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THE 411 ON ESSENCES (AND 6 PRODUCTS WORTH TRYING)

Korean beauty is a big player in the skincare game. Their 10 step facial regimens are sweeping the nation along with fads like sheet masks, gradient lips and now: essence. Actually, essence is so important in the Korean beauty regimen that it’s become its own skincare category. Further, you can now find these new must-haves in all the big luxury beauty brands too. But what IS essence?
The easiest way to define them is by process of elimination. Here’s what they’re not: Toner. Cleanser. Serum. They deliver a higher dosage of active ingredients to your skin than cleanser or toner. They’re filled with extracts such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin, which immediately hydrate and comfort skin. They restore your skin’s natural pH balance. To top it off, essence also has insanely effective anti-aging properties that combine with hydrating and luxurious qualities to help skin stay moisturized and young.
6 Facial Essences Worth Trying | Michelle Phan
Then what are facial mists for?Though some facial mists serve as setting sprays to keep makeup in place, most exist to cool and refresh. Rather than a touch up tool, essences are meant to be integrated into your daily routine. You can apply it before makeup is applied or after it’s removed, by patting or pressing the product onto skin with clean hands. Now that you know what it is and how it works, here are some to get you started:
For Oily Skin – Essences are generally loved by those with dry complexions, or for those who tend to over cleanse. But if you have oily skin, a product like SK-II’s limited edition facial essence may help. It’s loaded with pitera, aka “Miracle Water” and the key to enhancing the skin’s renewal process, nourishing vitamins, amino acids, and minerals to promote healthy skin cell renewal cycle. Plus, it’s formulated without synthetic fragrances or GMOs? Now you just have to decide if it’sworth the splurge. Get 2% Back on Items Paid by Paypal. Plus get up to 90% OFF eBay Daily Deals & Sale Events. Get it now! Click here
For Sun Damage – The coveted Mela Defense Essence is a brightening essence that corrects dark spots and hyperpigmentation, and discoloration from acne. It contains sakura and white flower to brighten and revitalize skin for a healthier, more even skin tone and it’s ideal for all skin types.
For Anti-Aging – Kiehls’ Iris Extract Activating Essence Treatment is said to deeply nourish, renew and replenish skin, providing moisture for up to 24 hours after application. With the iris florentina flower as a key ingredient, your skin’s ability to retain moisture will quickly improve. This is a long term must, as the benefits get better over time.
To De-Stress – We all know that our mental states can affect our visage – and stress is no exception. Lancome formulated their anti-stress essence to relax skin. It provides intense hydration for a smooth and more refreshed complexion. Couple it with yoga or a massage and you’ll be ready to take on the world again.
Double Duty – Like I said, essences aren’t just another serum or facial spray. But MAC’s versiondoes blur the line a bit. Their Marine-Bright formula is concentrated, but lightweight and the Super Duo-Charged Water and vitamin C will brighten skin and capture it in a veil of moisture. The addition of a serum combines with the essence to powerfully condition and plump skin for a smoother look and feel.
The Essential – Last but not least, the best-selling Mineral Treatment Essence from Cremorlab features their proprietary T.E.N. thermal water to hydrate, brighten and smooth skin and its texture. It’s essence is paraben-free, artificial color-free, fragrance-free, and denatured alcohol-free, making it suitable for all skin types. This is a great well rounded version for those just getting started in the world of essence.

