April 11, 2019

What Do I Love From Glossier?

April 11, 2019/ Andrea Fontana

It’s no secret that I love Glossier. I have tried a lot of their products and many of them are staples in my routine. Since I get asked often what my thoughts are, what my favorites are, etc..I figured it was time that I shared my thoughts on each of the products that I’ve tried.

Lash Slick

This is one of my favorite mascaras of all time. I have never seen a mascara that is not waterproof, look the exact same at the end of the day, as it did when you applied it in the AM. If you are someone who is looking for a very dramatic and voluminous mascara, this one isn’t for you. I’d say it’s a great every day mascara that makes you look like you have naturally beautiful and full lashes. I love it for my bottom lash line because it doesn’t transfer. I also like the price tag. It’s not very expensive for being what I would consider a prestige mascara.

Haloscope

I love cream highlighters so it’s probably no surprise that I love this one in Moonstone. This is the only shade I’ve tried but it’s perfect for a wet and dewy skin look. I absolutely love the effect and healthy look it gives my skin. I have heard great things about the other shades as well, but I love this one so much.

Stretch Concealer

I was hesitant to order this concealer originally because I knew it would have as much coverage as the concealers I was used to, but I loved that it had a really dewy finish. Turns out I just had to figure out how to apply it best for my skin. I find that when I apply it with my fingers, let it sit for a few moments, and then blend it out with a Real Techniques Setting Brush (you need to own at least 2 of these if you don’t already), it is PERFECTION! I still set it with powder or hit it with a good layer of setting spray if I want it to stay dewy.

Generation G Lipsticks

This is one of my favorite lipstick formulas of all time. I am obsessed with the shade ‘Cake’. If you look at my IG, I am wearing it all the time in makeup photos. I just love how it gives the perfect amount of something, while being nude. I keep it in my purse and will forever purchase it until they stop making it. I love the colors too because they give the perfect pop of color without being too bold. They are more of a wash of color than an opaque, bright shade. I think they would be great for someone wanting to start wearing lipstick that is nervous to go too bold. The formula is matte but feels really nice on the lips.

Solution

This is the only skincare product I have tried from Glossier and I love it. If you’ve been following my blog for a little while, you’ll know that I love a gentle chemical exfoliation as a daily part of my routine. It’s great for preventing breakouts and aging at the same time. I enjoyed the entire bottle of this and felt like it did what it claimed. I haven’t gone back to it, simply because I like to continue trying other products. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if it ended up back on my shelf in the future. If you deal with breakouts, texture issues, dark spots, fine lines, etc. this would be a great addition to your routine.

Boy Brow

Boy brow is probably tied with the Cake lipstick as my favorite Glossier products of all time. It’s the best brow product I’ve ever used and here’s why. The black shade is the perfect cool tone for my dark brows. It’s brush is small enough to apply precisely, but still is quick. The formula is long wearing and doesn’t make my brows look too wet. I also love that you don’t need a lot of product because I find that I go through my brow products the quickest. If you want a easy brow product that will make your brows look fuller and keep them in place, I HIGHLY suggest you try this one out.

Cloud Paint

If you’re a girl who likes easy and minimal makeup, you would love cloud paint. I tend to go for liquid and cream face products for daily and easy makeup, so I love these cloud paints. They are pretty pigmented and the shade range is beautiful. I have the coral shade and I love how natural of a flush it gives my cheeks. You can also wear them on your eyes and lips which is fun! I like to blend them in with my fingers.

Lidstar

This is probably the only Glossier product I’ve tried that I would say you could skip on. It’s a ok product, I just don’t think it’s anything special. I wish they were slightly more pigmented. I do feel like they wear pretty well, so if you’re looking for an all over color to provide a sheer wash of color for your lids, this might be for you. I think I just have too much discoloration and veining on my eyelids to use this alone.

Perfume

If you’re looking for a scent unlike anything you’ve ever smelled, TRY IT! It smells so good, and I’m not a big perfume person! It’s one of those scents that you can’t stop sniffing because it’s so good.

There you have it! If you’re new to Glossier be sure to CLICK HERE for 10% off your first purchase. I have yet to try their new PLAY line of makeup products, but I’ll probably give in and try it soon and let you know my thoughts!

What have you tried from Glossier? It really is a great brand and I love their whole skincare first, makeup second approach to beauty.

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.

March 28, 2019

11 Things With Andrea #2

March 28, 2019/ Andrea Fontana

Let’s just jump right into it!

