Some Helpful Beauty Tips for Dealing With Skin Discoloration

This attentive beauty takes her skin care seriously.

Perhaps, your skin has no problem with any discoloration.  However, chances are that at some stage in your life that you’ll probably experience some form of a dark spot or pigmentation issue with your skin such as hyperpigmentation or melasma.

The Difference Between Hyperpigmentation and Melasma

Hyperpigmentation is a common skin condition caused by external factors to produce dark patches on the skin.  Usually these dark areas have irregular shapes and occur on the face, hands and exposed skin for both women and men. The biggest culprit is the sun with how it works against the skin.  In self-defense, the skin releases an enzyme called tyrosinase that produces melanin.  The more exposed the skin is to the sun, the more of that brown pigment floods the skin to eventually cause hyperpigmentation such as age spots from years of accumulated skin damage.

Another type of the same thing is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation that comes from other sorts of trauma to the skin.  The darkened skin often results from pimples, insect bites, burns to cuts that could cause altered color when healing the skin.

On the other hand, women can only develop melasma.  Commonly, this problem usually shows up on the cheeks and lips with a fairly even shape when compared to each side where it’s located. This skin discolors in areas of darkened skin as a result of internal causes from hormonal changes such as during pregnancy to overproduce melanin.  Any new medication or contraception that you may start or be using can also cause drastic shifts in female hormones to cause this condition.

How to Deal With Either Type of Skin Discoloration

Regardless as to what brought the hyperpigmentation or melasma about, it is crucial to incorporate a broad spectrum sunscreen of least SPF 30 or higher into your life to prevent darkening the discolored areas further.  Wearing a broad-brimmed hat always and sunglasses also help limiting the damage from the sun’s rays.  Sun protection is also the best preventive measure that you can take to keep your skin safe.

Dark spots from hyperpigmentation can be brightened by looking for whitening agents to bleach the skin.  Such ingredients that can help lighten are kojic acid, licorice root, alpha hydroxy acids, and vitamin C.  Hydroquinone is another skin bleaching ingredient that has been used for more than 55 years in the United States, but has been banned in some European and Asian countries due to links to cancer.  Nevertheless, the case to its safety is still being studied here.  

You can also turn to natural ingredients for help whitening the skin.  Raw potato has an enzyme called catecholase that can bleach skin and help with puffy eyes.  Milk and yoghurt have lactic acid that work to lighten skin the same way. Tomato or tomato juice has fading potential with all its vitamin A and lycopene to guard against the sun.  Turmeric has curcumin that has the ability to whiten hyperpigmentation and protect from sun.  Lemon juice with its citric acid is another that can help lighten skin. 

Moisturizing the skin is more important than ever when your skin in under siege.  You might want to look into moisturizers that can also brighten or help speed skin renewal with ingredients like retinol.  When using retinol products, you may experience more sensitivity.  After all, the skin will be extra vulnerable so sunscreen can’t be stressed enough.

What else that you may want to look into is changing your current facial cleanser for one with niacin or any of the above brightening skin care ingredients.  This ingredient is also known to help brighten up darkness.

I hate to break it to you, but hyperpigmentation is known to return.  This is why it is vital to never leave the house without taking precautions with sunscreen.  You need to be on the defensive when it comes to your skin.

Depending on the degree of your hyperpigmentation, you also might look into a chemical peel or visit a dermatologist to get a professional opinion or, perhaps, a laser treatment.  This can help lighten and improve that rougher texture that your skin may have acquired.

Those with melasma are more than likely to find their skin discolorations clear up in time. 

How to Conceal the Dark Spots With Makeup

If you have ivory or beige in your skin tone and have any deep brown areas of discoloration, using a yellow concealer can help counteract the color.  I recommend painting over the discoloration with a brush to best target it.  You can also try taking a sponge and dabbing over the darkness as well.  Still, you get the most accurate results by painting individual spotted areas from the way you can control blending to finish the line.

In all probability, the darker in beige that you skin is, the darker your brown discoloration will be.  Therefore, you need a dark peach or orange concealer to help cancel that color out.  You can even try one of your orange lipsticks for a really deep brown spot against deep beige skin.

If you have ebony skin, I suggest picking up a concealer with gold and orange tones to it.  You can also try that lipstick trick I suggested.

