Retinol Products from Paula's Choice. On sale 8/3-8/23!

I purchased the Paula's Choice Radiant Skin Collection from QVC. I was excited to snag this on auto-delivery to lock in a really great price! It can be purchased here.

The collection includes 3 of Paula's favorites:

*Resist 2% BHA Liquid - this collection contains 2 - 4 oz. bottles

BHA (salicylic acid) is a weightless leave on exfoliant that works on the surface of skin to help smooth fine lines and even skin's tone and texture and works deeper to unclog pores. Leave on exfoliants are gentle, unlike facial scrubs which can be too abrasive for delicate skin. I've used this product for over a year now before purchasing it as part of this collection. I never had major problems with acne, but this has helped prevent the random breakouts I would get on my forehead or chin.

*Resist Intensive Wrinkle Repair Retinol Serum

This is a silky serum that contains stabilized retinol to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles. This formula also contains Vitamin C to brighten and even skin's tone, while helping to fade dark spots.

I feel like I am doing something good for my skin and have been using this several times a week, if not every night. I haven't noticed extreme results minimizing fine lines, but I will continue to use and reassess. I love the texture and feel that it absorbs into skin well, without being greasy. Unlike Retin-A prescription, which I have tried in the past, I have had no irritation from this type of Retinol.

*Resist Barrier Repair Moisturizer with Retinol

This is a lightweight moisturizer that provides hydration and protection against moisture loss, while working to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, due to the addition of Retinol.

This product is great for those with normal to oily skin. Since this product does not have SPF it makes a great addition to your nighttime skin regimen. For those that do want to use during the day, make sure to follow with an SPF of 30 or greater.

I've added this to my nighttime routine and I am enjoying it. It's not at all greasy and my skin feels hydrated even in the morning! As with all other skincare, I make sure to use on my neck and chest!

Hope you have enjoyed this brief review of a really great collection from Paula's Choice, which is available at QVC. Items can be purchased individually from Paula's Choice.

Right now Paula's Choice is offering 15% OFF Retinol formulas, so I thought it was fitting to do a quick review. *Click here for 15% OFF Retinol Formulas at Paula's Choice. Offer valid 8/3/16-8/23/16.

Have you tried these products?

What is in your skincare regimen? I'd love to know!

Please subscribe to my blog posts and I appreciate any feedback!

BeYOUtiful!

xoxo,

Lisa

*Please note some links are affiliate links. This means, if you click the link and make a purchase, I receive a commission on the sale. It doesn't cost you anything additional and it is at your discretion whether you choose to use my link or not. If you do use my links, I appreciate your support! Thank you!

Beauty's Best 15 in 2015 - Part 2

5. Paula's Choice Resist Weightless Body Treatment

When I saw this product, I was very excited to try it!! This product contains 2% BHA (salicylic acid), which works as an exfoliant to reduce bumpy areas (keratosis pilaris) and soften rough, dry skin. After using this for about 6-8 weeks, once a day, I started to notice less bumps on the back of my arms and thighs. This lotion is lightweight, like the name says and has a silky texture. I had once been given a prescription lotion from my dermatologist that contained lactic acid, but I found it felt sticky and because of this I never used it long enough to get results. This product sells for $25 for 7 oz. 

Tip - Paula's Choice sells facial exfoliants, like the one mentioned above. These sell for a higher price per ounce, due to the fact that they are formulated for specific skin types. If you do not want to invest in a separate exfoliant, this one can be used on your face, as long as it is well tolerated based on your skin type.

NOTE: Those allergic to aspirin (acetylsalicylate) should not use products containing salicylic acid (beta hydroxy acid).

6.  Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser & Bare Minerals BareSkin Complete Coverage Serum Concealer

I couldn't pick just one! The Maybelline concealer is inexpensive and provides great coverage. I use the neutralizer shade and sometimes use the brightener shade for extra coverage. The other concealer I just recently started using, but have been drawn to more lately is the Bare Minerals Bare Skin Concealer. It provides great coverage and because it's a "serum concealer" it tends to be more moisturizing than others. I think they are comparable to each other despite the different price points, Maybelline sells for around $8, while the Bare Minerals concealer sells for $20.

