Hydrating Concealer

http://www.amazon.com/shop/alisonviktorin

I was perusing the aisles of Target and came upon this pretty little concealer…I’m a sucker for pretty packaging. It was so cheap that I thought I’d give it a try without looking at any reviews first. When I got home, I put a tad under my eyes…You guys! This felt like Heaven, no joke! So smooth, so hydrating, definitely worth a try.

From Amazon:

  • PREP SKIN, Blur and prep the skin for makeup application with the Conceal & Fix Mattifying Primer.
  • LIGHTWEIGHT FORMULA, This lightweight, translucent formula is enriched with salicylic acid to soothe the skin and help to minimise the appearance of redness and blemishes.
  • HOW TO APPLY, After skincare, pump a pea-sized amount of product either directly onto the skin, or onto the back of your hand before using your fingers to smooth all over the complexion.
  • CRUELTY FREE, Created with natural ingredients and a formula that features 100% cruelty free additives. Being vegan friendly and gluten free, this cream makeup contour kit is universally flattering.

From the Revolution website:

This concealer is suitable for everyone looking for a lightweight finish with a boost of moisture. Offering all-day hydration thanks to an infusion of hyaluronic acid, it covers blemishes, evens skin tone and counteracts dark circles, while drenching skin with moisture. Designed for drier skin, the sheer, satin finish won’t settle into fine lines, and the doe foot applicator allows for a smooth, delicate application.

The Revolution Conceal and Hydrate is a great concealer to try if you want something smooth and hydrating. It’s inexpensive, lots of colors to choose from, and goes on so nicely. Definitely worth a try.

Self Tanning

As I’ve mentioned, in the past, I have the dreaded melasma. Waaaah! This means that the sun on my face is a no-go. The challenge is that my arms and legs get tan and then my neck and face are as white as a ghost…what is a girl to do?

Glad you asked…in walks self tanning drops. The newest invention in skin care. If you put it on at night, you will wake up with a lovely tan by morning. I did have an issue, before I learned not to listen to the directions. Uh-oh! I used 4 drops, like the instructions stated, and woke up looking like Tan Mom…it was hideous!

Not a happy camper!

After this fiasco, I realized I should only use 2 drops to get that sun kissed glow. If this happens to you, don’t worry…get your microdermabrasion machine or an abrasive facial cleanser and use it on your face…the tan will be less noticeable.

http://www.amazon.com/shop/alisonviktorin

And please, please do not use Body tanning on your face…I did, and I broke out like crazy. I got cocky and thought, yeah, no biggie, I’ll just put you on my face and then I woke up with Mt. Vesuvius and it’s 3 sisters hanging out. Not a good look. LOL!

These drops come out clear and you mix them with your fave moisturizer or serum. The clearness of the drops are cool and annoying at the same time. It’s cool, that it looks so fresh and clean, and like you’re just putting water on your face. It’s annoying because you can’t tell where you’ve added color or if you need more color…just keep that in mind.

I have not broken out once with the Pure, Bondi Sands, self tanning drops–win, win! And they have not given me any kind of orange tinge, it’s a nice brown shade and looks like the rest of my tan. If you use too many drops, it will smell, but if you stay conservative…you won’t smell a thing.

Do I approve of this brand? Absolutely. If you’re in the market for getting a nice color without the sun, you can feel confident that this brand will work beautifully for you. They can be found in my store at http://www.amazon.com/shop/alisonviktorin, or at your local Ulta, or Sephora.

Happy tanning! Let me know what your favorite self tanner is.

sage

http://www.amazoncom/shop/alisonviktorin

This Post hits a tad differently, I won’t be writing about any facial beauty products…but, I will be writing about an Energy beauty product. Sage has worked wonderfully in my family. I use it to clear stagnant energy, uplift our environment, and to clear (clean up) any energy that came home with my son from school. I use it when I’ve had workers in my home…when they leave, I spray. When a stranger enters your home they bring with them their own feelings, thoughts, emotions. So, when they leave I want my home to go back to a neutral zone…that’s where Sage comes in and works beautifully. For example, let’s say you purchase an antique/vintage rug. You lay it down in your home, but who has walked on it, who has sat on it and cried or raged or partied…you don’t know. Get you some sage and NEUTRALIZE the rug…for me, it takes all the emotions attached to an item or in the air space and brings it down to neutral, so you can start fresh…with your own memories and emotions. Another example, when my son comes home from school and is feeling intense emotions from interacting with so many people, boop-I spray near his head and his backpack. This just relieves all his tension and helps to calm him.

