Products To Boost Your Beauty Routine

Boost your beauty routine with these amazing products and tips from the beauty spotlight team

Whether you have acne or hormonal breakouts, if you have considered a device, rather than topicals, then the FOREO ESPADA Blue Light Acne Treatment is the perfect tool for the job. Lola’s Secret Beauty Blog tested it, and it is quite impressive in its efficacy.

Barbie's Beauty Bits has some great beauty items for anyone you call mom, whether they're your mom, sister, grandma, mother-in-law, stepmom, or work-mom!

This year, chain belts and strappy belts are having a moment. Angie at Your True Self Blog has style tips for how to wear belts in interesting new ways with all of your outfits!

Is your skin looking dull? Allison from Never Say Die Beauty recommends DefenAge 2-Minute Reveal, a quick and gentle combination physical and chemical exfoliating mask, that will bring back your glow!

Looking for a clean beauty hydrating serum that is an all around fabulous one? Marcia from Never Say Die Beauty recommends Fleur & Bee Just Dew It Serum that also gives back to women and girls in need.

When many think of bold lipstick, they usually think of a red lip. But beauties, many stunning bold lip colors, not just red, will look fantastic on you, just ask Courtney from the Makeup Drawer

So, if you want to find out how to "Rock A Bold Lip Color," continue reading The Makeup Drawers ultimate guide to wearing a bold lipstick.

 

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7 Unconventional Nightly Skincare Tips

  From Pantry To Pretty With 7 Unconventional Nightly Skincare Tips, Barbie's Beauty Bits

By now, everyone knows the traditional nighttime skincare routines: remove makeup, gentle cleanser, face oils, toners, serums, night creams, eye creams, spot treatments, mi-cellar water, a double cleanse for washing your face, and more from skincare brands and skincare products with active ingredients.-WOW that was a mouthful! 

But did you know there are some unconventional ways to boost the health of your skin and prevent the signs of aging?

While I could open my own boutique with the skincare products I have. Today, I had a flashback of where all of this began, which was from my "Pantry to Pretty Beauty Routines," where I would share skincare tips for protecting the skin and skin barrier and other DIY beauty tips with unlikely products found in your kitchen or home.

So if you ever tried honey to banish a zit, bananas for shiny hair, or an DIY oatmeal face scrub. I have some more unconventional nightly skincare tips just for you and the health of your skin. So continue reading.  

Drink A Dose Of Reishi Mushroom Tea Before Bed
When it comes to skincare, mushrooms can be pretty magical! While you may have thought I was going to suggest trying a mushroom facial or mushroom scrub – there is another way to get the benefits from mushrooms, which is a mushroom tea.

First off, these aren't just any old mushrooms; they are reishi mushrooms, adaptogen fungi used for centuries in East Asian medicinal practices.

This shroom, commonly referred to as the mushroom of immortality, is full of antioxidants that help prevent damage to your cells.

The reishi mushroom benefits for skin work best when ingested. These powerhouse mushrooms contain ample beta-glucans, which promote skin hydration (a key criterion for healthy skin). They can also help your body synthesize ceramides, which form a protective layer on your skin to lock in moisture.

As a bonus, studies show that reishi mushrooms can promote stress relief – a must for a restful night's sleep.

Make A Bedtime Sugar Facial Scrub
Sugar might be one of the worst things you can eat for your skin, but it works a charm externally. It kind of sounds hypocritical, right? But skincare products derived from sugar are actually popular. For example, Glycolic acid is a type of alpha-hydroxy acid (or AHA) that's derived from sugar cane.

And according to Healthline, sugar scrubs work because the fine grains of sugar create a gentle exfoliating buff that softens as you work it.

Unlike other exfoliators, sugar dissolves – meaning that you won't risk micro-abrasions as you cleanse. Sugar is also natural, unlike many micro-beads, making it an environmentally friendly alternative, especially for those with sensitive skin.

Simply mix sugar with a carrier oil (like coconut oil) and a few drops of your favorite essential oil, and you are on your way to brighter, glowing skin.

A Bedtime Snack Of Guacamole And Coconut Water
This may sound like a super weird tip to add to your nightly skincare routine but bear with me. These snacks you might find at your favorite Mexican restaurant can do more than provide a delicious dose of calories. They also tackle three fundamental criteria of skincare: healthy fats, hydration, and vitamin C.

The avocados and lime juice in guacamole provide lots of healthy fat and Vitamin C (respectively) that your skin needs, regardless of skin type for anti-inflammation and oil-barrier regeneration.

