iCandy: Beauty

Showing posts with label Beauty. Show all posts

And it begins, my weight loss adventures. Join me!

Okay, so... Im kind of fat as of the entry date of this post. How do I know? well aside from seeing my rounded stomach and way to much 'muffin top' on the love handles, my 'fat jeans' started to get a little to tight, and when buttoning up my 'fat jeans' became a pain, I had to look in the mirror and say "Candy you are a fatty Mc'fatty! You gained so much weight, your fat jeans are getting to tight."

This is not the point where I shrug it off and say "well time for bigger jeans" no way, this is the moment I say, enough is enough! I know that extra weight is not good for anyone, not just for confidence reasons, but health reasons as well. Its bad on your heart, your joints your blood pressure. While those things I keep in mind, I am pretty self conscious of how I look, and these extra rolls do get me down, especially when clothes shopping!

I have lost weight before though! I lost it counting calories, which will be the same method I use again this time. I lost 20 pounds the first time I stuck to this method, and it was highly effective. It was fairly easy to, though sometimes it took great will power not to cheat. The problem is, life got crazy, life got stressful and over the past two years I slowly gained it back, and the past two christmas holidays didn't help. In winter I definitely let myself cheat way to much for comfort food, or the many treats that are baked around holidays, it all adds up. This is a life style choice, and I need to keep it.

Spring and summer are coming and id like to loose at least ten pounds by then, maybe more, I have a few months before it really gets warm, and Im aiming to loose a pound and a half each week but just counting my calories!

Now I have some previous articles I wrote for an old site that went nowhere, but I have copied them to my iCandy blog, please refer to them for in depth information!

How I lost the weight and you can to!(link)
Talks about the science of how it works and give you an idea of how food can be deceiving when it comes to calories, and has many helpful links.

My path to weight loss!(link)
A short entry about my personal path to weight loss, and my thoughts about it.

But for a brief run down.. this is what I am going to do to loose weight.

1. Im going to use a application on my computer called The CRON-O-METER an open source and free program that allows people to track their foods and meals and count how many calories they consume each day to make sure they stay in their target range of daily intake.

2. Next im going to go to www.caloriesperhour.com. and input all the truthful information about myself to learn how many calories I can consume a week to loose the pounds I want, in this case 1 pound a week. My result was 1937 calories a week, but I am going to create a 500 calorie deficit and subtract from that number, giving me 1,437 calories I can consume in a day. That doesn't seem like allot but eating healthy its plenty. I try and make each main meal under 300 cals a meal and snacks as well.

3. Then Im going to make a plan of what meals I am going to eat to help me achieve this. For this I have decided to cut out most all carbs and focus on eating more fruits and vegetables for snacks and in my meals. I already have many ideas left over from my past weight loss experience and I have already come up with more :)

But I need to kind of motivate myself, fire myself up as well!
Yes this time I needed to still hype myself up even though my fat pants were getting to tight O.o When it comes to commitments, and diests especially I kind of need my "ready set go!" mark that lets me start to run that race to completion, I need to put some things in order to feel like im ready to start. Aside from recounting what I need for calorie intake for my cron-o-meter, these are some of the things i've done to support my goal.

Told myself I had to loose weight for the summer.
Promised myself id have one cheat day a week to eat whatever I want.
Made a blog post about it.
Decided id use it to inspire other 'chunky' women needing help or support.
Made a youtube video about it, to make sure I hold to my word, or alternatively look like an ass.
Bought myself a special large 'sippy cup' to drink more water from daily. (somehow its fun from a special cup)
Promised myself the end reward would be some Victoria's Secret bras and panties to wear on my new slim bod!
Going to do some dancing with Dance Central on Xbox a few times a week to help me feel more awake and healthy.

And a picture of myself when I had the weight off! (my face is swollen as I had my wisdom teeth out at time of this photo O.o)

I hope that this will inspire some of you to loose some pounds with me! or perhaps your someone that already has and is just curious to see my progress either way, i can use all the support I can get! Please subscribe to my youtube channel, as ill be doing blogs regularly as well on this topic! My Youtube Channel Here!

By the time this is done, I want to go from 150 pounds to 130 pounds! Wish me luck!

