If you’re looking to enhance your skin's natural glow this Summer, we’ve tapped spa experts for insider advice! And no, it’s not your typical “wear sunscreen” type of advice – but 14 little-known tips beyond the norm! Consider Gravity: “Apply your facial products to the back of the neck all the way up your hairline,” says Melissa Miller, lead esthetician at Well & Being Spa at The Four Seasons Resort & Club Dallas at Las Colinas. “Gravity affects that area too, especially with hair up and sun exposure breaking down collagen and elastin. Applying products to the back side of the neck will help prevent sagging in the front and should be treated as an extension of that area." DIY Brightening: Alina Cimpoeru, lead esthetician at The Guerlain Spa at The Plaza Hotel, recommends a DIY mask once a week for skin that glows brighter than the sun. Simply put few slices of pumpkin in a food processor, add cinnamon and 2 spoons of yogurt and honey. After exfoliating, apply the mask and cover the eyes with cold green tea bags (to reduce puffiness) for 20 minutes. Remove the mask with a warm, damp towel. Rind Hydration:For ultimate hydration, rub the wet side of a watermelon rind on the face, says Albert Cruz, spa manager of eforea spa at Hilton Aruba Caribbean Beach Resort & Casino. Because of its high water content and lycopene, watermelon is highly moisturizing and rich in antioxidants and minerals, resulting in reduced inflammation from the sun. Extend A Tan: “To extend your summer tan, incorporate raw carrots into your snack routine,” says Nicole Courrau, spa manager of Sibö Rainforest, Spa & Retreat at Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort. “Carrots contain a very potent antioxidant called carotene that promotes the coloration of the skin, and when you have several servings in your diet, it warms up your natural skin tone to help your tan last longer.” Summer’s Mist: “Keep a hydrating mist in the refrigerator overnight and pop it in your purse in the morning for refreshed skin all day long,” says Meagan Bowers, lead esthetician at Well & Being Spa at The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. Misting the skin throughout the day will cool it off and balance nature’s harsh elements by keeping it quenched and calm.” Bikini Body Scrub: The Finger Lakes based Rasa Spa recommends reducing cellulite with an at-home body scrub using olive oil, ground coffee, sugar, and fresh lemon rind. The combination invigorates the circulatory system and encourages cellular turnover, decreasing the formation of cellulite while simultaneously tightening and shrinking blood vessels. Soft Lips: “For sunburnt or chapped lips in the summer, mixing sugar with honey is a great moisturizer that helps heal them quickly, “ says César Sánchez, spa manager for Kuö Spa at Costa Rica Marriott Hotel San Jose. Mix two teaspoons of sugar with one teaspoon of honey and rub the paste gently on the face and lips to loosen the dead skin cells. Let it sit for a few minutes and then wash off with lukewarm water. Stone Service: The spa team at Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo’s new Spa Metropole by Givenchy recommends applying eye cream with a jade stone. An ancient beauty ritual, jade is known to drain toxins from the body and increase blood circulation, leaving skin looking and feeling sunny and refreshed. Sunburn Healer: Make a homemade yogurt face mask to heal sunburned, damaged skin faster, recommends David Oves, spa manager at The Spa at Conrad Miami. Place a thin layer of plain yogurt on the affected area (body or face) as a mask. Leave on the skin until the pain subsides and skin feels cooler. When ready, rinse off for 5 to 10 minutes with cold to lukewarm water. Spa Day Hack: When spending an afternoon at the spa, avoid stronger peels during the summer months (i.e. chemical peels, microdermabrasion, etc.) says Zaharenia Victoros, lead esthetician at The Sisley Spa at The Carlyle Hotel, as they can accentuate the pigmentation guests are trying to treat. Instead, opt for gentler and more indulgent facial services during the summer season. Embrace Oils: A cleansing oil is a pampering, luxurious self-care treatment that also removes makeup, summertime sweat and debris from the skin, says Megan Linney, spa director at The Spa at Red Rock by Well & Being.  After applying an oil to the face and neck, follow with a more traditional cleanser for clean and healthy skin. Cool Irritated Skin: For travelers who have spent too much time in the Key West sun, the spa team at Casa Marina and The Reach’s Spa Al Mare recommends submerging a washcloth into a water bowl with lavender or peppermint essential oils, tightly rolling and freezing for two hours. Hold washcloth on sunburned areas and back of neck to bring body temperature down and relieve skin. Follow by liberally applying coconut oil. Fresh Water “Refresh”: One of the most important things to do after sunbathing is to rinse your body with fresh water to remove salt and/or chlorine from the skin, says Frank Garcia, spa director at Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach, as these two elements will dry the skin quickly. Stop the Clock: Jamaica’s Jewel Resort Radiant Spa resident wellness expert Sienna Creasy recommends taking advantage of her favorite island ingredient – the coconut – to fight signs of aging caused by the sun. Take the jelly from a whole green coconut and blend with natural plain yogurt. Once the mask firms up, apply directly to skin for a soothing effect. The yogurt’s lactic acid gently exfoliates the skin, reversing damage and fine lines. 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!

