Monday, February 18, 2008

My natural skincare routine

After battling cystic/hormonal acne for the past year, I think I have finally nailed it!! In the past, my skin has been relatively clear. Sometimes I wouldn't even wash my skin at night, and if I got a zit, it would usually be a tiny that popped up maybe once a month. About a year ago I got off of birth control pills, and within a month my skin was a WRECK! I quickly went back on the pill, but my skin has never been the same since going off it for a month.

I tried literally EVERYTHING on the market. I spent probably hundreds and hundreds of dollars on everything from Proactiv, Murad, Neutrogena, and everything else offering clear, smooth skin. I even used Retin A micro and Tazorac (prescription creams) from a dermatologist. Don't get me wrong, my skin was NEVER horrible, even at it's worst ( If you have really bad skin, I recommend seeing a dermatologist first) but even one zit is one too many for me.

Despite buying all these expensive creams and potions, my skin got worse! Now, not only did I have breakouts, but my skin got very dry and flakey, drawing attention to the bad areas of my face. Also, the breakouts that I got were not the kind that dry up and go away in a couple of days. These were cysts (hormonal acne) that sometimes lasted WEEKS! After getting THREE cysts one day, I was seriously fed up and considering going to the dermatologist for something drastic. I decided to do some research and look up natural cures. After browsing the internet for a couple of hours I came up with a "routine" for myself. I've been on it for the past three weeks and since then I've gotten ZERO cysts and just one little zit (that popped up yesterday and is already almost gone!). I'm not saying this is a miracle cure, and I'm sure it won't work for me, but if you've tried everything and nothing has worked, it doesn't help to try. Also, it's CHEAP!!! It focuses on cleaning out your system from the inside, because I really believe that any skin problems are a result of bad diet or hormonal imbalances. Okay, so here it is. Please comment if you have any added suggestions, or if you're going to give it a try let me know your results!! I also have some natural skin recipes I'll post throughout the week.

1. The key is to drink morning and night an 8 ounce glass of hot water with either the juice of half a lemon or 2 teaspoons Bragg's organic apple cider vinegar with some RAW honey to sweeten. I let it cool a bit, and then drink it really fast with a straw, because the acid is bad for your teeth.

This is really good to add to your skincare routine because it helps detoxify your body and gives your skin a glow.

2. Not only do I drink apple cider vinegar, I apply it to my face! I use the same Bragg's ACV and use it as a toner for my face. I dilute 1/2 apple cider vinegar with 1/2 distilled water and apply it to my face after cleansing. This really disinfects and helps fade old acne scars. Sometimes though, this is way too strong for me, so lately I've been using 1/4 apple cider vinegar with 3/4 water. I say test it out and see which one you prefer. If you have sensitive or dry skin, go with the 1/4. If you have oily or normal skin, go with the 1/2 ACV.

3. Next, If I do have a zit, or want to prevent it, I put on LOTS of benzoyl peroxide. I put a layer on and make sure it's completely rubbed into the skin and absorbed. Then, I repeat this about 5 or 6 times. After about 15 minutes, I apply pure jojoba oil on my face, so that the benzoyl peroxide will not dry it out. Even after using the benzoyl peroxide, my skin does not flake or dry out, and my skin is VERY sensitive! I also follow up with my regular moisturizer, since jojoba oil is not moisturizing enough for me.

4. I also made a few adjustments to my diet. I COMPLETELY cut out milk. I used to drink about 2 cups a day or organic milk. Now, I only drink soymilk or almond milk. Even organic milk has a lot of added hormones, and cutting off milk and replacing it with an alternative has not only helped my skin, but I believe is much healthier for me in the long run. I also limit my cheese intake and try not to eat as much cheese as I used to. If you can cut out all dairy though, and replace it with other calcium alternatives, it may be more beneficial.

5. Lastly, I've been taking a few supplements. It's important to always take supplements with food, and never on an empty stomach. The supplements I've been taking are ZINC (this one is REALLY good at helping skin out), fish oil (i take about 6 pills a day), evening primrose oil, flaxseed oil, and Vitamin B12. I think that the zinc, fish oil, and evening primrose oil is the most important ones to take.

That was long, but I hope it helped someone! I've even gotten my brother to follow my same routine since he's seen my skin is so much better!

Neutrogena Eye Makeup Remover and Cleanser double packs 90% off at CVS!

Hurry and run to your local CVS!!!! Neutrogena eye makeup remover, eye makeup remover pads, and facial cleanser double packs are 90% off!! This is my absolute favorite eye makeup remover! It really does a great job of getting rid of stubborn eye makeup, all the while being really gentle. The One Step Gentle Cleanser is also AWESOME! I wasn't too fond of the makeup removing pads, but some may like it. If you have a CVS, definitely stop by and check it out! Remember, it's only the specially marked double packs. The cleanser and pads are only 99 cents for TWO! and the liquid eye makeup remover is only 79 cents for TWO!! That's too great a deal to pass up!! I'm actually embarrassed at how many I snagged, I won't say, but I cleared out the 3 CVS's in Santa Monica. I think I have at least a 5 year supply of eye makeup remover and face wash. =)



Friday, February 15, 2008

Free Fitness and STAR magazine

Happy belated Valentine's Day everyone!! I hope you all had a great love day filled with lots and lots of love! My bf surprised me with cooking me dinner,a dozen red roses, and a ring from Tiffany's! I can honestly say it was the perfect Valentine's Day! <3

I LOVE getting magazines in the mail, especially FREE magazines! Right now, you can sign up for 2 magazine subscriptions for absolutely nothing! Fitness is great because it gives you great workout tips and motivation, as well as healthy eating ideas and recipes. To get your free subscription, go to: http://startsampling.com/product.iphtml?item=28137


The next free magazine is a guilty treat for me. Who doesn't love a magazine dedicated to celebrity gossip?! To get your free subscription go to:

http://www.rewardsgold.com/mags/star/sg_STAR_pg1.htm

Enjoy!

