Yes, help me conquer those January Blues... PLEASE!

Undoubtedly, 2020 has posed some of the greatest challenges most of us have experienced in our lifetime. Whilst there is no magic wand to change everything back to how it was before the pandemic. For us all to lead a happy life, we need to care for ourselves, both mentally and physically.  

This New Year, I think it is worse than ever, as in January sets in, many start to feel those January Blues. It's not uncommon this time of the year to experience fatigue, sadness, difficulty concentrating,  seasonal affect disorder, can't sleep, and more!  But what if there was a way to try to beat those January Blues?

With the start of the new year, more so than any other year, I feel it is a great time to start getting yourself ready so you can put your best self forward in 2021-starting today!

Do Not Give In To The January Blues
The holidays are over, and come January; reality starts to set in for some. From the cold-ass nasty weather to the credit card statements coming in from holiday shopping. The realization our government is only issuing us a measly $600 stimulus check, New Year resolutions, and throw COVID in, you can see where the term January Blues comes into play more so than ever. (The most depressing time of the month is the third Monday of the month, which has the official name of "Blue Monday.")

Instead of giving in to"The January Blues," we are going to provide you with some tips to give yourself the kickstart for the best year! Here are our tips for giving yourself the best start to your year.

Boost Your Mood With Healthy Food
The expression you are what you eat has never been more real. Life is all about balance. Our body's health needs to have healthy water, vitamins, antioxidants, oils, and other nutrients.  

Furthermore, what we eat can significantly influence our energy level, mood, and motivation.  The key here is not to think this is about dieting but more about finding a nutritional regime that brings you the happiness you need to feel at your best while also helping you achieve your fitness goals.

If you are unsure where to start, load up your fridge with fresh vegetables and fruits, unprocessed ingredients, and natural foods. Then, check out some communities that can help you discover a new way of eating. For example, you might accept an alternative challenge, such as Meatless Monday or Veganuary - which are in full swing during this time of the year. So, you won't ever be short of handy resources!

Implement A Morning Skincare Routine
One crucial step to tie into your morning routine is an effective skincare routine. To rock your day, you need to be prepared, and your skin is not excluded.

To not overwhelm yourself, you want to stick with a somewhat easy skincare routine.  And yes, skincare does not have to be complicated. And boy does TreCeuticals realize this, which is why they've created a skincare line with three powerful active ingredients, achieved in three simple steps, three minutes a day.
 
This simple 3-step skincare routine combines three highly effective active ingredients to exfoliate, hydrate, and smooth the skin. Plus, their secret sauce, which is CBD oil.

Commit To Using Beauty Products Free Of Harmful Ingredients
The skincare industry has slowly become more safety-conscious in the past few years, but it needs consumers' help to invigorate the push toward more EWG verified beauty brands. If a product has an "EWG Verified™" logo on it, this means it meets EWG's strictest standards and contains none of EWG's chemicals of concern. Furthermore, all companies that are EWG Verified have disclosed full transparency regarding formulations and their manufacturing process. This further means that this product is safe and healthy.

Beat Those January Blues By Exercising
When it comes to feeling energized and in a better mood, nothing works better than exercising. The benefits of exercising are enormous. Ever hear the expression"A runners high." Well, this isn't a myth; that sense of euphoria is real. That feel-good boost you get from those positive feelings washing over you is what you experience with the runners high and a sense of accomplishment.

You see, exercising releases endorphins and has many benefits for your body's health both physically and mentally, like:

• Boosts self-esteem by helping you look younger as working out brings more oxygen to your skin cells, leaving you with skin that's nourished and firmer
• Better sleep
• Decreases anxiety and stress levels
• It gives you more energy
• Physical shape
• Enhanced sex life

Help, I Want To Work Out, But I'm Afraid To Go To The Gym
There are plenty of exercising options out there that does not require you to go to the gym. While some look at exercise to get out of the house, this has been a must for me.  With Covid, there is that struggle- with going to a gym and being around people who are not wearing masks to getting the hell out of the house. Our suggestion is to start small. You can do some activities outside, like walking, bike riding, even hiking.

Additionally, you can find tons of workout programs on Amazon Prime Videos, from Pilates to cardio, weight lifting, even mediation. This brings us to our next tip... Meditate

Adjust Your Mind, Mood, And Health By Meditating
Of course, this collection of January Blues tips are designed to make you look your best and help you feel confident and energized. Yet, sometimes, we are at the mercy of aspects in our lives that we don't think can affect our physical health as much. So, when trying to give your skin a healthier appearance, toning-up that body, or vowing to eat a bit healthier, these are not the only things to consider! We need also need to readjust our aura.

For example, the way we deal with everyday events and the level of stress we withstand during our daily lives can significantly affect our physical health. And, if you have been exploring this connection, you might have also encountered many remedies that can help you keep your stress levels low and feel more energized.

Though you may not eradicate the roots of stress, you can minimize its effects on your body. One of the easiest and most achievable stress-relieving techniques is meditation.

Meditating for as little as 15 to 20 minutes a day has the power to help you raise self-awareness and understand in-depth how you react to daily events. In turn, this can help your body to:

• Repairs and revitalizes
• Lowers your blood pressure
• Relaxes you
• Improve the quality of sleep
• Even give your complexion a fresh and youthful glow.

DIY Beauty Tips To Beat The January Blues
This has been a favorite pastime of mine, DIY Beauty. However, I know many are not like me and solely rely on their hairstylist, nail tech, even aesthetician to fulfill their beauty needs, and now with COVID have let themselves go.  

But in 2021, beauties, this does not need to be the case. There are plenty of at-home beauty treatments you do for yourself, and trust me; you will feel so much better when doing them. See some of my favorites below.

• Give Yourself An At-home Facial
• Bag Those Puffy Eyes
• Magnetic Eyelashes
• Do Something Different With Your Hair
• Redlight Therapy

Look After Your Smile
Our smile says a lot about our health and lifestyle and can significantly influence our confidence level. Indeed, our smile is what other people notice first upon meeting us, impacting our personal and professional relationships. Simultaneously, many adults don't go far beyond investing in teeth whitening methods because they believe that improving their smile is something they should have done when they were teens!

And, of course, the idea of wearing braces can be horrifying for everybody. However, today, there are alternatives that you might consider if you wish to start working towards the perfect smile. For example, an  Invisalign dentist might help you find discreet, almost-invisible solutions that can start yielding results in less than three months.

Some other tips to beat those January Blues and put your best self forward in 2021

• Less screen time, by taking a break from the news and social media
• Stay away from negativity
• Have a buddy in your corner, friend time
• Get your beauty sleep
• Ain't no sunshine, so try some light therapy to help with SAD
• Find a new hobby and stick to it
  

In conclusion, remember January is just one month of twelve, and if it is not all that great, so be it. That doesn't mean the other months will follow, especially if your try to implement some of these tips to kick January blues in the ass!

Beauty Tips To Help Rock That First Impression

Your appearance is usually what people judge first; for many, it IS the first impression. Really, it sounds a little vain, right? Yep, but it's the truth that can even cause the most confident of people to feel a little- self-conscious.

Even though most try to do their best not to judge a book by its cover, as humans, we are visual, and everything from a person's height to their teeth can affect the way we perceive them.

With that in mind, it makes sense that a beauty routine that can be best fitting to all life occasions, especially when making a first impression, is ever so important. They say that first impressions are everything, so why wouldn't you want to make a good one?  So, if you want to find out to rock that first impression, continue reading.

How A Smile Can Impact The First Impression
There is an old saying: "That a good smile warms hearts and opens doors." An attractive and welcoming smile is an integral part of making a positive impression. Smiles express confidence, happiness, and friendliness, and according to a recent study, they're increasingly crucial for reflecting personal and professional success.

But what happens is you have crooked teeth? Or your teeth are yellow? It can cause many to feel self-conscious.

Luckily, there are many correction measures available to improve your smile.  If you would like to acquire a pearly smile, you can turn to effective options likewhitening your teeth, even veneers.

For most people, crooked or misaligned teeth are worse than stained teeth.  This is not just a vanity problem that can affect one's personal appearance but also dental care. When your teeth are misaligned, you may find it hard to clean each tooth, which in turn creates the perfect environment for tooth-eroding bacteria to fester. (talk about a confidence stealer).  Thankfully, it is much easier and conspicuous to correct crooked teeth than when I was a kid in today's modern world using invisible aligners. (An aligner made of clear plastic, which makes it hard for people to notice them, far from those metal braces I wore back in the 80's).

Invest In Your Skin. It's Going To Represent You For A Long Time
A good skincare routine is only as good as the products you use. While good quality products can help your skin look better now and in the future, inferior quality products can be ineffective and even cause harm.

The bottom line, since many are judging a book by its cover (YOU). Do you want a rugged old looking cover that looks like it has been through the wringer, and no one gave two shits about trying to preserve it? Or one that shows it was cared for and loved?

And no worries, as skincare does not have to be complicated. And boy does TreCeuticals realize this, which is why they've created a skincare line with three powerful active ingredients, achieved in three simple steps, three minutes a day.
 
