The viscous cycle of stress-acne

I never thought that stress would affect me on a physiological level. Surely it does to many people, but when it comes to stress, I've never had it directly impact my body. I have gone through periods of my life with chronic stress (like the IB program), and I've had back problems due to muscle-tension, but the cortisol has only worked on my brain. Until now.
Maybe it is that my body was so used to stress during high school, that it just built up a resistance to it... Anyways, during the months following graduation, I was finally able to cool down and lived a life in tranquility. But when I came back home from Italy, my life became "normal" again: I was put under more pressure than I had felt in six months. And maybe that was why my face flared up with bumps. Surely I would have to take the change of climate into consideration, but I don't see why my face would break out from the cold, when it hasn't ever done it before.
Now finally we arrive at the point of this blog-post: when I realized I was about to break out, I started panicking about it. The result? Now I don't only have clogged pores covering my front and my chin, now I also have acne break-outs, and the worst I've had in years.
The lesson to draw from this is that when you start to feeling symptoms of stress, don't panic over them too, it will just make things worse.
My tips: plan as much as you can beforehand, write lists of what you have to do. Not only will you nit be as likely to forget to do things, but you might even be reminded of them in good time, maybe leaving you to do something you enjoy!

Chocomania!

For those of you who know me a little bit better might know that it was the Body Shop that got me interested in cosmetics.
And, for about two, three years now, I am a chocoholic. I love everything with dark chocolate.
Therefore, I couldn't help myself but to be very exited when I read about the new chocolate collection "Chocomania" which will be launched towards the end of January!

Can't wait!

Picture source: http://www.umassmed.edu/healthyheart/chocolate.aspx

Best of cosmetics: Florence edition

After three months in Florence, Italy, I thought I should review the cosmetic products I got and used there. This doesn't mean that they are by Italian companies; they are just products I associate with my stay there.


My first favorite is, actually, a brand.

Kiko makeup have a great range of products and colors for incredibly cheap: 4€ for a mascara, 1.50€ for a nail polish,  etc. Of course, limited edition collections are a little more expensive, but still inexpensive compared to other brands.
Kiko do sell skin care, but I haven't tried enough things to have a good opinion of it.

What I personally like is that Kiko don't have the same cheap packaging as many drugstore brands. Their packaging is simple, yet classy, which could have an impact on the low pricing. For the limited edition collections, the packaging is more worked on, more thought about.

Kiko makeup is very pigmented, something that made me happily surprised (at that low cost), but wears off easily. The eyeshadows crease like nothing I've ever experienced before. But then, as I said, at that cost, you can't expect anything other.

Kiko makeup is perfect if you are intending to wear it for four hours at a time; it is after that that it starts wearing off/creasing.
Although I prefer natural products or products of quality, Kiko is a dream for a poor student, or just anyone who didn't have a makeup-budget.


Next up are two products by the Italian brand I Provenzali.

I discovered the brand when the Italian cometic-store Limoni. I liked that they not only were inexpensive, but also had great company values: they were supporters of the WWF, they work against animal testing, they use recycled plastic for their packaging, they use "green energy", etc.

The first product I tried was a hair mask with flaxseed oil. It is lightweight of a creamy, almost gel-like consistency.
It had a pleasant, natural and soft scent. It was rather weak (good for people sensitive to strong scents), but for some amazing reason lingered in my hair.
The mask made my hair very soft, smooth and easy to detangle. I do have problems with frizz and tangly hair (yes, even if my hair is straight), but this did a good job to make every day a good hair day for me.

The second product I tried (which I bought weeks after the first) was a shea butter shampoo. Just as the flaxseed mask, this has a very weak sent (the typical shea butter scent).
It was very, very runny, so you have to be careful when dosing it into your hand (there might be some going to waste). It did lather rather ok in my hair, though it was a little hard to work with it due to the consistency.

Overall, for the great price, these products were well worth the money, especially due to the great values of the company.