Note: The Maybelline concealer comes with a foam applicator, which the product dispenses through. I didn't like the applicator and thought it was wasting product so I took a chance and pulled it off. This is what it looks like once the foam applicator is removed. I usually dispense a small amount onto my finger or Q-tip and apply underneath my eyes. Maybelline, if you are reading, please change the packaging! A doe foot applicator would be lovely!

7. Josie Maran Coconut Water Eyeshadow

My absolute favorite eyeshadow of this year! It's amazing. See my first blog post for a full review!

8. L'OREAL Colour Riche Eyeshadow

From left to right: Perfume ID, my #1, go to, Rose for Romance and Sultry Seductress

These are some of the best drugstore eyeshadows I've used! I've reached for them often this year, although I've hardly made a dent in them! The quality is great, with a great consistency and great color pay off. These are compact on the go quads that you can throw in your purse or travel with. The quad has a diagram showing how to apply the colors and takes the guess work out of applying eyeshadow. The brand has a great color selection, some a little too risky for my taste, but I will continue to keep my eyes open, hoping they release new colors! 

TO BE CONTINUED...

Beauty's Best 15 of 2015! Part 1

2015 was a great year! I married my best friend in September and we had a fun and beautiful wedding! My husband's sister also got married in May, so it was a busy year for our families, planning and celebrating!

It's also been a great year for fabulous makeup finds and fun products that I will purchase over and over, forever! These are products that if I were to find out they were being discontinued, I'd stock up like I've never stocked up before! As it is, I practically always have a backup to something I love and use all the time. If I really LOVE it, I have a backup to back up the backup!

I will try my hardest to narrow this down to 15!! I will be posting a few a day so stay tuned!! ;)

1. Josie Maran Cleansing Oil

This has been my favorite for a while now. I originally purchased this in a set on QVC, but now I'm on my second bottle! It's moisturizing and although I do use a separate eye makeup remover, this helps to get the last bit of makeup off around my eyes. For $32 for 6 oz. you may think it's crazy, but if purchased in a value set, it can help to offset the price. Josie Maran's website and QVC have great value sets!

2. Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid

Breakouts? Say goodbye!! I've never had real issues with breakouts, but I'd get them once in a while, mostly on my forehead. I honestly can't remember the last time I've had a breakout since using this! It's amazing! I think my skin looks more even and not remembering the last break out is good enough reason to continue using it! For anyone that does suffer from acne prone skin, this will be a great addition to your skin care regimen.

NOTE: Those allergic to aspirin (acetylsalicylate) should not use products containing salicylic acid (beta hydroxy acid).

3. Hydra-C Serum 20%

LOVE! I started using a Vitamin C serum after watching Angie from Hot and Flashy on YouTube review it. It just makes sense to use it as part of your skin care routine to protect your skin. Vitamin C is an antioxidant which fights free radical damage and protects skin from the environmental factors that cause premature aging. Vitamin C also promotes collagen synthesis, can reduce dark spots, and aides in cell turnover, helping to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Sign me up!! Note that Vitamin C alone cannot protect skin from the damaging rays of the sun and should be used in combination with a sunscreen!

4. Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream (whoa! say that five times fast!)

OMG! This tinted moisturizer is a dream! I've tried a bunch of tinted moisturizers and nothing has ever come close to the fabulousness this has. This evens out your complexion and leaves skin with a dewy finish. The product contains olive-derived squalene (not whale! yayy!) which adds to its moisturizing ability. It's lovely for someone looking for sheer to medium coverage. The absolute best feature is this has an SPF of 30, but it doesn't have the typical greasy feel of an SPF product. It also layers nicely under mineral foundation if you want added coverage.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Paula's Choice Fabulous Finds

I have been very interested lately in learning more about skincare and putting together a well-rounded skincare routine. Since being introduced to Paula's Choice, I honestly feel that is one of the most trustworthy companies around!

Exfoliants, such as AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) and BHA (beta hydroxy acid) are very interesting little gems in the skincare industry! It wasn't until I learned about Paula's Choice products that I started to learn more about well formulated exfoliants. You might think of facial scrubs when you hear exfoliant, but these can be harsh on skin. Well formulated AHA or BHA's are leave on treatments and they aim to exfoliate without irritating the skin.

