About six weeks ago, I was graciously contacted by a representative from the Somme Institute asking if I'd like to do a full trial of their MDT5 5-Step Skincare Regimen. They had heard of my BeautyMint debacle and believed they could help my skin recover from its bad reaction and even help with my desire to reduce my fine lines (forehead), even out my skin tone (red red red cheeks)..and have overall healthier, more beautiful, skin.
You guys, I have been dying to share the results of this trial with you…get ready to be AMAZED!
First, let's talk about claims:
In case you have forgotten where I began with my little search for a great skincare line, let's start with my before picture. This picture were taken just after I discontinued use of BeautyMint. You can see redness, irritation, bumps, big pores, breakout action and of course…those measly fine lines that have been bothering me!
I started my trial of the MDT5 regimen shortly after arriving in Texas last month. Almost immediately following the first couple of uses of the product, I could tell the texture of my skin was improving.
Let's chat about the actual products in the regimen for a minute:
After about two weeks of using the products I was already starting to notice a huge improvement in the all around texture and appearance of my skin. The redness was starting to fade and my skin was looking clearer, softer and more youthful.
As you can tell in the pictures, my skin looks much softer and way more even-toned. That big blemish on my chin completely vanished with no scarring as well.
I got in touch, with my contact at Somme, once early on because I had been experiencing a little dryness around my nose, a problem I've experienced before. Being that it was cold and I was in a different climate, the representative and I agreed that it would probably go away with a little Aquaphor applied at bedtime. I also found that making sure I didn't use the Transport pads around that area of my nose helped greatly, and since being back in New York I haven't encountered any dryness in that area.
Are you ready for the big reveal? Here is my after picture:
The redness (possibly mild Rosacea) has improved dramatically.
The fine lines in my forehead as well as around my eyes are visibly smoother, and less noticeable.
I haven't had a single breakout in six weeks (even around that time of the month…not a single pimple!)
Here are a few remarkable comparison shots to really show you how noticeably different my skin is:
One of the more shocking before and after shots is seeing the difference in Infrared imaging. One of the claims of the MDT5 Regimen is the ability to actually reverse and repair sun damage…you can see a significant difference in my before and after pictures here:
**A note on the infrared images - these images are completely my own amateur attempt at using an infrared filter on my camera.**
Lastly, this review wouldn't be complete without showing you how incredibly healthy (and different) my skin looks even with make-up on. I honestly feel as though I've turned back the clock on my skin.
There are a couple of last things I'd like to share about the skincare line that I feel are important to note if you are considering trying this amazing regimen.
First, because of the highly concentrated levels of Vitamin A in the product line, this regimen cannot be safely used during pregnancy.
And second, as an individual becoming more progressively concerned with the chemicals I am exposed to in my day to day life, both in food and other commodities, I made sure to check on EWG's Skin Deep website to evaluate this product line. The 5 Step Regimen has a safety rating of 4 which is a low moderate risk. (The scale is 0-9, Zero being no risk, 9 being high risk.)
I really love that the Somme Institute is a progressive thinking company as well, and they are already at work to reduce their rating even more by reformulating their line to eliminate as many unnecessary chemicals as possible.
So, what do you think about the results!? Are you as amazed as I am!?
But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless. Break the arm of the wicked and evil man; call him to account for his wickedness that would not be found out. The LORD is King for ever and ever; the nations will perish from his land. You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more. Psalms 10:14-18
I've been angry, heart-broken and sickened lately by the injustices committed against children in our world. Yes, I'm angry at the LRA/Kony crimes that have recently headlined social media and the news. But there are so many more examples of children being used and abused, some a little too close to my heart.
I'm burdened. Thinking about the mistreatment of children not only angers me, with what I can only describe as a righteous fury, it brings me to a place in my past that I don't want to talk about or remember. But here I am, faced with the ache in my heart for the lives and well being of the millions of children suffering at the hands of others in our world. Here I am remembering what it feels like to have no where to turn, no safe place.
Let me be clear that: in no way do I pretend to know what it is like to be abducted from my family and forced into submission as a child soldier. And in no way do I pretend to be able to fathom what being forced into sex-trafficking is like. That, thank God, is not my story. I do know what neglect feels like, I know what abuse feels like, and I know what being used as a weapon of retaliation looks like too.
