EltaMD PM Therapy Facial Moisturizer Review

March 28, 2020

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY BABBLEBOXX ON BEHALF OF ELTAMD.

I'm back! How're we all doing? I hope this finds you and your family in the best of health and spirits. Being stuck at home has a lot of people feeling restless and anxious, but I'm feeling pretty good. I've been working a lot and recently moved which is keeping me and my husband and busy with unpacking, cleaning, and then some. I also have been getting back to my cooking roots - haven't made so many meals in the past month comparatively in the past years! New York City life! To say we've been productive is an understatement.

Even though we've been keeping ourselves occupied I've been amping up my self-care routine with a heavy focus on my skin. Unfortunately, I won't be going outside as much in the next few months, but that doesn't mean I'm going to disregard protecting my skin! Especially with the change of seasons, my skin always adjusts to this and does better when I better maintain it. Today I'm introducing to you guys my new favorite skincare arsenal in my collection: The EltaMD PM Therapy Facial Moisturizer.

The EltaMD PM Therapy is an oil-free, fragrance-free, noncomedogenic and safe for sensitive skin. I love the fact this advanced facial moisturizer can be used morning and night but definitely does its magic while you catch some zzz's. I find it important to provide your skin with nourishment and support to repair itself from everyday damage. It is also dermatologist-recommended! So how does it work? Ceramides strengthen the skin’s natural moisture barrier. Niacinamide and antioxidants work to improve skin color and tone, while also speeding the metabolism to maximize the nightly skin repair process. Small rice protein peptides penetrate to stimulate cell growth and collagen formation, resulting in more skin elasticity. As it nurtures, revitalizes and oxygenates the skin, wrinkles fade and skin tone improves, resulting in a smoother, fresher appearance. So good.

Results I've noticed from using EltaMD PM Therapy are an overall improvement in skin's elasticity with a smoother, refreshed appearance as well as better skin tone and color. I love waking up feeling refreshed and my skin feeling moisturized and well taken care of! If you want to learn more about EltaMD, check out their social media channels below:

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7 Favorite Laura Mercier Beauty Products

October 28, 2019

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY LAURA MERCIER BUT ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.

When it comes to beauty looks, my favorite makeup is the ‘no makeup’ makeup kind of look. It is that flawless and effortless one, with no drama to be anywhere nearby. One brand that has definitely been a pioneer of that certain ‘face’ and inspires women to embrace their individual beauty is Laura Mercier. Laura Mercier has created some of the beauty industry’s most iconic products, such as the Allure “Best of Beauty” Translucent Loose Setting Powder, the first Foundation Primer, her beloved Caviar Stick Eye Colour, and so much more. In today’s beauty post, I’m sharing 7 of my favorite products from Laura Mercier. Continue reading to learn more along with direct links to shop for each product!

FACE ILLUMINATOR POWDER IN ‘INDISCRETION’

Laura Mercier Face Illuminator Powder highlights the skin with pure light-reflecting pigments for a color-true, multidimensional, and luminous finish that complements all skin tones. Its non-dusting texture allows for excellent color payoff and applies smoothly and evenly onto the skin without dragging. Designed to complement all skin tones, the unique formula brings natural-looking radiance to the complexion for an instant glow that lasts up to eight hours. I’ve tried many highlighters and this one is still the best in the market. My favorite shade is ‘Indiscretion’ which is a great goldish pearly tone for medium skin tones.

MATTE BRONZING POWDER IN ‘SOLEIL 1’

Matte bronzing powder delivers a natural-looking warmth to the skin. Silky, micro-fine powder feels weightless on skin, goes on smoothly and blends seamlessly to provide the ultimate sun-kissed glow. I enjoy using this product as a subtle contour when I want that to be as seamless as possible. It’s a great bronzing powder in general, and I really love how it looks on the skin.

TRANSLUCENT LOOSE SETTING POWDER

Cult-favorite and winner of multiple major awards, Laura Mercier's "best in beauty," #1 setting powder* is your go-to powder. I love the super smooth application, which goes on evenly, blends effortlessly and provides great wear. Sets makeup for 12 hours without adding weight or texture. Literally the best setting powder I have ever used to date.

MATTE RADIANCE BAKED POWDER IN ‘HIGHLIGHT 01’

The ultra-lightweight formula feels comfortable and weightless on the skin, applies smoothly and blends effortlessly. Features a smooth, silky, velvety texture and long-wearing formula that lasts up to eight hours and stays color-true without oxidizing for an even wear. Use for refined highlighting or soft strobing. This multidimensional highlight shade works on all skin tones. A very elegant looking highlighter.

