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Thursday, December 31, 2020

Review: Urban Decay Stay Naked Hydromaniac Tinted Glow Hydrator #UrbanDecay #UrbanDecayProductProvided #Hydromaniac #Beauty #Makeup

 (product photo courtesy of www.urbandecay.com)

1.1 fl.oz./35mL $29.00

Urban Decay just came out with a brand new complexion product and I had the chance to try it out! Stay Naked Hydromaniac Tinted Glow Hydrator is similar to a tinted moisturizer. It has a lightweight formula with up to 24 hour long-wear buildable, flawless real skin finish with medium coverage. And it is made with kombucha filtrate, which is rich in antioxidants to brighten and detoxify, and to increase skin's luminosity. Marula oil hydrates, protects, and seals in hydration. This wonderful product boosts skin's natural hydration by up to 30%! It minimizes pores & imperfections, has a blurring effect and evens out skin tone & texture. Perfect for all skin types, even oily skin (it's non-comedogenic). Application is incredibly easy with the on-the-go tube that can be toted around for touch ups. It comes in 12 shades, ranging from ultra-deep to ultra-fair. I wear ultra-fair neutral. 

In a consumer study, 100% of users* had improved skin hydration after 24 hours. In a 7-day consumer study** 85% said skin looks glowing and fresh all day. (Based on instrumental skin test. **Based on a 281-person study)

Here is a swatch of the ultra-fair neutral shade:

Urban Decay Stay Naked Hydromaniac in Ultra-Fair Neutral 10


Here are two looks I did wearing the ultra fair neutral shade. In one I wore a little bit of setting powder over it, I had sunscreen on underneath and felt it was a little too much shine. There is not sunscreen in this product and I have had skin cancer, I have to wear sunscreen of at least a SPF30 daily (and recommend you do the same). 

In the first look I am not wearing any powder:




In this second look I am wearing a tiny bit of powder over the Hydromaniac:





It can be applied with the fingers for easy coverage, just blend outward from the center of the face for your desired coverage. Add more as desired. Mix with All Nighter Face Primer for a sheer glow. Make sure to prime your skin for full hydration (especially with sunscreen). Use Stay Naked Correcting Concealer before applying where more coverage is needed. Lock in your look with All Nighter Setting Spray. If you want an extra glowy look, use All Nighter Ultra Glow Setting Spray. Use All Nighter Waterproof Setting Powder to mattify the T-Zone after applying. 

As you can see, the coverage is VERY good. It is medium coverage and is buildable. Also it feels really nice on the skin. I like how hydrating it is. This is much better than a tinted moisturizer. It is comparable to a hydrating foundation with medium coverage. And this definitely lasts at least up to 16 hours, if not more. I have worn it twice now for up to 16 hours straight and the coverage didn't budge an inch. It didn't slide, cake up or anything. For me the coverage is just about perfect, not too heavy and not too light. Sometimes foundations are just way too heavy. This is buildable too, which is good if you want more. You can always adjust it if you need to. I applied it with a moist beautyblender. If I hadn't received it I would definitely purchase it because this is one of the best foundations I have tried in a long time. It makes my skin feel so good. Not tight or dry at all. LOVING it!!!

Urban Decay Stay Naked Hydromaniac Tinted Glow Hydrator retails for $29.00. Like Urban Decay on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/urbandecaycosmetics; Follow Urban Decay on Twitter: @urbandecay; Follow Urban Decay on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/urbandecay/; Follow Urban Decay on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urbandecaycosmetics/ and Subscribe to Urban Decay on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/UrbanDecayYT.

Until Next Time~

Marie Papachatzis

(Product sent for consideration)









Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Review: Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream #CharlotteTilbury #MagicCream #Moisturizer #Beauty #Skincare

 (product photo courtesy of www.charlottetilbury.com)

1.7 fl.oz./50mL $100.00
 
I usually don't spend a lot of money on moisturizers. But for some reason I treated myself a while ago to Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream. I had heard good things about it and thought why the heck not? I am a firm believer that you do not necessarily have to spend a lot of money on a product to get good results. Ingredients are what make the product and the majority of what goes in to the price have to do with name, marketing, packaging and celebrity endorsements. But this time I made an exception. There have only been two other times I made an exception to that rule and that was to try out Crème de la Mer and goop Replenishing Night Cream. And I was ecstatically happy with both. So I said, sure I will spend the money. I purchased the smaller jar, the 30mL size. Just for the record, my skin tends to be normal to dry during the spring and summer and dry in the fall and winter. 

