Cheap Date Friday: The Kitchen Hair Mask

TGIF blogettes, TGIF.

What are you doing this weekend? Me? I'll be spending time in Target. Jealous?

A couple weeks ago I gave you recipes for at home face masks, did you try them? The egg white one is the best, tightens your pores and takes out redness, especially mixed with a couple drops of lemon juice.

If I had to choose between a face mask or a hair mask, I'd definitely pick hair. Hair masks are good no matter what type of hair you have and can drastically change the condition of your strands. If you suffer from a lot of static hair in the winter, you should deep condition or do a hair mask at least once a week, especially to prevent the cold winds from damaging the hair cuticles.

Hair masks can be expensive especially if you don't do them regularly, so here are a couple recipes for quick, at home hair treatments that will leave you soft and shiny in 20 minutes :)

Avocado & Olive Oil - Mash up a ripe avocado, add 1 tablespoon of honey and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Mix until it becomes a creamy texture, apply to your hair and let it sit for 20 minutes. Rinse out with shampoo.

Banana and Almond (great for dry, damaged hair) - mash up a ripe banana and add in a couple drops of almond oil (you can get at healthfood stores). Apply for 30 minutes and rinse out with shampoo.

Egg Yolk & Milk - sounds sick, but is really nourishing. Beat only the yolk of an egg until it is frothy and add one cup of milk. Run it through your hair concentrating on the ends and leave in for about 15 minutes, rinse well.

Coconut Oil - I mentioned this as my obsession on Wednesdays mash up post, and this puppy has transformed my hair in a week. Coconut oil is apparently one of the few oils that can penetrate deep into the hair cuticle unlike some others that just sit on top, and if you had a choice, I'm sure you'd choose something that would penetrate rather than just sit on top [did that go too far?]. Coconut oil is sold at healthfood stores and is in solid form, but melts very easily. I take a big chunk and warm it in my hands until it is completely melted into the oil, run through my hair and practice my french braiding skills. Sleep with it in overnight (its not greasy at all) and shampoo as usual in the morning and I swear, soft, shiny hair that looks so healthy - I love it.

For Blondes... Take a pint of water and add in a couple drops of lemon juice. After you shampoo, rinse with this solution - the lemon will take out any brassy tones that have settled in to your hair over time, leaving your blonde bright and shiny!

I can't remember the last time my hair was my natural colour so you can rest assured that all of these are safe for colour treated hair. I've tried them all, even the lemon juice one when I was blonde last year and they all work; however, if I had to pick a favourite, it'd be coconut oil. As you read Wednesday, it's also great as an eye makeup remover, body lotion (keep a small bowl of it in the shower and let it melt with the steam, once you've turned the water off rub in onto wet skin and pat dry - glowy, soft skin all day), and has actually turned out to be great on any rashes or skin irritations - WIN.

Since I'll be at Target this weekend there will be no skincare saturday, but I promise I'll write it Sunday night... better late than never right?

xxLM

*photo courtesy of InStyle.com

Makeup Monday: The Touch Up

What an interesting little Monday this is turning out to be.
Did you have a nice weekend? Do you have a busy week coming up with lots of night committments?

If you do, then this post is for you.

When I do my makeup I use specific products to make it last all day, and for the most part, my makeup does make it till the end of the day. There is often a misunderstanding between lasting all day, and looking fresh all day. When I go from work to play I like my makeup to look like I've just applied it, even though that will never be the case. I never do a complete re-do of my makeup because I don't like to wash my face mid-day, it's not the best for my skin, nor is it the best for yours. So, here is what I always have on hand to freshen up my makeup between work and dinner/drinks/insert your plans here.

Boscia blotting papers - Since I have combo skin, my T zone can get too shiny so I blot regularly during the day. There is a distinct difference between a 'glow' and an oil slick for us combination skinned gals so these are critical to have on hand. I prefer these Boscia ones to the thicker, rubber-y kind. These are delicate, thin pieces of rice paper that absorb more oil without overdrying my skin, or disrupting my foundation.

Benefit Eye Bright - I love this thing - its a thick, fleshy pink coloured [haha] pencil that I use to brighten my eyes. It's amazing how a little hint of lightener in the inner corner of your eyes can really brighten up your face. I use this not only on my inner corners, but on my brow bone, the outer corner of my eyes, and around my nose. Blend nicely - and suddenly you're awake! You can also use a liquid brightening pen which will give an even better payoff than one in stick form. The most popular one in the world? YSL Touche Eclat. This thing is awesome and I am currently looking for a dupe that will last a little longer, if not, repurchase for sure.

Mascara - any kind will do, I usually use the travel size ones you find in giveaways or Clinique Bonus Time bags. I take mascara and wiggle it only at the base of my lashes so it hits my top lashline, creating the illusion of thicker lashes, and I also add a little mascara to the tips of my outer lashes to freshen up my eye makeup.

Lipstick - this one may not be for everyone, but I have a baby-pink lipstick (Mac Hue) that I use not only on my lips, but on my cheeks as well. Blush is always a great pick me up, but if I'm not at home I will dot this puppy on my cheekbones and blend with my fingers - subtle colour but really brightens up my skin. Any pink lipstick will do! Of course adding lipstick to your lips instantly refreshes your face as well - especially if you use NARS Easy Lover layered on top of your favourite Chapstick - YUM.

Mac Fix+ - I.Love.This.Stuff. I don't know how I ever lived without it. Fix+ is a solution that is usually used to set makeup (after you apply your powder), but I use it throughout the day to add radiance and refresh my skin, especially in the winter. If you use powder foundation and find your skin looking a little chalky or cake face-y, one spray of this and it disappears. After work, I'll blot with the Boscia papers and  use the rest of the items above, once I'm finished, I'll spray my face with this. Instantly my face is brighter and my skin is softer, and the smell is amazing too!


I've got nightly commitments every night this week so you can bet your a*s I'll be doing this daily. If you happen to be one of the people I'll be seeing at night this week, you should probably compliment me - it makes me feel good. Shallow? You bet.

