Take it off!

To those of you out there who think you are invincible to the consequences of sleeping with your makeup on (you know who you are): Beware! It is bad enough that during the day we put our skin through a plethora of creams, powders, and liquids, all filled with impurities that are harmful to our skin tone and complexion. There is a time and a place to pile on the products and it does not involve a nightgown. So ladies, please, please, please just take it off! You will feel much better in the morning.

My favorite remover (the one I use when I have some extra cash to spend) is Take The Day Off Makeup Remover For Lids, Lashes & Lips by Clinique. This stuff is amazing! I use the smallest amount on a cotton swab and my makeup dissolves before my eyes without any rubbing or irritation. It is perfect for sensitive skin and for people who are sick of having to choose between the easy removal of regular mascara at night and the convenience of waterproof mascara during the day. Now you can have your waterproof mascara and wear it too! (because you will be able to take it off!)

Are you a college student with no extra cash for, well.. anything? When I find myself in this position (which can happen quite often to us cosmetics connoisseurs) I try to use whatever ingredients I have in the house to get the job done. In this case, olive oil is your man! Yes, olive oil! Pour a small amount on a cotton ball, massage gently over eyelids and voila!

I love having basic products I can use when my sensitive skin has had enough of the wild world of acne fighters, scrubs, and masks. When my skin feels dull, dry, and tired I use Pond's Deep Cleanser Cold Cream. This cleanser is great because it takes everything your skin doesn't need and leaves the rest. There is no need to use water which can wash away your skin's natural moisture. Just rub it all over your face and eyes, massage gently and wipe off with a tissue or wash cloth. Women have been using this cool classic forever and if it ain't broke, don't fix it!

>>Tip: If your skin is feeling dry and rough, mix some olive oil with a little organic sugar and scrub away! 

Thanks so much for reading!

-Morgan 

Philosophical Appearance

So far this Summer has been great! However, my skin has been reacting negatively to my recent late night bar hopping and random lengthy sunbathing. I started thinking about the best products that would heal and protect my skin from nature's impurities. I wanted something that would allow me to still wear makeup without allowing my products to make my skin worse. I came up with a two-step process to use before applying my makeup that will balance my skin back into a beautifully radiant texture.

If your skin seems like it is breaking out no matter what you do, you need to balance it back to normal. In order to do this you must ban all of your harsh products (facial scrubs, anything with a benzoyl peroxide percentage higher than 2.5%) for at least two weeks. Replace these products with a gentle cleansing face wash. I like using Philosophy's Purity Made Simple facial cleanser. It dissolves any dirt, oil and makeup and leaves skin with its natural moisture. It is perfect for making my sensitive skin squeaky clean! It is pH-balanced, so the more you use it, the more it will balance your skin. It is a great cleanser for daily use.

 

After you are done admiring your beautifully cleansed skin, apply a primer that seals in the cleanliness and blocks out contaminants. I absolutely love The Present Clear Makeup by Philosophy. It is silky so it moisturizes and protects your skin. It is like a barrier that seals in what you want on your skin and protects it from anything that could cause breakouts. The great thing about this primer is that it makes your makeup go on so much smoother, so you don't have to wear as much!

Tip: If your skin seems too dry to go straight to the primer after cleansing, apply a light moisturizer and allow it to dry before priming! Listen to what your skin tells you it needs during this process. You may just be dehydrated!

Bare necessities

Hello readers! I have had a very productive day, ending in a little relaxation by the pool. Who could ask for more? After lugging my big bag of several different sunscreens and tanning lotions (my obsession knows no bounds) I started thinking about how much I appreciate this next product. Not only does it make my skin look flawless, but it also protects me from the suns harmful rays.

Bare minerals is something in my make-up bag that will never need replacing. I tried it my freshman year of college and have been using it every day since. I will never go back. It is very lightweight, it blends perfectly and is SPF 15! I use Bare minerals as a full coverage foundation and as a setting powder after my concealer, erase paste. (Don't forget: every cream needs to be followed with a powder to stay in place!) When applied using the handy kabuki brush bare minerals covers any flaws or imperfections and is lightweight enough for all of your poolside endeavors! It comes in many different shades, but adapts to skin so well that even if you don't get the perfect color for you it will still look good. (I typically use fair in the Winter and fairly light in the Summer.) I know everyone has seen the late night infomercials and thought, "Hm, I should try that.." Well, you should!

>>Tip: Bare escentuals has a new matte foundation that I have not yet had the pleasure of using. If you have oily skin, this may be a better option for you. It soaks up excess oil and has ingredients in it that promote cell turnover and minimize pores. Cell turnover is when your dead skin cells are shed and replaced with younger cells, making your skin feel smoother and looking younger.

Thanks for stopping by!
-Morgan