About this item…from Amazon

  • Smudge without the smoke – Purify and Cleanse oneself, home, an object, or any space of negative or harmful energy
  • Powerful blend of two sacred plants (White Sage & Palo Santo) used by native peoples for purification, cleansing, attracting positive energy, meditation, energy purification, and as medicine. We only use WHITE SAGE essential oil which was used by the Native American peoples
  • Made with the highest quality 100% pure, organic, and sustainably sourced essential oils. These pure natural ingredients are hand blended with love in California and this spray is the perfect alternative to burning sage sticks, bundles or incense
  • Use as a room spray, pillow mist, and to bring more positive energy to any space or object. Bring this convenient 4 oz bottle to work, yoga studio, meditation retreat, school, or in your car
  • Quartz crystal powder infused to enhance the energy cleansing properties and effectiveness of this spray

I like the spray better than the actual sage because it is easier and quicker to use. I don’t like candles or any kind of smoke because the soot can get in curtains and on walls and stain them. The spray is cleaner.

If you’re interested in trying this product, I have it in my store. http://www.amazon.com/shop/alisonviktorin

If you’re looking for something to clear the air, try this, you won’t be disappointed. Let me know if it works for you!

Here is a video showing you what the Sage Spray looks like in action.

morpheus8

This Post is to inform you of an interesting procedure, not to show you my results, yet…I will do that in a follow up Post. I want to share what I went through and why I chose to do it.

Ok my friends, I have been on the hunt for something to diminish my college acne scarring. My main problem is that I have melasma, due to lasers–not hormonal. So, I can’t use any lasers on my face. There are soooo many great lasers that would’ve helped me like: CO2, IPL, Resurfx, etc…alas, I cannot use these great options. Please, please make sure you are going to a reputable place or else you will end up like me and have melasma that you never would’ve had to worry about!

So, I’m sure you’re wondering what I was able to find….in walked Morpheus8. According to parkavenueplasticsurgeon.com Morpheus8 is a non-surgical advanced needling treatment. … Using radiofrequency, a Morpheus8 treatment stimulates collagen production to tighten and smooth wrinkles on the face and body. I am here for all that tightening!!! Yaaas!

I noticed the device had 24 needles and a red pulsing light. The light seemed to heat up my skin to an extent that I smelled burning flesh, think tanning salon. Tee Hee! I went to Charity at North Texas Plastic Surgery and for an extra $50, I was able to receive Pronox, nitrous oxide. This seemed to help my pain level because I was able to focus on something. The cost of 1 treatment was $750, a package of 3 is $2,100. This is definitely not a cheap procedure and when I say procedure, I mean my recovery time was not 24 hrs. I’m on Day 4, and still have tons of scratches on my face. My son informed me that I look like an 80 yr old and I shouldn’t have wasted my money. Ha! Little does he know that my skin is going to look GORGEOUS in about 3 weeks. So, Boom! I, specifically, asked for my money’s worth in aggression levels, you can choose to have a less aggressive approach…therefore, your recovery time might not be as long as mine.

Did it hurt? Not really. At NTPS, they let me pick a movie/tv or listen to music. I chose the French music I like so much, the chair was comfy, I had my Pronox…so, all in all, the ambiance was so nice that I didn’t feel much pain. The immediate after effects…my face was slightly swollen and I had visible raised ridges, and scratches. My face also looked like I had large pores, these were just where the needles went into my skin. Have I scared you yet? I really hope not. From everyone that has gotten this done, I have heard nothing but rave reviews.

I was numbed for about 45 min. I say take the extra 15 min. if you are given the option.

This video is immediately after the procedure.

Day 2, my face was still a bit tender, but by day 3 and 4, I have scabbing and no pain.

