{Tested} BMR Bottom Lift

LEAVE A COMMENT 2012 May 22

As part of an ongoing series, we sent Bio-Medical Research (BMR) Tummy Lift, Arm Lift and Bottom Lift devices to FOF testers to use and report back. This month we found out what testers thought of BMR’s Bottom Lift (retail value: $200). Stay tuned for the reviews of the Arm Lift and Tummy Lift, next month.

FOF Beauty Tested: Bmr Bottom Lifter
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One company, Bio-Medical Research (BMR), claims they’ve created a device that will firm and lift the muscles in your tush while you’re watching TV, doing laundry or working at the computer. What could be better for multi-tasking FOFs?

BMR is a company that manufactures medical-grade electrical products used for over 40 years in hospitals, clinics, and physiotherapy practices around the world to strengthen and rehabilitate muscles. They’ve adapted their Electronic Muscle Stimulation (EMS) technology into devices you can use at home for toning your tummy, tush and upper arms.

EMS works by mimicking the body’s natural muscle movements. Electrical impulses are sent between the gel pads on the Bottom Lift device, causing your muscles to contract naturally. The result: “firm and toned” glute muscles just by  using the device for “20 minutes a day, 5 times a week,” according to the BMR website. The device is also FDA-cleared and can be worn discreetly under your clothes.

Did this tush toner really work? We wanted to get to the bottom of it, so we sent it out to 6 FOF testers. Read on for their reviews.

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

**Quick take: 6 out of 6 testers would recommend BMR Bottom Lift to their FOFriends.**

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FOF Beauty Tester, Francine Tucker

Why did you want to try the BMR Bottom Lift?
I am petite women and a bottom lift would give me the curves I need to pucker up my look.

How pleased were you with the results you achieved? Please rank on a 1-5 scale (with 5 being the best).
5

Were you able to comply with using it 5 times per week during the test period?
Yes.

Would you recommend this product to a friend?
Yes.

Would you consider purchasing a tool for another body part?
Yes.

Will you continue to use the tool you own?
Yes.

Please tell us about your experience using BMR Bottom Lift.
I really enjoyed using the BMR Bottom Lift. I like to exercise but I am very cautious, because I do not want to lose any weight since I am tall and slender. My bottom was quite small and sagged. [Now,] it’s firmer and has more shape. I have a little more swing in my hips, now. I am going to my daughter’s wedding in the Dominican Republic and have bought a new bathing suit to show off my new shape! My clothing size did not change but my dresses and pants look better and I’ve been complimented. It also helped me understand where the muscles are in my bottom. I could feel them even when I was not using the tool and would squeeze those muscles on my own. I plan on continuing to use the bottom lift and have already purchased a new set of gel pads. I also plan on purchasing the toner for my arms.

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FOF Avia Anderson

Why did you want to try the BMR Bottom Lift?
I am in good shape, I work out at the gym 3 times weekly, but I just can’t seem to find a good exercise for my butt. I hate doing squats and lunges.

How pleased were you with the results you achieved? Please rank on a 1-5 scale (with 5 being the best).
5

Were you able to comply with using it 5 times per week during the test period?
Yes.

Would you recommend this product to a friend?
Yes.

Would you consider purchasing a tool for another body part?
Yes.

Will you continue to use the tool you own?
Yes.

Please tell us about your experience using BMR Bottom Lift.
I enjoyed my experience using the BMR Bottom Lift. I used it five times per week for a half an hour per day. It was easy to use and I started seeing improvement after approximately 10 days. I was amazed (as was my husband) at how much firmer and lifted my bottom was. It looks so much better in my clothes! I continue to use the device once or twice a week, just to make sure I don’t lose the results I achieved. I have never been more pleased with a product and I will definitely order another unit for my arms or abs.

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Why did you want to try the BMR Bottom Lift?
Because I am working on my legs and my bum!

