A clean & smooth canvas is necessary for any work of art (Your face included)! 

A well prepped & primed face can make your base and overall makeup look just that much better! It can make the world of a difference, in my opinion. I don't do anything too fancy. I just follow a simple 3 step prime & prime routine I've put together before I apply any foundation/concealer. The combination of these products work very well together. I slightly mix it up depending on daytime or nighttime wear. I also always start with a freshly cleansed and toned face. These products are definitely for my oily-skinned girls/guys as I know the pain myself. TIP: I leave a 10-20+ second gap between applying moisturizer, primer and foundation. That way everything is absorbed well into the skin (& not all mixed together).

Lets start! These are my 3 steps and what products I use for each:

1. MOISTURIZE YOUR SKIN

2 Options:  SPF for daytime & SPF-Free for evenings/nights

Paula's Choice Resist Super-Light Wrinkle Defense SPF 30:

Get your SPF on! On my regular day-time makeup days, I always use a moisturizer with a SPF --- it is SO important! A moisturizer + sunscreen in 1 is great as it combines steps. Otherwise, I'd easily forget to apply a separate sunscreen. This is a great moisturizer with a built-in mineral/physical sunscreen. It has zinc oxide as the main active ingredient acting as a physical sunscreen. I prefer mineral sunscreens over chemical ones as they are safer (more info on Dr. Oz's Sunscreen Article). 

I love this moisturizer because it is light-weight, blends in well and has a full matte finish. Absolutely no shiny/oily look unlike other sunscreens. Its got a bit of a tint to it, which helps to avoid white casts. BONUS: Its got some anti-aging properties as well! I usually hate using moisturizers with SPF when I wear makeup cause of the shiny look, white casts & flashback---but I have no complaints with this one! I have found the one for me *love*.

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel:  

 An oily girl's BEST FRIEND! This is hands down my favourite SPF-free moisturizer to wear under makeup. My skin is on the oilier side and using any old moisturizer just does not cut it for me. Especially in the summer months! My skin can look like an oily slick by mid-day--- leading to a lot of blotting + powdering! I generously apply this all over my face, excluding  my under-eye area.

This gel is light-weight and oil-free. It hydrates my skin without looking or feeling at all greasy. It blends so beautifully into my skin--- its invisible once on. It has a matte finish and leaves me with soft, smooth & shine-free skin. The moisturizer you use under makeup truly does matter!--- I learned that the hard way. An oil-free moisturizer with a matte finish like this one has really helped with oil control. This gel is SPF-free which is what I love to use when I want a flawless finish especially for night-outs, without having to worry about flashback/white casts.

2. MOISTURIZE UNDER-EYE AREA

 

Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream:  

An early morning wake-me-up! I use less than a pea sized amount to apply under my eyes and on my eyelids. Personally, I don't believe that a special eye cream is necessary as I mentioned in my Breaking 5 Common Beauty Myths  post. BUT, I really believe this eye-cream STANDS OUT from other eye creams. It does MUCH MORE than simply moisturizing the area.  It BRIGHTENS! It has the tiniest specs of shimmer in it. SHIMMER? No, it isn't anything crazy! It's barely noticeable when applied. Yet, it gives off a slight sheen and radiance that brightens & highlights the area.

Origin claims that it is "a clinically-proven eye cream that instantly de-puffs and reduces dark circles". Personally I'd say it does NA-DA to reduce dark circles! But, it does slightly help to de-puff the under eye area which is the work of the caffeine + other ingredients in this. It immediately feels SO refreshing and soothing when applied---especially for early mornings of late nights. A little goes a long way and this tiny container will probably be enough to last me years!

Its got a bit of sheen to it.

3. PRIME THE SKIN

 

Smashbox Photofinish Foundation Primer: 

 To prime or not to prime? That is a question I've been trying to answer myself for a long time! For years I've gone without a primer and only recently added it to my routine. Smashbox has a ton of different primers to choose from, all meant to do different things--- the one I use is the original iconic formula. I apply the tiniest amount of this on my face focusing around my T-zone and cheeks (where I tend to get get oily). But does this really make any difference? Well, here's what Smashbox says its meant to do:

Create a perfect canvas for foundation application with this silky, lightweight blend of vitamins A & E, grape seed extract and green tea. Worn alone or under foundation, our best-selling, oil-free primer helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and pores for flawless skin with a velvety-smooth finish.

