My Recent Favorite Products

It’s been a little while since I’ve talked about some favorite products on here, so today I thought I’d share what I have been loving recently. I’ve discovered some new to me products and also re-fallen in love with some products I already owned. Have you discovered anything good lately?

Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask in Smashed

After hearing so many talk about how amazing this is, I finally picked up my own while in Chicago last month. Since then, it hasn’t left my purse and gets applied almost every day. I love the slight red tinge because it wakes my lips up and enhances their natural color. This is the best lip moisturizer I’ve ever used, as it doesn’t contain petroleum!

Mac Extra Dimension Skinfinish in Superb

When I moved at the end of August, I went through my entire personal makeup collection and got rid of about 75% of it! I only kept things I knew I wanted to continue to use, which is when I rediscovered how much I love this Skinfinish as an every day blush and eyeshadow shade. It’s so easy to swipe on and gives you a nice sheen too, so you can totally skip the highlighter too on days when you’re in a rush!

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer Radiance

This product was sent to me by Influenster for free for reviewing purposes and I fell in love with it! It reminds me a lot of Loreals Glotion, except if it was a primer. I love using it for days when I don’t wear full coverage foundation because it makes my skin super glowy and healthy looking.

Kaja Beauty Moon Crystal Sparkling Eye Pigment in Rose Quartz

My best friend Margaret and I discovered this brand in a Sephora in Madison, Wisconsin in November and both picked up a few products from them. These Moon Crystal sparkling eye pigments are amazing as quick and easy eyeshadows for day to day use! I love the Rose Quartz shade because it’s super warm and reminds me of when I wear blush on my eyelids. I can’t wait to pick up more shades. The formula is easy to apply with your fingers and blend out. Then it sets well and lasts all day. I also love that it is the perfect amount of glitter for daily use; not too much.

Hydroflask 40 oz.

I’ve had my Hydroflask for awhile now, but I haven’t talked about it on the blog yet, so I figured I’d throw it in too. There is no greater feeling than waking up in the morning super thirsty and having ice still in your water bottle from the night before. I love the straw top because I drink more water with straws. I take this water bottle EVERYWHERE I go. The only thing I would warn you about is if you want yours to fit in your car’s cup holder, you may want the skinnier bottle shape. It doesn’t bother me because I put it on the passenger front seat when I’m driving.

Kitsch Spiral Hair ties 8 pk for Brunettes

These are my new favorite hair ties. I love how they simultaneously hold my hair in so tightly, yet don’t feel tight at all. They are tight enough from running which is a must for me too. I also love how comfortable they are when they are on your wrist. Bonus, my niece loves them so they are a great baby entertainer when you’re in a pinch! hahaha

Quip Rosegold Toothbrush

I have been using this toothbrush for over 6 months now and I LOVE it. I love that it’s a subscription, so every 3 months a new tube of toothpaste and a replacement head comes in the mail without me every having to think about picking them up from the store. I love the rose gold handle because it looks beautiful in the bathroom. Even though I sometimes feel like a kid, I secretly love that when you turn on the vibration, it does a special buzz every 30 seconds, and turns off when you’ve brushed for long enough. One less thing I have to think about!

Weleda Skin food Light

I received this as a birthday present from my friends last May and I have fallen in love with it. I will do an updated skincare routine soon because I’ve discovered some new products, but I wanted to let you know that if you have loved the Original Weleda Skin Food in the past, you have to try this one out too. I keep them both on hand and use whichever one is more necessary for my skin, that day. I will always keep both the Original and the Light on hand now because they mix well with other skincare products and are awesome on their own as well!

Have you discovered anything great lately? Let me know in a comment below!

Have a beautiful day,

Andrea

Disclosure: Amazon links are Amazon Affiliate links meaning that I make a small commission off the purchase of the product through my link. This does not affect the price of the product. I would never recommend a product that I didn't love and all opinions are my own. I am thankful for you choosing to purchase through my links, as it helps me create more content for Andrea Fontana Beauty.

Recent Favorites

I haven’t shared my favorites in a couple months, so I thought I’d write today about what I’ve been loving recently. I feel like I’ve found some pretty great stuff in the last few months.

