Why eye cream is a good investment

KEEP IN MIND THAT UNDER-EYE SKIN:

• has no oil glands to help keep the skin supple
• can be up to 10 times thinner than the rest of our face (it dries out faster than the rest of your face)
• gets thinner as we age
• capillaries in eye area can lead to puffiness if fluid builds up there
• the skin itself is covering the hollow space of the eye socket.
• tissue below the eyes is naturally missing a lot of essential elements that make your skin strong

We blink more than we talk: 10-15 times a minute, each blink lasting for 100-150 milliseconds, and around 5.2 million times a year.

1. General reasons for dark circles and puffiness are lack of sleep, diet and stress. As well as allergies, age, broken blood vessels, anemia, hyperpigmentation, dehydration etc. Dark circles and puffiness could be a sign of toxic overload.
2. Dark circles and puffiness could be a sign of toxic overload.

• blinking + expressing emotions = premature aging 
• UV rays + stress + lifestyle choices = premature aging

Morning: an antioxidant serum + moisturizing eye cream + SPF +sunglasses Evening: restorative serum – rich eye cream 

Ingredients to look into eye cream: 
hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, reship oil, aloe vera = hydration 
ceramics = lock the moisture
retinol = stimulates cell turnover 
antioxidants = elasticity, brightening, prevent free radical damage 

FINE LINES = retinol (prescription-based & over-the-counter options), vitamin A derivate, peptides.
HYPERPIGMINTATION = arbutin, hydroquinone, kojic acid, vitamin C, soy, vitamin B-3, azelaic acid.
PUFFINESS = caffeine, green tea and coffee berry polyphenols, willow herb, dipeptide-2
GENERAL = vitamin C, vitamin E, green tea, vitamin B-3. 

P.S. The only way to give your skin more collagen is by making your skin create more of its own collagen, which is exactly what the above ingredients do. To repair the eyes, you need to increase your collagen production and, to do that, you need to stimulate the cells.

Fine lines and wrinkles come from both sun damage and your skin making less collagen as you age. Collagen helps maintain skin’s elasticity. Vitamin C, peptides, and retinol boost collagen production.

• An under-eye serum containing retinol will work wonders to help rebuild dermal collagen and support the recovery of skin volume and firmness.
• Invest in a cream eye mask or patches if your skin is particularly thin or dehydrated. 
• Eye creams are formulated specifically for the delicate skin around the eye, so they contain more oil than a regular facial lotion, and they have a lot of active ingredients aimed at the problems we see around the eyes. 

EYE CARE:
1. Gently remove your eye makeup.
2. Wash you eye area in cold weather.
3. Apply products with pinky finger:softly pat product onto the skin rather than smearing it on.
4. Gently massage under eye area to improve circulation around them & drain excess fluid and reduce puffiness. 
5. Use SPF:
Most sunscreens are safe to use on and around the eyelid region. However, physical sunscreens that block out the sun with minerals like zinc or titanium dioxide won’t usually irritate the eyes.

HABITS WISE:
1. Get enough sleep (for the skin under eyes not to look “unhealthy”, darker and puffier) 
2.Exercise (to improve blood circulation)
3.Try to follow a healthy diet (look for foods high in potassium like bananas).
4. Drink enough water. 
5. Minimise exposure to stress 

FINAL THOUGHTS:
A good eye cream can be pricey, but it should last six to twelve months.
When it comes to your eyes, prevention is better than a cure.
Eye patches are an addition, not replacement for eye cream. 

DIY treatment:
– cold cucumber slices;
– cold tea bags (with caffeine). 

XX,
Gena.

Long-haul flight essentials:all you need to know

Hello there! I’m currently planning a couple of trips and I came across this post and decided that it was about time to update the list of the long-haul flight essentials I wrote last year. Because I found a lot of helpful resources that make traveling easier, tried some products that made my skin very happy and learned some helpful tips to make the entire flight experience enjoyable.

BEFORE THE TRIP
I pay attention to:
what I drink: all I drink is water. A lot of water. I want to make sure my body is extra hydrated before I start the journey.
what I eat: simple homemade meals. I would stay away from dairy, and food that is high in fiber or sugar. As well as prepacked meals and fast food. There is a higher risk of getting sick on the plane, so I would have enough vitamin C as well.
my skincare: besides drinking a lot of water to give my body the hydration it needs, I would also treat my skin to a good facemask, use a rich hair mask and use coconut oil instead of body butter before the flight.

