This post is sponsored by Pinnacle and the BlogPaws Professional Pet Blogger Network. I am being compensated for helping create awareness about Pinnacle's Newly Formulated Grain Free Dog Food, but Baby and the Chi's only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Pinnacle is not responsible for the content of this article.
Our chihuahua-mix, Venus, was just a few months old when we discovered she had a food allergy, and for the past seven years that made pet nutrition especially important to our family. Her allergy is from common grains found in a majority of pet foods on the market today, so I spent the first year of her life researching and testing out new foods often to find something perfect for her. I didn't feel like my standards were too high; I wanted something grain free, made safely with quality ingredients - but it wasn't that easy. We often dealt with recalls, buy-outs and other issues that caused us to question the reliability of the companies who manufactured the food we chose to feed Venus. Even now, seven years later, we still have to change her food occasionally. That's why decided to try Pinnacle®.
What is Pinnacle? Pinnacle was started by it's parent company, Breeders Choice, which has been in business since 1947. Breeders Choice started production of Pinnacle to offer a more holistic option to consumers from a known and trusted brand. Pinnacle uses limited, high quality ingredients and carefully prepares them to preserve their nutritional value and fine flavors. Pinnacle strives to offer natural and wholesome foods that are rich in everything your pet needs to thrive, and to be free of anything that may cause harm. Pinnacle is also manufactured in the United States.
Pinnacle recently launched their new grain-free pet food line, and we've decided to give it a try with Venus. For the next month we're going to switch Venus off her current food and over to Pinnacle, and see how she enjoys it. We're very excited to enter this new journey with Venus, and hope you'll check back and follow her update!
Pinnacle has a retailer locator on their website to help you find a store near you that carries the new grain free pet food line, but you can also find it at the following online retailers:
You can also connect with Pinnacle on Facebook & Twitter, and find more info on their website. Disclaimer: Baby and the Chi's blog will always provide honest opinions, beliefs or experiences on products reviewed. If you have any questions, please contact me at babyandthechis at gmail dot com. This blog contains affiliate links and I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase using one of those links. Baby and the Chi's is not responsible for prize delivery. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
This week I started Pocketderm, and my skin has been going through a nice transition. I've just been enjoying masks and not worrying too much about what they're supposed to do, just looking for moisture and nourishment for my skin.
VDL: Beauty Trip London (Black Tea) This mask smelled like sweetened black tea, it was so wonderful! This mask felt very tingly on my face, it was an odd feeling, but did not cause any irritation. The black tea in this mask is supposed to purify and sooth irritated and distressed skin. I felt like it probably helped my acne a bit.
Elizavecca: Milky Piggy Water Lock Hydro-Gel Melting Mask This mask was incredible, and did amazing things for my skin. You read my full review [here].
Elizavecca: Milky Piggy 24K Gold Waterdew Snail Mask Pack This mask was ok, it brightened my face but wasn't very hydrating. You can view my full review [here].
Innisfree: Skin Solution Mask - Trouble Care This mask was made of a soft cotton and smelled sweet like honey. I felt like it calmed my skin initially, but I broke out really bad the following day. I don't know if it's because of this mask or not, but I'm not sure I'd try this again.
Ettang: Paper Mulberry Modeling Pack My skin was breaking out very badly at this point, so I mixed this modeling mask with aloe instead of water, and let it set. It didn't set as well as it would have with water, but it did soothe my cystic acne quite a bit!
Mediheal: Dress Code Black This is a brightening mask with ingredients like propolis that make me hope that it would also heal my face a bit while brightening my scarring and hyperpigmentation. This mask was very comfortable to wear and looked really pretty! I'm glad I stocked up on these - they did brighten and soothe my face.
Farmacy: Hydrating Coconut Gel Mask - Firming This mask was a very thin coconut gel mask. It fit my face well and was very comfortable to wear. I left it on for a full hour and my face was bright and luminous. It was hydrating but did not leave my face sticky or tacky at all. There is a full review on my "mommy" blog [here].
My next mask stash post will feature the September Mask Maven bag from Beauteque, so check back soon!
What masks did you use this week?
Disclaimer: The Glitter Chic blog purchased/received the product(s) mentioned in this post for the purpose of review and evaluation. No monetary compensation was received for this post. The Glitter Chic blog will always provide honest opinions, beliefs or experiences on products reviewed. If you have any questions, please contact me at gothickornchic at gmail dot com. This blog contains affiliate links and I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase using one of those links. The Glitter Chic is not responsible for prize delivery. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Sheet masks are a regular past of my daily evening skincare routine, and when I had the chance to try new masks from Farmacy, I was thrilled to be presented with such an opportunity!
