Archive for the ‘Skin’ Category

Stress can really take a toll on your complexion, and in times of stress every bit of it can show up on your face. Here’s a few go-to tips to get your skin back to normal quickly when life is anything but.

1. Puffy Eyes –
Lack of sleep, excessive crying, illness; whatever the reason puffy eyes can make you look tired and run down. If you find yourself looking puffier than usual, try one of these remedies:
Benefit Ooh-La-Lift: This has been my go-to weapon against puffy eyes since my college days when all night study sessions and lack of sleep were the norm. This soothing potion tightens and refreshes the delicate skin around the eyes to give a brighter appearance. Plus you can use it over makeup, which is perfect for after those mid-afternoon cry sessions when the boys get outta hand. I recommend keeping two on hand- one for your purse and one to keep in the fridge – as it’s even more refreshing when used cold.
Frozen Spoons: What? What the heck is a frozen spoon? Well, it’s exactly what it sounds like! Put two tablespoons in the freezer for an hour or so, then place them over your eyes for about 5 minutes. The cold metal will help reduce swelling while the shape helps press it down.
Witchhazel: Pick up a bottle of Witchhazel at the drug store and stick it in the fridge. Once it’s chilled, pour a little onto a cotton ball and place it over the eye. Then relax for a few minutes while the Withchazel takes down the swelling a bit.

2. Blemishes
Nothing makes your skin freak on you faster than extreme stress. Which in turn makes you even more stressed. And that’s just, well, stressful. While nothing keeps skin clear better than a great daily cleansing routine, reach for these when little surprises pop up:
Toothpaste: Dab toothpaste over blemishes before bed to dry them out. This will make them look much smaller so they’re easier to conceal with makeup, plus they’ll disappear a few days faster than they would have otherwise. Make sure it’s a toothPASTE however and not a gel – it might make you feel minty fresh but won’t do much else.
Eye drops: To reduce redness, put a few drops on a cotton swab and dab it on the blemish for a few seconds.
Frozen Teaspoon: Yup, frozen spoons to the rescue again! If you just couldn’t help trying to pop a blemish and now find it has swollen to twice the size, stick a teaspoon in the freezer until ice cold then press it onto the affected area for a few minutes. This should take down the swelling a bit.
Baking Soda: If you’re facing a really large blemish, mix up a little baking soda and water to make a thick paste. Apply it to the blemish before bed and it should be completely dried up by morning. Once you’ve applied the mixture, wipe up the surrounding areas to avoid drying out the rest of your skin.




Dark Circles-
Nothing can disturb a sleep cycle quite like stress. So if sleepless nights are making you look like a walking zombie, try these techniques to make you look a little more…alive.
Aloe Vera Gel: This miracle in a bottle will de-puff eyes and reduce the appearance of dark circles. Simply smooth this under the eye after a bath or shower and let it dry before applying makeup. Store your aloe in the fridge as the coolness of the gel will feel even more soothing.
Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Eye Gel: Packed with green tea, cucumber and chamomile this will brighten up dark circles within minutes. Like it’s aloe-infused counterpart, keep this in the fridge for…ok you already know what for cuz I’ve said it like a million times. In fact, let’s just assume we should keep everything in the fridge unless I state otherwise =)
theBalm Time Balm Concealer: Let’s face it, you’re gonna need a concealer no matter what natural remedy you use before going out. This one is a fave because it does double duty – not only covering the dark circles but treating them as well with healthy doses of vitamins A, C and E.




And of course, while de-stressing on the outside, try to de-stress on the inside as well. Drink plenty of water, get some exercise and indulge in a little retail therapy if all else fails. Nothing will put your stress levels in check faster than a fabulous pair of shoes!

I ventured into Rite Aide the other day for some Christmas candy since it seems to attract cute boys to my desk at work, and naturally ended up making a detour toward the beauty aisle. Because lets face it, if there are beauty products within a 50 mile radius of my geographical location, I will sense them. I will find them. And I will make them mine.

So I scored a few really good new products. Would you like to know what they are? Very well then, here ya go:


CoverGirl Lash Blast Mascara:This is fabulous stuff. It lengthens and thickens like, insane amounts. And I have yet to get even one clump, thanks to this crazy looking little brush:
I salute you, weird looking brush thingy! You made my lashes look awesome, and for this I am thankful.

Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew Daily Regeneration Moisture Lotion:
I have combination skin, and this moisturizer is rich enough to hydrate the dry areas of my face without making the rest of it break out. It also has SPF 15, which is something you should always look for in a moisturizer, especially if you’re using it as a base under your make-up, which is what did with this. The scent is nice too, light, unlike the Garnier hair care line, which I find a little overpowering for my taste. It also left my skin smooth as a baby’s butt.

L’Oreal Skin Genesis Micro Smoothing Wet Cleansing Towelettes:I.FREAKING.LOVE.THESE.THINGS. Seriously, I’m hooked. I’ll admit, the main reason I bought them was because they come in a shiny pink package. Not the best way to choose a skincare product, but in this case my instinct was right on the money. They’re refreshing, remove make-up like a dream and leave my face feeling fresh as a daisy. And I really like that fact that I can wash my face whilst watching the 11 o’clock news in my favorite chair.

Maybelline Moisture Extreme Lip Liner in Merlot:This was probably my favorite discovery of the day because I’ve been looking for a lip liner to match my MAC Viva Glam lipstick, and this is it. It goes on smooth, stays put and blends really well so I can avoid the unfortunate lip liner indiscretions of my high school homegirl days. Oh god, I’m having a bad make-up flashback. *Sits in corner, cries*