Tag: skincaretips

You’ll Want To Buy A New Pillow After Reading This

Published on by Lee1 Comment

Here’s a gross fact: your body sheds around 600,000 particles of skin every hour (give or take) and over the course of your life you’ll lose around half your weight in skin cells. What does this have to do with your pillow? Well, every night you shed millions of skin particles onto your pillow, along with sweat, dead hair, saliva, and oil, which all get absorbed into your pillow. Here’s where it gets really gross… Some studies have estimated that up to a third of the weight of old pillows are made up of dead skin, dust and dust mites.

What does that mean? You really need to be washing your pillow as well as your pillowcase a lot more regularly. The longer your pillow goes unwashed (every few months is recommended) the more dead skin and dust build-up there is to attract more dust mites to feast on your dead skin.

Besides all this being super nausea-inducing, using the same pillow for years without washing (guilty) is especially bad for allergy sufferers, but it also essentially ‘dirties’ your outer pillowcase more quickly, and that’s not good for your skin. So even if you’re washing your pillowcase every week (which we recommend), that pillowcase is still coming into contact with your nasty old pillow and all the lingering dust mites that go along with it.

How often do you wash your pillows?

So, what should you do? If you’ve had a pillow for more than three years and never washed it, start by washing it in the machine (if it’s feather you can have it dry cleaned) and then perhaps consider buying yourself a new pillow. In general, try to wash your pillows every three months and consider buying a new one every three years. You can also leave pillows out on a hot sunny day when you change your sheets, as pillows build up moisture, which becomes the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and bugs. After a day in the sun, you’ll notice your pillows will have ‘fluffed up’ considerably thanks to moisture evaporating in the sun.

You can also buy pillow protectors, like this zippered 100% Cotton Bed Bug, Dust Mite & Allergy Control Pillow Protector, $11, which will act as a second barrier against dust mites and will extend the life of your pillow – just wash it every month.

Moral of the story? Unless you want to be sleeping on a pillow packed with thousands of dust mites, dead skin and sweat, we suggest you get washing those pillows asap… We’re just about to buy ourselves a new set!

Hype or Not: Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay Review

Published on by Lee9 Comments

While there are hundreds (if not thousands) of face masks options available, you’d be hard pressed to find one that boasts more five-star reviews and celeb love than the Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay Mask. Amazon customers are practically writing novels about how it has transformed their skin, sharing astonishing Aztec Clay Mask before-and-after photos.

Since going viral a few years ago, the mask has racked up over 13,000 positive reviews from Amazon shoppers who have referred to is as the “holy grail of face masks” for acne—and it makes sense because it’s made with 100 percent bentonite clay, which helps to draw out the skin’s impurities. Unlike most face masks—which come ready to apply—you’ll have to whip up your own concoction using equal parts Aztec Indian Healing clay and apple cider vinegar or water. Yes, it’s a little extra work, but reviewers and stars alike agree it’s totally worth the time because it leaves their pores feeling so refreshed.

WHAT IS IT: AZTEC SECRET INDIAN HEALING CLAY is natural Calcium Bentonite Clay from Death Valley, California, where it is sun- dried for up to six months in temperatures that sometimes reach 134 degrees. The unique structure of the molecules in Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay carry a negative electron charge. This comes from the valance electron count from the specific minerals found in Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay. This Indian Healing Clay lifts the pimple and blackheads into the clay bed to cause accelerated healing and nourishment to the skin with over 50 minerals.

  1. 100% NATURAL
  2. Deep pore cleaning with 100% natural calcium Bentonite Clay
  3. Does not contain: additives, fragrances or animal products
  4. Use for acne and blemishes. Use it once per week

HOW TO USE: After mixing with vinegar, apply the smooth, paste-like substance to the skin using your fingertips or, as reviewers recommend, with a silicone brush applicator, and allow it to dry for up to 20 minutes. (Note: Dry time can vary depending on your skin’s sensitivity.) As it dries, you’ll feel a pulling and tightening sensation, which is just the deep pore cleansing in action. The mask is so powerful that many customers recommend only using it once a week and moisturizing right after, as it’ll leave your skin feeling a tad on the dry side.

WARNING: Please note that when you rinse off the mask your face may be red and this is normal with this clay mask. This redness will be gone within 20 to 30 minutes.

PRIMP TIP: It’s easy to customize this clay mask depending on your skin’s mood. If you want a shot of moisture, add a teaspoon of raw honey to your mixture. For a more soothing formula, add some Aloe Vera gel, and if blemishes are an issue, a few drops of Tea Tree Oil will do the trick. Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay is as powerful as it is versatile.

