#skincare

25 Skincare and Wellness Tips by the Best in the World

August 13, 2021 by luxelife9_uqniwh 28 Comments

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.

The Absolute Best Skincare Line under $20 Bucks!

August 14, 2020 by luxelife9_uqniwh 40 Comments

How’s everyone doing? I hope you’re all doing well.
So, I have people asking daily on my Instagram about more inexpensive products and if they are any good so girl, man, I got the tea baby!!! I know the pandemic is hitting some of you harder than others so loves, I bought it ALL and tried it ALL for you!
We are going to talk about the best skin care line that would give you great results without making you have to decide between good skincare and cheap toilet paper! lol.
Have you heard about The Ordinary?
I guess some of you may have heard or was already using some of their products, a lot of theirproducts actually have good reviews.
But before we talk about their products, lets talk about the company behind it.
The Ordinary is a brand from DECIEM, The Abnormal Beauty Company. Yes, they
call themselves that. lol. They started trading in 2013. Now they own and operate more than 10 brands in the beauty world. Some of these brands have already become leaders in their focused categories while some are still waiting impatiently
to be born. They started with 1 product in 1 market.
They now have a growing portfolio of more than 50 products in more than 15 markets. One of the best-known brands under them is The Ordinary. But dont let the name deceive you, they are an evolving collection of treatments that could do extraordinary results for your skin.
Now, lets start to talk about the great products that I tried from their The Ordinary brand.

1. Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 – $12.20

Hyaluronic Acid is found in the skin naturally but its natural function within the skin is not hydration it instead sits on the surface and can draw moisture out of the skin making the surface feel soft and hydrated temporarily while making you feel like
you need more HA after the product is rinsed. This formula uses three forms of HA with varying molecular weights, as well as an HA crosspolymer, to offer multi-depth hydration and visible plumping without drawing water out of the skin solely
to improve temporary surface hydration. This system is supported by the addition of Vitamin B5 which also enhances surface hydration. This will make your skin looks so clear and dewy with no irritation.

2. Lactic Acid 10% + HA – $6.80

Its super lightweight and a little goes a long way. After using this you will definitely see a difference in fine lines, hyperpigmentation, and acne. Lactic Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that exfoliates the skin, that is why. This 10% formulation offers mild exfoliation and is supported with a purified Tasmanian pepperberry known to reduce signs of inflammation and sensitivity that is often associated with exfoliation. If you want a milder formula, they have a 5% available for you. But just a reminder, Lactic Acid should not be used on sensitive, peeling or compromised skin. Use a sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and limit sun exposure while using this product and for a week afterward.

3. High-Adherence Silicone Primer – $4.90

If you find it difficult to find primers that are effective and do not cause adverse effects, this may be your saving grace. This formula uses advanced adaptive
silicones to act as a matte, hydrating, blurring primer for makeup that looks higher in definition and adheres for longer. The formula can also be used alone as a non-greasy hydrator that reduces the looks of pores and of imperfections. It preps your
face for a smooth, mattifying finish. If you have mature and yet oily/combination skin with this being a silicone-based primer, you may be concerned that this would be too oily feeling for your skin but this does not feel oily and is in fact very light and leaves a very soft, Matt finish on the skin. On the other hand, If you have dry skin and this won’t make your skin look matte. How great is that?

4. 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Moroccan Argan Oil – $6.80

If you have dry skin, this will make your skin feel nourished and smooth. The oil absorbs rather quickly plus it has good coverage for 3 drops. This formulation uses 100% pure Moroccan Argan Seed Oil extracted through a cold-pressing that preserves the integrity of the oils fatty acids, vitamins, phenols (including caffeicacid) and carotenes. Argan oil’s main fatty acid content is made up of oleic acid and
linoleic acid. The oil supports healthy skin and reduces the appearance of flaking. It also adds soft sheen and strength to hair. If you apply it to damp hair and your hair will feel so soft and also shines
throughout the day. And the best thing about it is that it does not have any odor at
all.

5. Vitamin C Suspension 30% in Silicone – $6.80

This product can brighten your skin and soothe your oily t-zone if you have oily skin. It’s also a good product to even out your skin tone. After using it at night, your skin in the morning will be illuminated. It works overnight to brighten your skin and even out the texture. It goes on so smooth & silky and you will not have a lot of stinging at all. Vitamin C is an effective antioxidant that brightens the skin tone and reduces the appearance of signs of aging. This water-free formula provides 30% pure L-Ascorbic Acid which remains completely stable due to the absence of water. Due to the presence of very light silicones, this formulation feels smooth on the skin despite the suspension format of the formulation, avoiding the short-lived gritty feeling of our original formula. This treatment is ideally applied at bedtime since in some cases, higher concentrations of vitamin C could make sensitive skin more prone to irritation and sunburn.

6. AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution – $7.20

You can literally see the glow on your skin after the first application. It’s amazing! If you have sensitive skin, this won’t dry out your skin whatsoever, it really helped congested pores. Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) exfoliate the skins topmost surface for a brighter and more even appearance. Beta hydroxy acids (BHA) also exfoliate the skin with an extended function to help clear pore congestion. This combined 32%
AHA/BHA solution offers deeper exfoliation to help fight visible blemishes and for improved skin radiance. The formula also improves the appearance of skin texture and reduces the look of fine lines with continued use. This formula contains a very high concentration of free acids. So it is recommended to use only if you are an experienced user of acid exfoliation and your skin is not very sensitive. Although every person is different, so you may want to start slowly and patch test prior to any regular usage.

7. Retinol 0.5% in Squalane – $5.80

If you have super sensitive skin, this might not be a thing for you. This water-free solution contains 0.5% pure Retinol, an ingredient that can reduce the
appearances of fine lines, photodamage and general skin aging. While Retinol has been studied extensively, it is irritating to the skin. Retinol can cause significant irritation, redness, and peeling, especially around the eyes and mouth, in the early
stages of treatment while skin builds tolerance. So if you wanna try this, try using their Retinol 0.2% in Squalane which has a milder formulation. Again, every person’s skin is different, so you may want to start slowly and patch tests prior to any regular usage.

8. Buffet + Copper Peptides 1% – $28.90

This is one of the few products from The Ordinary with an advanced formula that packs multiple benefits. This is not a single-active-ingredient formula like most of their products. This isn’t under $20, I know, but I could say that the price is very fair
for the ingredients. Looked a little strange and felt a bit slimy but it absorbs perfectly into the skin making it plumper and firmer. This formula combines a
comprehensive array of studied technologies to target multiple signs of aging at once. This formula includes a 1% concentration of pure Copper Peptides, increasing its focus on overall skin health. The natural role of these peptides as found in human plasma includes supporting a wide range of skin health functions like maintaining normal immune function, collagen synthesis, fibroblast
production, and anti-inflammatory responses. The inclusion of Copper Peptides offers a natural blue tint to the formula. They really do make your skin heal faster.

9. Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density – $17.90

Yes, this is for the hair not the skin but I want to also share this amazing product of The Ordinary to you. If you have too many hairs falling out, this serum is for you. This concentrated formula is designed to support hair health so that it looks thicker, denser, fuller and healthier. Using this serum you will see that your hair started growing. And the good thing is that it doesn’t leave the hair greasy. It may
be just a bit uncomfortable for some people in applying it since it was in a bottle with dropper. But that doesn’t matter as long as it shows great results. lol. There are a lot of good reviews about this product, this one is absolutely one of the favorites.

10. 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil -$9.80

This one is really great when you want to nourish your skin. You can apply once a day to the face, ideally at bedtime after application of water-based treatments. In the morning your skin will feel smooth and fine after application in the evening.
This formulation uses 100% pure Rosehip Seed Oil that is both cold-pressed and organic. Rosehip Seed Oil is rich in linoleic acid, linolenic acid, and pro-vitamin A, all of which degrade when the oil extraction process involves heat. While cold-
pressed extraction is complex, it preserves all of the quality of this important oil which has been shown to reduce signs of photo-aging and many other skin
conditions. The smell is a bit offputting but that only proves that their Rose Hip Seed Oil is completely unrefined and imparts a natural scent partly due to its high omega fatty acid content since Rose Hip Seed Oil that does not have a scent is refined and
offers reduced benefits. Try it! It may become one of your holy grail!

11. Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution 20% in Vitamin F – $17.80

This formula makes skin absolutely glow! It will tackle the persistent hyperpigmentation splotches that you may have on your skin. It can also help
reduce your acne if you are suffering from breakouts. Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate is
an oil-soluble derivative of Vitamin C that can be used in higher concentrations without drawbacks. (It is one of the most stable derivatives of Vitamin C but, being a derivative, its potency will not be directly comparable to pure L-Ascorbic Acid.) Making your skin clearer, smoother, softer, more even in skin tone, feels moisturized, and dark spots clearing up.

These are just some of the amazing products that The Ordinary have. Why not try them if you haven’t already! You may find the best product to tackle the problems that you currently have in your skins. And if you have tried some of their products, share your experience below about using them. Since we all have different skin types, I always recommend patch testing before using any products directly on your face.

