I've been wanting to get on board with the BB and CC Cream trend, but I have to admit that I've been having a hard time buying into the hype. When BB creams first came on the market, everyone was buzzing about them. I've tried a few and while they've been fine, they kind of felt like glorified tinted moisturizers that I saw no real benefit from. With most BB creams, I needed to wear foundation on top of them to achieve full coverage. I just didn't see the point in straying from my beloved moisturizers. Then came CC Creams, which was kind of confusing because many of us wondered, what’s the difference? Before I tell you about my new obsession with a product that really has made it's own little spot in the makeup world, here's the rundown: BB stands for blemish balm. It was meant to be an all-in-one product to cover you with moisturizer, primer, SPF, foundation, and serum. For me, most felt like tinted moisturizers. BB’s provided me with little to no coverage. The CC in CC creams stands for color and/or complexion correcting. A CC is pretty much a BB, but with better skin care benefits and coverage. CC's have a matte texture, so they work well as a base and look great standing alone. I was super confused when BB's started being shown up by CC's, but after trying a handful of different products, Pur Minerals CC wins the BB-CC Challenge as far as I’m concerned. Pur Minerals CC Cream lives up to everything I was hoping for and felt like we were being promised in a cream! Its light weight mousse-like formula gives great coverage, takes care of minor imperfections, is SPF 40, and has skin care benefits! I have pretty fair skin and unlike a tinted moisturizer, Pur Mineral's CC Cream Light blended really well with my skin tone and gave some great coverage … almost full coverage. So much so really, I wore it on TV with no other face makeup. That's the real test when it comes to complexion correction and coverage. I felt confident enough with my complexion that I didn't even bother with foundation for a TV appearance! It's that good! It comes in 4 different shades, light, medium, tan, and dark. I’m very fair, light was perfect for me. For many women, I know the wear time of a product is super important. I’m not one who brings makeup to work and does any reapplying besides lips once I leave the house. It’s just not something I ever think about or feel necessary. The days I wore Pur Minerals CC Cream on its own for the day, I did notice needing a little refresher by the end of the work day. On the flip side, the days that I used a little powder to set it, I was good to go all day long and didn't need any touch ups. A little bit of powder to set is the best way to achieve a full day face without touch ups! The only thing I’m less than in love with is the packaging. While I love how clean and neat the packaging is, for me the tube pump isn't ideal. At the same time, when you love what’s inside, you don’t mind working for it a little. If you've been curious about CC Creams and whether or not this is a product to get on board with, I'd suggest trying Pur Minerals CC Cream before any others. Having tried so many that are out there, I can safely say no other CC Cream actually lived up to the C's (coverage, complexion correcting) like this one. Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! for more beauty reviews! 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

Two Everyday Heroes Translate their Inner Strength into their Outer Pow!

