Tag: Tips

These 2 Small Changes Had A Major Impact On My Skin

Published on by Lee3 Comments

It’s amazing when you find an insane new formula that makes all your skin dreams come true. It might be the perfect pimple treatment, a new cream that’s making your fine lines disappear, or even just a serum that is giving your skin a legit glow. But, there’re two super simple things I’ve started doing to my skin that have made an incredible difference.

The first step – and I cannot tell you enough how important this is – is the process of double cleansing. Double cleansing basically means washing your face twice, which is essential because cleansing once will hardly even make a dent in the makeup on your skin – especially if you love wearing as much makeup as I do. By thoroughly cleansing, not only is all the dirt, oil, and makeup completely gone, but it means that your following skincare steps can penetrate deeper and better absorb into your skin, as there’s no barrier.

The most effective double cleansing method is to use an oil cleanser first, and then follow with a water-based cleanser that suits your skin type, like a gel, foam or cream. If you don’t have an oil cleanser, you can wash twice using your usual cleanser. And remember to take your time; gently massage your skin to make sure the cleanser can work its way into your pores. I like to spend at least 40 – 60 seconds on both cleanses, as this will also give time for any skin-boosting ingredients to perform. Check out my full guide and tips on how to double-cleanse properly here.

The second skincare trick I swear by has meant that the performance of each of my products has improved, and I’ve seen a massive change in my skin without even replacing my products. It’s as easy as switching the order that I apply my creams and oils – I used to use my face oil after toning, and I’ve noticed a huge difference since I made oil my last step. Layering your skincare in the right order is quite possibly one of the most important things you should learn. For example, if you apply a moisturizer before your serum and eye cream, because moisturizers have occlusives in (ingredients that create a barrier on your skin), the potent ingredients in your serum and eye cream wouldn’t even get a chance to penetrate your skin and work their magic. Typically, the rule is to always apply the most lightweight formulas first, finishing with the heaviest creams and oils. Check out my in-depth guide to layering products like a pro here next week.

Finally, the most important thing I’ve found when trying new skincare products is to do it one by one. I know it’s tempting if you’ve just bought a few new skincare products to start using them all at once, but if you do, you won’t know which are the ones improving your skin and which could potentially be breaking you out. So try to be patient, and don’t forget to double cleanse and ensure you layer your skincare in the right order. I hope you guys find this helpful, and let me know in the comments if you have any other skin concerns you’d like advice on.

Mind Blowing: This Basic Beauty Step Is THE Most Important Of Them All

Published on by Lee6 Comments

When writing about beauty 24/7, sometimes it’s easy to forget that the skincare steps we’re so used to aren’t necessarily a worldwide phenomenon. While there are certain steps in your skincare routine that could be skipped now and again, there’s one thing above all, that should never, repeat never, be skipped – especially if you like to wear makeup as much as I do. The basic essential beauty step? Double cleansing, aka washing your face twice – I told you it was basic! If you’re already in on the secret, tell your friends, because honestly, you wouldn’t believe how many people don’t double cleanse.

Double cleansing is THE fundamental rule of K-Beauty routines and a must for anyone wearing makeup. At the end of the day, if you’re not removing pollution and bacteria that can lead to breakouts, aging, and rashes, then no amount of moisturizer can fix that. It also means that your next layers of products won’t be able to effectively penetrate your skin.

Think about it, when you wash your face once, all you’re really doing is removing the makeup on top of your skin – you’ll notice if you’ve ever used toner after, that there’s still plenty of makeup left on your skin. This is why washing twice is SO important, as the second wash will actually be able to do its job, penetrating your pores and remove impurities from your skin. Especially if your face wash contains active ingredients like salicylic acid which targets blackheads, or AHAs that gently get rid of dead skin cells. But it is possible to overwash; in the morning or if you haven’t worn any makeup all day, you don’t need to double cleanse.

How to double cleanse:

The technical way to do it is to start with a cleansing oil, and then use a water-based cleanser:

Step 1: The cleansing oil works to break down makeup, SPF, pollution, and sebum on the surface of the skin. This is a super gentle way of removing dirt as the oil binds with impurities and is washed away without stripping your skin. They’re also made up of natural oils, which are antibacterial and packed with antioxidants that help to improve your skin texture while retaining your skin’s typical moisture level. Shop cleansing oils here.

Step 2: Using a water-based cleanser (like a foam, gel, or cream) will remove any water-based impurities like sweat and dirt, while it’s also able to clean deeper into your pores. Another important thing to remember is to massage both your oil and water-based cleanser into your skin for at least a minute each. If you only do it quickly it won’t give your skin time to absorb the restoring and treating properties of your cleanser. Think of it like brushing your teeth, you need to do it for at least two minutes. Shop water-based cleansers here.

