Young and Natural: Shopping For Make-Up

I didn't become interested in make-up until my junior year of high school, and all I wanted was to doll up my eyes. There's nothing special about them; I've just always loved their shape, their dark color and my lashes. I started with using kohl and then experimenting with eye shadows in college. I began going to make-up counters at Macys, MAC and Sephora which I'll admit made me nervous because I've come across people who acted like my skin tone was too difficult to find products for (one of my sisters experiences this sometimes as well, we just have really reddish-brown skin *shrugs*) and I'd run to SP with questions; but eventually I became comfortable asking and found make-up artists who were very helpful. I'm by no means an expert on make-up, but I've been having fun searching for different products I want to use.

I read this article from Coco & Creme "5 Things You Should Know Before You Hit the Make-Up Counter" and I think it's very useful, especially for those who are dabbling with make-up like I still am. I used the suggestions in the article to make my recent purchase. Whenever I'm shopping for something at the make-up counter, I already know what I have in mind because I do a little research beforehand. For instance, when I went to Ulta I knew I wanted to try a powder, with light coverage and for "combination skin" - meaning it can be both oily and dry. I was starting to really notice how shiny my forehead and nose get (or T-Zone) and I had read a pressed powder would help and I also wanted my face to look more even and smooth. So I went to the counter and told the make-up artist about my concerns. The first thing she asked was what kind of skin I had and what kind of coverage I was looking for. We tried two different mineral powders and then I thought about much shinier my face might look in the heat and humidity this summer and since my face is relatively clear, I was interested in trying a matte mineral powder which led to my current purchase. I've been using BareMinerals Matte SPF15 Foundation for two weeks and so far I have no complaints (funny I've always been afraid of using foundation because I expected cakey, gross skin with use, but I stand corrected) Last summer it was all about tinted moisturizer and I think the powder will be a nice change for this one.

These days I'm also experimenting with blush and lip colors. I use a pink blush from ELF purchased last summer, but I'm ready for something more high end - I tend to experiment freely with low end stuff first before I give up my money. I've been eyeing NARS for both lip and cheek:

So here's my intro to some beauty posts. I'll be sharing more of my newbie make-up shopping adventures and reviews soon. Tell me, what are some of your favorite make up brands?

Bikini Lines: Shaving, Razor Bumps, and Ingrown Hairs... oh my!

I know i usually just talk about the hairs on your head, but there's hairs other wheres... lol

With my new journey to beautiful, clear, glowing skin, it reminded me of a different path I had embarked early last year, a journey to a perfect bikini line! I figured this would be a great time to write this post, since we are still toying with the novelty of 2011 and it's resolutions... meaning If you're anything like me, this is the time of year  you start to get your body together for the spring/summer.

As some of you may know i'm half Brazilian so you will always catch me in a tiny Bikini come summertime, but who feels confident in a Bikini knowing they have razor bumps, ingrown hairs, and scarring from such atrocities? I hated the way it looked and felt to have razor bumps and ingrown hairs, not to mention that it can be painful and leave terrible scars. I felt embarrassed at the beach and pool and realized it was time i do something about it.  Early last year, I took my time doing some research and trying different remedies and my bikini line is now as smooth as a baby's bottom and the scars have faded about 90% which is amazing! Not to mention taking the ACV shot is just making my skin all over 1000 times better!... Anyhooo.... lol. 

Here are the steps i took to clear up my bikini line and get rid of embarrassing scars, razor bumps and ingrown hairs: 