Sherona McFadden of Harleysville, PA and Keara Ramos-Coles of Greenlane, PA are two women who define what it means to be everyday heroes. Sherona is a wife, a mother of five children (two are affected by a disability and a serious medical condition), a friend, a working-woman, a singer/songwriter, and a community/church volunteer. Sherona emulates creative flare to the point where she seems to breathe it with every idea she speaks and song she writes. She is a natural visionary, but with much of her time spent caring for her family and/or living between frequent doctor appointments and hospital visits, Sherona struggles with a sense of zapped energy. She longs to reconnect with her keen sense of artistic allure when it comes to makeup, and shared with me that she is looking for some products/looks to reignite this flame. Keara is a wife, a mother of three children (all of which have a learning disability), a friend, a professional caregiver for the elderly and those affected by disability, and also volunteers in her church and community whenever she is able. Keara so poignantly shared her struggle, which so many caregivers face, with balancing taking care of her self vs. others. Her compassionate heart for others wins in weight, but with that she said, “I am now at a time in my life that as much as I love taking care of everyone else I am also learning that I have to find ways to take care of myself.” They’re inner strength and love has an overflowing glow, and I think that Keara hit a key note in understanding that it doesn’t have to be about choosing to care for someone else vs. yourself, but rather finding the delicate balance and boundaries to care for both. Keara further shared that she has come to this balance by “Placing God first and trusting Him with all I have.” It’s the spiritual aspect of beauty we so often forget, as it is this peace that has allowed her to rest assured that she doesn’t have to combat her struggles or that of others alone. There really is a beauty in peace. Harnessing the power of their wow factor during our self-created mini-caregiver retreat was no trouble at all! My awesome husband kindly took the children out for a swim while we started our evening with some good conversation, a homemade dinner, and quenched our thirst with water-enhanced Stur (of course)! We followed up dinner with hysterical laughter while striking the before shot poses. Boom! Then these gorgeous ladies took a seat to discuss what they wanted for their look. Sherona wanted to flesh out her creative nature with some bright colors on her already exotic-looking eyes, while Keara opted for an elegant glamour that she could recreate during her daily routine, more then just what she said, “Is my once a month dress up night.” Before applying their makeup both ladies cleansed their faces with Kaia’s 100% biodegradable juicy bamboo cleansing cloths. Keara commented, “Ooooh I LOVE the smell!” and Sherona joined, “and it feels so good on my skin…doesn’t dry me out.” I informed the girls that the cloths were also vitamin rich, packed with 8 purely plant-based essential oils, alcohol-free, sulfate-free, and awesome for so many other reasons. Next, I moisturized both ladies skin with Delivre. I decided that since I only tried it on myself I wanted to see if they felt the same as I did about it (Read: 5Products That Will Help You Transform and Revive.) Ding, Ding, Ding, just as I had felt in my last post, Delivre delivered! Sherona and Keara have dry patches on their skin too. Hydrating with water and using topical hydration like a moisturizer are imperative elements in maintaining the health of one of your most important, and definitely the largest organs in your body (yes it is an organ!), which also happens to be one of the primary defense systems of your body too…so treat it especially well. *Note: it is also essential to have a smooth base for the application of great looking makeup. Then I applied the makeup mediums to create the elegant and innovative look that each woman aspired to produce. As always, eyes first when applying makeup, so you can clean up the rest of the face later. For Sherona’s eyes (Creative/Innovative look), I used MAC’s Back to the Beach Collection Sweet & Punchy, TIGI’s Posh Quad, and Smashbox’s Nocturnal and Nude, e.l.f.’s super affordable liquid eyeliner, and I intertwined her lashes with Butter London’s Wink Jaded Jack with Kevyn Aucoin’s Rich Pitch Black The Curling Mascara. For Keara’s eyes (Elegant Glamor Look) I used AVEDA’s petal essence Ginger Root, TIGI’s Posh high density quad eyeshadow, and Smashbox’s Bark from their Studio Pop eye palette, e.l.f’s liquid liner, and Kevyn Aucoin’s Rich Pitch Black The Curling Mascara. Let me just add that I LOVE Kevyn’s Mascara, I have had countless people ask if I was wearing false lashes…that is how good we are talking! Finally, the rest of their resilient canvases were finished off using Mally’s Pro-Tricks correcting palette, the variance in Mally’s palette allowed me to create just the right combo to match each of their skin tones. I added a natural looking shimmer to their skin using e.l.f.’s baked blush peachy cheeky, and accentuated their cheek bones using MAC’s In the Groove collection: Mineralized blush duo, New vibe. For the lips I used AVEDA’s lip liner Plum Petals coated with their rehydrating lip glaze on Keara, and on Sherona I used AVEDA’s lip glaze by itself. Check out the final results and drop our awesome heroes a line of encouragement! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! for more beauty reviews! 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! Courtney on G+. *Disclosure

