Sharing my #RapidResults with @neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Night Moisturizer thanks @Allure_magazine! #SPONSORED #BBloggers

I couldn't possibly succeed at being more entertaining on this particular topic than this buzzfeed article called "22 Things That Only Happen To People Who Have Resting Bitchface" by Lara Parker and Candace Lowry, this collection of GIF's are simply hilarious, but something that anyone accussed of this shall we call it 'condition' can relate to. (For those in the know '2's' always follow me, so I find it interesting this particular article on Resting Bitch Face most caught my eye!)

As a freelance writer, blogger, social media consultant and life coach, reading my emails on a daily basis, give me this face:

See those forehead wrinkles? That's exactly what happens every time I open another email asking me to do something for free! It sounds sort of like this "You want me to craft content for you with how many words, and on a deadline and you want me to do it for free because if I won't invariably someone will' - Then I scream profanity at my email and go grab an energy drink because I know it's going to be a long day!

I actually hate being in pictures. I don't do selfies, and I try to avoid being in front of the camera as much as possible. Taking pictures goes something like this for me:

Allure Magazine asked their Beauty Enthusiasts to test out Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Night Moisturizer

ABOUT:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Accelerated Retinol SA

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Fades the look of stubborn wrinkles

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Brightens Skin Tone

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Smooth fine lines and texture

MY TAKE:

While it claims to boast visible results in just one week, I found it took closer to just under 3 weeks to show visible results for me. But then again I do test a lot of products and tend to have to ease my skin into it a bit. The first week I had to start it one day on and one day off which is the norm when I'm testing anything with Retinol. It takes my skin a bit to ease into products with Retinol. so technically the first week may not count since I didn't use it every single night. I found by the beginning of week 3 that I began to notice a fade in the most stubborn wrinkles which for me are forehead and parenthesis (or more like a semi colon than parenthesis because one side is more pronounced than the other!). It did work well on both fine lines and stubborn wrinkles but I didn't notice a marked difference in terms of brightening, I would have liked to see more especially since I am using the Pink Grapefruit Cleanser by Neutrogena during the day as a face wash since my skin is acne and oil prone/combination.

Overall at a price of $20.99 per 1 fl. oz I found it to be effective and budget friendly and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. It did deliver the promised results, just in a bit more time than one week!

What is YOUR favorite Neutrogena Skin Care Product Butterfly?

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FTC Disclosure: Allure and Neutrogena provided product to Ascending Butterfly free of charge for Editorial Consideration. All opinions are 100% my own!  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

@LOrealParisUSA Visible Lift Blur Foundation #VLBlurfection #BBloggers via @SheSpeaksUp

About: 

L'Oréal Paris Visible Lift Blur Foundation contains SPF 18 and is available in 12 shades, the first makeup with exclusive blur technology formulated to instantly blur lines and wrinkles!

Apply:

Apply with a Foundation brush or Fingertips blending in an outward motion. You can go a bit thicker on your problems areas for extra coverage.

Actress Andie MacDowell wears L'Oréal Paris Visible Lift Blur Foundation

Pros:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - As a Latina I tend to have trouble finding a good Foundation Match for my skin. They may look fine under indoor lighting but the moment I step out into the sun they give me a garish Yellow Hue that I usually HATE. When I visit 'pro' counters they tend to just go darker which I also dislike. So when I'm asked to test a foundation I'm usually most nervous about whether or not I'll even find a good color match. Visible Lift Blur comes in 18 shades and I asked for 205 Natural Buff and it's an EXCELLENT color match for my evenly mixed Golden Hued Skin that does have slight touches of pink to it. So for that alone it's Aces in my book!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - This wins as a summer time foundation as it's very lightweight and in the summer who wants pancake makeup?

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Helps to hide dark spots, large pores and smooth uneven texture for a flawless finish

Cons:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - I have acne prone skin and a ton of old Acne Scars and this did not give me much coverage for my old scars. In all fairness when I test a foundation I do NOT use concealer to see how much coverage I am actually getting from the Foundation as a standalone product.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - I do have large pores on my nose and didn't feel this gave me the amount of coverage I thought it would.

