Oil Cleansers

What are oil cleansers?

Oil cleansers are amazing! Basically an oil cleanser is a blend of good oils used to remove makeup, dirt and extra sebum from your face without stripping your skin. Many people, myself included, did not want to touch it at first because I have oily skin. What you have to understand is that oil is going to remove oil. It really gets in there and breaks down everything! You rinse it off and it completely dissolves in the water. Your skin feels cleaner and more hydrated than if you just went in and used a face wash on it's own. What you don't want to do when you have oily skin is wash it with harsh cleansers until your skin feels like it's going to rip if you smile. Many people don't realize that your skin is supposed to feel soft and moist.

The oil cleanser is the first step in your skin routine and used while your face is still dry. Dry face, dry hands, otherwise it will start to break down before it has a chance to work. Put about a nickle size of product into your palm and gently rub it all over your face. This stuff will take off everything, so don't forget your waterproof mascara and longwear red lip! Some people only use it when they have worn makeup, but I love to use it in the morning or when I have gone makeup free for the day. You still have dirt and pore clogging oils on your face that need to be removed. I couldn't imagine going back to using a straight cleanser without this first essential step.

Obviously some brands work better than others but they have great oil cleansers for every price point. You want to look for an oil cleanser that breaks down all of your makeup and also doesn't leave a residue on your face.

My favorite oil cleansers

TATCHA Camellia Cleansing Oil $48 5.1oz/150ml

The TATCHA cleansing oil is unique in that it has earned a 'Clean at Sephora' seal of approval. It has the best ingredients of the three and in my opinion is the most effective, but it is also the priciest. I required far less product than the others to get rid of everything! You also are supposed to wet this a little after massaging it in dry and it turns into a light milky cleanser. Sometimes I won't even feel the need to use a regular cleanser after this! It is also the best of the three for sensitive and acne prone skin. It is formulated without mineral oil, synthetic fragrances, sulfate detergents, parabens, urea, TEA or phthalates. It is also non-comedogenic, non-irritating, non-sensitizing and cruelty-free.

Dermalogica Pre Cleanse $45 5.1oz/150ml
This is a favorite amongst facialists. This is a plant based cleansing oil that uses olive oil, rice bran vitamin e and kukui oils to melt away excess oil, sunscreen, waterproof makeup, product residue and environmental pollutants. This one also turns milky when a little water is added. Contains no artificial fragrances or colors.


Shiseido Perfect Cleansing Oil, $33 6oz/180ml
This has been my holy grail since I first began to use oil cleansers. It gets rid of everything and of the three, it is the best value for your money. It is lightweight and gentle on the skin and rinses off easily without leaving an oily residue.

ENature Moringa Cleansing Balm, $23 2.53oz/75ml
This cleansing oil actually comes in a pot and is solid until you warm it in your hand, which makes it more practical for traveling. It contains moringa pterygosperma seed extract, true rose of Jericho and iris extract which work together to build natural collegan, prevent fine lines and signs of ageing, and leave your skin smooth and soft. It is free of parabens, mineral oil and synthetic fragrances. Just don't leave it lying around somewhere really warm or it will be messier than expected.



All links are for your convenience only and are not affiliated.

Life Update and New Skincare Routine!

Well hello there! I have returned from real life mostly in one piece!


This winter I had curated a huge K-Beauty haul full of skincare products. I couldn't wait to try them!

Unfortunately not too long after, we had a major snow storm and the pipes in our Pocono home froze so we lost water and power...and it didn't come back. Needless to say this was a very stressful time for my whole family. We spent over a month with no water and maybe a couple weeks without power. This meant no showers, no sinks, no lights, no heat, no washing machines, no nothing. I was so thankful to have several coworkers who were willing to open their homes to me whenever I needed it. Eventually the power came back on but the water did not. The pipes simply would not un-freeze! We looked into everything we could think of but with the way the house was designed, it was likely that the problem was actually inaccessible and under ground near the well pump. When it did finally come back on, we had it about a week before it stopped working again. This time we found out that the freezing had actually damaged the well pump. So we were, once again, left with no water. At least this time hadn't lasted nearly as long.

Back to the skincare! This whole nightmare basically meant that I had to go to work and wash my face in the break-room at the beginning and end of my shifts and the only other times I got the chance was when I could use one of my coworker's showers. Needless to say that my face was far from happy. In fact, I would go as far as to say it was staging a mutiny. This was not helped by the fact that all of the skincare products that I had were new and untested along with the stress and anxiety of my situation at the time, and the infrequency of my face washing.

I developed painfully severe acne mostly around my jawline but there was a scattering of it pretty much everywhere. My face felt like the natural barrier of my skin was ruined because it stung when I washed it and my whole face felt extreamly sensitive. Now, I love K-Beauty and J-Beauty products and the ones that I had tried were highly reviewed. I am sure that they are good products, just not for me and definitely not at that time! Unfortunately I was putting on everything I could think of that I had in my arsenal to try to get rid of these unwelcome skin squatters. Spoiler: this doesn't work!

Along with all of that, I have had to deal with car problems, health problems which included a false alarm overnight stay at the ER, and job loss. My stress and anxiety levels have been through the roof.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago. My mother is a licenced esthetician and was determined to get a good look at what was going on with my face. I was finally got the opportunity to get in for a facial since she was training someone and needed a model. Apparently the acne was hormonal. I wasn't particularly surprised since I struggle with thyroid problems and that false alarm ER visit had turned out to be an ovarian cyst where my appendix was "supposed to be". At this point everything that was going wrong with me I could trace back to my thyroid and/or hormones.

