My good friend Stephen really triggered my anxiety the other day when he was talking about using Dial soap on his skin, during a discussion about men's skin care. Stephen, I understand you're a cowboy, on a steel horse you ride, but no more Dial soap on your face lest you want me to throat punch you myself (an inside joke between him and his wife and I that really isn't much of a joke because half of the time we are serious.)
Menfolk: please know when I post about whatever I post about, this is not directed solely to the womenfolk. Skin care and beauty is for everyone. However, my friend Josh pointed out he would like to know a good skin care routine for men and it dawned on me that while skin care across the board is for everyone, there are some male-specific things I should go over for those of you who want to know how to better care for your skin.
First off, men have this thing called facial hair that ladies do not have. I mean, we all have facial hair, but for women it's typically the soft downy type (vellus hair) with follicles so small it is barely noticeable. But for men, when they go through the change, they develop that sexy beard hair we have all grown to love. I blame Burt Reynolds for my personal moustache obsession but ANYWAY... because of these larger hair follicles and for some constant shaving, there needs to be some modification on men's skin care. I'm here to help, in hopes to prevent anyone from making the mistake my dear friend Stephen has been making of using freakin' Dial soap.
So you have the basic products. Cleanser, shaving your face stuff, after shaving your face stuff, moisturizer (face and eye), spf. All pretty self-explanatory on what they do, but I'm going to break it down product-by-product, how you should use these products, and link some products for you to gander at.
Cleanser
SO FRIENDS. When it comes to cleansing your face, something you need to remember here is because of your facial hair, the best thing to do is to cleanse the lower half of your face in the direction of your beard growth. Go across the top of your forehead in circular motions, the bridge of your nose, then around your eyes in small, circular motions. When you get to your jaw and lower half of your face, instead of just scrubbing upward, scrub in a downwards motion with the hair. This will help prevent irritation of the skin and move around the hair follicles. Non-irritated skin = fewer ingrown hairs that I'll try to pop if I ever see you. There's three different kinds of cleansers: cream, a foaming which is typically gel based, and an exfoliating cleanser that can either be with small beads or chemical exfoliants. I'll make it easy for you. Dry Skin: Cream based cleanser. Oily: foaming. If you need extra exfoliation, you can get cream or foaming based exfoliating cleanser. Typically you need extra exfoliation if you have an issue with flaky skin or congested skin.
Cetaphil Men Daily Face Wash- low lather formula that is great for normal to dry skin types.
Get it here: http://www.target.com/p/cetaphil-men-daily-face-wash-8-fl-oz/-/A-16601854
Nivea For Men Energy Face Scrub- scrub based gel formula. Really great to use prior shaving.
Get it here: https://www.amazon.com/NIVEA-MEN-Energy-Face-Scrub/dp/B00006K14U?th=1
Pre and Post Shave Your Face Stuff
I am not the authority on shaving your face, because I don't have a beard (yet) however, I'm literally setting next to my manfriend and I've been asking him questions on how to shave. For those of you that already shave, more than likely you already know how to do it. However, he told me his sister was watching Queer Eye For The Straight Guy years ago and told him to wet his face before he puts on shave gel and it made so much more sense for him to do that. So, from Will himself, "wet your face beforehand, it won't hurt your face and you don't get those bumps." Riveting advice. Even though I am not an experienced face shaver, I however do now of some quality products from working in the skin care industry that I am comfortable recommending
First, this is the stuff Will uses that he says is good. So if you get it and hate it blame him, not me.
Gillette Fusion Hydra Gel Ultra Sensitive Shave Gel (maybe that's why he uses it, he's ultra sensitive.)
Get it here: https://www.amazon.com/Gillette-Fusion-Hydra-Ultra-Sensitive/dp/B001E5E24K/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1477500312&sr=8-1&keywords=gillette+fusion+hydra+gel
Aveda Pure-Formance Shave Cream- If you're into a more natural approach of lavender and exotic botanicals on your skin, and you're also dryer than my sense of humor, this cream shave cream is worth checking out.
Get it here: http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/aveda-men-pure-formance-shave-cream/3411676?cm_mmc=msnsearch-_-productads-_-Men%3ASkin_BodyTreatment%3AShavingCream_Gel-_-632105rkg_id%3Dh-aedee7fcb9915a86ac0fd2a3e61e34f6_t-1477500548&creative=10173744906&device=c
Mountaineer Brand Post Shave Balm w/ tea tree- tea tree is good to put on anything after you've had a blade glide across your skin, as it's a natural anti-septic, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory.
Get it here: https://www.mountaineerbrand.com/products/post-shave-balm-tea-tree?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping&utm_term=1101013153880&utm_content=Post%20Shave
Nivea Men's Sensitive Post Shave Balm- I actually have personal experience with this. I use it as a primer sometimes for when I really need makeup to be long wearing and just STAY. It's lightly fragranced so for those of your with more sensitive skin, especially post shave, it's lit.
Get it here: http://www.ulta.com/mens-sensitive-post-shave-balm?productId=prod2057893&sku=2057893&CPMID=CSBING&CAWELAID=330000200000508542&catargetid=330000200000878722&CADEVICE=c
Moisturizer
DO NOT PUT REGULAR LOTION ON YOUR SKIN OKAY. THE SKIN ON YOUR FACE IS DIFFERENT THAN THE SKIN ON YOUR MEATY MAN THIGHS AND HAS DIFFERENT NEEDS. Also, the molecular structure of lotion for the face and eyes is made up specifically to fit and be absorbed into the face. After you do your aftershave, brush your teeth or sing a song and let that absorb into your skin before putting on moisturizer so your skin doesn't feel like a slick grease ball and you get mad at me and cuss me silently in your head.
