Showing posts with label 111SKIN. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 111SKIN. Show all posts

5.11.2017

INSPIRATION | Mother's Day 2017 Gift Guide



Mother's Day is right around the corner so here are some ideas if you'd rather skip the flowers and treat your special lady or ladies to a special gift! Some retailers are offering expedited or overnight shipping still or swing by a store.

SK-II Facial Treatment Essence is a cult classic. I don't know a single mother who wouldn't be thrilled to be gifted with this gorgeous feminine sakura themed bottle. It is already sold out on Nordstrom so get one from Bloomingdale's while you still can! The Facial Treatment Essence is excellent for clarity and translucency. I like to use it as a quick fix two-minute mask before makeup application.


My mother personally loves the SK-II Brightening Derm Mask since it is one of the few that immediately brightens and calms the complexion while my grandmother prefers the Signature 3D Redefining Mask. I've raved enough about the Brightening masks over the years, but I wasn't wholly convinced about the Redefining Masks until recently. I've always enjoyed the comfortable milky texture of the serum and two-piece construction of the mask but using two per week actually does soften my skin and give it a healthier glow as advertised! I can now enthusiastically recommend both masks.


I introduced my mother to 111SKIN and she is absolutely in love with the Y Theorem Repair Light Serum lately, featured above.  I normally request her feedback when it comes to luxury skin care since she has tried so much of it over the years.  Her verdict: SK-II and 111SKIN are the only brands worth splurging on. I personally love the Eye Lift Gel, but if you're looking for the gift of the year, try the new Lunar28 Day Brightening and Anti-Aging System.


Of course it smashes any and all senses of a budget, but for skin care junkies who regularly get facials and peels and treatments, an intensive 4-week treat like this makes sense!  Lunar28 is an innovative range of products they would not have tried yet.  It is truly a gift for the woman in your life who has it all.


The Y Theorem Repair Light Serum is one of the brand's best sellers, and I can see why!  It is a fast absorbing gel that immediately replenishes the skin and layers well so I prefer to use this the week after getting any kind of facial or extractions.  The texture is supremely lightweight yet helps my skin hold moisture better.  I don't have wrinkles besides a bit of crow's feet, but my mom says it plumps up the wrinkles and firms any saggy bits.  We also adore that it is paraben, paraffin, silicone and sulfate free.


The Tatcha Dewy Luminous Mist makes a perfect gift because the ombre lavender bottle is unique and stunning but the product quality is impressive — one of the few mists that I believe is worth the money. A mist isn't an essential part of my skin care regimen, but I absolutely love using them. Plus Tatcha packaging is so elegant and beautiful and thoughtful that using it feels like I'm doing something good for myself.


In case you missed the launch there is a limited black and gold One in A Million design available or you can create your own mini trio set directly on TATCHA's website with a Dewy Mist that's sized for travel! Or you could also try one of expertly curated "The Starter Ritual" kits which are offered based on skin type (dry, sensitive, normal to dry, and normal to oily). I love TATCHA skin care because it is gentle yet effective especially when my skin is irritated or stressed!


Atelier Cologne is my latest fragrance brand in case you missed my VIB Sephora Haul sale posts. I visited my friend Dayna in Portland a couple months ago, and I fell in love with her Pomélo Paradis and had to get one for myself.

This Perfume Wardrobe collection of clutch-sized spray bottles — not another roller ball set, thank goodness — makes a fresh and adventurous gift! I love how bright and uplifting most AC scents are, especially because it can be difficult to find fruity notes that do not smell overly artificial or excessively sweet. They are perfect for my active lifestyle, but I adore Clementine California and Bergamote Soleil in addition to the grapefruit scent.

