8 beauty reminders before summer

Hello sweeties :)

Summer is just around the corner - I hope, wishful thinking maybe? - and although I really love the fact that we have four seasons where I live (except for when it's more like winter, winter, winter, supershort spring/summer/fall, winter, winter, winter.. :D), it also poses some challenges when it comes to what beauty products you use. 

At least for me, the winter and it's freezing cold weather makes my skin cry out for more TLC and more moisture, whereas the summer calls for lighter products that won't feel too heavy on my skin or clog my pores. I still have certain staple items that stay in my regimen throughout the year though. There are, after all, some products that I just don't want to be without and that simply work year-round. 

Recently I've been noticing my skin not needing quite as heavy duty moisturizing as during the winter months, so I'm in a transition period of testing just what I should leave out or maybe change to something else and this got me thinking about other small adjustments I need to do to get ready for summer as well, beauty-wise. 

This might all sound a bit silly for those of you who live in regions where it's warm (or cold) year-round, but those of you who get to enjoy (and sometimes be frustrated by) all four seasons can probably relate to the transition periods your skin (and hair) goes through every time the seasons change. Suddenly something that has worked perfectly for you for months seems to either be doing nothing - or worse still, making things worse.

So, onto the little reminders. I started this list just as a little memo to myself to keep in mind what I should start doing more/less of now that it's finally looking like summer is ready to grace us with its presence, but I figured why not share it with you guys :) Maybe you have some tips you want to share as well? If you do, feel free to share them in the comment section below :)

1. Sunblock! 

Now, I use BB creams rather than foundation year-round - have done so for the past few years - and luckily most BB creams have "built-in" SPF. All of the ones I use have an SPF of 30 or higher, but I know there are BB creams out there with lower SPF than 30 and even some that don't have any sunscreen at all. 

As most of you probably know, the sun is a serious culprit when it comes to skin damage and aging, so please make sure to wear sunscreen! You're not only doing it for beauty reasons, but way more importantly, you're protecting your health. I would recommend to use a minimum of SPF 30 on your face, I feel like anything less is just not quite up to par. Sure, having some sunblock is better than having none at all, but if you're gonna wear sunblock anyhow, why not kick it up a notch and stay on the safe side? :)

There are so many ways you can incorporate sunblock into your skincare/makeup. Like I mentioned before, most BB creams have sunblock in them, otherwise you can apply sunblock before you apply your BB cream. Sometimes I apply sunblock before I apply my BB cream even though my BB creams already contain sunblock. There are also primers that have SPF and some other options are powders with SPF or sprays. Find whatever works for you and incorporate it into your "getting-ready-routine".

Note: Remember that your lips need sunblock as well! There are lots of lipbalms that provide SPF out there.

2. Exfoliate!

Get the dullness off your face, unclog your pores and welcome radiant, glowy skin! :) This is of course something you do in the winter as well, but I feel like when you start getting rid of the excess layers of thick clothing you're forced to wear in the winter, you want to get rid of the excess junk on your skin as well so that you can feel light, fresh and luminous, just like the beautiful dewy summer mornings at sunrise :)

As for body exfoliation, there are lots and lots of wonderful body scrubs out there, some of which have an added bonus of smelling absolutely heavenly as well. You don't have to splurge on expensive ones, I feel like a lot of times you can find really nice ones for pretty cheap as well. 

Or, you can make your own! It's super easy and allows you to know exactly what you're putting on your skin, no added preservatives, no colorants, no extra junk, just natural ingredients mixed into a yummy concoction. One of my favorites - and a super simple one at that - is the coconut vanilla sugar scrub. It really can't get much easier than this! Here's the recipe:

Coconut Vanilla Sugar Scrub

1/2 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

All you need to do is mix the ingredients together and then rub it onto your skin while in the shower, massage for a bit and then rinse. Not only is this a great scrub, but it's very moisturizing as well because of the coconut oil and all its skin benefits. Note: Coconut oil is solid at room temperature and melts into a liquid form at around 24 C (76 F).

One thing I really love about this particular DIY body scrub - apart from the fact that it's really good for your skin and provides moisture as well as a proper scrub - is that you can go completely green when making it, just choose organic, fair trade products for your ingredients and voilà :)

When you exfoliate your body, you're not only helping your skin be softer and more radiant by removing dead skin cells, you're also helping prevent ingrown hairs when you shave/wax. Keep in mind though that the dead skin cells should come off rather easily, so don't rub too hard or too long, or you might end up damaging your skin. I would say a full body scrub once or twice a week should be quite sufficient, you don't want to overdo it, especially if you have sensitive skin. One thing you can use daily though to keep dull looking skin at bay - and instead welcoming soft, glowy skin - is using a good loofah or a bath mitten when you shower. 

