January 31, 2012
Tutorial: Valentine's Day Romantic Look
Looking for a soft, romantic, feminine look for a date on Valentine's Day? Here it is! :-)
January 23, 2012
Tutorial: Everyday Purple Look
Hey y'all! Here's an everyday, wearable purple look to make a typical day a little more fun ;) Hope you enjoy it! No need to pick purple, you can interchange the colors to match your outfit!
January 17, 2012
Tutorial: Kim Kardashian Dramatic Look
You either love her or hate her, but we all have to agree that Kim Kardashian's makeup is flawless and breathtaking! ! It's a bit much for everyday, but I love channeling my inner Kim while hitting a night on the town!
January 12, 2012
Nail Polish: "Pink Forever"
Like I've said before, I'm NOT a fan of painting my nails. Some people find it soothing, I find it annoying. But its a necessary evil, since I do love the look of a good manicure... Here's one of my favorite pink polishes that you can find at a local drugstore!
My First Tutorial: Naked Palette Smokey Eye
Hey Loves! This is my first step-by-step makeup tutorial using only eyeshadows from the Urban Decay Smokey Palette. Hope you enjoy!
 |
| Dramatic Yet Simple |
January 10, 2012
Review: Ulta Eyeshadows
I have another product review for you all! I feel like this is an undiscovered amazing product -- and not many people seem to use them!
Ulta Eyeshadow
 |
| Alllll the pretty colors ;-) |
January 8, 2012
Review: Maybelline Babylips
So I was at Rite Aid the other day (and by the other day, I mean a good 4 months ago...) and saw pink and blue packaging and was immediately drawn to it. I debated buying this lip balm since I have so many already, but went for it... Damn the cute packaging! !
Maybelline Babylips Lip Balm
 |
| Fun packaging! ! |
Xoxo,
Carlene
Image Courtesy of huffpost.com
January 5, 2012
Quality Product Alert: Jordana's Best Lash Mascara
I am always on the hunt for cheap products with quality results! I love my L'Oreal mascara mentioned here, but I've found something similar for a cheaper price!
For only $2.99, this mascara works wonders. The brush is pretty good, and comparable to Benefit's Bad Gal mascara. This is my go-to for everyday, as it's so cheap AND still gives me the look I love. It provides length while building if you apply multiple coats before the mascara dries. When I wear this, I look like I'm wearing false eyelashes everytime! Make sure you use at least two coats, even for a natural look and keep in mind that this mascara is not waterproof! The only downfall would be that the brush picks up alot of product when you first take it out of the tube, but it you swipe a little bit of it back into the tube on the side of the opening, you are good to go! Try it out and let me know what you think! ;-)
Jordana's Best Lash Extreme Volumizing Mascara in Black
 |
| A new must-have |
For only $2.99, this mascara works wonders. The brush is pretty good, and comparable to Benefit's Bad Gal mascara. This is my go-to for everyday, as it's so cheap AND still gives me the look I love. It provides length while building if you apply multiple coats before the mascara dries. When I wear this, I look like I'm wearing false eyelashes everytime! Make sure you use at least two coats, even for a natural look and keep in mind that this mascara is not waterproof! The only downfall would be that the brush picks up alot of product when you first take it out of the tube, but it you swipe a little bit of it back into the tube on the side of the opening, you are good to go! Try it out and let me know what you think! ;-)
Xoxo,
Carlene
Shine From Within: Skincare Routine
When it comes to beauty, I get alot of question regarding my skincare routine. It's kind of an odd compliment, but lately I have been getting alot of "damn, your skin is so nice!" and other variations. Of course I say thank you, but I'm secretly laughing to myself... if they only knew how HORRIBLE my skin actually is!
Over the years, I've had way too many late nights of partying, not enough water, and too many nights of "forgetting" (aka being too lazy) to take off my makeup. This has led my skin to where it is today: a hot mess. However, this skincare routine that I've been doing for the past 6 months or so has nursed my skin back to life!
I have combination/oily skin during the summer months and extremely dry skin in the winter months. Because of this, I definitely change my skin care routine accordingly! That is the number one mistake most people make: they don't realize that their skin changes, and that they must change their routine accordingly!
I also have become a big fan of inexpensive products... Alot of the things I use can be found in your average drugstore! I used to be a snob and would only use high-end products, but who can afford that? Unless you are a celebrity with a fat paycheck, we can all afford to save a few dollars ;-)
My Actual Routine:
This seems pretty obvious, but people ask about it so I will share it anyway!
I do have a morning and evening routine that I try to stick to diligently!
Mornings:
1) I splash my face with cold water. This not only wakes me up, but it refreshes my skin! This is perfect for the morning because I like to have a clean base for putting on my makeup. I do not cleanse my skin in the morning.
