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Beauty

25 Skincare and Wellness Tips by the Best in the World

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We all need to take care of ourselves, that’s not an option but a must.

 And like the rest of us, the most gorgeous Hollywood stars can suffer from acne and wrinkles and can suffer some health issues, so they make sure they have doctors on call who can treat them.

While they don’t always divulge the names of their A-list clients, these superstar skin and wellness doctors do share their most effective treatments. So here are some tips from celebrity doctors that can help on how to properly care for your skin and wellness.

Mask Breakouts

Making a seven-figure salary for a movie can’t save you from breakouts. And throwing money at the problem won’t necessarily provide a cure. “I tell my clients to steer clear of toners and avoid products with benzoyl peroxide, says Harold Lancer, MD, a dermatologist whose clients include JLo and Kim Kardashian. “Oil is not the enemy; bacteria are what cause breakouts,” he explains. “Drying agents create redness and irritation, and encourage increased sebum production, which is the opposite of what you want to achieve. Use a natural absorber like clay to prevent breakouts and mattify skin.” Dr. Lancer recommends his own Lancer Skin Care Oil Absorber ($35), or you might try Fresh’s Umbrian Clay Face Treatment ($48).

Splurge Daily

Paltrow’s trainer and business partner, Tracy Anderson, gives all of us permission to not starve ourselves (um, thank you?). “Pick the meal that you enjoy the most, and let that be your one calorie splurge for that day,” says Anderson. She suggests cutting back on the other two meals with protein shakes or an energy bar (she happens to love Bliss Bar Superfood Energy Bars).

Press to stop headaches

Got a headache? Here’s a tip from Sanjay Gupta, M.D., chief medical correspondent for CNN and associate chief of neurosurgery at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta

“Here’s a great remedy I use: Take your thumbs and place them under your brows and just above the middle of your eye socket. Push in and up, like you’re giving a thumbs-up; hold for a few seconds. This pressure on the orbital nerve can make stress-related headaches disappear.”

Stick With a Program

With so much buzz surrounding new, “miracle” ingredients, it’s hard not to succumb to the temptation to try them all. But piling on products can ruin your good intentions. “Great, healthy skin requires a synergy of ingredients,” Lancer says. Keep it simple — it’s more important to be consistent with the products you do use. Also, layering on a number of products can be counterproductive — for example, if you apply a product with glycolic acid and then add retinol or a vitamin C product, the two can cancel out each other’s effects, ensuring you won’t get the results you’re after.

For an anti-aging dream team, Lancer suggests a vitamin C day cream and retinol (we like SkinCeuticals Retinol 1.0) for the night to improve skin tone. He also likes green tea extract’s anti-inflammatory properties and recommends stem cell formulas to promote the production of collagen, glycoproteins, and elastin.

Snack Between Meals

You know how your mom used to be all, “Don’t snack, or you’ll ruin your appetite!” And you were all, “But I’m so hungry!” Well, now you can tell your mom that Harley Pasternak — trainer to Lady Gaga, Kanye West, and Katy Perry and author of the Five-Factor Diet — says low-fat protein snacking is totally fine. Edamame and nonfat Greek yogurt with frozen berries are his favorite options. And in his book, he mentions salmon sashimi with plums and fresh figs with balsamic cream sauce. Yum.

Don’t Deprive Yourself

Since TV host Kelly Ripa is so thin, it’s hard to believe she doesn’t believe in diets. Yet this is what she told Self: “I don’t diet, because I feel moderation is key. My guilty pleasure is french fries.” Apparently, celebs have all the answers. “Kelly is spot-on by not giving herself guilt trips,” says Ashley Koff, RD, of Los Angeles. In fact, Dr. Oz created a whole diet around eating what you love, based on numerous studies that show you’ll spontaneously combust if you don’t eat at least one french fry. Really! Now, this is the kind of diet advice we like.

Eat Your Water

We’ve all heard the mantra that we should drink eight glasses of water a day. But drowning your sorrows in water won’t save your skin, because you’re actually purging vital minerals from your body, according to Howard Murad, MD, an associate clinical professor of dermatology at the UCLA Geffen School of Medicine. Dr. Murad, whose patients are rumored to include Kristin Cavallari and Kim Cattrall, advocates getting hydration from raw fruits and vegetables.

The best water for your cells is found in foods like fruits and vegetables, Murad says. “Not only will you get a boost of important antioxidants, fiber, and nutrients, but it stays in your system long enough for your body to put it to good use,” he explains. That means you should stock your refrigerator with cucumbers, pomegranates, avocados, apricots, mangoes, broccoli, and spinach.

Gorge on greens

During these times you need to keep your immunity up, and here’s a tip from Joel Fuhrman, M.D., author of Super Immunity.