As for exfoliating your face, you can of course make your own scrub for that as well, but I have a favorite that I've been using for months now and that I really neverrrrrr want to part with, ever! It's the most amazing exfoliator I have EVER tried, so I'm sticking to that. Oh, and a review on that particular product is coming up as well, so keep a lookout for that. Seriously, magic in a bottle! But yeah, I will post a full review on that later, with information, instructions and tips.

When you exfoliate your face, it makes the products you apply afterwards absorb into your skin a lot better since the dead skin cells that would normally be sitting on your skin clogging your pores and working as a "barrier" are now gone and instead you have fresh, clean skin that's ready to soak up the nutrients and active ingredients in your products. Great huh? So you get more out of your skin care products too when you exfoliate :)

3. Moisturize!

When it comes to body moisturizers, obviously you will be needing them year-round, but I usually don't use the same ones year-round. Some of the ones I use in the winter just feel too heavy and sticky in the summertime when it's hot out. For winter, I often make my own creams, but I do use some store-bought ones as well.

Usually in the summertime I like wearing dry oils. These are great because they absorb into your skin very well and they don't leave you feeling sticky. They're also really easy to apply and glide  onto your skin so effortlessly after you shower. Also, a lot of dry oils have the most amazing scents! 

One of my favorites is the Moringa Beautifying Oil by The Body Shop. This particular oil contains Community Fair Trade marula oil alongside other oils and has the most amazing scent, I love it! Another oil I like to use is the Monoï De Tahiti Dry Body Oil by Yves Rocher and the Monoï De Tahiti Traditional Tiare Oil also by Yves Rocher. The first one is a dry oil whereas the second one isn't. The traditional tiare oil does leave a tad more shine to your skin and takes a bit more working it into your skin, but I feel it's great for instance to rub a few drops of it onto your legs if you're going out at night, it gives them just a tiny bit of a glow, which looks great especially if you have a bit of a tan. :) Also, if you are into the glowy look, Yves Rocher also has a Monoï De Tahiti Precious Dry Oil product with gold shimmer in it. And as a great bonus to the hydration these oils provide, the monoï oils smell amazing!

As for the facial moisturizers, you might want to keep it a bit lighter in the summertime to avoid "overfeeding" your skin when it doesn't need it. Just be attentive to what your skin tells you and regulate which products you use thereafter. Also, please keep in mind that some skin care products, for instance ones containing AHA or BHA, can cause your skin to become more sensitive to sun exposure so don't forget your sunblock!

4. Hands and feet!

As I recently did a post on how to get your hands and feet ready for a shoot or an event or for the summertime, I won't go into that all too deeply, instead you can check that post out right here. 

One thing I will remind you guys of though, is that since you might want to walk around bare foot in the summertime and either way you will be wearing sandals, please make sure you keep your feet moisturized because dry/cracked heels are definitely not something you want.

An easy tip for keeping your finger- and toe nails looking polished and pretty for summer is UV gel polishes. They wear for a lot longer than regular polish (usually 2-3 weeks minimum) and if you have them done by someone who knows what they're doing, they shouldn't harm your own nail bed. Granted, not everyone likes gel polishes, but there are options for you as well, you can have fun with regular polishes and try out cute nail art designs with either polishes, stickers or nail wraps. 

One thing I would recommend either way though, is to get a cuticle oil that you can rub onto your cuticles and nails, it will make a difference, trust me.

5. Hair!

The sun and sea water is a horrible combination for your hair and as summertime usually means at least some visits to the beach, it's important to be aware of how to protect your hair as well. Your hair needs UV protection as well, it's not just your skin. There are different ways you can provide your hair with sunblock, there are leave in conditioners, sprays, lotions and serums that contain SPF and of course, there's always the very good option of wearing a hat or a scarf on your head. 

There are also specific shampoos and conditioners you can use that are meant for sun damaged hair. If you are going to the beach, you might want to give your hair a deep conditioning treatment before the expected sun exposure. You can also put a rich conditioner with SPF in your hair and leave it in, then either braid your hair or put it in a bun before going to the beach, that way there is less of the hair "available" to be exposed to the sun and your hair will get to soak up the benefits of the conditioner while you have fun at the beach :) You can also mix a little spray bottle with half water half conditioner with SPF to bring with you to the beach and spray onto your hair as needed.

Generally products that soak in to your hair (conditioners) rather than just sitting on top of it (sprays) provide more protection from harmful UV rays.

Remember that your scalp needs protection as well, so make sure you put some sunblock where you part your hair to avoid burning your scalp. Don't forget the ears either :)

6. Hydration!

Obviously, this is important year-round, but especially as the weather gets warmer and you might be outdoors more, doing lots of activities or just enjoying the sun, it's really important to keep hydrated. Water is of course the best source, but you don't have to drink your water plain if you don't want to, add a few ice cubes and some slices of lemon or cucumber, why not slices of kiwi fruit or strawberries and you have yourself a refreshing little summer drink :) Not only is sufficient hydration important for your well-being and preventing dehydration, but it's also very beneficial for your complexion.