Hormonal acne usually occurs on the lower part of the face, mainly the lower parts of the cheeks and around the jaw line. They are these really painful, red, cyst-like acne bumps that are deep under the skin and don't come up to the surface. Hormonal acne can be caused by an influx of hormones from menstruation, polycystic ovarian syndrome, menopause, and/or increased androgen levels.

She recommended several products from Dermalogica. Now, there are products from Dermalogica that I really like, others not so much. I am extreamly picky when it comes to brand loyalty and I have no problem using a mix of brands, much to my mother's chagrin. I did follow her advice for a couple of weeks, though I mixed in a few of my own favorite products, and lo and behold, these horrible skin squatters are slowly but surely going away! According to my mother, my biggest focus should be on daily exfoliation, moisture, and combating inflammation, along with reducing the many black heads and large pores that drive her nuts! The goal is to reduce the inflammation and irritation in the areas affected as well as removing the dead skin because that is apparently the only way that these babies are going to even consider moving. Moisture was also a big concern because the blackheads and clogged pores that I had were not very soft and didn't want to come out. If your skin is more hydrated, it will be easier for your facialist to perform extractions effectively.

At the moment, many spots are still there and still red, however, the redness isn't as...angry looking, and you can see the bumps in several places are starting to come closer to the surface. The ones that have finally come up as white heads get taken off and those spots can finally start to heal.

I have created this skincare routine curated with both new products and old favorites based off of my mother's advice and the 10 step skin care routine.

Step 1: Oil Cleanser

The Shiseido Perfect Cleansing Oil has been a staple in my routine ever since I first discovered how wonderful cleansing oils are. Yes, especially for oily skin, my face doesn't feel as clean without it! However, I recently got to try out the TATCHA Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil and I have to say, I see better results than my old favorite. It takes my makeup off better and breaks down better. It also is formulated with better ingredients, earning itself a 'Clean at Sephora' seal of approval.

Step 2: Traditional Cleanser

I have a couple that I have seen great results with so far. The first one is the Dermalogica Ultra Calming Cleanser. It is a gentle cleanser specifically designed for sensitive skin and helps combat irritations due to pollution, harsh climate, stress, hormonal imbalance, irritating cosmetic products and other skin irritants. The second one is the TATCHA The Deep Cleanse. This gel cleanser contains a natural fruit exfoliant but also gently lifts impurities and unclog pores. This cleanser leaves my skin feeling extreamly soft and hydrated. The fruit exfoliant is from the Japanese Luffa Fruit and is not harsh or sharp on the skin at all.

Step 3: Exfoliation

My favorite daily exfoliant is the TATCHA Rice Polish. It is gentle for daily use but is effective at removing the dead skin cells. Like all of TATCHA's products, the ingredients are great for the skin and formulated without mineral oil, synthetic fragrances, sulfate detergents, parabens, urea, DEA, TEA or phthalates. I also have a Foreo Luna Mini that works great to help get rid of dead skin cells. I prefer this over the Clarisonics because the material is easier to keep clean and doesn't require new brush heads. You just have to charge it once every 6 months or so. However, this is used with face cleansers that are not clay based, silicone based, or grainy. You also can't use this with exfoliators or scrubs. Not only would that probably be very harsh on the skin, the brand says that those cleansers could damage the silicone bristles.

Step 4: Toner

I have been using Organic Rose Water as a 'toner' though I have plans to return to a little gem that I found on etsy that I have had great results with in the past. It is the Green Tea Toner from Botanic Glow. It is formulated using only a few ingredients. Aloe Vera Juice, Green Tea Extract, Witch Hazel, Lemon Oil, and Lavender Oil.

Step 5: Essence

Essence is an essential part of any Asian beauty routine. It is basically a water-light, hydrating liquid that allows your other skincare products to sink deep into the skin and work better. Without it, many products would sit on the top layers and would not be able to penetrate as deeply. Think of it like a spot of very dry ground. If you are in an area that gets little rain, that area can be prone to flash flooding when it does rain because the water is not sinking into the ground. However, if it rains in an area with a moist ground, the water will just sink in and there won't be any problems. My favorite essence is the Shiseido Eudermine Revitalizing Essence. It helps keep my skin hydrated and retain moisture. It also keeps it balanced, allowing for a consistent moisture level, regardless of climate changes.

Step 6: Acne Treatment

I really like the Dermalogica Breakout Control. It uses natural antibacterial and soothing ingredients without drying my skin out. No artificial colors, fragrances or parabans here!

Step 7: Serum or Sheet Mask

My favorite serum has always been the Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate. But since they just changed the formula and I am focusing more on soothing, I switched over to the Dermalogica Ultra Calming Serum Concentrate. It is part of the same line as the Ultra Calming Cleanser. It helps to calm, restore and defend skin that is very sensitive. I will also sometimes use sheet masks if I think my skin could use a little extra TLC. They have so many varieties and most are very affordable. They feel so refreshing after a long day!

Step 8: Eye Cream

I have been switching up my eye creams a bit. I have a few different ones that I love. The first is the Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream. This one contains coffee beans among other great ingredients to brighten and de-puff tired eyes and earned a 'Clean at Sephora' seal of approval. I consider this my daytime eye cream. The second one is Shiseido's White Lucent Anti-Dark Circles Eye Cream. This eye cream claims to fade dark circles over time by supporting natural melanin production and natural micro circulation. The third one is one that I reserve specifically for night time. The TATCHA Ageless Revitalizing Eye Cream uses Peony and Honeysuckle extracts to energize skin and visibly diminish fine lines, puffiness and dark circles. This eye cream is the richest out of the three.

