I Am THE Makeup Junkie

Thursday, May 13, 2021

Review: TATCHA The Dewy Serum

(product photo courtesy of www.tatcha.com)

TATCHA The Dewy Serum

1.0 fl.oz./30g $88.00

I had been wanting to try something from TATCHA for a while. So, during the SEPHORA sale, I bit the bullet and purchased this serum. The Dewy Serum. Yes, it was a little bit expensive. However, I have heard nothing but good things about the line. And so far I have yet to be disappointed!

TATCHA The Dewy Serum is a 3-in-1 serum of "clean" kind-to-skin ingredients that will gently resurface the skin with lactic acid in Hadasei-3™ (rice ferment filtrate), plumps with hyaluronic acid, and locks in moisture with squalane for smoother, plumper, more dewier skin. Recommended for all skin types, this lightweight serum disappears right into the skin and is non-comedogenic, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing. This serum has been dermatologist tested and does not contain any mineral oil, parabens, synthetic fragrances, phthalates, urea, DEA, or TEA. It was Inspired by the Japanese concept of shinsei, which means 'new birth'. The chief scientist at the TATCHA Institute in Tokyo. Tagawa-san created The Dewy Serum to restore and replenish the key components of healthy skin. These components get lost over time and are needed to help it perform at its optimal level. Their proprietary complex, Hadasei-3™, gently resurfaces skin and as dead skin cells are washed away, the serum replenishes moisture with plumping hyaluronic acid and moisture locking squalane, both of which are present from birth. Together these three ingredients will return your skin to the most supple, bouncy radiance that has been lost over time. Also contained in the formula is Tocopheryl acetate and Tocopherol, aka Vitamin E, which help to moisturize and prevent fine lines and wrinkles. Hydrolyzed elastin, acts as a humectant to draw moisture into the skin and hydrolyzed collagen, helps to restore lost moisture.

Consumer testing of The Dewy Serum yielded the following results:

Immediately it boosts hydration by 6x
91% showed an improvement in radiance**
All day long people maintained 2x the hydration*
After 2 weeks:

100% showed improvement in radiance**
98% showed an improvement in texture**

After 4 weeks:

100% showed an improvement in radiance and texture**
87% showed improvement in elasticity**
82% showed an improvement in the appearance of fine lines**

(*based on bioinstrumentation study conducted on 25 people. **based on an expert graded 4 week study, twice daily use on 45 people.)

To Use: dispense 1-2 pumps and gently massage into your skin. Use The Dewy Serum during your morning and/or evening skincare routine. TATCHA recommends using it following their The Essence and before using any moisturizer, to amplify its results.

I love the way this serum makes my skin feel. Immediately upon application my skin feels soft, supple and dewy. The serum literally sinks into the skin and gives it soothing hydration and lasting moisture that the skin has been lacking. I use it over another serum, usually a hyaluronic acid or polyglutamic acid serum and still this serum hydrates better than that one does. It must be the combination of ingredients together. There are a lot of humectants in this serum, for example glycerin is listed as the fifth ingredient on the list. Glycerin is a powerful humectant and is worth its weight in gold for attracting moisture to the skin. Listed second on the ingredients list is camellia sinensis extract, more commonly known as green tea extract. Well known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, skin conditioning, and humectant properties; this extract is perfect for this serum as it helps to soothe and hydrate the skin. Another moisturizing ingredient listed is crambe abyssinca seed oil also known as Abyssinian oil. It helps to promote skin softness, suppleness, and wrinkle reduction.

I definitely noticed an immediate increase in hydration, skin looks more radiant and maintained the hydration all day long. My skin's texture was already pretty good, but this serum did help make it feel more supple, so I will not complain. Is it worth the money? Yes. I do believe that the difference with TATCHA lies with their ingredients. They have a proprietary ingredient that acts like lactic acid, which helps to exfoliate the skin. A trademarked ingredient like this would increase the cost of the product, for sure. Can you get these results with a serum that is less expensive? It is possible. However, this serum does not cause any irritation, nor does it cause much in the way of peeling, etc. There is that to think about. I am very happy with this serum and currently I might repurchase it.

