Monday, March 16, 2015

MyChelle Product Reviews

As a regular user of MyChelle Dermaceuticals, I was excited when they announced the release of 2 new products.  A cleanser and eye cream have been added to their fabulous lineup of skincare products and I was given the opportunity to test and review them.

What I love about MyChelle's products are that they're gluten and casein free (important to those of us with food allergies), as well as cruelty free and natural.  Many products are vegan and everything is made with high quality ingredients that work with the skin.  I've never used a MyChelle product I didn't like. 

The new Refining Sugar Cleanser I was a bit apprehensive about because I have dry skin and have been using an oil cleanser over the winter, as well as MyChelle's Honeydew Unscented Cleanser.  After the first use, I was amazed at how creamy the formula is after the sugar dissolves.  It gently exfoliates, hydrates, and softens all in one use, making it the perfect multi-tasking cleanser.  It removes makeup and is excellent for all skin types.  The scent is fantastic, very sweet but not overpowering and makes me feel like I'm being pampered every time I wash my face.  This is an excellent product I will continue to use and I highly recommend it.



















The Remarkable Retinal Eye Cream is the other new product in MyChelle's beauty arsenal and it's a winner.  I'm always a bit hesitant to try products with retinal ingredients because of the potency and increased sensitivity to the sun.  However, this product is very gentle around my eyes and hasn't caused any redness or dryness.  In fact, it's very hydrating and diminishes the little lines beneath my eyes almost immediately.  The scent is a bit weird at first, it's almost minty but not offensive and fades quickly.  This cream is to be used at night because of the retinal.  A fabulous eye cream for the a.m. is MyChelle's Magnolia Fresh Eyes.  I've been using this for quite awhile and am loving the results combined with the Remarkable Retinal.  I'm looking forward to seeing the long term effects of this eye cream.  This is an excellent formulation to use for those who want brighter and more youthful eyes.


Overall, MyChelle's new products have exceeded my expectations.  They never fail to offer quality products that actually do what they claim to on the box.  If you're looking for a new skincare line or just wanting to try a few new products, the Refining Sugar Cleanser and Remarkable Retinal Eye Cream are a great place to start.

Sunday, March 1, 2015

Artist Spotlight: The Black Lillies

I became familiar with The Black Lillies just less than a year ago when I saw they were added to the lineup at the 2014 Braun Brothers Reunion in Challis, Idaho.  Prior to seeing them live, I'd only heard one song "Gold And Roses."  That one song and their amazing performance at BBR made me take notice of this fabulous band from Knoxville, Tennessee.
"Runaway Freeway Blues"

The band formed in 2008 and have released 3 albums, 2009's "Whiskey Angel, 2011's "100 Miles Of Wreckage," and "Runaway Freeway Blues" followed in 2013.  They are currently working on a new album to be released this summer and fans can help out by going to http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/tbl2015.  The Black Lillies have a unique sound, best defined as Americana/Indie Roots Rock/Appalachian music with elements of traditional country and even jazz and blues.
"100 Miles Of Wreckage"

The Black Lillies are comprised of lead singer/multi-instrumentalist Cruz Contreras, harmony/lead vocalist Trisha Gene Brady, drummer Bowman Townsend, bass player Robert Richards, and pedal steel/multi-instrumentalist extraordinaire Tom Pryor.  Earlier this month, it was announced that Robert and Tom are leaving the band for other endeavors.  With that said, it will be a new beginning in a chapter of The Black Lillies' story that really has just begun.
"Whiskey Angel"

The lyrics and instrumentation of the songs are at the heart of what makes The Black Lillies sound so distinct.  There aren't many bands that cover such a wide variety of topics, from gold mining to trucking to murderous love triangles and beyond.  Cruz's brilliant songwriting takes these themes and brings them to life.  The characters leave an impression long after hearing the melodies.  My favorites include the historical story songs "Gold And Roses" and "Shepherd's Song," as well as "The Fall," "Two Hearts Down," "Same Mistakes," "Midnight," and "All This Living."
Braun Brothers Reunion, Challis, Idaho, 8/9/14
The Black Lillies have been crisscrossing the country, bringing their genre-blending sound to old fans and new.  If they visit your town, be sure to attend a show and prepare to be blown away by this refreshing, remarkable band.






http://www.theblacklillies.com/
https://www.facebook.com/theblacklillies
https://twitter.com/TheBlackLillies
http://theblacklillies.portmerch.com/stores/home.php
http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/tbl2015