Glycolic acid is the most common and most researched AHA and it works to exfoliate the top layer of skin and help with fine lines, uneven skin tone and sun damage. It also helps with hydration and stimulates collagen production. Salicylic acid is a type of BHA which does the same as AHA, but penetrates deeper and can help with clogged pores, blackheads and milia (white bumps). BHA has anti-inflammatory benefits due to it's relationship to aspirin, therefore those allergic to aspirin shouldn’t use a BHA exfoliant.

From left to right: Clinical 1 % Retinol treatment, Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid, Resist Anti Aging Eye Cream, Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner, and Resist BHA 9.

Two exfoliants that I purchased are the Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid and Resist BHA 9. I purchased Skin Perfecting 2% BHA liquid for my husband to help with blackheads and I've been using it as well to help unclog pores on my nose. I love this product!! I haven't even been using it long, but it's helped to clear up a few dry patches I had on my skin. The liquid has a weightless feel to it and I can easily layer other skin care products.

The BHA 9 is a concentrated salicylic acid spot treatment to help with stubborn imperfections. Actually now that I think about it, since I have been using the Skin perfecting liquid, I haven't had any breakouts and haven't needed to give this baby a try! I'm glad I only bought the sample size!

Clinical 1% retinol treatment - along with other antioxidants such as Vitamin C, this product helps to stimulate collagen production and in turn smooths skin and helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Retinol is known as an anti-aging gem and can help with breakouts as well. Although formulated to reduce irritation, you should always start using any retinol product gradually. I've started once a week and haven't had irritation. I plan to gradually increase to twice a week and continue like that for a few weeks, then three times and week until I know I can tolerate it without a problem. On days that I am not using this product, I use the Skin Recovery Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum with Retinol.

Resist Anti Aging Eye Cream is a lovely little eye cream. It has such a rich texture that a little goes a very long way. This product is formulated to help reduce dryness and it's so rich, you really can still feel it on the skin the next day! This eye cream helps with loss of firmness, fine lines and sun damage, all critical signs of aging. It should be noted this product does not make the claim to help with dark circles. Dark circles can be attributed to genetics and environmental triggers like allergies, so it's not likely to be reduced by a topical treatment... in other words concealers are your friend!

The Skin Balancing Toner was another purchase for my husband, but I really wanted to give it a try too. Ok, maybe buying it for him is just a way of justifying purchasing it! This weightless formula is for combination, oily skin. It helps reduce enlarged pores and has antioxidants such as niacinamide and anti-inflammatory properties. I've really been liking this formula lately and I feel I am doing something good for my skin! It should be used after cleansing and can really help remove the last traces of makeup.

Learn more about how to put together a skin care routine to suit your own skincare needs!

My current nighttime skincare routine includes:
Cleanser - either Mary Kay TimeWise 3-in-1 Cleanser or Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Oil
Toner - Paula's Choice Skin Balancing pore reducing toner
Exfoliant - PC's Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid
Anti-Aging Treatment - Cosmedica Skincare Vitamin C serum, PC's Retinol Treatment or Skin Recovery Super Antioxidant serum
Moisturizer - PC's Clinical Ultra-Rich Moisturizer or Josie Maran Argan Oil
Targeted treatment - PC's resist anti aging eye cream

Paula's Choice has such an enormous amount of information, from articles to videos on their YouTube channel. For more information, visit Paula's Choice Homepage

Products mentioned:

*Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment

*Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

*Resist Anti Aging Eye Cream

*Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner

*Resist BHA 9

*Skin Recovery Super Antioxidant Serum with Retinol

*Clinical Ultra Rich Moisturizer

Josie Maran Cleansing Oil

Josie Maran Argan Oil

Cosmedica Skincare Vitamin C Serum

Mary Kay TimeWise 3-in-1 Cleanser

I hope that you found this informative and useful!

As always BeYOUtiful!

xoxo,

Lisa

**Please note: Links with an asterik are affiliate links. This means, if you click the link and make a purchase, I receive a commission on the sale. It doesn't cost you anything additional and it is at your discretion whether you choose to use my link or not. If you do click my links, I appreciate your support. Thank you!