5 Ways To Use a Kaolin Clay Facial Mask

My favorite ingredient for refining skin imperfections is Kaolin Clay.  Not only is it a natural product that helps purge breakouts, it soothes inflammation, redness and tones all skin types.  It can be drying so always apply your moisturizer on after removal of a Kaolin based mask.

Try it as a spot treatment over a pimple to accelerate the healing process.

via beauty.com

Use a Kaolin mask to:

• tone skin
• tightening large pores
• even out skin tone
• purge impurities
• accelerate healing of pimples/acne

Follow @amariebeauty

Exfoliate for Better Hydration | Tip Off Tuesday

For your moisturizer to penetrate beyond the skin's surface and provide softening, supple moisturization don't forget to exfoliate 2-3 times per week.

Slough off the old skin cells so all your ingredients and hydration aren't just laying on the top layer of your skin.  The benefits of proper and regular exfoliation  include:

• Increased penetration of all your other products.
• Toning of the skin.
• Brightening of your complexion.
• Increased cellular turnover, revealing more youthful and healthy skin.

Many exfoliation products are on the market.  Choose one that works for your skin type and add it into your regular routine if you are not already doing so. 

Tip Off Tuesday | Keep Your Skin Plump, Free Anti-Aging!

Collagen and Elastin play a large role in keeping our skin's youthful appearance.  Collagen gives our skin strength.  Collagen fibers bind and attract water to keep the skin hydrated.  Elastin gives our skin flexibility, it keeps it bouncing back and looking toned.

Aging decreases both collagen and elastin production causing skin to sag and wrinkles to form.  Proper skin care is crucial for the preservation of your facial appearance.  To keep that production up, stimulate the fibers often by massaging in your creams and giving brief pressure point massage (Shitasu) to the common areas of concern.

See the Shiatsu post for more information.  This is my favorite free anti-aging tip!

Hydrate Your Skin by Drinking Water | Tip Off Tuesday

Drink More Water by amariebeauty on Polyvore

One of the easiest and most overlooked ways to keep your skin hydrated is by drinking enough water.  By keeping your body system running optimally with plenty of water you do your skin a huge favor.  Great skin is about more than what you put on it, what goes in your body matters most.

When your body isn't getting enough water it pulls the hydration from every available source it can leaving your pretty skin dull, depleted and dehydrated. 

Drink up!

3 Tips to Prevent Ingrown hairs | Tip Off Tuesday

  

This list of shaving tips to prevent and minimize ingrown hairs was designed with a man's beard in mind (and those unsightly and painful razor bumps) but these very same actions work well for women dealing with the same issue.     

• exfoliating brush or mitt, loosens hairs that are becoming ingrown and is the best prep before shaving
• cleanser with salicylic acid, helps keep dead skin cells from layering up on the skins surface allowing new growth to come in unblocked
• a shaving gel or cream that isn't just a foam, the foam based products can dry out and irritate your skin

Share this tip with a man who is need of some razor burn freedom and he will forever be grateful to you or stash the info for yourself or a friend to keep that bikini line looking smooth.

Sunscreen for Oily/Acne Prone Skin

SPF Moisturizer for Oily and Acne Skin Types by amariebeauty featuring oversized sunglasses

Oily and Acne prone skin is already tough to find a moisturizer for.  So many ladies with this skin type will just skip moisturizer all together thinking the oilyness provides moisture and adding a bottle of the good stuff will only make it worse.  Not the case you just have to know your skin type and educate yourself on the products and ingredients best suited for your needs.

Being out in the summer sun is definitely not the time to skip the moisture, it is time to find one with SPF to protect your pretty faces from UV rays and premature aging.

I rounded up these moisturizers with SPF for Oily and Acne skin types.  I wish I was magic and could tell you exactly what will work for you but sadly trial and error until excellence is achieved is the only method.

Oil of Olay Complete SPF 15  
Oil free and nourishing.  Very basic but effective.  Olay works for many with sensitive skin issues.  This formula does include some vitamin C and E for smoothing and hydrating purposes.  $10 avg price

Neutrogena Oil Free Moisture with SPF 35
Light weight, non-greasy and easily absorbed.  It is oil free, fragrance free and contains no drying alcohol which is a concern for many people combating breakouts.  You get broad band sun protection and good oil free moisture.  $10 avg price

Murad Anti-Aging Acne Moisturizer SPF 20
Marketed as a 3 in 1 product and the ingredients back it up.  Willow bark to control oil and help with occasional adult breakouts, Kombucha Collagen Defense helps stimulate collagen production to help keep fine lines from forming and the UV blocking SPF protects from premature aging like fine lines and dark spots.  $46 avg price

Read the beginning of the Summer Series and come back for more, the series is just getting started. XO
Additional basic skin care reading.

