I recently received a bottle of the new Kiehl’s Skin Rescuer and, let me tell you, I’m wowed…once again. Back in 2006/2007, I suffered from my first bout with acne…adult acne, to be exact, and it was really not fun. I grew up having perfect skin; seriously, I don’t remember getting a zit EVER until like maybe college (and during my period). So, naturally, when I found myself breaking out at age 23…I went a little ballistic, which definitely made my skin even more stressed out than it already was from the acne and rosacea combo.
In Kiehl’s studies, they’ve found that skin is actually the first of the body’s organs that stress begins to appear, showing up with signs of redness, fatigue, dehydration, blotchiness and overall visible signs of aging. The clinical results from testing showed a 100 percent improvement in overall skin quality, when applied in the morning and at night – so easy. SOLD.
I’m into it. I’ve been “battling” Rosacea for the past few years; and I say “battling” because, honestly, I don’t have a very severe case of it. Usually a little light foundation or tinted moisturizer covers up my rosy cheeks but every once in awhile, things get a little…rough, let’s call it. As an FYI, Rosacea is a skin condition that primarily affects Caucasians of North Western European descent and is often referred to as “the Irish flush” or “the curse of the Celts'” since it’s so common in people from England, Ireland, etc. Hi, welcome to MY LIFE. Sunblock? Check. But how do I prevent my own natural redness? Yeah…it’s been an experiment, since there’s no “cure” for Rosacea.
I recently tried out the Pevonia Spa Clinic Redness Relief system and I’m LOVING it. The products are packed with soothing ingredients like green tea, a known “calm the eff down” botanical that is common in skincare products, and of course, the key to any skincare regimen: consistency. The four steps (cleanser, toner, serum, moisturizer) are easy to follow and my skin always feels cool and moisturized after I use these. Here’s what they are/do:
1. Cleanser: calms, cools skin and combats bacteria
2. Toner: reduces redness and soothes skin
3. Serum: relieves redness, sensitivity and blotchiness
4. Moisturizer: hydrates and protects skin from UV rays and irritants
Growing up with fair skin wasn’t easy, to say the least. I can’t even tell you how many summers I spent in the shade, slathered in sunblock, watching my friends rub baby oil on their skin and soon after get the sexiest golden tan that you could possibly imagine. It’s a simple fact: being pale with freckles wasn’t desirable when I was a teenager; however, now, at almost 30, I am SO GLAD that I was born with freckled, Irish skin that I was given. Why? Well, for one, I look way younger (and age slower) than everyone else and it’s really just now that I’m starting to appreciate that little fact. Sure, a nice tan makes you look thinner, but that’s what spray tans are for…I digress. With St. Patrick’s Day coming up, I got to thinking about my fair-skinned beauty tricks that I’ve learned over the years, mixed with a little Irish makeup fun.
Don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel! My manager has been giving me tips and my videos are definitely getting better, if I do say so myself, haha.
Fusion Beauty PrimeResults Anti-Redness Primer: This primer is great for fair, Irish skin since rosacea is quite common. The primer has claims that show 50% reduction in overall redness after only six weeks.
Lancome Flash Bronzer Anti-Age: Every pale-skinned girl needs a good self-tanner! I’m a longtime fan of Lancome’s tanning products; they don’t streak and they give a natural bronzy glow.
A friend and I are heading out to the desert tomorrow morning at, gasp, 9AM. There are very few things that could actually get me to wake up before 11 on a Saturday but hey, Memorial Day in Palm Springs is calling me.
J. Crew bikinitopandbottom: I love a red bikini or, really, a red anything. This one is simple and the strings make this particular style look good on almost every body type.
Dorothy Perkins Black Aztec Crossover Dress: First off, I love the pattern. Second, this dress is the perfect minimalist vacay dress (and can also serve as a cover up!) that can take you right from daytime to night.
Forever21 Classic Straw Fedora: A hat is a MUST when I’m outside in the sun for a long period of time. Not only does it keep me cool but it also prevents sun damage on my face and scalp.
Redken Color Extend Sun Solar Screen SPF 12: Blonde hair can fade and oxidize fast when in the sun for too long so it’s VIP that I apply a spray with SPF protection and, as a bonus, the SPF also protects your scalp.
Kate Somerville SPF 55 Serum Tinted Sunscreen: It’s very inaprop to wear a full face of foundation at the pool or beach but yeah, with my rosacea and hyperpigmentation, I never go full on bare faced. This face serum is the perfect solution to my problem since it not only has SPF 55 but it’s a serum (e.g. lightweight) and it’s tinted so it actually hides most of my imperfections.
Everyone has them…they’re your dark little beauty secrets that you don’t share with anyone. There are certain things that a woman has to stick to, even when society (or a highly acclaimed stylist/makeup artist) tells you differently, and guys, I’ve somehow convinced some of the top beauty and style bloggers to share their dark secrets right here on my blog.
