Best Face Forward

When is the last time you changed your skincare routine?

The products that you put on your skin are so important. They could be the difference between looking like you just got a spa facial or looking like a leather purse…

Hopefully you would be Hermès, but that is besides the point.

Whether you have dry skin, acne prone skin, oily or combination skin…We have all come across the golden questions:

What would make my skin better?
What’s the new thing to try?

Under the makeup, self tanner, or whatever it is that you wear…once it’s gone, there is only one thing left…

Naked…Nude….Bare…

skin

Hopefully this list of serums can guide you to radiance.

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Dry Skin? Try the HydraSea Ultra Moisturizing Polarized Water Serum by Phytomer- $82.00 USD (1 oz.) at Dermstore

This product contains Weaving Algae. What does it do? As a very active ingredient, the algae adds a protective layer to the skin. It holds the moisture deep in the skin to combat dryness. It also encourages production of collagen, and that keeps your skin looking youthful.

When shopping for a good serum, especially for dry/sensitive skin, it’s important to find one that contains a decent amount of water. Let’s look at the ingredients shall we:

ingredients

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When looking at ingredients, the order in which they are listed is done by quantity. There is a method to the madness. Most serums contain water, but products that contain a mass amount of water have a short shelf life. Once you open it, use it. Do not let it sit and collect dust. The product will lose effectiveness. If you still have that serum, foundation or moisturizer from over a year ago…It is time to throw it out. General time frame is 6 months to a year. The only exception is for ingredients that are in quantities of less than 1%. After they hit that mark, they can be listed in whatever order the manufacturer wants. If you pick up a product and the first half of the ingredients scare you…please do us all a favor and…
·P U T · I T · D O W N·

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Large Pores? Try the ‘Idealist’ Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher by Estée Lauder- $55.00 USD (1 oz.) | $82.00 USD (1.5 oz.) at Sephora

What caught my attention about this serum was not the cute bottle that it comes in, but the scent. No one wants something on their face that doesn’t smell nice. This serum has a earthy/citrus smell. This is probably due to the grapefruit and green tea leaf extract. Grapefruit also helps with increased production of collagen. Green tea has been known to reduce inflammation, and that helps minimize the look of pores. With a silky texture and a bit of shimmer, this product is definitely an attention grabber!

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Super Oily Skin? Try the ‘Total Matteness’ Oil-free Mattifying Pore Eraser by Philosophy- $41.00 USD On Sale! $22.55 USD (1 oz.) at Philosophy

This product is the T-Zone Savior! I can’t think of a Philosophy product that I haven’t been fond of. You can wear this one bare faced or under makeup with no issues. If you have oily to super oily skin, this is the product for you. If you have combination skin, I would not advise this product. Reason? It could be overly drying to your skin.

A heavy hitter in this product is Bambusa Arundinacea Stem Extract…also known as Bamboo Stem. What does it do? The bamboo absorbs oil! Another great benefit is the large amount of silica within bamboo. This helps once again with increased production of collagen. Silica has been known as the “beauty mineral”.

Bonus: This product contains salicylic acid. That means the speed at which your skin renews itself will increase, and it helps with acne. It’s a win-win!

WARNING: KEEP AWAY FROM SENSITIVE AREAS OF FACE: EYES & LIPS ESPECIALLY

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Combination Skin? Try the Umbrian Clay® Mattifying Serum by Fresh®- $37.00 USD (1 oz.)  at Fresh

If you have combination skin and live in a very humid climate….Thank me later. This serum is full of a much sought after Italian mineral called Umbrian Clay.

Umbrian Clay is found in Nocera Umbra and has awesome benefits:

Soothes irritation
Reduces breakouts
Turns over healthy skin cells

This product also contains olive leaf extract, lemon fruit extract and cucumber fruit extract. That’s a serious triple threat! The olive leaf extract helps moisturize, prevent aging and aids in healing of the skin. The lemon fruit extract assists in the lightening of dark marks and evening out the complexion. Cucumber fruit extract adds that much needed soothing feeling so everything is balanced.


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Acne Scars? Try the Youth Code Dark Spot Correcting & Illuminating Serum Corrector by L’Oréal- $24.99 USD (1 oz.) at Ulta

I give this serum the seal of approval! I have been using this particular serum for 4 weeks, and I can honestly say that I am in love with it. The formula glides on smoothly, and it smells great. The product soaks in rather quickly…I’m impressed. The product looks like a serum/lotion. Personally it makes an amazing makeup primer, but that’s just me. This serum is full of Niacinamide. What is that? It is a vitamin that falls into the B3 vitamin category. B3 is the go to for radiant skin and treatment of inflammatory acne. Niacinamide prevents the skin from losing water, and it protects the skin from UV damage.

