Lush Empties Review

Hey Glams and Geeks! I am so excited to be back on here sharing a new post with you guys! And I’m especially excited for what I’ll be sharing with everyone, as it’s all about one of my favorite skin care brands, Lush Cosmetics! Many of you may be familiar with the brand, but for those of you who aren’t, Lush is a brand that makes products using fresh ingredients and safe synthetics. I first discovered them about two years back, and have been in love with them ever since! As a result of my undying love for them, I’ve collected some recently finished products (from the past three months or so) and will be reviewing them for you today! I’ll be talking about some hits and misses, whether or not I’ll be rebuying these products, and offer a few tips on how I use them! Please note that I’ve included links for each of the products so that you may read about them in better depth at your convenience. :)

Let The Good Times Roll

What Is It: A polenta based cleanser that smells of caramel and leaves your skin feeling silky smooth!

Love It/Hate It: I cannot express how much LOVE I have for this cleanser! I first discovered it about two years ago and was so sad when I learned that it was a limited edition product. Shortly after, I found out that it was made a permanent item and thanked the heavens, as after my first time using this, I was completely obsessed. My skin was so soft and hydrated, while the product itself smells so good you just want to take a bite (which is not advised, but should you find yourself giving into temptation, opt for their Popcorn flavored lip scrub)!

Rebuy/Goodbye: This isn’t the first time that I run out of this stuff, and like every other time, I always have a back-up waiting at the ready as I can’t skip a day without this little pot of gold! So, it is safe to say that I shall be restocking my beloved Let The Good Times Roll.

Imperialis

What Is It: A balancing Lavender facial moisturizer, perfect for combination skin!

Love It/Hate It: I can’t say that I love this product, but I can’t say that I hate it either. I have mixed feelings for Imperialis, as there are a few things I did enjoy, while there were others that really put me off about it. First, I really love its refreshing scent! The orange blossom water is not overpowering, but it is present and smells wonderful when you apply Imperialis to your face. Second, I like the light weight texture of this moisturizer. I usually prefer thicker creams, as I feel they provide better moisture, but this light weight texture was very nice against the skin. Now, for my dislikes. I wasn’t fond of the feeling left behind by Imperialis once it settles on the skin. I found it to be somewhat slick, or residue-y, making my skin feel unclean. Along with that feeling came the rest of my disappointment. I felt that this moisturizer, while intended for combo skin, didn’t do much to provide moisture to the dryer parts of my face. While it works well to control the oiler parts (my t-zone), the other parts felt rather parched and tight. As a result, I’d have to pull out other moisturizers to get the job done.

Rebuy/Goodbye: Sadly, I’ll have to say Goodbye to this one. While I am not suggesting that it isn’t worth trying, I am saying that for my skin, it didn’t satisfy me. I worked through the entire pot of Imperialis before deciding that we needed to part ways, but am glad that I gave it a try!

Full Of Grace

What Is It: A preservative-free moisturizing bar that helps skin to retain moisture and elasticity!

Love It/Hate It: Love is not a strong enough word to describe how I feel about Full of Grace! I began using this a few months back and I cannot imagine letting my skin go without it ever again! As someone who has combo skin, it is hard for me to find a moisturizer that caters to both the oily and dry parts of my face, which this seems to do effortlessly! Full of Grace is made with moisturizing tropical butters, soothing chamomile, and antioxidizing mushroom extract, all of which combined work to keep my skin hydrated, glowing, and youthful! My favorite part about this product is that it’s preservative-free, meaning that it preserves or maintains itself, and doesn’t contain any synthetic ingredients to help it do so.

Rebuy/Goodbye: Whenever I buy this stuff, I usually buy it in two’s, as I never like to be without it! It’s part of my daily night time beauty regimen and I can’t skip a day without it!

Breath Of Fresh Air Toner

 What Is It: A seawater based toner that contains nourishing carrageen (seaweed) extract, and a soothing blend of rose absolute and aloe vera.

Love It/Hate It: I really love this stuff! Plain and simple! I’ve tried quite a few toners, each from different brands, and this one has been quite rewarding for my skin. It’s very calming due to the aloe vera, which is great as I have rosacea that tends to make my skin very red and hot when using certain products. And, it doubles as a makeup setting spray! All the more reason to have won me over!

Rebuy/Goodbye: This is definitely something I’m willing to buy and use again, as it has really worked well with my combo skin and rosacea! I even plan to buy a smaller bottle to keep with me on the go to freshen up during the day!

Ultimate Shine Shampoo Bar

What Is It: A shampoo bar intended to make your hair shine.

Love It/Hate It: I will be straightforward in telling you that I’m not a fan of this shampoo bar, at least not for my hair. When I first used this, I had high hopes in achieving shiny, lovely smelling hair. After washing and rinsing, followed by styling, I noticed that my fine hair felt rather dehydrated despite its intense shine. As a result, my scalp felt uncomfortable and dry as it wasn’t the most moisturizing shampoo. All in all, I discontinued using Ultimate Shine as my shampoo and ended up using it as my brush cleanser, instead. Now is when I can rave about this: best brush cleanser ever! My brushes have never felt so soft or looked so shiny before! I’ve even noticed that they’ve been shedding less since I no longer have to dip them in liquid shampoo. I just simply pass the wet bristles over the bar and gently rub in the suds, and voila! Shiny, great smelling brushes!

