Dr. Brandt No More Baggage Review | VIDEO

 

This story is good for: 

• Anyone looking for an honest, unpaid Dr. Brandt No More Baggage review
• Anyone looking to get rid of puffiness under the eyes instantly
• Those wondering how much No More Baggage costs

Are you looking for an instant under-eye de-puffing treatment? Dr. Brandt's No More Baggage from the late doctor's Needles No More line does the trick. I purchased this product in early 2020 and after using it for almost a year - I can absolutely say - This. Stuff. Works! 

You can get 20% your entire purchase at Dr. Brandt with code GINA20! 

I also like to use a jade or rose quartz roller under my eyes to assist with de-puffing. TIP: keep your rollers in the fridge for a soothing cooling effect. 

Lune & Aster CC Cream Review

Need to Know:

• Lune + Aster CC Cream is only available at Bluemercury, which provides free shipping and free returns. 
• It comes in four shades: Fair, Light, Medium and Medium Deep.
• I wear Medium, which is the most popular shade.
• It's $48 but lasts two to four months, depending on how frequently you use it. 

Lune + Aster's CC Cream is the ideal double duty beauty product. It provides wonderful, lightweight coverage while also delivering a strong sun protection factor: SPF 50, babes!

It contains vitamin E, hyaluronic acid (a skin plumper) and sea buckthorn, which is said to promote skin elasticity. 

GlyDerm Face Lotion Lite Review

Two of my favorite GlyDerm products! 

Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that the should be in your anti-aging arsenal.

It has the smallest molecules of all the alpha hydroxy acids, meaning it can penetrate the skin deeply and easily. In turn, it's an effective way to treat fine lines, acne, blackheads, dull skin and more.

I love GlyDerm's suite of products featuring glycolic acid, particularly their Face Lotion Lite, which I wear under my sunscreen or tinted moisturizer during the day or under my Hydrotone Lite face cream at night.

RELATED: Elta MD Tinted Moisturizer Review
RELATED: My PhotoFacial Before & After

MAC Spice Lip Pencil Review

MAC's Spice Lip Pencil is, without a doubt, the most versatile, universally flattering lipliner you can find. There's a reason it has won a kajillion awards.

Elta MD UV Daily Tinted Sunscreen Review

Love this stuff!

EltaMD's UV Daily Tinted Sunscreen is, hands down, the best tinted moisturizer with sunscreen I have found. It has no scent, applies beautifully with no chalkiness at all and protects against the sun's UVA & UVB rays. That's huge. 

It also contains hyaluronic acid which is moisturizing while helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. EltaMD also offers a version that has no color, if you're looking for something to wear under makeup. Both versions come in SPF40 and SPF46.

RELATED: Everything You Need To Know About A SkinPen Facial

How To Do Eye Makeup For TV, Videos & Webinars

Mark Starr Applying Eyeliner

After 15 years of working in TV news I thought I knew how to do my makeup. When I started working with the talented team of makeup artists at KCBS/KCAL in Los Angeles, I learned that I knew nothing.

Find More Camera-Ready Makeup Essentials

While I was there I tried to soak up as much knowledge as I could. Our wonderful weekend makeup artist (and former Soul Train dancer) Mark Starr, let me shoot a few of our makeup sessions. In this video, he shows us how to apply eye makeup for TV.

If you work in local TV news, produce YouTube videos or webinars, this will add some polish to your overall look. Mastering Mark's tips takes work but if you practice you will get better at applying your makeup.

RELATED: How To Fix A Broken Powder Compact
RELATED: You NEED MAC's Spice Lip Pencil. Here's Why
RELATED: Learn More About The Wardrobe, Hair & Makeup Products It Takes To Get Camera-Ready

Shiseido Benefiance Pure Retinol Eye Mask Review

Those HD television cameras I am on every day pick up every crow's foot and wrinkle. And while it's almost impossible to erase those pesky lines without a visit to the dermatologist's office (and a needle) there are certain beauty products that claim to help.

RELATED: Learn how to do your eye makeup for TV, videos & webinars.