2) I pat my face with a soft towel. I don't rub -- I pat! Seems insignificant, but it's not. It's less harsh on your skin.
3) I apply my moisturizer of choice, and let it sink in while I'm doing my hair or brushing my teeth.
4) If it's been a rough night, and I have puffy eyes when I wake up, I apply an under eye serum to help ease the scary under eye bags I can have!
5) I then apply a face primer and wait an additional 1-2 minutes to let the primer sink in and do my makeup for the day!
Evenings:
1) Remove all my makeup with face & eye makeup removing products.
2) Wash my face with a cleanser & my clarisonic cleansing tool.
3) Pat my face dry.
4) Apply serums that I'm using and skip to step 6.
5) Slather on a heavy lotion, normally heavy because I will be sleeping and this is a good time to deep moisturize the skin.
6) Apply special spot treatments.
7) This is my final and most important step that I have been doing for years that have eliminated smile lines and prevented crows feet: Apply Vaseline to my eyelids and surrounding eye areas, as well as on my lips to make them smooth & moisturized. I do not have a single wrinkle at 22. ALOT of my friends have a ton. Trust me, this step works.
Weekly:
1) Use an exfoliant if you do not use the clarisonic system as the clarisonic acts at an exfoiliant so its not so necessary to do this if you use that regularly in your skincare routine. Or you could try a facial cleansing brush.
2) Use a facial mask. I even get lazy about this one, but I swear it does seem to help regarding buildup within pores, oil control, and overall skin health.
Products I Use:
* Clean & Clear Makeup Removing Cleanser: I have NEVER used such an amazing makeup remover. I do not use this as a cleanser, but as a makeup remover. It takes off my heavy-duty MAC foundation like nothing else has. It isn't so great with eye makeup, but that's ok in my book! I like to use a specific eye makeup remover to make sure I've taken off everything anyway! :-) I just actually stocked up on this product from my local Grocery Outlet, as I believe it's being discontinued! Correct me if I'm wrong, but if you have the opportunity to find this, try it!!
![]()
* Clean & Clear Deep Facial Cleanser: This is my number one cleanser. I talk about this in my beauty favorite's post, and I can't say anything bad about it! It's creamy, so it doesn't dry my skin out, and it's not a harsh cleanser but it leaves your skin tingling so you KNOW its working! It prevents my breakouts before it starts. I use this after the makeup removing cleanser that I rave about above and I use this creamy cleanser with my clarisonic.
![]()
* Neutrogena Eye Makeup Remover: This is the best eye makeup remover I have ever tried. It's been a favorite of mine for years. I put a dab on a cotton pad, and hold it over my eye for about 10 seconds so that the eye makeup breaks down, and then swipe it all away! Works wonders... and it's inexpensive! :-)
![]()
$7.99: http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/neutrogena-oil-free-eye-makeup-remover/ID=prod1401629-product
* Neutrogena Makeup Removing Wipes: I have recently replaced using these with the Clean & Clear Makeup Removing Cleanser, but if I ever run out of that cleanser, I will go back to these! They take off almost all of my face makeup. I can't stress enough how important it is to take the makeup off of your face BEFORE you cleanse! Cleansing & makeup removing are two different steps. Alot of people try to consolidate these into one, but you aren't doing yourself a favor!
![]()
$5.99: http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/neutrogena-makeup-remover-cleansing-towelettes-refill-pack/ID=prod728010-product
* Cetaphil Daily Facial SPF 15 Moisturizer:
$11.19: http://www.drugstore.com/cetaphil-daily-facial-moisturizer-spf-15-fragrance-free/qxp58258?catid=169449&fromsrch=cetaphil
* Beverly Hills Decade Peel Exfoliation Serum: So I let me beloved Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector leave my skincare routine since it was so expensive... and let's be honest, I'm cheap! This gem retails at $120.00 for only 2 ounces of product, but I found this at my local Grocery Outlet for $10.00! I've been using it 3-4x per week at night instead of moisturizer, and I've noticed such a difference in my overall skintone, texture, and my scars! If you have a similar problem or would just like to have a more youthful glow, this product will do the trick! Found it on amazon for a very low price as well ;-)
$14.00: http://www.amazon.com/Beverly-Hills-Decade-Exfoliation-Serum/dp/B004WXSPOO/ref=sr_1_2?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1325790671&sr=1-2
* Clinique Eye De-Puffer: I actually received this as a sample when I bought the Clinique Even Better Serum and let me tell you, this might just become a part of my skincare routine. I work alot and maintain an active social life, so on those days I wake up and I'm exhausted -- and it shows -- I used this under my eyes. It definitely helps my under eye area.