Tell me if you ever had any skin discolorations problems and how you went about solving it.  If you have anything else to add, let me know.                  

The Reasons Your Formerly Clear Adult Complexion Suddenly Has Acne and What Could Help

Squeezing a blemish forces bacteria deeper into the skin, which is the wrong approach for adult acne.

Acne is something that you associate with teenage skin.  However, adults do get acne more often than you may realize.  In fact, you may never have experienced acne in your youth only to find your complexion under attack once you get in your late 20s, 30s, 40s even through your 50s.  Why skin trouble at this stage of your life you may wonder? Here are some likely reasons for the unwanted blemishes plaguing your face.

The Tie Between Increased Stress and Adult Acne

No one can pinpoint the exact cause of adult acne because various factors can contribute to this condition, but experts tend to agree that an increase in your stress level is a top contender.  The reason is the body under stress responds by releasing the hormone cortisol, which pumps up oil production rapidly.  The pores can’t keep up with the constant flow of oil and clog in the follicles along with dead skin cells and bacteria, resulting in those skin eruptions.

Being a Woman With a Menstrual Cycle and the Link to Adult Acne

Just because you are born female, our hormones are different and can do some wacky things during a monthly period, peri-menopause or even through the years of menopause to cause breakouts.  The way the estrogen and progesterone jump up and down during those times can wildly increase oil production. 

If you’re just starting taking birth control pills and switching to another type or medicine or even stopping, this can play with your hormone levels too.  This is why some birth control pills can help some women have clear complexions while others are known to aggravate the skin.  Each of us is different and unique in how our bodies respond to any foreign substance.  You just need to discuss the effects of medication with your doctor because it may need a different dosage or a change in the prescription to clear up that acne.

Apples help the skin detox so eating more along with regular cleansing, not overstimulating the skin can be beneficial.

How often have you craved extra sweets or more salty, deep-fried foods when your period rolls around?  Though sugar and foods that are high in saturated fats don’t cause acne, they do affect hormone levels with how they oxidize in the body by turning into glucose and high insulin to cause inflammation.  Besides that, I hate to tell you this but too much sugar also ages the complexion faster from the way it breaks down in your system, latching onto collagen.  You just might want to try to reduce the refined sugar and saturated fats.  Instead, opt for some fresh fruit,  whole grains or other food choices that will not exessively raise your insulin levels.  Also, a great resource available online is called the Glycemic Index that can help find the right food, levels, etc.

Ingredients in Your Beauty Products That May Trigger Adult Acne

We all dread getting older and do our best to keep those lines away.  The only problem is that some formulas just may be too rich for our particular complexion, resulting in those breakouts.  Worst offenders are ingredients such as sunflower oil, cocoa butter, wax, petrolatum, mineral oil, fragrances, silicones, parabens, phthalates, alcohol, acetylated lanolin, silica, and coconut oils are just some. Talc and particularly, bismuth oxychloride that is found in a lot in dry makeup formula powders, can burrow into the pores due to its sharp, angular shape, causing cystic acne.  This is the type of big red pimple that hides deep beneath the skin’s surface, poking out of your face like a giant, red rock.

When shopping, do yourself a favor and also make sure to see non-comedogenic and oil-free on the packaging before buying that product.  

Your first thought may be benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, but you might just aggravate your complexion more, especially if you’re borrowing your teenager’s high strength pimple product.  Something with 10% salicylic acid is too drying and harsh for adult acne so keep this in mind.

The better way to handle cystic acne is applying warm compresses once you cleanse your face.  The warm water helps the blood flow in that affected area to cause the eruption to either surface or dissolve internally.

You can also seek out skin care products with charcoal or soft clay to help dry out some of the oil.  It won’t budge cystic acne, but it is useful for other adult acne blemishes.  

Something else to look into is LED light, such as red and blue light for dealing with adult acne.  The red light calms the skin's inflammation whereas blue light targets and destroys acne causing bacteria. 

Adjust Your Diet and Internal System Can Help Promote Clearer Skin

You can also try adding more fiber and probiotics to your diet to help rid your system of toxins and promote better digestive health.  A glass of Metamucil isn’t that bad to drink as well as turning to some Greek yoghurt.  Then again, you might want to add a beta-carotene supplement since vitamin A is an antioxidant that can help the complexion renew and repair.  Another suggestion is adding more Omega-3s, whether in supplement form or through eating more fish, for its powers in calming the acne down.