How pleased were you with the results you achieved? Please rank on a 1-5 scale (with 5 being the best).
3.

Were you able to comply with using it 5 times per week during the test period?
Yes.

Would you recommend this product to a friend?
Yes.

Would you consider purchasing a tool for another body part?
No.

Will you continue to use the tool you own?
Yes.

Please tell us about your experience using BMR Bottom Lift.
It was easy to use and felt great!

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Why did you want to try the BMR Bottom Lift?
My children tease me about having no butt. Not too long ago my daughter, son, daughter-in-law, and three grandsons ALL pinched me at the same time! When I yelped and asked what that was about, they all chuckled and said since I had no butt they were helping me out by pinching and if it swelled, I would have a butt! The stinkers…gotta love ’em!

How pleased were you with the results you achieved? Please rank on a 1-5 scale (with 5 being the best).
3

Were you able to comply with using it 5 times per week during the test period?
No.

Why not?
Travel and work schedule prevented me from using it 5 times per week, but I did use it at least 3-4 times per week.

Would you recommend this product to a friend?
Yes.

Would you consider purchasing a tool for another body part?
Yes.

Will you continue to use the tool you own?
Yes.

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Why did you want to try the BMR Bottom Lift?
I have a problem with that [bottom] area even with lots of exercise and eating right, it still sags.

How pleased were you with the results you achieved? Please rank in a 1-5 scale (with 5 being the best).

3

Were you able to comply with using it 5 times per week during the test period?
Yes.

Would you recommend this product to a friend?
Yes.

Would you consider purchasing a tool for another body part?
No.

Will you continue to use the tool you own?
Yes.

Please tell us about your experience using BMR Bottom Lift.

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Why did you want to try the BMR Bottom Lift?
I enjoy vacationing in the south, but don’t like it when my tush heads south!

How pleased were you with the results you achieved? Please rank on a 1-5 scale (with 5 being the best).
2

Were you able to comply with using it 5 times per week during the test period?
No, I had some unexpected travel which did not allow me to bring this along or the privacy to use it!

Would you recommend this product to a friend?
Yes.

Would you consider purchasing a tool for another body part?
Yes – perhaps the arm one

Will you continue to use the tool you own?
Yes.

Please tell us about your experience using BMR Bottom Lift.
The hardest thing for me was finding time to be ‘alone’ to use this. I tried to do after a shower, but a lot of times that didn’t work with my schedule. Nothing against this tool, it just ended up being a difficult time of year for ‘alone’ time.
I was expecting a better result, but saw a small change–a minor lift.

{Tested} Murad’s Time Release Retinol Concentrate for Deep Wrinkles

LEAVE A COMMENT 2012 May 15

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Retinol is widely accepted by dermatologists as one of the most effective anti-aging ingredients in beauty products, but, many with sensitive skin complain it has unpleasant side effects including dryness and irritation. Murad’s Time Release Retinol Concentrate for Deep Wrinkles contains a proprietary retinol that is released over a longer period of time, reducing skin sensitivity and increasing effectiveness, according to the company. The product is “clinically proven to  reduce the appearance of deep wrinkles by 45% in 6 weeks,” they say. Was this the solution to deep wrinkles–or a deep disappointment?

7 FOFs put this product to the test. Read on for their reviews.

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

**Quick take: 4 out of 7 testers would recommend Murad Time Release Retinol Concentrate for Deep Wrinkles to other FOFs.**

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ALLISON SAMMARCO – West Long Branch, NJ

Was this product easy to use?
Yes, very easy–love the [applicator] tip. I used it morning and evening since I received it.

Do you think this product helped to reduce the appearance of deep wrinkles? Did it soften and smooth your skin?
Yes it did. I have definitely noticed a difference. I was very surprised

Would you continue using this product? Why or why not?
Yes–I intend to continue using it and will order it once I run out.

{click here to read all the reviews!}

Would you recommend this product to other FOFs?
Yes, I have already recommended this to many of my family members, friends and coworkers. They noticed a difference in my skin and asked about it.

