My skin condition pretty much changes with the seasons and therefore I like to update my skin care two to three times a year.
First things first: I got to take off my make up and all the dirt my face likes to collect throughout the day and for this step I like to take good old coconut oil. Unless you have been living under a rock, you must know by now how many benefits coconut oil has and it works great as a first step cleansing balm.
I like to rub it on my dry face and really massage it in, to get everything off that doesn't belong on my face, like oil (oil attracts oil), dirt, make up, primer, sunscreen and all that fun stuff. Then using a clean face cloth and running it under hot water, I take everything off.
After that I cleanse my face with the Body Shop Vitamin E Cream Cleanser. I like to use a better cleanser for the second round, because I don't just want to use it to get my make up off but to actually benefit my skin. And I simply take it off with water.
Then comes my favourite step involving acid toners.
This step is so crucial and really makes the biggest difference in my skincare routine. I like to switch between the Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Salicylic Acid, the Paula's Choice CLEAR Anti- Redness Exfoliating Solution 2% Salicylic Acid and the Alpha H Liquid Gold.
I use the Liquid Gold only two to three times a week, because it is very strong and I use the other two exfoliaters the rest of the week.
Acid toners help with acne, blackheads, red scars, fine lines, they minimise the appearance of pores and they help your face absorb whatever product comes next better.
Sometimes, when I have a lot of extra time, I like to use an exfoliating mask on top of that, for example the Avene Cleanance Mask.
The next step is eye cream, I especially like the Hübner Augenbalsam plus, because it contains hyaluronic acid and last but not least I use the Vitamin E Intense Moisture Cream for very dry skin.
- Julia xxx
I know I haven't been posting as regularly these days and that is because Uni has taken over my life, once again. So please bear with me here, I'm trying my best to balance everything and eventually everything will settle down.
Now I have been on Roaccutane for over one and a half months now and with the change of my skin comes the change in my skin care. My skin is (still) nowhere near perfect and I still break out quite frequently and don't even get me started on the acne scars. It is certainly not the hardest part but it kinda sucks not being able to do anything, since I can't use anything harsh on my skin during the 6 month Roaccutane course.
Being back at Uni, I have noticed that within the first week my skin went crazy and started breaking out again. Maybe it came with the stress/ nervousness (even though I am not that stressed yet). My other guesses where that I am either allergic to the washing powder or the water just isn't as clean, since I live in a bigger city and my skin is just being a diva over it.
Be that as it may, I had to change my whole entire skin care routine adjusting to the circumstances.
I have found a few products (mainly in my mom's little cupboard over the sink), which I would've never tried without my mom introducing me to them or at least encouraging me to use her things, which is weird since she is not into skin care at all and just buys whatever falls into her hands and I am the total opposite.
Now in all the years I have been struggling with acne, I have never, not once, found a product that REALLY worked for my skin and where I could actually see a difference over the course of one week/month. Duh. That's why I started taking heavy (legal!) drugs. But I am so happy to say that these products I am using at the moment make all the difference. Of course I am still on Roaccutane and one could say that it's only due to that, but when I stop using these products, even for one night (!), my skin gets worse again. So without further ado: the products.
Starting of with cleansing. I like to double cleanse in the evening and believe me when I say: This makes all the difference! Before trying it out myself, I wouldn't have believed it either, though. I know everyone always says that you shouldn't go to bed with your make up still on, so I used to use whatever cleanser I had laying around and quickly took of most of my make up. Out of sheer laziness. What a mistake I can tell you now. You have to take off your make up first (properly) and then also clean your skin underneath.
So first I use the Dermalogica Precleanse and rub it into my dry skin and over my eyes. Then I apply some luke warm water to my face, so it turns into a milky liquid, and I rub some more, gently. Using a washcloth, which I run under hot water, I take everything off. Then I use coconut oil and massage it into my skin. I really massage my face, and let me tell you, it does not feel great. I learned it from Caroline Hirons (my Queen) and again, this makes all the difference! Make sure to take your time here, it will be worth it. Using the same washcloth rinsed under hot water, I take everything off.
Make sure you change your washcloth on a regular basis. I don't use mine more than two to three days in a row. And you don't really need the Dermalogica Precleanse, I just need to use it up, but I find substituting it for coconut oil as a precleanser works just as well.
After that I use another cleanser, yes you have heard me right, but this time not a balm cleanser but a 'regular' (?) one. Now my mom bought this and when I saw that it said 'foaming' on the bottle I had to give her a little bit of a lecture. BUT I have tried it myself and it only foams because of the dispenser. Once you work it into your skin, it doesn't foam, hallelujah!
Another product which my skin loves is the Dr. Hauschka Clarifying Toner. Now I believe I have talked about this before, but somehow it just can't be the same. I formerly said that this product does nothing for my skin and was a little bit of a waste of money. Again: BUT, my mom bought herself a new one after she ran out and I used it for a few days (because why not, when it is sitting there anyway :D) and I noticed that my skin has gotten significantly better. I didn't put it down to this product, though, more so to the drugs. Then after moving back into my dorm room and not being able to use my mom's stuff, my skin got worse again, like I said. So I decided to splurge and see if my skin would get better again when using this product, and it has. I don't know why, though. Have they changed the formulation or something? Whatever it is, I love it.
