August Favorites: Skincare Edition

Now that it is officially September...
Dear Mother Nature, As of September 22, it will be the first day of Autumn. Can you please make FL feel like fall and make me the happiest woman in the world?! Thanks. 
Let the countdown to Fall begin!!! Who is with me?
Since my makeup routine has been pretty standard this month, I decided to switch it up the month and give you my skincare favorites as well as my routine. I have it down to a degree and still need to work out a few kinks but hey my skin has never been better. 

I have had my fair share of skin issues especially when hormones took over my innocent body. (Someone remind me again why we have them again?) Now that I am in my 20's, I have noticed that my skin still goes on a roller coaster and I am OVER IT! 

So I decided to really pull the reigns and do something about it. Yes, I don't have as many breakouts as I used to when I was a teenager, but it still fluctuates. During the hot Summer months, I get extra oily and breakout more. Fall/Winter I tend to dry out a bit more than normal. You get the picture.

So when trying to figure out my plan of attack, I decided to stick with my go to drugstore products like I normally would; However, I also wanted to get products that would really keep my skin clean as to not hope for any more "junk" to appear on my face than normal. 

After trying many products theses are my favorite...

In the morning, I wash my face with Olay Pore Minimizing cleanser/scrub and my scrublet (From L'oreal Go 360). This smells good and really makes my face feel clean when I use the scrublet with the cleanser. 

At night, I leave it up to the good old Clean and Clear. Isn't this the stuff that everyone used when they were teenagers? I don't even care. It works. While the smell is annoying, it does it job. 

(Don't mind the Equate label. Just trying to save a buck or two). 

1. Foaming Facial Cleanser

2. Astringent

3. Moisturizer

Once a week, I put on a mask to scare my neighbors and relax. 

Once a week, I use a really nice scrub to exfoliate. 

Before I put on my makeup, I make sure my skin is really clean. I may be putting on my makeup at 7 am or 1 pm. No matter what time I put on my makeup, I want to make sure I get all the dirt and excess oil off my face so my makeup looks better and lasts longer. 

1. Any Astringent to prep skin for makeup. I like one that will remove dirt, and clean my skin. 

I put it all over face, behind ears, and down neck. 

2. Olay Oil Minimizing Toner- A toner that smells good! Woot Woot! 

I put it all over my face including my eyelids to absorb oil. It really works and I can tell when I forget to put it on. 

It took me a while to figure out but I really love how my skin looks. 

What are you go to skin care products? Do you have a holy grail skin product that you have to have? 

Let me know in the comments below what they are. 

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Beauty Product Hoarder Diary: July Favorites

Another month has past.

Time to divulge my favorite products of the month.

Beauty Favorites

• Biore Triple Action Astringent: During the hot summer months, I use a toner left and right. My skin gets oily and just gross within seconds especially living in humid Florida. I put on a toner in the morning, at night, and after I take off my makeup. I have used a lot of this stuff as you can probably tell. It's not overly drying and does what it needs to do. 
• Cotton Balls- Cotton pads are good but cotton balls are better! 
• Equate Dual Power Moisturizer- (Knock off Clean and Clear Dual Action Moisturizer) I have needed a moisturizer since I have noticed a small place that needed some love and TLC. I HATE moisturizer. I get oily within 5 seconds of putting it on and my face looks like an oil slick (not cute). My skin managed to explode with junk (aka Acne Volcano Wonderland) overnight. I tried my ELF Zip Zapper and that only reduced the swelling (I swear it reminded me of my teenager days). I went to Walmart the to find something to fix my "little" problem. I decided on the Clean and Clear 3 step system. They had all the steps Walmart style and it was cheaper. I was pleasantly surprised at the dramatic difference my face made after only 2-3 days. My face seemed to clear up and not get greasy. I have found a new holy grail. 
• Country Apple Body Spray Bath and Body Works- (As seen on my Bath and Body Works Haul) Reminds me of how much I want it to be Fall. The scent is fresh, crisp, light and lingers for a long time. 

Hair Favorites

•  Tresemme 24 hour Body hairspray- Tresemme makes the best hairspray. I love their Tres Two and this 24 hour body. My hair is THICK. When I say thick, I mean THICK. Not all hairsprays work well with my hair and Florida. This works for me. (It's very sad for me to report that I am almost out of it. Tear Tear!)
• Not Your Mothers Clean Freak Dry Shampoo: The best thing about this product is the size. You get 7 oz! OH YES! The smell doesn't bother me but it took some time for me to get used to. I have used Suave, Got2B, Dove, and nothing compares to this. It doesn't spray product everywhere. Doesn't run out after using it 2 times. My hair looks refreshed all day long. Did I mention you get 7 oz?

