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By Amy Zhang February 14, 2018 in Beauty, Lifestyle 3 Comments

The 411 on Retinol – All Your Retinol Questions Answered

What’s the deal with retinol? Not sure what it is or how to incorporate it into your skincare routine? Then you want to read this post. You’ll get ALL your retinol questions answered here. The thing with retinol is it’s all about PREVENTION. Yes, we’re trying to prevent wrinkles and aging by being proactive with our skincare routine. Every year I get more and more obsessed with skincare, prevention, trying new products, and perfecting my routine. It comes with the territory of getting older, I guess.

A few years ago I started hearing about retinol everywhere. I did tons of research on the ingredient and found a lot of conflicting advice, but a general consensus seemed to be that your mid to late twenties was the best time to start incorporating it into your nighttime routine. Fast forward to now and here we are – I’ve started to incorporate products with retinol into my routine and I felt like I HAD to share more about what retinol is, what it does, and how to add it to your routine.

The 411 on Retinol – All Your Retinol Questions Answered

So, what is retinol?

Retinol is a form of Vitamin A that is used to treat signs of aging on your skin. It’s widely known as the gold standard when it comes to ingredients in your skincare products that work to combat wrinkles and other signs of aging (and is much less invasive than botox or elective surgery). Bonus – it’s used to treat acne as well.

Retinols are actually a weaker form of retinoids, which often require a prescription (think: Retin-A) and can be harsher on your skin (but with better results). However, retinol is more mild on your skin and can be bought without a prescription. So if you’re a little freaked out about the thought of using something as intense as Retin-A, you can ease into it first with retinol, which can be found over-the-counter and at varying prices.

Should I be using retinol?

So, if you’re in your mid to late twenties, now is a good time to start using a product with retinol. Also, retinol works by turning over skin cells, boosting collagen, and smoothing out in your skin. Everyone’s skin reacts differently, but in general, you can expect results after about 12 weeks of consistent use, which include reduction of fine lines and wrinkles, dark spots, and smoother skin. It also has been proven to help with cystic acne and help fade acne scars.

Not sure how much you need? There are products with varying levels of retinol in them on the market. If you’re new to the product, start with something that has very low levels of retinol. The reason for this is retinol can cause dryness, sensitivity, redness, or peeling of the skin, so you definitely want to ease into using the ingredient.

Should I use retinol every night?

If you’re just starting to use retinol, you can try using it every other night to see how your skin reacts. I was recommended to start using a retinol serum every other night and build up to using it every night. This is the serum I’ve been using for the past year without any skin issues.

What’s the deal with retinol and sun exposure?

You may have heard retinol leads to skin being more sensitive to sun exposure. As with any proper skincare routine, you should be wearing SPF daily to prevent any additional sun damage. If you notice your skin gets burned more easily when you’re using retinol, try to avoid the sun if you can.

Shop products with retinol to add to your routine:

1. Roc Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Facial Night Cream

2. Kate Somerville Retasphere 2-in-1 Retinol Night Cream

3. Verso Night Cream

4. Eve Lom Time Retreat Face Treatment

5. SENTÉ Bio Complete Serum

6. Peter Thomas Roth Professional 3% Retinoid Plus

7. Skinceuticals Retinol 1.0

8. Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream

9. The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid (less than $10!)

10. Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Serum

What are your thoughts on retinol? Any experiences, good or bad? I’d love to hear!

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By Amy Zhang February 8, 2018 in Beauty, Lifestyle 7 Comments

Boosting My Routine with Neutrogena + A Giveaway !!

Boosting My Routine with Neutrogena | by The Luxi Look

This post was sponsored and written in partnership with Neutrogena. As always, all opinions are my own.

As much as I love spontaneity and adventure, I’ve come to love a good routine. There’s something about having a daily routine and the familiarity and comfort that comes with it. Routines keeps me grounded and focused during the week. As I’ve gotten older, a huge part of my routine has become centered around wellness and taking care of myself overall.

Boosting My Routine with Neutrogena + A Giveaway !!

I’ve been making a more concerted effort to sleep more, drink water, eat well, and exercise, and it has truly helped so much in terms of mental and physical health. Another huge part of my routine is skincare. I firmly believe that proper skincare does not need to take lots of time everyday, and good products do not have to be expensive. In fact, some of my favorite products can be found at the drugstore for under $20. That’s why I’m so excited to share how I’ve been boosting my routine with Neutrogena products – one of my absolute favorite drugstore brands.

Growing up, my mom was adamant that I could find great and affordable skincare products. Together, we would scour magazines for tips and explore the drugstore aisles. One brand that was always in my skincare rotation – Neutrogena. The sunscreen was a staple in our household (thank you, Mom, for teaching me the importance of wearing SPF, even if I did not always listen!), and the eye makeup remover and makeup removing wipes were must-haves when it came to removing harsh dance makeup. Today, I find the same products and more under my bathroom sink. After over a decade of using them, they really are tried and true products.

