New Skincare Obsession…

Hi Ladies!

This week I went to the Dry Bar at Fashion Island which is basically just a fancy place to get your hair washed, dried, and curled but it seriously looks better than anything that I could have done. While I was walking to the hair salon I passed by Lush and decided to take a look inside due to all the wonderful reviews and comments I have heard about the entire store. I am always looking for great companies who use completely natural products and also do not test on animals, those two things are very important to me when searching out a brand that I am going to invest some serious money in. After watching Jacklyn Hill’s videos on Youtube I knew that I wanted to try a few products from the store but ended up leaving with only one mask because I wanted to start off small. 

The Mask: 

I chose the Mask of Magnanimity in the 4.4 oz container. This mask is designed for use on your face but it can also be used on your back. Inside of the mask there is China Clay and Peppermint which do some serious deep cleaning and make sure that every pore you have on your face is rid of any gunk. This mask is also packed with aduki beans which help to exfoliate and soften dry skin, there is also vanilla and honey to help calm down redness and make your face feel soothed and not too dry.  Although this mask was wonderful when I used it, it is a serious deep cleaning mask so you do not want to put this into your normal skin care regime because even though it is packed with hydrating beans I do think that the more often you use this the more of a chance you have at really drying out your skin. When I first used it I started off with clean skin and let the mask sit all over my face for about 20 minutes (the mask says 5-10 but I got distracted) then I rinsed it off with warm water. After the mask had been sitting it was becoming quite flaky so it was very easy to rinse off and I just gently exfoliated my skin by lighting rubbing the mask in circular motions. After the mask was off my skin felt incredibly soft, my pores looked smaller, and my entire face just had a really nice glow to it. With dry skin, I am always afraid to use anything to rough on my skin because it will just dry me out more but this seriously hydrated my skin and gave me such a nice layer for the rest of my skin care routine. When I woke up the next day I could still smell the minty scent the mask left (which I love) and my skin looked brighter, some of my blemishes were smaller, and my skin was incredibly smooth. I really would recommend this mask to everyone. If you have sensitive skin you will love this product because it has all natural ingredients, there are no chemicals or preservatives added so as long as you are not allergic to the products your skin should love this mask. If you have oily skin this mask will not only help remove some of that oil from your skin through the exfoliation but it will also keep the oil down by adding good hydration. If you are dry, this mask will get rid of any rough patches and smooth while hydrating your skin. For $12.95 this mask is a holy grail in my life now! 

XOXO

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

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