Archives for 2023

February 2, 2023

Lindsey Olson Demonstrates the Difference Between a Single and Double-Waver

There are dozens of ways to create texture, volume and movement, and wavers are probably the easiest and fastest way to go about it.  Lindsey Olson, Sam Villa Ambassador @lindsey.marie.olson, demonstrates the difference between a single and a double waver as she creates glam waves two ways.

Regardless of which waver is used, Olson recommends the following:

  • Dry mousse with Redken Root Lifter 10 to build volume (apply mousse, comb through and blow dry)
  • Spray each section with Redken Thermal Spray 22, comb through.  Hair has to be smooth before compressing to get highly polished results.
  • The denser the hair, the smaller the section.
  • Count to 3 for each compression for consistency.
  • Use dry sectioning clips to section – they won’t leave a mark
  • Cool hair thoroughly before breaking up and styling, this will make the waves last longer
  • To finish, use fingers for a looser Boho finish, a wide-tooth comb to push waves together and a Sam Villa Artist Series Polishing Paddle Brush for an ultra-smooth glam finish.
  • Finish with Redken Shine Flash for added gloss

Olson used Sam Villa Pro Results Double-Waver and Single-Waver irons for the demonstration, along with diagonal back sections to create a soft flow away from the face.

The Results

Double-Waver: 2 subtle rounded barrels

Result: Waves are soft and round, good for boho updos or soft braids, perfect for creating romantic soft texture and on natural curls to accentuate and define texture.

Single Waver: 1 deep narrow barrel

Result: A poppy wave with more intense ripples, the ultimate accordion glam wave with a lux feel.  Makes more of an impact than the double waver and the perfect glam waves in far less time than a traditional set.

“If you do a lot of brides and updos, wavers will save you so much time.  They’re insanely faster than using a regular curling or flat iron, especially for making glam lux waves,” says Olson.  “And yes, they are different, so don’t choose one over the other, trust me, you need both!”

See Olson create effortless lived-in waves with a double waver and Marcel iron in just 10 minutes here.

 

 

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February 2, 2023

Bali Body Hydrating Sheet Mask

 Bali Body has just launched their newest product, a Hydrating Sheet Mask!

 

This serum drenched sheet mask is packed full of high potency actives & native Australian botanicals to hydrate, soothe, tighten & brighten your complexion.

Retailing for $9.95 for a single mask and $45.95 for a 5 pack, this product delivers advanced hydration in just 10 minutes. If you’re looking for the ultimate skin treatment that promises luminous, dewy results, this product is for you. Each mask is drenched in a concentrated serum containing key skincare ingredients that are proven to intensely hydrate & plump skin while targeting a number of skin conditions such as pigmentation, redness & congestion.

Key ingredients include:

  • Niacinamide: A form of vitamin B-3 that targets fine lines & wrinkles for a youthful appearance
  • Hyaluronic Acid: A water binding molecule that deeply hydrates skin, leaving it plump & refreshed
  • Kakadu Plum: A native Australian botanical known to be the richest source of pure vitamin C in the world

How to use it:

  • Remove sheet from pouch & apply to clean skin by carefully fitting it to your face. Leave on for 10-15 minutes.
  • Remove mask & massage remaining serum into your face, neck & décolletage. Allow the serum to fully absorb into the skin for maximum benefits.
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February 1, 2023

The Beauty Secret of Michelle Obama and Kate Middleton

It’s the beauty secret of the celebrities: Biotulin. Celebrated by the media as “Botox in the Bottle.” Now Biotulin is sweeping the World and is the most popular cosmetic product in 2022 and No. 1 on Amazon US.

International media report that Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle, Michelle Obama, Queen Letizia of Spain and Queen Maxim of the Netherlands also trust Biotulin as an herbal alternative to botulinum toxin.

Biotulin reduces wrinkles in just 1 hour. This has been proven through independent efficacy studies. Produced in Germany, Biotulin smoothes and tightens the skin with a plant-based formula. One of the main ingredients of Biotulin is spilanthol, a natural local anesthetic obtained from the extract of the plant Acmella Oleracea (paracress).

