Month: October 2020

Between working (on work) and hustling together some exciting book launch events (which are going to kick ass and I can’t wait to tell you about them), I’m not sleeping much these days. BUT. I’ve also been working on some kick-ass blog posts about beauty oils and body care routines!  In fact, I was hoping to post them this week, but my plans were foiled. They were foiled, however, for the very best reason, and that reason is that our Korean Beauty Secrets book started shipping 3 WEEKS EARLY!

It was insane, actually, as we had absolutely no idea that was going to happen!  We found out about it when people started messaging us on Sunday to tell us their book had just arrived from Amazon. First we did a lot of squealing, and after that we panicked. The original release date was supposed be November 3rd. Coco and I have been working on a companion website, the URL of which is actually in the back of the book. But that website isn’t ready yet because we thought we had a couple more weeks to work on it! So I’ve been in a frenzy since this past Sunday, frantically trying to get the book website ready for prime time. I haven’t showered in a couple of days, I’ve been subsisting on cereal and black cherry seltzer, and sleeping for 8 hours in a row is my new life goal.  This is how the hot dogs are made, you guys!

But the good news is: books are shipping! And I finally got a couple of copies of it today, and they look really, really good! Not only is the content great, the actual production is amazing. The binding, the weight, the print quality are all absolutely gorgeous; better than we ever imagined it would be. I’m so proud of this book that I have to restrain myself from shoving it in people’s faces and saying, “Have you seen this? I wrote it. Look at it. I SAID LOOK AT IT!”

Book-Related Instagram Giveaways

We’ve got a couple of pretty exciting Instagram giveaways surrounding this book going on right now! Here are the details for both:

Giveaway #1

Club Clio USA Book Launch Countdown Instagram Giveaway Event

Club Clio has been awesomely supportive of this book launch. They are doing a whole series of giveaways leading up to November 3rd (the original book launch date), with different bloggers getting to choose the giveaway prize. Today marks the start of my Clio giveaway, and the prize I’m choosing to bestow the winner is: Goodal Repair Plus Essential Oil! This is a moisturizing oil blend with fermented rice yeast, so it combines a few of my favorite things: fermentation, beauty oils, and Goodal. It’s rich but light, and perfect now that cooler, fall weather is setting in.

This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents. Entry is easy! Just complete the following 3 steps:

Step 1: Post or regram the giveaway post from my Instagram account (@skinandtonics), with hashtags #beautywolfxclubcliousa #kerryxcoco #koreanbeautysecretsbook #clubcliousa #clio10dayskbeauty
Step 2:  Follow us on Instagram: Coco is @thebeautywolf, I’m @skinandtonics, and Club Clio USA is @clubcliousa
Step 3: Tag three friends you think might enjoy this giveaway

You can enter once a day, just tag three different friends each day!

Giveaway #2

Kerry & Coco’s “Show us Your Book” Mega-Hardcore-Balls-Out K-Beauty Giveaway

Okay, you got me, I actually just made the name up for this giveaway just now. It could be a little tighter! We thought we had a couple more weeks to think of a name! Luckily, we already had the prize all ready to go. Hold on to your hats:

One lucky winner will get an insane prize package that includes the following full size products:

• Acwell Bubble Free pH Balancing Cleanser (a recent favorite, review forthcoming)
• S:um37 Miracle Rose Cleansing Stick
• Leejiham (LJH) Cosmetics Tea Tree 90 Essence
• Leejiham (LJH) Cosmetics Vita Propolis Ampoule
• Graymelin Hyaluronic Acid 100% (Serum)
• Illi Total Aging Care Body Oil (This oil changed my life)
• I’m Lip Liquid by XO Memebox in color OR601
• I’m Lip Liquid by XO Memebox in color VL600

and the follow deluxe sample/travel-size products:

• Illi Total Aging Care Body Oil
• Illi Total Aging Care Body Lotion
• Goodal Moisture Barrier Cream
• Whamisa Organic Flowers Deep Rich Essence Toner
• Whamisa Organic Flowers Cleansing Oil

This prize is serious. We did not want to mess around, and we hope you’re as excited about it as we are!

