Beauty, Daily, Photos, Reviews

Top 5 Moisturizers to wear in your 30’s

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Top-5-MoisturizersI think it goes without saying that these are my personal 5 moisturizer picks that works for my type of skin tone, which is a bit dry and dehydrated. Those with oily, combination or normal skin would preferably seek out different types of creams that would best work for you. I’ve meant to talk about this for ever lately and since I injured my a2 pulley tendon from climbing a crimpy 5.11c a few weeks back you’re just gonna have to sit tight on some climbing posts for now. My finger has had 3+ weeks of rest, and I think it’s about time I jump back into climbing, I’ll let you know how it goes.

I stick to a strict routine for my skin care, because I don’t mess around with moisturizers screwing up my skins balance. I already know what works best, so I stay with it. I’d rather experiment with makeup than skin care.

Luckily, most of the philosophy line works incredibly well with the type if skin I have. I’m a big fan. I’ve written about philosophy products about a kabillion times, people who have been reading my blog understand my love for this‎ brand.

Hope-In-A-Jar-DayHope In A Jar

Hope In A Jar is my first philosophy love. This has been my go-to day cream for a couple of years and I haven’t found anything like it. The consistency of the moisturizer is whipped, has a delicate smell (which a few friends of mine really dislike — I personally love it). When I apply it onto my skin, it makes my face feel soft. This moisturizer doesn’t make my skin look greasey, nor is it too heavy for summer, or too light for winter. It’s the perfect all year round moisturizer. Don’t mistake this jar, for their dry skin forumla which I dislike. It was much too heavy on my skin, I felt as if the product would eventually break me out.

Origins-A-Perfect-World

Origins A Perfect World

This moisturizer comes in regular formula: Origins A Perfect World and Origins A Perfect World with SPF 25. It’s much more different in consistency compared to ol’ faithful Hope In A Jar, but none the less, this one has carried me through the last few months — I’m interchanging them both on a day to day rotation. Whichever I feel like using, I slap on my face that morning. This one leaves my skin dewy, and I love it for those days I want an extra glow. You must be careful with this one and not to apply too much, or it can look greasy. The smell in this moisturizer is from the White Tea, and it’s fantastic. I gave it another smell as I’m writing this post and it’s truly wonderful. Fun fact: When my sister-in-law came to visit us, we snagged a sample of this moisturizer for her at the Macy’s counter — she too adores the smell.

Hope-In-A-Jar-Night

Hope In A Jar Night

My skin is constantly thirsty and needs moisturizing to help it repair during my beauty rest. I discovered Hope In A Jar Night through a goody bag I received at a blogging conference last fall. It’s thick, hydrating and smells great: think medicinal. It almost smells like something Aveda would have on their shelves, if you know that type of fragrances. I haven’t tried too many night creams, so I cannot faithfully compare it to anything else as I used day creams during the night, in the past. This does the job, I’m not sure I enjoy the feeling of it on my skin but I suppose it should be thicker than a day cream, to hydrate and penetrate through your skin throughout the night.

Full-Of-PromiseFull Of Promise

Ah neck cream. I had no idea anything like this existed until I received a nice surprise in the mail from philosophy: Full of Promise. During my nightly routine I used to apply a face cream to my neck and décolleté. Apparently they think I’m aging and need a bit of neck cream. Fair enough, I’m in my thirties and I moisturize constantly to prevent as much wrinklage as possible. My night time ritual is far more longer than my morning routine, including makeup. I like to take care of my skin as best as I can. I would buy this over the Hope In A Jar night in a millisecond. It has a nicer consistency, and feels thicker, but less greasier than the night cream.

Miracle-Worker-Eye-CreamMiracle Worker

We cannot forget the delicate skin around your eyes. You must hydrate them as often as possible! Those with dry skin unfortunately will have more noticeable crows feet, than those who are more oily prone skin. Lucky ducks. I’m already noticing crows feet, especially when I smile. In order to keep that at bay, and hydrated, I moisturize with one of two eye creams, either the Miracle Worker or Bobbi Brown’s Extra Eye Repair. It’s not shown, because I haven’t opened it and I don’t want any air to get into it, or it’ll dry out before I get around to using it. Both are completely different eye creams, the philosophy one has an orange tint and has a more silicone feel, where as the Bobbi Brown is so thick, hydrating and seeps right into the skin. I love the way my under eye concealer simply glides on after I apply eye cream.

That’s it for the moisturizers I recommend! As for mud masks and hydrating treatments, I’m curious as to what everyone uses. I’ve heard fantastic things about Glam Glow, I should grab a sample of that at sephora. I’ve used the Daiso charcoal clay mask which is black, dries like patent leather on your face and then you tear it off like a biore strip. Yeah, ouch. I don’t know if I can handle it again. I’ve done it twice before. I may throw it away.

Do you moisturize daily?

What type of face masks do you recommend?

Have you used anything by philosophy?

Everything was purchased with me with the exception of Full Of Promise, which I stated was kindly gifted to me by philosophy.

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Beauty, Photos, Reviews

BeautyBlenders are amazing

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BeautyBlenderI bought a Beauty Blender.

Then it sat in my make-up drawer for two years without being used. I was very skeptical on a silly little pink sponge being a life altering change to my make-up routine. But I already saw what the hype was about after using it just two times.

This sponge will cost you anywhere between $15-$20. Purchase it anywhere from Nordstrom, Amazon to of course, Sephora. I can only find fake ones at Target and Ulta. I’ve never used a sponge to apply my make-up in the past, so I cannot compare any other replica to the Beauty Blender itself. From what I’ve heard on YouTube, no replica compares to the Beauty Blender. I don’t know why.