It reduces muscle contraction causing facial features to relax. Minor wrinkles, especially around the eyes and between the eyebrows, disappear.

Now it is reduced for a short time. 39% discount at Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TOGEGCY

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February 1, 2023

Sigma Beauty Launches First Collaboration with YouTube Makeup Mogul, An Knook

Sigma Beauty is proud to announce their first collaboration with YouTube makeup guru, An Knook, on a twenty-pigment eyeshadow palette. Carefully curated by Knook, the An Knook Pro Eyeshadow Palette merges Sigma Beauty’s beloved velvety eyeshadows and unmatched pigments with the artist’s signature bold style. Shades range from neutrals mattes (including Tan, Cottage and Cinnamon Roll), to cool toned pops of color (like Lana, 1992, and Knovos), metallic shimmers (named Gleam, Worthy, Adorn) and more.

“This is a palette you can use to create anything you want: a warm-toned or cool-toned smokey eye, halo eye look, cut crease, colorful look, you name it.” – An Knook

“An’s artistry is unmatched. She is undoubtedly one of the most talented makeup artists I’ve come across. Watching her makeup tutorials is like watching a masterpiece being created. It never disappoints and it always amazes me. I am so happy to be able to provide An with the opportunity to create her own palette in collaboration with Sigma Beauty and I cannot wait to recreate her amazing looks!” – Dr. Simone Xavier, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Sigma

The An Knook Pro Eyeshadow Palette is a part of Sigma’s Clean Beauty Program. Crafted from clean and safe ingredients, the formulas are completely free of harsh chemicals. The An Knook Pro Eyeshadow Palette retails for $65 and is available at www.SigmaBeauty.com.

About Sigma Beauty

Global beauty brand, Sigma Beauty, was founded in 2009 by Brazilian power couple Dr. Simone Xavier, a veterinarian and professor with a PhD in Molecular Biology, and her husband Rene Xavier Filho, a civil engineer. Striving to find solutions in the market, Simone and Rene utilized their backgrounds in science and engineering to create innovative and revolutionary makeup brushes, brush care accessories and makeup. They continue to do that to this day! In the 10+ years since its inception, Sigma Beauty has produced innovative and solution-oriented products, even producing the industry’s first-ever waterproof makeup brushes. Each Sigma Beauty brush comes with a free 2-year warranty and features multiple patents, from the exclusive SigmaTech® and Sigmax® fibers to the interlocking, double-threaded ferrule system that ensures longevity and unmatched quality.

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February 1, 2023

AS Beauty Diversifies Growing Portfolio with Acquisition of Bliss World

Since 2019 AS Beauty has successfully grown to become a thriving company of prestige color cosmetics brands. Today, its owned brand portfolio consists of Laura Geller Beauty, Julep Beauty, Mally Beauty, and Cover FX. Bliss World marks its first foray into skincare.

“The acquisition of Bliss marks the next phase of growth for AS Beauty,” says Ralph Azrak, Chief Operating Officer of AS Beauty. “Our approach to business development has allowed us to find exponential success in growing brands in the mass and traditional beauty space, and we are excited to use our resources and strategies to break into the skincare category and take this business to even greater heights.”

Founded in 2006 and relaunched in 2018, the Bliss World brand has seen strong reception and traction in drug and mass retailers – with over 30,000 retail points of distribution at Target, Walmart, CVS, and Walgreens. Over the years, it has stayed laser-focused on its mission to create clean, dermatologist-tested, and thoughtfully formulated products, and in 2021 became the first-ever skincare brand sold at mass and drug to receive B Corp Certification.

“It is very exciting for the Bliss brand to enter its next chapter of growth with AS Beauty, their operational excellence, and strong digital expertise will accelerate the brand growth and mission of making the Bliss brand accessible to all,” says Meri Baregamian, CEO of Bliss.

AS Beauty is excited to continue investing in and supporting Bliss‘ mission to drive innovation in the skincare industry. This acquisition is a milestone for AS Beauty, marking a pivot from color cosmetics to skincare and emerging brands as it continues to seek opportunities to diversify its portfolio.