I recently tried Fabletics for the first time and overall I loved my first purchase. I got two pairs of cropped leggings, one full length pair, and a sports bra that zipped up the front. I was really hoping to find a sport’s bra that was thick and good quality (the zipper ones usually are for higher impact sports), but unfortunately the fabric is just too thin to be super supportive. I LOVED the leggings though. The trinity high-waisted leggings are amazing. I highly recommend them. I asked you guys on IG your thoughts on Fabletics and most of you said that it’s not really great for sports bra, but the leggings and tops are awesome! While it is a monthly subscription I don’t think I’ll be purchasing every month (you can skip months), because I’m pretty set with leggings for now!
I have been reading a lot recently (I’m on my 6th book for the month if that tells you anything). I did a book post recently (click here to check it out) and I’m excited to have some extra time next week to relax and read because the families I nanny for are on spring break! I picked up ‘The Shape of Water’, ‘Big Little Lies’ and ‘The Devil in the White City’ from the library and you all voted for me to start with ‘Big Little Lies’! I’m excited to read all three of these so make sure to check back in a little while to see my review on them.
I currently have a GIVEAWAY going for a $100 Gift Certificate to JORD watches! If you haven’t entered it yet, CLICK HERE to check out the watch I was gifted for Mikey (my sweet watch obsessed other half). You don’t want to miss out on this awesome chance to win! You also get a 10% off code for entering so what do you have to lose?
Wedding season begins this Saturday. While I had one wedding in January, this weekend starts the doing something almost every weekend for weddings and I AM SO EXCITED! I love my brides! I only have 2 Saturdays left and many Fridays and Sundays available so if you’re a 2019 bride who still needs a makeup artist, please contact me ASAP! (Click the CONTACT tab in the menu on the left).
I’m really excited to be on track to be under $10,000 in debt by my 29th birthday this May (my goal is to be debt free by 30, which I am also on track for)! I know I don’t talk about it a lot on here, but for all of you working your butts off to become debt free, I AM WITH YOU! It’s probably my biggest goal that I’m working towards every day and if you’re also going through it, I know the struggles and tough work it takes. WE CAN DO IT!
Please send all Netflix/Hulu/Prime recommendations my way. Like I mentioned before I have spring break coming up and am going to attempt to watch something since I suck at it. Working on learning how to be comfortable being relaxed and lazy, but it’s a process.
I’m happy to report my anxiety is much lower than it was in January and February. I know I talked about it a lot on my IG and a little here, but if you don’t see me talking about it as much as I was, just know it is always something I am dealing with and working with. You are not alone. Always message me if you want to talk to someone.
I’ve been trying a lot of new to me products from Drunk Elephant, Herbivore Botanicals, Tarte, Mad Hippie, etc and I’m excited to put together a post devoted to what I liked/ didn’t like.
Cookbook writing is still coming along well! Every week I feel like I see the vision of my final cookbook becoming a little stronger which is really exciting. To all of you who consistently ask me how it’s going and are as excited as I am…you will NEVER know how much I truly appreciate your support and love. I am writing this cookbook for you and I think you’re going to love it! If you haven’t already signed up for cookbook updates, please click here to be added to my email list!
If you’re in the Midwest, you’ve been experiencing some lovely SUN the last few weeks and it’s been AMAZING! Am I the only one who’s always constantly amazed at how much it affects our mood. We are different people when the sun is out and I love it! Spring is my favorite season so I’m excited to return to running outdoors and stopping to check up on all the blooms.
If you caught Samin Nosrat’s phenomenal Netflix series, ‘Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat’ you might have checked out her cookbook of the same name. If you checked out her cookbook you probably oo’ed and aaah’ed at the beautiful artwork in it. I preordered these TO DIE FOR prints from the cookbook and if you need some extra kitchen art (I’m planning a beautiful kitchen gallery wall) you NEED to order these prints. They are so inexpensive for what beauty they really are!
BONUS: This last one isn’t about me. It’s about you. You’re great. And I hope you’ll keep coming around to read what I write. I still get such amazing messages from you all about how my content is inspiring you and lifting you up and all I can say is, YOU are the one inspiring and lifting me up when you say these things. You are great! Thank you

Have the best weekend you tootie cutie patootie people,

Andrea

March 08, 2019

Five Ways To Use a Facial Roller

March 08, 2019/ Andrea Fontana

Tools are a great way to give your skincare routine a boost. If you have any interest in skincare you most likely have seen the recent trend of facial rollers. They are usually green (jade) or pink (rose quartz) and can be a really great way to jazz up your skincare routine for multiple reasons. (The rollers I am talking about are not to be confused with the larger ice rollers, that are not quite as multi-use as facial rollers). If you’re curious which facial roller I have, click here to shop it on Amazon.

Facial rollers can be a great addition for a few reasons. They can:
-increase circulation
-de-puff and soothe
-help with lymph drainage
-increase product penetration
-create a relaxing ritual into your routine

If you haven’t hopped on the band wagon yet, hopefully this post will help you decide if it is worth it for you to get one for yourself.

Regardless of how you are specifically using the facial roller, ALWAYS remember to move in upward and outward motions only. I know it can be tempting to roll it back and forth but you never want to move down and inward on your face, especially when applying the pressure of a tool.

I give you five ways to incorporate a facial roller into your life:

With a hydrating mask:
When doing an at home facial, I recommend doing a exfoliating mask first (called a refinement mask in spa world) and following up with a treatment mask to target your specific skin needs that day. If you are using a hydration mask for your treatment mask that follows the pretty standard, apply and let sit for a bit and then wash off (i.e. not a peel off mask) then I would recommend using a facial roller to help your mask penetrate deeper into your skin.
Over a sheet mask:
This one can be a great way to help the serums of the sheet mask, really penetrate into the skin. I know it’s pretty self explanatory, but I added it to the list because I don’t know how many of us would actually think to use it in this situation.
While I’m watching a movie to relax and unwind:
My FAVORITE thing about a facial roller is how it adds such a relaxing element to my skincare. I love to use it during a movie because first off, it helps me stay awake…haha. Secondly, it gives me a larger chunk of time to actually focus on my skin.
To depuff my eyes from allergies:
I recommend getting one the facial rollers that is double ended because the smaller end is perfect for around the eyes. I love putting my roller in the freezer or fridge to get super cold. Then if you wake up with allergy eyes one morning, you can use the little sit to roll and depuff that eye area.
To help my moisturizer penetrate better:
This is probably the most obvious one, but it’s always a good idea to use your facial roller at night at the end of your skincare routine, once you’ve applied your night moisturizer or facial oil. It will help boost circulation and increase product penetration.