![]()
$26.00: http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P257537&categoryId=B70
* Clean & Clear Deep Cleaning Oil-fighting Astringent: Even when removing my makeup, cleansing with the Clarisonic, and rinsing my face, I can still have some built-up grime on my face thanks to my full-coverage foundation! I swipe this on my face with a cotton pad and it takes care of any gunk still deep in my pores! You can feel this working with a tingling sensation left all over your face!
$6.76: http://www.amazon.com/Clean-Clear-Cleaning-Astringent-Oil-fighting/dp/B003TOZIN8/ref=sr_1_6?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1325792282&sr=1-6
* Clarisonic: Ladies, THIS IS A MUST HAVE. It's amazing. I took my time to buy this, as it is pricey, but it is so worth it. It's an overall investment in your skincare routine. You can use any cleanser with this, and it takes off the remainder of the makeup on my face that I didn't realize was still on there. My skin has never been softer, my pores have never been smaller. There are different brush heads if you have sensitive skin, and it's just basically amazing. If you have any questions, tweet @clarisonic and they actively answer people's questions about this skincare system!
![]()
$120: http://www.amazon.com/Clarisonic-Mia-Skin-Cleansing-System/dp/B002XURD32/ref=sr_1_3?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1325792544&sr=1-3
* Queen Helene Face Mask: This mask looks extremely ghetto, right? Well, it doesn't matter because it is the best spot treatment and face mask I've ever used! I'd compare it to the ProActive clay mask even -- except this is a fraction of the cost. It dries out your skin a bit after using as a mask, but what clay mask doesn't?! You can also use this as an overnight spot treatment on an oncoming pimple!
![]()
$3.99: http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/queen-helene-mint-julep-masque/ID=prod7481-product
* St. Ive's Natural Face Scrub: If you don't use a clarisonic, I recommend using this product 1-2 times a week. It's a little rough if you have sensitive skin, but if you don't, I would try this out to exfoliate the dead skin cells off of your face. I don't actively use this anymore, as the clarisonic exfoliates every time I cleanse, and over exfoliation is a big no-no for your skin!
![]()
$3.49: http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/st.-ives-naturally-clear-blemish-%26-blackhead-control-apricot-scrub/ID=prod5564512-product
* Vaseline: I NEVER GO WITHOUT VASELINE!!!! This is my number one beauty secret... I use this sometimes as a moisturizer too. The thinnest layer can provide the best moisture to thirsty skin and a barrier for harsh environments! I also use this on my eyelids & my lips overnight. If you want to learn about more uses of this wonder product, google it. There are too many to list here. Every person needs this product, man or woman!
![]()
$2.29: http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/vaseline-100-pure-petroleum-jelly-skin-protectant/ID=prod4572-product
* Clean & Clear Acne Spot Treatment: If a pimple has popped up and I couldn't spot treat it with the Queen Helene mask I mentioned above, I'll use this during the day over my makeup! All you need is a thin layer and it gets rid of my breakouts within 24hrs!
![]()
$6.99: http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/clean-%26-clear-advantage-acne-spot-treatment/ID=prod728024-product
My Skincare Tips & Tricks:
1.) DO NOT skip your face routine for anything! We have all had those nights where we are too tired to wash our faces... or too drunk? Ha! Find the motivation and get up and do it! You will thank me later.
2.) Drink a ton of water. I personally am not a fan of the taste of water in the city... I add lemon juice so that I enjoy the flavor of it! :-)
3.) Avoid Caffeine! I've eliminated my caffeine consumption in recent months and it makes a difference. I'm constantly on the go, so coffee is my best friend... but I limit myself to only 2 cups, or the equivalent (redbull anyone?), per day. Growing up in Seattle (coffee capital of the world) it's hard since there are coffee shops everywhere, but it's good to drink it only in moderation. Switch to green tea if you can!
4.) CLEAN YOUR MAKEUP BRUSHES! A friend of mine had been complaining for months about her breakouts, and we had tried everything under the sun to help control them. Nothing was working. I finally asked her nonchalantly one day if she ever cleaned her makeup brushes and she revealed she had never done so. She had been using them for a good 6 months straight and hadn't cleaned them since she had purchased. DING DING DING! Bacteria builds up (ewww), clean that off!
5.) Sleep: This is obvious, but so important. Your body cannot rebuild if you don't give it a break. Sleep will prevent stress, wrinkles, and so much more. I try to get a solid 7.5-8.5 hours a night! Find your perfect sleep amount (hrs) and you'll feel so much better!
6.) Vitamins. Take them. Crush them up if you need to. BUT don't go without them! We so often don't get what we need in our diets, that this is very important. Beauty comes from within ;-)
7.) Try a Do-It-Yourself mask, they are easy to make and cheaper than expensive not-so-effective masks that are on the market.
8.) Don't touch your face. Just don't. Don't pick, don't rub, don't do any of the above. (Yes, I just rhymed)
9.) Clean your cell phone at least once a week. I am guilty of not doing this... but when I remember, I sanitize!!