VELOUR EXTREME MATTE LIPSTICK IN ‘VIBE’

Modern matte lipstick so seductive in color, touch, and texture, the sensation is irresistible. Mattifying powders and silky conditioners envelop your lips in the softness and comfort of velour, sans drying and cracking. The collection of 24 vivid, full-coverage shades provide intense color with a dramatic, matte finish. The slim precision bullet allows the formula to grab and glide over lips, defining and filling in one seamless stroke, while the built-in shaper customizes the tip for precision lining and detailed filling. It is ideal for creating edgy effects and everyday extremes, with no liner needed. One of my favorite shades is a medium pink-beige called, ‘Vibe’. Perfect nude color for everyday wear.

CAVIAR STICK EYE COLOR IN ‘GILDED GOLD’

This extremely versatile cream eyeshadow stick delivers effortless application, intense, buildable color and up to 12-hour wear. Pigment-rich shades in creamy shimmer and matte finish glides seamlessly onto the lids, staying crease and transfer-resistant. The luxe formulation gives you plenty of time to smudge, blend, line, fill or define, so you can effortlessly create any look. Don’t be afraid to be playful! Caviar Stick Eye Color layers easily over or under other eyeshadows, including powder. A favorite shade I like to use all the time is called ‘Mystic Gold’.

FOUNDATION PRIMER HYDRATING

Moisture-rich face primer nourishes, soothes and conditions skin as it creates a smooth surface for flawless makeup application. The formula provides a soft-focus effect to help minimize the look of pores, fine lines and imperfections. Laura created this expert hydrating primer specifically for dry, dehydrated skin. Lightweight, creamy formula creates a protective moisture buffer, with an enhanced antioxidant vitamin "cocktail" that helps protect skin against harmful, aging effects of the environment.

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7 Favorite AmorePacific Beauty Products

July 18, 2019

AMOREPACIFIC BEAUTY PRODUCTS: TREATMENT CLEANSING FOAM | TREATMENT CLEANSING OIL FACE & EYES | PACIFIC TREATMENT ENZYME PEEL | YOUTH REVOLUTION VITAMIN C RADIANCE CONCENTRATOR | THE ESSENTIAL CREME FLUID | TIME RESPONSE SKIN RESERVE CREME | YOUTH REVOLUTION RADIANCE CREME & MASQUE

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY AMOREPACIFIC BUT ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.

Korean beauty’s innovative technology is upgrading our everyday regime, and being Korean, I also was blessed with a Korean mother teaching me the secret ways behind flawless Korean skin. From ‘slapping’ on toner to eight to 12 steps skincare steps repeated twice daily, the rituals may be time-consuming and a bit different, but the results are well worth the extra few minutes at the sink, along with spending a little extra buck to get what you’re looking for, in terms of your skin. Which is why I’ve rounded up 7 of my favorite products from fan-favorite brand AmorePacific to help you get started. Continue reading to learn more along with direct links to shop each product!

TREATMENT CLEANSING FOAM

Perfect for normal to oily skin, this foaming cream cleanser removes impurities and makeup without stripping the skin of vital moisture while helping to treat and prevent breakouts. Olive oil, sunflower seed oil, and mango seed butter cleanse the skin thoroughly without drying it out, while natural sugars hydrate and soften. As the cleanser is massaged onto the skin, micro-encapsulated vitamin E beads deliver a burst of antioxidant protection, leaving the complexion clean and refreshed. Sensitive to all skin types, it acts as a purifying antioxidant complex that also treats acne.

TREATMENT CLEANSING OIL FACE & EYES

This gentle cleanser for the face and eyes is a blend of botanical oils—including green tea seed, babassu palm, and coconut oil—that dissolves and lifts away impurities and makeup (even waterproof mascara) without stripping away skin’s natural moisture. Upon contact with water, the multitasking formula transforms into a silky, non-oily emulsion that also works to improve skin luminosity and moisture retention for a smooth, glowing complexion. It is further enriched with hydrating green tea leaf extract and a radiance-boosting blend of ginseng root and white birch extract.

TREATMENT ENZYME PEEL CLEANSING POWDER

Reformulated for daily use, this deep-cleansing exfoliator uses papaya- and green tea-derived enzymes to remove dulling residue without irritating healthy skin for a brighter glow. The water-activated, powder-to-foam formula leaves skin moisturized and primed to best receive ingredients to follow.