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream was originally invented for her to use backstage during her shows on models. It was created to prep and transform the look of models' skin before fashion shows. It instantly became a hit and became so 'iconic' that she had to bottle it. This is, as she describes, science-powered skincare for clinically proven results that is innovative and award-winning, loved by celebrities and supermodels. 

The revolutionary, results-driven formula is infused with a matrix of her 'magic 8' supercharged skincare ingredients to flood the complexion with moisture and to transform the appearance of tired, dull skin into glowing, dewy, plumper-looking canvas. The website mentions that it contains a SPF15 too (read below for my comments regarding this). It contains the following ingredients for younger looking skin:
  • Bionymph peptide: for smoother, plumper looking skin
  • Hyaluronic acid: helps keep skin hydrated for up to 24 hours, attracts moisture to the skin.
  • Camellia Oil: moisturizes for a dewy looking complexion
  • Aloe vera: smoothes the appearance of skin
  • Vitamins C & E: to transform the look of dull, tired skin, also acts as antioxidants to neutralize free radicals
  • Rosehip Oil: a natural source of linoleic acid that helps revitalize the look of skin
  • Shea Butter: nourishes and softens skin
  • Frangipani Extract: a flower extract with a delicate, calming fragrance and moisturizing benefits. 
Use the Tilbury Tap to apply this moisturizer. Below is a video of how to apply it:



By applying the cream this way, you are performing a minor lymphatic drainage/effleurage on the skin. Gently applying this technique helps to remove puffiness from the skin & encourages blood flow to the skin. Step one is to start at the lower cheek and sweep cream out & up. Tap fingertips across cheeks, avoid eye contour. Step two, place fingers under cheekbones, then smooth outwards and upward along cheekbones. Step three, gently pinch chin with your fingers, moving up jawline in one sweeping motion. Step four, starting in the middle of the forehead, massage in circular motions moving outwards towards the temples. Pat in any excess with your ring finger. 

What makes this cream 'magic'? Results observed in a user trial showed that 100% of users felt their skin was instantly moisturized*. 100% agreed dull skin was instantly transformed*. 98% agreed skin looked and felt firmer*. It moisturizes for up to 24 hours. (*100 women over 4 weeks)

I definitely noticed a nice glow to my skin when using it. Skin felt intensely hydrated, moisturized and dewy. The huge caveat I see with this cream is that it says it contains a SPF15 in the ingredients but when I looked at the ingredient list I didn't see any sunscreen ingredients listed. I even had a cosmetic chemist look a the ingredients just to be safe, and she didn't see anything liste either. So, as to my knowledge there is not a sunscreen in this. If you look on the part of the website for the smaller & larger jar of Magic Cream the claim for SPF15 is excluded. So, something is a little fishy with the ingredients and claims made for this product. And frankly, that worries me when you are paying so much for a product. I would wear a SPF30 on top of this cream if I were you. And if you were to purchase this, I would only recommend it for dry skin types as it is very heavy. 

Is it worth $100.00? I don't think it is necessarily. I don't even think the smaller jar is worth even $64.00. To be honest, I have plenty of creams that are a lot less expensive that do the same thing. This did give my skin a really nice dewy glow but I could have the same thing with a hydrating primer. Yes, it also hydrates well too. But again, I could get this from a less expensive product. This product is all about luxury and it you want luxury, then it is something you will definitely like. I am concerned that it says it contains a sunscreen in it when it clearly does not. By law the ingredients have to say the active ingredients and I looked over the ingredients with a fine tooth comb, as they say and there wasn't any mention of a chemical or mineral sunscreen in it. It does come in a smaller and larger size, which would cost a little bit less/more money depending on you you look at it. The 30mL size is $64.00 and the 150mL size is $255.00. Afterpay is available for orders too.

Honestly though, I would save your money. If the website cannot be honest about the claims made for its products then I don't think the company can too. And there are many other creams with fabulous ingredients that do a better job of hydrating and giving the skin a dewy glow. This product is all about luxury and that is it. Save your money, follow the ingredients list for something less expensive. And make sure it does contain a SPF30. 

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream is available online at www.charlottetilbury.com. Like Charlotte Tilbury on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CTilburyMakeup; Follow Charlotte Tilbury on Twitter: @CTilburyMakeup; Follow Charlotte Tilbury on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ctilburymakeup/ and Subscribe to Charlotte Tilbury on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ctilburymakeup.