“This product is AMAZING. It’s an official Holy Grail product of mine,” another reviewer wrote. “I ideally use it once-a-week, and it feels as if angels themselves have taken the time, to delicately renew my skin with the magical touch of their wings.”

Dramatic, yes, but the mask is so popular, it even has a long list of celeb fans, including Kourtney Kardashian—the latest A-list to chime in on her love for it. In a recent post on her website, Poosh, she shared that the Aztec clay mask is one of three products she rotates in her “self-care Sunday masking routine.” As it turns out, her sister Khloé Kardashian is also a huge fan, along with Mindy Kaling and Lili Reinhart.

In 2015, Kaling shared a photo on Instagram wearing the Aztec mask that she mixed with Bragg’s organic raw apple cider vinegar (also available on Amazon).

PRIMP TIP: I learned from some people that you should spray a hydrating facial mist on your face while the Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay is on your face. That way it will be kept moist and easier to remove and the clay will not take moisture off from your skin. It’s the same logic with sheet masks.

MY EXPERIENCE: This pulsating sensation is pretty intense as the clay mask is working hard to rid your skin of all the dirt and grime. You will feel some tugging! After the recommended 20 minutes, the clay concoction hardens and makes your face feel a little tight. That’s your cue to wash it all off. I was left with slightly reddish skin, but this dissipated after five to ten minutes. I looked in the mirror, and an unbelievably squeaky clean face greeted me. “Is this really MY skin?” I marveled.

That’s not all. After prolonged use, you will find that your skin is no longer as prone to breakouts. And there’s still so much clay left in the tub!

This clay mask is truly no joke. It leaves a wonderful sensation on your skin but more than that, it is healing. It heals by getting rid of all the grit and sebum that causes breakouts. With a great price to boot, great reviews by thousands of users and some pampering time on offer, you can’t go  wrong with this one.

*This product may or may not help you. If the pimple persists, you may need to know the type of pimple you have or better, consult a doctor.

Did you try the Aztec Secrets Indian Healing Clay Mask – the world’s most powerful facial!? Lemme know about your experience….

DIY: Gold Face Mask

Published on by Lee2 Comments

I have always been a fan of gold mask treatments and knew the benefits. But, truthfully, I just started using gold masks around March of this year. If you follow me @beautyleebar then you know I am a firm believer in self care which sometimes include me trying on different face masks.

Discriminating against beauty products based on the suggested retail price isn’t in our DNA. From drugstore steals to luxury splurges — and everything in between — we have more than enough room in our hearts (and medicine cabinets) to embrace beauty products from all over the price-point spectrum. The luxurious 24K gold face masks is very trendy with celebrities at the moment. I can definitely confirm MissSpa Gold Face Mask is the truth at a affordable price range that still gives you that rich luxurious vibe.

I decided to cook up a at-home recipe for Gold Mask.

Ingredients:
Your favorite moisturizer
Gold leaf sheets

Directions:

I order a package of 24K gold leaves from Etsy.com ($30). The gold is food-grade and comes from Thailand, so it takes awhile to arrive in Florida. Because of that, I always make sure to order more before I run out.

Then, I simply wash my face as I normally would, making sure to get every last bit of makeup off. I cleanse two or three times, usually starting with a micellar water makeup remover, then doing 2 rounds of Clarisonic with a cleanser. I want my face to be REALLY clean.

Next, I apply a liberal amount of my favorite moisturizer, Ren Evercalm Global Protection Day Cream ($50) or TATCHA Creams. This is part of what helps the gold stick to my face, so I am very generous with the amount.

I then place the tiny squares of gold all over my T-zone, nose and cheeks, and wait. Sometimes 20 minutes, sometimes an hour. However long I can hang out with a face covered in gold. Then, simply rub it in with (clean) fingertips. (Don’t wash it off! Let the gold absorb into the skin for maximum results.)

I find that this mask makes my skin plump and radiant. It’s not a mask that will magically transform your skin in one use; this is more of a special occasion treat, for when you want that extra bit of glow. In other words, less treatment, more treat.

My favorite part of this discovery is that for $30 and a little patience and DIY, I get a brilliant mask that makes my skin look nearly perfect without makeup. Many luxury brands charge hundreds of dollars for “gold-infused” products, but I feel that I’m getting a superior experience at a relatively inexpensive price point. One package of 100 sheets of gold allows me to do about 5 face masks, which works out to $6 per mask. Luxury at a bargain!