___________________________________________________________________________
Follow the RAEviewer RAEview Twitter RAEview YouTube RAEview Facebook Page

3.30.2016

March 2016 Beauty Favorites + Moving Update


Now that I'm in my own element and nearly done settling in, I'm back on a roll and so happy to be! My office space isn't perfectly organized and it's by no means picture perfect just yet, but I hope you enjoy this sneak peek into my new apartment. I have some fun interior design videos in the works, but in the meantime, stay tuned for my upcoming weight loss update and meal plan video! xo


PRODUCTS REVIEWED
Chanel La Base Coat

MAKEUP WORN
Velour Lashes in Got It From My Momma
Get 15% OFF with promo code RAEVELOUR

H A I R
T3 Micro Bodywaver Iron

N A I L S
Chanel Nail Polish in Organdi


___________________________________________________________________________
Follow the RAEviewer RAEview Twitter RAEview YouTube RAEview Facebook Page

11.22.2014

My Skin Journey + Holy Grail Skin Care Products! Plus Affordable Alternatives and Recommendations by Skin Type & Concern



Skin care is an intimate personal journey. I was raised by a grandmother who used nothing but Shiseido and LancĂ´me skin care for most of her life, so that is the foundation on which I built my beauty preferences. She started me off with Clinique sunscreen and Shiseido skin care when I was 13. I was blissfully unaware of price at the time, so I used what I was given and that was all I knew. Later on, I learned about skin care layering, and that is when I started experimenting. My skin is sensitive, but it can tolerate a lot of product because I have built up a tolerance over the last six years!

I was genetically blessed with clear skin. I had a couple patches of clogged pores and the occasional hormonal pimple, but my teenage years left me without a single scar. Then came university and plenty of sleepless nights, meaning the introduction of eye cream. I experimented with Shiseido, LancĂ´me, and random skin care discoveries (like Jurlique and Ole Henrikesen) from Sephora at the time. I was annoyed by a few red patches on my cheeks and broken capillaries around my nose, but if only I knew back then how incredibly lucky I was..

Last year, I endured an unfortunate and very painful bout of severe cystic acne. I had heard from friends and subscribers about how awful acne was, but I never grasped the full impact of the trauma until my own experience. From having nearly flawless skin to pockmarked "pizza face" within six months was mind-boggling and frustrating. As most of you know, I live and breathe beauty, which made me feel even more ashamed about my skin's situation. I did not share my feelings when the acne occurred because ultimately, I had no idea how to open up and talk about it. So, please learn from my mistake: DO NOT WAX YOUR FACIAL PEACH FUZZ. Almost two years, plenty of tears, and thousands of dollars later.. redemption. My skin isn't 100% quite yet, but by July 2015, I truly believe it will be!

If you want to know why I believe SK-II, Cle de Peau, 3LAB, and the rest of these phenomenal skin care products really DO work.. check out my video from July 2013 here, where you can see my acne at its worst. It was even more awful to look at in person and once the healing process started, my face was blue and purple all over. Quite frankly, I couldn't decide whether the active blemishes or the scarring process was more depressing. The bruising was much harder to hide! Either way, it was an unpleasant ordeal and I'm grateful that my acne journey is almost over. I've garnered more skin care knowledge and regained my confidence along the way!


Now, here are some of the most valuable skin care lessons I've learned over the years:
1.  WEAR SUNSCREEN (all day, every day).
2.  Thoroughly remove every single trace of makeup every night.
3.  If you have acne, DO NOT pop your pimples. Go to an aesthetician. 
4.  Use a serum and/or moisturizer every night, even if you have oily skin.
5.  Start using eye cream at 18, if not earlier! Nothing ages a person more than eye wrinkles.
6.  Drink at least 6 cups of water daily, and try to clock in at least 7 hours of sleep.
7.  Treat yourself to a treatment facial as often as possible. Try micro-needling!
8.  If you don't have time or money for professional facials, use a SHEET MASK at least once a week.
9.  Exfoliate with a treatment/mask at least two times a week (once if you have very sensitive skin), even if you're using a Clarisonic or Foreo or whatever device is trendiest.
10.  Invest in quality skin care. It's not always about the price, but luxury skin care has never failed me. Pick up plenty of samples and experiment to find the best products for your skin! 


My HOLY GRAIL SKIN CARE:



toner: use with cotton pads
SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion

essence: pour into palms and pat in


Chantecaille Rose de Mai Cream
SK-II Stempower/Essential Power Cream






Affordable Alternatives:
Kate Somerville D-Scar Serum
Cremorlab Bright Floral Mask
Etude House Eye Gel Patch
Olay Regenerist Mirco-Sculpting Cream


And as promised, here are more product recommendations based on skin type and skin concern. I know many of my subscribers have oily/combination skin, are suffering from acne, or have super sensitive skin. Please keep in mind that products that work (and have worked) for me may not work as well for you. Again, skin care is personal and all about preference, so keep an open mind and don't give up!

