Like lots of girls around the world, I'm totally on the Korean beauty bandwagon. One of the trendiest skincare regimes in this category is the sheet mask. You've probably seen the little packets with face-shaped masks saturated in serums everywhere lately! There's anew face on the K-beauty scene: When is a Korean sheet mask line that's made for easy 30-minute spa pampering at home. I've tried several sheet masks over the past year or so. It's one of my favorite new skincare trends. Most of the masks I've used have similar ingredients and promise similar results as the When masks. But When masks have a few features that I think make their products unique. What I really like about them is that they are made of bio-cellulose, which is made of coconuts and is good for helping the mask serums absorb into the skin. They also have solutions for skin concerns that I haven't seen too much in masks. Here are When's five signature masks... Glamour Base ~ When you want the perfect makeup primer The Last Choice ~ When you need to quench your thirsty skin Snow Magic ~When you want clear and brighter-looking skin 10:00 PM ~ When you need to recover after an all-nighter Travelmate ~ When you need a refresher after a long day on the road
After using When masks, my skin was definitely smoother and brighter. The soft material make them more comfortable to wear than some of the competitors. When masks are great, and I highly recommend them. Would I ever buy another sheet mask brand in the future? Yes, but I really do enjoy When and like the results! You can find When masks at Ulta and Sephora.
Like lots of girls around the world, I'm totally on the Korean beauty bandwagon. One of the trendiest skincare regimes in this category is the sheet mask. You've probably seen the little packets with face-shaped masks saturated in serums everywhere lately! There's anew face on the K-beauty scene: When is a Korean sheet mask line that's made for easy 30-minute spa pampering at home. I've tried several sheet masks over the past year or so. It's one of my favorite new skincare trends. Most of the masks I've used have similar ingredients and promise similar results as the When masks. But When masks have a few features that I think make their products unique. What I really like about them is that they are made of bio-cellulose, which is made of coconuts and is good for helping the mask serums absorb into the skin. They also have solutions for skin concerns that I haven't seen too much in masks. Here are When's five signature masks... Glamour Base ~ When you want the perfect makeup primer The Last Choice ~ When you need to quench your thirsty skin Snow Magic ~When you want clear and brighter-looking skin 10:00 PM ~ When you need to recover after an all-nighter Travelmate ~ When you need a refresher after a long day on the road
After using When masks, my skin was definitely smoother and brighter. The soft material make them more comfortable to wear than some of the competitors. When masks are great, and I highly recommend them. Would I ever buy another sheet mask brand in the future? Yes, but I really do enjoy When and like the results! You can find When masks at Ulta and Sephora.
I have to tell you about a fabulous nail product that has the staying power to keep your tips looking pretty. Taking the time to get my nails done has just not been an option lately because I'm so busy. So with imPress nails, I just peel off the backing and put them on like a sticker and they'll last for a whole week! It's a salon-quality manicure at home. Pretty impressive.
When imPress nails were first released a few years ago, the technology wasn't quite perfect. I loved the convenience and look, but when my nails popped off because water would "un-stick" them it got a little annoying. Now they really do last up to a week with the gel adhesive that doesn't damage your nails. At about $8 each, it's a great way to do your nails quickly and easily.
DIY spa days every once in a while are lots of fun. You can enjoy some of the relaxing parts of the spa in the comfort of your own home while saving hundreds of dollars. The pinnacle of my spa rituals is a good mud mask. My latest fave is the Dead Sea Mud Mask from InstaNatural. I started using some of InstaNatural's most popular products last month and have enjoyed the benefits. The Dead Sea Mud Mask is an easy detox for your skin. As the mask dries on your face, this premium mixture of mud and nourishing natural ingredients extracts excess oil and improves the appearance of fine lines.
After about 15 minutes, I rinse off the mud with warm water to reveal soft skin. I then use the Youth Express Eye Gel for my dark circles and puffy eyes. If you want some extra cooling, pop it in the fridge for a few minutes before use.
Another InstaNatural face product I like is the Retinol moisturizer, which is made to even out skin texture and pigmentation. It's potent and gentle. However, I don't recommend using it at the same time as the eye gel if you have sensitive skin like I do.
