My Current Skincare Routine

I've been in dermatological heaven for the last few months. As previously mentioned, I've been taking prescription antibiotics for my acne, and it has really cleared up my breakouts. I still tend to get the occasional pimple, but its such a rare occasion that it's okay. Here's my topical routine for maintaining clear skin. The principles are simple: remove all traces of makeup and dirt, and follow up with a cleanser and/or exfoliator that encourages cell turnover. Cell turnover not only helps fade acne scarring, but can also prevent and fight fine lines and wrinkles, so this routine should work for a wide variety of skin types.

1. If I am using liquid foundation, I first take every thing off with MAC Cleanse Off oil. I skip this step if I'm using powder foundation because by the end of the day, the poor thing has worn off by itself.

2. I remove all my eye makeup with the wonderful Boots Botanics Soothing Makeup Remover. It has icelandic moss (yay for exotic ingredients!). This is so effective that I simply have to hold a dampened cotton square over my eyes and it melts all my waterproof makeup.

3. To cleanse, I use Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant. Although this is technically an exfoliator, the rice particles are so fine that you can use it every day and not worry about over-exfoliation. It's pricey ($50) so I'm glad I won it in a giveaway, but I'm so in love with it that I may repurchase...may...**wrings hands**

4. After cleansing, I tone with Olay Refreshing Toner with witch hazel. This drugstore gem lives up to its name--its so refreshing! And it takes off every trace of remaining dirt and makeup. I also love that for a small price, you get a LOT of toner.

 

5. Finally, I spread a small amount of tretinoin gel on my cheeks. Tretinoin is a prescription gel for fading post-acne spots. I love this stuff--it has really diminished some of my most stubborn hyperpigmentation marks. 

And that's it. Although it looks like a lot of products, my skin has always been troublesome, and I find that a regular skincare routine combined with a bit of Western medicine has led to the best skin I've had since my pre-teens. 

What is your current skincare routine? Any product recommendations pour moi?  

PS. I purchased all of these products with my own moolah. The only thing I didn't buy was the Dermalogica exfoliator, which I won in a giveaway.

Haul from SkincareRx Giveaway

I recently won a The SkincareRx giveaway from Sarah Bella's blog. I love Sarah's blog and YT videos, because she's down to earth, reviews products of all price ranges, and she's drop dead gorgeous!

Anyhoo, I was extremely stoked to redeem my $100 gift card from SkincareRx, and here are the things I picked up:

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant. This is basically an exfoliating powder that you mix with a bit of water, and it contains rice-based enzymes and salicylic acid that buff away dead skin cells and encourage cell turnover (buh bye acne scars!). Lollipop26 raved about this a while ago, but the $50 tag kept preventing me from purchasing. Upon receiving this, I was happy to see that SkincareRx threw in a travel size cleanser and moisturizer with the exfoliator. It's wierd, but I have not yet used this because I am too happy to own it!

Next, I got the Murad acne complex kit ($36). Although my acne has diminished because of my antibiotic treatment (click here for the related post), my doc told me to continue with my normal topical skincare. That's good advice, because I still do get the occasional few pimples. Rest assured a full review will be coming up of this treatment!

Last but not least, I got a La Roche-Posay hand treatment ($14). Since most people often overlook hands, they can be dead giveaways of a person's age. Besides caring for your face and neck, I always think that hands need a little TLC too!

Overall, I really loved ordering from SkincareRx. The website is set up for novices and skincare addicts alike. There's also a great $29 sample kit that lets you try out a bunch of high-end skincare products without taking a big risk. Also, my package came like 2 days after ordering, which inevitably led to squeals of delight. Thanks Sarah, and thanks SkincareRx. This giveaway was da bomb.

I went naked! and other updates

Before I explain the meaning behind my sensationalist title, I wanted to update you guys about my blogging. The last few weeks have been hectic as heck! First, I have had my in-laws staying with me, which makes my nights go by in a stupor of good food. Second, my computer died on me, and I'm still in the process of finding a new one. Third, my blog template and my comments decided to crash on me, so I wanted to fix both before I put up a new post. I hope you guys like this new template. I love Blogger's new design feature! I can see myself changing this up once every season.

Now for the sensationalist title. Yes, I did go naked to work today! Naked on my face that is. For the first time in a very long time, I didn't put on a single makeup product on my face for work. That's because for the last 4 weeks, I have been acne-free. A month ago, I  began taking the prescription antibiotic, minocycline, for my acne. I take a 100 mg capsule 2x a day, on a fairly empty stomach with plenty of water.