This simple 3-step skincare routine combines three highly effective active ingredients to exfoliate, hydrate, and smooth the skin. Plus, their secret sauce, which is CBD oil.

By using a quality skincare line like TreCeuticals you will help your complexion by:

• Keeping Your Skin Glowing And In Good Condition. An effective skincare routine can help prevent acne, treat wrinkles, and help keep your skin looking its best.
• Allowing You To Look More Youthful: As we age, our cellular turnover slows down, causing many to look haggard because of a loss of collagen and elastin, ultimately leading to premature aging and wrinkles. Using a quality skincare line can boost cellular turnover, helping remove dead skin cells so your body will replace them with newer, more radiant, youthful cells.
• Prevention Is More Manageable Than Correction: The goal with skincare is in 4 -folds: Treat, repair, prevent, and maintain. Preventing is more manageable -– and less costly – than trying to fix them in the future, with cosmetic surgery.
• Boosting Your Self-confidence: When your skin looks better, you'll feel better about yourself and have more self-confidence. And is a must to rock that first impression.

Understand You Are What You Eat
This statement has never been more real than when it comes to looking good. The goal is to ensure you maintain a healthy eating regime that will include lots of water, fruits, and vegetables. Be keen on your carbs and sugar intake, as it will affect your skin luster and acne flare-ups.

I know skincare can be overwhelming, so no need to get scared, as I have put together this beginner's guide filled with skincare tips. So let dive in!

When thinking of skincare tips for beginners, one of my favorite quotes comes to mind..."Invest in your skin; it is going to represent you for a long time."Unfortunately, great skin is not something we are born with. Hence you have to invest some time and effort into developing a skincare routine.   

Many do not realize that our daily habits impact our skin, for example, eating habits, exposure to environmental factors like UV rays, makeup, dirt, and other elements, all of which can negatively affect the skin.  

So beauties, without further ado, my Skincare Guide For Beginners!

Create A Skincare Goal And Stick With It
A goal is vital to every undertaking in a person’s life. It can keep you motivated to continue doing something and stay on the right track.  And a daily skincare routine isn't any different.

Say you want to have glowing skin by Spring or minimize those fine lines and wrinkles naturally (no botox).  Whatever your goals are, having them can ensure that you don’t skimp or postpone a skincare routine. Oh, and if you need a little extra push to keep up with the skincare regimen, one thing that I've seen work is choosing to reward yourself with quality skincare products.

The bottom line consistency is vital for an effective skincare routine, so make sure whatever approach, whether a goal or rewarding yourself, you create one you’ll follow daily.

• Cleansing — Washing your face.
• Toning — Balancing and prepping the skin for other skincare products.
• Treatments- These are your anti-aging serums and creams.
• Moisturizing— Hydrating and softening the skin.
  

Great, So What Skincare Product Do I Use?
I am not here to tell you which brand to pick, as one size does not fit all, and the same goes with skincare brands.  It is better to focus on products designed to work together to save time and minimize the reaction.

Picking the right active ingredients/ products depends on the specific skin concerns you’re hoping to address or your skincare goal.

Cleanse Your Face Like A Pro
You may be thinking, what do you mean, cleanse my face like a pro? How difficult can it be to wash my face? Isn't it pretty straightforward? Well, there is a way to cleanse your skin correctly, and no, this doesn't include using bar soap and water unless you want to mess up your skin's PH balance, which allows for more bacteria and yeast growth, leading to skin irritations and breakouts.

Properly removing makeup and other grime your skin has been exposed to is a difference between healthy, glowing skin and aging, dry, acne-prone skin.

Make Sure To Use A Face Toner
A face toner is a must and the first product you should use after cleansing your face. By adding the right toner to your routine, you can really up to your skincare regimen, as toners are great for helping to prep your skin for better absorption of all your other skincare products.

After using a toner, you then want to apply your treatment focused serums.

Apply Focused Skincare Treatments
Think of treatments as something to treat a skincare concern, for example, loss of collagen, wrinkles, dry skin, acne, etc.

Some active ingredients to make sure your treatment products include:

• Retinol
• Hydroxy Acids
• Vitamin C
• Peptides
• Antioxidants
• BONUS ingredient... Full Spectrum CBD Oil
  

Hydration Baby...Moisturizers
Keeping the skin properly moisturized is essential to healthy, younger-looking skin. But what most are not familiar with is what if you are not applying it correctly or have chosen the wrong formula? A poorly chosen product and sloppy application can lead to sagging skin, breakouts, or even worse, dry, cracked skin that can allow bacteria to enter the moisture barrier, causing inflammation, redness, even infections.

The first step in picking the proper moisturizer is to know your skin type and then find a formula to fulfill those needs.

Oily Skin- There is a myth that you do not need a moisturizer if you have oily skin. The truth is if your skin is dehydrated, it compensates by creating more oil. Hence, you want to look for a light, oil-free moisturizer.

Dry Skin- You want to look for something that can provide long-lasting hydration and contains antioxidants and minerals to defend against free radicals.

Sensitive Skin- Look for products that do not have harsh fragrances and chemicals to them.

Dehydrated Skin- Yes, this is different from dry skin; if this is you, a product with hyaluronic acid is your savior.

Combination Skin- Go for a product that offers multi-layered moisture.

Add Some Skincare Enhancers
Once you’ve established the basics, you can add more products to your routine as needed, for example...

Don't Forget The Eyes
The skin around the eyes is much thinner, making it more prone to dryness and quicker to show aging signs. Lack of sleep, squinting, and constant eye movement also hasten the appearance of lines and wrinkles, and fluids collect under the eyes and cause puffiness and dark circles. An eye cream or serum is a great way to replenishes the delicate skin around the eyes and provides long-lasting moisture and freshness. Daily use leads to smooth, youthful-looking, and radiant skin, so you can easily rock your favorite eye makeup look.

Exfoliate For Younger Looking Skin
The key to younger-looking skin and flawless makeup application is smooth skin. Caked on, flakey makeup happens because of the buildup of dead skin cells.  
 
To balance out your skin, you need to buff away those dead, dry, or dying cells. Otherwise, when you apply makeup, you will highlight those imperfections instead of concealing them! It seems contractive, doesn't it? But that layer of skin cells creates false wrinkles, flakiness, creasing, and other issues as your makeup clings to it, which is why it is crucial to exfoliate 2-3 times a week! By doing so, you are sloughing off dead skin, creating a smoother canvas on which the makeup can adhere, making for a more even, flawless makeup look. 

I am so excited to announce my partnership with "The Beauty Spotlight Team." Each week, I will share some fantastic beauty tips from some of my favorite beauty lovers. Check out this week's spotlight!

Skincare tips for beginners! Our newest member.. ME... Barbie, from Barbies Beauty Bits has everything you need to know to achieve your healthiest skin.

If you love high quality sneakers that are comfortable and good for your feet, then Lola's Secret Beauty Blog is thrilled to introduce you to CHI Footwear Supernova sneakers. The Acupoint insoles actually massage your feet as you walk! Check out the full review to see why they are truly covet-worthy.

The Charity Box is open for pre-order from 2/11 - 2/20. This month's organization is The Epilepsy Foundation & the theme is book club! Red Eyed Lacquer was inspired by Where The Wild Things Are & created Roared Their Terrible. Roars! BeginNails has swatches up on her blog!

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Prime Beauty has a fabulous Nail Giveaway you'll love!

Never Say Die Beauty is spending a lot of time outdoors this winter, and she keeps her feet warm as toast with the super soft, non-itchy, cozy socks from Heat Holders in three different weights. They even have a pair with hearts for Valentine's Day!

This week is about first impressions, check it out!

Erno Laszlo is having their Annual Friends & Family 25% Off Sale, and Lola's Secret Beauty Blog has prepared a list of her top picks and reviews for your consideration!

Barbie from Barbie's Beauty Bits share beauty tips to help rock that first impression!

Prime Beauty introduces us to some new products from your favorite Baseblue!

There is a new indie polish brand on the block and Kristi at BeginNails has her first impressions of Cat Tail Nails!

For those of us still avoiding going out in public to help slow the spread of COVID, Cassie from Southeast by Midwest is sharing her DIY Home Manicure to help keep our nails in shape.

Allison from Never Say Die Beauty shares her first impressions of new Derma E Bonding Hair Repair Oil on her heat-damaged hair.

One of the hottest skincare topics is skincare tools and beauty devices; they are all the rage right now. You would only see these skincare tools and high-tech treatments available in a spa and dermatologist's office most of the time. But in the COVID era, more and more people are leaning more towards at-home skincare tools, so this industry is becoming ever so popular because of the expansion into the home.

This post is going to be a 3 part series where I will discuss

• Do At Home Skincare Tools Actually Work
• Younger Looking Skin Without Surgery
• LED At Home Skincare Devices
• Benefits Of Light Therapy For The Skin
• Different LED Light Therapies For The Skin
  
• Best At-home Microcurrent Device 2020
• What Is Microcurrent Therapy
• How Do Microcurrent Treatments Reverse The Signs Of Aging?
  

