Best Self Tanners/Bronzers For Summer!

I was born naturally white and I refuse to sun tan. I normally use a self tanner on my legs during the summer months in order to add a little bit of a glow to my skin. Now, when it comes to self tanners there are a few things I look for in a bottle in order to get the most realistic "fake" tan possible! 

First, the self tanner cannot make me look orange, green or burnt brown.  Second, it cannot leave me streaks anywhere where applied, and third it has to not stain my clothes.  I also like the option of either having a self tanner give me a one day glow or a one to two week glow.  After searching the net, I decided on two products that I use year around. 

Scott Barnes Body Bling - $8.99 / $43.00 CDN

If I want a one day glow that makes me look like a lovely (but toned down) disco ball, I go with my Scott Barnes Body Bling in the color Platinum.  Platinum works well for individuals who have a pale complexion and need a glow that won't make them look fake.  I wore this body bling last week on my legs for a friends wedding and it made my legs look awesome!  Not only did it give my legs a slight lovely tan that still seemed realistic to the rest of my body, but it also gave it this amazing shimmery effect that glisten with the rays of the sun. If you are transparent to fairly white skinned, then platinum is the color for you.  If you actually have color on your skin, then the original formula might work better as it blends lovely with darker skin tones.  This body bling was pretty moisturizing and left my legs with an even tone color. I was very surprised at the results, easiness and effectiveness of the product. This washes off easily from your hands after applying it to your body. I know some self tanners stain your hands and with this product I had NO issues whatsoever. 

However a word of caution, this body bling does at times rub off on clothes. So make sure to only use this on exposed skin and stay away from wearing white until this fully dries.  If not, you might be left with streaks on your clothes.  Lastly, this comes off easily in the shower with no big fuss and didn't stain my tub in anyway. If you are looking for a nice self tanner with a bit of a bling, then this product is for you. 

Vita Liberata Self Tanning - $30.00 / $65.00 CDN

My skin is very pale and thin. So that means you see the veins on my legs, arms and chest if I am not covered up. Normally in warm weather this tends to be a "problem" especially when wearing black clothing against my white veiny body. On one of my online Sephora shopping "trips", I had the option of checkout with a free sample of Vita Liberata's tanning mousse in the color medium that came with a free mitt in a generous size bottle!  I figured based on the reviews, this might work for someone like me who suffered from the "Caspar syndrome!"

In order to get the best results for this product, you need to follow a few simple steps. First, I exfoliated my legs in the shower with my puff. I dried off and applied the product to the mitt. It comes out like a very dark mousse from the bottle and leaves a nice stain on your skin letting you know which areas you have applied it to and which areas still needed application. I applied this product on my legs in circular massaging motions as stated on the box. I covered the tops of feet and toes (don't forget those toes) my legs, knees and thighs. I applied it on both the front and back of my legs.  This product dried right away with NO smell.  It did not stain my sheets at night and my skin didn't feel grease, gritty, or dirty.  I could immediately see the tan slightly forming. There was no greenish or orange look that many self tanners leave behind.  When I woke up the next morning my legs looked they were either tanned by the sun or if I was naturally born that way. I was amazed for the first time, my veins were not as visible as they usually are and my tan looked even, not blotchy or streaky.   I will admit I didn't reapply it 2-3 times more because I had the product in the color medium and being so fair skin, I didn't want my legs to look so tanned while the rest of me was still white.  I don't think that would looking convincing or natural.   Nonetheless, the slight glow this left my legs was just amazing and natural!

If you are looking for a good self tanner to make your color last one to two weeks, then this is it! It comes in three colors: Fair, Medium and Dark.  You can pick one of these great self tanners up at your nearest Sephora!

So there you have it!  My review on how to get a lovely either one day or two week tan without damaging your skin with the harmful rays of the sun!  Let me know what self tanners you have tried and worked!

Here's my Youtube video review!

 

Keep Smiling!

Dayana

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Youtube Made Me Buy It Tag!

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So, in case you haven't heard,Youtube is dangerous!! Now a days, you can use Youtube for anything. From learning how to apply makeup, to unlocking your car if you locked the keys inside...literally. It also has become the best form of free advertisement for companies. If you want honest reviews on a beauty product and don't trust the company's take on it, (don't blame you) you can either log on to makeupalley.com or Youtube for true honest customer reviews.