Within a week or so, my pimples vanished before my eyes, and they have stayed away for 4 weeks now. I had like 2 pimples on the week of my period, but that's pretty much it. I have experienced the sheer pleasure of not having to have a massive skincare regimen. I just take off my makeup every evening, and wash my face with a drugstore face wash, and that's it. I will still put on some kind of treatment at night, but it's literally to use up my vast artillery of skincare products! I wish I had done this sooner. After years of frustration, failed treatments, and scarring--both emotional and physical--antibiotics finally did the trick.

I have a follow-up appointment next week with my doc. Only time will tell if this treatment will rid me of acne forever, but for now, I am supremely happy. As for the side effects, minocycline can cause dizziness, nausea, and in rare cases, a bluish pigmentation on the limbs or face, which goes away once you get off the pill. But so far, I haven't had a single side effect.

I am not about to give medical advice to you guys. But I have tried a vast array of drugstore acne treatments, health routines, and ayurvedic remedies. Some worked well for a short amount of time, others worked 50% of the time, and still others didn't work at all. But minocycline has worked thoroughly for the whole month, because it actually kills acne causing bacteria, p acnes. If you suffer from acne, definitely talk to a physician about it. There are some things that drugstores simply cannot solve.

The Cellnique acne and scar treatment

6 WEEK UPDATE: I've noticed that the zits are making a comeback in a big way. I'm not surprised really. My skin responds very well to any strong acne treatment for a month, but after that, it usually grows a tolerance to the products. My acne scars are still fading away though, so that's good. For now,  I'm gonna have to try a new regimen, and then come back to this one later down the road, just to keep my skin on its toes. 

For the last month, I have been using an acne treatment by Cellnique. Cellnique provides skin solutions for everything from acne to anti-aging. My wishlist is to combat and prevent break outs once and for all, and to fade my acne scars. 

I was sent: 1) the Skin Purifying Cleanser (far left), 2) the Skin Action Gel Plus (middle), and 3) the Advanced Bio Renewal Masque (far right).

 All three products are luxuriously packaged, which encourages me to stick to my routine.

Overall, I must say that this has been an extremely effective skin care treatment. My acne has subsided tremendously; I'm usually completely acne-free, and at the most, I'll get 1 little zit on each cheek. My forehead has been clear for the whole month! As for acne scars, they are noticeably lighter, and the really old ones have faded completely. My entire face is also looking a shade lighter, brighter and more radiant.

Here is my regimen:

Step 1: Every morning and night, I cleanse my face with the Skin Purifying Cleanser. This smells like eucalyptus or tea tree oil, which I think is invigorating. It also has exfoliating particles in it, so that means I'm cleansing and exfoliating at the same time!

Step 2: After drying my face, I apply a bit of the Skin Action Gel Plus on my face. I concentrate the product on my problem zones. The serum stings and makes my skin feel tingly/warm. The stinging harsher on active or open blemishes. Honestly, I don't mind this, because this baby works. It smells quite strongly of camphor.

3. The mask is to be used once a week to deep clean and brighten your skin. I actually use this 2-3x a week. It smells almost like a tropical drink (I think the smell is way too strong, but it goes away after a while). Just like the serum, this mask stings a lot on open breakouts. However, I put up with that because it really brings deep cystic acne up to the surface, where the serum can do its job. This mask has also faded my acne scars, and I love how I instantly look bright when I wash this mask off!

I hope you guys found my skincare regimen helpful. Although these products are pricey ($120 for all three products mentioned here), you can get 3 free samples sent to you. I also like that Cellnique caters to all skin issues, from acne to anti-aging.

FTC Disclaimer:  These products were sent to me for review consideration. I was not paid to review these products. This is my honest opinion. 

Mario Badescu Healing and Soothing Mask

Ever go on a mad witch hunt to exterminate every pimple on your face, only to win the battle and realize you're now looking at dry, battle-worn skin? Yeah. That would be me. When I break out, I launch crusades against my zits by throwing at them every harsh chemical in my bathroom cabinet. I pick, prod, mask, and scrub until they're all gone. Enter Mario Badescu's Healing and Soothing Mask. This was sent to me as free sample back in December. Here's the sample and a swatch of the mask:

The description on MB's website reads: Speeds healing of acne-erupted skin, Soothes redness and irritation, and Balances out drying acne products. 

Honestly, I am not sure about how to review this product. I've had it since early December and have only used it 2 times. On the plus side, the mask has a smooth texture, and it doesn't dry on your skin and give you that "I can't move my face" feeling. However, the smell is disgusting to me because its like vanilla and cardamom mixed together. I can imagine other girls liking this because I know Lush's fruity/feminine soaps are a big hit but I personally think they are overpoweringly girly. I'm more drawn to herbal, citrusy, clean scents.

