PMD Review (Initial Thoughts)

I am sure everyone who is into skincare, beauty and YouTube/Blogs would have come across the Personal Microdermabrasion Device (PMD)*. I think I may have come across the PMD a few years ago on a US YouTuber's channel although I can't remember who exactly it was. I really wanted to try it out because I was suffering from some serious hyper pigmentation on my cheeks and forehead. The only snag was it was not readily available in the UK and I didn't want to buy it from the US and end up having to pay customs and other charges. I watched quite a few videos and read blog posts and I was impressed. Of course, I did read and watch some negative reviews that made my quite scared and after a while, I just left it on my wish list. I still wanted to try it because I have learnt how effective microdermabrasion is especially when it comes to getting rid of hyper pigmentation. My main concern was ascertaining how effective it was on darker skin as I know some products/treatment are not optimised for darker skin.



Thankfully, I watched many reviews of chocolate girls and it truly works well for all skin types including darker skin. Anyway, I digress. I was very, very delighted when I got a lovely email asking me if I wanted to try out the PMD. I was like "Of course"!! I thought it would be nice to document my experience while using it starting by post an initial review and a final review. My next review will be on my entire experience and finding out if it matches up to its claims. It is recommended to use it for at least 4 weeks so I will be posting again sometime in December. I do have to mention that I received the PMD back in September but I just kept having an annoying (relentless) breakout on one side of my cheek. I decided to wait till it was completely cleared up before using the PMD so I know nothing is going to interfere with it. Right let me get into it...



Brief overview Microdermabrasion and PMD
Microdermabrasion in itself has been around for a pretty long time as far back as 1500 BC where it has been linked to been used among the Egyptians (they used sand paper instead to exfoliate the skin- pretty fancy!! nah?). Microdermabrasion is a procedure that uses suction and exfoliation to remove the outermost layer of the dead skin. The first ever microdermabrasion tool was actually invented by two doctors in 1985. In 1990, the microdermabrasion machines were introduced in America and in 2003, a group of doctors, engineers and microdermabrasion engineers came together to develop the first hand held microdermabrasion device. By 2004, it was fully launched and as they say, the rest is history.



What is the PMD Personal Microderm?
The PMD is essentially a beauty device/tool that is designed  deliver the same results as microdermabrasion and the best part is it can be used at home to. The PMD achieves microdermabrasion by exfoliation and suction via its patented spinning disc technology (contains aluminium oxide crystals which is the same as used in professional microdermabrasion). In addition to exfoliation, the vacuum suction also stimulates, activates and rejuvenates the skin triggering it to produce collagen which plumps the skin and keeps it youthful. The suction takes away dead skin enabling the skin absorbs more products, promotes even skin tone and texture, clears pores and reduces blemishes.










Contents of the PMD Kit
Inside the PMD kit, you get a complete set of tools and instructions on how to use the device to achieve maximum benefits. In my kit, I got the following: 1 PMD personal microderm device, 1 electrical power cord, 1 body plastic cap, 1 facial plastic cap, 2 grey discs (face and body), 2 blue discs (face and body), 2 green discs (face and body), 1 white training disc, 1 reusable filter and the instructional DVD & manual. I have to say that assembling the device was pretty straightforward and you just have to follow the instructions. I love that the kit comes with various socket heads which is designed to work for different countries. There’s a three pin, 2-pin, charging head, etc  and I think it’s amazing that the developers of the PMD have put that into consideration.


What I want to achieve with the PMD
The PMD has a lot of claims on skin benefits including promoting even skin tone and texture, clearing spores, reducing blemishes, etc. My main skin concern is clearing the post inflammatory (acne) hyper pigmentation on my cheeks. Most of my skincare products are usually targeted to combat this in one way or the other so naturally that's what I am looking to achieve with the PMD. Another skin concern, although not a major one, is reduction of my enlarged pores around my cheeks and near my nose. My skin has made tremendous progress over the past year but I recently had some setback so I am hoping that the PMD will help reset my skin n addition to other skincare products.