Hydrate as you hibernate with coconut water. Coconut water is one of the most hydrating liquids on earth, chock full of electrolytes that help keep your dry skin hydrated. If you're looking for a late-night healthy snack, make it guac and coconut water.

Get Your Beauty Sleep
Sleep Wrinkles And Beauty Sleep
Guess sleeping beauty knew something as beauty sleep is a real thing! Sleep may be the closest thing to a fountain of youth when it comes to your nightly skincare routine as no one likes waking up with dark circles, puffiness, and bags in the eye area.

Our skin repairs itself and recovers while you snooze, leading to a long list of benefits for your skin. The key is to get enough shut-eye -- 7 to 9 quality hours each night. While you can invest in the best skin care products and makeup removers, your beauty sleep is one of the best things for your skin.

Prevent Pillow Face
Sleep With Anti-aging Beauty Pillow
What is an anti-aging beauty pillow, you may be asking? Well, did you know that your pillow can be aging you? What? Yes, for starters, when sleeping on a traditional pillow, you apply about 8 lbs of pressure to your face causing your face to crease on your pillow.

So what is the big deal?

Constant compression to the face from your pillow for hours every night causes puffiness and creases, aka sleep wrinkles. While these fine lines and wrinkles may appear to disappear in the morning, these creases and puffiness become permanent wrinkles over time.

But don’t worry. There are ways to prevent sleep wrinkles with a Sleep & Glow Omini Pillow. This pillow's shape helps minimizes face distortion, morning puffiness and provides neck support.

Special material adapts to the shape of your face, reduces asymmetries for habitual side sleepers, and helps you get more out of your moisturizers by minimizing facial contact. SO you are not wasting those expensive nighttime skincare products on your pillow. 

This pillow is a must in my book as not only does it provide comfort while sleeping on your side or back, but also an anti-aging cosmetic effect! Now that is some beauty sleep if you ask me! 

Anti-wrinkle Bra For Sleeping
You're kidding me, Miss Barbie. No, I'm not. I told you I would share some unconventional skin care tips for your nightly routine.  

There’s nothing like waking up, ready to seize the day, and you walk into the bathroom to take a shower, and what do you see... Boobie Wrinkles! Yep, those unsightly chests and decolletage wrinkles called cleavage rhytides. That appears on the upper check between the neck and the upper abdomen.

These wrinkles start as dynamic lines and creases over time from certain sleep positions, like sleeping on your side from the weight of your breasts creases the skin of your chest and neck, forming wrinkles. Eventually, these wrinkles stop fading away in the morning and will become permanent wrinkles.

But fret no more beauties as I share with you the Pillow Bra, an anti-wrinkle bra for sleeping that naturally and safely prevents the formation of creases and wrinkles on the cleavage.

This little pink beauty will help reduce cleavage wrinkles, AND it has also been proven to help eliminate existing ones.

The Sleep&Glow pillow bra comfortably supports and separates the breasts while you sleep, helping to

• Gently hold your chest in place while you sleep on your side.
• The skin of your neck and chest stays smooth, and wrinkles don’t form.
• Has adjustable bands fitting women up to US size 2X
  

 Get 10% OFF both items with code: barbie10

So there you have it beauties, 7 Unconventional Nightly Skincare Tips. 

Do you have any unconventional or DIY skincare beauty tips? If so let me know below.

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Best 2022 Beauty Finds For Mother's Day

Who's ready for some Mother's Day finds? If you are, check out these last-minute deals that mom will love!

While moms deserve to be celebrated every day, there's nothing wrong with spoiling her with some at-home beauty items!

And Barbie's Beauty Bits has some great beauty items for anyone you call mom, whether they're your mom, sister, grandma, mother-in-law, stepmom, or work-mom!

Mother's Day Beauty Offers

Anti-aging Pillow: 10% OFF
I made this first as this is at the top of my list for mom!When you sleep on a regular pillow (no matter the pillowcase material), your skin may become stretched and compressed, creating creases and morning puffiness. Over time, they turn into permanent sleep wrinkles.

Code:  barbie10 for 10% off.

But not with SLEEP & GLOW anti-aging pillow. This anti-aging pillow provides comfort while reducing contact between the face and pillow, preventing and fighting sleep wrinkles and morning puffiness. 

 

The Pillow Bra... Bye, Bye Chest Wrinkles: 10% OFF

Do you or any mom you know have chest wrinkles? Well, did you know when you sleep on your side, the weight of your breasts creases the skin of your chest and neck, forming wrinkles.
 

Over time, these wrinkles stop fading away in the morning and will become permanent.

The Sleep & Glow Pillow Bra gently holds your chest in place while you sleep on your side. The skin of your neck and chest stays smooth, and wrinkles don’t form. 