7. Lighten up your makeup!

For everyday makeup, keep it fresh and simple. Skip thick foundations and heavy texture products. BB creams are great for summer as most of them have built in SPF and they also provide a lighter coverage and finish than a foundation. Of course, if you feel like you really need the heavy coverage, there are options for you as well, some BB creams are very light but there are also those that offer very good coverage. 

Lip and cheek stains are great for summer as well, as are lipglosses and other makeup with ligther texture that wear better in the heat.

Of course you can still have fun with makeup and also experiment with bolder colors and styles, especially for evening wear, but during the day time you might want to keep it a bit lighter, at least in texture. Summer is a great time to play with vibrant colors though, the whole keeping it lighter doesn't mean you have to skimp on colors, what I mean with keeping it lighter is just trying to avoid the whole mask-look and instead going for a more luminous, fresh look.

Investing in waterproof products, such as mascara and eyeliner for instance, is a good thing for summer as well! I have some great tips for you on superb mascaras and eyeliners (and eyeshadows) that will.not.budge, so keep a lookout for those reviews coming soon as well.

Bronzers and highlighters are permanent occupants in my makeup bag year-round and they are definitely sticking around for summer as well. Normally I steer clear of the glittery or shimmery bronzers, they're just not my thing. I rather use the matte kinds, since I use my bronzers for contouring (having something light-reflecting and shimmery kind of defeats the whole purpose there). Finding a great highlighter/luminizer is essential for the summertime, as this is when you will want to go for a luminous, glowy (not like light-bulb-glowy, but like healthy-glowy) look. Reviews on great highlighters are coming soon as well :)

Finding a good primer is also essential.  Taking the time to apply a primer before applying your BB cream (or foundation if you use that) is really worth the extra step even though it might feel like a nuisance. Let me tell you though, it's worth it. A good primer will have skin benefits, fill in the fine lines somewhat, make your pores less visible, help your makeup go on more smoothly and stay on better. In addition, there are primers with SPF out there as well, so that's another benefit! I will be posting some reviews on my favorite primers very soon as well, so stay tuned for that.

8. Smile!

Summer is finally around the corner, enjoy it! :) Spend time with your loved ones, enjoy the warm weather, eat fresh fruits and veggies, enjoy lovely dinners and picnics, read a book in the park, take a walk along the beach, go for a swim and most importantly, smile! A smile is the prettiest thing you can wear, so you should wear it more often :)

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to post them in the comment section below and I will try my best to get back to you ASAP :)

That's all for now lovelies, I hope you all have a wonderful summer ahead of you and remember to love, laugh, smile and stay positive!

xoxo,
Tanja

Hada Labo Gokujyun Super Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Milk - Review

Hello cutiepies! :)

New week, new product review, fun fun :) Today we will be taking a look at anohter product in the Gokujyun line by Hada Labo. As some of you may know, I recently did a review on the Hada Labo Gokujyun Super Hyaluronic Acid Lotion, so you might want to have a look at that first, especially if you're not familiar with this line. I will link the review below, so you can check that out first as a sort of introduction to the line (I don't want to be all too repetitive, so I won't be rewriting all of the facts about the line from that review, instead you can just go check it out yourselves).

To check out my review on the Hada Labo Gokujyun Super Hyaluronic Acid Lotion and get aquainted with the Gokujyun line, please click here.

Aaaanyways, onto this baby right here:


This is what the bottle looks like from the front.


This is the Hada Labo Gokujyun Super Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Milk, tadaa! :) It's one of the moisturizers in the line, there is a cream as well, but this is the more lightweight option and quite frankly - at least for me - it's quite enough. The line has several different products: a cleansing oil, a water based makeup remover, a cleansing foam, two lotions (toners) - mild and regular, an essence, two (I believe) moisturizing milks - mild and regular - correct me if I'm wrong, a cream, an eye cream, a UV milk, a lipbalm, a mist and finally, a sheet mask. In addition to all those, Hada Labo has other lines as well, like the retinol line for lifting and firming (which I did try some products from - I'd be happy to review those if you guys want?), the arbutin line with vitamin C for whitening/brightening (which I have yet to try any products from) and the ES line with zink for sensitive skin (which I have yet to try any products from).

The Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Milk contains the same three types of hyaluronic acid as the Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Lotion, namely hyaluronic acid, super hyaluronic acid and nano hyaluronic acid. Instead of going through the benefits of these again and risking sounding really repetitive for those of you who already read my review on the lotion, I'll advice the new readers to take a look at the lotion review, which can be found here.

