When
I wrote to NCN Professional SkinCare with a request to feature products, I was
in for a real treat: CEO Nanci Callahan Nivolo herself wrote me a very
thoughtful response and generously agreed to let me sample and feature the two
products I was most interested in, Skin Tight Lifting Elixir and Volu-Lift Recontouring Face Cream. Ms. Callahan
Nivolo is famous in the industry and among her customers for her charming
demeanor and excellent customer service.
Her ingredients struck me as cutting-edge, and looking at the way she
blends them, it quickly becomes obvious that NCN Professional SkinCare is
results driven and up-to-date on dermatological research. Curious about her process, I asked to
interview her, and Ms. Callahan Nivolo kindly obliged.
I wrote to NCN Professional SkinCare with a request to feature products, I was
in for a real treat: CEO Nanci Callahan Nivolo herself wrote me a very
thoughtful response and generously agreed to let me sample and feature the two
products I was most interested in, Skin Tight Lifting Elixir and Volu-Lift Recontouring Face Cream. Ms. Callahan
Nivolo is famous in the industry and among her customers for her charming
demeanor and excellent customer service.
Her ingredients struck me as cutting-edge, and looking at the way she
blends them, it quickly becomes obvious that NCN Professional SkinCare is
results driven and up-to-date on dermatological research. Curious about her process, I asked to
interview her, and Ms. Callahan Nivolo kindly obliged.
INTERVIEW
Lovely with Lupus (LWL): What is the story behind NCN Professional
Skincare?
Skincare?
Nanci Callahan Nivolo (NCN): I used
to be a reseller of products that had my label on them (private label).
But as time went by, I decided that I would rather make my own products so I could put exactly the ingredients I wanted in them, and keep out ingredients I definitely didn’t want in them (chemicals, fillers, parabens, animal products, etc.).
to be a reseller of products that had my label on them (private label).
But as time went by, I decided that I would rather make my own products so I could put exactly the ingredients I wanted in them, and keep out ingredients I definitely didn’t want in them (chemicals, fillers, parabens, animal products, etc.).
LWL: How did you become an expert formulator?
NCN: I’m a Medical Esthetician who has a real passion for
ingredients. I became an “expert” by
doing a ton of research (ongoing over the past 10 years), as well as trial and
error. The first product I formulated is the Multi-Active Accelerator,
which is still a huge seller here.
ingredients. I became an “expert” by
doing a ton of research (ongoing over the past 10 years), as well as trial and
error. The first product I formulated is the Multi-Active Accelerator,
which is still a huge seller here.
LWL: How do you choose active ingredients?
NCN: When I test an active, I test it at the recommended usage rate
given by the manufacturer. What I’ve found is that using more (not in all
cases) produces superior results to what the recommended usage may be.
given by the manufacturer. What I’ve found is that using more (not in all
cases) produces superior results to what the recommended usage may be.
LWL: How would you
describe the philosophy behind NCN Professional Skincare?
describe the philosophy behind NCN Professional Skincare?
NCN: I’d say my claim to fame is using the least amount of
ingredients (clean formulas) to get the job done. I don’t add fillers
that aren’t necessary and they certainly have no benefit for our
skin.
ingredients (clean formulas) to get the job done. I don’t add fillers
that aren’t necessary and they certainly have no benefit for our
skin.
LWL: What is your process for deciding which ingredients to
blend for maximum results?
blend for maximum results?
NCN: Research, research and more research, along with a LOT of
testing. There are a lot of products that never made it to the
website, because they just didn’t perform like the claims stated by the
manufacturer of the actives I was testing.
testing. There are a lot of products that never made it to the
website, because they just didn’t perform like the claims stated by the
manufacturer of the actives I was testing.
LWL: What was the inspiration behind Volu-Lift? Behind Skin Tight Lifting Elixir?
NCN: My inspiration for Volu-Lift was that it works for what it claims
to do. That’s really what inspires me for all of my products.
to do. That’s really what inspires me for all of my products.
