How To Get Bright, Younger-Looking Eyes In 60 Seconds

Today I’m delighted to share my review of a new-to-me beauty discovery, Bausch + Lomb LUMIFY Redness Reliever Eye Drops. 

I inherited my dad's very sensitive, easily irritated eyes. The whites have gradually developed increasing redness over time, especially when my eyes are tired or after I have applied eye makeup. The redness in the whites of our eyes not only detracts from their appearance but also makes us look older and more tired.

My mom suffered from dry macular degeneration that left her legally blind, so I'm extremely careful about what I put in my eyes. Until recently, I limited myself to occasional use of sterile, single-use saline eye drops when my eyes ache. However, I recently learned about LUMIFY Redness Reliever Eye Drops from Bausch + Lomb from a knowledgeable and trustworthy YouTube beauty influencer I follow, Sheri from Graceful Beauty and decided to give them a try. (I highly recommend subscribing to Sheri's Graceful Beauty YouTube channel.)

I have been absolutely amazed and delighted by the remarkable difference one drop in each eye makes after just 60 seconds. My eyes instantly look whiter, brighter, refreshed and much more youthful!

Read on to check out my before-and-after photos!

These unretouched close-up comparison photos of my eyes were taken just one minute apart, before and after I applied one drop of Bausch + Lomb LUMIFY Redness Reliever Eye Drops to each eye.

LUMIFY Redness Reliever Eye Drops Are Like Photoshop For Your Eyes!

LUMIFY redness reliever eye drops are a brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution 0.025% from Bausch + Lomb, the makers of the Ocuvite Eye Vitamin and Mineral Supplement that I have been taking for many years on the advice of my opthalmologist. They're a brand I know and trust.

Here's what I love about the LUMIFY Redness Reliever Eye Drops:

Safer Than Other Redness Relieving Eye Drops

• These FDA-approved eye drops contain no bleach or dyes. 
• According to the LUMIFY website, what makes this product different from its competitors is that "Other redness relievers constrict the arteries in your eyes, which can deprive the eye of oxygen. And that works to relieve redness at first, but commonly causes rebound redness. But low-dose brimonidine...restricts the venules, which helps to relieve redness without limiting the flow of oxygen...[for] whiter, brighter looking eyes that last up to 8 hours - with a low risk of rebound redness when used as directed."

Unique Formulation

• LUMIFY claims to be the only over-the-counter redness reliever eye drops product that contains brimonidine. I did a quick search on Amazon for the active ingredient, brimonidine tartrate, and none of the the other products that appeared in the search results contained this ingredient.

Works in One Minute, Lasts for Hours

• LUMIFY Redness Reliever Eye Drops are clinically proven to to reduce redness in 1 minute. Just one drop per eye is all you need to see the drops work their magic!    
• The company claims the effects last for "up to eight hours." Although I find that they start to wear off sooner, I'm very pleased with how long the improved appearance of my eyes lasts. 

Check out these close-up photos before-and-after of my eyes to see the difference they make in just 60 seconds!

My eyes immediately before applying one drop of LUMIFY Redness Reliever Eye Drops to each eye; as you can see, the red lines and the redness in the inner corners make them look older and more tired.

This close-up photo was taken one minute after I applied the LUMIFY eye drops. The red lines are almost entirely gone and the redness in the inner corners has disappeared. You can see how much whiter and brighter my 68-year-old eyes look compared to the "before" photo.

Doesn't Sting My Sensitive Eyes

• As I mentioned, my eyes are extremely sensitive. I was delighted (and relieved) to discover that these drops don't sting my eyes at all!

Safe for Contact Lens Wearers

• Although I don't wear contacts, according to the LUMIFY FAQ, "LUMIFY can be used with contacts, but be sure to take them out before putting LUMIFY in your eyes. Wait 10 minutes before putting your contacts back in after use of LUMIFY."

