My Winter Pamper Essentials

During the winter, my skin gets so incredibly unhappy. Especially now, going to school in a place that is at least 20 degrees colder at any given time than back home in San Diego, my skin is just very temperamental. Not only does it get dry as the desert, but it also tends to get a little extra congested, making my pores bigger and more noticeable than any other time of year.

Once a week, I like to have a nice pamper day to help combat not only the winter cold's effects on my skin, but to wind down and remind myself that self-care is totally okay! If you are living in a colder environment, or just wanna get some hardcore moisture going on in your life, these products are definitely for you.

From left to right:

• Lush's Self-Preserving Mask of Magnaminty. This stuff is amazing, and even better, it's self-preserving! I bought this mask back in December and it's supposed to last until April, which, if you're familiar with Lush's regular fresh face masks, is a long time! It really helps to clear out any clogged pores, and my skin looks so fresh and radiant after using it. Because of the aduki beans, this mask doubles as an exfoliant. When you wash it off, just rub it around in circles on your skin, and it'll slough off any of that dry, flaky winter skin!
• Macadamia Deep Repair Masque. I tried to resist this hair mask for a long time, because it is pretty pricey. However, in one of my earlier Ulta trips, I grabbed a one-time-use size for $4, and I was completely hooked. My hair was so damaged and knotty because I bleached my hair early in 2013, and now that I use it once a week, my hair has never looked better! My hair is no longer damaged or brittle, and it keeps the dry winter frizz at bay.
• Dr. Teal's Milk and Honey Epsom Salt. Usually when I have my pamper day, I like to take a nice, hot bath, especially with it being 40 degrees at the absolute highest most days. When I'm running my bath, I take a few handfuls of this Epsom salt and mix it into the water until it completely dissolves. Epsom salt is known for helping to relax minor aches and pains, which I definitely need most days, since I spend so much time hunched in front of a sewing machine! And the milk and honey in the mix not only smells amazing, but really hydrates my skin without making me feel oily or greasy when I get out of the bath.
• The Body Shop Brazil Nut Body Butter. When I get out of the bath, I liked to use this body butter all over my body. It is a bit heavy, so I only use it before going to bed, so that I can allow it to fully soak in overnight. However, it smells absolutely incredible, and is super hydrating, as these body butters are known to be! 
• Eucerin Skin Calming Daily Moisturizing Creme. This stuff is a godsend. During the winter especially, my psoriasis likes to completely freak out. It's not a fun time, and it actually really hurts. After I get out of the bath, I like to apply this lotion on any of my spots with psoriasis, as well as on my inner elbows, where I tend to get the occasional patches of eczema. Since I started using this lotion, my troubled skin has been so much happier!

What are your winter pamper essentials?

- D. 

Trash Talk: Moving Out Edition

I'm leaving for college in just a couple of days (well, by the time this post goes up, I'll have already moved in!) so I decided it was time to get up a Trash Talk post of products I had been hoarding for a month or two, so I wouldn't have to throw everything out without telling you all about them!

• St. Ives Oatmeal & Shea Butter Body Wash. I talked about this in my last Trash Talk post, except I had the travel size. I seriously love this body wash! However, because of the weather, I've switched over to a more clarifying body wash, but I'm definitely going to have to repurchase this come winter time. 
• St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub. Personally, I find this stuff to be way too rough for my face. Some people swear by it, but I have heard that this scrub can actually cause wrinkles by creating a bunch of tiny little micro cuts on your face. So instead, I use this scrub on my legs and hands! It's perfect for the summer after shaving, and it's also pretty gentle. 
• MAC Fix+. This is my go to finishing spray for refreshing my makeup and keeping it from looking cakey. It isn't quite a setting spray, and it won't help your makeup last longer, but it helps get rid of any powdery look that can be caused by overpowdering. I use this stuff almost every day and it just helps me feel nice and refreshed as I walk out the door!
• Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Shampoo. While traditionally marketed as a dandruff shampoo, I love Head & Shoulders as just a simple, hydrating shampoo. Since I do have scalp psoriasis, I need something gentle and hydrating. Obviously, it's not targeted toward my problem, but I find that most psoriasis shampoos are way too harsh and dry out my skin even more. Plus it smells great, unlike most if not all psoriasis shampoos.
• Avene Eau Thermale Thermal Spring Water. This spray is amazing for hot days. I like to spray it over my face on no-makeup days to really help rehydrate my dry skin, or to just refresh my skin when I'm feeling a little gross! It makes humid summer days so much more bearable and won't dry out your skin.
• Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm with Shea Butter & Vitamin E. I'm obsessed with this lip balm. First of all, it smells like vanilla frosting! And secondly, it keeps my lips so hydrated. I haven't had any problems with chapped lips since I started using this lip balm last year, and I don't think I can ever go back!
• Dove Refresh+Care Dry Shampoo. I don't know why this dry shampoo has such horrible reviews on their website. Not only does this dry shampoo smell amazing and fresh, but it really helps to get rid of oiliness without leaving a white cast! I did hair and makeup for a musical in July and so many girls kept asking to use it, asking me where they could get it because they loved it so much. I also find that it just gives me so much volume and texture, something that my hair definitely has none of without product.