Makeup Favorites

• Baby Lips Pink Punch- Perfect color for Summer. Leave my lips soft. 

• Maybelline SuperStay Foundation- I have used this for over 1 year maybe 2. It is my holy grail foundation for Summer. I never have a problem with it rubbing or sweating off. I have a hard time getting it to come off even with my makeup removing wipes. Full coverage. Shear it out with a damp sponge or only apply a small amount to T zone and blend in with brush or sponge as to not look cakey. 
• Physicians Formula 2 in 1 Eye Booster Eyeliner- Oldie but goodie. I rediscovered this in my makeup collection one day and haven't stopped using it since. I bought this a long time ago and this thing keeps kicking. I wonder if it ever will run out. The brush is super easy to use and get close to lash line. Do I notice my lashes looking more full because of the serum in the liner? No. Do I care? No. 
• Rimmel Stay Matte Powder- I go through this stuff fast. I put powder on before leaving my house to keep everything in place. This particular powder is very fine which makes it look and feel great on my skin. But because of it being so soft, I hit pan fast! That makes me sad. 
• Wet N Wild Color Icon Bronzer in Reserve Your Cabana- This is not a bronzer that I will use to make me look like I just left the beach. However, this is a beautiful highlight for your check bones or an eyeshadow as I have been doing all month. Use this all over your lid and apply a crease shade if you wish. It's beautiful with just the right amount of shimmer. 

• Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in Peach Satin- Great cream to powder finish blush. Love the coral/peach color. I use with a small stipple brush or foundation brush to apply. 

Now that another month is behind us, what were some of your favorite things that you used? Post comment below. I would love to know. Share the love with all of us.

August is here. I am ready for football and to try to get back into somewhat of a routine. We will see how well that goes.

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Beauty Product Hoarder Diary: June favorites

It's that time again! 

Time to think over the past month as to what has been your most used products.

• Wet n Wild Fergie Eyeshadow Primer, For My Primas- This is the ONLY drugstore eyeshadow primer that WORKS. I swear, I have the hardest time removing my eyeshadow at the end of the day when I use this stuff. (Which is an awesome thing.) I only need a little dot to cover one eyelid. I never have to really touch up my eyeshadow during the day. Tip: Allow it a couple seconds to dry on your lid to set in place and then you can apply eyeshadow as you wish. 
• ELF Studio Blush, Pink Passion-  This has been my go to blush for a long time but because of this heat I have really been using it a lot more. I love the color and how brightly pigmented it is. 
• ELF Shimmering Facial Whip, Lilac Petal-  I first bought this a while ago when ELF products first appeared in Target (aka mecca). I thought this line has to be crap for this price. But boy, was I wrong. You cannot beat $1 for a facial highlighter. The perfect amount of shimmer and color plus it has a great fruity scent. Tip: use the small stipple brush to apply. 

• ELF Zit Zapper- I keep it by my nightstand next to my bed. When I ready to go to sleep, I run the roller ball all over my problem areas then all over my face. By the next morning, by skin looks 2x's better than it did when I went to bed. 
• Rimmel Scandal Eyes Lycra Flex Mascara-  Just all around awesome! 
• Revlon Colorstay Basecoat- I was introduced to this base coat by LaFemme5278 on YouTube. I don't use base coats on my nails. Number 1, I hated all the ones out there. Number 2, it was an annoying step. (I was already giving up who knows how much time to do them and let the dry why do I need to hassle with a step I always found unnecessary). I tried this with hesitation and was surprised. My nails do look better with a base coat. DARN IT!
• John Frieda Curl-Boosting Mousse- I have been using this for years especially during the summer when I only heat style my hair one day a week. My hair is straight and has a little curl when I get out of the shower. I let my hair air dry and then get some mousse to scrunch in. 
• Dial NutriSkin Replenishing Lotion, Extra Dry Skin-  I am picky about my lotions. They can't leave my skin feeling greasy bottom line. I have a list of lotions I like and ones I don't. This is the number 1 favorite of lotions I like. I never have the urge to wash my hands after applying the lotion. 
• Simple Eye Makeup Remover Pads- I use a regular makeup removing wipe to get rid of the majority of my makeup. I use these small makeup remover pads out of pure laziness. The thought of having to get out a cotton pad and put the remover on it. No. I like it already done for me. (College graduate right here.)

There you have it. My favorite things for the month of June. What were yours?

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