WINTER WEATHER

                        Saving Winter Skin 

Oh baby it's cold outside!


No matter where you are in the country its either very cold or somewhat cold. One thing is certain your skin is feeling it.  The cold and dry air take a toll on winter skin.  There are many reasons your skin can drier; the cold and windy air, the heater or fire, you take hotter showers.  All of these unavoidable things contribute to having dry tight feeling skin.  They are difficult if not impossible to avoid. Here are some tips.


Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Yes sounds redundant but it is absolutely necessary. Try to moisturize when your skin is slightly damp. This will help the product penetrate into your skin better.
I use a moisturizer during the day and a facial oil at night.  I am partial to the Josie Maran Light Argan Oil, I have acne prone skin so this product is perfect. It moisturizes but does not break me out. I also like the Caudalie Oil, it's a little thicker than the Josie Maran but great on my skin. The scent of this oil is divine. Both of these oils can be used on the body as well.  I use them on my knees when I have a rough dry spot.


You will find that sometimes a regular hand moisturizer won't cut it out during the cold winter months.  I prefer using a thicker product that I know will last a few hours.  I love the Neutrogena hand cream.  Now let me be honest it's thick and slightly greasy but it works.  I put this on at night before I go to sleep and wake up with incredibly soft hands. Its affordable and available at any drug store.


Don't forget your hair! During the winter months you are more likely to use heat products on your hair so deep condition regularly.  There are wonderful hair oils out there that really do improve hair dryness and don't forget one of the best products for hair, face and body; coconut oil.


Coconut is readily available almost everywhere. it has great benefits. Make sure to look for an all natural formula with no added ingredients.


Bundle up and have a great winter!

                           BB cream or CC cream? What's the difference?


Walk into any store that has skincare products and you will be bombarded by promotions for BB creams and CC creams. How is someone suppose to choose or actually know the difference? Is there really a difference? Well, technically no.

BB creams stand for beauty balms. These were invented by a German dermatologist that wanted to incorporate certain creams into one.  They became popular in Asia before coming to the US.

They have SPF. Some contain 30spf or higher which is the American Academy of Dermatology's recommended daily use.

They contain ingredients that help skin look more even and luminous.

Most carry ingredients that act as a foundation primer by blurring pours to make them seem smaller.

Although the BB cream technology is incredible and beneficial it is not the end all be all.  They provide less hydration than a regular moisturizer and the color can be sometimes difficult to match.  People with acne prone skin also have to be careful, BB creams do not contain any acne fighting ingredients.  The FDA does not allow any products with SPF and acne fighting ingredients to be combined.

The CC in CC creams stand for color correcting.  This products is very similar to BB creams.

They also have SPF and contain ingredients that make skin appear more luminous and more even. They also have the technology that is very similar to a foundation primer. Your pores actually appear smaller or disappear.

The biggest difference is that CC creams are loaded with antioxidants. An antioxidant is a substance that prevents oxidation. It helps slow down decay therefore helping your skin appear younger longer.

Both these are creams are an excellent addition to your skincare regimen.  They will provide your skin with necessary protection and benefits.  They are especially good for those of us who are on the go and want something fast and quick but still want results.  But we must remember there are not miracle workers.  We will still need to stick to a nighttime routine that deeply moisturizes our skin overnight and deals with any specific issues our skin might be having.

Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize!

First Impression of Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara

I picked up the mascara the other day at my local Walgreens for a great price. It's normally a little under $10.00 but with a buy one get one 50% off it was less then $5.00.  I was very happy with the price.

The packaging is very pretty and unique to Rimmel.  Black tube with gold top.  The plastic wand is straight and is slightly wider in the middle.

This is a great drugstore mascara.  It's a little watery but really coats the lashes and softly tugs them to make them longer and curl.  It also creates pretty good volume if several coats are applied

Did not flake off at the end of the day.  I also had to take it off with a makeup remover. In my opinion that is a sign that it is a good mascara, if at the end of the day it is still firmly in place.  The brand states that this mascara has a grow lash complex with Procapil.  (Procapil is a formula that is mainly used to treat hair loss. It suppose to strengthen hair and prevent hair loss.) With continued use it can make lashes appear longer and fuller.  We'll have to wait and see on that one. Happy with this purchase. Highly recommend.

                                                                   

First Impression of Cover Girl Clump Crusher Mascara

This is the first of many reviews on drugstore mascaras.  First off the price on this mascara is great.  Regular price is less than $10 but you can easily get for less if you wait for a sale.

The packaging is very unique because the bottle and wand come separate. This way you can see the wand shape and style before buying it.  Mascara bottle is lime green with blue lettering.  Wand is made of plastic and pretty straight with a slight curve.

Once several coats are applied has a good "natural" look on lashes.  It lengthens the lashes well and creates a fluttery effect with little volume.  You really have to wiggle the wand at the base of the lashes to create volume.  Its an easily build-able mascara.

I happen to like lots of volume in a mascara but this one isn't bad for a natural look.

Rating

Hi there! I just tried the best face mask ever! I recently purchased from Sephora Glam Glow Super Mud Clearing Treatment face mask.  This mask is honestly like nothing I've ever tried before. The packaging is very nice and sturdy. Comes in a white and silver lettering octagon shaped box. Container is made of what looks like stainless steel.  Once you open the box the first thing you see is a flap that says Hello Sexy.  Super cute! Inside you will find an instruction pamphlet and the actual container. The container holds 1.2fl oz. It's a little smaller than a small 1.7 oz. perfume bottle. I know, not much but a little goes a long way and it can also be used as spot treatments. They also tell you to apply a thin layer. The mud itself is dark gray in color and has flakes in it. These flakes are tea leaves that suppose to have a calming effect on your skin.  The mud has a pleasant scent without being overpowering.  It smells like tea with a slight peppermint scent.  

One thing I love about the mask is how fast it dries. Between 5 and 10 minutes. I mean really, who wants to have a mask on for 1/2 hour. This is definetly a plus.  When you wash off the mask take advantage of the tea leaves and use them as a light exfoliant on your skin and scrub the mask off.  When you look at your self in the mirror you will instantly see a difference.  Your skin will appear brighter and with much less redness. Almost all redness due to current acne, acne scars, blemishes, even redness around nose or any other area will be greatly reduced.  This mask also helps dry out any current acne and really purge out your pores and clean them. On me it reduces redness for a few days.

  If you have significant acne you will still need an acne mask that targets whatever problem you have but this is a great mask to reduce redness caused by acne. For everyone else this is a must have.

Now for the price. Ouch! Its $69.00 available at Sephora. I know steep.  My bottle lasted 4 months. That's with using every week, usually as a whole face mask and sometimes as a spot treatment. Definetly an investment but well worth it.  Here are the pros and honestly one con:

Pros:  Quick drying                                                           Con: Price Ouch!!!
          Smells great
          Brightening
          Reduces redness
          Life changing


         

                                                             

http://www.sephora.com/super-mud-clearing-treatment-P376409?icid2=GlamGlow_Bestsellers_Carousel_P376409_link