Shower Routine // Spring Edition

 Like I've said before staying moisturized from head-to-toe is SO important for me all year round! And it should be for you too, especially if you have dry skin. 

For my body: 

Olay Fresh Outlast Body Wash - This smells AMAZING. I love the flowery smell for Spring and Summer. And I swear this body wash feels as though it is mixed in with lotion too. It's great!

EOS Shaving Cream - Mixed with natural shea butter and vitamin B it leaves your skin feeling super smooth much longer than other shaving creams, I feel like at least. Haha. 

NIVEA In-Shower Body Lotion - THE HOLY GRAIL OF MOISURIZERS. Also, the Cocoa Butter one is THE BEST. I've tried a few different in-shower lotions but this one tops it. It's for dry to very dry skin and when you get out of the shower you definitely don't need to put on anything else for the rest of the day. And it's only $4.99 at Target and CVS. Get it. You won't regret it. 

For my sad hair:

Dove Nutritive Solutions Intensive Repair Shampoo - I use a shampoo that helps repair any damage I have to my hair. It has Keratin in it so it at least makes me think I'm getting the job done. I'm not gonna lie. I just started using this so I'm not exactly sure how well it's Doug. I needed something new. That's for sure.

Garnier Whole Blends Smoothing Conditioner - MORE cocoa butter and coconut oil. This does make my hair feel smoother, soother, and not dry. Plus just smells like summer. :)

***All items can be found at Target and CVS :D

Wake Up Looking Flawless

  I have seen this on other beauty sites and magazines lately. I thought, why not write a blog on it of my own! It's mainly for those ladies out there that are staying the night, or weekend, with their special someone, or not so special, that's up to you, or with people whom they want to persuade into thinking they "just woke up this perfect". 
  I won't lie, there have been a few, or many, mornings, when I first started dating my boyfriend, that I wanted him to think I woke up with that perfect glow. No blemishes or redness on my face and had the best looking "morning lips". I would wake up to go to the bathroom, before he would, and do my business, but while I was in there I'd splash my face with some cold water, and put on some concealer, mascara and chap stick and spray my body down with body mist and hop back into bed. I know I am not the only one that has done that; and if I am, well now you know one of my secrets. But I realized that there are far better ways to do this. You don't have to put on any makeup when waking up. It's all in how you just treat yourself before going to bed. 
  First things first, wash your face. It doesn't matter whether it's an exfoliate or regular cleansing wash, just make sure all of your makeup is off your face and it is fresh. 
  Next, moisturize, but use a tinted moisturizer. A BB cream is okay but I like the "tinted moisturizers" like Aveeno Positively Radiant Tinted Moisturizer. I just feel like it's more refreshing and it doesn't feel like you have a layer of anything on your face. And obviously using a moisturizer, or a BB cream, is better than putting on any more makeup before bed. Another little tip that you could do, totally optional, is using L'Oreal Magic Lumi Light Infusing Primer under your eyes and on the upper parts of your cheeks. This would go underneath your moisturizer, or BB cream. What this does is basically act as a highlighter and brightens up any place on your face that you place it. A little bit of it goes a long way, trust me. Some may say that this is totally unnecessary, which could be true, but who cares, it looks amazing! 
  Lastly, use some chap stick. Regular 'ol chap stick will work. Just use something to moisturize your lips, while you're sleeping. When you wake up they'll be perfectly luscious!

Stubborn Blemishes

  So I called out of work because of the weather today.  I am not trying to drive an hour to work in inclement weather, that will most likely be worse when I get off. No thanks.  So I have decided to post something new!  I want to explain how I feel is the best way to get rid of stubborn blemishes.  It's a routine I used a lot in the summer to prevent breakouts.  Now I'm just doing the routine when I feel like something is about to pop up or when the stubborn little thing has already arrived.  I don't want my skin to dry out, since it is winter, because during the summer this was something I did just about every single day.  Here are three easy steps to help demolish those face demons in just a couple days.  For best results, do this at night before bed.

  Step 1:  Fully cleanse the face with a facial scrub or cleanser.  In this instance I use a scrub to scrub off the already dead skin and to hopefully prevent anything to come about.  I, of course, use my St. Ives Blemish Control Apricot Scrub, or the St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub, both are amazing.  The coarseness of the scrub just makes me "feel" like I'm getting something done.

  Step 2: I use Tea Tree Oil Pads from Trader Joe's.  These are AMAZING.  If tea tree oil works best for you I would suggest looking into these.  If there isn't a way for you to access these wonderful things, using Tea Tree Oil on a cotton ball, Q-tip, or cotton pad would work too.  Rub it over the areas that are breaking out or very prone to breaking out.  Tea Tree Oil is very drying, this is why I can't do this routine every day during this time of year. 

  Step 3:  Use just a tiny dab of Neutrogena's On-The-Spot Acne Treatment on top of the blemishes and the areas you're breaking out.  This stuff is oil-free and doesn't cause much irritation or dryness on the skin.

  This routine works best for me.  Let me know what works best for you or if you try this one, how it all worked out!