A little Recognition…

Hi Ladies! 

If you follow makeup channels on YouTube, you most likely are aware of the most popular YouTube faces out there right now. After I found that I ran out of Jacklyn Hill videos to watch I started searching things like contouring and highlighting, after doing this I came across a very talented YouTube face that deserves a lot more publicity and viewers. Her channel is Shonagh Scott on YouTube and she focuses on a lot of cream highlighting as well as cream contouring. After getting my RMCA concealer palette a few months ago I found that it was just sitting in my makeup collection but I was never actually picking it up to use it but after watching Shonagh’s videos the entire highlighting and contouring concept was so much easier to understand… You should be aware though that she is doing more dramatic heavy looks so she is using the concealer to contour and highlight on her face and then she applies foundation over top of that layer and then adds powders. While her channel may not be for the everyday girl looking to do some light bronzing, it is worth checking out because she will teach you some very basic tips about where you should be laying the highlight and bronzer and from there you can modify it to your liking. I love her videos too because unlike a lot of other YouTubers she uses a lot of the same products so if you wanted to invest in what she is using not only is it not very expensive but you know that you would really be putting that product to use over time. If you are not interested in her contouring and highlighting videos then skip to the middle and watch her do her eye shadow because it looks flawless every time. She is so talented and you will really be missing out if you don’t check out her blog. 

 

xoxo

 

Skin Care 101: The Importance & Confusion of Toners

Hi Ladies!

When you start to get a little older and realize the importance of a great skincare routine there are a few items that you simply can not live without. You need to start with a good face wash (I made a post a few days ago about face washes, see skincare), toner, moisturizer, spot treatments, eye cream, etc. When I talk about having a good skincare routine with some of my friends they all seem to be missing a toner. Toners have a bad reputation most people think they will dry you out, they are too harsh, or people just think that they are not necessary and they really don’t make a difference. I can not tell you enough how important a toner is in your life…

If you are using a toner correctly within your skincare routine you will notice a serious difference in your skin. Toners will make your skin more radiant, smooth, and glowing. Depending on the type of toner you are using also, they can help you fight acne, help with anti-aging, and help hydrate. The basic function of a toner is to restore your skin’s pH balance after washing your face with soap which can take the pH levels of your skin down to levels that are bad for your skin but by using a toner regularly you will constantly restore the balance which is where you get the amazing affects on your skin. It’s important to remember though that just like face washes, there are different kinds of toners that will work best with different skin types. In this post I chose to focus on toners that had great reviews and you could find on the internet so that everyone has access to them, remember that these are only recommendations you can take the tips I give you and find a toner from another brand if you would like. 

Oily & Blemish Prone Skin: 

• If you have oily or blemish prone skin you need to be extra careful when looking for toners but it’s also crucial for you to be using a toner. When you are looking for a toner you should know that choosing a toner that states that it is going to help stop oiliness or help with acne is not one that you want to use. Often times, choosing a toner that states it will make you less oily or that it will help with your acne will actually irritate you skin more and make the blemishes worse because of the harsh ingredients within them (alcohol, witch hazel, and menthol). Using a toner like this will cause your skin to become more oily at the base of the pore, cause more redness, and it is likely to cause you acne to be worse. Instead, look for toners that can help smooth and soothe your skin. You want to find a toner that will help repair your skins surface, reduce the size of pores, and contain cell communication ingredients that can help train your pores into handling the excess amount of oil that your skin is producing. 
• Acne Prone Skin Toner: Stark Skin Care White Willow Bark Perfecting Toner ($20). This is a great toner because of the natural ingredients like willow bark which is actually a natural form of salicylic acid (an acid that helps fight acne and exfoliate the skins surface). 
• Oily Skin Toner: Origins Zero Oil Pore Purifying Toner ($25). This toner is also great because it is made with palmetto which is a berry that actually helps the cells manage the excess oil that your skin is creating without becoming overly dry. 