Flents Ezy Drop Eye Drop Guide Helps You Apply Eye Drops Quicker, Easier, More Accurately and More Hygienically

• It's important to keep the tip of any eye drops bottle from touching your eye to avoid contaminating the drops with bacteria. However, appling eye drops to our own eyes without touching the tip to the surface of our eyes can be tricky (and sometimes frustrating).
• Although we can get better with practice, it's much quicker and easier to use an aid like the Flents Ezy Drop Eye Drop Guide that lets you position the tip of the bottle directly over your eye while keeping it a safe, hygienic distance from the surface.
• By ensuring correct placement every time, this application aid helps you avoid wasting expensive eye drops (and getting them on your face instead of in your eyes!).

How To Get Bright, Younger-Looking Eyes In 60 Seconds by Margaret Schindel

Read More of My Beauty and Health Product Reviews

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Review of EltaMD® and Colorescience® Mineral-Based Physical Sunscreens

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The Best Cosmetics Storage Holder - According to Me and Others!

Even though I don't wear much makeup, I do have specific items for that 'five-minute face.'

For decades, the frugal me would use little storage baskets or small decorative gift boxes with lids to store cosmetics. The problem with putting makeup in a box is digging to find what you need and forgetting about the items buried in the bottom.

A Five Drawer Stackable Transparent Makeup Organizer

After researching various products, I decided to get "A 5 Drawer Stackable, Transparent Makeup Organizer." The one I purchased on Amazon Canada is here. Unfortunately, I couldn't find the exact same one on Amazon USA; however, I did locate an even larger acrylic stackable makeup holder on Amazon USA here.

Be sure to check out the sizes. I have two stackable items that fit low enough against my mirror.

The Organizational Problem I Solved

To do my five-minute face, I use specific items and pulling each one out was taking up surface area on my vanity table. 

I've wanted a better organizing system for cosmetics for years but was never willing to treat myself! I'm so glad I finally bought myself this bonus gift!

As you can see in the above photo, each cosmetic drawer is sorted according to what I use. Best of all, when I need something, I simply pull the drawer open, use the item, put it back, and close the drawer. Nothing has to go onto the vanity table, taking up space.

Here's How I Sorted My Own Personal Cosmetics Unit Based on What I Use:

1. The top drawer has eye makeup
2. The second drawer has lip related items, nail files, scissors, and clippers
3. The third drawer has blush and brushes
4. The fourth drawer has mascara and my favorite under-the-eye brightener. 
5. The fifth drawer holds some musk oil, some cream, and hair bands

Since I essentially use everything until it's gone, I don't have drawers or containers filled with old, unused makeup. For that reason, two stackable organizers are perfect.

In the above photo, notice that the bottom drawer is deeper. That's another reason I selected these two stackables. The top stackables are narrower drawers, but I needed at least one deeper drawer.

Here's a close-up photo of the narrow drawers. As you can see, the cosmetics in this drawer (mascara and under the eye cream) fit perfectly fine.

What I like about this unit is being able to put an eyeshadow collection box directly on top. It fits nicely. I made sure the width of the organizer would comfortably fit the eyeshadow box.

Notice the thickness and quality of the plastic. This is NOT a cheap flimsy piece of plastic. When you slide the drawers open, they stay in position nicely. Don't pull them too far because they'll come out. However, that's not an issue either because they quickly go back in place. 

Notice the non-slip black sheet that's included in each drawer. The non-slip insert is not only ideal for keeping things in place but also adds a decorative element.

You don't have to stack them. If your space is more conducive to a side-by-side storage system, you can position them beside each other.

Where to Get This Cosmetics Organizer - A Re-Cap

The makeup organizer above, that I purchased on Amazon Canada is here. Unfortunately, I couldn't find the exact same one on Amazon USA, however, I located an even larger acrylic stackable makeup holder on Amazon USA here. It's just as nice.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Why You Need a Fun Beauty Headband

I'm going to review for you today why you actually need a fun beauty headband such as this one pictured -

Peace signs, laughter and a fun headband may not make your clay face mask
harden any quicker, but it passes the time nicely!

Now I don't wear make-up very often so I don't need a beauty headband to keep my hair off my face while doing that, but I do love a good face mask.