Today's article will discuss Touch Beauty's 3 in 1 Skincare Device and does it actually work.

Well, yes, some do! The FDA has cleared some LED light therapy (age-defying red, brightening green, and acne-fighting blue). But it doesn't stop there! How about some thermotherapy (that mimics your body's natural lymphatic system) or a  contouring and lifting device featuring an anti-aging microcurrent and more! Sound good? It's better than good, especially for me as I have found a 3-1 device, and you guessed it. I am here to share with you all of the goodies about my new favorite skincare gadget from Touch Beauty.

1. A LED light therapy attachment, with 4 light treatments
2. Facial Microcurrent Massager to tone and lift your skin
3. Microcurrent Eye And Lip Attachment perfect to arch those brows and plump the lips
   

Best LED Light Therapy For Younger Looking Skin
Red light therapy treatments, no appointments needed. Just room in your bathroom or vanity! Sign me up as I am all about me some Red Light Treatment successes.

It was first discovered that LED lights could help regenerate the skin by astronauts. There are numerous benefits of LED therapy when it comes to the skin (I will go over this in more detail in my second post to this series). But, in general, LED light energy triggers natural cells to repair skin and regenerate collagen, with different LED wavelengths to target different skin concerns.  From treating acne to stimulating collagen and elastin, minimizing redness, even reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

The Four Light Therapies To Aid In Younger-Looking Skim

1. Red light therapy great for minimizing fine lines and wrinkles.
2. Blue light is anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial, perfect for ance prone skin.  
3. Yellow light to even skin tone and lighten age spots
4. Pink light combines all three LED wavelengths (red, blue, and yellow) to provide a total skincare solution.
   

Depending on the color of the light being used, each color of light stimulates a different skin response.

The Benefits Of Microcurrent Skincare Devices
Clinically tested, Microcurrent technology is one of the hottest innovations in the anti-aging industry. It is used in top spas and doctors' offices for facial contouring, toning, and firming of aging skin. And Touch Beauty 3 in 1 skincare device offers at-home microcurrent treatments for the face, eyes, and lips.

Microcurrent Facial Massager
This anti-aging beauty roller targets sagging skin areas by delivering uplifting microcurrents to improve facial tone and shape facial contours.  It is perfect for restoring youthfulness and a more contoured appearance to the face and neck by addressing areas that are subject to aging, like the cheeks, neck, and jawline.

Microcurrent Eye Lift
The skin around the eyes is much thinner, making it more prone to dryness and quicker to show aging signs. Lack of sleep, squinting, and constant eye movement also hasten the appearance of lines and wrinkles, and fluids collect under the eyes and cause puffiness and dark circles.

Despite my efforts to use eye creams and serums, as I get older, I'm starting to see I need some extra TLC help to treat the skin around our eyes, and the microcurrent eye lift is here to the rescue.

How To Plump Your Lips With Microcurrent
The microcurrent technology creates fuller-looking lips without needles and smooths fine lines in just three minutes!

The area around the lips tends to crease with aging. Especially if you vape, smoke, drink out of a straw, or smile (basically everyone). The microcurrent eye and lip attachment help smooth smile lines and lip creases, leaving a perfectly prepped pout for that favorite lipstick.

IMPORTANT: It’s important with the microcurrent attachments that you use a smooth, even coat of gel on your face before using. Please set it to your desired intensity level.

Additional Benefits From This At Home Skincare Device

• Great for sculpting and tightening skin
• Rebuild collagen and elastin
• Microcurrent therapy stimulates facial muscles deeply to contract and relax muscles to release anti-aging skin proteins for younger-looking skin.
• Reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Help to minimize hyper-pigmentation and reduce large pores
• Reduce acne flair ups

5 Intensity Levels For Touch Beauty's 3 In 1 Microcurrent Treatments
Different people may require different microcurrent treatments.  Hence this device has five intensity levels for the microcurrent facial massage attachment and three intensity levels for the microcurrent eye and lip attachment to adapt to different needs.

Control Screen Operation Of Touch Beauty's 3 In 1 Anti-aging Device
This device provides convenient and easy operation. With only one button, you can control all the commands shown on the screen, including the intensity level. Once you change the attachment, the device will recognize it and only allow changing between intensity levels allowed for the specific attachments.

Sum It Up For Me
To sum it up, especially in the days of COVID, my approach is to save your spa money and treat yourself at home with this amazing skincare device from Touch Beauty.  For less than the price of a single medical spa treatment, you could have your own device and deliver your own do-it-yourself spa treatments from the comfort of home. 

Purchase For 40% OFF 

Touch Beauty was kind enough to offer all of my readers a 40% Discount. Simply use code: BARBIE at checkout! CLICK HERE

No one loves getting injections in their face—what they love are the results. But what if I told you that I’ve got some non-evasive alternatives to Botox with microcurrent facials. And the best part is you can enjoy this in the comfort of your home with a microcurrent skincare device. So if you want to find out how to give an arch to those brows, say bye-bye to the pesty wrinkles around the lips and eyes, continue reading.

What Will I Discuss In This Blog Post
This is the second post in myAt Home Skincare Device Series, and today, I will be talking about Microcurrent Skincare Devices, what they are, and why they work? Specifically discussing:

• Best At-home Microcurrent Device 2020
• What Is Microcurrent Therapy
• How Do Microcurrent Treatments  Reverse The Signs Of Aging?

Microcurrent Skincare Devices
Clinically tested, Microcurrent technology are one of the hottest innovations in the anti-aging industry. It is used in top spas and doctors' offices for facial contouring, toning and firming of aging skin. And Touch Beauty 3 in 1 skincare device offers at-home treatments for the face, eyes, and lips. Before we get into these devices, I'd like to explain a bit about the benefits of Microcurrents in your skincare.

Why Microcurrent Work... Non-Surgical Approach To Facelifts, Lip Fillers, And More  

It’s basically a workout for your facial muscles. Its job is to retrain your facial muscles to stay in a more lifted position-Just like a gym workout—to lift and sculpt, but in this case, your face instead of the body.  This works by initiating a low-grade electrical current delivered through Touch Beauty's 3 in 1 Beauty device when using the microcurrent applicator.

How Do Microcurrent Treatments Reverse The Signs Of Aging?
As we get older, our production of collagen and elastin slows down. Microcurrents are a noninvasive therapy that sends out low-level electric currents to stimulate cellular turnover to increase ATP production. Cellular turnover boosts collagen and elastin regeneration in the skin. Unlike anywhere else on the body, the facial muscles are directly connected to the skin, so using this technology also improves facial contours, tightening skin that gives the face a more "lifted" appearance without the knives of a facelift.

Touch Beauty's Microcurrent Facial Massager
This anti-aging beauty roller targets sagging skin areas by delivering uplifting microcurrents to improve facial tone and shape facial contours.  It is perfect for restoring youthfulness and a more contoured appearance to the face and neck by addressing areas that are subject to aging, like the cheeks, neck, and jawline.

I  like this attachment because it stimulates a larger area of your face helping to:

• Boost collagen
• Define cheekbones
• Improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• It helps to tone the appearance of saggy, crepey skin
• Firms the skin
• Evens skin tone and brightens the complexion
• It aims to promote blood flow, reducing fluid buildup, puffiness, or inflammation in the facial tissues
• It is also great for Tech Neck.

How To Use A Microcurrent Facial Massager
Adjust the intensity level, apply a water-soluble gel (like aloe vera) to your face, and glide the rollers in upward lifting movements across your jawline, cheeks, and forehead for a total of 6 min.

IMPORTANT: The goal for younger-looking skin is lifting. Hence you should always be applying skincare products and using devices in an upward direction. And this device is no different-never drag your skin downward (think sagging skin). It will only help gravity and aggravate aging concerns.

Note: It is essential to use a water-based gel like aloe, even your favorite serum, as you can use them as a conductive.

Does It Hurt:  No, it should not hurt. Some may feel the muscles contracting once you start gliding the device along facial contours. By contracting muscles, it helps tone muscles and firms the skin.  It can feel a little funny at first, and everyone has a different level of tolerance, but it’s not something that hurts at all.

Keep in mind if you are not feeling the current doesn't mean it's working better—it's actually the opposite. An overpowering strong feeling microcurrent means the current is bouncing off your skin and not stimulating down to the muscle. 

Microcurrent Eye Lift At Home Beauty Device 

The skin around the eyes is much thinner, making it more prone to dryness and quicker to show aging signs. Lack of sleep, squinting, and constant eye movement also hasten the appearance of lines and wrinkles, and fluids collect under the eyes and cause puffiness and dark circles.

Despite my efforts to use eye creams and serums, as I get older, I'm starting to see I need some extra TLC help to treat the skin around our eyes!

The Benefits Of Microcurrent For The Eye Area
Trust me; I love a great eye cream, as dehydration is a common culprit for the fine lines around the eye, and eye cream is an excellent way to give the skin around your eyes a hydration boost to help maintain a well-rested, youthful appearance.