Step 9: Moisturizer

Since it is summer, I am not using moisturizers that are too heavy like I would in the winter. Shout-out to my beloved Shiseido Ibuki Refining Moisturizer Enriched!

Day
Dermalogica Active Moist. A lightweight and oil-free lotion that helps combat surface dehydration. I really like this one because it keeps my skin hydrated but balanced. Not too oily and not too dry. Great for the summer or even year round!

Night
TATCHA The Water Cream. This is also a lightweight, oil free cream that feels like it melts into water on your face. It is so moisturizing and help control oil, is anti-aging, helps visibly tighten pores and improves skin texture and radiance!

Night Alternatives

Very rarely, I will actually replace my night moisturizer with a few drops of pure Camellia (Tsubaki) Oil. I only do this if I feel like my skin is overly dry and my other moisturizer didn't cut it. Japanese Camellia oil is known for being able to penetrate deep into the skin and is non-comedogenic. It helps promote skin elasticity, moisture, scar minimizing, and has anti inflammatory properties!

I also will use an overnight sleeping mask every once in a while to give my skin some extra TLC.

Step 10: SPF (Morning only)

ALWAYS WEAR SUNSCREEN!!!
This is a must! I always hated wearing sunscreen and didn't see the point. However, there is more to worry about than burns. UVB is the one that causes the sun burns and is measured in the US with the number that you see on the bottle, SPF 30 for example. UVA is sneaky. This is the one that ages your skin, causes sun spots and also cancer. In some other countries it is measured by plus signs, PA ++++. The more plus signs there are, the higher the protection. In the US, you just have to look for 'Broad Spectrum'. I personally prefer physical or mixed (both physical and chemical ingredients) sunscreens over all chemical. The chemical ones sometimes irritate my skin unless there are calming ingredients added. Physical sunscreens are the ones that can leave a white cast, though many brands have improved on this. They contain either zinc oxide or titanium dioxide and sit on top of the skin to deflect UVA and UVB rays. Chemical sunscreens on the other hand contain ingrediants like oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate. They change the sun rays into heat and 'release that heat from the skin.' I personally hate the feeling of wearing one of these sunscreens and feeling like my face is being cooked.

A couple sunscreens that I like are the 3LAB Perfect Sunscreen Broad Spectrum 50+. It is a chemical sunscreen but it has ingrediants like green tea extract and acai fruit that helps calm the skin. It is also oil free, non-comedogenic, PABA and fragrance free.
The Peter Thomas Roth Max UV Milk SPF 50. This is a mix of mineral and chemical sunscreen ingredients. Water resistant for 80 minutes. Fragrance free.



This post has not been sponsored in any way. Links are there for your convenience only.

Loreal Sheer linen Dupe

I found a dupe!

I was so excited when I discovered MAC Jubilee Lipstick. I have been looking for a dupe for my favorite Loreal Color Riche Caresse lipstick, Sheer Linen, for a long time ever since it was discontinued. I was shopping on the MAC website with the intent to find something that might be similar but I was not expecting a nearly exact dupe.

MAC Jubilee, Loreal Sheer Linen

MAC Jubilee is described as a naked beigey-pink lustre.
The only differences that I could see is that Jubilee is a tad warmer (barely noticeable). It is also feels more like a lipstick while Sheer Linen feels more balm-like when applying it. On the lips they look and feel identical. Since MAC Jubilee is also a lustre finish, it has that beautiful, glossy finish that Sheer Linen also has.

TOP: MAC Jubilee
Bottom: Loreal Sheer Linen

I am really in love with this lipstick. It is a beautiful, natural looking nude that does not make you look washed out. It looks great with a smokey eye and works for every occasion. I have not stopped wearing it since I bought it.

MAC lipsticks now retail for $16 online.

The Frog Prince by Lipstick Queen Review

Lipstick Queen 'The Frog Prince'

Yes, it is green; bright green.

I was very skeptical about this when I first saw it. Originally, I really thought that it actually was a green lipstick and there was no way I would ever wear it. I didn't give it another thought after that.

That is, until last week. I ran across it again while I was on the Lipstick Queen's website and I saw how it looked on their models. I was pretty shocked, it was the first time that I had ever come across a lipstick like this!

Seriously, this thing is awesome!

Yes, in the tube the lipstick is bright green. However, when you apply it, it at first transfers completely clear. Then within a minute, it darkens to a beautiful and wearable sheer warm pink! It uses the heat from your skin to achieve this. I love how universal it is. The formula uses the PH of your skin to turn the most flattering shade for you!

Lipstick Queen 'The Frog Prince' swatch

The formula is very similar to Medieval. It feels light and moisturizing. The color payoff is semi sheer and very wearable.

Bare Lips

Lipstick Queen The Frog Prince Swatch

I would say that the only downside is that you don't have a lot of control over where the color goes because you can't really see it. This product defenitley requires careful application and a mirror. It also has at tendancy to cling to dry patches but it is not too noticeable.

I love this color for summer and it will be a staple in my makeup bag along side my other Lipstick Queen favorite, Medieval.

Lipstick Queen's The Frog Prince retails for $25 and is available at their website as well as Ulta, Space NK, and select department stores.

What is your favorite lipstick for summer?

I would love to read your comments!

Covergirl Full Lash Bloom Mascara Review

So I have finally gone through all of my full size mascaras and on a whim, I decided it was time for a new one. I picked up the new Covergirl Full Lash Bloom mascara in Very Black from Target a few days ago.