He said that the best foods you can eat to fuel your immune response are green vegetables — they’re loaded with antioxidants that keep free radicals in your body under control. A refrigerator stocked with lettuce, kale, and broccoli is his secret weapon during flu season.

Don’t Ever Stop Working Out, Ever

When all else fails, work out, work out and work out some more. At least that’s what Jennifer Aniston tells InStyle. She works out 5 to 6 days a week. Spinning. Cardio. Yoga. Pilates. And you think she orders those fattening late-night room service runs during press junkets? Uh, no. “I take eight-pound weights with me whenever I’m staying in a hotel,” she says. “It’s always good to do arm exercises when you’re watching television or talking on the phone. I also love to stretch before I go to bed, and usually throw in a couple of sit-ups.” And this, my darlings, is why Jennifer Aniston looks like Jennifer Aniston.

Ditch Under-Eye Baggage

There are only so many miracles you can expect from your makeup if you don’t pay attention to the eye area. To protect this delicate skin, you should apply eye cream twice a day and use sun protection. A few lifestyle tweaks can also make a dramatic improvement in how you look. Jessica Wu, MD, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Southern California, advises sleeping with your head elevated on two pillows the night before a big event and avoiding salty foods for a few days. These steps will prevent fluid from collecting around the eyes and causing bags.

Listen to your body

Susan B. Lord, M.D., integrative physician in Great Barrington, MA, and teacher at the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in Stockbridge, MA, believes that negative thoughts and worry deplete the body and allow things like colds to take hold much more easily. That’s one of the reasons she meditates every morning for 20 minutes. She thinks of it as ‘taking out the garbage’ in her life, mind, and body. She is also very conscious of asking herself a simple question many times a day: What do I need? Is it food? Relaxation? Exercise? 

Listening to what my body tells you means you can make healthy choices, day in, day out

Sign Up For A Delivery Service

Delivery-to-your-doorstep meals are nothing new, but according to Paula Abdul, Olivia Munn, and Shenae Grimes, The Fresh Diet meals are da bomb. The company’s Web site offers all sorts of success stories: Us Weekly called it the “best diet of 2011” and Self gave it a gold star. The menus look decent enough (e.g., 3 meals, 2 snacks, and 2 sides — including pesto couscous-stuffed tomatoes), but what got us was the no cleanup, no cooking part. Yes, it’s a little pricey ($44.99 a day for the 31-Day Total Transformation), but have you seen Olivia Munn? Case closed.

Wake Up your Skin

To bring a glow to dull skin quickly, Ava Shamban, MD, a dermatologist in Santa Monica and the author of Heal Your Skin, tells patients to soak a facecloth in cold water and rub it all over the face for a few seconds; you can also do this with an ice cube. “This stimulates blood circulation adding instant, though temporary, radiance,” she says. The exfoliating benefit of the cloth will also help clear pores, so they look smaller. If that’s too chilling a prospect, Dr. Shamban advises rubbing an orange slice over the face for a similarly invigorating effect.

Go herbal

Got a cold? According to David Katz, M.D., ABC News medical consultant and director of the Yale University Prevention Research Center in New Haven, CT, to prevent colds, He is a fan of North American ginseng, a botanical supplement you can find at health food stores. You have to take two doses of it every day during flu season, but the payoff is worth it: You can count on an approximate 30 percent reduction in the incidence of catching colds, which is pretty great. He also recommends zinc. 

Take it at the start of your symptoms — 30 mg per day — and it will shorten the duration of your cold by half.

Push Your Body In Shifts

Running circles around the track makes you feel good, right? “Woo-hoo, I’m burning the carbs!” Well, Joe Dowdell, president of NYC-based Peak Performance Strength and Conditioning Center (trainer to Anne Hathaway and Claire Danes), says that’s not enough: He would also like you to be, ugh, methodical about it. The fitness guru says to push your body at the beginning of your workout, only resting 20 to 30 seconds between sets. Toward the end of your workout — you know, that period when you feel like you’re about to puke — take more time resting between sets (up to a minute).

Give Your Skin Some Air

“Intraceuticals’ oxygen-infusing facial is celebrities’ secret weapon because it immediately and dramatically plumps skin for an incredibly fresh appearance,” says Shamban. “It also revitalizes skin cells and encourages topical antioxidant absorption for smoother, softer skin, helping acne, as well as age-related changes such as fine wrinkling and brown spots.” Reap the benefits of oxygen in your home with Philosophy’s Take a Deep Breath Oil-Free Energizing Oxygen Gel Cream Moisturizer ($34) or Bliss Triple Oxygen Mask ($54).

