Stephie Estie

Blackheads 101!

Hi readers!  Hope your week is going well. 🙂

Nothing crinkles the nose faster than the sight of blackheads taking up residence on your face.  It’s expected during our teenage years when our body is going through changes but sometimes you find that they continue to form on your face well past your puberty stage. So, what are blackheads and more importantly, what can you do to manage them? Let’s take a look.

Blackheads/Whiteheads Defined 

Blackheads and whiteheads fall into a category known as comedones.  A comedone is caused when the follicle (pore) becomes congested with dead skin cells, sebum (oil), and other debris.

Open comedones, or blackheads, are open at the surface and exposed to air. This causes the sebum and debris to oxidize resulting in their dark color.  Closed comedones, or whiteheads, form when the pore is completely blocked and no air enters the plugged follicle.

Blackheads

Causes of Blackheads/Whiteheads 

  • Excessive oil production
  • Build up of dead skin cells
  • Improper cleansing
  • Using products that are not compatible to your skin type

How to Treat Blackheads/Whiteheads 

Thorough Cleansing 

Make sure that when you’re cleansing your face, you also focus on the hairline where blackheads and whiteheads can form.  Also, make sure that your not aggressively stripping your skin with a harsh cleanser as this can cause your skin to produce more oil to compensate for moisture loss.

Regular Exfoliation

Make sure to exfoliate your skin regularly, about 2-3 times per week, to help remove the accumulation of dead skin cells. *Note: Don’t overly scrub skin as this will result in further irritation and you can really damage skin.  Also, if you have inflamed acne, avoid using scrubs and opt for a BHA or enzymes to help with congestion.

Reducing Oil Production

Using a clay based mask about 2-3 times per week,  can help draw out impurities and absorb excess oil. Ingredients such as niacinamide, zinc gluconate, and salicylic acid can help regulate oil production.

Keeping Tabs on Makeup and Skincare Items 

Sometimes certain types of makeup can contribute to the formation of blackheads and whiteheads. Isopropyl Myristate can be a comedogenic ingredient for some.  Using the right skincare products for your skin type also helps.  Whereas mature skin would require a thicker moisturizer, skin that is oily should choose something more light-weight such as a gel or lotion.

Seek a Professional 

Scheduling an appointment with a dermatologist or esthetician is another option if you’re looking for a deep cleaning of your pores. They can utilize different techniques and tools to help facilitate the removal of blackheads as well as guide you to products that would work best for you.

Was this information helpful to you? Let me know in the comments below!

Stephanie 

 

Skin Tip: The ABCs of Skin Cancer!

With May being skin cancer awareness month, use the guidelines below to know what to look for.

Asymmetry  If you draw a line through this mole, the two halves will not match.

Border The borders of an early melanoma tend to be uneven, irregular, scalloped or notched.

Color  Coloring varies from one area to another- different shades if brown, tan, or black- and it can become red, blue or some other color.

Diameter  Melanomas are usually larger than the size of the eraser on your pencil ( ¼ inch or 6mm) but they can be smaller when first detected.

Evolution  Any changes in size, shape, color, elevation or new symptoms such as bleeding itching or crusting.

Always remember, when in doubt, have it checked out!

Stephanie 

Disclaimer: The contents on this website, and any related links, are provided for general informational purposes and should NOT be considered medical advice. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here. Please consult a healthcare provider if you have any questions about a particular health condition.

April Favorites 2016!

April Faves 2016

Hello everyone!  We’re a few days shy of the end of April and I’ve got a great collection of items to share so let’s get started!

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Double Dare

One of the items I picked up at the Sephora sale, I can’t get over this beautiful shade.  If you’re in the market for a great liquid lipstick, pick this one up, if you can find it.

Colour Pop Ultra Satin Lip in Echo Park

If you’re looking for an affordable liquid lipstick, then Colour Pop is your brand.  At $6, this warm peachy nude applies smoothly and surprisingly lasts even though it’s not a matte formula.  It does come off as it never fully dries and I did find this to be on the drying side but lip balm underneath helps.

The Estee Edit by Estee Lauder The Barest Lip Color in So Bare

A collection I initially dismissed, I’m glad I went back to take a closer look.  A lipstick/lip balm hybrid, this feels creamy, hydrating and imparts good pigmentation

Lancome Juicy Shaker in 252 Vanilla Pop

Lancome’s newest take on the original Juicy Tubes, this lip oil is unique.  You shake the bottle to mix the lip oils and pigments to create a nice, albeit sheer, wash of color.  The applicator is a stubby sponge attached to the cap which feels plush and melts the product onto your lips.  This product gets addicting so you have been warned. 😉

Lipstick Swatches

 

L’Oreal True Match Lumi Cushion in C3 

I was a fan of the Laneige BB Cushion Compact so I wanted to give this one a try.  This does give a nice luminous look to skin that doesn’t feel heavy.  I’m not a big fan of the sponge that’s included so I use my beauty blender to apply the product.  Overall, I’m happy with this one.

Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder Foundation #3

I requested a sample of this foundation at the Charlotte Tilbury counter and this one is pretty much perfection.  It’s light-weight and provides enough coverage for me where it doesn’t look cakey and covers up my redness.  I was worried that this would be to glowy for my combination skin but so far it gives a nice sheen without looking like an oily mess.

Foundation Swatches

Charlotte Tilbury Film Star Bronze and Glow

Another iconic item from Charotte Tilbury, I had to pick up this Film Star Bronze and Glow palette after one of the makeup artists tried it on me.  I will say that the Sculpt shade is lighter than expected but it sculpts cheek bones in a not-so-obvious way.  It blends in pretty nicely too.  The highlighter is also not that obvious looking but adds a subtle ethereal glow.

Becca Mineral Blush in Wild Honey

I love using this blush as it blends effortlessly and looks great applied over bronzer.  It’s not matte and has small shimmer particles but when it’s on me, it looks a bit matte.

Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Matte Bronzer

A perfect shade for sculpting and contouring, I’m only sad I didn’t try this sooner.  Love that the color is dark enough to define cheekbones but not overpowering.  I use this instead of the CT Sculpt shade when I want more definition.

Blush Swatches

Renee Rouleau Soothing Eye Makeup Remover

I received this when Renee was in town and I have to say that this did not irritate my sensitive eyes. Sometimes certain makeup remover wipes or formulas sting my eyes but this one was very gentle with no burning feeling.  It did well in removing minimal eye makeup but I had to use something more oil based if I had heavier eye makeup.

Skin Script Glycolic Cleanser

I ordered a few samples of these and boy these are very active products.  Containing 17% glycolic acid, I use this about twice a week when I’m experiencing some breakouts.  It’s also doubling as my beauty blender cleanser as it effectively removes all the gunk that accumulates on it.

Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask

I’ve been impressed by this hair mask.  As soon as I apply this, it leaves my color treated hair softer and smoother feeling.

 

Skincare Hair

Govino Go-Anywhere Carafe and Water Glass Set

I know this is missing from the main picture, but I didn’t have it with me at the time.  I received this carafe and water glass set in my March PopSugar Must Have Box and since I’ve kept it with me at work, I’ve been staying way more hydrated than I normally do.  The carafe is 28 oz and I refill it a few times a day.  I also love the fact that it’s easy to store and doesn’t take up too much space as you can place the water glass upside down on top of the carafe.

PSMH 1

 Please let me know your favorites this month and if you’d want a full review of any of these products!

Stephanie

 

Skin Tip: About Lemon Juice in DIY Skincare!

Happy Friday everyone!

I’ve heard and seen many people post about using lemon juice in DIY skincare treatments due to its vitamin C properties. While lemons do have a high concentration of vitamin C, they have a very low pH which can actually burn your skin.  Carefully formulated vitamin C formulas might be a better option to get your topical dose of vitamin C and if you have sensitive skin, look into magnesium ascorbyl phosphate.

Have a great weekend!

Stephanie   

 

Chemical Peels 101!

Chemical peels

When you hear the word chemical peel, usually what springs to mind are horrifying images of red blotchy, blistered, maybe even bloody, skin.  However, not all peels are created equal.  Enzyme peels can offer a more gentle form of exfoliation while a TCA peel can penetrate into the deeper layers of skin.

Here’s an overview on what you need to know about chemical peels.

Chemical Peels Defined

A chemical peel  is an accelerated form of exfoliation that involves an injury of a specific skin-depth.  It involves a process of removing excess accumulations of dead skin cells from the skin through acids, retinoids or enzymes.

Types of Chemical Peels 

  • Very superficial/superficial- performed by estheticians and used for fine wrinkles, sun damage, acne and some cases of rosacea
  • Medium Depth- performed by doctors or estheticians under medical supervision and used for more obvious wrinkles, sun damage and precancerous lesions like actinic keratosis
  • Deep- performed only be a pysician, this peel is used for severe wrinking and sun damage and healing can take several weeks

Benefits of Chemical Peels

  • Improves texture of the skin- looks and feels smoother
  • Reduced fine lines and wrinkles
  • Can potentially stimulate collagen and elastin production
  • Can improve skin conditions such as acne, acne scars, hyperpigmentation, sun damaged and dry skin
  • Increased moisture retention

 Contraindications for a Chemical Peel 

Although a chemical peel is a great treatment, not everyone is a candidate for them.  Being honest with your esthetician or medical professional will significantly reduce adverse reactions. The following list details some reasons that can contraindicate a chemical peel treatment:

  • Recent cosmetic surgeries, waxing, laser resurfacing, other chemical peels or dermabrasion
  • Recent fillers or Botox
  • Use of Retina-A, retinol, Accutane (Isotretinoin), or other medications that exfoliate or thin the skin
  • Allergies to the ingredients/aspirins
  • Pregnancy
  • Herpes simplex
  • Infectious diseases
  • Open sores or lesions
  • Sunburned or irritated skin
  • Medications that make the skin sensitive to the sun

Post Chemical Peel Care

Once your procedure is completed, follow your esthetician’s or medical professional’s advice on how to care for your skin.  Key points to remember are:

  • Avoid direct sunlight for 48 hours and wear SPF as your skin will be extra sensitive to the sun.   Physical sunscreen is best for sensitive skin.
  • Stay cool and avoid hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms, hair dryers or any activity that can generate heat for about 2 days as heat can cause hyperpigmentation.
  • Whether you peel or not doesn’t determine if the peel “worked”.
  • Do not pick or pull on loosening or peeling skin.  You can lightly exfoliate with a dry towel if flaking occurs.
  • Do not wax for 72 hours after a treatment or immediately before.
  • Use gentle products for a few days after the treatment and avoid anything with active ingredients such as retinol.