Covergirl Full Lash Bloom Mascara

Claims:

• flake-free
• thickening
• lengthening
• lightweight
• soft, touchable lashes

Covergirl also says that their Bloom mascara contains a new mousse formula which includes natural beeswax and is safe for contact lens wearers.

I was very impressed the first time I used it. The formula is a perfect middle ground between dry and wet that will give you enough product without making your lashes clumpy or messy. In just a few strokes my lashes looked longer and fuller and I loved the fanned out, wispy effect. They didn't flake at all nor did they feel heavy and cakey. No spider lashes either. Another thing that made me very happy was that it was not difficult to remove. I hate when I have to scrub the mascara off my eyelashes!

Eye before mascara

Eye with one coat of Covergirl Bloom mascara, no eyeliner

I love how this mascara gives a defined, long and thick lash effect in just one coat while still looking natural. Adding additional coats is easy and it doesn't clump at all! It is perfect for every day wear!

The brush is one of those stiffer prickly brushes and has a subtle butterfly shape. No dramatic or crazy brush shapes here. Just simple and easy to use.

Covergirl Full Lash Bloom Mascara Wand

For comparison, I included a picture of the Benefit The're Real mascara wand. They are fairly similar but I personally think that the Covergirl one is less prickly and more user friendly.

Benefit The're Real Mascara Wand

Just more proof that drugstore mascaras are better than higher end ones!
Covergirl Full Lash Bloom retails for $7.00 and is available at Ulta and most drugstores.

Have you tried this mascara yet? Do you have a favorite mascara that you want to share? I would love to hear from you. Leave a comment below!

Disclaimer: All images, thoughts and opinions are my own. Links are for convenience only.

Nail Care Routine

In the spirit of the new year and the fact that many of us are currently being snowed in, I have decided to share with you my nail care routine. I am currently regrowing my nails practically from scratch due to a habit of picking at them. This routine can be applied to both fingernails and toenails. It is essentially the same routine with a few tweaks.

The first thing you need to do is remove any excess nail polish. I only had a treatment on so this didn't take very long.

Bare Nails

L-R Essie Millionails Strengthener, Butter London 

Horse Power Nail Fertilizer,  OPI Nail Envy

These are my favorite nail strengtheners. OPI's Nail Envy is probably the best overall. There are several different types you can get. I have the one for soft and thin nails. I usually prefer the Butter London Horse Power Nail Fertilizer. The only thing is that for an intensive treatment, this has to be reapplied daily for 7 days, completely removed and starting over every week for one month. You can see why I wouldn't do a full manicure with this although it says you can use it as a basecoat or topcoat. Essie Millionails Treatment is also very good and is also the most affordable.


When it comes to polish remover there are two different types, Acetone and Non Acetone. Acetone polish works wonders for removing last weeks manicure quickly but it dries out your nails. If you only have a clear coat, treatment or bare nails, I highly recommend using non acetone to prevent unnecessary damage. Keep in mind that Acetone polish remover often comes in different types too, ones for natural nails and ones for acrylics. Please use the one for natural nails (unless you have acrylics) as the acrylics version will dry out your nails too much and cause peeling and brittleness. I am using non acetone polish by Equate. The Beauty Secrets brand is my favorite but I ran out.

Equate Non Acetone Nail Polish

If you need to shape your nails, do so before soaking them. Trying to use a file on softened nails can damage them. This is not necessarily the same for toenails, you can soak them first and make sure you use a straight edge nail clipper to prevent ingrown toenails. Since I am growing my nails out, there wasn't much for me to shape yet.

Files and Nail Clipper

Next, soak your fingers in warm water for a few minutes. I usually mix a bit of soap or lotion into the water. This will help soften the cuticles and make it easier to push back.

Nail Brush and Pomegranate Cleansing Sugar Glow

Be Natural Cuticle Eliminator and Butter London
Melt Away Cuticle Eliminator
and Orange Wood Stick

After I soak them I use cuticle remover. Let it sit for about one minute, then use a cuticle pusher or orange wood stick to push back the cuticles, yes, even on your toes. Wash your hands (or toes) thoroughly to remove the cuticle remover and clean under the free edge of the nail. You can also use this opportunity to scrub your hands and nails to get any extra dead skin off. You can use a hand or foot scrub, a nail brush or even just a towel.

Toe note: If you don't have a foot bath or large bucket, apply cuticle remover to your toes, let it sit and get in the shower. Use a foot scrub and once you get out, push back the cuticles and apply a foot cream. My favorite one is the Julep Mint Pedi Cream.

Le Couvent Des Minimes Soothing Night Hand Cream,
Butter London Cuticle Oil, and California Mango Cuticle Oil

If you are doing both your toenails and fingernails, start painting your toenails first. That way you won't risk ruining a fresh manicure. Apply cuticle oil and hand cream to your hands for this process. If you are just painting your fingernails, it might be better to wait until the polish is on and dried but that is more of a personal preference. Keep in mind that you should swipe your nails with more polish remover right before you apply polish, especilally if you applied cuticle oil or hand cream. This keeps the polish on longer. And use toe separators!

Please excuse the poor polish job, it was late

Apply polish. I used Butter London's Nail Foundation Base Coat, Hardwear P.D. Quick Top Coat and the color Yummy Mummy on my fingernails. On my toenails I used Butter London's Horsepower Nail Fertilizer as a base coat and the color Queen Vic. Use base coat, two layers of polish and the top coat. If you are a sloppy polish painter, like me, you can use a small brush dipped in polish remover to clean up around the edges. You could also use a cotton swab but beware of ill behaved cotton pieces! ELF's small concealer brush works great for this. I put this brush aside specifically for nails; do not use a brush you use on your face unless you plan on never using it for makeup again.