My Take:

If this had been marketed as a Tinted Moisturizer I would have said total 'rave', it's a perfect color match that blends in to my skin and doesn't stand out in anyway which is GREAT, but the coverage is minimal to non-existent for me. I am aware that my acne scarring requires good concealer and with concealer this works very well for me, but on it's own it's not a very good coverage for me as a foundation. 

I actually love my L'Oréal Paris tinted Mouisturizer and wish they had marketed this the same way. It's a great bargain price point for a Foundation and is great for summer, not hard to find a color match, and it feels so nice and light weight upon application and it also really let's the skin breath so it's a plus for summer.

If you have a bit less to cover than I do this would be perfect for you and at a $14.99 retail price point for 1.4 fl oz at mass food and drug retailers it's a total steal!

Butterfly what is your favorite Foundation?

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FTC Disclosure: This is a sponsored post by L'Oréal Paris in conjunction with SheSpeaks. As always, all opinions are 100% my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

My summer skin smoother pick for face (and hands!)? @beautisol Ctirus #FaceExfoliant #bbloggers

#ad: While this is NOT a compensated post, Ascending Butterfly was provided with a product sample for editorial consideration via iFabbo Shop. All opinions are my own:

It is no secret by now to long time readers that I am an Exfoliant Junkie and I'm always up to testing a new scrub (both body and face!) and I may have found a summer perfect pick! I'm testing out beautisol's Exscrub Me? Citrus Face Exfoliant which is safe for All Skin Types and Paraben-free.

About Exscrub Me? Citrus Face Exfoliant:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Exfoliates and cleanses the face (the company also makes self-tanners, so this product was intended to be used to prep the skin for the application of self-tanner, but you can of course use this on it's own even if you don't self-tan)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Contains fine Jojoba beads to remove dead skin cells

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Infused with certified organic orange peel, lemon and grapefruit extracts

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Paraben-free, no propylene glycol, sodium laurel sulfate free, and cruelty free (PETA certified)

My Take:

I love this one for summer as that burst of citrus zing is a great scent during summer months. (I would use it in winter also, but it depends on how you feel about Citrus scents I guess.) This one will surprise you, it doesn't actually feel 'gentle', don't get me wrong, it's not super rough and won't irritate sensitive skin, but you do literally feel it working. It's not one of those 'so soft' exfoliants you wonder if it's actually sloughing off the dead skin, you can feel it but it does not strip or over dry your skin, it leaves your skin feeling soft and smooth and a little went a long way, I was actually able to do my face, neck and hands with a very small amount. Oddly enough I was actually immediately impressed more with the noticeable difference on my hands (so I guess I have been neglecting them lately)! As a result, I would just as easily recommend it for your hands as I do for face.

I for one find my face gets oilier in summer and to keep the skin looking renewed and bright I like to exfoliate as often as my skin will allow. I sweat more in summer so I tend to go lighter on foundation (if I wear it at all, usually I will just do a tinted moisturizer or BB/CC Cream instead), and I try to exfoliate to keep my pores happy.

It promises to make your skin feel as soft as a baby's caboose and warns you that it will scrub years off your face so to keep your ID handy! Exscrub Me is a good price point ($17 directly on beautisol's website) and a little goes a long way, if you take a moment to open your pores, either with a warm towel on your face before you apply or a bit of steam from the sink with a towel over your head you will find this even more effective on your skin. I would actually wait a bit after before applying anything over it whether you use it in the morning or at night. With some scrubs I would find my skin feeling too tight afterwards so I would want to apply either serum or moisturizer right away, but with this one, I don't get that tight skin feeling, just smooth and clean!

DISCOUNT ALERT:

Enter the code BOGO2014 to buy one get one free through June 31, 2014

What is your go-to skin Exfoliator Butterflies?