Next up is my favorite shower gel: Ginger Burst by Origins. I got this, plus the Ginger Essence, by my dad for my birthday. Since I didn't want to finish it too quickly, I only used it when I felt tired or just a little down. The scent is great, well, it smells of ginger (I like it, you might not). It is easy to work it up into a generous, soft lather.
Out of the shower, this shower gel leaves my skin soft, and yes, the scent lingers on the skin!


I'll soon update you on the products I did not like from Florence!
Ciao Belle e Belli!

My scent collection

Inexpensive/"larger-samples" of scents

Nicer scents and smaller samples (the Gucci sample is out because it is my new love!)

Spray samples

Tissue samples

Please tell me if you want a review of any of the scents I own, or if you want to know which perfumes I have as samples!

Best of luck!

Backup Shopping

I bought some backups of my skincare today. I have been spending a lot of money lately, so I would have to spare it now. But I really am trying to get my skin in good shape now at the end of high school.

Another blog recommendation

Heard of StumbleUpon.com from friends about a month ago, and am now addicted to that website.
Came across this website just now, and it has a lot of good beauty tips. Just another small recommendation.
http://www.chercabulasmindbox.com/2009/05/out-of-ordinary-beauty-tips-that-work.html

Shopping

Prom at my school is late, so I didn't get my shoes before today. But now I have them! And I'm so pleased with them!

I also passed by Kookaï to get these two pieces:

Now I'm ready for my professional life, :) So excited! Tomorrow I'll sit down and write my motivation-letter in order to search a job at a beauty counter!

The Allure American Beauty Survey

Just stumbled upon, again, this article, and I thought that I should share it with you. Allure has made a beauty survey, comparing women's view on beauty to men's, and it's really quite interesting!

It's short, so I seriously recommend you read it, if for nothing else just out of curiosity.

My worst makeup miss

I am pale with big lips. Therefore, and maybe by no surprise, pale lipsticks make me look like I'm dead.
I have to say that the best way to avoid makeup mistakes is to stay to your natural colors. Like for me, I have very pigmented lips, so it just looks strange when I all of a sudden don't have any at all!

I don't have much else to tell you about this, but please feel free to share your makeup mistakes down in the comments! :)

Take the opportunity to shop a little this weekend!

For Memorial day, many companies offer great deals online!
These are a few of the ones I've come across:

• Free shipping from HauteLook.com on $50 orders
• Great gift with purchase on $34 skincare or foundation orders from ÉstéeLauder.com
• 20% off all orders from NeoStrata.com
• Buy one get one 50% off, 33% off, etc., from Crabtree&Evelynn.com

Enjoy this weekend now, and take care!

Gucci Guilty

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1JBGFcw0jPk/TGrEeoJLIiI/AAAAAAAAAU0/pJg9-K4Y1EU/s1600/Gucci-Guilty.PNG

Got my little sample size of Gucci's new scent, "Gucci Guilty." It's at least new here in France, and you could sign up to getting a free sample from Sephora before it is released in stores.

Sephora.com describes the fragrance as being...

Made for the woman who shatters expectations, this fragrance imbues a feeling of power, a sense that she can attain whatever she wants—even the thrill of the forbidden. A sheer, floral-oriental fragrance, it opens with a bright burst of citrus and a dangerous hint of black pepper. This arresting introduction gives way to full-throttle femininity as its heart pulses with fruity and floral notes. The fragrance dries down to a rich, ambery base with notes of patchouli. The overall effect is young, stylish, and eminently wearable—a daring edge of sexiness and sensuality that captures the essence of Gucci.

Notes: Mandarin, Pink Pepper, Peach, Lilac, Geranium, Amber, Patchouli.

Style: Daring. Rich. Sexy.