Give baked goods a boost

Do you like baking? Christine Gerbstadt, M.D., R.D., author of The Doctor’s Detox Diet: The Ultimate Weight Loss RX, said that she uses white whole-wheat flour in all recipes that call for flour. It tastes like regular flour, but because it’s made with whole grains, she gets the added heart-healthy, belly-filling benefits of fiber.

Cover Up

“One of the best ways to prevent sagging skin is to wear a UVA- and UVB-blocking sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 each and every day,” says dermatologist Fredric Brandt, MD, whose VIP client list includes Madonna and Kelly Ripa. “This habit should become part of your lifestyle.

Any other efforts you’re expending on your skin will be wasted if you don’t protect it with such sunscreen. “There are new FDA labeling guidelines for what constitutes ‘broad-spectrum,’ so be careful of trendy products that don’t adhere to these new and elevated standards for UVA and UVB protection,” says Lancer. These guidelines go into effect this summer for large companies, but smaller, niche sunscreen makers have more time to implement the changes. And although you can expect to see the new labeling on products that hit the shelves in June, retailers are still allowed to sell older products. If in doubt, look for the Skin Cancer Foundation Seal of Recommendation.

Start Stripping

Apparently, actress Amy Adams hates the treadmill so much that she decided to go all stripper-pants on us to lose her baby weight. Yes, the woman known for her sweet and innocent roles (Enchanted; The Muppets) is down with pole dancing. And according to my insider sources (ahem, tabloids), Emma Watson, Cindy Crawford, and Kate Hudson also named pole dancing as an integral part of their workouts. (Hudson reportedly even installed a pole in her bathroom. Dancing by the toilet sounds odd, but whatever works.)

Get Your Fill

Injectable hyaluronic acid treatments such as Restylane, Juvéderm, Hylaform, and Perlane are great tools for adding volume to nasolabial folds (the parentheses that form between the nose and the outer corners of the lips), crow’s-feet, and lip lines. But why stop there? asks Pat Wexler, MD, an associate clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, who’s been said to count Donna Karan, Christie Brinkley, Ellen Barkin, and Barbra Streisand among her clients. “Using these hyaluronic acid fillers along the jawline and cheeks, we can create a liquid lift to laterally tighten and fill the face,” she says. “The result can be very natural looking.”

Get light therapy

According to Joel Fuhrman, M.D.,  one way you can recharge your internal battery daily is to dim the lights one hour before bedtime and sleep in a pitch-black room. In the morning make sure you get some sunshine; you can sit near a window or take a walk outside. 

The bright light turns off the secretion of melatonin, a sleep neurotransmitter, and stimulates the production of serotonin, which helps you feel energized.

Tighten Up

Saggy, drooping skin will definitely lower anyone’s Q score. But a full-on face-lift is an extreme measure few can commit to. “For immediate skin tightening around the eyes and mouth, the Pellevé wrinkle reduction system is my go-to,” says Shamban. This procedure, which uses radio-frequency waves to “melt” fat, visibly tightens and tones skin over the course of two to six visits, resulting in a smoother, more svelte appearance, without recovery time. A lower-tech alternative is Lancôme’s Rénergie Lift Volumetry ($90) — its ingredients are designed to lift and contour sagging skin after four weeks of use.

Play mind games to quit stressing

Carl Bazil, M.D., director of Columbia University’s Sleep Medicine Center in New York City said When your brain’s on overload, use progressive relaxation to coax yourself to sleep. Visualize each part of your body, starting at your toes, and imagine them completely at rest. Then move upward one muscle group at a time until you reach the crown of the head. When stressed some can’t even sleep and this tip gets him to doze off.

Try DIY Treatments

There are many new devices that promise to bring the dermatologist’s office into your home, and though pricey, they can offset the cost of repeated doctor visits — provided they deliver results. One device that’s getting good buzz is the FDA-cleared PaloVia Skin Renewing Laser ($500); it delivers short pulses of micro-fine laser light to kick-start collagen production around the eyes. “The PaloVia laser is one of my best-kept skin secrets because it takes the same fractional-laser technology I use on my patients and adapts it for at-home use,” says Tina Alster, MD, a clinical professor of dermatology at Georgetown University Medical School, who’s worked with many dignitaries and celebs.

Treat Yourself From Head to Toe

There are areas below your chin that can show the signs of aging too. “Taking care of your neck and décolleté is important, as this area often gives a more revealing indication of a woman’s age,” says Dr. Brandt. “The skin here is extremely delicate and contains fewer oil glands, so it’s more prone to damage and scarring than the face.” To ward off wrinkles, slather the area daily with an anti-aging moisturizer and sunscreen.

I hope these tips from the experts helped you on how to properly care for your skin and wellness. We know we are all beautiful and to make that even get to a higher level, we need to take care of ourselves.

