How About An Oil Change?

Neutrogena Body Oil Light Sesame Formula. If you were a teen in the 90s, you know what it is. If not, all you need to know is that this stuff is the OG of body oils. But for a long time, oil–especially when it came to face products–was in the Untouchables caste of the beauty world. Oil-free moisturizers, oil-free foundations and oil-free cleansers reigned supreme. The popular belief was that all products containing oil caused breakouts and were therefore to be avoided. You might have read magazine articles about Italian women using olive oil as a moisturizer, but the average American woman thought “Oh no, that wouldn’t work on my skin. But I am thinking about chicken parm for dinner now.”

But times have changed. Oil products are the new It Girl of the beauty world. From oil cleansers to face oils to hair oils, a lot of people–including most dermatologists–are pro-oil. But I realize some people are still skirred. They think any oils used on their face will cause breakouts and hair oil will make their locks look greasy. Some oils do cause breakouts, but that’s not the case for all oils and all skin types*.  I  have combination skin and have struggled with breakouts before. I wouldn’t say I am acne-prone, but I do break out from waxing and every time (on the extremely rare occasion) that I fall asleep with makeup on. If the oil products I love were to cause breakouts, it would have happened to me–which it hasn’t. And hair oil, if used correctly, won’t make your hair look greasy. You can have an oily scalp and dry ends so those ends are crying out for hair oil.

This is my take on oils from my own experience and the experience of estheticians, clients and hair stylists I know. You may find contradictory information from other makeup artists, estheticians, dermatologists and hair stylists. And again, some oils do cause breakouts. It has to do with the size of the oil molecules and the other ingredients in the product, so do your research and choose wisely. Or use my cheat sheet below.

Oils I Have Known and Loved

1. Neutrogena Body Oil Light Sesame Formula. This oil gives you silky smooth skin. Most body lotions sting my legs if I put them on right after shaving, but that has never happened to me with this oil. It absorbs quickly, the scent is not overpowering and it makes my skin so soft. And at under $10 for 8.5 fl oz, it won’t break the bank. http://www.neutrogena.com/product/body+oil.do
2. NUDE Perfect Cleanse Nourishing Cleansing Oil. I have tried many oil cleansers and this is the one I always go back to. It removes even heavy makeup without feeling like it’s stripping the skin and it doesn’t leave a film–two of the common problems I’ve had with other oil cleansers. You only need a small amount so one bottle lasts forever. Just try not to get it in your eyes, because as with any cleanser I’ve ever used, that shit stings. Eyeballs don’t need to be cleansed, okay?  http://www.sephora.com/perfecting-cleansing-oil-face-eyes-P375431?keyword=NUDE%20SKINCARE%20Perfect%20Cleanse%20Nourishing%20Cleansing%20Oil%20P375431&skuId=1635473&_requestid=206127
3. Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil. This face oil was one of the first well known ones. I use it before bed and at least 20 minutes before I apply my makeup in the morning (you can also mix it into your moisturizer to save time). I had some peeling on my chin this winter–partly from retinol and partly from the cold–and when I started using this face oil, my peeling disappeared in two days. That’s fast and you know it. http://www.sephora.com/100-percent-pure-argan-oil-P218700?keyword=JOSIE%20MARAN%20100%20percent%20Pure%20Argan%20Oil%20P218700&skuId=1121797&_requestid=180017
4. Sachajuan Intensive Hair Oil. I mentioned this product in one of my recent blog posts. I started using it twice a day about two months ago and my hair has never looked better. I apply it to my hair from mid-shaft to ends–never at the roots–and let it work its magic. It takes about 20 seconds to apply so you anti-high maintenance ladies have no excuse. http://www.dermstore.com/product_Intensive+Hair+Oil_48226.htm

So, what do you think? Want to make your skin and hair look and feel healthier? I’d say you are ready for a change.

Have a beautiful day 🙂

*If you have true acneic skin, I would avoid oil face products until your acne is gone. It’s hard to tell which products–oil based or not–will cause more breakouts on acneic skin, so I would recommend cleanser and moisturizer for sensitive skin along with an acne treatment instead. Also, massaging anything into your skin–which you want to do with face oil–stimulates the oil glands which can aggravate acneic skin.

 

What’s In My Bag

I’m talking about my purse-bag, not my makeup-bag. (And definitely not my pro makeup kit–that would take wayyyyy too long.)

I have my Go-To products, and although I change them up, below is a list of the products I have been keeping with me lately.