How to Enter:

It’s super easy! All you have to do is post a picture on your Instagram of an in-person copy (preferably your personal copy) of Korean Beauty Secrets: A Practical Guide to Cutting-Edge Skincare & Makeup. You can style the photo however you want, but it has to be a picture of the physical book or e-book (as opposed to a picture you found on the internet). For e-books, just show us a shot of the book on your e-reader! Then follow and tag @kerryandcoco, @thebeautywolf, and @skinandtonics, and add hashtag #showusyourbook.

Once you’ve done that, voila! You’re entered! We’ll be choosing a winner at random on November 15, 2015 and announcing on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. This giveaway is open internationally!

If you haven’t ordered your copy yet, now is a great time to do it. It looks like it’s only ~$14 on Amazon right now, which is a fantastic deal. It will also be available from a huge number of other retailers in the U.S. and internationally on November 3rd; Amazon just happens to be the only one I know is already shipping right now.

It’s an amazing book; we’re really proud of it, and we can’t wait for all of you to read it and tell us what you think!

The post Lots of Updates, Featuring Some (Surprise!) Book News & Giveaways Galore appeared first on Skin & Tonics : Skincare Guides & Product Reviews.

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Lymphatic drainage facial massage is a technique used by many estheticians to improve the look of their clients’ skin. I’ve certainly used it on my own clients, and I remember it making a HUGE difference for one client in particular. She was referred to me by a plastic surgeon after having had a full facelift six months prior. At this point, she was unfortunately still experiencing the type of very visible swelling you would expect to see in the first few weeks following surgery. I performed lymphatic drainage massage on her three times a week for two weeks and was truly amazed to see that nearly all of her swelling went away. For whatever reason, her body was still hanging onto fluid post-surgery and couldn’t properly flush it out. Thanks to lymphatic drainage facial massage, we were able to get those stagnant fluids circulating again. It was such a good feeling to be able to help her achieve the confidence she had been going for in the first place.

Now granted, not everyone will see results as dramatic as these, but I believe lymphatic massage can be a powerful tool when it comes to managing certain skin conditions and supporting the overall health of your skin. In this post, I talk more about the benefits of lymphatic drainage for the face and tap into a certified expert to bring you the best advice for performing lymphatic facial massage on yourself at home. Keep reading to get to the good stuff to keep your skin glowing and flowing!

Meet the Expert

For this post, I tapped into my good friend and fellow esthetician Joanna Vargas. Joanna is sought after by many high-profile clients for her magic hands and proficiency in lymphatic drainage massage. She’s actually one of the few estheticians I know who is officially certified in this type of massage.

“I am certified in Dr. Vodders Lymphatic Drainage for the Face and Neck,” Joanna said. “Becoming certified in lymphatic drainage massage for the face and neck was honestly pretty challenging—I am incredibly proud of that certificate. I do it on my clients regularly.

What is Lymphatic Drainage Massage?

Lymphatic drainage massage is a technique that uses light pressure and specific motions to gently drain excess fluid.

According to Joanna, the lymphatic system mirrors the circulatory system and is made up of vessels, tissues, and organs to help the body manage fluid balance, defend it from infection, and deliver nutrients while carrying away toxins and waste.

Lymph, the fluid that travels via the lymphatic system, contains oxygen, glucose, amino acids, and other vital nutrients, giving life to every cell in our body. It also carries away toxins and impurities, making the lymphatic system vital to our immune system and overall health.

The lymphatic system relies on muscle contraction, diet, exercise, and physical manipulation to function normally. Unlike the circulatory system, your lymphatic system doesn’t have its own pump. That’s where lymphatic massage comes in!

What Are the Benefits of Lymphatic Drainage for the Face and Skin?