I've touched on the brokenness of my family before on this blog, and feeling unwanted as a child. I have yet to talk about the custody battles and family court, and being a "ward" of the state as a result of my biological parents selfishness and bitter hatred for one another. I have yet to talk about the seeds of poison planted in my heart by the continuous barrage of manipulative messages bent on warping my heart towards one parent or another.
The last week has been especially trying on my heart, as I've been praying for two little girls who are experiencing this same kind of trauma and fear. They fear not being taken care of, they fear threatened physical violence, and they fear total abandonment. They feel they have no safe place.
Through becoming a mother, God has put a deep longing in my heart to be a safe place for these children. I don't know exactly what this looks like, and I don't have all of the answers, but I trust God to reveal his plan day by day. I want to protect these little girls, I want to rescue others like them. I want them to know how much they matter to God, how much they are loved, even those I have yet to know, I have loved.
You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance.Psalm 32:7
I recently watched an episode of Up All Night, where Christina Applegate's character Reagan goes on a mean-spree through the airport in her stress of traveling with an infant, all the while her husband Chris, played by Will Arnett, follows behind her apologizing for her and trying to play it cool.
At one point, Reagan just looks at her husband Chris, and asks him, "Why can't you just have my back?"
What I didn't expect is that, a couple days after watching this show, I was confronted with a similar sentiment from my husband. Find out how it all went down over at Dominique's Desk, where I'm guest posting today!
I think the only person that ever tags me for these fun little meme's is Amanda. And I always seem to arrive a little late to the party. **Update: I was also tagged by Kelley!**
I want to put a little spin on this post by mentioning that I've been searching for a replacement to Picnik, and have found a few viable options. I'm going to show you my picture for this post, edited by three different online editors that I like.
Here are the rules for this 11 Things Post:
1. Post these rules.
2. Post a photo of yourself and 11 random things.
3. Answer the questions set for you in the original post.
4. Create 11 new questions.
5. Tag a few people, let them know.
1. I've been in a little mini-funk for the past few days. I know why, I'm not getting enough sleep every night and the chronic deprivation is catching up to me. With the hubs working late, it is hard to not want to stay up just to see him.
2. This week I'm taking the initiative by starting a twice a week playgroup for parents with small children that attend my church/live in my neighborhood. I'm excited to give Zion more opportunity to connect with others, as well as meet other parents who stay/work at home.
3. I think I may be coming into my prime…seriously. I've heard that the 30's are a woman's best decade, and I've only made it halfway through my first year in them, but I'm loving it. I tell you 20 somethings, do not worry about getting here…its magic!
4. I feel like I haven't shared a big part of me on this blog, and that is my love for music. I shared a song yesterday evening for the first time, and it felt good. I am definitely a person who always has a soundtrack to my life. Music is my way of sorting and processing my feelings. I am definitely the person who listens to sad music when sad, angry when angry, etc. I find it a therapeutic way to release whatever emotional tension I'm experiencing at any given moment. I need to share more of this with you guys.
So why not share something I like now:
5. I have been eating so good lately. I'm hooked on veggies and low-fat everything. Again. The last time I felt this good physically was right before I got pregnant with Zion. As much as I want to get pregnant with baby number two, I am kind of hoping it won't happen for a while…I am enjoying losing weight and getting back in shape and not really ready to go the other direction again!
6. Speaking of good health and losing weight...I've been thinking about what to spend my $250 that I earned (for the weight/inches I've lost so far) on. Ideas right now include: camera accessories-tripods, case, a new outfit, new shoes…so many choices!
7. As I sit here typing this, I keep looking at the clock because I was told to be in bed, with lights out before the hubs gets home tonight. (He knows how tired I've been). I have so many other things I should be doing, but I really want to blog more than I want to clean. If you are wondering, I have about 10 minutes to get this post finished!