What to do before use
I am sure everyone must be tired of hearing bloggers and other reviewers mention how important it is to read the instruction manual and watch the training DVD before use. I am sorry I have to repeat that again but it is just really important.  I watched the DVD and read the instruction manual a few times before I even attempted using it. I also further suggest reading their FAQ page which can be found on the PMD website as this was really helpful to me especially about after care.  I also watched other YouTube reviews just to see how everyone else was using the PMD and I learnt a lot from watching them. Once you are pretty sure you have learned all you need to know, you can assemble or proceed to use the PMD.




When you receive the PMD, it will already come with the white training disc so no need to assemble that section. I just popped on the facial plastic cap and ensured that the disc was sitting slightly below the cap. This is very essential to minimise any irritation that may occur when it is in use. Next, I connected the electrical cord and my chosen charging head. I went ahead to cleanse my face and patted it dry. It is important to use the PMD on completely dry face so I waited until it was completely dry. While it was drying, I did a patch test which basically involves testing out the PMD on either your hand or the back of your neck (I did both because I like to be extra and they already cleansed and dried). I waited for 5-10 minutes to see if there was any reaction and there was none so I proceeded to use it on my face.




How I use (first impressions)
I started off by gently holding the skin on my face taut and moving the PMD across in an upward motion i.e. away from my face. I ensured that I did not hover around any spot and I did not go over any area more than ONCE. (I think the maximum is TWICE but I did not want to risk anything on first attempt). The whole routine took a couple of minutes which I am pleased about because it means it is a routine I can stick to. I went back to cleanse my face to get rid of any dead skin, then I toned with Glycerin and Rose water toner (from Boots) and moisturised with the La Roche Posay Toleriane Soothing Care.

What I noticed (first impressions)
First off, I was delighted that my initial/training experience went well and I feel like I have mastered the technique (*touch wood*). I honestly did not expect much from the training disc (white disc) but I was pleasantly surprised at how soft my skin felt. I did not experience any pain, redness, swelling and I was pleased about this because I did it on a Sunday and didn’t want to look crazy at work on Monday.  The thing with using the PMD is you have to pay attention to the skincare products you use afterwards(especially for a skincare addict like me who uses AHAs and BHAs). One thing to keep in mind is that you should avoid any skincare products containing AHAs, BHAs, Retinol, etc (any chemical exfoliant) 48 hours before and 48 hours after using the PMD. You also should leave a minimum of 6-7 days between use when treating your skin with the PMD. I am considering using the PMD on Sunday, skip AHAs/BHAs on Monday and Tuesday, restart AHAs/BHAs for Wednesday and Thursday and skip them for Friday and Saturday in preparation of treatment for Sunday. Yes, that looks like too much of a hassle and if it is, I will just skip using AHA/BHAs altogether. My plan B is to use the PMD every Sunday evening and use my La Roche Posay 3-Step System* throughout my PMD trial time.


Overall Thoughts //Link //£135
I am quite excited about this skincare journey and I have very high hopes about the PMD. I will stick to my routine as I always do and document my journey as much as I can. Thankfully, the PMD is now available to purchase in the UK  from the UK PMD website (they currently have a 25% code FRENSNFAM).  If you live outside the UK, you can purchase from the regular PMD website.  I do hope you enjoyed this review and apologies for the long length. I just love to write on this little space of mine (which I sadly don't have as much time to tend as I used to in the past). That's it from me today. Have you tried the PMD?
*PR Sample + Affiliate link used, read my full disclaimer here.

Aveda Split End Repair Review

Back in September, I was very kindly invited to an Aveda Haircare event which was very exciting for me. After having my first stint with trying Aveda products (you can read about my Tulasara review here), I was very excited to attend this hair care event. I have always known Aveda more for their hair care products particularly on how they cater to a wide range of hair types including Afro hair types. For that alone, I was very impressed because I know many hair brands struggle to do this. I had the day off which is always good as it means I can attend any blog events during the day and relax for the rest of the evening. The event was the to celebrate the launch of the Aveda Damage Remedy Split End Repair* which I was very curious about.