I recently visited Morzine, France for a week of skiing aka falling in the snow (as I am still extremely amateur.) For those of you who have been on a ski trip, you will know that a week on the slopes is one of the most special types of trips. It involves good food and wine, great company with friends and family and whilst it is one of the most physical weeks in terms of exercise, it leaves you recharged in a different way. Perhaps it's the positive effect that open space and fresh air brings - an uplifted sense of well-being. In saying all this, a day on the slopes means your skin can be exposed to both the elements of the sun and snow. At the end of the day not only have your legs had a workout, but your skin is tired too! These are my top picks for what to pack to ensure your skin is looked after just as well as your chalet hosts look after you! IXXI Silky Cleansing Balm - Yes, your skin has had fresh air all day in the alps, but remember, you've been sweating and have most probably had a combination of sun, snow, sleet, wind, rain or all of the above against your face. Besides the warm tea and afternoon treats that were waiting in our chalet for us at the end of each day, using this cleanser was what I looked forward to most after a day on the slopes! Rich in consistency and full of essential oils to put the bling back into your skin, this product feels like you've bathed your face in milk. It has a comforting, soothing effect. Apply to a dry face, massaging gently as the gel transforms into oil. Leave on for a few minutes as you would a mask before rinsing off. When in contact with water this oil changes into a milky balm - it's the best feeling! The balm washes off easily, leaves no oily residue and removes makeup effectively. Containing almond and coconut oil, the cleanser leaves your skin nourished and also has anti-redness and anti-aging properties. What's more is that 90% of this products' ingredients are from natural origin. After cleansing, I lathered my face with IXXI Sublixime Anti-ageing Absolute. This is like liquid silk! A few drops of this oil is all that is needed to regenerate your skin. I applied this each evening and the pine extracts (derived from bark, pine seed oil and pine needles) ensure that you wake up with radiant, toned skin. The smell is divine - it has a sweet alpine smell, with hints of violet and jasmine, musk and orchid. Dry, chapped lips are never a good look and unfortunately the wind and dry air on the slopes mean that this nasty look is often highly probable. This is a beauty product that you will probably find in every Australian women's handbag and it's one that since living there I have wondered how I ever lived without it! Lucas’ Pawpaw ointment is made in Brisbane, Australia from fermented Australian pawpaw fruit and is one of those products that seems to work for everything - chapped lips, burns, cuts, rashes, you name it! It has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties and comes in a convenient tube. Pop this in your ski jacket and reapply every few hours to keep your lips plump and smooth. Just because your goggles cover your eyes during the day, doesn’t mean that they don’t need some attention. IXXI’s Eye Contour Treatment is cooling and ideal for night and day. A week of skiing, whilst the best of fun is also tiring, so a treatment that puts puffy eyes and dark circles at bay is always welcome. Creightons Argon Smooth Miracle Oil – my hair is often the first to show a change in climate and washing my hair every day and wearing a helmet on a ski trip can take its toll. After each wash, I applied a few pumps of Argan oil to damp hair to leave my hair smooth, frizz free and shiny. The smell of this oil is incredible, like a sweet perfume, which is very different to the dull smell of other hair oils I have used in the past. If you have any tips for perfect ski skin or any travel beauty essentials that you can’t leave home without, let me know! 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!