ELF Concealer Brush

Butter London Polishes L-R
Top: Queen Vic Polish, Hardware P.D. Topcoat
Bottom: Nail Foundation, Yummy Mummy Polish

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Finally apply (or reapply) hand cream and cuticle oil. This is an important thing to remember in order to keep your hands and nails healthy and moisturized. Especially during the winter months.

And you are done! 

This is my fresh manicure! I would love to see pictures of your new manicure. I have links to my facebook and twitter accounts on the right.

Butter London Yummy Mummy Polish Swatch

Well that was my entire nail care routine. I would love to hear recommendations on anything from products to any tips or suggestions you may have.

Butter London Polishes are available at Ulta, Sephora and Butterlondon.com.
I recently bought this cute Butter London gift set that includes mini versions of the base foundation, quick dry top coat, matte top coat, nail strengthener, cuticle oil and cuticle remover. This is perfect if you want to try everything and those products are expensive full size!

Disclaimer: None of the links above are affiliated and I am not getting money by you clicking on them. They are for convenience only.

My Makeup Must Haves

I, like many beauty fanatics have a problem with shopping. Especially when it comes to makeup. In an effort to tone down my spending habits, I have compiled a list of products that I feel are necessary essentials and basics. This is a great starting point if you are just getting into makeup or you are completely revamping your collection for whatever reason.

Face

Primer:
Everyone should be using a face primer if they are using any sort of foundation or powder. Not only will it further protect your skin from makeup and environmental impurities, it will help your makeup last longer. Many are also formulated for specific skin concerns, for example oil control, pore minimizing, tone correcting or luminosity.

Tinted Moisturizer/Foundation
I never leave the house without some form of coverage on my face. I don't have perfect skin and I feel more comfortable knowing that my skintone looks even and my face is not exposed to the elements.

Concealer
This is a big staple for me because I have horrible under eye circles. I love Nars Creamy Concealer in Chantilly.

Powder
For those with oily skin or who like to use foundations and concealers, this is a crucial product to have. It will prevent oilyness throughout the day and will set your makeup to make sure that it stays where it is supposed to. I prefer translucent powders but that is a personal preference. I have been using the Too Faced Primed and Poreless Translucent Powder.

Blush
My personal recommendation is that you should have at least one blush and if you like to change your look for the seasons up to 4. Although I have way more than that as I am sure that many of us do. Start out by figuring out what your favorite blush tone is. Do you like peach or coral blushes, rosey or bright pink, or do you prefer plums and reds? Next, decide how often you wear certain colors and pick up to your top four. Anything beyond that, probably isn't necessary even if it is nice to have. I have four must have colors; a natural pink for spring, a peach for summer, a rose/berry which is my favorite year round and a red for the winter. I recently purchased the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette which has just about every color that I need in it. There is a nice, natural pink, a beautiful peach and a gorgeous dusty rose color. For my red blush I prefer MAC's Fever.

Bronzer
Not everyone likes bronzer. I only use it to contour because I personally do not like the tanned look on me. However, I still think it is a good staple if you feel that your face could use some contour. I always look for a bronzer that has a cooler undertone, which can be a challenge as most bronzers are warm or even orangy. Two that I would recommend are NYX Blush in Taupe and Kevyn Aucoin's Sculpting Powder.

Eyes

Eye Primer
This is necessary if you wear eyeshadow. It will prevent it from creasing throughout the day. Do not forget it! I love ELF's primer and it is only $1. Better and more affordable than Urban Decay's in my opinion.

Eye Shadow

Skintone Eyeshadow
Look for a matte or satin eyeshadow that is at least the same shade as your skin, if not a little lighter. I use MAC's Blanc Type and apply this as my base color all the way up to the brow. Not only will this even out your eye area but it will provide an extra layer between your other shadows and the oils on your skin. Your eye makeup will be less likely to crease this way.

Neutral/Everyday Eyeshadow Palette
I love having most of the main eyeshadows I like to use in a palette. This is something you could even do at home with a Z Palette. My favorite for everyday is the Urban Decay Naked and the Naked 2 Basics. Your palette does not have to be neutrals, just one that consists of just about every color you wear on a daily basis.


Eyeliner
I wear eyeliner about 90% of the time. If I don't it is usually because I used a powder to add definition to the lash line or I was rushing and only had time for mascara. I am extremely picky with eyeliner and it is one of few the beauty products that I don't particularly like to experiment with, brand wise. I have a select few brands that I like and usually stick to them. My favorite is Rimmel London's Scandal Eyes Eyeliner because it is so soft and creamy.

Mascara
This is more of a must have than eyeliner. If I had to leave the house with one or the other, I would choose mascara hands down. You look more put together with mascara vs just using eyeliner. I have been trying higher end brands but I just don't like them as much as the drugstore ones. I love the Cover Girl Clump Crusher and Maybelline Lash Stiletto.

Lips

Lip Liner

If you don't wear lip liner often but still want to have one for special events, go for a clear liner. This works with literally everything. I also always recommend getting a separate red liner. When wearing bold lip colors with a clear liner, the lipstick may still wear through and instead of seeing more color, you would be seeing bare lips. When I do a red lip, I always apply it in layers, red lip stain, red lip liner, and 2 coats of lipstick, blotted in between each coat. Lip liner does not have to look old ladyish; in fact it can make you look more put together. Lip liner should not, under any circumstances, be darker than the lip color you are wearing. When in doubt, go lighter and fill in the entire lip. My favorite everyday lip liner is Rimmel's Eastend Snob.