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THE BEST FOUNDATIONS FOR BOTH FAIR AND DARK SKIN TONES

In our daily beauty routines, there’s one important step that preps our skin for the rest of our makeup. Foundation is the basis that evens out skin tone, hides blemishes, and creates a smooth canvas so that killer galaxy eyeshadow and highlighter goes on without a hitch.
For those with fair or dark skin tones though, finding the perfect foundation match can be challenging. For the longest time, brands would only cater to something in the middle. Luckily, many have now expanded their range of foundation tones so that everyone can find their perfect match, whether your complexion is light or dark. Here are a few options:
best foundations for light dark skin
Fair Skin:
The biggest obstacle for the fair-skinned is finding a product that doesn’t give off that unnatural orange glow or fake tan look. Well, some brands have heard your call, and now entire lines cater specifically to paler complexions, offering a range of super-fair shades to choose from.
One of the most popular is Bobbi Brown’s Skin Foundation Stick, which has shea butter and olive extracts that help it glide on flawlessly. The lightest of the tones is Alabaster, but there’s also a whole range of fair shades to choose from. There’s also beloved cult brand Illamasqua, which is inspired by Asian beauty balms. Try tones 01 and 02 of their Skin Base Foundation. They’re ultra light in color and still look natural and smooth. Enjoy Up To 10% OFF On Select Items With eBay Coupon codes. Save on health, beauty, toys and more!!!
Or maybe you have a go-to brand you want to stick with, but can’t quite find the shade light enough for you. Revlon Colorstay in Buff and Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Foundation in Alabaster are fair-skinned faves. But if you need to go even lighter, try Ultra Foundation Pro in Zero Minus from pro makeup artist brand Face Atelier. It’s an adjuster, so you just add a few drops to a foundation you already like, and it’ll lighten your product to whatever shade you need — almost like a custom foundation for your very own unique tone.
Dark Tones:
For dark complexions, you’ll want to test the foundation on your jawline and neck area, to make sure it blends smoothly in both zones. The True Color Stick Foundation in Hazlenut from Black Opal is specifically made for darker skin tones. It’s got SPF 15 too, which helps protect against the sun damage that often creates those pesky uneven spots.
Urban Decay’s Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup has super specific colors. If you know you have a warm or cool undertone beneath your deep complexion, this product comes in warms (with color codes ending in .0) and cools (ending in .5), making it easy to work with your individual skin.
One thing to note: if your skin is oily, you’ll want to go a shade lighter — because skin’s oils create an illusion of a darker shade. You might also want to try an oil-free product, like Fashion Fair Oil Free Perfect Finish Cream-to-Powder foundation. It’s a trusted company that’s been around for four decades, and their new cream-to-powder formula won’t make a mess or look cakey, all the while keeping your shine at bay.

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BEAUTY FOR YOUR HOROSCOPE: GEMINI GIFT GUIDE

Any Geminis in da house? In the latest edition of my horoscope beauty gift guide, we’re talking gifts (and let’s be honest, treat yo’self gifts) for beauties born from May 20th to June 20th. It is said that Geminis – the astrological sign based on twins – have somewhat dual natures. They’re artsy and creative, embrace spontaneity and love to do things on a whim. At the same time, they aren’t afraid to say how they feel and sometimes these strong opinions can get the best of them. Geminis are complex souls and need the right circumstances (where they feel supported and cared for) in order to be their most positive, open selves. Don’t we all?
Gemini Gift Guide
Many current horoscopes state that 2016 is a very empowering year for the Gemini. There is a lot of growth both personally and professionally. Whereas in years before where Geminis may have felt lost or stifled with plans, they now have a clearer focus. With this focus comes an intense drive to embrace opportunity. This is very thrilling for someone who feeds off excitement and enjoys taking the reins.
Now, onto the goods. The second half of the year means peace with home and personal life – exactly why this natural Soak in Love soak is such a good fit. A romantic rollerball perfume is to remind them to keep nurturing those personal relationships and good things will come.
Another attribute of Geminis – due to their thirst for adventure – is youthfulness. Play it up withglossy berry lips and fun but practical products like a tangle teezer detangling brush, Josie Maran’s “vibrancy” foundation, or a skin cream with playful packaging. For a free spirit that wears her heart on her sleeve, this adorable pin is a thoughtful gesture. The thing to remember about Geminis is that their openness allows them to break from the norm and try new things, so when giving gifts, you want to turn them on to something they might not have seen before, like a cushion blusher or thiswaterdrop lip tint at Peach & Lily, or even a new concept altogether like RGB’s nail tints (that match up with your skin tone). Follow this link and get FREE Shipping On Daily Deals - New Deals Every Day! Save on thousands of products in different categories at eBay! Click here

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The end of a busy week. Buzzing from the excitement of his first job out of school.

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SHOULD YOU SWITCH UP YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE?

