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

Beauty on a budget

Part 1

Have you ever thought about going to a Med Spa to get Microneedling? Microneedling, in laymen’s terms, is a device with multiple, skinny needles that puncture the skin and help to rebuild collagen. Once your skin peels and heals, you will have plumper/glowier skin. It’s supposed to help with acne scarring and fine lines, as well. An all around great age defy-er. But, not everyone has $2-300 to spend on this procedure every month…

*Click on the link https://smile.amazon.com/Dr-Pen-Ultima-Professional-Microneedling/dp/B0822PJ8NS/ref=sr_1_27?crid=2C9R1RVUDBFVQ&dchild=1&keywords=dr.+pen+microneedling&qid=1605108980&sprefix=dr.+pen%2Caps%2C269&sr=8-27 to go straight to the product page.

In comes Dr. Pen. An at-home microneedling device that works really well!

Tip: I use a Tranexamic Acid serum (because Melasma, ew) on each section of my face, then microneedle over the serum, so I get MAXIMUM soak-in benefits. Also, I find that doing it this way, doesn’t cause the needle to drag across my skin…using the serum, lets the needles glide much smoother across the delicate skin of your face.

The Serum I use.
https://smile.amazon.com/Tranexamic-Vitamin-Treatment-Whitening-Dearskin/dp/B07RYJ919Z/ref=sxts_sxwds-bia-wc-p13n1_0?crid=2YDD4MHWH916U&cv_ct_cx=tranexamic+acid&dchild=1&keywords=tranexamic+acid&pd_rd_i=B07RYJ919Z&pd_rd_r=3c0f46c3-d82e-40ed-978e-61d72005d01d&pd_rd_w=uMbAF&pd_rd_wg=HhgAw&pf_rd_p=f4ebc3ce-c45d-4b03-a3e4-a17c876358c0&pf_rd_r=9TV4APFJ2BDWTE2BB3YR&psc=1&qid=1605108717&sprefix=tranex%2Caps%2C202&sr=1-1-80ba0e26-a1cd-4e7b-87a0-a2ffae3a273c

Basically, you can be all in for under $200, saving hundreds by doing this in the privacy of your own home. Now, you’re not going to get all the massaging, candles, aromatherapy–basic pampering you’d get from a spa, but if you’re on a budget (who isn’t) this is a fantastic route to take, with very similar results.

One last tip…if you have a low pain tolerance, you can also get a roll-on Lidocaine. Just roll it all over your face, wait a couple of minutes and voila…a pain free microneedling session!

Pain Free
https://smile.amazon.com/Maxocaine-Lidocaine-Vanishing-Registered-Addictive/dp/B078X4PLD5/ref=sxts_sxwds-bia-wc-p13n1_0?crid=S20K9JJ0NSTC&cv_ct_cx=maxocaine+roll+on&dchild=1&keywords=maxocaine+roll+on&pd_rd_i=B078X4PLD5&pd_rd_r=3189f441-85e1-4166-9ea3-67ac4e3c1e92&pd_rd_w=yuXQy&pd_rd_wg=FK0r4&pf_rd_p=f4ebc3ce-c45d-4b03-a3e4-a17c876358c0&pf_rd_r=0Y8FKWGJN79Z3PX2HKS1&psc=1&qid=1605108859&sprefix=maxocaine%2Cbeauty%2C173&sr=1-1-80ba0e26-a1cd-4e7b-87a0-a2ffae3a273c

Let me know what you think! I think it’s worth a try.

This is for all my Visual Friends out there…I wanted to show you what the Microneedling Pen and the serum look like in action. Enjoy!

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

Comparing Sunscreen

First, let me say I love most products from Skinbetter Science…the sunscreen, not so much. This is called Tone Smart, $55, and spf 68. The reasons I dislike this product are because it’s drying, it doesn’t protect me as much as I’d like, and the price is too high for not delivering.

I do like the compact, though.

A helpful tip is to use your fingers to rub it in instead of the provided sponge, that way you will use less product.

Currently, I am loving Make P:rem sunscreen. It’s about $30 and is spf 50. I like the magical, cooling effect it has. I like that it doesn’t leave my skin white. I’m really liking the dewy, plumped look it gives my skin.

https://smile.amazon.com/MAKEP-Defense-Moisture-Whamisa-MAKEPREM/dp/B074JVHCL1/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1UYDWDWFB20B4&dchild=1&keywords=makeprem+uv+defense+me+moisture+sun+cream+spf50+pa&qid=1605109787&sprefix=makeprem%2Caps%2C229&sr=8-5

This is the game changer tip…I combine the sunscreen with this whipped, mousse goodness to give my skin a nice matte, blurred finish. You will love the texture. Combining these two products gives me the moisture I need with the blurred lines and protection that I love.

*Click on each image to go directly to the product page or the link below.

https://smile.amazon.com/Roche-Posay-Effaclar-Blur-SPF-1-01/dp/B00TBJWPRC/ref=sr_1_1?crid=4W1QA468OESZ&dchild=1&keywords=laroche-posay+bb+blur&qid=1605109659&sprefix=laroche-posay+bb%2Caps%2C596&sr=8-1

Just wanted to show you what the products look like on my skin.

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

Let’s talk about it…Melasma

My Melasma journey has taken place for a couple of years now. I did not get this dread condition after having a baby, it came from lasers…oh yes, lasers can give you melasma. Who knew?

I have tried everything under the sun for this condition, to no avail. I now have some tried and true tricks to share with you!

1.Buy a peel from Amazon. I suggest a glycolic acid peel. Use it every couple of weeks.

2.Gators: Not a good look, but effective. I chose the full face covering + a hat. I looked like a crazy person, but who cares when you’re trying to protect yourself.

3. Tri-Luma is a whitening cream from the dermatologist with hydroquinone. This works, buuuut, you can only use it for 3-6 months and then you have to take a break for another 3 months. Not ideal.

Drum roll please….

TRANEXAMIC ACID, in pill form, is the GAME CHANGER. You can only get it from the dermatologist, and I’m here to tell you I don’t have to wear a burkha outside anymore! There are some side effects, blood clots can occur…this is why you must be under a doctor’s supervision.

There you go my friends…I hope you can benefit from this tip, like I have.