Tag: Beauty Guide

How to Find the Right Face Mask for YOUR SKIN

Published on by Lee1 Comment

It’s easy to think that all face masks are good for us. They’re a treatment, right? How can special treatment be bad? But depending on the weather, or our skin type, or even just our skin’s current #mood, the wrong mask could do us dirty.

If we have super dry skin, steer clear of harsh pulling clays or even exfoliating acids, which can be hard because we want to dissolve those dead skin flakes. However, we need to nurture our skin barrier and be kind and cognizant of our skin’s current condition before slapping on a face mask and considering it a favor.

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On the other hand, if we have oily skin, we don’t want to get eight hours of REM under an emollient sleeping mask or overdo it with hydrating facials. It’s all about balance and assessing what our skin’s needs are.

Ahead we’re sharing our favorite powder face masks to add to your skincare routine.

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Tools

 

Ritual Set, $15

For easy application, use this bowl and brush set to blend the formula and water. Lee also likes to add a drop of this honey mask and a few shakes of this rosemary reset powder to her mixture.

For Dry Skin

Forma Rosea, $45

If you’re feeling itchy, flaky, sallow, or dull, you’ll want to go straight for a hydrating mask and skip the harsh stuff. Colloidal oat kernel, chamomile flowers, carrot seed oil, coconut milk, jojoba, rose, and a few other key players nourish deeply while providing moisture. It’s the ultimate pink drink for our skin.

For Blemish-Prone Skin

Forma Viridi, $45

When we are stressed, PMSing, or maybe letting our diets get a little out of hand (hello holidays), we need to balance and clarify. This is when we should be reaching for a clay mask, and this one with mineral-rich French green clay does the trick without over-drying. Neem, lavender, and spirulina are anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and mineralizing for a soothing plan of attack for current and brewing breakouts.

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For Irritated Skin

Forma Floris, $45

Sometimes our skin is not quite dry, not quite oily, but it’s clearly upset. This can happen in harsh climates, or when we’ve overdone it with skincare (over-exfoliation … please don’t, but OK, it happens). Soothe and calm freaked-out skin with hibiscus, marshmallow root, aloe, calendula, and chamomile to reduce redness, irritation, and inflammation. 

For Dull Skin

Reborn Mask, $60

Rhassoul, rosehip, turmeric, gotu kola, sea buckthorn, and a few other superstars will restore a glow and some color to your cheeks while gently pulling out impurities. These ingredients soothe while fighting future breakouts and inflammation, and at the same time boost circulation for rapid healing and instant radiance.

Papaya Bright Superfood Face Mask, $34

This brightening mask is made with 100% pure, edible superfoods. Plus, it’s highly recommended by our BeautyLeeBar Community. “It’s a powder formulated with clean, good-for-you ingredients; add a few drops of water and it turns into a gel-like paste. I use this bowl and brush to apply—self-care at its finest. Leave on for 10-15 minutes and rinse off to reveal healthy, glowing skin. Like using the Paris filter but IRL!”

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For All Skin

Clean Greens, $34

When you’re not quite suffering active breakouts, but feel bogged down by blackheads and an overall lack of luster, time to give your skin the ultimate smoothie. Chlorella, spirulina, and mango juice help to nourish the skin and dissolve impurities. This mask is so nutrient-dense and yet so gentle, that we go back on our word with this one exception. Use this baby any time for a healthy glow.

CATEGORY IS FACE. Comment below where you from and the skincare product that has been saving thy face!

The Right Way to Apply Bronzer for Your Face Shape

Published on by Lee3 Comments

Bronzer can give your complexion warmth and a sculpted appearance. Apply too much or apply it incorrectly, however, and it can look unnatural and severe. “Depending on your face shape, strategic placement of bronzer is key to creating the perfect glow and enhancing your complexion,” says makeup artist Rachel Halsey. “The basic rule I follow when applying bronzer is to focus on the areas of the face that the sun would naturally touch: the forehead, bridge of the nose and cheekbones,” says Halsey. 

Because the right placement can differ by face shape, we asked Halsey to share the best way to apply bronzer, whether your face is oval, round, heart or square. Read on for her tips. 

