Help For Acne Prone Skin
Written by Kimberly in: Skin Care
27 Dec 2011
How do you deal with putting on makeup with oily, acne prone skin? Those of you out there that deal with this problem every day know what a challenge this is. Do you need to moisturize? If so, then how do you do that with out feeling like you have an oil slick on your face? And what about foundation? You want to cover up the blemishes with makeup, but somehow doing so just seems to be making things worse!
I know how difficult and frustrating it is but don’t worry, I’m here to guide you in the right direction. Having oily, acne prone skin can be tricky business, but I can help you to have beautiful, healthy, glowing skin.
First of all, to help battle this problem, we need to know a little more about it… like, what causes skin to become acne prone? And how many different kinds of acne are there? I’m not a Dermatologist, but I can give you a very broad explanation of the types of acne and what causes them. There are four basic kinds of acne:
- blackheads,
- whiteheads,
- pimples, and
- cysts
Acne is created when your skin produces too much oil, or sebum, and the pores of your skin become clogged. Sebum is always in our skin and is actually something your skin needs, but when your hormones surge (like during “that time of the month”, being a teenager, or sometimes menopausal women), your body increases the sebum production which can cause the pores to clog. Most forms of acne can be treated by practicing good skin care habits and using the right products, but others might need the help of a Dermatologist and prescription skincare.
I’m not a doctor, but I do know about taking care of your skin, so today I’m going to go over a few important tips on how to care for your acne prone skin.
- Wash your face:
It’s so important to keep your skin fresh and clean! This is true for anyone, but especially those with oily skin. You want to cleanse the skin, but not strip it. Remember, your skin needs oil, you’re just trying to keep the excess oil at bay as well as removing dirt and other impurities.
I recommend using a cleansing gel, or foam for oily skin, a cream cleansers can feel too heavy and may leave behind a residue as can bar soaps. If you’re oily/acne prone, you need to cleanse your skin twice a day. No exceptions!
- Use the right products:
This is essential! Since you already have oily skin, you don’t need any extra oil in the products you use. Doing so can cause even more breakouts. To prevent this from happening, you’ll need to check the ingredients… anything that’s oil free, water based and non-comedogenic should be fine.
Be extra careful in checking ingredients on your foundation. I know your first instinct is to cover the blemishes, but doing so with a heavy foundation (especially one that has oil in it) will only make matters worse. Instead, go for an oil free foundation that you can layer for more coverage if you need to. Another thing to consider is to check out the ingredients in your hair care products, pomades and gels containing oils can drip onto your skin and cause breakouts. Also, using products that contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide can help treat acne and breakouts.
- Matte it up:
There are a lot of great oil mattifying, or anti-shine products out there. What that means is that they can actually help control the excess oil through out the day as well as help to prevent unwanted shine, giving a “matte” finish. There are matte moisture lotions, mattifying foundations and powders and even toners that have mattifying properties to help keep your skin free from shine and excess oil.
Tip To help maintain a clear complexion, it’s important to keep excess oil and bacteria off the surface of the skin. You can help by trying not to touch your face, cleaning and disinfecting your phone regularly, as well as using blotting papers to help absorb the excess oil. Blotting papers are portable, light weight sheets of paper (usually rice paper) often coated with powder, that you lightly press against your skin to remove the extra sebum and shine without messing up your makeup. They’re amazing! A definite must have for an oily skin.
If you have oily &/or acne prone skin, then hopefully following these tips will help to clear things up for you… remember, it’s all about keeping your skin as clean and clear as possible. You have to keep it up, too! A good skincare regime is very important to maintain and prevent breakouts. However, I must stress the importance of seeing a Dermatologist if these tips don’t work. With today’s modern medicine, there’s no reason for you to feel helpless about your skin. All you need to do is remember that you’re worth it! You’re worth taking the time to take care of your skin. I promise, you won’t be disappointed with the results.
Dramatic Eye Makeup Tips
Written by Kimberly in: Makeup
19 Sep 2011
The eyes are the windows to the soul, so they say, so why not really help them to stand out? A little eye make up is just what the doctor ordered to help pop those peepers with some drama! I know that eye makeup can seem scary, or intimidating, but don’t worry, I’m here to guide you with some super simple tips for dramatic eyes!