I personally don't have cable in my house.  I do have ONE television in my house that I recently bought after going 14 years without.  However without cable, I don't get bombarded with advertisements on shit to buy (sorry to say it).  Nonetheless, with all that being said I also never know what is going on in the beauty world unless I spend all day googling Sephora or the net.  With Youtube, I have been able to hear about and "check out new products" without having to buy it myself or waste time in the store on crap items.  Youtube has allowed me (or shall I say companies) to be exposed to free advertisement by real people who are not are being paid to air their products on their channel.  Basically someone like me who talks about beauty products because I want to and not because someone offered me money to put it as a segment on my channel.  

I am going to be starting a "Youtube made me buy it" segment so that I can feature the products on my blog and Youtube channel that I probably would of never heard of and/or bought had Youtube not been around!  I am also going to mention the Youtubers who mentioned these products and influenced me into buy the item!

Colleen Rothschild Dual Action Cleansing Balm - $65.00 US

I heard about this cleansing balm from Nicole Guerriero last year in May, when she featured it on her channel.  She mentioned on how Colleen Rothschild had sent her this product and how amazing it was to literally remove all your makeup.  Nicole even showed a clip of herself using this product and how smoothly all the makeup wiped off.  I bought this right away and truly this has been my go to for removing all my makeup PLUS my waterpoof mascara with no hassle.  One of the best products I have ever invested in!  Thank you, Nicole!

Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette - $63.00 CDN

Before buying this palette, I googled Youtube to see what types of look one can do with this chocolate bar looking thing.  Needless to say I was amazed at the amount of people who had featured this product on their channel.  However it was one Youtuber MakeupbyAmarie who influenced me to buy it!  The main reason was because her physical features looked very much like mine.  Dark hair, dark eyes and light skin.  Based on that I figured if the colors worked well on her, then they for sure would look good on me.  I bought it right away and from then till now have not stopped sniffing it due to the amazing smell of chocolate that it gives off!  And also because the colors are fantastic, amazing pigmentation, blendable and long wearing!

Loreal Infallable Iced Latte

Tati from Glamlifeguru was the first person I ever heard talk about this beautiful eyeshadow!  I was so in love with it that I literally ran that week to my drugstore to go buy it.  However they were all completely out of stock and had no clue when they were receiving more in this shade.  So I had to order it online from Amazon.com and have it shipped to me in Canada.  I know, first world problems.  But still, when you see something this beautiful, you go for it.  This  color truly glides on beautifully and blends so well for being almost a cream/pressed product.

Tarte Rainforest After Dark Color Clay Eye & Cheek Palette - $62.00 CDN

I heard about this Tarte palette from Sephora. However I wasn't sure if it was for me.  Baliey B hooked me on this palette from the moment I first saw her review it.  So as soon as I googled Youtube and came across her channel I was sold.  Not only because of the amazing colors this palette has, but because you get six eyeshadows (matte and shimmer), one highlighter, one bronzer and a blush.  Baliey made an impressive review on this palette and how it was nicely compacted to offer everything you needed in one.  I have been in love with the product from the moment I bought it!  So worth the money!

Blank Canvas Cosmetics 

Themakeupchair by Sinead was the first person to introduce me to Blank Canvas Cosmetics makeup brushes.  I was googling Youtube in order to learn about highlighting and contouring when I came across her channel and saw the makeup brushes she was using.  I then saw another video posted by her talking about the brushes themselves.  I was so captivated by the quality of these brushes that I went to BCC website and bought their 15 piece set brush set without thinking it over twice!  Needless to say, I have never looked back and totally use their brushes everyday and recommend them to everyone!  This truly is the BEST "Youtube made me buy it" influence for me! 

Armani Eyes to Kill Mascara - $37.00 CDN

I have been watching Makeupbytiffanyd for the longest.  One of the products that she constantly mentions on her channel is the Armani Eyes to Kill Mascara that she always stated made her already long lashes even longer.  I have seen her use this mascara many times in many of her makeup videos and was so impressed by the results that I ordered one from Sephora.  I won't lie, this mascara has got to be the most expensive mascara I have EVER bought.  I normally buy drugstore mascara and mainly the L'oreal brand in this category.  However, something about this mascara truly caught my eye (no pun intended)!  I have to say, so far so good! (If you want to see my in-depth review on this mascara, look out for my youtube video on this coming soon!)   

