How to Care for Leather Products

My knowledge of how to care for leather products used to consist of don’t step in water and use some shoe polish when they get scuffed. But actually you can use conditioning products to keep those fancy purses, belts, and shoes looking spiffy.

I was offered the chance to review three of Leather Nova’s non-toxic products: leather cleaner, leather conditioner, and 2-in-1 leather cleaner + conditioner. My most frequently used of leather products are my dance shoes, which I will do pretty much anything to extend the life of. So I figured learning how to care for leather products better was worth a try.

How to Care for Leather Products: Review

I especially liked the leather conditioner, which I applied to my shoes after using the leather cleaner. I left it on for half an hour, then buffed the leather surface which left it shiny enough that I didn’t need to use shoe polish. Since the leather conditioner smells much less toxic than shoe polish, this was a great discovery. While it’s still a cleaning product and you’ll want to use gloves or wash your hands afterward, the color is clear so I didn’t have to dig black shoe polish bits out from under my nails later, either.

Using leather conditioning products supposedly extends the wear of your leather products. Since this is the first time I’ve ever used it, I can’t comment on that.. Check back on this blog post in a few years and I’ll have a better answer for you!

Since Leather Nova sent me three large bottles to review, I had to think about how I will make good use of the product. (Calling all friends with leather products, I am willing to share!) I made a list of all the things I can use this on:

-Dance shoes

-Sperry’s (any non-suede shoes)

-Purses, both real and fake leather

-Leather jackets

-Leather furniture

Can you think of anything else to add to the list? Let me know!

I was sent these items to review in this how to care for leather products post in exchange for my honest opinion on products that my readers might find helpful. All opinions, as always, are my own.

Discover vitamins for your face! A Vitamin C serum giveaway opportunity is at the end of the post, so stick around.

Using vitamin C serum can:

• Neutralize free radicals and reverse damage to your skin caused by environmental factors like the sun, pollutants or cigarette smoke.
• Give you a more even skin tone and replace your skin’s natural elasticity.
• Shrink wrinkles and lines on your face to make you look and feel younger.
• Diminish scars and acne marks.

Questions & Answers about the Imbue Naturals Vitamin C Serum giveaway

Is it for men too? Yes! Vitamin C can benefit all types of skin. This product is very gender neutral.

Is it scented? No fragrance is added to this serum. It smells slightly acidic due to the ingredients, so I added one drop of lime essential oil and one drop of lavender essential oil and now it smells great. I don’t consider that to be a negative attribute, because unscented products are good for those with perfume sensitivities. Plus I was able to make it a scent of my own choosing.

Is it cruelty free? Yes! Imbue Naturals does not test on animals.

Does it contain alcohol or parabens? No! I’m happy about the short ingredients list: Purified Water, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) 20%, Hyaluronic Acid, Amino Acid Complex, Xanthan Gum, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Phenoxyethanol

Vitamin C Serum Giveaway

After Imbue Naturals gave me the chance to try out their 20% Vitamin C serum, I wanted you to be able to try it too! The company will be giving away one full size bottle of the serum to the winner of this giveaway, sent to U.S. and Canada addresses only. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rejuvenique Oil for hair and skin

Have you added oil to your beauty routine yet? That’s right-oil. I’d tried coconut, almond, olive, emu and argan oil before, but this is a new one: Abyssinian oil. I tried this new oil in MONAT’s signature formula Rejuvenique Oil Intensive, which includes 13 all natural oils including Abyssinian oil. Independent clinical trials concluded that it’s more effective than argan oil, so absolutely I was going to try it.

Rejuvenique Oil Intensive’s uses include combing it through your hair as a pre-shampoo treatment, using a little on the ends to tame dry winter fly aways, and using it as a skin moisturizer. Though it’s marketed as a luxury hair oil, I tried it on my face and got hooked so I’ve been using it primarily for that. I love that it’s just pure, natural oil and no other added ingredients.

Texture: Oily (surprise, surprise). Looks like liquid gold. Absorbs quickly. Perfect for dry skin. Doesn’t seem to clog pores.

Fragrance: light, citrus scent that shouldn’t bother those with fragrance sensitivities.

Packaging: Nifty dropper bottle that is easy and fun to use. Sleek design makes you feel like you’re at a spa.

Rejuvenique Oil full ingredient list: Imnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Seed Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Adansonia Digitata Oil, Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Gardenia Tahitensis Flower Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Caryocar Brasiliense Fruit Oil, and Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil.

I was given a sample of Rejuvenique Oil through iFabbo in exchange for my unbiased review on a product that might benefit my readers. All opinions, as always, are my own!

Is oil part of your beauty routine? Would you try it?

Why take priobiotics?

Probiotics, the good gut bacteria, are essential to health. Priobiotic supplements have been shown to help people get over food poisoning-a tidbit of info I found especially interesting. After my food poisoning ordeal of Christmas 2013, I always make sure to keep a probiotic supplement on hand as an essential first aid item. Whether it is an acute symptom like a yeast infection or food poisoning (such pleasant topics to discuss on the blog, I know!) giving yourself an extra health boost after a round of antibiotics, or to increase digestive ability, probiotics are a safe and holistic remedy.

Hyperbiotics review: Pro-15 Formula

My digestion improved right away after taking one Pro-15 advanced strength capsule a day. I finished one week on this regimen, then decided to save the rest of the bottle for later. I just take one now when my digestion seems to need a little extra help.The shelf life is pretty long (about 18 months) if you refrigerate the bottle after opening. Always refrigerate your probiotics to make them last!

What intrigued me about Hyperbiotics is partly that its founder created the company after he fell ill after traveling and never fully recovered. He formulated this patented products to help himself regain his health, and it worked. The special formulation ensures that the majority of good bacteria in the supplement make it through the digestive system alive to populate the intestinal tract. With formulas that are not time released, very few of the good guys make it through the stomach’s acidity to get where they can do you the most good. These tablets provide time-released benefit throughout the day. It was a huge relief for me not to worry about taking them at a certain time, on an empty stomach or with/without meals. Just pop one any time throughout the day and know you’re experiencing the benefit of probiotics.

I’m not saying this is a wonder pill that will cure all your problems. A good diet, exercise and working with trusted health professionals are obviously essential components of a healthy lifestyle but I believe that taking probiotic supplements is one of the best things I can do for my health.

Hyperbiotics PRO-15 ingredients

As always, review the ingredients of this product and consult your health professional before deciding it’s right for you. From the label, here are the ingredients listed: L. acidophilus, L. plantarum, L. fermentum, B. infantis, L. casei, B. longum, L. rhamnosus, B. lactis, L. reuteri, L. salivarius, L. paracasei, L. gasseri, B. bifidum, B. breve, S. thermophilus, kiwifruit extract, prebiotic fructooligosaccharides (FOS). Other ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Hydroxpropyl methylcellulose, pectin, stearic acid, sodium carbonate, guar gum, tumeric (color).

I hope you’ve enjoyed this Hyperbiotics review. I was given samples in exchange for my unbiased opinion on a product that might benefit my readers. All opinions are my own. Thanks for reading and let me know in the comments what you think of probiotic supplements. Have they helped you?