{Test This} Fibond

LEAVE A COMMENT 2013 February 4

You wish someone would call you thick headed. Shedding sisters, rejoice!

One company, Fibond, says that it has a treatment to make your thinning head of hair look fuller in just 30 seconds.

Fibond (retail value: $29.95), is a powder-like substance made from plant resinous fiber and a Keratin derivative resembling real hair.

“Hold the bottle upside down over your thinning area and shake…a full head of hair in 30 seconds,” the company says. Fibond is charged with static electricity so it clings to the hair on the thinning areas of your head.

The product comes in 6 shades (black, brown, light brown, dark brown, medium brown and blonde). It stays on until you shower but “won’t come off in rain, wind or perspiration,” according to the manufacturer. “It’s completely undetectable even if someone is just inches from your hair.”

The company claims it works on both men and women, and to prove it sent a bottle for FOF Founder, Geri Brin, to test.

Geri’s before (left) and after (right).

Fibond Founder Joe’s before (left) and after (right).

“It’s easy to be skeptical about a product that claims it will make your thinning hair look thicker,” Geri said. “As far as I was concerned, a real (hair) piece was the only thing that would fill in my ‘balding’ spot, which is exactly why I have one. But when I had my piece removed last week for refurbishing, I asked my friend, Elline, to shake Fibond on my thinning mane. It did just what the bottle said it would: The scalp at the front and crown of my head no longer showed. I didn’t look like I could do a hair commercial, but I wouldn’t be reticent to go out in public once the Fibond was applied. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone whose hair has a low to moderate degree of thinning.”

It worked for Geri and Joe but will Fibond–max out your mane? 10 FOFs will test it!

Enter to win by answering in the comments below: What changes have you noticed to your hair after turning 50 and why would you like to try Fibond?


Ten FOFs will test. (See all our past winners, here.) (See official rules, here.) Contest closes February 13th, 2013 at midnight E.S.T. Contest limited to residents of the continental U.S.

{Tested} Renouve Anti-Aging Hand Sanitizer

LEAVE A COMMENT 2013 January 29

Renouve’s Anti-Aging Hand Sanitizer (retail value: $29 for 1 oz.) is formulated with bitter orange peel extract, which the company says works as a “disinfectant, preservative, antibacterial, fungicidal and antiseptic.” It also contains palmitoyl tripeptide-5, an ingredient it says “actively diminishes all types of wrinkles and has skin firming and moisturizing properties.

We handed it over to 8 FOFs to test. Read on for their reviews.

**Quick Take: 5 out of 8 testers would recommend Renouve Anti-Aging Hand Sanitizer to other FOFs.

A note from the manufacturer: For best results, Renouve Anti-Aging Hand Sanitizer should be used twice daily for a minimum of three months. Renouve is formulated with collagen stimulating peptides, which is reflected in it’s retail value.

Deborah Phillips – Cleveland,GA

Did you like the fragrance of this product?
Yes. It was nice.

Did it moisturize your hands?
Yes. My hands felt very soft after application.

Did it reduce the appearance of wrinkles?
It reduced the appearance of wrinkles temporarily right after applying. [It] made them look smoother and softer.

Did you see a difference in your hands after four weeks?
Yes. My hands were not as dry. The skin seemed smoother and very soft. The skin on the top of my hands [is] very thin, [but] now seems to be a little less so.

What was your overall experience with this product?
It was easy to use, absorbed quickly, and made my hands feel smoother. Even after washing dishes, the backs of my hands felt softer.

Would you recommend this product to other FOFs?
Yes. I think it performs as advertised.

Please rate this product from 1-5 (with 5 being the best):
5.

Brenda Mckenzie – Jamaica, NY

Did you like the fragrance of this product?
I loved the fragrance. After less than a minute the scent was gone–no strong, overwhelming fragrance remained. [It did] not smell of alcohol either.

Did it moisturize your hands?
Yes. It also relieved the dry patches I sometimes get in the winter between my fingers.

Did it reduce the appearance of wrinkles?
I don’t have wrinkles on my hands, but it did reduce the appearance of dryness [on] my knuckles and joints.

Did you see a difference in your hands after four weeks?
After four weeks my hands were definitely softer. The cuticles even seem to be softer.

What was your overall experience with this product?
Overall, I am pleased with the product.

Would you recommend this product to other FOFs?
Yes, happily.

Please rate this product from 1-5 (with 5 being the best):
5.

Jeanne-Marie Patrick – New York, NY

Did you like the fragrance of this product?
Yes.

Did it moisturize your hands?
Somewhat.

Did it reduce the appearance of wrinkles?
Yes.

Did you see a difference in your hands after four weeks?
No—the tube didn’t last four weeks. [It lasted] maybe two weeks.

What was your overall experience with this product?
I enjoyed it, but it was too small [of] a bottle.

