WEEKLY WTF: CLEANSING OILS

WEEKLY WTF: CLEANSING OILS by omi-b 

I get asked a LOT about cleansing oils…. how to use them, why you need one, are they only suitable for one skin type?… and the truth is, there really isn't a lot of information out there about such a lovely product! I'm not sure if companies just kind of expected that people would get the hang of them or that they'd be self-explanatory, but no joke, if I wasn't trained in this stuff, I hands down wouldn't know how to use the sh*t either! 

The biggest concern people want to know straight away is whether or not using an oil will cause more oil production (or acne…) and the answer is NO! The correct kinds of oils (aka: the ones used in skincare lines) are designed to do just the opposite, in fact! 

Fighting oil with oil sounds bananas but the truth is that "like attracts like". A cleansing oil can actually help to draw out excess oils from the pores; bringing them to the surface where they can be rinsed away. Unlike oil and water (which we all use to cleanse our skin, correct?) which repel one another. 

There are also benefits of oils like conditioning the skin while cleansing, preventing stripping in the skin, and working as a badass makeup remover! (which happens to be singularly the REASON I started using one religiously to begin with)…but this brings us back to an important topic when it comes to cleansing the skin: you want to make sure you're always doing 2 cleanses. 

So….think of your oil as your "pre-cleanse". You'd use it before using your regular cleanser to take off makeup or even just sweat and oil if you're not a makeup-wearer. So if you're in the market for a cleansing oil or you're interest is piqued after reading this, here's what your routine is going to look like: 

STEP 1: apply cleansing oil to DRY hands and rub onto a DRY face. (that includes over makeup….you're just gonna slather it all over, concentrating gently over lashes to remove mascara and liner) Do this just until you can see that your makeup is liquified and broken up. Next you're going to wet your hands in the sink and apply a bit of water onto your face. This is going to make the oil emulsify. (aka: turn into a liquid state) You'll see the oil thin until it's a white semi-sudsy substance. At this point you can rinse your face. 

STEP 2: while your face is still wet, apply a dime sized amount of your fave cleanser to your hands, lather…..you know the drill with face-washing. Spend about 20-30 seconds gently lathering your face during your 2nd cleanse. The purpose of the pre-cleanse is to remove yucky things on your skin from the day, but the SECOND cleanse, that's what's actually cleaning the SKIN

STEP 3: (after rinsing step 2 obviously) is your normal routine. Whether you keep it simple or have 891,000 serums + a moisturizer…. 

You can use an oil morning and evening. During these dry winter months I actually prefer using them cuz they're not making my skin feel tight. But if you're low on funds you can save your oil cleanse for just the P.M. if you'd like….that's when it's needed the most. 

For a few of my tried and loved picks you can check out this, this, or this. 

And if you try any brands I haven't listed and you love them, please share!!! I'm the junkiest of skin care junkies so I'm always looking to try new products! 

❤︎, b.

SIMPLE STEPS FOR A FLAWLESS FACE

Whether you're the occasional-breakout type or always fighting a blemish, some of the simplest ways to achieve clear skin are right under your nose! To the non-skincare-diva my tips may seem a little neurotic. And maybe they are...but it has kept my skin clear for years-- so there's gotta be some truth to them, right? They're not difficult either. They just require some reminding until they become routine for you. I promise you though, once you do make them routine, you'll find that these fast fixes can have a BIG impact on the clarity of your face. 

HERE'S WHAT TO PAY ATTENTION TO: 

YOUR PILLOWCASES: (!!!!) I'm putting all the exclamation points next to this because it's the simplest (and yet, most overlooked) way to clear your skin. How often should you change them? Well.....I might be a nutjob....BUT, I'm also an aesthetician! And I will tell you honestly that I change mine every 2 days. Yes. Every 2 days! No joke. I sleep on one side, flip it over the next night, and then take it off. That may seem like a crazy amount of laundry to do, but the truth is, I stock up on pillowcases from Target. You can buy sets of 2 for under $10. So I have no problem with our house having a surplus of plain white pillowcases. 