You know how they say that you actually don’t need to switch up your hair care products, but it often feels like your hair gets used to certain product? Well, when it comes to skincare, the truths are equally blurry – is it fact or fiction that you should switch up your routine for optimal skin health?
The truth is, there’s no set time you should switch up what you’re doing to your skin. But that doesn’t mean it should remain the same. If a product doesn’t seem like it’s working quite like it used to, it’s likely due to factors such as changes in your skin that require different treatments. Here are some factors that contribute to skin changes, and ultimately your product needs:
Should You Switch Up Your Skincare Routine?
Season – I think it’s pretty well known by this point that with the seasons come skin changes. If you live in an area where the seasonal changes are subtle, you might not even realize that this is contributing to why products are seemingly no longer doing their job. For example, if while in the thick of summer or winter your cleanser dries you out, you might need a gentler formula that doesn’t strip skin of moisture.
Travel – Travel can affect our skin in several ways, but one major factor is climate. When traveling to a new region – even if it’s not physically that far (like going from a huge, heavily polluted city out to the country, or going from the city to the desert) – you’re bound to experience physical changes in your skin. Just like seasonal changes, these are temporary changes that require use of different ingredients to maintain skin’s health. Always research the climate (and if possible what the locals use) of your destination prior to packing.
Additionally, frequent or long flights can wreak havoc on skin, making your normal routine ineffective at combatting dry skin, sleepy eyes, or chapped lips. A good travel sized facial mist, moisturizer and lip balm will be welcome additions to your makeup bag. See my makeup bag mustsfor more tips!
Age – As we grow older, our skin changes. Some of us had clear skin as teens and notice far more blemishes as adults, and vice versa. And as women, we experience hormonal changes that shift with age and as you are probably aware, also determine the texture and look of our skin. If the products you’ve counted on since you were 19 aren’t exactly cutting it anymore, this is another sign you should switch things up. While a dermatologist might be most effective at helping you determine your skin needs, my posts on acne types and moisturizing essentials offer some tips. Save Up To 90% OFF Daily Deals + Extra 10% OFF eBay Sales & Coupons. Redeem this eBay promo code for savings now!
How often is too much? Constantly shifting from one product to the next won’t directly harm your skin (just perhaps your wallet), but you should always give your body time to react to the ingredients. For example, if you switch cleansers daily, you won’t find out whether a certain works better over time. If it’s a basic skincare product like cleanser or moisturizer, it’s often best to find a few staples and stick to ‘em the majority of the time. And of course, you want to always do spot tests. This way you can introduce new product if you want, but still continue to use what’s working.

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THE PRETTIEST PLANT BASED PRODUCTS

For some people, trying a new beauty product just means seeing if it looks good on any skin tone, but for others it’s much more of an experience. A great new product will make use of both tried and true and unconventional ingredients (including loads of nutrients to make skin happy), come in stunning shades and if you’re lucky, a pretty package too. When it comes to botanical beauty products – those with plant based ingredients – the best ones make full use of gorgeous package design, making for great gift ideas (even treat yo’self ^_^) and DIY at-home spa treatments!
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FRAGRANCE: Lotus – Botanicals have long been used in perfumes, but Hi Wildflower’s perfumes boast only natural ingredients and the truly beautiful packaging. Rio Nilo in particular combines Indian lotus with rose and sandalwood.

BATH: Eucalyptus – So many people love the scent of eucalyptus, and its essential oils are said to have antibacterial and other medicinal purposes. Along with lemongrass, this mineral bath soakfrom AYUCoUSA soothes skin while leaving you calm and refreshed.

BODY: Sunflower – Although this Korres’ Body Butter is scented with jasmine, sunflower seed oil (along with almond and avocado) is the key ingredient formulated to smooth skin while improving its elasticity.

SKIN: Aloe Vera – Meant to be an after-sun product, this continuous facial mist containing aloe, vitamin E and lotus flower is formulated with menthol in order to provide a healthy dose of calming, cooling moisture that rejuvenates skin instantly.