The moisturizing milk has a milky, sort of sticky consistency and it's a lot less runny than the lotion. I have applied a drop onto my palm in the picture below. On the left side I had just turned my hand from a horizontal to a vertical position and on the right I had held my hand turned vertically for a bit and you can see that the milk has moved a little, but not a lot.



A drop of the Hada Labo Gokujyun Super Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Milk on my palm. Consistency check :)

As for application, this is a moisturizer so you apply it either after applying a lotion/toner to your face or after applying an essence (depending on if you use an essence or not). So it's either "cleanse - lotion/toner - essence - moisturizing milk" if you use an essence, or "cleanse - lotion/toner - moisturizing milk" if you don't use an essence. I apply it after applying my essence. If you have questions about my skin care routine, I'm more than happy to share it with you. After applying the moisturizing milk, you just carry on with your skin care routine as you usually would (eye cream, treatments, packs.. whatever you would usually do).

Just like the lotion, this moisturizing milk is really good and a little goes a looong way!  Usually I will just use one (!!) drop for my whole face, sometimes two for my face and neck, but I still always have some left to rub into my hands (which, by the way, my hands are very grateful for). When I apply it, I dispense a drop or two onto my palm, rub my hands together to warm the product up and then spread it onto my face and eventually pat the product into my skin for better absorption. You can also apply it to your eye region, I usually do. It's very easy to get the right amount out, because of the smart nozzle, depicted below. Unlike the lotion, the milk won't drop out of the bottle by itself so easily when you turn the bottle upside down, instead you have to press the bottle gently, but I don't really mind that, it just makes dispensing the product even more precise. Just be careful when you press the bottle so you won't get too much product out, it will just go to waste because you really don't need a lot.

I'm very aware of how I treat my products when it comes to hygiene and such, since I am a bit of a germaphobe.. not like OCD or Adrian Monk style though :D Haha, nah but I'm just very aware of keeping my products clean and I really like the nozzle on this product (as well as the one of the lotion) because the bottle doesn't even touch my hand when I dispense a drop or two onto my palm, instead I just hold the above my hand and dispense the appropriate amount of product onto my palm. Obviously I always make sure to have washed my hands thoroughly before doing my skin car routine, but I still feel it's nice not to have to touch the product inside the container with your hands in any way whatsoever.

Here you can see the snap open/close cap and the nozzle.

The cap is one that you flip/snap open/closed and it's a sturdy one. This is always a good thing, I feel the packaging is hygienic and you don't have to worry about any yukky stuff getting into your product, as the cap stays closed. You won't have to worry about the cap suddenly snapping open either, I've travelled with my bottle and it has always stayed closed. :) I really like the Hada Labo packaging, it may not be the cutest packaging out there, but it's definitely user friendly and practical.

Again, this is a low irritation, pH balanced product, which is great for all of us with sensitive skin. It doesn't have mineral oil, fragrances or colorants either, so that's great.

Here is a photo of the bottle from the back. Again, I can't read Japanese so I can't tell you what it says, but feel free to share any insights if you do read Japanese :)

 I've never experienced any problems using my Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Milk. It hasn't broken me out either, unlike some other Hada Labo line, *ahem* I'm looking at you Hada Labo Retinol range - which I'm sure is a great line if you have the right skin type / specific skin needs for it, but right now it just wasn't for me. The retinol range is for more mature skin, I'll probably post a review on that line later on, feel free to let me know if you would like a review on that. 

The only thing I will say though, as a bit of a warning, is that it does tend to leave your skin a little bit sticky. I know this is a deal breaker for some of you, but honestly, it's really not that big a deal. If you use too much, then yes, your face will be sticky. If you use an adequate amount, your face will still be a little bit sticky at first, but it will absorb into your skin, and if you still feel like your skin still feels a tad sticky, just press a paper towel (I usually pick apart the layers of a paper towel and use one layer) to your face and it will get rid of any excess product that your face didn't absorb. See, small problem, easy solution :) Also, I feel that the benefits that this product delivers far outweighs the annoyance of a slight stickiness that you can deal with and control rather easily.

I honestly do feel like this is a very good product, it has been great for moisturizing my skin and used in conjunction with the lotion/toner it has helped so much with the occasional dry/flaky spots I used to get. This is definitely a keeper and has become a permanent part of my skin care routine. I've been using this product for a little over half a year now and I have noticed a big difference in my skin, both in texture and moisture levels, so if you're looking for a very good and inexpensive moisturizer, give this a go.

Here is a swatch of the product.

In the picture above you can see that I've applied some of the product onto the back of my hand in the picture to the left and in the picture to the right I have rubbed and patted the product into my skin. Unfortunately for this review (but fortunately for my hands otherwise, hehe), my skin wasn't really sand-paper-dry when I did the swatch, but I hope you can still see a bit of a difference. It really does make a big difference, you'll just have to take my word for it since this picture doesn't really do it much justice.