Would you recommend this product to other FOFs?
Not for the price.

Please rate this product from 1-5 (with 5 being the best):
4.

Patricia Bell – Chatom, Alabama

Did you like the fragrance of this product?
The product has a fresh clean scent. I liked it.

Did it moisturize your hands?
Yes, it did moisturize my hands. It did a good job.

Did it reduce the appearance of wrinkles?
I think it reduced the wrinkles on my hands, especially at my wrist line where little lines are beginning to show.

Did you see a difference in your hands after four weeks?
Yes and also in the way my skin felt.

What was your overall experience with this product?
Very good.

Would you recommend this product to other FOFs?
Yes, especially if they were having premature signs of aging.

Please rate this product from 1-5 (with 5 being the best):
4.

Mary Lou Bissaillon – Chino Hills, CA

Did you like the fragrance of this product?
The first time I used it I wasn’t sure I [that] liked the fragrance, but now I think it is quite pleasant. [I] prefer it over normal sanitizer.

Did it moisturize your hands?
It did moisturize my hands, but not anymore or less than my hand cream.

Did it reduce the appearance of wrinkles?
I do not see any measurable difference in the wrinkles on my hands.

Did you see a difference in your hands after four weeks?
I also do not see much, if any difference in the appearance of my hands.

What was your overall experience with this product?
I like the smell, feel, [and] consistency. It rubs in very well. The packaging [has a] nice look to it.

Would you recommend this product to other FOFs?
[I] probably wouldn’t recommend it due to the cost.

Please rate this product from 1-5 (with 5 being the best):
3.

Mary Grace Gallagher – New York, NY

Did you like the fragrance of this product?
[The] fragrance was very light and pleasing.

Did it moisturize your hands?
Yes.

Did it reduce the appearance of wrinkles?
[My] hands looked plumper. [It] erased fine wrinkles.

Did you see a difference in your hands after four weeks?
There was a slight difference in the appearance.

What was your overall experience with this product?
Positive.

Would you recommend this product to other FOFs?
I would recommend it but at a lower price point

Please rate this product from 1-5 (with 5 being the best):
4.

Susan Miller – Rochester, NY

Did you like the fragrance of this product?
Yes.

Did it moisturize your hands?
Yes.

Did it reduce the appearance of wrinkles?
I don’t have a lot of wrinkles so it was hard to tell.

Did you see a difference in your hands after four weeks?
Yes.

What was your overall experience with this product?
I liked using it, especially since the flu outbreaks.

Would you recommend this product to other FOFs?
Yes.

Please rate this product from 1-5 (with 5 being best):
4.

Denise Willeby – New Johnsonville, TN

Did you like the fragrance of this product?
I didn’t but a friend of mine thought it smelled good.

Did it moisturize your hands?
Just a little.

Did it reduce the appearance of wrinkles?
I couldn’t tell the difference.

Did you see a difference in your hands after four weeks?
Just barely.

What was your overall experience with this product?
It didn’t make enough of a difference to make me want it.

Would you recommend this product to other FOFs?
No.

Please rate this product from 1-5 (with 5 being the best):
2.

Renee Walters – Simi Valley, CA

Did you like the fragrance of this product?
[It was] okay.

Did it moisturize your hands?
Yes.

Did it reduce the appearance of wrinkles?
No.

Did you see a difference in your hands after four weeks?
No.

What was your overall experience with this product?
Alright.

Would you recommend this product to other FOFs?
Maybe [as a] moisturizer, but not for wrinkles.

Please rate this product from 1-5 (with 5 being the best):
2.

{Test This} Cassis Replenishing Cream

LEAVE A COMMENT 2013 January 29

Cassis Ultra Replenishing Cream (retail value: $85) by Naturopathica, a skincare line sold primarily in spas, is formulated with black currant oil. The ingredient is “known to soothe and improve skin resilience,” according to the company. It also contains hyaluronic acid, an ingredient widely used in anti-agers and known for its ability to help skin retain moisture. According to Naturopatica’s website, just apply a “pea-sized amount” to your face morning and night, “to improve elasticity and promote vibrant looking skin.”

We want to know: Is this cream raisin’ skin standards or simply sour grapes?

10 FOFs will test it.


Ten FOFs will test. (See all our past winners, here.) (See official rules, here.) Contest closes February 6th, 2013 at midnight E.S.T. Contest limited to residents of the continental U.S.

{Test This} Lifeline Recovery Night Moisture Serum

LEAVE A COMMENT 2013 January 22

Lifeline Skincare products will cost you. Take for instance, their Recovery Night Moisture Serum which retails at $190 per ounce! Ouch! But here’s why: The product is made from non-embryonic human stem cells.

