Whatever your style, summer is supposed to be about relaxation, the outdoors, and activities. Depending on where you’re from and what the weather’s like, for the most part this involves water sports: surfing, body surfing, swimming, boating, sailing, etc.

If you’re going to be out in the sun and exerting all that energy, you’re going to be working up a sweat and exposing your body to some harsh rays.

Take a breather and throw on some sunscreen and oil-free sunscreen for the face to keep your skin healthy. Drink lots of water to stay hydrated: even though you may be soaking wet, your body on the inside may be parched. Wear a hat if it’s possible, and cover up just a little bit: I know we all are proud of our bodies and want to flaunt them in bikinis, but sometimes in the name of healthy bodies and conscientious summertime adventures, we need to cover up a little to protect our bodies from harmful rays.

But this isn’t an advertisement for sunscreen, this is about the best makeup necessities for summer! You’re going to have to change your makeup regime thanks to the weather: no more caking on the foundation, now you need a light powder. No more blush, it’s now all about the bronzer. And no more standard mascara – you need waterproof! Remember all of those sports, and all of that water we were talking about above? Well if you don’t want to look like a raccoon, you’re going to need to invest in some waterproof mascara. Skip the eyeliner and the lip liner and the lipstick: go light and sheer with colors and glosses, and if you need some definition use the waterproof mascara, but really try to limit yourself. Otherwise you’ll look so unnatural!

Related posts:

1. Smart Sunscreens for Summer
2. Great Mascara Alert – Dior Black Out Mascara
3. Summer Make-up Tips!

There’s no rest for the beauty savvy – it’s time to draw the line between skin care fact and fiction.

Myth: I don’t need a separate sunscreen – my foundation includes SPF!

They can’t hurt – you can never get too much SPF – but powders and foundation alone simply don’t provide sufficient sun protection. It is almost impossible to apply enough makeup to get the necessary SPF coverage (you’d go through about a bottle of foundation a week if you did!). There are many great makeup products that include SPF, but remember to always use them on top of – and not instead of – sunscreen.

Don't skip the suncreen!

Myth: Ingredients that end in “acid” are all unnatural chemicals and should be avoided.

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are actually naturally occurring organic acids (although they may also be produced synthetically). Glycolic and lactic acids, for example, are derived from sugar cane and sour milk respectively. (In fact, Cleopatra is said to have washed her face with sour milk, an early antecedent of today’s lactic acid peels. How’s that for staying power?)

Salicylic acid, which is sometimes called beta hydroxy acid, can be derived from willow tree bark, but is generally produced synthetically. There is no reason to avoid any of these ingredients (although pregnant and breast-feeding women should not use salicylic acid) – in fact, they’re some of the most effective in the skin care arsenal!

Myth: Popping a pimple will make it go away faster.

Not necessarily! I always tell my patients that the safest thing to do is apply blemish spot treatments that contain salicylic acid to the affected area – that will dry the pimple out quickly, without the risk of scarring that comes with popping. Some of my favorite products are Mario Badescu Drying Lotion, Kiehl’s Blue Herbal Spot Treatment, and Bobbi Brown Overnight Blemish Paste.

If you do consider popping a pimple, it must be one with a clearly defined area of pus in the middle; don’t just try to squeeze a red bump, which will only worsen the inflammation. If your skin tends to stay darkly pigmented long after a scrape or bug bite heels, however, popping a pimple is never a good idea.

Myth: My moisturizer is an anti-wrinkle miracle – I’ve noticed fewer fine lines since I started using it.

Depends on what you mean by “anti-wrinkle.” If you like the way your skin looks after using a certain product, that’s certainly enough reason to love it – but be aware that the skin care industry has been known to tout products as more of a “miracle” than they really are.

The humectant ingredients (glycerin, sorbitol, sodium hyaluronate, urea, propylene glycol, and alpha hydroxy acids, for example) of many moisturizers draw water into the skin, causing slight plumping that gives the perception of smoother skin with fewer wrinkles.

That short-term effect, however, does not mean that you’re fighting wrinkles in the long term. Furthermore, some companies cite in-house studies proving their product’s ability to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles – but in many cases, participants don’t use moisturizer for several days before those studies begin. Naturally, after several days of moisturizing their parched skin, participants’ “baseline” fine lines appear much smoother.

As I’ve said in the past, the only topical ingredients proven to diminish existing lines and wrinkles are retinoids. Ingredients like retinoids, vitamin C, and copper peptide can stimulate the skin to produce more collagen and appear tighter.

And antioxidants (both oral and topical) effectively fight some of the external assaults on your skin that lead to wrinkles. Other ingredients may temporarily leave your skin smoother and more radiant, but be aware that they are probably not having a long-term anti-aging effect.

Myth: Letting oil anywhere near your skin is always bad.

It’s true that oily, acne-prone skin types should avoid oil-based products, but natural oils can help dry skin types replace the fatty acids their skin so desperately needs. I love Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturizer, for example, which contains borage oil and avocado oil in addition to super-hydrating glycerin.

Products known as “cleansing oil,” a great option for dry, sensitive types, have been popular in Asia for years. And any skin type can benefit from a dab or two of vitamin E oil on their lips – they don’t produce oil naturally, and need help to stay hydrated and fight external damage.

Bottom line: Know your skin type, and don’t automatically shy away from products with “oil” in their ingredient lists!

Wishing you great skin!