For more information, please contact Sara Mitzner, VP of Brand Marketing at AS Beauty,  smitzner@asbeautyco.com

ABOUT AS BEAUTY: Based in New York, NY, AS Beauty is focused on developing global beauty brands that deliver real-world solutions to a diverse consumer base. Founded in 2019 by Alan and Joey Shamah, the original founders of elf Cosmetics, and Victor and Ralph Azrak, who previously ran and sold an apparel business, the company’s current portfolio consists of Laura Geller Beauty, Julep Beauty, Mally Beauty, and Cover FX What sets AS Beauty apart is its dedication to female-founded brands that tell a unique story while making the latest innovations accessible to all.

ABOUT BLISS WORLDBliss World is a B Corp Certified clean, cruelty-free, planet-friendly skincare brand on a mission to empower everyone to achieve a higher state of happy, one self-care moment at a time. Founded in 1996 with a single New York City spa that ignited a modern skincare revolution, Bliss continues to deliver efficacious, transformative products available at accessible prices in the U.S., UK and Canada. Bliss believes taking care of ourselves, each other and the environment is fundamental to achieving a higher state of happy. That’s why it guides everything we do.

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February 1, 2023

Sleep Gummies: Are They The Ultimate Solution For Sleepless Nights?

sleep gummies

Whether you have been struggling with a minor sleep problem, such as a sleep initiation problem, or a full-blown disorder, such as sleep apnea and insomnia, you know the frustration that comes with it.

When you visit a medical facility, they recommend that you take sleeping pills. While many people don’t have a problem taking the medications, some will, especially if their bodies react to the pills. If you are one of these people, you might be looking for an alternative, right?

Well, there is one—sleep gummies.

Sleep gummies are made from gelatin and are often sugar-based, making them easy and fun to take.

Unlike sleeping pills that require you to take them with water, these only require you to chew them.

How do they work?

Sleep gummies contain ingredients such as melatonin, herbs, or amino acids that aid in the promotion of sleep.

The body naturally produces melatonin, which regulates the sleep-wake cycle, so when you get extra melatonin from the gummies, you regulate the sleep cycle much better.

Some sleep gummies also contain herbs such as valerian root or chamomile, known for their calming effects. Others contain amino acids like tryptophan, which help produce serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with sleep regulation.

Essentially, sleep gummies’ ingredients interact with the body’s natural sleep systems to promote drowsiness and relaxation, resulting in faster and better sleep.

While sleep gummies are excellent at what they do, their effectiveness varies by individual and may only work for some. Always consult your doctor before you start taking them.

This is because gummies aren’t recommended for long-term use. While the gummies are highly effective for people suffering from jet lag, imbalanced sleeping schedules, and delayed sleep-wake cycles, avoid taking them as a long-term remedy for your sleeping problem.

This is because you might be masking a complex problem such as anxiety, sleep apnea, or even depression, which melatonin won’t fix.

When you visit a doctor before you use the gummies, they can diagnose the issue and find out whether the gummies will be a solution.

What should you consider when buying sleep gummies?

The right ingredients

Since you are looking for gummies that will make you sleep fast, you want those that contain the right ingredients. Some of the ingredients that you should look out for include:

Melatonin: This is a hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle. Ensure that the gummies you buy contain it.

Chamomile: It’s known for its calming abilities and is a popular remedy for insomnia.

Valerian root: Another herb that has a calming effect and has been used for centuries to promote good sleep.

Tryptophan: This amino acid has been shown to help produce serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in regulating sleep.

Lavender: A herb with a calming aroma, often used to promote relaxation and sleep.

You should carefully go through the ingredient list and dosage to ensure that the gummies you are looking to buy contain the right amount of active ingredients for your needs.

To ensure you don’t take more than you need, always consult an experienced healthcare provider to recommend the best amount of each ingredient you should take.

If you suffer from allergies, you should be ultra cautious and ensure that the gummies don’t have gluten, soy, tree nuts, or any other ingredient you might be allergic to.

Quality 

Are the gummies you are looking to buy of high quality? You need to consider this. For the best experience, go for quality gummies such as Troomy Sleep Gummies.