You are probably familiar with the term “stem cells” from last decade’s political controversy over the destruction of embryonic stem cells for use in cloning and other scientific developments. However, the human stem cells that Lifeline uses are non-embryonic (from non-fertilized eggs) so you don’t have to worry that a viable human embryo was destroyed or harmed.

Stem cells, whether embryonic or non-embryonic, are at the forefront of science, and now beauty, because of their ability to divide and self-renew to produce more cells. Many companies say that for this reason, stem cells are the miracle ingredient in their beauty products–repairing wrinkles and age damage in skin.

In some cases its a marketing gimmick and beauty companies are capitalizing over confusion about the term “stem cells.” Some simply use plant (not human) stem cells in their beauty products. Others use extracts from a human stem cell secreted into something called “conditioned media” a nutrient-soup solution in a petri dish.

However, reps at Lifeline claim that they have found a way to capture actual human stem cells and add them to their serums and creams. According to reps at the company, they use a method called “lysis,” essentially splitting open and releasing the bio-available growth factors, peptides and proteins of the cell.

7 FOFs will put Lifeline’s Recovery Night Moisture Serum to the test. “Apply 2-3 pumps…before bedtime,” says the company website. Lifeline products “can rejuvenate your skin by actually helping to build new skin cells.” Sounds like a beauty breakthrough, but does it actually work?


Seven FOFs will win. (See all our past winners, here.) (See official rules, here.) Contest closes January 31st, 2012 at midnight E.S.T. Contest limited to residents of the continental U.S.

{Tested} Eye Caramba by DairyFace

LEAVE A COMMENT 2013 January 21

“Eye Caramba” cream (retail value: $26.99 for two 2.5 oz. cups) made with milk, by indie beauty brand DairyFace, will “moisten and tighten and brighten” the “sensitive area around the eyes,” and is “also beneficial for the whole face,” according to the company.

Is this eye cream the créme de la créme or…“udderly” ridiculous? 10 FOFs put it to the test. Read on for their reviews.

**Quick Take** 6 out of 10 testers would recommend the Eye Caramba cream to other FOFs.

P.S. Want to be guaranteed a product to test? Join the FOF Beauty Club now!

Jerrilynn Atherton – Biloxi, MS

Did you like the aroma of this product?
[I] loved the aroma!

What did the product feel like on your face?
It felt creamy and luxurious!

Did it nourish your skin?
It nourished my skin very well!

Was your face smoother after 14 days?
My face feels smoother and the wrinkles are less defined.

What was your overall experience with this product?
I enjoyed using the product. I had to write myself a note to remember that it was in the fridge!

Would you recommend this product to other FOFs?
Definitely!

Please rate this product from 1-5 (with 5 being the best):
5.

Maggie W. Rowe – Wheaton, IL

Did you like the aroma of this product?
No. In fact, this was a real turnoff. I realize the manufacturer was probably avoiding artificial ingredients, but the odor of the product was unpleasant.

What did the product feel like on your face?
It felt good, as it had been refrigerated, but the extra step of having to run downstairs to the kitchen, get it, use it and then return it to the fridge was not one I wanted to take every morning.

Did it nourish your skin?
No. In fact when I left it on longer than 5-10 minutes, it made my already dry skin feel tight.

Was your face smoother after 14 days?
[There was] no noticeable difference.

What was your overall experience with this product?
I looked forward to trying it, [but] but was very disappointed.

Would you recommend this product to other FOFs?
No.

Please rate this product from 1-5 (with 5 being the best):
1.

Linda Carroll – Miller Place, NY

Did you like the aroma of this product?
I didn’t care for the aroma, although I got used to it the longer I tried it.

What did the product feel like on your face?
It was very light on my skin. It also felt like it was tightening my skin while it was on my face.

Did it nourish your skin?
Not really.

Was your face smoother after 14 days?
I was hoping that my face would feel smoother, but I really didn’t see any difference.

What was your overall experience with this product?
It was easy to use, but as I said I didn’t see any difference in my skin.

Would you recommend this product to other FOFs?
No.

Please rate this product from 1-5 (with 5 being the best):
2.

Bonnie Sanchez – Lynnwood, WA

Did you like the aroma of this product?
Yes.

What did the product feel like on your face?
[It felt] very smooth.

Did it nourish your skin?
I thought so.

Was your face smoother after 14 days?
Yes.

What was your overall experience with this product?
[It was] very nice, not oily.

Would you recommend this product to other FOFs?
Yes.

Please rate this product from 1-5 (with 5 being the best):
4.

Carol Melodia – Newport Beach, CA

Did you like the aroma of this product?
Yes.

What did the product feel like on your face?
It felt like yogurt with olive oil.

Did it nourish your skin?
I believe so.

Was your face smoother after 14 days?
Maybe.

What was your overall experience with this product?
It felt good. My dry skin seemed to absorb it within 10 minutes.