Hopefully, your complexion is not suffering and will not have this adult acne problem in the future.  Nonetheless, the information that I am sharing can come to your rescue.

Is a Gel Moisturizer Better for Your Skin Than a Heavier Formulation?

You can also supplement your skin care with a gel moisturizer.

Some people often neglect applying a moisturizer because of an oily complexion.  They often fear that turning to one will only be making their shine or acne problems worse.  However, all skin types need  hydration to seal in natural moisture.  Otherwise, skin tends to look older and dull.  Therefore, choosing the right moisturizer formulation is crucial.

Understand Your Skin Type Before Choosing a Moisturizer

If you have an oily complexion, you might want to try a light-feeling gel moisturizer or an oil-free moisturizer that may be water-based without a lot of synthetic oils.  To keep the pores cleaner, you should make sure the formula can exfoliate the skin with alpha or beta hydroxy acids.  A few such hardworking ingredients include glycolic or salicylic acids.

Dry skin, on the other hand, is constantly parched and needs heavier and a more intensive way of hydrating.  Thus, richer creams and thicker lotions that are formulated with plenty of moisturizing oils work best.

Combination skin is a bit more complicated with dry and oily sections, usually located in the T-zone.  To lock in moisture and satisfy the dryness while minimizing oiliness, a water-based lotion or a gel moisturizer can ideally benefit the skin.  Though this complexion is oily in parts, it often is sensitive in the dry areas.  For this reason, you should avoid any formulas that contain alpha or beta hydroxy acids for daily use to prevent possible irritation.

Normal complexions have the best of both worlds.  This skin type can handle a light to a heavier moisturizer, depending on what the skin responds to accordingly.

Some gel moisturizers don’t have occlusive ingredients to keep moisture in unless you pick up a brand that has polymers in the formula.  The purpose of polymers is for keeping the gel moisturizer from sinking into the skin in the same way.  Instead, adding a polymer ingredient like dimethicone enables the moisture to stay on the surface of the skin, making this particular gel moisturizer able to better hydrate.

Gel Moisturizers Are Lighter and Enter Skin Faster Than Traditional Moisturizers

Since a gel moisturizer has no waxy ingredients to weigh it down on the skin, it spreads easier than a thicker moisturizer.  

At the same time, gel moisturizers can penetrate through the skin much sooner as well. 

Three Different Ways to Take Advantage of Gel Moisturizers

Anyone with an oily complexion that has acne will love how well you can benefit from gel moisturizers that disappear almost instantly into the skin.  You’ll protect your skin’s moisture barrier as the first line of defense before applying your acne treatment on top.

Aging skin also tends to become drier.  Therefore, a gel moisturizer is perfect to supplement that extra boost of moisture when your skin feels too dry.  Try layering your gel moisturizer over your normal moisturizer to increase hydration.

Perhaps, your skin feels drier as the day goes on.  If you’re at work, you might want to take your gel moisturizer and gently pat a little into the skin on top of your makeup.  This technique will refresh your complexion without ruining your makeup.

Those that happen to have a sensitive complexion know how hard anti-aging products often feel.  However, you can lessen your chances of any irritation by applying a layer of gel moisturizer first before your retinol skin care or other anti-aging product.  

  

Once you have made a determination of your skin type, the better your chances of finding the right moisturizer to keep your complexion beautiful. In addition, you'll be saving money on stocking up on  products that you were wrong for you in the first place.

Exciting Fall 2017 Lip and Nail Color Inspiration from Rimmel and Sally Hansen

*Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

Going from left to right is Society Ruler, Ruby Do and ending with Slicks and Stones.

For both Rimmel London and Sally Hansen, plum is the word to show off lips and nails this season.  From a brighter raspberry-infused plum to a vampy eggplant purple, Rimmel has Stay Matte Liquid Lip Colours in Plum This Show (810) and Midnight (800) to create that ideal velvety matte smoothness that is so popular.  

On the left is Midnight with Plum This Show on the right.

