In April 2012 edition of Harper's Bazaar, I've found a few interesting articles that revealed many secrets about maintaining youthful skin. Here are some of the secrets, or well, not so much of a secret anymore! I hope you will find this information useful.

• The most important rule is to use sunscreen all year round. Then you wouldn't worry about sun damage nearly as much. But if you've already experienced some damage:
  
• Using a mild retinoid in a moisturizing base at night can boost collagen production and fight dark circles and crow's feet.
• Puffy eyes? Try caffeine-containing eye creams. Other ingredients that may help: green tea, chamomile or aloe.
• Big pores? Try a salicylic acid peel to cleanse your pores and fractional non-ablative lasers to help tighten them. 
• Saggy skin? A lot of people claim that Olay Regenerist helps, and only costs $24.99 for a sculpting cream. I think I may try it!
• Pigmentation? Look for products with these ingredients: licorice root, niacin, kojic acid, soy and vitamin C all help treat pigmentation. 

Diet Secrets:

• Go easy on the grilling. Choose lowered-heat cooking methods such as steaming, poaching or using a slow cooker.
• Veggies need backup. Eat veggies and fruits together for a more powerful antioxidant effect. Think: orange, grape, and blueberries.
• Drink coffee, tea, and water instead of hard liquor or sugary juices.
• Eat pure dark chocolate. Avoid processed chocolates and candy is your enemy.
• Exercise is powerful. Workout harder, not longer. To get the most benefits, the truth is that exercise should be hard. 
• Sleep 8 hours a day. Beauty sleep is not a myth!

My April edition Glymm box arrived just a few days ago. I must say that I wasn't all that impressed. The products are lovely, but looked a lot smaller than my previous boxes. I will give it one more month, possibly two before I unsubscribe.

The highlight of the box was definitely Mai Couture Social Gloss in Sake Sunrise. This luxurious lipgloss, that retails for $28, fills in unwanted lines and creates fuller lips.

The Lucia soaps I already own, in fact, I payed $5 for a set of 14 samples of the same size that I've found on sale at Chapters. I'm a thrifty shopper who loves a good deal! :)

The cologne is absolutely lovely! It really smells like real oranges. Fresh oranges! I'd love to have it, but it is quite pricy, and instead, I think I would want to invest in another perfume set, something sexy like Paco Rabanne Lady Million! :)

Inside the box:

• Lucia Soap in No.1 / Goat Milk & Linseed Soap / 25g
• Atelier Cologne / Orange Sanguine Fragrance / 1ml
• Free Your Mane / Sulfare Free Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner / 7.4ml each
• Mai Couture Social Gloss in Sake Sunrise / Fullsize 5ml / worth $28
• BONUS: $100 OFF Styling Tools and Hair Extensions at NuMe online store.

It's finally getting warm and I'm about to start wearing bright lipstick! This look I created a few days ago. It was a take on the 70s plus a hint of color using MAC lipstick in Morange. I love the bright color. It's definitely very spring/summer. Plus, I am wearing a cute Forever 21 hairband - fun!

PRODUCT LIST:

• Missha M BB Cream in #13
• Everyday Minerals Blush in Girl's Day
• Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Radiant Touch
• Everyday Minerals Eye shadows in Butterfly Kisses and Floating Feathers
• Everyday Minerals Pearl Eyes Eye Shadow in Room Addition - as eyeliner
• Maybelline Falsies Mascara - Black and Flared
• Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara
• MAC Amplified lipstick in Morange

I love Winners! And although their stores can be quite messy, I always find amazing brands for half the price.

Here are my latest finds:

FusionBeauty / SculptDiva Contouring Blush in Crave / $6.99
This product, a silky cream-to-powder blush that glides on effortlessly for the most natural flush of color. Infused with rosebud extracts, it helps to reduce the appearance of pores on cheeks and hydrates with advanced skin conditioners. This double-duty cheek color delivers a concentrated dose of Amplifat™ for visibly firmer, more youthful-looking cheeks in 28 days.

FusionBeauty / IllumiCover Smoothing Concealer in Pale / $9.99
Its luminizing ingredients deliver a brighter, more youthful complexion.

Plump Lips by Freeze 24-7 / $9.99
This stuff really works! I've had it for the last 3 years and it's amazing!

Amir Argan Oil Facial Moisturizer / $12.99
This product is enriched with argan oil and acai berry which helps to improve the appearance of fine lines and combat the signs of premature aging. And smells amazing!

It's finally here! GlossyBox Canada March box arrived in a sturdy, high-quality, perfectly designed package. This is my first month trying out the subscription service, and I must say, I am already impressed with their branding, design, and overall, great quality for as little as $15 / a month.

This little surprise brightened my otherwise mediocre day! Inside the box was a variety of products ranging from skincare to hair products and makeup.

PRODUCT LIST:

• Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion 
• BAILEY Cosmetics Duo Foundation Powder in Golden / full size at $40
• Evian Brumisateur Facial Spray / 50ml at $7.00
• Pandora's Blush in St.Tropez / full size at $18
• Sebastian Re-Shaper Hairspray
• Little extra: Algemarin Foam Bath

 Overall, the value of the box is over $70, so it was definitely worth it.

GlossyBox is a subscription based beauty sampling service. The company is international, with service available in many countries across Europe, and now Canada is included. You should try.

It's well branded and carefully curated to appeal to any woman out there. The samples provided are generously sized and will last me for a months if not longer. Many are full sizes and most importantly, are high-quality.  I am intrigued by the Pandora's Makeup Box promotion that was also a part of the box. A 40% off discount for Glossy clients. This is a great deal , and perhaps I will check out Pandora's website!

I'd like to point out that there was a teenie problem, and that is the foundation is much too dark for my skin-tone. It could be my own fault as I didn't fill out the beauty profile and did not specify the shade of my skin. The sample I've received would be useful in summer time or be used as a bronzer.

Otherwise, this box is definitely the best I've had in awhile, although, I also like Glymm Box ( you can find it throughout my blog). GlossyBox did  not disappoint and was worth the wait.

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