 

Code: barbie10 for 10% off. 

Best Hair Accessories For Mom

CHI AND BioSilk: 25-35% Off
Until May 9th, enjoy 25% off sitewide at using promo code CHIMOM.
 
In addition to this, enjoy 35% off ONLY on CHI The Sparkler Iron ($174.39; now $113.35). Discount is already applied on chi.com.
 
Irresistible Me Hair Extensions - Up to 50% Off + FREE Hair Tool
Enjoy up to 50% off site-wide now until May 12th; Every purchase over $199 will receive a FREE black diamond straightener.

Best Skincare Products For Mom

Mayvenn - 25% Off
Until May 9th, enjoy 25% off select wigs by using code WIGS25 at checkout. Shop available wigs here

Spongellé: 30% Off
From April 28th through May 5th, spend $50 and receive 30% off sitewide at Spongelle with code MOM30 

The A Method by Tina Alster M.D. - 30% Off
For two days on Mother's Day Weekend (May 8th & 9th), enjoy 30% off The A Method's 24K Gold + Snail Growth Factor Serum ($196; now $137.20) when using code MOTHERSDAY at checkout 

Colleen Rothschild Beauty
How does a discount off your first order at Colleen Rothschild Beauty sound? Use the link below, and once you've shopped, I'll get a reward too.LINK:  http://rwrd.io/nzx890x?p

Meebak
Hydration, Hydration, Hydration, Baby! This product that doubles as a cleansing pad and toner. A must to protect the skin against free radicals and prepping the skin for better absorption of moisturizers and serums.

 I love this brand, and you can purchase it from their website or on Amazon. So those of you that have Amazon prime can save a lot more on Meebak products.

Offer: 20% Off Coupon

Itcosmetics For Mother's Day-BOGO
Itcosmetics Mother's Day Special. One for you. And one for Mom.
Use Code: GIFT1GET1

DERMA E -Buy One | Get One 50% Off
Their products are 100% Vegan, GMO-Free, Cruelty-Free, and Free of parabens, sulfates, petrolatum, mineral oils, phthalates, and sodium lauryl sulfates.
Buy One | Get One 50% Off
Skin Restore and Essentials Line apply code: BOGO50 off​ at checkout 

Other Beauty Items For Mom

Tress Wellness Waxing Kit Under $50 With Amazon Prime
Finding a reliable waxing kit can get a bit, um…hairy. So I searched the web for the best home waxing kits and found one on Amazon!

From your lips to your legs, mom can basically set up a waxing salon at home with this kit full of all the essentials.

Mom. Mommy, Mother Makeup Bag: $14.99
The Makeup Drawer has the cutest makeup bag for mom! This bag is perfect for storing makeup and other personal items.

It's the perfect gift for mom (or you can treat yourself, we won't tell)

Regular: $25.99

On Sale: $14.99 

Vegan Ultimate Lash and Brow Spa For Mom: 15% OFF

Restore balance and boost your mom’s beauty routine by giving her the gift of Mayraki Lash & Brow Restoration Growth Solution, a natural topical treatment that improves length and thickness of lashes and eyebrows, as well as preventing premature fallout. Developed by a specialist team of herbalists and hair professionals, this growth solution contains a blend of peptides and botanicals to create a naturally powerful formula that offers maximum strength and proven results. Infused with nutrients vital to lash health, the solution promotes the production of keratin genes in our hair follicles, which is a key structural component of healthy brows and lashes.

Use Code: WEL15MAYRAKI for 15% OFF

My Gift Stop-Extra 10%-20% OFF Select Items
While they do have some great beauty items,  I love all of their designer watches, bags, and jewelry for cheap.

Extra 10%-20% OFF already reduced prices on selected items just for mom

Win Mom A $150 Visa Gift Card And MORE! Make mom smile this Mother’s Day by winning her a $150 Visa Gift card or one of 10 Air Scense Natural Air Freshener prizes!⠀

To enter our “Shower Your Mother with Love” contest. Click here

Deadline for the contest is Friday, May 6th 9:00pm (EST.) Winners will be announced on Sunday May 8th in the post and notified by DM at 2:00 pm (EST.) Prizes can only be shipped within the Continental US.

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Best At-Home Waxing Kit For Silky Smooth Skin

Are you ready for a smoother you this Spring? If so, get prepared with Amazon’s best at-home waxing kit for silky, smooth skin from Tress Wellness!

Warmer weather is amongst us. And depending on where you live, this could mean cute capris, sexy sundresses, strappy sandals, stylish shorts, and trendy tank tops-at least it does for me.