Nude Tude Eyeshadow Palette & Naked Flush Blush Review.

So my blog readers, I have a few items to share with you that I love! thanks to the powers of Youtube I have been introduced to Urban Decay and The Balm products. Somehow ordering online is more fun then wandering down a drug store isle looking at cheaper quality makeup and wondering if its gonna look nice on me or.. cheap on me. It seems that when you reach out and follow recommendations you find products made by companies that do a great job of it and are higher quality. You might pay a bit more, but the difference speaks for itself. Ive kind of taken to the same mind set with clothes. You wont see me shopping at Khols or Old Navy anymore, the stuff isn't made to fit my body and doesn't last as long, but if I spent more on a brand name im far more happy in the long run. I say to save and invest in the good stuff, you wont regret it!

For christmas I asked for some products by The Balm, and I did get the Nude Tude - Nude Eyeshadow Palette and I adore it!

I kind of like that natural nude look, I think it does suit me well, browns and orange, earth tones are nice on my skin color. A normal white girl hehe. So this palette is perfect, and there is not one color in this I dont like, and so many options its hard to choose what im in the mood for! I am making much use of the colors "sassy" and "stand-offish" and I have come to find that "sultry" makes a great brow filler and "serious" is a great eyeliner! speaking of which....

The brush that comes with this palette is awesome! the liner brush works like a charm and its the first time I tried using eyeshadow as a eye liner. The brushes tip is tapered to make fine lines, and the black shade offers a softer look which I love. Im also loving the fact shadow comes off easier at the end of the day at cleansing time then a liquid or pencil liner.

The other end is nice and fluffy and holds the shadow well, applies with precision since it smaller and manageable for handling. Its also blends out colors nicely! I could not be happier with this product, so many great shades in one, well worth the price. Did I mention the artwork is fun and whimsical? I adore the pin-up theme.

Naked Flush Blush by Urban Decay.

I was researching a new blush when I ran out of mine. I had just started to get into using bronzer and I found that I preferred it over a pink blush for my complexion. Bronzer on the cheeks gave me a nice warmth right one the apples on my cheeks that looks natural and blended in well with everything else. But every once and a while I just crave a bit of a pink tint to my cheeks for when im feeling a little more spirited and youthful.

I found this product on Urban Decay after some research I decided to try it. Why? well... it has bronzer blush and a highlighter included! It seemed like a no brainer. And thanks to Ipsy.com highlighter was something I had been wondering about, as it can be used on more then just the cheeks! I ordered it and I am glad I did. I like these colors. They look bold but with careful application you can build it up from soft to darker. The colors seem to go well with my skin tone and I think its meant to fit more then one skin tone spectrum. The broze I especially like!

Good Karma Optical Blurring Brush

I was looking for a blush brush, and I dont think thats what this was meant for lol. Though it sounds like it can be used for a number of things. In the end I used this as a kind of "dry" fluffy brush to blend in the colors of blush I apply to my face once im done to kind of blur it into my skin and the bronze and blush into one another, and it works well with a natural result. You can see the brush in the above picture with my blush palette, but here is another one anyway!

And thats it for this review, all great products and recommended by Candy! Please leave your comments if you like these products or have others you would recommend :)

iCandy's Glam Bag Review by Ipsy.com - February 2013

For those of you who dont know what Ipsy is service where each month for $10 dollars a month small bag of beauty products is sent to your home in what they call a Glam Bag with deluxe samples and fulled sized beauty products. You also join into the Ipsy community where you can share your favorite products and looks, styles and fashion. Its well worth it and a great way to be introduces to new items. Check out this video by Michelle Phan who created MyGlam (click here)

Feb's theme was the red carpet! a fun idea, and some fun products came out of it! A theme that could combine well with Januarys bag! which for me came with some red nail lacquer from Nailtini and a blending brush from SOHO.

Lets get into it!

Coastal Scent - Shadow Palette Sample - Coastal Scents Shadow Palette Samples are an ideal way to try these highly pigmented, stunning shadows. Wear these pressed powders dry or wet for a more intense, dramatic look.