Rebuy/Goodbye: As a shampoo, I would not consider rebuying Ultimate Shine. However, as a brush cleanser, I definitely will continue to use this stuff! I’ve gotten a good 40-50 washes worth of brush cleansing from one bar, which for me is a great value as I wash my brushes weekly!

H’Suan Wen Hua Hair Treatment

What Is It: A hair treatment that delivers intense nutrition to your scalp and hair.

Love It/Hate It: I’ve used many hair masks throughout my life, but haven’t felt my hair as healthy and as nourished as I did when I first used this. My hair felt super soft and had such a brilliant shine to it, it was as if I’d never dyed it, ever! I had just done an ombre to my hair when I first used this hair treatment, and the bleach really did a number on my ends. But after leaving this on overnight, my hair felt brand new! Now, for those of you who’ve never used this before, let me prepare you, this does have a rather funny scent to it, due to the Balsamic vinegar that’s in it. The vinegar helps to boost the hair’s shine, while the other ingredients such as mashed bananas, eggs, avocados, and olive oil work to restore the hairs texture, elasticity, and overall health. As a result, the hair is left looking incredible, but beware, your hair may feel a bit slick or have a residue-y feel right after rinsing. After washing and drying your hair, get ready to see that your hair has bounced back from whatever damage or dehydration it may have experienced before!

Rebuy/Goodbye: Definitely! While this is a pricey hair treatment, I recommend that you get the most out of your 7.9 ounces and apply this to your hair while wet! I know the instructions advise to apply this to dry hair, but after applying to both wet and dry hair, I found it to be easier and more effective when applied to wet hair. When applied wet, H’Suan Wen Hua made my hair shinier, softer, and easier to manage post shower (less tangles and knots!). This wet method stretched my treatment to a full 5 uses!

Ultrabland

What Is It: A nourishing beeswax facial cleanser.

Love It/Hate It: On my list of favorites, Ultrabland comes up number two, right beneath Let The Good Times Roll! Ultrabland was one of the first cleansers I tried from Lush as I was looking for a natural alternative to makeup remover, and this was suggested. I was skeptical at first, as the texture felt unlike anything I’ve ever felt before in a cleanser. It’s slick and balmy, and didn’t feel like something I would like at all! But, after getting a demo done and feeling how soft and smooth my skin was, I caved in and decided to give it a go. After trying it at home, I was immediately hooked! I’ve even found ways to include it into other skin care routines, like slathering some on my face and neck before applying a mask (which btw gives you the most incredible glow!). And so, my love affair with Ultrabland began.

Rebuy/Goodbye: With as many ways this stuff has incorporated itself into my beauty routine, there is no going back now! Can’t wait to rebuy!

Mask of Magnaminty (Self Preserving)

What Is It: A deep cleansing face and body mask

Love It/Hate It: This stuff is literally a God send! I love that it is really nourishing and doesn’t dry out the skin the way some masks tend to do. It gets deep into my pores to cleanse any impurities and gently exfoliates the skin while providing moisture all at once! It’s definitely a triple functioning mask, which is perfect in my book as I love multifunctional products that help to eliminate extra steps in my routine! On any given Sunday, you’ll catch me with a full face of Mask of Magnaminty to help me get my skin ready for the week ahead!

Rebuy/Goodbye: I can’t imagine my skin care routine without my Mask of Magnaminty, so I’ll definitely be restocking this stuff!

DISCLAIMER: All products mentioned in this post were purchased by me using my own money. I was not paid or asked to review these products. All opinions are my own and were not influenced by anyone other than myself. I genuinely enjoy Lush Cosmetics products and wanted to share with you what my favorite products are, which ones were a miss for me, and what I plan to continue buying from this brand. All photos were used from LushUSA.com.

Thank you for reading my Lush Empties post! Please bear in mind that everyone’s skin is different, and what may or may not work well for me, may work differently for someone else. I encourage everyone to give products a try based on their own needs, wants, and desires, as everyone’s skin care preferences differ. My hope is to simply share my favorite products with everyone, possibly introduce you to a new brand, or new product from Lush!

Be sure to keep up with me on Instagram to find out about upcoming posts, product reviews, swatch photos, and more! @TheGlamGeekConfessional

Lush Aromaco and The Greeench Review

Hello Glams and Geeks! Welcome back to the blog! In today’s post, I will be talking about my experience with trying out two natural deodorants that I purchased from Lush, Aromaco and The Greeench, as well as share with you some information that I learned about switching to natural deodorants. If you are considering going natural or trying out deodorants from Lush, this post will make your transition an easy one!

For a while, I have contemplated switching to natural deodorant, but had some concerns that always held me back, such as “Will it last all day?” “Will it keep me smelling fresh?” “Will it hold out during vigorous activity or in humid weathers?” Naturally, these are just some of the concerns that can arise, that may make someone new to this change, a bit hesitant. So, to help make this transition an easy one, I took to the internet to do some research to find a natural deodorant that is affordable, effective, and durable enough to meet my needs. While many options came up, the ones that really seemed to work well for many people are the Lush deodorants. They are reasonably priced (with the exception of their Dirty Body Spray - $19.95), ranging from $6.95 to $10.95. They offer various forms of deodorants, such as bars, powders, and sprays, so there are plenty of options! Their scents are very unique and earthy, making them wearable for both men and women. They are also vegan and made with natural and safe synthetic ingredients, making them safer than commercial deodorants, which include Aluminum, Parabens, and other harmful ingredients.