Would you recommend this product to other FOFs?
Yes. The price seems a bit high but I liked it. I think it would take six months or a year to know if this product was a real winner.

Please rate this product from 1-5 (with 5 being the best):
4.

Patti Stern – Moreland Hills, Ohio

Did you like the aroma of this product?
[It had] a very clean smell. I liked it!

What did the product feel like on your face?
The product felt amazing on my face. [It was] so refreshing, cold and wonderful. [It] was the best part.

Did it nourish your skin?
The product superficially nourished my face. [It did] not absorb into the deeper layer.

Was your face smoother after 14 days?
No. It is a short term fix, just like a face mask.

What was your overall experience with this product?
The product felt fantastic when applied–cold and refreshing. But it does not have any redeeming value to me, because it has to be refrigerated and I travel for business every weekend.

Would you recommend this product to other FOFs?
I can’t recommend this item. It is a one shot wonder. [It’s] great when applied, but [it] does not have any [of the] anti-aging qualities that I look for in every product I use.

Please rate this product from 1-5 (with 5 being the best):
3.

Deborah Girard – Quitman, Arkansas

Did you like the aroma of this product?
Yes.

What did the product feel like on your face?
[It felt] soft and refreshed.

Did it nourish your skin?
Yes.

Was your face smoother after 14 days?
Yes.

What was your overall experience with this product?
[It] makes my face smooth and soft.

Would you recommend this product to other FOFs?
Yes.

Please rate this product from 1-5 (with 5 being the best):
5.

Kate Rivas – Tenafly, NJ

Did you like the aroma of this product?
I enjoyed the aroma as it was not overly scented or sweet smelling. [It was] just a nice light scent.

What did the product feel like on your face?
The product at first felt very rich, [then] tempered down as if it was not even there.

Did it nourish your skin?
It definitely nourished my skin. I could even see the increased hydration.

Was your face smoother after 14 days?
My skin was smoother after five or six days. [The] results were great.

What was your overall experience with this product?
[It was an] excellent experience. I enjoyed using it. [It felt] great on my skin and [I had] wonderful results.

Would you recommend this product to other FOFs?
Yes. It feels great to put something on fresh from the refrigerator.

Please rate this product from 1-5 (with 5 being the best):
4.

Sandra Barbee – Aliso Viejo, CA

Did you like the aroma of this product?
I thought the aroma was fresh.

What did the product feel like on your face?
[It was] very cooling.

Did it nourish your skin?
Very slightly.

What was your overall experience with this product?
Fair. Regular yogurt works with the same results.
Would you recommend this product to other FOFs?
No.

Please rate this product from 1-5 (with 5 being the best):
2.

Jackie Decataldo – Sparta, NJ

Did you like the aroma of this product?
The aroma was very slight. It didn’t bother me at all.

What did the product feel like on your face?
The product felt very cool and refreshing on my face. I enjoyed the coolness of it.

Did it nourish your skin?
Yes, definitely.

Was your face smoother after 14 days?
Yes. My face felt like a babies’ bottom.

What was your overall experience with this product?
I was very pleased. My skin really responded to it.

Would you recommend this product to other FOFs?
Yes.

Please rate this product from 1-5 (with 5 being the best):
5.

Best CC Cream For Women Over 50

LEAVE A COMMENT 2013 January 16

Remember when BB creams were the beauty buzzword? Now cosmetic companies are taking it up a letter with the CC cream.  First launched in Hong Kong by Rachel K cosmetics in 2011, CC creams contain all the benefits of BB creams, but claim to provide more coverage, targeting an issue particularly relevant to FOFs–uneven skintone. We spoke to two beauty experts, Tracey Brown who sings the praises of CC creams and Dana Ramos, who thinks it’s a marketing gimmick. Now, we want you to tell us what you think.

Read the interviews below, then, enter to win Stem Cellular Repair CC Cream by Juice Beauty by answering this question in the comments below: What’s your most bothersome skin issue?

What exactly is a CC cream?

Tracey: CC stands for color correcting.  Cosmetic companies have taken the BB Cream and added more property to it, so it makes skin look better by adding more coverage.

Dana: CC creams and BB creams are essentially the same thing–it’s a basic makeup product [tinted moisturizer] with added ingredients to make it more effective. Each company has their own list of added ingredients: some contain peptides, others contain glycolic acid, etc.

So there’s no difference between BB creams and CC creams?

Tracey: BB cream doesn’t have properties to fix your skin discoloration. The CC cream ingredients and properties help even out your skin tone, age spots, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation.

Dana: I don’t see a difference except that CC creams may be more effective in evening out skin tone, whereas BB creams are targeted more toward improving the skin overall–but you will find they each have some of the same ingredients.

What skin issues do CC creams treat?

Tracey: Dry skin, sun damage, acne, aging skin and shiny or oily skin.