The weird scent aside, I do want to use this mask more because it does make my skin feel balanced (i.e., no more oily and dry patches). Overall, I have to say its a nice mask because it's quite a unique product in my collection. Not sure if I'd purchase the full size though, because man, that scent is pissing me off. However, if you like vanilla and girly scents, feel free to get the sample from MB!

Do you guys have any balancing masks that you really like? If I found a nice one in the drugstore (or Lush hehehe), I'd be so joyous. Most of my masks are super drying (ie aspirin, clay, etc.)

Going Vegan: Six Days In

       Although I've been a proud omnivore for much of my life, I'm going vegan for six weeks. I started on Jan 1st and will officially end on Feb. 12th. Before I launch into my reasons for doing this, please know that I'm not trying to preach the virtues of going vegan or trying to convert anyone. It's just a journey and a challenge that I want to share with you guys, that's all. :)

            For the last four years, I've observed some kind of a change in my diet from New Year's Day until mid-February. Consider it my own version of Lent. In the past, I have given up things like meat, alcohol, or caffeine. This year, I'm giving up both meat or dairy products. I really like to do this because it starts off the new year with giving up something I really really enjoy, so each time I make the right choice, I feel a little more disciplined and responsible. To me, the smug feeling of superiority is well worth it. Also, once I'm done, I don't jump head-long into my old ways; I just re-incorporate the foods back into my diet, but in smaller portions. So it really helps me form a long-term habit fast.

         I decided to go vegan instead of vegetarian for two main reasons. First of all, I make plenty of vegetarian fare at home, so being a vegetarian wouldn't require a big change. But cutting out butter, cheese, yogurt and milk is a big effing change that'll give me the teeth-gritting challenge I love. Second, I mainly get acne on my cheeks, and I've read that cutting dairy from your diet can improve this (see my post on that topic here).

        I also chose to go vegan because I recently watched Food, Inc., a documentary about how meat and vegetables are produced in the USA today. Even once I'm done with this period of veganism and get back to normal, I'll be sourcing my meat and dairy from local farmers, where I can get to see exactly how these animals are raised. This is one seriously eye-opening movie.

 

I've only been off meat and dairy for 6 days now, but let me tell ya, I'm already seeing some interesting changes in my body:

1. After a vegan meal, no matter how much food I ate, I don't feel lethargic. I just feel full and revitalized and ready to face the next several hours of the day. Not true with meat and dairy foods! This is such an exciting effect, and I felt it from day 1. Loving the boost of energy!

2. My skin is feeling better. Yes I still have a couple of break outs here and there, but there hasn't been any new acne. It could be the winter, or my skincare routine, but I do believe cutting the dairy has been good for me.

3. I feel "lighter". I don't mean this in terms of weight, beause I haven't weighed myself. But I'm perceiving myself more positively because I'm so disciplined about my food choices. My self-image is no longer "ugh I look so fat". Due to the simple fact that I'm in charge of my diet, I'm happy with how I look in the mirror. Yes, there can be vast improvements, but I know I'm proactively working towards them, and that makes all the difference in my outlook.


So far so good! I'll keep updating you guys on how this goes. Thanks for reading as always. 


xoxo,
Ashwini

Removing the Day: St. Ives vs. Clean and Clear

When it comes to removing makeup, I'm looking for four simple things: 1) make it fast, 2) don't break me out, 3) make it thorough and 4) make it affordable. So in the last 6 months, I went through 2 drugstore makeup removers: Clean & Clear Makeup Dissolving Foaming Cleanser and St. Ives Fresh Skin Olive Cleanser. Here's how they compare:

Make it fast: Both Clean & Clear and St. Ives effectively remove powder foundations and mineral makeup in a jiffy. For liquid foundations (even Revlon Colorstay), Clean & Clear is much more effective. St. Ives makes it messy and requires a couple of rounds.

Don't break me out: Neither product has caused breakouts on my skin. So if you have problem skin, either one should be fine.

Make it thorough: Clean & Clear claims to remove ALL makeup, EVEN WATER-PROOF MASCARA. Not exactly true in my opinion. Afer several pumps of this product, you can at the most remove 100% of face makeup, and about 90% of mascara. But you will end up with little flakes of mascara clinging to your lashes and below your lids. St. Ives doesn't claim to remove mascara, and I appreciate the honesty. St. Ives can only tackle face makeup, not eye makeup (forget mascara, it can't even take on gel liners and eye bases). You absolutely need a separate eye makeup remover for it.

