Belli Skincare Stretchmark Minimizing Cream – Review

After having kids and experiencing life changes, we all have stretch marks.  This is a sensitive topic (for women) because it’s difficult to find a product that reduces the appearance of uneven skin and imperfections.

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As a blogger, I will admit that I’ve tested a few drugstore products.  The best advice I can share is to create a “stretchmark” regimen and be patient when seeking results.

Review:

I was asked to review the Stretchmark Minimizing Cream from Belli Skincare.  The company’s known for creating products that support pregnancy and early motherhood.  According to the site, ” while expecting their first child, the founders of Belli became very discouraged trying to find safe and effective skincare. This prompted the husband and wife team to marry their expertise, Medical Doctor and Beauty Expert, and develop the trifecta of maternity skincare – ingredient safety, effective solutions with clinically proven ingredients, and luxurious formulations with aromatherapy to provide a spa-like experience.”

After reviewing the product, I am happy to share this is an amazing cream!  The texture is light with visible appearances of hydration.  It’s stated (on the company site) that the minimizing cream has natural ingredients and helps to even out the skin tone.  It also smells nice and can be applied anytime during the day.  I have used the product for a few weeks and confident it will provide wonderful results!

The cream can be purchased online or in store at Nordstrom and Ulta.com  See more information about the product below:

Stretchmark Minimizing Cream from Belli Skincare (www.belliskincare.com), which is specially formulated to decrease the appearance of existing stretchmarks of any age, regardless of the cause? The Cream features darutoside & regisstril, ingredients shown in research studies conducted by Phybiotex Labs, Sederma Group, France, 1997 to visibly reduce the appearance of stretch mark depth by up to 72% and stretch mark length by up to 52%. SRP $49.00

Belli Stretchmark Minimizing Cream

Don’t forget to use the coupon code: “BELLI703879″ for 20% off the entire line on Belli’s website through August 31, 2016.

LASER VS WAX: LEARN THE FACTS from Kristen Rogers

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LASER VS WAX: LEARN THE FACTS

Summer is upon us which also means FULL EXPOSURE on all those places we’ve been covering up in the cooler months. Keeping up with a polished bikini line, legs and underarms can be a lot of work and huge hassle! Spruce and Bond specialist, Kristen Rogers breaks down the differences between wax and laser, so that your decision-making process will be smooth-sailing.

WAXING
· PROCESS: The hair follicle is pulled out of its root, which can cause ingrown hairs.
· EFFECTIVENESS: Most effective on people with dark, course hair as it is easier for the wax to grip and pull out.
· COST: $75 per treatment for bikini, $50 for bigger areas like arms and legs, and $25 for smaller areas like upper lip. As time passes you don’t need to wax more than once in 2 months.
· RESULTS: Post waxing, your body is likely to remain hair-free, smooth and silky for about 2 weeks and the hair grows much finer if waxing is done regularly.

LASER HAIR REMOVAL
· PROCESS: Coarse dark hairs are selectively targeted while leaving the surrounding skin unharmed. It can even diminish ingrown hairs altogether.
· EFFECTIVENESS: Hair will be absent for a longer period of time than waxing, but could come back fairly quick depending on the thickness of your hair.
· COST: $1,500 per treatment for bikini, $1,000 for bigger areas like arms and legs, $750 for smaller areas like upper lip and $250 for touch ups until complete hair loss (This varies from person to person)
· RESULTS: Hair will grow back finer and lighter (but varies from person to person). Overall, you are hair-free after 3-7 treatments.

Glow Bio Cleanse – Healthier Lifestyle

Introduce yourself to fruits and veggies you never knew existed with the bountiful menu at Glow Bio! From Acai to Goji and everything in between, Glow Bio offers a lineup of beauty food rich smoothies and juices that will keep you satisfied AND taste good – all carefully curated by nutritionist and New York Times bestselling author, Kimberly Snyder!

For an added bonus, many of your favorite smoothies are found in a number of the Glow Bio Cleanses. These help rebuild your digestive system and help you achieve sustainable results by getting on track to a healthier lifestyle! With three options to select, durations ranging from 1 to 5 days, each cleanse consists of four unique components:

1) The world famous and fiber-filled Glowing Green Smoothie to start and end your day with.

2) Cold-Pressed Juices enhanced with probiotics to aid digestion.

3) Powerful benefit-driven boosters.

