Squeeky Clean: Cleansers

I love doing skincare posts for you guys because, quite frankly, I'm obsessed with what skincare can do not only to keep your skin where it should be, but how you can use it to prep for whatever makeup look you're going for!

Let's say you want something more long lasting and matte for the evening...choose your skincare based around that look (maybe using a mattifying hydrator as your moisturizer, or an oil control primer).  Glow like J-Lo more up your alley?  Grab some radiance serums and a lightweight face oil to press into your skin.

I spend the most amount of time on skin when I'm doing looks not only for myself, but for clients as well.  If this is something you're not used to or have any questions about, let me know and I can lead you in the right direction :)

Now, I'm sure you know by now that if you're wearing makeup all day, please, PLEASE, I BEG YOU...take it off at the end of the night.  I will say here: I don't love wipes as a primary method of removal (try taking a cotton round with some cleanser over your face after you use a wipe...you'll see what I mean...) but if it's late and you simply can't make it to the sink, it will work in a pinch.

I'm a huge fan of the double cleanse, myself.  I find that it is quick, effective, and keeps my skin in tip-top shape.  But Ashleigh, what's a double cleanse???  Quite simply, cleansing twice!  My routine goes something like this:

                                        

*  Use either a cleansing water (also known as a micellar water in some circles) or a cleansing oil to really break up and remove the bulk of the makeup (oils are fun because it's like finger painting as your mascara and liner starts melting...I never said I wasn't a fan of the panda look, as long as I can get it off quickly!  Haha!)

     Shown Above:  Boscia Makeup BreakUp Cleansing Oil

*  Then I'll grab either a creamy or a foamy cleanser that has a makeup removing property and my Clarisonic Aria and get to exfoliating and really cleansing the grime and makeup off.  I like doing this second because I don't get the bulk of the makeup on the Clarisonic bush and have to deep clean it all the time.

     Shown Above:  First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser, Sephora Collection Radiance Cleansing Foam

*   A couple times a week I will forgo cleansing with my Clarisonic and manually wash with the second cleanser so that I can do some kind of a manual exfoliation or a peel.  I like the Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme peel in the photo because I can use it both as an exfoliator and a mask.  It has since been repackaged so don't be surprised if you don't find it in a tube!

*  The odd man out is my Jack Black Post Shave Cooling Gel.  I don't mention this a ton, but I do have hirsutism that stems from a PCOS diagnosis and I have facial hair I need to get rid of every day.  Sucks, but what can you do, right?  So I use this to keep my skin from freaking out and turning red on me...LOVE IT.

                                                

So then this is the result of some epic cleansing (and then layered off with skincare that is appropriate to my dry skin type)

What's your favorite cleanser?  Skincare Item?  Tell me!!!

Disclosure:

In addition to the products I purchase, I receive a lot of product as GRATIS through my job.  I know I say this all the time, but it cannot be repeated enough in a social media dominated world -- It is up to me (and me alone) to feature what I feel are good products that I can stand behind 100%.  I always take the utmost care as I write my posts to give you, the reader, the best information that I can about my experiences.  If I love a product, I'll say so.  If I hate the product, I'll tell you why.  It's equal opportunity on my blog in all aspects.  I am in NO WAY a spokesperson for my job when writing on this blog.  No company, including the one I work for, has any influence on what I say or what I feature on the blog.

Failures, Faces, and Favorites

So I suppose the first thing to address is the failures, right?  Haha!  Well the first would be keeping up with this blog.  You would think that because I'm failing at being a normal and functioning person because I've been consistently ill for almost 2.5 solid months I could have updated this thing...but nooooooo...(I had a DVT in my leg, I also just had the worst asthma flare up I've had since I was diagnosed with it when I was 12...UGH!)

Really, that's all the failures...and I don't see them as failures but rather...this thing we call life.  Basically, shit happens and you deal with it. Right? Right.

So then that would lead me to the faces portion - aka just makeup pictures...because, well, it's a beauty blog after all and I do remember what most of the products on these photos are!  That's a plus!

Complexion:

Algenist Pore Correcting Primer

Sephora Collection 10H Wear Foundation #20 (Cream)

Make Up For Ever Artist Shadow #M548 (Pink Gray) - contour

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush (Fearless)

Eyes:

Smashbox Double Exposure palette

Sephora Collection Dramatic Line Pen Liner

Lancome Grandiose Mascara

Lips:

Mint Rosebud Salve

Complexion:

Lancome Teint Visionnaire Foundation #210 Buff N

Make Up For Ever Artist Shadow #M548 (Pink Gray) - contour

Kat Von D Everlasting Face Shaper Blush (Belissima)

Eyes:

Anastasia Dipbrow (Dark Brown)

Urban Decay Electric Palette

MAC Eyeshadow (Chrome Yellow)

Tarte Aqualilies Cream Liner (LE/DC)

Lips:

Sephora Collection discontinued color (sticker missing)

Complexion:

Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Liquid Foundation (Light/Medium)

Sephora+Pantone Universe Blush Palette (Marsala)

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfecter Pressed (Opal)

Eyes:

Still Stay All Day Pen Liner (Pink)

Smashbox Full Exposure Palette

Lancome Grandiose Mascara

Lips:

I *think* it was a Bite Beauty lip? This was a while ago so I don't remember...

And then of course, there are always favorites, right?  So in no particular oder here are things I'm loving!

First thing up is my new obsession website - I'm on it all the damn time -- and for the sake of disclosure before anyone thinks anything, I am not an affiliate with them so feel free to click away :)

If you're a book lover (like I am!) check out www.bookoutlet.com -- I always tell people you need to want to have to dig around on the site but the deals cannot be beat!  I have ordered from them three or four times already and have loved everything I ordered and their service is pretty fab too!

