I love natural, seamless makeup - the kind that looks like I'm barely wearing anything, yet transforms me into a more radiant version of myself with an invisible wash of color; as if "I rolled out of bed looking flawless".
I consider tints a pretty strong weapon in my arsenal. They make your lips look more luscious than usual, but since their pretty close to your natural lip color, people probably wouldn't notice it in person. It will just seem like your lips look extra lovely that day. Sneaky, ha?! ;)
Thus, when 'intuitive lip colors' started flooding the market, I got so excited I had to check them ALL out. Not kidding, my collection screams addict, LOL!! They go on clear, but then change color, in what advertiser's claim to be a response to your unique pH level, creating a customized pink shade that's most flattering to you.
How Dior Addict Lip Glow Looks on My Lips
Yes! The concept is so genius, it's unbelievable- so I had to get down to the bottom of it for some reality check. The main ingredient that provides the effect is a colorant known as “Red 27,” a red dye which is colorless when dissolved in a waterless base. When it comes in contact with moisture, the change in solubility and pH causes the dye to turn bright pink. The product appears to change with your personal chemistry because the color changes when it comes in contact with moisture from your lips, or even just the humidity in the air. The color isn't really that "personalized", but the lower the pH, the pinker and more intense the color, so it's not a generic shade of pink either.
The Results: are stunning in my opinion; the color comes to life and glow anywhere from a sheer light pink to a gorgeous bright pink, but in a sheer form that looks as natural as the tint you might have after eating fresh berries.
• It's great for a date night , since date won't worry about kissing you and getting bright
color everywhere.
• It's a perfect neutral lipsticks that goes with basically any makeup look.
• Great for when you are out in the sun and don't want to look made-up.
• Fool- proof application
Doutzen Kroes demonstrating the look for L'oreal. L'oreal Magique BB Blush. Dior Addict in Glow. Madina Milano in Revolution
My favorite is Dior Addict (hmm..they predicted I would become an addict, ha?!) in Lip Glow, because it's more a lighter pink that you can control by applying more layers- the more layers or moisture you add the brighter it becomes. Loreal Paris Magic BB Blush a brighter option if I want more of a rosy flush, and Madina Milano glows brilliantly.
As skin cells move upwards towards the surface they become more and more loaded with a protein called keratin. Keratin gives this barrier such strong properties, making it such an effective barrier that it is often difficult to bring active ingredients through it to treat the underlying skin. This probably helps account for any sad history of acne treatment failure most of us experience, as well as lack of results from anti aging treatments.
benefits • Removes dulling surface debris and imbedded impurities accumulate on the skin • Unclog pores, and prevent blackheads and whiteheads • Dissolve and free dry lifeless skin for visibly improved skin texture and tone • Helps to maximize the benefits of any skincare products • Makeup will apply like a dream and you'll need much less of it
These are The Best Exfoliators I've Ever Tried
Konjac Sponge
I feel like it don't get enough spotlight as it should on blogs and youtube. I believe these are going to be the next big trend in skin care - if used right!!
Konjac root is an Asian-cultivated, root-based vegetable that the Japanese have traditionally used as a as a calming, exfoliating sponge for delicate skin. It is naturally alkaline and balances the acidity of the skin’s impurities and oils. Do not add a cleanser, some cleansers will change the PH and that's essential for this sponge to do it's magic.
It's very soft nothing like a luffa (I know this is the first association that comes to mind). Its cleanses the skin like nothing I've ever experienced before, so it's a little hard to describe, it almost feels like there's a silky film left behind after, but it's actually your buffed skin with a balanced PH. So the only comparison that comes to mind is a nail buffer and how your nail feels like to touch after you removed all those ridges.
This is not a make up remover, I would do this on a clean face just like you would with a peeling mask. Another important note - these do have a short expiration after opened and you will need to replace it every month. After using it, store the sponge in a dry place. Then when you want to use again soak in water and allow the sponge to fully absorb the water.
Keep in mind these are all 100% konjac root so there's no big difference between the various brand.
Some options:
My Konjac Sponge $10 on amazon
boscia - Konjac Cleansing Sponge $18 at sephora Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel Sensitive
I heard good things about the full strength peel and wanted to purchase it for a while, but couldn't get a hold of it sine it was sold out at both Ulta and Whole food's locations I went to. I thought that must be a sign this product is pretty amazing if it is at such high demand. I picked up the sensitive
version instead thinking it's probably better to start with the more mild one anyways.
A combination of acids tends to be more potent at melting away dead
layers of skin as they lower the PH and work simultaneously and this is formulated with: malic acid
from organic apple juice, citric acid from lemons, tartaric acid from
white grapes, glycolic acid from raw cane sugar & lactic acid from
organic milk.
