Wednesday Roundup: So, It's Pretty Cold Out...

If I've learned two things so far this winter, they are: 1) don't start out the coldest part of the year with a trip to Mexico... it's all down hill from there and 2) invest in a humidifier and some moisturizing oils and creams as soon as the thermostat drops below 50℉. Right now, humidifying my air and slapping on the aforementioned lotions are the only things that are keeping my skin from just shriveling right up. It's a sad reality, but hey, it means more beauty products for me, so I can get with it. (Also, a quick tip for increased effectiveness: Google photos of Coachella Fashion babes while slathering yourselves in lotions and potions to remind yourselves of warmer, happier times.)

Those pants and that hair! *Photo via refinery29.com

When I say "invest in a humidifier," please take that lightly. My humidifier (okay, technically Vicks Vaporizer) was purchased for about $15 at Kroger, so I would hardly consider that an investment.  However, there are options out there that cost upwards of $200. So, invest big bucks if you must, but just know there are affordable, effective versions available.  For the most part, they all add moisture to your air the same way and help to keep both your skin and sinuses happy.

My Precious via target.com

And although no one likes to be greasy, I've begun to embrace greasy hand lotions and body oils for the sake of my sanity this winter.  At the moment, my Alaffia Handcrafted Shea Butter is saving my hands from becoming their typical dry, cracked selves. However, if you go out and purchase this shea butter, please get the Lavender Mint version.  The unscented version I purchased has such a funky smell, and not in a sexy, herb-y way.

*Photo via vitacost.com

When it comes to winter body care, I use grapeseed oil both before and after I've showered.  This method ensures that the hot water from the shower doesn't parch my skin.  Plus, once the greasiness has subsided, body oils seem to leave my skin softer than any body lotion. Grapeseed oil is only one of the many affordable oil options out there, but if you can splurge, check out Lina Hanson's Global Body Serum.  I've discussed it on here before and it is still an absolute favorite of mine.

*Photo via iherb.com

On my face, things are a little trickier.  My sensitive, combo skin needs a lot of moisture, but unfortunately I've yet to find a heavy moisturizer that doesn't cause breakouts.  So, for this reason, I stick with a hyaluronic acid serum called HyaGlo around the eye area and on really dry patches, then I follow with Cerave's Moisturizing Lotion.  For the most part, I only use lotion around my eye area, but if my face is feeling particularly dry, I will go ahead and apply the Cerave lotion all over my face and neck. It's not ideal, but it at least hasn't caused me to breakout yet.

*Photo via luckyvitamin.com

This is a light version of my winter skincare routine, but I figured if you're suffering from this cold like I am, then you would appreciate all the tips you can get.

Now, when it comes to winter skincare, what is your preferred plan of attack?

Thank Goodness for Preparedness

In my last post I wrote about how I was heading to Mexico today.  At the time, that was the plan, but after a missed connection, my grandparents and I have had to reschedule our flight for the morning and rent a hotel room for the night.  I could really care less about the missed flights.  My grandparents and I have had a lovely day, enjoying lunch and just spending time together.  The main problem for me, as it probably is for any other cosmetics gurus, is the issue of face wash, moisturizer, makeup, etc.  The bulk of it is typically stored in luggage that's already been shipped to your final destination.  Enter my emergency travel cosmetics kit.  You will never catch me on a plane without this bad boy in my carry on.

    People probably think I am incredibly vain for storing all of these things in my carry on, but I can't be left with a greasy face overnight, only to get on a flight tomorrow morning wearing today's makeup.  Gross.  The top picture is a picture of a Merle Norman blush, eye liner, and a sample tinted moisturizer along with a Lancôme Doll Lashes mascara sample, and finally, a John Varvatos Artisan perfume sample.  The bottom picture shows my cleanser in the pink bottle, Lancôme cleansing water, witch hazel, Cerave moisturizing lotion, and a sample of Fresh Black Tea Age Delay Eye Cream (which I've loved, by the way).  Again, sorry for the terrible pics.  I'm working with an iPhone here.  Traveling is all about new experiences and what not, blah blah blah; but the only experience I don't mess around with is my face routine.

