Most women shave in the shower but men can benefit from this too! The humidity created by your shower helps soften skin and keep it moist allowing for easier facial hair removal. Just make sure the water isn’t too hot as this can dry out your skin.
Thanks for tuning in this week! 🙂
Have a wonderful weekend,
Stephanie
Happy Wednesday everyone!
I had a question about how to use a vitamin C serum and that is such a great question. I mean, how many times have you purchased a product that sounds like a great addition to your skincare arsenal and then realize you have no idea how to use it? Happens to the best of us. 🙂
In a nutshell, the use of vitamin C results in a reduction of fine lines and wrinkles, promotes the formation of collagen, protects the skin from UV damage and can also reduce pigmentation due to its brightening properties. (For more information on vitamin C, click here.) The best and most efficient way to use it is during the day underneath your moisturizer and sunscreen. This will give you that extra antioxidant protection your skin needs from the sun’s harmful rays, which plays a prominent role in the breakdown of collagen.
I hope this helps!
Thanks for reading,
Stephanie
Hi readers! A while ago I purchased these two Lush products and I finally got around to reviewing them. Just a quick recap on the brand in case you’ve never heard of them: they are a company that prides themselves on creating and selling fresh, handmade products with little to no preservative and they support humanitarian, environmental and animal rights causes. You can read a little bit more on the brand and other Lush products I tried by clicking here.
D’Fluff Strawberry Shaving Soap
D’Fluff Strawberry Shaving Soap is a thick, pink product that boasts fresh strawberries, egg whites, golden syrup, rosehip oil, coconut oil, maple sugar and Fair Trade cocoa butter designed to leave skin silky smooth after shaving. Strawberries contain natural fruit acids that can provide mild exfoliation, allowing for a smoother shave while coconut oil, rosehip oil and cocoa butter provide a moisturizing component. While I do like the fact that my legs feel really soft and moisturized afterward, the scent to me isn’t pleasant. It hinges more on an artificial strawberry scent mixed with bubblegum and lingers for a while.
Pros
The bottom of the jar lists the date it was made and the date you should discard it
Handmade and fresh
Natural acids from strawberries provide mild exfoliation, which can lead to less ingrown hairs
You don’t have to moisturize as much after shaving
Cons
Is pricier than standard shaving creams 2.4 oz for$9.95; 5.2 oz for $16.95
The smell- either you love it or hate it- and it has added fragrance.
Tub container isn’t the most convenient in the shower
You have to use quite a bit of product because it tends to slide of very easily
Not sure how effective the self-preserving formula is meaning if water is introduced into the product, can it breed bacteria?
*To be safe, you should use dry clean hands or a clean spatula to scoop out the product
Ocean Salt Face and Body Scrub
Ocean Salt is a salt based skin softening scrub that is mixed with “fresh avocado and coconut to hydrate thirsty skin, leaving it balanced and soft. The cleansing effects of lime and vodka are ideal for blocked pores, blackheads or blemishes and leave skin visibly brightened.” The scent in this scrub is exactly like a margarita (yum!). It’s a nice way to give your body a little energizing boost. *Note: Although this is marketed as a face and body scrub, I would recommend this only as a body scrub as the course salt is too abrasive for the face.
Pros
The bottom of the jar lists the date it was made and the date you should discard it
Handmade and fresh
Margarita scented (without the calories!)
Effective exfoliator, especially for rough spots like knees, elbows and feet
Didn’t experience any dryness
You don’t need to use a lot of the product
Cons
Price $21.95 for 4.2 oz; $35.95 for 8.8 oz
Tub container isn’t the most convenient in the shower- it would be great if it came in a squeeze tube
FD&C Blue #1, fragrance, and Lanolin, although in small amounts, can cause sensitivity for some
Course salt is too abrasive to be used on the face
Bottom Line: I would not purchase the D’Fluff Strawberry Shaving Soap again as I find it to be a hassle in the shower. I do love the Ocean Salt scrub and I may repurchase again-the only deterrent is the price.
Have you tried these or any other Lush products? What do you think of them?
Stephanie
As temperatures drop, you might notice changes in your skin. Skin can become dry, tight, flaky and perhaps feel more sensitive/irritated. One crucial part of skincare is to keep your skin hydrated because this helps protect us from pathogens, irritation, and from the skin drying out. If you find that even when you use your moisturizer, your skin still feels dry or tight, us the tips below as a guideline.
