Barbie Ritzman
Beauty & Skincare Specialist
Professional Achievements
- Won Beauty Influencer of the Year - USA by Lux Review in 2020
- Ranked one of "The Top 100 American Beauty Bloggers on the Web" for 2018, 2019, and 2020
- Appeared on various networks, including ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox Affiliates, and more
- Featured in Vogue, Entrepreneur, and Allure
- Panel Contributor for StyleCraze and MomJunction
Certifications & Organizations
- Media Buying Academy, Certificate - Media Buying
- SEMRUSH for Digital Agencies
Favorite Piece of Advice
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Forum Comments (7)
What You Need :
1. 100% pure acetone (regular nail polish remover won’t work)
2. Cotton balls or pads
3. Aluminum foil
4. Nail file
5. Cuticle pusher or orangewood stick
6. Nail buffer
7. Cuticle oil or hand cream (for aftercare)
Step-by-Step Removal :
1. File the Top Coat – Use a nail file and gently buff away the shiny top layer. This helps the acetone penetrate the gel polish faster.
2. Soak Cotton in Acetone – Saturate a cotton ball or pad with pure acetone.
3. Wrap Each Nail – Place the soaked cotton on your fingernail and wrap it with aluminum foil to hold it in place.
4. Wait 10-15 Minutes – Let the acetone work its magic. Check one nail after 10 minutes—if the polish is flaking off, you’re ready for the next step.
5. Gently Push Off the Gel – Use a cuticle pusher or orangewood stick to carefully remove any softened gel. If it resists, rewrap the nail and wait another 5 minutes.
6. Buff and Hydrate – Use a nail buffer to smooth the surface. Finish with cuticle oil and a rich hand cream to rehydrate your nails.
In terms of daily skincare, here are a few things you can focus on:
1. Wear SPF Daily – Sun exposure breaks down collagen, causing wrinkles. Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ every day. Prevention is easier than correction.
2. Exfoliate Regularly – Dead skin buildup exaggerates wrinkles. Use a gentle exfoliant 2-3 times a week.
3. Hydrate & Moisturize – Dry skin makes lines more visible. A good moisturizer plumps the skin, reducing their appearance.
4. Retinol & Peptides – Boost collagen production and help minimize fine lines over time.
A few other things you can try in addition are:
1. Use a Beauty Pillow – Sleeping on your side or face down causes sleep wrinkles. A beauty pillow reduces pressure on the skin.
2. Train Your Muscles – Facial patches (like Frownies) help retrain expression habits by keeping the skin smooth overnight. Be mindful of repetitive movements like frowning or raising your brows.
3. Botox or Neuromodulators – Relax muscles to prevent deepening wrinkles, but results are temporary.
4. Professional Treatments – Chemical peels, microneedling, and laser resurfacing can improve skin texture.
To actively whiten your teeth, you can try a few things:
1. Mix baking soda with water to create a paste. Brush gently for 1-2 minutes, then rinse. Do this 2-3 times a week to remove surface stains.
2. Dilute 3% hydrogen peroxide with equal parts water. Swish for 30 seconds, then spit it out. You can try this a few times a week, but don’t swallow the hydrogen peroxide or overdo it, as this can irritate gums.
3. Swish a tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth for 10-15 minutes, then spit it out in the trash.
Foundation/Concealer Brushes: At least once a week.
Eye Brushes: Once a week.
Powder Brushes: Every two weeks.
Lip Brushes: After every use.
To clean brushes, I like to apply a small amount of gentle shampoo, liquid soap, or makeup brush cleaner to the brush, then scrub with a brush cleaning mat, silicone trivet, or sponge — something with texture that will help remove caked on makeup — until the water runs clear. To dry the brushes, either lay them flat or pointed downwards. Don't dry them upright or on a towel as this can ruin the brush.
Here are some additional tips for correction & treatment:
1. Cold Compress – Reduces puffiness and constricts blood vessels. Try chilled spoons, cucumber slices, or cold tea bags.
2. Caffeine Eye Creams – Helps reduce puffiness and improve circulation.
3. Retinol & Peptides – Strengthen skin and boost collagen to minimize darkness over time.
4. Vitamin C Serum – Brightens and evens skin tone.
5. Color Corrector & Concealer – Specifically, peach or orange tones counteract blue/purple circles.
6. Allergy Management – Treating allergies can reduce under-eye darkness caused by inflammation.
7. Professional Treatments – Laser, chemical peels, and fillers can help if circles are due to hollowness or pigmentation.
Dark circles can be caused by genetics, lifestyle, or skin thinning, so multiple approaches may be needed.
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