In medical settings, lymphatic drainage is used to help patients with lymphedema (chronic swelling due to damage or removal of lymph nodes, usually as part of cancer treatment). It’s also been shown to reduce swelling and visible puffiness in those recovering from injuries. 

Research is still a little bit behind when it comes to the aesthetic effects of lymphatic drainage, but it’s starting to catch up! In fact, a 2015 study was the first to find a link between impaired lymphatic function and sagging of the skin. Needless to say, this could have exciting implications for preventative aging treatments.

According to Joanna, the benefits of lymphatic massage are extensive. “Because the lymphatic system plays a huge role in immunity and healing,” she said, “the benefits to lymphatic massage are endless. For the skin, conditions like puffiness, acne, dryness, dullness, and even skin sensitivity can be improved and even resolved by simple lymphatic stimulation because it helps the body do what it’s meant to do: heal. You have the highest concentration of lymph nodes in your face and neck, so this means lymphatic drainage massage can really produce results!”

“I love ending a facial session with thirty minutes of lymphatic drainage massage,” Joanna added. “Obviously de-puffing is important, but so many people just have skin that looks unhealthy to me. Stimulating the lymph ensures that healing and real rejuvenation will occur, and this way I know I have done everything possible to restore wellness to that person’s skin.”

How to Give Yourself a Lymphatic Drainage Massage

While it’s great if you can get in to see a professional like Joanna who knows how to perform lymphatic drainage massage, this isn’t always an accessible option (especially during a pandemic!). Luckily for my readers, Joanna was kind enough to share expert advice on how to do your own lymphatic facial massage at home.

How to Prep for a Lymphatic Facial Massage

Joanna recommends doing lymphatic facial massage a few times a week, if not nightly, during your regular nighttime routine. “I prefer doing it at night because this will help de-puff you for morning and encourage your skin to repair while you sleep,” she said. “I suggest performing facial massage after the serum step in your routine.”

What You’ll Need

To get started, you’ll need either a facial oil or a nice, rich moisturizer. “The technique I’m certified in uses no cream or oil for slip,” Joanna said, “but when I teach clients for home, I definitely think having a bit of slip makes it easier.” Try Pro Remedy Oil. 

Should I Use a Massage Tool?

If you scroll through beauty or skincare accounts on Instagram, chances are you’ll catch a glimpse of massage tools such as jade rollers and gua sha stones. The popularity of these lymphatic drainage massage tools has definitely increased, but Joanna isn’t a fan of all of them.

“While I encourage everyone to learn how to do massage with their own two hands (my preferred method), some people find that daunting,” she said. “If I had to choose a tool, I would vote for a gua sha stone. It’s a fabulous way of massage, and it works.” 

“Jade rollers, on the other hand, just aren’t my jam. They’re a challenge for me because people drive it in a ‘back and forth’ method, which doesn’t really move the lymph along its proper pathways so it can drain. It is a form of facial massage, but it’s not lymphatic drainage at all.”

You can read more about my opinion of jade rollers and other at-home skin devices in this post.

Proper Technique

Now for the actual technique! Keep in mind that, when performing lymphatic massage on your face, you always want to use very light pressure. This is true whether you’re using your hands or a massage tool. The reason for this is that lymph vessels are very delicate and applying too much pressure can crush them, meaning fluid won’t be properly drained.

As for the actual massage technique, Joanna suggests starting at the neck and following this method:

You can repeat this process as many times as desired.

A word of warning from Joanna? Never massage inflamed acne! Applying pressure over active breakouts can increase inflammation or scarring and may spread bacteria, causing further breakouts.

Limitations

While lymphatic drainage massage for the face is generally considered safe, talk to your doctor first if you have any health concerns—especially conditions such as congestive heart failure, blood clots, kidney problems, infections, or circulation problems.

I hope you enjoyed learning more about lymphatic facial massage! When done correctly, it’s such a great way to support your overall skin health. Whether you’re looking to up your skincare game or simply indulge in some relaxing self-care, I highly recommend giving lymphatic facial massage a try.

