Tag Archives: Oily Skin

What is up with Cleansing Oils? Oil for an Oily Face?!

Posted in Acne, Dry Skin, Normal Skin, Oily Skin, Review, Skin Care by

If you have been a reader of this blog for any length of time you know my face produces enough oil that I could run my car on it.  That is if cars ran on that kind of oil….  So… When the the “trend” of using oil to clean your face started a few years ago I quickly decided that was not going to be happening in my skin care routine.  Fast forward to present day and guess what, I am older and wiser and I put oil on my face everyday!

I haven’t written about this on the blog yet but I made it a goal this year to use up my samples.  From the sample sizes I  get in various subscription boxes to the samples that come with purchases; my sample supply has gotten out of control.  I decided that the best thing to do for my effort was to sort the samples into makeup (not travel size or sample size things but the packets of foundation or blush on a card stuff),  Skincare and Hair.  While on this sorting quest I discovered I had a few cleansing oils.  I have been using one (that is full size) for a few months and decided to use the others I had and make some comparisons. My plan is to write a post specially for each oil and then follow up with a post that compares the three that I have been using.  But first lets talk about what exactly a cleansing oil is suppose to do for your skin.

 

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Whether your skin is oily, dry or somewhere in between you can use oil as a cleanser and a moisturizer on your face.  Don’t think (like I did) that using an oil on your face will only make your skin more oily.  In fact the opposite is true! Oil attracts oil, so if you put the right kind of oil (more on that later) on your face it will attract the not good kind of oil (sebum, and the oils from makeup) then when you wash your face all of the oil, good and bad will be down the drain.  Also when you cleanse your face with oil, the oil is able to cling to the junk on your face without getting into your pores and takes everything with it.  I have found for me personally that the majority of oil free cleansers (which if you are oily/acne prone you are told you must use)  on the market today are so good at their jobs that my skin is stripped and then is tricked into thinking it is dry and produces more oil. Using oil to combat oil is helping with my skins natural oil production. Don’t get me wrong I still have massive amounts of oil, but I can definitely tell a difference.

Next post we will dive into the oil cleansing method vs pre packaged cleansing oils

*Spoiler- I’ve done both….*

Resources Used:::  Beauty Editor “My Traumatic Experience with the Oil Cleansing Method” by  Michelle Villett

Paula’s Choice” The Oil Cleansing Method “

Bustle “The Oil Cleansing Method For Acne May Be Your Perfect Skin-Clearing Regimen” by Kristin Collins Jackson

Huffington Post “What The Heck Is Cleansing Oil, And Why Is Everyone Obsessed With It?” by Dana Oliver

Glamour “The Trick to Getting the Most Out of Your Cleansing Oil” by Susan Yara

August 2014 Ipsy Bag

Posted in Blush, Combination Skin, Eyeliner, Make Up, Makeup, Mascara, Review, Uncategorized by

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Its Finally Here!!! I feel like Ipsy comes later every month, but maybe I’m crazy… No I’m not because I used to get this before my Birchbox and this came almost 2 weeks after my Birchbox… Anywho lets see what this pink package of amazingness holds for me!

 

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The bag is cute as this months theme is “Beauty Schooled” and its a pencil bag!  I like the design with the orange polka dots but it does have that strong weird plastic smell….

First up we have….

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Dr. Brandt’s Pores No More, I’ve heard great things about this so I’m interested to try it.

Ipsy Says:: A cult favorite, Pores No More Pore Refiner Primer is Dr. Brandt’s quick fix for flawless, photo-ready skin. It is the miracle base to create the perfect skin canvas for long-lasting makeup and well-preserved skin. This velvety formula absorbs excess oil, minimizes pores, blurs fine lines and is resistant to sweat and humidity. Prime, touch-up and treat while perfecting your makeup.

Key Benefits:
    – Minimizes the appearance of pores by diffusing light
    – Blurs imperfections & lines
    – Erases shine & mattifies skin
    – Absorbs oil, reduces shine and helps regulate sebum production
    – Antibacterial action for a healthy skin
    – Acts as a shield to prevent make-up from clogging pores

Lara Says:: The texture of this reminds me of Too Faced Primed and Poreless Skim Smoothing Face Primer which I like.  But this has a definite strange smell, like an earthy, grass like smell… I don’t know it just smells funny, but I didn’t notice it too much after I rubbed in into my hand.

