My Top 5 Beauty & Skincare Hacks

My Top 5 Beauty & Skincare Hacks

I use beauty & skincare hacks almost everyday so I thought I would share my Top 5 with you!

1. Oil Blotting Sheets - Since I have oily skin I am always using Oil Blotting Sheets and when I run out of my usual sheets and I'm desperate I will either go for *toilet seat covers or a coffee filter depending on where I am & what's available (*I usually take the first couple of seat protectors off & use on seat and then use the next one down for my face).
2. Don't Forget Your Shoulders - You always hear about including your neck and decollete when applying serums and moisturizers but I like to take it 1 step further and also include my shoulders. Your shoulders get just as much sun damage as your decollete and can also age you so make sure you don't forget them next time you are applying your serums & creams!
3. White Eye Liner - Not only can you use White Eye Liner in your waterline to make your eyes look more open and in the inner corner of your eye to brighten up your eyes but you can also use it on your entire eyelid to automatically intensify any eyeshadow color.  Same goes for your nails too, use a white nail polish underneath your color polish, this will help you achieve the true color of the polish.
4. Dry Shampoo - Did you run out of your favorite Dry Shampoo?  Go to your kitchen and grab some baking soda, sprinkle a little directly on your roots, work it in and viola! 
5. DIY Makeup Fixer - Don't you hate it when you drop your favorite makeup compact and it breaks into little pieces?  Now, instead of throwing it out you can salvage it!  You will need some alcohol (rubbing alcohol works fine but it you can find *70% alcohol it works even better. (you can usually find 70% alcohol at your art supply store), q-tip & plastic wrap.  Wrap you compact with the plastic wrap and break up the larger pieces of makeup until it's back to powder form.  Remove the plastic wrap and add a few drops of alcohol at a time until it is the consistency of a paste.  Now you just need to smooth it out (you can use a small spatula to do this) and let it dry for several hours or overnight.  Make sure it's completely dry before using it.

What are your favorite beauty & skincare hacks?

#MaskMonday-***New Series***

Rejuvenating Antioxidant Mask

Since I am such a mask addict and I am constantly trying new masks I am going to start a new series called #MaskMonday!  On Monday's I will either do a blog post or a post on my @GlamRiver Instagram account about a mask I have tried and let you know what I think about it.

This week it is the Rejuvenating Antioxidant Mask from eclos.  This mask is supposed to recover the appearance of soft, springy skin.  It contains antiioxidants, humectants, and powerful anti-aging extracts and it clinically proven to reduce wrinkles and improve skin texture in 2 weeks.

I have to say I LOVE this mask.  My skin felt clean, soft, smooth and even seemed to look a little brighter.  All that after just one use so I would totally recommend this one!

You can find the eclos line at Target but you can also get it on-line at FreemanBeauty.com & Ulta.com. 

Must Have Monday-Lierac Micellar Cleansing Water

Lierac Micellar Cleansing Water

I have been wanting to try out the Lierac Micellar Cleansing Water for awhile now.  It has received great reviews among other bloggers and I have never tried a Cleansing Water before so I decided I just had to have it!  I've saved up enough Birchbox points to basically get it for free so I went ahead and ordered it and I can't wait to try it out for myself!

The Lierac Micellar Cleansing Water is alcohol-free, no-rinse cleansing water that helps to easily remove makeup, dirt, and other impurities for a fresh, soft complexion.  You can either use the cleansing water by itself to remove makeup & clean your face or you can use it just as a make-up remover and follow it up with your regular skincare routine.

If you are not familiar with Birchbox it's a monthly beauty box subscription for only $10.00 where you get a variety of 5 beauty/skincare samples and sometimes even full size items.  After you have tried & tested the products you can do a review on them and earn 10 Birchbox points per reviewed item.  You can also earn 1 reward point for every dollar spent in their on-line store.  One you accumulate 100 Birchbox points they will give you $10.00 to spend in their on-line store.  The points add up pretty fast and it's a great way to purchase the full-size version of the products you tried and loved.

Click here if you would like to join Birchbox and receive a box full of goodies for yourself each month!

Dr Song Professional Teeth Whitening Kit-Review

*Dr Song Professional Teeth Whitening Kit

I have used Teeth Whitening products from my dentist and while they have worked they have also been quite expensive.  Dr. Song sent me not only their Professional Teeth Whitening Kit but their Dr Song Remineralization Gel to review as well and I have had great results with both products and for a fraction of the cost of products that you would get from your dentist. 

The Dr Song Remineralization Gel is recommended to use with teeth whitening products to desensitize teeth during treatment.  It helps reduce teeth sensitivity during teeth whitening, restore minerals, and even helps strengthen enamel.  I definitely noticed great results with the Remineralization Gel, my teeth have a lot less sensitivity.

