Cyber Monday Deals

I personally prefer Cyber Monday over Black Friday. I am a super anxious person to begin with and the thought of finding a parking spot, parking spot stealers, crowds, and aggressive shoppers just wants me get all panicky (and I would rather eat leftovers). Plus, I feel bad for people who have to work on Black Friday and apparently Thanksgiving now! Instead of spending time with their family, they have to work and deal with crazy people and situations. So, no, you will not see me at any mall on Thanksgiving Day or Black Friday. But instead you'll probably see me Instagram my meals, leftovers, adorable nieces, and perhaps another sneak peek on Cyber Monday.

Happy Thanksgiving XX Cyber Monday

1. J.Crew // 30% off full-price and 40% off sales with code: MONDAY + free shipping on full price items! 

2. H&M // 30% off everything and free shipping on orders over $50 with code: 2695

3. Ann Taylor // 50% off entire purchase with code: THANKS

4. Alternative // 35% off entire purchase with code: CYBER35 

5. Modcloth // 25% off entire purchase with code: CYBERMONDAY

6. Forever21 // 20% off dresses and skirts
7. Birchbox // Get a free Birchbox for every $60 you spend on gift subscription with code: BOXME
8. Loft // 50% off entire purchase with code: MONDAY

For the gents: 

1. J.Crew // 30% off full-priced and 40% off sales with code: HOLIDAY

2. Alternative // 30% off entire purchase with code: CYBER30

3. Best Buy // Crazy deals! 

Give The Gift Of Beautiful Skin

I recently went to an Image Skincare Event to get together with some old friends, network, learn, drink champagne, and of course get my hands on Image Skincare Merry and Bright 2014 Holiday Gift Set! I wasn't so excited for it at first prior to the event, because I thought it would just be their mini holiday 1 oz pump bottles. However, this holiday, Image surprised us with full size products and a FREE bag! If you haven't heard of Image Skincare yet (you must be living under a rock), their products are highly effective, paraben-free, natural, full of antioxidants, medical grade ingredients, easy to use, and suitable for all skin types! The thing about Image is, it isn't sold in drugstores, department stores or online. But at your local spas or dermatologists' office. So, although it may be harder to get, it's completely worth it. If you don't know where to find Image Skincare, you can comment below where you're from and I can help find you a spa or you can call Image Skincare directly at 561-791-2602 and a licensed esthetician can help. 

What's great about this holiday set is, it contains the essentials: cleanser, serum, moisturizer/SPF, and a lip treatment. So, if you're running low on skincare products or have a long Christmas list, this is a great gift set to give to anyone on your list! Now, let's talk about the moola...it's value at $200, but you can get it for $125 (the MAX Stem Cell Serum alone is $93.50...ekkk)! Okay, I know, it's not the cheapest holiday set. But like I said before, it's completely worth it! Honestly, you know you spent way more than that during Sephora's VIB Rouge and VIB member event. Am I right...or am I right? 

Here are the four products that is included with one complimentary bag!

1) The MAX Stem Cell Facial Cleanser 
This is my mom's favorite cleanser. I think the smell alone is what got her hooked! Besides the lovely smell, the Max Cleanser is acid-free, sulfate free, and paraben free. Like all of Image Skincare cleaners, it's a triple treat, a 3-in-1 kind of cleanser: facial cleanser, toner, and exfoliator. Not only is the product convenient and easy to use, but the Max Cleanser also helps optimize your skin's pH level--meaning balance, protection, and products absorbing deeper into your skin!
2) The MAX Stem Cell Serum 
I've never actually tried this serum personally, not because I don't want to, but it's because I'm already using two serums from Image Skincare! Although I haven't used it, I've heard nothing but great things about this serum from clients. According to Image Skincare, this day and night serum helps rejuvenates, plump, and firm your skin. What takes this serum to the next level? Three words: stem cell technology. What is that, you ask? Well, plant-derived stem cells are great to have in products, since it protects and repairs your living cells! Maximizing results and healthy skin.
3) Prevention + Ultimate Protection Moisturizer SPF 50 
Now, this is a product that I have tried and adore! This ultra-sheer, lightweight moisturizer with a build in SPF is beyond amazing!  It gives you the moisture your skin loves while giving your skin the ultimate protection and prevention. Although I really love this product for its great benefits, the smell alone is what did it for me! I mean, who doesn't like the smell of pina colada?! Humm...pina colada sounds nice right now.
4) Ormedic Balancing Lip Enhancement Complex
This is a must have, if you want smooth and Kylie Jenner's lip (not pre-teen Kylie, but current teen Kylie). It gives a subtle shine, but not sticky, something I love when I'm on-the-go and on a time limit. The smell alone is just amazing, I think it smells exactly like how M&M's White Chocolate Candy Corn tastes! But like all of Image's products, there are great benefits besides the smell. This product contains the purest organic ingredients, polypeptide complex, and antioxidants! It's also great for dry, dehydrated lips, and post dermal filler injections. This is a must have item!