4) A specific order of consumption to maximize the nutritional benefits and get your body back to harmony.

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All of which help to achieve renewed energy, a more svelte and toned physique and glowing, radiant skin!

Spring Break Beauty Survival Kit

Spring Break plans right around the corner? Pack up your bags and get ready to head out with the ultimate beauty survival kit! We’ve got you covered from head to toe (and everything in between) with the warm weather essentials you need for skin that’s soft, smooth and glowing all vacation long.

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1) KORRES Yoghurt Nourishing Fluid Veil Face Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30: Have fun in the sun with this ultra-sheer yet nourishing fluid that provides daily broad-spectrum UV coverage while wearing beautifully under makeup. This ultra-lightweight fluid instantly disappears into skin providing broad-spectrum UV protection and deep nourishment. Yogurt, rich in skin-repairing proteins, helps keep skin nourished and protected from the sun’s harmful rays while a blend of rice and camapu extract offers deep hydration and calming properties to soothe skin during sun exposure. Provitamin B5 helps reduce inflammation and supports natural cell regeneration while jojoba oil seals in moisture—leaving skin soft and smooth. ($35; Sephora.com)

2) Lavanila Laboratories The Healthy Roller-Ball Fragrance Collection: Travel Friendly. Purse Friendly. Skin Friendly. This is the perfect for fragrance on the go. Their collection of all-natural fragrances is luxurious and addictive. Each fragrance starts with a warm base of Madagascar vanilla and layers on a unique blend of pure essential oils for an exquisite expression of nature that capture a mood, a memory or a moment in time. Hailed as the World’s First Healthy Fragrance, organic sugar cane alcohol is infused with skin saving antioxidants for a modern twist on the classic art of perfumery. ($19; Lavanila.com)

3) PediSpa by Look Beauty Gentle Exfoliating Foot Mask: Show off sandal ready feet thanks to this non-traditional masque that contains a foot exfoliate plus treatment filled in a pair of wearable socks. Key ingredients like chamomile and natural botanical fruit extracts help control callus build-up for visibly smooth feet within two weeks. ($9.99 for one complete pair; Exclusively at Target Stores in the Foot Care Aisle and Target.com)

4) Bioré Baking Soda Pore Cleanser: Wash you face day and night for a complexion that glows all vacation long with this daily liquid cleanser that gives you a deep exfoliating clean without being rough on dry spots. Ideal for combination skin, this oil-free formula contains cleansing ingredients that excavate grime and oil from pores. At the same time, the formula gently smooths away dead cells. You end up with skin that’s fresh, silky-soft and luminous. ($7.99; Drug and mass merchants)

5) Ban Roll-On Deodorant: Don’t worry about embarrassing sweat while you’re in the sun! Traditional antiperspirant/deodorants merely mask odors and reduce odor-causing sweat in general, while Ban’s breakthrough technology specifically targets and virtually eliminates odor that other antiperspirant/deodorants may leave behind. Ban Roll-On Deodorant glides on easily with a formula that provides an outstanding 24 hours of invisible protection against odor wetness. ($4.99, Drug and Mass Retailers)

6) Curél Itch Defense Instant Soothing Moisturizing Spray: Instantly relieve dry, irritated skin with this non-medicated, moisturizing spray with cooling hydration. Uniquely soothing, this formula delivers a mix of light yet potent hydrators — including a proprietary ceramide complex, allantoin and panthenol — to ease parched, itchy skin right where you need it. The Proprietary Cooling Complex feels soothing like a cold compress, lending you instant relief. ($8.99; Drug and mass merchants)

Red Wine Masque from Wilma Schumann

For some of us, wine is not just a drink, but it’s a lifestyle. There’s nothing better than sipping on a glass of wine after a long day at work. But, did you know there’s more to wine than just feeling relaxed? The unique, rich ingredients in red wine actually have an incredible amount of beauty benefits.

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Studies have shown that drinking a glass of wine a day not only has health benefits such as improving heart health and boosting immunity, but it also has incredible beauty benefits. The powerful antioxidants found in grapes used to make red wine actually slow the growth of bacteria that cause acne, decrease the look of aging and help to fight free radicals.

Celebrate this National Drink Wine Day with a soothing Red Wine Masque from Wilma Schumann, which is packed with powerful antioxidants that deliver supple, hydrated, more youthful-looking skin. Cheers to that!

