Spring Skincare Routine

Spring is finally here! Because it is getting warmer, I've switched up my skincare a little with my products from iHerb.com

I wash my face morning and night with the NutriBiotic Non-Soap Skin Cleanser. I love this stuff! It's a PH balancing cleanser so it doesn't leave that tight, dry feeling. It's fragrance free, paraben free, all that good stuff. Highly recommend! Purchase

I'm still using the Thayer's Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner (morning and night.) I don't think I'll be using a different toner for a very long time. This one is natural, smells amazing and gives your face that extra step of feeling really clean. And it's alcohol free! Purchase

During the day I use the Aubrey Organics Every Day Basics Moisturizer. I do like this moisturizer a lot, but it's not the absolute best I've ever used. You need a very minimal amount because a little goes a looong way with this stuff. I rub it between my hands and apply a layer to my face to where the moisturizer gets very white. I let it sit for a few seconds and then I really rub it in. You can tell upon using this product that it really sinks into your skin. It controls my oily skin without drying. Purchase 

At night I have been using the Now Solutions Avocado Oil. Now, although I do have oily skin, for whatever reason, avocado oil doesn't increase the oilyness in my skin over night. It really seeps into the skin and doesn't just sit as a layer above your pores. This is the greatest way of moisturizing I have ever found for my skin type. Purchase

Finally, before bed I apply a little 100% cocoa butter to my lips for extra moisture at night. Purchase 

My skin has never looked so "normal" and clear before and I really believe it's from these products. Using more natural products has really helped me and I encourage others to make the switch. I have even received a few compliments on how nice my skin has looked lately, which is always a great boost of confidence!

--Ms. Makeup

Natural Beauty: Skin Care

I have recently realized the importance of using all things natural. I have very sensitive skin and the smallest ingredient can change my skin and make me itchy and uncomfortable. Because of this, I have decided to go natural. It can become expensive, but I have compiled a list of my natural skincare essentials that are also affordable: 

Makeup Remover

Olive Oil or Coconut Oil. Simple as that. Since these are oils, they will break down your makeup as well as moisturize. Put a small amount on a cotton pad and that's it!

Face Wash

Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap. This comes in both liquid and bar, but I prefer the bar soap. Dr. Bronner's is an amazing brand that is 100% natural, cruelty-free and vegan. I have only tried their soap, but my parents have used their products forever. They have lotions, lip products, shaving cream, etc. They smell amazing and are inexpensive too, at $4.69 a bar. 

I like this soap because it doesn't give my skin that tight feeling after I wash it off. It leaves me feeling really clean and it doesn't break me out or give me any problems. I also use it as a body soap. Peppermint is my favorite! You can purchase it here. 

Toner

Thayers Alcohol-Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner. I found this product on a whim off of Amazon.com and I am so happy I bought it! This product is alcohol free so it won't dry out your skin. This toner has witch hazel in it which is often used medicinally, but also for acne. If you like the smell of rose, then you will looove this scent. Since using this, I have noticed a difference in my skin's texture. It is more calm and feels more smooth to the touch. You can purchase it here. 

Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar. Who knew that something that smells as bad as vinegar would be a miracle, multi-use product?! Not only does ACV have a ton of health benefits when you drink it, but it can also be used as a toner. I thought it would be harsh on my sensitive skin, but not at all! Once you get past the smell, it feels really nice on your skin and the smell does go away once it dries. I take about one part vinegar to two parts water, mix it up and put it on a cotton pad. Feel free to dilute it to your skin's liking. ACV is amazing for skin because it naturally balances the ph, which means it will equal out the oily and dry patches. It also helps with big pores and acne scarring. 

*Can also be used as a conditioner! Again, mix 1 part ACV- 2 or 3 parts water. After shampooing, apply to scalp and hair and let it sit for about 2 minutes. Makes hair feel great- shiny and moisturized!