Thanks so much to Joanna for her valuable input!

Want my thoughts on how food may or may not affect your skin? Read this post.

The post Lymphatic Drainage—Could This Be a Game Changer for Your Skin? appeared first on Expert Skin Advice from Renee Rouleau.

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I am a total makeup geek. I am willing (and honestly, wishing) to try every eyeshadow, blush, cream, you name it, regardless of how many products I already have in my collection. I am that girl. So when the chance to try the JUNO & Co. Moonshine Miracle Cream came about, I was geeking out. Here’s what I thought:

Let’s Take a Look at the Product

According to the JUNO & Co. website, the Moonshine Miracle Cream is “a luxurious, super hydrating, creamy makeup primer that nourishes skin and diminishes imperfections for the perfect canvas before makeup.” I’ve heard this kind of claim from tons of products, so I needed more convincing that this product was worth the $35 price tag (ya girl has bills to pay).

The company also claims that this product is special because of the ingredients used in the formulation. It is “infused with JUNO’s patented sodium hyaluronate and avocado extract which provides 12-hours of moisture for a dewier complexion. It helps to maintain moisture levels to help visibly smooth and plump skin with ultimate hydration. Evens surface so foundation effortlessly glides on and stays put for longer-lasting makeup wear.”

Sodium Hyaluronate

Since I’ve started working at FutureDerm and one of my jobs is to literally read the FD blog, I have been way more interested in the ingredients and products I put on my face and body. I’m not necessarily skeptical or wary enough to turn a product away, (as I’ve said before, I will try all the makeup) but just more interested. So, in true FutureDerm fashion, I wanted to take a closer look at the patented ingredient used that makes this product special.

So, we know that as people, we’re mostly water. This is also true for our skin, and as we age, our skin begins to lose its moisture, causing loss of flexibility and resilience. Sodium hyaluronate is the key molecule involved with skin moisture, and according to the Derm Review, “the most dramatic histochemical change observed in aging skin is the marked disappearance of sodium hyaluronate in the epidermis (the top layer of skin).” By adding this ingredient to skincare it will help to attract moisture to the skin, resulting in a smoother, softer complexion. Pretty cool, but does it work in the Moonshine Miracle Cream?

Personal Use & Opinion

The very first thing I noticed was that the packaging was gorgeous, and I am a sucker for packaging. The jar itself looks like it’s speckled with stars on a dark purple background, and it’s a little heavier, making it feel expensive. The cream itself is thick and luxurious feeling. It’s lightly scented and feels like a really nice moisturizer when you put it on; it reminded me of a mix between E.L.F.’s Poreless Putty Primer and cold cream texture-wise.

When I received this product, I was just getting ready to head out to my vacation at the Grand Canyon, and it was a lifesaver! My poor Pittsburgh skin was not happy about the change from rainy/snowy and cold to dry and cold. I used this alone without makeup the first few times just because my skin was drinking it up in the desert. With makeup, I did feel a difference in how my foundation wore — it went on smoother and didn’t settle in my fine lines as much compared to other primers I’ve tried before. Overall, I was really happy with the product and ecstatic it saved my skin from drying out on my vacation. Timing is everything.

Bottom Line

I love the JUNO & Co. Moonshine Miracle Cream! It’s a luxurious feeling cream that can be used alone as a beautiful moisturizer, or as a primer under any foundation for a smoother look. And it includes proven ingredients like sodium hyaluronate working to retain your skin’s natural moisture to reduce the signs of aging. If you’re in the market for a new primer, this one is definitely worth a try.

The post COMMUNITY REVIEW: JUNO & Co. Moonshine Miracle Cream appeared first on FutureDerm.

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If you are one of those with sensitive skin, we know how much trouble it is for you to take care of it. The tragedy is that you have to think twice before applying any product on your skin because,in absence of caution, you might end up with days of worries and annoyance.

