Kaeli's Kiwis: Summer Solstice Giveaway Hop & NeoCell Giveaway

Welcome to the 2012 Summer Solstice Giveaway Hop hosted by MamaNYC! Over 100

bloggers have teamed up to bring you some amazing prizes to start your summer!

This event will run from June 18-24, 2012 and hopefully you’ll be able to find (and win!) some

great summer prizes, which will help you at the beach, BBQ, or backyard fun in the sun! Each of

our giveaways features a prize value minimum of $25.00 and there is plenty of time to hop down

the entire list!

*The Grand Prize packages for the Summer Solstice are as follows. . .

#1- $150.00 PayPal CASH (WORLDWIDE)

#2 - Sterling Silver Father’s Day Photo Dog Tag (w/20 inch Sterling Silver Box

Chain) - $130.00 value (US/CANADA)

#3 - (3 winners!) 1000 Places To See Before You Die (US/CAN) - $20 value/each

*First selected winner will receive their FIRST choice in prize pack. Second selected winner will

receive their first choice (or second if already taken by first winner) and so on...

Kaeli's Kiwis is excited to present NeoCell as our giveaway sponsor! Read the review below then enter on the Rafflecopter form to win the same beauty package I received! The package is valued at $65!

Before working with NeoCell I had never heard of the company. If you are like me you might be interested in learning a little bit more about this company. I went to the NeoCell website to learn more about them and this is what I found:

"The Neocell Corporation is dedicated to providing premium collagen peptide-based dietary supplements for skin, connective tissue and joint health. Neocell was born in 1998, as a small, research grounded family owned business that had the goal of introducing to the world the anti-aging and overall health benefits of a naturally- sourced collagen based supplement line. Millions of customers have experienced these benefits and are living healthier lives because of doing so.

All of Neocell’s health, wellness and anti-aging products are doctor-formulated and offer the highest quality and precise combination of ingredients to maximize health and wellness benefits. Neocell’s products are manufactured in a GMP certified facility in California and guarantee the highest quality and safety manufacturing standards. NeoCell is one of the top-selling brands in health food stores, and a leader in the fields of nutritional science and methods development."

I was particularly excited to be working with a company that I now know is probably on the shelves of my favorite Whole Foods store. I like that they are using naturally derived sources of collagen and other ingredients in their beauty serums.

For this review I was sent the following products:

Collagen + C Radiance Serum:

Potent
Protects &Rejuvenates
Vitamin C & E
Paraben Free

Collagen+C Liposome Serum is made using time-release micro-capsules that penetrate the skin to deliver collagen stimulating ingredients and potent anti-oxidants where the skin needs them most. Fat-soluble Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and phospholipids containing essential fatty acids to enhance the skin's firmness, elasticity, and moisture.

Hydra + H.A. Serum:

Superior Hydration
Advanced Skin Cell Turnover & Lubrication
Paraben Free

Hyaluronic acid is essential in cell lubrication and hydration in the body and has been shown to help regulate cell turnover in the skin. Advanced HA Serum is paraben free and uses liposome technology to penetrate the skin and infuse it with NeoCell Advanced HA Serum in a time release formula.

The above products are to be applied one to two times daily on clean skin before moisturizers or sunscreen.

Refreshing Herbal Mist:

Skin Balancing Herbs, Collagen &Vitamins, Paraben Free: The Callogen Herbal Mist is a refreshing cool mist that leaves a layer of moisturizing collagen, essential vitamins, balancing herbs, free radical scavengers, and soothing aloe vera on skin and hair to keep them hydrated and revitalized. It is oil free, lanolin free, and has no artificial fragrance.

Just mist this product on anytime and go, even over makeup!

My thoughts on the products:

I used the two serums religiously twice a day for approximately two weeks before posting this review. In full disclosure, the only other products I used during this time were store brand cleanser and facial moisturizer as well as a heavy nighttime moisturizer that I use and I do give myself at home microderm abrasion once a week.

I do tend to try anti-aging products and other products that are said to improve the quality of my skin now and again so I was able to compare the results with these products to results I've seen with other products in the past. My general feeling is that if you don't have to spend loads of money to get the good results you are looking for so NeoCell products fit my budget quite nicely. I don't believe their are any miracle creams out there that will get rid of all your wrinkles and plump your skin so you look 18 again, but I do notice a difference in my skin when I use a product regularly such as NeoCell.

WHAT I LIKED:

One thing I like about the Collagen serum is that it contains vitamin C. During the summer when I am out in the sun more I am prone to freckles and spotting so I think the natural acidity in the C serum has helped to control the evenness of my skin. I have spent some time by the pool the past two weeks but I haven't noticed a darkening on my freckles yet. I think both serums have helped with the dryness I usually experience this time of year as well.I also think the hereditary bags under my eyes have plumped up or improved slightly. I also liked the packaging and pump system. I hate serums that come in jars because you introduce germs into the serum if you aren't careful.

I LOVED:

I love the refreshing spray. I threw it in my purse when I first got it and would remember to pull it out when my skin felt "tired" in the afternoons, or when I had been out in the heat sweating and I felt the need for a blast of cool refreshment for my skin. I have to say it sure beats pulling out one of my son's baby wipes to dab at my skin. Using the spray meant I didn't have to mess up my makeup. It was such a fine mist that it didn't drip either and dried quickly. I will most definitively purchase this product in the future.

WHAT I DID NOT LIKE:

I wasn't a big fan of the feel of the serums on my face and hands. They felt a little tacky until they dried. Once I completed my skin care routine by adding moisturizer any bothersome sensations went away. It wasn't a huge deal, just something I noticed. I also was a little more broken out with small white heads during these two weeks than normal. It could have been the products or it could have been that I began using some new hair products that could have gotten onto my skin as well. I did make a few more trips to Sonic for happy hour so I am sure the added sugar increased my acne some as well.

In summary, I think it is wise to take care of your skin and try to preserve your youth by fighting against the elements that damage our skin cells. Using specialized products is better than not using anything or just using moisturizer, and I would recommend these to a friend who was looking for some natural, paraben-free products that are budget friendly!

CONNECT WITH NEOCELL: On TWITTER, On FACEBOOK, & On PINTEREST!

NeoCell products are available online through Amazon and are currently discounted up to 42%, Shop Now And Save!

WIN IT! ENTER TO WIN THE SAME BEAUTY SET I REVIEWED, A $65 VALUE, ON THE RAFFLECOPTER FORM BELOW!