The best tip I could ever give you is to not be afraid to experiment and try out something new. I know better then anyone how difficult change can be, but I’ve found that once you try something new and get used to it, more often then not, you wind up loving it. So… be brave!
Doing a dramatic eye doesn’t necessarily mean going super dark. True, the darker the color, the more likely your eyes will stand out, but you can get a very dramatic effect using bright colors, or metallics, you just need to know how and where to use them. (That’s where I come in!)
So, here are some of my best tips for a dramatic eye. Here we go!
- Eye Liner:
Eye liner is by far, the best tool to use to bring out your eyes. Without it, there really is no drama at all! So line ‘em up, girls! It’s up to you and what look you’re going for as far as what liner you use… a pencil for smokey, a liquid for retro, a gel for defined… the possibilities are endless! The whole idea of eye liner is to bring out your eyes. The best way to apply is to try and get as close to the lash line as possible and use small strokes. You don’t want to see a gap between your lashes and your liner at all. If you’re having a difficult time with that, then try going back and smudging the liner with a Q-tip, or adding some shadow on top. You also don’t want to line your entire eye. Doing so will close off your eye and make it look smaller, and the whole idea is to play up your eyes and make them stand out and look bigger! I like to line just the top, or focus the liner on the outer corner of my eye and blend it inward. For a dramatic flare, try using a different color other then black or brown (your safety net, you can never go wrong with those) like plum, navy, or forest green. I think you’ll find the results quite pleasing.
- Eye Shadow:
I love eye shadow! I know a lot of you out there are scared by it, but don’t be! Eye shadow can actually change the entire shape of your eye and if the right colors are used, it can make your eye color stand out like no other! As with eye liner, it’s not necessary to uses a super dark color to achieve a dramatic look although it is most effective. If dark and mysterious just isn’t your cup of tea, then try experimenting with brighter colors like blues, greens or purples. Using a brighter shade can definitely help play up the drama with out being so dark. The secret to eye shadow is to remember to blend, blend, blend, and try to keep things darker on the outside and lighter on the inside. Doing so will once again, help to make your eyes look bigger.
- Mascara:
Oooo! Mascara makes me squeal with happiness!
I simply can not live without it! What girl doesn’t want long, fluttery lashes? There’s something so feminine about lovely, long lashes and your dramatic eye is nowhere near complete without it. The bigger, the better! So don’t be afraid to layer it on. To avoid clumping, run a dry mascara brush over your lashes between coats. For the ultra drama black mascara is the only way to go.
Tip In order to get the deepest color pigment out of your eye shadows, it’s important to use a good eyeshadow base. Doing so will not only make the colors be brighter and more dramatic, but it will also keep your shadow from fading or creasing and giving you those dramatic eyes all day and night.
Alright you drama queens, now you know the best tips for having dramatic eyes. Remember to have fun and not to be afraid to try something new. Be careful, though… having dramatic eyes is certain to start some serious drama! 
- No Comments
- Tags: eyeliner, eyeshadow, makeup
Keeping Your Makeup Looking Fresh In the Summer Heat
Written by Kimberly in: Makeup
6 Jul 2011
It’s officially summertime, hooray! Time for fun in the sun! There’s just one problem… how do you keep your freshly applied Summer makeup from melting off your face when the sun is shining bright? Also, how do you keep your makeup looking good when you’re all sweaty?
I get asked questions about Summer beauty tips a lot this time of year. No doubt it can be frustrating, but there is hope! I just so happen to have some suggestions that will make a big difference.
First of all, let me say that less is best when it comes to Summer makeup! When it’s hot and/or sticky outside, you want to put on as little makeup as possible. Avoid heavy foundations and concealers all together; the heavier and thicker the foundation, the more it will cake and separate in the heat. You’ll also sweat more since you’re skin won’t be able to breath as well. My suggestion is to either go without foundation and spot cover with a light weight, waterproof concealer (my favorite is Lancome’s Effacernes) or use a tinted moisturizer instead of foundation.
