Tired of forever living with rough, dry, cracked, chapped, flaky lips like me? They are annoying, unattractive and for some even painful! If that description fits you, then, you need to try this incredibly easy DIY Lip Conditioner/ Treatment. I find it a little silly to call it a DIY as ll you need is 1 simple ingredient: Vitamin E oil!  Throughout the years, I tried countless lip balms, chapsticks and the ever so popular Vaseline but besides providing temporary relief they didn't do much. I even tried applying coconut oil as a lip conditioner every night which just made my lips even drier and chapped over time. Lip scrubs whether with a tooth-brush or a an actual lip scrub only aggravated my lips and again only helped for a couple hours until I was back to chapped lips.

Vitamin E oil a multipurpose product but for me it has only been most effective to attain smooth, flake-free lips. I've used Vitamin E oil for so many different uses in the past but none of them have really been effective for me at all. I've used it to try to reduce acne scarring and also as a under-eye treatment, both of which did absolutely nothing noticeable for me at all (even after months of use). Also, I only recently learned after reading Paula's Begoun's beauty books that the heaviness of Vitamin E oil can be problematic if used on the skin for some skin types (More Skin Care Tips). It was only then that I stopped using Vitamin E oil on my face and was looking for other uses for it until I read about using it on the lips. Now, I've been religiously applying Vitamin E oil on my lips every night for several weeks and my lips have never been smoother and soft. Gone are my chapped and flaky lips. Lipsticks now sit so much better on my lips and the application is such an ease. Vitamin E oil has really been my savior to smoother lips.

You can either use prepackaged Vitamin E oil as I do or you  can simply take Vitamin E gel capsules, slightly cut them and squeeze out the oil whenever you need it. I use Jamieson Brand 100% Pure Vitamin E Oil which costs around $13-$15 CAD. Vitamin E oil is a little thick, heavy and gooey so applying it can be a little messy if you aren't careful. You could put some into a small lip-balm sized container and apply it whenever you need it. Its best to use this at night as like I mentioned it is really heavy and its not a balm rather a treatment. Try this for a few days and hopefully you will wake up with smooth, moisturized and chap-free lips in no time, as I did. No promises, but if it worked for me, it wouldn't hurt to try it out yourself and maybe just be amazed! 

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MAC Face and Body Foundation Review

If you are anything like me and hate the look and feel of heavy coverage foundations, then you will LOVE this! MAC Face and Body Foundation is my current favourite foundation and have been using it for over a year now. It is a water-based foundation and provides light, sheer coverage but it can be built up to medium coverage. It feels so light, blends in so well, and lets my skin breath. It dries to a dewy finish which I love but you can mattify it by powdering afterwards. I have tried so many other popular foundations but nothing beats this. This is the only MAC foundation that I adore!

Most people assume that light coverage foundations such as this one are meant for people with nearly perfect skin, but trust me my skin is NO WHERE NEAR PERFECT! I suffer from hyper-pigmentation around the chin area/forehead and have a number of acne scars as well as the occasional breakout here and there. Instead of slathering on a full coverage foundation all over of my face, I simply use a full coverage concealer on my problem areas first followed by a light coverage foundation. I conceal with Mac Prolongwear Concealer (NC35) on my problem areas and then follow up with MAC F&B. I like to apply 1-2 layers of F&B to get the perfect amount of coverage for my skin. FYI, I apply this foundation with Real Techniques buffing brush and it works like a dream.

The shade I use in this is C4 which works well with my NC42, Olive/Tan skin tone. This shade is perfect for the inner parts of my face (cheecks, nose, etc) but a tad bit light for me around the chin (due to my hyperpigmentation). But honestly, this foundation is so sheer, I can't really see a huge difference. I would however say C5 is a much better overall match for my skintone and would choose C5 when I do repurchase it. I think you could easily get away with using a foundation a tad bit too light or too dark for you because this foundation is so sheer. For reference, I'd say C4 is best for NC37-NC42 and C5 is best for NC42-NC44.

BEFORE: Excuse my bare face (eeek :$ was recovering an acne-attack)

AFTER: Concealed, followed by 2 layers of MAC F&B and powdered. 