Makeup Remover Wipes

Makeup removing wipes are one of those products that really are a lifesaver. I keep these wipes in my gym bag to remove any makeup on my face before and after a workout. This step is absolutely crucial if you have a full face of makeup on. Nothing clogs pores and causes breakouts more quickly than not removing your makeup. Seriously, do not sleep in your makeup! Coming from someone who has learned the hard way. The best part about these wipes is they remove even the most stubborn eye makeup. Total winner in my book.

I also like to keep an extra set of skincare products in my gym bag (currently loving this cute tote bag from Sticks + Stones) – I’ve added the new Hydro Boost Multi-Vitamin Booster with the tried and true Hydro Boost Water Gel to my bag so I’m never stuck without a hydrating facial product. I have extremely dry skin. So between the daily sweat sessions and extra face washes I’ve added to my routine, I need a good (but affordable) hydrating moisturizer to make sure my skin stays hydrated and healthy.

Before I added this step, I would wash my face with a cleanser I kept in my gym bag. Although I often would not moisturize afterwards because I didn’t have one on hand. Big mistake – so now I’ve learned my lesson. This combination of makeup removing wipes, sunscreen, hydration booster, and moisturizer has made my daily routine simpler and more effective.

Now, I want to make your routine more simple as well!

I’m giving away a $50 Rite Aid gift card to one lucky reader! So you too can boost your routine with some new drugstore products. If you’re interested in trying out any of these Neutrogena products, they will be Buy 1, Get 1 50% Off the rest of this week as well as the weeks of 2/18 and 2/25 this month. To enter, comment below with your favorite tried and true skincare product!

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By Amy Zhang January 11, 2018 in Beauty, Lifestyle 11 Comments

Skincare Line to Know: The Ordinary

Let’s forget about clothes for a second and talk about skincare. In my opinion, your skin is the most important thing you wear every day! I don’t know about you, but the texture and appearance of my skin can help make (or break) how I feel about my appearance any given day. That’s why I’m always trying out new products and skincare routines – because I’m all about that skin first motto (thanks, Glossier!). Full disclosure – as a blogger, I receive a lot of makeup and skincare samples from brands to try. There are so many incredible brands and products out there – it’s overwhelming! But recently I discovered one on my own, and these products are so good and so affordable. If you haven’t heard of the skincare line The Ordinary, you’re totally missing out. Here’s my honest review.

Review of The Ordinary Skincare Line

I came across The Ordinary on the internet, and instantly became obsessed with their minimalist, no nonsense packaging. But there’s more to a product than what meets the eye, so immediately I had to investigate further. What caught my attention next were the names of the products. No cutesy names here – each product was named after the active ingredient inside. No frills, no scents, no fillers – just pure, simple ingredients that are proven to work on skin. On top of that – almost every single product was under $10. I was instantly sold.

Almost everything on The Ordinary’s website was sold out or waitlisted for months, so I figured the rest of the internet had to be onto something. I waited patiently for a few simple serums before biting the bullet when the majority of the line became available on Sephora.

You guys, this stuff is SO GOOD. Whatever your skin type and whatever skin woes you have, The Ordinary has a product (or entire skincare regime!) for you. My skin tends to be dry and sensitive, so I have been loving the hyaluronic acid, rose hip oil, and Vitamin C serum. My boyfriend, who has oilier skin, has been digging the salicylic acid and caffeine serum (<< I steal his for those days when the under eye bags are out in full force!). The products are simple and help you streamline your routine by figuring out exactly what ingredients you need for you skin type.

Their motto – “clinical formulas with integrity” – is so spot on. These products aren’t messing around. Learn more about and shop some of my favorite products from the line below!

Best Products From The Ordinary Skincare Line

1. Buffet – a combination of ingredients for maximum anti-aging benefits.

2. Hyaluronic Acid – hyaluronic acid is one of the best ingredients you can use for moisture and dry skin. Read more about hyaluronic acid here.

3. Vitamin C – such an important ingredient for brightening and maintaining youthful skin. They have different varieties of Vitamin C products with varying concentration levels. This is super helpful if you have dark spots or pigmentation from the sun.

4. Retinoid – I’m working on a full post on retinol and retinoid right now, but they’re some of the best anti-aging ingredients available. I’ve been doing a lot of research on it and most skincare experts tend to agree that your early or mid-twenties is a good time to start adding this to your skincare routine! Essentially it helps your skin cells turn over more quickly (as we age, our skin cells begin to turn over more slowly, leading to wrinkles) and promotes new cell growth underneath.