One way to tell that the gummies are quality is by buying those sold by a reputable company that has been around for a long time.

The other thing to check is the certifications. You must buy gummies certified by a reputable organization such as the USP (United States Pharmacopeia) or NSF international.

Medical conditions

As mentioned above, sleep gummies aren’t recommended for long-term use because a serious medical condition might be masking itself as a sleeping problem.

Before you start taking the gummies, always consult your healthcare provider, who will help you know about any medical condition you might be having and how it will affect the gummies you take.

Of course, you should always treat any underlying condition that might be preventing you from sleeping as well as you should instead of taking the gummies.

Best practices when using sleep gummies.

You need to consider several tips to get the most from the gummies. These tips include:

Consult a healthcare professional.

We can’t insist on this enough. Before you start taking the gummies, consult a medical professional, who will undertake a battery of tests and confirm that the gummies are safe for you.

As mentioned above, start taking the gummies only after treating any underlying medical conditions that might get in the way of your sleep.

Use the gummies as directed.

As much as they work, sleep gummies aren’t a replacement for good sleeping habits. Some people tend to misuse gummies. For example, some will consume them to relax after work. When you get tired, you shouldn’t take gummies. Instead, go to sleep.

Others will take the gummies to suppress pain. If you are experiencing pain, you might have a medical condition and should have it checked by a medical professional and fix it instead of trying to cover it with sleeping gummies.

To reap the most benefits from the gummies, read the instructions on how to properly use them and follow the instructions to the tee. You also should follow the recommended dosage and always stay within the recommended amount.

Store the gummies properly.

Like your medicines, store the gummies in a cool, dry place away from children. Although, you can move them to a better airtight container, if you don’t have the container, let them stay in their original packaging.

Ensure the area you store them is away from direct sunlight, which can cause them to degrade over time.

Parting shot

Sleep gummies are an excellent solution when you are suffering with a sleeping problem. Regardless of whether the sleeping problem is large or small, don’t just start taking the gummies—first consult a qualified medical professional and find out whether the gummies are ideal for you.

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January 31, 2023

3 Gift-Giving Mistakes To Avoid

https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-s-holds-brown-gift-box-842876/

Gift-giving is an important aspect of our social lives, and it can bring immense joy and happiness to both the giver and the recipient. However, finding the perfect gift for someone is often challenging. A survey conducted in 2022 showed that over 52% of people received gifts they had no use of. Others also admitted to receiving presents they never liked in the first place. The question, therefore, is, why does gift-giving often go wrong when the idea is to express love and appreciation? Here are four common reasons that could explain this.

  • Lack of understanding

One of the main reasons why people often get gift-giving wrong is an apparent lack of understanding. Knowing the other person’s preferences for an ideal gift is best, with their likes and dislikes being a great place to start. For example, if someone is an avid reader, they may not appreciate receiving a gift completely unrelated to books or reading. Instead, a gift closely related to their interests and hobbies is often ideal. Consider a book by their favorite author or a journal for taking notes in this case, which would be more appreciated.

  • Giving something too personal

While personalizing a gift can add a special touch, going too personal can sometimes backfire. For example, giving someone a piece of jewelry that has a personal significance to you, such as a family heirloom, can be awkward for the recipient if they are not close to you or do not share the same sentiment. This awkward feeling and moments can also happen when you present a personal gift to someone you recently started a new relationship with. In such cases, it is important to consider the recipient’s comfort level and relationship before giving a personal gift. In such instances, you can consider options such as French cologne, which can be more appropriate. The secret is to practice mindfulness even when buying gifts for another person. Remember that even though the act of giving a present is a noble one, it can be misinterpreted. Therefore, it is better to stay on the side of caution and self-awareness.

