Bye, Bye Under Eye Wrinkles With VIIcode T2 Oxygen Eye Cream Fit For A Queen

"Mirror, Mirror On The Wall, Who's The Fairest Of Them All?"

Everyone loves to be pampered and treated like royalty. But what if this luxury could also apply towards your aging skin? Sound good? It’s better than good with VIIcode T2 Oxygen Eye Cream.

Beauties, you’ve heard me say it time and time again, getting older has both its ups and downs.   And although some may say that “wrinkles indicate where smiles have been”. Or “I’ve got designer bags under my eyes” … While those quotes are cute to read, there is nothing cute about tired, aging eyes!

So, if you want to see how you can help to bag some of those under eye issues, continue reading!

For this post, I have partnered up with VIIcode.  This company has been around for centuries!  Starting with Byrne Victor, who believed “every woman (including Queen Josephine, wife of Napoleon), could be the most beautiful in her way.”  This eye cream was invented for the queen more than 255 years ago, and now we too can experience this royal luxury.

Who would have known that the issue of aging around the eyes has been a concern for that long?  But if you think about it, all the factors that can contribute to this aging skin like heredity, pigmentation irregularities, environmental factors, fluid retention, or mother nature’s clock hasn’t really changed.  Hence, anti-aging eye creams are one of the most sought out products on the market, and therefore I was excited to try out this under eye cream for myself.


About VIIcode T2 Oxygen Eye Cream

Now before I get into the product I thought the packaging was cute as it reminded me of a satchel of gold for the king, oops, I mean the QUEEN, don’t you think?

The luxurious royal formulation of VIIcode T2 Oxygen eye cream is designed to provide constant care for your eyes. During the day, it helps to protect our skin against environmental factors like air pollution, UV light, etc. At night, it works to help reverse the signs of aging by repairing the damaged cells and rejuvenating our undereye skin.

This eye cream is a non-greasy formula which is great as some creams end up in your eye which is not pleasant. What’s more? Are the ingredients that are in the cream. It is alcohol-free and safe to use with every skin type, plus it features…

• Extracts of evening primrose to help boost blood circulation and smooth out those fine lines around the eyes.
• Avocado & Elderberry which are excellent antioxidants.
• Chamomilla Recutita to help with reducing dry, flaky skin while restoring suppleness.

How To Use
With the cream comes an applicator, which I was pleasantly surprised as with most skincare products we end up wasting the product on your finger, but not with this.

Not only does this crescent moon shaped spatula act as an applicator it also is used to activate (prep) the under eye before application. Simply close your eye, and softly massage your under-eye area with the crescent activate tool to smooth and refresh. Then scoop out some eye cream (a tiny about goes a long way) and apply the cream under the eye area with the applicator.

IMPORTANT: Keep in mind that the skin surrounding your eye is very delicate and thin. Hence, you do not want to be pulling and tugging on the skin when applying this or any eye treatment product.

To use, tap a pea-sized dab of cream underneath each eye using the crescent applicator. You do not want to press too hard as you can cause wrinkling if you pull too hard. If you decide not to use the applicator, apply with your ring finger. Using this finger is best as your others are too strong and the tugging as mentioned can lead to premature aging.

My Concluding Thoughts
As you know, I only share products with you that I like. I had used VIIcodes products before and liked them, so I was happy to try this eyecream. This cream is great at protecting the delicate folds near my eyes (notice I did not say wrinkles) from dehydration. Also, the Chamomilla Recutita ingredients are great at removing some of the dead layers of skin cells.  Unfortunately, exfoliating the under-eye area is not an easy thing to do safely, so this cream helped with revealing younger refreshed skin from beneath.

The jar of cream is smaller than I would like as this is something that can be used both day and in the evening, but I guess it makes great for travel.

Lastly, in addition to using a skincare product for maintenance and correction, I always say prevention is the best anti-aging device, so please remember to use an SPF and wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the harmful rays of the sun. Oh, and make sure to drink plenty of water!

Until next time!

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Get Younger Looking Skin By Shaving Your Face With The Dermaplaning Sonicsmooth By Michael Todd Beauty

This is my second post on facial shaving, and why women should shave their face, yes I said shave.  In case you missed my first post in this series click here.  But as promised I am going to be discussing a more advanced approach to facial shaving which is dermaplaning. And the best part is that you can do this in the comfort of your own home with the Sonicsmooth by Michael Todd Beauty.

Now before I get into the Michael Todd Beauty dermaplaning device, I wanted to briefly explain the difference between dermaplaning and shaving with a razor.  While both are an excellent way to remove vellus hair (peach fuzz), as well as acting as an exfoliative treatment, dermaplaning offers a deeper more targeted exfoliation. Which in turn leads to a brighten skin tone while softening the appearance of wrinkles and much more, just what a woman in her 40’s is looking for!