A nice sample, though small, how fast can a person use a shade of eye shadow pressed powered? Im sure this sample will last me months, especially since I switch up looks, I dont wear through any one color to fast. I really liked this palette, I wasn't sure about the yellow shades, but it came out as a more golden look, and was very nice with the smokey darker color. Its a look ill certainly wear on my eyes many times.

Pixi Flawless & Poreless - The Pixi Flawless & Poreless primer creates a beautiful no-shine finish for flawless, long-lasting makeup application. This shine controlling, oil-free primer smooths out fine lines and hydrates while making pores instantly disappear. It is the perfect skin primer for all complexions and all skin types.

I did try this primer and I was ok with it, but not amazed. I found it was thicker then the one I am using and love, called Mirabella Prime for Face and Eyes. Pixi's was a heavier consistency on my face, which even combined with my BB cream made the sensation of makeup on my face more obvious then i'd like. I also found that it did not stop shine from coming through quite as well as my Mirabella Prime. I may give it more tries, but I think if Im on the fence it probably means I wont use it over what I currently have.

POP Beauty - Smokey Lash Kapow Mascara. This lash-POP-ing mascara makes lashes plump, long and lusciously flirty! Smudge proof formula adds volume while curling lashes up and out for a look that truly POPs your peepers.
I enjoyed this mascara. I liked the packaging one it, very cute! Its seemed to glide on smoothly and with no clumps. I did use the lash cards that were in this months ipsy glam bag and that of course helped! I do think that Benefit they’re real! beyond mascara is a bit better, makes lashes look thicker.

MicaBeauty - Gel Eyeliner. Define eyes and apply eyeliner like a pro with the MicaBeauty Gel Eyeliner! This smooth, highly pigmented gel eyeliner glides over the lid evenly and dries quickly for a long-wearing, smudge-proof finish. Comes in 5 other highly pigmented shades.

Yet to try this product.

Lash Card The Lash Card. Apply your mascara perfectly with the Lash Card! Say goodbye to smudging, clumping, and messy mascara application. The Lash Card has two curves on each side that fit a variety of eye shapes, making it easy to get those hard-to-reach lashes. Each Lash Card is individually wrapped for on-the-go application.

I like this product! though I dont feel that I 'need' it, it was handy, and at first a bit awkward to use, but I got the hang of it. I use a lash curler and tend to just put on my mascara perfectly, but there have been occasions where I smudges some mascara on my lid, or it clumped up and it was a pain to get out the small mascara chunk. So Im thinking these may come in handy, just to have around for those troublesome mascara moments.

iCandy's Glam Bag Review by Ipsy.com - January 2013

This review is coming a bit late from a shipping incident nothing that was Ipsy's fault, it had to do with address changes and confusion on my part as to how the Ipsy My Glam bags were shipped. I thought they came UPS but it seems like the UPS is switched somehow to USPS O.o I dunno! but anyhow.. I finally got my Ipsy Bag in for January in the start of February by the time I got my replacement. I contacted Ipsy and they happily sent me another bag since my first would have been returned to address. Crazy!

100% Pure Argan Oil by Josie Maran - This 100% Pure Argan Oil is a legendary oil that's rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids, and grown organically in Morocco. With its multitasking benefits, Argan Oil can be used for many areas including hydrating and nourishing skin as a daily moisturizer, skin treatment, treating spilt ends, and softening cuticles. It's gentle enough to use on all skin types.

I try and stay away from oil as I do have oily skin, mostly my face and my hair. I did start using this stuff on my dry legs during the cold months, and I really loved it on my skin, especially after just shaving mt legs. I actually preferred the oil over the usual moisturizer I like how it absorbed into my skin and somehow feel less greasy after then a moisturizer. With the bottle size in the My Glam bag I find Im going through it pretty fast using it on my legs twice a day.

Straight up Nail Lacquer by Nailtini. - You can’t go wrong with a classic, all the way to your fingertips. These two are the all-time best selling Nailtini nail lacquers. Whether the glossy true-red of bloody mary or the hint-of-pink of frappe, your tips and toes are classic perfection anytime.

I really liked the last Nailtini color we got in the November 2012 Part perfect bag. See my Video on that Here. This new color was classic and sassy, and you could get it in one of two colors and I happened to get red lacquer called Bloody Mary. One coat is enough, the pigment in this is great! I was afraid at first with how 'loud' a color it was, but once I put it on I felt like a classic lady! The color seems to last well through the days, even when doing house hold chores like dishes. Its nice to have a polish that doesn't chip easily, iam becoming a fan of the Nailtini brand.

