Skincare Tips for the Active Woman

As I was going about my shower routine the other day after hitting the gym, I realized that there are very specific things I do either before, during or after my workouts for the sake of keeping my skin clear and healthy. I figured I'd share them all with you as a quick reminder of how to keep things clean when you're an active woman. There are tips for for both face and body. Enjoy!

1. Wash your face immediately after your workout. If you sweat at all during a workout you should wash your face as soon as you are done, even if you don't have makeup on. I keep a pack of cleansing wipes in my gym bag (these are a great option) to wipe my face down quickly when I'm done because I personally never workout with makeup on. If you do wear makeup, I would definitely suggest cleansing your face with an actual cleanser afterwards. It's really important to not let the sweat sit on the surface of your skin for too long after you're done. 

2. Wash your body with a Charcoal body soap. I love to use a charcoal body soap to cleanse after the gym to lessen the likelihood of back or chest breakouts. Sometimes I can't take a shower right after the gym because I have other things to do, and doing this allows me to still get a deep clean and prevent any breakouts. This one by "Yes To" is a great option. 

3. Change your towel every day. If you shower at your gym after your workout, make sure you swap out for a clean towel every single day. More than likely, your towel gets put in a gym bag and doesn't get proper ventilation to dry quickly. If this is the case, it's really easy for bacteria to harbor and grow. I recommend tossing it in the hamper and getting a new one every time so that you avoid touching your face or body with it. I know that may seem excessive, but if you are prone to acne it's little changes like this that limit your exposure to acne causing bacteria which can lessen the likelihoods of breakouts. 

4. Stop touching your face. I know this seems obvious but think about how many things you touch that carry germs when you're at the gym. Touching your face only spreads the bacteria and it's always good to have another reminder not to touch your face. I do it without even realizing it sometimes so don't worry, I need this one too. Try bringing a fresh towel to the gym every time you go to wipe the sweat, instead of using your hands!

5. Use headbands. Headbands are a great way to keep sweaty hair off your face during a workout so definitely get some if you have bangs or baby hairs. I prefer to get ones that are able to be washed with my clothes so that I can clean them easily.

Let me know what your clean skin tips are for the gym but leaving a comment below!

Have a beautiful day,

Andrea 

March Must Haves

It's the time of the month where I share everything I've been obsessing over. I get so excited to write these posts for you because you guys seem to love them! As usual, if there is an Amazon link I trust I will share it and it will be an Amazon Affiliate link (feel free to scroll to the bottom to read my disclosure on that). If it's not an Amazon link then it is not an affiliate link. Now let's get to the good stuff! This month will be short, but sweet. 

Let's start with the best healthy cookie recipe you will ever make. I don't know if it's a good or bad thing that I can eat them all in 2 days, but let's be glass half full people and say it's a good thing. Laura in the Kitchen is my go to when I need a good recipe because she has so many and they never disappoint. I have shown these a few times on my Instastories and was waiting to share them with you in a favorites post. So go make them NOW. I would be shocked if someone could tell they were healthier without knowing before hand. 

Dr. Jart Cicapair CC TreatmentThis has become an everyday must have for me. I have seen Michele1218 RAVE about this product for about a year and finally bit the bullet and decided to try it. I am obsessed. It is a physical SPF, gives me moisture and has pigment to color correct your skin. It doesn't look like makeup at all but makes your skin look so much smoother, healthier, and even toned. It's my last step everyday when I'm not wearing makeup and need SPF. Don't let the green color scare you, it quickly color corrects the redness in your skin, while being completely undetectable. 

Herbivore Blue Tansy Resurfacing Clarity Mask: If you read my post about Curate + Co (I'll link it here in case you didn't) I was gifted this amazing mask by the wonderful owner Christina. This one has also found its way into a permanent position in my skincare routine because it's amazing. It's completely clean and effective for keeping my skin smooth and blemish free. I love how the Blue Tansy has Azulene which reduces inflammation, so if I have breakouts it calms them while getting rid of them at the same time.  If you can, please use the link in the title to purchase it and support Curate + Co, an amazing small business that I love! If you are only a die-hard Amazon shopper, here is the link for that as well.

Pacifica Rose Flower Hydro Mist : Yes, this one made it two months in a row. I debated not mentioning it but the reality is that I am still obsessed and I used it almost every day in March. It feels so good on the skin and I cannot get enough of it. I love how refreshed I feel every time I spray my face with it and it smells so good. If you're looking for a good refresher try this one out!

Lancome Matte Shaker in Beige Vintage (270): I have been loving this lip product, mainly because it is so light (literally feels like water on your lips) and gives the right flush of color. The staying power isn't great, but that doesn't really bother me. I'm excited to try more shades. 

As you guys know, I recently cleaned out my skincare products and the best part is that all of the skincare listed above is clean and passes my chemical-free test! My every day makeup clean out is still on the horizon so remember that when I recommend any makeup from now on. 