Enjoy your touching [up]

xxLM

Skincare Saturday: Ac-no

You've watched my video and you've heard numerous times that I don't have flawless skin. Yes, my skin now behaves much better than it used to, but that took a lot of time, effort, and patience. For some, acne is seen as something you just "grow out of", but it didn't seem that way for me - and I'm sure it doesn't seem that way for some of you.

Below are the products I used and the exact routine that got my skin to where it is now - relatively clear with the occasional breakout, for which I use one of the cheap methods I told you about yesterday.

The Products

Cetaphil - I could rave about this forever and I will never use another cleanser. Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser (not the one for oily skin) is soap free, fragrance free, PH balanced and extremely gentle for even the very sensitive skins. It doesn't strip your face leaving it dry, nor does it leave any greasy residue. Love.

Pond's Cold Cream - I learned about cold cream through research and used it only at night, before washing my face with Cetaphil. I was amazed at how much softer and cleaner my skin was when I was using this - and rightly so. Even with a cleanser and toner, there can still be trace makeup deep in your pores, especially if you have acne prone skin where your pores are large.

Dickinson's Witch Hazel Toner - toner is a step that a lot of people tend to skip, and I'm not really 100% sure if it's necessary or not. For me, it was. There are a lot of toners out there, a lot with fancy labels and false promises - but the one I still use and will continue to use is Dickinson's Witch Hazel. You can get it at CVS or Meijer's, and if you are a Canadian gal, any health food store will have a version of witch hazel. This toner really cleans out your pores, removing any leftover traces of makeup and prepping your skin for moisturizer. It never left me dry [which in any situation, is a good thing] and it helped with oil production a ton.

Philosophy Turbo C Booster Power - Vitamin C is amazing for the skin - it's one of the most effective agents to even skin tone and brighten the complexion. Since I was really picky with my skin, it was hard to find a Vitamin C moisturizer that wasn't too heavy and wouldn't irritate my skin. Solution? This Vitamin C is in powder form, and you mix it with your serum or moisturizer. Using this really helped with old scars, oil production, evening my skin tone, and it drastically brightened my skin.

Vichy Normaderm Anti-Imperfection Hydrating Care - this.saved.my.life. I've gone through at least four of these over the past three years and will always have it on hand. Unlike your generic, dry-your-skin-out moisturizers designed for acne, this Vichy product is designed for reoccurring blemishes due to hormones, stress, or the environment. It's very light and is the perfect balance of moisture and oil control, all the while cleaning my pores and treating my acne. WIN.

Philosophy Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash - is simply amazing. My mom and I both use it and really like it. After my Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant is gone [amazing also], I'm going to repurchase this. The exfoliating beads in this are gentle enough for sensitive skin and it left me with a more even skin tone and a definite glow-y effect.

Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask - I don't think I can say more about this mask since I've probably raved about it in every SS. Super cheap, super refreshing, and effective. WIN.

So those are the products I used religiously for a good two years, and after a couple months my skin drastically changed, along with my confidence.

Here is the routine I followed:

Morning - Cetaphil + Witch Hazel Toner + Turbo C Powder mixed with Vichy moisturizer

Night - Cold cream + Cetaphil + Witch Hazel Toner + Vichy Moisturizer

Every other night I would substitute the Microdelivery Wash for the Cetaphil. On the nights I exfoliated I used the Mint Julep mask right after, followed by toner and moisturizer. Along with a consistent routine, I started drinking more water and making a concentrated effort to stop touching my face, and I do believe that this also helped a lot.

I'm not saying that these products will definitely work for you, but a consistent routine is critical. If you find products you love, stick with them. Changing products every couple weeks is harsh on your skin, especially because it takes a couple weeks for your skin to adjust to your current products. Don't expect to see results from your new skincare in a couple days, it will take at least three weeks to start seeing minor improvements.

I feel that this post has been somewhat of a downer with no quirky comments or sexual references, but for me, acne was a serious cloud in my life for a long time and I am so, so, so glad I forced my skin to "grow out of it"

I hope this helps some of you gals who feel the same as I felt. :)

xxLM

Make a Splash!

Oh em gee two posts this Friday?
You got it.

I didn't realize my lack of fashion posts until now - I'm sorry I've been slacking.
So, to get back on track, I thought I'd help you out with what is absolutely the worst shopping trip for almost any of us : bathing suit shopping.

Yes ladies, it's time. Spring break is approaching, summer vacations are approaching, an increase in your waxing allowance should definitely be approaching as well. Still shave? You've got no idea how much better it can be.

So to save you time, here is a list of my favourite bathing suits for Summer 2010, and I've also included a little part about where I would wear each one [because we all know bathing suits are what brings all the boys to the yard, not your milkshake.]

The best way to get noticed at the beach is to pick a bathing suit that is at least two sizes too small for you. My philosophy? The smaller the triangles the better. You also want the bottoms to hit at most one full hand length below your belly button. Have big hands? Score!
Posing at the beach is also a definite must and I've got to say, this classic half arch twist is a surefire way to bring the boys over. See how her right shoulder is slightly back? It's saying "I want you, but I'm pulling away" - and we all know boys love to play games like this. So much so, that they'll bring their friends straight over to you and ask you to toss around a football with them, and you're in luck, because a bikini like this is perfect for heavy, full contact sports in the sand.

Almost all of the products in my bathroom are designed to either make me look younger, or make me stay looking younger for longer. All of us would love to take a couple years off, and the best way to do this is to pick a bathing suit that would look great on your 10 year old. Baby pinks, polka dots, and ruffles ruffles ruffles will make sure you get ID'd at the beachfront bar.
The mathematical equation when trying to look younger in swimsuit season is the older you are, the younger you go with your swimsuit. Over 50? I'd shop in the kids section if you can, or at least go for a bikini with lots of ducks on it. As for the posing, you want to pose softly here, looking oh so innocent and oh so naive. Who knows? Maybe your next Shirley Temple will be courtesy of the pool boy.

