Happy Friday readers!
Harsh winter weather coupled with frequent hand washing can leave your hands feeling extremely dry or chapped. Using a hand cream with occlusive ingredients like shea or cocoa butter can help as well as using gloves when you’re outside. Reapply frequently to replenish lost moisture.
Have a great weekend!
Stephanie
Welcome back to part II of my Best of Beauty 2015 segment where I’ll be covering skincare and hair products I’ve enjoyed throughout the year. Let’s get to it. 🙂
Skincare
Cleanser
Monarch Beauty Herbal Milky Cleanser
Love using this creamy cleanser when my skin is dry and it also doubles as a makeup remover.
Renee Rouleau Purifying Face Wash
This unscented cleanser deep cleans skin without leaving skin stripped of moisture and will last you a long time.
Toner
Monarch Beauty Transforming Toner
A soothing mist integrating green tea and chamomile that helps calm skin and restore skin’s pH levels.
Rhonda Allison Cucumber Spritz
A light toner that is perfect to take on the go to refresh and hydrate skin.
Facial Moisturizer
Skin Script Cacteen Balancing Moisturizer
This medium-weight moisturizer contains prickly pear cactus to help heal and is rich on olive oil fatty acids that help retain moisture in the skin.
HydroPeptide Power Lift Advanced Ultra-Rich Moisturizer
When my skin needs a little bit of extra moisture, this one is perfect to use as the thicker consistency glides on skin without making me breakout.
Eye Cream
SkinMedica TNS Eye Repair
The fast absorbing and light texture makes this easy to work with plus the blend of peptides, retinol and vitamin C and E help firm, brighten and smooth the eye area.
Renee Rouleau Total Eye Repair
Another fast-absorbing eye cream that contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate skin and works very well under makeup and concealer.
Exfoliator
Kate Somerville Exfolikate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment
One of my favorite go-to exfoliators, this contains several acids and enzymes to exfoliate skin while cinnamon helps blood circulation.
Sunscreen
Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50
This product streamlines my morning skincare routine as it’s a moisturizer and sunscreen in 1.
Mask
Dermalogica Sebum Clearing Masque
Perfect for spot treating, this has kaolin and bentonite clays to this soak up extra oil and salicylic acid to treat breakouts.
Body Moisturizers
Skinfix Ultra Rich Body Butter
An unscented moisturizer that absorbs quickly and allows you to customize it with your favorite essential oil.
Lush Cosmetics Charity Pot
Another great moisturizer that helps lock in moisture and the ylang ylang cocoa butter scent is soothing.
Hair
Shampoo
Acure Organics Repairing Shampoo Moroccan Argan Stem Oil + Argan Oil
I received a sample of this in a Target Beauty Box and I really liked how it cleans hair without taking away too much moisture-crucial for curly hair!
Tessa Water Colors Shampoo in Molten Bronze
Love using this color depositing shampoo about every week or so to help refresh my hair color.
Conditioner
Nelson J Beverly Hills Argan Oil 7 Moisture Healing Mask
This hair mask helps smooth out the frizz factor from my curly hair and makes detangling easy.
Dry Shampoo
Bumble and bumble Pret a Powder
This travel sized option quickly blends into the hair, absorbing any excess oil.
Klorane Extra Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk
Fairly unscented, this also helps absorb extra oil in hair without leaving behind a white residue.
Shine Spray
Dry Bar Sparkling Soda Shine Mist
Adding shine to hair is very easy with this portable spray and it leaves hair smelling amazing.
Heat Protectant
Treseme Keratin Smooth Flat Iron Smoothing Spray
The best affordable heat protectant spray that makes straightening my hair easier and leaves it smooth and shiny.
Are any of these your favorites too? Let me know in the comments below!
Stephanie
Hello everyone! How was your Christmas and long weekend? Mine was great although I still can’t believe that we are only a few days away from a new year. Crazy how time is zooming by.
Anyhow, I’ve gathered my favorites this month so let’s get started. 🙂
Renee Rouleau Purifying Face Wash
This face wash is on heavy rotation in my skincare routine. It’s a very gentle, unscented gel cleanser that slightly foams but doesn’t leave skin feeling stripped of moisture. Ingredients like sea whip and green tea are included to calm skin. I think this cleanser is perfect if you don’t have too many breakouts.
Skin Script Raspberry Refining Cleanser
I ordered a box full of Skin Script skincare gift sets and I’m really loving this cleanser. It smells like raspberries and includes glycolic and salicylic acid to help clear up acne as well as yucca extract to help relieve irritation. This cleanser gently foams and rinses clean without that harsh tight feeling certain cleansers can leave afterward.
Skin Script Cacteen Balancing Moisturizer
I picked up a few samples of this moisturizer at the esthetic trade show in Long Beach and it’s been a good moisturizer for these winter nights. A medium weight moisturizer, this has prickly pear cactus to help heal and is rich on olive oil fatty acids that help retain moisture in the skin.