Dry & Sensitive Skin: 

• If you have dry skin you probably understand the fear in using a toner because a lot of toners contain acids that can dry your skin out and make it look dull, with the right toner though it will make your skin look plump and healthy. When it comes to sensitive skin, you understand the importance of being careful with the ingredients in your skincare products because a lot of the artificially added ingredients can cause you to become irritated and the acids can make your skin very red. If you are using the right toner though, you will notice that your skin is moisturized, not flaky, and less red and all the while being soothed. When choosing a toner you for dry skin you want to remember to stay away from salicylic acid and alcohol that is added into toners. If you have sensitive skin then you want to focus on choosing a toner that has some kind of calming affect like chamomile and aloe vera but also taking ingredients into consideration like staying away from harsh acids and alcohol. 
• Dry Skin Toner: NARS Multi-Action Hydrating Toner ($38). This is an awesome toner because it has a non drying formula that keeps your skin parched all day and it also acts as a primer for your makeup. 
• Sensitive Skin: LUSH Breath of Fresh Air (100ml for $9.95). This is an awesome option because not only does it come in an easy spray bottle (which I love) but it also has aloe vera in it which can help to lock in the moisture of your skin, the seaweed extract in this toner also helps soothe your skin and make your skin very smooth. 

Combination Skin:

• If your skin is more oily on the forehead and chin but you tend to have more dryness on your cheek area then you have normal skin (combination skin). With this skin type you need to make sure that you are using the perfect toner for your skin because if you use one that is to harsh you will dry out your skin (which will cause breakouts and you to become more oily). You want to focus on finding toners that are more detoxifying, hydrating, and create a smooth skin surface. One main ingredient that is awesome for your skin is rose, whether you use it in rose water or a rose toner your skin will love this because it is not an overall hydrating ingredient but it is also not an acid so you don’t need to worry about your oily production. Rose is just a detoxifying ingredient that will help to reveal healthy glowing skin. 
• Combination Skin: Odacité Divine Rose & Neroli Balancing Toner Mist ($45). This a super easy and great toner. When you spray it onto your face you get this immediate refreshing feeling, the rose water within it is also super soothing so your face will look less red and more smooth. 
• Combination Skin: Crawford Street Skin Care Rose Geranium Toner ($15). A more affordable option is a Canadian product which helps to balance the surface of your skin through rose water. Your skin will appear less oily and glowing. 

 

XOXO

Blending Brush Dupe…

Hi Ladies!

Recently I did a post on a foundation dupe and it got me to thinking, do we really need to spend so much money on makeup brushes? If you’re like me, there are some things when it comes to makeup that just have to bite the bullet on and invest in. I personally can not live without some good quality brushes but today there are so many brands out there that have affordable brushes, these brands do not get the attention they deserve and honestly they are just as good if not better than our expensive brushes. 

I kind of found this dupe on accident. I’ve been doing the same eye makeup look everyday recently which is a dramatic cut crease with a copper color and some liner but to achieve the perfect crease, you need a really good blending brush. I keep all of my brushes in jars on my makeup counter and when I went to grab my usual MAC 217 brush I accidentally grabbed my Crown Brush C433 Pro Blending Fluff brush. After I finished with my makeup and was totally happy I went to darken the color a little bit and that’s when I noticed that I had been using the Crown Brush, at first I checked in natural lighting for streaks, patchiness, and just blotchy color but to my surprise I didn’t find any. In the photo you can see that the brushes are almost identical, they are both sleek black brushes with cream bristles. Both of the brushes are an oval shape with densely packed fibers making them easy to really pack on the colors. I’ve always thought that the MAC 217 did all of the work for you, you barely had to blend it at all and it always looked perfect. I found that with the Crown Brush it also did the work for me, the only difference was that the head of the brush was a larger oval so if you want a thinner crease you need to be careful to not pack on to much color onto the brush. Although I would recommend the MAC 217 to someone who is looking to get a thinner cut crease look, you can achieve the same look with the Crown Brush if you use a lighter hand. The MAC 217 brush is $24 and the Crown Brush is $6… So I say save your money and order the Crown Brush, you will not regret it.