I don't know if I ever mentioned that I'm a huge Star Trek fan...so next up on the list are a couple Trek related things -- my complete series of Voyager (which I am going through in order...I'm pretty sure I've already seen 75% of the series, but I want to see 100%! hehe!)

And then on the heels of Voyager, it's only appropriate to mention my favorite book (so far!) of 2015 -- Kate Mulgrew's memoir, Born With Teeth (seriously, just read it...even if you don't like Star Trek...which is featured only briefly in case you're wondering)

featured with my prized Captain Janeway teddy bear that I got out of Quark's Bazaar many many years ago in the Star Trek Magazine....

 And then there was makeup...

First up is the Smashbox Double Exposure palette.  So many choices and so many good colors!  I love the texture of the shadows (not too powdery and not too creamy....they're just right!) and you can use them all wet or dry so it's like having 28 shadows in a 14 pan kit!  My personal favorite colors are the muted silvery blue (top L), the shimmery golden tone (top 3rd in from R), and the reddish brown (bottom 2nd in from R).

Then there is a shoutout to my NARS books.  I got a new bookshelf recently and was reorganizing and so of course I sat and flipped through them...so many great images for inspiration!  If you haven't yet checked these books out, I highly recommend you do.  There are photos of the model's naked face on the left side, and then a clear overlay saying what products were used and where that lies on top of a photo of the finished face.  GREAT for learners or seasoned pro's alike! 

So that's what has been up...hopefully I can get some great content put together for you guys soon because I do miss doing this a lot!

Xo

-A-

Disclosure:

In addition to the products I purchase, I receive a lot of product as GRATIS through my job.  I know I say this all the time, but it cannot be repeated enough in a social media dominated world -- It is up to me (and me alone) to feature what I feel are good products that I can stand behind 100%.  I always take the utmost care as I write my posts to give you, the reader, the best information that I can about my experiences.  If I love a product, I'll say so.  If I hate the product, I'll tell you why.  It's equal opportunity on my blog in all aspects.  I am in NO WAY a spokesperson for my job when writing on this blog.  No company, including the one I work for, has any influence on what I say or what I feature on the blog.

Summer Skin Edit: What I Love

Oh hello, Golden Gate Bridge!

HELLO HELLO!  I figured I'd try to not let a long time go before I wrote another blog.  I'm awful at making time for myself much less anything else that isn't either work or theater.  However, you can see in the photo above that when I travel FOR work, I will make some time to take in the sights!  

I was fortunate enough this past week to be in San Francisco for work and since my best friend Heather lives just about a half hour outside the city proper, she generally plays tour guide for me when I'm there. (Bonus!  work fun AND bff time!)

Anyways, that's not really the point of the post, so let's just get right into the skincare, shall we? 

I begin by saying (as always) that I have an extremely dry skin type.  In the summer I tend to lean a little more normal but by no means do I have enough oil to be considered combination.  So I tend to stay with my creamy formulas, but they tend to be either oil-free or still hyper-hydrating.

In the photo above (my very messy bag o' skincare) you'll not see a cleanser because it's in the bathroom...but it's the Sephora Collection Supreme Cleansing Oil (which is sadly, out of stock right now!)  It gets my skin super clean (especially when used in tandem with my Clarisonic Aria!) and I absolutely love using oil cleansers!  I'll have to do a specific post on them soon!

Then you'll see the Josie Maran Argan Milk - this is one of those hyper-hydrating products that I absolutely love especially in the summer months.  It gives me all the hydration of argan oil, but without the heavy feeling -- I'm actually not a lover for the pure argan oil on my face...I much prefer the texture of Argan Light if I use Josie's...but then again, I'm a total Fresh Seaberry convert (see my post here!)

I mix a few drops of that Seaberry oil (or any oil really...in my bag is a trial version of the Kate Somerville Dilo oil...more on that later once I've made up my mind about it) into the Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation moisturizer.  This is a must-have product for me.  I love the lightweight whipped texture, and it has licorice and pea extract for brightening!  This container is probably the third full size jar I've gone through in the past three or four years so I'm always trying new things, but eventually I get back to this one.

I also am trying out a trial of the Kate Somerville Age Arrest eye cream.  I like the dense texture that immediately sinks into the eye area...and it leaves my skin very velvety feeling which I adore!

There are a few other things you're seeing in the bag and they're more like my ancillary products...not necessary but nice to have every once in a while...Peter Thomas Roth Lashes to Die for serum (LOVE!), Amore Pacific enzyme peel scrub, GlamGlow Supermud trial, Murad Acne Spot Fast Fix, Clinique healing gel, and the Peter Thomas Roth 40% peel.

If you have any questions or would like anything more in-depth, leave a comment!

Some products shown in this blog post were received as gratis from my job.  This does not influence my thoughts or opinions on any of the products I choose to show on my blog.  I am not sponsored by any of the companies featured in this blog post - I do not make any commission by including links, nor am I blogging on behalf of my employer.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Working and Theater and Life, OH MY!

Oh heeeey.
Again...Long time no blog - but I suppose you're used to that by now, yes?  I haven't posted since...JANUARY?!  Seriously?  Woah.  Ok, quick catch up.

March:  Traveled to San Francisco for another training...was so much fun (someday, I will move there, I swear...)
 
April: Performed as Ronny/WhiteBoys Lead Soloist for a local production of HAIR (so much fun!)