TATCHA The Dewy Serum retails for $88.00 and can be found online at www.tatcha.com and at SEPHORA. Like TATCHA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TatchaBeauty; Follow TATCHA on Twitter: @tatcha_v and Follow TATCHA on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tatcha/.

Until Next Time~

Marie Papachatzis
I Am THE Makeup Junkie
IG: iamthemakeupjunkie
@iammakeupjunkie

Wednesday, May 12, 2021

How to Find the Right Botox Center in San Diego?

San Diego, the second-most populous city in California (with an estimated population of around 3,338,340), has excellent health care facilities and skincare units. You can find reputed specialists for Botox treatment in San Diego by searching for "Botox near me San Diego.” Forbes magazine listed San Diego as the "best place to launch a startup" in 2014. Several skilled skincare clinics, cosmetic surgeons, and medical practitioners have chosen San Diego as their base.

While Botox treatment treatments have minimal side effects and are safe 95% of the time, it's essential to work with a certified medical expert. There are several factors you may want to consider before choosing a Botox center in San Diego.

Certifications and Licenses

Botox is a non-invasive procedure that can effectively treat several muscular and skin conditions. The Botox that your doctor injects into your system will block specific signals from the nerves to muscles. As a result, the muscles stop contracting.

Botox is thus a safe, FDA-approved method to treat related issues like skin aging, wrinkles, muscle spasms, and even tensed muscles. It's essential to ensure that your doctor is a certified professional who has undergone Botox and dermal filler training.

Only licensed doctors, nurses, and approved medical experts can administer Botox injections in San Diego. Find out if the clinic you plan to choose has required licenses and trained medical staff and if the doctor has certifications from reputed boards like the ABPS and ABCS.

Experience and Expertise

Certified Botox practitioners receive hands-on training in Botox treatment and other cosmetic surgical procedures. It's vital to assess the experience profile of the medical professional before you start treatment.

A medical expert who has a range of experience dealing with issues of several clients will be able to identify and treat your issues better. Botox treatment does not involve any fatal risks. However, the treatment can result in face disfiguration, limited muscle functioning, and other problems if gone wrong.

The Reputation of the clinic

San Diego is the third-largest urban area in California and is considered an ideal place for businesses to grow and thrive. So there are many reputed skincare clinics in the city. Search for "Botox centers near me in San Diego'' to find the best clinics in the area. You can then shortlist and rank clinics based on their ratings.

Botox is a medical procedure, so it's necessary to choose a clinic that has won the goodwill of former patients. Read up the detailed testimonials and reviews posted by former clients to understand whether the clinic delivers its promises.

Cost of the Treatment

The cost of the treatment is bound to vary based on your requirements and the pricing policies of the clinic. The Botox can cost anywhere between $12 and $15 per unit. You can find out more about prices offered by each clinic from their websites or review websites.

Policies of the Clinic

Responsible medical facilities that prioritize the safety of their patients will have safety policies and damages policies in place. Find out how much responsibility the clinic is willing to take for any problems during or after the treatment.

The cost of living index in San Diego is 160. The number is higher than the national average. Hence, Botox treatment in San Diego may be more expensive than in other cities in the US. However, the city is home to several reliable clinics and medical facilities.

Until Next Time~

Marie Papachatzis
I Am THE Makeup Junkie
IG: iamthemakeupjunkie
@iammakeupjunkie

Tuesday, May 11, 2021

3 Compelling Reasons To Simplify Your Beauty Cabinet

How many beauty products do you own? It is a tricky question. Most of us have a variety of bottles and vials, some that we have bought to try, some that we have not yet opened, others that we keep to interchange with our current products. In short, it’s hard to know how many products you’ve got.

But when it comes to your beauty cabinet, there’s a compelling argument to go minimalist. Less can be more in the beauty routine. If you are wondering about simplifying your beauty cabinet, here are 3 reasons why it can be a game-changer in your day-to-day life.