This foundation also gives you the most bang for your buck if you buy the large size as you get 120 ml or 4oz  for $40 CAD (Smaller size is $30 CAD for 50ml). Other foundations on the market that are along the same price range, typically give you less than half the amount of what F&B gives. Even though, I've used this foundation (occasionally) for more than a year, I still have 80% of product left. It is said to last for about 2-3 years before it goes bad and it's life can be extended if stored in the fridge. During the winter months, I keep it in my makeup bag or dresser but in the summer months I store the bottle in the fridge and decant some into a smaller container that I can regularly use.

MAC F&B is also amazing for flash photography as it doesn't give any flashblack or any white casts. Therefore, I'd say its best for night-outs or weddings as it doesn't have a sunscreen in it either. It also looks exceptionally natural in sunlight as well. However, it does have quite a shiny look to it, so its best to always set the foundation with a powder (I use MAC MSF Natural in Medium Dark). Because of the shiny finish, I would say its best for normal to dry skin and slightly oily skin.I can't speak too much about lasting power as I never really used it for more than 4-5 hours and never experienced any fading away.

So there not much left to say except that I love this foundation & totally recommend it!

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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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MAC Concealers: Studio Finish VS. Prolongwear

Both Studio Finish concealer and Prolongwear concealer are both fuller coverage concealers from MAC's vast range of concealers. These 2 are also the most popular and get the most attention. I am a NC42 in MAC, however I use different shades in my concealer for colour and spot correcting.

Studio Finish SPF 35 Concealer (Shade: NW 30, Price: $22 CAD)

It has a very thick, cream-like consistency and provides very opaque coverage. This is one of the only concealers I trust for spot correcting the most prominent, stubborn dark spots, scars, redness and pimples. I also love to use this under my eyes (when on the go), even though I know many others totally despise this for under the eyes as it is very thick and can be very drying and easily crease under the eyes. However, for me I love it under the eyes because I have the most atrocious dark circles under my eyes and this is one of the only concealer I feel does a great job covering. The shade NW30 has pink undertones which works great at counteracting dark circles.

It is also great for on-the-go use. When I need to get ready within minutes in the morning, I always reach for this concealer for under my eyes and any pimples or spots on my face and set with a powder and this is really enough coverage for me. The lasting power is not amazing and does need touch-ups in a few hours as it starts to fade away.

MAC ProLong Wear Concealer (Shade: NC35, Price: $22 CAD)

I use this concealer when I have time to get ready and am going for a full coverage look. It is a liquid consistency that provides medium to full coverage concealer depending on how much you layer on. I like to use this under my eyes with a correcter under neath. This concealer can be trusted for not creasing under the eyes if you are to set it with powder. I only use this for spot correcting when I have the time or else I trust my Studio Finish for that when in a rush. This also lasts for ages on the skin as once it is set, it will not budge unlike the Studio Finish that soon fades away.

The shade NC42 in this range runs a lot darker than regular which is why I opted for NC35. I can use this shade to conceal/brighten my under eyes and also to conceal to any spots on my face.

VERDICT

It depends on your preference and what you're looking for. Both provide full coverage. While, Studio finish is great for on the go,  Prolongwear will not crease on you and will stay put throughout the day whereas studio finish creases and will easily fade.

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MAC Powders: Studio Fix VS. MSF Natural

 

Studio Fix and MSF Natural are 2 popular powders from MAC yet they are quite different in coverage, texture and finish. So here's a quick rundown between the 2 and the one I prefer. Hopefully, this helps in choosing the one right for you.

MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation (Shade: C40, Price $32 CAD)

If you are looking for a easy to use, on the go,  full-coverage powder foundation this is the way to go. You can skip on the liquid foundation and just use this for those early mornings. It is definitely not a setting powder but you can use it as such if you use it lightly. This works great when your short on the time and still want to go for a full matte look to even your skin out. I used this daily for a year and still have a fair bit to go. I would simply put on concealer and powder with Studio Fix and I was good to go. I always carry this powder in my purse as it is excellent for on the go. It's very convenient to use as it comes with a mirror and a puff to use for touch-ups during the day.

But, this isn't my favourite powder to use. It can easily look very powdery/unnatural if you don't use an easy hand. When first applied this looks amazing but in a few hours it oxidizes on my skin (get darker/orange after couple of hours) and it also transfers so easily to clothing. I like to use Mac Fix+  or Urban Decay all-nighter which are liquid sprays, which really helps diminish the powdery finish and blend in more easily with your skin tone. If you have extra dry skin, you might want to keep away from heavy powders such as this or it just may accentuate your dry spots

 I am in the shade C40 in this powder, although I am usually a NC42 in foundation. Finding a shade in this powder was a mission! Especially because this powder tends to oxidize. NC42 seemed like a match but made me look much darker in a matter of minutes. NC40 was too light and made me look ashy around my chin/forehead (darker areas of my face). C40 was the perfect match for me, I would say it is a "NC41".

MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural (Shade: Medium Dark, Price: $35 CAD):

If you hate that cake face but still want a powder then you definitely need this! This powder is generally a love  or a hate for many. For me, it is an absolute love! I prefer this much more over the Studio Fix powder. This provides light to light-medium coverage. Its best to use as a setting powder over concealer or foundation. It has a very natural look to it and still provides light coverage without looking cakey. You never need to worry about looking to powdery with this. Its very finely milled and blends in well with my skin, rather than sitting on top. It also doesn't oxide (on me). Even dry skinned girls could use this powder, as it isn't a "powdery powder" and adds a nice glow to the skin. It does not come with a mirror or a puff as the Studio Fix powder does.

I am in the shade Medium Dark which fits my NC42 skin tone very well. I believe this shade would work for anyone between NC40 - NC44.

VERDICT

I prefer the MSF Natural because I hate the powdery, overly matte look that the Studio Fix can give me sometimes. I also don't like how Studio Fix oxidizes on me to an unattractive orangey hue after couple of hours. I still did use the Studio Fix religiously for over a year as it is good for on the go.  The MSF Natural gives me the perfect amount of coverage I need and gives a subtle glow. I personally prefer the glowy/dewy look over the matte one. So it depends on your skin type and what you're looking for.

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The No Poo Method: My Experience

I have used countless shampoos and conditioners my whole life! I've always been on the hunt for the "best one" for my hair but have not even come close to finding it. My natural hair is wavy, gets oily by the second day and my scalp also suffers from dryness and mild dandruff. I've tried so many different shampoos and even ones medicated for dandruff. All I got was temporary results and an even drier scalp.

A few months ago, I learned that most shampoos contain harsh chemicals such as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) which is an overly drying and irritating cleansing agent.. Since then, I've been on the hunt for a good  "SLS-free" minimalistic shampoo with a short ingredients list. It was only recently that I heard of the "No Poo" method while browsing online one night. Odd name but it basically means giving up completely on traditional shampoos and conditioners on the market.

Trust me, at first I thought this idea was absolutely ridiculous and a little gross to be honest.  I was really skeptical but decided to finally give it a try. The most popular and most simple "no-poo" method consists of the following:

• Baking Soda (?! I know) (1 spoon baking soda in 1 cup of water) as a shampoo replacement
• Apple cider vinegar (half cup ACV and half cup water) as a conditioner replacement

Week 1:  I used this method on my greasy hair that I had deep conditioned with my favourite oils. The Baking Soda + Water combo left my scalp completely clean and yes it got rid of all the greasiness. But, the rest of my hair was still very oily looking. On a plus side, my scalp/roots feels very nourished and healthy without being oily. My scalp doesn't feel itchy/dry as it usually does and I even noticed a reduction in my dandruff.

Week 2: My scalp felt so incredibly dry and itchy and the rest of my hair was so oily! I felt as it had stripped only my scalp of all its natural oils but only made the rest of my hair oily.

Week 3: By this week, I really could not go any longer with an overly dry scalp and incredibly oily hair. I read online that Baking Soda is actually not the best for your hair as it has a very high pH level in comparison to the pH of our scalp and thus can be very damaging. Instead, I used a new SLS/sulfate/paraben-free shampoo that I recently picked up called, Live Clean - Green Earth Invigorating shampoo.

Week 4: As I was searching for home-made shampoo recipes, I came across the Coconut milk + Aloe Vera Shampoo method. This left my hair feeling very soft/smooth but a bit on the oily side. It also didn't really feel like it "cleaned" my hair. I would consider this more of a hair treatment/mask than a shampoo which I will continue to use from time to time.

Currently, I am using the Live Clean - Green Earth Invigorating shampoo. This shampoo is sodium lauryl sulfate free, paraben free and 98% plant derived.  I am really liking this shampoo as it has significantly reduced the dryness of my scalp, reduced dandruff and cleanses my hair very well (even when I've oiled it).

The standard No-Poo was really a No-go for me but switching to a SLS free shampoo has worked amazingly! My "shampoo journey" still continues as I am still on the lookout for an even simpler, more natural shampoo, free of harsh chemicals and a short ingredients list.

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