1. Acure Brightening Cleanser:

   I was shopping one day in target and ended up taking this guy home with me and I have to say I’m obsessed with it. The fresh lemon scent is awesome and I feel like it does a great job of gently chemically exfoliating every time I cleanse. Acure is one of my favorite clean brands that isn’t crazy expensive. So I love trying more and more out from them.

2. Native Deodorant:

   I picked up this deodorant on that same Target trip and I have to say, I am shocked at how much I love it. I got the lavender & rose scent and it’s heaven. Only con is that the actual deodorant is white so it can sometimes get on clothes if you’re not careful, but for an aluminum-free natural deodorant, it’s awesome! I have heard the other scents are just as amazing, so I can’t wait to try more. My previous natural deodorant gave me a rash over time, so I’ll keep you updated as I use this one longer. So far so good.

3. Acure Rosehip Oil:

   I just had to add this one for those of you who are new and don’t know my love affair for rosehip oil. Its probably tied for my favorite ingredient of all time with Glycolic Acid (probably not another shocker). I added it to this post, because I’ve been back in the habit of slathering my face with it every day as my moisturizer because I was recently experiencing more breakouts. Rosehip oil is my secret to fading the post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation from acne scars.

4. La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Treatment Cream:

   This guy has also been getting some serious use lately, because of those pesky breakouts I just mentioned in the previous product. I try to apply this every night on my chin and jaw where I’m prone to breakouts, but have really been vigilant about it recently because my skin has been more broken out than usual. It contains Benzoyl Peroxide, but I don’t find that it dries me out ever.

5. Maybelline Soda Pop and Lemonade Craze Palettes:

   I purchased the ‘Soda Pop’ palette on a whim and fell in love with it. I say that because I NEVER buy drugstore eyeshadow. I just don’t find it to be worth the money usually. However, the ‘Soda Pop’ palette was so great that I bought it’s older sister ‘Lemonade Craze’ and I really love them both. I have been reaching for them every time I do my makeup. Click here to watch the Makeup Tutorial I did with the ‘Soda Pop’ Palette, and comment below if you want me to make one with the ‘Lemonade Craze’ one too.

6. L’Oreal Infallible Galaxy Holographic Lumiere Lip Gloss in Ethereal Gold:

   I picked this gloss up after seeing a friend who had it and I’ve been obsessed with it ever since. I keep it in my jacket and it has quickly become my favorite gloss for when I need something nude or my lips feel dry. It’s not sticky and gives off the coolest slight holographic look; it’s not too crazy, I promise.

7. Rituel de Fille Rare Light Luminizer in Anthelion:

   I always prefer a cream highlighter over a powder. There’s something about the dewyness that a cream product gives, that is hard to replicate with a powder and boy does this one deliver. I love it on my eyelids, inner corners of my eyes, above my cupid’s bow and obviously on my cheekbones.

8. Sherlock Mini Series

   Here’s a random favorite for you guys. If you haven’t watched the BBC mini-series Sherlock, GET ON IT. Don’t worry, I was also really, really late to the game on this one. Benedict Cumberbatch is SO freaking good in it. If you love mysteries and thrillers it’s a must see. Thank you to my boyfriend Mikey who is always making me watch the BEST tv shows and movies.

What have you been loving recently? Comment below and let me know what you’ve discovered! I love discovering new products because of you guys!

Have a great day,

Andrea

Disclosure: Amazon links are Amazon Affiliate links meaning that I make a commission off the purchase of the product through my link. I would never recommend a product that I didn't love and all opinions are my own. I am thankful for you choosing to purchase through my links, as it helps me create more content for Andrea Fontana Beauty.

January Favorites

I'm back with some favorites from the month of January! As you know, I had a rocky start to the new year but I'm happy to say that things have turned around and the second half of the month was amazing! The thing I am most proud of this month is that some of my friendships have grown tremendously and I feel like I went through a lot of self growth. One of my favorite YouTubers mentioned that she often finds that the greatest things come out of challenges and I feel like my January was a great example of this. What was your biggest accomplishment this past month? Leave a comment below and let me know! I'd love to congratulate you on your journey!

Now for the favorites! I'm trying a new style this month as I've become an Amazon Associate recently. This means that if you buy products through these links I will earn a small commission. If that bothers you, feel free to find the products separately. If you choose to buy, THANK YOU for supporting Andrea Fontana Beauty! You are awesome! Let me know how you like this format!