Skin care issues are unavoidable for most of us these days — between emotional stress, environmental hazards, lack of sleep, improper hormonal balances… and a myriad of other factors, we find ourselves battling acne, wrinkles, discoloration, sensitivity… and it goes on and on. What’s worse is the endless number of skin care brands, each claiming to be better than the last for your specific issues.  

Unfortunately, most cosmetics never quite live up to their promises.

So how do you know where to turn? What really works, and what doesn’t? What’s worth the investment… and what’s nothing but a waste of money and time?

Natural or Medical?

Natural product lines are everywhere these days… are they superior to the more medical, chemical approach? Could be, but not necessarily — especially not when you’re suffering with serious skin care concerns, such as cystic acne, incessant break outs that don’t seem to quit, or discoloration — one condition that no natural cosmetic will reverse.

There are times when a more “hardcore” approach is essential. And this is where brands like DDF come in.

DDF takes a medical approach to skin care that’s unlike that of just about any other skin care brand. If you’re experiencing complexion issues that just don’t seem to respond to anything you’ve tried, then DDF may be a brand worth looking into.

Below are descriptions of some of their more popular products, along with my personal reviews. I’ve categorized them by skin concerns so you can have an easier time figuring out which products would suit you best.

Sensitive Skin with Redness

DDF Enhancing Sun Protection SPF 30

You know that all skin types should be protected from the sun’s harmful UV rays with sunscreen, right? Of course you do!

Well, if you have sensitive skin that’s prone to redness, uneaven skin tone, blotchiness, or even rosacea, this sun screen will be your new best friend. Not only will it protect your skin from the sun, it’ll also safeguard it against irritation, cancel out any redness with its counteractive color, even out your skin tone (without looking like foundation at all!), but it’s also a pleasure to wear — completely sinking in within seconds of application!

Most physical sunblocks that have been created for sensitive skin types will just sit on the surface of your skin. This is the opposite of that — it’ll leave your skin looking smooth, even-toned, and fresh.

If you’d like more information, you can read more reviews here: DDF Enhancing Sun Screen.

DDF Silky C Serum

Oftentimes, skin that’s extra sensitive is also skin that’s in need of resurfacing and anti-wrinkle or anti-blemish treatments. Here’s the tricky part: How do you treat skin that flares up the moment you apply something as minimal as an antioxidant serum onto it?

This is where the Silky C Serum comes in. This product was created to resurface the skin using retinols while nourishing it and protecting it with antioxidants — all formulated in a way that’ll prevent any kind of inflammation or aggravation from occurring.

Your skin will feel and look incredibly smooth after initial application… and this stuff is actually gentle enough to use around the eye area!

For more information and reviews, check this page: Silky C Serum.

Discoloration, Acne Scars, Uneven Skin Tone

DDF Discoloration Reversal Pod

Skin discoloration, such as acne scars, age spots, sunspots, freckles, and melasma are very difficult to treat. The majority of cosmetics that claim to make all the difference in the world, unfortunately, do absolutely nothing — or worse — they aggravate even normal skin types, making them sensitive, and accomplishing nothing positive as a result.

These pods have been proven to actually even out skin texture and color, when associated with the conditions listed above. Just about everyone I know who’s tried these has seen an improvement in their areas of concern.

What I love most is the fact that these are so easy to apply precisely where you need them — great packaging, great product.

More reviews may be found here: Discoloration Reversal Pod

DDF Intensive Holistic Lightener cosmetics

This all natural product is formulated with high concentrations of natural acids to lighten dark spots without the usual irritation brought on by the use of hydroquinone (the usual chemical of choice for skin lighteners across the board).

It’s actually “approved” for use by the most sensitive skin types, so if you have acne scars or sun spots and can’t tolerate acids, you may want to give this product a try, as it’ll produce visible results without any unnecessary side effects.

One bottle of this product will probably last you a lifetime — you need a tiny dab of it to see results, so don’t go overboard.

For more feedback, check out this page: Intensive Holistic Lightener.

Fine Lines, Wrinkles, Loss of Elasticity

DDF Mesojection Healthy Cell Serum

If you’re just starting to notice signs of aging — or are in your early-mid twenties, you should make an antioxidant serum a part of your daily routine. Now, if that serum also renews cell turnover and encourages skin renewal, it gets a huge thumbs up from me!

That’s exactly what this product does. It’s recommended for prevention of wrinkles, loss of firmness, discoloration, while encouraging a healthy glow and an overall healthier appearance.

This product is perfect whether you’re dry, combination, oily, or normal If you live in a dry climate and are looking for hydration while preventing those tattletale signs of aging, this will be your new best friend.

It’s meant to be applied sparingly as it is highly concentrated, so again, a little bit of it will go a very long way… leaving you with enough product to spare for quite a while.

To read additional reviews and take a look at its ingredients, see: Mesojection Healthy Cell Serum.

DDF Glycolic 10% Exfoliating Moisturizer

This moisturizer will not only replenish your skin’s hydration levels, it’ll actually refine its texture, resulting in a smooth, tight appearance while doing so!

There aren’t a lot of products out there that can aid in cell turnover and actually help cell turnover while moisturizing the skin down to the deeper levels. This product does that.

If your skin is dry or even extremely dry, and you haven’t been able to use acids due to irritation issues, you’ll like this product. If you’re oily, on the other hand, you’ll want to take it easy, as it my result in excessive oil production — and none of us are fans of that.

This product is also great for those of us breaking out, so it’s perfect for people who are beginning to see signs of aging while still getting breakouts now and then.

For more information and reviews, see product page here: Glycolic 10% Exfoliating Moisturizer.

DDF Savings

I know that’s quite a few products, but those happen to all be my personal favorites. DDF makes many more wonderful creams and serums, so I suggest you check out their stuff in depth.

If you decide to try any of the above, you can save 20% by shopping with SkinCareRx.com, and entering code DDFBRAND20 at checkout.

Have your own favorite cosmetics or skin care brands? Share your thoughts below!

Want flawless skin? Of course you do, who doesn’t?

Want the best products money can buy, to achieve it? Sure, why the heck not?

But can you allow yourself to spend thousands upon thousands of dollars on creams and serums? Maybe you can… but many of us can’t.

So what’s a girl to do?!

Well, I’ve decided to put together an article with some of my favorite diy masks, using simple ingredients that you most likely have in your kitchen right now. The best part is, they’re highly effective — and many of these recipes are actually used at some high-end spas!

Take the time to indulge yourself in a few hours dedicated to beauty. It’s not only terrific for your skin, but it’s great for overall relaxation, as well.

The Prep

Proper preparation is important here, as we want all those wonderful nutrients to penetrate the skin. So prior to applying any mask onto the skin, you’ll want to cleanse well with your favorite cleanser, then relax your skin and open up those pores by applying a clean towel soaked in a bowl of herbal tea (chamomile works great!).

Keep the towel on your face until it’s cooled, then remove, and apply any of the following masks…

Cucumber and Aloe Mask for Oily Skin

1 Cucumber
2 tablespoons Oats
2 tablespoon Aloe gel or 1 teaspoon fresh Aloe juice
1 Egg white

Peel the cucumber, cut it up, and blend it into a smooth puree. Add the oats, and blend into a paste. Then add the egg white and the aloe, and combine well.

Apply to face and neck, and let sit on the skin for up to 20 minutes (or until dry). Rinse with warm water.

Banana Mask for Acne-Prone Skin

1 banana
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

Mash the banana and combine it with the honey and lemon juice. Apply to face for 10-15 minutes, rinse with cool water.

Strawberry Mask for Oily Skin

3 strawberries
1 teaspoon plain, full fat yogurt

Mash the strawberries and combine them with the yogurt. Apply to skin for 10-15 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

Avocado Mask for Dry Skin

1/2 avocado
1 teaspoon honey

Mash the avocado combine it with the honey and apply to skin. Leave on for up to 20 minutes and rinse face with warm water.

Rosewater Mask for Delicate or Irritated Skin

2 tablespoons of Rosewater
4 tablespoons of Honey
1 tablespoon of Jojoba Oil
2 drops of Rose Essential Oil

Stir the oils into the honey, gradually. Once combined, stir in the rosewater. When mixture looks smooth, apply to face and leave on for up to 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

Got your own mask recipes? Share them below!

Not Fair!

Kelley Ellis, a 32-year-old structural engineer in Sugar Land, Texas, wanted suggestions for an easy skin care regimen that battles aging skin and breakouts. Read on to learn what Mary Ruth Buchness, MD (a medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatologist in New York City) and Laurie Polis, MD (director of Dermatologic Services at the SoHo Skin and Laser Dermatology Group, also in Manhattan) had to say about this not-so-unusual dilemma.

Question: I’m in my 30s and want to use anti-aging products. I also need to treat breakouts, but don’t want a complicated regimen. Help!

Answer: Buchness says:

Your 30s mark the beginning of your skin’s indecisive years — you’ll get oilier and drier. The oil glands on the face actually become larger with age, which leads to large pores. But no matter how oily your complexion seems, your skin loses the ability to retain water in your 30s.

A moisturizing cleanser like CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser ($12) gently rinses away dirt and oil while delivering lipids, the essential fats the skin needs to retain water and keep skin cells healthy.

Daily sunscreen is the most effective tool for fighting the signs of aging. A broad spectrum formula (that blocks both UVA and UVB rays) like Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Sunblock Lotion, SPF 30 ($9.49) uses the physical sunscreen titanium dioxide, which tends to deflect a wider range of UV rays and be less irritating than chemical versions. Back up your sun protection with a powder like Bare Minerals SPF 30 Natural Sunscreen ($28) for touch-ups during the day.

Wearing an antioxidant serum such as Aveeno Active Naturals Positively Ageless Rejuvenating Serum ($19.99) under your sun protection helps minimize age spots. Antioxidants also add another layer of protection from UV rays because they deflect damage and offer backup for sunblock.

Polis says:

The good news for women who are battling the unfair combination of breakouts and wrinkles is that many anti-aging ingredients also fight acne. For example, a serum like L’Oréal Skin Genesis Pore Minimizing Skin Re-Smoother ($19.99) exfoliates dead cells while also absorbing excess oil, which helps prevent breakouts. I’d wear this under moisturizer and makeup.

You can’t prevent wrinkles without sunscreen. Use a product like Proactiv Solution Oil Free Moisture with SPF 15 ($24.95) daily under makeup to keep skin moisturized and free of breakouts. Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Anti-Blemish Clear Skin Cream ($12.99) combines retinol with salicylic acid to keep skin younger-looking and free of acne. This is a great night treatment for breakouts, fine lines, and uneven tone.

Keeping your face clean is key. Burt’s Bees Natural Acne Solutions Purifying Gel Cleanser ($9.99) balances oil control with plant oils like evening primrose, so your skin feels clean, not dried out or stripped after washing. In a pinch, keep premoistened cloths such as Olay Regenerist Micro-Exfoliating Wet Cleansing Cloths ($7.99) next to your bed to wipe away grime and gently sweep away the surface skin cells that can clog pores.

