Did you know that potential acne triggers can include synthetic bed linen like polyester that trap bacteria and sweat? Make sure you are changing your sheets often and using cotton is best.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
Stephanie
April Faves!
Hi everyone! Can you believe another month has practically flown by?
With today being the last day of April, here are a few products I have been enjoying this month.
Dermalogica Sebum Clearing Masque
With the weather warming up, I’ve had a few breakouts here and there and this cooling clay masque always helps clear up pimples since it’s formulated with salicylic acid, while kaolin and bentonite mop up excess oil. I use this mainly on my T-zone or as an overnight spot treatment.
Renee Rouleau Triple Berry Smoothing Peel
A great exfoliating treatment that consists of enzymes and several fruit acids such as mandelic, lactic, salicylic, tartaric and malic for a sweet skin treat that will leave skin soft and glowing. Smells like and has the consistency of jam complete with berry seeds. One word of advice: Since the color of this mask is red, if you decide to walk around with other people in the house, let them know so they won’t freak out. 🙂
The Honest Co Lavender Mint Lip Balm
I received a trio of lip balms as part of a gift bag when I attended a film festival and I instantly fell in love with this one. I get my calming lavender scent fix-yes, I love aromatherapy and this type of lavender is my favorite- as well as moisturized lips that feel light.
Colour Pop Super Shock Cheek Blush in Trickery
Mousse like texture and long-lasting peach color that’s wallet friendly. Need I say more? Click here for a complete review.
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution in Birkin Brown
My first Charlotte Tilbury purchase. From the gorgeous, sophisticated packaging to the product itself, I can see what all the hype is about. This matte lipstick feels creamy on application, delivers a chocolate cream opaque coverage in one swipe (but can be sheered out) and stays that way for a few hours. It’s similar to the new Maybelline Mattes but in my opinion stays a bit more hydrating than those. Exfoliating your lips prior to use is a must and layering a lip liner underneath helps the wear time. Below is a picture of me wearing Birkin Brown.
P.S. According to the Charlotte Tilbury website, there is one day left in the U.S. to purchase the Modern Matte lipstick so if you’re interested head on over there to check them out. 🙂
I still have a few new items I received that I haven’t tried out but this is it for this month.
What are your April faves?
Stephanie
Sephora VIB Guide and Wishlist!
Hello readers and happy Thursday! Starting today, Sephora kicks off it’s 15% sale for VIB members (yay!) and I thought it would be nice to create a guide for some higher end products that are worth every penny but when you can apply a discount, well, why not! 🙂
Makeup
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer (Illuminating)- Perfect for creating a healthy glow and excellent for aging skin. Also available in oil free version and regular tinted moisturizer.
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush- Amazing blush that is blends effortlessly, provides a subtle glow and is a go-to for my simple makeup routine.
YSL Glossy Stains- Love these stains as they don’t feel drying and are highly pigmented.
Fragrance
Givenchy Ange ou Demon Le Secret- This perfume has been a staple for years and is just very unique with notes of cranberry, green tea, white peony, sambac jasmine, blond woods and white musks.
Giorgio Armani Si- New to my collection, this fragrance delivers a sophisticated scent with notes of pear, freesia and amber wood.
Hair
Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo- A great travel item to toss in your purse and use on the go. Read my full review here.
Skincare
Kate Somerville Exfolikate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment- This green tinged product is one of my favorite exfoliators that leaves my skin soft plus I love the scent.
My Wishlist
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette
Nars Audacious Lipsticks- looking at shades Greta, Raquel and Anita
Laura Mercier Silk Creme Oil Free Photo Edition Foundation
Marc Jacobs Beauty Genius Gel Super-Charged Oil Free Foundation
I may tweak a few items here and there but this is what’s on my list so far!
Tell me, what are you planning to get or what’s on your wishlist?
Stephanie
Reader Question: What Causes Dark Circles?
Hello everyone! Hoping everyone had a great Easter weekend!
I’ve been asked about what I recommend for dark circles before and more recently Katie from Plus+Beauty also mentioned this concern (hi Katie!).
Q: What’s good for dark circles under the eyes?
A:
Dark circles can be caused by:
- Sun damage
- Veins and/ or capillaries showing through the skin
- Allergies
- Genetics
What to Use/Do
- Products with retinol or vitamin C can help brighten the area.
- An eye cream with SPF and sunglasses can help prevent more darkening if it’s caused by the sun.
- Talking to your doctor if allergies are the culprit to see what options are available
- A peach colored concealer can help neutralize the appearance of dark circles
- Sometimes fillers like Radiesse or light treatments can help.
Product Recommendations
- Kate Somerville Line Release Under Eye Repair
- Algenist Firming and Lifting Eye Gel
- Dermaologica Total Eye Care SPF 15
- Le Miuex Eye Wrinkle Corrector
- Renee Rouleau Vitamin C Eye Brightener
- Eve Pearl Dual Salmon Concealer
These are a few products I have tried and liked but if you have another eye cream that works, please share!