It is part of the Aveda Damage Remedy range which has been formulated to restore, repair and rescue hair from various effects of damage. The Split End Repair in itself is designed to instantly draw and bind frayed ends back together while also preventing new split ends from forming. I don't think I have ever come across any product that has this claim so I was naturally curious to give it a try. That's why I was so happy to attend the event and learn more about this product. I don't know about you but when I have split ends, I just snip them off (ever so sadly though). I know it is quite healthy to trim off split ends and having just a trim in general but if a product could help prevent this, I am all over it.





The event was held at Carousel in Central London. I have attended a few blogger events at the same venue and I am always amazed at how beautiful they manage to transform it each time. It was a drop-in session so I just popped in for my slot. I love how Aveda use a lot of greenery at their events and I find it really relaxing. The venue looked gorgeous as expected from Aveda.






I had a quick bite and some fresh juice before I settled down for my appointment. The Aveda Professional Hair Stylist (Luke) was so knowledgeable and I learnt a whole lot about taking care of my Afro and how to use the  Aveda products. He applied a small amount to my bun(well, my bun is not actually a sizeable bun so let's leave it at that, shall we?)and I loved it on first impressions. Armed with so many good hair care tips, I was ready to put the Split End Repair to the test.




Packaging
I know it looks like a regular hair care tube packaging but I wanted to draw some attention to the design. First off, I love that it's quite compact and travel friendly. It contains 30ml of product which is quite small for a hair care product but I will get to that later. What I do adore is the lid which twists up and down to dispense the right amount of product through its nozzle tip. I love it a lot although I do wish it came with slightly more product in it (I think 50ml would have been great especially for the price).


Formula/Ingredients
I was very curious to see what ingredients the Split End Repair contained especially with the claims. It is formulated with Nangai Oil which is sourced from Nangai Tree nuts (in South Pacific). This is the star ingredient in this product and it envelops the surface of each split end and  helps draw wayward strands back together. The texture is quite a lovely one and it is really easy to use on my hair. It does not feel greasy or weigh my hair down which is really key for me because I cannot deal with greasy hair at all. I also love the way it smells as it is so fresh just like beautiful greenery and herbs.


How I use
It is recommended to use it on dry hair and that's exactly how I have been using it. The first time I tried it at home, I did use it after I had washed and conditioned my hair and I loved it. It made my hair look so curly and I was like "ooh la la"  however I have stuck to using it as instructed. Aveda recommend using a pea sized amount, emulsify (I just rub between my hands) and apply in downward motions from mid length to hair tip. It is much easier if you split your hair into sections. I don't have a lot of split ends on my natural hair but I've noticed the front section of my hair has some split ends. I think this is mainly due to the fact that I always straighten this section to blend with my hair extensions. Applying heat on many hair types especially natural Afro hair textures is not the best at all and I have got some damage now. I used the Split End Repair mainly on the front section of my hair as this was the only part I noticed some heat damage.


Results
The first thing I did notice was that my hair was not breaking as much as it does especially after continuously straightening the front section. It looks so much healthier as well and I find that it also acts as a heat protectant for my hair. The good thing about it is that it helps whatever style I am wearing my hair  last longer. For example, when I left my front section (leave out) curly, it helped my curls look better defined and when I straightened my hair, it helped preserve this. I have really enjoyed using it and I still use it. It also makes my hair softer and more manageable. However, I have to say that it would not last too long if I were to use it on my entire head because it is only 30 ml. On the other hand, If you are using it on a particular section of your hair (like I was), it will last longer and get maximum benefits. I do think it will be brilliant at preventing split ends but if you already have a lot of split ends, it will help reduce the amount you may need to eventually trim off.


Where to Buy//Link //£25
The Aveda Split End Repair is available in all Aveda stores and online. If you happen to go into an Aveda store, you can ask them to do a damage diagnostic test for you to see if you have any hair damage. They'd also provide advice and recommendations for you which I think is pretty neat. I definitely think I need to pop into an Aveda store for a hair makeover because they are one of the few brands that cater to Afro texture hair. I was also very impressed with the advice and hair tips I received during the event.



