Washing My Face!

As my last post mentioned, I recently got my hands on a couple of GlamGlow products and I had a chance to try them out last night. I figured I would use this opportunity to mention my current face cleansing routine as well. 

I started out looking a little like this. I had a little bit of make up on from early in the day, but had been out in the rain, cleaning the bathrooms and even fell asleep briefly in this makeup- hence the smudge under my right eye. 

The first thing I do is wipe my makeup off as best as I can with a makeup remover wipe. This is the inexpensive brand from my local drug store and I have been using these wipes for years. They claim to be 3 in 1: Makeup remover, face cleanser, and toner. Meh, I don't know about really cleaning or toning my face, but it takes makeup off just fine and is a reasonable price and is why it is my step one. 

My next step is my trusty cleanser. I use Biotherm's Biosource "Mousse" I think they are calling it now *Important- not the Gel version*. I have been using this for years and it is absolutely my favourite cleanser of all time. It is so gentle and feels amazing- it foams in the perfect kind of way. It isn't like a bubbly foam, it just feels like there is this layer of dense smooth foam on your face. It is perfect and I cannot sing it's praises enough. For a period of time, I tried a tea tree oil face cleanser and experienced serious breakouts in areas that I never normally break out. I returned to this guy and all was well again in the world. 

For the past three months, I have been using this cleanser in conjunction with the Clarisonic Mia2 and really have been enjoying it. First of all, it has really taken care of my texture issues on my skin. I used to have small rough bumps on the sides of my face near the jaw line and dry patches across my forehead. Secondly, it is so stinking fun to use and makes deep cleaning your face a joy and breeze. It isn't a chore to wash my face, and anything to help with making me stick to routines is great!

Ahh, super fresh and feeling good. After this step is when I pulled out my new products from GlamGlow to play around with. First, I used SuperMud which normally comes in a white jar, but I have the 0.3 oz sample tube. It is meant to really suck out the nasties in your face for an incredibly deep cleanse. I imagine it can also be used for a spot treatment. I applied a very thin layer over my face. Because of this, I am confident that my little sample tube will provide me at least three more full face applications. 

This is what the mask looks like a minute after applied and drying. 

And this is after 20 minutes of letting it do it's thing with my pores. Kind of terrifying if you ask me. Look at all of those little dark spots! These would be my pores and the mask sucking out the contents of them. I was really impressed with how well this worked! I have tried other "deep pore cleansing" clay masks and they have never worked this well! Immediately after washing this mask off my face, I could tell a huge difference in my skin, especially the texture on my nose. It was so smooth and rid of all of those tiny blackhead bumps!

Now, this SuperMud treatment was understandably very drying. I have dry enough skin as it is, and felt myself wanting to inject moisture back into my face. Handy enough, my full size tub product from GlamGlow was a moisturizing mask. The ThirstyMud smells lovely, and feels like a very thick moisturizer and I smeared a thin layer of this all over my face as well. 

In this picture, you really can't tell that I have a treatment mask on. This is my hesitation with this mask. It's not really a mask. And it doesn't really claim to be- it is a treatment. However, the directions are basically that of a mask... or a moisturizer. It tells you for use during the day, let it sit on your skin for a desired period of time, then you can wipe the excess off with a tissue (strange) and then continue with your daily routine. However, for use during the night, apply your thin layer and go to bed with it on and if there is anything left in the morning, just rub it in which is exactly like a night cream.

 I guess my hesitation with this product is that when I purchase a mask, I want to feel like I applied a mask. It is very silly, but it is a roadblock and making me regret buying this full size version instead of the SuperMud. It is silly because of the results. My skin feels awesome. It feels different that it has ever felt. The faint lines that I sometimes get across my forehead are pumped out and invisible. Those dry patches on the sides of my face are totally smooth. 

I am hoping that the results and my continued use of this ThirstyMud treatment will squash my hesitation with it over time. Because the reality is, my skin feels soft and hydrated and clean and plump and I really shouldn't be complaining! Also, my spots on my chin from hormonal breakouts and that cleanser that didn't agree with me have seriously diminished. I mean, we are talking 3D to 2D overnight. 

First impressions, I am completely sold on the SuperMud and can already sing it's praises. As for the ThirstyMud, I'm pretty sure I like it. I'm just trying to figure out if it is worth the price tag.

I will update my feelings on this system after some regular use!

Hodge Podge

Strange term, hey? Well, this is just that, a mix of random things that all come together and kinda make sense in a weird kinda way.

First, I am on an organization kick. I am currently working on my linen closet and under my bathroom sinks. Sadly, I forgot to take a before picture. This is probably a good thing because they were in sad states.