If you’ve reached the point where you have tried what feels like every possible skin care product under the sun and still aren’t seeing results – trust me I’ve been there! I know how frustrating it can be to be doing all the things you are told you should be doing for your skin – exercising, cleansing, toning, moisturising and eating healthily and still wanting to wear a balaclava every time you step out of the house... A few months ago, feeling absolutely helpless after experimenting with every trick in the book and still looking like I had a mild case of facial chickenpox, I decided to give organic skin care products a try. Goodness knows why I hadn’t given this a proper shot before, but I just thought that these products couldn’t possibly deliver all the blemish, blackhead and wrinkle-free promises that the conventional, big skin care brands rant and rave about. Oh, how wrong I was. My skin has noticeably cleared up and feels far softer and smoother than before. Some mass market beauty and skin care products can contain ingredients that are harvested with pesticides and other harmful chemicals, they can also contain ingredients that can irritate the skin. So, whilst we think we are doing our skin a world of good and caring for ourselves, we are in fact doing the opposite. Our skin is like a giant sponge, so anything put on it gets absorbed. The hundreds of chemicals (yes, hundreds) that are in the conventional products we use on a daily basis soak into the skin and directly into the bloodstream. I have heard people say that putting chemicals on ourselves can in fact be even worse than consuming them, because not only is your skin the largest organ in the body, but it is also the thinnest. So whatever goes on gets distributed within, whereas when chemicals are consumed we are given the chance to fight them as the enzymes in our saliva and stomach break them down somewhat. I'm not a scientist and don't know if this is true, but the idea of it made me cringe. Now before you start rolling your eyes and thinking so what, there’s more. The damage that these concoctions we put on our skin can cause are not just skin deep (see what I did there?) - these chemicals are also hormone disrupting. Long term exposure to chemicals often found in skin care (but also cleaning, hair care and makeup products) can elevate estrogen levels, which is linked to a variety of conditions like endometriosis, ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids and PCOS.– Without getting too technical on you, the endocrine system is a series of ductless glands that secrete hormones into the blood to regulate various body functions (adrenaline, insulin, etc). Endocrine disrupting chemicals are absorbed into the body and once in the blood stream they interfere with the natural production and action of naturally present hormones. So, whilst we are trying to do the best we can for our skin, the skin care we are using may actually be aggravating the situation by disrupting hormones. If all that is enough to make you want to rush to your nearest Whole Foods store and empty the shelves of the skin care aisle into your basket, there is one more thing to keep in mind – natural, organic and certified organic are not all the same thing. For a product to be considered organic, it needs to contain 70% organic ingredients. Although, that doesn't stop some brands from stating made using organic ingredients. Usually this means that potentially as little as one ingredient could be organic. And while a product could have 70% organic ingredients, the other 30% could be chemical laden. Certified organic on the other hand - now that’s what we want! Instead of stripping our skin of their natural oils and impacting our bodies’ natural hormonal functions, organic products have nutritional value – they nourish, repair, support and rejuvenate skin. Depending on the certifying body, this means that these products usually contain 95% organic ingredients with very strict regulations on the remaining 5% (unlike the previous 30%, which is completely unregulated.) It’s important to keep in mind, though, that the certification process can be very costly and often smaller skin care and beauty brands, which may in fact contain harmless, natural ingredients, do not have the budget for this. Seeing a certified organic logo on a product makes it an easy choice because you know all the ingredients are top notch, but you shouldn’t rule out other products that are natural or organic, that are not certified organic. What it comes down to is reading the label and understanding your ingredients while learning about the skin care brand that you are investing in. Because it is just that – an investment in not only your skin, but your health in general. So where do I start? The best thing to do of course would be a complete overhaul of your beauty cabinet, but this may be daunting, not to mention expensive. Why not decide to gradually replace your skin care range with