Brush by SOHO.- I got the “Get a Grip” Crease Brush
Create the perfect eye with the Get a Grip Crease Brush. This brush was very loose and fluffy which makes it seem like a blending brush to me, as it doesn't really feel like it gives you a whole lot of control for more precise and spot on shadow application. But it may just be that im not sure how its used. But it is making for a very great blending brush! I use it after I apply the dark color after the light and blend it all in for a smokey effect! it makes it pretty easy. I didn't have a blending brush before this, so im glad to have gotten it :)

Sexy Hair - Spray & Play Volumizing Hairspray. Your everyday spray for BIG volume! Spray & Play is a humidity resistant, flexible hold hairspray that provides fullness, lift and incredible shine! Perfect for all hair types.

I am not a hairspray person, in fact when it comes to hair I am really low maintenance. I have a short-styled hair cut and I generally just let my hair air dry after a shower. My husband is always bugging me to do something with my hair. I did try this though! I gotta say, it really works O.o the hair spray seems pretty damn strong, just a small bit and my hair was stiff stuck in place! I imagine though would be wonderful with people that have thick hair, for me though it may have been over kill. I did not enjoy how heavy and sticky it made my hair feel, but Im terrible at wielding a hair drying and round brush and making volume and I have the worst time knowing how to apply hair product correctly. I may try and give it a few more tries though, see if I cant figure it all out.

Pacifica - Tuscan Blood Orange Mini Body Butter - Tuscan Blood Orange Body Butter is not only a highly effective antioxidant rich moisturizer that nourishes the driest of skin and helps fight off the signs of aging; it nourishes your other senses as well. The infusion of sparkling, juicy blood oranges that are highlighted with notes of red raspberry and spicy sweet Italian Mandarins take you to the beaches of the Mediterranean. Made with nature’s best moisturizers - Shea butter, almond oil and safflower oil.

This stuff was delicious yummy! it smells so good and I love how it rubs into my skin. Mostly it makes me hungry! I was very pleased with this products and id probably look into more moisturizers by them when I run out. It came at a great time too, during the cold dry season when my legs get so itchy! Ill use it when I run out of the Argan Oil!

I have been a subscriber to MyGlam Ispy makeup bags for a few months as of this blog entry and have received only a couple MyGlam bags over the past two or three months. Ispy is a make up service that puts together a small makeup bag of four to give items of makeup and beauty items and sends them out to your door once a month, for only ten dollars a month! I love it, as its a great deal and it introduces me to many new beauty products out there, as well as the companies who make them.

I have Ipsy to thank for these two discoveries I wanted to review. Ispy has introduced a number of products to me which I have, or will buy again directly from the manufacturer!

In Decembers Myglam bag of 2012 one such item was called Mirabella Prime for Face and Eyes. Primers are used as a base for makeup, it helps everything stay in place and last longer through the day. Until this bag I have never tried a primer but I have always wanted to. Im pleased to say that first primer I tried was one that I loved!

I have very oily skin, as you might have gathered if you saw my Skin Care Regimen article, so dealing with constant shininess on my face as been a war I have struggled with all my life! I feel like just after the first hour of a fresh makeup application I would start to see shine in my t-zone, and dont even get me started on how bad it was in summer! O.o

Mirabella Prime solved this problem! much to my surprise.

"Prime for Face and Eyes weightless, oil-free formula glides onto help promote long-wearing makeup. Vitamin E works as an antioxidant to smooth out lines as it moisturizes and protects skin. Prime provides a silky feel to the skin as it aids in repairing cellular damage. Application: Use a small amount and lightly pat into skin." Link here.

This I could not agree with more! The product does feel silky, at first I confused it for oily, but its not, and it seems to dry with a soft and light feelings on my skin, almost invisible. When I where this under my make up I can go hours before I see any inklings of shininess come through, my make up remained matte looking for a long time, a miracle! I highly recommend this to girls with oil skin. Dont bother with those blotting papers, just get this!