With this seasonal wardrobe change, many of us will start thinking about going to the gym and personal grooming as no one wants to look like the Grinch from Christmas with that crazy, undesirable body hair in the Spring!

So if you are ready for a smoother you and to wax like a pro in the comfort of your own home, continue reading.
 
Tress Wellness Complete Waxing Kit
Finding a reliable waxing kit can get a bit, um…hairy.  So I searched the web for the best home waxing kits and found one on Amazon!

I was able to take my at-home waxing game to the next level with Amazon's #1 Best-Seller Waxing Kit, the Tress Wellness Complete Waxing Kit!

Yeah, I know waxing can sound a bit daunting, but beauties, it is much easier to remove that body hair than you think with the help of the Tress Wellness spa-level at-home waxing kit.

From your lips to your legs, you can basically set up a waxing salon at home with this kit full of all the essentials, which is why I love this system as they have thought of everything.

1. A wax warmer that has a digital display and auto shut-off, so it's safe to use
2. Five 100% cruelty-free different waxing beads (lemon, eucalyptus, lavender, tea tree, and peppermint)
3. Pre-wax and post-wax spray to cut the oils and soothe after
4. 20 waxing sticks and ten eyebrow waxing sticks for precise wax application
5. Transparent cover lid to help you monitor the meltdown of the wax
6. Removable pot for easy cleaning
7. LCD temperature display screen for perfect visibility
8. Five protective rings that fit around the warmer to keep it clean
9. User manual (very beginner-friendly)
   

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow...Literally
I was initially hesitant about using an at-home waxing kit as I had a horrible experience at a reputable spa with a bikini wax. The bikini wax was a last-minute purchase after getting my hair styled. I later learned the problem was my hair in my bikini area wasn't long enough, and it ripped off skin instead! Guess the technician should have mentioned that.

Hence today, I want to make sure you are prepared, regardless of which body area you are trying to free the fur! Preparation is crucial, so you do not end up as I did from a botched salon wax.

This is another reason I love the Tress Wellness kit, as they provide you with a user-friendly beginners guide that answers all and any questions you might have, allowing you to enjoy hair free perfection! (Plus, now your legs and a cactus won’t be the same texture).

Ways To Prep Before You Wax

Start With The Right Length Of Hair
This is what got me, so I made sure that I had plenty of hair to spare when I used my new Tress Wellness Waxing set!

Minimum is 1/4 inch hair length, which is about the size of a grain of rice. This will also ensure that the wax has something to grasp. Allowing the hair to get completely removed from the root instead of the skin.

Exfoliate Before Your Wax
You want to remove any dead skin cells that surround the hair follicles. Exfoliating helps loosen existing ingrown hairs and improves your waxing results.

IMPORTANT: To keep irritation to a minimum, avoid chemical exfoliants before waxing. Instead, use something mild like exfoliating mitts or gentle body scrub.

Dial Back On Your Skincare
While above, I did say avoid chemical exfoliants beforehand.  I realize not everyone knows what this means. 

So to be a bit more detailed, you also want to avoid retinol products, chemical peels, and treatments like microdermabrasion.

Start With Clean Skin
Always start your waxing session with freshly washed and dry skin. Clean the area you want to wax, as there should not be any moisturizing cream, oils, deodorant, etc., applied to the place you are planning to wax.

Avoid Tanning
The waxed skin is more susceptible to UV rays, leading to sun damage and hyperpigmentation. So tanning is not recommended before or at least 48 hours after waxing. Plan accordingly if you are waxing for a trip to the beach.

Avoid Caffeine And Alcohol Before Waxing
These zap moisture from your skin, causing your hair to cling more tightly to its dehydrated follicles. Instead, pamper yourself after with a glass of wine, not before!

Do A Patch Test Prior To Waxing
Beauties, nothing is worse than a burning hoo-ha. So make sure to do a patch test before applying hot wax, and I suggest the same if you are doing your upper lip or eyebrows.

Avoid Sex Right After
Oh, how nice to share your sexy smooth body with your significant other. But you need to wait!

So plan accordingly. No day of anniversary waxing! Unless you just want to be cuddling!  

Real Easy, Real Results,
User Waxing Instructions

Now that you are all prepped, you are ready to eliminate those hairiest concerns! See the steps I took below...

Prepare The Wax
The wax should have a uniform consistency. Kind of like thick honey or molasses. The temperature to heat the wax is around 150-170 degrees. For areas with sensitive skin, you will love the ready color indicators.

Pre And Post Wax
Make sure to apply the pre-spray. I forgot the first time. And make sure it is dry before using the wax, so the wax doesn’t adhere to the skin and only adheres to the hair.

