It’s Friday readers which means my weekly skin tip. 🙂
Once you find the right products for your skin, you’re half-way to achieving healthy skin. However, you need to establish a consistent routine to maintain your results. Think of it in terms of a workout routine -sticking to it long term will yield results.
See you next week,
Stephanie
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
Hi everyone! I was invited by the lovely Katie from Plus+ Beauty to join this campaign and given the essence of it, I decided to participate. Below is a description of what the campaign is all about and then my story of what I am taking back.
The #TakeBackWhatsYours Campaign was originally started by Chloe fromwww.chloesconcept.blogspot.uk.com, as a way to use our position as bloggers to inspire other people to make a positive change for good! Below is an excerpt from Chloe’s blog, for more details or for anything else you want to know, click HERE for Chloe’s page.
“..Many make New Year resolutions, so why not influence people to make their resolution to take back what once belonged to them… maybe their confidence, maybe their control or even their happiness due to whatever situation has made them lack that ability.
This is a lifelong commitment, if you want to change the way you feel about yourself, or you want to act upon the message of this campaign and ‘Take Back What’s Yours‘, when better to do that than the start of a new year… This is not one of those “New Year, New Me” unrealistic resolutions. When I say “New Year, New You”, I genuinely mean it.”
If you would like to get involved, all you have to do is this:
“TAKE BACK WHAT’S YOURS” –
MAKE YOUR NEW YEARS RESOLUTION TO TAKE BACK WHAT BELONGS TO YOU. #TakeBackWhatsYours
In 2015, I’m taking back: *i.e., “my confidence”
What I’m Taking Back
I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism at age 4, which was an emotional roller coaster to say the least, and switched to hyperthyroidism at about age 9. Daily medication and doctor/hospital visits became the norm but even at a young age, I was aware that somehow I was different. Despite being familiar with this process, I was never prepared for what was to come later on.
Shortly after entering my second semester of college, my world turned completely upside down. I began to have sharp pains in my stomach and would have constant symptoms of a UTI. For anyone who’s ever had a UTI, you know how painful and uncomfortable that could be. The thing is, once you’re diagnosed and treated, you can go back to being normal. Now imagine having to have all those symptoms with no cure to make it go away and that was me. I would keep going to doctors but all tests performed came back negative. I questioned myself at times and thought maybe it was all in my head, but the sharp pains that felt as if a knife were slicing me open were a constant reminder that it wasn’t. The pain got so bad that I wasn’t able to wear jeans; loose fitting sweat pants and skirts were my only options and even then, it was a tad uncomfortable.
At this time, my parents were going through a divorce, I was going to school full-time and working part time and my emotions just piled up. I would cry every single moment nobody was around that the feel of warm tears streaming down my face began to feel normal to me- it became as automatic as breathing. I looked forward to sleeping because, if only for a little while, my pain would be non-existent. I was exhausted all the time and depressed because no one could tell me what was going on. Fast-forward to about a year and a half later-after countless doctors visits, tests, and misdiagnosis- I was finally diagnosed with IC or interstitial cystitis which is a long-term (chronic) inflammation of the bladder wall. My diet and lifestyle had to be changed. I have to avoid certain foods and really need to manage my stress, otherwise I have flares. There is no cure as of now for IC and although it is manageable with medicine, I have my good days and bad days.
What I need to take back is my self-confidence that I am more than my illnesses. It doesn’t matter what people left my life or if my life could have taken a different path had I never gotten this illness. Nor can I let the looming fear that one day maybe my medications will no longer work, or what the future holds in regards to me having IC. I need to constantly remind myself that the strength that carried me through this will continue throughout.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. Trust me, it’s difficult to open up about something so personal but at the same time, I know there are people out there who may be going through a hard time and just know, you aren’t alone. Don’t give up hope. Everyone has a cross to bear, so to speak, and after enduring (and continuing to endure) this ordeal, I’ve learned we are more stronger and capable than we think.
What are you taking back?
Stephanie
Keeping a regular exfoliation routine, especially during winter, helps your products work more effectively- there’s no barrier of dead skin cells hindering a product’s effect -and in turn, can aid in the hydration of your skin. Exfoliate about 2-3x per week.
Can you believe it’s Friday already? My, how this week just seemed to zoom by, right?
Wishing you all a great weekend and remember, if you have any questions, feel free to ask me.
Stephanie
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:
Causes
Skin that is dehydrated can be caused by:
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.
Hi readers! Hope you all had a great weekend. I have a full day at IDI today, taking a class on acids, peels, and exfoliation (super excited!) but I wanted to leave you with a review on the Sephora Moonshadows. I bought this palette about two months ago and what drew me in initially were the colors and the price, about $12 after a few discounts.
Once you open the palette, there’s a mirror on top and 10 gorgeous colors below. All colors have shimmer so if you’re looking for matte colors, this palette might not be for you. The colors as pictured above from left to right:
Peru: Olive green with gold shimmer
Belize: Red/orange bronze
Barbados: Peach
Seychelles: Peach with a gold undertone
St. Vincent: Frosty white
Grenada: Purple with tiny flecks of silver
Bermuda: Lilac
Fiji: Lilac with a lot of silver strewn in
Martinique: Liquified gold
St. Lucia: Shimmery cream
The majority of the colors are nicely pigmented and blend easily, however, if you want the colors to really pop, using the shadows wet is key. Below are swatches of all the colors, both wet and dry.
