How does Your skin feel?

Happy Monday, my dears!  I hope your weekend was fabulous and your Monday was not too manic.  Can I tell you how AH-MAZING the weather was this weekend?!  I was ready to throw on my swimsuit and head to the beach.  Then I remembered it was January.  Yuck.  

I've had several people ask me about how to care for their skin and what type of skincare and foundation to use in the winter months.  So I'm here to help you all navigate the road of winter skin.  First question I like to ask is: how does your skin feel?  Is it taut and flaky all over?  Do you feel as if you CAN NOT wash your face enough to get the oil off?  Or are you oily in the T Zone and normal on the cheeks?  Most people choose option #3 and most of the time those people are correct.  Here's a breakdown of how to care for every skin type.

For Dry Skin:

Dry skin may look flaky and dull and feel tight.  It shows signs of aging, such as fine lines.  It may have a crepey appearance, especially around the eye area.  Production of sebum, oil produced naturally, is minimal. One of the plus points of having dry skin is that pores are almost invisible and less susceptible to breakouts.  
To help combat dry skin, be sure to drink at least eight glasses of water a day.  Use skincare products with a high water content and wear a protective moisturizer as a barrier against water loss. 

Recommended Skincare products:
Aveeno Ultra Calming Foaming Cleanser - CVS- $7.49
Eucerin Daily Protection Moisturizing Face lotion - Target- $8.49

When it comes to foundation and makeup, be sure to moisturize well and use an oil based serum before applying foundation.  Use a liquid foundation rather than a stick or compact.  Oil-based products go on easier rather than powder.  Powder will sit ON the skin instead of sinking IN to the skin drawing attention to fine lines and flakiness.  Steer clear of powder blush and bronzer for the same reason.

For Oily Skin:

Oily skin may look shiny and feel greasy, even after washing.  Pores are larger and more visible.  Oily skin is more prone to blackheads and breakouts. Oiliness comes from the overproduction of sebum.  This is great because it helps keep skin supple and protects it from environmental factors.  But, overactive sebaceous glands result in greasy skin with large pores and are more susceptible to breakouts.  Stay hydrated and use water based moisturizers that are made specifically for oily skin.  Avoid oil stripping products with high alcohol content.  They are too harsh and will make the oiliness worse.

Recommended Skincare products:
Clinique liquid facial soap: oily skin formula - Belk - $16.50
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing gel - Belk - $25

As for makeup, use a mattifying primer under foundation to help it stay on.  Use foundations and powders that have Silica in it to help keep the oil locked away from the skins surface.  Lean towards mineral powder foundations, as the oil helps the powder to be absorbed.  Avoid creams (eyeshadow, blush, etc) with are wax based and sit on the surface of the skin. 

For Normal Skin:

If you are lucky enough to have skin that is not excessively dry nor oily, you have normal skin.  Normal skin may be slightly dry on the cheeks with greasier patches on and around the nose, forehead, and chin.  There is no one product that can hydrate one area and absorb oil in others.  So, the best option is to treat problem areas separately with different products.

Recommended Skincare products:
L'oreal Youth Code foaming cleanser - CVS- $7
Aveeno Positively radiant facial moisturizer - Target - $17

Individuals with normal skin have a broader range of makeup formulations they can choose from.  Anything goes!  It's a matter of trial and error to see what you like the best.

Remember, no matter what skin type you have, always use an SPF!  

Do you have a particular product that you can't live without when it comes to skincare.  Let me know!!

Until next time,
Layne

Oh hey there, 2013!

Wow!  Talk about being a slacker.  Um, it's been over a month since I have posted something.  I really need to step my game up! Hmph...

Any-who.   MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR! It's hard to believe that the holiday season has come and gone and here we are in 2013.  I surely thought by now we would have flying cars and houses in the sky like The Jetsons!  

My holidays were amazing.  I was able to spend Christmas eve with my nieces and wake up with them on Christmas morning.  I loved it!  They are at that age now where everything is so much fun.  I hung out with tons of friends, old and new, and ate waaaayyyy too much food!  Brett surprised me with a special dinner and date night to see the Nutcracker.  He's so sweet and thoughtful.  Or maybe he was just sick of me hinting to him that I hadn't been to see it since I was young and I RRREEAALLYY wanted to go :)

Heading into 2013, I have a few things up my sleeve for Blush Beauty and Makeup.  Some I'm still ironing out the deets, but others I've already talked a little bit about.  One being my Blush 'n' Go Parties.  What is this, you ask?  These parties are  fun girls night out events specifically designed to teach each doll how to make themselves look amazingly gorgeous for a fun night out on the town. Learn techniques, color schemes, and product knowledge all while enjoying the company of your best girls! Included are hors d'oeuvres and wine. So all you have to bring are your beautiful faces and your makeup bag. HOST a party and receive a special gift.

I am so excited about these parties.  They're gonna be a blast.  

I'll be back in a couple of days with some tutorials and trends for 2013!  

'til then,
Layne

Me and my doll babies!

 My handsome date!

 Great group of friends!