Cool The Wax Down A Little Bit Before Applying
Before applying the wax to your skin, check the wax warmer. It should not be too hot; otherwise, your skin will get burned. Also, if it's too cold, it won't spread properly.

Do A Temperature Test
I applied it under my wrist to check the temperature. NEVER use without doing a test, especially if doing the bikini area.

Start With Small Sections
For goodness sakes, we do not want a Tik Tok waxing fail. So make sure not to put wax on your wax area at once. It'll make the wax dry and hard to pull, plus it won't remove hair from the root.

Instead: Wait about 30-45 seconds until the wax is not sticky. Also, place pressure when applying to grab onto the hair and remove quickly. THIS is very important.

To Remove The Wax From Your Body
There are not any strips; the hard wax hardens and acts as a strip. To remove, keep the skin anchored in place, and never pull upward or outward to avoid pulling or tearing in the skin.

1. The critical step to preventing ingrown hairs is to get the entire hair follicle. The best way for hair removal is by keeping your skin taut with your free hand and removing the wax strip quickly in the opposite direction of the hair growth.
   
2. After removing your wax, always apply pressure to freshly waxed skin to immediately reduce any pain or stinging.
3. After hair is completely removed, make sure to soothe and ease any inflammation with the post-treatment spray.
   

Barbie's Personal Tips To Make It Better

How Wax Much To Get On The Stick
They call this the bulb amount, which is the accumulation of wax surrounding your spatula produced by twirling wax around like spaghetti on a fork. The bulbs should be the right size for your waxing area.

Your wax shouldn’t drip after about 2-3 seconds of twirling. If it does, your wax may be too hot, or your consistency may be off. If your wax is too thin or too hot, turn down your warmer temperature. 

Practice Before Applying To Sensitive Areas
I removed some hair on my upper thigh to practice before doing my bikini area, or if you plan on using it on your facial hair, I suggest practicing as well. I highly recommend this, especially if this is your first time waxing yourself.

Gripping Piece In The Wax
It would be best to create an area at the end to grab to pull off (like a little lip or log). The first time I didn't do this, it took a bit to grip it, causing irritation.

Missed Some Hairs
The wax strip needs to be removed in the opposite direction to clean up any missed hairs, especially some of the coarse hairs and do it in the DIRECTION OF THE HAIR GROWTH.

What I Liked About The Tress Wellness Waxing Kit
The first thing I appreciated was the guide that made this system so easy to use. The most important part to me is the preparation, as this is where many fail, resulting in a negative experience.  But not with Tress Wellness. They thought of everything to have you prepped, informed, and ready for your HAIR FREE experience.

Secondly, this is the best-selling home waxing kit on Amazon, and for a good reason. The Tress Wellness kit includes hard wax beans, which grip the hair, not your skin. That means smooth skin with less pain than other kinds of waxing.

Thirdly, it's very affordable compared to going to the salon and oddly satisfying (kind of like that Dr. Pimple, Popper TV show satisfaction), seeing those pesky removed hairs lying on the wax. 

Currently, you can get this waxing kit for around $55. Amazon prime members can save even more as I just purchased one for my mom for Mother's Day and got mine for under $50!

Lastly, no more irritation as the wax is formulated with natural ingredients. And it’s cruelty free!

So there you have it, beauties. Barbie's Beauty Bits tips and experience with Tress Wellness Complete Waxing Kit. Amazon's #1 Best At-Home Waxing Kit For Silky Smooth Skin.

Until next time!

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How To Make Your Beauty Routine More Sustainable

Tips To Make Your Beauty Routine More Sustainable With Barbie's Beauty Bits

I wanted to share a critical topic, which is sustainable, eco-conscious beauty routines in honor of Earth Day. With the increasing momentum across a wide range of businesses, the natural and eco-friendly beauty market continues to grow rapidly and consistently.

While it may not be feasible to purchase new eco-friendly products, making your current beauty routine more sustainable is possible, with minimal costs!  

So if you have been thinking about making some sustainable changes to your beauty routine, there’s no better time than Earth Day month to start adopting some of these tips!  
 

Why Is Sustainable Beauty Important?
For those of you reading this post by accident, this may not even be something that has crossed your mind. It does mine as one of my friends is ever so cautious of this and asked me to share some tips as one of the keys to making sustainable choices is understanding why these conscious decisions matter in the first place.

Sustainable beauty is important because it helps to conserve essential resources. From the plastic packaging and hard materials used in the packaging of beauty products to the ingredients used, they rely on available resources.

Making some sustainable changes in your beauty routine can help slow down the depletion of natural resources. 