Celebrate the holiday with Wilma Schumann Red Wine Hydra-Gel Masques ($39.00 for four). These masques are saturated with its key ingredient and Hyaluronic Acid for maximum hydration. All are loaded with anti-aging ingredients to instantly reveal healthier, more youthful-looking skin. This antioxidant mask formulated with Red Wine is rich in polyphenols, making it an ideal addition to any anti-aging regimen. Ideal as a first-line of defense against skin exposed to free radicals and environmental damage.

Nordstrom Spring 2016 Beauty Trends Event

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Kick off your spring early with Nordstrom Spring 2016 Beauty Trend Events, starting the week of February 28th! This season, be inspired by the art and technique of glamorous beauty by embracing warm natural looks and pretty pops of pastels for a true fresh approach to your everyday look. See below more details on the Nordstrom Beauty Trend Weeks/Shows and events happening in your area this February:

About Beauty Trend Event Week:
Join Nordstrom Beauty for one-on-one time with savvy beauty experts. They will share the latest fall beauty tips and tricks while you’re pampered with a free makeup or skincare consultation. Afterwards, get access to FREE deluxe samples and exclusive gifts with purchase (while supply lasts). Admission is free — so don’t miss it! *This season enjoy the perk of scheduling appointments throughout the entire week!

About Beauty Trend Event Show:
Here, you’ll watch top industry insiders reveal fall’s best beauty trends during a high-energy runway show hosted the Saturday ending the Beauty Trend Event Week. Then, get complimentary makeup, skincare and fragrance consultations full of DIY tips and tricks. Plus, score an exclusive (and free!) Nordstrom tote bag – just for attending! Tickets at $20 and redeemable toward your beauty purchase day of the event. The show starts around 8am, so don’t miss out!

February 2016 Events:
*All locations hold a beauty trend week, however those with asterisk also have a beauty trend show!

Nordstrom Boca Raton
5820 Glades Rd, Boca Raton, FL 33431
(561) 620-5555
Nordstrom Michigan Avenue *
55 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 464-1515
Nordstrom Stonebriar Mall
2613 Preston Rd, Frisco, TX 75034
(972) 712-3794
Nordstrom Houston Galleria *
5192 Hidalgo St, Houston, TX 77056
(832) 201-2700
Nordstrom Mission Viejo *
100 The Shops Blvd, Mission Viejo, CA 92691
(949) 347-2710
Nordstrom Clackamas
11900 SE 82nd Ave, Happy Valley, OR 97086
(503) 652-1810
Nordstrom Salem Center
420 Center St NE, Salem, OR 97301
(503) 371-7710
Nordstrom Palo Alto
550 Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto, CA 94304
(650) 323-5111
Nordstrom Tacoma Mall
4502 S Steele St, Tacoma, WA 98409
(253) 475-3630

Follow Nordstrom Beauty:
Twitter: @Nordstrom
Facebook: facebook.com/nordstrom
Instagram: @Nordstrom
Pinterest: pinterest.com/nordstrom
Blog: blogs.nordstrom.com/beauty
#Nordstrom

Sebamed Liquid Face and Body Wash – Drugstore Beauty Steal

Meet Sebamed Liquid Face & Body Wash. Perhaps the greatest multi-tasker of all time, it’s a dermatologist developed wash that’s pH balanced at 5.5, the exact pH of healthy skin (body, face and scalp).

It’s already the #1 selling wash for sensitive skin in 85+ countries, including its native Germany, and is now available stateside at CVS, RiteAid and Walmart.

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Dr. Brandt 3-D Filler Mask at Sephora

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brandt® skincare is excited to announce its collaboration with Kristofer Buckle, a celebrity makeup artist beloved by Hollywood’s A-list. To kick off­ this exciting initiative, Buckle – one of the most sought after contour experts in the business – will star in a how-to video that highlights the newest trend in beauty: contouring without makeup. A game-changing technique made possible by dr. brandt skincare’s latest innovation, needles no more™ 3-D Filler Mask, it allows you to reshape, revolumize and fill facial contours, for a more youthful look.

THE INSPIRATION: Dr. Brandt believed that the convexities and concavities of the face – and the way light reflects off them – play a major role in revealing our true age. By changing the way light bounces off the face, needles no more™ 3-D Filler Mask makes it look naturally younger and more attractive. The formula melts into skin to enhance cheekbones and create dewy highlights. It’s what the art of contouring is all about, yet works without layers of product.