Tarte Cosmetics Beauty and the Box Eyeshadow in Apple of My Eye
I’ve been reaching for this eyeshadow quad quite frequently throughout the holidays and I love it. Bronze and gold eyeshadows are my go-to shades and this quad encompasses gorgeous colors that can be used to create subtle daytime looks to dramatic smoky night time looks.
e.l.f. EX-tra Lip Gloss in Scott
I picked up the e.l.f. Mix and Mingle Lip Gloss set at Target and while I’ll have a complete review on the blog later, the shade I have been loving is Scott. Scott is a peach beige lipgloss with gold flecks that once applied give a nice subtle glow. Priced at $2 each, they glosses have good pigmentation, decent staying power, aren’t sticky and have a sweet taste. My only issue is that the lip gloss applicator is flimsy and I’m constantly worried it may break off.
e.l.f. EX-tra Lipgloss in Scott
Rhonda Allison Holiday Wine Luster Holiday Set
I follow fellow esthetican Christina Gliatta from Estie Skincare on Instagram and when she posted this Rhonda Allison kit, I knew I had to order it from her. I’ve been wanting to try Rhonda Allison skincare products for a while and this kit did not disappoint. It includes one ounce of Cucumber Spritz and half an ounce of Blushed Wine Gel.
I use the Cucumber Spritz in the morning before I apply my makeup to add moisture to my skin without it feeling heavy. Depending on the weather, I’ll toss it into my purse and take it on the go to refresh my skin. The Blushed Wine Gel is a great antioxidant moisturizer for my combination skin during the day. It has small shimmer particles that provides skin with a glow and it works great under my makeup.
So far, I am impressed with the Rhonda Allison line and can’t wait to try more in the future. If you’re looking to try out Rhonda Allison products, make sure to follow Estie Skincare-Christina is super nice and helpful.
Sara Happ Lip Scrub in Peppermint
A special extra that Christina included- thank you!- this lip scrub is heaven sent! I like Fresh Sugar Lip Polish but this one is more moisturizing, and perfect for this harsh winter weather. The price is a little steep at $24 but you only need very little of this luxurious feeling lip scrub so it will last you a long time. Lips feel super soft and hydrated and most importantly, are left flake free. Bonus: the packaging is so chic complete with a little bow.
What are your favorites this month?
Stephanie
Happy December everyone! My, my, how time is just zooming by. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving weekend. 🙂
Well, it’s the start of a new month which means it’s time to share items I have been loving all throughout November. Let’s get started!
Why Not Me? Mindy Kaling
Featured in October’s PopSugar Must Have Box, this was a fairly quick and great read. A humorously written account of her life and experiences, I especially loved the beauty advice she gives.
“Who is the beauty icon that inspires you the most? Is it Sophia Loren? Audrey Hepburn? Halle Berry? Mine is Nosferatu, because that vampire taught me my number-one and number-two favorite beauty tricks of all time: avoid the sun at all costs and always try to appear shrouded in shadows.”
I mean, there is some truth in that. 😉
Dior Addict Lip Maximizer High Volume Lip Plumper in Pink 001
After my horrible experience with the Dior Addict Fluid Stick-it made my lips burn and feel sensitized-I returned it and the sales associate gave me a sample of this. I took a liking to this immediately. I don’t think it plumped up my lips but the high shine, non-sticky texture is amazing. It’s light pink in color and feels slightly minty on the lips without being overwhelming.
Skinfix Ultra Rich Body Butter
A little body butter jar that came in my Target Beauty Box, I keep this on my nightstand as it deeply moisturizes my dry hands. It absorbs fairly quickly and doesn’t really have a scent. I love mixing this with my favorite lavender essential oil for a customized scent.
Kiko Cosmetics Smart Lipstick in 901 Natural Neige
I was ecstatic when a Kiko Cosmetics store opened up near me and one of the first things I gravitated towards was this lipstick. At a little less than $5, this lipstick is absolutely amazing. (Note: I found this one in the discount section of the store.) Creamy and the perfect nude color for me, this looks great worn alone or under lip gloss. Did I mention it is under $5? You need this.
Kiko Smart Lipstick 901
Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick in Natural Tan 4.25
I received an array of Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick samples and immediately went to Macy’s to purchase the full size. The stick form makes this a breeze to apply and is perfect when you are on the go. It melts into moisturized skin and doesn’t look cakey on me plus the coverage can be light or built up.
Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick Natural Tan
Deepa Gurnani Katie Crystal Headband
Another PopSugar Must have item, I love this headband! It is festive and perfect for the holidays. It doesn’t move once you put it on,which is an issue I have sometimes with other headbands, and is super comfortable.
That’s it for my favorites.
What were your favorites this month?
Stephanie
Happy Friday everyone!
Make sure you are keeping your skincare products in a cool, dry environment to help preserve their efficacy. Avoid placing them near heat or direct sunlight as this can cause products to break down quicker.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Stephanie
Hi everyone! How was your weekend? I managed to pick up a few items at Sephora plus I have some on their way so I will post on that later. I’ve also been battling a low grade fever so I’m a bit behind on comments/social media but I will get back to you. 🙂
Birchbox came in over the weekend so here’s a glance on what was included.