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FTC Disclosure: I am a member of the iFabbo Shop Network. This is NOT a compensated post, I was provided product for editorial consideration. This is NOT a sponsored post and all opinions are 100% my own!  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

Love at first sniff, this is a MUST for dry winter skin! #IColoniali #BBloggers #Beauty

At one of last year's BeautyPress Spotlight Days I got to meet the folks at I Coloniali and I fell head over heels with the brand, particularly with the Myrrh line of products and as promised after thorough testing I am giving I Coloniali their own day in the sun!

This is actually the best time of year to try them out. The cold winter winds are brutal to the skin and I am sure if you are anything like me when you get home with your dry winter skin and feeling cold to the bone, nothing is more soothing to the spirits than a nice warm bath. I have been adding the I Coloniali Softening Bath Oil with Karitè Extract to my bath and it's been a sensory delight in every sense of the word!

I Coloniali Softening Bath Oil with Karitè Extract

About the Softening Bath Oil with Karitè Extract:

It comes in a glass bottle (250 ml - 8.5 fl. oz) and it's cleansing and emollient, you can pour the oil under the hot water of your bath to obtain a rich foam, the foamy rich mousse that develops will envelop your skin and gently cleanse making it velvety smooth to the touch. But I actually double up. I use it in the bath, and then when I finish my bath I put a very small amount on my hands and rub it across my still damp skin and let it air dry and it makes my skin feel SO soft and SMELL so good it is literally a sensory delight overload. If you are going to double up on the oil like I do, you need only a very small of the oil to use on your damp skin, don't overdo it. It will go a long way on your already damp skin. When I don't take a bath but only a shower, I really love using this on my still damp skin, but it's when I get to use it double that I really love it most. I hate when it's time to wash my towels now because they retain the scent of this oil! :)

I Coloniali Deep Massage Body Cream with Myrrh

About the Deep Massage Body Cream with Myrrh:

OK so add to the super indulgent fun, before bed I apply the Deep Massage Body Cream with Myrrh which comes in a large White Glass jar (200 ml - 6.8 fl.oz or the 400 ml - 13.5 fl. oz). You apply directly to the skin and massage until the micro-granules are fully absorbed. It is while you are massaging it into your skin that the micro-granules get the chance to fully develop leaving your skin delicately scented and super soft to the touch.

I Coloniali products are enriched with original ingredients from around the world in order to re-establish harmony within the body and the spirit. It is where the luxury of spa meets the privacy of your own home!

My Take:

I am a huge fan of this line since discovering them at BeautyPress. I have always put some kind of oil on my skin while it's damp, and I am absolutely loving this one! I tend to lean toward 'warmer' and 'heavier' scents I'm just not a floral girl, I can only take very floral scents in super small doses. Myrrh is a longtime favorite of mine and this deep massage body cream leaves my skin delicately scented, well hydrated (never greasy or sticky), and helps me beat the winter dry skin blues! They consider their products to be a 'ritual of well being' and I couldn't agree more. Our bodies are a vessel that house something very precious, our spirit, and to me the body and mind are at one when you are caring for them BOTH equally. Scented products do tend to trigger a reaction. They trigger a memory that leaves you with a feeling, and using aromatic products that also nourish the skin are a great way to bring you to a place of outer and inner harmony.

As a butterfly on a budget I will say these fall under the 'splurge' category, but then again I don't mind doing so if the quality is there. Instead of using cheap lotions that you have to apply often just to keep your skin feeling hydrated, I'd rather purchase something that offers a more 'quality' hydration experience that I don't have to constantly reapply just to keep my skin feeling soft.

Get Social:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - "Like" I Coloniali on Facebook

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Pin with them on Pinterest

And of course, don't forget to let them know you saw them featured on Ascending Butterfly! (You may want to ask them to host a giveaway with Ascending Butterfly too, I can guarantee that if you try this once you'll be a fan for life!)

I can't think of a better way to celebrate YOU in 2014 than by pampering your skin and yourself!

What is your favorite scent? Do you use Massage Oils or Creams?