Lipstick

There are three main categories that I go by when I purchase lip products from a new brand. I always try a nude, a pink/rose and a red. If you are looking to have a minimal but well rounded makeup collection, that is all you need. A nice nude color that does not make you look dead, a 'my lips but better' color (or your favorite kind of pink) and a classic red. Obviously you can tailor and customize this to suit your personal taste and style. Maybe you don't like red but really love the dark vampy plums or you prefer mauve instead of a natural pink. Tailor to fit your needs. My favorite grab and go lip products are Loreal's Sheer Linen, Revlon Kissable Balm Stain in Honey Amour, and Lipstick Queen's Medieval. 

Lip Gloss

The same rule applies to lip gloss. Find a clear or nude color that is flattering, a pink that is similar to your own lip color and a classic red. I love NARS Scandal.

Running Late?

I usually keep a few products in my bag that I can throw on if I really have to run out the door. I always try to get at least my primers, foundation, concealer, and powder on before I leave but sometimes there just isn't time for anything else. These are products that are similar to ones you would use every day but not so much that you would have to go into your bag for them constantly. So what is in my emergency makeup stash?

• Concealer (something easy to apply with fingers)
• Mascara
• Single Eyeshadow, Quad or Small Travel Palette (you can apply this with your fingers, included applicators or if you decide to have a small travel brush on hand)
• Small Blush (you could also use your lipstick or have a travel palette that includes this)
• Lip Liner (this should either go with your natural lip color or the color in your bag)
• Lipstick and Gloss (these are usually my grab and go products mentioned previously)

I keep these either in a section of my bag or in a small makeup bag, that way it is separated from all of the other makeup products I end up carrying around with me in between bag organizations. Let me know if this helped you and I would love to hear what your makeup must haves are! Leave a comment below!

Too Faced Snow Bunny Bronzer Review

This is my first time trying anything by Too Faced so I was really excited when I finally got off my bum and placed a (very small) order on their website. I didn't get too much at once because I didn't want to risk wasting the money if I didn't like the brand.

Too Faced Snow Bunny Bronzer

The actual product that I ordered was the Snow Bunny Bronzer. I wanted something more shimmery for the holidays and this looked perfect. Plus it felt seasonal with the name and everything. The whole idea behind this bronzer was that it would give you a natural bronze look in the winter when you wouldn't normally be tan, not that I like being tan anyway.

I really liked the packaging. The box was cute and the actual compact felt nice and heavy. It also has a great mirror. I love the elaborate pattern and the gold; it's different from the sleek black packing from a lot of brands, drugstore and high end. It is cute without being tacky.

Too Faced Snow Bunny Finger Swatches

Too Faced Snow Bunny - Separate Swatches

Too Faced Snow Bunny - Mixed Swatch

The colors themselves I was impressed with. They did not look too orange or dark which, for me works fantastically. However, the bronze was the only one that you really noticed a color. The white was a very pretty highlight but the two pink shades looked nearly identical and were not very pink or pigmented. They are not really meant to be used as a full on blush but you can't see them at all on camera and it is hard to see them in real life. They just give the skin a shimmery glow. I have not decided whether that is good or bad yet. When all of the colors are mixed together, they give a really pretty subtle bronzed glow to the skin. I would not use this as a contour because I think matte bronzers work better for that purpose but this is great to add an extra glow.

Too Faced Primed and Poreless Powder

When checking out, you get the option of picking two samples. The first sample I chose was the Primed and Poreless Powder. The first day I tried this, I was rushing so I just stuck a bunch of powder on my brush and all over my face. BIG Mistake! I ended up in a cloud of powder and I felt like I applied too much and my skin felt slightly too dry for most of the day. However, I love the effect the powder had on my skin and especially my pores! It felt silky smooth in a way that no other powder has ever felt on my skin. I also had very minimal oiliness and wear by the end of a busy 13 hour salon work day. My foundation did not look overly slick or like it had streaked off anywhere. It also did not settle or cling to any dry patches. You also get a lot for just a little sample, there is 0.07 oz which you get for free with a purchase! Assuming you don't do what I did and accidentally use 3 times the amount of product, this will last you awhile. The dry feeling, I suspect came from using too much. I am officially hooked! The only thing I am not fond of is when you are applying it onto your face, you get a cloud of product and I actually have to hold my breath so I don't breathe it in. If you have asthma or cannot be around smoke or other irritants for what ever reason, I would avoid this product.

Too Faced Lip Insurance Primer

The second sample was the Lip Insurance Lip Primer. It is a good size, especially for a sample. It has a basic doe-foot applicator. The product itself is clear and goes on a bit like a gloss but dries quickly. It can feel drying on the lips and a bit tacky. I applied the primer first, then applied whatever lipstick I intend to wear that day. The first time I applied it, I realized how drying it felt and I reapplied my favorite lip balm, Smith's Minted Rosebud Salve ontop of my lipstick. I have tried a few different lip products from different brands and I am not really wowed by this. I think just using a clear lip liner would give you better results.

If you have never tried Too Faced products before and don't want to pay the higher price tag for one item, you should check out their holiday collections! It is a great way to try out more products from any brand at a less expensive cost per item. Be sure to leave a comment below, I wold love to hear your Too Faced recommendations!

I bought these products with my own money. All opinions are my own and these are not affiliate links. 