Here are some tips and products I like for relaxation. Happy spa day!
Take a bubble bath with some aromatherapy suds to reduce stress.
My latest skincare discovery of 2015 is InstaNatural, a line of organic and affordable skin and hair products. I'm a big fan of cosmetics and skincare so I'm up for trying anything, especially when the products are healthy and not full of chemicals. I've been testing a range of products from InstaNatural for the past few weeks and here's what I've experienced.
About 80% of women have stretch marks, including myself. I grew way too fast for my skin to catch up and I've never found a product that really gives me long-term results. I started using InstaNatural's Stretch Mark Cream about a month ago and have noticed a difference. Of course, with products like this it often takes months to see significant improvements, but so far so good. I like the consistency of the cream - it's not too heavy or greasy. Plus, the price is awesome! Finding a product like this for around $20 for a good-sized bottle is pretty much impossible. This cream is also great for fading scars, which I have my fair share of as a klutz.
InstaNatural's Cellulite Cream is also another interesting product offered on Amazon. This cream is great for little touch-ups, and it works. It has caffeine and retinol, the key ingredients for an effective cellulite cream. Again, the price is excellent. The only negatives are the strong scent and the thickness, but these qualities aren't bad enough for me to stop using it.
I've heard a lot about Argan oil for soft and shiny hair, and I'm sure you have too. I LOVE the InstaNatural Argan Oil Hair Mask. Use this once a week for 5 to 15 minutes to deep condition your hair and get silky strands. Argan oil is also beneficial for skin. Swipe some of the serum on your hair to prevent frizz or on your face to improve the appearance of acne and scars.
A good vitamin C serum is helpful for treating most skin ailments. Its most notable features include correcting wrinkles and skin discoloration. This one's a no-brainer, everyone needs this in their beauty bags.
One Direction came out with a makeup line last summer and I have to say, these British boys have a knack for creating fun limited edition cosmetics sets. Three new sets (which can be purchased from Macy's for $16.50 each) were recently released. Highly-pigmented mascaras, lip glosses and nail polishes are perfect for adding a pop of color to your look. With three great sets to choose from, it's easy to find a gift that every One Direction fan will love.
Nothing shakes up your makeup routine like a pop of color on your lashes. The set comes with three mascaras: yellow, blue and pink. and I haven't tried this yet, but apparently you can use the mascaras on your hair too!
These glosses are super-sparkly with a hint of vitamin E to keep your lips hydrated. The glosses glow different colors under UV black light.
Now through Sunday, 12/14, enter to win your own Liquilights UV Lip Gloss Set by One Direction! Follow the directions below to enter and I'll mail a lip gloss set to one winner:
Lately I've taken an interest in being aware of taking better care of my skin. It's tempting to pick up the products with the pretty packaging or low price that doesn't give you the results you want. You'll get it all with a new face serum by Valentia Skincare. Sometimes it's hard to tell what's real and what's full of chemicals. Valentia Even Glow Serum contains vitamin C. It literally smells like oranges! This lightweight antioxidant serum makes my face look more glowy. It melts into my skin quickly and leaves my face smooth and without an oily residue. I've struggled with dark circles under my eyes and have read that vitamin C helps this issue as well. I also like that it contains green tea extract, which has naturally anti-inflammatory properties. There's definitely a noticeable difference in my skin. I'm looking forward to using this product long-term to continue my skin-bettering routine!
So there's only so much I can say about Valentia. Purchase a bottle on Amazon for $35. It's Prime eligible for two-day free shipping. Hundreds of customers give Valentia 5 stars! Be the next one to improve your glow.
Tweens, teens, and adults alike have gone crazy for British boy band One Direction. Beginning in August, Markwins International beauty is launching a brand-new, limited edition collection called Makeup by 1D that will make you beautiful. You can choose from 3 sets, each of which are named after 1D songs. Each set comes with 7 pieces: eyeshadow palette, mascara, lipstick, chubby eyeliner, lip gloss, nail polish, and stencils. I tried the Up All Night collection with cool blue shadows and bubble gum pink lipstick. The eyeshadow palette allows you to achieve lots of looks - from pretty day to dramatic night. Definitely a must-have for any 1D fan (or makeup junkie) out there. Scroll down to find out how you can win one!
