Monday, September 25, 2017

HOW TO LAYER YOUR NIGHTTIME SKIN CARE PRODUCTS


Good Morning,

Over the past few years and especially when I hit my "cough" 30th year, I knew I had to get my act in gear and really focus on my skincare routine and the products that I am using. Let's get real though, no matter how old you are, if you are not taking the proper care of your skin then your makeup may not look as good as it should be. You can use all kinds of skin benefiting products but if you are not applying them in the proper order then you are not getting the most out of your skin care regime. Applying your skincare products in the proper order will not only make a huge difference in the way your skin looks and feels but your skin will be absorbing the products the way they should be.

These are the proper steps on how to layer your nighttime skin care products properly:

Step 1: Cleanse
Ok, so this is an obvious step but if you are not properly removing your makeup and dirt then your pores will be blocked and the remaining products won't be able to penetrate into your skin as effectively. I like to remove my makeup with either a makeup removing wipe or a cleansing oil {this is the cleansing oil that I use that works like a charm} and then I will cleanse my face {I use this cleanser}. 

Step 2: Exfoliate
Exfoliating is so important. Some of us can do it on a daily basis and then there are some that can only do it 2-3 times a week. My face gets irritated if I over exfoliate so I try to do it at least 2-3 times a week. Normally I pick 3 day's out of the week and follow the same routine every week so my face is getting exfoliated on the same days (Monday, Wednesday and Saturday). Exfoliating not only is removing dry/flaky skin but you are allowing your "treatment" products and moisturizers to absorb better and for the products to penetrate deeper into your skin {I use this gentle exfoliant}.

Step 3: Tone
Some people have mixed feelings about adding this step to their beauty regime but I personally love using a toner. This step removes any access oil or makeup that you may have missed in the cleansing step and it's a refreshing step to bring the PH levels back to your skin before serums, creams or oils {I use this toner}.

Step 4: Mask
This is of course an "optional" step but I like to do a mask at least once or twice a week. It's best to always do a mask at night so you can leave it on longer for better absorption and relaxation. I use a few different masks depending on what I am wanting that night but I really like this one and it smells amazing too.

Step 5: Treatments/Serums
Whether you are treating acne, dark spots or wanting to add hydrating/treatment serums then this is the step to do all of this. These products can simply be retinoids, topical acne creams, oils, water based serums (Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin C etc). These products always come before a moisturizer.

Step 6: Eye Cream 
Again, this is an "optional" step as well but I think it's important to incorporate an eye cream for a.m and p.m. based on your needs. I always look for an eye cream that is hydrating, reduces puffiness and helps with firming {I use this one}.

Step 7: Moisturize
Whether you are using a light or heavy moisturizer for the a.m. or p.m. this step should always come last in your beauty routine. If you apply moisutizer first and then you add an oil or maybe a serum you forgot to apply, your face will start to pill and all the products that you had put on will all be sliding off your face and what you did was a waste of time. Typically you want to start with the light weight products first and work your way to the heaviest.  I am currently using this moisturizer.

Step 8: Lip Treatment
I think it's important to also treat your lips before bed as well. Whether you have dry lips or not, apply a lip treatment. I use this one and it keeps my lips from getting dry and flaky. 




Monday, September 18, 2017

DRUNK ELEPHANT REVIEW




Hey lovelies,

For the past few weeks, I have been using a couple of different products and wanted to share my thoughts and opinions with all of you. 

Now that fall and winter is just around the corner, I wanted to find a moisturizer and a lip balm that was going to be hydrating enough to with stand the dry weather and something that has skin benefiting ingredients. I did my research and I ended up choosing the Drunk Elephant LALA Retro Whipped Cream and the Drunk Elephant Lippe Balm

I had heard so many great things about Drunk Elephant that I wanted to venture out and try some of their products to see for myself what the amazing "fuss" was all about. 


So, after using these two products for about two weeks now I can finally understand why so many people are in love with this line. Not only is this line completely vegan, it is also cruelty free and are jam packed with some amazing rare African oils that has huge skin benefiting properties.

I also truly love that Drunk Elephant is a brand supporter for IEF (International Elephant Foundation). How amazing is that?


This whipped cream is absolutely what I was looking for. It it extremely hydrating (does not leave your skin greasy at all) leaving your face feeling like silk. I can't even describe to you how great it feels on your skin. You will just have to try it for yourself..

I like the air sealed packaging and the fact that no bacterial will ever form. You simply press down on the top (looks like a button) and the cream comes out from the sealed tight hole on top.

What you want to know:
- It is formulated without any Parabens, Sulfates and Phthalates
- Fragrance free
- Silicone free

What skin type can use this?
All skin types. Yes, even oily skin

 What it's doing for your skin:
- Hydrating
- Helps with loss of firmness and elasticity
- Targets fine lines and wrinkles
- Improving skins brightness

What's in it?
- A blend of six rare African oils
- Plantain extract 
- Antioxidant rich fermented green tea


This Lippe Balm is probably the best and beneficial hydrating lip product that I have ever used. I have tried many different brands in the past and they only made my lips feel even more dry than they were prior. The Drunk Elephant Lippe Balm is none addicting and doesn't promote dryness. This means, your lips aren't relying on the product all the time. I use it once in the morning and before bed or use it only when your lips are dry and when they aren't, you don't have to use it. 

 What you want to know:
- It is formulated without any Parabens, Sulfates and Phthalates
- Fragrance free
- Silicone free
- Non-toxic
- Free from other harmful ingredients that can cause other health problems.

What's in it?
- A blend of Avacado, Mongongo, Cranberry and Marula oil. 
- Shea Butter
- Sea Fern Algae

Benefits:
- Hydrating
- Restores collagen 
- Plumpness




This post was not sponsored. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Friday, September 15, 2017

FALL SALE // THIS WEEKEND ONLY

Hey everyone!

This weekend only, there are a few sales going on but I wanted to share a few items that are on sale and happening right now until Sunday.

Take 20% at checkout. No code needed and free shipping!

Shop:
Belle Sleeve Sweater comes in two other colours. Love the green shade

Thank you so much for stopping by, xo!!

Monday, September 4, 2017

BLACK // WHITE








Outfit Details:
Denim Shorts  ||  Tee {similar}  ||  Sneakers ||  Watch  ||  Sunglasses  ||  Necklace

Hey lovelies,

I hope everyone is having a great long weekend so far.

Even though summer is almost coming to an end {sigh}, I wanted to show one more summer look that I wore a lot over these past months. Throw on your favourite pair of denim shorts, a cute loose fitting tee and your favourite sneakers and done. I love casual looks like these.

I also like to incorporate dark denim shorts like these into the fall  season as well. Fall weather can be awkward, cold in the morning but warm during the day, so I like to wear these shorts with an oversized sweater or a turtleneck with a pair of booties. Stay tuned for that exact look coming soon.

Thank you so much for stopping by, xo!!