By using this attachment in the eye contour area, it takes a good thing and makes it even better by:

• Boosting circulation
• Massaging tired muscles around the eye area
• Reducing puffiness and under-eye bags
• Minimizing the appearance of crow's feet and other unwanted fine lines
• It can be a great partner to Botox or an excellent alternative for someone looking for a more holistic approach to anti-aging
  

How You Can Plump Your Lips With Microcurrents
The microcurrent technology creates fuller-looking lips without needles and smooths fine lines in just three minutes!

The area around the lips tends to crease with aging. Especially if you vape, smoke, drink out of a straw, or smile (basically everyone). The microcurrent eye and lip attachment help smooth smile lines and lip creases, leaving a perfectly prepped pout for that favorite lipstick.

Younger Looking Skin At 40% OFF
Interested in combating those 11’s and other pesky lines on your face, prick-free, well now you can with Touch Beauty 3-1 Device, and at40% OFF, simply use code BARBIE at checkout. 

Springtime seems to be the time of year I experience the most skin flair-ups, from redness to acne-prone skin, and I know I am not the only one.

After being stuck inside because of Winter and COVID restrictions, the first signs of warmer Spring weather, you are going to find me outside walking, hiking, or sitting out on my deck. And while this starts to feel like perfection, those rising temperatures can cause the skin to amp up oil production, leading to Springtime breakouts. So if you want to know how to treat Springtime acne, continue reading.

Keep Your Hair Off Your Face
I am pretty good at this, I even sleep with my hair up, but I know many people do not, which is why I am bringing this up. So grab a hair clip, a hat, or a rubber band and pull your hair away from your face when you are exercising and sleeping. You see, when we sweat, small traces of hair products and natural oils from the scalp can transfer to your skin and cause breakouts. Even touching your hair constantly is a big no, no, as your hands will transfer oils and dirt to the hair, which can end up on your face and pillow, which brings us to my next tip of sleeping on a silk pillow.  

Sleeping On A Silk Pillow For Healthier Skin
The moisture pulled into a cotton pillowcase can draw in dirt and bacteria, causing damage to the skin.

Also, the dirt on the pillowcase exposes the skin to oxidative stress from free radicals. And free radicals can cause premature aging as it breaks down the collagen and elastin in the skin.

These yuckies breed on cotton pillowcases, especially from the dead skin cells on your scalp and skin! But not on a silk pillowcase. Sleeping on a silk surface means less moisture will be taken from your skin and hair, so less is pulled into the pillowcase.

Switch To A Lighter Cleanser In The Spring
The heavy moisturizer cleanser you were using in the Winter months can clog your pores. You want to switch to a cleanser to remove that mixture of sweat, makeup, humidity, pollution, and oil from your pores that can cause breakouts and clogged pores. One ingredient that I have been loving lately is CICA and these Cica Cleansing water pads from Meebak are amazing.  They easily wipe away dirt and impurities while toning and soothing skin, all in one single step. It helps control the skin’s oil production and fights free radicals.

Use A Hydrating Moisturizer In The Spring
Another acne myth is you shouldn't use a moisturizer as it will make it worse. Actually, it is quite the opposite. Dry skin that's not moisturized is more vulnerable to irritation, which causes an increase in breakouts. The key is to look for a moisturizer that will hydrate without clogging the pores, draws moisture to the skin, and traps water in the skin's surface, leaving the skin recharged and supple.

Use A Hydrating Sheet Mask
Sheet masks are amazing at brightening, calming, and hydrating the skin for a dewy, glowing complexion. They are one of the best ways to hydrate deep into the layers of skin during usage and forms a lasting moisture barrier, helping to pamper Springtime acne prone skin.

Step Up Your SPF
With the beautiful weather, we are going to be exposing ourselves to more sun exposure. And this exposure can dry out the skin, causing the sebaceous glands to go into overdrive. This excess oil is one of the leading factors to the formation of blemishes.

Implement An Acne-Friendly Diet
Fruit and vegetables are amazing foods for a healthy complexion and the best way to hydrate your skin from the inside. They contain antioxidants that can help stimulate collagen production and keep the skin plump and youthful and are also great for acne-prone skin, reducing the inflammatory response that produces certain types of acne symptoms.

A few to consider including in your diet are antioxidant-rich blueberries, detoxifying lemons, antioxidant Tumeric, and omega 3-rich leafy greens such as kale and spinach.

Sweatproof Your Makeup
The best way to sweatproof your makeup is to use products that allow the skin to breathe, decreasing the chance of trapping sweat, oil, and dirt. One thing to consider is using nude makeupproducts. This is about using makeup in a more subtle way to accentuate your beauty without covering your pores completely.

So there you have it, beauties my tips to treating Springtime acne. And make sure to keep an eye open for some of my other Springtime blog posts in the next few weeks! Until next time!

The Spring season is quickly approaching and with it brings a transition to warmer temperatures, more hours of daylight, beautiful flowers, and the honey bees starting to pollinate-yeah! This transition does call for some preparation and some much-needed spring-cleaning... Of your beauty products, that is!

To ensure you're able to stock up on some new Spring beauty items to try, you need to revamp your existing collection. And if you are like me, on the verge of being the next candidate on the Hoarder's show for the person with the most beauty items, this can be painful. But no worries, as I have put together some great ways to prepare your beauty stash for Spring!

When Did I Open This?
This is one area I see many not even think twice about, using beauty products that have been opened for years, YUKO! Bottom line, if you do not know when you opened it, pitch it. I mean, you wouldn't eat something out of the fridge that you had no idea when you opened it, would you?

Toss Out Your Expired Beauty Products
What, beauty products expire? Yes, beauties, they do. And since you already threw away some of the products you haven't used, you know need to go back and check all the ones you decider were keepers. Yes, we know you are a beauty hoarder, and I am one of them. But the truth is many of us keep too many products that, honestly, we will never use.

Look At The Shelf-Life On Your Beauty Products
So to begin your seasonal reboot, you want to look at the shelf-life of the beauty products you set aside for keepers. Unfortunately, determining whether or not a product has reached its shelf-life isn't always easy. Believe it or not, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) does not require manufacturers to have a specific date to be listed on the label or packaging of beauty products.

Instead, most beauty brands will provide either a batching code or a period after opening (PAO) symbol for consumers as a way for them to figure out the shelf-life of their products. ThePAO symbol is a symbol that reveals how long a product is good for after you've initially opened it—typically represented as a number followed by the letter M, which stands for months. This means that if your skincare product reads 6M on the packaging, you have six months to use it before it officially becomes expired.

Now, if you're like most people, you may not be familiar with how to read or interpret a batch code, nor are you able to remember the date on which you first opened a skincare product. So my tip is to pull out that black magic marker and write it on your products, the day you purchase and the day you opened it.

How To Tell Your Beauty Products Have Expired
Luckily, most expired beauty products can be indicated using your five senses. See below.

• Changes in color
• The texture is different
• It has an odd smell
• Separation of the product (especially in skincare and foundations)
• It has dried out
  

List Of When Beauty Products Expire
So what do you do with those products that do not have a POA or pass the sniff test? Well, below are some shelf lifes for beauty products to keep in mind!

• Mascara~6 Months
• Lipstick~1 Year
• Eyeliner~1.5 Years
• Blush~2 Years
• Concealer~2 Years
• Powder~2 Years
• Eyeshadow~2 Years
• Foundation~2 Years
• Cleansers~1 year
• Facial Toners~6 months to 1 year
• BHA or AHA exfoliants~1 year
• Moisturizers and serums~6 months to 1 year
• And don't forget your makeup brushes! These can last your years, but you need to clean them regularly. Otherwise, they are a hosting ground for dirt and bacteria, but properly washing and storing them can keep your face clean & healthy. Furthermore, cleaning your makeup brushes will ensure they remain in the best shape and increase longevity.
  

Sum It Up For Me Barbie
To sum it up, when you are Spring cleaning your beauty products you want to use your best judgment and toss out any questionably expired beauty products you have stored away in your beauty cabinet. Doing so will allow you to declutter your space at the beginning of the season and make room for fresh, new beauty products for Spring.

Savings, giveaways, nails and more with this weeks beauty spotlight! 

KBShimmer has a new collection out – The Enchanted Forest Collection and it is full of surprises!  Kristi over on BeginNails has swatches and her thoughts!

Top Spring Skincare Tips For Healthier Skin This Season

Who is ready for Spring? Warmer weather, sunglasses, flowers, Springtime hikes, and cute tank tops will be here soon!  Now is it time to tell ole man Winter to buzz off and switch out those tall boots for your favorite nude heels or sandals! It also gives us a chance to switch out our Winter skincare routine to a Spring routine. And don't forget about some Spring cleaning of your skincare products! Out with the old, in with the new!

So if you are ready to brighten your skin and prepare it for the Spring, continue reading!

Switch To Lightweight Skincare Products In The Spring
There is no better time than now to start prepping your complexion for the rising temperatures and humidity! Heat can cause an increase in oil production (sebum) and can clog your pores and add that to the constant mask-wearing; I also see some Maskne breakouts on the horizon.

That’s why it’s a good idea to switch out those oil-based-serums, thick cleansers, and heavy moisturizers to some milder and lighter-weight formulas enriched with hyaluronic acid.

Hyaluronic acid helps retain moisture, making it one of the most effective ingredients for hydrating skin. When applied, it creates a protective barrier, helping to retain moisture and improve skin texture. Unlike other skincare ingredients, hyaluronic acid is very versatile and can be used with all skin types, even those prone to breakouts! Which is why I love it for Spring!

Tailor Treat Your Acne-Prone Skin This Spring
To further protect your skin from developing breakouts, consider investing in some sort of acne spot treatment. Adding a specialized product like acne cream with powerhouse ingredients including tretinoin, clindamycin, azelaic acid, zinc pyrithione, and niacinamide, to name a few, is a great way to target particular problem areas without jeopardizing your skin's entire moisture barrier.  An effective zit zapping product can play a significant role in helping to reduce a flare-up.

Mist Me Baby, Facial Mists Are Your Best Friend
There are two types of people in this world: those who love facial mists and others who think it's overpriced scented water.  But the truth isfacial mists are a skin savior,especially when the weather gets warmer. The powers of a refreshing, hydrating spritz infused with therapeutic oil, coconut water, hyaluronic acid, calming chamomile and aloe, are the best. Plus, they are easy to toss in your bag and use as a pick-me-up to refresh your skin throughout the day and achieve that plump, dewy glow.

Antioxidants Please
Antioxidants are terrific at keeping your skin looking young, fresh, and healthy. They are also one of the best ways to protect the skin from free radical damage caused by environmental factors that we expose ourselves to more so in the Spring than Winter.  If there is a magic potion that can protect your skin from premature aging caused by oxidative stress, it is an antioxidant.

Spring Clean Your Skin With Some Extra Exfoliation
Springtime is associated with renewal, and that goes for your skin, too! With its cold, dry air, Winter has more than likely caused your skin to become dull, lifeless, and flaky. Mix those dead skin cells with increased sebum levels due to the warmer Spring temperatures, and you've created a perfect road map for the skin to swell and the pore to become congested, forming a clogged and enlarged pore. And I do not know about you, but I do not want to go down that road. Instead, I say it's time to bring forth a Spring rejuvenation with some extra exfoliation!

Just like a deep Spring cleaning, where you need to remove everything. The same goes by exfoliating the skin as you remove all of those dead skin cells, unblocking pores, and uncovering fresh new layers of skin, allowing you to put your best face and body forward! Yes, we said body, as exfoliation isn’t a skincare step that should only be performed on your face; it’s also something you should be doing to the rest of your body as well. Just be sure to be gentle throughout this process and avoid using any harsh or beaded scrubs as this can lead to developmental signs of premature aging, redness, irritation, inflammation and worsen any preexisting skin conditions.

For optimal protection and visible results, use either an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) or beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) exfoliant product on your facial skin or a basicexfoliating cleansing brush. To exfoliate your body, use either a body scrub or exfoliating bar from your shoulders down. When you’re finished, be sure to lather up in lotion to keep your skin dewy and hydrated for the Spring season.

IMPORTANT TIP: Over-exfoliation can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. So, make sure you are using an SPF, preferably one that is EWG certified.

Use A Tinted BB Cream Instead Of Foundation
The secret to achieving a flawless airbrushed complexion is applying a moisturizer, then primer, and finishing with a foundation and setting powder.  While that may sound great in theory, in real life, as the warmer weather sets, not everyone wants to wear a full face of makeup. Add warmer weather to the constant mask wearing because of COVID and you're on your want to breakout city!  And that is why BB creams have become ever so popular as they are great at providing light to medium coverage, masking blemishes, redness, and discolorations.  BB creams are more lightweight than foundation, making them a great choice for days when you want to feel polished without the weight of makeup. Oh, and don't forget to set with a misting spray!

There you have it, beauties! As you get ready to enjoy the beautiful Spring weather, remember to refer back to these skincare tips and use them to guide you throughout your journey to happy, healthier skin throughout Spring. 

Boost your beauty with a perfect jawline. A chiseled jawline is what many seek, even jealous of those who may have been blessed with a perfect jawline naturally. This isn't only an envious desire, for some it can be more than that as they may have a serious jawline issue like masseter enlargement.  Either way, today, I will share with you my top five ways to help you get the perfectly chiseled jawline you've always dreamed of.

What Causes Masseter Enlargement
For many women, the masseter, the two bulky muscles on each side of your jaw that help you chew, greatly impact your jawline's shape. When enlarged, these muscles can create an undesired square jawline, chubby cheeks, even a masculine appearance. For most people, normal muscle movement does not cause masseter enlargement. The most common causes for this enlargement are genetics, teeth grinding, and unconscious jaw clenching. In some cases, frequently chewing gum could also cause the masseters to enlarge.

Others and I am so guilty of this, unconsciously clench their jaw or grind their teeth because of excessive anxiety and stress. You may not realize you are clenching or grinding until you see that your jaw has become more square or notice jaw soreness.

Tips To Creating The Perfect Jawline
Here's what you need to do to get the kind of chiseled jawline you've always dreamed of.

Tip 1: BOTOX® Cosmetic
One of my favorite cosmetics treatments for jawline slimming or shrink masseter muscle reduction can be achieved with BOTOX® Cosmetic. This treatment is non-invasive and relatively simple, which is why it is so popular.

For people like myself, this relaxer can help you avoid any harmful behaviors that caused an enlarged masseter in the first place. It will help prevent you from grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw as much without impacting your ability to chew.

BOTOX® Cosmetic does not freeze the muscles or interfere with chewing but rather relaxes the masseters, so they are not overexerted in daily activities.

Always make sure that you are going to the most qualified injectors to ensure that your treatment will be safe, discreet, and highly professional.

Tip 3: Smile
This isn't your basic smile, but some overextended smiling. I like to set an alarm for this while sitting at my desk. I do this along with some of my tech neck exercises!

Tip 4: Learn The Art of Contouring To Help Create The Perfect Jawline
Contouring can work wonders to alter your face shape and help refine your features. Indeed, many contouring makeup tricks actually help shape not only one's facial structure but also the nose, lips, cheeks, and brows. Using contouring and highlighting techniques can provide impressive results, but you will probably need to keep practicing to get it just right. 

Wondering if Masseter Reduction (Slimming The Jawline) is right for you? Check with RealSelf, Your Go-To Advisor for Plastic Surgery and Cosmetic Procedures to find out.

Botox alternatives, beauty boxes, a giveaway and more. We have you cover with this weeks Beauty Spotlight!

BOTOX ALTERNATIVE

Do you color your hair at home or go to a salon to get your hair professionally colored? Nothing beats being pampered at a salon but doing it yourself can be an option for some as well, especially if you are trying to cover those pesky grays.  One topic that gets discussed amongst my friends and myself, especially in the days of COVID, should you attempt to cover your grays yourself or go to a salon?

With so many hair-coloring products on the market, I know that it may be tempting to do it yourself.  But is it a smart thing to do? Should you always go to a salon to get your hair colored, or are there benefits to staying at home and doing it yourself? It's difficult to find a concrete answer to this question, but here are the main pros and cons of coloring your hair at home:

Pro: Far Cheaper To Color Your Hair At Home
The most significant benefit of coloring your hair at home is that it's much cheaper than going to a salon. This is because you don't just pay for the dye at the salon - you pay for a stylists' experience. (which is the most important to me). Also, the products used by professional beauticians are far better than over-the-counter products. Unless, of course, you have a friend that can give you access to a place like SalonCentric, where stylists purchase products.

Con: Can Cost Your More To Color Your Hair At Home
Now I know you may be thinking, Barbie, you just said a pro to coloring your hair yourself is cheaper. And yes, the initial investment can be.  But to me, coloring your hair at home can be a bit of a lottery. The products you use might not produce the desired results. Or, you could make a mistake and not end up covering all of your gray hairs. Gray hair is more resistant to color than younger hair because of its texture. Heck, I've had stylists who can not correctly dye into the roots and completely cover all of my grays.  For me, natural gray hair is the most disgusting look, aside from thinning hair.I can say this as I am 80% gray!! And while many can hide their roots by wearing a hat more because of COVID restrictions and working out of the home.  No matter what product you are purchasing, unless you are an experienced stylist, there's a high chance that something could go wrong, and you don't end up with the hair you wanted. And in my case look like Grandma Barbie. Then what? You have to spend more money on products to correct the situation, driving the overall costs up. So, while it may seem like coloring your hair at home is cheaper, it can quickly be more expensive if the results don't come out as you expected.

Pro: Much More Convenient To Color Your Hair At Home
Another advantage of coloring from home is that it's highly convenient. If you need to touch up your roots or cover up those nasty gray hairs, you can do so without the COVID drama of booking an appointment, as this, to me, is what is the real pain in the ass.