Who/What is Farmacy? Farm-grown, hand-picked botanicals define Farmacy beauty, which fuses age-old wisdom with cutting-edge technologies to create irritant-free bioactive formulations that support the skin’s own renewal and defense cycles. Powered By Echinacea GreenEnvy™. A unique patent-protected variant of Echinacea Purpurea, GreenEnvy™ contains the highest known concentration of the phytochemical Cichoric Acid, a potent natural antioxidant which helps protect and firm the skin by inhibiting the enzymes that break down collagen. Mark Veeder is the pioneer plantsman behind the discovery and patenting of Echinacea GreenEnvy™, a unique variant of Echinacea Purpurea. He has partnered with farming expert Robert Beyfuss to cultivate the plant in upstate New York. Together, they are creating jobs and changing lives in their local community. The scientists and lab behind Farmacy are innovative experts in cosmetic formulation and research, and seek out nature’s most novel yet effective ingredients. Echinacea GreenEnvy™ is transported only two hours to the lab, where it undergoes a cold pressing process, similar to cold pressed juices.
Farmacy is releasing six coconut gel masks; coconut gel bio-cellulose masks provide intensive hydration, restore the skin’s balance, and provide the skin’s surface layers with a penetrating surge of active ingredients. -Brightening (Activated by Antizyme-rich Purple Broccoli Extract) -Deep Moisture (Activated by Vitamin C-rich Cucumber Extract) -Soothing (Activated by Mineral-rich Kale Extract) -Firming (Activated by Flavonoid-rich Celery Extract) -Oil Control (Activated by Lycopene-rich Carrot Extract) -Anti-Wrinkle (Activated by Vitamin A-rich Rhubarb Extract)
Farmacy sent me the Firming hydrating coconut gel mask to try.
To use, I followed these fun directions:
Clean: Cleanse and tone the skin.
Prep: Remove the mask from the sachet and unfold completely. The mask is placed between two sheets of protective mesh. Remove one side.
Plant: Now place the exposed mask side on your face and smooth over surface, then remove the other protective mesh.
Nurture: Leave the mask on for 20รข€“25 minutes for the best results.
Harvest: Remove the mask and gently massage excess formula into the skin.
I love the idea of "planting" this natural skincare treat on your face!
The mask is much thinner than most sheet masks I've tried. It was easy to unfold, but I did find it's thinness made it a bit difficult to remove the second layer of paper once I situated the mask on my face.
This mask had an excellent fit: it hugged my undereye area nicely which smoothed out any lines and brightened dark circles, it clung to my skin very well allowing me to be able to go about my regular evening activies (i.e. washing dishes) while wearing this mask without worrying about it falling or sliding off my face, and the extra essence in the packet let me layer a little extra on top of the mask but also to moisturize my neck as well. There was no scent to the mask, and it felt very soothing on my skin.
Overall this was a really great mask for hydration and soothing the skin. The directions indicate to leave this mask on for 20-25 minutes, but I was able to comfortably leave it on for a full hour before it dried out. Check out my before and after below!
Farmacy coconut gel masks retail $24 for a 3-pack, and can be found at Sephora, QVC, and at FarmacyBeauty.com.
Disclaimer: Baby and the Chi's blog purchased/received the product(s) mentioned in this post for the purpose of review and evaluation. No monetary compensation was received for this post. Baby and the Chi's blog will always provide honest opinions, beliefs or experiences on products reviewed. If you have any questions, please contact me at babyandthechis at gmail dot com. This blog contains affiliate links and I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase using one of those links. Baby and the Chi's is not responsible for prize delivery. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
I last updated you all with photos of my skin's progress on August 27th, and since then my face has really been on a rollercoaster. My skin started to improve, then got worse, and finally got bad enough where I started to look at other options. I've seen a lot of mention of Pocketderm over the past year, but only recently thought that it would be worthwhile for me. So I buckled down and ordered as my face progressively got worse.
Before I go further with this update, here are some photos I took of my face on September 15th. This is difficult for me, because even after not caring for my face for over a month straight, it never looked this bad. This is the day my first Pocketderm prescription arrived, I started applying it this very night after I took these photos.
In all my years of adolecense I never remembered my face being so ugly, so blemished, or so painful. So why would I share this with you? Because you would never believe how quickly my skin has turned around after starting Pocketderm. I'm skeptical at quick recoveries and magic claims, espcially when a company warns that it may take up to 8 weeks to see results, but this is something you guys need to see to believe. The next set of photos is from this morning, just 3 DAYS after starting Pocketderm.
My skin is already healing, my cystic acne is nearly gone, my skin is no longer painful, and my blackheads are continuing to disappear again. My skin has completely turned around in a matter of days!
My skin and I still have a lot of work to get through, but this was such a massive improvement in such a short amount of time that I had to share this with you right away!
What is Pocketderm Curology? UPDATE: Curology is now Pocketderm! Due to it's succress and growth, Pocketderm has renamed itself as of 9/30/2015 to Curology to represent it's caring, curing, and healing it provides for its' patients. Curology is a tele-dermatology site that allows you to receive a prescription topical cream with three active ingredients to help you with your skin. You simply submit photos of your skin when you sign up, along with any additional information you think your dermatologist should know (and yes, the people helping you really are doctors!) and they review your photos and info to diagnosis your skin issues. Curology will curate a personalized cream for you with three out of the six active ingredients they have to offer for just $19.95 per month. You will automatically receive a new shipment of your prescription every 3 months, but if you need one sooner, you can request one from your provider. Your monthly fee for Curology not only covers your prescription, but also unlimited consultations with your provider. Check out the bottom of this post to learn how to get one month free! If you're interested in trying Pocketderm too, you can get your first month free by signing up through my link: https://curology.com/invite/IWRCKQA I'll be updating again in a few weeks, so be sure to check back for more comparison photos!