BBlendersHow to use the Beauty Blender

You can use the Beauty Blender wet, or dry. I prefer dampening the tear dropped shaped sponge under water for it to absorb and grow to twice its size. Once it’s wet and springy, wring out the excess water, and apply foundation to the back of your hand. Bounce the blender onto your liquid foundation, and use the rounded bottom and start dabbing the foundation onto your face. Don’t swirl, just dab. Using the Beauty Blender when it’s damp creates a more dewy, flawless finish. I haven’t tried using it dry, but I can imagine it being patchy. Don’t quote me on that.

The base of the Beauty Blender sponge is ideal for the larger areas of your face. I leave my concealer for last, and use the pointed tip for precise application in your hard to reach areas, like the under eyes or around the nose.

If you want fuller coverage, Beauty Blender’s website suggests to stipple and twist the sponge over stubborn areas.

Why I love the Beauty Blender

  • Because hellewww it creates a flawless finish no brush has ever given my complexion, you really do get an airbrushed effect. I don’t know what it is, but I thought my Real Techniques brushes were the epitome of make-up brushes (even my high end ones didn’t compare), and I’ve been using those since last summer.
  • I don’t get brush strokes or lines on my face when I use a brush, yet I can’t even explain the way the Beauty Blender makes your skin look. If you’re interested in it that much, just go for it and I guarantee you another Beauty Blender, you won’t be disappointed with the finish it gives you.

Cons about the Beauty Blender

  • It is a $20 sponge that will only last a few months.
  • Just as any tool you use when applying make-up, you need to be vigilant about keeping it clean.
  • Using the Beauty Blender is a little messier than slapping product on a brush, and swirling it around your face. Since you have to wet the sponge before each use my hands are all slippery, and wet then I have to lay down the blender on a tissue to not get and dust, dirt or hairs on it, apply my foundation to the back of my hand, and dab the sponge into it.
  • The sponge is still damp when you’re finished applying your make-up for the day. I end up wrapping it in a clean tissue, and store it in my make-up bag. Kind of a waste, but I have no idea where else to put it.
  • I have found that the Beauty Blender uses more foundation than using a make-up brush would.

BeautyBlender-spongesHow to clean the Beauty Blender

I understand you would probably want to clean the Beauty Blender sponge after each use. But 100% of the time, I don’t feel like doing that. You can use this Beauty Blender solid cleanser, make up remover, or plain old hand soap like I do with all of my make-up brushes (and now sponges). Note that a damp sponge left to sit, is a breeding ground for bacteria and mould, so you’re going to want to clean it often and air dry it well.

My results are in. I’m completely sold on the Beauty Blender and how it trumps any make-up brush I have ever tried. But being completely honest I’m not sure I’d go out and drop $20 each time I required a new sponge every few months. We’ll see how it goes.

How do you apply your make-up?

Have you ever used the Beauty Blender?

Do you use liquid, mineral, or powder foundation?

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Beauty, Daily, Photos, Reviews

Why I use retinol/retinoid treatments

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Guys. I’m getting age spots on my hands. I’m getting old.

I have always looked younger than my age, whether or not I was into skincare and now I’m simply slowing the aging process with some beauty products. If in fact it works in the long run. Only time will tell. Since I’m in my thirties, I feel as if I know a lot about skincare than I ever did before. I’m forever researching the products I plan to buy to keep my skin looking youthful.

My biggest thing is, to always hydrate and drink as much water as you can in the run of a day. Water is my primary source of drink, and to keep me drinking it throughout the day, I keep 5+ water bottles in the fridge at all times. When one gets emptied, fill’er back up, place in the fridge and grab another cool one. It’s been working since we’ve moved to California. So that’s good, right?

 Philosophy is a trusted skin care brand that I keep going back to.

philosophyClearly.

I’ve been using Philosophy Retinoid pads and I have just started my second jar of it — the first one was complimentary thanks to Philosophy, but I’ve loved the product so much I bought it.

miracle workerPhilosophy Miracle Worker Anti-aging Retinoid Pads and solution:  $74USD / $98CDN

One side of the pad is more exfoliating than the other. I tend to use the rougher side on my face, and the other side the excess goes to the backs of my hands.  I was hesitant that the retinod pads would still be soaked by the end of the jar in 60 days, but they were.

philosophy with retinoid padsI use it at night after washing my face with Purity Made Simple cleanser. I apply a pad of the retinoid on right after using the cleanser before I put anything else on my skin so it’s the first thing to soak in.

This is a time in my blog-life that I wish I took before and after pictures. I didn’t know I’d enjoy the product so much. My skin feels rejuvenated, my cheeks are much less red, and I feel more comfortable wearing not a stitch of makeup, outside the house. As one should!

Benefits of using retinol/retinoid treatments:

  • To achieve radiant skin, use a product with retinoid in it as it will help get rid of any dry, dead skin cells on the surface
  • Retinoids also stimulates the skin to produce more collagen and hyaluronic acid, which prevents wrinkles or fine lines that haven’t appeared
  • Retinoid helps speed up the skin’s natural cell turnover. As it did with me, it helps fade pigmentation on the skin (my rosy cheeks)

Look at the packaging of your skin care products to make sure it has a retinoid in the product towards the beginning of the ingredient list. Over the counter, you will not receive more than 1% retinoid, as it’s pretty powerful. So look for something with 0.5% or higher of retinoid for best results.

 

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