My 'Party's Over' Detox Skin Tips

Welcome back! If you don't follow me on Instagram (...but like why aren't you?) then you wouldn't know that I spent 5 days last week in Chicago working a wedding and then frolicking with friends in the city. This meant more gluten than I normally eat, little sleep, wine instead of water, and all sorts of anti-clear skin habits. Am I paying for it? You betcha. Was it worth it? HELL YES! Because spending quality time with my best friends is priceless and I have the tricks to get my skin back to where I want it once the party's over. 

Today I'm sharing what I've been doing to get my skin back to where I want it & my body feeling normal again. These are my "Party's Over" Detox Skin Tips. Whether you're back from vacation or just celebrated your birthday week (...or month haha) I hope you find these tips helpful to getting back on track with your skin & body.

1. Get rid of all the guilt. Do not spend one second stressed about the fact that you had 2 donuts instead of 1. We've all been there. We've all done it. But that's the point. It's done and all you can do is accept that you cannot change it and get back on track now.

2. Cut out your trigger foods for a week. The first thing I had to do when I got back was get back to eating gluten-free every meal. I usually had one or two meals with gluten when I was in Chicago and since it affects my skin so much, I have cut them out for a week to boost my clear skin and feel better. Whatever your trigger food may be, skip it for a few days or a week and it'll help you to start feeling like yourself again.

3. Do an At Home Detox Facial: Chances are you were a little more lax with your skincare routine when on vacation so it's time to get your skin back into shape. This is especially important for me because my diet caused some serious texture issues and breakouts. I cannot recommend this enough. Here's how I do it.

1. Start by cleansing your face & toning. I'm currently using this Juice Beauty Green Apple Brightening Gel Cleanser, but if you don't have it try to go for one with a gentle chemical exfoliation to help get rid of any congestion. This cleanser was in my July Favorites; click here to read why I liked it. 
2. 1st Mask: Chemical exfoliation; I like the Herbivore Botanicals Blue Tansy Mask because it's great for blemishes. Leave on for 15-20 min until dry and wash off & tone again.
3. 2nd Mask: Detox and clarifying; I prefer the Aztec Healing Bentonite Clay because it boosts circulation and detoxifies so well! Click here to read my post on this mask. The clay comes as powder and I like to mix it with apple cider vinegar or water and add a few drops of tea tree oil until it forms a thin paste. I apply it and leave it on for 30-45 min depending on how long it takes to dry/how long I can handle it. It tingles! Rinse and tone again.
4. 3rd Mask: Hydrate & Nourish; I love the Farmacy Honey Potion Renewing Anti-Oxidant Hydration Mask to hydrate and heal my skin after I've neglected it. It warms on contact and is such a comforting and nourishing experience. Leave this one on for about 15 minutes and have a cup of tea. Rinse off, tone, and apply your normal spot treatments & serums. 
5. Lastly it's time to re-hydrate your skin due to your preference of wine over water. I like to throw on my Laneige Water Sleeping Mask in place of my moisturizer so I can really benefit from all the hyaluronic acid and feel hydrated when I wake up.

4. Try reducing your caffeine intake. I know what you're probably thinking. Wait, I need MORE coffee to recover from a great time than less, but trust me. Your skin and your body will adapt better with less caffeine. Try sleeping more instead! Crazy I know...

Go ahead bookmark this post for easy access next time you have a girls night out, staycation, or simply need weekend recovery. If you're like me, you're not 21 anymore and can use the tips to getting back on track. Maybe you'll feel a little less stressed about skipping your routine when it's time to simply have fun!

Have a great week,

Andrea

10 Random Makeup Tips

Hello! Sorry for my little hiatus this past week on here. I've been taking some time to myself because there's a lot going on in life. In times when I would normally be working on creating content, I've been taking the time to just breathe and relax, which I CANNOT recommend enough. Taking time when you know you're at your limit is really hard to do, but so important. 

Today's post is easy and informative. Enjoy!

1. Use dry Q-Tips to remove excess mascara. This one is popular and I feel like I talk about it all the time, but I'm always surprised how many people today still don't know it! If you get any mascara on your eyelids when putting mascara on, wait for it to completely dry. Then using a dry Q-Tip you can lightly flick away the dried mascara without messing up any of your eyeshadow! Just be sure that it's 100% dry before attempting. 

2. Change things up. Just because we like a product doesn't mean it will work for us forever. As your skin changes, it's good to try new things as long as you're not trying too many at once or too often. This can sometimes bring about a sensitivity you didn't realize you had. Always be patient when trying new things. 

3. Pay attention to expiration times and write it on your product. I know I talked about this one in my 10 Random Skincare Tips Post, but this also applies to makeup products like foundations, mascaras, cream products...etc. Beauty products don't usually have an exact expiration date, but they often have a 12M, 24M, etc, logo on the bottom or back that shows in how many months you should stop using the product. It's too hard to remember dates for every product, so I recommend getting a sharpie and either dating when you opened it, or when it's time to pitch it. 

4. Try new makeup looks or techniques at night before you wash your face. How many times have we tried to do a technique we've never tried when we have 15 minutes to get out the door and there's all this pressure to make it look good because you are running out of time and of course, it looks terrible. We've all been there ladies! I recommend trying new looks at night because you're going to wash your face anyways. This removes the pressure which allows you to really practice.

5. Check your foundation color in natural light on your jawline. If you go to get your shade matched for foundation, make sure you are swatching the foundation on your jawline so you can see how it compares to your face and your neck/chest. Also be sure to walk to a source of natural light and see how it looks. Unfortunately, makeup stores don't always have the best lighting. If they're in a mall, ask for a sample to take it home and test it out before you buy!

6. Get creative. Remember makeup is fun and can be a great way to express yourself. Try eye shadow combinations that you would never pair together. Wear a lipstick shade that you've never worn before. You never know what looks you will love on yourself until you try them out so get creative. Some of my favorite looks have come from random color choices.

7. Invest in good skincare. I promise you that if you take care of your skin and help it become balanced, your makeup will be easier to apply and you won't feel like you need as much. I find myself doing my makeup so much differently now that my skin is in a great place where I'm taking such good care of it. 

8. If you have acne, try wearing less makeup. You read that right; LESS makeup. If you suffer from acne in certain areas but have areas that are clear, trying highlighting those. We often feel tempted to use a full coverage foundation when we suffer from acne, thinking we want to cover it. Instead, try using a lighter coverage & dewy foundation all over the skin. Then go back in with a full coverage concealer and conceal just the areas where you have blemishes. This will allow your healthy glowing clear skin to shine through, and be the focus.

9. Buy good brushes. I cannot stress how important having the right tools for makeup application is. Once you start using better brushes, you will be surprised how much easier it is to blend and concentrate color where you want it! If you ever have questions on what type of brush to use for what product, shoot me an email! I'd be happy to help.

10. Take a Makeup Lesson. If you're struggling with learning new techniques or want help ask a makeup artist near to if you could learn from them. It's a service that I personally offer as a makeup artist because I want everyone to feel confident applying makeup every day! If you live near me and want help, please send me an email or direct message so we can set something up. 

I hope you enjoyed these tips and have the best weekend,

Andrea