The End of Blogtember!

Hello friends!

I don't think I will be able to keep up with Blogtember anymore. I've had a lot of fun doing it, but I've been having some minor health problems, so I will be laying low for the next week or so, and I can't commit to keeping up with my schedule.

While I'm sad that I've had to abandon Blogtember, I still have lots of great ideas for future blogposts. I'll start posting again as soon as I feel up to it, so keep checking my Google+ and Twitter to see when I post next!

Thanks for understanding!


Always,

Nani xx

Follow me on:
Google+ 
Twitter
Bloglovin'
Instagram

Blogtember Day Five: My Morning Skin Products!

My Morning Skincare Products!

Hello Friends!

Since I outlined my Caroline Hirons inspired skincare routine yesterday, I thought I'd go into a little more detail on the products I've picked out. My skin is responding really well to these, and they are [almost] all drugstore products!

My morning routine starts with a cleansing. I chose the Burt's Bees Radiance Facial Cleanser with Royal Jelly ($10, pictured above). I love this cleanser! It's really gentle, and 99% natural. It doesn't have any foaming agents or parabens, and almost all of the ingredients are derived from plants. It does have cleansing beads in it, but the beads are jojoba, and don't abrade the skin, so they don't bother me. I find it to be really effective, and the royal jelly is really nourishing (it's what bees produce to feed the larvae and queens). I'm about halfway through with this bottle, and I am planning on repurchasing.

I follow that with a the Avalon Organics' Vitamin C Renewal Balancing Toner ($12.50). This stuff is amazing. It is filled with nutrients- vitamin C to fight hyper-pigmentation, fruit acids to encourage natural exfoliation, and aloe to soothe the skin. It is also pH balanced to what a normal skin environment should be. And can I just say- it smells AMAZING. I don't know if you guys grew up drinking Tang, but that's what it smells like. The bottle is really big, too. It's 8.5 oz (251 mL), but since you only need one or two dampened cotton rounds, this is going to last me a very long time. I'm very happy with this stuff, and I will definitely repurchase.

The next step is my Boots Botanics Rosewater Toning Spritz ($8.40). I'm not in love with this hydrating spray, but it does the job. It's 100% organic, and is mainly water and rose water. However, it has a very high alcohol content, which kind of counteracts the hydrating properties. I'm on the look out for a better spray hydrator, but it looks like I'm going to end up spending a little more for a hyaluronic product.

The moisturizer I use changes most days, but the one that I use most days is the one higher end product on this list- Ole Henriksen Vitamin Plus moisturizer for oily and blemish prone skin ($35). I find this stuff to be really moisturizing, and it seems to help with oil control. I love it! A little goes a long way, so I will repurchase, but probably not for a long while yet.

This is routine generally takes me about five minutes (depending on how awake I am!), so I do it most days. When I'm in a rush, the last two steps tend to get neglected.

Check back Friday for my evening routine!

Always,

Nani xx

Follow me on:
Google+ 
Twitter
Bloglovin'
Instagram

Blogtember Day 4: My Skincare Routine, Part One!

My Caroline Hirons Inspired Skincare Routine

Hello Friends!

I have been really struggling to keep to my schedule, but here's my make-up post for yesterday!

My skin is nowhere near perfect, but since updating my skincare routine, I have really seen improvement.

With acne-prone skin, I always favored acne face wipes, foaming or scrubbing cleansers, harsh toners, and lots of chemicals. A few months ago, I discovered skin expert Caroline Hirons on Youtube, and after spending several hours reading her blog, I knew I needed to make a change.

First to go were the face wipes. While they take off a lot of makeup, they leave anything that has settled into pores. Next was the foaming cleanser- they can be hard on skin and can affect the pH of the skin, actually encouraging acne. Finally the astringent toners. They strip the skin of all oils, drying it out, and can inflame acne.

Now that you know what I  don't do, here's my routine.