Coloring your own hair, you do not have to:

• Wait for your stylist's schedule to clear up.
• No worries about having to wear a face mask for three-plus hours straight.
• There are no concerns about being exposed to COVID because your stylist is right up on you and all of her other clients- no 6 feet away when getting your hair dyed at a salon.
  

The bottom line many of us are still stuck in lockdowns with limited availability to a fully staffed salon because of restrictions there as well. Therefore, you have to wait weeks or months before you can get into the salon.  With some hair dye at home, you color your hair whenever you want.

Con: Limited Color Options When Dying Your Hair At Home
Coloring your own hair only really works for the basics of single-process hair color; all-over color using is a one-step process. For a person like me, whose hair is naturally dark and I had to go blond because of all the grays, I need more than a one colored formula.

One of the most significant benefits of going to a stylist is that they have more control over perfecting the end result as they will be using a bespoke of coloring.  Meaning they understand your hair type, skin tone, and natural hair color and then make tints for you, which is not possible with box color. A hair coloring expert can play around with different colors and shades, giving you a unique look. They also know things like the balayage highlighting technique, which is very hard for the average person to do at home.

Pro:  Virtual Shade Colors Can Make A Single Color Process Work
Unlike the above, where I discussed needing more than a single process. If you are a person who only needs a single process, then doing it yourself could actually work. Things are far more advanced these days, and trying a new hair shade has never been easier with something like a virtual makeover tool! Where you will upload a selfie or virtually try on the shade you like. You can use our shade selector tool to find the best hair color to change your hair color. Heck, I did it just for fun!

Con: It Can Get Messy When Coloring Your Hair At Home
As we've seen, mastering coloring your hair at home can be difficult. Aside from stressing about achieving the perfect hair color with no damage, there’s always a chance of making a mess in your bathroom.  Ever dye your hair red, and the tub resembles something straight out of a murder scene from your favorite crime TV show. Yikes!  Red hair dyes and darker colors will stain everything it touches. This includes your clothes and towels as well.

Pro: Coloring Your Hair Can Be A Quick New Look
The thought of a new hair look is exciting, and a single colored hair dye can be a way to give a fresh fun look. Looking for something to add even more attitude? Why not consider making your own clip-in hair extensions?

As you age, your skincare routine will need to change. As what you did in your 30's will not cut it in your 40's. While 40 may be the new 30, your skin requires even more attention during this decade despite how young you feel. And there is one secret anti-aging ingredient that has slipped under the radar for too long: clay.

So if you want to find out how to pamper your forty-year-old skin using clay skincare products, continue reading.

Aging Is A Fact Of Life. But Looking Your Age Is Not
I did not come up with that, but it is one of our favorite skincare quotes. Changes are inevitable that will take place in our skin over time. For starters, our forties represent a time for many changes in our skin and will call for a different skincare regimen. For example:

• The collagen loss that started in your 30s has accelerated, and the elasticity of the skin decreases. Both can lead to the start of fine lines, like those pesky 11's between your eyes or those crow's feet starting to show around the eye area.
• Reduced volume of hyaluronic acid, responsible for retaining water in the dermis, this is a  cause for dry, dull, lackluster skin.
• Sebaceous glands produce less oil as you age. Resulting in dry, wrinkled skin.
• Free radicals start doing damage to fatty tissue, DNA, and proteins in the skin, causing oxidative stress.
  

Skincare Is Like Dieting. You Have To Invest Time And Effort. There Is Not Magical Cure
Yes, while there is no magic wand to stop the clock, there is a surprising skincare ingredient that can help your skin look more youthful, which is clay.  I say surprising, as most people think of anti-aging key ingredients, like stabilized vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and retinol. But not clay. When most think of clay in skincare, they think of a clay mask or a scrub used for those with oily skin or acne. But the truth is clay skincare products come in many different types. Some can even refine your skin's surface so that aging skin looks more radiant, nourished, and smooth.

Why You Should Use Clay In Your Skincare Regimen
The use of clay for topical healing and internal medicinal uses traces back to ancient history. Clay as medicine has been referenced as far back as ancient Rome.

Fast forward to today, clay is still being used, but a lot more in skincare because of its anti-bacterial and anti-aging properties helping your skin to look more youthful and glowing by:

• Detoxifying And Purifying The Skin
• Regulating Sebum Production
• Rejuvenating The Skin
• Improving Skintone
• Oxygenating The Cells
• Unclogging And Shrinking Pores
  

How To Use Clay In Your Skincare Routine
Now that you know about the many benefits that clay can have to promote youthful skin in your forties, check out some clay skincare products you should be using from Zion Health. I was first introduced to this brand when trying to find an aluminum free deodorant, that actually worked. And now I am sharing some of their amazing skincare products!

Anti-Stress Deep Pore Cleansing Mask
One sure way to aging skin is stress. When we are stressed, there is an increase in our cortisol levels (stress hormone). And with the days of COVID, more people are exposed to more stress. Many will start to see these telltale signs associated with stress: pimples, redness, inflammation, dullness, unevenness, and we can't forget about bouts of MASKNE~ With a growing list of stress-induced skin problems, it’s time to upgrade your skincare routine and indulge in a masking experience that is specifically targeted to reduce inflammation, eliminate blemishes, and other skin issues brought on from stress.

Unwind from the grind by treating your skin to a much-needed escape with this ancient clay deep pore cleansing mask. This mask utilizes clay and willow bark-sourced salicylic acid (2%) to exfoliate the skin on a superficial level to cleanse pores, regulate oil production, and combat acne. Furthermore, this mask is excellent at helping to fight the signs of aging with powerful ingredients like:

• Green Tea Extract helping it to combat free radical damage and collagen breakdown.
•  Cucumber Extract contains rejuvenating proteins, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, promoting cellular turnover.
• Glycerin the secret ingredient to defeating hydration. It is a humectant, meaning it attracts moisture from the air into your skin's top layer and holds it there!

Hydration Is Key
No matter your age, a hydrating moisturizer is always a must. For your 40s, you need to be using a mineral moisturizer with soothing extracts and anti-oxidants to hydrate, promote collagen production, balance PH, brighten skintone, and fight the visible signs of aging.

I suggest Zion Health's Mineral Moisture Daily Lotion enriched with Ionic Clay Minerals and more than 57 Trace Minerals to help balance your skin's Ph!  An unbalanced PH can cause premature aging~ and I sure do not want that.

Zions Hydrating Mango Clay Mask
Renew and protect your skin in a matter of minutes. This hydrating clay mask is ideal for those whose skin is producing less oil. In your forties, you'll want to preserve your skin's natural hydrating functions and encourage moisture retention. This mask offers a detoxing and strengthening experience by providing an array of vitamins and fatty acids to smooth complexion and uncover its natural radiance.

Aside from Mango butter, that helps prevent the buildup of damaging free radicals. This mask has some nourishing ingredients that I love: Shea Butter, for starters, is a proven moisturizer that fights dryness, fine lines, and wrinkles without clogging pores. This mask also contains

• Glycerin
• Two oils
• Three different clays
• More than 57 trace ​​​​minerals that are calming and clarifying agents to help stimulate skin cell renewal and perfect pH levels.
  

Brighten The Skin With Pumpkin And Red Clay
If you are looking for a way to perk up that dry, dull skin, red clay is here to the rescue. While we've seen all clays are great for our forty-year-old skin, the high levels of iron oxide in red clay make it beneficial for purifying, brightening, and strengthening the skin. Add that to the fruit enzymes and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) found in pumpkin, and you are on your way to increasing cell turnover while brighten and smoothing that forty-year-old skin. Oh and this pumpkin mud mask smells good enough to eat!!!

If you’re interested in some amazing clay products to show your forty-year-old skin some TLC, now you can with 10% OFF using code: Barbie

Start Shopping NOW  

Did I just say women should shave their faces? I sure did as "Aging Is A Fact Of Life. But Looking Your Age Is Not." I did not come up with that, but it is one of my favorite skincare quotes. As it is just not biological age that is the only contributing factor to aging skin. While getting older is inevitable, how our skin ages is something we DO have control over!  And this is where shaving your face comes in. So if you want to find out how you can have younger-looking skin, continue reading!

Eating Your Way To Healthy Glowing Skin
Ever hear of the expression you are what you eat?  Well, it has never been more true, than when it comes to the health of your skin.

You see, healthy, glowing skin starts with the nourishment within our body. We are shedding skin cells and replacing them with new ones every day, but this desquamation process slows down as we get older. One way to make sure that the body sheds the dead skin cells and produces new cells is by having an essential supply of vital nutrients.

Fruit and vegetables are amazing foods for a healthy complexion and the best way to hydrate your skin from the inside. They contain antioxidants that can help stimulate collagen production and keep the skin plump and youthful. They are also rich in vitamins that protect the skin against free radicals.