I can’t wait to see how my skin will look in the next couple of weeks. I’m also glad there’s an alternative to lasers. I’ll keep ya posted on how I’m recovering and what results I notice.

This video shows the entire process.

This video shows the aftermath…days directly following the procedure. Still healing almost a week out, no pain, just a lil red in certain areas…skin feels tighter.

Charity had me put on a SkinCeuticals Biocellulose Restorative Mask and a dermal repair cream…Magic happened. I’m on Day 7 and am healing quite nicely. That mask is a game changer and I highly recommend. I’m used to the cheap masks on Amazon and this one is a whole other level.

Cheap website alert

https://us.shein.com/kids

My niece is a tad younger than a tween, but she’s In the Know when it comes to teen fashion. Welp, it was her birthday and she informed me she wanted an outfit from http://www.shein.com. I was like: What in the world is that? So, I pulled it up, and lo and behold…some cute ass outfits popped up–for pennies!

I do have a con…some of the outfits are a tad trashy, but just keep scrolling because they have lots of items to choose from. I ended up buying my niece 4 different outfits, all for under $100. Bargain Central, here I come. They have women’s clothing, men’s, boys, girls, even houseware (? not sure about this one). Tee Hee!

I’m looking at the women’s loungewear at the moment. Super cute, casual stuff…cheaper than Target. If you’re wondering about shipping…it takes about a week. You’re welcome…lol!

Whiter Teeth

Do you drink coffee, tea, wine? All of the above? Tee hee! Well, I’ve got some solid tips to keep your Pearly Whites lookin’ super fresh and fly.

First, let me tell you what my tooth goal has been. I want the whitest teeth I can possibly get…you know how when white is super white, it’s almost blue? Yeah, that white. For years, I tried grocery store whitening toothpaste and whitening strips..to no avail. Then, I graduated to the dentist whitening trays because at this point, it had become an obsession. Those, still, didn’t get me to the Blue Arena. Finally, I thought, I’ll just find a dentist to professionally whiten them. Well, I found one and they said my teeth were already white. Um, I beg to differ…so, they took my $300 and proceeded to get them whiter–didn’t work and I was out all that money.

Soooo, at a regular teeth cleaning, I complained to my dentist about the other dentist and he said, “Patients have had quite a bit of luck with the Crest White Strips that I sell here.” Say what? Then, I received the best Tip on this journey. Are you ready? KEEP THEM ON ALL NIGHT LONG! But, but the directions say 20 min…forget the directions. Bye Felecia! If you have ultra sensitive teeth, make sure to use a sensitive toothpaste.

Are you wondering how to keep them on all night? Well, because I’m a nerd and know how expensive my braces were, I still wear a top retainer. Because I have anxiety, I also wear a bottom night guard for the grinding of said teeth…my poor husband. So, when I wear my whitening strips, I just put my retainers in place and don’t even feel that I’m wearing the strips. If you have kept your dentist whitening trays, use the strips, then put on the trays. The strips are quite delicate and move around quite a bit, that is the purpose for using these extra devices to keep them in place.

You are by now probably wondering about the price…It’s actually not bad. $70 for a box. Another money saving tip is to open 1 pouch and just use 1 strip, instead of the top and bottom, then the next time you whiten, you can use the 2nd one.

A final bit of wisdom, that I was told by a dentist, is that real teeth do not ever get as white as veneers. This has helped me manage my expectations more effectively.

I hope I’ve given you something to think about, on your journey to your best self. Let me know how you feel about keeping the strips on all night! Final word…an electric toothbrush is a Must Have.

hot air brush

Professional Blow-out from Home featuring: Revlon and John Frieda

Do you need help on those days you have to do something extra to your hair, those days where air drying just isn’t good enough? Well, look no further, I’m here to help! If you’re similar to me and have frizzy hair (& want a modicum of control) these 2 hot air brushes work wonders.

First up, for all my long hair divas, is the Revlon hot air brush.