Make it affordable: Clean & Clear is around $11.99 at Target (6 oz). St. Ives is around $4.99 at CVS (6.5 oz). St. Ives wins this round.

Final thoughts: St. Ives can easily remove daily makeup like minerals and powder foundations. It's a bigger pain to tackle liquid foundations and it's impossible for eye makeup. Clean and Clear is a bit more effective because it does remove most of your eye makeup and liquid foundation is not a problem. However, I do resent that it states on the bottle that it can remove water-proof mascara, but that's just not the case.

Once I run out of Clean and Clear, I will either 1) repurchase it and also get a dedicated eye makeup remover, or 2) invest in something like MAC wipes, or MAC Cleanse Off Oil.

Thanks for reading, and if you have any holy grail products for removing makeup, please put them in the comments below!

Super Mario Badescu Strawberry Face Scrub

I know this has been all over the blogosphere already, but for those who don't know, if you go to Mario Badescu's website and fill out a questionnaire about your skin, they will suggest products for you and ship you free samples. This review is about my FAVORITE sample out of the lot, the Strawberry Face Scrub:

Here's what it looks like:

The claim: Made with real Strawberry seeds that gently buff away flaky skin while natural AHA’s break down dulling build-up to unclog pores and prevent blackheads. It improves skin's overall texture by revealing healthy, glowing skin. ($15.00 for 4 oz.) 

With no hesitation, I can say that this has landed on my wish-list and I will not rest until I buy a full size. Before I run away with my feelings, here's the rational breakdown:

1. Price: I wouldn't mind paying $15 for a product I will use 2-3 times a week, and one that instantly makes me feel better.

2. Texture: I adore the texture of this scrub. It's quite creamy and has a pearlescent sheen to it. The real strawberry seeds make for the perfect exfoliants--they're not as harsh as sugar or apricot scrubs, and yet you can feel them getting the job done. 

3. The wow effect: Strawberry has a natural bleaching effect on the skin. In fact, I've read that mashing up fresh strawberries and brushing your teeth with them can lead to a whiter smile! So when I use this, I scrub my face for at least a minute. The texture is so luxurious that I just keep scrubbing away! When I wash it off, my complexion is instantly brighter and more radiant. AND, it doesn't dry out my skin one bit. This scrub doesn't rip the oil outta your pores. It just polishes your complexion so its perfectly bright and clean.

4. The one but: The one thing I'd change about this product is the scent. It's that fake strawberry scent you smell on candy. It's nothing like a real strawberry. I am getting used to it though, and frankly, I totally forgive Mario Badescu for this one problem because I love the texture and brightening effect of this scrub so very much. But yea, if you're super picky about scents, then be duly warned. 

Of all the samples I got from MB, this is by far my very favorite product. I really really want the full size and think its worth it. I've been using this scrub whenever I need a pick me up. It just works wonders. The exfoliation feels so luxurious, and then when I see my brighter complexion in the mirror, it just reinforces to me that I want this on my shelf permanently. :)

Lush Grease Lightning Review

I recently purchased Lush's Grease Lightning as part of my Thanksgiving haul.

This product is a spot treatment for acne and its main ingredients are tea tree, witch hazel and aloe vera.

• Tea tree is anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, and is routinely used as an alternative to benzoyl peroxide. 
• Witch hazel promotes blood circulation and thus acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. 
• Aloe vera (which can also be taken orally for acne) helps accelerate healing because it provides skin with the "scaffolding" needed to repair itself quickly.

I use this after a nightly cleansing routine which consists removing my makeup, cleansing with a salicylic acid-based product, and then applying this to my problem areas.

The product comes out as a clear gel and has the pleasant smell of tea tree oil. It goes on clear and has a slight tightning effect on the skin. I love that the next morning, my skin isn't flaky dry. Big plus over BP!

So far I've loved using this product for moderate and recovering acne. I can't judge how effective it is for really severe acne since I haven't had terrible skin issues lately. Its a great preventative as well as treatment product and can be used daily because it isn't overly drying.

To my surprise, there are a few other superstar ingredients in this bad boy, including sea water, rosemary, thyme, lavender, and grape juice. All of these things are great for the skin, especially sea water. I once heard a model say that her secret to flawless skin was swimming in the ocean!

I think this product is lovely to use, and the shelf life is 1 year! I just can't comment on whether it would work on severe acne, but for the occasional spot, this is a great all-natural alternative to benzoyl peroxide.

Have you tried Grease Lightning? If not, what is your go-to product for zapping spots?

Lush Dark Angels Review

Based on high demand, the first product I'm reviewing from my haul is Lush Dark Angels. Lush has got me hooked already. Although its pricey and not available near me, I think it's well worth it because it's like buying ready-made DIY products. With DIY, sometimes by the time you've bought all the ingredients, the price is already high, and you run the risk of hating the final product. With Lush, its like you're getting the best of both worlds: the ingredients are few and fresh, and you're still getting a well-vetted product.

So onto my thoughts on Dark Angels.

The ingredients: 

• Charcoal is a very powerful substance that chemically attracts toxins towards it. In fact it is routinely used to save poison victims! When applied topically, charcoal literally draws impurities out of your pores. 
• Rhassoul mud is a natural anti-bacterial agent. 
  
• Sandalwood is used widely in India for treating dry skin, oily skin, sensitive skin, and acne scars. Its fragrance also relieves anxiety and increases concenration. Little wonder then that it is used for nervous brides-to-be!
• Black Sugar is an excellent exfoliant, with fairly large, coarse bits.
  

Highly impressive but a bit messy
I used this stuff on a particularly oily-skin day. After taking off my makeup, I took a penny-size amount of what looked like pitch black, sandy Play-doh. I put it in my palm and mixed it with water to make a paste. I put it all over my face, and the earthy smell really refreshed me and make me feel all woodsy. The scrub is intense, so avoid if you have sensitive skin or open blemishes.

After rinsing, I FREAKED OUT because there were tiny black spots around my nose and cheeks. I'd heard of getting a "tattooing effect" from charcoal, so I quickly grabbed my Coastal Scents cleanser brush and scrubbed for dear life, followed by a bit of Biore Cleanser.

Whew, it was all good after that. The second time I used it, I used a bit less, and there was substantially lesser spotting. I just had to follow with cleanser, but no brushing.

Effects: my skin is smoother than a baby's butt. This thing really scrubs the dead cells off your face, and the oil doesn't return for days. It's BY FAR the best exfoliant I have ever used. Although it requires a bit of effort and substantial sink cleanup, its my baby and I love it for who it is!

Another downer, is that it has a short 2 month shelf life. With the recommended usage being 2x a week, I'm afraid I'll not use it all up. I guess that's the downside of buying fresh preservative-free products.


4 stars for performance: It. works. wonders.
1 star removed for the short shelf life, messyness, and ability to spot your skin if you use too much.

Grease Lightning review is up next! Thanks for reading!

Lush, MAC, OPI, & NYX Haul!

After months of holding myself back, I finally let loose and got a large haul thanks to wonderful Black Friday deals that extended all weekend. The wait was seriously worth it as I saved quite a bit of moolah. I'll review of all these items once I've tried them out but for now, enjoy the haulage:

MAC Strobe Lotion
MAC sharpener (for Engraved
MAC Select Cover-Up in NC45
MAC Moisturelush Cream sample (which I may add the stingy makeup counter lady was unwilling to part with because "people take advantage of it"...as I am checking out...with a boatload of makeup...WTF)

NYX Jumbo eye pencil in French Fries

NYX Lipgloss in Ice Princess (which I've been using this relentlessly and may hit pan at a record speed)

Lush Grease Lightning

Lush Sea vegetable soap

Lush Dark Angels

Lush Whoosh Shower Jelly

A Grape Fit; You Don't Know Jacques!; Barefoot in Barcelona

This is love. Go buy it now.

Can't wait to review these products for you guys! Which ones would you like me to review first?

Also, a HUGE thank you to Beautygirl24, The Beautifier, xcharleym0ox and Krystle for the blog awards they've recently given me. I'm so grateful for every single one, and I promise to post it up ASAP. Just want to say thanks here. You guys are so awesome. :)

In and Out #1

I've never done one of these before, but I've been mulling over what's in and out for me this month, so here goes. I wanted to call this post "tip of the hat, wag of my finger" (from The Colbert Report), but nah, too long.

IN

Two days until Thanksgiving!! I am spending Thanksgiving at my parents' house with my cousins, sister, sister-in-law, and grandmother. My whole family is scattered far from each other with some living in various parts of the US, and others in places as exotic as India and London (yes London is exotic to me!)

MAC Romancin and To Swoon For: these pale and hot pink lipsticks have been my addiction all month. Both are from last year's holiday collections, but you can check out swatches here. The consistency is creamy and the pigmentation is wonderful. I call it my smile in a tube. :)

Finally getting the hang of where to put blush and contour: I realized that if I made a fish face and then try to smile, I'll know exactly where are my cheek's hollows. Freaking A took me all year to figure that out. I just have flat cheeks so I had no idea what was this 'hollow' thing everyone was talking about. By the way, I've been using Coastal Scents' six piece contour and blush palette to play around with contouring and blush. The highlighters in this pallete are nothing but chalk, so I certainly don't recommend them. But the 2 blush colors are fantastic and the contouring color is a universal brown, but nothing to write home about. I'd love to try out NARS Laguna next.

Going green: I'm getting more and more serious about going green. I've been buying organic fruits, which is not only safer for the environment, but they also taste amazing (I've eaten 3 organic apples in 1 day!). I've also started going to my local farmer's market. The idea there is to look around at what is the season's harvest and then figure out what you can cook from it. I remember as a kid my mom went to the farmers markets in India (there were no grocery stores in the '90s) brought home the seasonal items, and we'd eat whatever the Earth delivered that week. That's the real way to eat, and I really want to get back to it.

OUT

Skipping the gym...for more days than I care to admit. Man I was doing so well in the summer. Why oh why is it that darkness at 5 PM makes me lazy and want to sit on the couch all night and blog while my hubby watches documentaries?!

Getting zits for no apparent reason. It's wierd but as a blogger about skincare, I feel guilty and hypocritical when I break out. It's like here I am giving tips on how to prevent and treat acne and here I am having breakouts. I get so obsessed with why I'm breaking out. It's like I know too many treatments and theories, so its like a murder mystery when I get a zit. Could it be lack of exercise? End of term stress? Something in my diet? Something NOT in my diet? Arrrgh.

My obese laptop: 11 lbs, 17" 2006 Toshiba. Not sexy. There should be a cash for klunker laptops program. I'm giving this one more year, and then moving up to Apple heaven.

That's enough ranting for now. Please link me up to your ins and outs, or write 'em in the comments below!

I Hit Pan!

Eliza tagged me to list 6 items that I have hit pan on, and have or plan to repurchase. This can be makeup, skincare, haircare, bodycare or scent. Given that there are 5 categories, I'll do 2 makeup, and 1 each for the rest!

1. MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation: even before becoming a beauty junkie, I knew this gem was a keeper. I've repurchased twice, and will continue to do so forever and ever.

2. C.O. Bigelow Lipgloss (Bath + Body Works): Genius. Great color, shine, taste, smell, applicator, everything. It's the Godfather of lipglosses.

3. Biore Ice Fighting Blemish Cleanser: lovely smell and highly effective at getting that squeaky clean face feeling. I love how it feels cold and tingly as I lather it up.

4. Organix Shampoo and Conditioner: my hair feels so thick, healthy, and shiny when I use this stuff. Love.

5. Johnson + Johnson Baby Lotion: great smell, cheap, super moisturizing, and even works on my face in a pinch because its so pure that it won't break me out (also I love smelling my hubby when he uses baby lotion.)

6. Scents: I've never repurchased a fragrance because by the time I finish a bottle, its been so long that I'm dying to try something new (I'm a serial monogamist with my scents. Wierd, I know.). But here are 3 scents I've hit "pan" on: Chanel Allure (feminine, enduring, romantic, garners LOTS of compliments), Lacoste (clean, smells high end, very preppy), Banana Republic Classic (clean, citrusy, perfect for daytime).

I tag all my followers to do this tag! Would love to hear from you guys!

Pimples: signs of a deeper problem

Did you know that the location where you tend to get break out says a lot about what body part or organ is out of whack? Crazy right?! According to Dr. Gillian McKeith's "You Are What You Eat" (which is also a popular TV show on BBC), its true. Here's how it breaks down, and how you can fix it:

Forehead : Intestinal Area Affected

Get clean and regular with psyllium husk (see my post about it here)

Cheeks: Lungs and Breast Area Affected
Avoid dairy and red meats, take muellin tea, astragalus, evening primrose, echinacaea

Nose: Heart Area Affected
Take hawthorn, CoQ10, barley grass

Jaw: Kidney Area Affected
Take quinoa, dandelion tea, magnesium, and B complex


Shoulder: Digestive Area Affected
Try digestive enzymes, aloe vera juice

Chest: Lung and Heart Areas Affected
See cheeks. Also try to integrate lecithin granules into your meals

Upper Back: Lung Area Affected
Avoid dairy, sugars, peanuts, and have simpler, smaller meals. Try celery juice, muellin tea, astragalus, and germanium

Around the mouth: Reproductive Area Affected
Try the herb agnus castus


I primarily break out on my cheeks, so I am going to cut down on dairy, and I rarely eat red meat (only the occasional burger on weekends). With winter around the corner, I enjoy drinking herbal teas with lemon and honey added to them, so I might go get the herbs they've suggested this weekend.