Shiseido's Pure 'Benefiance WrinkleResist24' Pure Retinol Express Smoothing Eye Mask (that's a mouthful) is one of them. These retinol-infused sheets claim to reduce the appearance of wrinkles around your eyes after just one application. Shiseido also claims that with each use, skin will become "more refined" and that the skin around our eyes will "look more vibrant and smooth as silk".

BLACK FRIDAY DEAL: Shiseido is offering 20% its entire site with code FF2015. Click HERE for their Retinol Eye Mask for $50!

RELATED: 

• • Click HERE to read about the best cosmeceutical products on the market right now. 
• • Click HERE to learn about 10 instant beauty treatments that work. 
• • Click HERE to learn about photofacials.

The Best Cosmeceutical Products

While they're a relatively new category in comparison to iconic beauty products like something from Estée Lauder, cosmeceuticals have been on the beauty market for years. Essentially, they are a marriage of cosmetic products and pharmaceuticals designed to give you a bit more anti-aging bang for your buck like a retinol face serum.

RELATED: 10 Instant Beauty Treatments That Work
RELATED: GlyDerm Face Lotion Lite Review

10 Instant Beauty Treatments That Work

Wearing Shiseido Retinol Masks

While there's something to be said for drinking a ton of water, getting enough sleep, exfoliating, moisturizing and doing a little preventative maintenance, sometimes you just need a quick fix. You know, something to plump your skin or tighten those undereye bags.

When I am getting ready to go on-air, I will slap on some eye patches if my eyes are a looking like Hefty bags.

Here are some instant quick fixes that can help you solve some of your biggest beauty problems.

Interested in something a little more involved but is a beauty gamechanger? Read my photofacial review, SkinPen facial review and DermaPlane facial review.

How To Fix A Broken Powder Compact

I go through powder like a Kardashian through lip plumper. (No judgement!). I recently fell in love with Neutrogena Shine Control Face Powder. It's a wonderful translucent powder that's also a great drugstore beauty bargain. I use it throughout the night to control shine on my face before I go on air. I wear so much makeup that I typically don't need to add additional color. I just need to control the oil and shine and this absolutely does the trick.

I dropped my new compact, literally, the day after I bought it. Don't you hate that? While it is a beauty bargain, I didn't want to spend another $13 on a new compact when I had a brand new powder on my hands. I had heard it was possible to repair a broken compact and decided to give it a go. Had nothing to lose, right? Turns out, it's easier than you might think.

RELATED: Wardrobe tips for on-camera or media appearances.

Photofacial Review: Everything You Need To Know About This Gamechanging Procedure

About five years ago my dermatologist told me that one of the best preventative measures I could incorporate into my anti-aging routine was to get photofacials.

Done. Sold. Where do I sign up?

High definition television cameras show every flaw, wrinkle and brown spot. Since then I have had about one photofacial per year. I could easily scale that to two or three per year but I just can't find the time. Without question, in terms of bang for your beauty buck, photofacials are worth it.

RELATED: 5 Content Ideas For Dermatologists & Aestheticians.

The result is gorgeous, plump and glowing skin. Photofacials help reduce fine lines but, for me, their biggest benefit is a smooth complexion. They reduce or even eliminate, in some cases, those brown spots caused by the sun. It can also help with acne scarring. I had terrible scars from the cystic acne I suffered from as a teenager. The scarring I had on my jawline is virtually gone.

Interested other beauty gamechangers? Read my SkinPen facial review, DermaPlane facial review find out about 10 instant beauty treatments that work.

How To Reduce Wrinkles With Ingestible Collagen: Glotrition REPLENISH Review

When it comes to beauty, what you put in your body is just as important as what you put on it. You can put all the anti-aging creams and potions on your skin you want but if your diet is crap, your skin will look like crap, too.

As we age our skin loses elasticity. Two 2014 studies by Skin Pharmacology and Physiology show that a daily regimen of collagen can improve skin's elasticity and improve eye wrinkles by around 20%. I'm all in for something that works.

Collagen is important because it maintains our skin's firmness and elasticity. In English: collagen keeps our skin tight and youthful-looking.