The reason for my compulsive case-changing?? It's simple. I use products in my hair. I wear Bio-Oil on my body. I wear serums and moisturizers on my face at night. And we all sweat to some degree in our sleep (whether we like to admit it or not..) Each night, we spend 8 hours with our faces smashed into our pillows.....I'd prefer for mine to be squeaky clean...so that I can keep my skin that way too! 

YOUR WORKOUTS: When we sweat it's best to have clean skin. (Of course you want to wash the sweat off post-workout as well. But I'm pretty sure that most of us like to shower after our workouts anyway.) Since a lot of us go to our workouts straight from the office or school, I understand that you may already be wearing makeup. That's okay. The most convenient way around that is to carry cleansing cloths with you on those days. I personally love the Purifying Makeup Remover Cleansing Cloths by Skin Laundry ($15). Even if you work out 7 days a week you'd be covered with a package of these. Plus, they don't leave behind a filmy residue which almost every other brand I've tried does. 

YOUR PHONE SCREEN: We forget that between texting and talking that our phone screens are coming into contact with a lot of dirt and oil. (Especially from texting! Our hands are touching everything. That's a lot of bacteria being transferred!) By using a paper towel or tissue soaked in rubbing alcohol and thoroughly wiping down the surface of your screen, you'll notice a lot less breakouts along the jawline, cheeks, and temples. (Side note: I've had so many clients tell me that this trick cleared up unexplained pimples they were getting in those areas!)

KISSING YOUR SWEETHEART: I love kissing my man as much as the next girl does, but sometimes if I'm wearing gloss, lipstick, or even chapstick, it can get transferred from my lips to the skin surrounding it. It's definitely not the end of the world but I don't like having blackheads anywhere....including near the mouth. So I try to keep my lips sans anything when I know that we could be cozying up. I know what you're thinking..... nothing says "boner-killer" faster than "hey honey, hold on a moment while I remove my lipstick." But it takes 5 seconds. Literally. If that's not possible, no worries. Just make sure to cleanse the area whenever you can. 

CLEANSE AFTER 'CUZE: I say jacuzzi only because I don't know who in their right mind would be taking a dip in the pool in this cold weather. But this technically applies to both. (I'm not the only one who loves soaking in the jacuzzi after a long day of work, am I??) Chlorine has a drying effect on the skin, so it's really easy to think that your skin feels "clean" after soaking in the hot tub. The truth is, however, that chlorine in and of itself can cause acne. Plus there have been multiple bodies in that water...chances are that the chlorine killed off any bacteria from their bodies, but still....

Some of these may seem like superfluous steps but I guarantee that if you start implementing them now, you'll start to see a difference in your skin! It's all in the details! And I didn't mention it in this list, because I've already said it--but make sure you're cleaning your makeup brushes once a week! You can read all about how to do that here. 

Cheers to crystal clear skin guys! Hope you've had a wonderful Monday! 

♥︎, B.  

  

Like White on Rice

 You'll hear nothing but rave reviews from me about Japanese or Korean skin care. One of the reasons being their integration of rice into products. Asian cultures have known for centuries what we as Americans are just now learning… that rice can radically change your skin! 

That's because rice has an extensive list of healing benefits. And it doesn't just stop with your skin. Here, I will show you how to incorporate this beauty-secret-weapon into your routine— and explain why it's definitely something you want to try out. 

FOR CRYSTAL CLEAR SKIN: Wash your face and use the rice water as a toner by applying it in upward strokes with a cotton round. The B Vitamins in the water improve blood circulation on the face, tighten pores, and promotes cell growth (which slows down the aging process.) Rice water also has a property in it that binds to the trace amounts of copper naturally found in the human body— this binding helps prevent the formation of melanin in the skin. Which in short— means that you'll pigment less easily during the times that you are in the sun. 

BODY BENEFITS: Homemade rice water sheet masks can help to relieve chronically dry skin. It can also heal lesions of eczema on the body and soothe the itching associated with it. Just soak a paper towel in cold rice water and apply over the areas of concern for anywhere from 15-25 minutes. You can repeat this 2-3 times daily until healed. You may notice a tingly, cooling feeling as it's drawing impurities from the skin and nourishing the wounds. 