More Advanced Solutions for Acne, Wrinkles

Want more serious treatment for acne and wrinkles? Sumayah Jamal, MD, PhD, assistant professor of clinical dermatology at New York University School of Medicine, has the following suggestions:

“I can’t think of anything better for fighting aging and acne than a retinoid,” he says. “Prescription creams such as Retin-A, Renova, and Avage stimulate collagen production to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, exfoliate surface skin, and fade brown spots.”

“And just like the other experts, I can’t stress the importance of sun protection enough. But almost as important: Back up your sun protection with antioxidants — the chemicals that give fruits and vegetables their bright colors — to help your body fight off damage from stress, aging, and the environment. As your skin ages, it’s not able to repair itself as well.

“To make sure you’re getting of plenty of antioxidants start with your diet. Eating plenty of berries, green leafy vegetables ensures you get plenty of vitamins C and E for support from within to heal and defend the skin.

You can also use a topical antioxidant serum to help prevent damage from exposure to environmental toxins like pollution and UV rays and help fight redness and uneven pigmentation. My favorite is Revaleskin Intense Recovery Treatment ($130, skincarerx.com), which contains coffee-berry extract, one of the most potent antioxidants available. A few drops every morning before your moisturizer and sunscreen help fend skin damage to keep you looking younger longer.”

You’re walking contradiction. You’re strong, powerful, tight, and lean — yet your muscular curves are feminine. You’re driven, tough, and motivated in the gym — yet you’re as humble as they come, and are always willing to lend support and guidance to anyone asking for it.

You take every trip to the gym — and every meal seriously. You’re proud of those callouses on your hands, they’re a testament to your hard work — but you take care of your skin, your hair… your body. You’re a woman, and you enjoy being one.

Sound familiar?

Shouldn’t your gym bag reflect this contradicting personality of yours? I know mine does!

Sure, you’ve got your straps, your gloves, your chalk and BCAAs… but after that kick-ass workout, after setting those new PRs… you’ll remain a woman. Why not be the most beautiful, feminine, confident woman you can be by taking care of some beauty basics?

Why not be hardcore AND sexy?

I’ve put together a list of items I found exceptionally helpful to have at the gym, and I’ve decided to share them with you. I’ve included links to whichever products I personally use, just to make it easy for you girls to know what I’m talking about.

Let’s dive right in!

• 1. Makeup Removing Facial Wipes

You know that makeup can cause breakouts, right? Well, so can leaving your face sweaty with all that nasty bacteria all over it after a workout! And if you train after work, with makeup on your face… this especially applies to you: Always, always remove your makeup thoroughly as soon as possible after training.

My personal favorites are the Klorane ones. They’re perfect for sensitive skin, and take every bit of makeup off, if you wear any.

• 2. Dry Shampoo

I don’t know about you, but my hair gets pretty grimy by the end of my workout. It’s sweaty, and just looks like a mess — which is a good thing, it means I worked hard, right? Sure, but that doesn’t mean I want to leave the gym looking like someone gave me a swirly!

I have two solutions to this problem. The first, is dry shampoo. All I do is grab my hair out of the pony tail, apply the spray to the roots, and blow dry it upside down, for 30 seconds. The second solution is…

• 3. Hair Styling Sheets

These are truly an amazing discovery. They seem to awaken whatever styling products I had in my hair prior to getting all sweaty and frizzy. They tame my hair, improve its health, and make it look — and smell absolutely amazing! I get the Ted Gibson Hairsheets. They’re tiny and super easy to use!

• 4. Tinted Moisturizer with SPF

You know how damaging those UV rays are, and I know you don’t want wrinkles — or skin cancer, for that matter. This means you should protect your skin at all times, even during those short walks from the gym to your car… and wherever else you’re going after the gym.

And while you’re applying SPF, why not even out your skin tone and accentuate that “after-heavy-squats” glow? I always use a tinted moisturizer with SPF, and my current favorite is The Balm’s BalmShelter SPF 18 Tinted Moisturizer.

• 5. Travel-Sized Gentle, Delicious-Smelling Body Wash

I always take a quick rinse after hitting the gym to avoid any breakouts on my body by delaying getting all that grime off. Besides, why be stinky when you can smell amazing walking (or limping — depending on whether it was leg day or not) out of the gym?!

My favorite body wash for the gym is LoLLIA’s shower gel. It smells incredible, and makes my skin feel amazing.

• 6. Deodorant

Pretty self-explanatory, right? Smell good all over! My pick at the moment is Dove’s Clinical Protection.

• 7. Portable Mouthwash Packets

I can honestly say that I have no idea what I did before I discovered these convenient little things! Sure, there are the travel-sized mouthwash bottles… but nothing works quite as well as the Supersmile Fluoride Mouthwash Packets.

This entire line has whitened my teeth dramatically since I started using it two months ago, and I’m sure that these little packets had something to do with it, too. They take up virtually no room in my gym bag, and all I have to do to use them, is add a bit of water, swirl it around to dissolve the powder, and rinse. Dispose of the packet, and be on your way with a fresh breath and clean, smooth teeth.

• 8. Body Spray

Another self-explanatory item. I’ve been loving The Body Shop‘s body sprays lately — can’t beat their sales, either!

• 9. Moisturizing Lip Gloss

So you probably won’t want to put on a ton of makeup at the gym — I sure don’t! But a bit of gloss can go a long way, especially when your lips are feeling a little chapped after all that heavy breathing you’ve been doing for an hour.

My gloss pick is Neutrogena’s MoistureGloss Lip Soother with SPF 20. I love it for how moisturizing and soothing it is to chapped lips, all while looking making me look polished without ANY effort.

Tinted moisturizer and a gloss are all you need to look hot!

• 10. Rich, Fast Absorbing Hand Cream in a Travel Size

Your palms are calloused for a reason! That skin on your palms is fragile, the least you can do is sooth it after lifting heavy weights for an hour straight!

My pick? Bliss High Intensity Hand Cream. I love its clean scent, how quickly it absorbs, and how soothing it feels.

Got gym bag beauty items you can’t live without? Share them with us, below!

Do you have naturally flawless skin? Or are you one of the lucky ladies who has to put some effort into creating it?

We’re all beautiful, delicate, and strong — all at once. But we still have to work on protecting our beauty from breakouts, clogged pores.. and most of all, wrinkles.

Below are just a few quick basics each one of us can incorporate into our daily routines in order to not only preserve our beauty, but also improve the long-term health and integrity of our skin.

Skin Type

The first thing you’ll need to do, is have a thorough understanding of your skin type. No single anti-aging treatment can work wonders for every skin type. If it works for a girl with dry skin, then it most likely will be completely inappropriate for someone oily — so before even looking into any specific products or treatment ideas, learn more about your skin type!

If you’re dry, hydration becomes a priority, and oils found in products will often be your friend. If you’re oily, you’ll want to look for gel-based moisturizers, as heavy products will often clog your pores and result in breakouts (and being that many anti-aging moisturizers are heavy, you’ll want to pay special attention to product ingredients and the way it feels going on your skin).

Anti-Aging Must-Knows

One of the most depressing skin problems is the appearance of wrinkles. Lines can appear on any skin type, and ladies in their early 20s will often start seeing them on their foreheads.

While your specific skin type will dictate the exact treatment you’ll want to seek out, the following tips are ones that should be take into consideration — no matter what your skin type (or age, for that matter).

• Quit smoking forever.

Yes, I realize you’re fitness nuts around here, but even second-hand smoke can clog your pores and damage the outermost layer of your skin! So, stay away from not only cigarettes, but anyone holding them as well!

• A good sunscreen with SPF is essential for us all.

Skin care is incomplete without a product that will block out most of those damaging UV rays. Got sunscreen in your foundation? Great, but you’ll STILL need a sunscreen underneath!! It’s only effective when applied liberally, so don’t make the mistake of going over your face with a tiny dab — that’s nothing more than a waste!

• One product that works miracles for all the skin types is water.

Drink at least six to eight glasses of plain water daily for nourishing your skin. Women take this little tip for granted until they start to actually follow it — once they see the difference hydration makes in their skin, they’re seen carrying that water bottle no matter where they go!

Water moisturizes from the inside out — so those of you with dry or dehydrated skin take note! You have no right to complain about the condition of your skin until this simple requirement is fulfilled.

• Look for antioxidants in all you put into your body, and onto your skin.

Colorful veggies, fruits, and berries are brimming with antioxidants your body needs for optimal health. Guess what? Your skin depends on these nutrients too!

Low carbing? That’s no excuse — colorful veggies are aplenty, so don’t skip ‘em!

Vitamins that are especially important for skin health are E, C, A and K. Vitamin E protects the skin from the harmful free radicals that are present everywhere in the air, and this one in particular is present in most skin care products, as well.

Smart Shopping

If you’re planning to buy an anti-wrinkle cream, then you must cross check first that the cream you are purchasing has the following skin care ingredients.

• Babassu

For any skin care product or an anti wrinkle cream the presence of this skin care ingredient is useful in gaining that flawless, dewy look to the skin. This ingredient is a natural wax (no, it won’t clog your pores!), and is used for softening and soothing the skin. It is very efficient in creating a barrier of moisture around the skin so that no germs and dirt can attack the skin and the skin remains soft for a long period of time.

• Alpha Tocopherol

As mentioned above, vitamin E is another ingredient which must be present in the skin care product. It’ll be present in the form of alpha tocopherol, so keep an eye out for it.

Your skin is precious; it’s worth the extra effort. Take the simple steps above and you’ll be on your way to healthy, younger-looking skin in just a few short months.

Stay tuned; specific product and treatment recommendations to come!

Since publishing a few affordable cosmetics review articles, we’ve had a number of requests for high-end product reviews — especially when it comes to foundation. After all, many of us would pay just about any amount of money for flawless skin, and yet, that porcelain complexion is never a guarantee –  no matter how high the price tag!

And they can sure get high! A high end foundation can set you back as much as $185… and that doesn’t even mean you’ll love it!

So, if you’ve been considering blowing serious cash on something that claims to give you the most beautiful skin you’ve ever had while also healing it, protecting it from the sun, smoothing any fine lines, and eradicating all of your pores… read on, and make an educated decision.

The following are some of the more popular high end foundations that have been launched recently that some of my clients have been curious about. If you have questions about a particular brand or product, please let me know what it is in the comments section, and if I have any experience with it, I’ll be sure to give it a review.

Yves Saint Laurent Teint Resist Long Wear Foundation

YSL foundations have long been known for their high quality makeup, and this newcomer to their long list of foundations has caused quite a stir among makeup fans who like to look impeccable with minimal touch ups, no matter how much sweating they may do that day.

There are hundreds upon hundreds of long-lasting foundations out there, and most do live up to their “transfer-resistant” claims. The problem is, they don’t look nearly as good as their non-long wearing counterparts.

If this describes your experiences, you’re in for a pleasant surprise — YSL’s Teint Resist looks absolutely flawless on the skin. In fact, it completely vanishes, providing invisible coverage that manages to really perfect the complexion while staying very light-weight. It sets to a matte finish that’s still fresh, not powdery-looking.

It’s very easy to apply, as well — no sponge necessary, you can just use your fingers. If you have oily skin, you may appreciate the fact that this foundation isn’t likely to slide around the oily parts of your face the way they usually tend to do.

Keep in mind, this is a sheer coverage foundation. It won’t cover acne scars or serious discoloration… it’ll look a lot like a very good tinted moisturizer (with the added benefit of being long-lasting, something you’d never expect from a moisturizer).

Now, for the negative.

If you tend to break out easily, you’ll want to get a sample before spending the $55 on it, as it does contain silicones in it that may result in a reaction (though it is oil-free). If your skin is extremely dry, you may want to stay away from this product altogether, as it’ll end up making your skin feel even more dry as the day goes on.

So, if your skin is generally in a pretty good condition, and you’re looking for a product that will really make it look flawless — and keep it looking impeccable through the day, you may want to grab a sample in your shade and take it for a test drive.

Giorgio Armani Lasting Silk UV Foundation

Many of us regular Armani makeup users expect wonders from this company, especially after its success with Skin Fabric foundation. This new formulation was created to go on smoothly, have a very light texture, and last for up to 16 hours — much like the YSL foundation reviewed above.

The Armani Silk foundation provides heavier coverage than the YSL, but still feels very light once on. It lives up to its “long lasting” claims and will definitely last for up to 14 hours. If your skin is on the drier side, you may prefer this foundation to YSL’s, as it isn’t drying in any way at all. On the flip side, if you’re oily at all, the Lasting Silk won’t provide any oil control, so you may not love it.

Additionally, it comes in an incredibly limited color range. Most of my friends have been unsuccessful in finding a shade that matches their skin perfectly, and if you’re spending $58 on a foundation, you expect it to work without having to blend it with other colors just to get it to match your skin.

The other thing you may want to consider, is the fact that while the UV the Armani Silk foundation contains is great for sun protection, it’ll tend to reflect any camera lights, so this is not a good choice for any time you plan on being photographed.

La Prairie Skin Caviar Concealer Foundation

This one’s been around for quite some time and has a cult following — most women who try it end up becoming addicted it. Loving this foundation is dangerous when you consider the fact that it’s just about the most expensive makeup product I’ve come across, at $180.

Skin Caviar Foundation comes with a matching concealer right in the lid. Both products feel amazing going on — very smooth and silky, providing just the right amount of coverage, and making you look absolutely flawless. This is a buildable coverage product that’ll suit anyone looking for more coverage than the above two products would provide.
Now, it’s not all positive! While La Prairie recommends this foundation for all skin types, I’d stay away from it if you’re oily. It doesn’t do much to control oil, and while I don’t expect it to last all day (they don’t claim that it would), I really don’t like having to fuss over my makeup all day — especially when you remember how much you spent on this product.

If, however, you have normal or dryer skin types, you will adore this product. It’ll last you a good 6 months with daily use, so if you have the money to spend, I’d say give this a shot — just make sure you get a good color match at the La Prairie counter.

Cle de Peau Teint Naturel Satine Foundation

This is a cream foundation that’s a personal favorite. It comes in plenty of shades and is perfect for the olive girls who usually have a tough time finding a foundation match. La Prairie, for one, doesn’t have a range that expands into yellow-toned complexions. Cle de Peau solves that problem; I was able to find a perfect match, which rarely happens!

This foundation also seems to work well regardless of whether you have dry or oily skin. If you’re extremely dry and peeling, you probably won’t love any foundation as it’ll end up accentuating those peeling skin flakes… but if you’re generally smooth, this is a fantastic product that I highly recommend trying.

The finish you’ll get with Cle de Peau is on the dewy side. It isn’t matte at all, but it doesn’t look oily whatsoever. You need a pea-sized amount, as a little bit goes a very long way. It’s easy to apply, you can use a brush or your fingers, and it’s highly buildable, as well.

The only downside? At $118, it definitely doesn’t come cheap! I suggest getting a sample and seeing whether it’s worth it to you. Let me know what you decide!

Think I’ve left some great high-end products out of this review? Have something to ask or add? Post up below!

As you all know, here at Olicious Life, we do our best to bring you ladies all the things you desire. Many of you have been asking for affordable ways to look your very best, and it became my goal to hunt down the very best cosmetic products that would fit in any budget.

As I was searching for a brand I’d trust enough to recommend to all of you, I remembered one company in particular whose many products I sampled and loved. I’ve been using their glosses, eye shadows, liners, and brushes right alongside my much more expensive products for nearly a year now, and they really hold their own!

The brand I’m speaking of is E.L.F. Cosmetics. They’re a breakthrough company in my eyes, as they’ve figured out a way to bring high quality makeup at prices more affordable than even those of drugstore products!

Now, I know it’s hard to shop for new cosmetics blindly, so I’ve decided to write up an article to review some of my personal E.L.F. favorites to give you ladies a starting point. Let’s get to it.

Eyes

• Mineral Eyeshadow

Without a doubt, one of the “stars” of this line. This shadow comes in quite a few shades, really lasts, and works either wet or dry. For a daytime look, I like to dip a moistened liner brush into the darker shades and line my eyes with it, then use that same shade in the crease over a lighter color.

The ones I seem to use most often are Golden, Earthy, and Sweet over my entire lid, and Glamorous, Royal, and Seductive to line and contour. At only $3 a pop, you can experiment to your heart’s content!

• Eyeshadow Primer

Those of you with oily skin, living in humid climates, working in hot environments, or just liking to see your eye makeup still intact after a 10-hour day will appreciate this stuff as much as I do.

E.L.F. markets this product as a “Mineral Eyeshadow Primer” to go along with their mineral shadows, but I’ve used it with a variety of loose shadows, and it always works to prevent my eye makeup from creasing, flaking, and otherwise becoming a mess within a few short hours of application.

This product works the same way Urban Decay’s Primer Potion does, but for less than quarter of the price, at only $3!

• Liquid Eyeliner

If you’ve never used a liquid liner but like the sexy “cat eye” look for a night out, or even a subtly lined eye that lasts all day without smudging, you’ll love this liner! It comes with a harder tip than most I’ve tried, so it’s easy to control and apply right where you want it, creating the perfect line.

I also love the fact that it comes in so many colors. I’ve tried it in Plum, Coffee, and Black — and all worked really well for me. The best part is, you could collect all nine colors if you wanted to, as each is just a $1!

Falsies are perfect for a more dramatic look!

• Eye Makeup Honorable Mentions

E.L.F. false lashes are absolutely fantastic! They have a pretty wide selection of them at only a dollar each — and that includes the glue!

I’ve also tried their duo shadows, which I liked over the primer. They aren’t heavily pigmented, but are perfect for someone not after an overly dramatic look or simply inexperienced with makeup application.

Lips

• Hypershine Lip Gloss

This is one of my first E.L.F. purchases, and it’s one of my favorite! It’ll leave your lips very shiny, it’s moisturizing, and it comes in great shades — Fairy happens to be my favorite, it’s a pretty iridescent gloss that works on its own as well as it does over your favorite lipstick.

The best part? It’s only a buck!

• Plumping Lip Glaze

The tingly lip plumping effect of this stuff is comparable to Lip Venom, the biggest difference being its scent (this is minty where Lip Venom is cinnamon-flavored), and the price.

Lip Venom sells for $16. E.L.F.’s Lip Glaze is only a dollar! Not kidding, the same product, for just a $1!

Plumping Lip Glaze comes in a double-ended tube — one side contains a sheer color gloss, the other side’s clear. I have it in a nude tone called Champagne, and usually layer the clear gloss over the color.

Full lips -- for a dollar!

• Luscious Liquid Lipstick

For times when you want more visible color with good staying power while keeping your lips moisturized, E.L.F.’s liquid lipstick is the perfect choice. This isn’t a completely opaque lipstick, but it definitely isn’t as sheer as gloss.

I have this in Bark, a pink-nude, and Brownie Points, a darker brown-nude. Both create that “your lips but better” look, and smell amazing — think mint and vanilla. The best part? You can experiment with all the shades you want, as each is only… you guessed it, a dollar!

• Lip Makeup Honorable Mentions

Feather Proof Moisturizing Lip Liner is something I recommend checking out if you want to play with more opaque looks. It goes on smoothly, doesn’t dry out the lips, and has good staying power — all at being just a buck each.

The Super Glossy Lip Shine SPF 15 is one of my niece’s favorites, as it provides a subtle bit of color while smelling amazing, comes in lots of great shades, and is still just a dollar per gloss — sunscreen and all!

Face

• All Over Cover Stick

If you’re in search of a concealer that won’t cost you an arm and a leg and still help you achieve flawless skin, then finding this is like finding a gold mine! You get a pretty good amount of this creamy corrective product for only a dollar.

It’s pretty heavily pigmented and will cover most flaws, my only gripe is that it doesn’t last all day for me — but that can be said for just about every other concealer I’ve used, including those that were 50 times the price!

• Studio Contouring Blush and Bronzing Powder

If you use blush and bronzers, or if you’re just curious to experiment with them, this is a must-have! You get a full size blush and bronzer in a single compact, both for only $3.

When I first tried this product, I was actually expecting it to be a complete disappointment, as that’s my usual experience with drugstore brand blushes and bronzers. These colors and the quality of this makeup, however, really delivered — the colors themselves are nearly identical to Nars Deep Throat blush and Laguna bronzer, the combined cost of which would be $50!

Think I’m exaggerating? Watch the video below, and you’ll see what I mean.

• Brushes

Brushes are often key to getting your makeup to look just the way you want it, and good brushes are not cheap! Over the years, I’ve collected ones from just about every makeup brand out there — from Chanel and Dior, to cheaper drugstore alternatives that I’ve since retired to the back of my drawer.

A good brush can make a huge difference in your final look, so this isn’t an area I generally like to compromise. I decided to give E.L.F. brushes a shot after reading some positive reviews about them, and boy am I ever glad I did!

I started with the Studio Powder Brush, and loved it so much, that I wanted to see how their other ones compare. I’d since purchased the 11 Piece Brush Collection from the Studio line, and all have been nothing short of phenomenal.

I can honestly say that I use them as frequently as I do my other brushes, for which I paid 20 times as much! Each E.L.F. professional quality brush is only $3!

