Tag: BEAUTY ESSENTIALS

Beauty Q and A: Should I Use a Lip Scrub Before Applying Lipstick?

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Chapped lips can make it difficult to get a flawless lipstick application. For a soft, smooth canvas, a lip scrub is a must-have. To find out just how and why to incorporate lip scrubs into your lip routine, we talked to Sara Happ, lip expert and founder of the eponymous brand. Read on for her tips so you can start swiping on the hottest summer lip colors with ease.

The Benefits of Using a Lip Scrub

 “Using a lip scrub gives you smooth lips that make a great base for lipstick to adhere to,” Happ says. A scrub is especially key if you’re wearing a matte liquid lipstick, like the L’Oréal Infallible Pro-Matte Liquid Lipstick, which can emphasize texture if you don’t exfoliate.  

To ensure safe use, you want to make sure you’re scrubbing your lips with products that are built to smooth and moisturize your pout. “Avoid using scrubs with ingredients that could hurt your lips — such as bits of almonds or other sharp materials,” Happ says. Look for nourishing oils, like jojoba and almond, with sugar to exfoliate, like the Sara Happ The Lip Scrub in Pink Grapefruit.

Sara Happ The Lip Scrub in Pink Grapefruit

How to Use a Lip Scrub

To properly use a lip scrub, massage the product onto dry lips with your fingers, then wipe away flakes with a tissue. Follow up with a moisturizing lip balm to prevent lips from drying out.

Happ recommends using a scrub every day to help “maintain healthy, smooth lips even throughout harsh weather or travel.” It’s important to note, however, that you should be mindful of avoiding irritation. “Don’t scrub cracked or bleeding lips,” Happ notes. Instead, use a product like The Lip Slip Gloss to help rehydrate. “Once they’re healthy again, start scrubbing every day,” she explains. Scrubbing cracked lips will make them worse, which is why it’s important to make sure they are moisturized beforehand.

Upgrade Your Selfie Game With These Editor-Approved Ring Lights

Published on by Lee2 Comments

Whether you’re trying to upgrade your selfie quality or want the best light possible for filming makeup tutorials, ring lights should be on your radar. The perfect addition to every vanity, ring lights cast an even light onto your face, reduce shadows, illuminate your eyes and even minimize the look of blemishes. There are plenty of ring lights out there— each with different functions and lighting options — making it tricky to figure out which one is best for you. To make it easier, we’ve narrowed down our favorite ring lights on Amazon, ahead. 

ring-lights

UBeeSize 12’’ Ring Light with Tripod

Never worry about bad lighting again. With this ring light, you can choose between five color temperatures and 10 brightness levels to find the best possible lighting for video calls, interviews, vlogs and makeup tutorials. 

ring-lights

Riki Skinny Light Vanity Makeup Mirror

Although it’s on the pricier side, this mirror has received the praises of celebs, makeup artists and beauty gurus for a reason: it’s magnifying mirror ensures flawless makeup application every single time. Plus, the lighting can’t be beat.

ring-lights

Neweer Selfie Ring Light 

Filming how-to videos and TikToks has never been so easy. This portable ring light provides top-notch lighting wherever you go and even has a clamp to hold your phone for hands-free recording. 

ring-lights

AIXPI LED Ring Light

With its own height-adjusting tripod that rotates 360 degrees, this ring light offers optimal lighting at every angle.

ring-lights

Yarrashop Ring Light Stand and Phone Holder

Don’t let poor lighting wash out your complexion on screen. Shop this desktop ring light complete with adjustable brightness levels and lighting will never be an issue again.

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5 Ways to Use MICELLAR WATER on the Daily

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French women swear by micellar water, and they’ve got the complexions to prove it. Micellar water was formulated with the notion that tap water is too harsh for the face, stripping it of natural and necessary oils which, in turn, can speed up the aging process. But micellar cleansing water can clean the face without actual water; in other words, no rinsing required, therefore aiding in keeping that complexion fresh and youthful. The formulas are so gentle and effective, they’re safe for all skin types, even sensitive and acne-prone. And, like all staple, must-have beauty products worth their price, this item is a true multitasker and time-saver. 

Due to micellar water’s popularity, there are countless options on the market, which makes it hard to discern which formulas make for the most worthwhile investment. So, we did some digging and identified 7 French-made micellar water formulas that all get top ratings from beauty editors and nit-picky consumers, alike. Keep scrolling for all the best French micellar water elixirs the beauty industry has to offer. 

