Skin Care Routines : Steps and Products

Having a skin care routine is essential to maintaining healthy, beautiful skin throughout your life. It is never too late to start but it is important to make it a habit instead of doing it every once in a while.

Everyone's skin is different so the products I use may not necessarily do wonders for you. This post will bring you through the types of products that make up a skin care routine and what order to use them in. I will also include my personal tips when using these products that I have found beneficial.

Step 1: Cleanser

It doesn't matter if you wear make up on a daily basis or not. You absolutely need to wash your face every morning and night. Throughout the day dirt and oil builds up on our face that then sinks into our pours and causes issues. Over night you are rolling around in your own sweat and oils that also can cause issues. Cleansing twice a day in my book is necessary to keeping your face consistently free of breakouts.

There are many different types of cleansers to choose from. Personally I prefer creamy or exfoliating cleansers. The two that I currently use (see product reviews in "My Lush Obsession" Post) are both exfoliating cleansers.

A friend of mine asked how often she is supposed to exfoliate and I  would say every day. Now I know a lot of people would say you are only supposed to exfoliate a couple times a week but I have only seen positive results from exfoliating every single day. If you don't want to exfoliate day and night that is perfectly fine - you can use a creamy cleanser in the morning and an exfoliating cleanser at night. Whatever you see works best for you. I also want to point out that any exfoliating cleanser you use should be applied with a gentle hand. In no way is it good for you to scrub vigorously at your face.

Step 2: Toner

Toners are something I ignored throughout my life until about 2 years ago. I figured they were just an extra product companies tried to convince us were necessary when they didn't actually do anything. TONERS ARE SO IMPORTANT. I can't stress that enough. A toner can further cleanse your skin from dirt and oil, insert additional moister to your skin and balance out your complexion helping you avoid dry patches and breakouts.

There are two ways I apply toner:

In the morning I spray my toner on to my face and let it soak in for a couple seconds.

At night I spray toner onto a cotton pad and wipe my face. I've found this picks up the dirt and oil that my cleanser may have missed.

Step 3: Moisturizer 

Growing up I cared more about covering my face in pimple cream instead of moisturizer. I was having all these breakouts and figured drying out my skin as much as possible was the answer. Keeping your skin moisturized is the answer to healthy skin! I apply face cream morning and night. Night creams are commonly seen throughout most brands but I don't think they are completely necessary. I have seen positive results from keeping my routine as simple as possible and using the same moisturizer day and night. In the winter you may find you need a heavier face cream than in the spring and summer.

Step 4: Eye Cream

I find that most of my friends neglect using eye cream. Although most of them don't wear as much eye makeup as me on a regular basis - keeping your eye area hydrated is extremely important! Your eye area is the most sensitive skin on your face. It is extremely thin and often get the most wear and tear from applying and removing eye makeup.

Personally I have switched over to using anti-aging eye creams because in my opinion once you have hit your twenties it is time to start preparing your skin for the results of aging. Because the skin around your eyes is so sensitive it tends to show wrinkles first.

Of course if you are not interested in anti-aging products yet there are plenty of eye creams out there that simply focus on moisturizing.

Extra Tips: 

* NEVER go to bed with your make up on. This can lead to eye infections and clogged pours. Grossssss!

* Always wash your hands before your cleanse your face. Also wash your hands after using make up remover / before moisturizing.

*Don't be afraid to switch up your routine when the seasons change. You will probably need a more light weight moisturizer  and more "oil absorbing" cleansers during the hotter months.

*Of course try not to pop pimples but if the temptation becomes too much wash your hands before and after extraction. Also try sanitizing the spot with tea tree oil or rubbing alcohol to cancel out bacteria.

*Face masks are a great way to pamper your skin. These can be used 2 times a week sometimes 3 if you can't help yourself :D Always cleanse your skin before you apply a face mask. Use toner and moisturizer after you have washed it off.

*INVEST IN YOUR SKIN. I know skincare products can be pricey but most of the stuff from the drugstore is just not worth it in my opinion. You'll be looking at the same face your whole life so don't be shy to spend a little more on its well-being!

Recommended Brands & Products:

My favorite brands for skincare products are Lush, Origins. Khiehl's and The Body Shop.

Cleansers : Dark Angels, Angels on Bare Skin and Herbalism by Lush
                  Checks and Balances by Origins
                  Tea Tree Cool & Creamy Wash by The Body Shop

 Toners: Breath of Fresh Air by Lush
              United State by Origins

Moisturizers: Celestial and Vanishing Cream by Lush
                      The Perfect World and Night-A-Mins by Origins

Eye Creams: The Eye Doctor, GinZing and Plantscription by Origins
                      Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado by Khiel's

Spot Treatment: Tea Tree Oil by The Body Shop


Ok everyone let me know what you think! Please like this post if you found it helpful. And if you want to see more from me hit that follow button at the very bottom of the screen. If you have any questions or requests for future posts please leave them in the comment section below!

