House of Skin (The Best Age Fighting Serums 2018)

Hello, Hello!

It's Thursday and the weekend is just around the corner. 

Hope all of you have subscribed to this blog and commented on yesterday's post about what you would like to get your hands on in the giveaway! Remember to go to my Insta @jleighstar and follow me there as well as comment on the Win It Wednesday photo of the product you most love to be entered into the contest!

 Lately I have been on a quest to find the best of the best in skincare. The fact is we aren't getting any younger and there is no fountain of youth out there, but there are products ant treatments that can help us along the way.

Today, behold the best of the best when it come to serums for aging. 

Why do you need a serum? A serum is the product that helps fight whatever your skin problem is whether it be acne to discoloration, to aging. Serums are more potent, meaning they have smaller molecules so they can go deeper into the skin unlike a moisturizer that tends to be a little heavier. However, you still need that moisturizer so don't throw it out just yet!

Serums are an added step to your skincare routine to enhance the look or problem area of the skin.

So I have searched list upon list of the best of the best serums for 2018.  From magazines to Google, I'm here to show you the serums that kept popping up for their age fighting benefits.

First on the list is Clinique's Smart Custom Repair Serum.

($59)

This product claims the following and has a following of great reviews, "Clinique's Clinique Smart Custom-Repair Serum is a breakthrough serum clinically proven to reduce 4 major signs of aging by 50% in just 12 weeks. It understands the particular needs of your skin, providing custom repair for the damage you see and even the damage you don't. Great for all ages, ethnicities, and skin types."

Solutions For:

• Diminishing lines and wrinkles
• Firming and lifting skin
• Reducing dark spots and evening skin tone
• Improving radiance and texture

Next I found that Estee Lauder Perfectionist (CP+R) Wrinkle Lifting/Firming Serum was on everyone's top ten list!

($68)

"Estée Lauder's most effective wrinkle-fighting serum ever. It dramatically reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles, with exceptional speed. Facial contours appear firmer and more defined. Breakthrough CPR-75 Technology is proven to double skin's natural collagen building power."

• *Instantly, lines and wrinkles are plumped and smoothed. Skin feels smooth, looks fresher, younger.
• In 1 week, a new level of skin perfection and clarity emerge.
• In just 4 weeks, skin looks redensified and reclaims a youthful firmness and suppleness.
• 96% showed a significant reduction in the look of lines and wrinkles.

Ideal For:

• All skin types
• Serious lines and wrinkles
• Lifting, contouring
• Loss of firmness, tone
• Boosting natural collagen

And I don't know if it was because of Dr. Oz or Dr. Phil, I'm not really sure what show it was on but this one was actually on many of the top ten lists and I too couldn't believe it.

No 7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Serum.

($29.99)

Their claims:

"Supercharge your skincare regime with this clinically proven serum. No7's highly acclaimed Protect & Perfect Intense technology has been re-engineered to deliver even better anti-aging results. Independently tested and proven to work. This serum is powered by Matrixyl 3000 Plus, a combination of the most powerful form of Matrixyl plus a next generation peptide that works together to help restore more youthful skin. With our patented antioxidant complex, it helps protect skin from future signs of aging, keeping it looking younger for longer.

After 2 weeks, skin looks younger; by 4 weeks, deep lines and wrinkles are visibly reduced. Results keep getting better with continued use. 80% of women said this serum provided the best ever anti-aging results they had ever seen."

But the one that comes in at number one on many lists for 2018 is this mack-daddy right here: Clarins Double Serum Complete Age Control Concentrate.

($89/$122)

"Complete age control concentrate. Two power-packed serums in one. Clarins most powerful age control concentrate ever! Now packed with [20+1] anti-aging plant extracts-including turmeric-for visibly smoother, firmer, more radiant skin in just 7 days.*

Double Serum's innovative dual technology successfully combines the most powerful plant extracts-both water-and oil-soluble-to ensure a perfect affinity with your skin, for exceptional anti-aging results.

Key Ingredients & Benefits:

• Turmeric, known for its exceptional anti-aging properties
• Orthosiphon extract helps improve skin texture
• Oat sugars visibly firm and lift
• Callicarpa extract revives radiance

So there you have it!

These were the four that were on everyones list mixed in with some others, but these were the only serums that repeatedly showed up.