So, if you want to find out why you need to add dermaplaning to your skincare routine continue reading.

Michael Todd Beauty is always stepping it up when it comes to skincare devices, and their newest product the SONICSMOOTH Sonic Dermaplaning System isn’t any different. As not only is this a dermaplaning device but it also uses sonic technology to remove dead skin cells and fine facial hair expertly, now how great is that?

I'm Still Confused, What The Heck Is Dermaplaning???
As mentioned briefly above dermaplaning is a skincare method that physically removes unwanted facial hair while removing dead skin cells for a smoother and more radiant complexion. Some of you may have had this type of treatment done professionally, which requires the use of a scalpel and a trained practitioner and  IT is costly.

Bottom line, dermaplaning takes face shaving to a whole new level, and because of the popularity and demand of this anti-aging procedure, Michael Todd Beauty decided to offer us skincare lovers the chance to do this at home with their Sonicsmooth, the world's true first sonic dermaplaning system. Now no worries there is no scalpel involved, but this at home treatment does provide some of the many benefits that you could get at your aesthetician's office with the added benefit of Sonic Technology. Michael Todd Beauty is known for their sonic skincare products, so it only made sense to harness the power of sonic technology in conjunction with expertly designed safety blades to create a dermaplaning device that ups your anti-aging skincare game, while kissing your peach fuzz goodbye!

Benefits Of Dermaplaning With The Michael Todd Beauty Sonicsmooth
Aside from offering fantastic exfoliation while removing your peach fuzz, dermaplaning with the sonicsmooth really brightens up your skin, giving you a glowing, dewy look.

Additionally it…

• Stimulates your skin to produce new skin cells and collagen (whenever there’s trauma to the skin, collagen is stimulated to help cell renewal).
• Softens the appearance of fine lines by removing the layer of dead skin which contained them.
• Helps the active ingredients in your skincare products to penetrate deeper into the skin, making them more effective.
• Can help with smoothing out acne scars.
• Removes the excessive “face fuzz” that can trap oil and dirt which can lead to other skin issues.
• And your makeup application is FLAWLESS!

Will My Hair Grow Back Thicker
No need to hide as this will not happen, it is not possible. I know I was surprised myself, but my aesthetician explained to me why contrary to belief, that your hair can not grow back thicker.  You see there are two types of hair that grow on our body. Vellus hair, which is the peach fuzz on your face will grow back the same as it was before you remove it. Therefore, you will not have dark, coarse facial hair grow back after dermaplaning.

How Often Do I Dermaplane
This pain-free method can be done once a week. The Sonicsmooth system comes with a 2 Month Supply of Safety Edges- Stainless steel surgical grade blades encased in a protective case, which is very convenient.

How To Use The Michael Todd Beauty Sonicsmooth

Step 1
Prep The Skin: It is vital that skin is first prepped with a de-greasing cleansing product to completely remove all surface oils from the skin to ensure optimum results.  Michael Todd's Honey and Oat Cleanser is an ideal skin prep and comes with the set. It is best to perform a sonicsmooth treatment at a time where you will not be applying makeup directly afterward.

Step 2
Dermaplane The Skin: Hold the skin taut with one hand, and with the sonicsmooth blade in other hand at a 45-degree angle, apply it against the skin and shave. I like to do it in sections, starting at my forehead, to my checks, and moving my way down.  You can even shave your neck, as none of us want turkey neck as we get older.

You can shave in any direction, however I try to go in an upward direction and around the mouth area outwards. Also, make sure you are careful and paying attention as you don’t want to accidentally shave off some eyebrow hairs or get too close to your hairline, so do this in front of a mirror.

Step 3
Rinse off and apply your sonicsmooth soothe onto your baby soft skin.

Step 4
Apply your regular skincare products, starting with the ones with the active ingredients first.

So there you have it beauties one of my best anti-aging tips to getting younger looking skin by dermaplaning your face with a Sonicsmooth By Michael Todd Beauty.

Want younger looking skin now? Then go to Ulta Beauty as they have just released the Sonicsmooth on line or visit Michael Todd Beauty and get your dermaplaning system today!

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Beauty Blogger BS, Why People Really Wear Makeup

I am writing this post out of frustrations of narrow-minded thinking when it comes to beauty, makeup, bloggers, etc.  If you follow my blog regularly, you will notice I only share positive.  I only talk about products I like and rarely share negative reviews. Not because I do not want people to know, I am trying to hide something, or I am being paid to say something. But, because I feel that most reviews are opinions, not facts and I do not want to impact a product's success with my negative thoughts as they are just my opinions NOT FACTS. In most cases if I do not like something I kept it to myself and if the product was sent to me for a review and if I did not like it, I offer to send it back.