Nails are treated to the same rich degree of bold color with Sally Hansen’s Salon Manicure Ruby Do (490) and Society Ruler (418).  Ruby Do is a sophisticated wine with underlying red that is gorgeous especially against paler skin once tans begin fading.  Society Ruler is a dark plum that almost reminds me of grape jelly.  In the Color Therapy line, you might want to try Slicks and Stones (390), which is an exciting dark purple with multi-colored shimmers.

Whatever your favorite plum preference happens to be, here are some great inexpensive choices to play up your lips and nails.  My advice is to check out these particular shades in their Stay Matte Liquid Lip Colours, Salon Manicure and Color Therapy nail polish lines at your local drugstores or wherever you shop for Rimmel and Sally Hansen products.  

Orglamix Beauty Subscription Box September 2017 Review

*Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

This month has a $64 value of natural beauty.

The other day my second natural beauty and cruelty-free subscription box from Orglamix arrived with the September 2017 assortment.  This is a wonderful way to experience anywhere from four to six safer mineral makeup and natural skin care beauty products for a mere $29 a month box that includes free shipping. Some of these items you will be able to find in the Orglamix shop while others are custom ones from their company just for that particular box.

Glossybox September 2017 Review

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

The September box is geared for runaway chic beauty!

Beauty fanatics that can’t get enough beauty would adore a subscription box.  Instead of constantly checking out stores or shopping online, a great beauty box like Glossybox can simplify your life by doing the hard work without you leaving home.

For a mere $21 a month and free USA shipping, Glossybox does all that legwork by finding at least five full and larger sample sizes of the latest luxury beauty brands of makeup, skin, body and hair care, nail products to fragrances and tools to discover.  Each box also comes with a sheet about that month’s selection of products and any special deals with a coupon code.

Beauty Box 5 July 2017 Review

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

July 2017 was a great beauty month!

Beauty Box 5 had one product that delayed the usual arrival date of this July 2017 subscription box. Yippee, I am glad to report mine my little green box finally showed up the other day with a great lineup of beauty products.  

If you’re always cruising stores to check out the newest cosmetics, then you really need a beauty subscription or a few like Beauty Box 5 to satisfy that addiction. Let me quickly fill you in how this beauty subscription box works.  Each month you get five full and sample sizes of makeup, skin and hair care, nail products, body care, perfumes to tools for $12.00 a month with free shipping.   You will recognize some brands and others might be new, which always makes it interesting as well as exciting.

For example, here is the wonderful assortment that arrived in my July box.   

Beauty Box 5 July 2017

1.  Luseta Beauty Argan Oil Hair Masque–( 2.03 oz. Sample)------------------------$7.00
2.  Styli-Style Line & Seal Eye Liner (Full Size)--------------------------------------------$6.50
3.  Manna Kadar Cosmetics Glo Illuminator----------------------------------------------$11.60
4.  Seraphine Botanicals Quince + Crimson Crayon (Full Size)---------------------$24.00
5.  Nanacoco Rio II Nail Polish (Full Size)---------------------------------------------------$3.95
6.  BB5 Cut That Crease Brush (Full Size)  Late BONUS------------------------------$10.00

Total Value: $63.05!

The Luseta Argan Oil Hair Masque arrived at the perfect time since my hair was rather suffering.  This after shampoo conditioner is a weekly treatment that helps restore moisture, which my hair was grateful for. 

The Styli-Style Line & Seal Eye Liner that came in my box was in the flattering Plum shade. This is a gel-formula pencil geared for sensitive eyes that didn’t tug when applying. How can I not love that?

Manna Kadar Cosmetics Glo Illuminator delivered a becoming boost of subtle pink-gold radiance.  The texture of this highlighter is a creamy formula that melds into the complexion with ease.

Seraphine Botanicals Quince + Crimson Crayon is a multipurpose crayon for cheeks and lips that is loaded with deep red color that reminds me of a pomegranate shade.  This vegan product has argan oil and quince extract to explain its great slide when applying.    

The Nanaco Rio II Nail Polish I got is the Copacabana Coral.  I didn’t have a chance to paint my nails with it yet, but this is an irresistible pink-coral color.  I think that I am going to start with toenails because this shade will pop while I’m still wearing my open-toe sandals.

Beauty Box 5 Cut That Crease Brush was just something extra that the company sent to everyone to make up for being late with these July boxes.  Who doesn’t love getting a freebie, especially when it’s a beauty freebie?