Morning:

• Natural, gentle cleanser, free of parabens, foaming agents, mineral oil, and other nasties, applied to dry skin, and then scrubbed off with a warm, wet wash cloth.
• Fruit based, pH balancing toner, applied with a cotton round. I looked for one that was alcohol free or low, and high in fruit acids.
• Spray Hydrator with rosewater and glycerin. One with Hyaluronic acid is best.
• Mineral Oil free moisturizer. (sometimes I skip this step and go straight to my Miracle Skin Transformer.

Evening:

• Cream cleanser, applied to dry skin, allowed to sit for a few minutes, and then wiped off with a warm, wet wash cloth. There's two routes to go with this- cream or balm. I prefer the balm, but it is harder to get off. I find that I need to rinse out the wash cloth at least once during the process. This step really helps to get all of my makeup off. It's definitely too heavy for morning use.
• I use the same cleanser from the morning in the evening. The second cleanse takes off any residual makeup or balm cleanser. Caroline Hirons says that a second cleanse is essential, and I'm always so surprised how much more makeup comes off.
• I follow with the toner and spray routine from the morning.
• Acne treatment- I'm still using my same treatment, since it was too expensive to toss, but I will be looking for a natural option once I use it up.
• Night cream-  I use an enzymatic cream to help with my skin.
• Toss my washcloth in the wash- they grow bacteria that can cause acne!

For more information as to the rationale of this routine, I really recommend looking at Caroline Hirons' blog, BeautyMouth, and especially her cleansing and routines cheat sheets.

Tomorrow I will go into more details about my morning products!

Always,

Nani xx

Follow me on:
Google+ 
Twitter
Bloglovin'
Instagram

Blogtember Day Three: My Favorite Primer/BB Cream!

Miracle Skin Transformer Acne Control Tinted Moisturizer!

(Image from the MST website)

Hello Friends,

Today, to wrap up week one of Blogtember, I thought I would show you guys my final foundation-type product!

The Miracle Skin Transformer: Acne Control ($48) is sold as a tinted moisturizer, but I'm not sure I agree with that. The coverage is a little too heavy for that, more like a good BB Cream. That being said, it's not like any BB Cream I've tried, either. There should be another category... Something like "Wears like a Moisturizer, Claims to do a lot like a BB Cream, and Not quite heavy enough to be a Foundation." Sounds marketable to me! :)

All of that being said, this product was sold to me as a primer. As you may know, I've been through almost as many primers as I have foundations... and that's saying something. Almost every time I've tried a new one, I've found it adequate at best. After expressing my frustrations to a friend, he whisked me off to a small display found in the very back of my local Sephora. "This is your solution!"

At first glance, I was non-plussed. It claimed a lot, but I took a sample home to try it. First, let me tell you that, unlike other BB Cream/tinted moisturizers, it doesn't look orange on me at all. It's also pretty long lasting (even on oily skin). By the end of my sample I was hooked. Even though it is labeled as a tinted moisturizer, I do wear it under my other foundation, and I love it. It's light enough that you don't feel like it's there, but I definitely notice a difference if I don't use it! I have worn it on it it's own, but feel like it wears better (on me) with a setting powder over the top.

Now, for it's claims:

• Flawless Finish - Probably true on better skin than mine, but it is pretty good at covering even angry blemishes, cancelling out most (if not all) of the redness.
  
• Moisturizes - True. I put it on in place of my morning moisturizer sometimes, and haven't had any problems.
  
• Treats and Prevents Breakouts - True. Like any other salicylic acid-containing products, it does help with breakouts, but it's not terribly noticeable when used in conjunction with other acne fighting products. They also sell a sheer version for night time use, but I'm not sure it would be any better than a less-expensive salicylic acid product.
  
• Oil-Control - True! This is where the product really got my attention. I have had so much trouble with makeup breaking down or "separating" in my oily zones, and this has effectively stopped that. I am so impressed with this. It's what I was after in a primer, and this has performed better in that respect than any other primer I've used.
  

Overall, I feel like this product does a great job living up to what it claims to do. It has really helped with a lot of my skin struggles, and I will definitely re-purchase!

Always,

Nani xx

Follow me on:
Google+ 
Twitter
Bloglovin'
Instagram

Blogtember Day Two: Favorite Drugstore Foundation!

Revlon ColorStay Foundation for Combination/Oily Skin

Hello Friends!

