March 31, 2009

Sorry to hear about the untimely death of all your houseplants, BigSis!! That's a real bummer! I hate it when something like that happens that is absolutely no one's fault but your own! You had some beautiful, unique plants! I know you're just sick about it! Are you going to try to replace them or wait a while to give yourself time to mourn?

Not that this compares at all with the death of all your beloved houseplants, but I've been mad at myself for the past two days because I thought I lost my new Hello Kitty Mac cosmetic bag. 🙁 (I know, boo hoo!)

I had become very attached to that bag and it contained five of my favorite MAC lipsticks, including the two new Hello Kitty lipsticks. I called the grocery store twice to have them check their lost and found because it's the only place I could remember where I might have taken the bag out of my purse to get my wallet out. Of course, they said no one had turned it in.

Today, I was just about ready to accept the fact that it was gone and move on. Then, this morning, SirHoney found my bag somewhere in his truck and he walked in with it in his hand and just said “You owe me big time”.   🙂

He's right.  I do! I'm sure he'll think of something he wants in return!

We really don't like to whine and complain too much here but I promise this will be my last rant for a while. I'm so aggravated at myself about this! Over the past several months, BigSis talked about the Borba anti-cellulite products and BigSis talked more about Borba results and I shared my results with the Borba Products; yet I let myself run out of the contour creme! DUH!

When the tube started sputtering, I should have ordered more instead of waiting until it was practically gone! I had no choice but to hack into the tube with some scissors so I can try to scrape out enough to last a couple of days.

I'm not wasting a drop of this stuff!

And yes, IMHO, this product is worth the trouble! I even paid extra S&H so I could receive it in two days. Whew! I feel better now. I'm over it!

Over the next several days, we'll get back to talking about more cheerful stuff; like Spring in Texas, Easter Bunny cakes, Easter menus, and BigSis' and SisMamas' upcoming trip to California.

Maybe I'll have time soon to talk about some new MAC and Urban Decay products that I couldn't resist buying!

~LilSis

March 6, 2009

Thanks for the Borba update, LilSis.  I'm still using the Borba Firming Body Trio, and still liking the results.  I'm really bummed that QVC isn't carrying the products any longer, since their price was so great.

What is it that makes me STILL wonder if there is a better anti-cellulite solution out there, even though I like the Borba products?  I don't know if that's a woman thing, or if I'm just fickle and always searching for more when it comes to beauty and body products.

I've been digging around the internet for a couple of hours looking for well-reviewed anti-cellulite products without caffeine.  Guess what?  I can't find any. Seems caffeine is the primary ingredient in all of these products, but I'm determined to stay away from it.  My search will go on, but meanwhile I'll keep using the Borba trio.

~BigSis

March 5, 2009

You may remember BigSis talked here about the Borba Firming Body Trio Set and the results that she noticed after using these products for just a week.  Once I heard that, I ordered my set from QVC the same day. Unfortunately, I just checked with QVC, and as of today, they no longer offer the Borba Firming Body Trio.

Borba Firming Body Trio

The Borba Firming Body Trio set is still $60 through the Borba website.  I really love all three of these products! I've actually been doing the same routine as BigSis. Instead of using all three products on the same day, I use the Body Polish on one day, the Cleansing Serum on the next day and the Contour Cream every day.

I've been using the trio for about five weeks now and I can honestly say that I can see a difference! My skin is firmer and smoother. I don't want anyone to think that I'm saying that these are some miracle products that will literally melt the cellulite off your thighs, but I have definitely noticed a change. (I dream of a day when I could say that I'm cellulite free. Ha! That will probably only happen in my dreams!)

Since I'm not using the Serum and the Polish every day, I'll have to order more of the Contour Cream before I need more of the other two products.

The Borba Firming Diamond Shimmer Contour is $32.00 from Borba when ordered individually. This product is unlike anything I've ever used before. It's pretty thick and creamy, but it absorbs into the skin really fast.

Borba Firming Diamond Shimmer Contour

In comparison to all the other products I've used, I do have to say that this brand is the only one that has shown me some real results. Worth sixty bucks, if you ask me!

~LilSis

January 16, 2009

LilSis, I'd love to give you an update on the Borba cellulite products.  I started using the Firming Body Cleansing Serum ($20) almost 60 days ago.  I liked it immediately and I still like it.  It seems to firm and just feels energizing on my skin.  The Serum contains Hyaluronic Acid (a humectant which is said to promote the skin’s natural ability to hold onto moisture), Heptapeptide-1 (which is supposed to help firm and tone the skin while fighting free radical damage), plus Guanabana Fruit Extract, Diamond Powder, and Hydrolyzed Spandex Fiber.  If you know what those ingredients are, you're way ahead of me!