XOXO

 

 

Some Great Lashes

Hi Ladies! So recently I told myself that I would start experimenting with some makeup techniques that I’m not used to so that I can just learn the ins and outs of makeup. One of the first things that I made myself start doing was applying false eyelashes. For me, false lashes have always been so complicated and annoying but recently I have been wearing them every day because of the amazing effect that they have on my eyes. A few months ago I bought a pair of the accent lashes from Ardell which are just lashes that you apply to the outside part of your eye (they give you are very cat eye effect). Applying these shorter lashes is so much easier than applying a full lash strip and not to mention faster. Yesterday I took the Ardell 138 lashes which are very dramatic lashes and basically cut each lash in half leaving the outside edge a little longer than the inside (these are full lash strips) then I applied the longer strip to the outside of my eye, let it dry and applied the next stip right on top of that lash but on the very outer corner of my eye. This seriously gave my eyes such a beautiful shape. I added some drama by doing a dark brown cat eye also which is usually covered my the lashes but it still adds to the shape of your eyes. As you can tell, there are no false lashes on the inner corner of my eyes which is something that I like but if you have never tried this kind of false lash it will take some getting used to. This obviously is not your average everyday look but I don’t mind it being dramatic. These kind of lashes are perfect for everyday (you don’t need to double them and you can purchase more natural looking lashes so you only get a slight cat eye look) because they are quick to apply and you don’t need to worry about that inner corner coming up or having the lashes feeling super heavy on your eyes. I definitely recommend this style of lashes to someone who has watery eyes because the inner corner of your eyes are left free of any glue of lashes so the water will not undo the glue. 

It’s totally about how you feel when it comes to the shape of your eyes but I would really recommend try this look. 

XOXO

Foundation Dupe…

Hi Ladies!

I had this notion in my mind for a long time that high-end products work better, last longer, and are better quality than drugstore products (when it comes to makeup). I started to find that while there was a VERY obvious difference between some high-end products and drugstore products there were also a few that were very similar and you would not need to go spend a ton of money for makeup. Let’s be honest, when it comes to putting something on my face like foundation, lotions, and concealers I really don’t mind paying extra for something that I know is… 

1. Not tested on animals
2. Lasts long
3. Designed without sulfates or parabens 
4. Organic
5. Sometimes gluten free

There are some things that you really should not skimp on just because of the price. With this being said I know a lot of people still want the option to spend a less at the drugstore for makeup and I think I have one product that everyone is going to love…

Comparison between the Revlon Color Stay Whipped Foundation & Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Foundation

First off the Revlon Color Stay Whipped Foundation. Revlon states, “Finally, truly decadent makeup offers ultimate performance. The mousse-like texture feels like silk on your skin. And, the time release formula balances skin for a flawless look. All day flexible wear without flaking, caking or feeling heavy.” This foundation is just that. It comes in a small pot (which I think is one of the flaws because of the cleanliness of the item) but you would simply scoop out some of the product with a brush or your finger and go from there. I like to use a foundation brush (any brand or style that I bought to use specifically for this) and scoop the product onto a makeup plate (you could use the back of your hand, back of a clean eye shadow palette, whatever) I then take a flat top Kabuki brush to first lay the product evenly all over my face and then go back in with my damp beauty blender to thin out the foundation and make it look airbrushed. I found that this foundation lasted all day and gave myself a matte finish. Although I don’t mind matte especially in my T-Zone, I would add a little illuminater to the product next time I used it. If you have dry skin (especially in the winter time) it’s a great idea to use a cream foundation because it adds a lot of cushion to your skin and some hydration through the cream. When you apply a liquid foundation sometimes it will settle into any flakey areas of your face whereas a cream will completely camouflage that area. A few good points about the foundation… 

• Did not feel like I was wearing a drugstore foundation at all
• Felt really creamy on the skin
• Easy to blend
• Good color selection at the store
• No fragrance
• Did not look cakey
• Only had to touch-up a little on my cheeks during the day
• Made my blush and bronzer glide on
• Concealer looked great with it.  
•  Powder also glided onto my skin when I set the foundation

   

  **SKINCARE TYPE: This product is apart of their color stay line which means that it is formulated to last a lot longer and to be almost water proof so when you want to remove this product it’s important to remember that you can not use just a basic cleanser, instead you need to double cleanse at least or use an exfoliating cleanser because this product will really sink into your skin. 

   

  Next is the Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Foundation: 

  I have been using this foundation for a little over four months now so I have really used it at different points in my skin experience (when I have been more dry or more oily) and I have found that this foundation really withstands a lot. Whether you have dry skin or oily skin this foundation will truly last you all day long. One thing that I really like about this foundation is that it comes in a squeeze bottle so its a lot less messy and you don’t have to worry about spreading germs throughout your makeup products. I usually just squeeze some onto the back of my hand, add some illuminater and buff it onto my face with a flat top kabuki brush, then I go back in with my beauty blender to make sure that everything is seamless. This foundation really glides onto the skin and makes your skin look perfect, its one of those foundations that you would reach for during “that time of the month” because it is full coverage but it does not make your imperfections look cakey, it simply erases them. I have not had any problems when using this with either my MAC Pro Long Wear conceal or also my Tarte Concealer, both really glide onto the skin and do not separate or crease during the day. This is a foundation that I find I barely need to touch up with and I would choose this foundation on a day I know I will be taking photos, moving around a lot, or it will be hot. 

