Tag: Skincare

Gua Sha Skincare: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Products for Your Skin Type

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If gua sha has ever left your skin irritated, congested, or just plain frustrated, you’re not alone. Not every product works for every skin type, and the wrong choice can turn a relaxing ritual into a breakout nightmare.

We spoke with board-certified dermatologist Dr. Ava Shamban to find out which products make gua sha a glow-boosting, stress-melting habit—no matter your skin type.

“Every skin type needs a proper ‘conductor’ to let the tool glide effortlessly,” Dr. Ava explains. “This prevents tugging, friction, and irritation, while helping your products penetrate the skin’s protective barrier.”

She adds that the right formula should stick around long enough to support your full session. A microbiome-friendly mist or serum with gentle actives, like hypochlorous acid, is perfect for prepping the skin before applying water- or oil-based serums for gua sha.

Oily & Acne-Prone Skin

For oily or acne-prone skin, gua sha works best with a lightweight, noncomedogenic oil or water-based serum that helps balance sebum and prevent clogged pores. Dr. Ava recommends ingredients like grapeseed, rosehip, jojoba, safflower, argan, or squalane oils, along with hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid for hydration and pore refinement. Niacinamide is another win—it supports the skin barrier, calms redness, and helps regulate oil production.

Dry Skin

For dry skin, gua sha is all about rich hydration and slip. Dr. Ava recommends using a nourishing oil serum like Surya Balancing Face Oil, packed with essential fatty acids and omegas to deeply moisturize and support the skin’s natural barrier. This kind of product keeps the tool gliding smoothly while giving dry skin the boost it needs.

Dehydrated Skin

Dehydrated skin isn’t the same as dry skin—while dry skin lacks oil, dehydrated skin is a temporary lack of water. For this, gua sha works well with either a water-based or oil-based product. Dr. Ava suggests a potent hydrator featuring multi-weight hyaluronic acid to deeply replenish moisture and keep the tool gliding smoothly.

Mature Skin

Mature skin often needs both hydration and gentle exfoliation. For gua sha, start with a serum that offers slip and skin-renewing benefits—like Mirabella All-in-One Clarifying Serum, packed with exfoliating acids that won’t over-dry. Hyaluronic acid is a must, and Dr. Nigma’s Serum No. 1 provides perfect glide while deeply moisturizing.

For an extra nourishing boost, try a multi-tasking oil like Living Libations Best Skin Ever Sea Buckthorn Oil. It doubles as an oil cleanser and keeps gua sha effortless while supporting mature skin’s needs.

Sensitive/Reactive Skin

For sensitive or reactive skin, keeping things simple is key. Dr. Ava recommends sticking to single-ingredient oils like jojoba or argan—they’re gentle, hydrating, and far less likely to cause irritation. Argan oil, in particular, is rich in fatty acids and has natural anti-inflammatory benefits that help calm redness and support the skin barrier.

When it comes to gua sha, slip is everything. Choose a product that lets the tool glide without friction and skip the trending formulas that don’t actually serve your skin. Take your time, treat it like a ritual, and let consistency be your sculpting secret. Your skin will thank you.

The information in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and isn’t a substitute for professional or medical advice. The views expressed are those of the author and experts included, and do not reflect an official endorsement of any product or service. Always consult with a licensed professional regarding any skincare concerns or treatments. BeautyLeeBar is not responsible for any outcomes, decisions, or actions taken based on the content provided.

How to Get Next-Level Lashes With a Better Mascara Routine

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Soft, natural lashes had their moment, but when you’re craving extra drama, a good mascara routine can take you further than you think. With the holidays coming up and glam nights filling the calendar, it’s the perfect time to give your lashes a little upgrade. If your mascara has been looking more “meh” than major lately, a few smart tweaks can make all the difference. Ahead, we’re sharing the simple techniques and product tips that help you lift, lengthen, and define your lashes for a next-level look—no falsies, no extensions, just better results.

Nurture:
Healthy lashes always make your mascara look better, so a little care goes a long way. If you’re trying to boost length and fullness, adding a serum like Babe Lash Renewing Serum to your nighttime routine can help strengthen and condition over time. Prefer something more natural? A swipe of organic castor oil is a classic go-to for supporting healthy growth. With consistent use, your lashes will feel softer, stronger, and way more responsive to mascara—meaning every coat goes on smoother and looks more dramatic.

Mascara Routine:
A good lash routine starts with the basics, and that means a solid curler. You don’t need anything fancy—just a reliable tool like the Surratt Relevee Lash Curler to give your lashes a lifted base. Gently pulse at the root, then move upward for a soft, natural curve.

Here’s a little trick: run a bit of clear gel through your lashes before mascara. Something like the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze helps separate, hold curl, and give your mascara something to grip onto.