HAIR RESTORATION: After shampooing and conditioning, douse hair in the rice water solution and saturate well. Leave on the hair while washing the rest of your body (or shaving your legs). The rice proteins work to fill in the gaps in the hair shaft. (This is especially great for those of you who use bleach on your hair.) Filling in those gaps helps to repair hair that's easily broken…making it strong enough to grow nice and long. Not to mention, it gives it a killer shine. Don't forget to rinse the rice water out of your hair before getting out of the shower! 

HEALTH BENEFITS: If you can stomach it, drinking rice water actually has tremendous health benefits as well. It's filled with 8 different amino acids, which are essential to muscle repair, energy levels, and tissue regeneration. A great time to try this challenge would be a shot glass of it before going to bed….as nighttime (sleep) is when we do all of our regenerative healing anyway. If anything, it seems to me that it would help to give our ZZZ's a nice boost. 

You can use any kind of rice that you'd like, however, organic is best. I'm personally from a half-Filipino family, so rice is ALWAYS being served at mealtime…and white or jasmine rice is what I usually use just because that's what I EAT. But, there are several different kinds of rice you can choose from. Using black wild rice is actually more beneficial for the skin. I normally choose not to use it because I do not enjoy the taste of it and I hate wasting food. But feel free to try these tricks using black rice or brown rice. Brown rice has more antioxidants than regular white rice…and black rice will have the MOST antioxidants out of them all. In fact, it's antioxidant powers are pretty strong— on par with blueberries and blackberries. So it's really up to your discretion. 

Let me know how adding rice into your beauty routine helps!! And if you like these tips and tricks, don't forget to share them and add them to Pinterest so that you can revisit them often! 

xoxo, B.

clean brushes for clear skin

You wash your face everyday…or at least i hope you do…but did you know that you could be undoing all of that hard work to achieve crystal-clear skin by neglecting to give your makeup brushes a thorough wash as well? It's commonly overlooked— but it can be (and usually is) the most common causes of acne and congested pores…and if you're guilty of this little mistake, you're adding to your breakouts unknowingly, everyday! 

Frequently cleaning your makeup brushes should be made a part of your regular beauty routine. Each time you apply your makeup you are transferring tiny amounts of dirt, oil, bacteria and of course, product, into the bristles. Unfortunately for us, a self-cleaning makeup brush has yet to be invented (although that would be nice, wouldn't it??) So that means that it's up to us to make sure that we are taking the proper precautions to not spread bacteria back and forth between brush-to-face.

It may sound basic, but skipping this crucial step can lead to bigger problems down the road and become a lot more costly. You may ask why— well, for starters, when trying to eliminate pesky breakouts we usually turn to new product (in this case your cleanser could be just fine and you'd be buying a new one for nothing). Then there's the issue of dirty brushes becoming a lot less effective. It's like when your car needs a tune-up— it's just not going to be performing at top form when there's a bunch of crud encroaching on it's turf…and in the process we usually end up using waayyyy more product than is actually needed to get our normal amount of coverage. And lastly, your makeup brushes weren't cheap! Any of you ladies know that a quality makeup brush (whether it's for eyeliner, powder, or foundation) can cost a pretty penny. The buildup of gunk and bacteria will over time break down the glues that hold those hair fibers to the handle, causing them to fall out or lose their softness and become brittle. 

(side note: if you're noticing that your powder/blush brush is leaving a trail of annoying hair on your face, then it's time to replace it….and yes…it's because you weren't cleaning it properly! That okay— from here on out we'll do it right) 

Luckily, giving your makeup brushes a proper deep-clean is crazy-simple, you'll just need a few things:

• a gentle soap (Johnson&Johnson's baby shampoo is a great choice) 
• a daily cleansing spray (I'll leave links for this at the bottom of the post) 
• a small plate/ or the palm of your hand
• a sink with running water
• a few clean paper towels 

Here's what you do: 

