Skincare Routine

~ Michele Raiyne ~ Leave a comment

It’s been a little over a year since I posted my skincare routine, so it’s time for an update.

morning routine
morning skincare routine
  1. Cleanse with Brad Sea Minerals Purify Healing Detoxifying Gel Cleanser.
  2. Tone with Your Best Face Uplift Toner Mist.
  3. About 4 to 5 drops of Medik8 CE-Tetra, let absorb for 2 minutes.
  4. Your Best Face Balance. This is for oily skin and absorbs oil throughout the day instead of using blotting paper.
  5. Colorscience Sunforgettable Mineral Sunscreen Brush SPF 50 in medium. I like this so much better than a lotion sunscreen.
  6. Michael Todd Knu Anti-aging Facelift Cream. I only use this on my neck.
  7. Your Best Face Quench Lip Treatment.
night routine
nightly skincare routine
  1. Cleanse with Brad Sea Minerals Purify.
  2. With the cleanser still on my face, I use the Foreo Luna 2 for combination skin on the cleansing side.
  3. YBF Uplift Toner Mist.
  4. Brad Sublime Youth Creator Radiance Concentrate followed by the Luna 2 on the anti-aging side.
  5. Micheal Todd Knu on my neck.
  6. YBF Quench.
weekly routine
weekly routine
  1. Two or three times a week I exfoliate with Your Best Face Prep Microdermabrasion.
  2. About twice a week I use a clay mask. I’ve been switching between Your Best Face Clarity Matcha Mask (mixed with Wedderspoon Mauka Honey and Bee Venom), Michael Todd Kaolin Clay Detoxifying Facial Mask and Herbivore Botanicals Pink Clay Exfoliating Mask.
  3. Once or twice a week I exfoliate with Michael Todd Wild Berry Exfoliating Peel.

FHI Elite Professional Series Flat Iron Review

~ Michele Raiyne ~ 1 Comment

I’ve used two other hair straighteners; one from Conair for a long time, and another more expensive one from a local salon (both pale in comparison to the Elite Professional Series iron). I wanted a flat iron that would straighten my hair and also de-frizz and de-poof my hair for longer than a few hours. I bought the FHI Heat Elite Professional Series (EPS) Black Diamond one inch flat iron about 4 years ago. It came in a heat resistant bag with mat attached. It is advertised as a hair straightener for hair salon professionals (which I am not) with a 12 foot long swivel cord, sleep mode, auto shutoff and color coded temperature controls with a wide range from 266 to 450°F (210 to 170°C) and upgraded motor to withstand the heavy use of a salon environment. The iron goes into sleep mode after a few minutes of siting on a counter. Once you pick it back up for use, it heats up quickly. The plates are made from a triple layer process of scratch resistant ceramic and black diamond plates that produce 25% more moisture locking ions. It has floating beveled plates to create waves or curls as well (I’ve not used the iron for this). It has a proprietary Nano-Fuzeion technology, far infrared heat and low electromagnetic field that prevent damage to hair. Nano-Fuzeion technology combines nano silver, nano titanium and nano titanium oxide particles that eliminate bacteria and toxins, chemical buildup and static within the hair cuticle while making hair shiny and soft. Infrared heat has a longer wavelength and heats the hair from the inside out which relaxes and softens the hair. The hair is heated evenly reducing the time the heat needs to be on the hair. I think that heating the hair from the inside out would be less damaging for the hair. With other heat sources the heat would be concentrated on the cuticle, the most fragile and easiest damaged part of the hair.

This flat iron reaches its highest temperature of 450°F in 50 seconds (I timed my iron and this is after 4 years of use; it may have heated up quicker brand new) and has color coded temperature zones for different hair types.

Course and thick hair – red – 410°F to 450°F (210°C  to 232°C)

Wavy, curly and permed hair – blue – 356°F to 392°F (180°C to 200°C)

Fine or normal hair – green – 266°F to 338°F (130°C to 170°C)

I have wavy/curly hair that is frizzy, poofy and dry. I have some greying hair that is dry and coarse. I have colored-treated and highlighted hair (though I don’t get it colored or even cut very often – perhaps once or twice a year), and I am trying to grow the color out to start again.

