My New Fav Video

I wouldn't normally create a post about a music video but I actually love Rihanna's new We Found Love video. Watch and enjoy!

It reminds me of Skins and I think thats why I love it! What do you guys think of the video?

A Daytime look I've been lovin!

So, we all know everyone has their go-to makeup. Tried and true trusty stuff we can't live without. Well this is mine! I tend to use this stuff pretty regularly.

Cargo Liquid Foundation in F-20: I love that its water based so I don't break out! It's pretty nice coverage and quite layerable.

Benefit Sugarbomb: This blush/bronzer/highlighter creates such a nice glow on my face that I can't seem to live without it these days.

Benefit Brow Zings in Medium: What would my brows do without this godsend. I literally use this product everyday... and its still so full! Talk about bang for your buck!

Smashbox Eye Trio in Multi-Flash: On my skin these three colours create the perfect daytime eye. Light and fresh faced!

Smashbox Shadow in Minx: I use this if I want a more amped up day look. Its a purple/bronze/taupe... a pretty strange colour but its so beautiful at the same time...

Smashbox Cream Liner in Caviar: This is just a staple. Easy to use. Beautiful results. You need one.

Benefit They're Real Mascara: Its new and AMAZING. I do have pretty long lashes to start but this seriously makes them epic. Definition, volume, length its got it all!

Smashbox Number 19 Body & Face Brush: This would usually be a bronzer brush but I use it for everything. Everything. Powder, bronzer, blush... you name it. I also use other brushes buuuut I must say this is my fav.

What are some of YOUR go-to makeup stuff?

Glycolic! What’s up with that?

I recently got Murad’s Night Reform Glycolic Treatment from work and fell in love with it! Its part of their Age Reform line but knowing what I know about acids I knew the glycolic would do something nice for my oily skin. This got me thinking about Glycolic and how I wish more people would use it as opposed to a granular scrub but I just don’t think people know enough about it. So, let me explain.

            Glycolic Acid is used to improve the skins appearance and texture as well as combating acne, scarring, hyperpigmentation and wrinkles. For acne this acid helps degrease, loosen comedones and is antibacterial. It also un-traps the sebum in the follicle and allows oxygen in.
            Glycolic exfoliates by loosening the bonds between skin cells allowing them to be sloughed off, exposing live skin cells. This makes cellular turnover occur more freaquently, thus bringing hyperpigmentation and scarring to the surface faster allowing it to heal and fade.
            As an anti-aging agent it isn’t the most useful acid as it draws moisture away from the skin but it will still refine the appearance of fine lines and allow for better product penetration. If you are looking for a peel that is truly brilliant try getting one from the line PCA. They are specially formulated to not be drying as mature cliental is one of their main demographics.
            There you have it! I really hope this sparks some interest in this amazing acid! Ask your skincare professional or Doctor about getting yourself started.

This or That MakeupTag!

Finally, school is over and I can get back to blogging! I noticed that my lovely friend Andree from Straight Up Glam had posted a This or That Makeup Tag and tagged anyone who wanted to! So, in my effort to get back on the wagon I am doing it! 

Makeup

 

Blush or Bronzer?  I am definitely a blush kinda girl. 

Lipgloss or Lipstick?  Lipstick, lipstick, lipstick! I like gloss but I like how unsticky lipstick is!

Eyeliner or Mascara?  Mascara.

Foundation or Concealer? Foundation. This one was hard though because I love me some Concealer in the morning!

Neutral or Coloured Eyeshadow?  Neutral. Always. Okay, not always buuuuut most of the time!

Pressed or Loose Eyeshadow? Pressed. How people manage to not get that everywhere I will never know. 

Brushes or Sponges? Brushes, way more Eco-friendly.

Nails

Long or Short?  Usually, I like mine short but from being in school where I wasn't allowed to have them grow I now want them long.

Acrylic or Natural?  Natural. The only reason being that I hate how damaged they get.

Brights or Darks?  I love colour. Bright or dark haha. Lets say Dark for fall.

Flower or no Flower?  Maybe a flower on my big toe in the summer.

Body

Perfume or Body Splash?  Perfume! It has more depth! My obsession is Womanity right now. 

Lotion or Body Butter?  I like body butter in the fall and winter.

Body Wash or Soap? Body wash. Always!

Fashion

Jeans or Sweat Pants? Jeans! They make my bum look awesome.

Long Sleeve or Short?  Long sleeves for fall! Its already cold.

Dresses or Skirts? Dresses. All summer long :)

Stripes or Plaid?  Classy stripes not clown stripes.

Flip Flops or Sandals? Strappy Sandals!

Scarves or Hats?  Scarves! Especially this time of year.

Studs or Dangly Earrings?  I always wear studs. I don't like how heavy dangly earrings are.

