October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

I have a problem with tardiness so of course I'm a little late with this entry on Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
 
Losing my sister and friend earlier this year to cancer threw me for a loop. She was one of the most compassionate and intelligent women that I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. For weeks I couldn't help but to wonder "why her?" Around the same time, my oldest brother was diagnosed with colon cancer resulting in an emergency surgery.
Cancer had become the enemy and it's effect on my family and friends thrust me into the awareness that this disease does not discriminate. I began to feel that cancer was this invisible evil thing that I had to prepare to battle with.  I chose knowledge as my shield and care as my weapon.

What I did:

I made a visit to my primary care physician and spoke with her thoroughly about my concerns. I came prepared with a list of questions including everything that I hadn't felt we had time to talk about before. She listened carefully and asked me some of her own questions. The visit also included a gynecological and breast exam worth its weight in gold.
Although I had always made sure to occasionally give myself breast exams and check my body for any weird moles, I neglected to have my doctor examine me each and every year.  No more of that.


According to  Livestrong.org
"In 2009, cancer was the cause of 8 million deaths worldwide. By 2030, that number will rise to 17 million."

Support those supporting the cause
 Here are 4 beauty and skin care products supporting cancer awareness:

Sephora's Pop-Up Brush

Sephora will donate $1 from the sale of this product to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, dedicated to preventing breast cancer and finding a cure in our lifetime. For more information, visit www.bcrfcure.org.

 

Boscia's Rose Blotting Linens

10% of the proceeds from the sales of Boscia Rose Blotting Linens will be donated to the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation (www.dslrf.org) to support breast cancer research. 

Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion 

Clinique donates $10 from each sale to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, which is dedicated to finding a cure.

Clarisonic's  Skincare Cleansing Brush

With every Pink Clarisonic purchase, Clarisonic will make a donation to help fund the fight against breast cancer. *(I've read great reviews about this product)

Product Review: Boscia Luminizing Black Mask

I've been a big fan of the Boscia Skin Care line for a few years now. The entire line of products are preservative-free and sulfate-free and have always left me with calmed, soothing skin.What I love most is that  you won't pay more than $26.00 for the average 4.6 oz bottle. How many department store skin care products can you say that about?

I was lucky enough to win a free bottle of the new Luminizing Black Mask from the company's facebook page. (I used my special telekinetic superpowers. Ha!) So, trying out this mask proved to be even more fun.

The first time I applied the mask, I didn't make sure to apply a thick, even layer which made for a harder time peeling it off.  So, lesson learned.  Second time around: starting with a clean and dry face, I applied a thick layer of the mask first.  (When applying masks, make sure you stay clear of the delicate peri-orbital area around your eyes.)

The Luminizing Black Mask goes on feeling very soothing and slightly cool.  The texture is like a thick, gooey black glue.  No burning sensation or itchy, tight feeling on my skin which was surprising because I had some areas around my nose and mouth that were slightly inflamed from eczema. Not having to worry about a quick rinse off from irritation allowed me to relax with the mask on for 10-15 minutes for the product to dry.

The peeling off of the product was tricky for me because I couldn't get it all off in one or even two pieces but I guess it take a little practice. I also didn't make sure to brush away a few strands of hair from my face before applying which required some warm water and a facecloth.

Boscia claims  the mask "delivers powerful detoxifying, purifying, and brightening effects" and they don't lie. My pores looked smaller, flaky skin gone and most surprisingly my skin really did look brighter and healthier. I think this is a product especially good for those with oily skin since it 'sticks' to the pores and draws out impurities. Also, ingredients like witch hazel and rosemary leaf oil prove to be soothing to most oily skin types.

My only complaints are that it's required you use a lot more of the product that I had planned. I like to skimp and stretch out my more high-end products and you just won't be able to do that with Boscia's Luminizing Black Mask. You need a generous amount just for one good application. I plan on using this once a week instead of twice a week as suggested. 

 Active Ingredients (as listed on Sephora.com):

 -Vitamin C (Ascorbyl Glucoside): Delivers healthy, younger-looking skin by dramatically brightening, minimizing hyperpigmentation, preventing free-radical damage, and reducing fine lines and wrinkles.


-Calcium Montmorillonite Clay: First discovered in Montmorillion, France in the 1800's, it is considered the premier-quality clay, containing 67 minerals. It absorbs excess oil, dirt, and toxins from the skin; exfoliates dead skin cells; and leaves the skin purified, nourished, restored, and immaculately clean.

-Maritime Pine Bark Extract (Pinus Pinaster Bark/Bud Extract): Extracted from the bark of the maritime pine trees, it provides exceptionally powerful antioxidant and soothing benefits as well as long-lasting conditioning.

-Witch Hazel (Hamamelis Virginiana): An anti-inflammatory and natural antiseptic extract that kills blemish-causing bacteria while it helps restore skin  suppleness, tighten pores, prevent whiteheads and blackheads, and provide a firming effect.

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