Every year I get nervous for work functions that require a bathing suit. You know, you get invited to the company pool-party, or you're away at a meeting and they take you to the hot springs- it's uncomfortable! What you want to do in this situation is look as confident as you do everyday in the office and there is no better way to do this than animal print. When it comes to animal print, there's no better way to wear it than to pick a suit that looks like you've recently been attacked by the animal.
You want miminal material here ladies, and the neck on this suit looks so comfortable. With this suit you're guaranteed to get your boss' attention and it may be the best time to bring up that promotion you've applied for. You'll also want to sit like this as much as possible, and if it's not windy, I know where you can get a great fan.

These days it seems as if the latest trends change faster than I can eat a Twizzlers Pull n Peel, but one thing never changes: tanlines will never be in style. Every summer I try to avoid tanlines as much as possible, and this summer will be easier than ever! I've picked this suit as my go to suit for tanning. I've purchased the other suits above for various social functions, but this is specifically reserved for those days where bronzing up is my main goal. I can't wait to slather coconut oil all over my body and strap myself into this baby for a long day of magazines and mojitos.
Note: With a suit like this, the only way you'll get tanlines is if you're laying down, so it's best to stay standing the entire day. See how her shoulders are subtly pulled back? It's to ensure her sides also bask in the glory of UVA and UVB rays, smart cookie.

Let's recap - you've got a suit to bring the boys to the yard, a suit to make you look younger, an office-party appropriate suit and your go to tanning suit: think you're done? Wrong.
You're missing the most important suit of all - the suit you'll wear to all family functions, especially the one's in which you'll meet your new boyfriend's parents for the first time. Every boy wants to bring a confident, self-assured girl home to meet mom and this baby is a surefire way to show confidence.
With this suit, you'll not only portray yourself as a smart, classy, dignified woman, you'll be able to let your true self shine through without worrying about uncomfortable straps or the dredded wedgie. This suit is great for summer barbecue's and roasting s'mores because it's almost impossible to spill on, and is perfect for that impromptu cannon ball challenge.
Best of all? This suit is the perfect excuse to dodge that haircut you've been avoiding. You could also whip out your new hair extensions, because nothing says summer sexy than 50 clips of human hair sweating on your scalp in the 100 degree weather!

I've got a work meeting coming up in about a month and I'm so relieved I've got my bathing suit ready to pack; furthermore, I've got a family vacation in May with my parents and a couple of their friends, so I really want to make a good first impression and make my father proud.

I hope this has eased some of your bathing suit blues and gotten you excited for the sun to come out! I have a feeling this will be your best bathing suit season yet, so get shopping! All of these suits are available to order from Victorias Secret at reasonable prices, and the best way to ensure you get the right size is to guesstimate, or take the size you'd like to be and go one smaller. You always want your bathing suit to be on the small side.

Still hesitant? Just remember: if you want to feel good about yourself and get some positive attention this summer, you've got to remind yourself that true beauty is on the outside, and everyone will be looking at your outsides when you rock one of these.

Happy shopping!

xxLM

*all photo's courtesy of VictoriasSecret.com

Cheap Date Friday: Acne Academy

You know the feeling - you're two days away from that cocktail party, your hand swipes across your face to fix your lipstick and you feel it. You feel the deep, hard bump [whoa, pace yourself] that you know in two days will result in a pretty pimple on your pretty face.

F*ck.

I've struggled with acne all my life and still do. Stress, food, environment: you name it, it affects my skin and not in a good way. I've spent millions of dollars on lotions, potions, and everything in between and will never purchase any of that anymore thanks to these kitchen-cures that work just as well, just as fast, and are just as cheap as that girl who winked at your boyfriend last Friday night at the bar. I mean what was she thinking? Who does she think she is? It's obvious he's with you, was him holding your hand not a clear enough sign? Girls.

Girls p*ss me off sometimes, especially with relationship dramz. omg lol lmfao ttyl brb... FML.

My apologies for the quick b*tchfest, back on track now. Here are some kitchen cures for those unwelcome guests.

Toothpaste - toothpaste is great to put on any blemishes that are in the "red bump" stage or further along. The toothpaste dries out the pimple and reduces redness and inflammation, probably preventing skin cavities and skin gingivitis along the way too. The catch: it has to be white toothpase, the cheapest kind, not the fancy gel ones. And, you put it on with your finger, not a toothbrush. And, you should probably do this at night, FYI.

Tea Tree Oil - tea tree oil is usually found at healthfood stores and is amazing for your skin, and just so happens to be amazing for acne at the premature stage: where you can just FEEL it coming. At night, soak a Qtip in tea tree oil and hold it directly on the forthcoming blemish for a couple minutes, not seconds, minutes. The oil will remove the bacteria from your skin without overdrying.

Ice Cubes - I understand that not everyone carries ice cubes around with them, but here's the sitch - every book you'll read will tell you never to pick your face, and they're right. Picking creates scars, indentations, and your dirty fingers jamming in to the area around a pimple aint the best idea either. HOWEVER, if I see a whitehead, you can bet your a*ss I'm going to get rid of it - right then. So, what you can do is take an ice cube and press it into the pimple for a couple seconds. The cold will make your vessels constrict and it will take away the redness, then gently take two Qtips (not your fingers) and press down on the outer edges of the pimple. Obviously it will pop, and you can use one Qtip to clean off the blemish, while you roll the other one over the area to make sure it is completely cleaned out. Top with a little tea tree oil and no more whitehead, and no scars tomorrow.