certified organic products as and when you finish a product? Make sure that you are buying the real deal. Look out for the following logos on skin care products which are proof that the ingredients have been certified and meet all criteria to be truly certified organic (that is, at all stages of production ingredients have been grown without GMO's, synthetic pesticides or herbicides, antibiotics or hormones.) Remember that just because a product may not contain these logos, doesn’t mean it’s a no-go. Read the label and understand what you are putting on your skin. There are many natural brands out there that are completely safe. It all comes down to being equipped with the knowledge of understanding the label. Ingredients to stay away from: DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (monoethanolamine) and TEA (triethanolamine), parabens (although many people are still on the fence as to whether this is truly a bad thing or not), synthetic fragrances, to name a few. Try these certified organic skin care brands: Origins – these products pride themselves on being powered by nature and proven by science. Each year Origins tests 600 ingredients to make sure that only the most active ingredients are used. Antipodes – Certified organic and premium natural products featuring Vinanza antioxidants from New Zealand grown avocado oil, Manuka honey and superfruit. Neil’s Yard Remedies – These products are truly nourishing and visiting one of their stores is an experience in itself as shop assistants genuinely care about living a natural, organic life and are honest and transparent about what the products contain. Kora Organics by Miranda Kerr– Made with the purest premium Australian organic ingredients. I would love to hear about your favourite organic skincare products! 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!

With age comes a multitude of skin issues. Dry skin is one of them, both face and body. Now combine age-related skin issues with other environmental issues, and we've got a problem. Typically I would use a night cream, which is normally thicker than a day lotion and sans SPF, and that has worked out OK. But I didn't know what I was missing until I tried Travertine Spa's Marula Night Serum. Marula, is similiar to argan oil, but provides a much deeper level of hydration and protection of the skin. It has an abundance of vitamins and minerals, something mature skin desperately needs. (Being honest, I hate calling my skin mature. It makes me feel super old.) Travertine Spa's Marula Night Serum also contains certified organic hibiscus flowers (you actually see them floating in the serum), geranium and essential oils of nerouli and lavender. My experience, where to start? I've never used Marula oil before to be honest. I've used argan oil and never really strayed because it got the job done. I've known the owner of Travertine Spa for several years now and when I was talking to him about my skin issues, he told me that Marula would make a world of difference. I agreed to give it a try because he has never steered me wrong. The serum looks maroon in the bottle, but comes out clear. The first thing you notice is the fragrance. To say I am in love with the fragrance would be putting it mildly. I applied this serum at 11pm the first time and literally considered texting him right then to ask that he make me an oil I can put in my aromatherapy diffuser with the same scent. Lucky for him, I chose to wait until the next morning. The directions say to use 3 drops, but I found that one pump (a little more than pea-sized) was sufficient for my skin. I smoothed it over my entire face and neck. One night, after a week of using it, I remarked to myself after applying it how much better my skin looked. Almost like a few years have turned back. Not being comfortable with this whole aging thing, this was motivation enough for me to make sure I am consistently use it nightly. The serum is not greasy and quickly absorbs into the skin. Your skin will literally glow. All evidence of dry patches have disappeared. So much so, that I was able to wear my BareMinerals bareSkin Serum Foundation. If you are not familiar with that review, here's a quick summary - it looked great on my skin with the exception of magnifying dry patches of skin. Liquid foundation has never been my friend. However, after using Marula Night Serum for just few weeks, I was able to wear the foundation and SLAYED. Here's what you need to know - I review skin care products regularly. But when I start trying to figure out my budget so that I can purchase this when I run out and plot how I will also scoop some up for my mom (she mentioned she wanted it after hearing how much I loved it), you know that this is SOMETHING INCREDIBLE. Do your skin a favor and grab some for yourself. Girls, this will not disappoint! www.travertinespa.com Marula fans, let me hear your thoughts - leave a comment! 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!