Revlon

Per Amazon: The Revlon one-step hair dryer and volumizer is a designed hot air brush to deliver gorgeous volume and brilliant shine in a single step. The unique Oval brush design smooth hair while the rounded edges quickly create volume at the root and beautifully full-bodied bends at the ends in a single pass, for salon blowouts at home. The brush is designed with nylon pin and tufted bristles for detangling, improve volume and control. Styling flexibility is guaranteed with 3 heat/speed settings and a cool option. Built to provide just the right amount of heat. Unlike conventional hair dryers, this volumizer can be placed closer to the scalp for lift. 

https://smile.amazon.com/Revlon-One-Step-Dryer-Volumizer-Brush/dp/B08GC5FB1N/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1BUSGT2SG52TW&dchild=1&keywords=revlon+one+step+hair+dryer+and+styler+volumizer&qid=1609610758&sprefix=revlon+%2Caps%2C198&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExS1E5RlBMNFVaNDZTJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMTM5OTk5M1ZVQTdYTDMwUlJKSCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMjUwMDkzMUhGUkdLNFc5VDNZUCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

This brush has been a game changer for me, in that it gives me a beautiful blow-out from home. Going to the Drybar isn’t always an option, so it’s nice to have a hot air brush, at home, that does all the work for me.

The Pros are listed below:

  1. Great volume
  2. Less frizz
  3. Shine
  4. Better hair dryer than a blow dryer

Cons are listed below:

  1. Long drying time
  2. Can get super hot

All in all, I feel this product is well worth the $60 price tag.

Now for all my shorter hair gals, I have another option for you!

I like the John Frieda hot air brush. It’s smaller, gives you more control, curl, and it’s not as large or clunky.

Per Amazon:
Transform your hair with the new hot air brush from the experts at john Frieda. This premium hot air brush features advanced ionic power and gives volume and shine to your hair while it simultaneously dries each strand. Instant heat up makes drying fast and safe all while delivering high heat. It’s convenient and easy to use.

https://smile.amazon.com/John-Frieda-Salon-Shape-Brush/dp/B00YPBP3RU/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=john+frieda+hot+air+brush&qid=1609611917&sr=8-5

It does the same thing as the Revlon brush, just in a smaller version. I have both, but because my hair is so thick, I tend to grab the Revlon brush more. If you have a bob or shoulder length hair, I would recommend the John Frieda. A great deal, for less than $40.

John Frieda

If you end up trying these brushes, let me know what you think. I’m interested to hear your thoughts. As always, I hope this information helps you on your journey to feeling and looking your best!

You can purchase these items here: http://www.amazon.com/shop/alisonviktorin

Moroccanoil & Olaplex

MoroccanOil

Sooo, as you all know I did a rave review over Bumble & bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil product line. My talented Hair Stylist (Anne Wright) recommended the MoroccanOil line, so I thought I’d try the moisture Shampoo/Conditioner.

http://www.moroccanoil.com says: Infuse dehydrated, dry hair with much-needed moisture. Moroccanoil® Hydrating Shampoo conditions hair with argan oil, Vitamins A and E and moisturizing red algae—for hair that looks and feels healthier. This moisturizing shampoo is gentle enough for daily use and provides optimal hydration for both normal and color-treated hair. Increase your hair’s manageability, smoothness and shine. Color-safe. Sulfate-free, phosphate-free and paraben-free.

My hair back story: It’s suuuuper dry…kind of like hay, and wavy, and color treated. My stylist said all the ingredients are natural (good for you) and you can even leave the oil on your hands after you run it through your flowing locks. Win Win…Optimum MOISTURIZATION for the whole body!

Welp, this lovely product did nothing for me. My hair is still a frizz bomb and does not feel moisturized. But, if you have a different hair type…you might like it. One of my friends, who has lovely curly hair, swears by the whole MoroccanOil line.

Olaplex

This is another favorite of stylists everywhere. http://www.olaplex.com says: N°4 Shampoo repairs and protects hair from everyday stresses — including damaged hair, split ends, and frizz — by re-linking broken bonds. Leaves hair easier to manage, shinier and healthier with each use. N°4 is color-safe and proven to reduce breakage and strengthen all types of hair. 