To sum it up, I thought July 2017 was an excellent beauty month for value and some fabulous products that will get a lot of use.  Visit Beauty Box 5 and check them out!

*****Beauty Box 5 is no longer in business.********

How to Give Your Skin, Hair and Nails a Beauty Overhaul

This beauty is doing everything right with how she glows.

Perhaps, you’re not as proud of your complexion, hair and nails as you would like to be.  Despite the best beauty products available that you may have tried, nothing seems to give you the changes that you had hoped to see by now.  However, have you ever considered that the reason for the disappointing way your skin, hair or nails may appear could be from a vitamin deficiency?

Since we are composed of what we eat, then you need to take into account that the skin renews itself every thirty days.  Hair grows on an average of half an inch in that same amount of time.  Nails take months to repair their condition, but even a damaged nail you lose can grow back in about six months.  Therefore, it is a logical assumption that your body may not be receiving enough of those essential nutrients to affect how those cells are growing.

To help skin, hair and nails thrive, concentrate on nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids that can deal with inflammation.  You find it in walnuts, tuna, salmon, nuts, and olive oil to name just a few.  

Coenzyme Q10 or ubiquinone is another antioxidant beneficial for the skin that you might want to include more in your diet.  This fat soluble nutrient offers protection from harmful free radicals.  Rich sources are found in foods such as organ meats, beef, chicken, herring, mackerel, peanuts, spinach, and cauliflower.

Selenium also is vital.  This mineral also acts as antioxidant to help defend the skin against the sun.  Without enough of this nutrient, you could be losing more hair than you like or finding your hair doesn’t seem to grow to overly white nails.  Walnuts, tuna, wheat, and rice are good to add to your diet.

Biotin is another B-complex vitamin (B7) that is important not to neglect for beautifying skin as well as vitamin B complex also in general for improving nail strength and thickening the hair.  Looking to foods such as peanuts, milk and dairy products, almonds, and egg yolks can help.

Vitamin A can help the skin repair and regenerate itself.  It also helps assists with sebum production in the scalp to keep hair properly lubricated instead of drying out. Nails need their ample share of it to keep from turning brittle and cracking.  You’ll find leafy green and yellow vegetables wonderful sources.

Two antioxidants that shouldn’t be taken lightly are vitamin C and E when it comes to giving skin, hair and nails a beauty boost.  Vitamin C is easily found in citrus fruits, strawberries, grapes, blackberries, etc. Sunflower seeds, spinach, avocado, and sweet potato can provide vitamin E.

Beauty and health do start from within.  Here’s hoping that this information will help change the overall balance within your own body so later it can manifest on the outside for those beautiful results that you are looking for. 

Glossybox August 2017 Review

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

The August box is a nice month of beauty to stay cool through summer.

If you are addicted to beauty products, then meeting up with a great beauty subscription box is the way to go.  One in particular that I happen to love is Glossybox that features at least five full and larger sample sizes of luxury brands of skin, body and hair care, makeup, nails, etc. in each pink box for just $21 a month and free USA shipping.  This box also arrives with an info sheet about the products and any special deals with a coupon code.

Stay cool happens to be the theme of Glossybox August 2017 with beauty geared to refreshing your total summer look.  Before I share what my box brought, I want to remind you that Glossybox sends different variations so what I got may not necessarily be what you will receive.  Some products will be the same in all boxes, but a few may change.  Here’s what my latest box contained below.

Glossybox August 2017

1.  Pixi by Petra Brow Tamer (Sample .15 fl. oz.)-------------------------------------------------$7.50
2.  Doucee x Glossybox Freematic Blush in Vintage Mauve (Full Size Mono)----------$14.00
3.  Beautiful Nutrition Lemon Rinse Gentle Clarifying Treatment (Sample 2 oz.)--------$2.40
4.  Lancome Paris Monsieur Big Mascara (Sample 0.06 oz.)----------------------------------$2.50
5.  Sesha Skin Therapy Botanical Hydro Mask (Full Size)------------------------------------- $9.00
6.  Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash (Sample 2 oz.)-----------------------------------------$7.00

Total Estimated Value: $42.40

The Pixi by Petra Brow Tamer offers mild control to keep brows in line.  Ever since I had my brows professionally done through electrolysis, I don’t need the same maintenance as before. I have one misbehaving hair on one brow that does bother me so I do like a clear gel like this to control it.   