Fruits And Vegetables High In Antioxidants And Vitamins

• Advocados~Have skin healing and protective properties. They contain vitamins C and E as well as monounsaturated fat (healthy fat that keeps our skin plump and moisturized)
• Green Tea helps to combat free radical damage and collagen breakdown.
• Watermelon~ Not only does this fruit hydrate as it is 92% water, but it helps to flush the body of toxins! And let's not forget about the antioxidants that can help to fight free radicals.
• Lemons: When life gives you lemons, take them as they are rich in Vitamin C, a primary antioxidant that helps protect cells from damaging free-radicals. Lemons are supplemented with antibacterial properties, which is fantastic at purging the skin of toxins and blemishes. Overall, lemons can bring a much-needed glow to your complexion by rejuvenating the skin from within!
• Dark leafy greens like radish leaves, spinach, and mustard greens have vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help prevent skin aging.

Develop Healthy Skincare Habits

Use Skincare Products With Vitamin C In Them
When it comes to getting brighter, younger looking skin—Vitamin C is a game-changer. This water-soluble antioxidant is a natural component of healthy skin.  The younger we are, the more vitamin C we have on our skin. But as we get older, we lose these nutrients over time.

Luckily, skincare products can help lessen this damage, so the skin looks healthier and radiant. Vitamin C is an ingredient that should be part of everyone’s skincare routine—regardless of age or skin type. It’s known and loved for its brightening and anti-aging abilities, and dermatologists also tout it for being one of the most potent protective antioxidants out there to help reduce skin inflammation and irregular pigmentation while promoting healthy collagen production. 

Use Skincare Products Infused With CBD
Known for its healing properties, cannabidiol offers some serious antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits which can be beneficial in treating skin concerns like inflammation, dryness, and free radical damage.

One of my favorite skincare lines is TreCeuticals. They combine science with nature, by adding 80 mg of full spectrum CBD to all of thier products, setting them apart from all other brands on the market. Combine this with three other powerful active ingredients – retinol, hydroxy acids, and antioxidants-you're on your way to younger looking skin.

Vow To Shave Your Face
You see, as we age, the process of desquamation slows down, meaning that our body is slower to shed dead skin cells and produce new ones.

Shaving Your Face is one of the best at home techniques to exfoliating the skin and speeding up your natural cell turnover to uncover the fresh, healthy skin underneath the layers of dead surface skin cells.

Shaving Your Face Helps To:

• Improve your skin tone and texture
• Promote cellular turnover
• Diminish fine lines and wrinkles
• Minimizes the appearance of age spots and other sun damage  
• Even out skin tone and texture
• Unclog and reduce the appearance of pore size
• Stimulate blood flow to help improve the skin's elasticity  
• Offer better penetration of your skincare products

Mask Mapping: Multi-Masking
One size does not fit all, and this comes to skincare as well. Everyone’s skin features its very own personality, with specific needs, individual concerns, and personal likes and dislikes. Enter Mask Mapping...

Instead of applying the same mask to your entire face, there is a better approached called mask mapping. This technique allows you to use multiple face masks to different areas of your face for a customized treatment that checks all your anti-aging needs!

Non Surgical Treatments For The Face
Many people wish to improve their appearance but are not ready to pursue a surgical solution. For this reason, many places, like a  Botox medical spa, offer a wide range of non-surgical skin resurfacing treatments that can help to restore a more youthful, beautiful complexion. There are many different skin resurfacing treatments, including micro-needling, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and Botox, that has helped millions of individuals achieve a rejuvenated appearance and restore their self-confidence in their appearance! And the best part; without having to go under the knife!

Soft, younger looking skin and more with this weeks Friday Favorites from the beauty spotlight team!

Skincare Favorites

Remember Aging Is A Fact Of Life. But Looking Your Age Is Not! As what you did in your 30’s will not cut it in your 40’s. While 40 may be the new 30, your skin requires even more attention during this decade despite how young you feel.  Find out how Barbie’s Beauty Bits show you “How To Treat Your Forty-Year Old Skin Using Clay.”

Lola’s Secret Beauty Blog has discovered an affordable and lightweight moisturizer that is perfect for the warm weather. Weleda Sheer Hydration Daily Dew Lotion will keep your skin hydrated and glowing!

Make skincare easy with Beyond Glow Smoothing Peeling Gel. Prime Beauty has found this to take minutes and leave behind baby soft skin.

The weather is starting to warm up in California where Southeast by Midwest is headquartered. Between the heat and the mask, it can be hard for a person to stay cool and hydrated. However, Cassie keeps a travel-size Evian Facial Spray in her purse to help. Check out her post on it!  

Lip Favorites

Even though many of us aren’t wearing much lipstick these days, Allison from Never Say Die Beauty could not resist picking up two gorgeous shades of Sephora Cream Lip Shine, a cross between opaque lipgloss and liquid lipstick on sale for $5 each. Find out why they’re so irresistible. 

Nail Favorites

Women often say they feel confident when they hit their 30s. This sense of empowerment comes with a college degree, career, and family, coupled with the best skincare for your 30s, and you're on your way to feeling your best ever! But that is easier said than done, the skincare part that is. So if you want to know how you should be taking care of your skin in your 30s, continue reading.

The Habits You Develop In Your 30's Impact Your Skin For Life
Recognizing the habits we develop in the '30s will significantly impact how old your skin will look (chronological age) when you are older, is the first and best skincare routine for those in their 30s.

These habits, which I call aging culprits, can make you look 10-15 years older. Add that to the natural aging process, and you can look like you are in your late 50's when you hit your 40th birthday. Not something I want!

Aging Culprits:

• Overexposure to the sun
• Not Wearing A Safe SPF
• Stress
• Not Eating Enough Vegetables And Fruits~ Guess your mom knew something!
• Not Getting At Least 8 Hours Of Sleep
• Exposing Ourselves To Dangerous Elements (like smoking, vaping, pollution)
• Not Properly Hydrating The Body
• Too Much Alcohol
• Not Making Healthy Life Choices
• Lack Of Physical Activity
• Not Having A Daily Skincare Routine In Place
• Various chemicals found in different beauty products can cause a loss of tone and elasticity of the skin, resulting in premature aging.
  

Find Time For Your Skin In Your 30s
In your 30's you are going to start to see the signs of aging. So make sure you are finding the time to address these issues. I know I've heard many people say that I just do not have time and end up skipping skincare altogether. DON'T DO THIS. You must find time for your skin, even if it is just three minutes a day!

In your thirties, it’s all about preventative measures—by using the right products, you can invest in your skin now, which is more efficient and less costly than trying to correct conditions later on. See some of our must below.

So touching on the best way to exfoliate in your 30s. Well, there are many different exfoliation products that you can choose from to add to your skincare routine. See some of them below.

• Physical exfoliants, like clay or charcoal are applied to the skin and massaged in with your hands.
• Chemical exfoliants work by using a blend of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids.
• Manual exfoliation using a skincare device like a Spa Science, Nova.
  

Treat Yourself To A Facial Massage
Stress in our 30s can cause you to often suffer from skin fatigue or dullness or occasional breakouts. It could result from poor circulation, which leads to toxins building up in your skin cells. An occasional facial massage encourages lymphatic drainage and circulation to remove these pollutants from your skin. It helps to improve the appearance of your skin and make it more luminous and healthier.

Double Cleanse For Healthier Skin In Your 30's
Cleansing is a clear path to beautiful skin. In addition to removing makeup from the day, it eliminates oil, dirt, and impurities from your skin so that it can repair itself overnight. Unfortunately, a single cleanse isn't always enough to remove all the dirt and grime from your skin. That is why you should opt for a double cleanse.

Start with an oil-based cleanser to attract the oil from your skin. You can then proceed to the second cleanse, which deep cleanses your pores.

What Is The Best Eye Cream For People In Their 30s
The area around your eyes is one of the first areas to develop fine lines because it is much thinner than the skin on the rest of your face. An eye cream with ingredients such as CBD oil is thebest eye cream that will help prevent lines from forming and minimize the look of dark circles and puffiness.

Slather On A Serum
In our 30's is the time we will see the loss of collagen and elastin. Both can lead to the start of fine lines, like those pesky 11's between your eyes or those crow's feet starting to show around the eye area.

Be sure to add a focused treatment serum to your skincare regimen.

Moisturize Your Skin Daily In Your 30s
To set yourself up for future skin success, you need to be using a moisturizer daily. Dehydrated skin is one of the number one culprits for the skin to appear older than it is.

Many factors come into play when determining the best type of moisturizer to use for your skin.  Applying a moisturizer is a crucial step in your skincare routine in your 30s. Especially since your oil production is declining. There are tons of amazing moisturizers to use in your 30s; the best way to decide is to conduct exhaustive research to determine what to apply after a steam facial and other beauty routine practices.

Use A Prescription Strength Retinol
Skincare can be costly, so if you are looking for an affordable skincare routine in your 30s, stick with this one product, a prescription-strength retinol, which will allow you to eliminate some of the above skincare tips.  

Retinol (Vitamin A) is a one-stop ingredient that unclogs pores, boosts collagen to reduce fine lines, and speeds cell turnover to even out discoloration and smooth the skin.

Drink Plenty Of Water For Glowing Skin
This is one thing that many do not realize is a crucial step in skincare as dehydrated skin is one of the major causes of premature aging. Dehydration in the skin weakens its defense and creates skin sensitivity, irritation, and premature aging.