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Where to Apply Bronzer on Oval Face Shapes

With a light hand, apply your bronzer to the top of the forehead along the hairline, as well as on the cheeks. For a more contoured look, apply it in the hollows of cheeks. You can also lightly dust it along the bridge of the nose.

Where to Apply Bronzer on Heart Face Shapes

Similar to that of an oval face shape, bronzer application should hit the top of the forehead and cheeks. For heart face shapes, however, you’ll want to use more product along the hairline and temple area. Finally, add a touch of bronzer on the bottom of the chin — you want to accentuate your natural angles.

Where to Apply Bronzer on Round Face Shapes

To sculpt a round face, apply the bronzer along the cheekbones in a downward motion toward the jaw so it creates a soft shadow. It might be best to use a powder formula like the FENTY BEAUTY SUN STALK’R INSTANT WARMTH BRONZER for this. Blend well for a natural finish. 

Where to Apply Bronzer on Square Face Shapes

If you have a square face shape, sweep your bronzer in a curved line along the middle of the forehead and along the middle of the cheeks (right between the hollows and the top of the cheekbones) to help soften the corners of your face. 

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Makeup

A Love Letter to Matte Red Lips

Discover the art of matte red lips — soft edges, velvety finish, and layered depth create a modern, intimate statement. From gentle prep to sculpted application, this love letter to red lipstick shows how to wear it with confidence, elegance, and quiet power.

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Tried Glossier’s Best Sellers. Here’s What I Think.

Published on by LeeLeave a comment

Did they defy my expectations? Let’s find out.

After months of eyeing Glossier’s line-up of products, I decided to do a haul in hopes that their best sellers were as good as they appeared to be. Known for their minimalist approach to beauty, makeup, and skincare, the Emily Weiss-founded cosmetics company has long since been a favorite of minimalists and maximalists alike. For beauty lovers who gravitate towards “no-makeup” makeup looks, Glossier holds the keys to the kingdom, while makeup afficianados who are more about that beat-face life have their favorite tried and true beauty finds from the brand (Boy Brow, we’re looking at you).

As far as my own personal adventure into Glossier Land, I decided to add their cleanser, serums, and moisturizers as well as a few of their top-selling makeup offerings. Keep reading for a quick rundown of my buys and why I cannot get enough of the magic Glossier is selling.

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Skincare First

As I have matured, skincare has become top priority. Products that make me glow like I am well-loved and stress-free will always be a fave of mine. Glossier gets this right with a full line of products that take my glow to next-level heights. I use a three-part system that leaves me so radiant, makeup isn’t a necessity.

Milky Jelly Cleanser, $9+

What it is: A gentle-yet-effective creamy gel face wash for all skin types

For starters, I wash my face with Glossier’s Milky Jelly Cleanser. The subtle rosy scent of this cleanser immediately makes me smile but, more than that, the creamy texture infuses my skin with moisture from the onset. With five skin conditioners included, it’s no wonder this product is so soothing and nourishing. It is one of few cleansers that doesn’t leave my skin feeling dry after it is rinsed away. “Rejuvenating” best describes this one.

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After rinsing away the Milk Jelly Cleanser, I move right along to the Super Duo. It consists of two top-rated serums infused with vitamins. This combo works together to hydrate and brighten skin. Super Bounce is just what the doctor ordered for soothing moisture that hydrates with hyaluronic acid and Vitamin b5. Although the name speaks for itself, I can confirm that Super Glow indeed brightens skin with its powerful combination of Vitamin C and magnesium.

I follow up with a moisturizer and then jump into Futuredew.

If I had to choose only one Glossier product to live by, Futuredew would be it. You know that dewy fresh face look you get directly after using a good moisturizer or finishing up a facial? Futuredew creates this look with all-day staying power, and I cannot get enough of it. This serum is made of oils and light-reflecting minerals that will leave you looking glorious.

The Super Pack, $65

What it is: Three daily, vitamin-packed serums that deliver hydration, more even tone, and clarity

I could stop here and be over the moon, but when I’m feeling really ambitious, I use the following makeup products for a “no-makeup” look:

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Makeup Second

Glossier describes its makeup line as “Products that give you options but never cover you up, turn you into someone else, or over-complicate your routine.” And I cannot find a single lie. On days where I want to look fresh and lightly done, I go with Glossier all the way.