Until Next Time~

Marie Papachatzis


TheMakeupBlogs.com Selfie Contest! Total of $1000 in Prizes! #TheMakeupBlogs #SelfieContest #Beauty #Makeup

 TheMakeupBlogs.com Selfie Contest! Total of $1000 in Prizes!

The MakeupBlogs.com is having a selfie contest from now until February 1, 2021. There are 5 categories with each category having a prize of $200 each with a total of $1000 in prizes! 

Enter one or more of the following categories:
  • Smokey Eyes: Please show your full face.
  • Cat/Winged Eyeliner
  • Glam
  • Editorial: Dramatic, artistic, runway style of makeup not seen every day.
  • "No Makeup" Makeup Look: Submit a single image that includes a photo of before on the left and a photo of after on the right.


Contestants must own the photograph to each of the selfies you enter in any category. Contestants must be 18 years of age or older. Contestants must submit only a photo of yourself. Contestants must allow MakeupBlogs.com to use their submissions royalty-free. The deadline for submissions February 1, 2021. Submissions will not be accepted after 12PM New York time on this date.

A prize of $200 will go to the best look in each category, for a total of $1,000 in prizes.

Until Next Time~

Marie Papachatzis




Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Keratosis Pilaris: What it is and how to treat it. #KeratosisPilaris #Beauty #Skincare

(photo courtesy of www.simplyhealthtoday.com)

Keratosis Pilaris: What it is and how to treat it. 

Keratosis pilaris (KP) is an annoying skin condition that affects millions of people. It is essentially a buildup of excess keratin (or skin cells, keratinocytes) in the lining of the hair follicles. Because of the buildup the follicle becomes plugged and often reddened and somewhat inflamed looking. KP usually appears when you are a child. It usually occurs on the back of the arms, the legs and the buttocks, but can appear anywhere on the body. This condition is often referred to as "chicken skin" because of the way it makes the skin look like a plucked chicken. You may also notice that your skin feels rough, like sandpaper. Dry, itchy skin is another sign of KP. I can tell you from experience that my skin is extremely dry and always has been. 

KP can be extremely annoying and hard to get rid of without any sort of intervention. It is hereditary and is not a malignant disorder. Mainly it is just frustrating to deal with. It presents as red or white bumps because the hair follicle becomes so hardened with keratin that the hair follicle almost looks like an acne lesion. However, it is different than acne. It is generally treatable though. 

There are various types of KP that may be more difficult to treat and require a trip to a dermatologist. They are called: keratosis pilaris atrophicans faciei (face), erythromelanosis follicularis faciei et colli (pigmented variation on face and neck). Ulerythema ophryogenes (eyebrows), keratosis follicularis spinulosa decalvans (scalp) and Atrophoderma vermiculatum folliculitis ulerythematosa reticulata (pitted scarring of cheeks). Again, these types are more rare and require a biopsy. The type I am discussing today is the general kind that can be treated with over the counter methods. These kinds of KP would likely be treated with a pulse dye laser or laser assisted hair removal. 

There are two OTC (over the counter) ways you can treat it: either through physical or chemical exfoliation. It just depends on which one you are most comfortable with and your body might respond to one better than the other. There are many different treatments for KP, here are three that I have either tried or know to be effective:
  • Baiden Mitten ($48.97): this mitten is used as an exfoliator post shower. It is a physical exfoliator but works by removing the dead skin via scrubbing. Make sure to use it on damp skin for best results. I have used this and found it worked okay but not great at getting rid of my KP. I honestly prefer a chemical exfoliant. Others have tried this with good success though. 
  • First Aid Beauty KP Eraser Body Scrub 10% AHA ($28.00): this works via chemical and physical exfoliation, so it is a win-win. And it is a very popular product. It contains a combination of glycolic and lactic acid at a level of 10% along with pumice buffing beads to help decongest the hair follicles. I have not tried it personally but knowing the ingredients, I feel this would work very well for KP. And I have heard great things about this from other people who have used it. Glycolic acid is a well known exfoliant and good for any skin type. It is great for loosening up keratinocytes. Lactic acid is also good for helping to decongest and deeply exfoliate the skin. The pumice beads will be good at smoothing out the bumps themselves. 
  • Eucerin Roughness Relief Lotion ($9.69): this is the product I have tried for my own KP and I know for a fact it works and works quickly. The main component is urea and the other is lactic acid. I like this because I have found that using a scrub alone doesn't work for me. It only encourages the cells to grow faster and makes my arms bumpier (that might just be me). To be honest though, my KP isn't as bad as it used to be. That might be why I can get away with just using a lotion. I found this lotion worked in days. Literally. This lotion also has moisturizing ingredients like glycerin and ceramides to soften the skin too. One reason I like this lotion so much is that it moisturizes and relieves the KP at the same time. And the price is a steal. 
When treating keratosis pilaris, don't give up. You may not see instantaneous results. Keep going though. The only thing is you will have to keep treating it. KP is a condition that doesn't seem to get that much better with age. Well somewhat. I used to have it all over my body and now it is relegated to just the back of my arms (hormones can affect it). That seems to be where it congregates the most on people for some reason. Either way, the best treatment is to exfoliate with a chemical or physical means and to moisturize. That should take care of the issue. If that doesn't then you likely need to go to a dermatologist because it might not be keratosis pilaris, or it is possible that you might have one of the variants mentioned above that require a dermatologist's assistance. Or it might be something else. Message me if you have any questions.