What were your favorites this month? Did you discover anything good? Leave me a comment below and let me know!

Have a beautiful 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. 

The Launch of The Beauty Bar at Curate + Co.

Imagine a cozy little space that from the moment you walk in and see what's inside you can't help but smile. Every step and turn you make, you notice another thing you want and you find yourself saying "awww look" 1,000 times in a row. That's Curate + Co. in Kalamazoo, MI. 

I was lucky enough to have Christina, the owner, reach out to me and ask me to be a part of a very special project to launch The Beauty Bar, a collection of expertly curated face and body products that would make any woman's conscience scream, YOU NEED THIS! Christina and her husband Marco, wanted to create a launch video and needed a makeup artist to create the three looks showcasing the products, which is where I came in. 

Not only did we all come together to create an amazing video (Click here to head to my Instagram to watch all 3 looks!), but everyone involved was so talented and fun to work with. I loved this project. 

Now I want to share some of the products I used in the shoot and some that I took home with me and have been testing out. 

French Girl Organics Facial Scrub in Rose du Jardin: I am not normally a physical exfoliation girl but I had to get this one when I saw all the ways that you could use it! You can use it as a regular scrub by mixing it with water or toner, mixing it into your cleanser, or even using it as a mask, as it has pink and white clay in it! There are also plant antioxidants that brighten and soothe your skin. 

Rituel de Fille Rare Light Luminizers: I used the three shades of these luminizers in the video shoot and I fell in love. You can use them in so many different ways; brow bone, inner corner of your eyes, cupids bow, cheek bones, collar bones, etc. I have been way more into liquid highlighters recently and these definitely make the cut. 

Rituel de Fille Inner Glow Creme Pigment: I am normally not a huge cream blush fan, but these really changed my opinion. They were so easy to blend and had great color payoff. Even if you've never tried a cream blush before I highly recommend picking one of these shades up because they give such a healthy looking flush to the skin; plus they are great to keep in your purse for on the go moments when you need both lipstick and blush!

Herbivore Botanicals Blue Tansy Mask: To say that I'm obsessed with this mask would be an understatement. I can honestly say I will always keep this as a part of my regular skincare routine. This mask contains fruit enzymes and willow bark (natural source of salicylic acid) to gently exfoliate your skin but also clarify it. I highly recommend it for those who deal with acne, oiliness or texture. I love how Herbivore recommends you do it every night for 3-4 nights in a row to get started and then use it 1-2 times per week for upkeep. I noticed huge improvements with my skin within the first use and it just got better with each use. I never felt too dry or sensitive afterwards. I love the smell of it (it's surprisingly very candy like) and you don't need much product to get a successful treatment. I like to rub a dime sized amount between my fingers and then apply to my face for a thin layer. It will tingle for a little bit, but that is totally normal!

Sassy Lips Make The Moment Lipsticks: If you watched my last video (CLICK HERE TO WATCH) I mentioned that my favorite lip look is currently the 'popsicle lips' where you look like your lips are stained from just eating a popsicle. If you love this look too, I highly recommend these awesome pH changing lipsticks because they look different on everyone depending on the pH of your lips. They give the perfect amount of stain and can be layered to create a brighter and more intense look. We used one in the 'Fresh' look created in the video and I loved it. I cannot wait to get my hands on my own. I think they will be perfect for fresh summer makeup looks!

There are many other great products and pieces at Curate + Co to check out. If you like home decor, kids clothing/ toys, greeting cards, and more, or even just want a little inspiration, I highly recommend adding 'Visit Curate + Co. ASAP', to your To-Do List next time you visit Kalamazoo. One of the things I like most is that they host a lot of workshops to learn how to create new things or pick up a new hobby! If you can't make it to the store you can always visit their website at www.Curate-Chicago.com

Thank you again to Curate + Co for asking me to be a part of this awesome project!

Have a beautiful day,

Andrea

Science of Skincare (S.O.S. #4): Cleaning Up Your Skincare Routine

I'm going to warn you in advance that this post is going to be longer than normal. I am cleaning out my skincare and getting rid of the chemicals. This has been something that I have been thinking about doing for a long time. In the last few months I have been thinking about health, fitness, my diet, and more in a different way and that is what prompted me to think about the products I was using on my skin on a daily basis. I have always considered health to be a vital part of my skincare so I felt like this was a natural progression for me. 

With any big changes like this, you have to start small because it's too expensive to do every product I use right now at once. I didn't want to empty my entire medicine cabinet and skincare shelf into the trash so in this post I am going to share my process with cleaning up my skincare routine and my thoughts behind my decisions. If the thought of this is something you have been toying with, I highly suggest you grab a drink and snack and read this post thoroughly. I personally am starting with skincare because I use it twice a day, every day. Next I will move to hair products, and then my every day makeup routine. I say every day because I am not as concerned about a lipstick I wear once a year. I am the most concerned about the products I am applying to my skin every day so I will be focusing there first! So let's dive right in.