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Ipsy Says:: Treat your lips with this ultra-moisturizing lip balm from Absolute New York. This lightly tinted, creamy, conditioning formula softens, smooths, and protects lips for a seriously kissable pout. Discover this must-have balm for sensationally soft and luscious lips!

Lara Says:: :I cannot tell you how disappointed I am that this is not Green!  How can you have a lip balm in the flavor Green Apple and it not be Green!!  In other news, this seems like a good formula and I’m almost out of my Rose Salve that I keep at my desk at work so this shall be the new desk lip balm.

 

Somehow this didn’t make it in the group picture… Hmm kinda like school yearbook pictures!

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 Ipsy Says:: Bigger. Blacker. Badder. Urban Decay’s ultra-creamy, lengthening and volumizing mascara features triple-black pigments and a deeply nourishing ingredient blend. Perversion Mascara gets you sexy in one stroke, yet it won’t quit until you say when.

Lara Says:: I’ve heard a lot about this product because it was WAY hyped up.  From what I’ve heard from people who have tried it, its a good mascara but its not phenomenal so we shall see…  and for real what is up with makeup brands making everything sexual?!  Not a fan, but that’s a post for another day…

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Ipsy Says:: Coastal Scents Forever Blush boasts 18 perfectly pigmented, powder blushes with a long-lasting rush of color. Complete with a mirror, these color-packed compacts go a long way.

Lara Says:: I have not tried any Coastal Scents make up products but I do have an eye shadow brush that I like that I received in a past Ipsy Bag. From first swatch theses are soft and seem blendable.  According to the website I received the colors ‘Elegant’ and ‘Fresh’ , they are not marked on the packaging but according to a quick web search the shimmer pink is ‘Elegant’ and the matte peachy brown is ‘Fresh’.

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Ipsy Says:: Sensual and exotic, that’s the effect that Silk Kajal Kohl Eye Pencil delivers. Just like the traditional Kohl, but with the modern ease and control of a pencil. Giving a semi-matte finish that is also smudgeable, Silk Kajal Kohl’s soft tip is ophthalmologically-tested and gentle enough to be used on the inner eye.

Lara Says:: New brand so I’m excited to try this out! The last picture is after I left the liner for about a minute and then ran my finger down it.  So it looks like its smudge-able but also has staying power if you just want a dark line.  There will definitely be a review to come on this product.

 

Products Mentioned::

Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner:: $45.00 (8% Cash back at Sephora this week with Ebates!) 

Absolute Lip Balm:: $5.99 (30% off your purchase with the code Ipsy)

Too Faced Primed and Poreless Skin Smoothing Face Primer:: $30.00 (8% Cash back at Sephora this week with Ebates!)

C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve:: $5.50  (1.5% Cash Back at Bath and Body Works this week with Ebates!)

Urban Decay Perversion Mascara:: $22.00 (8% Cash back at Sephora this week with Ebates!)

Coastal Scents Forever Blush in ‘Fresh’::  $7.95 (20% off with the code blush25off)

Coastal Scents Forever Blush in ‘Elegant’ :: $7.95  (20% off with the code blush25off)

 

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Join me on ipsy and subscribe to the Glam Bag! You get 4-5 beauty products every month delivered to your door, for just $10. Michelle Phan curates the bags! 

Vanished Spot Treatment from Clear Clinics Laboratories

Posted in Acne, Combination Skin, Dry Skin, Ipsy, MIsses, Normal Skin, Oily Skin, Review, Skin Care by

I received a sample of this treatment in my July Ipsy bag and promised a review so here you go!

 

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Clear Clinics Says::  “vanished is an on-the-go, clear spot treatment specially formulated with menthol, glycolic acid and salicylic acid. Apply this potent spot treatment to quickly clear blemishes in record time. Thanks to its clear formulation, you can use vanished during the day, under and over makeup. Its travel-sized bottle makes it easy to take with you wherever you go.” 

 

Lara Says:: This product has a very strong alcohol smell, I mean really strong!  So that if very off putting for me.  I was not impressed with this treatment and at $35.00 this is a product I would recommend skipping.  I didn’t find that it dried out my breakouts or healed them any faster.  In fact I really like the e.l.f. Essentials Zit Zapper much better and it cost $1.00.  I would suggest giving that a try before you fork over $35.00

 

Products Mention::

Clear Clinics Vanished:: $35.00 

e.l.f. Essentials Zit Zapper $1.00

 

What do you use to zap your zits?  Let me know, I’m always looking for suggestions!! 