FACE:

MAC Blot Powder in Light. A pressed powder that is perfect for touchups. It eliminates shine without adding cakey-ness.

Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF 40+. It’s a travel size one, and the product feels and smells great. I like wearing a higher SPF moisturizer during the summer and early fall because I have pigmentation on my face, and I would prefer to keep that to a minimum.

EYES:

I keep several eyeliners with me because they are such an easy way to change up a look.

MAC Eye Pencil in Pale Yellow. This color has been discontinued, but any off-white pencil eyeliner will work. I use this to rim my lower waterline when I want my eyes to look bigger or more awake.

Topshop Kohl Liner in Coal. When I want to quickly make an eye makeup more dramatic, I apply some of this to the waterline. Or I add it to the top lashline for more definition..or rim my eyes for a sexy, smudgy look. I even used it to touch up the facepaint on a friend’s daughter the other day, so it’s versatile!

Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes in 7L. This turquoise liner is my go-to when I’m bored with my eye makeup. I reached for it a lot over the summer, but it doesn’t feel quite as right for the fall.

MAC Eye Kohl in Minted. Here’s one I use more in the fall and winter. It’s a change from black or off-white on the waterline, and it works well with my hazel eyes. I don’t usually use it on the top lashline because I like a darker color there, but I think it’s great way to add a pop of color at the bottom lashline.

LIPS:

Nivea A Kiss of Smoothness Hydrating Lip Care. I have tried what feels like a million lip balms/moisturizers over the year, and I truly like this one the most. Many of them feel great when I first put them on but eventually dry my lips out. Or they work for the first few days, then stop. I have been using this one for about two months and it is good people. And it’s got SPF 10, which is a huge plus. No overpowering scent of any kind, and I believe it only comes in the colorless shade.

Rimmel London Stay Glossy in Non-Stop Glamour. It’s a peachy pink gloss with gold flecks. It’s shiny, somewhat moisturizing and lasts surprisingly long for a lip gloss in that price range. It’s a bit sticky (which I think helps glosses stay on longer), but not unbearably so. The shimmer is pretty, and doesn’t veer into frosty territory.

MAC Lipstick in Lady Danger. It’s a classic. Matte orange red perfection. I love a red lip–it instantly dresses up a look–so I keep this little gem with me at all times.

ELF Retractable Lip Brush. When I put on a red lip, I usually use a lip brush. I think it looks more polished that way. This ELF brush is great because it is retractable, so it doesn’t leave red stains everywhere when I put it back in my bag. And take a look at their website–so cheap!

I change up the products in my purse occasionally, but many of these have been with me for a while. I like to have options, but I don’t want my already heavy purse to really weigh me down. What’s in your bag?

Have a beautiful day 🙂

Wipe That Makeup Off Your Face: Josie Maran Bear Naked Wipes Review

There are some nights when I’m so tired I can barely walk. The thought of getting into my pajamas, brushing my teeth, taking my contacts out, removing my makeup and washing my face is too much. But the chances of me going to sleep with my makeup still on are about as good as this diehard Biggie fan buying a Tupac album.  It’s just not going to happen.

So when I’m having one of those nights, I reach for a makeup wipe to cut out a step. In the past, I’ve had a lot of issues with makeup wipes–they didn’t remove all of my makeup, they made my skin feel dry or tight, they stung and/or they made me break out. I also try to avoid using disposable items when I can (you’re talking to a girl who recycles straw wrappers here,  so I never felt good about using something one time then throwing it out.)

I recently tried the Bear Naked Wipes by Josie Maran and I absolutely loved them.  They removed all of my makeup, didn’t dry out or sting my skin (I even used them on my eyes without a problem) and I didn’t break out after using them two nights in a row.  Josie Maran is an eco-friendly company, so I was psyched to learn that these wipes are biodegradable. And a portion of every package of the wipes goes to the NRDC’s Polar Bear SOS Initiative to help polar bears, who are now an endangered animal because global warming is melting ice in their habitats.  Did I mention the wipes are also cruelty free and don’t contain parabens?

I still strongly believe that an oil cleanser or precleanse is the best way to remove makeup, but if you need to reach for a makeup wipe once in a while, I think these are the best for your skin.

The Bear Naked Wipes will not only become a part of my own personal makeup supply, but I’ll definitely keep them in my kit for all the makeup changes during photoshoots and film work. $12 for a pack of 30 at Sephora.

Have a beautiful day 🙂