I straighten my hair about once a week, first using a leave in conditioner from Belegenza and heat protectant spray from Pureology, and wash my hair about every 3 days, using Batiste dry shampoo between washings. When straightening I use a temperature between 200 to 220°C. I section off the hair and usually make one pass (sometimes two on very frizzy sections) on each section with the straightener. With other brands I’ve used, I’d need 3 or 4 passes, which is more damaging to the hair.

The two photos on the left are of the back and side of my hair naturally air dried. It clearly looks frizzy, curly/wavy, dry and the color doesn’t show very well. The only product I used in my hair was a leave-in conditioner and heat protectant spray. The after photos show the hair in a couple different sections. The EPS straightener works very well in taking out the frizz and straightening, and my hair feels much softer. Even the grey strands are straightened. I feel like the hair could be a bit shinier than the end result in the larger photor, but in looking at the sectioned hair underneath, it is shinier than the outer layer, probably indicating some damage to the top layer of hair. In looking at the ends of the hair, I am clearly in need of a cut.

My hair will stay straight until the next wash unless there is rain. It does, however, get get a bit more poof after day 36 hours.


My husband borrows my straightener to straighten his wavy beard, and it works well. My sister has borrowed my straightener as well. She has straight hair, but not a sleek straight – it’s a bit poofy. She colors her hair using boxed dyes every couple months as she gets bored with her hair – she’s gone from brown to bleached blond to black to purple and everything in between, and has very dry and damaged hair. She has a straightener from Sally Beauty (she couldn’t remember the brand) and I had texted and asked her how she liked the EPS compared to her straightener.

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 The EPS definitely made her hair sleek straight, shiny and soft.

My daughter’s before and after

I’ll be using this flat iron for a long time and my next flat iron purchase would definitely be one from FHI Brands.

Thank you for reading.

Your Best Face Skincare Hydrate B Concentrate Review

~ Michele Raiyne ~ Leave a comment

YBF Hydrate B Concentrate

I received a sample of Hydrate B Concentrate with an order of other YBF Skincare products I purchased. This was a good size for a sample and I got a couple weeks’ use. This product only has a few ingredients. It can be used morning or night and helps other products work better. You can blend it or layer it with other products.

Ingredients: reverse osmosis water, vitamin B5 (dl-Panthenol), Syn®-Hycan (tetradecyl aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric urea trifluoroacetate, magnesium chloride, glycerin), sodium hyaluronate, vitamin B3 (niacinamide), vitamin B8 (inositol), sodium PCA, Leucidal® (leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate) 

 This contains vitamin B5, B3 and B8. Vitamin B5 is used to moisturize, soothe, regenerate and heal the skin. Vitamin B5 is known as a humectant, a water-binding substance that can attract and bind water.  Vitamin B3 supports the skin’s barrier from pollutants and irritants and can help keep the skin hydrated. Vitamin B8 (inositol) is a humectant and can help skin and hair feel healthier and better moisturized. Syn-Hycan is a tetrapeptide aimed at lifting sagging skin and stimulates hyaluronan synthesis. Hydrate B contains sodium hyaluronate that can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water and when put on the skin can maintain and attract water. This results in smoother and softer skin that can temporarily reduce the appearance of wrinkles by providing a fuller appearance. The intense moisturizing helps the skin be able to provide a better defense against environmental factors and aging. Sodium PCA is a humectant with the ability to absorb moisture from the air. The preservative here is leucidal.

This a clear gel, not too runny, that absorbs fast with no stickiness after a couple seconds. This has no smell. It seems like it would be very moisturizing considering the moisturizing and humectant ingredients, but according to the YBF Skincare website, it works best with other moisturizers and products; however, if the climate is humid, this may be sufficient as a moisturizer. I was a little hesitant to use this on my oily skin, but since the weather is colder and my skin isn’t as oily as usual, I thought I’d give it a go. Oily skin needs moisture and nourishment too (especially if you go through cycles of chemical and physical exfoliation) and this was perfect for my skin; not too moisturizing and didn’t feel like it sat on my skin making it feel heavy like I’ve experienced with other moisturizers. During the time I used Hydrate B my skin didn’t break out, which is pretty unusual when I use a moisturizer. I also tried blending this with Retin-A to make the Retin-A more easily spreadable which worked quite nicely, and didn’t seem to negate the effects of the Retin-A. I used this on my neck layered with a skin cream and think this would really benefit the thinner more sensitive skin on the neck as it ages. I bet this would also provide a healing effect after a skincare treatment like a chemical peel, microdermabrasion or IPL (photofacial), and could be used on the hands as well.