I don't have a Trader Joe's by me but had heard quite the buzz about this seasoning all over. Luckily a store opened up recently in the city I'm from so when I went home for Christmas I made sure to pick up two bottles because I knew I would love it. I put it on everything; hard boiled eggs, avocado toast, homemade bagels, and more! I highly recommend trying it out ASAP!

If you follow me on Instagram, this first favorite probably comes as no surprise! I received a cookbook (Bobby Flay Fit) that I wanted SO badly, from my beautiful friend Sammy! I have made so many recipes already from it and have loved them all. I highly recommend if you are looking to eat a healthier way but don't want to sacrifice flavor. I use it so much that I even burnt an imprint of the coil from my stove burner into the cover by accident (haha!). Be sure to follow my Instagram (www.instagram.com/andreafontanabeauty) to laugh with me at my daily adventures!

I've already mentioned this next favorite a few posts back, but I finished it in only 2 weeks and I CANNOT recommend it enough. Don't let the almost 600 pages scare you away from this amazing story of the life of Cyril Avery growing up in Ireland. It's written well and I couldn't put it down; sometimes getting lost in the pages for hours at a time. 

I received a sample of this facial oil a little while back and when my coveted Rosehip oil ran out and I didn't have any on hand, I grabbed this one and have loved it all month! It's a dry oil made up of Vitamins E and B, apricot kernel oil, coconut oil, and wheat germ oil. I love how it sunk into my skin quickly and didn't leave me feeling greasy which is nice for day time. I love to put on oils with Anti-oxidants to help combat free radicals and pollution throughout the day! You only need a few drops to apply so this bottle would last a long time!

This is my favorite hair product of the moment. It was recommended by a friend Ashley, who is a cosmetologist (as you know I know nothing about hair and rely on friends for help in that area haha). I love this finishing spray because it smells awesome, gives my hair some shine and a slight hold. It's definitely not as strong as a hairspray, but I love it to tame my style when I actually do my hair. It doesn't leave any crazy residues, which I love. 

Love, love love this moisturizer. I've mentioned it before, but it's my go to in colder months or when I've been sick. I had a cold at the beginning of the month and blew my nose so many times that the skin around it was raw and red. This moisturizer saved me (due to the colloidal oatmeal). I highly recommend it for dry skin that can be sensitive. It's one I always keep on hand in case I'm feeling dry.

This one's a classic that I always go back to at least once a year and apparently January was that time. It's great for thick, voluminous lashes and always makes my lashes look amazing. I'm not sure why I ever get away from it haha. Why do we always have to try new mascaras as women? 

I contemplated writing an entire post devoted to these babies, but I couldn't hold off on telling you about them any longer. They are heaven sent if you get blemishes. Always keep them on hand. They are little nude/clear stickers that you put over a blemish at night when you go to sleep. I like to do it before I put my moisturizer on so that they stick well and then apply moisturizer around it afterwards. The trick with these is that you have to wait until there is a white head, then it pulls everything out as you're sleeping and you'll see the white color change in the morning on the sticker. The blemish will still be red in the morning, but it is always so much flatter if not completely flat from pulling everything out. I can't recommend them enough! 

Another favorite worth mentioning is the product that I did a First Impression on in my most recent YouTube video! Click here to watch it! It's the Sonia Kashuk Undetectable Creme Bronzer in Warm Tan. I love this product for everyday makeup use! Also while you're at it subscribe to my YouTube channel 'Andrea Fontana Beauty' to stay notified when I post new videos for you!

As usual, leave a comment below sharing any new products you loved this month so we can all learn from each other!

I hope you have a wonderful February,

Andrea

10 Things You Should Be Doing For Your Skin

...if you want to take good care of it. (That should be the real title, but it was too long. These are the 10 things every woman and man should be doing if you want to prevent aging and maintain healthy skin. Remember, you only get one face so I think you should take care of it as best as you can. 

1. Wear SPF. I know this might be of no surprise but it's so important I'm mentioning it first. Wear your SPF every day that the sun rises in the morning, even in the winter. It is the single best way to prevent damage. Make sure it's a physical Broad Spectrum SPF as well, which doesn't get absorbed into the bloodstream, but sits on top of the skin and blocks both UVA and UVB rays. If you take ANYTHING away from this post, let it be this. So. Freaking. Important. 

