Skin Care

The Day in Beauty Vol. 24: The Best Black Liquid Liner and a Makeup Tip for Late Nights

July 27th, 2016 by Karen 40 Comments

essie pre show jitters swatch — Essie Gel Couture in Pre-Show Jitters ($11.50)

I Love the ’90s…

That was the name of the concert I went to last Saturday night — I Love the ’90s — with my friend Marisol, and it was the first time I stayed out late since…

Shoot, I can’t even remember, but it’s been a looong time. I’ve been serving hard time in baby jail for almost five months now, and even before Connor arrived, back when I was still pregnant, I wasn’t going out a lot because I was ginormous, always tired and constantly uncomfortable.

Anywho, like I was saying, I hadn’t been out since forever, and when we were driving back home in the middle of the night from Jackson, California, which is a small town — I’m sorry, Jacksonites — out in the middle of nowhere, I suddenly got the feeling that I was wearing 20 layers of makeup on my face.

I wasn’t wearing a ton, though. Just, like, NARS tinted moisturizer, some powder, a little bit of cat eye makeup, so nothing too cray, but after being out and about in the summer sun for a few hours and perspiring at the concert, that drive home was rough.

I couldn’t wait to get home and wash my face, and Marisol said the same thing.

Has that ever happened to you? — where you get the sudden urge to wash your face in the car on a long drive home in the middle of the night? I mean, Marisol and I can’t be the only two people.

Oh! — I just thought of a genius (if I do say so myself) idea for the next time I’m out and about in the wee hours (whenever that may be). I’ll bring along a pack of makeup wipes to keep in the car! 🙂

That way I can remove my makeup, wipe down my face, and let my skin breathe. Then when I get home, I can just fall right into bed, ah…

By the way, these new Clinique Take the Day Off Micellar Cleansing Towelettes are SO BOMB.

Clinique Take the Day Off Micellar Cleansing Towelettes for Face & Eyes ($14 for 50 wipes) — Clinique Take the Day Off Micellar Cleansing Towelettes for Face & Eyes ($14 for a pack of 50 wipes)

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My Latest Skincare Finds for Combination Skin

July 1st, 2016 by Adia Goss 12 Comments

Over the past year or two, my decidedly normal skin became very “combination.”

Maybe it was my cross-country move from NYC to the Bay Area, or maybe it’s just that I’m in my 30s now, but I’m constantly looking for the right products for my sensitive, combination skin.

Here are some things I’ve been testing:

combination-skin-2 — The skincare products I’ve been testing lately (L to R): boscia Charcoal Mattifying Makeup Setting Spray, Erborian Bamboo Matte Lotion, Murad Oil-Control Mattifier SPF 15 and Sephora Clarifying Booster

I don’t like heavy skin products, especially now that it’s consistently over 85 degrees every day, so I’ve been trying out all kinds of different things, from setting sprays and toners, to SPF and skincare boosters.

First up is Erborian Bamboo Matte Lotion (available at Sephora for $34). It’s the product I’ve been using the longest of this bunch, and for good reason. I love it! It’s definitely earned a place in my skincare routine.

It’s actually a toner, and I picked it up randomly one day at Sephora because I’d been curious about it for a while. As you can see in the photo above, a powder settles at the bottom of the bottle. I just give it a quick shake and apply directly to my face.

Since my skin is classic combination right now — dry on my cheeks and shiny along my T-zone — I can’t really get down with strong toners because they just make my skin feel too tight, but this Bamboo Matte Lotion manages to work well wherever I use it.

The water is infused with moisturizing bamboo, but the powder helps soak up oil.

I love applying this after I wash my face. It just balances my skin so perfectly.

I’ve also been testing Murad Oil-Control Mattifier SPF 15 (also available at Sephora, and it’s $40).

It’s a moisturizer with SPF, and I definitely like the convenience of having one product that does both. It does a great job preventing shine, but at the end of the day, my cheeks feel a bit tight when I use it. I don’t think that translates into visual dryness, but I can feel it!

Also, I feel like SPF 15 is pretty low for a sunscreen, and I like to wear SPF 30 at least. My uncle was diagnosed with skin cancer when I was in junior high, and even though he was able to get treatment in time and is doing just great now, that experience alerted me to the danger of not protecting myself from the sun.

I’m gonna get off my soapbox now, but outside of the low SPF, I think this Murad does a good job at keeping my skin matte.

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Try the $4 Miss Spa Deep Recovery Pre-Treated Gel Lip Mask for Smoother Lips and a Fun Experience

June 23rd, 2016 by Marcella Yakalis 8 Comments

Wearing the Miss Spa Pre-Treated Gel Lip Mask Deep Therapy ($4.00) — Wearing the Miss Spa Deep Therapy Pre-Treated Gel Lip Mask ($4.00)

Now that summer is here, there are many things I’ve been enjoying that I don’t usually do during winter…like drinking iced coffee without getting strange looks. I also haven’t had a head cold since April, at least, and I’m on the prowl again for the perfect plus-size maxi dress.

