BLISSFUL SKIN >>> Blissoma Solutions

My fiancé and close friends will tell you than I'm a little obsessive when it comes to my skin.  I have a habit of putting my face so close to the mirror that it's almost touching it, scrutinizing my pores, crows feet, and those terrible light brown splotches that are starting to appear as evidence of my teenage years, which were spent basking in as much blazing hot sun as I could get.

The reason for this obsession is the fact that my skin is ridiculously temperamental, and no matter how hard I try, I've never been able to quite figure out how to calm it down.  Although usually on the dry side, it changes its mind often, and loves to surprise me with the occasional cluster of angry zits (always before an important event, of course).  I've tried countless skincare products, hoping with each new purchase that I'd finally found the one that would deliver what it promised.  I've also struggled to find a line that wasn't laden with a plethora of unpronounceable (and often dangerous) chemicals, but could never seem to find a natural label that actually worked.  Enter Blissoma Solutions.

A couple of weeks ago, I received a beautiful box of goodies in the mail from Julie Longyear, the founder and creative chemist behind Blissoma.  Julie, who is educated in art and chemistry, spent many years researching and experimenting with herbs and essential oils before creating Blissoma Solutions.  With all of the great press and awards the line has received, I was excited to find out for myself what made it so special. Inside the box were several items from her 100% natural and vegetarian skincare line, each of which smelled so delicious and fresh that I felt immediately transported to my favorite spa.  My attention then shifted to the ingredients (most of which were certified organic):  herb extracts and juices, hand-pressed seed oils, and active raw botanicals. Although I'd had some disappointing experiences with other all-natural lines, I couldn't wait to give this new skincare system a try.

That night, I started off with Fresh, a mild rice cleanser that smelled sweetly of citrus and immediately soothed my skin.  Unlike most cleansers I've used, it wasn't harsh, and felt like it was gently removing the day's impurities rather than stripping my skin.  Next, I spritzed on Tone, a refreshing "Intense Hydration Tonique" filled with calming, de-puffing organic cucumber infusion, firming organic burdock, soothing heather flowers and all sorts of other healing goodness.  Finally, I applied Peace, a calming evening facial cream with a fragrance reminiscent of the fresh herb garden my mother kept when I was growing up (yes, it smelled that good).  Full of nourishing herbs and restorative minerals, it absorbed quickly without the greasy afterglow my regular lotion always left behind. I even used it around my eyes, with absolutely no irritation.  When I woke up in the morning, my skin felt soft and still freshly cleansed, and I noticed that already, the flaky dry patches were gone and spots of redness were diminished.  I followed the same routine as the night before, except for the Peace moisturizer, which I replaced with Awake, a refreshing daily morning moisture cream packed with brightening and tonic herbs and lightweight essential fatty acids.  So far, I was impressed.

Over the next two weeks, I continued with this regimen, occasionally substituting Lift in place of the other two moisturizers.  Lift is an "Intelligent Energy Cream" filled with antioxidants and energizing herbs to fight aging (see ya later sun spots).  Like the other products, the scent was delightful.  And just so the rest of my skin didn't get jealous of the nuturing my face had been receiving, I also incorporated two other products into my daily routine: Amend, a wonderful, antioxidant-rich sprayable body lotion that fights sun damage, and Juniper natural spray deodorant, which left me smelling clean and fresh (rather than covered in the aluminum-laden synthetic perfume of traditional deodorants). 

I also used one additional product that has proven to be my favorite of all: Refine.  A clay renewal treatment that is now officially my skin's BFF, Refine is a detoxifying clay mask that fights impurities and evens skin tone.  It is completely different from other masks I've used; a little goes a long way, it doesn't sting or feel harsh, and it provides immediate results. Perhaps this is due to the fact that it contains Rhassoul, an extraordinary clay (taken from lava clay beds in Morocco!) that is used at the finest spas in the world. Or maybe it's the nourishing organic oils paired with Licorice (for sun damage) and Willowbark (for superior exfoliation). Whatever the case, it works.  I still have some left over in the sample size jar I received, and plan to purchase the full size as soon as it runs out.

All in all, I have to say that I am more than pleasantly surprised with Blissoma Solutions's results.  Like the name says, this line of truly natural skincare products provides solid solutions for my skin's problems, and does so in a way that makes me feel pampered and rejuvenated.  It's looking like my days of close-up mirror pore obsessing may be a thing of the past, and I look forward to using these products on a daily basis for years to come.  Perhaps the best part (aside from the whole "this stuff really works" thing) is the price.  I'd consider Blissoma Solutions to be a luxury skincare line, but the price tags on these products range from $16.99 for the Amend spray lotion to $22.25 for the Refine clay treatment.  The natural deodorant is a mere $9.25, and you can even get a whole kit of four facial care products for about $75 (the cost of a tiny jar of most luxury moisturizers).

Simply, Blissoma creates blissful skin. 



Before I say "the end" to this review (I know it was a long one, but I really can't say enough about this line!), I have a piece of great news to share...

I told Julie how thrilled I was with Blissoma's results, and she has generously offered Bubby and Bean readers 20% OFF the entire Blissoma Solutions line for the next week! Keep in mind - this was NOT a paid promotion/review, nor am I making any kind of commission off of this amazing discount.  This is just a special treat being offered to all of you for being readers of this blog.  (Um, yay!)  All you have to do to receive this incredible discount is enter the code BUBBYANDBEAN20 when you make a purchase on the Blissoma website, today through July 18th.  For those of you who decide to try it, make sure you check back in and let me know what you think.  (Also be sure to stop by Blissoma's Facebook and Twitter pages!)


I hope you have a wonderful Monday!