Is this new lip product from IT Cosmetics a gimmick or does it really work? The product is called Blurred Lines Smooth Fill Gel-Crème Lipstick. This is the first ever actual lipstick formula from IT Cosmetics. It contains ingredients to improve the appearance of the lines in your lips. Upon application of the lipstick, your lip lines will be filled in and your lips will appear smooth thanks to the optical blurring ingredients. What a great anti-aging promise to those of us who need it! IT Cosmetics is known for the scientific technology used to create their line of cosmetics. Each product has ingredients that are beneficial to the area that it’s being applied. The Blurred Lines lipstick formula contains the following ingredients: collagen, peptides, hyaluronic spheres, shea butter, jojoba and grape seed extract. These are all good for hydration and have anti-aging properties. In addition, the lipstick has a built in primer. These lipsticks are designed to be worn day or night and to provide lasting lip color. The Blurred Lines lipstick retails for $24 at Ulta. It can also be purchased on QVC for discounted bundle pricing. I purchased this product in the colors Naturally Pretty and Perfect Nude, both of which are in the lighter shade range from nine available options. Ulta also carries an exclusive shade called It Girl, which is a bright red. The product glides easily onto the lips. It deposits a nice amount of semi-sheer lip color, which is buildable to an opaque and glossy color. I chose two of the lighter colors from this collection and imagine that some of the darker shades have more color pay off. The Verdict: In my opinion the Blurred Lines lipstick from IT Cosmetics is just an average shiny lipstick. Unfortunately, these did not live up to their name for me. I could still see the lines in my lips. I didn’t feel like the lines were filled in at all. In addition, the product wore off of my lips in an hour’s time. It’s possible that the darker colors may be longer lasting. I feel like there are many other lipsticks available on the market today that are superior to these. Sorry It Cosmetics! You have some of the best cosmetic products, but this one is more of a gimmick to me. Thanks to Stacie, a beauty and lifestyle blogger over at Makeup Obsessed Mom for providing this post while I'm on maternity leave! She writes reviews of beauty products and shares tidbits from her busy life as a mom to three college students. Stop by to see what she’s been trying out lately. Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!

Are you in search of a facial exfoliant that can tighten, brighten and smooth skin? More importantly, one with the least amount of ingredients - yet the most effective ones? Since I'm now in the mature skin category (that makes me feel old), my skin is in need of something that will exfoliate my skin while helping it to regain its youthful glow. I'm also a big believer in less is more, which is something you'll rarely find when reading product labels. So I was pleasantly surprised when I received SILK Therapeutics Silk Renewing Peel. The ONLY ingredients in this peel are: Water, silk, glycolic acid, lactic acid, and lemongrass essential oil. The end. Additionally, the silk in all SILK Therapeutics skin care products is real silk in liquid form. That's important to mention because most brands use hydrolyzed silk, sericin or silk powder, but these are actually silk waste byproducts or genetically altered proteins that don't render the same skin care benefits like pure silk does. Did I mention that this is a US brand and that their products are not tested on animals? That's just as important to me. The Silk Renewing Peel is considered an intense treatment that is for once a week use. The fragrance from the lemongrass essential oil is revitalizing and invigorating - I love it. The texture of this peel is a gel that isn't sticky or tacky. It comes with a small spatula to scoop the gel out with (you don't want your fingers introducing bacteria into the jar.) While the box says to use a dime size amount, I had to use a little bit more in order to cover my entire face and neck. Your skin will experience a tingling sensation with this peel, but it's not painful. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to patch test this product before applying it to your entire face (and don't worry - they have a no questions asked full refund policy should it be too much for you.) This skin renewing treatment should be left on the skin no longer than 10 minutes. For me, I found around 6 minutes to be good as the gel began to dry a little on my skin. Rinse off with water and pat dry (I used a wash cloth to make sure I removed all of the peel), then apply your serum, eye cream and moisturizer. I loved how utterly soft my skin felt after rinsing off the peel and how the glycolic acid dissolved the hardened oil in my clogged pores. The glow was apparent. I recommend doing this peel at night when you do your evening beauty routine, so that you get the max benefits while your skin is repairing itself while you sleep. Silk Therapeutics Professional Use Only products are launching in select spas across the country. The full skin care line is available for purchase online at www.silktherapeutics.com. Have you tried this peel yet, or other products from SILK? I'd love to hear your thoughts. Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! *Disclosure: Press sample

