The Blossoming of Your Complexion

Do you read ingredient labels? Not just on food but on beauty products? I do. I have to thanks to allergies but when I shop whether it's at the drugstore or department store or specialty store levels , I read labels to see how much active ingredient is in the product. You know that closer to the top of the list, the more potent or the greater the amount of the ingredient. It's simple math.. you want the most bang for your buck so regardless of the price of the item, if the active ingredients are at the bottom of the list, take a pass because it's just not going to give you the best results. It's like flushing $$$ down the toilet. 

In many skincare ingredient lists these days, particularly with products touting botanicals, antioxidants and the blend of cosmeceutical + natural ingredients, you might find an ingredient that is called Camellia Japonica or some form of camellia extract. What is this ingredient? Camellia  extract is a poly-phenol which is an chemical entity that stops free radical chain reactions or in other words, it's an antioxidant-- a  very potent antioxidant.  It helps prevent free radical damage that causes cell death and scar formation. Do you need this?  YES!!! You do need this. It's why it's in so many products from moisturizers to foundations to treatment products for face and body, it's definitely a great thing.
When it comes to protecting your skin and keeping it look young, healthy and undamaged, you want to include as many antioxidants topically as you do internally (that means eat well balanced colorful meals .. and umbrellas in drinks don't count!)

Ok so you have camellia extract in products.. so big deal. How about being able to use the extract in its purest form--in an oil base and apply it topically to skin on your face and body? MEI Camellia Oil is one of those great little products that does so many things and it only takes a couple of drops to do it and you will derive great benefits from it.

Where would you use it? Well I was turned onto it when I was in NYC and happened to visit PIR Cosmetics store on Prince and Elizabeth St..  A fab make-up artist ( Yo Joanna! that's you!) used it to cleanse my face and then blended some into the Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer foundation that she was applying  to my face. She only used a couple of drops on the back of her hand and blended in the foundation.

Application was speedy and easy because the foundation was a bit thinner and it provided much needed moisturizer to my dry skin.  It gave a slight sheen to the foundation as well which was nice.

Fast forward to today-- I got some MEI Camellia Oil which is a pure natural essence of camellia extract  and use it just as Joanna taught me.  Taking it a step further, I started to investigate what other uses this oil had, because if that was all I was going to use this Camellia Oil for, it was definitely a life-time supply.

1. It's a great make-up remover: blend some with some cleanser and your eye make-up and other make-up comes off in a flash.
2. It can be used as a  light moisturizer apres sun or after facial cleansing. It's great for thirsty summer skin.. If you have oily skin, try this product in very small amounts because it can help reduce oil production because you are nourishing and moisturizing your skin. It absorbs very quickly and if you use a couple of drops (just 2!) you will find that's plenty. Apply by pressing hands to face, throat, decolletage and even your hands, cuticles and legs for some added moisture
3. Reportedly, it can help  minimize/heal stretch marks.  This is particularly iffy based on your skintype and how badly you scar but I personally have seen some scar reduction on my face and on arms (a couple of booboos). It's a case of your mileage may vary.
4. If your hair is dry, you can take a couple of drops and rub it through hair to calm frizzies and keep it smoother.
5. It's a great massage oil and moisturizer for your body. It's not overly greasy--just don't OD on how much you pour into your hand.
6. If you like the texture of this oil, there is a scented version (lavender) that makes a lovely perfumed oil for bath or body too.

You can choose from the regular Camellia Oil --scented or unscented (I went unscented) and now the  Wild Camellia Seed Oil ( scented or unscented). The wild version comes from only white camellias for unscented and pink camellias for the scent. The new version comes in a spray bottle.

Sounds odd huh to say don't overload on this but this is a powerful product and less is more!  The price is certainly right at less than $30.00 for the oil.

Mei also has a cool rose petal mask too-- Rose and Mung Bean Detoxifying Face Mask.  It's a unique botanical where they gather flower buds just about to open of only the deepest reddest roses they have and only in the time frame of June to October, then dried and ground to create this mask that will decongest, detox and help clarify skin. It's very different!

You can find all the info about  Mei Camellia Essence Oil  and the  Rose Mask  at Victani.com . Purchase through the website or check the retailer/store listing to find a store near you!

I use this product daily and have been for several months.. I wouldn't be without it!

See you at the beauty counter!

Stevie