Let me start by giving you a little background on the ingredients that are used in skincare products. If you know me, you know that I am a huge label reader and recommend products based on their ingredients, not their brand names or claims. The reason you see such a large margin between high end and low end products, is because most ingredients can be synthetically made. Some skincare companies pay the money to source ingredients naturally, which you see reflected in the price tag. I feel like there is this misconception that you need chemicals in order to see results with skincare but this is not the case. There are so many naturally occurring acids, enzymes, antioxidants, and more that can be used to create amazing products that will be healthier for you and still give you great results. 

When I decided to embark on this journey I first turned to my favorite app called Think Dirty. You can also visit the EWG's Skin Deep Cosmetic Database here, if you want to do it on your computer. I had had the Think Dirty app on my phone for a long time, but was terrified to see just how bad the products I was using were, so I hadn't done much with it. In a nutshell, the app allows you to search or scan the bar code of almost 1 million different products and they rate them on a scale of 0 to 10; 0-3 being healthy for your skin, 4-7 being moderately bad for your skin, and 8-10 being the worst for you skin. Not only does it rate them, it allows you to look at why they get the rating they do. Each ingredient in the product is also rated so if it has a high rating it will show you the ingredients that are causing it to rate so high. It will then tell you the purpose of the ingredient and if it's linked to being carcinogenic, causing developmental & reproductive toxicity, or causing allergies & immunotoxicities. 

If a product wasn't listed in the app, which seems to be the case for a lot of newer products and brands, I would first submit the product to the app (a feature I love) and then I would hop on my computer and search ingredient by ingredient on the Skin Deep Database I mentioned above. Now I want to list some of the ingredients I am trying to stay away from and how I decide if I'm ok with keeping a moderately bad product in my skincare routine. 

Ingredients to Avoid (All information on ingredients is either from my brain from years of skincare training or the EWG Skin Deep Cosmetic Database):

  • Mineral Oil: MIneral oil is a cheap oil made from petroleum that traps moisture in skin, but doesn't actually hydrate the skin. It simply doesn't do anything for us and can even trap bacteria in the skin and pores. There is belief that it could be a possible human immune system toxicant and since it doesn't actually do anything for the skin and comes from petroleum I say, DO WITHOUT IT!
  • Parabens: If you are familiar with skincare, you probably know that a lot of companies are straying away from the use of parabens as preservatives because of it's possible link to cancer and how it can mimic estrogen in the body. For this reason, it's going on my DIRTY list.
  • Phenoxyethanol: This is an ingredient that I think will be one of the hardest to stay away from, because it seems to be in everything!! haha Again this is a fragrance or preservative ingredient and is restricted in Japan in cosmetics in certain quantities. I've noticed it often in cleaners and toners, but can be in moisturizers as well.
  • Propylene Glycol: This one is a humectant and skin conditioning ingredient that has been associated with skin irritations and dermatitis. After reading about how it is a probably carcinogen, I've decided it's on my DIRTY list. 
  • Synthetic Colors (Yellow 5, Red 40, etc.): In my opinion, there is no reason that a skincare product needs to be colored a certain way. If there is naturally occurring pigment in the ingredients that is fine, but do not add synthetic colors that are made from petroleum just so the mask is orange. To me this is an easy one to get rid of so welcome to the DIRTY list!
  • Benzalkonium Chloride: A surfactant found is many household cleaning supplies, I have no use for it in my cleansers! It has been shown to be a skin, respiratory, and eye irritant. 
  • Triethanolamine: This is a relative of Nitrosamines, which are a very likely carcinogen, which means that it is a very possible health hazard. It is used as a buffering and emulsifying agent and will no longer be irritating my skin.
  • Polysorbate 20/PEG Sorbitan Laurate : These are similar in that they are derivatives of Lauric Acid, and they have an extremely high contamination of Ethylene Oxide and 1,4 Dioxane which are very highly likely to be carcinogens. Lauric Acid is the fatty acid found in coconut oil that is totally fine and healthy for your skin. However, these forms of it, are very much a toxicant and welcomed on the DIRTY list. 

Ok this list could probably go on and on, but I will stop now and encourage to use this website and app to go through your own collection. If I come across more research and more ingredients that I will be omitting for sure, I will made sure to write new posts updating those who want the info! For now I will be for sure eliminating those above.

Now let me describe some of my decisions regarding ingredients and how I read labels. First off, it's important for you to know that the order that ingredients are listed shows which are in higher quantities. The first listed ingredient makes up the most of that product, the second being the second most, and so on until the last ingredient has the least concentration within. This is important to note because it can help you decide if that product is good for you or not. My biggest concern is usually the first half of the ingredients. I do not want a single chemical in those. Ideally, there wouldn't be a chemical in the whole label, but if I have a product that I love and works well for my skin and the second to last ingredient is a chemical, I might consider using it occasionally because I know the concentration is lower. 