I personally do not have fine lines or large, visible pores (as far as I have noticed *YET--eeks*) so I can't speak to that. But, YES! I totally agree that this is a very light-weight formula that makes your skin feel ever so silky, velvety, smooth and ready for foundation. I feel that this primer creates a barrier between my skin and any makeup I apply. My foundation tends to stick on for longer as well. Its also rich in antioxidants which is always a plus!

Have I seen dramatic results giving this a HG status? NOT YET! Is a primer really necessary?! Well...I'm still experimenting with it under different conditions, weather and so on. I'll update when I have a solid opinion. Either way I love to use this as extra protection when I want a flawless, long-lasting finish.

Now, my face is prepped, primed & ready to go "paint" with makeup!

What are your Prep & Prime Products to perfect your base?

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All Time Favourite Beauty Oils

I'm OBSESSED with oils! I love using them for my face, hair, body and so much more. The best thing about them is that they are 100% natural and full of skin-loving & healing ingredients. Here are my TOP 4 OILS FOR MY FACE: 

1. ARGAN OIL: 

 Who hasn't heard of this baby by now? It's my absolute favourite multipurpose oil  that I primarily as a moisturizer for my face. It is a very dry oil and unlike other oils it doesn't leave a greasy residue behind. Massage onto your face and skin quickly absorbs it in! I love to use this on make-up free days and on nights when I'm not applying other serums. Its my go-to product when my skin needs a break.

When I wake up in the morning after using this, my skin feels so soft, supple and refreshed. If you have dry skin, you could definitely use this as a moisturizer under your makeup as well. But since my skin is on the oily side, I do not. I use the Josie Maran 100 percent Pure Argan Oil (which is mega pricey), but I feel that you can use ANY 100% PURE, COLD PRESSED Argan Oil. Once I finish the Josie Maran one, I'll be purchasing it from any other affordable brand.
Properties: Rich in essential fatty acids, Vitamin E, Linoleic acid

2. ROSEHIP OIL:  

Second Runner up! This used-to-be my ultimate favourite facial oil for moisturizing until I discovered argan oil. It is also a "dry oil" but argan is slightly more dry. I was totally sold when I woke up the following morning after applying this for the first time. My skin was GLOWING! I looked so refreshed and awake. I've used this almost every night for around a year until I converted to Argan oil. This oil is said to have anti-aging properties as well as help to reduce acne scarring. Personally, I have not seen any DRAMATIC improvements on either that I can comment on, but I have heard that it has worked for others. 

Why did I make the switch to Argan Oil? Well,  only about 2 months ago I discovered that this oil may be a culprit in exacerbating my breakouts (note: NOT causing). After some research online, I found that some others reported the same and that rosehip oil may indeed have a connection with the worsening of breakouts. I immediately stopped using it daily and now my breakouts are much more under control. Regardless, rosehip oil still makes my favorites list! This is because I still do enjoy this oil whenever my skin is clear and behaving itself as I love the glow it gives my skin. But I am sure to steer away when I have pimples or feel any breakouts emerging.

Note: Pure rosehip oil is is a rich AMBER colour. Yet, there are brands that sell this as a completely clear oil such as the one by NOW Solutions (?!?!).  So, definitely ensure that you use 100% pure, cold pressed oil and that  it is amber coloured. I use the Cocoon Apothecary Organic Rosehip Oil Moisturizing Serum.

Properties: Rich in fatty acids, Linoleic acid, Provitamin A

Left: Cocoon Apothecary Rosehip Oil (amber coloured) | Right: Now Solutions Rosehip oil (clear)

 

3. TEA TREE OIL: 

Only THE BEST NATURAL PIMPLE FIGHTER ever! This is my go-to product to use whenever I feel even the slightest breakout emerging. I hit it with some tea tree oil to stop it in its tracks and BAM by the morning it is nearly GONE. For me, this has been most effective in "Stage 1" of a breakout, when it is just starting to form. After stage 1, tea tree oil is not as powerful at killing an already formed pimple (at least for me especially on those big, ugly zits).  It is said to be almost as effective as Benzoyl Peroxide, but a more natural alternative.

I use tea tree oil in its 100% form and do not dilute it with water to effectively treat pimples. But, FIRST TIME USERS, be warned this is a very potent essential oil especially when used in 100% form. I strongly recommend diluting with water for the FIRST few times you use it until you feel you need a higher concentration. Also, do not go crazy with this oil, only use it where and when you need it! I use the Desert Essence 100% Australian Tea Tree Oil

Properties: Antiseptic, Antifungal

4. VITAMIN E OIL:

 A secret Saviour! I have used this on my facial skin for different purposes...BUT it is the absolute best for your LIPS. Lips are on your face... so yes I count that as a face oil (Right?!--lets pretend it is lol). This stuff is AMAZING to get chapped-free, super soft and smooth lips! I apply this every night on my lips and it has worked wonders. My lips have never looked smoother. I've done a full review on Vitamin E Oil for Lips Here.

