Soothe for sensitive. Every great line of skin care usually has a key ingredient and this one is no exception. The signature ingredient to their products is called Synergy iE-6, which is a potent combination of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredients like vitamins A, C and E in addition to pomegranate extract, Canadian Willowherb.

Well the proof is in the pudding so we tried a few of them out and are happy to report back that they were pretty good. I tried the Nourish collection, which is for those with normal to dry skin and improves the overall texture. And the prices are not too bad, with these ranging from $18 for the Revitalizing Skin Primer to $28 for the Exfoliating Oatmeal Cleanser and each will last you 90 days. Or you can save a little green and buy the kit with all the products in that collection for a little over $100. If you are in the market for some updated products, this is a line to check out. And I'd be super curious about the Balance and Clear lines made for those with oily and acne. I have three friends alone that are on Proactiv and swear by it. All @ intelligentaesthetics.com

I’m off to the LA County Fair today and I’m sure it’s going to be hot, hot, hot. So packed in my backpack is this INANNA HERBS Rosewater Toner ($12.95/4oz @ inannaherbs.com). It contains organic rose hydrosol and rose essential oil. That’s it! With a spritz here and a spritz there, I’ll stay cool as I eat all that fried and on-a-stick food.

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The temps will be changing soon and you need to make sure your skin is getting its full dose of moisture. A new serum from LA MER launches this month and helps get the skin ready for a moisturizer. Think of this as a toner on steroids - a serum that preps the skin and the skin’s pH like a toner would. The Hydrating Infusion ($95/4.2oz @ lamer.com) is comprised of a myriad of skin benefiting ingredients like tourmaline, vitamins, minerals and super hydrating enzymes, they call “Deconstructed Waters." These really help boost the skin’s hydration to a level ready to receive their legendary moisturizing crème. Yes, this one is made to complement the crème or it can be used by itself. If you are going to invest in one product this season, this is one you should consider.

Alas, we come to the end of our four-part feature on great products that contain HONEY as an ingredient. Did you know that dark-colored honey, like buckwheat honey (didn’t even know there were different varieties), has higher levels of antioxidants than the lighter-colored varieties? Think of it as white bread vs. wheat bread. Check out some of these other posts from this on-going feature to see even more benefits of honey. Amazing!

1. JUARA Tamarind Tea Hydrating Toner ($27/4.75oz @ dermstore.com)
2. INANNA Foaming Oat & Honey Facial Cleanser ($14.50/1.2oz @ inannaherbs.com)
3. BEAUTIFUL KIDS NATURAL PRODUCTS Sassy Gentle Shower Gel ($8.70/8oz @ sassysfantasyworld.com)
4. KATHLEEN LEWIS Organic Lip Balm ($11/.5oz @ beautyexclusive.com)
5. BOOTS 'Mediterranean' Orange Chamomile & Honey Body Wash ($6.99/6.6oz @ target.com)

In closing, here’s an interesting fact about honey: One common misconception about honey is that when it gets cloudy and crystallizes, it has gone bad. This is not true--in fact, all honey will crystallize over time. The rate of crystallization is determined by the makeup of the nectar. Some honeys will crystallize in just a few days, while others will remain liquid for years. If honey begins to crystallize, it can be liquefied by placing the container in hot water for about 15 minutes.