Also, Cleopatra was rumored to do this every night. If it’s good enough for her, it’s good enough for me!

Why You’ll Never Have To Buy Another Makeup Wipe Again

Published on by Lee5 Comments

Removing our makeup isn’t the most fun part of our self-care routine, but it is absolutely essential! If you’re a lazy girl, you likely rely on makeup wipes or micellar water on cotton pads, and if you’re into skincare you probably start with a cleansing balm or oil before going in with your water-based cleanser. Well if we told you there was a much easier, more effective and cheaper way to get rid of your makeup you’d probably be interested, right?

Say hey to Face Halo, a double-sided cleansing cloth that looks like a giant cotton pad, but just add water, and the cloth will remove ALL your makeup, just like magic. Well, it’s not magic, it’s some pretty clever technology!

The Face Halo works like a dream, it can be reused hundreds of times, and costs $22 for three, which means it’s about to save you A LOT of money. We’re going to quickly break it down for you: A pack of 25 Neutrogena Makeup Wipes costs $6.50, so if you use one every day of the year, that’s around $95 on makeup wipes (plus a lot of waste), and you’re not even removing your makeup properly. If you’re using a cleansing oil, you’re probably spending around $20 (minimum) and you’ll likely use at least three in a year – you do the math!

Not only is it great for your bank account, but it’s also a savior for the environment too! Face Halo calculated that on average, women use two makeup wipes a day, aka 113 billion makeup wipes a year! That means to date, Face Halo has replaced up to 375 million single use wipes from going into landfill – pretty great!

Here’s the breakdown on the Face Halo, how it works, and why it’s now a staple part of our cleansing routine.

How Face Halo works: Face Halo uses special fibers that are 100 times finer than a human hair, which are able to reach deep into pores to remove and trap makeup. All you need to do is add water and gently wipe the Face Halo across your face and it will remove everything, from foundation and liquid lipstick to mascara and eyeliner.

Once you’ve used Face Halo, you should wash it with soap (a bar of soap is super quick and easy), and every week you can chuck it in the machine for a deep clean. It can be machine washed up to 200 times, which means you can use one cloth for a year without needing to repurchase another. Just a reminder you get three in a pack, so you’ll essentially spend $22 on a makeup remover that could last you two to three years – not bad!

What we thought: Until you use the Face Halo, you kind of don’t believe it can work, because how can water and material get rid of makeup? But trust us, those little fibers know what they’re doing! The Face Halo removed our cake face super effectively in the same way our cleansing oil does. It even removes all traces of mascara and eyeliner quickly and more efficiently than most cleansers we’ve used.

However, we did notice (especially as we wear a lot of makeup) that there was still a little makeup residue left over, so we do recommend a second cleanse with a water-based cleanser after you’ve used Face Halo. But considering we always double cleanse – no makeup wipe or cleanser is enough to remove all makeup and grime in one go – that definitely didn’t deter us.

After we used Face Halo and did our extra cleanse, we washed it with a bar of soap, which took us around 20 seconds to get it back to its bright white shade. FYI, it also comes in black, but nothing is more satisfying than seeing what comes off on the white version! It also works really well as a gentle alternative to a muslin cloth for removing mud and clay masks.

The Face Halo is super handy for when you’re gyming or traveling (especially if you have a carry on) as it’s lightweight and easy to use anywhere.

We also tried the new Face Halo Body, $22, which we loved for exfoliating our body. On one side it has an exfoliating fabric and on the other side, the classic Face Halo fabric to polish and refine the skin on your body. Definitely worth a try if you’re looking for a new exfoliator.

What we didn’t like: TBH, there’s nothing to dislike, it’s a good price for what you get and it’s super-efficient at removing ALL makeup. The Face Halo doesn’t have any skincare benefits (other than efficiently removing makeup), which is why we definitely recommend following with a cleanser that suits your skin type, which will be able to target your specific skin concerns.

The verdict: We’ve used our Face Halo every day since we got it. Sometimes it replaces our oil cleanse and other times we use our oil cleanser and then a water-based cleanser and use the Face Halo around our hairline and neck and to get the last traces of mascara from around our eyes. Overall, it’s fair to say we’ll be keeping these in our routine for a long time to come!

Shop Face Halo products here.

HAVE YOU TRIED @FACEHALO OR OTHER MICROFIBRE FACIAL CLOTHS?