US Release Dates (international release TBD) Macy's - August 11th
Stage Stores – August 25th
Dillards – August 25th
Beauty Brands – August 25th
Lord and Taylor - August 25th
Giveaway Alert! Enter for a chance to win a limited edition Makeup by 1D set before they become available in stores! Fill out the entry form below or click here to access it online.
Summer is the perfect time to break out of your plain makeup habits and try something a little more tropical. Long-lasting eye shadow brand BA Star recently came out with the perfect summer palette with all of the summer eye color essentials. The palette comes with 5 bright, highly-pigmented colors that are pretty alone or all together. Some believe that you're supposed to complete a bold eye look with a neutral lip. I say: go all out and be bold. It's summer, have some fun!
Order your BA Star Tropical Eye Shadow Palette today. These shadows will last all day... no makeup-melt from humidity! Small 4 Style readers get a 50% discount with code 50TROPIC.
Every spring fashion magazine lately cites blue eye makeup as this season's hot look. In an attempt at being cool, I recently jumped on the blue wave and tried BA Star's Midnight Smoky shadow palette. The runway makeup artists make blue shadow look easy to pull off, and it takes a few attempts to get it just right. Luckily, BA Star makes it simple. I started by brushing the neutral shades over the entire lid and used the blue shadow in the palette as an eyeliner. Once I got comfortable with the boldness of blue, I went all out and rocked blue shadow - runway style! BA Star cosmetics are made for performers who need their makeup to last long. But if you're like me and don't thrive in the performing spotlight, you can still benefit from BA Star's long-lasting cosmetics.
Tip: a neutral lip offsets the bold blue eye look. Classy!
Like most people, I've had my share of skin dramas. Waking up with a painful zit or flaky skin isn't pretty, but I've discovered a few surprising ways to combat those skin ailments without going to the dermatologist. The most shocking discovery that resulted from my many years of skincare trial and error led me to see the benefits of face oils and serums. One of my favorites is Eu Natural's a fabulous serum called Clarity Vitamin C Serum that's available on Amazon (and eligible for Amazon Prime, yes!). Enter special promo code EUN15OFF for 15% off your bottle of Clarity. The vitamin C helps to brighten your complexion while the antioxidants aid in the stimulation of collagen production. No matter your age, I think we could all use a little bit of this!
Hooray for clear skin!
A wise skincare salesgirl once tried to convince me that feeding your skin with good antioxidants and vitamins will decrease the need for the skin to produce oil that causes acne. But why would I add more oil to my oily skin? It took me about 6 months to actually consider her advice and see for myself. Using a few drops of these serums at night makes my skin less oily when I wake up. Unless your skin is very dry, I wouldn't recommend using it before putting on your makeup because it does take a little while for your skin to drink it up. Another important fact to note: not all skin oils are created equal. Look for ones like Clarity that include ingredients like vitamin C, antioxidants, and omegas. Otherwise, the product will not absorb as effectively.
Check out Eu Natural's other natural beauty and health solutions!
PS - I tried my new Clarisonic Mia 2 (that I won at Galleria Dallas Beauty Live!) for the first time this morning, so I'll report back to let you know if it's worth the investment!
Remember when I told you about GlamST back in November? Can you really give yourself a virtual makeover? I say that anything that may save me from my beauty buying addiction is worth a try. I could spend hours on GlamST trying different looks without opening my wallet. If you've got Windows 8 like me, you can download the free app from the Windows Store. The one problem with the app is that I found it difficult to upload my picture, so making an online profile may be the way to go.
I don't know how they do it, but it looks like I'm really wearing this makeup. I think the next project for GlamST should be for clothes and jewelry. Try it for yourself or get the products below to steal my look! Like GlamST on Facebook for the latest beauty news.
The basic Valentine's Day box of chocolates just got fancy. Les Cinq Amandes is way more than a traditional candy store. You can personalize their wide selection of artisan confections to your specifications. Getting your sweetheart customized chocolates will show that you took the extra step to make it a special day. Let sweetness commemorate Valentine's this year. And get a special 10% discount with the code HOLIDAY10!
