In the event you guys apply Lauryn on IG, you’ve most certainly noticed her with those large black under-eye mask. Smartly, they’re her all-time favourite they usually’re via VREA cosmetics.
Fortunate us, for the reason that founder, Alex Potora is at the weblog nowadays to percentage her favourite, must-have attractiveness pieces. Assume serum, concealer, a massager, SPF and extra.
Alexandra is beautiful, captivating, sensible as a whip, this type of grasp of her craft (all issues skin care), and a kick ass entrepreneur, to not point out she’s so considerate and all the time sends Lauryn probably the most stunning plant life of existence.
We are hoping you like all of Alex’s suggestions up to we do ( as we upload all issues VREA to our cart).
♡♡♡
Hello, I’m Alexandra Potora, and you’ll name me Alex. I’m a skin care skilled, and the founder and CEO of VREA Cosmetics. In the event you and I had been to take a seat down over a cup of hibiscus tea with 1 teaspoon of honey (hibiscus as it’s wealthy in antioxidants & honey to moderately sweeten the tartness)… we’d most probably be speaking so much about YOU. As a result of… that’s what would make me happiest and maximum at ease.
One of the vital toughest issues for me is to discuss myself, however within the pastime of our time in combination, I’ll do my highest.
I’m an immigrant from Romania, and the one kid of a unmarried mom, born in occasions managed via the Soviet iron fist. At 18, I moved to The united states alone, decided to damage outdated circle of relatives cycles, to find the type of good fortune and happiness I may just most effective dream of as a kid, and create a brand new legacy; one that might make my foremothers pleased with. A tad bit “melodramatic” it sounds, sure, however rising up having not anything, made me need to have the entirety!
Such as you, I’ve been via so much. My therapist (as a result of sure, I completely have one), mentioned to me.. “you’ve lived A LOT in 38 years”, and whilst that’s true, I discovered that via hardships, losses, previous divorce and heaps of insecurities and screw ups alongside the best way, an international during which you’ll be, have and do what you in the end need, isn’t past achieve.
My adventure revolved so much across the pastime I’ve for skin care and make-up. I’m a certified esthetician (despite the fact that I don’t observe; I most effective sought after to advance in wisdom). I’m additionally a make-up artist and entrepreneur. Existence for me orbits round my trade (VREA Cosmetics, which took virtually 5 years to convey to marketplace as a result of I sought after to create one thing that may actually innovate and revolutionize the trade), my husband (Jeremiah – he’s a most cancers, I’m a Virgo so you’ll simply consider the communique strides we’ve needed to make), my mother (Elena, who lives in the United States now as nicely and she or he too is a most cancers – existence is attempting actual arduous to show me one thing), and my pals (an overly small circle of them, however a circle I will be able to accept as true with if a state of affairs ever came about and a burner telephone can be required; if you recognize what I imply). Lol.
The Instagram group is aware of me for my NO BS method to skin care. No fluff, no subsidized content material, simply excellent ol’ information and skin care literacy. I’ve been slicing throughout the myths, false claims and incorrect information within the attractiveness global like a savage on a rampage. I are living, breathe and dream of pores and skin. It’s a real pastime for me, initially stemming from coping with (truly dangerous) pimples for far of my grownup existence. The ladies in my circle of relatives even have very skinny pores and skin, that’s traditionally in advance sagged and wrinkled. You’ll say that’s probably the most “cycles” I sought after to damage in my lifetime.
In order any person closely emersed within the attractiveness global, no longer most effective as a qualified, emblem founder and “influencer” (god I detest that phrase), however as a compulsive client as nicely… I’m right here to percentage with you my most sensible 5 favourite (must-have) attractiveness merchandise (and why). And on that be aware, thanks Lauryn and TSC circle of relatives for having me on!
Alexandra Potora’s Favourite Good looks Merchandise:
WHO: VREA Cosmetics
WHAT: 4-In-1 Multipurpose Booster Serum
WHERE: www.vreacosmetics.com
WHY: It can be evident {that a} founder would pimp out her personal product, however you need to know the way a lot time, innovation, and private funding it took to create this emblem. Not anything was once “personal categorized.” I personal our formulation, as a result of they’ve been created and punctiliously examined from scratch, with the aim of making probably the most efficacious, multi-tasking, cutting edge (and inexpensive) merchandise available on the market.