Next, I look for the purpose of the ingredient. Sometimes products will be rated higher because they contain an ingredient like Glycolic Acid which exfoliates the skin. That glycolic acid could be listed as a potential skin irritant for this, which is fine with me because that's the reason I'm using it. I want it to break down the skin and exfoliate the dead cells off. As long as that Glycolic Acid is coming from a more natural source like maybe sugar cane, I am fine with it and don't consider that product to be a hazard. 

Now if you are thinking about making this transition with me into cleaning up your skincare, your next question is probably about how to make that transition. My recommendation is to do it slowly and phase out products as you use them up and purchase only healthy alternatives. If you have brand new bottles or back ups on hand, try returning them or giving them away to friends that don't necessarily care about the chemicals in their skincare (to each their own!).

So what does this mean for Andrea Fontana Beauty? I am a firm believer in putting your money into the health of you skin first so from here on out, I will not be recommending skin care products that are not clean for your skin. I will include you on this journey and plan on doing a follow up post asap, as to what products I've had to get rid of and what I've replaced them with. When I move on to hair care and every day makeup products I will do the same. For makeup however, I will continue to recommend, try and use all brands of products because I do not use the same things every day and still need high performance products for wedding day and special event makeup. For me this isn't an all or nothing process. As long as I'm converting 75% of what is going on my face and body every day, I will consider that a win. 

Again, I'm not encouraging you to throw out everything you own, but rather look where you can make some healthier changes in your every day routines. As always send all questions my way and let me know how you feel about this topic in a comment below!

Have a beautiful week,

Andrea

February Favorites

Hello I'm back! 

In case you missed all of the sunsets, head over to my Instagram to see all of the fun I had on my Florida vacay!

I'm back with some favorites from February that I can't wait to share. Originally I was going to include some book favorites because I have been reading a lot, but I polled you guys on Instagram and you decided you wanted a Quarterly Book Post instead, so look for that at the end of March. I feel like I mention this in every post, but if you want to have a say on the content I create, follow me on Instagram and vote in those polls!!

If links below are Amazon links, they are affiliate links. If you choose to use them, I earn a commission off of your purchase. This in no way affects the price that you pay, but supports me as a blogger and I so appreciate you if you choose to use them! If the link in this post isn't for Amazon, then it is not an affiliated link. I just like to be upfront with you! Anyways, now onto the faves!

I have been driving a lot recently and love to listen to podcasts during this time. One of my all time favorite bloggers Sydney from The Daybook, recently started a podcast with her business partner and I knew I had to listen. No shocker, I am absolutely obsessed. It's called What The Eff Podcast and it's about going after your dreams and figuring it out as you go along. I cannot recommend it enough. Sometimes they have guests, sometimes they interview each other, but every episode is amazing. Check it out here!

I can't remember how I found out this Newsletter but I love it. It's called the Girl's Night In Newsletter and you get an email every Friday morning (as if Friday wasn't exciting enough) and it's full of recommendations; recipes to make, things to do, books to read, articles to read, etc. As I get older and spend less time out on a Friday night, I really like the ideas it gives. Click this link here to sign up for it!

Next, let's talk some products. First up we have the Pacifica Rose Flower Hydro Mist. I bought this in a rush at Target when I was picking up last minute things for my vacation and I became obsessed. It has that amazing rose scent, but I used it constantly whenever I wanted to refresh and cool off my face, especially at the beach. I loved it. It also has Kombucha and essential oils in it which I find pretty cool (Side note, I'm learning how to make Kombucha Tuesday night and could not be more excited!!) It's 100% vegan and cruelty free and also formulated without SLS, petroleum, parabens, and sulfates!

I always use a lip treatment with an SPF when I am on vacation or in the sun, so I went back to this amazing one for my Florida trip that I've loved for a long time. The Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Tulip has a berry pink tint to it, which I love to give my lips moisture, color, and protection in the easiest way! I can't recommend this line of lip products enough for warm days!

Let me be a broken record and say I LOVE SHEET MASKS! haha that probably comes at no surprised, especially if you read my last post on Travel Tips. I have been using them so much recently and again I think they are great to have on hand. Here's a great set to get you started if you want to try some out. 

I want to mention my SPF that I have been using for awhile and was my go to in Florida. The Algenist Ultra Lightweight UV Defense Fluid SPF 50 doesn't smell like traditional SPF, doesn't feel like traditional SPF and I love it. It protects so well and I can't recommend it enough. I am all about formula and finish when it comes to the SPF for my face and I love how this one doesn't feel greasy at all but still nourishing. 

Lastly, I want to share a drugstore foundation you've probably heard me talk about but I've been loving for awhile now. The L'Oreal Pro Glow Foundation is medium coverage and build-able and gives a really nice glowy finish. I'm normally a NARS foundation girl all the time, but I am happy to have found a great drugstore foundation to have as an affordable option.

