10 BAD SKIN HABITS TO BREAK BEFORE SUMMER

Hi everyone,

The start of a new season means it’s time to take a step back and reassess our skin routine.  For glowing, dewy and most importantly, healthy skin this summer, make sure you avoid these 10 bad habits:

1. Forgetting your neck: It's easy to focus on slathering your face with moisturizers and serums only to forget one other important body part – your neck.  Some of the most visible signs of aging can show here, so it’s important to take care of it just as you would your face. 
2. Overexfoliating: We all want to show off squeaky-clean, smooth skin this summer, but avoid going overboard with harsh cleaning.  Overexfoliating can actually worsen your skin’s natural production of oil and cause breakouts by spreading bacteria.  Save exfoliating for once or twice a week – the rest of the time, use a gentle cleanser. 
3. Using an old foundation brush: When was the last time you cleaned your brushes? Forgetting to clean them can lead to clogged pores and even infections.  
4. Sleeping with makeup on: This is a given, but it’s easy to fall back into a rut as you settle into a routine.  Take the changing of a seasons as a time to remind yourself to always go to bed with a clean face!
5. Forgetting SPF: Some of you live in climates where you barely see any sun during spring – but just because you can’t see the sun doesn’t mean your skin can’t feel its rays.  Keep your skin healthy by alwaysincorporating sun protection to your skin routine.   With the sunny days ahead, this is even more important!
6. Staying up too late: Lack of sleep can lead to stress and tiredness, both which can cause your skin to act up.  Sleep is the time when your body repairs the damage it encounters during the day, so make sure you are giving your skin ample time to recover. 
7. Being stuck to your phone: In case you need a reminder, here’s why your phone is actually ONE BIG, NASTY GERMFEST. 
8. Forgetting your eyes: The skin around your eyes is much thinner and delicate than the rest of your face, so it’s important to pay them special care.  Don’t assume that eye cream is for old ladies.
9. Piling on the products: More doesn’t always equal better when it comes to your skin.  Not only can ingredients in some products cancel each other out, but piling on too many products can actually have an adverse affect.  Instead, try GIVING YOUR SKIN TIME TO BREATHE and stick the most minimal regime for a few days. Your pores will thank you. 
10. Skipping the moisturizer: A lot of people think that because warmer temperatures can be less drying than the winter cold, they can skip moisturizer.  This is false! Instead of ditching your moisturizer altogether, find a lighter formula with SPF to protect your skin for summer. Your skin can always use the protection, no matter how humid or hot the weather. 

Are you guilty of any of these bad skin habits? Which ones are you going to try to break before summer?

Photo credit: Dior Addict

<3 Mindy

DIY Face Masks!

Hi everyone!

One of the most fun parts of DIY beauty is being able to get creative with the things you have around you. I love finding unexpected ways to do everything from all using everyday products! Here are a couple interesting ones that are definitely worth checking out:

Naznin Azees shared a brightening antioxidant facial made with pomegranate seeds and honey. Yum! Get the full recipe HERE.

This coconut oil, banana and honey mask sounds so creamy and moisturizing! Debor says you just mix ½ a banana, a teaspoon of honey and one or two spoonfuls of coconut oil together and apply it to your face for 15-20 minutes. Wash it off with warm water and finish with moisturizer. She says you will see the difference!

Hera recommends a lemon and sugar facemask to exfoliate and reduce dark spots. Just mix 1 tablespoon of lemon with 1 teaspoon of sugar and dip a cotton ball in to exfoliate your face. According to her, you can leave this on for about 15 minutes and then rinse off to see the results!

This aspirin-based mask shared by EXON, but she adds a couple extra ingredients: turmeric, flour and lemon. Click HERE to get her instructions.

Have you tried any of these masks?

If you’ve used any of the ingredients mentioned in one of these masks, share your experiences below!

<3 Mindy

Photo sources: WEHEARTIT, RADIANT REFLECTIONS, NPR

BEAUTY DISH: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE SHADE?

Hi everyone,

What are the names of your favorite makeup shades? From pink to green, purple to beige–I think we can all agree that finding the perfect hue is not easy to do. That's why I've created a handful of different threads in the Forum where you can share your favorite finds based on each color. So head over to the Forum, find the appropriate color, and tell us your favorite products in that shade! Here are a few to get started with:

                                                  

PINKS/FUCHSIAS


PURPLES/PLUMS/LAVENDERS/LILACS


BLUES/INDIGO


TURQUOISES/AQUAS/TEAL

REDS/BERRIES


CORALS

ORANGESâ


YELLOWS


BROWNS/BEIGES

GOLDS/BRONZES۬


CREAMS/WHITES


BLACK


SILVERS

Which shade is your favorite to wear for? Just tell me on the comment below!

<3 Mindy

NATURAL BEAUTY: CUSTOMIZE YOUR FRAGRANCE

Hi everyone,

Perfume is one of the most convenient beauty products out there. It's easy to use, pre-mixed, packaged, and instantly ready whenever you need it. But if you're curious about how scents are made and have a little extra time on your hands, you may want to check out essential oils. You can usually find a variety of them at grocery stores and beauty supply shops.

Essential oils can be used as perfume for a simple, pure scent, and, depending on whether or not you believe in the benefits of aromatherapy, the oils can also be used to stabilize your mood and to promote relaxation. You can even mix and match different oils to create different scents – it's like creating your own perfumes at home!

Lavender – Calming, relaxing, soothing, and balancing. I love to put this on right before bed!

Rose – Uplifting, romantic

Eucalyptus – Purifying, invigorating

Peppermint – Refreshing, cooling, vitalizing

Lemon – Uplifting, cheering, refreshing

Jasmine – Calming, relaxing, sensual, romantic
*Full disclosure that this oil is pricier than most. The flowers must be hand-picked just before dawn, when the essence is at its peak, and then large amounts are needed to produce even a small amount of oil.

Rosemary – Clarifying, invigorating

What's your favorite essential oil? I looovvee a lot about rosy thing and rose fragrance! Do you combine them to make your own scents? Post your faves in the comments section! :D

<3 Mindy