As a caregiver, both on the floor as a nurse who works 12-hour night shifts and a parent of children with special needs, I often don’t get the recommended hours of sleep. Yes, I’ve seen all the studies of just how bad lack of sleep is for you…and no I would not recommend skipping out on the Z’s if there is a choice on the matter, but the truth remains that it is part of my (and many other caregivers) unavoidable realty. Since this is the case, instead of stressing about it, I implement little things throughout my day to help revive my energy and keep my look lively. First, it’s part of my self-care routine. Secondly, I truly believe that it helps those I care for to know that they are in good hands. I mean do any of you really want a tired-looking stressed out nurse to walk into you or your loved one’s hospital room and say she is the one who’s going to take care of you for the next 12 hours? Not if we had the choice, right? I am not sure of many who would contend the ideal notion of wanting a nurse with a positive attitude, know-how, and a put together look that sends an unspoken message of trust.

5 Products That Will Help You Transform and Revive http://t.co/xeumiPGEaW

— A Girl's Gotta Spa! (@agirlsgottaspa) January 14, 2015

The saying goes, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” So, since I have recently been struggling with anemia and recovering from a painful injury, I thought it would be a neat opportunity to allow a personal picture story post for you as I got ready for work. Here is a peak at my paler then usual face (from lack of sun, sleep, and anemia), undone hair, and the five product lines I used to transform and revive. The last pic is a must see for the transformation! Step 1: Take a refreshing shower with Marc Anthony (pause, lol) sulfate-free Oil of Morocco Shampoo and Conditioner for some super workable soft hair. When you get out of your makeshift oasis, toss in a bit of his Argan oil treatment and then some volumizing mousse. I am very picky when it comes to my hair products, as I have plunged the pocket in the past and came up with less than satisfying results. However, I am happy to report that Marc’s line is healthy for your hair, fantastic feeling, and super-easy on the wallet. It’s hard to find this type of a triple threat! Step 2: Grab myself a cool glass of H2O to sip on while I get ready, and add a 10 second squeeze of water enhancer, Stur. I love that Stur has no calories and uses Stevia to sweeten. Besides the fact that I am hydrating, it allows me to throw back SEVEN energy giving, health-enhancing, essential vitamins. Stur meets the win-win category in my book! Tastes great too with your choice of six different flavors to yum it up with. Step 3: Moisturize! My skin is normally that beautiful Italian-olive tone and supple, but with my recent conditions it’s been pale and suffering from dry patches. Yeah, OK plus I’ve hit my mid-thirties too and can’t go on without it anyway. I used Delivre's daily nourishing moisturizer for my face and their hydrating lip balm for my puckers. Delivre delivered! It was thick, creamy and smooth, but not greasy. It was also just the right skin basis for an over-all smooth look.   Step 4: Be successful in achieving transformation by including your base and primers. They truly make a HUGE difference in the outcome. I used Mally’s pro-tricks correcting palette to hide the dark circles under my eyes, as well as some age spots on the side of my face (thank you Mally!) I also use and swear by Urban Decay’s Eye shadow primer potion, as well as their Naked Skin (my foundation base). Naked Skin fused with my skin as if it was my own, giving it a natural appearance while improving my skin tone. Let’s just say that Naked Skin is a totally appropriate name.

Step 5: Apply your makeup. A tip I learned from makeup artist, Ashley Smith, is to apply eye makeup first. That way you can clean up underneath later for a clean finished look. I used Mirabella’s eye shadow, as well as Urban Decay’s Moondust Zodiac and Intergalactic. For my lashes and liner, I used Rimmel London’s waterproof gel liner and ScandalEYEs flex mascara. Lastly, I brushed on L’Oreal Project Runway’s the Temptress’s blush/226. AND VOILA! As usual I LOVE to hear from my gals, so give me your feedback and share some tips on what you do to transform! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! for more beauty reviews! 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!Courtney on G+. *Disclosure