Overall Thoughts
I am really pleased I got a chance to attend the Aveda Hair Event and also test out the Split End Repair for myself. I still use it frequently and I have enjoyed how it has helped my hair. I do think I may still need to snip some split ends away but at least now I know that it will prevent other split ends from showing their ugly faces. That's it from me today. Have a lovely weekend. Have you tried the Aveda Split End Repair?
*Gifted PR Sample + Affiliate Links used, read my full disclaimer here.

La Roche Posay Toleriane 3- Step System Review

I am sure everyone who reads this blog knows that I love La Roche Posay products particularly the Effaclar range which I am a huge fan of. Another range from La Roche Posay which I love is the Toleriane range (review here) because it is just so soothing and calming. The lovely folks at La Roche Posay challenged me to use the Toleriane range (in the recently launched 3- Step System Toleriane Kit) exclusively for a short period. I am a huge fan of using one brand skincare products and I feel my skin is better for it but most times, I just use my favourite products from each brands. I loved this challenge because I was curious to see how my skin would fare with only 3 main skincare products. I was sent the Toleriane 3-Step System Kit and a beautiful white box which reminds me of small trunk box. The idea of the challenge was to put all my other skincare products in the white box and focus on using just the Toleriane range.  I actually kept stored all my current skincare products away so I could not be tempted to reach for them.




Packaging and Contents of the Toleriane Kit //Link //£22.50 (currently £16.87)
La Roche Posay products are all well packaged and I love their white and blue colour theme which is seen across their entire brand. The Toleriane range has quite a few products and I have previously tried a few (which you can read about here). I was really pleased that La Roche Posay launched a Toleriane 3- Step System Kit as it gives people a chance to try the entire range before buying the full size products. The Toleriane Kit contains three products which include the Toleriane Dermo Cleanser (50ml), Thermal Spring Water (50 ml) and the Toleriane Ultra Intense Soothing Care (40 ml). The Dermo Cleanser and the Thermal Spring Water come as minis in the kit but the Toleriane Ultra is the full size (40 ml) and it works out as a bargain. I have written about the unique packaging of the Toleriane Ultra here which you can check out as the packaging is quite innovative and prevents cross contamination of the product.


Toleriane Dermo Cleanser // Link // £11 (for full size)
I can't believe I have actually never tried the Dermo Cleanser as it's a really good makeup remover. It is designed for anyone who has dry, intolerant or sensitive skin as it contains the La Roche Posay Thermal Spring Water and Glycerin. It can be used to remove makeup and any other impurities that may have accumulated on the skin during the course of the day. I don't have dry skin but now that it is A/W, my skin has become quite dry so the Dermo Cleanser was very welcome in my skincare routine. It is essentially a cleansing milk which is pretty good at taking off my makeup including eye makeup. I use about 2-3 Cotton Pads to completely remove my makeup with the Dermo Cleanser. I really like how it effectively removes my eye makeup as it is very gentle and does not irritate my eyes. It'salso quite soothing on my skin especially when I broke out on my cheeks.  It feels silky while using but it does not sit in a greasy way on the skin. I just really enjoyed using it and I'd definitely look into buying the full size as it's really affordable (also on offer for £8.25 in Boots). I wish it had a pump as that would make a massive difference in getting the product out as it was not the easiest to do.Overall, I think the Dermo Cleanser is such a lovely makeup remover and I will continue using it especially this season. I always do a double cleanse so the Dermo Cleanser was my first cleanse/makeup remover.



Thermal Spring Water //Link //£4.00
I am no stranger to the La Roche Posay Thermal Spring Water and I have repurchased it a couple of times. It is essentially La Roche Posay Thermal Spring Water in a cute little can. It's usually my favourite spritz for refreshing my face during summer. I don't think I reach for it usually during Autumn or when the weather gets colder so doing this challenge meant I used it during this season. It's the step 2 in the Toleriane Kit and I enjoyed using it because it just felt very easy to use (although a little cold on my face). I am used to grabbing my favourite toner and a cotton pad so using just a spritz made me initially feel like I was missing out one step of my skincare. However, by the third day, I was totally into it and it truly made my skincare routine easier and faster. It's also really gentle on the skin and using it as a toner has actually helped rejuvenate my skin. It's just like giving my skin a good drink of water and I noticed my skin felt more hydrated than it usually is. It helps balance out the skin's PH which may change after cleansing so that's an added benefit of using this as a toner. It also contains Selenium which a antioxidant known for alleviating itching and discomfort.  If you are after a hydrating toner and you have sensitive skin which does not agree with other toners, the La Roche Posay Thermal Spring Water is a good one to try. I have the big size permanently in my bathroom and the mini on my dressing table.




