Tag Archives: skincare

Oil Free Moisture!

13 Oct

I don’t know about you, but since this pandemic has begun, I’ve been breaking out more than ever due to wearing a mask. I’ve exclusively used the same Origins cream nightly for years(powerful lifting cream), until recently when I added a new moisturizer (clear improvement)to my regimen. It’s basically an acne treatment & oil-free moisturizer in one- formulated with 1% Salicylic Acid to help clear and help prevent new breakouts. I’ve been using it for 2 weeks now and already see an improvement. I go back and forth between the clear improvement and the powerful lifting cream every other night and it’s been working out perfect for me. If you’re looking to moisturize while preventing breakouts, I highly suggest this product.

Tinted Sunscreen For Sensitive Skin.

23 Apr

For those of you that have been following my blog for a while, you know that I’m an SPF addict! I wear hats and SPF daily to avoid any sun exposure to my face. I am very sensitive when it comes to sunscreens and break out very easily when I try new brands. My friend Jacki talked me into trying Elta MD and I am obsessed!!! First of all, it’s tinted so I love that(they have non tinted as well) and secondly, it’s made for skin types prone to acne, rosacea and hyperpigmentation. I have acne prone skin and hyperpigmentation (dark patches) so I was all for it! Hyperpigmentation can be kept under control when the sun is avoided. This particular sunscreen is made with Zinc oxide which sits on top of the skin, so the sun can’t penetrate at all and since I’ve been using this SPF my dark patches have lightened. With summer approaching I thought I’d share this amazing Sunscreen with you all.  elta

Shop Elta MD HERE

It is more expensive than traditional non zinc sunscreen, but it actually works! I wear it alone and under my makeup. I also prefer a high SPF so I wear 46, but they have lower SPFs as well.

 

Pretty AND Protected!!!! (wear makeup & SPF, you don’t have to choose)

10 Jul

I am INSANE about skin protection and wear SPF 50 year round and 110 during the sunny months. I wear it alone and with my makeup as well. Most days I don’t wear makeup, but when I do I have perfected a routine that allows me to protect my skin, wear a full face of makeup AND reapply SPF throughout the day if necessary. The key to ultimate sun protection is to apply SPF under and over your makeup! YES this is easy and possible, I will list my routine below with product links. *Let this also be a reminder that the SUN IS ENEMY #1 when it comes to your skin aging, the sun “cooks” your skin- it’s as simple as that. Even in small doses, it adds up. Be mindful when you’re in the sun and get into an SPF routine NOW if you haven’t already and buy some cute hats & sunglasses while you’re at it.  Protect your skin at all costs or it will cost you…..best case scenario- you will have crows feet and leathery skin way too early. Worst case scenario- skin cancer. Love the skin you’re in 🙂 nf It’s never too late. Get started now, let me show you how! (My personal SPF & makeup routine, step by step) 1. Apply SPF on clean skin. I use Neutrogena SPF 110. 2. Let it soak in for 5 minutes. I walk away, brush my teeth, pet the dog….whatevs. 3.Apply face makeup. My full makeup consists of BB Cream and Bare Minerals powder foundation, followed by highlight, contour, eye makeup, blush etc. 4. Once makeup is gorge and “done” apply SPF powder ON TOP of everything. Bare Minerals has a translucent powder called Mineral veil- it basically locks in your makeup and it almost creates an air brushed look to the skin. Why is this last step so unique? Mineral veil is available with SPF 25, so it is adding an extra layer of protection. This also allows you to reapply SPF throughout the day by dusting some powder on.  Mineral veil comes in original for fair to medium skin tones and tinted for medium to dark skin tones. I have both and mix them for a gorgeous shade. There is No need to go and throw out your current makeup/foundation. Any makeup works as the FIRST and LAST steps include SPF.  This has been working wonders for me and I hope it can help you too.

The Best Eye Makeup Remover Ever!!! (and My Personal Eye/Skin Care Tips)

2 Nov

I thought that this post was fitting as I was fully made up for a Halloween party last night and was NOT look forward to washing off my makeup when I got home.   I dressed up as a cat and painted on a nose and whiskers with Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliner (which stays put) and set it with black eyeshadow so I already knew it was going to be a struggle to remove.  When I create a smokey eye or wear dark lip color, I always turn to my Clinique ‘Take the day off’ makeup remover and it comes through for me every time!  This particular remover is for lids, lashes and lips.  I don’t know about you but my high pigmented lipsticks DO NOT come off with a swipe of a tissue, so this makeup remover is a god send for me.  I have never had success with makeup removers in the past, they smeared my makeup, were sticky and made me have to RUB my eye area which is a no-no, but this product gave me hope in makeup remover once again!  As for my Halloween makeup, I had no problem at all and was pleasantly surprised at how easily it swiped off  without pressing hard or scrubbing like I have with makeup removers in the past.  With this formula, a little goes a long way! I just put a few drops on a cotton ball and swiped!

Ladies- rubbing your eye makeup off contributes to wrinkles and unnecessary puffiness and this product just glides along your skin smoothly while removing all your makeup!  It is fantastic and if you’re looking for a makeup remover for your eyes and lips- this product will not let you down!  Clinique has a few more makeup removers for the entire face which I’m sure work just as well but I have yet to try them.

Clinique ‘take the day off’ Makeup Remover.