So what's the best of these four? Only you can truly decide what works best for your skin.  Skincare is always going to be a trial and error type of thing. One of these may work better for you and the other may work better for me. However I do plan on trying all of these and determining if their claims are true and which one I believe works the best for myself.

So to be continued...

But I will most definitely be starting with the cheaper and working my way up!

So lucky no. 7 here we come!

Win It Wednesday!!

Happy Hump Day!

Hope all is well this week!

-And it's gonna keep getting better with today's blog!

Today is Win It Wednesday!

On the first Wednesday of every month I will have a give away!

I will announce the giveaway a week before as to day it is a week a way from July 4th which is on a Wednesday!

So here are the Rules to be entered into this give away:

1. Subscribe to this blog.

2. Comment on this post of what product you are most looking forward to winning.

 3. Follow me on Instagram.

 4. Leave a comment on the picture of todays Win It Wednesday Pic which will appear down below.

(winner will be selected at random who complete all of the above rules)

So here is the giveaway stash for Wednesday July 4th!

So lets go over each item in the giveaway!!

Are you excited yet??

Two samples of Biology Color Care Acidic Milk Rinse

for freshly colored hair.

98% Natural with coconut milk, and oat milk!

KMS Hair Play Molding Paste Sample.

For pliable texture and definition!

Clinique Happy Sample, Clinique Mini Moisture Surge (Fav of Mine), & Clinique Mini Mascara!

Full Size of Butter's Glazen Eye Gloss in Spark!

And I had to throw in some Ulta Beauty Oil Blotting Sheets, and a complete face and eye set: Face Sculpting Color Stick, Lip & Cheek Color Stick in Mauve, Eye Color Stick in Champagne, Automatic Eye liner in Black, and Automatic Brow Pencil in Medium.

Full Size Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion!

Dermalogia Double Cleanse set featuring a mini Precleanse and a mini Special Cleansing Gel with a Dermalogica mini wash mitt and a Head band to protect that hair while your cleansing that skin!

And last but not least the Morphe 9B Pallet Bronzed Babe featuring the perfect colors for Summer!

So get excited if you're not already and Subscribe to this Blog and comment down below about what product you are most excited to get your hands on, then head over to my Instagram @jleighstar and follow me there, and leave a comment on the post about Win It Wednesday!!

The winner will be selected at random and will be announced on Wednesday July 4th!!

Have a Happy Hump Day!

House of Travel (How I pack for my weekend mtn. trips)

I thought about doing this the other day right before packing for my trip, straightening up the house, and I had just got off work, and I was starving so I was cramming food in my mouth as I did all of this. Multitasking, and these pictures are probably the worst! I was on a time crunch and I will probably update this post or do a better one later...

My parents have a gorgeous house in Linville, NC and if you haven't been, you should definitely check out the Linville Gorge and falls. It's a great place to hike and have a picnic!

Their house in a community that has all types of access to a lake, playgrounds, beach and pool. So not only is it beautiful in the winter when it snows and we can curl up by the fire and the fact we are right next to Beach mtn for skiing or Jonas Ridge for tubing, we even have wonderful things to do in the summer!

Linville Gorge, NC

Linville Land Harbor Beach

So this is where I disappear to every other weekend.

And this is how I pack in a made dash!

Like I said I had just gotten off work where we had a Clinique Event and gave away so much Free Stuff! Hope you stopped by!

The Event was America's Best, the Best of Clinique so we did a red, white, and blue theme!

This is Hannah our Clinique Chic, she knows all about it and even showed me some stuff that I cannot wait to try and tell you about!

So again I was starving and the only place I pass on the way home is McDonalds.

The most important thing is the tea. I drink unsweet which is unlike most Southeners but I do add about 8 Splenda! So I was trying to scarf this down as I packed.

This is my Mountain Purse. I carry it every time I go to the mountains. Its great no matter what journey we decide to go on. It's a Kavu. I got mine at the Mass General Store in Banner Elk but they are really popular now and you can pretty much find them everywhere.

As I was getting ready for work in the morning is when I actually start packing because I know I'm going to be on a time crunch, so as I shower, wash my face, brush my teeth, I throw it in a clear plastic bag.

So this is the most needed bag. It carries all of my toiletries. And yes I'm basically and old lady with my sleeping mask and my pill box.