1. Start by rinsing each brush under some lukewarm tap water in the sink. This is to wet the bristles and to remove any obvious clumps of makeup. 
2. Using your plate (or your palm), dispense a pea to dime sized amount of shampoo depending on the brush size, in the middle and run the head of the brush in a circular motion through it. Keep making small circles around the entire surface of the plate/hand to work up a lather and release hardened makeup particles. 
3. Rinse once more in the sink. 
4. Repeat step 1 through 3 until the water runs clear. (i.e.: no more discolored water is falling from the brush) <—this can take a few times for concealer/foundation brushes. Especially if they're water resistant or contain an spf. 
5. Once the water runs clear, gently squeeze out any remaining water from the brush and gently but firmly, rub the brush head back and forth on a clean paper towel. Reshape before setting it down so that your bristles dry in their natural form. 
6. Using a few clean paper towels, create a dry flat surface to let your brushes air-dry. (This can take several hours or overnight) 

I had mentioned earlier that you'd be needing a cleansing spray… while this is not imperative to have, it does help you to cut down on elbow grease when you do your weekly deep cleans. By using a brush cleaner on a clean paper towel, and wiping down your brush heads after each use, you'll dramatically reduce buildup in the first place. Thus making your weekly's a breeze! 

Some affordable, quality brands are: MAC Cosmetics Brush Cleanser // MAKEUP FOREVER Instant Brush Cleanser // Japonesque Makeup Brush Cleanser

And there you have it!!! Squeaky clean brushes! 

Be sure to Pin this post to remember how to wash & care for your brush sets the proper way! (Link to Pinterest below) For more acne busts & beauty musts, follow me on Twitter @omi_blog or you can find me on Insta and Pinterest @jen_breslin_

Hope you're having a beautiful week! 

{❤︎, b.}

» Skin Laundry: the treatment «

Hello beauties!...I'm sorry I've lagged this past week on the blog—I had all of these big plans for a Halloween costume tutorial since I made both mine and my daughter's this year buuuttt…life happened! So I guess it'll have to wait until next October. (*welp*) 

In other news, however, I recently had the pleasure of meeting with some very lovely ladies from the company, Skin Laundry, and was treated to a complimentary facial and goody bag that I can't wait to talk about!!

If you're an Orange County local you've probably seen their flagship store in Fashion Island, but— having just opened their first international store in Hong Kong— you're bound to start seeing more of them…and for good reason. Their take on skincare is the t*ts! 

Aptly referred to as "the DryBar" of the facial world, Skin Laundry's goal is to make clear, healthy skin your goal…by making it easy! Using powerful laser-technology in small doses, Skin Laundry brings about two amazing things: laser light therapy that's affordable AND that's completed in less than 20 minutes. (and I mean from leaving your car to climbing back in…it's seriously that fast) The treatment—just like a DryBar blowout— is straight to the point. No frills. No fluff… Which means that glowing skin doesn't have to wait for a day at the spa… it can be done on your lunch— and still leave you with time to actually eat. 

THE TREATMENT: is so simple. After filling out the required forms and medical history you're taken back into a small room (shown above) where the assistant cleanses your skin and talks to you about the products being used. The cleansing wipes are great because like in my case, I asked him to leave my mascara on (that's a whole hassle that nobody wants to deal with) & it means no messy cleanser— so no gown. You just come in and lay down fully clothed in a deceivingly comfy chair. (no seriously…where can I purchase one of these table thingies? It's magnificent) Then you're greeted by the nurse that'll be performing your treatment (laser treatments can only be administered by a licensed R.N. or Physician) who gives you a little rundown of what to expect and what your goals are collectively for your skin. (In this instance my answer was to "laser" me a flux capacitor so that I can look 19 forever…but you can stay as realistic as you'd like) Protective goggles are put in place and a small test patch done; once you've gotten the green light you begin with the first of the two-part treatment: the YAG laser. YAG laser helps to clean the skin and tighten pores, leaving the skin with a slightly taut feeling. I can best describe it as little Pop Rocks on the face…it doesn't hurt, it just feels active. It "pops" more along the areas of excess oil-production or congestion and actually renders a faint "burnt" smell— which not to worry is totally normal. The nurse performs two passes and then is onto step two: the IPL light therapy. 

