Posts tagged cleansers
5 Step DIY Beauty Therapy Treatment
12 years ago
I don’t know about you, but I’m looking forward to a weekend of relaxing at home. I’ll be giving my skin some R&R after many late nights, long car rides and flights over the past few weeks. Below is the beauty routine I tend to follow at home. If you want to become less of a DIY-er and more of an at-home-expert, I recommend you consider beauty therapy courses.
1. Always start with a clean slate. Wash your face with a gentle facial cleanser, not soap. I begin with a dry face. In a circular motion I rub the cleanser until it becomes a bit dry (about one minute). Then, I get my fingertips wet and continue rubbing in a circular motion for another minute. Next I rinse with warm water, using a wash cloth to make sure all the cleanser residue wipes off.
2. Facial steaming is great for skin, but it’s so boring. Buck up, and do the stem though, you’ll feel the difference! Add green tea, mint or rosemary to a pot of water on the stovetop. Once boiling, decrease the heat and bend over the pot for five minutes. Put a towel over your head to trap more heat int. Steaming is a great way to open pores and remove embedded dirt. It also hydrates skin. Added bonus, facial steaming is great for treating the common cold and bronchitis!
3. The best time to do a mask is after steaming. I usually go for a DIY calming mask, though there are tons of great options out there, how stuff works has a great article on 5 cheap, yet effective DIY masks. Ingredients needs for my calming mask:
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt
- 1/2 cup oats
- 2 tablespoon honey
- 1 cucumber
Mix everything in the blender, then leave on your face for 15 minutes.
4. Next, tone your face. Toners are great for removing excess oil, makeup and excess reside. I use this after the mask to make sure the mask has been completely removed. Pick the right toner for your skin-type.
5. Finally, finish the facial off with moisturizer. No matter what skin type you have, you need moisturizer to help improve your skin texture. Choose a moisturizer that is right for your skin type.
Weekend Getaway Beauty & Personal Care Essentials
12 years ago
If you’re like me, you always forget one or two essential beauty or personal care items whenever you go out of town. It’s something I’ve gotten used to; and so has my husband, who frequently has to drive me to a drug store to pick up whatever I’ve forgotten. As I’m getting geared up for a few weekend trips in April I’ve decided to share my must have items for weekend getaways.
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1. Supergoop! SPF 30+ Everyday Lotion ($22) is moisturizing, paraben-free, and water and sweat resistant. The 3oz tube is enough to last you over a month, and will keep your skin soft, moisturized, hydrated, and protected from harmful UV rays.
2. No matter where you’re travelling, powder is essential. I always pack my Powder FX Mineral Powder Foundation by Cover FX ($35). It’s enriched with oil absorbing qualities which does the trick in all sorts of climates.
3. Cargo Bronzer ($29) comes in a variety of natural looking colors with slight iridescence. While travelling I use this bronzer for my cheeks and eyes, and avoid packing eye shadows altogether.
4. Cenoire Eluo Sonic Toothbrush ($29) is a great travel electric toothbrush at an affordable price. I take this toothbrush with me everywhere in case I’m in need of a quick clean.
5. Maybelline New York Full ‘N Soft Waterproof Mascara ($6) is a perfect lash enhancing essential. Whether you’re in humid weather, out in the cold, or playing in water all day, your mascara should stay put!
6. Dry shampoo is a part of my regular routine. I use it every other day (yes, I naturally have really greasy hair). I love to take Clean Dry Shampoo ($18) with me on vacations because I never know how many days will pass without hair washing. The best thing about Clean brand is it’s perfectly sized for airplanes at 2.9 oz.
7. For a quick, yet thorough face cleanse I go for Ole Henriksen Truth To Go Cleansing Wipes (pack of 30 wipes for $15). Cleansing wipes are the easiest way to remove dirt, grime and makeup on the go.
8. Don’t forget your tweezers, you never know when an unwanted hair will appear. I bring my Tweezerman Slant Tweezer ($22) on every trip. I don’t actually use the tweezers that often while on vacation, but the few times I have needed to tweeze, I was relieved my tweezer was packed.
9. Coach Poppy & Poppy Flower Rollerball Duo ($22) is perfect for travelling, especially if you like to alternate scents based on your mood. The duo roller offer two fun fragrances at an affordable price point.
10. Sally Hansen Color Quick Nail Pen ($8). Sally Hansen color pens come in a handful of basic colors, work well, and are affordable. When applied, the color dries quickly and there’s no mess! What more could you ask for. If you’re looking to splurge on a high-end nail pen, opt for Yves Saint Laurent’s Nail Lacquer Pen Brush ($26).