I have actually written about my favorite face masks on here already from my fun clay face mask to my 'face never felt so smooth' cellular renewal face mask.   I would also like to tell you a little bit about double masking, but that can wait.

You need to have a beauty headband to keep your hair off of your face as your hair doesn't want to get covered in your face mask!   It's also handy to use one when you're cleansing, toning, treating and moisturising your skin.

Why would you grab a boring headband? - you deserve so much more, now maybe you want something glitzy and glam, but I recommend something fun because laughter is good for you and if you can't enjoy a little fun while having beauty treatment in your own home - when can you?

It should come as no surprise to anyone who's read my cow onesie review that I love injecting fun into my life where I can.   At the moment I have two different fun beauty headbands that I use - the one featured above and the one below.   However, I have just discovered a unicorn one on Amazon!   Oh my goodness, that is going on my Christmas list!

This photo was for a face mask and pout friendly competition on instagram, as I've said
you only live once so why not have fun!  Don't you love the ears on this headband?

So where do you get these fun fashion headbands?   Well, you can check out the selection online at Amazon - there are some great ones or keep an eye out when you're at the mall.   I got my two at a local cosmetics store.   If you're self-conscious then I recommend online, the girl seemed to think I'd grown an extra head when I told her they were for me - she'd asked if I was buying them for my daughter!

Don't forget to have fun in your life, even while doing mundane things like treating your skin (a few pouts or peace signs don't go amiss either LOL!)   I have read many times that if you're happy and enjoy life then you'll live longer.  I challenge you not to have fun (or at least crack a little smile) while wearing either a unicorn headband, big bow headband or some other type of fun headband!

Do you have a fun beauty headband?   I'd love to know what ones you have.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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How To Make The Easiest Cuticle Oil Ever

Photo's by Lou16

Today I'm going to review how to make the easiest cuticle oil ever. Once you see how easy it is you'll wonder why you haven't always made your own DIY cuticle oil!

Don't use a cuticle oil? You're not alone, it's a step many people miss out when they do their nails at home. I must admit, but cuticles were in pretty bad shape and I would just rub my hand cream into them and think 'oh well, that's just my cuticles!'

This year I've decided to treat myself my getting my nails done once a month (well it's about every three weeks, but my husband thinks it's a monthly thing LOL!) and I do love it when they pop on the cuticle oil at the end. My cuticles are looking much better, but they would look even better if I used it a little bit more often.

Now I like the idea of using natural products and not having some of the additives that you find in some skincare/personal care products being present. I also know that lemon oil is great for softening cuticles, I just had to look for some cuticle oil recipes ...

There are so many recipes for DIY cuticle oil that they would make your head spin, but many of them used so many ingredients that it just seem such an effort. Using sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, vitamin E oil and about 5 different essential oils just seemed a lot for me to recommend to people, after all we don't have all these ingredients just lying around the house do we?

Well I found a recipe that used olive oil and just two essential oils and I changed the essential oils (based on my own aromatherapy knowledge, and on what I had on hand) and I've come up with the easiest cuticle oil ever -

Easy DIY Cuticle Oil That Your Nails Will Love!

4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 drops pure lemon essential oil
2 drops pure lavender essential oil.

Simply mix the ingredients together and keep in a bottle, I recommend seeing if you can find a nail polish style of bottle with a nail polish brush to keep it in (they didn't have any at my local store) or even a roller bottle.

These type of bottles will made it easier to apply, but aren't essential.   As you can see from my photo I just used a test tube style bottle (as I had it on hand) and I use a Q-tip to add the oil around my nails. I will let you know, however, that I have some roller bottles on order.

Lemon oil is fantastic for softening hard skin which is why it's a perfect addition to a cuticle oil. Lavender oil is a very nourishing oil, softening and just great for skin. The combination of these two oils works fantastically to help keep your cuticles looking fabulous and as an added bonus, using a cuticle oil after a manicure actually helps it stay looking beautiful for longer something I've only just found out!