In the skin department, Summer usually means oilier than normal skin for me. Which also means clogged pores, and at times, acne prone skin accompanied by dehydrated and irritated skin thanks to time spent in the sun and insane amounts of sunscreen. One of the best ways that I deal with summer skin issues is by relying pretty heavily on face masks.  For me, it's just easier to introduce face masks intended to treat my particular skin woes than to change my entire skincare routine; plus masks always makes an at-home facial feel incredibly indulgent. Two masks that I just recently discovered just in time for summer are the African Black Soap Clarifying Mud Mask and the Raw Shea Butter Hydrating Mud Mask from SheaMoisture.  Mud masks are great for oil absorption, pore-clearing and overall skin detoxification, combined with an ingredient like shea butter which is both hydrating and restorative, SheaMoisture Mud Masks are basically your best skincare weapon against summer skin issues. I love using the  Hydrating Mud Mask whenever my skin feels dry and dehydrated.  It leaves my skin feeling both moisturized and soothed.  The Clarifying Mud Mask is great for when my skin is clogged thanks to heat, humidity, sweat and sunscreen.  The Clarifying Mud Mask unclogs my pores and leaves my skin feeling smooth and refreshed. Using these masks on a weekly basis, depending on my skin needs, has enabled me to avoid irritated, clogged, oily, acne prone skin so far this summer! I love them! I'd love to know if you've tried them! Leave a comment! 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! Disclosure: press sample

If you're looking to get your skin Summer-ready, read on for tips from spas that give some skin advice you'll want to start using ASAP. Inflammation, Environmental Irritant Damage Tip: The wound healing herb, Calendula, is traditionally known to reduce inflammation and soothe irritation.  Create an at-home face mist, combine dried Calendula flowers and oats in a French press, letting it steep in boiled distilled water for 10 minutes.  Once cool, pour into spray bottle and spritz face liberally for soft and hydrated skin. – Barbara Close, Founder at Naturopathica Chelsea Healing Arts Center & Spa Treatment: Perfect for those ready to escape the urban city and head to the beach, the Bio-Energy Lift Facial treatment uses a combination of liquid microdermabrasion technology with advanced skincare formulas to re-energize and remineralize the skin by replenishing oxygen consumption while repairing and protecting the skin from free-radical damage and environmental irritants. Our favorite product to use at home: A Girl's Gotta Spa! Energizing Citrus Body Wash (ingredients include calendula, aloe and other plants.) Dull Complexion Expert Tip: “I love a good body scrub to eliminate the accumulation of dead skin cells and get that healthy glow in the summer. To maximize results, scrub with a body brush in circular movements then apply coco oil which provides deep hydration and promotes the removal of dead cells to brighten a dull complexion.” – Nicole Courrau, Spa Manager at Sibö Rainforest, Spa & Retreat – Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort Treatment: The Well-being Body Massage begins with a dry body brushing to remove dead skin, oxygenate outer layers of tissue and stimulate the lymphatic system. Native coconut oil is applied using flowing movements, soothing the body and renewing the skin with a relaxing massage. Our favorite product to use at home: A Girl's Gotta Spa! Energizing Citrus Salt Scrub Cellulite Tip: “Caffeine is to cellulite as Kryptonite is to Superman: its worst enemy. Recycle those coffee grounds and give yourself a daily scrub followed by a rich moisturizer to combat those lumps and bumps." Sharla Martin, Spa Director at The Windsor Court Hotel Treatment: Summer Regal Retreat - A detoxifying treatment that begins with dry brushing of the body to release toxins, followed by an invigorating full body coffee scrub and steam shower to slough all the unwanted dead skin from your body. The transformational effect finishes with a stimulating ginger oil massage and spine revitalizing mask. Our favorite product to use at home: Svelta Coffee Sugar Scrub  Premature aging, collagenases Tip: Banana- This powerful fruit isn’t just good for eating, but can also be used as a creamy face mask. Mash one banana up with a teaspoon of orange juice and a teaspoon