Before you opt to receive a chemical peel, consult with your esthetician or medical professional to discuss your goals and concerns see what options are right for you.  Also, be mindful of the fact that it may take more than one treatment to see results so make sure that you are financially prepared.

I hope this post was helpful and if you have any other questions, let me know!

Have you ever received a chemical peel?  What was your experience like? 

Stephanie

Skin Tip: Spring Clean Your Skincare!

Happy Friday everyone!

While you’re busy doing your spring cleaning, don’t forget to do the same for your skincare items.  Toss out any items that have expired-you might be surprised at what you find!  Also, remember that with the change of seasons, your skin might also experience changes so pay attention to what doesn’t seem to be working for you anymore and find an alternative. Always feel free to contact me with any questions. 🙂

Have a great weekend everyone! 

Stephanie 

Skin Tips: Allergies and Puffy Eyes!

Happy Friday everyone!

We’re into spring and for some of us, that means allergies.  When your eyes feel red, puffy and irritated, place a cold compress or cooling eye packs over them for 5 to 10 minutes to help alleviate them.

Have a great weekend, 

Stephanie 

The Beauty Blogger Tag!

Beauty Blogger Tag

Hi everyone!  How was everyone’s Easter weekend?

It’s been awhile since I have done a tag but I thought it would be something fun to do today. I was nominated by Rahma from Glamorous Etioles for the Beauty Blogger Tag so if you’d like to get to know more about me and beauty, keep reading.

The Rules for this Tag:

Tag the blogger that nominated you
Answer the questions you were given
Nominate 10 bloggers whose blog is about beauty/lifestyle/fashion
Name 10 questions for your nominees to answer
Inform the bloggers you chose that you nominated them

1. Have you ever done yoga and did you like it?

Yes and yes. To be honest though, when I first started yoga, I didn’t care for it.  It wasn’t until I was invited to attend a yoga workshop hosted by Danielle Cuccio that I actually learned to appreciate it.  The Powerflow session was done to a great playlist and I’ve been hooked ever since.

2.What products do you splurge on?

Skincare and makeup of course. 😉

3.What products do you save on?

I would say nail polish mainly because I hardly buy any.

4.What is your best tip for maintaining healthy skin?

Sunscreen is a must for healthy skin, so rain or shine, chemical or physical, make sure to apply it.  Also, keeping your skin hydrated is important as well.

5.What do you use to remove your makeup?

It depends what I have in my skincare arsenal.  Makeup wipes, cleansing oils and cream based cleansers are a few that I like to keep around.

6.How do you maintain your eyebrows (example, threading/waxing)?

Threading, tweezing and sometimes waxing.  My eyebrows grow like wildfire so if I don’t keep up monthly maintenance routine, I need to resort to all three.

7:What is your favorite mascara?

At the moment, I would have to say Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash Mascara

8.Where do you buy most of your makeup?

I would say Sephora and online about equally.

9.What is your favorite shade of lipstick?

An unfair question to ask a beauty blogger and beauty addict if you ask me.  However, currently I’m in love with any and all pink/nude shades.

10.What is your favorite perfume?

Ange ou Demon Le Secret by Givenchy.  It’s a bit on the pricey side but I love to buy it when it comes in a set.

That’s it for this tag.  I hope you enjoyed reading a little bit more about me and thanks to Rahma for the nomination!  Check out her blog and give her a follow while you’re at it.  Consider yourself tagged if you want to participate.

My 10 questions:

Have you ever done yoga and did you like it?
What products do you splurge on?
What products do you save on?
What is your best tip for maintaining healthy skin?
What do you use to remove your makeup?
How do you maintain your eyebrows (example, threading/waxing)?
What is your favorite mascara?
Where do you buy most of your makeup?
What is your favorite shade of lipstick?
What is your favorite perfume?

See you on Thursday with my March favorites, 

Stephanie 

 

Skin Tip: Possible Causes of Cheek Breakouts!

Happy Friday everyone!

If you’re experiencing breakouts on your cheeks, it could be indicative of allergies or possible dental infections so if you’ve been consistently breaking out in this area, you might want to get checked out to rule out this possibility.

Have a great weekend everyone! 

Stephanie 

*Note: I will have a special post on Monday with the new Tarte Rainforest of the Sea eyeshadow palette before I take a mini spring blog break, so be on the lookout for that. 🙂 

 

 

Disclaimer:  The contents on this website, and any related links, are provided for general informational purposes and should NOT be considered medical advice. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here. Please consult a healthcare provider if you have any questions about a particular health condition.  

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