THE ESSENTIALS
Long flights can be challenging, so it’s very important to make sure you have the essentials like toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, and mouthwash. As well as mini deodorant, anti-bacterial wipes, hand sanitizing spray (not only for your hands but also for the filthy tray table).

SKINCARE
I honestly stopped packing as much stuff as I used to after I discovered the ugly truth about healthy skin: no matter how many moisturizers, lotions, masks, etc. I may bring with me, my skin won’t be happy if I don’t drink enough water during the flight. So, keep that in mind. Other than that:

• cleanser:
  I don’t really care what cleanser I take, as long as it makes my skin fresh and preps it for the moisturizer. Since I am a frequent shopper at Sephora, I would save the samples for the flight and travel-size products for the trips.
• eyepatches/ eye masks/ eye gels:
  I don’t take the plane without them. If I have several flights to catch, I would switch them in between the flight.
• face mask + moisturizer:
  The air in the plane is extremely dry and it’s really stressful for the skin. The reason I take both products is that I would use a face mask for the majority of the flight, will clean my face and put the moisturizer before the breakfast is served in the plane.
• lip balm:
  It’s important to take good care of the lip skin. We are want to enjoy the trip instead of dealing with chapped lips upon arrival.

Other things I take with me:
– Silk sleep mask.
– Headphones.
– Reusable water bottle.
– An extra pair of wool socks.
Don’t forget:
– Pen to fill out the immigration forms.
– A portable charger to keep your phone alive.
– Plug adapters are really handy if you have a layover in Europe.

Helpful links:

1. Best spots to rest in any airport during your next layover are here
2. Wi-Fi information for all the airports around the world is here
3. To see a seat map on your next flight click here

SOME OF MY CURRENT FAVORITE PRODUCTS:
(click on the image to learn more)

XX,
Gena.

My 5 Summer Must-Haves at Sephora

Hello there! If you’re anything like me, you’ve got some absolutely favorite beauty products you can’t live without. And if you live in a climate similar to Austin, you know that May is the month when you the humidity kicks in along with that 80F and you have to start making changes in your beauty bag. If you follow me, you know that Sephora is a new Target for me, I can spend hours there testing new products, reading reviews and deciding whether I have to get it or not.
So, since many of you asked to share more of a beauty-related content, today I’ll share with you my favorite summer Sephora beauty finds.

Moisturizer
If you follow me on Instagram, you saw how upset I was when after 2 years of using Belief Agua Bomb moisturizer, the new cream jar made my skin miserable. But I’m glad it did, otherwise, I’d never discovered Caudalie Vinosource S.O.S. Deep Hydration Moisturizer: I really love the ingredients and the way I can use it with or without makeup. Even though it was made for dry/sensitive skin, it works great for my skin type as well.

Everyday Sunscreen
My moisturizer always include 2 products: the actual mosturizer and something that is very important for my skin – Supergoop Sunscreen SPF 50.

Bobbi Brown BB Cream
I have combination skin, and most BB creams team up with Austin humidity to make my face shiny or leave stains on the clothes. It also doesn’t feel like you have too much product on your face, which is always great! Not to mention SPF 35

Dry shampoo
Here is how to find your perfect dry shampoo: test it during humid days, after workouts and during traveling. If it works perfectly fine, you’re probably using my favorite DryBar Detox Dry Shampoo.

Mascara
The main thing to remember about mascara: there is no perfect one for everyone. What works for me may not work for you. I tried almost every mascara offered at Sephora from Clinique to Givenchy, Hourglass, and Dior. And here is what works for me:

• budget-friendly Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara
• Giorgio Armani Beauty Eyes to Kill Mascara
• Hourglass Caution Extreme Lash Mascara

XX,
Gena

Drugstore alternatives to high-end makeup

   Hello hello! As most of us, girl, I always want to look, and, most importantly, feel beautiful. I am obsessed with skincare, and when it comes to makeup, my attitude is better described by the worlds of Bobbi Brown:  ‘I believe that all women are pretty without makeup – but with the right makeup can be pretty powerful.’
That’s why today I decided to share with my key products for the daily makeup and their cheap drugstore alternatives for the times when I couldn’t afford visits to Sephora. This post is not sponsored, it’s just something that I personally like.
If you don’t feel like going to the store to buy a product you like, you can always CLICK ON THE IMAGE to get yours from Amazon! 🙂 

1) Dior Diorshow Mascara
I have thick but short eyelashes and this mascara is enriched with microfibers for a lash extension effect. I usually get it for $30 at my local Sephora store.
Alternative: you are not gonna believe it, but there is a mascara you can get at any drug store that works as good as Dior one. It’s “Maybelline Volum’ Express The Colossal Mascara”: the volume that it creates is insane! It’s a great alternative if you are on a budget and it costs only $6!