So that's it for February! What were your favorites this month? If you've fallen in love with something be sure to leave it in a comment below!

I hope you have a great start to the new month! I'm starting my March off with a Launch Party tonight for a Beauty Bar I did makeup for! Then I'm headed for a weekend away visiting my best friend.

Enjoy your weekend loves,

Andrea

Skincare Tips for Travel

As I write this I am three sleeps away from being on a beach with a drink in my hand. I cannot tell you how much I am looking forward to this vacation. That being said, this past week has been filled with packing and getting things together for my trip which brings us to this post.

Your skin can change and become imbalanced when you go on vacation and change climates. Today I'm going to share with you my tips for avoiding common issues and keeping your skin feeling happy and glowing all vacation long! The more prepared you are the less likely you will be to have issues.

1. Prep your skin the week before you leave. I make sure that I am extra consistent when it comes to my skin before I travel so that it is the healthiest for my trip. Follow your routines and do some masks beforehand to really make sure your skin is happiest before your trip.

2. Prep your skin for your flight. I cannot recommend this one enough. If flying dries your skin out, wear a heavy moisturizer, overnight mask or sheet mask on the plane! I know this might seem crazy, but if you go on the plane nourished and hydrated, you won't be able to dry out as much from that gross airplane air. Then you'll get to your destination with glowing and happy skin!

3. Bring a SPF 50. You probably are not shocked that this is next. I wear a SPF everyday anyways, but I cannot stress how important this is especially if you are traveling somewhere with more sun. More sun means you will probably spend more time outdoors so DO NOT skip the SPF. 

4. Bring sheet masks. Sheet masks are a great way to bring many kinds of masks with you that won't take up much space in your luggage since they are one time use. Depending on your vacation and skin type you could need to combat all sorts of issues. If you'll be in the sun and sweating, make sure you have a good pore cleansing mask. At the same time, if you are getting sun, hydrating masks are vital. These sheet masks come in a gift set and give you many options for your next trip!

5. Bring an overnight mask for dehydration. Whether it's the plane or the sun you can almost guarantee that your skin will become dehydrated at some point. I think it's great to have a mask like this one from Laneige that will hydrate you while you are sleeping. It's light and helps draw moisture into your skin which is perfect after long beach days!

6. Bring a spot treatment. I tend to breakout when I am in more humid environments so I make sure to bring my spot treatment with me just in case I acquire some blemishes while traveling. I love this one by La Roche Posay and have been using it for years. I like to apply it in areas where I'm prone to breakouts as more of a preventative measure. 

7. Watch your diet. Especially if we are traveling for vacation, we are more likely to let loose and eat a little unhealthier than we would at home. If you know that certain types of food can affect your skin, stay away from them to lessen the likelihood of problems arising. I personally know that dairy makes me break out more. Knowing this, I'm less likely to get ice cream every night of vacation like I would normally want to. I'm not saying to not relax and enjoy food on vacation, just be aware of the consequences of what you are consuming.

8. Lighten up on makeup. Personally, I love to use traveling as a time to lighten up on my makeup routine and give my skin a break. I tend to rely on a bright lipstick as the star of the look and lighten up when it comes to the products I'm applying to my skin. 

9. Drink your water. You had to have known that this was coming, but the changes of traveling can change your body and create a little imbalance, so keeping up with your hydration is key, especially if you will be in the sun. I know I'll be enjoying a few extra glasses of wine than I normally do, so drinking extra water is key. I like to use this Origins Hydrating Mask at night when I've had a few drinks of been in the sun to combat the dehydration! 

10. Use up samples. While I'm not the biggest fan of Sephora's point system, I do like taking advantage of the small sizes of free product to take on vacation with me. Just be careful if you have sensitive skin. If this is the case, only take products that you've tried before so you don't have any sort of reaction while traveling. 

Let me know below if you're traveling soon and where you're headed! If you have any travel tips of your own let me know!

Happy travels,

Andrea

 

Recent Empties

I filmed another video talking to you all about recent products I have used up. Before I get to talking about whether or not I'd repurchase them I want to get a little personal with you tonight.

As I'm writing this I've had a frustrating night. Actually a frustrating first week of the new year. The reason I'm mentioning it is because I feel like there's a lot of pressure during the new year for some people to 'start strong' and 'be positive' and you may have had an equally terrible week. So know that it is ok if this week sucked. Mine did, but I am not going to let it affect my month or my year. I know my last post was all about self reflection and getting a good start to the new year, but nothing went as planned this week. And that's ok.

Do not let a tough start to a new year affect what will come after. Something that I often struggle with is asking others for help. It makes me so uncomfortable. So I want to tell you it's ok to ask for help when you need it. (I might have written that sentence as a way of convincing myself to believe it). It's ok to rely on your loved ones when you need them. I don't know what I would have done today without that 30 min phone call to my best friend who gave me the advice I needed to get back up. 

