Thursday, June 30, 2016

Summer Skin Care Routine

Maryland summers are hot and muggy and my skin care routine gets a change up. I'm almost 34 and I still have combination skin but wrinkles are starting to appear. Here's what I'm doing on a daily and weekly basis to fight off acne, protect my skin and keep it youthful. Hydrating your skin will help to keep it youthful and fight off wrinkles (you should also drink loads of water to help with that too...I should put away my diet coke now...)

Night Time


Step 1 Clean
I use Simple Micellular Cleansing Water every night but if I have a lot of makeup on I may also use Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes and then Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Deep Dive Cleansing Gel first.


 



Step 2 Exfoliate

Gone are the days of scrubbing your face with harsh beads that damage your skin. Gylcolic Acid is the best way to exfoliate now. I use Glycolix Ellite Pads with a glycolic and salicylic acid mix to help fight off acne causing bacteria.





Step 3 Hydrate

Before you apply your moisturizer you should hydrate your skin to seal in the moisture. I've been using Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Marine Boosting Mist (which also works as a makeup primer and setting spray). This product smells good and really hydrates my skin.





Step 4 Moisturize

I use Tarte Rainforst of the Sea Drink of H2O Hydrating Boost gel it's richly hydrated and keeps my skin firm. I love this product! It's not heavy or greasy so it's perfect for hot summer months.
Step 5 Eye Gel

I use InstaNatural Youth Express Eye Gel on my VERY sensitive area under and around the side of my eyes. Most creams make me break out in red bumps but this is soothing and gentle and is full of good stuff to fight off unwanted wrinkles and bags.



Morning Time


Step 1 Exfoliate

Another swipe of the Glycolix Ellite Pads to remove any dead cells that may have accumulated over night and it wipes away any excess moisturizer.



Step 2 Tone
I use Say Yes to Grapefruit Toning Mist that has vitamins C & E to freshen up your face, prep for moisturizing, evens skin tones and revitalizes pores (it also works as a makeup setting spray).





Step 3 Serum
Adding a serum with hyaluronic acid to your routine will help you fight off wrinkles. I use Lumene Bright Now Vitamin C Hyaluronic Essence which is full of good stuff to sooth wrinkles and add natural hydration which will keep your skin bright and tight. make sure you let it dry before you add moisturizer.
Step 4 Eye Gel
Eye Gel is a super important step to help reduce the morning puffiness and dark circles (although nothing but makeup will really solve those dark circles, check out my recent blog post). I have been using  Enlite Super Face Wake Up Eyes Cooling Eye Invigorator it's cooling and has a metal applicator to help rub it in. Let it dry before moisturizing.





Step 4 Moisturize
Finally we've arrived at the finish. It's important to use a moisturizer with an SPF of at least 30. I use Peter Thomas Roth All Day Moisture Defense Lotion with SPF 30. It's a little greasy but blends well and protects my skin. I also put it on my neck and tops of my hands to keep them protected too. Once it is blended in you are ready for your makeup.


Weekly Treatments

Every week I do a more labor intensive treatment and I rotate between these 3.


Acid Peel: I know that sounds scary but it's really just an exfoliation method that can safely be done at home. I'd recommend starting with a 20% Glycolic Acid treatment to see how your skin reacts and always do a test strip under your chin first. I use Retin Glow 70% Glycolic Acid which comes with a peel neutralizer which is very important. I also use an acid peel fan brush to apply the acid with. You also need rubbing alcohol and cotton balls. I do this every other week. Here are the steps to follow:


1. Wash face thoroughly and dry.
2. Use a cotton ball to apply rubbing alcohol to your face.
3. Apply a thin layer of the acid to your face using a cotton ball or a fan brush.
4. SET A TIMER Start with 2 mins and work your way up. I do 5-7 min.
5. Apply the neutralizer with a cotton ball and it should start to foam and let it sit for a minute.
6. Rinse with cold water.
7. Moisturize.


Mud Mask: In the summer I don't do the mud mask as often, I don't need the re-hydration the way I do in the winter but here's what I use anyway, Borghese Fango Delicato Active Mud for Delicate Dry Skin. It's simple to use, just clean your face and apply the mask for 10-15 min, wash it off and use micellular water to make sure you get it all off.


