Tag Archives: skincare

My FAVORITE and not so favorite makeup wipes | Review

Sometimes after a long, long day or night, the last thing that you want to do is wash your face. Trust me, as OCD as I am, I have been in this position about a gazillion times.

Very often the day beats me up so badly that all I want to do is plop into bed and sleep the night away, but taking off your makeup at the end of the day is such an essential part to keeping your skin clean, acne free and healthy. Even if you didn’t wear makeup at all that day, there are so much dirt and pollutants on your face that you really should clean it all off. This way your skin can breathe and regenerate the way that it should.

Over my many years of loving makeup, I have tried so many different brands/types of makeup wipes. For a very long time, I have even said it on this blog, that the type of makeup wipes you choose isn’t very important ,which is true, if you are always an angel and you wash your face with face wash after cleaning it with a makeup wipe, but in reality, that doesn’t always happen.

If you are buying makeup wipes for the nights where you are too exhausted to actually wash your face, well then they do really matter. You want something that is good for your skin and that can also do its job of removing makeup and dirt. Below you will find a review of the makeup wipes that I have used over the years (in a sequence of least favorite to most favorite).

1. Pacifica Natural Skincare: Super Detox Deep Purification Wipe

2290303.jpegNow I was sucked into these when I saw that they were biodegradable, and infused with kale, cucumber and mangosteen. They looked to be a healthy option for my skin and I fell for it. Now let me tell you, these did such a terrible job of actually removing anything! The only thing they were good for was moving my makeup around on my face. Win, win right? Ha, absolutely not. A waste of my $9. These would be a good option after cleansing your face to really detoxify, but thats really just an extra step not many of us can commit to. The upside to these wipes is the fact that they are formulated without sulfates, SLS, parabens, phthalates and petroleum.

2. Pacifica Natural Beauty: Cactus Water Makeup Removing Wipes

2303809.jpeg These were ehh. I don’t have much to say besides the fact that they smelled awful. When I say awful I mean perfumey and overbearing. They removed my makeup alright, sometimes took a couple of these wipes to get the job done. For $6 a package (30 included) I would say there are better options. The upside to these is the fact that they are infused with Jojoba oil and aloe vera. Also, they are 100% vegan and cruelty-free.

3. Kirkland: Daily Facial Towelettes

imageService.jpegThese makeup wipes were my go to for a very long time. This was mainly because they are so cost efficient and because my mom would gift these to me for every Christmas. For 150 wipes, all you pay is $11.99 which is a steal…that is about $2.40 per pack. These claim to be formulated with cucumber, chamomile flower extract, and aloe which in theory are good for the skin. What really makes these great is the fact that they are Paraben free. Even though these are generic and cheap, but they remove makeup like they should. If you are on a budget, these are your best bet.

4. NO7: Quick Thinking 4-in-1 Wipes

2229466.jpegThese makeup wipes cost $6.99 but at Ulta they usually have a sale of buy one get one 50% off which drops the price down to $5.24 per pack. These are hypo-allergenic which is why they caught my eye. I am allergic to everything so a label titled with that is like gold to me. These puppies cleanse, tone and moisturize your skin which is great for those nights that you are only removing your makeup with a wipe. Infused with Vitamin Pro-B5 plus extracts of witch hazel and fennel they help your skin stay healthy and beautiful.

5. Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes (Night Calming)

11537217.jpegSo these are my absolute favorites. I must admit that it is due to the scent that they release when you use them. It’s actually quite hard to explain. It’s almost like a lavender, chamomile type of smell. At the end of a hard day, these totally help me unwind, relax and get ready for bed. These are alcohol free and have been ophthalmologist, dermatologist, and allergy tested which is great for sensitive skin. My other favorite feature of these is how quickly and efficiently I can get my makeup off with. Takes me about 30 seconds which is great for the nights where I just wan to face plant into my mattress.

I really hope that these reviews help you make better choices when it comes to makeup remover wipes and in general, taking care of your skin. The sooner you start investing in your skin, the happier you will be later down the line.

What are your favorite wipes? Let me know down in the comments below. I am always looking out for new wipes to try!

XOXO, Rutele!

Artistry Hydra- V Cleanser and Toner | Review

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Hello lovies!

It has been quite a while since I have posted a review. I purchased a ton of new products that I have been trying out. I really wanted to get a feel of what they do and how they react with my skin.