When I went to my local Lush store, I spoke with a sales associate who was very helpful, and I was given some great information that definitely came in handy during my trial of their deodorants. First, we spoke about why you should NOT use an antiperspirant. Anything that blocks the lymph nodes from excreting toxins from the body is very harmful for you. It prevents the body from balancing your PH levels and hormone functions, and can lead to a disruption in certain body processes such as your menstrual cycle. It can also result in the development of cancer in the body, such as breast cancer, or lymph node cancer, due to the antiperspirant ingredients trapping those toxins directly into the gland.

Next, we spoke about some possibilities that CAN occur during the first few weeks of switching to natural deodorant. I was informed that it takes the body anywhere from 14-21 days to naturally detox itself, pushing out any harmful elements from the body through your pores and underarms. It was recommended to me by the Lush associate, to allow my body to fully push through this period, to really see how the product works for me after toxin-elimination. During this process, it is possible that the skin may become irritated, possibly inflamed or chafe. In some cases, this may not be a worrisome issue, as it can be treated with Benadryl or A&D ointment (preferably applied at bedtime), and will go away within a few days. In others, if irritation continues after 7-10 days with the application of the ointments, I suggest discontinuing use of the product immediately! If irritation occurs, or worsens, it is possible you may have experienced an allergic reaction to the products, and should seek medical attention to properly care for your rash.

Lastly, I was informed that should I ever decide to switch back to using a regular deodorant, to ensure that it is just a deodorant and NOT an antiperspirant, as you want to allow your body to continue filtering out toxins as it did with the natural deodorant. I recommend researching some deodorizing alternatives that are free in any harmful ingredients, including, but not limited to Aluminum.

Now that you know what to expect, how to handle a rash should one occur, and what to do in the event of discontinued-use, let’s talk a bit about both Aromaco and The Greeench.

Aromaco is a deodorizing bar, which smells of patchouli oil and feels very moisturizing on the skin. Containing a total of 8 ingredients, this bar is said to be the gentlest deodorant offered by Lush, and includes Witch Hazel, Chamomile Vinegar, and Patchouli oil to help keep you smelling and feeling fresh all day long.

Because this is a wax-like bar, it is important to know that it doesn’t feel quite like a traditional deodorant. You will rub it on the same way, but rather than it transferring a cream-like product to your skin, it is coating the skin with a sheer layer of oils to keep the skin soft and lightly scented. This may cause chafing beneath the arms, so be sure to refer to the information provided above to know what should be expected. Also, because of the wax-like feel, this bar may tend to harden on the surface. Do not worry, as this is a quick fix! I urge you not to shave the edges, as this was recommended by multiple people online and by the employees at Lush. Simply use a towel, preferably one that will not be used on your face or body (try a paper towel, for example), and rub the hardened parts against the towel to remove the hard layer, and to shave off only what is necessary. This will help preserve the amount of product, and is much easier and safer than shaving it with a knife.

The Greeench is a deodorizing powder, which smells like a perfect blend of herbs, including Sage, Thyme oil, Tea Tree Oil, and Rosemary. When applied, this delivers a refreshing, minty-tingle to the skin, leaving you feeling cool and clean and dry throughout the day.

Because this is a powder, this may be a little messy to apply. I recommend storing the product in a box or container to preserve it, and purchasing a powder puff to make applying it an easier, neater process.

Throughout my trial period, I must say I really loved the light yet rich scent of Aromaco. It is a very clean fragrance, which really held up to all of my daily activities, including working out. Not once did I ever feel or smell bad. In fact, I felt that because it was oil-based, it held up better than any commercial deodorant I have used in the past. Now, here is where things took an unfortunate turn for me. After about two weeks of using this, I was very happy with it and was so excited that I actually found such a great natural deodorant. During my second week of using this, I began to notice darkening underneath my arms. I didn’t feel any irritation nor did I notice any inflammation, so I continued to use it. As this is a wax-like bar (same consistency of soy-candle wax, yet much softer upon application), I figured the rubbing of the bar was creating this darkness on my skin. I read some reviews on Google, and learned that this is normal during any transition from Aluminum-based deodorant to a natural one, so I dismissed the issue. A few days later, I began noticing that my skin was starting to chafe horribly, becoming red around the darkened areas and developed some dry patches. I stopped all use of it immediately, using only The Greeench powder instead. After discontinuing use, there is still some darkness, and some redness under my arms, as well as extreme irritation and sensitivity. I have continued to treat my skin with A & D ointment, and use The Greeench on its own.

When I began this trial, I spent one week using both deodorants paired together. I noticed that when they are used together, they provide maximum strength, Aromaco acting as the base and scent, while The Greeench kept me dry. Together, they created the perfect blend for me. The second week, I used Aromaco on its own, and was pleased with how it held up in regards to fighting odor. I didn’t experience any moisture other than that provided by the oils in Aromaco, nor did I feel sweaty, unless I was exercising or outdoors for long periods of time. The third week, I used The Greeench on its own. While I did notice that this kept me dry throughout the day, I felt the need to reapply this at varying times as this is great for keeping moisture at bay, but not for fighting odor. Because this is a sheer powder, it works great with something as a base to hold it in place all day. I plan to use this as an at-home deodorant, or whenever I know I won’t be doing any extreme activity.