Dry Skin/Normal/Dry and Sensitive: Switch to a heavier cream
Oily/Combination/Sensitive and Oily: Use a hydrating serum/booster underneath your current moisturizer to obtain hydration without heaviness that can lead to breakouts.
As always, if you have any questions, I am here to help. 🙂
Stay warm and hydrated,
Stephanie
Every so often, I am asked how I prepare my skin for special occasions so with the holiday season here, I decided to share my tips and tricks to achieving a great and lasting look.
Let’s get started!
Skincare Essential Tips
1) Exfoliate! One of the steps to achieve a smooth complexion is to exfoliate and a go-to favorite is Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment. In the shower after cleansing, I apply it to my face, wait 2 minutes while the enzymes and lactic acid remove dead skin cells and rinse away to reveal a rosy glow. (For a full review, click here.)
Lips can also use some exfoliating to remove flakiness and allow your lip color a smooth application. I like Fresh Sugar Lip Polish.
2) Moisturize! After exfoliating, it’s crucial to add in moisture to your skin. This step can also help prevent a cakey look. Choose a moisturizer that’s appropriate for your skin type. I use Dermalogica Active Moist when my combination skin feels more on the oily side as it’s light-weight and works well under makeup.
3) Use an Eye Cream! Adding hydration underneath your eyes will give a youthful look and can lessen the appearance of fine lines. A good eye cream I like is PCA Skin EyeXcellence.
Pre and Post Makeup Essentials
1) Face Primer! A face primer creates a barrier between your skin and makeup. It helps make your makeup last longer and depending on the formula you choose, it can minimize the look of pores and ‘fill in’ lines and wrinkles (silicone based). 100% Pure Luminous Primer Vitamins + Antioxidants with Resveratrol has a nice blend of green tea and vitamins C and E for added antioxidant support.
2) Eye Primer! Eye primer is a must to even out any discoloration you may have on your eyelids and keep eyeshadow from creasing/fading. My absolute favorite that I have used for years is Too Faced Shadow Insurance.
3) Lip Balm! Just as it’s key to moisturize your face, your lips also benefit from it too. Swipe on a little bit while you’re getting ready so it has a chance to set. Helpful tip: Mix it with your favorite lipstick to get a sheer look. I love Vintage Sister Lip Balms (featured here: Chai Tea).
4) Finish the look! (optional) To really help set everything, use a finishing/setting spray or a light dusting of powder. I alternate between Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder and Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray.
And there you have it. Whatever makeup colors/brands I choose depends on what I want to achieve, but these steps ensure a polished look.
What are your favorite products or tips for special occasions? Comment below!
Thanks for reading,
Stephanie
One of my good friends asked me if she should toss out all of her makeup items in lieu for a more natural and chemical free line. I could tell she was very concerned about this and I know this is probably a question many people have. Here is what I told her.
When we think of a chemical, we tend to associate the word with harsh acids that can lead to burns, redness, irritation, etc. But, what is it really?
By definition, a chemical compound is basically two or more atoms of different elements united chemically. The simplest way to illustrate this is by using water as an example. Two atoms of Hydrogen are joined with one Oxygen atom giving you water (H2O) and (gasp!) a chemical compound. So yes, water is a chemical. You can see why it irks me when I hear makeup or skincare companies touting their products as ‘chemical’ free. If that were the case, then they would be selling you nothing. In any case, most companies are phasing or have phased out controversial ingredients such as parabens and phthalates but that is a whole different story.
Second, the molecular structure of a product has a lot to do with how it works on your skin. Makeup products typically have a large molecular structure which means they just ‘sit’ on the skin. The molecule is too big to penetrate through all the layers of your skin and make its way into your bloodstream, and at the end of the day, you wash it off.
Bottom line, after I presented my view, I told my friend that it is ultimately up to her to decide what she feels is best for her. I did tell her to keep in mind that most ‘organic’ products have a shorter shelf-life due to minimal, natural or no preservatives and to always conduct a patch test before trying out a product. Just because something is ‘natural’ doesn’t mean it can’t cause a reaction/problem.
I hope you found this post informative and helpful and as always, if you have any questions, feel free to shoot me an email.
Oh, and don’t forget to enter my ‘thank you’ giveaway by clicking here. Only a few more days before the winner is announced!
Have a great Thursday and thanks for reading,
Stephanie
Since it’s Halloween, most of us are dressing up and probably using some type of face makeup. Follow these simple guidelines to ensure your makeup lasts and your skin stays protected!