2. Graduate to Big Girl Skincare. If you're still using that Clean and Clear Cleanser from the drugstore, it's time you upgraded your products. Now I'm not saying you need to spend $200 on a new cleanser, but I will say that if you invest in your skin, you will not regret it. I wear significantly less makeup because I'm happy with my skin 99% of the time. Cheap products are cheap because of the way in which the ingredients are made and it's important to use good ingredients on your face. Good skincare doesn't have to be crazy expensive, but you should at least learn which products are best suited for your skin type.

3. Use a toner. Toning is extremely vital because it balances your skin and brings it to a healthy pH after cleansing. It also allows for better product absorption with everything applied after. There are loads of different types of toners. If you have questions on which one is best for you, ask me! I like helping you :)

4. Use a face mask at least once a week. This is key because our skin will not be the same day to day and sometimes needs an extra treatment outside of your daily skincare routine. Using a mask once a week also forces you to look at your skin and see what it needs. 

5. Exfoliate once a week. Exfoliation is huge to preventing premature aging and maintaining healthy skin. As we age, the rate at which our cells turnover slows down significantly. Exfoliating on a regular basis can help get rid of old, dead cells and encourage the production of new ones. If you have questions on which type of exfoliation is best for you, let me know!

6. Use an eye cream. It is NEVER too early to start taking care of your eyes. They are often the first area to show signs of aging and the skin is much more delicate than the rest of your face, so take the time to start using an eye cream. It's always great to start good habits young. 

7. Remove your makeup before cleansing. If you wear makeup, you need to be removing it before you cleanse your skin. If you don't, you are simply pushing makeup around instead of cleaning. If you take the makeup off, you will get a much more efficient cleanse and actually work towards cleaning your skin. 

8. Product variety. I understand not everyone is a skincare junkie like me with 20 masks on hand at home, but if you want to do what's best for you skin, keep a variety on hand. I believe the best skincare is that which changes with you as your skin changes. Some days I need different levels of moisturizing, so it's vital for me to have light to heavy moisturizers on hand depending on how dry my skin is that day. The more you can learn to read your skin and figure out what it needs, the more your skin will find balance. 

9. Get your advice from a professional. Now I'm not just saying this because I'm a licensed esthetician, but we are trained in this! I cannot tell you how much bad advice I have seen on the internet from people who are uneducated in the skin. Please before trying anything, consult someone you trust, like an esthetician. You can always email me your questions! I love helping others learn about the skin. 

10. Pay attention to your skin. I know this may seem obvious, but do you really pay attention and think about how your skin is changing? It will rarely be the same week after week, so if you're having problems, keep a journal of changes to compare. Keeping track of your diet can also be helpful to see if that's affecting your skin. It's important to just be aware of what's going on, otherwise it's hard to figure out a solution. 

So how many of these things are you currently doing to take care of your skin and prevent aging? Don't be embarrassed if you don't do them all. It's never too late to get started! Let me know if you need help doing so.

Have a beautiful week,

Andrea Fontana

Fall Favorites

This is one of my favorite posts to write every year. I think it's because I love all things cozy and comforting and that's what this post is all about. I'm going to be sharing everything from products I'm loving to recipes and cookbooks I've been obsessed with. So grab your favorite warm fall drink, grab that soft blanket, cozy up and read on! Oh and be sure to share with me your favorites for this time of year. 

PRODUCTS:
I know this probably doesn't come as a surprise but I love a good pumpkin mask in the fall. So let's talk about how I have been incorporating them into my 'At Home Fall Facial'! My skin type is extremely oily in the summer, but as the cooler months approach, I start to normalize and even feel dry from time to time. I have two favorite pumpkin masks that I use to prep my skin for super hydrating masks (This also helps to brighten my skin and even my skin tone). If you read my last post on my BFF Glycolic Acid (click here if you missed it!), I shared the Andalou Naturals Pumpkin Honey Glycolic Mask ($14.99) , but I also like the Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme ($58)  if I'm feeling a little flakier and dry on the surface. It has little beads that you scrub your face with for 1-2 min before letting the mask sit and the pumpkin enzymes go to work. Once I remove which ever one of those I've chosen that night, I like to add my serums, eye creams (yes I'm using two right now), and then which ever sleeping mask I'm loving at the moment for some super hydration while I sleep. Spoiler alert: I'll be sharing my favorite sleeping masks soon!