I can’t comment on long term effects as I only had a sample, but my skin started to feel softer and look better overall. This seems like a promising moisturizer for oily skin. When I make my next purchase at YBF Skincare, Hydrate B Concentrate will be on my list.

Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel Extra Strength Review

~ Michele Raiyne ~ 1 Comment

Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel extra strength formula is a two-step daily face peel. It blends alpha and beta hydroxy acids and claims to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, uneven skin texture and enlarged pores while helping skin look more radiant. Thirty step one and two pads are wrapped in individual packets. This is for normal, breakout prone, combination, oily and less sensitive skin types.

Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel Extra Strength Formula

Step One packets:

Ingredients: Water, Alcohol Denat., Glycolic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Extract, Salicylic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Lactic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Malic Acid, Citric Acid, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, Methyl Lactate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Soy Isoflavones, Copper PCA, Zinc PCA, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance (Parfum), Sodium Benzoate.

The second ingredient is denatured alcohol. There is conflict in the literature, but this type of alcohol in skincare can be drying, cytotoxic, cause free radical damage even at low levels and may lead to apoptosis (cell death), though is dose- and time-dependent. This contains glycolic acid, lactic acid, mandelic acid, malic acid and citric acid. These are alpha hydroxy acids (water soluble) that help remove dead skin cells, treat acne and photo damage and smooth and firm skin. AHAs can be irritating to the skin. This peel also has salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid (oil soluble) that penetrates deeper layers of the skin to exfoliate dead skin cells and oil buildup. Salicylic acid is an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory, so is helpful in treating acne, blackheads and blemishes. This contains green tea and chamomile extracts and achillea millefolium extract (yarrow leaf) is used to speed wound healing and calm inflamed skin. Soy isoflavones can boost collagen and elastin. Copper PCA modulates the amount of oil on the skin and is involved in the synthesis of elastin. Zinc PCA reduces sebum on the skin and controls acne and is also considered moisturizing. This contains fragrance.

Step Two packets:

Ingredients: Water (aqua), Sodium Bicarbonate, Resveratrol, Retinol, Ascorbic Acid, Ubiquinone, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Phospholipids, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Soy Isoflavones, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Copper PCA, Sodium PCA, Zinc PCA, Octoxynol-9, Simethicone, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol.

The second ingredient is sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) to neutralize the acids in step one. Baking soda can be irritating to the skin due to the alkalinity. Resveratrol and ubiquinone are antioxidants. Ascorbic acid and ascorbyl palmitate are forms of vitamin C. Retinol and retinyl palmitate are forms of vitamin A. Retinol is vitamin A in its whole form and is broken down into retinoic acid (Retin-A or tretinoin). It is gentler than retinoic acid as it is weaker. Retinoic acid is only available by prescription. Retinol promotes cell turnover in the skin, stimulates collagen and elastin, helping and preventing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and because of the cell turnover, new healthy skin is brought to the surface, healing old acne scars. Retinyl palmitate is the ester of retinol combined with palmitic acid, not considered to be the same as retinol, but is converted to retinol. Retinyl palmitate is considered to be more gentle than retinol. I will also mention that there is a concern that Retin-A can actually speed up the signs of aging because cells will reach the Hayflick limit faster. The Hayflick limit is the number of times a cell can divide before it dies (52 times). As in step one, step two contains soy isoflavones, green tea extract, yarrow leaf, zinc and copper. Sodium PCA can absorb moisture from the air. The preservative is phenoxyethanol. According to the Skin Deep Cosmetics Database, in high concentrations it can be everything from an allergen, skin irritant, damaging to the brain and nervous system and a carcinogen. The CIR Expert Review Panel confirmed that phenoxyethanol is “safe as a cosmetic ingredient in the present practices of use and concentration.” In skincare this is generally used at 0.5-1% concentration.