For those of you who have seen my IPL post, this is the same thing but slightly different. It's different in the sense that this is performed at a much smaller intensity, so mainly that means that while you may have to do several of these treatments to achieve one IPL, you also won't experience any of the "coffee ground" darkening either. So this is perfect for people who need more than topical products but who aren't quite ready for heavy-duty resurfacing. The IPL part is painless! A cooling gel is applied and the light therapy done lightly all over the face, once. 

That's it— then you're done! Toner and a moisturizer with SPF is applied and you are literally out the door. (If you can stop looking at how glowy your skin is in the mirror) 

I was given a skincare goody bag before heading out the door by my excellent hosts which consisted of a gentle cleanser and a more deep-cleaning oily skin face wash, along with 2 Radiance Masks and some samples of their SPF moisturizer. The gentle cleanser is a great everyday for most people, however, with my skin I actually see myself using the deep-cleaning wash daily. The mask I used the night of, before going to bed, to give my newly opened pores a dose of nutrients to help speed up healing…I just applied the film over my face for 20 minutes after cleansing and then gently patted in the excess liquid once I removed it. (fyi: I woke up to the glowiest skin I've had since my pregnancy…) ← sans all the craziness

I can't wait to get some more visits in (usually once or twice a week is recommended) to really start to see a difference in my skin tone. I will definitely be making this a regular haunt of mine since my skin has literally never felt instantly "cleaner"— I can't wait to see how this does long term!

Have any of you ladies visited a S.L. before? To see some awesome before and after shots you can visit their Instagram @skinlaundry or by typing in the hashtag #freshlylaundered 

{❤︎, b.}

PRODUCT REVIEW // PCA PIGMENT BARS

Yay ... I ❤︎ sharing product reviews with people! 

Today I want to share one of my all-time favorite products by PCA Skin (which also happens to be one of my all-time favorite skin care lines) This product is called Pigment Bar, & it's a solid skin-brightening cleansing bar that helps to reduce uneven skin tones. 

Let's start off by saying that this product is....unique. 

I was skeptical of it's unusual packaging at first, but in truth it's one of the most convenient & cost-effective purchases I've made in a long time. 

The fact that they use hardly any product each use means this baby lasts you easily a few months--& it's no-spill container means that I can toss it in my purse for days/nights when I'm away from my home. It has Kojic acid, which is a natural skin-lightener, and Niacinamide, which will keep your complexion clear. Let me break this into bullet points so that I don't ramble on--I'd recommend this product for:

• People (especially men) who don't like to fuss with skincare. It's a 1-stop shop of sorts. 
• People who are breakout prone & avid gym-goers... now post-workout sweat can be rinsed off immediately & it's as simple as packing it in your gym bag. 
• People who have pigment on the neck, chest, or arms as well.... you can wash your face AND body with this in the shower. 

It comes with a package of dried sponges that expand once they're wetted, and those work well enough, but you know what I'm gonna say next:

you can use it with a Clarisonic! (I swear I'm the best friend that Clarisonic never knew they had with all the free advertising I do for them, haha.) It doesn't really matter which you use but the rotating-electric-brush method will be more exfoliating, therefore reducing more pigment. And if you're trying to reduce pigment in other areas of the body, especially the arms where the skin is far thicker, then you want to add the extra exfoliation to the cleanser. 

If you're interested in this multifunctional cleanser you can purchase it HERE. Or if you're interested in other cleansing bars for acne and/or dry skin you can click HERE and HERE. Keep in mind that once you've used your cleansing bar you're going to want to use a tissue to wipe down the surface before recapping it. Water can breed MEGA bacteria so make sure it's dry before storing it. Apart from that this cleanser is gloriously simple!! Plus, it smells so delicious that you may be tempted to eat it....don't though! ;)

{ ❤︎, b. }

VLOGGERS I VLUCKING L❤︎VE!

