Stephie Estie

Skin Tip: Spring Cleaning Your Skincare!

Spring is here and while you’re busy spring cleaning your house, don’t forget about your skincare too!  Now is the time to analyze what’s working for you and what isn’t.  Perhaps your moisturizer is feeling too heavy now that the weather is warming up so switching to a lighter one helps. Also, spring usually brings about allergies and certain medications can cause your skin to become sensitive temporarily so keep that in mind in case your skin all of a sudden feels a bit sensitive.

I apologize for not posting on Tuesday and yesterday but I needed time to regroup after the UCLA Extension course. It was an amazing class and I am excited to take future classes with them. 🙂

Have a lovely weekend readers! 

Stephanie 

 

Skin Tip: Keeping Blackheads at Bay!

Happy Friday readers!

Blackheads are a main concern for most people but using a clay based mask helps decongest skin while exfoliating helps keep the skin’s surface clear from dead skin cells and debris that can accumulate over time. Just remember to exfoliate in moderation! 🙂

I will be at UCLA these next few days for an intensive course in Cosmetic Chemistry so my apologies if I can’t get to you right away but I will when I get a moment. 🙂

Have a safe and wonderful weekend,

Stephanie

Sephora VIB Guide and Wishlist!

 

 

HEP

Hello readers and happy Thursday!  Starting today, Sephora kicks off it’s 15% sale for VIB members (yay!) and I thought it would be nice to create a guide for some higher end products that are worth every penny but when you can apply a discount, well, why not! 🙂

 

Makeup

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer (Illuminating)- Perfect for creating a healthy glow and excellent for aging skin.  Also available in oil free version and regular tinted moisturizer.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush- Amazing blush that is blends effortlessly, provides a subtle glow and is a go-to for my simple makeup routine.

YSL Glossy Stains- Love these stains as they don’t feel drying and are highly pigmented.

HE Makeup

Fragrance

Givenchy Ange ou Demon Le Secret- This perfume has been a staple for years and is just very unique with notes of cranberry, green tea, white peony, sambac jasmine, blond woods and white musks.

Giorgio Armani Si- New to my collection, this fragrance delivers a sophisticated scent with notes of pear, freesia and amber wood.

HE Fragrance

Hair

Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo- A great travel item to toss in your purse and use on the go.  Read my full review here.

Drybar

Skincare

Kate Somerville Exfolikate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment- This green tinged product is one of my favorite exfoliators that leaves my skin soft plus I love the scent.

Kate Somerville

My Wishlist

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette 

hourglassambientlightingpalette6

Nars Audacious Lipsticks- looking at shades Greta, Raquel and Anita 

NARS-Audacious

 

Laura Mercier Silk Creme Oil Free Photo Edition Foundation 

Laura Mercier

Marc Jacobs Beauty Genius Gel Super-Charged Oil Free Foundation 

 marc jacobs

 

I may tweak a few items here and there but this is what’s on my list so far!

Tell me, what are you planning to get or what’s on your wishlist? 

Stephanie 

 

Fresh Black Tea Firming Overnight Mask Review!

Fresh

Hi everyone!  Thank you so much to all who sent me their well wishes!  I appreciate it!  I’m just waiting for the results now.

Today I have a review on a sample I received at Sephora from Fresh.  Here’s my take on this product. 🙂

Described as a mask that works in sync with the skin’s natural nighttime recovery process to achieve a lifted, firmer look by the morning. The intensely moisturizing treatment has a corset-like effect on the skin, giving the appearance of a visibly more defined, contoured complexion.”

Pros

Hydrating

Absorbs quickly

Not heavily scented

Good antioxidants

Cons

Pricey

Peptides are towards the bottom of the list

May not provide drastic firming results as claimed

Added fragrance

At a Quick Glance

Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester– peptide that can help strengthen skin (elastic fibers); sensitive skin soother and anti-aging ingredients.

Lychee– brightens, rejuvenates and protects skin caused by dehydration and UV damage.

Black Tea Ferment– provides anti aging effects and enhances skin smoothness.

 

Bottom Line: I think this product has a good range of anti-oxidants, including green tea, emollients and moisturizers and would be great for those who have normal, dry or combination skin that is looking for added moisture;my face felt nice and hydrated.  Although it doesn’t feel heavy and absorbs quickly, I wouldn’t recommend this for oily/acne prone skin.  It has peptides that can help strenghten the skin however I don’t feel it’s concentrated enough to make a drastic difference in respects to firming capabilities.  For the price, personally I would instead invest in a product that is more concentrated with peptides or a professional treatment if you’re looking for better firming properties. However, if you want a hydrating mask with great antioxidants and have the money to spend, this would be a great product to try out.

Have you tried this product? What are your thoughts? 

Stephanie 

Skin Tip: Over Exfoliating Can Lead to Sensitivity!

Happy Friday readers!