I love products; I love opening that new package, inhaling that "new product smell", putting it on my face or body and waiting impatiently to see the results offered! So I was very excited to receive a package of TULA products. It included the Purifying Face Cleanser, Hydrating Day and Night Cream, Revitalizing Eye Cream and Illuminating Face Serum. This I couldn't wait to try! We all know probiotics are beneficial bacteria that help to maintain the health of the intestinal tract and aid in digestion so why not  use it in skin care? For those of you who are new to TULA Probiotic Skincare, here's a little bit of information about the product: TULA was founded by Dr. Roshini Rajapaksa, a gastroenterologist who believes in nourishing the body both internally and externally. "Each product is infused with a probiotic complex, which contains yogurt; green tea; blueberry extracts; and vitamins A, C, and E. Fruit extracts are also incorporated into the line. With TULA, she's introducing a simple collection of products designed to bring that sense of balance to every woman's daily skin care routine." Whenever using new products besides my old faithful, I always use it for at least two weeks in order to see any results. Anything less than two weeks I don't believe you'll see much of a difference. And this time I also had my Mom use TULA so that I can have two comparisons. We both started using TULA on the same day and did so for almost two and a half weeks. The Purifying Face Cleanser ($25.00, 6.7 fl. oz.), is lightly scented and we both agree that it left our face smooth, soft and did not strip our skin leaving it feeling dry or tight. It does have a rich lather so you'll probably use no more than a dime size and that's enough to cleanse the face and neck. With the change in weather and drier air, I believe this cleanser is a must for these long winter months. After cleansing we used the Illuminating Face Serum ($75.00, 1.6 fl. oz.), and before using any serums I always warm it up a bit between my palms then apply on my face and neck in an upward motion. It feels rich and creamy without being oily and absorbs quickly into the skin. Two pumps are enough and we used it day and night. This serum is also scented, but did not bother either of us, although we can be sensitive to smells. My face did feel smoother and looked a bit more even toned. On my Mom I could see a difference; face spots were fading, her face looks even toned and less lined and her complexion overall looks fresh. I'm very impressed with this serum! Next, we would apply the Hydrating Day and Night Cream ( $49.00, 1.7 fl. oz.). It's an intense hydrator that helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and nourishes the skin. My Mom loves it! She said her skin doesn't feel dry in the middle of the day and she loves how soft her skin feels and how it looks. I did use this cream day and night and it does moisturize well and absorbs quickly. I like that even though it's a heavier cream (not oily), it doesn't "sit" on top of your face like some heavy creams do. I prefer using this product at night as during the day I like to use moisturizers that have SPF in it. If TULA can make this with SPF I would be sold! Lastly, we applied the Revitalizing Eye Cream ($49.00, 0.5 fl. oz.). It's rich, creamy without being oily and very hydrating for the eye are. We would gently pat around the eye area and wait for it to absorb before using any makeup. On me, I like the feel of it and aside from moisturizing well, did not see any reduction in fine lines or help with the occasional dark circles. My Mom's lines are improved and any dark circles or puffiness are hardly noticeable anymore. Overall I would say TULA would be perfect for someone who's skin is a bit more mature than mine (thirty something), as I did see some improvements on myself, but on my Mom it was dramatically noticeable. Her face looks nourished, smooth and toned. The products are luxurious and we both love that it did not irritate our skin, make it dry or cause breakouts. The cleanser and serum do have stronger smells than the other products, but this did not bother our sensitive noses and I love these two products. A little goes a long way with TULA products so they will last for a long time. Love that the creams and serum are easily absorbed with no oily residue and all of TULA products includes their signature probiotic technology  which features omega 3 and 6 essential fatty acids; rice proteins; vitamins A, C, and E; and fruit extracts. And best of all they do not contain mineral oil, petrolatum, phthalates, or parabens. TULA is available on www.qvc.com and for $49.00 you can get the sample kit with all four products to try. Happy indulging! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!

One of my favorite cruelty free makeup brands is IT Cosmetics. They also happen to make the most amazing makeup brushes that are incredibly soft (like swiping a cloud across your face.)  Their newest palette, CC+ Radiance, contains a color correcting powder, as well as a universal blush and bronzer to brighten skin. Each powder is aimed at improving the appearance of your skin tone - so not just concealing an uneven skin tone, but enhancing it in a very natural way. I don't know about you, but lately all of these conceal and contour how-to's out there seem to take beauty to an extreme. I'm really more about natural beauty and that's what I really love about this Radiance Palette. Looking at the CC+ Radiance Palette on their website, the blush looks to be a very light, pale pink. However, in person, it is more lively. I have fair to medium skin and the blush is not too bright, yet not too light. It's actually a very buildable color as well. I was able to lightly dust on color for day and then apply it a little more generously for night. The bronzer, despite looking dark in the photos, is really more subtle on my skin for a sun-kissed glow. For application I used their new Heavenly Luxe Wand Ball Brush and French Boutique Blush Brush. Both grab the powder and disperse it without it applying beyond its target. (I'm not a fan of brushes that blow powder all over your face, at all.) I use this palette daily and love the fact that it doesn't take a lot of the CC powder to make a difference on my skin. Plus it is very very light, so it doesn't appear cakey. Not to mention, there are days when I don't even need to use my regular concealer at all because this palette gets the job done. If I could ever get up the confidence to post a picture of myself without makeup, you would see that my skin doesn't look this good without the help of a palette like this! I'd love to hear from you if you've used it! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!  