 

April was also World Book Night and I got to be a giver for the 2nd year in a row.  It's a fabulous thing, but as the adage goes, all good things must come to an end and sadly, they are not going to be holding this AMAZING night of book giving in the United States going forward as costs were too high.  I cry a little every day knowing that next year I can't do it (although, I may start collecting books throughout the summer/year at yard sales and things and give them out myself next year without the organization - keep the tradition going!)

 

May:  Performed as Doatsey Mae in a production of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas - this was quite possibly one of the best roles I've ever had, and I loved every single moment of giving life to Doatsey.  This is the kind of role you SHOULD want when you do a show :)

  

 

 June was full of WORKWORKWORK and now it's July and I'm in a production of Songs for a New World (as Woman #2), and I'm gearing up to leave next week (21st) for yet another trip to San Francisco (sneak preview of the reason for this trip: Beauty Classes will be coming to our store in the fall!)

Sorry I've fallen off the radar yet again, but hopefully I can put together some amazing posts for you to go through the end of the year, because I miss blogging!

Xoxo,
-A-

Winter Edit: Skincare Routine January 2014

Winter Skin = Dry, flaky, itchy, irritated.  Oh wait, that's my skin all year long!

So when winter comes, it's time for richer textures, oils, and lots of exfoliation (sorry it's not pictured, but I will list and link everything that I use in my routine in the post!)

Being that I work where I do, I have a plethora of skincare in my arsenal, and so I try a lot and rotate a lot.  I wanted to make sure I give you everything that I'm currently using so with that in mind -- here we go!

My cleanser(s) of choice still remain to be oil cleansers.  Do not let them scare you, especially if you're oily...they are fantastic at helping control your oil production and keeping you hydrated!  They also rinse clean which means no greasy feeling!  Currently, I have the Sephora Supreme Cleansing Oil, and a couple samples of the Dior cleansing oil that I'm working through.  My ultimate favorite is the Boscia Makeup Breakup and I've tried the new Tsubaki hybrid cleanser and that's ace as well!

As far as exfoliation goes, I'm still loyal to my Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel Pads as well as throwing in some Bliss Steep Clean or Peter Thomas Roth Clinical Peel and Reveal.  Also, I have a Clarisonic Aria that I pretty much keep on the highest speed ;)

So after I've cleansed and exfoliated, I move onto serum.  I've been using my Fresh Black Tea Age Delay Serum for a month now, and it's so cooling and fresh feeling on my skin!

I then layer my moisturizer mixed with 2-3 drops of Fresh Seaberry Face Oil.  For day I'm using the Caudalie Vinexpert Riche (the packaging has changed but it's great for some serious moisture and a gorgeous radiant glow!) and for night I have the Sephora Collection Age Defy night cream.  Both textures are richer than a typical moisturizer (aka my favorite texture! the richer the better!) 

My eye cream right at this moment is the Active 7 Radiant Eye Gel from Ren.  Again, this has gone through a package switch.  Some days I think that I should have saved it for this upcoming spring/summer because I don't think it's giving me as much as I want as far as moisture right now, but it's not leaving me parched in any way.  I love the texture and the cool feeling of a gel around the eyes too -- especially since I have allergies and wake up with super puffy and irritated eyes most mornings ;)


That's my current skincare routine...sometimes I'll throw in an Ole Henriksen Lemon Strip Flash Peel to really get the flakies away...

If you have any questions or want a more in-depth review of any products, please let me know!

Some products shown in this blog post were received as gratis from my job.  This does not influence my thoughts or opinions on any of the products I choose to show on my blog.  I am not sponsored by any of the companies featured in this blog post - nor am I blogging on behalf of my employer.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Dupe Dossier: Benefit "Peek-A-Bright Eyes" vs. WetNWild "Walking on Eggshells"

Makeup Junkies.  I'm one.  If you're reading this, you're probably one.  We always are on a mission.  To find the most amazing products.  To find the perfect foundation.  Sometimes it's to find the better deal on things.  But my favorite thing to do is to be challenged to find a duplicate of something (when I'm at work, that is). 

Nine times out of ten, I'm honest about it and what we find will not be the exact same color/texture/finish/etc but you can usually find things that are pretty darn close.

The other day I decided I wanted to have something super simple that I can just toss into a makeup bag when I know I'm either staying at friends' places/traveling for work and I don't have to think about it -- I can jazz it up with a funky liner or a fun lip color but it will serve me well to look put together.  I remembered that I wanted to try the WetNWild trios (wait, just because one works at Sephora doesn't mean that one is a makeup snob?! Haha! I'm here to debunk THAT rumour - the looks that people give me when I'm told that their Maybelline mascara is amazing and they don't want a high end one and I say "well, my favorite mascara if I'm honest will probably always be the original LashBlast!" is probably the best reaction ever!)

I ran into the local RiteAid and grabbed one for $2.99.  I got "Walking on Eggshells" which is undeniably the most popular and just an easy addition to my travel bag as far as natural and pretty.

The next day I brought home some gratis and found the new Benefit "Peek-a-Bright Eyes" palette.  I was flabbergasted when I opened it and found that it pretty much duplicated what I just purchased the night before!

seriously? after I just spent money? SERIOUSLY? LOL!

 swatched.  can you tell the difference?

Top: Benefit

Bottom: WetNWild

So basically my major differences that I noticed are:

• Benefit's pink tone is brighter and brown is cooler and slightly deeper
• WetNWild's pink tone is more champagne pink, brown is warmer
• Benefit's applicators are superior to WetNWild's craplicators (yep, that's what I call them!)
• Benefit has a cream eye brightener and instruction booklet included.

The textures are similar across the board...WetNWild has come a LONG way in terms of taking shadows that used to be chalky and frankly, quite painful to put on to having such a buttery smooth texture with fabulous one swipe payoff!  Benefit never disappoints in their eyeshadow department.  Buttery, pigmented, and a dream to work with.

