Just Shana: Gratis

C/O Eminence Skincare training at the spalon 

Well technically I won the hydrating mist by answering a question correctly; the cleanser was gratis.  I'm enjoying both by the way 

Just Shana: Wake Up No Make Up

Sike.

Minimal makeup though which I attribute to my new fav beauty find...

Breakouts be gone!

Just Shana: My 1st Microdermabrasion treatment

I have never had perfect skin.  There are times when it behaves well but trust that I have to put in work for that to happen.  The slightest fall off and I get a breakout. Wrong foods?  Breakout.  Stress?  Breakout.  You get the idea.

One of the perks in working at the spalon is we get DEEPLY discounted spa and salon services.  I often find it difficult to take advantage of this perk but somehow this month the stars aligned and I was granted entry into relaxation mode for a few hours and so I took full advantage.

I booked an hour long deep tissue massage as well as a microdermabrasion facial.  I have never had that type of facial before but I love a good exfoliation and my skin seems to react well to the methods I utilize myself to exfoliate so I was extra excited to try it.

During the facial a machine is moved across the skin, sort of in the same pattern as when mowing a lawn, up and down in rows to assure all areas are treated.  Tiny crystals are released which help to slough off dead skin cells revealing the newer skin underneath.  You then receive hydrating soothing products to calm the skin.  I loved it and after my skin felt amazing.  Baby bottom smooth and pregnancy glowing...minus the pregnancy part of course cause yeah nah, we are quite done over here thanks!

After that I had my massage and of course that was amazing as well.  Can't you see relaxed written all over my face? And my hair? LOL

Well that butter smooth skin lasted maybe two days and then...

It looked like a cat, Freddy Kreuger or EdwardScissorhands or perhaps the three of them got together to play tic tac toe on my face!  

Now mind you I was warned of this but I exfoliate aggressively so I just knew my experience would be different.  My skin would be tough enough to not succumb to this sort of reaction, well I was wrong.

Would I have the microdermabrasion again?  Yep. I'm a glutton for punishment I guess, no but really once the healing began I was still pretty pleased with my skin and still am.  Just take all precautions if you want to try it and be sure to talk with your esthetician about how to deal with your skin after your treatment.

Just Shana: The Skin Im In (video)

I did an updated skin care video that includes some bonus info at the end which will prove beneficial now that we are in the unofficial start of summer.  :)  It sparked a lively debate amongst my Partners in Pretty crew and I hope it does the same for you and your friends!  It is a bit lengthy but I promise you it is entertaining once you get into it.  Enjoy and as always, any questions?  I am an open book so ask away!

See Spot Run - How to get rid of hyperpigmentation

Not to sound all dramatic but dealing with hyper-pigmentation  is pretty much the bane of my adult existence.  Caused by increased melanin, those of us with darker skin tones such as Asian, Mediterranean and African are plagued by this darkening of certain areas of our skin and/or nails.  Sometimes the sun is the culprit but often times its due to an injury or inflammation of the skin.  The most common cause of course is a bout with acne...don't even get me started on that topic.

While it is a pain to deal with there are ways to ward off the dreaded spots.  First and foremost if we just exercise a bit of restraint and refrain from excessive touching of the skin during times of an acne outbreak, though hard to resist, it would save our skin from having to heal the darkened areas.

Also preparedness helps, if you know you will be in the sun, apply sunscreen/block beforehand.  Why not toss a sample size version in your makeup bag to take along just in case.  Also worth mentioning is that sun protection should be used all year round, not just when the rays are warm enough to rock tanks and shorts.

In the event that the warnings go ignored there is hope.  Home remedies in the form of avocado, lemon/lime juice and raw potato juice applied to the skin for about 10 minutes daily will aid in lightening.  Cocoa butter is a go to item for many as well.  There are also a number of products available over the counter at your nearest drugstore.  Of course all of these should be used in tandem with a diligent skincare routine to include exfoliation which will aid in the turnover of skin cells. 