The Douccee x Glossybox Freematic Blush sent was to complete the July duo palette.  I received Vintage Mauve, which is ideal with my fair to light, warm coloring. I wear a lot of mauves!  It packs a lot of mostly matte pigment with a slight shimmer. 

The Beautiful Nutrition Lemon Rinse Gentle Clarifying Treatment is a product that I used before.  I like to use it before coloring my hair to make sure all styling products are gone.

I was excited to get the new Lancome Paris Monsieur Big Mascara that was released.  I had been wanting to try this one and was debating whether to buy it when I found it in this box. This sample size is perfect because it can travel well when I pack my bag for vacation.

Sesha Skin Therapy Botanical Hydro Mask has skin nourishing botanicals such as cucumber, aloe and plenty of hyaluronic acid to restore and rejuvenate a sun-abused complexion.  I don’t worship the sun now that I know the dangers it can cause. Still, I have a dry complexion that always needs a moisture boost. After I applied this mask to my clean face, I left it on and relaxed for about thirty minutes.  Once I took it off and rinsed, my face felt ever so soft and pampered.

The Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash is a lemon-scented cleanser that dissolves grime and makeup with rose hip extract, milk thistle and chamomile before rinsing away with water. It is supposed to have exfoliating action as well. Judging by the feel, it is a very gentle type of abrasion that is hard to detect.  Yet, it is great for sensitive skin like mine and cleans the face well.

The value of this month may have been less than a few past boxes, but it was still a pleasing box with outstanding products!  Have you tried Glossybox yet?  Check them out!

No Make No Life July 2017 Japanese Beauty Box Review + Coupon Code

**Disclaimer:  This post has  been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  It does contain affiliate links. Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

You get all FULL size beauty products in this great box!

When I heard about No Make No Life, a Japanese Beauty Box, I was even more excited to experience another culture’s take on beauty, especially with how devoted Japanese are to their skin care and makeup. In fact, they even coined a phrase for it, “nomakeolife,” the belief that makeup is essential to their lives.

If you never heard of this beauty subscription box, then I’ll fill you in.  Each nmnl box brings the latest Japanese trends straight to your door with five to seven full size products for skin, body, cosmetics, tools, hair, and bath for just $29.99 a month and free shipping to more than 120 countries.  The price gets even lower with a longer commitment such as $87.00 for three months, $170.00 for six and $330.00 for a year.

This box already sounds intriguing, but the real fun is after you dive into your first box of these exotic beauty goodies. You won’t be able to read the Japanese labels, but each box is accompanied with a booklet in English on all the products and how to use them.

Here I swatched this Peach CC cream.

I know that you must be dying waiting for me to finally tell you what was inside this July 2017 box so I won’t delay a moment longer.  

The first product I pulled out was Peelingood Peeling Gel Kit.  This lemon-scented product has papain, lemon fruit extract and hydrolyzed collagen to gently resurface the skin unlike an intense peel.  It has six large, black cotton tipped swabs for spreading the gel over your clean face until you massage it in. You don’t allow it to remain on your face too long after working it deeply into your skin before rinsing.  When I finished, I noticed skin felt fresher, smoother and somewhat toned from this delicate peeling kit.

I also had a chance to try an amazing facial mask.  The Hollywood Orchid Enzyme Mask comes in a foil package with two sides to it.  One side has a cream and other is a powder that only gets activated when blending the two together.  According to the directions, dry or sensitive skins need only to wear this on a clean face for about three to six minutes before rinsing off.  Oily complexions can leave it on longer about seven to ten minutes.  Being dry, I choose five minutes and found how wonderfully it improved texture and gave my complexion a healthy glow. 

Sweets-Sweets Air Moisturizing CC Cream that arrived came in Peach.  This product has a great consistency and did a nice job to perfect with medium coverage, even out skin tone, moisture, and protect my skin with broad spectrum SPF 50.  I am fair to light with yellow undertones and thought the shade was nearly right on target with only slightly more orange to beige than my normal shade.  I also loved how this formula later gave almost a powder like finish.  I liked this product a lot, especially with the extra summer color I have now and plan to continue using it.  