I absolutely love watching YouTube videos! Since late 2008 it's been my secret guilty pleasure. I can seriously watch choreography videos & makeup tutorials for hours...more than just a way for me to waste time daydreaming though, YouTube videos serve a function: teaching an average joe to do just about anything...& even if you already know how to do something, it's never a bad idea to compare notes with someone else. We can always grow & get better, right? Your's truly will be on there soon enough but until then I will share my current loves from YouTube with you:

MANNY MUA

I stumbled upon one of Manny Mua's makeup tutorials about this time last year. There are plenty of male makeup artists in the industry, so it wasn't that that caught my attention- it was his perfectly done, full-face of makeup! And lawd knows I'm going to watch ANY boy brave enough to don some M.A.C. Not only is he phenomenal at application- he's hilarious! I was hooked by the first F-bomb he dropped in his miami-drag alter ego. 

KANDEE JOHNSON

Alright, so Kandee is no flavor of the month, so I really shouldn't say "current" love. She's more of a long-time love. I've been checking out her ish for the 
better part of 6 years now. She's not only great with makeup, she's super informative & has a really 
positive personality! She's just upbeat & motivational. Like...I wish we could be best friends. I don't think I'd ever feel stressed again. haha. 

PIXIWOO

A sister-duo based in the U.K. Pixiwoo is the channel I refer to the most for makeup tips & tricks. They also focus on skincare (which is the little touch I love...Kandee does that too) Their lighting is spectacular so you can really see in depth what they're doing, and frankly, there's just something informative yet capturing about their tutorial mannerisms. I highly recommend this channel if you're looking for Halloween  makeup how-to's!

I hope this is helpful as you are all planning your Halloween ideas!!

{❤︎, b.}

"au naturel" // fight acne for under $75

While I'm not the biggest advocate of using "drugstore beauty" skincare lines, there are a FEW items on my short list of approvals. Most of them can be found in your local health food markets. In this instance, Whole Foods Market. 

>>>  ♡  <<<

If you're dealing with persistent acne or congestion the items shown above are my secret weapon to keeping my skin crystal clear. You can read about my purifying mask HERE For details + instructions. Together they cost less than $20 (for the largest bottles) and the great news is that they'll last you like....foreverrrr 

A great cleanser I picked up recently is this Everyday Coconut Face Wash by Alaffia. One 12 oz bottle is under $10 and this too will last you several months, since a pea-size lathers really well it will go a long way. This can also be an excellent choice for a gentle cleanser to use with a cleansing brush, which I mentioned before in my post HERE. It rinses clean and removes all dirt and makeup & since it's made with coconut oil, it works as a gentle antiseptic without disrupting the balance of your skin. So you feel clean- but not tight. 

These cleansing pads (which are actually TONING PADS) are only $6 and are good at removing any traces still left on the skin after washing. Tea tree oil is antibacterial and soothing to active acne blemishes. If you're not familiar with the scent of tea tree it can be a little overwhelming at first- and it feels almost cooling or mentholated- so just be prepared for that. This is a particularly great item for men...who for some reason think something's not working unless it's "minty" ;) 

Lastly, if you've been dealing with chronic acne flare-ups, and you've never really experienced that before, it could be due to a build up of toxins in your body (Stress, hormones, & medications can disrupt our digestive systems) in which case my "orders" are A) to add a daily probiotic >>to keep your digestion working properly<< and B) use Cayenne extracts to rev up your circulatory system >>which will help aide in pushing toxins out of your bloodstream<< Prices are highest for these two items. The probiotics costing around $20 and the Cayenne drops at $14. But they're super simple additions to make; take 1 capsule daily and use as many droplets as you can tolerate mixed in with a glass of juice 1-2x's a day.{clearly we use ours A LOT in this household⎯⎯⎯ as it's all ghetto and torn up in the pic}

All you have to do after that is take an utterly shameless selfie and post it allllll over the internet. And you're set ;) I hope this helps and that you guys love the mask! Let me know if you try it out...if you do, post your selfie and tag me in it. ;) 

{❤︎, b.}

WWTF // summer break-up

Dear Summer:  

I think that we should see other seasons... It's not you, it's me... 