I hope this next week is kinder to both of us :) Now back to the beauty products!

How are you guys liking these videos? I'm having fun learning more about editing and creating them so I will probably continue to make them if you guys keep enjoying them! I love empties videos because they are more than a first impression. I've tried the product a whole bottle's worth and have a more accurate idea of how the product performs. The cool thing though is you'll see products that didn't work as well. So I feel like you gain more knowledge than a favorites video. 

As usual, I will list all of the products below so you have the accurate names! Comment below with any suggestions for my next YouTube video and if you want to subscribe to the channel so you're automatically updated, go for it! Thank you always for the love!

Have the best week ever,

Andrea Fontana

 

1. Enjoy Volumizing Dry Shampoo
2. Aura Cacia Organic Rosehip Oil with Vitamin E and Acure Organics Rosehip Oil
3. Farmacy Eye Dew It All Total Eye Cream
4. Farmacy Honey Potion Mask
5. The Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter
6. Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb
7. Life NK Daily Fix Muscle Relief Bath Soak
8. NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation
9. Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer
10. Sephora Collection Bright Future Gel Serum Concealer
11. Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge
12. NYX Micro Brow Pencil
13. Smashbox Always Sharp Lip Liner in Figgy
14. Lancome Cils Booster XL Vitamin Infused Mascara Primer
15. Benefit They're Real Mascara

Sleeping Masks: A Lazy Girl's BFF

It's probably been about 2 years since I was first introduced to sleeping masks and ever since then I haven't looked back. A sleeping mask is exactly as it sounds; a mask that you wear all night instead of washing off after 10-20 minutes. This makes at home masking SO much easier! Today, they have become an integral part of my skincare routine because I'm busier than ever, but still trying to keep my skin healthy and balanced. I try to use one at least twice a week after a good exfoliation, or sometimes more if my skin needs it. I apply my skincare routine like normal except instead of using my normal nighttime moisturizer, I apply one of the masks below and sleep with it on!

I usually opt for a hydrating and brightening sleeping mask because then I wake up with baby soft and nourished skin. Here are some of my favorites:

 1. Korres Wild Rose + Vitamin C Advanced Brightening Sleeping Facial ($48 for 1.35 oz): This mask is fantastic if you want to brighten and even out your skin tone. I wear this a lot at night if I have any post inflammatory hyper-pigmentation caused by blemishes. The Vitamin C is brightening and the Rose gives this mask an amazing aroma and also helps hydrate and nourish the skin. I'm obsessed with the smell. If you've never tried anything from this Rose Product line from Korres, PLEASE visit your local Sephora and smell it!

2. Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask ($27 for 3.4 oz): This is probably my most used mask because again it smells amazing but you seriously wake up with a face that's as soft as a baby's bottom when you apply this before sleeping. It is loaded with amazing oils and does such a good job of nourishing your face. I use this anytime I feel dehydrated, dry, or even if I've been drinking. It smells like citrus and peaches. I can't even tell you how many times I've recommended this mask to friends and clients. 

3. Laneige Water Sleeping Mask ($25 for 2.3 oz): This Laneige Water Sleeping Mask was sent to me for free from a really cool company called Influenster***. They send you free stuff to try and review and give your feedback! I was so excited to try this one out because I already love Laneige and funny enough, this product had made it into my cart so many times online, but I never seemed to buy it! It's great for skin that desperately needs water, not oil. I love that it comes with a little spatula too, so it's easy to keep your container of product bacteria-free! I feel like I wake up in the morning with refreshed and hydrated skin whenever I sleep with this one on. 

Do you like sleeping masks? Have you ever tried one? Leave me a comment below sharing your favorite one if you have!

Have a beautiful week,

Andrea

***Influenster sent me the Laneige Water Sleeping Mask for reviewing purposes to try for free. All opinions on the product however are my own and I am not being paid to talk about this product!

Water. Water. Water.

If you've ever had a facial with me, you've probably heard me talk about drinking water. It's one crucial way to keep your body and skin especially, healthy. I know I'm not the first to tell you this, so I'm going to instead share some tips on drinking water and how it relates to your skin.

Your body is mostly made of water, therefore you need to make sure you are staying hydrated every day not only for your skin, but for your general health. Your skin is your largest organ but it's also the last to get water. So if you don't drink enough, your organs internally will need to absorb and use that water first. This is why it's so important to stay up on drinking water. You have to make sure your skin is getting it as well, in order for it to stay healthy. 

How much should you be drinking? While everyone is different, I generally recommend drinking half your body weight in ounces. So if you weight 140 pounds, try to get in at least 70 fl. ounces of water a day.

When should you drink more? If you are pretty active you need to be drinking more than that because you are losing water and electrolytes when sweating. I usually try to follow the rule for drinking 1 ounce for every minute that I'm sweating in addition to my normal water intake for the day. You should also be drinking more water when you're stressed or sick, because your body is focused on healing or keeping you healthy, and your skin gets even less water. If you know your are sick or dealing with a lot of stress, give your body a head start and drink more water. 