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

The Best Skin Care Products

July 17, 2020 by luxelife9_uqniwh 10 Comments

Your skin deserves the best care. Although we love wearing makeup, we must not neglect to care for our skin. In caring for my skin I am very particular with the products that I use, I even change products based on the season and/or depending on how my skin is doing.

It is important to change products every season since weather can certainly have effects on the skin, particularly its ability to contain moisture. Just like your skin tends to be drying out more than usual in the summer or winter than in the fall or spring, so you need a skincare product that would moisturize your skin during these seasons.

Now, I would like to share with you the skincare products that I love using, and you can also try out depending on the season and the condition of your skin.

DERMALOGICA – Daily Microfoliant, Antioxidant Hydramist, and Multi-Active Toner

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant is a must-have. This product can get rid of old skin cells and can rejuvenate the new skin cells. Your skin will feel clean and glowing and is gentle enough to use every day. And the size lasts a long time so it is worth every penny. I would recommend this if you want to get rid of your acne scars. But I don’t totally recommend this to super sensitive skins.

Dermalogica Antioxidant Hydramist is a great pH balanced hydrating mist that is full of antioxidants that help to hydrate and fight free radicals in the environment that causes stress on the skin. You can really use it any time, especially if you are using a pH balanced cleanser as well. It also helps shield the skin of free radical damage! Crazy right? Try it!

I also love their Multi-Active Toner. This is a light facial toner spray that truly hydrates. It has this perfect consistency and is easily absorbed by the skin. You’ll feel like it really does help lock the moisturizer. It’s even amazing for oily skin.

TATCHA – Peach Kissu Lip Mask, Water Cream and The Deep Cleanse Exfoliant

Is chapped lips your problem during winter? Then you’ll surely love Tatcha’s Peach Kissu Lip Mask, a leave-on jelly treatment of squalane and Japanese peach that restores lips.

First off, I love this brand. Their products just feel luxurious–and you know I love luxury lol–their packaging is so clean and overall everything works amazingly. You can apply a decent layer over your lips and wake up with baby soft lips. Also good to put on at the start of your makeup and by the time you are ready for a lipstick your lips are already soft.

Their Water Cream is also one of my favorites. This is an oil-free, anti-aging water cream that is thick enough to lock in and protect all serums, but light enough to not feel too heavy or overwhelming. It’s gentle and perfect for sensitive skin and is also good for combination skin which feels heavy with most face creams.

You’ll also love Tatcha’s The Deep Cleanse. It is a gel cleanser that uses a natural fruit exfoliant to whisk away dead skin cells but still leaves your skin hydrated. It leaves such a soft and clean feeling. And if your skin is oily, it does not leave an oily feel to it.

GRACE AND STELLA – All Day Rose Spray

Their All Day Rose Spray is a great facial spray to use in high humid weather. You’ll surely like the soft smell of the roses and it doesn’t stick around which is nice. It leaves skin hydrated but not sticky at all. It can be used daily and help in maintaining pH, primes, and hydrates!

SKIN & CO ROMA – Truffle Therapy Face Toner and Cleansing Oil

Skin & Co Truffle Therapy Face Toner is also a great toner. This face toner isn’t drying out skin and is totally compatible for combination skin type. It smells amazing, cleans skin greatly, makes it smooth, and firmer and it can actually diminish fine lines and shrink enlarged pores. The product is a little bit pricey but it is worth your penny!

For their Cleansing Oil, before using you have to shake it well, since it is an oil and needs to be mixed. I love it as it does a great job of removing makeup and dirt from the skin. It can take off every trace of makeup, even waterproof mascara with minimal rubbing. It will not sting your eyes or face, and don’t cause any breakouts or irritation.

LELAND FRANCIS – Luxe Facial Oil

This product helps improve the skin’s luminosity. I love that it is hydrating without feeling greasy or heavy. You can use this product on your face and neck everyday as a moisturizer. It helps clear your complexion and keep your skin healthy. The name suits it as it really feels luxurious on the skin.

TERRE MERE – 12 Anti-aging Elements

This 12 Anti-aging Elements formula combats all these major signs of aging and includes lactic acid that breaks up dark spots and moisture-rich hyaluronic acids from botanical sources to support a healthy collagen structure. It has a beautiful fragrance and texture to apply too. And this little amazing bottle goes a long way! if you have very sensitive skin and it won’t cause any reactions or irritation.