Now, I haven't seen much difference using Vitamin E oil on my face and actually really dislike the very thick & heavy feeling of this oil against my skin. I've used it as a DIY under-eye cream and also to reduce scarring but saw no real results. And so its a perfect match made for your lips!I use the Jamieson Brand 100% Pure Vitamin E Oil.

Properties: Rich in Antioxidants

 I love me some oils! Do you use oils in your skincare? What are your absolute favourites? Any recommendations?! 

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Breaking 5 Common Beauty Myths

1. Myth: "I must use a specially formulated Eye-Cream for the delicate area around my eyes".

 Fact: There is no evidence or research that indicates that the under-eye area needs special ingredients (or what these "special ingredients" should be) that are any different from what you use on your face or neck. You can use the exact same well-formulated face cream under your eye area as well. Even if your under-eye skin is different (extra dry) you can still use a face cream for dry skin to treat it. An eye-cream simply allows companies to sell a cream in a significantly smaller container for a significantly higher price. We all know how pricey eye-creams can get!

2. Myth: "My skin needs special care night while it repairs itself so I must use a product labelled Night Cream ". 

Fact: Skin is "repairing" itself and producing skin cells every second: all day and all night. Your skin is deserving of beneficial ingredients (antioxidants, anti-irritants, skin repairing ingredients, etc.) both day and night. The only actual difference there should be between your day time and night time moisturizer is that the daytime moisturizer must have an SPF while the night time moisturizer should not.

3. Myth: "Regularly steaming my face is beneficial for my skin".

Fact: Extreme temperatures in any form (shower, sauna, direct steaming, icing) whether hot or cold irritate the skin and should be avoided as much as possible. It can injure skin cells, dehydrate the skin, and cause capillaries to surface. Only use lukewarm water on your skin.

4. Myth: "I have dry skin, so I will drink lots of water to hydrate it"

Fact: Dry skin is not a simple matter of lack of moisture. Drinking water has very little to do with dry skin as it does nothing to remove surface layers of the skin, where the dry skin occurs. In fact, studies have shown that those with oily or normal skin had relatively similar water content in their skin as those with dry skin. Dry skin can be caused by damaging the skin's outer barrier which can occur through a number of factors such as sun damage, use of irritating ingredients, overly drying cleansers or smoking. Thus, in order to prevent dry skin, the skin's outer barrier must be protected and repaired. BUT... keep in mind that drinking lots of water is BENEFICIAL for your overall health, so keep drinking 8-10 + glasses a day!

5. Myth: "Topical Scrubs are the best way to exfoliate my skin". 

Fact:  Topical scrubs only deal with the the very top, on the surface, superficial layer of skin. Scrubs with a rough, course texture with "beads" cause tiny tears that damages the skin. The best way to penetrate through layers of the skin, remove built-up dead skin cells, and reveal younger-looking skin is with a well-formulated chemical exfoliant (AHA or BHA products). For more information, read this detailed article on AHA/BHA exfoliants.

So there you have it, 5 very common beauty myths dispelled. Hopefully, you learned at least 1 or 2 points from here and lucky you if already knew about all of these! Because up until very recently, I was also guilty of believing these myths. Now, I CRINGE when I think about all the times I would steam my face weekly to "open my pores" and follow with a beaded, topical face scrub... thinking I was "pampering" my skin but I was doing just the opposite :(. It's horrible how many of the beauty myths out there we religiously follow and avidly believe in, are actually doing more harm to us than good. Always do your research before falling for anything your hear!!

Ps. Just in case your wondering, I learned these tips after reading Paula Begoun's Beauty books & articles. I've written a longer post on some more surprising skincare tips I've learned if interested.

*Image used is from Google Images*

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Paula Begoun: Top 20 Skincare Tips

I recently picked up 2 of Paula Begoun's best selling beauty books and I am OBSESSED! Ever since I got them I can't seem to put them down! Don't go the Cosmetics Counter Without Me 9th Edition contains a comprehensive review of hundreds of beauty and skincare products, what to look for and which ones are the best for you (Online version of reviews: Beautypedia). The Original Beauty Bible 3rd Edition is more of a breakdown of everything you need to know and should know about the cosmetics/beauty industry as a whole, common myths, skin care, makeup and so much more. Both books are so informative, eye-opening and fairly easy reads. I can't even believe the amount of knowledge about skincare I had absolutely no idea about.