When it’s time for mascara, go for a lengthening formula with a bold payoff. A cult favorite like Better Than Sex delivers serious drama. Build in thin layers, coating the front and back of your lashes for maximum impact, and let each layer dry before adding the next to avoid clumping.

Follow these steps and your lashes will look lifted, longer, and noticeably fuller—aka the kind of results that always get compliments.

The Modernized ’60s Holiday Glam Look Defining the Season

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60s glam is officially the holiday must-try. Sergio gave Becky G a full throwback moment—blurred matte skin, a soft yet defined cut crease, and pillowy lips that feel modern and effortless. Styled with faux-fur coats or sequined minis, this is the kind of festive look that turns heads. And don’t worry—recreating it at home is easier than it looks. We’ve got the step-by-step breakdown right here.

Base
Start with a pore-smoothing primer, such as Iconic London Velvet Smooth, for a soft, airbrushed canvas effect. Blend a mattifying foundation from the center outward, then brighten and conceal under the eyes and on any spots. Lightly set the T-zone with powder, and add warmth with bronzer along the edges of your face. For a true ’60s flush, layer a liquid blush and top it with a matching powder—rosy, lifted, and totally photo-ready.

Eyes
Start by shaping and softly filling in your brows—they should look defined but effortless. Prime your lids with concealer, using any leftover to tidy up the brow edges. Sweep a neutral shade all over the lid, then blend a deeper brown into the crease for gentle dimension. Lighten just below the crease with a soft shade, and deepen the outer corner with smoky gray. For that iconic ’60s cut crease, use a small brush and concealer to define the inner half of the lid—take your time, it’s worth it. Set everything with a touch of white shadow, draw a subtle wing with black shadow, then layer on liquid liner for extra impact. Finish with a waterproof liner on the lower waterline and generous mascara on top and bottom lashes for a polished, show-stopping look.

Lips

Line your lips with a brown-pink liner, slightly overlining for a plumping look. Fill in the center with a warm neutral pink lipstick to create a soft gradient, and top everything off with a setting spray to keep everything in place.

This ’60s glam moment is retro sophistication at its finest!

Your Step-By-Step to Fresh, Glowy, Skin-First Makeup

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There’s just something about fresh, glowy, skin-first makeup that never goes out of style. It’s the kind of look that makes people ask what skincare you’re using rather than what foundation you’re wearing. Lately, I’ve been obsessed with routines that let the skin breathe — soft coverage, juicy hydration, and that healthy, natural radiance that catches the light in all the right places. This step-by-step routine is all about enhancing what you already have, not masking it. If you love a barely-there glow that looks effortless IRL and on camera, this one’s for you. Let’s get into it.

Step One — Hydrate, Then Hydrate Some More

A skin-first routine always starts with intentional hydration. Before reaching for any makeup, give your skin a drink. Think brightening serums with hyaluronic acid or other moisture-binding ingredients that leave your complexion plump, dewy, and alive. The more hydrated the skin, the smoother your makeup melts in — which means you can rely on lighter, skin-like formulas instead of heavy coverage. Hydration does the heavy lifting so your glow looks natural, not forced.

Step Two — Build Your Glow in Layers

Once your skin is fully hydrated, it’s time to add that subtle, lit-from-within radiance. Go in with a lightweight highlighting serum to give your complexion a natural sheen — nothing sparkly, just pure glow. After that, even things out with a skin tint or light liquid base that lets your real skin show through. The goal isn’t to cover anything up, but to enhance your tone and keep your texture looking like… well, skin. This is where that healthy, effortless glow really comes alive.

Step Three — Spot-Perfect, Not Full-Cover

Instead of reaching for more coverage, get strategic. Use a creamy concealer or foundation stick only where you need a little extra perfecting — think around the nose, under the eyes, or over any blemishes that peek through. Lightly tap and blend so it melts into your skin rather than sitting on top. This step is all about keeping the complexion fresh and believable while softly smoothing the areas that need it. Precision over perfection, always.

Step Four — Set Only Where It Matters

To keep that fresh glow intact, set with intention. Instead of mattifying your whole face, take a translucent powder and press it only where you tend to crease or get shiny — usually the T-zone and under the eyes. A light touch is all you need. This keeps your makeup in place while letting the rest of your skin stay silky, radiant, and naturally luminous.

Step Five — Bring Back Soft Shape + a Healthy Flush

Once your base is glowing and set, it’s time to add life back into the skin. Use a creamy contour or bronzing stick to create gentle definition — nothing harsh, just a touch of warmth and shadow where the sun would naturally hit. Then, melt a cream blush onto the cheeks for that fresh, just-pinched color. The goal is soft dimension and a natural flush that blends seamlessly into your complexion. Nothing powdery, nothing flat — just skin that looks alive and beautifully lit.