Hee hee...I just realized I raved a lot about the smell of Image Skincare products! Anyways, this is how the bag looks like!

10 Beauty Sins: Wrinkle Edition Pt. 2

1. Tanning beds
Ewh, just stop it!

2. Sleeping on your side or face
The way you sleep can cause your face to be squished upon hours and hours! Overtime, the creases eventually become wrinkles. For all my side-sleepers, wrinkles may form on your décolleté too! Double whammy!

3. The way you apply and remove your make-up
If you're stretching your skin to apply make-up, you may be increasing your risk of crow's feet and wrinkles. The area around your skin is very sensitive and thin, especially your eyelids. The constant tugging and pulling may impact and increase the chances of wrinkles forming around the eyes. Like applying make-up, removing your make-up the wrong way can cause fine lines and wrinkles. In general, being rough around the eyes can irritate the skin around your eyes (especially the days you're wearing waterproof eyeliner), increasing your chances of sagging and wrinkles!

Tip: try moving your face around to see which ways will naturally hold your skin taut without having to forcefully stretch your skin out.

4. Not cleansing your face
If you find yourself always waking up to yesterday's make-up (and maybe one false lash stuck on your cheek or pillow) you need to get your life together, girl! Not only can sleeping with your make-up clog your pores, causing breakouts, dryness, and irritation to your skin, but yesterday's make-up and the environmental pollutants you accumulate during the day can also break down collagen and elastin. Two very important protein for healthy, firm and plump skin.

The lazy girl tip: keep cleansing wipes by the side of your bed! I really like Neutrogena, but there's a lot of wipes out there that are great too. But remember, wipes are not intended to deeply cleanse your skin so make-up and dirt can still be on your skin. *This lazy girl tip is only for that one or two lazy nights...not every night!

5. Avoiding monthly facials
Getting facials regularly can improve your skin tone, texture, appearance, and overall health. Taking care of your skin early on can be very beneficial! The short term benefits for facials are: glowing and soft skin, increased blood circulation, plumpness, elimination of blackheads. But in the long-run, regular treatments will soften fine lines and wrinkles, tighter and toner skin, and lighten hyperpigmentation. Investing in your skin will save you in the long-run from the need to perform extra treatments and products to reverse the signs of aging.

6. Frowning
If you spend your life with the same expression as grumpy cat, eventually you're going to have frown lines. Just like drinking from a straw, the repetitive motion can increase the risk of frown lines. However, frowning isn't a single indicator for getting expression lines or wrinkles!

7. Smiling
Just like frowning, smiling and any repetitive expression you increase the chance for fine lines and wrinkles.

8. Overthinking and Stress
Overthinking and chronic stress causes hormones to go all out of whack and makes us appear tired and older. However there are some researchers who have found that chronic stress contributes to premature aging, because of what it does to our body and cells.

9. Not following product instruction
Sometimes I am also guilty with this. I think in our heads, we think that if we add a few more drops or scrub every day that the product would give us faster results. But that's not the case, sometimes it actually causes more harm than good. Especially products like retinol that sloughs off dead skin cells at a rapid speed, leaving your skin vulnerable and expose (this is when your skin is at its weakest and can easily damage due to too much sun exposure and not enough SPF). Just to be on the safe side, read and follow the instructions! But most importantly, listen to your skin. Your skin will let you know if the product you're using is too much or too strong and vice versa.

10. Not enough beauty sleep
Not getting enough zzz's makes you look tired and sluggish, but it can also increase wrinkles, uneven skin tone, and limit the skin's ability to repair itself! When we're sleeping, our skin is still at work trying to repair itself from the damage of the day. However, the lack of beauty sleep has an adverse affect; instead of repairing the wear and tear of the day, it releases a certain hormone that slowly breaks down collagen and elastin. Resulting in fine lines and saggy skin.

Beauty Tip: Plucker Up and Protect Your Lips!

Happy Sunday!