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Here are five ways to use micellar water on the daily:

  1. Use it as a face wash. No water or rinsing required. That’s right, when you’re too tired to remove your makeup at day’s end, just douse micellar water onto a reusable cotton pad and swipe away makeup and dirt, and it’s just as effective as washing with a cleanser and water. Keep a bottle by the bed and never fall asleep with makeup on again.
  2. Use it as a makeup remover. The gentle formulations of micellar water make it an optimal choice for removing makeup, especially eye makeup, where tugging at the sensitive eye area can actually cause fine lines and wrinkles. With micellar water, a few swipes and makeup is gone, even waterproof mascara—no tugging or pulling necessary.
  3. Use it as a toner. If you’re a fan of the double-cleanse, or if your skin is on the oilier side, cleansing with a cream or gel-based cleanser then following up with micellar water on a cotton pad is, literally, the deepest—yet most gentle—cleanse you can give your complexion.
  4. Use it to freshen up on the go. Post-gym workout or office-to-drinks can require a quick face freshening. Micellar water is the perfect choice, considering you don’t need actual water (or a sink or bathroom) to get your complexion clean. Just carry a travel-size version of micellar water in your bag, apply at your desk or in the car, and your complexion is as good as new.
  5. Use it to clean makeup brushes. Did you know your makeup brushes should be sanitized at least once a week? Think about all of the bacteria buildup on those bristles … it’s like a prime playground for germs. Micellar water is an easy and effective way to wipe off your brushes after each use, making them dirt- and bacteria-free.
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Shop our top picks for micellar waters below.

Bioderma

Hydrabio H2O

For those dealing with dry skin, this is one of the best micellar waters to turn to. French brand Bioderma crafted this micellar water with dry skin in mind. The non-comedogenic formula includes the brand’s signature Aquagenium patent, which contains a blend of niacinamide and apple seed extract. This blend helps the skin retain moisture and stimulate the circulation of water in the skin cells.

Caudalie

Micellar Cleansing

Like pretty much all micellar waters, this soap-free formula doesn’t require water and is safe for sensitive skin, that being said, it’s especially amazing for aging skin thanks to how nourishing and hydrating the ingredient list is; organic chamomile, peptides, Viniferine, and shea butter work together to soothe, lift, nourish, and improve overall brightness or dark spots.

Oriental Botanics

Aloe Vera, Green Tea and Cucumber

This micellar water can remove dirt and even waterproof makeup. It effectively clears residue from your skin without stripping the natural oils. It contains aloe vera, green tea, and cucumber that keep the skin hydrated, refreshed, and healthy. It has a gentle yet powerful formula, so you do not need to rub vigorously to remove makeup. It minimizes skin damage and irritation resulting from constant rubbing and rinsing.

Bioderma

Sensibio H2O

This is one of the most popular and best micellar waters for acne-prone skin available for purchase. It comes from Bioderma, a French pharmaceutical company. The formula is free of fragrance and alcohol. It also contains glycerides, which help hydrate the skin. This Bioderma micellar water is gentle yet effective at cleansing the skin, making it an excellent micellar water for those with acne-prone and irritated skin.

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More top picks for micellar waters below:

Simple Kind

Skin Cleansing Water

Simple has created one of the best micellar waters for oily skin. It effectively cleanses the skin, while not damaging the protective barrier. Beyond its impressive cleansing abilities, this formula is able to boost the skin’s hydration immediately by 90%. It contains triple purified water, hydrating glycerin, and soothing chamomile flower extract. The formula is also free of artificial colors, perfumes, or harsh chemicals, eliminating the risk of irritation.

 Christian Dior

Hydra Life Micellar Water No Rinse Cleanser

The effective formula of this Dior product removes all your makeup instantly and tones your skin. This micellar water contains soothing Echinacea flower extract. It increases the elasticity and maintains the natural balance of your skin. It also brightens your skin tone.

Payot Paris

LAIT MICELLAIRE DÉMAQUILLANT

If you’ve never heard of Payot Paris, you’re in for a treat. The beloved French brand makes some of the dreamiest complexion remedies, and this milky micellar elixir is at the top of our list. While the brand also makes a non-milky, water-like version, we’re obsessed with how velvety-smooth this micellar milk leaves our skin. That said, both formulas share the same lush skin actives like hyaluronic acid, raspberry extracts, and micelles. 

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HEALTHIER WAYS to Use Fragrance

Published on by Lee5 Comments

THIS BLOG POST WAS SPONSORED BY DOSSIER! HOWEVER, ALL OPINIONS ARE MINE! I SAID WHAT I SAID!