How quickly should you drink water? It's better for your body and skin to slowly sip water throughout your day than to chug it a few times. If you drink too much at once (more than a cup), it'll go straight through you to your bladder. Some people complain that they don't like to drink a lot of water because then they have to use the bathroom constantly, but I'd bet they are probably chugging their water or drinking it too fast and their body is just excreting it, not actually absorbing it. If your body can't absorb it, it won't get to utilize it! Drinking your water slowly allows your body to absorb it, which means all of your organs will get to utilize it, especially your skin that gets it last! If you're guilty of chugging your water, try switching to a water bottle with a straw to drink it slower.

What temperature should you drink it at? In general it is better to drink warm or hot water because your body doesn't have to expend energy to heat it up to your internal body temperature. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. Drinking cold water when you're extremely hot in the summer or you just got done working out, is ok because it can help cool off the body. 

Other tips and tricks regarding water consumption:

  1. Check your lips! If they are constantly dry, this might be a sign that you are dehydrated.
  2. Drink your hot or room temp water with lemon juice! This is my favorite way to flavor my water and the lemon juice aids with digestion.
  3. Use apps to help you count. There are so many that will help you keep track of your daily consumption. If you are competitive you might like this because it feels like a game.
  4. Drink a glass of lemon water before you have your coffee in the morning so start the day off right!

 

I personally notice a huge difference in my body when I'm drinking a lot of water. Stay hydrated friends! If you have more questions about drinking water, feel free to leave me a comment or message!

Have a beautiful day,

Andrea 

 

 

Dre Does Friday Favorites

It's been too long since I've shared some Friday Favorites so I thought I'd give you a taste of what I've been really enjoying lately.

First up we have a fall themed favorite that I discovered when looking for something else! I'm a huge fan of greek yogurt and it's the only dairy I consumer besides the occasional addition of cheese when I'm cooking. I heard that Chobani had Pumpkin Spice Yogurt and even though I didn't think I would like it I set out to find some. Luckily I came across the last one while grocery shopping last week and right next to it was an abundance of the Cinnamon Pear flavor. I grabbed a few and it turns out I ended up hating the pumpkin spice one and being OBSESSED with the Cinnamon Pear flavor. It's so delicious. While they are higher in sugar than I like (15g of sugar and 12g of protein), if you're looking for a healthier option to having dessert at night, I highly recommend trying the Cinnamon Pear flavor as an evening snack!

 Even though I'm already more than halfway through the 20's I really enjoyed reading this article from Emily, one of my favorite fashion and lifestyle blogger's from Cupcakes and Cashmere. It's filled with some great reminders so take a look when you have a second.

I have been obsessed with the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Spotlight in Opal (the liquid version of the Shimmering Skin Perfector family). It came in a kit of four mini's from Becca that I purchased about 6 months ago. While I fell in love with two of the four really quickly, this one kind of got thrown into a drawer and for some reason I decided to pull it out last week and start using it. Not sure what compelled me to do so but thanks to whatever intuition I should thank for my now glowing skin! It has a nice, flat applicator that makes it really easy to dab one side on one cheek, flip it over and dab the other side on the other cheek! Then I use my beauty blender to blend the product well into my skin so I have no harsh edges (I should note that I always apply it after my under eye concealer as my last liquid product. I then set my under eye concealer with powder and finish my face with my other powder products). I love how dewy and healthy it makes my skin look. The nice thing about the full size version of this product is that it comes with a pump so you can mix it in with foundation or moisturizer to give you an all over dewy illumination. It will definitely be added to my beauty wishlist.

While I haven't mentioned it for awhile here on Dre Does I reach for my Aveda Beautifying Composition often especially as the weather starts to get chillier. Recently I've been noticing some random dry patches around my nose and eye area so I pulled out my trusted friend and have been adding a drop here and there to combat these random flaky spots. I love the aroma and the versitility of this product and will never be without it. Click here to see a post I did on it more than a year and a half ago showing 11 uses for this magical product!

Cycling or spinning (depending on what you call it...haha) used to be a huge part of my life. When I was a senior in high school my mom dragged me into a class with her and I was hooked! I am super competitive by nature and loved being able to push myself every class. I started going multiple times a week and it became a huge part of my workout routine. I slowly got out of it as college and life got busier and it had been years since I have done it. A few months ago though, the gym at my apartment complex got a spin bike and I couldn't have been more excited. I dusted off my spin shoes and have been spinning at least 4 times a week since! I forgot how much I truly love the workouts. You can find great spinning workout ideas on Pinterest if you need some inspiration. If you're not the biggest fan of running and you've never tried it I highly recommend giving it a shot! I think it's really important to find a class in your area to get started so that you can learn proper form and technique from professionals before you try it on your own.