I upgraded my beauty routine with Lancôme Visionnaire Blur as part of a sponsored post for Socialstars #PhotoPerfectSkin. All images and opinions are my own.

Large pores, skin imperfections, fine lines, wrinkles - these are just some of the things that come with age (thanks 40.) Throw in that I have combination skin and we're having a party! I'm always on the hunt to look younger (I wouldn't mind being carded, that would be considered success), minimize pores on my nose and chin and mattify the shine in my T-zone. Enter Lancôme Visionnaire Blur, their newest skin perfector. It's 1 minute add-on product to your beauty routine that will keep your face looking flawless for the rest of the day! This 1-minute blur literally blurs skin imperfections in a flash. While the formula provides 24-hour hydration, it is meant to be applied after your moisturizer and not in place of it. Proper hydration of your skin is vital in minimizing the appearance of wrinkles. Lancôme Visionnaire Blur is not a primer and doesn't have the consistency of one, although  it preps your skin for smooth makeup application. The texture is creamy, applies weightless and quickly absorbs into your skin. It's not greasy and doesn't leave a slick feeling on your skin. It does have a fragrance though and is scented like perfume (not heavily.) You only need a small amount of 1-minute blur to get instant results. Use it to target your most visible pores and unwanted lines and wrinkles with just a single application. I didn't apply it to my entire face, only to areas that I felt needed some extra help - like the line between my brows, some of my forehead (T-zone), crow's feet, under my eyes, nose and chin. So basically I didn't apply it from my cheekbones to my jawline and to parts of my forehead. What I loved is how quickly it made my skin look visibly smooth; from mattified the shiny areas of my skin to blurred wrinkles to taking the spotlight off my pores. The pores on my nose are larger than on my chin, so I'm very happy when they are not so noticeable. My hands are pretty wrinkled and I felt that closeup this image shows best how it blurs wrinkles. While I didn't need to re-apply it after my initial application in the morning, you can use it for touch-ups throughout the day should you need to. The oil-free formula not only minimizes imperfections instantly and overtime, but leaves your skin feeling smooth and hydrated. The bottom line? I've been using it for 3 weeks now and I love it! And because it works so effeciently, I don't mind adding another step to my beauty routine. Besides, it only take a minute! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!

If you are part of the sisterhood that is combination/oily skin, then you'll want to learn more about Eumora, a facial bar made of moor and HmA. For as far back as I can remember, my skin has never been gifted as "normal" and transitions from combination in the Fall/Winter to oily in the Spring/Summer. This means I am forever trying out skin care products that will help keep my skin in check. Eumora comes in a small box that contains 4 facial bars. The bars have no fragrance to them and they are the average size of a traditional facial bar. The bar is comprised of moor clay, an ingredient they call HmA (hydration microAlgae factor), olive oil, chamomile extract and glycerin.  Eumora is natural, vegan and cruelty free. However, it does contain wheat, so if you have a gluten sensitivity, ask your dermatologist before using. The ingredient label is very straightforward and the ingredients themselves are few (less is always better!) With my understanding of skin care, I could tell that this facial bar would not only absorb oil, dirt and impurities via the moor clay, but would also be replenished with moisture from the olive oil and glycerin, provide antiseptic qualities (read: aid in decreasing acne) due to the algae and soothe skin with the chamomile. A deeper look into the two main ingredients: Moor and HmA: HmA (Hydration microalgae factor) is formulated and derived from microalgae cultivated in the fresh water lakes. It includes a component that is similar to the structure of hyaluronate 3D mesh structure, which aids in moisture absorption. With a unique concentration of natural active ingredients, extracted from the essence of microalgae, it is an effective hydrating agent and why your skin won't feel stripped after using it. HmA doesn't irritate, so it is safe for sensitive skin. Moor is a rare form of nutrient-rich peat from Austria created by the gradual transformation of herbs, plants and flowers which have been permanently submerged under water or underground. Free from the decaying effects of oxygen and in the correct climatic and biological conditions, the plant matter undergoes a 'ripening' transformation process over thousands of years to produce a homogeneous dark substance called Moor. Moor is an antiseptic, which is why this facial bar is great for those who suffer from acne or the ocassional blemish,  it's detoxifying, an anti-inflammatory and hypoallergenic. To use Eumora, simply wet your face, work the bar into a lather in your hands and apply the lather to your face. Let the lather lie on your skin like you would a mask, for about 3 minutes and rinse. I noticed right away how clean my skin felt (without that completely stripped of moisture feeling) and how soft it was. While the Eumora website says you won't need a toner, serum or moisturizer when using the bar, I don't really buy into that because you always need a second method of hydration. Bars are meant to cleanse, and can hydrate, but not in the same way a moisturizer would. Regardless, you always need to cleanse your skin, and I do like how this facial bar was effective for my skin type. Despite the bar's small size, it seriously lasts a long time when stored properly (aka don't let it sit in water.) Only needing lather to get the job done, each Eumora bar lasts about 6 weeks+. While I have combination/oily skin, Eumora is good for all skin types and can be used as part of your morning and evening beauty routine. If you go to TryEumora.com, you can request a free product sample, just pay shipping and handling ($4.95.) For a limited time only, visitors who request the free trial will also have the ability to get a 30% discount off their first box ordered of Eumora Classic plus get free shipping. Have you tried this product? Let me know in the comments! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Shannon on G+