Cetaphil Men Daily Face Lotion- non-comedogenic (won't clog your pores and hair follicles) and it's light weight with broad spectrum spf 15. You need at least a spf of 30, but we will give a pat on the back for the effort.
Get it here: http://www.target.com/p/cetaphil-men-daily-face-lotion-spf-15-4-fl-oz/-/A-16601844
Nivea Men Revitalizing Face Cream- an actual cream rather than a lotion, great for winter time and dry/dehydrated skin types.
Get it here: http://www.beautyspin.com/nivea/revitalising-q10-face-cream-for-dry-skin/?item=92585
Resist Anti-Aging Eye Cream- Did you know that your eye's need some lovin' too? This is great for those of you concerned with anti-aging and preventing those laugh lines so you can get all the younger folk when you're old and wearing island print shirts that are half way buttoned up... or for when you have a super hot significant other and you wanna stay on their level. For a good quality eye cream, you're going to shell out a little more than what you would for a regular face moisturizer because of the ingredients, but a little goes a long way and sometimes vanity is worth every penny. Put on the eye cream before you moisturize so the anti-oxidants and stronger ingredients can penetrate into your skin.
Get it here: http://www.paulaschoice.com/shop/skin-care-categories/targeted-solutions/_/Resist-Anti-Aging-Eye-Cream
SPF
Sun protection is important but something that is often looked over. After your moisturizer and/or eyecream has absorbed into your skin, slap on some SPF to give yourself that extra bout of protection. There's so many on the market but man coming from an Aveda background, there's one (its pricey but worth it) that will have you covered. Feel free to shop around and research what would be best for you, but if you're in the sun a lot, ya need this, man.
Daily Light Guard Defense Fluid Broad Spectrum SPF- lightweight, protects against UVA/UVB rays, non-acnegenic (won't cause acne breakouts or irritation), and is chemical free.
Get it here: http://www.aveda.com/product/17740/40347/skin-care/mens-skin-care/new-daily-light-guard-defense-fluid-broad-spectrum-spf-30
So, there you have it. A skin care routine for the male's face guaranteed to make you look just as devilishly handsome as my manfriend and the Brawny Paper Towel Man (they're in the same league. Heart eyes.) Take care of yourself, bro. Man skin matters, too.
All hail Michael Westmore,
Rachel
@notkellykapowski
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
Sunday, October 23, 2016
Foundation: The Base of War Paint.
I remember when I was about eleven years old, and I discovered foundation for the first time. I was digging through my mother's makeup per usual, and I came across something I wasn't familiar with. It was in this oblong case and it was creamy with a sponge, and without exactly know what it was or the purpose for it my first instinct was to slather it all on my face. Once I did that I realized my blush could be even brighter and streakier! I was such a grown up! I knew the secret to living a full life! Covergirl made me feel like even though my pores were suffocating, that maybe I would get asked out to the Naylor Street Dance.
LOL wrong. I went over to my cousin Whitney's house and she had her friend over, Megan. Megan was super pretty and had super pretty hair and had a super beautiful voice and wore Abercrombie & Fitch and HAD ON FOUNDATION. SO IMMEDIATELY I FELT LIKE I WAS SOMETHING SPECIAL BECAUSE THE COOL GIRL AT MY COUSIN WHITNEY'S HOUSE WAS WEARING FOUNDATION AND I WAS WEARING FOUNDATION SO I WAS COOL, TOO.
Ever since my misguided sense of chill, I have been on a journey with foundation through the ages. I've had my face smell like chemical pencil shavings, I've had too-pink foundation, I've had oxidation all over my face. I've gone through struggles and victories. Learn from my mistakes and discoveries, and if you have any foundation horror stories, let me hear them too. We can start a support group.
Foundation... the base of war paint. People have been using various forms of foundations for years. Ancient Egyptians would coat their faces with various forms of creams, Romans would use light chalky-creams to give themselves a fair complexion as that was favored beyond a sun-kissed one (my how things have changed.) From Shakespeare to the Hollywood stage and Max-Factor creating the first commercial foundation, called Pan-cake. Foundation has been used to lighten complexion, smooth imperfections, for theatre, the list goes on. Now, a lot of us use it in our day-to-day routine of when we get ready for war (aka life) and paint ourselves with war paint. With this post, I have broken down some things for those of you that might want more information on how to choose the best foundation for YOU along with some suggestions of good products I have personally tried if not on myself, then on clients.
FIRST THING'S FIRST LETS TALK ABOUT SKIN UNDERTONES. SUPER HUGE FACTOR WHEN CHOOSING A FOUNDATION LIKE OMG. This is going to be the first step in what anyone should do when looking for a base. You are either going to fall in the category of cool, neutral, or warm. There can be such a wide range of undertones, etc. For example, my skin is a strange mix of gold and jaundice. I'm warm, but sit on the side of warm neutral in the winter. To determine this quickly, just look at your veins on our wrist. If your veins are mostly green, you're warm. If you're veins are mostly pink, you're cool. If your veins are a mixture of the both, you're sitting more on the side of neutral. So start with that, and then we can go from there. MELANIN IS CRAZY, MAN.