As you all know I am currently using the Clarisonic along with an exfoliating cleanser that contains salicylic acid.  I just recently decided to up the ante and take charge of this skin of mine by adding a new product.  The Vichy ProEven Total Dark Spot Corrector retails for $42.50 and is said to be safe for sensitive skin, so much so that it can be used daily.  I just started using it so I can't report on how effective it is just yet but I will say that it is very hydrating and because I apply it with my nighttime skincare routine, when I wake up in the morning my skin has seemed a bit brighter, not as dull.

I will be reporting back on my results with this in a few weeks to let you all know if I notice a change in my hyper-pigmentation but if you can't wait and want to give it a try yourself you can pick up ProEVEN at any CVS, Walgreens or DuaneReed.  If you do decide to pick some up let me know how it works for you.  Or if you have a tried and true way of revealing your skin's glow let me know in the comments below - y'all see my rhyming skills?  :)


Disclosure: I was provided a sample of this product to try.  The views expressed in this post are my own and in no way influenced by said sample

Beauty Buzz: NARS to collaborate with Shiseido on a skincare line?

 

Word on the street is NARS may release a skincare line very soon.  Francois Nars definitely recognizes that the key to great makeup is great skincare and therefore wanted to collaborate with a brand that is well known for skincare and understands the NARS philosophy behind it - Shiseido proved to be the perfect match.

I only have those preliminary details but I am certain that this addition to the NARS brand will prove to be a successful venture.  Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.

30 Day YouTube Challenge - Day 13 -Clarisonic vs. Olay vs. facial brush

For those that do not know I am a member of the Vogue Influencer Network as mentioned here.  Recently as a member of the program I was given the opportunity to receive a Clarisonic Plus Pro!  Super honored and super surprised and I have been putting in work with it!  Quite a few people know that I had the Olay brush and wanted to know how it compared to the Clarisonic, so of course to me that means perfect time for a video!  Here is it below for your viewing pleasure.

30 Day YouTube Challenge - Day 7-Skincare Routine

Admittedly I can get rather lazy when it comes to my skincare.  Previously I could catergorize my skin as oily and sensitive.  As I began to get a bit older, however, that changed to combination, sensitive, acne-prone.  My t-zone remains my problem area as far as trying to combat oil whereas the perimeter of my face tends to be dry.  It took a lot of trial and error to get in touch with that diagnosis and unfortunately my skin suffered in the interim. 

It wasnt until I was having to deal with repeat breakouts and a heightened level of hyperpigmentation that I began to get serious about taking care of my skin.  When I attended the five year anniversary party for The Makeup Girl blog I had a consultation with Joelle Lyons, esthetician for our beloved first lady Michelle Obama.  The consultation involved sitting in this contraption that allowed both Joelle and I to see my skin up close and way too personal.  I was at once shocked and disgusted by what I saw.  That was my turning point.  Since that day I have been a bit more diligent with washing my face twice a day and eating a bit better.  I now see the results and in addition have taken a much needed break from applying foundation and powder every day.  My skin is much happier and showing me by behaving. 

I did a video to showcase the products currently in my skincare arsenal.  Most items I picked up from CVS but if you have a question about anything I used please do not hesitate to ask.

The Truth About Origins Skincare

So usually I wait until the end of the post to say what the truth is about a product Ive tried but lets shake things up around here shall we? I tried an entire skincare regimen from Origins in order to combat a bad breakout and the truth is it worked wonders!!!...along with a few edits along the way.

If you go back to the original post about my Origins Haul you can see all the items I purchased initially. I have since narrowed down my skincare routine to just four of the products on a regular basis with two used on occasion.