  • Inappropriate timing

Timing is crucial when it comes to gift-giving. A gift given at the wrong time can be seen as insensitive or thoughtless, regardless of the thought and effort that went into it. Giving someone a gift late, for a birthday or an anniversary can be seen as a sign of disinterest or forgetfulness. If you cannot give the gift on time, it’s always better to let the recipient know and explain the situation rather than wait and give it late. Another example is a surprise gift. While these can be pleasant, they can also be inappropriate if the timing is not right. For example, giving a gift to someone during a difficult time, like a breakup or a loss, can be interpreted as insensitive and thoughtless. The best thing to do is to wait until their bad moments are over. Also, workplace gifts can be wrongly timed and tricky to maneuver, as they can be viewed as an attempt to gain favor or preferential treatment. Due to this, it is best to avoid giving gifts to coworkers unless it is for a special occasion like a promotion or retirement.

 

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January 27, 2023

4 Ways to Improve Your Beauty Business

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Running a beauty business may be something that you have always dreamed of doing. Making your dream a reality and launching your business can be hugely rewarding. But, if you have been running your company for a while now, you may be looking for ways to progress it to the next level.

Knowing how to take your business a step further and achieve greater success can be challenging. You may be concerned that you won’t have enough time to dedicate to making success happen, and you might be unsure what to do next.

If you are searching for ways to improve your beauty business and to progress it to achieve even greater success, then you should find these tips help you to do just that:

1. Assess Your Current Position

Before you can move forward, it is an excellent idea to assess your current position. Establishing how your business is performing right now will give you a clear picture of how every area of your business is doing. Based on this knowledge, you should be able to easily spot areas that need improvement. This information will also enable you to identify aspects of your business that are performing really well. Knowing where your business’s strengths lie allows you to expand on these areas and make them even stronger.

Sometimes, taking a step back and reviewing your business’s current position can deliver surprising results. So, examining your business in more detail is definitely a task worth focusing on. The insights you gain will help you to make informed decisions.

2. Analyze Your Competitors

Understanding how your business is currently performing and assessing its areas of strength and weakness is essential. But, as well as examining your own company’s performance, it is also wise to check out the competition. Carrying out a competitor analysis will give you a clear idea of what your nearest competitors are offering clients, the services they provide, and how much they charge.

You are likely to get some very interesting insights when you begin analyzing your competitors. These insights can help you to consider alternative options for your business that you may not have thought about previously. You may notice that your competitors price their services very differently from your salon, and they may offer a wider choice of services. All of this knowledge will provide you with the information that you need to decide how you can better compete with other similar businesses in your area and ensure that customers choose your salon.

3. Introduce Automation

Automation has been a buzzword in the business world for a long time, and it shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. Automating aspects of your business can bring significant advantages, helping you to save both time and money. There are many aspects of a beauty business that can be automated, all of which have the potential to deliver impressive results.

One of the main benefits offered by automation is that it helps to make your business more organized. When you run a business of your own, anything that enables you to save time is helpful and will ease the mental load that you are experiencing. Introducing some time-saving automated processes is a great way to reduce the pressure on your time. Tasks such as scheduling employee rotas and monitoring timesheets can be made quick and simple when you introduce automated systems to handle these jobs on your behalf.

As well as helping to reduce the number of tasks that you need to manage, automation can also make life easier for your employees. Online booking systems can be a great help for your business if your employees are continually interrupted to answer the phone while treating clients. Online bookings are also a convenient option for your clients, as they have greater control over their appointments and can book at any time of the day or night. So, it is well worth exploring the potential benefits that automation can bring to every area of your business.

4. Increase Your Marketing Efforts

Increasing your marketing efforts is essential when you are looking for ways to improve your business and make it more successful. You may outsource your marketing to an external agency that can develop a marketing plan on your behalf. Alternatively, you may choose to focus on building your social media followers and reach your target market that way. Whichever option you choose, it is vital to make marketing a priority so that potential customers find your business and it achieves the success it deserves.

 

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January 26, 2023

A First-Time Model’s Guide To Preparing For A Photo Shoot

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When getting into modeling, those first few photo shoots can be key to making or breaking your career. It’s important to produce some top quality photos that can kick your portfolio off to a great start.

What are some important things to consider when preparing for your first shoot? This guide lists a few considerations.

Run through the photo shoot with the photographer

It’s useful to understand what the photo shoot will entail and where it will be held, so that you can adequately prepare. Make sure to bring up any questions you may have beforehand with the photographer or the person organizing the shoot. For example, should you do your hair a certain way? What time do you need to arrive? And do you need to bring any props?