When Spry Living Magazine asked me if myself and two A Girl's Gotta Spa! bloggers would be interested in making over our moms, we didn't hesitate to say yes. Myself, Ashley and Hillary all participated in Spry Living's Take Year's Off Your Looks Instantly (web and print) story and Making Over Mom with tips. Each of our moms had challenges that prevented them from updating their look. My mom had hair loss/thinning hair, sagging skin, etc. all related to bariatric surgery she had two years ago. Ashley's mom has nerve damage and a disability when it comes to the use of her arm. Hillary's mom was nervous since losing all of her hair so long ago (but it has since grown back.) From skin care to hair care to makeup, here's the breakdown of the products used to transformed our moms. Paula (my mom): Thank you to Maureen Barnes, Katie Dietrich and George Serrano-Velez at Breathe Salon and Day Spa Hair: L'Oreal Professional Texture Expert Densite Thickening Primer Fine Hair Primer: Hard Candy Sheer Envy and on eyes Cover FX Anti-Age Smoothing Eye Primer Anti-aging products: Murad Sheer Lustre Moisture Broad Spectrum SPF 15, then Freeze 24-7 Instant Targeted Wrinkle Treatment, Anti-Aging Eye Serum, and ArcticLift Firming Neck Cream. Brows: Beauty Never Sleeps Bailey Cosmetics Ombre Camel eye shadow duo Foundation: a mix of 810 and 825 of CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation Concealer: Ben Nye Powder: itcosmetics Anti-Aging Radiance Pressed Illuminating Powder Blush: Beauty Never Sleeps Bailey Cosmetics Universal Blush Eye Shadow: MAC Paint Pot Chilled on Ice, Smashbox Photo Op Enhancing Eye Palette in Softbox and Mirabella Cosmetics Mascara: L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara Lips: MAC Boldly Bare lip pencil and mark Coral Fixation Clothes: JCPenney Read my mom's story: A New Look For A New Body Beth (Ashley's mom): Thank you to Maureen Barnes and David Van Guilder at Breathe Salon and Day Spa. Ashley did her mom's makeup for this makeover! Primer: Hard Candy Sheer Envy and on eyes Cover FX Anti-Age Smoothing Eye Primer Anti-aging products: Freeze 24-7 Instant Targeted Wrinkle Treatment, Anti-Aging Eye Serum, and ArcticLift Firming Neck Cream. Brows: Beauty Never Sleeps Bailey Cosmetics Ombre Camel eye shadow duo Foundation: 810 CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation mixed with MAC N30 Concealer: Ben Nye Powder: itcosmetics Anti-Aging Radiance Pressed Illuminating Powder Blush: MAC Bite of an Apple Eye Shadow: MAC Paint Pot Chilled on Ice, Smashbox Photo Op Enhancing Eye Palettes Smokebox and Softbox Mascara: Maybelline Mega Plush Eyeliner: Maybelline Line Express in Soft Black Highlighter: CoverGirl Champagne eye shadow Bronzer: Sephora Aruba Lips: MAC Boldly Bare lip pencil and Bare Escentuals Buxom in Sugar Clothes and accessories: JCPenney Read Beth's story: Pain-Free Beauty Sue (Hillary's Mom): Hair Color:  L'Oreal Feria Soft Black Hair Treatments & Styling: Joico K-Pak, Moroccan Oil, Rusk w8less plus Hairspray Face: Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream Lips: L'Oreal Rouge Absolut Lipstick in Creme de Maron Nails: Julep Freedom Top coat, China Glaze Keep Calm and Paint On mint Green Clothes: Willi Smith at TJMaxx Read Sue's story: From Comfy to Chic Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! for more beauty reviews! Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! *affiliate links