First off, Paula Begoun is not a doctor, a cosmetologist or dermatologist. She is however incredibly knowledgeable and experienced in the beauty industry for several decades.  Her books are reliable as they are based solely on published, peer reviewed and widely accepted research. She also has her own skincare brand (Paula's Choice). I will outline some highlights from her books that were most appealing to me, many of which I had no idea about.

1. There is NO such thing as a "Miracle Product". There is no single product out there that can give you the skin you always dreamed of so stop searching! Just like eating only broccoli everyday won't give you amazing health, same goes for your skin. You must have a good skin-care routine that consists of different ingredients that are good for your skin. Also, everyone has different skin so there is no one product that will work for everyone.


2. Expensive doesn't always mean better. There are several drugstore products (E.g. ELF) that Paula rates quite high and many expensive brands that she rates quite poorly (e.g Perricone MD, Dr. Hauschhka). Instead, ingredients/formulations should be considered rather than the price.

3. You don't need an Eye-Cream as they are not much different than regular face creams. You should be able to use a face moisturizer under your eyes as well.  Eye creams simply allow companies to sell the product in a significantly smaller container for double the price!

4. Packaging matters when it comes to skincare products as it significantly affects their effectiveness and stability. Jar packaging should be avoided because many beneficial ingredients can easily deteriorate or breakdown upon exposure to air or light. It is also unhygienic to repeatedly put your fingers into a product. Therefore, it is best to use air-tight, opaque, non-transparent packaging.

5. If there's one thing that Paula strongly emphasizes repeatedly, it is the importance of SUN SCREEN, SUN SCREEN and SUNSCREEN!! It should be worn 365 days of the year and yes even when you are indoors (as windows don't block out UV rays). You should use a broad-spectrum (UVA and UVB protection) suncreen with a SPF of at least 15+ (more is better). The sun is a carcinogen and the leading cause for wrinkles, brown spots, etc.

6. That cooling/tingling sensation we sometimes feel when using a certain skincare product (cleanser, face mask, etc.) is NOT a indication that it is "working" or doing something good for your skin. What it actually means is it is irritating your skin and further damaging it.

7. Likewise, that overly dry/squeaky clean feeling we may feel after using a certain cleanser/soap isn't good and may just be irritating your skin.

8. Topical facial scrubs and mechanical scrubs (eg.clarisonic) simply exfoliate the top superficial layer of skin. You cannot scrub acne or blackheads away. Therefore, the best way to help shed built up layers of abnormal, rough, wrinkled, saggy, uneven, sun damaged, acne prone and dead skin cells is with AHA or BHA products. 

Alpha hydroxy Acid (AHA) which includes glycolic, lactic  or polyhydroxy acid, etc. (5% to 10% concentration) is best for dry and normal skin. It best for exfoliating away sun damaged and dry skin. It will also improve the skin's moisture content.

Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) which is salicylic acid (1% to 2%) is best for oily/acne prone skin and treating blackheads and white bumps. BHA can unclog oily pores and normalize the lining of the misshapen pore that contributes to acne. BHA also has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

Daily use of an AHA/BHA exfoliant can give you smoother skin overnight. It will unclog pores, reduce redness, blackheads, breakouts, diminish wrinkles, build collagen and improve uneven skin tone. Its best to use these products at night and if you choose to use them in the day then wear sunscreen on top. Also, its best to use AHA/BHA products in the form of a cream or lotion rather than a cleanser so that the ingredients can stay on your skin long enough to be absorbed.

9. The buzzword "Natural or Organic" is not the solution (there are many natural irritants as well).  In sum, natural doesn't always mean good and synthetic doesn't always mean bad (There is good and bad to both).

10. Paula says, the beauty industry may try to do many things but trying to KILL us is not one of them. The ingredient lists of many products may have scary sounding names that we may have trouble  pronouncing but beyond that there is not much scary about them. Paula basically explains with support from extensive research that there is insufficient evidence that proves parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, petrolatum (Vaseline), Phthalates, silicones, etc. present in cosmetics are harmful and some of which is actually good for our skin (such as silicones). She states she uses sulfates and silicones in her own products as well.

11. Vitamin E oil is not a miracle ingredient to reduce scarring and the heaviness of it can be problematic for some skin types.