Until Next Time~

Marie Papachatzis

 

Review: Supergoop Defense Refresh (re)setting mist SPF40 #Supergoop #DefenseRefresh #SettingMistSPF40 #Beauty #Skincare #Sunscreen

 (product photo courtesy of www.supergoop.com)

1fl.oz./30mL $14.00

If you don't know by now, I am a HUGE fan of Supergoop products. I have had two instances of skin cancer and I am only 49 years old. Supergoop has dedicated their entire line of products to sunscreen. Every product they make has sunscreen in it. I live to put on sunscreen. Because my life literally could depend on it. 

One thing that has always bugged me about sunscreen is that once you put it on and put on your makeup, is that it is difficult to reapply sunscreen after two hours, when you are supposed to be putting it on again. And this is definitely a hard and fast rule. In fact, it is very important. Especially for someone such as myself who burns easily and is prone to skin cancer. So, I was happy to see that Supergoop has a mist that you can apply over your makeup that has sunscreen in it. It is called Defense Refresh (re)setting mist SPF40

This product is a better-than-ever makeup setting spray (with a new lighter scent and mist) that lets you easily reapply your SPF. It is a reintroduction of one of their most popular products. They took their customer-favorite sunscreen setting spray and made the texture lighter, the scent gentler and the nozzle better. Essentially is delivers a more even mist without clogging. Just make sure you shake it prior to using to activate the product. 

The active SPF40 broad spectrum ingredients are as follows: Avobenzone 2.8%, Homosalate 9.8%. Octisalate 4.9% and Octocrylene 9.5%. Yes it is a chemical sunscreen, so if you are allergic to chemical sunscreens you are out of luck on this one. To use, shake extremely well. Make sure sure you shake until you hear the shaker balls inside the container. This is a bi-phase product and the "super" shaking balls will help mix the bi-phase formula, providing even distribution of makeup setting and UV protecting ingredients. Make sure to pull hair back, close eyes, tuck in lips and spray generously & evenly in a circle from 8-10" away from face. Keep eyes closed for about 3 seconds after application. Then you are all set! Remember to refresh and reapply frequently throughout the day, at least every 2 hours.

Currently this product comes in a 1 fl.oz./30mL size and the 3.4 fl.oz./100mL size. The small 1 fl.oz./30mL size is perfect to take in your handbag and tuck away for whenever you need to refresh your sunscreen. Even better is that this bottle is refillable!!!! Yes, open is up and refill from the larger bottle when is gets low and then you don't ever have to worry about running out of your Defense Refresh (re)setting mist SPF40

I happen to think this is one of the best products needed out on the market. Since I have suffered from skin cancer I am a nut about wearing sunscreen and I am always freaking out about a way to reapply it. Which I cannot do over my makeup. Now I can!!! Supergoop comes out with the absolute best product ideas. It goes on very nicely and does a good job of covering the face. Just make sure to follow the directions. This is definitely a product where you need to follow the directions exactly as described. For myself, this is a must-have product, but then again I am a sunscreen and (especially) a Supergoop junkie. I think I own almost every product they make. Yes, sunscreen and good sunscreen is that important to me. I would recommend this for all skin types. Like all of their products, this one is Leaping Bunny Certified (it is cruelty-free) and vegan. It is also reef-safe. And like all other Supergoop products, this one is clean-chemical (meaning it doesn't contain a list of chemicals that they deem unsafe). 

Supergoop Defense Refresh (re)setting mist SPF40 retails for $14.00 for the 1 fl.oz. size. It can be purchased on www.supergoop.comLike Supergoop on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/supergoop/; Follow Supergoop on Twitter: @supergoop and Follow Supergoop on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/supergoop/.