As for me? Well, I absolutely REFUSE to bleach my eyebrows or use an eyelash curler…oh, and I wear makeup to the gym. Yeah, I said it. Let’s start with eyebrow bleaching. I’m not a natural blonde (and it is NO SECRET) but, for some reason, certain colorists become obsessed with trying to convince me that my brows need to match my hair color. NO, just no. Back in my formative blonde years, I let myself get convinced once or twice and every time, you know what I got? Orange eyebrows. So now, whenever some celeb colorist tried to change my mind I just simply ask “have you ever heard of a little rock star/fashion icon named Gwen Stefani? Thank you and, yes, I’ll take another glass of champagne.” Eyelash curlers – I consider them modern day torture devices. I always thought that I just didn’t really know how to use one or the one I had wasn’t good quality — NO. I bought the Shu Uemura version that everyone raves about and you know…I still hate curling my eyelashes. Granted, I am blessed with naturally long, dark lashes (poor me, I know) so perhaps I would deem it necessary to curl them if I was in a different sitch BUT, for now, I’m down on eyelash curling. Lastly, I look my derm straight in the face when I tell him that I wear makeup to the gym. Countless derms and beauty editors will tell you not to do it. “It will clog your pores!” “You will break out!” Well you know what? I have rosacea and post-acne marks (aka hyperpigmentation) and there are hot dudes at the gym. So what if I wear a little mineral foundation or a tiny bit of tinted moisturizer (with SPF!)? Last night’s eyeliner is only included by default, mind you. In the famous words of Deena from Jersey Shore, “Get off me.”
I have a million cleansers I could/should use, but two or three nights a week, I come home tired/drunk/lazy and don’t wash my face before going to bed. (Shameful, I know!)
I RARELY wear body lotion. Only when I know I’m making out or on the weekends when I have time to let it fully absorb before putting on clothes. Jeans over damp lotion makes me want to DIE.
I refuse to wear blush.I hate it. I will highlight the shit out of my cheeks with bronzer and illuminating powder but that’s about it. I feel like that’s all I need in life anyways. Blush just makes me look clownish. Ew.
I wash off everything but my eye makeup when I have a sleepover with my (newish) boyfriend. I don’t know if seeing me without my eyelashes curled and whatnot is a dealbreaker for him, but I’m not taking any chances. #freshandsexy
I hate conditioner. My hair is fine and without a little texture and damage, it can’t hold a style. I have relented a bit and use it on my ends, but woe to the person who comes near me with a hair mask.
I’m admittedly blessed with hair that just sort of does what it does, if you know what I mean. That said, I DO use a flat iron on my bangs daily, and god forbid I ever a) use a heat protectant or hey, b) wait for them to dry. Patience is not a virtue in my world.
I never use hand cream. I’ve self-diagnosed myself with hyperhidrosis, so I fear adding any hydration to my already clammy palms, thus my cuticles suffer, but acetone is the best.
Sometimes I get lazy and instead of removing my nail polish, I just paint over it. By the time I get to the salon the manicurist is shooting me major side-eye as she’s removing layer upon layer upon layer of different nail polish colors.
I will never get laser hair removal on anything but my face– Someone told me that Kim Kardashian gets her whole body lasered. YIKES. No, the chin and jaw line are enough for me, thanks. I cannot image the pain. You’d have to dip me in aloe vera from my armpits afterwards. NO THANKS.
I haven’t used shaving cream since college. Back when I was younger and more precious about my skin, I’d run a hot shower, let the steam and water do its thing, use a fresh razor every 2 or 3 shaves… Now, I swipe the razor (inevitably a month and, like, 20 uses past its prime) all over in about 8 seconds and then call it a day. My thighs, meanwhile, have not been shaved since I was 16 (thank God for blonde hair). I haven’t downgraded to shaving in the sink yet, but it’s probably the ghost of Christmas future.
Even though it’s a major faux paus, I always leave my apartment with my hair wet. Hardly ever sopping, but always a tiny bit wet. I have curly hair and spending time diffusing it in the morning is just time I don’t want to waste.
I refuse to use eye makeup remover. I don’t even own any! I secretly love waking up with night-before-makeup. I just wipe the smudges under my eyes away and bam! It’s a Kate Moss smoky eye without trying.
Tell me and the girls, what are YOUR beauty rebellions?
With all of the stress that I’ve been dealing with lately, my skin has been an utter wreck. But you know when you have dry, sensitive skin like I do, you have to start with a good, clean base and yes, the cleanser you use is important. I recently tried DARPHIN Cleansing Milky Emulsion with Verbena and it’s a-mazing. The ultra-gentle cleanser is specifically designed for sensitive skin that’s prone to redness (hello, rosacea) and the fact that it’s creamy, not foamy, keeps skin soft and hydrated. This is a winner, for sure.
As I’ve mentioned before, I’m skeptical on primers. I know, I know, it goes against pretty much everything a makeup artist will tell you. Given that my skin has been in a tragic place for the last two weeks, I decided to try a new foundation primer and I’m actually pretty obsessed with it – Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Foundation Primer, to be exact. The primer leaves an immediate cooling sensation on the skin (which feels all kind of amazing on my rosacea at the moment). And, this particular formula contains Hydraplex12 extract derived from desert plants, which allows the primer to immediately hydrate while also sealing in the moisture with a protective barrier that fills in fine lines and pores. I’ve definitely seen a difference and my mineral powder foundation goes on a LOT smoother, even with breakouts. Approved.
With all of the stress that I’ve been dealing with lately, my skin has been an utter wreck. But you know when you have dry, sensitive skin like I do, you have to start with a good, clean base and yes, the cleanser you use is important. I recently tried 
As I’ve mentioned before, I’m 