Self-care is not selfish, and no one can love you more than yourself so take care of yourself properly.

As always, for more ideas, visit my Instagram account at https://instagram.com/luxelife9, feel free to follow and engage with me there as well.

15 Luxury Beauty Tools for 2021

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Who loves beauty tools? Well, of course, you are here right now because you are just like me who loves these things that make us fabulous!

Whether you are looking for beauty tools to accelerate skincare/make-up results or just to maintain, you will take the most advantage out of those tools that I will introduce in the long run. And if you are someone who’s very invested in skincare like me, then you will get the most benefits of your expensive skincare products by complementing them with these tools on the side.

1. JOOVVE 2.0 mini

I noticed that my skin is clearer and more glowy, and I’ve started concentrating the light on my face more because of this.

Red light therapy is not a magical pill that will heal all ailments. You may not feel or see a difference right away. However, I was able to notice a difference in my overall health and mood over time and it has become an essential part of my self-care routine.

During each session, the muscles in my body relax and I release tension overall. It’s a form of meditation for me when I practice deep breaths, and I look forward to it every day.

2. Sisley Gentle Brush for Face and Neck

This facial brush by Sisley was the very first skincare cleansing tool that I ever tried even way before using my Clarisonic. It isn’t that I don’t like Clarisonic, but I still find Sisley Gentle Brush to be more suitable for daily use as it’s very soft and kind to skin. It also comes with a cap, so if you are a frequent traveler, you will love it as it’s very light to carry around.

3. CLÉ DE PEAU BEAUTÉ Cotton Pads

I personally believe that whatever touches our skin often is what we need to focus on for our skin to age beautifully. These cotton pads are very plush and soft to the skin so they don’t irritate the skin at all. If you have sensitive skin and have been wanting to use cotton pads, then you should try those out :). The gentler it feels, the better it is for skin!

4. slip™ for beauty sleep ‘Slipsilk™’ Pure Silk Pillowcase

Pillowcases are something that not many people care so much about, but I personally see them as very important as we spend 1/3 of our day in bed. If you want to keep any unwanted spots at bay, pillowcases are one of the tops on this list to check. The beauty about those silk pillowcases is that they don’t take away all the expensive goodies that we put on our face and hair!

5. The MMSphere 2.0

Struggling with fine lines and dull skin? Long hailed for their powerful results, treat a range of skincare issues in 10 minutes or less a day. Blue light decreases acne flare-ups, red stimulates the skin’s production of collagen and helps reduce hyperpigmentation

This splurge-y LED device is more powerful than most other at-home models. Created by dermatologist Ellen Marmur with the LED technology used in her office, the MMSkincare MMSphere 2.0 uses light therapy to help alleviate conditions such as inflammation or pain and promote tissue regrowth.

6. Elemis Skin Brush

As much as Elemis is known for its skincare, it offers an extensive range of effective body care products. Amongst all, I love their body brush not just because of the benefits of brushing the body such as cellulite control, but also due to its durability. My first one lasted for over 5 years, and I got the second one simply because I got bored of it as it still looked fine XD. Now I have two brushes; one in the bathroom and one next to my couch.

7. Beautybio Glopro Microneedling Facial Regeneration Tool

Microneedling has become a wildly popular treatment over the past few years, and with good reason. The innovative, minimally-invasive treatment uses super tiny needles to lightly puncture the outermost layers of the skin, triggering the skin’s injury response, which leads to a long list of skincare benefits like smoother texture and reduced signs of aging. 

8. Foreo LUNA Mini 2

The Foreo LUNA Mini 2 is a gentle cleansing brush that works wonders with sensitive skin. Eight power settings allow for personally-tailored cleansing. Up the intensity setting for a deeper clean and slow it down for a more calming experience.

Foreo Luna is a line of mechanical facial brushes made with medical-grade silicone that’s safe even for sensitive skin and hygienic; the technology featured in the brushes is called T-Sonic Pulsations that provide a deep cleaning, anti-wrinkle, and massaging effect.

9. Mason Pearson Hair Brush

The quality of Mason Pearson hairbrushes is unbeatable. They last for years, mine still looks and functions great even after 6 years. Skin doesn’t stop at only face and body. Scalp and hair care are as important since they are all connected when it comes to anti-aging. The best part is that the company offers different solutions for different hair types, rather than just one kind of brush.

10. Harry Josh Pro Tools Pro Dryer 2000

Best Hair Dryer I’ve ever used! I like the compactness of this hairdryer, and it dries my hair very quickly. I’ve bought lots of hair dryers – expensive, cheap, and middle of the road – this beats them all!!

The result is a voluminous finish with zero frizz that lasts for two days straight — no touch-ups needed. While I’m no scientist, I’ve found that the extra hit of cool air helps to extend my blowout another day or two, but that’s just my experience.