Is one better than the other?  Truthfully, no.  I think that both are quite good for different reasons and I'm sure that both will find homes in travel bags and everyday makeup looks alike!

*Benefit Peek A Bright Eyes was gratis'd to me through my employer.  This does not sway me on my own thoughts or opinions*

Thoughts: Fresh Seaberry Moisturizing Face Oil

HOLY GRAIL ALERT!

HOLY GRAIL ALERT!

HOLY. GRAIL. ALERT!

Hahaha.  I do have a penchant for the dramatic, n'est pas?

But seriously.  This is one of my most loved products right now!  As you know (if you've been reading my blog) I do work at Sephora...therefore I get to try a lot (I repeat...A LOT) of skincare throughout the year.  There are times when I am halfway through something and I wish I could just get through it to try something new...but Seaberry Oil is something I want to never, ever, EVER, go away.

Seaberry oil is jam-packed with a great blend of pure oils and omegas including: 

• seaberry - antioxidant and contains omegas 7 and 9 (moisturizing)
• cranberry seed - helps keep skin smooth and elastic
• camellia seed - emolliant and a skin moisturizer
• grapeseed - anti-inflammitant, anti aging benefits
• sweet almond  - an excellent emollient and moisturizer
• Omega 3 - calming and soothing
• Omegas 6+9 - improves skin elasticity, softness, and smoothness
• Omega 7 -  an ingredient I don't see often in skincare, omega 7 enhances the skin's ability to heal itself

as well as being packed with omega essential fatty acids.  It also has vitamin E for hydration and and to maintain skin elasticity.

Seaberry (or seabuckthorn) which is native to Siberia and found across Asia and Europe, is a multi-use ingredient that can not only be refined to be used in face oil (which, clearly, is what I'm talking about in this blog post -- haha) but you can also refine it to be used in food/beverages (ps, if you can get ahold of Sibu juice [LINK] -- it's DELICIOUS...I had a training with the founder of Fresh in San Francisco last month and we got to try some!)

So why do I love it so?  Well firstly, dry skin loves moisturizing oils.  I am hoping I'm not the only desert skin out there who doesn't enjoy the feeling of argan oil on my face (I find it super thick and it never fully sinks in...and I loathe feeling greasy).  This just melts into my skin and leaves me looking so glowy and hydrated but never greasy or shiny.

PRO TIP!  

I love mixing 2 drops of Seaberry Oil into my current moisturizer of choice.  It slightly changes the texture of the moisturizer (right now I'm using a Lancome night cream and a deluxe size Amore Pacific cream...but it pretty much mixes into any oil-free moisturizer very well) and turns it into a silky lightweight texture.  The creams sink into your skin and it's a fantastic way to feel ultra pampered.

You can also use it like you would any oil - I've run it through the ends of my hair, used it on my cuticles, mixed it into body lotion (which will be great coming into winter in Maine...my elbows and knees will love it!)

Have you tried Seaberry oil or any other face oil?  What was your favorite?

*this product was provided by the company to me through my job.  this does not influence what i put on my blog in any way.  my thoughts and opinions are my honest ones*

Doctor Brands: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare: ALPHA BETA PEEL PADS

This is going to be one hell of a love fest for a post.  Just throwing that out there.

This is the hero product for me that started a long love with this brand.  I keep trying new things, and I'm never disappointed!  That's saying a lot considering when it comes to my skin, I'm suuuuuuper picky.

The Alpha-Beta Peel comes in two varieties.  The Original and the Extra Strength (Extra Strength is shown above and is a bit stronger so it's more recommended for normal/resilient skin.  It also contains willow bark extract and mandelic acid).  You can see the brand comparison here [LINK]..  I'm going to be talking about the original strength in my post...but I have used both (and I've also had the professional treatment that you only can get in the dermatology office) and I am in loooooooooove.

So I admit it -- I'm a peel junkie.  I've got dry, flaky skin and I have to peel my face at least once a week to keep the flakies at bay.  That's why these are such a skin saver for me -- you can use them daily or you can spread them out!

It is a 2-step treatment and they come packaged either in separate jars or in the packettes --

Step 1 is your refining step. It contains:

• Glycolic Acid (anti-aging)
• Lactic Acid (promotes cell renewal - exfoliating/moisturizing)
• Malic Acid (promotes cell renewal - exfoliating/moisturizing)
• Citric Acid (helps speed cell turnover/renewal)
• Salicylic Acid (helps to keep pores clean)
• Genistein (stimulates collagen production)
• Chamomilla Recutita (soothes/calms irritation)
• Green Tea Extract (natural antioxidant)

Step 2 is a neutralizer for Step 1.  It contains:

• Retinol (anti-aging)
• Green Tea Extract (natural antioxidant)
• Phospholipids (humectant - draws moisture from the air and seals to skin)
• Sodium Bicarbonate (neutralized acids in step 1)
• Vitamins A, C, E (antioxidants, prevents collagen breakdown)
• Genistein (stimulates collagen production)
• Yarrow Extract (natural toner/anti inflammatory)
• Ubiquinone (antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals)
• Resveratrol (grape-seed polyphenol that protects skin from premature ageing)

The best part is that it takes about 4 minutes to do the peel!  The pads are pre-soaked and pre-labeled.  Take step 1 and use small circular motions all over your face, neck and decollete until the pad has lost it's moisture.  Wait 2 minutes (I take this opportunity to brush my teeth!). Then take step 2 and do the exact same motions.  That's it!

After using these my face always feels extremely clean and smooth and I feel like my skincare is better absorbed into my skin because I've cleaned off all of the dead cells.