Please rate this product from 1 (Ugh. This was the worst) to 5 (Loved it!):
4.

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KATHLEEN MUSCOLINO – Redding, CT

Was this product easy to use?
Yes.

Do you think this product helped to reduce the appearance of deep wrinkles? Did it soften and smooth your skin?
It softened my skin but I don’t believe it reduced deep wrinkles.

Would you continue using this product? Why or why not?
No–I don’t believe it was effective.

Would you recommend this product to other FOFs?
No.

Please rate this product from 1 (Ugh. This was the worst) to 5 (Loved it!):
4.

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KRISTINE MCCULLOCH – Westminster, CA

Was this product easy to use?
Yes, very easy. At first, I applied it to my wrinkle areas every single morning. My skin became a little dry and flaky in those areas, so I then applied it every other day with pretty good results.

Do you think this product helped to reduce the appearance of deep wrinkles? Did it soften and smooth your skin?
It did appear to reduce the appearance of my deeper parenthesis wrinkles (on the sides of my mouth) and it appeared to smooth out the skin, too. When I used it on the wrinkles closest to my lips, it tended to make my lip edges chapped and very dry, so I eased up on the use there. I noticed less of a reduction on the deep set ridges between my eyebrows, however, the skin was softened, and I think with continued use it could be helpful.

Would you continue using this product? Why or why not?
Yes, I think I will continue to use it for a longer period of time to see if it will work more miracles on my wrinkle areas!

Would you recommend this product to other FOF members?
Yes–the price is pretty reasonable ($65), compared to other treatments.

Please rate this product from 1 (Ugh. This was the worst) to 5 (Loved it!):
4. But, it has potential to become a 5 if I continue using it and see more results.

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WENDY STINE – Fort Collins, CO

Was this product easy to use?
Yes, and directions were simple to follow.

Do you think this product helped to reduce the appearance of deep wrinkles? Did it soften and smooth your skin?
It definitely helped improve the texture and clarity of my skin, and maybe a slight decrease in the size and appearance of my deep wrinkles and crow’s feet. My skin is softer and certainly smoother.

Would you continue using this product? Why or why not?
Yes, if it were less expensive. I have used better products that cost less.

Would you recommend this product to other FOF members?
No.

Please rate this product from 1 (Ugh. This was the worst) to 5 (Loved it!):
2.

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THERESA KINGSTON – San Clemente, CA

Was this product easy to use?
It was a bit tricky at first but I got the hang of it. You are supposed to use the applicator tip to get the product directly into the wrinkles. Since you have to squeeze the tube as you run it along a wrinkle or line, you have to be careful not to squeeze too much out at one time.

Do you think this product helped to reduce the appearance of deep wrinkles? Did it soften and smooth your skin?
It softened the appearance of wrinkles around my mouth.

Would you continue using this product? Why or why not?
Probably not, it’s a bit too pricey for me.

Would you recommend this product to other FOF members?
Yes, if price isn’t an issue, this is a product worth trying.

Please rate this product from 1 (Ugh. This was the worst) to 5 (Loved it!):
4.

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NOREEN BRAMAN- Jamesburg, NJ

Was this product easy to use?
The instructions were very brief and not specific. It just said, ‘apply to wrinkle’ and didn’t say if it should be rubbed in, patted in, etc. It also instructed the use of other products that were not included.

Do you think this product helped to reduce the appearance of deep wrinkles? Did it soften and smooth your skin?
I found this to be helpful on my horizontal forehead lines, but not my vertical ‘marionette lines.’

Would you continue using this product? Why or why not?
No, It made my skin peel, even after reducing use.

Would you recommend this product to other FOF members?
No.

Please rate this product from 1 (Ugh. This was the worst) to 5 (Loved it!):
2.