1. Let the hair in the pubic region grow in for about a month. You may be constantly experiencing ingrown hairs if the hair follicle is in shock from constant shaving, causing it to grow out of the skin improperly or to grow out and curl back into the skin. Letting the hair grow out gives the follicles in the region a time to rest, and allows for the hair to grow past the length at which the hair will become ingrown. No, you do not need to grow it for a month every time, but initially when wanting to get rid of the razor bumps, and if they start coming back full force again.
2.  Exfoliate the region regularly. Exfoliating will help to keep skin clean, smooth, and help to prevent hairs from becoming ingrown.
3. Make sure you use a mild shaving agent. I personally do not use use shaving creams because i have very sensitive skin and can not use products with a lot of chemicals and fragrances. I use a bar of Dove soap, and lather the area up very well, this creates a thick, creamy, sudsy residue that is smooth to shave with and does not irritate my skin. I have been doing this for years and i love it but another alternative is using conditioner (yes hair conditioner) to shave.
4. Tweeze and Treat! Whenever the skin is punctured, even if by something as small as a hair, you have to remember that it is a wound and should be treated as such, so be sure your hands and implements are clean. Take some time, a mirror if needed, and a good tweezer. Tweeze the ingrown hair and treat it with a disinfectant, this will also help to prevent scarring. It may be painful at first, but you will grow accustomed to the little pinch associated with tweezing if done properly and quickly, and the relief will be well worth it.
5. Shave in the same direction which the hair grows (i.e: This means you would shave your legs from thigh to ankle in a downward motion). Shaving against the grain will irritate the skin and hair follicle, causing it to go into shock and later produce razor bumps and/or ingrown hairs. For a closer, smoother shave, try shaving in the same direction the hair grows first, and then shaving against the grain once the hair has already been shaved down. This will give a smoother finish but do not shave over the area too many times to avoid irritation.
6. Apply an Anti-inflammatory if needed. So i had been using 1% Hydrocortizone as an anti-imflammatory but wanted something else since Hydrocortizone is a steriod. Curly Film Chick actually shared with me (sorry, don't kill me) that she uses Aloe Gel as an after shave so i will be trying the same thing with the next shave. Aloe is always soothing :)
7. Enjoy your bikini line! Summer is coming, going on vacation, getting married, or for whatever reason, enjoy the new bikini line you've been working on. Don't forget to keep it smooth you have to continue to care for it, so be sure to tweeze any ingrown hairs you may see, always disinfect and treat to prevent further inflammation and scarring, and if you need to start all over and grow the hair out for a few weeks, you'll be back to a perfect bikini line in no time!

Here's a video i found on YouTube that may be helpful, as it has more information on hair as well... Although it's mostly about men and shaving their faces, an ingrown hair is an ingrown hair, lol 

Enjoy!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aj7aRGQ0DyI

Naturals and Beautiful Glowing Skin

Living here in New York, I feel so blessed to be surrounded by so many other naturals around the city, and i might add that they are gorgeous! I have caught myself staring at some of the most beautiful naturals, and of all ages too, and i realize what it is that sets them apart, their skin!!!

I wish i had that beautiful, smooth, glowing sunkissed looking skin that a lot of naturals seem to have.
I was feeling somewhat like "yeah, i'm beautiful with my natural hair...but i dont look like that. These women are out here looking like Goddesses!"
It got me to thinking...... I've been doing all this research on my hair and all the love and care it needs, why haven't i taken the same time out for my skin? Im a major Junk-foodie with a bad diet and terrible skin to show for it; acne and eczema out the wazoo!
I am ready to change my eating habits and cleanse my body, so i guess i could also take a few lessons from my hair...

What would my hair tell my body?
*Go Organic! I've noticed a major change since using organic products in my hair, i could imagine my body would do the same
*Drink more water and excersize!
*Don't use too many products, especially not fragrant and heavily processed products!

So i did my research, and one thing i am trying is taking a shot of Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, which is supposed to help with both eczema and acne from the inside out. Today is day 3 and i will say my skin seems smoother, softer, and my eczema isn't as itchy as it can usually be. I was having a bad eczema breakout on my elbow which looked to be spreading, which has almost completely smoothed over... I'm so happy because the ACV is actually working for me!!! Thank God cuz it tastes gross!!! Lol I chase it with like 3 huge spoonfuls of Apple sauce, lol. This is the one i'm taking :

If there is anyone out there struggling with skin issues, eczema specificially, here are some of the websites i rearched for natural/organic/holistic remedies:

http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/eczema.html

http://www.eczema-natural-healing.com/index.html

http://www.earthcultureroots.com/ital.html

So i guess i'm sort of starting a skin journey... i'll keep you updated on how that goes... lol