New Skincare Routine

If you read the very first post on my blog then you will probably know that I have been using the Simple face wash, scrub and moisturizer for a few months now. I still really like them and they are definitely the best drugstore skincare products I have ever tried. However, I have been noticing that they were making my face red so I decided to switch back to my Dermalogica Dermal Clay Cleanser. I am also trying out a bunch of new products and I have noticed that my skin improved dramatically ever since. I still get breakouts and black heads but they are far more manageable now. I would still purchase Simple products if I really needed to replace something and could not get my hands on anything else for whatever reason but I think I will be sticking with higher end products from now on.

Morning Routine

I use my Dermal Clay Cleanser in the morning. I love this face wash so much. It has menthol in it so my skin always feels de-congested. This is also great if you have a cold! The only thing that I am not overly fond of is that if you use this in the winter when your house is colder, you will freeze! It makes your face feel extremely cold. The first time I use it as a mask; I just leave it on for about 5-10 minutes before washing it off. Then I apply it again as a regular face wash.

I use a face scrub about twice a week in the morning. I got a small sample of the Brighten Up! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator by Vasanti Cosmetics from my Birchbox so I have just been using that. I like it so far. It dissolves the bonds that hold dead skin cells together and scrubs the dead, dull skin away. There are also natural healing ingredients to combat redness and irritation.

I bought the Caudalie Favorites Kit which included a small Caudalie Beauty Elixer. I love this product! It is so refreshing. You can use it as a toner or a refreshing mist throughout the day. It is also said to help reduce breakouts.

If I am going to be applying makeup then I will use my Embrolysse Lait-Creme Concentre. I buy mine from Birchbox just because it is the most convenient for me. You do not have to be a subscriber to Birchbox to purchase products from them. They have the small 30ml for $16 and the large 75ml for $28. This moisturizer works great, even during the cold winter months and also acts as a primer. Clearly there is a reason it is favored by makeup artists everywhere.

If I am just planning on staying home for the day or if I am feeling really tired and have an early morning, I will use my Origins GinZing Energy Boosting Moisturizer that I got from my Origins Bestsellers Kit. 

Another moisturizer that I love is the Dermalogica Active Moist. This is light and oil free, and keeps my skin balanced and moisturized even during the harsh winter months. It is one of my holy grail products!

For eye cream I use the Orgins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream. I absolutely love this product! I have gone through multiple samples of this and can honestly say that it works amazingly. I still have dark circles but the puffiness has been greatly reduced.

Then I will apply a lip balm. I love Smith's Minted Rose Lip Balm but I also will use an EOS one or if you are looking for an even more budget friendly option, Carmex is great as well.

Nighttime Routine

If I am wearing makeup I will first remove it with a makeup remover wipe and some of Maybelline's Extra Eyes Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover if I wore something heavier. Then I will go in with my Caudalie Makeup Removing Cleansing Water. I am in love with this makeup remover. It is not greasy or oily and it doesn't sting my eyes or make them all blurry and it works great!

Then I will go in with my Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash on a scrub brush. I only use the scrub brush once because I have sensitive skin. Then I will follow up by just using my finger tips for my second wash. If I had no makeup on I will usually skip the face brush and just wash my face twice with my fingertips.

You can find basic scrub brushes at Sally's Beauty Supply or Sephora. I don't have a fancy Clarisonic or anything like that. Any face brush will help give you a deeper clean. If you have sensitive skin, be extra gentle or find a brush specifically meant for sensitive skin.

I try to use some sort of mask every night. Depending on the condition of my skin I will either use the GlamGlow Thirsty Mud Hydrating Mask, my Michael Todd Organics Pumpkin Mask or my Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask or sometimes I will try a new mask as well. The pumpkin one really helps to clear away dead skin but I only use this on days where I have done nothing else that is abrasive in any way; usually that is on a weekend where I was not wearing any makeup so I didn't use my face brush and didn't use a scrub that morning. Technically this mask is not supposed to be used for sensitive skin but I have had no funny reactions to it as long as I am careful about when I use it and how often. Other nights I will use my charcoal mask which I am obsessed with! I have noticed that my pores are cleaner and smaller just after one use and it leaves my face extremely soft! Other masks that I like are the Lush Mask of Magnaminty and the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask. There is also a Drink Up 10 Minute Mask version of this as well.

Usually when I go to rinse off my mask I will take the tiniest bit of face cleanser and use that to help get all of the mask off. Literally only a pea size is plenty. It is just to make sure that there is no left over mask lingering on your face.

Then I will use my Caudalie Beauty Elixer and apply my nighttime moisturizer. I have been using the Origins High Potency Night-A-Mins Mineral Enriched Renewal Cream. For me, this feels a bit oily and I also wake up with my skin feeling a bit dryer than usual so I am not sure whether I like this one or not. However, it doesn't clog my pores or cause any funny reactions. I did find out that they make an oil free version but I am going to use up this one first.

For my nighttime eye cream I have been using Origins Eye Doctor Moisture Care eye cream.

After I brush my teeth, I use my ELF lip scrub to exfoliate my lips and get rid of the dry skin. Then I will use my Smith's Minted Rose Lip Balm. This is one of the few lip balms that are thick and moisturizing and keep my dry, cracky lips from getting dry or cracky for at least most of the day.

Since the holidays are coming up, companies are coming out with all kinds of gift sets. I think that this is the perfect opportunity to try out new face products because you can pay less for small versions of a bunch of different things. This is especially great if you are trying out a new brand all together. The same applies for makeup! These are the two gift sets I have purchased so far.

