Makeup By Kim Porter

Review: Sephora’s Top-Seller – AHA Brazilian Peel Giving You Skin That Glows

 

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Lately, I’ve been helping out Kim do reviews on a few products that she can’t use due to the chemicals in them since she nurses my niece.  So, expect to see a lot of reviews from me in the next couple of months.

I was pretty excited when Kim asked me try out Advanced Home Actives’ Brazilian Peel.  The product is not only one of Sephora’s top-selling items, as well as one their April ‘Hot NOW‘ product, but it’s also been awarded the 2010 Allure Best of Beauty Award, “Best Beauty Breakthrough. Here is the description for the product on Sephora.com:

“The first medical-strength peel for at-home use, Advanced Home Actives’ Brazilian Peel innovative formula contains rejuvenating glycolic acid and açai, a natural antioxidant straight from Brazil’s Amazon rainforest. The powerful combination safely provides you with results similar to those from a professional chemical peel—without the painful side effects. The four-week regimen is clinically proven to smooth, firm, and brighten skin, while reducing the appearance of fine lines and restoring the skin’s ability to build collagen. Even more impressive: You’ll pay hundreds of dollars less than what you would at a doctor’s office.”

 

 

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My Thoughts:

After reading the instructions, I thought it would be pretty easy and wouldn’t damage my sensitive skin. I have even toned with a few tiny dark spots from pimples that I have popped (yes I know that this a no-no.) I thought that this would be great to help lighten, and smooth out my skin tone and texture.

I was thrown back by the presentation of the product in the syringe.  I guess it gives you that “medical-strength for at-home use” appeal.  After cleaning my face I popped open the end of the syringe and with even pressure, squeezed out both liquids; one is white and the other is clear. I mixed the two in the palm of my hand and the reaction of both chemicals caused it to heat up, a lot for a few seconds.  I added it to my face and set the timer for 10 minutes.

 

 

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My first round of using the product wasn’t that bad.  My skin felt smoother and firmer but I didn’t see any changes in appearance right away just the texture of my skin.

 

 

By week 3, I noticed that after I used it, I developed these dark dry patches on the sides of my mouth (see photo above). My skin was flaking badly so I had to discontinue using.

 

 

Would I purchase this product again?

I have very sensitive skin, and I was actually surprised I didn’t have a reaction to the product sooner than I did.  I truly wish this product had worked for me, especially since I liked the initial results, and I love the glow it gave me in the first few weeks. Unfortunately, the product was too harsh for my skin.  The price of $78 is a little too expensive for my budget right now, especially when it dried my skin out as much as it did.

Just because it didn’t work for me, does not mean it will not work for you.  There are hundreds, if not thousands of women of all ages out there who have beautiful, glowing skin because of AHA’s Brazilian Peel.  Maybe you can be one of them.

 

‘Like’ Brazilian Peel on Facebook

 

 

Have you tried AHA Brazilian Peel or any other glycolic acid peel?

How did you like the results?

 
Disclaimer: This product was sent to me for review by a PR company.  Other than the free product that was sent to me mentioned in  this review,  I was not compensated for reviewing this product.  This is my honest opinion.

Kim Porter’s Top Beauty Picks for the Summer!

 

 

The above picture shows items that have become a staple for me so far this summer.  Most of them are items I’ve reviewed and raved about.  If you haven’t tried any of them yet, I suggest you do because you will not regret the purchase.  Here are my top beauty picks for the summer!

 

1.  Prevent Makeup Melt Down with Skindinavia’s makeup setting spray ($29).  I use the one for oily skin,which works GREAT  for me.  See my review HERE.

2. Flawless skin + UV Protection from Laura Mercier’s Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer ($42).  I’ve been using this for a while now & I still love it.  It’s super light, has just the right amount of coverage & it’s easily buildable. See my review HERE.

3.  Easily Conceal blemishes/ under eye circles with Make Up For Ever’s HD Invisible Cover Concealer ($28).  I tend to use liquid concealer in the summer months because creams have a tendency to melt & slide-off.  I love MUFE’s HD concealer also because it’s compact, so you can easily carry it with you.

4. Sweat-Proof your Brows with Model In a Bottle’s Eyebrow Sealer ($12). This liquid brow set enables you to have long-wear of your brows whether they’re filled-in with a pencil, powder or worn naturally.  I love it because it doesn’t flake and it really does make your brows “bullet-proof.”

5.  Achieve a Natural Bronze Glow with Inglot’s Liquid Illuminators.  These are perfect to wear alone as well as mix with your moisturizer, use on your lips, and as a highlight!

6. Bronzer without Shimmer is achieved with my MAC Cosmetics MSF from the Wonder Woman Collection.  I use  the two dark colors without shimmer with my Sigma Flat Top Kabuki Mini Brush. I love to use this as a bronzer because it looks natural, and it adds definition to my face.  Sometimes I can do without all of the shimmer, and it’s hard to find bronzers without it.

7.  Bullet Proof Eyeliner Make Up For Ever’s Aqua Liner eye liner ($23) is a must-have.  You can go swimming in it!  It’s that great

8.  Give Your Face a Nice Pop of Color with an orange blush like the above Rock n Republic Blush.  Orange Blush is my favorite shade, especially for the summer.  It makes me look like I’m glowing from within.

9. Dare to be Bold by sporting a nicely done bright lip.  I’ve been using OCC Lip Tar ($13) colors in Anime & Safety Orange.  They’re Perfect since they can go on sheer like a stain, or opaque for a bold statement.  I also like to use Lancome’s Juicy Tube Gloss ($18) I have it in Coral Rush.

10.  Mattifying Primer & Blotter all-in-one – CoverFx MatteFX ($24) – Perfect product to have on-hand in your bag to blot the shine, and apply before makeup application as a primer for those with oily skin.

 

WHAT ARE YOUR CURRENT SUMMER MUST-HAVE BEAUTY ITEMS?

 

 

FOTN: Beat Face Before & After

Last night I ended up doing some makeup for a teacher who was an escort at the prom of the high school she teaches at.  She wanted a smoky eye, so I decided to do a nice play on the traditional one and use color.  A nude lip since the eyes were dramatic.

 

 

 

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Pics of the eyes.

 

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What I used:

Eyes

UDPP

NYX E/S Base – White

MAC E/S Cranberry (lid)

MAC E/S Nocturnell (outer v)

Mac E/S Carbon 9circled into outer v with pencil brush)

MAC E/S Embark (crease)

MAC Vanila Pigment (highlight)

Red Cherry #43 Lashes

MAC Blacktrack Liner

 

FACE

MUFE All Mat Primer

Skindinavia Makeup Setting Mist

Face Atelier #11 Ultra Pro Foundation

MAC Concealer NC50

Ben Nye Banana Powder (set)

INGLOT Liquid illuminator #65

 

Brows

MAC Stud E/P

Model In A Bottle Brow Set

 

Cheeks

MAC Sweet as Cocoa

Sleek Sahara

 

Lips

MAC Chestnut L/P

MAC Kumquat L/G

MAC Gold Dust L/G

MAC Call My Bluff L/S

MAC Cremesheen Glass – You’ve Got It

 

Like it?

You can always book me for your special event or even a makeup lesson.