Burt’s Bees Facial Cleansing Towelettes, in the sensitive version are my favorite precleanse step in my nighttime routine.
It takes one of these fragrance-free towelettes to remove the majority of my face and eye makeup. If I’m in a bind and don’t have a chance to properly cleanse my face of makeup, this product does the job.
The $5 price tag for 30 of these 99.1% natural wipes are an awesome choice for sensitive, acne-prone skin gals and guys.
At 17 cents per wipe, they are a bit pricey but still worth the purchase, in my opinion.
They aren’t overly saturated with product so therefore a film is not left behind after use.
What’s your favorite pre-cleanse step for removing makeup?
MY SKINCARE SQUAD: these 6 products are my tried and true skincare besties. Some I use daily, others are in my rotation.
TONER: Thayers makes the BEST alcohol-free toner. Cucumber is my favorite among the scents because it’s soothing and gentle enough to remove residual eye makeup.
EXFOLIATING PADS: The First Aid Beauty radiance pads is the only chemical exfoliant gentle enough for my sensitive skin. It helps keep acne at bay without drying or irritating my skin. They’re suitable for every day but I use it twice a week.
SERUM: 100% Pure is one of my favorite brands and their Brightening Serum is hydrating, helps lighten hyperpigmentation AND sits well under makeup.
MOISTURIZER: S.W. Basics, the fabulously un-basic skincare line, hit it out of the park with their 3-ingredient multipurpose Cream. I use it as an eye cream, lip balm, facial and body hydrator.
OIL: the oil serum by S.W. Basics is what I reach for on days my skin doesn’t need much hydration. I also use a drop to help blend thicker foundations.
SPOT TREATMENT: Sibu Beauty’s Seabuckthorn Seed Oil is a miracle product that’s saved my skin from years of acne. I’ll never be without it.
So, there you have it; my lineup of natural skincare beauties. What are your favorites?
After years of loyalty to the Thayers line of facial toners, I branched out by purchasing Andelou Naturals Blossom Leaf Toner.
Both are wonderful skincare items with different purposes.
The Thayers witch hazel, alcohol free toner is very gentle & can be used as a refreshing mist on summer days. The cucumber version works well in breaking up eye makeup without causing any irritation. It’s an alternative to water for dampening my makeup sponge.
The Andelou Naturals toner is a bit more potent, does contain alcohol, but has helped reduce the texture on my skin. The annoying bumps that aren’t pimples and don’t resemble milia are much less pronounced in the weeks since I put this toner in my skincare rotation.
Unlike the Thayers, I make sure to keep out of my eyes. I apply a few sprays on cleansed skin once daily.
Based on results and ingredients, I say both toners are worth their price tags.
S.W. Basics…where do I begin? Effective, quality, luxurious are a few adjectives that come to mind. This is a no-frills, cruelty-free company whose skincare products contain 5 ingredients or less. It’s free of cheap fillers, harmful chemicals and the extra bullshit that doesn’t do your skin any favors.
The $29 Oil Serum is the first product I bought, which is conveniently carried at Target. I was very impressed and have been hooked since. I use a few drops in the morning. It absorbs well into my skin & doesn’t interfere with my makeup application. I also use it as a daytime eye serum. (Note: the website says to avoid the eye area, but I’m a skincare rebel.) 😆
S.W.’s Cream is a multipurpose skincare queen. It’s my nighttime moisturizer, face cream, lip balm & I occasionally use it on my body. I won this cream from the brand via their Instagram giveaway a couple months ago & despite daily use, I have plenty left. In the unbearable SoCal summer, I’ll likely switch to the Oil Serum.
I had seen S.W. Basics browsing the aisles of Target but never inspected further until my friend suggested their Oil Serum.
All S.W. Basics products are 10% off at Target through 2/25/17. Sign up for the brand’s email list to be notified of their occasional sales. ~ Elmira
I've gravitated toward neon shades lately. May not be typical for the season, but fashion rules were made to be broken. 💋 Polish: Orly Surfer Girl Necklace: Forever21 Faux leather tassel charm: Target
For years I’ve suffered from hives on-and-off and my sensitive skin has been prone to itching. Over time, I’ve discovered the best ways to soothe my irritated skin. I hope you find this post helpful if you’re looking for relief.
1. Natural Aloe
This is the most natural and effective method to soothe hives or itchy skin, but the key is to use fresh aloe from a plant. If you’re going to buy the packaged stuff makes sure it’s free of fragrances or other additives. Fresh aloe has a gel-like texture, a pungent scent and leaves sticky residue, but it’s worth using!
2. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
This cream contains colloidal oatmeal and is geared for those with eczema. It’s very hydrating and works best on cleansed skin. It’s important to keep your skin moisturized because dryness can lead to itchiness.
3. Cold compress
To avoid scratching, I put a cold compress on the itchy area of my skin. I only leave it on for about 20 minutes. If it doesn’t help eliminate the hives, it definitely stops the itching.