But one thing I can never seem to find, no matter the season, is a cure for my dry, flaky lips.

My bag usually has at least two or three different lip balms in it, and I literally hoard them at home, but none of them really, really work. They help, but they aren’t a solution, so now I’m looking for answers outside the realm of everyday lip moisturizers.

I’ve tried exfoliating my lips, but this time I’m going with a more popular approach. I’m testing a mask!

So, face masks are nothing new, as I’m sure you’re aware. Single use sheet masks, in particular, have been extra popular lately (Jen liked this one by Amore Pacific), but have y’all ever tried a lip mask before?

They sound weird, right?

But this affordable little treasure — the Miss Spa Deep Therapy Pre-Treated Gel Lip Mask — was too hard to resist (I’ve seen it at Target for about $3).

This was my first time trying a mask like this, and I was a little surprised when I opened the package for the first time at how thick the mask is.

I assumed it would be a thin sheet mask that would just cover my lips, but as you can see, it’s a little bigger than that.

The Miss Spa Deep Recovery Pre-Treated Gel Lip Mask — I didn’t expect the illustration on the front to be quite so…literal.

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Products I Have Completely Used Up! Will I Repurchase Them?

June 9th, 2016 by Jen Clark 12 Comments

Do you get that intense feeling of satisfaction when you use the last drop of something you’ve been working on for months? It makes me feel like an actual responsible adult who got her money’s worth! If I completely use up a product, it’s usually a testament to how much I love using it…usually.

Rather than chucking my empties into the garbage, I channeled my inner hoarder and kept my trash in a box to take pictures of and show you all. Totally normal!

1. Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes ($5.99 at Ulta)

Simple Cleansing Towlettes — Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes ($5.99 for 25 wipes, available at Ulta)

I’ve gone through an absurd number of these wipes — like, literally more than 20 packs of 25 wipes! I really should collect the empty wrappers to see how many I actually use…

These are my all-time favorite go-to makeup removers. I’ve tried countless different wipes and even micellar water on cotton pads. Some of them are nice, but I always, always, always come back to these.

The actual cloth wipes are so nice and soft and don’t irritate my skin, and the cleanser they’re soaked in is super gentle and doesn’t burn my eyes, but it still does the job and gets off all of my makeup.

Will I repurchase them? Yes, I already have, and I’m quickly burning through my last pack!

2. Pixi Glow Tonic Exfoliating Toner ($15 for 3.4 oz.)

Ugh, I hate how fast I go through these toners! I get the smaller, cheaper 3.4-oz. bottle because I feel like I’m being oh, so thrifty, but I fly through them in about three weeks (I use it twice a day).

I really should get the bigger bottle, huh.

I fell in love with this toner a few months ago and have been religiously using it ever since. I like that it’s exfoliating and helps get rid of some of the bumpy, uneven texture I tend to get on my skin. It really does leave my skin super soft and glowing.

I’ve talked about why I think toners are so important in my Pixi Skincare Routine post, but you really should use one. Really.

Will I repurchase? Yes! As soon as I make it back to Target, which is about an hour away from where I live!

I know. Feel sorry for me. 🙁

3. Yes To Tomatoes Acne Clearing Facial Toner ($9.99 for 8.5 oz.)

Yes To Tomatoes Toner — Yes To Tomatoes Acne Clearing Facial Toner ($9.99 for 8.5 oz.)

You know how when you use something and you’re trying to decide what you think about it, but you really don’t know? That’s how I feel about Yes To Tomatoes Acne Clearing Facial Toner…

I picked it up when my skin was acting up and used it off and on for about six months until I finished it.

I really don’t know what to say about this one!

Obviously, it didn’t “wow!” me, but I didn’t hate it either. It did the job and got my skin super clean, but I can’t really remember if it helped me with breakouts or not. My guess is that if I don’t remember, it probably didn’t.

I wouldn’t completely write this one off, though, if you’re looking for something with salicylic acid and witch hazel to keep your pores nice and tight. I do really like the ingredients in this.

Will I repurchase it? Probably not…mostly because I wasn’t wow’d by it.

4. Ole Henrikson Nurture Me Moisturizer ($40)

Ole Henrickson Nurture Me — Ole Henrikson Nurture Me ($40)

I wish I remember the name of the guy who helped me that fateful day in Sephora when I was encouraged to give this moisturizer a try because he changed my life!

OK, that’s a little much, but I love this moisturizer so much. I went in looking for something, anything, to help calm the redness that I was experiencing on my skin and came out with this.