The routine: Modern Friction - this product is amazing! When I consulted with the Origins rep I was instructed to use it about three times a week and I have to admit that I use it way more than that. I wouldn't recommend my rogue tactics, of course I was on a serious mission when I started, tweak it to find what works for you. I use Modern Friction and Never a Dull Moment interchangeably as cleansers, again its not a mainstream way of doing things just what I found my skin liked. I wash in the morning and before I go to bed. I apply Modern Friction on my skin dry and rub in a circular motion very vigorously I then add a small amount of water to make it lather a little and rub again, I then rinse. My skin is very smooth and clean after this. I then use the United States toner with a cotton ball all over my face and neck. Lastly I apply Plantidote which my skin loves! It instantly calms my skin.

I did love the Spot Remover, so much so that I ran out, that is the ONLY reason why its not a part of my daily routine. I ended up revisiting my teenage years by picking up some Stridex pads to use in lieu of the spot remover. I use the pad before Plantidote and it did the trick.

Well the proof is in the pudding as they say so on to the photos!

In these photos I am a bit shiny but more importantly I am not wearing any makeup save for a bit of gloss! Prior to me getting serious about skincare you couldn't pay me to leave the house with a naked face. I still want to improve upon the overall texture and get rid of the hyperpigmentation but I am very happy with the results that Origin helped me to obtain. I highly recommend their products and definitely hope that you have incorporated skincare into your beauty fun, buying these products can be just as satisfying as the latest color launches, trust me!

T&T Beauty Haul: Origins

As stated in previous posts my skin is in total rebellion mode. I have admitted defeat, backtracked my steps to pinpoint the exact reasons why, shed a tear or two and now its time to fight back.

With steadfast determination I marched into the nearest Origins boutique armed with my credit card and an open mind. As this was my first time trying the brand, my Origins beauty advisor walked me through each step after listening to me lament my contribution to my skin troubles. At this point I am determined to see results so I didnt even flinch as she added to my skin improvement arsenal. I now have a very thorough skincare regimen as follows:

Never A Dull Moment is a gel cleanser especially formulated for combination skin that with a small drop produces an amazing amount of lather and results in your skin feeling cleansed not stripped.

Modern Friction is one of Origins best sellers and is a microdermabrasion cream that gently exfoliates your skin to reveal a brighter complexion. Use this two to three times per week.


Clear Improvement is a clay mask that draws out impurities and cleanses pores. This product is to be alternated with the Modern Friction, maybe used just twice a week and not on the same day as Modern Friction. It dries very tight on your skin which for some reason I like but it may not be for everybody.

United States is a toner used as a follow up to your cleanser.
Plantidote is a serum chock full of mushrooms that is used to calm your skin and helps in the fight against aging.

Have A Nice Day is the moisturizer and contains SPF 15. It has a wonderful citrus scent, reminds me of a lemon verbena.

Of course I had to get some heavy artillery. Spot Remover is a blemish fighting gel that contains salicyllic acid. A plus is that its clear so it can be used throughout the day.

Zero Oil is a mattifying agent that I will pop in my purse to combat oil slicks throughout the day.

As an added bonus I was given two samples (yall know how I am about samples and GWP opportunities): Plantidote Eye Serum and Ginger Souffle Whipped Body Cream - can we say yum? The scent of the body cream is amazing! I will be going back to pick that up ASAP!

If you want to give Origins a try for yourself you are in luck! Right now they are having their Friends and Family Sale (I had no idea until I got home!), by entering the code FF at checkout you can receive 25% off your purchase! AWESOME!

I will keep you posted on my progress, I hope to emerge victorious!

The Truth About Neutrogena Skincare

Earlier this year I consulted with the very knowledgeable Mischo Beauty about implementing a skincare regimen to tackle some issues I was facing. What I appreciated the most was that she recommended a range of products that could fit into whatever budget I was willing to work with. I decided to tackle drugstore beauty first.

