Category Archives: origins

aveeno, beauty, cleanser, climate, cosmetics, desert, drugstore, dry, health, moisturizer, oil of olay, origins, skin, skincare

Ask Marissa…Moved to the Desert

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Jane Doe: (I just moved to the desert.) Do you have any recommendations on skincare products. I have been using Clinique, Shiesido, and other stuff, but looking for a good affordable one to try out. The weather here in Vegas is dry so something new will be good. Thanks for your help!
Me: It depends on what your main skin concern is. I like different brands for different things.
Jane Doe: I have sensitive skin but mainly dry out here in the dessert. Funny, my skin was oily in the Bay (Area) haha. Any good suggestion on moisturizer?
Me: For the day time, I would stick with Clinique. I love their Superdefense cream for very dry skin ($42.50). Here’s my blog about it:





At night, I love Origins Night-A-Mins cream ($36). It’s really thick, but it won’t break you out.


I know you wanted something less pricey, but you really get what you pay for in a moisturizer.
Cleansing can be a little cheaper though. I like either Aveeno Positively Radiant cleansing pads (average price, $7) or Oil of Olay Daily Facial Hydrating cleansing cloths (average price, $6).


Hope this helps.


acid, beauty, care, cosmetics, glycolic, origins, pads, peel, review, skin, skincare

Marissa’s Pick of the Week – Brighter By Nature

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Radiance and clarity are my main concerns for my skin, so naturally I had to try Origin’s new Brighter By Nature High-potency brightening peel with fruit acids ($37.50). These mini-peel pads are loaded with skin brightening, anit-oxidant packed fruity acids from blueberries, Goji berries and grapes. Chamomile, aloe and lavender soothe redness and sensitivity. Test results showed that this treatment can be comparable to a 30% glycolic peel.

While this product claimed to be a “glycolic peel without the redness,” I did see a little red. The box also indicated that a “tingling” sensation is normal, but what I felt was more of a sting. It wasn’t unbearable, just a little uncomfortable. Both of those side effects are well worth the face I woke up to the next morning. My skin was noticeably brighter and acne scars were faded.

I recommend only using the peel pads two nights a week. Don’t use them in the same 24 hours as your regular scrub and mask. You should use a broad-spectrum SPF everyday, but it’s especially important after this treatment. Your face just shed several layers of dead skin, so your skin would be more vulnerable to UV rays.

Remember: Not every cosmetics counter girl knows what they’re doing. The employee turnover rate in cosmetics is high, and most don’t get formally trained until they’ve been there for a few months. It’s not rude to ask how long they’ve been there and if they’ve gone to class yet. This is YOUR skin. Don’t put its care in the hands of an untrained sales person who hasn’t got the proper product knowledge.

acne, activated, beauty, charcoal, clarify, cosmetics, mask, organic, origins, skin, skincare

Marissa’s Pick of the Week – Charcoal Mask

Using a deep cleansing mask at least once a week is important for acne prone skin like mine. Luckily, Origins has their Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask ($21). Activated charcoal is a great skincare ingredient used to detoxify and clarify. It works as a filter, trapping impurities in the skin (kind of like how a water filter works) therefore leaving your face squeaky clean. The added benefits of White China (Kaolin) clay stimulates circulation, heals acne and removes dead skin cells for a clear and bright complexion.

brighten, care, exfoliate, exfoliator, face, facial, organic, origins, rice, scrub, skin, skincare

Marissa’s Pick of the Week! – Modern Friction

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Exfoliation and Rice – Origins put 2 of my favorite things together a little piece of Heaven called Modern Friction ($37.50). This natural, oil-free facial scrub is gentle and effective showing a visible difference after the first use. Using Modern Friction 3-4 times a week brightens skin, and evens out texture and discoloration. It also helps to reduce the size of pores and the signs of aging.


Why I love Modern Friction:
The vegan formula is made without parabens, phthalates, propylene, glycol, mineral oil, PABA, petroleum, paraffin, DEA, and fragrance.
The cushy, plush consistency is made with all natural ingredients that each have a little job of its own. The rice starch gently sweeps away dead skin cells, brightens dullness and evens out skin tone. Lemon oil illuminates lack luster skin and has antiseptic benefits. This is great for oily and acne prone skin types. Comforting aloe soothes and calms inflamed skin, preventing post scrub redness. Bergamot was added to stimulate your senses, but it also has the ability to fade scars and marks. Peppermint, a natural stress reliever, brightens dull skin, helps balance oiliness, stimulates blood circulation, and keeps you bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. The icing on the cake…recycled packaging!