To be honest I was upset when I went to the Artistry page and found out that my favorite cleanser and toner were discontinued. I have been using the Artistry® Essentials balancing cleanser and toner for years. My skin was used to them and they worked great. The site did suggest similar products for me try so I said why the heck not? I might as well.

The newest line by Artistry is the Hydra-V. I have been using the cleanser and the toner for about a month now. Read on to get all of the details.

Artistry Hydra-V™ Fresh Foaming Cleanser

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Sites description:

Skin feels refreshed and clean, not tight or dry, when you remove oils, makeup, and dirt with this soap-free gel. Fresh, Norwegian fjord water, encapsulated in our exclusive Artistry Hydra-V™ Liposome delivery system, leaves skin healthy-looking and refreshed. Contains Oat Extract and a special conditioning agent that self-adjusts for all skin types.

I want to start off by saying that this packaging is extremely adorable and actually durable. I keep this in the shower and it has not changed shape or color. The actual cleanser smells so clean and fresh. It stays gel like the whole time you are washing your face with very little soap suds. I kind of like this because it only goes where you put it allowing me to I not worry about it running down into my eyes or mouth, but I also dislike it because I feel like it could get deeper into my pores if it lathered better. Essentially it does a decent job of cleansing all of the left over makeup and access oils.

Over all I do like this cleanser. Do I miss my old cleanser? Yes! It made me feel cleaner and lathered better. Also, with the last cleanser I was able to chose whether I needed a more moisturizing product or balancing one. This one claims to adjust..I would give this a 6 out of 10. I will most definitely be looking for a different cleanser after I finish this one.

Artistry Hydra-V™ Fresh Toner

IMG_4004Sites description:

Conditions, softens, and preps skin to receive the additional benefits from the Artistry Hydra-V™ Collection.

Just like with the cleanser, the packaging is really beautiful. This blue color just radiates. I do like the toner more than the cleanser. It smells really fresh and makes my skin clean. You also don’t need a ton on a cotton pad. It easily wipes away my mascara that tends to rub on my face during sleep which is a huge plus. I need a strong cleaning agent to not look like a raccoon. Ha! This is kind similar to the Artistry Essentials toner but the difference that I noticed immediately is the consistency. The Essentials toner had a thicker formula. I used to have to shake the bottle to  mix the ingredients and it was more milky. This Hydra-V toner cleans my face, but does not moisturize it like the Essentials one did.

I would rate this product a 7/10. I will most definitely be looking for a new toner. I may go back to the Origins brand or try something from Boscia or Philosophy.

I am not sure why Artistry decided to discontinue the Essentials line, but I am pretty disappointed. These products are not necessarily comparable. They are not bad products by any means and may work amazingly for some else, but when you have a ride or die product, only better products excite you.

Have you tried these products? Did you like them?? Let me know down in the comments below.

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Eye cream or no eye cream in your 20’s?? Vivant Skin care| Review

This is the question that has haunted me for a couple of years now.

I have always been very diligent about taking care of my skin but for some reason I never thought that eye cream was something that I needed to have in my daily regiment as a twenty year old.

As it turns out, I was wrong. It is never too early.

After having a talk with my esthetician, she pointed out that the two places that we usually neglect are the under eyes and the neck area, hence why those are the two places that reveal our age the most.

I take care of my neck area with my nightly and daily moisturizer, but my under eyes have been neglected for years. Ugh, I am so sorry face!

I went ahead and asked my esthetician to select the right cream for me. She is very particular about the products that she sells to her customers and is a huge fan of Vivant Skincare, so I figured, why not, let me give this a chance. Below is a little excerpt about what the company and it’s skincare is all about.

For nearly 50 years, Vivant® Skin Care has been dedicated to providing potent, medically-proven dermatological therapies. There’s no fluff, just purposeful skin care solutions. Founded in 1990 in California by the late Dr. James E. Fulton, Jr., M.D., Ph.D., co-developer of Retin-A®, and his wife Sara Fulton, Vivant Skin Care is a clinical skin care line rooted in Fulton’s patented vitamin A therapies. The line was inspired by Dr. Fulton’s personal struggle with acne and life-long study of and research in skin care. The resulting 35 + formulations comprise our skin care products designed to treat skin conditions such as acne, hyperpigmentation and aged skin.