Do you use a facial roller in your skincare routine? What is your favorite way to use it? Leave me a comment below and let me know! Are there any other beauty tools you want me to test out?

Have a beautiful day,

Andrea

January 30, 2019

How to Combat Winter Skin Blues

January 30, 2019/ Andrea Fontana

This post goes out to all my readers who are currently suffering through the negative temperatures with me. I heard a stat yesterday that said that today 85% of the US would be at or below freezing temps, so I’m going to guess this will be useful for you no matter where you’re reading from! Winter has certainly arrived in the Midwest and I’m here to give you some tips on how you can give your skin the extra little bit of TLC that it’s probably craving right about now.

Layer on the moisturizer before you leave the house, whether or not you are wearing makeup. I cannot explain how important it is to go out into the cold moisturized. You need the protective barrier as you go in and out of varying temperature extremes to make sure you don’t end up drier.

If you are wearing makeup, try skipping the primer, applying a heavy layer of moisturizer and not waiting for it to completely absorb before blending your foundation in. I know this might sound crazy, but if you are dry, foundation can sometimes accentuate your fine lines, dry patches, and texture. If you have a good thick layer of moisturizer on instead of primer, you can blend your foundation into your skin better and it’s less likely to catch on the texture. The moisturizer I like to use for this and for the previous tip is the Weleda Skin Food. It is amazing for both of these purposes and smells so good!

Even if you’re oily, you need to be moisturizing. Even if you are using a gel cream ( I like this one from Belif), please do not think that because you are oily you can skip the moisturizer, even in the dead of winter. While we may need differing levels of hydration during this time of year, you need to at least be protecting from water loss in your skin.

If you’re worried about clogging your pores from heavier creams, exfoliate and purify first! I love to use my Herbivore Botanicals Blue Tansy mask before hydrating. This way my skin is exfoliated, purified, and calmed before I hydrate it. It also lessens the likelihood that I will break out. After I exfoliate, if I want to do more than just moisturize, I will throw on my Farmacy Honey Potion Mask because it is hydrating, calming, and anti-bacterial. I highly recommend this combo of masks for those of you who are struggling with acne-prone but dry skin right now!

AMP up your Hylauronic acid. Make sure that you are using a hyaluronic acid serum right now. Simply press it into your skin all over your face before you moisturize and it will help you retain water. This is especially important with the dry heat we are experiencing indoors. I really like the one from Trader Joe’s. While I couldn’t find the link for you, there are many cleaner options for you out there.

Hydrate with rose water sprays. I love spraying my face during my routine with rose water spray because it helps drawn in more moisture. These little steps are key in keeping your skin happy during this weather. Just be sure you are doing them in the right order. Click here to read my previous post about a common beauty mistake I see people making online that has to do with rose water sprays. I like this spray from Trader Joe’s and this one from Pacifica.

Consistently exfoliate. Whether it’s daily with a subtle toner or every few days with a mask, it’s vital right now to continue exfoliating so that when we apply our other products, they aren’t being blocked by dead skin cells. You can add the most expensive and effective moisturizer on your skin, but it still will not hydrate dead skin cells. Make the most of your money and be consistent with exfoliating and the rest of your products will be that much more effective. WARNING: do a test patch before you use your normal face masks, even if it is a mask you have used before. Sometimes due to the cold we can be more sensitive than normal. If this is the case, rely on a gentler exfoliating toner instead.

Get that humidifier for you bedroom. If you don’t already have one and experience really dry skin in the winter, you NEED to invest in one for while you are sleeping. I have bought this one from Vicks twice because it’s just a good one. I know you can probably find a higher quality humidifier but here’s my thought process. I’d rather buy one more inexpensively and toss it every few years because of the maintenance it requires. One thing that is vital with humidifiers is making sure you are being proactive with cleaning them. I would use a humidifier cleanser with it every few days and clean it out completely every so often (and then pitch it every other year). With moisture comes a perfect environment for mold so just be aware of that.

I hope this tips help you stay afloat in this nasty Polar Vortex. Stay warm, stay hydrated, and stay moisturized!

Andrea

January 24, 2019

S.O.S. #5: Common Beauty Mistakes You Need to Know About

January 24, 2019/ Andrea Fontana

I have missed writing my Science of Skincare (S.O.S.) posts, so I’m back today with one that I think everyone needs to read! If you have ideas for future S.O.S. topics you want me to tackle, please leave a comment below or message me with your idea. To see previous S.O.S. posts click here.

In this new world of influencers it can be difficult to distinguish who we can trust to get our information from. My recommendation is to ALWAYS do your research yourself. Even if you’re getting your information from ME! haha You know yourself best. If someone is constantly promoting specific brands but doesn’t seem to know much about the product, etc, be wary of what they are saying and look into the product a little further before you purchase it.

These warnings are what have inspired this post. While I am a complete product junkie at heart, I also have a license in skincare and a bachelor’s degree in Human Biology. I am constantly seeing people promoting products and giving wrong information. Am I perfect? NO WAY! But I am always thinking of what I can do to teach healthier skincare so I want to give tips where I can for those who want to learn!

With that being said, here are some common beauty mistakes that I’ve recently seen on social media that I want to talk about. At the very least, I hope you learn from this how easy it is to spread bad information and to think twice before doing what the internet tells you, (even including this post)!

Mistake #1: You don’t need an SPF during the day if you put on an exfoliating product at night.

