Sunday, July 15, 2018

Best Eye Creams & Serums 2018 (Skincare Sunday)

So as always when I'm shopping for a new item I look at the reviews or the best of the best lists.  And at the moment I happen to need a new eye Cream/Serum and I searched high and low on all sites, and magazine articles to find the best.
But there wasn't one or even two that stood out as number one. So it will be a trial and error always for your own skin type and needs.
All of the following products repeatedly showed up on lists and if they showed up more than twice they are at the top of my list.
Here you go, it's a bit of a long one....

Wake up before you makeup. Banana Bright Eye Crème brightens, instantly targets fine lines and wrinkles, and reduces the look of dark circles, delivering age-defying results. It supports natural collagen while visibly firming and deeply hydrating, even as it feels deliciously lightweight. Formulated with powerful vitamin C, it helps revive and illuminate the entire eye area over time. 
Inspired by the makeup artist must-have, banana powder, this yellow formula contains special pigments to instantly brighten and color-correct the eye area. But that’s not all: it creates a smooth, well-rested canvas and is proven to improve concealer wear. Dark circles are diminished and crow’s feet conquered. Now, go conquer the day with your refreshed and revived Ole Glow®. 



Effectively hydrate and smooth under-eyes. Hyaluronic acid - a powerful humectant known for its ability to retain natural moisture levels along with safflower seed oil, euphrasia extract and aloe vera combine in an easily-absorbed formula that helps smooth and soothe fine lines and wrinkles as moisture is replenished.




Stress Positive Eye Lift by Dermalogica is a high-performance leave-on eye mask instantly lifts, brightens and de-puffs the delicate eye area. Wild indigo seed extract brightens dark undereye circles, sea water extract counters the look of puffiness and hyaluronic acid firms to lift the skin. Cooling massage applicator energizes the undereye area. Ideal for daily use on all skin types.



Resurgence Renewing Eye Cream firms, brightens, and hydrates to minimize signs of aging at the delicate eye area. Youth-building peptides and retinol support natural collagen and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Eye-brightening complex helps reduce dark circles and under-eye puffiness while illuminating the eye area.
Phytoestrogens, including iris root extract, improve elasticity and help smooth skin. Renewing Eye Cream is recommended as a Step 2 treatment in any Murad resurgence regimen and minimizes eye area aging as part of Dr. Murad's inclusive health system of care.



This luxurious eye cream gently moisturizes the eye area without migrating into the eyes. Perfect for use under eye makeup, it contains highly effective natural ingredients that provide essential daily hydration and protection. The eye area is left softer, suppler, and more youthful-looking. 



Introducing Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream, a fragrance-free, lightweight gel-cream that instantly quenches and continuously hydrates skin around the eye area. Formulated with hyaluronic acid, it boosts hydration and locks it in all day and is specially designed to smooth the skin around the eye area. Applies effortlessly, absorbing quickly into skin without leaving behind an oily or greasy feel.
Hydro Boost hydrates skin through an approach of replenishing water and rebuilding skin's barrier, leveraging two key ingredients:
  • Purified Hyaluronic Acid- Naturally found in skin, it delivers pure boost of hydration. It acts like a sponge for dry skin cells, absorbing up to 1000 times its weight in water and progressively releases water back into skin, keeping skin around the eye area hydrated and supple throughout the day.
  • Olive Extract- Known for its protective, moisturizing and anti-oxidant qualities, it is a complex combination for fatty acids, which is similar to skin's natural moisture shield. It integrates into skin barrier, forming a structure that protects skin from excessive moisture loss. It also helps leave skin around the eye area feeling soft and smooth without tackiness




Formulated with hydrating herb, comfrey leaf, and elasticity-boosting pennywort herb, the Moisturizing Eye Bomb provides a flood of intensive moisture for radiant and youthful-looking eyes. This cooling texture instantly bursts with hydration and blends seamlessly, keeping the eye area supple and hydrated while prepping it for a smooth crease-free makeup application. 




Fresh Black Tea Age-Delay Eye Concentrate is a power nap for your eyes, de-puffing and reducing the appearance of dark circles, while moisturizing and visibly firming the eye area. Great for day and night, the innovative cooling treatment also illuminates and revives tired eyes. A proprietary black tea complex proven to help inhibit damaging free radicals and improve elasticity is further optimized by antioxidant-rich noni fruit juice, known to retain and increase moisture and protect the skin. 


Youthful looking eyes are in sight. Clarins Super Restorative Total Eye Concentrate is powered by organic Harungana-the replenishing plant from Madagascar-this all-in-one anti-aging treatment delivers a visible ""lift"" with every use. Rev-up your anti-aging routine with best-selling Double Serum, and the Clarins Day and Night Creams for your concerns. Younger-looking skin is in sight. 94% of women are convinced after 7 days**


Clinique's All About Eyes Rich diminishes the look of undereye circles, shadows, and fine lines - instantly and over time. It de-puffs, calms with botanicals, helps boost natural collagen production, and strengthens skin's moisture barrier against common irritants.

Solutions For:
  • Dryness
  • Puffiness
  • Dark circles

Perfect for even the most sensitive skin, this revolutionary moisturizing eye treatment brightens the look of your eyes to make them appear instantly more awake. While the exclusive apricot tint and Drops of Light Technology visibly color-correct and brighten, proprietary Anti-Aging Armour Rejuvenating Concentrate and other high-performance skin-loving ingredients - including a super ceramide complex, chrysin, licorice root, avocado and squalane - work to hydrate, smooth and refresh. From helping to restore the look of firmness to reducing the appearance of puffiness, dark circles, lines and wrinkles, this breakthrough product will give you powerful, clinically tested results immediately and more dramatic results over time!


Hoped this helped any and all looking for an eye cream, I myself will more than likely go with the first on my list, Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Creme because it seems to nail all of my eye problems at the moment. Which would you choose? Or if you've used any of these  before, I would love to get your feed back on them below in the comments section!
xoxo Jessica

Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Hitting the Reset button (Wellness Wednesday)

It's Hump Day, and boy and I'm on a Hump and stuck.
I'm am just not with it this week at all.  Do you ever have those days or weeks where you're questioning every single decision?
Well, this week has definitely got me struggling.  

I know I am normally blogging about beauty and I love it, but every now and then I'm gonna have to hit you with some real life stuff.  Not everyday is a magical makeup land for me and I'm sure it's not that way for you either, so here's to keeping it real.



I was originally supposed to do a photoshoot today for this blog and for my Mercari Closet, but I canceled last night because I just couldn't even get myself together enough to pack up my things or give myself a tan (didn't have time to schedule my spray tan). All I wanted to do was sleep!! And thats all I really feel like doing is sleeping or just let me lay in the bed, in a cool, dark room...

No, I don't think I'm depressed, I just need a boost.  A total Wellness day would be lovely.  A day where I can lay around and do nothing, or if someone wants to send me to a spa I would totally take you up on it!



Just a reset button to get me back on schedule and the right path.  I think we could all use a reset button every once in a while.  So I did the best I could do today with a bubble bath and a bubble mask, and even a little bath yoga!

It helped to clear my mind a bit and helped me realize I need a cleanse and a daily exercise routine.  Having that first workout yesterday really did give me a buzz yesterday, but I was sore this morning and after the afternoon appointment with the chiropractor yesterday too, I decided a little bath tub yoga was all that I could handle today. but I definitely will be doing a cleanse tomorrow (because I decided to treat myself to a cupcake today for having such a realization today) and I'm gong back to the gym in august or as soon as I can get my membership rolling again, but till then I'm still planning to research the Pinterst work out routines from Friday's Post.



I have to say the area routine has really got my me feeling like a body builder today!

And lots of water, I feel like my body is so dehydrated and I need lots to drink. I also need lots of meditation, maybe some crystals and some new oils... lol

I just feel a hippie vibe coming on strong and the need to just cleanse and detox, and no worries I will share with you as my reset begins....

Monday, July 9, 2018

Monday MakeUp! (New & The Best Coming Soon)

Happy Monday!

I'm so glad to get back to a regular week! The Holiday definitely threw me off my game. I never knew what day it was...
But today is Makeup Monday! And I can't wait to share with you some of the fun new things just released and coming soon!

First off I know this isn't really MakeUp but I'm so excited about Viktor & Rolf's new perfume release, BONBON!
I absolutely love Flowerbomb and so I was so excited to see if I would love BONBON just as much, and I do. Since I really like sweet smells this one fits right in.
"Delicious caramel notes are accented with the sensuality of precious woods and the playfulness of sparkling citrus" 
Wow! That was a mouthful and while being taught all about this perfume in training I also got to inhale BONBON with a very large piece of caramel in my mouth which was also a mouthful!

And look at this packaging!! I mean it's gorgeous!

The other thing I learned in training which I already hit on last Monday a little bit was that Too Faced has a new concealer coming out, but it's not just a concealer! It's a Multi-use Sculpting Concelear
"Conceal, contour, highlight, and retouch with this super perfecting, natural finish concealer/makeup hybrid. The ultimate multi-use formula for a modern and hydrated photo-ready complexion. Fully loaded pigments provide maximum coverage with an undetectable finish for a look so flawless they’ll think you were BORN THIS WAY."

