Update and Summer Loves

I need to be better about announcing when I am taking a break.  My humblest apologies!

I did receive the Urban Decay Naked Palette before I left on my protracted vacation, and I used it every single day while I was away.  There are a number of reviews out there on it, so I don't think I need to do one (see Temptalia, MusingsofaMuse, MakeupGeek, VampyVarnish, etc.).  I will say that I agree wholeheartedly with their assessments of the palette, and I think that if you are all interested then you should pick it up when it comes back in stock.  I had never used Urban Decay before, and I am very impressed with the brand.  The eyeshadows are exquisite in texture and pigmentation, and considering that you get 12 full-sized shadows with this palette, the value is exceptional.  I'm so glad I tried this palette!

Over the past couple of weeks my skin has gotten back to normal after my Pangea Organics disaster.  I discovered Angel Face Botanicals after Tali from The Gloss Goss mentioned the company at the bottom of this post, and I ordered a sample of the Ambrosia Cleansing Grains.  The sample arrived yesterday, along with a sample of the Oil-free Lavender Hydrating Serum, and I am pleased so far.  I am even happy with the serum, which I am grateful that Jessica included.  We will see in a couple of weeks; I am hopeful about this one.

I seem to have misplaced the cord that allows me to download pictures from my camera to my laptop; when I find it, I will have some pictures for you!

In the meantime, here are some other things I have been loving this summer:

• Korres Guava Body Butter
• The beach
• Honey
• Spending time with my husband
• Anthropologie Secret Treasures dress
• Relaxing and renewing my spirit
• Caprese salads

My Current Acne Treatment Regimen

I was inspired by my recent honey post, and this post over at Temptalia.  I commented on what I've been doing to combat my acne, and I thought it would be fun to expound on what I've been doing lately and why.

I have instituted some criteria in choosing my products.  They must:

• Contain natural and/or organic ingredients wherever possible.
• NOT contain harmful chemicals.
• Be cruelty-free.

My current process, from start to finish:

1. At night, I take off my makeup with Yes to Cucumbers Cleansing Towelettes.  These contain only natural ingredients, are cool and refreshing on my sensitive skin, and remove all the junk from my face so the cleanser can get in and work its magic.  I get mine at Target or Walgreens.  They cost the same as the Neutrogena towelettes I used before, but the ingredients are so much better for my skin.
2. I wash my face with my purple Clarisonic Mia, morning and night, with a gentle cleanser. I am still trying to find a cleanser that works for the long term, but the Clarisonic is a God-send.  I was using Neutrogena Acne Stress Control Scrub before the Clarisonic, and had good results with that so I started using the cream cleanser with the Clarisonic.  I want to purge chemicals and animal-tested products from my routine though, so I recently picked up some Pangea Organics Egyptian Calendula and Blood Orange facial cleanser, which I love so far and hope it works out, because my skin is so soft and smooth right now!  I just need to see how it works over the next few weeks.  It's a little pricey, but I'm willing to pay a little more for the right cleanser.
3. Next, I spritz on a homemade toner of 2 parts witch hazel, 1 part Lush Tea Tree Water, and 1 part Boots Botanics Organic Rose Water. I chose these ingredients because they are known to be helpful for fighting acne; they have astringent and antimicrobial properties that make them effective against it. The rose water is also an effective anti-inflammation and balancing agent. What's even better is that they are all inexpensive, and variations can be found in your local drugstore. I spritz the toner on my face morning and night, letting it sink into my skin before moisturizing.
4. Twice a week, after toning my skin, I apply a honey mask that I leave on for 20 minutes. I just open a jar of honey and spread it over my face. As I've explained, honey is antimicrobial and soothing on the skin, and the results have been wonderful!
5. I have been moisturizing with MAC Studio Moisture Fix with SPF 15.  It's lightweight, hydrating, and gentle, plus it provides broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection.  At night, I add a drop of Pangea Organics Himalayan Geranium and Pomegranate Balancing Oil.  I've only been using the balancing oil for about a week, but I am very please with the results.  I was afraid it would break me out (oil on acne-prone skin just doesn't sound right), but I tried it anyway because I read glowing reviews.  I am happy to report that it has done the opposite of break me out ... a lot of the large pores on my face are smaller, and I have fewer blackheads since I began using it.  The ingredients are astounding; I've never seen such a healthful, nourishing combination of essential oils and extracts.  I'd say the same for all their products.  I'm very pleased with what I've tried so far, and hope to try more in the future!

Note:  Around “that time” of the month, I usually feel a cyst forming on my chin. As soon as I feel it, I wash my face with Lush Fresh Farmacy, concentrating on the area of the cyst. I do that once a day for a few days.  After washing with Fresh Farmacy, I put Neosporin on the cyst. I do that in the morning and at night. Neosporin is actually the best acne spot treatment I have used (and I’ve tried a million of them). Since I started using the Fresh Farmacy/Neosporin combination, the cyst doesn’t fully form and goes away within a day or two.

So that's my current facial regimen.  It's kind of exhausting sometimes, but it's working!

Review: LORAC aquaPRIME

I wanted to give a shout out to LORAC's aquaPRIME. It's a water-based makeup primer that I decided to try on my last visit to Sephora, because it's been so hot and humid here my makeup has been sliding off my face almost immediately. I was attracted to this primer because it's water-based and doesn't have any harsh or harmful ingredients that would irritate and/or clog up my sensitive, acne prone skin (LORAC is great for that). I got a sample that I have been using it for over a week now, and I have to say that I love it. My makeup has been going on so much better and lasting so much longer. I still get a little bit of shine after several hours (and I always will, just cause that's my skin), but it's not even in the same ballpark as it used to be. It's so little shine that I don't really feel the need to blot.

Just by way of background, I have combination skin that tends toward oily in the summer. It's also very sensitive and acne-prone, as I mentioned. Historically, I have had trouble finding a good balance for it. I have tried other primers like those from Smashbox and Tarte, and I have also tried the anti-shine primer from Sephora. They all made my face more oily. If you have similar skin issues to mine, I think you will like aquaPRIME. If your skin is dry, you might find that it's not moisturizing enough, and if your skin is oily, you might find it isn't mattifying enough. This primer has really helped me though. I apply a thin layer of it after moisturizing and before foundation and it has really worked beautifully for me. I just purchased the full-size bottle. It's not pricey as far as primers go; it's about $30 for a decent-sized bottle. A little goes a long way ... like I said, a small sample lasted me for over a week.

The packaging is alright; I found it a little difficult to get the product out, having to pump a few times to get the desired amount. I like that it's not messy though, and because it's so conservative it keeps you from using too much. I'd rather have it that way than have primer flying all over the place. The consistency is thin and feels like a very watery gel. It's cool and quite refreshing on the skin.

Overall I think this is a great product and I will definitely re-purchase for use during the summer months ... I will also try using it in the winter months too, although I don't have as much issues with shine at that time of year.