EMPTIES┊August & September 2014 ♡

I didn't post an August empties so I decided to combine two months' worth of empty products. There's a lot of items to go through so I'll cut to the chase now! I mis-numbered the items so I actually have 16 products, not 17 but just ignore that little flub ^_^

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DE-STASHING PROJECT┊ ☮ September 2014 ☮

Haven't done one of these since May, but I have since let go of a couple more items, all unopened. My cousin's birthday was this month and since I know she's interested in makeup but doesn't know where to start, I decided to give her some of my back ups since I have way too much to even need back ups. Without further ado, these are the six items that have gone on to happier places:

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TIPS┊ My New Skincare Routine for Normal to Combination Skin

With all the skincare posts I've been doing this month, I thought a great way to round up everything is to introduce my skincare routine to y'all so you can see how it all comes together! Now, these are just the bare basics that I use on a (near) daily basis. I forgot to include my facial masks and spot treatments but those change depending on my mood so...that's my excuse for forgetting to photograph them X.X

Anyway, I divided it up into my morning and nighttime routine because there are some changes. I did include a special trio of products that I use when I need to but it'll make more sense when I describe my routine. Just to start off, I have normal to combination skin tone. My skin isn't particularly sensitive--I have only reacted badly to one product in my entire life so yeah, quite resilient. Disclaimer: These are the products that have worked well for me. I cannot promise that you will achieve the same results. Proceed at your own caution.

Starting with the morning stuff, I cleanse my face with whatever cleanser I have on hand. I was using the Paula's Choice Pore Normalizing Cleanser for a while but have now switched to the Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash (not pictured). I've only been using it for a week so I can't really speak for its efficacy but so far, nothing bad to report. I will list the stuff I plaster all over my face in the order I uhh...plaster:

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REVIEW┊ h2o+ Deep Sleep Recovery Cream

I got this little sample from an Ulta gift with purchase a while back. I'm not actually looking for any firming action or anything miraculous other than for moisturizing benefits without the breakouts. Does this do a good job? Read on to find out!

⇥ AT A GLANCE ⇤

The H2O+ Deep Sleep Recovery Cream* helps to reveal renewed and firmer-looking skin overnight using amino acids and kudzu root extract. Formulated with marine collagen to support skin's resiliency and elasticity for a visible firming effect. Anti-aging nori, himanthalia and spirulina smooth and revitalize skin with nutrient-rich moisture.

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REVIEW┊ Holika Holika Skin & Good Cera Super Cream

Even though it doesn't feel like it here in sunny California (it's currently 76℉/ 24.44℃), autumn is coming in a couple of days and so I'm starting to pull out my heavy hitting creams, like this one from Holika Holika. The Holika Holika Skin & Good Cera Super Cream came in a Meme Box and I've been using it for the past couple of weeks. 

⇥ AT A GLANCE ⇤

This ultra-hydrating cream not only hydrates the skin but also enhances the water-holding capacity of the skin, thanks to the powerful hydrating ingredient, ceramide.

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REVIEW┊ Supergoop! Everyday Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 PA+++

Though we are nearing the end of summer here in the Northern Hemisphere, SPF should be on everyone's mind (and face + body!) The Supergoop! Everyday Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 PA+++ has been the one that got me through this summer with NO sunburns and NO clogged pores. If the fact that more than 90% of the signs of aging are caused by the sun doesn't scare you, how about skin cancer being the most common cancer in the US? That's pretty frightening for my US readers... X.x

⇥ AT A GLANCE ⇤

The Supergoop! Everyday Sunscreen provides broad spectrum (UVA+ UVB ray protection) for face and body in an oil-free, non-comedogenic lotion. This moisturizing, lightweight, and fast absorbing formula is ideal for daytime. It's also cruelty-free--yay! 

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UNBOXING┊IPSY Glam Bag September 2014♥

I'm not going to go on and on about what this is because most beauty-obsessed people would already know by now (¬‿¬) BUT the tl;dr version is that it's a $10USD monthly subscription service that includes 4-5 full-sized or deluxe sized products ranging from hair, skin, beauty, and makeup all encased in a cute little pouch. Now that we've got the formalities out of the way, let's hop into the products for this month's Glam Bag!

⇥ AT A GLANCE ⇤

I've been on the waitlist for forever and finally got my bag this month. The theme this month is Street Style. Inside, I received 5 products in my bag: Avon Big & Daring Mascara, Be a Bombshell Smooth Criminal Powder, Cailyn Art Touch Tinted Lip Gloss,   Mitchell & Peach Luxury Hand Cream, and a Pacifica 7 Free Nail Polish.