The other super awesome thing about this concealer is that it is 1oz. which is almost like as big as a foundation for only $29!! 
Look out shape tape! Too Faced may knock you off your designer eye bags!


I also have just always thought that Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara was number one all over, but in training I learned that is not the case. So who is? Well, it's none other than Lancome! Monsieur Big is apparently the shit and I had know idea! Mr. Big is also launching a waterproof design soon!
But here's what Lancome has to say about it:

What it is:
A BIG volume mascara that delivers instant heart-stopping volume with up to 24 hour wear that lasts all night, and even the morning after, for your biggest, blackest, boldest lashes yet.

What it does:
You’ll know Monsieur Big Mascara is the one at first stroke. The BIG brush and ultra-creamy formula glides like silk onto lashes to deliver up to 12x more volume* with up to 24 hour wear. No touch-ups, flaking and smudging. Perfect for your BIG evening out AND even the morning after.
*than bare lashes alone

What else you need to know:
Monsieur Big’s brush has a unique shape with soft, wavy fibers to deliver the perfect amount of formula with the very first stroke. His ultra-creamy formula has supple waxes and polymers to adhere immediately to lashes for BIG, buildable volume and length. Apply one coat and you will see why Monsieur Big is the one. Keep applying and you’ll forget all the others.

Research results:
95% feel this mascara glides easily on lashes during application
95% find this mascara comfortable to wear all day long
92% find the color of the mascara very dark / intense
91% feel this mascara make their eyes look bigger
90% feel this mascara lengthen their lashes well

So yep, I'll be checking this mascara out next as soon as my Too Faced Better Than Sex runs out!

Probably the biggest news, but wasn't included in my training this weekend, yet it was flooding the internet was Anastasia's new palette Norvina!
I'm pretty sure you guys get that I'm pretty obsessed with all her palettes! They are like gold to me! I love them and I know I'm going to love this pink and purple deliciousness that releases July 17th!
I'm so excited!!!
Look at this gorgeousness!!!



So that's it for today, and I'm seriously loving this blog thing, and I hope some of you guys are too, so share your love with me by commenting or subscribing! I'm working really hard to make this an everyday thing! And if there is anything you would like to know more about please let me know!
XOXO, Jessica


Friday, July 6, 2018

Fitness Friday (Pinterest workouts, do they work?



I have been all about loving my body lately, and have posted about it on insta and fb. Yet we all have things we’d like to improve on. In my past I’ve always been obsessed with loosing weight and going on diets, cleanses, everything. Yet this year I’ve come to love and respect my body for everything it’s gotten me through.


I was a dancer most of my life. I stared at my body in the studio mirrors comparing it to all the other bodies, I was always a little thicker but never what you would call fat. I mean I was a dancer, muscular just not the average dancers body.
In my 20’s I worked out in the gym daily, still trying all the cleanses and fad diets and still trying to get that perfect body that truly didn’t exist.


At 27 I was diagnosed with bone cancer and that would forever change everything about me. My mind, my body, everything. I had a year of chemo with lots of steroids and was in a wheelchair for half that year, the other half I had a partial hip replacement and half my femur replaced with metal. Basically had to learn how to walk again with the new leg and the new body that was 50lbs larger.
My body didn’t bother me as much as knowing that with prayer and probably that extra weight it had got me to the other side. That was 10 years ago.


In the past 10 years I have had a full hip replacement and even had a baby girl!
During those 10 years I still did try to workout even though I’m limited in what I can do and I did try diets. But it took me till this year to truly appreciate my body.
Having said all of this, there are certain things I would like to improve on and I would like to be healthy.


High blood pressure, diabetes, and other health problems run in my family so even though I would love to eat pizza, chicken tenders, and fries everyday and tell all of you I’m perfectly ok with my body so there is nothing I really need to change, it’s not true.
There are still things that I do need to change simply for my health and to make myself feel better.
So I love my body and all, but there are some areas I would like to improve:
My arms, my tummy, and I could use a little lift in the breast and butt area. Those last two took a drop after my daughter was born.


I haven’t worked out at all since last year because of a car accident and a sprang ankle, but now I think my body can handle it.


So I always see these ads or pins that pop up and since I love to do my own little tests to see if things actually work I’m going to text the following workouts for the next four weeks.









All of these workouts are posted on my Pinterest board House of Fitness. So you can go there to find the full workout. I’m beginning my program on Monday simply because I need to read into all the workouts and come up with a game plan on what days I do what. Next Friday I will give you the complete low down and through out the week follow any of my stories on fb or insta to give you some details as I go.