LIP: Marine Flowers– Tarte is one of the most popular brands out there, due in part to their use of hard to find natural ingredients. The Rainforest of the Sea lip quench features marine flower extracts that smooth and soften skin while algae fights the signs of aging.

EYE: Glacial Flowers – Ever thought about incorporating glacial flowers into your anti-aging regimen? Skyn Iceland’s highly reviewed eye cream contains “supercharged Arctic extremophile plant firms” AKA, ingredients that reduce puffiness and wrinkles. There are also rainforest plantsand anti-aging peptides in this little tub, all working to maintain bright, youthful eyes.

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How Doing Planks Can Transform Your Body And Make You Ready for Summer


Winter is over, the temperatures are rising, summer is going to be here soon. That means 2 things: shedding layers of winter clothes and becoming much more active. Did your Netflix addiction get the better of you for the last 4-6 months? It’s okay, you’ve still got time to get your body ready.
Since we’re all short on time these days you’re going to want to focus on the best bang for your buck exercises, exercises that focus on using a multiple muscle groups and can help you reach both aesthetic and performance goals which is why planks are a great choice.
Planks are a great total body exercise that is efficient, effective, can be done anywhere, and progressed or regressed to fit any fitness level. Whether you’re looking to tighten up the midsection and stand a bit straighter to look great at the beach or improve your athleticism for summer sports, planks are a perfect exercise.

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Planks are More Than an “Ab” Exercise:

Most people think of planks as an ab exercise, and while it’s true they are a great exercise for the abs, it’s selling them short.
Most trainers and physical therapists consider the “core” to be the area from your shoulders to your hips and every muscle in between. Doing planks works just about all of these muscles simultaneously. Muscles like the “6 pack abs” (rectus abdominus) deeper abs (transverse abdominus), obliques, spinal errectors, lats, rhomboids, traps, and glutes. Simply rising into a pushup plank will also incorporate the chest and triceps. Planks, when performed correctly, are all about creating tension through the whole body, activating all of the muscles of the “core”.
Compare that to a crunch or situp, where the abs and hip flexors are the only muscles really exerting and it’s easy to see how planks are so much more than just an “ab” exercise.

Planks Work Your “Core” the Right Way:

Research from Dr. Stuart McGills’ lab has shown that the core is constructed to create a corset around the lumbar spine. This corset is built to keep the spine rigid during rotational and compressive forces. For most people, the best core training is that which limits or resists motion of the lower back (lumbar spine).
Planks do just this. More traditional ab exercises like situps and crunches flex the spine, and while that may be good for building a 6 pack, it’s probably not the best choice for your lumbar vertebrae and continued back health.

Planks Help Correct Your Crappy Posture:

Many people have what is referred to as desk jockey posture from sitting all day in front of a steering wheel, computer or TV. This posture leads to a rounded upper back, forward shoulders and posterior pelvic tilt. Basically, the length-tension relationships of the muscles have changed from being hunched over all day. Some muscles become overstretched, some shorten, others become overactive and others under-active. This tends to lead to what’s called “hanging off of the hard structures”. Instead of using the muscles to provide stability for a neutral spine, we slide into positions that allow us to use the bones for stability.
Planks are (usually) all about creating a neutral position. It stands to reason, that the muscles which are worked in a plank are also the ones that have an effect on your neutral posture. Muscles like the glutes, spinal errectors (low back), obliques and scapular stabilizers (upper / mid back muscles) help to pull you back into a more neutral position. While simply doing a few planks once or twice a week probably wont fix your posture completely, they’ll help activate and build endurance in the weak, under-active muscles. This will help improve your posture much more than traditional flexion-based “core” exercises like crunches.

You Might Look a Bit Thinner – or Correcting Posture Part 2:

Many women (and some guys) have too much of an arch in the lower back and as a result use the vertebrae of the lower back to create stability. In other words they “hang off the lower back”. Doing this can lead to an excessive lumbar mobility and anterior pelvic tilt. This can give the lower stomach the appearance of being pushed out, or the dreaded lower belly “pooch”.
Planks can help to correct this posture also. Specifically by strengthening the glutes, rectus abdominus and obliques.Remember, planks are a movement that reinforces a neutral hip and spine position, so almost any deviation from a neutral posture can be helped with planks.