Malin + Goetz Grapefruit Face Cleanser and Vitamin E Face Moisturizer (sample)
This cleanser is said to help clear up breakouts and balance skins natural pH;the moisturizer has hyaluronic acid and vitamin E to nourish skin. I haven’t had a chance to try these two yet.
LOC Vibrant Matte Lipstick in First Kiss
Birchbox has a new in-house brand called LOC. This month’s sample I choose was a lipstick that was curated by YouTube beauty star Tati Westbrook. It’s a matte pinky beige color that is so pretty but unfortunately doesn’t last long and definitely needs to be paired with lip balm or lipgloss so it doesn’t dry out lips.
LOC First Kiss
Montale Dark Purple
This fragrance sample has “notes of rose petals, geranium bourbon, and patchouli [that] sit on a woodsy base of gray amber, teak wood and white musk.” It smells a lot like berries and while I do like it, it’s not unique enough that would compel me to purchase the full size.
Parlor by Jeff Chastain Touchable Curl Cream
An “innovative formula [that] combines the siky texture of a serum with the light hold of a cream.” Another item I have yet to try but I do find that I always need to layer hair products with these type of creams to really hold my curls in place and prevent frizz.
The Beauty Crop Lighting Crew Highlighting Cream
I had seen this in other bloggers’ pages and I was excited when I discovered this was included. It smells like pineapple, (yum!) and really does add a glow so a little dab will go a long way. It can also be mixed with body lotion to give your body a festive and luminous glow. Note: Make sure to blend this quickly when you use it.
The Beauty Crop Highlighting Cream
Overall, this box was okay. I wish the lipstick was formulated as more moisturizing but the highlighting cream was a great choice and made this box.
What are your thoughts on this box?
Stephanie
Happy Friday everyone!
Eating foods like salmon, tuna, walnuts, flax and pumpkin seeds that are rich in omega-3 can help combat dry skin from the inside out. So, if topical treatments aren’t enough, take a look at your diet and see if you are incorporating enough Essential Fatty Acids.
Have a lovely weekend everyone! Sephora VIB weekend is here for me and well, you know I’ll be doing some shopping. Nothing too crazy though. 😉
Stephanie
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Happy Thursday everyone!
With the holidays fast approaching, you may be thinking of booking a facial. Make sure to read this first so you know what to expect!
Be Prepared to Fill Out a Consultation Card
Before receiving a facial, you will be required to fill out a consultation card. This helps determine what treatment will be best, and most importantly safe, to perform. This step should always be incorporated before any treatment. Expect questions asking you about your lifestyle, current product use and medical history and be honest with your answers to avoid any complications.
Your Treatment May Change
Be mindful that after reviewing your consultation card or skin analysis, your esthetician or medical provider may modify or advise you to post-pone a treatment. For example, if you’re using prescription Retin-A, a chemical peel will not be performed unless you have discontinued use for a couple of weeks with permission from your doctor. Or, if you have an eczema flare up or an active blister outbreak, expect to immediately be prompted to medical treatment.
Have Realistic Expectations and Follow Directions
While facials and chemical peels can produce excellent results, you also need to have realistic expectations. One treatment may not be enough to control your hyperpigmentation or extensive sun damage. Also, maintaining your results is largely contingent on you. If you are advised to avoid sun exposure and heat for a few days or instructed to not pick at your face, take heed! Trust us, you don’t want to aggravate your skin and make a condition worse.
Hope you found this helpful!
Stephanie
With Halloween near, some of you may don to wear elaborate makeup for parties and why not? Heck, one of my favorite costumes was when I dressed up as a Homecoming Zombie Queen, complete with blood and gore. So. Much. Fun. Here’s a few tips and tricks to ensure that the horror factor lasts only one night and doesn’t come back to haunt you days later….
Patch Test
ALWAYS conduct a patch test when trying out makeup, especially Halloween makeup as there are many pigments and colors (red and blue) that can be irritating to the skin and cause an allergic reaction. Prosthetics may or may not contain latex so make sure to ask questions about what is being used. Also, if you’re going to use false lashes, keep in mind that many have adverse reactions to the adhesive so tread with caution and to be safe, ask for a P.D. test to be performed.
Primer
Applying a primer on the skin not only keeps makeup lasting longer but it also creates a barrier between the skin, allowing makeup to sit on top of that instead of the skin.
Double Cleanse
Facilitate the removal of makeup by using oil-based makeup wipes. A personal favorite is Dermalogica PreCleanse Wipes which makes removing false eyelashes or stubborn makeup easier and doesn’t require harsh pulling or tugging of the skin. Follow up with your cleanser afterwards to thoroughly remove any heavy, thick layers of makeup that can clog pores and contribute to acne.
Have something fun planned for Halloween? Let me know in the comments below!
Stephanie
Friday is here which means my weekly skin tip!
With fall and cooler weather around, now is the perfect time to have more invasive skincare treatments such as chemical peels and laser treatments to help with uneven skin tone and reveal a rejuvenated appearance.
See you next week readers!
Stephanie