First off, I have to tell you how good it smells, because if something smells amazing, that makes me love it 100 times more. It legit smells like the most delicious orange Creamcicles… My mouth waters every time I use it.

Of course, the smell isn’t why I use it, though. Not only does it soothe my skin and relieve the redness, but it makes my skin feel so smooth and comfortable. There are no massive, angry breakouts, no redness, no rough texture. My skin is happy!

Will I repurchase? Absolutely! As soon as all the bills are paid and everyone has what they need, I WILL buy my magic orange Creamsicle again.

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This Summer Skin Routine Will Get You Glowing, Sexy, and Glam

June 8th, 2016 by Anna Oh 12 Comments

It’s been hot here in Georgia lately…like SO hot that I’m running to my car now, yet despite the heat and sun, my legs refuse to tan, no matter how many skirts and dresses I wear. I think my legs might be invincible, guys, LOL!

To combat my blindingly white legs, I’ve been using a bronzing oil, Too Faced Royal Oil Coconut Oil Body Bronzer, and I think it may be a go-to this summer.

But that’s not the first step in my summer skin routine.

It all starts with the bath…

I finally get it… Baths are great. In my new home, I finally have a separate bathtub to relax and lounge in, and the new Shea Moisture “African Water Mint and Ginger” products inspire me to make time for them.

I start with a capful of African Water Mint & Ginger Detox Bubble Bath & Body Wash ($9.99) in the bath. It’s not SUPER soapy — which I like — so there’s no need to jump into the shower to rinse off.

But hands down, my favorite product of the set is the African Water Mint & Ginger Detox Hand & Body Scrub ($9.99). I love the feeling of the sugar breaking down as I rub it into my skin. I feel squeaky clean AND moisturized at the same time because of the oils and shea butter in the formula.

shea moisture detox & refresh african water mint scrub — An up-close of the sugar scrub

Before I hop out of the bath, I’ll quickly finish up with the African Water Mint & Ginger Detox & Refresh Hair & Scalp Gentle Shampoo ($10.99) and African Water Mint & Ginger Detox & Refresh Hair & Scalp Conditioner ($10.99).

The conditioner doesn’t wow me (it’s very thick and lotion-y), but the shampoo makes my scalp feel brand new. I use it once or twice a week to combat the hot, humid hair situation (you know — life in the South).

Adding glow and bronze

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5 Hair and Skin Care Products I Currently Can’t Live Without

May 31st, 2016 by Marcella Yakalis 8 Comments

Best Hair and Skin Care Products — Dove Advanced Regenerative Nourishment Serum-in-Oil ($5.99), Ponds Wet Cleansing Towelettes in Evening Soothe ($5.49), Yes To Tomatoes Detoxifying Charcoal Cleanser ($9.99), KMS California Stay Dry Xtreme Hairspray ($19.50), and Yes to Tomatoes Detoxifying Charcoal Mud Mask ($15.99)

I spent a few lonely days this month keeping myself occupied while my boyfriend was out of the country for work. While he was away, I tested some new products and, of course, I had my cats and friends for company, and not to mention you lovely readers!

I thought it was high time to share some of the hair and skin care products I’ve been absolutely loving lately, so here they are. A lot of these are things I didn’t necessarily expect to like, but now I’m singing their praises.

1. Dove Advanced Regenerative Nourishment Serum-in-Oil

When Dove Advanced Regenerative Nourishment Serum-in-Oil ($5.99) caught my eye, I was interested…but I wasn’t convinced I actually needed it. I only wash my thin, often flat hair once or twice a week to avoid excess oil, so adding more oil to my hair wasn’t something I was inclined to do. But it has actually helped.

The pump dispenses the perfect amount for my hair! — One pump dispenses a perfect amount!

Normally I use about one pump, and then I flip my hair upsidedown and massage that through my ends — but only my ends, and maybe to around the middle of the length of my hair, but never to the roots.

That’s been the key to not having the oil increase the oil already atop my head.

My ends do tend to get a little brittle at times, and Dove Advanced Regenerative Nourishment Serum uses a mixture of palm, coconut, sweet almond, and sunflower seed oils. Oddly enough, it actually does leave my ends feeling light and fluffy.

2. KMS California Dry XTreme Hairspray

I don’t have a ride-or-die hairspray, so I usually bounce from brand to brand. KMS wasn’t a brand I’d previously heard of before, but now thanks to KMS California Dry XTreme Hairspray ($19.50) it’s one I will definitely repurchase from.