Nuxe Rêve de Miel Lip Balm Review: A Gift From The Lip Balm Gods

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I have spent a small fortune on good lip balm. No mas! I finally found a lip balm that hydrates and lasts: Nuxe Rêve de Miel Ultra Nourishing Lip Balm.

Made by the legendary French skincare company, (which is now available at Target!) this lip balm is a honey-based product that truly does moisturize. Even better? You don't have to continually reapply like you do with Carmex or other lip balms.

I bought this in Paris last November for about €12 or ($13.23 at the current exchange). It retails for $19 in the US but is worth it, IMO.

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Dermaplaning Facial Review: A Simple Way To Get Glowing Skin With No Downtime

What Is Dermaplaning?
Dermaplaning is a fancy name for shaving your face with a scalpel blade. It takes off superficial layers of dead skin cells while also removing hair. It leaves your skin baby-bottom soft.

Every time you shave your legs don't they feel super soft? You're dermaplaning them! That's because you just shaved off superficial layers of skin.

But just how well does it work on your face?

SkinPen Review: Dynamic Results With Little Downtime

Press play for a sneak peak of my SkinPen facial at Luxury on Lovers

If you're anything like me, you're over wasting money on beauty treatments and products that don't work. I am at the point where I'm willing to spend a bit more to get results from a treatment versus some bargain procedure that doesn't really do anything. That's why I am always on the lookout for beauty innovations that work. Friends, the SkinPen facial does the job.

RELATED: DermaPlane Review: A Simple Way to Get Glowing Skin with No Downtime

What Is The SkinPen?
The SkinPen is a micro-needling device, created by Dallas-based Bellus Medical, featuring 12 tiny surgical-grade needles that produces microscopic punctures in your skin. That, in turn, stimulates the production of collagen and elastin which give you a more youthful appearance. There are no lasers or heat involved. It mimics what a fractional laser does but with little downtime.

"(There is) no risk of burning, hypo or hyper-pigmenting the skin," says Lisa Cobb, owner of Luxury on Lovers, a leader in the SkinPen treatment.  "We can do it any time of year. Sun exposure should be limited for a week or so after but one does not have the risk of photo-sensitivity like with lasers."

Interested other beauty gamechangers? Read my photofacial review, DermaPlane facial review find out about 10 instant beauty treatments that work.

Rangers Dugout Reporter Emily Jones Shares Her Makeup Secrets

That brutal August heat is here. If you're heading to a Rangers game, keeping your makeup from melting is a legitimate concern (even for some guys I know). Earlier this summer, I shared my secrets for sweatproofing your makeup for Rangers games.

Emily interviewing Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish/Image via Twitter.com/Rangers

Rangers dugout reporter, Posh Play co-founder and mom to adorable Hattie and Henry, Emily Jones McCoy is a true expert. She sits in the dugout, during 100+ degree day games and manages to look camera-ready during every TV hit for Rangers games on Fox Sports Southwest. She recently shared her makeup and beauty secrets that sports-loving girl can adopt.

How To Sweatproof Your Makeup For Summer Baseball Games

Doing a Rangers pre-game show with Mark McLemore & Blue Man Group

With the weather warming up, if you're heading to a game at Globe Life Park or any baseball stadium sometime soon, there's a good chance you'll leave drenched. And I'm not talking Emily Jones drenched. I mean drenched in sweat from the heat.

If you're a fellow sports girl, that doesn't mean your makeup has to melt and fade as the temperatures approach triple digits.

I have spent 12-hour days in August heat in Arlington and had to go on TV at the END of the work day. Despite sweating my ass off, my makeup was still somewhat fresh. Yours can be, too, by incorporating a few simple tricks. 

Click HERE for Rangers dugout reporter Emily Jones makeup tips. 

Prime Your Face

You should be wearing primer on most occasions. It's an outstanding way to help your makeup last. I don't go full-face-makeup without three primers I refer to as my secret weapons:

• L'Oreal Paris Miracle Blur - an award-winning face primer with SPF 30 that truly works and helps your makeup last.
• MAC Prep + Prime Lip - a lip primer that goes on clear and keeps your lipstick from feathering into the fine lines around your mouth.
• Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion - the best primer I have found to keep eyeshadow from creasing in your lids.