One of the biggest issues for sensitive skin type is that make-up is generally avoided. Many feel deprived of an incredible confidence boosting and self-grooming activity, but, alas, the sensitivity. Fret not, we have a few tips in here which can help you deal with that damned sensitivity. With the help of these tips, you can do make-up without any worries.

Here are 5 such tips to keep in mind:

1. Trail Run Before Application

The fundamental rule is to test everything before you try. As you already know, most products which work on theordinary skin will not be kind to sensitive skin, and thus, it is highly advisable to first apply a small patch of the product on the face and leave it over there for 24 hours. If there is no reaction, it is a go-ahead.

2. Friends Of Sensitive Skin

Yes, we are talking about using those products and formulae which are proven friendly to sensitive skin. Concerning make-up, you should prefer hypo allergic, non-comedogenic and non-greasy formulae which are enriched with antioxidants and moisturizers.

You should go for light textures which do not plug pores and enable the skin to breathe. Also, you should consider using products which work against pollution and the sun.

3. Run Away From Allergens

One of the key ingredients of perfect skin care is being cautious about what you use. When purchasing makeup, you should exercise due caution regarding the ingredients used in the product and whether the products qualify the necessary tests.

While assessing the product, make sure you check whether it is “Nickel tested”—that is it has low nickel content and hence, would not cause allergic reactions.

4. Take Care Of Your Beauty Products

Just like your skin, your skincare products also need care and attention. To ensure that your products last longer and work as effectively as new, you must find them a cool, dry place. Do not leave them uncapped or in contact with theatmosphere. Make sure you clean up brushes after use.

5. Exfoliating

It is necessary to exfoliate once a week to open pores and remove dead cells. Exfoliating offers dual benefits: it makes your skin smoother and brightens up your complexion. By inculcating it in your personal care regime, your skin will absorb better the active ingredients of the beauty products you use for make-up.

The post 5 Makeup Tips For Those With Sensitive Skin appeared first on Skin Care Beauty Zone.

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I am a total makeup geek. I am willing (and honestly, wishing) to try every eyeshadow, blush, cream, you name it, regardless of how many products I already have in my collection. I am that girl. So when the chance to try the JUNO & Co. Moonshine Miracle Cream came about, I was geeking out. Here’s what I thought:

Let’s Take a Look at the Product

According to the JUNO & Co. website, the Moonshine Miracle Cream is “a luxurious, super hydrating, creamy makeup primer that nourishes skin and diminishes imperfections for the perfect canvas before makeup.” I’ve heard this kind of claim from tons of products, so I needed more convincing that this product was worth the $35 price tag (ya girl has bills to pay).

The company also claims that this product is special because of the ingredients used in the formulation. It is “infused with JUNO’s patented sodium hyaluronate and avocado extract which provides 12-hours of moisture for a dewier complexion. It helps to maintain moisture levels to help visibly smooth and plump skin with ultimate hydration. Evens surface so foundation effortlessly glides on and stays put for longer-lasting makeup wear.”

Sodium Hyaluronate

Since I’ve started working at FutureDerm and one of my jobs is to literally read the FD blog, I have been way more interested in the ingredients and products I put on my face and body. I’m not necessarily skeptical or wary enough to turn a product away, (as I’ve said before, I will try all the makeup) but just more interested. So, in true FutureDerm fashion, I wanted to take a closer look at the patented ingredient used that makes this product special.

So, we know that as people, we’re mostly water. This is also true for our skin, and as we age, our skin begins to lose its moisture, causing loss of flexibility and resilience. Sodium hyaluronate is the key molecule involved with skin moisture, and according to the Derm Review, “the most dramatic histochemical change observed in aging skin is the marked disappearance of sodium hyaluronate in the epidermis (the top layer of skin).” By adding this ingredient to skincare it will help to attract moisture to the skin, resulting in a smoother, softer complexion. Pretty cool, but does it work in the Moonshine Miracle Cream?