The Aussies have it!
13 years ago
Okay, we all know how pricey cosmetic brushes can be so why be neglectful with their care – stay on point with these suggestions!
First off, realize no two brush cleaners are created the same. There are a myraid of choices, from: soap, cleansers, sprays, baby shampoo’s, some resort to Dawn Dish-washing anti bacterial liquid – yup!, you read that correct. Now in previous post, I’ve recommended how often you should clean your handy dandy tools but today’s post is to target what I deem “most effective cleanser’s”.
Below, a short list of tried/true ways I’ve banished dirt, build-up, bacteria, and makeup residue.
SOAP – For $15 bucks, you will simply lust this bar after only trying it once. Becca (Aussie brand) designed this goodness, it nourished my bristles like no other. I know what you’re thinking – “you can just bounty up some hotel soaps and call it a day” – WRONG, this is different! Those other soaps can’t claim they lengthen the lifespam of your brushes like Becca can. When you open up this baby, your nose will know too…I inhaled a beautiful scent, later learning its made of plant-based oils which double as a cleanser & conditioner, who doesn’t want 2 in 1.
For a visual:
Soap Cleansing Bar (Becca Cosmetics)
Where to buy: Becca Cosmetics, Henri Bendel or locally here in SF: Ron Pernell Studio.
(If you choose the later, you’ll walk out with more than just a bar of soap honey! – but a couple of laughs & compliments from Ron himself).
Other ways to wash & preserve your dirty brushes but aren’t as luxurat(ing) include:
Brush Spray – Nowadays everybody and they mama’ makes a brush cleanser. I’ve used M.A.C., Japonesque, Sephora, the list is endless. Pros: you can travel with spray but no real purification takes place outside our bathrooms. Cons: many of them leave a residue or funny oily slip to the bristles, anyways.
So no thanks, onto the next…
Shampoo – From day one, old school Makeup colleagues of mine suggested using Johnson & Johnson Baby shampoo – its gentle, no tears -ha! It works but like I said earlier…I found the Pro Bar (made by Becca) far better, it really IS bar-none!
Bottom line, your brushes deserve something gentle yet effective and whether you pick a spray, shampoo or soap bar (like me). You must wash, rinse bristle thoroughly, squeeze excess water and reshape.
Speaking of reshape…boy! do I have a product to plug for this, until next time beauties…
Facial Cleansers Review
13 years ago
Even though it’s a pleasure to apply makeup using quality products and show your face to the world, once the day is over the makeup must come off. A very important step in the care of your face is cleansing and even though once in a while its OK to sleep with your makeup on, it shouldn’t be a habit. The following are some of the cleansers I’ve used and what I think about them.
My favorite so far is from Avon, this company brings so many great memories from the time my Mom used to be the Avon Lady and it’s still a great thrill when I see that little book, I just can’t help myself. The cleanser I use is Anew Rejuvenate Revitalizing 2 – 1 Gel Cleanser, it’s just amazing, the smell, the feel. It has tiny little beads and my skin feels great after I use it. The only complaint I have with this product is that it’s not great at removing eye makeup, but I use other products for that.
Even though my face is slightly oily, another product I’ve enjoyed is from NARS, its called Makeup Cleansing Oil. This product is meant to be used as the first step in cleansing. It will remove all makeup and in a way prepare your face so whichever other cleanser you use can do a better job. Once or twice I’ve used it by itself and it didn’t leave an oily feeling on my skin, it’s a really great product.
The next one is from Murad, and this one I had some mixed feelings about. I used the Renewing Cleansing Cream, and even though it was great taking everything off, I wasn’t too happy with the feeling of my skin afterwards. But the thing about Murad is that offers an extensive line of cleansers for every skin type, so it could be I used one not suited for me. I’ll be trying the rest of them because I was impressed with the cleaning result.
Finally, this one is a little something I make at home using a recipe from the book Organic Body Care Recipes by Stephanie Tourles, this book contains recipes for creams, cleansers, facial steams, etc. that you can make at home. I’ve made several recipes and one of my favorites is a Cleansing and Rejuvenating Oil (page 122) which contains a base oil, Vitamin E and essential oils. I use it mainly as an eye makeup remover, but it could be used in the whole face, as well as a massage oil and aromatherapy. I’ve already made this formula three times and I love how it moisturizes my delicate eye area.
So there you have it, if you have a favorite cleanser, it will be much easier for you to stick to the habit of removing your makeup before bed.