4. Hydration
Drinking water is key in maintaining the health of your skin. When I experience skin irritation, I make sure to drink even more water to help flush out toxins and nourish my skin.
After being discouraged by my search for an affordable conditioner without dimethicone, synthethic fragrance and all the other chemical junk, I turned to trusty jojoba oil to condition my tresses.
five to 10 minutes before taking a shower, I apply a few pumps of pure jojoba oil from the mid length to the ends of my hair and shampoo as normal. I can’t tell you how much smoother and softer my hair has been since this routine change.
My naturally wavy, frizzy hair looks healthier and is more manageable. Most days I skip my detangling cream. I’m sure coconut oil, argan or sweet almond oil would be effective for this technique.
I’ve used up a handful of beauty products that are worth reviewing. Read on to see if any of these empties are must-haves repurchases.
My makeup empty is the Long Last Concealer from 100% Pure, $25 for 3 grams. Although I give this medium, buildable coverage concealer a thumbs up, I’ll opt for 100% Pure’s Fruit Pigmented Cream foundation, $45 for 9 grams, because it works similarly and costs less in the long run. Both products blend into the skin with minimal effort and the Real Techniques makeup sponge is my preferred application method.
I’m disciplined about my skincare routine, so it’s no surprise most of my empties fall into this category. This year, I finished 2 Acure products. The Seriously Firming Facial Serum, infused with argan and lavender oil, kept my skin moisturized and fairly clear, but I didn’t notice any firming action. It carries a nearly $20 price tag & since it didn’t meet its main claim.
However, I’m quite impressed with Acure’s $10 Organic Rosehip Oil. This cold-pressed oil absorbs quickly, moisturizing and smooths the skin’s texture.
Soothing Touch Tangerine Herbal Salt Scrub has the perfect amount of exfoliation grit without irritating my highly sensitive skin. I use it several times a week on freshly cleansed skin & it acts as an in-shower moisturizer. Be careful though because it does make the tub’s surface slippery. It’s a naturally scented, effective, all-natural scrub from a cruelty-free company for $5! Unbeatable.
Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Body Wash, $9, smells like a tropical cocktail. Best of all, it’s moisturizing, free of artificial fragrance & other nasty chemicals and cleanses well. Although Shea Moisture is branded as cruelty-free company, it no longer appears on the Logical Harmony approved list. Also, I personally had a poor customer service experience with Shea Moisture via Twitter. I’m on my third bottle of this body wash because it works so well for my sensitive skin, however I’ve always bought it at a discounted price.
Disclaimer: The Soothing Touch salt scrub was gifted by the company.
Today’s post focuses on 6 healthy habits that in turn benefit outward beauty because when you feel good, you look better.
CALM YOUR MIND
We can all benefit from mental unwinding. If you’re at all intrigued by meditation but unsure how to start, I suggest the following FREE apps. Take a Break offers 7 and 13 minute guided relaxation accompanied by a selection of background music or soothing nature sounds. The “stress relief” audio is worth a try if you deal with occasional insomnia.
Meditation Made Simple by Russell Simmons focuses on vibrational relaxation. To me, it’s the most basic form of meditation and great for beginners who don’t enjoy talk-through meditation.
PRETTY SPACE
Make your personal space, regardless of its size, aesthetically pleasing to YOU. I love flowers, so having fresh flowers from the garden not only beautifies my room but encourages me to keep it neat.
POSITIVE REMINDERS
Decorate your space with your favorite inspirational quote(s) as daily reminders to think positively. This $3 framed chalk board from Target serves as my inspiration board.
AROMATHERAPY
When possible, I prefer to ease my frequent headaches through natural methods. I recently purchased & have been loving the Badger Headache Soother Balm, which I apply under my nose and on pulse points to decrease tension and diminishes headache pain when it first begins. It’s also great for use when meditating or trying to sleep.
STAY HYDRATED
The age-old beauty tip is to drink plenty of water. The 2-pack of Rove stainless steal tumbler with stainless straw, available at Costco, is an environmentally-friendly, portable and stylish way to ensure adequate hydration. Best of all, it retains the drink’s temperature for hours!
GRATEFULNESS EXERCISE
For most of 2016 I’ve practiced listing 3 things for which I’m grateful first thing each morning and it’s had a positive impact on my overall mood. It takes less than a minute to complete. I take a few deep breathes as I mentally list my 3 or more blessings each day. It’s no wonder this simple gratefulness exercise is common advice in many self-help books.
What are your favorite ways to stay feeling and looking beautifully healthy?
My search for an affordable purple shampoo began when a hair stylist recommended $21Aveda version to prevent my caramel toned highlights from turning brassy.