1.7 oz $9.50

4.2 oz $18

Clinique

My personal eye area/skin tips:  ( the cold hard truth)

Ever seen a baby with freckles? Neither have I.  I saw that quote in one of my mom’s magazines as a kid and have always remembered that.

Freckles come from the sun, PERIOD!  Of course some people are more prone to them and are fair-skinned, but the majority of us can avoid them all together if we give it a small effort.

Always be present when you are in the sun- always remember the baby freckle quote. Sure we all accumulate freckles throughout our lives but just keep in mind that they come directly from the sun.  I like to think of them as “little burns” on my skin that stay forever and turn into large sun spots when we’re older!  NOT CUTE!  Aging gracefully is beautiful, premature aging is NOT!

Do I always avoid the sun? No way Jose- I love sunny days but you better believe I’m slathered in SPF and wearing sunglasses or a hat. Also I always look to sit in the shade and always stay aware! It’s all about being aware! I am never that girl who accidentally gets a crazy sunburn- it just won’t happen because I’m aware.

Buy sunglasses and wear them every time you leave the house!  You’d be surprised how much you squint- even when it’s not sunny. Don’t like sunglasses, get a cute hat. (tinted windows on your car also help)

Smoke? STOP. Those lovely vertical lines that surround your upper lips will only get worse. Don’t have any yet? They’re on their way!  The repetitive motion of puckering your lips to inhale that cigarette is slowly forming wrinkles!

Drink much? Slow down. Excessive drinking does cause premature wrinkles. Read this!

No rubbing your eyes- just don’t.

Be aware when applying and removing makeup- use eyeliner much? Think about every time you pull down your under eye to expose your waterline to apply the liner, every day, sometimes twice a day. Be very careful when you do this not to over pull- most people never even think about it  but to expose your waterline the under eye barely needs to be moved if even at all!

Tummy sleeper? Think about how you smash your face all night long every night.  Side sleeper? Notice wrinkles on one side of your face more than the other? You probably sleep on that side.  Scrunching your cheeks up against a pillow for 8 hours a night can cause unsightly crows feet and around the mouth wrinkles ( also known as parenthesis wrinkles). Want to avoid this? sleep on your back.  Ladies who sleep on their backs have less wrinkles! It’s true!

Apply eye cream nightly? Apply with your ring finger as it the weakest and won’t put unnecessary pressure to the area.  Also use small soft upward strokes to apply the moisturizer.

Always always always treat the under eye/eye lid area like tissue! Literally baby that skin and it will look like baby skin!  Treat it rough and it will look rough.

Don’t moisturize? Start NOW!  I started at 20, you’re never too young!  Find an eye cream and a facial moisturizer ASAP! Use them both daily!

Give your skin the time!  It’s takes only 10 minutes a day to wash and moisturize your face 2 times!  Wash your face and moisturize every night- no matter how tired you are.

Drink water-  hydration is just good for everything!

Do expensive products work better? Most of the time YES, however affordable products can get the job done too. Something is better than nothing if you’re on a budget.

Already have wrinkles? It’s never too late….. who needs more wrinkles? nobody. You can still delay future wrinkles from appearing! Don’t be discouraged!

My silly analogies:

Dry Beef Jerky vs. Juicy Steak

Wrinkled Raisins vs.  Juicy Grapes

What do you want your skin to be? I wanna be grapes and steaks!

I do believe all skin eventually wrinkles in some degree, but I think those wrinkles can be delayed for many many years if you put in the time and effort!

Makeup Master

27 May

Roxanne Saffaie is a professional makeup artist  who has worked with leading photographers and stylists on shows, ad campaigns, N.Y. & L.A. fashion week and editorial work in magazines. Known in the industry as Roxy she is also the beauty editor of Woman’s Surf & Style magazine. Not only has Roxy mastered all things beauty, she has skin care covered as well. Roxy’s multidimensional talent has landed her on “The List” in L.A Confidential magazine with the likes of George Clooney and Dolly Parton. Roxy’s client list includes Michael Kors, Russell Simmons, Michelle Rodriguez, Zooey Deschanel, Tommy Hilfiger, Leighton Meester, Paula Patton and Ciara to name a few. Her work has graced the pages of  Vogue, People,  Maxim, WWD and Nylon among others. In addition, Roxy’s makeup looks have  been down countless runways including YSL, Giorgio Armani, Pucci and Jill Stuart. She has led the makeup for the American Idol concert tour and worked on Madonna’s “sweet & sticky” tour as well. Most recently Roxy attributed her skills to the coveted People’s 50 most beautiful 2012 issue.

Roxy’s makeup journey started in Paris where she studied at the prestigious artistic academy, Christian Chauveau. The globe trotting beauty has called Paris, Hawaii, Los Angeles and New York home, currently splitting her time between New York and L.A. It is evident that this jet-setting lifestyle has only helped her become a more well rounded artist, she has the ambition of an Angelino, the fashion sense of a New yorker, the cultural influences of France and the easy breezy down to earth vibe of Hawaii. She has seen and mastered makeup trends in all forms across the globe. She loves her career and is passionate about it. Roxy is a busy bee and enjoys doing jiu-jitsu, surfing and yoga in her spare time.  I got the chance to talk to the always in demand artist recently and asked her my favorite question…”What is your one MUST have, can’t live without product?”  she quickly answered “mascara, It wakes up your face”. I would have to agree with her as I am a mascara lover myself.

Check out Roxy’s website www.roxylook.net

Roxy has so much to offer the beauty industry, I can’t wait to see what she will do next!