TIPS: If you don’t yet own a cleansing oil, you can still double cleanse, just use your face wash twice. We’ll be honest, on the days when we really cake it on, sometimes we even go three times, using micellar water as our final step. It’s also important to make sure you use warm water. If it’s too hot it can strip your skin of its natural oils and make acne or rosacea worse, so stick to lukewarm water. If it’s your day for exfoliating, do this after your double cleanse.

No matter what your skin type, trust us, if you’re oily or acne-prone a cleansing oil is still amazing – it will actually help with blackheads! You can find different cleansing oils that have different ingredients to benefit different skin concerns, and it’s the same with your water-based cleanser. Check out our guide for finding the best cleanser for your skin type here.

WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK?

If These Celebs Swear By This $1 Beautifying Ingredient, I Want It Too

Published on by Lee3 Comments

There’s nothing more satisfying than finding something completely awesome for your skin that costs next to nothing. It’s even better when you know that incredibly gorgeous celebs like Jessica Alba, Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Lopez, Oprah (and the A-list list goes on!) credit their stunning figures and glowing skin to the same thing. Jessica Alba uses it in a smoothie to boost energy levels, Jennifer Aniston relies on it to keep fit and trim, and Lady Gaga swears by it for reducing her stress levels – we all know what stress does to our skin! The genius ingredient is green tea; its impressive qualities include the power to lower your sebum levels and fight against acne, reduce sun damage, flatten puffy eyes, and even diminish wrinkles. It’s literally the answer to all our prayers – for our skin and our bodies!

The magical ingredient comes from the Camellia sinensis leaves that originate in China. Green tea leaves have extremely high-levels of polyphenols, aka micronutrients that come from plants, which are packed with antioxidants that protect against skin-damaging free-radicals, infections, toxins, and even some cancers. Not only is green tea super inexpensive, but you can use it topically and internally for MAJOR health benefits – even lowering bad cholesterol and detoxing your body. Put the kettle on now; guarantee you’ll be wanting a brew…

The difference between green tea and matcha green tea: Green tea is referred to as your standard tea bag filled with dry leaves, and it needs to be brewed for a couple of minutes to release the goodness. Once brewed you can discard the leaves and drink the tea, or you can use the brewed leaves to make a mask. Matcha is green tea leaves that have been dried and finely ground, which you ingest completely, making matcha a much more intense dose of goodness. Matcha contains 137 times more EGCGs (powerful antioxidants, up to 50 times stronger than vitamin C and E) than green tea does, so you would need to drink around 10 cups of green tea to get the same benefits that you would from one cup of matcha green tea. Look out for organic matcha tea like this one.

Find Your Zen: Believe it or not, having a green tea brew will actually chill you out. The tea lowers cortisol levels (stress hormones) and contains an amino acid called L-Theanine that gives a calming effect and helps your brain to focus.

Fight against wrinkles: Free-radicals attack our skin and breakdown skin cells to deplete skin’s elasticity, causing sagging and wrinkles – they’re our ultimate nemesis! Fortunately, the high-levels of antioxidants (the best kind: catechins and polyphenols) in green tea help our skin cells to fight against the damage done by free radicals. They can both slow down the signs of aging and contribute to reverse skin damage.

Combat acne: Drinking green tea works in numerous ways to combat acne: your skin produces less sebum, your inflammation levels are reduced (that’s what causes pimples to get all red and angry), and your immune system is bolstered. The aforementioned EGCG is also a potent regulator of your hormones, in particular, male hormones, which cause your glands to produce excess sebum. Combined with its anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties, it makes a fierce face mask. Combine a tablespoon of matcha tea with a tablespoon of honey, or matcha tea with yogurt to balance and soothe your skin.

Reduce sun damage: Green tea can’t block UV rays like sunscreen can, but instead, it fights damaging free-radicals and reduces inflammation that the sun causes – it can even destroy cancerous skin-cells. To get the full benefits you can drink green tea and use it as a toner in the morning: dip a cotton pad in a cup of cooled green tea and wipe it across your face.

Boost energy levels and shed pounds: There’s a reason green tea is favored in Hollywood and among models, it’s been clinically proven to boost your metabolism and increase your bodies ability to burn fat. It’s caffeine content – about a quarter the amount of coffee’s – increases your energy and concentration levels, which can improve physical performance and mobilize fatty acids to be used for energy. A matcha smoothie makes the perfect pre-workout or morning wake-up replacement for your cup of coffee. Make a smoothie with one banana, one spoon of matcha green tea powder, ice, almond milk or coconut water (enough to cover all your ingredients in a blender), one tablespoon of almond or peanut butter, and a sprinkling of granola, you can even add a date or honey as a natural sweetener.

Deflate puffy eyes: Green tea bags make the perfect under eye treatment: the caffeine shrinks blood vessels, while the tannins constrict capillaries. Brew two tea bags for a couple of minutes, remove and place in the fridge until chilled (around 30 minutes – they should be cold but not dry) place the tea bags under your eyes and chill out for half an hour.

Even just drinking a green tea every day will do your body good, and it’s another alternative to help you reach your daily water target. It’s insanely good when you use it topically too, so play around with different recipes and find what works for you. There’s also an insane amount of products starring green tea, in case DIY isn’t your thing, check them out at ToGoSpa here.

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Inspired Idea: 5 Ways to Spring Clean Your Life

Published on by Lee2 Comments

We are officially in the middle of March, and I’m feeling more inspired than ever by the arrival of spring. To me, this season marks a time to refresh, clean out, and reflect. I’m sure these urges are even stronger for those of you who live in cold climates that have you feeling ready to shake off the snow and resurface as the days get warmer. In the spirit of initiating my own spring awakening, today I’m sharing some ways to do a mini life overhaul this season. Now, I’m not recommending you do these all at once, but now is a better time than ever to start chipping away at your spring cleaning to-do list. If you work through this list along with me, I can bet that by the time summer arrives, you’ll be feeling fresh as a daisy…

1. Do a tech detox.
When you hear the phrase “tech detox” you probably think I’m going to suggest you take some time off your phone to unplug. And while that’s all well and good to do often, I’m referring to actually cleaning up the contents on your phone so that it’s less cluttered and less distracting. The first great way to do this is to clean up who you are following on Instagram. This social media app is distracting enough as it is—add in scrolling through dozens of photos from accounts you don’t even know why you started following in the first place and you’re looking at a guaranteed time waster. Go through the list of who you follow, removing accounts whose content you don’t care to see as much of. The best part is that you will be able to more easily see photos from your friends, family and accounts that really matter when you open the app. The second great way to clean up your phone is to delete old photos from your camera roll. We all know that these photos take up space on our phones, causing them to eventually run slower. Cleaning up your camera not only will feel great, but it will also help you to find old memories a lot easier when looking for a specific moment from the past.

2. File away your email inbox.
If you look at the mail icon app on your iPhone and see a red bubble showing a number in the hundreds (or thousands!), this tip is for you. Take an afternoon to create a filing system for your email inbox. You can start by marking all old emails as “read” and filing them in bulk in one folder, then beginning your filing system from that moment on. The folders you make are up to you, but it’s a good idea to include ones based on the categories of emails you receive most often so that you can easily find old emails based on those categories. The end goal is to have a “working inbox” that displays a select number of emails pertaining to current projects, ongoing projects, and things that need to be responded to ASAP. It will work as a to-do list and keep you organized.

3. Tackle your wardrobe.
Now that we’ve gotten two tech tips out of the way, it’s time to dive into spring-cleaning physical items and areas of your house. Many of us clean out our closets regularly, and spring is an especially great time to go through the items you didn’t reach for all winter long and make room for new spring and summer purchases. When I clean out my closet instead of pulling out what I am willing to get rid of, I take everything out and only put back the pieces I really love and wear.  I also pack away seasonal item like scarves, coats and hats during spring and summer and do the same with bathing suit cover-ups and sundresses during Fall and Winter. If you can’t decide whether you should keep something ask yourself these questions:

  • When was the last time I wore this?
  • Do I like how I feel/look when I wear this?
  • Would I buy this today if I were shopping in a store?

If the answers to these questions lead you to believe the piece has run its course, it’s time to place it into your give-away pile.

4. Refresh your fridge and pantry.
Hoarding expired condiments and stale pantry items is a surefire way to achieve an unkempt kitchen. Organizing your fridge and pantry is, in my opinion, even easier than cleaning out your closet. It’s a black and white decision because of a little thing we call expiration dates. Those bottles of ketchup, BBQ sauce and salad dressing that have been in your refrigerator door for three years? Pitch them. Those pints of ice cream that have gathered so much freezer burn they look like they’re growing stalagmites? Get rid of them. That opened bag of crackers that’s been tucked back on your pantry shelf for an undeterminable amount of time? Toss them. Trust me, nothing will feel better than opening your fridge, freezer and pantry to see fresh items you know you’ll grab when cooking or snacking.

5. Spring clean your beauty routine.
You didn’t think I’d leave beauty and makeup out of this convo, did you? Take some time this season to wash your makeup brushes and replace old ones that have seen better days. Similarly, throw out and replace old makeup palettes, mascaras, lipsticks and everything in between. Not only will this help you to only keep what you really use on a regular basis, therefore getting rid of product clutter, but it will also ensure that you aren’t using makeup that has gathered bacteria and germs over the years. If you’re feeling really ambitious, you even take this opportunity to do a “green cleaning” by replacing old makeup with products from chemical-free companies like Beauty Counter, Juice Beauty or RMS Beauty, Fenty Beauty. While you’re at it, give those bathroom cabinets and drawers a deep clean too.

What tips do you have for spring cleaning your life?