5. Rose Hip Oil – I love rose hip oil so much and really appreciate The Ordinary for coming out with a pure and powerful version that is affordable. This one I’ll be replacing on the regular! I use it all over my face and parts of my body that need a little extra moisture and it is the best!

6. Caffeine Solution – does for your under eye bags what a cup of coffee does for your energy level – amazing.

The Ordinary has quickly become one of my favorite skincare lines – and for good reason. If you’re on the fence, I definitely recommend checking out the website to find the products that will work best for your skin type. And with prices in line with your local drugstore, what’s not to love?

By Amy Zhang December 8, 2017 in Beauty, Lifestyle 7 Comments

Using OIL for Your Best Skin Ever: Argan Oil Benefits

As you probably already know, skincare is seasonal! Changing temperatures and climates brings about very different reactions in our skin. Right now, it’s winter, and you might be suffering from major dry skin. I know I am! Even more so than usual, my skin is THIRSTY and soaking up every last bit of moisturizer and hydrating ingredients (think: hyaluronic acid). Facial oils have been popular for a while now, but I wanted to share one that I’ve been particularly loving – argan oil.

I was introduced to argan oil through Josie Maran’s incredible all natural argan oil line. So far every product I’ve tried has been incredible – soothing, moisturizing, and non-pore clogging. Whatever your skin type, chances are you could likely benefit from using some kind of oil on your face! To find out if argan oil might be the missing product in your winter skincare arsenal, read on to learn more about all of the different argan oil benefits.

What is argan oil and how do you use it?

Argan oil comes from the kernals of the argan tree, which is found in Morocco – you probably have heard of Moroccan Oil, but did you know that it is the same as argan oil? It can come as a pure oil, or mixed into a product for its many benefits. It’s completely all natural and organic – Josie Maran makes some of my favorite argan oil products!

Argan oil benefits for your skin, hair, and nails:

+ It’s very hydrating! Argan oil is most often used to moisturize and soften skin and hair. It can be used on your whole body – including your lips, nails, and feet.

+ Filled with vitamin E, antioxidants, and fatty acids that are good for your skin.

+ It smooths and conditions hair.

+ Has anti-aging benefits for your skin.

+ It absorbs easily into the skin, is not greasy, and doesn’t clog pores . Believe it or not, it is actually often used as an acne treatment and is safe for oily skin as well!

+ It’s all natural and organic.

Shop my favorite argan oil products + more below. Some of my favorites: Josie Maran 100% pure argan oil and Pure Argan Milk, which I use after washing my face and largely credit for bringing moisture back to my skin this winter.

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By Amy Zhang November 10, 2017 in Beauty 14 Comments

Skincare Ingredient to Watch For: Hyaluronic Acid

Why You Need a Product with Hyaluronic Acid | by The Luxi Look

Another day, another buzzy skincare ingredient. You’ve probably heard of hyaluronic acid, but are you using products with this simple moisturizing ingredient? At this point it’s overwhelming to shop for skincare and beauty products – there are just so many and new ones hitting the shelves every day. If you’re wondering what creams and products contain hyaluronic acid, and if it really works, read on.

First things first – what is hyaluronic acid?

It’s not some crazy lab made ingredient that goes into your skincare products. Also, it actually exists naturally in our bodies! Hyaluronic acid (HA) holds and replenishes moisture in our skin by lubricating our joints and connective tissues. So, what it does is keep our skin moisturized and firm over time, which is so important when it comes to maintaining healthy, youthful skin! Think plumping, glowing, softening benefits. Who doesn’t want that?

Skincare products that claim to have HA in them contain sodium hyaluronate. Sodium hyaluronate is made in a lab and gives your skin the same benefits as the HA that naturally occurs in our bodies!

Ok, but does it actually work?

HA is a humectant – aka it allows our skin to grab and retain moisture. It can hold up to 1,000x its weight in water! It’s also present in fillers, which plump your skin and give it a more youthful, fuller appearance. If there’s one ingredient that’s worth its salt, it’s hyaluronic acid. You can find this ingredient in several skincare products ranging from serums to thicker creams. It’s definitely one worth adding to your routine! Adding HA to your skincare routine helps deliver a huge boost of moisture and anti-aging properties to your skin. The best part is, it doesn’t have to break the bank!

The best picks to incorporate hyaluronic acid into your skincare routine:

1. Youth to the People Kale and Spinach Cream

2. Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream

3. The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid

4. Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Skin Cream

I am really loving the line of insanely affordable, no frills serums from The Ordinary. A dermatologist turned me onto this ingredient a few years ago and it has honestly made such a difference in my skin, which is naturally VERY dry. However, even if you have oily or combination skin, hyaluronic acid can provide important benefits! Anyone who is looking to take better care of their skin as they get older needs to incorporate this ingredient into their skincare routine!

xx, Amy

Love these beauty posts? See also: Powder Cleansers & Brushing Your Lips

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