Dove Advanced Series Regenerative Nourishing Serum-in-Oil and KMS Dry Xtreme hairspray. — Dove Advanced Series Regenerative Nourishing Serum-in-Oil and KMS Dry Xtreme hairspray

This hairspray tames my flyaways and still leaves me able to run my fingers through my hair at the end of the day. Seriously, there’s nothing more annoying than trying to brush your hair or run your fingers through your hair quickly and actually pulling out strands. 🙁

3. Ponds Evening Soothe Cleansing Towelettes

When my boyfriend was out of town, I spent a lot of time with friends, and that often involved being out late. Several of my friends are leaving the city after graduate school, so I took the week to spend time with people I haven’t seen in a while. Getting back to my apartment at 2 a.m., though, didn’t leave a lot of time for skin cleansing.

Front and center, Ponds Evening Soothe Cleansing Towelettes — Front and center: Ponds Evening Soothe Cleansing Towelettes

I mentioned liking the original scent Ponds cleansing towelettes in my post about wearing makeup at the gym, and the Evening Soothe ones ($5.49) are just as great when your skin needs a quick cleansing.

Like the regular ones, they aren’t the best at taking off my makeup, but as far as getting off that grimy feeling from the subway and the city in general, they’re top notch.

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General Tips and Product Recommendations for Oily Skin

May 23rd, 2016 by Carolina Braina 32 Comments

Oily Skin Tips Products — Having oily skin, blotting paper is like an extension of my hand, LOL!

After battling oily skin my whole life (well, since my teens, more like), I think I’ve finally come to terms with it. For the way I see it, you just can’t win a battle against oily skin, so the sooner you realize and accept it, the better.

I mean, think about it. If you have oily skin, it means that your sebaceous glands produce more oil than normal… Do you really think you can change the amount of sebum you produce just by applying something on top of your skin? I don’t know about you, but I personally don’t think that’s possible.

You can use products containing oil-absorbing ingredients that do help a little, but if you really have oily skin, nothing will keep you shine-free all day. What I try to do is use products that won’t make me oilier, which unfortunately, in my experience, is not as easy as it sounds, especially because many products specifically formulated for oily skin on me have opposite effects than they promise.

But luckily, after about 15 years of trial and error, I can now say that I’m finally satisfied with my skincare regimen, and today I’d like to give you a few general tips and product recommendations that I hope may be beneficial to at least some of you.

At which point I’ll insert the usual disclaimer: I’m not a dermatologist, and all the advice and recommendations in this post are solely based on my personal experience. Obviously, what works for me might not work for you.

That being said, if you have oily skin and are not satisfied with your skincare, the following tips and products might inspire you to change something in your routine that will hopefully help keep your skin under control.

Cleanse with gentle, yet effective products

You’ve probably heard it a million times already, but I’ll tell you for the million-and-oneth: cleansing properly is essential to keep your skin healthy. As an oily-skinned gal, it’s important you find the right products that get rid of any excess oil without being too stripping.

The Tata Harper Purifying Cleanser fits the bill perfectly. It’s not one of those cleansers you remove your makeup with (for that I love my Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm – been using it for years!), but it’s great in the morning (which is my favorite time to use it) or as a second cleanse at night.

Opt for an alcohol-free toner

The Clinique Mild Clarifying Lotion is alcohol-free and contains salicylic acid, a chemical exfoliant that helps prevent any blemishes

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Making Memorably Relaxing Moments With the New CND SPA Collection Scrubs, Masques and Lotions

May 19th, 2016 by Marcella Yakalis 20 Comments

CND Spa Collection Bright Citron and Gardenia Woods Scrubs and Masques — CND Spa Collection Bright Citron and Gardenia Woods Scrubs, Masques and Lotions

There aren’t many luxuries I long for at my age. As a millennial living in New York City, there are only a few things I really, really want. Mostly, I’d like a steady income, lower rent, an endless supply of Trader Joe’s Turbinado & Sea Salt Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds and Spindrift Seltzer…

I digress.

When it comes to trying spa and luxury skin care treatments, however, I have many big dreams that have yet to be fulfilled. I have super sensitive skin, as you may have heard me talk about in my previous posts here on Makeup and Beauty Blog, so I am VERY hesitant to get any sort of commercial facial, but one thing I would love to do is have a sensory deprivation session. Unfortunately, they’re rather pricey, especially in this city.

Until the day comes when I can afford fancy spa visits and other amenities, I make due with things I can do at home.

These are some of my recent favorite products, the new CND SPA collection, available at Select Ulta stores. I’ve tried the Bright Citron Lotion, and the Masque, as well as the Gardenia Woods Scrub, and the Soak.

I’d never used any CND products before trying these. I don’t believe there are any of their salons in NYC yet (correct me if I’m wrong!), but these, which are part of a new line, have been satisfying in every respect.

You may have read about my addiction to lotion and how my lotion kingdom has overtaken my nightstand. Well, these new products have mostly stayed in my bathroom, but they’ve already worked their way into my regular bath-time routine.

CND Spa Collection Bright Citron Scrub and Masque — The CND Spa Collection Bright Citron Masque and Lotion are my favorites

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