Unsplash - CC0 License

More nourishing

The beauty industry is constantly innovating. Yet, some of the most famous brand you’ve got at home could be filled with potentially harmful ingredients. Surfactants, preservatives, and fragrances are some of the most commonly quoted causes of irritation. To clarify, surfactants are typically found inside shampoos and other emulsifiers, foams, and dispersant agents. It may not be a cause of concern for your health, but it seriously affects aquatic ecosystems every time your wash your hair. Preservatives are common to most beauty products. Their role is to prolong the use of your product. Fragrance is quite straightforward and doesn’t need any explanation. Now’s the time to check your labels. Ingredient lists that mention parabens, sulfate, formaldehyde preservative, and oxybenzone are harmful for your skin. More importantly, chemical products contain not nutrients. Have you ever tried to make diy shampoo or skincare? Contrary to common belief, you don’t need to run your own pharmaceutical factory to make effective products. Something as simple as using fresh coconut milk on your scalp can help boost hair health and nourish your skin. It can be a good idea to switch your routine to natural products if you’re struggling with hair or skin health issues.

Too much isn’t good for you

There is such a thing as using too many products. As mentioned, you want to check the list of ingredients in your favorite products. Many synthetic ingredients can not cause irritation, skin rashes, allergic reactions, etc. Layering many chemical products may in fact be counterproductive, even though they are seem so promising!

For of all, you could be messing with your skin or hair by piling too many active ingredients. You need to nourish your skin and hair cell with healthy ingredients. The average regeneration cycle of the skin cell is between 30 to 50 days. In other words, nourishing your skin will achieve long-term results. Immediate overnight results are a nice trick, but they do not support long-term health.

Eco-friendly habits

According to a survey, we use only 12.5% of our beauty products. Our beauty cabinets are creating 87.5% of waste. Needless to say, the impact on the environment is huge. So, for the sake of Mother Nature, it can be a good idea to cut down on our beauty shopping habits. Fewer products will mean less waste. As part of your beauty fast, you may want to switch to eco-friendly replacements, which are either refillable or recyclable, and come in reusable packaging.

Feeling beautiful in your skin comes from within. It’s about how your beauty routine makes you feel. With the rise of organic cosmetics, it makes sense to embrace the less is more movement: Less harmful formulas, less unnatural products, less waste. Are you ready to greenify your beauty cabinet?

Until Next Time~

Marie Papachatzis

Sunday, May 9, 2021

How To Prepare For An Elopement: The Do's And Don'ts That You Should Know

Elopement is a marriage that is usually conducted without the couple’s parents knowing. It is usually just a small ceremony with close friends and family with no reception or celebration. Here are some do’s and don’ts you should know before eloping.

Do: Check the Law

There are a few legal procedures that you may need to follow depending on the country or state where you’re going to get married. You should know if you will need a license and how long it is going to take to get one. You should also know if there are any credentials and if you will need witnesses at all. You may need to find an officiant or look for one of your friends to get ordained so that they can marry you.

Don’t: Ignore Discussing Financials

Before finalizing anything, sit down with your partner and talk about the financials. You must know each other’s budgets and make sure you’re not taking on the unnecessary wedding costs that you were trying to avoid in the first place. There are many things that you can do or buy with the money you saved from the elopement. You can try to find the best ticket prices, best hotel offers and asks your vendors for special pricing.

Do: Plan the Ceremony

Just because it is an elopement doesn’t mean it has to be messy and not well organized. You shouldn’t take too much time to plan because you don't have the luxury of time, but there are a few things that you must decide. Elopements specialists at http://www.runawaywithme.com assure you that an elopement is just as beautiful as any other wedding if that’s what you’re looking for. You must decide what you want to wear; not all brides want to wear a white dress and not all grooms want to wear suits, and even if you do plan on wearing a dress or a suit, you must pick one out. You must decide if you want rings and pick them up if you do. An elopement is your chance to break out of tradition and choose to do unique and special things that fit you and your partner.

Don’t: Understate Your Elopement

An elopement doesn’t particularly have to be a small thing, a not-so-fancy day with no rings and no celebration, even if that is how it usually goes. If you want a big gown or fancy suit, host an afterparty celebration and you want to invite everyone and whoever can make it, then do just that. An elopement shouldn’t make your marriage celebration any less special.

Do: Send Out Announcements

People will often be wondering when is the soon-to-be-married couple going to send out their save the dates. If you decide to elope, make sure to send out a marriage announcement to inform people of your new status.

If you think wedding costs are too expensive, you just don’t want to wait or any other reason that makes you want to elope, be sure that it is absolutely fine. Eloping isn’t a bad thing as long as it is a mutual decision from both parties. Make sure to hire a photographer and videographer to capture your special day.