What’s my review? FAIL, big fail! First, I don’t feel it gives my hair any added shine and definitely does not fight the frizz. The biggest problem I have is that it makes my scalp itch. Lest you think I’m a hypochondriac, my husband and son say the same thing. I have not heard one civilian (civilian = non stylist), in my circle of friends, say they like this product. Let me know if you disagree, I’d love to hear why you like it!

I’m still on the journey of finding the perfect product…and when I do, you will be the first to hear about my discovery. Trying to fight frizz, one day at a time. Share your fave products with me, so we can fight this bitch together. Tee hee!

You can purchase these items here: http://www.amazon.com/shop/alisonviktorin

Semi-Permanent Eyeliner

Before/After

Who knew semi-permanent eyeliner has come such a loooong way?! No more discoloration, no more overly thick lines, no more sleepy eyes.

Why did I get it done?

My neurotic self despised having uneven eyeliner, I could never get my wings even. Cut to me getting my brows microshaded and I realized: Hey, it’s been so much easier having my brows done, wonder if they could do the same for my eyeliner. And, oh yes, they can!

Nitty Gritty

The cost was $550. It takes anywhere from 2 to 3 hours. And, no, it is NOT pain free. I’ll be honest, I had more pain with the eyeliner than I had with my brows. Also, my eyes watered continuously, which I hear is kind of rare. Tip: put numbing solution on your eyes even before your appointment.

The artist can make your liner look thicker, thinner, cat eye, natural…they will know what works best with your particular eyelid. It might seem like a lot of work, but the truth is, it’s made my life easier. No more getting cross and frustrated over mismatched lines, or even the anxiety of having to begin lining. Lol! Tip: If you go more natural, the good thing is that you can always bump up the drama by adding more liner on top of the tattoo. Win Win! Also, you won’t wake up looking like a Vegas Showgirl, only in the eye area. Ha! Also, I would recommend staying away from getting your bottom lash line done.

The first pic, is the Before…the rest are throughout the healing process. Healing is fast, by the way. By Day 4, I felt comfortable wearing makeup.

Hope this helps you in your Beauty Journey. This has really made my life easier.

Beauty on a budget

Part 2 Microdermabrasion

*Disclaimer: I am not a certified aesthetician, nor am I a doctor. These are just things I do on my own skin, that I want to share with my friends.

This next beauty machine has been around for many years, now. It’s a staple for my beauty regimen. Microdemabrasion is used to renew your skin tone and texture…it helps to diminish fine lines, acne scars, and sun spots.

I use something like this…
*if you are subscribed and can’t view image, just click on my name and it will take you to my website.
https://smile.amazon.com/Microdermabrasion-TSEMY-Professional-Dermabrasion-Rejuvenation/dp/B07KW2XKWK/ref=sr_1_11?crid=1OXQ3OOWF7Q9I&dchild=1&keywords=diamond+microdermabrasion+machine&qid=1605109116&sprefix=diamond+micro%2Caps%2C183&sr=8-11

Above is a professional, at-home microdermabrasion machine. It sells for $179, but you can get them for more or less dinero depending on what you end up choosing. I like this particular machine for “it’s sterile diamond heads to peel and rub off the dead cells at the top skin layer followed by vacuuming/suction removing particles along with any dirt and dead skin.” (Amazon) This machine comes with different size diamond tips. Personally, I like the teeny tiny tips best.

Considering the fact you would be spending about $150 for a Microdermabrasion procedure at your local spa, I feel that this machine is a great deal. I use this on my face about every 4 weeks, usually a week after I have microneedled my skin, to get rid of all the dead skin trying to slough off…ew! This leaves my skin feeling refreshed and as glowy as a baby’s bum. Tee hee!

Game Changer Tip: I put a cheap serum, usually one for sun spots, on 1 section of my face and then go over it with the diamond tip. It feels like an oxygen facial and helps the tip glide smoothly over my skin. You can try it dry, as well, and tell me which style you like best. Don’t forget to Microderm your neck, chest, tops of hands, elbows, and knees.

Just a short video for all my visual friends out there.

You can purchase these items here: http://www.amazon.com/shop/alisonviktorin