If you have difficulty consuming 6-8 glasses of water a day, consider adding fruit. One excellent fruit for anti-aging is lemons, as it also works as an internal detox of toxins that cause premature aging.

To Sum It Up
Healthier, younger-looking skin is easier to maintain when it is preventive. If you wait too long, it will become treating and repairing, and you will age quicker. Please, do not be one of those who wake up tomorrow and wonder why I look so old; what happened? With a commitment to a skincare regimen in your 30s, you can rest easy knowing that your radiant, healthy complexion will last a lifetime.

Help is right! Understanding how to change energy balance, what the heck is this, and how does that work?

We've all been taught that life is all about achieving balance. Well, not if you need to lose weight! Unfortunately, if you reached an energy balance, then you will not lose weight. Why? Because a balanced energy equation helps you to maintain your weight. Meaning, if you have a positive energy balance, you will gain weight. If you want to slim down, you need to create an energy deficit or a negative energy balance. But how do you do this? This is where energy balance control and change comes into play!

What Is Energy Balance
When you decide to use energy balance change for weight loss, the first clue is to have an energy balance equation to consider how much energy your body needs to perform all necessary functions. (energy input vs. energy output. Or calories in, calories out equation).

This equation is called your basal metabolic rate, or BMR, which measures the number of calories your body needs to perfect all essential functions, including cell production and breathing. The BMR accounts for approximately 60% to 75% of the total number of calories the body burns in a day. The remaining depend on activities and the thermic effect of food. Knowing how much energy your body needs enables you to manage your caloric intake.

How To Change Your Energy To Lose Weight
The equation is pretty straightforward. You either reduce your caloric intake or increase your energy output. For those who are older, like myself, I need to combine the two to lose weight. But what is suitable for me may not be for you, so consult with a physician first. And you can quickly do this virtually. Many physicians see an increase in weight gain because of the pandemic, so do not think they will find your need for a visit unnecessary.

Targeting Metabolic Syndrome
Fitness and a healthy diet can help improve your metabolic response. You can also use pro-active treatments that target your cells and boost your metabolism. Indeed, NADH and NAD are different forms of the same coenzyme that plays an active role in the body’s energy management. They are critical to the processes of the cell’s powerhouse, the mitochondria, and help create more energy. As a result, the metabolism can burn more calories as more food is used as energy rather than going into fat storage to help you lose weight.

Don't Give Up On Your Workout
Personally, I'm not too fond of workout videos that have you jumping all around, increasing your cardio. As honestly, I spend more time figuring out what the heck they are doing than actually working out.  Instead, I try to walk 2-3 miles every other day. And with the warmer weather, I will also add some weekend bike riding. Additionally, I've incorporated Pilates into my fitness routine. Pilates is also a form of weight manipulation by making you appear to lose weight, which is called the“Pilates effect” as Pilates helps improved posture, muscle tone, and something I sure as heck need... a toned core area. The result of this effect is that it may appear you have lost weight. That's because if you've gained or toned up your muscles, you may look more fit overall, even if you haven't lost weight.

Say "Yes"To Red Light Therapy For Fat Reduction

I just started using this device (stay tuned for fat reduction updates), and I am very excited about this particular red light device as not all red light therapy is the same! The bottom line for it to be effective, you have to have the correct Nanometer waves. Nushapes Lipo Wrap offers clinical strength power density for effective fat loss treatment using both 635nm and 850nm near-infrared waves at a power density of 37 joules per cm with medical-grade LEDs. 

Say "NO" To CoolSculpting To Lose Fat

To Sum It Up
When you first begin to try to control your energy balance to lose weight, be patient. As many factors affect your daily energy balance that can make the weight loss process more complicated and cause you to want to give up, but don't! You just have to be willing to tweak it and realize this is not a diet it's a lifestyle, which means it is something you will need to do consistently if you want to maintain a healthy weight and life.

Also, come to realize that it is hard to achieve that "so-called" perfect body we see plastered everywhere, and that is OK as it is not realistic. And if you want to add some non-invasive approaches to your weight loss journey, this too is OK! It's your body, and no one, not even a spouse, has the right to weigh in on your decision to better yourself. It is up to you as it is your body. Red light therapy is a fantastic way to help eliminate fat cells, burn calories, rev your metabolism and increase ATP production, resulting in a healthier, slimmer you.

Ok, who is ready for healthy, glowing skin?

With the warmer weather amongst us, it’s time to shine. But if you have problematic skin, acne, photo-aging, dullness, never used skincare in your life (oh my). Then achieving a beautiful glow (not just a sweaty one) can seem complicated. But no worries, as I have put together this beginner's guide to healthy, glowing skin.

What The Heck Is Glowing Skin?
We hear this word tossed around frequently in the online beauty community, from Instagram to Tik-Tok, but what the heck is it?

According to an esthetician friend of mine, glowing skin is soft, subtle, and moist. Moist??? Yeah, I know the word moist makes many people cringe. But to take it a step further after she laughed at me for saying, no, not moist. "Miss Barbie, glowing skin is characterized by small pores, an even skin tone that is clear, healthy, and without blemishes."

Also, achieving healthy, glowing skin is not just about skincare; it is about a healthy lifestyle. But since this is a beginner's post I will go over the basics to help you kick start a fantastic routine for healthy, glowing skin. 

If you see ingredients like glycolic acid or retinol, you can expect there to be a healthy tingling sensation as the product works to exfoliate your skin. If you see ingredients like alcohol, menthyl lactate, and eucalyptus, this is something to avoid.

In choosing your skincare products, go for reliable products like Revinia skincareproducts that do not contain harmful chemicals and are known to give excellent results by nourishing from the inside out. (rejuvenating your skin at the DNA level).

Your Face Is Not The Same As Your Butt, So Use A Different Cleanser
What?? You should not use the same type of soap to wash your face as you would your butt. PERIOD!!! And if you are using a bar of soap to cleanse your face, that is precisely what you are doing, so stop!!!!  The binders that hold the bar together are highly alkaline with a high PH balance that strip all the moisture from your skin and make it dull, dry, and far from glowing. (kind of like a chapped A$$) ~ oh, I make myself laugh!!    Hence,  invest in a gentle face cleanser for glowing healthy skin.

Implement An Easy To Follow Skincare Routine
For your skin is to look radiant, you would need to find a skincare routine and follow it religiously. Remember, achieving smooth, glowing skin is a journey, but that doesn't mean it has to be a 10 step skincare routine.  One of my favorite skincare lines is TreCeuticals,which has got it figured out with their power of three concept...Three powerful active ingredients, three simple steps, three minutes a day is all you need!!!

The Proper Order To Apply Your Skincare Products For Glowing Skin
While having a dedicated skincare routine is a crucial part of healthy, glowing skin it’s only part of the battle. You also need to know the correct order to apply your skincare to get the most out of your skincare products.

Like anything in life to be successful, there needs to be a plan of action, with rules and guidelines, and your skincare is not any different. As when it comes to using skincare it needs to be in a systematic order, but what the heck is that?

Tip 1: Prioritize the most active ingredients in your products. The rule of thumb is the more critical the component, the sooner you should use it.

Tip 2: The trick to remember is to start with the thin products first and work your way to the thicker ones.

• Liquids
• Lightweight serums
• Creams
• Finish with oils
  

Tip 3: Properly layer your skincare products

• Cleanse (Preparing the skin. Skincare works best with a clean canvass)
• Tone (Prepping the skin)
• Serums: Apply treatment focused skincare (above prioritize)
• Moisturize (Protect and support)
  

Use Antioxidants For Healthy, Glowing Skin
If you want healthy, glowing skin, then antioxidants are a must!  Antioxidants play an essential role in the skin's health as they fight the signs of aging by protecting, preventing, and restoring the skin from oxidative stress.

The easiest way to get your dose of antioxidants is to look for skincare products with them.  Another way that many people may not think of is eat your way to healthy glowing skin!

Time and time again, you may have heard the phrase"you are what you eat." Well, it is true! A diet consisting of fruits and vegetables provides your body with vitamins and antioxidants, which help give you radiant skin. For example, antioxidants are known to protect your skin against UV rays responsible for hyper-pigmentation. Studies have also shown that healthy fats from fish oils and nuts like walnuts contain ellagic acid, which helps the skin achieve a healthy glow.

Exercise For Healthy, Glowing Skin
Exerciseoffers numerous ways to help you achieve the smooth, glowing skin you want. The sweat you experience when you exercise enables you to release toxins from your skin. You also improve the blood circulation throughout your body when you work out. This, in turn, gives you radiant skin as oxygen and nutrients are effectively distributed in the body, there is sufficient production of collagen, and new cells are generated.

So, whether you are going to the gym or working out at home, you can start experiencing the benefits of exercising regularly on your skin’s health and bonus...weight loss.

There you have it beauties, my beginners guide to healthy, glowing skin. Once you have this down, make sure to check out some of my other skincare tips for beginners.