Dr. Oz and The Wonders of Sea Buckthorn Oil

July 31, 2013 by 1 Comment

I didn’t know that Dr. Oz recently touted Sea Buckthorn ‘the new miracle berry’ when I ordered it from Amazon a few weeks ago. I was searching for natural skincare to help with my melasma and such during this pregnancy when I fell upon Sibu Buckthorn Oil and 180+ sparkling reviews about how amazing it is. It has a cult following for calming rosacea (a big theme among the reviewers), but it was also said to clear acne, fade dark spots, heal burns, and give skin a glowing new appearance. Really! People are losing their damn minds over it (see the reviews HERE on Amazon where I bought it.) There are a few different brands who sell this type of oil, but Sibu was the best reviewed and under $10. Sold.

I started using it under my moisturizer at night only as recommended because it takes a little while to fully absorb. It isn’t greasy or heavy and doesn’t really have much of a scent at all. I like the added hydration it gives and it hasn’t caused any breakouts – a big concern when using a new product on my skin especially an oil. Right away I noticed how calming it is and how I wake up with a glow. I think it’s too early to see long term benefits, but since it’s 100% natural and safe so I’ll continue to use it. It’s one of those things that you know is just good for your skin long term so I’ll be patient and wait for some great results.

Next I’ll try their Cleansing Bar, another fave among reviewers, as well as check out their supplements since it’s meant to be taken internally as well.

sea buckthorn

Filed Under: 'Green' Beauty, Acne, Anti-Aging, Dry Skin, Found Online, Moisturizers, Multi Use, Oily Skin, Pregnancy, Serums, Trends, Videos

Seeing Green: Miracle Skin Transformer, New Supergas, and Scar Serum

July 26, 2013 by Leave a Comment

I was looking around and noticed that a few of my recent faves are all the same bright green hue. I had to get a picture of them all together and share with you a few things I’ve been really loving this summer.

I’ve found that anything I’ve used by Miracle Skin Transformer is a home run. Seriously, I’ve not only loved everything I’ve used from the line, but I usually buy another of whatever they sent to me for use in my kit. There’s something about it that just makes skin look better. This foundation came at a great time, my melasma is back in full force earlier in my pregnancy than last time so I need some sturdy coverage to get all evened out. But on top of that, Acne Control Tinted Skin Enhancer is for breakout prone skin so it calms and fights breakouts using Salicylic Acid combined with anti-microbial peptides. I have it in ‘Light’ which is a touch too fair, so I mix it with a powdered bronzer to deepen it up a little bit to where it’s perfect. It has the right amount of coverage and never looks heavy or visible and it’s easy to blend in. I love this foundation and have used it daily since I got it. When I’m out, I’ll buy more.

My favorite deal app, Hautelook, often has Supergas on sale but they sell out so fast it’s hard to grab a pair. But a few weeks ago so I snagged these Acid Green ones on Hautelook for half the normal price. I wear so much black and white that a screaming green shoe is just what I needed and so much fun for summer.

See-No-Scar from Mama Mio was sent to me at the right time. My C-Section scar has taken about a year to heal (just in time for a new one!) and still itches and bothers me from time to time. I’ve been using this lotion as a protective barrier to help with healing as well as stop the itching. It’s made with Almond Oil, Vitamin E, and Dimethicone which is widely used for the treatment of scars. I haven’t used it long enough to see a difference in the look of the scar, but it definitely feels better when I use it. I’ll start using it earlier next time so I can get ahead of the healing process which was much longer than I thought.

20130724-182520.jpg

Filed Under: Acne, Body, Fashion, Found at Sephora, Foundation, Oily Skin, Pregnancy

Murad’s Renewing Cleansing Oil

July 18, 2013 by Leave a Comment

If you would’ve told me years ago that I’d be pre-cleansing my face nightly with an oil I would have thought you were crazy. Although my skin isn’t oily anymore, I think I’ll always have that mind set that it is- sort of like when you loose weight but still see yourself as heavy. I can’t tell you how many 40-something year old clients I meet with clear (and usually dry) skin who still use Proactiv as a sort of crutch, never evolving their routine with age and skin changes. I’m glad I got brave enough a few years ago to try cleansing oils, they’re the easiest way to reamove makeup while adding some light hydration. Murad’s Renewing Cleansing Oil $32 does this particularly well leaving just a soft slick of moisture behind so your skin doesn’t feel tight or dry after washing. It’s non-comedogenic so it won’t clog pores (most oils don’t, it’s creams that you need to watch out for actually) so all skin types can benefit.

Protecting your skin from harsh stripping is important. Dry skin equals old looking skin, just look at the way women age when they live near water versus a drier climate. Trading out a drying cleanser for a cleansing oil could make a big difference in the overall look and health of your skin.