LWL: Are there any of the products in your line that you are
proudest of or hold closest to your heart, and if so, which ones are they and
why?
proudest of or hold closest to your heart, and if so, which ones are they and
why?
NCN: I’m proud of all of my formulas. I put a lot of thought,
time and energy (not to mention money) into them. The All-Trans Retinol
2.0% is our #1 selling product and that one took me two years to develop.
A couple of companies have asked to buy out my DNA Serum formula. But if you
ask my customers, you’ll get different answers on which product they think is
the best. Actives work differently on everyone since our skin is a living
organ; we are all unique!
time and energy (not to mention money) into them. The All-Trans Retinol
2.0% is our #1 selling product and that one took me two years to develop.
A couple of companies have asked to buy out my DNA Serum formula. But if you
ask my customers, you’ll get different answers on which product they think is
the best. Actives work differently on everyone since our skin is a living
organ; we are all unique!
SKIN TIGHT LIFTING ELIXIR & VOLU-LIFT FACE CREAM:
PRODUCT REVIEWS
Skin Tight Lifting Elixir
SkinTight Lifting Elixir is an easily spread, highly absorbable serum that is
appropriate for all skin types. It is
one of NCN Pro SkinCare’s best selling products, and for good reason.
appropriate for all skin types. It is
one of NCN Pro SkinCare’s best selling products, and for good reason.
My
skin had been feeling thin and droopy, so tightening and lifting were both of
huge interest to me. Skin Tight Lifting Elixir . . . the name seemed like
something out of my skincare dreams. Still, I was a little skeptical, as I have
found plenty of products that temporarily smooth or lift without providing any
additional long-term benefits, such that skin is as saggy as ever the first day
one runs out. Luckily, this is not one
of those products. Skin Tight Lifting
Elixir takes a multi-pronged approach. Just take a look at the ingredients:
aloe gel, MSM, Elestan, Tryalagen, Centella Asiatica extract, Relistase,
Dynalift, Pepha-Tight, sea kelp bioferment, bisabolol, and a preservative to
keep things fresh. This is a
results-driven formulation. Skin Tight
Lifting Elixir provides both an immediate firming effect (for that wonderful
rush of instant gratification) and it yields long-term results by
boosting synthesis of collagen and elastin.
Not only that, Skin Tight Lifting Elixir also offers antioxidant and
anti-glycation benefits as well.
skin had been feeling thin and droopy, so tightening and lifting were both of
huge interest to me. Skin Tight Lifting Elixir . . . the name seemed like
something out of my skincare dreams. Still, I was a little skeptical, as I have
found plenty of products that temporarily smooth or lift without providing any
additional long-term benefits, such that skin is as saggy as ever the first day
one runs out. Luckily, this is not one
of those products. Skin Tight Lifting
Elixir takes a multi-pronged approach. Just take a look at the ingredients:
aloe gel, MSM, Elestan, Tryalagen, Centella Asiatica extract, Relistase,
Dynalift, Pepha-Tight, sea kelp bioferment, bisabolol, and a preservative to
keep things fresh. This is a
results-driven formulation. Skin Tight
Lifting Elixir provides both an immediate firming effect (for that wonderful
rush of instant gratification) and it yields long-term results by
boosting synthesis of collagen and elastin.
Not only that, Skin Tight Lifting Elixir also offers antioxidant and
anti-glycation benefits as well.
The
serum itself lightweight, spreads easily, and is highly absorbable. Skin Tight Lifting Elixir is designed to be appropriate
and effective for all skin types, and as someone with sensitive skin, I have
used it without the slightest stinging upon application or irritation from
use. The true effectiveness of Skin
Tight Lifting Elixir snuck up on me quickly. During the first couple weeks of
use, I noticed a slight immediate lift each time I applied, but any cumulative
results were subtle. The third week
came, and bam! I woke up once day and realized I looked different than I had: the sagging under the corners of my
mouth were diminished and that my face in general looked firmer all around and considerably
less droopy. In the grand scheme of things,
it is remarkable to see noticeable results this soon. Skin Tight Lifting Elixir
is a highly effective product that succeeds where so many fail—it actually does
tighten and lift! Just like Ms. Callahan Nivolo had said in our interview, this
is a product that delivers on its claims.