YOUTH REVOLUTION VITAMIN C RADIANCE CONCENTRATOR

This serum helps rid skin of Aging Dust™, preventing these damaging factors from accumulating on the surface causing dullness, uneven tone, and pigmentation. Its dual-chamber release combines two skin-brightening, antioxidant-rich formulas to address early signs of aging and boost radiance. Vitamin C works to even skin tone, while white peony helps with overall tone improvement and skin's firmness. Soothing green tea polysaccharides further work to brighten the complexion.

THE ESSENTIAL CREME FLUID

The Essential Crème Fluid offers the ultimate in green tea antioxidants for your skin. Each bottle contains 150 baby green tea leaves handpicked from the brand's green tea gardens. T-Essentials, a vital nutrient from green tea polysaccharides and green tea carotenoid, enhance and recover skin's moisture, texture, and flexibility. Neutra-Melting Emulsion Technology, the brand's exclusive technology, neutralizes oils from botanicals for all the nutrient-rich benefits in a silky texture. Micro Moisture Capsule Factor unlocks moisture deep within skin's layers and teaches skin to retain moisture more effectively.

TIME RESPONSE SKIN RESERVE CREME

This rich, anti-aging cream melts onto skin forming a lightweight protective layer to help improve the look of skin elasticity, hydration, and skin tone. This advanced formula contains AMOREPACIFIC’s highest-grade and most concentrated green tea to help visibly plump and smooth fine lines and wrinkles. I use this during the winter time in replace of the creme fluid, which I use during the warmer seasons.

YOUTH REVOLUTION RADIANCE CREME & MASQUE

This transformative formula suspends the aging cycle with 24-7 brightening benefits. Its versatile, sherbet-like texture absorbs effortlessly onto skin, allowing you to customize your results: one layer for morning moisture and two layers for nighttime nourishment. This multi-tasker calls upon white peony to help improve skin’s overall tone and firmness and green tea polysaccharides to brighten complexion. Truly a great creme, I love using this one as an overnight mask.

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June Beauty Favorites

July 1, 2019

June’s Beauty Favorites addresses a ton of different serums, toners and cleansers in the world of skincare. To me, everyone’s skincare journey is different and especially during the warmer season like the summertime, everybody’s skin will have different reactions to different things. Which is why I’m reviewing more than one type of skincare regiment, to give you guys a better idea of what you might chose for yourself. We even have two different eyeshadow palettes, one that is mostly yellow & gold based and another that provides more definition to certain types of eye looks such as smoky and others. Continue reading to learn more about my monthly beauty choices along with where to find and shop the products.

COLOURPOP UH-HUH HONEY SHADOW PALETTE

This yellow 9-pan palette has every shade of yellow under the sun in 5 mattes, 3 metallics, and 1 Pressed Glitter. Literally, all yellow, the entire What's in ColourPop's Yellow Collection

Stinger: matte buttery yellow
Sunburst: metallic lemon yellow with blue glitter
Sweet Spot: matte primary yellow
Dandy: metallic vibrant yellow gold
Palooza: bright yellow with a copper duochrome shift
Queen B: metallic dandelion
Totally Buggin': matte butterscotch yellow
Oh Beehave: matte mustard
Buzz Kill: matte yellow brown

CAUDALIE LIMITED EDITION BEAUTY ELIXIR

A natural, innovative toning mist that sets makeup, provides an instant burst of radiance, and tightens the appearance of pores, featuring the same bestselling formula with a new, improved pump to finely and evenly distribute the lightweight mist. Inspired by Queen Isabelle of Hungary's famous elixir of youth, Beauty Elixir is formulated with grape extracts and clarifying ingredients to provide an immediate burst of radiance. The complexion treatment reduces dullness and is infused with toning rosemary, astringent mint, and soothing rose essential oil to prepare your skin for further treatments. Beloved by celebrities and makeup artists worldwide, the Beauty Elixir is the ideal priming base and setting spray between layers of makeup for a long-lasting and smooth finish. Perfect as an aftershave for men too!

LIME CRIME FRECKLE PEN

The Lime Crime Freckle Pen give ‘em blessings on blessings, babe. You’re a lil cutie in this long-lasting freckle pen that has a super soft felt tip pen applicator and is smudged proof for endless summer glamour. I don’t have any speckle of natural freckles and voila! Look what this magical pen can do?! I think I’ll be doing this beauty look a ton more often this season. Are you a fan of freckles? Yay or nay?

