Thursday, April 28, 2011

Skin Care Routine

I was one of the lucky ones during my high school years who never suffered from acne. I don't exactly know why, because I didn't really do much to take care of my skin. I didn't wear much makeup yet (really only wore eyeshadow and lipgloss), so that could be the reason. As soon as I hit college, that all changed. I started getting really bad acne on my face out of nowhere. It didn't matter if I took off my makeup before I went to bed and washed my face twice a day religiously, I still suffered horrible breakouts. I started using Proactiv because I thought that was really my only solution. It worked pretty well for me, but it got to the point where I didn't feel like I needed it anymore (plus the price was kinda ridiculous). So I stopped using it and tried just doing a normal three-step skin care routine. To my surprise, it worked!

For a while, at least.

I didn't need to use Proactiv anymore, but the three-step routine didn't seem to do the trick as well anymore after a few months. So for the past couple years, I've been using a four-step skin care routine. I was browsing online one day for advice about skin care regimens and whatnot, and I read on a blog that you should wash your face TWICE at night. I was curious to see if this worked better for me than just washing my face once at night. I started using a gentle scrub and a cleanser at night. I can honestly say, washing my face twice at night makes a huge difference. I hardly break out anymore, if at all.

Without further ado, let me introduce you to some good friends of mine...my current skin care regimen!

Sea Breeze astringent, Noxzema Clean Blemish Control Daily Scrub, Noxzema Clean Blemish Control Foaming Wash, St. Ives Apricot Scrub (CVS dupe), Clean & Clear Morning Burst Shine Control Facial Cleanser, Clean & Clear PERSA-GEL 10 (CVS dupe), Pond's Dry Skin Cream (CVS dupe)

Nice looking bunch, eh? 

I don't use all of these products in the morning AND at night, of course. I have a nighttime skin care routine, and a morning skin care routine (that's normal, right?...haha). 


Nighttime

Step 1: I use Noxzema Clean Blemish Control Daily Scrub first. It's a really gentle scrub (it's so gentle, I think it barely passes as a scrub). I use this first to take off my makeup & remove any dirt and oil from my face.

Step 2: Next I use Noxzema Clean Blemish Control Foaming Wash. I use this after the scrub to remove any "impurities" that may have been left behind after the first round of washing my face.

Step 3: After I wash my face, I use Sea Breeze astringent. This removes anything left behind after washing your face. I've been using this stuff for years, but recently I was told by a woman who does all the skin care services at the salon & spa where I get my hair done that it's HORRIBLE for your skin. I've never really noticed anything negative about my skin during my years of using this product, but I may switch to using a toner instead. I'm gonna finish up this bottle first... :)

Step 4: The last step of my nighttime skin care is a moisturizer. I use Pond's Dry Skin Cream. I like it mostly because it lasts me a very long time. Other moisturizers I've tried don't last that long, and I had to go buy more after a couple weeks. Along with the moisturizer, I use Clean & Clear's PERSA-GEL 10. It's an acne treatment gel. I use it maybe three times a week. I used to use it every night, but it dried out my skin. So I knocked it back to three times a week, which works just fine.


Morning

Step 1: First thing I use in the morning is about a dime-sized amount of St. Ives Apricot Scrub for oily/acne prone skin. I'm well aware that they say it's not good to use an exfoliating scrub every day, but I've never noticed my skin to be irritated or anything from using this product on a daily basis. What can I say, I'm a rebel. 

Step 2: Next I use Clean & Clear Morning Burst Shine Control Facial Cleanser. For some reason I've gotten into the habit of washing my face twice in the morning too. It's really not necessary, I just feel the need to do it.

Step 3: Sea Breeze astringent

Step 4: Moisturize!


And that's basically it, kids. It's simple, but effective. Another thing I do is I try to switch up the products I use (especially my cleansers/scrubs). After a while your skin becomes used to the products, so they aren't as effective. Plus switching it up every once in a while gives you a chance to find new products you love. That's ALWAYS fun!