Although my experience was bittersweet with trying these deodorants, I want to mention that despite my rash, I did really like both Aromaco and The Greeench. I do not want my experience to discourage anyone from personally trying either one, as everyone is different, and I believe I may have experienced an allergic reaction to the ingredients or that my sensitive skin could not adapt to the rubbing whenever I applied the Aromaco bar. I recommend when trying both products, to definitely observe your skin and be cautious of any signs or symptoms of irritation. I also suggest reading reviews online to see if there are other deodorants from their store that seem more suitable and are to your liking. I thank you so much for taking the time to read my Lush review and wish everyone giving this a try a wonderful experience. If you do give them a try, let me know here on the blog, or leave a comment on Instagram (@TheGlamGeekConfessional).

How To Create A Custom Skin Care Routine: Splurge Edition!

Welcome back, Glams and Geeks! In Wednesday’s edition of How To Create A Custom Skin Care Routine, I recommended some brands that are easy to find at almost any drugstore or convenience store near you. Brands such as Burt’s Bees, Olay, Yes To, L’Oreal, etc. are not only affordable, but are so widely available that I knew it would be best to suggest those to start off with. Now, while those brands are great and do offer products that are budget-friendly and effective, today I want to talk about some great skin care products, offered by higher-end brands, that you can find at your nearest mall, or online! As I already went over all of the basics and essentials for your skin care routine in my previous post (click here if you haven’t read it, yet!), I will not go over it again here, as I want to get straight to the products that are intended for your specific skin type and concern!

Makeup Remover

Normal: Mac Cosmetics Makeup Removing Wipes, pack of 30 wipes- $10, pack of 45 wipes- $20, pack of 100 wipes- $29, available at your local Mac store or online at MacCosmetics.com

Dry: Josie Maran Bear Naked Wipes, pack of 30 wipes for $12, available at your local Sephora store, online at Sephora.com, and online at JosieMaranCosmetics.com

Sensitive: Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleansing Cloths, Pack of 30 wipes- $15, available at your local Sephora store, Ulta store, or online at Sephora.com and Ulta.com

Combo/Oily/Acne: Korres Pomegranate Cleansing and Makeup Removing Wipes for Oily and Combination Skin, Pack of 25 wipes- $12, available at your local Sephora store or online at Sephora.com

Face Cleanser

Normal: Lush Let The Good Times Roll Face Cleanser, 3.5 oz. for $12.95, 8.8 oz. for $31.95; available at your local Lush store or online at LushUsa.com

Dry: Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Oil, 1.9 oz. for $12, 6 oz. for $32; available at your local Sephora store or online at Sephora.com and JosieMaranCosmetics.com

Sensitive: Fresh Soy Face Cleanser, 1.7 oz. for $15, 5.1 oz. for $38; available at your local Sephora store or online at Sephora.com and Fresh.com

Combo/Oily/Acne: The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash, $12; available at your local Body Shop store or online at TheBodyShop-usa.com and Ulta.com

 Exfoliator

Normal: Mac Cosmetics Mineralize Volcanic Ash Exfoliator, $28; available at your local Mac store or online at MacCosmetics.com

Dry: Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Face Polish, $32; available at your local Sephora store or online at Sephora.com and LauraMercier.com

Sensitive: First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Polish, $24; available at your local Sephora store or online at Sephora.com and FirstAidBeauty.com

Combo/Oily/Acne: Lush Dark Angels Scrub, 3.5 oz. for $12.95, 8.8 oz. for $31.95; available at your local Lush store or online at LushUsa.com

Cleansing Brushes and Tools

Normal: Boscia Konjac Cleansing Sponge, $18, available at your local Sephora store or online at Sephora.com and Boscia.com

Dry: Dr. Dennis Gross Steamer Solutions, $125, available online at Sephora.com and DGskincare.com

 Sensitive: Foreo Luna for Ultra-Sensitive Skin, $199, available at your local Sephora store or online at Sephora.com and Foreo.com

Combo/Oily/Acne: Clarisonic Mia2 Sonic Skin Cleansing Acne Clarifying Collection, $169, available at your local Sephora store or online at Sephora.com and Carisonic.com

Toner

Normal: Lush Breath of Fresh Air, $9.95 for 3.3 oz., $21.95 for 8.4 oz; available at your local Lush store or online at LushUsa.com

Dry: Nars Multi-Action Hydrating Toner, $32, available at your local Sephora store or online at Sephora.com and NarsCosmetics.com

Sensitive: Fresh Rose Floral Toner, $38, available at your local Sephora store or online at Sephora.com and Fresh.com

Combo/Oily/Acne: Ole Henriksen Grease Relief Face Tonic, $22, available at your local Sephora or online at Sephora.com and OleHenriksen.com

 Moisturizer (Day/Night)

 Normal: (Day) Origins VitaZing SPF 15 Energy-Boosting Moisturizer with Mangosteen, $35, available at your local Sephora store or online at Sephora.com and Origins.com / (Night) Philosophy Hope in a Jar Night Cream, $50, available at your local Sephora store or online at Sephora.com and Philosophy.com