This actual booster serum is particular in some ways:
#1. It was once in particular formulated for use for each face AND eye space.
Whilst many on-line gurus inspire the usage of face merchandise across the eyes (at the foundation of equivalent components lists), in fact, beauty chemistry doesn’t paintings so it appears that evidently as that. A easy 0.01 % in factor variation (which you wouldn’t know via merely shopping on the components checklist), can adjust the dynamic of a system.
That’s probably the most primary explanation why many increase milia (small white bumps at the pores and skin, shaped when keratin -a form of protein produced via the skin- turns into trapped underneath the outer layer of the outside). I blame a large number of milia circumstances on the use of merchandise no longer in particular designed to cater to the very skinny and really refined eye space (which may be very other from the outside on the remainder of the face). Identical idea at the back of no longer the use of frame lotion at the face.
To not point out that many facial merchandise comprise perfume (natural or synthetic), which is unfavorable to the attention space. Lengthy tale brief, the 4-In-1 Multipurpose booster serum is a product that’s tough sufficient to provide effects at the face, but mild sufficient to make use of (deal with and give protection to) the attention space as nicely. It’s TWO merchandise in ONE.
#2. It may be used on my own as a serum or combined with different serums (it performs great with different formulation, retinol/retinoid, Nutrition C integrated), moisturizers, eye lotions or even basis.
It’s formulated with 3 molecules of Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate throughout ALL layers of the outside (no longer simply the highest), Tripeptide+Micro Algae+Nutrition B5 mix to support texture and the glance of traces and wrinkles, sustainably sourced Nutrition C from Australian Kakadu Plum (global’s maximum potent supply), sustainably sourced Butterfly Ginger extract from Madagascar to offer protection to from environmental stressors (air air pollution / blue gentle publicity), Squalane (sustainably derived from fermentation) which has well-documented emollient homes reaping rewards all pores and skin sorts, and Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters to scale back transepidermal water loss. (WOW that was once a mouth complete!)
All components are non-comedogenic / non-acnegenic (since your lady has acne-prone pores and skin). The product is dermatologist examined and licensed for all pores and skin sorts (in any respect phases of existence). It’s vegan, Jumping Bunny qualified cruelty loose, and made right here in the US.
HOW: Gently pat into blank, dry pores and skin. Use on my own or combine with eye cream, any other serum or moisturizer.
Can be utilized at the neck, décolleté & again of the palms as nicely.
Observe with sunscreen if used right through the day.
Designed not to crumb or tablet below make-up.
For highest effects: Use day-to-day AM and/or PM. I might additionally say right here that this product is superbly complemented via our Eye Targets eye mask, however they’re bought out in this day and age and hoping they’ll shall be again in inventory in October.
WHO: The Thin Confidential
WHAT: PINK BALLS Face Massager
WHERE: www.shopskinnyconfidential.com
WHY: In the event you’re pondering that I’m citing this product just because I’m at the weblog or as a result of I’m hysterically obsessive about Lauryn (*cough, which I’m) – then I’ve to pause proper right here. I’ve used the daylights out of this product already! Because it rolled out (pun meant), I’ve been the use of it no less than 4-5 days out of the week.
In the beginning, it feels on your hand like no facial massager has ever felt ahead of. It’s powerful and it grips like a mofo (in an effective way). The multi-angular chrome steel balls adapt to the contours of the face and frame like a dream and I exploit this as a result of nicely… sagging. I discussed previous how untimely pores and skin sagging runs in my circle of relatives, so I facial therapeutic massage with a purpose to sculpt and tone the outside. This is a part of my morning regimen and I will be able to’t are living with out it. Only a few mins of face massaging within the day, can lend a hand build up blood drift, scale back puffiness, and (look forward to it…) lend a hand your pores and skin glance toned, contemporary and younger (whilst diminishing the illusion of good traces and wrinkles).
Since facial therapeutic massage is helping spice up flow, that still approach an build up in oxygen ranges within the pores and skin as nicely, which has the possible to lend a hand the ones people with pimples. Oxygen necessarily is helping kill the acne-causing micro organism and forestalls it from reproducing and forming new acne.
Facial therapeutic massage could also be improbable for easing muscle rigidity too (assume tension, enamel grinding, and so on.) and lymphatic drainage. One of the vital essential purposes of the lymphatic device is to lend a hand drain extra fluid from the tissues and thus, serving to to stay the ones tissues wholesome and functioning correctly. Via massaging the lymph nodes, we will just about lend a hand (and build up) the frame’s organic filtration procedure.
HOW: I in my view like to make use of this after making use of my moisturizer, and ahead of making use of sunscreen.
You’ll additionally use it with an oil (all the time practice the oil after moisturizer and ahead of sunscreen).
Gently roll upwards alongside the jawline (jowls be damned!) and cheeks.
To lend a hand drain the lymphatic device, you’ll roll downward, onto the neck and facets of the neck.
WHO: Dermalogica
WHAT: Day by day Milkfoliant
WHERE: www.dermalogica.com
WHY: Exfoliation is a HUGE a part of skin care and pores and skin well being. Your pores and skin is the most important organ and it’s actually improbable! It’s remarkably helpful, protecting, and water resistant. It is usually continuously converting and regenerating itself. New pores and skin cells are continuously shaped, they usually step by step push their option to the highest layer of the outside.
Once they achieve the highest, they die and shape the highest “lifeless” layer, which is named stratum corneum. Sooner or later, the lifeless cells become independent from and fall off, making room for the more recent cells which might be rising from underneath, and the cycle repeats itself. It takes a couple of month for brand new cells to make their option to the highest layer, that means that the outside you’ll have a month from nowadays, shall be utterly new compared to the outside you’ve now.
Science estimates the human frame to be made up of round 10 trillion cells in overall. Because the pores and skin makes up about 16 % of the frame weight, that implies you’ve kind of 1.6 trillion pores and skin cells. (supply)
Of that trillion+ pores and skin cells, kind of 30,000 to 40,000 fall off each hour. Is your thoughts blown? Which means over a length of 24-hours, you lose virtually 1,000,000 pores and skin cells. Superb isn’t it!?
So now, the place do these kinds of pores and skin cells move?
Smartly.. that mud that collects in your tables and TV, is most commonly made up of lifeless pores and skin cells. Necessarily, your home is stuffed with former portions of… your self. And if you happen to’re nonetheless with me right here and will abdomen the information, you will have to know that during only one 12 months, you’ll shed greater than 8 kilos of lifeless pores and skin. Loopy!
Now, this pure technique of exfoliation is scientifically known as desquamation and whilst the turnover takes about 30 days in our more youthful years, the method slows down step by step with age. That is when exfoliation comes into position, via serving to the outside within the technique of dropping lifeless cells. The correct amount of exfoliation relies from individual to individual. An excessive amount of may end up in sensitization and the outside barrier getting compromised, too little would possibly not yield you the effects you’re in all probability in the hunt for.
I in most cases exfoliate 2-Thrice every week and the one types of exfoliants I exploit are chemical and enzymatic. Chemical exfoliants are Glycolic and Lactic as an example (AHA) and Salicylic Acid (BHA – when pimples is appearing out). Chemical exfoliation works via loosening the bonds between cells so they are able to slough off. Enzyme exfoliators however, whilst very similar to chemical exfoliants, paintings via gently dissolving the lifeless cells.
That brings me to this new product from Dermalogica.
It’s vegan and formulated with oat and coconut turns on (that have unusually no longer led to any breakouts for me). One of the vital primary explanation why I like this product, is the convenience with which you’ll use it. The powder will get activated when getting into touch with water, and creates a creamy lather. I stay this product within the bathe so I’m reminded to make use of it much more continuously than if it had been to simply sit down on a shelf someplace.