The bottle contains 140 ml of product and retails for around $21-25 on eBay, which is around 16-20 euros. You can also find it elsewhere, like on www.sasa.com.  Given that the bottle contains 140 ml and you seriously only need a drop or two for your whole face (and neck), this is a really good price! Like I said, I've had mine for over half a year, I've used it twice daily, and I'm around halfway through my bottle, pretty insane huh? Keep in mind that I do however use an essence and I have great skin care products that I use daily, so my skin isn't parched when I apply this product. I guess that is part of why I don't have to use a lot, but I have read about other people only using a drop or two as well. Anyways, I feel like if a product really is good enough, you shouldn't have to slather it on. Also, once you do find great products that will keep you skin balanced, you won't have to apply a lot of each product. For this product, even though the price is affordable, I would say the quality is definitely high end. I've had way more expensive creams that have done way less for me, so this is definitely a keeper!

I will most definitely keep repurchasing this (I've actually already placed an order even though I still have a lot of product left, I just don't want to risk running out of it - that's how good it is!) and this product has earned a permanent place in my skin care routine. :)

I guess that's all for now! If you have any comments or questions, please post them in the comment bar below and if you like my blog, feel free to subscribe to it. :)

I hope you all have a great day and remember to smile, laugh, love and stay positive!

xoxo,
Tanja

Hada Labo Gokujyun Super Hyaluronic Acid Lotion Review - Simply AMAZING!

Hi again lovelies!

I hope you're all having a wonderful day and it's about to get even better! The product I will be talking about - well, writing about - is one of those products that just makes you look at whatever skin care regimen you had before and go "ok guys, you're dismissed, go home, bye bye"! This stuff literally changed my skin care routine, for good it seems! Okay so enough with the talk up, lets introduce the product: Gokujyun Super Hyaluronic Acid Lotion by Hada Labo. 

Here it is, the wonderful Hada Labo Gokujyun Super Hyaluronic Acid Lotion by Rohto Japan.

For some of you out there this is a familiar, and often times Holy Grail status product, but for those of you who are not yet familiar with this product, please take the time to read through this review and if you feel like it, look into getting your hands on some to try, because I really don't think you would regret it, this is definitely a product that I don't want to be without anymore!

Hada Labo is a Japanese brand, or to be more precise it's operated by Rohto, which is a Japanese company and  Mentholatum, which is an American company. Hada Labo's focus lies on the motto "perfect & simple" and without exaggerating, I think that's a quite fitting description of a lot of the products they make as well. The slogan for this product line is "one drops locks up an ocean", which I thought sounded kind of corny and exaggerated at first, but I must say, this product has blown me away!

Another picture of the bottle from the front.

This particular product by Hada Labo is very very popular in Asia and has gained quite a lot of recognition elsewhere as well and well-deservedly so. Something that speaks for it's popularity is that in Japan, one is sold every 4 seconds!
 
One thing I want to clear up before proceeding has to do with the name of the product and how it may cause some confusion for people who are used to western type product names/descriptions. The name of the product is Hada Labo Gokujyun Super Hyaluronic Acid Lotion, which I'm sure leads many people to believe it is a lotion as in a milky moisturizer (not as heavy as a cream), since this is the term that a lot of western products would use for that. However, in Japan, a lotion isn't what the western beauty world would call a lotion, it's more like a toner. As you will see in the pictures I have posted below, the consistency is not that of a milky moisturizer (and neither is the use), but instead that of what a lot of people would call a toner. It's a watery, runny, clear consistency product that you apply after cleansing, before your essence or what the western beauty world would call a lotion (or a cream if you use that).

The Gokujyun Super Hyaluronic Acid Lotion is super effective and the secret lies in the 3 kinds of hyaluronic acid that it contains. First off, let's take a quick look into what hyaluronic acid is. HA is a substance that is often used in skin care products for it's moisturizing and anti-aging properties. Low molecular weight HA is especially effective in fighting signs of aging, as it works as a humectant and antioxidant and also stimulates collagen synthesis. Now, the human body already has HA in it naturally, it's most prevalent in young skin, connective tissues, other tissues and also in joint fluid and it's known to lubricate and cushion as well as lock in moisture. Sounds pretty good huh? The problem with the body's own HA is that as you age, your HA levels decrease. Life style and diet can also affect the HA levels in your body. So naturally, a lot of us might want a little boost of HA elsewhere. Enter Gokujyun Super Hyaluronic Acid Lotion :)

Here is the label on the back of the bottle, unfortunately I can't tell you what it says since I can't read Japanese.