This is my MUST HAVE skincare product -- have you tried it?  What do you think?

Long Time, No Blog?

Well HELLO!  How are you?  What?  Where have I been?

Oh that.

Yeah....about that.

Sooo, I haven't blogged (or vlogged for that matter) since I told you all I worked for Sephora back in July.  That gives kind of a negative feeling doesn't it?  Well, let's just dispel most of that right now!

Simply put, I haven't blogged because I've been right out straight!   I auditioned for (and got into) a local production of Jesus Christ Superstar as the featured Maid by the Fire...and that, on top of work is insane.  Just to give you a little insight -- I live an hour away from my store...so I leave at 7:30 in the morning, work 8:30-5:30, have rehearsal (or call for the show) from 6-whenever I get out (rehearsal: 9:30, performances: 10ish) and then depending on if the cast is going to do something, I won't get home until midnight.  That leaves just about enough time to sleep to do it all over again!

 

oh hey, I'm that blind leper on the left in the hat and orange shawl!

 

Maid by the Fire turned Reporter (for our production) during Peter's Denial

Photo Credit:  Audra Hatch Photography

The cool thing is, I have my work/life balance that I love -- I can do makeup AND theater!  The bad thing is, I don't have enough time to do much of anything else.  Which means my contribution to all my different forms of social media suffers.  Sorry.

But what is cool is that I've been doing a lot of fun things in the meantime!  Last night I just got home from a work trip to San Francisco (during my birthday no less!) and I'm jumping right back into another show -- I will be Sister Berthe in The Sound of Music in November!  (among other things - I'm slowly getting more involved with that theater company and I'm very exited to be doing so!)

Oh San Francisco.  I can't wait to someday be there!! Every time I go (and this was my 3rd time) I fall in love a little more.

 

we got to make our own fragrances!

 

i spent an entire evening in Haight-Ashbury -- my inner hippie was ecstatic!

 

I met Lev Glazman (the founder of the brand FRESH)

 

 My friend Heather took me to Little Italy for my 29th birthday

 

where all the magic happens ;)

 

So I'm going to attempt to finish up some post-trip planning/work and if I have time I want to curate a few posts, because this is something I enjoy immensely and I hate that I leave it behind when I get busy!

Hi, my name is Ashleigh and I work at....

I've never been one for hiding anything...especially not from you guys - my whole theory on that is: if I wouldn't buy it, I won't tell you to.  If I don't like it, I'll say so.  What I will do is tell you what I do like and what I don't like and let you (the reader) make your own choice.  My reasoning behind this choice is that my skin is not your skin.  What works for me won't necessarily work for you (and vice-versa).  I've always stated that I work in the realm of cosmetics and beauty, and when I'm reviewing products, I always disclose where it came from.

What the heck does this have to do with ANYTHING you may be wondering?  Most jobs have a book of policies that employees must follow during their employment -- and especially nowadays there are Social Media Policies -- and I just read a recent update to my own employer's policy and while in the past it has never stated that I cannot disclose the place where I work, for my own sanity (and the fact that I wanted to keep my personal life and internet life a little more separate), I didn't publicly state where I work, just that it was within the realm of cosmetics.  Since I started blogging and since I've had my YouTube channel, I've met a couple of people in the "real world" who have watched my videos or read my blog and I love seeing/meeting you all...it was just always super weird to have it happen at work and I didn't know how to take it.  I like keeping it not so "OMGIKNOWYOUIWATCHYOURVIDEOS" and more like "Hi, How are you?" -- being in theater, I'm all for recognizing people but not being insane about it - haha!

That being said, I feel more comfortable sharing a little more about it...my newest job title recently went onto my "about me" on my Instagram...and I figure if I can say it there, I can say it here -- most of you probably have guessed it (and those who know me more personally obviously already know where I work).  So with all this being said...

Hi, my name is Ashleigh and I'm a Senior Artist at Sephora :)

 

(this was the last time we did 80's day before we got the new "Star Trek" uniforms! haha)

(the first photo was from my location's grand opening)

So what does this mean for the blog and for YouTube?

Absolutely nothing.  I will still make videos and blog as usual.  Nothing will change.

A couple things do need to be put out right here for you all and for the sake of social media policies everywhere -- I've always said it, but I just want it completely black and white so that I *can* keep blogging and doing videos!

Yes, I work for Sephora.  Yes, I receive gratis.  I always have disclosed and will continue to do so when I receive products from work if they are gratis and are reviewed/featured on the blog or YouTube.  The most important thing I want to put out there (and this has never and will never change) is that all of my opinions are my own, they are not affiliated with Sephora.

Double Winged Liner

Just a quick little look for you all while I figure out what I want to blog on for the future -- I've been so busy with work (and now I've been cast in a musical that opens in September!) so by the time I get home, I'm just a little tired ;)

Products Used:

NARS Pro Prime Foundation Primer

Josie Maran Argan Matchmaker Serum Foundation

Sephora Collection Microsmooth Powder

Tarte Glisten Amazonian Clay Blush

MAC Mystery Eyeshadow (brows)

Too Faced Shadow Insurance

Urban Decay Naked Palette (Sin, Naked, Buck)

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Liners (Black and Periwinkle)

Tarte MultiplEYE Lash Primer

Yves St. Laurent Babydoll Lashes Mascara

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment

 

Thoughts: Bumble&bumble Tonic Lotion

Is it possible to love something so much that you'd cry if you didn't have it?  It is?  Oh wait, that's what makes it a holy grail product!!!

Well I suppose, if I had to choose one for my hair, this would be in the list of "things I really actually can't live without" column.