2nd Day Hair: Products and Styles

Hey gals, today's post is going to be all about hair! I went through a sort of hair transformation the year I came home from college. I discovered coconut oil treatments (see coconut oil post for tutorial) and I started washing my hair every other day or sometimes every three days.

I have very thin, semi-straight hair. Until the past couple years I had been washing my hair every day in order to avoid looking like a grease ball. Since I started washing my hair less often, I have seen a huge change in how fast my hair grows and its overall health & appearance. 

This post will show you the products I use to tame 2nd and 3rd day hair and my three go-to hairstyles for when I'm between shampoos. 

Products: 

Moroccan Oil, Batiste Dry Shampoo, Tresemme Heat Protectant, Tangle Teaser

Moroccan Oil - Hair oil is a necessity for any hair care routine. This can be applied to wet or dry hair in order to assure smooth, healthy ends throughout the duration of your hair cut. I've been using Moroccan Oil for about 4 years now and I can say I've seen a significant reduction in split ends in between cuts. Also the amazing amber scent of this oil lasts in your hair all day; you'll be smelling like you just stepped out of the salon! Moroccan Oil can be purchased online or at most hair salons, retailing from $12- $40 depending on the size.

Batiste Dry Shampoo - Dry shampoo is the key item in my 2nd and 3rd day hair styling routine. I've tried a lot of different brands and Batiste is the only one that doesn't leave a tackiness in my roots. You can get Batiste at any CVS or online of course. It retails from $8-$12 and lasts me about two weeks per can. 

Tresemme Heat Protectant - When using tools such as curling irons, flat irons and hot rollers it is a MUST to use some sort of heat protectant. I prefer this one by Tresemme because its cheap and does the job. This one in particular has keratin which is a protein that provides an extra layer to your hair in order to prevent heat damage. I also love that this spray doesn't leave my hair feeling sticky or crunchy. Tresemme Heat Protectant can be found at any drugstore and retails from $6-$10. 

Tangle Teezer - This brush has completely transformed my hair! I first started using the Tangle Teezer because my hair gets crazy knotted behind my neck and I heard this brush gets the tangles out with ease. The Tangle Teezer does all that and has helped my hair grow faster! I've always heard scalp stimulation promotes faster hair growth but I've never considered sitting around massaging my head all day. By using this brush on a daily basis the flexible bristles work to stimulate my scalp without me even noticing! This is especially thanks to the revolutionary egg shape of this brush. The Tangle Teezer is sold online and I've found it in Urban Outfitters stores. It retails from $8-$20. 

Styles: 

This first style is super simple. I just sprayed some dry shampoo in my roots, applied moroccan oil to my ends  - brushed it all through with my tangle teezer and threw on a headband! My favorite stores to get headbands from are Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters and Lou Lou. 

Side braids have always been a go-to hairstyle for me. Although braids can be considered more of a summer style I wear them year-round. I usually french braid my bangs back which takes a bit of practice. My top two tips for achieving a successful side braid are to take in super tiny pieces of hair and to loosen up the braid with your fingers after you have pinned in back. This makes the braid appear more full. 

My final 2nd / 3rd day hairstyle is to curl my hair and throw it back in what I call a "side poof". The curler I use isn't particularly great hence why I didn't include it in the picture above. The size of the curler you use depends on the length of your hair. The longer your hair is the larger you can go with the barrel size if you are looking for a loose / beachy style. A general rule of thumb for me when curling my hair is to wrap my hair around the wand instead of clamping it and winding it up. This causes less heat damage to your ends and leaves you with a more natural looking curl.

Ok everyone let me know how these products and hairstyles work for you! If you enjoyed this post please give it a thumbs up. Please leave any post requests below in the comments section. If you wish to see more from me hit the "follow" button! 

Brand Review : ColourPop Cosmetics

ColourPop Cosmetics is a fairly new brand set out of California. I was first interested in this brand when I heard they have great quality lipsticks, lipliners and eyeshadows for only $5 each!!!

I went ahead and ordered a ton of products from their website in order to try them out and let you guys know what I think! This post will bring you through the 8 lipsticks and 2 eyeshadows I have purchased from ColourPop Cosmetics. I will include swatches and in-depth reviews of each item.

"Lippie Stix" 

As you have probably figured out already, I am quite the lipstick junkie. I love trying on every color available in order to see what does and doesn't work for me. When I heard ColourPop sells AMAZING quality lipsticks at such a low price, I had to get my hands on some. 

Swatches: 

                          

                        

 

Bound, Easy, Cake, Rocket, Juicy, I Heart This, Bichette, Leather

Reviews:

"Bound" - This is the everyday neutral shade I have been searching for! "Bound" has a glossy finish and includes a pink undertone in order to avoid that concealer effect that most nude lipsticks provide for  a pale skin girl like myself. 

"Easy" - Light pink lipsticks tend to wash me out and show off all the fine lines in my lips; making them look more chapped than they really are (nooot cuute). Because "Easy" has a glossy finish I get more of a classy feel from this shade! I'll probably save this one for the summer time when I feel more comfortable wearing pastels. 