That being said, to keep it real, I know this tool costs a pretty penny, but it’s so worth it. To borrow advice from Ferris Bueller, if you have the means, we highly recommend picking one up.

11. Simplehuman Eight Inch Sensor Mirror with Brightness Control

If you are looking for a gift for someone special, this will be a great gift too as my man got me this mirror, and I’ve been telling him how much I’ve been enjoying it ever since! 

My place is getting Simplehuman-ized, that’s how much I love their products. This mirror is the best that I’ve ever tried and the company offers great aftercare too. Whether it’s for make-up application or skincare, you won’t miss anything on your face with it. It’s the truth-telling mirror.

12. Beachwaver Pro

The Beachwaver Pro is a curling iron that does it all for you. No wonder it’s dubbed as “every lazy girl’s dream”.

This self-rotating curling iron reaches a temperature of up to 450 °F (232 °C) so it’s great for thicker hair. This curling iron works so well that I don’t even use hairspray and my curls last for two to three days. I do have to touch up a few curls but for the most part, they stay.

When I first got this curler I had kind of a hard time learning how to use and hold it. My hands are small so I found myself hitting the go button when I didn’t need it, which if I wasn’t careful could have caused me to burn my scalp. Once I got the hang of how to hold it though it got much easier. I used to only curl my hair for special occasions but now I curl it almost every day!

13. NuFACE Microcurrent Facial Toning Device

Frankly, not all the facial devices work as they are advertised, and most of all, they don’t work as efficiently as the ones that you get at medspa or dermatologists. NuFACE Facial Toning Device is the exception. You can notice the difference even after one usage, and if you are diligent enough to dedicate yourself to the routine, your skin will thank you in the years to come. It’s especially great for facial contouring along the jawline and overall lifting. It simply works!

14. Jillian Dempsey Gold Sculpting Bar

The future of putting on face cream is here, and honestly, I don’t know how I ever lived without it. This super-luxe, 24-karat-gold sculpting tool vibrates to both help creams penetrate deeper and stimulate facial muscles to help tone them. Makeup artist Jillian Dempsey, the mastermind behind the tool, also gave me this little tip: Using it on your “tech lines” (the horizontal lines on your neck that form from looking down at your phone all the time) helps reduce their visibility. If that doesn’t sell you, though, consider this: And have you seen her skin? I’ll be happy if mine is half that after using this in my thirties. 

15. Nurse Jamie Uplift Massaging Beauty Roller

Nurse Jamie’s roller is a must, especially before a big event. Because of its shape and cooling properties, it works to promote lymphatic drainage and reduce bloat in your face, which creates a more sculpted look. I always keep one in my makeup kit and use it before a night out or a wedding. Don’t believe me? Just ask Nurse Jamie’s dozens of celebrity fans, like Lea Michele and Khloé Kardashian. 

These tools are quite expensive but really work and I love them. I’m so you’ll love them too. Which ones do you already own? Share your experience with them in the comment. And which ones are you planning to get? Go get them now, they’ll surely be worth the price!

As always, for more ideas, visit my Instagram account at instagram.com/luxelife9 ,feel free to follow and engage with me there as well.

Best Hair Products

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We girls (even guys) all love to care for our crowning glories. Well, who doesn’t? We all love beautiful and healthy hair. Hair – can really change your appearance (for better or worse). Whether it’s a color or style, your hair can make or break your look.

In this blog, I want to share with you the custom shampoo + conditioner that I’ve been loving so much.

Yes, a custom shampoo + conditioner that is specifically formulated for me was made possible by FORMULATE.

Formulate is a hair care company that formulates shampoo & condition to your specific hair and hair care needs. No one has the same hair. So why are we buying cookie-cutter shampoo & conditioner?

After taking Formulate’s survey, their chemists develop a shampoo & conditioner formula to fit your hair and its needs. If for some reason the formula is not right Formulate will work with you till they get it right.

They look at your environment, lifestyle, current hair + scalp condition, and hair care goals – all of which impact the key ingredients in your shampoo and conditioner.

The whole process is actually quick and fun. On the Formulate website or app, they have a survey that asks you questions regarding your hair. Questions such as: what color is it, is it color-treated, what is its texture and thickness, and so on. They also want to know your location so they can factor in the weather in your area. Then Formulate needs to know what your hair needs help with.

Do you need frizz control, strengthening, etc? Lastly, you get to pick your scent and let them know what ingredients you don’t want in your formula. (They even give you directions on how to use your shampoo & conditioner.)