I'm sure that a lot of us are guilty with neglecting our lips. We think that smearing on lip balm is enough to keep them moisturized and protected, while lathering and treating everything around our face from cleansers, exfoliants, serums, moisturizers and SPF. But sadly, our lips rarely get that much loving. Protecting your lips is important, because it's expose to harsh and unpredictable weather, and dun...dun...dun...sunlight! Our lips also has a very thin protective layer and can easily crack from lack of care, which can be very painful and may lead to infection! Plus, what's the point of applying lipstick if your lips are dry and flaky?

Here are my steps on obtaining soft, smooth, and healthy lips:

1. Cleanse

Cleanse, cleanse, cleanse! I know, I know, you know, but believe it or not, cleansing one's lip is often forgotten! I normally just take a cotton pad, dab Image Skincare's Vital C Cleanser and add some water (of course you can just cleanse your lips as you're washing your face). What I love about this cleanser is that it's creamy, ultra-hydrating, and paraben free! 

2. Refine & moisturize

Grab your old toothbrush (or a mascara wand), Vaseline and just move your toothbrush in circular motion until you effectively remove the majority of the dead skin cells or until it feels soft enough for you! If you're not busy, lazy, or just in need of some extra lip loving. Mix some brown sugar, honey, and coconut oil to get a deep exfoliation! Both are excellent for exfoliating and moisturizing your lips! 

Tip: If you're traveling or feeling like "ain't nobody got time for that", I recommend getting a lip scrub. There are many lip scrubs out there, but I love Burt's Bee Soothing Lip Balm with Eucalyptus and Menthol. It's not often used as a lip scrub, but it's amazing and I always feel like the product is bead-y enough to use as a go-to exfoliant! It's also inexpensive and you don't have to worry about contaminating it with your fingers, which I appreciate and love!

3. Protect

This is something a lot of people forget! We protect our face from sun exposure, but don't realize that our lips needs a little SPF loving too! To protect my lips from sun damage and well moisturized, my go-to SPF lip balm is Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15. 

4. Put on your favorite fall lipstick 
Ahh! Isn't this the fun part? My two favorite fall lipstick is Chanel Rouge Allure Adorable (what's more adorable about this lipstick is that my adorable 79 year old grandma gave me this!) and YSL Rouge Volupté Forbidden Burgundy. Chanel Rouge Allure Adorable is more natural and I normally grab this lipstick when I'm in a rush or just want a little color. YSL Rouge Volupté Forbidden Burgundy is POP POP POP! It's my go-to when I feel a little down or a night out in the city with my girls!

Xoxx

Heather

What To Expect From Your First Facial

I know this might seem a little bit crazy being an esthetician and all, but I did not get my first facial until I was 18. Not sure if that's "normal" or not, but I've had friends who've had facials around 15 years old (so Persian or a mom who owns a nail spa ;)). However, my first time was horrible! I guess I expected what I normally see in movies: champagne, fluffy white robes, soft music, and relaxation. Mine was the complete opposite! No champagne, no robe (until she saw how uncomfortable I was and went through a rack full of coats and purses to find me a cover up), no music, and just pain! My first (very painful) facial included extractions (removal of black and white heads), let's just say I had tears streaming from my face and my face bruised for the next several days. My lovely esthetician also surprised me with a high frequency treatment...something I didn't even knew existed at time! It honestly felt like she was snapping a rubber band constantly all over my face! For a couple of years, I never even thought about getting a facial again, that was until I applied to esthetics school and received a complimentary facial and fell in love with facials.

I'm going to say this right now, your first facial should not be extremely painful. Yes, you might experience some discomfort while extractions or a chemical peel, but not to the extreme. Facials are supposed to be relaxing and beneficial, not painful. However, I believe that a good esthetician always consults with her client on what treatment is going to be preformed and also during the treatment. I think surprising a client is always a huge no-no, because the client might not have wanted a certain treatment or completely freak out if they suddenly experience discomfort. I also want to mention that pain does not equal results! Capisce?