Have a lovely Tuesday!
Stephanie
Skin Tip: Combat Aging and Acne at the Same Time!
Using products with retinol is great when you have acne and anti-aging concerns since retinol boosts collagen production and increases your cell’s turnover process.
Enjoy Easter weekend and see you next week!
Stephanie
GlamGlow ThirstyCleanse Review!
Hello readers! I’m still feeling pretty drained from these allergies but I wanted to leave you with a review on a sample I received of the Glam Glow ThirstyCleanse Daily Hydrating Cleanser.
Described by GlamGlow as “a revolutionary Mud to Foam™ daily cleanser that combines the Power of Mud and the Performance of Foam for a NEW Daily Cleansing experience. THIRSTYCLEANSE™ transforms from a luxurious mud into a moisture-rich foaming lather to gently & effectively rinse away make-up, dirt & impurities while deeply moisturizing your skin. Designed For Men & Women of All Ages & All Skin Types. THIRSTYCLEANSE™ for a Super Hydrated Super Clean Complexion.”
My Brief Description
Coconut scented (reminiscent of a tanning lotion)
Tan colored
Initial creamy consistency upon application
Foams up when water is applied
My Take At First Glance
Before trying this, I was skeptical on how this mud to foam cleanser could be moisturizing. After all, it contains sodium cocoamphoacetate, which when I researched found it to be a surfactant that causes a product to foam; this product also incorporates kaolin clay which is best used on oily skin types, due to its oil absorbing properties. I had read good reviews though, so I put this information on the backburner and decided to try it.
My Experience
Initially when I tried this, I was surprised by how creamy the product was when I applied it. I had some glimmers of hope that this pleasantly scented cleanser might just be hydrating after all. After I rinsed it off, my skin felt nice but unfortunately, this was short lived. About 3 minutes later, my skin felt so dry and tight even after I applied my toner and moisturizer. I added another layer of moisturizer and it helped somewhat but by morning, my skin had soaked up all the moisturizer, leaving my skin feeling very dry. (For the record, I have a combination skin type which you can learn about by clicking here.) I was able to squeeze about four uses out of this sample. For my last use, I decided to try something out. I also received a sample of Fresh Black Tea Firming Overnight Mask which is a hydrating night treatment and decided to apply this and leave overnight after using the ThirstyCleanse. Well, my skin apparently soaked that up all too. 🙁
Final Thoughts
Normally, I give products about a month or so to come up with my final verdict but this is one exception. This product is best suited for someone who has very oily skin but even at that, I wouldn’t suggest this as a daily cleanser as I found it to be far too stripping. I would use this no more than 2 times per week if you’re oily. Dry, sensitive, normal and combination should skip this one entirely.
Was this article helpful? Let me know in the comments below!
Thanks for reading,
Stephanie
Why AHAs Are Important in Anti-Aging Skincare!
Hi everyone! How was your weekend? My week is off to a great start. I was able to attend a special event at the International Dermal Institute headed by Jane Wurwand who is the founder of Dermalogica. Such an amazing and inspirational woman! Her motivational speech was beyond fantastic and she has a lovely sense of humor and heart. Also, I found out I won the giveaway hosted by Maiko from SkinConciergeMaiko! Yay! Check out her blog for other awesome reviews and tips. 🙂
Alright, enough about that. Let’s get right to the topic of today’s post which is alpha hydroxy acids or AHAs.
What are Alpha Hydroxy Acids?
Technically speaking, alpha hydroxy acids “are a group of water-soluble carboxylic acids that work to release the desmosomes that hold skin cells together.” Hmmm. I fear I lost you guys. 🙂 In plain English, they are naturally occurring mild acids used as chemical exfoliants that help shed off dead skin cells. They are hydrophilic (attracted to water) and are pH dependent meaning they require a lower pH to be effective.
Why are they Beneficial?
AHAs are highly coveted and present in many anti-aging products/treatments for the following reasons:
- Allows for easier exfoliation
- Increased cell turnover (hello glowing skin)
- Stimulate fibroblasts to produce collagen and elastin (something that decreases over time)
- Firm the skin
- Smooth and improve skin texture
- Reduce lines and pigmentation
- Leads to a more youthful appearance and feel
- Increase ceramides (hydration)
*Note: Overly and aggressively exfoliating the skin can result in sensitive itchy red skin.
What are the Different Types of Alpha Hydroxy Acids?
- Lactic acid– derived from milk
- Glycolic acid-derived from sugar
- Citric acid- derived from citrus fruits
- Tartaric acid- derived from grapes
- Mandelic acid- derived from bitter almonds
- Malic acid- derived from sour apples
*A special note on AHAs: Overly and aggressively exfoliating the skin, with or without AHAs can result in sensitive itchy red skin. Also, when using AHAs, you’re more sensitive to the sun and more prone to burning so sunscreen is crucial!