Aspirin - when I had really bad acne I decided to try the Aspirin mask and it definitely works. This is geared more towards an area where there are several red blemishes, not one single little guy. Aspirin is an inflammatory agent and works as a topical to heal redness and swelling on your face. Catch: it has to be non-coated Aspirin (not tylenol, advil, or the mydol you're taking while enjoying your new face friends). I found the best way to use the Aspirin mask is to take a spoon and crush 7 or 8 pills into a bowl, add a touch of water and a touch of honey to create a nice texture and slap that puppy on to your face for a good 15 minutes ... fantastique

These are the methods that are currently working for me, but acne is different for everyone for sure. The best cure for acne is a good skincare regime that doesn't overdry your skin which actually causes more oil to be produced, therefore more acne. Cleanse, tone, moisturize and exfoliate 2-3 times a week. Lots of water and lots of keeping your hands in your pockets and not on your face will help too :)

Skincare Saturday is tomorrow - maybe I'll write about the skincare I used when my face was at it's worst? Yum.

xxLM

Makeup Monday: Lashes.

I'm too impatient to think up a clever intro and I want to get right to the point:
I love lashes. I'd date lashes if I could.

Lashes are my favourite because they add the allure to all eyes. The smokey eye would be nothing without lashes. The cat eye would be nothing without lashes. What the F would Twiggy be without lashes?
Nothing.

So, over the years I've experimented and can finally say I've found some great tips that have not only worked on my lashes, but on all the lashes of my beautiful friends that ask me to do their makeup. The best part about lashes is you don't necessarily have to have the best of the best mascara, some of the most popular mascara's in the world are ones you'll find at the drugstore.

One. 
Be kind to your lashes - this is probably the most important step. Wash your mascara off every night with a gentle eye makeup remover and avoid picking at clumps. Vaseline is a great eye makeup remover and also works as a lash conditioner

Two.
Curl your lashes. My mom doesn't use an eyelash curler and it's definitely affecting our relationship. I've explained time and time again that curling her lashes will open up her eyes, making her look more awake and giving her the ability to give a solid wink to selected Doctor's that she works with. You can get eyelash curlers anywhere; however, the best of the best and most popular curler in the world is by Shu Uemura, it's around $25 and available at Sephora.

To curl your lashes: looking forward (not up) place the curler at the base of your lashes. Gently pulse the curler twice at the base of your lashes, holding each one for about 2-3 seconds. Then, gently pulsing at different points, walk the curler down the length of your lashes until you reach the tips. Extra: If you tilt the curler up (handles towards the mirror) as you walk the curler down your lashes you'll get an extra opening effect. Extra extra: a lot of lashes have a hard time holding a curl (especially if your lashes naturally point down), what you can do is using a clean lash wand (you can swipe get these from Sephora at the tester counter places) and put a tiny bit of hair gel on the wand. After you curl your lashes, run the hair gel over them, let dry, and then apply mascara. Voila! Perfectly erect lashes ;)

Two point five.
This is set as a 2.5 because using a lash primer  may not be a big thing for some people. Lash primers are applied before mascara and can help give your lashes some extra volume or length. I use a lash primer everyday, but only at the tips of my lashes. I used to use the primer all up my lashes, and then discovered it works better if I play a little game of just the tip. Your lashes are thinner at the tip, so putting primer only there creates a longer, more uniform lash that really stands out. If you are going to use a primer, make sure your mascara completely covers the primer, there are a lot of girls out there with black lashes decorated with random pieces of white primer, and nobody likes a speckled tip.

Three.
Apply mascara to the tips first. Just like primer, applying your mascara to the tips of your lashes first will even out the thickness, allowing your lashes to appear longer and your curl to hold better. The way you apply mascara is crucial if you love lashes as much as I do.

1. holding the wand horizontally, apply mascara at the tips of your lashes, making sure to get all outer and inner corners
2. place the wand horizontally at the base of your lashes and wiggle the wand back and forth as you fully coat each lash - wiggling the wand will make sure the mascara doesn't clump and you get the maximum effect. [I usually do this a couple times over my lashes] tip: while at the base of your lashes, twist the wand, letting it raise your eyelid up and touch the inner lashline - this will create the illusion of thicker lashes just like tightlining does. In a pinch? Skip eyeliner and just do this, eyeliner and thick lashes in one step. WIN.
3. to get the outer lashes, keep the wand on a diagonal and "pull" the outer lashes up and out, it will give extra definition to single lashes on the outside creating the perfect flirty look
4. comb through lashes with a lash comb to make sure there are no clumps. The best lash comber is the Sonia Kashuk Lash and Brow Groomer and unfortunately its available at Target. Now, there is  a dupe for this but it is a) only for you girls with a very steady hand and b) available for you to try only at your own risk, I am not responsible for any damage. The SK groomer is the best because it isn't a plastic comb, if you look closely, it is a row of tiny, needle like pieces that are very sharp. So, what you can do is take a pin and open it up so it is in one straight line and c a r e f u l l y run the pin between each of your lashes - I learned this from a very good friend [thanks Lady] and it creates amazing separation of your lashes.

Four.

Double up. I use two types of mascara every day - a thickening and a lengthening. Following the application steps above, using the lengthening mascara first. Follow steps one and two, and instead of doing multiple full swipes with the lengthening, switch to the volumizing and get a couple good swipes in there too. All makeup books and lessons will tell you to wait until each coat dries before applying another one, but this is BS. Who has time to wait in between swipes? If you do, who wants to put mascara on dry-mascara'd eyes? It works better if you layer while the mascara is still semi-wet, just make sure to run your comb through at the end to get rid of any clumps

Five.

We all make mistakes, and every single day I will have a mascara smudge on my eyes. To remove it, instead of wetting a Qtip or licking your finger and rubbing, wait until the mascara dries. Finish your makeup entirely and when you are done, take a Qtip and "flick" the mascara off. Instead of it smearing with your finger, the dry mascara will just chip off your skin leaving no smudges!

I stated in the intro that it really doesn't matter what mascara you use, especially if you aren't a fan of lashes. I, on the other hand, am a lashes freak and have compiled a top 10 list of my favourite mascaras for you.

1. Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill 
2. Bare Escentuals Buxom Lash
3. Givenchy Phenomen'eyes
4. Christian Dior Diorshow *cult favourite worldwide
5. Max Factor 2000 Calorie [discontinued, RIP Max Factor]
6. Blinc Kiss Me 
7. MAC Plush Lash
8. Maybelline Pulse Perfection
9. Maybelline Full n Soft *great everyday, soft lashes
10. L'Oreal Extra Volume Collagen

Yes, I own all of these and yes I have more.

Yes, I use all of these - some three at a time.

Yes, it's a little over the top but I love it. 

Last but not least - I've had a lot of questions about lash enhancers - Latisse, Revitalash, etc. These are treatments designed to be applied to the lashline at night, aimed at growing your natural lashes. The only product I have experience with is RevitaLash and I used it for a good three months. I did notice a big difference using it, and it's effects seem to have kept somewhat intact. The downside to these - they are expensive and are somewhat irritating to your eyes, along with Latisse being only available by prescription. However, L'Oreal has now come out with a drugstore alternative, Lash Boosting Serum and I did purchase this. I haven't started using it yet, but will review once I have used it for a good 4 weeks. 

Second last but not least - remember the eyeliner post when I mentioned Bare Escentuals Buxom Lashliner claimed to grow your lashes? Well, aside from being the best gel liner I've ever used, it actually has done a lot for my lashes. I've noticed new growth with the lashes on my inner corners, and my lashes seem fuller and healthier as well. WIN.

Lots about lashes I know, but they're my favourite. And, this is my blog so I can make it as long as I want [that's what she wished].

Happy Family Day

xxLM

*All images courtesy of Sephora.com

Skincare Saturday: Eyes

Welcome to the first official Try This.Buy That post! You'll notice the other posts pertaining to skincare & beauty have been imported from All My Laundry. I've decided to separate the beauty & style blogs from All My Laundry in order to maintain a consistent theme, so welcome to TTBT - ultimately created for all of you looking for hair, skin, makeup, and fashion advice who don't really care to know much about me, my Wednesdays, or my thoughts. [although I do think that's a little shallow. also a little superficial.]

Eyes seem to be a popular answer when people are asked about their favourite features about themselves and I'm not surprised. Eyes are the first thing I notice when I meet new people and I am a huge fan of eye contact [note to self: write about inappropriate eye contact on Wednesday]. I don't think I am alone in having a special thing for eyes, and I would imagine if when I run in to Shamar Moore he will be looking deep in to my eyes, so f*ck - I'm going to take care of them.

I mentioned yesterday about the importance of using an eye cream and here's why: the skin under your eyes is much thinner and much more delicate than the rest of your face and is the first place where skin loses elasticity. Unless the moisturizer you are using all over your face is magically formulated to decipher the delicate skin under your eyes and transform itself to combat dark circles, fine lines and puffiness - you're doing your eyes a disservice. Eye creams go through a much stricter testing process than moisturizers because it must be safe if the product enters your eyes. Eye creams are not only specially formulated to be easy on the eyes [Shamar Moore], they are designed to treat puffiness, dark circles, discoloration, and fine lines.

I'm glad you've now decided you need an eye cream - now what to buy? Well, what are your concerns? For me, my concerns at the moment are puffiness, loss of elasticity, and dark circles due to my excessive drinking lifestyle. I'm more concerned with my 11's on my forehead [is 26 too young for Botox?] than fine lines around my eyes at the moment, but I'm all for preventative measures [in all areas of life fyi]. I also prefer my facial products to be light in texture as opposed to thick and creamy [um. giggles].

As always, here are the products I've had experience with, you'll see there aren't many [why does this sound like I'm implying another type of experience? That'll never come out, my mom reads this]

Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eyeroller: I liked this because it contains caffeine which really helps with circulation under your eyes, it also has a nice cool feeling to it and hey, I'm already a master at rolling my eyes, why not roll under them as well. If you are younger and are just looking for a 'freshen up' product around your eyes - this is great. If you are concerned with wrinkles, fine lines, loss of elasticity etc I wouldn't recommend this one.
Neutrogena Radiance Boost Eye Cream: Again, like the roller above - this really doesn't combat aging but I did see a difference in the brightness under my eyes which was nice. tip: I found myself using the roller and this one a couple minutes after I used my eye cream and the combination of a good all-around eye cream and a radiance boosting one was fantastic.
Laura Mercier Eyedration: I loved this. I used this until it was bone dry [just the way I like em. my cappuccinos you sicko] and I would have repurchased if I hadn't taken that one trip to shoppers with my mom and picked out the one I am currently using [for which I received numerous Optimum points]. This is your most basic all in one eye cream along with vitamins C and E to protect skin from the environment. Only downside - it's expensive, you have to dip your fingers in to it [ew], and for the same price, you can now get some eye creams that contain retinol which you now know all about!
Vichy Lift Activ CxP Eyes: this is the eye cream I am currently using and am dreading the day that it runs out due to my inability to purchase the same product twice, with a few exceptions. I love this, it has caffeine and pure Vitamin C to "detoxify the eye contour" and it really does. I've noticed firmer skin around my eyes, my dark circles have subsided, and my puffiness is reduced. I'd recommend this to all you ladies looking to tighten and brighten up - it's great.

Those are the ones I have tried, and since I am running out of my Vichy one, you can bet your a** I've been doing my research on what to purchase next and I think I've decided. Vichy's new Reti-C Eyes looks amazing - pure Vitamin C along with Retinol? Think So. The only one standing in the way of the Reti-C is the new Lift Activ Retinol Eyes - this baby is packed with Retinol and Hyaluronic Acid and looks to be pretty soothing - I'm just not sure if I need all of that since it is designed to combat three different types of wrinkles - and the only place where I have three different types of wrinkles is my thighs, and using an eye cream there would require a lot of rubbing [that's what she said].

I've always had success with Vichy products, but either way - look for an eye cream that fights all signs of aging - dark circles, puffiness, and fine lines and wrinkles. Vitamin C, E, Retinol, Hyaluronic Acid, caffeine etc are all good to have in an eye cream. If you really struggle with dark circles, try purchasing a brightening eye cream like the Neutrogena one and put it on right before you use undereye concealer - it'll help the concealer go on smoother and give a better brightening effect.

I always re-read my posts before writing my concluding paragraph to make sure that I've gotten in all the info, and the only thing that stands out is my uncanny ability to turn any discussion on any topic into something related to sex. I get that from my mother.

XxLm.

Improv Friday Cocktails...Puff Puff

No. Not that kind of puff. 
I'm talking about our nice little puffy friends that pop up under our eyes in the morning.
Don't know what I'm talking about?
1. This post isn't for you and 2. You better have extra wrinkles/sun spots to compensate. 


There are lots of lotions and potions out there designed specifically for the eyes to combat dark circles, fine lines, etc. I've used an eye cream for as long as I can remember and if you don't, you should. You should also read tomorrow's blog since it will revolve around eye treatments. 


Today's post is centered around specifically eye puffiness which I hate. Not only is it annoying, but its a sure sign that you're tired, stressed, or felt waaaay too pretty and too funny the night before. Here are some ways to reduce puffiness should you require to do so.


I never go on trips without taking a spoon, especially work trips. For those of you who have the pleasure of working with me, you know the odds of having under-eye puffiness in the morning is about a million to one [holla]. Anyways, a spoon isn't only great to mix hangover cures in your hotel room [hot water & honey, works every.time] - spoons are great to de-puff your eyes and can be used two ways. The best way to use them is to keep a spoon in your freezer, when you wake up in the morning, gently hold the rounded end of the spoon under your eyes and on your eyelids - the cold will bring the swelling down from the inside out. No freezer? Run the spoon under cold water for a few minutes and then apply - not the same effect as a frozen spoon, but better than nothing :)


I'm a huge fan of Tbagging. Not that version you sicko, I mean Tbagging my eyes...wait, no not that either. I mean the act of putting tea bags on my eyes. Did you know that putting cold tea bags on your eyes for a couple minutes will take away puffiness and reduce dark circles? Green tea bags are the best, and chamomile is also a natural soother which also makes an impact. 


I'll have a side of fries with that. French fries are one of my fav foods, soaked in vinegar [clarify: white vinegar for you Americans missing out on the deliciousness] with salt and ketchup. Unfortunately slapping fries on your eyes [hey it rhymes!] won't do much for puffiness, but thin slices of potato will. Potatoes are high in alpha lipoic acids and can lighten circles while reducing puffiness. Want to take it up a level? Soak the potato in chamomile tea and then dip it in to aloe vera gel [the kind you slather on when you've had a wee bit too much sun] - let it rest on your eyes for a good 10 minutes and voila, bright eyes!


So there you have it - follow these tips and who knows, you may be able to fake that you're the #2 girl above, without the extra wrinkles or sun spots :)


Enjoy your Fridays


xxLM


Image courtesy of janssushibar

Makeup Monday: iLast

'Tis the start of a new week & mine is going to be a busy one. Because it's going to be a busy one, I'm going to need my makeup to last all day - so I thought I'd give you some tips on how to get the most out of your makeup, and dupe some of the most popular products.


One.
It's important that you prep your skin well and use a moisturizer suited to your skin type, especially if you have oily skin. Look for a mattifying moisturizer that can reduce your skin's oil production


Two.
Use a makeup primer. Primer helps smooth your skin, minimize pores, and can fill in fine lines. Most primers are clear, however some lines now carry corrective primers that are coloured to combat redness, dullness, sallowness etc. Cheap tip: Are you a fan of Smashbox's Photo Finish primer? It's the most popular primer in the world, well my ladies - the next time you go to repurchase, skip the cosmetics aisle and take a trip to the last place in the world you'd ever want to run in to your boss or the hottie you're currently stalking on facebook: the feminine hygiene aisle. Monistat Chafing Relief powder-gel is the exact same formula for a lot less $$. Aside from saving money, you'll be guaranteed to have an itch-free face for the rest of the day [TMI, I know, but I bet you're laughing]


Three.
I've said it before, but after your foundation - make sure you dust some translucent powder to set it. It'll stop your foundation from oxidizing (changing colour as your skin gets more oily during the day) and it will prevent your blush and bronzer from sinking into your foundation and getting muddy. Don't have translucent powder? Cornstarch  is a great replacement, and works just the same!


Four.
Blot during the day to control oil - you can use blotting papers, or if you're lucky enough to work in the presence of public washrooms that supply toilet seat covers - take a few, the paper in the seat covers is exactly the same as some of the more expensive tissue-form blotting papers. WIN


Five.
& most important - STOP TOUCHING YOUR FACE :) I have an awful habit of touching my face during the day and I try my hardest to stop. All of the dirt on your pretty little hands goes straight in to your pretty little pores and clogs them, creating your skin to produce more oil. 


So there you go, five simple tips to prolong your pleasure.
I mean your pleasure with yourself.
I mean your pleasure with your face.
You get it.


xxLM

Picture courtesy of Style.com

Skincare Saturday: Retinoids

Dear Blogettes:
Today's SS is tres important if you are serious about taking good care of your skin. Basic cleansing routines and regular exfoliation are the fundamentals of good skin care; however, if you want to take your skin to the next level - you should be using a retinoid. This one is long, but definitely worth it [that's what she said]
Happy reading.

From my earlier SS posts you know that only over the last three years have I been serious about taking care of my skin. Getting into a routine and using simple products really cleared up my skin; however, the 23 years of disservice I had done to my skin [picking, tanning, etc] was still evident - my skin was dull and rough, my pores were large, and my skintone was uneven with lots of hyperpigmentation [dark spots from the sun, or old acne marks from picking]. Hours of research led me to a possible solution: a retinoid.