With that, today I am going to touch on a topic that I see arise a lot on YouTube and Instagram, with people making comments about you don’t need to wear makeup, you look better without, stop hiding behind your makeup, etc. I am not talking about the random opinion comments, but those spewing negativity, because of their insecurities. Reading this frustrates me so, as in my view, it is narrow-minded thinking, that people who use makeup use it ONLY to cover up something or to live up to a standard. Which nowadays is not always the case. Yes, I wear makeup, but there are times, I will go days without washing my hair or even bathing, (yes, I shared that fact) to show you it is not about acceptance.

My Truth About Makeup
I love beauty and makeup for one simple fact, the creativity it gives me to express myself. I am a creative person, by profession and in my personal life. My approach, as well as many others, is, I am artist and makeup is my medium of choice.  I view my hair, face, body, etc. as a blank canvass, and the makeup and other cosmetics products I use are the tools to apply my artistic approach, expressing my creativity, ending with a final creation or master piece. Makeup is my palette, the same as paint is to a painter. I am not wearing makeup to hide or conceal anything, but rather to express my artist point of view.  Whether it be bold or simplistic, it is my form of artist expression.

Other Reasons Why I Wear Makeup
Aside for artist expression there are other reasons that I wear makeup, fix my hair, etc.

Starting with, I wear makeup for myself. I do not give a rats ass what others think. Nothing I do in my life is to impress others as I do not care what others think. To be happy I need to be happy with myself. At the end of the day, others thoughts are only opinions and do not define me!

While there are many times I look like the below, I like to wear makeup because it makes me feel feminine and purrty. Yes, it is nice to get all dolled up every once in a while, and makeup can help make this more fun!

No Makeup

Makeup Has Evolved
Makeup like other things in life has changed. While I would agree there are some people out there that use it to hide behind or to cover up some insecurities, I believe that more so than ever that people are using makeup as I do, as a form of expression or as a statement.  I do realize that most may not consider cosmetics as a kind of art as if they did I would not see this plethora of spewed negativity.

With the popularity of Instagrammers, bloggers, and vloggers, the modern makeup culture has progressed. While you may not have to embrace this for yourself, the narrow-minded thinking about makeup and the beauty industry needs to STOP. Why not reconsider your thinking and understand that today's makeup culture is not always about hiding or a standard for beauty, but that it can also be a form of art! And most important that you love yourself with or without makeup!

Misguided Approach
Now I am not narrow-minded, understanding that some are using makeup for approval or acceptance. Unfortunately, with social media and photoshopping, our physical appearances may not always be true. Meaning overly photoshopped beauty ads and filtered selfies that can misrepresent the truth, while setting standards of unrealistic expectations, primarily to those with low self-esteem or youth that are highly impressionable.  But as I say, “It is how you deal with the cards you are dealt,” just because you see something in an ad, does not mean it is the truth, that is a standard, or that you must resemble that. Remember as I said in the beginning, it is a point of view, NOT A FACT.  Stop allowing ads and others to cultivate this into your mindset and start making decisions for yourself, coming in with the thought process that makeup is a form of art, NOT a standard of appearance!
 

Stop Your Stinking Thinking
Overall the purpose of this post is to speak up and say it is time surpass the media's marketed standards and reconsider cosmetics entirely.  More importantly, stop allowing it to be impressionable upon you as we are in control of what we accept and what we do not.  Have an optimistic approach to cosmetics, thinking of it to artistically express yourself, rather than buying into the message that it is a necessary method to alters one's appearance to fit into some crazy society of how some should look.  This crazy thinking, unfortunately, is something that we have learned over the years and it needs to stop.

Bottom line, makeup is a form of art, not something that defines someone, or standard of living that society has put upon us and we agree to accept.  Stop that stinking thinking about makeup and use it to reflect who you are!

Being Real

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Top 10 Fabulous Fall Beauty Tips

Fall is right around the corner and with the change of season also comes time to change up your beauty routine.  And I'm here today to share with you my Top 10 Fabulous Fall Beauty Tips you will "FALL" for!

Makeup

Bold Lips:  To make your lips more appropriate for fall, trying swapping out some of those corals and other bright colors for some deep reds and burgundy. Matte lippies are also perfect for fall. When it comes to lip treatment, you want to make sure you are moisturizing your lips to prevent dry, crack lips as the last thing you want to do is to apply a matte lipstick to dry, chapped lips.