 

Dry: (Day) Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer with SPF 47, $32 for 2 oz., $54 for 4 oz; available at your local Sephora store or online at Sephora.com and JosieMaran.com / (Night) Philosophy Miracle Worker Overnight Moisturizer, $68, available at your local Sephora store or online at Sephora.com and Philosophy.com

Sensitive: (Day) First Aid Beauty 5 in 1 Face Cream with SPF 30, $38, available at your local Sephora store or online at Sephora.com and FirstAidBeauty.com / (Night) REN Vita Mineral Omega 3 Optimum Skin Serum Oil, $45, available at your local Sephora store or online at Sephora.com and RenSkinCare.com

Combo/Oily/Acne: (Day) Murad Oil-Control Mattifier SPF 15 PA++, $39.50, available at your local Sephora store or online at Sephora.com and Murad.com / (Night) Boscia Oil-Free Nightly Hydration, $36, available at your local Sephora store or online at Sephora.com and Boscia.com

 Firming/Fine Lines/Wrinkles: (Day) Shisheido Benefiance Wrinkle Resist 24 Day Cream with SPF 15 PA++, $53, available at your local Sephora store or online at Sephora.com and Shisheido.com / (Night) Bliss Youth As We Know It Anti-Aging Night Cream, $79, available at your local Sephora store or online at Sephora.com and BlissWorld.com

 Eye Cream

 Normal: Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream, $30, available at your local Sephora store or online at Sephora.com and Origins.com



Dry: Tarte Maracuja C-Brighter Eye Cream, $38, available at your local Sephora store or online at Sephora.com and TarteCosmetics.com

Sensitive: First Aid Beauty Eye Duty Triple Remedy, $36, available at your local Sephora store or online at Sephora.com and FirstAidBeauty.com

Firming/Fine Lines/Wrinkles: Nude Skincare Advanced Renewal Eye Complex, $58, available at your local Sephora store or online at Sephora.com and NudeSkincare.com

Puffiness/Dark Circles: The Body Shop Vitamin E Eye Cream, $18, available at your local Body Shop and Ulta stores or online at TheBodyShop-Usa.com and Ulta.com

Facials

  Normal: Lush BB Seaweed Fresh Face Mask, $6.95, available only in Lush stores.

Dry: Korres Greek Yoghurt Advanced Nourishing Sleeping Facial, $45, available at your local Sephora store or online at Sephora.com and KorresUsa.com

Sensitive: Ole Henriksen Blue/Black Berry Enzyme Mask, $34, available at your local Sephora store and online at Sephora.com and OleHenriksen.com

Combo/Oily/Acne: Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask, $24, available at your local Sephora store or online at Sephora.com and Origins.com

 Thank you so much for stopping by and reading today's post! Please be sure to follow me on Instagram for more on beauty and skin care, as well as to find out about upcoming blog posts! @TheGlamGeekConfessional

How To Create A Custom Skin Care Routine!

Hello Glams and Geeks! On a daily basis, we expose our skin to so much. Walking outside, whether in a polluted-area such as an urban city environment, or even in the suburbs, where you’re outdoors all the time. While commuting to and from places, touching things along the way. The layers of makeup that you apply to your face in the morning, touching it up at varying times of the day. The sweat from that intense workout you did this afternoon. These are the activities that have built the routines of your life. These are also the contributing factors that play a big role in the condition of your skin. So, much like your daily routine, today we will talk about creating a skin care routine to help you put your best face forward as you take on the day!

First things first, know your skin! Do you have natural skin? Or do you find oiliness along your T-zone? Whatever the case may be, knowing your skin is the first step to achieving your best skin yet!

Normal: This skin type is neither too oily nor too dry, as it is perfectly balanced between the two, never having too much of one or the other. It has minimal to no imperfections (redness, irritation, blemishes, etc.). It has no extreme sensitivities to products and rarely becomes irritated. Pores for this skin type are barely visible and complexion is healthy and radiant.

Oily: This skin type is prone to having large, visible pores, as the skin is constantly producing and releasing oils. The complexion may seem shiny, or dull, and can experience breakouts, black heads, and other blemishes. People with this skin type should bear in mind that depending on certain factors, this skin type can worsen. Changing of the seasons, weather conditions, and aging may determine how much oil is produced by your skin, as well as hormonal changes (puberty, menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause), stress, and hot/humid weathers may impact your skin type as well.

Dry: This skin type has a very dull complexion, and may appear very chapped, or dehydrated. Pores are practically invisible, as they are almost closed, and are barely releasing the skins natural oils. Dry skin may have less elasticity due to the lack of oil production, therefore leading to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. People with this skin type should bear in mind that factors such as aging, hormonal changes (puberty, menstrual cycle, pregnancy, menopause), harsh weathers, UV radiation from indoor tanning, hot showers, and alcohol-based skin care and cosmetic products can worsen this skin type, so please be aware of these conditions!

Sensitive: This skin type is pretty hard to define as it is not known what specific things are harmful or worrisome for this type. It is crucial for people with this skin type to become familiar with what works well for their skin, and what doesn’t, by observing the ingredients of what is used in order to prevent any rashes, irritations or severe reactions from occurring. Also, people with this skin type may suffer from extreme allergies, and should consult their dermatologist to determine what ingredients/products should be avoided. This skin type may experience redness, irritation, burning or itchiness, and dryness.

