Kendall Jenner is the new face of Estee Lauder

What a savvy move for Estee Lauder!

While I have always liked wearing Estee Lauder products, it's definitely been perceived as an older brand. Kendall will definitely attract a younger consumer, and may be able to help shift the aging perception of the brand in millennials' minds. I'm excited to see where this goes!

http://www.esteelauder.com/kendall 

image from esteelauder.com

adult acne

If you thought you would retire from acne around the same time you retired from being a teenager but are still dealing with it, join the club. It can be frustrating to deal with acne when you feel like you've finally grown up in most areas of your life but your skin is lagging behind. I had multiple people ask for this post so if you're struggling with this issue, you're definitely not alone! 

As someone who has struggled with acne on and off for years, I have tried countless acne remedies and treatments. I feel like I've finally found what works for me, but that's the catch: everyone's skin is different so everyone's solution is different. 

Personally, my best acne skincare routine is all about prevention instead of treatment. My acne tends to be more hormonal - a few under-the-skin cysts versus many little pimples. This means that drying acne treatments (i.e. products containing salycilic acid) don't do much for me and I'm better off keeping my skin clean and calm.

I didn't start this routine all at once, but gradually increased use of products so my skin didn't freak out and even now I only use my acne products sparingly. 

Every day I:

• Wash my face using an acne cleanser once a day at night. I just rinse my face with water in the mornings instead of using cleanser because I find my skin becomes dry if I wash too often.
• Moisturize with a gel-based moisturizer (any light moisturizer will do). A common mistake people with acne-prone skin make is not moisturizing because their skin is oily and they think moisturizer will make it worse, when actually, your skin will produce even more oil if it isn't moisturized because it's trying to make up for a lack of hydration. Don't believe me? Try using a moisturizing serum before joining the moisturizer club.
• Avoid touching my face or picking at possible zits. This never turns out well (it will most likely leave the area inflammed or even scarred). Just don't do it!

Two-three times a week I:

• Use a tea-tree toner post-cleansing and pre-moisturizing. Tea tree is a natural acne-fighting ingredient and makes your skin feel ah-mazing.
• Use a glycoloic-acid based treatment Glycolic acid speeds up your skin's cell turnover rate, decreasing the chance your pores will get clogged with oil and produce pimples. Exfoliating can be tricky with acne because sometimes the harshness can make a pimple problem worse instead of better, but glycolic acid gently and effectively exfoliates. 
• Go to sleep with a thin layer of retinol on my face. You can find tons of drugstore products containing retinol these days because its an ingredient found in a lot of anti-aging products. Retinol will definitely make your face worse instead of better initially, so if you're thinking about stealing your mom's wrinkle cream and giving it a try I recommend sticking to it for at least six weeks to see results. (Tip: also apply moisturizer or facial oil over it if your skin becomes dry)

As needed I:

• Use a spot treatment. If a zit pops up out of nowhere I'll dab a tiny bit of blemish-clearing gel on it. Look for spot treatments containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
• Take a prescription pill. I'm in the process of weaning myself off this right now, but it helped me tremendously when I was suffering from moderate acne.

A big part of preventing acne is lifestyle. I believe that drinking a ton of water and exercising regularly helps my skin more than anything else; just make sure you wash your face or use a face cleansing wipes post-workout so the sweat doesn't clog your pores. Also, I know that my cystic acne tends to flare up after consuming a lot of dairy due to the hormones in cow's milk, so I try to limit it as much as possible (except for cheese, duh). Not sure if cutting down on dairy could help you? Try eliminating it from your diet for a couple weeks and see if your skin improves at all.

Keep in mind that it is possible to overdo it. If you get a bad breakout, do not panic and slather every acne product you own on your face because you may do more harm than good. Be gentle with your skin and have patience! In the meantime you can try switching up your foundation/concealer to a higher coverage.

If you still feel like your acne is making you self-conscious I really recommend considering a dermatologist. I found a great skincare routine incorporating a prescription cream, pill and birth control when I was really struggling with my skin a couple years ago.

And the friend you have who never washes her face or even owns concealer? No, it's not fair, but move on! Stressing and being upset about your skin definitely doesn't help the issue.

I hope my skincare routine gave you some inspiration! What do you do to prevent or deal with breakouts?

splurge vs. save: makeup

When it comes to makeup, I can be a bit of a snob. I prefer pricey cosmetics. Nothing makes me feel quite as pretty as using makeup that’s encased in beautiful packaging that makes me look forward to using it, or even simply looking at it. Putting on your makeup shouldn’t always be a mundane chore you’re required to do every day; the process of “getting pretty” should be an experience you look forward to (at least every once in a while).

While I think that some pricey makeup is all about the pleasure in owning it, such as my $33 lip balm a.k.a. Dior Lip Glow, I truly believe that some expensive cosmetic products are worth the splurge because they perform better. It’s important to differentiate between splurging on makeup because it’s better than its drugstore counterpart, and splurging on makeup to treat yourself every once in a while because it makes you feel good (I’m looking at you, Benefit Hoola).

Splurge-worthy products perform better – meaning they look better and last longer. Think makeup you get at Sephora or department stores. This makeup isn't that expensive when you get down to it because it's more pigmented = less product to get the desired result = product lasts longer. 

My personal opinion on which products are worth the money:

• Foundation/BB cream: You don’t have to spend a fortune on it, but I believe in spending a little more when it comes to makeup that goes on your face for two reasons. First, your skin is your body’s largest organ so you should treat it well and be considerate when it comes to slathering chemicals on it. Second, I am acne-prone and have found that drugstore BB creams clog my pores and make my face produce more oil. In face makeup I look for an oil-free, multitasking formula that I don’t feel guilty about layering on my skin. I like Tarte and Pur Minerals. 
• Eyeliner: I know a lot of people will disagree with me on this one but I’m sticking to it. Eyeliner is my favorite cosmetic product; I have owned just about every color and kind you can imagine. I find that drugstore eyeliner is less pigmented, which means I have to use more of it and press hard when applying it in order to get the color I want, and tugging at your eyelid (the thinnest skin on your face) is definitely not helping to prevent wrinkles or irritation. Also, I find that drugstore eyeliners I’ve tried don't stay on for long and are more prone to traveling around my eyes throughout the day. I like Bobbi Brown (gel), Estee Lauder (pencil) and Stila (liquid).
•  Blush: Again with the putting-chemicals-on-your-skin thing. I prefer cream/gel blush because it lasts longer than powder and looks more natural, and I haven’t found a drugstore version that doesn’t turn my cheeks into an oil zone yet. I like Josie Maran.
• Cream Eye Shadow: This was a no-brainer splurge for me because I’m lazy when it comes to eye shadow. I dip my finger in a neutral shade, swipe it across my eyelid, and count on it staying there all day without moving. I like Make Up For Ever.
• Makeup Brushes: Pricier ones won’t shed, are nicer to your skin, and will last longer if you clean them regularly. I like The Body Shop.

 In my opinion, these products are not worth the splurge:

• Mascara: Let me tell you a secret...The only difference how mascara makes your lashes look lies in the brush, not the formula. While I’m obsessed with my Benefit They’re Real mascara, it’s definitely one of those products that just makes me feel good to own (that’s what Christmas is for, amirite?!). I love how L’Oreal Voluminous makes my lashes look just as much, with a cheaper price tag.
•  Bronzer: I love matte bronzer because it looks more natural compared to shimmer, but my recent purchase of Benefit Hoola left me underwhelmed. I like how it looks in my makeup bag, but it doesn’t look any better or last longer than my favorite Physician’s Formula bronzer.
• Lip Balm: I can’t speak to lip stick because I haven’t experimented enough to have an opinion on it (though I'm dying to try Bite Beauty). Lip Balm on the other hand, is not splurge-worthy to me. I love how my cheap Baby Lips balm looks, as well as my fave balm Dior Lip Glow. 

Toss Ups:

• Concealer: I recently splurged on a Nars concealer, which I am a proud owner of, but I honestly don’t think it performs any better than my favorite $11 Body Shop concealer. I’m inclined to say splurge on concealer since it goes on areas you don’t want to draw attention to so it needs to look good and last long. I’m still searching for “the One.”
• Powder Eye Shadow: With a good, splurge-worthy eye shadow primer I think the less-pigmented drugstore shadows would be okay. However, I like Too Faced best.

Not sure if you should splurge or save? MAC and The Body Shop’s cosmetic products are usually priced in between the splurge-y Sephora stuff and the cheap Walgreens stuff, and both have great quality without a hefty price tag. If you're thinking about taking the plunge and splurging on a product, see if you can get a sample or buy a travel-sized version first to try before you buy.

Which products do you splurge and steal on?

p.s. Stay tuned for skincare and hair editions!

DIY manicure

We all paint our nails, but how many times do we just lazily slap some polish on then pick it off a couple days later? I'm definitely guilty.

Now that I've started working I realize I can't sport my classic chipped, blue nails anymore since it's not professional-looking. While going polish-less is the easiest and most realistic option, sometimes you just gotta put in a little time and effort to groom your nails. Even if you don't want paint color on your nails, it's still a good idea to regularly trim your cuticles and file your nails down so they look clean. Not only will it save you time and money by not going to a nail salon, it can be something you look forward to!

the only supplies you need

First, take off any existing nail polish with nail polish remover and wash your hands with soap after to ensure nail polish will really adhere to your nails. Then clip nails if needed, but definitely file your nails regardless so whichever shape you choose (oval or squared) all nails look uniform in shape.

Next, clean up cuticles with a cuticle trimmer. This is one of the most underrated nail products ever! You can get one for super cheap from the nail section of the drugstore - mine is Revlon. You use the pointed end to push your cuticles down, then the metal end to get the dead skin off (I realize these are horrible instructions but I can't really explain it - I promise it's intuitive!).

Here's the time-consuming part. Take the time to paint your nails with a clear base coat, two coats of color (allowing plenty of time to dry in between), then finally a clear top coat. If you're the type of person who hastily paints a couple coats of color on your nails and that's it, you're better off having bare nails because the polish is going to look bad and chip in no time. It can be frustrating to sit and wait for your nails to dry, but try to pass the time by reading or Pinteresting and if you're really rushed just run your hands underneath cold water and they'll dry faster.

Make sure you're keeping your hands and cuticles hydrated by using hand cream daily, and keep up a manicure by reapplying top coat every other day to prevent chipping and dullness.

If you turn grooming your nails into a mini spa night with a face mask and a magazine, it'll be something you actually look forward to every week, and who doesn't feel prettier with manicured nails?

get your game face on

Football season has officially started with the NFL opening game last night, and I couldn't be happier (Go Marshall and  go Panthers!). Football and all-pumpkin-everything combined with the perfect weather, easily make Fall my favorite season.

For some, football season means wearing your favorite jersey and heading out to a tailgate and game every weekend. For others, it means yummy food and beer in front of a TV. Regardless of your preference to watch the game you want to be focused on the game and having fun, not worried about how you look.

Football games often mean spending all day outside in the sun drinking, and the last thing you want is to head somewhere after the game with a face full of smudged makeup. You know the girls who wear a ton of makeup to sporting events and look silly? Don't be that girl. You aren't there to make a statement with your bold lip or smokey eye, you're there to have fun and cheer on your team (or at least pretend like it).

In order to ensure you go from tailgate to game to post-game festivities looking flawless, stick to minimal, neutral makeup with staying power. This way, you can feel good about spending all day (and night) supporting your team and beer-drinking habits and leave all cosmetic products at home.

game face necessities

My favorite long-lasting products for game time are:

1. Tarte BB Tinted Primer: I've said it before and I'll say it again: this stuff is amaze balls. It's lightweight (read: doesn't look like you're wearing makeup on your face), but covers extremely well. A little bit goes a long way and the best way to apply is to put a small amount on your fingers, rub your fingers of both hands together, then smear all over your face and blend.

2. The Body Shop Concealer Stick: It's no secret that this is my favorite concealer. The reason I like it so much is because it covers under-eye circles and blemishes well, so I don't need two different concealers. Apply this under eyes and on blemishes where needed, but don't worry too much about covering every little spot.

3. Josie Maran Waterproof Cheek Gelee: Waterproof blush means this stuff doesn't budge. It'll stay on until you take it off, even through the hottest day for a game. Apply lightly to get a healthy flush; once again, don't go overboard.

4. Benefit Hooola Bronzer: This is a recent purchase of mine from the #FlyBenefit vending machine at the airport, and I'm already obsessed! This bronzer is perfect for game day because there's no shimmer in it (matte=natural). Dust a little on your forehead, sides of nose, chin and hollows of your cheeks for a natural-looking glow.

5. Stila Stay All Day Liquid Liner in Black: Stila isn't lying when they say "Stay All Day" because this stuff doesn't budge. If you haven't mastered using liquid eyeliner (yet), not to worry. Draw small dashes as close to your lash line as possible then connect them and you'll have a straight line! Since I have small eyes I like to add a small flick to the outer corners of my eyes, think mini cat-eye, but it's still appropriate for game day.

Tip: if you have lighter eyes or hair, stick to brown instead of black - it looks much more natural.

6. Make Up Forever Aqua Cream for Eyes in Warm Beige: I definitely don't recommend wearing eye shadow to sporting events, especially if it's outside in the heat, because you're basically asking your shadow to crease and look horrible within a few hours. However, I do like to put a tiny bit of this on my brow bone and at the inner corner of my eye.

7. L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara: No need to get waterproof mascara for football season, unless your favorite team loses a lot and it makes you sad.

These are my favorite picks to create a minimal game face that will last all day long!

is everyone bobbing without me?

It's no secret that everyone in Hollywood is chopping their locks into chic bobs lately, but Emma Stone's recent bob-formation automatically amped up the short-hair game.

image from refinery29.com

I've had a bob haircut for six years and decided I would grow it out after college, but Emma is making me question my existence without short hair.

Victoria Beckham, the original bobster of the early 2000s, sparked a trend in short, stacked bobs that was quickly adopted by soccer moms (See: Kate Gosselin).

A few years later, Gwenyth and Jen kinda made the lob (long-bob) cool, but it didn't pick up too much speed.

 Karlie Kloss hit the bob scene hard in 2012 and really set a fire to the trend, causing celebrities and mere normals alike to chop off their hair...

And so it begins: the bob/lob is the "it" cut. For now.

Are you going to hop on the bob train?

 *all images from Google Images

Makeup Genius by L'oreal

It's Monday. Mondays are slow. Mondays I am bored.

Naturally, the answer is to try on makeup.

I've been hearing buzz around L'Oreal's new beauty app, Makeup Genius, for quite some time but haven't gotten around to downloading it until I reached the point of extreme Monday-ness today.

Upon opening the app, your camera quickly scans your face to get a good idea of your features. You can then try on various products in eyeliner, eyeshadow, lipstick, lip gloss, lip liner (wtf?) and blush categories. Some eyeliners, such as the gel one, are drawn on as a cat eye and some (like pencil) are drawn on smoky. 

Even though I was trying SO hard not to bust out laughing in my cubicle, I am so impressed with how real the products look. It looked like I was actually wearing the products! Not only does the color look real, but the texture was even there - my lip gloss was shiny. As if this isn't advanced enough, the products move with your face! I moved all around and made different poses, opening and closing my mouth/eyes and the products stayed on the entire time. Unbelievable. 

Besides being able to switch color swatches and from product to product easily, you can share your looks on social media or save them for easy product reference next time you're at Walgreens and remember the awesome lipstick you tried on at work without actually trying it on.

Besides a couple of the eyeliners being drawn onto my eyeball(s) at times, this app is freakishly accurate and awesome. I'm not going to lie it has definitely convinced me to go out and buy a couple of L'Oreal products I tried on now...

Now photos, for your viewing pleasure:

As you can see I am new to this and wondering what is going on while trying not to laugh. But I do like this lipstick!

Things are getting fun. Always wanted to try blue eyeliner, but I'm not sure I would apply it this heavily...

Love this look. It's the most symmetrical cat eye I've ever had. If only my eyeliner could look like this in real life...

Things turned ghetto for a hot sec

My favorite look: clear gloss, light pink blush and brown eyeliner applied with a heavier hand than I usually do.

Next time you're bored and have some time to kill, play around with L'Oreal's Makeup Genius app and send me some pics!