Bronze, Glow, And Blush: Move from over the sun-kissed cheekbone look to under for a more contoured look.  You can achieve this with some great palettes.  One I love is Urban Decay's Bronze, Glow, and Blush and with Ulta's 21 Days Of Beauty, you can get this palette for 50% off on Friday, September 8, 2017.

Fall Eye Makeup: In the summer we tend to use some shimmers shadows like the sun. However, in the fall I prefer some matte darker hues and a smokey eye is perfect for Autumn! And once again, Ulta is hooking you up with their 21 Days Of Beauty and Lancome Auda[City] Palettes on sale for 50% Off on Monday, September 18, 2017.

Face: You want to make sure that you are moisturized so implementing a BB or CC crème like ItCosmetic CC Illumination is great as they are ideal for hydrating the skin as well as evening out your skin tone. These creams also contain antioxidants, SPF and other key ingredients that are designed to improve the look of your skin's health. You may also need to change up the color, especially if you had a tan in the summer time.

Give Your Locks Some Love

I love Summertime, weather! However, it doesn't always love us back, especially when it comes to our hair and skin. Every year, people suffer the results of the sizzling summer sun. From sunburns to damaged hair, the sun wreaks havoc upon us in a many ways.

Get A Trim:  In the summer months, we are exposing our hair to chlorine, salt water, and the sun, which can lead to damage! So what better time than the fall to give yourself a trim or even a new hairstyle!

Deep Condition: Revive your dry summer tresses by employing a hot oil treatment or even a deep conditioner to help repair, restore and renew your hair.

Change Up The Color: Although I wore a hat to protect my hair from the hot UV rays of the sun, there are still some sun-kissed highlights.  Additionally, salt water and chlorine can turn blond hair brassy, so fall is a perfect time to say goodbye to those unwanted highlights.  Instead, try a warmer look, doing so is going to help even out that bleach out hair. Additionally, this will give you time to try something that can stay true to the color as you don’t have to worry about your hair fading as much, due to the limited sun exposure in the fall.

IMPORTANT: After spending all that time and money in getting your hair tone just right, the last thing you want is for your hair to start turning brassy looking like a copper penny!  Hence, a product like  Unitehair Blonda Shampoo is perfect in helping me to keep my hair looking as great as it did the day I left the salon!

Skincare
AHA & BHA Exfoliants: While our skin naturally exfoliates our dead skin cells every day, this process can be slowed down due to exposure to the unprotected sun. As the angle of the sun changes and temperatures drop, we tend to spend less time in the sun in the fall, making it an excellent time to apply an AHA or BHA product.  These products help to gently remove the summer buildup of dead skin, to reveal the radiant, soft, hydrated skin hiding beneath. My all time favorite AHA/BHA product is Michael Todd Beauty's Wild Berry Exfoliating Peel!

Cleanse: In the summer months we are drawn towards clarifying cleansers that help to remove that mixture of sweat, makeup, humidity, pollution and oil from our pores. The transition to fall calls for a change in your cleanser as well. Switching from a gel based cleanser to something a bit more hydrating is essential to help your skin adjust to the sudden drop in humidity. This will help you to avoid that unwanted tight feeling in the skin that we tend to get in the dryer months.  The product I recommend to help transition your summer skin to fall is Colleen Rothschild Comprehensive Radiant Cleansing Balm! 

This product is like no other I have used. It is literally like a balm for your face that effortlessly dissolves all traces makeup and other impurities on the skin. And it has Clove and Rosemary for a natural aromatherapy smell that is to die for! This Cleansing Balm leaves my face feeling so smooth and radiant.

Moisturizer: Most of us were wearing light-weight if not oil-free moisturizers throughout the summer months. It’s ideal to gradually add more moisture into your Autumn routine, so start slow. You don’t need to slather your super heavy night cream all over your skin for day wear. You may want to try a moisturizer in the middle and save the emollient rich super thick moisturizer for the winter months.

BONUS TIP...Dermaplaning: I know I said 10 tips, but I decided to throw in a bonus.  As we've been discussing the summer sun, salt water and chlorine can leave our skin feeling dry and flaky and with the humidity change come fall, you need to be ahead of the skincare game, with proper exfoliation and dermaplaning is where it is at.

This is a procedure that you can do at home or have professionally done that takes face-shaving to the next level. This exfoliative treatment helps to shave away the outermost layer of dead skin cells, giving you smoother, radiant skin. Plus, the active ingredients in your skincare products will absorb better, as there is not a layer of dead skin preventing proper absorption. And despite the belief, your hair does not grow back thicker!

So there you have it beauties, my Top 10 Fabulous Fall Beauty Tips.

Looking for your passport to some more Fabulous Fall Tips?  

Then make sure to check out some of these other tips from the Geeks And Beauty Squad. 

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