This can be a mild exfoliator, that’s a mix of fruit-based Grape Extract and Arginine (wealthy in AHA/BHA). Via exfoliating on a weekly foundation, pores and skin texture is advanced, and the resurfaced pores and skin provides me a fantastic and wholesome tone and glow.
HOW: I dispense about part a teaspoon into my rainy palms after which rub the palms in combination, to create that creamy lather.
Practice to the face in round motions, keeping off the attention space.
Therapeutic massage gently for one minute, then rinse totally.
WHO: Supergoop!
WHAT: Glowscreen Frame SPF 40
WHERE: www.supergoop.com
WHY: The solar is the most important extrinsic growing old issue, answerable for greater than 80% of fast growing old. To not point out, it’s a significant danger to pores and skin well being. There’s no identified stage of UV publicity that maximizes Nutrition D synthesis with out expanding the chance of pores and skin most cancers. Which is why dressed in sunscreen each day is CRITICAL. Pores and skin most cancers imagine it or no longer, is the most typical most cancers in the US and international.
Now, for the face and neck…There was once by no means an eye fixed product ahead of that would proper, deal with, hide AND give protection to the attention space from the solar, which is why I created the 4-In-1 Concealer SPF 30. So my face and neck are secure from the solar. And now my eye space as nicely.
However what in regards to the again of the palms and the remainder of the frame? Are we making use of (and re-applying) sunscreen on the ones spaces each day? If no longer… that is your pleasant reminder to take action. And achieve this even if staying house, since UVA rays can penetrate via home windows and clothes as nicely.
I completely love this product no longer simply because Supergoop! sunscreens are majestic usually, however this additionally illuminates pores and skin via distinctive feature of the light-reflecting minerals it’s formulated with, for a wholesome and natural-looking glow.
The feel feels gentle, whipped virtually, and it absorbs lovely speedy. And no longer most effective does it upload an overly refined shimmer (whilst protective from the solar), it additionally has positive nourishing emollients which might be tremendous useful for my dry pores and skin. And because I virtually all the time overlook to use frame lotion within the morning, this serves as twofold.
HOW: Practice generously (a couple of shot glass value) and frivolously 15-20 mins ahead of solar publicity.
Reapply after 40 mins of swimming or sweating, straight away after towel drying, or no less than each 2 hours.
WHO: Diptyque Paris
WHAT: Ilio Hair Mist
WHERE: www.diptyqueparis.com
WHY: One thing that most of the people don’t learn about me, is that I’m clinically OBSESSED with (and use) hair perfume on a weekly foundation. Due to Chelsea at Misca hair salon (hiya lady!), my hair now could be all the way down to the butt-crack-long. I most effective wash it as soon as every week (after a couple of 12 months of step by step expanding the in-between wash timeline from 4 days to five, then 6 and now 7 days), and on day 2 after I am getting it washed, I spritz a few pumps of hair mist. Every so often (however hardly ever and if I’m feeling highly spiced) I re-apply on day 5 as nicely. Let me simply say, that each time I turn my hair, any person is certain to touch upon how wonderful it smells. Primary issues.
This smell is so gentle and gentle. It has contemporary, juicy notes of prickly pear, bergamot and jasmine, with a crowning glory of iris. If you’ll attempt to consider the smell, assume of an attractive summer season day within the middle of the Mediterranean. And I don’t learn about you, however I for one am looking to relive my days in Greece as continuously as I will be able to.
HOW: After washing, rinse the hair with chilly water with a purpose to support the capillary fibres and likewise lend a hand hair soak up the mist higher.
I stay the bottle about an higher arm’s distance and spray as soon as at the proper facet, as soon as at the left facet.
Then shut your eyes and visualize your self on a yacht within the Mediterranean. Oh my god!!
Smartly, that’s it from me, I’m off to paintings on VREA. In the event you’d like to attach, you’ll to find me on Instagram @alexandrapotora and if you happen to’d like to try VREA Cosmetics and be WOW’d via what we’ve evolved thus far, you’ll to find us on our website online www.vreacosmetics.com and @vreacosmetics.
I like you all and thanks once more TSC fam for sharing your stunning group with me!
With love all the time,
Alexandra