Removing Eye Makeup | Tip Off Tuesday

It's all in the details.

• With your eyes closed hold a makeup remover pad on top of the lid for about 10 seconds.  This loosens the makeup off your lashes and makes wiping away the liner and mascara easier.
• Use gentle pressure and wipe down and inward toward the inner corner of the eye, repeat until all mascara is removed.  
• Use enough moisture so you are not dragging across the delicate eye area.  

On Monday we are making our own eye makeup remover pads.  Come back and make your own too.

How about cleansing the whole face?  Read my DIY facial here.

Fight Lack Luster Skin on an Airplane | Tip Off Tuesday

The stale air in an airplane depletes the skin of moisture leaving it dehydrated.

Traveling Skin Tip by amariebeauty

To keep your skin looking it's best when flying use a water, not oil based moisturizer.  As the skin dries out it draws whatever is on the surface through the pores in an effort to stay hydrated.  If it's pulling a water based moisturizer it can be absorbed and skin has a fighting chance of staying supple.  If there is a heavy weight oil based moisturizer it is not easily absorbed by the pores and as it pulls what ingredients it can  the heavier oils are left pooling on your face leaving behind a greasy complexion.

Pack light, on your face at least.  The more makeup you have on the bigger the mess it can be.  Apply your water based moisturizer and some light makeup for the best results.  Touch up or add more before you land to complete your look if you have to be ready to roll upon arriving.

Sunless Tanner

I wrote about the best exfoliation for an even sunless tan here.

Self Tanner made in the USA by amariebeauty on polyvore.com

I added a list of tips to get you even better results.  Go here to read them all.

Sharing the Beauty

I have been sharing beauty tips and linking up in the Share the Beauty party hosted by Yellow Heart Art, The Elephants Trunk and Just Lovely Things.

This week was all about face care and I shared my favorite post about skin care to date.  It's got all the steps and my products pics for doing a facial at home.  Check it out here.

Facial Fresh Glow by amariebeauty featuring mark. face moisturizers

Tip Off Tuesday: Best Prep for Self Tanner

I realize exfoliation is clearly highlighted on the directions of self tanning products...but do you want an advantage?

A dry physical exfoliation is the best way to prep the skin for even coverage.  You will need a body mitt or body brush.  That's it, no fancy product required.

1. Smooth over your entire skin with a brush or mitt to loosen up the dead skin cells.
2. Rinse off in the shower keeping your skin free from oils and other products.

Pay extra attention to any excessive dry patches, your elbows and knees.

Tip Off Tuesday: Speed Up the Pimple Process

You can use a clay facial mask to target a problem spot.   Speed up the pimple process by drawing it to the surface so it's ready to pop sooner.  Slather on a healthy amount of the mask and leave it on for at least 30 minutes.  

A clay based mask works by removing impurities from the skin by drawing them out of the pores.

Pore Refining Mask

Moisturize liberally after removing the product.  As it purifies it also removes moisture from the skin's surface.

Shiatsu for Healthy, Youthful Skin

Shiatsu in Japanese means finger pressure.

Shiatsu is a common form of massage using your finger tips.  Many spa's include it as part of a facial for it's benefits to the skin.  To reap the rewards at home you can incorporate into your daily cleansing routine.  It's simple just more intentional then applying the cleanser and rinsing it off. 

The manipulations stimulate circulation and cellular turnover which also bring more oxygen to the skins surface revealing glowing and more healthy skin.  Other benefits to your face are:  

• diminished puffiness by stimulating circulation and lymphatic drainage
• improved skin tone
• exfoliation of dead skin cells revealing younger looking skin
• stimulation of collagen production keeping skin fuller and free of fine lines longer

Below is the simple method of adding Shiatsu to your cleansing routine, it's for all skin types efficient, and free.

While cleansing your face glide around smoothly while doing intervals of shiatsu in the *target areas.   Hold the pressure on your target point for a 3-5 second count and release gliding to the next target area. 

Try this when doing your next facial at home.

*target areas = forehead, along the brow bone, beneath the eye socket, along the sinuses, above the upper lip, and the corners of your mouth 

source

If anyone has other non conventional methods of keeping your skin healthy please share them. It is not all about the latest, greatest and most expensive product but more about the habits you keep and methods you use in skin care.

Tip Off Tueday: Breakouts? Don't Use a Sponge.

All though it is my favorite method of application a makeup sponge can hold bacteria, unless you are using a new one or freshly washed sponge daily.  Unlikely, right?  So if you are dealing with acne or just a break out ditch the sponge for your finger tips.  Open acne will heal quicker and break outs will disappear faster.  Then you can go back to your sponge, wash or change it weekly in any condition your skin is in.