Choose Products In Sustainable Packaging
When shopping for a deodorant or looking for a new moisturizer look for products contained in packaging that is either recycled or recyclable (or both).

Thanks to increased awareness in the industry, this shouldn’t be hard to do. Look for sustainable makeup and skincare that use glass rather than plastic or create their packaging from easily recycled materials.

Recycle Your Beauty Products
After switching to a recyclable product, make sure you recycle it. Look for schemes where you can return your empty products for free (or return them for reward points for a free product), or put the packaging into your recycling bin when you’re finished.

Reuse Your Beauty Packaging
Many brands now offer reusable packaging with refill packs available to top up rather than buying a whole new package.

Repurpose Your Beauty Products
Plenty of products can be used for other things after use. For example, cylinder packaging can be used to store your makeup brushes. Mascara wands can make a terrific eyebrow and eyelash brush. Or an old toothbrush can be used to tame wild hairs or as an exfoliating brush for your lips.
 

Cut Back On Waste My Multitasking Your Beauty Products
Simplify your beauty routine and cut back on waste by using your beauty products in multiple ways.  Many everyday makeup products have numerous uses. For example:

Mascara Beauty Hacks:
You can use mascara on both your eyelashes and eyebrows, used as an eyeliner and cover gray hairs.

Lipstick Beauty Hacks:
Use lipstick as a blush, concealer, and the apparent, on your lips! Depending on the color, you can use it on your eyes!  

Eyeliner Pencil:

Use this bad boy as an eyeliner, brow liner, eyeshadow for a smoking eye look and to contour your nose (use brown for the nose). Eyeliner is also an excellent way to make your eyelashes appear thicker by applying some black eyeliner to the upper waterline.

Hair Conditioner Uses:
Asides from the hair on your head. You can also use conditioner as a body moisturizer, fabric softener, even to shave your legs!

Use A Shampoo Bar
It is a plastic-free alternative to a shampoo bottle. Shampoo bars are eco-friendly and highly concentrated. They’re often packaged in recyclable cardboard, reduce your waste, and keep your hair just as clean as a regular shampoo, lasting longer than the average bottle.

Ditch The Disposable Makeup Remover Pads
Disposable products like makeup wipes and cotton pads are not suitable for the environment. Hence say hello to the MAKEUP ERASER. This incredible eco-friendly cloth removes ALL of your makeup, and the best part is it does it with only water!

The  Makeup Eraser is reusable. Unlike makeup wipes made up of materials like polyester and polypropylene, they also take years to break down in landfills as they don’t biodegrade. One MakeUp Eraser cloth delivers over 3,600 wipes. Washable and reusable for up to 5 years!

A bonus: The backside can be used to exfoliate the skin, hence a multitasker for your skincare routine too!

Save On Water
Americans use about 100 gallons of water a day at home. And tons go to waste as many of us are yet to shake the bad habit of leaving the water running when we are washing our face or brushing our teeth, which leads to a lot of water going down the drain unused.

Switch Off The Running Water When:

• Washing your face
• Exfoliating your skin
• Brushing your teeth
• Washing your hair
• Shaving your legs
  
• Lathering your body wash

Dry Shampoo Is Your Best Friend
Are you washing your hair multiple times a week? This is another way to save on water by using dry shampoo for one or two of the washes.

 

Choose Eco-Friendly Brands
One of the best ways to make your beauty routine more sustainable is to look for eco-friendly brands. Get in the habit of reading packaging and spend some time learning the logos that mean the products have been certified as being vegan, cruelty-free, clean, or bio-degradable like Pit-pouri biodegradable deodorant. 

There are many lists online to help you find the right brands and understand what you should be looking when shopping.

 

To Sum It Up
No matter how small some of the above suggestions may seem, we each play a role. Sadly for us, beauty lovers, the beauty industry and beauty companies are among the world’s largest polluters.

Billions of beauty and personal-care packaging are sold yearly much of which is never recycled, repurposed, or reused. They just end up in landfills. So do you part, no matter how small it may seem, as every bit counts!

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Botox Injections: Treatment, Recovery, And Side Effects

Barbie's Beauty Bits will explain what you need to know about Botox treatments in this post. We'll cover how Botox Cometics works, recovery, side effects, and aftercare.

Botox is an incredible cosmetic and medical treatment that offers anti-aging results by targeting specific muscles. It's one of the best treatments to target fine lines and facial wrinkles available with decades of use showing that it's safe and effective. 

However, Botox can seem scary to some, which is why we got together with SEV Laser Of Miami to provide you with the necessary information you need so that you can understand what Botox Cosmetics is, how it works, and more!  