   

  Overall: 
  I think that both foundations are great but you can get away with buying the $15 Revlon Foundation instead of the almost $40 Tarte Foundation. Both are so similar it’s hard to say which one is better. I think that I will continue to use my Tarte Foundation until it runs out and then switch to the Revlon Foundation. You are going to get the same finish, same all day feel, same lasting power, and overall same quality with both products so I say…save your money and go to the drugstore!

   

   

   

   

   

New Product Post…

Hi Ladies!

I went to Sephora yesterday with my boyfriend to take back my collection of primers that I am no longer using and to restock on a few items. I’ve been a fan of the entire GlamGlow line for a while now and I seriously swear by all of their masks but honestly spending almost $70 for a product every once in a while is not okay with me because for some reason I go through my masks so quickly and end up using them in a few weeks. I really wanted a hydrating treatment and a very deep hydration one because my skin was getting so flaky and exfoliation wasn’t helping so I knew that I needed some intense hydration. I found the Tsubaki Deep Hydration Mask by Boscia and last night was the first time that I used it. When I saw it and looked at the reviews online I found a lot of people comparing it to the Thirty Mud Mask by GlamGlow and some people were even saying that they liked it better and honestly I can tell why… 

For $34 you are getting a seriously amazing product! The mask is more like a lotion in a squeeze tube and should be used like you would use a nighttime moisturizer. Sephora claims this mask is, “A deeply-hydrating overnight sleeping mask that intensely moisturizes and protects to deliver long-term anti aging benefits and smoother, baby-soft skin.” This mask is also formulated without parabens and sulfates so you know you are getting a really high quality product and this mask is packed with vitamins and antioxidants, one of which being Vitamin C (which you guys know I love because of it’s hydrating complex). Anyways I started my normal skincare routine with washing my face, then toner, then pimple spot treatments, an eye cream, and then layered this over all of it. A lot of reviews said that this mask was so thick so only put a small amount on because it will just end up all over your pillow but honestly I don’t know if my skin was so dry or what but it just soaked the product right up and my skin just looked like I had a moisturizer on. Also, some reviews had said that the mask helped with minor breakouts and I can definitely say I agree. Yesterday I had a little monster on my cheek and this morning the redness was completely gone it was considerably smaller than it had been this past week. If you have sensitive skin you are absolutely going to love this mask because it is alcohol free, preservative free, and has no added fragrance. Also this product is gluten-free which is an interesting move that many skincare companies are taking. There is currently a lot of testing going on for the effects that keeping gluten in a skincare or makeup product may have. While many are skeptical about whether having ingredients in your skincare that contain gluten actually effect your health if you have an allergy to gluten, many brands are taking it upon themselves to remove gluten from products (another great reason this product is amazing for sensitive skin). 

After I woke up today my skin looked so healthy and beautiful, it had a really natural glow and looked so youthful and plump. I decided to skip my exfoliating face wash and go with my gentle one and now with makeup and everything else on my face, my face feels so hydrated and healthy. Usually, after I put on my foundation my skin will feel really tight but today it feels awesome so I can not wait to use this product again tonight. I would definitely recommend it to someone who has dry or sensitive skin, it may be a little too oily for someone with oily skin. 

 

xoxo

Skin Care 101: Washing Your Face & Face Wash…

Hi Ladies!

For years makeup has been a huge part of my life, I seriously get a thrill from shopping for makeup or getting my winged liner just perfect. I could honestly say that makeup is a serious addiction for me as well as many other bloggers and youtubers. One of the most important parts of makeup though that I have learned is the proper care of your skin because no matter how much makeup you put on during the course of the day, eventually you have to take it off (or hopefully you are taking it off). Taking care of your skin is so crucial to how your makeup is going to look. To start, I’ve never had perfect skin in anyway, my skin fluctuates from acne to being dry to oily to every possible bad skin day you can image so I have found a system for myself that I am currently loving, a system that helps keep my skin in check.