Until Next Time~

Marie Papachatzis







Monday, December 28, 2020

Review: Farmacy Beauty Honey Drop Lightweight Moisturizer #FarmacyBeauty #HoneyDrop #Beauty #Skincare

 (product photo courtesy of www.farmacybeauty.com)

1.7 fl.oz./50mL $45.00
Lately it may seem like I have been writing about skincare for drier skins, and that is certainly the case, but I have not forgotten about those with normal, combination and oily skin types. I happen to have an excellent winter moisturizer here for you. It is something I have used myself in the summer, when my skin isn't as dry and tends to need a lighter moisturizer. 

Farmacy Beauty Honey Drop Lightweight Moisturizer is a super-lightweight yet intensely hydrating gel-cream moisturizer to help keep skin plump with hydration. It is formulated with antioxidant-rich honey, hyaluronic acid and golden cupuaçu butter beads to nourish the skin. The honey it is formulated with is pure and sourced from U.S. farms. Their special honey blend delivers skin-loving moisture, nourishment and antioxidants. It also contains a special hyaluronic acid complex. Three molecular weights of HA in this moisturizer will replenish your skin's moisture reservoir at different levels to make sure skin is plumped with hydration. Not only that, but different several superfoods help nourish the skin: royal jelly, propolis, fermented soy and cupuaçu butter replenish nutrients and deliver amino acids to maintain the skin's elasticity. Golden cupuaçu butter beads from the Amazon melt into the skin and disappear as they're absorbed, releasing long-lasting hydration.

In a group of panelists during a 4-week study, 92% found that Honey Drop kept their skin moisturized and replenished for 8 hours. 95% of panelists felt that it kept their skin hydrated. 95% of panelists felt that Honey Drop kept their skin soft and smooth throughout the course of the study. 

To use, scoop a small amount out with the included spatula. Warm it between the palms of your hands. Apply to clean skin in sweeping upward and outward motions. Use day and night. Remember that if using during the day to use at least a SPF30 or higher over the moisturizer, rain or shine. 

Honey Drop is the perfect lightweight moisturizer for those of you wanting something lighter than air this winter. I would highly recommend it for combination skin, oily skin and possibly even normal skin types. It hydrates really well although you still might want to try a hyaluronic acid serum underneath it if you have some dryness (as mentioned it does have three separate types of HA at three molecular weights). This also contains glycerin, which is one of my favorite powerhouse humectants that is going to draw moisture to your skin. Honey hydrates but is also a great antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, so if you suffer from a little bit of acne or redness it might help calm that down. And of course it is rich in antioxidants, so it is going to help battle those nasty free-radicals. Royal jelly can be very soothing to the skin, as well as nourishing. Propolis is used in skincare for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Adding fermented soy in skincare aids the humectant properties of hyaluronic acid. As mentioned earlier, cupuaçu butter is very nourishing for the skin, but also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. There are a good number of botanical extracts in this moisturizer, too many to list here. The main one I would like to list is turmeric extract, which is also an anti-inflammatory. 

Added up, this moisturizer might be great for someone suffering from mild acne lesions because of its anti-inflammatory effects. As long as you realize that this in and of itself is not a treatment for acne but would just be a good moisturizer for someone who has mild acneic skin. Of course, if you use it and break out more, then quit use and return the product immediately. I used to breakout on my chin a lot and didn't have any problems with it though. And as I mentioned earlier this works great on those with combination and oily skin types. On normal skins it works well too if used with a hyaluronic acid serum underneath. 

Farmacy Beauty Honey Drop Lightweight Moisturizer retails for $45.00 and can be purchased online at www.farmacybeauty.com. Like Farmacy Beauty on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FarmacyBeauty; Follow Farmacy Beauty on Twittter: @FarmacyBeauty and Follow Farmacy Beauty on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/farmacybeauty/.

Until Next Time~

Marie Papachatzis














Review: TONY MOLY Master Lab Mask Sheet Ceramide #TONYMOLY #MasterLabSheetMask #Ceramide #Beauty #Skincare

 (product photo courtesy of www.amazon.com)

If you are like me, then you probably use sheet masks every so often. Sheet masks are a great way to combine a large amount of serum onto a cellulose/cotton mask, sit back for 20-30 minutes, relax and then bask in the glory of your newfound glowing skin. And what is so great about a sheet mask is that they come in just about every type imaginable. You can get one for acneic skin, to dry skin and any skin type in between. 