serum itself lightweight, spreads easily, and is highly absorbable. Skin Tight Lifting Elixir is designed to be appropriate
and effective for all skin types, and as someone with sensitive skin, I have
used it without the slightest stinging upon application or irritation from
use. The true effectiveness of Skin
Tight Lifting Elixir snuck up on me quickly. During the first couple weeks of
use, I noticed a slight immediate lift each time I applied, but any cumulative
results were subtle. The third week
came, and bam! I woke up once day and realized I looked different than I had: the sagging under the corners of my
mouth were diminished and that my face in general looked firmer all around and considerably
less droopy. In the grand scheme of things,
it is remarkable to see noticeable results this soon. Skin Tight Lifting Elixir
is a highly effective product that succeeds where so many fail—it actually does
tighten and lift! Just like Ms. Callahan Nivolo had said in our interview, this
is a product that delivers on its claims.
Volu-Lift
Recontouring Face Cream
Recontouring Face Cream
From
the moment I applied Volu-Lift Face Cream, I knew I did not want to run out of
it. The natural fragrance is subtle, but undeniably delicious, and you may feel tempted to pump out a huge dollop of it, even though it spreads easily and a little goes a long way. Volu-Lift is lightweight and delivers hydration where it is needed without leaving behind greasy residue. Near-immediate benefits I experienced included: softer, smoother, better hydrated, calmer and more comfortable skin. Personally, I would be sold on Volu-Lift Face Cream as an elegant and effective moisturizer even if the benefits ended with the hydration. Lucky for anyone who tries it, this cream has serious lifting power as well.
the moment I applied Volu-Lift Face Cream, I knew I did not want to run out of
it. The natural fragrance is subtle, but undeniably delicious, and you may feel tempted to pump out a huge dollop of it, even though it spreads easily and a little goes a long way. Volu-Lift is lightweight and delivers hydration where it is needed without leaving behind greasy residue. Near-immediate benefits I experienced included: softer, smoother, better hydrated, calmer and more comfortable skin. Personally, I would be sold on Volu-Lift Face Cream as an elegant and effective moisturizer even if the benefits ended with the hydration. Lucky for anyone who tries it, this cream has serious lifting power as well.
Volu-Lift’s
active ingredients include: Adifyline (an active shown to achieve a 12%
increase in cheek volume in two weeks), ceramides ,
resveratrol, hyaluronic acid, and oat beta glucan. This luscious blend of ingredients comes together to achieve fantastic anti-aging results. By
the second week of use, my skin was looking plumper. By the third week, my improvement was even better. Areas of sag that always made me look so tired–the deep furrows on my
forehead and my nasolabial folds—were plumper and more uniform with the rest of
my face rather than looking like deep furrows. Truly impressive results.
active ingredients include: Adifyline (an active shown to achieve a 12%
increase in cheek volume in two weeks), ceramides ,
resveratrol, hyaluronic acid, and oat beta glucan. This luscious blend of ingredients comes together to achieve fantastic anti-aging results. By
the second week of use, my skin was looking plumper. By the third week, my improvement was even better. Areas of sag that always made me look so tired–the deep furrows on my
forehead and my nasolabial folds—were plumper and more uniform with the rest of
my face rather than looking like deep furrows. Truly impressive results.
| BEFORE |
| AFTER |
CONCLUSION: I highly recommend both Skin Tight Lifting Elixir and Volu-Lift Face Cream for anyone looking to simultaneously plump, lift, and firm skin. Both products are suitable for sensitive skin and deliver on their claims. Results are even more dramatic when Skin Tight Lifting Elixir and Volu-Lift Face Cream are used in combination. Based on my experience, they deliver visible lifting and recontouring results within 2-3 weeks.