The Road to Recovery: Skin Edition

I had an allergic reaction this week.  It wasn't severe, meaning it wasn't long lasting.  But my skin flared up suddenly.  Small, red, itchy bumps, some with white centers and my face felt like it was on fire Thursday. 

I didn't use any experimental products, all products have been used before.  There are 4 products in question.  I do not want to name any at this point because I'm not sure which one, if any, were the culprit but I have used them all recently and in the past with no adverse effects. 

1.  A BB cream
2.  A high SPF product.
3.  Gradual tinting moisturizer
4.  Full size skincare product sample that I have been using for about 2 months now.

I realize it could have been a combination of a few factors...  Season changes always throw my skin for a loop.  We went from 50 to 88 degrees in 2 days. 

Another major factor to point out, we are in full blown pollen season, in the 11 count which is pretty high.  There are pollen dust storms.  Everything is covered.  Could this be just been allergies?  I don't typically have allergies.

But never have I experienced anything quite like this...

I woke up Wednesday morning with bumpy skin.  Not really red or irritated at that point, I just noticed the texture was different.  I thought my pores were just clogged from the BB cream or the gradual tinted moisturizer I wore the day before.  By Thursday things got much worse.  Because I had to leave the house and look presentable, I immediately made a mask of cinnamon and honey to hopefully calm things down.  I used cool water to rinse.  Covergirl 3-in-1 Outlast worked perfectly to cover my redness.

That night I picked up some Cetaphil to cleanse with.  I didn't have a basic cleanser.  I have oil controlling, oil balancing, charcoal cleansers, etc...  I usually have a bar of Dove soap lying around but not this time.  I also don't have a basic moisturizer.  They are along the same lines as my cleansers, mattifying, oil controlling, clarifying...  I didn't want to experiment with moisturizers so thankfully I did have oils on hand.

When I woke up Friday morning, my skin was less red and bumpy but of course Friday was a busy day which included a 5k.  Full sun and 88 degrees so I needed some serious SPF.  My SPF is one of the questionable items.  But I didn't have a choice because it's my only high SPF product.  I covered the redness with Covergirl 3-in-1 Outlast.  Sidenote:  It was hot, I was running and my face stayed matte.  CRAZY good stuff.  p.s.  I don't usually wear makeup running, this was a special case. 

After the run, I washed with Garnier Nourishing Cleansing oil, followed by Cetaphil, a honey mask followed by Witch Hazel toner.  I then had to get ready for another outing.  I moisturized with Avocado oil mixed with 2 drops of Tea Tree Oil and 2 drops of sibu Buckthorn oil and this mix has become my go to moisturizer.  At the end of the day, same cleansing steps and moisturizer.  My skin was finally calming down.

Saturday morning things were looking great.  Hubby said my face was looking better.  We were going out fishing that morning with the kids and I followed the cleansing and moisturizing steps and put on my SPF and came down stairs. The hubs, "What did you just put on your face?  It's all red.  You are getting more bumps."  Ugh.  He seemed to think it was the SPF at that point. 

Sunday morning I am in the clear.  I still had a couple bumps but for the most part, everything was calm again.  3 products I am pretty sure I am going to part with... just in case.  One is brand new and I will give it one more try and see what happens.

But these are the products that saved my skin:

Garnier Nourishing Cleansing Oil: to dissolve makeup, sweat, dirt, SPF
Cetaphil: to gently cleanse the skin
Trader Joe's Organic Raw Honey: to moisturize, calm the skin, unclog pores and provide some antibacterial relief
Witch Hazel: (not pictured, I'm using the Target Brand right now) to tone and balance the pH of my skin, reduce redness and soothe my irritated skin

Evian facial spray:  I like to use this after toning to moisten the skin which facilitates the absorption of the oils I put on my face in the next step
Avocado oil: a pure, non-irritating (to me!) Vitamin E rich oil to mix with buckthorn oil and tea tree oil and to provide much needed moisturization
Tea tree oil: for disinfecting and soothing my irritated skin
sibu buckthorn seed oil:  This is good for eczema, dermatitis, rosacea and other issues, like what I am going through right now!  :)

 
It's Monday morning and my skin seems to be back to normal.  I'm going to use the same skincare this week as well since it is working perfectly for me.  I only have a few drops of Avocado Oil left and hopefully I can pick some up at Marshall's this week.  I find it in the specialty food section.