Sunday, April 24, 2011

Nail Polish Of The Week #2

Nicole by OPI's "Peas & Q's" and OPI's "Hollywood Blonde" 


Spring is here, folks! I thought I would get into the spirit with this beautiful pastel green color called "Peas & Q's" from Nicole by OPI. For a nice shimmer, I used one coat of OPI's "Hollywood Blonde" on top.

What are YOUR favorite nail polish colors for this Spring season?

Happy Easter!

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Easter! The weather here in Northern VA is BEAUTIFUL today, so I'll definitely be spending some time outside.

I was thinking about doing an Outfit of the Day video later on, but I'm kinda nervous! I've never done a video before (and my webcam doesn't make very good quality videos...ugh). I'm still deciding! I also want to do a tutorial of the eyeshadow look I'm wearing today, but again my camera is horrible quality. I might try it just to see how you guys like it (or not like it...either way!) :)

Happy Easter!

Monday, April 18, 2011

Obsession: Coastal Scents Palettes


I have four of the Coastal Scents 88 palettes, and I absolutely LOVE them. I use them on a daily basis. They have pretty much any color you could want, and they wear very well. The best part is, they are SUPER affordable. Each palette that I've purchased was between $19 and $25. 88 shadows for 20 bucks? That's a pretty sweet deal, if you ask me.

Let's take a peek at the palettes I own, shall we?
(The lighting in my room and bathroom, for lack of a better word, SUCKS...so I'll be using photos from the Coastal Scents website)

#1 Coastal Scents 88 Original Palette

This was the first Coastal Scents palette I ever purchased. I had seen it used a lot in makeup tutorial videos on YouTube, so I decided to give it a try. The colors are very pigmented, which means you don't have to pick up that much eyeshadow on your brush or keep packing the color on. A couple little dabs into the shadow, and you're good to go! 


#2 Coastal Scents 88 Warm Palette

I use this palette the most out of all the palettes I own. It has matte, smokey, shimmer, and neutral shadows. The neutral colors are perfect for wearing to work :)


#3 Coastal Scents 88 Metal Mania Palette

I mostly use this palette when I'm going out/on the weekends. The looks you can come up with this palette are endless, and the colors are very vibrant! And I love the metallic finish of the shadows.


#4 Coastal Scents 88 Mirage Palette

Last but not least...the Mirage Palette. It's GORGEOUS, and the newest addition to my palette collection. The shadows are jewel tones, and it's a mix of matte and satin shadows. The picture doesn't do it justice at all. The colors are so much prettier in person! What I like most about this palette is the colors work for both daytime and nighttime looks.

Interested in any of these palettes or seeing what else Coastal Scents has to offer?



Sunday, April 17, 2011

First Post & Nail Polish of the Week!

Hello, and welcome to my beauty blog!

I've been wanting to start a blog about makeup/beauty for a while now, but I never knew exactly WHAT I would write/post. I guess I'll start off by telling a little bit about myself!

My name is Kayleigh, and I'm from Northern Virginia. I won't lie, I'm no makeup expert or guru or whatever you wanna call it...but I do love makeup. I see it as another way for women (and sometimes men) to express themselves. Makeup can make you feel confident, powerful, sexy, and many other adjectives! I'm also a firm believer that makeup causes happiness. I mean, how can you go to your favorite makeup store and find that perfect shade of lipstick you were looking for and NOT smile? :)

I won't be posting any makeup tutorials or anything like that (not anytime soon, anyway). I'm still learning tips and techniques myself, even though I've been using makeup for years now. I'll be posting stuff like my series I like to call "Nail Polish of the Week", makeup/beauty product hauls, YouTube videos from makeup gurus that I subscribe to, etc.

So, for starters, here's my first Nail Polish of the Week!

                                                OPI's "Yodel Me On My Cell"

A friend and I went out for lunch and manicures on Saturday. I saw this color, and I just had to use it! Ask anyone who knows me personally, I hardly ever wear a "normal" shade of nail polish. I like my nails to be fun and flashy. This color definitely fits that description :)