Plan your hair and make-up

Your hair and make-up could be something worth thinking about in advance. Ideally, you should try to embrace a look that makes you feel confident. Think about the location and the time of the photo shoot – an outdoor evening shoot could benefit from a different hairstyle and makeup to a midday indoor shoot. If there isn’t already a stylist lined up for you, you could consider hiring your own make-up and hair service such as Corrie Elle Artistry so that you look amazing on the day. Alternatively, if you can’t afford this, consider practicing your own hair and makeup a day or two before to get the right look.

Don’t overlook your hands

Many new models ignore their hands. Even if you’re not planning to be a hand model, your hands may still be visible in the photos. Make sure that your nails are clean and evenly trimmed. You could consider getting your nails done before the shoot if you think it will help with the look. On top of making sure that your hands look good, think about the position. Dead hands are something you want to avoid in photos – this guide at Pure Wow explains more as to what to do with your hands in photos.

Practice your poses in front of the mirror

A great place to practice your poses is in front of a mirror. This can help you to work out where your best angles are, what your hands should be doing and whether you need to work on your posture. A good photographer can help you get into a better position, but ideally you want to be able to naturally get into the right poses. Just remember when practicing in front of the mirror that the image in a photo will be reversed.

Get a good night’s sleep

A good night’s sleep will help your skin to look radiant and will reduce the chance of dark lines under your eyes. Make sure that you don’t stay up too late the night before the shoot – you need your beauty sleep.

Relax

When we’re nervous, it can often show in our expression. Tense shoulders and deer-in-the-headlights eyes are things you want to avoid. Good preparation will help you to approach the photo shoot in a calm and collected manner. Try to clear your head of any negative thoughts before the photo shoot and remind yourself that you look good. This will help you to come across confident in your photos.

 

 

 

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January 25, 2023

What Are The Qualities Of Beautiful Skin

If you are keen to have more beautiful skin, then you’ll need to know what that actually means, and that is one of the trickier elements to all of this. The truth is that there are some qualities which you will probably consider particularly important when it comes to getting beautiful skin. In this post, we are going to go through what the main qualities of beautiful skin really are, and discuss how you might be able to go about making them come true for your own skin. This is bound to help you out a great deal.

Tight

One of the things that happen with age is that the skin gets looser. There’s nothing actually wrong with this, it’s just a natural process and part of getting older. But if you want to keep on looking beautiful and youthful, then you are probably going to want tighter skin, and that’s something that you can achieve in a number of ways. Most powerfully of all, you might want to use some skin tightening services to ensure that this is done effectively and professionally. That is going to lead you to much better skin in no time.

https://www.pexels.com/photo/crop-female-with-long-hair-and-mole-on-neck-6114308/

Smooth

Generally, we see beautiful skin as also having a smooth texture, lacking in too many bumps and imperfections. If you would like to have a smoother texture for your skin, especially for your face, then you’ll need to make sure you are keeping those imperfections at bay by cleansing the skin twice a day with your preferred products. That is really the main thing that you need to do here, and as long as you have done that you should find that your skin is already looking so much more beautiful. It’s amazing what a difference a simple thing like this can make.

Tone

This is related to smoothness, but it’s also its own quality too. The tone of your skin can best be thought of as the overall color that it has, taking into account any blotches or anything else of this nature that there might be. What you are probably hoping for is an even tone throughout the entire skin, or as even as possible, closer to your own natural pigmentation, whatever that might be. That is usually going to indicate much more youthful and healthier skin, so it’s something that you might want to aim for as best as you can by dealing with those issues.

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Moisture

Finally, youthful and beautiful skin is normally characterized by having a good amount of moisture. You need your skin to remain supple and flexible, and this is how you achieve that. If you think that your skin could have more moisture, then it’s probably a case of simply drinking more water and using moisturizer daily as well. If you can do that, it’s going to be all you need to do in order to have much more supple skin, and therefore much more beautiful skin as well, so that is something to bear in mind.

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