Marissa's Pick of the Week - Pure Vitamin C

Freelancing for a wedding last week really opened my eyes to a truth I thought I wouldn't realize for at least another 4 years; I'm aging. We all are. Everyday. The whole day I thought the bridal party was my age. They were young and fun and radiant. Later that night I asked how old they were, and as it turned out, they were a few ears older than me. Smoking, having 3 kids, living an emotionally stressful life, staying up late, bad eating habits...all of those factors can be read on a woman's face. Women know that looking 25 is very different from 29 even though it's only a 4 year gap. At that moment I decided it was time to step up my skincare from basic prevention to early correction. Aging is inevitable and irreversible, but it can be slowed down, and it can be corrected.
After expressing my aging concerns, friend of mine who works for Kiehl's gave me a sample of their Dermatologist Solutions Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate ($56). I know you all probably think I'm crazy and don't need an extra-strength anti-wrinkle serum, and you're right. I don't. What drew me to this product was the continuous delivery of 10.5% Vitamin C, or L-Ascorbic Acid. Kiehl's was able to stabilize the highest dose of Vitamin C available without a dermatologist's prescription. Since my second pregnancy, I've been looking for a product that gave retinol results without the retinol. This Concentrate tested the same against retinol without the sensitivity and irritation. That means this is a safe anti-aging treatment for pregnant women.
So why would a 25 year old need this? Vitamin C (aside from correcting wrinkles) improves skin texture and radiance; my 2 main concerns. Since using this Line-Reducing Concentrate, I noticed a brighter, more youthful complexion. I look healthy and energized. I actually feel like I look my age.

Eye Serum

You can wear this serum day and night under a moisturizer. I suggest wearing a SPF of at least 15 on top of the Concentrate because of the rapid exfoliation taking place. There is also a formula available for the eye area, which I also love. Your eyes are where you see the first signs of aging, so I highly recommend the Dermatologist Solutions Line-Reducing Eye-Brightening Concentrate ($40) as well.

Beyonce Inspired B.B. Homemaker Makeup Tutorial

Here's my latest makeup tutorial based on one of Beyonce's looks in her "Why Don't You Love Me?" video. I have it on YouTube, but they disabled my audio due to licencing issues, so I had to replace the soundtrack with one of their pre-authorized songs. The Vimeo version has the original soundtrack; a tribute to Miss Eta James.


Beyonce Inspired B.B. Homemaker Tutorial from Marissa Rhoades on Vimeo.

Marissa's Pick of the Week - Lip Stain!

On my venture to buy makeup for my Drug Store Beauty Queen Tutorial, I found a precious gem. Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstain in Cherry Pop (Target.com, $6.49). I've tried department store stains like Benefit's Bene-Tint ($28), but I like this one better for 2 reasons; convenience and price point. To me it looks just like the product that costs $21 more, except instead of having a messy loose liquid, it's all contained in a little pen. The coverage is buildable, so you can keep coloring until your lips are as dark as you want it. It stays on all day. I've even slept with it on and my lips were still red the next morning. Color Sensational Lipstains are perfect for someone who doesn't like to reapply lipstick or gloss though out the day and wants a natural looking lip. I like to wear it with a moisturizing lip balm on top. Even Chapstick would work. Love it!
Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstain Demo: