Little Moments

(For the record, this is just a post because I'm bored and wanted to write. I'm not being compensated for my opinions in any way.)
I've always had a bit of an obsession with skin care. Probably because I've always had typical teenager skin that broadcast my stress and hormone levels to the world on the daily. When I was younger I truly thought maybe I could scrub my acne off. (My poor raw face.)  That wasn't the best execution of the idea, but today I still love a good exfoliating wash!
My friend Carmina is a rep for Perfectly Posh, and I'll be honest... the first time she introduced me to it I wasn't sure I wanted to try it. Sure it has cute packaging, and funny names, and looks marvelous... but it seemed a bit expensive. (Granted I am a tight wad. I have the personal belief that everything should cost $10 or less. Truly. Everything.) I was used to buying face wash that was maybe $7. Walmart specials were my bestie- and Matt thinks that it's ridiculous to pay a lot for beauty products. (Which I kinda agree but also if he was a girl I think he'd be a little more understanding. ;) ) Carmina offered to let me try some samples of her acne treatment favorites, and I figured hey. Free samples can't hurt.  They can't... but they can lead to addictions haha.
This post is more for my benefit than all of yours, you just get to read about this if you're really bored and desperate or curious or whatever... Here's my current skin care regimen. I'm in love with it- just so you know.

Every morning I use BFF from Posh. It's marvelous. It smells amazing, it's a gentle enough exfoliating wash that you can use it every day, and it seriously helps keep my break outs under control. 

I follow that up with a toner... I'm currently shopping around to figure out which brand/type I like best, but so far I'm a fan of Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Pore Perfecting Toner... (say that a few times fast.) I've read and read and read about home acne remedies and witch hazel is mentioned frequently so I figured why not? I feel like it's really helped even things out and shrink my black head problem areas.

I use a moisturizer with sunscreen, as well as a tinted moisturizer after that. I've learned (finally) that moisturizing is a huge part of clearing up your skin. I was drying my face out so badly before that it ended up doing the opposite- your skin will over compensate with oil production if you dry out your skin too much. Who knew? I've liked Olay's SPF 15 face lotion, it's reasonably priced and doesn't make me break out.  Right now I'm trying Elf's tinted moisturizer that has an SPF of 20. Do you have any favorite tinted moisturizers? This one's more tint than I'd like. :p 

I've started using a primer before I put on makeup. It makes my makeup go on smoother and stay put better. Basically it helps me fake prettier skin than I actually have. ;) I LOVE Posh's Under Wonder Pore Primer, it smells like watermelon heaven and is so light! I couldn't even tell I had anything extra on. However- going back to me being cheap- I haven't bought a full sized tube yet. I just really loved my sample. ;) So in the mean time I'm using Elf's primer. I tried the Radiant Glow primer, which was kinda fun in the summer but then I felt a little to sparkly when I realized that my son was glimmering after I'd hold him. :p They've got an Adjusting Green primer, which is next on my list to try out, and a Poreless Face Primer which is the one I use. I like it- I don't feel like it's made me break out, but it does feel a little heavier than Posh's. 

I switch things up a little each evening with which mask I use, but I always wash my face with a milder cleanser since I've started using a skin brush. I'm just using one I found on Tanga.com (which is another addiction ps. It's a website that has awesome awesome close out deals on lots of different things. Awesome.) because it was discounted to $8, rather than $50. I like saving money... then I can put it toward more posh. ;) Right now my favorite cleanser is Garnier Clean Purifying Foam Cleanser.

I didn't realize how much easier I could have been making things by using a makeup remover... it seriously is awesome. Especially if I ever use waterproof mascara. I love Neutrogena's Oil-Free  Eye Makeup Remover. It's really effective while still being gentle, and it never causes break outs for me. (If you can't tell I felt like everything I was using before made me break out haha.)
I use my toner again after washing my face, to help remove anything I missed. :)
After all the makeup is gone, I go back and forth between 3 different masks:

* Drop Dead Gorgeous which has kaolin, and minerals from the Dead Sea. It's a rejuvinating mask, and kaolin clay helps reduce the production of sebum (oil) and is often used as a detoxifying agent in skin care products. I feel like this mask is a good pick me up mask, it smells like lemon-grass, and my skin seems brighter after using it. Posh advertises it as an anti aging mask- so I felt kind of silly getting it because hello. I'm in my early 20's. I am so in love with this mask though! It makes my skin look smoother. I love it!!

*The Stripper DTox Body Mud (Yes. That's its name. Haha) This mask also uses kaolin clay, as well as charcoal powder, and has aloe in it to help soothe your skin as well. This one is definitely stronger, so it has an initial burning sensation, but it doesn't last long. This. This is my best friend. It's the only thing I've ever used that really helps with black heads and white heads. The fragrance says vanilla, but it reminds me more of black licorice. (I think it smells lovely!) It's my go to during hormonal break outs to stay on top of things. I honestly have noticed that when I use this one consistently my skin looks 10 times better!

* The "burning" mask. This one is a home made mask- and definitely the cheapest of the three... it uses honey, lemon juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Honey has an antibacterial property that helps disinfect and speed healing of acne, cinnamon has anti-microbial properties to reduce 'diseases' caused by bacteria. Aka acne, Nutmeg is an anti-inflammatory and helps reduce the appearance of scars (bonus: nutmeg is also rich in many b-complex vitamins.) Lemon juice is loaded with vitamin C- it helps build collagen in your skin which is what keeps your skin looking firm and young. Lemon also helps lighten dark spots and even skin tone- but it makes your skin photo sensitive so you'll need to be sure you use sunscreen if you're using this mask! (Which you should do anyway so you don't have to buy anti aging/corrective products later.) I love this one. A- it's cheap. B- it smells yummy, and C- it makes my skin glow! 

After using masks I rinse my face off and use a moisturizer. I've been using an Olay Regenerist Night Resurfacing Elixir- but to be honest that's only because I found it on clearance for $11 instead of $25ish... It replaces your night moisturizer, but has AHA (alpha-hydroxy acid) which has a mild peel effect. Basically it helps get rid of dead surface skin, so that when you wash your face in the morning it uncovers your soft new skin. :) Before I found this, though, I was using St. Ives Timeless Skin cream. It smells lavender-y and makes my face and neck feel like brand new by morning! It's one of my new favorites. :)
Seriously though- I'm in love with posh. They used to have a pumpkin mask that would have had a 'chemical peel' like effect, but it was closed out. :( Otherwise I think I'd be using that instead of the Olay Regenerist!  Some of my other favorites (slash the new line that I'm DYING to try) are:

Tried: Cuticle Cutie- smells amazing, makes my Jams look awesome because my nail beds are so healthy and soft! Hey Honey- BEST hand lotion ever. I've had really awful dry skin on my hands ever since having Jaden and this healed it. Under Wonder- talked about it already, but I have to say it again. It's amazing. It made my skin look flawless. Snarky Bar- it's an awesome alternative to a loofah (which can be pretty gross since they hold bacteria... if you're just using the soap bar it's not trapping all that nasty.) It's great to exfoliate with! Daily Grind- guys. I love the smell of coffee. Never tasted it- but if it tastes like it smells it's probably a good thing that the word of wisdom advises against it. I'd be so hooked. This body scrub makes my shower smell like Starbucks. And my skin feels amazing after using it too! Calm Down mask- this one was a nice break from the DTox masks because it's so mild and soothing.  Moisture 911- makes my skin feel soft but 'tight' because it uses caffeine. It really improved the tone and texture of my skin.
DYING to try :p

Apricots overnight mask- ok. Overnight masks are awesome because I'm lazy. Also this is supposed to be a very intense moisture therapy mask. Carmina said she didn't even want to put makeup on after she used it because it made her face look so amazing! Gender Bender bar- it's a DTox bar for your body... I struggle with bacne sometimes and this is supposed to help with that. :)  Lash Pop- ... I'm thinking Latisse but not as expensive or chemical-y? Who doesn't want gorgeous thick eyelashes? I'm Shrinking mask- it's a super intense one that you're only supposed to use as spot treatment, but I've always been self conscious about my pores on my nose and cheeks because I feel like they're huge. Carmina also said this one made a HUGE difference with black heads too!

What are your favorites?