With warm skin tones, you can have the presence reds, yellows, peach(ish), and golds. With cool skin tones you can have a range pinks, purples, and blues. Neutral tones can have a lot of olive, but olive can also side warm with more of a presence of yellow, or cool with more of a presence of blue (which also appears green.) Sounds overwhelming, because it is! Color theory next to the importance of pH balance are the two things I stress the most in the realm of beauty. Study your skin, or go to Sephora and have them do a match of your skin. It will give more of a breakdown of the presence of what tones are in your skin.
Now that you've determined that, it's time to look at skin type. Dry, Combination, and Oily are your main three. That is pretty self explanatory to figure out. From there, there's an umbrella of issues that you can target. To make it easier on you, I'm going to break everything down one skin type at a time, so you can scroll past the stuff that you don't really care about.
Dry Skin
Dry skin is a lack in presence of oil, and dehydrated skin, which is a lack of presence of water, falls under this umbrella. Mature skin typically is dry or dehydrated, and a lot of times sensitive skin is on the drier side. With dry skin, prep is a huge thing. Moisturize well, and you can always add a drop of non-comedogenic beauty oil to your foundation to help not only give a dewy glow, but that extra kick of hydration to prevent cracking and caking.
I went to an Aveda school and while there I fell in love with the elixir of the gods known as beautifying composition oil. http://www.aveda.com/product/5197/17180/body/beautifying-composition-oil It sides on the line of pricey for a small bottle but this stuff lasts and is so multi-purpose, but the best being when you go to mix ONE DROP of it into your foundation (also works great as a pre-cleanser, makeup remove, and beauty oil if you read my previous post.) I use this on brides with drier skin and the difference it makes is amazing.
Anyway, here's a list of suggestions for dry/dehydrated/sensitive/mature skin types.
-*Makeup Forever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation (the best range of color in my opinion) http://www.sephora.com/ultra-hd-invisible-cover-foundation-P398321?skuId=1709096&icid2=products grid:p398321
-Edward Bess Black Sea Correcting Mousse Foundation (This stuff will go a long way and last a long time. This is my go-to for mature skin types and the way it settles into the skin is beautiful. It's long wearing and you just need to see for yourself how pretty this foundation will make your skin. I'm not sure of the closest physical place to purchase this, but if you call or visit Hyde Salon in Nashville, they are exclusive to Edward Bess cosmetics and can help guide you on what you would need.) http://edwardbess.com/makeup/face/complexion-correcting-mousse-foundation-with-expert-blending-brush-0
-*Georgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation (WORTH SELLING A KIDNEY FOR THIS STUFF IS OF THE LORD, ALSO GREAT FOR MATURE SKIN TYPES.) http://www.sephora.com/luminous-silk-foundation-P393401?skuId=1359553&icid2=products grid:p393401
-*Too Faced Born This Way Foundation (go-to foundation tbh.) http://www.ulta.com/born-this-way-absolute-perfection-foundation?productId=xlsImpprod12621017&sku=2290017&CPMID=CSBING&CAWELAID=330000200000329204&catargetid=330000200000874286&CADEVICE=c
-Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue (THE BEST FOR DAY TO DAY WEAR, OR TO USE LIKE THE WEEK AFTER YOU'VE HAD A CHEMICAL PEEL AND FOR SENSITIVE SKIN TIMES. SRSLY THIS STUFF IS GOOD.) http://www.ulta.com/makeup-face-foundation?N=26y5Z1z13p3o
-L'Oreal True Match Lumi Healthy Skin (great dupe for the Armani foundation) http://www.ulta.com/true-match-lumi-healthy-luminous-makeup?productId=xlsImpprod4480167
-L'Oréal Infallible Pro Glow (great product, just has a tendency it oxidize if you don't set it correctly.) http://www.target.com/p/l-or-al-paris-infallible-pro-glow-foundation-buff-beige-206/-/A-50437879
-Maybelline Fit Me Dewy + Smooth (not gonna lie this is a bomb product with a bomb price.) http://edwardbess.com/makeup/face/complexion-correcting-mousse-foundation-with-expert-blending-brush-0
Combination/Oily Skin
Combination skin is TYPICALLY drier skin on the cheeks, with more oil production in the t-zone area, but it can be a combination of a dry t-zone, with breakout prone cheeks, jawline, etc. Oily skin is oily all over, and with that, acne-prone and congested skin can fall into this umbrella. Oil control and longevity of wear is going to be the main goal here, and for that you're going to need oil-free products. SIDE NOTE: PEOPLE WITH OILIER SKIN TEND TO AGE SLOWER SO BE HAPPY WITH YOURSELF RN BECAUSE BY THE TIME WE ARE IN NURSING HOMES YOU ALL WILL BE HOTTER THAN MY DRY SELF.
