3 Products to Fade Age Spots.

Dark spots be gone. I battle these pesky age spots that are popping up as I am getting older. No matter how much I do to protect my skin from the sun now, my past and age has caught up with me. I do what I can and am always trying new products to fade these spots. Here are three new products I have found that are helping me win this constant battle.

1. Garnier Skin Renew Clinical Dark Spot Overnight Peel

Designed to brighten skin, this exfoliant is a leave on "peel". Glycolic Acid helps exfoliate the spots away, while Glycerin helps to seal in moisture.

I use it as I would a serum, and I leave on my skin every night.

After just a few weeks of use, overall my skin looks brighter.

Garner Skin Renew Clinical Dark Spot Overnight Peel retails for $16.99.

2. Bremenn Dark Spot Eraser

A powerful combination of super-effective skin lighteners and pigmentation compounds not only helps reduce the appearance of existing dark spots, it helps in keeping future dark spots away.

I use this every night before a regular moisturizer, on my face, chest and hands.

After about a month of use, the age spots I am working on now are noticeably fading.

Bremenn Dark Spot Eraser retails for $59.00.

3. Palmer's Eventone Age Spot Hand Cream

This hand cream helps transform dry and cracked hands with Palmer's very own Tone Enhancing Complex. This complex helps fade discolorations on hands, while keeping them super soft.

I use this every night, as I normally would a hand cream, right at bed time.

After about a month of using it on just my left hand, the difference in the age spots are noticeably lighter.

Palmer's Eventone Age Hand Spot Hand Cream retails for $6.00.

A Q&A with Josie Maran and My Chicological Feature!

Josie Maran - yes, the Josie Maran, asked me to share some beauty tips over on the Josie Maran Cosmetics Chicological blog. I shared my favorite DIY Simple & Sweet Sugar Scrub Recipes.

I also got to ask Josie a few questions myself.

How does your skin care routine change from summer to fall and winter?
"Surprisingly it doesn't really change that much! I use my 100% Pure Argan Oil year round to moisturize my face, body, and hair. In the winter, I do like to exfoliate a little more often because my skin is drier and sometimes a little flaky during cold weather months."

Do you have any DIY body care products that you use?
"I love lavender essential oil so I use that to help me fall asleep. I'll put a few drops in my bath or on my pillow to help me relax."

What is the best product from your line for dry skin?
"For face, my 100% Pure Argan Oil is my number one product. It hydrates and nourishes even the driest skin, without leaving a greasy feel. It's loaded with fatty acids and Vitamin E so it actually improves the health of skin. For body, I like my Argan Balm when things get really dry. It creates a protective barrier that seals in moisture and prevents dehydration.It's my go-to in the winter when my family and I go skiing."

What inspired you to make that product?
"About ten years ago, I was on a modeling trip in the South of France. I met this absolutely beautiful older woman who had amazing skin. I asked her what her secret was and she said "Argan Oil!" I thought she was maybe in her 40s, but she told me she was almost 70! After that, I was obsessed with Argan Oil, and I infuse it into all my products. It has totally changed my skin."

Thank you Josie for the opportunity and for answering a few of my skin care questions. I love learning from the pros!

I have to also add, that when I wrote the Chicological article, I had no idea that Josie Maran had her very own Argan Sugar Balm Body Scrub. Being a new fan of her Argan Oil for skin care, I can't wait to try this.

What is it: A body scrub infused with argan oil, other oils, and butters for hydration, as well as sugar for exfoliation.

Who is it for: Anyone with any skin type who wants smoother, brighter, exfoliated, and hydrated skin.

Why is it different: Because Josie infuses argan oil into all of her formulas. This body scrub balm is a way to get the smooth and hydrated skin you deserve!

How do I use it: Dip the wooden scoop into the glass jar and into your hands. Apply the scrub to arms, legs, stomach--anywhere you want smooth, hydrated skin. Rinse off.

Be sure to check out her sugar scrub, which sells for $28.00 on QVC, and head over to read my post for your very own DIY sugar scrub recipe.

The Beauty Sample Box Low-Down: A Comparison of Birchbox, Glossybox and Yuzen.

Sample boxes of beauty seem to be all the rage. I hear people talking about them everywhere, and I am often asked my opinion. I thought I would share my very honest opinion of three different sample box services that I received over the past few months.

In case you are new to sample boxes, they are basically just that. They are boxes of sample beauty (mostly beauty) products, in which you subscribe to on a monthly basis. Every month, you get a new box for a subscription fee.  The boxes contain a mix of beauty products, mostly sample sized.

Let's take a look at three of the most popular beauty sample boxes.

BIRCHBOX - $10.00/month

The Birchbox I received was the August edition, I believe. It was the smallest box in size, product and value, but also the smallest in price at just $10 a month, which includes the shipping.

It contained:

• Color Club Professional Nail Lacquer in Disco Nap - This seems to be a very small .25 oz. sample size that is very separated in the bottle, no matter how much I shake it.
• Twistband - A pink ribbon, that seems to be made out of a very stretchy satin ribbon. I think it is made for the hair?
• Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash - This is a "not for individual sale" free sample size.
• Lulu Organics Hair Powder - A small free sample size of hair powder.
• Stila Sparkle Waterproof Eyeliner in Curacao - This was the only full size piece in the box. It retails for $22.00, so if it is useful for you, it makes this months Birchbox a great deal.

GLOSSYBOX - $21.00/month

The Glossybox I received was from June or July. It was considered the Summer Nights edition.

It contained:

• Sebastian Color Ignite Shampoo & Conditioner - These are small 1.65 oz. and 1.7 oz. sizes.
• Alessandro Pedix Feet Heel Rescue Balm - This seems to be a free 1.0 fl oz. sample size.
• Blushed Fragrance Pouch - a free throw away fragranced towelette.
• Senna Lip Gloss Duo - A full size lip gloss duo in pretty coral shades.
• Figs & Rouge Balm - A full size balm that I am guessing can be used on dry body parts and maybe lips.

Yuzen - $26.00/month

The Yuzen box is an eco-friendly box that contains all eco-friendly, natural and organic products. This was the heaviest, and fullest box, but it is also the most expensive. This was the August box.

It contained:

• Coola Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 - This was a full size facial sunscreen.
• TilVee Calendula & Comfry Healing Balm - For lips, wounds, and any body part that is dry. This was just a .28 oz. size, but it looks to be a full size product.
• Cowgirl Skincare Desert Recovery Cleanser -This is a 2 fl oz, which seems to be a large sample, or travel sized product.
• Organic India Teas - 4 tea bags in different flavors.
• Olomomo Nut Co. Chai Bliss Almonds - A sample package of nuts.
• Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Soap Bar - A full size bar of soap.

All in all, let's face it. You are paying for samples, many of which are free samples. Many of which are products you are not going to use, let alone be interested in. This was my case anyway. I guess you can tell I am not a huge fan of the subscription sample box services overall. I honestly rather save up a few monthly subscription fees and splurge on one great beauty item that I am lusting after.

What do you think? Are you a fan of the subscription sample boxes?