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LAURA ALEXOFF – Cincinnati, Ohio

Was this product easy to use?
Yes, but the ‘special’ applicator tip was actually nothing special. The product absorbed well, was smooth, and had no fragrance.

Do you think this product helped to reduce the appearance of deep wrinkles? Did it soften and smooth your skin?
I don’t believe this changed the depth of my worst wrinkles, however, it definitely made my skin softer and smoother, so it may have reduced the appearance of wrinkles.

Would you continue using this product? Why or why not?
I would continue using the product because it made a difference in my skin for the better, without adverse effects such a flaking or dryness.

Would you recommend this product to other FOF members?
Yes, though seems there might be a less expensive product that works as well.

Please rate this product from 1 (Ugh. This was the worst) to 5 (Loved it!):
4.

{Tested} Somme Institute 5-Step Regimen

LEAVE A COMMENT 2012 May 8


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Somme Institute’s 5-Step Regimen—a cleanser, exfoliant, moisturizer, serum and sunscreen–comes with a hefty price tag ($298), but according to reps at Somme, it “transforms the skin…improving its tone, texture and clarity while reducing the signs of aging.” All five products contain MDT5, a patented compound which Somme claims will help the active ingredients penetrate the skin 3-4 millimeters deep, much deeper than other products on the market.

Seven FOFs put Somme products to the test. Read on to find out: was it was high fives for this five-step regimen? Or did it leave our testers hanging?

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

**Quick take: 6 out of 7 testers would recommend Somme Institute’s 5-Step Regimen to other FOFs.**

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CHRISTINE WILLIAMSON – Girard, PA

Were these products easy to use?
Five steps – it couldn’t have been easier.

Did you see a difference in your skin? Fine lines and wrinkles? Dryness? Skin tone?
My skin was smoother and firmer, wrinkles less noticeable. The products worked so well together.

{Click here to read all the reviews!}

Would you continue using these products?
Yes and I’d add the Somme eye and neck treatments! The day defense lotion was heavy, I would have preferred something a little lighter for day. [It actually] worked well for me as a body or night treatment. The travel kit was excellent.

Would you recommend these products to other FOFs?
Yes.

Please rate this product from 1 (Ugh. This was the worst) to 5 (Loved it!):
Double Defense: 4
Everything else: 5

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CHRISTINE NEWTON – Santa Rosa, CA

Were these products easy to use?
Very easy.

Did you see a difference in your skin? Fine lines and wrinkles? Dryness? Skin tone?
My lines didn’t go away, but appeared softer.

How did these products compare to the products you normally use?
The line is much nicer than my normal skincare products.

Would you continue using these products?
I would continue using this skin care line, but the cost is an issue [too high].

Would you recommend these products to other FOFs?
Yes.

Please rate this product from 1 (Ugh. This was the worst) to 5 (Loved it!):
5.

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SUZANNE MEDICI – Troy, Michigan

Were these products easy to use?
Once I put them in order, [the regimen] was easy enough to follow.

Did you see a difference in your skin? Fine lines and wrinkles? Dryness? Skin tone?
My skin seemed to become even more dehydrated and I can’t blame it on the weather (the Michigan winter was mild this year.) The areas that are of a concern to me (around my mouth), seemed to become even more of a concern when using these products. No difference [in fine lines and wrinkles] that I could see. I felt as if these products were geared more towards a combination-oily skin.

How did these products compare to the products you normally use?
My usual skin care routine was working, but I always felt it could be improved. My favorite Somme product was the cleanser, though it reminded me of Cetaphil. I did not like using an SPF moisturizer on my face at night.

Would you continue using these products?
No! I was committed to see if they would work, but after 5 weeks and not seeing anything positive happening, I called it quits.

Would you recommend these products to other FOFs?
No. Well, only if you have combination-oily skin.

Please rate this product from 1 (Ugh. This was the worst) to 5 (Loved it!):
2.

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KAREN HANSHAW – Tucson, Arizona

Were these products easy to use?
Yes, extremely easy.