L'Oréal Pro Matte 24 Hr Foundation (set this with a good powder, and be sure to buff this into your skin well.) http://www.ulta.com/infallible-pro-matte-24hr-foundation?productId=xlsImpprod11861081
Revlon ColorStay Makeup for Combo/Oily Skin http://www.ulta.com/colorstay-makeup-combooily-skin?productId=xlsImpprod1810157
*Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Foundation (great for those of you who don't feel like putting liquid all on your face.) http://www.ulta.com/amazonian-clay-full-coverage-airbrush-foundation?productId=xlsImpprod5560095
*Kat Von D Lock It Foundation (THIS STUFF WILL NOT MOVE AND WILL MAKE YOU SLAY UNTIL THE APOCALYPSE.) http://www.sephora.com/lock-it-tattoo-foundation-P311138?skuId=1398858&icid2=foundation_lp_mattefoundation_skugrid:p311138
Makeup Forever Duo Mat Powder Foundation (best color range. MUFE is always good at a good color range.) http://www.sephora.com/duo-mat-powder-foundation-P177118?skuId=989103&icid2=products grid:p177118
*Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless (I've honestly been feeling the Fit Me line lately and sad I didn't know about it before.) http://www.target.com/p/maybelline-fit-me-matte-poreless-foundation-360-mocha/-/A-49098467?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=bing_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Health%2BBeauty%2BShopping&adgroup=SC_Health%2BBeauty&LID=700000001230728pbs&network=s&device=c&querystring=matte%20and%20poreless%20maybelline&gclid=[*GCLID*]&gclsrc=ds
Neutrogena SkinClearing Oil-Free Foundation (great for acne-prone skin with a BEAUTIFUL finish and amazing wear.) https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/neutrogena-skinclearing-oil-free-liquid-makeup/ID=prod6304088-product?ext=msnPLA_-_Beauty(BSC)&kpid=sku6257253&sst=cf403854-d980-4cb3-866d-eb0fa1f1b1d7
If you are one of those #blessed people in the world that have normal skin types, I marked an asterisk by foundations that are great for normal skin, just depending on the type of finish and coverage you want.
I hope some of these help you in your foundation journey or at least point you in some direction. Remember, a lot of this has to do with body chemistry as well! Everyone's skin makeup is different from the next, and it all boils down to the science of what works best with your skin. There's so many more different avenues of finding a foundation that works for you, and if you ever have any questions, feel free to ask me or any makeup artist or skin care professional. We LOVE to help! A lot of it is trial and error, and albeit sometimes expensive errors, when you find that Holy Grail Foundation you need for slaying the masses, it makes it all so very worth it.
All hail Michael Westmore,
Rachel
@notkellykapowski
LOL wrong. I went over to my cousin Whitney's house and she had her friend over, Megan. Megan was super pretty and had super pretty hair and had a super beautiful voice and wore Abercrombie & Fitch and HAD ON FOUNDATION. SO IMMEDIATELY I FELT LIKE I WAS SOMETHING SPECIAL BECAUSE THE COOL GIRL AT MY COUSIN WHITNEY'S HOUSE WAS WEARING FOUNDATION AND I WAS WEARING FOUNDATION SO I WAS COOL, TOO.
Ever since my misguided sense of chill, I have been on a journey with foundation through the ages. I've had my face smell like chemical pencil shavings, I've had too-pink foundation, I've had oxidation all over my face. I've gone through struggles and victories. Learn from my mistakes and discoveries, and if you have any foundation horror stories, let me hear them too. We can start a support group.
Foundation... the base of war paint. People have been using various forms of foundations for years. Ancient Egyptians would coat their faces with various forms of creams, Romans would use light chalky-creams to give themselves a fair complexion as that was favored beyond a sun-kissed one (my how things have changed.) From Shakespeare to the Hollywood stage and Max-Factor creating the first commercial foundation, called Pan-cake. Foundation has been used to lighten complexion, smooth imperfections, for theatre, the list goes on. Now, a lot of us use it in our day-to-day routine of when we get ready for war (aka life) and paint ourselves with war paint. With this post, I have broken down some things for those of you that might want more information on how to choose the best foundation for YOU along with some suggestions of good products I have personally tried if not on myself, then on clients.
FIRST THING'S FIRST LETS TALK ABOUT SKIN UNDERTONES. SUPER HUGE FACTOR WHEN CHOOSING A FOUNDATION LIKE OMG. This is going to be the first step in what anyone should do when looking for a base. You are either going to fall in the category of cool, neutral, or warm. There can be such a wide range of undertones, etc. For example, my skin is a strange mix of gold and jaundice. I'm warm, but sit on the side of warm neutral in the winter. To determine this quickly, just look at your veins on our wrist. If your veins are mostly green, you're warm. If you're veins are mostly pink, you're cool. If your veins are a mixture of the both, you're sitting more on the side of neutral. So start with that, and then we can go from there. MELANIN IS CRAZY, MAN.
With warm skin tones, you can have the presence reds, yellows, peach(ish), and golds. With cool skin tones you can have a range pinks, purples, and blues. Neutral tones can have a lot of olive, but olive can also side warm with more of a presence of yellow, or cool with more of a presence of blue (which also appears green.) Sounds overwhelming, because it is! Color theory next to the importance of pH balance are the two things I stress the most in the realm of beauty. Study your skin, or go to Sephora and have them do a match of your skin. It will give more of a breakdown of the presence of what tones are in your skin.
Now that you've determined that, it's time to look at skin type. Dry, Combination, and Oily are your main three. That is pretty self explanatory to figure out. From there, there's an umbrella of issues that you can target. To make it easier on you, I'm going to break everything down one skin type at a time, so you can scroll past the stuff that you don't really care about.
Dry Skin
Dry skin is a lack in presence of oil, and dehydrated skin, which is a lack of presence of water, falls under this umbrella. Mature skin typically is dry or dehydrated, and a lot of times sensitive skin is on the drier side. With dry skin, prep is a huge thing. Moisturize well, and you can always add a drop of non-comedogenic beauty oil to your foundation to help not only give a dewy glow, but that extra kick of hydration to prevent cracking and caking.
I went to an Aveda school and while there I fell in love with the elixir of the gods known as beautifying composition oil. http://www.aveda.com/product/5197/17180/body/beautifying-composition-oil It sides on the line of pricey for a small bottle but this stuff lasts and is so multi-purpose, but the best being when you go to mix ONE DROP of it into your foundation (also works great as a pre-cleanser, makeup remove, and beauty oil if you read my previous post.) I use this on brides with drier skin and the difference it makes is amazing.