Moisturizer

Sadly, I have yet to find an all natural moisturizer that I actually like. The best I can do is give my favorite paraben free ones-

1. Alba Even Advanced Sea Lipids Daily Cream. Best moisturizer I have used. 

2. Trader Joe's Enrich Moisturizing Face Lotion. Not the best for oily skin, but it does have SPF.

Mask

Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay Mask. This is a mask made out of 100% bentonite clay and it's awesome. Completely minimizes pores to help clear up skin. Although this is extremely messy and hard to take off, it's worth it and gives your skin a good deep clean. Can be used with ACV as well! You can buy it here. 

WARNING

Don't be fooled by a product that claims to be "ALL NATURAL". Familiarize yourself with unnatural ingredients and check all the products you buy. I have recently come to find that LUSH, the all natural cosmetic company, actually puts methylparaben and propylparaben in quite a few of their products. BAD. Unfortunately I realized this after purchasing the Ocean Salt face scrub (which I love, so this really sucks.) Moral of the story, check the ingredients on everything!!! Don't be lazy, read the label.

Here's safecosmetics.org's schpiel on why you should care about parabens: 

Parabens are used to prevent the growth of microbes in cosmetics products and can be absorbed through skin, blood and the digestive system. Parabens have been found in biopsies from breast tumors at concentrations similar to those found in consumer products. Parabens may be found in a wide variety of products including shampoos, lotions, deodorants, scrubs and eye makeup, and are found in nearly all urine samples from U.S. adults regardless of ethnic, socioeconomic or geographic backgrounds. Adolescents and adult females had higher levels of methylparaben and propylparaben in their urine than did males of similar ages.

Your skin is an organ and anything that gets applied directly to it will end up in your blood stream... Think about it. To find more amazing natural products, check out iherb.com here.

--Ms. Makeup

**Added Bonus**
A humidifier really helps your skin retain moisture during the winter and if the air in your home tends to dry you out. I highly recommend. Helps with sleep too! 

Naked 3 Palette

THIS MUST BE A DREAM. Urban Decay is coming out with the NAKED3 PALETTE! Being the proud owner of both the Naked and Naked2 Palettes, I have to add Naked3 to the family. I mean she can't be left out, right?

Like the other palettes, this one comes with 12 shades. Yet, unlike the first and second palettes, this one is filled with way more peachy/rose tones. Still all neutral like the pervious palettes. Most of the shadows seem to be shimmery but there are 2 mattes. And supposedly all of the shades are new! All of them look seeeriously gorgeous and to me, Urban Decay is one of the best. Don't think that this is palette is just like the first two because it's not! The first palette has a different tone than the second and same with the third.

This one retails for $52 which yes, seems like a lot, but you're getting 12 shades and a double sided shadow brush. That comes out to about $4 per shadow, not including the brush. If you are a beginner with eye makeup, then any of these palettes would be perfect for you! You can create so many different looks and each shade is extremely pigmented and soft. I highly recommend!

This lucky lady got her hands on it so here is a link to her blog with swatches! Shoutout to xsparkage!

The packaging seems to be the same tin/plastic snap closure as the second palette

Be sure to sign up for emails here so you can be notified when the palette is released! 

--Ms. Makeup

Wanted: Chanel Makeup!

I was just browsing Chanel's makeup site and I WANT EVERYTHING. Partially because of the packaging, but also because they're top of the line. I have only tried their Vitalumiere Aqua foundation, which is great, but that is it. I hear nothing but good things about Chanel! There are two items I am dying to try from them.

First, the Les Tissages De Chanel blush in Tweed Brun Rose. It has a woven, tweed print on the powder! How cool!? This blush looks like it would give you that natural glow with a slight bit of shimmer. It's a peachy pink/coral/brown color and it looks so pretty! Really unique. This retails for $45.

Next, I am obsessed with the Ombres Metaleassees eyeshadow palette. It comes with 5 shades that look soooo beautiful. A light beige color, three shades of darker brown and a really dark, vampy purple. The purple would look sweet as an eyeliner. Some seem to be matte and some are shimmery. And they have the quilted print on them! This is limited edition so if I lose my mind and decide to spend $80 on an eyeshadow palette, I'll let you guys know..

But overall, the packaging is seriously to die for! Its all shiny and black with the simple CC logo on it. What more could you want?! And can we just take a moment to view their $34 eyelash curler....






Have you tried any of these products?

--Ms. Makeup