ShiKai is a vegan, Logical Harmony-approved, brand that offers color-enhancing shampoos and conditioners for blondes, brunettes and redheads for $8 to $10 each. I purchased the 8 oz. Color Reflect Gold Shampoo at a local Sprouts, but ShiKai is carried at Vitacost & drugstore.com.
I used this naturally-scented shampoo 2 to 3 times a week and felt it cleansed my hair without drying it out. Quality ingredients (some of which are organic) from a cruelty-free brand with an affordable price tag make this shampoo a definite favorite.
Now that I’ve gone back to my roots and dyed my hair dark, I’m tempted to try the ShiKai Color Reflect Deep Shampoo. What’s your favorite color enhancing shampoo?
Fellow makeup lovers know when a beauty item earns a coveted spot in your makeup bag, it’s worth mentioning. So, In honor of National Lipstick Day, I’m sharing three of my current favorite lip products, starting with most affordable.
1. NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Istanbul ($6) is a mid-tone pink shade that is comfortable to wear and has a mousse-like texture. The wand is overloaded with product, so I wipe-off the excess on the rim before applying. There are 34 shades, all of which are named after cities.
Scent: a sweet scent that dissipates after application
Typical wear time: 2 hours
Cruelty-free: Yes
2. Sephora Cream Lip Stain in #13 Marvelous Mauve ($14) is a matte version of the ever-popular neutral lip color that’s best described as a brown with purple undertones. Many bloggers say it’s the more affordable version of the Stila Liquid Lipstick in Patina. Marvelous Mauve is highly pigmented and applies evenly.
Scent: a slight scent that dissipates after application
Typical wear time: 3.5 hours
Cruelty-free: No
3. Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Lolita II ($20) is a terracotta shade that pairs especially well with warm toned eyeshadow looks. It’s pigmented and although it dries matte, it remains slightly tacky.
Makeup on hooded eyelids can some times prove challenging, but properly utilizing the visible part of the eyelids and getting accustomed to your eye shape makes all the difference.
The NYX waterproof Glam Liner Aqua Luxe in Glam Nude is the star product of this neutral look. After placing a brightening matte eyeshadow on the lid, I applied the glitter liner from inner corner to outer corner, making sure to focus the product on the visible part of the lid only.
This $6 opaque liner, which has a thin brush applicator, applies smoothly, dries quickly and becomes budge proof in seconds is available in a variety of shades. After application, I closed my eyes for about 15 seconds while the glitter dried. The glitter stayed put 9 hours after application!
I used a few matte shadows from the Morphe 12NB palette in my cease to add soft dimension and balance out the sparkly eyelids.
Tips for makeup lovers with hooded eyelids:
To fake a crease, it’s best to apply shadow (preferably matte) above the fold so the makeup is visible when you’re looking straight ahead
Resist the urge to raise your eyebrows while applying shadow because it’ll distort the natural shape of your eyes
Try experimenting with glitter or bold colors on your lower lash line
When applying winged liner, draw your flick straight out instead of the typical upward angle if it cuts into the hood of your eyes
Lastly, work with what you've got and have fun; that’s what makeup is all about!
If makeup is your jam, then makeup brushes/tools likely capture your interest, too. Storing brushes properly is important in prolonging usability.
This bamboo fabric, washable and roomy brush roll by Everyday Minerals is on sale for $8 (normally $15). I can easily fit 20 brushes, but of course that number will vary depending on the type and size of each brush.
I purchased mine more than year ago during a sale and I highly recommend it if you’re looking for a travel-friendly, sanitary way to house your brushes. I’m careful about the placement of the brushes before rolling and securing the tie because the bristles will misshapen if they’re not properly placed, but I’ve only run into that issue once or twice.
Just as a note of comparison, the following photo shows my mangled 4 year-old once magnetic Sigma brush case. Granted, it came with a set of brushes (mediocre, by the way) and I’ve had it years longer than Everyday Minerals, but it began to show signs of wear before the one year mark.
Worst of all, parts of the fabric are shedding and the micro sized pieces get jammed in the brush bristles! It went into the trash post photo shoot. This case is no longer available on the Sigma website, but I’m not paying more to test out their sub-par quality again.
Don’t fall for the the social media hype, guys. Go for quality over popularity.
Everyday Minerals is a cruelty-free, vegan company that provides all-natural makeup at affordable prices. Click here for my full review. By the way, it’s free of bismuth oxychloride!
Disclaimer: I purchased these items with my own money.
Here’s an easy way to revamp your gel manicure once the regrowth is too apparent. Start by filling your nails down slightly and panting the entire nail bed with a traditional polish two shades darker than your gels. Make sure to use a polish that will be opaque in one coat. Check out the before and after photo and video.
This simple fix makes your mani look polished and extends the wear for at least another few days.
I went over the OPI Bubble Bath with Dulce De Leche and topped off the ring finger with Wet & Wild Sparked.
If you try this technique, take a pic with the tag #gelmanirevamp.