Too Faced Semi Sweet Chocolate Bar Palette - $62.00 CDN

Another thing that Makeupbytiffanyd made me buy (and yes she really made me buy this one) was the Too Faced Semi Sweet Chocolate Bar Palette.  I was totally dead set against buying this because I had NO CLUE on how I was even going to use all the cool and warm tone shades in this palette. When I first saw this palette, it did nothing to attract me.  However after watching her use this Blueberry Swirl shade in a makeup tutorial; I was so blown away by her creativity and amazing (not circus looking) results that I ordered it right then and there.  I have been loving it ever since!

Beauty Blender - $26.00 CDN

If you don't know what a beauty blender is by now, then you need to run to Sephora, buy one and come back here so you can keep reading up on this magical tool!  I was one of those people who never heard of a beauty blender till Emilynoel83 featured this product in one of her videos.  After that, I was hooked.  Though this sponge may look like any other egg shaped sponge, but don't be fooled!  Nothing works like the original beauty blender in how it delivers and makes your makeup literally look flawless and magically!  This is the best item hands down to buy if you want that Instyle-magazine-flawless-finish-front-cover-like-foundation look! Though $26 might seem pricey for a sponge, but its worth every penny!!

Shiseido Facial Cotton - $11.00 CDN

I first heard about this cotton when Coffeebreakwithdani mentioned it on her channel.   She mentioned that this facial cotton literally felt like you were rubbing a newborn baby's butt on your face. Literally, she said that which really made me laugh out loud at the comment and the fact that a product could actually feel like that.  Nonetheless, I was so curious that I ordered it online and tried it out.  Oh my God, this thing literally feels like a newborn unicorn baby's butt!  It is one of the softest cottons facial pads I have ever used.  These facial pads also don't absorb so much water so you need less product which in return causes you to run out of your face toners and cleansers a lot slower! While yes you only get 120 pads for $11.00, however they truly are worth the price if you want to feel a unicorns baby butt on your face!

Colourpop I Heart This - $5.00 US

Coffeebreakwithdani also made me buy Colourpop eyeshadows and lippie.  I actually only own the 'I Heart This' eye-shadow and Skimpy lippie.  These two items are literally amazing in pigmentation and texture.  These shadows feel like a cream powder texture that glide on amazing on the eyes.  This color is so iridescent that it leaves your eyes with a sparkling glow!  The greatest thing is, that they are only $5.00 each item! Now that's a steal if you ever heard of one!

  Dior Diorshow Mazimizer Lash Primer - $35.00 CDN

Kandee Johnson is a makeup artist that has been around on youtube since like forever.  She was the first makeup Youtube Guru that I ever followed.  I loved watching her for years as she explained not only tips and tricks about makeup, but also about makeup products that were actually worth your money.  In one of her Sephora hauls she pulled on this Dior lash primer and I was hooked.  I bought this right away hoping that it would help my non waterproof and waterproof mascara stick.  Sure enough it did and truly now I can't go without lash primer. I know some people think its a waste of money, but since using this I haven't had any mascara smudge on me!

Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray - $36.00 CDN

Kandee Johnson was the first person to introduce me to setting sprays in general.  Prior to watching her video on setting sprays;  I already knew about primers, but never heard the words uttered "setting spray" until I watched her video on how to keep your makeup looking good all day.  The one she mentioned was called Model in a Bottle.  However I was not able to find that brand in Canada at that time.  So when googling setting sprays, UD all Nighter setting spray came up on Sephora and I bought it right away and never looked back!  While its not the one she mentioned, however she educated me on things I had never heard about but knew I needed in order to keep my makeup looking fresh, clean and still on my face as the night rolled around!

So there you have it!  All the stuff that Youtube made be buy!  Let me know what Youtube has made you buy in the comments down below!

Keep Smiling!

Dayana

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X-Ray Art!