It's just that, I sort of hate you these days! I'm really sorry. I hope we can stay friends. 

>>> <<<

Okay, now that I am back on the market for better, cooler months it's time to get myself in top form. Namely, my FACE! 

In the wake of my crappy relationship with this Indian summer, all I have left is dull, cracked, congested skin that seems to never want to stop flaking off of my body. I don't even blame it...i'd ditch me too in this condition.

The humidity has been through the roof lately and the only downside to living by the beach these days is the void left in my heart, where A/C should be. It's been miserable! If you have oilier skin like me, then you live in a special kind of misery... known as acne.  Because when heat fluctuates between dry and humid like it has been, oilier skin types will notice a lot more congestion (or "bumps") in the t-zone. Over-dried skin only makes us produce more oil, and humidity makes us sweat-- so when you do the math on that equation the results are pretty bleak. In order to restore this skin type it takes some major exfoliation. One super fast solution to that is the Clarisonic. 

{insert heart eyes emoji and confetti blowing out of your computer}

The Clarisonic has been my go-to in predicaments like this for many, MANY years now....I want to say that I bought mine in 2010... and I'm happy to report that, despite my reservations about spending $150 on a brush, I've used the very same Clarisonic for all of those years. (I'm pretty sure that even cars don't last me that long.)

So, just note that if you're eyeing one, it pays for itself in the long run. You'll get a TON of use out of it. You can use it on other parts of the body too. I like to use it on my chest and occasionally my legs, too. They sell brush heads that are a little bit firmer for thicker skin on the body and it's good to keep on hand during drier months when skin can get ashy.

>>> <<<

The beauty of it is that it can be used with any cleanser that you have on deck (or, for the body, just plain soap) and it'll get the job done. It cuts down needing to buy an additional exfoliant, which is nice if you don't like having a lot of products taking up bathroom space and it's a no-brainer to use. Although, I have to advise you against following their directions to use it twice daily....Maybe to kick-start the first day or two, but after that you'll be so buffed out that your skin feels like it could bleed if you smile too wide. 

(just my personal opinion) So I limit it to once a day (I prefer night) and skip a day in between once my skin gets back to all of it's smooth glory....You don't have to overthink it  either.  just use it when you feel like you're congested. Stop when you don't. Simple. The only thing that you need to remember is to change out the brush heads every 2 months or so. Which aren't very expensive ($20) and can be picked up in beauty supply stores like ULTA.

✚ The reason for new brush heads is so that you don't harbor bacteria in the bristles. It's easy to forget to change those out but make it a point, especially if you're prone to acne. Anything wet is a breeding ground for p. acnes bacteria, so I'd also suggest you try to store it face up, in an area that can let it dry out. 

And... I can't forget to mention that it scores brownie points with the menfolk also...the spinning brush head really helps heal in-growns from shaving and can prevent them too! 

{❤︎, b.}

IPL // what to know + where to go

What if I told you that there were a way to reduce uneven or blotchy skin....permanently? Would you believe me? You'd probably assume that there's gotta be a catch somewhere--some sort of gimmick--something I'm selling....

Scout's Honor...I'm not!

What I'm sharing with you today is something that I have personally tried and loved SO MUCH that I am actually planning on getting again. That "thing" is IPL laser. Otherwise known as a Photofacial. 

{I'll do a post covering my reasons for doing it, before and after photos, where I went and all that jazz, later...but for now I just wanted to cover the basics since I'm asked about this procedure frequently}

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) Therapy is designed to destroy pigmented skin cells in the body, improving tone and texture of the skin. Sounds gnarly, I know. But let me explain: 

✚ the light energy in the laser is absorbed by the colors in our skin that we don't like. (browns and reds)

✚ the heat from that light then damages or destroys the structures that hold that "bad" color (this is either pigment stored from the sun or hormones, and/or dilated blood vessels.)

✚ when our body recognizes damage it goes into "medic-mode" and rushes to the scene of the crime, removes the damaged cell, and then proceeds to make a replica. 

✚ what we are left with, instead of a blotchy "ugly" skin cell, is now a brand new baby-fresh skin cell in all it's glory.