Combination: This skin type is a mix of normal, dry and oily skin types. The oiliness usually occurs along the T-Zone (Forehead, nose, chin), while the rest of the face is either normal, or very dry. People with this skin type may experience enlarged pores, shiny skin along the T-Zone, and black heads. See skin types above to see what may worsen this skin type.

If you are still uncertain of your skin type, click here to complete Fitness Magazine’s skin type quiz.

Next, what are your biggest concerns? Do you experience breakouts, such as stubborn blackheads or noticeable whiteheads? What about sensitivity? Does your face become irritated easily? Addressing these concerns while tending to your skin can help to relieve the problem, as well as diminish these concerns overtime.

Rosacea or Redness: Rosacea is a skin concern that affects thousands of women and men. There is no one specific cause or reason as to the development of Rosacea, but dermatologists have been trying to figure out the exact reason why this occurs in peoples skin, and how to properly treat and rid of it. Below, I have provided a link for anyone who may have Rosacea, or may know someone with it, who may have questions, or may want to know more about it. Now, as far as helping to soothe and prevent irritation, here are a few things people with Rosacea should avoid in their cosmetic and skin care routines: Alcohol, Fragrance, Witch Hazel, and Menthol. These have been said to irritate the skin, and cause a skin reaction upon contact. (Rosacea.org)

http://www.rosacea.org/

Dull Skin: This can be caused by a number of things, but can be fixed in a number of ways! If you are experiencing dull, lackluster skin, you should give the following things a try to bring back your glow:

·         Take some Vitamin C! Vitamin C has skin brightening benefits that can help to revive your dull skin, so whether taken in the form of a pill or applied in the form of moisturizer to your face, make sure to introduce this into your daily skin care routine to start seeing an improvement in your complexion.

·         Scrub away dead skin with an exfoliator! There are so many different ways to exfoliate your skin, so the choice is up to you in how you decide to bring this into your weekly skin care routine. There are exfoliating cleansers, face wipes, moisturizers with gritty beads, and even cleansing machines and sponges. But, please bear in mind, this is a process that should only be done 2 to 3 times a week. Daily exfoliation can strip the skin when it isn’t necessary, as you will be disrupting your body’s natural function of producing new skin, and releasing old, dead skin (which is what should be scrubbed away to reveal your new, healthy skin).

·         Moisturize morning and night! This is the most essential step in your daily skin care routine, to moisturize in the morning after washing your face, and at night right before bed. We will be discussing this in depth later on in this series, but this is key to obtaining beautiful, healthy skin, and I cannot stress this enough!

·         Last but not least, drink (and spritz!) lots of water! Water helps to keep you hydrated and get your blood flowing, which in turn, helps to bring that glowing flush to your cheeks, and helps keep your skin nice and clear. So be sure to drink the recommended 6 to 8 glasses (or bottles) a day! In terms of spritzing, a refreshing rose water toner works wonders for dull skin! Rose Water is not only natural, but provides antioxidants to lackluster skin, while acting as an anti-inflammatory for tired, irritated skin. This can be found at supermarkets or skin care shops at varying prices.

Acne: This can be brought on by a number of things, including hormonal changes in the body (puberty, pregnancy, etc.), stress, poor diet, and even dirt or pollutants exposed to the skin. Acne is very common, and also can be treated if the right products are used on a consistent basis. An ingredient that helps to treat breakouts and keep them at bay is Salicylic Acid. Salicylic Acid helps to treat acne as it deeply cleanses the pores, ridding of any pollutants that have seeped in from sitting on the surface of the skin, or any dirt that may have entered your pores in the same way. It also helps to prevent any lesions from occurring on the skin as it has anti-bacterial properties and sterilizes the skin. I will get in depth on some products that you should introduce into your skin care routine to help clear and prevent any existing or oncoming breakouts later on in this series.

Blackheads/Whiteheads: Both black and white heads are a form of acne, and are caused by similar things such as the propionibacterium (Acne producing bacteria), dead skin cells which clog the pores, overproduction of oil, impurities that have seeped into the hair follicles, and hormonal changes (same as mentioned above). With blackheads, the follicle remains enlarged while the pore is clogged. The same effects and causes occur for white heads, except in this case, the skin closes over the pore, trapping the impurities within in, causing bacteria to form and irritation to occur. Some ways to treat and prevent these vary based on the severity of the acne. For example, for severe cases of black heads and white heads, some dermatologists may recommend acne medications that help to balance the hormone levels and improve the overall health of the skin. For light to mild black/whiteheads, a consistent daily skin care routine, using products that are specifically intended to help rid of them will work just fine, and will be discussed later on in this series.

Dark Circles/Puffiness under Eyes: Darkness under the eyes is such a common issue for many, especially those whose genetics make sure they are passed down from generation to generation (which is my case!). It can also be the result of an allergy condition, lack of sleep, thinning skin under the eyes (lack of collagen), sun exposure, and stress. In regards to puffiness, some of the same factors apply, such as the allergies, heredity, and lack of sleep. But puffiness can also occur when an individual retains too much water, if you’ve consumed foods high in sodium, or if you irritate your eyes by rubbing them too rough or too frequently. Some quick fixes to these problems are to try under eye gels containing cooling or soothing agents, using an eye mask at night, applying an anti-inflammatory cream, and a few others that we will discuss later on in this series.