10.) I probably shouldn't condone this, but here goes: if you absolutely must pop a zit, make sure it is a whitehead or a blackhead. NOT a bump that is developing. If its a whitehead or a blackhead, pop but make sure it does not bleed. Put ice over it to ease the swelling, and medicate it. If its a developing zit, skip the popping and go straight for the ice & medication.
Remember: Every time you change your skincare routine, you more-than-likely will breakout. It's your skin's way of purging the impurities and getting used to the new routine. If you are trying a new routine and your skin hasn't calmed down after a week or two, then I would re-assess your routine! The main thing to take away from this blog post is to change your skincare routine based on your needs. Be problem-area appropriate! If you have acne, let that be your focus. If you have mature skin, focus on skin cell renewal treatments. Just because the above products work for me, they may not work for you because our problem-areas could be different :-)
Hopefully you've learned some tricks from this blog post! The tips are pretty similar to my beauty ones, but hey, skincare is a part of overall beauty!
Feel free to ask questions if you have any -- good luck on your healthy skincare journey! :-)
Xoxo,
Carlene
All images found in google.com search. Thank you!
Over the years, I've had way too many late nights of partying, not enough water, and too many nights of "forgetting" (aka being too lazy) to take off my makeup. This has led my skin to where it is today: a hot mess. However, this skincare routine that I've been doing for the past 6 months or so has nursed my skin back to life!
I have combination/oily skin during the summer months and extremely dry skin in the winter months. Because of this, I definitely change my skin care routine accordingly! That is the number one mistake most people make: they don't realize that their skin changes, and that they must change their routine accordingly!
I also have become a big fan of inexpensive products... Alot of the things I use can be found in your average drugstore! I used to be a snob and would only use high-end products, but who can afford that? Unless you are a celebrity with a fat paycheck, we can all afford to save a few dollars ;-)
My Actual Routine:
This seems pretty obvious, but people ask about it so I will share it anyway!
I do have a morning and evening routine that I try to stick to diligently!
Mornings:
1) I splash my face with cold water. This not only wakes me up, but it refreshes my skin! This is perfect for the morning because I like to have a clean base for putting on my makeup. I do not cleanse my skin in the morning.
2) I pat my face with a soft towel. I don't rub -- I pat! Seems insignificant, but it's not. It's less harsh on your skin.
3) I apply my moisturizer of choice, and let it sink in while I'm doing my hair or brushing my teeth.
4) If it's been a rough night, and I have puffy eyes when I wake up, I apply an under eye serum to help ease the scary under eye bags I can have!
5) I then apply a face primer and wait an additional 1-2 minutes to let the primer sink in and do my makeup for the day!
Evenings:
1) Remove all my makeup with face & eye makeup removing products.
2) Wash my face with a cleanser & my clarisonic cleansing tool.
3) Pat my face dry.
4) Apply serums that I'm using and skip to step 6.
5) Slather on a heavy lotion, normally heavy because I will be sleeping and this is a good time to deep moisturize the skin.
6) Apply special spot treatments.
7) This is my final and most important step that I have been doing for years that have eliminated smile lines and prevented crows feet: Apply Vaseline to my eyelids and surrounding eye areas, as well as on my lips to make them smooth & moisturized. I do not have a single wrinkle at 22. ALOT of my friends have a ton. Trust me, this step works.
Weekly:
1) Use an exfoliant if you do not use the clarisonic system as the clarisonic acts at an exfoiliant so its not so necessary to do this if you use that regularly in your skincare routine. Or you could try a facial cleansing brush.
2) Use a facial mask. I even get lazy about this one, but I swear it does seem to help regarding buildup within pores, oil control, and overall skin health.
Products I Use:
* Clean & Clear Makeup Removing Cleanser: I have NEVER used such an amazing makeup remover. I do not use this as a cleanser, but as a makeup remover. It takes off my heavy-duty MAC foundation like nothing else has. It isn't so great with eye makeup, but that's ok in my book! I like to use a specific eye makeup remover to make sure I've taken off everything anyway! :-) I just actually stocked up on this product from my local Grocery Outlet, as I believe it's being discontinued! Correct me if I'm wrong, but if you have the opportunity to find this, try it!!
$4 at Grocery Outlet! $9 at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Clean-Clear-Dissolving-Cleanser-Oil-Free/dp/B001V0OI4M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325792054&sr=8-1
* Clean & Clear Deep Facial Cleanser: This is my number one cleanser. I talk about this in my beauty favorite's post, and I can't say anything bad about it! It's creamy, so it doesn't dry my skin out, and it's not a harsh cleanser but it leaves your skin tingling so you KNOW its working! It prevents my breakouts before it starts. I use this after the makeup removing cleanser that I rave about above and I use this creamy cleanser with my clarisonic.