Bumble says that this lotion is packed with vitamins, herbs, and tea tree oil...and it's meant for detangling, soothing, and gives your hair more moisture.  The formula is fabulous for all hair types, but especially for dry, coarse, damaged, and color treated hair.  You can also use it to reactivate product already in your hair to restyle.  Bonus!!!  Especially for people like myself who -- well quite frankly, give hair the super way back seat.

I spray this into towel dried hair every time I wash it, and I can honestly say it makes a huge difference!!  So much so that when I was traveling back in January I had to buy the little guy on the left in the picture :)  And the bottle on the right is my 2nd bottle since summer!

It also helps my styling products perform better -- I love having it in my hair when I have to curl or straighten (if you know me well, I rarely heat style my hair because it's already so dry and damaged) and it just makes it so soft -- which was a buzz word they used in trainings I've been to -- it softens the hair.

I just love it, and I don't forsee living without it.  Definitely a replenishing item for me!!

What:  Bumble&bumble Tonic Lotion

Where:  Sephora, Sephora.com, Bumble locations

How Much:  $20 (8oz bottle) or $7 (2oz bottle)

*this item was purchased by me!*

Thoughts: Perricone MD Chia Serum

It's no secret that my dry skin loves oil.  Any oil.  Oil for all.  So when I received a Perricone Chia Serum from my job last summer I knew I was going to save it for winter for when I get really dry and those pesky flakies make an appearance.

So I've been using the oil since the beginning of December and I have to say that I do like it.  It's hydrating, leaves my skin nice and glowy, and I can definitely say it does improve how my moisturizer performs (I didn't use it faithfully on my work trip to San Francisco last week and it definitely showed by the time I came home).

I use 2-3 drops morning and night and apply it directly to cleansed skin.  If I feel like making a serum cocktail I will apply other serums on top...then my moisturizer of choice (depending on day or night) and finally my eye cream.

It's fast absorbing and doesn't leave me feeling super greasy...which I love (I don't even like greasy hand lotion!)

The great thing about oils is that anyone can use them, even oilier skin types.  Some people like myself can layer them with their moisturizers, and some people can use them AS moisturizer.  Super customizable!  It's just all about finding which one works for you.

Do you use an oil?  Which is your favorite?

this product was provided to me by my job.  this has no bearing on what i say in my blog.  no one is compensating me for my thoughts.

Skin Saver: Dr. Perricone Blue Plasma

Just a quick blog post to let you in on something that has saved my skin.

Many of you may know that I was in a pretty bad car accident in December that left me car-less for a month, but it also left me with a broken nose (thankfully it was a clean break and was re-set on New Year's Eve so it's on the mend!)

However, this meant two things.  A) no makeup until I could safely move my skin after the re-set (which was this past week...so a month of no makeup) and B) no exfoliation.

Being very dry, this KILLED me on the inside.  I can deal with no makeup...heck, if I could go to work every day with the bare minimum I totally would (or at least the mornings I have to be there early haha!)  But no exfoliation?  My skin is going to haaaate me.

I kept most of it in check with gentle exfoliation with a washcloth, but as you can imagine, I couldn't exfoliate OR moisturize my nose and very quickly I had a dry and scaly nose.  Boo.

Blue Plasma came out just after Christmas and thank goodness it did!  It is a super gentle, non-acidic daily facial peel that will not leave your skin sensitive or red...and it is specifically formulated to only go after dead skin cells while protecting the healthy ones AND it micro exfoliates without dryness!  Blue Plasma I love you.

I got a sample from my local Sephora and used said sample for 3 days.  No more flakes.  None.  At all. I have to say that I am won over by this (normally I am adverse to Perricone because of the high price point --this product I believe is $95-- and I am super picky about how my products smell...many of the Perricone products contain DMAE which has a slightly fishy odor to most people...this product however has virtually no scent).  I will say with a little bit of excitement that I can't wait for my tax return because this little bottle of blue is going to be mine.

YouTube Series: ABC's Once Upon A Time: Snow White #2 (Entertainment Weekly Cover)

A quick and easy look for anyone based on Snow White's flushed cheeks, winged liner, and natural pink lip as seen on the late-October cover of Entertainment Weekly!

Head past the jump to see photos of the finished look and the video!

Foundation Frenzy - Liquid Foundations

Foundations featured in photo (shades noted from memory! haha):

Make Up For Ever High Definition Foundation (#120)

*Annabelle BB Cream

Josie Maran Argan Matchmaker Serum Foundation (Light/Medium)

*Gosh BB Cream

Clinique Even Better (#04 - Cream Chamois)

*Smashbox Studio Skin

Marcelle BB Cream

*Marcelle Limited Edition BB Cream

NARS Sheer Glow (Santa Fe)

Kat Von D Lock-It Tattoo Foundation

Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream (Light)

Sephora Collection Perfecting Tinted Moisturizer SPF20

Cover Girl NatureLuxe Foundation

FusionBeauty Prime Results Tinted Moisturizer (Sand)

L'Oreal True Match

*NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30 (Finland)

NARS Firming Foundation (Punjab)

Benefit You Rebel Tinted Moisturizer

Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Foundation

*Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation

*Dr. Brandt Flexitone BB Cream

Maybelline Dream Liquid Foundation (not in photo)

Clearly 2012 was the year of the foundation for me.  I will tell you right now that not every foundation has been opened and/or tried as of this blog post (as noted by the *asterisks*) however - some of them I have actually tried before...I just clearly have too many foundations open and I need to clean out some of them first!