8. I secretly desire to do some fashion blogging. It is my hidden secret. I currently lack the confidence and the wardrobe to pull it off. I was thinking that instead I could do a spoof series. I mean, I feel like putting on a bunch of random textured/patterned clothing and colorful tights with velvet/suede ankle boots is all that it takes to be a successful fashion blogger right now. (I'm not trying to offend…but I always thought of fashionistas as trend setters…and I see a lot of the same thing across the board. Maybe I'm just really unfashionable after all! LOL)
9. I love getting dressed up. I am a girly girl in my heart of hearts. Luckily for my husband we've yet to be in a place, financially, where I could embrace my high-maintenance girly girl tendencies. I mean, Spa days are necessary luxuries, right?
10. Lately I've been thinking a lot about writing a novel. It is a book that has been stuck in my head for a couple of years now. I've annoyed the hubs endlessly because I have yet to devote the time and energy into writing it. I keep saying that this blog was my way to warm up my creativity and get me back into writing. I've realized lately I've done more photo editing than writing and so I need to regroup and refocus.
11. Sometimes I feel that the friends (you lovelies!) I've made through blogging are more real and more encouraging than some of the ones I have in real life. I'm pretty grateful for each and every person I have connected with through blogging. You guys rock!
2. Did I ever (or do I still) have a nickname? What were/are they and how did they come to be? I'm going to go ahead and tell you most of them are real boring: Court (short for Courtney). Jerry gave me a really great pet name once though: missy pooh-bear love monkey. :)
3. What is my favorite time of the day? I think around 11am or so is when I really feel the best energy wise. It also happens to be close to the start of nap time and marks a little bit of me time.
4. What is one chore that I absolutely hate? Laundry. I don't mind folding it, but here in NYC we have to drag our bag of laundry a couple blocks to the laundry mat and deal with tons of other people, machines not functioning, etc. It sucks.
5. If money and gas prices were no object, what kind of car/vehicle would I love to own? A picture is needed here:
A Mercedes C63 AMG Sedan. She is a beauty. Ohhhh if money ware no object!
6. Lefty or Righty? I'm a righty!
7. Would I consider myself to be an organized person? Yes. Organized in that I like to have a place for everything and everything in its place. Unfortunately we don't have everything we need right now to make that possible. So I have organized chaos.
8. Do I get nervous speaking in front of small groups? Not really…it depends on how well I know the people. Large groups? Yes. I do get nervous when it is a big group of people.
9. Do I have a celebrity crush? Well, my husband is kind of a celebrity around here, so if he counts, yes! :)
10. If I could eat only fruits or veggies for a whole week what would it be? Veggies. Definitely.
11. What is my favorite local (non-chain) restaurant (or coffee shop, ice cream parlor, etc.)? I live in NYC…there is no way I can answer this question because there are way too many!! We were told recently about a great Thai restaurant that serves a $7 four-course lunch (on the weekends!) and so we've been loving that place. Really, there are so many places, I don't even know where to begin!
Now here are my 11 Questions:
1. You just won a trip, all expenses paid --- you have to choose the destination now, where will you go? Who will you take? Why?
2. Dark, Milk or White Chocolate?
3. Have you ever succeeded in giving up something that was bad for you? What was it?
4. You have four ingredients: eggs, milk, cheese and bread. What is the most creative thing you can make?
5. Zoo, Aquarium or Circus?
6. If there were no other factors to consider except for pure joy's sake, how many children would you want to have?
7. Do you wear glasses or contacts?
8. Have you ever been in a bad accident?
9. How many pets have you had / do you have? What kind? What are their names?
10. What is the funniest joke you have heard lately?
11. I like the dream car question, so if you could have any new car of your choosing what would it be?
March is here. :) I couldn't be happier. I am not a cold weather person. I prefer mild warm weather, doesn't matter if it is sunny or cloudy (although I love blue sky). I love that the days are getting longer and Spring will arrive in a few weeks. I think what I am most looking forward to is planting a few seeds again (2nd attempt at gardening, ha!) And the overall brighter days that come with Spring. I can't wait to see the trees budding again!
I'm not the only one looking forward to Springing forward…this month I asked my favorite lovelies what Spring holds for them (click on the picture to visit their blog!):
I heart Spring, and these ladies! What are YOU looking forward to this Spring, lovely?