Last night I tried a new one I found on Amazon. It is from TONY MOLY and is called Master Lab Mask Sheet Ceramide. Lately my skin has been drier than the Mojave desert and I need all the help I can get when it comes to hydration. My skin was always on the normal side but menopause really did a number on my skin and it stopped making sebum. So moisture retention is of the utmost priority, since I do not have any sebum to occlude and moisturize my skin anymore. I needed something to hold the naturally occurring ceramides in my skin. 

Ceramides are the fatty lipids that help hold the skin cells together in the stratum corneum of the epidermis. They are poised to become the next "big thing in 2021". Taking care of the natural moisture barrier of the skin will be one of the hottest skincare trends of the coming year. For so long this has been an overlooked area. People have been over-exfoliating, now it is time to nurture and soothe our skin. Exfoliation will still be an important part of our skincare regimen but it will also be important to take care of our skin and pay special attention to the natural moisture barrier and the microbiome. The very part of the skin that we have been so vigorously scrubbing and exfoliating away. 

The Master Lab Sheet Mask Collection features an ultra thin hydrating sheet mask made of natural cellulose and consistent absorption of active ingredients that target specific skin concerns. Unlike conventional sheet masks made with cotton, the "nude seal" technology used in this collection has an ultra-thin skin fitting mask that clings to to all facial contours for effective delivery of the concentrated serum. TONY MOLY is a leading K-Beauty brand that fuses high quality ingredients with innovative technology in unique packaging. 

The Ceramide Sheet Mask helps to moisturize the skin and protect the skin's natural moisture barrier. It is specifically made for skin that is "dry with flaky cracks". Now, I don't necessarily have cracked skin, but I do have flakiness. This mask delivers moisture deep inside the skin. The main ingredients in the serum are glycerin, licorice root extract, ginger root extract, camellia sinesis extract, ceramides, grapefruit extract, cholesterol, panthenol, sodium hyaluronate and tocopheryl acetate. You might recognize some or all of the ingredients. Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate are two humectants that provide deep moisture in the skin, by bringing water into the skin cells. Ceramides are the fatty lipids that help hold the cells of the natural moisture barrier together. Panthenol is also known as ProVitamin B5 and is extremely soothing to the skin, it also helps with inflammation and itching. Tocopheryl acetate is also known as Vitamin E and helps to moisturize the skin and fights off free radicals. Licorice root helps to ease inflammation. Ginger root is an antioxidant and fights wrinkles. Grapefruit extract helps to stimulate collagen production. Camellia sinesis extract is extremely moisturizing. Finally, cholesterol is a lipid that helps to stimulate the recovery of the natural moisture barrier. 

If you do have a lot of flakiness of the skin I might suggest a light (and I mean light) exfoliation of the skin prior to using this mask. This would actually help the skin absorb the ingredients better. When the skin has a lot of dead skin cells on the surface it cannot absorb ingredients as well. The best way would be to use an enzyme or very gentle scrub to get rid of the dead skin cells. if your skin is already dry and dehydrated, an strong alpha hydroxy acid might only make the situation worse. A good product I like that exfoliates gently is dermalogica's daily microfoliant ($15.00). It contains phytic acid from rice, colloidal oatmeal and papaya enzymes. This product is very gentle and is great for most skin types, but especially dry and sensitive skin. 

Here is a photo of me wearing this mask:



You can see that this sheet mask clings to the skin, because of its cellulose nature. Others that are made of cotton do not. I found that after 20 minutes of wearing it my skin felt plump, soft and well moisturized. I did not have to put on any serums, as my skin was definitely hydrated. I did however put on a moisturizer to seal in the hydration and to make sure my skin stayed this way overnight. So I wore First Aid Beauty's Ultra Repair Cream

TONY MOLY Master Lab Mask Sheet Ceramide is available from www.amazon.com. It retails for $4.00 each. They also have masks with Snail Mucin, Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin C, EGF, Caviar, Centella asiata and Collagen. I have not tried any of the other masks from this line yet but will probably try one of them very soon, since they are priced so well. Sheet masks are a great way to get a lot of serum into the skin for a small price. One sheet mask usually contains almost a half bottle of serum. They are an excellent means of treating the skin for various minor ailments, such as dry skin. I found this mask to be quite useful for my dry, flaky skin.  