The next product I wanted to review is Naked Skin Beauty Balm by Urban Decay. I actually tried this though the My Glam Ispy bag as well. It was a kind of 'gift' that was given to members of the community that participated. I imagine I was chosen as one such member for my reviews of the Ipsy Bags I had uploaded. The BB Cream came in a sample size before this product was even released. Im under the impression they were looking for customer reviews and opinions first.

"Minimize pores, lines, wrinkles and redness instantly. Get significantly firmer, more lifted skin in 8 weeks.

It’s not just any beauty balm—it’s Naked Skin Beauty Balm—the BB cream with INSANE benefits. Unlike a lot of beauty balms, Naked Skin delivers measurable anti-aging benefits—and we’ve got the claims to prove it. And while many beauty balms are tinted to provide coverage, ours diffuses light with high-tech pigments to give you amazing, natural, NAKED-looking skin that keeps getting better every week.

Naked Skin is like an instant retoucher in a tube! This multitasking formula:

Perfects: Optical blurring pigment instantly evens out skin tone and minimizes pores, lines, wrinkles and redness.

Protects: SPF 20 shields skin from sun damage and Pepha®-Protect helps inhibit DNA damage.

Treats: Vitasource™ and dGlyage® firm skin, improve elasticity and provide measurable anti-aging benefits.

Primes: Extremely blendable formula creates a smooth finish so makeup goes on beautifully and stays put.

Hydrates: Moisturizing but never greasy, Naked Skin Beauty Balm hydrates skin instantly and improves hydration over time. Link Here"

I have not used this product long enough to say if I notice it does /all/ the things listed above, but what I can tell you, is that I agree it events out the skin tone perfectly, working similar to a foundation, but light like a gentle moisturizer. It does not feel like a foundation to me which I love! Even with the redness and sometimes acne prone skin, this product glides on so thin, but it seems to make my face look almost photoshop touched up! I think it definitely has something to do with that optical blurring pigment. I dont even bother much with under eye concealer, this BB Cream takes care of it.

This product amazes me and I loved it so much that I went and ordered the full sized product directly from Urban Decay as soon as the product was released to their website! This BB Cream works great in combination with the above Mirabella Prime. At least for me I found the magic combination to nice looking natural matte skin!

A bit of BB cream history...

BB cream was originally formulated in the 1960s in Germany by dermatologist Dr. Christine Schrammek to protect her patients' skin after surgery. Introduced to South Korea and Japan in 1985 – where healthy-looking, porcelain skin is heavily prized and was heavily endorsed by Korean celebrities.

BB cream is promoted as an all-in-one facial cosmetic product to replace serum, moisturizer, primer, foundation, and sunblock. It can be worn alone as a tinted moisturizer, over serum and moisturizer as a regular foundation, and under powder, depending on the desired amount of coverage. (source link)

Please leave me your thoughts in the comments! Id love to hear what you use and what you like :)

My skin care regimen - for oily and acne prone skin.

So, I felt like sharing with my blogger fans my skin care regimen, especially for those of you who are like me and were 'gifted' with oily and or ance prone skin. Acne is a real pain to deal with and it can make a person feel so self conscious and dirty, not to mention it can be painful. I know I hate it and I have spent many years trying to cover it up with heavy foundations and concealers to hide it, but all it really did was keep me aware of it from that masked and caked on feel some makeup can leave you with, especially when trying to hide those imperfections.

I tried many products on the shelves at your typical drug store or supermarket, but nothing really worked as well as id like. It wasn't until I actually discovered Proactiv that I found a kind of "cure" to my skin care woes. I used it for many years, but it can be rather expensive. It was worth it to me for the clear skin, but then I got fed up with Proactiv's customer service and their system of ordering. They are pushy and rude, bombarding and pressuring you into making more purchases when you call on the phone, forcing you to listen to someone ramble off advertisements. They force you to join their "club" in order to buy directly off the site and they force automatic shipments that cant be turned off. Every time i've had to deal with their website or phone number I have left enraged. Perhaps its a good ploy to take peoples money, as thats what business's are all about, but it was not worth the hassle.