Protect Your Face and Body

Wear sunscreen on your face and body. That goes without saying but there are certain sunscreens that just work better than others for your face. I like Elta MD's UV Daily with SPF 40 or L'Oreal Revitalift with SPF 30. If I'm going to wear simply a BB cream or tinted moisturizer, Hydroxatone BB Cream with SPF 40 is my personal favorite. Laura Mercier also does an outstanding one with SPF 20. 

Wear Less Makeup

This is the biggest thing. In the oppressive summer heat, less is more. Don't wear a ton of heavy products. Use a BB cream instead of foundation and perhaps a nice lip gloss instead of thick lipstick. 

MAC Fluidline

Also, don't wear eyeliner on your lower lid. It is guaranteed to run and give you raccoon face. If you need eyeliner, use a gel liner like MAC's Fluidline or Lancome's Long Wear Gel Liner. 

In fact, go a step further and forgo mascara on the lower lash line, too. I went on TV all the time without eyeliner and mascara on the lower lash line. It's fine, no one will notice. 

MAC Blot Powder

Also, don't reapply powder with a sponge. Instead use a retractable brush with a hint of translucent powder (I love MAC Blot Powder) and simply run that over your face when your feeling oily. Even better, use blotting paper. A number of TV personalities, both male and female, use these to control oil and shine. 

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TV Anchor Makeup Tips To Help You Look Thinner Instantly

There's no dieting necessary and you don't need to spend time on the treadmill (although you should be getting that heartrate up for 30 minutes a day at least fives times a week) to look thinner in an instant.

In the Fabulous Friday edition of the Real Botox Diaries, Tracy Kornet and I share one of our favorite makeup tips that can make you look skinnier in a second and all you need is a little bronzer, blush and the right brush.

Koco Powell of LashesandMakeup.com helped tweak our technique.

Secrets to 12-Hour Makeup

Heading out after a full day at the office and want to keep your makeup from looking tired and faded?  You can, it's relatively easy and you don't need to reapply a full face.

I'm the queen of 12-hour makeup.  I do it almost daily because my days start mid-morning and I need to be in high hair in makeup for various TV shoots.  Take a look at my schedule this past Thursday and you'll see why I need long-lasting spackle.

• 11am shoot at Cowboys stadium
• 12:30 shoot at North Dallas high school 
• Anchor the Fan Sports Show from 6:30-7:30 
• Anchor sports for 10pm news on CBS

I applied my makeup at 9:30am and reapplied throughout the day with the last touch-up coming around 10:15pm. 

You don't need to add more product or color, just freshen up what you already have on your face.  More color, like eye shadow or concealer, simply looks layered-on and cakey.  By adopting the less is more philosophy, you can look fresh-faced 12-hours later.  (In the ensuing video, I applied more eye shadow because I was preparing for harsh TV lights.  In the non-HD universe, you don't need to do that).

Here are a few more tips:

• Start with a good eyeshadow primer to keep your eyeshadow from creasing.  I use Urban Decay Eye Shadow Primer Potion.  Game Changer!  It's $20 from Sephora.  It's the bomb.  It totally prevents your eyeshadow from getting stuck in those eyelid creases. 
• Work those lashes!  Re-curl your eye lashes to open your eyes.  Top off those curled lashes with a coat of mascara.  If your lashes look clumpy, use an eyelash brush to separate them.
• Highlight your hotness by dabbing a little highlighter on your face.  The bow in your upper lip, your cheekbones or the tip of your nose.  This simply adds a little pop that makes a difference.
• Use lipgloss and a lip pencil instead of lipstick.  Your face can look old lady-ish if you're reapplying lipstick every hour.  Think color bleeding into those lip lines.  Using lipgloss and a pencil keeps your lips looking younger, fresher and less cakey.

 The video below illustrates those suggestions (and more) right before I head to the studio.