Profael Massage Jelly Pack is a big 7.05 oz. tube of body skin care that’s meant for use in the shower.  This is a thick gel with wormwood extract and 30 Japanese plants to buff after washing the body to get rid of dead skin and soften before finishing your shower.  It did make my body silkier to invite more touches. 

The last item I found inside my box was Browtician Tweezers with a slant tip and mirror compact.  I had my brows professionally done with electrolysis and don’t really need to tweeze them.  However, it never hurts to have a sharp tip pair of tweezers for little jobs around the house if you don’t use them for beauty.

For just $29.99 and no shipping, I honestly believe No Make No Life (nmnl) Beauty Box is an excellent deal because you’ll discover some fantastic products that can change your beauty!  Check this Japanese beauty box out and see for yourself!  You’ll love them, I promise. 

Something special that you don’t want to miss is getting $3.00 off your nmnl box, Premium Tokoyo Treats Box or YumeTwins Box when you subscribe between August 18 until August 31 using coupon code CARDCAPTOR.

Hello Beautiful Summer--Glossybox June 2017 Review Helps Get You Ready!

*Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

Tropical beauty is the theme for this June 2017 Glossybox.

We all want value in the beauty products we buy.  Until I received my first Glossybox, I had no idea of the tremendous assortment of premium brands that I got to try for a fraction of what they would normally run if purchased on their own.  This beauty subscription made an exciting addition for any addicted beauty lover like me.

Glossybox gives five luxury products from full to generous sample sizes of makeup, nail, skin and hair care to  tools, etc. for just $21 with free USA shipping. You also get a detailed sheet on each pick in the box as well.

The company does put out quite a few different versions during a month.  Therefore, my box that I’m about to show you may have some products that may change once your box arrives or from other reviewers. Nonetheless, whatever item is replaced will have equivalent value.

The theme for June 2017 is Hello Summer with makeup colors and textures for breezy summer looks that can help capture the season.  Let me show you the goodies that I found in my particular box.

This box also has fantastic packing to safeguard products with a box in a box.

Glossybox June 2017

1.  The Creme Shop The OMG Brush (Full Size)---------------------------------------$10.00
2.  Bang Beauty Cream Color (Full Size)--------------------------------------------------$22.00
3.  Julep Color Treat Nail Polish (Full Size)-----------------------------------------------$14.00
4.  Talika Photo-Hydra Day (Full Size)------------------------------------------------------$29.00
5.  Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil (Deluxe .14 fl. oz. Sample)-------$10.00

Total Approximate Value: $85.00!

The Creme Shop brush that I got was the Contour & Concealer. It has the white handle and was extremely soft with lots of wonderfully positioned bristles for ideal maneuvering.

The Bang Beauty Cream Color I found was in the shade of Dolce Pink.  It is a warm rose-pink with some shimmer that gives cheeks a radiant, but not sparkly sort of glow.  Another plus is that it looks great to wear on the lips to compliment the blush color.

The Julep Color Treat Nail Polish is a rosy-orchid color with a fine shimmer in the shade of Lorraine–Classic With a Twist.  I didn’t try this yet, but I love that it is a healthy vegan formula that includes hexanal for nail strengthening and antioxidant green coffee extract.

The Talika Photo-Hydra Day Moisturizer is a unique formula that has a special capability to energize the skin through natural light that brings a wonderful glow as it hydrates with hyaluronic acid and its hydra-photo beauty in a lightweight, gel-cream consistency.

The Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil was formerly known as The Nourisher, if you ever tried anything from this brand before.  This is a new company to me, but I liked the formula with its roses, vitamin C and 100% plant-based squalane for anti-aging.  It feels great on the skin and doesn’t leave you greasy, just silky.  In fact, you can 10% off the full size $72 bottle if you use coupon code:  GLOSSYBOX10 at biossance.com until July 31, 2017.

If you ask me, Glossybox put together a fabulous summer beauty box for June 2017 that was a real bargain.   Trying is the only way that you’ll be convinced yourself what a fun value it is just to shop for beauty.  Check them out because you’ll love their beauty box subscription–-I promise!

Molton Brown Delicious Rhubard & Rose Bath & Shower Gel Review--A Yummy Way to Spend Time in the Tub!

*Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

Delicious Rhubard & Rose is a delectable scent that you'll want to spend time with.