THE TECHNOLOGY: A unique, skin-plumping formula inspired by the latest injectable fillers, needles no more™ 3-D Filler Mask restores lost volume and fills in wrinkles and folds for a softer, lifted, more youthful look. Packed with Adipofill’in a revolutionary plumping complex, combined with hyaluronic acid (the key ingredient in dermal fillers, which absorbs its own weight in water to pull moisture into the skin), and rejuvenating peptides, the self-sculpting blend counteracts the classic downward droop that comes with age. Use it daily for a noticeably smoother, softer, more refreshed look — or anytime you want to lend your face youthful dimension and a healthy glow.

JUST IN TIME FOR THE NEW YEAR: Filled with invaluable contouring and anti-aging tips that anyone can use, the new Kristofer Buckle/dr. brandt skincare video will premiere on youtube and at drbrandtskincare.com. Now available at drbrandtskincare. com, needles no more™ 3-D Filler Mask will launch at Sephora in January 2016.

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Desiree Stordahl Skincare Expert Interview and Book

Desiree Stordahl is a best-selling beauty co-author, alongside legendary skincare expert Paula Begoun, dedicated to using her years of expertise to help people solve their skincare woes, from acne to wrinkles and everything in between. Desiree’s passion for all things beauty carries over to makeup with game-changing trends, tips, and tricks for flawless skin. Whether you need to know how to treat crow’s feet or under-eye circles, Desiree is your expert.

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1. How did you get started in the beauty industry?
The only way I can explain it is fate! Growing up I had my fair share of skin struggles, and my family was on a very limited budget so I needed products that I could buy over-the-counter that would really work.
Unfortunately, nothing seemed to do the trick so I turned to makeup to at least camouflage my breakouts. I got pretty good at doing makeup on myself and others, and my passion for all things beauty carried over into my school work…I still have a report from 8th grade called “Beauty by the Buck” where I analyzed whether or not expensive cosmetic products were better formulated than their drugstore competitors.
Fast-forward to the college years, I graduated with a degree in Communication Studies and went on to work in sales and marketing. All the meanwhile my struggles with acne didn’t let up… nor did my passion for skincare and makeup fizzle out. It was my dream to somehow work in the beauty industry, but I didn’t yet know how that would play out.
One fateful day I saw an ad to work for a “Paula’s Choice Skincare and Cosmetics Company” and several interviews with the legendary Paula Begoun later I KNEW this is where I belonged. Paula took me under her wing, trained me how to interpret cosmetic studies, made me promise to never tan again or she’d fire me  (true story) and taught me why so many skincare products didn’t work like they said they would and what to do instead. Once I got my skin under control I wanted to share that same life-changing info with others, and the rest, as they say, is history! Several years and two books later, here I am.
It feels so serendipitous that everything fell into place at the right time, but really, when I reflect back it’s clear that actually my whole life had been preparing me for this role. God had my plan in motion from the get-go—I just didn’t know it!
 2. What are some of the best beauty products to have radiant skin?
Beta hydroxy acid (BHA) and alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) leave-on exfoliants are game changers. By gently getting rid of the built up layer of dead skin cells, BHA and AHA exfoliants help smooth wrinkles and reveal the radiant skin hiding under a dull complexion. And don’t let the “acid” part of their names scare you… they’re actually gentler on your skin than using a scrub!
In the realm of makeup, a good highlighter works wonders for a youthful glow. Becca Cosmetics makes some of the best luminizing products out there, and just a couple strategically placed highlights can really liven up a drab complexion.
For the days I go without makeup but want a hint of luminosity, I love the Resist Pure Radiance Skin Brightening Treatment from Paula’s Choice. It’s formulated with ingredients that fade discolorations for a more even skin tone + it contains mineral pigments that instantly revitalize and brighten the complexion.
3. Share with us the appropriate age for women to start using anti-aging products?
There isn’t a hard and fast rule, but if you want to keep your skin looking as young and healthy as possible, it pays to start using anti-aging products from the moment you earn your own money to buy them! Think of it like a healthy diet. You wouldn’t prolong eating nutritious, antioxidant-rich foods until you’re in your 40s, right? The same should go for skin. The earlier you start using products loaded with anti-aging ingredients such as antioxidants, retinol, peptides, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, etc., the better off your skin is going to be in the long run.
Above all else, start wearing sunscreen on a daily basis no matter what your age. That’s the #1 way to halt the signs of aging!
 4. What are the top 5 wrinkle creams and skin tighteners?  
It’s hard to pick the top five when there are so many great formulas out there, but here are some great wrinkle-fighting and skin-firming options based on the research behind their ingredients:
In terms of traditional “skin tighteners”, the tightening effect of many of these types of products comes from a high amount of film-forming ingredients, which make skin feel tighter temporarily, but skin “feeling” tighter is not the same as making a real change for the long run. However, with products like those mentioned above, you can create healthier, younger-looking skin, and in some cases, increase firmness.
5. In your book, you mentioned natural ingredients that are bad for the skin.  Could you share a few here?
There are many natural ingredients that are brilliant for skin, but there are also many that do much more harm than good. For instance, despite their popularity essential oils such as lavender, rosemary, and jasmine contain volatile, fragrant compounds that incite pro-aging inflammation to the skin. Citrus extracts, such as lemon, grapefruit and orange, should also be avoided due to their sensitizing/irritating effect that impairs the skin’s immune response. Other natural ingredients to watch out for include witch hazel, ylang ylang, arnica, and balm mint oil, just to name a few.
If you’ve ever used products with these kinds of ingredients and wonder why they don’t appear to be problematic for you, keep in mind that research has demonstrated that you don’t need to see or feel irritation for it to be causing damage below the surface layer of skin. They’re sneaky in that way—speeding up the signs of aging without you knowing it.
6. How can readers learn more about your expertise and wonderful book?
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Beauty Regimen in Winter Months – Editor Talk and Products