Starting with Cloud Paint cheek color, I set the tone. It’s literally a gel-cream blush you can’t mess up. This buildable color blends naturally and is easy to use. No brushes required. Simply dab a bit on your cheeks and use your finger to tap it into your skin. The end results? A slightly flushed look that makes it look like you’re truly blushing a bit from the inside out. It’s that simple.

Cloud Paint, $18

What it is: A seamless, buildable gel-cream blush that’s fun and easy to wear

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Next, I like to follow up with Haloscope in “Moonshine”. This crystal-infused highlighter enhances the dewy effect with a barely-there look that is irresistible. It’s my second fave product. The moment I FaceTimed my person and he said, “You look so beautiful. Don’t put on makeup today,” I KNEW Haloscope would forever hold a special place in my heart.

Haloscope, $22

What it is: A crystal-infused highlighter with skin conditioning benefits

I add a hint of color to my lips by using Generation G Sheer Matte Lipstick for a casual “I didn’t try” look. Although a matte finish, it’s packed with moisture and is the cherry on top of my “Yassssss, fresh face” look.

Glossier Pulled Up

Before going all-in on the dopeness of Glossier, I was sure to visit @pullupforchange to see Glossier’s diversity numbers. I was pleased to see the company’s commitment to diversity as well as its recent release of a new grant for black-owned beauty businesses. I am happy to report that we can shop Glossier guilt-free. That’s good news we can use.

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SPF APPLICATION: You’ve Probably Been Doing It Wrong

Published on by Lee1 Comment

To give us all some credit, we’re sure a lot of us SPF enthusiasts are doing it correctly. Maybe even overdoing it. Which to us, is correct. One can never have too much sun protection! But there are many of us out there haphazardly slapping on the SPF sparingly, here and there, just to say we did it. Most often, that’s like not doing it at all.

Here are few expert opinions on how we should be applying sunscreen, day in and day out.

Reapply

People really need to understand the importance of re-application of your sunscreen, every day. Because that’s not just a thing our moms like to say to annoy us. SPF is only protectively active for so long, so if we never reapply, it’s literally not working hours later—we might as well have none on. FDA recommends that you reapply every two to three hours, and more often if you plan on engaging in high-intensity activities.

Make sure lips and eyes are covered

Lately, us beauties have been using an SPF mist as our go-to for full face, neck, and chest sunscreen every day because it’s great over makeup. It’s a personal preference whether or not one needs a different sunscreen for lips and eyes, but it’s super important if your eye area is extra sensitive, and many people’s are. What is crucial is that you stay covered, so if you’re avoiding sunscreen on your lips or eyes due to sensitivities, certainly get products just for that area.

Don’t forget the décolletage

You definitely want to remember sunscreen on the décolletage as well to avoid wrinkles and dark spots over time. I use it anywhere and everywhere my skin is constantly exposed—so that absolutely includes this gorgeous area of the body. The skin here is not as delicate as the face, but definitely more delicate and wrinkle-prone than other areas of the body, so don’t skimp on the neck and chest.

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The tops of your hands, too

Especially while you’re driving, your hands are always exposed to the sun, which can often lead to skin damage. Some say our hands are the first to tell our true age, and that’s because they are so prone to wrinkling and sunspots. It’s easy to forget the hands, which arguably take the most beating over any other part of the body, and they are almost never unexposed.

If you sit in traffic often …

And if you live in Miami, you just might. When you’re driving, your entire upper body is exposed to the sun, and UV rays can definitely penetrate through the windows onto the skin. I highly recommend applying and reapplying sunscreen on your face, neck, chest, and arms even if you’re sitting in the car all day.

When things get wet

Swimming, versus just sweating? Not every day is going to be a wet and wild pool or beach day, but hot summer days have an effect on your level of protection as well. According to the FDA, there’s no such thing as waterproof sunscreen. So yes, sweating can lift your sun protection up from the skin through your pores, and any material that wipes or wicks sweeps it away along with the sweat. When I know I’m going to sweat a lot or plan on swimming, I make sure to reapply my sunscreen more often.

COMMENT BELOW YOUR THOUGHTS ON SUNSCREEN

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