Also, and probably most importantly, stay away from powders! Powder makeup is not your friend in the heat and humidity! It won’t stick on your face, it gets cakey when you perspire, and looks all blotchy and uneven. If you’re oily and need to absorb excess oil, then try oil blotting sheets (Shisiedo’s are awesome) to actually remove the extra oil from your face instead of adding powder to a sweaty, oily face.
Here are a few other suggestions I have to keep your makeup looking fresh in the summer heat:
- Cream it up:
You already know how much I adore cream blush, and it is perfect for Summer weather! It will stay on all day and not cake or streak when you and the temperature heat up. There are also tons of cream eye shadows out there! A crease-less cream eye shadow is the perfect solution for fading and/or creasing. You can layer most formulas, but I would go with no more then two shades, one light highlighter for the brow and one mid tone for the crease and lid. Or keep it super simple with one light, neutral all over shade with an eyeliner and mascara and call it good.
- Stain power:
Cheek and lip stains are a great alternative to using creams and powders. They can seem a bit intimidating at first, I know, but trust me when I say they are very user friendly and usually apply very sheer so you can build up the color to what’s comfortable for you. They’re also perfect for the beach since most of them are water resistant!
- Get waterproofed:
As you know, there are many cosmetic companies out there that make a multitude of products that are waterproof ranging everywhere from cream eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara to even lipstick and foundation. The most common, and one I think every woman should have for Summer, is a waterproof mascara. I know it can be tricky to remove, but a good eye makeup remover will take care of that. I also find a good waterproof eyeliner can also come in handy. Whether I’m headed to the beach or pool, or it’s just a super hot day, it’s nice to have an eyeliner that will stay in place all day.
Tip To avoid unwanted eye makeup smudging under your eyes, apply eyeliner and mascara to only the upper lid. You can have some fun by playing up a little winged eyeliner for a bit of a classic, retro look. Not putting anything on the bottom lashes will eliminate the possibility of it smudging and smearing in the heat!
To me, the Summertime look is as natural as possible. Of course you still want to play up your best features, but let your skin breathe! Show off your freckles… they’re adorable! Keep the eye makeup minimal and go for a bold, bright lip. It should look and feel as care free as possible.
So remember my darlings, keep things simple, stay away from powders and maybe look into getting a few key waterproof items. Following these few suggestions will keep you looking flawless, fresh and fabulous all Summer long!
How To Look Younger Instantly
Written by Kimberly in: Makeup
10 Jun 2011
OK, I have good news and I have bad news. The bad news is that aging is inevitable. You can certainly slow things down a bit by taking good care of your skin, but eventually things will start to look different.
Here’s the good news: I just so happen to have some fabulous tips on how to keep yourself looking young and fresh-faced in a matter of minutes and I’m going to share them with you! They’re simple, quick and easy and anyone can do it. Ready? Here we go!
- Less is best:
The more makeup you have on, the older you look. To look younger, try to keep things simple and on a “must have” basis. For example, if you need concealer for dark circles, then try using one with a more fluid like consistency rather than a cream. The lighter the formulation, the less likely it’s going to settle into fine lines and wrinkles. You can also try using a concealer to spot cover any blemishes rather than using a foundation all over your face. The more your skin comes through, the better. Keep eye makeup to a minimum using one or two medium to light ranged colors. Don’t go crazy with the eyeliner, either. Too much liner can bring your eyes down and make them look tired.
- Go for color:
Browns and nudes can tend to wash you out and look “muddy” on your skin, so instead try to go for some soft color. Looking younger can be as simple as wearing soft, warm pinks on cheeks and lips and peachy pink eye shadows with a plum eyeliner. A little bit of color goes a long way and do wonders for perking up your complexion.
- Lip service:
If you’ve never been one to wear lip liner, now is the time! As we get older, our lips tend to fade and look smaller. A quick fix to that is to use a soft, nude lip liner and line your lips going slightly outside your lip line and then feather in the entire lip. Next, put on your lipstick or gloss. Doing this will give you a longer wear on your lip color as well as prevent feathering and bleeding and help to make you lips appear fuller. The trick is to not go too far outside your lip line as well as not going too dark. Keep the color medium to light in either a pink, coral,or soft plum./p>
Tip One more thing to remember: Try to stay away from matte finishes which will accentuate fine lines and wrinkles. Go for the glow with products that have a soft light particle, or radiance boosting properties. Try moisture rich foundations and lipsticks and cheek colors that have a little shimmer to them are wonderful for giving your skin a youthful glow.