Dre Does Skincare Tips for the Active Woman

It's no secret that living an active lifestyle means you probably spend a portion of your day sweating. This can lead to breakouts, excessive oilliness, etc., so I've decided to share with you some tips on how I keep my skin clean and reduce my likelihood of breaking out. 

1. WASH YOUR FACE: I always head to the gym with a clean face which also means that I never wear makeup. I personally hate the feeling of makeup on my skin when I'm hot and sweaty in the gym so instead I do my usual morning skincare routine (since I normally workout every morning) and make sure to use a mattifying moisturizer to help combat some of the excessive oiliness. 

2. HEADBANDS ARE YOUR FRIEND: I like to wear a headband always when I'm working out. Not only does it help keep flyaways out of my face but it catches some sweat from dripping on my forehead. If you use hair products they can travel down your face and potentially clog your pores, so I like to prevent some of that with headbands (This also works well if you have bangs that could spread sweat and bacteria while working out). My favorite are the kinds with the rubber grips on the inside so that they don't move anywhere. 

3. BLOT YOUR FACE: While working out, I like to use papertowels to blot the excessive sweat from my face so that it stays clean. My gym luckily has a paper towel dispenser so I use those to get rid of sweat so that I don't have to touch it with my hands. Think of all the bacteria that your hands are touching from the machines to the weights. It's much better for your skin to use something disposable that you won't keep reusing like your hands or your shirt. 

4. KEEP YOUR GYMBAG STOCKED: I like to make sure to keep my gym bag stocked with some necessities to make sure I can always keep my face clean. It's crucial to have cleansing wipes because if you don't have time to immediately hop in the shower or wash your face again, you can at least clean your face quickly and remove sweat and impurities. Also if you're someone who gets excessively oily, I recommend keeping oil blotting sheets on hand to mattify your skin on the go. 

5. DON'T TOUCH YOUR FACE: This may seem a little obvious but some of us need to consciously think about it to stop doing it. Our hands carry so much bacteria around as we go from machine to machine at the gym, so make sure to keep your hands off of your skin. This is a tip for anyone trying to reduce breakouts, but it's expecially crucial when you're sweaty and in the gym.

6. DRINK WATER: Always make sure you rehydrate your body after working out. It's important for your skin's health to drink plenty every day but it's even more important when you workout because you are sweating so much. 

I hope these tips help you maintain cleaner skin while being active. Remember, your skin is your body's largest organ so while it's important to be active and healthy, we can't forget to take care of our skin as well! 

Have a beautiful day,

Dre

Dre Does Favorite Weekly Skin Treatments

Today I want to talk about some of my favorite weekly skin treatments/masks. I personally have very acne prone and oily skin so I like to make sure I am doing two main things to keep my skin at it's best; exfoliating and deep cleansing. The exfoliation helps get rid of those dead skin cells sitting on the surface so that nothing gets trapped in my pores and leads to comedones and acne. The deep cleansing helps pull impurities out of my pores for the same reason. Depending on how my skin looks and feels I will choose which of these four to use but I love them all! 


First up we have the exfoliating products. I absolutely love everything about the Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion Skin Exfoliant except for it's price ($78 at Ulta). It is definitely high end, but you don't use that much of it so it will last a long time. I originally discovered this product in an Ipsy Glambag and fell in love. It is definitely a once or twice a week at most type product but it gives you such a good exfoliation while still feeling gentle on the skin. I love the fresh lemon scent and my skin feels baby soft after I use it. If I feel like I have a lot of dead skin cells on the surface I use this product. 

Next up we have a much gentler exfoliator by Dermalogica called the Daily Microfoliant ($52 at Ulta). This one is a powder that you shake onto wet fingers and massage into a paste that you then scrub on your skin. I love how gentle this one is on my skin. It smells a little weird but not terrible. I personally have hyperpigmentation so I don't like to exfoliate more then 3 times a week with even a gentle product, so I use this one every other day at most despite it being called a daily exfoliating product.

Now over to the deep cleansing side. I love charcoal and clay masks because I really think they help draw the impurities out of my pores and keep my skin feeling clean! I have been obsessed with the Origins Clear Improvements mask ($25 at Sephora) for awhile now because of the activated charcoal in it. It's one of those masks that dries when it's done and your skin feels so clean after. I use this when my skin feels really congested or right before I know I'm about to get monthly breakouts to keep them at bay. 

The Deep Cleansing Herbal Clay Masque from Aveda ($22 at Aveda salons or online) is another favorite of mine that I've loved since I was in Esthiology School. It is so gentle yet gives you a good clean feeling. The best part about Aveda masks is that since they are so natural and gentle you can use them more frequently than other masks that can have harsher chemicals. This is a good maintenance mask I would say for helping with congestion and comedones on your skin. 

What are your favorite skin treatments and masks? Let me know below because I'm always wanting to try new things!

Have a beautiful Wednesday, 

Dre