"Cake" -  I've always loved the idea of pastel orange lipsticks but I was never brave enough to try it on myself. Again I will probably save this one for warmer weather but I have to say this glossy creamsicle-esque lipstick will be a staple for me this summer! 

"Rocket" - Talk about a wearable hot pink! I've rocked my share of hot pinks in the past but "Rocket" is a whole other story. I love this shade because it has a bit of peach mixed in which totally tones down the vibrancy of this color. If you are looking to ease into wearing hot pink lipstick this is the product for you. 

"Juicy"- This is a shade I could have gone without. "Juicy" is basically a glossy version of "Rocket" with a slight berry tone added in. I don't necessarily dislike this color but it is for sure nothing to write home about. 

"I Heart This" - Another one of my favorite shades of this collection! I have been searching for the perfect vibrant, berry lipstick and "I Hear This" is definitely it. I love this color because it can be worn during the day or night! Berries in my opinion are a more playful version of the classic red lip. 

"Bichette" - Vampy lip lovers will definitely appreciate this shade. This deep wine color is perfect for the winter and is without a doubt a night time shade.

"Leather" - I know this shade can be a bit shocking but I just love it! Warning this color does require a bit of bravery to wear out in public. This being strictly a night-time shade in my book; throwing on "Leather" is the perfect way to add some edge to your look. It is boarder line goth looking on my super pale skin tone but I can't help experimenting with purples! Purples are a great color to try with lipsticks because they are edgy enough to get people to take a second look but not too outrageous to make you look like a crazy person. This color also makes your teeth look crazy white! Bonussss Jonassssss ;D

Eyeshadows 

The thing that sets ColourPop's eyeshadows apart from other makeup brands is the texture. These eyeshadows are described as a cream-to-powder formula. To the touch these shadows feel like a mousse but when applied they turn to a powder finish. These shadows last waaayy way longer than any others I have tried before and are creamy enough to help you avoid eyeshadow falling all over your face during application!

"Girly" & "3"

Swatches & Eye Makeup Look

I wanted to create a makeup look with these two shadows in order to show the product in action!

I applied "3" all over my lid with my finger. I then used a fluffy eyeshadow brush to blend out the crease. Lastly I added "Girly" to my brow-bone and inner corners of my eyes. Slap on some liquid eyeliner and mascara and you're good to go!

Reviews

"Girly" - This is a very pretty white-based eyeshadow with golden metallic shimmer added in. This is probably not the most pigmented eyeshadow from this brand as I do have to layer it with an eyeshadow brush in order to achieve a metallic effect. This is a nice basic color to have in your collection but to be honest ColourPop has a ton of different versions of this shade on their website that probably have better color payoff. 

"3" - Generally I go for glittery / bronze shades when I am getting ready to do a dramatic makeup look. I think they are a great way to get a smokey eye without getting yourself into a disastrous  raccoon eyes situation . This shade is great because it can be applied lightly to wear in the day or you can layer this up to get a dark sultry effect. 

Lip Liners - As you have probably noticed I have not purchased any of the ColourPop lip liners YET. My next order will definitely be of all the matching lip liners for the "Lippie Stix" I have purchased. The liners are said to make your lipsticks last even longer and make the application process that much easier! 

Ps. If you are not already sold on trying out this brand, might I just mention that they do not test on animals yaayyy! 

ColourPop does not have any stores yet and all purchases must be made through their website: www.colourpopcosmetics.com

Thanks for reading and please like this post if you enjoyed! If you wish to see more from me hit that follow button! 

How To Fill In Your Eyebrows: Using One Subtle Product

One makeup step that most people ignore is filling in their eyebrows. By no means did I ever have spares eyebrows. But once I saw how much more framed my face looked with them filled in - I couldn't go back!

My favorite product for filling in my brows is Benefit's "Gimme Brow". The main difference between this product and the brow mascara that you can buy at the drugstore is that this product contains fibers that cling to your existing hair and makes it appear thicker. I prefer this to a brow pencil or gel because its quick and subtle enough that its hard to mess up! You really have to layer this product on in order to give yourself that drawn-on look that nobody wants.

As you can see in the image above, the wand is small enough to easily sculpt your brows without getting product all over your face. "Gimme Brow" comes in two different shades I believe. I suggest trying them on at your local Sephora or a Benefit Cosmetics store before you choose your shade. This product is also great for taming your brows in order to extend time between wax or thread appointments.

"Gimme Brow" retails from $18-$22. I know this seems a little steep for such a small product but trust me its worth the investment. Not to mention this tiny tube usually lasts me about 3 months!

I've tried cheaper drugstore options such as Maybelline's "Brow Drama - Sculpting Brow Mascara". This didn't do anything for my brows except give them that crunchy, gelled-down look. It also did not thicken my brows in the slightest. Go for the good stuff! Give it a shot and let me know what you think!

Before and After Photos: