Why I love the Color-Blocking Trend

One of this seasons hottest trends is the contrast between two unconventional colors set side by side for a visual pop.  This trend is being seen on runways everywhere; on everything from casual wear, high end couture gowns, pumps and even hair styles.

I don't know about you all, but I have been working on saving any extra cash wherever I can get it.  But realistically it's hard to pass on my favorite beauty splurges.  Since I can't do without my gel manicures, color-blocking has come to the rescue to not only help me save a few bucks but also have a do it myself fashion go to!

By going a couple extra weeks between a new manicure I have taken the gross grown-out look to my advantage.  This week I took about 5 minutes to fill in those grown out areas with a contrasting color conventional polish and touch up the dulled-out tips on top. The benefit of the gel manicure allows you to use your at home polish and switch it up with nail polish remover without damaging the gel color. Having fun with it!   I added a few rhinestones to my thumb for a little sparkle! Trendy and money savvy! Check it out!

I Buy Based on Looks - Yea I said It!

Today I took particular care to notice which counters I avoided, because these are counters I always avoid, I tried to figure out why.  Here’s a picture of the Bobbi Brown counter that I can tell you right now I have literally never visited and until today don’t even remember ignoring.  

 Just look at it! The counter is SO cluttered and overwhelming that I wouldn’t even know where to start. For someone well versed in skincare and beauty products this might be heaven but to me it is a complete and utter nightmare.  I have also taken a picture of a recent MAC display that the MAC Pro told me has done amazing in sales. 

HUGE DIFFERENCE!!  This display has the eye shadow cream product in all the colors and one type of mascara in the new shades – a photo example of what you can do with these two products and that’s IT!   Perfect, great, I can handle that!  This is exactly why I am drawn to MAC in their more visually appealing displays, because in all reality I need as much handholding as possible when it comes to this type of stuff! 

Today I walked out of Nordstrom with a wish list a mile long.   The two items that are no question at the top of this list are the Clarisonic life-saving brush as well as the brightly colored mascara’s from MAC.  I also have set a mental date for the pre-release of MAC’s summer collection which I was told will arrive on May 18^th!  Oh, I will be there with bells on!

Nordstrom is Where You Will Find Me

Today I took a usual trip down to Nordstrom at Scottsdale Fashion Square.  This mall is where I go to think, relax, peruse the stores, and when the time is right – I shop like no one’s business!   Not only do I enjoy visiting this mall to see what is new in stores but I also love to go and see what people are actually wearing.  This mall, and Nordstrom specifically has become the center of Arizona fashion and beauty products. First and foremost I love Nordstrom because of their friendly and never pushy sales associates.  Even more-so I feel comfortable trying out new products purchased from Nordstrom because of their notoriously liberal return/exchange policies.  I know that if a product doesn’t deliver what it promises, I can return to the store with literally no hassles for expecting the product to produce the desired results.  Other than this Nordstrom carries about all the same beauty and skincare product lines that most other high-end department stores do with the exception of its main draw; MAC Cosmetics. 

Typically at Nordstrom I buy my Bare Minerals products, check out the other counters like Smashboxx, Benefit and Chanel just to see what’s new, but more often than not you can find me at the MAC counter.   They have no question the largest beauty product section right next to the escalator and they always have about 6 extremely well trained MAC beauty experts to help you right away.   Their counter is so well organized that it is easy to select an entire skincare regimen based on your needs by yourself if it just so happens that pigs have begun to fly and there isn’t anyone around to help you.  This is also a counter directed specifically for my age group.  I feel comfortable here and feel welcomed to ask questions or ask for help.  I am telling you if MAC had never come into my life I would probably be sporting a clown face right now; I was absolutely clueless before them! 

The feeling of being welcomed is ever-present throughout all of Nordstrom, though the sales associates at the other counters are slightly less relatable to me as a 25 year old though they really are nice enough.   Today I took a trip over to the skincare products and accessories section which I admit is the most daunting of all department store sections to me.  It just LOOKS expensive, foreign and overwhelming.  For the sake of this blog I ventured over and was greeted by a gorgeous six foot something European model-looking woman asking if she “cooould ‘elp me en eny whay”.   Between being flawless and sweet I asked her if there were one item in the skincare section I had to have what it would be.  Without hesitation she took me to the Clarisonic counter and completely sold me on the $150 pore minimizing, skin buffing, ultra cleansing gift from heaven that I will be running back to the store for as soon as my play money fund allows it!   

 I think that even if Giselle Bundchen weren’t telling me how the Clarisonic will revolutionize my life, I probably would have been drawn to this product even on my own.  The display was clear, concise and honest.  I could pick up the product and try it out if I wanted. The price was shown bluntly and the advantages of owning this expensive equipment were made abundantly clear right away.  To be honest the other sections were terrifying as usual; being mostly in French, unpronounceable and for maladies I didn’t even knew existed. 

It Never Hurts to be Open Minded

I would have to say that I do the least skincare work compared to most of my friends.  I should probably do more preventative maintenance for aging and exfoliation but I simply dread working too hard on beauty routines.  I like to simplify and get to the basics and be done with it!!

My very best girlfriend is extremely religious about her skincare routine; I've seen that girl cleanse, tone and moisturize her skin while black out drunk! Phew, now that is dedication that I simply do not have!   My cousin has the most gorgeous milky white complexion that I am not exaggerating, is absolutely flawless.   She has more skincare products than anyone on the planet and her routine could stump a rocket scientist, but whatever she is doing is clearly working for her.  I've tried to take pointers from her, but like I said before what works for her just doesn't work for me; our complexions and skincare needs are completely different.

It's Been A Learning Experience

Over the years I can safely say that I have tried dozens and dozens of different skincare products and routines.  I've jumped on the band wagon of so many products that so many of my friends swear by and been disappointed.  I've splurged on beauty magazine must-haves and strongly regretted the "investment".  Unfortunately this is the essential truth of beauty products in that they are different for everyone and we all will have different results.   Very rarely have I been lucky trying out the product I painstakingly selected after 30 minutes of careful label reading at Target.

For me, the surefire route to the most cost effective and helpful products is to visit a licensed Aesthetician who you know works with a variety of different product lines.   I have found aestheticians to be truly helpful because of their wide knowledge of skin and how to best treat what ails it.  But like anybody who sells anything it is important to be wary of the "up-sell".  Ask for samples of their products.  They shouldn't have any qualms with this as they know better than anyone that all of our skin types are different and react differently to products.

The most important thing I have ever learned about skincare is to be diligent in the care of your skin.  The frequency and consistency of cleansing and skin treatments are vital to skin health.  A product that I absolutely could not live without that I have yet to mention are my SPF products!  I live in Scottsdale, Arizona...it is sunny here practically every day of the year which is great, but not great on my skin.  I always buy makeup with at least a small amount of SPF in it, and always be sure to put on a strong sun block like Neutrogena's Ultra Sheer Sunblock Liquid SPF 70, if I know that I will be out in the sun for any prolonged amount of time.   I like this product in particular because it has a very light consistency, no strong scents, doesn't look or feel greasy and will not make you break out -- oh and not to mention it is only $7!

I was never too careful with my skin around sun.  I grew up running around for hours out doors or splashing in the pool frequently getting at least a dozen severe sun burns each summer. At 25 I am starting to see the effects of this carelessness and for the past couple years have been very careful about my sensitive skin on my face, neck and chest.  Take a look around at those weathered bodies you see at the pool...the leathered, wrinkled skin just isn't pretty ladies.  I am sure by the time I am 30 I will probably require some sort of laser resurfacing treatment or another to help repair the damage I caused when I was young and reckless.  But that doesn't mean I should go ahead and further the damage I have already caused.

Hats, hats, HATS are now my best friend in the sun!

My Mirror

Written from the perspective of my bathroom mirror:

I've seen how you look at me, frankly I miss absolutely NOTHING.  I think that may be why you give me those looks sometimes.  I am always so glad to see you in the morning, sometimes I don't think you feel the same.  I know I don't have the best lit room in the house, but I do my best to reflect you beautifully!    Sometimes I wish you would smile more at the positive attributes of your skin rather than focus on those blemishes sometimes!

You do a great job with your skincare routine, you are very diligent and consistent.  I wish I were as well cared for as much as your face is!  No need to stress, you are beautiful, even those little blemishes can't hold you back!

A Day In The Life of My Skin

8:45 am - I wake up to my 4 lb Chihuahua standing on my chest licking my forehead.  Ugh, it's sweet but I'm not the only one with morning breath! Time to hop in the shower and get the day started!  I like to run the water pretty hot while I make my morning espresso to get the bathroom pretty steamed up to get my pores open, then cool the water a bit before I hop in so I don't over-dry my skin.  I apply one full pump of the RA Pumpkin Cleanser and spend about 45 seconds massaging it into my face and neck.  I let it sit for about a minute before rinsing to get the most benefits.

9:15 am - First thing I dry my pat dry my face and apply two sprays of the RA Raspberry Lotion toner to a cotton pad and swab my face and neck with this delicious smelling toner.  This product does a great job of killing off any remaining bacteria, cleaning out the pores I missed in the shower and evening my skin tone.  The natural raspberry ingredients also help fight oil production throughout the day, which I definitely need!  I then apply a pump of the RA Aloe Matte Moisturizer with my finger tips paying special attention to under my eyes and my neck.  I usually fan my skin dry with my hands and apply a pump of the Bare Essentials Oil Control Primer to help block oil production throughout my day.   Alright, it's makeup time!   I apply my Benefit Erase Paste under my eyes and on the troubled acne spots.  I am feeling better about my skin already!  I place two pumps of my beloved MAC Pro Longwear Foundation to the back of my left hand and I use my MAC 191 Square Foundation Brush (well worth the dough) to smooth the foundation evenly across my skin.  I like to section my face into four quadrants so that the color looks even and well blended.  At this point my skin is glowing and I am almost ready to leave the house, thank goodness because I hate spending too much time getting ready.  I dust and blend my foundation with the MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Powder to set the foundation and get just the right glow.  I curl my lashes, apply MAC Studio Fix Mascara in Black Fix.  I dust my cheeks with the MAC Mineralize Powder Blush and I am all set for the day!

12:30 pm -  I've just had lunch and catch a glimpse in the mirror for the first time since this morning.  It's been a busy day at the office.  I grab the e.l.f. Shine Eraser Oil Blotting Sheets I bought at Target for .99 out of my purse to pick up some of the oil that has managed to surpass all the oil blockers I have applied today.  Not the products fault, I swear my skin is rich in oil like Exxon, I only wish it were as beneficial to me as it is to them.

5:15 pm - Leaving the office and headed out for an after work cocktail with my gals.  I re-apply the MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Powder to freshen my foundation.  I glam up a bit and throw on some Bare Essentials Buxom Plumping Lip Gloss.

9:45 pm - It's been a great day, but time to get all this stuff off of my face!! I first remove my eye makeup with a generic eye makeup remover and a cotton pad because I like to wash the oily residue off as soon as possible.  I warm up the water and cleanse my skin with the RA Pumpkin cleanser again.  I pat dry and apply the RA Raspberry Toner again followed by the Aloe Matte Moisturizer.  For the seemingly inevitable blemish I carefully apply a tiny amount of product to a q-tip and sparingly dab directly onto the intruder.  I am super allergic so I try to use as little as possible and let it touch my sensitive skin as little as possible.   Time for some beauty sleep girl!

A Girl Can Dream Can't She?

I am extremely happy with my current skincare products, but we can all dream can't we?  Ideally I would love to have all of these products in one magical bottle! Any way to minimize the process would really make me one happy girl!   Even more ideally I would love instead to prevent the acne rather than fight it after its arrival. 

Not only am I concerned about my adult acne, but I am beginning to worry about fine lines and wrinkles around my eyes and forehead.  I would love a product for a 25 year old which isn't insanely expensive but helpful in preventing deep wrinkles for the future.

Skincare Products in Depth

Rhonda Allison Product Line

This product line was introduced to me by a licensed aesthetician.  We made a list of the issues I have with my skin as well as the results I would like to achieve.  This coupled with my ridiculous sensitivity to acne products, she introduced me to this natural skincare line.

Pumpkin Cleanser - This cleanser is great at evening my combination skin out while fighting the bacteria ridden acne.  I have noticed it really helps minimize my pores as well. I love that it smells like Thanksgiving dessert and simply feels luxurious on my skin!   I use this in my morning shower after the warm water and steam have opened my pores.  I simply apply with my finger tips and allow to sit for a minute or so before I rinse it off.  I also cleanse before bed!

Raspberry Lotion - This is fantastic product is called a lotion, but is in actuality a toner.  I apply this right after the shower and my pores are still open and freshly cleaned.  I spray about two pumps onto a cotton pad and smooth over my skin until I simply can't apply anymore! 

Aloe Vera Moisturizer - I apply a pea sized amount of this product right after the raspberry lotion has tried.  I simply pat it lightly around my eyes and smooth it on my cheeks and forehead in a circular motion.  It is slightly sticky but dries like silk. 

Bare Minerals Oil Control Primer - Right after the moisturizer has set in I apply this primer in the morning before my foundation.  It is a clear gel which smooths on like heaven. It does a great job of controlling my oily skin throughout the day.  

Once a week I use the Rhonda Allison Green Tea Mask.  This product is great to treat my acne and soothe any skin redness.  It doesn't smell too great but is well worth the 15 minutes a week!

I Can't Live Without : Beauty Product

MAC Pro Longwear SPF 10 Foundation

The truth is, my skin is problematic and while I try my very best to avoid breakouts and treat them quickly, sometimes there is just no avoiding acne.  This foundation is absolutely phenomenal at covering my skin without looking like I am wearing a mud mask. It is great at evening my skin tone while still letting my skin shine through. It does all this, is longwear yet won't worsen my breakouts! What more could I ask for?! 

While I am a low maintenance girl, this is definitely my most high maintenance of products.  When applying it is important to use a dense foundation brush or sponge to apply it and smooth quickly over the skin.  You have to be quick in the application otherwise you'll end up with globs of color where it is first applied.   It is to be expected but the longwear nature of this product makes it particularly troublesome to remove.  I recommend washing your face really well, possibly twice to ensure that it is entirely gone.  Be sure to have a MAC professional match your color so that you get the best results.  There is nothing worse than looking like you are wearing a force-field of gooey color! All in all, this is a great product, it's only downfalls are a necessary evil for its greatness!  

I Can't Live Without : Skincare Product

Rhonda Allison Pumpkin Cleanser

This cleanser has been my life-saver!  My sensitive skin will react to just about any acne cleanser and the reaction isn't pretty.  This yummy scented cleanser does the job and leaves my skin feeling absolutely fantastic. It has been formulated from "natural pumpkin, surface reducing lipids, and essential oils provide important nutrition for the skin while giving skin a deep pore cleanse".  This product is worth every penny, no matter your skin type you will not be disappointed!

When using the cleanser, only a tiny bit is necessary to get the job done.  The bottle pump puts out just the right amount to cleanse your face without wasting a drop.  It is simple enough to use, just like any other cleanser.  I usually allow it to sit on my face for about a minute before I wash it off so that all of the benefits have an opportunity to seep in, plus it gives me a chance to enjoy the natural pumpkin scent.  I wouldn't change anything about this product except possibly I wish that there were more pumpkin products like it in the RA line.  This stuff is heaven in a little clear bottle! 

This cleanser is gentle enough on my extremely sensitive skin, while strong enough to treat the acne and soothe my oily/dry combination skin.

Meet: The Cover-Up Team

Like I've mentioned, I am a girl on the go! My makeup collection is fairly concise and I actually keep it all thrown in a makeup bag so I always have it with me.  I have two defined makeup collections; one for casual wear, and one for work, dates, or other "out" occasions.   My casual set is the Bare Essentials line because it is light, quick and gentle on my skin.  My more formal makeup set consists of mostly MAC products because it's great for heavy-duty coverage and is truly long wear.  Both product lines are fantastic and my sensitive skin friendly.   

I don't know about you, but when I look at pictures of me out with my girls on a Friday night, I cringe when it looks like I just rolled out of bed.  I loathe not looking like I have any makeup on, but I hate looking like I have too much makeup on even more! For the best of both worlds I utilize these two different makeup routines to be quick, yet look appropriate for any situation. 

Meet: The Arsenal!

Meet the arsenal :

Caring for my skin has been a complete roller-coaster.  I began noticing hormonal acne when I was 13 and began to use strong Clearasil, benzoyl peroxide type products which did a pretty good job at the time.  When I was 17 I began on hormone medication which vastly took care of all of my skin concerns until I was 23 and my body began rejecting the hormones. Ugh, of course.  For the past two years I have had horrific acne and overwhelming oily skin.  As an adult now experiencing the worst acne of my life, I feel ridiculous trying to deal with this when everyone else I know had this all figured out a decade ago!   I attempted the strong acne fighting products which worked wonders as a teen, until I soon discovered a severe allergy to these products which actually could be deadly if used in excess.   My solution; all natural products composed of mostly non-traditional acne medications.  Of course, the expensive stuff!

I use at least four of the products I have pictured above everyday; and that's on a good-skin day.  I wash with the Pumpkin Cleanser after opening my pores in a warm shower, then apply the Raspberry Toner with a cotton pad.  After this dries I pamper my skin with the Aloe Moisturizer.  I usually let this sit for about five minutes and apply the Oil Blocking Primer.  These four products combined cost easily over $100.  It all is absolutely splurge worthy because after I apply these products in the morning I already feel confident and beautiful even before I apply any makeup.

Meet: My Skin...dun, dun, dun!

Without makeup, my skin isn't even close to magazine cover flawless.  I have redness, freckles, scarring, ridiculously oily spots right next to flaky dry patches.  It is infuriating!  I would liken my relationship with my skin to that of a war.  I have a highly regimented routine to battle the bacterial enemy of acne, the oily patches, the dry spots, and now that I am 25, the new fine lines and wrinkles so kindly on the attack.  I use my arsenal of cleansers, toners, lotions, masks, primers, and spot treatments as my skin unleashes hormonal acne, cystic acne, oil, dryness, redness, wrinkles, and my new favorite - severe allergies, without any warning or regard my plans.  Ugh! I am telling you, it's a war zone out there! 

I can't believe I am posting a picture of my skin at the moment, but here it is:

This is particularly bad for me.  Notice the redness from recently healed breakouts, scarring from old breakouts and current spots that I wish would stop already!

My Beauty Secret Do's and Dont's

DO:

• Be REALLY consistent in your beauty regimen!
• Find what works and use it! 
• Be honest about your skin, your body, your best assets and play them up!
• Consult the professionals.  Aestheticians, Makeup Artists and hair dressers are paid to do what they do for a reason! Sometimes your girlfriends don't ALWAYS know best.
• Splurge on the items that are worth it.

DON'T: 

• Use products just because they are trendy or celebrities use them - we really are all unique.
• Fall into a routine that doesn't work, be open to try something new if it's called for!
• Torture your skin - treat it with care.  Don't punish it for being so problematic.
• Stress about breakouts, this will make it worse!

If you Know it Works, It's Worth It!

Confidence is and always will be the foundation of what makes me feel beautiful inside and out.  But what keeps the compliments coming from those around me is my cleansing routine.  With over 12 years of trying out just about everything in the drugstore acne cleanser aisle, various expensive trips to department store counters, the best solution I have found for my cleansing routine came from a licensed aesthetician.  Trust me none of this was cheap, but I will tell you the trip to the spa was eye-opening and SO worth it!  After one visit with an aesthetician who really sat down and listened to my needs and concerns, I was introduced to my all time favorite product line which I absolutely swear by; Rhonda Allison.

I used this splurge worthy product line religiously until I recently decided that I would try and branch out to find a less expensive option -- I don't know what I was thinking!! After the third happy hour cancellation on my group of girlfriends in a row, my best friend slapped a bit of sense back into me.   She called asking why I kept flaking on my beloved girl-time, and when I told her my answer worthy of a 16 year old she asked what had changed recently to be ruining my social life.  I'll get to this later, but she laughed at me and reminded me that if I am lucky enough to already know what the solution to my skincare nightmare is, then to buy it!  Even the most irrationally expensive of skincare products are well worth the self-esteem points!

Beautiful Me!!

Hey all!  Thanks for stopping by my blog! My name is Alesha and I hope to share with you  everything I have come to know about skincare and makeup; and trust me it's all been through costly trial and error.   Above is a picture of me strapped in on a roller coaster, which is a well suited metaphor for my relationship with my skin! I am 25 and I have frustratingly high maintenance skin.  As a low maintenance, laid back girl always on the go, my skin is continually a concern dancing in the back of my mind I just wish would go away.  I have spent the past 12 years trying out the latest and greatest products in hopes of streamlining my beauty regimen so that this high maintenance skin can finally be low maintenance more like me.  Hopefully I can help save you some time, money and effort through sharing my experience with you on this blog. 

I will admit, I was the kid in junior high who would beg my parents to stay home from school on days when Mt. Vesuvius would emerge smack dab in the middle of my face.  If my parents had let me have my way I would have missed a LOT of school.  Fortunately with age and experience has come the knowledge that the most important beauty secret is; and I know I run this risk of sounding irritatingly cheesy here but, confidence.   With confidence and a sincerely positive attitude beauty can't help but shine through even the most problematic of skin.  I'll continue with the honesty here that I still consider calling in a sick-day when I wake to a hideous break-out as a 25 year old woman!   I have come to view my relationship with my skin like a war-torn battleground, and my biggest weapon, is my Confidence!  Even with an embarrassing break-out I remain vigilant with my skincare routine, apply a little extra concealer and head out to face the world with a smile, whether I'd really like to or not! This to me is the source of my beauty.