I often see people talking about how you should put exfoliating products on at night because if you use them during the day, you need to wear an SPF with them…while technically it’s true that you need an SPF during the day if you apply them, you still need one if you apply it at night! This means if you apply an exfoliating product (i.e. scrubs, toners, chemically exfoliating night mask, etc) you need to wear your SPF for DAYS afterwards, even if you only apply it once. (P.S. that shouldn’t be a big deal though because you wear your daily SPF though….right?! haha). Let’s dive into this a little further.

The reason you use these products at night is because while you are sleeping your body does most of it’s repairative work. So your expensive serums and moisturizers are best to be used at night. We often exfoliate at night before applying these products so that we get better product penetration and max effectiveness.

When you exfoliate your skin you are ridding the top surface of it, from dead skin cells. This means you are exposing fresher, newer cells that haven’t been exposed to the sun. THIS is the reason you need to be wearing your SPF consistently after an exfoliation. It’s not like the exfoliating ingredients are going to magically make you burn if the sun hits them.

If this process doesn’t make sense to you…PLEASE message me and I can explain this further. Sun protection is the NUMBER ONE way to prevent damaging and aging your skin.

Mistake #2: Using a mist a the end of a skincare routine.

I get that mists are a big thing right now, and they can be extremely beneficial for hydration and calming your skin, but if you apply them after moisturizing, you’re wasting the product. Light mists simply cannot penetrate over products with a thicker viscosity. When structuring your skincare routine, you want to use the thinnest products first, and move towards thicker ones, leaving your oils and heavy creams for the end. They will have such a hard time absorbing and won’t give you the skincare benefits you are thinking you are getting.

Mistake #3: Rubbing my face is the best way to apply products.

The way in which you apply a product can often be JUST as important as the product you are applying. Think about how often you do your skincare routine. For most of us, that is twice a day. If you are pulling on your skin twice a day, over time that is going to leave some serious damage to your skin. We already have to do so much to combat aging, why add to it?

Overall you need to be doing more patting and less rubbing when applying, but if you want to know the proper way to apply different types of products, PLEASE read my post “How to Touch Your Face” here. I think this one is really important. When in doubt, always remember to use less pressure and move in an upward and outward direction.

Remember, take everything you read on the internet with a grain of salt, ESPECIALLY when it comes to your health. Do your research. Not everything works the same for everyone. But learn to establish good habits for yourself. You owe it to yourself.

Have a beautiful day,

Andrea

January 11, 2019

Best Beauty Discoveries of 2018

January 11, 2019/ Andrea Fontana

I wanted to share a recap of my favorite products that I discovered in 2018 so that’s what I’m bringing you today. I’m overall pretty happy with what I tried last year. Nothing stood out as being terrible and wasted money so that’s always a plus. Be sure to let me know after reading, what you discovered and loved last year! (I am only including items that were new to me in 2018 that I hadn’t previously tried)

Makeup:

Lash Paradise Mascara: I was skeptical to try this mascara out because it’s supposed to be a dupe for the Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara and I do not like that one. However, this is now tied with my longtime favorite Loreal Voluminous mascara. It does a great job thickening and voluminizing without getting clumpy. I also really like the wand.

Maybelline Master Strobing Liquid Illuminating Highlighter: I’ve said this a few times over the course of the year, but I would call this liquid highlighter a pretty close dupe for the Becca Shimmering Skin Protector in Opal. Most days I mix it right in with my foundation and it gives me a great all over glow. If you’re worried about being covered in chunky glitter when you do this, do not fear! This one definitely is subtle but beautiful.

Fenty Beauty Match Stix Matte Skinstick in ‘Amber’: This is my absolute favorite way to contour. The shade is perfectly cool-toned and blends effortlessly. If I had to pick my favorite makeup find from all of 2018 this would be it!

Rituel de Fille Rare Light Luminizer in ‘Anthelion’: I fell in love with these luminizers on a videoshoot I did at the beginning of last year and have loved them all year long. I love how easy and blendable this one is for everyday makeup, but still great for a full glam.

Juvia’s Place Eyeshadow Palettes: I didn’t discover these palettes until November but boy am I glad that I did! After buying one (The Warrior Palette) I immediately bought three more and am continuously impressed with the quality and pigmentation of these shadows. Highly recommend you checking them out if you are looking for a new palette.

Glossier Generation G Lipsticks: I picked up the shades ‘Cake’ and ‘Zip’ after Glossier relaunched with new packaging and I am obsessed. Both are staple shades every woman should have. They apply as a lip stain would and are perfect for beginners who are new to lipstick. I will forever keep these two shades in my purse. If you haven’t ordered from Glossier before a.) good luck not getting addicted and b.) click the link below for 10% off your first order!

***For 10% OFF your first Glossier purchase click here

Glossier Boy Brow: Enter one of the best products I’ve ever tried in my life. I used to think that Benefit was the only company who could make a great brow gel but boy was I wrong. I use the shade black and I cannot express to you how badly you need Boy Brow in your life. It gives me just the write amount of tint on my brows and still looks like hair. If you learn anything from reading this post, let it be that you need to try this product. Your BROWS need you to.

Milk Makeup Holographic Stick in ‘Mars’: I bought this product last spring because I was drawn to the color. It’s a rosy gold highlighting stick and I use it now when I want one product to make my cheeks look glowier and a little rosier. It’s a great no-makeup, makeup product and just makes your skin look healthier!

Glossier Lash Slick Mascara: The other best mascara I tried this year was this one. It’s the first mascara I’ve ever tried that cannot make your lashes look clumpy and lasts the ENTIRE day without budging at all. It’s not what I’d wear with a dramatic eyeshadow look because it’s not really that voluminous. It makes you look like you have naturally dark, long, and beautiful lashes! I’d say it’s great if you’re looking for a simple and natural every day mascara that will last all day!

Skincare:

Dr. Jart Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment: This would probably be my favorite skincare discovery of 2018. I wear it almost every day when I’m not wearing makeup. It gives me color correction (reduces my redness), moisturizes me a little more (I still wear moisturizer under it), and is my physical SPF. I cannot recommend this product enough if you need a product to do all or some of those things. I know it looks expensive but it lasts forever and you can try out a smaller size first if you want!

Weleda Skin Food: I freaking love Skin Food. It’s not a new one, but it was the first time I bought it after hearing about how great it was for years. The smell alone is amazing. If you need a good natural moisturizer to really lock in moisture, even if you have sensitive skin, this one is for you! I personally think everyone should own a tube of it regardless of your skin type.

Acure Brightening Cleansing Gel: On my quest to only buy toxin-free skincare this year, I discovered this Acure cleanser and I’m obsessed. The fresh lemon scent is great and I love how clean my skin feels without being stripped of every oil. I also love how inexpensive it is for being so clean and good for your skin.

French Girl Organics Rose Facial Polish: I normally am very anti-physical exfoliators, but when I worked on that video shoot early last year I discovered this product and I’m obsessed. It’s a little messy, so I like to keep it in my shower and use it about 2-3 times per week. It uses brown rice starch to exfoliate and I especially love that it has clay in it, so after gently massaging it into my skin, I can let it sit for the remainder of my shower and it helps clean some of the impurities as well.

Herbivore Botanicals Blue Tansy Mask: I just freaking love this mask and believe everyone needs it. It’s extremely clean and is amazing for those who suffer from acne. I love how blue tansy is calming for the inflammation associated with breakouts. I especially love that it tells you to use it a few days in a row after a breakout to really help clear it up and then it tells you to taper it off for upkeep.

There you have it! Those are the products I loved trying in 2018. What did you try and how did you feel about it? Comment below and let me know, especially if you made some great discoveries! I’m excited to see what I discover this year.

Have a beautiful day,

Andrea

September 25, 2018

How to Touch Your Face

September 25, 2018/ Andrea Fontana

I know the title of this post might seem strange but hear me out. Think about how many times in your life you will remove makeup or do your skincare routine...A LOT right? We read post after post about different products people recommend but have you really ever learned how to use your hands differently depending on what step you're on? If you have, great! I'm proud! ...But if you don't, this post is for you. I'll be sharing my tips on how to correctly touch your face.

When removing makeup:

This depends on how you remove your makeup. My main concern is with your eyes. When removing eye makeup, always use your ring and middle fingers to follow the shape of your eyelashes and move down and outward away from your tear ducts. Don't EVER move in circular motions rubbing your eyes. You can get product in your eyes that causes unnecessary irritation. If you need to clean up under the lower lash line, always use your ring fingers, as they are the weakest of your fingers and will do the least amount of damage. Instead of rubbing harder, find a good makeup remover that will dissolve makeup easily so you don't have to apply as much pressure to your face.

When cleansing:

Cleansing is a really important step that you do often so it's important to understand how to do it correctly. You always want to make sure that you are massaging your cleanser in with your ring and middle fingers. You will have plenty of control, but you won't apply as much pressure as you would with your index fingers. Another key part is that you are massaging in small circles in an upward and outward motion. Imagine you were to draw a line down the front of your face. Move in circles, away from this line in an outward and upward direction. When you are cleansing your face, you should not be scrubbing your eyes either. Depending on your cleanser (i.e. if it has AHA's, BHA's, etc) it might not belong anywhere near your eyes. So be sure to remove your eye makeup and rinse your eye area before hand.

When applying toners:

Toning is a vital step in skincare routines and can be done in a few different ways, and ultimately depends on what step you're on and what type of toner you are using. If you are hydrating your skin with a rose toner for example, I recommend spray toning. Cover your eyes and mist the toner all over your face a couple times. If your toner cannot be sprayed, apply a little to a cotton pad and gently swipe it from the center of your face in a…you guessed it…upward and outward motion! Make sure not to press too firmly or tug at your skin.

When applying serums & moisturizers:

Depending on the product, the texture can vary, but you should use the same method of application unless specified by the product. Put a few drops or one pump in the upper 2/3 of your fingers of one hand. Using your other hand, gently swirl the product around and using your fingers, press into the your facial skin. Do not pull on or rub the skin, but continue the pressing motion all over the face.

Remember:

Don’t forget that drying off your face when cleansing is equally important. Make sure you are always using a separate towel, different from the hand towel for drying your hands. Bacteria can harbor in hand towels so it’s important to keep the face and hand towels separate. Of course make sure you change them at 1-2 times a week, or more if you are dealing with acne.

Let me know if you found this topic helpful! If you have any tips on how to touch your face when applying products and doing your skincare routine.

Have a beautiful day,

Andrea

July 22, 2018

Recent Empties #2

July 22, 2018/ Andrea Fontana

I've found that you guys really like these empties posts because it's nice to see products I didn't like as well. It's been awhile since I did my last one, so I wanted to share with you the products I've used up in the last few months. I think this post will be equally as helpful because I have some products I won't be repurchasing because of the ingredients they contain and that I am finding cleaner alternatives. I've divided them up into categories so it's a little more helpful, and I've included products that I use up in my kit since that might be interesting for you as well! Let's get started:

Makeup Empties:

Most of these products were from my kit which will be helpful for you if you're looking for products I trust and love. First up we have two bottles of the Ulta Beauty Brush & Sponge Cleanser. I go through this stuff like water because it's such a great brush cleanser. It's really effective and you don't need much product. It also dries really quickly, so when I'm doing clients back to back, it's easy to sanitize and clean my brushes fast and move onto my next client. If you don't deep clean your brushes as often as you should, I highly recommend getting a spot cleaner like this to wash them frequently (every other day) in between deep cleansing. I will continue to keep repurchasing this spot cleanser until I find one that I like more or is comparable but more cost effective.

This next product is also from my kit and I have a love/hate relationship with it. MAC Cosmetics Fix + is a cult favorite and I keep it in my kit for only one reason; to wet my brush for metallic shadows/more color payoff. I do not like it as setting spray for the whole face because I hate the way the container sprays. I'm picky when it comes to spraying a face of makeup that I've just put so much work and love into. I also find that the bottle tends to leak when I'm transporting it from job to job, so after 2 or 3 bottles completely emptying in my kit, I've committed to only buying this little 1 oz bottle of MAC Fix + from now on, so I don't waste money if it leaks again. I will continue to buy it because it is my favorite for really getting a shimmery/metallic shadow to lay beautifully on the eye and stay well.

Benefit Porefessional Face Primer is my favorite silicone based primer to keep in my kit for almost all of my clients. I love how it smooths out the texture of a client's skin and will always have it in my kit. I've tried other brands' versions and nothing compares to this one for me. Plus most of my clients always say "this smells so good!" and it's nice for clients to have enjoyable situations like this throughout the makeup process. Remember if you are a makeup artist, the experience of doing someone's makeup is just as important as the end result.

This last makeup empty is a personal one, as I am always trying out mascaras from the drugstore. I have had so many people talk about Covergirl Clump Crusher and decided to try this one out. It's the Covergirl Clump Crushers Extensions Mascara in 'Very Black'. Apparently it's supposed to be like the original clump crusher formula but with buildable fiber extensions in it? I don't think it was anything special and if I remmeber correctly, I bought it by accident when wanting to try the original instead. Mental note: Read fine print better Andrea.

Skincare Empties:

These two kind of go together because they were my two favorite makeup removers before I went clean with my skincare. I loved this solid Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter because it isn't liquid which makes it easier to travel with. It also seemed to last forever. The Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water is also great for removing eye and face makeup with a cotton round. If you aren't concerned with clean skincare than I'd recommend them for you, but unfortunately you won't seem in my routine anymore. (In case you are wondering what I have switched to, keep an eye out for my current skincare routine post coming later this week!)

This toner is a repeat and thankfully is clean enough to stay with me through the clean skincare process! It has a few ingredients that register as a 3 but most are 1's which makes this an overall 3 or under product (my goal). There has to be at least a 50% chance that if you are reading this I've either gotten you addicted to this toner or you've heard me talk about it. The Dermadoctor Ain't Misbehavin' Healthy Toner with Glycolic & Lactic Acid is the perfect toner for people who need glycolic and lactic acid in their routine on a daily basis (i.e. many of you especially those who struggle with texture issues, uneven skin tone, breakouts, clogged pores. etc...). It's worth the splurge because it lasts over 6 months and I love that it comes in a glass bottle. I think it's made an appearance in at least 3 empties posts over the years, so you can bet I will continue to purchase it.

I used up a pack of the CosRX Acne Pimple Master Patches and this things are my SAVIORS. I will always keep them on hand because I pop one on clean and unmoisturized skin over my blemish at night and in the morning it is significantly reduced. It works best if the blemish has come to a head already, but I am always excited to see the oil and impurities on the sticker when I remove it in the morning. It makes me feel like a science experiment and I'm weird like that. If you struggle with acne ever PLEASE do yourself a favor and click on the link and snatch some of these up.

I got this sample of the Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum and I couldn't even finish it because of the smell. I thought I could tolerate most smells if I knew the product was helping my skin but I just couldn't get over this one. I included it in this because I've heard great things about this serum but I wanted to recommend that you go into Sephora and ask for a sample to see if you can tolerate before you purchase it.

Next up we have some sheet masks that I used up and this first one was a gift, and thankfully they still sell them on Amazon! The Secret Nature Firming Blueberry Sheet Masks are awesome. I'm happy I received a whole pack of 5 of these because after using the first one, I couldn't believe how plumped and hydrated my skin looked. My fine lines were so minimized and some even gone. It was unreal. While they contain ingredients like fragrance, that I try to stay away from, I will definitely be using up the pack. Again this is a product that I definitely recommend if you aren't as concerned with clean skincare. The other mask I used is from I Dew Care and I bought it in the Let's Get Sheetfaced kit of 14 sheet masks. Unfortunately it is no longer available, but I did like that there were many options in this kit. I definitely recommend getting a kit of different varieties of sheet masks to keep on hand so you always have something for whatever your skin is currently dealing with.

Other Empties:

This category is for hair and body. So I have an issue with wasting products. I cannot just through products out because I no longer want to use them. I have to figure out a way to use them and this first product was no exception. I haven't bought a Victoria Secret or Bath & Body Works body product in ages, I think this one was a gift, because the quality of ingredients is just simply bad. I had this Amber Romance Victoria's Secret Body Wash and instead used about a tablespoon with my bathes to give a little bit of bubbles. This did make it last forever, but at least it's gone and I don't have to feel bad about wasting products. I'm not even going to link it because I do not recommend buying your body products from either of these places.