Tomorrow shall be an entry dedicated to my natural skincare routine (that's working!!!)


Sunday, February 3, 2008

Dine Out Los Angeles plus FREE Flat Earth Chips!

FREE FLAT EARTH CHIPS
Simply go to http://www.flatearth.com to sign up and print your coupon good for a FREE bag of chips! I LOVE the Harvest Cheddar ones. They are soooooo yummy! If you like cheesy flavored chips, they really are delish, and much better for you than regular potatoe chips! The other flavors are good as well, but I just prefer the cheese ones. Print, redeem, and enjoy!

Dine About Los Angeles
dineLA Restaurant Week unites restaurants from the traditional to the trendy to promote the extraordinary diversity and culinary expertise found throughout LA’s restaurant scene. Restaurants in two dining categories will serve a selection of three-course menus at special prices

Lunch per person ranges from $15-$22 and dinner ranges $25-$34 per person.

The menu is prix fixe, which means it's usually a 3-5 course menu that's already picked out. This is an AWESOME deal, especially if you've been meaning to try out some new restaurants. I did Dine About New York and Dine About San Francisco when I was in the area, and it was defintiely a great experience. I can't wait to try out some new restaurants!

Some noteworthy participating restaurants include:

The Lobster

Ruth Chris

Boa Steakhouse

Sushi Roku

Lawry's

Katsuya

Ocean Avenue Seafood

Crustacean

For a list of all participating restaurants, go to:

http://www.dinela.com/data/restaurantweek/participating-regions.php

Friday, January 25, 2008

Free FULL SIZE eye cream @ Sephora w/ purchase


Sephora is doing yet another hard to resist beauty freebie! Just enter code BEAUTYSLEEP and get a free FULL SIZE Cosmedicine eye cream w/ ANY skincare purchase! Retails for $48! I'm definitely going to have to pick up a skincare product. For the past two months, my skin has been acting REALLY crazy!! One week it's really clear and looks good, and the next week I'll break out in those painful under the skin cysts, rinse and repeat. Blah! So, I'm testing out a skincare regimen that focuses on cleaning out my skin internally, as well as some natural products. So far, so good!!! If in a month my skin has improved, I'll post my regimen for all! To note, I have combination skin that tends to be flakey and breaks out every once in awhile, but lately my skin has been uber dry and flakey and breaking out with cysts (those HUGE under the skin zits- the worst ones to have!). Anyways, I'm hoping that I've found a holy grail skincare routine to share! Wish me luck!

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Self Makeover


As part of my NY's resolution this year, I've decided to start taking better care of myself and putting more of an effort into my appearance. Before, I used to totally be absorbed with makeup, fashion, and all things beauty. I still am, but I just don't look like I am anymore ;) I can't remember when the last time I experimented with my hair or makeup was. I'm stuck in a beauty rut!!! I have traincases full of makeup, a closet overbrimming with cute clothes, and practically enough hair and skincare products to open up a mini-Sephora. Yet, I wear the same makeup everyday (and a rather boring daily makeup look it is, I must admit), and tend to throw on whatever is the most comfy, which usually doesn't equal the most stylish. My beloved Hai iron has been gathering dust as well, since my hair tends to be pulled up into a sloppy ponytail or else is down and unruly.

I discovered the makeover section on http://www.self.com/, and it's pretty awesome! They have the "One Month Makeover" (health), "31 Days to a More Gorgeous You","Do Good, Feel Good", "In 30 Days you Can Get Organized", and "31 Days to Great Sex." The tips are definitely not mindblowing, but taking the effort to read each daily tip is basically a daily reminder to take care of yourself.

So, as part of my resolution to take better care of myself, today I *finally* got my eyebrows waxed! I had previously went to the famous Anastacia's in Beverly Hills, but was not completely impressed. I grew out my brows for a few months (eek!), and was planning on going back to Anastacia's, but the thought of driving to Beverly Hills and having to wait didn't appeal to me. So, I just dropped by a local waxing salon in Westwood. I'm pretty happy with the results, and may just tweak it a little bit. I have never used eye brow pencil or powder before, so if anyone has any recs, please post! I'll post before and after pictures tomorrow! Then, on Thursday I'm off to cut and dye my hair!! I cannot wait!!

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Sephora Beauty Insider Freebies!




From now until February 15, go into any Sephora store counter and simply tell the cashier that you are a Beauty Insider and that you'd like the bag of skincare samples that started January 6th. I've done this twice already with no problems. Each store is different, but my bag contained:

2 sample packets of Lab Skincare for Men cleanser and SPF 20

.17oz tube of Fresh High Noon FreshFace Glow

.28 box of Clarins Sunscreen Smoothing Cream w/ Progressive tanning.

Boscia Enlivening Amino-AG Eye Treatment packet

Dr. Brandt Pore No More packet

Ole Henricksen Visual Truth Eye Cream packet

Cosmedicine Primary Care Multi-Tasking Moisturizer w. SPF 20

I absolutely LOVE samples, and this is awesome because no purchase is required. Also, you can tell them you also received an email about the Cosmedicine Opti-Mologist eye cream sample and they'll give you a sample tube. Picked one up as well :) They also have tons of other samples behind the counter, so I'm sure you could ask for whatever you want.




Also, if you register online to become a Beauty Insider, on your birthday you get an email that you print out and bring to Sephora to get a free 1.7 ounce tube of Bliss Naked Body Butter. This stuff is really nice, but pricey, so free is always appreciated!


Enjoy!