ISA Professional: XANADU 24K Gold Vitamin C Serum and Foundation Primer Review #ISAprofessional

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I have used copper infused creams and serums in the past and with great results. I was eager to try gold, as I have nail polishes with gold flakes but never tried a gold infused product in my skincare routine. You do a courtesy google search and you find everything from masks and lotions, but all pretty much guaranteeing collagen stimulation, so I decided to look further into the data when it came to clinical results. I could find none! I found information in dental work and such, to even devices that contained the metal and for surgical procedures but nothing when it came to topical application. So, I went into testing this product by what results I witnessed and that means I needed to take extra care, so I decided to stop use of anything that may aid the product when it came to performance. Yup, and I did it for 22 days!

Let’s start with that I have tested out and was currently using a Vitamin C/Hyaluronic acid combo prior, so I expected results from daily use prior, to continue to present themselves (or even increase) with the use of ISA Professional’s Xanadu formula. The formula is gorgeous just in the bottle. The kind of thing you want to have light glimmer through while it sits on your vanity…..it’s that pretty.

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Retail Price Point: $59.00 via their website and Amazon

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Ingredients (as posted on their Website):
24K Gold, Deionized water, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Collagen, Rose Extract, Hyaluronic acid, Creatine, Beta-Glucan, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide (Matrixyl-3000), Epidermal Growth Factor, P-anisi

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Application:
As I mentioned the vial holds a beautiful serum but does that beauty transfer to the face? I was afraid of looking like Tinkerbell attacked me with highlighter powder after application, but thankfully my skin looked moisturized and natural with pretty much the same amount of glow left behind like any other product would leave. No chunky glitter look when it comes to application because I never exactly liked shimmering lotions that resulted in shimmering clothes and anything else you touched. You apply the product like any other serum by the thinnest going on first and I allow it absorb before proceeding to the next product. Like with any acid, I always follow with a moisturizer after to get the best results, even though ISA Xanadu’s serum does contain a lightly formulated amount of Vitamin E oil.

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Verdict:
The price point is high but so is the metal and the claims made. This one I was looking at as it’s a buy or a bust in my mind……there was no in-between when it came to testing, so no 3.5 stars and the such. The product needs to outperform my $20 bottle that claims to do the same.

At day four, I noticed that any inflammation my skin exhibited from seasonal allergies to sun exposure was not as visible. That undesired puffy look I achieved I could only describe as how I look after doing the nasal spray, allergy pill and then eye drops in each eye regimen. Hey, I’m a little of a Puffer fish when I first wake-up! After I do my “so nature won’t kill me regimen”, I must admit my skin looked smoother than my $20 bottle could do. So, in 4 days this product surpassed what I had been using and this is why I continued use. In two weeks time, I did have a glow that remained and this was before product application. My skin had a nice healthy shine and a natural plump achieved by how well my skin could hold and distribute moisture. This made any fine lines less visible and that is always a positive! The bottle is easy to use and the dispenser pumps out the required amount with zero waste. No bacteria can build like when stored in a jar, and I can say a lot has been thought out when it comes to the Xanadu formula. I like products that work and I admit, I don’t always like the price tag. You bet I wish it cost less and the thrifty person in me wants a coupon or even a 1/2 off sale but sometimes we do have to pay for results. My results were positive and the only reason I discontinued use……well, I’m testing more stuff! I did however keep the bottle because I plan to add it to my skincare regimen when I discontinue use of the product I am currently testing. Just the results as a primer under my foundation made it a winner because many primers on the market contain so many synthetics and yes you get a smoother face, but later your skin’s health pays for it. With Xanadu, I did not have to worry about a plethora of chemicals that would cause a break-out and still achieve a smooth complexion that made applying foundation easier and I use less of it too! Maybe that is where my savings is 🙂

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I received the above product(s) free of charge from ISA Professional.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

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Beldt Labs, Inc. Crusch Tri-Phase Creatine Tablets

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Hubby takes the reigns again as our resident supplement guinea pi…er, I mean, expert, and reviews a couple of new supplements this time, from the kind folks at Beldt Labs, Inc., starting with their tri-phase creatine supplement, CRUSCH. Take it away, hubster!

 

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I’m happy to report this time that it seems, on the surface, that a supplement company is actually putting decent, quality ingredients out there, that contain what they claim to contain and work the way they’re supposed to work. Sounds simple but you can read here easily that there’s a LOT of supplement companies that aren’t worth the time, money and potential liver damage to “test” their products. Beldt isn’t one of those. And while they are smaller that the big boys at GNC, they seem to have the product nailed down, aside from a few claims that amount to little more than wishful thinking on their Amazon page, but that is par for the course with any supplement.

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CRUSCH contains three forms of one of the most researched and proven workout supplements on the market today, creatine. Initially identified way back in the 1800’s, it has been successfully used for over 2 decades to increase muscle mass, density, power, intensity and strength. CRUSCH contains the standard creatine monhydrate, the most readily commercially available form of creatine, creatine HCL (hydrocloride), a more exotic and expensive form of creatine, and an exotic type of creatine, creatine pyruvate. I have extensive experience with the first two forms, and this is my initial experience with the last. I will say that I saw no drop off in muscle mass, definition or overall strength when switching from my usual CreaPure Creatine from O.N. to this. There is no loading phase listed in the instructions, which is fine because most research will tell you a loading phase is mostly unnecessary. What is does recommend is “cycling”, which means a defined time using the product, and a set time not. Most reliable fitness experts will tell you that with normal creatine monohydrate, there is no need for “cycling” on and off the product, so I’ll leave that portion up to you.

My only problem with this product isn’t with the product so much as the price. 90 capsules (which equals 30 days of product) is $25. You can get regular creatine monohydrate from almost every major supplement company for between $8, and up to $20, for a 90 day supply. Considering that there’s practically no research that the more exotic forms of creatine are any better, results-wise, than plain old monohydrate, I’m at a loss to explain why anyone should pay so much more.

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As I stated, the product is fine. It delivers what it claims to deliver, albeit in a massive pill that I recommend taking one at a time. I saw absolutely no drop off in my stats, strength or stamina. But I didn’t see any gains that would make me want to pay more for this than my regular brand. What it has going for it is ease of use (no powder to measure, weigh, and mix), no flavor added to your pre- or post-workout drinks (I don’t care what anyone says, “unflavored” has a flavor, and it’s not good), and is easy to take with you wherever you go. It’s made in the USA and has the 30 -day, money back guarantee (just return the unused portion at your expense). It’s up to you if that is worth the extra cost for the ingredients. But other than that, I liked this product.

 

Nice that Hubby get’s a good one after so many iffy ones before.

Connect with Beldt Labs, Inc. :

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Beldt Labs, Inc..  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

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