Disclaimer: The Glitter Chic blog purchasedthe product(s) mentioned in this post for the purpose of review and evaluation. No monetary compensation was received for this post. The Glitter Chic blog will always provide honest opinions, beliefs or experiences on products reviewed. If you have any questions, please contact me at gothickornchic at gmail dot com. This blog contains affiliate links and I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase using one of those links. The Glitter Chic is not responsible for prize delivery. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
I've tried anything Asian beauty related to skincare I can get my hands on, but believe it or not, I've never tried much for haircare. I've heard a lot of buzz about Skylake's shampoo on Instagram, and had to try it for myself. I suffer from psoriasis on my scalp, and have only found one shampoo that has actually eased my symptoms before. The herbs that Skylake uses in their products sounded so promising, so they sent me some samples to try out.
Who/What is Skylake? We believe in the power of nature and the various herbs it offers in bringing out the healthiest version of our skin. That is why we pay special attention to selecting our natural ingredients and incorporating them to serve our customers’ specific needs. Skylake’s patented production method includes 72 hours of boiling 18 main ingredients, and allowing another 90 days of maturation and fermentation period of the extracted distillate. Our products are especially loved by those who have sensitive skin or try to steer away from chemicals that most skincare brands use. We carry a wide range of products that people love regardless of age and gender. Skylake has a brick-and-mortar store in New York City where they carry several brands besides their own, but they also have an online site to order their products from.
Skylake Herbal Cool Shampoo Along with Skylake patented herbal extracts, Skylake Herbal Cool Shampoo contains “WILFORDI ROOT,” which helps to protect your hair color and prevent hair loss. It also contains “SCUTELLARIA BAICALENSIS ROOT POWDER,” which promotes antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Give your scalp freshness and cooling sensation with menthol and peppermint. Using Skylake Herbal Cool Shampoo, you can clean your hair effectively while staying away from itchiness and dandruff. It is especially recommended for people with sensitive scalp and/or damaged hair. One thing I immediately loved about this shampoo was the piece of wilfordi root in it. It really gives the whole product a much more natural feel, and really makes it clear that you're using something good on your scalp and hair. The shampoo itself it thick but runny, reminiscent of warm honey, but has a soothing minty scent to it. It lathers nicely in my hair, and gives a cooling tingly sensation. I feel like it cleans very well, but does leave my hair a little dry if I don't follow with a conditioner. (I received a sample size without ingredients, but I found them on cosdna)
Skylake Silk Cocoon Hair Conditioner Skylake Silk Cocoon Hair Conditioner is a premium way to maintain your hair healthy, soft and energized. Composited with real silk cocoon extract and hydrolyzed silk cocoon extract that contain natural protein and other natural nutrients, it is recommend for people with weak, damaged and dry hair. This conditioner has a more medicinal smell than herbal in my opinion. It's hard for me to place the smell, but it's not minty like the shampoo. It has a typical gooey thick-but-workable conditioner feel to it, and it absorbs into my hair well and instantly detangles it while I'm working it in. I feel like the conditioner rinses away easily for the most part, but I have to scrub my scalp a bit or my roots hold onto too much product and leave my hair greasy. I also noticed that the smell of the conditioner really lasts, like - usually at least 24 hours. So I personally suggest starting with a smaller size until you know you like the smell and how long it lingers. I will say that it leaves my hair feeling very soft and bouncy, I really like how much body it gives my hair. (I received a sample size without ingredients, but I found them on cosdna)
So how did my psoriasis fare with these new haircare products? The shampoo was very soothing to my scalp, and I felt like it loosened up my flakes and buildup very well. While I did find the shampoo dried out my hair a bit, the conditioner complimented it perfectly by adding in the perfect amount of moisture back - leaving my scalp refreshed and my hair full of body. The shampoo did prevent itching, but I did still find some flakes in my hair throughout the day (not sure if they were loosened up by the shampoo but not rinsed away, or new flakes). I did also find that it did not prevent my psoriasis from building back up on my scalp unless I washed my hair daily. I think this is an excellent shampoo, and the conditioner is nice too - but perhaps my psoriasis is too severe to take full advantage of all the benefits this combo has to offer. It's definitely something I'll continue to use off and on though!
Disclaimer: The Glitter Chic blog received the product(s) mentioned in this post for the purpose of review and evaluation. No monetary compensation was received for this post. The Glitter Chic blog will always provide honest opinions, beliefs or experiences on products reviewed. If you have any questions, please contact me at gothickornchic at gmail dot com. This blog contains affiliate links and I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase using one of those links. The Glitter Chic is not responsible for prize delivery. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