How Botox Injections Work
Botox is an FDA-approved drug made of botulinum toxin type A. When injected in very small, controlled doses, it prevents muscle contractions in the facial muscles.

As a cosmetic treatment, it’s incredibly effective at fading what are known as “dynamic wrinkles.” These are wrinkles caused by repetitive facial movements, like crow’s feet, forehead lines, and frown lines. With age, the skin slows down its production of proteins like collagen and elastin that allow it to bounce back after certain movements.

By actually preventing some of that movement in the first place, Botox keeps the skin looking smooth and helps the face appear more serene and youthful.

In the United States, Botox injections can only be done by medical professionals like Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist (CANS), registered nurses, physicians, and physician assistants.

Is Botox Safe?

You’ll often hear that Botox is a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which can sound pretty scary. However, as the real-life experiences of millions of people show, it’s quite safe. Botox has been used for both medical and cosmetic purposes for over 40 years now, so we have a really good idea of its safety.

Usually, when long-term adverse effects occur with Botox, it’s not because it was used cosmetically. Botox is often used to treat muscle pain, incontinence, and other health concerns related to the muscles. With medical treatments like this, the Botox is injected into parts of the body where risks can be higher, and they require much higher doses.

On the other hand, adverse effects from cosmetic Botox are incredibly rare and are often the result of going to an inexperienced or unlicensed practitioner. But it can also lead to issues like a frozen Botox look, even looking fake, if not injected by a qualified injector.

In a reputable medspa setting, your practitioner understands the manner of treating and won’t agree to treat you if you’re suffering from any conditions that could increase your risk of adverse effects. 

Botox Injections: Before, During and after Treatment

Botox Aftercare And Recovery

If you decide to give Botox a try, it’s essential to know the effect of Botox by being aware of the recovery process and Botox aftercare. After your treatment, here’s what you need to keep in mind:

• Avoid rubbing or touching the treated area. That means no massage, no ice packs, and no makeup.
• Avoid lying down or bending over backward or forward for 4 hours after the injection to prevent it from moving or migrating.
• Wait 24 hours before exercising or doing anything that’ll increase your heart rate.
• Avoid drinking alcohol or sun exposure for the first day, as well.
• You can still gently move your face as usual.
• Botox doesn’t show results immediately - you can expect to see a difference about two weeks after your appointment. 
• Botox results should last for around three months, although the more often you get Botox treatments, the longer the results can last between treatments.
  

Botox Side Effects

These are the more common Botox side effects you should be aware of. They’re quite benign and to be expected.

• Risk of bruising
• Swelling
• A bit of soreness or tenderness around the injection site
• Headache or mild flu-like symptoms (these are relatively rare but not dangerous)
  

If you experience more severe side effects after receiving Botox injections, like paralysis, muscle weakness, difficulty closing your eyes, or trouble breathing or swallowing, seek medical attention immediately. 

If you’d like to give Botox a try, we recommend booking an appointment at a quality Medspa like SEV Laser, which offers services all over the USA. Check out one of the most popular locations, SEV Laser Miami, or choose the nearest location near you.

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Beauty Treatments To Restore Your Skin’s Beauty

With the warmer amongst us, it's time to give your skin a fresh new look for Spring. The Winter weather can cause our skin to look older, so with Spring in the air, I think it is time to restore your skin's beauty, and we at Barbie's Beauty Bits are here to help.

While wrinkles and fine lines are unwelcome signs of the aging process, they are not the only things that make your skin look older. Several telltale signs of aging winter skin can undoubtedly impact our youthful glow. From dead skin cells, dry skin, to uneven skin tone, sun damage, even broken capillaries all contribute to the appearance of aging skin. 

Hence it's no wonder our skin needs a blossoming glow of a few rejuvenating skincare treatments to restore the skin's beauty.

So without further ado, here are some of my top beauty treatments to restore your skin's beauty.

Step 1: Vow To Exfoliate For Smoother Youthful Skin

All the things that can keep your skin from looking smooth, glowing, and radiant, dead skin cells are at the top of this list. Which is why this is the first step to restoring your skin's beauty.

Before we get into some of the treatments, let's discuss these pesky dead skin cells as they really are a pain in the you know what!

Did you know that somewhere between 30,000 and 40,000 skin cells die every minute! Yes, it can be a good thing because it allows fresh, new younger cells to surface. BUT, and of course, you knew there would be a but, the problem is that most people leave those nasty dead skin cells lying around, like dry, dead leaves. Turning your face into a mini skin cell graveyard. And the scary thing is these dead skin cells can clog pores and cause false wrinkles, making your complexion appear much older than it is. All by your own accord! 