There are 7 to pick from, ranging from fresh to floral to fruity. The different scents they have are Green with Envy (green tea and honey), Verdant (grass, lilies, eucalyptus), Tidal (coconut, sea, warm sand), Shoreline (spice, citrus, sea), Freshly Squeezed (sweet orange, tangerine), Burgeon (blooming orange blossom), and At Dawn (green apple, pear, rose).

I got their Burgeon and Cool Coconut Scent.  And what I love most about their shampoo is that they are free of sulfates, parabens, dyes, preservatives, sodium, and are cruelty-free. 
Sulfates are the things in shampoo that make your hair feel knotty and slick while trying to wash it. You can even ask them to exclude any ingredient you do not want or are possibly allergic to.

If you are trying to live as natural a life as possible and try to live as vegan a lifestyle as possible this is a good buy for you.

The packaging is so aesthetically pleasing! Their packaging has a sleek geometric pump bottle that would look elegant in any bathroom, plus with braille for the visually impaired. (10/10 for the thoughtful and beautiful design.) I love how they kept it simple with the alternating black and white on the shampoo and conditioner bottles.So how was it when I first use it?

Of course, as I was expecting, it wouldn’t show great results at first. Like any new skincare routine, your hair needs time to adjust and for the product to work.

On the first week of using it, I noticed that my hair becomes a bit greasy. So if you have dry hair and scalp this is a good thing. But if you don’t like your hair like that you can always ask them to adjust your formulation.

At the two-week mark, Formulate sends you an email requesting feedback about your custom formula. You have to take advantage of this and be honest in your feedback since from your feedback they will adjust the formulations based on what you need.

Even though I am a big fan of the squeaky-clean feel turns out my old shampoo was stripping my hair. My hair was dry after using it and I had to put so much product in my hair just to get my comb through it. After using Formulate my hair is soft, manageable, and easy to style. Which is exactly what I wanted it to be.

I was completely blown away by this company and its products. I truly admire the dedication behind a company that desires to meet each and every one of its customer’s needs. No matter how many times it takes.

I couldn’t tell you how often I’ve purchased hair products only to be completely disappointed, never using them again. Not only is this a huge waste of money, but it also is frustrating. The products get shoved in the closet on the shelf or used as guest shower products.
 I recommend trying it and see how you can transform your hair into healthy hair. It is slightly more pricey than most shampoo and conditioners but in my opinion very much worth it for you.

As always, for more ideas, visit my Instagram account at https://instagram.com/luxelife9, feel free to follow and engage with me there as well.

Best things to buy at the 2020 Sephora Fall Sale!

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Hey! Know the latest news? It is not about politics or whichever, right! Duh!?

It’s the biggest Holiday Savings event of the year… SEPHORA is ON SALE!!!

Get ready girls and gals! Pick up those lappies and find out which on your wish lists have been dropping with discounts.

Me? Here are some of the skincare products I have purchased this week and of course added MORE already to my basket! Haha-I need help!

How about you? Take a look! You may want it, too.

I love this serum because it is very gentle and non-irritating. A great option if you are just starting to use AHA in your skin regimen.

• THE ORDINARY – Lactic Acid 5% + HA

This 5-per cent liquid formula offers very mild exfoliation for normal skin. It is free of parabens, also vegan, cruelty-free, and gluten-free. Good for fine lines, wrinkles, dullness, and uneven texture. The Tasmanian pepperberry helps to calm and soothe your skin after exfoliation. Best to use once per day, ideally in the evening. To reduce its strength can be diluted with other treatments until the skin develops its tolerance. Avoid contact with eyes and when irritation occurs, stop using it and consult a physician. It is advisable to patch testing before use because of its AHA content. I’m using sunscreen and wears protective clothing when going out. It may increase the skin’s sensitivity to the sun and the possibility of sunburn when exposed within a week of use.

• Next on my list is the KVD Vegan Beauty – Lock-it Foundation

What excites me the most about this foundation is the matte finish in medium sand undertone shades. A full-coverage liquid foundation perfect for my all-day wear, easy application, and blends on my skin well. It is free of parabens and phthalates. The good thing with Lock-it Foundations is that it is transfer-resistant and truly stays on my face longer and not on the clothes or anywhere else. This foundation best partnered with Lock-it Hydrating Primer (sold separately) to make sure our skin is well-hydrated before applying.

•  And to add more to my collection, I have Matte Perfection Powder Foundation from Sephora in Porcelain Pink color with plenty of shades to choose from. A creamy powder foundation, weightless, buildable coverage. A pressed powder that flexes and moves with the skin in a natural-matte finish.  No cracks, cake, or any suffocating feels on the skin. Using the sponge applicator, just simply sweep and blend. For others who want to apply for lighter coverage, apply this using the Sephora Collection Classic Multitasker Powder Brush #45.