                                                                                                                                                              
EXTRA TIP - if you take vitamin E capsules then simple pierce one of them and squeeze the contents into the cuticle oil.  It will make the oil even more moisturizing and rich (a much cheaper alternative to adding vitamin E oil!).
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
It's very important that you use pure essential oils and not synthetic ones when making your own skincare as each essential oil brings it's own benefits and fragrant oils don't have these benefits.

I love to use Arbonne's essential oils when available, if I'm after an oil that they don't have then I make sure that the one I buy is 100% pure essential oil.

Aromatherapy Isn't Just About DIY Skincare!

You can use essential oils for lots of different things, here's a few articles that you might find interesting ...

How Aromatherapy Can Help Stress
Aromatherapy has proven to be very successful at helping to relieve stress, simply by using certain essential oils stress and conditions caused by stress can be alleveiated.

Essential Oil Room Humidifier and Diffuser
Using essential oils in a humidifier or diffuser can add a lovely atmosphere to a room as essential oils can really help to work on your emotions from relaxing you or making you more upbeat.

Reviewing Uses for Tea Tree Oil
The herbaceous fragrance of tea tree doesn't begin to hint at how many uses there are for this essential oil from medicinal to beauty to household uses this is one very versatile essential oil.

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Review Some of Grammie Olivia's Favorite Things

Grammieknows is what my darling little ones tell everyone, whenever I answer a question for them. 

Sometimes the answers are true and other times they are a story that makes absolutely no sense, but has them laughing in the aisles.  My propensity for telling tales has earned me the moniker of being a know it all.....So I guess the nickname Grammieknows fits pretty good.

Trilliums 2016 from  Grammie Olivia's Garden. 

What Grammie does Know is, that gardening is a balm for the soul and works nicely to make a body tired, so that sleep can, eventually make the body rest.  Working in the garden not only makes the body tired, but it is great exercise.  As we age, we need that exercise to keep us moving one step at a time.  You know (and Grammieknows) if you don't use it, you'll lose it!  It is so true with exercise, if you don't move those muscles, arthritis and weakness will take over.  

Muscle Medicine

 

Gardening also provides a way for you to enjoy the beauty that is all around.  From the ground right up to the sky, flowers and plants make the world a more beautiful place. It doesn't stop at the ground level either.  All those flowers planted in garden beds, encourage bees, butterflies, birds and small animals to gather and enjoy the work of your hands.

Finding great tools to use to make the job easier is also a lot of fun.  I have my special tools that I just can't be without!  Like any other craftsman, looking for new tools is a joy and I love sharing those great finds.  You can see some of the tools I love in another Review This Article, I love my tools.

Being green minded, may be avante garde today, but I have been that way for a long time.  I don't encourage the use of chemicals in any way, shape, or form.  There are natural solutions to every problem and I try to search those out.  When something works particularly well, you will find me sharing that with everyone who will listen. 

 

Recipe for Homemade Weed Killer

Like my favorite weed killer, that is made up of Vinegar, Salt and Dawn (Blue) Dishwashing liquid.  I know you want the recipe now....  So, it's one gallon White Vinegar,  2 cups of Salt, and 1/2 cup of Dawn.  Always shake it up well, before applying.  Put it into your sprayer or divide it up into several different spray bottles (make sure you label them) and use early in the morning(on a dry day) for your weed issues.

Gardening is such an incredible opportunity to stand on God's earth and work to make the world a better place to live, breathe, and be!

You will find me on Review This, or on my website, www.grammieknowshow.com and sometimes on Facebook posting things of interest to gardeners  and those who enjoy flowers and nature at https://www.facebook.com/GrammieKnowsWeekendGardeners.
The other places where Grammie Olivia posts things of interest include  Pinterest for fun and lots of interesting subjects that just tickle her funny bone.  You can check out some of the interesting things Grammie Olivia finds online right there.  