The fine print: I don't have medical expertise. I am only quoting a page from Dr. Gillian McKeith's book to talk about how dietary changes can help clear up skin. Before trying any of these recommendations, talk to a nutritionist or physician. At the very least, read You Are What You Eat or leave me a comment below to find out the amount of each supplement you should take, and how often (I'll just look it up for you). Please implement these recommendations at your own risk.

Review: Biore Skin Preservation Moisturizer

Good for summer, bad for winter. That should be Biore's disclaimer for the Skin Preservation Moisturizer ($12.99 @ Target), which is for "transitional skin", that is to say skin that is past teenage acne but not yet dealing with wrinkles. The bottle has a dual pump that dispenses moisturizer and SPF 30 separately. According to Biore, keeping the two fluids in separate chambers preserves each one's potency, but I'm thinking that might just be a marketing gimmick.


I must say, I adore this product's consistency and scent. It's kind of thicker than Clinique's Dramatically Different moisturizer, which allows the product to sink into the skin in like 5 seconds. The scent is a mild cucumber/soapy smell, which fades quite fast, so the experience of putting it on is nice, but you're not in danger of smelling like a cuke all day. Also, the SPF 30 does not make my skin look super white and goes on smoothly, not greasy at all. For the summer, this is drugstore perfection.

The first negative is is the tricky packaging. The dual pump does not initially dispense equal amounts of the two fluids. You have to 1) tap the bottle hard on a surface, and 2) pump 7-9 times before both fluids come out! Hello, that's a lot of wasted moisturizer! I put the excess into a an empty sample jar from MAC.

The second negative is that this does nothing for dry, flaky skin. Its already quite cold where I live, and my skin has gone from needing blotting sheets to being flaky dry (lucky me right?). I found that just a few minutes after putting on the moisturizer, I had dry patches around my mouth. Even two pumps right after a warm shower wasn't doing the trick. So its pretty simple, this is a wonderful drugstore moisturizer in the summer, but in the winter, go with something thicker.

Final grade: A-

Espresso Yourself! Coffee+Chocolate Mask

It's getting cold, and that means that I'm craving 1) hot chocolate and 2) steaming cups of joe. But did you know that chocolate, coffee and milk are an excellent combination for a DIY mask? Here's why:

1. Chocolate and coffee contain caffeine, which constricts blood vessels, therefore reducing redness from acne or rosacea.

2. Chocolate and coffee contain antioxidants, which can prevent and even repair sun damage. Fall and winter are the best times to repair sun damage from the summer months.

3. Milk contains protein, fat, and vitamins A and D. All of these ingredients calm down dry, chapped skin.

        Mix 1/2 tsp of coffee, 1/2 tsp of cocoa, and 1 tsp of milk. I used Starbucks french roast, Hershey's cocoa powder, and 2% milk (you can use any kind).You can reduce the lumpyness of the cocoa powder by putting it through a sifter, but you and I know we're too lazy to do all that. ;)

       The mixture will be granular and runny. You can add some honey to bind the mixture a bit better, but I had no problem keeping it on my face.

      Leave the mixture on for 15-20 min, then wash off. It can be a wee bit messy when washing off, so you can just do this before taking a shower. I love how I smelled yummy the whole time!

      I didn't see immediate reduction of redness from this mask, but my skin looked very bright, awake and refreshed. Also from just smelling the chocolate and caffeine, I kind of felt revived. I think this mask is a fun pampering session, especially on a cold and rainy day like it has been here all week. So take it for what its worth, and enjoy this little pick-me-up!

Secret to Clear Skin

After dealing with acne for about 12 years now, I want to share my thoughts on what are the two most common underlying causes of acne. Remember that acne is just a symptom of a deeper problem. Solve the problem, and you'll get rid of acne. In my experience, acne is caused by  1) a hormonal imbalance, and 2) inefficient digestion. If either of these two things is out of whack, I break out. It's as simple as that (for me!). Here are my 2 top tips for good skin:

1) Balance your hormones: the best way for girls to calm down their hormones is to birth control. My hormones were all over the place as a teenager because I always had severely painful periods and I always broke out like crazy around that time. It sucked because it was like a billboard to the world that said "Aunt Flo is visiting me for the week!" So I've conquered the hormonal issue by getting on trisprintec. Obviously, talk to your family, dermatologist and/or OB/GYN before getting on birth control.