The latest multi-tasking wonder from beauty innovator Jamie Kern of IT Cosmetics, is a 4-in-1 anti-aging lipstick, balm, gloss and stain. Vitality Lip Flush 4-in-1 Anti-Aging Lipstick ($20). I love the look of a lip stain–so natural like you’ve just been eating berries. The downside to most lip stains is that they are very drying. IT Cosmetics has managed to overcome that problem by creating an all natural formula with ingredients like plum oil, cherry oil, shea butter, aloe, argan and jojoba to avoid DFLS (dry flaky lip syndrome). As if that’s not enough, there are some major anti-aging ingredients in here too. Vitamins A,C, E, Acai, Green and White Tea all work to protect and ward off free radicals, while minimizing the appearance of lip lines and wrinkles. Perfect for us over 40 women, count me in!   Je Ne Sais Quoi looks and feels like a clear balm, but it adapts to your natural lip color leaving behind a pretty sheer pink. A true “my lips but better,” shade, the stain + gloss appears effortless, natural and sexy. The color will vary depending upon the pigmentation in your lips. I have super pale lips so my color is a medium pink. It will appear lighter on those with more pigment to their lips. The texture has a glossy, smooth balm-like feel that glides across lips leaving behind a hydrating, shiny finish.  Even after the glossy finish wears off you’re left with a pretty flush for a few hours. Je Ne Sais Quoi feels like a balm, lasts like a stain and is shiny like a gloss–perfection! Try it for the  office or a with a simple cat eye for a sex kitten look a la Brigitte Bardot. Je Ne Sais Quoi for $20. There are two more shades of  Vitality Lip Flush 4-in-1 Anti-Aging Lipsticks; Love Story, a rich just-bitten pink and Pretty Woman, a sheer berry. The trio (includes Je Ne Sais Quoi) retails for $29.50 on QVC.com *Disclosure

Update: Miracle Skin Transformer has been discontinued. Our review of this product was done in 2013.

I am not someone who enjoys wearing foundation or face powder. All of the brands that I have tried...or that have been applied to my skin on shoots by professional makeup artists, have left me feeling like I had a veil of some kind on my face, which is not an enjoyable sensation.  

Even those foundations that have claimed to be invisible or weightless, still felt heavy to me. So unless it is a working situation like a photoshoot, TV or video shoot, I normally forgo any and all foundation, concealer and face powder. This is unfortunate because there are times when I would like to look a bit more polished than normal, but even then having a veil of foundation on my face is not worth it to me.  

I have tried a plethora of tinted moisturizers in the hopes that they would feel lighter on my skin but those have just ended up looking and feeling greasy, even the non-oily formulas.  

What I would really love is a product that is not as heavy as a foundation, has a matte finish, but does not make my skin look dry and is actually weightless, especially in the summer.  Well I now have a product that does all of the above and then some... For the last two weeks I have been wearing Miracle Skin Transformer with SPF 20 and this stuff is absolute genius.  

It's like an uber performing tinted moisturizer, but is actually called a Hydrating Tinted Skin Enhancer with UVA/UVB SPF 20. The Skin Enhancer has a great, velvety, matte texture.  It does not feel oily or greasy at all...in fact it felt like I had applied a very lightweight serum to my face.  In addition to feeling great, it performed magnificently.

The Miracle Skin Transformer covered my imperfections and evened out my skin tone.  My skin also looked and felt smoother and I loved that it still looked like skin and not skin plus a veil of makeup. Even though it leaves a matte finish and has a matte, velvety feel, it still manages to hydrate my skin and leave it looking radiant.  A HUGE added bonus is that it also contains SPF 20 so that while it's doing all that other stuff like making my skin look flawless while also hydrating and improving it, it's also protecting it from UVA/UVB rays.  

Oh and in case I forgot to mention, best of all...I can apply it with my fingertips and it literally takes about ten seconds max...talk about time saving.  I wore the Miracle Skin Transformer on a fourteen hour day move shoot as well as a twelve hour day commercial shoot and it definitely stood up to the test and kept right on performing. 

The Miracle Skin Transformer SPF 20 is touted as a 3-in-1 formula...meaning it hydrates, enhances and protects the skin, but I think it should just say "everything you have ever wanted or needed in your makeup and skincare in this one lovely tube"...okay now I know that would be a mouthful but it really does seem to do EVERYTHING.  

I'm not sure how founder Sarah McNamara managed to create a product that does so many amazing things for your skin simultaneously, while making you feel beautiful and comfortable in your own skin...I guess we will chalk it up to her being a miracle worker. 