 

2) Anastasia Beverly Hills Eyebrow pencil
There is nothing more important that your eyebrows: they can make a dramatic change for better or for worse. They are person’s most prominent facial features, so the products have to be carefully chosen.
Anastasia Beverly Hills is famous for its eyebrow pencils.
Alternative: this pencil much cheaper but still effective and costs around $8. The name of it is Maybelline EyeStudio Brow Precise Micro Pencil. 

 3) Nars All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation 
This is my favorite long-lasting foundation and I swear by it! It’s perfect people with combination skin who cannot stand clogged pores. Fun fact: I got a sample from Sephora, and this foundation survived a long day and late night workout!
Alternative: $8Maybelline® FIT ME!® Matte + Poreless Foundation that has a decent coverage and doesn’t clog pores.

4) Chanel Red Lipstick (get it here)
I do understand that this lipstick is one of kind and there is a reason it is so popular. But it doesn’t mean that you cannot get that gorgeous red color if you are on a budget. This is why I am sharing these 2 alternatives:
Bourjois Paris Rouge Edition 12 Hour Lipstick
and
L’oreal Paris Colour Riche Matte Lipcolour for $9.99  )

 5) Dior Lip Glow Hydration Color Reviver Lip Balm 001 
I love naturally beautiful lips, that’s why this lip balm was love at first sight. It costs $34, so it was still a little pricey because I used it every day. So, I started looking for something similar in other brands and my research brought me toL’oreal Paris Colour Richie Lip Balm In Pink Satin (get it here). It costs $6 and it’s impossible to spot the difference! Even the packaging is similar.  

6) Laura Mercier setting powder 
This powder is always in my makeup bag: it travels with me, it parties with me and it helps me during hot humid summers in Austin. But when I was a student, and couldn’t afford it, I was usingNyx Professional Makeup Color Correcting Powder . It costs only $8. 

7) Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer 
To be honest, I don’t use concealers every day, but when I do – I want it to have a great coverage but look natural. That is why this concealer is the one for me.  The price is $28 and it lasts forever.
If you are looking for the concealer with similar effect in the drugstore, you should definitely go forMaybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer. It costs only $7! (get it here)

***Disclosure: This post is not sponsored, but some links may be affiliate!

  Thanks for stopping by!
XX,
Gena

  

  

  

 

What’s in my travel beauty bag

   Do you love traveling as much as I do? I bet you do! Especially in summer – a perfect time to go on well-deserved vacation.

While most people are traveling now, I came back from my adventure in Europe and decided to share the ultimate list of my Summer Beauty Essentials. Traveling in summer can be stressful for all of us: sunburns, dehydration, jet lag, change of climate and water are only some of the reason we may not enjoy vacation as much as we would like to. Today I would like to share with you my Summer Beauty essentials because I am sure that we all deserve to have worry-free adventures even in summer. Most of the products are available on the official websites of the brands. I get mine at Sephora, Nordstrom and Ulta Beauty.  However, if you are more of an online shopper and have Amazon Prime, I am going to leave the links to get everything at Amazon as well. All you have to do is CLICK ON THE IMAGE to get yours:) 

– 2 pairs of your favorite, most comfortable shoes (one of them has to be waterproof.) Never underestimate a good pair of sneakers! When we were in Italy, we had to walk up to 15 miles every day in the heat. It was quite challenging, and it would be even harder if I didn’t take my running Nike Flex Contact Women’s Running Shoes.

Also, when we went to Naples (read about it here), it was raining, so my Adidas Originals Stam Smith sneakers were handy.