So, whether you've never had a facial before or simply had a bad experience. Here are some tale-tell signs that you're under good care:

1) Meet and greet

• Your esthetician will introduce him or herself
• Your esti may also ask if you need to use the restroom or water

2) Consultation

• You may be asked to fill out a consultation form: this is where your esthetician will see your contraindication(s), lifestyle, diet, medications/supplements, products you're currently using, and your primary concern, and etc!
• It's important to be honest, because your skin might react to certain ingredients or treatment
• This also helps your esthetician choose the best treatment for your main concern or skin type

3) Escort to a clean, neat, and calming room
4) Your esthetician will then prepare you for treatment

• Let you know that you can undress and gives you a robe (I normally let my lady clients know that they can keep their bra on if it's more comfortable or take it off, which ever they prefer)
• Show you where to place your clothes and belongings
• Show you the massage table and ask if you prefer being under or over the covers
• Your esti will leave to give you a chance to get ready (before stepping out, I like to ask my clients if they have anymore questions for me before I step out to prep and look over their consultation form, it gives them an opportunity to ask questions before the treatment begins--I notice this helps them feel more at ease, especially for first timers)

5) Cleanse

• Your hair will be wrapped with a headband, towel, or both. This is to protect your hair and also keep it from getting in the way of the treatment 
• Your esti may cleanse with 2x2, cotton pads, sponges, or fingers
• S/he may or may not put on gloves at this time (depending on the type of treatment, your skin type, or if she or you may have open wounds)

6) Skin analysis

• Your eyes should be protected with 4x4s or an eye mask
• Your esti will now ask you about your skin, what meds or supplements you're on, what product you're currently using, and your primary concern (basically a recap of your consultation form)
• S/he will also be feeling your face, jawline, neck, and ears--this helps your esti understand the texture, tone, and what's going on with her skin
• This is when your esthetician would recommend a customized treatment

7) Steam 

• This helps soften your sebum, making extractions easier
• Your esthetician may skip this if there's contraindication(s)
• *If you have difficulty breathing, just let your esti know*

8) Exfoliation

• A process of manually or chemically removing the surface of dead skin cells

9) Extractions 

• This is a process where your black and white heads are removed
• Sometimes this is part of your facial, sometimes it's an add-on
• You may ask your esti to skip this step or go gently 

10) Facial massage

• Helps with relaxation and stimulates your skin and facial muscles  

11) Masque 

• Your esthetician may leave for a bit during this process to tidy up or s/he will perform a massage 
• Steam may also be involved 

12) Serum, eye creme, moisturizer/SPF

• This step is very important and beneficial after a facial
• Because dead skin cells are removed, serums and eye cremes will penetrate better and deeper
• If you had a facial during the day, SPF is VERY important in protecting your skin from the sun

Volià!

Of course your esti will help you up, ask you if you need anything (like bathroom or water), and ask you to come to the front desk whenever you're done, show you the products s/he used and make recommendations, and you're on your way out! That's about it, of course not all spas are the same! Just make sure you feel comfortable with your esthetician, treatment, etc. If you feel any discomfort, just let your esti know! Hope this is helpful!

Xo,

Heather

10 Beauty Sins: Wrinkle Edition

I think a lot of people fight aging by going under the knife, skin fillers, botox, or even the most expensive and well advertised cosmetic products. We try to get the latest procedure or product in order to reverse the skin of aging. However, here are some inexpensive and fool-proof practices to maintain your youthful look from any age! Of course having an appropriate skin regimen, avoid the duck face, and good posture early on, can help slow down the aging process. Prevention is key, ladies!

Let’s take a look at the 10 beauty sins that we do everyday that may cause us to age faster!

1. Not wearing SPF 25+ and reapplying SPF every 2 hours

Yes, you read that right! There are many reasons why we must reapply every 2 hours. The effectiveness of SPF lessen by the minute, no matter what. But let's just say you're swimming, sweating profusely, changing in the fitting room, etc. The SPF is either being rubbed off or melting and off, leaving your skin vulnerable to the skin. After hours and hours of sun exposure and no SPF, your skin is at risk to sunburn, brown spots, wrinkles, and dun...dun...dun, skin cancer.

2. Drinking from a straw
I'm not talking to the sometime straw-drinkers, but to the straw-lovers. You know, that one friend I think we all have that drinks wine from a straw so that she doesn't mess up her red lips or stain her teeth or that friend who uses her plastic Starbucks reusable travel cup everyday (something I'm guilty of). The reason why drinking from a straw is a no-no is, because when when doing so, we're pursing our lips and that can increase the risk of laugh lines and wrinkles! So...that's why we should say no to straws (and the ultimate duck face)!

3. Smoking
Free radicals, free radicals, free radicals! Smoking can speed up the normal aging process leading to sagging and wrinkles, making you look older than you really are. So say bye-bye to the cigarettes and hello to your lovely skin!

4. Facial exercises
Facial exercises is awesome...if you're trying to get wrinkles and fine lines. There's a lot of believers of facial exercises out there, but the truth is: the more you move or use your facial muscles, the more the lines deepen. Think about it, laugh lines are call laugh lines for a reason!