Guest beauty post from Prime Beauty Blog Summer is in full swing and whether you're having a picnic in the park, watching a baseball game or splashing with the kids in the pool, you want your makeup to stay put and not end up dripping down your face. Lighten up your makeup routine for the summer months with these waterproof products: 1. Ditch your regular foundation and opt for a tinted moisturizer. A tinted moisturizer serves a dual purpose providing much needed moisture and sheer color. It looks and feels lighter on your skin and eliminates the need for a separate moisturizer saving time for summer fun! Make sure to choose a tinted moisturizer with at least a SPF of 15. My picks: Urban Decay Urban Defense, SPF 20($30) and FusionBeauty Prime Results ($40). If you're looking for for more coverage, Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturizer can't be beat! 2. Try waterproof eyeliner. There is nothing that can make your eyes pop and come alive like colored eyeliner. Make Up For Ever Aqua Liners ($23) come in 15 colors so you're sure to find a shade right for you. Aqua Liners are available in three finishes; Matte, Diamond and Iridescent. Go from a classic matte black cat eye look to a bright purple sparkling eye. These are completely waterproof and last through heat, humidity and a dip in the pool. They do NOT come off until you take them off. The stiff pointed tip applicator makes eye lining easy-peasy! 3. Use a waterproof mascara so you don't end up looking like Snookie. I like L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Waterproof Mascara for long length. Although I haven't personally tried the new Urban Decay Cannonball ($20), it's getting fantastic reviews--no more raccoon eyes. 4. Benefit Cheek Stains ($29) come in three smudge-proof, budge proof shades. I'm partial to the new Coral-ish Cha Cha Tint, (no surprise there), Posie Tint is a sweet pink and the original Benetint imparts a pretty natural red flush. The texture is a lightweight watery gel that gives yo time to blend. The packaging: a small jar with a brush applicator is the same for all three. Those who know me well know that I am a coral freak, however I really like the original Benetint for summer. It gives the cheeks such a nice natural glow--like you've playing beach volleyball/golf/tennis (insert your favorite sport here) in the sun. Pat several small dots along the cheekbone and blend with your fingers. These are supposed to be suitable for the lips too, but I find Benetint too thin for that. 5. A Waterproof Bronzer? You betcha! Although I don't particularly advocate a full face of makeup for the beach or pool, but if you're super pale like me or are watching your sun exposure, you may want to use a bronzer. Get the Bronzed Goddess look without the sun damage with Tarte Park Ave. Princess Matte Waterproof Bronzer ($29). This bronzer lives up to its claim, it truly is waterproof--I know I tested it in the shower! This is my favorite bronzer for fair skinned beauties like me so I was thrilled when they came out with a waterproof version last summer. For darker toned skin, Hourglass also makes a waterproof bronzer. 6. Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Cream Eyeshadow ($22.80). They last all day, absolutely do NOT crease and come in five gorgeous shades. My favorites are Beach Bronze, Moss, Seashell Pink, Slate and Shimmering Plum--oops that's all of them! Again, while you probably wouldn't apply a full face of makeup to go to the beach, but how about when you're baking in the sun at a neighborhood BBQ? Or cocktails at a sidewalk bar?  You may be melting in the heat, but your makeup will look fresh! 7. Stila Crush Lip and Cheek Stain ($24) these stains are fantastic! The texture is very thin, almost watery and they last and last. They come in 8 shades from the bronzy Coconut Crush to the bright Raspberry Crush. I love Mango or Raspberry, bright, summery shades that look great with a tan! My Summer Beauty 5 minute face--A good tinted moisturizer with SPF, Tarte Park Ave. Princess Waterproof Bronzer on the high planes of the face, (where the sun would normally hit), a touch of Benetint blush, Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Cream Eyeshadow in a neutral shades, Make Up For Ever Aqua Liner in a bright shade, Urban Decay Cannonball Waterproof Mascara & Stila Mango Crush Lip Stain. Now I'm prepared for summer heat, humidity and maybe getting throw in the pool!