of plain yogurt, and leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes. The vitamin A will help fade dark spots and blemishes, while vitamin B will prevent aging, and potassium will moisturize and hydrate skin cells. – Albert Cruz, Spa Manager at Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino’s eforea spa Treatment: The Age Defyer Facial uses powerful skin-illuminating botanicals, a multi-acid peel, brightening facial serum, and unique cooling masque; leaving skin lighter, brighter, and more refined. Our favorite product to use at home: We also love this DIY banana facial mask Brittle hair, dry scalp Tip: Whip an egg white thoroughly along with two tablespoons of lukewarm water. Apply the mixture to your damp hair and scalp and massage with your fingertips in a circular motion for 15 minutes. Then shampoo your hair with cool water. Do this once or twice a week, depending on the condition of your hair. – Albert Cruz, Spa Manager at Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino’s eforea spa Treatment: Discover true Caribbean relaxation with the spa’s 110-minute Relax & Reflect body treatment that includes a gentle skin cleanse, relaxing Salt Scrub, hour body massage, and scalp massage complete with a restorative aromatherapy oil blend of sweet orange, palmarosa, and rose geranium. The treatment utilizes ESPA’s all natural and silicone-free Pink Hair & Scalp Mud cream for a mineral-rich conditioning mud mask that leaves hair and scalp feeling soft, smooth, and reinvigorated. Our favorite product to use at home: Keune So Pure Exfoliating Shampoo 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!

Disclosure: Thanks to RoC® MULTI CORREXION® 5 in 1 Eye Cream I can fake 8 hours of well-rested sleep. This is a sponsored post for Socialstars #WomenWhoRoC, but all opinions, and sleepless nights, are my own.

Whether you have a baby in your 20s, or you are still expanding your family into your 40s, the image of sleepless nights all look the same. Under-eye puffiness, dark circles and looking like you could be an extra on The Walking Dead... But there is also a big difference in that 20 year gap. In your 40s you're also dealing with wrinkles and mature skin (dryness and dullness.) So basically, yay me. Close friends and family know that my sweet baby boy is not much of a sleeper. At 7 months old, he still wakes up a few times a night. Throw in teething, and well... let's not talk about that. The bottom line is that I lead an incredibly active lifestyle due to my family of 8. With having such a large family, comes lots of appointments and activities. I'd rather look put-together when out and about than like I could use a nap. Whether you're a mom like me and lacking sleep, or you have had one too many late nights, there's a way to fake looking well-rested. You may be feeling sleep deprived on the inside, but you'll look like you've slept 8 glorious hours on the outside. So here's what you'll need: Eye cream (RoC® MULTI CORREXION® 5 in 1 Eye cream) Flesh colored eye pencil Brow highlighter Brown pen Eyeliner Eyeshadow that complements your eye color Eye primer Mascara Step 1: Using your pinky finger, gently pat RoC® MULTI CORREXION® 5 in 1 Eye Cream on the skin under and surrounding your eyes.  RoC®'s 5 in 1 Eye cream improves the look of dark circles, puffiness, dryness, dull tone and wrinkles with breakthrough HEXINOL® technology. With consistent use, you shouldn't need a concealer. Step 2: Apply your favorite eye primer to keep your eyeshadow intact without creasing. Step 3: Using short strokes, apply your favorite brow pen throughout your brow hair, following the natural shape of your brow. Be sure to blend. Step 4: Along your brow bone under your brow, apply a thin line of brow highlighting pencil, then blend. This will create the illusion of lift to the eye. Step 5: Using a flesh toned eye pencil, line your waterline. Pat with your pinky finger to blend it. This will conceal the redness and make your eyes look bigger and more wide awake. Step 6: Apply and blend your favorite eyeshadow that enhances your eye color. I like to use hues of purples and rose for my hazel eyes. This will make your eye color pop and detract from any look of tiredness. Step 7: With your eyeliner, create a cat eye. This winged style also gives the eye the look of being uplifted and wide eyed. Step 8: Apply mascara - voluminous or for length, whichever your lashes need most. That's my little rascal who only allowed me 4 hours of sleep when this picture was taken. Even if you don't have kids, these tips can work for you, too. Have anything to add? Leave a comment and let me know! 