• Complexion Enhancers Honorable Mentions

In all honesty, I’m not through trying all of the face products just yet, though I must say, I’m yet to be disappointed with anything I’ve purchased from the Studio collection. Bronzers, blushes, and dusting powders have all been surprisingly high quality and very, very similar to much more expensive brands.

I highly recommend checking out the entire brand with an open mind. And hey, even if you really hate whatever it is you bought, what’s a buck for a little experimentation?!

Have fun shopping, guilt free, courtesy of E.L.F. Let me know what you end up trying!

All makeup by E.L.F.

Note: We were lucky enough to get E.L.F. Cosmetics to be one of our wonderful sponsors. To support this website, please shop E.L.F. through any of the links located in this article or in our forum, as this is the only way they’ll know you’re being directed from this website and keep supporting us. Thanks for helping us help you!

Lancome, Clinique, MAC, Nars, Yves Saint Laurent, MUFE, Becca, Estee Lauder, Vincent Longo, Christian Dior, Chanel, and the list goes on…

Ahh… designer makeup. We all want to be able to shop at Sephora and all those high-end department store beauty counters, but unfortunately, with today’s economy and salaries, that’s not always possible. Yet we all want to look good!

Well, you do have options! You can look beautiful without spending a fortune on your makeup, and I’m here to tell you how.

You see, I’ve been using Avon products for some time now, and have tried just about their entire line at this point. Some products have completely failed, while others have pleasantly surprised me by carrying out their promises while maintaining their affordability.

Knowing that you’re probably on the lookout for effective skin care and makeup that won’t leave you with an empty wallet, I figured I’d share what I’ve learned. So here I am, giving you the good, the bad, and the ugly on Avon Products.

The Basics: Moisturizers

My personal favorites are the Solutions Total Radiance A.M and P.M creams. Not only are these creams effective, but they’re also available for just $11.99 — for both. Plus, there’s currently a special that gives you the Solutions Plus Eye Gel for free!

The Total Radiance creams are full of vitamin E, which helps to minimize the scarring left behind by blemishes and the sun. The day cream also has SPF 15, and in this day and age of the depleted ozone layer, that’s definitely a plus! The night cream is meant for dry skin and contains Wild Pansy Extract for optimum hydration — the key to maintaining a smooth, wrinkle-free complexion.

Foundations

Every girl can use a bit of evening out, and who doesn’t want flawless skin?!

I’m partial to the Avon Mineral Foundation. It’s comparable to Bare Minerals Foundations, which sell for $25.00 for .3 ounces. Avon sells .20 oz of a very similar product for $11.00. That’s almost half the price! I don’t know about you, but I’m all for more product for less money.

Avon Mineral Foundation

These powders are talc, oil, and fragrance-free, and they seem to be the best thing for the acne scars on my forehead. They’re also so light on my face that I don’t feel like I am wearing a mask of makeup, and I don’t look cracked or creased by the end of the day.

Blush

Avon also makes a mineral blush that comes in many different tones and brings the same benefits as the mineral foundation does. It’s free of anything that’s damaging to the skin and doesn’t crack or crease the way some other, non-mineral products can.

Moving on to my favorite part of the makeup routine…

Eye Shadows and Liners

My personal favorites from the Avon eye makeup line are the Glimmer Sticks Liners and the 12 in 1 Eyeshadow Palette. Personally, I can’t handle liquid liners. I end up looking like cat woman after any and all attempts to use them, so I find these Self Sharpening Glimmersticks to be the perfect compromise between regular pencils and liquid liners.

Currently, my favorite colors are Emerald, Midnight Blue, and Smokey Grey. The run at only $6.00 a piece, and last for quite a while. They also have good staying power, so I’d recommend them for stage or photography use, too.

Glimmersticks

The 12 in 1 palette fits into any bag and is very versatile, since the colors range from dark blue and green with shimmers, to the more neutral tones like beige and brown. They all blend well together and work with any of the eyeliner colors I’m in the mood for that day. The 12 in 1 palette is $20.00, which is roughly just $1.66 a color!

Just a quick trick before we move on: Due to the powdery consistency of these shadows, I suggest using an eye shadow brush instead of the applicators that come in the package.

Mascara

I use Avon’s Supershock mascara in black, and a few of my co-workers have purchased The Superful and Astonishing Lengths Mascaras in black and brown.

We all love what they do for our lashes and would definitely recommend them, especially now that they’re on a special, at 2 for $7.99. Regularly, each one costs $8.99 — so you’re getting two for less than the price of one. Can’t beat that!

The Fails

There are a few items that I would not recommend, even though the price seems right. Avon shampoos, conditioners, body washes, and deodorants all fall in this category.

Pass!

I find that the hair products have a high alcohol content and make my hair feel like straw. Same thing goes for the body washes, which tend to be very drying. As for their deodorants, I just don’t feel like they’re strong enough for us. They don’t last through my work day; never mind the gym!

Get Gorgeous, Save Some Cash

I hope that my experiences help you all look like the smart, beautiful, and powerful women that you strive to be every day — all without breaking the bank. In the end, looking amazing and feeling your best add up to creating the confidence that everyone, regardless of her budget, should be able to attain.

For more information about the Avon products mentioned here, check out Avon.

Don’t forget to check out the rest of the Olicious Life beauty article library for everything from eye makeup tips to flawless skin ideas.

About Jenn

Jenn is an eighth grade English teacher in Florida, who grew up in the Northeast. She is a novice figure competitor, who currently holds a brown belt in Bruce Lee’s martial art of Jeet Kune Do. She strives to live her life for herself and no one else.