For defining my eyebrows and highlighting it, I chose these two of my most faves:

• BENEFITS COSMETICS – Goof Proof Waterproof Easy Shape & Fill Eyebrow Pencil

I love the warm medium brown color. It is super-easy filling and shaping eyebrow pencil with 12 available shades to flatter every hair color. Lots of amazing colors to choose from, so whatever your skin type, this is an A+!

This Goof Proof Brow Pencil features a custom tip that easily shapes, defines, and fills in brows. It effortlessly blends up to 12 hours. I can feel its softness when I apply it, a glide-on color that creates naturally-full-looking and beautiful brows. And it’s waterproof!

There have been clinical results where out of 109 women used this after a week (from a consumer panel survey); 95% said it was easy to fill and shape brows. In an instrumental test on 20 panellists, the color lasted for 12 hours. Another 22 panellists say that the color is indeed waterproof.

• BENEFITS COSMETICS – High Brow Glow Eyebrow Highlighting Pencil

And to redefine my brows with a luminous that instantly illuminates and visibly lifts my brows is this one! It has creamier and more blendable formula. Very subtle highlight and looks super cute under my brows. It is a champagne-pink shade with an eye-catching luminous finish accentuates arches, makes eyes pop, and gives the brow area a lifted look.

And for the Highliner Gel Eye Crayon Eyeliner, I love March Jacobs’. This eyeliner comes with shimmer, matte and satin finish with lots of color collection that would best suit our mood.

This waterproof gel pot eyeliner in a crayon lasts for 12 hours. An exclusive to Marc Jacobs Beauty, it is the super malleable formula that offers versatility, flawless, and a luxury experience of a gel eyeliner. 

An Allure Best of Beauty Award Winner Highliner. It’s a perfect all-around eyeliner!

These three are my fore-keeps and always on my make-up kit.

To spice up my daily favorites, the next items I got are best of the best, iconic, smudge-proof, lip tint, and cheek stain.

• BENEFITS COSMETICS – Benetint Rose Lip & Cheek Tint

The Benetint Rose Lip & Cheek Tint is formulated with Water (Aqua), Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Carmine (CI 75470), Methylparaben, Fragrance (Parfum), Tetrasodium Edta, Geraniol, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citronellol, Maltodextrin, Benzyl Salicylate, BHT.

I apply this on my lips and layering it to build intensity. Sometimes I put on some lip gloss to have a pouty look. For my cheeks, I put a dot and blend it. The color is so natural-looking and long-lasting, it can stay almost all day. For a healthy-looking and dewy glow, you can wear under High Beam(a satin highlighter which can be sold separately) on cheeks.

• NARS – Orgasm Oil-Infused Lip Tint

I love the peach-pink shades with golden shimmer!

Getting a high shine finish, non-greasy feel and a surge of hydration on my lips make this NARS Orgasm Oil-Infused Lip Tint special because of a seductively-plush-looking lip. What is more amazing about this product is the hydrating lip oil, and other ingredients such as raspberry seed oil that nourishes lips while protecting against environmental stressors; and pomegranate extract for long-lasting hydration and antioxidants. 

Now for the end-of-day regimen, let’s not forget how important to properly remove our makeup and do some skin pampering and leaving-out all the impurities. 

• LANCOME Bi- Facil Home & Away Duo

A limited-edition, the two-piece set makes up removal liquid formula that activates when shaken to gently whisk away even waterproof eye makeup while conditioning and refreshing the skin. Two for the price of one! One bottle for home and one for travel, that’s so convenient to use and easy to take any time anywhere. For those who use contact lenses, this product is safe and tested as advised of ophthalmologists, especially if you have sensitive skin. This works well, just soak the activated formula onto a cotton pad and apply around the eyes and lash line to remove eye makeup.

• For all skin-types, here’s The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, hydrating formula with ultra-pure, vegan hyaluronic acid. Parabens and Phthalates FREE. Another Allure Best of Beauty Award winner because of its remarkable formulation. It combines low, medium, and high molecular weight hyaluronic acid, as well as a next-generation H.A. cross polymer. A 2% combined concentration for multi-depth hydration.

I apply a few drops over my entire face in the morning and evening before using creams.

There you have it, my love! My basket is full of beauty collection that made my online shopping experience much exciting and I’m so loving it!

Advent Calendar ?

Wait, there’s more!

That is because I got a 20% discount and being one of the Rouge customers, I have enjoyed getting more products like:

• Charlotte Tilbury  Mini Magic Cream and Mini Jewel Lip Gloss

This is an iconic duo. Charlotte’s Magic Cream instantly hydrates, plumps, lifts, and smooths my skin for a glowing and dewy complexion. Partnered with Jewel Lip Gloss with glittering jewel inspired pearls. Perfect for birthday gift ideas!