Some tips that I've been totally into is:

1) You know how stainless steel looks beautiful, but it totally sucks that you can use magnets on it? I didn't even realize that the washer/drier is an area that I can stick magnets to! A handy trick I picked up was using a mesh wire basket purchased in the locker accessories section of many stores can stick very handy there to collect lint or objects from pockets.

2) The backs of doors is prime real estate. Don't get too crazy and clutter it up, but those inexpensive command strips can be your best friend and you can stick one on the inside of the kitchen sink cabinet and hang your rubber gloves with an alligator clip. So simple and useful!

3) This sounds really simple and obvious, but seriously, less is more. Take a moment to really think about it. How many duvet covers do you need? How many towels do you need? Really? Alan and I scaled back from 6 to 3 duvet covers and from heck knows how many guest towels to 4. The linen closet is able to breathe!

Secondly, I am so excited to try a new face mask. I ordered online the ThirstyMud treatment from GlamGlow and also the 0.3 oz sample size of the SuperMud treatment. I swear, I am going to get control of this skin of mine, and I sincerely hope that these products will help me get there. I will be creating a post dedicated towards my skin, and my current skin care items.

Lastly, I still don't have my wedding photos back from my photographer and this is why I haven't made a post just yet all about my wedding. I have so much to say about weddings, planning, engagement, and personal stories to share- I will likely have to make multiple posts about this topic.

I guess what all of this boils down to, is I have a lot of little projects on the go, and you can expect many more random posts to come :)

Cute Presentable Hair When You Are Feeling Lazy

So, if I have to do my hair, but don't feel like can't shower and do a full blow out.. this is my safe go-to look.

Things to consider:
- My sister and I have curly hair. Much more effort is required to make curly hair pretty. At least in my opinion.
- While my sister and I both have curly hair, we have very different textures so the results look different. Check out the picture below for what my hair looks like when I use this technique.
- You don't have to straighten the ends of your sections, this is just a personal preference because I like the disheveled, didn't really try too hard, kind of look.
- This technique is really to save time. This takes me about 10 minutes to complete on my mid length hair, it would take me about 20-25 minutes on my very long hair. This took about 30 minutes to film the video and do my sister's hair. Actual hair time was about 20 minutes, once you master your own hair, this will go much quicker.

I hope you enjoy :)

Watch my video HERE!

My Mouth and Mind

I recently filmed a video that is currently uploading to Youtube regarding an Adult Orthodontic update. While I was filming this video, I remember feeling frustrated and unsatisfied with my progress. As the video will tell you, I am most annoyed about expectations vs. reality in terms of timelines.

Then, while editing the video together and adding in my before and after shots, I realized, oh wow. I've come a long way. There really is a difference here.

This is a reminder for me that sometimes I need to step back, broaden my focus, and recognize how far I have come in many aspects of my life.

I am working on a post regarding self-love and being your own best friend instead of worst critic. It should be up within a week. I think I have some valuable nuggets of information that I am really excited to share.

So I write this to ask that if you find yourself tunnel visioned and frustrated about, well just about anything, grant yourself permission to take a brief step back to reflect. Try not to be critical, and just genuinely recognize where you started and where you are. It may offer some gratitude and shift your perspective just a little.

Check out my video on my Youtube channel www.youtube.com/user/skentel

Meet My Sister!

My younger sister Nikki did a video with me that is now live on Youtube. You even get to meet Summer, my adorable niece briefly.

We did a "tag" like video where we had to answer 10 questions how the other would have answered. The questions are all below if you wanted to recreate this.

How Would I Answer Tag:
1) What is my best physical feature?
2) What is my worst character flaw?
3) What is my favourite colour?
4) What is my favourite indulgent food?
5) What would I say is my most embarrassing moment?
6) What is my dream job?
7) Who is my dream man?
8) What is my favourite TV show?
9) What is my favourite music artist/band?
10) What is my guilty pleasure?

Watch us here!
My Youtube!

Cheers,
Sara

New Website!

Hello!

I have some exciting news. I have a website. It is a portfolio that I am working on. It is still very much under construction, but what I would love would be input from you all!

The goal for this website is to be an easily accessible portfolio showing my work with makeup. Do you guys think I should link my blog through the website directly? What kind of looks would you like me to show? I am building my portfolio and booking time to do makeup and have high quality photos taken of the different looks that I create. Have any suggestions or ideas for me to make a totally rad portfolio?

Right now, I have sections for Bridal, Glamour and Natural. My bridal section actually has material to show off because professional photographs are generally taken at weddings. All of the glam looks that I have done for birthdays/bachelorettes/night outs are captured by phones and low quality cameras and I didn't feel that they were good enough for this new website. What do you think?

Feel free to take a look and offer your suggestions. I am also working on editing a little funny video that my sister and I sat down to record and that should be up on Youtube in the next day or so.

Cheers
Sara

www.SkentelBeauty.com