Cure Natural Aqua Gel Review

Here is their description:
Natural Aqua Gel is a gentle, water-based exfoliant made from natural plant extracts of aloe vera, gingko and rosemary. It effectively sloughs off dead skin cells without irritating or harming skin, making it suitable even for the most sensitive skin types. After cleansing face, apply gel on face and neck. Gently massage gel into skin and see the dead skin cells immediately peel off into tiny white balls. Rinse well with water and then pat skin dry. By Cure.

I have used this product for 3 weeks once a week and I have to say this is by far an AMAZING product!
Pros:
- products does what it says
-makes my skin smooth
-removes dry and flakey patches on skin
- one pump and it does the job
- none of the grainy type ingredients
- purchase Sample on ebay

Con:
- Very hard to get a hold of
- Expensive! It retails for $40-$60 depending where you can get it

No wonder it's Japan's #1 skincare product. This stuff is amazing! The formula is a gel liquid with no grainy ingredients.

Start with a dry clean face. Pump one pump onto hands and rub gel allover your face. After rubbing it into my skin for less than 30 seconds there will be mini white balls forming. (and seeing the white bits that accumulate) and rinsing, my skin immediately felt incredibly baby soft, smooth, silky, and clean. I really mean it too. I also didn't know that my skin could ever feel that soft and great. If you think that you have soft and smooth skin now, just try Cure once and you'll notice the pure softness and smoothness of your skin and it'll soon become a part of your skin regimen.

Overall, this is a WINNER in my books. I haven't used my beauticontrol exfoliator brush in weeks.

What items do you use to exfoliate your face?

-Lilly

Speedy Makeup in 1 minute

When I'm in a rush I usually don't have time to apply on makeup. I would run out the door with no make up or bring it with me. Over time I've learned certain things can be sped up if i used a different method. Here are some examples:

Slow way: reapplying foundation, powder, and blush after the gym
New way: tinted moisturizer - it gives you a light coverage, healthy glow, and immediately conceals imperfections. No blush is necessary since my workout has given me that nice flush pink look.

Slow Way: Layering moisturizer, primer,and foundation
New Way: Mix the three products together in your hand and apply to your face. Works like a charm!

What are some speedy ways you have acquired with makeup?

-Lilly

Fall Pout

Goodbye to pink,coral, and bright lip stick hues of summer. Say hello to deep lip stick hues for fall. Find your perfect lip stick shade from your skin tone or hair color.

Skin Tone

• Fair Skin: Deep Crimson
• Beige Skin: Dark Plum
• Olive-Toned Skin: Deep Burgundy
• Yellow-Toned Skin: Brown-Red
• African-American Light-Medium Skin: Deep Berry
• African-American Medium-Dark Skin: Dark Wine 

Hair Color

• Blond Hair: Dark Plum
• Red Hair: Deep Mahogany
• Brown Hair: Deep Burgundy
• Black Hair: Dark Wine

The dark lip stick is a statement of its own. Keep your makeup simple with a coat of mascara and neutral or soft greys on your lids. Or go bold and pair it with a smoky black or dark grey shadows and black eye liner. 

What is your favorite lip stick for fall?

♥ Khou

Photo: http://linesandbones.blogspot.com/2011/09/lip.html Info: beautydepartment

5 must haves for controlling shine

When it comes to “Oily” skin, selecting the right products can be tricky. Too much moisture makes your face look shiny, while too little can actually send oil glands into overdrive. Either way, you lose. While it can take a little trial and error to find just the right regimen, following your Skin Type Solutions recommendations makes the process a whole lot easier.

In addition to your cleanser—which should contain salicylic acid to keep your skin looking its best—it’s important to round out your regimen with a few specialty products geared specifically to your “Oily” skin, and here are 5 must-have mattifying options that are sure to keep shine at bay.

1. OC Eight: If there’s one product every “Oily” type needs, it’s OC Eight. This professional-strength gel inhibits excess oil production and keeps skin shine-free for 8 hours. Use it under makeup or on its own and you’re all set.
2. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch: Sunscreens can leave a greasy residue that makes shine even worse, but this one leaves a matte finish that works beautifully under makeup.
3. Mattifying moisturizer: Choose a hydrator that delivers moisture while keeping excess oil under wraps. REN Matte Balancing Fluid does just this, and you can find similar products at every price point.
4. Topix Clay Mint Mask: A clay-based mask once or twice a week works wonders on “Oily” skin. Clay not only draws out excess oil, it helps keep pores clear as well. ( The Queen Helene mint mask works wonders!)
5. Blotting papers: Don’t leave home without a package of oil-absorbing sheets. They are great for eliminating shine without disturbing makeup or clogging pores.

If these tips alone aren’t enough to keep your “Oily” skin under control, you can try a few other things as well. Try topping off your sunscreen with an oil-absorbing powder or consider using a primer before applying makeup to help keep your foundation in place.

Cited: Skin Type Solutions

What are some of your tips to control shine?

-Lilly

Sensitive Types: Ingredients to avoid

Hi Ladies, if you have sensitive skin read on to avoid certain ingredients.

As you well know, your “Sensitive” skin is temperamental. The key to keeping it calm, cool and collected—and, of course, looking its best—is to avoid the ingredients that set your skin off.

Ironically enough, most skincare is geared toward dry/mature skin, oily skin, or sensitive skin, but this breakdown is way too simplistic, especially since there are four subtypes of sensitive skin. This is why you can’t believe everything you read on product labels, and it’s important to be educated so you can take make the right skincare decisions for your unique skin. The common denominator when treating all subtypes of “Sensitive” skin is reducing inflammation and eliminating the causes.

Acne subtype: When bacteria go to town on the oils and dead skin cells that clog pores, inflammation ensues. In addition to the rich, creamy products you’re avoiding, check your product labels to make sure there aren’t any hidden acne-causers like cocoa butter, coconut oil, isopropyl isostearate, peppermint oil, sodium lauryl sulfate, isopropyl myristate or myristyl myristate in there.

Rosacea subtype: We don’t really know exactly what causes the dilated facial blood vessels associated with rosacea, but we do know that inflammation and redness are the main symptoms. Despite the many theories and available treatments, over-the-counter and prescription topical creams and gels are pretty disappointing in terms of results. Though anti-inflammatory products may provide some relief, your best bet is to see a dermatologist for a procedure known as Intense Pulsed Light, or a vascular laser treatment. These can work wonders for your red skin and may prevent the progression of rosacea when used with the proper topical medications. Please don’t experiment with anti-aging products, as these can make rosacea flare-ups worse.

Stinging subtype: Stinging is caused by super-sensitive nerve endings in your skin. To keep skin calm, avoid alpha hydroxy acids, benzoic acid, lactic acid, propylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfate, sorbic acid, urea and vitamin C.

Allergic subtype: If your skin gets red, itchy and/or flaky, blame little gaps in your skin’s protective layer that allows irritants in. The most common culprits that cause irritation in allergic subtypes are fragrances and preservatives, but you should shy away from benzoyl peroxide, lanolin, parabens and propylene glycol-2 as well.

- Cited Skintypesolutions.com

Have a great Labor Day weekend ALL!

<3, Lilly