2) Have a good digestive system: if you are constipated, chances are, you have acne. When you're constipated, the toxins in your body have nowhere to go, so they get into your bloodstream, which goes everywhere, including your pores! I know that's disgusting, but bear with me, this is VERY important to good skin! There are very simple ways to stay regular. Here are a few all-natural, no-side-effects, results-driven and super-affordable tips:

• Drink 8-10 glasses of water a day. If you do NOTHING else on this list, do this one. Your makeup will stay on longer, you won't have mid-afternoon lulls, and your skin will not only be acne-free, it will glow.
• Take psyllium husk every morning with warm water. Psyllium husk can be found under the brand name Metamucil, but you can also find higher-quality stuff at the Indian store, where its called Sat Isabgol. Take a heaping teaspoon every morning with warm water.
  
• Take 1/2 a tsp of Triphala every morning and night. This is a wonderful Ayurvedic compound that acts as a mild laxative. It works wonders and there are no side-effects.
  

On a last note, I've seen that taking charge of my hormones and my digestion has not only cleared up myskin, it actually makes me feel happier on the inside. Believe me, clear skin starts from here, so I hope you try it!

Lemon Peel and Rose Water Mask

This is the 2nd in my series of DIY treatments using ingredients from your local Indian store. The Lemon Peel Rosewater mask can be used for reducing redness from acne, lightening acne scars, evening out skin tone, softening freckles, and reducing oilyness. Click here for my post on where to get lemon peel and rosewater.

How does it work?
The acid in a lemon peel eliminates excess oil on the skin. It also dissolves dead skin cells which promotes new cell turnover. Rosewater is a mild astringent so it's basically an all-natural gentle toner. Rosewater also diminishes redness by acting on capillaries just below the skin surface.


Recipe:
Mix about 1/2 tsp of lemon peel powder with 2-3 tsps of rosewater. Mix with your hands until you get a thin paste. Here's before and after mixing:

Apply only on areas you want to lighten. I put it on my forehead and cheeks where I tend to break out or have acne scars. Leave on for 20 min then wash off using a washcloth or a facial cleanser brush. Pat dry and moisturize. I would recommend using this mask 2x a week. The results are wonderful and your face smells like roses!

PS. Now that you have a bottle of rosewater on hand, use it to set your makeup. Just fill up a travel-sized spray bottle with rosewater and you have a great Fix+ substitute!

Easy DIY Complexion Mask Using Gram Flour

This mask is ideal for reducing acne, sorting out uneven complexion, and even buffing away sunless tanners. Its gentle and safe enough to use everyday. Gram flour pastes have been traditionally used in India to brighten up a bride-to-be's complexion a couple of days before her wedding. Gram flour can reduce redness and puffiness, which ends up giving your skin a bright and even complexion.

Ok on to the recipe: Mix ~2 tsp of gram flour (see pictures in my previous post) with 2-3 tsps of water. With your fingers, mix the two ingredients into a thin but non-runny paste. Adjust the amounts of water and gram flour until you get the desired consistency. Here's the unmixed and mixed forms:

Apply all over your face while avoiding the eye area. Here's what the consistency should look like on the skin:

When the mask is dry, you shouldn't be able to move your skin. Also the mask will turn almost transparent. This took me about 20 min. To remove the mask, first splash some water on  your face. Then, use a wet washcloth or face brush to gently loosen the mask. I suggest Coastal Scent's face brush.

There are many other variations on this mask, but this is the simplest and fastest. If you're in a pampering mood, mix gram flour with honey and yogurt, or with rose water instead of plain water. Enjoy!

Indian Store Haul: Masks, Hair Treatments, and more!

Visit your local Indian store and you will discover a treasure trove of ancient Indian secrets to good skin and hair. I just bought enough supplies from my local Asia Grocers to make 2 homemade masks, a weekly hair conditioning treatment, and a daily supplement to combat acne and brighten my complexion. And the whole haul costed me $11.95. I kid you not.

All of these products are known to be very effective as they are all based on Ayurveda, an ancient Indian text on medicine.

Below are photos of all the stuff I bought. This is to help you navigate through the store. Be on the lookout in the days to come for recipes and explanations of how these products work.

1. Laxmi ground chickpea flour, or besan (pronounced bay-sun) $2.99 

2. Dabur Vatika enriched coconut oil $2.99

3. Dabur rose water $1.99

4. Lemon peel powder $1.99

5. Triphala Churna $1.99

I'm super stoked about sharing all these recipes with you guys in the days to come, so definitely tune in for that!