ZO SKIN – Brightenex

ZO Skin Brigthenex is soooo good. It’s one of my favorite products. It solved texture issues, pore size, and made skin so bright. Not only does this product have all the amazing benefits of a retinol, but it also contains brightening agents in the ingredients. Keep in mind however to always wear SPF every morning when you’re using this, as your skin can become susceptible to sun damage during this time. Well, you should wear spf anyway before going to protect your skin from the sun.

GROWN ALCHEMIST – Age Repair Moisturizer

You’ll love this moisturizer especially if you tend to have dry skin during winter. This does a wonderful job moisturizing the face and also leaves your face nicely toned. It’s so amazing. And it doesn’t clog pores or cause breakouts. I know this moisturizer is pretty expensive but worth it if you want to invest in your skin. And we all do invest for our skin, right?

DR. BRANDT – Pores No More Pore Effect Refining Cream and Magnetight Age-defier

Pores No More Pore Effect Refining Cream is a fantastic stuff! You can use it at night time as it is quite a concentrated cream and adds oil on your face after a while but it can work wonders on your skin. I really like it’s tea tree smell and the slight tingle it gives on the face. This can help skin like no other cream has. If your pores are large and clog very easily which results in acne, this cream helps keep pores minimized and clear.

Their Magnetight Age-defier is very fun to use and aside from it, it leaves skin smooth after use. The mask has a nice texture, smells amazing and it goes on so smoothly but that’s nothing compared to how smooth and just awesome your skin would feel after you take it off.

KARYING by Dr Karyn Grossman – Restructuring Night Cream

If you are a fan of not too fragrant products, you’ll love this night cream plus it’s good on sensitive skin. You can layer it over your retinol products and wear at night. Your skin will feel instantly hydrated and you’ll wake up with dewy, glowing skin. You’ll love this product for sure!

MURAD – Renewing Eye Cream

This eye cream is super gentle on your skin and doesn’t go on thick. It’s very hydrating and light weight and leaves your under eye feeling firm and helps get rid of puffiness. This really reduces fine lines around the eyes and smells good.

Lancôme – high resolution night cream, Visionnaire Eye Cream and Tonique Confort Hydrating Face Toner

Lancôme’s high resolution night cream melts into the skin without leaving any greasy feel, yet keeps skin soft. Some may shy away due to the cost, but a little lasts a very long time and I am worth that. lol

Visionnaire Eye Cream helps reduce dark circles under the eyes and the quality of the cream felt so good on the skin. It definitely improves the overall appearance of the under eye area and helps with puffiness and tightens it.

Tonique Confort Hydrating Face Toner is a silky-soft moisturizing toner immediately rehydrates and gently purifies skin. This comes in a pretty pink plastic bottle with a silver screw top. You’ll love this, especially when your skin is dry during the winter months. It’s gentle giving skin the moisture it needs!

Rodan + fields – Redefine line-am and on cream and eye cream

I also love the Rodan + fields Redefine line. Yes, it is on the pricey side, but you’re not going to find a better skincare line out there. You get what you pay for and in my opinion it’s worth it. AM and on cream leaves the skin smooth and hydrated, and as the line says it redefines the skin.

The redefine eye cream helps a lot if you naturally have bags and puffiness under your eyes. And this not only instantly provides improvement with puffiness, over time the results include a reduction in wrinkles and dark circles as well.

111SKIN – Rose Gold Brightening Facial Treatment Mask

I absolutely love these rose gold brightening facial masks by 111 skin! Unlike others, I found the fit to be good and it stayed in place pretty well for such a moisturizing mask. Your skin feels amazing after using it. It’s a bit pricey for a mask, but it’s worth the price.

Kiehl’s – Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Mask

Love this mask. It moisturizes the skin very well. This surely is good for the dry skins. It gives like a glass of water hydration and next morning the skin is plumped , soft and well hydrated. Probably one of the most amazing overnight masks out there.

Laneige – lip sleeping mask

If you are struggling with dry lips that have to apply chapstick several times a day, this product is for you. This mask can make lips more naturally hydrated as you use regularly. It is so hydrating and takes away all the cracks and dullness.

Peter Thomas – Potent-C Vitamin C Power Serum

This product really gives you immediate results. You see results after three or four uses. It brightens any dark spots, helps with fine lines, hydrates, and helps shrink pores. It is a little bit thicker than most serums though. If you apply the serum at night, in the morning your skin feels really good and soft.

Caring for your skin must be your top priority. Even if we love wearing makeup, nothing beats a healthy glowing skin that you wouldn’t need to put your makeup on if you are just going to go to the grocery store. I’m sure that several products on my list will help you care for your skin and always remember to drink more water. Your skin will thank you for it. (wink)

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