The Origins Best Sellers Kit includes a 1 oz Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash, a 0.5 oz Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask, a 1 oz High Potency Night-A-Mins Mineral Enriched Renewal Cream, a 1 oz GinZing Energy Boosting Moisturizer, a 0.5 oz Plantscription Youth Renewing Face Oil and a 0.5 oz GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream. Retails for $38 from Sephora.

The Caudalie Favorites Kit includes a 0.15 oz Lip Conditioner, a 1 oz Hand and Nail Cream, a 0.33 oz Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet, a 1 oz Beauty Elixir Spray and a 1.69 oz bottle of the Make-up Remover Cleansing Water. Retails for $32 from Sephora.

I hope this helped some of you who are looking for new products to try. Overall, I have noticed a huge improvement in my skin's condition so far. I would love to read your comments and recommendations!

None of these links are affiliates. I am not making any money by you clicking on them. Everything was bought with my own money.

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Bath and Body Works Haul - Fall 2014

I love Bath and Body Works and couldn't wait to get there for some of their fall candles! I didn't go crazy because I am kind of late and there is only really another two months of fall left. I also had to try extremely hard to resist the Christmas candles that have begun to slowly take over. News flash Christmas; Halloween isn't even here yet, wait your turn!

So the first thing I got was one of their wallflower plug ins. I got Sweater Weather which smells amazing! To me it smells like a fresh, crisp autumn day, however this is what BBW has to say about it. 'Cuddle up with an aromatic blend of eucalyptus, juniper berry and fresh sage that celebrates the arrival of crisp autumn breezes.' Yep, sounds good to me. Because I got the wallflower in this scent, I reluctantly decided to skip out on a duplicate candle. May yet change my mind.

Another thing I made sure to grab before heading to the candles was my Vampire Blood Pocket Bac. The scent itself is called Wicked Plum and smells like berries. I love the scent, the name and the packaging! And like any proper vampire related thing, there is no GLITTER in this!

I ended up getting a large candle holder. I had previously purchased both a large and a mini Christmas one a few years ago and also a mini holder on a stand. I decided to splurge and buy another large one that worked for all year so that I was not as tempted by the cute seasonal candle holders. And they are getting better and better each year! I love this one, it goes with the tall mini holder I already own and it is on a slight pedestal which for me takes away some of the worry about putting my candles on cardboard or wooden surfaces. I have never had an accident with a BBW candle but you never know.

Moving on to the candles! I got a mini Leaves candle. Not entirely sure why as I also got the big 3 wick one. I do like to have a small stash of mini seasonal candles on hand just in case I can't get to BBW for whatever reason at the beginning of the season. I have a Sparkling Icicles mini candle left over from last year just for that purpose! The holder is one from last year so they may not have it anymore.

As I mentioned, I got a large Leaves candle, except this is the White Barn version, while the mini is the regular BBW version. I personally thought the White Barn one smelled stronger this year for some reason so I am going to try both. This is what BBW says about Leaves. 'Celebrate the brilliant colors of autumn with a rich blend of golden nectar, red apple and spiced berries.' I found it interesting that both the BBW and the White Barn brands had the same description. I don't particularly care for one brand over the other but I have noticed that there is sometimes a difference in strength between the two.

This one I wasn't so sure about. Usually when I smell this candle, it is so sweet and I want nothing to do with it. However, when I smelled it this time it reminded me of the pumpkin mask that I use and wasn't as offensive. BBW says, 'A fall harvest favorite inspired by delicious homemade treats - pumpkin pie, vanilla cream and spice.' I am not 100% sure that I will like this one but as I have never actually burned it before, I will give it a try. Hopefully it doesn't make me sick, which is what usually happens with sweet scents.

These next two were part of a system I planned before I got into the store. I knew that, being half way through October I would most likely still have fall candles left over by the time I was ready to get the Christmas ones. So while still carefully avoiding the Christmas candles, I picked up two 'transitional' candles that could work for either month. I will burn my fall ones first and then start on these two in November.

I love Cranberry Woods. It is similar to Frosted Cranberry, just spicier and less wintry. It is described by BBW as 'Tart cranberries, black currant and warm cinnamon bark captures the magic of the woods during harvest.' This is one of my favorites for fall that I have repurchased many times along with Leaves and Sweater Weather.

This one is probably the most wintry one that I got. It is usually the one that I get that smells like a Christmas tree but really it just smells like a pine forest during the colder months. 'Crisp eucalyptus, fir needles and cedarwood musk evoke the invigorating aroma of evergreen woods on a clear fall morning.' Something odd that I noticed was that the descriptions for Fresh Balsam varied depending on the packaging. They are all the same scent by White Barn but are described differently. I love the packaging for this one though, it makes it look more fall-ish than having pinecones or glittering Christmas trees on the front. I am saving this one for the end of fall/beginning of winter.

Once I got to the checkout I ended up grabbing this little thing. It is a mini of a new perfume that will be coming out for the winter. It is called A Thousand Wishes and says 'Warm your heart a thousand times over with a festive blend of sparkling champagne, crystal peonies and almond creme.' This smells really good and is a perfect spicy winter scent. Those of you who like Victoria's Secret Night or Dark Orchid will probably like this as well. The top notes are Sparkling Champagne, Twinkling Star Fruit and Golden Quince. The middle notes are Crystal Peonies, and Purple Freesia. The dry notes are Gilded Amber, Almond Creme, Sugared Sandlewood and Velvet Musk.

That is everything that I got from Bath and Body Works. What are your favorite scents for fall! I would love to know so leave a comment!