Anyway, here's a list of suggestions for dry/dehydrated/sensitive/mature skin types.
-*Makeup Forever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation (the best range of color in my opinion) http://www.sephora.com/ultra-hd-invisible-cover-foundation-P398321?skuId=1709096&icid2=products grid:p398321
-Edward Bess Black Sea Correcting Mousse Foundation (This stuff will go a long way and last a long time. This is my go-to for mature skin types and the way it settles into the skin is beautiful. It's long wearing and you just need to see for yourself how pretty this foundation will make your skin. I'm not sure of the closest physical place to purchase this, but if you call or visit Hyde Salon in Nashville, they are exclusive to Edward Bess cosmetics and can help guide you on what you would need.) http://edwardbess.com/makeup/face/complexion-correcting-mousse-foundation-with-expert-blending-brush-0
-*Georgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation (WORTH SELLING A KIDNEY FOR THIS STUFF IS OF THE LORD, ALSO GREAT FOR MATURE SKIN TYPES.) http://www.sephora.com/luminous-silk-foundation-P393401?skuId=1359553&icid2=products grid:p393401
-*Too Faced Born This Way Foundation (go-to foundation tbh.) http://www.ulta.com/born-this-way-absolute-perfection-foundation?productId=xlsImpprod12621017&sku=2290017&CPMID=CSBING&CAWELAID=330000200000329204&catargetid=330000200000874286&CADEVICE=c
-Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue (THE BEST FOR DAY TO DAY WEAR, OR TO USE LIKE THE WEEK AFTER YOU'VE HAD A CHEMICAL PEEL AND FOR SENSITIVE SKIN TIMES. SRSLY THIS STUFF IS GOOD.) http://www.ulta.com/makeup-face-foundation?N=26y5Z1z13p3o
-L'Oreal True Match Lumi Healthy Skin (great dupe for the Armani foundation) http://www.ulta.com/true-match-lumi-healthy-luminous-makeup?productId=xlsImpprod4480167
-L'Oréal Infallible Pro Glow (great product, just has a tendency it oxidize if you don't set it correctly.) http://www.target.com/p/l-or-al-paris-infallible-pro-glow-foundation-buff-beige-206/-/A-50437879
-Maybelline Fit Me Dewy + Smooth (not gonna lie this is a bomb product with a bomb price.) http://edwardbess.com/makeup/face/complexion-correcting-mousse-foundation-with-expert-blending-brush-0
Combination/Oily Skin
Combination skin is TYPICALLY drier skin on the cheeks, with more oil production in the t-zone area, but it can be a combination of a dry t-zone, with breakout prone cheeks, jawline, etc. Oily skin is oily all over, and with that, acne-prone and congested skin can fall into this umbrella. Oil control and longevity of wear is going to be the main goal here, and for that you're going to need oil-free products. SIDE NOTE: PEOPLE WITH OILIER SKIN TEND TO AGE SLOWER SO BE HAPPY WITH YOURSELF RN BECAUSE BY THE TIME WE ARE IN NURSING HOMES YOU ALL WILL BE HOTTER THAN MY DRY SELF.
L'Oréal Pro Matte 24 Hr Foundation (set this with a good powder, and be sure to buff this into your skin well.) http://www.ulta.com/infallible-pro-matte-24hr-foundation?productId=xlsImpprod11861081
Revlon ColorStay Makeup for Combo/Oily Skin http://www.ulta.com/colorstay-makeup-combooily-skin?productId=xlsImpprod1810157
*Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Foundation (great for those of you who don't feel like putting liquid all on your face.) http://www.ulta.com/amazonian-clay-full-coverage-airbrush-foundation?productId=xlsImpprod5560095
*Kat Von D Lock It Foundation (THIS STUFF WILL NOT MOVE AND WILL MAKE YOU SLAY UNTIL THE APOCALYPSE.) http://www.sephora.com/lock-it-tattoo-foundation-P311138?skuId=1398858&icid2=foundation_lp_mattefoundation_skugrid:p311138
Makeup Forever Duo Mat Powder Foundation (best color range. MUFE is always good at a good color range.) http://www.sephora.com/duo-mat-powder-foundation-P177118?skuId=989103&icid2=products grid:p177118
*Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless (I've honestly been feeling the Fit Me line lately and sad I didn't know about it before.) http://www.target.com/p/maybelline-fit-me-matte-poreless-foundation-360-mocha/-/A-49098467?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=bing_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Health%2BBeauty%2BShopping&adgroup=SC_Health%2BBeauty&LID=700000001230728pbs&network=s&device=c&querystring=matte%20and%20poreless%20maybelline&gclid=[*GCLID*]&gclsrc=ds
Neutrogena SkinClearing Oil-Free Foundation (great for acne-prone skin with a BEAUTIFUL finish and amazing wear.) https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/neutrogena-skinclearing-oil-free-liquid-makeup/ID=prod6304088-product?ext=msnPLA_-_Beauty(BSC)&kpid=sku6257253&sst=cf403854-d980-4cb3-866d-eb0fa1f1b1d7
If you are one of those #blessed people in the world that have normal skin types, I marked an asterisk by foundations that are great for normal skin, just depending on the type of finish and coverage you want.
I hope some of these help you in your foundation journey or at least point you in some direction. Remember, a lot of this has to do with body chemistry as well! Everyone's skin makeup is different from the next, and it all boils down to the science of what works best with your skin. There's so many more different avenues of finding a foundation that works for you, and if you ever have any questions, feel free to ask me or any makeup artist or skin care professional. We LOVE to help! A lot of it is trial and error, and albeit sometimes expensive errors, when you find that Holy Grail Foundation you need for slaying the masses, it makes it all so very worth it.
All hail Michael Westmore,
Rachel
@notkellykapowski
Friday, October 21, 2016
It Rubs The Lotion On It's Skin.
Let's talk about skin, baby. Let's talk about you and me.
Skin. The largest organ of our body, the most amazing organ (in my opinion) of our body, and literally the glue that holds our meat coated skeleton together. Skincare is the basis of all things that embody beauty and health, but can also be neglected and looked over for a variety of reasons: lack of knowledge, lack of routine, but the biggest reason... it can get friggin expensive. So, as your local friendly Buffalo Bill sans live skinning of humans, I've compiled a list of some of the best budget-friendly skin care products on the block... that I've tried thus far.
The starting line up:
Makeup Remover/Beauty Oils
-Did you know that you can get a deeper clean if you do a "pre-cleanse" ritual? This helps remove makeup, oil, and just general grime build up through out the day. Oil will pull oil, so a good way to start your skin care routine out is by using an oil-based makeup remover, beauty oil... or the cure to everything ever... pure coconut oil.
Bio-Oil is muli-purpose, and it's really great for dehydrated skin, or if you've been wearing heavier cake makeup. The larger the bottle, the more pricey it gets, but a little goes SUCH a long way. My suggestion would to be slather this all over your face (WITH CLEAN FINGERS), give yourself a good massage, and leave on before actual cleansing.
Get it here: https://www.amazon.com/Bio-Oil-Scar-Skin-Care-4-2/dp/B00AA9BB5Y/ref=sr_1_6_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1477082841&sr=1-6&keywords=bio+oil
Bioderma is fancy makeup remover that won't strip your skin. It's also hypoallergenic so if you've got sensitive skin or rosacea, it is especially beneficial. And, it's French, and we all know French things = fancy stuff.
Get it here: https://www.beautylish.com/s/bioderma-sensibio-h2o-250-ml
Cleansers
-This is huge. Cleansers actually are more than just lather, rinse. There's so many different kinds available on the market, but what is important to remember is that effective skin care is all about pH balance and conforming to your specific skin type. Easy way to remember this: dry skin needs cream, oily/acne-prone skin needs gel. If you have naturally dry skin and you're putting something with a detergent on your skin, it's going to start the nasty cycle of drying out your skin even more and you getting frustrated with life. If you have oilier skin, you need something gel based to really later up and break up all that sebum sitting on top of your skin, rather than something creamy that will sit heavier on your face. Acne prone skin will fall under this category as well, but a gel with salicylic acid is going to be most effective in helping with gentle exfoliation of the skin without breaking up the surface of the skin with any beads or abrasive materials. Three best/most cost efficient products for this that a lot of skin care professionals will tell you are the CeraVe cleansers.
Get them here:
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser https://www.amazon.com/CeraVe-Hydrating-Cleanser-12-Ounce/dp/B000YJ2SKM/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1477085635&sr=8-1&keywords=cerave%2Bcleansers&th=1
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser https://www.amazon.com/dp/product/B003YMJJSK?th=1
CerVe Renewing SA Cleanser https://www.amazon.com/dp/product/B00U1YCRD8
AS FAR AS TREATMENTS AND EXFOLIANTS GO I KNOW VERY LITTLE BUT I DO KNOW THIS...
Bentonite clay is bomb. Charcoal is bomb. Certain essential oils are bomb for your skin (but not always affordable, if they are high quality and safe to put on your skin.) So here's a little recipe for you on a couple masks for different skin issues.
Black Hole Mask (suck all the impurities away into nothingness.)
Follow the directions on the back of the label as to how to mix. Use purified water when doing so. Add one capsule of activated charcoal. Mix until there's a nice consistency, let it dry on skin. There may be a peeling effect with the mask and some crackling, that's normal. Let set for approximately 10-15 minutes, rinse off with warm water and clean wash cloth. Look at your skin shimmer and shine and feel all the sadness of your soul be sucked away. Good for both skin types.
Bentonite Clay: https://www.amazon.com/Aztec-Secret-Indian-Healing-Cleansing/dp/B0014P8L9W/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1477086300&sr=8-2&keywords=betonite%2Bclay&th=1
Activated Charcoal Capsules https://www.amazon.com/Swanson-Activated-Charcoal-260-Caps/dp/B0047TP6D6/ref=sr_1_4_s_it?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1477086517&sr=1-4&keywords=activated+charcoal+capsules
Shine Bright Like Bioluminescent Phytoplankton Mask
This is great for anti-aging and radiance. Use the same bentonite clay, just add blue green algae capsules. SO MUCH CHLOROPHYLL. CHLOROPHYLL IS THE FOOD OF LIFE BASICALLY AND I'VE BEEN DOING RESEARCH ON IT FOR SOMETIME NOW. Limited on space and time, but I'll make a post later about the benefits of marine flora on your face.
Get blue green algae here: http://www.vitacost.com/american-health-blue-green-algae
*Where ever you buy any of these products, make sure the manufacturer is legit. Do your research. These are just companies I have used myself.
If you want to add in a hydrating property, hemp oil works beautifully with this mask. If you have access to a Whole Foods Market, they've got one that I've had great success with. You'll have to actually go in, but if you can find a source that is a clean source, then that works too. http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/products/organic-hemp-oil
Moisturizers
And here we have my favorite product, aside from serums (I love me a good serum, but I have yet to find a cost-friendly one and I'm not going to endorse ANYTHING that I don't believe in for the sake of content so TBA on that.) You can have eye creams, cold creams, light lotion, more beauty oils, but for the sake of sanity, keeping it short, sweet, and simple, I offer you these gems.