I have used the Dr Song Professional Teeth Whitening after just 4 treatments I noticed that my teeth were already beginning to look a lot more white.  I plan on posting a before & after pics once I have completed the treatment process so be sure to stay tuned!  The Teeth Whitening Gel is pretty strong at 44% so it's important that it doesn't get on your gums or it will cause irritation.

Both kits come with everything you need to have teeth that are more white, a lot stronger and a lot less sensitive!

Go to DrSongMedical.com for more information on both the Dr Song Professional Teeth Whitening Kit and the Dr Song Remineralization Gel Kit.  You can also order both at Amazon.com.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Organic Raw Cacao Powder by Freedom Superfoods-Review

*Organic Raw Cacao Powder by Freedom Superfoods

Chocolate?  Yes, please!  Organic Chocolate?  Yes, please!

This Organic Raw Cacao Powder that Freedom Superfoods sent me to review is amazing and has an intense, fresh, cocao taste!  I use it just about every morning in my Chocolate Banana Smoothie...

Chocolate Banana Smoothie

2 cups Almond/Coconut Milk
2 tbsp. Organic Raw Cacao Powder by Freedom Superfoods
1 tbsp. Chia Seeds
1 tbsp. Flaxseed
1 or 2 Bananas (depending on size)
1 1/2  cups  Ice

You can also add 2 tbsp. of peanut butter, almond butter or I like to add sunflower butter!  YUMMY!

I also made a to-die-for chocolate frosting with the Organic Raw Cacao Powder by Freedom Superfoods.  Thank goodness it's an antioxidant rich superfood since the leftover frosting got eaten just as fast as the cake did!  I have almost gone through the entire bag between the smoothies & baking, guess it's time to order bag #2!

Go to FreedomSuperfoods.com for more information on the Organic Raw Cacao Powder and go to Amazon.com to order your own bag!  Also, when you order your Organic Raw Cacao Powder Freedom Superfoods will include a FREE Cacao Recipe ebook!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Stretch Marks & Scars Defense Cream by Body Merry-Review

*Stretch Marks & Scars Defense Cream by Body Merry

Not only does this cream help visibly reduce the appearance of existing marks and scars & stretch marks but it makes your skin feel so amazingly soft and supple.  The Stretch Marks & Scars Defense Cream that Body Merry sent me to review is super thick and luxurious and made with premium natural and organic ingredients like Organic Cocoa Butter, Shea Butter, Vitamins E + C + B3 + B5, Sunflower Seed Oil, Plant Stem Cells, Organic Hemp Seed Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Raspberry Seed Oil, Avocado Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Organic Gotu Kala, Algae Extract and Japanese Green Tea Leaf Extract...just to name a few.  This cream will heal, hydrate and nourish even the driest and most damaged skin and it seeps deep into your skin and will stay locked in.  Plus, with regular use this amazing cream will also effectively prevent the formation of marks and scars & stretch marks.

One of the many reasons why I love Body Merry is that they do not use any harsh chemicals, their products are made in the USA and of course nothing is tested on animals!
For more information on Body Merry products go to BodyMerry.com and you can go to Amazon.com to purchase the Stretch Marks & Scars Defense Cream by Body Merry.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

100% Pure Organic Argan Oil by Foxbrim-Review

*100% Pure Organic Argan Oil by Foxbrim

Argan Oil is not called "liquid gold" just because of the soft golden color of the oil, it's also because this all natural oil has so many hair & skincare benefits.  This Argan Oil that Foxbrim sent me to test out for them is a really great choice if you are in the market for an Argan Oil!  

One of my favorite uses for Agan Oil is using it as a hair treatment on the ends of my hair right after I get out of the shower, it tames my frizzies and leaves my hair feeling soft & silky.  Even though I have very oily skin I also like to use it on my face at night and in the morning I wake up with glowing, hydrated skin.  Since it has anti-inflammatory properties in the oil it also helps heal any skin issues, like blemishes and helps reduce any redness.  It also makes a perfect after shower/bath moisturizer.  I apply it all over my body while my skin is still a little damp and it just soaks into my skin and all I am left with is super soft, supple skin!

  

There are a lot of Argan Oil's out there right now and I have tried several of them, all at varied price ranges and this one from Foxbrim makes a great choice not only because it's made with Certified Organic Argan Oil, NO additives parabens, silicones fillers or fragrances but because at $14.95 for 2 ounces it's also at a really great price!

Go to Foxbrim.com for more information on their 100% Pure Organic Argan Oil and some of their other great products.  You can also purchase it directly from Amazon.com.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.