By now it’s been made woefully clear that some of our old tried and true favorite beauty products might not be the very best for our bodies. Potentially harmful chemicals and synthetics can build up in our systems, cause imbalances, and are generally toxic. So what’s a girl to do when her signature scent isn’t squeaky clean?

We won’t make you throw out a fragrance that makes you feel special. You know what we mean—that nostalgic, warm and fuzzy smell that makes tears spring to your ex’s eyes because you’ve always smelled like that—it’s your special smell. Or, maybe you’ve fallen head over heels for a new fragrance and you just can’t get it out of your mind. Chances are, you’re not finding an exact replica that does the same magical mingling with your body chemistry in a non-toxic brand.

Dossier

Discover quality fragrances inspired by the iconic rich scents you love.

price depends, the fragrance is either $29 or $39. Use code: LEE10 for money off!

Here is the link: https://dossier.co/?utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=bloggers&utm_medium=BELLA%E2%80%99S%20BOUTIQUE10

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What you can do is try using your favorite (not-so-clean-beauty) scents in smarter, healthier ways. Instead of dousing your delicate endocrine system, aka spraying directly onto your lymph nodes at your throat, wrist, or other sensitive places, try somewhere else.

Give your hair a spritz after it’s styled. The scent will cling to your fibrous strands in a heavenly cloud around your face, and create a little breeze of your favorite aroma when you whip around town. It doesn’t need to land directly on your scalp or seep into your skin, and you don’t need a lot.

Or, try misting your clothes. You can spritz it on a scarf, a sweater, or your top, all before putting the piece on so your scent lingers without clinging to your sensitive areas all day, or requiring reapplication. You can spritz a cotton kerchief and tuck it into a drawer to have a subtle tinge of your scent last all day on all your foldables as well!

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Most people assume that applying fragrance is easy. One spritz on your neck and another on your wrist, and that’s pretty much it, right? Trust us, there’s so much more to it! And considering the average price point of designer perfume, we don’t want to waste a drop. The good news is, once you’ve read this post, you’ll be ready to make the most of every last gorgeous drop of your fragrance. Here are four common fragrance mistakes and what you should be doing instead.

Storing Fragrances Incorrectly

Storing fragrances incorrectly degrades the fragrance. Hot temperatures affect the chemical bonds in fragrance while if the temperature is too low, that can also alter the fragrance more quickly. Ideally, your perfumes need to be stored in a cool, dark place with a room temperature between 16 to 22 degrees. This means storing perfume in your bathroom or anywhere the temperature fluctuates is a big no-no. Similarly, direct sunlight will also break down fragrance so do not store them on a window or even shelves near a window. Look for bottles with dark or opaque glass packaging, which will help protect the perfume from sunlight.

Applying Fragrance to Dry Skin

Perfume doesn’t wear well on dry skin, which is just another reason to moisturizer daily. Ideally, you should use the accompanying body lotion that comes with your fragrance or an unscented moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated. This will also ensure that there’s no olfactory interference.

Our fave perfume hack: Perfume lasts longer when applied to oily, damp skin, so to lock in the scent, rub vaseline onto your pulse points before application.

Carrying Fragrance in Your Purse

If you carry your fragrance in your purse, you’re not only exposing it to different temperatures, but you’ll also cause the bottle to move around constantly. By shaking the bottle, you’ll expose the perfume to excess air, which will breakdown and disrupt the fragrance over time.

If you do want to carry a scent with you while you’re on the go, we’d recommend the travel scent Dossier gives you when you purchase a 50mL fragrance, $29. You can also buy these Portable Mini Refillable Perfume Spray Bottles, $10, that you can fill with your fave fragrances, which are perfect for when you travel or to keep in your handbag while your perfume is safely stored at home.

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Savoring your Fragrance

As much as we love to savor our beauty products, holding onto your favorite fragrance means that more often than not, by the time you reach the end of the bottle, the fragrance will have altered slightly. The more oxygen into the bottle (like when you’ve used 70% of your perfume), the more the fragrance molecules will break down and modify the fragrance.

This means investing in a large bottle is not always a good idea, in fact, it often better to purchase a smaller bottle to keep the fragrance fresh. If your go-to fragrance is only available in a large bottle, decant the liquid into small vials and store your half-empty bottles in the fridge.

For more fragrance inspo, check out FRAGRANCES TO GIFT YOUR LOVED ONES WITH, PURELY BASED ON PERSONALITY.

THIS BLOG POST WAS SPONSORED BY DOSSIER! HOWEVER, ALL OPINIONS ARE MINE! I SAID WHAT I SAID!

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