Peru, Belize, Barbados, Seychelles, St. Vincent (dry)
Peru, Belize, Barbados, Seychelles, St. Vincent (wet)
Grenada, Bermuda, Fiji, Martinique, St. Lucia (dry)
Grenada, Bermuda, Fiji, Martinique, St. Lucia (wet)
As you can see in some colors, wetting the shadows really brings out the nuances.
Pros
Majority are nicely pigmented
Can be used wet or dry
Blend easily
Can be used to create subtle or dramatic looks
Cons
There’s quite a bit of fallout when you apply the shadow and it also gets all over the palette
No matte colors that can be used as blending/transition shades
A few shades take a few swipes to develop a good color pay off
This palette is Limited Edition
Bottom Line: If you’re looking for pretty, shimmery but not overly glitter eyeshadows, you can’t go wrong with this one. Although this particular palette was limited edition, Sephora has some other great baked shadow palettes and I hope this gave you some insight into what to expect from these 🙂
Thanks for reading and if you have any questions let me know. 🙂
Stephanie
When you have oily skin that’s feeling a little bit dry and tight, switching to a heavier moisturizer results in hydration but at the same time can also make you breakout. Mixing a few drops of a hydrating serum formulated with hyaluronic acid into your moisturizer increases your skin’s water content (something all skin types can benefit from), adding moisture without the heaviness of an oil.
My favorite to use is Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Booster but brands like Kate Somerville, PCA Skin, Renee Rouleau and Dr. Dennis Gross carry similar products.
Thanks for tuning in and I’ll see you next week,
Stephanie
$55; birchbox.com
A few weeks back, I did a post on my current hair care products and because I really loved the Oribe Apres Beach Wave and Shine Spray, I treated myself to a couple of other Oribe goodies. I have been hearing rave reviews about Oribe’s Gold Lust Nourishing Oil and thought it would be a perfect item to try for my curly, color treated hair. After scrolling through multiple sites that retail Oribe products, I purchased the Gold Lust Collection from Birchbox since carried a set with 1.7 oz of this oil along with travel sizes of the Gold Lust Shampoo and Gold Lust Conditioner that when used in conjunction, “strengthens and rejuvenates hair to its natural brilliance.”
Gold Lust Shampoo
The Gold Lust Shampoo is described as a rejuvenating cleanser that, “combines centuries old healing oils and extracts-cypress, argan and maracuja-” with a “revolutionary bio-restorative complex to balance the scalp and reinforce the inner strength of each strand.”
Both bottles of shampoo and conditioner are virtually identical so embossed on the top of the bottle is the letter ‘S’ signifying ‘shampoo’. This scent to this shampoo, like most of Oribe’s hair care products is laced with Calabrian bergamot, white butterfly jasmine and sandalwood. Personally, I love it. For a shampoo that’s formulated without sulfates, it lathers nicely and the best part, it rinses clean without stripping hair. As much as I like this shampoo, unfortunately there is an ingredient or ingredients that made my skin itch, so I will be sending this back. (Side note: I have very weird skin so sometimes it’s more difficult for me to find something that works amazing and that won’t cause a reaction.)
Gold Lust Conditioner
Using the same oils and extracts as the shampoo, this “ultra-hydrating conditioner softens and revitalizes, smoothing each cuticle to undo the damage of time (and style).”
Again, Oribe’s signature scent is present in this conditioner and the letter ‘C’ is written on top of the bottle for easy identification. The consistency is pretty thin for a conditioner as I am more accustomed to using thicker, masque type consistencies. Sadly, I didn’t find this conditioner hydrating and in fact, it seemed to tangle my hair even more. For a conditioner that boasts healing oils, I expected my hair to feel smoother which sadly ended up feeling and looking frizzy on the ends of my hair.
Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil
This oil is said to “deeply condition, strengthen and smooth-imparting intense nourishment and incredible shine. Works wonders on dry, damaged and color-treated hair.”
I agree with all the reviews out there on this product that state this oil doesn’t weigh hair down. It’s incredibly light-weight and absorbs quickly into hair. My ends are pretty dry and when I applied this oil on them, it helped their appearance slightly but not by much. Perhaps this would work better on my hair if it was straight, but I’ve been leaving it curly and I’ve found other products that work just as well, if not better, than this one.
Note: These products are formulated without parabens, sulfates (SLS or SLES) or sodium chloride. They are also color and keratin treatment safe, offer UV protection for hair, vegan and cruelty and gluten free.
Bottom Line: I wasn’t impressed with this line. Had I not reacted the way I did to the shampoo, I wouldn’t mind buying the shampoo as it’s hard to find a shampoo for curly hair that cleanses well without stripping it. Some shampoos clean too well while others I feel don’t clean at all, leaving a greasy appearance to hair. This shampoo manages to strike the perfect balance but alas, it wasn’t meant for me. 😦 The conditioner and oil are items I would skip out on though.
Have a favorite hair care product you love? Share your favorites below!
Stephanie
Applying your eye makeup before foundation makes it easier to clean up any eyeshadow fallout that may occur. Also, in case you make any mistakes, it easier to swipe it off and begin again without having to worry about messing up your other makeup.
What makeup shortcuts do you like to incorporate?
Happy Wednesday,
Stephanie
Hi readers! Hope you all had an excellent weekend. 🙂
8 incredibly great blogs have nominated me for The Versatile Blogger Award! A big thanks to Someday Sunny, Makeup Crush Blog, Plus Beauty, Pores for Thought, Avon Insider Blog, Same Tay Different Day, Talking About Beauty and Thoughtsandthings1 for this!
The Rules:
