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January 3, 2022

What Is Retinol And Why Do I Need It In My Skincare

What Is Retinol And Why Do I Need It In My Skincare, Barbies Beauty Bits

Here at Barbie’s Beauty Bits, we believe aging is a fact of life, but looking your age is not! And that is when good skincare comes into play with anti-aging ingredients like Retinol, aka the fountain of youth. But, What Is Retinol And Why Do I Need It In My Skincare?

Well, more than likely, you heard about Retinol and maybe some of its anti-aging benefits but do not really understand this star ingredient and everything it can do for your skin! So, if you are ready to venture into Benjamin Button's magical elixir of youth, continue reading.

Beverly Hills MD Cosmeceuticals
For this post, I partnered up with Beverly Hills, MD. I was impressed with this brand because plastic surgeons created this cutting-edge skin-care brand.

With their revolutionary line, Dr. Layke and Dr. Danielpour can reach beyond their office walls and offer real cosmetic results to those looking for the best non-surgical options available in the comfort of their own home.

In their selection of skincare products, I noticed that they had a retinol treatment that allows you to experience all the age-defying effects of a high-potency retinol treatment without dehydrating your skin’s surface and no micro-dosing! (You will see why this is awesome later on in this article)

Before I get into some of their products, let's talk about Retinol and why it is one of my all-time favorite skincare ingredients.

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery Group barbies beauty bits

What Exactly Is Retinol
Retinol is a retinoid derived from vitamin A and is usually what is found in over-the-counter products. Retinol is not retinoic acid, also known as Retin-A or Tretinoin (that is often used to treat acne)—Retinol works because it converts to retinoic acid.

This game-changing active ingredient works to boost the appearance of collagen-depleted skin and encourages cellular turnover, which is one of the reasons it is the number one anti-aging product recommended by Plastic surgeons, dermatologists, and aestheticians everywhere!

How Does Retinol Help With Anti-aging                          

What does Retinol do for your skin? Retinol is your secret weapon to aiding in the skin's renewal process by sloughing off dead skin cells, allowing new, fresher, radiant skin to appear.

You see, as we age, our cellular turnover starts to decline, meaning that our body is slower to shed dead skin cells and produce new ones. This buildup of dead skin cells can harm our skin, leaving it looking dry and dull, or worse, this accumulation can result in excess oil production and clogged pores, leading to problematic skin.

And if that wasn't bad enough, starting as early as your mid 20's, your collagen production begins to slow down. While this is not something, you may see the effects of immediately, it will impact you later in life, with sun-damaged skin,  thinner skin texture, premature fine lines and wrinkles, and elastin loss over time.  

Retinol is the skincare staple that helps reduce these aging issues by stimulating collagen production and accelerating skin turnover. In turn, this helps boost the skin’s surface renewal process and strengthens the skin’s foundation to the look of hyperpigmentation, minimizing fine lines and wrinkles, all while improving the skin texture!- WOW, now that was a mouthful.

These are just some reasons Barbie's Beauty Bits recommend incorporating retinol into your skincare routine early to prevent future signs of aging and damage rather than waiting until later in life, trying to undo it. 

How To Achieve The Best Results With Retinol

Like applying moisturizer the right way, there is a correct way to use prescription strength Retinol.

Many people want everything now and think the more I use this product, the quicker I will be on my way to younger-looking skin. But the truth is you, while many want to hop on the anti-aging bandwagon, you need to be patient when using prescription-strength Retinol, as it can severely inflame the skin, cause burning, itching, severe peeling, dryness, redness, and more.

Because of this, Drs. always recommend micro-dosing, starting with a lower concentration and testing how your skin will react. For example, start off using it once a week, if that is ok, then move up two twice a week for two weeks, then three times a week for three weeks. If your skin has a minimal reaction, you can bump it up, but then keep it there for a few months before using it nightly! WHAT seems like a pain, right?

Well, not any longer with Beverly Hills MD Activated Retinol Overnight Treatment, as there is no need to microdose using this retinol treatment because of its micro-encapsulation technology. What??? Find out more below.

Beverly Hills MD Activated Retinol Overnight Treatment Review, Barbies Beauty Bits

Beverly Hills MD Activated Retinol Overnight Treatment™
Unlike most store-bought serums, this retinol serum is not made with ordinary retinol. Instead, it is sourced with micro-encapsulated retinol — a rare form of non-dehydrating retinol that most skincare developers DON’T use. Allowing you to enjoy all of the age-defying effects of a high-potency retinol treatment without the side effects that require the microdosing regimen that most Dr.s suggest helping you avoid dehydrated skin and redness. And the best part about this type of retinoid, no peeling!

Another thing that sets this formula apart is the results. You see, micro-encapsulated retinol actually penetrates much deeper into the skin than regular retinol — which allows it to help combat the appearance of wrinkles, slacking skin, uneven pigment, and other signs of aging far more effectively and quicker, for example...

Additional Benefits Of Activated Retinol Overnight Treatment™

  • Stimulates collagen production and accelerates skin turnover
  • Ideal for smoothing fine lines and wrinkles
  • Combats the look of dark spots and discoloration
  • Fades acne marks
  • Naturally improves the appearance of sagging skin
  • It makes your complexion look fresh, vibrant, and luminous
how to apply retinol correctly, by barbies beauty bits

How To Use Beverly Hills MD Activated Retinol Overnight Treatment
Each application of this retinol treatment penetrates deep down to help combat the appearance of wrinkles, age spots, dullness and sagging, all while leaving all skin types feeling luxuriously plump and hydrated after every nightly use.

Step 1: At night time, our skin goes into repair mode. And this treatment is designed to support your natural cell turnover processes while you sleep, so use it at nighttime, before bed.

Step 2:
Wash your face with a cleanser packed with antioxidant vitamins and anti-inflammatory properties.

Step 3: Since this formula works to support cell turnover, it is recommended to apply before using other skincare products — as this will help them penetrate more deeply into your skin.

Step 4:
Using your fingertips, apply 1-2 pumps to your face in an upward, outward direction. And do not forget the neck!

Step 5: Retinol products should be used with other anti-aging skincare products containing skin-replenishing ingredients, antioxidants, and restorative ingredients like hyaluronic acid to hydrate, replenish, and nourish resulting in healthier, reinvigorating skin.

Avoid combining with AHA’s & BHA’s as you have already done the work. Doubling up can compromise the skin because mixing acids and retinol can irritate.

I like to wait about 10 minutes to ensure the product is absorbed. I then apply a hydrating serum and finish with a great moisturizer, avoiding anything that includes benzoyl peroxides or salicylic acids to prevent irritation.


Step 6: Using this product for at least 60 days is recommended to see the full benefits. While many may start seeing a visible improvement in their skin’s tone and texture in as little as 2-4 weeks, everyone’s skin responds to retinol differently, and your results may require more — or less — time to kick in.

So beauties, when it comes to results of a non-prescription retinol product, this advanced treatment is genuinely in a league of its own! As not only does it offer the tremendous anti-aging benefits of prescription-strength retinol, it provides something more-some fantastic hydrating effects, which is not common with the use of retinol.

The key with this Beverly Hills MD retinol treatment is continual use, as it is designed to keep BUILDING with each application. So the longer you use this bad boy, the younger, smoother, and more radiant it can make your complexion!


December 18, 2021

Last-Minute Beauty Tips For That New Years Eve Party

Last-Minute Beauty Tips For That New Years Eve Party, Barbies Beauty Bits
 
Ring in the New Year in style with Barbie's Beauty Bits Last-Minute Beauty Tips
For That New Years Eve Party

It's mid-December, and New Year's Eve is right around the corner, and that means it glam time, but are you party-ready? If not, no worries, as I'm here to help you with some last-minute beauty tips to having you look GlAM-tastic for that New Years Eve Party.

Get A Camera Ready Smile With Teeth Whitening
If you plan to show off a picture-perfect smile on Instagram, then a whiter, brighter smile is the way to go.  

For pearly whites, your best solution is a professional teeth whitening! Professional teeth whitening will ensure quicker, longer-lasting results to look your best when smiling in pictures and meeting new people.

Tips For Glowing Skin This New Years Eve

Be The Glow-getter
Time to boost your complexion for the last party of the year with some great skincare. And no worries, you can do this in the comfort of your own home. To have radiant, glowing skin consider a luxurious face mask, exfoliation, and do not forget to hydrate the skin. 

This is a multi-purpose tip. Glowing skin is a must. But more importantly, the key to flawless makeup application is smooth skin. Caked on, flakey makeup does not occur because your makeup sucks. But because your skincare routine sucks!
 
You need to buff away those dead cells to balance your skin. Otherwise, you will highlight those imperfections instead of concealing them when applying makeup! It seems contradictory, 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 you need to prep your skin with some great skincare. So let's dive in. 

tips for glowing skin this new years eve, barbies beauty bits

Exfoliate In 30 Seconds
One of the quickest ways to glowing, healthy skin is with a sonic cleansing device, like the Nova from Spa Science. You can purchase this at your local Walmart, Target, Khols, and Walgreens.

Sonic vibrations cleanse deeply and exfoliate without disrupting the skin's natural barrier, making NOVA perfect for last-minute skincare. Sonic cleansing effectively cleanses your skin seven times faster than manual cleansing, and you can do it in under a minute. Your skin will feel refreshed and prepped for your night’s beauty look.  

Made To MASK

A mask I love that is not harsh on the skin is Colleen Rothschild Clarifying Detox Mask that revitalizes tired skin in minutes.

Activated charcoal and French Kaolin clay go straight to work detoxing pores! They are like the perfect suction cup! As they have the power to remove dirt, oil, makeup, and other grime, leaving behind a more balanced complexion, while pure micronized silver helps keep bacteria at bay.

A Bonus for this mask is it also has a blend of Vitamin C and Willowherb to help brighten and soothe the skin.

Hydrate The Skin

It is essential to hydrate the skin after exfoliating and using a clay mask. Another Colleen Rothchild product I love is her The Intense Hydrating Mask

This treatment not only quenches your skin but also helps strengthen elasticity and minimizes the appearance of fine lines, leaving your over forty skin with a youthful suppleness and radiant glow!

BONUS: While you can wash this off as it is a mask, I do not. I use it before bed and keep it on as a hydrating overnight mask; it is mask marvelous! 

tips for glowing skin new years eve with barbies beauty bits

Finishing Touch With A Face Primer

If you follow my blog, you know my thoughts using a face primer before applying your makeup. They are a must. Without them, your makeup will sit in your pores, create false wrinkles! Not how I want to ring in the new year!

On the other hand, when you do use a face primer. You'll find that your foundation and other beauty products will have a much smoother finish while minimizing the appearance of pores and fine lines!

A quick Amazon purchase is Hyalo AI Beauty, Rosé Spot Defying Primer! This rose primer will not only help with a flawless makeup look, but it will also keep your facial makeup in place while adding that extra glow all the way past the ball drop! 

new-years-eve-nail-ideas-barbies-beauty-bits

New Year's Eve Nails: Sparkle Into The New Year

No New Year's Eve look is complete without the perfect set of nails to match your party vibe! Whether you're sipping champagne at an elegant soirée or dancing the night away, your nails can be the ultimate accessory. Here are some last-minute tips for New Year's Eve nails that shine just as bright as the Times Square Ball.

  • Go for Glitter: Nothing says NYE like a touch of sparkle. A glittery topcoat over your favorite nail color can instantly elevate your look and is quick to apply. For a trendy touch, try gold, silver, or holographic glitters that complement your outfit.

  • Metallic Magic: If you're short on time, metallic press-on nails can save the day. They're easy to apply and add a chic, polished finish to your look. Shades like rose gold or chrome silver are perfect for ringing in the new year.

  • Accent Nails: Add a playful twist to your manicure by focusing on accent nails. A simple star or confetti design on one or two nails can make a bold statement without requiring a full-on nail art session.