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: Thanks to RoC® MULTI CORREXION® 5 in 1 Chest, Neck and Face Cream, I’m targeting the 5 signs of aging as part of a sponsored post for Socialstars #WomenWhoRoC While the Summer wreaks havoc on my skin by aging it with damaging UV rays, the Winter is equally as brutal with dryness leaving my skin looking dull. And with every year I age, it seems a new wrinkle emerges. Fighting what ages you is a 365 day a year battle. You're only as old as you feel, right? Having a 6 month old at 41; I can tell you there are plenty of days when I feel youthful. It's like being 25 with my first one all over again. However, my mirror likes to promptly remind me that it's not 1999 and I definitely don't look to be in my mid-twenties. Hell, I don' even look to be in my 30's, either. Thanks to 4 decades years of living life, my skin is beginning to show its true age. I'm pretty good at keeping a consistent anti-aging skin care routine, but I like when I come across a multi-tasking product that targets more than one skin care concern. RoC® MULTI CORREXION® 5 in 1 Chest, Neck and Face Cream is a new broad spectrum SPF 30 skin care product and is the perfect addition to your facial care routine. Taking aim at the 5 signs of aging in the chest, neck and face area - discoloration, sagging skin, dryness, dull skin tone and wrinkles - this neck and facial cream hydrates thirsty, dry skin while helping to restore elasticity and firmness. The cream is richly textured while not feeling heavy on the skin; it's not greasy and quickly absorbs into the skin. It is scented and the fragrance reminds me of damask roses; very light and very pretty. It eventually dissapates and you no longer smell it after a few minutes. I'll be honest, and I'm sure I'm not the only one - I often forget to apply cream to my neck, even knowing that your neck and chest area are one of the first places that shows signs of aging. For me, what helped me to get into the habit of incorporating it into my daily routine was the scent of this product and how soft my skin felt after applying it. I also like that RoC® MULTI CORREXION® 5 in 1 Chest, Neck and Face Cream has broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection so that I'm shiedling my neck from further UV damage.

Happiness is.... ♡♡♡

A photo posted by Shannon Smyth ? (@agirlsgottaspa) on Feb 7, 2016 at 3:14pm PST

Is a neck and chest cream part of your beauty routine? 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: Thanks to RoC® RETINOL CORREXION® Deep Wrinkle Daily Moisturizer With Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 I’m getting my skin ready for the holidays as part of a sponsored post for Socialstars #WomenWhoRoC

The holidays are finally here, which seems a bit unreal, especially here in the Poconos where it hasn't had accumulative snow yet, making it still feel like September. (There's something about snow that really gives you that holiday feeling.) As everyone reaches for their camera to capture the season's memories, now is the time to have a winter skin care regimen going in full force. Did you begin back when we began talking about holiday skin prep? Since I know my family will be snapping lots of photos, especially since it is my youngest son's first Christmas, I really want to look my best. And to be honest, I'm super self conscious about those photos going up on Facebook and my friends from high school secretly judging how I'm aging. (Admit it, it's something you think about, too.) In addition to the RoC® Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream I mentioned using in my last post, I'm also incorporating RoC® RETINOL CORREXION® Deep Wrinkle Daily Moisturizer with Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 into my skin care arsenal. The moisturizer contains an exclusive combination of pure retinol and the latest sunscreen technology that is specifically engineered to deliver very broad and photostable UVA and UVB protection with an SPF 30 (which is the minimum SPF you should be using on your skin at all times.) Since exposure to light is known to degrade the effectiveness of retinol, I like that RoC's stablized retinol is kept intact with the addition of broad spectrum sunscreen. Sunscreen should be part of your daily skin care regimen anyway, since what's the point of using anti-aging skin care if you're going to let the sun continue to age you? (Am I right?!) This moisturizer is clinically shown to visibly diminish wrinkles after 8 weeks of use and after 12 weeks of use, even deep wrinkles are visibly diminished. I've only been using it about 4 weeks so far and my wrinkles have definitely softened in their appearance. I especially dislike this one deep set wrinkle I have that is between my eyebrows.  