5. Over exfoliation
Over exfoliating your skin can eventually thin out your skin and make it more irritated and susceptible to sun damage! We all know that the sun is a huge no-no and can accelerate premature aging and brown spots.

6. Consuming too much sugar
Not a smoker, ehh? Well did you know that too much sugar could age your skin like you're a smoker? Sugar also damages your collagen and elation production, leaving your skin saggy and less plump.

7. Reading in bed
Let's talk about your neck now. The way your body is position while reading may be creating deep lines across your neck. However, I know exactly how comfy reading in bed is, especially on Sunday mornings! The secret is to prop yourself up so that your back isn't curved! Also make sure your neck isn't pointed too far down (that double-chin is realz and it's only doing to get worst...by forming into deep lines AKA wrinkles).

8. Not having enough water

You have to be hydrated! By drinking water you help moisture your body from the inside and out. Water is extremely important since our skin alone is composed around 20% of water and if your body is not lacking water, it steals it from your skin. Resulting to dry and flakey skin, making wrinkles more visible and deeper. Hydrated skin means younger and plumper skin--so pour it up, pour it up!

9. Consuming too much caffeine
Drinking too much caffeine dehydrates your skin, causing you to appear dull! Dehydrated skin may also cause the lines on your face to appear deeper too, since your skin is trying to hold onto as much water as it can.

Tip: for every cup of Joe or caffeinated tea, just add an extra cup to your 8 cups of water a day!

10. Not wearing sunglasses
The best way to reduce eye wrinkles or crow's feet is to protect your eyes! Wearing sunglasses not only protects your eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays, but you're also less likely to squint. The less you squint the less crow's feet, fine lines, and wrinkles will form around your eyes.

Sephora VIB and VIB Rouge Sale Event

About a week ago (oh, dear lord the skin is now playing over and over my), I received two gift cards from Sephora for 20% off everything for a friend and my self. The reason being so is that, like the millions of beauty insiders (maybe including yourself) have spent an embarrassing amount of moola within the 365 days of the year! It's okay, you did good girl!

This is Sephora's biggest sale of the year for VIB and VIB Rouge members. It's the time of the year that I think every "Very Important Beauty Insider" is waiting for; to either spoil themselves, stock up on products, buy those adorable beauty ornaments, or get every on their christmas list something nice. So, what will you be getting the next several days? Let me know in the comments below!

Now, I would like to share the beauty products that I hope to get tonigt! Why? Welp, because my luck ran out after 15 minutes on Sephora due to the "large volume of traffic" and now have to wait for my chance to add a bunch of products I've been eyeing on! However these are the products that will most definitely be in my cart (and sadly my next credit card bill). 

1. Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Vernis a Levres Rebel Nudes

2. Karuna Hydrating+ Face Mask

3. Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15

4. L'Occitane Cherry Blossom

5.  Caudalie Beauty Elixir

6. Burberry London

7. Boscia Konjac Cleansing Sponge with Bamboo Charcoal

8. Anastasia Beverly Hills Tinted Brow Gel

9. Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade

I've also decided to add a meme that is very relatable at the moment...hee hee. 

DIY Chocolate Facial

Chocolate facials are full of antioxidants, which helps repair your skin cells, hydrate, soothe, and increase plumpness and firmness to your skin! For a little help on sloughing off that dead skin cells of yours, just add a little bit of oatmeal to your chocolate facial masque and voilà! Oatmeal also helps fights dryness, is very soothing to the skin, gentle exfoliant, and acts as a natural defense for your skin!

Now, don't forget to lick your face or the bowl when you're done! Seriously, not only is this chocolate facial beneficial for your skin, but it's also a great cure for PMS, mood-swings, and for satisfying that chocolate craving! Dessert and a more radiant, glowing, and hydrated skin? Yes, please!

(My lovely model AKA birthday girl!)

What you'll need: 

1/2 cup milk or dark chocolate chips (preferably dark chocolate)

1/4 cup heavy cream (for dry skin, I recommend coconut oil)

1 oz oatmeal

1 tbsp honey 

Directions: 

1) Melt the chocolate chips

2) Mix all the ingredients together

3) Apply Chocolate Masque (make sure your skin is freshly cleansed before applying)

4) Enjoy for 15-20 minutes (like watch an episode of your favorite TV show on Netflix)

5) To remove, pat gently with a warm towel to dry 

6) Follow up with your favorites: serum, eye creme, and then moisturizer/spf

Xo, 

Heather