  • DIY Nail Art Hacks: If you’re feeling creative, try using nail stickers or a dotting tool to create fireworks or bubbly champagne designs. These fun, festive touches will make your nails the life of the party.

Remember, your nails are a small detail that makes a big difference in pulling your whole New Year's Eve look together. Don’t forget to finish with a quick-dry topcoat to ensure they stay flawless all night long!

Prevent Hangover Skin

Did you know that alcohol can also wreak havoc on your skin? From dryness, dullness, breakouts, even premature aging. But what are you to do? Prep yourself with the night before with a skincare hangover routine.

Yes, if you are somewhat coherent, you should attempt to implement some of these hangover beauty tips before you pass out. One tip I need to stress is remembering to remove your makeup! No matter how comfy that bed may look, you need to remove your makeup before passing out.

best hairstyles for new years eve barbies beauty bits

Hair Extensions For That Glamorous New Years Eve Look

If you do not have time to get your hair professionally done. Hair extensions are a quick and easy way to add volume, length, and even a chance for a gorgeous highlight without coloring your hair.

Tip: Hair extensions hold curl for a while. To save time, curl the hair a few days prior and clip them in before walking out the door.  

Also, the cold winter temperatures and moving from the cool air outside to the indoor heat can cause hair to become dull and break more easily. So, a few days prior consider using a nourishing hair treatment.

Update That Little Black Dress For Your New Years Eve Party

Are you looking for something fancy to wear for that New Year's Eve party? You only need your favorite little black dress!

I get it, you there’s nothing worse than feeling like you have nothing to wear to the New Years Eve Party. But no worries as I have the perfect way to make something old-new again!

It’s all about using what you’ve got and adding a few finishing touches to make it sparkle. Most of us have a a black dress, and all you need is some fun accessories to take you from drab to fab. 

new years eve outfit ideas barbies beauty bits

Option 1: Update that black dress with a fun faux fur coat and some costume jewelry. You can find a ton of inexpensive faux fur coats and cocktail rings at stores like Forever 21. You can even try a thrift store.

Option 2: Update that little black dress with a Gatsby or old Hollywood look with some long silk gloves and pearls. You can even go so far as to add a headband. And Amazon has tons to choose from!

So there you have it, Barbie's Beauty Bits Last-Minute Beauty Tips For That New Years' Eve Party! Now you can ring in the New Year looking Vogue! Until next time.


December 16, 2021

Glowing Skin This Holiday Season

Glowing Skin This Holiday Season, By Barbies Beauty Bits

All I want for Christmas is glowing skin! If you are like Barbie's Beauty Bits then you need to check out some of these great skincare products for glowing skin this holiday from the beauty spotlight team.

Retinol For Glowing Skin

Beverly Hills MD Cosmeceuticals Activated Retinol Night Treatment features microencapsulated retinol of high-potency that does not dry out the skin. The wondrous gel-serum boasts incredible efficacy, and it is now a Lola’s Secret Beauty Blog favorite!

Brighten The Eye Area

Marcia from Prime Beauty doesn’t know how she’d be happy without a good eyecream in her life. Her experience with Fleur & Bee’s Eye Eye Baby keeps her happy. And you’ll love the price too!

Merry & Bright Skin With A Vitamin C Serum

A 12-hour Vitamin C Ingredient… WHAT?????? Find out why you need to add this skincare product into your skincare routine. As Barbie’s Beauty Bits shares The Benefits Of Adding Vitamin C To Your Skincare Routine

Get Some Relaxation With CBD
Cannabidiol (CBD) is quickly becoming a popular ingredient in the beauty and relaxation industries. Delta 9 Gummies are one of the many products that use CBD, offering consumers a unique way to incorporate this natural compound into their lives. These gummies are packed with 50mg of CBD isolate per piece. They are made with natural flavours such as strawberry, lemon, and orange. In addition, Delta 9 gummies are vegan, gluten-free, and free of artificial colours or preservatives. Delta 9 Gummies provide the health benefits of CBD and make an excellent snack for those looking to relax after a long day.