Those that are dieting may want to consider another scent of bath and shower gel for spending time within their bath.  The reason is that Molton Brown’s Delicious Rhubard & Rose has such a yummy fruity-floral fragrance that you might not be able to resist heading to the kitchen afterwards.

As soon as you flip that cap, you get a fresh whiff of slightly bitter rhubard and the bright juicy notes of mandarin and yuzu fruit.  Yet, once you start lathering up with this moisturizing pink gel, the rose note kicks in to sweeten up this delicious bathing recipe, toning the tartness back.  The more you linger and wash, the more that you’ll detect the underlying sexy musk note emerges, which is so appealing.

Sudsing up with its sugared bubbles is a delight to the senses and offers a beautiful escape once you’re in the tub or shower.  If you love a fruity-floral aroma or are thinking of a nice one for that special lady as a Mother’s Day gift, this product from Molton Brown can please.  My advice is check out this Bath & Body Gel ($30) and the entire Delicious Rhubard & Rose line!

NYFW Inspired Beauty Smoldered: INGLOT Debuted Black Amethyst Makeup for Michael Costello Fall/Winter ‘17/’18

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

Haunting smoky eyes, dramatic red lips and lots of hair is in store for fall 2017.

Vamp up your beauty look for Fall/Winter 2017/18 taking the clue from designer, Michael Costello’s inspired Black Amethyst, created using INGLOT Cosmetics.  His vision for a woman has an edgy, dynamic presence that knows no boundaries to flaunt her sexiness. Whether strutting her stuff on the runway to her daily trek to the office, the Black Amethyst woman is bold and ready to take on the world, exerting her power with effortless cool sophistication and a stage-worthy sparkle.

How Look Better When You Pose for Those Holiday Photos!

This beauty doesn't miss a trick when it comes to looking even more amazing.

Some people instantly take to the camera, but not all. Is it because they are simply more beautiful, which may or may not necessarily be true? The real truth is some just know how to capitalize on what they have better than others in how they radiate confidence, their expression and body language before that lens focuses on them.  Therefore, if you want to shine as well and look your best for those holiday photos then let me share some helpful tips.

For Real Change That You Can See, Lighten Up Dark Under Eye Circles From Within

Natural darkness can be improved, if you know where to start.

Under eye darkness really can be depressing when you look at yourself in the mirror.  Though you can’t prevent the hand that heredity may have dealt you with how your body reacts to allergens, stress, or even processes the nutrients from foods you eat for playing a part in developing dark circles, there is another solution besides concealers and eye creams with vitamin K or caffeine to free up that trapped blood lurking beneath.

Instead of just working on the outside to mask the problem, you might want to try working on the inside as well.   What I suggest is to supply the body with plenty of the nutrients it needs to strengthen blood vessel walls from leaking to that delicate eye area through eating more antioxidant rich foods.

Berries such as blueberries, cranberries, strawberries, and blackberries are excellent sources. Pomegranates, dark varieties of grapes, pecans, almonds, legumes, sweet potatoes, dark green vegetables, and parsley are just some others that can help build up the structure of blood vessel tissue.

Drinking more water to flush out toxins and keeping the blood circulating more freely also does seem to help. 

My allergic shiners are still there, but I am noticing my under eye area has brightened somewhat since starting this. Mary is happier that I now added more antioxidants to my day with the improvement I have had so far.  Try it yourself and hopefully, your own under eye darkness brightens up your look and mood as it is doing for me!

Why You May Want to Pay More Attention to Detoxifying Agents in Anti-Aging Creams When It Comes to Looking Younger

Taking preventative steps is important.

You may be thinking that you’re doing everything possible to beat the aging clock with the latest anti-aging skin care products.  Even though you are vigilant and slather on plenty of beneficial ingredients such as antioxidants, what if I told you that there may be even more that you can do by firing up a certain enzyme called proteasome.  

What this particular enzyme is able to do is remarkable in how it can deep clean and repair cell damage from accumulated oxidized proteins that age us over time.  

When you are scanning those anti-aging creams and serums for ingredients, you might keep a close eye out for ingredients like alpha longoza, tocopherol (vitamin E), phaeodactylum algae extract, and amino lumine that can help speed up protesasome production to trigger that desired skin response that we all hope to see.