I have oily skin. My skin has been somewhat less oily than usual as the weather has been colder. My skin is pretty resilient and isn’t easily irritated. I would most like to get rid of the blackheads on my nose and diminish the pores on my nose and cheeks. I used this product for 30 days in a row. After cleansing and drying the skin, I used the step one pad in small circular motions for about 2 minutes (until the pad was relatively dry), waited a couple minutes, then applied step two the same way. Instructions say not to apply anything else with alcohol after using this. The fragrance is okay, maybe somewhat citrusy, though not in a natural way. I found the pads, both step one and step two, to sting and my skin became a bit rosy. The stinging lasted about a week as my skin got used to the product. After four or five days my skin got quite oily. About an hour after washing my face in the morning my skin got shiny and oily which usually happens in the summer. Sometimes if oily skin gets dry, it can produce more oil to compensate. I think this is what was happening to my skin. It was also around the 5-day mark that my skin started breaking out in places it doesn’t usually break out; my forehead, between and in my eyebrows, my chin. I thought my skin could be reacting to the new product, or maybe the breakouts could be due to a purging effect of the BHA. I can’t be certain. My skin isn’t new to AHAs, BHAs or retinol. The breakouts improved somewhat over time, but still occurred. Despite the extra oil on my skin in the beginning, my skin became quite dry. There was a bit of peeling on my nose, but overall my skin just felt dry and unbalanced. Once the product was gone, I used the Pink Clay Mega Moisture Mask from Herbivore Botanicals to moisturize and rebalance my skin.

dr. dennis gross alpha beta peel

After 30 days of use, I actually wasn’t impressed by the results. My skin was smoother and brighter and some fine lines were reduced on my forehead. Perhaps pore size seemed a bit reduced on my cheeks beside my nose (hard to tell as the lighting is different) I think becuase my skin seemed really clean, but I didn’t see a difference in breakouts, scarring, blackheads or hyperpigmentation. I was quite surprised by the lack of results in the blackheads, especially after reading many positive reviews myself before purchasing the product.

This product is convenient to use and the actives stay fresh in individual packets, but for the results I got, the denatured alcohol as an ingredient and the expense of this product I wouldn’t purchase again. I actually got similar results from the Wild Berry Exfoliating Peel from Michael Todd that costs a lot less.

You can cut the Alpha Beta Peel pads in half and store in an airtight bag or container to prolong use. You may want to start out using this product once every few days and work your way up to every day. Even though the directions say this can be used in the morning or evening, I would recommend using in the evening, as the AHAs, BHAs and retinols make skin more photosensitive. Be sure to use sunscreen when using this product.

Your Best Face Skincare Quench Lip Treatment Review

~ Michele Raiyne ~ 7 Comments

Quench Lip Treatment by YBF Skincare is an antioxidant lip balm that claims to soothe dry chapped lips and provide anti-aging benefits.

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Your Best Face Skincare Quench Lip Treatment

Ingredients for (clementine mint): beeswax, cupuacu butter, ethylhexyl palmitate, meadowfoam seed oil, triglyceride, ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate/tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (vitamin C), vitamin e, blueberry seed oil, spin trap (phenyl butyl nitrone), peppermint oil, clementine oil, Lipochroman-6 (dimethylmethoxy chromanol)

Beeswax seals in moisture. Cupuacu butter is moisturizing and deeply penetrating. Ethylhexyl palmitate is a derivative of palm oil often used as an organic replacement to silicone and provides a slip feel. Meadowfoam seed oil has antioxidant properties and skin softening benefits. This has vitamin C as ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate/tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, derived from vitamin C and isopalmitic acid. This acts as an antioxidant, protecting the skin from cell damage after exposure to the sun. This has vitamin E and blueberry seed oil, which are antioxidants and provide hydration. Blueberry seed oil is high in omega 3 fatty acids. Like most other YBF products, Quench contains spin trap and Lipochroman-6, two potent antioxidants. Peppermint and clementine oils provide a nice fragrance, taste and a slight tingle to the lips.

I’ve been using this lip balm for a couple years now. Previous to this I had been using an oil based lip balm, so when using Quench for the first couple times it seemed rather waxy and heavy. Once I had gotten used to this feeling, I found this lip balm not heavy, but moisturizing. It penetrates the skin but the lips still feel moisturized a few hours after application. It doesn’t feel greasy or like it’s just sitting on top the skin, and provides a nice finish to the lips. Lipstick goes on over this quite nicely. In the cold winter weather it has prevented and healed dry, cracked lips. When my lips get chapped or dry it only takes a couple applications of Quench to heal the lips. Once or twice a week before bed I’ll gently exfoliate my lips with a toothbrush and put this balm on immediately after. This takes off dead skin and the lips feel quite soft in the morning. I haven’t found many “must-have” products, but Quench Lip Treatment is one of them, and I will continue to purchase.

Thank you for reading.