Toleriane Ultra Intense Soothing Care //Link // £17.50 (currently on offer for £13.12)
Again, I am no stranger to the Toleriane Ultra skincare products and I actually recently reviewed them. I was actually really pleased to get a back up of the Toleriane Ultra in my stash because my previous one was running super low. I actually thought the Toleriane Ultra Fluide and the Toleriane Ultra were the same product but it turns out that they are not. As the name suggests the Toleriane Ultra Fluide has a lighter (almost like water) texture while the Toleriane Ultra has a bit more texture to it. I was just surprised that they were different but I absolutely love it. I think now the Ultra Fluide will be my Spring/Summer pick and the Toleriane Ultra is perfect for Autumn/Winter. The Toleriane Ultra is a daily moisturiser which is step 3 of the Toleriane regime. It is also formulated with the La Roche Posay Thermal Spring water, Glycerin, Shea Butter and Neurosensine (an anti-inflammatory clinically proven to reduce skin reactivity to discomfort). It also does not contain preservatives, parabens, alcohol, fragrance, colourants or lanolin. The Toleriane Ultra has a slightly rich texture which I have been enjoying as my skin usually gets dry during the colder season. Although it has a slightly rich texture, it sinks into my skin but I can still feel its hydrating and nourishing power. It does not feel greasy or interfere with my makeup which I am very pleased about. I also used it at night and I have to say I enjoyed it even more at night because my skin felt hydrated. I 'd definitely recommend trying this out and I feel many skin types would love this especially dry and sensitive skin types.





How did I feel about the Toleriane Kit Challenge?
I really loved doing this challenge and I loved the effort La Roche Posay and their PR put into it. The idea of the gorgeous white box to store my other skincare products was spot on. At first, I thought I could surely not take care of my skin with only 3 products (I did use a separate cleanser and sunscreen but I kept them in the La Roche Posay family). However, I did the challenge till the very end. I have quite a lot of skincare products and am constantly testing new products as a blogger so doing this challenge made me learn more about my skin. One of the things I noticed is that sometimes my skin needs some down time by me using less products and I loved how refreshingly easy it was to stick to a minimal routine. It also meant my skin took a break from all the acids I use to get rid of my hyper pigmentation (Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid and Glycolic Acid). While my hyper pigmentation were not fading because the Toleriane range is not designed for that, I did enjoy the texture of my skin. I really enjoyed this challenge and I think I would go back to it every now and again as a way reset my skin and give it a rest. You can purchase the Toleriane range from various retailers who constantly have discounts including DermaCenter, Boots, Escentual, etc. However, the Toleriane 3-Step System Kit is exclusive to Boots and it is currently on offer for £16.87 so this is a good time to purchase it. That's pretty much all from me today. Have you tried the La Roche Posay Toleriane Kit?
* PR Sample + Affiliate link, read my full disclaimer here.

Sachajuan Ocean Mist Range Review

If you are a regular reader of my blog, you'd know that Sachajuan is one of my favourite hair care brands especially their Intense Repair range. I have a full review of all my Sachajuan range over here and I highly recommend checking it out. I have always heard about the Ocean Mist range and I really wanted to try it out. A lovely opportunity came when the amazing folks at Mark McDonald Consultancy (MMCL) invited me to the Sachajuan Pro Hair Care Event which I have written about over here. It was an amazing event as we were taught how to create the Undone Bun and Pro Blow Dry. I was kindly gifted the Ocean Mist range and I could not wait to put it to the test. I received the Sachajuan Ocean Mist Volume Shampoo*, Sachajuan Ocean Mist Volume Conditioner*, Sachajuan Ocean Mist Spray* and the Sachajuan Hair Repair*.  I am actually halfway through the shampoo and conditioner as it's been all I have been using in the past month or so. I took these photos when they were still fresh looking. I have previously used the Sachajuan HJair Repair and you can read a more in depth review about it over here. For this post, I will just focus on the Ocean Mist range.