Pore Mask: I use Pilaten Blackhead Remover to clear out my pores once every few weeks (although I should do it every week, especially in the summer). This mask is great at cleaning out blackheads. It's a sticky oil like substance that dries and tightens. Wash your face thoroughly, apply a layer to your problem areas and let it dry and repeat twice more. Wait 10-15 min and it will peel right off. Use micellular water to make sure you get it all off.




That's it. Stay clean and fresh during these hot months!

Monday, June 27, 2016

Instagram #ootd Roundup June 20th-20th

In the summer I teach an engineering camp for middle and high school students at the local college so I dress down quite a bit. When some kid's solar marshmallow cooker catchs on fire I don't want to be wearing cashmere, just saying. Here's my casual summer style details:

Monday: School


Urban Outfitters Cardigan (I love this sweater so much but it's old so here's a similar style for Macy's for $22)

Ann Taylor Loft Tank $15

New York and Company Cropped Jeans $65

Charlotte Russe Flip Flops $8

Longchamp Le Pilage large Tote $145

Stella Dot Rose Gold Monogram Pendant $69

Tobi Pyramid Bracelet $10

Cole Haan Aviators $35

Wednesday: School


Express V-neck Tee $17

 New York and Company Rip & Repair Boyfriend Jeans $70

Adidas Superstar $80

Kate Spade Mini Crossbody $100

ETSY Name Necklace $35

eBay Twist Bracelet $8

Samsung Gear S $200

Nordstrom Sunnies $12

Friday: School







Stella Dot Horn Necklace (just got discontinued! you can find them on eBay)


Saturday: Playdate


Gap Neon Tank $23

New York and Company Destroyed Boyfriend Jeans $70

Kooba Leather Bag $350

Zulily Yellow Gladiator Sandals $12 (on sale and they only have a few left)

Banana Republic Neon Bracelets (mine are from last season but here are some cute alternatives from ETSY and eBay)

eBay Round Sunnies $2
 

Sunday: Church


Old Navy Stipped T-Shirt Dress $22 (mine's Banana Republic and I've had it for years, it's a great staple piece)



Scarlett did a fantastic job matching my outfit!

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Quick Makeup Looks Perfect for Summer

Who wants to wear a face full of make up in the hot summer months? Here in Baltimore it will be 85-95 till mid September. So here are some links to my quick makeup looks to keep it light and easy and quick for summertime beauty.

Fun and Flirty 5 Minute Look



This is a great for when you want to look like you put in some effort but are really short on time. The purple pops and people always give me great compliments.

Sun Kissed 5 Minute Look


This is the perfect look for the pool or the beach. Very minimal effort but it will make you look like you've spent more time in the sun then you actually have,

Edgy 5 Minute Look


Summer outdoors concert? Date night at the beach? If it's too hot for a full face of makeup but you want to look cool this is the way to go,

Pop of Color 10 Minute Look


This is a fun easy look (although the wing takes an extra minute or two). Perfect for colorful summer clothes and accessories.

Bronzed 10 Minute Look


Feeling pale? No time to sun bathe? Or simple better at protecting your face from the hot summer sun? This is the perfect look to look like you've spent your summer in the sun when in fact you've been locked away inside.

Illuminated 10 Minute Look


This is one of my favorite quick looks. Who doesn't love to glow?

Classic Beauty 10 Minute Look


This look works year round but it should be in every girl's arsenal. Give it a try, you too can master a wing.

Sunday, June 19, 2016

Instagram #ootd Roundup June 6th-19th

Long week sorry this is so late. Scarlett is out of school so I'm busy running her around from playdate to playdate. Plus I've been recovering from SnarkStock 2017. Here's what I wore last week and

Monday: Mall Run

This was a simple outfit but it got a lot of likes on instagram.