PS - Wouldn't it be even sweeter if the seriously handsome Matt Bomer hand-delivered your Les Cinq Amandes? Ah we can only dream!
Your holiday season just got a little merrier. Studio Gear Cosmetics recently released a holiday eye shadow palette with the metallic essentials to get your desired look. Whether it's smokey or subtle, the palette is really practical. It's just an added bonus that the set includes a cheeky pink blush and instructions for achieving that stunning holiday glow.
The shadows in this palette, as well as all Studio Gear products, are long-lasting and highly pigmented. I know that it's meant for "holiday" but I've been using it every day since I got it.
Studio Gear is offering the palette for a special price, plus an additional discount for Small 4 Style readers. Enter the code SGHOLIDAY for 10% off your entire Studio Gear purchase online. Best of all, the code doesn't expire... sweet!
Face it, when our skin isn't clear, it kills our confidence. We've all had that blemish that's impossible to cover up when getting ready for an interview or event. Victoria Jackson Cosmetics is changing the face of the industry with her philosophy about success: when we look better, we feel better. And when we feel better, we can change our life.
I think I've hit the jackpot with Victoria Jackson's "No Make-Up" Foundation Duo. Now I'm able to cover acne scars and blemishes easily without piling on the foundation. Instead of just sitting on my face like a mask, this stuff blends into my skin for a pretty finish. Plus, each mirrored compactincludes two shades and a sponge for optimal blending.
Now it's your turn to try Victoria Jackson Cosmetics! Use discount code BLOG2013 for 20% off your online Victoria Jackson purchase. The code expires on 12/31/2013.
Contest Alert! One lucky Small 4 Style reader will win a Victoria Jackson Foundation Duo in the shade of their choice! Just follow the steps below to enter. Each task will earn you an entry. Good luck!
The new GlamST app is going to knock your fake eyelashes off. This latest innovative will allow beauty queens like you to upload your photo, learn about the latest beauty trends, and virtually try on face and lip products from your favorite brands.
Imagine yourself at your favorite luxury makeup counter, overwhelmed by the rich lipsticks and the scent of posh perfume. Trust me, I've been there and it can be difficult to resist getting caught up in buying every product the salesperson shows you. Sometimes, buying makeup can be risky. You never know how your new makeup will look on you until you take it home and experiment. And once you spend a lot of money on the makeup that doesn't meet your expectations, you're stuck. Luckily, you don't have to fall into this trap again with GlamST. Whether you're searching for a new look or just want to have a little fun, GlamST sounds like a brilliant idea. If you have Windows 8, download the app at the Windows store today. This December, GlamST will be available for every platform. Sign up for email updates on the launch of the new web app on the GlamST website. Once this comes out, I'll be one of the first to try it out!
Always on the hunt for the next great hair accessory, I was so happy when I came across Republic of Pigtails. Handmade with high fashion in mind, Republic of Pigtails is a collection of couture-quality bows, headbands, and hair clips. Hair accessories are a must-have for me because they add interest to every look in a new way. With Republic of Pigtails, you get an expensive look without dropping a chunk or change. I think we can all appreciate that, especially as college students interested in looking fabulous.I had a blast playing around with my new Simone bow from Republic of Pigtails, and I found that it can be styled to convey many different looks. There's something for everyone at Republic of Pigtails. Fascinators, headbands, and pigtail holders are just a few of their other offerings.
There's also a very appealing personal element to the Republic of Pigtails line. The business came about as a hair accessories brand for the owner's toddler, her little friends, and their mothers. Each accessory is handmade and named after the friend or family member that inspired it. Whether you're giving or getting a Republic of Pigtails accessory, you always know it's special.
Dress up your up-do
Get your Simone hair clip from Republic of Pigtails today! Simone comes in a variety of rich colors that are sure to be stunners for fall!
Have some fun!
Get creative!
Republic of Pigtails is on Social Media! Like, Follow, and Tweet to stay updated on some hair-raising news...
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