$5.99: http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/clean-%26-clear-deep-action-cream-skin-cleanser/ID=prod7478-product
* Neutrogena Eye Makeup Remover: This is the best eye makeup remover I have ever tried. It's been a favorite of mine for years. I put a dab on a cotton pad, and hold it over my eye for about 10 seconds so that the eye makeup breaks down, and then swipe it all away! Works wonders... and it's inexpensive! :-)
$7.99: http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/neutrogena-oil-free-eye-makeup-remover/ID=prod1401629-product
* Neutrogena Makeup Removing Wipes: I have recently replaced using these with the Clean & Clear Makeup Removing Cleanser, but if I ever run out of that cleanser, I will go back to these! They take off almost all of my face makeup. I can't stress enough how important it is to take the makeup off of your face BEFORE you cleanse! Cleansing & makeup removing are two different steps. Alot of people try to consolidate these into one, but you aren't doing yourself a favor!
$5.99: http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/neutrogena-makeup-remover-cleansing-towelettes-refill-pack/ID=prod728010-product
* Cetaphil Daily Facial SPF 15 Moisturizer:
$11.19: http://www.drugstore.com/cetaphil-daily-facial-moisturizer-spf-15-fragrance-free/qxp58258?catid=169449&fromsrch=cetaphil
* Beverly Hills Decade Peel Exfoliation Serum: So I let me beloved Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector leave my skincare routine since it was so expensive... and let's be honest, I'm cheap! This gem retails at $120.00 for only 2 ounces of product, but I found this at my local Grocery Outlet for $10.00! I've been using it 3-4x per week at night instead of moisturizer, and I've noticed such a difference in my overall skintone, texture, and my scars! If you have a similar problem or would just like to have a more youthful glow, this product will do the trick! Found it on amazon for a very low price as well ;-)
$14.00: http://www.amazon.com/Beverly-Hills-Decade-Exfoliation-Serum/dp/B004WXSPOO/ref=sr_1_2?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1325790671&sr=1-2
* Clinique Eye De-Puffer: I actually received this as a sample when I bought the Clinique Even Better Serum and let me tell you, this might just become a part of my skincare routine. I work alot and maintain an active social life, so on those days I wake up and I'm exhausted -- and it shows -- I used this under my eyes. It definitely helps my under eye area.
$26.00: http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P257537&categoryId=B70
* Clean & Clear Deep Cleaning Oil-fighting Astringent: Even when removing my makeup, cleansing with the Clarisonic, and rinsing my face, I can still have some built-up grime on my face thanks to my full-coverage foundation! I swipe this on my face with a cotton pad and it takes care of any gunk still deep in my pores! You can feel this working with a tingling sensation left all over your face!
$6.76: http://www.amazon.com/Clean-Clear-Cleaning-Astringent-Oil-fighting/dp/B003TOZIN8/ref=sr_1_6?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1325792282&sr=1-6
* Clarisonic: Ladies, THIS IS A MUST HAVE. It's amazing. I took my time to buy this, as it is pricey, but it is so worth it. It's an overall investment in your skincare routine. You can use any cleanser with this, and it takes off the remainder of the makeup on my face that I didn't realize was still on there. My skin has never been softer, my pores have never been smaller. There are different brush heads if you have sensitive skin, and it's just basically amazing. If you have any questions, tweet @clarisonic and they actively answer people's questions about this skincare system!
$120: http://www.amazon.com/Clarisonic-Mia-Skin-Cleansing-System/dp/B002XURD32/ref=sr_1_3?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1325792544&sr=1-3
* Queen Helene Face Mask: This mask looks extremely ghetto, right? Well, it doesn't matter because it is the best spot treatment and face mask I've ever used! I'd compare it to the ProActive clay mask even -- except this is a fraction of the cost. It dries out your skin a bit after using as a mask, but what clay mask doesn't?! You can also use this as an overnight spot treatment on an oncoming pimple!
* St. Ive's Natural Face Scrub: If you don't use a clarisonic, I recommend using this product 1-2 times a week. It's a little rough if you have sensitive skin, but if you don't, I would try this out to exfoliate the dead skin cells off of your face. I don't actively use this anymore, as the clarisonic exfoliates every time I cleanse, and over exfoliation is a big no-no for your skin!
$3.49: http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/st.-ives-naturally-clear-blemish-%26-blackhead-control-apricot-scrub/ID=prod5564512-product
* Vaseline: I NEVER GO WITHOUT VASELINE!!!! This is my number one beauty secret... I use this sometimes as a moisturizer too. The thinnest layer can provide the best moisture to thirsty skin and a barrier for harsh environments! I also use this on my eyelids & my lips overnight. If you want to learn about more uses of this wonder product, google it. There are too many to list here. Every person needs this product, man or woman!