Dana: They might make your skin look better when used as makeup, but you’d get that same effect from products that don’t call themselves CC. You might get some sun protection if your CC cream has SPF. But really, you’re getting a little bit of things that are good for your skin, but not to the point that its going to make any real difference.

Before and after one application of Rachel K CC Cream (src: VanityRouge.com)

What are the benefits of using a CC cream?

Tracey: There are certain things that over fifty skin needs.  Usually our pores are enlarged, we have a bit of sagging going on, we have some fine lines. We need moisture and sunscreen, and our skin tone needs evening out. CC cream treats all of those issues, so instead of layering on 10 different products you can get one cream that treats all of that. It’s a time saver, as well as a money saver.

Dana: CC cream won’t change your skin. The tiny bits of retinol, peptides, or glycolic acid found in CC creams won’t actually do anything.

Can CC creams replace foundation?

Tracey: Yes. I don’t like heavy makeup or foundation. With CC cream your skin is evened out, you look radiant, dewy, and healthy, and thats what the over fifty crowd should be trying for.

Dana: I’m all for women who say, ‘I like the way CC creams feel and look as makeup.’ I just want them to understand that they’re not getting any skin benefits other than SPF and coverage.

Would you recommend CC cream to women over fifty?

Tracey: I recommend CC creams, 100% percent. I think they are really beautiful. It’s a time and money saver. CC cream is what’s going to help even out your skin tone and make it look clear and bright. It doesn’t look like you have a ton of makeup on. It creates a nice, soft look without being overdone.

Dana: Bottom line: Can it hurt you? No. Can it help you? Probably not. The active ingredients in CC creams contain too small of an amount to really make a difference to your skin.

Juice Beauty has set up an exclusive offer for Fab Over Fifty members! Use code FAB to receive a deluxe Stem Cellular Repair Eye Treatment gift with any order of $45 or more from www.juicebeauty.com. Offer expires January 31st, 2013.

Tracey recommends…

[portfolio_slideshow]

Tracey Brown is a beauty expert based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is the owner of Brown Beauty Consulting, a boutique marketing firm and editor-in-chief of Blinging Beauty. After 30 years in the beauty industry as a makeup artist, trainer and skin care expert, and a member of the team that launched Sephora.com, Tracey is now a brand strategist and published journalist, being called upon for her expertise by such mediums as CNN and CBS.

—

Dana Ramos, author of The Skin Regime is a skin-care enthusiast and writer who lives in Westchester, New York. She’s from California where she obtained a Masters in Professional Writing from USC and wrote screenplays. In addition to creating and writing The Skin Regime book and concept, she writes freelance articles and is working on other books.

Enter to win Stem Cellular Repair CC Cream by Juice Beauty by answering this question in the comments below: What’s your most bothersome skin issue?


Five FOFs will win. (See all our past winners, here.) (See official rules, here.) Contest closes January 24th, 2012 at midnight E.S.T. Contest limited to residents of the continental U.S.

{Test This} Dr. Ho’s Decompression Belt

LEAVE A COMMENT 2013 January 15

If you’ve been to a chiropractor, then you’ve probably sung the praises of these alternative healers more than once…but, they will cost you! Chiropractors can charge upwards of $100 per session.

That’s why chiropractor, Dr. Michael Ho, created his Decompression Belt (retail value: $159.96), originally intended as a way for his celebrity and athlete clients to relieve backaches when they were traveling and unable to make appointments. Dr. Ho eventually started receiving inquiries from non-patients who wanted to purchase a belt. Three years ago, Dr. Ho introduced it for sale on his website, an ecommerce site featuring pain relief and weight loss aids. Read this interview with Vincent Ho, son of Dr. Ho and president of DR-HO (Dr. Ho’s product line), then enter by leaving a comment, below, for a chance to test one!

Why might FOFs experience back pain as they age?
A lot of people have the misconception that they got back pain out of the blue. But the fact is, in the fifty years leading up to back pain there was bad posture, repetitive strain such as driving or sitting at a computer, overuse of their body–these things have caused their body to slowly break down. That day they feel pain–it’s just so to speak the straw that broke the camel’s back.

What led Dr. Ho to create his decompression belt?
A lot of people with back pain will go get treatment, feel a little better, but it never lasts. The pain comes back. They might see a specialist three times a week and thats a lot in terms of time and money. On the days they are not being treated, the body regresses, which is why a lot of people get frustrated. When my father would treat his patients, he would send them home with this belt or another device. This way on the days they didn’t have an appointment, they would treat themselves at home, and progress would constantly be made. Beyond his patients, people became interested in buying the devices knowing it would save them time and money. They’d be able to see their doctor less frequently.

So, could the belt be a substitute to going to a doctor or chiropractor?
It’s complimentary. It’s not replace them. The doctor or chiros that are confident in their practice and really want the best for their patients have no problem using or selling the products because at the end of the day it’s the best for the patient.