Skin Type, Product Overload and a Workable Routine.

It is easy to buy in to the hype of mass marketed skin care products with there lofty claims.  They lure you in with some heavy wording and a pretty package.  Take time to get to know your ingredients.  Familiarize yourself with how they work and what they do for skin.  You should also arm yourself with the knowledge of your own skin type.  Having a base line of product knowledge and skin type will help you sift through products to choose the right one for you.

A basic approach to your beauty routine can be best.  It is cost effective and simple.  The practices you use to care for your skin are just as important as the products you use.  Using them in conjunction produces the best looking skin.

Determining your skin type can be done by a skin analysis from a professional or at home with a few basic guidelines as the determining factor.  There are many skin types and other conditions that affect the skin and the proper course of action.

Skin Types

• Dry.  Lacks any oil, may have flakiness or rough patches.
• Combination.  Partly oily and dry.  T-zone oil and outer facial dryness.  Some enlarged pores may be visible.
• Oily.  Excess oil is present.  Skin may appear shiny, thick and pores enlarged.  Follicles are easily clogged and breakouts may be a problem.
• Normal.  The least common of all.  Appears perfect to the eye and touch.  This skin is plump, smooth, and has even color and pores.
• Sensitive.  Skin is thinner, usually skin tone is uneven.  This skin is easily aggravated.

Common Conditions of the Skin

• Aging.  Facial lines and wrinkles are present.  Dryer skin becomes present.  Loss of collagen causes skin to begin to sag or appear less full.
• Acne.  Ongoing problems with breakouts, constant blemishes and clogged pores.
• Sun and environmental damage.  Dehydrated, dark spots, wrinkles and discoloration.
• Dehydration.  Visible lines, severe dryness and a sense of tightness.
• Hyper and hypo pigmentation.  Hyper pigmentation is a darkening of skin cells.  Commonly caused from sun damage.  Freckles are also hyper pigmentation.  Hypo pigmentation is a lightening of skin cells also caused by sun damage.  Some more rare skin conditions can also cause hypo pigmentation.
• Dark eye circles and bags.  Puffiness and darkness around and under the eyes.  Most affected by lifestyle but can be genetic.

Your type will fall into one of the skin type categories and may be affected by one or more of the skin conditions.  Your type can also vary depending on the season, hormones and other factors that cause fluctuations.

For every skin type there is a basic routine that can be applied when you are using a simplified approach to beauty. 

Cleanse, exfoliate and moisturize.

Cleanse.
I recommend using a gentle non soap cleanser for all skin types.  Look for no added scents, dyes or harsh ingredients.  The cleanser itself is not on your skin long enough to treat or have any real acting purpose for anything other then cleansing. 

Looking for a good choice? Try this one.

Exfoliate.
This is the most variable step based on skin type.  You can go all natural and make your own using 1 part carrier oil, try grapeseed oil, to two parts sugar.  There are other DIY natural scrub recipes available or you can buy pre-made scrubs. 
Dry skin needs help to shed off dead layers of skin to allow the moisturizer to penetrate, exfoliate 2-3 times per week, follow this timeline for Normal and Combination skin.
Oily skin may be breakout prone so use caution and avoid exfoliating open blemishes or scabs.  1-2 times per week.  Sensitive skin should follow this timeline.
Aging skin also benefits from exfoliating 2-3 times per week because it aids in cellular turnover which produces younger, fresher looking skin.

Moisturize.
This step is for all types.  There is a product out there for every type.  You need a moisturizer to create a barrier to protect the delicate skin on your face and to prevent dehydration which can affect all skin types, even oily, and lead to deeper wrinkles and dull skin.
Massage moisturizer onto skin in an upward motion.  

This information is for your daily basic skin care.  There are other steps that can be implemented as needed.  Such as using a facial mask, applying treatments and doing a facial steam. 

To treat is the most difficult because reversing the effects of nature or damage is nearly impossible.  Minimizing the signs can be achieved but is hard to accomplish using natural methods.  Prevention, proper care and maintenance are best when caring for your skin. 

Tip Off Tuesday: Soak in Sea Salt to Soften Wintery Skin

Add a 1/2 cup of sea salt to running bath water and soak up the natural benefits of sea salt.  Add some essential oil for aromatherapy to step it up a bit.  For more tips on using sea salt check out the post The Salty Side of Pretty.

DIY Fresh Facial Glow at Home

Facial Fresh Glow by amariebeauty on polyvore.com

Cleanse.  Take this daily step and slow it down to be thorough.  Remove all makeup, even the residual mascara and elusive eyeliner.
Try added this unconventional method, it's an extra step but it's free and effective!

Steam.  Once your face is bare steam it with a hot towel to open your pores.  See tips for a good towel steam here.