As of now, I can't feel the pepper, and I wouldn't be aware of the citrus unless I knew it was in there. But there certainly was some sort of lighter feeling to it in the beginning.
Base notes are usually felt all throughout the time the perfume is on, but in this scent, they (amber and patchouli) are dominant the whole time.
I honestly didn't expect to much out of this, because I'm not a great fan on Gucci's scents, but this one is AMAZING! It is indeed very rich and sexy, feminine and yet not too strong.

I will update this post once I know the lasting time of the scent!

Want some good skincare advice from a REAL specialist?

...Then I believe that you should stop by DermTV.com with Dr. Neal Schultz, a dermatologist who, when he's not seeing patients, makes YouTube videos.

He really knows what he's talking about (duuuh...), and if you've never heard of him before, I recommend you go and look up if he has made any videos on your specific skin issues. It might be very useful.

Shopping after exams

I still haven't taken my last exam (it's tomorrow morning, after that I'm totally free), but I still felt that I had to celebrate being done with biology. Therefore, I went shopping Friday, which was wonderful.

If you have seen the new (or new here in France at least) MAC "Surf, Baby!" collection, they have come out with a lipstick in the color "Hibiscus." According to myself, my perfect lip color. So I started my round at the Sephora on Champs Ḗlysées where they have a MAC counter in the back of the huge store. But they were out of it :(
So I went and looked for a dupe, and found one that suited me quite well. And since I have a limited budget, I chose one from the Sephora line (in R08, Firework, but I can't find it on the American website).

Without flash

With flash

Without flash

With flash

I also came across l'Oréal's eyelash serum, and though I don't really believe in these things, I am trying everything to be nice now that prom and graduation is approaching.

Then I moved on to do some clothes shopping, but I'm not including it in here (as this is a beauty blog). But of course, let me know if you want me to start blogging about fashion as well!
I'll keep you updated on how the products work out!

The sun is here

Except for the very sudden return of chilly and gray weather last week, we Parisians have been spoiled with summer weather for about a month now. And today, finally, I got to spend two hours (at least) outside, studying for my IB chemistry exam on Monday.

I have started wearing sunscreen this year, but only covering my face and neck. As many of you might now, it is hard, even for skincare enthusiasts, to start wearing sunscreen at my age. I usually find them way too oily, sticky or drying, so I was never motivated to use mine, though I do own one. The best solution, in my opinion, is to get a day cream with SPF in it, so that you don't miss or skip protection.

Anyways, I got to spend a lot of time out in the shining, hot sun without any protection on my skin. What most people have a hard time understanding is that I don't react to the sun, and the same thing is true about today's "tanning": I don't burn, nor do I tan, I stay pale as before. Ok, I do react to our frienemy, but very slowly. And that also motivates why I skip SPF.

BUT, and this is a big but, I don't recommend doing what I do, at least not on a regular basis. When I'm on vacation, I am careful with my sunscreen. Don't forget that specialists recommend that you spend 15 minutes outside WITHOUT protection, since your skin wants as much sun radiation to start producing vitamin D. And the danger is not if your walking outside without SPF, it is when your actively tanning that you really should consider the dangers (because you usually spend time in the same position, so that the same areas get sun on it).

Take care, and take care of your skin!

Picture source

How my skin is doing

In the middle of my final exams period (for those of you who don't know, I am in my senior year of high school), I thought it REALLY was time to update you on how my skin is doing soon 3 months into my Exuviance routine.

Due to my "exciting" exams starting now on Tuesday, I have been going through quite a lot of stress. As a consequence, my skin has had a lot of breakouts on my cheeks and my chin. Now though they have healed and my skin is mostly just a little red, but whatever, no one has perfect, even skin!

My skin still is much smoother than before, and, though I do have a little uneven skin, my skin has a more even skin tone and texture.

I do believe that Exuviance has done a lot of goodness for for my skin, but that, of course, doesn't mean that it will do the same for you. Since skincare is my big, big love, I still am open to new things, and I will see when I'll try something new.