$2.29: http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/vaseline-100-pure-petroleum-jelly-skin-protectant/ID=prod4572-product
* Clean & Clear Acne Spot Treatment: If a pimple has popped up and I couldn't spot treat it with the Queen Helene mask I mentioned above, I'll use this during the day over my makeup! All you need is a thin layer and it gets rid of my breakouts within 24hrs!
$6.99: http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/clean-%26-clear-advantage-acne-spot-treatment/ID=prod728024-product
My Skincare Tips & Tricks:
1.) DO NOT skip your face routine for anything! We have all had those nights where we are too tired to wash our faces... or too drunk? Ha! Find the motivation and get up and do it! You will thank me later.
2.) Drink a ton of water. I personally am not a fan of the taste of water in the city... I add lemon juice so that I enjoy the flavor of it! :-)
3.) Avoid Caffeine! I've eliminated my caffeine consumption in recent months and it makes a difference. I'm constantly on the go, so coffee is my best friend... but I limit myself to only 2 cups, or the equivalent (redbull anyone?), per day. Growing up in Seattle (coffee capital of the world) it's hard since there are coffee shops everywhere, but it's good to drink it only in moderation. Switch to green tea if you can!
4.) CLEAN YOUR MAKEUP BRUSHES! A friend of mine had been complaining for months about her breakouts, and we had tried everything under the sun to help control them. Nothing was working. I finally asked her nonchalantly one day if she ever cleaned her makeup brushes and she revealed she had never done so. She had been using them for a good 6 months straight and hadn't cleaned them since she had purchased. DING DING DING! Bacteria builds up (ewww), clean that off!
5.) Sleep: This is obvious, but so important. Your body cannot rebuild if you don't give it a break. Sleep will prevent stress, wrinkles, and so much more. I try to get a solid 7.5-8.5 hours a night! Find your perfect sleep amount (hrs) and you'll feel so much better!
6.) Vitamins. Take them. Crush them up if you need to. BUT don't go without them! We so often don't get what we need in our diets, that this is very important. Beauty comes from within ;-)
7.) Try a Do-It-Yourself mask, they are easy to make and cheaper than expensive not-so-effective masks that are on the market.
8.) Don't touch your face. Just don't. Don't pick, don't rub, don't do any of the above. (Yes, I just rhymed)
9.) Clean your cell phone at least once a week. I am guilty of not doing this... but when I remember, I sanitize!!
10.) I probably shouldn't condone this, but here goes: if you absolutely must pop a zit, make sure it is a whitehead or a blackhead. NOT a bump that is developing. If its a whitehead or a blackhead, pop but make sure it does not bleed. Put ice over it to ease the swelling, and medicate it. If its a developing zit, skip the popping and go straight for the ice & medication.
Remember: Every time you change your skincare routine, you more-than-likely will breakout. It's your skin's way of purging the impurities and getting used to the new routine. If you are trying a new routine and your skin hasn't calmed down after a week or two, then I would re-assess your routine! The main thing to take away from this blog post is to change your skincare routine based on your needs. Be problem-area appropriate! If you have acne, let that be your focus. If you have mature skin, focus on skin cell renewal treatments. Just because the above products work for me, they may not work for you because our problem-areas could be different :-)
Hopefully you've learned some tricks from this blog post! The tips are pretty similar to my beauty ones, but hey, skincare is a part of overall beauty!
Feel free to ask questions if you have any -- good luck on your healthy skincare journey! :-)
Xoxo,
Carlene
All images found in google.com search. Thank you!
Make Me More Beautiful, Please!
OK: I have a confession to make... Here it goes... I have a beauty product addiction. It's not normal. But I'd rather have this addiction and know what to use than be stuck in our capitalistic society clueless about what I need to make myself look better. You can waste alot of money that way, trust me, I have. The gimmicks, the "good deals" - I've been through it.
My theory with makeup & hair: why not wear it if it enhances your beauty?! There is something about being au natural, but hey, I love my mascara, eyeshadow, foundation, my extensions... hell, I love it all! Don't get me wrong, I can go camping or hiking and not even bother putting on makeup or doing my hair, but what girl doesn't want to look good as often as they can?
I'm the girl that loves to do my friend's makeup! Whether its to go out & hit the town, or just for advice on what products they should buy -- I've tried it all, so I'm the one they ask! :-)
I thought that I'd share them all in one blog post for all to see!
These are the beauty products I cannot live without!