Yesterday was the first day of December and that means we are officially in the cold weather season.  Not only does the seasons change but our beauty regimen alters with the weather.  The reason we must change our beauty routine is because the external environment can damage our skin, hair, and nails.

Every year I look in the mirror (around the month of November) and my skin is excessively dry.  My first instinct is to panic but then I realize it’s time to visit the drugstore or cosmetics counter.  I have a few beauty products that I am actively using from foundation to nail polish remover pads.

Beauty Regimen

To begin, let’s talk about foundation.  We often forget to change our foundation because it’s our favorite shade or brand.  Here’s what I learned, foundation in the winter months should have hydrating and moisturizing functions. This helps to counter-act dryness and use a lighter press powder.  Also, if you tend to look a shade darker (or tan) in the summer months, you may consider a foundation that’s lighter.  The foundation color should match the exact shade of your face and neckline.

In terms of face lotion, it is suggested that we stay away from light-weight lotions and use a cream.  Lotions are not heavy enough to protect the skin from the dry air.  I suffer from dry skin due to eczema and prefer a cream lotion whether in the winter or summer months.

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Always opt for a deep hydrating mask to use on your hair in the winter.  The cold air can create brittleness no matter the hair type or texture.  If you can’t afford an expensive hair mask, visit your local drugstore or Pinterest.com to create a DIY hair mask at home.  Either way, your hair can not afford to be shampooed with a leave – in conditioner alone.  The result will be breakage and frizz!

An additional beauty product that I’m actively using are nail polish remover pads.  Surprisingly, my mom (the other contributor) introduced me to this product last summer.  You can purchase a box for about $2 at the drugstore and they serve two functions.  Nail polish remover pads will remove polish quickly while also conditioning the cuticle and nails.  I was relieved to discover this product and since that time disposed of liquid remover (and cotton balls.)

I’m always searching for beauty tools to make my life easier because I’m managing my brand and have mommy duties.  The ultimate makeup tool the everyone should own in their bag is a Beauty Blender.  I have to admit that I own three because they serve a different function (and if I lose one there’s always an extra.) The Beauty Blender surfaced several years ago but has recently become available to beauty enthusiasts.  This is not your normal sponge due to the shape, texture, and use of the blender.  The Beauty Blender can be used to apply foundation, bb cream, tanner, bronzer, and concealer.  It can also be used for highlighting, contouring, and strobing.

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Lastly, with so much dryness in the air and having a hectic holiday schedule, we need an at home facial in between our spa treatments.  Purchasing a Sonic Face and Body Polisher can be an investment.  I am totally in love with my system and received it as a product review.  This little hand-held machine exfoliates and softens the skin while tightening my pores.  I love makeup but I’m a huge advocate for natural, glowing skin and we must take care of it!

I hope the tips I provided will help your winter beauty routine.  Also, stay connected to the site because I will be visiting a few local wellness spas very soon!

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