Trio of Tulips - $21.99 / $134.99 US

Art.  The word itself defines so many things.  Art can be anything from a simple painting to makeup. Growing up in NYC, art is a big part of your life.  Its rare to hear of someone in NYC who's never been to a museum, art gallery, musical or Broadway play.  I have been to it all and just love it. One thing that always takes my breath away is wall art.  But just not any type of wall art, but actual pictures that I would consider statement pieces.  

I was recently contacted by Fulcrumgallery.com in regard to reviewing their product.  I was allowed to browse through their numerous section of wall art and decide on a piece that I felt was right for me.  A piece that not only spoke to my appreciate of art, but how it would also represent me as a beauty blogger.  If you read my blog, you will notice that I tend to favor companies that are not your everyday 'run of mill' in regard to beauty products.  I very much enjoy independent beauty companies because of their unique products and style.  So when I came across their x-ray art, I was completely sold because I had never seen something so exquisite and rare.  

X-ray art is basically an object that has been taken and x-rayed, colored in a bit and displayed.  What I love about this type of art, is how the x-ray is able to draw out all the finer points of the object.  In this case, I decided upon a trio of tulips portrait.  If you look closely, you can see how the x-ray was able to grasp the individuals petals of the flowers.  The inner bud of the tulip, and finally the silhouette of the veins of the leaves.  What spoke to me about this piece is just how unique and vibrant the colors in the portrait made the x-rayed images stand out.

This portrait came in a black 23 x 19 frame.  The glass is more of a plexi-glass which is ideal when its being shipped to you internationally.  The picture is tagged at the back with the name of the individual who framed it and with the name of the person who inspected it.  It comes with two silver plates which are useful for hanging, and the frame is of a very sturdy material.  It was shipped to me by Fed-Ex and packaged correctly to avoid damage.

The moment I showed this portrait to my family, everyone was wanting to display it in their room.  Of course I vetoed all their request/demands and proudly hung it in my master bedroom!  This picture has drawn much attention by everyone who has seen it so far, and to be honest I am completely amazed not only by the picture itself but the quality of the product.

Fulcrumgallery.com is currently having a 50% sale on ALL Their portraits and framing options from black, gold and silver frames, to canvas prints.  They also have thousands of other prints available if x-ray pictures are not your thing.  I am truly impressed by this company and plan to get another x-ray print to keep my bedroom wall looking like...well art!!

So there you have it!  My review on this awesome x-ray print!  Let me know if you have ever seen x-ray prints before and what you think of them!

Keep Smiling!

Dayana

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Perfect Palette Tag!

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Makeup palettes are awesome! Not only do you get more than one shade in each compact, but you get in many cases a mixture of satin, shimmer and matte shades to complement just about any skin tone and and eye color.  Moreover, the majority of makeup eyeshadow palettes are so versatile that you can create just about any look all year around. The greatest thing about makeup palettes is that you can find them in either warm tones, cool tones or a mixture of both! So in honor of these great palettes, I decided to jump on the bandwagon and do my own Perfect Palette Tag that was started on Youtube! Check out my Youtube video at the bottom of this page down below on this tag!!!

1. Best Packaging Palette!

Too Faced Semi Sweet Chocolate Bar Palette - $62.00 CDN

Hands down the best packaging I have seen so far is the Too Faced Semi Sweet Chocolate Bar Palette.  Not only is the palette shaped like a yummy milk chocolate bar but the palette itself literally smells like CHOCOLATE!! OMG it's to die for.  It has a mix of cool and warm tones shades plus shimmer and matte shadows.  Moreover, the packaging is very sturdy and great to travel with in order to keep all your shadows in perfect shape without breaking!

2. Best Color Payoff Palette!

Too Faced Boudoir Eyes Soft & Sexy Shadow Palette - $46.00 CDN

I just love Too Faced.  I really do.  What I love most about them is their ability to create amazing quality good shadows.  The Boudoir eyeshadow palette has one of the best color payoff's I have ever seen.  This palette comes with nine shadows that are a mix of stain, shimmer and matte.  The colors are gorgeous, vibrant and standout on their own.  When I wear these on my eyes, it literally looks like the most beautiful mixture of colors I have ever seen.  These shadows can be used for a day or night time look that will flatter just about if not all eye colors and skin tones.  The colors never dulls or fade throughout the day and truly keep their hues all day long.  Grant it, I ALWAYS wear eyeshadow with primer. Nonetheless whenever I wear these shades, someone always compliments me on these shadows.  