Desert Faces, I want you to meet my friend, Equate Moisture Wave Hydrating Gel. Combo Skin Friends, this would work for you too. If you try this and use this, be sure to leave it on for a minute and let it absorb into your skin before you apply a primer or foundation.
Get it here https://www.walmart.com/ip/Equate-Beauty-Moisture-Wave-Hydrating-Gel-1.7-fl-oz/49463951?sourceid=csesh02e357561178154ce39a3debc093414c33&wmlspartner=shoppingcom2&affcmpid=1762000949&tmode=0000&veh=cse&sdc_id=1112781535927
Next on the list is CeraVe Moisturizing Cream... I promise this is not sponsored by CeraVe lolz this company is just on point with the skin care. Creams are great for dehydrated skin and if you have normal skin but just need a little extra lovin', this stuff is gonna be your saving grace for when your skin feels like hot hell.
Get it here https://www.amazon.com/CeraVe-Moisturizers-Moisturizing-Cream-Ounce/dp/B001V9SXXU
For Reg'lar skins and such, good ol CeraVe moisturizing lotion will do the trick. ALSO LET ME SAY THAT IF YOU HAVE OILY SKIN DO NOT SKIMP ON MOISTURIZING. IT WILL NOT MAKE YOUR SKIN PRODUCE MORE OIL. YOUR SKIN WILL PRODUCE MORE OIL WHEN THERE'S A LACK OF MOISTURE ON THE BARRIER AND IT WILL BE LIKE WTF WE NEED TO PRODUCE MORE SEBUM SO IT'LL DO THAT. DO. NOT. SKIMP. ON. MOISTURIZING. Use a lighter product, this is the lightest I have used on myself personally because I do not have oily skin, but for the love of my anxiety, moisturize.
Get it here https://www.amazon.com/dp/product/B000YJ2SLG?th=1
I'll end it with don't forget to SPF yourself, man. Once again coming in with a CeraVe product, but only because I've tried it and liked it. SPF 30 will do ya fine. https://www.amazon.com/dp/product/B00BGBUOI0
So, although this is my inaugural skin care post, I just wanted to give product recommendations that I've personally tried and know about. As I go on or get other suggestions, I'll give reviews for more. However, if you're looking to start a good, budget friendly skin care routine, start with this. Let this be your gateway into the heavier stuff later. Because I promise you, once you get on a skin care routine and start seeing for yourself the magic it makes happen, you'll become addicted. You'll also be the hottest AARP card carrier up in the nursing home in many years to come.
All hail Michael Westmore,
Rachel
@notkellykapowski
Skin. The largest organ of our body, the most amazing organ (in my opinion) of our body, and literally the glue that holds our meat coated skeleton together. Skincare is the basis of all things that embody beauty and health, but can also be neglected and looked over for a variety of reasons: lack of knowledge, lack of routine, but the biggest reason... it can get friggin expensive. So, as your local friendly Buffalo Bill sans live skinning of humans, I've compiled a list of some of the best budget-friendly skin care products on the block... that I've tried thus far.
The starting line up:
Makeup Remover/Beauty Oils
-Did you know that you can get a deeper clean if you do a "pre-cleanse" ritual? This helps remove makeup, oil, and just general grime build up through out the day. Oil will pull oil, so a good way to start your skin care routine out is by using an oil-based makeup remover, beauty oil... or the cure to everything ever... pure coconut oil.
Bio-Oil is muli-purpose, and it's really great for dehydrated skin, or if you've been wearing heavier cake makeup. The larger the bottle, the more pricey it gets, but a little goes SUCH a long way. My suggestion would to be slather this all over your face (WITH CLEAN FINGERS), give yourself a good massage, and leave on before actual cleansing.
Get it here: https://www.amazon.com/Bio-Oil-Scar-Skin-Care-4-2/dp/B00AA9BB5Y/ref=sr_1_6_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1477082841&sr=1-6&keywords=bio+oil
Bioderma is fancy makeup remover that won't strip your skin. It's also hypoallergenic so if you've got sensitive skin or rosacea, it is especially beneficial. And, it's French, and we all know French things = fancy stuff.
Get it here: https://www.beautylish.com/s/bioderma-sensibio-h2o-250-ml
Cleansers
-This is huge. Cleansers actually are more than just lather, rinse. There's so many different kinds available on the market, but what is important to remember is that effective skin care is all about pH balance and conforming to your specific skin type. Easy way to remember this: dry skin needs cream, oily/acne-prone skin needs gel. If you have naturally dry skin and you're putting something with a detergent on your skin, it's going to start the nasty cycle of drying out your skin even more and you getting frustrated with life. If you have oilier skin, you need something gel based to really later up and break up all that sebum sitting on top of your skin, rather than something creamy that will sit heavier on your face. Acne prone skin will fall under this category as well, but a gel with salicylic acid is going to be most effective in helping with gentle exfoliation of the skin without breaking up the surface of the skin with any beads or abrasive materials. Three best/most cost efficient products for this that a lot of skin care professionals will tell you are the CeraVe cleansers.