20130702-121955.jpg

Filed Under: Acne, Anti-Aging, Cleansers, Dry Skin, Found at Sephora, Murad, Oily Skin

Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentre 24 Hour Miracle Cream

July 16, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentre 24 Hour Miracle Cream is nothing short of a cult favorite among Makeup Artists and celebs alike. If you haven’t tried it, you’re missing out.

Lait-Crème Concentrè

I first saw it in action backstage at Fashion Week at every show – see the squished up tube behind the Rosewater spray (which I also went out and bought shortly after.)

IMG_0248

And here again, next to Eve Pearl, one of my favorite foundations at a different show. Every artist it seemed was carrying it.

IMG_0305

Even Gwyneth Paltrow gave it some Goop love a few years back touting its big time Makeup Artist following. But why is it a staple in most pro’s kits? Because I’ve yet to find a skin type it doesn’t work on. Oily, acne-prone, dry, and even clients with skin so sensitive they bring their own moisturizer because they’re afraid that whatever I’m using might trigger a reaction. But it never has. On the contrary- it calms, softens, and evens out the skin in a subtle but complete way. I’ve been using fewer silicone-based primers these days because this primes the skin so well that I don’t need the added step. At Fashion Week, I also saw it used as a makeup remover for the girls who came in full makeup from other shows. Without sinks and water, the artists were able to get the girl’s faces totally clean using this cream and tissues alone.

A 1oz tube is just $16, but I get the larger 2.6oz since it’s only $28. Yup, it’s a French drugstore line so not only is it free of nasty chemicals (Europe bans most of the ones we still use here), but it’s also cheap!

Filed Under: Acne, Anti-Aging, Best Of, Drugstore Finds, Dry Skin, Fashion Week, Found Online, In My Kit, Moisturizers, Multi Use, Oily Skin, Primer, Sensitive Skin

Foundation Routine for Severe Acne

June 28, 2013 by Leave a Comment

If you’ve ever complained about your skin, you have to check out this video. A very brave girl documented her foundation routine (below) when her skin was at its very worst and she had just started Accutane. She went on to document her journey using Accutane showing her skin without makeup every step of the way.

Be prepared – it’s so severe it almost makes your skin hurt to watch.

If you’re viewing this in an email click HERE to open in YouTube.

Filed Under: Acne, Videos

Enessa Natural and Organic Skincare

June 7, 2013 by Leave a Comment

I love learning about lines that aren’t mainstream that I haven’t tried before. After hearing glowing reviews from my very particular and beyond informed facialist friend Tjaden about Enessa, I knew I had to give the line a look. After my EvanHealy disaster during my last pregnancy, I’ve been scared to try lines that use essential oils and clean ingredients for fear it isn’t enough to keep breakouts, wrinkles, and discolorations away. Tjaden assured me that Enessa’s ingredients were not only clean, but also mindful of the skin and what ingredients work synergistically to create results in a natural way. She was impressed, and after giving them a try so am I.

Their basic packaging and dated website don’t speak for the quality of the line and the brilliance of the products whatsoever. I saw results in my skin upon the first use, especially with my new obsession, the Seaweed Bio-Exfoliant. It’s a sage colored paste that smells like earthy lavender that exfoliates and purifies the skin. I leave it on for a few minutes to get a mask effect and I also use it as a spot treatment for any breakouts. It’s so ridiculously softening for the skin that I resist the urge to use it every day and night. It’s just amazing.

enessa

Their aloe-based Monoi Soothing Cleanser has really solidified what I always preach about cleansers. I tend to gravitate toward cleansers that have some sort of glycolic or lactic or something in them because I want that added benefit, but after using this cleanser I can see that I was needlessly drying my skin out and that tight feeling after cleansing that I’m so addicted to isn’t a good thing. It makes my skin really comfortable and soft and clean without stripping or drying.

enessa 2

I’m also in love with their PlantCel Lifting Serum which is rich in plant-based actives that are meant to repair the skin at a cellular level. It’s basically an antioxidant, exfoliant, radiance-enhancing super serum that uses plant technology instead of chemicals to get the skin glowing. I’ve found that when I wear it I don’t need to wear as much foundation because my skin looks great. I’m hoping it helps to keep my melasma in check during this pregnancy as well as give some great long-term benefits as well.

Enessa PlantCell Lifting Serum

Worth mentioning that I didn’t get to try: Clove Acne Control, a clove and jojoba oil spot treatment to zap zits without any drying or irritation, and also their Diminish-Scar Treatment to minimize the look of scars.

Filed Under: 'Green' Beauty, Acne, Anti-Aging, Cleansers, Exfoliants
«Older Posts
Newer Posts»