Rule #1 of makeup and skincare, WASH YOUR FACE. You need to be washing your face at night and in the morning. I’ll be honest, I used to go through a whole extravagant skin care routine at night, wake up put makeup right onto my face and then wonder why I was breaking out. I am someone who suffers from dry skin so washing my face in the morning and at night might seem like a drying task but honestly if I don’t wash off all that heavy cream that has been laying on my skin for 10 hours my skin just doesn’t feel the same the next day, yes it’s moisturized but it’s not entirely healthy. Unless you are changing your pillow cases every other night and washing them correctly then you need to wash your face because the bacteria that can grow on your pillows just over night is enough to cause a break out and let’s be honest we don’t have time to wash our pillow cases that frequently so washing your face is an easy step in the morning to not only wake you up, close your pores, and wash off any bacteria. With that being said, you don’t necessarily have to go out to your makeup counters or Sephora and pay $60 for a cleanser, you just need one that works for your own skin type.

The Basic Face Wash:
I understand how hard it can be to find a face wash you love when you are so overwhelmed with the options at your local makeup store or drugstore but there is one face wash that is almost universal for all skin types, it is the Purpose Gentle Cleansing Face Wash. This is a soap free and oil free liquid that becomes a lather consistency when mixed with water and melts away your makeup. This is a basic face wash, it is not going to do anything else then take off your makeup and any dirt. I know so many people who have used this and really love it because it’s gentle, it does not take the hydration out of your skin, doesn’t make you more oily, and lastly this will not break you out. When you are looking for a face wash and you just want one that will remove the first surface or makeup and dirt then you need a face wash with simple ingredients, the more acids you start adding to the wash the more of an affect you are going to have on your skin. If you want to try a more high end face wash then you should invest in the Philosophy Purity Made Simple wash, this wash is ideal for every skin type because it does not contain any harsh soap or oil and is more like washing your face with a lotion but don’t worry this will not make you more oily. I personally love this face wash, it’s amazing for those nights when you just want to crawl into bed and forget about your makeup because it does most of the work for you.

Cleanser for Oily Skin:
If you have oily skin it’s important to focus on using products that will absorb the excess oil on your face so choosing products with a gel consistency are ideal. When you are looking for face washes you need to avoid products that contain natural or synthetic oils, perfumes, and additives because while these may not seem to make a difference, these can actually cause you to become more oily and eventually clog your pores to the point where you have breakouts. You need to focus on finding products with antioxidants and hydroxy acids and it’s important to incorporate some salicylic acid or benzyl peroxide which is almost always found in a gel cleanser rather than in a creamy cleanser than becomes a lather. By using these acids you will clean out your pores and reduce the build up that oily skin can have. You have the opportunity to use more acidic washes and you should take advantage of that but remember not to totally strip your skin of moisture by adding in a hydrating moisturizer after washing your face at morning and at night.
Good Cleansers: Dove Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser, Clinique Wash-Away Gel Cleanser

Cleanser for Dry Skin:
If you have dry skin your main purpose when it comes to makeup and skincare is to MOISTURIZE but the hydration starts at the root of your skin care routine which is washing your face. If you have dry skin you want to find cleansers with moisturizing properties these properties will create a barrier for your skin that holds in moisture and prevents dryness. Cleansers that contain antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents and barrier-repair moisturizing ingredients are all properties you should be looking for. Look for products also that contain alpha hydroxy acids which will help exfoliate the dull skin and eventually allow the moisturizers to skin into the skin. Liquid and foaming cleanser clean the skin gently without removing the necessary natural oils to keep your skin hydrated. It’s important to remember that oil based cleansers may be good if you have dry skin but not acne prone skin so find a cleanser that has basic ingredients and avoids acids and oils.
Good Cleansers: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, Boscia Soothing Cleansing Cream, Pond’s Cold Cream

Cleaner for Acne Prone Skin:
If you are more prone to red pimples then you need to focus on finding products that benzoyl peroxide which will kill acne-causing bacteria and make your skin appear less red and irritated. If you start using too high of a concentration of the benzoyl peroxide though it will make your skin appear even more red and inflamed so look for cleansers that contain only 4 percent of benzoyl peroxide and list the ingredient lower in an ingredient because then it is more diluted and more gentle to the skin. For this skin I recommend a cleanser like Neuutrogena Clear Pore Cleanser. If you experience a problem with blackheads then try a cleanser with salicylic acid like the Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash and SKinCeuticals LHA Cleansing Gel another good alternative to try here if you are looking for an entire skin care regime is the Proactive Extra Strength System because of their products are formulated based on salicylic acids.