• Viktor&Rolf Flowerbomb

The warm, sweet, and spicy scents made me feel a garden-party-like with an enchanting whirl of cattleya, jasmine and rose grounded in patchouli and vanilla.

• SMASHBOX Classic Primer

This product is a great primer to make our skin looks smooth and refines pores and lines so that the makeup will last. It has Vitamins A and E to protect our skin. And of course, vegan and a cruelty-free product.

• Kiehl’S Midnight Recovery Concentrate

I got this night oil that serves as an anti-aging night serum. It helps with skin hydration overnight for a smoother-looking complexion and achieve that radiant glow comes morning.

As always, for more ideas, visit my Instagram account at https://instagram.com/luxelife9, feel free to follow and engage with me there as well.

Beauty trends around the world!

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Beauty is in the eye of the beholder – a common and popular tag line when you describe beauty with a character that comes from within.

You know, I love makeup! I’ve been in the cosmetic/fashion world my whole life and I love the different cultures, trends and the vibes I get from wearing a strong bold eye!

When we talk about makeup, it differs from people by people, places by places, and cultures. We can dig more of this complex topic around the world. But how does cosmetics start? Who was the first to use makeup and how it affects the world market today?

Let’s dive in!

There was archeological evidence that cosmetics evolved during ancient times from Egypt and Greece. In ancient Egypt, they use castor oil as a protective balm and skin creams made of beeswax, olive oil, and rosewater. Historically, there were traces of makeup found in cave paintings. The Old Stone age was a period where women colored their bodies in reddish-brown tones to express themselves in different moods, sexual maturity, mourning, or social circumstances.

During the Persian Empire, today is Iran, “kohl” was used, it a black powder smeared to darken the edges of the eyelids similar to eyeliner.

Around 3000 BC, during the Chou dynasty, royals wore gold and silver stain on their fingernails with gum arabic, gelatin, beeswax, and egg white. In later years, royals wore black or red. These colours used to represent a social class. Lower classes, they were forbidden to wear bright colours on their nails. 

Geishas in Japan wore a different kind of lipstick. It was made of crushed safflower petals to paint eyebrows and edges of the eyes as well as lips and sticks of bintsuke wax, a softer version of the sumo wrestlers’ hair wax. 

In China, almost similar to Japanese, the eyes are enhanced with very pale or white faces. They applied lead powder as the base make up but as we all know, lead contains toxic materials that might harm the skin. In the early years, they have been using rice powder that passes through the process. Grinding into a fine powder, soaked in cold water, fermented and rotten, cleaned and drained, then exposed to the sun and finally used for makeup. It was categorized into blush, eyebrows, and lipstick.

Indian women preferred a much simpler makeup, lips shades with slightly red colours, and their eyes highlighted in black.

In cosmetic history, there is a fascinating story that evolved during the Roman Empire. During those times, cosmetics were only amongst prostitutes and rich women. There were traditional values and sentiments discussed because of this. According to the church leaders, it was sinful and immoral to wear make up for the middle ages.

Native Americans used cultural face-painting and tribal makeup for ceremonial events or battle.  In Africa, with estimated 3000 tribes, makeup plays a vital role in different groups. Each form of face paint signifies traditional and religious reasons and purposes.

Face paint has colours and symbols with a certain meaning and is usually made out of clay with different hues using dried plants and flowers.

In the European Renaissance era, idolization of the art and literature from ancient civilizations of Rome and Greece. Hence, the introduction of white face paint became the basis of aristocracy and social recognition. During these times, natural look, soft, and graceful were likely to be perfect for them. As the years go by, tremendously, it changed and keeps changing as time goes by.

Now, let’s talk about the New Era. Make-up has been a successful product line across the globe. A definition of beauty becomes ethereal, and people who used it come out their chameleon look.

Are you ready to get a glimpse of the make-up line, beauty cosmetics, and skincare today?

Did you know that Western Europe led with an expenditure of $748 Billion (USD) per year on beauty products? The second on the list is United States with $663 Billion (USD). China steps in third with $661 Billion (USD). Oceania and Asia mark as the biggest consumers of cosmetics which makes 39% of the market.

Makeup nowadays can be explored no matter what your culture is. There are various makeup selections offer by beauty companies that are Marketing focus. But it is more important to look more closely at makeup culture itself and how it affects everyday women. Makeup use also depends on the preferences of each individual. We must learn how to respect these considerations. 

As makeup artists myself, I, other makeup experts, and beauty gurus consider that makeup is a high form of art. Our face represents as a canvas to create an ethereal image that leads to the discovery of a chameleon look.

As always, for more ideas, visit my Instagram account at https://instagram.com/luxelife9, feel free to follow and engage with me there as well.