Bonus: This serum has the SAME effects as the Lacome Advanced Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate. With 1 oz. of the Lancome serum at $78.00 USD (3x the price of Youth Code), we can see that L’Orèal has the better deal.


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Age Rewind? Try the Anti-Aging Intensive Repair Daily Serum by Prevage- $230.00 USD (1 oz.) at Elizabeth Arden

I know you are looking at this price and saying…”This better come from gold.”

Just hear me out.

The first thing that caught my attention was that it contains Chondrus Crispus Extract. What’s that? It is a seaweed extract that is full of vitamins and minerals! If you are not familiar with that name, it is commonly referred to as Irish Moss.

The second was Retinyl Linoleate. This is a Retinoid, which means it is a form of Vitamin A. Retinoids stimulate the skin and reduce signs of aging.

This product claims to improve skin firmness by 60% in 4 weeks…

Are you up for the challenge?


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Tony Moly I’m Real – Aloe Face Mask Sheet- $7.50 USD at Ulta

I am very iffy on new face masks in packages… Especially the individually packaged ones. Sensitive skin + New item is a bit scary at times. Walking through Ulta one day, I came across this one, and figured, “Ah it’s worth a try.” This face mask feels amazing! It has a cooling sensation due to the aloe vera, and the sheet is comfortable to wear.

Just kick back and relax.

20 min will fly by! It is not a serum…BUT it is great for all skin types.

the benefits

Prevents Signs of Aging
Moisturizes Skin
Reduces Acne and Helps Lighten Blemishes
Helps With Sunburns

Be confident in your skin. It’s yours. Treat it with care.


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Oils: Your New Best Friends

No matter what season it is, you want to be sure that your hair and skin glow! Nourishment is extremely important, and if you feel a little “rough around the edges” lately…this is what you’re looking for!

Let’s start with the basics shall we?

Carrier oils? What are those?


Carrier Oils

Carrier oils are pressed from the fat bearing portions (seeds, nuts,etc.) and do not evaporate. The scents of these oils are not as strong as that of essential oils.

Some examples of carrier oils are: Argan, Olive & Monoi


Argan Oil: This popular oil comes from the kernels of the Argan tree. This tree is found in Morocco. It can be used on the hair or skin. It is more frequently used on the hair as it is said to penetrate the hair shaft with amazing results: moisture, anti-frizz properties & shine.

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Product: One ‘N Only Argan Oil 12-N-1 Daily Treatment can be purchased from Sally Beauty for $9.99 USD (In-Store & Online)

This product is AMAZING! I have used this personally on my hair when it was relaxed & now on my natural hair. Be sure not to use too much. A little goes a long way, especially with straight hair (Don’t want to weigh it down). When straightening hair, put this in your hair while it is wet.

Common confusion: Argan oil and Moroccan oil are NOT the same thing. They do indeed come from the same place, BUT….

  • Argan oil is from a kernel as previously stated (THAT IS ALL)
  • Moroccan oil is not just one thing. It is made from various ingredients, and Argan oil is one of those ingredients

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You can pick up this 0.8 oz. Moroccan Oil Treatment at Nordstrom for $14.80 USD!

Keep in mind that Moroccan oil is generally more expensive than Argan oil, but both products are well worth the cost.


Olive oil: is the fat obtained from an olive! The olives are pressed and the oils are then drained.

This oil is jam-packed with anti-aging antioxidants and is amazing when it comes to moisture. I consider this to be a staple product!

You can use Olive oil in various ways:

  • Hair: As a hot oil treatment or as a leave in (Only use a bit!)
  • Skin: Olive oil is amazing for healing dry skin. If you have issues with dry skin (especially eczema) this diverse little oil will be your best friend. It is best used when skin is damp.
  • Nails: CRACKED CUTICLES BE GONE! At night, add a bit of olive oil to your finger tips and massage gently.

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Product: You can find olive just about anywhere! Just make sure it is Extra Virgin Olive OilThe average price is around $3.00- $6.00 USD for a decent size bottle.


Monoi Oil: This oil is ONLY produced in Tahiti (not the product that contains it, but the oil itself). This oil has a bit of fragrance to it because it is made by soaking the petals of the Tahitian gardenia in coconut oil (soaked for about a month).

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Product: ‘Monoi de Tahiti’ Body Glow II by NARS & this product can be purchased at Sephora for $59.00 USD.

Uses for Monoi Oil:

  • Can be used as a bath oil. This helps make skin nice and supple.
  • You can mix this oil with your lotion. It helps skin retain moisture & adds a nice scent.
  • My personal favorite is that you can add this oil to conditioner for added nourishment and shine.

BONUS: This oil is extremely lightweight!

Disclaimer: If you are allergic to Gardenias..please DO NOT USE this oil. Regular old coconut oil will do just fine!


Try these oils! Experiment, and see what works best for you!


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