Till then, or rather till next entry, have a wonderful beginning of May!

Let's talk about acne

So I've already told you about me having horrible acne before. And yes it is true, and when I say horrible, I really do mean it. You might have been in my situation, and then you know how hard it is to feel comfortable in your own skin.

As for most teenagers, I started getting acne at around the age of 11/12 years. It wasn't pretty, but I didn't have more pimples than most of my friends. It was at the age of 16 that it really exploded: I had zits covering my entire face!

I tried everything: salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, rubbing alcohol, retinol, etc. I went on an antibiotic cure, which didn't do a thing for my skin but put my stomach out completely.

No makeup would cover it either.

I am writing this post to all people who currently are in the same position as I was two years ago. I want to assure you: it can be better, you can cure your acne.

One common cause of acne breakouts is hormones: if you treat this, you acne will clear up. Talk to your dermatologist about this. I went on two cures of "the pill." And that helped A LOT. This, and I'm sorry for you guys reading this, will only work for girls/women.

I wish you the best of good luck with your skin!

A month with Exuviance

Today it's 4 weeks since I started using my new Exuviance skin care routine, and I thought I'd update you on my skin's condition:

The first week my skin broke out. Not awfully, my skin still wasn't bad (to my standards that is), but it was far from good. This is normal, since the products drag out all impurities from our skin. I was just happy I was on vacation so that people wouldn't see my face!

My skin started getting better around the 5th or the 6th day of my use.

Right now, I do have a little acne, but most of it is post-acne marks that are healing. Overall, I feel that my skin is smoother and looks clearer (except for on my chin where the breakouts are) and brighter. I am very happy with the results, and hope that my skin will heal completely (especially before prom and graduation, but that's in June so there's plenty of time left!).

I'll keep you updated!

Good luck with your skin and your projects!

Could Exuviance be the answer to my prayers...?

I have been struggling with VERY bad skin for a long time. Although my skin is much better now than two years ago (when my skin was at it's worst), I still have breakouts and dehydrated skin.

I feel like I've been going through so many different treatments, tried so many skin care systems and brands, but nothing has made my skin good.

My mother too has had bad skin. She has sensitive, dry skin with adult acne. Not much fun. But about a month ago, she started using the Exuviance line by Neostrata, and her skin has improved so much. I am about to go on an Exuviance-regimen me too, and I'll keep you updated about it.

Exuviance was created by Dr. Eugene J. Van Scott and Dr. Ruey J. Yu in Princeton, New Jersey. They made the discovery of the AHA's (Alpha Hydroxy Acids), but kept the PHA's (Poly Hydroxy Acids) for themselves. The PHA's are good for anti-aging, acne treatment, dull skin, etc.

Exuviance can be found on the internet, but otherwise the products are only sold at dermatologists' and estheticians' salons.

I got the following products:

• Clarifying Facial Cleanser
• Moisture Balance Toner
• Clarifying Solution
• Blemish Treatment Gel
• Multi-Protective Day Fluid SPF 15
• Evening Restorative Complex

Celeb' skin

Are you wondering what the stars are using on their skin?

So was I, and therefore, I did some research, and found these things:

Face

• Annalynne Mccord: Philosophy Microdelivery Mini Peel Pads
• Cate Blanchett: SK-II Facial Treatment Essence
• Katie Cassady: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum
• Kendra Baskett: Cetaphil Moisturizer
• Leighton Meester: La Roche-Posay sunscreen, Mario Badescu oil-free moisturizer
• Natalie Portman: Joëlle Ciocco Sensitive Cleansing Milk
• Natasha Bedingfield: Dermalogica, Dr. Lancer, Epicuren

Mario Badescu seems to be very popular

Body

• Beyoncé Knowles: La Mer Body Crème
• Jennifer Lopez: Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish
• Leighton Meester: Crème de La Mer Body and Hand Lotion

Sources:

Allure - Cate Blanchett

Allure - Natalie Portman

Allure - Beyoncé and J. Lo

Allure - Leighton Meester

Celebrity Beauty Buzz - Annalynne, Katie Cassady, Bedingfield

Mario Badescu

Pictures:
Beyoncé
Leighton

Biotherm Anti-Drying Body Milk

I first got this for my birthday, and I got a back-up from my cousin for Christmas. But I thought I'll review it for you:

From the back of the product:

"For perfectly hydrated, soft, smooth skin. This lotion is an effective hydrating treatment

for the body,reinforcing the skin's natural protection and compensating for skin dryness.

Delightfully fresh Moisturizing Body Lotion, with natural citrus fragrances, is easily

absorbed and leaves no oily traces."

My opinion:

This body lotion is very runny, but also moisturizing. Since I don't have dry skin, I don't know how it would work for you with that skin type. All I could say is that in case you are of drier skin types, it is usually better to go with a body butter.

The lotion is very light weight and sinks right into the skin. And for some reason, I expected it to form a barrier on the skin (which wouldn't be a good thing for me), but it didn't, so I was pleased. :)

To be honest with you, I am not totally keen on the scent. It says to be containing citrus extracts, but the scent itself smell rather synthetic. However, it is discrete and easily covered by other scents.

Overall judgement: This product is good for people who are looking for that little extra moisture. I like it.

My current skin care

So for Christmas, I got a few gift cards for stuff at Sephora, and I took the chance to improve my skin care regimen. It is funny how hard it is to chose between products, but these are at least the ones I got:

SAMPAR Daily Dose Foaming Cleanser

From SamparUSA.com:

"Cinnamon, rosemary, lavender and sage essentials oils give this cleanser a purifying and

refreshing effect. This product eliminates impurities and particles of pollution with

infinite softness leaving the skin clean and the production of oils balanced."

My opinion: This cleanser does indeed smell strongly of rosemary with spicy and "clean" notes. The name "Foaming Cleanser" is a little misleading: it does foam, but not very much. And for the purifying effect, I haven't seen any radical results. It's however very refreshing.

Overall judgement: Good, but not more.

KENZOKI Fresh Lotus Water

Taken from KenzoStore. com.au:

"A fresh water mist to spray on your face. Naturally soothing, it wakes up sleepy skin,

dazzles with relaxing radiance and cheers up complexions. For all skin types."

My opinion: This is an aerosol spay. I usually don't buy aerosols, but I actually didn't know it when buying this product. It smells VERY strongly of lotus, so sensitive people, beware! The scent is however very pleasant.

It tingles a tiny on the skin, so it is awakening. I love the moisturizing feeling that it gives.

Overall judgement: Feels very good on the skin, but it is not really worth the money.

ESTÉE LAUDER Hydrationist Maximum Moisture Creme

From EsteeLauder.com:

"Instant and lasting moisture to resist the look of aging... Hydrationist leaves skin

youthful and healthy looking. Soft, silky smooth and super hydrated. Immediately you'll

see a surprising freshness and vitality. With its moisture in perfect balance, your skin is

naturally ready to fight signs of premature aging."

My opinion: I must say that I really like this one. It smells fresh, I can't describe the scent in a better way (synthetic fragrances, you know). I use the one for combination skin. It is lightweight, smooth, and absorbs easily into the skin. The only drawback, other than the price, is that I should have picked the one for dry skin (I think). As I'm going through my late teens, my skin has been changing a lot lately, from oily to dehydrated (normal to maybe dry).

Overall judgement: Very good, but I'll try to find something less expensive.

Back again!

I'm sorry that I've been absent for so long. Since I started my junior year of high school last year, I've been busy, and haven't been able to keep up at all with the blogging. Now, though, it is the beginning of the end of my senior year! One of my new year's resolutions has been to start blogging again, and seriously this time around. So look forward to new beauty updates soon. "See" you!

Maria