Not to self:  Keep on hand a basic moisturizer and cleanser for allergic situations.  :( 

I will do a post on all the cleansers and moisturizers I have on hand.  It's a bit ridic.  They all serve a purpose for different situations.  I swear.

Week 12: Weekly Skincare/Makeup Box

The last full week of March...  Where does the time go?

I had a tough time choosing products this week!  My skin is acting funny and I don't know what it needs.  I wore 70 SPF on Saturday while we were at my husband's work function and I still burned slightly.  My eyelids a bit puffy and sensitive.  Not happy! 

The sunscreen was leftover from last year so off to CVS I will go to buy a fresh supply.  Neutrogena is Buy $30, get $10 in ECB this week.  I have a couple $3/2 coupons for Neutrogena products and $13 in ECB.  Though technically on a "no-buy," sunscreen is an exception!

Foundation:  I'm going to give Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Mousse in 100 Ivory.  I did already put this on earlier today and I washed it off immediately.  My skin is super parched and the temp did a little drop-a-roo into the 30's and 40's.  I'm going to see if I can do a little mixing and make it work.

BB Cream:  My Dr. Jart+ Black Label Detox is like the black hole of BB cream.  I don't know where it is coming from.  The bottle feels so empty. 

Primer:  Guerlain L'Or Radiance Concentrate with Pure Gold Makeup Base and Rimmel Stay Matte Primer.

Moisturizer: Jergens Natural Glow a couple times this week for some color, Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentrate for my dehydration, as well as my trusty Indie Lee The Moisturizing oil in Lavender at night.

SPF: La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50 Mineral Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid SPF 50.

Eye Cream:  Puffiness ensues so Clinique all about eyes serum is essential this week.  I also grabbed baseq Cucumber Tea Soothing Eye gel and my new favorite Nuance by Salma Hayek Smoothing Anti-Aging Eye Cream.

Serum and/or treatment:  Sea Buckthorn seed oil for some lingering blemishes and Paula's Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid (#GotitFree Bzz Agent Campaign).  Also Urban Decay b6 Vitamin-Infused Complexion spray which I use just after toning, before moisturizing.

Cleanser: Neutrogena Facial Bar currently on a dish at the bathroom sink!

Mask: Trader Joe's Organic Raw Honey and Korres Greek Yoghurt Advanced Sleeping Facial. Bringing the moisture baby!

Exfoliant: glo therapeutics Refresh Facial Polish with Jojoba Beads, Borage Oil, Acai Oil.

Makeup: The gorgeous Sonia Kashuk Moroccan Dunse Eye Palette that I got on clearance last year.  Yay!  Which I haven't touched of course...  Since these 4 shades look very shiny/metallic, I included a couple of mattes; WnW single eyeshadow in 251A Brulee and L'OREAL Wear Infinite in 826 Antique Brown which is more of a satin.  I also included my smaller travel size Urban Decay Razor Sharp Ultra Definition Finishing Powder.

So that's my line up for week #12!

What are you trying out this week?

Week 9+10 Empties!

Yahoo!  Lots of empties the past 2 weeks!

 

 

I will start with the obvious non-emptied foundation bottles to the left.  L'OREAL True Match Lumi in W1-2 is just too light/pink for me.  I'm going to send this to my sister.  L'OREAL True Match in W-3 is too pink as well.  I'm wondering if the W means pink and the C means yellow?  Can someone help me out on that?  If that's the case, no wonder I can't find a match!  I also have tried N1-2 in LUMI and that was too pink as well.  Let me know!  The Shiseido Sun Protection Liquid Foundation in SP30 is too light for me as well.  I'm thinking I need SP50 for the summer.  It has a SPF of 42 which is perfect for me.  This might be too yellow for my sister but I will send it along anyway.

Just the Basics Shave Cream, which I didn't know was a cream but thought it was a gel when I bought it at CVS didn't not work for me.  I let my 3 year old play with it in the bath!  My legs are pretty sensitive and this gave me instant razor burn.  I didn't even finish shaving my leg.

Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap in Lavender.  It's the ultimate multi-tasker.  Will repurchase in both this flavor and all others.  I'm going to start using it as a natural cleanser as well for the house. 

Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask is pretty good and it's at the commissary so I can pick it up with my groceries.  I will repurchase.

Julep Mask Noir was okay.  It's super messy and difficult to wash off your hands after application.  It also stains white face cloths.  Who would have thunk?  I might have another application but I'm going to skip it.  I do like the peel off aspect of it.  My face was soft after using it.  I didn't see any other results though.

Suave Smoothing Body Lotion with Cocoa Butter & Shea.  This has a great, fresh scent.  I would consider picking this one up.

Trader Joe's Coconut Body Butter.  My last one!  I need to get down to Wilmington and replenish the supply!

Amlactin Moisturizing Body Lotion.  This lotion stings, not just after shaving either.  After every time.  Yikes!  Alpha-Hydroxy acids hurt y'all.  But they are good exfoliators.  Maybe this lotion will be better for me in the summer.  Ouch.

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye. This lasted forever.  I even thought it was empty and was still able to use it for a few more weeks.  It's finally empty.  I will repurchase the cream version, Advanced Night Repair Eye Synchronized Complex.  I saw pretty good results after using 2 samples of the previous.  When I went to purchase the full size, the sales associate steered me towards the serum.

Organix Hydrating Macademia Oil Shampoo & Conditioner.  I picked these up, well on clearance of course, but because I loved the hair mask.  These were very drying.  I added avocado oil to both of them and they were tolerable.  Avocado oil makes every shampoo and conditioner better.  I won't repurchase.

Epielle Facial Essence Mask Collagen with Vitamin E.  I bought several of these during one of Big Lots 20% off sales.  They are 60 cents a piece.  They are nice and cheap.  Alcohol is the 6th ingredient.  Not super happy about that.

100% pure coconut nourishing body cream.  Initially it smells a little funny, earthy, raw but later in the day it smelled really nice. I liked that I could smell it throughout the day too.  Really nice ingredients too.  I might need to pick this up.

Caldrea Aromotherapeutic Body Lotion in Coconut Fig Leaf.  If I could smell like this for all the days of my life.  I would buy buckets of this stuff.  I saw that Caldrea is on Vitacost but not the lotion.  $22 for 8 fl. oz.  If I win the lottery...

Kiehls' Fig Leaf and Sage is another scent that I love.  I tried the body cleanser it was luxurious. $24 for 8.4 fl.oz.

 
Derma Doctor DD cream was too dark so I couldn't really test it out since I'm in the public eye a lot!

Kiehl's BB Cream is really nice!  It has an SPF 50 and smells of sunscreen but the coverage is nice.  I would pick this one up if I didn't have any other BB creams in rotation.

There are a few other oils and serums but since they were 1-2 use foil packets, I can't really formulate an opinion of them after such short time use.

Oh I was thinking that they Smashbox Photo Finish More Than Primer Blemish Control was actually green like the package, but it isn't.  I was thinking it was a color correcting thing.  Oh well.  But I still would like to have a full size of this around for days when I need a blemish treatment. 

I actually finished a perfume sample!  Victoria's Secret Bombshell.  I will be purchasing a full size.  I liked this one a lot.  One day I will share my perfume sample "collection."

Most repurchased...

My most repurchased beauty items!!!

I started this post a long time ago and I'm happy to say, these items are still repurchased, time and time again!

I am constantly trying new things in the beauty realm but there are a few items that I continue to purchase consistently.  They are my tried and true...  If you had been keeping up with my empties posts last year, you will know a few off the bat.  I have a lot of skincare items for sure...

1.  Rimmel Gentle Makeup Remover:  I have lost count how many bottles that I have gone though. 4.2 fl oz may only last 5-6 weeks of every day use, but at $4 a bottle, you can't go wrong.  I liken it to the other cleansing waters on the market, though I know I really shouldn't compare.  But in my mind it looks and feels like water removing my eye makeup ever so gently, it does not irritate my eyes nor does not leave a residue.  I can hold off on Bioderma...  I think...