Get them here:
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser https://www.amazon.com/CeraVe-Hydrating-Cleanser-12-Ounce/dp/B000YJ2SKM/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1477085635&sr=8-1&keywords=cerave%2Bcleansers&th=1
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser https://www.amazon.com/dp/product/B003YMJJSK?th=1
CerVe Renewing SA Cleanser https://www.amazon.com/dp/product/B00U1YCRD8
AS FAR AS TREATMENTS AND EXFOLIANTS GO I KNOW VERY LITTLE BUT I DO KNOW THIS...
Bentonite clay is bomb. Charcoal is bomb. Certain essential oils are bomb for your skin (but not always affordable, if they are high quality and safe to put on your skin.) So here's a little recipe for you on a couple masks for different skin issues.
Black Hole Mask (suck all the impurities away into nothingness.)
Follow the directions on the back of the label as to how to mix. Use purified water when doing so. Add one capsule of activated charcoal. Mix until there's a nice consistency, let it dry on skin. There may be a peeling effect with the mask and some crackling, that's normal. Let set for approximately 10-15 minutes, rinse off with warm water and clean wash cloth. Look at your skin shimmer and shine and feel all the sadness of your soul be sucked away. Good for both skin types.
Bentonite Clay: https://www.amazon.com/Aztec-Secret-Indian-Healing-Cleansing/dp/B0014P8L9W/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1477086300&sr=8-2&keywords=betonite%2Bclay&th=1
Activated Charcoal Capsules https://www.amazon.com/Swanson-Activated-Charcoal-260-Caps/dp/B0047TP6D6/ref=sr_1_4_s_it?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1477086517&sr=1-4&keywords=activated+charcoal+capsules
Shine Bright Like Bioluminescent Phytoplankton Mask
This is great for anti-aging and radiance. Use the same bentonite clay, just add blue green algae capsules. SO MUCH CHLOROPHYLL. CHLOROPHYLL IS THE FOOD OF LIFE BASICALLY AND I'VE BEEN DOING RESEARCH ON IT FOR SOMETIME NOW. Limited on space and time, but I'll make a post later about the benefits of marine flora on your face.
Get blue green algae here: http://www.vitacost.com/american-health-blue-green-algae
*Where ever you buy any of these products, make sure the manufacturer is legit. Do your research. These are just companies I have used myself.
If you want to add in a hydrating property, hemp oil works beautifully with this mask. If you have access to a Whole Foods Market, they've got one that I've had great success with. You'll have to actually go in, but if you can find a source that is a clean source, then that works too. http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/products/organic-hemp-oil
Moisturizers
And here we have my favorite product, aside from serums (I love me a good serum, but I have yet to find a cost-friendly one and I'm not going to endorse ANYTHING that I don't believe in for the sake of content so TBA on that.) You can have eye creams, cold creams, light lotion, more beauty oils, but for the sake of sanity, keeping it short, sweet, and simple, I offer you these gems.
Desert Faces, I want you to meet my friend, Equate Moisture Wave Hydrating Gel. Combo Skin Friends, this would work for you too. If you try this and use this, be sure to leave it on for a minute and let it absorb into your skin before you apply a primer or foundation.
Get it here https://www.walmart.com/ip/Equate-Beauty-Moisture-Wave-Hydrating-Gel-1.7-fl-oz/49463951?sourceid=csesh02e357561178154ce39a3debc093414c33&wmlspartner=shoppingcom2&affcmpid=1762000949&tmode=0000&veh=cse&sdc_id=1112781535927
Next on the list is CeraVe Moisturizing Cream... I promise this is not sponsored by CeraVe lolz this company is just on point with the skin care. Creams are great for dehydrated skin and if you have normal skin but just need a little extra lovin', this stuff is gonna be your saving grace for when your skin feels like hot hell.
Get it here https://www.amazon.com/CeraVe-Moisturizers-Moisturizing-Cream-Ounce/dp/B001V9SXXU
For Reg'lar skins and such, good ol CeraVe moisturizing lotion will do the trick. ALSO LET ME SAY THAT IF YOU HAVE OILY SKIN DO NOT SKIMP ON MOISTURIZING. IT WILL NOT MAKE YOUR SKIN PRODUCE MORE OIL. YOUR SKIN WILL PRODUCE MORE OIL WHEN THERE'S A LACK OF MOISTURE ON THE BARRIER AND IT WILL BE LIKE WTF WE NEED TO PRODUCE MORE SEBUM SO IT'LL DO THAT. DO. NOT. SKIMP. ON. MOISTURIZING. Use a lighter product, this is the lightest I have used on myself personally because I do not have oily skin, but for the love of my anxiety, moisturize.
Get it here https://www.amazon.com/dp/product/B000YJ2SLG?th=1
I'll end it with don't forget to SPF yourself, man. Once again coming in with a CeraVe product, but only because I've tried it and liked it. SPF 30 will do ya fine. https://www.amazon.com/dp/product/B00BGBUOI0
So, although this is my inaugural skin care post, I just wanted to give product recommendations that I've personally tried and know about. As I go on or get other suggestions, I'll give reviews for more. However, if you're looking to start a good, budget friendly skin care routine, start with this. Let this be your gateway into the heavier stuff later. Because I promise you, once you get on a skin care routine and start seeing for yourself the magic it makes happen, you'll become addicted. You'll also be the hottest AARP card carrier up in the nursing home in many years to come.
All hail Michael Westmore,
Rachel
@notkellykapowski
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
I've always enjoyed a good paradox, and the idea and vision behind this new blog does NOT flow with the current template. But alas, anyone that has known me the last almost seven years of blogging know that blog design is not my forte, and it probably never will be. So just stay tuned and hang with me on this one, I'll get it figured out (if I had a dollar for every time I've typed that...)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)