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REVIEW┊The Body Shop Seaweed Mattifying Moisture Lotion SPF 15

Hey everyone!  I've switched out my daily moisturizer and so I've been looking for one that helps me control my oil. The Body Shop Seaweed Mattifying Moisture Lotion SPF 15 for Combination/Oily Skin is designed as an all-in-one oil-balance, moisturization, and UVA/UVB protection, perfect for rushed mornings.

Ignore the top...I cut off the top so I could scrape out the rest of the product. xD
There was a good week and a half's left in there!

⇥ AT A GLANCE ⇤

As you all know, I have normal to combination skin. My t-zone gets pretty oily but my cheeks and forehead remain normal. What I'm looking for is a lightweight moisturizer that doesn't give me an oily appearance. Sun protection is a must and if it's unscented, that's a huge bonus. So does this Body Shop Seaweed Mattifying Moisture Lotion deliver?

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REVIEW┊Benefit It's Potent! Brightening Eye Cream

Have a gander at this new eye cream from Benefit Cosmetics! This brightening eye cream works hard to get rid of dark circles and smooth fine lines for a brighter and younger look.

⇥AT A GLANCE⇤

Formulated with cocoa extract, sodium hyaluronate, and loquat extract to help fade dark circles, restore moisture, and fight free radical damage. 

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REVIEW┊Holika Holika Bulgarian Rose Eye Cream

Continuing on with the skincare theme, I'll be talking about the Holika Holika Bulgarian Rose Eye Cream!If you're looking for a new one to try, read on to see if this one will be perfect for you :)

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BEAUTY HACK┊ DIY Foundation or Color Correct a too Pink Foundation!

Ignore the gash in the Skin Food bottle...was trying to get product out since I couldn't squeeze any more product out of it >.<

Tired of buying bottle after bottle of foundation that gives a mask-like appearance? Interested in making your own? Read on to find out how!

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REVIEW┊ Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil

So did that convince you to buy this product? Anyone? Well, I'm here to tell you that this product has helped my skin look more radiant and hydrated without the grease face that most of us dread!

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REVIEW┊ Paula's Choice Clear Regular Strength Kit

I've been hinting at the new changes to my skincare routine in a couple of previous posts and here are the new additions! I'm just going to say it now: these products work without over-drying my skin. The Paula's Choice CLEAR line in Regular Strength really works and I stand behind these products 100%!

A bit of background on my skin--grab your drink of choice and get comfortable because it's a long one. I've always taken good care of my skin. Starting when I was 11, I was washing my face and applying sunscreen daily. I almost made it through high school with relatively clear skin. Starting my senior year, I just broke out around my chin and cheeks. Since prom was coming up, I was in a panic to get clear skin. Asking my sister for some advice, she recommended St. Ives, which I used up until my 1st year of university. The harsh apricot scrub really messed up my skin, causing breakouts and blemishes in areas I never broke out on before. I immediately repurposed the scrub into a foot scrub, which it did eerily well. I used up the cleanser and tried something else. After two years of trying out a ton of brands products in an attempt to clear my skin, it was dry in places, oily in others, irritated, and red. The blemishes I was dealing with are the ones that are stuck underneath the skin for a very long time, usually weeks or months. When they do decide to surface, they are almost always inflamed, red, tender to the touch, filled with pus and very large. At that stage, they take a week or more to go away, leaving my skin with a dark hyperpigmentation mark to remember it by. At my wits end, I decided to give Paula's Choice a chance due to the glowing review of Wayne Goss. That was March of this year and I have not strayed from these items one bit! 

Another incentive to buy: Paula's Choice products are 15% off until October 7, 2014 at 11:59PM ET!! Free shipping when you spend $50+.

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TIPS┊ ✈ What's in my Bag?: Travel Makeup Edition ✈

So this might be a little late as the summer is winding down, but I've been doing a lot of travelling these past couple of weeks. I have a problem with overpacking (gotta have my options!) and these are just some of the tips I have that helped me cut down on the number of products and bags I bring with me. I was heading to BeautyCon LA (I'll have a separate post on that!) so I packed a lot more than I usually do but...you get the gist of it. The items I packed aren't taking into consideration airline regulations, which vary by country/airline, so this is more if you're going to be checking in your luggage or travelling by methods other than air.

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