I hope you found this information helpful and as always, if you have any questions, feel free to ask me. 🙂
Have a good Tuesday,
Stephanie
Reader Question: Treatments for Hyperpigmentation!
Hi readers! Anyone else excited that it is Thursday? 🙂
Someone recently asked me about what they can do regarding sun spots. What is commonly referred to as sun spots or age spots is hyperpigmentation. Simplified, hyperpigmentation is caused by an overproduction of melanin (brown pigment that gives skin color) that causes the darkening of the skin. Below are causes of hyperpigmentation along with possible treatments.
Causes of Hyperpigmentation
- Overexposure to sun, tanning beds, fluorescent and ambient lighting
- Hormones/ Pregnancy
- Medications- birthcontrol, thyroid, hormone replacement therapy (*Note: Never discontinue medication without the approval of your physician)
- Stress
- Inflammation/trauma caused by heat, acne, wounds, burns, eczema, etc
- Age
Treatment Options
- Exfoliation/chemical peels such as TCA, Jessner’s peels or lactic acid peels
- Increased cell turnover with retinol/retinoids (Retin-A)
- IPL/Laser
- LED Light Therapy
- Skincare products that contain arbutin, kojic acid, vitamin C (ascorbic acid), lactic acid, azelaic acid, phytic acid, and licorice extract. Hydroquinone is another option available but it is a controversial ingredient that has a high risk of creating skin sensitivity. Hydroquinone also must be used in 3/6 month cycles meaning you can only use it for a few months at a time and then cycle off.
- Sunscreen! Important no matter what! None of the above treatments will be effective if you don’t protect your skin from sun damage-you’ll end up right back where you started and can even cause more pigmentation problems.
Remember that these are guidelines and the treatment option that will work best for you depends on a consultation with a skincare professional/dermatologist.
I hope this was helpful. 🙂
Thanks for reading,
Stephanie
Simple Makeup Routine!
How are you enjoying this Thursday readers?
I wanted to share a quick post about my simple makeup routine. As much as I love applying makeup, sometimes I get a bit lazy or don’t have enough time in the morning. So for those days when I prefer to get a little extra sleep, here’s my fast and simple way to look put-together.
*Note: This doesn’t include my skincare routine which will be in a different post.
Products I Use
Foundation: One of my favorite foundations is Smashbox Liquid Halo HD Foundation SPF 15. It feels light, provides full coverage without looking cakey and is a perfect match for my skin.
Concealer: I use Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla to cover up any under-eye discolorations and it provides a little bit of a brightening effect since it’s a light color; it’s also great at concealing redness. It’s not as hydrating as it claims but that’s nothing an eye cream can’t fix.
Blush: If you follow my Instagram, you’ll see I purchased the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Dim Infusion and I can’t say enough about it. It’s a subdued coral color that applies and blends effortlessly, provides a nice glow and looks natural.
Mascara: I purchased Blinc Mascara awhile ago and I like it to achieve a natural look. This mascara forms little tubes around lashes that lengthen and unlike other mascaras, I don’t have little black flakes underneath my eye at the end of the day. One thing this doesn’t do though is provide volume.
Lips: I recently found this lipstick-it was forgotten for a bit in one of my purses-and it’s so natural looking on me. The best part is how moisturizing the formula is which is nice in this cooler weather. Tarte Amazonian Butter Lipstick in Angelic Nude.
Here’s my finished look. 🙂
What are your simple makeup must-haves? Share below!
Stephanie
Could Your Skin Be Dehydrated Instead of Dry?
Hello readers! 🙂
We’re pretty much all familiar with the term dehydration. Dehydration occurs when your body does not have as much water and fluids as it should but did you know that the same concept applies to your skin? If your skin has ever felt dry or taut, you may be experiencing dehydration. It’s important to note that dehydration can occur on all skin types (yes, even oily).
The difference between dry skin and dehydrated skin is that dry skin lacks oil while dehydrated skin lacks water. (To learn more about skin types click here)
Appearance
Dehydration can be characterized by:
- a flaky appearance
- feels tight and dry
- very superficial fine lines
Causes
Skin that is dehydrated can be caused by:
- lack of moisture
- age
- incorrect product use (harsh products such as soap and over-exfoliating)
- diet (mainly fat-free diets)
- climates (cold winds and low temperatures)
- environment (heaters and air conditioners)
- medications/medical conditions
- excessive coffee and alcohol intake,
- hormonal imbalances
- UV exposure
Treatment
Keep in mind all the possible causes and adjust accordingly. (FYI: For dietary concerns ALWAYS consult a medical professional and/or registered dietitian before implementing any changes in your diet to verify there are no contraindications with certain medical conditions or medications.)
Also, maintaining a skin care routine appropriate for your skin type that includes humectants (water attracting ingredients) such as glycerin, sodium PCA, sorbitol and hyaluronic acid.
Click here for product recommendations, including those with oily skin.
I hope this information was helpful and as always if you have any questions/concerns, feel free to ask me. 🙂
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.
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