 – Unscented Sunscreen: 

I prefer this combination for various reasons: first of all, I use the body lotion before applying the sunscreen. Also, when you travel, you spend the whole day exploring and the smell of the sunscreen combined with body lotion, food, perfume, etc. can be too much. My current absolute favorite sunscreen that goes with me everywhere is Supergoop Everyday sunscreen SPF 50. It’s unscented water & sweat resistant sunscreen. It’s oil-free, cruelty-free, non-irritating and allergy-tested. And all of it for a really low price.

 – Light foundation

Bobbi Brown BB Cream SPF 35 because it’s light, easy to apply and wear the whole day, it doesn’t clog pores. It’s perfect for oily skin, and it has SPF in it. Should I say more?

   And if you are not really into BB creams, try

Dior Diorskin Nude Air Serum Foundation with the SPF Setting Powder.

 – SPF Setting Powder 

My forever favorite setting powder if Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder and I swear by it (buy it here). But in summer I need something that powerful + SPF. It’s not just a matter of long-lasting makeup, it more about of healthy skin free of blemishes (because I have already got some). The one that works for me and I am sure will work for you is Supergoop 100% Mineral Invincible Setting Powder SPF 45 (I got mine at Sephora) . 

– Thermal/Coconut Water 

I honestly do not remember the last time I spent without this skin saver. It is not just refreshing on a hot summer day, it also works to restore natural pH balance during and after the trips.

La Roche Posay Thermal Spring Water (also available in travel size and is great for long flights)

and

Kopari Coconut Rose Toner.

 – Post-Sun Lotion 

Here is the story of my life: a couple of years ago we went tubing in Austin and I forgot that my water-resistant sunscreen was active only for 80 minutes. White girl gone red. The sunburn was so horrible that I couldn’t sleep at night. I tried many products and the only one, which, by the way, was brought by my husband who is a huge aloe addict, helped. So now I travel with SunBurnt After-Sun Gel for “just in case” situations. 

– A hat

If you check my pictures from Rome (read “When in Rome: 10 travel hacks” here), you will notice that I wear the hat all the time. It protects my head and creates shade for the face. I forgot to take it from Austin, so I got this one in Italy. 😉 

– Sunglasses with UV protection 

Ultraviolet radiation from the sun can damage the skin of your eyelid, the cornea, lens and other parts of the eye. Who needs that? Well, not me 🙂 

– Lip Balm 

It has been proven that lips are more sensitive than we think. That means they are extra susceptible to the sun damage that is why it’s so important to have them moist (especially in summer). Being a fan of coconut oil products, I find Kopari Coconut Lip Glossy the best one on the market. 

– Eye patches 

I feel like eye patches are good not only for the planes! Morning eye puffiness is a real thing after a day or two of long walks around the city. It takes 30 minutes to get rid of the tired eyes and look like you had an 8-hour sleep in your bed. And now the best part: my favorite eye patches cost only $10 and are good for 60 days. 

Petitfee Black Pearl and Gold Hydrogel Eye Patch 

– And….. lemons! 

Yep, that’s right! I always take/buy lemons to add the juice in my water in the morning. I drink it on a regular basis, but it also helps my stomach quickly adapt.  

***Disclosure: This post is not sponsored, but some links may be affiliate!

  Thanks for stopping by! 

  XX,

Gena. 

 

Discovering “Youth To The people”

A little preview: Once upon a time, there was a girl who used to spend tons of money on all kinds of masks, face creams, and other products that would help her skin feel fresh and look beautiful. She would come across a lot of reviews, learn about the ingredients and get hooked on the ads. One day she got sick and tired of wasting money on the products that may or may not work for her particular type of skin, and she made a promise to herself that she won’t spend a cent until she finds something that would be really good for her. That girl is me.

    If you know me, you know that there is nothing more important for me than balance. And I seek to find it in every aspect of my life. I know that vegetables make me feel good, so diet mostly consists of vegetarian produce. So, one day I thought: If vegetables make me feel so good, why don’t I find “vegetables for my skin”? A product that would nourish it and would also prevent my skin aging (since I am only 25 y.o.), something that would be 100% natural. Google offered me to cover my face with cucumber puree, add some homemade spinach mask, and to use tea bags to relieve tired eyes. Now imagine me driving around like that… 😁

This is when I came across brand called “Youth to the People” that could be barely seen on the shelves at my local Sephora store. The word “Youth” was quite catchy, so I got curious. I read about the concept of the company:  

“We believe that the products you put on your skin should be as whole, clean and packed with nutrients as the food you put in your body. Harnessing powerful antioxidants and phytonutrients from cold-pressed plant extracts, Youth To The People combines superfoods and science to keep your skin as youthful, vibrant, and full of life as you are.” 