I only started using this recently and I can't believe how quickly it has worked. I have acne scars that tend to linger a little long, and this peel toned them down completely. I use it two ways--as a mask and also as a spot treatment on any zits on my face, which will tremendously reduce them overnight - but I would do this only after you've tried the peel several times and saw your skin tolerates it well.
Vivo Per Lei Facial Peeling / Vino Vera Facial Peel with Resveratrol
What I love about these is that they are acid free. Will not strip away vital oils or irritate the skin, yet visibly rolls, lifts, and sweeps away dead skin cells when massaged onto skin. I couldn't believe how much dead skin sloughed off with just a little gentle rubbing.
As you massage it little capsules break and form a gel with the rest of the ingredients. The gel’s molecular structure is capable of aggregation in response to a change in temperature (body temperature) and allows for its ability to suck up all the dirt and debris. This is a unique physical property, since it is generally known that solution 'liquify' (viscosity decreases) with an increase in temperature.
At first this might seem 'gimiki' as you will see the gelling reaction starting to rub off and ball up, but as you continue to rub, you will notice those become dirty as actual dead skin cells will adhere to, and when washed off, it's clear that all the dead skin has been removed.
*Make sure you wash it off completely!! Debris layers with the gel might attach to little fine hairs on skin so use a wet washcloth or a towel to remove completely. I love using this mainly on my neck and to remove blackheads on my nose.
Noxzema Triple Clean Anti-Blemish Pads
The ultimate cleansing pads in my opinion. I've tried other fancy shmancy brands but find these simply do their job. With abrasive texture that helps slug off effectively the dead layers of skin that Salicylic acid dissolves. The pad will be dirty even after I removed my makeup and washed with a cleanser….all there on the pad in it's glory for you to look at with satisfaction (do you all feel this way or is it just me LOL!!)
Simply swipe away..
This is what helped me keep my acne at bay the most for over 6 years now. I somehow try new things, forget about it and always end up coming back. This VERY is strong and does contain alcohol, so it does dry the skin a little bit. If you are on the sensitive side the other options are more suitable. I follow with a moisturizing aloe vera gel. Do not use this or any other Salicylic Acid product around your eyes. I recommend doing this at night since the skin is a bit shiny after (and supper clean) and I always recommend using a BHA product at night as the acid makes the skin sensitive to the sun. I DON'T recommend you use it more then twice a week.
Here's my little tip for Valentine's that will ensure a perfect kissable pout.
Almost all the makeup artists I've worked with on set, prep lips with
with a scrub and moisture before applying color.
My favorite is the e.l.f. Lip Exfoliator
Tastes
so sweet with a lovely smell of vanilla - perfect for that special
Valentine's kiss!! One little swipe with this product and boom, soft and
smooth lips for hours. I love that it's stick; so easy on the go.. It
exfoliates with Grape Seeds and Brown Sugar and conditions with with
Vitamin E, Shea Butter, Avocado, removing dry, chapped skin and leaving
soft, smooth, kissable lips. The price is pretty awesome as well - $3.00
at Target
I consider this a must
before using a matte lip color, as those could make your cracks more
noticeable and dry looking. Not only matte textured lipstick is very
unforgiving to lips with dry flakes, but a smooth finish actually helps
lips hold ANY color best.
*the first time you use it may seem dry, but there's just a little shield on the top layer you gotta get through. It gets better and better.
Going to a Koren SPA and getting a scrub was a life changing experience (in a beauty regimen kind of a way). I used to think I exfoliated perfectly using either a loofah or my beloved Dead Sea Salt scrubs. I am a scrub addict, so considering I exfoliate regularly, I could never imagine how MUCH dead skin came off during the scrub. I'm talking about thick layers (and layers!!) rolling up into grey ropes. I was hooked!! So obviously I had to find a way to be able to do this at the privacy of my own home, aside from the SPA visits (did I mention I'm a SPA addict?!).
The mitt is made of 100% viscose, and is highly abrasive, so prepare my skin for the exfoliation process, I always take a shower first, then enjoy soaking in a hot bath to soften the skin.
The spray does wonders at softening the skin even more, preparing it for the mitt but you can simply use a soap and get good results. I use the 'Hamo Hamo Aqua Peeling Spray' that I got at Korea Town. Searching online you might be able to find a coupon for this spray, but generally it's hard to find so another option, recommended by actress Jamie Chung (The Hangover 2&3) is 'Organic Mineral Peel Body' "I love Korean spas for their body scrubs. At home I use this peel to keep skin soft and smooth", in an interview for Cosmopolitan magazine.
One scrub mitt can last for quite a long time. Just make sure to wash and dry it well after using. The color represents how abrasive the mitt and different companies vary with the coloring system so make sure to look for a softer one at first as a strong one can be sandpaper-like texture.