1) Use a primer before painting your face to provide a barrier between your skin and the makeup- this way, the makeup sits on top of your primer instead of directly on the skin.
2) Remove all makeup after your event is done! Sleeping in stage makeup that is loaded with heavy waxes, colors and oils is a recipe for breakouts and irritation. If possible, use an oil-based cleanser to help dissolve makeup so that there is minimal rubbing, tugging, and pulling. Milk/cream cleansers can work just as well or use makeup wipes as another option. Follow with your cleanser to remove any leftover residue and moisturize.
Thanks for reading, have a fun Halloween weekend, and stay tuned next week!
Stephanie
I recently had a reader ask me how to take care of your skin when you are sick.
Good question as flu and cold season is here!
When you are sick, the last thing you probably think of is your skin. You’re feeling weak or tired and any strength you have is most likely spent towards mustering up enough energy to take your medications. But, think about it for a second. You’re coughing, sneezing, sweating, etc and it would good to at least try to remove some that off. If you can take a shower, it’s easy to just cleanse your face and rinse off. If you don’t have enough energy for that, you can lightly moisten your skin with lukewarm water, apply your cleanser and remove it by using a few cotton rounds-this way you don’t have to leaning over the sink.
The key here is to keep it basic: a gentle cleanser, toner and moisturizer. That’s it. Don’t exfoliate, use retinols or AHAs/BHAs. Why? Certain medications can cause your skin to become sensitive temporarily, prompting a reaction or irritation when there would otherwise be none. Once you’re all better, you can slowly reintroduce these ingredients back into your skincare routine.
I hope you found this helpful and if you have any other questions, feel free to ask. How do make yourself feel better when you are sick?
Stephanie
Turn leftover pumpkins into a skin treat!
Simply combine about a cup of pureed, cooked fresh or canned pumpkin, 4 tablespoons of plain yogurt and a little bit of honey in a bowl and apply onto clean face. Relax on a couch or bed while it sits on skin for about 10 minutes, rinse off with warm water and apply your favorite moisturizer. You can add a little bit of olive oil into the mix if your skin is more on the dry side.
*Always conduct a patch test to avoid adverse effects.
Wishing you all a great weekend,
Stephanie
Renee and I at Sofitel in Beverly Hills
Hi readers! I hope you all had a great weekend!
I was given the unique (and awesome!) opportunity to assist celebrity esthetician Renee Rouleau during one of her quarterly visits here in L.A. This is the second time I have helped her during her stay and words cannot express how blessed I feel to be able to participate in this event. Renee is one of the go-to skin care gurus with celebrity clients like Demi Lovato and Lisa Rina and generates rave reviews from beauty editors with good reason. Aside from being extremely knowledgeable and formulating her own skin care line, she is also genuinely sweet, caring and humble. When I first met her, she greeted me with a hug and smile that felt like I had known her forever. Such a lovely person inside and out.
I was one of the lucky ones that received a bottle of her soon to be released newly released Pro Remedy Oil! Pro Remedy Oil is a blend of 12 natural oils including sweet almond oil, evening primrose oil, rosehip oil and cranberry oil that “helps repair dry skin from airplane travel, eczema, sunburn, dry climate and pregnancy.” Since many of us receive chemical peels during the fall and winter months, this oil can also be used post-chemical peel to soothe skin.
Pro Remedy Oil is a clear light-weight, citrus scented oil that absorbs quickly into the skin. Since I have combination skin, I mix about 2-3 drops with my moisturizer and apply to my face-a little goes a long way. So far, I like how my skin has felt hydrated with no heavy after feel and I haven’t broken out. We’ll see if that changes in the next couple of weeks.
If you have dry skin or eczema and haven’t found products that work, definitely look into this oil, especially during these next few months when we’re prone to losing more moisture. Those with acne or oily skin types should tread lightly since you already produce enough oil and probably don’t need anymore.
Other goodies I received: Bio Calm Repair Masque, Aloe Cleansing Milk and Bio Radiance Night Serum- can’t wait to try them out.
I’ve tried a couple of products from Renee’s line and although there were some I didn’t like or didn’t work for me, some items worth checking out that I love include Luxe Mint Cleansing Gel, BHA Clarifying Serum, and Triple Berry Smoothing Peel.
If you’re interested in Renee’s skin care line, visit her website www.reneerouleau.com
Hope you enjoyed this post and sneak peek!