Cowboy Boots or Riding Boots?  Riding boots. Not a big fan of the cowboy look.

Jacket or Hoodie?  Jacket!

Hair

Curly or Straight?  I like mine curly on a night out.

Bun or Ponytail?  Messy bun.

Bobby Pins or Butterfly Clips? Bobby pins.

Hair Spray or Gel? Hair spray.

Long or Short?  I have short hair but I'm growing it long!

Light or Dark? Dark!

Side-swept Bangs or Full Bangs? Side-swept right now!

Up or Down? I usually wear my hair down.

Random

Rain or Shine?  Definitely shine!!  Who likes rain anyway?

Summer or Winter? Summer.

Fall or Spring? Fall, I love how exciting it is right before all the holidays! Everything smells good. Bath and body works get the best candles in! Costumes! Everything!

Chocolate or Vanilla?  Chocolate!

That was really fun! Like Andree I am tagging anyone who wants to do it!

The Perfect Base

The Perfect Base

Everyone should know that having a good skincare routine is the answer to having an amazing makeup application. I’m not saying you need perfect skin, I’m saying you need exfoliated and hydrated skin that allows makeup product to sit properly atop it. 

- Firstly, drink LOTS of water.

- Secondly, ALWAYS remove your makeup at the end of the day. You can purchase cleansers that can also remove makeup as they clean or you can use a makeup remover followed by cleanser.

- Cleansing milk. I don’t use this often in my routine because I have oily skin but I do own one for the days my skin needs an extra boost or I’m wearing loads of makeup because it helps to remove the bits the makeup remover may have missed. If you have anything that isn’t oily skin this is a staple.

- Epidermal or “foaming” cleanser. The foaming from this product is what ensures it gets deep down in the pore to flush debris out. Acne prone people should use this twice a day to help control the debris on the face. If you have dry skin I’d say to try using it only in the evening whereas I’d tell sensitive skin to either opt out or try only using it 2 or three times a week.

- Exfoliation. Most people should do it once or twice a week. Acne prone people can do it up to every other day because their cells build up so quickly. I can easily say about 7/10 cases of acne can be dramatically changed just by regular exfoliation. Let me break it down. Acne, when not caused by hormones,  is caused by bacteria and sebum trapped in the hair follicle by a layer of dead skin that has built up over the opening. By sloughing this thick dead layer off you are essentially not allowing the bacteria a chance to thrive, as the bacteria that causes acne thrives without the presence of oxygen. These little buggers are whats known to the science community as an Anaerobic Bacteria. So open up those pores my friend! You are only doing yourself a disservice if you don't.
Aside from acne this step is amazing for anti aging as it encourages cell renewal and allows products to penetrate without that dead layer of skin blocking its way. 
Please note some types of exfoliation are better for different types of skin: Dry or sensitive: enzymatic or light mechanical. Oily or breakout prone: Chemical or enzymatic but can still try mechanical just use toner after. Basically normal or combo skin: Mechanical, chemical or enzymatic.

- Masks. About once or twice a week using a mask is fitting. Weather your using an algae mask to detox or a moisturizing mask to hydrate, you are doing wonders for your skin. I always do my mask on the days I exfoliate because thats when my skin is most open and ready to absorb helpful ingredients.
Heres a tip: Clay-based pulls impurities out so its very suitable for oily skin.  

- Toning. Most people think this step is unnecessary. It is 100% necessary. Here’s why: For oily skin toners with more astringent properties control oil and are antibacterial, lessening the chance for breakouts while also adding some positive hydration to the skin. For dry skin toners usually have Rose or chamomile in them to calm and hydrate the skin. Recently, I saw a toner for dry skin with hyaluronic acid in it. Talk about moisture prep.

- I use a serum every day in the evening. It helps with my acne scarring and refines the texture of my skin. In North America serum use is still up for debate however, in Europe it is a staple aspect of most routines. You can buy anti-redness serums, vitamin C serums, collagen serums, the list goes on. I recommend them because I’ve seen a noticeable difference in my skin since I started using it. They penetrate deeper than a moisturizer because the molecule is smaller.

- Moisturizer. In this step you’re putting hydration and nutrients back in the skin. While stripping all the debris and oils off with the cleansers and exfoliants you took the moisture with it! For acne prone and oily skin: YES, even though you have oily skin you still NEED to moisturize. With a matteifying cream/gel. Its hydration on YOUR terms. If you don’t moisturize your body thinks its dry… so it creates more oil production. Let’s be honest, you don’t want that. For dry skin: A heavier cream packed with nutrients is essential for avoiding a dull complexion. You want to breath radiant life back into your skin! Normal: you also need moisture but thankfully its minimal so stick to a lighter cream. For ALL skin types this step is going to be your first line of defense against the aging process as lack of hydration causes fine lines!