Luxury Box Of Skincare For The Holidays

If you’re a skincare maven or you know somehow dear to you who is, Allison from Never Say Die Beauty recommends you look no further than The Box by Dr. Ava, a luxury beauty box with at least 7 full size dermatologist-curated skincare and personal care products. It’s effective skincare products that are also divine!  

Now Dress Up Your Holiday Wardrobe

It’s velvet season at Your True Self Blog! Angie is finishing a series of velvet outfit ideas, continuing from last year’s holiday season. Click HERE for the third in the series, focusing on how to style velvet tops of all sorts. The sixth and seventh in the series are on the blog, posted last week and this week. With all the outfit combinations Angie provides, she makes it easy for you to get dressed quickly, get more use out of your velvet pieces and feel like a million bucks every day!

December 15, 2021

Top 7 Benefits Of Roses In Your Skincare

Top 7 Benefits Of Roses In Your Skincare By Barbies Beauty Bits

Roses are red, violets are blue, and I have a skincare ingredient just for you! 

Why, Roses, of course! And today, Barbie's Beauty Bits will share with you the top 7 benefits of roses in your skincare!


When most think of roses, they think of the scent of rose distillate, romance, Valentine's Day, or maybe an anniversary. But as we say here at Barbie's Beauty Bits, roses aren't just a symbol of love.

Roses have numerous benefits for the skin that have been around for centuries! From Cleopatras rose baths (think rose water for the skin) to use from Ancient Greeks and Romans. The benefits of rose water and rose extract have been around for a very long time!

So, if you are ready to channel your inner goddess and indulge in some rose petal skincare goodness, continue reading.

I have partnered up with Hyalo AI Beauty to discuss the benefits of rose-infused skincare products and their Rosé Spot Defying Primer for this blog post.

What The Heck Is AI (active intelligence)
Before I get into the beautiful individual benefits of roses in your skincare, let's discuss how the skin loving ingredients, 12 to be exact in Hyalo AI Beauty Rosé Spot Defying Primer, work.

What is Hyalo AI Beauty's active intelligence all about? They are natural ingredients sequentially released over time to defend, shield, and heal.

All of Hyalo AI Beauty formulas are a proprietary blend of natural ingredients, and each is sourced sustainably to deliver pure goodness in its purest form.

These ingredients work together to intelligently undo skincare damage and help to restore a more youthful appearance. Their ingredients are powered by Nanosphere technology for targeted, fast, and long-lasting magical beauty!

haylo ai nanoshpere barbies beauty bitsHyalo AI Nanosphere Technology
This skincare technology is what makes Hyalo's AI skincare products different.  (Oh, my inner Sheldon so loves this). That is Sheldon from Big Bang theory for those that have no clue what the heck I am talking about.

But in all seriousness, Hyalo AI Beauty does what they claim to do by delivering the active ingredients in their skincare products. This AI Nanosphere Technology offers real solutions to your skin concerns rather than masking them. But what the heck does that mean?

Hyalo Nanospheres are nano-sized particles that penetrate the epidermis to intelligently deliver key active ingredients in a targeted, sequential, and time-controlled manner at the molecular level.  

In laymen's terms, HYALO AI's nanosphere technology enables the product to continue actively working and improving your skin long after it has been applied. Twenty-four hours- in fact!

Now that I have taken the Sheldon anecdotal approach to explain Hyalo AI Nanosphere technology works. How do we know what ingredients are active ingredients and how will you know if they will make a difference? Find out below.

Read The Label
Like food, reading the skin care product labels to find out the active ingredients is essential. Ingredients are listed on the INCI list, which stands for International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients. It's a standardized system for listing ingredient names on cosmetic product labels to eliminate confusion regardless of the country.

According to INCI, a skincare brand must print the ingredients on the packaging in the order of highest to lowest concentration.

Generally speaking, the first five ingredients listed on a label have the highest percentages, ultimately determining the product's performance. But this is not always the case, especially when talking about antioxidants, as they can be potent in small doses.  