As you can see in the photo, it is still visible, but it's not all in your face. (Do you see what I just did there?) At least not to me. It looks softer and more like a fine line than a wrinkle. The fine lines I do have are less noticeable. Retinol is said to be drying, but I haven't found that to be the case so far. I do have combination skin and I've found that it has a mattifying effect for me. Do I look 41? (You can say no.) I'd love to hear about your experience if you've used this product! Leave a comment! 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!

Although I absolutely love this time of the year with the brightly colored leaves and crisp fall air, I dread it at the same time. It seems all of my time is spent trying to prep all the livestock for the winter, insulating the house, cooking and freezing all my produce from the garden and splitting wood, lots of wood. When the temperature drops, it’s not just the wood that gets split, my hands do too. My daily routine consists of: Feed the animals, wash my hands. Wash out the poultry feed containers, feed poultry, wash my hands. Come inside to make breakfast, wash dishes. Start meal prep for the day, wash produce, wash dishes. Wash my hands, make lunch, wash dishes. Split and stack wood, wash my hands. Daily chores, wash my hands, make dinner, wash dishes. Take a shower, go to bed, repeat! Do you notice a pattern yet? Before I even get to lunch time, the dermatitis on my hands (which seems to be concentrated in-between my fingers) is flared up and burning. With the winter time coming, our wood stove will be going and our house is going to be super dry, which means more components to play a part in my severely dry skin. After trying so many different remedies, I took the opportunity to give Vaseline Intensive Care Deep Moisture Jelly Cream a try. I know, it’s a mouthful, but the name really does say it all. Vaseline Intensive Care Deep Moisture Jelly Cream has the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance, which is really what piqued my interest. With my dermatitis (the most common form of Eczema,) most lotions irritate my hands with a burning sensation. This cream not only contains micro-droplets of Vaseline Jelly, is infused with vitamin E, and hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores,) but it actually HEALS my hands! The texture is a rich, smooth cream that doesn't feel heavy and is non-greasy. It really gives your hands a smooth as silk feeling. Other products I have used always wear off so quickly, but my severely dry hands immediately soaked up the moisture and stayed soft and supple for longer than most lotions I've used. Vaseline says it will moisturize for up to 18 hours - I didn't exactly keep track by the hour, but let's just say it was noticeable when I didn't need to constantly re-apply several times a day. I am so excited that I finally found something the works, doesn’t burn, and feels good to use. I even have my husband using it. Being a carpenter, he is constantly working outside, even in the cold, so his hands are always drying out and cracking. He loves that it’s unscented and non-greasy. Vaseline Intensive Care Deep Moisture Jelly Cream is gentle enough to use on my children too, who are 6 and 8 years old. Their hands get very chapped this time of the year too from all the times they wash their hands at school and use hand sanitizer. There’s nothing worse than seeing those red little hands when they come in from playing in the snow! This year when they come in from the cold, I can give them their nice warm cups of hot cocoa and soothe their hands with this cream. Do you get severely dry skin each Fall and Winter? Will you be giving this new cream a try? 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 Twitter. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Vaseline. The opinions and text are all mine.