You buy your first product and it works. Then you buy another one…..and it works. Long story short, my favorite thing about the products of the brand: they work.
    About moisturizer and eye cream: they have incredibly light formula, so you can barely feel the moisturizer on your skin and the eye cream under your eyes. I want to keep my skincare routine simple and, at the same time, know that it won’t be harmful.
    About cleanser: I try to maintain an active lifestyle, so at the end of the day I feel like my skin craves good cleaning and pampering. I am not sure if I have ever tried anything as good as this cleanser. It gently cleans out the pores without overdrying my face.
About superfood mask: all I have to say is that every time I use the mask, I feel like my skin has just had a smoothie!

Something I considered when I decided whether I wanted to give it a try or not:  
– 100% vegan ingredients 
– no parabens 
– no added fragrance 
– no animal testing 
– no added color 
– no sulfates 
– no phthalates 
– cold-pressed extracts made in the USA 
and, what is also important, 100% recyclable packaging.

I hope you liked this post! What is your current favorite skincare brand?

 

Cup of coffee with Smile Brilliant Teeth Whitening

       Hey guys! I have a question to ask: what do you do when you are happy? I smile. I feel like the smile tells a lot about a person, it’s the first step to confidence. I have been a coffee addict for as long as I can remember: since the first cup of coffee in Europe, first trip to Costa Rica and visits to small coffee shops in Mexico. My coffee addiction had consequences: my teeth were not as white as they used to be before. Electric toothbrush, good toothpaste, and Crest Whitening Strips were not working anymore. That was scary, I was losing my confidence and eventually stopped smiling.  Now, if you don’t have dental anxiety, you can have your teeth whitened at the dental office. But it did not work for me: I wanted to be able to control the process, my teeth were too sensitive for the procedure, plus it was really expensive, and I needed to make time for the appointments.
   After going through some research, I realized that at home teeth whitening kit would be the best option for me. My hubby has been using the one he bought from his dentist for almost 2 years, so I had to trust his experience. I spent so much time looking for a really good whitening kit and Smile Brilliant was definitely a winner:
– The reviews for this product were amazing;
– The price for the whitening in dental office was too high and my insurance’s not willing to cover it;
– I was really impressed with the results of everyone who used Smile Brilliant. 

Long story short, here is what I got: 
1) custom whitening trays;
2) 24/7 support, all the necessary information about the process and full instructions on how to make the process less painful and more effective;
3) the whitening that did not hurt my gums, didn’t make my teeth sensitive and showed the results even after the first application.
   I have been using whitening every night before bed for two weeks. I did stop drinking coffee or wine, I was just watching movies while Smile Brilliant was working on my smile. I knew that I could stop anytime and it was completely up to me, I was in charge of my own process, the only commitment I made was my honest review for Smile Brilliant.  What surprised me is that the process that my hubby went through using his whitening kit from his dentist was exactly the same as well as the results.

   My favorite thing about using Smile Brilliant:
1) Fascinating results, minimum discomfort: when you drink coffee and use any kind of whitening strips, the spaces in between your teeth still remain yellow. This whitening system removed all of them and made my teeth look natural white.
2) I did not have to change my schedule: I just added an extra routine to my schedule that changed my smile and my self-esteem. I saved money and time.
3) It was so small, that I was able to take it with me everywhere. I didn’t have to stop traveling, drinking coffee, wine or work. It was always with me.     The bottom line is that Smile Brilliant works as good as any whitening kit from your local dentist. I am able to have my morning coffee, work, work out etc. I don’t have to change my lifestyle in for the treatment to be effective. In fact, I am planning our next adventure while Smile Brilliant makes sure I will be able to smile as much as I want during every adventure.  

 GIVEAWAY: If you are ready to smile with confidence, enter HERE for a chance to win a FREE Smile Brilliant Whitening Kit.
…AND I know we all love bonuses, so you can always order your new Smile Brilliant smile with 15% discount by entering genaadventure15 at checkout. 

   I hope you liked this post as much I as I enjoyed writing it! Remember: You never fully dressed without a smile! 🙂  

I am so glad to share with you my results! Please let me know if you have any questions about the process I went through and make sure you read this article. 

XX,
Gena