12. Do not steam or ice the face as doing so will damage and irritate the skin. Use only tepid, lukewarm water to wash your face + body.

13. The only real difference there should be between a night-time and a day-time moisturizer is that the daytime one should have SPF and the night time one should not.

14. A basic skincare routine (in this order) should contain: a gentle, water soluble cleanser, a toner, an AHA/BHA exfoliate, moisturizer with sunscreen (atleast spf 15 with uva/uvb protection).

15. You don't need to be loyal to one brand to reap the full benefits you need. You can mix and match to find the perfect combination of products for your skin.

16. The most irritating ingredients to avoid are: alcohol, camphor, citrus juices/oils, eucalyptus, excessive fragrances, methanol, menthyl lactate, menthoxypropanediol, mint, peppermint, sodium lauryl sulfate, arnica, bergamot, cinnamon, clove, eugenol, grapefruit, lavender, linalol, wintergreen, witch hazel, ylang-ylang, lemon. 

17. The frightening claims floating around the internet that Sodium Lauryl Sulfate causes cancer or has any other long term harmful effects are false (Paula says these warnings spread from misinterpreted studies).  It is however a potent skin irritant as in amounts of 2% to 5%  it can cause allergic reactions to many people. It is an overly drying cleansing agent and thus best to be avoided. The similar sounding, Sodium Laureth Sulfate is however safe to use. (PS. Read about my Experience going No-Poo & using SLS-free Shampoo.)

18. Consuming an anti-inflammatory diet is one of the best things you could do for your skin ( e.g. salmon, colourful fruits and veggies, nuts, ginger, turmeric, etc). Some people may also benefit in reducing their acne by consuming a low-glycemic-load diet (limited intake of sugars and refined carbohydrates) and limiting intake of milk.

19. Four things every skin type needs (in form of a moisturizer, serum, toner): Antioxidants (alpha lipoic acid, vitamin C & E, green tea extract, grape seed extract, coenzyme Q10, etc.). Cell-communicating ingredients (niacinanide, adenosine, etc). Skin-repairing ingredients (glycerin, lecithin, fatty acids, amino acids, hyaluronic acid, etc). Anti-Irritants: allantoin, aloe, bisabolol, burdock root, chamoille extract, green tea, grape extract, etc.

20. Don't fall for the so called "studies" conducted by cosmetic companies that make statements such as "97% of users saw improvements...". Their studies are very biased and manipulated in a way to favour what they want to prove. Third party studies are much more reliable.

My overall thoughts: 

In sum, those are just a few good points out of many more that Paula makes in these 2 books. Besides checking ratings on Makeupalley before making any beauty-related purchases (as I usually do), I will now also be checking Paula's  Beautypedia (where herself and her research team rates hundreds of products not based on personal experiences but primarily  on the formulations, research, application, colour selection, texture and in comparison to similar products).

I recommend both these books, or her "advice" articles online at Paula's Choice) to everyone as there is so much to learn, a lot more than you thought you knew (like myself).

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Ponds Cold Cream Review

I've pretty much given up using makeup removing wipes or other types of liquid makeup removers ever since I discovered Ponds Cold Cream! I absolutely love this stuff as I feel it removes my face + eye makeup so well! It comes in plastic container and contains a white cream.

It doesn't feel harsh on the skin at all, rather it has a nice soothing and cooling affect on the skin. I use it by rubbing a small amount all over my face (as needed) and around my eye area and smudge it off using a cotton round. It works great! However, after this I always wash my face with a gentle cleanser as it tends to leave a bit of a greasy film behind. One thing, I don't quite enjoy about this cream is that it stings my eyes a tad bit (nothing too bad) so I try to avoid getting too close to my eyes.

Another thing is that it lasts absolutely forever! I think I've had my bottle for more than 6 months and I only used 1/4th of the container. I'd say its much more economical than other makeup removers such as wipes that will only last a few weeks (such as a 24 wipes pack). However, the drawback might be that it isn't the most travel friendly and or "on the go" type of product when you just need to wipe your makeup off. For that, I would still recommend wipes which I still have if I ever need them for travel, but I must say I haven't touched my remainder wipes ever since I started using this stuff.

I was able to pick mine up on a buy one get one free deal, so it cost me about $3 (CAD) for one container, otherwise it goes for about $6 (CAD) on regular price. If you find it on sale, I would snatch a few! Also, there may be other no-name cold creams out there that might work just as good and even be cheaper. I just haven't tried those but I'd say to give those a shot as well if you want to save a few bucks.

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