This little amazing product by Hada Labo contains 3 types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Hyaluronic Acid
Super Hyaluronic Acid
Nano Hyaluronic Acid

What these different kinds of Hyaluronic Acids do is that the HA helps moisturize dry and dehydrated skin by locking in moisture in the skin, leaving it smooth and supple. According to the description 1 gram of HA can absorb as much as 6 litres of water! The Super HA has TWICE the moisture retention of regular HA, keeping the skin hydrated even longer! The Nano HA has 1/20 of the molecule size of HA, which means it can easily penetrate deeper into the skin, providing deep moisturization. All these combined make a pretty awesome product that helps you skin preserve an optimum moisture balance.

The Gokujyun Super HA Lotion is low irritation, pH balanced and doesn't contain any fragrances, mineral oil, alcohol or colorant, so it's a great product for those of us with sensitive skin as well! Yay for that! :)

The application of the product is as follows:
First, do your regular cleansing routine to make sure your skin is clean from dirt and make up and then pat your face dry. Also make sure your hands are clean (which they should be since you just used them to wash your face :D). Take your Gokujyun Super HA Lotion and pour only a few drops onto your palm. Ok and this is important, don't pour too much out! The packaging allows you to control how many drops you want out pretty easily and this is willfully so, as a little really does go a LOOONG way! 

When I use mine, I seriously only use two or three (max!) drops for my whole entire face and still have some left on my hands to spread onto my neck as well! So yes, only a few drops! After you have the product on your palm, rub your palms together warming the product up and then pat it onto your face. Keep patting until you feel the product getting "sticky", that's when it's absorbing. 

Make sure you pat all over, I usually go in a circular motion with my patting, sort of like a clock if that makes any sense, and then make sure i pat my nose as well. Another little tip, I usually pat some onto my lips as well, I find that after I started doing that, I really don't have to use as much lipbalm (which is pretty impressive being that I'm a bit of a lip balm junkie otherwise). 

On my palm you can see the watery, clear, runny product, it looks like I just have some water in my palm.

The bottle comes with a flip-open cap, that stays sealed well, keeping your product fresh and clean and the cap doesn't pop open on a whim :) I've also travelled with this bottle and I've had no problems with it, no incidents of my precious Gokujyun spilling out into my bag whatsoever. The opening allows for precise distribution of the product, so you don't have to worry about spilling out tons by accident, hence wasting precious product.

Here you can see the cap and the opening to the bottle.

After patting for a bit you feel your skin getting sticky, it kind of feels like your cheeks for instance stick to your hands :D It's a bit of a bizarre feeling at first and at first the stickiness kind of freaked me out a little, but it does even out after a bit, so not to worry. Just make sure you pat the product in properly so that it can absorb into your skin. After you have done this, just carry on with the next step in your regular skin care routine, applying an essence or lotion, whichever routine you're following.  

I've noticed that after I started using this a little over half a year ago, my skin has gotten SO much better, the difference is really noticeable! I usually get dry patches especially in the winter time (Scandinacian winters are SO unforgiving to you skin), and this has just worked wonders for those. I also don't need as much lotion (in the western sense of the word) or cream as I would before, and my skin still looks moisturized and more radiant - some days I feel like I wouldn't even need to add any extra moisturizers, because my skin already feels great after applying this. 

Below you can see a "swatch" of the product and its effects. On the upper and lower left side you can see my hand prior to application, with the product dropped on the back of my hand (which, pardon me, looks dry and flaky, eck). On the upper and lower right side you can see the back of my hand after I spread the product onto my skin and patted it in. I'm not sure the pictures do the product justice, but let me just tell you, it's pretty darn great and up-close the difference is remarkable :)

To the left, a drop of the little miracle worker just sitting on the back of my hand and to the right, the back of my hand after I spread the product out and patted it in.

The bottle contains 170 ml of product, which for this product is a LOT, trust me! I bought mine on eBay and the price usually runs at around 25 USD, just below 20 euros. Sometimes if you're lucky you can find a good deal closer to 20 USD. Also, there are smaller versions as well, for instance the 30 ml travel bottle that usually sells on eBay for around 10 bucks. There are of course other sites you can buy it as well (like sasa.com), but I just wanted to let you know where I've been getting mine.

If you feel that this price is steep, please don't worry, because like I said a little goes SUCH a long way! Sure it's more expensive than some drugstore brand toners here, but it's a lot cheaper than some high end ones, and at least for me, it has been on a whole other level from even the most expensive toner's I've had. The difference is so huge you can't even compare the two. It's a totally different kind of product and I have yet to find any product in this niche that works like this. Short and simple, it's a K.O. in the very first round and the winner is Hada Labo Gokujyun Super Hyaluronic Acid Lotion. :)

I've used mine twice a day (sometimes more if for instance I have a photoshoot and wash the makeup from the shoot off midday and therefore end up doing a morning skin care routine, another morning skincare routine in midday and then an evening skin care routine at night), every single day for over half a year now, and I haven't even used up half yet! Insane huh.. Sometimes after I've applied it to my face and realize I still have product left on my hands I'll just apply it to my arms or my legs before applying my regular moisturizer and it makes them feel really smooth and moisturized as well :) I really feel like the price is very good, considering what an amazing product this is and how little you need to use. A bottle will last you a long time!