So there you have it! I told you they were simple! You can integrate one, or all into your makeup routine to instantly look younger. But don’t take my word for it… check it out for yourself!
- (1) Comment
- Tags: makeup, moisturizer, skin care
Self Tanners: Friend or Foe?
Written by Kimberly in: Skin Care
13 May 2011
Now that the warmer weather has finally arrived, we all want to bear a little more skin… that is until we catch a glimpse on ourselves in the mirror and are practically blinded by the pale, white skin! Eeek!
Well, before you go running to the tanning beds, or (gasp!) get ready to lay out, let me tell you how you can have instant gratification and an immediate tan: Self Tanners! I know, I know, they certainly have had a bad reputation in the past, but trust me, there are some amazing ones out there!
Self tanners are a great way to get bronzed, tan skin in a very quick and fairly easy manner (Not to mention cancer-free!). There are, however, a few pointers that will make things a whole lot easier for you.
- Make a good choice:
There’s no denying that there certain brands of self tanners turn skin orange while others don’t. What you’re looking for is a pretty, bronze color. Everyone’s skin is different, so it will be difficult to see what color a self tanner will turn on you until at least one hour after you first applied it. My advice is to do a test spot somewhere on your body before applying it all over. Some of my favorite self tanners have been Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel
(Actually, any Clarin’s Sun Product is great!), St. Tropez Tanning Essentials Self Tan Bronzing Lotion
, and Dior Bronze Self-Tanner Natural Glow Face
. All of these work really well with my super fair complexion and have little to no after stink.
- Exfoliate!:
I can not stress enough how important this step is! If you have any dry skin patches, then the color in the self tanner will cling to the dry skin making it darker then the rest of your skin giving very uneven color. This can be easily avoided by using any kind of body scrub before applying your self tanner. Pay special attention to the especially dry areas such as elbows, knees, and feet.
- Get even:
To achieve the perfect look, an even application of self tanner is crucial. I prefer using lotions, gels, or creams because I can take my time and really rub them into my skin. I keep massaging the product into my skin until it’s all absorbed. It takes a bit longer, but I’ve never had any streaking or uneven patches doing it that way. Spray tanners are great for quick dry time, but tend to dry a little too quickly for me, so be careful.
Tip Wash your hands!! If you don’t wash/scrub your hands after you’ve applied your self tanner, then the palm of your hands will “tan” and most likely in a very interesting pattern. Some people find that wearing latex gloves helps, but I find I get a more even application without using gloves.
So is self tanner friend, or foe? Well my darlings, in my opinion, they’re definitely a friend… if you know how to do it correctly, which now you do! You could also check out the spray tan scene (most salon’s have spray tan available these days). In any case, self tanning is a much safer alternative to having beautiful, bronze skin for Summer… or anytime!
- (3) Comments
- Tags: dry skin, self tanner, skin care
- Kimberly: Angela,You are so right! Phones are a breeding ground for acne causing bacteria as well as many ot [...]
- Angela: I just read an article in "Glamour" that talked about this. You scooped them because you hit every [...]
- Rachel: Great reminders for us oily girls....one thing...I'm thirty-five, when can I expect to see less ZITS [...]
- Angela: Kimberly,I recently tried a new self-tanner: Neutrogena has a new spray/mist tan. It actually w [...]
- Kimberly: Hi Kat!It's so funny that you would ask me about acne prone skin because I'm actually working on [...]
- Help For Acne Prone Skin
- Dramatic Eye Makeup Tips
- Keeping Your Makeup Looking Fresh In the Summer Heat
- How To Look Younger Instantly
- Self Tanners: Friend or Foe?
- Is It OK To Not Wear Makeup To Work?
- My Love Affair With Cream Blush
- Don’t Be Afraid Of Color!
- How To Wear This Season’s Pink
- Adjusting Your Makeup As You Get Older