Recently in Skincare Category

 

We admit it: Sometimes we’re not in the mood to go through our entire cleansing routine before bed. Of course, we’d feel guilty going to bed without washing our faces, so on those nights we’re looking for something quick, yet effective, to remove our makeup, we reach for Neutrogena’s Make-up Remover Cleansing Towelettes. They are a great way to take off all traces of our makeup, including regular and waterproof mascara, so we can go to bed— guilt free. $8.99, drugstore.com 

With a refreshing cucumber scent and water-like feel, Amarte Aqua Veil Pure Hydrating Serum is a quick-absorbing hydrator that we can’t get enough of. We all live in different climates, but keeping moisture in our skin is always a high priority. Because it’s a humectant (contrary to the term serum), it attracts water to the skin, helping to keep it in balance. So it’s great for dry skin seeking extra moisture, as well as oily skin because it doesn’t add extra oil. We use it in addition to our regular moisturizer and our skin loves it.

 

Honestly, if we could slather our entire bodies with this we would, but since it doesn’t come in that big of a size, we will gladly settle for applying it to our faces, necks and decolletages each day and night. $44, amarteusa.com

Q: What’s the best and quickest way to get rid of blackheads? I’ve already tried many things; salicylic acid does not do anything for my blackheads or whiteheads.

A: Blackheads are little annoying things that aren’t the same as typical acne. While salicylic acid can aid in keeping them at bay, it won’t get rid of them on its own. You see, blackheads are caused by excess oil that has clogged a pore. This clog occurs when the built-up oil is unable to come up to the surface of the skin because the pore is misshapen or impaired and dead skin cells blocking the way. When the pore is open, the oil is exposed to oxygen, which reacts and turns it a dark color, resulting in a blackhead.

Here’s our simple recipe for removing blackheads:

• After cleansing, use a mild scrub or skin exfoliant to remove any dead cells and expose the blackhead. Pat your face dry.
• Place a slightly warm compress on your face for about 8-12 minutes in order to soften the blackhead, making it easier to remove. Pat your face dry again.
• Wrap a piece of tissue on the tip of each index finger to avoid slipping, which could tear the skin and cause damage.
• Gently apply even pressure to both sides of the blackhead by pushing down, then up around the blemish. Think of trying to apply the pressure from “underneath” the blackhead.
• Attempt this no more than twice— you don’t want to bruise your skin or cause damage to your skin.

 

Allow a couple of days to go by before you attempt to extract again. Between these attempts, try using a clay mask to absorb excess oil. Also, consider visiting a dermatologist, as he or she may be able to prescribe a treatment containing a retinoid to keep pores functioning properly, thus keeping pore blockage to a minimum.

Best of luck.

It’s official: You have found yourself with only a few gifts and still have names that have yet to be crossed off the list. You have to now choose gifts that are easy to find because ordering online at this point could be risky. Check out these amazing little goodies that can be found in your local drugstore or department store. Put the single items together, or take inspiration from our suggested gift pairings and create a one-of-a kind- gift she’s sure to love!

 

 

MAC Softsparkle Eye Pencils are five mini-sized pencils for use on the eyes. Includes three Softsparkle Pencils in Peacocked, Mint and Olive, and Chocolight, and two Eye Pencils in Black Funk and Fab Orchid in a glossy red-orange patent cylinder-shaped gift box with a lift-off lid. We love this little gift set and know that whoever recieves it would use it for a long time! $ 22, macys.com

 

 

 

L’Oreal Infallible Lipstick is one we love because it looks and applies just like a lipstick. The no-fail formula stays on lips all day and the moisturizing topcoat keeps lips looking and feeling smooth. Pick up a few of these, tie them up in a bow, put them into a gift bag with her favorite beverage and your gift is sure to be a hit. $11.99, drugstore.com  

 

 

Pantene Pro-V Nourishing Moisture Replenishing Mask will give her incentive to nourish those locks she’s been torturing with all of the heat styling she does. Wrap this up with a cute hair accessory and a gift certificate to pay for her next cut or blowout— trust us…she’ll love it! $3.59, drugstore.com 

 

 