Here are the W5's of Retinoids

Who? All ages and all skin types can benefit from a retinoid. I was hesitant to use a retinoid for two reaons. One, these are strong and I have sensitive skin and two, I wasn't sure I needed to use a product I associated with treating more mature skin. The promise of flawless skin won out over my concerns and taught me my biggest skincare lesson: preventing now is easier than correcting later. Now is the time for me to be proactive with my skin instead of trying to take 20 years off when I'm fifty. This isn't meant to say that all you ladies a tad older than I am can't benefit from a retinol - these are designed for your skin!

What? Retinoids are a derivative of Vitamin A and are the little black dress of skincare. Retinoids reduce fine lines by boosting collagen production and help to minimize pores. Even better - retinoids speed up cell turnover which helps smooth and even out your skintone, reducing hyperpigmentation and age spots, and brightening your skin.

Where? Retinoids are available to us in two ways - via a dermatologist for the most effective prescription strength versions (you may have heard of Retin-A or Renova to name a few), or without a prescription via an over the counter form of retinoids called Retinol, which you will now find advertised in most anti-aging creams. If you have a dermatologist or want the best of the best, I'd go the prescription route [I'd also go the prescription route if you struggle with severe acne - Retin A micro is designed for acne and will transform your skin]. I don't see a dermatologist so I found two ways to get retinol - in a moisturizer (Olay, RoC, Neutrogena etc, all have anti wrinkle moisturizers containing some level of retinol) or in a specific retinol treatment. I chose a retinol treatment over a little retinol in a moisturizer, it's more effective and packaged properly. Look for one with a strength of .01 (1% -highest available over the counter) and make sure it is packaged in some form of aluminum or air-sealed tube, the retinol has to be protected from light and air in order to maintain its bioavailability. The info in this blog will refer to retinol treatments, not moisturizers that contain retinol - those I'll cover when I do SS on moisturizers.

When? Retinoid treatments are used at night and each retinoid is different so following the package instructions are vital. After you wash your face at night, apply a thin layer to your entire face. After it dries, apply a moisturizer and make sure to use sunscreen during the day. If you are going the prescription route or have sensitive skin, apply the product every other night for a couple weeks to ease in to the treatment. Once your skin is comfortable, begin using it every night and enjoy the rewards. Prescription strength products will work faster, but generally you will need a good 12 weeks to see full results.

Why? Like I said above, a retinoid can really transform your skin. It's a great all-in-one treatment that works on many different levels of your skin. You could treat wrinkles, sun spots, pores, and uneven texture all seprately, or you could use a retinol treatment at night with better results.

[A couple extra W's never hurt anyone...]

What should you expect? Again, all skin reacts differently - but I had minimal, if any, side effects when I started using these. Retinoids can cause dryness, redness, and flaking which is why you should ease in to it at first. You may also experience a little bit of purging which can be mistaken for a breakout. Because it is increasing cell turnover, any clogged pores you have will come to the surface faster which can lead to a little "this is breaking me out" panic, but stick with it because this is just the medication working on your skin and the end result is amazing.

What should you use? I feel compelled to tell you the specific products I have tried as these aren't cheap purchases. Two years ago I used Philosophys Help Me which is relatively cheap ($45) compared to the two others I've used. I'm not sure of the strength of Help Me, but overall I would give it a 3 out of 5. I noticed smoother and brighter skin, but not really a difference in tone or pore size. I stopped using Help Me and a retinol all together for over a year because I didn't think it was doing all it promised.
This past September I read about Dermadoctors new Poetry in Lotion retinol treatment - which is the strongest form available (1%, pure retinol) combined with an anti-irritant to reduce some of the side effects.  I'd give this baby a 5 out of 5, I used it every other night and I saw great results - by Christmas I had noticed old acne scars fading, my pores were smaller, and my skin was behaving better. It's $75, and I used it every other night for three months and am still not at the bottom.
 I wouldn't have stopped using POL, but two weeks ago it was Christmas for me. Philosophy finally released their Miracle Worker Miraculous Anti-aging Retinoid Pads. First of all, this is HPR (high performance retinoid) mixed with skin conditioners, antioxidants, and soothing agents so you are getting maximum strength with minimal irritation. The formulation is so unique and much more user friendly - you pour the HPR solution over the pads and then use one pad a night (you pour the entire bottle of solution onto a pile of 60 pads and it all gets perfectly absorbed - you can also swipe them on the backs of your hands after your face). My mom and I both bought them, are two weeks in to treatment, and absolutely in love. These babies claim to show results in one week and both of us have noticed much smoother and brighter skin, my mom has a sun spot already fading, and both of our hands are much clearer already. I've been getting compliments on my skin lately, and my mom's skin is definitely starting to have a nice glow to it! These are expensive at $98 and will last 60 days. It seems like a lot, but compared to an $80 facial that delivers glowing skin for 3 hours - the pads are a good investment. So far, I'd give these pads a 10 out of 5. WIN.

So there you have it - everything you ever wanted to know about retinoids. I know this was a long post - but very important IMO. If you have any more specific questions or are considering a certain product, I'd be happy to research it for you or offer suggestions, you can send me an email or an inappropriate greeting card.

Happy Saturday,

XxLM

Friday Cocktail: the Kitchen Facial

T.G.I.F blogettes.

How was your week? Mine was work, social, and vino heavy. Needless to say, I'm looking a little dapper today and could use a nice little pick me up; unfortunately, I don't think that pick me up will be arriving via a little oh-so-blue box, adorned with the perfect bow, and containing this gem. I guess my only other option is to slap some yogurt on my face and work with what I got.

As you know, I love face masks. In 15 minutes you can tone, tighten, heal, brighten... all depending on the mask you are using. I own about 4 different mask products and I know you've all had the pleasure of seeing my favourite love-to-hate painful mask in action. I've got a gorgeous girlfriend over the border about to try out that baby this weekend, conveniently choosing the one weekend her husband is away. Enjoy the tingle :) 

Buying masks can be expensive and can take up a lot of shelf space, so why not make your own at home? Some of the best masks I've used I've made myself, so I thought I'd share some of my favs based on your skin concerns.