So the answer...Exfoliate, Exfoliate, Exfoliate

Exfoliation is the key to brighter, smoother skin and one of the most convenient and effective ways to teach the skin to act younger. There are a few different ways to exfoliate, and let’s have a look at them.

Physical Exfoliators
Physical exfoliators use a tiny physical object to scrub dead skin away, and this could include coffee grounds, sugar, charcoal, and even clay to slough away those dead skin cells. These exfoliators are usually on the milder side to gently exfoliate skin and help improve tone, texture, and clarity to reveal brighter, more radiant skin.

Chemical Exfoliators
While the word “chemical” might be a bit misleading, no worries, as these types of exfoliators are perfectly safe to use. This term actually refers to Chemical exfoliants formulated with skincare ingredients like AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs.

Not only can exfoliating with a chemical peel such as from The Ordinary help to turn back the clock on aging skin, but they can also reverse some of the natural processes that contribute to facial aging.

Mechanical Exfoliators
Again these words sound scary. But this term refers to some tools like an exfoliating brush, where there are bristles that are used on the face to remove layers of dead skin cells for skin rejuvenation

No matter which form of exfoliation you choose, you want to ensure that you do not overdo it as there can be bad side effects. If you exfoliate the skin too often, the skin’s barrier function can become compromised creating skin problems, leading to your skin becoming dehydrated, and your capillaries can become damaged. 

Generally, the skin should be exfoliated only one to two times per week to help expedite skin cell turnover and boost collagen production without causing damage.

Step 2: Treat Yourself To A Facial Mask
After clearing away all the dead skin on your face, you’re ready for a facial mask. If you’re in the mood to treat yourself, head to the spa! Or you can pamper yourself in the comfort of your home with some sheet masks.

Besides the feel-good effects sheet masks have, there is one for every skin type and skin concern! From brightening dull skin and clearing acne to rehydrating parched skin and delivering anti-aging goodness, one of my favorite brands is My Facetory! As Holy SHEET, do they have a lot of masks. Like this FaceTory Sheet Mask Collection with over 23 sheet masks!

Step 3: Repair Your Moisture Barrier
Did you know that the other main threat to the skin barrier comes from our skincare products, such as cleansers and over-exfoliating? WHAT???? Hence, the final step in removing dead skin is applying a high-quality anti-aging cream that supports the skin barrier.

Without writing a book here, our skin barrier is SO essential. It is like a little coat of armor surrounding the skin to protect it from the outside world.

The key is to look for products with ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and probiotics! Even transformative Growth Factors for powerful barrier support and deep moisturization for healthy glowing skin!

Step 4: UV-free LED Light Therapy
With so much beauty blossoming around us, Spring is a time of healing and renewed growth. That’s why I recommend some LED facial therapy.  Light therapy treatments use different colored light wavelengths to stimulate the skin tissue. I prefer something that offers many benefits like the NURI LED thermal system that combines the power of 4 technologies in ONE device.

This skincare tool uses UV-free LED light therapy, thermal technology, ionic technology, and sonic vibrations.

Each light modes offers various benefits...

💙Blue helps fight acne, acne scars, and other skin imperfections

💚Green boosts collagen

❤️Red offers anti-aging 

💜Purple repairs damaged skin, age spots, and toxin eliminations

Step 5: Let Your Beauty Bloom With Botox Injections
Non-surgical cosmetic treatments for that skin-glowing Spring look are the way to go, and Botox is a great way to soften your look for Spring!

Many people tend to wear less makeup during the warmer months, and Botox injections can help to rejuvenate your natural appearance. Skin with deeper wrinkles due to sun damage or other factors may require a more intensive treatment plan, of which Botox is a part. Often they are combined with dermal fillers.

And no worries, as the treatment, only takes about 20 minutes with little downtime and minimal pain.

Step 6: Rock Your Skincare Routine With The 80/20 Rule
Did you know that 80% of your skincare results are actually from your home skincare regimen? What? Yeah, I know many of you are probably a bit surprised to hear this, so let me explain this using the 80/20 law of the vital few or the Pareto principle.

You've probably heard about this 80/20 concept when it comes to working out and your diet. Where 80% of your results come from the foods you eat, while 20% is from working out.

I love this concept, as you can apply it to anything in life, including the health of your skin and skincare goals. 

This principle goes like this in skincare, where 80% of the results will depend on your at-home skincare routine and 20% on professional skincare treatments as BOTH play a vital role in healthy skin. Like anything in life, the key here for it to be successful is consistency.

So there you have it, beauties. Barbie's Beauty Bits Beauty Treatments To Restore Your Skin’s Beauty. Until next time!

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