Sachajuan Ocean Mist Shampoo*// Link //£20

I don't remember ever owning a blue shampoo and I fell in love with this shampoo just from its appearance. The blue colour reminds me of the unique blue colour of the ocean. I love the simplistic yet aesthetically pleasing packaging and I find it really easy to use in the bathroom. Just like many other Sachajuan Hair Care products, the Ocean Mist Volume Shampoo is enriched with the unique Sachajuan Ocean Silk Technology. It also has natural vegetable proteins which help give the hair structure, volume and strength. I absolutely adore using this on my natural hair and I also use it on my hair extensions. It really does leave my hair clean especially if I have been using loads of products over the week. It is not sulfate-free however I do have to say it is one of the few shampoos (which are not sulfate-free) that does not leave my hair stripped. It is a really good all rounder shampoo because it adds volume, cleans the hair and maintains the hair's natural lustre. If you are after a shampoo that will get rid of any product build up and dirt, I would highly recommend this. The best part is it smells so beautiful like you have been playing in the ocean and this really draws me back to using it.

Sachajuan Ocean Mist Volume Conditioner* //Link //£22

I had nothing but high hopes for the Ocean Mist Volume Conditioner (especially after being impressed with the shampoo) and I was not disappointed. The Ocean Mist Volume Conditioner has also been developed using the Ocean Silk Technology and is further enriched with natural vegetable proteins. I am a huge fan of conditioners because they can be used to co-wash as well as condition the hair. I love the way it makes my hair feel and it also has some nourishing properties. Of course, it smells really good but that's a given with Sachajuan products. As a conditioner, I tend to leave it on for quite a good while because my Afro tends to get dry and needs a lot of moisture and hydration. I leave it on for 10 minutes or some more depending on how I feel. As a co-wash, I just use it like I would a shampoo and my hair still feels very clean. I always take the time to detangle my hair while I use it because it is really good at this. It adds that extra volume to my hair and it rinses out well without weighing my hair down at all.


Sachajuan Ocean Mist*// Link //£18
This is basically the product I really wanted to try because I'd heard so many good things about. There was a time I was seeing the Ocean Mist in every review both on blogs and YouTube videos and I was super curious. You can imagine how delighted I was to finally try it. The Ocean Mist is a leave in spray with a formula that mimics a beach kissed feel (aka beach kissed waves). It is designed to give the hair a natural twist and volume similar to the one you get after a lovely day at the sea. It can be used on wet or dry hair. I am huge on using leave in sprays for loose waves on my extensions and I have been enjoying trying it out. I prefer to use it on dry hair and I spritz it all over and then go back section by section. I recently had some loose waves on my hair and I used the Ocean Mist first and then added some loose waves with my Babyliss curling wand. Honestly, my waves looked so lush, had a beautiful lustre and bounce to them. I was so surprised because I had not quite experienced that with other mists so I am very impressed. The best part is that the Ocean Mist is really helpful in refreshing previous days' waves or curls (I just spritz and scrunch it up). I really like that it does not weigh my hair down at all even when I reapply after the first day. Now, I know why this a favourite for any people and it's totally worth the hype.


Where to buy
I believe Sachajuan products can mainly be purchased online and there are quite a few retailers that stock them. Of course you can purchase directly from the Sachajuan website. Other retailers include Cult Beauty, Beauty Bay, Feel Unique, etc. I always look out for discount codes to make some savings so do check online if you are looking to purchase some products from the range.


Overall Thoughts
I have been using Sachajuan Hair Care for slightly more than a year now and I absolutely adore them. I love the brand and I have never used any product within the range that let me down and I have really enjoyed using the Ocean Mist range which is one of their best selling ranges. If you really want to try just one product, I would highly recommend trying out the Ocean Mist.  Massive thanks to MMCL for introducing me to such lovely brands and gifting me products from them. I hope you enjoyed this review. Have you tried the Sachajuan Ocean Mist Range?
*Gifted PR Samples + Affiliate Links, read my full disclaimer here