To give you some background my skin has a tendency to produce quite a bit of oil in the t-zone area (forehead, nose, chin) maybe about 5-10 minutes post cleansing. If I am wearing makeup it is a MUST that I carry a touchup powder with me or it is shine city! My breakouts are not concentrated in a certain area, they happen whenever, however and wherever they want, although in the summer months I tend to have a slightly easier time with this.



In my quest for naturally flawless skin (I can beat the face down when need be dont let the smooth taste fool ya) I want to tackle the pores on my cheeks, the gunk on my nose (scientific terms HA!) the occassional breakouts and just the overall brightness of my skin.



Neutrogena seemed like a good place to start. They have a variety of products and they usually deliver what they promise. Here is what I picked up:

I have to admit I was a bit overwhelmed with the options for a cleanser. I wanted something to just say Combination skin so I could just pick it and go, but alas that wasnt possible, so I opted for good ol' Liquid Neutrogena. I dont have any outstanding praise or raves about it. It cleanses my skin, it doesnt make it feel too dry. I am satisfied, but I will probably try something that is specifically formulated for my skin type next time.

The Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask is wonderful! First of all its a two in one product, uh yeah, we'll take it! I do happen to use it for both also. When my skin freaks out I alternate between this and the Liquid Neutrogena as a cleanser. It gives a nice tingle but its not overbearing and it also has tiny granules that provide a slight scrubbing action without being too abrasive. On Sundays, I use it as a mask.

LOVE LOVE LOVE the alcohol free toner! I think it has something to do with me remembering my teenage years and using Seabreeze for EVERYTHING and probably shouldnt have. I am not going to talk bad about Seabreeze because it serves a purpose and yes I know it is not a toner, but back in the day I didnt know any better ok? :-( No sad faces for this product here. I use it immediately after I cleanse and its wonderful. Alcohol free and just gives me the once over, removing any residue that I missed. Again LOVES IT!

I am a little on the fence about the Oil Free Fresh Moisture. Its in the same vein as the Liquid Neutrogena for me. It does what it claims but there is no wow factor. As I mentioned in a previous post I have since replaced this with my Bioelements moisturizer but I did use it for a little over a month. I dont have any complaints but I probably wouldnt purchase it again. My skin didnt really fall in love with it, kinda like they went on a few dates and parted amicably.

So there's my rundown - I would say if you were to pick which of these to purchase it would definitely have to be the Clear Pore Cleanser Mask with the Alcohol Free Toner being a very close second.

I tried some products from the Neutrogena skin care line and the truth is I am happy with the results! Since implementing this skincare regimen they have been promising. I do notice that my skin is brighter. Pores are not completely minimized but they are on their way. My skin freaked out mid-month but I blame that on a new hair product I tried. I can honestly say that the changes in my skin can be mostly attributed to these products because i have not been drinking my water as much as I shouldve been. Next on my skincare agenda is the department store level. Will a department store brand prove to work better than a drugstore brand? Stay tuned to find out!

Bioelements Lutein Indoor Protective Day Creme

I just recently found out that I have combination skin (a little late to the party, yes I know) so as I am now on the journey to achieve flawless skin I decided to implement this product into my routine. Bioelements Lutein Indoor Protective Day Creme (that is a mouthfull!) is a product used mostly by licensed professionals, and now I know why.

I use this on my skin only in the evenings after I cleanse and tone and my skin just loves it! It kinda reminds me of the Clinique Dramatically Different Lotion (could be the yellow color) but slightly better.

It is formulated for use on dry, combination or oily skin so it can please the masses. I personally fell in love with it because something made my skin go absolutely beserk - I'm talking red, irritated, bumps, all from nowhere (oy vey!). Instead of freaking out like I normally would I decided to just stick with my nightly routine but try out the Bioelements in place of my usual moisturizer. My skin immediately felt soothed and in the morning it was as if the freak out moment never occurred.

Currently Bioelements can be found at a spa near you, I have not found any online shops that carry it just yet. I suggest you give it a try as I plan on looking into their other products as well.