Until Next Time~

Marie Papachatzis









Sunday, December 27, 2020

Review: COVERGIRL Exhibitionist Lid Paint #COVERGIRL #ExhibitionistLidPaint #EyeMakeup #Beauty #Makeup #Cosmetics

 (product photo courtesy of www.covergirl.com)

I was very excited to get to try out the new COVERGIRL Exhibitionist Lid Paint. There really isn't another product like it out right now. So I was happy to play around with it. 

COVERGIRL Exhibitionist Lid Paint is a highly pigmented, creamy eyeshadow formula that delivers crease-proof color in just one swipe. The lightweight, vegan eyeshadow blends easily and dries down smooth. Provides comfortable all day wear that blends evenly on lids without feeling sticky or heavy. You can enjoy smudge and flake-proof wear all day long. Pair the long-wearing eye shadow with Exhibitionist 24 Kohl Eyeliners for a bold eye look that lasts. It comes in 8 shades: Darling, Nude Awakening, Cocoa-Nuts, Sorry Sweetie, Amaretto, Hi Gorgeous, Stargazer and Night, Night. I tried the following two: Darling and Hi Gorgeous. Darling is a slightly shimmery champagne and Hi Gorgeous is reddish burgundy. Like all COVERGIRL products it is cruelty-free and Leaping Bunny certified. 

I thought I would wear both together. Do a kind of two for one look. The product gives a little bit of working time before drying down to its waterproof finish. So play around with it a little to give it time to blend. After it dries down it pretty much looks like eyeshadow. Better than regular cream eye shadow IMO. 

Here are swatches of the lid paint in Darling and Hi Gorgeous:

above, left to right: Darling and Hi Gorgeous


Here is a photo of me wearing the shades Darling and Hi Gorgeous:


Overall I like wearing these. They are better than regular cream eye shadows. I would say their texture is more mousse like than cream. And when they go on it's as it they are almost light as a feather. Give yourself some some color to work with, because the amount that comes out of the tube is small, and you will likely need more than what you think you do. But once they are dry, that is it. They are down until it is time to take them off. And these come off with regular makeup remover. I have used my regular cleansers with these. Lately I double cleanse to remove makeup then use a cleanser with a surfactant to rid my skin of the rest of my makeup, dirt and pollution. It will come off easily with a micellar cleanser. I removed the swatches with one. 

COVERGIRL Exhibitionist Lid Paint retails for $10.99 and can be found at ULTA Beauty and Walgreens. Like COVERGIRL on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/covergirl; Follow COVERGIRL on Twitter: @covergirl; Follow COVERGIRL on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/covergirlxo/; Subscribe to COVERGIRL on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CoverGirl and Follow COVERGIRL on Instagram: https://instagram.com/covergirl/.


Until Next Time~

Marie Papachatzis

(product sent for consideration)









Treating Parched, Dry Skin in Winter: What To Do & Not To Do! #DrySkin #DehydratedSkin #Beauty #Skincare

 Treating Parched, Dry Skin in Winter: What To Do & Not To Do!

Okay, so the temperature outside is about 20° (or it might be even lower) and there is very little to no humidity in the air. Your skin is thirsty. Ugh, you might as well be living in the desert, for all your skin knows. But there are things you can do to take your skin from feeling dry and dehydrated back to almost normal. Follow these tips and in no time flat your skin will be a happy camper again.

1. Wash your face less often

Yes. You heard me right. You might be cleansing too much. Sometimes over cleansing can lead to skin that feels tight and dry. It gets stripped of its natural moisture barrier and then the only thing to do is build it back up again. So try only cleansing at night with either a light foaming cleanser like the new CeraVe Hydrating Cream to Foam Cleanser ($17.48) or use a cream cleanser for dry skin. Still do a double cleanse though. Make sure if you are wearing makeup to get rid of all of that makeup so that you are not clogging up the pores (hair follicles) with it. In the morning wash your face with tepid water only. I know this sounds counterintuitive to things you have heard but lately I am doing it and have heard dermatologists recommend doing it too. It works. Especially on dry skin. But cleanse and do your regular skincare routine at night because that is when skin regenerates. The good thing about the CeraVe cleanser is that it has ceramides &  hyaluronic acid in it to keep skin hydrated all while helping to wash off any extraneous debris like makeup, dirt, oil and pollution. I absolutely love it. And it doesn't really foam much at all. 

2. Do not wash your face with hot water in the shower.

Again, this goes back to washing less often and with tepid water. The hot water will suck moisture from the natural moisture barrier. Once your skin becomes dehydrated it is harder to pull moisture back into the skin. The same can be said of body skin too. So if you suffer from dry skin, ease off on the really hot water even though it feels so good. 