Mask Monday: Lush’s Mask of Magnaminty

Posted in Acne, Combination Skin, Dry Skin, Favorites, Masks, Mint, Normal Skin, Oily Skin, Review, Skin Care, Uncategorized by

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Mask of Magniminty is probably one of my all time favorite facial masks and I think I am on my third jar (that should tell you how much I like it!).  If you have been a reader of my blog for any length of time you know how much I love Lush.  And this fresh minty mask is no exception to my Lush love.  This refreshing mask contains both of the clay’s that I mentioned in my initial post about masks, Bentonite and Kaolin clay.  You can read about the benefits of these two clay’s here.

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I try and use a mask twice a week and since I have started this routine I believe my skin has showed an improvement.  I like to keep this mask in the refrigerator and really take advantage of the minty coolness  effect it has when applied to your skin.  I find the best way to use this mask is to steam my face before applying and I feel like it really penetrates my pores and gets the gunk out of them.

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This mask also has ground aduki beans which exfoliate your skin as you take off the mask.  So really its a two in one product; a mask and scrub and hey I like to use multi-tasking products to save time!

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You can buy Mask of Magnaminty online or in a Lush Shop.

4.4oz  retails for $12.95

11.1oz reatials for $24.95

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder

Posted in Acne, Combination Skin, Favorites, Hits, Hits and Misses, Make Up, Makeup, Normal Skin, Oily Skin, Powder, Target, Walmart by

If you follow my blog at all you all know by now I have super oily acne prone skin.  And I am always on the hunt to find something, anything to keep my oil silo of a face matte.  Well low and behold I believe I have found the answer and it cots less then $4.00 !!!! Can I get a “Woot Woot” ?!  Yes I am smiling from ear to ear as I type this and if you ask any of my friends, they will tell you I cannot stop talking about this powder, it is a game changer for oily skin faces!!! What is this miracle product you ask?  It is the Rimmel Stay Matte Powder.  I really don’t have much else to say besides it keeps my oil at bay and I have wasted so much time and money on other products that cost five times what I pay for this and they weren’t worth crap.

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I bought mine in Translucent but they do have colors if that is more up your ally.  If you have oily skin or just a troubled T-Zone give this power a go and really for less then $4.00 what do you have to lose?  Really nothing because you will be shine and oil free!!

Do you have a secret weapon to combat oily skin? If you do let me know!!! 

June Favorites

Posted in Accessory's, Acne, Blush, Combination Skin, Dry Skin, Favorites, Hair, Jewelry, Make Up, Makeup, Masks, Normal Skin, Oily Skin, Skin Care, Style by

I cannot believe that we are past the half way point of 2013!!!  It is true that time goes by faster as you get older…. Onward to a few favorites that I discovered or rediscovered in the month of June.

Sigma F80-Flat Kabuki     $18.00

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I have been looking for a good foundation brush for a while and I couldn’t seem to find one that worked for all types of foundation so I ended up having multiple brushes for multiple foundations.  Also most brushes seemed to have a lot of fallout and I would end up with random hairs on my face.  Now this fallout could be related to how much I wash my brushes.  Due to my acne I wash my brushes every other use so I don’t spread the nastiness around my face, which means I wash my brush 2-3 times a week.  All of this to say I love this brush!  I was first introduced to this brush by Sam Schuerman via her blog and YouTube videos.  Shout out to Sam, she is amazing if you haven’t already check out her blog and videos.  I have been using this brush for almost three months and I love it!  Save your money and get one of these brushes you will not be disappointed.

Thayer Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner     $9.23 for 11.5oz

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I have been off and on about using toner over the years, but in the past year I have been pretty consistent.  I had been using Lush Tea Tree Water which I liked but I like to have variety in my routine.  I remembered reading somewhere that Rose Water was good for acne and skin care in general  so I looked up ‘Rose Water Toner’ on Amazon to see what I could find.  This stuff is amazing, it smells heavenly and makes my skin feel amazing.  Best of all I can smell rose all day long after using it.  I see this as a perk, however if you are not fond of the scent you will probably not be pleased.  Thayer’s has several different types of Witch Hazel Toner including Lavender and Peach.