I'm also packing for my 5 year old, here is her little bag with her tooth brush and then "just in case things" like Tylenol and Benadryl, and nail clippers, and hair bows. You never know what's gonna happen with a kid.

This is the bag I use for both me and Rosaleigh. It's only a two night stay and it's really laid back. I almost never wear makeup and so basically we have two outfits and shoes, socks, underwear, and our most used outfit our bathing suit! I also have our  towels in the center and I have to bring my air/oil purifier when I sleep. (and in my madd dash I forgot our pajamas so we slept in gamma and pop pops clothes last night!)

This is my little or not really little but what I call my hobo bag. I keep my computer and chargers for phones and leap pads and all my notebooks and planners in here so I can do a little work in the morning (like now).

So this is the simple easy going two night stay and it would totally not look like this if I was going longer or possibly to a different destination because there is no make up in these bags and not dressy clothes just chill clothes and sunscreen!

Enjoy your Sunday, I'm headed to the beach!

House of Makeup (My Foundation Routine)

I posted this pic after I did my Live Foundation Routine on Wednesday on IG and FB.

And today I'm going to give you the products I used that day and everyday!

1. I always start with a clean and moisturized face.

You can check out my mourning skincare routine here.

2. I use a Primer by Laura Gellar. (Actually I use two, one for extra moisture and the other for redness)

3. Then apply Smashbox Studio Skin 15 Hour Wear Hydrating Foundation (I also have two colors depending on my self tanning situation- 1.15 is my fair color and 2.25 is my tan color.) Then I just mix them if I'm somewhere in between.

4. I set my foundation with Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder.

5.  I use Smashbox Color Correcting Stick under my eyes in peach to cover the the dark circles. I only use this stick where the darkness is. Then I blend with a concealer brush.

6. I apply Clinique's Newest Beyond Perfecting Super Concealer in fair 02 under my eyes in a "V" shape dragging it to the point of my noes and I also dab concealer on my forehead, chin, the corners of my mouth, and down the center of my noes. (this conceals and highlights the good, the bad, and the ugly at the same time.) Then I blend with my concealer brush.

7. I set the concealer with Kat Von D's Lock-It Brightening Powder in Petal Pink.  I set everywhere I put it wherever I put the concealer.

8. I contour with Smashbox Step-By-Step Countour Kit. I mix the bronzer and the shade colors together to contour. I outline my face (forehead, jawline, cheek bones, under my chin to hide any double chin, down the sides of my noes starting at my brow.

9. I blend all of this with a large fan brush.

(I plan to do a blog on just brushes soon!)

10. Then I use Laura Gellar's Baked Balance-n-Glow Illuminating Foundation in medium as a finishing powder to continue to blend the contour and give me a little glow all over.

11. I have an assortment of blushes but my go to is Laura Gellar's Baked Blush N Brighten Pink Buttercream which I put just above my contour cheek bone and take it all the way to the hair line.

12. Next I add some highlight with Anastasia's Nicole Guierro Pallet, and it just depends my mood on which I use because I love them all so much! I highlight from my cheek up and around the outside of my eye in a "V" shape. I also place it down the center of my nose and chin. (You can brush it across your forehead too, but I have lines there that I do not want to bring attention to so I stay away from that area.)

(They no longer sell this glow kit but you can find another Anastasia Glow Kit here.)

So that's it! That's my foundation routine! The only think I switch up is the blush and highlight just depending on my mood or what eye make up I'm planning to wear.

Have any questions comment below!

Thanks XOXO

And if you are interesting in booking a skin appointment with me just 

click this link!

House of Skin ( My Morning Skincare Routine)

Happy Hump Day! Today I thought I'd share my skincare routine with you guys as of now. My routine changes seasonal or if hear of a product wth great reviews I have to try it!

My mourning routine:

I use the Clarasonic Mia 1

...with the cashmere cleanse brush head

This brush head is really soft and great for sensitive skin.

And like I said before I use the Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash.

This cleanser goes fabulous with the clarasonic, it's like a bubble bath for your face!

After I wash my face I normally hop in the tub and while I'm in there I apply these Salmon Egg Hydrogel eye Patches

I love these and the way they feel!! I'm hooked!

Next I use Lancome Confort Comforting Rehydrating Toner

I love this toner for dry skin. It's thick and creamy instead of those toners that normally leave your skin feeling even dryer and stingy.

Toners are not necessarily a need. I like its to kind of go over my face once more to make sure I got everything. Back in the day they were used to bring your skin back to it's pH level but because skincare now has progress so much it's actually obsolete. But I still love this and my system doesn't really seem complete without one.

Next I use Lancome Advanced Genifique Youth Activating Serum

This is a great serum, however I do plan on changing it to one of the number one age fighting serums on the market at the moment as soon as I use this one up....so stay tuned for that update.

Then I moisturize with Origins GinZing Energy - Boosting Gel Moisture

I've just started using this moisturizer, I've learned that I really like gel moiturizers and I love the smell and price point of this one! And who doesn't need a boost in the morning!

Last but not least I use Clinique's  All About Eyes De-Puffing Eye Serum Roller Ball.

The third ingredient is caffeine so that really takes the puffiness down!

So this is my morning routine! After all this I apply my primer and begin my makeup routine!

I'll be sharing my night skincare routine later today, so stay tuned!

And have a lovely Wednesday!

House of Skin (My Tanning Secrets Revealed!!)

Wearing Two Pina Coladas Top and Beautiful Mess Boyfriend Shorts

So Happy Tuesday! Sorry it's been a hot minute since Ive had a chance to blog. I worked all weekend and yesterday had my hair touched up and actually took a well needed nap!!

But I'm back and here to reveal all of my Tanning Secrets!

I used to be a Sun worshipper (which I will probably pay for in about 10 years). I would lay on the beach all day with only oil, I enjoyed going to the tanning bed on a daily basis.

so yea I loved to be tan and I really loved all that Vitamin D!

But some of you may or may not know that I did have bone cancer in 2007-2008 and every since then I tend to try to stay away from things that may cause cancer, because I have lived the cancer life and it is no fun! And I do not want to do it again!

Before all Self Tanners I use at home I exfoliate and use a lotion before doing any self tan at home. It makes it go on smoother.

Even when I spent my days in the tanning bed I would still sometimes use a self tanner that I loved called : Body Drench Quick Tan

Body Drench Quick Tan

This stuff is the most perfect tan and I would still use it now but it makes a little mess since it is a spray. I would say use the shower but it still seems to coat everything, you can't really see that it has coated the walls  or baseboards until you are actually cleansing and you get this pink film on your cloth as you wipe.  So the safest place to use this stuff is outside, but that might not work out for everyone.

St Tropez 

The best is the mousse and make sure you use a tanning mit. It goes on smooth with a color guide and  is a beautiful color once it completely dries.

St. Moriz Dark tanning mouse is probably the best bang for your buck!

You will also want to use a tanning mitt for this as well but I like the color and the smell so much! and the price point is amazing!!

So those are my favorite self tanners for home but my favorite things to do is just go get a professional spray tan at Sun Kissed Tans in Gastonia, North Carolina which is located in Halo Hair Salon

This gives you the perfect tan every time and they can adjust the tan level. Yes I do tan nude, but you can wear a bathing suit or whatever makes you feel more comfortable because some one is literally painting your body and some are a little more modes than others. I'm not modes at all so I could care less.

This is my girl Holy who sprays me and this is before I got sprayed.

Here's another unfiltered image. (we like to keep it real on this blog!)

This is right after she finished spraying me. And with professional spray tans the prep is a little different. I do exfoliate but I do not put on lotion. And the spray tan they use is a natural formula.

The tan lasts about 1-2 weeks, just depending on how often you shower and your lotions. I take baths normally so mine will last about a week.  If you take a shower it could last longer and you really want to stay moisturized but not with oils. Those can break up your tan, so use a lotion.

Another thing to remember is to wear loose clothing after your spray tan and flip flops so that you don't get any unwanted marks.

Sleeping is a strategy that I try to work with not getting the spray tan all over everything. I normally get my spray tans at night, so this may not happen as bad if you do it during the day time. I always put a large beach towel down to protect my sheets but my pillow I just wash.

So this is a pic of the very next morning. I normally take a tank like this and my pajama shorts to wear after my spray tan and flip flops. But the tan looks natural and I love it. This is definitely my preferred tanning method. I use the home self tanners if something comes up or to make my spray tan last a little longer.

Have any questions just comment below!

Have a great day!