By the time this post goes up, I should be moved into my new apartment in North Carolina! Keep a lookout for a home decor post soon. Maybe if I'm lucky, my roommate will even do a guest post about her own decor! 

- D.

My Daily Skin Care Routine + DIY Eye Makeup Remover

Finally! I've been talking about doing this for a while, and now I'm finally getting around to doing a skin care routine post, as well as a super easy DIY eye makeup remover! Fair warning: this may be a bit of a long, rambly post, because my morning and nighttime routines are mostly the same, so I decided to discuss them both at once! Let me start out by telling you a little bit about my skin:

I have sensitive, dry-combination skin -- my forehead and cheeks get very dry, my nose is balanced and normal, and my chin is very oily. My eyelids are oily in some areas, with dry patches in others. On top of that, I have patches of plaque psoriasis around my nose and around my hairline. I have never really had trouble with acne, although I do tend to get mild cystic acne on my chin around my time of the month.

The key to my skin care routine is to find the perfect balance for my entire face, without irritating it. Like I said, I have sensitive skin, so I do my best to avoid fragrant products, or anything with harsh chemicals.

Every night, if I've been wearing makeup, I make sure to remove as much of it as I possibly can. I start out with eye makeup. At this end of this post, I will have details on my incredibly easy and fast DIY eye makeup remover! But first thing's first, using a cotton pad, I hold the eye makeup remover to my eyes for about 10 seconds and wipe away my eye makeup. I also run it along my lower lash line with a cotton swab to ensure that I got all my makeup off.

Next, I go in with a cleansing water. I used to use the Sephora Triple Action Cleansing Water, but the smell turned me off. In the US, cleansing waters are hard to find, so the Sephora brand cleansing water is a great option if you don't have a credit card or are just trying out cleansing waters for the first time. However, I've recently started using the Garnier Cleansing Micellar Water, which is half the price for the same size. The only downside of this product is that I have yet to see it in the US. I'm not sure where this product can be found elsewhere in the world, but I ordered it through FeelUnique! I use the cleansing water to remove any of the excess olive oil and get any leftover makeup on my eyes, and then use it to remove my face makeup. If I'm being extra lazy, I will stop here.

After my cleansing water, I use a gentle cleanser. Like I said before, finding that balance with my skin is key, and Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash does exactly that. I sometimes use this product both day and night, although some people recommend only cleansing once a day. I find that this face wash is gentle enough, though, to be used twice a day without drying out your skin. If I decide I want to exfoliate, I prefer manually exfoliating with a wash cloth. I have yet to find a really great scrub for my face, as most of them just leave me red and irritated. So instead, I usually just take a warm, damp wash cloth and, using circular massaging motions, remove all the cleanser from my face!

After cleansing, I use a homemade toner and spot treatment, both made from tea tree oil. For a toner, I take a small travel spray bottle and fill it with purified water, then add a few drops of tea tree oil. Then I shake it up and spritz it all over my face. This is also great as an antibacterial refreshing spray! For a spot treatment, I take a cotton swab and just a tiny bit of tea tree oil and dab it on any spots I notice. Due to its antibacterial properties, the tea tree oil helps to reduce and cut the life of my breakouts! I usually only use pure tea tree oil at night, as it can smell quite strongly and some people are put off by the scent.

After spot treating, I use an eye cream. For a while, I was loving the Origins Eye Doctor Eye Cream, but every time I went to purchase a new jar, my credit card would sing a sad song. So recently, I discovered the Boots Botanics Organic Hydrating Eye Cream, which is half the price! My sensitive eye area is so happy, and so is my bank account. My biggest problem when it comes to eye creams is that most of them are too rich for my skin and cause small milia to appear. I haven't had this problem with either the Origins or the Boots Botanics eye creams, and they are both light enough to be used day and night.

From here, I move onto moisturizing. For the day time, I use the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Moisturizer, which hydrates my skin without being heavy and thick. Because it isn't heavy, it doesn't feel greasy on my oilier areas, but it is still hydrating enough for my drier areas. I also mix this moisturizer with the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunscreen. I discovered this sunscreen in high school and fell in love because of its texture. It never feels greasy, and can be applied over makeup without ruining it!

At night, I skip a traditional moisturizer altogether, and reach for the Josie Maran Argan Oil Light. I put two to three drops into clean hands, spread it in my hands, and gently pat the oil onto my face. I find that this oil really hydrates my skin overnight, but never leaves me feeling greasy. It may be a bit pricey, at $48 for the full size, but they sell it in a travel size for $16, and it lasts forever! I also use this argan oil one or twice a week to massage my face, to really get the blood flowing and to invigorate my skin. To finish off my daily routine, I always top off my lips with my Jack Black Intense Lip Therapy Lip Balm.