Hyalo AI12 Beauty Rosé Spot Defying Primer Barbies Beauty Bits

Hyalo AI12 Beauty Rosé Spot Defying Primer
As mentioned above, the Rosé Spot Defying Primer contains 12 active ingredients (including natural rose extract). This clinically proven Rosé aims to address many skincare concerns regardless of skin type. Let see some of them below.

Roses, The Flower Of Youth
As we age, our collagen production slows down. This is why we start to see sagginess, wrinkles, and volume loss, which are signs of aging.

A boost in collagen is something many look for when selecting an anti-aging skincare product as that helps maintain firmness and suppleness in our skin. And rose extract can help with this as it is rich in Vitamin C, which aids in collagen production.

Rose properties can also help increase the skin's brightness and tone, even fade acne scarring. It is worth noting that many people have had great success in using natural rose extract to fade hyperpigmentation and sunspots.

best primer for redness, barbies beauty bits

Roses Reducing Redness
Do you have some unwanted rosiness or maybe sensitive skin? Well, if so, then this Rosé Spot Defying Primer is calling your name. Roses have anti-inflammatory properties and antibacterial properties—key ingredients to fight inflammation and skin conditions while minimizing redness, reducing acne, and soothing irritation.

Double Down
While we are not playing blackjack here, just like in blackjack, you get extra in return when you double down. The natural rose extract offers that "additional bet" of skincare success by helping control excess sebum production (natural oil production), doubling down as a clarifier.

You see, when the skin produces too much oil, it can mix with dead skin cells and dirt in a pore. This oil and dead skin get trapped, causing the pore to become inflamed.

Rose oil extract is very effective at exfoliating the dead skin cells, unclogging, leaving your complexion tightened and radiant.

Boost Your Skincare
While exfoliation is a must, you can over-exfoliate the skin, damaging your moisture barrier, especially with us going in between the blistering cold outdoors and the indoor HVAC heat in these cold winter months.  

This Rosé primer is a superb emollient to moisturize skin, protecting dry skin from moisture loss caused by the winter air. At the same time, they prevent free radicals and toxins from entering the skin.

Hyalo AI Beauty, Rosé Spot Defying Primer works excellent with your other skincare products because of its impressive hydrating benefits that pull deeper into the skin, penetrating where it can make an actual difference.

Balancing Act
Is your complexion on a balancing act? Meaning one day, your skin may be oily and another it feels dry? Well, it is because your pH is off, and the Rosé Spot Defying Primer is the perfect essential oil primer to help correct your pH levels.

best primer for long lasting makeup, barbies beauty bits

Roses Doing A Double Duty As A Facial Primer
I saved the best for last...to wear this primer with or without makeup. Beauties, you will not believe how flawless my makeup has looked using this Rosé Spot Defying Primer!

Aside from the skincare aspect we have been sharing throughout this blog post. This facial primer is fantastic to help prep the skin for flawless, long-lasting makeup applications. I'm sure we'd all agree that dry flaking skin is a nightmare to dry to apply makeup.

If you follow my blog, you know my thoughts using a face primer before applying your makeup. They are a must. Without them, your makeup will sit in your pores, create false wrinkles while leaving a dull appearance...period!

On the other hand, when you do use a primer. You'll find that your foundation and other beauty products will have a much smoother finish while minimizing the appearance of pores and fine lines! This rose primer has helped keep my facial makeup in place while adding that extra glow just in time for the holiday season!

There you have it, Barbie's Beauty Bits Top 7 Benefits of Roses In Your Skincare! Now you know why you, too, should be adding Hyalo AI Beauty, Rosé Spot Defying Primer to your daily skincare routine.

Try some other Hyalo AI Beauty products and add them to Christmas list with their Christmas Sale! Start shopping on Amazon HERE

  • Rosé Spot Defying Primer
  • OBubbly Dullness Defying Face Wash
  • Matcha Shot Time Defying Eye Serum

Hyalo ai beauty christmas sale