Aside from, "What is the perfect hair color for me?" the second most asked question is, "How do I prevent my hair color from fading?" While I was at Zotos Professional's headquarters, I had the opportunity for AGEbeautiful's Creative Director, Mike Petrizzi, to highlight my hair. I asked him to lend a few tips from how to prevent hair color fading to explaining the difference between permanent and demi permanent hair color. The AGEbeautiful hair color line and hair care products are available exclusively at Sally Beauty. Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Shannon on G+ *Disclosure

Marina Azizova, Director of Research and Development at Zotos Professional

If there is anything that I learned while in Darien, Connecticut recently visiting Zotos Professionals' headquarters, it's that the signs of aging are not just visible via your skin.

I had the opportunity to sit down with Marina Azizova, Director of Research and Development at Zotos Professional to talk about what happens to hair as we age and how their new AGEbeautiful home hair color and hair care collection helps to combat these signs of aging. Marina has been with Zotos for 15 years working with aerosol, hair color and as part of the hair care lead development of technology.

I asked Marina what the most exciting part of being a chemist at Zotos has been and she told me it was the technology of anti-aging hair care because it covers such a wide range of people. The biggest misconception, and it is often perpetuated by the beauty industry, is that anti-aging when it comes to hair, simply means combating gray hair. This isn't true.

Lipids in your hair is important (moisture, flexibility and shine) and as we age, we lose it. You may have noticed your hair getting drier, more brittle and of course, going gray. The reason your hair begins to gray is it loses melanin and without it, loses UV protection. Most of the signs of aging hair begins at age 30, however, in your 20's is when keratin production in your hair begins to decrease. By 40, sebum production decreases which lends to a dry scalp and dry hair and even visibly thinning hair. Now you may notice that your hair is dry, but your scalp is the opposite - super oily. This is because if your scalp was always normal to dry, it then becomes oily in your older years, but if your scalp was always oily, it becomes significantly drier as you age. Either way, the result is still the same despite your scalp being oily or dry in your 50's because hair becomes coarser as we age, making it virtually impossible for hair to absorb sebum and remain hydrated. Unfortunately, when hair is drier, it also doesn't move the same.

As I spoke with Marina, the lightbulb literally went off for me. I'm soon-to-be 40 and I've definitely noticed these things, yet NO ONE ever talks about this. I've never once seen a hair care commercial that addresses these issues and that's one of the main reasons I'm supportive of AGEbeautiful. AGEbeautiful hair color not only addresses wiry gray and gray hair, but dullness, dryness and thinning hair. It contains Melanin, Keratin Peptide, silk protein, and Vitamin E to replenish hair with the essential components that are lost with aging.

AGEbeautiful is available exclusively at Sally Beauty and is available in permanent and demi-permanent liquid hair color. They also have a full hair care line, as well.

What are some of the signs of aging you've noticed with your hair? Leave a comment and let me know!

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I recently had the opportunity to spend some time at Zotos Professional's headquarters to talk with their colorists and hairstylists. My focus during the visit was to learn more about the AGEbeautiful hair care line, which is the first salon quality, professional hair color intended for use at home. It's also the first hair color that targets the 5 signs of aging hair. Check out the video below of my interview with Christine from Zotos, as we talk about one hair myth and some of the signs of aging hair: Many thanks to Christine for taking the time to speak with me, and the whole Zotos Professional team. You can find AGEbeautiful anti-aging hair color exclusively at Sally Beauty. Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Shannon on G+