2.  AVON makeup remover wipes with mineral complex:  My most recent order was for 7 packs.  I'm not sure why I picked 7 but they were on sale for $3.99 so I scooped up a bunch to last me.  I typically use one wipe a night to remove my makeup.  There are 24 in a pack.  So for $3.99, it's a bargain.  They remove a good majority of my daily war paint and can remove eye shadow.  Your skin actually feels clean after using a single wipe.  It's incredible.  I do need a separate remover for my liner and mascare as I don't want to be tugging that delicate skin around.  They are a nice thick cloth and the perfect amount of moisture.  Bravo AVON!

3.  Green Cream High Potency Retinol Level 6:  (Not pictured) I finished my 3rd bottle last fall and haven't repurchased yet but wanted to mention it anyway.  I believe I started out with Level 3.  Level 3 is a mint green, level 6 is brighter with a touch of yellow.  I don't use it every night, maybe 2-3 times a week so I have never experienced red, peeling skin as some reviews warn.  I want to work up to Level 9 which is supposed to be an alternative to prescription retinoid.  It definitely smoothes out my complexion with consistent use.  I'm looking forward to trying Level 9.  Each level costs a bit more, which is to be expected as it increases the good stuff.

4. Burt's Bees Citrus Facial Scrub: Love this stuff.  I do purchase/try out other scrubs but I always go back to this one.  I could never find this in local stores for the longest time so I always need to order on-line hence the occasional stray.  I recently found that my Target carries it so thankfully I can pick it up on the regular again.  I love the smell of it.  When my skin absolutely freaks out on me, I know I can get it under control after a couple of days of using this scrub. The ingredient list is simple and full of good stuff.

5.  Revlon Crazy Shine Nail Buffer:  Remember years ago or maybe last weekend one of those sales people at a kiosk in the mall started out with, "Can I ask you something..." and you came home with a huge bottle of cuticle oil, hand cream and a buffer for $40?  Well this one works just as well, it's only 2 steps and it's around $3!  I'm looking at my shiny nails right now contemplating not painting them.  I only get maybe 4 uses out of these, the tear drop shape looks nice but it's not really functional.  The edges wear down quicker than the center.  But as far as an affordable nail buffer that I use once a month or so, I will continue to repurchase.

6.  Seche Vite: (Not pictured)  Before "discovering" this gem, painting my nails happened a couple of times a year.  After purchasing, nearly every day...  I'm the type of person that if I see a slight dent in my polish, I need to start all over again.  I can't deal!  So Seche gave me back my sanity and allowed me to paint my nails whenever I wanted.  I still dabble in other top coats here and there but Seche is the best for my nails that I have found so far so I will always have a bottle on hand. Except for at this very moment...  I have 10 top coats that I am determined to finish or toss.  :)

7. Jojoba, castor, tea tree and coconut oils:  I need these oils in my life.  I have used a mixture of jojoba, castor and tea tree oil as a cleanser.  It takes some extra time and uses a lot of hot water so I can't cleanse my face with my oil mix every night but it is by far the best cleanser for my skin if I have 30 minutes to myself.  I smooth the mix on my face in circular motions and then steam out my pores with a hot wet face cloth.  Castor oil on it's own is very drying so I add jojoba for some moisture and tea tree oil as a treatment.  Good stuff!  I follow up with Burt's Bees Citrus Facial Scrub.  I use coconut oil on everything.  As a body moisturizer, hair mask, scalp treatment...  I have used it on my face but it can be congesting so I prefer my other lighter oils.  And of course organic is the only way to go.  Pricey, but definitely worth it.

8.  Witch Hazel: I've tried many brands, there really isn't one brand that I always buy.  My current bottle is from Target.  Probably $2 for 16 fl. oz. and it lasts me a year.  After cleansing, no matter my method, I always run a cotton wool soaked in Witch Hazel across my face.  If I skip this step for a couple of days, my skin lets me know it.  I always try new toners.  In fact I have one by Korres that I really like. But ultimately, witch hazel works the best at balancing my skin.