3. Put on a good moisturizing mask.

This will help to put some moisture back into the skin. I recommend a good hydrating mask like Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask ($48.00) or if you need a little bit of exfoliation too, Summer Fridays R + R Mask ($52.00). Both of these are great pick-me-ups for skin when it is lagging behind. Especially the Jet Lag Mask. I use that sometimes at night and sleep with it on. In the morning my skin is like new. I also recommend a moisturizing sheet mask. Tony Moly makes some good ones: Minions Hyaluronic Acid Sheet Mask (2 for $8.00), the I'm Real Honey (2 for $6.00) and I'm Real Watermelon (2 for $6.00). Using a good moisturizing mask will help to replenish some of the lost moisture that has escaped the top layers of skin. Skin will not feel so dry and tight anymore. Make sure to apply to clean, damp skin and leave on for at least 20 minutes. For the Jet Lag Mask it can be left on overnight. The R + R Mask is good if you have some flakiness too. 

4. Use a moisturizing toner or a cream skin.

There are few instances where I really propose using a toner so much as when skin is extra dry or extra oily, but this is one of those instances. Dr. Jart Ceramidin Moisturizing Toner ($39.00) is probably your best bet here. This one is full of ceramides, the fatty lipids that are in between the cells of the stratum corneum of the top layer of the epidermis. These are lost when the natural moisture barrier is weakened. Another option is a new type of product called Cream Toner ($33.00). La Neige makes one. I use this at times and it is very moisturizing. It is similar to an essence and toner in one. It moisturizes and tones the skin all at once. Very nice type of product. Great for dry skin. 

5. Use a hyaluronic acid serum to add hydration. 

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is not the end-all-be-all for skincare that everyone thinks it is. I found out through a cosmetic chemist that glycerin is actually a better humectant, it has a lower molecular weight and travels to the actual dermis. It is also less expensive to produce. And if you will notice it is almost always the second ingredient in most skincare products! However, hyaluronic acid still works well on the upper layers of the epidermis to keep it hydrated. There are two I like a lot. One is The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 ($6.80). This one has three types of HA in it: a low, medium and high molecular weight HA that work synergistically to hydrate the upper layers of the epidermis. The other serum I like is Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Serum ($42.00). This serum contains 5 different types of HA, juicy plum, vegan collagen & silk protein in an oil-free serum that deeply hydrates the skin. I have tried a sample of this and liked it a lot. Have not purchased it yet though. But it works quite well. 


6. Use a heavy duty moisturizer. 

I am sure you were going to predict this part of my tutorial. This is one of the most important steps. Keeping skin moisturized is the most important step in keeping it hydrated. One you have done the hydration portion you need to moisturize with something heavy duty to lock in that hydration. Luckily any good cream will have glycerin in it to add even more hydration. And it might even have HA in it too. Here are a few good creams:
  • Dr, Jart Ceramidin Cream ($48.00-$69.00): supercharged with 5 different ceramides, bifida ferment lysate, beetroot and hyaluronic acid. Keeps skin nourished throughout days in harsh climates. 
  • CeraVe Moisturizing Cream ($14.71): contains ceramides, hyaluronic acid, glycerin and developed with MVE Technology (controlled release for all day hydration). 
  • Sunday Riley ICE Moisturizing Cream ($65.00): contains ceramides and a combination of glycerin and other ingredients to strengthen the natural moisture barrier. This is a thick, rich cream that really helps to keep TEWL at bay. Trans epidermal water loss is occurs when moisture is lost from the top layers of the epidermis. Contains coconut extract to reduce TEWL and beetroot extract addresses dehydration. 
  • First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream ($14.00-$42.00): even though this cream is ultra light and whipped, it is by no means a light cream. It contains colloidal oatmeal and works great for those with eczema, or dry itchy skin. It also just works great in general on dry, dehydrated skin. It also contains shea butter and ceramides plus a FAB Antioxidant Booster
7. Keep lips moisturized too. 

Make sure to keep lips from getting too parched. Use a good lip balm on them often. Preferably one you like. During the day try to use one with SPF if you can, Jack Black Lip Balm SPF25 ($8.00) is a great one. Everyone has their own preference with regard to lip balm. I like the Chapstick Total Hydration line and EcoLips. Or First Aid Beauty Lip Therapy ($12.00).

I hope this has helped you out some. Let me know if you have any questions or comments. 

Until Next Time~

Marie Papachatzis


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