Browsing Category: Beauty

Powdered Facial Cleansers

When it comes to having proper skincare regimen, my main focus is to make sure that I thoroughly clean my skin. My obsession with making sure I have thoroughly cleaned my skin includes me selecting the right cleansers and using multiple cleansers in my skincare routine. Therefore, I’m always interested in learning about other cleanser options. One product I’ve been interested in trying for a while now are powdered facial cleansers.

Yes, powdered facial cleansers exist.

Powder facial cleansers have been around for a few years, but I haven’t had the chance to try one. However, my interest recently peaked after discovering that they are great for all skin types, including those of us with sensitive skin and even those with rosacea-prone skin.

Most powdered facial cleansers have a very soft and dusty texture that’s similar to baby powder. The way that they work is by mixing a little water into a small amount of the powder. After that, you gently mix the two together until it creates a gentle liquid cleanser.  The slight grainy texture of some powdered facial cleansers helps to gently exfoliate your skin, too.

Here are some powdered facial cleansers currently on the market and my “Want to Try” list.

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Tatcha Polished Classic Rice Enzyme Powder Cleanser – Peter Thomas Roth Camu Camu Vitamin C Cleansing Powder – NUDE Skincare Detox Gentle Brightening Fizzy Powder Wash –HONEST Clean Powder Cleanser

Have you tried a powdered facial cleansers? If so, please tell me how did you enjoy it below.

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Ayurvedic Beauty

Life should always be filled with learning. So, I’m always interested in trying new things. Well…to be honest…for the past year or so, I’ve been interested in trying new things. When I say new things, I don’t mean just food or products, but learning more about different cultures and lifestyles. One lifestyle I recently decided to learn more about was ayurveda, which is a 5,000+ year old holistic healing system. Stemming from Ayur, meaning “Life,” and Veda, meaning “Knowledge,” Ayurveda is currently a prevalent medical system used to prevent and treat illnesses by maintaining balance in the body and mind. Very interesting.

As I researched more the different aspects that make up ayurveda, I naturally gravitated toward what beauty products and/or regimens that are ayurvedic approved. I was shocked to find out that I (and probably most of you) have already tried natural oils and ingredients that align with ayurvedic products used for hair and skin. Two words: coconut oil.

Anyway, keep reading to learn a little bit more about the ancient holistic practice and a beauty tips and brands created around it.

Ayurvedic Beauty Products:

There are a few lines and brands out there that focus on creating products centered on the ayurvedic lifestyle, such as MaaDisha. MaaDisha has simple line of skin and hair care products that are chemical, paraben, and cruelty-free. They only use ingredients within Ayurveda that are used in holistic practices that heal and contribute to one’s overall health. Examples of ayurvedic ingredients include sunflower oil, safflower oil, coconut oil, and ginger.

ayurvedic beauty hairmask2

I recently had the chance to try a couple of products from MaaDisha. One product that I tried and love is the Hairmask2, which is very thick and creamy mask that almost instantly hydrated and strengthen my moisturure deprived natural curls. After only one use, my hair felt softer and stronger. Pretty amazing results for a natural and organic product. I was so impressed by the initial results, that this has become my go-to weekly deep conditioning mask. It’s really good for mending split ends, which has been one of the problems I’ve been having with my hair. So, I’m so happy that I was introduced to the product. MaaDisha has not only products for hair and skin, but also ayurvedic soaps and face oils which are naturally fragrant.

Ayurvedic Skin Regimen:

Although some of us have countless steps (I’m up to 7 steps) in our daily skincare regimen, we realistically only need 3-4 steps: cleanse, tone, moisturize, and/or treat, if neccessary).

So, here is a simple skincare regimen that is great for most skin types and sticks with the ayurvedic lifestyle and features products that you probably already have and use for your skin occasionally.

  1. Cleanse – Use a soap made with ayurvedic ingredients such as saffron or patchouli. If you have acne prone skin, try this soap enriched with holy basil to help fight acne-causing bacteria.
  2. Tone – Rose water is a gentle way to tone your skin. Plus, it’s ayurvedic friendly.
  3. Treat – Aloe vera and neem are great for pigmentation, tumeric oil is great for acne and dry skin, or find an face oil that combines multiple oils to treat multiple skin ailments.
  4. Moisturize – Coconut oil is all you need. Use it moisturize your whole body; from hair to the bottom of your foot.

Have any of you ever heard of ayurveda and the ayurvedic lifestyle? If not and want to learn more, click here.

*Some products mentioned were sent for review purposes only, but all opinions are Stained Couture.

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Aiming for Spotless Skin

You know the saying about how a summer body is made in the winter, well I like to think the same thing can be said about our skin.

When it’s cold, we can cover up our bodies with layers to conceal areas that we’re working on and when the weather finally warms up, flash everyone that hard work by wearing less clothes. We can apply that same principle to other vanity areas such as out skin. Just replace clothes with make-up and body with face. No matter you skin dilemma, you can easily work on it winter so in the summer, you can let your natural skin glow with little to no make-up.

When it comes to my skin, I feel like I’ve dealt with every issue possible; including acne, large pores, and even a phase when I was getting dry patches all over my face. Not cute. Recently, I decided it was time for me to work on the discoloration and acne scarring on my face.

Fortunately, after years of having very problematic skin, my skin has finally cleared up with the exception of a pimple here or there. Those minor pimples are nothing compared to my puberty that included skin full of large pores, oily skin, and pimples on pimples. It was horrid.

Now that I’ve found the right regimen, know which products/ingredients work for my skincare and proper nutrition, my skin has been having the smoothest time of it’s life.

To help with the discoloration and scarring, I’ve incorporated some new products and lifestyle changes into my life that have been working wonders and wanted to share them with you…of course!

PRODUCTS FOR SPOTLESS SKIN

Microdermabrasion was one of the first things I tried to help with my complexion and it really has made a difference. It helped smooth my skin and some scarring. I use my at-home microdermabrasion system once a week, which has helped.

murad spotless skin stained couture

The other new incorporation into my skincare game to help me get rid of dark spots is finding the right products with the right ingredients. I recently started using Murad’s 90-Day Rapid Lightening regimen, which has done wonders to clearing past acne scars and hyperpigmentation on my cheek area. I noticed changes within a 2 weeks of consistent use. The line is packed with Vitamin C and antioxidants, which are all great battling sun spots and damage.

My personal favorite product from the line is the Rapid Age Pigment Lightening Serum. It’s beast and on par to be the only serum I used for years. I already bought 2 more. I will admit that I was most excited to try this serum out of the line, because some of my favorite and flawless skin femmes of Instagram swear by this serum. After using it for myself, they did not steer me wrong.

My initial (and only) goal to using this line was to help brighten my complexion by lightening scars that are reminders of previous years of acne, but now I feel like I’ve found my summertime skin’s new BFF.

Read more about the rapid lightening line here.

 

**received from BeautyStat for review, but opinions are all mine.

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Nude Nails

In the past, I had a strong addiction to nail polishes. I wanted (and almost had) every shade possible. No matter the brand, color, or texture; I needed it. I had so many nail polishes that it eventually became a burden to store my nail polish.

Over the course of a couple of years, I’ve not only downsized my collection, but also my preference of colors. I no longer gravitate to toward bright neon (maybe for a summer pedi) and glitter (accent nail friendly), but instead stick to mostly classic and neutral shades of pinks and reds. However, the shade of polish that I wear the most is nude polish for a clean and classic look of nude nails.

For me, having a nude nail polish is a must for various reasons. Finger nails with nude polish gives the illusion of longer and slender fingers, doesn’t look that noticeable when chipped, and goes with everything and every season. It’s pretty much a no brainer.

Currently, I’m wearing Sally Hansen’s ‘Camelflage’ (I love polish names!), which is the perfect light khaki brown for my late winter skin that’s not too pale or my naturally tanned complexion. However, when summertime arrives and drops off my full coverage tan, I know I’m going to have to go up a couple of notches on the color spectrum. Luckily, more makeup and nail polish brands are coming out with collections that feature natural neutral shades. So, everyone has a chance to be nude in some way or another. *insert seductive wink*

Finding The Right Nude Polish For Your Skin Tone:

Fair/Pale Skin: Sheer pinks and milky mauves. AVOID stark whites and pinks, because they will look too harsh and washed out.

Olive/Tan Skin: Sandy beiges vey soft taupes. AVOID polishes with yellow undertones, because they will washout against your complexion and look shallow.

Deep/Dark Skin: Dark browns, coffee colors, and pinky beige colors. AVOID polishes with grey under tones, because they will make your hands look dull and “ashy”. Who wants that?

 

Here some safe color choices that are complimentary to multiple skin tones.

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Deborah Lippman Bare Beige – Essie All Eyes On Nude – Zoya Nude Perfector – butter LONDON ‘Tea Wit The Queen’

I hope you are no a little more informed and determined on finding your perfect nude polish for nude nails.

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The Power of Pre-Shampoo

One of the best things I ever introduced to my hair is the power of pre-shampoo or “pre-poos”.

What is pre-shampooing, you might ask? Well, it’s usually moisturizing product that you apply to your hair before washing that helps moisturize, strengthen, and prevents drying of the hair that some shampoos cause.

As a person with a head covered in thick and naturally curly hair, I’m an avid user and supporter of pre-pooing. Plus, since I occasionally flat iron my hair, this treatment is a definite need-to-do. It’s actually a well known regimen in the natural hair community. However, over the past couple of years, those with other textures of hair have been testing the pre-poo water. Also, more brands have created hair products for pre-shampooing.

One of the easiest/cheapest ways most people can pre-poo is by using coconut oil, which is a no brainer since coconut oil seems to cure most things apparently. However, although coconut oil is an awesome alternative to pre-shampoo, there are a wide ranged of pre-poo designed to fit almost every hair issue.

Using pre-shampoo is pretty easy. All you have to do is apply it to damp hair, let it stay in your hair for at least 30 minutes and proceed to shampoo, condition, and style your hair as usual. No, you don’t wash the pre-shampoo out of your hair.

If you haven’t tried this method, I suggest you do. I even have some suggestions for you to consider, based on your hair type or need. You hair will thank you.

Pre-Shampoo Suggestions:

pre-shampoo-suggestions

 

 

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