Extract.  If you have any blemishes now is the time to get rid of those.  Please never pick, use a needle or scrape at your face.  It can scar or become infected.  If a blemish is ready to be extracted it can be removed with proper technique.  You will know if it’s ready... big white head, check, pores filled with black/white heads, check.  For my tips on technique see the notes at the bottom of the post.

Massage.  Clearly this step is much better if someone else is doing it but the function of it is all the same.  The massage stimulates cellular turnover, helping to rid dead skin cells and let younger ones surface revealing healthier, more glowing skin.  It also stimulates collagen production to help skin stay taught and plump.  You can buy inexpensive massage cream formulated for the face at beauty supply stores.  I actual use the generic of Cetaphil’s gentle cleanser because I always have that on hand. Rinse well. 

Scrub.  Use a gentle exfoliant to get all the massage cream removed from your face and smooth the skins surface.  Let the scrub do the work and use gentle motions when applying.
 
Mask.  Now your skin is prepped and ready to receive some treatment.  Apply a mask based on what you are targeting.  For instance a moisture builder, acne clearer or oil controller.  Avoid alcohol based masks and look for ingredients with some acting power.  Follow specific product instructions for application.

this is the time to apply any additional serums or treatment products if you so desire.  I am a sensitive skin gal so I stick to the basics.
 
Moisturize.  Slather your choice of moisturizer on in an upward motion.  Use something for your skin type.  Moisturizing seals in all the good stuff and creates a protective barrier against the bad stuff like free radicals, weather and sunshine when using an SPF.

**NOTES**
Blemish Clearing.
Wait until it is ready, as in has a head that is white or dark.  Use pressure not picking.  Draw it out between your index fingers.  Some never will quite be ready thus never need “popped” simply treated with a spot clearing cream or dried out with a clay mask.  You know the ones, the nasty undergrounders.  If its resistant hold a hot cloth over it to loosen it up.

This post is linked up in the Sharing the Beauty party, check over at Yellow Heart Art for more face care and products.

Tip Off Tuesday: DIY Towel Facial Steam

DIY Facial Steam by amariebeauty on polyvore.com

Steam your face like a pro.  It’s a simple free step you can do at home to achieve that fresh facial dewy glow.  Steam loosens makeup, dirt and oil while opening your pores making moisturizers and other treatments easily absorbed.  You don’t need a fancy steamer, just a hand towel and water.

• roll the hand towel.
• run it under hot water until wet
• squeeze the excess water out, keeping it rolled to retain the heat
• place on your face in the shape of ring leaving only your mouth free
• let it sit for a minute
• wipe your face clean with the towel as you remove it
• finish with moisturizer

Give your face a quickie wash before you get started if you are wearing makeup or the steam’s power will be wasted breaking down the makeup.

Next week I am going to break down the basics of a facial that I learned while training to be an Esthetician and Makeup Artist and turn them into easy inexpensive DIY facial steps..

Aloe Vera Gel the Eyebrow Gel Bargain | Tip Off Tuesday

Eyebrows are the frame of your facial features.  Save your money to book your routine brow upkeep and skip on the pricey brow gel.  Keep brows looking precise and in place with a dab of Aloe Vera Gel. 

Grab it for a few dollars at drug or discount stores. 


Using Aloe Vera as  eyebrow gel is one of many uses.  I use it on my clients after a wax to reduce redness and seal the opened up pores.  It has anti-inflammatory and astringent properties.  
It's most commonly used for sunburn relief but try it to take the red out of a pimple.  Use it to seal in moisturizer in the drying winter months.  
You can't go wrong with this purchase. You will stash it for some usage!

 

Beauty Uses for Sea Salt | $1 Beauty Buy

Sea salt has been used for centuries in a variety of ways.   My favorite uses are in the department of personal care.  It is the ultimate economic beauty buy.  Here is why...

• Purchasable for $1 at the Dollar Tree.
• Add a 1/2 cup to running bath water for a softening soak.  Add scented oil for Aromatherapy. 
• Dissolve 1 tsp sea salt in a pint of hot water, soak cosmetic pads. Apply pads on eyes to reduce puffiness.
• Make an exfoliant for dry winter hands or summer feet.  ½ cup sea salt and ¼ cup oil. 

Baby oil, massage oil or body wash will do to mix your sea salt scrub.  Vitamin E oil, known for its positive effects in skin care, is an inexpensive luxury that can be found for around $2 dollars at discount stores..

In addition to the above beauty resources I am loving sea salt in the following ways...

cleaning the coffee pot
scouring greasy cast iron and stone ware
as an antiseptic mouth rinse
keeping flowers fresh
flavoring food deliciously 

Gotta love a multipurpose product.  How are you using sea salt?