P.S.
As you can see, samples are an integral part of this kit.  Even if you don't like the original sample in the container,  the bottles and jars can be washed out and used to store other products.  That's not necessarily the case here, but I have an old sample of Josie Maran Argan Oil that came in an adorable dropper bottle, perfect for travel size serums!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful January 1st, 2013!  Hopefully by this time tomorrow I will be writing to you from Mexico!

Today My Skin is Just Blah...What Next?

I got an amazing night of sleep.  So why in the whole wide world did I wake up with skin that was dull and sleepy looking?  Unfortunately,  I don't know the answer to that question and I doubt you do either.  What I do know is how to remedy this little "blah" skin issue.  I met my favorite face mask about a year ago and it was love at first application.  It's called the Anti-blemish Solutions Oil-Control Cleansing Mask by Clinique.  This mask is kaolin based.  Kaolin is a white clay with absorbent properties and works wonders for those of us with oily complexions.  Additionally, this mask contains one percent salicylic acid for chemical exfoliation that kills acne forming bacteria.  Many would think that a mask meant to absorb oil would just suck all of the joy right out of your face, but I totally disagree.  I've found that when my face looks tired, a clay mask is about the only thing that turns it around.  However,  it is true that this particular mask can be a little drying.  Therefore, after I've rinsed it off completely using only warm water and my hands,  I layer on my Cerave moisturizer, let it soak in for a few minutes, then use tissue to dab off the excess.  This leaves your skin glowing.  This trick can be tried after any mask application, not just clay ones.  Try it out!

Presidential Perfection: Products That Have My Vote!

In lieu of the Presidential Election taking place tomorrow I figured I could talk a little politics... cosmetic politics!  Out of all the beauty product contenders vying for my support only a few have made the cut, and thus have become an integral part of my beauty routine.  Here are the lucky elected members of my beauty cabinet (sorry for the bad puns, but I cannot resist)!

1. Revlon Colorstay Combination/Oily
-This product has all but reached cult classic status in the North American beauty world and I could not resist but to try it out about a year ago.  For a girl who samples a new foundation once a month, the fact that this product has stuck around for a whole year really says something! It keeps the oilies away, is college-student-budget friendly, and doesn't break me out... what more could a girl want?

2. Johnson's Baby Head-to-Toe Wash
- I was appalled to discover the Purpose face wash I had been faithfully using for years had almost identical ingredients to a product that costs half as much and smells better (something like childhood)... Good ol' Johnson's.

3. Merle Norman Age Defying Eyeliner in Coffee Bean
- My grandmother introduced me to this eyeliner a while back and I was pleasantly surprised.  I'm not sure how much "age defying" it actually does, I suppose we will know within the next twenty years; however, its dark brown, almost black color matches everything and wears steadily for hours!

4. Lancome Hypnose
-This is a fairly new arrival into my beauty routine.  I have been a faithful user of Maybelline Great Big Lash mascara for a few years, but finally decided I would try out a big girl mascara... something a little more expensive with a sexy tube (sucker for packaging right here).  This stays on perfectly for hours and does an awesome job of thickening your lashes without clumping.   Sorry for the cliche mascara description, but it is actually true for this one.

5. Cerave Moisturizing Lotion
-I stole this from my mom a fews years back and have been hooked ever since.  This bottle is pretty old as you can tell.  Plus, I use it in the shower so the logo is a little worn.  It's perfect for face AND body.  Who doesn't love a product that can multi-task?

6. Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Soft Shimmer Bronzer
- I am honestly a sucker for a little shimmer and this bronzer gives me exactly what I want.  It's the perfect balance of color and shimmer without being overbearing!

7.  Suave Naturals Daily Clarifying Shampoo
-This shampoo is another great little multi-tasker.  It cleans all of the product residue out of your hair and will do the same thing for your makeup brushes.  Mix this shampoo in a cup with warm water, swirl the brushes in it, rinse, and repeat until the water from the brushes runs clear.  Then lay them on a towel to dry.  Your skin will thank you for the clean brushes later!

8.  MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Warm Soul (Not Pictured Above)
This blush...I could rave about this blush for days.  I'll keep it short and sweet, though.  It is glowy, not glittery, with coloring similar to that which you might have after walking out into the cold.  It is perfect and the glow is surprisingly natural looking.  Everyone should own this blush!