Since I liked the Serum, regardless of my ingredient ignorance, I ordered two other products to complement it.  I got the Firming Body Trio which includes the Serum plus Firming Micro-Diamond Body Polish and Firming Diamond Shimmer Contour.  I've been using the Serum and the Polish on alternate days, and the Contour Cream every day.

The Body Polish contains Diamond Powder to exfoliate and improve microcirculation, Glycolic Acid and Salicylic Acid to help refine and retexturize surface skin, plus Vitamins A and E, Colloidal Oatmeal, Soy, Cucumber, Aloe, Hydrolized Spandex Protein, Heptapeptide-1, Guanabana extract, and Papain.

The Contour Cream contains Diamond Powder and Mica which are supposed to provide multidimensional radiance and contour to diffuse the look of imperfections. It also has Guanabana Extract, Shea Butter, Cucumber, Aloe, Hydrolized Spandex Protein, Papain, Salicylic Acid and Glycolic Acid.

I'm not a BeautyBrain, so I can't tell you what all those ingredients are, and if the claims that Borba makes concerning them are reasonable.  What I can tell you is that I PROMISE I am seeing results after using this trio together for only a week!  I'm SO not kidding, and I'm NOT on the Borba payroll!  I have used plenty of anti-cellulite products that moisturize and not much else, but this line is different.

Borba Firming Cellulite Trio

The Borba products do not have any caffeine that I can see (again, I'm no BeautyBrain), which makes their effectiveness even more surprising.  What I'm seeing is tighter, smoother skin with no nasty caffeine side effects.

I've been ordering through the Borba web site, but I just found the products on QVC.  QVC has the firming trio for $48, plus shipping.  I paid $60 on sale, but the regular price for the trio is $80.  Doh!  Guess where I'll be doing my ordering from now on!  Comments on the QVC web site mention the unpleasant smell of the products, and I have to say that I'm not in love the scent of the cream. The good news is that it disappears pretty quickly so it doesn't bother me at all.  I don't notice an undesirable fragrance in the body polish, and I actually like the fresh scent of the serum.

Overall, I would highly recommend the Borba Body Firming Trio, and the QVC price makes it a great deal as well as effective!  So far, this is the best firming product line I've used.  If you know of something better, let me know so I can test it!

~BigSis

November 28, 2008

A few weeks ago, I was sitting in my allergist's office after my injection, and happened to read in some random magazine about a product that actually firmed up “that area”. You know the area I mean; the dreaded cellulite zone. I was intrigued so I ordered the product, and have been using it for about 10 days now.  I am happy to report that in the never-ending search for an effective caffeine-free cellulite product, there is hope!  It's Borba Firming Body Cleansing Serum ($20).

Borba Firming Body Cleansing Serum

This is kind of a thick gel that you massage into your skin in the shower or bath, and then let it sit on the skin for 30 seconds or so.  Then rinse it off.  It feels a little tingly, and smells great.

I couldn't find any retailers in the Dallas area so I placed my order online, and received two samples of Borba's contour cream.  I used it for a couple of days, and it may be wishful thinking, but I'm telling you I could see some firming.  So my next order will include the Firming Diamond Shimmer Contour ($32).

Borba Firming Diamond Shimmer Contour

I'll continue this trial, and let you know how it goes, but so far I'm encouraged!  There is hope!

~BigSis

October 4, 2008

The battle against cellulite is never-ending, isn't it?  Since we didn't get SisMama's cellulite-free genes, we'll always be looking for the new best cure for the dimply little problem.

I really did like the FatGirlSlim.  I used it for quite a while.  It smelled nice, the cream soaked into the skin well without leaving any stickiness, and it really did seem to give the appearance of smoother skin, thanks to the caffeine in it.

BTW, why does topical caffeine reduce cellulite and eye puffiness, but eating or drinking caffeine-laced products is thought to make it worse?  I don't get it.  Anyway, I bought it several times at $25 for a 6 ounce jar, then it went to $27 and I kept buying it.  What's 2 more dollars in the search for smooth thighs?  But when it went to $29, I was out.  The jar doesn't last very long, and I had reached my budget threshhold.