What I wanted to do with this post is to give you a mini rundown on what I like about each of these foundations (or conversely, what I don't love quite so much...)  You will find clickable links [surrounded like this] if I have a review posted about these foundations on my blog.  Eventually I hope to have a more in-depth review for each foundation.  Feel free to click through and read :)

• Make Up For Ever High Definition Foundation - I think this foundation gives a great medium to full buildable coverage, while still looking like skin with a natural finish.  The pigments are wrapped into amino acids and what this will mean for you is that rather than the foundation sinking into skin texture, it closely mimics the skin and flexes with it as it moves - thus preventing that overly cakey foundation face that everyone runs away from.  All skin types can wear this but what I find is that drier skins need a hydrating base or a really good moisturizer underneath and someone who is very oily will want an oil control primer. (also of note: I don't normally say you need to use the matching company's primer with their foundations, but in this case the HD Primer and HD Foundation are a match made in heaven).  I personally don't use this very much as an everyday foundation because I find that (especially in the winter) because of my dry skin, it can cling if I'm not diligent about moisturizer - so I tend to save it for tutorials -- and in point of fact, I just gave my bottle to a coworker who suited the shade I had a bit better than I did...I prefer #125 on my skin.

• Josie Maran Argan Matchmaker Serum Foundation - A lovely, creamy textured foundation spiked with Josie's secret ingredient - Argan Oil - a balancing oil great for all skin types (absorbs excess oils and hydrates dry patches!).  Chameleon pigments make this foundation a bit different than your typical ones.  It comes out of the bottle looking like a mottled white liquid that as you blend bursts and warms to your skintone perfectly.  There are 3 shade variants available (Fair/Light good for people with a pinker undertone, Light/Medium good for people with a more olive undertone, and Medium/Deep good for people with a darker and warmer skintone).  One of my all time favorite foundations with a glowy finish that's not too shiny (oilier skins may still want to set oily zones with a translucent or blotting powder) and looks great on my skin all day.

• Clinique Even Better SPF 15 Foundation - A great foundation for people who are looking to correct uneven skin tone!  Developed by Clinique's dermatologists, this foundation is said to visibly diminish age spots in 4-6 weeks.  I think that this may be a little far fetched as a serum or a treatment would give a better result...but I do love the finish it gives.  A more complete thought on this foundation can be found [here] but I find it's more of a full coverage foundation that feels like a medium.  Which is perfect for those people out there who want coverage but don't want it to feel too thick and heavy.  Clinique says it works best on dry-combination to oily skin.  I find oilier skin types don't always love it and may have to powder.

• Marcelle BB Cream - An 8-in-one multi benefit skincare/makeup fusion, this is another product in a long line on the train of both drugstore and high end BB creams.  But make no mistake...this one is my favorite so far.  BB creams should be skincare first and coverage second...this is rarely the case with our Western versions as they are akin more to our tinted moisturizers just souped up with a tiny bit more of a skin benefit (and I'm sorry to say that even Marcelle's falls into this category).  It does keep my skin nicely hydrated with a decent amount of coverage (I call it a light/medium...if I want a true medium I add some powder and it's flawless!).  Interestingly, this is the first BB cream I've met with  no SPF (though if I recall, there is one with an SPF available).  It is a Canadian product though so getting it outside of Canada may be a bit harder, but if you can get your mitts on it, please try it!  I'm smitten!  [Review can be found here]

• NARS Sheer Glow - If I could write a Sonnet to this foundation, I would.  This is my HG (or holy grail) foundation.  It's a perfect medium coverage, leaves my skin hydrated and glowing, and lasts all day with a primer.  It has antioxidants built into it and contains turmeric extract for improved skin radiance and and tone.  I have a comparison for this foundation [here] with the Sheer Matte finish.  If you have dry to dry-combination skin, please try this foundation.  You won't be disappointed!

• Kat Von D Lock-It Tattoo Foundation - A more recent addition to my *ahem, little* collection, the KvD foundation is amazing as far as pigmentation, transfer resistance, and lastability go...but it falls short for my dry skin in that it dries to be way too matte of a finish for myself (it's listed as a soft matte finish, but on me it just looks unnatural).  But this also makes it an amazing foundation for someone who has that oilier skin type.  Interestingly, please note that I've also found that this foundation is fabulous as a concealer and offers quite a bit more coverage than her tattoo concealer!  If you are a drier skin type and you want to get the most out of this because you're looking for the coverage or long wear factor, you can layer with her priming serum (or any hydrating primer - the MUFE HD Elixir is fabulous under this!).

• Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream - Another fantastic BB cream, and probably my 2nd favorite of the ones I've tried so far...Smashbox offers you a higher SPF (35), oil control and hydration, primer built in, medium coverage that feels like sheer, AND it comes in 5 shades (typically a BB cream comes in one, maaaaybe two shades)!  Again I find that I can go either way with this BB cream and I can leave it without a powder or I can set it with one for more coverage...same goes for my oilier skinned friends...because of the nature of the oil control, you may not need to set it.

• Sephora Collection Perfecting Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 - Oil control, antiaging peptides, sheer color and sun protection!  This is a fantastic product for any age...from someone who is just starting out wearing makeup to the seasoned makeup enthusiast who just wants to lighten up a bit (especially in the summer months...how I wished I had this when I lived in Florida those many (read: 5) years ago haha).  The coverage is light enough to not feel like you've got anything more than a moisturizer on, but it does give a light coverage to just even out any light skin discoloration.  Spots, dark circles, and heavier ruddiness will need a little more concealer.