As far as my makeup goes in the fall, I start to gravitate towards warmer and darker tones. Think deep browns, bronzes and even oranges and burgundies to warm things up. Last year I bought the Makeup Geek Autumn Glow Eyeshadow Bundle ($49) and I'm still obsessed with it. It included 9 shadows of various warm shades that make the best fall looks. (Please note that this is an affiliate link where I can earn money if you make purchases. If this bothers you, feel free to visit Makeup Geek separately). While the Autumn Glow bundle is no longer available, the Autumn Glow Bundle II is or you can purchase shadows from the bundle individually. MAKEUP GEEK EYE SHADOWS are LIFE! Go get you some now. 

My lip colors for fall start to get bolder and darker as the days get cooler. I love the wine and burgundy shades in the fall, one of my favorites being the Lorac PRO Matte Lip Color in Merlot ($19). Another favorite is the MAC Cosmetics Matte Lipstick in Diva ($17.50).
Now I can't skip over the fact that I love browner lip shades as well in the fall. Think of that 90's lip color that has been super popular the past few years. A few of my favorites include MAC Lip Pencil in Spice ($17.50), Smashbox Always Sharp Lip Liner in FIGGY ($21), Glo Minerals Suede Matte Crayon in Trademark ($18). 

BOOKS:
I have an amazing cookbook to share and also two non-cookbooks. The cookbook is the amazing Eat Beautiful by Wendy Rowe, a well known makeup artist who has written a beautiful book full of recipes for healthy skin. I love that this book combines my two passions, food and skincare. I also love how this book is structured. There are four sections for each of the seasons. Each section includes ingredients and what benefits they have for your skin and body, and then recipes that correlate with those seasonal ingredients. I highly recommend this one (it also looks beautiful on your bookshelf)! (Huge shout out to my best friend Emily who knows me better than I know myself sometimes and gave me this one for my birthday...talk about hitting the nail on the head!)

Next we have two books recommended by my dad. If you've met him, this comes as no shock but these two books are AMAZING! The Referral of a Lifetime by Tim Templeton, and The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann are two of the best books I've ever read. I've always believed in treasuring every relationship that I've created with my clients and these books validate this belief for me. If you are in a service or referral based industry, you NEED to read these now. 

RECIPES: 
For those of you who follow my Facebook Page Andrea Fontana Beauty, I shared a picture of the pumpkin bread I've made my whole life. The recipe comes from the good old fashioned Fanny Farmer Cookbook and luckily many people have shared it online, so here you go! It's the bomb and more often than not, I make them into muffins instead of loaves, so I can take my pumpkin bread with me easier. Enjoy and don't come back here and yell at me when you want to eat 5 muffins in a row (totally not speaking from experience....)

For some reason, sweet potato fries always make me think of fall. I'm realizing now as I'm typing this that it's probably because sweet potatoes are orange, but whatever! Here's how I make my super easy sweet potato fries. I preheat my oven to 450 degrees F. Then I peel my potatoes and cut them into long wedges. Next, cover a sheet pan with aluminum foil, toss them with olive oil and whatever seasonings you want. I like garlic powder, S&P,and basil or oregano. The most important thing I've found with these is that you don't over crowd your pan. Make sure the fries aren't touching and bake them in the center rack of the oven for 10 minutes at a time, checking and flipping when they are browned on top. It usually takes mine 20 on the first side and 10-15 on the second but every oven is different so check often! I LOVE dipping mine in mustard but ketchup is great too! Enjoy!

RANDOMS: 
I have two random favorites that I have to mention. I seem to drink way more tea when fall comes around and I'm currently obsessed with the Tazo Wild Sweet Orange tea. It has hints of orange, lemongrass, and licorice root and I drink it a few nights a week before bed (Yay caffeine free!) 

The other random is wearing olive green clothing. My absolute favorite fall coat for the last 4 years has been this one from Gap.  They usually do a similar one each year, but I can never get enough of it. I love the fit, the color, how broken in it feels. I highly recommend a jacket like this because I think the olive green can often act as a neutral, depending on what you're wearing. I love to pair it with a gray t shirt and denim jeans or black leggings. 