I went to Amazon.com and started to buy my Proactiv from a third party! I didn't have to deal with all the nonsense from the company. However, I came to find that the "secret" to how it all worked was in their Repairing Treatment, which is the third step of the system. It is a benzoyl peroxide lotion with a 2.5% dosage, which is the high dosage you want for acne treatment, it seems to be the primary preventative when used on a regular basis. Most over the shelf acne treatments are not this high a percent in benzoyl peroxide.

Once I came to this conclusion, I wondered if there was a way to cut down my expenses by only using Proactiv's repairing treatment, and using alternative face washes that were easy to purchase and more affordable. With luck my husband found a site called Acne.org which goes over a regimen and offers instructions on how to treat your skin and what products are recommended that are easy to find. Find The Regimen here, step-by-step!

This article post will take you through my particular collection of skin care items, but please read though The Regimen and determine one for yourself if your not sure about mine. Acne.org does have their own line that might be worth looking into, you can find that product here.

So, as you know, I stepped away from the full Proactiv line, and it was time to get a new face wash. The Regimen suggested Looking for a facial cleanser, that uses the words "gentle," "non-overdrying," "for dry, sensitive skin," and similar words alluding to the gentle nature of the cleanser and to use cleanser made specifically for the face.

Avoid scents, scrubbers, soap and the following ingredients: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate Isopropyl Palmitate, Isopropyl Myristate, Isopropyl Isostearate, Myristal Myristate, Laureth-4.

I decided on Clean & Clear Foaming Facial Cleanser, it followed all the appropriate words and can be found easily at my local wal-mart. You can see the one I get says "oil free" on the front. I checked all the ingredients carefully on the back, its surprising how many cleansers have all the "bad" stuff in it o.O I really like this stuff. It feels gentle on my face and has no offensive scent. It leaves my skin feeling refreshed and clean with no residue.

I use one full pump lathered up and applied to an already splashed moistened face.
Wash with bare hands and very gently rub over face for no more then 10 seconds
Splash face with water to rince it away
Pat dry with a absorbant soft towel, never scrub with a towel or face cloth, this can just irritated the skin and acne. Let the rest air dry before moving on.

Next I use my facial serum that I purchase from The Balm, Strawberry Nourishing Facial Serum gives a boost of alpha hydroxy acid and helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles and promotes skin firmness. Serums are good to use as they penetrate the skin better then a typical moisturizer and can get vitamins deeper in the tissue.

Dispence one squirt onto the tips of my fingers. Then I rub my fingers together and start patting it gently over my face, and smoothing it gingerly with my finger tips until it feels absorbed.

Next comes an important step, the application of benzoyl peroxide lotion by Proactiv. This is the third step of their skin care system. 2.5% benzoyl peroxide.

Use a dime size amount on my hand and and spread it over my fingers and apply it gently to my face. Do not rub it us, simply spread it around with your finger tips, taking care to avoid the delicate skin around the eyes. Continue until its mostly all absorbed, the rest I give a few minites to absorb on its own.

Next is the very important eye cream! I use RoC RETINOL CORREXION Eye Cream It reduced wrinkles and crows feet, but what I love most is that it reduced dark circled and puffiness! I love this product!

Allot goes a long way! I used a pin sized or a small dot amount under each eye, dabbed on the skin around and on the outer sides of the eye using the weakest safest finger, the ring finger to gently pat it on until absorbed.

The final stage, facial moisturizer. I always thought that I didn't need this step and for years I never bothered with a moisturizer. My skin was so oily I assumed it woud just make things worse and shiny. Boy was I wrong! Aside from the benzoyl peroxide I feel like this step has drastically improved the over all appearance of my skin. It lessons the red in my face and acts as an over all toner, and it makes my skin feel so healthy. This was the best addition to my routine! I use Neutrogena Moisture Oil Free Formula, Sensitive Skin.

Avoid: Most oils with the exception of jojoba oil . Thick and greasy moisturizers. Isopropyl Palmitate, Isopropyl Myristate, Isopropyl Isostearate, Myristal Myristate, Laureth.

Look for: Moisturizers made specifically for the face. The word "non-comedogenic" on the label. Jojoba oil as an ingredient if possible.

One full squirt from the dispenser into my hand, apply it just as I do the benzoyl peroxide, on the tips of my fingers. Not scrubbing in, but simply gently running finger tips over the face until its mostly absorbed.