I searched around on the reviews on MakeUpAlley, and found recommendations for a couple of products.  Neither was too pricey, so I gave them a whirl.  Loreal's Sublime Slim is another caffeine-containing product.  It's more of a gel consistency, and again soaked in well, and did make my skin feel smooth.  At a price point of only around $15, it seemed well worth it.  However, I did get to the point where I wanted to eliminate caffeine from my life for health reasons, so my Sublime Slim had to go.   Bummer.

Next, I tried Weleda's Birch Cellulite Oil.  It comes in a 3.4 ounce glass bottle, which wouldn't be my packaging preference since it is an oil and your hands get slippery.  You can usually find it for between $15 and $20.  I have to admit it's a little hard to get used to at first.  It's an all natural green oil with a very strong herbal aroma, which comes from birch and rosemary.  You don't need much of it, maybe a nickel-sized amount, so the bottle lasts a long time.  It does a good job of moisturizing, and I like that it gives your skin a warm feeling when you massage it in.  I'm not sure how much of a tightening effect I see, the jury is still out on that.  I'm using it now, and alternating it with the Forever Spring kit that LilSis talked about.

I like the Forever Spring Body Smoother kit fine, but I'm not sold on it yet.  The soap smells nice and the loofah does what it's supposed to do – exfoliate, but I have a little bit of a hard time getting much lather from the soap since it's encased in the loofah.  The Firm-It gel reminds me of an aloe vera gel, it feels nice and cool, but I'm not sure how much smoothing I'm seeing, and it seems a tad stickier that the Sublime Slim gel.  The lotion in the kit seems to be a nice standard body lotion.  The kit costs $38.50, but you can buy the loofah soaps separately.

So.  I've eliminated the products that I think are most effective since they containe caffeine.  I'm going to keep using the Weleda Cellulite Oil and the Forever Spring kit since they're my best options right now.  Maybe something new and cool will come along meanwhile.

~BigSis

October 4, 2008

Okay, let's be honest… If we're going to talk about what women, especially “more mature” women in their forties, are concerned about, we have to talk about cellulite. I know it's the nasty “C” word. It's a nasty, ugly word! More nasty and ugly than the other “C” word!

Maybe there are a few lucky women that don't have to worry about this issue, but I'm not one of them. It's in the genes; on D's side of the family; not from SisMama.  Unfortunately, this is yet another thing that Big Sis and I have in common.  For years, we have both been trying to find ways to prevent and/or diminish the scary “orange peel” or even worse, “cottage cheese” thighs!

Listen up you “twenty-somethings” and “thirty-somethings”! If you don't have it already, do everything in your power to prevent it.  When I was in my late thirties, I was actually in the best (Ephedra enhanced) physical condition of my life.  I had several friends who were over forty at the time that kept telling me, “You just wait til you turn forty.  Everything gets harder.  You have to eat less and workout more.” And, guess what? They were right!

I run, I do yoga, I ride my bike and I rarely have one day where I don't do some form of exercise. I also drink lots of water, which is good; but I also consume some alcoholic beverages, which is bad for cellulite. Wouldn't you know it?

I haven't wasted much money on a bunch of creams, lotions, and potions because I knew deep down that they wouldn't produce the results as advertised. A couple of years ago, BigSis turned me on to the Fat Girl Slim products from Bliss. I did love Fat Girl Slim but I finally realized that the caffeine in the products was in fact responsible for my worsening insomnia. So, I gave all my jars to Big Sis. I also liked the serious seaweed cellulite soap. A single bar is $14.00 and a three pack is normally $42, but is on sale right now for $38.00.

Years ago, I used a product that SisMama had purchased as a gift for me. I recently bought it again and I really like it. I might actually be noticing a difference in the tightness of my skin. Or it could just be that I don't have my glasses on when I examine my thighs. The product is from Forever Spring. I bought this Body Smoother Set for $38.50. It comes with a Loofah Algae Soap, Firm It Gel, Body Cream, a Body File and a Pumice Stone.  The Loofah Algae Soap is actually my favorite item from the set.  You can purchase the Loofah Algae Soap separately for $14.00 for a twin pack. I'll definitely buy more of the soaps.

In my never ending quest to fight the battle of the cellulite, I've actually decided that I may need to start doing some of my work standing up at the laptop instead of sitting on my fanny!

Any words of wisdom, BigSis? I know you were going to give these products a try. What did you think? Or have you discovered any new fancy miracle products that you can share?

~LilSis