So that wraps up my fall favorites. Be sure to share with me the products and things you love for this time of year. I love when you guys share new things with me!

Have a beautiful and cozy fall,

Andrea

Science of Skincare (S.O.S. #1): Glycolic Acid

If you've spoken to me about skincare before it probably comes at no surprise that my first S.O.S. post would be about Glycolic Acid. I say it all the time, that it is my favorite skincare ingredient and I will never stop using it (even when eventually pregnant because FUN FACT: it's safe to use during pregnancy). 

So what's the big deal? Why do I love it so much? Well Glycolic Acid works in many ways on the skin to help increase cell turnover, hydrate, stimulate collagen, thicken the skin, fade hyperpigmentation, decrease fine lines and wrinkles, improve texture, keep breakouts away, and so much more! Today I'm going to give you a brief overview of what Glycolic Acid does for us on a scientific level and then recommend some of my favorite products if you would like to start incorporating it into your regular at home skincare regimen. 

Glycolic Acid is an Alpha Hydroxy Acid or A.H.A. known for it's tiny molecular size which allows for it's effectiveness when penetrating the skin. Dervived from sugars like sugar cane, it's great for all skin types including those who are sensitive. It works on an epidermal and dermal level which is how it gives us so many beneficial results.

On the epidermal level, Glycolic Acid breaks down the desmosomes, or glue, that bind dead skin cells together. Dissolve the glue that holds the dead skin cells down, and you have an effective way to exfoliate them. This ultimately increases cell turnover, since you're encouraging newer cells to come to the surface, which helps fade sunspots, acne scars, melasma, fine lines, and reveal fresher and brighter skin. It also helps dissolve sebum, which is why it's great for clearing up congestion and texture issues in pores. I often recommend it to people if they feel excess oil is being trapped in their pores on a regular basis. 

On the dermal level, it stimulates the collagen and works to increase the thickness of the skin. As we age it's important to focus on thickening the skin or maintaining thickness to prevent aging. Glycolic Acid also helps draw water molecules in the air into the skin which helps you retain moisture and ultimately look hydrated and plumped. 

So I'm guessing one or more of these benefits has intrigued you and you're wondering how can you incorporate Glycolic Acid into your skincare routine? Below you'll find first, the two ways that I incorporate Glycolic Acid into my skincare routine daily and weekly. Then I have a list of links of everything from Cleansers to Masks, that I recommend you trying. If you have any questions of which ones would work best for you, please shoot me a message or email and I'd be happy discuss further or set up a 1 on 1 skincare consultation with you!

I currently use the Dermadoctor Ain't Misbehavin' Healthy Toner ($39) every morning and night after cleansing. If you are new to glycolic acid start off by using it every other night and build up to twice a day. Then once a week I use the Andalou Naturals Pumpkin Honey Glycolic Mask ($14.99). 

Cleansers: Dermadoctor Wrinkle Revenge Antioxidant Enchanced Glycolic Acid Racial Cleanser ($32), Exuviance Clarifying Facial Cleanser ($36), Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming Cleanser ($16). 

Toners: Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid Toner ($16), Exuviance Moisture Balance Toner ($32), Peter Thomas Roth 8% Glycolic Solutions Toner ($40). 

Treatments: Exuviance Performance Peel AP25 ($77), First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads ($30), Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel Sensitive ($42). 

Moisturizers: Exuviance Glycolic Expert Moisturizer ($46), Cane + Austin Facial Moisture Cream ($80), Ole Henriksen Counter Balance Oil Control Hydrator ($34). 

So there you have it! My love affair with Glycolic Acid explained! As usual these recommendations are only that; please reach out to me with specific questions for your skincare routine. I recommend only trying one new product at a time to give them an honest shot (You will only need at most, two of those products incorporated at once in your daily/weekly routine).

If you have recommendations for the next S.O.S. topic, please be sure to leave a comment below so I can address it in the future!

Have a beautiful day!