All in all, if you're already familiar with this product, good for you (!) - feel free to share your experiences in the comment section below - and if you're not familiar with it yet, I urge you to try it, it...is..AMAZING!  I love love LOVE this product and I will definitely keep repurchasing and stocking up on it because I don't want to be without this item in my skin care regimen ever again :)

This product gets my stamp of approval, HG product status and full 5/5 stars! :)

Hopefully this review will be helpful to you guys :) I hope you all have a great day and remember to smile, laugh, love and stay positive!

xoxo,
Tanja

Getting ready for a photo shoot (hands and feet)

Hi again everyone,

This post will be about preparing for a photo shoot and more specifically so, tending to your hands and feet before a shoot or why not for any other event where you want your hands and feet to look nice, maybe you want to prepare for the summer season and all the lovely sandals and open toe shoes you will finally get to wear.

When getting ready for a photo shoot, regardless of if it's a full body shoot or a some sort of beauty shot, sufficient sleep and hydration are always important. Also, avoid eating a lot of salty foods because that might make your veins more prominent. Especially if you're doing a beauty close up with your hands (or feet) visible, you don't want bulging veins on them (not that you would necessarily want those otherwise either :D). 

Also, when getting your hands and feet ready for a photoshoot remember to moisturize vigorously! Another thing that's good to do for your hands and feet prior to a photoshoot is a mani-pedi. And no, not a mani where you get crazy long nail extentions and neon nail polish, but a moisturizing hand treatment to make your hands look soft and polished. Always remember to check your cuticles as well, apply cuticle remover if you have some, gently push the cuticles back with a cuticle pusher (either with a rubber tip or an orange tree stick), get rid of the dead skin with cuticle clippers and apply cuticle oil. Make sure to be careful when you use the cuticle clipper though so you don't clip off too much and end up with butchered cuticles. Make sure your nails are clean and even. Don't wear any nail polish to the set unless that has been specifically requested. As for your feet, if you have and rough or dry patches, running yourself a lovely and relaxing footbath with salts and following up with a foot rasp will help alleviate that.

If you have any discoloration on your nails, there are some home remedies to try, for instance: you can try putting some tooth paste on your nails and rubbing gently with a tooth brush - just make sure it's a soft bristle brush. Another thing you could try is lemon juice - although if you have a citrus allergy, steer clear of this one. You can either put some lemon juice on a cotton pad and wipe your nail with it or just rub the lemon itself directly onto the nail. If you want, you can even squeeze the lemon juice into a little bowl and dip your fingers in it. After applying the lemon juice to your nails you can also gently rub with a soft bristle tooth brush. Vinegar (diluted) can also be used this way to remove stains on your nails. Also, try to be as careful as possible with your everday chores to avoid getting any cuts or brusing. 

Another thing you should do prior to a shoot is exfoliate. This is something you would definitely do for your face and for your body, but not everyone come to think of exfoliating your hands and feet properly. You can either use a body scrub or a facial exfoliator on yuor hands and feet. Exfoliating will get rid of dead skin cells and make your skin more radiant and susceptible for the moisturizing product you apply afterwards.

Remember, although experimenting with new products can be a lot of fun, don't try any new products before a shoot, because you never know what may lead to an allergic reaction. Instead just stick to the products that you have tried and used in the past and that you know work for you and leave the experimenting for another day.

Lastly, doing a sort of moisture-pack for both hands and feet is a good addition as well. You can start doing these moisture packs as far ahead of the shoot as you like, but I would suggest that you at least try to get a couple in during the week before your shoot and especially on the night before the shoot. The simplest way to do this is to apply a very rich and easily absorbed moisturizer onto your hands and feet and then put a pair of soft socks on your feet and a pair of cotton gloves on your hands. If you can sleep with those on, great - if you can't, then maybe you can at least wear them in the evening while reading a book or watching some TV.

There it is, some short tips on getting your hands and feet ready for a shoot. To sum up, remember to moisturize well, get sufficient hydration and sleep, keep your nails neat and clean and steer clear of exessively salty foods and unfamiliar products that may cause you an allergic reaction.

I hope you all have a great day and remember to smile, laugh, love and stay positive!

xoxo,
Tanja

Nail Art - Ombre Nails with a touch of sparkle using Cuccio Veneer Gel Polishes

So yesterday I decided the black gel polish I was wearing was a little too dark and gloomy for the lovely spring weather we have here now, so I decided to switch up my nails and do a simple but fun ombre nail with a touch of sparkle.