Why is the belt a good way to alleviate back pain? How does it work?
We want to treat the root cause of the pain–why you have the pain in the first place, not just the symptom. As we get older, the discs between the bones in our compress, sort of like how brake pads in a car, wear down. Bone on bone, which happens when the discs wear down, causes pressure. The decompression belt stretches the back to it’s normal length. You strap the belt on and pump it up. It gets taller, pulling the back up, stretching the muscles. This puts less pressure on the back.

How long do you need to use it before it alleviates pain? How frequently should you use it?
Within the first twenty minutes you will notice pain relief. For long term pain relief you’ll need to wear it for approximately three to four weeks. The key is to wear it every day. After wearing the product for four to six weeks you can go years without pain.

Are there are other products on the market like this for back pain?
There are so many products that can offer someone a quick fix at a much cheaper price but nothing is going to fix the problem long-term, like this.

Can you wear it with clothes?
Yes, absolutely.

What conditions can it treat?
Pinched nerves or degenerative discs, herniated disc, bulging discs and sciatic pain.

What can’t it treat?
It doesn’t help as much for scoliosis, a condition where the back is in an S shape. If the back is not straight, it’s more difficult to stretch. The belt would give someone with scoliosis more support and comfort but not necessarily fix it, because scoliosis is incurable.

Where are they sold?
Doctors offices nationwide and online at the DR-HO website.

Does medicare cover it?
Yes!

Will Dr. Ho’s Decompression Belt put the squeeze on your back pain? 5 FOFs will test it.

For a chance to win, leave a comment below.


Five FOFs will win. (See all our past winners, here.) (See official rules, here.) Contest closes January 23rd, 2013 at midnight E.S.T. Contest limited to residents of the continental U.S.

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{Tested} Nuvosä 3-Step Skin Care Regimen

LEAVE A COMMENT 2013 January 14

Nuvosä’s Three-Step Regimen (retail value: $148)–which includes a moisturizer, wrinkle serum and toner–“reduces the appearance of sagging skin, lines, and wrinkles,” says the company.
“Some users see results after just one application, but most will start seeing noticeable improvement within a few days [of use].”

Did this skincare line create beautiful faces or fall flat on its face? 6 FOFs put it to the test. Read on for their reviews.

**Quick take: 4 out of 6 testers would recommend the Nuvosä Three-Step Regimen to other FOFs.

P.S. Want to be guaranteed a product to test? Join the FOF Beauty Club now!

Rita King – Kingwood, TX

Did you like the fragrance of these products?
None detected.

What did these products feel like on your skin?
[It] felt great! [It] easily absorbed into skin.

Did they reduce the appearance of sagging skin, lines and wrinkles?
Yes, [my] skin showed improvement overall.

Did you see a difference in your skin after four weeks?
Yes. [I] was very pleased with results.

What was your overall experience with these products?
Excellent. [The] only negative was that the dispenser on the toner malfunctioned, causing the toner to over dispense.

Would you recommend these products to other FOFs?
[I] most definitely would.

Please rate this 3-step skincare regimen from 1-5 (with 5 being the best):
5.

Karen Lehrer – Santa Barbara, CA

Did you like the fragrance of these products?
It was fine.

What did these products feel like on your skin?
Smooth.

Did they reduce the appearance of sagging skin, lines and wrinkles?
Honestly, I can’t see any difference.

Did you see a difference in your skin after four weeks?
My skin is already in good shape, it seemed to stay the same.

What was your overall experience with these products?
I liked them, especially the toner. The moisturizer is a little thick for my needs, as I don’t have dry skin.  I think someone with dry skin may like it.  The serum seemed very good.  I don’t like the way it was packaged, a lot of wasted plastic.

Would you recommend these products to other FOFs?
For someone who doesn’t use quality products already, yes.

Please rate this 3-step skincare regimen from 1-5 (with 5 being the best):
4.

Valerie Gregory-Lee – Greenwich, Connecticut

Did you like the fragrance of these products?
It was pleasant.

What did these products feel like on your skin?
They felt refreshing.

Did they reduce the appearance of sagging skin, lines and wrinkles?
Unfortunately, no.

Did you see a difference in your skin after 4 weeks?
I developed a sensitivity to the products. I tried using them every few days.
I did not see a difference.

What was your overall experience with these products?
I was disappointed.

Would you recommend these products to other FOFs?
I’m not sure. I think your individual skin type is important in the benefits you, may or may not, receive.

Please rate this 3-step skincare regimen from 1-5 (with 5 being the best):
2.

Gail Frost – Buffalo Grove, IL

Did you like the fragrance of these products?
[The] fragrance was light and pleasant.

What did these products feel like on your skin?
[The] products felt very nice on my skin. The toner was very light and effective. The deep wrinkle remedy and reborn moisturizer [were] also light, totally non-greasy, and absorbed into my skin beautifully.