New York and Company Ombre Stripped Tee $10

New York and Company Ankle Jeans $57

Havaianas Silver Sandals $32

Nordstrom Reversible Tote in Taupe $48

Nordstrom Turquoise Bar Necklace $16

Cole Haan Aviators $35

eBay Strech Bracelets $3


Tuesday: Pedicures with Scarlett 


Forever 21 Kimono $30

Target Ribbed Tank $9

Old Navy Ripped Denim Shorts $20

Charlotte Russe White Flip Flops $8

Nordstrom Reversible Tote in Taupe $48

Victoria Emerson Wrap Bracelet $26

SheIn Sunnies $15


Thursday: Pizza Night 


LuLa Roe Nicole Dress

Qupid Chunky Sandals (mine are old but here's a similar style from Nordstrom for  $48)

Coach Classic Crossbody Leather Bag

eBay Arrow Spear Pendant Necklace $5

eBay Retro Sunnies $3

eBay H Bracelet $8

eBay Spike Bracelet $5


Friday: Play Date


New York and Company Denim Shirt $20

Old Navy Light Wash Denim Shorts $20

Net-A-Porter Espadrilles $110

Longchamp Le Pilage Tote in Black $145

New York and Company Sunnies $8

Amazon Straw Fedora $15

Kate Spade Bangle $65


Sunday: Wedding Shower 


Target Romper (right after I bought this in March the temperature dropped and I wasn't able to wear it and it's sold out but Target has a bunch of cute ones)

Target Sling Back Mules $26

Target Clutch $17 (only in stores)

Forever 21 Straw Hat $15

Forever 21 Tassle Necklace $14 (available in stores)

Forever 21 Bracelets $9

New York and Company Sunnies $8


Sunday: Father's Day


Lula Roe Nicole Dress

Net-A-Porter Espadrilles  $110

Longchamp Le Pilage Tote in Black  $145

Nordstrom Black Sunnies $12

ETSY Sideways Cross Necklace $25

eBay Nail Braclet $2

eBay Screw Head Love Bangle $12

eBay Twist Bracelet $8

Scarlett and I matched again today.


Friday, June 10, 2016

Dark Circle Help

Dark circles under your eyes are genetic. I've never found a gel or a cream that makes them go away completely but gels with metal roller ball applicators. I use Enlite Super Face Wake Up Eyes. But makeup can make all the difference. Here's my under eye tutorial.



1. Moisturize as normal using a gel under your eyes to give the concelor something to stick to.



2. Apply an orange concelor with your finger tip covering the dark circles. Dark circles are a purplish blue and orange is opposite on the color wheel and will help to correct the color tone. I use NYX Full Coverage Concelor Jar in orange. You could use orange lipstick if you can't find a good orange concelor.


3. Next cover the orange with a creamy concelor like e.l.f. Cover Everything Concealer. Blend it in with your fingers.


4. Use a powder to set the concelor like old school Airspun Loose Powder with a blending sponge.


5. Then put on the rest of your makeup as you normally would. 


These are the products I used.








Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Instagram Roundup May 30th - June 5th

School's out for my little one so it was a week of play dates in the sun. It'll be 80-90° from now till September. Here's what I wore.

Monday: Memorial Day


Old Navy Peasent Blouse (it's from last season but here's a cute one from Bloomingdale's for $40)

Old Navy Ripped Denim Shorts $25

Forever 21 Lace Up Sandals (I sewed on the pompoms)

Kate Spade Ostrich Leather Handbag  (it's old but here's a similar style for $335)

Amazon Pink Cat Eye Sunnies (mine are sold out but here's a similar style for $15)

eBay Gold Tassle Bracelet


Tuesday: Zoo


Target Gingham Shirt $23

J Crew Gray Chino Shorts $40

Havaianas Flip Flops $32

Nordstrom Reversible Tote in Taupe $48

eBay Silver Cat Eye Sunnies $10

Forever 21 Silver Ring $5

eBay Nail Braclet $2


Friday: Scarlett's Birthday Party


New York and Company Sequin Tee $21

New York and Company Ripped Jeans $49

Havaianas Flip Flops $20

Longchamp Le Pilage Tote in Yellow $125

Nordstrom Turquoise Bar Necklace  $16

Forever 21 Ring $3

Scarlett and I matched. She's wearing this Target Tee for $9.



Sunday: LuLa Roe Boutique Party


Nordstrom Sleeveless Tunic $34

Lula Roe Leggings

Charlotte Russe Studdard Flats (mine are sold out but here's a similar style from Nordstrom for $45)

Nordstrom Reversible Tote in Taupe  $48

Etsy Monogram Pendant Necklace $15  (a great dupe for the more expensive Bauble Bar version)

Tory Burch Cuff $175