The colors I used were pale pink, light taupe/beige and a golden shimmer. I used Cuccio Veneer Gel Polishes to create this look and the colors I used were Texas Rose (the pink one), Tel-Aviv Me About It (the light taupe/beige one) and Los Angeles Luscious (the golden shimmery one).

Here is the result:

Ombre nails with a touch of sparkle :)

I was pretty happy with how it turned out; simple and light, but fun and girly at the same time.

I created the ombre nail without using a sponge, just using the gel polish brush itself and experimenting a little with the curing time. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to post them in the comment bar below :)

I hope you guys have a great day and remember to smile, laugh, love and stay positive!

xoxo,
Tanja

Nail Art

Cherry Blossom inspired design. Base: shimmery translucent peachy nail bed section, glittery midsection and a turquoise/minty tip. Decoration: cherry blossoms and branches.

Spring is finally here and the sun and warmer weather means lots of fun experimentation with nail art! Winter and autumn are of course also seasons when you can have fun with nail art and experiment, but I feel more people get excited about nail art when the weather gets warm and sunny - at least here where it's super cold half of the year and people sort of come out of hibernation mode in the spring time. 

Translucent pearly base, glittery tips with pink cheetah print design and the double C's on the upper nail.

I've been doing nail art actively for about a year now, before that I would just do a little something now and then (pretty rarely though). However, about a year ago I started getting into it and realized it was really fun and a way to express artistic interests as well. 

Mint colored base, pink and white striped tips and a rose on the upper nail on the index finger, middle finger and pinky. Roses and little white dots on the thumb and ring finger.

Beige base with pale pink and white stripe tips on the index finger, middle finger and pinky, pale pink bow and white dots on the thumb and ring finger.

Ever since I was little I've loved art, both art other people had created and art in everyday things and in nature. I also love drawing and painting and at some point it was a huge part of my life, I could spend hours a day just painting, designing and drawing. Gradually everyday things, school, work and chores started taking up more and more time and eventually I realized I hadn't had the chance or time for pretty much any kind of artistic expression in such a long time and this made me really sad. I tried working it into my life again and gradually found little ways here and there to incorporate art in my life again. Nail art became one of these ways. Now, I'm sure many people think nail art isn't really an artform and at first I was a bit iffy myself, but through experience I've come to realize it can be, it just depends on the artist. 

Turquoise/minty base, roses and white dots on the thumb and ring finger, rose on upper nail and a brown and white striped tip on the index finger, middle finger and ring finger.

Flower designs on the thumb and the ring finger.

For me, doing nail art has been an outlet for artistic expression, at least to some extent. Sure it doesn't replace painting on a canvas or drawing, but I never intended it to do so either, I just wanted to have a little extra something art related in my life. I like seeing beauty in everyday things and I like being able to create beauty in different ways. I taught myself what I know about doing nail extensions and gel nails by reading, watching videos and watching other nail artist work. I'm a quick learner and I like to observe and soak up information where ever I can. The art part just came from within. Inspiration is all around us, you just have to keep your eyes and mind open. I don't claim to be a superb nail artist by any means, there are lots of more experienced and more talented nail artists than me out there, but I do enjoy it and I take pride in what I do. Being a perfectionist I also try my very best at making a design just the way I had envisioned it.

Taupe base with white lace design and baby pink double C's on the thumb and ring finger.

Dark taupe/black/gold cheetah print design base on toes, pink bow on big toe. Dark taupe/black/gold cheetah design taupe tips on fingers, pink bows on the index finger, middle finger and pinky, pink heart with little crystals on the thumb and ring finger. 

I've worked with nail extensions as well and with UV gels, hard gels, soak off gels and soak off gel polishes. Usually when I've done the extensions though I prefer to work with forms instead of with tips. I feel like tips are the simple option, as they're quick and less work-demanding to apply than building the extension using forms. The reason I prefer the more time and work consuming option is that I feel it gives a more natural result. That's just my personal preference though. 

Opaque pearly pale pink base, black glittery tips with a pink ribbon on all nails and a pink ribbon with a bow on the thumb and ring finger.

As you can see I have posted a few pictures of some designs I've done throughout this post and if you guys have any requests on how to do a specific design (either one in one of the pictures or some other design you may have in mind), let me know and I will do my best to create a tutorial for you. These are just a few of the designs I've done, I haven't photographed all and I also have photos that I haven't posted, but I just wanted to post a few to show you some examples. I hope you guys enjoy them! :)

Taupe base with white dots and a pale pink bow on the big toes. Pink base with white dots and a pale pink bow on the big toes.

Happy spring everyone and remember to smile, laugh, love and stay positive!

xoxo,
Tanja