1) L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara in Carbon Black: Ladies, I have tried EVERY SINGLE MASCARA KNOWN TO MANKIND. Cheap ones, expensive ones, waterproof ones, colored ones... Everything. I always go back to this mascara. ALWAYS. Everyone who has tried it in my presence has fallen in love with it. It lifts your lashes, doesn't clump, doesn't come off very easily, and is affordable. I look like I'm wearing false lashes everytime I swipe this on. The only downside? It's not waterproof. But hey, waterproof mascara isn't really that great for your lashes anyways! ;-)
2) MAC Powder Blush in Melba: This is the most gorgeous, simple peach matte blush I've ever tried. I love it. It gives me a natural glow. I have medium skin, but with a light touch, you can use it on light skin as well. It's simply gorgeous and I don't usually go a day without wearing it!
3) MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation: When it comes to foundations, I've tried all of them as well. In fact, I've tried every MAC foundation and returned every single one except this one. I love it. Your skin looks flawless from the moment that you put it on. I use a traditional foundation brush, and make sure you let it set! I use the concealer that I mention below before this foundation, so then you don't have to use as much! You won't be disappointed. Just make sure the MAC counter matches your skintone correctly, otherwise it can go from "oh wow!" to "whoa.... gross..." REALLY quickly. Looks great in pictures too
4) MAC Pro Longwear Concealer: This concealer does wonders. It does exactly what the name says: conceals (literally everything) and lasts forever. I call this my secret to my flawless face makeup ;-) It's a really light formula too -- not heavy or cakey -- so you can use just this if you only need light coverage, no foundation necessary!
5) MAC Pressed Blot Powder: This powder goes the extra mile. I usually swipe all of my face after my concealer & foundation set to solidify it. It helps the products last all damn day. Even through sweat & humidity. I personally do not like the microfine powders that are on the market these days, because they do as much as this blot powder! Use a fluffy powder brush to apply though, not the blot pad that comes with it - no need to look cakey & gross by blotting more product onto your face! NOT cute!!
6) NYX Mega Shine Lipgloss in Beige (pink) & Natural (nude): These lipglosses are simply gorgeous. Not too sticky, not too shiny... and they last a fair amount of time for a gloss. They keep your lips moisturized as well! There are a wide range of colors for these NYX glosses. The only downfall might be the smell, but I really don't care if my lips look nice & fresh!
7) EcoTools Brushes: I'm not one to be a brush snob, but I do own quite a few MAC & high end brushes... However, I always seem to end up grabbing this brand, at a fraction of the price of one MAC brush! I love then. They last forever, pick up just the amount of color/foundation/whatever product your using, and they are natural. What more could you ask for?
$12.49 for brush set http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/ecotools-bamboo-6-piece-brush-set/ID=prod3853480-product
8) InColor Fabuliner Liquid Eye Liner in Black: THIS IS THE BEST DEAL I'VE FOUND FOR LIQUID EYELINER EVER! Whew -- yes I just yelled that. It is amazing. It's not waterproof, but who cares. It lasts all day if you wear a primer on your lids. The felt tip pen is angled in the most perfect way for a cat eye effect and it's $2. Ummm... hello?! What are you waiting for?
9) L'Oreal Infalliable Never Fail Eyeliner in Black: I use this if I want a pencil liner. It doesn't move all day if you set it with a black eyeshadow over it like MAC's Carbon. I've been a big fan of putting this on first, then putting the liquid liner I mention above on top for a more defined, sophisticated look... I also love to rim the bottom outer corners of my eyes to make them look wider :-)
$8.49 http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/l'oreal-infallible-never-fail-eyeliner/ID=prod4158646-product
10) Clean & Clear Makeup Dissolving Foaming Cleanser: I used to use Neutrogena Makeup Removing Wipes to take my makeup off before I cleansed my face at night... but those wipes are expensive and wasteful! I saw this genius find at grocery outlet for a steal and I decided to try it. THIS PRODUCT IS AMAZING. It removes ALL of my makeup except for the remnants of my eyeliner or mascara. I used to have extra makeup come off of my skin while cleansing with the clarisonic, but not any longer! If you can find this in your local stores, pick it up before it's gone!
$4 at Grocery Outlet! http://www.walmart.com/ip/Clean-Clear-R-Makeup-Dissolving-Foaming-Cleanser-Oil-Free-Cleansers-6-oz/12167329
11) Clean & Clear Deep Action Oil-Free Cream Cleanser: I have been using this since middle school. Yes, right when I started getting pimples & acne, I started using this. I've since switched off & on, and I decided that I'm sticking to this. It's amazing. It doesn't take off makeup, but there are other products like Neutrogena's Makeup Wipes & the product I mentioned above by Clean & Clear as well that will. THEN use this cleanser. It leaves your skin feeling fresh, clean, and tingly. I've since turned alot of my friends onto this product and now it's their favorite cleanser as well!