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Wink: Eye Rejuvenation Cream

I am absolutely in love with this product! I have always had a problem with dark and puffy under eyes but this light weight cream does wonders! I have noticed a huge difference in both areas. This product is made with Grapeseed oil, Caffeine, Oligopeptides and Retinyl Propionate. A little of it goes a long way and it absorbs into the skin immediately. There is absolutely no wait time before you can start applying your other skin products and/or makeup. Also, I have noticed a huge difference when it comes to using concealer. I have significantly less creasing under my eyes.

MaxiLip Lip Plumper

As an amazing esthetician, she has gotten to know me well enough to know that I would love this product as well. I am very big on lipsticks and lip balms but never loved glosses. This was always a big issue when it came to lip plumpers, since every highly adored product is glossy. Well this is a lip balm. AH-MA-ZING! It is made out of Petrolatum, Oligopeptides, Perfluorodecalin, and Benzyl Nicotinate. So the Petrolatum is what hydrates your lips while all of the other ingredients increase collagen production and blood flow to the lips (which is what makes them plump). I can put this under lipsticks without changing the look and feel of them. That my friend is winning in my book! My lips are so plump and the best part is that they are so hydrated! This obviously requires continuous use in order to see the results, just like all other lip plumpers, but since this is a lip balm, it does not require any extra work from me.

 

I am extremely impressed with Vivant Skincare and will continue using these two products. The results are absolutely everything I have expected and more, but the part that really amazes me is the ingredients. They are not infused with unnecessary fillers that could be harmful to me. These are my newest additions to the Holy Grails. ❤

 

If you are interested in these products or any of the other skin care products by Vivant Skincare, be sure to give Results Skincare Studio a visit.

https://www.facebook.com/ResultsSkincareStudio/?pnref=story

 

I woke up like this…FLAWLESS | Skincare

Mona, thank you for this awesome topic request! If you want flawless skin, keep on reading, I promise you will not regret it!!

I am thankful for the fact that I have been blessed with pretty peaceful skin. All throughout puberty I did not have many problems besides the mild breakouts due to hormonal fluctuations and those annoying blackheads. Although I didn’t have acne to take of, I was always very diligent about preserving my skins beauty. Your skin is something that you will literally live with the rest of your life, therefore making sure to take really good care of is essential in looking youthful and radiant.

I have combination skin, oily in the T-Zone and normal/dry everywhere else. Which makes it pretty difficult to find products that cater to both needs, but I think I have done a solid job. Just as with anything, gosh there were so many trial and errors, and with so many great products out there, its hard to stick to just one line. But below is my night and mourning routine. Enjoy 😀

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Night Routine:

  1. Using the Boscia MakeUp-BreakUp Cool Cleansing oil I break down all of the makeup on my face. I use 1 to 2 pumps and gently rub all over my face then rinse it with luke warm water. IMG_3270
  2. Using any make up wipe of your choice (I use generic ones from Costco, can be off brand, the residue off of the wipe will be washed off) I gently remove all of the eye make up.
  3. Using a pea sized amount of the Purity One Step Facial Cleanser I start my Clarisonic and work in the cleanser. The Clarisonic is programmed to be on for a minute. Use that minute to wash your face in soft, circular motions. Don’t forget the neck. IMG_3268
  4. I then wash my face with warm water and pat dry.
  5. Once a week or sometimes every two weeks I will use a blackhead strip. As I have mentioned in my Holy Grails post, I use the Dr. Jart+ strips. These could be used after washing your face with the Clarisonic or after a long and steamy shower. IMG_3265
  6. If I have break outs, I use the Out of Trouble Mask by Origins. This significantly reduces any redness or blemishes. If a blemish is being really stubborn, put a small amount on it and keep it overnight. By morning time, it should be less problematic. IMG_3267
  7. Then I apply a heavier moisturizer before bed. The skin works the hardest when you sleep, so might as well give it the nutrients that it needs. I personally use the A Perfect World by Origins. It is infused with White Tea which hydrates the skin like there is no tomorrow! IMG_3266
  8. Lastly, I exfoliate my lips with the Satin Lips mask by Mary Kay. I take a pea sized amount and scrub my lips with it. The cream should sit on your lips for about 5 minutes. Afterwards, I wipe it off with a makeup wipe and apply the Satin Lips lip balm. Voilà, after these steps the lips feel like fluffy pillows. IMG_3271

Morning Routine:

  1. Using the Checks and Balances face wash by Origins, I wash my face with cold water (using my hands). This gently removes any access oils and also wakes me up.IMG_3269
  2. I then immediately apply any lightweight moisturizer that I have.