-Andrea

The one product every woman needs

If I had to describe myself, I'd definitely say that I am someone who tries to do it all. Most days I run a mile a minute trying to accomplish everything on my to do list, but it's just a part of my personality that I've accepted. I'm sure many of you can relate to this. We rely on that extra cup of coffee and 5 hours of sleep to get it all done. This means that there are plenty of mornings that I wake up looking like I only slept 5 hours. Puffy and tired eyes frequently welcome me in the morning mirror. Insert the one product I think everyone should own. 

Friends! I'd like you to meet your new best friend, the Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber De-Tox Hydra-gel Eye Patches. I cannot even explain how much of a game changer these have been for me since I purchased them. I can't remember where I heard about them from but I do remember they raved about them so much that I HAD to try them. I haven't once been disappointed by how much they have helped. 

Here are some of the situations I've used them/ recommend them for:  
1. Special Events: If you frequently have special events in which you need to look flawless, pop these on 20 min before doing your makeup and your undereyes will be smooth like nobody's business. 
2. Allergy Eyes: I often get puffy from allergies and will wake up looking swollen out of nowhere. Throw a pair on and you'll be depuffed quickly!
3. No Sleep: As mentioned before, these have saved me on some rough nights of only 3 hours of sleep. I work in the beauty industry and I have to look presentable ALWAYS so these are huge when I'm so busy that I have no time for sleep. My undereyes look puffy when I'm tired and these save me. 
4. Makeup Kit: As a makeup artist, these are a go to for every bride and mother of the bride/groom as a pre wedding makeup fixer. I can't explain how much of a difference they are for undereye makeup application when your client has some fine lines/wrinkles.  
5. Migraines: I once gave a pair to a mother of the groom who was struggling with a migraine the day of her son's wedding and she couldn't believe how much better the cooling effect made her feel. 
6. Crying: Sometimes we watch too many episodes of Grey's Anatomy at night and wake up with swollen eyes that have a lot of empathy for Meredith Grey. Or maybe you've been dealing with a lot of stress and had a good cry (If it's crying for a sad reason, know THAT I LOVE YOU AND THINK YOU'RE GREAT!)  Whatever the reason for crying may be, you don't have to show the world with swollen eyes now! 
7. Anti-aging: While these are a quick fix product, they are great for temporarily hiding fine lines and wrinkles but can help improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and tone with repeated use. 

Now let me get into what makes these hydra-gel eye patches so great, ingredient-wise. Cucumber helps to detox, nourish, hydrate and de-puff the skin. Allantonin, Chamomile and Aloe soothe it. A few ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin and Hydrolyzed Collagen deeply nourish and hydrate the skin so it looks more plump, while improving appearance and tone over time with multi use. Caffeine and Arnica work to decrease darkness under eyes. All of these ingredients basically tackle every skin issue around the eyes. 

Now for the pictures. Mikey thinks I look like a superhero when I use these haha. Also remember I'm human and for all of you who think I wake up with perfect skin every day, meet my dark circles! 

There are two ways to wear these eye patches! If your main concern is your crow's feet, wear the larger portion over those on the outside like I did in the top picture! If your main concern is under your eye (like me) wear them like I do on the bottom picture with the larger portion towards the inside!

(I have done absolutely NO editing to these pictures) 

While I tested these for you on a day when my puffiness isn't as bad as it can be, you can still see huge improvement in my fine lines, darkness and even the texture of the bumps around my eyes! I'll make sure to add pictures to my facebook page Andrea Fontana Beauty when I use them next for a serious de-puff session. So go give that a like to stay updated!

Regardless if what your use is for these, I think it's smart for everyone to keep a jar on hand! While many brands make similar eye patch products, this is the first one that I've tried I feel like I can stand behind 100%.

 ***You can purchase at both Sephora or Ulta. Obviously it's important to be aware of allergies and sensitivities so test the product on your skin somewhere else first (like your neck behind your ear) before trying on your face if you are sensitive. 

Happy Sunday!! Sending good vibes for your week ahead! 

Andrea

Healthy Skin

First off thank you so much for the love shown since I announced I would be blogging again! I love being able to share my advice and passions with you all and am so thankful that so many of you are looking forward to me starting this up again. I got many requests so we will start with those!

To kick things off we will be talking about healthy skin. I got a few requests regarding it and there are two directions this post could go, so we will be tackling both! First, I'm going to be talking about the products I use to maintain healthy skin. Then, I will be discussing the makeup products I like to use in order to make my skin appear healthier, even in the time of a major skin crisis. 

