January 2010 Favorites!

I'm patiently awaiting the arrival of my new digi so that would be why there's no video to this..... yet!

Favorites for the month of January:

Clinique All About Eyes moisturizer- great before bed, before makeup, just any time you wish really. Gives a great surge of moisture and is water-based so it doesn't hurt if you get a little in your eyes.

ELF Mineral Eyeshadow Primer- I think that the only stuff at ELF that is worthy of purchase is their mineral products and some of their brushes. I bought a ton of their mineral products when they were 75% off, so I got my eyeshadow primer for a buck I think. It is quite comparable to the Urban Decay Primer Potion (UDPP) and I find it is best used for the work day, that way you can save your UDPP for the weekends/cocktail hour(s) on Friday. It is water based so it is safe for your eyes and it dries to a slight powder finish.

Joico Moisture Recovery system- I was kind of hesitant to try this out, but it left me with fabulous results. The pH of the shampoo and conditioner were both slightly acidic (they even post it on the bottle) because of the sea kelp in the treatment. What a slightly acidic shampoo and conditioner will do is actually close the cuticle of the hair leaving it shiny and smooth.

A couple of great facts about hair:

• If you use salon brands, try not to use as much shampoo as you usually do. This is because salon brands are generally more concentrated so you actually need less.
• Salon brand shampoos are generally milder. Cheaper shampoos contain ingredients that are very basic in pH, which are very harsh for our hair and skin.
• Hair is made from keratin, which is also found in our fingernails. If you find you are losing a lot of hair or have brittle fingernails, try increasing the amount of Biotin in your diet by taking a supplement or increasing the amount of food with biotin in your diet. Some great sources of Biotin include eggs, liver, wheat bran, and avocados. Pregnant women have great skin, hair, and nails because Biotin is frequently used in prenatal supplements. This is no guarantee as I am not a doctor.

Parlez-vous OPI? Nailpolish by OPI- A great all-purpose dusty purple. If you wanna go the route of dark nails and want to make it work appropriate, try out this muted purple shade.

To Tone or Not to Tone

Toner.

I used toner a lot in my preteens when I went all-natural with my facial products. I used witch hazel as a toner following cleansing. But then again, I was using a glycerine-based facial soap that wasn't pH balanced.

Nowadays, almost all facial cleansers are pH balanced. Toner was used primarily to restore the natural balance to our skin because our skin has a slight acidic pH. Basically what happens is when you wash your face with soap, you are adding alkaline products that will slowly raise your skin's natural pH. Naturally, your skin begins to produce oils and works naturally to return back to its natural acidic (less than 7 on the pH scale) state. With toner, you are basically making it easier for your skin to return to normal. Also, toner can remove any left over residue that your facial soap may leave and may also treat areas where oil tends to get out of control.

A lot of people with dry skin choose to avoid using toners for fear that they may dry out of their skin worse. Look for a product that is moisturizing with aloe or that is water based. I have dry combination skin and I use Clinique's Clarifying Lotion #2 in their three part skin system.

Do not look for a toner with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Toners are alcohol based and they will evaporate off of the skin over a short period of time. For acne treatment, stick to creams- something that stays on the skin.

So should you tone or not? A lot of people incorporate toners into their daily routine in the summer, but I feel toners can be used year round. If your current cleansing routine is working for you and doesn't contain toner, don't mess with a good thing. If you find your skin is dull or that your cleanser leaves a film (many cream cleansers do), maybe adding a toner into your routine can help your skin change. If you are not sure, I recommend starting with witch hazel which is usually less than three dollars. If you have dry skin, mix equal parts water with witch hazel. It doesn't smell great, but it doesn't stay on your skin forever.

And always, moisturize and add sunscreen after toning! That's just good skin care.

Where NOT to spend money

In my opinion, mascara is one product that I will never buy a department store brand.

Why?

Mascara should be replaced every 3 months. Over time the product consistency changes, the formula begins to age and flake, and you are essentially pumping fresh bacteria back into your tube. After three months, you need to chuck your mascara. Why spend $20 or more on mascara if you are going to have to trash it anyway?

Drugstore brand mascara's are a bargain, and there are so many different formulations. $5-7 is a lot easier to part with.

Now with that said, if you love love LOVE mascara and want to go the department store route, at least try to get a good run out of the product. I personally love getting the sample sizes of Estee Lauder or Clinique when I get a gift with purchase. But I just can't see myself putting out the money for something that goes bad quicker than the rest of my makeup.

With all of the variety at your local drugstore, I don't see why you need to go the route of MAC Plush Lash or Benefit's BadGal Lash. Splurge on your favorite lipstick, save on your mascara.

Now if you find that a drugstore formulation doesn't do what you want or you get an allergic reaction to one, switch it up. If you have a tried and true formulation, stay with that. No need to mess with something if it's not broke!

My favorite mascaras include Loreal's Double Extend Tube mascara, Maybelline Lash Stiletto, and Cover Girl Lash Blast. I say it's a good idea to have a black, a brown, and a clear mascara on hand. I can get all three usually for less than the price of one MAC mascara.

For when you have questions...

ask!

Ever wonder what's really in the makeup products you use? Confused as to what type of acne product to use? Want to go green? These are often the type of questions I wonder as I am getting ready for my day. I'm sure you've thought of them too!

This blog is to help answer any questions that may have come up or maybe you just want a new view on some thing tried and true.

Instead of scouring the internet, magazines, or even asking your dermatologist, the Life and Style Researcher is here to do the dirty work for you.