Baby Got Back:

We’re in the golden age of glutes. Let’s face it, butts are everywhere. While a nice core never goes out of style, glutes are the “it” muscle right now, in a big way… and for good reason. Not only does a nice set of glutes look great in a bikini or swim shorts, they are arguably the most important muscles in the body from a movement and performance perspective.
While planks are not thought of as a glute exercise, a good plank isn’t about time, it’s about tension. To stay in the correct technique you must squeeze your glutes and keep them contracted hard the whole time. For some of the more challenging plank variations, you’re not only using the glutes to stabilize the hips, they’re also creating motion which will increase the challenge overall.

Planks are Great for Treating and Preventing Low Back Pain:

Nobody wants to get up and head out to catch some waves at 6am on a Saturday and paddle back in after one ride, or be in the clubhouse after 9 holes, all because their lower back is killing them. Back pain affects 31 million Americans at any given time according to the American Chiropractic Association. Don’t be a statistic. Low back pain sufferers have some common traits including tightness in the thoracic spine and hips, weak glutes and the tendency to use the low back to create movement.
Remember, planks are about tightness, creating a stable corset around the spine. Training this corset by planking not only helps to strengthen the muscles but also teaches your body what it feels like to be in a tight, braced, position.

How to Plank, It’s Not What You Think and How Not Waste Your Time:

Too often planks are done for ridiculously long timed holds and with a big arch in the lower back. This needs to be fixed. The purpose of the plank is to create tension through the body and resist movement. Your plank should reflect this, so flatten out that back and get as tight as possible.
Front Plank Checklist:
  • Abs turned on and braced.
  • Hip in neutral or very slightly rotated forward (belt buckle to chin) to help the abs fire.
  • Glutes squeezed hard.
  • Shoulders in the joint, scapula (shoulder blades) down the ribcage.
  • Upper and lower back flat.
plank
Side Plank Checklist:
  • Elbow directly under the shoulder.
  • Top leg towards the front of the body.
  • Ribcage in neutral, usually this means pulled down slightly and rotated up slightly.
  • Hips in neutral, glutes squeezed hard.
Side-Plank-Marching_edited

Moving Planks, the Planks You Never Thought of:

Too often planks are thought of as a stationary exercise, but that’s not always true.

Exercises like:

  • Ab wheel rollouts
  • Bird Dog
  • Stir the pot
  • Suspension rows
  • Fallouts
  • Pushups
  • Farmers walks
  • Suitcase carries
Are nothing more than moving planks.
Think about it. To do these exercises correctly you must begin in and maintain a stable, core braced, plank position. The core is resisting the hoop, shear and extension forces that are being placed on the spine, no different than any other plank. The key here however is that the exercises must be performed correctly. The core cannot buckle it must stay braced, with no movement whatsoever through the spine.

The 10 Second Plank From Hell: The RKC Plank

This is the plank that separates the men from the boys, the RKC plank. This plank isn’t just about maintaining tension, it’s about creating tension, literally, trying to crush yourself.
RKC Checklist:
  • Hips posteriorly upper back slightly rounded to create a psuedo crunch effect.
  • Squeeze the glutes as hard as possible.
  • Drive the elbows back under you.
  • Drive the toes towards the elbows.
  • Squeeze everything in between as hard as possible and try to crush yourself in the process.

There’s Really no Excuse Not to Be Ready When Summer Gets Here:

Planks cost nothing, you need no special equipment and they can be done anywhere. They’re super easy to incorporate into a workout or even your daily routine. You don’t even need to program them into a special place in your routine often. If you’re lifting weights, interval training or even running laps, you can add planks to your workouts by simply using them as active rest in between sets, intervals or laps.
They’re so simple you can do planks on your living room floor during commercials or work breaks. Just remember build slowly and don’t focus as much on the length of time you can hold a plank as much as how much muscular tension you can create while in the plank position.
Don’t wait, the count down is on, start now and you’ll be surprised at the effect planks can have on your physique, posture and athleticism by the time summer rolls around.

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