Until Next Time~

Marie Papachatzis

Idebenone: What Is It and Where Can You Find It In Skincare Products?

The other day I was on the phone with my friend and we were searching around Amazon looking at skincare products, as we are prone to doing. I came across an ingredient I was not overly familiar with. Idebenone. I thought, this is interesting. What is idebenone and what exactly does it do? Where can one find it in the skincare world? So I thought I would do a little bit of research and write up an article on the topic, for you to have some knowledge on the subject.

Idebenone, pronounced eye- deb- eh-known, is an antioxidant that was originally developed for the use of Alzheimer's disease and other ailments related to aging. It is a synthetic for Coenzyme Q10. Some do not like that it is a synthetic agent and is not natural, although many natural ingredients are derived from their plant sources and can interact with other products, causing irritation. Idebenone produces the same effects as Coenzyme Q10 with the only difference being that idebenone has lower water solubility and a slightly higher affinity for lipids. It was originally created by a Japanese pharmaceutical company to treat the deterioration of the memory in Alzheimer's patients. However, its effects were limited. Skincare companies have turned their attention to its effectiveness as a free radical fighting agent, as it might be safer than other synthetic skincare ingredients.1

It can be used by all skin types and works well with most ingredients. Idebenone is believed to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. As an antioxidant, it works by reducing the free radicals in the skin. Free radicals are molecules that have a positive electron charge and damage the skin, collagen, and reduce skin's elasticity. The process is called oxidative stress, where the body is exposed to UV rays, pollution and other environmental factors causing aging of the body. Idebenone is thought to reduce oxidative stress. It is also thought to reduce irritation and soothe the appearance of redness. This is why it is in skincare products for sensitive skin.1

Idebenone is new on the skincare scene and it has not been fully researched and explored. Apparently recent studies found that it does not dissolve fully in water-based formulations and it may have trouble being absorbed when taken orally. Although it is relatively new, the ingredient is generally considered safe for use. Few people have experienced redness, irritation and stinging when using an idebenone-based product. If you would like to use idebenone and have sensitive skin, run a small patch test first. Note too that its effectiveness decreases when exposed to UV rays. So make sure to keep the product away from sunlight and wear a SPF30+ daily.1

Where can you find products with idebenone in them? Since it is so new there are not as many products on the market with this antioxidant in them...yet. The ingredient has been around since 1986 but has just recently caught the eye of skincare enthusiasts. There are a few nice products in the marketplace though and all you have to do is do a little bit of digging to find them. I feel as if I did some of the work for you though!

Vasseur Skincare Idebenone Cream ($40.00) for 0.50 oz. is one cream that exists. When used before sun exposure it claims to reduce the number of sun-damaged cells by 38%! I am not sure if they have anything to back up these claims, I would like to see data on this. They also claim that idebenone is being called the most potent and effective antioxidant known and tested in skincare today. This is based on tests comparing it to Vitamins C and E.2

Amazon has a couple of items with idebenone too. One of which is MIXX LAB Idebenone Serum 1% for face ($16.99). This serum defends skin from UV rays and smooths skin texture. It defends all skin types from free radicals, boosts radiance, diminishes pigmentation, and encourages skin cell recovery after each application. Also, it calms and soothes the skin. Snow Mushroom Extract, which rivals the hydration properties of hyaluronic acid, is included. It is loaded with Vitamin D and and antioxidants. Sunflower Seed Oil, Squalene, and Vitamin E are also in this formula to keep skin hydrated and protected from sun damage and free radicals. Easy to use, just apply after cleansing and toning mornings and evenings. Massage the serum until absorbed.3

There are some products available from Amazon & other places online that have idebenone in them. However, they are basically the same: products that focus on defending the skin against free radicals and UV rays. They also have the added protection of soothing some irritation and calming skin. Amazon has an Idebenone Face Cream for $38.00 that looks okay. It seems as if the ingredient is so new that there are very few products on the market yet and the few that do have the ingredient are quite expensive. I imagine the market will open up soon. Hopefully this has been an interesting learning experience for you. Please feel free to email me with notes or questions.

Until Next Time~

Marie Papachatzis