On top of these daily steps I do go get facials every 6 weeks. Makeup, stress and pollution all play a vital role in clogging the pores therefore it’s important to go to a professional. I usually go with a microdermabrasion or even a very slight face peel. If live in SWF, I have the best esthetician, ask me and I will give you the details!

I would love to hear your tricks and routines too! I am always looking to improve this routine. Let me know down below!

XOXO, Ruta.

New makeup HEAVEN! | Review

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Yesterday was the best day ever! I happened to stop by Sephora while I was down at Coconut Point. Let me tell you, this Sephora is huge!!! They have every single brand that you could image in the actual store. In a couple of weeks they will be getting the whole Anastasia Beverly Hills makeup collection…I am so excited to be able to actually try out the lipsticks before buying them and figuring it that the color is not the right shade for me! It really is the small things in life that make us happy right? 🙂

I picked up a few items that I have been dying to try out!! The DR. Jart+ Blackhead Strips, the First Aid Beauty Eye Duty Triple Remedy, Anastasia lipstick, the Ultra HD foundation and the GLOW KIT (I have been in obsessed with this bad boy ever since I got it)!!! I have to say I am loving every single product that I bought! I am really really pleasantly impressed since I tend to be picky! Below is the little breakdown of the product, how I use it and if you click on the picture, you will be taken to a link where you can purchase them.

  • DR. Jart+ Pore Master Patch

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These blackhead strips are everything! I have had issues with really stubborn blackheads on my nose and chin ever since I was a teenager. No product seemed to be able to help me until I found these babies! Oh my gosh! They are perfect. In each pack there are 2 strips. One is for the actual blackheads and the other is for minimizing the clean pores. Use these after you take a long shower (this opens up the pores), places the strip on your nose, let it dry for about 10 minutes and peel off. Peel this off really slowly from the side and try to pull up towards your eyebrows. They are quite pricey but totally worth it!

  • First Aid Beauty Eye Duty Triple Remedy (Light/Medium)

s1600162-main-heroI have been looking for some kind of product for underneath my eyes for ages. I tend to have puffy eyes and bags under them no matter how much rest I get. This cream and applicator is amazing! It has a tint to it which brightens the eyes on top of the other ingredients which depuff’s the eye. The best part of this is the roller which is always super cold! So much faster and convenient than using a cold spoon which does the same trick (awakes the eye).

 

  • Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick (American Doll)

s1786870-main-heroI have been a hard ride or die fan for the Kat Von D liquid lipsticks but this may have beat that! The consistency and texture of this is beautiful! It feels so nice on the lips and really doesn’t dry out! The best part of this lipstick is the pigmentation. With Kat Von D lipsticks, you have to reapply about three time to have an even colored shade, but with this lipstick, it just takes one time! I am really excited to try out the other colors!

 

  • Make Up Forever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Stick Foundation (125)

s1713189-main-heroCould this replace my current holy grail foundation? It very well could! I love full coverage foundations and this is absolutely that! It is very velvety and pigmented which is the perfect combo! If you have any imperfections to hide, this may be the best product for you! I love how creamy it is because very little gets sucked up by the brush when blending it out. Really outstanding product. If you want to do cream contouring, this is probably the easiest product to use. Just pick up a shade darker than your actual shade and apply on the cheekbones, underneath the jaw and by the hairline on your forehead and blend it out!

  • Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit (Gleam)

s1790617-main-heroI have been so excited to try these highlighters out and boy am I in love?!??!?! This is about 40 dollars, which is the biggest bang for your buck. You get four different shades which you can use depending on the look you are going for or based on how tan/pale you are. I did purchase the gleam kit (this is for lighter skin types) and ahh these highlighters are so beautiful! They are so creamy and blend in so seamlessly on the skin. This palette is very versatile as well, you can use this for eye shadows too! Woop woop! Now I don’t need to buy any sparkly eye shadows! Also, a huge bonus for this palette is the fact that the pods inside are replaceable. If you use one up or want to switch out for a different color, you sure can instead of having to buy a whole new kit.

I would say my shopping spree was successful! Have you ever tried any of these products out? Did you love them? Comment below and please subscribe!

XOXO, Ruta.