Did they reduce the appearance of sagging skin, lines and wrinkles?
These products reduced fine lines, left my skin velvety and glowing within the first week of use.

Did you see a difference in your skin after 4 weeks?
[I saw] results earlier than the four weeks.

What was your overall experience with these products?
Overall [it was a] very good experience. A small amount went a long way. [I] also used the product on my neck [and it] worked well in that area.

Would you recommend these products to other FOFs?
Would recommend this product to FOFs.

Please rate this 3-step skincare regimen from 1-5 (with 5 being the best):
4.5.

Robin Sheeran – Broomall, PA

Did you like the fragrance of these products?
[The] fragrance was very light, pleasant–not strong or medicinal at all.

What did these products feel like on your skin?
The products felt very light on my face. The moisturizer was nice–rich but not heavy. The toner did not burn my face, as every other toner has. The deep wrinkle remedy did nothing for me. I used all three products together as directed.

Did they reduce the appearance of sagging skin, lines and wrinkles?
There might have been some reduction of wrinkles, especially the fine ones around my eyes, but the rest of the wrinkles and deep lines showed no difference at all. [My] sagging skin was unchanged.

Did you see a difference in your skin after four weeks?
I really did not see a significant change in my skin after using the products twice a day for four weeks. I used the products faithfully and did not use any other skin care products other than a cleanser.

What was your overall experience with these products?
I am glad I did not purchase the Nuvosa products.

Would you recommend these products to other FOFs?
No. It did not improve the appearance of my skin as I expected it to. It did not do the job it promised, and there are other products out there that do an even better job and cost much less.

Please rate this 3-step skincare regimen from 1-5 (with 5 being the best):
2.

Marie Howard – Spokane, Washington

Did you like the fragrance of these products?
I thought the overall scents were pleasant and on the fresh side. [The] scents faded quickly, but I liked that, because they don’t compete with my fragrance.

What did these products feel like on your skin?
Very light. The toner is a wonderful product, [I] love it! [My] skin feels incredible after using [it]. I could definitely tell the resurfacer was doing something. You can feel a slight, tight sensation.

Did they reduce the appearance of sagging skin, lines and wrinkles?
I noticed more firmness around my neck. I think my jowl area looks firmer, too. [There was also a] brightening effect.

Did you see a difference in your skin after four weeks?
Overall, yes. [It had] a firming and clarifying effect. A great trio. [I] found myself eager to use these daily.

What was your overall experience with these products?
The toner was the best I’ve ever used! I would love to continue using this line. The packaging is beautiful, but I lost almost half the resurfacer because the lid was loose in the box. It is pretty liquidy and it dumped when I tried to tighten the lid. Maybe a double check before shipping? The Reborn is wonderful, but small. [I] wish it was a little bigger.

Would you recommend these products to other FOFs?
Yes.

Please rate this 3-step skincare regimen from 1-5 (with 5 being the best):
4.

{Test This} La Vie Celeste Extra Rich Face Cream

LEAVE A COMMENT 2013 January 8

La Vie Celeste’s Extra Rich Day and Night Restorative Face Cream (retail value: $74.99) “leaves skin feeling soft, dewy and toned,” according to the company. The cream contains a concentration of rare Swiss Apple Stem Cell which “may help fight visible signs of aging,” as well as the antioxidant, ChroNOlin, “proven to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in as little as 28 days.”

Will this face cream with Swiss apple prove fruitful? 7 FOFs will test it.


Seven FOFs will win. (See all our past winners, here.) (See official rules, here.) Contest closes January 16th, 2013 at midnight E.S.T. Contest limited to residents of the continental U.S.

{Tested} Keeping the Color® Shampoo

LEAVE A COMMENT 2013 January 4

Faded jeans are cool, faded hair…not so much. One company, Healthy Hair Plus, says they have a product that will keep your hair vibrant between coloring treatments.

Keeping The Color® Shampoo “seals-in color treatments for extended life and protects [hair] from UVA/UVB damage that strips hue and moisture,” according to the manufacturer.

Is this color-preserving shampoo–brilliant…or a washout? 6 FOFs put it to the test. Read on for their reviews.

**Quick Take: 4 out of 6 testers would recommend Keeping the Color® Shampoo to other FOFs.

P.S. Want to be guaranteed a product to test? Join the FOF Beauty Club now!

Darlene Schiller – Pittsburg, PA

Tell us about the packaging and application. Was this product easy to use?
[The] packaging and application were very easy to use!  I liked the push top lid.

Did you like the smell of this product?
The scent isn’t my favorite.  It’s a bit too tropical and sweet for me.

Was your hair smoother after three weeks?
I didn’t notice that my hair was smoother but [it] definitely seemed fuller.