$5.99 http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/clean-%26-clear-deep-action-cream-skin-cleanser/ID=prod7478-product
12) Clarisonic Mia Cleansing System: So this product is worth it, but it's an investment. I use it with the Clean & Clear cleanser, and it gets deep into the pores. It takes off makeup I didn't know I still had on... It's basically ridiculously necessary for my skincare routine. I don't know how I lived without it. It comes with a charger and a skin cleanser. I didn't particularly like the cleanser, but others have raved about it. I feel gross when I don't use this product now, because I know there is still dirt & grime in my pores that only the Clarisonic can get to! Don't try any of the lame immitation products -- just invest in the real thing. Tweet @clarisonic if you have any questions :-)
13) MAC Eyeshadows in: Naked Lunch, Woodwinked, Brown Down, Vex, Carbon, & Satin Taupe: I can't stop talking about these eyeshadows. I use them all day every day. Use with a primer and you will never go back to regular eyeshadows. There is no fallout and the pigmentation is phenomenal, well worth the price. Some of my favorite combinations are Woodwinked on lid/Brown Down in crease, Vex on inner lid/Satin Taupe on outer lid/Carbon in crease, or Naked Lunch all of the lid for an overall natural look.
shown in satin taupe
$14.50/each or $11.00/each in pan form
14) Urban Decay Primer Potion: This is a cult classic. Do I even need to get into this? They changed the packaging so it's an easy squeeze tube now, and a little of this product goes a long way. I have extremely oily lids, and I put a little of this on, let it SET, and then put a bit of blot powder over it again and continue onto my eyeshadow. It stays on until I take it off.
15) Revlon TopSpeed Nailpolish: I hate painting my nails. Some people love to paint them all the time, I don't. It's not relaxing, it's annoying. But I feel naked without nailpolish... This is the best of both worlds! Cute colors, extremely fast drying formula, and stays on with a good top coat like Seche Vite for a good 5-7 days. My favorite colors are Cupid (a lavender pink), Peachy (a peachy coral), and Candy (a bright pink).
shown in peachy
16) MoroccanOil Oil Treatment: My hairstylist Celeste had to go into emergency-mode when I went to her about 6 months ago. I had over processed my hair one too many times... big mistake, I know. Trust me, she scolded me... but I'm impatient when it comes to coloring my hair... Anyway, this product has SAVED my roots/ends over the past few months like nothing else could. Celeste recommended it, and I've found that it's worth every penny. It works for all hair types too!
Check Salons for Pricing http://www.moroccanoil.com/en/our-products.html
17) Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover: This is something I've been using since I first started using makeup. I happened to pick it up, and I haven't looked back. No other product works like this does. Just put a swig of this onto a cotton pad and let the cotton pad soak over your eye for 10 seconds or so to breakdown the eyemakeup and then swipe off! ALL gone! :-)
$7.99 http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/neutrogena-oil-free-eye-makeup-remover/ID=prod1401629-product
18) Vitamins: This seems obvious, but take them! They matter! Especially if you aren't getting a very balanced diet like me... I'm guilty of eating out of convenience!
Biotin: $7.00 http://www.walmart.com/ip/Spring-Valley-120-Capsules-5000-Mcg-Ea.-Super-Potency-Biotin-Dietary-Supplement-120-CT/11047685
VitaFusion Gummi: $11.99 http://www.target.com/Vitafusion-Gummy-Vitamins-Adults-Count/dp/B002H0KZ9M/ref=sc_qi_detaillink
Up&Up Women's Daily MultiVitamin: Target, $2.00 in stores only
19) Water: Another obvious one. I don't particularly like the taste of water unless its filtered (spoiled girl alert!) but I just add a bit of lemon juice and I'll chug it like a keg of beer! Drink as much water as possible throughout your day -- you'll have more energy too.
20) Sleep!! I used to not take this advice. I figured any product out there could fix the damage I had while NOT sleeping. Bad idea, folks. Sleep is so important. Since I have vowed to get at least 7-8 hrs daily, if not more, I have noticed a big difference in my hair, skin, nails, and energy. Less coffee is consumed also ;-)
So there they all are! Hope you've learned something out of this extremely long post!
I really enjoy all of the products listed above, and I didn't get paid by anyone to recommend these. Trust me, if I'm paying out big bucks for a product, it means I really do love it. I don't like wasting my money!
Xoxo,
Carlene
Carlene
All images found in google.com search. Thank you!
Welcome!
Hi Loves,
Thank you for stopping by my beauty blog! I have been wanting to create a space where I can share my thoughts & opinions on products, routines, trends, etc for quite some time now! I hope you enjoy it!
I am anxious to see how this turns out, but I try not to start things I can't finish so I should be blogging regularly ;)
Xoxo,
Carlene
Thank you for stopping by my beauty blog! I have been wanting to create a space where I can share my thoughts & opinions on products, routines, trends, etc for quite some time now! I hope you enjoy it!
I am anxious to see how this turns out, but I try not to start things I can't finish so I should be blogging regularly ;)
Xoxo,
Carlene
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