3. Most Versatile Palette!

IT Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Palette - $42.00 US

What I love about this palette, is that it not only has some of the most beautiful matte colors you will ever see, but it also has some cool and warm tones as well.  Moreover if you feel like you need a little shimmer in your life, it comes with a transforming shade that you can apply over or mix with any of the matte shades in order to give it a pearl like sheen and glow!  This palette has little to absolutely no fall out and the color pay off is just amazing for being a matte palette.  The colors do not come across chalky but more like a lovely stain but in a matte finish!  Truly one of the most amazing palettes I have ever used!  

4. Best Travelling Palette!

Tarte Rainforest After Dark Palette - $46.00 CDN

This palette is amazing for travel because not only do you get six eyeshadows that are matte and shimmery to play with, but you also get in this palette a blush, highlighter and bronzer all in one compact.  Moreover this palette is about the size of your palm (or at least mine) and is rounded with a great large mirror.  This palette covers all your needs in one and is truly prefect for traveling without having to carry so many other compacts and palettes to  make your face up with! Finally this compact is so sturdy that you can fit in your travel bag and not worry about the shadows breaking! 

5. Biggest Regret Palette!

Physician Formula Shimmer Stripes Classic Nude Palette - $15.49 CDN

Sadly I really wanted to like this with its cute ribbon and all.  However that didn't happen.  Not only was this impossible to blend, but the color would not come off the pan.  It literally seems like it had a wax coating on top that did not allow for a large majority of the shadows to be picked up by my makeup brushes.  This did not fair well on my eyes either.  For the shadows that I was able to pick up and apply on my lids, you could hardly see them and due to the lack of ability to blend; it just looked gross and nasty all around. I have not bought a single thing for Physicians Formula since then.  Maybe I'm wrong about the company.  Who knows at this point but I am not willing to spend money again on something that might have the same quality issue. 

6. Best Color Names Palette!

IT Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Celebration Palette 

I love this palette because of the awesome names!  Sadly this palette was limited edition last year for the holidays.  I was able to buy it right before it went out of production.  The shades in this palette were basically named after the holidays with names like warm wishes, sugar plum, starry night, hot cocoa and snow angel to name a few.  Moreover not only are the color names so cute in this palette, but just like the originally IT Cosmetic palette; it has some amazing matte shades that leave you with an amazing sheen to your eye.  This palette can be worn all year long and also has a transforming shade to add shimmer and a stain finish to any color in the palette if you want to spice it up a bit!    

7. Least Used Palette!

Lise Watier Quatuor Feline 

I fell in love with this palette the moment I laid eyes on it.  It came out last year in the fall as part of Lise Watier limited Fall collection.  However since last year when I bought it, I have used it all of ONE time in seven months.  It has some of the prettiest colors I have ever seen for a palette.  The colors blend well, apply beautifully on the eyes and have little to no fall out.  Yet with all that being said, I hardly if ever reach for it let alone remember it.  I plan to keep it regardless because of its great attributes and the fact that it wasn't cheap.  Hopefully one day I get inspired to try it out again based on the amount of money I paid for it! 

8. Most Used, Most Loved, Desert Island Palette!

Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette - $62.00 CDN

If I was every stuck on a desert island there would be a few things I bring with me besides food and water.  Sunblock, lip balm, Paula's Choice face wash, BHA and finally this eyeshadow palette.  From the moment I bought this eyeshadow palette I have not put it down.  I will probably end up hitting pan on a few of these shadows before the year is up.  I mean can you blame me?  Every time I open up my makeup drawer, the smell of chocolate captivities me and I have no choice BUT to use it!  Well played Too Faced....well played!!  This palette has a mixture of shimmer and matte shades that blend well, have little to no fall out and have a color pay off like you would not believe.  This palette also comes in a sturdy case that be useful when traveling to protect the shadows from damage.  The range of colors allows you to do anything for a no makeup makeup look to a full blown out night time cat eye look.  Best part of it all, is that it seems like chocolate!!  If you only had $62 bucks to spend, I would say blow it on this! Everything you want in an eyeshadow palette and more!!   