SON & PARK

BEAUTY WATER

A multitasking toner and cleansing water that creates a clean base for any skin care and makeup that follows. Solutions for:- Dullness and uneven texture- Dryness- Uneven skin tone If you want to know more… This multiuse product can be used as a toner and gentle exfoliant in the morning to prep for skin care and to create a smoother surface for makeup. At night, Beauty Water can be used as a cleansing water to thoroughly remove makeup, dirt, and oil. Lavender water, rosewater, and orange fruit extract hydrate the skin, while willow bark and papaya extract sweep away dead skin cells revealing a brighter skin tone and smoother texture.

BEAUTY GEL

What the heck is this, you might ask? It’s a light-weight gel moisturizer that would quickly absorb into your skin and provide the right amount of hydration in order to prep your face for base makeup. It sounds like it's a primer but it's not like your typical makeup primer where it will fill in lines/uneven skin. It will simply help to give light hydration to prevent dry spots/patches since that will make your base makeup look patchy or flaky. It also has little capsules filled with hydrolyzed collagen that will burst upon application; this capsule technology keeps the ingredients fresh until use.

BEAUTY PRIMER CREAM GLOW

A lightweight, quick-absorbing cream that provides coverage, brightens the skin tone, and primes skin for makeup application. This base cream that's packed with flower extracts you'll love, including lily, rose, and jasmine also contains pearl to illuminate the complexion and rosa damascena flower to help control sebum production. After using the filter cream, your skin will look brighter, smoother, and more even, as if you actually put a real life filter on it. I put this on days where makeup calls for more coverage. Literally the best primer I’ve ever tried!

BEAUTY FACE MASK CLEAN TYPE

This moisturizing mask contains hyaluronic acid and a blend of AHA from flower extract to help renew dull skin. The unique shape of the mask prevents essence from touching the hairline and weighing down hair. It’s a quick five-minute mask but with immediate results. My face looks fresh and clean every time I use these, and I use these often!

DERMALOGICA AGE BRIGHT CLEARING SERUM

This highly concentrated serum exfoliates to help prevent acne and supports natural cell turnover to reduce visible signs of skin aging. Phytoactives hydrate and smooth skin, while niacinamide and white shiitake mushroom promote a brighter and more even skin tone.

DERMALOGICA AGE BRIGHT SPOT FADER

This spot fader is a two-in-one brightening spot treatment that reduces the appearance of active breakouts and post-acne marks. Salicylic acid works to clear breakouts, while niacinamide and hexylresorcinol work synergistically to fade post-acne marks and improve uneven skin tone. AGE Bright Complex reduces visible skin aging and helps prevent over-drying.

KEVYN AUCOIN EMPHASIZE EYE DESIGN PALETTE

Unleash your makeup artistry through a range of eye-catching looks with the Emphasize Eye Design Palette from Kevyn Aucoin in ‘As Seen In’; a versatile eyeshadow palette presented within a sleek mirrored compact, that combines five matte, chrome and satin eyeshadow shades with a creamy metallic-effect color. Applied with an innovative ‘lemon drop’ felt tip for dual-purpose precision lining and color application, the Cream Foil Eyeshadow adds drama and dimension for a high impact finish. Experiment by layering the powder and cream shadows to create customised hues, or simply wear it alone for a reflective mirror-like shine. Shades Include (L>R): Ballet (matte) Blush (satin) Rose (chrome) Amethyst (matte) Sangria (matte) Rose Gold (cream foil)

FRESH BEAUTY SUGAR HYDRATING LIP BALMS

Sugar Lemon Hydrating Lip Balm locks in moisture for soft, supple, healthy-looking lips. The rich, cushiony formula coats lips with a protective veil that smooths and comforts on contact while delivering a velvety sheen and addictive flavor inspired by lemon meringue or peach. I can’t decide which one is my favorite, but they’ve been on heavy rotation this summer. I’m definitely obsessed with the flavors.

PURITO CENTELLA GREEN LEVEL CALMING TONER

A skin calming toner infused with 10% of Centella Asiatica extract, panthenol, witch hazel extract, and other EWG-class ingredients to instantly soothe and hydrate your skin. Contains sodium hyaluronate acid to prevent moisture evaporation while strengthening the moisture barrier of the skin. Free from harsh chemicals and preservatives.

PURITO CENTELLA GREEN LEVEL BUFFET SERUM

Formulated with EWG verified ingredients, this cica cream is packed with effective ingredients so skin will be protected, smooth, clean and vibrant. This versatile serum helps improve the appearance of your skin. Infused with 49% of centella asiatica extract, collagen, ceramide, and other EWG-verified ingredients to strengthen skin barrier while leaving the skin moisturized and supple.

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A Slice of Summer Glow with These 6 Korean Beauty Products

May 21, 2019

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY GLOW RECIPE BUT ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.

With our first official hot day here in New York City yesterday, I got inspired to write up a post on how to achieve that radiant summer glow when it comes to our skin. But sans makeup. Makeup can help achieve the ultimate sun-kissed bronzy luminosity - but for some makeup is a no-no during the warmer seasons. Especially heavier coverage such as foundation. I love to have my skin breathe during this time of year to keep it healthy and fresh, so in today’s post I’m sharing 6 amazing Korean skincare products, all from the same brand, that will definitely give you a slice of that summer glow we all want.

WATERMELON GLOW ULTRA-FINE MIST

This ultra-fine, hydrating, fog-like mist is designed for ultimate skin radiance and makeup enhancement. It’s uniquely formulated with hibiscus flower which naturally contains AHAs to smooth the look of skin, apple cider vinegar (ACV) which naturally helps balance oil production, and rice germ oil which helps protect against free radicals. I have used it before applying makeup and it’s great, but I literally spray this on my face all day long even without makeup on. It smells like watermelon, so good in fact, my husband secretly loves it too! Refreshing, travel-friendly with very cute packaging, it’s my new favorite mist spray for summertime.

BLUEBERRY BOUNCE GENTLE CLEANSER

This hydrating, bouncy cleanser delivers all the antioxidant-rich benefits of blueberries while refining pores with hyaluronic acid and AHAs. The ultra-gentle formula is packed with nourishing oils to remove makeup with minimal rubbing. Skin is clear, radiant, and glowing without feeling stripped. During the warmer months, I prefer a gentle cleanser as I don’t want to use something too harsh for my sensitive skin. This cleanser is really my jam, and I love using it while traveling too when skin can wreck havoc even during the simplest of trips.

PINEAPPLE-C BRIGHT SERUM

Brighten up with pure pineapple juice, a potent, natural source of vitamin C, AHA, and bromelain enzymes. Blended with soothing chamomile, the serum retexturizes skin and evens tone. Glass Skin is the ideal skin look inspired by K-Beauty—so smooth and reflective that it looks like glass. Or that dewy glow effect. It’s the ultimate summer brightening serum - your face will literally look like a mannequin! But in a good way, ha ha! I also love how to chamomile is a red reducer - especially when it comes to breaking out. And how adorable is that bottle?!

WATERMELON GLOW PINK JUICE MOISTURIZER

This oil-free moisturizer calms, brightens, and perfectly preps skin for makeup, while antioxidants protect against environmental stressors to ward off fine lines and dark spots. Use day and night as a moisturizer for oily/combo skin or as a serum for dry skin. Its bouncy, gel-emulsion texture feels cool on contact and absorbs instantly. Perfect for the summer heat. It works best with the pineapple serum for that ultra glowing skin. Plus, the smell is intoxicating. It’s like your face guzzled down a glass of fresh watermelon juice!

AVOCADO MELT SLEEPING MASK

Intensely moisturize, firm, and brighten overnight. Oleic acid and linoleic acid-rich avocado helps to restore moisture and collagen in the skin, while the antioxidants and antibacterial properties of manuka honey refresh stressed out skin. PHAs provide a gentle exfoliation while you sleep. This avocado sleeping mask contains Kaolin Clay: This clay pulls impurities from the skin without causing redness or irritation; and absorbs excess oils, decongests pores, and diminishes shine. Skin is extremely smooth. Would recommend using only a little bit per use - in this case, less is more.

WATERMELON GLOW SLEEPING MASK

My favorite product out of the 6: It’s the first product I ever tried by Glow Recipe and I use it all-year round. This luxuriously bouncy, breathable sleeping mask refreshingly hydrates, smooths, and perfects skin overnight with a revolutionary pillow-proof, transfer-proof formula. The oil-free, lightweight, glow-boosting hybrid is formulated with ultra-soothing watermelon extract, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and gentle AHAs that work while you sleep to tone and clarify roughened, dull complexions. AHAs smooth the surface of the skin by banishing dead, rough surface cells, clearing the path for ultra-effective, lasting hydration, while hyaluronic acid binds moisture to the skin for an incredibly nourished complexion. Skin is baby-soft and bright in the morning, effortlessly.