Stila Custom Color Blush     $20.00 for 0.17oz

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Blush that adjusts to the your skin? Yes it exists.  I had Birchbox Points that I needed to use so I bought a need (clarisonic brush head) and a want, this blush.  I have used several products that claim to self-adjust, some have been great and others have been duds. I hoped for $20 that this blush would fall into the great category.  Looking at the picture on the website I thought it looked like a bright pink but I was surprised when I open the package it was really really pink, like almost bordering on neon.  And  a little goes a very long way with this!  First time I used it I looked like a clown and thought that I would have to put this in the dud pile as I used a “normal” amount of blush.  With this product you really only need a very light swipe.  I now put mine on with a fan brush so I am sure to not overdo it.  In the long run this may be a good deal as I can see this lasting forever as I only use a tiny amount for application.

Caroline G. Bubble Necklace:White with Clear Beads     $19.99

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I discovered Caroline G. on Facebook and fell in love with their jewelry.  I think I have five piece right now and they are my go to for making a statement with a simple outfit.  Like the page on Facebook because they frequently have deals like only paying shipping on certain items.  I bought this latest purchase during their 50% memorial day sale and I think it is my favorite!

L’Oreal Advanced Haircare Total Repair 5 Damage Erasing Balm     $5.97 for 8.5oz

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Again with the outrageous claims, supposedly this hair mask will repair a years worth of damage in one use.  Will it make your hair super soft and manageable? Yes, but repair your hair? No.  But I give L’Oreal props for trying, a little goes a long way and I use this mask two or three times a month. It is super moisturizing and makes my hair silky soft.

What are your favorites from the month of June?  Do you use any of mine? Let me know via Twitter or comment below! 

Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation Review

Posted in Acne, Combination Skin, Dry Skin, Foundation, Make Up, Makeup, Normal Skin, Oily Skin, Review, Uncategorized by

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Next to my quest to find the perfect mascara, foundation is a close second on the holy grail search.  I bought the Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation about a month ago and have used it six or seven times in different conditions so I think this will be an honest assessment. First off lets take a look at the advertisement for this foundation:

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First off Emma Stone is beautiful with or without makeup. I like to look at “celebrities without makeup” photos to remind myself that everyone has flaws.  Emma without makeup is beautiful, she has gorgeous skin. That could be good genes, a awesome dermatologist or a combination of both. But this photo is totally airbrushed, as are most advertisements selling foundation,      NO ONE IS PORELESS!   But I will say that this foundation did give a ‘nearly naked’ look with a fair amount of coverage.

First Impression: This foundation is quite thin and borders on runny.  I was concerned with a such a thin consistency there would not be great coverage and I would  really have to work with it to cover my redness and acne scars. For a drugstore brand and such a thin formula I was presently surprised at the coverage.  I did need to apply two coats but it layered very well and did not look cakey.

Application: I applied this foundation with my Sigma F80 Kabuki Brush and with a Beauty Blender on separate occasion. Both worked well, I think I prefer the brush a little more, as I didn’t have to work quite as hard to blend.  I did need to apply concealer to a few spots but not as many as I thought I would.  This coverage is pretty good for covering light scaring and redness.

Conclusion: The first time I wore this foundation I was in a hurry and did not apply a powder, which was not smart on my part as I have super oily skin.  Around noon I was shiny and the foundation started to gather around my mouth and nose area. So lesson learned I will make sure to set this foundation with a powder.  Another time I wore this foundation I spent part of the day outside in 87 plus degree weather and Florida humidity.  Even with primer, setting spray and power this foundation did not last long on my oily skin.  Last week I spent all day inside a very cool room attending a class.  The only time I was outside was walking to and from my car.  By late afternoon I noticed the foundation gathering again around my mouth and nose area (this was after about 6 hours).  I touched it up and when I checked in the mirror again before leaving (about 8 hours in) I noticed it was also pulling around my cheeks.

So all in all I think this is great foundation for those with normal or dry skin.  I don’t think it is oily skin friendly for long term wear.  If you are only going to need to look good for a few hours then give it a try.  I will hang on to what I have left and try it again in the winter when my skin is not quite so oily.

Have you tried the Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation? What were your results? Let me know in the comments below or on Twitter!