These next two hair products, the W ella Professionals Enrich Shampoo & Conditioner for Fine/Normal Hair were my favorites before I switched to a cleaner option. I went through a few bottles of them and really did love them. They are great quality if you don't necessarily want clean hair care products and made my hair feel more voluminous and healthy (For reference, I have very flat and fine hair but a lot of it).

The last product I want to share is something I've never talked about on AFB but it has to do with periods so if that bothers you here's your warning. While going clean and toxin free, I swapped out my tampons for organic cotton ones. This was actually one of the first changes I made, probably about 8 or 9 months ago! Through a recommendation of a friend (thanks Mercedes!) I went with This is L and I really do love their organic tampons. I signed up for the subscription on their website which I've linked above and received 20 tampons once a month (10 regular & 10 super) for $7.95 (including shipping). I like that with every purchase they donate to products women in need in high impact areas. So not only are you making a healthier conscious choice for yourself, but you're doing something good for other women at the same time. I will always support companies who have this business model! While I would buy L tampons again, I paused my subscription because I couldn't use them fast enough. Apparently I don't need 20 every month and they were getting backed up in my bathroom. I have also noticed the Cora tampons and decided that once I used up my This is L ones, I would give those a shot. Cora also donates products to women in need and they are organic cotton. I feel like Cora's website is more specific in how your purchase helps those in countries all over the world (including the US) which I really like. I will let you guys know how I like the Cora Tampons when I get to try them. Both companies have subscription options which is really nice so you never have to do a midnight tampon run again (Hello, we've all been there!) I like that Cora is sold on Grove Collaborative which is the online membership service that I use to purchase my natural cleaning products.

This was definitely a longer post than normal but I hope you enjoyed seeing some of the products I've used up recently. It allows me to give you an honest opinion of the product after using it entirely. I hope you enjoyed and shout out to you if you made it to the end of this post! Comment below if you've tried anything I mentioned today!

Have a beautiful week,

Andrea

Disclosure:

Unless noted, all products were purchased with my own money and all opinions are my own.

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.

July 05, 2018

June Favorites (Beauty)

July 05, 2018/ Andrea Fontana

Well it's officially the beginning of a new month which means it's favorites time! I'm changing things up this month and decided to do my favorites as a video instead of a blog post! Leave me a comment below if you prefer watching instead of reading my favorites! Thank you for watching! Also make sure to comment below what your favorite products were this month!

Here are the products and links I mentioned in order of appearance:

NYX Honey Dew Me Up Primer https://amzn.to/2zd0UE3

NYX Dewy Finish Makeup Setting Spray https://amzn.to/2NwZFD4

Stila Magnificent Metals Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow https://amzn.to/2tVa6rW

Jordan Samuel Skin etOILe with Retinol Treatment Oil https://jordansamuelskin.com/products...

Coola Suncare Organic Sunless Tanning Anti-Aging Face Serum https://amzn.to/2lUofAY

Pacifica Rose Flower Hydromist with Kombucha https://amzn.to/2KzCZ7k

Acure Argan Oil & Pumpkin Shampoo and Conditioner https://amzn.to/2tUKdbM

Burt's Bees Milk and Honey Body Lotion https://amzn.to/2MTD56v

FTC: All products were purchased with my own money. All opinions are my own.

Have a wonderful start to July,

Andrea

Changing things up this month and decided to do my favorites as a video instead of a blog post! Leave me a comment below if you prefer watching instead of reading my favorites! Thank you for watching! Also make sure to comment below what your favorite products were this month!

June 26, 2018

10 Summer Skin Care Tips

June 26, 2018/ Andrea Fontana

We've had a season change since I've shared skincare tips so here you go!

1. WEAR YOUR SPF. I just can't write a summer skin care post without mentioning this. So let's do it first to get it over and done with. Just do it. No tan is worth skin cancer. You are just as beautiful with your paler winter skin, as you are in the summer. PROTECT yourself.

2. Apply a Vitamin C serum under your SPF to boost the effects of your SPF...because if you can protect yourself more, why wouldn't you friends?

3. Keep hydrating sheet masks in the fridge for days when you haven't drank as much water, have been out in the sun or salt water, or are just simply overheated. The extra cooling sensation is everything. You'll thank me later!

4. Make sure your skin is getting enough oil. You may notice that in the warmer months your skin gets more oily. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT stop using moisturizer thinking this will fix the problem. You can balance oilier skin, with oil. I know it might seem crazy but stay with me. If you stop moisturizing you can cause your skin to overproduce oil to compensate and then you will become even more oily. Making sure that you have enough oil (mainly at night if you don't want to feel greasy during the day) is vital to helping your skin slow down on it's oil production and feel more balanced. I personally use a facial oil at night and this helps my skin stay balanced.

5. If you suffer from post inflammatory hyper pigmentation (i.e. dark spots from old, healed blemishes) make sure you are covering them with SPF. They will eventually fade, but it will take much longer if you let them get sun and darken. I was very religious about this when I was getting rid of my scars and they all went away much quicker.

6. If you're like me, you like to take your exercise into the outdoors in the summer months. Make sure you are washing your face ASAP after every sweat sesh. If you can't make it to a sink, throw some cleansing wipes into your bag to clean and remove any bacteria.

7. Take advantage of your local farmer's market and buy fresh fruits and veggies. Did you really think I was going to give summer tips without mentioning food? All of the in season fruits and veggies have loads of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients that can boost and protect the health of your skin. If you're not following me on Instagram yet, head over there and check it out (@andreafontanabeauty) and follow along every Tuesday as I share "#BeautyFoodTuesdays to teach you about how specific foods can help your skin.