First off however, I want you to know my philosophy with skin care. I teach all of my clients about the importance of being able to really understand your skin. Everything is about BALANCE. You will see me use this word a lot, because I am a big believer in trying to help your skin achieve balance. Just like your body craves homeostasis internally, your skin craves balance. The more you can learn about and treat your skin depending on how it is any given day, the more likely your skin is to be balanced and not as likely to freak out. 

If you don't know about your skin's acid mantle yet, listen up. It is a vital layer of your skin that protects you from various bacterium, viruses, and contaminants that could come in contact with it. We want it to be balanced so it can properly protect you. One of the most important ways to balance it is with a toner. Toners adjust the pH after cleansing, which can be very stripping in order to cleanse properly. There are various toners for all different skin types; from exfoliating to gentle and hydrating. The trick is finding the right one for you. Always feel free to reach out to me if you need help finding the right product. I personally use the Dermadoctor Ain't Misbehavin' Glycolic and Lactic Acid Toner. I love how it gently exfoliates my skin every day which speeds up my cell turnover and helps my pores not feel so congested and clogged with excess oil. 

The next holy grail product that I love for achieving healthy skin is Organic Rose Oil. Rosehip oil is a dry oil that I give a lot of credit to for fading my hyperpigmentation left from acne scars. If you're oily and acne prone you need to try this oil to bring your skin balance and even tone. Rosehip oil is filled with essential fatty acids and Vitamin E so it helps to hydrate you, while the low pH helps keep that acid mantle balanced. I buy mine at my local health food store and use it every night before my moisturizer, as my serum. 

A magical mask for all skin types is Bentonite Clay. I can't speak highly enough of this stuff. I recommend it to everyone because of it's strong cleansing and detoxifying properties. I bought a tub of this at my local health food store and it lasts forever! Simply mix a little clay powder with water until you get a paste consistency, then apply it to your face and leave it on for 20-30 min. I try to leave it as long as I can bear it because it will dry and start to pulse your face. When you take it off, your face will often be blotchy but that is completely normal. So what exactly is happening here? Bentonite clay is great at pulling toxins and such out of the body and rapidly increases the circulation. The clay is also able to bind to any excess hydrogen molecules in your skin to lower the pH and make room for your skin to bind more oxygen. You thought I was done talking about that acid mantle didn't you? Haha

The last product I want to share with you is a sleeping mask. Now I'm so obsessed with sleeping masks, so I plan on devoting a whole post to them, but I will share my favorite one now because it helps my skin maintain it's hydration on a weekly basis. Whenever I've been drinking or in the sun, I make sure I sleep that night with the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask in place of my moisturizer. I also use it whenever my skin feels extra dry and dehydrated, usually in the winter. You will wake up the next morning with happy skin that is no longer dehydrated and feels baby soft. 

Ok. You should have learned two things by now. I respect my acid mantle and you should respect yours too. But more importantly BALANCE! Ok now let's talk about makeup.

While a balancing skincare routine is most crucial to the health of your skin, a few makeup products can take your skin to the next level. 9 times out of 10 if I get a compliment on my face at the spa it's usually something about 'my skin being so healthy'. 10 times out of 10 it's probably my highlighter that made them notice. A good highlighter will give you the healthiest and most beautiful glow. If you haven't been drawn yet to the shimmer and shine of highlighters like a moth to a flame, don't say I didn't warn you when you want to buy them all! While I love both powder and liquid highlighters, I use them for different reasons. 

My favorite powder highlighter would hands down be the Makeup geek highlighters because they are so smooth and STUNNING. I have Moonlight Sun (a warm light gold) and Luster (a beautiful cool pink) that I am obsessed with. They even have duochrome highlighters that are beautiful too. I use these highlighters every day on the high points of my face. If I want my skin to be dewy I reach for my either my Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Liquid Highlighter in Opal or the Sephora Collection Radiant Luminizing drops. Both work great when mixing with foundation for an all over glow, but the Becca ones work best to also use on your cheekbones. The Sephora drops are a much more affordable option however.

So there are my favorite products for healthy skin. If you have further questions always feel free to reach out to me at andreafontanabeauty@gmail.com.

Keep the requests coming and have a beautiful and healthy week!

-Andrea

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