Cleanser for Sensitive Skin:
Sensitive skin types usually get irritated when you introduce and ingredient to your skin that is to harsh. For this skin type you need to look for mild ingredients like aloe, cucumber, natural extracts, and antioxidants in lower concentrations. You especially need to avoid anything with an alcohol base to it, harsh toners, scrubs, and overall anything that could be potentially rough to the skin.
Good Cleansers: Avene Extremely GentelCleanser for Intolerant skin, CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser which contains glycerin and ceraminds to help restore your skin’s barrier.
It should be noted that if you have sensitive skin it might be a good idea to look for a skincare regime that is all natural and organic because that will be the most gentle on your skin. You should also remember to avoid any kind of product either makeup or skincare that has some kind of added fragrance.

Let me know if you have any specific skin care related questions!

XOXO

Just a Little Update…

Hi Ladies!

I did a post a few days back about my up and down relationship with primers and how I have yet to find my perfect one. I just wanted to post a photo of my skin without any primer being used underneath my makeup. My skin has seriously been loving no primer and looks amazing without it right now. I can’t even bring myself to try a new one yet because I am so happy with the results of using just a good moisturizer and foundation.

In the photo I am using the Philosophy Hope in a Jar light-weight moisturizer(if you would like a review on this product let me know because it’s one of my new favorites). I let the moisturizer sit on my skin while I do my eyes and then go in with the Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Foundation (review coming soon). I started by applying this all over my face with my fingers and then taking my already damp Beauty Blender, spray a little bit of Fix + from MAC onto it and then blend my foundation onto my skin. After this step I like to let my foundation sit for a minute so I do my eyebrows and then continue onto my face. I then did my concealer with MAC Pro Longwear and blended it out with a Beauty Blender and set it with a very light Mineralize Skinfinish from MAC and then set my skin with the Hourglass Cool Translucent Powder on a large fluffy brush from Real Techniques. Then I did some light blush and bronzer and finished it off with a setting spray from Skindinavia for Dry Skin

XOXO

A Product Deserving of Some Good Attention…

Hi Ladies!

As you know, I have VERY dry skin so when I went on the hunt one week for my miracle dream team I came across a product that really transformed my face when used along with my moisturizer. If you didn’t know already, you should be using some kind of facial serum every night and the type of serum depends on your specific facial needs. I can do a post where I mention some of my favorites and the skin types that go along with them if you guys would like?

I found the Mario Badescu skin care line about a year ago and really liked the entire line and I even got my boyfriend on it when he was on the hunt for a good moisturizer for oily skin. I found the Vitamin C Serum at Ulta and I appreciated the simple product description on the back which made it easily understandable to see what product I was actually buying and what I was getting for my money. I have found that a lot of times when I am looking for something like a serum or a cream I often get overwhelmed at the amount of information, uses, and vitamins listed on the back so the Mario Badescu line was refreshing. The Ulta site says, “Improves skin’s radiance and hydration levels with Mario Badescu’s potent, 7.5% ascorbic acid formula. Skin tone will become more even from the brightening effects of the antioxidant vitamin C, while skin’s texture is left soft and smooth from the anti-aging powers of collagen and hyaluronic acid.” If you did not know, Vitamin C is wonderful for a number of things and can really transform your skin. First off, Vitamin C replenishes your skin and acts as a lightweight but serious moisturizer, it can also be used as a brightening system, anti-aging product, skin soother, skin protector, and a number of other benefits. I chose this product because I was looking for something that I could wear at night time underneath my normal skincare routine and be able to wake up and see a true improvement in my skin. Like I said, I bought this product at a time when my skin was experiencing some serious dryness and this was a miracle serum for me. It’s a clear liquid that glides onto the skin whether or not you have dry skin, your skin will drink this product up right away. The serum does not leave you feeling oily or greasy as you continue your nighttime routine, instead it makes your skin have a glow and sheen to it. After only a few uses my skin looked so healthy, the serum seemed to diminish any lingering acne marks and other dark spots, it reduced any fine lines and just created a very nice canvas for makeup the next day. After heavy research on this product I did not find any negative comments about it at all, but everyone experienced different things with this product. One of the main praises that this product had was that is controlled the acne that some consumers had because as I stated earlier it is a skin soother making it perfect for acne prone skin as well as sensitive skin. Another great point about the serum is the Hyaluronic Acid used in it. This acid is used for a number of things but most commonly used in the process of anti-aging and is said to be, “the fountain of youth” because of the properties of the acid that fill in your fine lines and make your skin look more plump and youthful. No matter what age you are, this ingredient in your skincare routine is important because you should always be integrating some kind of anti-aging product into your routine, especially one that is not invasive and gradually improves the texture and overall appearance of your skin (if you are younger around the ages of 17 to 25 depending on your genetics you should be using a gentle anti-aging serum or system and never one that contains retinol which can be very harsh for young skin)