The last few steps involve moisturizer. A lot of moisturiser. The Dr. Hauschka toner is a little drying but over all my skin is just super dry at the moment anyway. The best moisturizer is by far the Lush Celestial Moisturizer. It is super moisturizing and gentle and it also just contains good stuff.
Fun Fact
A dear friend of mine has suffered from neurodermatitis (or atopic eczema) every since she was a baby and she found out about Lush around 4 years ago. Ever since using this exact moisturizer, her neurodermatitis has improved SO much and never came back. She even uses it on her body. For years her parents and doctors have tried all kinds of creames and methods and nothing worked, until she stumbled across this Lush moisturizer.
Rambling over.
And for my eyes, because I already have fine lines around my eyes (I AM 20 FOR GOD'S SAKE, sorry), I use the Hübner Augenbalsam with hyaluronic acid.
Ok, so this was a rather long blogpost, I am sorry. But I did have a lot to tell you about. If you found this interesting then stay tuned for a morning skin care routine sometime this week.
Talk to you soon!
- Julia xxx
April
is almost here and therefore it is time for a March favourites! April
is a really happy month for me, because it's my birthday in April and I
feel like Spring is finally here!
So the products/ things I have been loving this month were:
My Chunky Boots from boohoo.com: They look really edgy yet still feminine and can transform any outfit. Because of the platform they are not too high and so comfortable to walk in, which is always a plus. I especially like to style them with swing dresses. I did a whole video on how I would style them here.
My Handbag from Zara: This bag is absolutely beautiful and makes me feel all grown up. Especially if you are a little OCD and need to have everything organised, this one is great! It has so many compartments so almost everything has it's own place and the colour goes with everything as well. They also have it in blue.
My Sunglasses: I got these little sunglasses in a small shop in my home town and just fell in love with them. They have a slight cat eye shape and cover most of my face, which is great on days when I don't feel like wearing any make up. Asos do a similar pair.
My Coconut Oil: I use coconut oil for everything. This month I used it every night for taking of my make up. It leaves your skin feeling smooth and looking dewy and I swear it makes a difference in the whole appearance of my skin. I also used it a couple of times as a deodorant. I know, sounds gross but it works.
My Aquaphor: I bet people are getting sick of me going on and on about Aquaphor but it's just amazing. I have no words for it. And especially this month, which has been my first month on Roaccutane, it has been an absolute live saver!
My Maybelline Fit Me Concealer: What can I say, they have a great range of shades, it covers everything that needs to be covered and blends like a dream. I have acne and quite a few scars and I can get away with just using this concealer and no foundation. Ah-mazing I tell you.
My Real Techniques Stippling Brush: Alongside with the Maybelline Concealer I used this brush to achieve a sheerer more natural finish. And in the places were I need more coverage I just tap the brush a couple of times and it does the job.
My Nars Laguna Bronzer: I like to bronze my face to give it dimension. This bronzer is quite shimmery and makes you look glowy and healthy. Especially if you're already tan, this will make you look fancy but even pale like me (lighter than MAC NC 15), you can make it work.
My Sleek Storm Palette: Along the lines of 'Shop your Stash' I rediscovered this eyeshadow palette. When I first got it I didn't really like it because the eye shadows are not the BEST quality (fall out) but the colours and pigmentation are great. I guess the warmer it gets the more I get into shimmery stuff. This would explain a lot. haha
My hair staigthener: This is just an old, cheap, no- name hair staigthener I got for my birthday when I was 14 or 15. I never used to use hair tools because I was simply to lazy and in all honesty my hair looked fine just air dried. But ever since I had to chop off 4 inches of my hair (sad tear), I really need to do something with it otherwise I'll look like a mix between Joker (minus the green hair) and Kurt Cobain. And no...just no. So this tool has come in handy.
I have heard a lot of make up tips in my time. In fact, I would actually go as far as to say that I know almost every make up tip that is out there. I do still get excited when I read "10 Make Up Tips That Will Change Your Life" on a magazine cover, though. But at the end I know that they will be just the same old make up tips that I have heard over and over again ever since I started watching Youtube videos five years ago. Sorry magazines, but facts like "Powder your make-up to make your foundation last." just aren't that revolutionary anymore.
So I have collected a few make up tips that aren't that common and surprised me when I first heard them.
1.) Apply blush not only on your cheeks but also a bit on your temples and the bridge of your nose. That makes it look more natural and less "drawn on" and also draws everything together.
2.) Use the handle of your make up brush to "roll" over your concealer under your eyes after you applied it. This takes off all the excess concealer and prevents it from greasing.
3.) Apply Highlighter above the arch of your eyebrow instead of underneath. This will lift your eye and especially if you have little eyelid space this will be the better option for you.
4.) Use coconut oil as deodorant. Yes this is correct. You can use coconut oil in many ways and on your armpits is one of them haha. I tried it out myself and it really works! It also doesn't contain aluminium and all that other nasty stuff. So just give it a try.
Have you heard of any of these tips before? And do you have any tips that you think nobody knows about? Then please share them!
- Julia xxx