I already failed at keeping to my schedule! *SIGH*

Since I did my favorite high-end foundation Monday, I thought I would do my drugstore foundation today! It seems like this stuff is everywhere right now, and for good reason!

This foundation was recommended to me by several people, and I was looking for something a bit lighter than the Cover Fx cream, since it's been awfully hot and humid here lately, so I thought I'd give it a try when I saw it at the drugstore.

To my surprise, I found the right shade my first try! I wear shade 180, Sand Beige, and I went for the Combination/Oily version of the foundation (they also make a version for Normal/Dry skin, which I hear is also amazing).

On first inspection, I wasn't thrilled with the packaging- I don't like foundations that have an open top (as opposed to a pump), but the foundation is relatively thick for a liquid foundation, so it's not going to pour out really fast. 

I find that the coverage is medium to full, and I was really impressed by how much redness it covers up (I rarely wear concealer with it). I apply it with a rounded, fairly dense brush (my favorites is the Real Techniques buffing brush), and it goes on very smoothly.

The foundation sells for $11.99 full price, but Revlon products are often on sale at drugstores (I got mine for 50% percent off!). I also recommend buying at store that has a good makeup return policy. I found out that Rite-Aid and its affiliates will return or exchange any beauty products for any reason, so that takes the stress out of choosing a shade! (I am not sponsored by Rite-Aid, but that got me excited, and I thought I'd pass that along!)

I love this foundation, and I am definitely planning on re-purchasing!

Always,

Nani xx

Follow me on:
Google+ 
Twitter
Bloglovin'
Instagram

Blogtember Day One: Cover FX review

Cover Fx Total Cover Cream Foundation 

Hello Friends!

The quest is over!!  I've finally found my holy grail foundation! (Well, two of them, but that's another post)

As many of you guys know, I've been searching and searching for the right foundation for the last year. Every time I found one, I was disappointed in it within a few months. This time I thought I'd wait to let you know about it for a while to make sure I loved it- erand I do!

I had tried the Cover Fx foundation before (in shade N20- a neutral), but had gone for a cheaper option at the time. After returning that one, I got rematched in the Cover Fx to shade G20 (for "light skin with golden undertones). I had always been matched to neutral colors in the past, so I was a bit skeptical, but after trying this stuff for a few days, I was convinced. (I suppose I shouldn't be surprised with Native American and Filipina heritage on my mother's side.)

The cream formulation works surprisingly well with my oily skin, although I do use setting spray and sheer powder with it. I find it very buildable, and great for medium to full coverage. It's not too heavy on the skin, but it's not my favorite for hot days.

I think one of my favorite things about this foundation is how great it's been for my skin. The MAC foundation I was using was very hard on my skin, and I've been having pretty bad breakouts since then. This foundation is free of a ton of acnegenic and irritating ingredients, and it almost seems to be be aiding in clearing up the acne. It also works very well to cover any redness I have.

The foundation is available in a wide range of shades in Neutral, Gold, and Pink undertones (a total of 26, I believe), with mineral powder foundation and cream concealers to match. It sells for $42 at Sephora, and it has lasted me about two and a half months so far. I have hit pan, but their is a lot of product left around the edges, so I think it will definitely last the month, and possibly into October.

All in all, this is a great product, and I recommend it for anyone looking for a light wearing cream foundation!

Always,

Nani xx

Follow me on:
Google+ 
Twitter
Bloglovin'
Instagram

Blogtember!

Hello Friends!

As per usual, I've been neglecting my blog. Life has been so crazy this summer- it seems like I'm never home! To make up for the flaky blogging, I've decided to do something that I'm calling "Blogtember!"

Here's the plan- Ideally, I'll be posting three blog posts per week, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. They will vary in length and topic, but I'm thinking there will be a lot of product reviews as well as a few longer posts. 

I would love it if you guys had any ideas for posts you would like to see! You can leave ideas either as comments on here or you can tweet me @nanibug03.

Let me know if you're going to do Blogtember too!

Always,

Nani xx

Follow me on:
Google+ 
Twitter
Bloglovin'
Instagram