Did you see a difference in your skin? Fine lines and wrinkles? Dryness? Skin tone?
Yes, fine lines and wrinkles are reduced and flakiness is gone. My skin tone is noticeably brighter and [my face is] fresh looking. [The products are] surprisingly gentle. I am particularly impressed with the lightening of redness on my neck and brown splotches on my face, jaw line and chest. I also used some on a red, scaly spot I’ve had for years on my forearm. Not even prescription steroid creams from my dermatologist helped as much as Somme’s regimen.

How did these products compare to the products you normally use?
It’s similar to what I was doing (only one more step than usual at night), and definitely much more effective.

Would you continue using these products?
Yes, but I won’t be able to continue right now because of the cost.

Would you recommend these products to other FOFs?
Yes, absolutely.

Please rate this product from 1 (Ugh. This was the worst) to 5 (Loved it!):
5

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CECILIA PRADO – Arroyo Grande, CA

Were these products easy to use?
Yes, easy and quick, even though there are five products. I appreciate the minimalist packaging.  I also like that the pump caps lock open or closed and that the serum bottle has a cap. I did not like the A-Bomb’s screw top container that I have to dip my fingers or a spatula into. I’d prefer a more sanitary tube or pump dispenser.

Did you see a difference in your skin? Fine lines and wrinkles? Dryness? Skin tone?
I did not notice any particular improvement. My skin actually felt slightly oilier than normal, even after the 2-week adjustment period.

How did these products compare to the products you normally use?
I don’t feel that Somme’s product can replace what I normally use, Vivite by Allergan. Vivite helps my skin feel balanced, toned and smooth. Somme’s products made my skin feel oily.

Would you continue using these products? Why or why not?
No, I will go back to using Vivite. I liked the convenience of the transport pads, and the serum felt very good on my skin, however, overall I do not feel there was any noticeable improvement.

Anything else?
The cleanser was my least favorite product. It felt greasy on my skin, I didn’t like the scent and never felt like my face was thoroughly clean. I thought the serum was great but the A-bomb felt heavy for daytime. Somme’s regimen did not include eye cream, which I feel should be part of any ‘core system.’

Would you recommend these products to other FOFs?
Yes, to other FOFs that suffer from extremely dry skin.

Please rate this product from 1 (Ugh. This was the worst) to 5 (Loved it!):
3

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PAMELA HOWELL – Midland, TX

Were these products easy to use?
Yes, but I did have to put the chart on my mirror to help me remember the sequence of use.

Did you see a difference in your skin? Fine lines and wrinkles? Dryness? Skin tone?
The system certainly did cleanse my skin well. My décolletage was smoother and more even-toned. I noticed a clearer, brighter complexion but no significant difference in wrinkles and lines.

How did these products compare to the products you normally use?
This required more involvement without significant results.

Would you continue using these products? Why or why not?
No, the cost [is too high] and [there are] too many steps involved.

Would you recommend these products to other FOFs?
No.

Please rate this product from 1 (Ugh. This was the worst) to 5 (Loved it!):
2

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DENISE EVANS – Morristown, NJ

Were these products easy to use?
Yes–I loved the color coded labels.

Did you see a difference in your skin? Fine lines and wrinkles? Dryness? Skin tone?
It felt hydrated and my favorite product was the daily moisturizer with the SPF.

How did these products compare to the products you normally use?
I’ve been using products containing Retin-A for years and am a huge fan. I stopped just to try the Somme line. I did not see an improvement so I have returned to using my original skincare line.

Would you continue using these products? Why or why not?
I would definitely continue using the cleanser and daily moisturizer.

Would you recommend these products to other FOFs?
Yes–it was effective but not necessarily better than what I was using. For someone who could not tolerate Retin-A, this line would be perfect.

Please rate this product from 1 (Ugh. This was the worst) to 5 (Loved it!):
4.