For you oily skinned gals, the Milk of Magnesia [MOM] is fantastic and so easy. MOM is magnesium in liquid form and actually absorbs oil better than clay. This mask never stripped my skin, and left it smooth and comfortable. Here's the details
What you need: 1 bottle of MOM (obviously not the flavoured versions haha)
What you do: Apply the MOM to your face, let it sit for 10-15 minutes, wash off, pour glass of wine, drink.

Want to nourish your dry skin? Have mature skin with some wrinkles? An avocado and honey mask is perfect for you, its very calming, moisturizing, and it smells great.
What you need: half an avocado (make sure its fresh and ripe, it should be very easy to mash), and 1/4 cup of honey
What you do: mash up the avocado until its almost creamy, stir in the honey, apply to your face for 10 minutes, rinse off, eat other half of avocado with olive oil and sea salt, pour glass of wine, drink.

For sensitive skin, the yogurt and oatmeal mask is so comforting. It's also great if you have a sunburn or windburn as it is very soothing.
What you need: 1 cup of natural yogurt (not vanilla) just out of the fridge, 1/2 cup of oatmeal
What you do: mix the yogurt and oatmeal together, apply to your face for 15 minutes, rinse off with a warm washcloth, pour glass of wine, drink.

These are simple, straightforward masks that work. I've tried them all, love them, and I'd make them more often if I wasn't so uncomfortable in the kitchen. Next week I'll share some of the very different combinations [think pepto bismol & oatmeal, or Aspirin and honey] that I've tried and that work. Again, I don't make these very often due to my lack of grocery shopping, but these are cheap and easy ways to treat your skin without breaking the bank. Just remember, the number one tip and most important part of the kitchen facial is the final step in the mask process: pour glass of wine, drink.


P.S - my ring size is a 6.


Kisses.

xxLM

Makeup Monday: Liner

Happy Monday - I hope your weekend was fabulous.

I should preface this blog by mentioning that The Bachelor is on in the background and I'm squirming just a little in my sweatpants. 1) Why does the bachelor guy [don't know his name] wear so many turtlenecks and 2) why does that Vienna girl wear such dark eyeshadow all the time?

I'm all for dark eyeshadow in the right situation, but we'll get in to that at another time - today is dedicated to eyeliner. In University, that two day, overlined & smudged eye look was in. These days, the nude eye is the Blair Waldorf of Manhattan.

I want to keep this post short, because eyeliner shouldn't be the focus of your eyemakeup [with the exception of the winged liner look]. I think the days of heavy liquid liner on the top and bottom lashlines is a tad too much, and some of the best smokey eyes can be created without any liner at all. So this post will be dedicated to a few eyeliner tips I've learned along the way.

1) Connect the dots: the easiest way to create a smooth line with any style of liner (kohl, liquid, gel) is to use short strokes [I'm giggling] instead of trying to draw one straight line. Create small, even dots or small lines along your lashline as close to your lashes as possible and then either use a brush, or the liner to connect the dots - doing it this way will keep the liner close to your lashes and eliminate an uneven line.

2) Tighter is better [giggling again]: tightlining is essentially pushing eyeliner into your lashes instead of drawing a line on the lashline. Tightlining gives the illusion of thicker lashes without looking like eyeliner and its my favourite way to use liner. I use a cake liner [powder form] for tightlining which works really with a wet liner brush, but you can use a regular pencil (freshly sharpened) or gel liner as well. What you want to do is [note: being close to a mirror is key here] simply dot your liner in between your lashes on the inner rim of your upper lashes. You can do this two ways - using one hand to gently lift your eyelid to see exactly where to press the liner, or simply lean close to a mirror, look up, and tilt your head slightly up as well to see the inner rim of your upper lashline and place the liner between your lashes. Voila: a thicker lash base without the thick liner. Another tip? Skip liner on your lower lashline [especially for the workday] and take a brown pencil liner and dot it between your bottom lashes. Smudge with your finger and it will create a thicker lashline without heavy liner.

3) Swap liquid for gel: I'm not a fan of liquid liner. Aside from being unforgiving and difficult to apply, liquid liner tends to be harsh. New gel liners are a little softer, easier to apply and still provide great payoff especially when doing a winged liner look. Bare Escentuals new Buxom Lashliner is amazing - it lasts all day, is gentle on your eyes, and is designed to condition and grow your lashes. WIN

4) Simplify the winged liner look: I know you aren't all a fan of devil kitty, but all of us can work the winged liner cat look - and application isn't just for pro's. Two easy ways to create this look:

• Kohl Liner: sharpen your liner and start by making small strokes working from the inside of your eye out, keeping the liner precise and close to your lashes. Once you get halfway up your eye, when you draw the rest of the line, instead of using the tip of the pencil, angle the pencil in your hands so the side of it drags down your lashline, creating a thicker line along the outer part of your eye. You can stop at the end of your lashline or take one more stroke [ew] and wing the liner slightly up and past your eye - quick & easy, just the way I like it.


• Gel Liner: Using a liner brush, make small strokes along the lashline, connecting the dots while focusing on the outer corner of your eye. Don't take the liner past your lashline, instead draw a thin, thin line from the very outer corner of your eye and up, it should almost look like another eyelash. You can leave the liner like this to make your lashes look longer, or you can connect the small line to the liner on the lashline to create a thicker wing that looks amazing with top-lashes only mascara

Like I said, unless you are creating a winged liner look, eyeliner shouldn't be the focus of your makeup, especially if you have smaller eyes. More liner will make your eyes look smaller and increase the chance of that sexy black eye look should the night get a little messy.

Speaking of that black eye look, that black eye girl just snuck into turtleneck boys bed in this castle that they are apparently renting for the evening. He is now telling her to go back upstairs. FAIL for her. She's crying and wearing a glittery purple top in her personal interview thingy, and my bet is she goes home without a rose or a chance to live in turtleneck harmony for the rest of her life. Shame.

Tootles,

xxLM