Thanksgiving break!!

I hope everyones thanksgiving was amazing! We are in ohio on a mountain in the middle of no where and this gave me the perfect opportunity to go make up free! If you wear make up often like me, Its extremely important to let your skin breathe for a bit! Hydration is key for me right now. Currently im using my tea tree cleanser, vitamin E oil, my enrich moisturizer with spf 15, and a hydrating mask at night. Im also using Avedas Botanical kinetics Energizing Eye Creme! It helps take care of dark circles since this is make up free time! SO i'm challenging all of YOU to go make up free from now until monday!!!! Let your skin breathe! 

Until next post, make good choices and HAPPY THANKSGIVING! 

Winter hydration MUST have

This mornings cold snap here in VA made me realize its time to prepare my skin for this cold dry season that seems to quickly be approaching us. Its time to switch gears to my winter skin care regimen! I recommend a hydrating mask to use 2 times a week along with a thicker creme moisturizer. This morning after i washed my face i used the Aveda Intensive Hydrating Masque to give me that extra boost I really needed! My skin absorbed a majority of the product so I know its definitely time for a super hydrating skin routine this week!

November At Home Facial

Hey Beauties! Once in a while I like to pamper myself. Draw a bath, maybe give myself a pedicure, relax, and give myself a facial! I know it doesn't sound relaxing to give myself a facial but it actually is! I'll show you what products I used in my at home facial! 

Precleanse: Avedas Beautifying oil

Cleanse: Vasanti Brighten Up Cleanser

(I didn't tone after cleansing because I ran out)

Mask: Alba Botanica Even Advanced Facial Mask

Moisturize: Trader Joes Enrich moisturizer

Extras: I added 2 drops of some Vitamin E oil to my moisturizer so it would go on my skin easier!

The Cleanser I used had exfoliating beads in it already So I did not do any more exfoliating than that! 

Facials are an amazing thing to get done about once a month. If your schedule or finances do not allow for once a month, i recommend once every season change!

Final Thoughts: This time of year can be stressful. Please take time for yourself and give your mind and body some relaxation time! Trust me, your skin will thank you too. 

Product Reviews #3

Hey there lovelies! I have 2 products I have been trying out I want to tell you about!

First: Trader Joes Vitamin E Oil

Vitamin E is AMAZING at helping fight free radicals that your skin comes into contact with constantly. If you live in a city like I do, you are even more exposed to these toxins that are a factor in the aging process. It's never too early or too late to start anti aging! 

I absolutely loved this product. I've been using it once at night and I mix 2 drops in with my moisturizer. I do this at night because our skin does a majority of its renewing throughout the night. Every morning since, my skin has felt so amazingly hydrated and healthy. I will definitely keep this in my daily routine!

Second: Face Gloss by Make

I got this product in my November Birchbox. In the description it says "with minimal effort, this colorless,vitamin-rich formula refreshes dull skin." Honestly, I don't care for this product too much. It was extremely sticky when I applied it and felt like I was putting lip gloss on my face. I followed with my moisturizer and let it sit for a few minutes, but I still wasn't that sold on it. It may be better as a primer with make up which I may try but as for now, I'm not a fan.

Featured Blog: Curly Girlie!

Check out this AMAZING blog by my new cousin Katie! She has a passion for make up, nails and just about everything girlie! Check it out and show her some love!

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If you want to keep up with her blog as well there will be a link in the right sidebar!

Essential Oils and Skincare

Essential oils are one of the biggest crazes right now! Their benefits range from healing colds to easing muscle aches or tension. But did you also know you could use essential oils in your skincare routine?! Today I will be going over the basic oils to get you started! 

Beginning essential oils can be overwhelming. Where to start and how to get them! I highly recommend only getting essential oils from a health food market or an essential oils rep. Also, be sure the ones you are purchasing are safe to put directly on your skin or if they need to be diluted. If you still put the undiluted ones directly onto your skin it could do more damage than good. 

Tea Tree Oil: 

Skin Type: Oily Skin

Skin Concern: active acne break outs

How to Use: after you cleanse, before moisturizer, put 2 drops in hands and gently pat into skin.

Facts: did you know 5% of Tea Tree oil is equivalent to using 5% Benzoyl Peroxide?! Tea Tree is a much gentler method. 

I LOVE using it when I feel I need an extra boost if I'm breaking out!

http://www.aveda.com/products/search/esearch.tmpl?search=singular+notes

Frankincense

Skin Type: Oily 

Skin Concerns: Elasticity and aging

Use: place 2 drops in hands and gently pat into skin. when putting on moisturizer go against gravity and push the skin in an upward motion. 

Facts: known as the "king" of the essential oils world it is also great for stopping bleeding wounds, speeds up the healing process for cuts and scrapes, easing arthritis pain, digestive disorders and more!!

CedarWood Oil

Skin Type: Dry Skin

Skin Concerns: non cystic acne

Facts: Helps prevent UTIs, anti-inflammatory, may help maintain a healthy blood pressure, regular menstruation, may help in healing seborrhea (condition of the skin that causes scaly patches and red skin mostly on scalp)

Lavender Oil

Skin Type: oily

Skin Condition: acneic

The difference in using lavender VS. Tea Tree is that tea tree is more aggressive and great for teenage acne. Lavender is great for the occasional hormonal break out. just dab a little on the troubled spots. 

Facts: can also help heal insect bites, heal burns, ease eczema. 

NOTE: If you are new to the essential oil world and are pregnant, nursing, high blood pressure, etc please read attached about the safety precautions from the National Association for Holistic Health to see what oils you can and can't use. not all oils are ok for every health problem so please please read! : https://www.naha.org/explore-aromatherapy/safety/

Remember, the essential oils world is HUGE so I only covered a few of the oils you can use for different skin concerns. Please feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions regarding todays post or your own skin! until next post, MAKE GOOD CHOICES XOXO

Food for Thought

Please forgive me for not posting in a while! Dont worry im still researching and trying different essential oils for my next skin care post! I ended up catching a cold this weekend when I had planned on writing it.

  I don't know about you all but i have been feeling so busy with the holiday season right around the corner! With guests starting to come next week we've been trying to get the apartment all clean, work has been getting more busy, coming up with new blog posts and planning my wedding i feel like my head spins some days. The most important thing to remeber as we prepare for the up coming holiday season is to take time for yourself. Draw a nice bath, sit back, and relax. If you find it hard to relax then go to a spa! Get a massage or facial and let a professional help you relax and unwind. It will help you clear your mind and feel ready to take on the season that is so quickly approaching us!! 

  Again please bear with me as I get over this cold and get my head back on track!! Until next post, MAKE GOOD CHOICES!