BEAUTIFUL FROM THE INSIDE OUT: 2012

Monday, August 27, 2012

My daily face routine

Hello lovelies!

Since I had already posted my current nighttime routine because some of you had requested it, especially on my youtube channel, I've decided to post my morning face routine as well..

So in the morning my first step is washing my face with the same cleanser I use at nighttime, which is the Alba Botanica Enzyme Face Cleanser, this time I just wash my face gently and don't use my Clarisonic (like I do at nighttime).

I have a video review on this product here and I just can't say enough good things about it, it has been the one cleanser that removes all makeup without irritating my skin or causing breakouts.

You can find this cleanser in most drugstores for about $12-14 USD

After drying my face I use my favorite moisturizer in the whole entire universe to this day which is the Boscia BB Cream which actually has SPF 27. Its main ingredient (Titanium Dioxide 6.4%) is safer to use than common chemical sunscreens (which I happen to be allergic to) which are known to be human carcinogen (eek) and contain hazardous ingredients that are linked to hormone disruption issues.

Please do your research and try to stay away from sunscreens that contain Oxybenzone.

This product retails for $38.00 USD at Sephora.com

After this, depending on how many hours I got to sleep I use the Garnier Anti-Dark Circles roller, I apply it generously under my eyes and let it sit for about 10 mins, then I softly pat the area with my ring finger to blend the product, and I have to say this product can do miracles on most skin tones since it blends so beautifully and it can cover some really serious dark circles...I've tested it time after time...It really is one of the best undereye concealers in the market.

This product retails for about $10.o0 in most drugstores.

On those days that I have the need to use the roller, setting this product is a must, if not, it will crease in a heartbeat, so I use my favorite setting powder, and this one is specially designed for the undereye area, a little bit of Benefit's Powderflage will go a long way, I know it can be a little bit pricey but this product may last you a whole year or even longer, it is so thin that it would not make you look caky but will set the product for the whole day. It retails for about $15.00.

And then, to finally bring it all together I use the one foundation that hasn't failed me in about six years and that is Bare Minerals Foundation, I have personally used the matte finish but I still like the original formula better since it gives you a nice glow that makes you almost look like you're not wearing any makeup... I have tried plenty of foundations but I still continue to come back to this one.

It retails for about $23-30 depending on the size and where you get it.

So that is my daily face routine, I know this blog post seems lengthly but the process is really shorter than what it seems. To me, protecting my skin from the sun is a must, especially given the fact that I live in the Sunshine State.

Thank you for reading my blog if you've made it to this point....

And as always have a wonderful and blessed day!

Much love,

Jen :)

For makeup tutorials and product reviews check out my youtube channel:

www.youtube.com/rolita12

And for cute and affordable accessories check out my lil sister's store:

http://www.cutethingys.com/

Friday, June 15, 2012

Updated Skin Care Routine - New Products

Hello beauties!

I have been getting requests for an updated skincare routine, so here it is :)

It's actually a whole new routine since I started using new products (cheaper ones too!) and no longer use the Skin Medica products that I was using before.

So currently these are the products I am using at nighttime from removing my makeup to hitting the pillow:

1. Sonia Kashuk Makeup Remover

This is by far the best makeup remover I've tried and believe me I have tried a fair share of brands (Neutrogena, Sephora, Estee Lauder and many more) but I think this removes even waterproof eye makeup very quickly, gently and doesn't require rubbing the product in the area which will prevent premature sagging of the delicate skin around the eye. I've purchased this makeup remover at Target for about $10.00 and it lasts about 5 months using it almost every day.

2. Alba Botanica Pineapple Enzyme Facial Cleanser

This is one of the best cleansers that I have tried, it's mild enough to use every night and it doesn't irritate my eyes at all. I use it with a Clarisonic Mia (sensitive skin brush) and it removes every since molecule of makeup from my skin!... Well, I don't know if every single molecule but it's amazing!!!!!!

At first I wasn't a fan of this Clarisonic but I've come to found out that it works great with this cleanser (Let me know if you want a detailed review on this Clarisonic).

I purchase the Alba cleanser at Target for about $12.00 but I also know that Walgreens and even Walmart carry this brand.

3. Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Pore Perfecting Toner

This toner will take care of everything the Clarisonic might have missed and I believe it tightens up my pores. I've discovered that it is great at preventing breakouts and balancing oily skin, I got this at Walgreens and sadly is the only place that I've seen it in my area (South Florida) $9.99

4. Ziana Gel (Only twice a week)

This is a RX product that was given to me by my dermatologist to control my acne a few years ago when it was severe. I was using it then every day but now I've cut down the use of it to twice a week, primarily because I don't want my skin to be accustomed to prescription medicine and also because it can get pretty expensive. Let me know if you want to know more about my experience with this acne medication and I may write a more detailed review about it, but for now I just continue using it and slowly decreasing the frequency of its use.

The prices of this gel varies depending on the size and whether or not you have insurance that covers it, but I believe that without insurance the cost of it is about $300.00, however a 60g tube could last you up to a year (a little goes a long way) or longer depending on the frequency of its use.

5. Eye cream

Honestly I still haven't found an amazing eye cream that I can suggest to other people, I'm still trying different brands and products, among the ones I've tried are: Benefit, L'Oreal, Bobbi Brown, Estee Lauder, Alba Botanica and Avon, I'm currently using a sample of a Chanel one (smells amazing!) but still need to see the long term benefits of it before I can commit to a full size one....Let me know in the comments if there's a particular product that has been a life changer for you hehe....