Well there you have it!  My Perfect Palette Tag!  Let me know what eyeshadow palettes you love and hate!

Keep Smiling!

Dayana

FTC:  All products were bought by me and no I was not paid to give my opinion on anything!

Here is my Youtube Video!

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Paula's Choice Resist 25% Vitamin C Spot Treatment

Paula's Choice Resist 25% Vitamin C Spot Treatment - $55.00 US

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Hello everyone! I am back! Took me awhile to get it together after having my fourth and yes final baby but I am here!  So needless to say I have missed blogging about all the awesome stuff out in the beauty world.  Nonetheless, though I was out taking care of my three week old newborn, that doesn't mean I wasn't busy trying out beauty products!

So about a few months ago, Paula's Choice came out with an exciting new product that is a concentrated 25% Vitamin C spot treatment to help deal with stubborn dark spots, deep wrinkles and red lines on your face.  I normally use their Resist C15 Super Booster everyday (morning and night) to help to even out my skin tone, reduce the color of dark spots, redness and wrinkles.  Vitamin C works amazingly to reduce brown/dark spots on the face.  However with that being said, any product you use to reduce dark spots, sun spots and so on, you need a SPF 30 or higher UVA/UVA protection to use throughout the day.  If not, then your spots will not go away and only get worse as the sun rays are known to affect and exacerbate the problem.  

I noticed when I was pregnant; for every pimple that came and went, it always left behind a dark spot. So when this product launched I was eager to try it to see if it could tackle those nasty "connect the dots" I had on my face.  Now with all that being said, I will admit, when I saw the price tag on this product I did back up a bit.  Its pretty steep at $55 for a 15 ml tube.  Nonetheless I read that it had amazing reviews by so many people who had tried it out and saw real results.  So I bite my lip and bought it.

This comes in a squeeze out tube that pretty easy to use.  Though the tube looks small, you can get about 70 applications from it according to the PC website.  The cream is white and does not contain any odor.  The trick about this spot treatment is that you are suppose to apply it as your LAST skincare routine product.  You are also NOT suppose to rub it on but dab it.  If you rub it on or apply anything else over it, it will pill on you.  So fair warning.  Also, a little goes a long way.  Adding massive amounts to one area will not give you better results.  The package states to clearly only use a pea size amount.  For some of my dark spots, I sometimes need even less then that.  Another thing to keep in mind, is that you are only suppose to use this at night.  If you use this during the day and apply makeup over it, you probably will cause it to pill.  And at $55 a tube, you really want to make sure this lasts and works.  So follow the instructions carefully if you want to see adequate results.

I started using this product the moment it arrived to my house.  I noticed that on my right hand side was the only place I had dark spots which is weird cause I sleep on my left hand side so you would think pimples would form there.  But no, no its only on my right.   After going through my whole skincare routine for the night, I pulled this puppy out, said a prayer (for my bank account) and hoped for the best.  I applied this spot treatment on my dark spots for two weeks straight every night.  by the time week one rolled around, I saw the spots had faded greatly.  By the time week two came to a close, all my spots except for two on my forehead were completely gone.  I had in total about seven dark spots on my cheek, chin and forehead.  So five out of seven spots gone isn't bad in two weeks.  My forehead ones took a lot longer and about a month in they finally faded away back to my natural pale white skin color.  

While this product is pricey, but honestly this is literally worth every penny (or $55 dollars to be exact).  I have never tried a spot treatment where I have seen results in such a quick turnaround time.  I did read on line that for some people it didn't work.  Yet for many failed reviews that I read, I noticed that many didn't follow the instructions which were as stated to apply as your LAST skincare routine product, don't rub on and don't wear during the day only at night.  I guess since I followed these instructions to the letter it worked well for me and then some!

I would highly recommend this product if you are in the market for a spot treatment that works!

Lastly as a bonus, if you decide to buy this product from Paula's Choice or ANY product off her website; if you use my referral link you will get $10 dollars off anything you buy over $15.00.  Also, right now PC is having a 15% off sale on ALL her products.  So click on the link here to get this amazing deal!! Trust me this spot treatment or any of her products are worth the deal!

Keep Smiling!

Dayana!

FTC: Sorry, this product was bought by me.  All opinions are my own.  No one paid me for this. :(

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