@jleighstar

So I am also going to change some of my eating habits but I promise I’m not giving up anything completely for now and forever. It’s not tangible, I know this because I’m a foodie and not all the time but once in a while I’m gonna need my pizza, fries, wings, maybe a Dr Pepper... but on a day to day basis I know I can’t be eating that crap as much as I have been. But I do plan today to start drinking water and to basically become a waterholic again, bc I have gotten hooked back on my tea and I believe if you are craving something all the time it may not be that good for you, and I’m always craving tea. So I’m going to drink only water on a daily basis. Now I will still have my wine on the weekend so don’t get it twisted!


But I know I need to drink more water, so that starts today. As for everything else I’m not completely sure and will have to get back to you next week with all the details or you can follow my stories to see what I’m doing and eating each day to be healthier.


My goal is not to loose weight. I truly don’t know what I weigh now and won’t be getting on the scales or any of that mess. I will be measuring everything by how I feel. 
So follow me on insta @jleighstar or on fb and subscribe to this blog to learn all things beauty and follow my health journey!
Happy Friyay!

Monday, July 2, 2018

MakeUp Monday

Happy Monday!
I'm in the Mountains to celebrate the 4th! The internet pretty much lags up here, so it's hard to use my phone, and even the computer is a little slow.  But I'm still going to try and post all week while I'm here!  I even got this new socialite gear for my phone to help me do my live videos and such but I'm not sure I'll even get to use it up here...but I'll do what I can...

Mainly my posts have been about beauty and everyday I'm thinking of something to write about that will inspire me and you! So to make it a little easier I'm going to have a topic each day to keep me and possibly you interested, lol. But if any of you have any topics that you would like me to touch on please let me know, and most importantly please subscribe, so I know you're out there! lol

So it's MakeUp Monday!
Let's talk about what's new in MakeUp!


Here is Urban Decay's Born To Run Palette that just launched and this is actually the first pallet by UD that I have thought about purchasing. I've never been into the the Naked Palettes just because I don't need twenty shades of brown or pink or whatever colors they featured. I just wouldn't use all of them. But I do love these shades, and I personally watched them and they are pretty good, I don't think they are as pigmented as the Anastasia Palettes (which are my fav!) but I definitely like what Urban Decay did with this one. Their Born to Run Launch also has three lip sticks which I already own (Ready?- which is a bright rose sparkle). All three lipsticks are beautiful. It also includes two eyeliners, the green (Overdrive) in the liners is gorgeous and is on my make up wish list! The Launch also includes a travel size All Nighter Setting Spray. The graphics are also so cute!





Now let's talk about Sol + Mar ColourPop Palettes


Now I haven't got to actually touch these palettes in person, but they caught my eye in this swatch picture. The reason I love the Born To Run was because I don't really have a palette with blues and greens and so that's another reason I love these plus Morphe had a huge palette that came out with bright orange and red colors that I didn't purchase because again I new I wouldn't use but a few of the other colors. And so I love that the other has those red and orange colors. ColourPop is in most Ulta's but these two palettes haven't come into our store yet so my opinion could change once I actually swatch them myself. I'm not sure we are even going to get them at Ulta since they are already on ColourPop's website. So we will see... A girl can only wish!


Also new is Smashbox Pinks + Palms




I love all things Pink and I love all things Smashbox.  Pinks + Palms is online only at Ulta to purchase. I love Smashbox Palettes so you can bet that this will be added to my collection! I don't even have to swatch this one before I buy! But I would love it if it launched in store.



That's the latest in Palettes and here is the latest in foundation:





Too Faced has added more colors to their foundations including Cloud, which is the lightest color in foundation other than Lancome that I've ever seen! I have used Too Faced foundation which is a medium build able coverage and great if you have dry or oily skin. It's online and instore.

Too Faced also has a brand new Multi-Use Sculpting Concealer that is supposed to match up to Tarte's Famous Shape Tape.  It is available online but not in Ulta just yet, but I'm told it's coming soon!
I will try this out since I know I can use their foundation, I can't use Tarte Shape Tape because I'm so dry.


Benefit has done a complete over haul on their foundations:
I personally have never used benefit foundation and it just arrived in store so I'll give it try after vacation and do some swatches, but since it seems to be a lighter foundation I probably wouldn't use it, because I'm a more full coverage type of girl! this is also available online and instore.

So there is your Scoop for MakeUp Monday!

Don't forget to about this Wednesday's Winner Wednesday! Click the link for the rules!

If you would like to learn more about Skincare and MakeUp you can book an appointment here with me if you are in the Gastonia, NC area. Just book a 30min makeup lesson and a 20min facial to learn exactly what your skin needs!

Check Back tomorrow for Trendsetting Tuesday!


Thursday, June 28, 2018

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.
($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!

Wednesday, June 27, 2018

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!