Over the weekend I had a consultation with someone who was concerned with dry and tight feeling skin. After asking her questions regarding lifestyle and product use, I learned that she was exfoliating daily with a cleanser that had tiny beads.  While exfoliating is great, moderation, like anything else is key.  Too much can cause sensitivity, inflammation and dry skin as the skin’s protective barrier  becomes impaired.  Limit use to 2-3x per week.

Quick updates: 

My laptop got some kind of weird virus so that’s getting fixed over the weekend but I apologize if I am behind on comments and commenting on your posts;it’s a bit difficult to keep up with a phone/tablet.

Next week is my UCLA class and I’ll be busy trying to get everything in order but I have a few short posts lined up.  Here’s to hoping nothing else goes wrong. 🙂

If any of you pray, please keep me in your prayers- I’d really appreciate it.  I have been sick on and off for about two months now and I feel some of the medications I’ve taken have led to other problems.  It is very frustrating when you get rid of one issue and something else pops up.  I have two doctor’s appointments Monday so I hope I can start getting this resolved.

Have a lovely weekend, 

Stephanie 

Real Techniques Blush Brush Review!

 

RT Main

 

Hi readers! It’s almost Friday again.  This week kind of flew by right?

A little over a month ago I asked you guys which blush brush (a bit of a tongue twister there) you recommended and Real Techniques received the majority of votes. So, I went out to purchase it and here are my thoughts.

RT

Described as : “The final step is a perfect finish. Contour and define cheeks for flawlessly blended, high-definition results with this blush brush by Real Techniques; ultra-plush, synthetic taklon bristles are hand-cut and 100% cruelty-free; self-standing for easy storage; extended aluminum handle is light and easy to use.”

Pros

Affordable price $8.99

As of now, it hasn’t shed

Soft bristles

Self-standing

Works for blush, bronzer and powder

Blends most powder formulas easily

Cons

Takes a few passes to build up color

Sometimes matte formulas apply uneven/patchy

Not as travel friendly as my small MAC blush brush

Bottom Line: Aside from the few cons, I absolutely love this brush.  It took me a while to get used to how light and fluffy the brush is compared to the denser bristles from my MAC one but I learned what works best for me.  For bronzer and blush, I have to hold the base of the brush to get a better color concentration and for powder, gripping the top of the brush allows for a light dusting to set makeup. As long as the colors aren’t too matte, I find this brush blends powder formulas easily and doesn’t tug the skin. Storing it is also easy as it is not dependent on a brush holder; it can stand on top of a vanity, table, etc.

Thanks for stopping by and make sure to tune in tomorrow for my weekly skin tip!

Best,

Stephanie

 

 

 

Reader Question: What Causes Dark Circles?

 

question mark

Hello everyone! Hoping everyone had a great Easter weekend!

I’ve been asked about what I recommend for dark circles before and more recently Katie from Plus+Beauty also mentioned this concern (hi Katie!).

Q: What’s good for dark circles under the eyes?

A:

Dark circles can be caused by:

  • Sun damage
  • Veins and/ or capillaries showing through the skin
  •  Allergies
  •  Genetics

What to Use/Do

  • Products with retinol or vitamin C can help brighten the area.
  • An eye cream with SPF and sunglasses can help prevent more darkening if it’s caused by the sun.
  • Talking to your doctor if allergies are the culprit to see what options are available
  •  A peach colored concealer can help neutralize the appearance of dark circles
  •  Sometimes fillers like Radiesse or light treatments can help.

Product Recommendations

  • Kate Somerville Line Release Under Eye Repair
  • Algenist Firming and Lifting Eye Gel
  • Dermaologica Total Eye Care SPF 15
  • Le Miuex Eye Wrinkle Corrector
  • Renee Rouleau Vitamin C Eye Brightener
  • Eve Pearl Dual Salmon Concealer

These are a few products I have tried and liked but if you have another eye cream that works, please share!

Have a lovely Tuesday!

Stephanie

Skin Tip: Combat Aging and Acne at the Same Time!

Using products with retinol is great when you have acne and anti-aging concerns since retinol boosts collagen production and increases your cell’s turnover process.

Enjoy Easter weekend and see you next week!

Stephanie  

 

Success Is…

palos verdes day 2 2014 052

Hi everyone!  I have another quote I found and loved accompanied by this amazing picture taken by my  sister. Enjoy the beautiful California scenery! 🙂

Originally, I read the quote in Spanish but I translated it up at the top.  I think this quote holds a lot of merit.  Often, we equate success with material items and while I am not saying acquiring these things isn’t great, we are also successful when we evolve as a person.  Everyone has fears that hold them back from accomplishing goals but what were to happen of we decided to step out of our comfort zone? Would we grow emotionally, spiritually or physically?  Perhaps therein would lie your success and who knows what endless possibilities it will lead to!

Do you agree? What’s your definition of success?

Stephanie