9. Epson salt:  I use this in the bath and for my salt scrubs.  A huge container like this is $3-4 and it can make a lot of salt scrub on the cheap and you can add your own oils so you know what is in them.  I was paying $4 a container for the cheap-o Big Lots scrub, which I loved for the price but noticed it would sting.  Well that can't be good!  A few questionable, irritating ingredients, you are better off making your own and it takes all of 90 seconds.

10: Trader Joe's Coconut Body Butter:  $5.  Best.Stuff.Ever  You can pay $20-30 for a good body butter.  Though this is really like a thick cream.  Body Butters to me have a bit of a greasy feel and leave a sheen.  This does not feel or do that.  However, it is very moisturizing, feels and smells great on the skin. I always have 1-2 containers backup.

11.  Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Deodorant/Anti-perspirant:  Hands down, this works better than any "clinical strength" deodorants on the market.  It has aluminum which isn't my favorite but if I'm in a situation where smelling really isn't an option, this is my go to.  There is no research that suggest aluminum really isn't the bad cancer causing agent after all.  But I still use it sparingly and never after recently shaving.  I really do not need an anti-perspirant but this is the only deodorant that works for me.  I've recommended it to everyone and those that buy it are very happy with their purchase.  At first, the smell kind of put me off but I got used to it and now I don't really smell it anymore

So there you have it, my most repurchased!

What are your must have beauty products?

Week 3: Weekly Skincare/Makeup Box

If you have been following my journey for the past couple of weeks, I have worked out a system to actually use up samples, rather than saving them for a rainy day i.e. hoarding them in my Alex drawers.  I have to choose a sample or when the samples eventually (hopefully) run out, a different full size product in each category to rotate and use things up!

Here are my categories:

Foundation
BB/CC/DD Cream
Primer
Moisturizer
SPF
Eye cream
Serum and/or treatment
Cleanser 
Mask
Some type of exfoliant
Some type of palette, eyeshadow, blush, etc.

Throughout the week I just put the products that I have used, makeup and skincare, in the box and I share what I used at the end of the week and give a quick little review of some/most of the products.

These are the products that I have chosen for Week #3!

Foundation & CC Cream:

 

This sample of Lorac CC cream came with my Lorac Po palette and it is in the shade medium.  Way too dark for me right now so I will be mixing this or going over it with L'OREAL Lumi in W1-2. I also have a sample of Clinique acne solutions liquid makeup in 03 fresh neutral. And I have some left over Kate Somerville CC cream as well from last week.

 

Primer: And since the Lumi is luminous, primer is essential for me.  This will be the first time trying Smashbox!

 



Moisturizer:  This week I'm trying First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair cream Intense Hydration for dry parched skin.  Which my skin is not so this will be used sparingly but this has been the most dry my skin has been in a long, long time.  Thanks to the unusually dry, cold air we have been experiencing in the South!

SPF:  I have a left over Clarins sample from last week.

Eye cream:  I'm still finishing up an Arbonne sample from the first 2 weeks but I also have Jack Black Protein Booster Eye Rescue and DERMAdoctor Photo Dynamic therapy liquid red light eye lift lotion when the Arbonne runs out.

Serum and/or treatment:   I have Lancôme Visionnaire and Nip+Fab No Needle Fix Serum. As well as Nip+Fab Viper Venom from last week.

 

Cleanser:  Trader Joe's Organic Raw Honey.  Yes, honey.  This is a thicker honey that needs to be scooped out of the container.  It has fine granules that act almost like an exfoliant.  I will of course pre-cleanser and remove my makeup prior to cleansing with this honey.  I like to let the honey sit for 5-10 minutes to benefit from the antibacterial and moisturizing properties as well.  It rinses off with no stickiness or residue.  Good stuff!

Mask:  Apparently I have several this week. Clinique oil-controlling cleansing mask, boscia bright white mask and Golden Root purifying mud mask.

Some type of exfoliant:  I'm using honey as my exfoliant this week.  I'm sure I will add something in the mix like the left over WEI Pomegranate buffing beads left over from Week #1.

Some type of palette, eyeshadow, blush, etc:  Urban Decay Book of Shadows IV!!!  This palette just doesn't get enough love. 

Look at all the pretty colors!!!  I just love them all.

Did you get your samples out?  What are you trying this week?