Personal Use & Opinion

The very first thing I noticed was that the packaging was gorgeous, and I am a sucker for packaging. The jar itself looks like it’s speckled with stars on a dark purple background, and it’s a little heavier, making it feel expensive. The cream itself is thick and luxurious feeling. It’s lightly scented and feels like a really nice moisturizer when you put it on; it reminded me of a mix between E.L.F.’s Poreless Putty Primer and cold cream texture-wise.

When I received this product, I was just getting ready to head out to my vacation at the Grand Canyon, and it was a lifesaver! My poor Pittsburgh skin was not happy about the change from rainy/snowy and cold to dry and cold. I used this alone without makeup the first few times just because my skin was drinking it up in the desert. With makeup, I did feel a difference in how my foundation wore — it went on smoother and didn’t settle in my fine lines as much compared to other primers I’ve tried before. Overall, I was really happy with the product and ecstatic it saved my skin from drying out on my vacation. Timing is everything.

Bottom Line

I love the JUNO & Co. Moonshine Miracle Cream! It’s a luxurious feeling cream that can be used alone as a beautiful moisturizer, or as a primer under any foundation for a smoother look. And it includes proven ingredients like sodium hyaluronate working to retain your skin’s natural moisture to reduce the signs of aging. If you’re in the market for a new primer, this one is definitely worth a try.

The post COMMUNITY REVIEW: JUNO & Co. Moonshine Miracle Cream appeared first on FutureDerm.

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Every skin type has different requirements, and there is no type better than others. Thus, we need to give special attention to our skin type to reap maximum benefits from the treatment and ensure a glowing and healthy skin.

Make-up is a common way of embellishing one’s skin; however, one should not go overboard with it and must be reasonable about the same. This is especially necessary for women with dark skin. Women with dark skin tones must be extra careful about putting on makeup because it can cause a big difference in the appearance.

We have 5 makeup tips to offer to such ladies to ensure that they get the perfect makeup for their perfect skin tone.

1. Moisturising The Skin

You cannot miss out on this activity before applying make-up. Women with dark skin tone usually go through dryness issues which cause their skin to appear ashy. Hence, moisturizing the skin regularly retains the moisture in the skin and prevents or fades away the ashy look.

Apply a good quality moisturizer after your everyday shower to have your face and body properly hydrated for the day.

2. Sunscreen

It is a common misconception that women with dark skin tones do not need to apply sunscreen—in fact, it is kind of racist. Just because your complexion is dark does not mean your skin is not vulnerable to the dangers posed by the UV rays.

Do some study on your skin type, hit the market and purchase a good sunscreen, and apply it on a regular basis to offer a much-needed protection to your skin.

3. Choosing The Right Foundation

We need to get the base of our makeup right, and hence, a good foundation is the need of the hour. Whenever you are shopping for a foundation, keep in mind that the foundation should match your skin tone. You might want to use two shades of the foundation for example, by using a lighter shade around the center of the face and the natural shade on the remaining area of the face.

The right foundation does not only sit well on your face but also does away with discolorations. Also, do not go for transparent power, as it causes a grey tinge on the skin.

4. Bronzer

If you are very much into makeup, then you know the value of a bronzer. It is a beauty treatment which makes our skin look shiny and fresh and works effectively even under high temperatures. However, you cannot blindly and without direction apply the same to your skin.

Go for a bronzer which is two shades darker than your tan colour., and while applying the bronzer, do not dust it all over. You need to come up with a neat look—so, apply the bronzer with the help of a sculpting brush and in a C formation.  You should begin with temples and then gradually apply it to the forehead, chin, nose and the sides of the face.

5. Eye Make-up

You have got to take eye makeup seriously—because ifit goes wrong, you can end up becoming a subject of gossip.

If you are attending a casual event during the day, go for subtle shades such as pinks, grey and brown; however, for an evening event, opt for shades such as greens, purple, blue, copper, browns, and burgundy.

The post 5 Make-Up Tips For Women With Dark Skin appeared first on Skin Care Beauty Zone.

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