Skin, Skin, Skin!

Believe it or not your skin tells you stories. It tells you when you are eating unhealthy out of your normal pattern, if you are dehydrated and if you are stressed out. The best thing you can do is change your skin care routine to products geared towards your skin changes. For instance, when I broke out from a foundation I got new skin care. I like drug store products because they are affordable and they work just as well. I started using Neutrogena Naturals face wash and Neutrogena Clear Pore astringent that helps to dry out any pimples. It also prevents breakouts. If you have dry skin try a hydrating mask and moisturize in the morning and at night. If you have oily try to introduce more water into your daily diet.  Also there are different primers geared towards your skin type. You can use a hydrating primer for dry skin with or without an oil serum which has nourishing benefits. There are mattifying primers for oily skin, and also mattifying primers with salicylic acid (used to treat acne) in it to prevent breakouts.

Make your skin a priority!

My Favorite Exfoliating Product!

Exfoliating is the process of removing dead skin from the surface to show clear polished skin underneath. You should exfoliate at least twice a week. I mostly use drugstore items because they are more cost efficient, and they work just as well, if not better.

My favorite product to exfoliate with is the Freeman Charcoal and Black Sugar Polishing Mask. I use this mask a few times a week as I am a makeup artist, so products can take a toll on my skin. The charcoal helps to draw out the impurities and the sugar helps to polish your skin.

In the beginning with regular use you may see a pimple or two, but that is only the mask doing its job. When you first apply the mask you may feel some tingling. Rub this product on your skin for one to two minutes, and then let it sit on your face for five to seven minutes. I apply the mask before I go into the shower so that the steam helps to open up my pores to let the mask do its job. I actually purchased this mask just to see if it was worth the few bucks, and it definitely is.

You can purchase this mask at your local drugstore or Ulta Beauty for around $4.29. Try it!

Summer Favorites

Since summer is here finally, I have put together a list of some products that I currently love! With these products it does not matter what skin tone you have you will be able to find the right color and shade for yourself as well.

Lips!

I purchased a lipstick at the Chanel counter at Macy’s, yes it’s Chanel it is not as expensive as it sounds. They have matte finish lipsticks that leave your lips still feeling hydrated without that drying feel that other lipstick brands give you. It is called ROUGE ALLURE VELVET and it’s an intense long wearing lipstick for $36, the color I purchased was 40 La Sensuelle.

Foundation!

I recently tried a sample of NARS Luminous weightless foundation in the shade New Orleans and so far I’m loving it. I have not had any breakouts and it goes on smooth and leaves you with a flawless face, this foundation would be a great addition to your collection. It retails for $48.

Moisturizer/Primer!

Embryolisse Hydra-Mat Emulsion (if you are oily) and Lait-Crème Concentrè ( if your skin is normal)  is a moisturizer and primer in one. Just in case you think you’ll forget a makeup step or if you prefer a more simplistic one this is the product for you. It goes on nice and smooth and is dermatologist recommended. It retails for $16.

Nails!

I love OPI and Essie nail polish but the only downside is it usually lasts a week. Everyone normally goes bi-weekly for a mani/pedi and your nails chipping in between can be a bit of a bust. I opt for the shellac by CND which keeps my nails shiny and chip-less for two weeks until my next appointment. This is the color I currently have on my nails, Electric Orange!