A facial scrub once a week is ideal to open up any oil blocked pores and to smooth away any dead skin. This is something to be careful with as you dont want to irritate the skin. I like to use it once a week, keeps me feeling clean. This is by far the best exfoliant I have found. The granules in it are so fine that it feels gentle while also feeling like its taking away the bad stuff! I use Vitamin C Facial Cleansing Polish by The Body Shop

I use a pea sized ball in on the tips of my fingers and very gingerly run it over my skin. You do not need to put pressure with this product, its fine and abrasive enough to do the job flawlessly. I use for maybe ten seconds and then rince my face and pat dry, then applying all my skin care regimen after.

My favorite spot treatment. The refining mask by Proactiv, another amazing product even though I cant stand the company. This is a kind of clay like facial mask. Its not often that I use it. What I do is use it as on-the-spot treatment. If I have a pimple surfacing I immediately apply a smoothed on dot of this on the affected area and sleep with it over night. I find that it drastically reduces the size and swelling and gets rid of it very quickly. If the pimple is a little on the large size it might take a couple nights, but it definitely keeps it under control. I highly recommend having this on hand!

Finally a lip moisturizer. I use EOS lip balm. I love this lip palm as its a fun shape, and you can moisturize both lips at once! I also recommend a lip balm by The Body Shop, the Hemp Lip Protector. I usually have a hemp lip balm with me in my bag when ever I leave the house!

And there you have it, my skin care regimen! I hope you found it helpful, and perhaps give a few of the products a try, or suggest to me some of the things you love in the comments! Id love to hear your thoughts.

So now and and then me and my man get that need to go outside, do something. One of our favorite inexpensive things we like to do is go on a Krispy Kreme run, unfortunately .. or maybe I should say fortunately the only one near us is inside the Mohegan Sun Casino! It works out though, as going to the casino is always fun for me! Im not a huge fan of the slots, to much sensory overload, but I otherwise like that hustle and bustle, seeing the people dressed up fancily - though some look like subjects of our local walmart O.o - I like the lights and most of all the Native American decorations. The shops are not so bad either, and the over all artwork is stunning, all the statues and the indoor waterfalls, its pretty epic! Id love to try all the restaurants someday. I always leave there feeling like I spent a day away surrounded by money and luxury, even if I was just there a couple hours.

We actually drove up the wrong way and ended up at the Mohegan Government building. It doesn't always cross my mind, the way things work on native american land, like its only little state in a state. So it was neat to see that they have their own government building. They had some really amazing looking statues on the property, I wanted to get out and look, but I wondered if that might look suspicious, not to mention it was about 10 degrees, to cold!

I took many pictures, just to show off some of the artwork and design of the place. We always park on the "Winter Entrance side of the casino, so if you visit and come through that way, you'll see all this art!

Amazing glass sculpture, that changes colors. Its very tall and its right between two huge indoor waterfalls, and right near some restaurants including Boby Flays restaurant!

As we were passing through to Krispy Kreme I came across this BareMineral store. I never noticed that there before, Im not sure if it was newly added, or if I was just oblivious the other times ive been. But I was curious so I went on in! They had so many colors and beautiful pigments on display! The staff was helpful as well. I always wondered how good the product was, and was always curious to try it. I like the idea the products are a mineral powder that would be light on the skin. I just wonder how much coverage it could give to a break outs, and how it does with oil skin. If anyone has tried BareMinerals, tell me what you think of it in the comments!

Finally we reached Krispy Kreme, which was right across from BareMinerals. Thats right, come here girls! make yourself beautiful, then go across the 'street' and make yourselves fat on hard to resist donuts! hehe. To be honest, I really only care for the regular glazed donut by Krispy Kreme as I find all the rest WAY to sweet, and some a bit to dense. But this one glazed donut, is unlike any other I had tried anywhere else. Its fluffy like air and it melts in my mouth like cotton candy!

We stopped at Starbucks of course! and I got the Double Chocolaty Chip Frappuccino. A creamy blend of rich mocha-flavored sauce, chocolaty chips, milk and ice. Topped with sweetened whipped cream and mocha drizzle. And it was delicious!