While the list of skin conditions and concerns is endless, I really wanted to focus on those that are most common and that can be easily treated, cared for, and soothed using products you can buy anywhere. As I am not a professional nor a dermatologist, I do not feel at liberty to discuss or recommend any medications regarding these concerns, as everyone’s skin is very different, and some people may experience their skin condition more severely than others, and I do not want to lead anyone on with false hopes and expectations, as I do not know how everyone’s skin will react to any one particular medication/product. I can, however, recommend products that you can purchase at your local Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, Target, etc. in hopes that I can help you find products that may work for you. My goal is to help address everyday skin care concerns, as I know how difficult it can be to find effective, affordable products that deliver promising results. I feel that everyone should feel comfortable and beautiful in their own skin, and I’m here to help in any way I can.

Now, let’s talk about the essentials! With the knowledge of your skin type and concerns at hand, you can now find products appropriate for your skin type, as well as ones that will help with your concerns. Your essentials, which you should always have on hand, are your cleanser, exfoliator, moisturizer (day and night), makeup remover, toner, and a mask. These will be your go-to products, the ones you will use consistently. You may incorporate other products into your routine such as an eye cream or an acne treatment, but as long as you have your basics, you’ll always be able to achieve your best skin!

Let’s start with makeup remover. Whether you prefer pre-moistened towelettes or wipes, or would rather a liquid remover than can be applied to a cotton pad to remove your makeup, ALWAYS keep consistent with removing your makeup prior to washing your face. By skipping this step, and going straight to washing your face, you are still left with the residue of your makeup, which builds up over time, and clogs your pores. This leads to dull, lack luster skin. Harsh breakouts, and irritated blemishes. Pesky blackheads, and acne along your face. It is the most crucial step in caring for your skin, so never skip out on removing your makeup. And most importantly, NEVER sleep with your makeup on!

Normal: Olay Fresh Effects Everything Off! Wet Clothes, pack of 25 wipes, about $5 at your local drugstore

Dry: Yes to Carrots Nourishing Gentle Cleansing Facial Wipes, pack of 25 wipes, about $6 at your local drugstore

Sensitive: Simple Skin Cleansing Facial Wipes, pack of 25 wipes, about $6 at your local drugstore

Combo/Oily/Acne: Neutrogena Oil-Free Cleansing Wipes for Acne Prone Skin, pack of 25 wipes, about $6 at your local drugstore.

As part of your daily routine, your most important step for both morning and night, is cleansing your face with a cleanser that is intended for your skin type and/or concern. Bear in mind, if wearing makeup, be sure to remove all product from your face with a makeup removing product beforehand (wipe/liquid) prior to washing your face. This will help to unblock your pores, and allow your cleanser to work at its full potential, delivering the best results. Also, while cleansing in the morning helps to refresh the skin by removing the product applied the night before, cleansing at night helps to remove the toxins, dirt, and left over makeup from the day.

Normal: Alba Botanica Hawaiian Facial Cleanser, about $7 at your local drugstore

Dry: Garnier Clean and Nourishing Cleansing Oil, about $6 at your local drugstore

Sensitive: Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser, about $6 at your local drugstore

Combo/Oily/Acne: Biore Combination Skin Balancing Cleanser, about $6 at your local drugstore

To keep skin looking fresh and vibrant, make sure to incorporate a good exfoliator into your routine. Exfoliating is necessary as it sloughs away dead skin cells, and reveals new, radiant skin. It is also helpful in the prevention of wrinkles, as it keeps the skin in constant regeneration of new skin cells. This is only necessary 2 to 3 times a week. Over-exfoliation can irritate the skin, causing dullness and even blemishes to appear. Also, go for a gentle exfoliator, one with microbeads that dissolve as you scrub. Ones with seeds, such at the St. Ives Apricot scrub, although it feels wonderful, can be harmful to the delicate skin on your face.

Normal: Olay Fresh Effects Bead Me Up Exfoliating Scrub, about $6 at your local drugstore.

Dry: St. Ives Smooth & Nourished Oatmeal Scrub and Mask, about $4 at your local drugstore.

Sensitive: Yes to Carrots Nourishing Exfoliating Cleanser, about $9 at your local drugstore.

Combo/Oily/Acne: Freeman Charcoal and Black Sugar Facial Polishing Mask, about $4 at your local drugstore.

For a deep cleaning experience, you may use a cleansing brush such as a Clarisonic, or opt for something more affordable but just as effective. The benefits of these brushes are that the bristles allow the cleanser to deeply clean your skin, getting beneath the surface and extracting any impurities that are there. If a brush doesn’t appeal to you, you may also consider a cleansing sponge, much like the Boscia Konjac sponge.

Normal: Olay Fresh Effects Va-Va-Vivid Cleansing System, about $12 at your local drugstore

Dry/Sensitive: EcoTools Pure Complexion Sensitive Facial Sponge, about $6 at your local Ulta or drugstore

Combo/Oily/Acne: EcoTools Pure Complexion Deep Cleansing Facial Sponge with Charcoal, about $6 at your local Ulta or drugstore

After cleansing, you may follow up with a toner to close your pores, or diminish their appearance if they are naturally large. Toners are great to help seal in moisture, as well as prep the skin prior to applying makeup, to prevent pores from being clogged by makeup or toxins from daily exposure. Some toners even contain beneficial ingredients that make your skin glow, or contain antibacterial properties to prevent breakouts and blemishes while treating them.