I love to hear from others, so use one or all of the platforms I have shared with you to drop me a line.  I will answer, because after all, GrammieKnows.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Arm & Hammer Ultra Max Antiperspirant Deodorant Review

Arm & Hammer

Why would I consider writing a review of a little thing like an antiperspirant? Because I found one that works great and I hadn't realized just how great until today.  Arm & Hammer Ultra Max solid antiperspirant deodorant does everything I want it to. And doesn't cause the problems I don't want happening under my arms.

Sweat in General

I am not a sweat expert. But after doing some research in an attempt to determine why Arm & Hammer Ultra Max works so well for me, I have found the following information:

• sweat alone does not smell bad - it is the bacteria that joins it
• deodorant and antiperspirant are two different things. deodorant is meant to mask or neutralize the odor and antiperspirant is meant to stop the sweat
• menopause and pre-menopause can cause hot flashes and sweating
• health issues such as smoking and being overweight are found to increases the severity of heat flashes (and sweating)

My Sweat Experience

I've always been the type that sweats a lot.  I like to sweat when I'm working out or doing physical labor. It makes me feel like I'm accomplishing something. And so refreshing to take a shower afterwards.  But the older I get, the more I sweat.  Even when I'm doing very little.  I imagine that is about my increasing age and weight.

I respond with keeping an antiperspirant or deodorant with me at home and at work.  I typically bought what was on sale. My only thought was to try to avoid many of the over-powering scents. Recently, I noted that I had - for the first time in my life - developed arm pit stains on my clothes! I was mortified and sad. I assumed it was just about my age. I accepted it as the new normal for me. 

The big news is that after switching to Arm & Hammer Ultra Max, the sweat stains are gone! The shirts that I had put aside, expecting to have to treat them again, were not stained. In addition to already having noticed that it seemed to work better at helping me feel drier and fresher, I have less work to do with my laundry.

Antiperspirants and Aluminum

Apparently, antiperspirants are considered to be more along the lines of a "drug" in that they change what your body does. Deodorants are considered to be along the lines of a cosmetic in that they just mask or neutralize the smell. With antiperspirants, aluminum is the active ingredient that helps stop the pores from sweating.  

Active ingredient - Aluminum 

In relation to stains, it is thought that the sweat mixed with aluminum is what causes the stains.  I am not sure if I fully believe that since I am familiar with folks whose sweat stains bed sheets. And I'm quite sure they aren't using antiperspirant on their entire body. But I am aware that whatever brand I grabbed from the shelf last time is what caused noticeable stains.

While Arm & Hammer Ultra Max contains aluminum I have no stains since starting to use this product. I guess I should according to reports on the internet. But I do not.  And all other factors are likely the same: same shirts, the heat of the summer continues, same diet, and etc. In fact, it has been very hot over this past week or two. All that has changed is the antiperspirant brand I am using.

What a great feeling to not have to spend extra time on my laundry today because I've found something that works well for me. That excitement is what caused me to consider sharing my good armpit news with you.

Photo courtesy of Pixabay - Creative Commons

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On Belonging, Astonishment, and Becoming Spring

Each Petal a Heart... My Heart

“Every spring is the only spring—a perpetual astonishment.”  ~Ellis Peters

There are mornings, such as these, when I am baptized by astonishment.  And in these moments of breathtaking wonder, I belong—I belong to the land, to the first wildflowers of the season, to the mountain chickadee and bluebirds, the oriole, the purple martins, and the mighty hummingbirds.

What is the purpose of green living if not this—to belong to that which is a perpetual astonishment?  Without that sense of surprise and sheer delight, the days would merely be hours.

I’m supposed to be writing reviews, but my spirit wants to sing a different song as this glorious day unfolds.  To deny the song would render my writing moot.  One can only write what one feels deeply, madly, and truly. 

On what feels like the first day of spring I have ever truly known, the words that want to be written are tender, unfurling leaves.  To stand under a young elm tree, witnessing buds giving birth to green... how does one review that? 

Perhaps, if I get still, and quiet, and deeply absorb all this green, it will become embedded in my DNA and I can be a perpetual spring. Wouldn't that be something to write on my heart?

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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