• CoverGirl NatureLuxe Foundation - I find that most people think that just because I have so many higher end foundations that I am a makeup snob.  This isn't the case, I just have more than enough to last me for a while before I need to buy anything myself (perks of working in cosmetics I guess)...but I am definitely a sucker for a bargain so when I saw the Cover Girl NatureLuxe foundation on sale at my local Hannaford because they weren't going to be carrying it there anymore, I had to get one.  Lightweight, blendable, soothing feeling on the skin...It's almost like the feeling of a tinted moisturizer but just a smidge more coverage.  My issue with drugstore makeup is that a) there are no testers and b) the shades are always orangey...and this stays true with this foundation unfortunately.  I can wear it in the summer, but only when I'm at my tannest as the orangey shade is more noticeable without that slight burn you get from a tan.  It's probably my least favorite looking foundation that I currently have going - but that's ok because I don't have to use it until summer ;)

• Fusion Beauty PrimeResults Tinted Moisturizer - If you can't tell by the sheer amount of BB creams in that picture, I kind of like things that are multi-taskers.  PrimeResults is an amazing tinted moistuizer that has a sheer coverage that weightlessly veils imperfections and fills in unwanted skin texture with it's built in primer!  This also has ingredients in it that deeply hydrate and re-hydrate your skin - again with my oilier skinned readers, you may find you need a powder to set this.  I find I get the most amazingly flawless coverage when I pair this with my MAC Studio Fix powder.  Probably because of the extra hydration from this it's best on drier skin types.

• L'Oreal True Match Liquid Foundation - This has to be one of my favorite drugstore foundations and has been for years.  While I tend to err on the side of Maybelline for my drugstore needs, L'Oreal stepped up their game and I am pretty sure this is one of the most extensive color matched foundations I've seen in a while.  Medium coverage, satin finish, and matching powders to boot (of which I will discuss that one in my powder foundation post when I do it!).  I think it's good for all skin types.  Typical to what I find in drugstore foundations...it will last longer when layered with a primer.

• NARS Firming Foundation - Sadly I do believe this has been discontinued.  Therefore, I don't feel it fair to talk about it at length.  Sorry!!!

• Benefit You Rebel Tinted Moisturizer - A great sheer coverage foundation (because really, that's all tinted moisturizers are!) I love the Benefit products because of their quirky packaging (which to be honest sometimes is over-priced...and yes I'm looking at you box powders!) but the products are 9 times out of 10 good!  (Following this one is one that I'm not so hot-to-trot for though...whoops).  This is a great tinted moisturizer, and it does come in a lighter shade as well (aptly named You Rebel lite).

• Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Foundation - Light in texture, an SPF of 25, and buildable coverage don't save this foundation from my list of "foundations I want to love but for reasons [x,y,z] I just can't."  If I had to pick my top reason though, it would be that on my dry as a bone skin, it makes me look oily after 2 or 3 hours - and it's an oil free foundation! o_0  That aside, it is buildable and it is light in texture and there are plenty of people out there (and many of them are oily) who love this foundation.  I say set it well with powder and maybe it'll be ok.

• Maybelline Dream Liquid Foundation - This is probably my favorite drugstore foundation ever created.  Big claim, I know...but it comes in a great range of shades and it is this very strange consistency that works well with my skin.  Best for normal to drier skin types (may make oilier skins feel too slick)...It comes out a mousse type consistency but then goes to almost a gel-like consistency.  This leaves my skin with a great dewy finish (on days when I feel more normal than dry, I do find I need powder) and with a primer it stays all day.

One Woman With Many Faces [Face Charts]

One of my favorite things to do is to play around with face charts.  Ever since I worked counter for MAC, I've loved taking products and literally grinding them onto the paper to create something three dimensional and beautiful on something that's a very two dimensional surface.  (By the by...back in the day that I *did* work counter, you really did have to grind the colors onto the charts...haha)

I've done face charts on all different types of pre-made charts (and I kid you not...I've even done them on plain computer paper...HARD!)...and I got some in the mail about a month ago that really take the cake.  I know that he is still working on them and improving them -- but seriously...get thee to Dustin's site and get some of these bad boys for yourself if you're a chart person!

[LINK TO DUSTIN'S BLOGPOST!]

Also, I kept the images kind of big so that when you click on them you can see the texture. you're welcome -- haha!

I think (and maybe it's just my own personal preference) that I'd almost like to not even have the eyebrow guides...When I do charts that don't have brows...or when I want an unnatural brow shape I feel like I can always see the "ghost lines" beneath...again, it could just be me being weird haha!

Lots of room to write your products - and you don't have to have itty bitty handwriting either!

I absolutely adore that he designed this with both eyes open!  The shape lends itself to many different eye shapes and look types.

The only thing that took me a while to get used to was the actual construction of the face -- it actually looks like a human!  Hehe.  The *only* reason I say that is because I'm used to working on charts where the faces look like robots.  Seriously guys...have you LOOKED at a blank MAC chart?  Or a chart from Sephora? Creeeeeeeepy.  The year there was a tin man in MAC's halloween looks, I seriously thought to myself: "Gee...whoever designed that must have forgot about it until the day of..."

The texture is fantastic for blending...I don't have to grind colors into the paper!  I also like the lashline that's drawn in on the top - I feel like it's more realistic looking once the chart is finished...

All in all, these are fantastic and I will be ordering lots (um...but probably not till tax refund time though - mama needs to pay for her car to get fixed from the accident haha) -- but I need hoardes of these STAT!

The face charts are currently $10.50 USD for a pack of 20 (limited time on this price if I recall correctly) and have the option of being pre-drilled for three hole punches.  All the information is linked above to Dusty's post on his blog about it.

I'm serious guys...go get some...these are the bees knees!



*the face charts featured in this blog post were provided to me.  i am not being compensated for this post and this does not have any influence on what i think about them -- if they were crap I'd tell you!  or i wouldn't even waste a post on them haha*