ACNE + BREAK-OUTS:
I used a lot of Juice Beauty during the worst of my acne, and it did seem to help the purging process. I highly recommend the Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel (Full Strength and Blemish) as well as their Clearing Mask and Blemish Clearing Serum. Do not expect overnight results, as purging takes time! Also try Jurlique (natural/herbal) and Ole Henriksen products to calm the skin.
For those targeting the occasional hormonal blemish/break-out, I recommend the SK-II Skin Refining Treatment as a spot treatment. I dab it on morning and evening, and my pimples shrink, slowly but surely! No dryness or flakiness like that which can occur with those popular pink clay treatments. I also use the Refining Treatment to keep my blackheads in check (applied all over the face 2x a week).
Additionally, find a talented aesthetician for facials and extractions to minimize scarring, and keep your daily skin care regimen on the minimal end. Try cleanser, toner, serum, eye cream, and moisturizer. Don't forget your sunscreen in the morning, and try to reapply, as it will go a long way in reducing acne marks! Most importantly, wash your pillow cases and makeup brushes WEEKLY, at the minimum! 

OILY + COMBO SKIN:
Although not all alcohol-free products perform well, do stop using products that strip your skin completely dry. Your skin will overcompensate by producing more unwanted oil! Wear a hydrating sunscreen like Eve Lom's and skip moisturizer during the day if you must, but that means you absolutely NEED to use a hydrating serum and/or heavier moisturizer at night.
I highly recommend the products in the Ole Henrikensen 3 Little Wonders Bonus Collection, particularly the Truth Serum and Sheer Transformation Moisturizer. I used OH when I had combination skin and loved it! The brand is fairly affordable and offers plenty of awesome travel-sized kits if you are a skin care junkie and/or afraid to commit to full-size products.
Another must-have is the LancĂ´me Visionnaire Skin Corrector. I used it when I had combination skin, and it tightened the skin to help my pores look invisible. The pearly effect also makes the skin look smoother, clearer and brighter. I introduced this product to my friends with combination and oily skin, and now all them swear by it!

NORMALIZING SKIN:
As a teen, I had oily skin. During my college years, I had combination skin. Now at 25, I have normal to dry skin. That came about as a result of (simply and inevitably) aging, natural hormonal changes, and good skin care habits. I credit the SK-II Facial Treatment toner with making the most noticeable difference in my oily T-Zone. Since then, I have used it interchangeably with other toners to prevent a plateau, but it still remains my favorite. The lightweight yet powerful 3LAB Super H serum also kept my skin nourished and hydrated, further balancing my skin's condition and sealing in the effects of the SK-II toner.

ANTI-AGING:
When I started my YouTube channel in 2010, lot of women used to give me grief when I explained I first started using eye cream at 18. The truth is, it's all about prevention, and starting early is encouraged nowadays due to environmental factors like sun exposure, pollution, and lifestyle stress! FYI: You don't have to start with a heavy or anti-aging eye cream when you're 18. Try something lightweight and more basic, like the SK-II Facial Treatment-Eye or Fresh Lotus Eye Gel.

ASIA EXCLUSIVES:
Two of my favorite moisturizers, the SK-II Cellumination Day Surge SPF 30 and SK-II Facial Treatment Lotion SPF 15, are only available abroad. If you have a friend that travels often, request these! The CDS is best for dry to combination skin, and the FTL is ideal for normal to oily skin. The LancĂ´me UV Expert XL-Shield SPF 50 is also a fabulous sunscreen for normal/dry to combination skin.

ULTRA SENSITIVE SKIN:
My beauty blogger buds with incredibly sensitive skin use the SK-II Facial Treatment Repair C serum, in case any of you are looking for a very gentle anti-aging treatment! SK-II skin care is potent, so start with the Repair C just to be safe. 
___________________________________________________________________________
Follow the RAEviewer RAEview Twitter RAEview YouTube RAEview Facebook Page
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...