Did it reduce your color loss?
It did a great job keeping my hair color looking vibrant.  The product did not strip my color away.

Did it add volume, lift and shine?
I have very fine hair and after using this shampoo [I] noticed more volume and lift in a very short time.

What was your overall experience with this product?
The product was very good.  I love how it lathers with just a dollop of shampoo.  I would use it again with no hesitation but I will most likely stay with my Aveda product as I prefer the fragrance.

Would you purchase this product for $19.95? Why or why not?
$19.95 is a bit steep.  $15.95 would be a better price point for me.

Would you recommend this product to other FOFs?
Yes.

Please rate this product from 1-5 (with 5 being the best):
4.

Barbara Feist –  Bloomington, IL

Tell us about the packaging and application. Was this product easy to use?
[The] packing was good and easy to open. [The] instructions on how to apply [the product were] vague and [had] no information on how long to leave [it] on.

Did you like the smell of this product?
[It was] okay.

Was your hair smoother after three weeks?
No. I only used [it] six times.

Did it reduce your color loss?
No. [I] went to get my hair colored and my beautician said [my] hair was lighter on top.  [It] did not keep the gray from showing through.

Did it add volume, lift and shine?
No.

What was your overall experience with this product?
[It was] hard to rinse out and left [my] hair coarse and tangled.

Would you purchase this product for $19.95? Why or why not?
[It’s] not worth the price.

Would you recommend this product to other FOFs?
No.

Please rate this product from 1-5 (with 5 being the best):
2.

Shelley Zausmer – Staten Island,  New York

Tell us about the packaging and application. Was this product easy to use?
Yes, it was easy to use. It did not take too long to wash out the suds.

Did you like the smell of this product?
The smell was pleasant and not overpowering.

Was your hair smoother after three weeks?
I feel [that] my hair is just a little smoother than before I started using this shampoo.

Did it reduce your color loss?
Definitely.

Did it add volume, lift and shine?
It did not add volume or lift. My hair is slightly shinier than before using this product.

What was your overall experience with this product?
I will continue to use this product. I only have to use a little so the bottle will last a long time. I am happy with this product as it did what it said and helped to maintain my hair color.

Would you purchase this product for $19.95? Why or why not?
I would (and will) purchase this product. The cost is relatively low because you only need a small amount.

Would you recommend this product to other FOFs?
Yes.

Please rate this product from 1-5 (with 5 being the best):
5.

Patricia Noel –  Kenosha, Wisconsin

Tell us about the packaging and application. Was this product easy to use?
Yes.

Did you like the smell of this product?
Yes, but not as much as my usual shampoo.

Was your hair smoother after three weeks?
[I] didn’t notice.

Did it reduce your color loss?
Yes.

Did it add volume, lift and shine?
Not really.

What was your overall experience with this product?
Positive.

Would you purchase this product for $19.95? Why or why not?
Yes, it’s less expensive than my usual shampoo and was comparable in color control.

Would you recommend this product to other FOFs?
Yes.

Please rate this product from 1-5 (with 5 being the best):
4.

Marne Rogers – Asheville, NC

Tell us about the packaging and application. Was this product easy to use?
Shampoo is easy to use.  That’s a no brainer.

Did you like the smell of this product?
[The] fragrance was inconspicuous at best, which is just the way I wanted it.

Was your hair smoother after three weeks?
My hair is weirdly curvy.  Left on it’s own there will always be a mess of irregular temporary frizziness that smooths out later in the day or the second day. So no, I didn’t have much improvement in this area, but I didn’t expect it either.

Did it reduce your color loss?
[Color loss] is not a problem for me, but it may have been marginally better than other shampoos for color treated hair.

Did it add volume, lift and shine?
Yes, yes and yes.  In all three areas I noticed real improvement.  I noticed significantly less breakage and hair [loss]. I comb my hair out in the shower with conditioner on it and noticed 1/4 to 1/3 the hair loss.

What was your overall experience with this product?
Excellent.

Would you purchase this product for $19.95? Why or why not?
Yes.

Would you recommend this product to other FOFs?
Absolutely, yes.

Please rate this product from 1-5 (with 5 being the best):
5.

Vicki Hancock – Brigham City, UT

Tell us about the packaging and application. Was this product easy to use?
Yes.  Plain packaging (in a) normal bottle.

Did you like the smell of this product?
I don’t think it really had a smell.

Was your hair smoother after three weeks?
Not really.

Did it reduce your color loss?
Not even.  It made the color loss worse.

Did it add volume, lift and shine?
Added lots of volume, but no lift and shine.

Would you purchase this product for $19.95? Why or why not?
Not in a million years.  It drained the color from my hair.

Would you recommend this product to other FOFs?
Absolutely not.  Go buy Garnier for ¼ of the cost.

Please rate this product from 1-5 (with 5 being the best):
1.