8. Stick to your routine. I know that with weddings, parties, barbecues and summer patios, it can be easy to get lazy with your skincare routine, but STICK WITH IT. When are skin is looking great, it's easy to get lazy, but I promise you it will be worth it in the long run to be consistent.

9. Carry a hat in your car or purse at all times. You never know when you could get stuck in the sun for longer than expected and it's always great to have some extra shade on hand.

10. Invest in a SPF setting spray to keep in your purse. Having makeup on is not an excuse for not reapplying SPF. Also even if your foundation has SPF in it, it does not protect you all day. I recommend Coola's Sunscreen Makeup Setting Spray for reapplication throughout your day that won't mess up your makeup, but help it last longer!

Happy summer time friends! Let me know if you utilized any of these tips or if you have any of your own!

Have a great day,

Andrea

April 19, 2018

10 Random Skincare Tips

April 19, 2018/ Andrea Fontana

You guys really seem to like when I compile lists of tips or recommendations so I thought I'd compile a little list of 10 tips relating to skincare. Look for one on makeup coming next!

1. Stand away from the shower head. If you don't already face away from it, get into the habit of letting the water hit your backside, not your front side because hot water hitting your face increases dryness.

2. Multi-Mask. Rarely does our entire face need the exact same treatments. You can be breaking out in one area, but super dry another! Don't be afraid to use different masks on different areas to achieve what all of your skin needs.

3. Frozen spoons. If you deal with puffy under eyes due to allergies (hello spring) keep 2 metal spoons at all times in your freezer. Then when you wake up with swollen eyes, you can use the curve of the spoon to fit nicely into the curve of your eye socket to de-puff! This is one of my faves.

4. KEEP THESE ON HAND ALWAYS. I've talked about these before in a favorites video, but you never know when you're going to wake up with a blemish. Once it starts coming to a head, pop of these babies on it before bed (and before you put your moisturizer on so it sticks better) and it will help draw out the impurities and infection while you are sleeping. I cannot tell you enough how quickly these help me heal big blemishes.

5. Press don't pull. When it comes to applying your products, like serums & moisturizer, don't rub it into your skin. Instead, warm up the product in your fingers and press it into your skin all over. This allows you to apply your products without tugging on your skin and doing damage over time.

6. Pay attention to expiration times and write it on your product. 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.

7. Before you take product recommendations from someone, ask what their skin type is. It is pointless to buy your best friend's FAVORITE new moisturizer if they have dry skin and you are really oily. It's important to know what their skin is like before buying skincare or facial makeup products that work for them. Unfortunately not everything works for everyone so be sure that the product is ideal for your skin type first!

8. Give your skin a break. If you wear makeup on a regular basis, give your skin a break by going makeup free one or two days a week! I cannot tell you how nice it will feel to let your skin breathe. While makeup is fun, it's important to embrace the natural beauty of your naked face.

9. Keep a variety of products on hand. While it's good to have a set routine for your skin, it's important to know and accept that your skin won't need the same thing every single day. Having products (like different moisturizers for different levels of hydration for example) on hand, will allow you to always be ready to treat your skin with what it needs that day.

10. Invest in good quality. I cannot recommend this enough. It's probably something you've heard a million times but I cannot stress enough how important it is to spend your money first on your skincare, before makeup. Quality products usually last longer as well because you use less product. However, not all products have a justified price tag, so be sure to ask a professional (like me!) before purchasing if a product seems really expensive.

I hope you enjoyed this fun little list of tips! If you have any good skincare tips be sure to comment below and leave your favorites! Tips are always fun to learn.

Have a beautiful day,

Andrea

April 16, 2018

Make Your Own Chemical-Free Body Scrub

April 16, 2018/ Andrea Fontana

I have a really great body scrub currently in my bathroom that I love and while reading the ingredients I realized I could very easily make a similar type of body scrub with ingredients from my pantry. This got me to thinking that I might as well make it for you guys and share with you how I made it.

The ingredients you'll need are few and you can edit this recipe as much as you want and create your own unique scrub.

You will need:
- Coffee grounds (I used organic french vanilla from TJ's because I love how they smell)
- Coconut oil (Again I used organic unrefined so it still has the coconut smell)
- Brown sugar (you could use granulated white sugar but I like how soft brown sugar is)
- Essential Oils (I used peppermint to make my scrub SMELL LIKE A THIN MINT!)
- Some sort of container (I used a mason jar with a screw top lid)

Now the exact amounts you use will be completely dependent on how big your container is and the consistency that you like. I personally like my scrubs to be wet but really crumbly so that I get a good exfoliation (REMEMBER use these scrubs on wet skin only and NEVER on your face).

In my jar I mixed 5 tablespoons of coffee grounds with 5 tablespoons of brown sugar. I mashed them together to make sure that they were evenly mixed and then added 1 tablespoon of melted coconut oil. Next, I added about 10 drops of peppermint essential oil and when I smelled it I WAS IN HEAVEN. Thin mint in ajar. I cannot wait to smear this all over my body tomorrow when I shower.

If you are looking for a chemical free body scrub, this is a great way to make your own! The coffee is stimulating due to the caffeine and will help with circulation. The brown sugar will exfoliate all of your dead winter skin cells off, and the coconut oil is great for moisturizing your skin!

If you make a scrub and use different oils or measurements be sure to leave a comment below and let me know what concoctions you create!! I honestly don't think I'll ever buy body scrubs again!