 

philosophy Jump Starter Kit includes everything she’ll need to get her skin back on track. We love Purity Made Simple for it’s once-step cleansing abilities (it even removes mascara!), and its amazing smell. Hope in a Jar  and Hope In a Tube keeps our skin looking dewy and youthful without ever feeling too greasy. The Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash will slough of the dry dead cells that make skin look dull. You’ll find this at your local philosphy beauty counter and online, $55, at beauty.com

 

Garnier Fructis Style Brilliantine Shine Glistening Drops really helps to give our hair the shine and managability that we crave from hair products. It tames frizz and flyaways and works on wet or damp hair. She will love, Love, LOVE the way her hair looks after she uses it, as well as the uplifting citrus scent that is amazing, and you’ll love the very small price tag! Pair this up with some sparkly bangles or chandelier earrings so she will shine her way into 2009. $4.29, drugstore.com

 

 

Burt’s Bees Tips n’ Toes Hand & Feet Kit is perfect if she loves to pamper herself, but has trouble finding long periods of time to do it in. We enjoy many of Burt’s products, and find this kit to have so many great treats in it that we make time to use these. When we can’t, they are small enough to fit into a purse, so a mid-day cuticle treatment is never too far away. $12.99, burtsbees.com

 

 

Benefit Bathina Body So Fine Balm is a favorite little luxury to have right out of the shower. We love this moisture-rich balm that leaves our skin luminescent and soft. Applying it with the body puff makes it an extra special product to have. The silky finish is flirty and totally irresistible, leaving skin smelling and looking absolutely incredible! Find it at your local Benefit counter or boutique. $30, macys.com

As the weather cools down, we find ourselves facing a dilemma: dry skin. For many of us, it is a never ending battle to keep our skin hydrated and nourished, especially in the Fall and Winter seasons. Finding an adequate moisturizer can be difficult, and unless you’ve already found your must-have product, it may seem like an overwhelming task to go out in search of relief— there are so many products to choose from! Thankfully, you are in the right place, read on for our list of body lotions and creams that are sure to give you the soft comfortable skin you desire.

 

Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Daily Therapeutic Lotion is fragrance free and gives skin therapeutic moisture that last all day. This moisture-rich formula helps turn even the driest, roughest skin into soft, smooth skin. We love it because it absorbs quickly and never feel greasy. $8.49, drugstore.com

 

 

 

 

L’OCCITANE Shea Butter comes from 100% plant-based origin, and has developed an amazing following because it works! This deep moisturizer nourishes skin, helping to heal any dry patches on elbows, knees, hands or feet. It works great even if you have sensitive skin or eczema, and another added plus: you can use it as a conditioning treatment for your hair! from $8, sephora.com

 

 

 

 

Bliss Lemon + Sage Body Butter is one of our favorites! It is not only antioxidant-enriched, but this body butter lifts our mood with it’s citrus scent and is able to make us forget we ever had dehydrated skin. from $12, blissworld.com

 

 

 

 

 

Bioelements Vitalization gives the skin on our body the same treatment we give to our faces with skin-loving nutrients and botanical oils. While wrapping skin in a natural, soothing fragrance, this thick moisturizing cream replenishes lost moisture and gives skin increased elasticity and suppleness. We love that it helps give our just-shaved legs a boost of moisture without irritation. $49.50, spalook.com

 

 

 

 

 

Fresh SugarBath Lemon Body Lotion is one our go-to body moisturizers because of it’s lightweight feel and oh-so-yummy scent. The real brown sugar contained in this lotion makes us feel like we’re really indulging in a sweet treat, but without the calories! $28, beauty.com

 

 

 

 

 

Nature’s Gate Organics Ultra-Hydrating Body Lotion is rich in nutrients of certified organic fruit extracts and botanicals, and offers a unique complex of essentials for a “well-balanced diet” for your skin. this ultra-hydrating also contains a complex of vitamins E, C and A, is non-greasy, quick absorbing and helps retain moisture throughout the day. $9.99 drugstore.com

 

 

 

 

Sephora BODY Super Supreme Body Butter will leave you feeling smooth all over. We love the luxurious feeling it gives us—- like we spent a fortune, but really didn’t! The scent is so light, it won’t interfere with any other scent you might want to wear for the day, and you just might find the man in your life using it on his dry skin when you’re not looking. from $15, sephora.com

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