Small amounts of collagen are reproduced during this process also! Not enough to magically get rid of every wrinkle you have....but enough to improve surface plumpness. Which is what improves the texture of the skin. EX: Have you ever noticed how little kids have the most flawless looking skin? Even if they have freckles? Well, that's because their texture is so nice and PLUMP that you can't see a single pore!...

yeah i know, i want back in that club too...enough with this stupid adulting

So, if you've tried serums or chemical peels-- are an avid sunscreen wearer and non-tanner--and you still feel like you're not making a dent in your pigmentation then IPL is something that you may want to consider. I find that a lot of my clients never explore laser as an option simply because they don't know enough about it or are daunted by how extreme it sounds. I will tell you the same thing that I tell them: it's truly nothing to be afraid of and (in my opinion) is worth every single dollar spent. 

Shit, I'd BUY ONE if I could! ...laser my entire body on the R-E-G.

 Below I've made a little cheat sheet with every important detail you need to know. Whether you've been considering IPL for awhile or this post has piqued your interest, hopefully this helps you decide if it's time to give it a whirl. 

YOUR IPL CHEAT SHEET:

✳︎ RESULTS ARE PERMANENT 

(as long as you're careful about the sun in the future you won't ever have to do it again)

✳︎ GENERALLY PEOPLE NEED BETWEEN 3-5 TREATMENTS 

✳︎ TREATMENT PRICES CAN VARY FROM STATE-TO-STATE, BUT YOU CAN BANK ON ROUGHLY $200 PER TREATMENT (UNLESS YOU BUY A PACKAGE...which is the better option)

✳︎ THE IDEAL TIME TO SCHEDULE IPL IS DURING THE FALL+WINTER MONTHS WHEN SUN EXPOSURE IS LIMITED. 

✳︎ EACH TREATMENT TAKES ABOUT 30 MINUTES TO COMPLETE AND ARE SCHEDULED 3 WEEKS APART FROM ONE ANOTHER. 

✳︎ TREATMENTS DO NOT HURT; THEY FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE AROUND THE NOSE AND FOREHEAD WHERE THERE ISN'T A LOT OF FAT...BUT IT'S QUICK. 

✳︎ AFTER EACH TREATMENT YOU CAN EXPECT DARKENING IN THE DAMAGED AREAS AND MILD REDNESS. THIS FLAKES OFF IN 3 DAYS OR SO AND IS MOST NOTICEABLE THE VERY 1ST TREATMENT. 

✳︎ I DIDN'T TAKE A SINGLE DAY OFF OF WORK OR SCHOOL, INCLUDING THE DAY OF...

✳︎ ...BECAUSE NOBODY CARED OR NOTICED THAT I'D GOTTEN IT DONE--proving that the "downtime" is all in our head. 

✳︎ IPL TREATS SUN-DAMAGE/SUN-PIGMENTATION, ROSACEA, ACNE+ACNE PIGMENTATION, POST-PREGNANCY PIGMENTATION, SPIDER VEINS, ENLARGED PORES, AND DULL SKIN. 

✳︎ IT CAN BE DONE VIRTUALLY ANYWHERE ON THE BODY...MOST COMMONLY THE FACE, NECK, CHEST, HANDS, AND ARMS. 

✳︎ YOU WANT TO FIND A reputable PLASTIC SURGEON, MEDICAL SPA, REGISTERED NURSE, DERMATOLOGICAL OFFICE, OR MEDICAL AESTHETICIAN... day spas, groupons, nail salons- mmmm...those are all use-at-your-own-risk. 

✳︎ A GOOD PLACE TO START YOUR SEARCH IS ON YELP OR NEWBEAUTY....WORD OF MOUTH IS ALWAYS PRETTY GOOD TOO...AND IF YOU'RE IN THE OC YOU CAN OF COURSE ASK ME ;)

i hope this was helpful info! Please feel free to leave me a comment if you have any questions...and if you become an IPL fan let me know!! We can talk skin care all day, errrday! 

{ ❤︎, b. }