Normal: Burt’s Bees Rose Water Toner, about $10 at your local drugstore.

Dry: L’Oreal Alcohol-Free HydraFresh Skin Toner, about $6 at your local drugstore.

Sensitive: Simple Skin Soothing Facial Toner, about $6 at your local drugstore.

Combo/Oily/Acne: Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control Toner, about $7 at your local drugstore.

Time to hydrate your skin! It is best to have two separate moisturizers on hand, one for daytime and one for nighttime. A day time moisturizer should be light, so as not to make your skin feel too heavy, and should contain some SPF in it. At night, opt for something thicker, with added benefits to help repair, restore, and nourish skin while you sleep!

Normal: (Day) Neutrogena Healthy Skin Face Lotion with SPF 15, about $10 at your local drugstore. (Night) Neutrogena Naturals Multi-Vitamin Nourishing Night Cream, about $12 at your local drugstore.

Dry: (Day) L’Oreal Ideal Moisture Dry Skin Day Lotion with SPF 25, about $7 at your local drugstore. (Night) Burt’s Bees Intense Hydration Night Cream, about $15 at your local drugstore

Sensitive: (Day) Simple Skin Care Protecting Light Moisturizer with SPF 15, about $9 at your local drugstore. (Night) Boots Botanics Ultra Calm Skin Calming Night Cream, about $12 at your local Target

Combo/Oily/Acne: (Day) Cetaphil Oil Control Moisturizer with SPF 30, about $15 at your local drugstore. (Night) Clean and Clear Essentials Dual Action Moisturizer, about $5 at your local drugstore.

Firming/Fine Lines/Wrinkles: (Day) Garnier UltraLift Anti-Wrinkle Day Firming Moisturizer with SPF 15, about $13 at your local drugstore. (Night) St. Ives Timeless Skin Collagen Elastin Moisturizer, about $4 at your local drugstore.

 While this is optional, it is recommended to use an eye cream to help preserve the skin beneath the eyes. As it is the most delicate skin on your face, it is important to keep it firm and properly hydrated, as this prevents fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness, and dark circles from forming.

Normal: Olay Fresh Effects Bright On Schedule Eye Awakening Cream, about $12 at your local drugstore               

Dry: Yes to Carrots Moisturizing Eye Cream, about $12 at your local drugstore

Sensitive: Burt’s Bees Sensitive Eye Cream, about $12 at your local drugstore

Firming/Fine Lines/Wrinkles: Aveeno Active Naturals Positively Ageless Lifting and Firming Eye Cream, about $17 at your local drugstore

Puffiness: Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller, about $10 at your local drugstore

Dark Circles: Yes to Grapefruit Dark Circle Correcting Eye Cream, about $13 at your local drugstore

Even though you are caring for your skin daily, be sure to deep clean your pores by doing a mask every 1 to 2 weeks. This will extract any impurities that your basic cleanser and exfoliator couldn’t reach, removing it, and revealing smooth, polished glowing skin.

Normal: Freeman Face Masks, about $4 at your local drugstore

Dry: Queen Helene Refreshing Olive Oil Masque, about $4 at your local drugstore

Sensitive: Nugg Soothing Face Mask, $2.99 at your local Target store

Combo/Oily/Acne: Biore Self Heating One Minute Mask, about $6 at your local drugstore

Before we conclude your daily skin care routine, here are some additional products that can help improve the overall quality of your skin, while tending to your concern-spots:

For Redness: (Cleanser) Neutrogena Oil-Free Redness Soothing Acne Cleanser, about $7 at your local drugstore; (Day Cream) Eucerin Redness Relief Daily Perfecting Lotion with SPF 15, about $12 at your local drugstore; Eucerin Redness Relief Soothing Night Cream

For Dullness: (Wipes) Simple Skin Care Radiance Cleansing Wipes, about $5 at your local drugstore; (Cleanser) Yes to Grapefruit Daily Facial Scrub, about $10 at your local drugstore; (Day Cream) Yes to Grapefruit Even Skin Tone Moisturizer with Vitamin C and SPF 15, about $12 at your local drugstore

Blackheads/Whiteheads: Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips, about $8 at your local drugstore; Burt’s Bees Natural Acne Solutions Targeted Spot Treatment, about $8 at your local drugstore.

Thank you so much for stopping by to read today’s post! I hope you have enjoyed it, and will consider committing to a daily skin care routine that is custom to your needs and preferences. Please bear in mind that all products recommended are just examples of budget-friendly options ($20 and less), and to show you what’s out there for each skin type, care, and concern. I intended for them to simply give you a basis on where you can start, in terms of purchasing skin-type specific products, and hope it was of great help for my readers! There are hundreds of other brands that are wonderful and provide products that can benefit you as well, so I encourage everyone to find skin care products that fit your liking and your budget! Thanks again and be sure to follow my Instagram for more of my beauty reviews, recommendations, and for information on upcoming blog posts! @TheGlamGeekConfessional