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a compensated post, however I was provided with the products referenced for editorial consideration free of charge. All opinions are 100% my own!  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

@Sniffapalooza @MoltonBrownUSA in #NewYorkCity! #Sniffapalooza #Skincare #Beauty #bbloggers

Molton Brown London, Midtown East Location in New York City

I got to attend my very first Sniffapalooza event in New York City and I definitely picked a great first one to attend! A special holidays edition of Sniffapalooza was hosted at the New Molton Brown store in New York City, there were tons of gift sets on display that were perfect for holidays and beyond, and it was truly a delight for my senses!

I hadn't had the opportunity to experience Molton Brown Products personally so I greatly enjoyed trying out all the great body washes and lotions and thought I'd share my standouts and Photo Highlights:

Kusmi Tea Station at Molton Brown London Midtown East Location in New York City for holiday Sniffapalooza

The event was held right after the second of two snowstorms that battered New York City, it was in fact snowing when we all arrived, so the Kusmi Tea Station was a very welcome site as most of us were still freezing from our morning commute into the city in the snow! Thanks Kusmi!

The Bath and Body Treasures Collection from Molton Brown

Honestly this collection is fantastic year round, not just for holidays! Valentines Day is coming up, not to mention it's perfect for birthdays too! Thoughtful for Mother's Day or a teacher's gift for June! (As a former Special Ed teacher I can tell you that teacher's do NOT want apples! That's definitely a myth!) This collection features six Body Wash & Nourishing Body Lotions and picking a favorite scent isn't easy, this collection includes: Pink Pepperpod, Gingerlily, Ylang-Ylang, Templetree, Suma Ginseng and Japanese Orange. I think this thoughtful gift would be well-received by any recipient.

Molton Brown London Fine Fragrance Display at the Molton Brown US Midtown East location -New York City December 2013 Sniffapalooza Event

Now don't get me wrong, all the fine fragrance smells wonderful, but I do have an absolute stand out favorite from among the six and that's IUNU. The fine fragrance collection is called 'Navigations Through Scent' and Iunu which is 'Egypt' inspired offers a ginger oil and elemi oil top note, with Egyptian Jasmine Absolute, Ylang Ylang and Black Pepper Middle Notes and a base of Patchouli and Oakmoss. They describe it as 'Warm. Slightly Dark. Sublime' and I describe it as 'Yes, Please!'

Molton Brown Gift Bag Sniffapalooza Event December 2013 New York City Midtown East Retail Store

My Take:

My personal favorites (in no particular order) are:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Coco & Sandalwood (they offer a Body Wash, Nourishing Body Lotion and Replenishing Hand Cream. This scent is also included in The Exclusive Home Gift Collection.)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Patchouli & Saffron (Body Wash, Nourishing Body Lotion and Replenishing Hand Cream or you can purchase it in a trio, they also offer a Single Wick Candle that you can purchase separately.)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Frankincense & Allspice (Available in a Hand Wash, Hand Lotion and Candle)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Navigations Through Scent - Iunu

The team at the Midtown East Location at 515 Madison Avene in New York City are super helpful, and you can give them an idea about your particular favorite scents and they can easily match you up to the right Molton product, so don't hesitate to ask for help if you go in and feel a bit over-whelmed by the selection.

I'm glad Sniffapalooza introduced me to the brand and to the New York store, I will definitely be back and will of course visit them online too!

Get Social:

Why you don't tell Sniffapalooza and Molton Brown you saw them featured on Ascending Butterfly?

I'm sure they'd love to know! Give them some Social Media Love here:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @MoltonBrownUSA on Twitter
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @Sniffapalooza on Twitter
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Like Sniffapalaooza on Facebook
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Like Molton Brown USA on Facebook

Butterfly have you tried Molton Brown? If so, what is your personal fave? If not, which product would you most like to try?

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a compensated post, I was provided press passes to this Sniffapalooza Event for editorial consideration. This is NOT a sponsored post and all opinions are 100% my own!  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.