Once or twice a week, I will use a face mask to refresh and really deep clean my skin. As I've raved about a thousand times, I absolutely love the Origins Clear Improvements Active Charcoal Mask. Not only does it do a great job of really pulling out any sebum and dirt from my pores, but it has actually made my psoriasis better. Since using this mask, I've noticed the psoriasis around my nose slowly going away! I actually have an entire rave about this mask here. Another mask that I love to use, especially when I have active breakouts, is the Lush Cosmetic Warrior Fresh Face Mask. This mask is a godsend. I discovered it a few years ago when I was on the hunt for the Cupcake Mask, but the Lush in my area was all sold out! The young woman recommended the Cosmetic Warrior mask instead, and I don't regret it one bit! I probably have 7 or 8 jars of this face mask alone that I need to trade in.

Now let's talk about my super easy DIY eye makeup remover. 

Things You'll Need:

• Any empty travel bottle
• Purified water
• Extra virgin olive oil

To create my eye makeup remover, I use a small travel bottle and fill it about 4/5 of the way with purified water. Then, fill the last 1/5 with extra virgin olive oil. You hardly need any of the olive oil, and too much of it can cling to your skin and get into your eyes. Of course, it will separate, so shake well before using. I find that this solution can gently remove even the most stubborn waterproof mascara, and the olive oil will condition your lashes and prevent breakage! 

And that's it for my skin care routine! I know it seems like a lot, but once you get into the habit, it really seems like nothing at all. It only takes a couple of minutes for the entire routine, and I find that my skin is happiest when I'm actively making time to take care of it. Keep in mind that this is the routine that works for me. Your skin is different and always changing!

- d.

Top 5 Tips for Managing Dry Skin This Winter!

Here in sunny California, I don't feel the effects of the winter as harshly as many people do. However, I have had my share of white Christmases, and I know that dry skin can be a battle! Not only do I normally have dry-combination skin, but I also have a skin condition called psoriasis, which only gets worse in the cold weather. Here are my top 5 tips for managing dry skin!

5. Moisturize.
While using lotion may seem like a big "duh" to most people, you would be shocked at how many people forget this step in their routine. Find a lotion that works for you. Personally, I try to avoid any kind of scented lotions (except my Soap & Glory Hand Food, but I just can't get enough of that stuff!), because I often find that it just irritates my skin and leaves it more dry than before. Bath & Body Works lotions especially tend to do this, unfortunately. Do your best to avoid mineral oil as well, as it creates a barrier between your skin and the outside world. You want to protect your skin, not suffocate it! Coconut oil is also a great natural moisturizer. 

4. Take a bath.
One of my favorite ways to help moisturize my skin is by relaxing in a nice warm bath. However, not just any kind of bath! I love to mix extra virgin olive oil and apple cider vinegar into my baths. They are incredibly cheap options and leave your skin feeling silky. If you really want a luxurious, moisturizing bath, look for a buttery bath melt or bath bomb. My absolute favorite is Lush's Butterball, but you can find products like this just about any place that sells bath supplies.

3. Exfoliate.
You are covered in dead skin cells. Sounds gross, right? But that's just how your skin works. The average person has about 15-20 layers of dead skin cells on their body. So you can moisturize all you want, but how much of that product is actually effectively moisturizing your skin? Exfoliation can help encourage cell turnover, which will help reveal beautiful, glowing skin. Don't over-exfoliate though. You don't want to rub yourself raw! 

2. Eat raw fruits and vegetables. 
A balanced diet is key for beautiful skin. In the winter time, raw fruits and vegetables tend to go unnoticed, since they are often a summer time treat. Keep them in your diet year-round. Raw fruits and veggies are loaded in antioxidants and vitamins, which will help keep your skin healthy and bright. Raw fruits and veggies are also generally better for you than cooked fruits and veggies, because cooking often destroys most of the nutrients and enzymes in your food. 

1. Drink WATER!
I cannot stress this enough. Water is your best friend. Water not only hydrates you, but you are made of it! Two-thirds of your body is made up of water. Needless to say, it's pretty important. Caffeine in coffee, tea, energy drinks, and sodas will dehydrate your body. Switch out at least one sugary drink per day for water, and you'll see a difference!

Remember, beautiful skin starts from the inside. You can use thousands of dollars worth of products, and never see a real, long term difference. These tips are not only for use in the winter, but year-round. Keep in mind that your body is a temple, and you only get one of them, so treat it right and it will thank you!

- d.

p.s. If any of you follow me on Tumblr, you'll know that my best friend, Christine, is running for Miss San Diego! Being a part of the Miss America organization, Christine is supporting local children's hospitals, and is raising money for the Children's Miracle Network. On top of that, for every $10 she raises, she and her mom will make a scarf that will be donated to the homeless, which can help make the difference between life or death this winter. Let's help make miracles happen! Click here to donate.