Got Winter Skin?

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As the month of November starts, and daylight savings gives us an extra hour of sleep, our skin goes through some serious, not so amicable changes. If you have combination skin, chances are your T-Zone is becoming dry while looking more shiny than a greasy pan. To make matters worse, the area around your mouth might become dry and flaky. Yay for winter weather! Not!

As the coldest months of winter weather arrive, my skin routine changes drastically. My summer worked, but as the month of October approached, my skin turned into a mess. I started breaking out, ugh! Dealing with teenager skin into adulthood, fun eh?

Given that what I was already using was not working, I ran to my nearest Sephora...not literally, but you get the picture. While browsing to the store, I noticed there was an entire section of these new water drencher moisturizers. After talking to skin guy #1 (he deserves a happy face sticker), I decided to go with Peter Thomas Roth. I bought they Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream: https://www.peterthomasroth.com/product/water-drench/water-drench-hyaluronic-cloud-cream/1801012/each

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 I could not wait to try this piece of heaven, and so it was, a piece of heaven indeed. Not only was it affordable (insert freelancer budget here), it made my skin soft and hydrated. No more dry, flaky spots.Welcome, beautiful, winter skin!

Here's the link to the Peter Thomas Roth Drencher Collection: 

https://www.peterthomasroth.com/category/water-drench

 

XOXO

Ela

Note: this post is not sponsored by Sephora or Peter Thomas Roth

Stores that will let you return makeup you’re not happy with

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Sometimes, finding the right foundation can be a hassle. So, what happens when it does not match your skin tone? Been there? There is nothing more frustrating than living life with makeup that simply does not work out. What do you do? Did you just waste $145.00 on a foundation and a primer?

Recently, I had a major makeup fallout. I was running late to an audition, didn’t have any makeup on my face, had a tire that needed air and just when I think I’m finally out of the woods...I forgot my makeup bag at home!!! Tragedy was assured. As said by a casting director once, “you just don’t show up to an audition with a greasy face”. So I ran to the closest CVS, and picked a couple of products, from NYX to Burt’s Bees. I don’t like to wear much for auditions so I thought that a powder foundation, a mascara, a blush and a lip gloss would do the trick. WRONG! Every single product was either awful or just plain didn’t work for me.

So, the audition was over. I probably looked like Annabelle, you know, the one from the movie. But I was not done! I wanted my money back! Later, I went to my nearest CVS and told the cashier that I would like to return some of the makeup. To my surprise, no questions were asked and I got back my $46.30.

If you’re like me and your makeup purchase was a complete disappointment, here are some of the stores that will let you return used makeup:

CVS: according to their return policy they want to make sure you’re 100% happy! According to their return policy on their website, you can return any opened or used makeup products with a receipt. If you tend to lose your receipts, save them in your car’s glove compartment.

Target: This is what I found on their website: As long as you have proof of purchase, you can exchange an open or used product for an item of equal or greater value within 21 days. Yes, "most" opened beauty products can be returned to Target within 90 days of receipt or up to 120 days if you bought it with your REDcard. In case you didn’t know, there are two types of Red cards, one that attaches to your checking account, so you don’t go crazy making purchases. But hey, it gives you 5% off per purchase, boom!

Ulta: In their return policy, it says you need a receipt and all contents. So, I imagine, if you bought an eyeliner, the cap has to be on. I happened to return a hair product that make my hair feel like a crunchy taco, and was able to return it with a receipt, no questions asked. You get 60 days to return your products.

Sephora: In my world, Sephora is like candy land, but without putting on the pounds! Sephora will let you return used makeup with a receipt for a full refund. You have 30 days for a full refund, after that, you get an exchange or a store card. If you lost the receipt, don’t panic! You can still return the item if you provide an ID. Oh, and please, don’t use the whole product to then return it, that’s kind of rude.

Disclaimer: return policy rules may be different depending on the country.

Nordstrom: According to their website, you can make a return with a receipt or without as long as you provide an ID, but I recently tried to make a return without a receipt and they said it was not possible. Luckily, I was able to find the reciept and got a full refund. They do email receipts, so do that instead!

TJMAXX: Are you a Maxxinista? TJmaxx has a world of beauty products, so take your time and enjoy getting lost in the isles of the lost. In my experience, I have never had a bad experience returning beauty products-with or without a receipt. The problem with not having a receipt is that you lose your precious sales tax cents. Now, even if you have a receipt you have 30 days to return for a full refund.

Remember depending on the country, these policies might be different.

Enjoy the world of beauty!

XOXO

Ela

 

The secret to beautiful skin

Recently I have been getting compliments on how radiant my skin is. When they ask me what I use, I respond: "SUNBLOCK". Sun block protects the fragile skin from your face from the damaging UV and UVA rays, the ones that cause skin cancer and wrinkles!

UVA radiation damages the skin's cellular DNA which can produce genetic mutations that can lead to skin cancer. Now, UVA is responsible for 95% of the radiation we get exposed to and penetrates the skin more deeply than UBV. It is also known to be the source premature aging and wrinkling of the skin (photo aging).

Tanning booths primarily emit UVA. The high-pressure sunlamps used in tanning salons emit doses of UVA as much as 12 times that of the sun. So watch out my little tanning bed addict darlings!

Now, remember those times when you've been red and have had a burning sensation for days? UVB is the cause of it because it affects the epidermal layers of your skin but it still contributes to the possibility of getting skin cancer.

So, I've been wearing sunscreen on my face religiously for about 17 years. As of now. I have been using Josie Maran's Argan Oil and SPF 47. It acts as a moisturizer and it's mineral based which means it doesn't have hormone disruptive ingredients in in. You can purchase it here :http://www.josiemarancosmetics.com/argan-daily-moisturizer-spf-47-protect-and-perfect-tinted-warm-glow.html#.VaZkV0KJnww

I have also been using Dr. Dennis Gross because it's mineral based and it had an higher SPF at a whooping SPF 55! Now, this one can leave a little white thin finish to your skin, specially if you have dark skin, but it can be covered up with makeup. You can check it out here: https://www.dgskincare.com/products.cfm?cid=8

This is my number one secret to healthy looking skin! I hope this has been informative and that you can take advantage of it. Please let me know about your experiences!

Toodle Doo!