How I Use It:
I start out by washing my face (any face wash you choose my favorite right now is the FAB Daily Polish Scrub) then I take a makeup remover wipe (my favorite is from the brand Simple) and remove any excess makeup on my face. It is so important before applying your serum or any nighttime routine to really clean your face and take off any existing dirt or it will turn into a pimple. Then I take about two drops on my fingertips and warm it up a bit before applying it first to my most dry areas of my face and then dragging it onto the rest of my face. I try to wait a few moments before applying the rest of my nighttime routine so that the serum can really sink into my skin.
IF YOU ARE OILY:
If you are oily I recommend adding a few drops into your nighttime moisturizer (just because you have oily skin does not mean you shouldn’t be using a good night cream, one with a heavier consistency). Adding a few drops to your moisturizer will diffuse the oil a bit and make it more sheer when it touches your skin.

Let me know if you any of you have tried this product and what you thought about it & also if you have any other great serums!

XOXO

Coverage & Protection All In One…

Hi Ladies! 

Recently I went on the hunt for a good CC cream, one that would not only make my skin look great but also have the vitamins and sunscreen in it to make my skin great without makeup also. When researching the true benefits of CC creams I found this, “Anyone who wants the anti-aging benefits of peptides, niacin, algae, vitamins A, C, B, E, hyaluronic acid, and hydrolyzed collagen and SPF 50+ UVA/UVB Broad Spectrum, Physical Only, Non-Chemical Sunscreen should be using a CC Cream.” CC creams are literally packed with so much good product for you skin it’s impossible for your skin to not look beautiful and glowing with or without the product. 

I fell in love with the IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream which is a full coverage cream with SPF 50+ and packed with the vitamins listed above. The product is amazing, it glides right onto your face with a brush or just using your finger tips, gives you wonderful coverage, and makes your skin appear as if it is glowing from the inside out. The product does not have any shimmer in it but it does give your face a nice dewy sheen. When I first picked this product up my skin was very dry and this acted as a double moisturizer also because of the vitamin C within it (a super hydrating vitamin). If you have oily skin then I would recommend setting this cream with a powder because it will slip and slide if you do not. It blends out very well too making it a perfect cream for everyday or on the run because you don’t need to use a brush for it, you can simply put it on with your fingers. On the back of the packaging it says to reapply this cream every 2 hours because of the sunscreen benefits but I think you would need to reapply it anyways because this will not last you an entire day. I am not very oily but after a few hours I was oily and my skin was peaking through so reapplying this is a must for a long day. This product is perfect for more of a beach day when you aren’t worried about having to reapply this over powders and you are using this as a sunscreen or just for running quick errands. Either way, I felt that this product made my skin look better when I took the cream off, my skin seemed plump and healthy with a glow and it looked like I just had a facial, it did not look like I had been wearing makeup all day. I would recommend this product to everyone! For $38 you are getting a lot of really good product. I think this cream would be great for women who are concerned about aging, sensitive skin, dry skin, and women at the beach or running errands. 

 

How I Use It: I start with a clean face and then apply some of my Benefit Professional to my skin after my moisturizer I let these to products soak into my face for about five minutes while I finish my mascara then I take the CC+ Cream on my fingers and blend it into my skin but not all the way, then I go in with my damp beauty blender and blend everything out one last time (this creates a really nice thin layer of the product and makes it look like my actual skin). Then I finish my concealer and highlight and set everything with my Hourglass Powder. 

XOXO